Hell in the old testament?

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is hell mentioned in the old testament? or is it only mentioned in the new testament
 
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misterX:
is hell mentioned in the old testament? or is it only mentioned in the new testament
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The Bible in general has three words for Hell. The Old Testament word is “sheol,” which is Hebrew (naturally). Sheol was not considered to be a place of torment for evil people, it was just “the netherworld” of darkness where people’s spirits went when they died.

In the New Testament, the most frequently used word for Hell is “Gehenna.” Gehenna was literally the garbage dump outside Jerusalem; from what I understand, the refuse would occasionally catch fire and smolder for extended periods. Jesus talks about “being thrown into Gehenna.” In one place in the New Testament–one of Peter’s letters, I think–the word “Tartarus” appears. This was the place of torment for the demons who rebelled against God in Heaven.

I hope this helps.
  • Liberian
 
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Liberian:
The Bible in general has three words for Hell. The Old Testament word is “sheol,” which is Hebrew (naturally). Sheol was not considered to be a place of torment for evil people, it was just “the netherworld” of darkness where people’s spirits went when they died.
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It would be quite incorrect to equate Sheol with Hell, since Sheol in Judaism is the place of the dead, more or less akin to the Greek Hades. It is not Hell per se; it’s merely the abode of the dead. The much more fitting equation to Sheol, as observed by Scott Hahn (though please note that, AFAIK, this is not yet the official position of the Church) would be Purgatory, not Hell.
 
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Milliardo:
It would be quite incorrect to equate Sheol with Hell, since Sheol in Judaism is the place of the dead, more or less akin to the Greek Hades. It is not Hell per se; it’s merely the abode of the dead. The much more fitting equation to Sheol, as observed by Scott Hahn (though please note that, AFAIK, this is not yet the official position of the Church) would be Purgatory, not Hell.
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Yes, you are quite right. Thank you for the clarification.

The idea of Sheol = Purgatory is an interesting one that I had never heard or thought of. When you say “not yet the official position of the Church,” do you mean that the Church is considering it?
  • Liberian
 
I am not sure if the Church is considering it. As of now this is a premise I heard/read from Scott Hahn, and maybe some other theologians have this position as well, but there is no official position of the Church regarding it.
 
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Liberian:
The Bible in general has three words for Hell. The Old Testament word is “sheol,” which is Hebrew (naturally). Sheol was not considered to be a place of torment for evil people, it was just “the netherworld” of darkness where people’s spirits went when they died.

In the New Testament, the most frequently used word for Hell is “Gehenna.” Gehenna was literally the garbage dump outside Jerusalem; from what I understand, the refuse would occasionally catch fire and smolder for extended periods. Jesus talks about “being thrown into Gehenna.” In one place in the New Testament–one of Peter’s letters, I think–the word “Tartarus” appears. This was the place of torment for the demons who rebelled against God in Heaven.

I hope this helps.
  • Liberian
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One addition, if that’s OK : in a famous passage in Matthew 16 referring to the “gates of Hell”/ “powers of the underworld” , the word “hades” is used.​

hell 86

further notes and examples of use - 11 in the NT

Strong’s has its limitations - but it is good for seeing how often a word is used, and in what contexts ##
 
Gottle of Geer said:
## One addition, if that’s OK : in a famous passage in Matthew 16 referring to the “gates of Hell”/ “powers of the underworld” , the word “hades” is used.

hell 86

further notes and examples of use - 11 in the NT

Strong’s has its limitations - but it is good for seeing how often a word is used, and in what contexts ##
Click to expand...

Right ho, I’ll not disagree with you. While I have read a good bit on the subject, I don’t pretend to be authoritative. Thanks for the addition.
  • Liberian
 
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