Matthew 10:25

Beelzebub The MSS. vary between Beelzebul and Beelzebub.

Beelzebub, or Baal Zebub= "Lord of flies," i. e. "averter of flies," a serious plague in hot countries. By a slight change of letter the Jews threw contempt on their enemies" god, calling him Baal Zebel "Lord of mire" and lastly identified him with Satan. The changes from Bethel ("House of God") to Bethaven ("House of naught or evil"), (Hosea 4:15), from Nahash ("serpent") to Nehushtan (2 Kings 18:4), and from the name Barcochab ("Son of a star"), assumed by a false Messiah, to Barcozab ("Son of a lie"), are instances of the same quaint humour.

Another derivation of Beelzebul makes it equivalent to "Lord of the dwelling," i. e. of the abode of evil spirits. This meaning would be very appropriate in relation to "the master of the house;" and the form Baalzebul is a nearer approach to the Greek word in the text than Baalzebel.