Table of Contents
The concept of “hell” in the Bible encompasses various terms and imagery to describe a place of punishment or separation from God. The Bible provides several terms and passages that give us a comprehensive understanding of hell. These terms include Sheol, Hades, Gehenna, and the Lake of Fire. Each term carries its own nuances and implications within the biblical narrative.
1. Sheol
This is a Hebrew word in the Old Testament depicting the grave or resting place of the dead, some translations such as the King James, render it “Hell.” This word is used 31 times in the Old Testament..
- References:
- “The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me; the snares of death confronted me” (2 Samuel 22:6, NKJV). Here, Sheol is described as a place of sorrow and entrapment, associated with death.
- “For in death there is no remembrance of You; in the grave who will give You thanks?” (Psalm 6:5, NKJV). This verse highlights Sheol as a place where memory and praise of God cease.
- “Let death seize them; let them go down alive into hell, for wickedness is in their dwellings and among them” (Psalm 55:15, NKJV). This verse uses Sheol to signify the fate of the wicked.
2. Hades
This is a Greek word that refers to the unseen world, the world of the dead, the grave. It is equivalent to sheol; some translations such as King James, render it ”hell.” This word is used 10 times in the New Testament.
- References:
- “And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades” (Matthew 11:23, NKJV). Jesus uses Hades to describe the downfall and judgment of the unrepentant city.
- “And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom” (Luke 16:23, NKJV). In this parable, Hades is depicted as a place of torment for the rich man.
- “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death” (Revelation 1:18, NKJV). Jesus declares His authority over Hades and death.
3. Gehenna
This is a Greek term designating a place of punishment. This word is used 12 times in the New Testament and refers to the “Valley of Hinnom,” a canyon near Jerusalem where trash was burned in the time of Jesus. The Savior used this place to illustrate the destructive fires of the final judgement. The fire of Gehenna was not unending. Otherwise, it would be still burning southwest of Jerusalem today. Neither will the fire of hell be unending.
- References:
- “But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire” (Matthew 5:22, NKJV). Here, Gehenna is equated with hell fire, a place of severe judgment.
- “And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell” (Matthew 5:30, NKJV). Jesus warns about the seriousness of sin and the consequences of being cast into Gehenna.
- “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28, NKJV). This verse emphasizes the eternal consequence of Gehenna, beyond physical death.
4. The Lake of Fire
The Lake of Fire is a term found in the Book of Revelation and represents the final destination for Satan, his followers, and the wicked after the final judgment.
- References:
- “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10, NKJV). This verse describes the eternal torment awaiting the devil and his followers.
- “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death” (Revelation 20:14, NKJV). Here, the Lake of Fire is depicted as the final end of death and Hades, signifying the ultimate defeat of evil.
- “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15, NKJV). This verse underscores the finality and severity of the judgment for those not saved.
5. The Abyss
The Abyss, also referred to as the “bottomless pit,” is another term used in the Bible to describe a place of confinement for demonic beings and a precursor to final judgment.
- References:
- “Then they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss” (Luke 8:31, NKJV). The demons implore Jesus not to send them into the Abyss, indicating their fear of this place of confinement.
- “And I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand” (Revelation 20:1, NKJV). The Abyss is described as a place that can be locked and unlocked by divine authority.
- “And he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished” (Revelation 20:3, NKJV). Satan is temporarily confined in the Abyss before the final judgment.
6. Tartarus
This is a Greek word which is used only once and is interpreted as “hell but literally means “to cast into Tartarus,” the place where rebellious angels are cast.
- References:
7. Abaddon
And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.
- Reference:
- “And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.”
God’s “Unusual Act”
The work of destroying the wicked in hell fire is so foreign to God’s nature that the Bible calls it His “unusual act” (Isaiah 28:21, NKJV). God’s great heart will ache at the destruction of the wicked (Ezekiel 33:11). Hell fire would not be forever for an eternal hell of torment would perpetuate sin which goes against God’s great plan for humans (Revelation 21:3, 4).
Conclusion
The Bible uses various terms to describe the concept of hell and the afterlife, each with its own distinct implications and contexts. These terms—Sheol, Hades, Gehenna, the Lake of Fire, the Abyss, and Tartarus—collectively provide a comprehensive picture of the biblical understanding of hell as a place of punishment, separation from God, and final judgment for the wicked and rebellious. By examining these terms and their references in the Scriptures, we gain a deeper appreciation of the seriousness with which the Bible treats the concept of eternal destiny of the wicked and the importance of aligning our lives with God’s will.
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In His service,
BibleAsk Team