from בְּלִי and יַעַל;(often in connection with אִישׁ, אִשָּׁה, בֵּן, etc.); without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness; Belial, evil, naughty, ungodly (men), wicked.
Transliteration:bᵉlîyaʻal
Pronunciation:bel-e-yah'-al
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term בְּלִיַּעַל (bᵉlîyaʻal, `{{H1100}}`) is a compound word derived from בְּלִי (bᵉlî, `{{H1097}}`), meaning "without" or "not," and יַעַל (yaʻal, `{{H3276}}`), meaning "profit," "use," or "worth." Thus, its most fundamental meaning is "without profit," "worthless," or "useless." This core semantic range extends to describe individuals or actions characterized by profound moral emptiness, utter depravity, and destructive intent. It denotes a state of being devoid of any redeeming quality or beneficial purpose. By extension, it comes to signify wickedness, destruction, and ultimately, a personification of evil itself. The term often appears in construct phrases such as "son of Belial" (בֶּן־בְּלִיַּעַל), "daughter of Belial" (בַּת־בְּלִיַּעַל), or "man of Belial" (אִישׁ בְּלִיַּעַל), indicating a person whose character is entirely defined by this worthlessness and wickedness.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term בְּלִיַּעַל (bᵉlîyaʻal, `{{H1100}}`) appears 27 times in the Old Testament, predominantly in historical and prophetic books, consistently denoting extreme moral corruption or those who embody it.
In [[Deuteronomy 13:13]], it refers to "sons of Belial" who lead a city astray into idolatry, highlighting their role as agents of spiritual apostasy and societal corruption. This context underscores the destructive nature of their influence.
The "sons of Belial" often represent individuals characterized by egregious acts of depravity and lawlessness. The sons of Eli are famously described as "sons of Belial" in [[1 Samuel 2:12]], signifying their utter disregard for Yahweh and their priestly duties, leading to their ultimate judgment. Similarly, the men of Gibeah, who commit a heinous act of sexual violence, are called "sons of Belial" in [[Judges 19:22]], emphasizing their extreme moral degradation and contempt for human life and justice.
Nabal, in [[1 Samuel 25:17]] and [[1 Samuel 25:25]], is explicitly called a "man of Belial" by Abigail, reflecting his churlish, foolish, and wicked character, especially his contemptuous treatment of David. This usage illustrates that the term describes not merely an action but an inherent character flaw.
King David refers to his adversaries, those who oppose God's anointed, as "sons of Belial" in [[2 Samuel 23:6]], implying that they are inherently wicked and destined for destruction. This suggests a theological understanding of Belial as a force antithetical to God's reign and order.
While primarily a Hebrew term, its concept resonates into the New Testament. In [[2 Corinthians 6:15]], Paul asks, "What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?" Here, Belial (Βελίαλ, `{{G955}}`) is used as a proper name, personifying the ultimate antagonist of Christ, akin to Satan. This reflects a development in intertestamental and early Jewish thought where Belial became a specific name for the prince of darkness or chief of demons, as seen in texts like the Dead Sea Scrolls.
### Related Words & Concepts
The etymological components of בְּלִיַּעַל (bᵉlîyaʻal, `{{H1100}}`) are crucial for understanding its depth. בְּלִי (bᵉlî, `{{H1097}}`) functions as a negative particle, indicating absence or negation, while יַעַל (yaʻal, `{{H3276}}`) denotes utility or profit. This foundational meaning of "worthlessness" connects it to concepts of futility, emptiness, and the absence of good.
Semantically, בְּלִיַּעַל is closely related to terms for wickedness, evil, and depravity, such as:
* רֶשַׁע (reshaʻ, `{{H7562}}`): "wickedness," "guilt," "ungodliness."
* אָוֶן (aven, `{{H205}}`): "trouble," "sorrow," "wickedness," "vanity."
* חָמָס (hamas, `{{H2555}}`): "violence," "wrong."
* נָבָל (nabal, `{{H5036}}`): "foolish," "senseless," often implying moral depravity (as seen in Nabal's name).
It stands in stark contrast to words signifying righteousness, integrity, and usefulness, such as צַדִּיק (tsaddiq, `{{H6662}}`), "righteous," and תָּמִים (tamim, `{{H8549}}`), "blameless" or "complete." The concept of "worthlessness" implies a complete lack of moral or spiritual value, often leading to destructive outcomes.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of בְּלִיַּעַל (bᵉlîyaʻal, `{{H1100}}`) is profound, encapsulating both human depravity and the forces of spiritual evil.
1. **Ultimate Depravity:** The term describes individuals who are not merely flawed but are fundamentally worthless in a moral and spiritual sense. They are characterized by a profound rejection of God's ways, covenant, and righteous standards. Their actions are not just sinful but are often malicious, destructive, and without any redeeming purpose. This highlights the human capacity for extreme wickedness and rebellion against divine order.
2. **Opposition to God's Will:** Those identified as "sons of Belial" are consistently portrayed as agents of chaos, idolatry, and injustice, directly opposing God's righteous rule and the well-being of His people. Their "worthlessness" is not merely an absence of good but an active embrace of evil, demonstrating a profound spiritual alienation from God.
3. **Personification of Evil:** Over time, particularly in later Jewish literature and the New Testament, בְּלִיַּעַל (Belial) transcends being merely an adjective or a descriptive noun. It evolves into a proper name for a chief demonic entity, often identified with Satan or the prince of darkness. This trajectory, culminating in [[2 Corinthians 6:15]], signifies that Belial represents the ultimate embodiment of evil, the anti-Christ figure, standing in absolute antithesis to all that is good, holy, and of God. This theological development underscores the pervasive and personal nature of evil in the biblical worldview.
4. **Divine Judgment:** The presence of "sons of Belial" in the biblical narrative invariably leads to divine judgment. Their worthlessness and wickedness are met with God's righteous wrath, often resulting in their destruction or removal from the community. This reinforces the concept that God will not tolerate ultimate depravity and will ultimately triumph over the forces of Belial.
### Summary
The Hebrew word בְּלִיַּעַל (bᵉlîyaʻal, `{{H1100}}`) fundamentally signifies "worthlessness" or "without profit," stemming from its etymological roots. This core meaning expands to describe individuals or actions characterized by profound moral depravity, utter wickedness, and destructive intent. Biblical occurrences consistently portray "sons of Belial" as those who are lawless, rebellious against God, and agents of spiritual and social corruption, whether leading others to idolatry, committing heinous acts of violence, or demonstrating contempt for divine and human authority. The term stands in stark contrast to concepts of righteousness and integrity. Theologically, בְּלִיַּעַל represents the deepest form of human wickedness and opposition to God's will. Significantly, in later intertestamental literature and the New Testament, Belial evolves into a personified entity, a proper name for the ultimate antagonist of God and Christ, embodying the very essence of evil. This trajectory highlights the Bible's profound understanding of both the pervasive nature of human sin and the ultimate reality of spiritual forces aligned against the divine.