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Abaddon

Meaning: destruction / Hebrew: “Abaddon,” also “abaddown” and “abaddoh.”

also known as: Apollyon

Abaddon is the Hebrew name (equivalent to the Greek Apollyon, i.e., destroyer) of “the angel of the bottomless pit” (Rev. 9:11).

The name “Abaddon” appears only once in the King James Bible, NKJV and NIV, but 7 times in the NRSV.

“Abaddown” is translated “destruction” in Job 28:22; 31:12; 26:6; Proverbs 15:11; 27:20. In all of these passages the NRSV simply uses the word “Abaddon.” This word can be thought of as a personification of the idea of destruction, or as sheol, the realm of the dead.

Author: Matthew G. Easton, edited by Paul S. Taylor.

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