What about the word “satan”?

We all know Satan as the adversary of God and the accuser of us humans, but did you know that the word “satan”, in Hebrew, is also a verb? Perhaps you already knew this, or you might only be familiar with the word “satan” as a noun.

You see, our English translation almost always loses the depth of meaning of the original text.  With the definite article prefixed, satan becomes the proper noun that we are accustomed using, however, without the article, the word is used in a general sense to denote someone who opposes or accuses or slanders.

When in Psalm 38:20 we read, Those who render me evil for good accuse me because I follow after good, here “accuse” is “satan” as a verb.

When in Numbers 22:22 we read, God's anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as his adversary, here, the angel who stood in Balaam’s way, “his adversary” is “satan” as a noun.

When in 1 Kings 5:4, Solomon told Hiram that he had no adversary who opposed him, it’s “satan” as a noun and a verb.

But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil confronting me. (AMPC)

The Satan is a council, title or office and not a name; it’s “hassatan” or “ha-satan” in Hebrew. It was “ha-satan”, the satan, that appeared before God to accuse Job

One day the angels [sons of God] came to show themselves [stand] before the Lord, and Satan [the Satan; means “the Accuser” or “the Adversary”; either the Devil or a member of God’s heavenly court] was with them. – Job 1:6 (EXB)

And, when Jesus, in Mark 8:33, rebuked Peter saying, “Get behind me, Satan!”, He was referring to Peter as one who was opposing Him and not as one possessed by Satan, who is identified with the devil.

He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years – Revelation 20:2 (NRSVUE)

Peter was attempting to stand in Jesus’ way and the prophecy of the cross. Jesus was in effect telling Peter to get out of His way. Too often, like Peter, we attempt to get in the way of what God is doing.

With our perpetual need to control and belief that we know what’s best, we assume the role of the satan, when we become obstacles in everyone’s way (2 Corinthians 6:3), when we are stumbling blocks or hindrances to our brothers' and sisters' progress (Romans 14:13) and when we attempt to obstruct God’s plan (Acts 5:38-39).

When we accuse the brethren, oppose for opposing sake, use our mouths to slander fellow believers and become their adversaries, we satan others.

Beloved, know that even though the word “satan” has long been attributed to the evil one, that was never the original intention. Know that a believer can be a satan, depending on his or her actions. Even David, in 1 Samuel 29:4-5 was feared to become an adversary.

There’s so much more that can be unpacked regarding the word “satan” so, I encourage you to dig deeper for yourself.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “What about the word “satan”?” © 2026 September 12, 2026