"the invisible abode or mansion of the dead; the place of punishment, hell; the lowest place or condition, Mt. 11:23; Lk. 10:15"
Definition and meaning
the invisible abode or mansion of the dead; the place of punishment, hell; the lowest place or condition, Mt. 11:23; Lk. 10:15
In the original Greek the word is written: ᾅδης
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of hades (G86) across the King James Bible.
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
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.
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Common questions
Strong's G86 (hades) is a Greek word that means: the invisible abode or mansion of the dead; the place of punishment, hell; the lowest place or condition, Mt. 11:23; Lk. 10:15 It appears 11 times in the King James Bible.
The word hades (G86) appears 11 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G86 is hades, a Greek word defined as: the invisible abode or mansion of the dead; the place of punishment, hell; the lowest place or condition, Mt. 11:23; Lk. 10:15. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
hades is a Greek word found in the New Testament.