Topical Encyclopedia
Baal-zebub, also known as Beelzebub in the New Testament, is a name that appears in the Bible as a deity worshiped in the Philistine city of Ekron. The name Baal-zebub translates to "lord of the flies," and it is often associated with idolatry and false worship, standing in opposition to the worship of the one true God of Israel.
Biblical References:The primary reference to Baal-zebub is found in the Old Testament, specifically in
2 Kings 1:2-3, 6, 16. After King Ahaziah of Israel suffered an injury, he sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, to see if he would recover. This act of seeking guidance from a pagan deity was a direct violation of the First Commandment, which prohibits the worship of other gods. The prophet Elijah confronted Ahaziah's messengers, delivering a message from the LORD: "Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going off to consult Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?" (
2 Kings 1:3). Elijah's rebuke highlighted the sin of idolatry and the rejection of God's sovereignty.
Theological Significance:Baal-zebub's mention in the Bible serves as a stark reminder of the spiritual dangers of idolatry. The Israelites were repeatedly warned against turning to foreign gods, as such actions led them away from the covenant relationship with Yahweh. The worship of Baal-zebub is emblematic of the broader struggle between the worship of the true God and the allure of pagan practices.
In the New Testament, the name Beelzebub is used to refer to the prince of demons, often equated with Satan. In
Matthew 12:24, 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.'" . This accusation reflects the ongoing spiritual battle between the forces of good and evil, with Beelzebub representing the malevolent opposition to God's kingdom.
Cultural and Historical Context:The worship of Baal-zebub in Ekron is indicative of the broader Canaanite religious practices that were prevalent in the region. Baal was a common title for various local deities, and the specific epithet "zebub" may have been a derogatory term used by the Israelites to mock the god's supposed power. The association with flies could imply a connection to pestilence or corruption, further emphasizing the deity's negative connotations.
Moral and Spiritual Lessons:The account of Baal-zebub in the Bible underscores the importance of faithfulness to God and the rejection of idolatry. It serves as a warning against seeking guidance or power from sources other than the LORD. The narrative encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty and to remain steadfast in their devotion to Him, resisting the temptations of false gods and worldly influences.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Baal-Zebubgod of the fly
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Fly-lord, the god of the Philistines at Ekron (
2 Kings 1:2, 3, 16). This name was given to the god because he was supposed to be able to avert the plague of flies which in that region was to be feared. He was consulted by Ahaziah as to his recovery.
Strong's Hebrew
1176.Baal Zebub -- "Baal of flies," a Philistine godBaal Zebub. 1175, 1176.
Baal Zebub. 1177 . "Baal of flies," a Philistine
god. Transliteration:
Baal Zebub Phonetic Spelling: (bah
...Library
The Fall of the House of Ahab
... the possible outcome, sent some of his servants to make inquiry ofBaalzebub, the
god... there is no God in Israel, that ye go to inquire ofBaal-zebub, the god...
Blasphemous Accusations of the Jews.
... b He hath Beelzebub, and, By the prince of the demons casteth he out the demons.
[Beelzebub is a corruption ofBaalzebub, the god of the fly....
And Now, Since we have Touched Upon the Subject of the Prophets...
... law among the Jews?"as Elijah is found rebuking Ahaziah, and saying, "Is it because
there is not a God in Israel that ye go to inquire ofBaalzebub, god of...
Impossible that Marcion's Christ Should Reprove the Faithless...
... [4397] The Creator, at the request of Elias, inflicts the blow [4398] of fire
from heaven in the case of that false prophet (ofBaalzebub)....
The Call of Elisha
... And when Ahaziah, after the death of his father Ahab, turned from the living God
toBaal-zebub, the god of Ekron, it was Elijah's voice that was heard once...
Ephesus
... judgment on a king who had sent for counsel to a heathen oracle: "Is it not because
there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to inquire ofBaal-zebub the god...
The Being of God
... run ourselves into sin to rid ourselves out of trouble.2 Kings 1:1. Is it not because
there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to inquire ofBaal-Zebub the god...
Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... The Baal who ruled at Zebub was styled "Master of Zebub," orBaal-Zebub;* and the
Baal of Hermon, who was an ally of Gad, goddess of fortune, was sometimes...
The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... Their gods were henceforward those of the towns in which they resided, such as Marna
and Dagon and Gaza,* Dagon at Ashdod,**Baalzebub at Ekron,*** and Derketo...
Of the Three Woe Trumpets.
... by his people; from whence it came to pass afterwards, that powers of this kind
were called Baalim or Baals, as Baal Peor, Baalberith,Baalzebub, Baal Moloch...
Thesaurus
Baalzebub (4 Occurrences)... He was consulted by Ahaziah as to his recovery. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
BAALZEBUB.
... See BAAL (1). Multi-Version Concordance
Baalzebub (4 Occurrences).
...Baal-zebub (4 Occurrences)
Baal-zebub.Baalzebub,Baal-zebub. Ba'al-ze'bub . Easton's Bible Dictionary...
Baalzebub,Baal-zebub. Ba'al-ze'bub . Reference Bible.
Ba'al-ze'bub (4 Occurrences)
Ba'al-ze'bub.Baal-zebub, Ba'al-ze'bub. Baal-zebul . Multi-Version Concordance...
Baal-zebub, Ba'al-ze'bub. Baal-zebul . Reference Bible.
Ekron (20 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 5:10; 6:1-8). There was here a noted sanctuary ofBaal-zebub (2 Kings 1...
It was the seat of the worship of the godBaalzebub, as appears in the account...
Zebub (4 Occurrences)
... So he sent messengers, and said to them, "Go, inquire ofBaalZebub, the god of
Ekron, whether I will recover of this sickness." (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS...
Consult (27 Occurrences)
... So he sent messengers, and said to them, "Go, inquire ofBaalZebub, the god
of Ekron, whether I will recover of this sickness." (See NIV)....
Enquire (42 Occurrences)
... down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and
he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, enquire ofBaalzebub the god of...
Beelzebub (7 Occurrences)
... It is probably the same asBaalzebub (qv), the god of Ekron, meaning "the lord of
flies," or, as others think, "the lord of dung," or "the dung-god."....
Ahaziah (34 Occurrences)
... As a worthy son of Jezebel and Ahab, he sent messengers to consultBaalzebub, the
god... is no God in Israel, that thou sendest to inquire ofBaal-zebub, the god...
Resources
Who was Baal? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Beelzebub? | GotQuestions.orgWho was King Ahaziah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
