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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Everyday Life • Religion

Beelzebub

Beelzebub is a name that began as a title for a Philistine deity associated with Ekron and later became a name used in Jewish and Christian traditions for a major demon or for Satan.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Beelzebub is a name that originated as a Philistine deity and later became a prominent demonic figure in Jewish and Christian traditions. It appears in the Bible as both a pagan god and a title for the prince of demons.

What it is

Beelzebub traces back to the Philistine deity Baal-zebub of Ekron, meaning "Lord of the Flies" or, in some mocking interpretations, "lord of filth." The name was later adopted in Jewish and Christian demonology as a title for a high-ranking demon or Satan himself.

Biblical and religious usage

In the Hebrew Bible, the Philistine god Baal-zebub is consulted by King Ahaziah (2 Kings 1). In the New Testament, Beelzebub (or Beelzebul) is used by religious leaders to accuse Jesus of casting out demons by the power of the demonic ruler (Matthew 12, Luke 11). Later Christian tradition often equated Beelzebub with Satan or a leading demon in Hell.

Cultural impact

Beelzebub has become a mainstay in literature, film, games, and fantasy art. Depictions range from a fly-themed monarch of the underworld to a distinct demon separate from Satan, often symbolizing corruption and decay.

In short

  • Originated as a Philistine deity of Ekron.
  • Appears in 2 Kings and the New Testament.
  • Later seen as a demon prince or name for Satan.
  • Widely used in modern pop culture as a demonic figure.

Quick questions

Who is Beelzebub?
Beelzebub is a name that began with a Philistine deity of Ekron and later became a demonic figure in Jewish and Christian tradition, often described as a prince of demons.
Is Beelzebub the devil?
In later Christian tradition, yes, Beelzebub is often used as another name for the devil or Satan, though earlier sources treated it as the name of a separate deity or demon.
What does Beelzebub mean?
It is commonly translated as "Lord of the Flies." Some later interpretations also understood it as a mocking form meaning "lord of dung" or "filth."

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beelzebub
    Supports: General overview of the term, historical origin, alternate spellings, and later demonological associations.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Beelzebub
    Supports: Biblical identification of Beelzebub and origin as the god of Ekron.
  3. Catholic Encyclopedia — https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02388c.htm
    Supports: Christian interpretation of Beelzebub as another name for Satan in New Testament usage.
  4. GotQuestions.org — https://www.gotquestions.org/who-Beelzebub.html
    Supports: Summary of the name's meaning, Philistine origin, and later use as an epithet for Satan.
  5. Dictionary.com — https://www.dictionary.com/browse/beelzebub
    Supports: Common modern meanings of the term as Satan or a devil, and reference to literary usage.