Can someone explain the controversy over the concept to of hell?

by not_my_wig

In the old Hebrew bible, it has no mention of hell. However, in the English translations it seems hellfire is painted through the book.

husky54

So, after briefly checking a few English translations (NRSV, ESV, NIV, KJV), the only translation that contains the word "Hell" anywhere in the canon is the KJV. The KJV consistently rendered the Hebrew word שׁאול (= "She'ol") with the English "Hell." Sheol, however, is not Hell, it was, rather, a common locus for the aftelives of the wicked and righteous alike. It should be noted that one can even return from Sheol (see Jon D. Levenson's Resurrection and the Restoration of Life) and the very concept of death in the Hebrew Bible is not the same as our concept of death.

Also, I don't really know what you mean by "hellfire is painted through the book."