Meaning of Sheol
Can you please explain Sheol? In a recent Bible study, this subject came up and I knew nothing about it (in spite of my elementary thru college WELS education). Why is this not spoken of more? Also, how does this differ from our thoughts that a believer dies and goes home to heaven?
The Hebrew word sheol can mean “the grave,” “the realm of the dead,” or “hell.” The context will determine the meaning.
One of the ways Bible writers used sheol is to speak of believers and unbelievers dying, with their bodies then buried in graves. In that sense and context, believers—like all people—go to sheol. On the other hand, Bible writers used sheol to speak of unbelievers going to hell. Context, again, determines the specific meaning of the word sheol.
The Bible has different words to speak of believers “dying and going home to heaven.”
Your question is a reminder that death is a common experience for people, but people’s souls go to heaven or hell based on faith in Jesus or unbelief (Mark 16:16).