What are the different names for Satan?

Names for Satan in Scripture and Theological Tradition

1. Satan (Hebrew: “Adversary”)

In Job 1:6, Satan appears among the “sons of God” to accuse Job in the heavenly court: “One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them.” The Hebrew word “śāṭān” carries the sense of “opponent” or “adversary,” emphasizing this figure’s role as one who stands against God’s people.

Throughout Scripture, this name showcases his consistent function of opposition. The Dead Sea Scrolls (notably the War Scroll, 1QM) also describe a cosmic battle against “Belial,” understood as another name for the adversary, affirming this broader biblical depiction of a spiritual enemy at odds with the righteous.

2. The Devil (Greek: “Diabolos”)

In the New Testament, the Greek word “diabolos” means “slanderer” or “accuser.” He is seen tempting Jesus in the wilderness: “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Matthew 4:1). While “Satan” and “Devil” often appear interchangeably, “Devil” highlights the accusing and slanderous aspect of his character.

3. The Serpent of Old

Revelation 12:9 labels him as “the great dragon…that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan.” This connects the serpent of Genesis 3 with Satan, indicating that the cunning serpent who deceived Eve is indeed the same cosmic adversary revealed more fully in later Scripture.

4. The Dragon

In Revelation 12:9 and Revelation 20:2, the title “dragon” underscores his destructive power and fierce nature. Depicted as a cosmic dragon who makes war on God’s people, this image portrays the intensifying battle between good and evil spanning redemptive history.

5. The Accuser

Zechariah 3:1 states, “Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, with Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.” In Revelation 12:10, he is called “the accuser of our brothers,” reflecting his role of bringing charges against believers, seeking to undermine their standing before God.

6. The Adversary

First Peter 5:8 warns, “Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” The image of a lion underscores the danger and threat he poses, urging vigilance among believers.

7. The Father of Lies

Jesus calls him “the father of lies” in John 8:44: “He was a murderer from the beginning… When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.” This designation captures how deception lies at the heart of his tactics, dating back to humanity’s earliest temptation.

8. Beelzebul (or Beelzebub)

In Matthew 12:24, certain Pharisees claim Jesus drives out demons by the power of “Beelzebul, the prince of demons.” Although sometimes used synonymously with Satan, “Beelzebul” also functions as a title for a chief demonic figure. In the broader biblical context, many interpret it as a designation of Satan’s dominion over demonic forces.

9. Belial

Second Corinthians 6:15 poses the rhetorical question, “What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?” Historically associated with worthlessness or wickedness, “Belial” appears in the Dead Sea Scrolls as a cosmic enemy. This reaffirms early Jewish and Christian understanding of one primary evil force personified in different terms.

10. Lucifer (Latin: “Light Bearer”)

The name “Lucifer” traditionally comes from Isaiah 14:12: “How you have fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of the dawn!” Though the passage addresses the king of Babylon, many have long taken it as an allegorical reference to Satan’s pride and subsequent fall from heaven. In common Christian tradition, “Lucifer” embodies the idea of one who was once exalted but then became the embodiment of opposition to God.

11. The Evil One

In Matthew 13:19, the seed of the Word is snatched away by “the evil one.” This underscores his nature as entirely opposed to righteousness. Scripture often depicts him as the primary source of evil’s spread among humanity.

12. Abaddon/Apollyon

In Revelation 9:11, the destroyer of the abyss is called “Abaddon” in Hebrew and “Apollyon” in Greek. These terms mean “destruction” and “destroyer,” respectively, symbolizing his relentless mission to ruin. While some view these names as specific to a demonic ruler of the abyss, they reflect aspects of the same cosmic enemy.

13. The Prince of the Power of the Air

Ephesians 2:2 teaches that unbelievers “follow the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience.” This title points to his influential role over rebellious humanity, highlighting a pervasive spiritual influence.

14. The Ruler of This World

Jesus alludes to him as “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31). Though God’s sovereignty is ultimate, his permissive will allows Satan a measure of authority in earthly affairs, further motivating believers to remain alert to spiritual warfare.

15. The Tempter

Matthew 4:3 identifies him as “the tempter,” the one who seeks to entice Jesus into sin. This name clarifies his strategy of leading individuals astray through subtle and persistent offers to violate God’s commands.

16. The Murderer

Again in John 8:44, Jesus calls him “a murderer from the beginning,” underlining the destructive effect of his deception that brought spiritual and physical death into the world.

Archaeological and Historical Corroborations

Multiple textual discoveries, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls (dated from the third century BC to the first century AD), confirm the early Jewish understanding of a cosmic archenemy, often called Belial. This consistent witness across Hebrew and Greek manuscripts, as preserved in major textual families, underscores the reliability of the biblical narrative regarding a personal, malevolent being.

Early Christian writings, including those from Church Fathers like Ignatius of Antioch and Justin Martyr, continue naming and describing Satan in ways aligned with New Testament teachings. Their letters, alongside the Old Testament references, further reinforce that Scripture’s identification of him under various titles was uniform across different regions and centuries.

Summary

Across Scripture, the figure of Satan appears under various Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek designations, each emphasizing a facet of his nature: adversary, tempter, accuser, and destroyer. Documents such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, paired with early Christian writings, corroborate these titles. The breadth and consistency of those manuscripts affirm that the biblical testimony about Satan—understood as a real and personal foe—remains coherent throughout generations, supporting the overarching scriptural message about humanity’s spiritual conflict and the ultimate triumph of God.