Lucifer
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Also known as Shining One · Lucifer, Son of the Morning · Son of the Dawn · Day Star · Morning Star · Helel · Heylel · Satan's Original Name
In 1904, Isaiah 14:12 was interpreted as primarily describing Satan, with secondary applications to ancient and symbolic Babylon. From 1906 through the Russell presidency, Lucifer was presented as the original designation of a glorious heavenly creature who rebelled and became Satan. Under Rutherford, the teaching continued, and in 1925 Isaiah's description of Lucifer's fall was explicitly connected with Satan's expulsion from heaven after weakening the nations, rather than his original rebellion in Eden. Publications through 1947 repeatedly identified Lucifer as Satan's former name and described him as a divinely appointed guardian or overlord of humanity. In 1949, the king of Babylon was emphasized as a symbolic representation of Satan, and in 1952 Satan was described as having made himself Lucifer in his organization. A significant reversal appeared in 1957: Lucifer was no longer identified as Satan's original name, but the designation could still be applied to him in a taunting sense associated with Babylon's supremacy. In 1963, the publications explicitly attributed the use of Lucifer as Satan's name to early uninspired religious writers. Articles in 1965 explained the Babylonian royal dynasty as the primary referent of Isaiah 14:12 while retaining a secondary prophetic application to Satan as the invisible ruler of Babylon the Great. In 1971, the publications stated that Satan's former personal name was not revealed, and in 1973 they explicitly rejected calling Lucifer one of Satan's names. The interpretation of the shining one as the Babylonian dynasty was reaffirmed in 1985, 1988, 2000, and 2002. Publications in 2006, 2007, 2018, and 2026 continued to teach that the personal name of the angel who became Satan is unknown. By 2026, the distinction between the Babylonian shining one and Satan's unrevealed original name remained unchanged.
- Isa. 14:4, 12-21
- Ezek. 28:12-17
- Job 38:7
- 2 Pet. 1:19
- 2 Cor. 4:4
- Rev. 12:7-12
- Rev. 22:16
- John 8:44
Key moments
- 1904–1915 Introduced Isaiah 14 was understood primarily as a description of Satan's ambition and downfall, with secondary applications to Babylon. Lucifer was presented as the original designation of a glorious heavenly creature who subsequently became Satan.
- 1925–1941 Refined The identification of Lucifer as Satan's former name continued. In 1925, Isaiah 14:12 was explicitly associated with Satan's fall from heaven after weakening the nations rather than with the original rebellion in Eden. Lucifer was also portrayed as God's appointed protector and overlord of humanity, whose name was changed after his rebellion.
- 1949–1952 Refined The interpretation emphasized the king of Babylon as a representation of Satan, the invisible ruler of Babylon. Lucifer still referred to Satan, but a 1952 explanation described Satan as making himself Lucifer in his organization rather than simply receiving that name at creation.
- 1957 Reversal Lucifer ceased to be interpreted as Satan's original personal name. The term was identified with the Babylonian king and could be applied figuratively to Satan only as a taunting designation following the Babylonian conquest of Judah.
- 1963–1965 Refined The Babylonian king or royal dynasty was explicitly treated as the historical subject of Isaiah 14:12. The use of Lucifer as Satan's personal name was attributed to uninspired religious writers. The interpretation retained a secondary prophetic application to Satan as the invisible ruler of Babylon the Great.
- 1971–1973 Refined The publications explicitly stated that Satan's former personal name was not revealed. The term translated Lucifer was described as a designation of the Babylonian rulers, and the identification of Lucifer as one of Satan's names was expressly rejected.
Russell
Charles Taze Russell · 1877–1916
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Isaiah 14 was understood primarily as a description of Satan's ambition and downfall, with secondary applications to Babylon. Lucifer was presented as the original designation of a glorious heavenly creature who subsequently became Satan.
7 quotes
Throughout the prophecies we find this blending of description and denunciation between Satan and his chiefest representative amongst the enlightened.
The New Creation, 1904 It started, as we have seen, in the ambitious thought of the very highest and most highly favored of all the angels - in Lucifer, the son of the morning.
The Eternal Purpose, The Priesthood of the Son of God, 1906 Thinking of Absalom and his beauty and his high position in the kingdom, reminds us of Lucifer and the glorious description given of him in the Scriptures--his high position and honor and his pride and ambition and the downfall to which they led.
The Watchtower, November 15, 1908 How Lucifer and holy angels became disloyal to God, and how Lucifer acquired the name Satan, or Adversary of God, we will inquire into later.
The Watchtower, December 15, 1912 Jesus knew Satan--He knew that Satan was Lucifer, who had rebelled against the Divine Government, and who was imprisoned on this planet.
The Watchtower, August 15, 1913 At the time of the creation of man, Lucifer, Son of the Morning, began to cherish ambitious designs, disloyal to his Maker.
The Watchtower, September 15, 1914 Satan, originally Lucifer, conceived an ambition to exalt himself to "sit upon the sides of the North," to "be like the Most High."
The Watchtower, June 15, 1915
Rutherford
Joseph F. Rutherford · 1917–1942
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Lucifer continued to be identified as a formerly glorious heavenly being entrusted with oversight of the human family. His rebellion was said to have changed him from Lucifer into Satan the Devil.
3 quotes
The great drama opened in Eden with a man and a woman possessing all the vigor, buoyancy, beauty, and glory of perfect beings, together with Lucifer, the covering cherub or overseer, on the stage as actors.
The Watchtower, February 15, 1920 There was in heaven another star, clothed in beauty and glory and endowed with power and authority, whose name was Lucifer.
The Watchtower, March 1, 1921 This selfish ambition led to his downfall; and instead of Lucifer, a bright, glorious creature, he became Satan, that old serpent, the devil.
The Watchtower, May 1, 1921 -
The identification of Lucifer as Satan's former name continued. In 1925, Isaiah 14:12 was explicitly associated with Satan's fall from heaven after weakening the nations rather than with the original rebellion in Eden. Lucifer was also portrayed as God's appointed protector and overlord of humanity, whose name was changed after his rebellion.
8 quotes
It is after he weakens the nations that he falls from heaven. Then the Revelator plainly states that the Devil confines his operations to the earth. His place of operation in heaven has ceased, and now he must confine them to the earth. Being a spirit being, he is still invisible to man.
The Watchtower, November 15, 1925 It was the solemn and sacred duty of Lucifer to guide man in the way of light, because his name signifies “light bearer”.
The Watchtower, December 15, 1925 It was the bright shining one, Lucifer, whom God selected and placed in Eden as overlord or protector of man.
The Watchtower, February 15, 1926 No longer did God permit his creature Lucifer to go by the name which signified a “bright-shining one”. His name was changed from Lucifer, and he was thereafter known by the four names, to wit: Satan, which means adversary or opponent; Devil, which means slanderer; Serpent, which means deceiver; and Dragon, which means devourer. He has been defiant and arrogant, and has opposed God ever since the time of Eden.
The Watchtower, April 15, 1931 The prophet Isaiah definitely identifies Lucifer, who became Satan the Devil, as the invisible ruler of Babylon, and supports the identification God gave through Jeremiah.
The Watchtower, August 1, 1933 Lucifer, when he was a part of God’s organization, was a “covering cherub”, meaning one with authority over others, with power to execute the judgment of death.
The Watchtower, May 1, 1938 When he was one of the trusted officers in the organization of Jehovah God his name was Lucifer, meaning “bright-shining one”, one with authority.
The Watchtower, February 1, 1940 Jehovah God anointed him as Lucifer, but, when degrading him, did not take away his authority, and Satan has the power of death, to take away life.
The Watchtower, December 1, 1941
Knorr
Nathan H. Knorr · 1942–1977
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The publications continued teaching that Lucifer was a glorious, originally righteous spirit son of God who had been entrusted with oversight of mankind and subsequently became Satan through rebellion.
5 quotes
But since Lucifer rebelled and became Satan and cast great reproach and ignominy on the great and good name of his Father there has been a longing in the mind and heart of his beloved Son to accomplish some specific work.
The Watchtower, August 15, 1942 Then, while creation was yet at its morn, Jehovah together with the Word created another glorious spirit son, named Heylel, which means shining one, day-star, or Lucifer.
The Truth Shall Make You Free, 1943 He betrayed that trust and confidence, became guilty of treason, the most heinous of all crimes, and since then has been leading the way in all wickedness.
Consolation, May 9, 1945 There was a time when he enjoyed a high position in God’s family. He was a spirit son of God whose name was Lucifer. Contrary to the opinion of some, he was not an ugly creature with horns and tail, but was beautiful.
Let God Be True, 1946 Among the spirit creatures of prehistoric times there was one named Lucifer, a mighty one and hence a god. The name “Lucifer” means "light-bearer” or "shining one”.
Awake!, September 22, 1947 -
The interpretation emphasized the king of Babylon as a representation of Satan, the invisible ruler of Babylon. Lucifer still referred to Satan, but a 1952 explanation described Satan as making himself Lucifer in his organization rather than simply receiving that name at creation.
3 quotes
The use the Devil made of him shows that the Devil was ambitious for world domination in defiant opposition to the true and living God. Fittingly God’s Word uses the king of Babylon as a symbol of the Devil himself. Under cover of this symbol God directs the taunt-song and other prophecies against the Devil.
The Watchtower, October 15, 1949 Covetousness and lawlessness entered the heart of the “anointed cherub”, and since then he has been known by such names as the Devil, Satan, Dragon, Serpent and Lucifer.
The Watchtower, June 1, 1950 But Satan the Devil who made himself Lucifer in his organization is really the one spoken to under the figure of the “king of Babylon” in these words.
Let God Be True, 1952 -
Lucifer ceased to be interpreted as Satan's original personal name. The term was identified with the Babylonian king and could be applied figuratively to Satan only as a taunting designation following the Babylonian conquest of Judah.
1 quote
It can only be applied in a taunting sense to Satan, and that only from 607 B.C. onward. For more details see The Watchtower, October 15, 1949, pages 307 to 315.
The Watchtower, March 1, 1957 -
The Babylonian king or royal dynasty was explicitly treated as the historical subject of Isaiah 14:12. The use of Lucifer as Satan's personal name was attributed to uninspired religious writers. The interpretation retained a secondary prophetic application to Satan as the invisible ruler of Babylon the Great.
3 quotes
Lucifer, as a name, was applied to Satan the Devil by early uninspired religious writers of our Common Era.
Babylon the Great Has Fallen! God's Kingdom Rules!, 1963 The first application of Isaiah 14:12-14 is not to Satan the Devil, but is to the ruling dynasty of Babylonian kings beginning with Nebuchadnezzar and ending with Nabonidus and Belshazzar.
The Watchtower, January 15, 1965 So this term heilēlʹ, or lucifer, applies to Satan the Devil only as the earthly king of Babylon symbolizes that wicked spirit or reflects him.
The Watchtower, July 1, 1965 -
The publications explicitly stated that Satan's former personal name was not revealed. The term translated Lucifer was described as a designation of the Babylonian rulers, and the identification of Lucifer as one of Satan's names was expressly rejected.
3 quotes
The name he had before this is not given. God is the only Creator, and ‘his activity is perfect’ and with no injustice or unrighteousness.
Aid to Bible Understanding, Satan, 1971 Like stars that shed light, the “king of Babylon” shone brightly in the ancient world and could be termed “shining one.”
Aid to Bible Understanding, Shining One, 1971 It would not be correct to say that Satan the Devil is the one here called Lucifer as though it were one of his names.
The Watchtower, April 1, 1973
Franz
Frederick W. Franz · 1977–1992
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Lucifer was understood as a designation of the Babylonian royal dynasty, whose pride and ambition reflected Satan's attitude. The former personal name of Satan was not identified with this Hebrew term.
2 quotes
Satan’s attitude was reflected in the dynasty and brilliant worldly position taken by “the king of Babylon,” to whom the terms “shining one” and “Lucifer” were aptly given.
The Watchtower, March 15, 1985 Heh·lelʹ is not a name or a title but, rather, a term describing the boastful position taken by Babylon’s dynasty of kings of the line of Nebuchadnezzar.
Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 2, Satan, 1988
Governing Body
1992–
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The publications consistently distinguished the shining one of Isaiah 14 from Satan's unknown original personal name. The shining one was understood as the Babylonian ruling dynasty, whose arrogance reflected Satan's spirit. Later statements emphasized that Scripture does not disclose the personal name of the angel who became Satan.
6 quotes
How you have been cut down to the earth, you who were disabling the nations!” (Isaiah 14:12) Selfish pride prompts Babylon’s kings to elevate themselves above those around them.
Isaiah's Prophecy—Light for All Mankind I, Chapter 14, 2000 He too lusts for power and longs to place himself above Jehovah God. But Lucifer is not a name Scripturally given to Satan.
The Watchtower, September 15, 2002 Although the Scriptures do not reveal this spirit creature’s original name, they call him the Devil (meaning “Slanderer”) because he has slandered God.
The Watchtower, January 15, 2006 The original name of the angel who became Satan is unknown. The terms “Satan” and “Devil” mean “Resister” and “Slanderer.” In some respects, Satan’s course parallels that of the ancient king of Tyre.
The Watchtower, June 1, 2007 In his wisdom, Jehovah has never told us the personal name of the angelic son who rebelled against him. a And God chose not to reveal even the descriptive name of that enemy until some 2,500 years after the initial rebellion.
The Watchtower (Study), May 2018 That former angel is not identified by a personal name. He is described only by such terms as “Devil” [Slanderer] and “Satan” [Resister].
The Watchtower (Study), April 2026
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