Belial in the Bible: Wickedness, Worthlessness, and the Personification of Evil
1. The Meaning and Roots of Belial
The word Belial (Hebrew bĕliyyaʿal) appears in the Bible with strong negative force. By form, it means “worthlessness” or “wickedness,” but the way it is used suggests something more than a mere adjective. It often personifies evil itself.
Some scholars suggest Belial is a compound of bĕlî (“without”) and yaʿal (“value, worth”), literally “without worth.” Others proposed alternative etymologies, but the consensus remains that Belial represents worthlessness, corruption, or destructive wickedness.
Already in the Old Testament, Belial moves from a descriptive term (“sons of worthlessness”) toward a personified power of destruction. Later Jewish writings, Qumran scrolls, and the New Testament continue this trajectory, turning Belial into an enemy of God and a parallel term for Satan.
2. Belial as Wickedness in the Old Testament
In its earliest uses, Belial functions as a descriptor for those who rebel against God and His covenant order. Belial is never pluralized, and it often carries the definite article, as in “the man of Belial” or “the sons of Belial.” These individuals embody rebellion against Yahweh.
Examples include:
Religious corruption: men who incite Israel to worship false gods are called “sons of Belial” (Deut 13:13).
Moral corruption: men of Belial abuse hospitality in Judges 19:22, and Eli’s corrupt sons in 1 Samuel 2:12 are labeled the same.
Political rebellion: Sheba son of Bichri is called “a man of Belial” when he leads a revolt against David (2 Sam 20:1).
Social violence: Nabal is described by Abigail as “a son of Belial” (1 Sam 25:25), meaning a man so worthless and destructive he could not be reasoned with.
In all these cases, Belial describes individuals who embody covenant treachery. They are “worthless,” not simply in moral failure, but in their rejection of God’s rule.
3. The Mythic Personification of Belial
Although Belial begins as a descriptive word, some Old Testament texts show it shading toward mythic personification.
In 2 Samuel 22:5 (echoed in Psalm 18:5), David speaks of “the torrents of Belial” overwhelming him, parallel to “the cords of death.” Wickedness is no longer just an action; it is a chaotic force, like the waters of death itself.
The imagery links Belial with chaos waters familiar from Canaanite myth. Just as Mot, the god of death, personified destruction, Belial symbolizes treacherous forces beyond human control.
Here we glimpse Belial not only as “worthlessness” but as a power of destruction, foreshadowing later Jewish and Christian traditions.
4. Belial in Later Jewish Writings
In post-biblical literature, Belial takes on the role of a personal being—the enemy of God and of righteousness.
At Qumran (Dead Sea Scrolls): Belial appears frequently as the head of the forces of darkness. The War Scroll (1QM) speaks of “the lot of Belial” opposed to “the lot of God.” Belial rules in the present age, but God will destroy him in the final judgment.
Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs: Belial becomes a cosmic adversary who tempts, accuses, and enslaves. The Testament of Levi 19:1 describes Belial’s path as the way of darkness.
Other Jewish texts: Belial is sometimes called Beliar or Belior, likely playing on the phrase “without light.” He is depicted as the ruler of demons, the one who deceives nations, and the chief enemy of God’s people.
In these writings, the shift is clear: Belial is no longer simply a label for “worthless men,” but the name of a demonic prince.
5. Belial in the New Testament
Belial appears once in the New Testament, under the form “Beliar”:
“What accord has Christ with Beliar? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?” (2 Cor 6:15).
Here Paul uses Belial as a direct counterpart to Christ. Just as Christ represents righteousness, light, and life, Belial embodies wickedness, darkness, and death.
This contrast highlights the cosmic battle between two kingdoms: the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Belial. The followers of Jesus cannot share allegiance with Belial’s forces.
The New Testament thus confirms what Jewish writings already portrayed: Belial is the personal enemy of God’s people, associated with Satan and the powers of darkness.
6. Belial as the Worthless Opponent of the Gospel
From the perspective of the Gospel, Belial stands for all that opposes God’s kingdom. Just as Christ came to bring life, light, and restoration, Belial represents death, darkness, and corruption.
Belial is tied to false worship (Deut 13:13).
Belial is tied to violence and perversion (Judg 19:22).
Belial is tied to rebellion against God’s anointed king (2 Sam 20:1).
In each case, Belial points to the futility of resisting God’s reign. Those who walk in Belial’s path are called “worthless,” not because they lack value as creatures made in God’s image, but because their rebellion renders their lives unfruitful before the Creator.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ answers Belial’s worthlessness with redemption. The one who seemed “of no worth” to the world—Jesus, despised and rejected (Isa 53:3)—was vindicated in resurrection. He overcame the forces of darkness, ensuring that Belial’s rule is temporary and doomed to destruction.
7. Eschatological Defeat of Belial
At Qumran, Belial rules the present age, but his end is certain: God will annihilate him forever. This idea resonates with the New Testament’s depiction of the final judgment, where Satan and his angels are cast into the lake of fire (Rev 20:10).
Belial thus represents the already–not yet tension of Scripture:
Already, Christ has triumphed over the powers of darkness (Col 2:15).
Not yet, Belial’s influence still deceives many, but his end is sealed.
The eschatological hope is not merely the removal of wickedness but the full restoration of righteousness, when nothing “worthless” will dwell in God’s new creation.
8. Lessons for the Church
The story of Belial in Scripture and tradition teaches God’s people to remain vigilant. Just as Israel was warned against “sons of Belial” who sought to corrupt the covenant community, so the church must guard against false teachers and worldly influences that reflect the same spirit.
Paul’s warning in 2 Corinthians 6 reminds believers that allegiance cannot be divided: “What harmony has Christ with Belial?” The church is called to be distinct, to reflect Christ’s worth in contrast to the worthlessness of Belial.
Bible Verses on Belial and Worthlessness
Deuteronomy 13:13 – “Certain worthless fellows have gone out among you and have drawn away the inhabitants of their city.”
Judges 19:22 – “The men of the city, worthless fellows, surrounded the house, beating on the door.”
1 Samuel 2:12 – “Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the Lord.”
1 Samuel 25:25 – “As his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name, and folly is with him.”
2 Samuel 22:5 – “For the waves of death encompassed me, the torrents of Belial assailed me.”
Psalm 18:5 – “The cords of Sheol entangled me; the torrents of Belial assailed me.”
Nahum 1:11 – “From you came one who plotted evil against the Lord, a worthless counselor.”
Proverbs 6:12 – “A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech.”
2 Corinthians 6:15 – “What accord has Christ with Beliar? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?”
Psalm 101:3 – “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.”
