BOTTOMLESS PIT: THE DEPTH OF THE UNDERWORLD

Is it a Pit that has no End?

 Prof: Satheesh Kumar

 Academic Dean - AECS  

 Introduction

                                                                           

The Bottomless pit or Abyss is the prison house of the demons. In other word it is the ‘dwelling place of demons’. At the end of the age multitudes of these imprisoned demon spirits will be set free to indwell, torment, and energize men (9:1–21) to engage in a huge attempt to oppose Christ and God’s kingdom plans for the Jew in the millennial age to come (16:13–16). At the second coming of Christ, Satan and demons will be imprisoned to the abyss (20:1–3), a condition that will make possible the Kingdom age peaceful on earth (20:3).[1]

Hebrew Use of the Word

The Hebrew word used for “bottomless pit” is “tehom” which means “the depth”. This term is used in the following senses which reflect meanings of Hebrew word tĕhôm, “the depth” and its synonyms: (1) the primeval ocean (e.g., Gen. 1:2); (2) the (deep) sea (e.g., Jonah 2:6—Eng. 2:5; Job 28:14, 38:16, 41:23—LXX 41:22—Eng. 41:31); (3) the Red Sea (e.g., Ps. 106:9—LXX 105:9; Isa 51:10, 63:13—with mythological overtones); (4) subterranean waters (e.g., Gen 7:11, 8:2; Prov. 3:20; Ps 78:15—LXX 77:15); and (5) the depths of the earth, i.e., Sheol (Ps. 71:20—LXX 70:20).

Greek Use of the Word

The English word “Bottomless Pit” is the translation of the Greek word “Abyss” ἀβυσσος (“abyssos” is a LXX usage) which means “the deep” or “the underworld”. The term occurs at least 34 times in the LXX, where in 30 occurrences it refers to Hebrew word tĕhôm. Therefore, the Greek word for “bottomless pit” is “Abyss” which means “the deep” or “the depth”. The word Abyss is the equalent to the Hebrew word tehom.

In intertestamental literature, “the abyss” carries a number of meanings: (1) the great deep under the earth, namely, that part of the universe set in opposition to the height of the heavens (Sirac 1:3, 16:18, 24:5, 29, 42:18); (2) a poetic reference to the Red Sea where a personified wisdom delivered Israel (Wis. 10:19); (3) the depths of the earth (Jubilees. 5:10); and (4) the abyss of fire, i.e., the place of torment for sinners and fallen angels (1 Enoch 10:13; 18:11).

New Testament Use of the Word

In the NT, there are 9 occurrences of Greek abyssos, which, in the older English versions, are usually rendered by “the deep” (Luke 8:31, Rom 10:7) and “bottomless” or “the bottomless pit” (seven times in Revelation). Other English versions use “the abyss” or “the Abyss” with more or less frequency (RSV, twice; NASB, 7 times; JB (Jerusalem Bible), GNB, NIV, NJB, 8 times; NEB all 9 times). In 2 Pet. 2:4, NJB renders Greek zophos, “dark, gloomy (place),” as “the dark abyss” (i.e., hell).

The term “bottomless pit” is usually translated from “abyss” in the NT, it refers to the place of the dead (Rom. 10:7) and is synonymous with hell or Hades. It is more frequently refers to the place where the forces of evil dwell (e.g., Luke 8:31; Rev. 9:1, 2).

Meaning of the Term “Abyss”

There are two meanings for “the abyss” in the NT. First, it refers to (1) the place to which the forces of evil are consigned (e.g., the demons in Luke 8:31), and from which they come by way of a shaft (the demonic “locusts” of Rev 9:1–11; cf. ABADDON “destruction” from which the word APOLLYON is derived which means “destroyer”). From the abyss comes the beast (Rev 11:7), and into it is cast the dragon, i.e. Satan (Rev 20:1, 3). Second, in one passage “the abyss” is a synonym for Hades (Rom 10:7).

Conclusion

The “bottomless pit” is a place where demon spirits are confined (Luke 8:31; Rev. 9:1-11; 20:1-3), and the place from which the Antichrist will ascend (Rev. 11:7; 17:8). In Luke 8:31 the abyss is the place of imprisonment of demons, while at Rom. 10:7 it is a synonym of Sheol or the realm of the dead. It is termed as “bottomless pit” in Rev. 9:1–2, Greek. tó phréar tḗs abýssos, 11; 11:7; 20:1, 3 (RSV, KJV; JB “Abyss,” NIV “Abyss,” “channel of the Abyss” [at 9:1, 2]), it is the residence of demons during the current age, before the age to come which is the Millennial Kingdom. Myers says that, at the end of the Millennium they will be thrown into the lake of fire (19:20; 20:10) by this time Hell will be their permanent dwelling place^[2]

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^[1]Unger, M. F., Harrison, R. K., Vos, H. F., Barber, C. J., & Unger, M. F. (1988). The new Unger's Bible dictionary. Revision of: Unger's Bible dictionary. 3rd ed. c1966. (Rev. and updated ed.), Chicago: Moody Press.

^[2]Myers A. C, The Eerdmans Bible dictionary. Rev., Augm. Translation of: Bijbelse Encyclopedia. Rev. Ed. (14). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1975.