Understanding Ἀπολλύων (Apollyon) Strong’s G623: The Destroyer Angel in Biblical Apocalyptic Literature

Pronunciation Guide: ah-pol-LOO-ohn

Basic Definition

Strong’s G623: Ἀπολλύων (Apollyon) is the Greek name given to the angel of the bottomless pit in Revelation 9:11. It explicitly means “Destroyer” or “One who destroys completely,” and is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew name Abaddon also mentioned in the same verse. This powerful figure appears in apocalyptic literature as an agent of divine judgment, commanding locusts that torment those without God’s seal.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of speech: Proper noun (masculine)
• Derived from the Greek verb ἀπόλλυμι (apollymi), meaning “to destroy utterly, to kill, to bring to naught”
• Root components: ἀπό (apo, “from, away from”) + ὄλλυμι (ollymi, “to destroy”)
• Primary usage: Apocalyptic literature
• Language origin: Greek
• Present only once in the New Testament (Revelation 9:11)

Ἀπολλύων Morphology:

• Ἀπολλύων (nominative singular) – Destroyer, the one destroying
• Ἀπολλύοντος (genitive singular) – of the Destroyer
• Ἀπολλύοντι (dative singular) – to/for the Destroyer
• Ἀπολλύοντα (accusative singular) – the Destroyer (as direct object)

Origin & History

The name Ἀπολλύων comes from the Greek participle form of the verb ἀπόλλυμι (apollymi), which was commonly used in classical Greek literature to denote complete destruction or ruin. Herodotus used this term in his Histories to describe the devastating effects of war, while Thucydides employed it when detailing the destruction of cities during the Peloponnesian War.

In the Septuagint (LXX), forms of ἀπόλλυμι appear frequently to translate Hebrew terms related to destruction and judgment. For instance, in Exodus 12:23, the destroying angel who passed through Egypt during the final plague is called “the destroyer” (ὁ ὀλεθρεύων) using a related term. The concept of divine agents of destruction was therefore well-established in Jewish thought before the writing of Revelation. Early Church Fathers like Origen in his Contra Celsum and later John Chrysostom in his homilies interpreted Apollyon as representing Satan himself or a powerful demonic entity serving as an instrument of divine judgment.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Angel of the abyss – The ruling entity over the bottomless pit in apocalyptic literature
• Destroyer – One who brings complete destruction and devastation
• Agent of divine judgment – A being who executes punishment on behalf of God
• King of locust-like creatures – Commander of tormenting beings in Revelation 9

Ἀπολλύων Translation Options:

• Destroyer – Emphasizes the active role in bringing destruction, capturing the participial form of the Greek
• The Destroying One – Highlights the ongoing nature of destruction inherent in the present participle
• The Ruiner – Conveys the sense of bringing something to ruin or devastation
• Exterminator – Emphasizes the thoroughness of the destruction carried out
• Annihilator – Captures the sense of complete obliteration implied in the root verb ἀπόλλυμι

Biblical Usage

Ἀπολλύων appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in Revelation 9:11, where it is presented as the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew name Abaddon. Within the apocalyptic vision of John, this figure serves as the king over locust-like creatures that emerge from the smoke of the bottomless pit when the fifth angel sounds his trumpet. These locusts are described as having power like scorpions, commanded not to harm vegetation but instead to torment people without God’s seal for five months.

The Hebrew counterpart “Abaddon” (אֲבַדּוֹן) appears in the Old Testament several times, particularly in wisdom literature, where it is associated with Sheol and the realm of the dead. In Job 26:6, Proverbs 15:11, and Proverbs 27:20, Abaddon is personified as a place of destruction that nothing can hide from יהוה (Yahweh). The dual naming in both Hebrew and Greek in Revelation suggests an intentional connection between Old Testament concepts of divine judgment and the apocalyptic vision.

• “They have as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he is called Apollyon [Ἀπολλύων].” Revelation 9:11

Cultural Insights

The dual naming of this being in both Hebrew (Abaddon) and Greek (Apollyon) is significant within the cultural context of first-century Christianity. This practice of bilingual naming indicates that John was writing to an audience familiar with both Jewish and Hellenistic traditions, emphasizing the universal nature of the apocalyptic message across cultural boundaries.

Some scholars have noted a potential wordplay between Ἀπολλύων and the name of the Greek deity Apollo, who was sometimes associated with plague and destruction. Apollo was also known as a sender of pestilence in Greek mythology, as seen in Homer’s Iliad where his arrows bring plague upon the Greek army. While Revelation consistently opposes pagan worship, this potential linguistic connection might have resonated with Greek-speaking audiences who would have recognized the destructive connotations. This doesn’t suggest any equation between Apollyon and the pagan deity, but rather shows how John might have employed cultural touchpoints to communicate the gravity of divine judgment.

The locust imagery associated with Apollyon also draws on Middle Eastern cultural understandings of locusts as instruments of divine judgment. In ancient Jewish thought, locusts were one of the most feared natural disasters and were viewed as divine agents of punishment, most famously in the Exodus plagues against Egypt. By connecting Apollyon with these locusts, the text evokes a powerful cultural symbol of God’s judgment that would have been immediately understood by readers familiar with Old Testament traditions.

Theological Significance

Theologically, Ἀπολλύων represents a profound paradox within divine economy – an agent of destruction operating under God’s sovereign control. Though a terrifying figure, Apollyon cannot act independently but functions within clearly defined boundaries set by God. The locusts under his command are specifically instructed not to harm those with God’s seal, demonstrating that even agents of judgment and destruction ultimately serve God’s redemptive purposes.

This reveals an important aspect of יהוה (Yahweh)’s character – His judgment is precise and purposeful, not indiscriminate. The appearance of Apollyon in Revelation occurs within a carefully structured narrative of divine judgment that ultimately leads to the establishment of God’s kingdom. This sequence reinforces the biblical understanding that God’s justice, while severe, is always measured and aimed at the ultimate restoration of all things through the Messiah Jesus.

Furthermore, the limited authority given to Apollyon (his locusts can torment but not kill, and only for five months) stands in stark contrast to the unlimited authority of the Messiah Jesus over life and death. While Apollyon destroys temporarily, the Messiah redeems eternally. This juxtaposition highlights the supremacy of God’s redemptive purposes over destructive forces, even when those forces are employed as instruments of His judgment. Ultimately, Apollyon’s role in Revelation points to the truth that all powers, even those of destruction, must bow before the sovereign Lord of creation.

Personal Application

Understanding the role of Ἀπολλύων in Scripture invites us to confront difficult questions about judgment, suffering, and God’s sovereignty. When we face seasons of trial or witness devastation in our world, we may wonder if destructive forces have broken free from divine control. Yet Revelation’s depiction of Apollyon reminds us that nothing – not even the most terrifying agents of destruction – operates outside the boundaries of God’s sovereign authority.

This truth offers both challenge and comfort. The challenge comes in acknowledging that God sometimes uses painful experiences as instruments of refinement and judgment. The comfort lies in knowing that such experiences are never random or purposeless, but remain under His careful supervision and limited by His mercy. Even Apollyon’s locusts were restricted in what they could harm and for how long. When we face our own “locusts” of affliction, we can trust that God has similarly placed boundaries around them and that they serve His ultimate purposes of redemption and restoration in our lives.

Related Words

• ἀπώλεια (apoleia, destruction) – A noun derived from the same root as Apollyon, referring to spiritual ruin or eternal destruction. While Apollyon is personified as an agent of destruction, apoleia describes the state or process of being destroyed. See G684
• ὄλεθρος (olethros, destruction) – This term refers to ruin or devastation, often with emphasis on physical destruction. Unlike Apollyon, which has a personal, active quality, olethros typically describes the outcome or result of destruction. See G3639
• διαφθείρω (diaphtheiro, to destroy completely) – This verb conveys thorough corruption or destruction, often with moral implications. While Apollyon destroys primarily in a physical or eschatological sense, diaphtheiro often carries connotations of moral corruption. See G1311
• καταστρέφω (katastrepho, to overturn, overthrow) – This term emphasizes the overturning or subversion of established order. Compared to Apollyon’s direct destruction, katastrepho focuses on the fundamental disruption of existing structures. See G2690
• φθείρω (phtheiro, to corrupt, destroy) – This verb describes deterioration, corruption, or destruction. While sharing destructive connotations with Apollyon, phtheiro often implies a process of gradual corruption rather than immediate devastation. See G5351

Did You Know?

• The contrast between Apollyon as “destroyer” and the Messiah Jesus as “savior” highlights a profound theological dichotomy in Scripture. The same root word that gives us Apollyon (ἀπόλλυμι) appears in John 3:16 in the negative – “shall not perish” (μὴ ἀπόληται). This linguistic connection emphasizes that the Messiah Jesus came precisely to save people from the destruction that Apollyon represents.
• Some early Jewish apocalyptic traditions associated Abaddon/Apollyon with the angel of death who executed God’s judgment on Egypt during the first Passover. This connection takes on profound significance when viewed through the lens of the Messiah, as His sacrifice as our Passover lamb protects believers from the destroyer just as the blood on the doorposts protected the Israelites in Egypt.
• The locusts commanded by Apollyon in Revelation are described as having “hair like women’s hair” and “teeth like lions’ teeth” among other bizarre features. These descriptions parallel ancient Near Eastern military imagery, particularly of fearsome warriors from beyond the borders of the Roman Empire. Some scholars suggest these hybrid creatures symbolize the fear of invasion from eastern armies like the Parthians, who were known for their long hair and fearsome reputation in battle.

Remember This

Ἀπολλύων reminds us that even the most terrifying forces of destruction in our world operate within the boundaries of God’s sovereign purpose, ultimately serving His plan to restore all things through the Messiah Jesus.