Who Are the 8 Devils in the Bible?
Many people search for a list of “the 8 devils in the Bible,” but Scripture never presents a fixed list of eight. Instead, biblical and Second Temple literature use numerous names, titles, and images to describe the devil and the forces of spiritual darkness. These names reflect different traditions, literary backgrounds, and theological developments. While the Old Testament contains only a limited portrayal of Satan, the intertestamental period produced a more developed figure—an independent evil adversary—and the New Testament consistently presents the devil as the enemy of God, the deceiver of the world, and the ruler of a domain opposed to Christ (John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2; 1 Peter 5:8).
Because readers often expect a concrete list, the best way to approach this topic is to examine the major names and identities associated with the devil in Scripture and in Jewish literature that shaped the biblical world. This article organizes these figures into a coherent overview, showing how the devil is described and how his adversarial role unfolds in the biblical story.
1. The Devil Has Many Names in the New Testament
The New Testament never limits the devil to a single identity. Instead, it uses numerous titles to emphasize aspects of his character, activity, and opposition to God. These include:
Satan, the adversary (Matthew 4:10).
The devil, the slanderer (Matthew 4:1).
Beelzebul, the prince of demons (Matthew 12:24).
Belial, a name linked to wickedness and destruction (2 Corinthians 6:15).
The dragon (Revelation 12:9).
The ancient serpent (Revelation 12:9).
The evil one (Ephesians 6:16; Matthew 13:19).
The tempter (1 Thessalonians 3:5).
The ruler of this world (John 12:31).
The god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4).
The prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2).
These titles reflect a unified portrayal: a supernatural enemy who opposes God’s kingdom, deceives humanity, blinds unbelievers, tempts Christians, and operates a kingdom of darkness. Scripture teaches that Christ will destroy the devil’s works (1 John 3:8) and finally throw him into eternal fire (Revelation 20:10).
2. Second Temple Jewish Literature Adds Several Named Adversaries
Between the Old and New Testaments, Jewish writings developed additional names and figures for evil spiritual beings. These texts shaped the cultural world of New Testament authors. Prominent names include:
Mastema (“Hateful One”) — chief of evil spirits in Jubilees.
Samael / Satanael — sometimes called the “blind god.”
Sammael / Sammael — a figure associated with accusation and destruction.
Beliar / Belial — often the king of demons in the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Azazel — a leader of rebellious angels in 1 Enoch, linked to the wilderness (cf. Leviticus 16).
These writings often portrayed the devil or his analogues as rulers of a kingdom of darkness, accusing God’s people, promoting wickedness, and leading other rebellious spirits. While these texts are not Scripture, the New Testament reflects familiarity with this world of ideas—especially in its depiction of Satan as the ruler of a host of fallen angels (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:7–9).
3. Azazel, Belial, and Mastema as “Devil Figures” in Jewish Tradition
Among the many names in ancient Jewish writings, three stand out for their prominence and influence.
A. Azazel
In 1 Enoch, Azazel is described as:
A leader of rebellious angels.
A corrupter of humanity through forbidden knowledge.
One who is bound in the desert until the final judgment.
This narrative parallels New Testament themes about rebellious angels kept in chains until judgment (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6).
B. Belial (or Beliar)
Belial is a major adversarial figure in Qumran literature:
Called the king of demons.
Described as the ruler of wicked spirits.
Used in the New Testament as a name equivalent to Satan (2 Corinthians 6:15).
Belial’s presence in Jewish texts shows how the idea of a personal spiritual enemy intensified before the New Testament period.
C. Mastema
In Jubilees, Mastema is:
The chief of evil spirits.
One who accuses Israel.
Allowed by God to test people.
This portrayal resonates with biblical themes of Satan as accuser (Job 1:6–12; Revelation 12:10).
4. Why the Bible Uses Many Names for a Single Enemy
The diversity of names does not indicate multiple independent devils, but multiple ways of describing the same adversarial reality. Several reasons explain this variety:
Literary diversity: Biblical authors wrote in different styles and times.
Symbolic imagery: Names like “dragon” or “serpent” evoke ancient Near Eastern combat myths but are reoriented to biblical theology.
Functional descriptions: “Temptter,” “accuser,” or “ruler of this world” highlight different roles.
Historical development: Ideas about a cosmic adversary grew during the intertestamental period.
The New Testament unifies these themes by identifying all these expressions with Satan, the enemy of God’s people.
5. The Devil’s Role in the Biblical Story
Scripture consistently portrays Satan not as a rival deity but as a created being in rebellion. His primary roles include:
Accusing God’s people (Job 1:9–11; Revelation 12:10).
Deceiving the world (Revelation 12:9).
Tempting individuals to sin (Matthew 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 3:5).
Blinding unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:4).
Oppressing humanity (Acts 10:38).
Disguising himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14).
Seeking to devour (1 Peter 5:8).
The Bible teaches that Satan’s kingdom stands in total opposition to God’s kingdom (Matthew 12:26), but that his power is ultimately limited by God’s sovereignty (Job 1:12).
6. Christ’s Victory Over the Devil
The climax of the biblical story is the defeat of the devil through Christ’s life, death, resurrection, and return. Scripture affirms:
Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).
Jesus disarmed rulers and authorities (Colossians 2:15).
Satan will be crushed under the feet of God’s people (Romans 16:20).
The devil and his angels will be judged (Matthew 25:41).
The final enemy will be thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).
Satan’s many names highlight his varied strategies, but all point toward a single defeated enemy whose end is certain.
Conclusion
So who are the “8 devils in the Bible”? Scripture does not give a list of eight, but it provides many names, titles, and images that describe the devil’s character and activity. Second Temple Jewish writings add further names that illuminate how ancient readers understood the power of evil. Taken together, these names reveal a single adversary expressed through many symbols. The Bible ultimately presents the devil as the enemy whom Christ has conquered and will finally destroy. The hope of Scripture is not found in cataloging devils but in the assurance that the kingdom of God prevails.
Bible Verses About the Devil and Spiritual Opposition
“Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion.” — 1 Peter 5:8
“The god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers.” — 2 Corinthians 4:4
“The ruler of this world will be cast out.” — John 12:31
“The great dragon… that ancient serpent… the devil and Satan.” — Revelation 12:9
“The evil one does not touch him.” — 1 John 5:18
“The tempter came.” — Matthew 4:3
“Destroy the works of the devil.” — 1 John 3:8
“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” — James 4:7
“Deliver us from the evil one.” — Matthew 6:13
“The devil… was thrown into the lake of fire.” — Revelation 20:10
