It sounds so simple. Ten times in the New Testament the word "hell" is used as a translation of the original Greek word "Hades." In other words, if you were to read the original Greek text, you would not see the word "hell," but instead you would see the word "hades." The Encyclopaedia Britannica provides a possible explanation why the word "hell" was used by the translators of the King James Version of the Bible. They write, "Hell traditionally designates the abode of evil spirits, the place where lost souls undergo eternal punishment, or, more generally, any condition of extreme misery. The word is derived from an Anglo-Saxon root meaning ‘to conceal' or ‘to cover,' indicating that hell was originally thought to be concealed in the torrid regions near the earth's centre." It naturally follows that the Bible translators wished to use an English word that they felt best represented the meaning of the original Greek word "Hades." It sounds so simple, until you realize where the word ‘Hades" comes from and what it meant in the original language.
In Greek mythology, the god of the underworld was named Hades. The place that Hades ruled was called the "House of Hades." Hades and the place he ruled was known by the same name. "Originally the Greeks imagined the underworld to be located under the earth and divided into two parts. The upper part known as the kingdom of Hades was a neutral region reserved for the souls of people who deserved neither punishment nor reward upon death. The Greeks believed that Hades was drab and dull, but not necessarily painful. The souls of those who had led virtuous lives dwelled happily in the Elysian Fields. The souls of those who had sinned greatly went to Tartarus, a land below the earth. There, they suffered eternal torment. . . . .The ancient Romans preserved without change almost all the myths about Hades and his kingdom. . ." The World Book Encyclopedia, Chicago, 1984, "Hades," page 4.
The reader is reminded that the Greeks, and the Romans who followed, had a long tradition of religious beliefs that originated centuries before the first Christian ever set foot on the earth. With that in mind, think of the Bible writers and their congregations. What might a new pagan convert to Christianity know of the place of punishment after death? Would their thoughts be colored with Greek and Roman mythology? Maybe so. Likely so. Take for instance, when the word "Hades" is used in the Book of Revelation by John the Revelator. The word is used four times in Revelation 1:18; 6:8; 20:13; and 20:14. Now also consider to whom the message was written. In Revelation 1:11 we read that the book was to be sent to seven churches in what today is modern Turkey. Many of those were originally cities that were founded by the Greeks and conquered by the Romans.
In my recent visit to the site of the seven churches in Turkey, I was continually reminded of the pagan origin of the cities. The ruins of magnificent Greek and Roman temples are almost commonplace, and these cities were flourishing at the time the Book of Revelation was written.
Now, turning back to the meaning of words. Did the writer of Revelation intentionally use the word "Hades" because he knew it would make a strong impact on his readers? Common logic seems to say that such was the case. I don't know, but it appears to make sense especially since we know he had other words or phases he could have used to say the same thing. It seems probable that John the Revelator knew his audience, wanted to make a strong point about life and death issues, and chose to use the word "Hades" for emphasis.
And finally, knowing what we know, I wonder if a problem arises when we ask ourselves, "How much pagan Greek mythology has crept into Christianity---especially into beliefs concerning the Devil?" Does the Bible say that the Devil is fiery red, has horns, a pointed tail and carries a three-pronged spear? No it doesn't. It's time we took the horns off of the Devil! May I suggest that such a ridiculous picture, based ancient pagan myths, only tends to hide his true motives by reducing him to a comical cartoon character, too ridiculous for anyone to take seriously. I wonder whose idea that was?

Blessings in your study of God's Word!

Marvin Hunt

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Blessings!
Marvin Hunt

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