Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD—
In biblical context, "Sheol" refers to the realm of the dead, a place of darkness and silence where the departed spirits reside. It is often depicted as a shadowy underworld, distinct from the concept of hell in later Christian theology. "Abaddon" is a term that means "destruction" and is sometimes personified as a place of ruin or a destructive force. In Revelation 9:11, Abaddon is named as the angel of the abyss, indicating a deeper connection to the forces of chaos and destruction. The phrase emphasizes God's omniscience and omnipresence, as even the most hidden and feared places are fully visible to Him. This reflects the belief in God's sovereignty over life and death, as well as His ultimate authority over all creation.

how much more the hearts of men!
This phrase underscores the idea that if God can see into the depths of Sheol and Abaddon, He can certainly see into the hearts of humans. The heart, in biblical terms, is the center of one's being, encompassing thoughts, emotions, and will. Jeremiah 17:10 states, "I, the LORD, search the heart and examine the mind," reinforcing the notion that God understands human intentions and desires better than humans themselves. This serves as a reminder of the importance of sincerity and integrity in one's relationship with God, as nothing is hidden from His sight. It also points to the need for repentance and transformation, aligning one's heart with God's will, as seen in Psalm 51:10, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."

1. Sheol
In Hebrew thought, Sheol is the realm of the dead, a place of darkness and silence where the departed spirits reside. It is often depicted as a shadowy underworld.

2. Abaddon
This term is often associated with destruction or the place of destruction. In some contexts, it is synonymous with Sheol, emphasizing the finality and ruin associated with death.

3. The LORD
Refers to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, who is omniscient and omnipresent, having complete knowledge and authority over all creation, including the realms of the dead.

4. Hearts of Men
Symbolizes the inner thoughts, intentions, and emotions of human beings. In biblical literature, the heart is often seen as the center of moral and spiritual life.God's Omniscience
God knows all things, including the hidden and secret places like Sheol and Abaddon. This truth should bring comfort to believers, knowing that nothing escapes His notice.

Transparency Before God
Just as Sheol and Abaddon are open before the Lord, so are our hearts. We should live transparently, acknowledging that God sees our innermost thoughts and intentions.

Fear of the Lord
Understanding God's complete knowledge should lead us to a healthy fear of the Lord, encouraging us to live righteously and with integrity.

Self-Examination
Regularly examine your heart and motives, knowing that God sees beyond outward appearances. Seek His guidance to align your heart with His will.

Hope in God's Sovereignty
Even in the face of death and destruction, believers can have hope, knowing that God is sovereign over all realms, including the afterlife.(11) Hell and destruction.--"Hell" is here the general name for the unseen world (Hades) beyond the grave, so called, according to one derivation, from its always "asking" for more victims, and never being satisfied. (Comp. Proverbs 27:20.) "Destruction" (Abaddon) is the lowest hell, corresponding to the "abyss" of Luke 8:31; Revelation 9:1; Revelation 9:11; the abode of evil spirits and the lost. (For the thought, comp. Job 26:6, and Psalm 139:8.) . . . Verse 11. - Hell and destruction are before the Lord. The two words rendered "hell" and "destruction" are respectively Sheol and Abaddon, Infernus and Perditio, Ἅιδης and ἀπώλεια (comp. Proverbs 27:20). The former is used generally as the place to which the souls of the dead are consigned - the receptacle of all departed spirits, whether good or bad. Abaddon is the lowest depth of hell, the "abyss" of Luke 8:31; Revelation 9:2, etc.; 20:l, etc. The clause means that God's eye penetrates even the most secret corners of the unseen world. As Job (Job 26:6) says, "Sheol is naked before him, and Abaddon hath no covering" (comp. Psalm 139:7, etc.). How much more then the hearts of the children of men? (For the form of the expression, comp. Proverbs 11:31 and Proverbs 19:7; and for the import, Proverbs 16:2; Proverbs 21:2; Jeremiah 17:10.) If God knows the secrets of the world beyond the grave, much more does he know the secret thoughts of men on earth. The heart is the source of action (see Matthew 15:19, etc.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Sheol
שְׁא֣וֹל (šə·’ō·wl)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 7585: Underworld (place to which people descend at death)

and Abaddon
וַ֭אֲבַדּוֹן (wa·’ă·ḇad·dō·wn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 11: Abaddon -- (place of) destruction or ruin, Abaddon

lie open before
נֶ֣גֶד (ne·ḡeḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 5048: A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, before

the LORD—
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

how much more
אַ֝֗ף (’ap̄)
Conjunction
Strong's 637: Meaning accession, yea, adversatively though

the hearts
לִבּ֥וֹת (lib·bō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3826: The heart

of men!
אָדָֽם׃ (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 15:11 Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh-- how (Prov. Pro Pr)