The question of where Old Testament saints went after death is an interesting one that the Bible does not provide a completely straightforward answer to. Based on various passages, there are a few possible views:
They went to Sheol/Hades
Several Old Testament passages refer to a place called Sheol or Hades as the destination of the dead. For example:
- “For a fire is kindled by my anger, and it burns to the depths of Sheol, devours the earth and its increase, and sets on fire the foundations of the mountains.” (Deuteronomy 32:22)
- “For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise?” (Psalm 6:5)
Sheol seems to be a place of stillness, darkness, and lack of praise of God rather than overt punishment. Some believe Sheol was a temporary holding place for the dead until Christ’s resurrection allowed the righteous dead to enter God’s presence in heaven.
They went to be with God
A few Old Testament passages imply the righteous dead would be with God after death:
- “But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me.” (Psalm 49:15)
- “You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.” (Psalm 73:24)
Based on these verses, some believe that the spiritually elect dead were taken to dwell with God even before Christ’s sacrifice. Their physical bodies remained in Sheol, but their souls went to be with the Lord.
They went to Paradise
Jesus’ parable of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31) depicts Lazarus as being carried by the angels to “Abraham’s side” after death. The rich man could see Lazarus and Abraham from his place of torment. Some equate “Abraham’s side” with Paradise:
- “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
Paradise seems to have been a place of comfort for the righteous dead before Jesus opened the way to heaven.
Unclear until after Christ’s resurrection
The fact that Sheol, Paradise, being present with God, and heaven are all mentioned shows the Old Testament understanding was incomplete. 1 Peter 3:18-19 suggests Jesus went to proclaim victory over evil spirits in prison (Tartarus) after His death. This implies a change for the righteous dead after Christ’s resurrection:
- “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison…” (1 Peter 3:18-19)
Ephesians 4:8 also quotes Psalm 68:18, applying it to Christ leading captives from Sheol after His resurrection. God’s plans were not fully revealed under the Old Covenant.
Hell for the unrighteous, unclear for believers
Some believe Old Testament saints who trusted in God went to Paradise or heaven, while the unrighteous went to Hades/Sheol to await final judgment. Their destiny was unclear until Christ conquered death and allowed them to enter His presence. Those who rejected God faced eternal punishment.
Views on Hell/Sheol
There are three main views on Sheol/Hades:
- Purgatorial – Sheol is a place or state of temporary purification and punishment before the dead enter God’s presence.
- Universalist – Sheol is a place of punishment to bring unbelievers to repentance so they can eventually be redeemed.
- Eternal judgement – Sheol/Hades involves permanent separation from God’s presence and punishment for the unrighteous dead, while believers dwell with God.
Each view is tied to different theological frameworks about the afterlife.
Old Testament Evidence
Looking deeper at Old Testament passages can shed more light on what it reveals about the afterlife:
Sheol is Down, Heaven is Up
Sheol is consistently depicted as down or beneath:
- “For a fire is kindled by my anger, and it burns to the depths of Sheol, devours the earth and its increase, and sets on fire the foundations of the mountains.” (Deuteronomy 32:22)
- “They went down alive into Sheol, and their possessions went down with them.” (Numbers 16:30)
Heaven is depicted as up:
- “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.” (Psalm 139:6)
This spatial distinction indicates Sheol was not regarded as equivalent to heaven.
Sheol is Associated with Punishment
Though not overtly depicted as a place of torment, Sheol is associated with judgment and punishment:
- “Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol.” (Proverbs 5:5)
- “Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, the sound of your harps; maggots are laid as a bed beneath you, and worms are your covers.” (Isaiah 14:11)
This indicates suffering and dismay, if not overt punishment.
Hope of Redemption
Despite darkness, David and others express hope:
- “But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me.” (Psalm 49:15)
- “You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again.” (Psalm 71:20)
This hope reflects trust in God’s power to redeem from Sheol.
Metaphorical Usages
Sometimes Sheol is used metaphorically for danger and trouble, not necessarily the place of dead:
- “The cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me.” (2 Samuel 22:6)
Its meaning is not always literal, though it retains connotations of suffering and anguish.
Limited Revelation
Old Testament understanding seems limited, unlike the more extensive New Testament teachings on heaven and hell.
As Deut. 29:29 states: “The secret things belong to the LORD our God.” God reveals some details but not full knowledge of the afterlife in the Old Testament.
Putting the Clues Together
In summary, the Old Testament understanding of the afterlife for believers appears to involve:
- The body remained in Sheol, associated with darkness and stillness.
- The spirit went to be with God (Ecclesiastes 12:7).
- For the righteous, Sheol represented hope of redemption from its power.
- Paradise/Abraham’s bosom was a place of comfort for the righteous dead.
- Christ’s resurrection was needed to fully redeem the dead from Sheol.
For unbelievers, the clues point to:
- Punishment, judgment, and separation from God’s presence.
- Outer darkness, weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew mentions this repeatedly).
- Everlasting destruction or eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41, 46).
God did not fully reveal details of the unseen realm, but gave glimpses of the principles of judgment, righteousness, and hope of redemption to those who trusted in Him.
New Testament Clarifications
The New Testament provides further revelation on what happens after death. Some key points:
- Prior to the crucifixion, Jesus refers to the sign of Jonah and a literal 3 days in Sheol before resurrection (Matthew 12:40).
- 1 Peter 3:19-4:6 describes Jesus preaching to imprisoned spirits before rising again.
- After resurrection, Jesus declares He holds the keys to Death and Hades (Revelation 1:18).
- The righteous dead are now described as going directly to heaven to be in God’s presence (2 Corinthians 5:8, Philippians 1:23).
- The Great White Throne judgment (Revelation 20:11-15) will culminate in the unrighteous being thrown into the Lake of Fire.
These passages indicate that before Christ’s sacrifice, Sheol contained both the righteous and unrighteous dead. After His resurrection, believers who die go directly to heaven.
Conclusion
The Old Testament provides glimpses of what happens after death, including concepts of Sheol, being with God, Paradise, and future redemption. It reflects limited revelation to God’s people at that time. The New Testament clarifies that Christ’s redemption allowed Old Testament saints to enter God’s presence in heaven. Unbelievers remain separated from God.
In short, the righteous dead went to a state of being with God upon death, while awaiting full redemption from Sheol at Christ’s resurrection. The unrighteous experienced a state of separation from God, anticipating final judgment. Complete details were uncertain until Christ accomplished salvation and bridged the gap between God and man.