Satan (Hebrew: הַשָּׂטָן ha-Satan, "the opposer",) is the leader of fallen angels and adversary to God, particularly in Abrahamic religions. In Theistic Satanism, Satan is considered a positive force and deity who is either woshipped or revered. In LaVeyan Satanism, Satan is regarded as holding virtuous characteristics.
It is the title of various entities, both human and divine, who challenge the faith of humans in the Hebrew Bible. In Christianity, the title became a personal name, and "Satan" changed from an accuser appointed by God to test men's faith to the chief of the rebellious fallen angels ("the devil" in Christianity, "Shaitan" in Arabic, the term used by Arab Christians and Muslims). In Islam, a shayṭān is any evil creature, whether human, animal or spirit. With the definite article, the Shayṭān is Iblis, the Devil.
Read more about Satan: Hebrew Bible, Apocrypha
Famous quotes containing the word satan:
“And Satan trembles when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees.”
—William Cowper (1731–1800)
“I always seem to have a vague feeling that he is a Satan among musicians, a fallen angel in the darkness who is perpetually seeking to fight his way back to happiness.”
—Havelock Ellis (1859–1939)
“For Satan finds some mischief still
For idle hands to do.”
—Isaac Watts (1674–1748)