Metaphysical meaning of Hades (mbd)
Hades (in A.V., the New Testament, hell), ha'-des (Gk.)--not to be seen; not to be looked upon.
Hades is a Greek word; the Hebrew word meaning the same thing is sheol. In the English version of the Bible (the King James or Authorized Version), in the New Testament especially, it is generally translated hell. It is supposed to refer to the unseen world, or the abode of the dead. In reality, however, the word has reference to the grave or the "pit." In the Authorized Version, in many places in the Old Testament sheol is interpreted grave or pit. For examples see Genesis 37:35; 42:38; I Samuel 2:6; I Kings 2:6; Job 14:13; 17:13, 16, and there are others. In the American Standard Version the word sheol is used in these texts. Please compare the two, and then look up the places where the translation hell is given.
Meta. Hades refers to the outer darkness, the realm of sense, in contrast to the inner or luminously spiritual. To live in the outer is to live outside the body, as it were; hence Hades came to be considered the realm of discarnate souls. In individual consciousness it may be likened to the darkened and silenced condition of seeming error when we have withdrawn from it all the power and substance of our thoughts about it and beliefs in it, when we have denied it, put it away from mind and body. Hades denotes the burying out of sight, out of thought and mind, of that above which the overcomer has risen, of that which has become inactive in his consciousness.
Hades may also refer, like Gehenna, to a state of purification. (See GEHENNA and HINNOM.)
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Preceding Entry: Hadassah
Following Entry: Hadid
