There is No Word for HELL in the Bible?

As children, many of us were taught that “hell” is a place of eternal torment — a fiery afterlife for those who don’t measure up. That idea haunted me growing up. I believed it so strongly that I devoted myself to trying to “save as many as possible before we die.” But here’s the question: is this concept of hell actually supported in Scripture?

In this episode of The Hour We Least Expected, we take a closer look at the Bible itself to see where the idea of hell comes from — and whether it holds up.

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Where Is Hell in the Old Testament?

If hell is such a central doctrine, you’d expect it to be present from the beginning. But when God first warned Adam and Eve in Genesis 2:16–17, the consequence was simple: death — not eternal torment.

The Hebrew word Sheol appears 65 times in the Old Testament. It means “the grave” or “the place of the dead.” But in the King James Version, it’s translated “hell” 31 times. For example:

• Genesis 37:35 — Jacob says he will go down to Sheol (the grave) in mourning for his son.

• Deuteronomy 32:22 — describes fire reaching “to the lowest Sheol,” again pointing to death, not eternal torture.

The Old Testament never once describes Sheol as a place of eternal torment. It’s the grave — the end of life.

The New Testament Words: Hades and Gehenna

When we turn to the New Testament, we find two main words behind the English “hell”:

• Hades — the Greek equivalent of Sheol, used simply for “the grave.” Example: Matthew 11:23, where Capernaum is told it will be brought down to Hades.

• Gehenna — literally the Valley of Hinnom outside Jerusalem, where sacrifices and burnings took place. Jesus used this real location as imagery, but He never described a hidden afterlife realm called “hellfire.”

If Jesus meant to reveal a brand-new eternal destination of torment, why wouldn’t He say so plainly? Why not introduce it with clarity? Instead, we find translators collapsing Sheol, Hades, and Gehenna into one English word: “hell.”

What About the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus?

This story is often used to defend hell, but it’s filled with symbols. Most scholars agree it’s a parable, not a literal description of the afterlife. Its punchline isn’t about torment — it’s about disbelief: “Even if someone rises from the dead, they will not believe.”

Shouldn’t Hell Be Clearer?

If hell were truly the destiny of most of humanity, wouldn’t it deserve more than a handful of vague references? Wouldn’t Paul — who wrote two-thirds of the New Testament — have warned us repeatedly? Yet he never once uses the word “hell.” Instead, Paul speaks constantly about reconciliation, life, and the good news of Christ.

The Last Hope for Hell: The Lake of Fire

Many point to Revelation’s “Lake of Fire” as proof of eternal punishment. But remember: Revelation is a book of signs and symbols (Revelation 1:1). We’ll unpack this more in Episode 5, where we’ll show how the Lake of Fire is not what most people think — and why it’s actually good news.

Why This Matters

The idea of hell has tormented humanity for centuries, causing deep psychological scars. But scripture tells a different story:

• “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people’s sins against them.” (2 Corinthians 5:19)

• “Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.” (John 12:31)

Judgment already happened at the Cross. Eternal life has already been given. The “good news” really is good.

Closing Thought

If hell is real, then yes — Christians should devote every waking moment to warning others. But what if it isn’t? What if the Bible never taught it in the first place?

As Steve said in this episode: “God is God and it is up to Him how this all plays out. We are not arguing with God — we are seeking clarity and understanding.”

The evidence shows that hell as eternal torment is a later invention — not a biblical reality. What we do find in scripture is reconciliation, mercy, and freedom through Christ.

That’s not bad news. That’s the best news of all.