Baal-Zebub- Hebrew/Jewish DemonDemon"God of Ekron"
Also known as: Beelzebub, Baal-Zebul, Ba'al Zəvuv, Beelzebul, and בעל זבוב
Titles & Epithets
Domains
Symbols
Description
The Philistine idol of Ekron. When King Ahaziah fell through a lattice and lay injured, he sent messengers to consult Baal-Zebub rather than Yahweh. Elijah intercepted them on the road: 'Is it because there is no God in Israel that you go to inquire of the god of Ekron?' Ahaziah died.
Mythology & Lore
The God of Ekron
King Ahaziah of Israel fell through a lattice in his upper chamber and was injured. He sent messengers to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, to learn whether he would recover. The prophet Elijah intercepted them on the road with a rebuke from Yahweh: "Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?" Elijah pronounced that Ahaziah would not leave his bed. He died.
The name Baal-Zebub means "Lord of the Flies" in Hebrew, likely a deliberate corruption of the deity's actual title, Baal-Zebul, "Lord of the Exalted Dwelling." The writers reduced the god's name to mockery. The Philistine city of Ekron was a significant cult center; temple remains excavated at Tel Miqne confirm it.
Prince of Demons
In Second Temple Judaism, the foreign idol became a demon. The Testament of Solomon names Beelzebul as a prince of demons who claims authority over other evil spirits. The god of one Philistine city had been absorbed into Jewish demonology and transformed: no longer a regional idol receiving sacrifices at Ekron, but a cosmic adversary commanding legions.
Relationships
- Enemy of
- Equivalent to