Meaning of Satan (What is, Concept and Definition) - Meanings

Meaning of Satan

What is Satan:

The word Satan comes from the Hebrew satán, which means 'enemy', 'opponent' or 'adversary'. It does not necessarily refer to a character, but to what is associated with evil and temptation, that is, to what separates the person from the spiritual path, which hinders good and which is openly opposed to it.

According to some scholars, the belief in the duality between good and evil comes from the Persian culture, more specifically from the teachings of Zarathustra, the precursor of monotheism. In this way, the belief in an "adversary of God" or "satan" would have come to Jewish culture. Consequently, Satan is referred to in the books of all three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Although the term does not originally allude to a character, in tradition Satan is personified and associated with Lucifer, the fallen angel who claimed to be God. Both voices are identified with the devil. Devil comes from the Greek word diabolos, itself formed from the particles dia, meaning 'through', and ballein, meaning 'throwing or hurling'. Together, these particles take on the meaning of 'he who divides', 'he who separates' and finally 'he who slanders'.

Satan also appears personified in the book of Job, one of the wisdom books of the Old Testament. In this book, Satan acts as an accusing angel of men. Thus, he makes a deal with Yahweh to allow him to tempt them and prove his spiritual worthlessness. Convinced that he will win, God allows him to tempt Job, who is victorious.

The tendency to personify Satan is sharpened by the interpretations of the New Testament. In this book, he is referred to as "prince of this world" or "enemy of Christ" on several occasions, which reinforces the image of Satan as a being with will, that is, a person or character.

Difference between Satan and demon

Some interpretations have tended to confuse Satan with the notion of a demon, from which he absolutely differs. This fact derives from the Gospel narratives in which Jesus frees the sick from “demons”. However, they are not equivalent concepts.

The word demon comes from the Greek daimon, which means 'genius' or 'un-personified spirit '. In ancient thought, it was believed that people could be taken by this genius or spirit and act according to the behavior that is instilled in them. Such a spirit could be malignant or benign indistinctly.

 

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