Introduction:
Beelzebul, also known as Beelzebub, is a name associated with a high-ranking demon or the prince of demons in biblical literature. The name is often linked to Satan and is mentioned in the New Testament in the context of Jesus' ministry and His confrontations with demonic forces.

Etymology and Historical Background:
The name Beelzebul is believed to be derived from the Philistine god Baal-Zebub, meaning "lord of the flies," as mentioned in 2 Kings 1:2-3, where King Ahaziah of Israel sends messengers to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, about his recovery from an injury. Over time, the name evolved in Jewish tradition to Beelzebul, which some scholars suggest means "lord of the dwelling" or "lord of the high place," possibly as a derogatory term for a false god or demon.

Biblical References:
In the New Testament, Beelzebul is primarily mentioned in the context of accusations against Jesus. The Pharisees and other religious leaders accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons. This accusation is recorded in the Synoptic Gospels:

· Matthew 12:24 : "But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, 'Only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, does this man drive out demons.'"
· Mark 3:22 : "And the scribes who had come down from Jerusalem were saying, 'He is possessed by Beelzebul,' and, 'By the prince of the demons He drives out demons.'"
· Luke 11:15 : "But some of them said, 'By Beelzebul, the prince of the demons, He drives out demons.'"

In these passages, the religious leaders attempt to discredit Jesus' miraculous works by attributing them to demonic power rather than acknowledging them as acts of God. Jesus responds by pointing out the illogical nature of their accusation, arguing that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand (Matthew 12:25-26, Mark 3:23-26, Luke 11:17-18).

Theological Significance:
The mention of Beelzebul in the Gospels highlights the spiritual conflict between the kingdom of God and the forces of evil. Jesus' ability to cast out demons is presented as evidence of His divine authority and the arrival of God's kingdom. The accusation that Jesus is in league with Beelzebul serves to underscore the opposition He faced from religious authorities who were unwilling to accept His messianic identity and mission.

Furthermore, Jesus' response to the accusation includes a warning about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which He describes as an unforgivable sin (Matthew 12:31-32, Mark 3:28-30). This underscores the gravity of attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to demonic forces and serves as a caution against hard-heartedness and unbelief.

Cultural and Interpretive Considerations:
In Jewish and early Christian thought, Beelzebul became synonymous with Satan or the chief of demons. This association reflects the broader biblical theme of spiritual warfare and the struggle between good and evil. The name Beelzebul, therefore, carries connotations of malevolence and opposition to God's purposes.

Throughout Christian history, Beelzebul has been depicted in various ways in literature and art, often as a symbol of the devil's power and influence. The name continues to be used in theological discussions about the nature of evil and the reality of demonic forces in the world.

Conclusion:
The figure of Beelzebul in the New Testament serves as a focal point for understanding the nature of Jesus' ministry and the opposition He faced. It also provides insight into the spiritual realities that underpin the biblical narrative and the ongoing battle between the forces of light and darkness.Beelzebul

(lord of the house), the title of a heathen deity, to whom the Jews ascribed the sovereignty of the evil spirits; Satan, the prince of the devils. (Matthew 10:25; 12:24; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15) ff. The correct reading is without doubt Beelzebul , and not Beelzebub .

954. Beelzeboul -- Beelzebul, a name of Satan
... Beelzebul, a name of Satan. Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration:
Beelzeboul Phonetic Spelling: (beh-el-zeb-ool') Short Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/954.htm - 7k

And Hades Receiving Satan, Said to Him: Beelzebul, Heir of Fire ...
... Part II."The Descent of Christ into Hell. Greek Form. Chapter 7 (23). And Hades
receiving Satan, said to him: Beelzebul, heir of fire and punishment? ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 7 23 and hades.htm

Verily I Say unto You, There Hath not Arisen among those whom ...
... [1032] And the Pharisees, when they heard, said, This man doth not cast out the
devils, except by Beelzebul the chief of the demons, which is in him. ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xiv verily i say.htm

Index i. Of Subjects
... Batlanim. See Synagogues. Beelzebul and Beelzibbul, i.648. Bel and the Dragon,
i.31. Ben Dama, i.22. ... i.142; Jewish idea of Beelzebul, ii.201. Derush, i.21. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/index i of subjects.htm

The Gospel of Nicodemus.
... But who art thou? Chapter 7 (23). And Hades receiving Satan, said to him:
Beelzebul, heir of fire and punishment? Chapter 8 (24). ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /

I am Sending You as Lambs among Wolves: be Ye Now Wise as Serpents ...
... as his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how
much more the people [11] of his house! [965] Fear them ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xiii i am sending.htm

Having Called a Council, the High Priests and Scribes Annas and ...
... practices? They say to him: He is a magician, and by Beelzebul prince of the
demons he casts out the demons, and all are subject to him. ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 1 having called a.htm

The Morning-Meal in the Pharisee's House - Meals and Feasts among ...
... [4253] Indeed, we can scarcely imagine that, immediately after such a charge by
the Pharisees as that Jesus acted as the representative of Beelzebul, and such ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xii the morning-meal in.htm

And Pilate Seeing This, was Afraid, and Sought to Go Away from the ...
... [1814] Three mss. add: And by Beelzebul, prince of the demons, he casts out the
demons, and they are all subject to him. [1815] ie, let them see to it. ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 2 and pilate seeing.htm

Second visit to Nazareth - the Mission of the Twelve.
... And very significant is its application by Christ: If they have called the Master
of the house Beelzebul, [3079] how much more them of His household.' This ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxvii second visit to.htm

The Third Day in Passion-Week - the Events of that Day - the ...
... authority to do these things?' seems clearly to point to their contention, that
the power which Jesus wielded was delegated to Him by none other than Beelzebul ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iii the third day.htm

Beelzebul (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Beelzebul (7 Occurrences). ... If they have called the master
of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household! (WEB NAS). ...
/b/beelzebul.htm - 8k

Be-el'zebul (7 Occurrences)
Be-el'zebul. Beelzebul, Be-el'zebul. Been . ... If they have called the master of
the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household! (See RSV). ...
/b/be-el'zebul.htm - 8k

Beelzebub (7 Occurrences)
... be-el'-ze-bub (in the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American)
is an error (after the Vulgate) for Beelzebul (Revised Version margin ...
/b/beelzebub.htm - 10k

Drive (132 Occurrences)
... (WEY NIV). Matthew 12:27 If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your children
cast them out? ... For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. (See NIV). ...
/d/drive.htm - 38k

Demons (54 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, "This man does not cast
out demons, except by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons." (WEB WEY ASV DBY ...
/d/demons.htm - 34k

Driving (144 Occurrences)
... Mark 3:22 The scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He has Beelzebul," and,
"By the prince of the demons he casts out the demons." (See NIV). ...
/d/driving.htm - 37k

Casts (21 Occurrences)
... Mark 3:22 The scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He has Beelzebul," and,
"By the prince of the demons he casts out the demons." (WEB DBY NAS RSV). ...
/c/casts.htm - 11k

Cast (640 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, "This man does not cast
out demons, except by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons." (WEB KJV ASV DBY ...
/c/cast.htm - 41k

Prince (160 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, "This man does not cast
out demons, except by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons." (WEB KJV WEY ASV ...
/p/prince.htm - 53k

Spirits (129 Occurrences)
... NAS RSV NIV). Luke 11:15 But some of them said, He sends out evil spirits
by Beelzebul, the ruler of evil spirits. (BBE). Luke 11:18 ...
/s/spirits.htm - 42k

What is the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to bind the strong man? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Beelzebub? | GotQuestions.org

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