Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction: Beelzebub is a name that appears in the New Testament and is often associated with demonic activity and the prince of demons. The name is derived from a Philistine god worshiped in the ancient city of Ekron, as mentioned in the Old Testament. Over time, Beelzebub became synonymous with Satan or a high-ranking demon in Christian theology.
Etymology and Historical Background: The name Beelzebub is believed to originate from the Hebrew "Ba'al Zebub," which translates to "lord of the flies." This deity was worshiped by the Philistines, and the name may have been used derisively by the Israelites to mock the pagan god. In the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, the name is rendered as "Beelzeboul," which some scholars suggest means "lord of the dwelling" or "lord of dung."
Biblical References: Beelzebub is mentioned in the New Testament in the context of accusations against Jesus. In the Gospel of Matthew, the Pharisees accuse Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub: "But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, 'Only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, does this man drive out demons'" (
Matthew 12:24). Similarly, in the Gospel of Mark, the scribes claim, "He is possessed by Beelzebul," and "By the prince of demons He drives out demons" (
Mark 3:22).
In these passages, Beelzebub is equated with the prince of demons, suggesting a high-ranking position within the demonic hierarchy. Jesus responds to these accusations by explaining that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand, thereby refuting the claim that He is in league with demonic forces.
Theological Significance: In Christian theology, Beelzebub is often identified with Satan or considered one of his chief lieutenants. The association with demonic power and opposition to Christ underscores the spiritual battle between good and evil. The use of Beelzebub in the New Testament highlights the conflict between Jesus' divine authority and the forces of darkness.
Cultural Impact: Throughout history, Beelzebub has been depicted in various works of literature and art as a symbol of evil and corruption. In John Milton's "Paradise Lost," Beelzebub is portrayed as a prominent demon, second only to Satan. The name has also been used in popular culture to represent malevolent forces or characters.
Conclusion: The figure of Beelzebub serves as a reminder of the spiritual warfare that is a central theme in Christian doctrine. The New Testament references to Beelzebub emphasize the authority of Jesus over demonic powers and the ultimate triumph of good over evil.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Beelzebubsame as Baalzebub
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Beelzebub[See BEELZEBUL]
ATS Bible Dictionary
Beelzebub"the prince of the devils," Matthew 12:24. This name is derived from Baal-zebub, an idol deity among the Ekronites, signifying lord of flies, fly-baal, fly-god, whose office was to protect his worshippers from the torment of the gnats and flies with which that region was infested, 2 Kings 1:2,3,16. It is also sometimes written Beel- sebul, which signifies probably the dung-god. The Jews seem to have applied this appellation to Satan, as being the author of all the pollutions and abominations of idol-worship.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Gr. form Beel'zebul), the name given to Satan, and found only in the New Testament (
Matthew 10:25;
12:24, 27;
Mark 3:22). It is probably the same as Baalzebub (q.v.), the god of Ekron, meaning "the lord of flies," or, as others think, "the lord of dung," or "the dung-god."
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) The title of a heathen deity to whom the Jews ascribed the sovereignty of the evil spirits; hence, the Devil or a devil. See Baal.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BEELZEBUBbe-el'-ze-bub (in the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) is an error (after the Vulgate) for Beelzebul (Revised Version margin) Beelzeboul; Westcott and Hort, The New Testament in Greek, Beezeboul): In the time of Christ this was the current name for the chief or prince of demons, and was identified with SATAN (which see) and the DEVIL (which see). The Jews committed the unpardonable sin of ascribing Christ's work of casting out demons to Beelzebul, thus ascribing to the worst source the supreme manifestation of goodness (Matthew 10:25; Matthew 12:24, 27 Mark 3:22 Luke 11:15, 18, 19). There can be little doubt that it is the same name as BAALZEBUB (which see). It is a well-known phenomenon in the history of religions that the gods of one nation become the devils of its neighbors and enemies. When the Aryans divided into Indians and Iranians, the Devas remained gods for the Indians, but became devils (daevas) for the Iranians, while the Ahuras remained gods for the Iranians and became devils (asuras) for the Indians. Why Baalzebub became Beelzebul, why the b changed into l, is a matter of conjecture. It may have been an accident of popular pronunciation, or a conscious perversion (Beelzebul in Syriac = "lord of dung"), or Old Testament zebhubh may have been a perversion, accidental or intentional of zebhul (= "house"), so that Baalzebul meant "lord of the house." These are the chief theories offered (Cheyne in EB; Barton in Hastings, ERE).
T. Rees
Greek
954. Beelzeboul -- Beelzebul, a name of Satan ... Beelzebub. Of Chaldee origin (by parody on Ba'al Zbuwb); dung-god; Beelzebul,
a name of Satan --
Beelzebub. see HEBREW Ba'al Zbuwb.
... Library
Christ and Beelzebub
... Mark CHAPTER 3:20-27 CHRIST AND BEELZEBUB. "And the multitude cometh together
again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. ...
Of the Occasion on which it was Said to Him that He Cast Out ...
... Chapter XXXVIII."Of the Occasion on Which It Was Said to Him that He Cast Out Devils
in the Power of Beelzebub, and of the Declarations Drawn Forth from Him ...
Healing of the Deaf and Dumb Demoniac. --The Charge of a League ...
... Section 161. Healing of the Deaf and Dumb Demoniac."The Charge of a League
with Beelzebub: a Visible Sign demanded."The Charge refuted. ...
Power Hindered.
... David? But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not
cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. ...
St. Ambrose Turns against the Novatians Themselves Another ...
... words before the passage quoted, that we may understand it more clearly: The Jews
were saying: "This man doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub, prince of ...
From St. Luke's Eleventh ChapterOther Evidence that Christ Comes ...
... out the "demon which was dumb" [4557] (and by a cure of this sort verified Isaiah),
[4558] and having been charged with casting out demons by Beelzebub, He said ...
Why the Pharisees Asked a Sign from Heaven.
... they suspected that the signs upon earth might possibly not be of God; for they
did not hesitate indeed to say, "Jesus casts out demons by Beelzebub the prince ...
Letter Xlii. To Marcella.
... before a judge's tribunal any has declared of the things written in the gospel that
they were wrought not by the Son of God but by Beelzebub, the prince of the ...
Blasphemous Accusations of the Jews.
... when the Pharisees heard it, they ^b 22 and the scribes that came down from Jerusalem
said, ^a This man doth not cast out demons, but by Beelzebub the prince ...
The Mistakes of Christ's Foes and Friends
... 'And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub,
and by the prince of the devils casteth He out devils.23. ...
Thesaurus
Beelzebub (7 Occurrences)... devil. See Baal. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
BEELZEBUB. be
... ERE). T. Rees.
Multi-Version Concordance
Beelzebub (7 Occurrences). Matthew
...Devils (48 Occurrences)
... (KJV). Matthew 12:24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth
not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. (KJV). ...
Spirits (129 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Matthew 12:24 But the Pharisees, hearing of it, said, This man only sends
evil spirits out of men by Beelzebub, the ruler of evil spirits. (BBE). ...
Casteth (54 Occurrences)
... (ASV WBS). Mark 3:22 And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath
Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. ...
Sends (94 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Matthew 12:24 But the Pharisees, hearing of it, said, This man only sends
evil spirits out of men by Beelzebub, the ruler of evil spirits. (BBE). ...
Satan (50 Occurrences)
... obviously recognized. He tempted our Lord in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11).
He is "Beelzebub, the prince of the devils" (12:24). He is ...
Beelzeboul (7 Occurrences)
Reason (438 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Matthew 12:27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, your sons, by whom do
they cast them out? For this reason they shall be your judges. (DBY NAS). ...
Evil (1503 Occurrences)
... the personal form referring to the enemy of the race known by various terms: Satan,
"the adversary" or "the accuser," occurs 50 times; Beelzebub is found 7 ...
Ruler (329 Occurrences)
... (BBE YLT NAS). Matthew 12:24 But the Pharisees, hearing of it, said, This man only
sends evil spirits out of men by Beelzebub, the ruler of evil spirits. ...
Resources
Who was Beelzebub? | GotQuestions.orgMiscellaneous Bible Questions (All) | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44)? | GotQuestions.orgBeelzebub: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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