Abaddon: The Angel of the Bottomless Pit
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Etymology and Meaning:
The name "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," meaning "destroyer."

Biblical References:

1. Old Testament Context:
· 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 used synonymously 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!"

2. New Testament Context:
· Abaddon is explicitly mentioned in the Book of Revelation as the angel of the bottomless pit. This figure is associated with the end times and the unleashing of divine judgment upon the earth.
· 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 is depicted as a powerful and fearsome angel who presides over the abyss, a bottomless pit that serves as a prison for demonic forces. The imagery of Abaddon as a destroyer aligns with the apocalyptic themes of judgment and the ultimate triumph of divine justice over evil.

Theological Interpretations:
Abaddon is often interpreted as a symbol of God's sovereignty over both life and death, as well as His control over the forces of chaos and destruction. The figure of Abaddon serves as a reminder of the ultimate accountability of all creation to the divine will.

Cultural and Historical Context:
Throughout history, Abaddon has been a subject of fascination and speculation in various religious and esoteric traditions. In some interpretations, Abaddon is seen as a malevolent force, while in others, he is viewed as an agent of divine order, executing God's judgment.

Related Concepts:
· Sheol: Often mentioned alongside Abaddon, Sheol is the Hebrew concept of the underworld or the abode of the dead.
· Apollyon: The Greek equivalent of Abaddon, emphasizing the role of destruction and judgment.
· The Abyss: A recurring motif in apocalyptic literature, representing a place of confinement for evil spirits and a source of divine wrath.

Conclusion:
The figure of Abaddon, as the angel of the bottomless pit, embodies the themes of destruction and divine judgment found throughout biblical literature. His presence in the Book of Revelation highlights the eschatological belief in the ultimate defeat of evil and the restoration of divine order.
Nave's Topical Index
Revelation 9:11
And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue has his name Apollyon.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Angel of the Bottomless Pit
... The Angel of the Bottomless Pit. "And they had a king over them, which is the Angel
of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/25 the angel of the.htm

The Scope of the Apocalypse is Indicated by Its Place in the ...
... are here told that his name "in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in ... the identity
of this "King" of the infernal locusts, this Angel of the Bottomless Pit. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the scope of the apocalypse.htm

Of the Thousand Years in which the Dragon or Satan is bound, with ...
... whom those titles of the angel of the abyss and Abaddon could apply. However that
may be, Satan was certainly not bound at that time; the bottomless pit (as it ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/synchronism iv of the thousand.htm

The Second vision "On Earth"
... And they have over them a king, the angel of the abyss, whose name in Hebrew is
Abaddon, and in ... described as coming up "out of the bottomless pit" (ix.7 ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision on earth.htm

The Seven Trumpets.
... "And the fifth angel sounded, and ... of the abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon,
but in ... The bottomless pit, is where Satan is subsequently cast (20:3); and the ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the seven trumpets.htm

Resources
What are the seven trumpets of Revelation? | GotQuestions.org

Why do Daniel and Revelation give varying counts of 1,260, 1,290, and 1,335 days for the tribulation? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Apocalypse? | GotQuestions.org

Abaddon: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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