Beneath

Beneath - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

BENE'ATH, prep.

1. Under; lower in place, with something directly over or on, as to place a cushion beneath one; often with the sense of pressure or oppression, as to sink beneath a burden, in a literal sense.

2. Under, in a figurative sense; bearing heavy impositions, as taxes, or oppressive government.

Our country sinks beneath the yoke.

3. Lower in rank, dignity or excellence;as, brutes are beneath man;; man is beneath angels, in the seale of beings.

4. Unworthy of; unbecoming; not equal to; as, he will do nothing beneath his station or character.

BENE'ATH, adv. In a lower place; as, the earth from beneath will be barren.

1. Below, as opposed to heaven, or to any superior region; as, in heaven above, or in earth beneath.

be-neth': The adverb for "under" (kato). In Joh 8:23, the words "ye are from beneath," suggest hell in contrast to heaven. But the succeeding clause, "ye are of this world," gives the key for the interpretation. Earth, not hell, is expressed, although "that more awful meaning surely is not excluded" (Alford).