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Writer's pictureEdward D. Andrews
Sep 2810 min read

What is the Biblical Understanding of Hell?

The doctrine of hell has been a central tenet in much of Christian theology throughout the centuries, but not without considerable debate and misunderstanding. The word “hell” appears in many Bible translations, and in some cases, it has been a source of confusion due to how various translators have rendered it. Terms like Sheol, Hades, and Gehenna are often used interchangeably with hell, but these words each carry distinct meanings that shed light on the biblical concept of death and punishment. This analysis seeks to explore the biblical definition of hell, the fate of the wicked, and the consequences of sin, providing clarity on a topic that has often been clouded by tradition and mistranslation.



The Hebrew and Greek Origins of "Hell": Sheol, Hades, and Gehenna


The concept of hell in the Bible is linked to three key words: the Hebrew Sheol and its Greek equivalent Hades, and the Greek term Gehenna. Understanding these terms within their scriptural context is essential to grasping the biblical view of hell and what it represents.


The Hebrew word Sheol appears frequently in the Old Testament and is often translated as “the grave,” “the pit,” or “the world of the dead.” In essence, Sheol refers to the common grave of mankind, a place where all the dead go regardless of their moral standing. It is not a place of torment or reward but simply a state of death and unconsciousness, as expressed in Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10: "The living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all. . . . All that your hand finds to do, do with your very power, for there is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in Sheol, the place to which you are going." The dead are portrayed as having no awareness, no plans, and no ability to act in Sheol.


What is Sheol, and how does the Bible describe it? Discover the biblical understanding of Sheol and its significance.


The Greek equivalent of Sheol is Hades, which appears in the New Testament and serves the same function as Sheol in the Hebrew Scriptures. It refers to the common grave of mankind rather than an individual burial site. This is evident in Acts 2:27, where Peter quotes Psalm 16:10, saying, "You will not abandon my soul in Hades, nor allow your Holy One to see corruption." In this instance, Hades refers to the grave from which Jesus was resurrected, not a place of torment.


What does the Bible really say about Hades? Uncover the meaning and implications of this mysterious term in biblical context.


Gehenna, on the other hand, holds a different meaning. Historically, Gehenna refers to the Valley of Hinnom, a place outside Jerusalem where garbage and the bodies of executed criminals were burned. Jesus used Gehenna as a symbol of eternal destruction, not eternal torment. At Matthew 10:28, Jesus warned, "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, fear him who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna." Here, Gehenna represents complete destruction—the second death spoken of in Revelation 21:8—where both body and soul are annihilated without hope of resurrection.



The Dead are Unconscious and Do Not Experience Pain


One of the most important aspects of understanding the biblical concept of hell is recognizing that the dead do not experience consciousness, let alone pain or torment. This is clearly stated in the Old Testament, as well as in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Ecclesiastes 9:5, as previously cited, emphasizes that "the dead are conscious of nothing." This directly contradicts the idea that the wicked suffer in torment after death. Additionally, Psalm 146:4 echoes this sentiment: "His spirit goes out, he goes back to his ground; in that day his thoughts do perish." The Bible repeatedly stresses that the dead are in a state of non-existence, awaiting either the resurrection of life or the resurrection of judgment, as Jesus described in John 5:28-29.


What is the Lake of Fire, and how should we understand its meaning in the Bible? Explore its significance and deeper message.


The idea that the soul survives death and continues to experience consciousness or torment is foreign to biblical teaching. Ezekiel 18:4 plainly declares, "The soul that is sinning—it itself will die." The word nefesh, translated as "soul" in many Bible passages, refers to the whole person, not an immaterial part of the human being. Similarly, in the New Testament, the Greek word psyche is often translated as “soul” but generally refers to life or self rather than an immortal entity. Both terms are rooted in the concept of the human being as a living soul, and when death occurs, that soul dies (Genesis 2:7).



Who Goes to the Bible's Hell?


One of the key questions surrounding the concept of hell is whether it is reserved only for the wicked or if all people go there. According to Scripture, the answer is not as straightforward as many might think. The Bible makes it clear that both the wicked and the righteous go to Sheol or Hades—the common grave of mankind. For example, in Job 14:13, Job, a righteous man, prayed to God, "Who will grant me this, that thou mayst protect me in hell, and hide me till thy wrath pass?" In this verse, the word hell (translated from Sheol) is not a place of torment but a resting place where Job sought to be hidden from suffering. God Himself referred to Job as “a man blameless and upright” (Job 1:8), yet Job anticipated going to Sheol after death.


What is the significance of Gehenna in the Bible? Learn the deeper meaning behind this term and how it is used in Scripture.


In Acts 2:25-27, we also learn that Jesus was in Hades for a time following His death: "You will not leave my soul in Hades, nor allow your Holy One to see corruption." This clearly indicates that Hades is not a place of eternal torment, since even Jesus, the sinless Son of God, was there temporarily until His resurrection. Therefore, Hades or Sheol is not a realm of conscious punishment, but rather the grave from which the dead await resurrection.



Can Anyone Escape from Hell?


The Bible teaches that the dead will be delivered from Hades or the common grave. In Revelation 20:13-14, we read, "The sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell [Hades] delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire." This passage shows that Hades is temporary, and its dead will be raised for judgment. After this final judgment, Hades itself will be cast into the lake of fire, symbolizing its end. The lake of fire, also referred to as the second death, represents eternal destruction, not eternal torment. There will be no more Hades—no more common grave—after the final judgment, as death itself will be abolished.



Eternal Punishment: What Does the Bible Really Say?


A common misconception about hell is that it involves eternal torment for the wicked. However, the Bible teaches that the punishment for sin is death, not perpetual suffering. Romans 6:23 states, "The wages sin pays is death, but the gift God gives is eternal life by Christ Jesus our Lord." The contrast between death and eternal life is clear: those who remain in sin will face eternal death—complete destruction—not eternal life in torment.


Matthew 25:46 is often cited to support the idea of eternal punishment, as Jesus says, "These will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal." However, the Greek word for “punishment” in this verse, kolasin, carries the primary meaning of "cutting off" or "pruning." The Emphatic Diaglott, a translation of the New Testament, renders the term as “cutting off,” which aligns better with the idea of death rather than ongoing suffering. Similarly, 2 Thessalonians 1:9 speaks of "eternal destruction" as the fate of the wicked, emphasizing their permanent removal from life rather than their perpetual torture.


Jude 7 also describes the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of “eternal fire,” yet the fire that destroyed those cities is no longer burning today. The effect of the fire was eternal in that the cities were permanently destroyed and have never been rebuilt, but the fire itself ceased once its work was complete. This illustrates the biblical principle of eternal punishment: it results in permanent destruction, not ongoing torment.



The Meaning of Torment in Revelation


Revelation 14:9-11 and 20:10 are often cited to support the idea of eternal torment. In these passages, the worshipers of the beast and the devil are said to be “tormented with fire and brimstone,” and their torment is described as lasting “forever and ever.” However, the context of Revelation, which is highly symbolic, must be carefully considered.


The Greek word for torment, basanizo, does not always imply physical pain. At Revelation 11:10, for example, it is used to describe how the prophetic messages delivered by God’s servants “tormented” those dwelling on the earth. This torment was not physical but rather the result of humiliation and judgment. In the same way, the torment described in Revelation 14 and 20 refers to the judgment and destruction of those who oppose God’s kingdom. The smoke of their torment “ascends forever and ever,” symbolizing that their destruction is irreversible and eternal.


Revelation 20:14 clarifies that the lake of fire represents the second death, which is eternal destruction. The devil, the beast, and the false prophet are all cast into this lake, signifying their final, permanent end. The concept of eternal torment is not consistent with the overall message of the Bible, which teaches that the penalty for sin is death, not everlasting suffering.



Gehenna: A Symbol of Eternal Destruction


Another term often associated with hell is Gehenna. As previously mentioned, Gehenna was a valley outside Jerusalem where refuse and the bodies of criminals were burned. Jesus used Gehenna as a symbol of eternal destruction, not conscious torment. At Matthew 5:29-30, He warned that it is better to lose a part of the body than to be cast "whole" into Gehenna. Similarly, in Matthew 10:28, He said, "Fear him who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna." In these passages, Gehenna represents complete destruction—a fate from which there is no resurrection.


The fires of Gehenna consumed everything thrown into them, symbolizing the total annihilation of the wicked. This imagery is consistent with the Bible’s teaching that those who persist in sin will face the second death—eternal destruction—rather than ongoing torment.



The True Penalty for Sin: Death, Not Eternal Torment


The Bible is clear that the penalty for sin is death, not eternal torment. Romans 6:7 explains, "He who has died has been acquitted from his sin." Once a person dies, they are no longer subject to further punishment for their sins. This is because death is the ultimate penalty, and there is no consciousness in the grave (Sheol or Hades). As Ecclesiastes 9:5 states, "The dead know nothing."


Jeremiah 7:31 provides further evidence that eternal torment is incompatible with God’s character. In this passage, Jehovah condemns the Israelites for burning their sons and daughters in the fire as part of their idolatrous worship, saying that such practices "had not come up into my heart." If such cruel punishment never entered Jehovah's heart, it is inconceivable that He would subject people to eternal torment in hellfire.



Understanding the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus


One of the most misunderstood passages in the Bible is the parable of the rich man and Lazarus found in Luke 16:19-31. Some have taken this parable as proof of eternal torment after death, but a closer examination reveals that it is a symbolic illustration rather than a literal description of the afterlife.


What does the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus truly reveal? Uncover its deeper meaning and significance through a careful analysis.


The parable contrasts the fates of a rich man, representing the Pharisees (Luke 16:14), and a poor man, Lazarus, representing the common people who accepted Jesus’ message. The “death” of both men symbolizes a reversal of their circumstances: Lazarus, who was despised in life, is now in a position of favor, while the rich man is in a state of judgment and separation from God. The torment described in the parable is not physical but refers to the judgment messages delivered by Jesus and His followers, which “tormented” the Pharisees (Acts 5:33; 7:54).


The Pagan Origins of Hellfire


The idea of eternal torment in hellfire does not originate from the Bible but can be traced back to ancient pagan religions. The Babylonian and Assyrian religions, as well as ancient Egyptian and Greek beliefs, depicted the underworld as a place of horrors, presided over by fierce gods and demons. Over time, these pagan concepts influenced the teachings of Christendom, leading to the development of the doctrine of eternal torment.


Jesus denounced such doctrines, calling Satan "the father of the lie" (John 8:44). The belief in eternal torment slanders God’s character, portraying Him as a cruel, vengeful deity. In contrast, the Bible presents Jehovah as a loving God who takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but desires all to repent and live (Ezekiel 33:11).


About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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