Writers in the Old Testament describe the place where dead people are as beneath the earth's surface (Ezekiel 26:20). Sometimes, the earth swallows them alive (Numbers 16:31–33; Psalm 55:15). But usually, "the cords of death" take them down "and swallows them" (Psalm 18:4–5; Numbers 16:30; Job 24:19; Psalm 49:14; Isaiah 5:14; 14:11). In the Old Testament, the afterlife is often considered a gloomy, hopeless place of no return (Job 7:9; Isaiah 38:18).
In the book of Job, the main images of the place of the dead include:
Sheol, which is described as dark and dusty (Job 11:8; 14:13; 17:13, 16; 24:19; 26:6);
a pit filled with decay (Hebrew shakhat; see 9:31; 17:14; 33:18, 22, 24, 28, 30); and
the grave (Hebrew qeber; see 3:22; 5:26; 10:19; 17:1; 21:32).
The Old Testament sometimes suggests rescue from the grave (see 1 Samuel 2:6; Psalms 16:10–11; 30:3; 49:15; 56:13; 73:24–26; 86:13; 139:7–10; Isaiah 26:19). Job hopes Sheol might ease his troubles (Job 3:13–22; 14:13–17). He hopes a redeemer might defend him after death (19:25–26). Yet, only the New Testament fully promises redemption from death (1 Corinthians 15:50–58).
Passages for Further Study
1 Samuel 2:6; 28:11–15; 1 Kings 17:20–22; 2 Kings 4:32–35; Job 3:13–22; 7:9; 14:13–17; 17:13–16; 19:25–27; Psalms 6:5; 16:10–11; 17:15; 49:15; 86:13; 88:11; 139:8; 141:7; Proverbs 1:12; 15:11; Isaiah 26:19; 38:18; Ezekiel 26:20; Matthew 22:31–32; Romans 8:23; 1 Corinthians 15:50–58; Philippians 3:21