What is Tartarus?

Answer

In ancient Greek mythology, Tartarus was a dreadful pit of torment in the afterlife. It was lower than even Hades, the realm of the dead. According to the Greeks, Tartarus was inhabited by fierce monsters and the most heinous criminals.

The Greek term Tartarus is mentioned only once in the entire New Testament. Second Peter 2:4 states, “God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into [Tartarus] and committed them to chains of darkness to be kept for judgment.” Most English translations render tartarus as “hell” or “the deepest abyss of Hades.”

Another reference to sinful angels is found in Genesis 6:1–4, where “the sons of God” mingled with human women and their offspring. According to Jude 1:6, certain angels “did not stay within their own position of authority” in heaven. As a consequence, God confined them to Tartarus where they are held “in eternal chains under gloomy darkness” (AMP) for a future judgment. It appears that Tartarus was the dread of demons as mentioned in Luke 8:31.

Peter’s mention of Tartarus is within the context of denouncing false teachers. Those who stealthily introduce heretical teachings into the church will face a fate akin to that of the angels who sinned—they will be consigned to Tartarus. The Lord does not tolerate those who lead His children astray «But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. », (Matthew 18:6).