Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  9000 Last things  »  9500 Hell  »  9540 Sheol

A Hebrew term used to refer to the grave, the pit or the tomb. Some older translations have the term incorrectly translated as “hell”.

Sheol is the destiny of all

Psalm 89:48 See also Genesis 37:35; Genesis 44:29; 1 Kings 2:9; Psalm 18:5; Psalm 107:20; Proverbs 1:12; Proverbs 30:16; Ezekiel 31:15-17; Jonah 2:2

Sheol is often described in terms suggesting a grave

Psalm 88:11-12 See also Job 3:13-19; Job 7:9; Job 17:13-16; Psalm 6:5; Ecclesiastes 9:10; Isaiah 14:9-11; Isaiah 38:18

To go to Sheol was regarded as a punishment

Numbers 16:33 See also 1 Samuel 2:6; Job 24:19; Psalm 9:17; Psalm 31:17; Psalm 49:14; Psalm 55:15; Isaiah 14:15

There is hope even in Sheol

Job 14:13; Psalm 16:10 See also Psalm 30:3; Psalm 49:15; Psalm 86:13

See also

4257  pit
9020  death
9040  grave, the
9050  tombs
9110  after-life
9510  hell
9530  Hades