What is the identity of Belial?

Etymology and Meaning

The term “Belial” generally derives from a Hebrew word often rendered “worthlessness” or “wickedness.” In many Old Testament passages, it appears in the phrase “sons of Belial,” denoting individuals who are corrupt, base, or devoid of godly virtue. Some lexicons also infer connotations of rebellion, suggesting Belial represents not merely common wrongdoing but a profound moral and spiritual depravity.

Occurrences in the Old Testament

In various Old Testament instances, the term is used to identify people so morally bankrupt that they epitomize utter depravity. One example appears in Judges 19:22, where some “worthless men of the city” commit a heinous act against a visiting Levite and his host. Similarly, Deuteronomy 13:13 refers to “wicked men” who lead an entire city astray into idolatry. Though these passages do not present Belial as a specific spiritual being, the repeated reference to “worthless” men indicates the term can function as a personification of evil, binding it closely to rebellious thoughts and actions.

Over time, interpreters came to see in these “sons of Belial” a deeper link with the forces opposed to righteousness and to the divine authority of God. This view aligns with the broader biblical theme that moral bankruptcy stems from a rejection of God’s revealed Word—a perspective consistently attested across the authorized Hebrew texts, the Masoretic tradition, and the ancient Septuagint translation.

References in Jewish Writings and the Dead Sea Scrolls

Extra-biblical sources found among the Dead Sea Scrolls, such as the War Scroll (1QM), expand upon the notion of Belial and portray him as a powerful leader of evil. The Qumran community’s writings, dating from the second century BC to the first century AD, frequently employ “Belial” in a cosmic, angelic-demonic context, influencing later Jewish and Christian thought. Their usage underscores the seriousness of moral rebellion as something instigated by a spiritual enemy rather than appearing purely within the human heart.

The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in the 20th century reinforces the historical reliability of these references to Belial. The remarkable preservation of these manuscripts, alongside consistent textual witness to the same themes in Scripture, evidences a coherent and continuous tradition in which Belial stands for the root and personification of evil.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, 2 Corinthians 6:15 asks, “What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?” This verse is significant because it places Belial in direct antithesis to the Messiah, implying an identification with the devil or a leading demonic agent. By pairing Christ against Belial, the Scripture highlights an irreconcilable divide between absolute holiness and diabolical opposition. The verse thus cements Belial as more than a mere descriptor for moral worthlessness; it becomes a title for the spiritual power underlying wickedness.

Theological Significance

From the Old to the New Testament, Belial emerges as both a label for vicious, “worthless” acts and a designation for the spiritual forces that orchestrate them. In Christian theology, the redemptive work of Christ—culminating in His resurrection—overcomes these powers of darkness. According to Scripture, evil is not an abstract concept but a tangible rebellion against God’s sovereignty. Consequently, being aligned with Christ separates believers from the domain typified by Belial.

Belial’s identity as a stark embodiment of wickedness also underscores the call for moral discernment. Whether individuals or spiritual forces, what belongs to Belial stands in direct opposition to God’s holiness. Throughout biblical history, idolatry and corrupt practices reflect fellowship with Belial, while true worship and righteous living manifest fellowship with God.

Historical and Archaeological Corroboration

Archaeological findings—such as references to similar concepts of evil powers in ancient Jewish writings—provide solid parallels for the biblical testament about moral and spiritual opposition. The Dead Sea Scrolls’ mention of Belial, coupled with the consistent tradition in scriptural manuscripts preserved through centuries, illustrate how the concept of a malevolent adversary threads through the history of Israel. These sources, including well-preserved biblical codices (e.g., the Aleppo Codex and the Leningrad Codex), confirm both the antiquity and the coherent transmission of the term.

Additionally, the ongoing study of early manuscripts continues to affirm that these references to Belial were not late additions or theological novelties. Instead, they appear deeply rooted in the ancient Hebrew understanding of moral and spiritual warfare—a worldview supported by the overall biblical narrative.

Conclusion

In Scripture, Belial conveys multiple layers of meaning, ranging from an expression of moral “worthlessness” to a personification of evil ultimately equated with Satan. The term’s usage in the Old Testament typically describes base, lawless individuals as “sons of Belial,” while in 2 Corinthians 6:15 it is juxtaposed against Christ, signifying an absolute spiritual conflict between God’s holiness and the forces of wickedness.

Consistent biblical testimony, corroborated by extrabiblical texts like the Dead Sea Scrolls, upholds the historical and theological viewpoint that Belial symbolizes rebellion against God. Whether in the form of depraved human actions or the demonic power motivating them, the identity of Belial remains that of a malevolent entity unwaveringly opposed to the righteousness that Scripture reveals.