אֲבַדּוֹן (a.vad.don)
a.vad.don
Abaddon
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun Abaddon denotes a place of destruction or ruin. It appears only in the Wisdom literature, specifically in Job and Proverbs, where it functions as a proper name for a realm within Sheol reserved for the lost dead. The term captures the finality of death not merely as a state of being but as an active force of undoing.
Its usage often runs parallel to Sheol or death itself, emphasizing the totality of the end. In Job 26:6 and Proverbs 15:11, it sits alongside Sheol, suggesting that this place of ruin is a fundamental part of the underworld’s geography. The word highlights the severity of divine judgment, portraying destruction as a concrete destination rather than an abstract concept.
The root meaning connects to perishing or vanishing, reinforcing the image of something completely erased. Translators typically render it "Abaddon" or "Destruction," preserving its identity as a specific locale of ruin. This usage distinguishes it from general terms for death by adding a layer of catastrophic finality to the experience of the departed.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word Abaddon appears in the Bible as a name for a place of ruin or destruction. In the Old Testament, it is linked with Sheol, representing the finality of death and the consequences of sin. This concept reminds us that life has eternal weight, and our choices matter deeply before God.
For believers, this reality highlights the seriousness of turning away from God. It underscores why we need a Savior who can rescue us from such destruction. The hope found in Christ offers deliverance from this fate, providing peace and assurance for those who trust in Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Abaddon2×
- and/ Abaddon1×
- [belongs] to <the>/ Abaddon1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֲבַדּ֣וֹן2×
- לָֽ/אֲבַדּֽוֹן\׃1×
- וַ֭/אֲבַדּוֹן1×
Key Verses
-
Job 26:6
Sheol is naked before God, and Abaddon has no covering.
This verse shows that even the deepest places of destruction are fully exposed to God's sight.
-
Proverbs 15:11
Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh— how much more then the hearts of the children of men!
Here Abaddon is paired with Sheol to emphasize that God knows everything, including the hidden depths of human hearts.