Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Etymology:The term "Belial" is derived from the Hebrew word "bĕli-yaʿal," which is often translated as "worthlessness" or "wickedness." In the Old Testament, it is used to describe individuals or behaviors that are morally corrupt or rebellious against God. The term is not a proper name in the Hebrew Bible but rather an adjective or noun used to characterize certain people or actions.
Old Testament Usage:In the Old Testament, "Belial" is frequently used to describe individuals who are seen as lawless or rebellious. For example, in
Deuteronomy 13:13 , the term is used to describe "worthless men" who lead others to worship other gods: "Some worthless men have gone out from among you and have enticed the inhabitants of their city, saying, ‘Let us go and worship other gods’—gods you have not known." Similarly, in
1 Samuel 2:12 , the sons of Eli are described as "worthless men" who "did not know the LORD."
New Testament and Apocryphal References:In the New Testament, the term "Belial" appears in
2 Corinthians 6:15 , where Paul contrasts Christ with Belial: "What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?" Here, Belial is personified and often interpreted as a reference to Satan or a demonic figure, representing the antithesis of Christ and righteousness.
The term also appears in some apocryphal and pseudepigraphal texts, where it is often used to denote a demonic entity or the personification of evil. These texts, while not part of the canonical Bible, reflect the evolving understanding of Belial in Jewish and early Christian thought.
Theological Significance:Belial is often associated with lawlessness, rebellion, and moral corruption. In the biblical context, those described as "sons of Belial" are typically individuals who reject God's commandments and lead others astray. The use of Belial in 2 Corinthians highlights the stark contrast between the kingdom of God and the forces of evil, emphasizing the incompatibility of righteousness with wickedness.
Cultural and Historical Context:In ancient Israelite society, the term "Belial" would have been understood as a strong condemnation of one's character or actions. It served as a warning against associating with those who might lead the community away from the worship of Yahweh. Over time, as Jewish and Christian eschatology developed, Belial became more closely associated with demonic forces and the cosmic struggle between good and evil.
Interpretation in Christian Thought:In Christian theology, Belial is often equated with Satan or seen as a representation of the forces opposed to God. The use of the term in 2 Corinthians underscores the call for believers to separate themselves from ungodly influences and to live lives that reflect the holiness and purity of Christ. This interpretation aligns with the broader biblical theme of spiritual warfare and the believer's call to resist evil.
Conclusion:While the term "Belial" is not frequently used in the Bible, its implications are significant. It serves as a powerful symbol of moral and spiritual corruption, challenging believers to discern and reject the influences of wickedness in their lives.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Belialwicked, worthless
Smith's Bible Dictionary
BelialThe meaning of this word as found in the Scriptures isworthlessness , and hencereckless, lawlessness. The expressionson orman of Belial must be understood as meaning simply a worthless, lawless fellow. The term as used in (2 Corinthians 6:15) is generally understood as an appellative of Satan, as the personification of all that was bad.
ATS Bible Dictionary
BelialWorthlessness, always so used in a moral sense. A man or son of Belial is a wicked, worthless man; one resolved to endure no subjection; a rebel; a disobedient, uncontrollable fellow, Jud 19:221 Samuel 2:12. In later writings, Belial is put for the power or lord of evil, Satan,21 Corinthians 6:15.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Worthlessness, frequently used in the Old Testament as a proper name. It is first used in
Deuteronomy 13:13. In the New Testament it is found only in
2 Corinthians 6:15, where it is used as a name of Satan, the personification of all that is evil. It is translated "wicked" in
Deuteronomy 15:9;
Psalm 41:8 (R.V. marg.); 101:3;
Proverbs 6:12, etc. The expression "son" or "man of Belial" means simply a worthless, lawless person (
Judges 19:22;
20:13;
1 Samuel 1:16;
2:12).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) An evil spirit; a wicked and unprincipled person; the personification of evil.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BELIALbe'-li-al, bel'-yal (beliya`al; Beliar): This name, occurring very frequently in the Old Testament, has the sense of "worthlessness" (compare2 Samuel 23:6 margin); accordingly in such phrases as "sons of Belial" (Judges 20:131 Samuel 10:27, etc.), "men of Belial" (1 Samuel 30:221 Kings 21:13, etc.), which the English Revised Version usually retains, the American Standard Revised Version more correctly renders, "base fellows" (so "daughter of Belial"1 Samuel 1:16, "wicked woman"). There is here no suggestion a proper name. Afterward, however, "Belial" became a proper name for Satan, or for Antichrist (thus frequently in the Jewish Apocalyptic writings, e.g. in XII the Priestly Code (P), Book Jubilees, Ascension of Isaiah, Sibyllene Oracles). In this sense Paul used the word in2 Corinthians 6:15, "What concord hath Christ with Belial?" (Beliar). Bousset thinks that Paul's "man of sin" in2 Thessalonians 2:3, where some authorities read "man of lawlessness," is a translation of this term. The sense at least is similar.
SeeANTICHRIST;MAN OF SIN.
James Orr
Greek
955. Beliar -- "lord of the forest," Beliar, a name of Satan... of Satan. Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration: Beliar Phonetic
Spelling: (bel-ee'-al) Short Definition: Beliar Definition:
Belial, a demon
...Strong's Hebrew
1100. beliyyaal -- worthlessness... 1), wicked (3), worthless (18), worthless one (1).
Belial, evil, naughty,
ungodly men, wicked. From bliy and ya'al; without profit
...Library
Royal Murderers
... 10. And set two men, sons ofBelial, before him, to bear witness against
him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And...
In what Sense we are to Leave the World
... And what concord hath Christ withBelial?... As Christ can have no concord withBelial;
so a believer in him can have no concord with an unbeliever....
The Same Subject Continued.
... what communion, moreover, between light and darkness? what consonance between Christ
andBelial? or what part for a believer with an unbeliever?...
Gottlieb Shober.
... a holy divine body, without limitation of space, as is compelled to enter into all
substances and beings, whether they will or not, so that aBelial, when he...
Thereafter He Expounds the Appellation of "Son," and of "Product...
... And, moreover, in the opposite sense, too, the same persons are called "sons of
Eli," and "sons ofBelial [601] ," the appellation of "sons" being easily...
Letter ccxlv. To Possidius
... the apostle says generally, "I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils,"
[3014] and again, "What concord hath Christ withBelial?" [3015] unless...
Whether the Prophets of the Demons ever Foretell the Truth?
... from the Holy Ghost." Now the prophets of the demons do not speak from the Holy
Ghost, because "there is no concord between Christ andBelial [*'What concord...
Introduction
... Micah makes mention of him in the fifth chapter of his prophecy (see v.6). Nahum
refers to him under the name of "Belial" (Heb.) and tells of his destruction (1...
The General Service to a Hiero-Confessor or Monk-Confessor.
... Creator of all, the only one that hast adorned humanity with thy bringing forth,
O most pure one, deliver me from the meshes of the flatteringBelial, set me...
A Homily on Guria and Shamuna, Composed by Mar Jacob.
... Those old men [3348] of the daughter of the Hebrews were sons ofBelial,
[3349].... Lo! the sons ofBelial who slew Naboth are witnesses;...
Thesaurus
Belial (23 Occurrences)... The expression "son" or "man of
Belial" means simply a worthless, lawless person
(Judges 19:22; 20:13; 1 Samuel 1:16; 2:12). Noah Webster's Dictionary.
...BELIAL.
...Blaspheme (16 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 21:10 And set two men, sons ofBelial, before him, to bear witness
against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king....
Fellow (166 Occurrences)
... British and American) has "fellows" for "persons" (Judges 9:4), for "men" (Judges
11:3); "base fellows" for "men the children ofBelial" (Deuteronomy 13:13...
Antichrist (4 Occurrences)
... In the historical books of the Old Testament we find "Belial" used as if a personal
opponent of Yahweh; thus the scandalously wicked are called in the King...
Witnessed (21 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 21:13 And there came in two men, children ofBelial, and sat before him:
and the men ofBelial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the...
Fool (95 Occurrences)
... and nebhalah, "folly"; nabhal, however, denotes a wicked person, an evil character,
"shamelessly immoral," equivalent to "a son ofBelial" (Cheyne), rather...
Folly (68 Occurrences)
... and nebhalah, "folly"; nabhal, however, denotes a wicked person, an evil character,
"shamelessly immoral," equivalent to "a son ofBelial" (Cheyne), rather...
Torrents (17 Occurrences)
... the fall." (WEY). 2 Samuel 22:5 For the waves of death encompassed me, Torrents
ofBelial made me afraid. (DBY NAS RSV NIV). 1 Kings...
Encompassed (34 Occurrences)
... shall kill him. (WBS). 2 Samuel 22:5 For the waves of death encompassed me,
Torrents ofBelial made me afraid. (DBY NAS RSV). 2 Samuel...
Be'lial (1 Occurrence)
Be'lial.Belial, Be'lial. Beliar . Multi-Version Concordance Be'lial (1 Occurrence).
2 Corinthians 6:15 What agreement has Christ withBelial?...
Resources
Who was Belial? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Satanic bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat exactly is an unbeliever? | GotQuestions.orgBelial: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
