Recovering biblical narratives for positive psychology and suicide prevention in modern Israel

Suicide is the ultimate outcome of a tragic and pessimistic view of life, so prevalent in ancient Greek writings. Indeed, over 16 suicides and self-mutilations can be found in the 26 surviving tragedies of Sophocles and Euripides. In contrast, only six suicides can be found in the Hebrew Scriptures. This article examines evidence regarding seven risk factors for suicide. It contrasts biblical and Greek narratives regarding each of these factors respectively: (1) Elijah against Ajax; (2) Job against Zeno; (3) David against Coriolanus; (4) Jonah against Narcissus; (5) Moses against Oedipus; (6) Rebecca against Phaedra; and finally (7) Ruth against Antigone. All these Greek narratives lead to self-destructive behaviours while biblical narratives provide a hopeful positive psychology, and a safe way out these dilemmas. It is high time to develop a biblical psychology and psychotherapy commensurate with the restored land of Israel and a Hebrew civilisation.