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Encyclopedia of Religion entry for

Abyss, The

In the Gnostic system of Valentines " the Abyss " is the name of the unbegotten, invisible, ineffable Supreme Being, to whom the aeons owe their generation. The term is used in another sense in the New Testament (Revised Version). In Romans x., 7, it denotes Sheol, the Hebrew underworld (Authorised Version " the deep "). In Revelation ix., 1, 11, xi., 7, xvii., 8, xx., 1, 3 (Authorised Version " the bottomless pit ") it is the abode of " the beast " and " the dragon," a place which seems to have been thought of as a lake of fire (cp Enoch x., 13).

citations: Encyc. of Rel., Canney

article created 2006-04-12 , last updated 2006-04-12

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