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In Ancient Greek mythology, Olethros /ˈɒlɪˌθrɒs/ (Greek: ὄλεθρος) was the personification of havoc and probably one of the Makhai.

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 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.

In popular culture

The name "Olethros" is used to refer to Destruction in The Sandman series written by Neil Gaiman.

See also

• Alala
• Alke
• Coalemus
• Homados
• Ioke
• Palioxis
• Polemus
• Proioxis

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Olethros Greek myths

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• First Epistle to the Corinthians
• First Epistle to the Thessalonians
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• First Epistle to Timothy