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Grafted Biblical Concept · Concept

Satan

שָׂטָן · SatanΣατανᾶς · Satanâs · G4567

Satan means adversary or accuser. In some Hebrew Bible contexts the term can describe a human or angelic adversary, while in later biblical usage it becomes a title for the principal spiritual opponent of God and His people.

44 Scripture references3 lexical sources10 supporting resources

Primary Study

Grafted Bible Dictionary

Definition

Satan means adversary or accuser.
In some Hebrew Bible contexts the term can describe a human or angelic adversary, while in later biblical usage it becomes a title for the principal spiritual opponent of God and His people.

Hebrew Bible

The term appears in varying ways.
Important passages include:
• Numbers 22:22
• Job 1–2
• Zechariah 3:1–2
• 1 Chronicles 21:1
In Job and Zechariah, "the satan" functions as an accuser.

New Testament

Satan appears as the personal adversary who:
• tempts Yeshua
• opposes God's Kingdom
• deceives
• accuses
• seeks to destroy
See:
• Matthew 4
• Mark 4:15
• Luke 22:31
• John 8:44
• 1 Peter 5:8

Revelation

Revelation 12 identifies Satan with:
• the dragon
• the ancient serpent
• the Devil
• the deceiver of the whole world

Final Defeat

Revelation 20 portrays Satan's ultimate defeat in the lake of fire.
Editorial source: Grafted Bible Dictionary · Entry 123

Hebrew and Greek Word Study

Greek Word Study

Σατανᾶς

Satanâs · G4567

Original Word
Σατανᾶς
Transliteration
Satanâs
Strong’s
G4567
Part of Speech
N:N--T

Hebrew Source

שָׂטָן · Satan

Unified Lexical Definition

Σατανᾶς, -ᾶ (so also Sir 21:30, but in 3Ki.11:14, σατάν indecl.; Heb. שָׂטָן; Aram. סָטָנָא, whence the inflected Gk. form), ό, Satan (i.e. the adversary, as in LXX, ll. with): Mat.4:10 12:26, Mrk.1:13 3:23, 26 4:15 Luk.10:18 11:18 13:16 22:3, 31, Jhn.13:27, Act.5:3 26:18, Rom.16:20, 1Co.5:5 7:5, 2Co.2:11 11:14, 1Th.2:18, 2Th.2:9, 1Ti.1:20 5:15, Rev.2:9, 13 2:24 3:9 12:9 20:2, 7; addressed in person of Peter, Mat.16:23 Mrk.8:33; ἄγγελος Σατανᾶ, 2Co.12:7.† (AS) an adversary, opponent, enemy, perhaps, Mat. 16.23. Mar. 8.33. Lu. 4.8; elsewhere, Satan, the devil, Mat. 4.10. Mar. 1.13, et al.

Related Words

G4567primary lemma

Lexical Sources

TBESGSTEPBible TBESG (based primarily on Abbott-Smith)

Σατανᾶς, -ᾶ (so also Sir 21:30, but in 3Ki.11:14, σατάν indecl.; Heb. שָׂטָן; Aram. סָטָנָא, whence the inflected Gk. form), ό, Satan (i.e. the adversary, as in LXX, ll. with): Mat.4:10 12:26, Mrk.1:13 3:23, 26 4:15 Luk.10:18 11:18 13:16 22:3, 31, Jhn.13:27, Act.5:3 26:18, Rom.16:20, 1Co.5:5 7:5, 2Co.2:11 11:14, 1Th.2:18, 2Th.2:9, 1Ti.1:20 5:15, Rev.2:9, 13 2:24 3:9 12:9 20:2, 7; addressed in person of Peter, Mat.16:23 Mrk.8:33; ἄγγελος Σατανᾶ, 2Co.12:7.† (AS)

Lemma
Σατανᾶς
Inflection
Indeclinable
Meaning
Satan
View original lexicon entry
{
    "type": "abbott-smith",
    "slug": "h7854",
    "title": "Σατανᾶς",
    "source": "STEPBible TBESG (based primarily on Abbott-Smith)",
    "strong": "G4567",
    "language": "greek",
    "lemma": "Σατανᾶς",
    "transliteration": "Satanas",
    "pronunciation": "",
    "part_of_speech": "N:N--T",
    "meaning": "",
    "description": "",
    "definition": "Σατανᾶς, -ᾶ (so also Sir 21:30, but in 3Ki.11:14, σατάν indecl.; Heb. שָׂטָן; Aram. סָטָנָא, whence the inflected Gk. form), ό, Satan (i.e. the adversary, as in LXX, ll. with): Mat.4:10 12:26, Mrk.1:13 3:23, 26 4:15 Luk.10:18 11:18 13:16 22:3, 31, Jhn.13:27, Act.5:3 26:18, Rom.16:20, 1Co.5:5 7:5, 2Co.2:11 11:14, 1Th.2:18, 2Th.2:9, 1Ti.1:20 5:15, Rev.2:9, 13 2:24 3:9 12:9 20:2, 7; addressed in person of Peter, Mat.16:23 Mrk.8:33; ἄγγελος Σατανᾶ, 2Co.12:7.† (AS)",
    "glosses": [
        "Satan"
    ],
    "lexical_summary": [],
    "exhaustive_concordance": [],
    "brown_driver_briggs": [],
    "topical_lexicon": [],
    "occurrences": [],
    "references": [
        {
            "osis": "Sir.21.30",
            "display": "Sir 21:30"
        },
        {
            "osis": "1Ki.11.14",
            "display": "3Ki.11:14"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Mat.4.10; 12.26",
            "display": "Mat.4:10 12:26"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Mrk.1.13; 3.23, 26; 4.15",
            "display": "Mrk.1:13 3:23, 26 4:15"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Luk.10.18; 11.18; 13.16; 22.3, 31",
            "display": "Luk.10:18 11:18 13:16 22:3, 31"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Jhn.13.27",
            "display": "Jhn.13:27"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Act.5.3; 26.18",
            "display": "Act.5:3 26:18"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Rom.16.20",
            "display": "Rom.16:20"
        },
        {
            "osis": "1Co.5.5; 7.5",
            "display": "1Co.5:5 7:5"
        },
        {
            "osis": "2Co.2.11; 11.14",
            "display": "2Co.2:11 11:14"
        },
        {
            "osis": "1Th.2.18",
            "display": "1Th.2:18"
        },
        {
            "osis": "2Th.2.9",
            "display": "2Th.2:9"
        },
        {
            "osis": "1Ti.1.20; 5.15",
            "display": "1Ti.1:20 5:15"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Rev.2.9, 13; 2.24; 3.9; 12.9; 20.2, 7",
            "display": "Rev.2:9, 13 2:24 3:9 12:9 20:2, 7"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Mat.16.23",
            "display": "Mat.16:23"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Mrk.8.33",
            "display": "Mrk.8:33"
        },
        {
            "osis": "2Co.12.7.",
            "display": "2Co.12:7."
        }
    ],
    "occurrence_count": 36,
    "url": "bible/greek/h7854",
    "source_url": "https://github.com/openscriptures/strongs",
    "source_license": "CC BY-SA"
}
A GREEK-ENGLISH LEXICOA Greek-English Lexicon to the New Testament

an adversary, opponent, enemy, perhaps, Mat. 16.23. Mar. 8.33. Lu. 4.8; elsewhere, Satan, the devil, Mat. 4.10. Mar. 1.13, et al.

View original lexicon entry
{
    "type": "greenfield",
    "slug": "greenfield-2be63cc4c2ae",
    "title": "Σατανᾶς",
    "source": "A Greek-English Lexicon to the New Testament",
    "strong": "G4567",
    "language": "greek",
    "lemma": "Σατανᾶς",
    "transliteration": "Satanâs",
    "pronunciation": "",
    "part_of_speech": "",
    "meaning": "",
    "description": "",
    "definition": "an adversary, opponent, enemy, perhaps, Mat. 16.23. Mar. 8.33. Lu. 4.8; elsewhere, Satan, the devil, Mat. 4.10. Mar. 1.13, et al.",
    "glosses": [
        "Satan"
    ],
    "lexical_summary": [],
    "exhaustive_concordance": [],
    "brown_driver_briggs": [],
    "topical_lexicon": [],
    "occurrences": [],
    "references": [],
    "occurrence_count": 36,
    "url": "bible/greenfield/greenfield-2be63cc4c2ae",
    "source_url": "https://github.com/openscriptures/strongs",
    "source_license": "CC BY-SA"
}
STRONG'SStrong’s Hebrew and Greek Lexicon

the accuser, i.e. the devil

View original lexicon entry
{
    "type": "strongs-lexicon",
    "slug": "",
    "title": "Σατανᾶς",
    "source": "[object Object]",
    "strong": "G4567",
    "language": "greek",
    "lemma": "Σατανᾶς",
    "transliteration": "Satanâs",
    "pronunciation": "",
    "part_of_speech": "",
    "meaning": "",
    "description": "",
    "definition": "the accuser, i.e. the devil",
    "glosses": [
        "Satan"
    ],
    "lexical_summary": [],
    "exhaustive_concordance": [],
    "brown_driver_briggs": [],
    "topical_lexicon": [],
    "occurrences": [],
    "references": [],
    "occurrence_count": 36,
    "url": "",
    "source_url": "https://github.com/openscriptures/strongs",
    "source_license": "CC BY-SA"
}

New Testament Usage

36 occurrences

First listed reference: Sir.21.30

View All Greek Occurrences

Sources: STEPBible TBESG (based primarily on Abbott-Smith) · A Greek-English Lexicon to the New Testament · Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Lexicon

Biblical Usage

Concordance and Scripture Usage

33Exact Lemma11Translation Match64Conceptual Relationship
Writings / Wisdom · 11
Job 1:6Translation MatchJob 1:7Translation MatchJob 1:8Translation MatchJob 1:9Translation MatchJob 1:12Translation MatchJob 2:1Translation MatchJob 2:2Translation MatchJob 2:3Translation MatchJob 2:4Translation MatchJob 2:6Translation MatchJob 2:7Translation Match
Gospels · 14
Matthew 4:10Exact LemmaMatthew 12:26Exact LemmaMatthew 16:23Exact LemmaMark 1:13Exact LemmaMark 3:23Exact LemmaMark 3:26Exact LemmaMark 4:15Exact LemmaMark 8:33Exact LemmaLuke 10:18Exact LemmaLuke 11:18Exact LemmaLuke 13:16Exact LemmaLuke 22:3Exact LemmaLuke 22:31Exact LemmaJohn 13:27Exact Lemma
Acts · 2
Acts 5:3Exact LemmaActs 26:18Exact Lemma
Epistles · 10
Romans 16:20Exact Lemma1 Corinthians 5:5Exact Lemma1 Corinthians 7:5Exact Lemma2 Corinthians 2:11Exact Lemma2 Corinthians 11:14Exact Lemma2 Corinthians 12:7Exact Lemma1 Thessalonians 2:18Exact Lemma2 Thessalonians 2:9Exact Lemma1 Timothy 1:20Exact Lemma1 Timothy 5:15Exact Lemma
Revelation · 7
Revelation 2:9Exact LemmaRevelation 2:13Exact LemmaRevelation 2:24Exact LemmaRevelation 3:9Exact LemmaRevelation 12:9Exact LemmaRevelation 20:2Exact LemmaRevelation 20:7Exact Lemma

Reference Works

Bible Dictionary, Encyclopedia, and Names

Unified Dictionary Summary

Satan means adversary or accuser. In some Hebrew Bible contexts the term can describe a human or angelic adversary, while in later biblical usage it becomes a title for the principal spiritual opponent of God and His people.

Hitchcock’s Bible Names Dictionary (1869)
contrary; adversary; enemy; accuser

Sources: Hitchcock’s Bible Names Dictionary (1869)

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SATAN

Nave’s Topical Bible references for SATAN.

Accuser

Satan is styled the "accuser of the brethren" (Rev. 12:10. Comp. Job 1:6; Zech. 3:1), as seeking to uphold his influence among men by bringing false charges against Christians, with the view of weakening their influence and injuring the cause with which they are identified. He was regarded by the Jews as the accuser of men before God, laying to their charge the violations of the law of which they were guilty, and demanding their punishment. The same Greek word, rendered "accuser," is found in John 8:10 (but omitted in the Revised Version); Acts 23:30, 35; 24:8; 25:16, 18, in all of which places it is used of one who brings a charge against another.

Adversary

(Heb. satan), an opponent or foe (1 Kings 5:4; 11:14, 23, 25; Luke 13:17); one that speaks against another, a complainant (Matt. 5:25; Luke 12:58); an enemy (Luke 18:3), and specially the devil (1 Pet. 5:8).

Michael

Who is like God? (1.) The title given to one of the chief angels (Dan. 10:13, 21; 12:1). He had special charge of Israel as a nation. He disputed with Satan (Jude 1:9) about the body of Moses. He is also represented as warning against "that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world" (Rev. 12:7-9). (2.) The father of Sethur, the spy selected to represent Asher (Num. 13:13). (3.) 1 Chr. 7:3, a chief of the tribe of Issachar. (4.) 1 Chr. 8:16, a Benjamite. (5.) A chief Gadite in Bashan (1 Chr. 5:13). (6.) A Manassite, "a captain of thousands" who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chr. 12:20). (7.) A Gershonite Levite (1 Chr. 6:40). (8.) The father of Omri (1 Chr. 27:18). (9.) One of the sons of king Jehoshaphat (2 Chr. 21:2, 4). He was murdered by his brother Jehoram.

Satan

contrary; adversary; enemy; accuser

Temptation

(1.) Trial; a being put to the test. Thus God "tempted [Gen. 22: 1; R.V., did prove'] Abraham;" and afflictions are said to tempt, i.e., to try, men (James 1:2, 12; comp. Deut. 8:2), putting their faith and patience to the test. (2.) Ordinarily, however, the word means solicitation to that which is evil, and hence Satan is called "the tempter" (Matt. 4:3). Our Lord was in this way tempted in the wilderness. That temptation was not internal, but by a real, active, subtle being. It was not self-sought. It was submitted to as an act of obedience on his part. "Christ was led, driven. An unseen personal force bore him a certain violence is implied in the words" (Matt. 4:1-11). The scene of the temptation of our Lord is generally supposed to have been the mountain of Quarantania (q.v.), "a high and precipitous wall of rock, 1,200 or 1,500 feet above the plain west of Jordan, near Jericho." Temptation is common to all (Dan. 12:10; Zech. 13:9; Ps. 66:10; Luke 22:31, 40; Heb. 11:17; James 1:12; 1 Pet. 1:7; 4:12). We read of the temptation of Joseph (Gen. 39), of David (2 Sam. 24; 1 Chr. 21), of Hezekiah (2 Chr. 32:31), of Daniel (Dan. 6), etc. So long as we are in this world we are exposed to temptations, and need ever to be on our watch against them.

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