Thoughts about the name "Avadon" in relation to the hebrew אבדון

[dse6223]

In the course of my recent Spiderweb binge I noticed a relation to the hebrew term Abbadon (אבדון). The word is supposed to be read with the bet (ב) as a "b", but that letter can also stand in for the sound "v." So, perhaps improperly, but אבדון can be read* as "Avadon."

 

The wikipedia entry for Abbadon is a really interesting read https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abaddon:

 

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The Hebrew term Abaddon (Hebrew: אֲבַדּוֹן ’Ăḇaddōn, meaning "destruction", "doom"), and its Greek equivalent Apollyon (Koinē Greek: Ἀπολλύων, Apollúōn meaning "Destroyer") appear in the Bible as both a place of destruction and an angel of the abyss. In the Hebrew Bible, abaddon is used with reference to a bottomless pit, often appearing alongside the place Sheol (שְׁאוֹל Šəʾōl), meaning the resting place of dead peoples.

 

And other bits like:

 

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The term abaddon appears six times in the Masoretic text of the Hebrew Bible; abaddon means destruction or "place of destruction", or the realm of the dead, and is accompanied by Sheol.

• Job 26:6: the grave (Sheol) is naked before Him, and destruction (Abaddon) has no covering.
• Job 28:22: destruction (Abaddon) and death say.
• Job 31:12: it is a fire that consumes to destruction (Abaddon).
• Psalm 88:11: Shall thy loving kindness be declared in the grave (Sheol) or thy faithfulness in destruction (Abaddon)?
• Proverbs 15:11: Hell (Sheol) and Destruction (Abaddon) are before the LORD, how much more the hearts of the children of men?
• Proverbs 27:20: Hell (Sheol) and Destruction (Abaddon) are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied. (KJV, 1611)

 

I mean, this is either a stretch, or there are probably a bunch of other easter eggs that are flying over my head. I mean, like, I know in the Avernum series "Dervish" means something completely different than the real world equivalent.

 

*If we're being technical, it can be read in wierd ways, like, say, ebadun, because hebrew makes very little sense at times.

[Mea Tulpa]

This has been brought up a few times (though with much less eloquent quoting in the past).  It's interesting, but probably not an intended connection -- Jeff has said that he just liked the sound of the name Avadon.  

[dse6223]

I figured it was both brought up years ago, and that it might have been entirely unintentional. Thanks for the info :). I can take down the post if it's redundant? Then I can go back to silent lurking.

 

I have to say Avadon really hit me (again) as the darkest of the series. The Geneforge games gave me a sense of hope something better can exist, but Avadon was a pick between terrible and probably even worse 😅.

 

Also, have a nice day.

 

 

 

[Kelandon]

9 hours ago, dse6223 said:

I figured it was both brought up years ago, and that it might have been entirely unintentional. Thanks for the info :). I can take down the post if it's redundant? Then I can go back to silent lurking.

Leave it up! This is better articulated than previous iterations.