Bible Dictionaries
Satyr

Holman Bible Dictionary

(ssa' tihr) A hairy, demonic figure with the appearance of a goat, translating a Hebrew term otherwise translated, “hairy” or “male goat.” Bible students differ in interpreting passages as to whether a demonic figure or a normal animal is meant. Israelites apparently sacrificed to such desert-dwelling demons, since they had to have a law forbidding such sacrifice (Leviticus 17:7 ). Some have even interpreted the scapegoat rites (Leviticus 16:20-22 ) as sending Israel's sins back to their author, a desert demon with a different name from that translated, “satyr.” Jeroboam I (926-909 B.C.) appointed priests to serve these demons (2 Chronicles 11:15 ). Here idols in the forms of goats may be intended as parallel to the famous calves Jeroboam built. Isaiah promised that Babylon would become so desolate the desert-dwelling demons would live in the ruins (Isaiah 13:21; compare Isaiah 34:14 ). Some commentators read 2 Kings 23:8 to refer to worship places for these demons at a gate in Jerusalem (compare REB). A similar reality is expressed by a different Hebrew word in Deuteronomy 32:17; Psalm 106:37 . Compare Matthew 12:43; Mark 5:13; Luke 11:24; Revelation 18:2 . Lilith (Isaiah 34:14 NRSV) may also be a name for the desert demons.