Abaddon is a Hebrew term associated with destruction and, in several biblical passages, a realm related to death. In Revelation 9:11 it becomes the name of the angel ruling the locust host from the abyss. The verse pairs it with the Greek name Apollyon.[1]

The angel in Revelation#

Revelation's scene describes an opened abyss and a host of extraordinary locusts. Their king is identified as the angel of the abyss. The text gives the name in Hebrew and Greek, joining a proper name with the meaning of destruction. The immediate context is apocalyptic judgment, not a later grimoire hierarchy.[1]

The passage does not supply the extended appearance, rank, and list of offices familiar from the Ars Goetia. Later depictions may build on the name, but their added details should not be attributed to this verse.

Destruction in earlier biblical usage#

In Job 26:6, Abaddon appears alongside Sheol in a statement that these hidden realms are exposed before God. Here the term's use differs from the named angel of Revelation. The same word can therefore acquire a different grammatical and literary role across biblical books.[2]

Abaddon appears in later demonology, fiction, and occult lists. Those uses belong to its reception and can be studied alongside the biblical passages. A careful account begins with which text is speaking: a poetic reference to destruction, an apocalyptic angel, and a modern fictional character are not identical descriptions.

See also#

References

  1. Revelation 9:1–11, King James Version · Public-domain primary biblical passage. (accessed 2026-10-01) ↩
  2. Job 26:6, Hebrew text and translations · Earlier biblical use of Abaddon alongside Sheol. (accessed 2026-10-01) ↩
abaddonapollyonbiblespirits

This encyclopedia covers traditions beyond the High Satanic Church. Church doctrine is identified as such when it appears.