Is Lucifer Satan?

Answer  
  

In common usage, *Lucifer* is another name for [Satan](who-Satan.html). Famously, John Milton used this name for Satan in [*Paradise Lost*](Paradise-Lost.html). There is no verse in the Bible that says, “Lucifer is Satan.” In fact, there is some dispute as to whether *Lucifer* is even a proper name in the Bible.  
  

  

A character referred to as “Lucifer” appears in Isaiah 14\. The setting is a “taunt against the king of Babylon” (Isaiah 14:4\). The wicked king, who oppressed other nations, is brought to ruin. God has broken the king of Babylon’s scepter (Isaiah 14:5\) and laid him low (verse 8\). The defeated king of Babylon is pictured as entering the place of the dead, where other departed kings await him with glee:  

“’You also have become weak, as we are;  

you have become like us.’  

All your pomp has been brought down to the grave,  

along with the noise of your harps;  

maggots are spread out beneath you  

and worms cover you” (Isaiah 14:10–11\).  
  

The prophecy against the king of Babylon continues with this interesting passage:  

“How you are fallen from heaven,  

O Lucifer, son of the morning!  

How you are cut down to the ground,  

You who weakened the nations!  

For you have said in your heart:  

‘I will ascend into heaven,  

I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;  

I will also sit on the mount of the congregation  

On the farthest sides of the north;  

I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,  

I will be like the Most High.’  

Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol,  

To the lowest depths of the Pit” (Isaiah 14:12–15, NKJV).  
  

The King James Version and the New King James Version have “Lucifer” in Isaiah 14:12, but other translations have “morning star” (NIV), “Day Star” (ESV), or “shining one” (NET). Is the term meant as a proper name, or simply as a metaphor for the king’s greatness? Scholars are divided on the issue.  
  

Clearly, the primary interpretation of Isaiah 14 is that of a prophecy against the human king of Babylon. However, the poetic descriptions of his grandeur, his sin, and his fate are so extravagant as to cause many scholars to consider a secondary interpretation, viz., a reference to Satan.  
  

We note that the following things are true about the king in Isaiah 14:  

• he falls from heaven (verse 12\)  

• he is cast down to the earth (verse 12\)  

• he had destroyed nations (verse 12\)  

• he sought to ascend to God’s throne (verse 13\)  

• he desired to be like the Most High (verse 14\)  

• he is relegated to the lowest part of the Pit (verse 15\)  
  

In a clear reference to Satan, Jesus uses some similar wording in Luke 10:18: “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” The link between Satan and Lucifer seems to be supported by Satan’s fall from heaven, mentioned by Jesus; Satan’s temptation of Eve that suggested she could be like God (Genesis 3:5\); Satan’s work as a destroyer (Job 1:12–19; 2:7\); and Satan’s masquerading as an “angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14\).  
  

We believe the best way to look at Isaiah 14 is as a dual condemnation: the human king of Babylon and the spiritual force behind him are both facing God’s judgment for their pride and wickedness. The human king had occupied a glorious throne in this world—he was a “star” among rulers—and the spiritual entity had occupied a glorious position in the heavenlies—a true “Lucifer,” or “star of the morning.”  
  

