After a person dies, the literal term “dead soul” is used for the corpse in some Bible verses. (Leviticus 21:11, footnote; Numbers 6:6, footnote) Although many Bible translations use the terms “dead body” or “dead person” in those verses, the original Hebrew uses the word neʹphesh, or “soul.” “Soul” can mean “life”

Animals also are called souls.—Genesis 1:20, 21, 24, 30. Since the Bible word “soul” means the person himself, it should not surprise us to learn that souls can and do die. The Scriptures say: “The soul that is sinning—it itself will die.”—Ezekiel 18:4. “And Samson proceeded to say: ‘Let my soul die with the Philistines.’”—

10 For example, God told Moses: “All the men who were hunting for your soul are dead.” (Exodus 4:19) Clearly, Moses’ enemies were seeking to take his life. Similar usage of the word “soul” is seen in the following statements. “We became very much afraid for our souls.”

And Nazirites were told not to come near “any dead soul” (“a dead body,” Lamsa).—Numbers 6:6. 5 A similar reference to the soul is found at 1 Kings 19:4. A severely distressed Elijah “began to ask that his soul might die.”

The Bible says that both animals and humans are souls. (Numbers 31:28) When the first man, Adam, was created, he was not given a soul but “became a living soul.” (Genesis 2:7, footnote) A soul is composed of two things: the “dust from the ground” and “the breath of life.”

The second of November is designated as All Souls’ Day to commemorate the dead. Observances surrounding All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day are collectively called Hallowtide. EIGHTEENTH CENTURY C.E. The name of the holiday, Hallowe’en (Hallow Evening) appears in print as Halloween. NINETEENTH CENTURY C.E.

All Souls’ Day (Day of the Dead). This is a day for “commemorating all the faithful departed,” according to the New Catholic Encyclopedia. “Throughout the Middle Ages it was popular belief that the souls in purgatory could appear on this day as will-o’-the-wisps, witches, toads, etc., to persons who had wronged them during their life.”

2 My brothers, you are not holding to the faith of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ while showing favoritism, are you?+ 2 For if a man with gold rings on his fingers and in splendid clothing comes into your meeting, but a poor man in filthy clothing also enters, 3 do you look with favor on the one wearing the splendid clothing and say, “You take this seat here in a fine place,” and do you ...

Misconception: All good people go to heaven. Fact: God promises everlasting life on earth for most good people. . —Psalm 37:11, 29, 3

Halloween is based on false beliefs about the dead and invisible spirits, or demons. Notice the following verses that show how God views the beliefs associated with Halloween: “There must never be anyone among you who . . . consults ghosts or spirits, or calls up the dead.”—Deuteronomy 18:10-12, The Jerusalem Bible.