Nowhere in our current canon of Scripture do we see a thorough description of Sheol - the realm of the dead.
We see numerous references to it, and where it is mentioned, the biblical authors appear to speak of it with consistent familiarity, as though its basic nature was already understood by their readers.
Explicitly, Sheol occurs about 65 times in the Old Testament (Masoretic Text), while Hades appears 10 times in the New Testament. This does not include the many implicit references to the realm of the dead.
In addition to these, we see the word "sleep" used to describe the state of the dead about 15 times in the New Testament.
In the Old Testament the phrase "slept" or "resting with his fathers" occurs approximately 35 times.
Yet none of these passages fully explains the nature or purpose of this intermediate state.
The earliest extended description of the realm of the dead appears in the Book of Enoch, though it is not considered canonical in most Christian traditions.
Interestingly, its broad framework—a temporary abode of the dead awaiting a future resurrection and final judgment—fits with the canonical references to Sheol and Hades, including Jesus' depiction of the rich man and Lazarus.
See: Sheol
