Belial

American  

[bee-lee-uhl, beel-yuhl] / ˈbi li əl, ˈbil yəl /

noun

1. Theology. the spirit of evil personified; the devil; Satan.

2. (in Milton'sParadise Lost ) one of the fallen angels.

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Belial British  

/ ˈbiːlɪəl /

noun

1. a demon mentioned frequently in apocalyptic literature: identified in the Christian tradition with the devil or Satan

2. (in the Old Testament and rabbinical literature) worthlessness or wickedness

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Etymology

Origin of Belial

< Hebrew bəliyyaʿal, equivalent to bəlī without + yaʿal, worth, use

Example Sentences

The Messiah, the Teacher of Righteousness, is opposed to a Demon of Evil, most frequently known as Belial or Beliar.

From The New Yorker • May 6, 1955

For in lower California during the 22nd Century, Belial, the devil himself, rules; his victory over "the Other One" was consolidated in Atomic War, though his battle for power began centuries before.

From Time Magazine Archive

The circus is operated by Magnus the Great�a kind of Barnum and Belial character who sits in his tent and manipulates human marionettes strung on ropes high in the air.

From Time Magazine Archive

Belial and Moloch�to help them turn base metal into gold.

From Time Magazine Archive

"Sons of Belial," I said, recalling a biblical phrase that might be expected to prick, "why do you seek my life?"

From Ghetto Tragedies by Zangwill, Israel