What type of bodies will people have in hell?

TL;DR:

The Bible seems to indicate that people in hell will have a body similar to the ones we have on earth, with the ability to see, feel, thirst, and speak, although these bodies in hell will be in torment.

what does the bible say?

The Bible suggests that people in hell will have bodies capable of seeing, feeling, thirsting, and speaking, as seen in Jesus’s account of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19–31). While the Old Testament does not describe the type of bodies people will have in hell, it does not deny the possibility. The New Testament describes torment involving both body and soul (Matthew 10:28). The rich man in hell mentions his tongue and sees Lazarus, who has a finger, indicating some form of bodily existence. Resurrected bodies, unlike earthly ones, are designed for eternal existence, whether in heaven or hell (Revelation 20:14). God offers salvation through Jesus Christ to avoid this dreadful reality and instead be reconciled to Him forever (Romans 5:8–10).

from the old testament

The Old Testament does not talk about types of bodies that people will have in hell, but it also does not say that we will not have bodies.

from the new testament

Jesus's account of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19–31 describes the rich man as dead but in hell suffering "torment" and "anguish" because of the "flame." This man sees Abraham and Lazarus across an impassable chasm, but he is able to speak to them to ask for help. He also mentions having a "tongue." Lazarus, with Abraham and presumably in heaven, also has some sort of body since he is described with at least a finger (Luke 16:24). Additionally, Abraham speaks. Some theologians point out that this story takes place before Jesus's resurrection and conclude that the rich man and others in hell exist in an intermediate state with some sort of body and spirit.
In Luke 9:28–35 during the transfiguration, Moses and Elijah, long since dead, appear with Jesus and were recognized for who they were and as men, not some sort of spirits. "And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him" (verses 30–32). This is also before Jesus's resurrection.
In Matthew 10:28, Jesus warns, "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell."
One of the attributes of hell is that people undergo a continuous destruction, rather than an eventual death, described in Revelation 20:14, 21:8, and others as the second death.

implications for today

Some people find it difficult to understand that eternal bodies will be continuously burned in hell. Wouldn't anything, including flesh, be consumed by such a fire? Theologians say that our resurrected bodies will be similar, but different, than the bodies we now have on earth. After all, our resurrected bodies will last for eternity while our earthly bodies age and decline.

A body that lasts forever but is tormented and in anguish is hellish, indeed. Thankfully, God has mercifully and lovingly offered a way to avoid such an eternity and instead be reconciled with Him forever. "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life" (Romans 5:8–10). We need only accept God's offer of salvation through Jesus.

understand

The Bible describes hell as a place of eternal torment.
The New Testament reveals that people will have bodies in hell.
The Bible warns us not to fear people, but to fear God, who can destroy our souls and bodies in hell, revealing that people will have bodies in hell.

reflect

How does knowing that the Bible describes hell as involving bodily torment impact your understanding of eternity?
What does Jesus’s warning about fearing God rather than man (Matthew 10:28) mean for how you live your life?
How does the reality of bodily existence in hell challenge you to respond to God’s offer of salvation through Jesus?

engage

How do the verses in this article deepen our understanding of physical and spiritual realities in eternity?
What does having an eternal bodily existence reveal about God’s plan and character?
How can we engage in conversations about the reality of hell in a way that reflects both truth and love?