Abaddon or Apollyon
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Topical Encyclopedia
Etymology and Meaning:
The term "Abaddon" is derived from the Hebrew word אֲבַדּוֹן (ʾĂḇaddōn), which means "destruction" or "place of destruction." In the Greek New Testament, the equivalent term is "Apollyon" (Ἀπολλύων), meaning "destroyer."

Biblical References:

1. Old Testament:
· The term "Abaddon" appears in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in the wisdom literature, where it is often associated with Sheol, the realm of the dead. It is depicted as a place of destruction and is sometimes synonymous with death.
· Job 26:6 : "Sheol is naked before Him, and Abaddon has no covering."
· Proverbs 15:11 : "Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD—how much more the hearts of men!"
· Proverbs 27:20 : "Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; so the eyes of man are never satisfied."

2. New Testament:
· In the New Testament, Abaddon is personified as a being rather than a place. The most notable reference is found in the Book of Revelation.
· Revelation 9:11 : "They were ruled by a king, the angel of the abyss. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek it is Apollyon."

Role and Symbolism:
· In the Book of Revelation, Abaddon/Apollyon is described as the angel of the abyss, a leader of destructive forces unleashed during the end times. This figure is associated with the fifth trumpet judgment, where locusts are released to torment those who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.
· The imagery of Abaddon/Apollyon as a destroyer aligns with the apocalyptic themes of judgment and divine retribution found throughout Revelation.

Theological Interpretations:
· Abaddon/Apollyon is often interpreted as a symbol of divine judgment and the destructive power of God against evil. The personification of Abaddon as an angelic being emphasizes the control and authority God has over the forces of destruction.
· Some theological perspectives view Abaddon/Apollyon as a representation of Satan or a demonic entity, while others see it as an instrument of God's will, executing judgment upon the earth.

Cultural and Historical Context:
· The concept of Abaddon as a place of destruction is rooted in ancient Near Eastern beliefs about the afterlife and the underworld. It reflects the broader cultural understanding of death and the fate of the wicked.
· In Jewish apocalyptic literature, the abyss and its associated beings often symbolize chaos and opposition to God's order, themes that are echoed in the New Testament portrayal of Abaddon/Apollyon.

Related Concepts:
· Sheol: Often mentioned alongside Abaddon in the Old Testament, Sheol is the Hebrew term for the abode of the dead, a shadowy place where the deceased reside.
· Abyss: In the New Testament, the abyss is a deep, bottomless pit associated with demonic forces and the imprisonment of evil spirits. It is the domain over which Abaddon/Apollyon presides.

Conclusion:
The figure of Abaddon/Apollyon serves as a powerful symbol of destruction and divine judgment within the biblical narrative. Its dual representation as both a place and a personified being highlights the multifaceted nature of biblical eschatology and the ultimate triumph of God's justice over chaos and evil.
ATS Bible Dictionary
Abaddon or Apollyon

The former name is Hebrew, and the latter Greek, and both signify the destroyer, Revelation 9:11. He is called the angel of death, or the destroying angel.

Greek
623. Apolluon -- "a destroyer," Apollyon, the angel of the abyss
... Phonetic Spelling: (ap-ol-loo'-ohn) Short Definition: Apollyon, Destroyer Definition:
Apollyon, The Destroying One, a Greek translation of the Hebrew: Abaddon. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/623.htm - 6k
Library

The Angel of the Bottomless Pit
... the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon"
(Rev.9:11). "Abaddon" and "Apollyon" mean Destroyer. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/25 the angel of the.htm

Jesus Tempted in the Wilderness.
... 12:24); serpent (Revelation 12:9); prince of the powers of the air (Ephesians
2:2); Abaddon (Hebrew) and Apollyon (Greek), meaning destroyer (Revelation 9:11 ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xix jesus tempted in the.htm

Of the Thousand Years in which the Dragon or Satan is bound, with ...
... of the locusts of the fifth trumpet, who is called the angel of the abyss, to whom
the Hebrew name of Abaddon is applied, and the Greek of Apollyon, and whom ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/synchronism iv of the thousand.htm

The Seven Trumpets.
... They had a king over them, named Abaddon in the Hebrew, and Apollyon in the
Greek, both of which signified the Destroyer. The Saracens ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the seven trumpets.htm

Of the Three Woe Trumpets.
... "And they had," says he, "a king over them, the angel of the abyss." His name in
Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he has the name of Apollyon, that is, the ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/of the three woe trumpets.htm

The Scope of the Apocalypse is Indicated by Its Place in the ...
... In the third place, we are here told that his name "in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon,
but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon." This title serves to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the scope of the apocalypse.htm

The Second vision "On Earth"
... 11. And they have over them a king, the angel of the abyss, whose name in Hebrew
is Abaddon, and in the Greek he hath his name Apollyon.] It is a special ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision on earth.htm

Resources
What is the Abyss? | GotQuestions.org

Questions about Revelation | GotQuestions.org

End Times Events ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

Abaddon: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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