L.Ray Smith is incorrect in stating that the Hebrew word "hillel" from which the name Lucifer is derived means "howl." To be clear, Lucifer does not come from "hillel." Rather, it comes from the Latin Vulgate which was an early Latin translation of the Bible. In Latin the word Lucifer means "the morning star" and is a reference to the planet Venus. Lucifer was chosen by Jerome, who was also called Eusebius, as a corresponding word to the Hebrew "hillel." So the question to be considered is whether Jerome's choice of the Latin Lucifer is accurate, conveying what was intended by the Hebrew word "hillel."

Strong's Concordance lists the Hebrew word "hillel" as number 1966 "from OT:1984 (in the sense of brightness); the morning-star." So we have to look at the root word, number 1984, to see the full range of meaning of the root of this word. Strong's number 1966, this particular variant of hillel, occurs only one time in the Bible in the passage where we find it rendered as Lucifer. However, the root, 1984, occurs 165 times.

OT:1984
halal (haw-lal'); a primitive root; to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to celebrate; also to stultify:

KJV – (make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool (-ish, -ly), glory, give [light], be (make, feignself) mad (against), give in marriage, [sing, be worthy of] praise, rage, renowned, shine.

Although Strong lists some meanings of this word that are related to the word "howl," such as "to rave," we also see that it means "to shine." This word is used in the following Scripture verses.

Job 29:3
When his candle "shined" upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness…

Job 31:26
If I beheld the sun when it "shined," or the moon walking in brightness…

It is apparent that the word "howl" would not be appropriate here. The sense of shining is what is indicated. I believe Jerome also chose the correct meaning when he understood the Hebrew word "hillel" to be referring to "light" and something that "shines." Satan was formerly an angel of "light" and he continues to masquerade as one to this day (II Corinthians 11:14).

Thank you for writing. I am familiar with L. Ray Smith's views on Satan/Lucifer. About 8 years ago I wrote an article titled "The Origin of Sin and Satan." That article looks at the teaching being set forth by Mr. Smith and others, presenting a refutation of their beliefs. You can find the article at the following link:

The Origin of Sin and Satan