6 — Gods of the Bible by Mauro Biglino — Part 5

Date: 9/23/2024

Thread: 1 — Ancient Civilizations

Sub-thread: 1 — Old Testament

Sub-sub-thread: 5 — Gods of the Bible by Mauro Biglino, 2023

What Does “Satan” Mean?

Chapter 12, titled “Satan,” in Mauro Biglino’s Gods of the Bible, probes deeply into the origins and interpretations of the figure of Satan within the context of biblical texts. Biglino begins by exploring the meaning of the word “Satan.” He argues that the traditional view of Satan as the ultimate embodiment of evil, the adversary of God, and the leader of fallen angels is a misconception that has evolved over centuries. The Hebrew word “satan” in ancient Hebrew simply means “adversary” or “accuser.” This term denotes a specific role or function rather than a proper noun or the name of an individual.

He emphasizes that Satan is not initially portrayed as the devil or a malevolent spiritual being in the Old Testament. Instead, the term “satan” is used to describe various figures, both human and divine, who perform the role of an adversary or accuser in specific situations. Biglino points out that in several instances, the Bible uses the word “satan” to describe people, not angels, and certainly not a fallen angel rebelling against God.