Bible Dictionaries
Abyss

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

ABYSS . The Jewish eschatology of the time of Christ conceived of the abode of departed spirits as a great abyss, in the midst of which was a lake of fire, intended primarily as a place of punishment for the angels and giants, and accordingly for sinners. The abyss existed before the creation, and was the home of the various enemies of God, such as the dragon and the beast. In the NT it is used only in Apocalypse (AV [Note: Authorized Version.] ‘ bottomless pit ’) and in Romans 10:7 and Luke 8:31 (AV [Note: Authorized Version.] ‘deep’ ).

Shailer Mathews.

Bibliography Information
Hastings, James. Entry for 'Abyss'. Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​hdb/​a/abyss.html. 1909.