Topic Study

• Torah (T): Genesis 37:35; Numbers 16:28-34
• Prophets (P): 1 Samuel 2:6; 1 Samuel 28:1-19
• Writings (W): Psalms 6:5; Psalms 16:8-10
• Apostolic (A): Matthew 11:23; Luke 16:19-31

RELATED SCRIPTURES

• 2 Esdras 7:76-105

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Discourse to the Greeks concerning Hades by Hippolytus of Rome

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שְׁאוֹל sheol (H7585) is the place of the dead and often translated as grave, hell, pit, or underworld. שְׁאוֹל sheol is from the word שְׁאַל sha’al (H7592) meaning to ask, enquire, or seek something that is not known (cf. Genesis 24:47; Exodus 13:14; Deuteronomy 13:14). Sheol is sometimes written in the feminine form as שְׁאֹלָה sheolah (cf. Genesis 37:35). שְׁאוֹל sheol is equivalent to άδου Hades (G86) in Greek from G1 + G1492 literally meaning “not see” referring to the unseen realm in which all the dead reside.

When a person dies, their soul goes down to Sheol (cf. Psalms 16:10), their spirit returns to Elohim (cf. Ecclesiastes 12:7), and their body decays (cf. Psalms 16:10) and their flesh returns to dust (cf. Genesis 3:19).

Torah (T)

Prophets (P)

1 Samuel 28:6 “YHWH kills and makes alive. He brings down to Sheol and brings up.

1 Samuel 28:1 In those days, the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. Achish said to David, “Know assuredly that you will go out with me in the army, you and your men.” 2 David said to Achish, “Therefore you will know what your servant can do.” Achish said to David, “Therefore I will make you my bodyguard forever.” 3 Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. Saul had sent away those who had familiar spirits and the wizards out of the land. 4 The Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and encamped in Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped in Gilboa. 5 When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. 6 When Saul inquired of YHWH, YHWH didn’t answer him by dreams, by Urim, or by prophets. 7 Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek for me a woman who has a familiar spirit, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” His servants said to him, “Behold, there is a woman who has a familiar spirit at Endor.” 8 Saul disguised himself and put on other clothing, and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night. Then he said, “Please consult for me by the familiar spirit, and bring me up whomever I shall name to you.” 9 The woman said to him, “Behold, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off those who have familiar spirits and the wizards out of the land. Why then do you lay a snare for my life, to cause me to die?” 10 Saul swore to her by YHWH, saying, “As YHWH lives, no punishment will happen to you for this thing.” 11 Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up to you?” He said, “Bring Samuel up for me.” 12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice; and the woman spoke to Saul, saying, “Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul!” 13 The king said to her, “Don’t be afraid! What do you see?” The woman said to Saul, “I see a god coming up out of the earth.” 14 He said to her, “What does he look like?” She said, “An old man comes up. He is covered with a robe.” Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground, and showed respect. 15 Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me, to bring me up?” Saul answered, “I am very distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me, and answers me no more, by prophets, or by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I shall do.” 16 Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since YHWH has departed from you and has become your adversary? 17 YHWH has done to you as he spoke by me. YHWH has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, even to David. 18 Because you didn’t obey YHWH’s voice, and didn’t execute his fierce wrath on Amalek, therefore YHWH has done this thing to you today. 19 Moreover YHWH will deliver Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines; and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. YHWH will deliver the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.”

Writings (W)

Psalms 6:5 For in death there is no memory of you. In Sheol, who shall give you thanks?

Psalms 16:8 I have set YHWH always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices. My body shall also dwell in safety. 10 For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, neither will you allow your holy one to see corruption.

Apostolic (A)

Matthew 11:23; Luke 16:19-31

Matthew 11:23 You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, you will go down to Sheol. For if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in you, it would have remained until today.

Luke 16:19 “Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day. 20 A certain beggar, named Lazarus, was taken to his gate, full of sores, 21 and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Yes, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The beggar died, and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Sheol,† he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far off, and Lazarus at his bosom. 24 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 in anguish in this flame.’ 25 “But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that you, in your lifetime, received your good things, and Lazarus, in the same way, bad things. But here he is now comforted and you are in anguish. 26 Besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that those who want to pass from here to you are not able, and that no one may cross over from there to us.’ 27 “He said, ‘I ask you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—that he may testify to them, so they won’t also come into this place of torment.’ 29 “But Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets. Let them listen to them.’ 30 “He said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 “He said to him, ‘If they don’t listen to Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded if one rises from the dead.’ ”

Related Scriptures

Genesis 37:35 All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. He said, “For I will go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” His father wept for him.
Genesis 42:38 He said, “My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he only is left. If harm happens to him along the way in which you go, then you will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.”
Genesis 44:29 If you take this one also from me, and harm happens to him, you will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.’
Genesis 44:31 it will happen, when he sees that the boy is no more, that he will die. Your servants will bring down the gray hairs of your servant, our father, with sorrow to Sheol.
Numbers 16:30 But if YHWH makes a new thing, and the ground opens its mouth, and swallows them up with all that belong to them, and they go down alive into Sheol, then you shall understand that these men have despised YHWH.”
Numbers 16:33 So they, and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol. The earth closed on them, and they perished from among the assembly.
Deuteronomy 32:22 For a fire is kindled in my anger, that burns to the lowest Sheol, devours the earth with its increase, and sets the foundations of the mountains on fire.
1 Samuel 2:6 “YHWH kills and makes alive. He brings down to Sheol and brings up.
2 Samuel 22:6 The cords of Sheol were around me. The snares of death caught me.
1 Kings 2:6 Do therefore according to your wisdom, and don’t let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace.
1 Kings 2:9 Now therefore don’t hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man; and you will know what you ought to do to him, and you shall bring his gray head down to Sheol with blood.”
Job 7:9 As the cloud is consumed and vanishes away, so he who goes down to Sheol will come up no more.
Job 11:8 They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know?
Job 14:13 “Oh that you would hide me in Sheol, that you would keep me secret until your wrath is past, that you would appoint me a set time and remember me!
Job 17:13 If I look for Sheol as my house, if I have spread my couch in the darkness,
Job 17:16 Shall it go down with me to the gates of Sheol, or descend together into the dust?”
Job 21:13 They spend their days in prosperity. In an instant they go down to Sheol.
Job 24:19 Drought and heat consume the snow waters, so does Sheol those who have sinned.
Job 26:6 Sheol is naked before God, and Abaddon has no covering.
Psalm 6:5 For in death there is no memory of you. In Sheol, who shall give you thanks?
Psalm 9:17 The wicked shall be turned back to Sheol, even all the nations that forget God.
Psalm 16:10 For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, neither will you allow your holy one to see corruption.
Psalm 18:5 The cords of Sheol were around me. The snares of death came on me.
Psalm 30:3 YHWH, you have brought up my soul from Sheol. You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
Psalm 31:17 Let me not be disappointed, YHWH, for I have called on you. Let the wicked be disappointed. Let them be silent in Sheol.
Psalm 49:14 They are appointed as a flock for Sheol. Death shall be their shepherd. The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning. Their beauty shall decay in Sheol, far from their mansion.
Psalm 49:15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah.
Psalm 55:15 Let death come suddenly on them. Let them go down alive into Sheol. For wickedness is among them, in their dwelling.
Psalm 86:13 For your loving kindness is great toward me. You have delivered my soul from the lowest Sheol.
Psalm 88:3 For my soul is full of troubles. My life draws near to Sheol.
Psalm 89:48 What man is he who shall live and not see death, who shall deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah.
Psalm 116:3 The cords of death surrounded me, the pains of Sheol got a hold of me. I found trouble and sorrow.
Psalm 139:8 If I ascend up into heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, you are there!
Psalm 141:7 “As when one plows and breaks up the earth, our bones are scattered at the mouth of Sheol.”
Proverbs 1:12 Let’s swallow them up alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down into the pit.
Proverbs 5:5 Her feet go down to death. Her steps lead straight to Sheol.
Proverbs 7:27 Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the rooms of death.
Proverbs 9:18 But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
Proverbs 15:11 Sheol and Abaddon are before YHWH— how much more then the hearts of the children of men!
Proverbs 15:24 The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol.
Proverbs 23:14 Punish him with the rod, and save his soul from Sheol.
Proverbs 27:20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; and a man’s eyes are never satisfied.
Proverbs 30:16 Sheol, the barren womb, the earth that is not satisfied with water, and the fire that doesn’t say, ‘Enough!’
Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor plan, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you are going.
Song of Songs 8:6 Set me as a seal on your heart, as a seal on your arm; for love is strong as death. Jealousy is as cruel as Sheol. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a very flame of Yah.
Isaiah 5:14 Therefore Sheol has enlarged its desire, and opened its mouth without measure; and their glory, their multitude, their pomp, and he who rejoices among them, descend into it.
Isaiah 14:9 Sheol from beneath has moved for you to meet you at your coming. It stirs up the departed spirits for you, even all the rulers of the earth. It has raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.
Isaiah 14:11 Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, with the sound of your stringed instruments. Maggots are spread out under you, and worms cover you.
Isaiah 14:15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the depths of the pit.
Isaiah 28:15 “Because you have said, ‘We have cut a covenant with death, and we are in agreement with Sheol. When the overflowing scourge passes through, it won’t come to us; for we have made lies our refuge, and we have hidden ourselves under falsehood.’ ”
Isaiah 28:18 Your covenant with death shall be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol shall not stand. When the overflowing scourge passes through, then you will be trampled down by it.
Isaiah 38:10 I said, “In the middle of my life I go into the gates of Sheol. I am deprived of the residue of my years.”
Isaiah 38:18 For Sheol can’t praise you. Death can’t celebrate you. Those who go down into the pit can’t hope for your truth.
Isaiah 57:9 You went to the king with oil, increased your perfumes, sent your ambassadors far off, and degraded yourself even to Sheol.
Ezekiel 31:15 “The Lord YHWH says: ‘In the day when he went down to Sheol, I caused a mourning. I covered the deep for him, and I restrained its rivers. The great waters were stopped. I caused Lebanon to mourn for him, and all the trees of the field fainted for him.
Ezekiel 31:16 I made the nations to shake at the sound of his fall, when I cast him down to Sheol with those who descend into the pit. All the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, were comforted in the lower parts of the earth.
Ezekiel 31:17 They also went down into Sheol with him to those who are slain by the sword; yes, those who were his arm, who lived under his shadow in the middle of the nations.
Ezekiel 32:21 The strong among the mighty will speak to him out of the middle of Sheol with those who help him. They have gone down. The uncircumcised lie still, slain by the sword.
Ezekiel 32:27 They will not lie with the mighty who are fallen of the uncircumcised, who have gone down to Sheol with their weapons of war and have laid their swords under their heads. Their iniquities are on their bones; for they were the terror of the mighty in the land of the living.
Hosea 13:14 I will ransom them from the power of Sheol. I will redeem them from death! Death, where are your plagues? Sheol, where is your destruction? “Compassion will be hidden from my eyes.
Amos 9:2 Though they dig into Sheol, there my hand will take them; and though they climb up to heaven, there I will bring them down.
Jonah 2:2 He said, “I called because of my affliction to YHWH. He answered me. Out of the belly of Sheol I cried. You heard my voice.
Habakkuk 2:5 Yes, moreover, wine is treacherous: an arrogant man who doesn’t stay at home, who enlarges his desire as Sheol; he is like death and can’t be satisfied, but gathers to himself all nations and heaps to himself all peoples.
Matthew 11:23 You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, you will go down to Sheol. For if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in you, it would have remained until today.
Matthew 16:18 I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Sheol will not prevail against it.
Luke 10:15 You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Sheol.
Luke 16:23 In Sheol, he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far off, and Lazarus at his bosom.
Acts 2:27 because you will not leave my soul in Sheol, neither will you allow your Holy One to see decay.
Acts 2:31 he foreseeing this, spoke about the resurrection of the Messiah, that his soul wasn’t left in Sheol, and his flesh didn’t see decay.
1 Corinthians 15:55 “Death, where is your sting? Sheol, where is your victory?”
Revelation 1:18 and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Sheol.
Revelation 6:8 And behold, a pale horse, and the name of he who sat on it was Death. Sheol followed with him. Authority over one fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword, with famine, with death, and by the wild animals of the earth was given to him.
Revelation 20:13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it. Death and Sheol gave up the dead who were in them. They were judged, each one according to his works.
Revelation 20:14 Death and Sheol were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.

2 Esdras 4:7 He said to me, “If I had asked you, ‘How many dwellings are there in the heart of the sea? Or how many springs are there at the fountain head of the deep? Or how many streams are above the firmament? Or which are the exits of hell? Or which are the entrances of paradise?’
2 Esdras 4:8 perhaps you would say to me, ‘I never went down into the deep, or as yet into hell, neither did I ever climb up into heaven.’…41 Then I said, “No, Lord, that can it not.” He said to me, “In Hades, the chambers of souls are like the womb.

2 Esdras 7:36 The pit of torment will appear, and near it will be the place of rest. The furnace of hell will be shown, and near it the paradise of delight.
2 Esdras 8:53 The root of evil is sealed up from you. Weakness is done away from you, and death is hidden. Hell and corruption have fled into forgetfulness.

Our fathers went to rest without grief and lo! the righteous sleep in the earth in tranquility. For they knew not this anguish, nor yet had they heard of that which had befallen us. Would that you had ears, O earth, and that you had a heart, O dust, that ye might go and announce in Sheol, and say to the dead: Blessed are ye more than we who live. BARUK SHENIY (2 BARUK) 11:4-7 את A.D.PHER

Jubilees 22:22; Jubilees 24:31
Enoch 51:1; Enoch 55:12; Enoch 63:11-15
Tobit 1:1-3
1 Baruch 3:11, 19
2 Baruch 21:23; 2 Baruch 23:5; 2 Baruch 52:1-2; 2 Baruch 56:6; 2 Baruch 85:11-13
Wisdom of Solomon 2:1
Sirach 16:12, 15; Sirach 17:27; Sirach 41:4
Additions to Esther 6:7
Prayer of Azariah 1:66

2 Esdras 7:76-105

7:76 He answered me, “I will show you this also; but don’t join yourself with those who are scorners, nor count yourself with those who are tormented. 77 For you have a treasure of works laid up with the Most High, but it won’t be shown you until the last times. 78 For concerning death the teaching is: When the decisive sentence has gone out from the Most High that a man shall die, as the spirit leaves the body to return again to him who gave it, it adores the glory of the Most High first of all. 79 And if it is one of those who have been scorners and have not kept the way of the Most High, and that have despised his law, and who hate those who fear God, 80 these spirits won’t enter into habitations, but will wander and be in torments immediately, ever grieving and sad, in seven ways. 81 The first way, because they have despised the Torah of the Most High. 82 The second way, because they can’t now make a good repentance that they may live. 83 The third way, they will see the reward laid up for those who have believed the covenants of the Most High. 84 The fourth way, they will consider the torment laid up for themselves in the last days. 85 The fifth way, they will see the dwelling places of the others guarded by angels, with great quietness. 86 The sixth way, they will see how immediately some of them will pass into torment. 87 The seventh way, which is more grievous than all the aforesaid ways, because they will pine away in confusion and be consumed with shame, and will be withered up by fears, seeing the glory of the Most High before whom they have sinned while living, and before whom they will be judged in the last times. 88 “Now this is the order of those who have kept the ways of the Most High, when they will be separated from their mortal body. 89 In the time that they lived in it, they painfully served the Most High, and were in jeopardy every hour, that they might keep the law of the lawgiver perfectly. 90 Therefore this is the teaching concerning them: 91 First of all they will see with great joy the glory of him who takes them up, for they will have rest in seven orders. 92 The first order, because they have labored with great effort to overcome the evil thought which was fashioned together with them, that it might not lead them astray from life into death. 93 The second order, because they see the perplexity in which the souls of the ungodly wander, and the punishment that awaits them. 94 The third order, they see the testimony which he who fashioned them gives concerning them, that while they lived they kept the law which was given them in trust. 95 The fourth order, they understand the rest which, being gathered in their chambers, they now enjoy with great quietness, guarded by angels, and the glory that awaits them in the last days. 96 The fifth order, they rejoice that they have now escaped from that which is corruptible, and that they will inherit that which is to come, while they see in addition the difficulty and the pain from which they have been delivered, and the spacious liberty which they will receive with joy and immortality. 97 The sixth order, when it is shown to them how their face will shine like the sun, and how they will be made like the light of the stars, being incorruptible from then on. 98 The seventh order, which is greater than all the previously mentioned orders, because they will rejoice with confidence, and because they will be bold without confusion, and will be glad without fear, for they hurry to see the face of him whom in their lifetime they served, and from whom they will receive their reward in glory. 99 This is the order of the souls of the just, as from henceforth is announced to them. Previously mentioned are the ways of torture which those who would not give heed will suffer from after this.” 100 I answered, “Will time therefore be given to the souls after they are separated from the bodies, that they may see what you have described to me?” 101 He said, “Their freedom will be for seven days, that for seven days they may see the things you have been told, and afterwards they will be gathered together in their habitations.” 102 I answered, “If I have found favor in your sight, show further to me your servant whether in the day of judgment the just will be able to intercede for the ungodly or to entreat the Most High for them, 103 whether fathers for children, or children for parents, or kindred for kindred, or kinsfolk for their next of kin, or friends for those who are most dear.” 104 He answered me, “Since you have found favor in my sight, I will show you this also. The day of judgment is‡ a day of decision, and displays to all the seal of truth. Even as now a father doesn’t send his son, or a son his father, or a master his slave, or a friend him that is most dear, that in his place he may understand, or sleep, or eat, or be healed, 105 so no one will ever pray for another in that day, neither will one lay a burden on another, for then everyone will each bear his own righteousness or unrighteousness.”

Additional Resources​

Discourse to the Greeks concerning Hades by Hippolytus of Rome

The Discourse to the Greeks concerning Hades, also called Against Plato on the Cause of the Universe, is a short treatise believed to be the work of Hippolytus of Rome. It was erroneously attributed to the Jewish historian Josephus since at least the 9th century and was first published in a translation of Josephus’ works by William Whiston. As Whiston’s translation is in the public domain, it appears in many present-day English editions of Josephus’ work without any noting of its erroneous attribution.

Hippolytus of Rome was a Bishop of Rome and one of the most important second-third century Christian theologians, whose provenance, identity and corpus remain elusive to scholars and historians. Suggested communities include Rome, Palestine, Egypt, Anatolia and other regions of the Middle East.

1. And this is the discourse concerning demons. Now as to Hades, wherein the souls of the righteous and unrighteous are detained, it is necessary to speak of it. Hades is a place in the world not regularly finished: a subterraneous region, wherein the light of this world does not shine. From which circumstance, that in this region the light does not shine, it cannot be but there must be in it perpetual darkness. This region is allotted as a place of custody for souls; in which angels are appointed as guardians to them: who distribute to them temporary punishments, agreeable to every one’s behaviour and manners.¹

2. In this region there is a certain place set apart, as a lake of unquenchable fire. Whereinto we suppose no one hath hitherto been cast: but it is prepared for a day afore determined by God: in which one righteous sentence shall deservedly be passed upon all men. When the unjust, and those that have been disobedient to God, and have given honour to such idols as have been the vain operations of the hands of men, as to God himself, shall be adjudged to this everlasting punishment: as having been the causes of defilement: while the just shall obtain an incorruptible and never fading Kingdom. These are now indeed confined in Hades: but not in the same place wherein the unjust are confined.²

3. For there is one descent into this region. At whose gate we believe there stands an archangel, with an host: which gate when those pass through that are conducted down by the angels appointed over souls, they do not go the same way: but the just are guided to the right hand, and are led with hymns, sung by the angels appointed over that place; unto a region of light, in which the just have dwelt from the beginning of the world. Not constrained by necessity; but ever enjoying the prospect of the good things they see, and rejoicing in the expectation of those new enjoyments which will be peculiar to every one of them: and esteeming those things beyond what we have here. With whom there is no place of toil; no burning heat; no piercing cold: nor are any briers there: but the countenance of the fathers, and of the just, which they see, always smiles upon them: while they wait for that rest and eternal new life in heaven, which is to succeed this region. This place we call the bosom of Abraham.³

4. But as to the unjust, they are dragged by force to the left hand by the angels allotted for punishment: no longer going with a good will, but as prisoners driven by violence. To whom are sent the angels appointed over them to reproach them, and threaten them, with their terrible looks; and to thrust them still downward. Now those angels that are set over these souls, drag them into the neighbourhood of hell it self. Who when they are hard by it, continually hear the noise of it; and do not stand clear of the hot vapour it self. But when they have a near view of this spectacle, as of a terrible and exceeding great prospect of fire, they are struck with a fearful expectation of a future judgment: and in effect punished thereby. And not only so, but where they see the place [or choir] of the fathers, and of the just, even hereby are they punished. For a chaos deep and large is fixed between them. Insomuch that a just man that hath compassion upon them cannot be admitted; nor can one that is unjust, if he were bold enough to attempt it, pass over it.⁴

5. This is the discourse concerning Hades; wherein the souls of all men are confined, until a proper season; which God hath determined: when he will make a resurrection of all men from the dead. Not procuring a transmigration of souls from one body to another; but raising again those very bodies: which you Greeks seeing to be dissolved, do not believe [their resurrection]. But learn not to disbelieve it. For while you believe that the soul is created, and yet is made immortal by God, according to the doctrine of Plato, and this in time; be not incredulous; but believe that God is able, when he hath raised to life that body which was made as a compound of the same elements, to make it immortal. For it must never be said of God, that he is able to do some things, and unable to do others. We have therefore believed that the body will be raised again. For although it be dissolved, it is not perished. For the earth receives its remains, and preserves them; and while they are like seed, and are mixed among the more fruitful soil, they flourish; and what is sown is indeed sown bare grain; but at the mighty sound of God, the Creator, it will sprout up, and be raised in a cloathed and glorious condition: though not before it has been dissolved, and mixed [with the earth]. So that we have not rashly believed the resurrection of the body. For although it be dissolved for a time, on account of the original transgression, it exists still; and is cast into the earth, as into a potter’s furnace, in order to be formed again. Not in order to rise again such as it was before; but in a state of purity, and so as never to he destroyed any more. And to every body shall its own soul be restored. And when it hath cloathed it self with that body, it will not be subject to misery: but being it self pure, it will continue with its pure body, and rejoice with it: with which it having walked righteously now in this world, and never having had it as a snare, it will receive it again with great gladness. But as for the unjust, they will receive their bodies not changed, not freed from diseases, or distempers, nor made glorious: but with the same diseases wherein they died, and such as they were in their unbelief, the same shall they be when they shall be faithfully judged.⁵

6. For all men, the just as well as the unjust, shall be brought before God the word. For to him hath the Father committed all judgment ; and he, in order to fulfil the will of his Father, shall come as judge, whom we call Christ. For Minos and Rhadamanthus are not the judges, as you Greeks do suppose, but he whom God and the father hath glorified: concerning whom we have elsewhere given a more particular account, for the sake of those who seek after truth. This person exercising the righteous judgment of the Father towards all men, hath prepared a just sentence for every one, according to his works. At whose judgment-seat when all men, and angels, and demons shall stand, they will send forth one voice, and say, just is thy judgment. The rejoinder to which will bring a just sentence upon both parties: by giving justly to those that have done well, an everlasting fruition: but allotting to the lovers of wicked works eternal punishment. To these belong the unquenchable fire, and that without end; and a certain fiery worm never dying, and not destroying the body; but continuing its eruption out of the body with never ceasing grief. Neither will sleep give ease to these men; nor will the night afford them comfort: death will not free them from their punishment; nor will the interceding prayers of their kindred profit them. For the just are no longer seen by them, nor are they thought worthy of remembrance. But the just shall remember only their righteous actions, whereby they have attained the heavenly kingdom. In which there is no sleep, no sorrow, no corruption, no care, no night, no day measured by time; no sun driven in his course along the circle of heaven by necessity, and measuring out the bounds and conversions of the seasons, for the better illumination of the life of men; no moon decreasing and increasing, or introducing a variety of seasons; nor will she then moisten the earth: no burning sun, no bear turning round [the pole]; no orion to rise; no wandring of innumerable stars. The earth will not then be difficult to be passed over; nor will it be hard to find out the court of paradise, nor will there be any fearful roaring of the sea, forbidding the passengers to walk on it. Even that will be made easily passable to the just, though it will not be void of moisture. Heaven will not then be uninhabitable by men: and it will not be impossible to discover the way of ascending thither. The earth will not be uncultivated, nor require too much labour of men; but will bring forth its fruits of its own accord, and will be well adorned with them. There will be no more generations of wild beasts; nor will the substance of the rest of the animals shoot out any more: for it will not produce men: but the number of the righteous will continue, and never fail, together with righteous angels, and spirits of God, and with his word: as a choir of righteous men and women that never grow old, and continue in an incorruptible state, singing hymns to God, who hath advanced them to that happiness, by the means of a regular institution of life. With whom the whole creation also will lift up a perpetual hymn from corruption to incorruption, as glorified by a splendid and pure spirit. It will not then be restrained by a bond of necessity, but with a lively freedom shall offer up a voluntary hymn, and shall praise him that made them, together with the angels and spirits and men, now freed from all bondage.⁶

7. And now, if you Gentiles will be persuaded by these motives, and leave your vain imaginations about your pedigrees, and gaining of riches, and philosophy, and will not spend your time about subtilties of words, and thereby lead your minds into error; and if you will apply your ears to the hearing of the inspired prophets, the interpreters both of God and of his word; and will believe in God, you shall both be partakers of these things, and obtain the good things that are to come. You shall see the ascent unto the immense heaven plainly; and that Kingdom which is there. For what God hath now concealed in silence [will be then made manifest:] what neither eye hath seen, nor ear hath heard, nor hath it entred into the heart of man, the things that God hath prepared for them that love him.⁷

8. In whatsoever ways I shall find you, in them shall I judge you entirely; so cries the end of all things. And he who hath at first lived a virtuous life, but towards the latter end falls into vice, these labours by him before endured shall be altogether vain and unprofitable. Even as in a play, brought to an ill catastrophe. Whosoever shall have lived wickedly and luxuriously may repent. However, there will be need of much time to conquer an evil habit; and even after repentance his whole life must be guarded with great care and diligence. After the manner of a body, which after it hath been a long time afflicted with a distemper, requires a stricter diet, and method of living. For though it may be possible, perhaps, to break off the chain of our irregular affections at once: yet our amendment cannot be secured without the grace of God; the prayers of good men; the help of the brethren; and our own sincere repentance, and constant care. It is a good thing not to sin at all: it is also good, having sinned, to repent. As it is best to have health always, but it is a good thing to recover from a distemper. To God be glory and dominion for ever and ever, amen.⁸

N.B. All the four copies; that published by Hoeschelius, in the Notes on Photius, pag. 9, 10, 11, 12. in Greek only; that published by Le Moyne, in his Varia Sacra pag. 53, &c. in Greek and Latin; that in Cardinal Coislins library at Paris in Greek; and that published from the Baroccian ms. at Oxford by Dr. Humphreys, at the end of his English Athenagoras in Greek and English, pag. 292—307. very nearly agree, till towards the latter end of § 6. The greatest part of the remainder is owing to the Baroccian ms. and the greatest part of the latter half of even those additions, though plainly a genuine branch of the whole homiliy, has been so miserably transcribed, that ’tis hard to correct or translate it. Accordingly I have there only corrected Dr. Humphrey’s version, though in the rest the version be my own.

Notes

1. Ephesians 4:9; Matthew 8:12
2. Mark 9:43-46,48; John 19:20; John 20:10,14; Matthew 25.ult.
3. Matthew 7:13-14; Matthew 25:33-34; Luke 16:22-23. Constitut. VIII.41.
4. Matthew 25:33,41; Luke 16:23-24; Luke 16:26
5. Matthew 17:10; 1 Corinthians 15:26,37,52; 2 Esdras 3:7; 1 Corinthians 15:38; 2 Corinthians 5:2; Herm. Simil. V. 6.
6. John 1; John 10:13; John 10; Constitut. VI.11. VII.26. VII.12. John 5:22; John 4:34; Acts 3:13; Antiq. XVIII.3.3; John 16:5-7; Matthew 25.ult; Mark 9:44,46,48; 2 Esdras 7:35-47; John 21:22-23; John 22:5; Romams 8:19—22
7. 1 Corinthians 2:9
8. Just. Mart. dialog. cum Tryph. pag. 267. John 1:8; John 21:6; John 22:13; Constitut. VII.31; 1 Peter 4:11; 1 Peter 5:11; John 1:6