Revelation 9:11

King over them. The wise man Agur declared that “the locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands” (Prov. 30:27). The locusts in the present passage, however, are more highly organized in their destructive work, for they have a ruler whose commands they follow. Some who apply the fifth and sixth trumpets to the Moslem Arabs and Turks see in this king a reference to Osman (Othman) I (1299–1326), the traditional founder of the Ottoman Empire. His first attack upon the Greek Empire, which, according to Gibbon, took place on July 27, 1299, they take as marking the beginning of the five-month period of torment (Rev. 9:7, 10). For a discussion of this period see Additional Note at end of chapter.

Angel. Or, “messenger,” the one in charge of the forces issuing from the bottomless pit.

Bottomless pit. See on v. 1.

Abaddon. Gr. Abaddōn, a transliteration of the Heb. ’Abbadon, “destruction,” “ruin.” This word is used with a general meaning in Job 31:12, and is paralleled with “hell” (Heb. she’ol, the figurative realm of the dead; see on Prov. 15:11) in Job 26:6. The use of a Hebrew name here is significant with respect to the fact that much of John’s symbolism is of Hebrew and Jewish origin. In Jewish tradition ’Abbadon is personified (see Talmud Shabbath 89a).

Greek tongue. John supplies a Greek name that translates ’Abbadon for his Greek-speaking readers.

Apollyon. Gr. Apolluōn, “one who destroys,” “a destroyer.”