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In AncientGreek mythology,Olethros/ˈɒlɪˌθrɒs/ (Greek:ὄλεθρος) was the Greek concept or personification[citation needed] of "havoc" or "ruin".
Olethros translates roughly in ancient Greek to "destruction", but often with a positive connotation, as in the destruction required for and preceding renewal.
Olethros as a deity is primarily attested in the Homeric works ofQuintus Smyrnaeus, where he is closely related toMoros,Doom, as apersonification of death.
Sore distressed with dust and deadly conflict were the folk. Then with a sudden hand some Blessed One swept the dust-pall aside; and the Gods saw the deadlyKeres hurling the charging lines together, in the unending wrestle locked of that grim conflict, saw where never ceasedAres from hideous slaughter, saw the earth crimsoned all round with rushing streams of blood, saw where darkOlethros gloated o'er the scene
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the King James Bible defines the word as meaning "ruin"; i.e., death, punishment, or destruction.Olethros is found in theNew Testament in1 Corinthians 5:5,1 Thessalonians 5:3,2 Thessalonians 1:9, and1 Timothy 6:9, where it is translated "destruction" in most versions of the Bible. Some[who?] believe a more accurate translation of this word in these verses would be "punishment," referring to the kind of punishment that expiates guilt and restores the sinner to communion with God.[citation needed] Biblical scholarDouglas J. Moo argues that, in 2 Thessalonians 1:9, the word should be understood to mean "ruin" rather than "extinction" because it is used alongside the Greek wordaiōnios, meaning "eternal." Moo therefore believes that people in hell will not be annihilated, but will live eternally away from the presence of God.[1]
