Two Words With One Word

There are two Greek words (HADES and GEHENNA) that are translated by the one English word (HELL) in the King James Version. The first is the unseen state of the dead. The second is the place of eternal punishment.

Some have foolishly said this is an error in the KJV, but it is no error. HELL is defined both ways even in the English dictionary. Other versions note the distinction, such as the American Standard Version, translating only GEHENNA as HELL and simply giving an English transliteration of HADES. Doubtless, this is helpful.

Knowing this helps us to understand. It is wrong to call a difference an error when it is simply a difference. Some who have a prejudice against the KJV ought buy themselves a dictionary.