The Greek noun Hadēs refers to the realm of the dead — the underworld or place of departed spirits. In the Septuagint, it translates the Hebrew Sheol (the grave, the realm of the dead). In the New Testament, it occurs 10 times and represents the intermediate state of the dead before the final resurrection.
Hadēs in the New Testament is distinct from Gehenna (the final place of punishment) and from heaven. It is the temporary realm of the dead awaiting resurrection and judgment. Jesus holds the 'keys of death and Hades' (Revelation 1:18), signifying His authority over death's domain won through His resurrection. In Acts 2:27, Peter quotes Psalm 16:10 ('you will not abandon me to Hadēs') as fulfilled in Jesus's resurrection — the Father did not leave Him in the realm of the dead. Revelation 20:13–14 depicts Hadēs giving up its dead at the final judgment and then being thrown into the lake of fire — death itself destroyed. This is the ultimate victory: death dies.