Beelzebub - Revision history

Occultwiki: /* Christian tradition */

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Christian tradition

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	==Christian tradition==		==Christian tradition==
	[[File:Beelzebub Sigil.jpg\|350px\|thumb\|Summoning [[sigil]] of Beelzebub]]		[[File:Beelzebub Sigil.jpg\|350px\|thumb\|Summoning [[sigil]] of Beelzebub]]
	Beelzebub is commonly described as placed high in [[hierarchy of Hell\|Hell's hierarchy]]. According to the stories of the 16th-century [[occultist]] [[Johann Weyer]], Beelzebub led a successful revolt against [[the Devil]], is the chief lieutenant of [[Lucifer]], the Emperor of Hell, and presides over the Order of the Fly. Similarly, the 17th-century [[exorcist]] Sébastien Michaëlis, in his Admirable History (1612), placed Beelzebub among the three most prominent [[fallen angel]]s, the other two being Lucifer and [[Leviathan]]. John Milton, in his epic poem ''Paradise Lost'', first published in 1667, identified an unholy trinity consisting of Beelzebub, Lucifer, and [[Astaroth]], with Beelzebub as the second-ranking of the many fallen angels. Milton wrote of Beelzebub "than whom, [[Satan]] except, none higher sat." Beelzebub is also a character in John Bunyan's ''The Pilgrim's Progress'', first published in 1678.		Beelzebub is commonly described as placed high in [[hierarchy of Hell\|Hell's hierarchy]]. According to the stories of the 16th-century [[occultist]] [[Johann Weyer]], Beelzebub led a successful revolt against [[the Devil]], is the chief lieutenant of [[Lucifer]], the Emperor of Hell, and presides over the Order of the Fly. Similarly, the 17th-century [[exorcist]] Sébastien Michaëlis, in his ''Admirable History'' (1612), placed Beelzebub among the three most prominent [[fallen angel]]s, the other two being Lucifer and [[Leviathan]]. John Milton, in his epic poem ''Paradise Lost'', first published in 1667, identified an unholy trinity consisting of Beelzebub, Lucifer, and [[Astaroth]], with Beelzebub as the second-ranking of the many fallen angels. Milton wrote of Beelzebub "than whom, [[Satan]] except, none higher sat." Beelzebub is also a character in John Bunyan's ''The Pilgrim's Progress'', first published in 1678.

	Sebastien Michaelis associated Beelzebub with the deadly sin of pride. However, according to Peter Binsfeld, Beelzebub was the demon of gluttony, one of the other seven deadly sins, whereas [[Francis Barrett]] asserted that Beelzebub was the prince of idolatry.		Sebastien Michaelis associated Beelzebub with the deadly sin of pride. However, according to Peter Binsfeld, Beelzebub was the demon of gluttony, one of the other seven deadly sins, whereas [[Francis Barrett]] asserted that Beelzebub was the prince of idolatry.

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	[[File:Beelzebub-Sign.jpg\|500px\|thumb\|The Sign and Signature of Beelzebub as found in [[The Grand Grimoire]]]]		[[File:Beelzebub-Sign.jpg\|500px\|thumb\|The Sign and Signature of Beelzebub as found in [[The Grand Grimoire]]]]
	In the ''[[Testament of Solomon]]'', Beelzebul (not Beelzebub) appears as prince of the [[demon]]s and says he was formerly a leading heavenly [[angel]] who was associated with the star Hesperus (which is the normal Greek name for the planet [[Venus]] (Aphrodite, Αφροδíτη) as evening star). Seemingly, Beelzebul here is synonymous with [[Lucifer]]. Beelzebul claims to cause destruction through tyrants, to cause demons to be worshipped among men, to excite priests to lust, to cause jealousies in cities and murders, and to bring on war. The ''Testament of Solomon'' is an Old Testament pseudepigraphical work, purportedly written by [[King Solomon]], in which the author mostly describes particular demons whom he enslaved to help build Solomon's Temple, with substantial Christian interpolations.		In the ''[[Testament of Solomon]]'', Beelzebul (not Beelzebub) appears as prince of the [[demon]]s and says he was formerly a leading heavenly [[angel]] who was associated with the star Hesperus (which is the normal Greek name for the planet [[Venus]] (Aphrodite, Αφροδíτη) as evening star). Seemingly, Beelzebul here is synonymous with [[Lucifer]]. Beelzebul claims to cause destruction through tyrants, to cause demons to be worshipped among men, to excite priests to lust, to cause jealousies in cities and murders, and to bring on war. The ''Testament of Solomon'' is an Old Testament pseudepigraphical work, purportedly written by [[King Solomon]], in which the author mostly describes particular demons whom he enslaved to help build Solomon's Temple, with substantial Christian interpolations.

			==''Liber Officiorum Spirituum''==
			The [[grimoire]] ''[[Liber Officiorum Spirituum]]'' and also in Sloane MS 3824, Beelzebub is described as the Prince of Devils with the name "Beel." He is compared to the god Charon. He is said to have been from the Order of the [[Cherubim]] with 1,000,000 lesser [[demon]]s serving him.

			In appearance, he is very beautiful and will give gold and silver to the magician who calls upon him by the proper invocation performed toward the east. However, he will kill the conjurer and everyone present in his circle unless there is a strong smell of smoke from amber, aloes, wood, and mastic.

	==New Testament==		==New Testament==

Occultwiki: /* Christian tradition */

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Christian tradition

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	Within religious circles, the accusation of demon possession has been used as both an insult and an attempt to categorize unexplained behavior, such as schizophrenia. Not only had the Pharisees disparagingly accused [[Jesus Christ\|Jesus]] of using Beelzebub's demonic powers to heal people (Luke 11:14–26), but others have been labeled possessed for acts of an extreme nature.		Within religious circles, the accusation of demon possession has been used as both an insult and an attempt to categorize unexplained behavior, such as schizophrenia. Not only had the Pharisees disparagingly accused [[Jesus Christ\|Jesus]] of using Beelzebub's demonic powers to heal people (Luke 11:14–26), but others have been labeled possessed for acts of an extreme nature.

	Down through history, Beelzebub has been held responsible for many cases of demonic possession, such as that of Sister Madeleine de Demandolx de la Palud, Aix-en-Provence in 1611, whose relationship with Father Jean-Baptiste Gaufridi led not only to countless traumatic events at the hands of her [[Inquisition\|inquisitors]] but also to the torture and execution of that "bewitcher of young nuns", Gaufridi himself. Beelzebub was also imagined to be sowing his influence in Salem, Massachusetts; his name came up repeatedly during the [[Salem Witch Trials]], the last large-scale public expression of witch hysteria in either North America or Europe, and afterwards, the Rev. Cotton Mather wrote a pamphlet titled Of ''Beelzebub and his Plot''.		Down through history, Beelzebub has been held responsible for many cases of demonic possession, such as that of Sister Madeleine de Demandolx de la Palud, Aix-en-Provence in 1611, whose relationship with Father Jean-Baptiste Gaufridi led not only to countless traumatic events at the hands of her [[Inquisition\|inquisitors]] but also to the torture and execution of that "bewitcher of young nuns", Gaufridi himself. Beelzebub was also imagined to be sowing his influence in Salem, Massachusetts; his name came up repeatedly during the [[Salem Witch Trials]], the last large-scale public expression of [[witch]] hysteria in either North America or Europe, and afterwards, the Rev. Cotton Mather wrote a pamphlet titled ''Of Beelzebub and his Plot''.

	==Other sources==		==Other sources==

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	==Other sources==		==Other sources==
	Beelzebub was one of the [[demon]]s that signed a [[diabolical pact]] with [[Urbain Grandier]].		Beelzebub was one of the [[demon]]s that signed a [[diabolical pact]] with [[Urbain Grandier]].

			In [[Kabbalah]], Beelzebub (together with [[Belial]]) rules over the [[qlippoth]] of [[Ghogiel]] on the [[Tree of Death]].

	In the [[Occult Tarot]], Beelzebub is [[The Moon]] card.		In the [[Occult Tarot]], Beelzebub is [[The Moon]] card.

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	In one understanding, ''Ba'al Zəbûb'' is translated literally as "lord of the flies." It was long ago suggested that there was a relationship between the Philistine god, and cults of flies—referring to a view of them as pests, feasting on excrement—appearing in the Hellenic world, such as Zeus Apomyios or Myiagros. This is confirmed by the Ugaritic text which depicts Ba'al expelling flies, which are the cause of a person's sickness.		In one understanding, ''Ba'al Zəbûb'' is translated literally as "lord of the flies." It was long ago suggested that there was a relationship between the Philistine god, and cults of flies—referring to a view of them as pests, feasting on excrement—appearing in the Hellenic world, such as Zeus Apomyios or Myiagros. This is confirmed by the Ugaritic text which depicts Ba'al expelling flies, which are the cause of a person's sickness.

	Alternatively, the deity's actual name could have been ''Ba'al Zəbûl'', "lord of the (~~heavenly~~) dwelling", and ''Ba'al Zebub'' could have been a derogatory pun used by the Israelites.		Alternatively, the deity's actual name could have been ''Ba'al Zəbûl'', "lord of the ([[heaven]]ly) dwelling", and ''Ba'al Zebub'' could have been a derogatory pun used by the Israelites.

	===Name for Ra===		===Name for Ra===

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	===In ''The Zohar''===		===In ''The Zohar''===
	[[Zohar\|''The Zohar'']] explicitly says that worshippers of the [[sun]] are also worshipers of Baal. ''Bereshit'' B:211, "Come and behold: All those who worship the sun are always referred to as the worshippers of Baal, and those who worship the [[moon]] are called worshippers of Asherah."		[[Zohar\|''The Zohar'']] explicitly says that worshippers of the [[sun]] are also worshipers of Baal. ''Bereshit'' B:211, "Come and behold: All those who worship the sun are always referred to as the worshippers of Baal, and those who worship the [[moon]] are called worshippers of Asherah." This would seem to confirm that the early Hebrew scholars considered Ra and Baal to be the same entity.

	==Old Testament==		==Old Testament==

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Lord of the Flies

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	The "Baal Stele" discovered in 1932 in Syria shows Baal in a virtually identical pose as King Narmer on the Narmer Palette. Both are barefoot, holding a mace in the smiting pose, wearing similar clothing, with an attendant nearby. The Baal Stele dates to the 15th century BC, when Caan was a vassal state of Egypt.		The "Baal Stele" discovered in 1932 in Syria shows Baal in a virtually identical pose as King Narmer on the Narmer Palette. Both are barefoot, holding a mace in the smiting pose, wearing similar clothing, with an attendant nearby. The Baal Stele dates to the 15th century BC, when Caan was a vassal state of Egypt.

			===In ''The Zohar''===
			[[Zohar\|''The Zohar'']] explicitly says that worshippers of the [[sun]] are also worshipers of Baal. ''Bereshit'' B:211, "Come and behold: All those who worship the sun are always referred to as the worshippers of Baal, and those who worship the [[moon]] are called worshippers of Asherah."

	==Old Testament==		==Old Testament==

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	[[Category:Demons]]		[[Category:Demons]]
	[[Category:Featured Articles]]		[[Category:Featured Articles]]
			[[Category:Baal]]

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New Testament

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	==New Testament==		==New Testament==
	In Mark 3:22, the scribes accuse [[Jesus Christ\|Jesus]] of driving out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of ~~demons~~, the name also appears in the expanded version in Matthew 12:24,27 and Luke 11:15, 18–19. The name also occurs in Matthew 10:25.		In Mark 3:22, the scribes accuse [[Jesus Christ\|Jesus]] of driving out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of [[demon]]s, the name also appears in the expanded version in Matthew 12:24,27 and Luke 11:15, 18–19. The name also occurs in Matthew 10:25.
	<blockquote>		<blockquote>
	Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out [[demon]]s by the Spirit of [[Yahweh\|God]], then the kingdom of God has come upon you."		Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out [[demon]]s by the Spirit of [[Yahweh\|God]], then the kingdom of God has come upon you."
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	—Matthew 12:25-28		—Matthew 12:25-28
	</blockquote>		</blockquote>
	It is unknown whether Symmachus the Ebionite was correct in identifying these names because we otherwise know nothing about either of them. Zeboul might derive from a slurred pronunciation of zebûb; from zebel, a word used to mean "dung" in the Targums; or from Hebrew zebûl found in 1 Kings 8:13 in the phrase bêt-zebûl, "lofty house".		It is unknown whether Symmachus the Ebionite was correct in identifying these names because we otherwise know nothing about either of them. Zeboul might derive from a slurred pronunciation of ''zebûb''; from ''zebel'', a word used to mean "dung" in the Targums; or from Hebrew ''zebûl'' found in 1 Kings 8:13 in the phrase ''bêt-zebûl'', "lofty house."

	In any case, the form Beelzebub was substituted for Beelzeboul in the Syriac translation and Latin Vulgate translation of the gospels, and this substitution was repeated in the King James Version, the resulting form Beelzeboul being mostly unknown to Western European and descendant cultures until some more recent translations restored it.		In any case, the form Beelzebub was substituted for Beelzeboul in the Syriac translation and [[Bible\|Latin Vulgate]] translation of the gospels, and this substitution was repeated in the King James Version, the resulting form Beelzeboul being mostly unknown to Western European and descendant cultures until some more recent translations restored it.

	Beelzebub is also identified in the New Testament as the Devil, "the prince of demons." Biblical scholar Thomas Kelly Cheyne suggested that it might be a derogatory corruption of Ba'al Zəbûl, "Lord of the High Place" (i.e., Heaven) or "High Lord."		Beelzebub is also identified in the New Testament as [[the Devil]], "the prince of demons." Biblical scholar Thomas Kelly Cheyne suggested that it might be a derogatory corruption of Ba'al Zəbûl, "Lord of the High Place" (i.e., Heaven) or "High Lord."

	In Arabic translations, the name is rendered as ''Baʿl-zabūl'' (بعلزبول).		In Arabic translations, the name is rendered as ''Baʿl-zabūl'' (بعلزبول).

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Old Testament

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	==Old Testament==		==Old Testament==
	The source for the name Beelzebub is found in the [[Bible\|Books of Kings]] (2 Kings 1:2–3, 6, 16), written ''Ba'al Zəbûb'', referring to a deity worshipped by the Philistines. The title "[[Baal]]," meaning "Lord" in Ugaritic, was used in conjunction with a descriptive name of a specific god. Opinions differ on what the name means.		The source for the name Beelzebub is found in the [[Bible\|Books of Kings]] (2 Kings 1:2–3, 6, 16), written ''Ba'al Zəbûb'', referring to a deity worshipped by the Philistines. The title "Baal," meaning "Lord" in Ugaritic, was used in conjunction with a descriptive name of a specific god. Opinions differ on what the name means.

	According to Francesco Saracino (1982) this series of elements may be inconclusive as evidence, but the fact that in relationship to Ba'al Zebub, the two constituent terms are here linked, joined by a function (''ndy'') that is typical of some divinities attested in the Mediterranean world, is a strong argument in favor of the authenticity of the name of the god of Ekron, and of his possible therapeutic activities, which are implicit in 2 Kings 1:2–3, etc.		According to Francesco Saracino (1982) this series of elements may be inconclusive as evidence, but the fact that in relationship to Ba'al Zebub, the two constituent terms are here linked, joined by a function (''ndy'') that is typical of some divinities attested in the Mediterranean world, is a strong argument in favor of the authenticity of the name of the god of Ekron, and of his possible therapeutic activities, which are implicit in 2 Kings 1:2–3, etc.