Abaddon

## Abbadon

### Aliases

Abaddon, Apollyon, Destroyer, Angel Of Darkness, Angel Of Destruction, Angel Of Death, The Abyss, The Sheol, Death, Destroying Angel, Satan, The Devil, Angel Of The Abyss, Demon Of Death, Demon Of Destruction

## Physical description

### Gender

Male

The Hebrew term "Abaddon", meaning "destruction" or "doom," and its Greek equivalent, "Apollyon", translated as "Destroyer," are mentioned in the Bible. They are associated with both a place of destruction and an angel of the abyss. In the Hebrew Bible, "Abaddon" is linked to a bottomless pit and often appears alongside "Sheol", referring to the resting place of the dead.

## Etymology:

The Hebrew term "אבדון" is an intensive form of the Semitic root and verb stem "אָבַד" , meaning "perish" or transitive "destroy." This root occurs 184 times in the Hebrew Bible. In the Septuagint, an early Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, "Abaddon" is rendered as "ἀπώλεια", and the Greek "Apollýon" is the active participle of "ἀπόλλυμι", meaning "to destroy."

## Hebrew Bible:

The term "Abaddon" is found six times in the Masoretic text of the Hebrew Bible. It signifies destruction or the "place of destruction," often associated with the realm of the dead, and is frequently mentioned alongside "Sheol."

## Second Temple Era Texts:

The Thanksgiving Hymns, discovered among the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947, reference "the Sheol of Abaddon" and describe "torrents of Belial" bursting into Abaddon. The Biblical Antiquities, misattributed to Philo, depict Abaddon as a place of destruction rather than an individual. Additionally, Abaddon is identified as one of the compartments of Gehenna, extending its association with an underworld abode for lost souls.

## Rabbinical Literature:

In certain legends, Abaddon is depicted as a realm where the damned endure both fire and snow—a location within Gehenna that Moses is said to have visited.

## Christianity:

The New Testament introduces the first known depiction of Abaddon as an individual entity rather than a place:

"A king, the angel of the bottomless pit; whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek Apollyon; in Latin Exterminans."

— Revelation 9:11, Douay–Rheims Bible

In the Old Testament, Abaddon and Death are personified:

"Abaddon and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.’"

— Job 28:22, English Standard Version

"Sheol is naked before God, and Abaddon has no covering."

— Job 26:6, English Standard Version

"Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and never satisfied are the eyes of man."

— Proverbs 27:20, English Standard Version

"Hell and destruction are not filled; so also are the eyes of men insatiable."

— Proverbs 27:20, Brenton Septuagint Translation

"But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul."

— Proverbs 6:32, King James Bible.

In Proverbs 6:32, the Hebrew text uses a participial form of the verb "shachath" (שָׁחַת), not the noun "abaddon" (אֲבַדּוֹן). However, the Septuagint translates it using "apoleian" (ἀπώλειαν), which is also used to translate "abaddon" in other verses.

Revelation 9:11 describes Abaddon as the "Destroyer," the angel of the Abyss. The symbolism in this verse has led to various interpretations. Some, like Matthew Henry, identify Abaddon as the Antichrist, while others, such as the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary and Henry Hampton Halley, see the angel as Satan.

In John Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress," the Christian pilgrim engages in a lengthy battle with the demon Apollyon, influencing Christianity in the English-speaking world for centuries.

On the other hand, interpretations differ. The Interpreter's Bible suggests that Abaddon is an angel of God, performing destruction at God's bidding, citing Revelation 20:1-3. Jehovah's Witnesses also point to Revelation 20:1-3, suggesting that the angel with the key to the abyss represents God, leading them to conclude that "Abaddon" is another name for Jesus after his resurrection.

## Mandaeism:

In Mandaean scriptures like the Ginza Rabba, the Abaddons (Classical Mandaic: ʿbdunia) are referenced as components of the World of Darkness. The Right Ginza describes both "upper Abaddons" (ʿbdunia ʿlaiia) and "lower Abaddons" (ʿbdunia titaiia). Additionally, the concluding poem of the Left Ginza makes mention of the "House of the Abaddons" (bit ʿbdunia).

## Apocryphal Texts:

In the 3rd-century Gnostic text Acts of Thomas, Abaddon is identified as a demon or even the devil himself.

Abaddon holds significant roles in two notable sources: a homily titled "The Enthronement of Abaddon" by pseudo-Timothy of Alexandria and the Book of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ by Bartholomew the Apostle. In the homily, Abaddon, initially named Muriel, is assigned by God the task of gathering the earth for Adam's creation. After completing this task, Abaddon becomes a guardian, feared by angels, demons, and corporeal entities. It is said that veneration of Abaddon in life could lead to salvation. Abaddon also plays a crucial role in the Last Judgment, guiding souls to the Valley of Josaphat. The Book of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ depicts Abaddon as present at the Tomb of Jesus during the moment of resurrection.

## ANGEL MURIEL:

In Western Christian angelology, Muriel is recognized as a Domination or Dominion, belonging to the 'Second Sphere' of angels. The name "Muriel" is derived from the Greek word for myrrh.

Muriel is specifically associated with the month of June and is linked to the astrological sign of Cancer. Invocations to Muriel are typically made from the south.

Interestingly, in the apocryphal Enthronement of Abbaton, Muriel undergoes a transformation, becoming Abaddon, the angel associated with death.

## APPEARANCE:

Abaddon manifests as a tall, nearly 6.4 feet, white human male with striking black eyes and flowing blonde hair. His unique presence is complemented by two crimson bat wings and a distinctive attire—a white skirt-like bottom with no top.

In his demonic transformation, Abaddon undergoes a dramatic metamorphosis into a towering, 9-foot-tall creature. This demonic form amalgamates the features of a scorpion, bat, and goat, adorned with seven luminous orange eyes and a menacing tail, creating a fearsome visage that reflects his dual nature.

## POWERS AND ABILITIES:

Abaddon, an archangel endowed with enhanced powers, possesses the fundamental abilities of angels, albeit his strength falls below some other archangels. While not the mightiest, he easily surpasses lower-ranking angels, effortlessly defeating hordes of them. His physical strength, though formidable, doesn't match the pinnacle of archangel might; however, he can obliterate entire planets, like mars, with a single punch.

As the angel of death, Abaddon wields mastery over mortality, but with less potency than Samael and Azrael. His control extends to universal levels, a formidable force, though eclipsed by Azrael's multiversal dominance. Additionally, as a demon, he manipulates the realm of sloth. While not on par with the seven princes of Hell, Abaddon's strength is formidable, effortlessly dispatching multiple weak demons with a single strike.

## TRIVIA:

* Abbadon is among demons who are confused with Satan, Devil or Lucifer.