belial: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / C2+Formal, Literary, Biblical/Religious, Archaic
Quick answer
What does “belial” mean?
A name from Hebrew and Biblical texts for the personification of wickedness or worthlessness.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A name from Hebrew and Biblical texts for the personification of wickedness or worthlessness; used as a title for the devil or an evil spirit.
A term for extreme wickedness, lawlessness, or a person who embodies such qualities, particularly in religious or literary contexts. Often synonymous with Satan.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional differences in usage or meaning, as the term originates from and is primarily confined to shared religious/literary texts.
Connotations
Identical connotations of ultimate evil and biblical allusion in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialised in both British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “belial” in a Sentence
[proper noun] of BelialBelial (as a standalone noun)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “belial” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The text described a belial spirit corrupting the land.
American English
- They were accused of belial worship in the sermon.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used only in theological, biblical studies, or analyses of religious/moral philosophy texts.
Everyday
Extremely uncommon. Use would be considered highly formal, archaic, or intentionally dramatic.
Technical
Not applicable outside specific religious discourse.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “belial”
- Using it as a common noun for a naughty person (e.g., 'He's a little belial').
- Mispronouncing it (common error: /bəˈlaɪəl/).
- Using it in informal contexts where it sounds jarring and pretentious.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In Christian demonology and literature, Belial is often considered a high-ranking demon or another name for Satan, though some traditions distinguish them.
No, it is an archaic, highly specialised term from religious texts. Using it in casual conversation would sound extremely odd and pretentious.
It comes from Hebrew 'bəlīyaʿal' (בְּלִיַּעַל), likely meaning 'worthlessness' or 'wickedness'. It appears in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament.
Rarely, and almost exclusively in genres like theological works, historical fiction, fantasy, or horror that deliberately use archaic or religious language.
A name from Hebrew and Biblical texts for the personification of wickedness or worthlessness.
Belial is usually formal, literary, biblical/religious, archaic in register.
Belial: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbiːlɪəl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbiːliəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sons of Belial (Biblical: wicked or lawless men)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'BE LIke An eviL one' (Belial). It's a name for the supreme evil figure.
Conceptual Metaphor
EVIL IS A PERSON (Belial). WICKEDNESS IS A FORCE/ENTITY.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'Belial' MOST appropriately used?