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Images of the Devil. Childhood’s End. Satan (meaning accuser ) is a term that originates from the Abrahamic religions, traditionally applied to an angel.
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Images of the Devil Childhood’s End
Satan (meaning accuser) is a term that originates from the Abrahamic religions, traditionally applied to an angel. Originally, this figure was the one who challenged the religious faith of humans in the Hebrew Bible. Since then, the Abrahamic religions have variously regarded Satan as a rebellious fallen angel or demon that tempts humans to sin or commit evil deeds.
The word “Satan,” and the Arabic شيطان "shaitan," may derive from a Northwest Semitic root śtn, meaning “to be hostile” or “to accuse.”
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 borrowing of Latin diabolus (also the source of “diabolical”). This in turn was borrowed from Greek diabolos "slanderer."
Archangel Michael slaying the Devil Lucifer, by Guillaume Geefs
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.
Satan is believed to be an angel who rebelled against God— and also the one who spoke through the 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 Job, the tempter in the Gospels, the secret power of lawlessness in Thessalonians 2:7, and the dragon in the Book of Revelation.
Before his alleged insurrection, Lucifer (Satan) was among the highest of all angels and the "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.
