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Revelation 9 · a question people ask

"They have over them as king the angel of the abyss." (9:11). Who is the angel of the abyss?

In the text

Here is all the chapter says of him: "They have over them as king the angel of the abyss. His name in Hebrew is “Abaddon”, but in Greek, he has the name “Apollyon”." (9:11). The chapter gives his two names as the WEB prints them, one in Hebrew and one in Greek, and says no more of who he is. These notes don't either, and they give no meaning for either name.

The verses

“They have over them as king the angel of the abyss. His name in Hebrew is “Abaddon”, but in Greek, he has the name “Apollyon”.”
Revelation 9:11 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Revelation 9

Revelation 9: Out of the smoke

Out of the smoke came locusts, and power was given to them, "as the scorpions of the earth have power" (9:3).

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Last reviewed October 12, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions