Sheol is not “just” a common grave, not according to what Scripture reveals as we (JW’s) understand it.
We call Sheol, “mankind’s common Grave”, because the vast majority of those humans who’ve died, are in it.... it’s only ‘common’ in that sense.
Really though, Sheol / Hell / Hades / the Grave, is mainly the condition or state that most of the dead are in: it’s a state of inactivity, non-existence, which is only temporary...even if they died 5,000 years ago, it’s still temporary.
Why?
Because those in Hell / Sheol will be resurrected back to life!
This is not answering your question, is it?
Just remember that much of the Hebrew Scriptures, especially the Psalms, was written in poetic form. Incorporating imagery, metaphors, and figurative language.
Now, what does Sheol indicate? Death, right?
What does “scattered bones” indicate?
If I talk about human scattered bones, automatically you think of death, don’t you?
It’s simply a metaphor, Frank.
Luke
¶ There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24¶And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that
would come from thence.
27¶Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:
28For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
29Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
30And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
31And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
