7853. satan

Lexicon

satan: Adversary, accuser

Original Word: שָׂטַן
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: satan
Pronunciation: sah-tahn'
Phonetic Spelling: (saw-tan')
Definition: Adversary, accuser
Meaning: to attack, accuse

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

be an adversary, resist

A primitive root; to attack, (figuratively) accuse -- (be an) adversary, resist.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
denominative verb from satan
Definition
to be or act as adversary
NASB Translation
accuse (1), accusers (2), act as my accusers (1), adversaries (1), oppose (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

[שָׂטַן] verb denominative (Gerber³⁰) be or act as adversary; —

Qal Imperfect3masculine plural suffix יִשְׂטְנוּנִי Psalm 38:21; Psalm 109:4; Infinitive construct suffix לְשִׁטְנוֺ Zechariah 3:1; Participle plural construct שׂטְנֵי Psalm 71:13, suffix שׂטְנַי Psalm 109:21, שׂטְנַי Psalm 109:20, שׂוֺטְנַי Psalm 109:29.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G480 (ἀντιδιατίθημι • antidiatithēmi): To set oneself in opposition, to oppose.
• G1225 (διαβάλλω • diaballō): To accuse, to bring charges against, to slander.

These Greek terms reflect similar themes of opposition and accusation, aligning with the Hebrew concept of שָׂטַן (satan) as an adversary or accuser. The Greek term διαβάλλω (diaballō) is particularly relevant, as it is often used in the New Testament to describe the actions of Satan as the accuser of believers.

Usage: The verb שָׂטַן (satan) is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe the act of opposing, accusing, or acting as an adversary. It is often used in contexts where an individual or entity is acting in opposition to another, either in a legal sense or in a more general adversarial role.

Context: The Hebrew verb שָׂטַן (satan) is a primitive root that conveys the idea of opposition or accusation. It is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, often in legal or adversarial settings. The term is notably used in the book of Job, where it describes the role of an accuser or adversary in the heavenly court. In Job 1:6, the "Satan" comes before the LORD to accuse Job, highlighting the adversarial nature of the term. The verb form is also used in Zechariah 3:1, where Joshua the high priest stands before the angel of the LORD, and "Satan" stands at his right hand to accuse him.

The concept of שָׂטַן (satan) extends beyond individual adversaries to encompass a broader spiritual opposition, as seen in the development of the term into a proper noun referring to the spiritual adversary of God and humanity. This adversarial role is consistent with the usage of the term in other ancient Near Eastern texts, where similar concepts of opposition and accusation are present.

The verb שָׂטַן (satan) is not limited to spiritual or supernatural contexts; it can also describe human adversaries. For example, in 1 Samuel 29:4, the Philistine commanders fear that David might become an adversary (שָׂטַן) to them in battle. This usage underscores the term's flexibility in describing various forms of opposition, whether human or spiritual.

Forms and Transliterations

טני יִ֝שְׂטְנ֗וּנִי יִשְׂטְנ֗וּנִי ישטנוני לְשִׂטְנֽוֹ׃ לשטנו׃ שֹׂ֭טְנַי שֹׂטְנֵ֪י שׂוֹטְנַ֣י שוטני שטני lə·śiṭ·nōw lesitNo ləśiṭnōw śō·ṭə·nê śō·wṭ·nay śōṭənê soteNei sotNai śōwṭnay ṭə·nay tenai ṭənay yiś·ṭə·nū·nî yisteNuni yiśṭənūnî

Englishman's Concordance

Psalm 38:20
HEB: תַּ֣חַת טוֹבָ֑ה יִ֝שְׂטְנ֗וּנִי תַּ֣חַת [רְדֹופִי־
NAS: for good, They oppose me, because
KJV: for good are mine adversaries; because I follow
INT: because what oppose because follow

Psalm 71:13
HEB: יֵבֹ֣שׁוּ יִכְלוּ֮ שֹׂטְנֵ֪י נַ֫פְשִׁ֥י יַֽעֲט֣וּ
NAS: Let those who are adversaries of my soul
KJV: [and] consumed that are adversaries to my soul;
INT: be ashamed consumed are adversaries of my soul them be covered

Psalm 109:4
HEB: תַּֽחַת־ אַהֲבָתִ֥י יִשְׂטְנ֗וּנִי וַאֲנִ֥י תְפִלָּֽה׃
NAS: for my love they act as my accusers; But I am [in] prayer.
KJV: For my love they are my adversaries: but I [give myself unto] prayer.
INT: return my love act I prayer

Psalm 109:20
HEB: זֹ֤את פְּעֻלַּ֣ת שֹׂ֭טְנַי מֵאֵ֣ת יְהוָ֑ה
NAS: be the reward of my accusers from the LORD,
KJV: [Let] this [be] the reward of mine adversaries from the LORD,
INT: likewise be the reward of my accusers the LORD speak

Psalm 109:29
HEB: יִלְבְּשׁ֣וּ שׂוֹטְנַ֣י כְּלִמָּ֑ה וְיַעֲט֖וּ
NAS: Let my accusers be clothed
KJV: Let mine adversaries be clothed
INT: be clothed my accusers dishonor cover

Zechariah 3:1
HEB: עַל־ יְמִינ֖וֹ לְשִׂטְנֽוֹ׃
NAS: at his right hand to accuse him.
KJV: at his right hand to resist him.
INT: at his right to accuse

6 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 7853
6 Occurrences

lə·śiṭ·nōw — 1 Occ.
śō·ṭə·nê — 1 Occ.
śō·wṭ·nay — 1 Occ.
ṭə·nay — 1 Occ.
yiś·ṭə·nū·nî — 2 Occ.