Easton's Bible Dictionary: M. G. Easton, M.A., D.D.
Derived from the Saxon helan, to cover; hence the covered or the invisible place. In Scripture there are three words so rendered:
- Sheol, occurring in the Old Testament sixty-five times. This word sheol is derived from a root-word meaning "to ask," "demand;" hence insatiableness (Pr. 30:15, 16). It is rendered "grave" thirty-one times (Gen. 37:35, 42:38, 44:29, 31; 1 Sam. 2:6, etc.). The Revisers have retained this rendering in the historical books with the original word in the margin, while in the poetical books they have reversed this rule.
In thirty-one cases in the Authorized Version this word is rendered "hell," the place of disembodied spirits. The inhabitants of sheol are "the congregation of the dead" (Pr. 21:16). It is
- the abode of the wicked (Num. 16:33; Job 24:19; Ps. 9:17, 31:17, etc.);
- of the good (Ps. 16:10, 30:3, 49:15, 86:13, etc.).
Sheol is described as deep (Job 11:8), dark (10:21, 22), with bars (17:16). The dead "go down" to it (Num. 16:30, 33; Ezek. 31:15, 16,17).
- The Greek word hades of the New Testament has the same scope of signification as sheol of the Old Testament. It is a prison (1 Pet. 3:19), with gates and bars and locks (Mt. 16:18; Rev. 1:18), and it is downward (Mt. 11:23; Lk. 10:15).
The righteous and the wicked are separated. The blessed dead are in that part of hades called paradise (Lk. 23:43). They are also said to be in Abraham's bosom (Lk. 16:22).
- Gehenna, in most of its occurrences in the Greek New Testament, designates the place of the lost (Mt. 23:33). The fearful nature of their condition there is described in various figurative expressions (Mt. 8:12, 13:42, 22:13, 25:30; Lk. 16:24, etc.).