Just to be clear about hell:.
Here's its etymology
"In Middle English, also of the Limbus Patrum, place where the Patriarchs, Prophets, etc. awaited the Atonement. Used in the KJV for Old Testament Hebrew Sheol and New Testament Greek Hades, Gehenna. Used figuratively for "state of misery, any bad experience" since at least late 14c. As an expression of disgust, etc., first recorded 1670s".
source
And, it's mentioned by that very name in several versions of the Bible. Here are some from the King James Version
Deuteronomy 32:22 (KJV)
22 For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.
Job 26:6 (KJV)
6 Hell is naked before him, and destruction hath no covering.
Psalm 55:15 (KJV)
15 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
Isaiah 28:18 (KJV)
18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.
Amos 9:2 (KJV)
2 Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down:
Jonah 2:2 (KJV)
2 And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.
Habakkuk 2:5 (KJV)
5 Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people:
So just what happens in hell, and is it everlasting?
Deuteronomy 32:22 (KJV)
22 For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.
Daniel 12:2 (NLV)
2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will wake up. Some will have life that lasts forever, but others will have shame and will suffer much forever.
Daniel 12:2 (KJV)
2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Daniel 12:2 (AMP)
2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake: some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt and abhorrence.
Daniel 12:2 (CEV)
2 Many of those who lie dead in the ground will rise from death. Some of them will be given eternal life, and others will receive nothing but eternal shame and disgrace.
Daniel 12:2 (JUB)
2 And many of those that sleep in the dust of the earth shall be awakened, some for eternal life, and some for shame and everlasting confusion.
Daniel 12:2 (NIRV)
2 “Huge numbers of people who lie dead in their graves will wake up. Some will rise up to life that will never end. Others will rise up to shame that will never end.
So, hell is indeed an
everlasting place of
burning, suffering, shame, contempt, confusion, disgrace, and abhorrence.