What are the distinctions among sheol, hades, hell, the lake of fire, paradise, and Abraham's bosom?

Redemption Theology

TL;DR:

The terms sheol, hades, hell, the lake of fire, paradise, heaven, and Abraham’s bosom are used in reference to heaven and hell in the Bible. These terms can often be confusing, yet there are only two places where people can spend eternity: heaven or hell.

what does the bible say?

The Bible uses various terms like sheol, hades, gehenna, hell, the lake of fire, paradise, and Abraham's bosom to describe different aspects of the afterlife. Sheol and hades both refer to the realm of the dead. Gehenna and the lake of fire are linked to judgment, with Gehenna symbolizing a place of torment and the lake of fire being the final destination for unbelievers. All these refer to hell, or the place of judgment, where those who reject Jesus for salvation will go. Paradise and Abraham's bosom are described as places where believers go after death, with paradise representing a joyful existence with God. These all refer to places where believers who trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection will go, living in God’s presence and without sin, death, pain, and suffering. Ultimately, all these terms point to two eternal destinations: heaven for those who trust in Christ and hell for those who reject Him.

from the old testament

Sheol is a Hebrew term used in the Old Testament to describe the realm or location of the dead (Genesis 37:35; Psalm 9:17; Psalm 16:10; Psalm 18:5; Isaiah 5:14; Isaiah 14:9; Ezekiel 32:21). It is sometimes used more specifically in a negative manner as a place of judgment (Psalm 49:14; Proverbs 5:5; Proverbs 9:18; Isaiah 14:15).

from the new testament

Hades is a Greek term used in the New Testament as a rough equivalent to the Hebrew word sheol and also describes the grave or location of the dead (Matthew 11:23; Matthew 16:18; Luke 10:15; Luke 16:23; Acts 2:27; Revelation 1:18; Revelation 6:8; Revelation 20:13-14).
Gehenna is a Greek word used in the New Testament that referred to the Valley of Hinnom, an actual valley outside of Jerusalem known as a burning rubbish pile. When used as a term for the dead, it was a way of noting a place of judgment in the afterlife (Matthew 5:22; Matthew 5:29-30; Matthew 10:28; Matthew 23:15; Matthew 23:33; Mark 9:43-47; Luke 12:5; James 3:6).
The lake of fire is mentioned in Revelation 19:20; 20:10, 14-15 as Satan’s and unbelievers’ final destination at the end of time. Though not the current dwelling place of Satan or unbelievers, it will be the ultimate resting place for all those who do not spend eternity with the Lord.
Paradise is mentioned in three accounts in the New Testament as the place where believers will be with the Lord after this life. It is first seen in Luke 23:43 where Jesus told the repentant man on the cross that he would be with Him that day in paradise. In 2 Corinthians 12:3, Paul referred to heaven as paradise as did John in Revelation 2:7.
Abraham's bosom is only referred to on one occasion in the New Testament in Luke 16:19-31. A poor man named Lazarus died and was taken to Abraham's bosom, in contrast with the rich man who was in torment after his death. This contrast points tothe poor man being in heaven. Further, this reference to being at Abraham's side clearly indicates Lazarus was with God. Why? Abraham was known as a friend of God. Referring to Abraham was about the strongest evidence a Jewish teacher could give to claim a person was in the presence of the Lord.
Heaven is also developed at the end of Revelation in relationship to the final, eternal state of believers. God will create a new heavens, new earth, and new heavenly city where all of His people will live with Him forever, free from all sin and suffering (Revelation 21—22).

implications for today

The Bible clearly shows that there are only two ultimate destinations: heaven and hell. While the terms sheol, hades, gehenna, hell, the lake of fire, paradise, and Abraham’s bosom describe various aspects of the afterlife, they all point to one central truth: our eternal fate is determined by our relationship with God. Knowing where we will spend eternity is based on whether or not we trust in Jesus Christ for salvation. At death, people will go immediately to two places: a place of torment awaiting the permanent hell that will come after the end times or heaven, in God’s presence. Those who reject Christ’s offer of salvation are choosing to live separated from God for eternity and will face the consequences of their choice. On the other hand, those who trust in Jesus’s death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins are promised eternal life in heaven, where they will dwell in the presence of God forever, free from sin and suffering. The Bible urges us to make our decision now, as our eternal destiny is shaped by how we respond to God’s grace through faith in Christ. Understanding what is to come, we are called to find salvation in Christ and to live in a way that honors God, with the hope that one day we will experience the joy of eternal life with Him.

understand

Sheol and hades refer to the realm of the dead.
Gehenna, the lake of fire, and hell signify judgment and torment as the eternal destination for those who reject Jesus’ salvation.
Paradise, Abraham's bosom, and heaven refer to eternal life with God as the eternal destination of those who trust in Jesus for salvation.

reflect

How does understanding the distinct meanings of the afterlife influence your view of what happens after death?
In light of the Bible's distinction between places of torment and paradise, how does it affect your understanding of the eternal destination of humanity?
What is your personal response to the reality that our eternal fate depends on our relationship with Jesus Christ?

engage

How do the terms sheol, hades, gehenna, and the lake of fire shape our understanding of judgment in the afterlife for those who reject Christ?
How can we encourage others to make their decision about eternity in light of the Bible's message on salvation through Jesus?
After Christ’s death and resurrection, paradise, previously a temporary realm for the righteous, became an eternal dwelling place in God's presence, fully accessible through Jesus' sacrifice. The place of torment is a temporary holding place for the wicked until the final judgment when it will become a permanent hell for those who reject Christ. How does recognizing that paradise and the place of torment have always existed but have become or will become permanent challenge us to take the eternal consequences of our faith more seriously?

More Resources

Heaven

Is paradise the same thing as heaven? What is paradise?

The word "paradise" is used three times in the New Testament (ESV). Each time, it refers to heaven or being in the presence of the Lord.

God’s Plan

What happened to Old Testament believers after death?

Old Testament believers awaited an afterlife where they would be with God, even though their understanding of it was less clear than ours today. Through Jesus and the New Testament, we now know that all who trust God—then and now—enter His presence immediately after death, securing eternal life.

Heaven

What happens after we die? What happens after death?

There are two eternal destinations after death—heaven or hell—based on our response to Jesus Christ. By believing in Jesus’s death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins, we can be saved from hell and gain eternal life in heaven.

Sin

Is hell real? Is hell really forever?

Hell is a real, eternal place of punishment for those who reject God. We must either trust in Jesus Christ, the infinite God in flesh, to pay for our sins through His sacrifice on the cross, or we will bear the infinite cost of our sins forever in hell.