To those who believe that the bible is God’s word and cannot be questioned, one should ask which translation is the correct one. There are over 40 different English translation (see: biblegateway.com). I research the concept of “hell” and found out that actually the common concept of Hell is totally misunderstood. There is no reference to this concept in the OT. The old text refer either to “sheol” meaning grave which is “hades” in the Greek versions means a place of forgetfulness. Sometimes there are references to the "Valley of Hinnon", A place outside Jerusalem were trash was burned. Many translations use “hell” so that it seems that our modern concept of hell applies. Not so, according to the Greek or Hebrew versions. In the NT the older versions refer to “Gehenna” also translated as “Hell” in many versions Gehenna is similar to the “Valley of Hinnon” mentioned in the OT. It is a place where in the OT children were sacrificed and dead people burned. This valley is recognized as a burning trash heap in the NT. (biblegate.com , look into the Expanded Bible version, EXB). There is also no mention of the Gehenna fire to be eternal, but indicates the total destruction of the body. The eternal fire concept was added to the early church to persuade their followers not to leave the church but to encourage them to stay and convince others to fear God and join. A very successful move if you look at the results today.
Conclusion: The word “Hell” is a wrong translation for the original “Sheol” or “Hades” meaning “grave” and “forgetfulness” and “Gehenna” an actual existing burning trash heap outside Jerusalem, which burned dead bodies for total destruction, not an eternal fire.
Conclusion: The word “Hell” is a wrong translation for the original “Sheol” or “Hades” meaning “grave” and “forgetfulness” and “Gehenna” an actual existing burning trash heap outside Jerusalem, which burned dead bodies for total destruction, not an eternal fire.
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