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Lucifer is not the name of the Devil, his actual name is never mentioned in the Bible.

This is a common misconception.

Isaiah 14:3,4 "When the Lord has given you rest from your pain and turmoil and the hard service with which you were made to serve, 4 you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon:"

The only verse which contains "lucifer"

Isaiah 14:12 "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!"

This passage is not in reference to a fallen angle but an earthly king (the king of Babylon).

The word “lucifer” in the Vulgate is not a proper name. It is simply a translation from the Hebrew word “heylel” (or “halal” or “helel”), found in the Hebrew Masoretic text.

In the Book of Isaiah, chapter 14, the king of Babylon is condemned in a prophetic vision by the prophet Isaiah and is called הֵילֵל בֶּן-שָׁחַר (Helel ben Shachar, Hebrew for "shining one, son of the morning"). The title "Helel ben Shahar" refers to the planet Venus as the morning star, and that is how the Hebrew word is usually interpreted. The The Septuagint renders הֵילֵל in Greek as Ἑωσφόρος (heōsphoros), "bringer of dawn", the Ancient Greek name for the morning star. Similarly the Vulgate renders הֵילֵל in Latin as Lucifer, the name in that language for the morning star. The English translation given in the King James text is the Latin name for the planet Venus, "Lucifer"

The Bible translators translated the Hebrew word הֵילֵ֣ל or "helel" as “lucifer.” Helel comes from a root meaning “shining one.” However, Lucifer isn’t an English translation of the Hebrew word helel. It’s a Latin translation of the word. The KJV translators borrowed the word Lucifer from the Vulgate, the Latin translation of the Bible. In Latin Lucifer has the sense of “light-bearing” and “morning star.” Rather than translate the Hebrew word helel as “shining one” or “morning star” like modern translations do, the KJV translators inserted the Latin term “lucifer” and capitalized it in this verse. Since people thought this passage was referring to Satan, Lucifer became synonymous with Satan’s name.

Greek: ὁ ἑωσφόρος ὁ πρωὶ ἀνατέλλων | ho heōsphoros ho prōi anatellōn trans.: the Day Star, which used to rise early in the morning

Latin lucifer qui mane oriebaris trans: O Lucifer, who didst rise in the morning

The Devil's name is never mentioned in the Bible. Even in the book of Job, where our English translations call him Satan, that isn’t what we find in Hebrew. Satan is a translation of the Hebrew word “satan” which means adversary. In Job the word “satan” has “the” in front of it. It would be more accurate to translate each occurrence in Job as “the adversary.”

Names are important to God, a person’s name reflects their character. We see this when God changed the names of Abram to Abraham Genesis 17:4-6 and Jacob to Israel Genesis 32:29. To know someone's personal names makes it possible to cultivate a relationship with them, the Bible tell us to oppose the devil. God does not want us getting to know Satan the Devil. It stands to reason he wouldn't give us the personal name of a powerful spirit creature who is our proclaimed enemy, according to the Bible.
 

exchemist

Veteran Member
This is a common misconception.

Isaiah 14:3,4 "When the Lord has given you rest from your pain and turmoil and the hard service with which you were made to serve, 4 you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon:"

The only verse which contains "lucifer"

Isaiah 14:12 "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!"

This passage is not in reference to a fallen angle but an earthly king (the king of Babylon).

The word “lucifer” in the Vulgate is not a proper name. It is simply a translation from the Hebrew word “heylel” (or “halal” or “helel”), found in the Hebrew Masoretic text.

In the Book of Isaiah, chapter 14, the king of Babylon is condemned in a prophetic vision by the prophet Isaiah and is called הֵילֵל בֶּן-שָׁחַר (Helel ben Shachar, Hebrew for "shining one, son of the morning"). The title "Helel ben Shahar" refers to the planet Venus as the morning star, and that is how the Hebrew word is usually interpreted. The The Septuagint renders הֵילֵל in Greek as Ἑωσφόρος (heōsphoros), "bringer of dawn", the Ancient Greek name for the morning star. Similarly the Vulgate renders הֵילֵל in Latin as Lucifer, the name in that language for the morning star. The English translation given in the King James text is the Latin name for the planet Venus, "Lucifer"

The Bible translators translated the Hebrew word הֵילֵ֣ל or "helel" as “lucifer.” Helel comes from a root meaning “shining one.” However, Lucifer isn’t an English translation of the Hebrew word helel. It’s a Latin translation of the word. The KJV translators borrowed the word Lucifer from the Vulgate, the Latin translation of the Bible. In Latin Lucifer has the sense of “light-bearing” and “morning star.” Rather than translate the Hebrew word helel as “shining one” or “morning star” like modern translations do, the KJV translators inserted the Latin term “lucifer” and capitalized it in this verse. Since people thought this passage was referring to Satan, Lucifer became synonymous with Satan’s name.

Greek: ὁ ἑωσφόρος ὁ πρωὶ ἀνατέλλων | ho heōsphoros ho prōi anatellōn trans.: the Day Star, which used to rise early in the morning

Latin lucifer qui mane oriebaris trans: O Lucifer, who didst rise in the morning

The Devil's name is never mentioned in the Bible. Even in the book of Job, where our English translations call him Satan, that isn’t what we find in Hebrew. Satan is a translation of the Hebrew word “satan” which means adversary. In Job the word “satan” has “the” in front of it. It would be more accurate to translate each occurrence in Job as “the adversary.”

Names are important to God, a person’s name reflects their character. We see this when God changed the names of Abram to Abraham Genesis 17:4-6 and Jacob to Israel Genesis 32:29. To know someone's personal names makes it possible to cultivate a relationship with them, the Bible tell us to oppose the devil. God does not want us getting to know Satan the Devil. It stands to reason he wouldn't give us the personal name of a powerful spirit creature who is our proclaimed enemy, according to the Bible.
Satan is referred to, by name, on several occasions in the New Testament.
 

Fallen Prophet

Well-Known Member
This is a common misconception.

Isaiah 14:3,4 "When the Lord has given you rest from your pain and turmoil and the hard service with which you were made to serve, 4 you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon:"

The only verse which contains "lucifer"

Isaiah 14:12 "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!"

This passage is not in reference to a fallen angle but an earthly king (the king of Babylon).

The word “lucifer” in the Vulgate is not a proper name. It is simply a translation from the Hebrew word “heylel” (or “halal” or “helel”), found in the Hebrew Masoretic text.

In the Book of Isaiah, chapter 14, the king of Babylon is condemned in a prophetic vision by the prophet Isaiah and is called הֵילֵל בֶּן-שָׁחַר (Helel ben Shachar, Hebrew for "shining one, son of the morning"). The title "Helel ben Shahar" refers to the planet Venus as the morning star, and that is how the Hebrew word is usually interpreted. The The Septuagint renders הֵילֵל in Greek as Ἑωσφόρος (heōsphoros), "bringer of dawn", the Ancient Greek name for the morning star. Similarly the Vulgate renders הֵילֵל in Latin as Lucifer, the name in that language for the morning star. The English translation given in the King James text is the Latin name for the planet Venus, "Lucifer"

The Bible translators translated the Hebrew word הֵילֵ֣ל or "helel" as “lucifer.” Helel comes from a root meaning “shining one.” However, Lucifer isn’t an English translation of the Hebrew word helel. It’s a Latin translation of the word. The KJV translators borrowed the word Lucifer from the Vulgate, the Latin translation of the Bible. In Latin Lucifer has the sense of “light-bearing” and “morning star.” Rather than translate the Hebrew word helel as “shining one” or “morning star” like modern translations do, the KJV translators inserted the Latin term “lucifer” and capitalized it in this verse. Since people thought this passage was referring to Satan, Lucifer became synonymous with Satan’s name.

Greek: ὁ ἑωσφόρος ὁ πρωὶ ἀνατέλλων | ho heōsphoros ho prōi anatellōn trans.: the Day Star, which used to rise early in the morning

Latin lucifer qui mane oriebaris trans: O Lucifer, who didst rise in the morning

The Devil's name is never mentioned in the Bible. Even in the book of Job, where our English translations call him Satan, that isn’t what we find in Hebrew. Satan is a translation of the Hebrew word “satan” which means adversary. In Job the word “satan” has “the” in front of it. It would be more accurate to translate each occurrence in Job as “the adversary.”

Names are important to God, a person’s name reflects their character. We see this when God changed the names of Abram to Abraham Genesis 17:4-6 and Jacob to Israel Genesis 32:29. To know someone's personal names makes it possible to cultivate a relationship with them, the Bible tell us to oppose the devil. God does not want us getting to know Satan the Devil. It stands to reason he wouldn't give us the personal name of a powerful spirit creature who is our proclaimed enemy, according to the Bible.
I guess I read that chapter differently.

I see Isaiah talking about the promised Millennial Reign of Christ - when Satan will be bound in the "bottomless pit" - and there is continually peace on Earth before the Final Battle.

The references to "Babylon" in this chapter are - to me - references to the kingdom set up by Satan - or rather the logic of the world - and that it should be destroyed.

I most definitely believe that Isaiah is speaking of Satan in this chapter and recounts how he was cast out of God's presence and that he was known as Lucifer.
 
I guess I read that chapter differently.

I see Isaiah talking about the promised Millennial Reign of Christ - when Satan will be bound in the "bottomless pit" - and there is continually peace on Earth before the Final Battle.

The references to "Babylon" in this chapter are - to me - references to the kingdom set up by Satan - or rather the logic of the world - and that it should be destroyed.

I most definitely believe that Isaiah is speaking of Satan in this chapter and recounts how he was cast out of God's presence and that he was known as Lucifer.
The whole point of his post is to show that he wasn't known as "Lucifer" and that was a mistranslation.
 

Fallen Prophet

Well-Known Member
The whole point of his post is to show that he wasn't known as "Lucifer" and that was a mistranslation.
I understand that.

I am saying that there was no mistranslation of the name - but rather a misinterpretation of the subject matter.

In my opinion - this chapter of Isaiah was not referencing mortal king of Babylon - but the actual King of Babylon - Satan.
 
I understand that.

I am saying that there was no mistranslation of the name - but rather a misinterpretation of the subject matter.

In my opinion - this chapter of Isaiah was not referencing mortal king of Babylon - but the actual King of Babylon - Satan.
Did you even read it?

"this chapter of Isaiah was not referencing mortal king of Babylon - but the actual King of Babylon - Satan"

It's both.
 

Brickjectivity

Turned to Stone. Now I stretch daily.
Staff member
Premium Member
This is a common misconception.
Have you considered the possibility that it may be reinterpreted on purpose? I'm not saying it was, but these people were pretty clever. Maybe they had a narrative going that was somewhat dissonant with the actual words of Genesis but which was still meaningful to themselves, and maybe they were Ok with that.
 

crossfire

LHP Mercuræn Feminist Heretic ☿
Premium Member
2 Peter 1:19, Latin Vulgate:
19 Et habemus firmiorem propheticum sermonem: cui benefacitis attendentes quasi lucernae lucenti in caliginoso loco donec dies elucescat, et lucifer oriatur in cordibus vestris:​

2 Peter 1:19, Holman Christian Standard Bible:
19 So we have the prophetic word strongly confirmed. You will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dismal place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.​

2 Peter 1:19 VULGATE;HCSB - Et habemus firmiorem propheticum - Bible Gateway

However, Jesus did call Peter "Satan" (translated as Satana in Latin) at Matthew 16:23...
Matthaeus 16:23 VULGATE;HCSB - Qui conversus, dixit Petro: Vade post - Bible Gateway
 
Last edited:

74x12

Well-Known Member
This is a common misconception.

Isaiah 14:3,4 "When the Lord has given you rest from your pain and turmoil and the hard service with which you were made to serve, 4 you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon:"

The only verse which contains "lucifer"

Isaiah 14:12 "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!"

This passage is not in reference to a fallen angle but an earthly king (the king of Babylon).

The word “lucifer” in the Vulgate is not a proper name. It is simply a translation from the Hebrew word “heylel” (or “halal” or “helel”), found in the Hebrew Masoretic text.

In the Book of Isaiah, chapter 14, the king of Babylon is condemned in a prophetic vision by the prophet Isaiah and is called הֵילֵל בֶּן-שָׁחַר (Helel ben Shachar, Hebrew for "shining one, son of the morning"). The title "Helel ben Shahar" refers to the planet Venus as the morning star, and that is how the Hebrew word is usually interpreted. The The Septuagint renders הֵילֵל in Greek as Ἑωσφόρος (heōsphoros), "bringer of dawn", the Ancient Greek name for the morning star. Similarly the Vulgate renders הֵילֵל in Latin as Lucifer, the name in that language for the morning star. The English translation given in the King James text is the Latin name for the planet Venus, "Lucifer"

The Bible translators translated the Hebrew word הֵילֵ֣ל or "helel" as “lucifer.” Helel comes from a root meaning “shining one.” However, Lucifer isn’t an English translation of the Hebrew word helel. It’s a Latin translation of the word. The KJV translators borrowed the word Lucifer from the Vulgate, the Latin translation of the Bible. In Latin Lucifer has the sense of “light-bearing” and “morning star.” Rather than translate the Hebrew word helel as “shining one” or “morning star” like modern translations do, the KJV translators inserted the Latin term “lucifer” and capitalized it in this verse. Since people thought this passage was referring to Satan, Lucifer became synonymous with Satan’s name.

Greek: ὁ ἑωσφόρος ὁ πρωὶ ἀνατέλλων | ho heōsphoros ho prōi anatellōn trans.: the Day Star, which used to rise early in the morning

Latin lucifer qui mane oriebaris trans: O Lucifer, who didst rise in the morning

The Devil's name is never mentioned in the Bible. Even in the book of Job, where our English translations call him Satan, that isn’t what we find in Hebrew. Satan is a translation of the Hebrew word “satan” which means adversary. In Job the word “satan” has “the” in front of it. It would be more accurate to translate each occurrence in Job as “the adversary.”

Names are important to God, a person’s name reflects their character. We see this when God changed the names of Abram to Abraham Genesis 17:4-6 and Jacob to Israel Genesis 32:29. To know someone's personal names makes it possible to cultivate a relationship with them, the Bible tell us to oppose the devil. God does not want us getting to know Satan the Devil. It stands to reason he wouldn't give us the personal name of a powerful spirit creature who is our proclaimed enemy, according to the Bible.
You're right of course. Heylel was assumed by translators to be referring to Venus ... the morning star so they called it Lucifer which is another name for the planet Venus.

But ... since then satan has adopted the name lucifer for his own ends. He does go by that name. This shouldn't be a surprise because the scripture says that satan is transformed into an angel of light. The name lucifer meaning light bearer.
 

Treasure Hunter

Well-Known Member
You're right of course. Heylel was assumed by translators to be referring to Venus ... the morning star so they called it Lucifer which is another name for the planet Venus.

But ... since then satan has adopted the name lucifer for his own ends. He does go by that name. This shouldn't be a surprise because the scripture says that satan is transformed into an angel of light. The name lucifer meaning light bearer.

Satan would rather operate in the shadows than be associated with an identity. Consider that it is the Holy Spirit and the Logos which is associating Satan with Lucifer.
 

Saint Frankenstein

Wanderer From Afar
Premium Member
The best candidate for Satan's "actual" name I've seen is Samael.

Samael - Wikipedia

As an aside, it also seems to be most commonly accepted name for him among theistic Satanists. That, and Azazel.

Lucifer isn't any angel's real name as they all have Hebrew names ending in "-el".
 

crossfire

LHP Mercuræn Feminist Heretic ☿
Premium Member
You're right of course. Heylel was assumed by translators to be referring to Venus ... the morning star so they called it Lucifer which is another name for the planet Venus.

But ... since then satan has adopted the name lucifer for his own ends. He does go by that name. This shouldn't be a surprise because the scripture says that satan is transformed into an angel of light. The name lucifer meaning light bearer.
Although the text does not use the term phosphorus here, Jesus does identify himself as the Morning Star
Revelation 22:16
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to attest these things to you for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright Morning Star.”​
 
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