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BELIAL The Demon Of Ancient Evil, Biblical Lore & Real Possession Cases | Demonology Archives · Mystery Archives Episodes

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In every age, evil finds a name. It is whispered in the mouths of
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mad prophets, scribbled in the margins of forgotten scrolls and
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buried beneath the charred altars of vanished cities.
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Some call it chaos, others lawlessness, lust and
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corruption. But across continents in
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centuries, one name rises like smoke from the ashes of every
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dark age. Belial before the fall of man
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was written in ink. Before the 1st Temple, blood and
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fire, there was Belial, the one without a master.
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To the Hebrew scribes he was not yet a being, but a condition.
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Worthlessness Incarnate the rod within the human soul.
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But to the desert Mystics he was a commander of legions, an
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ancient black winged Prince of guilt, born from shadow and let
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loose upon the world by divine design.
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In time he would wear many masks.
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The Roman persecutors knew him as the whisper behind tyrant's
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eyes. Medieval monks feared him as a
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demon of courts and kings, granting titles by favor and
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damning souls through silver tongues.
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Magicians, trembling in candlelight summoned him in
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languages older than Babel, and those who failed were never seen
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whole again. He spoke through oracles,
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possessed the flesh, built Colts from cities, and when science
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buried faith, Belial merely changed his name, reappearing in
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psych wards, haunted homes, and ritual circles cloaked as
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seances. He never left.
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This is his story, not as a symbol, not as a myth, but as a
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presence that has coiled itself around the rise and ruin of
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human civilization. From the dry bones of ancient
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Israel to the trembling breath of a girl in the 1970s, from the
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black ink of grimoires to the blood slick floors of exorcisms,
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Belial has remained unchanged, seductive, brilliant, and
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utterly merciless. This is not a parable, nor an
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allegory, but history written in fear in the Prince of
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lawlessness is still watching. Belial's name originates from a
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Hebrew term Belial, meaning worthlessness or lawlessness,
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often used in the Hebrew Bible to label wicked or ungodly
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people. Phrases like sons of Belial
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appear throughout the Old Testament to denote corrupt,
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idolatrous, or immoral individuals rather than a
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specific entity. For example, the Book of Judges
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refers to lawless men as sons of Belial, and in one Samuel Eli's
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corrupt sons are called sons of Belial, usually translated as
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wicked men. In these early usages, Belial is
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not a distinct demon, but a personification of moral
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depravity or rebellion. Notably, a few poetic passages
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use Belial in a quasi personified way.
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Psalms 18 four speaks of the cords of death and the floods of
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Belial, often rendered torrents of destruction, and Nahum 115
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declares that Belial, meaning the wicked one or evil
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personified, will no longer pass through Judah.
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Such verses hint is Belial as an embodiment of evil or the
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underworld, setting the stage for later riders to imagine
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Belial as an actual demonic being.
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By the Second Temple time period, roughly 3rd century BCE
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to 1st century CE, Belial had evolved in Jewish thought form
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as an abstract concept into a literal supernatural adversary.
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Is especially evident in the Dead Sea Scrolls, where Belial
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is explicitly portrayed as a demonic figure.
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In the War Scroll, Belial appears to be the leader of the
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forces of darkness opposing God's faithful.
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One fragment addresses God about Belial.
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You made Belial for the pit Angel of enmity and darkness is
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his domain. His counsel is to bring about
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wickedness and guilt, all the spirits of his laughter, angels
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of destruction. Here, Belial is depicted as the
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chief of all evil spirits, the Angel of darkness who commands
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demons and brings guilt and corruption into the world,
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essentially casting human history as a cosmic struggle
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between Belial's sons of darkness and God's sons of
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light. The Community Rule Scroll even
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describes humanity is divided into those in the Lot of Belial
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versus those in the Lot of God, reflecting a strong dualistic
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worldview. In these writings, Belial is
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still called an Angel, albeit a fallen malevolent 1 created by
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God for the purpose of evil and who will ultimately be condemned
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to the pit. Early Jewish Apocrypha built
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this idea of Belial as a chief demon.
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The Damascus document warns of the three Nets of Belial sexual
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fornification, welfare, greed and the defilement of the Temple
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by which Belial ensnares Israel into sin.
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It foretells an end time showdown when Belial shall be
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let loose against Israel before ultimate divine victory.
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Likewise, the testaments of the 12 patriarchs frequently
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personify Belial as the source of impurity.
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In these testaments, the patriarchs exhort their children
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to follow God's law instead of Belial's influence.
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One passage prophecies that in the Messianic age, the Messiah
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will blind Belial and banish the spirits of wickedness.
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In mainstream Judaism, Belial never became the name of a
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specific devil in the canonautical texts.
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Rabbinic literature continued to use Belial as a general term for
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extreme wickedness or lawlessness, in line with its
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biblical usage. Later rabbis often interpreted
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sons of Belial simply to mean people without yoke.
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The Talmud, for instance, glosses Belial as without a yoke
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or one without rule, reinforcing that it denotes rebellious
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characters rather than a demon's name.
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Thus, in the Jewish tradition, Belial remained more of an
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allegory for an evil mindset than a literal demon.
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One notable exception outside the rabbinic mainstream is a
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medieval Jewish text, the Toledad Yeshu, which even uses
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Belial as a derogatory name for Jesus, punting on the idea of
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worthlessness. In Christianity, Belial was
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likewise initially understood as a synonym for Satan or a
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personification of evil. The New Testament contains
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Belial's name only once. What accord has Christ with
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Belial? Paul asked rhetorically in Two
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Corinthians 615. Here, Belial is used to mean the
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chief of wickedness opposed to Christ, essentially equating
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Belial with Satan or a satanic figure.
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Early Christians took this association and ran with it. 2nd
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century church writings and later theological commentaries
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often treat Belial as another name for the devil.
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For example, Paul's reference LED some commentators to
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identify Belial with the Antichrist spirit.
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The idea of Belial as Antichrist appears in certain early
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Christian apocalypses and sermons.
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Indeed, the sibling Oracles uses Belial as a name for a future
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tyrant or Antichrist figure. In these oracles, Belial is
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prophesied to come after the Roman Emperor Nero as a great
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deceiver, showing how Christians absorbed the name into their end
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times imagination. The martyrdom and ascension of
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Isaiah equates Belial with Satan.
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It states that Belial will incite the persecution of
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Isaiah, calling him the king of this world who indwells A
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tyrant. Early on, Belial was not seen as
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a minor demon, but essentially as the devil himself or his
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avatar and Christian thought. As Christian theology developed,
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Belial did not feature prominently as a distinct
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character in Scripture or liturgy, but the name persisted
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in literature and commentary as a byword for the devil.
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For instance, medieval Christian poets and writers would
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occasionally use Belial to mean Satan or any demonic force.
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A vivid example comes from John Milton's 17th century epic
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Paradise Lost, where Belial is betrayed as one of the fallen
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angels. In Satan's Counsel, Milton
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describes Belial as the epitome of impurity and sloth, noting
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that Belial came last then, whom a spirit more lewd fell not from
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heaven or more gross to love vice for itself.
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Milton emphasizes that no demon was more depraved or morally
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worthless than Belial. In Paradise Lost, Book 2,
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Belisle gives a persuasive speech counseling the demons to
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avoid further war with heaven, not out of wisdom but out of
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cowardice and laziness. Milton's Belisle is graceful and
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humane and demeanor yet false and hollow, a smooth talking
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tempter who fosters lust, violence and rot and courts and
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cities. This literary portrayal through
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fiction draws on the long standing tradition that Belial
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represents the spirit of lawless lust and deception.
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In some medieval folk plays and sermons, Belial appears as a
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personified demon of debauchery. An early Latin morality text
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from 1382, Procesis Belial by Jacobus di Teramo even imagined
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A courtroom drama between Belial and Jesus, symbolizing the
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struggle of evil against good and a legal trial setting.
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In summary, Christian culture absorbed Belial as another name
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for the devil or a major demon, synonymous with impurity,
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rebellion, and ruthlessness. Outside of Scripture and
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theological discourse, Belial took on a rich life in a cult
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and demonological lore. Medieval and Renaissance
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grimoires elevated Belial to one of the mighty demons of Hell.
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In these texts, Belial is no longer just another name for
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Satan, but a powerful demon Prince in his own right.
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Early evidence of this comes from the Testament of Solomon,
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where King Solomon magically compels various demons.
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Belial appears among the demons summoned.
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One legend even claims that Belial danced before King
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Solomon when bound by the King's ring.
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This reflects the developing idea of Belial as a summoned
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spirit and magical traditions. By the 16th and 17th centuries,
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Belial was firmly entrenched in the sulmonic grimoires of
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Europe. Several, including the Lesser
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Key of Solomon, both list Belial among the infernal hierarchy.
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According to these grimoires, King Belial is a high-ranking
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demon who once belonged to the angelic Order of Virtues.
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Belial is said to have led astray many lesser spirits, and
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he fell among the worthier and wiser angels, implying he was
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exceptionally prestigious before his fall.
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After being cast down, Belial became a king of Hell.
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Deceitful and malevolent, the grimoires give detailed
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descriptions of his appearance and abilities.
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Belisle often manifests as a beautiful Angel riding in a
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fiery chariot, speaking with a pleasant voice.
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Despite his fair appearance, he is treacherous.
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Demonologist warned that Belisle lies incessantly unless
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constrained by magical rites or divine names.
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When properly compelled, however, he can impart truthful
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answers and will grant favors to magicians.
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In the infernal hierarchy, Blile is typically depicted as ruling
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over a vast number of legions, over 80 to be exact.
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Composed partially of former virtues and angels, his powers
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in magic are great, and some of his specialities, according to
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the grimoires, include distributing high titles and
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offices, giving favor from important persons, and providing
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familiars or servant spirits to the magician.
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However, the grimoires also note that offerings or sacrifices
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must be presented to Belial to make him speak honestly,
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otherwise he will deceive the conjurer.
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Magical Text often cautioned that if Belial is evoked and
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does not deliver on his promises, he can be punished by
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recalling the binding chain used by King Solomon, who legendarily
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imprisoned Belial and other rebel kings in a brass vessel.
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Indeed, an elaborate legend, such stories illustrate Belial's
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craftiness in the lore that grew around his interactions with
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legendary magicians over time. Occultist embellished Belial's
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persona further. The dictionale Infernal
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describes Belial as one of Hell's ambassadors and a demon
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of unparalleled depravity. Colin Deplancy writes that no
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demon in Hell is more dissolute or crupulous than Belial.
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He is engrossed in vice for vice's sake, yet outwardly he
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appears courteous and dignified. This encyclopedia notes that
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Belial had an infamous reputation for lust and
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lawlessness. Purportedly, he was adored by
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the Citians and had temples in Sodom and other cities of sin.
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Demonologist of the Renaissance also equated Belial with the
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demon of arrogance and rebellion.
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Some traced his name to a supposed meaning as without
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master, implying that he acknowledges no authority.
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This meaning was later adopted by Satanic and occult groups as
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well. In the mid 20th century, Anton
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Lavey's Satanic Bible named Belial as one of the four Crown
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Princess of Hell, representing the element of Earth.
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Lavey emphasizes Belial as the spirit of independence and
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self-sufficiency. Literally without a master.
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Fittingly, casting him is a patron of earthly pride and
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carnal desire. Thus, in the modern occult
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philosophy, Belial symbolizes the earth base impulses and
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rebellion against authority, often invoked as a source of
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personal power and autonomy. Across Grimoire's and centuries
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of magical lore, Belial's character remains fairly
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consistent. He is portrayed as a
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high-ranking, cunning and corrupt demon who lures with
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fair promises but ultimately brings ruin.
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Ritual magicians have invoked King Belial for everything from
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political power to sexual favors.
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Reflecting his attributions and lore.
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Aleister Crowley and his Nineteen O 4 edition of Goesha
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includes Belial sigil and notes on his abilities, continuing the
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tradition of summoning him as a goetic spirit.
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In summary, the occult tradition sets Belial among the great
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demons, a fallen Angel and deceitful allure governing
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dozens of legions, rewarding followers with earthly gifts,
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yet ever ready to deceive and betray.
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Belial's fearsome reputation has carried into modern occultism,
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fiction, and even purported real world paranormal encounters.
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Documented demonology cases and exorcisms have occasionally
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invoked the name of Belial as a possessing or haunting entity.
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For example, one of the most famous 20th century exorcism
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cases, that of Annalise Michelle, involved the possessed
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individual allegedly identifying several indwelling demons by
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name. Among these was Belial, named
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alongside Lucifer, Judas, and Nero, as well as others during
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the exorcism riots, linking this ancient demon much closer than
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we'd like to the modern day. While skeptics debate the
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validity of such claims, the case brought Belial's name to
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public attention as a demon associated with possession
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phenomena. Modern demonologists and
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paranormal investigators also report encounters where Belial
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is identified as the malicious force at work.
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In one case documented by demonologist John Saphis, a
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family haunting in the United States was attributed to a
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violent demon calling itself Belial.
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The entity allegedly attacked the household and even displayed
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greater natural abilities. Zephis recounted that it was the
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first case he witnessed where a demon caused a victim to
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levitate. According to the case reports,
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the Belial entity was exceptionally hard to exercise,
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consistent with the Lord scribing Belial as stubborn and
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powerful. These sensational accounts,
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while not verifiable in a scientific sense, show that
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Belial remains part of the contemporary demonological
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lexicon invoked to explain particularly intense or
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manipulative hauntings. There are also historical
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legends and anecdotes linking Belial to paranormal
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experiences. Medieval hagiographies contain
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tales of holy men battling demons by name, and Belial
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appears in that genre too. For instance, it is said that
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Saint Nicholas of Tolentino, a 13th century Catholic St. was
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physically assaulted by a demon named Belial who tried to
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disrupt his pious work. The Saint allegedly drove the
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demon away through prayer. Such stories reinforced Belial's
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image as a tangible evil presence that holy individuals
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might confront. In a cold circles, some
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practitioners have claimed to successfully summon or
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communicate with Belial in rituals, seeking his aid or
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bargaining with him for earthly rewards, essentially continuing
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the grimoire tradition into the present day.
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Modern occult authors have published guides to invoking
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Belial, describing hair raising encounters or tests of will
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attributed to this demon. While these accounts vary wildly
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in credibility, they contribute to Belisles ongoing mystique as
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an active spiritual force in the dark corners of the paranormal
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world. Folklore and popular culture
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have also kept Belisle's name alive.
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He is referenced in horror novels, heavy metal music, video
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games, and films as a powerful demon or devil figure.
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For example, the Diablo video game franchise, which is one of
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my personal favorites, includes a demon Lord Belial, aptly
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titled Lord of Lies, which draws directly from the Christian
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demonological tradition. In some horror literature,
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Belial is portrayed as a grand adversary orchestrating cults or
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corrupting leaders behind the scenes, playing on his ancient
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reputation as a demon of depravity and chaos.
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Even outside explicitly religious contexts, the name
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Belial has an ominous ring that creators use to evoke satanic
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evil. This modern folklore cements
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Belial's role as a villain across eras, from ancient
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scrolls to contemporary storytelling, he endures as a
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symbol of ultimate treachery and darkness across centuries.
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Names fade, temples crumble, languages die, but Belial
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remains. He has no need for worship, no
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throne of gold, no altar carved by human hands.
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His dominion is built in shadows behind courtroom doors, in
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whispers of sedition, in the trembling breath of a child who
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wakes at 3:33 AM with eyes fixed on the corner of the room.
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He does not rage like Lucifer or seduce like Asmodeus.
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Belial waits. He corrupts slowly, speaking not
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in fire but in reason. He is the lawless voice that
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convinced kings to betray their own blood, the silver tongue in
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the boardroom promising unchecked dominion, the unseen
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hand that bends justice until it breaks.
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And tonight, somewhere, he is summoned again.
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Not in Latin or Aramaic, but through hunger, power or
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desperation. A whisper and a seance.
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A sigil etched into concrete. A voice in the mind that says
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you need no master, you only need me.
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Thank you guys so much for your patience with this latest
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episode. I really and truly appreciate
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you. If you enjoyed it, please hit
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mysteryarchives.myshopify.com. There you can find my books and
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a whole lot more. Other than that, guys, I have a
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long documentary style video planned for you and it's coming
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very soon, as well as some more creepypastas over on my
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I wish all of you the best and consider watching another
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similar video that will pop up at the end of this one.
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As always, this has been Cody here at Mystery Archives.
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Remember to stay safe out there from demons and more, and I'll
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see you next time. Take care.