# Is there Biblical support for the concept of Hell?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-biblical-support-for-the-concept-of-hell/318320>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [August 23, 2005, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-biblical-support-for-the-concept-of-hell/318320 "2005-08-23T20:24:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 7

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**Author:** ![Find\_Friends](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@Find\_Friends](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Find_Friends)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2005, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-biblical-support-for-the-concept-of-hell/318320/121 "2005-09-02T21:05:48Z")

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> [@the raindog](#):
>
> Of course, “hell” is entirely absent throughout the whole bible; with the original words being “Hades”, “Sheol” and “Gehenna.”

I could have been clearer. I meant it was debatable whether the Bible contains at all an unending torture state that is served to recalcitrant sinners. The concept, not a single word.

But as you and others have pointed out, the three words that have been selectively translated as such can not support the concept consistently.

Thank you for the point about these words being translated other than as “hell” when the context doesn’t fit.

Ultimately, if there were an indisputable pro-hellfire passage it would only be something flatly contradicted elsewhere in Bibleman’s magically inerrant tome.

(And paranthetically, 😉 I find a parallel between this situation as that for those who have a desire to find teetolalism in the Bible.)

And thank you for the citation of Job.

* * *

I find the posts by tomndebb, polycarp, diogenes and you to be edifying. By contrast all your honorable (?) opposition can do is fall back on threats he cannot back up.

It’s like comparing a breath of fresh air (by you four and others) with one long, unending fart.

* * *

True Blue Jack

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**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2005, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-biblical-support-for-the-concept-of-hell/318320/122 "2005-09-02T21:22:14Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> It’s like comparing a breath of fresh air (by you four and others) with one long, unending fart.

While I appreciate the kind words posted in my direction, this statement is really not appropriate in **Great Debates** , Please reserve personal insults, even when (thinly) veiled, to the **BBQ Pit**.

[/Moderator Mode]

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