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[[Image:lighterstill.jpg]][[Image:Satan.jpg|right|frame|<center>Satan, Sin, & Death-[[William Blake|by Wm.Blake]]</center>]]

 

 

'''Satan''' (Standard Hebrew '''Satan'el''', [[English]]  ''accuser'') is a term that originates from the [[Abraham]]ic religions, being traditionally applied to an [[angel]] in Judeo-Christian belief, and to a [[Genie|jinn]] in [[Islamic]] [[belief]].

'''Satan''' (Standard Hebrew '''Satan'el''', [[English]]  ''accuser'') is a term that originates from the [[Abraham]]ic religions, being traditionally applied to an [[angel]] in Judeo-Christian belief, and to a [[Genie|jinn]] in [[Islamic]] [[belief]].

==Etymology==

==Etymology==

The word 'Satan', and the Arabic ''شيطان'' "shaitan", may derive from a Northwest Semitic root ''śṭn'', meaning "to be hostile", "to accuse.[http://www.bartleby.com/61/roots/S301.html] An alternative explanation is provided by the Hebrew in |Job|1:7. When [[God]] asks him whence he has come, Satan answers: "From wandering (''mi'ŝuṭ'') the earth and walking on it" (מִשּׁוּט בָּאָרֶץ, וּמֵהִתְהַלֵּךְ בָּה). The root ''ŝuṭ'' signifies wandering on foot or sailing. 'Satan' would thus be "the Wanderer".

The word 'Satan', and the Arabic ''شيطان'' "shaitan", may derive from a Northwest Semitic root ''śṭn'', meaning "to be hostile", "to accuse.[https://www.bartleby.com/61/roots/S301.html] An alternative explanation is provided by the Hebrew in |Job|1:7. When [[God]] asks him whence he has come, Satan answers: "From wandering (''mi'ŝuṭ'') the earth and walking on it" (מִשּׁוּט בָּאָרֶץ, וּמֵהִתְהַלֵּךְ בָּה). The root ''ŝuṭ'' signifies wandering on foot or sailing. 'Satan' would thus be "the Wanderer".

'Satan' is שָׂטָן ''Satan'' in Standard Hebrew, ''Śāṭān'' in Tiberian Hebrew, סטנא ''Sāṭānā''' in Aramaic, Σατανάς ''Satanás'' in Koine Greek, شيطان ''Šeytân'' in Persian, شيطان ''Šayṭān'' in Arabic,'Sāyṭān'' in Ge'ez, ''Şeytan'' in Turkish, and شيطان  ''Shāitān'' in Urdu.

'Satan' is שָׂטָן ''Satan'' in Standard Hebrew, ''Śāṭān'' in Tiberian Hebrew, סטנא ''Sāṭānā'' in Aramaic, Σατανάς ''Satanás'' in Koine Greek, شيطان ''Šeytân'' in Persian, شيطان ''Šayṭān'' in Arabic,'Sāyṭān'' in Ge'ez, ''Şeytan'' in Turkish, and شيطان  ''Shāitān'' in Urdu.

==In Judaism==

==In Judaism==

:Yet it is also evident from the prologue that Satan has no power of independent action, but requires the permission of God, which he may not transgress. He cannot be regarded, therefore, as an opponent of the Deity; and the doctrine of monotheism is disturbed by his existence no more than by the presence of other beings before the face of God. This view is also retained in Zech. 3:1-2, where Satan is described as the adversary of the high priest [[Joshua]], and of the people of God whose representative the hierarch is; and he there opposes the 'angel of the Lord' who bids him be silent in the name of God.

:Yet it is also evident from the prologue that Satan has no power of independent action, but requires the permission of God, which he may not transgress. He cannot be regarded, therefore, as an opponent of the Deity; and the doctrine of monotheism is disturbed by his existence no more than by the presence of other beings before the face of God. This view is also retained in Zech. 3:1-2, where Satan is described as the adversary of the high priest [[Joshua]], and of the people of God whose representative the hierarch is; and he there opposes the 'angel of the Lord' who bids him be silent in the name of God.

:In both of these passages Satan acts only under permission; but in I Chron. 21:1 he appears as one who is able to provoke [[David]] to destroy Israel. The Chronicler (third century B.C.) regards Satan as an independent agent, a view which is the more striking since the source whence he drew his account (II Sam. 24:1) speaks of God Himself as the one who moved David against the children of [[Israel]]. Since the older conception refers all events, whether good or bad, to God alone, (I Sam. 16:14; I Kings 22:22; Isa. 45:7; etc) it is possible that the Chronicler, and perhaps even [[Zechariah]], were influenced by [[Zoroastrianism]], even though in the case of the prophet Jewish [[monism]] strongly opposed [[Iran]]ian [[dualism]]. [http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=270&letter=S|title=Jewish Encyclopaedia]

:In both of these passages Satan acts only under permission; but in I Chron. 21:1 he appears as one who is able to provoke [[David]] to destroy Israel. The Chronicler (third century B.C.) regards Satan as an independent agent, a view which is the more striking since the source whence he drew his account (II Sam. 24:1) speaks of God Himself as the one who moved David against the children of [[Israel]]. Since the older conception refers all events, whether good or bad, to God alone, (I Sam. 16:14; I Kings 22:22; Isa. 45:7; etc) it is possible that the Chronicler, and perhaps even [[Zechariah]], were influenced by [[Zoroastrianism]], even though in the case of the prophet Jewish [[monism]] strongly opposed [[Iran]]ian [[dualism]]. [https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=270&letter=S|title=Jewish Encyclopaedia]

===In the Talmud and other Rabbinic Sources===

===In the Talmud and other Rabbinic Sources===

==In Christianity==

==In Christianity==

In Christianity, terms that are synonymous with 'Satan' include:

In Christianity, terms that are synonymous with 'Satan' include:

* The most common English synonym for 'Satan' is 'Devil', which descends from [[Middle English]] ''devel'', from [[Old English]] ''dēofol'', that in turn represents an early Germanic borrowing of Latin ''diabolus'' (also the source of 'diabolical'). This in turn was borrowed from Greek ''diabolos'' "slanderer," from ''diaballein'' "to slander": ''dia-'' "across, through" + ''ballein'' "to hurl."[http://www.bartleby.com/61/94/D0179400.html] In the [[New Testament]], 'Satan' occurs more than thirty times in passages alongside ''Diabolos'' (Greek for "the devil"), referring to the same person or thing as Satan.

* The most common English synonym for 'Satan' is 'Devil', which descends from [[Middle English]] ''devel'', from [[Old English]] ''dēofol'', that in turn represents an early Germanic borrowing of Latin ''diabolus'' (also the source of 'diabolical'). This in turn was borrowed from Greek ''diabolos'' "slanderer," from ''diaballein'' "to slander": ''dia-'' "across, through" + ''ballein'' "to hurl."[https://www.bartleby.com/61/94/D0179400.html] In the [[New Testament]], 'Satan' occurs more than thirty times in passages alongside ''Diabolos'' (Greek for "the devil"), referring to the same person or thing as Satan.

* [[Lucifer]] is sometimes used in Christian theology to refer to Satan, as a result of identifying the fallen "son of the dawn" of Isaiah 14:12 with the "accuser" of other passages in the Old Testament.

* [[Lucifer]] is sometimes used in Christian theology to refer to Satan, as a result of identifying the fallen "son of the dawn" of Isaiah 14:12 with the "accuser" of other passages in the Old Testament.

* [[Beelzebub]] is originally the name of a [[Philistine]] god (more specifically a certain type of [[Baal]], from ''Ba‘al Zebûb'', lit. "Lord of Flies") but is also used in the New Testament as a synonym for Satan. A corrupted version, "Belzeboub," appears in [[The Divine Comedy]].

* [[Beelzebub]] is originally the name of a [[Philistine]] god (more specifically a certain type of [[Baal]], from ''Ba‘al Zebûb'', lit. "Lord of Flies") but is also used in the New Testament as a synonym for Satan. A corrupted version, "Belzeboub," appears in [[The Divine Comedy]].

* "The dragon" and "the old serpent" in the [[Book of Revelation]] 12:9, 20:2 have also been identified with Satan, as have "the prince of this world" in the [[Book of John]] 12:31, 14:30; "the prince of the power of the air" also called Meririm, and "the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience" in the [[Book of Ephesians]] 2:2; and "the god of this world" in [[2 Corinthians]] 4:4.

* "The dragon" and "the old serpent" in the [[Book of Revelation]] 12:9, 20:2 have also been identified with Satan, as have "the prince of this world" in the [[Book of John]] 12:31, 14:30; "the prince of the power of the air" also called Meririm, and "the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience" in the [[Book of Ephesians]] 2:2; and "the god of this world" in [[2 Corinthians]] 4:4.

* [[Leviathan]] is described as "that crooked serpent," which is also used to describe Satan in Revelation 12:9. 'Sar ha Olam,' a possible name for [[Metatron]], is described as Satan by [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]], [[Jehoel]] and [[Paul of Tarsus|St. Paul]].

* [[Leviathan]] is described as "that crooked serpent," which is also used to describe Satan in Revelation 12:9. 'Sar ha Olam,' a possible name for [[Metatron]], is described as Satan by [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]], [[Jehoel]] and [[Paul of Tarsus|St. Paul]].

In mainstream Christianity's understanding of the holy Hebrew scriptures, the Torah, Satan is a synonym for the Devil. For most Christians, he is believed to be an [[angel]] who rebelled against [[God]]— and also the one who spoke through the [[Helianx|serpent]] and seduced Eve into disobeying God's command. His ultimate goal is to lead people away from the love of God — to lead them to fallacies which God opposes. Satan is also identified as the accuser of [[Book of Job|Job]], the tempter in the [[Gospels]], the secret power of lawlessness in , and the dragon in the [[Book of Revelation]]. Before his alleged insurrection, Satan was among the highest of all angels and the "[[Lucifer|brightest in the sky]]." His pride is considered a reason why he would not bow to God as all other angels did, but sought to rule heaven himself. The popularly held beliefs that Satan was once a prideful angel who eventually rebels against God, however, are barely portrayed explicitly in the Bible and are mostly based on inference. Moreover, in mainstream Christianity he is called "the ruler of the demons" (Matt. 12:24), "the ruler of the world" and even "the god of this world." (2 Cor. 4:4). The Book of Revelation describes how Satan will be cast out of Heaven, down to the earth, having "great anger" and waging war against "those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of [[Jesus]]". Ultimately, Satan is thrown into the "lake of fire" , not as ruler, but as one among many, being tormented day and night for all eternity.

In mainstream Christianity's understanding of the holy Hebrew scriptures, the Torah, Satan is a synonym for the Devil. For most Christians, he is believed to be an [[angel]] who rebelled against [[God]]— and also the one who spoke through the [[Helianx|serpent]] and seduced Eve into disobeying God's command. His ultimate goal is to lead people away from the love of God — to lead them to fallacies which God opposes. Satan is also identified as the accuser of [[Book of Job|Job]], the tempter in the [[Gospels]], the secret power of lawlessness in , and the dragon in the [[Book of Revelation]]. Before his alleged insurrection, Satan was among the highest of all angels and the "[[Lucifer|brightest in the sky]]." His pride is considered a reason why he would not bow to God as all other angels did, but sought to rule heaven himself. The popularly held beliefs that Satan was once a prideful angel who eventually rebels against God, however, are barely portrayed explicitly in the Bible and are mostly based on inference. Moreover, in mainstream Christianity he is called "the ruler of the demons" (Matt. 12:24), "the ruler of the world" and even "the god of this world." (2 Cor. 4:4). The Book of Revelation describes how Satan will be cast out of Heaven, down to the earth, having "great anger" and waging war against "those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of [[Jesus]]". Ultimately, Satan is thrown into the "lake of fire" , not as ruler, but as one among many, being tormented day and night for all eternity.

''Shaitan'' (شيطان) is the equivalent of Satan in [[Islam]].

''Shaitan'' (شيطان) is the equivalent of Satan in [[Islam]].

While Shaitan (شيطان, from the root šṭn شطن) is an adjective (meaning "astray" or "distant", sometimes translated as "devil") that can be applied to both [[man]] ("al-ins", الإنس) and [[Genie|Jinn]], [[Iblis]] (pronounced|ˈibliːs) is the personal name of the Devil who is mentioned in the [[Koran|Qur'an]]ic account of [[Genesis]].[http://www.themystica.org/mystica/articles/i/iblis.html Iblis]

While Shaitan (شيطان, from the root šṭn شطن) is an adjective (meaning "astray" or "distant", sometimes translated as "devil") that can be applied to both [[man]] ("al-ins", الإنس) and [[Genie|Jinn]], [[Iblis]] (pronounced|ˈibliːs) is the personal name of the Devil who is mentioned in the [[Koran|Qur'an]]ic account of [[Genesis]].[https://www.themystica.org/mystica/articles/i/iblis.html Iblis]

Whenever the Qur'an refers to the creature who refused to prostrate before [[Adam and Eve|Adam]] at the time of the latter's creation, it refers to him as [[Iblis]]. The Islamic view of Iblis has both similarities and differences with Christian and Jewish views. The [[character]] of Satan is generally similar to the one presented in Judeo-Christian [[belief|thought]]. However, according to Islamic belief, Satan is not considered to be a 'fallen' angel, but a [[Genie|jinn]] who was among the ranks of angels due to his [[wisdom]] and piety; in Islamic belief, angels always follow God's commands, but jinns (like humans) have [[free will]], which explains why Satan was able to rebel against God's command of bowing to Adam.

Whenever the Qur'an refers to the creature who refused to prostrate before [[Adam and Eve|Adam]] at the time of the latter's creation, it refers to him as [[Iblis]]. The Islamic view of Iblis has both similarities and differences with Christian and Jewish views. The [[character]] of Satan is generally similar to the one presented in Judeo-Christian [[belief|thought]]. However, according to Islamic belief, Satan is not considered to be a 'fallen' angel, but a [[Genie|jinn]] who was among the ranks of angels due to his [[wisdom]] and piety; in Islamic belief, angels always follow God's commands, but jinns (like humans) have [[free will]], which explains why Satan was able to rebel against God's command of bowing to Adam.

===Yazidism===

===Yazidism===

An alternate name for the main deity in the tentatively Indo-European pantheon of the [[Yazidi]], Malek Taus, is Shaitan.[http://www.avesta.org/yezidi/peacock.htm]</ref>

An alternate name for the main deity in the tentatively Indo-European pantheon of the [[Yazidi]], Malek Taus, is Shaitan.[https://www.avesta.org/yezidi/peacock.htm]</ref>

===In the Bahá'í Faith===

===In the Bahá'í Faith===

In the [[Bahá'í Faith]], 'Satan' is not regarded as an independent evil power as he is in some faiths, but signifies the "base nature" of humans. [[`Abdu'l-Bahá]] explains: "This lower nature in man is symbolized as Satan -- the evil ego within us, not an evil personality outside." [http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/ab/PUP/pup-96.html]

In the [[Bahá'í Faith]], 'Satan' is not regarded as an independent evil power as he is in some faiths, but signifies the "base nature" of humans. [[`Abdu'l-Bahá]] explains: "This lower nature in man is symbolized as Satan -- the evil ego within us, not an evil personality outside." [https://reference.bahai.org/en/t/ab/PUP/pup-96.html]

==Images of Satan==

==Images of Satan==

For three hundred thousand years Caligastia had been in charge of Urantia when '''Satan''', ''Lucifer's assistant'', made one of his periodic inspection calls. And when Satan arrived on the planet, his appearance in no way resembled your caricatures of his nefarious majesty. He was, and still is, a [[Lanonandek]] Son of great brilliance. "And no marvel, for Satan himself is a brilliant creature of [[light]]."

For three hundred thousand years Caligastia had been in charge of Urantia when '''Satan''', ''Lucifer's assistant'', made one of his periodic inspection calls. And when Satan arrived on the planet, his appearance in no way resembled your caricatures of his nefarious majesty. He was, and still is, a [[Lanonandek]] Son of great brilliance. "And no marvel, for Satan himself is a brilliant creature of [[light]]."

In the course of this inspection Satan informed [[Caligastia]] of [[Lucifer]]'s then proposed "Declaration of Liberty," and as we now know, the Prince agreed to betray the planet upon the announcement of the [[Lucifer Rebellion|rebellion]]. The loyal universe personalities look with peculiar disdain upon Prince Caligastia because of this premeditated betrayal of trust. The [[Creator Son]] voiced this contempt when he said: "You are like your leader, Lucifer, and you have sinfully perpetuated his iniquity. He was a falsifier from the beginning of his self-exaltation because he abode not in the [[truth]]."

In the course of this inspection Satan informed [[Caligastia]] of [[Lucifer]]'s then proposed "Declaration of Liberty," and as we now know, the Prince agreed to betray the planet upon the announcement of the [[Lucifer Rebellion|rebellion]]. The loyal universe personalities look with peculiar disdain upon Prince Caligastia because of this premeditated betrayal of trust. The [[Creator Son]] voiced this contempt when he said: "You are like your leader, [[Lucifer]], and you have sinfully perpetuated his iniquity. He was a falsifier from the beginning of his self-exaltation because he abode not in the [[truth]]."

 

 

==References==

==References==

===Notes===

===Notes===

#"American Heritage Dictionary: Semitic roots: sn". http://www.bartleby.com/61/roots/S301.html. Retrieved on 2006-05-31.  

#"American Heritage Dictionary: Semitic roots: sn". https://www.bartleby.com/61/roots/S301.html. Retrieved on 2006-05-31.  

# "But by the envy of the devil, death came into the world" - Book of Wisdom II. 24

# "But by the envy of the devil, death came into the world" - Book of Wisdom II. 24

#2 Enoch 18:3

#2 Enoch 18:3

#Book of Jubilees, xvii. 18

#Book of Jubilees, xvii. 18

#The Dictionary of Angels" by Gustav Davidson, © 1967

#The Dictionary of Angels" by Gustav Davidson, © 1967

#"Jewish Encyclopaedia". http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=270&letter=S.  

#"Jewish Encyclopaedia". https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=270&letter=S.  

# "American Heritage Dictionary: Devil". http://www.bartleby.com/61/94/D0179400.html. Retrieved on 2006-05-31.  

# "American Heritage Dictionary: Devil". https://www.bartleby.com/61/94/D0179400.html. Retrieved on 2006-05-31.  

# Revelation 12:9

# Revelation 12:9

#2 Corinthians 2:2

#2 Corinthians 2:2

#"Do you Believe in a Devil? He is a saint.". http://www.christadelphia.org/pamphlet/devil.htm. Retrieved on 2007-05-29.  

#"Do you Believe in a Devil? He is a saint.". https://www.christadelphia.org/pamphlet/devil.htm. Retrieved on 2007-05-29.  

#Iblis

#Iblis

# Qur'an 17:61; Qur'an 2:34

# Qur'an 17:61; Qur'an 2:34

==External links==

==External links==

* [http://www.churchofsatan.com/ Church Of Satan]

* [https://www.churchofsatan.com/ Church Of Satan]

* [http://www.thebaptist.org/Lucifer.htm Lucifer - Know His Devices] a Baptist Christian perspective

* [https://www.thebaptist.org/Lucifer.htm Lucifer - Know His Devices] a Baptist Christian perspective

* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04764a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia]

* [https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04764a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia]

* [http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=270&letter=S&search=Satan Jewish Encyclopedia]

* [https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=270&letter=S&search=Satan Jewish Encyclopedia]

* [http://www.secweb.org/index.aspx?action=viewAsset&id=310 Internet Infidels - The Implausibility of Satan] by Paul Doland

* [https://www.secweb.org/index.aspx?action=viewAsset&id=310 Internet Infidels - The Implausibility of Satan] by Paul Doland

* [http://www.sacred-texts.org Sacred Texts site] hosts texts--scriptures, literature and scholarly works--on Satan, Satanism and related religious matters

* [https://www.sacred-texts.org Sacred Texts site] hosts texts--scriptures, literature and scholarly works--on Satan, Satanism and related religious matters

* [http://knol.google.com/k/lev-regelson/satan-and-antichrist/1i7aar4mqflvt/8#.htm Bible Texts about Satan a. Antichrist]

* [https://knol.google.com/k/lev-regelson/satan-and-antichrist/1i7aar4mqflvt/8#.htm Bible Texts about Satan a. Antichrist]

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: Mythology]]

[[Category: Mythology]]

[[Category: Religion

[[Category: Religion]]