The Mythical Greek Underworld for Departed Spirits.

There was a superstition among many ancient peoples that after death, mens' 'spirits' left the body and entered another place, possibly beneath the ground, which was cold and gloomy, and where they continued to exist for ever in a semi-conscious state. The Greeks called this Hades. The Hebrew word is sheol. It was considered to be the final resting-place of all human beings. The apostle Peter, after the death and resurrection of Jesus says: "This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. David said about him:

'…Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.'" (Acts 2:23-28) (and see Psalm 16:8-11).

Where modern versions have 'grave', the Hebrew of Psalm 16, from which Peter is quoting, has Sheol, and the Greek original of Acts 2 has Hades, but it is clear from the context that both the Psalm and Peter's comments refer to Jesus being raised from a state of death after he had been laid in a tomb or grave.

Jesus is said to "hold the keys of death and Hades." (Revelation 1:18), because God raised him from the grave, and has given him the authority to raise all who trust in him when he returns. Early English translations of the Bible usually translate Hades as 'hell' (q.v.) to support the wrong idea that 'hell' is a place of eternal torment in unquenchable fire.

Hades
Hallelujah
Heart
Heathen
Heaven
  1. the Sky
  2. God's Home
  Heavens and Earth
  The "third heaven"
Hebrews
  1. The People
  2. The Language
  3. The Letter
Hell
Heresy, Heretic
Holy
Holy Land
Holy Spirit
  1. Holy Spirit in creation
  2. Holy Spirit inspires God's word
  3. Jesus was born by the power of the Holy Spirit
  4. Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit
  5. The Holy Spirit given to the apostles
  6. The Holy Spirit with the church
Hope
House
  1. A building in which people live
  2. A 'household' or family living together
  3. The dwelling of the believer