Bible Dictionaries
Devil, Devlish

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

Search for…

Enter query below:

or

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Prev Entry
Device

Next Entry
Devised

Resource Toolbox

Print Article

"an accuser, a slanderer" (from diaballo, "to accuse, to malign"), is one of the names of Satan. From it the English word "Devil" is derived, and should be applied only to Satan, as a proper name. Daimon, "a demon," is frequently, but wrongly, translated "devil;" it should always be translated "demon," as in the RV margin. There is one "Devil," there are many demons. Being the malignant enemy of God and man, he accuses man to God, Job 1:6-11; 2:1-5; Revelation 12:9,10 , and God to man, Genesis 3 . He afflicts men with physical sufferings, Acts 10:38 . Being himself sinful, 1 John 3:8 , he instigated man to sin, Genesis 3 , and tempts man to do evil, Ephesians 4:27; 6:11 , encouraging him thereto by deception, Ephesians 2:2 . Death having been brought into the world by sin, the "Devil" had the power of death, but Christ through His own death, has triumphed over him, and will bring him to nought, Hebrews 2:14; his power over death is intimated in his struggle with Michael over the body of Moses. Jude 1:9 . Judas, who gave himself over to the "Devil," was so identified with him, that the Lord described him as such, John 6:70 (see John 13:2 ). As the "Devil" raised himself in pride against God and fell under condemnation, so believers are warned against similar sin, 1 Timothy 3:6; for them he lays snares, ver. 7, seeking to devour them as a roaring lion, 1 Peter 5:8; those who fall into his snare may be recovered therefrom unto the will of God, 2 Timothy 2:26 , "having been taken captive by him (i.e., by the 'Devil');" "by the Lord's servant" is an alternative, which some regard as confirmed by the use of zogreo ("to catch alive") in Luke 5:10; but the general use is that of taking captive in the usual way. If believers resist he will flee from them, James 4:7 . His fury and malignity will be especially exercised at the end of the present age, Revelation 12:12 . His doom is the lake of fire, Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10 . The noun is applied to slanderers, false accusers, 1 Timothy 3:11; 2 Timothy 3:3; Titus 2:3 .