Beelzebub

[ bee-el-zuh-buhb, beel-zuh- ]

noun

1. the chief devil; Satan.
2. a devil.
3. (in Milton's Paradise Lost ) one of the fallen angels, second only to Satan.

Beelzebub

/ bɪˈɛlzɪˌbʌb /

noun

1. Old Testament a god of the Philistines (2 Kings 1:2)
2. Satan or any devil or demon

Beelzebub

1. Another name for Satan . Originally a Philistine god, he is called the Prince of Devils in the New Testament .

Notes

By extension, a “Beelzebub” is any demon or evil spirit.

Beelzebub also appears in Milton's Paradise Lost as one of the fallen angels , second only to Satan in power.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Beelzebub¹

Old English Belzebub , ultimately from Hebrew bá`al zebūb , literally: lord of flies

Example Sentences

You know she’s supposed to be scary, but it’s easier to target Bliss’ blowhard unbeliever, who, by design, is so obnoxious that we pray Beelzebub will drag him into the green room.

From Los Angeles Times

They had songs called “Confession” and “Beelzebub Youth” that contended with religion, and one of their show flyers read: “Looking for a religious experience?”

From Los Angeles Times

In 1862, New York lawyer and Civil War diarist George Templeton Strong ended his unflattering description of Washington, D.C., with: “Beelzebub surely reigns here, and Willard’s Hotel is his temple.”

From Washington Post

He also calls to “Beelzebub,” who’s known as the prince of devils and to “Satan,” “morning star” and “Lucifer” to address the devil in all his names and forms.

From Los Angeles Times

It asks if his control over the Republican Party will endure into the next presidential contest, whether he himself will run in 2024, and what in Beelzebub’s name that would look like.

From New York Times

Related Words

• Satan