Satan 27694 226178091 2008-07-17T04:47:49Z JuJube 382593 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/12.203.119.213|12.203.119.213]] ([[User talk:12.203.119.213|talk]]) to last version by Nsaa {{twootheruses|the concept of Satan|the concept of "devil"|Devil}} [[Image:GustaveDoreParadiseLostSatanProfile.jpg|260px|thumb|[[Gustave Doré]]'s depiction of Satan from [[John Milton]]'s ''[[Paradise Lost]]''.]] '''Satan''' is a term that originates from the [[Abrahamic faiths]], being traditionally applied to an [[angel]] in Judeo-Christian belief, and to a [[Genie|jinn]] in [[Islamic]] belief. While Hebrew ha-Satan is "the accuser" and Satan itself means "to overcome" &mdash; the one who challenged the religious faith of humans in the books of [[Book of Job|Job]] and [[Book of Zechariah|Zechariah]] &mdash; Abrahamic religious belief systems other than [[Judaism]] relate this term to a [[demon]], a rebellious [[fallen angel]], [[devil]], minor god and [[idolatry|idol]], or as an allegory for [[knowledge]]. ==Etymology== [[Image:Codex Gigas devil.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Satan]] as seen in [[Codex Gigas]].]] The word 'Satan', and the [[Arabic]] ''شيطان'' "shaitan", may derive from a Northwest Semitic root ''{{unicode|śṭn}}'', meaning "to be hostile", "to accuse."<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.bartleby.com/61/roots/S301.html| title=American Heritage® Dictionary: Semitic roots: sn| accessdate=2006-05-31}}</ref> An alternative explanation is provided by the Hebrew in {{bibleverse||Job|1:7|HE}}. When [[God]] asks him whence he has come, Satan answers: "From wandering (''{{unicode|mi'ŝuṭ}}'') the earth and walking on it" (מִשּׁוּט בָּאָרֶץ, וּמֵהִתְהַלֵּךְ בָּה). The root ''{{unicode|ŝuṭ}}'' signifies wandering on foot or sailing. 'Satan' would thus be "the Wanderer". 'Satan' is {{unicode|שָׂטָן}} ''Satan'' in [[Standard Hebrew]], ''{{unicode|Śāṭān}}'' in [[Tiberian Hebrew]], {{unicode|סטנא}} ''{{unicode|Saṭänä}}'' in [[Aramaic language|Aramaic]], Σατανάς ''Satanás'' in [[Koine Greek]], {{unicode|شيطان}} ''{{unicode|Šeytân}}'' in [[Persian language|Persian]], {{unicode|شيطان}} ''{{unicode|Šayṭān}}'' in [[Arabic language|Arabic]], {{unicode|ሳይጣን}} ''{{Unicode|Sāyṭān}}'' in [[Ge'ez alphabet|Ge'ez]], ''{{unicode|Şeytan}}'' in [[Turkish language|Turkish]], and {{unicode|شيطان}} ''{{unicode|Shāitān}}'' in [[Urdu language|Urdu]]. ==Appearance== {{seealso|Baphomet}} Satan has many appearances, depending on the source. Satan is often depicted with horns protruding from his head. This is derived from the [[Pagan]] celebrations in which they often would don [[antlers]]. As [[Christians]] believed Pagans to be unholy, they are believed to have used the Pagan depiction of the [[Horned God]] to form their portrayal of Satan.<ref name="Triumph">{{cite book |last=Hutton |first=Ronald |authorlink=Ronald Hutton |title=The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft |isbn=0192854496}}</ref> Many people connect the term Satan with the more goat-like appearance of the devil, with cloven hooves, goat legs, and horns. This image of Satan may be related to the notion of the [[Satyr]], a half-man/half-goat in [[Greek Mythology]], but evidence for this connection is lacking. The name Satan can be used to describe all forms of the devil. For example, people may believe that Satan is invisible, that he resembles the [[Minotaur]], that he is a small devilish spirit, or that he looks like a man. The human-like form is the one most commonly known as [[Mephistopheles]]. In many descriptions, he looks like a dark [[angel]]. He is typically depicted with horns, a pointed tail, bat-like wings, and a staff or trident. In the biblical [[Book of Revelation]], he is symbolized as a dragon and that ancient serpent called the devil. He is also portrayed as having a deceptive appearance as well in 2 Corinthians 11:14b "for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light." ==In Judaism== ===In the Hebrew Apocrypha=== [[The Apocrypha]] are religious writings which are not generally accepted as scripture by many mainstream sects of [[Christianity]] and [[Judaism]]. These works usually bore the names of ancient Hebrew worthies in order to establish their validity among the true writers' contemporaries. To reconcile the late appearance of the texts with their claims to primitive antiquity, alleged authors are represented as "shutting up and sealing" (Dan. XII. 4:9) the works until the time of their fulfillment had arrived; as the texts were not meant for their own generations but for far-distant ages (also cited in [[Assumption of Moses]] I. 16:17). In the [[Book of Wisdom]], the devil is represented as the being who brought death into the world.<ref>"But by the envy of the devil, death came into the world" - Book of Wisdom II. 24</ref> The 2nd Book of Enoch, also called the [[2 Enoch|Slavonic Book of Enoch]], contains references to a Watcher [[Grigori]] called Satanael.<ref>[[2 Enoch]] 18:3</ref> It is a [[pseudepigraphic]] text of an uncertain date and unknown authorship. The text describes Satanael as being the prince of the Grigori who was cast out of heaven<ref>"And I threw him out from the height with his angels, and he was flying in the air continuously above the bottomless" - [[2 Enoch]] 29:4</ref> and an evil spirit who knew the difference between what was "righteous" and "sinful".<ref>"The devil is the evil spirit of the lower places, as a fugitive he made Sotona from the heavens as his name was Satanail, thus he became different from the angels, but his nature did not change his intelligence as far as his understanding of righteous and sinful things" - [[2 Enoch]] 31:4</ref> A similar story is found in the book of [[1 Enoch]]; however, in that book, the leader of the Grigori is called [[Samyaza|Semjâzâ]]. In the apocryphal literature, Satan rules over a host of angels.<ref>''[[Martyrdom of Isaiah]]'', 2:2; ''[[Vita Adæ et Evæ]]'', 16)</ref> [[Mastema]], who induced God to test Abraham through the sacrifice of Isaac, is identical with Satan in both name and nature.<ref>[[Book of Jubilees]], xvii. 18</ref> For the [[Chasidic Jew]]s of the eighteenth century, Ha-satan was ''Baal Davar''.<ref>The Dictionary of Angels" by Gustav Davidson, © 1967</ref> ===As the "accuser"=== Where Satan does appear in the Bible as a member of God's court, he plays the role of the Accuser, much like a prosecuting attorney for God and is sometimes viewed as the "pitcher" while God is the "catcher" in a game on baseball, metaphorically. According to the article on 'Satan' in the [[Jewish Encyclopedia]], Satan's role as the accuser is found: {{cquote|in the prologue to the Book of Job, where Satan appears, together with other celestial beings or 'sons of God,' before the Deity, replying to the inquiry of God as to whence he had come, with the words: 'From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.' (Job 1:7) Both question and answer, as well as the dialogue which follows, characterize Satan as that member of the divine council who watches over human activity, but with the evil purpose of searching out men's sins and appearing as their accuser. He is, therefore, the celestial prosecutor, lawyer who sees only iniquity; for he persists in his evil opinion of Job even after the man of Uz has passed successfully through his first trial by surrendering to the will of God, whereupon Satan demands another test through physical suffering. (ib. ii. 3-5.)}} {{cquote|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.}} {{cquote|In both of these passages Satan is a mere accuser who acts only according to the permission of the Deity; 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 (Hebrew prophet)|Zechariah]], were influenced by [[Zoroastrianism]], even though in the case of the prophet Jewish [[monism]] strongly opposed [[Iran]]ian [[dualism]]. (Stave, ''Einfluss des Parsismus auf das Judenthum,'' pp. 253 et seq.) An immediate influence of the Babylonian concept of the 'accuser, persecutor, and oppressor' (Schrader, ''K. A. T.'' 3d ed., p. 463) is impossible, since traces of such an influence, if it had existed, would have appeared in the earlier portions of the Bible."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=270&letter=S|title=Jewish Encyclopaedia}}</ref>}} ==In Christianity== {{main|Devil in Christianity}} {{seealso|War of Heaven}} 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 languages|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."<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.bartleby.com/61/94/D0179400.html| title=American Heritage® Dictionary: Devil| accessdate=2006-05-31}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{bibleverse||Revelation|12:9}}</ref> * [[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]]. * "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.<ref>{{bibleverse|2|Corinthians|2:2}}</ref> * [[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]]. [[Image:Gustave Dore Inferno34.jpg|thumb|left|235px|Satan as depicted in [[Cocytus|the Ninth Circle of Hell]] in [[Dante Alighieri]]'s ''[[Divine Comedy|Inferno]]'', illustrated by [[Gustave Doré]].]] 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 [[serpent (symbolism)|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 {{bibleverse|2|Thessalonians|2:7}}, 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" ({{bibleref|Revelation|20:10}}), not as ruler, but as one among many, being tormented day and night for all eternity. In other, non-mainstream, Christian beliefs (e.g. the beliefs of the [[Devil in Christianity#Christadelphians|Christadelphians]]) the word "satan" in the Bible is not regarded as referring to a supernatural, personal being but to any 'adversary' and figuratively refers to human sin and temptation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.christadelphia.org/pamphlet/devil.htm |title=Do you Believe in a Devil? |accessdate=2007-05-29 }}</ref> ==In Islam== {{main|Shaitan|Iblis}} ''Shaitan'' (شيطان) is the equivalent of Satan in [[Islam]]. While Shaitan (شيطان, from the root {{unicode|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 [[Qur'an]]ic account of [[Genesis]].<ref>[http://www.themystica.org/mystica/articles/i/iblis.html Iblis<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> 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 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<ref>{{quran-usc|17|61}}; {{quran-usc|2|34}}</ref>. ==Other instances of Satan== Although some other faiths may have an evil figure or entity ''likened'' to Satan (see [[Devil]]), few have a figure actually named 'Satan'. ===Yezidism=== An alternate name for the main deity in the tentatively Indo-European pantheon of the [[Yezidi]], Malek Taus, is Shaitan.<ref>Drower, E.S. The Peacock Angel. Being Some Account of Votaries of a Secret Cult and their Sanctuaries. London: John Murray, 1941. [http://www.avesta.org/yezidi/peacock.htm]</ref> ===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."<ref>From The Promulgation of Universal Peace p. 470 [http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/ab/PUP/pup-96.html]</ref></blockquote> ===In Satanism=== {{main|Satanism|LaVeyan Satanism}} Much "Satanic" lore does not originate from actual Satanists, but from Christians. Best-known would be the [[medieval]] [[folklore]] and [[theology]] surrounding [[demons]] and [[witches]]. A more recent example is the so-called [[Satanic ritual abuse]] scare of the 1980s; beginning with the memoir ''[[Michelle Remembers]]'' – which depicts Satanism as a vast conspiracy of elites with a predilection for [[child abuse]] and [[human sacrifice]]. This genre regularly describes Satan as actually appearing in person in order to receive worship. Claims of Satanic child-molesting or murder rings are largely unsubstantiated. People claiming to be Satanists – or outsiders claiming to describe Satanism – ascribe a wide variety of beliefs to this movement. These range from the literal worship of a spiritual being ([[Theistic Satanism]]); to a kind of subversive ritual performance stressing the mockery of Christian symbols (most notably the [[Black Mass]]); to the claimed rediscovery of an ancient but misunderstood religion (e.g. [[Setianism]], which conflates Satan with the Egyptian god [[Set (mythology)|Set]]). The most prominent and widely known Satanist in recent years was [[Anton Szandor LaVey]], who founded the [[Church of Satan]] in 1966. LaVey wrote ''[[The Satanic Bible]]'' (1969) and other works which remain highly influential (though controversial) among avowed Satanists. LaVey rejects the Black Mass, cruelty to animals, or a literal belief in (or worship of) Satan, instead considering Satan as the human instinct within ourselves, which is what [[LaVeyan Satanism]] celebrates. Instead he supports a view of human beings as animals and rejects many social structures that he believes inhibit human instincts. In old Pagan religions pre-dating Christianity Satan was and is viewed as the creator of Humans and is viewed as the one true God. He usually appears as a tall handsome man with flowing golden hair and a brilliant golden Aura. Satan takes care of his own and is very kind and empathic, Satan treats those who respect him with the same respect and helps those who are in need as long as they are willing to help themselves. Some of Satan's symbols include but are not limited to, The Serpent, The Raven, The Peacock, The Dragon and The Goat<ref>http://www.angelfire.com/empire/serpentis666/Satan.html</ref> ==Images of Satan== In art and literature, Satan has been depicted in numerous ways throughout history. According to one interpretation of the book of ''[[Genesis]]'', Satan is identified as the [[snake|serpent]] who convinced [[Adam and Eve|Eve]] to eat the forbidden fruit; thus, Satan has often been depicted as a serpent. (However, some care to argue that [[Lilith]] was the one who persuaded Eve to take this act upon herself.) This interpretation goes back at least as far as the time of the writing of the book of Revelation, which specifically identifies Satan as being the serpent (Rev. 20:2). In truth, Genesis makes no direct reference to the serpent having another identity, Satan or any other. It has been postulated by many Biblical scholars that Eden's snake is just a snake, able to speak, reason, and tempt Eve because it serves the explanatory purpose. ==See also== * [[Yazdânism]] * [[Morgoth]] ==Notes== {{reflist}} ==References== <div class="references-small"> * {{cite book | last = Bamberger | first = Bernard J. | authorlink = Bernard J. Bamberger | title=Fallen Angels: Soldiers of Satan's Realm | publisher=Jewish Publication Society of America | year= 2006 | id=ISBN 0-8276-0797-0 }} * {{cite book | last = Forsyth | first = Neil | authorlink = Neil Forsyth | title=The Old Enemy: Satan & the Combat Myth | publisher=Princeton University Press; Reprint edition | year=1987 | id=ISBN 0-691-01474-4 }} * {{cite book | last = Forsyth | first = Neil | authorlink = Neil Forsyth | title=The Satanic Epic | publisher=Princeton University Press; Reprint edition | year=1987 | id=ISBN 0-691-11339-4 }} * {{cite book | last = Gentry | first = Kenneth L. Jr | authorlink = Kenneth L. Jr. Gentry | title=The Beast of Revelation | publisher=American Vision | year=2002 | id=ISBN 0-915815-41-9 }} * {{cite book | last = Graves | first = Kersey | authorlink = Kersey Graves | title=Biography of Satan: Exposing the Origins of the Devil | publisher=Book Tree | year=1995 | id=ISBN 1-885395-11-6 }} * {{cite book | last = Pagels | first = Elaine | authorlink = Elaine Pagels | title=The Origin of Satan | publisher=Vintage; Reprint edition | year=1995 | id=ISBN 0-679-72232-7 }} * {{cite book | last = Rudwin | first = Maximilian | authorlink = Maximilian Rudwin | title=The Devil in Legend and Literature | publisher=Open Court | year=1970 | id=ISBN 0-87548-248-1 }} * {{cite book | last = Russell | first = Jeffrey Burton | authorlink = Maximilian Rudwin | title=The Devil: Perceptions of Evil from Antiquity to Primitive Christianity | publisher=Cornell University Press; Reprint edition | year=1977 | id=ISBN 0-8014-9413-3 }} * {{cite book | last = Russell | first = Jeffrey Burton | authorlink = Jeffrey Burton Russell | title=The Prince of Darkness: Radical Evil and the Power of Good in History | publisher=Cornell University Press; Reprint edition | year=1992 | id=ISBN 0-8014-8056-6 }} * {{cite book | last = Russell | first = Jeffrey Burton | authorlink = Jeffrey Burton Russell | title=The Birth of Satan : Tracing the Devil's Biblical Roots | publisher=Palgrave Macmillan | year=2005 | id=ISBN 1-4039-6933-7 }} </div> ==External links== {{wiktionary}} {{wikiquote}} * [http://www.satanicambience.com/ Satanism] * [http://www.churchofsatan.com/ Church Of Satan] * [http://www.thebaptist.org/Lucifer.htm Lucifer - Know His Devices] a Baptist Christian perspective * [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04764a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia] * [http://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 * [http://www.sacred-texts.org Sacred Texts site] hosts texts--scriptures, literature and scholarly works--on Satan, Satanism and related religious matters [[Category:Abrahamic mythology]] [[Category:Individual angels]] [[Category:Demons in Christianity]] [[Category:Fallen angels]] [[Category:Satanism]] [[Category:Hell]] [[ar:الشيطان في اليهودية]] [[bg:Сатана]] [[ca:Satan]] [[cs:Satan]] [[da:Satan]] [[de:Satan]] [[et:Saatan]] [[es:Satanás]] [[eo:Satano]] [[fa:شیطان]] [[fr:Satan]] [[fur:Satane]] [[ko:사탄]] [[hi:शैतान]] [[hr:Sotona]] [[ig:Ekwensu]] [[id:Setan]] [[it:Satana]] [[he:שטן]] [[la:Satanas]] [[hu:Sátán]] [[ms:Syaitan]] [[nl:Satan]] [[ja:サタン]] [[no:Satan]] [[nn:Satan]] [[ru:Сатана]] [[sr:Шејтан]] [[fi:Saatana]] [[sv:Satan]] [[ta:சாத்தான்]] [[tl:Satanas]] [[th:ซาตาน]] [[tr:Şeytan]] [[uk:Сатана]] [[zh:撒但]]