(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, Prov. 30: 16). It is rendered "grave" thirty-one times (Gen. 37:35;42:38;44:29, 44: 31; 1-Sam 2:6, 1-Sam 2: 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; Psa 9:17;31:17, 31: etc.); (b) of the good (Psa 16:10;30:3;49:15;86:13, 86: etc.).

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