Satan in the Hebrew Scriptures

This is simply a survey of the occurences of the word "satan" in the Hebrew Scriptures. The word in question is here:

שטן

By combining the meanings of the three letters that form this word we can define the word. From right to left the three letters and their meanings are 1) sheen (teeth), 2) tet (snake) and 3) noon (fish). So the "word picture" for satan would be stated as: Satan is the teeth of the snake in the fish (where fish is probably a biblical symbol for believers).

The word occurs 27 times, but different Bibles translate the word with a variety of English words. Infact, all translations surveyed here translate this single Hebrew word with more than one English word. Unfortunately this obscures the meaning of the word. Some of the words commonly used to translate satan are:

  • adversary
  • accusser
  • oppose
  • withstand
  • deceivers
  • Satan

The last word in the list, "Satan," is actually not a translation. It's called a transliteration because it sounds the same when read in English as the original Hebrew word. Names are often transliterated in the Bible, such as Jacob (though Yacob would be the proper pronunciation).

It's an important observation that satan is sometimes transliterated and other times translated. Usually translators either transliterate or translate names, not both, but satan is transliterated only about half the time. You would think if this is the name of an individual it would always be transliterated so you would know you're reading about that person, or if it's simply an action or role like "opposing" someone or something you wouldn't find it transliterated so often.

The 27 occurrences of satan are quoted below. You can click the Bible version tabs along the bottom of the scripture quotes to survey different Bible translations yourself.

Each scripture quote is followed by a list of how the main Bible versions translate the word. I've highlighted the divergent cases in yellow to help distinguish the variety of ways this word gets translated.

Once I have the proper tools I hope to extend this survey to deal with the Aramaic Scriptures also. And then perhaps draw some conclussions about this whole space and how it effects theology and behavior in Christians.

4 Numbers 22:22

4 Numbers 22:22
22 22And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.

  • KJV = adversary
  • ASV = adversary
  • LAM = adversary
  • RSV = adversary
  • NIV = oppose
  • WEB = adversary

4 Numbers 22:32

4 Numbers 22:32
24 32And the angel of the Lord said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:

  • KJV = withstand
  • ASV = adversary
  • LAM = adversary
  • RSV = withstand
  • NIV = oppose
  • WEB = adversary

8 First Samuel 29:4

8 First Samuel 29:4
4And the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him; and the princes of the Philistines said unto him, Make this fellow return, that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he be an adversary to us: for wherewith should he reconcile himself unto his master? should it not be with the heads of these men?

  • KJV = adversary
  • ASV = adversary
  • LAM = adversary
  • RSV = adversary
  • NIV = turn against
  • WEB = adversary

9 Second Samuel 19:22

9 Second Samuel 19:22
22And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?

  • KJV = adversaries
  • ASV = adversaries
  • LAM = deceivers
  • RSV = adversary
  • NIV = adversaries
  • WEB = adversaries

10 First Kings 5:4

10 First Kings 5:4
4But now the Lord my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent.

  • KJV = adversary
  • ASV = adversary
  • LAM = adversary
  • RSV = adversary
  • NIV = adversary
  • WEB = adversary

10 First Kings 11:14

10 First Kings 11:14
29 14And the Lord stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king's seed in Edom.

  • KJV = adversary
  • ASV = adversary
  • LAM = adversary
  • RSV = adversary
  • NIV = adversary
  • WEB = adversary

10 First Kings 11:23

10 First Kings 11:23
23And God stirred him up another adversary, Rezon the son of Eliadah, which fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah:

  • KJV = adversary
  • ASV = adversary
  • LAM = adversary
  • RSV = adversary
  • NIV = adversary
  • WEB = adversary

10 First Kings 11:25

10 First Kings 11:25
25And he was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, beside the mischief that Hadad did: and he abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria.

  • KJV = adversary
  • ASV = adversary
  • LAM = adversary
  • RSV = adversary
  • NIV = adversary
  • WEB = adversary

19 Zechariah 3:1

19 Zechariah 3:1
1327366 1And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.

  • KJV = Satan
  • ASV = Satan
  • LAM = Satan
  • RSV = Satan
  • NIV = Satan
  • WEB = Satan

19 Zechariah 3:2 (2x)

19 Zechariah 3:2
2And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

  • KJV = Satan and Satan
  • ASV = Satan and Satan
  • LAM = Satan and Satan
  • RSV = Satan and Satan
  • NIV = Satan and Satan
  • WEB = Satan and Satan

26 Psalm 109:6

26 Psalms 109:6
6Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.

  • KJV = Satan
  • ASV = adversary
  • LAM = Satan
  • RSV = accuser
  • NIV = accuser
  • WEB = adversary

27 Job 1:6

27 Job 1:6
472 6Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.

  • KJV = Satan
  • ASV = Satan
  • LAM = Satan
  • RSV = Satan
  • NIV = Satan
  • WEB = Satan

27 Job 1:7 (2x)

27 Job 1:7
7And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

  • KJV = Satan and Satan
  • ASV = Satan and Satan
  • LAM = Satan and Satan
  • RSV = Satan and Satan
  • NIV = Satan and Satan
  • WEB = Satan and Satan

27 Job 1:8

27 Job 1:8
8And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

  • KJV = Satan
  • ASV = Satan
  • LAM = Satan
  • RSV = Satan
  • NIV = Satan
  • WEB = Satan

27 Job 1:9

27 Job 1:9
9Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

  • KJV = Satan
  • ASV = Satan
  • LAM = Satan
  • RSV = Satan
  • NIV = Satan
  • WEB = Satan

27 Job 1:12 (2x)

27 Job 1:12
12And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.

  • KJV = Satan and Satan
  • ASV = Satan and Satan
  • LAM = Satan and Satan
  • RSV = Satan and Satan
  • NIV = Satan and Satan
  • WEB = Satan and Satan

27 Job 2:1

27 Job 2:1
16315034 1Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord.

  • KJV = Satan
  • ASV = Satan
  • LAM = Satan
  • RSV = Satan
  • NIV = Satan
  • WEB = Satan

27 Job 2:2 (2x)

27 Job 2:2
2And the Lord said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

  • KJV = Satan and Satan
  • ASV = Satan and Satan
  • LAM = Satan and Satan
  • RSV = Satan and Satan
  • NIV = Satan and Satan
  • WEB = Satan and Satan

27 Job 2:3

27 Job 2:3
3And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

  • KJV = Satan
  • ASV = Satan
  • LAM = Satan
  • RSV = Satan
  • NIV = Satan
  • WEB = Satan

27 Job 2:4

27 Job 2:4
4And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.

  • KJV = Satan
  • ASV = Satan
  • LAM = Satan
  • RSV = Satan
  • NIV = Satan
  • WEB = Satan

27 Job 2:6

27 Job 2:6
6And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.

  • KJV = Satan
  • ASV = Satan
  • LAM = Satan
  • RSV = Satan
  • NIV = Satan
  • WEB = Satan

27 Job 2:7

27 Job 2:7
51 7So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.

  • KJV = Satan
  • ASV = Satan
  • LAM = Satan
  • RSV = Satan
  • NIV = Satan
  • WEB = Satan

37 First Chronicles 21:1

37 First Chronicles 21:1
1429 1And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.

  • KJV = Satan
  • ASV = Satan
  • LAM = Satan
  • RSV = Satan
  • NIV = Satan
  • WEB = Satan

Ryan Eaton
Written: 2007-02-20
Updated: 2008-09-19