News flash HELL does NOT exist!!!

You heard me correctly — hell does not exist! The word hell is not present in the original Hebrew or Greek languages of the Bible. It was added later through translation choices. This is a claim made by many, and just the other day, someone asked me:

“How can you believe in hell when that word isn’t even in the original text?”

Well — they’re partly right. The word itself isn’t there. There literally isn't a direct word for the version of hell we know today in the greek language or the Hebrew language

But here's the thing: while the term "hell" doesn’t appear in the original manuscripts, the Bible still alludes to the existence of such a place. And a under standing of the context when the word "hell" is being used is of importance

Let’s take a closer look.

1. Key Original Words Translated as “Hell”

In older English Bible translations (like the KJV), the word hell is often used to translate several different original terms.

Old Testament (Hebrew):

• Sheol (שְׁאוֹל)

  • Meaning: The grave, the realm of the dead, a shadowy underworld.

  • Usage: Often used to refer to the place where all dead go, not necessarily a place of punishment.

  • Example: Psalm 16:10 – “For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol…”

New Testament (Greek):

• Hades (ᾅδης)

  • Greek equivalent of Sheol, generally the place of the dead.

  • Sometimes used neutrally, sometimes as a place of torment (cf. Luke 16:23, parable of the rich man and Lazarus).

• Gehenna (γέεννα)

  • Derived from Ge-Hinnom, the Valley of Hinnom outside Jerusalem, a place associated with idolatry and later, destruction.

  • Jesus uses Gehenna to describe a place of final judgment and fiery punishment (cf. Matthew 5:22, 10:28, 23:33).

• Tartarus (τάρταρος)

  • Used only once in 2 Peter 2:4; refers to a deep, gloomy dungeon where fallen angels are held.

2. How Did the Idea of Hell Develop?

The concept of hell as a place of eternal punishment developed over time through:

Jewish Intertestamental Literature:

• Books like 1 Enoch and 2 Esdras show an increasing interest in post-mortem judgment, resurrection, and punishment of the wicked.

• These texts start to imagine more elaborate afterlife scenarios, including torment for the unrighteous.

Jesus’ Teachings:

• Jesus spoke frequently about judgment and used Gehenna as a vivid warning.

• While He doesn't spell out a fully systematic doctrine of hell, He does describe it as a place of fire, destruction, and exclusion from God's kingdom.

Early Church and Theological Development:

• The early Church Fathers (e.g., Augustine) developed more detailed doctrines of eternal punishment.

• The Latin word "infernum" or "infernus" became standard in the Vulgate, and later English translations often rendered this as hell.

3. So… Does the Bible Teach Hell Exists?

From a biblical perspective, even though the exact word "hell" doesn't exist in Hebrew or Greek, the concept of post-mortem punishment for the wicked is present, especially in the New Testament.

Here’s what we can say:

• Yes: The Bible speaks of a future judgment and a place/state of punishment for the wicked (see Matthew 25:46 – “eternal punishment”).

• But: The terms used (Sheol, Hades, Gehenna) each have different nuances and should not be conflated.

• Caution: Modern images of hell (fiery torture chambers, devils with pitchforks) owe more to medieval literature and Dante than to Scripture itself.

4. Biblical Perspective in Summary

While the modern English word "hell" isn't in the original texts, the ideas of divine judgment, punishment, and separation from God are certainly present. The terms Gehenna and others point to a reality Jesus warned about — not just metaphorically, but as part of God's justice.

Below is a comparison chart showing how the key biblical terms translated as "hell" appear in the original languages and how various Bible translations render them, followed by a summary of why this is important.

🔥 Comparison Chart: Biblical Terms for “Hell”

Original Term	Language	Meaning	Common Translations	Notable Verses
Sheol	Hebrew	Grave, underworld, abode of the dead	Grave, Hell (KJV), Sheol (ESV, NASB, NIV footnotes)	Psalm 16:10, Ecclesiastes 9:10, Job 7:9
Hades	Greek	Greek equivalent of Sheol; place of the dead	Hell (KJV), Hades (ESV, NASB, NIV)	Luke 16:23, Revelation 1:18, Acts 2:27
Gehenna	Greek	Derived from Valley of Hinnom; used by Jesus to describe fiery judgment	Hell (most translations)	Matthew 5:22, 10:28, Mark 9:43, Luke 12:5
Tartarus	Greek	Deep abyss for fallen angels	Hell (KJV), Tartarus (footnotes in some Bibles)	2 Peter 2:4

These are some of the clearest instances where Jesus speaks of Gehenna, typically translated as “hell” in English.

* Matthew 5:22

"But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment... and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell [Gehenna] of fire."

• ⚠️ Warning of judgment in the context of anger and contempt.

* Matthew 10:28

"Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell [Gehenna]."

• 🔥 Emphasizes God’s authority in eternal judgment.

* Matthew 23:33

"You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell [Gehenna]?"

• ⚖️ Directed at religious leaders — a harsh judgment warning.

* Mark 9:43–48

"It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell [Gehenna], to the unquenchable fire..."

• 🔥 Repeated three times, emphasizing the seriousness of sin and judgment.

* Luke 12:5

"But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell [Gehenna]."

• 👑 Highlights divine judgment power.

📝 Summary: Why This Matters

• Gehenna is used by Jesus Himself as a powerful image of divine judgment and destruction — and it's the closest concept to the modern idea of “hell” in Scripture.

• The word “hell” in English Bibles is a translation choice — often used to summarize several different concepts, some of which refer to punishment (Gehenna), and others more neutrally to the grave (Sheol/Hades).

• Understanding the original terms helps clarify the different layers of meaning — not all “hell” references are talking about the same thing. once you understand which term is being used you very quickly understand that in places the person speaking is referencing a place of eternal punishment

5. A Warning To All

• As I sit writing this, I think of a dear relative who recently passed away at a young age. He knew the Lord, and because of that, I know he has gone on to glory and is now at peace.

• But can the same be said for you?

A fight for our souls is raging, and the decisions we make in this life echo into eternity. Separation from God — what we often call hell — is a real and sobering reality. It’s something we should all be striving to avoid.

• So I ask you honestly:

Which side will you strive to find yourself on?