Introduction:
Ba'al-ze'bub, also known as Beelzebub, is a name that appears in the Hebrew Bible and is associated with a Philistine deity. The name is often translated as "Lord of the Flies" and is considered a derogatory term for a false god. Ba'al-ze'bub is primarily mentioned in the context of the city of Ekron, one of the five cities of the Philistine pentapolis.

Biblical References:
The primary biblical reference to Ba'al-ze'bub is found in 2 Kings 1:2-3, 6, 16. In this passage, King Ahaziah of Israel, after injuring himself, sends messengers to inquire of Ba'al-ze'bub, the god of Ekron, to see if he will recover from his injuries. The prophet Elijah intercepts these messengers and delivers a message from the LORD, condemning Ahaziah for seeking guidance from a pagan deity instead of the God of Israel. The Berean Standard Bible renders these verses as follows:

2 Kings 1:2-3 : "Now Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and injured himself. So he sent messengers, saying to them, 'Go and consult Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, to see if I will recover from this injury.' But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, 'Go up and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, "Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to consult Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?"'"

Historical and Cultural Context:
Ba'al-ze'bub was a deity worshiped by the Philistines, a people who were often in conflict with the Israelites. The name itself, "Lord of the Flies," may have been a pejorative term used by the Israelites to mock the Philistine god. The worship of Ba'al-ze'bub in Ekron indicates the syncretistic practices of the time, where local deities were often consulted for guidance and healing.

Theological Significance:
The account of Ahaziah's inquiry of Ba'al-ze'bub highlights the ongoing struggle between the worship of the one true God, Yahweh, and the idolatrous practices prevalent in the surrounding nations. The narrative underscores the importance of seeking guidance and deliverance from God alone, as opposed to turning to false gods or pagan practices. Elijah's confrontation with Ahaziah's messengers serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the futility of idolatry.

New Testament References:
In the New Testament, the name Beelzebub is used as a reference to the prince of demons, often equated with Satan. This is seen in passages such as Matthew 12:24 and Mark 3:22, where the Pharisees accuse Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub. This association further emphasizes the negative connotations of the name and its connection to evil and opposition to God's work.

Conclusion:
The account of Ba'al-ze'bub in the Bible serves as a cautionary tale against idolatry and the importance of faithfulness to God. It reflects the broader biblical theme of the conflict between the worship of Yahweh and the pagan practices of the surrounding nations.Ba'al-ze'bub (4 Occurrences)

2 Kings 1:2
Ahaziah fell down through the lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick. So he sent messengers, and said to them, "Go, inquire of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I will recover of this sickness."
(See RSV)

2 Kings 1:3
But the angel of Yahweh said to Elijah the Tishbite, "Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and tell them,'Is it because there is no God in Israel, that you go to inquire of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron?
(See RSV)

2 Kings 1:6
They said to him, "A man came up to meet us, and said to us,'Go, return to the king who sent you, and tell him, "Thus says Yahweh,'Is it because there is no God in Israel, that you send to inquire of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you shall not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but shall surely die.'"'"
(See RSV)

2 Kings 1:16
He said to him, "Thus says Yahweh,'Because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron, is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of his word? Therefore you shall not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but shall surely die."
(See RSV)

Ba'al-ze'bub (4 Occurrences)
Ba'al-ze'bub. Baal-zebub, Ba'al-ze'bub. Baal-zebul . Multi-Version
Concordance Ba'al-ze'bub (4 Occurrences). 2 Kings 1:2 Ahaziah ...
/b/ba'al-ze'bub.htm - 7k

Baalzebub (4 Occurrences)
... BAALZEBUB. ba-al-ze'-bub ba`al zebhubh = "Lord of flies"; Baal-muian: A deity
worshipped by the Philistines at Ekron (2 Kings 1:2, 3, 6, 16). ...
/b/baalzebub.htm - 9k

Baal-zebub (4 Occurrences)
Baal-zebub. Baalzebub, Baal-zebub. Ba'al-ze'bub . Easton's Bible Dictionary
Fly-lord, the god of the Philistines at Ekron (2 Kings 1:2, 3, 16). ...
/b/baal-zebub.htm - 8k

Baal-zebul (6 Occurrences)
Baal-zebul. Ba'al-ze'bub, Baal-zebul. Baal-zebul's . Multi-Version
Concordance Baal-zebul (6 Occurrences). Matthew 10:25 Enough ...
/b/baal-zebul.htm - 8k

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