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Belus is a figure often associated with ancient Near Eastern mythology and history, and while not directly mentioned in the Bible, he is sometimes linked to biblical narratives and characters through historical and cultural contexts. The name "Belus" is often considered a Hellenized form of the Semitic title "Baal," which means "lord" or "master." This title was commonly used for various deities in the ancient Near East, particularly in Canaanite and Babylonian cultures.

Historical and Mythological Context

In ancient mythology, Belus is often identified with the Babylonian god Bel, a title used for Marduk, the chief deity of Babylon. Marduk was considered the god of creation, water, vegetation, judgment, and magic. The worship of Bel/Marduk is mentioned in the Bible, particularly in the context of the Babylonian captivity. InJeremiah 50:2 , it is proclaimed, "Announce and declare among the nations; lift up a banner and proclaim it. Do not conceal it; say, 'Babylon is captured; Bel is put to shame; Marduk is shattered. Her images are disgraced; her idols are broken in pieces.'"

Belus is also sometimes associated with the legendary founder of Babylon, Nimrod, who is mentioned inGenesis 10:8-10 : "Cush was the father of Nimrod, who began to be a mighty one on the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; so it is said, 'Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the LORD.' His kingdom began in Babylon, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar." Nimrod's association with Babylon and his reputation as a mighty leader have led some to connect him with the figure of Belus.

Cultural Influence

The figure of Belus, as a representation of Baal or Bel, highlights the syncretism and cultural exchanges between the Israelites and their neighboring civilizations. The Israelites were often warned against the worship of Baal and other foreign gods, as seen in passages likeJudges 2:11-13 : "And the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. They forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. They provoked the LORD to anger because they forsook Him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths."

Theological Significance

From a theological perspective, the figure of Belus serves as a reminder of the constant struggle between the worship of the one true God, Yahweh, and the temptation to follow the gods of surrounding nations. The biblical narrative consistently emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to Yahweh and the rejection of idolatry. The prophets frequently condemned the worship of Baal and other deities, urging the Israelites to return to the covenant with God.

In summary, while Belus is not a direct biblical character, his association with Baal and Bel provides insight into the religious and cultural dynamics of the ancient Near East. The biblical texts underscore the importance of monotheism and the rejection of idolatry, themes that are central to the faith and practice of the Israelite community.BELUS, TEMPLE OF

be'-lus.

SeeBABEL.

Antiquity of Christianity.
... For Thallus mentionedBelus, king of the Assyrians, and Saturn, son of Titan, alleging
thatBelus with the Titans made war against Jupiter and the so-called...

Of the Kings and Times of the Earthly City which were Synchronous...
... Ninus, then, who succeeded his fatherBelus, the first king of Assyria, was already
the second king of that kingdom when Abraham was born in the land of the...

Him Cyrus, his Grandson by his Daughter, Expelled from the Kingdom...
... wanting. There was at that time among the Babylonians a brazen image of
Belus, a very ancient king, whom Virgil also has mentioned....

Of the Ages of Vain Superstitions, and the Times at which they...
... Theophilus, [108] in his book written to Autolycus respecting the times, [109] says
that Thallus relates in his history, thatBelus, who is worshipped by the...

Of the Three Most Famous Kingdoms of the Nations, of which One...
... Of these, Assyria was much the most powerful and sublime; for that king Ninus,
son ofBelus, had subdued the people of all Asia except India....

The Conquest of Babylon.
... gardens, palaces, etc."The walls of Babylon."Marvelous accounts."The ditches."Streets
and gates."Palace of the king."Temple ofBelus."The bridge...

Argument: the Object of all Nations, and Especially of the Romans...
... and adores its local gods: as the Eleusinians worship Ceres; the Phrygians, Mater;
[1730] the Epidaurians, ??sculapius; the Chald??ans;Belus; the Syrians...

Testimony of the Chaldeans to the Antiquity of Moses.
... Berosus, a Babylonian, a priest of their godBelus, born in the time of Alexander,
composed for Antiochus, the third after him, the history of the Chaldeans in...

A Description of the Sea-Coast, Out of Pliny and Strabo.
... Near that, Getta, Lebba, the river Pagida orBelus, mingling glassy sand with its
small shore: it flows from the lake Cendevia, at the root of Carmel....

Caius Commands that his Statue Should be Set up in the Temple...
... The very small riverBelus [12] runs by it, at the distance of two furlongs; near
which there is Menmon's monument, [13] and hath near it a place no larger...

Belus
Belus. Belts,Belus. Bemoan . Int. Standard Bible EncyclopediaBELUS, TEMPLE
OF. be'-lus. See BABEL. Belts,Belus. Bemoan . Reference Bible.

Babel (3 Occurrences)
... The Temple ofBelus, which is supposed to occupy its site, is described by the Greek
historian Herodotus as a temple of great extent and magnificence, erected...

Bemoan (9 Occurrences)

Babylon (270 Occurrences)
... Arabs. This was probably the noted Temple ofBelus, which was a pyramid
about 480 feet high. (2) The Kasr (ie, "the palace"). This...

Gad (78 Occurrences)
... spread these Syrian cults became, may be seen in a number of ways, eg an altar from
Vaison in Southern France bearing an inscription: "Belus Fortunae rector...

Naomi (25 Occurrences)
... but may have been suggested or colored by the story of the death of Antiochus the
Great, who met his death while plundering a temple ofBelus near Elymais...

Nanaea
... but may have been suggested or colored by the story of the death of Antiochus the
Great, who met his death while plundering a temple ofBelus near Elymais...

Belts (6 Occurrences)

Bethdagon (2 Occurrences)
... a position farther Southeast (2) A city on the border of Asher (Joshua 19:27) which
Conder would identify with Tell D'auk, near the mouth of theBelus, in the...

Bethdagan
... a position farther Southeast (2) A city on the border of Asher (Joshua 19:27) which
Conder would identify with Tell D'auk, near the mouth of theBelus, in the...

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