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Abaddon

Abaddon · Angel of Destruction — King of the Abyss

Hebrew for 'destruction' (אֲבַדּוֹן); in Greek, Apollyon — 'destroyer.' In Revelation 9, when the fifth apocalyptic trumpet sounds, he emerges as king of the Abyss, leading an army with lion's teeth and scorpion tails like a swarm of locusts, tormenting mankind for five months. In some traditions he is a servant of God enacting final judgment; in others, a fallen angel.

Origin

In the Old Testament Job, Proverbs, and Psalms, 'Abaddon' is personified as the grave or place of destruction. Revelation 9:11 first names him explicitly: 'the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek Apollyon.' Later mystical tradition developed him into the commander of apocalyptic armies.

Features

Commands countless armies appearing as locust swarms
Himself a vast king in dark armor
Trumpet of judgment and key to the Abyss
Dragon wings and lion's face

Stories

Invoked in apocalyptic literature and horror as the symbol of cataclysm, judgment, and destruction. Orthodox theology sees him as an angel executing God's final judgment — not pure evil but ambivalent.