 |
Names of Satan with a little history - Lucifer? |
|
|
Posted By: papillionkiller
I think I read in a blog somewhere someone asking about Satan or about the name Lucifer and where his names come from, if not the Bible. Thought I would share a few names of the Ol'boy from the Bible and varying tribes and writings. See if we can find a root or two of some names we use for the Adversary.
N.T. usage
Let me start with Mat. 4:10, 11 simply because Jesus uses the Chaldee/Aramaic origin word Satan (Satanas). V.11 we see "devil" this word is interchangeable with "Satan". Bare with me a minute because there is 37 times this word (Satan) is used in the N.T. and we can learn a few things from some of the verses about his names also about how he operates but that is another blog.
Look at the definitions for "Satan" and "Devil" we get "accuser", "adversary", "prince of evil spirits". Looking further thru the verses with this name we get in Mat. 10:25 "Baalzebub or Beelzebul" the origin of this name is ancient and I will cover it more in the O.T. section of Satan's names. For now, it is, in the N.T. used as an equal name for Satan.
2Cor. 11:14 "disguises himself as an angel of light" sneaky fellow.
Rev. 12:9 now we get to some neat names of the Ol'boy. "Dragon", "old serpent" and by "deceives the whole world" the "Deceiver", Rev. 20:2 "ancient serpent".
The mentioned words require us to venture to the ancients, first I would like to look at "devil" a little more.
Diabolos = Satan, accuser, slanderer, Devil should not be interchanged with Demon (Daimon), I know we all read or hear things like "the little devils" but there is only one Devil = Satan, no matter how powerful we may find other demons none are as powerful as the Adversary (Serpent). This is a problem because of translation issues in the KJV among others an issue not for this post. I will only ask you to look at the wording in Rev. 20:2 to determine if a plural for Devil is possible "who is the Devil and Satan" and "bound him".
Enough Theology on that issue on to fun stuff Ancient names of the Adversary and where does the name Lucifer come from.
A name with a long story:
Baalzebub = "lord of the fly" (BDB) in reference to the averter of the plague of flies, "god of Ekron" 2kings 1:2-3,
Beelzebul = a Jewish contemptuous term meaning "lord of dung" (Fausset), probably in reference to flies also.
I know, doesn't help much, so, here from John Gill, "Ekron was one of the principalities of the Philistines, and this idol was the god they worshipped, which signifies a master fly: which some think was a large metallic fly; made under a planet that rules over flies." A relief was found near Gaza of a human with four wings much like fly wings.
Roots of Baalzebub; Zebub means "dwelling" so one can read this as "the house of Baal". The name is given to mean "Lord of Flies" but this could be another play of words since we also know "Baal Zebul" means "Baal the Prince".
My guess is the name should reference to "Baal the Prince" from the Ugaritic and leave "Lord of Flies" to a regional corruption of the name. In the N.T. the Jewish leaders took advantage of the localized corruption in their usage of "Beelzebul" "Lord of dung" or perhaps the author does, Jesus wasn't fooled or lost in his reply.
Making "Baal" the important part of this name and is a name unto itself. Baal occurs fifty times as a word for a deity in Scripture. In Ancient times Baal is the leader by battle over his brothers and sisters earning the right to be the second under "El". Baal is associated with "Bulls" thus the "golden calf" made by Israel when Moses was away. The Canaanite city of Ugarit had Baal as "the god of fertility". Baal is the main opposition to God over Israel in one form or another - thus the association with the great Adversary.
Think I need a break before I cover Dragon and Serpent.
The easiest way to cover the words are with a definition of a metaphorically usage for the Devil.
Serpent is used mostly in scripture as evil as in Jesus calling the Scribes and Pharisees "snakes and vipers".
Serpent in Ge. 3:1 is "nachash" snake (hiss).
People have been worshiping some form of dragon, snake or viper as far back as I have seen. Like Baal it becomes a main obstacle in coming to God. There is a lot I could go into with the use of the word snake in Ge. 3:1 because a root of the word means hiss - whisper a (magic) spell, to foreshadow or foretell. Plus there is much old language symbolism to look at with this word.
I think for here knowing Satan is or behind the serpent is enough.
So now the name Lucifer, proceed to Is. 14:12 (KJV, KJV+) about the King of Babylon's fall. But why the word Lucifer when the word here is (heylel) "shining one" or "morning star"? This is the only time in scripture Lucifer is used even though "shining one" and "morning star" are used elsewhere.
Lucifer also means "light bringer/bringing", a reference to Venus, as far as I can tell, and shouldn't be used for meaning Satan.
The Targum reads, "how art thou fallen from on high, who was shining among the sons of men, as the star Venus among the stars.''
Anyway to go much further into this is a whole long Theology discussion that may slam some doors with some folks. I will leave it with, I like the Targum reading.
Alt names from other text:
"Samael" a Judaism alternate name for Satan.
(All below names are described as serpentine form)
"Mithras" - Persian god of light later the sun god described as having a lion like head, solar rays and serpentine form.
"Ialdabaoth" - the astral ruler.
Then there is "Chnoubis" a Hellenistic name of a Greco-Egyptian god in magic and astrology plus the one some believe possessed Judas in betraying Jesus.
This list can go on for a long time I'm stopping.
Always for the Glory of God who has caused us to be victorious through his Son Jesus the Christ.
Rev. 20: 2, 10
PK
I didn't cover everything nor did I go into depth in some areas. Any you feel should be here I left out or anything you think needs added please do.
permalink
Posted: 01/03/2009 05:03pm - Total Views: 594 - Category: Preaching & Teaching
View: Backlinks
Similar Blog Entries: TBN Entertaining Lucifer,
The Bait of Satan, by John Bevere,
For Sale: The Fall of Lucifer, by Wendy Alec,
The Influence of Air Power upon History by Walter J. Boyne (Hardcover),
Today In History: April 10,
|
|
|
|
|
|
Membership Required |
|
|
Login to be able to view all the comments for this blog! If you are not already a member we invite you to become a member... it's free!
|
|
|
|
|
|
kreynolds |
|
|
Posted by:
kreynolds (Posted: 01/03/2009 7:15pm)
permalink
I remember being shocked initially a few years ago when I learned that according to Canaanite mythology, Baal is the son of the Canaanite god "El" whom they considered the high god but concentrated their worship on Baal. "El" also is the name for the Hebrew God. We see this used in the names of God such as: Elohim: strong or powerful one which is the plural of El, El Shaddai: God Almighty, El Elyon: The Most High God, plus a number of others. It sort of makes the idea of Baal worship even more horrible than it already was, doesn't it.
K 
|
|
|
|
|
^back to top^
|
mumbly |
|
|
Posted by:
mumbly (Posted: 01/04/2009 1:33am)
permalink
A lady who I know, names satan... ... .old hairy legs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I personally, never give him the respect of even giving his name a capital letter.
|
|
|
|
|
^back to top^
|
philruby |
|
|
Posted by:
philruby (Posted: 01/04/2009 5:40am)
permalink
K. It's interesting that you bring up that story about Baal being the son of El. I have not researched that, but it brings to mind a conversation I had with an old friend who thought that God had two sons. One was of course Jesus, and the other (according to my friend) was the fallen one, "prince of darkness" (no...not Ozzie).
To me, it is not so important what name or nickname you give him. He is already defeated. He just doesn't know it yet. Unfortunately, he will take many more with him before he finally goes down.
Here's a thought for anyone out there with the knowledge and impetus to do it; I'd like to see a good writing about this verse:
Ephesians 6:1 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
My question: How many of these powers and principalities are we talking about? Most of my younger life, I believed there was only one "prince of darkness," yet in scripture you find several references to other dark powers and principalities. The verse says they are not flesh and blood, meaning not human.
Here's another thought, just off the cuff. Could the fact that there are more powers than satan have anything to do with so many names for evil ones in the scriptures?
Just curious. This may be a topic better for a discussion group, but either would be interesting to get into. I don't dwell on the dark world, but it pays to know a little about your enemy.
Blessings
Phil
|
|
|
|
|
^back to top^
|
papillionkiller |
|
|
Posted by:
papillionkiller (Posted: 01/04/2009 7:54am)
permalink
That is true k the Ugaritic text name for their god is "El" and he had several sons and daughters also a wife named "Asherah" . Note: in the O.T. there is a tree by that name, makes you go hum.
The reason many don't bring this Ancient group up is because of the many similarities between early Hebrews beliefs and Ugarits.
One is what Philruby mentions which I'm not sure this belief comes just from a twist in the Canaanite writings.
More so from the mention in scripture of other "sons of God" and confusion about that phrase.
Short overview of the Hebrews idea of the structure of Heaven (all scriptural) is God his vice-regent (Jesus) his council also called "sons" (created) then the Angels (created).
I am not an expert on this and rely on many people that have made it a life study, one I trust website is The Divine Council from Mike Heiser.
When dealing with this issue of God and having other sons remember, that Jesus is the unique Son of God (only one) not created but has always been with God and is God.
All other beings called a son or daughter(not used in ancient) of God are created including us (His followers).
Your (Philruby) last question is one I have always found interesting. Many believe all the little "g's" in scripture are nothing but clay and straw figures with no power, many are but all?
I think Ep. 6:11,12 is Paul saying wake up folks we really are in a fight with real (spiritual) things of all shapes and sizes and powers be ready stand firm.
Hi Mum thanks for the comment - I don't capitalize the name but my writing program auto does. I don't think it likes me sometimes. :)
In Christ,
PK
|
|
|
|
|
^back to top^
|
kraftykatz |
|
|
Posted by:
kraftykatz (Posted: 01/04/2009 9:39am)
permalink
This is all very interesting. So many names of things and people change over time for various reasons.
A ford is now a car but at one time it meant crossing a body of water.
To rent ones cloths in the KJV meant to tare them, now it means pay to use something owned by another person.
One thing is for sure, regardless of the mane one chooses to call the evil one, he is still the evil one.
Let us not get hung up on where this or that word came from.
Evil is after all evil.
PK, just change the capital S back a little s. My write program does the same thing. Or use the ignore option in spell check.
Great blog PK 
KraftyKatz
|
|
|
|
|
^back to top^
|
alight |
|
|
Posted by:
alight (Posted: 01/04/2009 11:07am)
permalink
Hell to me is no more a foul word than New York City. I believe "ole harry legs" does not want us to mention the word so he placed it in the dirty word list. Like mums, I refuse to capitalize satan's name. (Mum's is my hero!)
I need help with languages because I was born and raised in the south part of America and I still can speak English. Like KK, I notice lots of words that have different meaning now than in years past. Let in the KJ time was to stop and now it mean go ahead.
Charity in 1 Corinthians 13 KJ, we teach today means love. (I need to do an open discussion on that one.)
Thanks PK for an excellent blog.
Blessings,
alight
|
|
|
|
|
^back to top^
|
|
 |
What Folks Are Saying... |
|
|
“I am greatly blessed by your site. Over the past few months, you and your site have been in my thoughts and prayers. I felt that I should join here and get in touch with you all.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
Christian Blog Categories |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quick Profile |
|
|
Nickname: papillionkiller
Gender: Male
Age: 52
Blog Entries: 118
Blog Comments: 1228
|
|
|
|
|
|
Member Biography |
|
|
Another Christian brother looking for a place to share and grow with others.
Currently I have two projects going that are going to keep me busy for awhile.
This is my place of refuge when I'm tired of sorting and filing....
view more
|
|
|
|
|
|
ChristianBlog.Com is a ministry of 4CM Network.
