Two Roman Catholic Bishops Named Lucifer

The Hebrew phrase helel ben saar in Isaiah 14:12 was translated in the King James Version of the Bible as “Lucifer, son of the morning.” The traditional Jewish interpretation is that this is a reference to Nebuchadnezzar II. This is also the understanding of the Christian preterist interpretation of the Bible.

The Latin word for “morning star” is Lucifer. In later Christian tradition the name came to be seen as referring to the beautiful being Satan before his fall. The idea expressed in the name is “the morning star,” the “shining one.”or “the light bringer.” There seems to be no real Biblical indication that the personal name of the Devil is Lucifer. In fact, the three personal names the Devil is given are all actually insults: Abbadon (destruction), Apollyon (destroyer), and Beelzebub (Lord of the Flies). The Bible calls the Devil many names including liar, deceiver, accuser, adversary, lord of this world, lord of the flies, tempter, and evil one.

The Bible is quite clear that the Devil is a real person who is the embodiment of everything which is vile, evil, and opposed to God. He is not merely a force, or an idea, or a myth. We just do not know his name nor do we need to. It is finished. He is defeated.

In the Middle Ages, Lucifer (“shining one”) was used as a personal name as seen in the names of two Roman Catholic bishops: Saint Lucifer of Cagliari and Lucifer of Sienna.

Lucifer of Cagliari, who died in 371, was a Sardinian and held the office of Bishop of Cagliari in Italy. He was a determined opponent of the Arian heresy and a fierce defender of Bishop Atanasius. In 363, he led a schismatic sect called the Luciferians who opposed the return of Arian bishops into Roman Catholic orthodoxy.

Little is known of Lucifer of Siena other than that he was appointed in 306 as the the first bishop of Siena in Italy.

275,000 page views

Update: As of 8 May 2026, the number of page views is 946,372.

This blog just went over 275,000 page views.  Thank you for your interest in this ministry. I hope that the blog helps Christians to understand our spiritual unity within our almost infinite diversity. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female, for you are one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28 NASB

I have previously been using the King James Version (KJV) Bible for quotations since the work is in the public domain. The problem with the KJV is that the archaic English, while beautiful and poetic, may not translate well for readers in languages other than English. The New American Standard Bible (NASB) is considered to be the most literal modern translation into English from the original Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic languages.

"Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible®,
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973,
1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation 
Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)

Film Comment: KJB: The Book That Changed the World

KJB: The Book That Changed the World (2010) is a sort of narrated documentary drama. Modern actor John Rhys-Davies walks among the actors portraying persons from the late Sixteenth and early Seventeenth centuries.  The film documents the events which led to the creation of the King James Version of the Bible, a masterpiece of scholarship, translation, and literary English.

The film concentrates on the childhood and education of James Stuart, who, as James VI,  became King of Scotland in 1567, when he was thirteen months old.  When James was named as her successor by the childless Queen Elizabeth, he became also James I, King of England.  James was superbly educated by his tutor, James Buchanan and became a writer, linguist, intellectual, and theologian.  KJV depicts his political maneuvering for power and respect.

 

The actual places are shown where the fifty scholars spent seven years producing the English translation of the Hebrew and Greek documents.  Checks and double-checks and strict rules of translation were practiced.

The KJV was not instantly accepted and James did not live to see its worldwide acceptance.  His historical reputatiop as a king has been highly controversial but respect for his rule has grown in recent years.

I very much enjoyed this film as history.  I would personally like to see the producers make a sequel which focused on the translators.

Bible Printer's Errors; The Child Killer Bible

These Bible Printers Errors are all in the English language.  There are probably just as many in other languages.  Proofreading is very important.  Sometimes one word changes the entire meaning of a passage.  The following is an example to prove the point.

The Child Killer Bible, published in 1795, contains this one error in the verse, Mark 7:27.  The archaic English phrase “it is not meet” is equivalent to “it is not good.”

WHAT IT SHOULD HAVE SAID:

“But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.”

WHAT IT SAID:

“But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be killed: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.” 

What Does It Mean?: Wimple

The word "wimple" occurs in the King James Version of the Bible in Isaiah 3:22.  What in the world is a wimple?  The wimple is the cloth linen muffler which nuns in traditional habits wear to cover their necks and breasts.  It winds around the head and the face and loops under the chin.  In medieval times it was a common part of secular female clothing.

The Hebrew word is "maatepheh", "a piece of clothing that covers."  Instead of a neck covering, it was more like a shawl, a garment which could cover the entire body.  It was often used for covering while sleeping.

The English translators of the King James Version of the Bible may not have been entirely sure what to do with this word.

Bible Printer's Errors: The Lions Bible

The Lions Bible (1804) is a King James Version which was either not proofread at all or the errors were ignored because they would be expensive to correct.  There were multiple variant readings, including the three below. 

What it said:

“Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put together.” Numbers 35:18

What it should have said:

“Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.” Numbers 35:18

What it said:

“For the flesh lusteth after the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”  Galatians 5:17

What it should have said:

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Galatians 5:17

And the error for which this Bible edition is named.

What it said:

“Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy lions, he shall build the house unto my name.” 1Kings 8:19

What it should have said:

“Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name.” 1Kings 8:19

What Does It Mean? Jot and Tittle

"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Matthew 5:18

A "jot" is an "iote" (found in early King James Version editions), "iota," "ἰ," the ninth letter of the Greek alphabet and similar to the י
"yodh," the smallest Hebrew letter.  Think of the English apostrophe ('); something considered to be almost insignificant.

A "tittle"is a horn shaped mark used in Hebrew as an accent mark.  The Greek word used is κεραία, a "horn."


Jesus here declared that the Mosaic Law is still in effect and will not pass away, even in its smallest parts, until the fulfillment of time.     If a person kept the entire law, with never a single lapse, they would be saved, but, all have sinned and fallen short.  (Romans 3:23)  "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." James 2:10

The Law is in fact a gift from God which points us toward God's grace. "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." Romans 3:20.  "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

Christian Heresies: King James Onlyism

You may have noticed that when I quote from the Bible, I use the King James Version (KJV).  This has practical, cultural, and personal reasons.  It is the version of the Bible with which I grew up and with which I am entirely comfortable, but it is not the only version I use.  I also consult the New International Version and the Greek New Testament.  I have said here before that I would also like to consult the Hebrew Bible, but the Hebrew language is an impenetrable mystery to me.

The main reason that I quote here from the King James Version is that it is in the public domain so there are no copyright issues.  Some of the newer translations are actually sometimes easier to understand for English-speakers.

Followers of the King James Only Movement would declare that I am a heretic or that, because I use any translation other than the 1611 Authorized Version KJV, including any other modern languages, that I am not saved.  Their interpretation is at the very least, incorrect, and at the worst, heretical.  Heretical because it is, or borders on being, a form of idolatry.  Some actually believe that the KJV takes precedence over the Greek and Hebrew originals.  They worship a particular version of the book and miss what the book actually is.  They have allowed themselves to become distracted by side issues, taking their eyes off their true purpose: furthering the Kingdom of God.

The Bible is a collection of poems, letters, histories, instructions, laws, proverbs, songs, and other literature.  Left alone it will sit on a shelf.  Just a book.  In the hands of a believer, the divinely inspired book comes alive; one of the tools used by the Holy Spirit to instruct, comfort, teach, correct, and convict.  Some call it the Word of God, but the Bible itself tells us in John 1:1 that Jesus is the Word.  The Holy Spirit uses the Bible to glorify Jesus.

http://www.raptureready.com/rr-kjvo.html  

a spirited refutation of King James Onlyism

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_James_Only_movement 

has a number of pro and con links at the end of the article

I Hope She Didn't Realize What She Was Doing

First, let me say again as I have in the past: This is not a political blog.  When I do comment on a political subject, it is because it touches on some religious issue.  I am not a member of any political party or movement and do not intend to be in the future.

Froma Harrop is a syndicated columnist whose columns appear in over two hundred newspapers  She comments on business, economics, and politics. On 25 March 2011 her posted article was "Some praise for a few tea partyers."  The word "partyers" appears at first glance to be misspelled, but instead of "partiers," she is referring to members of the American Tea Party movement.

The Tea Party is a conservative political movement named for the Boston Tea Party (1773) in which a group of men boarded a British ship in Boston harbor.  In protest of what they considered to be unfair taxation and a lack of political representation, they dumped overboard the entire cargo of British tea, turning the harbor into a giant teacup.

In discussing issues concerning the Tea Party movement., Ms. Harrop said, "When it comes to my sanity, the tea party often taketh away. ... Nothing else they do would earneth more praise."

Ms. Harrop probably intended to be "cute."  What struck me almost immediately was something else.
The use of archaic English brings to mind the English of the King James Bible. and the phrase, "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away," which, by the way, does not occur in the King James Bible.  The popular phrase is a misquotation of Job 1:20-21.

"Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,  And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." Job 1:20-21.  Read the book of Job and you will know what this holy man was talking about.

What I perceived when I read Ms, Harrop's article was twofold:
1. An erroneous identification of the Tea Party with conservative Christianity.  While many Tea Partyers are Christian, many are not.  Some are motivated by social, economic, historical, and philosophical concerns.  Many conservative Christians are wary of investing their allegiance in political parties.
2. The use of "taketh" and "earneth" could be viewed as a sarcastic swipe at conservative Christians. This may not have been Ms. Harrop's intent.

Translation

"Translation it is that openeth the window, to let in the light, that breaketh the shell, that we may eat the kernel; that putteth aside the curtain, that we may look into the most Holy place; that removeth the cover of the well, that we may come by the water."  Miles Smith  (1554-1624)

MIles Smith was a strict Calvinist and in 1612 became the Bishop of Gloucester.  He was what we in America would call a "library rat,"always found around the books, described as "covetous of nothing but books."

Smith was a member of the First Oxford Company of translators of the KIng James Version of the BIble.  The First Oxford Company translated Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, and Malachi.  The quotation above comes from the Preface, which Smith wrote.

Bible Printer's Errors: The Placemaker's Bible

Proofreading is very important.  Sometimes one word changes the entire meaning of a passage.  The following is an example to prove the point.



The Geneva Bible (1557) is a Protestant Bible produced fifty-one years before the King James Bible.  It was mechanically printed; mass-produced; filled with maps, footnotes, illustrations, tables, and indices; and was intentionally made available to the general public.   It is considered to be the first study Bible.


The errors shown below occur in the second edition (1562).

WHAT IT SHOULD HAVE SAID: 

"Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9

WHAT IT SAID:

"Blessed [are] the placemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9

In its chapter heading for Luke 21:

WHAT IT SHOULD HAVE SAID: 

“Christ commendeth the poor widow.”

WHAT IT SAID:

“Christ condemneth the poor widow.”

Book Comment: The Lost Apostle: Searching for the Truth About Junia

Romans 16:7 says that Junia was "of note among the apostles."  A female apostle?  The early Church Fathers, Jerome and John Chrysostom, thought so.  The Eastern and oriental Orthodox Churches think so.  Desiderus Erasmus thought so.  The majority of textual evidence favors it.  The translators of the King James Version of the Bible thought so.

The name Junia is clearly a female name and was common during the first century.  The male form of the name, Junias, does not occur in the Bible and is only known to have occurred once in the extra-biblical Greek literature.

A female apostle would put a large dent in the world view of many conservative Christians who seem to have forgotten what Paul said in Romans (but they remember his seemingly contradictory statement in Galatians).  The full participation of women in the Church challenged the "order of things" as did many Christian practices.

Pederson points out that many modern commentators feel that Paul, in each of his letters to the churches, was addressing local questions.  The seeming inconsistency between his statements may reflect that fact.

In his letters Paul clearly and often spoke of women who taught and prophesied.  He even sent one woman, Phoebe,  as his official representative, carrying his personal letter, to the leaders of the church in Rome.

Pederson is insistent that this is not some sort of faddish, liberal-feminist reinterpretation of biblical history but a return to the original customs of the churches before an official church hierarchy rose up and imposed, intentionally or unintentionally, the male domination which was the norm in the outside world.

Everything that is possible to be known about the Apostle Junia is tracked down using church traditions, the early Church Fathers, and secular history.  Branching off from this, Pederson chases down whatever information is available on other prominent early female Christian leaders such as Prisca, Lydia, Chloe, Theda, Agnes, and Phoebe.

She is correct in her assertion that, in discarding the veneration of the saints and their relics, protestants have lost some of their connection to their own history.  Pederson calls not for a return to Catholic practice, but for a renewed commitment to studying the lives of the saints.

This is an excellent, well-researched book which is, at the very least, challenging to some very strongly held modern Christian beliefs which may or may not be correct.  Quoting Cyprian, the Bishop of Carthage (d. 858), "A custom without Truth is merely an ancient error."
  
Pederson, Rena, The Lost Apostle: Searching for the Truth About Junia (San Francisco: Josse-Bass, 2006)

Bible Printer's Errors: The Fools Bible

The 1763 King James version Bible is called "The Fool's Bible" because of one word substitution.  The printers were fined 3000 pounds and all copies of the edition were ordered to be destroyed.

What it said:

¹ "The fool hath said in his heart, [There is] a God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, [there is] none that doeth good." Psalm 14:1

What it should have said:

¹ "The fool hath said in his heart, [There is] no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, [there is] none that doeth good." Psalm 14:1 

²

Psalm 118

There are a startling number of "strange" coincidences associated with Psalms 118.
1. Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible.
2. Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible.
The next few "coincidences" are based on the arrangement of the books in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible. Only the most extreme fundamental literalists say that the KJV is verbally inspired even in its order of the books and individual words. Most Christians who accept that the Bible is verbally inspired believe that the inspiration applies not to translations but to the original autographic documents, which, of course, we do not have. Many believers accept, after the work of thousands of biblical scholars in comparing all of the variant readings of the thousands of known scrolls, fragments, papyri, etc. that the reconstituted biblical books are accurate and have better attestation than many classical Roman and Greek works which exist in only a single known copy.
3. Psalm 118 is the middle chapter in the KJV, with 594 chapters before it and 594 chapters after it. 594 + 594 = 1188.
4. Psalm 118:8 (1188).
5. "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man." Psalm 118:8.

King James Bible Online

www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/ is a free non-profit website which allows those who visit the site to search the entire Bible by book, chapter, and verse.  The site also features a dictionary, a concordance, several commentaries, a Bible trivia quiz, and allows readers to leave their own comments so long as they are respectful and not abusive or vulgar.  One rather long comment has been posted by a Muslim obviously motivated by a strong missionary urge to proclaim the truth of Islam.  He "played by the rules" and wished his readers well.  I think it speaks well of the site that the Muslim comment has not been edited or deleted. 

Stasis

      Everyone, especially Christians, needs to learn something new each day. If you're not learning and growing, you become static and eventually dormant.  Stasis implies not moving, not changing, just like a stone or a weight.  Christians should be learning daily about living the Christ-filled life through prayer, meditation, and Bible study.  They also need to work to increase their knowledge of current events, science, the arts, grammar, philosophy, history, politics, and other subjects. Christians should take a back seat to no one intellectually.  Three verses of scripture are especially relevant here:

     A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain to wise counsels.  Proverbs 1:5 (KJV)

     But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and ... be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you of a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.  1 Peter 3:15

     For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.  Hebrews 5:13-14

............................................................................................................................

     Something to learn today: why did I use "needs" instead of "need" in the first paragraph?

Update on 23 June 2026: There are now many word-for-word literal interlinear translations of the Bible available online. These use the earliest and most accepted biblical documents.  Using them, along with the Strong's Concordance online enables anyone to perform a word-for-word study of the scriptures from the original languages and the closest thing that we have to the original texts.

If I quote from a specific Bible translation I will give proper credit.

The Original Post, 18 July 2009:  Anytime I quote from the Bible in this blog it will be from the King James Version because it is in the public domain and has no copyright issues.  I personally use several of the newer Bible  translations and also The Greek New Testament published by the United Bible Societies.

My Greek is slightly above the beginners level but I can fight my way through it with a dictionary.  Not so with Hebrew, which I find to be totally alien and incomprehensible, even though Ron Zorn told me it was easy. I'm glad Hebrew is easy for somebody; they'll just have to tell me what it says.