Hell In The Old Testament

Hell in The Old Testament The word "Hell" appears in the Old Testament approximately 31 times and, without exception, is translated from the Hebrew word "sheol." This same Hebrew word is also translated "pit" three different times. "Pit", translated from "sheol," is found in Numbers 16:30; Numbers 16:33 and Job 17:16. Hell is referred to as a "pit" three times, both being the same place.

Sheol is not “the grave.” A mistranslation—"sheol" is also translated as "grave" approximately 25 times in the Old Testament; which has caused much confusion concerning the Doctrine of Hell. Jehovah's Witnesses utilize this translational error to the fullest, claiming Hell is the grave and nothing more. When we look at the Hebrew, we find that the word "gibrah" is properly used for "grave." "Gibrah" is translated throughout the Old Testament as "grave, burying place, and sepulchre," and correctly so. Sheol is never in any case in the Old Testament ever referring to a grave, burying place or sepulchre; but, rather a place located in the center of the earth. The grave, burying place and sepulchre houses our dead bodies, but Sheol is the compartment that contains the souls and spirits that will never die; and which were in those earthly bodies.

Here are a few of the places where the Hebrew word "sheol" is mistranslated as "grave" in the Old Testament. Beside the passages in parenthesis is the way it appears in the Revised Standard. The Revised Standard has transliterated; i.e., put the Hebrew word "sheol" itself in the English translation. There is one exception where "sheol" is translated as "pit" by the Revised Standard and that is Job 33:22. This would be correct, since Sheol is a pit located in the center of the earth.

Job 7:9. (RSV has sheol) "As a cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more.”

Psalms 6:5. (RSV has sheol) "For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?
Psalms 31:17. (RSV has sheol) "Let me not be ashamed, O Lord; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave."

Psalms 49:15. (RSV has sheol) "But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me."

Job 33:22. (Pit) "Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers."

Isaiah 38:18. (RSV has sheol) "For the grave cannot praise thee, death cannot celebrate thee: they that go down into the Pit cannot hope for thy truth.”

1 Samuel 2:6. (RSV has sheol) "The Lord killeth and maketh alive; he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up."

Hosea 13:14. (RSV has sheol) "I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: ... O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes." The correct Hebrew word for "grave, burying place or sepulchre" is "gibrah" and is never used in reference to Sheol or the Pit, located in the earth's core. In the manner of the Hebrew, "Sheol" is referring to its own place, and not that of the grave or sepulchre at any time.

Here are a few of the places where "gibrah" is properly translated in the King James as "grave, sepulchre and burying place:""

1 Kings 13:30. "And he laid his carcase in his own grave ..."

2 Samuel 3:32. "And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the King lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner..."

Psalms 88:5. "Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more..."

2 Samuel 2:32. "And they took up Asahel and buried him in the sepulchre of his father..."

Genesis 47:30. "But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their burying place."

I have taken a little time to point out this translational error, as it is imperative if one is to understand that the grave and sheol are entirely two separate places. If this is not brought into focus, then the mistranslation would lead one to believe that Hell is in the grave and nothing more. Again, I want to point out that this is the teaching of Armstrongism, Jehovah's Witnesses and many of the cults—that is why it is so important to understand the difference in the Hebrew words and; when they are and, are not, properly translated concerning this subject. This is by no means an exhaustive word study; but a brief look to distinguish the difference between the words "grave" (gibrah) and "sheol" (Hell). In the King James translation, without exception, everywhere in the Old Testament where the word Hell appears, it is always translated from the Hebrew “sheol”.

Isaiah 5:14. "Hell("sheol") hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp ... shall descend into it."

Psalms 9:17. "The wicked shall be turned into hell ("sheol"), and all the nations that forget God.”

Proverbs 7:27. “Her house is the way to hell ("sheol"), going down to the chambers of death.”

Isaiah 14:15. “Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell ("sheol"), to the sides of the pit.”

Deuteronomy 32:22. “For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell ("sheol"), and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.” This is all that the lost have to look forward to when they die. How grateful we are that "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son (Christ) that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."