PERISH

It is the word that Peter uses to describe silver and gold as “perishable” things (I Pet 1:18). 

2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

Is there good reason to read more into “perish” here than the plain meaning of  “destroyed”, as in “existing no more”? 

Why are we conditioned to read die/perish/destroyed as “suffer eternally in Hell”?

James 4:12: “There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?”