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 9:11KJVWhat 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.