Hell is the traditional Englisch translation of the Hebrew word Sheol. Both Sheol and Hades refer to a general dwelling place of souls after death. Since this sphere was mainly supposed to be found in the underworld, it was also called "the pit", "the bottomless place", of "the lower parts".

In the New Testament, a new perspective is opened by the witness of the apostles that God raised his Christ from death, confirmed by the information that some women had found the tomb empty and that several disciples had seen the risen lord. These experiences were understood to indicate that hell and death had already been defeated by the Lord of life.

Although the destructive powers of hell increase their attacks on humankind before the approaching end, the final conflict will lead to the complete disappearance of death and hell.