Latin Translation (Vulgate, 4th Century CE)

St. Jerome translated *Hêlêl* as *Lucifer* in the Latin Vulgate Bible.

1 Joh 3:7-8 Mar 16:14-18, 1 Joh 2:28

Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind

Eph 4:26-27, 2 Tim 1:7, Lk 10:18, Rev 12:3-9 \ The Red Dragon, Satan

Joh 10:10, Joh 14:30, Matt 13:18-23 \ The Parable of the Sower Explained

Isa 14:12-14 \ How you have fallen from heaven, You star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, You who defeated the nations! But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly In the recesses of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High

notes: Isa 14:12 Heb Helel; i.e., shining one

Comparative Analysis: Key Themes Across Cultures

2. Ancient Near Eastern & Greco-Roman Parallels

Phoenician/Canaanite: Some scholars link Hêlêl to the god Attar, who tried and failed to usurp Baal’s throne.

Greek: The myth of Phosphorus (morning star) falling from the sky resembles Isaiah’s imagery.

Roman: Lucifer was originally a minor deity of dawn

3. Medieval & Renaissance Demonology

The Devil became a horned, red-skinned figure (influenced by pagan gods like Pan and Cernunnos).

Goetic demons (e.g., in The Lesser Key of Solomon) were sometimes conflated with Hêlêl /Lucifer

4. Non-Western Perspectives

Zoroastrianism (Ahriman/Angra Mainyu): A dualistic adversary of Ahura Mazda, similar to Satan.

Buddhism (Mara): A tempter who distracts souls from enlightenment.

Hinduism (Ravana, Asuras): Powerful but prideful beings opposing divine order.

5. Babylonian – Ishtar’s Descent & Kingly Pride

The Epic of Gilgamesh and Ishtar’s Descent into the Underworld depict gods being humbled after overreaching ambition.

Role:

Gilgamesh is a semi-divine king of Uruk (2/3 god, 1/3 human) who begins as a tyrant, abusing his power.

His hubris (excessive pride) leads him to:

Oppress his people.

6. Gnostic & Occult Traditions – Hêlêl /Lucifer as Light-Bringer

a) Gnosticism – The Demiurge & Rebel Angel

Some Gnostic sects viewed the Demiurge (Yaldabaoth) as a false creator god, while Lucifer/Samael was a liberator who brought knowledge (gnosis).

Similar to Prometheus in Greek myth.

b) Thelema & Modern Occultism

Aleister Crowley and Thelemic tradition

Pre-Islamic Arabian Tradition (Jahiliyya Period)

Before Islam, Arabian polytheism had demonic and rebellious spirits.

a) Shayāṭīn (شياطين) – Evil Jinn; a general term for mischievous or malevolent jinn.

Some soothsayers (kāhins) claimed to be inspired by jinn, which Islam later condemned.

b) Azazil (عزازيل) – A Name Later Given to Iblis (from Judiasm & Christianity e.g, Book of Enoch, Apocrypha).

2. Mesopotamian & Babylonian Influence

Pazuzu(Babylonian demon of winds) was a malevolent spirit, like a devil & Lilitu (Lilith, Sumerian/Akkadian female demons ).

Conclusion

While Christianity and Judaism frame Hêlêl as Satan, the fallen angel, other traditions depict similar figures as:

Chaos deities (Ahriman)

Mythological usurpers (Attar)

Psychological obstacles (Mara)

Enlightened rebels (Gnostic/Occult Lucifer)

In pre-Islamic Middle Eastern traditions (many of which were later absorbed, suppressed, or reinterpreted under Islam), the figure analogous to Hêlêl/Lucifer/the Devil had different names and roles.