What does the Bible say about Lucifer?
Did you know that the name “Lucifer” appears only once in the Bible? It is found in Isaiah 14:12, but the original meaning of the text is quite different from what many people imagine today.
In the original Hebrew, the expression used is “Helel ben Shachar,” which means “morning star” or “shining one.” This term was not a proper name, but a poetic figure commonly used in the literature of that time.
The context of Isaiah 14 does not speak directly about Satan. The prophet uses poetic satire to criticize the king of Babylon, a proud human ruler who exalted himself like a god. The described “fall” symbolizes the humiliation of arrogant power, comparing the king to a star that shines brightly and then fades away.
The name “Lucifer” appeared later, with the translation of the Bible into Latin. In Latin, lucifer means “light-bearer” and was a term even used to refer to the planet Venus, known as the morning star.
In the New Testament, the term “Lucifer” does not appear at all. No Gospel, apostolic letter, or the book of Revelation uses this name for Satan. In addition, many modern Bible translations avoid the term, preferring expressions that are more faithful to the original Hebrew.
The idea of Satan’s fall was formed over time by combining several biblical texts, such as Ezekiel 28, Luke 10:18, and Revelation 12, rather than coming from a single verse.
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