What is Hell?

July 30, 2026 hell, judgment, eternity

To answer "What is Hell?" we must first ask, "Which hell are we talking about?" Wait, there's more than one? Yes, and I'll dive into it here to the best of my ability. I won't be able to cover all the ins and outs here, so let this be the introduction to your own study.

Let's start with defining terms. In the New Testament (using the King James Version) hell is translated from two Greek words into our one English. No wonder it's confusing! Don't worry, I'll break down both of them.

I'll start with Strong's G86 · Greek ᾅδης haides Definitionproperly, unseen, i.e. "Hades" or the place (state) of departed souls Derivationfrom G1 (Α) (as negative particle) and G1492 (εἴδω); KJV usagegrave, hell More at Blue Letter Bible . Strong's G86 · Greek ᾅδης haides Definitionproperly, unseen, i.e. "Hades" or the place (state) of departed souls Derivationfrom G1 (Α) (as negative particle) and G1492 (εἴδω); KJV usagegrave, hell More at Blue Letter Bible is the holding place for the dead before the final judgement. Jesus talks about this in Luke 16:19-31 King James Version ¹⁹There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:²⁰And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,²¹And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.²²And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;²³And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.²⁴And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.²⁵But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.²⁶And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.²⁷Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:²⁸For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.²⁹Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.³⁰And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.³¹And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. Study at Blue Letter Bible , where we read about the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man is in Strong's G86 · Greek ᾅδης haides Definitionproperly, unseen, i.e. "Hades" or the place (state) of departed souls Derivationfrom G1 (Α) (as negative particle) and G1492 (εἴδω); KJV usagegrave, hell More at Blue Letter Bible ( v23 Luke 16:23 King James Version ²³And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Study at Blue Letter Bible ), and Lazarus is with Abraham Luke 16:22 King James Version ²²And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; Study at Blue Letter Bible . Strong's G86 · Greek ᾅδης haides Definitionproperly, unseen, i.e. "Hades" or the place (state) of departed souls Derivationfrom G1 (Α) (as negative particle) and G1492 (εἴδω); KJV usagegrave, hell More at Blue Letter Bible may refer to both places or just where the rich man was, as the Bible isn't super clear here. Either way, the rich man is tormented, and Lazarus was not.

Acts 2:31 King James Version ³¹He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. Study at Blue Letter Bible (which is an Old Testament quote referencing Jesus) says Jesus went to Strong's G86 · Greek ᾅδης haides Definitionproperly, unseen, i.e. "Hades" or the place (state) of departed souls Derivationfrom G1 (Α) (as negative particle) and G1492 (εἴδω); KJV usagegrave, hell More at Blue Letter Bible . That may be when He "preached to the spirits which were in prison" 1 Peter 3:19 King James Version ¹⁹By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Study at Blue Letter Bible , but again, the Bible isn't explicitly clear here, so we don't know which section He went to or if He went to both.

Other verses like Matthew 11:23 King James Version ²³And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. Study at Blue Letter Bible , Matthew 16:18 King James Version ¹⁸And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Study at Blue Letter Bible , and Acts 2:31 King James Version ³¹He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. Study at Blue Letter Bible all describe Strong's G86 · Greek ᾅδης haides Definitionproperly, unseen, i.e. "Hades" or the place (state) of departed souls Derivationfrom G1 (Α) (as negative particle) and G1492 (εἴδω); KJV usagegrave, hell More at Blue Letter Bible if you're curious.

Now that we've touched on Strong's G86 · Greek ᾅδης haides Definitionproperly, unseen, i.e. "Hades" or the place (state) of departed souls Derivationfrom G1 (Α) (as negative particle) and G1492 (εἴδω); KJV usagegrave, hell More at Blue Letter Bible , let's move on to Strong's G1067 · Greek γέεννα geenna Definitionvalley of (the son of) Hinnom; ge-henna (or Ge-Hinnom), a valley of Jerusalem, used (figuratively) as a name for the place (or state) of everlasting punishment Derivationof Hebrew origin (H01516 and H02011); KJV usagehell More at Blue Letter Bible . Strong's G1067 · Greek γέεννα geenna Definitionvalley of (the son of) Hinnom; ge-henna (or Ge-Hinnom), a valley of Jerusalem, used (figuratively) as a name for the place (or state) of everlasting punishment Derivationof Hebrew origin (H01516 and H02011); KJV usagehell More at Blue Letter Bible is more the traditional hell (eternal conscious torment in flames forever) that most of us think of. If you're curious, the book 23 Minutes in Hell does a good job of describing hell in terms that are easy to understand.

So why are Strong's G86 · Greek ᾅδης haides Definitionproperly, unseen, i.e. "Hades" or the place (state) of departed souls Derivationfrom G1 (Α) (as negative particle) and G1492 (εἴδω); KJV usagegrave, hell More at Blue Letter Bible and Strong's G1067 · Greek γέεννα geenna Definitionvalley of (the son of) Hinnom; ge-henna (or Ge-Hinnom), a valley of Jerusalem, used (figuratively) as a name for the place (or state) of everlasting punishment Derivationof Hebrew origin (H01516 and H02011); KJV usagehell More at Blue Letter Bible both translated hell in our English Bibles? How are they related? Well, Revelation 20:14 King James Version ¹⁴And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. Study at Blue Letter Bible tells us that Strong's G86 · Greek ᾅδης haides Definitionproperly, unseen, i.e. "Hades" or the place (state) of departed souls Derivationfrom G1 (Α) (as negative particle) and G1492 (εἴδω); KJV usagegrave, hell More at Blue Letter Bible will be poured into the lake of fire or Strong's G1067 · Greek γέεννα geenna Definitionvalley of (the son of) Hinnom; ge-henna (or Ge-Hinnom), a valley of Jerusalem, used (figuratively) as a name for the place (or state) of everlasting punishment Derivationof Hebrew origin (H01516 and H02011); KJV usagehell More at Blue Letter Bible . Revelation 20:11-15 King James Version ¹¹And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.¹²And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.¹³And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.¹⁴And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.¹⁵And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Study at Blue Letter Bible describes the judgement scene. It talks about the judgement of works and of salvation, and those who aren't in the book of life are cast into the lake of fire. This fits with Strong's G1067 · Greek γέεννα geenna Definitionvalley of (the son of) Hinnom; ge-henna (or Ge-Hinnom), a valley of Jerusalem, used (figuratively) as a name for the place (or state) of everlasting punishment Derivationof Hebrew origin (H01516 and H02011); KJV usagehell More at Blue Letter Bible nicely.

Now you might be wondering if Christians still go to Strong's G86 · Greek ᾅδης haides Definitionproperly, unseen, i.e. "Hades" or the place (state) of departed souls Derivationfrom G1 (Α) (as negative particle) and G1492 (εἴδω); KJV usagegrave, hell More at Blue Letter Bible after they die like Lazarus? The answer's no, and here's why. Revelation 1:18 King James Version ¹⁸I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Study at Blue Letter Bible says Jesus has the keys to Strong's G86 · Greek ᾅδης haides Definitionproperly, unseen, i.e. "Hades" or the place (state) of departed souls Derivationfrom G1 (Α) (as negative particle) and G1492 (εἴδω); KJV usagegrave, hell More at Blue Letter Bible . Why would He leave His bride, who He just died for, in a place He has the keys to? He'd want to be with His bride (see Hebrews 12:2 King James Version ²Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Study at Blue Letter Bible ). Paul also says to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8 King James Version ⁸We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Study at Blue Letter Bible Christ is not in Strong's G86 · Greek ᾅδης haides Definitionproperly, unseen, i.e. "Hades" or the place (state) of departed souls Derivationfrom G1 (Α) (as negative particle) and G1492 (εἴδω); KJV usagegrave, hell More at Blue Letter Bible , but seated at the right hand of the Father Hebrews 12:2 King James Version ²Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Study at Blue Letter Bible . If we're with Christ (our Lord), then we can't be in Strong's G86 · Greek ᾅδης haides Definitionproperly, unseen, i.e. "Hades" or the place (state) of departed souls Derivationfrom G1 (Α) (as negative particle) and G1492 (εἴδω); KJV usagegrave, hell More at Blue Letter Bible . So after Christ's resurrection, Christians who die go to be with Christ.

Let's summarize here at the end, and I have to say this again: this is my best interpretation of some things that the Bible isn't explicitly clear on.

Before Christ's resurrection, everyone went to Strong's G86 · Greek ᾅδης haides Definitionproperly, unseen, i.e. "Hades" or the place (state) of departed souls Derivationfrom G1 (Α) (as negative particle) and G1492 (εἴδω); KJV usagegrave, hell More at Blue Letter Bible (see Revelation 20:13 King James Version ¹³And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. Study at Blue Letter Bible ). When Christ resurrected, He took the keys to Strong's G86 · Greek ᾅδης haides Definitionproperly, unseen, i.e. "Hades" or the place (state) of departed souls Derivationfrom G1 (Α) (as negative particle) and G1492 (εἴδω); KJV usagegrave, hell More at Blue Letter Bible and took His followers on a victory march to heaven. After Christ, his followers go to be with Him when they die. Those who haven't accepted the free gift wait in Strong's G86 · Greek ᾅδης haides Definitionproperly, unseen, i.e. "Hades" or the place (state) of departed souls Derivationfrom G1 (Α) (as negative particle) and G1492 (εἴδω); KJV usagegrave, hell More at Blue Letter Bible for their final verdict of eternal flames in Strong's G1067 · Greek γέεννα geenna Definitionvalley of (the son of) Hinnom; ge-henna (or Ge-Hinnom), a valley of Jerusalem, used (figuratively) as a name for the place (or state) of everlasting punishment Derivationof Hebrew origin (H01516 and H02011); KJV usagehell More at Blue Letter Bible .

I know this post was a bit more theoretical, so thank you for making it this far. If you have questions, feel free to email me at tylerpetrov16@gmail.com or text me if you have my number.