Encyclopedia entry: Satan

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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