Understanding the Concept of “Hell” in Scripture: A Historical and Biblical Exploration

The term “hell” evokes vivid imagery of fire, suffering, and eternal punishment. In Christian tradition, “hell” is often seen as a place where the wicked endure everlasting torment. Yet, a deeper examination of biblical texts and historical context reveals a different picture. When the Scriptures are studied in the original Hebrew and Greek, they indicate a more nuanced understanding of divine judgment, focusing on themes of purification, justice, and finality rather than perpetual suffering.

This article will explore how the terms often translated as “hell” in Scripture—such as Sheol, Gehenna, and Hades—carry meanings distinct from the conventional Christian view of “hell.” We’ll examine the Hebrew concept of Gehenna as a physical location, analyze Yahweh’s justice and mercy, and consider the implications for our understanding of divine judgment.

The Origins of “Hell” in Christian Tradition

The English word “hell” carries connotations largely derived from medieval Christian doctrines and imagery rather than the biblical Hebrew and Greek texts. The Latin Vulgate Bible, translated by Jerome in the 4th century CE, used the word infernus to describe both the place of the dead and places of divine punishment, which contributed to a uniform concept of “hell.” Over time, Christian art, literature, and teachings reinforced this depiction, drawing heavily on Roman and Greek myths, which portrayed the underworld as a place of fiery torment and suffering.

By the Middle Ages, “hell” had become an essential part of Christian dogma, with influential theologians like Dante Alighieri in his Divine Comedy and Thomas Aquinas in his Summa Theologica cementing the image of an eternal, fiery prison. However, this concept does not directly align with the ancient Hebrew and Greek terms found in Scripture.

Understanding Key Biblical Terms Translated as “Hell”

1. Sheol (Hebrew): In the Hebrew Scriptures, Sheol is simply the realm of the dead—a shadowy, neutral place where the deceased reside, the Grave. There is no inherent idea of torment or punishment. Everyone, righteous or wicked, saved or condemned, goes to Sheol upon death, as seen in verses such as Ecclesiastes 9:10 and Psalm 16:10. The Hebrew writers understood Sheol as a temporary resting place until the final resurrection or judgment. Where the physical body lays, the Grave.

2. Hades (Greek): The Greek term Hades, similar to Sheol, denotes the realm of the dead. In the New Testament, Hades appears as a place of temporary residence for the souls of the deceased, awaiting the resurrection (e.g., Luke 16:23). While some passages hint at a separation between the righteous and the wicked within Hades (as in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus), there is no indication of unending torment.

3. Gehenna (Greek): One of the most complex terms translated as “hell” is Gehenna, which Yahshua referenced in His teachings on judgment and consequences. Historically, Gehenna referred to the Valley of Hinnom, a ravine south of Yerushalayim with a dark history. During the times of the Yisraelite kings, Gehenna was a place where child sacrifices were made to the Canaanite deity Molech (see 2 Kings 23:10). This practice rendered the valley cursed, and later, Jewish tradition transformed it into a garbage dump where refuse was incinerated. Fires were kept burning to dispose of waste, leading to the imagery of “unquenchable fire” as a symbol of destruction.

   Gehenna's History as a Site of Sacrifice and Curses

   In ancient Yisrael, Gehenna was strongly associated with idolatry and child sacrifice, specifically to the deity Molech. Scriptures like Yirmeyah 7:31-32 and 2 Kings 23:10 describe the Valley of Hinnom as a place where children were burned in sacrificial offerings. This desecration led prophets such as Yirmeyah to pronounce it accursed, saying it would eventually be called the "Valley of Slaughter" due to Yahweh's impending judgment on Yisrael for its idolatry and bloodshed.

   As a result of this cursed reputation, the valley was despised and avoided by faithful Jews. By the time of Yahshua, Gehenna had become a symbol of Yahweh's judgment against wickedness, and its image of fire and uncleanliness fit well with prophetic descriptions of divine retribution.

   Gehenna as a Refuse Site with Unquenchable Fires

   Over time, Gehenna also served as a refuse dump where garbage, dead animals, and sometimes even unclaimed or "accursed" bodies were disposed of, particularly the bodies of criminals or those denied burial rights. Burning refuse was a practical way to prevent decay, disease, and to keep scavenging animals away. The fires had to be constantly stoked to consume waste, creating a continual smoldering fire.

   This perpetual burning came to symbolize the "unquenchable fire" mentioned in verses such as Mark 9:47-48 ("where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched"). This image was not necessarily about eternal torment but about the complete and irreversible destruction of whatever was thrown into Gehenna. The "unquenchable fire" thus indicated that Yahweh's judgment was final and thorough, not to be resisted or escaped.

   Gehenna as a Disposal Site for the Cursed

   The use of Gehenna as a dump also reportedly included the disposal of the bodies of those considered accursed by society, such as criminals or others denied a proper burial. In Jewish thought, a denied burial was often seen as a curse or a sign of divine disfavor, and not being laid to rest with one's ancestors was viewed as dishonorable. Yirmeyah 19:6-7 and Yisayah 66:24 suggest that those who defied Yahweh might be left unburied, "their worm not dying," symbolizing complete degradation.

   In this way, Gehenna came to represent both a place of disgrace for the cursed and a symbol of Yahweh's decisive judgment. It was an image that would have resonated with Yahshua’s listeners, illustrating not just punishment but the finality of destruction.

   Yahshua’s Use of Gehenna in Teaching

   When Yahshua warned of Gehenna, He was likely drawing on this culturally understood symbolism of destruction, impurity, and divine judgment. By saying it was better to enter life maimed than to be "cast into Gehenna," Yahshua was emphasizing the severity and finality of Yahweh’s judgment against sin. Gehenna, as Yahshua used it, was not an indication of eternal torment but a place representing utter annihilation, rejection, and the irreversible nature of judgment.

Gehenna: Symbol of Judgment and Finality, Not Eternal Torment

When Yahshua referred to Gehenna, His audience would have understood it as a symbol of divine judgment and finality. Mark 9:43-48 describes Gehenna as a place where “the fire is not quenched,” which aligns with the historical context of Gehenna as a perpetually burning site. The “unquenchable fire” Yahshua mentions conveys the idea of complete and irreversible destruction, not unending suffering.

Jewish literature of the Second Temple period, such as the Book of Enoch, also used Gehenna to denote a place of judgment for the wicked, but this judgment was typically described as destruction or annihilation rather than continuous punishment. This reflects a broader understanding that the final consequences of judgment bring an end to sin and rebellion, not eternal torment.

The Role of Fire in Biblical Imagery: Purification and Final Judgment

Fire is frequently used in Scripture as a symbol of purification and judgment. Yahweh is described as a “refining fire” in Malachi 3:2-3, where He purifies His people like gold, removing impurities. Likewise, 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 uses fire metaphorically to describe how each person’s work will be tested. In this passage, even those whose work is “burned up” are saved, indicating that fire’s purpose is not necessarily punishment, but purification.

The “lake of fire” in Revelation 20:14-15 represents the final destruction of death, Hades, and the forces opposed to Yahweh’s kingdom. Here, the emphasis is on the complete elimination of evil, described as “the second death.” Instead of implying unending torment, this “second death” suggests the permanent end of all that stands against Yahweh.

The Question of Eternal Punishment: A Mistranslation of Greek Terms?

In Matthew 25:46, Yahshua speaks of “eternal punishment” for the wicked and “eternal life” for the righteous. The term translated as “eternal” in this verse, aionios, can refer to an age or an indefinite period rather than an unending experience. In Jewish thought, “eternal punishment” can signify the consequences of judgment (such as destruction) that last forever, not necessarily perpetual conscious suffering.

Thus, “eternal punishment” may denote an everlasting result (i.e., final separation from Yahweh and the cessation of existence) rather than continuous pain.

Yahweh’s Character: Loving Justice and Mercy

Understanding Yahweh’s character is central to interpreting judgment and “hell.” The Scriptures present Yahweh as compassionate and just, as seen in Psalm 103:8: “Yahweh is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” Yahshua’s mission, according to John 3:16, was to save the world, not to condemn it, emphasizing Yahweh’s love and mercy.

The notion of Yahweh subjecting His creation to eternal torment contradicts this portrayal of divine love and mercy. Instead, passages such as Ezekiel 18:23 reflect Yahweh’s desire for repentance, not death: “Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? ... Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?”

The Doctrine of Annihilation: A Biblical Perspective on Final Judgment

A growing number of biblical scholars and theologians advocate for “annihilationism” or “conditional immortality,” the belief that the wicked face complete destruction rather than eternal torment. This interpretation argues that the “second death” in Revelation signifies the total end of existence for those who reject Yahweh. As Romans 6:23 states, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of Elohim is eternal life in Yahshua the Messiah.” Here, death is contrasted with eternal life, implying that life is the reward for the righteous, while death is the ultimate end for the wicked.

Hell as Judgment, Not Eternal Torment

The traditional view of “hell” as a place of unending suffering may have more to do with cultural interpretations and church history than with the actual biblical text. The biblical terms Sheol, Hades, and Gehenna portray a more complex understanding of the afterlife, with an emphasis on judgment, finality, and purification rather than perpetual agony.

Yahweh’s desire for humanity is rooted in compassion, redemption, and restoration. The biblical message focuses on Yahweh’s love, the sacrifice of Yahshua, and the offer of eternal life for those who seek Him. The idea of eternal torment is incongruent with Yahweh’s character as presented in Scripture, which reveals His ultimate purpose as one of renewal and the eradication of sin. This understanding encourages a view of divine judgment that aligns with Yahweh’s mercy and justice—a conclusion that honors both Yahweh’s love for His creation and His commitment to righteousness.

By: Carlos Jimenez