““Hades” and “Hell”…Hades” and “Hell”…

Word Studies From The Scriptures

Our English translations of the Bible use words that have identical or similar meanings to the Greek and Hebrew MSS.This is often good, especially if we read multiple translations in English to help understand the “sense” of passage(s). In some cases, where the language to which the Greek and Hebrew is being translated does not have a good word with similar meaning, a transliteration can occur.In the Old King James Version, the word “hades” does not ever appear; the word “hell” is used. In this lesson, we will engage in a “word study” of “hades” as found in English translations.

Introduction

“Hades” is actually a transliterated word from the Greek. “Hades” and forms of it in the Greek are found in 11 verses in the New Testament. It is translated “grave” 1t and “hell” 10ts in the King James Version. (ref. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)The word in the Greek from which we get “hell” in the other passages (i.e. the non-hades verses) in the New Testament is“geenna”. While two words CAN have the same meaning (i.e. “six” and “half-dozen”), hades and hell do NOT! In this “word study”, let us learn what the Bible teaches us about “HADES”.

“It’s Greek to me!”

A very easy reference help is an exhaustive concordance. A concordance lists the passages wherein a word is used. Strong’s lists EVERY TIME a particular word is used. Also, Strong’s uses a “numbering system” to help us know more about what Greek or Hebrew word is used in a verse. It is NOT necessary to know Greek or Hebrew to be saved, but we must understand the “words” the Holy Spirit used in order to arrive in our studies at the true meaning of God’s communication to us! (Eph 3:3,4)

Strong’s Concordance

NT Passages Using “Hades”NT Passages Using “Hades”

• Matthew 11:23Matthew 11:23

• Matthew 16:18Matthew 16:18

• Luke 10:15Luke 10:15

• Luke 16:23Luke 16:23

• Acts 2:27,31Acts 2:27,31

• I Corinthians 15:55I Corinthians 15:55

• Revelation 1:18; 6:6; 20:13,14Revelation 1:18; 6:6; 20:13,14

Matthew 11:23Matthew 11:23

“And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.”

- NKJV

Matthew 16:18Matthew 16:18

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the

gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” - NKJV

Luke 10:15Luke 10:15

“And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades.”

- NKJV

Luke 16:23Luke 16:23

“And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and

Lazarus in his bosom.””- NKJV

Acts 2:27Acts 2:27

“For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see

corruption.” - NKJV

Acts 2:31Acts 2:31

“he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was

not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.””

- NKJV

I Corinthians 15:55I Corinthians 15:55

"O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?"

- NKJV

Revelation 1:18Revelation 1:18

“I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the

keys of Hades and of Death.””- NKJV

Revelation 6:8Revelation 6:8

“So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth

of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.””

- NKJV

Revelation 20:13Revelation 20:13

“The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who

were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.””

- NKJV

Revelation 20:14Revelation 20:14

“Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”

- NKJV

Other NT Passages Other NT Passages • Luke 16 - the textual study, not a Luke 16 - the textual study, not a

parable, named individual = real parable, named individual = real eventevent

• Luke 23:43 – Jesus on the cross to Luke 23:43 – Jesus on the cross to the thief = where Jesus’ spirit went the thief = where Jesus’ spirit went after death (cf. Acts 2:27,31)after death (cf. Acts 2:27,31)

Hades…Hades…

GULF

Torments

Paradise

Luke 16

(also know as Abraham’s bosom)

Hades…Hades…

GULF

Torments

Paradise

Luke 16

(also know as Abraham’s bosom)

Hades…place of disembodied Hades…place of disembodied spiritsspirits

GULF

Torments

Paradise (also know as Abraham’s bosom)

Revelation 20.14Revelation 20.14

“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”

- KJV

“Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”

- - NKJV

Revelation 20.14Revelation 20.14

“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”

- KJV

“Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”

- - NKJV

Hades…Hell…The Same?Hades…Hell…The Same?

HADES = the place of disembodied spirits after death

HELL = the place of eternal punishment

HADES is TEMPORARY

HELL is ETERNAL

Conclusion…Conclusion…• Word studies are a bit “academic”, but Word studies are a bit “academic”, but

essential in properly understanding the essential in properly understanding the true meaning God intended for ustrue meaning God intended for us

• We plan to have a good “mix” of word We plan to have a good “mix” of word studies, character studies, topical studies, character studies, topical studies, studies from the Psalms, as studies, studies from the Psalms, as well as other types of studies as we well as other types of studies as we grow this year in the grace and grow this year in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).Christ (2 Peter 3:18).

• We also have an obligation to “rightly We also have an obligation to “rightly divide the Word of truth”. divide the Word of truth”.