[434] _Hieronym. ad Hos. c. 9. Idem. prodidit Isidor. Orig. l. 8._
[436] _Philo Jud. lib. 2. Allegor. p. 79._
_Baal-Tsephon_ is thought by the _Hebrews_,[437] to have been an _Idol_ made by the _Ægytian Magicians_, and placed in the Wilderness, to observe and stop the _Israelites_ in their departure from _Ægypt_; whence it was termed צפן _Tsephon_, from צפה _Tsapha_, signifying to _watch_, & observe in manner of a _watchman_: because we may call him _Baal speculator_, as, among the _Romans_; because _Jupiter_ stayed the _Romans_ when they were flying, he was called _Jupiter stator_.[438]
[438] _Rosin. lib. 2. antiq. Rom. cap. 5._
_Baal-Zebub_, soundeth as much as the _Lord of the Flies_, or a _Master fly_,[439] which hath power and authority over the rest, in which respect the _Prince of the Devils_ in the _Gospel_ is termed _Beel-Zebub_, זבוב _Zebub_ signifieth a _Fly_. This _Idol_ was worshipped by the _Cyrenians_,[440] but principally by the _Ekronites_, because whensoever they sacrificed unto him, the swarms of _flies_ which at that time molested the Country, died. But it is certain, that this was not the alone reason, for they were wont to repair to him, as to an Oracle, _2 King. 1. 2._ We may call him _Jupiter muscarius_, or _Hercules muscarius_:[441] for the Inhabitants of the City _Elis_ sacrificed to _Jupiter_ under the name ἀπομύιος, (_i._) _A driver away of flies_: and the _Romans_ to _Hercules_, under the same name. Some _Greek Copies_ in the _Gospel_ read Βεελζεβοὺλ, _Beelzebul_: which change is interpreted to be, for to shew the greater contempt of the _Idol_, as if they should say _Jupiter stercoreus_, זבל _Zebel_ signifieth _stercus_, and _Beel_, or _Baal_, signifieth _Dominus_.
[439] _Ζητήσουσι μυῖαν Θεὸν Ἀκκαρῶν. Gregor. Nazianz. orat. 2. contr. Julian. p. 102._
_Baal-berith_ was the _Idol_ of the _Shechemites_; of his Temple we read, _Judges 9. 4._ ברית _Berith_ signifieth a _Covenant_; so that _Baal-berith_ may be translated _Jupiter fœderatus_,[442] _The God unto whom they bound themselves by Covenant_. Concerning _Bel_ and the _Dragon_, little is spoken, besides what we read in that off the _Apocrypha_, where the History is described.