The Linked Bible

CONCEPT

Hell

1. The Word in the King James Version:

The English word, from a Teutonic root meaning "to hide" or "cover," had originally the significance of the world of the dead generally, and in this sense is used by Chaucer, Spenser, etc., and in the Creed ("He descended into hell"); compare the English Revised Version Preface. Now the word has come to mean almost exclusively the place of punishment of the lost or finally impenitent; the place of torment of the wicked. In the King James Version of the Scriptures, it is the rendering adopted in many places in the Old Testament for the Hebrew word she'ol (in 31 out of 65 occurrences of that word it is so translated), and in all places, save one (1 Corinthians 15:55) in the New Testament, for the Greek word Hades (this word occurs 11 times; in 10 of these it is translated "hell"; 1 Corinthians 15:55 reads "grave," with "hell" in the margin). In these cases the word has its older general meaning, though in Luke 16:23 (parable of Rich Man and Lazarus) it is specially connected with a place of "torment," in contrast with the "Abraham's bosom" to which Lazarus is taken (16:22).

2. The Word in the Revised Version:

In the above cases the Revised Version (British and American) has introduced changes, replacing "hell" by "Sheol" in the passages in the Old Testament (the English Revised Version retains "hell" in Isaiah 14:9,15; the American Standard Revised Version makes no exception), and by "Hades" in the passages in the New Testament (see under these words).

3. Gehenna:

Besides the above uses, and more in accordance with the modern meaning, the word "hell" is used in the New Testament in the King James Version as the equivalent of Gehenna (12 t; Matthew 5:22,29; 10:28, etc.). the Revised Version (British and American) in these cases puts "Gehenna" in the margin. Originally the Valley of Hinnom, near Jerusalem, Gehenna became among the Jews the synonym for the place of torment in the future life (the "Gehenna of fire," Matthew 5:22, etc.; see GEHENNA).

4. Tartarus:

In yet one other passage in the New Testament (2 Peter 2:4), "to cast down to hell" is used (the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American)) to represent the Greek tartaroo, ("to send into Tartarus"). Here it stands for the place of punishment of the fallen angels:

"spared not angels when they sinned, but cast them down to hell, and committed them to pits (or chains) of darkness" (compare Jude 1:6; but also Matthew 25:41). Similar ideas are found in certain of the Jewish apocalyptic books (Book of Enoch, Book of Jubilees, Apocrypha Baruch, with apparent reference to Genesis 6:1-4; compare ESCHATOLOGY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT).

On theological aspect, see PUNISHMENT, EVERLASTING. For literature, see references in above-named arts., and compare article "Hell" by Dr. D. S. Salmond in HDB.

James Orr

▶Sermons

Audio

  • Alan Bartley
    A Carnival Near Hell!
    Alan Bartley · 1:19:28

    The sermon warns of the dangers of complacency in faith and the urgent need for repentance in light of God's impending judgment.

  • Alan Cairns
    Voices From Hell and What They Have to Say to America Today
    Alan Cairns · 1:09:23

    The preacher is calling on America to hear the voices from hell, which testify to the reality of hell and the consequences of sin, and to pray for a visitation of the Spirit of God.

  • Art Katz
    Eternal Hell (1 of 2)
    Art Katz · 45:39

    The gospel is a message of hope and salvation for the Jewish people, and it is a fulfillment of their ancient prophecies and expectations, but it is also an offense to the world because it challenges the world's relativistic and tolerant views.

  • Art Katz
    Eternal Hell (2 of 2)
    Art Katz · 39:47

    The sermon emphasizes the reality of eternal hell and the importance of repentance before it's too late, using the story of Elijah as a model for prophetic ministry in the end times.

  • B.H. Clendennen
    (Clip) Hell is Real Because God Said It
    B.H. Clendennen · 3:26

    B.H. Clendennen passionately emphasizes the reality and eternal nature of hell based on God's clear declarations in Scripture, urging believers to confront this truth without sentimentality.

  • Bill McLeod
    Heaven & Hell
    Bill McLeod · 43:07

    The Bible teaches that there is a heaven and a hell, and that faith in Christ is the key to salvation, with no second chance after death.

  • Carter Conlon
    Testimony Time in Hell
    Carter Conlon · 41:56

    The sermon 'Testimony Time in Hell' emphasizes the importance of knowing Jesus Christ and accepting His sacrifice to avoid the pitiful testimony of those who were almost persuaded in hell.

  • Charles Stanley
    A Cry From Torment
    Charles Stanley · 44:23

    The sermon explores the reality of torment in hell, emphasizing the urgency of accepting Christ to avoid eternal separation from God.

  • David Gooding
    Is Hell a Reality
    David Gooding · 55:44

    The doctrine of hell is a reality and a place of eternal torment for the impenitent, but it is also a demonstration of God's love and justice.

  • David Gooding
    The Second Death
    David Gooding · 1:04:56

    The sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding God's judgment and the consequences of rejecting his salvation, highlighting the second death as a punishment that permits of no degree and is determined by a person's works.

  • David Legge
    The Cry From Hell
    David Legge · 35:09

    The sermon emphasizes the importance of cultivating the ear of faith to hear the cry from hell and respond with compassion and travail to save loved ones from eternal torment.

  • David Wilkerson
    A Message On Hell (1988)
    David Wilkerson · 50:25

    David Wilkerson passionately warns that hell is a real, eternal place of punishment and darkness, emphasizing Jesus' own preaching on hell and urging listeners to repent before it's too late.

  • David Wilkerson
    Hell - Part 1
    David Wilkerson · 45:10

    David Wilkerson's sermon emphasizes the reality of hell as a serious consequence of sin and the necessity of preaching this truth in the church today.

  • David Wilkerson
    Hell - Part 2
    David Wilkerson · 20:27

    David Wilkerson's sermon warns of the reality of hell and the urgent need for repentance to avoid eternal separation from God.

  • David Wilkerson
    Hell Whats It Like - Whos Going There
    David Wilkerson · 42:30

    Hell is a place of eternal darkness and torment, where men will suffer the vengeance of God and reject the simplicity of the cross of Jesus Christ.

  • Don Currin
    The Wrath Of God
    Don Currin · 53:38

    Don Currin warns that the wrath of God is a real and terrifying reality, urging believers to understand both God's judgment and mercy for true repentance and salvation.

  • Don Perkins
    The Reality of Hell
    Don Perkins · 45:49

    The reality of hell is a place of eternal judgment and separation from God, created by God as a place of unadulterated wrath, and can be avoided by repenting of our sins and accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior.

  • Don Whitney
    The Reality of Hell
    Don Whitney · 58:04

    The sermon emphasizes the importance of clarity on the gospel and the reality of hell, warning that those who are unclear on the gospel are at risk of being separated from God for eternity.

  • E.A. Johnston
    A Plain Talk on Hell
    E.A. Johnston · 10:44

    E.A. Johnston warns that without the new birth through Jesus Christ, all religious professions are futile and lead to eternal damnation in hell.

  • E.A. Johnston
    A Tour of Hell
    E.A. Johnston · 37:12

    This sermon warns of the reality of hell and the consequences of sin, emphasizing the importance of a relationship with God.

  • E.A. Johnston
    Contemptible Silence of Church
    E.A. Johnston · 18:30

    E.A. Johnston warns that the modern church's silence on repentance, sin, and hell leads to spiritual deadness and calls believers to genuine salvation through true repentance and faith in Christ.

  • E.A. Johnston
    Deacon in a Devil's Hell
    E.A. Johnston · 19:29

    E.A. Johnston warns that mere church service and good reputation cannot save a person from hell without genuine repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

  • E.A. Johnston
    Disturbing Voices from Hell
    E.A. Johnston · 0:57

    E.A. Johnston warns of the terrifying reality of hell and the urgent need to embrace Jesus for salvation.

  • E.A. Johnston
    False Faith Real Hell
    E.A. Johnston · 8:28

    E.A. Johnston warns that false faith leads to real hell and urges believers to embrace the full gospel of ruin, redemption, repentance, and regeneration through Christ alone.

  • E.A. Johnston
    Gospel of Repentance
    E.A. Johnston · 3:58

    E.A. Johnston passionately teaches that true salvation requires genuine repentance, emphasizing its necessity for forgiveness and eternal life.

  • E.A. Johnston
    Greedy for Hell
    E.A. Johnston · 7:18

    E.A. Johnston warns that many live recklessly in sin, being 'greedy for hell,' but offers hope through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as the only savior from eternal judgment.

  • E.A. Johnston
    Guilty As Hell Before Holy God
    E.A. Johnston · 31:29

    E.A. Johnston powerfully warns that all humans stand guilty before a holy God and must urgently turn to Jesus Christ, the only ark of safety, to escape the coming judgment and eternal hell.

  • E.A. Johnston
    Haunted in Hell
    E.A. Johnston · 8:54

    E.A. Johnston warns listeners of the terrifying reality of hell as a place haunted by demons and eternal torment, urging repentance and faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.

  • E.A. Johnston
    Hell Ain'T Half Full Yet
    E.A. Johnston · 8:43

    E.A. Johnston warns that hell is never full and urges listeners to repent and turn to Christ to avoid eternal punishment.

Text

  • Art Katz
    Nightclub Disasters: A Parable of Hell
    Art Katz

    The sermon presents a parable of hell, where a sudden and terrifying transformation from pleasure to chaos serves as a warning to a mindless generation to consider prayer and repentance.