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Belial



Belial (Hebrew BLIAL, "without God" and "worthlessness") was a major demon in both Hebrew and Christian demonologies, and in Kabbalist demonology assigned to Ain Soph, the second of the Three Veils of the Unmanifest. According to the Lemegeton, he reigns as king among demons, commands fifty legions, and appears as two angels having beautiful voices, sitting in a chariot of fire. He has the power to give excellent familiars.

The term also is used to describe people who act in a worthless manner. In post-Biblical literature it becomes a name for the Prince of Evil. He is the Spirit of darkness who opposes God's will; he dominates people, and the world is his kingdom. According to the Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs, he will be chained by the Holy Spirit of God and will ultimately be defeated by God's armies. Many scholars believe the concept of Belial being God's opponent was somewhat barrowed from Persian dualism. (See Zoroastrianism) A.G.H.

Sources:

Greer, John Michael. The New Encyclopedia of the Occult. St. Paul. MN. Llewellyn Worldwide. 2005. p. 62 Bowker, John, The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions, New York, Oxford University Press, 1997, p. 134