They were ruled by a king
This phrase indicates a structured hierarchy even among the forces of darkness, suggesting that chaos is not without order. The concept of a "king" implies authority and governance, which in a biblical context, often reflects God's ultimate sovereignty. The presence of a king over these destructive forces serves as a reminder that even evil is under divine control and will ultimately serve God's purposes. The Greek word for "king" is "basileus," which denotes one who holds dominion and power, emphasizing the organized nature of the spiritual realm.

the angel of the Abyss
The "Abyss" is often understood as a deep, bottomless pit or a place of confinement for evil spirits. In biblical literature, it is a realm of chaos and destruction, contrasting with the order and life associated with God's kingdom. The "angel" here is a messenger or a being with a specific role, highlighting the structured nature of spiritual warfare. The Greek term "angelos" means messenger, indicating that this being has a specific purpose or mission, even within the realm of darkness.

His name in Hebrew is Abaddon
"Abaddon" is a Hebrew term that means "destruction" or "place of destruction." It is often associated with Sheol, the realm of the dead, in the Old Testament. This name signifies the destructive power and intent of this being, aligning with the theme of judgment and the ultimate defeat of evil. The use of the Hebrew name connects this figure to the broader biblical narrative of God's judgment against sin and rebellion.

and in Greek it is Apollyon
"Apollyon" is the Greek equivalent of "Abaddon," meaning "destroyer." This name reinforces the destructive nature of this angelic being. The use of both Hebrew and Greek names highlights the universal scope of the message in Revelation, addressing both Jewish and Gentile audiences. It underscores the comprehensive nature of God's plan for redemption and judgment, transcending cultural and linguistic boundaries.

(11) And they had a king . . .--Better, They have over them as king (not "the angel," as in English version) an angel of the abyss; his name (is) in Hebrew Abaddon, and in the Greek he has a name, Apollyon. There is more than one point in which the seer wishes us to mark the contrast between these symbolical and the natural locusts. Locusts have no sting; these have. Locusts have no king (Proverbs 30:27); these have a king. The movements of the invading locusts are conducted with wonderful precision and order, yet no presiding monarch arranges their march; but here there is a directing and controlling head. The great movement is no mere undesigned or instinctive one, but the offspring of a hidden, spiritual force. The great battle is not on the surface only, the invasions, revolutions, tyrannies, which try and trouble mankind, involve spiritual principles, and are but tokens of the great conflict between the spirit of destruction and the spirit of salvation, between Christ and Belial, God and Mammon, the Prince of this world and the Prince of the kings of the earth. The king of these locust hordes is named in Hebrew Abaddon, or Perdition, a name sometimes given to the place or abode of destruction (Job 26:6). "Destruction (Abaddon) hath no covering"--i.e., before God. (Comp. Proverbs 15:11). In Greek his name is Apollyon, or Destroyer: The spirit of the destroyer is the spirit that inspires these hosts. It is a great movement, but its end is destruction, as its inspiring genius is from beneath, from an angel of the nether world. It is not necessary for us to seek some great historical personage for the fulfilment of this portion of the prophecy, any more than we ought to accept any great historical event as an exhaustive fulfilment of the vision. The picture is vivid and forcible, and its full and certain meaning will be plain hereafter; but it at least should draw our minds from the curiosity which seeks for historical or personal counterparts to the self-vigilance which fears lest our own spirit should be injured by the prevalence of any form of evil. It should teach us to remember always the vehement, earnest way in which the sacred writers describe the subtle, venomous power of all sin, and the merciless destructiveness of its work. It is not of any invading hosts, or signal and special forms of evil, but of the terrible and usual influence of all sin, that the Apostle St. Paul writes when he describes the world-wide devastations of sin in language partly borrowed from the Old Testament, but singularly reminding us of the vision before us. "There is none that doeth good; no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; the poison of asps is upon their lips; their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace have they not known; there is no fear of God before their eyes" (Romans 3:12-18). It is perhaps well to notice that at this fifth trumpet the unseen spiritual powers of darkness appear taking part in. the conflict. There is a time when the obstinate resistance of mankind (yes, and of individual men and women also) to better things becomes fortified by an evil spirit, and they are no longer passive resisters of good, but they become active antagonists of good, hating and obscuring the light of truth, and wounding the spirits and consciences of men. Alas! many walk of whom the Apostle could only say with tears, "they are the enemies of the cross of Christ" (the emblem of salvation), "and whose end is destruction" (Philippians 3:18-19).

Verse 11. - And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit; they have over them as king the angel of the abyss (Revised Version). Most commentators contrast with the condition of the natural locusts, who have no king (Proverbs 30:7). "The angel" evidently, points to the star of ver. l, who is Satan himself. Some think a particular angel, not Satan, is intended. Alford unnecessarily hesitates to decide that Satan is meant, owing to Revelation 12:3, 9. Whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon. Abaddon is the Hebrew אֲבַדּון, a noun representing the abstract idea "destruction" (Job 31:12), but more frequently employed to designate the netherworld (Job 26:6; Job 28:22; Proverbs 15:11; Psalm 88:12). Apollyon (ἀπολλύων, present participle) is the Greek ἀπώλεια (by which the LXX. renders אֲבַדּון) personified. It is in conformity with St. John's usual practice to give the two forms of the name (cf. John 1:38, 42; John 4:25; John 9:7; John 11:16; John 19:13, 17). In the name we have summed up the character of him who bears it. He is the "destroyer," the one who causes "perdition" to mankind. Cf. the words of our Lord given by St. John (John 8:44), "He was a murderer from the beginning." Bengel and others contrast with "Jesus" the "Saviour." Perhaps the height of absurdity is reached by those writers (Bleek, Volkmar) who see in the name Apollyon a reference to (N)apoleon.

Parallel Commentaries ...


They were ruled by
ἔχουσιν (echousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

a king,
βασιλέα (basilea)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 935: A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

angel
ἄγγελον (angelon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 32: From aggello; a messenger; especially an 'angel'; by implication, a pastor.

of the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Abyss.
ἀβύσσου (abyssou)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 12: The abyss, unfathomable depth, an especially Jewish conception, the home of the dead and of evil spirits. Depthless, i.e. 'abyss'.

His
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

name
ὄνομα (onoma)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3686: Name, character, fame, reputation. From a presumed derivative of the base of ginosko; a 'name'.

in Hebrew
Ἑβραϊστί (Hebraisti)
Adverb
Strong's 1447: In the Hebrew, or rather, in the Aramaic dialect. Adverb from Hebrais; Hebraistically or in the Jewish language.

[is] Abaddon,
Ἀβαδδών (Abaddōn)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3: Abaddon, Destroyer (i.e. Destroying Angel) or place of destruction (personified). Of Hebrew origin; a destroying angel.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

Greek
Ἑλληνικῇ (Hellēnikē)
Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1673: Greek, the Greek language. From Hellen; Hellenic, i.e. Grecian.

[it is]
ὄνομα (onoma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3686: Name, character, fame, reputation. From a presumed derivative of the base of ginosko; a 'name'.

Apollyon.
Ἀπολλύων (Apollyōn)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 623: Apollyon, The Destroying One, a Greek translation of the Hebrew: Abaddon. Active participle of apollumi; a destroyer.


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NT Prophecy: Revelation 9:11 They have over them as king (Rev. Re Apocalypse)