# Hades, Sheol

## Definition:

The terms “Hades” (in Greek) and “Sheol” (in Hebrew) are proper names for the “underworld,” meaning an underground dwelling place where people from ancient cultures believed a dead person would go after he had died.

* In the Old Testament, the Hebrew term “Sheol” can be used either as a proper name or as a common noun meaning “underground.”
* In the New Testament, the Greek term “Hades” is described as a place for dead people who have rejected Jesus. The New Testament describes people as “going down” to Hades.

## Translation Suggestions

* The Old Testament term “Sheol” can be translated in various ways, depending on the context. Some possibilities include: “place of the dead;” “place for dead spirits;” “the pit;” or “death.”
* The New Testament term “Hades” can also be translated in various ways, depending on the context. Some possibilities include: “place for unbelieving dead souls;” “place of torment for the dead;” or “place for the souls of unbelieving dead people.”
* Some translations keep the proper names “Sheol” and “Hades,” spelling them to fit the sound patterns of the language of translation. (See: [How to Translate Unknowns](rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown)).
* A phrase could also be added to each term to explain it, examples of doing this are, “Sheol, place where dead people are” and “Hades, place of death.”

(Translation suggestions: [How to Translate Unknowns](rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown))

(See also: [death](../other/death.md), [heaven](../kt/heaven.md), [hell](../kt/hell.md), [tomb](../other/tomb.md))

## Bible References:

* [Acts 02:31](rc://en/tn/help/act/02/31)
* [Genesis 44:29](rc://en/tn/help/gen/44/29)
* [Jonah 02:02](rc://en/tn/help/jon/02/02)
* [Luke 10:15](rc://en/tn/help/luk/10/15)
* [Luke 16:23](rc://en/tn/help/luk/16/23)
* [Matthew 11:23](rc://en/tn/help/mat/11/23)
* [Matthew 16:18](rc://en/tn/help/mat/16/18)
* [Revelation 01:18](rc://en/tn/help/rev/01/18)

## Word Data:

* Strong’s: H7585, G86