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The Doctrine of Hell in Scripture and Christian Tradition

The Christian doctrine of hell refers to the ultimate state of eternal punishment for the wicked, often described with vivid imagery in Scripture [1, 4]. The concept of hell has roots in Old Testament understandings of the afterlife, though its specific nature evolved in New Testament teachings.

Old Testament Foundations: Sheol and Gehenna

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word Sheol is frequently translated as "hell" in older English versions of the Bible, though it more broadly refers to the "place of the dead" or the "unseen world" [2, 3]. Sheol is rendered as "grave" in many passages, such as Genesis 37:35 and 1 Samuel 2:6, without necessarily implying a place of misery or happiness [2, 3]. However, some Old Testament passages suggest Sheol can involve a notion of punishment [2]. For instance, Deuteronomy 32:22 associates fire with Sheol, though this connection is rare in the Old Testament [15]. Images of a "flaming furnace" and "fire" are used to portray God's judgment on the wicked in the Old Testament, sometimes referring to hell (e.g., Psalm 11:6; Isaiah 66:24) [13, 7].

A distinct concept emerges with Gehenna, a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew Ge Hinnom (Valley of Hinnom) [10, 12]. This valley, located outside Jerusalem, was historically a site where some kings of Judah practiced idol worship and human sacrifice by fire (2 Chronicles 28:3; 33:6; Jeremiah 7:31; 32:35) [12]. King Josiah later destroyed the site (2 Kings 23:10) [12]. In the New Testament, Gehenna becomes a specific term for the place of eternal punishment, distinct from Hades, which refers to the abode of the dead [10, 12]. Jesus himself uses the term Gehenna when speaking of radical separation from sin, stating that it is better to lose a body part than for the whole body to be thrown into hell (Matthew 5:29-30) [12].

New Testament Descriptions of Hell

The New Testament further develops the understanding of hell as a place of conscious, eternal punishment. Jesus frequently speaks of hell using powerful imagery. He describes it as "everlasting punishment" (Matthew 25:46), "everlasting fire" (Matthew 25:41), and a "furnace of fire" (Matthew 13:42, 50) [1]. The book of Revelation refers to it as a "lake of fire" (Revelation 20:15) and a place of "fire and brimstone" (Revelation 14:10) [1]. This "fiery lake of burning sulfur" is depicted as the destination for God's enemies, including the beast, the false prophet, the dragon, death, and unsaved humans [7]. The smoke of their torment is said to ascend "for ever and ever," indicating the unending nature of their suffering [16].

The New Testament also uses the Greek word Hades to refer to the place of the dead [8, 9]. While Hades can sometimes denote a general realm of the departed, it is also depicted as containing both a place of rest (Abraham's bosom or Paradise) and a place of torment, as seen in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:23) [1]. Jesus is said to have visited this place of disembodied spirits (Acts 2:31; 1 Peter 3:19) [1]. However, Hades is distinct from Gehenna, the latter being specifically the place of eternal punishment [10].

The Nature of Punishment

The punishment in hell is consistently described as eternal and unending. The same Greek words (aion, aionios, aidios) used to describe the eternal existence of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit are also used to express the "eternal duration of the sufferings of the lost" [4]. This includes "everlasting punishment" (Matthew 25:46), "everlasting fire" (Matthew 25:41), and "everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord" (2 Thessalonians 1:9) [1, 4]. John Gill, a Baptist commentator, notes that the "smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever," signifying that "there will be no end of their torment" [16].

The devil and his angels are destined for this eternal fire [6, 14]. John Chrysostom, an early Church Father, states that the "fire of hell" was "prepared for the devil" [14]. The devil is cast down to hell (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6) [6].

Common Misconceptions and Theological Nuances

While the existence of hell is affirmed in Christian tradition, some have denied its existence [14]. However, biblical texts and early Christian thought consistently present it as a reality [14]. The threat of hell is understood by some as proof of human freedom, implying that individuals have the choice to accept or reject God's will [14].

The imagery of fire associated with hell is significant. Fire in Scripture can represent God's presence and judgment [11, 5]. For instance, the altar fire was first kindled from heaven and was to burn perpetually (Leviticus 6:9, 13) [5]. This divine fire, while sometimes associated with sacred purposes, also serves as a powerful metaphor for judgment, as seen in the "unquenchable fire" of hell (Matthew 3:12) [1].

The doctrine of hell underscores the seriousness of sin and the ultimate consequences of rejecting God. It is a place of "destruction from the presence of God" (2 Thessalonians 1:9) [1]. The "deepest darkness" is also an image associated with God's judgment [11]. The tongue, for example, is described as a "world of wickedness" that can be set on fire by hell itself, highlighting the destructive power of evil speech originating from the devil [10].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hell — The place of disembodied spirits -- Ac 2:31. Which Christ visited. -- Lu 23:43; Ac 2:31; 1Pe 3:19. Contains, a place of rest, Abraham's bosom. -- Lu 16:23. Paradise. -- Lu 23:43. And a place of torment. -- Lu 16:23. The place of future punishment Destruction from the presence of God. -- 2Th 1:9. Described as Everlasting punishment. -- Mt 25:46. Everlasting fire. -- Mt 25:41. Everlasting burnings. -- Isa 33:14. A furnace of fire. -- Mt 13:42,50. A lake of fire. -- Re 20:15. Fire and brimstone. -- Re 14:10. Unquenchable fire. -- Mt 3:12. Devouring fire. -- Isa 3”
  2. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Hell — In the Old Testament this is the word generally and unfortunately used by our translators to render the Hebrew Sheol . It really means the place of the dead, the unseen world, without deciding whether it be the place of misery or of happiness. It is clear that in many passages of the Old Testament Sheol can only mean "the grave," and is rendered in the Authorized Version; see, for example, (Genesis 37:35; 42:38; 1 Samuel 2:6; Job 14:13) In other passages, however, it seems to Involve a notion of punishment, and is therefore rendered in the Authorized Version by”
  3. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Hell — Derived from the Saxon helan, to cover; hence the covered or the invisible place. In Scripture there are three words so rendered: (1.) Sheol, occurring in the Old Testament sixty-five times. This word sheol is derived from a root-word meaning "to ask," "demand;" hence insatiableness (Prov. 30:15, 16). It is rendered "grave" thirty-one times (Gen. 37:35; 42:38; 44:29, 31; 1 Sam. 2:6, etc.). The Revisers have retained this rendering in the historical books with the original word in the margin, while in the poetical books they have reversed this rule. In thirty-o”
  4. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Eternal death — The miserable fate of the wicked in hell (Matt. 25:46; Mark 3:29; Heb. 6:2; 2 Thess. 1:9; Matt. 18:8; 25:41; Jude 1:7). The Scripture as clearly teaches the unending duration of the penal sufferings of the lost as the "everlasting life," the "eternal life" of the righteous. The same Greek words in the New Testament (aion, aionios, aidios) are used to express (1) the eternal existence of God (1 Tim. 1:17; Rom. 1:20; 16:26); (2) of Christ (Rev. 1:18); (3) of the Holy Ghost (Heb. 9:14); and (4) the eternal duration of the sufferings of the lost (Matt. 25”
  5. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Fire — (1.) For sacred purposes. The sacrifices were consumed by fire (Gen. 8:20). The ever-burning fire on the altar was first kindled from heaven (Lev. 6:9, 13; 9:24), and afterwards rekindled at the dedication of Solomon's temple (2 Chr. 7:1, 3). The expressions "fire from heaven" and "fire of the Lord" generally denote lightning, but sometimes also the fire of the altar was so called (Ex. 29:18; Lev. 1:9; 2:3; 3:5, 9). Fire for a sacred purpose obtained otherwise than from the altar was called "strange fire" (Lev. 10:1, 2; Num. 3:4). The victims slain for sin off”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Devil, The — Sinned against God -- 2Pe 2:4; 1Jo 3:8. Cast out of heaven -- Lu 10:18. Cast down to hell -- 2Pe 2:4; Jude 1:6. The author of the fall -- Ge 3:1,6,14,24. Tempted Christ -- Mt 4:3-10. Perverts the Scripture -- Mt 4:6; Ps 91:11,12. Opposes God's work -- Zec 3:1; 1Th 2:18. Hinders the gospel -- Mt 13:19; 2Co 4:4. Works lying wonders -- 2Th 2:9; Re 16:14. Assumes the form of an angel of light -- 2Co 11:14. The wicked Are the children of. -- Mt 13:38; Ac 13:10; 1Jo 3:10. Turn aside after. -- 1Ti 5:15. Do the lusts of. -- Joh 8:44. Possessed by. -- Lu 22:3; Ac”
  7. Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 19:20: 19:20 beast . . . false prophet See 13:1-10. • The fiery lake of burning sulfur provides a picture of eternal punishment (see 20:10, 14-15; 21:8; see also Isa 66:24; Matt 13:41, 49-50; Mark 9:43, 48). • God’s enemies are thrown into the fiery lake. The two beasts (Rev 19:20) are followed by the dragon (20:10) and then by death (20:14) and unsaved humans (20:15).”
  8. Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 10:15: To hell - To hades. See this explained, Mat 11:23 (note).”
  9. Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 11:23: 11:23 the place of the dead: Greek Hades, which corresponds to the Hebrew term Sheol (see study note on Ps 6:5).”
  10. James (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on James 3:6: 3:6 It is a whole world of wickedness: The tongue acts as an agent of the whole unrighteous world opposed to God (1:27; 4:4). • hell itself: Greek Gehenna, the place of eternal punishment (Matt 5:22, 30; 23:15), in contrast to Hades, the abode of the dead (Luke 16:23; Acts 2:31). The reference to hell is an allusion to the devil (Jas 4:7; Matt 5:22; John 8:44) as the ultimate source of evil speech.”
  11. Job (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Job 20:26: 20:26 Images such as deepest darkness and wildfire are often associated with God’s presence (Deut 4:11; 5:22-23; Heb 12:18) and especially with his judgment (Exod 9:23-24; 10:21-29).”
  12. Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 5:29: 5:29-30 good eye . . . gouge it out . . . stronger hand . . . cut it off: These graphic images call for radical separation from sin. But even self-mutilation, radical as it would be, cannot stop a lustful mind. Jesus is calling for the surpassing righteousness that only he can bring. 5:29 hell (Greek Gehenna): Gehenna originally referred to a valley outside Jerusalem where some of the kings of Judah worshiped idols and performed human sacrifice by fire (2 Chr 28:3; 33:6; Jer 7:31; 32:35). The site was eventually destroyed by Josiah (2 Kgs 23:10). In the New Testa”
  13. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 21:9: 21:9 The flaming furnace and fire portray the severity of God’s judgment on the wicked. In the Old Testament, this image often refers to hell (11:6; 18:8; 50:3; 68:2; 78:21; 79:5; 80:16; 89:46; 97:3; 104:4; 140:10; see Isa 66:24).”
  14. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: the world, 293 ; and little affronts, 294 ; our real home, 293 . Hell, fire of, prepared for the devil, 66 ; existence of, denied by some, 96 ; proved credible by 1 Cor. v. , 131 ; threat of, proves human freedom, 134 . Heralds of Christ's birth, 41 . Heretics err, by not considering the objects of the speakers in Holy Scripture, 144 ; must be refuted from Holy Scripture, 149 ; an objection of, to Christ's answer to the Jews, 198 ; barred from the fold by Scripture, 213 ; their misinterpretation of the parable of the sheepfold, 214 ; denied the Resu”
  15. Job (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Job 31:12: 31:12 The association of fire with hell or the grave is rare in the Old Testament (cp. Deut 32:22).”
  16. Revelation (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Revelation 14:11: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever,.... That is, the smoke of that fire which torments them will for ever arise; or, in other words, there will be no end of their torment; hence their misery is called everlasting fire, everlasting punishment, and everlasting destruction, Mat 25:41 and smoke being very troublesome and distressing, is mentioned to set forth the very uncomfortable state of the wicked; and so it is used by Jewish writers: hence we read of , "the smoke of hell" (r), with which the eyes of the wicked will be filled in the wor”
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