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Encyclopedia entry: Satan
- Article from:
- The Oxford Guide to People and Places of the Bible
- Author:
Copyright© The Oxford Guide to People and Places of the Bible 2001, originally published by Oxford University Press 2001. (Hide copyright information)
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Satan.
The name of the archenemy of God and the personification of evil, particularly in Christian tradition. The name may derive from a Semitic root
śṭn
, but the primitive meaning is still debated, the most popular suggestions being “to be remote” and “to obstruct.” Some alternative roots include
śwṭ
(cf. Hebr. “to rove”) and
śṭn
(cf. Arabic “to burn,” especially of food).
In the Hebrew Bible
śāṭān
could refer to any human being who played the role of an accuser or enemy. In Numbers 22.32
śāṭān
refers to a divine messenger who was sent to obstruct
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