Dear Catholic Exchange,
Somehow when speaking of fallen angels, the name Lucifer comes to mind. I remembered being told that he was the chief angel who disobeyed God and was banished from heaven. However I could not find the name Lucifer being mentioned in the bible. Can you enlighten me?
Mr. Mok
Dear Mr. Mok,
Peace in Christ! We were pleased to receive your question regarding the fallen angel named “Lucifer.” You asked where in Scripture the devil is identified by this name.
The meaning of the word “Lucifer” is “light-bearer.” The Scriptural basis for applying this name to Satan can be found in Isaiah 14:12. The Catholic Douay-Rheims version translates “Day Star” as “Lucifer,” whereas the Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version (RSV CE) uses the more linguistically accurate “Day Star.” In the literal sense of the scripture verse, the Babylonian empire is being referenced. However, in the spiritual sense, the Church has long recognized that the passage speaks of a fallen angel, namely Satan:
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low!” (RSV CE).
A New Testament passage that somewhat parallels the spiritual sense of Isaiah 14:12 can be found in Luke 10:18 which states: “And he said to them, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.’”
For more reading on the angels, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 391-95, 414, and 760. See also the entry for “Demons” in the Catechism’s Index.
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