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Topic

Hell

132 passages cited, from 5 classic reference works.

These works date from 1884–1915 and are in the public domain. They reflect the Protestant scholarship of their time: their history, archaeology and dates can be out of date, and where they interpret, other traditions read the text differently. The verses are shown in the King James Version, the wording these works were written against.

The verses

The passages the works cite, those cited by more of them first.

Show 120 more
  • Genesis 44:29 Easton · Nave “Sheol” is translated “grave” in A. V. in
  • Genesis 44:31 Easton · Nave “Sheol” is translated “grave” in A. V. in
  • Job 11:8 Easton · Nave In the R. V. the word “Sheol” itself occurs in the following scriptures
  • Job 14:13 Smith · Nave “Sheol” is translated “grave” in A. V. in
  • Job 24:19 Easton · Nave “Sheol” is translated “grave” in A. V. in
  • Psalms 16:10 Easton · Nave In the R. V. the word “Sheol” itself occurs in the following scriptures
  • Psalms 30:3 Easton · Nave “Sheol” is translated “grave” in A. V. in
  • Psalms 31:17 Easton · Nave “Sheol” is translated “grave” in A. V. in
  • Psalms 49:15 Easton · Nave “Sheol” is translated “grave” in A. V. in
  • Psalms 86:13 Easton · Nave In the R. V., “sheol” is translated “lowest pit”
  • Proverbs 5:5 Nave · Torrey In the R. V. the word “Sheol” itself occurs in the following scriptures
  • Proverbs 9:18 Nave · Torrey In the R. V. the word “Sheol” itself occurs in the following scriptures
  • Proverbs 15:24 Nave · Torrey In the R. V. the word “Sheol” itself occurs in the following scriptures
  • Proverbs 23:14 Nave · Torrey In the R. V. the word “Sheol” itself occurs in the following scriptures
  • Proverbs 30:16 Easton · Nave “Sheol” is translated “grave” in A. V. in
  • Isaiah 14:9 ISBE · Nave In the R. V. of O. T. it appears only in
  • Isaiah 14:15 ISBE · Nave In the R. V. of O. T. it appears only in
  • Isaiah 30:33 Nave · Torrey THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Isaiah 33:14 Nave · Torrey THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Ezekiel 31:16 Easton · Nave In the R. V. of O. T. it appears only in
  • Ezekiel 31:17 Easton · Nave In the R. V. of O. T. it appears only in
  • Ezekiel 32:27 Nave · Torrey In the R. V. of O. T. it appears only in
  • Matthew 3:12 Nave · Torrey THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Matthew 5:22 ISBE · Nave In the R. V. the Greek word “gehenna” is translated “hell” in the following scriptures
  • Matthew 8:12 Easton · Nave THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Matthew 13:42 Easton · Torrey DESCRIBED AS — A furnace of fire
  • Matthew 13:50 Nave · Torrey THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Matthew 22:13 Easton · Nave THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Matthew 23:33 Easton · Nave In the R. V. the Greek word “gehenna” is translated “hell” in the following scriptures
  • Matthew 25:46 Nave · Torrey THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Luke 10:15 Easton · Nave The R. V. has introduced “Hades,” the word found in the Greek text, which signifies the unseen world, in the following scriptures
  • Luke 23:43 Easton · Torrey The place of disembodied spirits — Which Christ visited
  • 1 Corinthians 15:55 Smith · ISBE
  • 2 Thessalonians 1:9 Nave · Torrey THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • 1 Peter 3:19 Easton · Torrey The place of disembodied spirits — Which Christ visited
  • Jude 1:6 ISBE · Torrey Devils are confined in, until the judgment day
  • Revelation 1:18 Easton · Nave The R. V. has introduced “Hades,” the word found in the Greek text, which signifies the unseen world, in the following scriptures
  • Revelation 14:10 Nave · Torrey THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Revelation 19:20 Nave · Torrey THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Revelation 20:10 Nave · Torrey THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Revelation 20:13 Smith · Nave The R. V. has introduced “Hades,” the word found in the Greek text, which signifies the unseen world, in the following scriptures
  • Revelation 20:15 Nave · Torrey THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Genesis 6:1–4 ISBE
  • Numbers 16:30 Easton
  • Numbers 16:33 Easton
  • Deuteronomy 32:22 Nave In the R. V., “sheol” is translated “lowest pit”
  • 2 Samuel 22:6 Nave In the R. V. the word “Sheol” itself occurs in the following scriptures
  • 1 Kings 2:6 Nave “Sheol” is translated “grave” in A. V. in
  • 1 Kings 9:1–28 Nave “Sheol” is translated “grave” in A. V. in
  • Job 7:9 Nave “Sheol” is translated “grave” in A. V. in
  • Job 17:13 Nave “Sheol” is translated “grave” in A. V. in
  • Job 21:13 Nave “Sheol” is translated “grave” in A. V. in
  • Job 26:6 Nave In the R. V. the word “Sheol” itself occurs in the following scriptures
  • Psalms 6:5 Nave “Sheol” is translated “grave” in A. V. in
  • Psalms 18:5 Nave In the R. V. the word “Sheol” itself occurs in the following scriptures
  • Psalms 49:14 Nave “Sheol” is translated “grave” in A. V. in
  • Psalms 55:15 Nave And it is translated “pit” in
  • Psalms 88:3 Nave “Sheol” is translated “grave” in A. V. in
  • Psalms 89:48 Nave “Sheol” is translated “grave” in A. V. in
  • Psalms 116:3 Nave In the R. V. the word “Sheol” itself occurs in the following scriptures
  • Psalms 139:8 Nave In the R. V. the word “Sheol” itself occurs in the following scriptures
  • Psalms 141:7 Nave “Sheol” is translated “grave” in A. V. in
  • Proverbs 1:12 Nave “Sheol” is translated “grave” in A. V. in
  • Proverbs 7:27 Nave In the R. V. the word “Sheol” itself occurs in the following scriptures
  • Proverbs 9:13 Nave THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Proverbs 9:15–18 Nave THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Proverbs 15:11 Nave In the R. V. the word “Sheol” itself occurs in the following scriptures
  • Proverbs 21:16 Easton
  • Proverbs 23:13 Nave THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Proverbs 27:20 Nave In the R. V. the word “Sheol” itself occurs in the following scriptures
  • Proverbs 30:15 Easton
  • Ecclesiastes 9:10 Nave “Sheol” is translated “grave” in A. V. in
  • Song of Songs 8:6 Nave “Sheol” is translated “grave” in A. V. in
  • Isaiah 5:14 Nave In the R. V. of O. T. it appears only in
  • Isaiah 28:15 Nave In the R. V. of O. T. it appears only in
  • Isaiah 28:18 Nave In the R. V. of O. T. it appears only in
  • Isaiah 57:9 Nave In the R. V. of O. T. it appears only in
  • Ezekiel 31:15 Easton
  • Ezekiel 32:21 Nave In the R. V. of O. T. it appears only in
  • Hosea 13:14 Nave “Sheol” is translated “grave” in A. V. in
  • Amos 9:2 Nave In the R. V. of O. T. it appears only in
  • Jonah 2:2 Nave In the R. V. of O. T. it appears only in
  • Habakkuk 2:5 Nave In the R. V. of O. T. it appears only in
  • Matthew 5:30 Nave In the R. V. the Greek word “gehenna” is translated “hell” in the following scriptures
  • Matthew 7:13 Nave THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Matthew 7:14 Nave THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Matthew 8:11 Nave THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Matthew 13:30 Nave THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Matthew 13:38–42 Nave THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Matthew 13:49 Nave THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Matthew 18:8 Nave THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Matthew 18:9 Nave In the R. V. the Greek word “gehenna” is translated “hell” in the following scriptures
  • Matthew 18:34 Nave THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Matthew 18:35 Nave THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Matthew 23:15 Nave In the R. V. the Greek word “gehenna” is translated “hell” in the following scriptures
  • Matthew 25:28–30 Nave THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Matthew 25:30 Easton
  • Mark 9:43 Nave In the R. V. the Greek word “gehenna” is translated “hell” in the following scriptures
  • Mark 9:43–48 Nave THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Mark 9:45 Nave In the R. V. the Greek word “gehenna” is translated “hell” in the following scriptures
  • Mark 9:47 Nave In the R. V. the Greek word “gehenna” is translated “hell” in the following scriptures
  • Luke 3:17 Nave THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Luke 12:5 Nave In the R. V. the Greek word “gehenna” is translated “hell” in the following scriptures
  • Luke 16:22 Easton
  • Luke 16:23–26 Nave THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Luke 16:24 Easton
  • Luke 16:28 Nave THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Acts 1:25 Nave THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Acts 2:27 Nave The R. V. has introduced “Hades,” the word found in the Greek text, which signifies the unseen world, in the following scriptures
  • James 3:6 Nave In the R. V. the Greek word “gehenna” is translated “hell” in the following scriptures
  • Jude 1:1 Nave THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Jude 1:23 Torrey Endeavour to keep others from
  • Revelation 2:11 Nave THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Revelation 6:8 Nave The R. V. has introduced “Hades,” the word found in the Greek text, which signifies the unseen world, in the following scriptures
  • Revelation 9:1 Nave THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Revelation 9:2 Nave THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Revelation 11:7 Nave THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Revelation 14:11 Nave THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED
  • Revelation 20:14 Nave The R. V. has introduced “Hades,” the word found in the Greek text, which signifies the unseen world, in the following scriptures
  • Revelation 21:8 Nave THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED

In the reference works

Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · 38 references

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-one cases in the Authorized Version this word is rendered “hell,” the place of disembodied spirits. The inhabitants of sheol are “the congregation of the dead” (Prov. 21:16). It is (a) the abode of the wicked (Num. 16:33; Job 24:19; Ps. 9:17; 31:17, etc.); (b) of the good (Ps. 16:10; 30:3; 49:15; 86:13, etc.).

Sheol is described as deep (Job 11:8), dark (10:21, 22), with bars (17:16). The dead “go down” to it (Num. 16:30, 33; Ezek. 31:15, 16, 17).

(2.) The Greek word hades of the New Testament has the same scope of signification as sheol of the Old Testament. It is a prison (1 Pet. 3:19), with gates and bars and locks (Matt. 16:18; Rev. 1:18), and it is downward (Matt. 11:23; Luke 10:15).

The righteous and the wicked are separated. The blessed dead are in that part of hades called paradise (Luke 23:43). They are also said to be in Abraham’s bosom (Luke 16:22).

(3.) Gehenna, in most of its occurrences in the Greek New Testament, designates the place of the lost (Matt. 23:33). The fearful nature of their condition there is described in various figurative expressions (Matt. 8:12; 13:42; 22:13; 25:30; Luke 16:24, etc.). (See HINNOM.)

Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884) · 11 references
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 the word "hell." But in many cases this translation misleads the reader. In the New Testament "hell" is the translation of two words, Hades and Gehenna . The word Hades , like Sheol sometimes means merely "the grave," (Acts 2:31; 1 Corinthians 15:55; Revelation 20:13) or in general "the unseen world." It is in this sense that the creeds say of our Lord, "He went down into hell," meaning the state of the dead in general, without any restriction of happiness or misery. Elsewhere in the New Testament Hades is used of a place of torment, (Matthew 11:23; Luke 16:23; 2 Peter 2:4) etc.; consequently it has been the prevalent, almost the universal, notion that Hades is an intermediate state between death and resurrection, divided into two parts one the abode of the blest and the other of the lost. It is used eleven times in the New Testament, and only once translated "grave." (1 Corinthians 15:55) The word most frequently used (occurring twelve times) in the New Testament for the place of future punishment is Gehenna or Gehenna of fire . This was originally the valley of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem, where the filth and dead animals of the city were cast out and burned; a fit symbol of the wicked and their destruction. [See HINNOM]
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915) · 14 references

hel (see SHEOL; HADES; GEHENNA):

1. The Word in the King James Version:

The English word, from a Teutonic root meaning "to hide" or "cover," had originally the significance of the world of the dead generally, and in this sense is used by Chaucer, Spenser, etc., and in the Creed ("He descended into hell"); compare the English Revised Version Preface. Now the word has come to mean almost exclusively the place of punishment of the lost or finally impenitent; the place of torment of the wicked. In the King James Version of the Scriptures, it is the rendering adopted in many places in the Old Testament for the Hebrew word she'ol (in 31 out of 65 occurrences of that word it is so translated), and in all places, save one (1Co 15:55) in the New Testament, for the Greek word Hades (this word occurs 11 times; in 10 of these it is translated "hell"; 1Co 15:55 reads "grave," with "hell" in the margin). In these cases the word has its older general meaning, though in Lu 16:23 (parable of Rich Man and Lazarus) it is specially connected with a place of "torment," in contrast with the "Abraham's bosom" to which Lazarus is taken (16:22). 2. The Word in the Revised Version:

In the above cases the Revised Version (British and American) has introduced changes, replacing "hell" by "Sheol" in the passages in the Old Testament (the English Revised Version retains "hell" in Isa 14:9,15; the American Standard Revised Version makes no exception), and by "Hades" in the passages in the New Testament (see under these words).

3. Gehenna:

Besides the above uses, and more in accordance with the modern meaning, the word "hell" is used in the New Testament in the King James Version as the equivalent of Gehenna (12 t; Mt 5:22,29; 10:28, etc.). the Revised Version (British and American) in these cases puts "Gehenna" in the margin. Originally the Valley of Hinnom, near Jerusalem, Gehenna became among the Jews the synonym for the place of torment in the future life (the "Gehenna of fire," Mt 5:22, etc.; see GEHENNA).

4. Tartarus:

In yet one other passage in the New Testament (2Pe 2:4), "to cast down to hell" is used (the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American)) to represent the Greek tartaroo, ("to send into Tartarus"). Here it stands for the place of punishment of the fallen angels: "spared not angels when they sinned, but cast them down to hell, and committed them to pits (or chains) of darkness" (compare Jude 1:6; but also Mt 25:41). Similar ideas are found in certain of the Jewish apocalyptic books (Book of Enoch, Book of Jubilees, Apocrypha Baruch, with apparent reference to Ge 6:1-4; compare ESCHATOLOGY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT).

On theological aspect, see PUNISHMENT, EVERLASTING. For literature, see references in above-named arts., and compare article "Hell" by Dr. D. S. Salmond in HDB.

James Orr

In the topical indexes

Nave's Topical Bible (1896) · 126 references, grouped by sub-topic
Torrey's New Topical Textbook (1897) · 36 references, grouped by sub-topic

Texts: Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897); Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884); International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915); Nave's Topical Bible (1896); Torrey's New Topical Textbook (1897), from the CrossWire SWORD modules (public domain). Verse references were parsed from the works' own markup and checked against the KJV verse list.

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