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Geological and Biblical Interpretations of Hell's Location

The concept of "hell" in biblical literature is complex, drawing from several Hebrew and Greek terms that describe different aspects of the afterlife or places of judgment. The English word "hell" itself is derived from the Saxon "helan," meaning "to cover," suggesting an unseen or hidden place [3].

In the Old Testament, the primary term rendered as "hell" is Sheol [1, 3]. Sheol occurs 65 times in the Old Testament [3]. While often translated as "hell," Sheol more broadly refers to the place of the dead, the unseen world, without necessarily specifying whether it is a place of misery or happiness [1]. In many passages, Sheol simply means "the grave" [1, 3], as seen in Genesis 37:35, where Jacob expresses a desire to go down to Sheol to his son Joseph, or in 1 Samuel 2:6 [1]. It can also be used symbolically for the underworld or grave, as in Jonah 2:2, where the "belly of hell" signifies the grave [4]. However, in other contexts, Sheol appears to carry a connotation of punishment [1]. The word Sheol itself is thought to derive from a root meaning "to ask" or "demand," implying insatiableness [3].

The New Testament introduces additional terms that contribute to the understanding of hell. One significant term is Hades, which corresponds to the Hebrew Sheol [13]. Hades is described as the place of disembodied spirits [2]. Luke 16:23, for instance, depicts Hades as containing both a place of rest, referred to as "Abraham's bosom," and a place of torment [2]. Jesus is said to have visited Hades [2, 12].

Another crucial New Testament term is Gehenna [5, 14]. Gehenna has a distinct geographical and historical origin. It refers to the "Valley of the sons of Hinnom" (Ge bene Hinnom), a deep, narrow glen located south of Jerusalem [5, 17]. Historically, this valley was a site where idolatrous Jews offered their children as sacrifices to Molech, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 28:3 and Jeremiah 7:31 [5, 16]. King Josiah later destroyed the site [16]. Over time, this valley became a common dumping ground for the city's refuse, including the dead bodies of animals and criminals. Fires were kept burning there continuously to consume the waste [5, 20]. This practice transformed Gehenna into a powerful image of everlasting destruction and a metaphor for the final place of judgment for the wicked [5, 16, 17, 20]. Jesus frequently used Gehenna in this sense [5]. For example, in Matthew 5:22, 30 and 23:15, Gehenna is presented as the place of eternal punishment [14]. James 3:6 also refers to Gehenna as "hell itself," linking it to the ultimate source of evil speech, the devil [14].

The New Testament also describes hell using vivid imagery to convey its nature as a place of future punishment. These descriptions include "everlasting punishment" (Matthew 25:46), "everlasting fire" (Matthew 25:41), "everlasting burnings" (Isaiah 33:14), a "furnace of fire" (Matthew 13:42, 50), a "lake of fire" (Revelation 20:15), and "fire and brimstone" (Revelation 14:10) [2]. It is also characterized as "unquenchable fire" (Matthew 3:12) and "devouring fire" (Isaiah 33:14) [2]. The "fiery lake of burning sulfur" in Revelation 19:20 provides a picture of eternal punishment, into which God's enemies—the beast, the false prophet, the dragon, death, and unsaved humans—are cast [11]. This imagery is also found in Old Testament prophetic literature, such as Isaiah 66:24 [11].

The concept of hell is consistently presented as a place of destruction from the presence of God [2 Thessalonians 1:9]. The imagery of deepest darkness and wildfire is often associated with God's judgment [15]. While the specific location of hell is not geographically defined in the same way as earthly places like Eden [8] or Jerusalem [9, 10], the biblical texts consistently portray it as a realm distinct from the physical world, a place of ultimate separation and judgment. The "pit" is another term sometimes used interchangeably with "hell" [6, 7]. The "destruction" mentioned in Proverbs 15:11 is linked to "Abaddon," which is identified as the place of the destroyer [18].

The biblical understanding of hell, therefore, evolves from the general concept of the grave or unseen world (Sheol, Hades) to a more specific and terrifying image of eternal punishment (Gehenna, lake of fire). While Hades is the abode of the dead, Gehenna is specifically the place of eternal punishment [14]. The sea and the grave are depicted as giving up their dead for judgment, emphasizing the bodily resurrection for both the rewarded and the suffering [19].

Sources

  1. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Hell — In the Old Testament this is the word generally and unfortunately used by our translators to render the Hebrew Sheol . It really means the place of the dead, the unseen world, without deciding whether it be the place of misery or of happiness. It is clear that in many passages of the Old Testament Sheol can only mean "the grave," and is rendered in the Authorized Version; see, for example, (Genesis 37:35; 42:38; 1 Samuel 2:6; Job 14:13) In other passages, however, it seems to Involve a notion of punishment, and is therefore rendered in the Authorized Version by”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hell — The place of disembodied spirits -- Ac 2:31. Which Christ visited. -- Lu 23:43; Ac 2:31; 1Pe 3:19. Contains, a place of rest, Abraham's bosom. -- Lu 16:23. Paradise. -- Lu 23:43. And a place of torment. -- Lu 16:23. The place of future punishment Destruction from the presence of God. -- 2Th 1:9. Described as Everlasting punishment. -- Mt 25:46. Everlasting fire. -- Mt 25:41. Everlasting burnings. -- Isa 33:14. A furnace of fire. -- Mt 13:42,50. A lake of fire. -- Re 20:15. Fire and brimstone. -- Re 14:10. Unquenchable fire. -- Mt 3:12. Devouring fire. -- Isa 3”
  3. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Hell — Derived from the Saxon helan, to cover; hence the covered or the invisible place. In Scripture there are three words so rendered: (1.) Sheol, occurring in the Old Testament sixty-five times. This word sheol is derived from a root-word meaning "to ask," "demand;" hence insatiableness (Prov. 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-o”
  4. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Belly — The seat of the carnal affections (Titus 1:12; Phil. 3:19; Rom. 16:18). The word is used symbolically for the heart (Prov. 18:8; 20:27; 22:18, marg.). The "belly of hell" signifies the grave or underworld (Jonah 2:2).”
  5. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gehenna — (originally Ge bene Hinnom; i.e., "the valley of the sons of Hinnom"), a deep, narrow glen to the south of Jerusalem, where the idolatrous Jews offered their children in sacrifice to Molech (2 Chr. 28:3; 33:6; Jer. 7:31; 19:2-6). This valley afterwards became the common receptacle for all the refuse of the city. Here the dead bodies of animals and of criminals, and all kinds of filth, were cast and consumed by fire kept always burning. It thus in process of time became the image of the place of everlasting destruction. In this sense it is used by our Lord i”
  6. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Pit — [[978]Hell]”
  7. STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: Title - Name of a non-physical personage or place or monster: Sheol|[email protected]; Pit|[email protected]; Gehenna|[email protected]; Tatarus|[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; Belial|[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]”
  8. STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H5731B — https://www.google.com/maps/@0,14z (refs: #A location in Mesopotamia(?) first mentioned at Gen.2.8; <br>referred to as <strong="H5731B">Eden</)”
  9. STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H6944J — Holy Place_2= in Jerusalem ([email protected]=H3389) (refs: #A location in <strong="H3389">Jerusalem</strong> first mentioned at Exo.26.33; <br>referred to as <)”
  10. STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H6944H — Most Holy Place= in Jerusalem ([email protected]=H3389) (refs: #A location in <strong="H3389">Jerusalem</strong> first mentioned at 1Ki.6.16; <br>referred to as <s)”
  11. Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 19:20: 19:20 beast . . . false prophet See 13:1-10. • The fiery lake of burning sulfur provides a picture of eternal punishment (see 20:10, 14-15; 21:8; see also Isa 66:24; Matt 13:41, 49-50; Mark 9:43, 48). • God’s enemies are thrown into the fiery lake. The two beasts (Rev 19:20) are followed by the dragon (20:10) and then by death (20:14) and unsaved humans (20:15).”
  12. Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 10:15: To hell - To hades. See this explained, Mat 11:23 (note).”
  13. Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 11:23: 11:23 the place of the dead: Greek Hades, which corresponds to the Hebrew term Sheol (see study note on Ps 6:5).”
  14. James (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on James 3:6: 3:6 It is a whole world of wickedness: The tongue acts as an agent of the whole unrighteous world opposed to God (1:27; 4:4). • hell itself: Greek Gehenna, the place of eternal punishment (Matt 5:22, 30; 23:15), in contrast to Hades, the abode of the dead (Luke 16:23; Acts 2:31). The reference to hell is an allusion to the devil (Jas 4:7; Matt 5:22; John 8:44) as the ultimate source of evil speech.”
  15. Job (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Job 20:26: 20:26 Images such as deepest darkness and wildfire are often associated with God’s presence (Deut 4:11; 5:22-23; Heb 12:18) and especially with his judgment (Exod 9:23-24; 10:21-29).”
  16. Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 5:29: 5:29-30 good eye . . . gouge it out . . . stronger hand . . . cut it off: These graphic images call for radical separation from sin. But even self-mutilation, radical as it would be, cannot stop a lustful mind. Jesus is calling for the surpassing righteousness that only he can bring. 5:29 hell (Greek Gehenna): Gehenna originally referred to a valley outside Jerusalem where some of the kings of Judah worshiped idols and performed human sacrifice by fire (2 Chr 28:3; 33:6; Jer 7:31; 32:35). The site was eventually destroyed by Josiah (2 Kgs 23:10). In the New Testa”
  17. Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 12:5: 12:5 hell (Greek Gehenna): The Valley of Hinnom was a ravine along the southwestern side of Jerusalem. It became a metaphor for hell because Israelites had offered their children as sacrifices there (Jer 32:35) and later used it as a place to burn garbage (Jer 19:2, 10-13). Jesus’ disciples should never be afraid of enemies who can only take away their life on earth. Instead, they should fear God, who can give eternal punishment.”
  18. Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 15:11: Hell-- (Psa 16:10). destruction--or, "Abaddon," the place of the destroyer. All the unseen world is open to God, much more men's hearts.”
  19. Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 20:13: death and hell--Greek, "Hades." The essential identity of the dying and risen body is hereby shown; for the sea and grave give up their dead. The body that sinned or served God shall, in righteous retribution, be the body also that shall suffer or be rewarded. The "sea" may have a symbolical [CLUVER from AUGUSTINE], besides the literal meaning, as, in Rev 8:8; Rev 12:12; Rev 13:1; Rev 18:17, Rev 18:19; so "death" and "hell" are personifications (compare Rev 21:1). But the literal sense need hardly be departed from: all the different regions wherei”
  20. Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 9:43: 9:43 hell: Greek Gehenna, referring to the Valley of Hinnom, which bordered Jerusalem on the southwest. It was a garbage dump for the city, and the continual burning of refuse there became a metaphor for the final place of judgment for the wicked. 9:43-48 Most of the best manuscripts do not include 9:44, 46, but a few include them. These two verses were almost certainly copied from 9:48 and were not in the original text of Mark.”
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