ARMAGEDDON ('Αμαγεδών; in the manuscripts of the K recension Μαγεδών [a few: Μαγεδδών]; principal manuscripts of the Vulgate Hermagedon or Magedon). — Hebrew name («mount of Megiddo») of the place where, after the Angel has poured out the sixth bowl, the «kings of the whole earth», allies of the «Beast», will gather on the great day of God to fight against the Almighty (Rev. 16:16), driven by three unclean spirits like frogs (ibid. 16:14).
The locality, which is allegorical, takes its name from Megiddo (q.v.), a city located at the southwestern edge of the plain of Esdraelon, almost at the base of the hills descending from Carmel.
Because of the strategic importance of the Megiddo pass, the western side of the plain of Esdraelon was the most famous battlefield in Palestine, the scene of various decisive clashes (Thutmose III, launching his army there, defeated the Canaanite princes of Syria and Palestine, 15 May 1479 B.C.). At the «waters of Megiddo» the Canaanites were defeated by the tribes of Galilee and Sisera was slain (Judg. 5:19); the kings Joram and Ochozias were killed nearby (2 Kings 9:23-27); above all, memorable was the rout of King Josiah (609 B.C.), who was killed in the «plain of Megiddo» by the troops of Pharaoh Necho II (2 Kings 23:29-30; 2 Chron. 35:22-25), and this remained proverbial (Zech. 12:11; q.V. ADA-DREMMON).
The name therefore evokes defeat and slaughter; A. is by antonomasia the place where kings perish. The account of the battle and God’s victory over the coalition of kings, foreshadowed by the name A. in Rev. 16:16, is deferred to Rev. 19:17-21.