My Thoughts on Isaiah 14:12 and the Word "Lucifer"

Perhaps one reason why I love the King James Version (KJV) the most is because of the way it's translated. One of the translations is where Satan in Isaiah 14:12 (whose context is a parable against the King of Babylon) is called Lucifer. The context was that a haughty king is compared to Satan. Later, the King of Tyre was also compared to Satan in Ezekiel 28:14. Later translations would use words like "morning star". Any older copy of the KJV would have a marginal note calling Satan "Day-Star". The word Lucifer is the Latin word for morning star or light bringing. The modern translations (such as the NIV) use the word "morning star" though I prefer the word "Lucifer" to make a distinction.

Apparently, calling Satan a "morning star" in the modern versions is still a correct translation. Before one says that the modern versions are allegedly denying the fall of Lucifer - we need to see that Jesus and Satan are also compared to lions. Satan is the devouring lion (1 Peter 5:8). Jesus is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5). Revelation 22:16 says Jesus is the "bright and morning star". Isaiah 14:12 simply calls Satan a morning star, not the morning star. Though the word Lucifer seems to lessen the confusion between Jesus the Bright and Morning Star and Satan who is just another morning star. 

The KJV doesn't only use the term "morning star" to refer to Jesus. Job 38:7 also has the morning stars all sang together and the sons of God shouted for joy. I guess the KJV translators used the Latin word "Lucifer" to actually make Satan more recognizable from Jesus, the Bright and Morning Star, and the other stars in Job 38:7. Yet, the marginal notes (or footnotes) still have Satan called Day Star or Morning Star in Isaiah 14:12. I believe the KJV translators' insertion of the Latin word "Lucifer" was actually a good attempt to distinguish Satan (just another morning star) from Jesus the Bright and Morning Star. It makes it much less confusing to use Lucifer instead of morning star or Day Star in reference to Satan in Isaiah 14:12. 

The Hebrew word for Lucifer is heylel which is also defined as morning star. The Brown-Driver-Briggs' Definition calls it as shining one, morning, star, and Lucifer. Satan is taken from the Hebrew word Sawtawn. The Greek for Satan is Satanas which is used for other languages. Both Sawtawn and Satanas mean adversary or enemy or one who withstands. Satan is described as a heylel or a morning star because of a previous occupation he had. The New Testament also warns in 2 Corinthians 11:14 that Satan can also appear as an angel of light. Hence, the translation of Lucifer as Day-Star or Morning Star in the newer translations doesn't contradict with Jesus as the Bright and Morning Star - something Lucifer isn't!