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Malachi refers to a heavenly scroll where the names of those who fear God are written, a concept based on ancient Near Eastern traditions such as the Hymn to Nungal, where the Sumerian goddess writes the names of the righteous on a heavenly tablet.
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A Hymn to Nungal
Manungal
Ancient Near East
Mercy and compassion are mine. I frighten no one. I keep an eye upon the black-headed people; they are under my surveillance. I hold the tablet of life in my hand and I write the names of the righteous ones on it. The evildoers cannot escape my arm; I learn their deeds. All countries look to me as to their divine mother. I temper severe punishments; I am a compassionate mother. I cool down even the angriest heart, sprinkling it with cool water. I calm down the wounded heart; I snatch men from the jaws of destruction.
Date: 1900 B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Malachi 3:16
Hebrew Bible
15 So now we consider the arrogant to be blessed; indeed, those who practice evil are successful. In fact, those who challenge God escape!’” 16 Then those who respected the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord took notice. A scroll was prepared before him in which were recorded the names of those who respected the Lord and honored his name. 17 “They will belong to me,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “in the day when I prepare my own special property. I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him.
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Notes and References
"... there are several references to judges of the netherworld. We already mentioned the moon-god and the sun-god. Next to them also the Anunnaki were known in that function. Their judgment, however, is not a decision on moral grounds about the future state of the dead. It is merely the definitive sentence of death ... In the Sumerian hymn to Nungal the judgement on the righteous and evil by the goddess of the netherworld refers to life on earth. The evil persons are sentenced to death, whereas the righteous and "cleaned" sinners are blessed in this life ..."
Spronk, Klaas
Beatific Afterlife in Ancient Israel and in the Ancient Near East
(p. 103) Butzon und Bercker Neukirchener Verl, 1986
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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