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 Proverbs 7:27

“Her house is the way to Sheol”: Compare this line to 2.18 and 5.5. See also 9.18. It is not simply “Her house” as a building, but rather what takes place in her house. Accordingly, some translate “To go to her house is. . .” or “Visiting her in her house. . ..” For “Sheol” see 1.12. We may translate this line, for example, “When you go to her house you are on your way to the world of the dead,” “Go to her place and you will go on to your grave,” or “The road to her house is the road to the graveyard.”

“Going down to the chambers of death”: “Chambers of death” is an expression parallel to the name Sheol, similar to what is found in 2.18 and 5.5. “Chambers” renders a word meaning “rooms.” “Sheol” is here pictured as a house with many rooms. We may translate verse 27, for example, “Visit her house and you will go to the world of the dead, straight to your grave.” The teacher’s purpose in using such strong metaphorical language is to paint as vivid as possible a picture of the painful consequences of adultery.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

complete verse (Proverbs 7:27)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 7:27:

  • Kupsabiny: “If you (sing.) enter into a house of such a woman, then you are heading for the world of the dead and it is leading people into death/disaster.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Their house is the path
    which goes to the place of death.
    This is the route to hell.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “If you (sing.) go to her house, (it is) like that you (sing.) are-going to the place of the dead.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Her house, it is like a path that leads to the place of the dead.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)