Abaddon

Abaddon is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "ruin, destruction". In the New Testament Book of Revelation, Abaddon is identified as the angel of the abyss, the king of a plague of locusts unleashed upon the earth. The name appears in Revelation 9:11, where it is given both in Hebrew as Ἀβαδδών (Abaddon) and translated into Greek as Ἀπολλύων (Apollyon), meaning "Destroyer."

Etymology and Biblical Usage

The Hebrew term ’Ăḇaddōn derives from the root אבד (ʾ-b-d), meaning "to perish" or "to be lost." In the Hebrew Bible, abaddon appears six times, always as a noun referring to a place of destruction or the realm of the dead, often in parallel with Sheol (the grave). For example, in Job 26:6, it is said that "Sheol is naked before God, and Abaddon has no covering." This usage establishes Abaddon as a synonym for the underworld or a bottomless pit.

New Testament and Christian Tradition

In the Book of Revelation, Abaddon is personified as an angel who is the king of the locusts that torment humanity during the fifth trumpet judgment. The passage describes him as having a key to the bottomless pit and releasing a swarm of locusts with scorpion-like tails. The Vulgate and Douay–Rheims Bible add the Latin gloss Exterminans ("Destroyer") to his name. In medieval Christian literature, Abaddon was often conflated with Satan or considered a high-ranking demon, though the biblical text does not explicitly equate him with the devil.

Cultural Significance

Abaddon has appeared in various works of literature, music, and popular culture, often as a symbol of destruction or a demonic figure. In John Milton's Paradise Lost, Abaddon is one of the fallen angels. The name is also used in modern fantasy and horror genres, such as in the Supernatural television series and the Diablo video game franchise.

• Meaning: "ruin, destruction"
• Origin: Hebrew
• Type: First name (biblical)
• Usage: English Bible