“Grave” From Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
[BURIAL
[ENGRAVER.]
“Hell” From Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(conceal). Hebrew “sheol;” translated “grave” (1 Sam. 2:6); “pit” (Num. 16:30); “hell” (Job 11:8), in O. T. In N. T., Hades and Gehenna are translated hell (Acts 2:27; Matt. 5:29). Gehenna, or Valley of Hinnom, alone implies a place of burning or torture.
“Pit” From Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(well). Cistern or well (Gen. 37:20); grave (Psa. 28:1); game-trap (Ezek. 19:8); device (Psa. 119:85; Prov. 26:27).
“Grave” From Concise Bible Dictionary:
Tombs in the Valley of Jehoshaphat
The principal words are
1. qeber, qeburah, τἀφος, from “to bury,” and hence any description of burying place (Gen. 35:20; Gen. 50:5; Matt. 23:29). They are often translated Sepulcher (Gen. 23:6; Deut. 34:6; Matt. 23:27).
2. sheol, ἄδης, the place of departed spirits (Gen. 37:35; Psa. 6:5; Hos. 13:14; 1 Cor. 15:55). See HELL.
3. μνῆμα, μνημεῖον, from “to remember,” hence a memorial tomb or monument (Matt. 27:52-53, etc). It is often translated Sepulcher, as in John 20:1-11; and TOMB, as in Matthew 8:28.
The graves were of various descriptions: some were simply holes dug in the ground and at times covered over with one or more large stones, over which men might walk unawares (Luke 11:44). Some were hewn in the rock, and a single stone placed or rolled against the mouth; the tomb of Lazarus and that of Joseph “in which the body of Jesus was laid” being of this description. Other sepulchers or tombs were said to be built; an ornamental structure being erected over the place where the body was laid, similar to those found in nearly all modern cemeteries (Matt. 23:29).
A tomb in Nazareth Village (an open-air museum in Nazareth, Israel).
In places, and especially near Jerusalem, there are long passages, with holes cut in the sides in which the bodies were placed; and by continuing these passages such tombs could be enlarged to any extent. We read in the Old Testament of the TOMBS OF THE KINGS. Those now bearing this name may be seen marked on maps to the north of Jerusalem; and others called the TOMBS OF THE PROPHETS are placed on the mount of Olives. These of course may not be those referred to in scripture.
Graves on the Mount of Olives
Natural caves were also used as graves, as the cave of Machpelah (Gen. 23:3-20). In Luke 8:27 we read of a demoniac who lived in the “tombs”; these were doubtless natural caves.
The Lord compared the hypocritical scribes and Pharisees to whited sepulchers, the outward beauty of which stood in strong contrast to the dead men’s bones and uncleanness within. There is a tradition that the sepulchers were white-washed once every year, that they might be readily seen and avoided. The hour comes when all that are in the graves shall hear His voice and come forth, some to the resurrection of life, and others to the resurrection of judgment (John 5:28-29).
“Hell” From Concise Bible Dictionary:
In the AV this is the translation of
1. sheol, which is often translated “grave,” and three times it is “pit.” It refers to an invisible place or state, which may have several applications, according to the connection of each passage. Korah and his company and their houses went down into “sheol” (Num. 16:33). Jonah said, “Out of the belly of ‘sheol’ cried I” (Jonah 2:2). “The wicked shall be turned into sheol” (Psa. 9:17). “Let them go down quick into ‘sheol,’ for wickedness is in their dwellings” (Psa. 55:15; Prov. 7:27). But for the redemption which faith looked for “sheol” must have had to Old Testament saints the character of eternal punishment, and so finally “hades” will be cast into the lake of fire. The word also refers to the place of departed spirits. The Lord said, “Thou wilt not leave my soul in ‘sheol’” (Psa. 16:10). This signification corresponds with
2. ἄοης, hades, which occurs where this last passage is quoted in Acts 2:27,31; and has the same meaning in other passages: (Matt. 11:23; Matt. 16:18; Luke 16:23; Rev. 1:18; Rev. 6:8; Rev. 20:13-14).
3, γέεννα, Gehenna, the Greek equivalent for two Hebrew words, signifying “valley of Hinnom.” It was the place near Jerusalem where the Jews made their children pass through fire to heathen gods, and which was afterward defiled (2 Kings 23:10). A continual fire made it a fit emblem of the place of eternal punishment (Matt. 5:22, 29-30; Matt. 10:28; Matt. 18:9; Matt. 23:15,33; Mark 9:43,45,47; Luke 12:5; James 3:6). The above named place of defilement and fire is also called in the Old Testament TOPHET or TOPHETH (2 Kings 23:10; Isa. 30:33; Jer. 19:13).
4. ταρταρόω, “to cast into Tartarus,” a term used by heathen writers for the “deepest abyss of the infernal regions,” a place of extreme darkness (2 Pet. 2:4: Compare 2 Pet. 2:17 and Jude 13).
Whatever figurative meaning there may be in the use of any of the above words, it is plain and certain from scripture that there is a place of everlasting punishment. It is awfully described as the LAKE OF FIRE, “the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone” (Rev. 19:20; Rev. 20:10, 15; Rev. 21:8). It was prepared for the devil and his angels, but into it the wicked also will be cast (Matt. 13:40, 42; Matt. 25:41; 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6, and others).
See ETERNAL.
“Pit” From Concise Bible Dictionary:
There are several Hebrew words translated “pit.” The principal are:
1. sheol, “the grave, hades, hell” (Num. 16:30,33; Job 17:16).
2. shachath, “a pit, a pitfall to entrap animals,” place of doom and corruption (Job 33:18,24,28,30; Psa. 9:15; Psa. 30:9; Psa. 35:7; Ezek. 28:8; etc.).
3. bor, beer, “pit or well dug for water,” but which could be used for a dungeon (Gen. 37:20-29; Psa. 28:1; Psa. 40:2; Psa. 88:4,6; Ezek. 26:20; Zech. 9:11, etc.). See BOTTOMLESS PIT.
Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew Words:
Meaning:
or shol {sheh-ole'}; from 7592; Hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates
KJV Usage:
grave, hell, pit