3. How does the Bible describe death? Ecclesiastes 12:7. Compare with Genesis 2:7.
NOTE: ‘In the examination we have made of the creation of man, his fall, etc., we see no record of immortality or of any spirit being given to him that can possess consciousness separate from the body. We think that the testimony from Solomon, [Ecclesiastes 12:7,] may now be understood. “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was, and the spirit to God who gave it.” We find no record, that God gave any spirit to man except the breath of life, which in Genesis 7:22, in the margin, is called the “breath of the spirit of life.” The same original term that is rendered “spirit” in Ecclesiastes 12:7 (ruach, breath, spirit, etc.,) is used in Genesis 2:7. Then Ecclesiastes 12:7, states merely the disorganisation of man: dust returns to dust, and the breath to God who gave it. Says Job. 12:10, “In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.”’ J. N. Loughborough: Man’s Present Condition and Future Reward, page 40.
4. Does the Bible distinguish between the death of human beings and the death of other creatures? Ecclesiastes 3:19-20.
NOTE: ‘We do not understand that Solomon is here going to teach that in every respect man is no higher than a beast. Man is endowed with higher intellectual faculties, and has the promise of immortality set before him to encourage him to seek God. There is, however, one point Solomon would call our attention to in which man is not above the beast. Verse 19. “For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them, as the one dieth so dieth the other, yea they have all one breath, so that a man hath no pre-eminence above a beast, for all is vanity.” Says Solomon, “As man dieth, so dieth the beast.” But according to Psalm 104:29, the death of the beast is caused by taking away the breath. “Thou hidest Thy face, they are troubled: Thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.” Verse 20. Solomon continues, “All go unto one place, all are of the dust, all turn to dust again.” Here we have the positive testimony of Solomon.’ J. N. Loughborough: Man’s Present Condition and Future Reward, page 55.