ABADDON [ah BAD un] (destruction) — a term found only once in most English translations of the Bible (Rev. 9:11). Abaddon is a transliteration of a Hebrew word that occurs six other times in the Bible, usually translated “destruction” (Job 26:6; 28:22; 31:12; Ps. 88:11; Prov. 15:11; 27:20). In three of these places, it occurs in the phrase “Hell and Destruction” (Job 26:6; Prov. 15:11; 27:20). The Hebrew nouns translated “Hell” and “Destruction” are Sheol and Abaddon respectively. They appear to be synonymous terms for the abode of the dead or the grave.

In the Book of Revelation, Abaddon is not a place—the realm of the dead—but a person—the angel who reigns over the abyss.

Also see HADES; HELL; SHEOL.