Ἀπολλύων G0623
Apollyon, the Destroyer; the angel of the abyss whose name means destruction
This is the Greek name (meaning 'Destroyer') given in Revelation 9:11 to the angel of the abyss, whose Hebrew name is Abaddon. Both names convey destruction—Abaddon from the Hebrew root meaning 'perish,' Apollyon from the Greek verb 'to destroy.' This demonic figure rules over the locust-like creatures released to torment humanity during tribulation. The name captures essential nature: he exists to destroy. Whether this is Satan himself or a subordinate demon, Apollyon embodies destructive evil opposed to God who creates and preserves.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Revelation's identification of the abyss-angel as 'Apollyon'—the Destroyer—makes his character unmistakable: he exists for destruction. Spanish 'Apollýon,' French 'Apollyon,' German 'Apollyon,' and English 'Apollyon' all simply transcribe the Greek name (or use the accent). The pairing with Hebrew 'Abaddon' emphasizes universal recognition of this destructive force. In John's apocalyptic vision, even the agents of judgment have hierarchy—Apollyon commands the demonic locusts. His name warns: where this one rules, destruction follows. 1×
AR["أَبُولِيُونَ"]·ben["অপল্লুয়ন।"]·DE["Apollyon"]·EN["Apolluon"]·FR["Apollyon"]·heb["אַפּוֹלְיוֹן"]·HI["अपोल्लुओन।"]·ID["Apolion."]·IT["apolluōn"]·jav["Apolíon"]·KO["아폴뤼온이라"]·PT["Apoliom"]·RU["Аполлион."]·ES["Apollýon"]·SW["Apolioni."]·TR["Apollyon"]·urd["اپولیون"]
Related Senses
H4421 1. war, battle, armed conflict (319×)H0341 1. enemy, adversary, foe (284×)H3898a 1. Nifal: to fight, wage war (167×)H2026 1. kill, slay (active) (146×)H2451 1. wisdom, discernment (146×)H5483b 1. horse (the animal) (138×)H0006 1. to perish, be destroyed (105×)H7843 1. Hifil: destroy, annihilate (83×)H2491a 1. slain, fatally pierced (74×)H6862c 1. adversary, enemy, foe (69×)H8045 1. destroy, exterminate (69×)G0615 1. kill, put to death (60×)H6571b 1. horseman, cavalryman (52×)H8077a 1. desolation, waste (abstract state) (52×)G4678 1. of wisdom (51×)G4717 1. crucify, fasten to a cross (46×)H2763a 1. utterly destroy (Hifil active) (44×)G0622 1. perish, be destroyed (intransitive) (41×)H0006 2. to destroy, annihilate (Piel) (38×)H8074 1. be desolate, lie waste (36×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
Ἀπολλύων, -οντος, ὁ (present ptcp. of ἀπολλύω), Apollyon, i.e. the Destroyer: Rev.9:11 (cf. Ἀβάδδων). (Cremer, 453; DB, i, 125, 172.) † (From Abbott-Smith. LSJ has no entry)