Belial

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 (Book of 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 confuse. 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). Another group consider that the name might derive from the Babylonian goddess Belili, corrupted into Belial as "worthlessness". Only a few took it as a proper name.

Belial in the Old Testament

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 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.

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 spellings: Baalial, Beliall, Beliel.

See also The Lesser Key of Solomon, Ars Goetia.