◄ 4566. Satan ►
Lexical Summary
Satan: Satan

Original Word: Σατανᾶς
Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable
Transliteration: Satan
Pronunciation: sah-tah-NAHS
Phonetic Spelling: (sat-an')
KJV: Satan
Word Origin: [of Hebrew origin]

1. the Adversary
2. (figuratively) the Accuser
3. "Satan", i.e. the devil

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Satan.

Of Hebrew origin (satan); Satan, i.e. The devil -- Satan. Compare Satanas.

see GREEK Satanas

see HEBREW satan

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 4566 Satán – Satan, the same fallen angel as 4567 /Satanás ("the adversary, opposer," see there).

4566 /Satán ("Satan") only occurs in 2 Cor 12:7, in relation to the "thorn in the flesh."

[The absence of the definite article is probably not significant, given the genitive construction.]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
variant reading for Satanas, q.v.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 4566: σαταν

σαταν indeclinable (2 Corinthians 12:7 R G (Tdf. in 1 Kings 11:14 accents σαταν (Lagarde leaves it unaccented))), ὁ, and ὁ σατανᾶς (i. e. with the article (except in Mark 3:23; Luke 22:3)), σατανᾶ (cf. Buttmann, 20 (18); Winer's Grammar, § 8, 1) ((Aram. סָטָנָא, stative emphatic of סָטָן.) Hebrew שָׂטָן), adversary (one who opposes another in purpose or act); the appellation is given to:

1. the prince of evil spirits, the inveterate adversary of God and of Christ (see διάβολος, and in πονηρός, 2b.): Mark 3:(),; ; Luke 10:18; Luke 11:18; 1 Corinthians 5:5; 2 Corinthians 11:14; 1 Thessalonians 2:18; 1 Timothy 1:20; Revelation 2:9, 13, 24; Revelation 3:9; he incites to apostasy from God and to sin, Matthew 4:10; Mark 1:13; Luke 4:8 R L in brackets; Luke 22:31; Acts 5:3; 1 Corinthians 7:5; 2 Corinthians 2:11 (10); 1 Timothy 5:15; circumventing men by stratagems, 2 Corinthians 11:14; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; the worshippers of idols are said to be under his control, Acts 26:18; Revelation 12:9; he is said both himself ἐισέρχεσθαι εἰς τινα, in order to act through him, Luke 22:3; John 13:27; and by his demons to take possession of the bodies of men and to afflict them with diseases, Luke 13:16, cf. Matthew 12:26; 2 Corinthians 12:7; by God's assistance he is overcome, Romans 16:20; on Christ's return from heaven he will be bound with chains for a thousand years, but when the thousand years are finished he will walk the earth in yet greater power, Revelation 20:2, 7, but shortly after will be given over to eternal punishment, Revelation 20:10.

2. a Satan-like man: Matthew 16:23; Mark 8:33. (Cf. Delitzsch in Riehm, under the word; Schenkel in his BL, under the word; Hamburger, Real-Encycl. i., 897f; Edersheim, Jesus the Messiah, Appendix xiii. § ii.; and BB. DD., under the word.)

Topical Lexicon
Form and Scope

Σατανᾶς (Satanas) is the masculine vocative form of the proper name “Satan,” most frequently rendered “the adversary” or “the accuser.” Though this particular spelling (Strong’s 4566) is not cited in the extant New Testament manuscripts, it corresponds to the same personal, supernatural being who appears throughout Scripture by closely related spellings and cognate titles.

Old Testament Background

• Genesis 3 introduces Satan as the serpent who tempts Adam and Eve, resulting in the fall of humanity and the promise of ultimate defeat: “He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel” (Genesis 3:15).
• Job 1–2 portrays Satan appearing before God, challenging the integrity of Job, and receiving limited permission to test him.
• Zechariah 3 shows Satan accusing Joshua the high priest until the LORD rebukes him.
• 1 Chronicles 21:1 reveals Satan stirring David to number Israel, demonstrating his influence over rulers.

Intertestamental Development

Jewish literature between the Testaments (e.g., 1 Enoch, Jubilees) expands the portrait of Satan and the demonic realm, making ideas of spiritual warfare more explicit. This theological trajectory prepares readers for the fuller revelation of Satan’s activity in the Gospels.

Satan in the Ministry of Jesus

• Temptation: Matthew 4:1-11 records Satan’s direct confrontation with Jesus in the wilderness; Christ resists each temptation by quoting Deuteronomy, modeling Scripture-grounded obedience.
• Exorcisms: Luke 11:20 cites Jesus proclaiming, “If I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you,” signaling Satan’s kingdom being plundered.
• Rebuke: When Peter objects to the prediction of the cross, Jesus replies, “Get behind Me, Satan!” (Mark 8:33), exposing the adversary’s effort to divert Him from redemptive purpose.
• Victory: John 12:31 announces, “Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out,” anticipating the cross and resurrection as decisive blows to Satan’s authority.

Satan in Acts and the Early Church

• Acts 5:3—Peter discerns Satan’s filling of Ananias’s heart to lie to the Holy Spirit.
• Acts 26:18—Paul’s commission is “to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God.”

Persecution, deceit, and hindrance of mission (1 Thessalonians 2:18) characterize Satan’s opposition to the fledgling church.

Pauline Theology

• 2 Corinthians 4:4 designates Satan “the god of this age,” explaining unbelief through his blinding influence.
• Ephesians 2:2 depicts him as “the ruler of the power of the air,” energizing disobedience.
• Ephesians 6:11-12 commands believers to “put on the full armor of God” against his schemes, clarifying that spiritual forces, not mere human opponents, underlie conflict.
• 1 Corinthians 5:5 shows disciplinary handing over “to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved,” illustrating that God can sovereignly use Satan’s activity for ultimate redemptive ends.

General Epistles

• Hebrews 2:14 affirms that through death Christ rendered powerless “him who held the power of death—that is, the devil.”
• James 4:7 commands, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
• 1 Peter 5:8 depicts Satan as a “roaring lion,” counseling watchfulness and steadfast faith.

Johannine Writings

• 1 John 3:8: “The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.”
• Revelation gives the fullest eschatological portrait:

– Revelation 12 identifies Satan as “the great dragon… who deceives the whole world.”

– Revelation 20:10 records his final doom in the lake of fire.

Names and Titles

Adversary, Accuser, Devil (διάβολος), Evil One, Serpent, Dragon, Beelzebul, Ruler of this World, God of this Age, Tempter, Destroyer (Apollyon, in concert with demonic hosts).

Works and Strategies

1. Deception—blinding minds (2 Corinthians 4:4), masquerading as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14).
2. Temptation—enticing to sin (1 Corinthians 7:5).
3. Accusation—slandering believers before God (Revelation 12:10).
4. Persecution—instigating hostility toward the church (Revelation 2:10).
5. Counterfeit signs—accompanying the lawless one (2 Thessalonians 2:9).
6. Hindrance—obstructing ministry (1 Thessalonians 2:18).

Christ’s Definitive Victory

Through the cross and resurrection, Jesus “disarmed the powers and authorities” (Colossians 2:15) and guarantees Satan’s ultimate defeat. Believers share this triumph as they “overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12:11).

Believer’s Warfare and Protection

• Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18).
• Vigilant prayer (Matthew 6:13; 1 Peter 5:8-9).
• Dependence on the Spirit’s power (Romans 8:13).
• Corporate accountability and church discipline (2 Corinthians 2:10-11).

Eschatological Consummation

Satan’s present freedom is bounded by divine sovereignty; his destiny is irreversible judgment: “The devil… will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10). Until that final day, believers live in confident hope, assured that “the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” (Romans 16:20).

Forms and Transliterations
σατάν
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