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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." 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''', 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." 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. | ||
In the [[hierarchy of Hell]], Satan is the demon prince of the Deluders, the 6th degree of diabolical spirits. In this context, he is connected [[astrology|astrologically]] with the planet [[Mars]]. | |||
==Satan in Judaism== | ==Satan in Judaism== | ||
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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 heavenly 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 heavenly 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×). | 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 [[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]]. | ||
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The primary characteristic of Satan, aside from his hubris and despair, is his ability to cast evil suggestions (waswās) into men and women. In the Quran, 15:45 states that Satan has no influence over the righteous, but that those who fall in error are under his power. 7:156 implies that those who obey God's laws are immune to the temptations of Satan. 56:79 warns that Satan tries to keep Muslims from reading the Quran and 16:98–100 recommends reciting the Quran as an antidote against Satan. 35:6 refers to Satan as the enemy of humanity and 36:60 forbids humans from worshipping him. In the Quranic retelling of the story of Job, Job knows that Satan is the one tormenting him. | The primary characteristic of Satan, aside from his hubris and despair, is his ability to cast evil suggestions (waswās) into men and women. In the Quran, 15:45 states that Satan has no influence over the righteous, but that those who fall in error are under his power. 7:156 implies that those who obey God's laws are immune to the temptations of Satan. 56:79 warns that Satan tries to keep Muslims from reading the Quran and 16:98–100 recommends reciting the Quran as an antidote against Satan. 35:6 refers to Satan as the enemy of humanity and 36:60 forbids humans from worshipping him. In the Quranic retelling of the story of Job, Job knows that Satan is the one tormenting him. | ||
During the first two centuries of Islam, Muslims almost unanimously accepted the traditional story known as the [[Satanic Verses]] as true. According to this narrative, Muhammad was told by Satan to add words to the Quran which would allow Muslims to pray for the intercession of [[pagan]] goddesses. He mistook the words of Satan for divine inspiration. Modern Muslims almost universally reject this story as heretical, as it calls the integrity of the Quran into question. | During the first two centuries of [[Islam]], Muslims almost unanimously accepted the traditional story known as the [[Satanic Verses]] as true. According to this narrative, Muhammad was told by Satan to add words to the Quran which would allow Muslims to pray for the intercession of [[pagan]] goddesses. He mistook the words of Satan for divine inspiration. Modern Muslims almost universally reject this story as heretical, as it calls the integrity of the Quran into question. | ||
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. | ||