Bel

The primary god of the people of Babel.

About Bel

The title of the Babylonian god Marduk. The title was used disrespectfully by Isaiah (Isaiah 46:1). Jeremiah speaks about Bel in Jeremiah 50:2 and 51:44, and Bel is the idol in the non-biblical story Bel and the Dragon.

See Marduk.

Read full article
Go deeper
Bel and the Dragon Article

A religious story found in some versions of the Bible, where Daniel proves the Babylonian gods are not real. See Daniel, Additions to .

Key References

Isaiah 46:1

Bel crouches; Nebo cowers. Their idols weigh down beasts and cattle. The images you carry are burdensome, a load to the weary animal.

Jeremiah 50:2

“Announce and declare to the nations; lift up a banner and proclaim it; hold nothing back when you say, ‘Babylon is captured; Bel is put to shame; Marduk is shattered, her images are disgraced, her idols are broken in pieces.’

Jeremiah 51:44

I will punish Bel in Babylon. I will make him spew out what he swallowed. The nations will no longer stream to him; even the wall of Babylon will fall.

All Scripture References (3)

Isaiah (1)
Isaiah 46:1

Bel crouches; Nebo cowers. Their idols weigh down beasts and cattle. The images you carry are burdensome, a load to the weary animal.

Jeremiah (2)
Jeremiah 50:2

“Announce and declare to the nations; lift up a banner and proclaim it; hold nothing back when you say, ‘Babylon is captured; Bel is put to shame; Marduk is shattered, her images are disgraced, her idols are broken in pieces.’

Jeremiah 51:44

I will punish Bel in Babylon. I will make him spew out what he swallowed. The nations will no longer stream to him; even the wall of Babylon will fall.