Lucifer
“Shining one, from 'halal' meaning to shine”
Summary
A Latin term meaning 'light-bearer,' used in Isaiah 14:12 as a title for the king of Babylon, later applied in Christian tradition to Satan.
☩Biblical Context
The term appears once in Isaiah 14:12: 'How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!' The Hebrew 'Heylel' means 'shining one' or 'brilliant,' and the Septuagint rendered it 'Eosphoros' (dawn-bringer), while the Vulgate translated it 'Lucifer' (light-bringer), the Latin name for the morning star. The passage is addressed to the king of Babylon in prophetic taunt, comparing his fall from glory to a brilliant star falling from heaven.
☩Original Meaning
In its primary context, the passage describes the downfall of Babylonian royal power. In Hebrew figurative language, a star signifies an illustrious king or prince (Numbers 24:17; Revelation 2:28; 22:16). The monarch, having surpassed other kings in splendor, is compared to the morning star whose brilliance exceeds the surrounding stars. 'Falling from heaven' denotes sudden political overthrow—removal from a position of high and conspicuous dignity.
☩Later Application to Satan
Tertullian and Gregory the Great understood Isaiah 14 in reference to the fall of Satan, after which 'Lucifer' became a common designation for the devil. This interpretation, though influential in Christian tradition, represents an application beyond the passage's original context. Jesus Himself, rather than Satan, claims the title 'bright and morning star' (Revelation 22:16), and promises to give this star to those who overcome (Revelation 2:28).
Related Verses1 mention
Isaiah· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Lucifer," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Lucifer," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).