Belial in Judaism

In Judaism Belial has been identified with Satan. He is considered the father of idolatrous nations under the name of Belhor, and the uncircumcised Heathens are considered the sons of Belial (Jubilees). He also is the evilest being from whom emanate the seven spirits of seduction that enter men at birth, the source of impurity and lying, and the spirit of darkness; he will be opposed to the Messiah, bound by him, cast into the fire forever and the souls captured by him will be freed by force from his power (Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs ). He is also identified with Samael and called the angel of lawlessness and the ruler of this world, the Earth (Ascentio Isaiæ ). Belial is also the seducer who, feigning to be the Messiah, will appear among the Samaritans and lead them into error by means of his power, but will be burnt up by heavenly fire carried along by the sea to the land to destroy his powers (Sibyllines ).

The Hebrew etymology for his name is confused. Meanwhile some scholars translate it from Hebrew as "worthless" (Beli yo'il), others translate "yokeless" (Beli ol), and others "may have no rising" (Belial) or "never to rise" (Beli ya'al). Only a few took it as a proper name.

Belial in the Hebrew Scriptures

In the Jewish Old Testament Belial is mentioned several times, referring to him as father of Pagan nations, rivers of destruction, rivers of death, and impious men are considered sons of Belial. In the Biblia Vulgata less allusions to this demon are made, referring to Belial as torrents of death, and to impious men as sons of Belial and men of Belial; some Christian translations do not even name him.

Belial in Demonology

In demonology Belial was identified first with an angel of confusion and libertinage, during the early Christianity; the fact that in Judaism Belial was said to feign to be the Messiah made some Christians of the 1st Century think he was the Antichrist. Since the Middle Age he was considered a demon. As a demon he was said to have an agreeable aspect, and to induce to any type of sins, especially those related to sex and lust. According to Sebastian Michaelis (17th Century), Belial seduces by means of arrogance and his adversary is St. Francis of Paula ; in this sense his name is translated as "Lord of Arrogance" or "Lord of Pride" (Baal ial). According to some demonologists of the 16th Century Belial's power is stronger in January. To Francis Barrett he is the prince of fraud and injustice.

According to other authors, Belial is a powerful King of Hell, created next after Lucifer, who is thought to have been his father and the demon that seduced him to join the angels that rebelled against God. He distributes senatorships, causes favour of friends and foes, gives excellent familiars, and rules eighty (fifty to other authors, and no mention is made in Pseudomonarchia Daemonum) legions of demons. Offerings, sacrifices and gifts must be made to honour Belial, or he will not answer the truth to what the conjurer demands. He often says that he was the first in being thrown from Heaven before the other fallen angels.

In the Buche Belial (1473) Belial was depicted with a man's body with talons instead of feet, and the head of a man with the horns and ears of a bull and boar tusks, and keeping the door of Hell.

Other depictions show Belial as a beautiful angel sitting in a chariot of fire, and speaking with an agreeable voice.

Other spellings: Baalial, Belial, Beliar, Beliall, Beliel.

See also The Lesser Key of Solomon, Ars Goetia.

See also Symbolic works such as the play "Billy Liar" by Keith Waterhouse which makes a play on the name Beliar.