Βεελζεβούλ G0954
Beelzeboul, a name for the prince of demons; used as a title for Satan in the Synoptic Gospels.
A name applied to the ruler of demons, used exclusively in the Synoptic Gospels during controversies about the source of Jesus' exorcistic power. The etymology likely derives from Hebrew 'ba'al zebul' (lord of the dwelling) or a deliberate distortion of the Old Testament 'Baal-zebub' (lord of flies) from 2 Kings 1:2. In Matt 12:24–27 and Mark 3:22, the Pharisees accuse Jesus of casting out demons by Beelzeboul, prompting his famous 'house divided' rebuttal. Spanish and French retain transliterations ('Beelzeboul,' 'Béelzébul'), reflecting the indeclinable foreign loanword status of this term across all witness languages.
Senses
1. Beelzeboul — A title for Satan as prince of demons, derived from Hebrew ba'al (lord) combined with either zebul (dwelling/habitation) or a pejorative play on zebub (flies). Used seven times in the Synoptics (Matt 10:25; 12:24, 27; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15, 18, 19), always in the context of opponents attributing Jesus' exorcisms to demonic power. In Matt 10:25, Jesus warns that if the master of the house is called Beelzeboul, his household members will fare no better—linking the term to both Satanic authority and household imagery. 7×
AR["بَعلزَبُولَ", "بَعلَزَبولَ", "بَعْلَ-زَبولَ", "بَعْلَزَبولَ"]·ben["বিয়েলসেবূল", "বিয়েলসেবূলে", "বেলজেবুল", "বেলসবুল", "বেলসবূল", "বেলসবূলের"]·DE["Beelzebul"]·EN["Beelzeboul"]·FR["Béelzébul"]·heb["בַּעַל-זְבוּב", "בַּעַל-זְבוּל"]·HI["बलजबूल", "बलजबूल-के-द्वारा", "बलज़बूल", "बेएलज़ेबोउल-मेइन"]·ID["Beelzebul"]·IT["Beelzebul"]·jav["Béèlzebul", "Béèlzébul"]·KO["바알세불로", "바알세불을", "바엘제부", "바엘제부이라"]·PT["Belzebu"]·RU["Веельзевула", "Веельзевуле", "Веельзевулом"]·ES["Beelzeboul", "Beelzeboúl", "Beëlzeboúl"]·SW["Beelzeboul", "Beelzeboúl"]·TR["Beelzebub", "Beelzebul", "Beelzebul'la"]·urd["بعل-زبول", "بعل-زبول-سے", "بعلزبول"]
Related Senses
G2316 1. God, the true God (1315×)H6635b 1. hosts, armies (of YHWH) (286×)H0410 1. God, the true God (223×)G0032 1. heavenly angel (170×)H4397 2. messenger, envoy, ambassador (102×)H3742 1. cherub, angelic guardian being (91×)H0430 2. gods (pagan deities) (81×)H0426 1. God, the true God (76×)G1140 1. demon, evil spirit (62×)H0433 1. God, the true God (54×)H5945b 1. Most High (30×)G4152 1. spiritual (21×)H0426 2. god(s), pagan deities (20×)H5943 1. [ketiv:Most High] (18×)G1139 1. be demon-possessed (13×)H1712 1. Dagon (13×)G2316 2. god, pagan deity (12×)G5310 1. Most High (9×)H0410 3. a god, deity (generic) (9×)H3645 1. Chemosh (9×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
Βεελζεβούλ (WH, App., 159, Rec., βεελζεβούλ), ὁ, indecl. (Heb. בַּעַל, lord, and the Talmudic זִבּוּל, from זֶבֶל, dung (Dalman, Gr., 137.n), or perh. זִבֻל, habitation, but, see DB, iv, 409f.; DCG, i, 181). The AV, RV, Beelzebub, comes through Vg. from 4Ki.1:2, בַּעַל זִבוּב, lord of flies (LXX, βάαλ μυῖα, Sm., βεελζεβούβ), Beelzebul, Beelzebub, a name of Satan: Mat.10:25 12:24, 27 Mrk.3:22, Luk.11:15, 18 19.† (From Abbott-Smith. LSJ has no entry)