This article is about the demon. For the Semitic deity whose Biblical depiction inspired this demon, seeBaal. For the demonic figure Ba'al Zebub sometimes synonymous with Satan, seeBeelzebub. For other uses, seeBael.
The Lesser Key of Solomon describes him as appearing in the form of acat,toad,human, some combination thereof, or other "diverse shapes",[4] while thePseudomonarchia Daemonum and theDictionnaire Infernal state that he appears with the heads of a cat, toad, and human simultaneously.[2][3]
Jacques Collin de Plancy wonders if Bael is the same as the Canaanite deityBaal,[3] a "reasonable" assumption.[5][6] In theLivre des Esperitz, Bael (as Beal) is described as a king ruled by Oriens (himself a demon overseeing thecardinal directioneast, or theOrient), still possessing the power of invisibility, as well as the power to garner the favor of others, but ruling over only six (rather than sixty-six) legions of demons.[7] TheLiber Officiorum Spirituum featuresBaal,Baall,Boal, orBoall, again as a hoarsely voiced king (or sometimes a soldier), with not only the powers of invisibility but also of the sciences and love.[8][9] Sloane MS 3824 mentions Baal, in "Of the Demon Rulers", as a king ruled by Oriens, attributed with teaching science, (again) granting invisibility, and controlling 250 legions of spirits.[10]
