In Ancient Greek mythology , Olethros (Greek : ὄλεθρος ) was the personification of havoc and probably one of the Makhai .[citation needed ]
Olethros translates roughly in ancient Greek to "destruction", but often with a positive connotation, as in the destruction required for and preceding renewal.
Biblical use of olethros
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 the New Testament in 1 Corinthians 5:5 , 1 Thessalonians 5 :3, 2 Thessalonians 1 :9, and 1 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 ]
In popular culture
The name "Olethros" is used to refer to Destruction in The Sandman series written by Neil Gaiman .
See also
Olethros Greek myths