Appendix 4
Hell By Any Other Name is Still Hell or Is it?[1]
There are four words commonly used in Scripture that relate to or are translated as ‘hell’. These words are: Sheol, Ghenna (the Bible contains a number of variations of this word), Hades and Tartarus. Even though they are often similarly translated, their use in Scripture is very different, which can be confusing. One question that is often asked, “Is ‘hell’ a permanent place where one could be tormented and separated from God for eternity or is it a temporary holding location to collect the dead before judgment (Sheol/Hades)?” To aid in understanding hell, here is a quick review of these terms and other references to hell and hades, including a snapshot on how they are used in the Bible:
First, we should explore the English definition, the American Heritage Dictionary Fourth Edition[2] defines ‘hell’ as: 1a. The abode of condemned souls and devils in some religions; the place of eternal punishment for the wicked after death, presided over by Satan. 1b. A state of separation from God; exclusion from God’s presence. 2. The abode of the dead, identified with the Hebrew Sheol and the Greek Hades; the underworld. The word comes to us from the Old English word hel.
Sheol[3]
This word appears 65 times in most Old Testament manuscripts. In the KJV the word is translated 31 times as ‘grave’, 31 times as ‘hell’ and three times as ‘pit’. The difference of how the word is translated depends on the context of the verse. However, many of those are ambiguous and could easily mean something else, so as a result, many modern translations, like the ESV, simply transliterate or leave the word ‘Sheol’ unchanged and let the reader determine what it means (in the ESV the word is ‘Sheol’ 64 times and ‘grave’ once). In the Septuagint[4] the Hebrew word ‘Sheol’ was translated to the Greek as ‘Hades’.
Hades (or Hadou)[5]
The concept of Hades, as seen through the word Sheol, is undoubtedly of Biblical origin, however like many concepts and stories taken from the Bible that later became distorted and corrupted, the idea of an underworld has been long embraced by other cultures and mythologies. As evidenced by a substantial amount of folklore and literature. For example in Greek mythology, Hades is the king of the underworld and god of the dead and riches, of course Biblically Hades is not a person, it is a location.
Gehenna (or Ghenna)[6]
This word has a number of spelling variations and pronunciations, it is a Hebrew phrase that is transliterated into Greek. Jesus Himself often used the term (See Matthew 5:22, 29, 30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15, 33; Mark 9:43, 45, 47 and Luke 12:5). Gehenna is also mentioned in James 3:6. Gehenna is most often translated as ‘hell’ in English translations of the Bible.
In the Old Testament the abbreviated Hebrew phrase is generally translated as the “Valley of the Son of Hinnom,” referring to an actual physical location just outside of Jerusalem where unbelievable acts of pagan worship took place, including human sacrifice (see 2 Kings 23:10; 2 Chronicles 28:3; 33:6; Jeremiah 7:31-32; 19:1-9; 32:35). Eventually the valley became a garbage dump (including the dumping of the corpses of criminals) the location is noted in secular history to have a fire that continually burned. Over a period of time it became a metaphor for the reality of hell.
Tartarus[7]
This Greek term is used only once in the Bible. In Greek mythology Tartarus is a deep abyss used as a place of torment and suffering. In his work ‘Gorgias’, Plato described Tartarus as a place where souls were judged after death and the wicked were tormented and punished. Considered a prison for the Titans, it was described to be below Hades as far as Earth was below Heaven. In other words, it was a place for those that were especially wicked!
Peter used this word in 2 Peter 2:4 (most often translated into English as ‘hell’), which explains that since God did not spare the fallen angels after they sinned by casting them into hell, God would not spare our condemnation to hell either, however Peter makes a strong case to seek Jesus and repent! Peter knew his audience would understand that a location like Tartarus would not have been something temporary nor easily escapable.
Abyss (or bottomless pit)
The Greek word ‘ábussos’,[8] is found nine times in the New Testament, referring to a bottomless pit, in nearly every one of these verses, the location appears to be related either to demonic activity (see Luke 8:31) or Satan (see Revelation 9:1, 2, 11; 11:7, 8; 20:1, 3). It is considered another name for Sheol and Hades.
The Lake of Fire
After judgment, those that do not accept Jesus as their Savior will be thrown in the Lake of Fire and will be tormented day and night forever (see Revelation 19:20; 20:10-15). The Lake of Fire is another name for hell.
Eternal Fire
Several times Jesus referred to the eternal destiny of the wicked as the “eternal fire.” He taught that shortly following His Second Coming He would separate the sheep (believers) from the goats (unbelievers) saying to the unbelievers: “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41 NIV). Is the fire a literal fire? This is hotly debated, some say it is only a metaphor that expresses the wrath of God while others believe it is a real flame. We read “the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God” (Deuteronomy 4:24 NIV), “God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29 NIV), “His wrath is poured out like fire” (Nahum 1:6 NIV), “Who can stand when He appears For He will be like a refiner’s fire” (Malachi 3:2 NIV), “My wrath will break out and burn like fire because of the evil you have done—burn with no one to quench it” (Jeremiah 4:4 NIV), “Then they will go out and look at the corpses of those who have rebelled against me. The worms that eat them will not die. The fire that burns them will not go out. All humanity will be disgusted by them.” (Isaiah 66:24 GW)
Fiery Furnace
In two of His seven “Kingdom of Heaven” parables recorded in Matthew chapter 13, Jesus said that at the end of the age the holy angels will gather all evildoers and “throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (see also Matthew 13:42 and 50). Again, a vivid picture of tremendous and ongoing discomfort.
Outer Darkness
In addition to verse twelve in this chapter, Jesus used this description in two “kingdom of heaven” parables. One at the end of the parable of the wedding feast (see Matthew 22:13) and the other at the conclusion of the parable of the talents when the worthless servant was being cast into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (see Matthew 22:30; 24:51; 25:30; Luke 13:28).
God’s Fury and Burning Sulfur
A warning is given in Revelation to not take the mark of the beast, if one does, it comes with a heavy price of eternal damnation and torment. “He too will drink the drink of the wine of God’s fury…he will be tormented with burning sulfur…and the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever.” (see Revelation 14:9-12)
Destruction and Separation
Paul states in 2 Thessalonians that unbelievers, “Will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of His power” (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). The Greek translated as ‘destruction’ implies sudden, complete destruction and loss of all that was worthwhile including a separation from God which excludes them from the joy found only in God’s presence (see also Psalm 16:11).
Many equate the absence of God to be the definition of hell (see 2 Thessalonians 1:9), it could be the absence of all things, not just God. In his epistle to the church in Colossae, the apostle Paul wrote this about Jesus: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”(Colossians 1:15-17) If Jesus is holding all things together, one question remains, if God is gone will He still be holding things together? Hell could easily be the absence of everything we know, which closely resembles what Jude wrote about regarding the judgment reserved for the ungodly, “for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever” (Jude 13b, see also 2 Peter 2:17).
Summary
Hell is a real place and so is Hades. One is a place of eternal damnation, torment and destruction and the other is a temporary holding place for the dead. To be accurate, we should not interchange these terms. This also helps us understand more fully some other portions of theology that if these terms are considered synonymous can be confusing and cause potential controversy.
One of those controversial issues comes from the interpretation of 1 Peter 3:18-19 (referring to when Jesus went down to preach to the spirits in prison after dying before rising to life again) and Ephesians 4:8-10 (Paul quoting Psalm 68:18 who points out regarding Jesus ascending and if ascended that means He first descended). Raising the question where did Jesus go after His death leading to the idea that is offered in many versions of the Apostle’s Creed that “He descended into hell.” This phrase is not in all versions of the Apostle’s Creed text. It is included in the Roman Catholic Church, LCMS[9] and earlier Church of England texts although the Church of England recently changed the wording to “descended to the dead.” ELCA[10] and other ELLC[11] participants show it both ways. Many churches, including the United Methodists have removed the statement completely.
So did Jesus visit those eternally condemned in hell to proclaim His victory on the cross or did He visit Hades and proclaim His victory with Abraham and all of the Old Testament saints and bring them to heaven with Him? The following is an article that may help clarify:
Question: "Did Jesus go to hell between His death and resurrection?"
Answer: There is a great deal of confusion in regards to this question. This concept comes primarily from the Apostles' Creed, which states, “He descended into hell.” There are also a few Scriptures which, depending on how they are translated, describe Jesus going to “hell.” In studying this issue, it is important to first understand what the Bible teaches about the realm of the dead.
In the Hebrew Scriptures, the word used to describe the realm of the dead is sheol. It simply means the “place of the dead” or the “place of departed souls/spirits.” The New Testament Greek equivalent of sheol is hades which also refers to “the place of the dead.” Other Scriptures in the New Testament indicate that sheol/hades is a temporary place, where souls are kept as they await the final resurrection and judgment. Revelation 20:11-15 gives a clear distinction between the two. Hell (the lake of fire) is the permanent and final place of judgment for the lost. Hades is a temporary place. So, no, Jesus did not go to hell because hell is a future realm, only put into effect after the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15).
Sheol/hades was a realm with two divisions—a place of blessing and a place of judgment (Matthew 11:23; 16:18; Luke 10:15; 16:23; Acts 2:27–31), the abodes of the saved and the lost. The abode of the saved is called “Abraham's bosom” (KJV) and “Abraham’s side” (NIV) in Luke 16:22. The abode of the unsaved is called “hell” (KJV) or “Hades” (NIV) in Luke 16:23. The abodes of the saved and the lost are separated by a “great chasm” (Luke 16:26). When Jesus died, He went to the blessed side of sheol and, from there, took the believers with Him to heaven/paradise (Ephesians 4:8–10). The judgment side of sheol/hades has remained unchanged. All unbelieving dead go there awaiting their final judgment in the future. Did Jesus go to sheol/hades? Yes, according to Ephesians 4:8–10 and 1 Peter 3:18–20.
Some of the confusion has arisen from such passages as Psalm 16:10–11 as translated in the King James Version, “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption . . . Thou wilt show me the path of life.” “Hell” is not a correct translation in this verse. A correct reading would be “the grave” or “sheol.” Jesus said to the thief beside Him, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43); He did not say, “I will be with you in hell.” Jesus’ body was in the tomb; His soul/spirit went to be with the blessed in sheol/hades. Unfortunately, in many versions of the Bible, translators are not consistent, or correct, in how they translate the Hebrew and Greek words for “sheol,” “hades,” and “hell.”
Some have the viewpoint that Jesus went to “hell” or the suffering side of sheol/hades in order to further be punished for our sins. This idea is completely unbiblical. It was the death of Jesus on the cross and His suffering in our place that sufficiently provided for our redemption. It was His shed blood that effected our own cleansing from sin (1 John 1:7-9). As He hung there on the cross, He took the sin burden of the whole human race upon Himself. He became sin for us: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). This imputation of sin helps us understand Christ's struggle in the garden of Gethsemane with the cup of sin which would be poured out upon Him on the cross.
When Jesus cried upon the cross, “Oh, Father, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46), it was then that He was separated from the Father because of the sin poured out upon Him. As He gave up His spirit, He said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46). His suffering in our place was completed. His soul/spirit went to hades (the place of the dead). Jesus did not go to “hell” or the suffering side of hades; He went to “Abraham’s side” or the blessed side of hades. Jesus’ suffering ended the moment He died. The payment for sin was paid. He then awaited the resurrection of His body and His return to glory in His ascension. Did Jesus go to hell? No. Did Jesus go to sheol/hades? Yes.[12]
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[1] Adapted from author’s book, “Everything a Christian Should Know About the Gospels.”
[2] The American Heritage Dictionary, Fourth Edition. (2001) Random House Publishing Group.
[3] Strong’s Hebrew 7585.
[4] See Appendix 1.
[5] Strong’s Greek 86.
[6] Strong’s Hebrew 2011 and Greek 1067.
[7] Strong’s Greek 5020.
[8] Strong’s Greek 12.
[9] Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
[10] Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
[11] English Language Liturgical Consultation.
[12] "Did Jesus go to hell between His death and resurrection?" (n.d.). Retrieved April 15, 2015, from http://www.gotquestions.org/did-Jesus-go-to-hell.html.