Hades

That which is out of sight, a Greek word used to denote the state or place of the dead. All the dead alike go into this place. To be buried, to go down to the grave, to descend into hades, are equivalent expressions. In the Septuagint this word is the usual rendering of the Hebrew sheol, the common realm of the dead (Genesis 42:38; Psalms 139:8; Hosea 13:14; Isaiah 14:9). This term is of comparatively rare occurrence in the Greek New Testament. Our Lord speaks of Capernaum as being “brought down to hell” (hades), i.e., simply to the lowest debasement, (Matthew 11:23).

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Author: Easton’s Bible Dictionary

Keywords: Hades

Source: Matthew G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary.