Biblical Word Etymology
The Etymology of “Hell”
The biblical word “Hell” traces back to Hebrew / Greek (גֵּהִנּוֹם (Gehenna) / ᾅδης (Hades)), where it meant “A place of torment or punishment after death; the abode of the dead”. Across 3eras it evolved into the modern sense: “The place of torment of the wicked after death; a state of misery”.
How the Meaning Evolved
Ancient Hebrew/Greek
Hebrew / Greekגֵּהִנּוֹם (Gehenna) / ᾅδης (Hades)A place of torment or punishment after death; the abode of the dead
Hebrew Gehenna (H1516) is the Valley of Hinnom near Jerusalem, used metaphorically for a place of punishment. Greek Hades (G86) means the underworld or place of the dead.
Medieval Latin / Church
Latininfernus, inferiThe infernal regions; the place of eternal punishment and separation from God
Latin infernus ('lower') became the theological term for hell in Church doctrine. Developed from both Hades and Gehenna concepts in Christian theology.
Modern English
EnglishhellThe place of torment of the wicked after death; a state of misery
From Old English hel/hell, from Proto-Germanic *haljon (to hide/conceal). Semantically merged with theological concepts of Gehenna and Hades through Christian usage.