Bible Encyclopedias
Adversary

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ad´vẽr -sa -ri , ad´vẽr -sā̄̇ -ri : This word (in the singular or plural) is used in the Old Testament to render different Hebrew words. In thirty-two cases the word corresponds to the noun צר , cār , or the verb צרר , cārar ̌ . This noun is the ordinary word for "foe" or "adversary." In twelve passages the Hebrew word, of which "adversary" is the translation, is שׂטן , sāṭān = noun or שׂטן , sāṭan = verb. This stem means "to oppose," or "thwart" anyone in his purpose or claims.

The angel of Yahweh was sāṭān to Balaam (Numbers 22:22 ). The word often denotes a political adversary (1 Kings 11:14 , 1 Kings 11:23 , 1 Kings 11:25 ). In four cases (namely, Prologue to Job; Zechariah 3:1 , Zechariah 3:2; 1 Chronicles 21:1; Psalm 109:6 ) the King James Version retains Satan as the rendering. But it is only in 1 Chronicles that the word is used without the article, that is, strictly as a proper name. The Septuagint gives διάβολος , diábolos , as the rendering, and both in Job and Zechariah, Satan is portrayed as the "false accuser." In two cases "adversary" represents two Hebrew expressions which mean the "opponent in a suit" or "controversy" (Job 31:35; Isaiah 50:8 ).

In the New Testament "adversary" represents: (1) αντικειμενοι , ἀντικείμενοι , antikeı́menoi , the participle of a verb which means "to be set over against," "to be opposed" (Luke 13:17; Philippians 2:8 ). (2) ἀντίδικος , antı́dikos , "opponent in a lawsuit," "prosecutor" (Matthew 5:25; Luke 12:58; Luke 18:3; 1 Peter 5:8 ). According to the last passage the devil is the "accuser" or "prosecutor" of believers, but according to another writer they have an "advocate" or "counselor for the defense" with the Father (1 John 2:1 ). In one passage (Hebrews 10:27 ) "adversary" represents a Greek word, hupenantı́os , which means "set over against," "contrary to" - a word used in classical Greek and in the Septuagint.