Translation and Meaning of the Name Satan in Hebrew

The Hebrew word שָׂטָן (śāṭān), transliterated as satan, primarily means "adversary" or "opponent" ^{[1, 3, 4, 7]}. This term appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, sometimes referring to human adversaries and other times to a superhuman entity ^[1].

In its general sense, satan can describe any adversary, whether personal or national. For example, it is used to describe an opponent in battle or a political rival ^{[1, 4]}. The prophet Balaam encountered an angel who stood as a satan (adversary) against him (Numbers 22:22, 32) ^[1]. Similarly, Hadad the Edomite and Rezon the son of Eliada are described as satan to Solomon (1 Kings 11:14, 23, 25) ^{[1, 13, 14]}. David also refers to his enemies as satan (Psalm 109:6) ^[1]. Even Peter is called "Satan" by Jesus in Matthew 16:23, reflecting this original sense of an adversary ^[4].

However, the term also develops into a proper name, "Satan," referring to a specific superhuman adversary ^{[1, 5]}. This usage is particularly evident in the books of Job and Zechariah. In Job 1:6, Satan is depicted as one of the "sons of God" (angels) who presents himself before God and acts as an accuser ^{[1, 19]}. Here, Satan challenges Job's integrity, suggesting his piety is motivated by self-interest (Job 1:9-10) ^[12]. In Zechariah 3:1, Satan is shown standing at the right hand of the angel of the Lord to accuse Joshua the high priest ^[3]. The article "the" (הַ) often precedes satan when referring to this specific superhuman adversary, as seen in Job 1:6 and Zechariah 3:1 ^{[1, 5]}. In 1 Chronicles 21:1, the term appears without the article, but still refers to the proper name Satan ^{[4, 9]}.

In the New Testament, the Greek transliteration Σατᾶν (Satân) or Σατανᾶς (Satanas) is used interchangeably with diabolos (devil), which means "slanderer" ^{[2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 17]}. The New Testament portrays Satan as the chief of evil spirits and the Devil ^{[3, 8]}. He is also identified with other titles such as "the dragon," "the old serpent" (Revelation 12:9), "the prince of this world" (John 12:31), and "the god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4) ^{[5, 17]}. The concept of Satan as the personification of evil is further seen in the use of "Beliar" (from the Hebrew belial, meaning "worthless") as a name for Satan in 2 Corinthians 6:15 ^{[11, 16]}. Similarly, "Beelzeboul" (or Beelzebub), a Canaanite deity, became a name for Satan in Jesus' day ^{[15, 18]}.

Sources

Brown-Driver-Briggs “[BDB H7854] satan — H7854. satan שָׂטָן noun masculinePsa 109:6 1 adversary. 2 Satan (Late Hebrew סָטָן שָׂטָן,; Aramaic סָטָנָא שָׂטָנָא,, Syriac (Hebrew); Late Hebrew verb סָטַן, Aramaic סְטַן; Arabic is be remote, especially from the truth, and from the mercy of God; Satan, Ethiopic :); — 1 adversary, in General, personal or national; (ל) לְשׂ ׳הָיָה Num 22:22 (JE), 1Sam 29:4 (compare NesMarg. 15), 2Sam 19:23, לְשׂ ׳יָצָא Num 22:32 (JE); ׳שׂ 1Kin 5:18; 11:25; שׂ ׳הֵקִים ל, subject God 11:14, 23, compare Psa 109:6 (|| רָשָׁע). 2 superhuman adversary, ׳הַשּׂ: a. of Job, one of אֱלֹהִים בְּנֵי Job 1:6”
Strong's Greek Dictionary “[G4566] Σατᾶν (Satân) — Definition: Satan, i.e. the devil | Derivation: of Hebrew origin (H07854); | KJV usage: Satan”
TFLSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones) “[G4566] Σατάν — Satan: Σᾰτάν or Σατᾶν, ὁ, “Satan”, Hebrew word for adversary, opponent, [<a href="javascript:void(0)" title=" LXX.1Ki.11.14, 23 ">LXX</a>]; translated by ἐπίβουλος in [<a href="javascript:void(0)" title=" LXX.1Ki.29.4 ">LXX</a>]; also accuser, translated by ὁ διάβολος in [<a href="javascript:void(0)" title=" LXX.Job.1.6f, LXX.Zech.3.1 ">LXX</a>]:—hence as chief of the evil spirits, the Devil, [<a href="javascript:void(0)" title=" NT.2Cor.12.7 ">NT</a>] (indeclinable, as genitive); also Σᾰτᾰνᾶς, ᾶ, ὁ, [<a href="java”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Satan — The word itself, the Hebrew satan, is simply an "adversary," and is so used in (1 Samuel 29:4; 2 Samuel 19:22; 1 Kings 6:4; 11:14,23,25; Numbers 22:22,33; Psalms 109:6) This original sense is still found in our Lord's application of the name to St. Peter in (Matthew 16:23) It is used as a proper name or title only four times in the Old Testament, vis. (with the article) in (Job 1:6; 12; 2:1; Zechariah 2:1) and without the article in (1 Chronicles 21:1) It is with the scriptural revelation on the subject that we are here concerned; and it is clear, from this si”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Satan — Adversary; accuser. When used as a proper name, the Hebrew word so rendered has the article "the adversary" (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-7). In the New Testament it is used as interchangeable with Diabolos, or the devil, and is so used more than thirty times. He is also called "the dragon," "the old serpent" (Rev. 12:9; 20:2); "the prince of this world" (John 12:31; 14:30); "the prince of the power of the air" (Eph. 2:2); "the god of this world" (2 Cor. 4:4); "the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience" (Eph. 2:2). The distinct personality of Satan and h”
TFLSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones) “[G4567] Σατανᾶς — Satan: Included with: Σᾰτάν or Σατᾶν, ὁ, “Satan”, Hebrew word for adversary, opponent, [<a href="javascript:void(0)" title=" LXX.1Ki.11.14, 23 ">LXX</a>]; translated by ἐπίβουλος in [<a href="javascript:void(0)" title=" LXX.1Ki.29.4 ">LXX</a>]; also accuser, translated by ὁ διάβολος in [<a href="javascript:void(0)" title=" LXX.Job.1.6f, LXX.Zech.3.1 ">LXX</a>]:—hence as chief of the evil spirits, the Devil, [<a href="javascript:void(0)" title=" NT.2Cor.12.7 ">NT</a>] (indeclinable, as genitive); also Σᾰτᾰνᾶς, ᾶ, ”
Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Satan — contrary; adversary; enemy; accuser”
STEPBible TBESG “[G4566] G4566 = a Name of (H7854) — Satan , i. e. an adversary, enemy : name for the Devil , (New Testament) Hebr. word. (ML)”
Brown-Driver-Briggs “[BDB H9009] (part 2/14) — (as a proper name שָׂטָן, 'Satan,' only 1Chr 21:1); הַלְּבָנוֺן (but not הַחֶרְמוֺן), הַיַּרְדֵּן (but not הָאַרְנֹן), הַשָּׁרוֺן הַכַּרְמֶל, the Sharon, הַשְּׁפֵלָה the (Judaean) lowland, הַמִּישׁוֺר הַכִּכָּר, the (Moabite) table-land, הָעַי הָעֲרָבָה, '`Ai,' הַגִּבְעָה 'Gibeah,' Judg 20:5ff., הַגָּלִיל 'Galilee,' הַגִּלְעָד הַבָּשָׁן, הַגִּלְבֹּעַ, הַגִּלְגָּל, (often), הַמִּסְגָּה הָעֹפֶל, הַיְשִׁימוֺן, הָרָמָה, הַמִּצְמָּה, הַשִּׁטִּים,. b. with an adjective to denote one who exhibits a quality κατ’ ἐξοχήν, i.e. to express the comparative or superlative degree: so of”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Devil — (Gr. diabolos), a slanderer, the arch-enemy of man's spiritual interest (Job 1:6; Rev. 2:10; Zech. 3:1). He is called also "the accuser of the brethen" (Rev. 12:10). In Lev. 17:7 the word "devil" is the translation of the Hebrew sair, meaning a "goat" or "satyr" (Isa. 13:21; 34:14), alluding to the wood-daemons, the objects of idolatrous worship among the heathen. In Deut. 32:17 and Ps. 106:37 it is the translation of Hebrew shed, meaning lord, and idol, regarded by the Jews as a "demon," as the word is rendered in the Revised Version. In the narratives of th”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Belial — Worthlessness, frequently used in the Old Testament as a proper name. It is first used in Deut. 13:13. In the New Testament it is found only in 2 Cor. 6:15, where it is used as a name of Satan, the personification of all that is evil. It is translated "wicked" in Deut. 15:9; Ps. 41:8 (R.V. marg.); 101:3; Prov. 6:12, etc. The expression "son" or "man of Belial" means simply a worthless, lawless person (Judg. 19:22; 20:13; 1 Sam. 1:16; 2:12).”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Devil — (slanderer). The name describes Satan as slandering God to man and man to God. The former work is of course, a part of his great work of temptation to evil and is not only exemplified but illustrated as to its general nature and tendency by the narrative of Gen. 3. The other work, the slandering or accusing men before God, is the imputation of selfish motives, (Job 1:9,10) and its refutation is placed in the self-sacrifice of those "who loved not their own lives unto death." [[430]Satan; [431]Demon]”
STEPBible TAHOT “1Ki.11.25#02=L — Hebrew tagged text (TAHOT): שָׂטָ֤ן [sa.Tan] "an adversary"”
STEPBible TAHOT “1Ki.11.23#04=L — Hebrew tagged text (TAHOT): שָׂטָ֔ן [sa.Tan] "an adversary"”
Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 11:15: 11:15 Satan: Greek Beelzeboul (“Baal, the prince”), the name of a Canaanite god that later came to be used as a name for Satan. The Jews mocked the name, calling him Beelzebub (“lord of the flies”).”
2 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Corinthians 6:15: 6:15 the devil: Greek Beliar. This Hebrew word means “worthless, good-for-nothing”; in the intertestamental period it came to be used as a name for Satan.”
Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 12:9: that old serpent--alluding to Gen 3:1, Gen 3:4. Devil--the Greek, for "accuser," or "slanderer." Satan--the Hebrew for "adversary," especially in a court of justice. The twofold designation, Greek and Hebrew, marks the twofold objects of his accusations and temptations, the elect Gentiles and the elect Jews. world--Greek, "habitable world."”
Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 10:25: 10:25 In Jesus’ day, Satan was often called prince of demons. The Greek term is Beelzeboul, from the name of an Old Testament pagan deity, Baal-zebul (“lord, the prince”). The Latin version reads Beelzebub, which is a transliteration of a Hebrew phrase meaning “lord of flies,” which was most likely a Jewish insult of Baal-zebul (see 2 Kgs 1:2).”
Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 1:6: SATAN, APPEARING BEFORE GOD, FALSELY ACCUSES JOB. (Job 1:6-12) sons of God--angels (Job 38:7; Kg1 22:19). They present themselves to render account of their "ministry" in other parts of the universe (Heb 1:14). the Lord--Hebrew, JEHOVAH, the self-existing God, faithful to His promises. God says (Exo 6:3) that He was not known to the patriarchs by this name. But, as the name occurs previously in Gen 2:7-9, &c., what must be meant is, not until the time of delivering Israel by Moses was He known peculiarly and publicly in the character which the name mean”

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