Bible Dictionary
Belial
Belial originally meant worthlessness or lawlessness, as in “sons of Belial.” In later Jewish usage and in the New Testament, it became a name associated with Satan or the forces opposed to Christ.
Definition
Belial originally means worthlessness, recklessness, or lawlessness. In expressions such as “son of Belial” or “man of Belial,” it describes a worthless or lawless person. In later usage, and in the New Testament, Belial became a proper name associated with Satan or the personification of evil.
Biblical Usage
Old Testament expressions using Belial describe base or lawless people rather than necessarily naming a person. In 2 Corinthians, Belial is set in opposition to Christ and is understood as a name for Satan or the forces of evil.
Historical Background
The term developed from a common description of worthlessness into a proper name in later Jewish writings and in New Testament usage.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
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).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
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 (2 Corinthians 6:15) is generally understood as an appellative of Satan, as the personification of all that was bad.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>be'-li-al, bel'-yal (beliya`al; Beliar): This name, occurring very frequently in the Old Testament, has the sense of "worthlessness" (compare 2Sa 23:6 margin); accordingly in such phrases as "sons of Belial" (Jud 20:13; 1Sa 10:27, etc.), "men of Belial" (1Sa 30:22; 1Ki 21:13, etc.), which the English Revised Version usually retains, the American Standard Revised Version more correctly renders, "base fellows" (so "daughter of Belial" 1Sa 1:16, "wicked woman"). There is here no suggestion a proper name. Afterward, however, "Belial" became a proper name for Satan, or for Antichrist (thus frequently in the Jewish Apocalyptic writings, e.g. in XII the Priestly Code (P), Book Jubilees, Asc Isa, Sib Or). In this sense Paul used the word in 2Co 6:15, "What concord hath Christ with Belial?" (Beliar). Bousset thinks that Paul's "man of sin" in 2Th 2:3, where some authorities read "man of lawlessness," is a translation of this term. The sense at least is similar.</p><p>See ANTICHRIST; MAN OF SIN.</p><p>James Orr</p>