Tartarus and the bottomless pit

In Greek mythology, Tartarus is a region deep inside the earth and part of the underworld. It is a place of torment for the wicked and a prison for the Titans.

The ancient Greek word "Τάρταρος" ≈ "Tartarus".

Peter, writing to a Greek audience, uses Tartarus where Jude, in a similar passage, instead uses the word for "darkness".

The same word is used in the LXX (Septuagint).

English: Plato's description of rivers and the sea in the Phaedro is impossible. He says they all flow into each other beneath the earth through channels pierced through it, and that their original source is a body of water at the center of the earth called Tartarus, from which all waters running and standing are drawn. (Loeb#397, p. 139)

Greek: τὸ δ' ἐν τῷ Φαίδωνι γεγραμμένον περί τε τῶν ποταμῶν καὶ τῆς θαλάττης ἀδύνατόν ἐστιν. λέγεται γὰρ ὡς ἅπαντα μὲν εἰς ἄλληλα συντέτρηται ὑπὸ γῆν, ἀρχὴ δὲ πάντων εἴη καὶ πηγὴ τῶν ὑδάτων ὁ καλούμενος Τάρταρος, περὶ τὸ μέσον ὕδατός τι πλῆθος, ἐξ οὗ καὶ τὰ ῥέοντα καὶ τὰ μὴ ῥέοντα ἀναδίδωσιν πάντα· Aristotle: Meteorologica [356a]

English: But an this account rivers do not always flow in the same sense. For if they flow towards the centre and also away from it, they will flow uphill as much as down, according to the direction in which the surge of Tartarus inclines. And if this is so we have the proverbial impossibility of rivers flowing uphill. (Loeb#397, p. 141)

Greek: συμβαίνει δὲ τοὺς ποταμοὺς ῥεῖν οὐκ ἐπὶ ταὐτὸν ἀεὶ κατὰ τὸν λόγον τοῦτον· ἐπεὶ γὰρ εἰς τὸ μέσον εἰσρέουσιν ἀφ' οὗπερ ἐκρέουσιν, οὐδὲν μᾶλλον ῥευσοῦνται κάτωθεν ἢ ἄνωθεν, ἀλλ' ἐφ' ὁπότερ' ἂν ῥέψῃ κυμαίνων ὁ Τάρταρος. καίτοι τούτου συμβαίνοντος γένοιτ' ἂν τὸ λεγόμενον ἄνω ποταμῶν· ὅπερ ἀδύνατον. Aristotle: Meteorologica [356a]

In his Posterior Analytics, Aristotle is providing some examples of (his four) causes and uses Tartarus in one of them.

English: If, then, an effect can obtain for two causes, can it also be brought about by two causes? e.g., if it thunders both because there must be a hissing and roaring as the fire is extinguished, and also (as the Pythagoreans hold) to threaten the souls in Tartarus and make them fear. (Loeb#391, p. 217)

Greek: ἆρ' οὖν εἰ εἶναι ἐνδέχεται, καὶ γίνεσθαι ἐνδέχεται· ὥσπερ εἰ βροντᾷ <ὅτι> ἀποσβεννυμένου τε τοῦ πυρὸς ἀνάγκη σίζειν καὶ ψοφεῖν καί, εἰ ὡς οἱ Πυθαγόρειοί φασιν, ἀπειλῆς ἕνεκα τοῖς ἐν τῷ ταρτάρῳ, ὅπως φοβῶνται; Aristotle: Αναλυτικών υστέρων/1 10:25 [94b]

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The Penrose never-ending steps illusion, also called the stairs illusion, cannot exist in reality as depicted.

These steps were made famous by M. C. Escher (graphic artist) as elaborations on the theme. Steps, rivers, etc., do not go/flow uphill.

How is the Penrose steps illusion created?

More: Penrose steps: how it is done

Proverbs 30:16 The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough. [kjv]

αδης και ερως γυναικος και ταρταρος και γη ουκ εμπιπλαμενη υδατος και υδωρ και πυρ ου μη ειπωσιν αρκει [lxx]

The grave, and the love of a woman, and the earth not filled with water; water also and fire will not say, It is enough. [bs3]

The LXX has differences from the KJV (King James Version) based on the Hebrew.

The "grave" is called «αδης» or "hades", named for the Greek god of the underworld. The word "hades"
In addition to the "earth", the sub-underground world of the dead, «ταρταρυς» is added. The word «ταρταρυς» is also used by Peter in 2 Peter.
In addition to "fire", "water" is also used (a second time).

Proverbs 30:16

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KJV: The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.

Hebrew: שאול ועצר רחם ארץ לא שבעה מים ואש לא אמרה הון׃

Greek: αδης και ερως γυναικος και ταρταρος και γη ουκ εμπιπλαμενη υδατος και υδωρ και πυρ ου μη ειπωσιν αρκει

Revelation 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. [kjv]

και ο θανατος και ο αδης εβληθησαν εις την λιμνην του πυρος ουτος ο θανατος ο δευτερος εστιν η λιμνη του πυρος [gnt]

The "grave" is called «αδης» or "hades", named for the Greek god of the underworld. The word "hades" is often translated as "hell".

Revelation 20:14

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KJV: And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Greek: και ο θανατος και ο αδης εβληθησαν εις την λιμνην του πυρος ουτος εστιν ο θανατος ο δευτερος θανατος εστιν η λιμνη του πυρος

Hell is mentioned again in Proverbs 27:20.

Proverbs 27:20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied. [kjv]

αδης και απωλεια ουκ εμπιμπλανται ωσαυτως και οι οφθαλμοι των ανθρωπων απληστοι βδελυγμα κυριω στηριζων οφθαλμον και οι απαιδευτοι ακρατεις γλωσση [lxx]

Hell and destruction are not filled; so also are the eyes of men insatiable. He that fixes his eye is an abomination to the Lord; and the uninstructed do not restrain their tongue. [bs3]

Proverbs 27:20

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KJV: Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

Hebrew: שאול ואבדה לא תשבענה ועיני האדם לא תשבענה׃

Greek: αδης και απωλεια ουκ εμπιμπλανται ωσαυτως και οι οφθαλμοι των ανθρωπων απληστοι βδελυγμα κυριω στηριζων οφθαλμον και οι απαιδευτοι ακρατεις γλωσση

Brenton: Hell and destruction are not filled; so also are the eyes of men insatiable. He that fixes his eye is an abomination to the Lord; and the uninstructed do not restrain their tongue.

Go back to the original verses. How does the meaning change if the meaning of "self-sufficiency" is used for the translated concepts of "content" and "sufficient"?

The Greek word «ταρταρθσ», the deep abyss below the underworld that is a dungeon of torment and suffering for the wicked. It was also used as a prison for the "titans" after the epic battle between the "giants" and the "titans" in Greek mythology. One Biblical interpretation is that the "titans" were those angels who left their first estate.

Jude 1:6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. [kjv]

αγγελους τε τους μη τηρησαντας την εαυτων αρχην αλλα απολιποντας το ιδιον οικητηριον εις κρισιν μεγαλης ημερας δεσμοις αιδιοις υπο ζοφον τετηρηκεν [gnt]

Both Peter and Jude talk about angels not doing what they should be doing and being punished.

Jude 1:6

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KJV: And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

Hebrew: והמלאכים אשר לא שמרו את משרתם כי אם עזבו את זבלם שמרם במוסרות עולם ובאפלה למשפט היום הגדול׃

Greek: αγγελους τε τους μη τηρησαντας την εαυτων αρχην αλλα απολιποντας το ιδιον οικητηριον εις κρισιν μεγαλης ημερας δεσμοις αιδιοις υπο ζοφον τετηρηκεν

2 Peter 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; [kjv]

ει γαρ ο θεος αγγελων αμαρτησαντων ουκ εφεισατο αλλα σειροις ζοφου ταρταρωσας παρεδωκεν εις κρισιν [gnt]

2 Peter 2:4

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KJV: For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

Hebrew: כי לא חס אלהים על המלאכים אשר חטאו כי אם הורידם לקצבי הרים ויסגירם בכבלי אפל לשמרם למשפט׃

Greek: ει γαρ ο θεος αγγελων αμαρτησαντων ουκ εφεισατο αλλα σειραις σειροις ζοφου ταρταρωσας παρεδωκεν εις κρισιν τετηρημενους τηρουμενους

Tartarus is also mentioned in Job. Here is the start of the verse series.

Job 40:15 Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox. [kjv]

αλλα δη ιδου θηρια παρα σοι χορτον ισα βουσιν εσθιει [lxx]

Job 40:15

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KJV: Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.

Hebrew: הנה נא בהמות אשר עשיתי עמך חציר כבקר יאכל׃

Greek: αλλα δη ιδου θηρια παρα σοι χορτον ισα βουσιν εσθιει

Behemoth (verses omitted) appears to describe what today would be called a dinosaur, something like an brontosaurus. In old days, such creatures were called "dragons". Every ancient civilization has legends of creatures called "dragons".

Job 40:20 Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play. [kjv]

επελθων δε επ ορος ακροτομον εποιησεν χαρμονην τετραποσιν εν τω ταρταρω [lxx]

Here, the LXX has «ταρταρω» while the KJV has "field".

Job 40:20

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KJV: Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.

Hebrew: כי בול הרים ישאו לו וכל חית השדה ישחקו שם׃

Greek: επελθων δε επ ορος ακροτομον εποιησεν χαρμονην τετραποσιν εν τω ταρταρω

Job 41:1 Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? [kjv]

αξεις δε δρακοντα εν αγκιστρω περιθησεις δε φορβεαν περι ρινα αυτου [lxx]

Another dinosaur-like creature, this one fire-breathing, is described in the next chapter (verses omitted).

Job 41:1

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KJV: Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?

Hebrew: תמשך לויתן בחכה ובחבל תשקיע לשנו׃

Greek: αξεις δε δρακοντα εν αγκιστρω περιθησεις δε φορβεαν περι ρινα αυτου

Job 41:19 Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out. [kjv]

εκ στοματος αυτου εκπορευονται λαμπαδες καιομεναι και διαρριπτουνται εσχαραι πυρος [lxx]

41:20 Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron. [kjv]

εκ μυκτηρων αυτου εκπορευεται καπνος καμινου καιομενης πυρι ανθρακων [lxx]

This sounds like a fire-breathing dragon or dinosaur, a word coined in the 1800's.

Job 41:19

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KJV: Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out.

Hebrew: מפיו לפידים יהלכו כידודי אש יתמלטו׃

Greek: εκ στοματος αυτου εκπορευονται λαμπαδες καιομεναι και διαρριπτουνται εσχαραι πυρος

Job 41:20

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KJV: Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.

Hebrew: מנחיריו יצא עשן כדוד נפוח ואגמן׃

Greek: εκ μυκτηρων αυτου εκπορευεται καπνος καμινου καιομενης πυρι ανθρακων

Job 41:30 Sharp stones are under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire. [kjv]

η στρωμνη αυτου οβελισκοι οξεις πας δε χρυσος θαλασσης υπ αυτον ωσπερ πηλος αμυθητος [lxx]

The Greek for "sharp stones" is «οβελισκοι οξεις» from which we get the following words.

The modern Greek word "οβελίσκος" (o-veh-LEE-skos) ≈ "obelisk".
The modern Greek word "οξύ" (o-KSEE) ≈ "acid" which is the basis for English words such as "oxygen". The Latin word is "acidus" ≈ "sour, sharp, tart".
The modern Greek word "οξύς" (o-KSEES) ≈ "acute, sharp, pointed".
The modern Greek word "όξος" (O-ksos) ≈ "vinegar" which has a sharp taste.
The modern Greek word "ξίδι" (KSEE-thee) ≈ "vinegar" (more common word for "vinegar").

Job 41:30

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KJV: Sharp stones are under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire.

Hebrew: תחתיו חדודי חרש ירפד חרוץ עלי טיט׃

Greek: η στρωμνη αυτου οβελισκοι οξεις πας δε χρυσος θαλασσης υπ αυτον ωσπερ πηλος αμυθητος

Luke 23:36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, [kjv]

ενεπαιξαν δε αυτω και οι στρατιωται προσερχομενοι οξος προσφεροντες αυτω [gnt]

John 19:29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. [kjv]

σκευος εκειτο οξους μεστον σπογγον ουν μεστον του οξους και υσσωπω περιθεντες προσηνεγκαν αυτου τω στοματι [gnt]

Luke 23:36

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KJV: And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,

Greek: ενεπαιζον ενεπαιξαν δε αυτω και οι στρατιωται προσερχομενοι και οξος προσφεροντες αυτω

John 19:29

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KJV: Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.

Greek: σκευος ουν εκειτο οξους μεστον οι δε πλησαντες σπογγον ουν μεστον του οξους και υσσωπω περιθεντες προσηνεγκαν αυτου τω στοματι

Job 41:31 He maketh the deep to boil like a pot: he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment. [kjv]

αναζει την αβυσσον ωσπερ χαλκειον ηγηται δε την θαλασσαν ωσπερ εξαλειπτρον [lxx]

41:32 He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary. [kjv]

τον δε ταρταρον της αβυσσου ωσπερ αιχμαλωτον ελογισατο αβυσσον εις περιπατον [lxx]

Here, the "abyss", or «αβυσσον», is the "deep". The sentence phase order here is switched.

"Path" is the "abyss".
"Shine" is "abyss".
"One" is a "captive".
"Think" is "reckon" or "reason".
"Deep" is also "abyss".
"Hoary" is "Tartarus".

Job 41:31

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KJV: He maketh the deep to boil like a pot: he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment.

Hebrew: ירתיח כסיר מצולה ים ישים כמרקחה׃

Greek: αναζει την αβυσσον ωσπερ χαλκειον ηγηται δε την θαλασσαν ωσπερ εξαλειπτρον

Job 41:32

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KJV: He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary.

Hebrew: אחריו יאיר נתיב יחשב תהום לשיבה׃

Greek: τον δε ταρταρον της αβυσσου ωσπερ αιχμαλωτον ελογισατο αβυσσον εις περιπατον

Genesis 37:24 And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. [kjv]

και λαβοντες αυτον ερριψαν εις τον λακκον ο δε λακκος κενος υδωρ ουκ ειχεν [lxx]

Daniel 6:19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. [kjv]

τοτε ο βασιλευς ανεστη το πρωι εν τω φωτι και εν σπουδη ηλθεν επι τον λακκον των λεοντων [lxx]

Well, a well is a pit. There are many Greek words for a pit or a well.

It can be a source of water.
It can be dry, perhaps having been a source of water.

The ancient Greek word "λάκκος" ≈ "pond, cistern, pit" and is related to the English words "lake" and "loch" as in the Loch Ness Monster. This is the pit into which Joseph and Daniel were thrown. The modern Greek word "λάκκος" (LAK-kos) ≈ "pit".

Genesis 37:24 And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. [kjv]

και λαβοντες αυτον ερριψαν εις τον λακκον ο δε λακκος κενος υδωρ ουκ ειχεν [lxx]

Genesis 37:24

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KJV: And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.

Hebrew: ויקחהו וישלכו אתו הברה והבור רק אין בו מים׃

Greek: και λαβοντες αυτον ερριψαν εις τον λακκον ο δε λακκος κενος υδωρ ουκ ειχεν

Daniel 6:19

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KJV: Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.

Hebrew: באדין מלכא בשפרפרא יקום בנגהא ובהתבהלה לגבא די אריותא אזל׃

Greek: τοτε ο βασιλευς ανεστη το πρωι εν τω φωτι και εν σπουδη ηλθεν επι τον λακκον των λεοντων

Daniel 6:16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. [kjv]

τοτε ο βασιλευς ειπεν και ηγαγον τον δανιηλ και ενεβαλον αυτον εις τον λακκον των λεοντων και ειπεν ο βασιλευς τω δανιηλ ο θεος σου ω συ λατρευεις ενδελεχως αυτος εξελειται σε [lxx]

Daniel 6:16

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KJV: Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.

Hebrew: באדין מלכא אמר והיתיו לדניאל ורמו לגבא די אריותא ענה מלכא ואמר לדניאל אלהך די אנתה פלח לה בתדירא הוא ישיזבנך׃

Greek: τοτε ο βασιλευς ειπεν και ηγαγον τον δανιηλ και ενεβαλον αυτον εις τον λακκον των λεοντων και ειπεν ο βασιλευς τω δανιηλ ο θεος σου ω συ λατρευεις ενδελεχως αυτος εξελειται σε

Luther: Da befahl der König, daß man Daniel herbrächte; und warfen ihn zu den Löwen in den Graben. Der König aber sprach zu Daniel: Dein Gott, dem du ohne Unterlaß dienest, der helfe dir!

Modern automatic language translations systems, such as Google Translate, use machine learning and statistical pattern matching rather than language grammar and spelling rules and specific knowledge of the languages being translated.

So, for example, the Greek word for "well", as in a "hole in the ground", might go through English to get translated into Russian as "well", as in "very good".

More: Automatic language translation errors

Luke 14:5 And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day? [kjv]

και προς αυτους ειπεν τινος υμων υιος η βους εις φρεαρ εμπεσειται πεσειται και ουκ ευθεως ανασπασει αυτον εν ημερα του σαββατου [gnt]

… puteum … [v]

The modern Greek word "φρέαρ" (FREH-ar) ≈ "pit, well". This is an older word for a pit or shaft from which one might draw water. It appears more than 50 times in the GNT (Greek New Testament) and LXX.

The Latin word "puteus" ≈ "pit" from which comes the English word for "pit".

Luke 14:5

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KJV: And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?

Greek: και αποκριθεις προς αυτους ειπεν τινος υμων ονος υιος η βους εις φρεαρ εμπεσειται πεσειται και ουκ ευθεως ανασπασει αυτον εν τη ημερα του σαββατου

Latin: et respondens ad illos dixit cuius vestrum asinus aut bos in puteum cadet et non continuo extrahet illum die sabbati

Revelation 9:2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. [kjv]

και ηνοιξεν το φρεαρ της αβυσσου και ανεβη καπνος εκ του φρεατος ως καπνος καμινου μεγαλης και εσκοτωθη ο ηλιος και ο αηρ εκ του καπνου του φρεατος [gnt]

… puteum abyssi … sol … aer … [v]

This word «φρεαρ» is the "bottomless pit" in Revelation, literally the "pit of the abyss".

There are some other interesting words in this verse.

The Latin word "caminus" ≈ "furnace, forge, hearth" from which comes the English word "chimney".
The Latin word "sol" ≈ "sun"
The Latin word "aer" ≈ "air"
The modern Greek word "κάμινος" (KA-mee-nos) ≈ "furnace" which is the source of the Latin and English words.
The modern Greek word "καμινάδα" (ka-mee-NA-tha) ≈ "chimney".
The modern Greek word "ήλιος" (EE-lee-os) ≈ "sun" from which comes the English prefix "helio-".
The modern Greek word "αέρας" (a-EH-ras) ≈ "air" from which comes the English word "air".

Revelation 9:2

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KJV: And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.

Greek: και ηνοιξεν το φρεαρ της αβυσσου και ανεβη καπνος εκ του φρεατος ως καπνος καμινου μεγαλης και εσκοτισθη εσκοτωθη ο ηλιος και ο αηρ εκ του καπνου του φρεατος

Latin: et aperuit puteum abyssi et ascendit fumus putei sicut fumus fornacis magnae et obscuratus est sol et aer de fumo putei

What exactly is a "bottomless pit"? The modern Greek word "άβυσσος" (A-vees-sos) ≈ "abyss"is used here and was translated into "bottomless pit" in the KJV all 7 times in Revelation.

In 2 places (Rev 9:1 and 9:2) the word with the "abyss" is the modern Greek word "φρέαρ" (FREH-ar) ≈ "pit, well" so the "abyss pit" is used in the other 5 places, as if "abyss" means "bottomless" as in, literally, the "pit of the abyss".

Does adding the "bottomless" in the other 5 places constitute a forbidden "addition" to the book?

The Greek word "φρέαρ" is related to the Latin word "feveo" ≈ "hot" as in "fever" and to the English words "burn" and "brew" and the German word "brennen" ≈ "burn".

Revelation 9:1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. [kjv]

και ο πεμπτος αγγελος εσαλπισεν και ειδον αστερα εκ του ουρανου πεπτωκοτα εις την γην και εδοθη αυτω η κλεις του φρεατος της αβυσσου [gnt]

… clavis putei abyssi [v]

… keye … pit of depnesse … [wy]

… bottomlesse pytt. [ty]

Wycliffe uses the term "pit of depnesse" as in "pit of deepness" and not "bottomless".

There appears to be a difference between being "deep" and having no "bottom".

Technically, a "pit" in the center of the earth has no "bottom" and is not "deep" but a "deep" pit elsewhere would have a "bottom".

Revelation 9:1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. [kjv]

… clavis putei abyssi [v]

… keye … pit of depnesse … [wy]

20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. [kjv]

και ειδον αγγελον καταβαινοντα εκ του ουρανου εχοντα την κλειν της αβυσσου και αλυσιν μεγαλην επι την χειρα αυτου [gnt]

The "key" to the bottomless pit is singular, not plural, in two verses in Revelation. The Latin word "clavis" ≈ "key" is the source of the English musical term "clef".

Revelation 9:1

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KJV: And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.

Greek: και ο πεμπτος αγγελος εσαλπισεν και ειδον αστερα εκ του ουρανου πεπτωκοτα εις την γην και εδοθη αυτω η κλεις του φρεατος της αβυσσου

Latin: et quintus angelus tuba cecinit et vidi stellam de caelo cecidisse in terram et data est illi clavis putei abyssi

Wycliffe: And the fyuethe aungel trumpide; and Y say, that a sterre hadde falle doun fro heuene in to erthe; and the keye of the pit of depnesse was youun to it.

Tyndale: And the fyfte angell blewe and I sawe a stare fall from heven vnto the erth. And to him was geven the kaye of the bottomlesse pytt.

Revelation 20:1

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KJV: And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

Greek: και ειδον αγγελον καταβαινοντα εκ του ουρανου εχοντα την κλειδα κλειν της αβυσσου και αλυσιν μεγαλην επι την χειρα αυτου

Latin: et vidi angelum descendentem de caelo habentem clavem abyssi et catenam magnam in manu sua

Wycliffe: And Y say an aungel comynge doun fro heuene, hauynge the keie of depnesse, and a greet chayne in his hoond.

Luther: Und ich sah einen Engel vom Himmel fahren, der hatte den Schlüssel zum Abgrund und eine große Kette in seiner Hand

Revelation 9:2

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KJV: And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.

Revelation 9:11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon. [kjv]

εχουσιν επ αυτων βασιλεα τον αγγελον της αβυσσου ονομα αυτω εβραιστι αβαδδων και εν τη ελληνικη ονομα εχει απολλυων [gnt]

Revelation 9:11

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KJV: And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.

Greek: και εχουσιν εφ επ αυτων βασιλεα τον αγγελον της αβυσσου ονομα αυτω εβραιστι αβαδδων και εν τη ελληνικη ονομα εχει απολλυων

Latin: et habebant super se regem angelum abyssi cui nomen hebraice Abaddon graece autem Apollyon et latine habet nomen Exterminans

Revelation 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. [kjv]

και οταν τελεσωσιν την μαρτυριαν αυτων το θηριον το αναβαινον εκ της αβυσσου ποιησει μετ αυτων πολεμον και νικησει αυτους και αποκτενει αυτους [gnt]

Revelation 11:7

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KJV: And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

Greek: και οταν τελεσωσιν την μαρτυριαν αυτων το θηριον το αναβαινον εκ της αβυσσου ποιησει πολεμον μετ αυτων πολεμον και νικησει αυτους και αποκτενει αυτους

Revelation 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. [kjv]

το θηριον ο ειδες ην και ουκ εστιν και μελλει αναβαινειν εκ της αβυσσου και εις απωλειαν υπαγει και θαυμασθησονται οι κατοικουντες επι της γης ων ου γεγραπται το ονομα επι το βιβλιον της ζωης απο καταβολης κοσμου βλεποντων το θηριον οτι ην και ουκ εστιν και παρεσται [gnt]

Revelation 17:8

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KJV: The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

Greek: το θηριον ο ειδες ην και ουκ εστιν και μελλει αναβαινειν εκ της αβυσσου και εις απωλειαν υπαγειν υπαγει και θαυμασονται θαυμασθησονται οι κατοικουντες επι της γης ων ου γεγραπται τα ονοματα το ονομα επι το βιβλιον της ζωης απο καταβολης κοσμου βλεποντες βλεποντων το θηριον ο τι οτι ην και ουκ εστιν καιπερ εστιν και παρεσται

Revelation 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. [kjv]

20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. [kjv]

και εβαλεν αυτον εις την αβυσσον και εκλεισεν και εσφραγισεν επανω αυτου ινα μη πλανηση ετι τα εθνη αχρι τελεσθη τα χιλια ετη μετα ταυτα δει λυθηναι αυτον μικρον χρονον [gnt]

Revelation 20:3

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KJV: And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Greek: και εβαλεν αυτον εις την αβυσσον και εκλεισεν αυτον και εσφραγισεν επανω αυτου ινα μη πλανηση ετι τα εθνη ετι αχρι τελεσθη τα χιλια ετη και μετα ταυτα δει αυτον λυθηναι αυτον μικρον χρονον

Jonah 2:2 And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. [kjv]

και ειπεν εβοησα εν θλιψει μου προς κυριον τον θεον μου και εισηκουσεν μου εκ κοιλιας αδου κραυγης μου ηκουσας φωνης μου [lxx]

… ventre inferni … [v]

Was Jonah dead (like Lazarus)? Was Jonah in hell?

Do we know what is at the center of the earth?
Is it a molten core?
Has anyone ever descended to hell and returned?

Can the center of the earth be a "bottomless pit"?

Jonah 2:2

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KJV: And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.

Hebrew: ויאמר קראתי מצרה לי אל יהוה ויענני מבטן שאול שועתי שמעת קולי׃

Greek: και ειπεν εβοησα εν θλιψει μου προς κυριον τον θεον μου και εισηκουσεν μου εκ κοιλιας αδου κραυγης μου ηκουσας φωνης μου

Latin: et dixit clamavi de tribulatione mea ad Dominum et exaudivit me de ventre inferni clamavi et exaudisti vocem meam

Wycliffe: and seide, Y criede to God of my tribulacioun, and he herde me; fro the wombe of helle Y criede, and thou herdist my vois.

Luke 8:31 And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep. [kjv]

και παρεκαλουν αυτον ινα μη επιταξη αυτοις εις την αβυσσον απελθειν [gnt]

… abysisum … [v]

The ancient Greek word for "abyss" and "not linen" are similar in letters and sound but very different in meaning. There could be play on words using the similarity.

"βύσσος" ≈ "flax, linen, cotton, silk" and has Semitic origins.
"ἄβυσσος" ≈ "bottomless, boundless, unfathomable" and comes from two Greek words.

"ἀ" ≈ "opposite" as a negation prefix.
"βυθός" ≈ "depth, depth of the sea" and is cognate to the English word "deep" which comes from the Old English word "deop" ≈ "deep".

The idea appears to be of something that, rather than having "depth", has "no depth" as in a "bottomless pit".

More: Valleys and ditches

More: As abyss of linen