Pre-Jesus Existence of Hell in Old Testament
The concept of Hell in the Old Testament is closely tied to the Hebrew term "Sheol," which refers to the place of the dead or the unseen world. Sheol is mentioned 65 times in the Old Testament and is often translated as "grave" or "pit" [1, 2]. The term does not necessarily imply a place of punishment or torment, but rather a neutral realm where the dead reside.
In many passages, Sheol is used to describe the grave or the state of death, without any connotation of moral judgment [1]. For example, in Genesis 37:35 and 42:38, Jacob mourns the loss of his son Joseph, saying he will go down to Sheol, indicating that he will join his son in death. Similarly, in 1 Samuel 2:6, it is written that "the Lord brings death and gives life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up" [1].
However, some Old Testament passages suggest that Sheol involves a notion of punishment or suffering. For instance, in Proverbs 15:11, it is written that "Sheol and Abaddon are before the Lord," implying that the Lord is aware of the state of the dead, including those who are suffering [8]. Additionally, in Isaiah 30:33, the valley of Tophet is described as a place of burning and destruction, which is later associated with Gehenna, a term used in the New Testament to describe Hell [9].
The Old Testament also contains imagery related to fire and burning, which is later associated with the concept of Hell. For example, in Job 20:26, it is written that "all darkness is hidden in his secret places; a fire not blown by man will devour him" [6]. Similarly, in Psalms 21:9, it is written that "you will make them like a fiery furnace; in the time of your anger the Lord will swallow them up, and fire will consume them" [7].
While the concept of Hell as a place of eternal punishment is not fully developed in the Old Testament, the seeds of this idea are present in the imagery and language used to describe the fate of the wicked. The New Testament would later develop this concept further, using terms like Gehenna and Hades to describe the place of eternal punishment [5, 4].
The understanding of Sheol and its relation to Hell has evolved over time, with different traditions interpreting the concept in various ways. Nonetheless, the Old Testament provides a foundation for the later development of the doctrine of Hell in Jewish and Christian theology [3].
Sources
- 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”
- 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”
- 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”
- 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).”
- 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.”
- 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).”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 21:9: 21:9 The flaming furnace and fire portray the severity of God’s judgment on the wicked. In the Old Testament, this image often refers to hell (11:6; 18:8; 50:3; 68:2; 78:21; 79:5; 80:16; 89:46; 97:3; 104:4; 140:10; see Isa 66:24).”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 15:11: Hell and destruction are before the Lord,.... Or "the grave" (a), which is the pit of destruction; where bodies being put, putrefy, and are destroyed by worms: this is known by the Lord, even the grave of everyone from the beginning; the graves of Adam, Abel, Abraham; he knows where their dust lies, and will raise it up again at the last day. Hades, or the invisible state of the departed, as the Septuagint has it, is manifest before him; he knows where departed spirits are; what their condition and employment be; and so the place and state of the damned, known by t”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 30:33: For Tophet is ordained of old,.... The place long ago appointed for the ruin of the Assyrian army, which pitched here: this was a valley near Jerusalem, the valley of the son of Hinnom; so called, from the drums and tabrets beat upon here, to prevent parents hearing the cries of their infants offered to Molech: into it was brought the filth and dung of the city; here malefactors were buried, it is said; and such as were condemned to burning were burned here; and such as had no burial were cast here; so that it was an image and picture of hell itself: and the word "Ge”