The name Satan (stn in Hebrew) comes from Judaism meaning something like adversary. The being served as a companion and counter view to that of the Jewish
god, testing
God'
s followers and prompting God to prove the power of its
people's faith and dedication.
In Christianity, Satan is the fallen
angel Lucifer, who is typically seen as the one responsible for weakness in the wills of Christians when they fail to avoid sin. Portrayed as a trickster and usually depicted as a red, man like being with horns, cloven feet and a tail. Much of the image of the Christian Satan is an amalgam of imagery associated with gods of pagan faiths that were absorbed by Christianity as it spread further West with
Roman conquest.
Job (
6-12):
One day the divine beings presented themselves before the Lord, and the Adversary (stn) came along with them. The Lord said to the Adversary,"Where have you been?"
The Adversary answered the Lord, "I have been roaming all over the
earth."
The Lord said to the Adversary, "Have you noticed My servant Job? There is no one like him on
earth, a blameless and upright man who fears
God and shuns evil!"
The Adversary answered the Lord, "Does Job not have good reason to
fear God? Why, is it You who have fenced him round, him and his household and all that he has. You have blessed his efforts so that his possessions spread out in the land. But
lay Your hand upon all that he has and he will surely blaspheme You to Your
face."
The Lord replied to the Adversary, "See, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on him."
The Adversary departed from the presence of the Lord.
Common escape for those who fall into
sin:
Satan made me do it.
