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[[File:The Devil.png|500px|thumb|Four Tarot cards showing depictions of The Devil from the [[Major Arcana]].]] | [[File:The Devil.png|500px|thumb|Four Tarot cards showing depictions of The Devil from the [[Major Arcana]].]] | ||
'''Satan''', also known as [[The Devil]] is an entity in the [[Abrahamic religion]]s that seduces humans into sin or falsehood. In [[Judaism]], Satan is seen as an agent subservient to God, typically regarded as a metaphor for the'' yetzer hara'', or "evil inclination." | '''Satan''', also known as [[The Devil]] is an entity in the [[Abrahamic religion]]s that seduces humans into sin or falsehood. In [[Judaism]], Satan is seen as an agent subservient to [[Yahweh|God]], typically regarded as a metaphor for the'' yetzer hara'', or "evil inclination." | ||
In | In [[Christianity]] and [[Islam]], he is usually seen as a [[fallen angel]] that has rebelled against God, who nevertheless allows him temporary power over the fallen world and a host of [[demon]]s. | ||
==Satan in Judaism== | ==Satan in Judaism== | ||
[[File:Temptation.jpg|300px|thumb|The Temptation card from [[Hieronymus Bosch Tarot|The Hieronymus Bosch Tarot]] depicting the serpent in the Garden of Eden]] | [[File:Temptation.jpg|300px|thumb|The Temptation card from [[Hieronymus Bosch Tarot|The Hieronymus Bosch Tarot]] depicting the serpent in the [[Garden of Eden]]]] | ||
The original Hebrew term ''śāṭān'' (Hebrew: שָׂטָן) is a generic noun meaning "accuser" or "adversary", which is used throughout the [[Bible]] to refer to ordinary human adversaries, as well as a specific supernatural entity. The word is derived from a verb meaning primarily "to obstruct, oppose". When it is used without the definite article (simply satan), the word can refer to any accuser, but when it is used with the definite article (ha-satan), it usually refers specifically to the | The original Hebrew term ''śāṭān'' (Hebrew: שָׂטָן) is a generic noun meaning "accuser" or "adversary", which is used throughout the [[Bible]] to refer to ordinary human adversaries, as well as a specific supernatural entity. The word is derived from a verb meaning primarily "to obstruct, oppose". When it is used without the definite article (simply satan), the word can refer to any accuser, but when it is used with the definite article (ha-satan), it usually refers specifically to the [[heaven]]ly accuser: the satan. | ||
The word with the definite article Ha-Satan (Hebrew: הַשָּׂטָן) occurs 17 times in the Masoretic Text, in two books of the Hebrew Bible: Job ch. 1–2 (14×) and Zechariah 3:1–2 (3×). A figure known as ha-satan ("the satan") first appears in the Tanakh as a heavenly prosecutor, a member of the sons of God subordinate to [[Yahweh]], who prosecutes the nation of Judah in the heavenly court and tests the loyalty of Yahweh's followers. During the intertestamental period, possibly due to influence from the Zoroastrian figure of Angra Mainyu, ha-satan developed into a malevolent entity with abhorrent qualities in dualistic opposition to God. In the apocryphal Book of Jubilees, Yahweh grants ha-satan (referred to as Mastema) authority over a group of fallen angels, or their offspring, to tempt humans to sin and punish them. | The word with the definite article Ha-Satan (Hebrew: הַשָּׂטָן) occurs 17 times in the Masoretic Text, in two books of the Hebrew Bible: Job ch. 1–2 (14×) and Zechariah 3:1–2 (3×). A figure known as ha-satan ("the satan") first appears in the Tanakh as a heavenly prosecutor, a member of the sons of God subordinate to [[Yahweh]], who prosecutes the nation of Judah in the heavenly court and tests the loyalty of Yahweh's followers. During the intertestamental period, possibly due to influence from the Zoroastrian figure of Angra Mainyu, ha-satan developed into a malevolent entity with abhorrent qualities in dualistic opposition to God. In the apocryphal Book of Jubilees, Yahweh grants ha-satan (referred to as Mastema) authority over a group of fallen angels, or their offspring, to tempt humans to sin and punish them. | ||
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===Modern beliefs=== | ===Modern beliefs=== | ||
Each modern sect of Judaism has its own interpretation of Satan's identity. Conservative Judaism generally rejects the Talmudic interpretation of Satan as a metaphor for the yetzer hara, and regard him as a literal agent of God. Orthodox Judaism, on the other hand, outwardly embraces Talmudic teachings on Satan, and involves Satan in religious life far more inclusively than other sects. Satan is mentioned explicitly in some daily prayers, including during Shacharit and certain post-meal benedictions, as described in Talmud and the Jewish Code of Law. In Reform Judaism, Satan is generally seen in his Talmudic role as a metaphor for the yetzer hara and the symbolic representation of innate human qualities such as selfishness. | Each modern sect of Judaism has its own interpretation of Satan's identity. Conservative Judaism generally rejects the Talmudic interpretation of Satan as a metaphor for the yetzer hara, and regard him as a literal agent of God. Orthodox Judaism, on the other hand, outwardly embraces Talmudic teachings on Satan, and involves Satan in religious life far more inclusively than other sects. Satan is mentioned explicitly in some daily prayers, including during Shacharit and certain post-meal benedictions, as described in Talmud and the Jewish Code of Law. In Reform Judaism, Satan is generally seen in his Talmudic role as a metaphor for the yetzer hara and the symbolic representation of innate human qualities such as selfishness. | ||
==Satan in Christianity== | ==Satan in Christianity== | ||
[[File:Codex Gigas devil.jpg|300px|thumb|Illustration of the Devil in the ''Codex Gigas'']] | |||
The [[Book of Revelation]] represents Satan as the supernatural ruler of the Roman Empire and the ultimate cause of all evil in the world. In Revelation 2:9–10, as part of the letter to the church at Smyrna, John of Patmos refers to the Jews of Smyrna as "a synagogue of Satan" and warns that "the Devil is about to cast some of you into prison as a test, and for ten days you will have affliction." In Revelation 2:13–14, in the letter to the church of Pergamum, John warns that Satan lives among the members of the congregation and declares that "Satan's throne" is in their midst. Pergamum was the capital of the Roman Province of Asia and "Satan's throne" may be referring to the monumental Pergamon Altar in the city, which was dedicated to the Greek god Zeus, or to a temple dedicated to the Roman emperor Augustus. | The [[Book of Revelation]] represents Satan as the supernatural ruler of the Roman Empire and the ultimate cause of all evil in the world. In Revelation 2:9–10, as part of the letter to the church at Smyrna, John of Patmos refers to the Jews of Smyrna as "a synagogue of Satan" and warns that "the Devil is about to cast some of you into prison as a test, and for ten days you will have affliction." In Revelation 2:13–14, in the letter to the church of Pergamum, John warns that Satan lives among the members of the congregation and declares that "Satan's throne" is in their midst. Pergamum was the capital of the Roman Province of Asia and "Satan's throne" may be referring to the monumental Pergamon Altar in the city, which was dedicated to the Greek god Zeus, or to a temple dedicated to the Roman emperor Augustus. | ||
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On the third day of the Hajj, Muslim pilgrims to Mecca throw seven stones at a pillar known as the Jamrah al-’Aqabah, symbolizing the stoning of the Devil. This ritual is based on the Islamic tradition that, when God ordered Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael, Satan tempted him three times not to do it, and, each time, Abraham responded by throwing seven stones at him. | On the third day of the Hajj, Muslim pilgrims to Mecca throw seven stones at a pillar known as the Jamrah al-’Aqabah, symbolizing the stoning of the Devil. This ritual is based on the Islamic tradition that, when God ordered Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael, Satan tempted him three times not to do it, and, each time, Abraham responded by throwing seven stones at him. | ||
==Occult correspondences== | |||
In the [[hierarchy of Hell]], Satan is the [[demon]] prince of the Deluders, the 5th degree of diabolical spirits. In this context, he is connected [[astrology|astrologically]] with the planet [[Mars]]. | |||
In [[Kabbalah]], Satan (alongside [[Moloch]]) is the demon ruler over the [[qlippoth]] of [[Thaumiel]] on the [[Tree of Death]]. | |||
==Satanism== | ==Satanism== | ||
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In the Middle Ages, the [[Cathar]]s, practitioners of a dualistic religion, were accused of worshipping Satan by the Catholic Church. Pope Gregory IX stated in his work ''Vox in Rama'' that the Cathars believed that God had erred in casting [[Lucifer]] out of heaven and that Lucifer would return to reward his faithful. On the other hand, according to Catharism, the creator god of the material world worshipped by the Catholic Church is actually Satan. | In the Middle Ages, the [[Cathar]]s, practitioners of a dualistic religion, were accused of worshipping Satan by the Catholic Church. Pope Gregory IX stated in his work ''Vox in Rama'' that the Cathars believed that God had erred in casting [[Lucifer]] out of heaven and that Lucifer would return to reward his faithful. On the other hand, according to Catharism, the creator god of the material world worshipped by the Catholic Church is actually Satan. | ||
[[Wicca]] is a modern, syncretic [[Paganism|Neopagan]] religion, whose practitioners many Christians have incorrectly assumed to worship Satan. In actuality, Wiccans do not believe in the existence of Satan or any analogous figure and have repeatedly and emphatically rejected the notion that they venerate such an entity. The cult of the skeletal figure of [[Santa Muerte]], which has grown exponentially in Mexico, has been denounced by the Catholic Church as Devil-worship. However, devotees of Santa Muerte view her as an [[angel]] of death created by God, and many of them identify as Catholic. | [[Wicca]] is a modern, syncretic [[Paganism|Neopagan]] religion, whose practitioners many Christians have incorrectly assumed to worship Satan. In actuality, Wiccans do not believe in the existence of Satan or any analogous figure and have repeatedly and emphatically rejected the notion that they venerate such an entity. | ||
The [[cult]] of the skeletal figure of [[Santa Muerte]], which has grown exponentially in Mexico, has been denounced by the Catholic Church as Devil-worship. However, devotees of Santa Muerte view her as an [[angel]] of death created by God, and many of them identify as Catholic. | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||