"For as Jonah was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of Man be to this generation." The Book of Luke chapter 11:30.
In Exegesis studies we should note that Sheol was first. Sheol became Hell, as Christians understand Hell to be, far later.
Both believer and non-believer enter Sheol after life.
Sheol
The Hebrew word "Sheol" is often translated "hell" in the English versions. However this gives the wrong inference. It is never used of the final destination of the wicked. Sheol is used in Old Testament in basically five ways:
1. The unseen realm of the dead
2. The grave - the actual place where bodies are buried
3. Specifically, the place of punishment for the wicked
4. Symbolically
5. The place from where the righteous are saved
Context Determines
Sometimes the exact meaning of Sheol is hard to determine - it can overlap these categories. Consequently it is essential to check out the context to find the correct meaning of Sheol each time it is used.
1. The Unseen Realm Of The Dead
Sheol generally means the unseen realm of the dead, the present state of death. Both the godly and ungodly go to Sheol in this sense of the term. When used in this way, there is no idea of a place of judgment or condemnation. It is, for example, the place where the righteous Jacob would go.
All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he [Jacob] refused to be comforted. "No," he said, "in mourning will I go down to the grave [Sheol] to my son." So his father wept for him (
Genesis 37:35).
Sheol was also the place where sinners would end up.
But if the LORD brings about something totally new, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them, with everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the grave [Sheol], then you will know that these people have treated the LORD with contempt (
Numbers 16:30).
In common speech this refers to the grave - not the literal burying place of the dead but rather the realm of the death. The
New International Version normally translates Sheol as "grave." It is usually with the sense of the realm of the dead.
2. Grave
Not only does Sheol figuratively represent the grave, it can also refer to the actual physical place where the literal bodies of the dead are buried.
Our bones are scattered at the mouth of the grave [Sheol], as when one plows and breaks up the earth (
Psalm 141:7).
Jacob said.
But he said, "My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he alone is left. If harm should come to him on the journey that you are to make, you would bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol" (
Genesis 42:38).
In this instance, Sheol could refer either to the actual grave or merely the realm of the dead.
3. Place Of Punishment For Wicked
Often Sheol is used of the temporary place of judgment for the wicked. It is the place where God's anger burns against unbelievers.
Spiritual Death
Sheol is a place of spiritual death, or separation from God.
Let death come upon them; let them go down alive to Sheol; for evil is in their homes and in their hearts (
Psalm 55:15).
mediate state, it will come to an end someday.
[Continues]
I did not know this. I found that picture and posted it in full in one of the humor threads. 
