In 1 Enoch
The account describes a deep abyss filled with enormous columns of heavenly fire, with flames reaching downward into its depths. Another passage describes the fiery abyss as a prison where those cast into it remain locked away for eternity. The seventy shepherds are judged, found guilty, and cast into the same fiery abyss.
The first star that falls from heaven is bound hand and foot and thrown into a narrow, deep, dark abyss. The hosts of Azâzêl face an abyss of complete condemnation, according to the command of the Lord of Spirits.
In 3 Enoch
The text names two angels of destruction who send the spirits of the wicked to Sheol. It also describes punishment in the fire of Gehenna and blows from rods of burning coal. In another passage, rivers pour down upon the heads of the wicked in Gehenna, delivering divine judgment.
In Meqabyan 1
The text describes Gehenna as a place with no way out forever, where Satan himself faces suffering. It says Satan makes the sacrifice taste sweet to people so that he can drag them into Gehenna with him. Another passage places the souls of sinners in a house of darkness in Sheol until an appointed time.
Where Sheol, Gehenna and the abyss appear
- 1 EnochThe abyss contains columns of heavenly fire and receives the shepherds after they are judged and found guilty. · The Complete Books of Enoch
- 3 EnochAngels of destruction send wicked spirits to Sheol, while rivers deliver divine judgment upon the wicked in Gehenna. · The Complete Books of Enoch
- Ascension of IsaiahAscension of Isaiah describes the Lord dragging Beliar and his armies into Gehenna. · The Complete Books of Enoch
- Mysteries of Heaven and EarthMysteries of Heaven and Earth places an abyss of water below the Ocean Wqyânos, with a rock beneath it. · The Complete Books of Enoch
- Meqabyan 1Gehenna has no way out forever, while sinners remain in darkness in Sheol until an appointed time. · The Complete 88-Book Ethiopian Bible
- 2 EnochThe open abyss is filled with cries of despair from souls suffering as they await their final judgment. · The Complete Books of Enoch
- Apocalypse of AbrahamApocalypse of Abraham describes the abyss with its torments, lower depths and perdition. · The Complete Books of Enoch
What the texts say, in their own words
“Then the seventy shepherds were judged, found guilty, and cast into that same fiery abyss.”
“He said to me, “Two angels of destruction, Za’aphiel and Simkiel, send the spirits of the wicked to Sheol.””
“Satan makes that sacrifice taste sweet to them, feeding their evil appetites, so that he can drag them down with him into Gehenna, the place with no way out forever, the place where he himself will suffer.”
“This earth is above the water and, below the Ocean Wqyânos, there is an terrible abyss of water, under the abyss a rock, under the rock the sheol, under the sheol the wind and under the wind the borders of darkness.”
Questions
What are Sheol, Gehenna and the abyss?
The passages describe Sheol, Gehenna and the abyss as places where spirits or souls face darkness, punishment or suffering. Mysteries of Heaven and Earth also describes an abyss of water beneath the Ocean Wqyânos.
How do passages connect Sheol, Gehenna and the abyss with judgment?
They describe wicked spirits sent to Sheol, divine judgment in Gehenna, and guilty shepherds cast into a fiery abyss. Another passage describes souls suffering in the open abyss while they await their final judgment.
Are Sheol, Gehenna and the abyss always described with fire?
No, the passages also describe darkness in Sheol and an abyss of water beneath the Ocean Wqyânos. In The Revelation of Adam, the abyss receives someone, bears him, and lifts him on high.
Where is Sheol, Gehenna and the abyss mentioned in the lost texts?
Sheol, Gehenna and the abyss appears in 1 Enoch, 3 Enoch, Ascension of Isaiah, Mysteries of Heaven and Earth, 2 Enoch and Apocalypse of Abraham, in The Complete Books of Enoch; Meqabyan 1, in The Complete 88-Book Ethiopian Bible.
