When is resurrection first mentioned in the Bible?

Answer 1

The exact term 'resurrection' first appears in most English translations in Matthew 22:23.

Additionally:

Indirectly, however... Job makes reference to the coming "resurrection."

As The Bible reveals it, the coming resurrection is slated to occur at the "Last Great Day" -- at the conclusion of God's plan of salvation for mankind... when Jesus Christ returns for His thousand year rule on earth:

"...the rest of the dead did not live till the thousand years had been completed. This is the FIRST RESURRECTION. Blessed and Holy he who has part in the First Resurrection: over these the Second Death has no power; but they shall be priests of God and of the Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years." (Rev.20:5-6 DRB Darby's Bible)

These of whom this passage speaks, are those, God's "elect" whom He has been calling throughout the generations of man, who "died in Christ" in this alloted age of time man has been given by God to experience life for the first time, ever. These are God's saints who shall be the first to be RESURRECTED and CHANGED when He returns.

The "change" mentioned is their "resurrection" from the dead to "immortality":

"Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all fall asleep [die], but WE SHALL ALL BE CHANGED, in an instant... and the dead shall be raised INCORRUPTIBLE, and WE SHALL BE CHANGED. For this corruptible must needs put on incorruptibility, and this mortal PUT ON IMMORTALITY." (II Cor.15:50-52 DRB)

It's this "change" at the time of the First Resurrection to which Job refers:

"(If a man die, shall he live again?) all the days of my time of toil would I wait, TILL MY CHANGE SHOULD COME: thou wouldest call, and I would answe thee; thou wouldest have a desire after the work of thy hands. For thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin? My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou heapest up mine iniquity." (Job 14:14-17 DRB)

Verse 17 is speaking of Christ's salvation at the resurrection, and the blotting out of man's sins. The [NLT] New Living Translation: "...My sins would be sealed in a pouch, and you would COVER OVER MY INIQUITY."

So, although the exact word, "resurrection," isn't mentioned by Job -- he surely did know that it's coming... and he still speaks of it to us today.

As did Enoch, also, speak of the "resurrection" to Judgment; and preached it to the generations of man before the flood [see Jude 1:14-15].