Bible Dictionary
Armageddon
Armageddon, or Har-Magedon, is the symbolic name in Revelation for the place of the final conflict in the day of God’s judgment. The name recalls Megiddo, a historic battlefield in the Old Testament.
Definition
Armageddon, or Har-Magedon, is the symbolic name in Revelation for the place of the great final conflict and judgment. The name is explained as meaning the hill or mountain of Megiddo.
Biblical Usage
Armageddon occurs in Revelation as the place where the battle of the great day of God Almighty is symbolically gathered. It represents the final conflict between Christ and Antichrist and the retribution of the wicked.
Historical Background
The symbolism is associated with the plain of Esdraelon and the battlefield of Megiddo, remembered for victories of Barak and Gideon and for the deaths of Saul and Josiah.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Occurs only in Rev. 16:16 (R.V., “Har-Magedon”), as symbolically designating the place where the “battle of that great day of God Almighty” (ver. 14) shall be fought. The word properly means the “mount of Megiddo.” It is the scene of the final conflict between Christ and Antichrist. The idea of such a scene was suggested by the Old Testament great battle-field, the plain of Esdraelon (q.v.).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(the hill or city of Megiddo). (Revelation 16:16) The scene of the struggle of good and evil is suggested by that battle-field, the plain of Esdraelon, which was famous for two great victories, of Barak over the Canaanites and of Gideon over the Midianites; and for two great disasters, the deaths of Saul and Josiah. Hence it signifies in Revelation a place of great slaughter, the scene of a terrible retribution upon the wicked. The Revised Version gives the name as Har-Magedon, i.e. the hill (as Ar is the city) of Megiddo .—ED.)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ar-ma-ged'-on Armageddon: Re 16:16; the Revised Version (British and American) "HAR-MAGEDON") (which see).</p>