What does ”May you be in heaven a full half hour before the devil knows you’re dead.” mean?

Question

I know it's an Irish saying but what is meant by it?

Dr. Rhianna Breitenberg Sr. · Accepted Answer

Ye be right Lass, ti's indeed an Irish quip. But, its rooted in christian lore. For the devil to take your soul whilst you are living, you have to give it to him willingly. From the time you die till ye are in sacred ground interred, your unprotected soul is fair game. Tis why no body is left unprotected by a most trusted friend e'en though the night without repose. A seconds faltering or the invitation in to the those of evil will give the devil his due. Go ye to an Irish wake and try to catch the night watchman asleep at his task. Verily it can't be done. Once the body is encrypted in sacred ground, the devil is deprived of any further opportunity to secure the dead man's soul. The saying says, may you be safely in heaven, buried in sacred ground, before the devil has his last chance to claim your soul.

Dr. Rhianna Breitenberg Sr. · Answer

This Site Might Help You.RE:What does ''May you be in heaven a full half hour before the devil knows you're dead.'' mean?I know it's an Irish saying but what is meant by it?

Dr. Rhianna Breitenberg Sr. · Answer

So, basically it means that the person the blessing is being spoken to has lead a life of sin and the person issuing the blessing is saying is essence, "may you experience the pleasures of heaven a full half an hour before the devil knows your have expired and comes to drag your soul to hell." The person issuing the blessing is basically calling the person the blessing is being issued to a sinner in a joking way and saying they hope the sinner gets to experience some of the pleasures of heaven before they are damned for all eternity.

Dr. Rhianna Breitenberg Sr. · Answer

Honestly, i think it can be taken a few ways, 1. That basically it is way of saying that your spirit or soul doesnt have to deal with any kind of bad or negative, that their death bring them peace.It could be taken as the person either lives a life of sin or has done something or a few big something that are sinful and someone is saying i still hope that u get a chance to make to heaven and be forgivin before the devil has chance to try to punish u for your sins....That you are for sure a sinner but hopefully will get a 30 min in heaven before you have to go to hell (which could be taken as someone telling a person was it really worth it) or someone just hoping that the person gets a chance to enjoy heaven before they have to pay for their sinsAnd i think the way you would precieve it speaks for itself

Dr. Rhianna Breitenberg Sr. · Answer

It means that they hope you go to a good place when you die. To be in heaven 30 min. or more before the devil even knows means he won't have a chance to take you to hell.

Dr. Rhianna Breitenberg Sr. · Answer

It means "My friend, you are definately a sinner. So, your only chance to end up in heaven is to actually fool the Devil".

Dr. Rhianna Breitenberg Sr. · Answer

My understanding by the phrase is less than savory. Leave it at that.

Dr. Rhianna Breitenberg Sr. · Answer

Good Luck be with you always, and Bad Luck stay away:)

Everardo Feil

What does ”May you be in heaven a full half hour before the devil knows you’re dead.” mean?

8 Answers

AI-Powered Insights

Want to answer this question?

Categories

Tags

Related Questions