Beel-zebub, or Belzebub; the idol, or god, of the Ekronites. In Scripture he is called the Prince of Devils. His name is rendered the Lord of flies, or the God-fly; which some think was a mock appellation bestowed on him by the Jews. He had a famous temple and oracle at Ekron. Ahaziah king of Israel, having fallen from the terrace of his house into a lower room, and being dangerously hurt, sent to consult this deity, to know if he should be cured of his wounds. The worship of this false god must have prevailed in our Saviour's time, since the Jews accused him of driving out devils in the name of Belzebub their prince. Scaliger derives the name of this deity from Baalim zebalim, which signifies the Lord of sacrifice.