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H7585 · Hebrew · Old Testament
שְׁאוֹל
sheol
Noun, feminine
Sheol, grave, realm of the dead, pit

Definition

The OT's term for the realm of the dead — the underworld where all the deceased go, awaiting the resurrection. In the early OT, Sheol is often described as a shadowy place of minimal existence, cut off from praise of God. Later Psalms begin to express confidence that God's presence even reaches there and that God will not abandon the righteous to Sheol's power.

Usage & Theological Significance

Psalm 16's climactic claim — 'You will not abandon my soul to Sheol' — is quoted in Acts 2 as a prophecy of Christ's resurrection. The NT uses Hades (Greek equivalent) similarly. While Sheol is sometimes used synonymously with death or the grave, the prophets begin to hint at resurrection: 'Your dead shall live' (Isaiah 26:19). The NT completes this: Christ holds the keys of Death and Hades (Rev 1:18).

Key Bible Verses

Psalm 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Isaiah 38:18 For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.
Proverbs 15:11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

Related Words

External Resources

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