Helel ben Shahar – Lucifer (Isa 14:12). From Demythologiza-tion to Apocalyptization?

Abstract

The passage of the downfall of the enemy ruler (Isa 14:12ff), which is important for early Jewish and Christian ideas of Satan, is based on a Ugaritic myth, as the terms “Helel ben Shachar” and “Zaphon” indicate. Related motifs and traditions can also be found elsewhere (Gen 3, 6:1–4, 11, Ps 82, Sir 50:6, Ezk 28; Lam 2:1). Within the OT, the presumptuous horn in Dan 8 and Antiochus’ IV fall in 2 Macc 9 seem to refer directly to Isa 14. Early Jewish and Christian texts (Isaiah-Pesher, VitAd 15, 2 En 29, 31) as well as NT Texts (Mt 4,8–10 par.; 11,23 par.; Lk 10,18; 2 Thess 2,3–4; Rev 9,1; 12,7–9) build on this and increasingly equate the enemy ruler with Satan.