Bible Dictionary
DEAD
The dead are those whose physical life has ended, whether an individual corpse or the departed collectively. Scripture also uses “dead” figuratively for people spiritually separated from God, while believers may be described as dead to sin or the law.
Biblical Usage
Scripture speaks of burying the dead, rising from the dead, and the dead in contrast with the living. Figuratively, people can be dead in trespasses, dead to the law, or possess a dead faith that lacks practical works.