Beelsarus
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Beelsarus is not a figure directly mentioned in the canonical texts of the Bible. However, the name may be a variant or a transliteration error related to other biblical names or terms. In biblical studies, it is not uncommon for names to appear in various forms due to transliteration from Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek into English. Therefore, understanding Beelsarus requires examining similar names and contexts within the biblical narrative.

Possible Connections:

1. Belshazzar: One potential connection is to Belshazzar, the last king of Babylon mentioned in the Book of Daniel. Belshazzar is known for the infamous "writing on the wall" incident, where a mysterious hand wrote a message during a feast, predicting the fall of Babylon (Daniel 5:1-31). The name Belshazzar means "Bel, protect the king," with Bel being a Babylonian deity. This connection suggests that Beelsarus could be a variant of Belshazzar, reflecting the influence of Babylonian culture and religion.

· Daniel 5:30-31 : "That very night Belshazzar king of the Chaldeans was slain, and Darius the Mede received the kingdom at the age of sixty-two."

2. Baal: Another possibility is a connection to Baal, a Canaanite deity often mentioned in the Old Testament as a false god worshiped by the Israelites during periods of apostasy. The prefix "Beel" in Beelsarus could be related to Baal, indicating a name that incorporates or references this deity. The worship of Baal was a significant issue for the Israelites, leading to numerous prophetic condemnations.

· Judges 2:11-13 : "And the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. They forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them, and they provoked the LORD to anger."

3. Cultural and Historical Context: In the ancient Near East, names often carried religious or cultural significance, reflecting the beliefs and practices of the time. The name Beelsarus, if it existed in historical or extrabiblical texts, might have been associated with a person or deity linked to Babylonian or Canaanite traditions. Understanding these cultural contexts can provide insight into the religious dynamics present during the biblical era.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, names like Beelsarus, if connected to figures such as Belshazzar or Baal, highlight the ongoing struggle between the worship of the one true God, Yahweh, and the temptation to follow false gods. This theme is prevalent throughout the Old Testament, where the Israelites are repeatedly called to remain faithful to their covenant with God despite external influences.

The narrative of Belshazzar in Daniel serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty over earthly kingdoms and the futility of idolatry. Similarly, the recurring issue of Baal worship underscores the importance of spiritual fidelity and the dangers of syncretism.

In summary, while Beelsarus is not a directly attested biblical figure, exploring its potential connections to known biblical names and themes can enrich our understanding of the historical and theological landscape of the Bible.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BEELSARUS

be-el'-sa-rus, be-el-sa'-rus (Beelsaros): One who accompanied Zerubbabel in the return from the captivity (1 Esdras 5:8), called Bilshan in Ezra 2:2 and Nehemiah 7:7.

Thesaurus
Beelsarus
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia BEELSARUS. be-el'-sa-rus, be-el-sa'-rus
(Beelsaros): One who accompanied Zerubbabel in the return ...
/b/beelsarus.htm - 6k

Bilshan (2 Occurrences)
... In 1 Esdras 5:8, he is called "Beelsarus," which is akin to the form "Belshar" =
"Belshar-uccur" or "O Bel, protect king." Bilshan points to "Belsun," "his lord ...
/b/bilshan.htm - 8k

Beeli'ada (1 Occurrence)
Beeli'ada. Beeliada, Beeli'ada. Beelsarus . Multi-Version Concordance
Beeli'ada (1 Occurrence). ... (See RSV). Beeliada, Beeli'ada. Beelsarus . Reference
/b/beeli'ada.htm - 6k

Beeltethmus

/b/beeltethmus.htm - 6k

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Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Beeliada: Son of David
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