What The Bible Says About Hell Might Surprise You

Let’s talk about hell.

Specifically, let’s talk about what the Bible says about hell. Hell is one of those topics that has been so influenced by opinions, culture, and misinformation that it’s hard to tell what’s true and what’s made up. Many of us probably grew up picturing hell much like the picture above. But is that really what hell will be like? Let’s go back to what the Bible says about hell.

Hell in the Old Testament

The Old Testament doesn’t give us many concrete details about hell. Rather it talks about death and a few vague references to what happens to the wicked after death.

The word the Old Testament uses for hell is sheol and is used 65 times. This is where the difficulty comes in. This word translates as the grave, death, destruction, the pit, and sometimes hell. At very least sheol is referring to death. At most sheol may refer to some sort of afterlife human existence for the wicked.

Ezekiel 32:17–32 offers us the longest description of the afterlife for the wicked in the Old Testament. Ezekiel offers a few glimpses, but nothing solid. The picture he paints is one of separation for the wicked and judgment for their deeds. There are hints that the wicked feel shame, but also that they are comforted.