Sheol - Job 7:9

The twelfth time Sheol is mentioned in the Bible is in Job 7:9. Chapter 7 is one of the most anguishing parts of Job's discourse, as he pointedly questions the persistent trials he suffered.

As usual, translating from Hebrew, we get:

"The cloud fades - vanishes - so he who goes down to Sheol shall not come up." - Job 7:9

The KJV renders it this way: "As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more."

This compares the person who goes to Sheol to a fading, vanishing cloud. It is an apt description, since our bodies dissolve and turn to "dust" after death.
Here, like we've seen so far, Sheol clearly means the grave.

Recap of Sheol in Genesis

All 4 times that Sheol is used in Genesis was in the context of a comment by Jacob/Israel who understood it simply to be a place of interrment upon death. No context of burning, fire, cold, wet, dry, or even consciousness or awareness was stated or implied at this point.

Now, Moses wrote the book of Genesis, which took place prior to his birth.
Next, we will look at the remainder of the mentions of Sheol in the Pentateuch (which is simply the five books of Moses - Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy).

Thoughts about Hell

What are the common beliefs about Hell?

Most, if they believe in Hell at all, believe that it is a place of burning torment that lasts forever.
Others believe that we are living in Hell right here on the earth.
Some believe that Hell is a place where a huge party of sinful excess is thrown for all sinners in the afterlife.
And there are people who believe that it is a place where red-suited demons with horns, pointy tails and pitchforks reign over people that didn't make the cut to Heaven.

Is Hell any of these things?

We'll find out.

JC Masters