<P> The Tanakh has few references to existence after death . The notion of resurrection of the dead appears in two late biblical sources, Daniel 12 and Isaiah 25--26 . </P> <P> The traditional biblical interpretations explain that Sheol is a grim and desolated land below, occupied by the dead who continue their colorless existence irrespective of their earthly conduct . Contrary to this exposition however, the Hebrew Bible supports the descriptions of Sheol which suggest that it is something more than just a place . In terms of sheer numbers the amount of anthropomorphic descriptions is significant . Sheol is either portrayed by means of human qualities (ערום ‬, Job 26: 6; קשה ‬, Canticles 8: 6 נפשה ‬ desire Isaiah 5: 14) or attributed with the elements of human anatomy: womb (בטן ‬, Jonah 2: 3), hand (יד ‬, Psalms 49: 15; 89: 48; Hosea 13: 14) and mouth (פה ‬, Psalms 141: 7; Isaiah 5: 14). In addition, Psalm 49: 15 praises Elohim, who is said to ransom one's soul from the hand of Sheol, Proverbs 27: 20 acknowledges Sheol's insatiability, whereas Isaiah 5: 14 depicts Sheol as a gargantuan monster . </P> <P> Some additional support for this hypothesis comes from the ancient Near Eastern literary materials . For example, the Akkadian plates mention the name shuwalu or suwala in reference to a deity responsible for ruling the abode of the dead . As such it might have been borrowed by the Hebrews and incorporated into their early belief system . What is more, some scholars argue that Sheol understood anthropomorphically fits the semantic complex of the other ancient Near Eastern death deities such as Nergal, Ereshkigal or Mot . </P>

What is the meaning of sheol and hades