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

What man can live and never see death? Can he deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah

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

Can Your loving devotion be proclaimed in the grave, Your faithfulness in Abaddon? Will Your wonders be known in the darkness, or Your righteousness in the land of oblivion?

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

They went down alive into Sheol with all they owned. The earth closed over them, and they vanished from the assembly.

There is hope even in Sheol

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

If only You would hide me in Sheol and conceal me until Your anger has passed! If only You would appoint a time for me and then remember me!

For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.