Apollyon

Apollyon is the Greek form of a name used in the New Testament, corresponding to the Hebrew Abaddon. The two terms are often treated as parallel names for a figure associated with destruction. In the biblical text, Abaddon/Apollyon appears in the Book of Revelation as the angel or ruler of the Abyss, described as the king over a plague of locusts summoned from the bottomless pit during the fifth trumpet.

Origin and meaning: Abaddon means "destruction" in Hebrew, while Apollyon translates to "the destroyer" in Greek. The passage in Revelation 9:11 identifies the figure with the Abyss and with destruction, but provides limited detail about his nature beyond his role in the apocalyptic judgments.

Biblical context and interpretation: Apollyon is a component of apocalyptic imagery rather than a fully developed character in other canonical writings. Interpretations vary: some see the figure as a symbolic personification of destruction or a specific angelic being charged with judgment, while others consider him part of a broader symbolic framework within Revelation. In some traditions, Apollyon/Abaddon is associated with the devil or demonic forces, but mainstream scholarship generally treats the name as emblematic rather than a universal demonology label.

Cultural influence: The name Apollyon has influenced later literature and popular culture as a motif of destruction and apocalyptic power. In various works, it is used to evoke a malevolent, annihilating force, sometimes reinterpreted as a demon or villainous figure.

See also: Abaddon; Revelation; demonology; Satan.