Nergal's Exegesis: Unpacking the Biblical References in Behemoth Songs

Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer by the Polish extreme metal band Behemoth is an audacious and provocative musical piece that weaves a complex narrative inspired by biblical themes and symbols. The song, released in 2014 as part of the album "The Satanist," presents a dark and unorthodox interpretation of Christianity, drawing from the Bible and challenging conventional religious beliefs. In this article, we will delve into the lyrics of "Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer" to unravel the meaning behind each word, sentence, and explore how they seem to echo the Bible in a seemingly copy-paste manner.

• "Voice ov an aeon, Angelus Satani" and "Ora pro nobis Lucifer"

The song opens with a Latin invocation, "Angelus Satani" (Hail, Satan) followed by "Ora pro nobis Lucifer" (Pray for us, Lucifer). These phrases pay homage to Satan, also known as Lucifer, and set the tone for the entire song, which revolves around the worship of the rebel angel. In the Bible, Satan is often portrayed as the adversary of God and the tempter of humanity, and these lines reflect this image while simultaneously inverting the traditional Christian prayer.

• "You alone have suffered / The fall and torment ov shame"

These lines refer to Satan's fall from grace and the subsequent suffering he endured. The use of "ov" is a typo, and it should be "of." The concept of Satan's fall from heaven is mentioned in the Bible, particularly in the book of Isaiah (14:12-15) and Ezekiel (28:12-19), where he is depicted as a beautiful and powerful being who became proud and was cast out of heaven. The "torment ov shame" alludes to the humiliation and pain Satan experienced as a result of his fall.

• "I'll smite heaven's golden pride / And never pity thee"

This part of the lyrics suggests that Satan will retaliate against the pride of heaven and show no mercy. The "golden pride" might refer to the splendor and arrogance of the heavenly realm, as described in the Bible. The line "And never pity thee" emphasizes Satan's unforgiving nature and his determination to confront the divine powers.

• "Satan ov Elohim / None dare to stand in your way / Thou bow to none / Ov Eden's feculence"

These lines highlight Satan's role as a rebel against God and his refusal to bow down to any authority. "Elohim" is the Hebrew term for God used in the Old Testament. The phrase "None dare to stand in your way" implies that no one can stop Satan, while "Thou bow to none" emphasizes his defiance. "Ov Eden's feculence" refers to the impurity or filth associated with the Garden of Eden, further contrasting Satan's rebellious nature with the perceived perfection of the biblical paradise.

• "Conjure the serpent messenger / Savior world's decay"

These lines call for the summoning of the serpent, a symbol of Satan, who is portrayed as the savior of the world's decay. This idea is derived from the biblical story of Adam and Eve, where Satan takes the form of a serpent and tempts them to disobey God, leading to their fall. The phrase "Concord in temptation" refers to the agreement between Satan and humanity in their shared act of defiance.

• The Chorus: "For thine is the kingdom / And the power / For thine is the kingdom / And the glory / Forever"

The chorus is a declaration of Satan's dominion and power, echoing the biblical concept of God's sovereignty and glory. By attributing these qualities to Satan, the song challenges the traditional Christian belief system and proposes an alternative perspective.

• "Great volcano ov excrement / Rippling eager to erupt / Re-constellate the firmament"

These lines paint a vivid picture of chaos and upheaval, with Satan as the force behind it. The "Great volcano ov excrement" represents the destructive power of Satan, while "Re-constellate the firmament" suggests a transformation of the heavens, possibly as a result of this chaos.

• "Behold the great accuser / A megalinga ov throbbing zeal / Raptor yearning to pierce / To rape the seventh seal"

These lines depict Satan as the great accuser and a force of destruction. "Megalinga ov throbbing zeal" might refer to an intense and unrelenting desire for action, while "Raptor yearning to pierce" could symbolize the raptor's sharp talons or be a metaphor for Satan's power to penetrate and disrupt. "Rape the seventh seal" is a reference to the biblical Book of Revelation, where the seven seals on a scroll must be opened to reveal prophetic events. By using this phrase, the song implies that Satan is the one who will open the seals and bring about the end of the world.

• "Destroyer ov cosmos / Implore the ungod / Implode the sun"

These lines portray Satan as a force of destruction capable of annihilating the cosmos. "Implore the ungod" might refer to appealing to the unholy or the anti-divine, further emphasizing the song's rejection of traditional religious beliefs. "Implode the sun" suggests the power to destroy even the most significant celestial bodies.

• "Azazel! Apolyon! / The black sun never sets / For it never rose"

These lines invoke the names of biblical figures associated with darkness and destruction. Azazel is mentioned in the Old Testament as a demon, while Apolyon is another name for the Greek god Apollyon, who is identified as Satan in the book of Revelation. The phrase "The black sun never sets / For it never rose" contrasts with the traditional symbolism of the sun as a representation of light and life. In this context, the black sun symbolizes darkness and eternal night, possibly representing Satan's dominion.

• "Habemus Satanas / The Caesar's wrath / Empire's fall / Petition the lord with fire / Santa Sede burns / Phallus Dei / Erect from pole to pole / Viva blasfemia / In coitus infinitus / Hear the universe scream / Bleeding from black holes / Whom horns caress / And whom God mourns"

These lines conclude the song with a call to arms against established powers and beliefs. "Habemus Satanas" is a play on "Habemus Papam," Latin for "We have a pope," indicating the replacement of religious authority with Satan. "The Caesar's wrath" and "Empire's fall" suggest the downfall of political and imperial powers. "Petition the lord with fire" alludes to the burning of heretics, while "Santa Sede burns" refers to the Vatican, the seat of the Roman Catholic Church, being set ablaze. "Phallus Dei" is a Latin term that could be translated as "God's phallus," a provocative reference to the divine masculine. "Viva blasfemia" means "long live blasphemy," celebrating defiance against religious dogma. "In coitus infinitus" is a Latin phrase meaning "in endless copulation," possibly symbolizing the endless cycle of creation and destruction. The final lines, "Hear the universe scream / Bleeding from black holes / Whom horns caress / And whom God mourns," paint a bleak image of a universe in turmoil, with Satan's power causing pain and suffering even to the divine.

Conclusion

"Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer" by Behemoth is a thought-provoking and audacious exploration of biblical themes and symbols, presented through a lens of defiance and rebellion.

By drawing from the Bible and reinterpreting its narratives, the song challenges conventional religious beliefs and offers an alternative perspective on the nature of Satan, God, and the universe.