Who or what is Mastema?
Who or What Is Mastema?
A Baptist Theological Translation and Evaluation
(All Scripture quoted from the New King James Version – NKJV)
I. Translation: What Is “Mastema”?
The name Mastema comes from the apocryphal Jewish text known as the Book of Jubilees, a non-canonical retelling of Genesis through part of Exodus. In that book and other Second Temple literature, Mastema is portrayed as a high-ranking evil being—either equivalent to Satan or a powerful demonic prince.
In this tradition:
Mastema is associated with hatred, judgment, and destruction.
He opposes major biblical figures like Noah, Abraham, and Moses.
He is called the "chief of the spirits", and at one point asks God to preserve a portion of the evil spirits descended from the Nephilim to serve him (Jubilees 10:8).
He supposedly inspired the testing of Abraham (Jubilees 17:16) and tried to kill Moses (Jubilees 48:2).
While sometimes described as synonymous with Satan, other writings treat Mastema as a separate figure beneath him, acting as a prosecuting adversary or accuser.
II. Is Mastema Found in the Bible?
No. The name Mastema does not appear anywhere in the inspired canon of Scripture. The only spiritual adversary Scripture clearly identifies by name is Satan (meaning “adversary”) or the devil (meaning “accuser” or “slanderer”).
Job 1:6 (NKJV):
“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.”
1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV):
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
Revelation 12:9 (NKJV):
“So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world…”
Though the Book of Jubilees may preserve early Jewish traditions, it is not divinely inspired and should not be used to form doctrine. The stories about Mastema are unverified, mythological, and speculative.
III. Biblical Truth About Demons and the Origin of Evil
The Bible teaches that Satan is the chief adversary and that fallen angels (demons) followed him in rebellion:
2 Peter 2:4 (NKJV):
“For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment…”
Revelation 12:4 (NKJV):
“[The dragon’s] tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth…”
The origin of demons is not explicitly detailed in the Bible, though some interpret Genesis 6:1–4 to suggest demonic involvement in corrupting humanity. However, these interpretations must be held with caution and never prioritized over clear doctrine.
IV. Jesus Christ: The Conqueror of All Evil Powers
Whether we speak of Satan, demons, or mythological beings like Mastema, the Bible is clear: Christ has triumphed over them all.
Colossians 2:15 (NKJV):
“Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.”
1 Corinthians 15:25–26 (NKJV):
“For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.”
Romans 16:20 (NKJV):
“And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.”
The power of evil—whether personified in names like Mastema, Belial, or Lucifer—has already been broken by the finished work of Jesus Christ. He is our victory, not mystical knowledge or ancient myths.
V. Final Verdict: Who Is Mastema?
From a biblical and Baptist viewpoint:
Mastema is not mentioned in Scripture and should not be treated as a real, revealed being.
He appears only in apocryphal, uninspired texts like the Book of Jubilees.
The Bible does not need elaboration with mystical demonology to be sufficient.
Jesus Christ has already defeated Satan and all demonic powers through His death and resurrection.
John 17:17 (NKJV):
“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”
2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NKJV):
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine... that the man of God may be complete…”
