by James B. Hartline
© 1998, 2009
All our lives we have heard people speak of hell. Preachers warn against burning
forever in eternal hell for our sins if we do not repent. Some people use the word "hell" as profanity. I think it is about time we sort out the truth of what the Bible really says about hell.
In the King James Version of the Old Testament, the Hebrew word Sheowl (Sheol) was frequently translated "hell." But it was almost as frequently translated "grave."
Thirty one times in the KJV it is translated "hell," and thirty times it is translated "grave."
Why is this?
Why not a consistent rendering?
What is the definition of Sheowl?
Strong's Concordance defines it: hades, or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat) including its accessories and inmates: Notice: "dead" not walking around in a fire!
Sheowl
Sheowl is the only Hebrew word in the Old Testament that is translated "hell," yet almost half of the times it appears in Scripture, it is rendered "grave." In the Bible, all those who went to Sheowl were dead, waiting for the resurrection, (which in the New Testament, Jesus promised "on the last day.") There is no indication in the Scriptures that they were burning in a fire. They awaited the judgment, in an unconscious state of death.
"The earth will give birth to the departed spirits (ghosts). Isaiah 28:19c. NASB.
In the New Testament, there are three different words, all translated "hell" in the KJV as well as many other Bibles.
1. The first of these is used only one time. It is "tartaroo" defined as (the deepest
abyss of Hades): to incarcerate in eternal torment: It is translated ". . . cast them down to hell...
2. The second word that is translated "hell" in the KJV is Hades, and it means "unseen, i.e. the place (state) of departed souls (persons).
" Again, the KJV translates it one time "grave," "O grave, where is thy victory?" (It doesn't say Oh hell, where is thy victory?) and ten times it is rendered: "hell." An Interlinear Bible defines it as: "the invisible world," and (figuratively) of deep degradation. Sounds like the grave to me. It means the same as Sheowl in the Hebrew.
3. The remaining Greek word which the KJV translates "hell" is geenna (of Hebrew origin) meaning valley of (the son of) Hinnom; Gehenna (or Ge-Hinnom) a valley of Jerusalem, used (figuratively) as a name for the place (or state) of everlasting punishment.
There are several good Hebrew words: "qeber," "qebuwrah," "pittuwach," and at least one Greek word: "mnemeion," all of which may be translated: "sepulchre" or "grave." So why does the Hebrew text use "Sheowl?"
Wouldn't it be a reasonable assumption that the writer intended to make a distinction in the meaning by the use of each different word?
Why does the KJV translate sheowl "hell" one time and "grave" another time?
Could it be that in Old English the words meant exactly the same thing?
I believe that the accurate rendering of both "Sheowl" and "Hades" is the "grave."
Since the definition of "Tartaroo" hinges on the word "Hades," it could refer to the grave as well.
I do not believe any of these three words, "Sheowl," "Hades," or "Tartaroo" are meant to indicate eternal punishment, but merely, the "grave."
So that leaves us only one word that might match up with our common concept of "hell," and that is "Geenna," or Gehenna, which refers to the valley of Hinnom in Jerusalem which was a refuse dump where the bodies of criminals and other "no-goods" were typically thrown to burn up instead of having a decent burial. This, Jesus appears to have used as a type of the "lake of fire" spoken of in Revelation 20:14. Either that, or he was speaking of natural consequences that would follow their actions if they did not change their ways.
The "Valley of Hinnom" was the scene of continual (perpetual) burning and there was always smoke going up, as refuse was being continually thrown there, so the fire
never went out.
The painting "Dantes Inferno" depicts the devil and his demons with pitch-forks and forked tails, walking around in a fire. This was his concept of hell. This is where most people get their idea of what hell is like. Of course, it is not to be found in the Bible.
Is "hell" a burning fire, or is it the grave? Can't be both.
Here's a question that demands an answer:
If the devil and his demons are already in the lake of fire, or a burning "hell," as many people believe, are they just walking around in there, waiting eagerly for people to be cast in? The Bible says they the devil and his angels are cast into the "lake of fire" to be in eternal torment. (Rev. 20:10).
If you take a futurist position, the Book of the Revelation says they are yet to be thrown into the lake of fire? Rev. 20:10. That is to be their eternal punishment! If they are already there, does this mean that the Book of the Revelation has already been fulfilled?
I suggest to you that the lake of fire is not a natural fire, because it is designed to torment spirit beings. Those who have lived on earth and died, or wicked spirits.
Questions:
1. The Bible says those who follow Satan will also be thrown into the lake of fire. Has anyone been thrown in yet?
2. When you die and you are not converted, do you go to a burning fire?
3. Are there live people in there?
4. Why would there be a resurrection from such an awful place, a judgment, then a return to that same place? Isn't that double jeopard?
5. Doesn't our all-wise God know if someone is going to destruction even before they die?
6. Does He punish someone before they are judged? Or are we judged as we live our lives, day by day, and at death, our judgment is complete?
There are lots of questions that must be answered!
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