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The Catholic Encyclopedia

Abaddon

2 sections

Charles G. Herbermann and others (editors)

Transcribed from a dated scan; artifacts may remain. Edition notes

Abaddon, a Hebrew word signifying (1) ruin, destruction (Job, xxxi, 12); (2) place of destruction; the Abyss, realm of the dead (Job, xxvi, 6; Prov., xv, 11); (8) it occurs personified (Apoc., ix, 11) as ?Abaddon, and is rendered in Greek by ’Amoddvw», denoting the angel-prince of hell, the minister of death and author of havoc on earth. The Vulgate renders the Greek Apollyon by the Latin Exterminans (that is, “Destroyer”). The identity of Abaddon with Asmodeus, the demon of impurity, has been asserted, but not proved. In Job, xxvi, 6, and Prov., xv, 11, the word occurs in conjunction with Sheol. A. J.

A. J. Maas.

Trans. None. Written in English by the contributors whose signatures close each article., The Catholic Encyclopedia, An International Work of Reference on the Constitution, Doctrine, Discipline, and History of the Catholic Church, in fifteen volumes, 1907. Public domain.

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