Bible Dictionary
Devil
The Devil, meaning “slanderer,” is the chief adversary of God and the accuser of His people. Scripture presents him as a tempter and spiritual enemy, associated with Satan and opposed to the work of God.
Definition
<p>The Devil, meaning “slanderer,” is the chief adversary of God and the enemy of humanity’s spiritual interests. He is associated with Satan, temptation, accusation, and opposition to the work of God.</p>
Biblical Usage
<p>Scripture presents the Devil as one who slanders God to humanity and humanity before God. He is called the accuser of the brethren and is connected with temptation, demonic activity, and spiritual conflict.</p>
Historical Background
<p>The supplied material distinguishes several biblical terms translated “devil.” Some refer to goat-like or satyr figures associated with heathen idolatry, others to demons, and the principal Greek term means slanderer.</p>
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(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 the Gospels regarding the “casting out of devils” a different Greek word (daimon) is used. In the time of our Lord there were frequent cases of demoniacal possession (Matt. 12:25-30; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 4:35; 10:18, etc.).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(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.” [Satan; Demon]
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>dev'-'-l. See DEMON; SATAN.</p>