Baal-zebub בַּעַל זְבוּב

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A Philistine god worshiped at Ekron.

Who is Baal-zebub in the Bible?

Baal-zebub, meaning "Lord of the Flies," was a Philistine god worshiped in the city of Ekron. In 2 Kings 1:2-16, King Ahaziah of Israel sent messengers to consult Baal-zebub about whether he would recover from a serious illness, an action that angered God and prompted the prophet Elijah to confront him. Elijah prophesied that Ahaziah would die for seeking guidance from a false god instead of inquiring of the Lord, demonstrating the spiritual consequences of trusting in pagan deities. This account illustrates the biblical prohibition against worshiping any god besides Israel's God and emphasizes the powerlessness of false gods to intervene in human affairs.

Biography

Baal-zebub, meaning "Lord of the Flies," was the god of the Philistine city of Ekron. In 2 Kings 1, King Ahaziah of Israel sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub whether he would recover from an illness. This action provoked God's anger, and the prophet Elijah confronted the king, prophesying that he would die for seeking guidance from a pagan god rather than the Lord. The narrative presents Baal-zebub as a false god whose worship was forbidden for Israelites. Consulting this deity was seen as a direct violation of the commandment to worship only the one true God. The passage also demonstrates the futility of trusting in false gods, as Baal-zebub had no power to heal Ahaziah or overturn God's decree of judgment.

In Scripture

1 biblical book

2 Kings 4 verses

2 Kings 1:2

"Now Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and injured himself. So he sent messengers and instructed them: “Go inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I will recover from this injury.”"
2 Kings 1:3

"But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are on your way to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?’"
2 Kings 1:6

"They replied, “A man came up to meet us and said, ‘Go back to the king who sent you and tell him that this is what the LORD says: Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending these men to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you will not get up from..."
2 Kings 1:16

"And Elijah said to King Ahaziah, “This is what the LORD says: Is there really no God in Israel for you to inquire of His word? Is that why you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you will not get up from the bed on which you are lying. You..."

Names & Aliases

Form	Language	Script
Named	Hebrew	בַּעַל זְבוּב