Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words gives
more information on the Hebrew word SHEOL:
SHEOL she'ol #7585, "Sheol."
The 66 occurrences of this word are distributed
throughout every period of biblical Hebrew.
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First, the word means the
state of death: "For in death there is no
remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give
thee thanks?"
; cf. <18:5>. It is the final resting
place of all men: "They spend their days in
wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. Hannah confessed that it was the
omnipotent God who brings men to she'ol (death)
or kills them <1 Sam. 2:6>. "Sheol" is parallel
to Hebrew words for "pit" or "hell," "corruption" or "decay," and "destruction."
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Second, "Sheol" is used of
a place of conscious existence after death. In
the first biblical appearance of the word Jacob
said that he would "go down into the grave unto
my son mourning." All men go to "Sheol"-- a place
and state of consciousness after death. The wicked receive punishment there. They are
put to shame and silenced in "Sheol." Jesus alluded to Isaiah's use of she'ol <14:13-15> in pronouncing judgment on
Capernaum, translating "Sheol" as "Hades" or
"Hell," meaning the place of conscious existence
and judgment. It is an undesirable place for the
wicked
and a refuge for the righteous. Thus "Sheol" is also a place of
reward for the righteous; cf. <1 Cor. 15:55>. Jesus'
teaching
seems to reflect accurately the
Old Testament concept of she'ol; it is a place
of conscious existence after death, one side of
which is occupied by the suffering, unrighteous
dead separated by a great chasm from the other
side peopled by the righteous dead enjoying
their reward.
(from Vine's Expository
Dictionary of Biblical Words. Copyright (C)
1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
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