Devil: 6 definitions

Introduction
In Christianity
1. General definition
See also

Introduction:

Devil means something in Christianity. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. On this page you will also find search and cross-referencing tools.

In Christianity

General definition (in Christianity)

Source: archive.org: Easton's Bible Dictionary

Devil definition and references: (Gr. diabolos), a slanderer, the arch-enemy of man’s spiritual interest (Job 1:6; Revelation 2:10; Zechariah 3:1). He is called also “the accuser of the brethen” (Revelation 12:10).

In Leviticus 17:7 the word “devil” is the translation of the Hebrew sair, meaning a “goat” or “satyr” (Isaiah 13:21; 34:14), alluding to the wood-daemons, the objects of idolatrous worship among the heathen.

In Deuteronomy 32:17 and Psalms 106:37 it is the translation of Hebrew shed, meaning lord, and idol, regarded by the Jews as a “demon,” as the word is rendered in the Revised Version.

In the narratives of the Gospels regarding the “casting out of devils” a different Greek word (daimon) is used. In the time of our Lord there were frequent cases of demoniacal possession (Matthew 12:25-30; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 4:35; 10:18, etc.).

Source: archive.org: Smith's Bible Dictionary

Devil refers to:—(slanderer). The name describes Satan as slandering God to man and man to God. The former work is of course, a part of his great work of temptation to evil and is not only exemplified but illustrated as to its general nature and tendency by the narrative of Genesis 3. The other work, the slandering or accusing men before God, is the imputation of selfish motives, (Job 1:9,10) and its refutation is placed in the self-sacrifice of those “who loved not their own lives unto death.” [Satan; Demon]

Source: archive.org: Nave's Topical Bible

Devil definition and references: –See Demon
–See Satan

Source: archive.org: Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature

Devil refers to:—Devil [DEMON; SATAN]

Source: archive.org: Fausset's Bible Dictionary

Devil refers to:—(Greek) "the accuser" or "the slanderer" (Job 1:6-11; Job 2:1-7; Revelation 12:10). In Hebrew Satan means "adversary." The two-fold designation marks the two-fold objects of his malice - the Gentiles and the Jews. There is one one Devil, many "demons" as KJV ought to translate the plural. Devil is also used as an adjective. 1 Timothy 3:11, "slanderers"; 2 Timothy 3:3, "false accusers." Peter when tempting Jesus to shun the cross did Satan's work, and therefore received Satan's name (Matthew 16:23); so Judas is called a "devil" when acting the Devil's part (John 6:70). Satan's characteristic sins are lying (John 8:44; Genesis 3:4-5); malice and murder (1 John 3:12; Genesis 4); pride, "the condemnation of the Devil," by which he "lost his first estate" (1 Timothy 3:6; Job 38:15; Isaiah 14:12-15; John 12:31; John 16:11; 2 Peter 2:4; Judges 1:1:6).

He slanders God to man, and man to God (Genesis 3; Zechariah 3). His misrepresentation of God as one arbitrary, selfish, and envious of His creature's happiness, a God to be slavishly-feared lest He should hurt, rather than filially loved, runs through all pagan idolatries. This calumny is refuted by God's not sparing His only begotten Son to save us. His slander of good men, as if serving God only for self's sake, is refuted by the case of "those who lose (in will or deed) their life for Christ's sake." Demons, "knowing ones," from a root daemi, to know, are spirits who tremble before, but love not, God (James 2:19), incite men to rebellion against Him (Revelation 16:14). "Evil spirits" (Acts 19:13; Acts 19:15) recognize Christ the Son of God (Matthew 8:29; Luke 4:41) as absolute Lord over them, and their future Judge; and even flee before exorcism in His name (Mark 9:38).

As "unclean" they can tempt man with unclean thoughts. They and their master Satan are at times allowed by God to afflict with bodily disease (Luke 13:16): "Satan hath bound this woman these eighteen years" with "a spirit of infirmity," so that she was "bowed together." Scripture teaches that in idolatry the demons are the real workers behind the idol, which is a mere "nothing." Compare 1 Corinthians 10:19-21; 1 Timothy 4:1; Revelation 9:20.

[...] [Read full article here]

Source: archive.org: Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

Devil refers to:—The word came into English from Greek either directly or through its Latin transliteration. Used with the definite article, its original meaning was that of the accuser or traducer of men (see Satan), whence it soon came to denote the supreme spirit of evil, the personal tempter of man and enemy of God. With the indefinite article it stands for a malignant being of superhuman nature and powers, and represents the conception expressed by the Greeks in the original of our term ‘ demon.’ At first the idea of malignancy was not necessarily associated with these beings, some being regarded as harmless and others as wielding even benign influence; but gradually they were considered as operating exclusively in the sphere of mischief, and as needing to be guarded against by magic rites or religious observances.

1. Earlier conceptions. Jewish demonology must be traced back to primitive and pre-Mosaic times, when both a form of animism was present in a belief in the ill-disposed activity of the spirits of the dead, and a variety of places and objects were supposed to be rendered sacred by the occupation, permanent or temporary, of some superhuman power. Of these views only traces are to be found in the earliest parts of Scripture, and the riper development of later ages may fairly be ascribed to foreign, and especially Bab. [Note: Babylonian.] and Greek, influences. That certain animals were believed to be endowed with demonic power appears from Genesis 3:1-15 , though here the serpent itself is represented as demonic, and not yet as possessed by an evil spirit ( Wis 2:24 , Romans 16:20 ). So with the ‘he-goats’ or satyrs ( Lev 17:7 , 2 Chronicles 11:15 , Isaiah 13:21; Isaiah 34:14 ), which were evidently regarded as a kind of demon, though without the rich accompaniments of the Greek conception.

[...] [Read full article here]

Relevant text

Search found 173 books and stories containing Devil, The devil, Devils; (plurals include: Devils, The devils, Devilses). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Part 2 - Nimrod the fire-worshipper, and Yonton, son of Noah < [The Fourth Thousand Years—Fom Reu to Ehud]

Part 22 - The Harrowing of Hell < [The Second Year of Cyrus to the Birth of Christ]

Part 7 - The Revolt of Satan, and the battle in Heaven < [The First Thousand Years (Adam to Yared (Jared)]

+ 17 more chapters / show preview

Chapter II - Great power of Friar Juniper against the devil < [The Life of Friar Juniper]

Chapter of Holy Prayer < [Teachings and Sayings of Friar Giles]

Chapter XXIX - How the devil in the form of Christ Crucified appeared . . < [The Little Flowers]

+ 18 more chapters / show preview

The Story of Devil

The Story of Satan

The Story of Antichrist

+ 21 more chapters / show preview