Introduction:
Baalzebub, also known as Beelzebub, is a name that appears in the Bible and is associated with a Philistine deity. The name is often translated as "Lord of the Flies" or "Lord of the High Place." In the context of the Bible, Baalzebub is primarily mentioned in the Old Testament and is later referenced in the New Testament as a name for a demonic entity.

Old Testament References:
Baalzebub is mentioned in 2 Kings 1:2-3, 6, 16. The narrative describes King Ahaziah of Israel, who, after injuring himself, sends messengers to inquire of Baalzebub, the god of Ekron, to see if he will recover from his injuries. This act of seeking guidance from a pagan deity is condemned by the prophet Elijah, who delivers a message from the LORD:

2 Kings 1:2-3 : "Now Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and injured himself. So he sent messengers, saying to them, 'Go and consult Baalzebub, the god of Ekron, to see if I will recover from this injury.' But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, 'Go up and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, "Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to consult Baalzebub, the god of Ekron?"'"

Elijah's confrontation with Ahaziah underscores the biblical theme of the exclusivity of worship and reliance on the God of Israel, rejecting the idolatrous practices of neighboring nations.

New Testament References:
In the New Testament, the name Beelzebub is used in the context of demonic activity and is often equated with Satan, the prince of demons. This association is seen in the Gospels, where Jesus is accused by the Pharisees of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub:

Matthew 12:24 : "But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, 'Only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, does this man drive out demons.'"

Jesus responds to this accusation by explaining the illogical nature of Satan casting out Satan and emphasizes the power of the Holy Spirit in His works. This passage highlights the spiritual conflict between the kingdom of God and the forces of evil.

Theological Significance:
Baalzebub's mention in the Bible serves as a reminder of the spiritual battle between the worship of the one true God and the idolatrous practices that lead people away from Him. The name's evolution from a Philistine deity to a representation of demonic power in the New Testament illustrates the continuity of the biblical narrative concerning the opposition to God's sovereignty.

Cultural and Historical Context:
The worship of Baalzebub in Ekron reflects the broader Canaanite and Philistine religious practices, which often involved the veneration of local deities. The biblical authors use the name Baalzebub to critique and denounce these practices, emphasizing the futility and danger of idolatry.

Conclusion:
While Baalzebub is a relatively minor figure in the biblical text, the references to this name carry significant theological weight, illustrating the ongoing struggle between faithfulness to God and the temptations of idolatry and false worship.Fly-lord, the god of the Philistines at Ekron (2 Kings 1:2, 3, 16). This name was given to the god because he was supposed to be able to avert the plague of flies which in that region was to be feared. He was consulted by Ahaziah as to his recovery. BAALZEBUB

ba-al-ze'-bub ba`al zebhubh = "Lord of flies"; Baal-muian: A deity worshipped by the Philistines at Ekron (2 Kings 1:2, 3, 6, 16). All that can be gathered from this one reference to him in ancient literature is that he had some fame as a god that gave oracles. Ahaziah, son of Ahab, and king of Israel, went to consult him whether he should recover of his sickness, and was therefore rebuked by Elijah, who declared that his death would be the result of this insult to Yahweh. Why he was called "lord of flies," or whether his real name has not be en corrupted and lost are matters of conjecture. See BAAL (1).

Blasphemous Accusations of the Jews.
... b He hath Beelzebub, and, By the prince of the demons casteth he out the demons.
[Beelzebub is a corruption of Baalzebub, the god of the fly. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlviii blasphemous accusations of the.htm

And Now, Since we have Touched Upon the Subject of the Prophets...
... law among the Jews?"as Elijah is found rebuking Ahaziah, and saying, "Is it because
there is not a God in Israel that ye go to inquire of Baalzebub, god of ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxxvi and now since.htm

Impossible that Marcion's Christ Should Reprove the Faithless ...
... [4397] The Creator, at the request of Elias, inflicts the blow [4398] of fire
from heaven in the case of that false prophet (of Baalzebub). ...
/.../chapter xxiii impossible that marcions christ.htm

The Fall of the House of Ahab
... lattice in his upper chamber," Ahaziah, seriously injured, and fearful of the possible
outcome, sent some of his servants to make inquiry of Baalzebub, the god ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 16 the fall of.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... Their gods were henceforward those of the towns in which they resided, such as Marna
and Dagon and Gaza,* Dagon at Ashdod,** Baalzebub at Ekron,*** and Derketo ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Of the Three Woe Trumpets.
... by his people; from whence it came to pass afterwards, that powers of this kind
were called Baalim or Baals, as Baal Peor, Baalberith, Baalzebub, Baal Moloch ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/of the three woe trumpets.htm

Second visit to Nazareth - the Mission of the Twelve.
... not Beelzebub. Any reference to the Baalzebub, or fly-god' of 2 Kings
1:2, seems, rationally, out of the question. [3080] Zebhul ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxvii second visit to.htm

Baalzebub (4 Occurrences)
... He was consulted by Ahaziah as to his recovery. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
BAALZEBUB. ... See BAAL (1). Multi-Version Concordance Baalzebub (4 Occurrences). ...
/b/baalzebub.htm - 9k

Enquire (42 Occurrences)
... down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and
he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, enquire of Baalzebub the god of ...
/e/enquire.htm - 21k

Beelzebub (7 Occurrences)
... It is probably the same as Baalzebub (qv), the god of Ekron, meaning "the lord of
flies," or, as others think, "the lord of dung," or "the dung-god.". ...
/b/beelzebub.htm - 10k

Baal-zebub (4 Occurrences)
Baal-zebub. Baalzebub, Baal-zebub. Ba'al-ze'bub . Easton's Bible Dictionary ...
(ASV BBE DBY JPS WBS YLT NAS NIV). Baalzebub, Baal-zebub. Ba'al-ze'bub . ...
/b/baal-zebub.htm - 8k

Ekron (20 Occurrences)
... It was the seat of the worship of the god Baalzebub, as appears in the account
of the sickness and death of Ahaziah (2 Kings 1:2, 3, 6:16). ...
/e/ekron.htm - 17k

Ekronite (1 Occurrence)
... It was the seat of the worship of the god Baalzebub, as appears in the account
of the sickness and death of Ahaziah (2 Kings 1:2, 3, 6:16). ...
/e/ekronite.htm - 9k

Ba'al-ta'mar (1 Occurrence)
Ba'al-ta'mar. Baal-tamar, Ba'al-ta'mar. Baalzebub . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(DBY RSV). Baal-tamar, Ba'al-ta'mar. Baalzebub . Reference Bible.
/b/ba'al-ta'mar.htm - 6k

Ahaziah (34 Occurrences)
... As a worthy son of Jezebel and Ahab, he sent messengers to consult Baalzebub, the
god of Ekron, regarding his recovery. But Israel belonged to Yahweh. ...
/a/ahaziah.htm - 28k

Sendest (15 Occurrences)
... king that sent you, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Is it not because there
is not a God in Israel, that thou sendest to enquire of Baalzebub the god of ...
/s/sendest.htm - 11k

Who was Beelzebub? | GotQuestions.org

Miscellaneous Bible Questions (All) | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44)? | GotQuestions.org

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