Baal (Bael) or Beelzebub

Baal is actually a general word meaning “lord.” In religious contexts, the specific lord in question is usually the Canaanite god of rain, dew, and fertile fields.. This god is said to ride on the clouds. He is also called “Prince Baal.” In Semitic languages, the phrase is Baal zebul.

The transition from Bael to Beelzebub

Beelzebub or Beelzebul was identified by the writers of the New Testament as Satan, “prince” (i.e., king) of the demons. (e.g., Matthew 10.25; Mark 3.22; Luke 11.15, 18–19). Any reference to the Canaanite god had been lost at that stage.

 “Beelzebub is another name for the devil similar to Satan.” He is known by believers as one of the seven princes of Hell, according to Catholic views in terms of demonology.

In the Testament of Solomon, Beelzebul (not Beelzebub) appears as prince of the demons and says that he was formerly a leading heavenly angel who was associated with the star Hesperus. Seemingly, Beelzebul here is simply 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.”

Readers Feedback Feb 18,  2020

“In the Testament of Solomon, Beelzebul (not Beelzebub) appears as prince of the demons and says that he was formerly a leading heavenly angel who was associated with the star Hesperus. Seemingly, Beelzebul here is simply Lucifer. “

However, Lucifer/Phosphorus is Venus as the morning star, and Baal/Hesperus is Venus as the evening star.

Whilst Beelzebul did reveal to Solomon that he was formerly the highest-ranking angel in Heaven; it’s important to note that this was after Belial and then subsequently Lucifer had already fallen.

The Testament of Solomon is an Old Testament pseudepigraphical work, purportedly written by King Solomon, in which Solomon mostly describes particular demons whom he enslaved to help build the temple, with substantial Christian interpolations.

The Dictionnaire Infernal describes Beelzebub as a “demonic fly,” known as the “Lord of the Flies”.

The Importance of Bael/Beelzebub

Beelzebub has always held a place in Hell’s hierarchy.

17th-century exorcist Sebastien Michaelis, in his Admirable History (1612), placed Beelzebub among the three most prominent fallen angels, the other two being Lucifer and Leviathan

18th-century works identified an unholy trinity consisting of Beelzebub, Lucifer, and Astaroth

BWS – I follow the 18th century views on this last point.

CLASSIC TEXTS