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[[File:Beelzebub.png|300px|thumb|Beelzebub as depicted in the Infernal Dictionary]] | [[File:Beelzebub.png|300px|thumb|Beelzebub as depicted in the Infernal Dictionary]] | ||
'''Beelzebub''' ( | '''Beelzebub''' (Hebrew: בַּעַל זְבוּב ''Baʿal Zəḇūḇ'') or '''Beelzebul''' is a name derived from a Philistine god, formerly worshipped in Ekron, and later adopted by some [[Abrahamic religion]]s as a major [[demon]]. The name Beelzebub is associated with the Canaanite god [[Bael|Baal]]. | ||
In [[Christianity|Christian]] theology texts, Beelzebub is another name for [[Satan]]. He is known in demonology as one of the seven princes of [[Hell]]. The ''[[Dictionnaire Infernal]]'' describes Beelzebub as a being capable of flying, known as the "Lord of the Flyers," or the "Lord of the Flies." | In [[Christianity|Christian]] theology texts, Beelzebub is another name for [[Satan]]. He is known in demonology as one of the seven princes of [[Hell]]. The ''[[Dictionnaire Infernal]]'' describes Beelzebub as a being capable of flying, known as the "Lord of the Flyers," or the "Lord of the Flies." | ||
In the [[hierarchy of Hell]], he rules over the 1st degree of diabolical spirits, the False Gods. | |||
==Lord of the Flies== | |||
[[File:Baal Comparison.jpg|400px|thumb|Side-by-side comparison of the Narmer Palette and the Baal Stele showing their similarities]] | |||
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. | |||
===Name for Ra=== | |||
Jewish scholars have interpreted the title of "Lord of the Flies" as the Hebrew way of calling [[Bael|Ba'al]] a pile of excrement, and comparing Ba'al followers to flies. If true, this may indicate a connection between Ba'al and the Egyptian sun god [[Ra]], who was often symbolized as a dung beetle and with whom the concept of a dung pile was closely linked as a symbol of rebirth. | |||
Many depictions of Baal show the god in the "smiting pose." This pose is most closely associated with depictions of Ra and the pharaohs of Egypt showing their role in putting down rebellions and maintaining order. This is most evident in the Narmer Palette, which shows King Narmer, the ruler who united northern and southern Egypt, in the smiting pose holding a mace. | |||
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. | |||
==Old Testament== | ==Old Testament== | ||
The source for the name Beelzebub is found in the 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. | ||
The Septuagint renders the name as Baalzebub (Βααλζεβούβ) and as ''Baal muian'' (Βααλ μυῗαν, "Baal of flies"). However, Symmachus may have reflected a tradition of its offensive ancient name, when he rendered it as Beelzeboul. | |||
The Septuagint renders the name as Baalzebub (Βααλζεβούβ) and as Baal muian (Βααλ μυῗαν, "Baal of flies"). However, Symmachus may have reflected a tradition of its offensive ancient name, when he rendered it as Beelzeboul. | |||
==''Testament of Solomon''== | ==''Testament of Solomon''== | ||
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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 | 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). | ||
==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. | ||
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In the [[Occult Tarot]], Beelzebub is [[The Moon]] card. | In the [[Occult Tarot]], Beelzebub is [[The Moon]] card. | ||
==See also== | |||
* [[Bael]] | |||
* [[Labal]] | |||
[[Category:Deities]] | [[Category:Deities]] | ||
[[Category:Demons]] | [[Category:Demons]] | ||
[[Category:Featured Articles]] | [[Category:Featured Articles]] | ||
[[Category:Baal]] | |||