Beelzebub – Ask the Rabbi
Q. I heard a Christian preacher refer to a demon called Beelzebub. Is this name known in Judaism?
A. In Christian scripture Beelzebub or Beelzebul is the chief of the demons (Matt. 12:24-27; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15-18).
The name derives from Baal Z’vuv, “lord of the flies”. In the T’nach this is the god of Ekron, whom King Ahaziah consulted – against God’s will – when he was ill.
Since flies were often regarded as responsible for plagues (e.g. Kohelet 10:1), ancient people had high regard for a “god” who could overcome the flies. Because Baal Z’vuv was the god of the Philistine enemy, he himself came to be regarded as a powerful demon.