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Abandon

Abaddon [Heb. ’abaddon “destruction”; Grk. abaddōn]. Name of a place and a being.

1. Abaddon occurs six times in the OT as a place of destruction and generally parallels she’ol—the figurative abode of the dead (Job 26:6; 28:22; 31:12; Ps 88:11; Prov 15:11; 27:20). She’ol nor ’abaddon are ever filled to capacity (Prov 27:20). Sin is metaphorically characterized as a fire that burns to ’abaddon, that is, destruction (Job 31:9-12). There is neither understanding (wisdom) nor praise of God in ’abaddon (Job 28:20, 22; Ps 88:10-12). However, ’abaddon is not out of the reach of God. Rather it is “naked” before Him (Job 26:6; c.f., Prov 15:11).

2. In the NT, Abaddon refers to the ruler of the abyss, who is also named Apollyon (Rev 9:11). This may refer to Satan.

David H. Thiele

Citation

Footnote:

David H. Thiele, “Abandon,“ Seventh-day Adventist International Biblical-Theological Dictionary (2026-), ed. Daniel K. Bediako and Keldie Paroschi, https://dictionary.adventist.org/abandon, accessed September 8, 2026

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