Belus is a figure often associated with ancient Near Eastern mythology and history, and while not directly mentioned in the Bible, he is sometimes linked to biblical narratives and characters through historical and cultural contexts. The name "Belus" is often considered a Hellenized form of the Semitic title "Baal," which means "lord" or "master." This title was commonly used for various deities in the ancient Near East, particularly in Canaanite and Babylonian cultures.

Historical and Mythological Context

In ancient mythology, Belus is often identified with the Babylonian god Bel, a title used for Marduk, the chief deity of Babylon. Marduk was considered the god of creation, water, vegetation, judgment, and magic. The worship of Bel/Marduk is mentioned in the Bible, particularly in the context of the Babylonian captivity. In Jeremiah 50:2 , it is proclaimed, "Announce and declare among the nations; lift up a banner and proclaim it. Do not conceal it; say, 'Babylon is captured; Bel is put to shame; Marduk is shattered. Her images are disgraced; her idols are broken in pieces.'"

Belus is also sometimes associated with the legendary founder of Babylon, Nimrod, who is mentioned in Genesis 10:8-10 : "Cush was the father of Nimrod, who began to be a mighty one on the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; so it is said, 'Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the LORD.' His kingdom began in Babylon, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar." Nimrod's association with Babylon and his reputation as a mighty leader have led some to connect him with the figure of Belus.

Cultural Influence

The figure of Belus, as a representation of Baal or Bel, highlights the syncretism and cultural exchanges between the Israelites and their neighboring civilizations. The Israelites were often warned against the worship of Baal and other foreign gods, as seen in passages like 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. They provoked the LORD to anger because they forsook Him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths."

Theological Significance

From a theological perspective, the figure of Belus serves as a reminder of the constant struggle between the worship of the one true God, Yahweh, and the temptation to follow the gods of surrounding nations. The biblical narrative consistently emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to Yahweh and the rejection of idolatry. The prophets frequently condemned the worship of Baal and other deities, urging the Israelites to return to the covenant with God.

In summary, while Belus is not a direct biblical character, his association with Baal and Bel provides insight into the religious and cultural dynamics of the ancient Near East. The biblical texts underscore the importance of monotheism and the rejection of idolatry, themes that are central to the faith and practice of the Israelite community.BELUS, TEMPLE OF

be'-lus.

See BABEL.

Antiquity of Christianity.
... For Thallus mentioned Belus, king of the Assyrians, and Saturn, son of Titan, alleging
that Belus with the Titans made war against Jupiter and the so-called ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xxix antiquity of christianity.htm

Of the Kings and Times of the Earthly City which were Synchronous ...
... Ninus, then, who succeeded his father Belus, the first king of Assyria, was already
the second king of that kingdom when Abraham was born in the land of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 2 of the kings and.htm

Him Cyrus, his Grandson by his Daughter, Expelled from the Kingdom ...
... wanting. There was at that time among the Babylonians a brazen image of
Belus, a very ancient king, whom Virgil also has mentioned. ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter viii him cyrus his.htm

Of the Ages of Vain Superstitions, and the Times at which they ...
... Theophilus, [108] in his book written to Autolycus respecting the times, [109] says
that Thallus relates in his history, that Belus, who is worshipped by the ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxiii of the ages of.htm

Of the Three Most Famous Kingdoms of the Nations, of which One ...
... Of these, Assyria was much the most powerful and sublime; for that king Ninus,
son of Belus, had subdued the people of all Asia except India. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 17 of the three most.htm

The Conquest of Babylon.
... gardens, palaces, etc."The walls of Babylon."Marvelous accounts."The ditches."Streets
and gates."Palace of the king."Temple of Belus."The bridge ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter viii the conquest of.htm

Argument: the Object of all Nations, and Especially of the Romans ...
... and adores its local gods: as the Eleusinians worship Ceres; the Phrygians, Mater;
[1730] the Epidaurians, ??sculapius; the Chald??ans; Belus; the Syrians ...
/.../felix/the octavius of minucius felix/chapter vi argument the object of.htm

Testimony of the Chaldeans to the Antiquity of Moses.
... Berosus, a Babylonian, a priest of their god Belus, born in the time of Alexander,
composed for Antiochus, the third after him, the history of the Chaldeans in ...
/.../tatians address to the greeks/chapter xxxvi testimony of the chaldeans.htm

A Description of the Sea-Coast, Out of Pliny and Strabo.
... Near that, Getta, Lebba, the river Pagida or Belus, mingling glassy sand with its
small shore: it flows from the lake Cendevia, at the root of Carmel. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 10 a description of.htm

Caius Commands that his Statue Should be Set up in the Temple ...
... The very small river Belus [12] runs by it, at the distance of two furlongs; near
which there is Menmon's monument, [13] and hath near it a place no larger ...
/.../chapter 10 caius commands that.htm

Belus
Belus. Belts, Belus. Bemoan . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia BELUS, TEMPLE
OF. be'-lus. See BABEL. Belts, Belus. Bemoan . Reference Bible.
/b/belus.htm - 6k

Babel (3 Occurrences)
... The Temple of Belus, which is supposed to occupy its site, is described by the Greek
historian Herodotus as a temple of great extent and magnificence, erected ...
/b/babel.htm - 63k

Bemoan (9 Occurrences)

/b/bemoan.htm - 9k

Babylon (270 Occurrences)
... Arabs. This was probably the noted Temple of Belus, which was a pyramid
about 480 feet high. (2) The Kasr (ie, "the palace"). This ...
/b/babylon.htm - 93k

Gad (78 Occurrences)
... spread these Syrian cults became, may be seen in a number of ways, eg an altar from
Vaison in Southern France bearing an inscription: "Belus Fortunae rector ...
/g/gad.htm - 49k

Naomi (25 Occurrences)
... but may have been suggested or colored by the story of the death of Antiochus the
Great, who met his death while plundering a temple of Belus near Elymais ...
/n/naomi.htm - 17k

Nanaea
... but may have been suggested or colored by the story of the death of Antiochus the
Great, who met his death while plundering a temple of Belus near Elymais ...
/n/nanaea.htm - 8k

Belts (6 Occurrences)

/b/belts.htm - 8k

Bethdagon (2 Occurrences)
... a position farther Southeast (2) A city on the border of Asher (Joshua 19:27) which
Conder would identify with Tell D'auk, near the mouth of the Belus, in the ...
/b/bethdagon.htm - 8k

Bethdagan
... a position farther Southeast (2) A city on the border of Asher (Joshua 19:27) which
Conder would identify with Tell D'auk, near the mouth of the Belus, in the ...
/b/bethdagan.htm - 7k

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