Hell (English), Hades (Greek) or Sheol (Hebrew) was the name given to the abode of the dead between death and the resurrection. A place of departed spirits, to the unbeliever, a place of punishment & torments.
Genesis 2:17 Of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Romans 6:23 (A) 23 For the wages of sin is death;
Romans 3:23 all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
(NOTE: ALL have sinned, not just some)
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
(NOTE: Have you ever known or heard of anyone in you life time that didn't die?)
Proverbs 15:24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
(NOTE: That he may "depart" from hell)
Genesis 35:18 And it came to pass, as Rachel's soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin.
(NOTE: As Rachel's soul was ""departing"" because she had died)
Psalm 9:17 (B) In hell their eyes are opened, and they see their mistakes about (rejecting) the Messiah, and find themselves in torments, under dreadful gnawings, and remorse of conscience; and having a terrible sensation of divine wrath, their worm dies not, and their fire is not quenched:
Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
(NOTE: Paradise is the believers side of Hell, Hades, Sheol)
Luke 16:19 (A) There was a certain rich man,
20 (A) And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21 Lazarus, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
(NOTE: Immediately unbelievers that rejected Christ begin reaping the rewards of unrighteousness)
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
(NOTE: Being in TORMENTS: Punishment without pity, misery without mercy, crying without compassion)
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
(NOTE: The rich unbeliever BEGS for 1 drop of help. And receives NONE!)
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
(NOTE: Abraham say's now thou art tormented)
26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
(NOTE: Although, he can't pass the gulf. The unbeliever see's Abraham & Lazarus. Proof of recognition beyond the grave)
27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:
(NOTE: Not only can they see one another, they can converse)
NOTE: Hell, Hades, Sheol - since the ascension of Christ. There's been no change of their place or condition. In fact Isaiah 5:14 (A) Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure. At the judgment of the great white throne, hades will give them up, they will be judged, and will pass into the lake of fire Rev 20:13; Rev 20:14.
When Christ ascended up on high (Eph 4:8) he led/took a multitude of believing captives with him (Matt 27:52-53). Scripture immediately adds, that He had previously descended first into the lower parts of the earth i.e. The paradise side of Hell, Hades, Sheol.
During the present church-age the unbelieving/wicked dead are still in Hell, Hades, Sheol, The believing/righteous dead are at home with the Lord (2 Cor 5:8).
FINAL NOTE: When we die our body goes into the dirt. The real us departs & is carried to paradise with God or to torment/hell without God. Where we await the grand finale:
Revelation 20:
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
