The Life of Jesus in Harmony | Index

abyss

ABYSS (Gk. heabussos). In classical Gk. the word abussos is always an adjective meaning "very deep" ("bottomless") or "unfathomable" ("boundless").

In the NT the abyss is the abode of the imprisoned demons (Rev. 9:1-21). Many of the demons whom Jesus expelled in His earthly ministry were commanded to return to the abyss (Luke 8:31), but these evil spirits dreaded to go there before their predetermined time.

Multitudes of demons will be let loose during the Great Tribulation, but will be shut up again in this prison together with Satan at the second coming of Christ (Rev 20:1-3).

The abyss is therefore to be distinguished from sheol (hell) or hades (death) (Matt. 11:23; 16:18; Luke 10:15; Rev. 1:18; 20:13-14). It is also to be distinguished from "tartarus," the "prison abode of fallen angels" (2 Pet. 2:4) and "the lake of fire" (Rev. 19:20; 20:10; 21:8).

The LXX renders Heb. tehom, "the primeval ocean" (Gen. 1:2; Ps. 24:2, etc.) as "abyss."