Brief Overview of Ἁρμαγεδών (G717: Harmagedōn)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: Harmagedōn

Root Words:

• Ἁρμαγεδών (Harmagedōn): The term is derived from the Hebrew Har Megiddo (הר מגידו), meaning “Mount Megiddo” or “Mountain of Megiddo.”

Primary Meanings:

• Armageddon: The primary meaning of Ἁρμαγεδών is “Armageddon,” a term used to describe the site of the final battle between good and evil, as prophesied in the Bible.
• Place of Final Conflict: It signifies a place of great and final conflict or battle, particularly in eschatological contexts.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG: BDAG defines Ἁρμαγεδών as the “place of the final battle,” drawing from its Hebrew roots. It notes that the term is used in apocalyptic literature to describe the climactic end-time battle between divine and demonic forces.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon refers to Ἁρμαγεδών as “Armageddon,” specifically citing its use in Revelation to denote the location of the ultimate battle between good and evil.

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary describes Ἁρμαγεδών as the “final battleground” of the end times, emphasizing its role in eschatological prophecy.

LSJ: The LSJ Lexicon acknowledges the term as “Armageddon,” noting its use in biblical prophecy and its association with the final confrontation in apocalyptic visions.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s identifies Ἁρμαγεδών as “Armageddon,” referencing its significance as the site of the ultimate battle in the book of Revelation.

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Bible Verses:

• Revelation 16:16 (KJV): “And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.”
• This verse explicitly names Ἁρμαγεδών as the place of the final gathering of forces before the end of the world.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

The term Ἁρμαγεδών does not appear extensively in classical Greek literature outside of the New Testament. Its primary use is in biblical prophecy, particularly in Revelation. The term is directly associated with the end-times narrative and does not have a broad range of applications in earlier Greek writings.

4. Summary:

Ἁρμαγεδών (G717: Harmagedōn) refers to “Armageddon,” a term derived from the Hebrew Har Megiddo, meaning “Mount Megiddo.” It signifies the final battlefield between divine and demonic forces, as depicted in the apocalyptic visions of Revelation. BDAG, Thayer’s, Vines, LSJ, and Strong’s all describe it as a site of ultimate conflict and final judgment. While its use is primarily confined to biblical prophecy, it represents a significant concept in eschatological discourse.