Hell, Sheol, Hades, etc...

Ahwatukee · Jan 20, 2020

Hello Adstar!

There are two words used in the OT, one is qeber (keh-ber) and the other is Sheol. Qeber is defined as follows:

Strong's Concordance
qeber: a grave, sepulcher
Original Word: קֶבֶר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: qeber
Phonetic Spelling: (keh'-ber)
Definition: a grave, sepulcher

The word qeber used to describe grave, tomb or sepulcher, is used 68 times in the OT. The following is the definition for Sheol which is used 66 times.

Strong's Concordance
sheol: underworld (place to which people descend at death)
Original Word: שְׁאוֹל
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: sheol
Phonetic Spelling: (sheh-ole')
Definition: underworld (place to which people descend at death)

qeber is the correct word used to describe the grave, tomb or sepulcher referring to the resting place of the body.

Sheol is the place used to refer to the place of departed spirits, which is under the earth. Sheol should never be translated as "grave."

John146 · Jan 21, 2020

Ahwatukee said:

Hello again, John!

Well actually, the word Hell is wronly translated for all three Tartaroo, Sheol/Hades and Gehenna. Gehenna translated as hell, is used to describe the lake of fire. Here is an example:

HELPS Word-studies
1067 géenna (a transliteration of the Hebrew term, Gêhinnōm, "the valley of Hinnom") – Gehenna, i.e. hell (also referred to as the "lake of fire" in Revelation).

Gehenna ("hell"), the place of post-resurrection torment (judgment), refers strictly to the everlasting abode of the unredeemed where they experience divine judgment in their individual resurrection-bodies. Each of the unredeemed receives one at the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev 20:11-15), i.e. a body that "matches" their capacity for torment relating to their (unique) judgment.

Yes, Sheol (Hebrew) and Hades (Greek) are synonymous. Below is an example of the same scripture being quoted by Paul from the OT to the NT.

Psalm 16:10 - "For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay"

Acts 2:27 - because You will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.

Regarding where Abraham, Lazarus and the rich man, they were all in Sheol/Hades, which was divided by a great chasm. The side that Abraham and Lazarus were on was a place of comfort/paradise. On the other side of the chasm was the rich man and all of the rest of the spirits of the wicked, in torment in flame.

The place of paradise in Sheol/Hades was where the spirits of all of the righteous OT saints went to at the time of death. However, I believe that changed after the Lord's resurrection with their spirits being taken to heaven. For Paul states that to be present in the body is to be absent from the Lord. Likewise, to be absent from the body is to be in the presence of the Lord. In further support of this Paul said:

"For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. So what shall I choose? I do not know. I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed. But it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body."

Hope this makes sense

But the KJV translation of hell is correct because it clearly separates it from the permanent place of torment, the lake of fire. Hell has cooled off in the new versions making it more pleasing to the ears to baby Christians.

Melach · Jan 21, 2020

John146 said:

i hate it that new translations use hades in the text. its ridicilous. no one is talking about hades. its greek.

in english its hell and people in the streets understand hell but they dont understand sheol or hades. they think of greek mythology and hercules when you say hades. just say hell it doesnt matter if its lake of fire or place the rich man was. torment is torment is torment.

JaumeJ · Jan 21, 2020

Sheol is where our forefatheres went to sleep………..
Hell is a word borrowed from the goddess of the dead, Holle, umoaut over the o.
Hades is the mythilogical kingdom of the dead, from Greek mythology.

There is a frecuent reference to the pit in the OT.

As far as I understand the lake of fire is not yet opened for business.........it is coming.

Melach · Jan 21, 2020

JaumeJ said:

i wonder why bible uses pagan words like hades in greek mythology. maybe jews at Jesus' time had become so hellenized they adopted those concepts.

JaumeJ · Jan 21, 2020

Were the Bible yet comprised only of the Scriptures allowed the first believers, there would be no pagan references.

John146 · Jan 21, 2020

JaumeJ said:

Well, sheol in the new bibles is still a place of affliction and torment. It's what the kjv calls hell. Abraham's bosom is where those OT saints went upon death.

JaumeJ · Jan 21, 2020

My understanding is from the Tanakh, I do not quite get where you are getting yours.

JaumeJ · Jan 21, 2020

JaumeJ said:

In all fairness I should elaborate some.
Our forefathers in the line of the Faith of Abraham begins withAbraham Isaac and Jacob. The writings are the Torah given to Moses, and the Prophets and the Wrings. All were penned in Hebrew with some Aramaic in half of Daniel and the Book, Ezra. The words employed in reference to the after life place of rest are consistent until the Gentile languges plummeted into what is deemed dthe New Testament. These influences did substitute words unheard of previously, however thei references are always the original words of theTanakh.
Thus if there is any question, find the original words sued in the OT, you will find them to be consistent, unlike the same references in the NT............

watcher2013 · Jan 21, 2020

John146 said:

How would you define the following using scripture to back up your thoughts:

1. Hell - what, who, when, where

2. Sheol - what, who, when, where

3. Hades - what, who, when, where

4. Lake of fire - what, who, when, where

5. Abraham’s bosom - what, who, when, where

Watch the video.

John146 · Jan 21, 2020

watcher2013 said:

I agree with this man for the most part. He calls Luke 16 a parable, it is not. It was an actual event in history. Also, those in Christ after the resurrection, their bodies die and go to the grave, the spirit returns to the Lord but their soul is present with the Lord. Paradise has been translated to heaven as the Lord led captivity captive and set them free. The only thing that remains in the heart of the earth is hell. Would you agree with this?

watcher2013 · Jan 21, 2020

John146 said:

Have you watch the whole video?
Paradise is still where paradise was...
Hell in the bible as located below.
When peter preach about christ, and ascending to heaven. He mentioned that davids body still here implying his soul is not yet in heaven...

Ahwatukee · Jan 21, 2020

John146 said:

Below is the KJV translation for all three different words translated as Hell:

Tartartus/Tartaroo
"For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;"

Hades
"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Gehenna (Lake of fire)
"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.

So, as you can see, the KJV translates all three words, (Tartartus, Hades and Gehenna) as Hell. The word Hell is translated for all three words, yet are different locations

Tartartus = The place where God cast the angels down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

Hades = The temporary place of punishment located under the earth which is where all of the spirits of the wicked go at the time of death and where the rich man of Lazarus fame went to.

Gehenna = The final place of punishment after the great white throne judgment for all whose names are not written in the book of life. Death and Hades personified, are both thrown into the Gehenna/lake of fire which is also translated as hell.

My point has been that, the same word hell is translated for each of these three words. Above I have provided three scriptures from the KJV to show that the same word hell is used for each of the different Greek words. It is by context and other related scriptures that we can understand that they are three individual places.

Chris1975 · Jan 21, 2020

watcher2013 said:

In red above:

To which I disagree based on the following scripture:

2 Corinthians 5 NKJV
6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5 AMP
6 So then, being always filled with good courage and confident hope, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight [living our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God’s promises]— 8 we are [as I was saying] of good courage and confident hope, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.

Once those IN FAITH pass on, they are immediately with the Lord. And the Lord is not in paradise (Abrahams Bosom - which no longer exists), but we are with the Lord (and he is currently at the right hand of the Father).

watcher2013 · Jan 21, 2020

Chris1975 said:

In red above:

To which I disagree based on the following scripture:

2 Corinthians 5 NKJV
6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5 AMP
6 So then, being always filled with good courage and confident hope, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight [living our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God’s promises]— 8 we are [as I was saying] of good courage and confident hope, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.

Once those IN FAITH pass on, they are immediately with the Lord. And the Lord is not in paradise (Abrahams Bosom - which no longer exists), but we are with the Lord (and he is currently at the right hand of the Father).

So where is abrahams bosom? In bible please?

John146 · Jan 21, 2020

Ahwatukee said:

Below is the KJV translation for all three different words translated as Hell:

Tartartus/Tartaroo
"For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;"

Hades
"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Gehenna (Lake of fire)
"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.

So, as you can see, the KJV translates all three words, (Tartartus, Hades and Gehenna) as Hell. The word Hell is translated for all three words, yet are different locations

Tartartus = The place where God cast the angels down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

Hades = The temporary place of punishment located under the earth which is where all of the spirits of the wicked go at the time of death and where the rich man of Lazarus fame went to.

Gehenna = The final place of punishment after the great white throne judgment for all whose names are not written in the book of life. Death and Hades personified, are both thrown into the Gehenna/lake of fire which is also translated as hell.

My point has been that, the same word hell is translated for each of these three words. Above I have provided three scriptures from the KJV to show that the same word hell is used for each of the different Greek words. It is by context and other related scriptures that we can understand that they are three individual places.

The KJV makes a clear distinction between hell and the lake of fire. The KJV hell is never the final destination, but temporary. The lake of fire is permanent. Hell is cast into the lake of fire.

Chris1975 · Jan 21, 2020

watcher2013 said:

Abraham's Bosom is in Luke 16v22. Jesus spoke about it during His ministry. It was beneath the earth but called Paradise at that stage Luke 22v43 (before Jesus' ascension).

Jesus went to speak to the spirits in prison during those 3 days 1 Peter 3v19

The Gates of Hades did not prevail against Jesus Matthew 16v18 nor will they prevail against the church. Because Jesus has the keys to life and death Revelation 1v18.

He led captivity captive Ephesians 4v8 (this is when Abraham's Bosom was brought up).

Jesus was the firstborn of many brethren Romans 8v29. He was the first to ascend into heaven. Those from Abrahams bosom followed after Him.

Hope there is enough here for you, to answer your question.

Ahwatukee · Jan 21, 2020

watcher2013 said:

Good day watcher2013,

Just fyi, the word paradise is not exclusive to meaning heaven. The pigeonholing of words is an on-going problem.

When Jesus was on the cross, the man next to Him said, "Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom." And Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise." The paradise that Jesus was speaking about, was that place down in Hades/Sheol where Abraham and Lazarus were which was a place of comfort, which was in opposition to the rich man who was on the other side of the chasm in torment in flame. When both the thief and Jesus died, their spirits departed and went to the same place of paradise where Abraham and Lazarus were.

In support of this, we know that Jesus had not yet ascended to the Father because of what He said to Mary after He resurrected:

"Do not cling to Me,” Jesus said, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and tell My brothers, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’”

Regarding to what happens to a believer at the time of death, according to 2 Cor.5:6 and Phil.1:23, the spirit departs and goes immediately to be in the presence of Christ.

"Therefore we are always confident, although we know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord."

"For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. So what shall I choose? I do not know. I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed. But it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

There are those who would claim that in the scripture above that Paul is speaking about the resurrection. However, the first part of the verse would do away with that notion since Paul says, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." In further support, the resurrection has to do with the spirit returning to the body and standing up again. But Paul "I desire to depart and be with Christ." Therefore, he is speaking about the departure of his spirit at the time of death.

In opposition to this, when the unsaved die, their spirits depart and go down under the earth into Hades/Sheol to begin their punishment; where at the great white throne judgment they will be resurrected out and give an account to God for all of their sins.

That said, king David's body is still here in the dust of the earth, but his spirit is in the presence of the Lord. When he is resurrected, then his body will be reanimated and spirit reunited with his resurrected body.

Ahwatukee · Jan 21, 2020

watcher2013 said:

Hello watcher2013!

Abraham's Bosom is not a proper name representing a location. The scripture states that Lazarus was taken to Father Abraham's side/bosum. The place where both Abraham and Lazarus were was in Sheol/Hades, which Jesus identified as being under the earth:

"And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades."

"All his sons and daughters tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said. “I (Jacob) will go down to Sheol mourning for my son.” So his father wept for him."

Sheol/Hades which is where Abraham, Lazarus and all of the OT saints were, is under the earth and is where all of the spirits of the unfaithful go at the time of death.

watcher2013 · Jan 21, 2020

Chris1975 said:

Abraham's Bosom is in Luke 16v22. Jesus spoke about it during His ministry. It was beneath the earth but called Paradise at that stage Luke 22v43 (before Jesus' ascension).

Jesus went to speak to the spirits in prison during those 3 days 1 Peter 3v19

The Gates of Hades did not prevail against Jesus Matthew 16v18 nor will they prevail against the church. Because Jesus has the keys to life and death Revelation 1v18.

He led captivity captive Ephesians 4v8 (this is when Abraham's Bosom was brought up).

Jesus was the firstborn of many brethren Romans 8v29. He was the first to ascend into heaven. Those from Abrahams bosom followed after Him.

Hope there is enough here for you, to answer your question.

If u read luke 16.
The richman in hell was looking UP. Where lazarus and abraham were.
Paul said in cor. A man was caught up in paradise.

Hell, Sheol, Hades, etc...

Senior Member

Senior Member

Well-known member

Senior Member

Well-known member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member