Beelzebub
.God of flies, supposed to ward off flies from his votaries. One of the gods of the Philistines. (See Achor.) The Greeks had a similar deity, Zeus Apomyʹios. The Jews, by way of reproach, changed Beelzebub into Baal Zeboub (q.v.), and placed him among the dæmons. Milton says he was next in rank to Satan, and stood
“With Atlanteʹan shoulders, fit to bear
The weight of mightiest monarchies.”
(Book ii.)
“One next himself in power, and next in crime,
Long after known in Palestine, and named
Beëlzebub.”
