Topical Bible: Contempt: Children of Belial

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The term "Children of Belial" is a biblical expression used to describe individuals characterized by wickedness, lawlessness, and contempt for God and His commandments. The word "Belial" itself is often understood to mean "worthlessness" or "wickedness," and it is used in the Scriptures to denote those who are morally and spiritually corrupt.

Biblical References:

1. Deuteronomy 13:13 : "Some worthless men have gone out from among you and have enticed the inhabitants of their city, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods’—gods you have not known." Here, the term "worthless men" is translated from the Hebrew "benei beliyaal," indicating individuals who lead others into idolatry and rebellion against God.

2. Judges 19:22 : "While they were enjoying themselves, some wicked men of the city surrounded the house, pounded on the door, and shouted to the old man who owned the house, 'Bring out the man who came to your house so we can have relations with him!'" The "wicked men" are again referred to as "benei beliyaal," demonstrating their depravity and contempt for righteousness.

3. 1 Samuel 2:12 : "Now the sons of Eli were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD." The phrase "wicked men" is translated from "benei beliyaal," describing the sons of Eli, who showed contempt for the sacred duties of the priesthood and exploited their positions for personal gain.

4. 1 Samuel 25:17 : "Now consider carefully what you must do, because harm is plotted against our master and against his whole household. He is such a wicked man that no one can speak to him!" Here, Nabal is described as a "son of Belial," highlighting his foolishness and contemptuous behavior.

5. 2 Samuel 23:6 : "But the worthless are all like thorns raked aside, for they can never be gathered by hand." The "worthless" are likened to thorns, emphasizing their destructive nature and the contempt they hold for God's ways.

Characteristics and Implications:

The "Children of Belial" are consistently portrayed as individuals who reject divine authority and moral order. They are often associated with idolatry, sexual immorality, and rebellion. Their actions reflect a deep-seated contempt for God, His laws, and His people. This contempt is not merely a passive disregard but an active opposition to righteousness and truth.

In the biblical narrative, the presence of such individuals often leads to social and spiritual decay, as they influence others to stray from God's commandments. The term serves as a warning against the dangers of aligning with those who embody such contemptuous attitudes.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the "Children of Belial" represent the antithesis of the covenant community that God desires. They embody the spirit of lawlessness that stands in opposition to the holiness and order that God commands. Their contempt for divine authority is a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's truth.

In the New Testament, the spirit of Belial is often equated with the spirit of antichrist, as seen in 2 Corinthians 6:15 : "What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?" This rhetorical question underscores the incompatibility between the followers of Christ and those who embody the spirit of Belial.

The concept of "Children of Belial" serves as a call to vigilance for believers, urging them to discern and distance themselves from influences that lead away from God's righteousness and truth.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 10:27
But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought no presents. But he held his peace.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Royal Murderers
... And there came in two men, children of Belial, and ... before him: and the men of Belial
witnessed against ... attest a lie, subornation of evidence, contempt for the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/royal murderers.htm

In what Sense we are to Leave the World
... from among them;" the unrighteous, the children of darkness ... until they both serve
either Christ or Belial? ... are not worthy of anything but shame and contempt. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 81 in what sense.htm

On Attending the Church Service
... the naked truth, (not with anger or contempt, as too ... in order to determine this question:
"Ought the children of God ... sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 104 on attending the.htm

A Homily on Guria and Shamuna, Composed by Mar Jacob.
... The more did they show their contempt of him, having no ... But the children of
light"how were they clad in ... the daughter of the Hebrews were sons of Belial, [3349 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/a homily on guria and.htm

The Heinous Sin of Drunkenness
... communion with darkness, or Christ have concord with Belial. ... latter may expose us
to more contempt among men ... or stumbling-block to any of God's children: for of ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the heinous sin of drunkenness.htm

On Grieving the Holy Spirit
... concord is there between" the Holy Spirit "and Belial? ... God, as being his friends
and children, would, if ... the greatest opposition to God's will, contempt of his ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 138 on grieving the.htm

The Fear which Terminates in the Second Death.
... God will be their God, and they will be his children.". ... in the way of duty, whether
it be contempt, sufferings, or ... to a tyrant, or a man of Belial, must have ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xx the fear which.htm

Of the Power of the Church in Articles of Faith. The Unbridled ...
... them thus to propagate it, while their children and descendants ... no more agreement
than that of Christ with Belial. ... at their own caprice, and in contempt of the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 of the power.htm

The Security of the Church
... bull of Bashan and the dog of Belial, the mighty ... nor sickness, nor weakness, nor
contempt, can separate ... is omnipotent, nought shall pluck his children from his ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the security of the church.htm

Progress of Reform in Germany.
... was to attempt to serve both God and Belial. ... Laborers, soldiers, women, and even
children, were better ... became embarrassed, and fell into a contempt merited in ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /10 progress of reform in.htm