1. Why does the Old Testament have no concept of an eternal hell, a subject of unimaginable implications? How could a merciful God be silent about this if it was THE most catastrophic danger ever to face mankind?
2. Is it true that the Jews did not have a developed concept of the afterlife and the words “hell” in the OT should be translated “Sheol” and “Hades” which mean simply “hidden place” or “place of the dead”? Did not the Jews’ use of the word “olam” depict an age rather than something eternal? Did not the Jews use a negative in front of a word to denote that something was endless as in, “His mercies never come to an end?” Lamentations 3.
3. How can the concept of an eternal fiery torture chamber be God’s intention if when dealing with Israel’s sin of burning their own children to the god of Molech Jeremiah said, “He did not command Israel to do this nor did it enter into His mind that they should do this abomination”? Jeremiah 32:35.