Hades / Sheol

The Hebrew, Latin and Greek that is often translated in English as “Hades” or “Sheol” is translated in the German Luther Bible 2017 (and pre-1912) as Totenreich or “realm (or: kingdom) of the dead” in these verses. (Source: Jost Zetzsche)

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Sheol .

Translation commentary on 3 Maccabees 5:51

And cried out in a very loud voice, imploring the Ruler over every power to manifest himself and be merciful to them may be rendered “They cried out with loud voices to God, who rules over every [earthly] ruler, to show his power and save them.”

As they stood now at the gates of death is literally “standing already at the gates of Hades.” Hades refers to the place of the dead, as in verse 42 (see the comments there). This clause may be rendered “They knew they were at the gates to the world of the dead [or, they were about to die].”

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 3-4 Maccabees. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2018. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.