Ἀβαδδών
Abaddṓn
G3 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
The proper noun Ἀβαδδών refers, in the context of Hellenistic Jewish and early Christian literature, to a being or realm associated with destruction. Primarily, it designates (1) the personified agent of destruction, often conceived as an angelic figure associated with ruin and death, and/or (2) the place of utter ruin, often understood as the underworld or the abode of the dead, paralleling similar notions in earlier Hebrew texts. In Revelation 9:11, Ἀβαδδών is presented as the ruling figure of the bottomless pit (ἄβυσσος), called 'the angel of the abyss', thus emphasizing a personal, agentive sense. The core meaning is related to destruction, ruin, or perdition. Semantic range includes both the personified destroyer and the domain of destruction.
Semantic Range
realm or state of destruction, underworld, place of ruin; personified angel or agent of destruction; destroying angel; patronym or proper name representing destruction
Root / Etymology
Hebrew אֲבַדּוֹן ('abaddōn), from the root אָבַד (ʾābad, 'to perish, be destroyed'). The Greek term is a transliteration rather than a translation, retaining the consonants and sound structure of the Hebrew.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Hebrew texts (Job 26:6; Proverbs 15:11), אֲבַדּוֹן refers to the realm of the dead, synonymous with Sheol, connoting destruction and loss. In post-biblical and Second Temple Jewish literature, 'Abaddon' could denote either a place of annihilation or, increasingly, a personified being—an evolution evident in apocalyptic thought. The Septuagint typically renders אֲבַדּוֹן not as Ἀβαδδών but with Greek equivalents for destruction or death, so the use of this term as a proper name appears as a developed concept by the time of the New Testament. Revelation 9:11 is the only NT instance, indicating specialized apocalyptic imagery: Ἀβαδδών as the angelic figure presiding over the abyss, associated linguistically with the Greek Ἀπολλύων (Apollyōn, 'destroyer'). Traditional English translations often use 'Abaddon' as a name (untranslated) or 'destruction' as a rendering, but neither fully addresses both the personal and locative aspects inherent in the term's usage and development. There is no evidence for a cultic or mythological role for Abaddon outside Second Temple apocalyptic literature.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of Hebrew origin (אֲבַדּוֹן); a destroying angel:--Abaddon.
Root Family
Ἀβαδδών (Abaddōn) — destroy, perish, ruin, destruction
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3-01 |
Ἀβαδδών | abaddon | N NOM M SG |
Destroyer | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3-01 |
Revelation 9:11 | Ἀβαδδών | abaddon | N NOM M SG |
Destroyer |