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Hebrew Names: Satan

By Jeff A. Benner


The Hebrew word satan means "adversary" as one who stands against another as seen in 1 Kings 11:14.

(RSV) And the LORD raised up an adversary against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite; he was of the royal house in Edom.

At other times this name is translated as a proper name such as in the book of Job.

Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. (RSV)

The Hebrew for Satan is הסטן (hasatan). The prefix ה (ha) means "the" which identifies the noun סטן (satan) is a noun and not a proper name and should therefore be translated as "the adversary." However, there is one verse where the word satan could be translated as a proper name.

1 Chronicles 21:1 Satan stood up against Israel, and incited David to number Israel. (RSV)

In this verse the word satan does not include the prefix ha and could be translated as a proper name but upon further investigation we find that this verse is also recorded in 2 Samuel 24:1 where the "adversary" is identified as Yahweh.

Again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, "Go, number Israel and Judah." (RSV)