14. Beelzebub began “life” as a pagan god and morphed into many different forms throughout the ages.
Beelzebub or “The Lord of the Flies, was a demon who Milton deemed to be second only to Satan in power and crime and the supreme chief of the Christian hell. In appearance, Beelzebub was confusing. He could manifest as a fly or as a monstrous or magnificent human hybrid. Milton said he had a wise face while other authors claimed he was as high as a tower, with a bloated chest and flashing eyes. Some sources claimed the demon had the face of a snake and was effeminate, while others described Beelzebub as having two horns and being covered in shaggy fur.
Beelzebub is another example of a demon that began life as a pagan god. His original inspiration seems to be the Mesopotamian deity, Baal. Baal’s name meant “lord” to the ancient Semitic people who upheld him as one of their chief deities. He was the “lord of the high places,” responsible for fertility, and the weather. Baal was also responsible for the well-being of his people. One text from the ancient Syrian city of Ugarit refers to Baal’s expulsion of flies from the city because they were causing sickness. This benign ability to command flies was later twisted to take on a more sinister aspect.
This twisting came about because although Baal may have been a god to many, he was just another idol to the Israelites. His standing, however, was enough to have him branded “the prince of devils’ and not just any old demon. Kings II even admits his divine origins by referring to Beelzebub/Baal as “Baalzebub, the god of Ekron” (1:2). However, mud sticks and Baal/Beelzebub’s demonic reputation carried on into the New Testament and so Christian tradition.
Beelzebub is not the only pagan entity associated with the devil.