belial Summary and Overview

worthlessness, frequently used in the Old Testament as a proper name. It is first used in Deut. 13:13. In the New Testament it is found only in 2 Cor. 6:15, where it is used as a name of Satan, the personification of all that is evil. It is translated "wicked" in Deut. 15:9; Ps. 41:8 (R.V. marg.); 101:3; Prov. 6:12, etc. The expression "son" or "man of Belial" means simply a worthless, lawless person (Judg. 19:22; 20:13; 1 Sam. 1:16; 2:12).

The meaning of this word as found in the Scriptures is worthlessness, and hence reckless, lawlessness. The expression son or man of Belial must be understood as meaning simply a worthless, lawless fellow. The term as used in #2Co 6:15| is generally understood as an appellative of Satan, as the personification of all that was bad.

BE'LIAL (worthlessness). This word is applied by the sacred writers to such lewd, profligate, and vile persons as seem to regard neither God nor man. Deut 13:13; Jud 19:22, and 1 Sam 2:12. Hence the question of the apostle, 2 Cor 6:15, to the citizens of Corinth, which was remarkable for its lewdness and profligacy, has great force: "What concord hath Christ with Belial," the prince of licentiousness and corruption?

("worthlessness": or "recklessness, lawlessness".) Not strictly a proper name, but used so by personification. Beli means "without" and ya'al means "usefulness," i.e. "good for nothing". "A man of Belial" is a worthless, lawless fellow (Deuteronomy 13:13; Judges 19:22; 1 Samuel 2:12). Latterly "Rake" ("vain fellows" (2 Samuel 6:20, harekim), and "Fool" were used instead: Matthew 5:22. Nabal ("fool") is called "man of Belial" (1 Samuel 25:25.) In the New Testament, "Beliar" is the form in some oldest manuscripts (2 Corinthians 6:15.) As Satan is opposed to God, Antichrist to Christ, so Belial standing here in contrast to Christ must denote all anti-Christian pollutions personified.