How Is Hell Described In The Bible? 21 Fearful Verses

The question, “How is Hell described in the Bible?” is a good one. The thinking mind realizes that if there is a heaven, a place of bliss, then there must be an opposite, a place of torment, commonly referred to as Hell.

If God created humans with an eternal soul, that soul must live somewhere forever. The ideal place for all humans who have passed from this physical existence would be a place where they would enjoy the blessings of God, even the very presence of God. This place is described as heaven.

Just as heaven is a real place, and a place of eternal life, but seen only with the eyes of faith, so, too, can we see the reality of Hell through the eyes of faith. Knowing about this place of God’s wrath is vital in avoiding it. The Bible, the word of God, not only describes Hell, but also tells how to avoid going to this awful place of eternal separation and torment.

Just a side note: the Biblical concept of Hell, and the way the Bible describes Hell, a place of eternal torment, is vastly different from the Hades of Greek mythology. Substituting the Greek term “Hades” for “Hell” is totally incorrect since the mythical place of Hades is not a place of eternal punishment. It is tempting to use different words, like the Hebrew word “sheol,” to soften the fear of Hell.

But in reality, the best way to avoid this place of final judgment and eternal death is to have both a healthy fear of Hell, and then make sure to learn and apply the formula to escape this place of darkness and everlasting fire.

How is Hell Described in the Bible? — First Mention

The first mention of the word Hell is in the Old Testament book of

Deuteronomy 32:22

“For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell.” (KJV)

This verse reveals that Hell was created as the result of God’s anger, a place of final judgment. Also, this verse reveals that Hell has levels. The levels described here may mean degrees of torment.

How is Hell Described in the Bible — Teachings of Jesus Christ on Hell

In New Testament Gospels, Jesus talked about Hell often, and did so to warn about the dangers of it. As God in the flesh, He spoke about this place because he knew it exists. If Hell and judgement was important to the Son of God, then this subject, as unpleasant as it may be, should be important also to us.

In the Book of Matthew, the Lord Jesus referred to “the children of the kingdom” being cast into a place of utter darkness; a place of punishment where there is both “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” The full verse reads, “But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 8:12 (KJV)

The description of this place seems horrible at best. Jesus Himself said that even some of the Jewish people (the Book of Matthew was written to the Jewish people), “the children of the kingdom,” would be cast into Hell.

Later, but still in the Book of Matthew, Jesus mentions Hell again. This time, He is referring to His judgment on those who would be offensive to His future kingdom. He will have those individuals cast into Hell by way of His angels. Here are His strong words, “The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 13:41-42 (KJV)

Jesus told about the purpose of Hell. God created this place of punishment not for humans, but for the angels who sinned and followed Lucifer (Satan) in his rebellion. Jesus said humans who will go there in Matthew 25:41, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” (KJV)

The most complete description of Hell comes from the teachings of Jesus recorded in Luke chapter 16. This portion of Scripture, commonly referred to as “the parable of the rich man,” is not a parable, it is a literal account because Jesus named a specific person — a poor man named Lazarus. Thinking of this teaching of Jesus on Hell as merely a parable softens the harsh reality of this place of eternal suffering.

The following words of Jesus recorded in Scripture contain an vivid description of Hell.

“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 
And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 
And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 
But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 
And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 
Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 
Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 
And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 
And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” Luke 16:19-31 (KJV)

The place of bliss, within the welcoming arms of Abraham, was separated from the place of everlasting punishment by a great chasm, a “great gulf” that no one could pass over. But the place of the rich man was a place of everlasting punishment.

Interestingly enough, when Jesus taught about Hell, this place of unquenchable fire, He knew that He would be put to death, and that He would rise triumphant over the grave. He also knew that despite His resurrection, people would not repent of their unbelief and avoid Hell.

How is Hell Described in the Bible? — Hell vs. The Lake of Fire

Hell, it appears, seems to be a holding place, as both it and all of the souls contained there will be eventually cast into the lake of fire.

This is described in the book of

Revelation 20:14-15

“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (KJV)

This lake of fire is a place of everlasting punishment since Revelation 20:10 records it as being “where the beast and the false prophet are” — present tense. They had not been burned up.

The lake of fire is also referred to in the Old Testament. The prophet mentioned it in

Isaiah 66:24

“And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.” (KJV)

Some Bible scholars believe that this last verse of the Book of Isaiah refers to the Valley of Hinnom, a place used for child sacrifice to false gods. In the Valley of Hinnom, a continual fire burned. This was also a place where the dead bodies of criminals were burned. But upon closer inspection, the context of this verse is far into the future, during the Millennial reign of Jesus Christ on Earth. This verse describes a spiritual place since in the physical realm, worms cannot live in continual fire.

How Is Hell Described in the Bible? — How to Avoid Hell

With the description of this place of torment, the question does arise, “How could a loving God send anyone to Hell?” The answer to that is He doesn’t; it is not His will for any to perish.

2 Peter 3:9 records: “The Lord…is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (KJV)

If a person finds themselves in Hell, it is because of their choice, it will not be God’s fault. God provided His Son, Jesus Christ, the good news of the way of salvation from Hell, and gives everyone a choice to repent. Since every person is a sinner, their reward, their “paycheck,” so to speak, is death, spiritual death and separation from God in hell. God tells us this in Romans 6:23. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (KJV)

But because of God’s love and God’s grace, He offers to every Hell-deserving human the gift of God — eternal life in heaven, in the presence of God, and away from Hell forever.

Make sure that you have received this priceless gift of God that He is offering to you through His Son, Jesus Christ, so that you can avoid Hell when you die.

Sharing is caring!