Luke 16:23
23And in Hades, ▼▼sn The Greek term
Hades stands for the Hebrew concept of
Sheol. This is where the dead were gathered (
Pss 16:10;
86:13). In the NT Hades sometimes has an additional negative force of awaiting judgment (
Rev 20:13).
as he was in torment, ▼▼sn Hades is a place of
torment, especially as one knows that he is separated from God.
he looked up ▼▼tn Grk “he lifted up his eyes” (an idiom).
and saw Abraham far off with Lazarus at his side. ▼▼tn Grk “in his bosom,” the same phrase used in
16:22. This idiom refers to heaven and/or participation in the eschatological banquet. An appropriate modern equivalent is “at Abraham’s side.”