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 hath his name Apollyon.

REVELATION 9:11KJV
Know the Bible

Revelation 9:11 (KJV)

What does Revelation 9:11 mean?

Revelation 9:11 describes how the strange locust-like creatures unleashed in the vision have a king ruling over them, identified as the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name is given as "Abaddon" in Hebrew and "Apollyon" in Greek—both meaning "destroyer." This verse highlights the destructive nature and supernatural leadership behind these beings in John's vision.

In the setting of Revelation, John is describing a vision where a series of judgments are unleashed upon the earth. The "bottomless pit" refers to a deep, imprisoning place, and the angel named here is not a good messenger but a ruler over destructive forces. By giving both the Hebrew and Greek names, the verse emphasizes the universal and unmistakable identity of this figure as one associated with destruction.

The Greek behind Revelation 9:11

  • Ἀβαδδών (Abaddon): This is a Hebrew word transliterated into Greek, meaning "destruction" or "place of destruction." Its use here points to the destructive purpose of the angel.
  • Ἀπολλύων (Apollyon): This Greek word means "destroyer." By using both names, the text makes clear to both Hebrew and Greek speakers that this figure is defined by destruction.
  • ἄγγελος (angelos): This word means "messenger" or "angel," but in this context, it refers to a supernatural being who rules over the abyss, not a benevolent messenger.
  • φρέαρ (phrear): This word means "pit" or "well," and here it refers to the "bottomless pit," a symbol of chaos and imprisonment in apocalyptic literature.

Why Revelation 9:11 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the destructive forces unleashed are not random but are under the command of a specific supernatural leader, emphasizing order and purpose even in judgment.
  • By naming the angel in both Hebrew and Greek, the verse bridges cultural and linguistic gaps, making the message clear to all early Christian readers, regardless of background.
  • The connection to the wider passage shows that the judgments described are not just natural disasters but are portrayed as having a spiritual and personal dimension, led by a being identified with destruction itself.

Where else these words appear

“them” Greek G848 · used in 2 verses

  • John 9:21 But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.

“tongue” Greek G1673 · used in 2 verses

  • Luke 23:38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

“tongue” Greek G1447 · used in 6 verses

  • John 5:2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.
  • John 19:13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.
  • John 19:20 This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.

“pit” Greek G12 · used in 9 verses

  • Luke 8:31 And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.
  • Revelation 9:1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.
  • Revelation 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.