Free Grace Women

As we continue our study in Isaiah, we will take a closer look at chapter 14, and attempt to shed some light on the oft misunderstood meaning of the word “Sheol.”

A major theme in the book of Isaiah is that of the proud being brought low. Beginning in verse 3 of chapter 14, the prophet begins to foretell the fall of the proud King of Babylon. While the identity of this particular Babylonian tyrant is debated among scholars, one thing is certain: the prophet foretold his doom and had much to say regarding his eventual experience in Sheol. 

Following several lines detailing the earth’s jubilation at this king being “cut down” (v. 8), in verses 9-10 the prophet declares: 

“Hell from beneath is excited about you,

To meet you at your coming;

It stirs up the dead for you,

All the chief ones of the earth;

It has raised up from their thrones

All the kings of the nations.

They all shall speak and say to you:

‘Have you also become as weak as we?

Have you become like us?”

Because of the translators’ use of the word “Hell,” at the beginning of verse 9, one could easily assume that this portion of Scripture is describing the place of torment for unbelievers after they die. However, the very same Hebrew word ( שאול ) is  translated as “Sheol” in verse 11 and again in verse 15: 

“Your pomp is brought down to Sheol,

And the sound of your stringed instruments;

The maggot is spread under you,

And worms cover you” (v. 11)

“Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the pit” (v. 15) 

Which place is actually being described in these verses? If Isaiah is referring to what we tend to think of as “hell,” or the place of torment for unbelievers, several questions arise: When the unbelieving kings of the earth meet their eventual demise and descend into Hades, will they receive some sort of infernal coronation? Will they sit on literal thrones, ruling over various compartments of hell? Is Isaiah speaking literally or metaphorically here? 

The answer to the latter may be found back in verses 3 and 4, which read:

“It shall come to pass in the day the Lord gives you rest from your sorrow, and from your fear and the hard bondage in which you were made to serve, that you will take up this proverb against the King of Babylon and say…” 

The verses we’ve been considering form part of this “proverb” referenced in v. 4.  It’s not unreasonable to assume that they are to be understood figuratively. Many times in the Old Testament, “Sheol” is translated as “the grave.” Rather than a literal description of hell, the prophet could be giving a metaphorical depiction of the grave or physical death. Several elements contained in these verses and the ones that follow certainly seem to support the possibility. 

In verse 11, the imaginary welcoming committee of dead kings mock the King of Babylon as he enters Sheol, saying, “The maggot is spread under you, and worms cover you.” While there is no mention of the literal presence of maggots or worms in hell, there is no question concerning their occupancy of physical graves. In verse 19, the same group continues to deride him, comparing him to “a corpse trodden underfoot.” 

Various other passages in the Old Testament corroborate the notion of Sheol being the grave and not hell. In Job 17:13,  a despairing Job laments, “If I wait for the grave as my house, if I make my bed in the darkness…”

The word grave here is the same Hebrew word for “Sheol.”

Would it even make sense to claim that believing Job was longing for hell? Of course not. Job is weary of life and longing for rest. In Psalm 6:4-5, David cries out to the Lord, saying, “Return, O LORD, deliver me! Oh, save me for Your mercies’ sake! For in death there is no remembrance of You; In the grave who will give You thanks?” The word for grave here is also the Hebrew word for Sheol. Was King David in fear of his eternal destiny here, or was his physical life in jeopardy somehow? 

Here’s why it matters:  

Firstly, Arminian theologians will claim that this verse shows that David lost the assurance of his salvation and that this should be a legitimate fear for all believers, casting doubt on the doctrine of eternal security. As Free Gracers, however, we know that if salvation cannot be earned, neither can it be lost! Many, many Scriptures attest to the security of the believer (See John 3:16, John 5:24, and John 6:37) and a misinterpretation of King David’s feelings concerning Sheol should not be used to prove anything to the contrary. Job didn’t long to be in hell and David didn’t ask to be delivered from it! Like Job, David was a believer who had physical death in mind. 

Secondly, while believers need never fear spending eternity in hell, we may certainly fear an untimely or inglorious death if we follow the way of wickedness instead of walking the path of humility. The entire proverb against the King of Babylon highlights the dishonorable way in which this formerly exalted ruler would go to his grave. His death would not be accompanied by the pomp and ceremony typically accorded to dignitaries of his rank and importance. In place of honor and accolades, his death would be marked by humiliation and disgrace. In verses 18 and 19 of chapter 14, the phantom kings resume their ridicule: 

“All the kings of the nations,

All of them, sleep in glory,

Everyone in his own house;

But you are cast out of your grave

Like an abominable branch,

Like the garment of those who are slain,

Thrust through with a sword,

Who go down to the stones of the pit…”

Like this famous ruler who hoped for glory but met his death in shame, we, too, can live dishonorable lives, which may result in the Lord’s discipline—up to and including the possibility of an early grave.

And while our eternal destiny is sure if we have ever believed in Jesus for eternal life (See John 6:47, John 6:39-40, and John 10:28-29), a choice is before us: we can live our lives in step with Him and obedient to His will—knowing we will be rewarded for our faithfulness—or we can live for ourselves and miss out on the glory He longs to share with us. 

May we choose wisely, trusting that while our passing may not be met with grandiose fanfare here, we will be supplied with an “abundant entrance” when we cross the threshold into eternity. (See 2 Peter 1:11)

All Scripture taken from the New King James Version.

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