What did the Hebrews refer to the underworld as?

The Hebrews referred to the underworld as Sheol. In Hebrew tradition, Sheol represents the grave or the realm of the dead, where all souls go after death, regardless of their moral character. It is depicted as a shadowy place, not necessarily a place of punishment or reward, but rather a state of existence where the dead reside. This understanding contrasts with other cultural depictions of the afterlife, such as Hades from Greek mythology, Valhalla from Norse mythology, or the concept of Paradise, which typically reflects ideas of reward or bliss after death. Therefore, Sheol specifically captures the Hebrew perspective on the afterlife and is the correct designation for their belief in the underworld.