10
edits
Difference between revisions of "Satan"
I added a detail on the gematria of Ha-Satan and how it fits into Yom Kippur traditions.
Occultwiki (talk | contribs) |
(I added a detail on the gematria of Ha-Satan and how it fits into Yom Kippur traditions.) |
||
| Line 8: | Line 8: | ||
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 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. The [[gematria]] of Ha-Satan is 364, which implies that he reigns with his harsh judgment for all days but one, that being (at least according to Jews) Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Not only does this make prayers and repentance more potent on that day, but it also inspires a tradition of Jews blowing the shofar in the days leading up to Yom Kippur, confusing Ha-Satan on when it actually is so he struggles to present his accusations against the Jews to HaShem. | ||
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 [[Book of Enoch|Second Book of Enoch]], also called the Slavonic Book of Enoch, contains references to a Watcher called Satanael. It is a pseudepigraphic text of an uncertain date and unknown authorship. The text describes Satanael as being the prince of the Grigori who was cast out of heaven and an evil spirit who knew the difference between what was "righteous" and "sinful". In the Book of Wisdom, the devil is taken to be the being who brought death into the world, but originally the culprit was recognized as Cain. The name [[Samael]], which is used in reference to one of the fallen angels, later became a common name for Satan in Jewish Midrash and [[Kabbalah]]. | The [[Book of Enoch|Second Book of Enoch]], also called the Slavonic Book of Enoch, contains references to a Watcher called Satanael. It is a pseudepigraphic text of an uncertain date and unknown authorship. The text describes Satanael as being the prince of the Grigori who was cast out of heaven and an evil spirit who knew the difference between what was "righteous" and "sinful". In the Book of Wisdom, the devil is taken to be the being who brought death into the world, but originally the culprit was recognized as Cain. The name [[Samael]], which is used in reference to one of the fallen angels, later became a common name for Satan in Jewish Midrash and [[Kabbalah]]. | ||