Sheol

Sheol, שׁאוֹל. This Hebrew name for "the place of departed spirits," and the "state of the dead," is used in a variety of senses by the writers of the Old. Test., which it is desirable to investigate, referring to the articles see HELL, see HADES, etc. for the general opinions of the Jews respecting the continuance of existence after death.

I. Signification of the Word. — The word is usually said to be derived. from שֹׁאֵל, shaal, "to ask or seek," and may, be supposed to have the same metaphorical signification as the orcus rapax of the Latins, or "the insatiable sepulchre" of English writers. This etymology, however, is rather uncertain, and no aid can be obtained from the cognate Shemitic languages, for, though the word occurs in Syriac and Ethiopic, its use is too indeterminate to afford any clue to its origin. We are therefore left to determine its meaning from the context of the most remarkable passages in which it occurs. s.v.