Apollyon
/əˈpɒl.i.ən/noun
A name in the Book of Revelation for the angel or ruler of the abyss, identified with the Greek term meaning “Destroyer.”
Did you know?Apollyon is the Greek counterpart of the Hebrew name Abaddon, both used in Revelation 9:11 for the ruler of the bottomless pit.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₃el-
“To destroy or perish; the reconstructed root underlying the Greek word-family.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ὄλλυμι (óllymi)
“To destroy, ruin, or cause to perish.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀπόλλυμι (apóllymi)
“To destroy utterly, kill, or cause to perish; formed with apo- meaning “away” or “completely.””
Hellenistic Greek
Greek
Ἀπολλύων (Apollýōn)
““The Destroyer,” a participial form used as a personal name.”
1st Century CE
Koine Greek
ὁ Ἀπολλύων
““The Destroyer,” the name given in Revelation 9:11 to the angel of the abyss.”
Modern English
English
Apollyon
“The apocalyptic Destroyer or ruler of the abyss.”