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What is Sheol in the Bible?

A non-physical place

Sheol is the Hebrew term for the underworld or the abode of the dead, mentioned numerous times throughout the Old Testament. Sheol appears in 64 verses across 17 books of the Bible.

What does the Bible say about Sheol?

Sheol is the Hebrew term for the underworld or the abode of the dead, mentioned numerous times throughout the Old Testament. It is often associated with darkness, stillness, and a place where both the righteous and the unrighteous go after death (Job.17.13; Psalm 89:48; Ecclesiastes 9:10). In some instances, Sheol is described as being located in the depths of the earth (Numbers 16:30, 33; Deu.32.22). The concept of Sheol evolved throughout the Old Testament, with later texts suggesting a distinction between the fate of the righteous and the wicked (Psalm 49:14-15; Proverbs 15:24). However, the Old Testament does not provide a clear, consistent picture of the afterlife, and the idea of Sheol is often used as a metaphor for death and the grave (Psalm 6:5; 88:3; Isaiah 38:18). In the New Testament, the Greek terms Hades (Luke 16:23; Act.2.27, 31; Revelation 1:18; 20:13-14), Gehenna (Matthew 5:22, 29-30; 10:28; Mrk.9.43, 45, 47; Luke 12:5; Jam.3.6), and Tartarus (2Pe.2.4) are used to refer to the realm of the dead or a place of punishment. These terms are often translated as "hell" in English Bibles, but their meanings are not always synonymous with the modern concept of hell as a place of eternal torment. The biblical understanding of Sheol and the afterlife developed over time, with the New Testament providing a clearer picture of the distinction between the fate of the righteous and the wicked. As a Christian, it is essential to interpret the concept of Sheol in light of the fuller revelation of the New Testament, which emphasizes the hope of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ (Jhn.3.16; 11:25-26; 1Co.15.50-57).

Definition text: STEPBible · Tyndale House Cambridge. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Lightly edited for length and formatting.

Compiled by Protos: the verse list on this page. Where one name belongs to more than one person or place, each of them gets a separate entry.

Where does Sheol appear in the Bible?

Sheol is referenced in 64 verses across 17 books. Every passage below is about this one, not just every verse the word turns up in.

Psalms 15Isaiah 10Proverbs 9Job 8Ezekiel 5Genesis 41 Kings 2Numbers 21 Samuel 12 Samuel 1Amos 1Deuteronomy 1

Showing the first 24 of 64.

Open all 64 references in Protos

What else appears in these passages?

These turn up in the same passages as Sheol.

DeathWisdomLebanonSwordCovenantSelah

Common questions

How many times does the Bible mention Sheol?

Sheol appears in 64 verses across 17 books, most often in Psalms, which accounts for 15 of them.

Which books of the Bible mention Sheol?

Psalms, Isaiah, Proverbs, Job, Ezekiel, Genesis, 1 Kings, Numbers, and 9 more.

Where can I read every verse about Sheol?

This page lists 24 of them. Protos carries all 64, and opens this entry on the verse you are reading rather than in a separate tab.

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Read Psalms with Sheol explained on the verse.

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