According to the Bible, hell is described as a real place of eternal punishment and torment for the wicked and those who reject God. Jesus is said to have spoken more about hell than anyone else in the Bible, using various powerful descriptions to convey its nature.

Here are some of the key concepts the Bible presents about hell:

Descriptions and Characteristics:

* Eternal Punishment: It is often described as "eternal punishment" and "unquenchable fire" (Mark 9:43, Matthew 25:46). The punishment is said to be endless, similar in its eternal nature to the "eternal life" of the righteous.

* A Place of Fire and Darkness: Hell is referred to as a "fiery furnace" (Matthew 13:41-42) and "the hell of fire" (Matthew 5:22). It is also described as a place of "outer darkness" where there will be "weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 8:12), suggesting both intense suffering and a complete absence of light and joy.

* Separation from God: A central theme is that hell is a place of everlasting destruction and separation from the presence of the Lord (2 Thessalonians 1:9).

* The "Lake of Fire": In the book of Revelation, hell is called the "lake that burns with fire and sulfur," which is also referred to as "the second death" (Revelation 21:8).

* A Place for the Devil and His Angels: The Bible states that this "eternal fire" was originally prepared for the devil and his angels, not for humans (Matthew 25:41).

Who goes to hell and why:

* The Bible indicates that hell is for the "unbelieving," "the vile," "murderers," "liars," and all who "forget God" or reject his mercy (Revelation 21:8, Psalm 9:17, John 3:36).

* It is not a place where the devil is in charge of tormenting people. Instead, the devil himself will be tormented there (Revelation 20:10).

Biblical terms for hell:

* Gehenna: A Greek term used in the New Testament, which was the name of a literal valley outside Jerusalem where refuse was burned. Jesus used this term to describe a place of divine punishment.

* Hades: This Greek term, along with the Hebrew term Sheol, is generally understood to refer to the temporary abode of the dead, rather than the final place of eternal punishment. However, one parable in Luke describes Hades as a place of torment for the wicked (Luke 16:23).