1100. beliyyaal
Lexical Summary
beliyyaal: Worthlessness, wickedness, ungodliness

Original Word: בְּלִיַּעַל
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: bliya`al
Pronunciation: beh-lee-yahl
Phonetic Spelling: (bel-e-yah'-al)
KJV: Belial, evil, naughty, ungodly (men), wicked
NASB: worthless, wicked, base, destruction, rascally, ungodliness, worthless one
Word Origin: [from H1097 (בְּלִי - without) and H3276 (יַעַל - profit)]

1. without profit, worthlessness
2. by extension, destruction, wickedness (often in connection with H0376, H0802, H1121, etc.)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Belial, evil, naughty, ungodly men, wicked

From bliy and ya'al; without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness (often in connection with 'iysh, 'ishshah, ben, etc.) -- Belial, evil, naughty, ungodly (men), wicked.

see HEBREW bliy

see HEBREW ya'al

see HEBREW 'iysh

see HEBREW 'ishshah

see HEBREW ben

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from beli and yaal
Definition
worthlessness
NASB Translation
base (1), destruction (1), rascally (1), scoundrels* (1), ungodliness (1), wicked (3), worthless (18), worthless one (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
בְּלִיַּ֫עַל27 noun [masculine] worthlessness (compound בְּלִי not, without and יַעַל worth, use, profit) — ׳בּ Deuteronomy 13:14 20t.; בְּלִיָּ֑עַל Psalm 101:3 5t.; — the quality of being useless, good for nothing.

1 abstract אִישׁ (ה)בליעל, אַנְשֵׁי הבליעל, worthless, good-for-nothing, base fellows 1 Samuel 25:25; 2 Samuel 16:7; 2 Samuel 20:1; 1 Kings 21:13; Proverbs 16:27; = ׳בֶּןבֿ 1 Samuel 25:17, ׳בְּנֵי ב Deuteronomy 13:14; Judges 19:22; Judges 20:13; 1 Samuel 2:12; 1 Samuel 10:27; 1 Kings 21:10,13; 2Chronicles 13:7; ׳בַּת ב 1 Samuel 1:16 (drunken woman); ׳עֵד ב base witness Proverbs 19:28; ׳דְּבַר ב base, wicked thing Psalm 41:9 (yet compare 3 below), Psalm 101:3 (add probably also 1 Samuel 29:10, so ᵐ5 We Dr); ׳דָּבָרב֗֗֗ (elliptical and in apposition) Deuteronomy 15:9.

2 concrete elliptical of ׳אישׁ ב 2 Samuel 23:6; Job 34:18; כָּלאִֿישׁ רַע וּבְלִיַּעַל 1 Samuel 30:22; אָדָם בְּלִיַּעַל Proverbs 6:12.

3 ruin, destruction: so Psalm 41:9 according to De Che and others, but see above; ׳יֹעֵץ ב counsellor of ruin Nahum 1:11; ׳ב alone a man of ruin, destroyer Nahum 2:1; ׳נַחֲלֵי ב floods of destruction ("" שְׁאוֺל) 2 Samuel 22:5 = Psalm 18:5.

Topical Lexicon
Overview

Belial (בְּלִיַּעַל) appears about twenty-seven times in the Old Testament. The word serves both as a descriptive label (“worthless,” “lawless”) and, in a handful of texts, as a virtual proper name that personifies evil. In every usage Belial represents that which is diametrically opposed to covenant faithfulness, social order, and reverence for the LORD.

Belial in the Pentateuch

Deuteronomy 13:13 introduces “sons of Belial” who entice an Israelite town into idolatry: “Some worthless men have arisen among you and led the inhabitants of their city astray, saying, ‘Let us go and worship other gods’—ones you have not known.” The phrase ties Belial to apostasy, stressing that the greatest threat can arise from within the covenant community itself.
Deuteronomy 15:9 warns against an inner attitude of Belial—“Be careful that you do not harbor this wicked thought in your heart”—linking the term to a hard-hearted refusal to help the poor on the eve of the Sabbatical year. Belial here reveals itself as an internal moral posture before it becomes outward rebellion.

Belial in the Historical Books

Belial surfaces repeatedly in the Former Prophets as a marker for disruptive individuals who fracture the well-being of God’s people.
Judges 19:22 portrays the depraved men of Gibeah: “the men of the city, some worthless men, surrounded the house and pounded on the door.” Their violence precipitates civil war, illustrating how Belial-like sin can unravel the nation.
• 1 Samuel supplies multiple portraits:

1 Samuel 2:12 brands the priestly sons of Eli as “wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD,” showing that religious office is no shelter from Belial’s corruption.

1 Samuel 10:27 records detractors of Saul: “But some worthless men said, ‘How can this man save us?’” Belial tongues sow contempt for divinely appointed leadership.

– Nabal is called “a worthless man” in 1 Samuel 25:17, 25; his churlish refusal of hospitality almost triggers bloodshed, underscoring the social fallout of Belial-spirit selfishness.

– The rebel Sheba is described in 2 Samuel 20:1 as “a wicked man, a Benjamite,” whose seditious cry, “To your tents, O Israel!” imperils national unity.
• Naboth’s trial in 1 Kings 21 relies on two “worthless men” to bear false witness, revealing how Belial animates judicial injustice to legitimize covetous power.
2 Chronicles 13:7 notes that “worthless men” rallied around Jeroboam to challenge Davidic legitimacy, again tying Belial to schism.

Belial in Poetry and Wisdom Literature

• In Psalm 18:4 David laments that “the torrents of Belial” assailed him, using flood imagery to depict overwhelming evil.
Psalm 41:8 employs Belial of a destructive disease wished upon the righteous: “A vile thing has been poured into him.”
Proverbs 6:12–15 describes “a worthless [Belial] person” whose deceitful gestures and divisive speech produce sudden calamity. Wisdom literature thus equates Belial with moral chaos that invites divine judgment.
Nahum 1:11 prophesies against Nineveh: “From you, O Nineveh, comes forth a plotter of evil against the LORD, a counselor of Belial.” Imperial oppression is branded as Belial strategy, demonstrating the term’s elasticity—from individual misconduct to state-level wickedness.

Belial as a Spiritual Power

Although the Hebrew Bible generally uses Belial adjectivally, a conceptual shift toward personification is already nascent. The torrents (Psalm 18:4), cords (2 Samuel 22:6), and schemes (Nahum 1:11) of Belial function like coordinated assaults from an intelligent foe. Intertestamental literature (e.g., Dead Sea Scrolls) completes the transition by naming Belial as the prince of darkness, a development that the New Testament mirrors when Paul contrasts “Christ” with “Belial” (2 Corinthians 6:15). The Old Testament groundwork therefore anticipates the fuller revelation of spiritual warfare without breaching canonical consistency.

Covenantal and Ethical Implications

1. Covenant Loyalty: Belial is antithetical to loving the LORD with heart, soul, and strength. Whether enticing idolatry (Deuteronomy 13) or despising priestly duty (1 Samuel 2), Belial corrodes covenant fidelity.
2. Social Justice: Texts like Deuteronomy 15:9 and 1 Kings 21 show Belial operating where mercy and equity should prevail. Neglect of the poor and exploitation of the vulnerable are branded as Belial acts.
3. Authority and Unity: Belial surfaces in challenges to legitimate authority (1 Samuel 10:27; 2 Samuel 20:1). Submission to God-ordained structures is thus framed as a bulwark against Belial disruption.

Ministry Considerations

• Discernment: Leaders must recognize Belial traits—recalcitrance, deceit, contempt for godly authority—and address them swiftly to protect the flock.
• Church Discipline: Old Testament precedents validate corrective measures (cf. Deuteronomy 13; Matthew 18) when Belial-like influences threaten corporate holiness.
• Mercy Ministry: Refusal to aid the needy is branded as Belial (Deuteronomy 15). Generosity is therefore not ancillary but essential to break the grip of worthlessness in Christian community.
• Spiritual Warfare: While the New Covenant believer rests in Christ’s victory, vigilance remains necessary. Paul’s contrast of Christ and Belial (2 Corinthians 6:15) exhorts separation from alliances that compromise faithfulness.

Summary

Belial functions as Scripture’s shorthand for all that is lawless, destructive, and opposed to the LORD. From hidden motives of greed to overt acts of idolatry and rebellion, Belial encapsulates sin’s multifaceted assault on God’s people. The biblical testimony calls believers to wholehearted loyalty, communal justice, and steadfast resistance, assured that in Christ the final triumph over Belial is secure.

Forms and Transliterations
בְּ֭לִיַּעַל בְּלִ֫יָּ֥עַל בְּלִיַּ֔עַל בְּלִיַּ֖עַל בְּלִיַּ֗עַל בְּלִיָּ֑עַל בְּלִיָּֽעַל׃ בְלִיַּ֔עַל בְלִיַּ֖עַל בְלִיַּ֗עַל בְלִיַּ֙עַל֙ בְלִיַּ֜עַל בְלִיַּ֣עַל בְלִיַּעַל֮ בְלִיָּ֑עַל בליעל בליעל׃ הַבְּלִיַּ֜עַל הַבְּלִיַּ֨עַל הַבְּלִיָּֽעַל׃ הבליעל הבליעל׃ וּבְלִיַּ֕עַל וּבְלִיַּ֗עַל ובליעל bə·lî·ya·‘al bə·lî·yā·‘al ḇə·lî·ya·‘al ḇə·lî·yā·‘al bəlîya‘al bəlîyā‘al ḇəlîya‘al ḇəlîyā‘al beliYaal hab·bə·lî·ya·‘al hab·bə·lî·yā·‘al habbəlîya‘al habbəlîyā‘al habbeliYaal ū·ḇə·lî·ya·‘al ūḇəlîya‘al uveliYaal veliYaal
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Deuteronomy 13:13
HEB: אֲנָשִׁ֤ים בְּנֵֽי־ בְלִיַּ֙עַל֙ מִקִּרְבֶּ֔ךָ וַיַּדִּ֛יחוּ
NAS: some worthless men have gone
KJV: the children of Belial, are gone out
INT: men the children worthless among seduced

Deuteronomy 15:9
HEB: עִם־ לְבָבְךָ֨ בְלִיַּ֜עַל לֵאמֹ֗ר קָֽרְבָ֣ה
NAS: that there is no base thought
KJV: that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart,
INT: in your heart base saying hand

Judges 19:22
HEB: אַנְשֵׁ֣י בְנֵֽי־ בְלִיַּ֗עַל נָסַ֙בּוּ֙ אֶת־
NAS: certain worthless fellows,
KJV: sons of Belial, beset
INT: certain fellows worthless surrounded the house

Judges 20:13
HEB: הָאֲנָשִׁ֨ים בְּנֵֽי־ בְלִיַּ֜עַל אֲשֶׁ֤ר בַּגִּבְעָה֙
NAS: up the men, the worthless fellows
KJV: the children of Belial, which [are] in Gibeah,
INT: the men fellows the worthless after Gibeah

1 Samuel 1:16
HEB: לִפְנֵ֖י בַּת־ בְּלִיָּ֑עַל כִּֽי־ מֵרֹ֥ב
NAS: your maidservant as a worthless woman,
KJV: a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance
INT: for woman A worthless out of my great

1 Samuel 2:12
HEB: עֵלִ֖י בְּנֵ֣י בְלִיָּ֑עַל לֹ֥א יָדְע֖וּ
NAS: of Eli were worthless men;
KJV: [were] sons of Belial; they knew
INT: of Eli men were worthless did not know

1 Samuel 10:27
HEB: וּבְנֵ֧י בְלִיַּ֣עַל אָמְר֗וּ מַה־
NAS: But certain worthless men said,
KJV: But the children of Belial said,
INT: men worthless said How

1 Samuel 25:17
HEB: וְהוּא֙ בֶּן־ בְּלִיַּ֔עַל מִדַּבֵּ֖ר אֵלָֽיו׃
NAS: his household; and he is such a worthless man
KJV: for he [is such] a son of Belial, that [a man] cannot speak
INT: he man A worthless speak against

1 Samuel 25:25
HEB: אֶל־ אִישׁ֩ הַבְּלִיַּ֨עַל הַזֶּ֜ה עַל־
NAS: to this worthless man,
KJV: this man of Belial, [even] Nabal:
INT: about man worthless to this and

1 Samuel 30:22
HEB: אִֽישׁ־ רָ֣ע וּבְלִיַּ֗עַל מֵֽהָאֲנָשִׁים֮ אֲשֶׁ֣ר
NAS: the wicked and worthless men
KJV: men and [men] of Belial, of those
INT: men the wicked and worthless to every who

2 Samuel 16:7
HEB: הַדָּמִ֖ים וְאִ֥ישׁ הַבְּלִיָּֽעַל׃
NAS: of bloodshed, and worthless fellow!
KJV: man, and thou man of Belial:
INT: of bloodshed fellow and worthless

2 Samuel 20:1
HEB: נִקְרָ֜א אִ֣ישׁ בְּלִיַּ֗עַל וּשְׁמ֛וֹ שֶׁ֥בַע
NAS: Now a worthless fellow happened
KJV: to be there a man of Belial, whose name
INT: happened fellow worthless name was Sheba

2 Samuel 22:5
HEB: מָ֑וֶת נַחֲלֵ֥י בְלִיַּ֖עַל יְבַעֲתֻֽנִי׃
NAS: me; The torrents of destruction overwhelmed
KJV: me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;
INT: of death the torrents of destruction overwhelmed

2 Samuel 23:6
HEB: וּבְלִיַּ֕עַל כְּק֥וֹץ מֻנָ֖ד
NAS: But the worthless, every one
KJV: But [the sons] of Belial [shall be] all of them as thorns
INT: the worthless thorns will be thrust

1 Kings 21:10
HEB: אֲנָשִׁ֥ים בְּנֵֽי־ בְלִיַּעַל֮ נֶגְדּוֹ֒ וִיעִדֻ֣הוּ
NAS: and seat two worthless men before
KJV: sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness
INT: men sons worthless before testify

1 Kings 21:13
HEB: הָאֲנָשִׁ֥ים בְּנֵֽי־ בְלִיַּעַל֮ וַיֵּשְׁב֣וּ נֶגְדּוֹ֒
NAS: Then the two worthless men came
KJV: children of Belial, and sat
INT: men children worthless and sat before

1 Kings 21:13
HEB: וַיְעִדֻהוּ֩ אַנְשֵׁ֨י הַבְּלִיַּ֜עַל אֶת־ נָב֗וֹת
NAS: before him; and the worthless men
KJV: before him: and the men of Belial witnessed
INT: testified men and the worthless Naboth before

2 Chronicles 13:7
HEB: רֵקִים֙ בְּנֵ֣י בְלִיַּ֔עַל וַיִּֽתְאַמְּצ֖וּ עַל־
KJV: the children of Belial, and have strengthened
INT: and worthless the son of Belial proved too

Job 34:18
HEB: הַאֲמֹ֣ר לְמֶ֣לֶךְ בְּלִיָּ֑עַל רָ֝שָׁ֗ע אֶל־
NAS: to a king, 'Worthless one,' To nobles,
KJV: to a king, [Thou art] wicked? [and] to princes,
INT: says to a king Worthless Wicked about

Psalm 18:4
HEB: מָ֑וֶת וְֽנַחֲלֵ֖י בְלִיַּ֣עַל יְבַֽעֲתֽוּנִי׃
NAS: me, And the torrents of ungodliness terrified
KJV: me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.
INT: of death and the torrents of ungodliness terrified

Psalm 41:8
HEB: דְּֽבַר־ בְּ֭לִיַּעַל יָצ֣וּק בּ֑וֹ
NAS: A wicked thing is poured
KJV: An evil disease,
INT: thing A wicked is poured when

Psalm 101:3
HEB: עֵינַ֗י דְּֽבַר־ בְּלִ֫יָּ֥עַל עֲשֹֽׂה־ סֵטִ֥ים
NAS: I will set no worthless thing before
KJV: I will set no wicked thing
INT: my eyes thing worthless the work aside

Proverbs 6:12
HEB: אָדָ֣ם בְּ֭לִיַּעַל אִ֣ישׁ אָ֑וֶן
NAS: A worthless person, a wicked
KJV: A naughty person, a wicked
INT: person A worthless man A wicked

Proverbs 16:27
HEB: אִ֣ישׁ בְּ֭לִיַּעַל כֹּרֶ֣ה רָעָ֑ה
NAS: A worthless man digs
KJV: An ungodly man diggeth up
INT: man A worthless digs evil

Proverbs 19:28
HEB: עֵ֣ד בְּ֭לִיַּעַל יָלִ֣יץ מִשְׁפָּ֑ט
NAS: A rascally witness makes a mockery
KJV: An ungodly witness scorneth
INT: witness A rascally scorneth of justice

27 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 1100
27 Occurrences


bə·lî·yā·‘al — 11 Occ.
hab·bə·lî·ya·‘al — 3 Occ.
ū·ḇə·lî·ya·‘al — 2 Occ.
ḇə·lî·ya·‘al — 11 Occ.

1099
Top of Page
Top of Page