Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Acts 2:31 he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that HE WAS NEITHER ABANDONED TO HADES, NOR DID His flesh SUFFER DECAY. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 2:31 he foresaw and spoke [prophetically] of the resurrection of the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), that HE WAS NOT ABANDONED [in death] TO HADES (the realm of the dead), NOR DID His body UNDERGO DECAY. [Ps 16:10] |
Bible Question: Why do most translations mistranslate "Sheol" and "Hades" as hell or grave? How did this come about? The error was as far back as the Tyndale of 1526. |
Bible Answer: Greetings Massebah! This was an interesting study, thanks for asking the question! I haven't a clue how translations began to identify Sheol or Hades as hell. Perhaps the zeal for the souls of the readers played a role in the translator's rendering of the words. Hell is a very real place; it is the eternal destiny of those who have rejected Jesus Christ. Hell is the eternal absence of God. "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Mt 10:28 "If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire," Mark 9:43 "Then death and Hades (the state of death or disembodied existence) were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire." Rev 20:14 AMP It is interesting to note that there are two terms used to identify the realm of departed spirits. In the NASB, Sheol is used exclusively in the Old Testment and the word Hades is used exclusively in the New Testament. As I was considering this, I concluded that this might be an example of progressive revelation. The Patriarchs of the Old Testament entrusted their souls to God. In the New Testament, Jesus explains how they (The Patriarchs) were cared for in the story of Lazarus and the rich man. According the the account in Luke 16, Hades, the realm of departed spirits, was divided into two distinct sections. One area was called torments and the other was called the Bosom of Abraham. Now, recall Christ's words to the repentant thief on the cross, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43) Obviously, when Jesus gave up His Spirit, He was not going to the "torments" side of Hades and since Jesus was going to be there, we would no longer refer to this place as the Bosom of Abraham - indeed with Jesus, it would be Paradise! The resurrection of Jesus Christ is our assurance that God keeps His promise. The promise of God, to not abandon His Holy one to Sheol (Ps. 16:10) reminds us that believers will not be left there either! Since Paul asserts that when we are absent from the body we are present with the Lord,(2 Cor 5:8)and Hades is to be thrown into the lake of fire, (Rev 20:14) doesn't it stand to reason that Hades, the realm of departed spirits, is populated by only those who have rejected God's salvation? Translations are only as accurate as the translator. But the believer has THE Translator to guide them into all truth (John 18:13). . .let's keep our spiritual ears and eyes open as we focus on His Word to us - Hades or Hell. Not a good place to be! Blessings, Mommapbs |