Bible Lexicons

διάβολος, διάβολον (διαβάλλω which see), prone to slander, slanderous, accusing falsely, (Aristophanes, Andocides (), Plutarch, others): 1 Timothy 3:11; 2 Timothy 3:3; Titus 2:3; as a substantive, ὁ διάβολος, a calumniator, false accuser, slanderer, (see κατηγορέω, at the end) (Xenophon, Ages. 11, 5; (Aristotle, others)): the Sept. Esther 7:4; Esther 8:1. In the Bible and in ecclesiastical writings ὁ διάβολος (also διάβολος without the article; cf. Winers Grammar, 124 (118); Buttmann, 89 (78)) is applied κατ' ἐξοχήν to the one called in Hebrew הַשָּׂטָן, ὁ σατανᾶς (which see), viz., Satan, the prince of demons, the author of evil, persecuting good men (Job 1; Zechariah 3:1ff, cf. Revelation 12:10), estranging mankind from God and enticing them to sin, and afflicting them with diseases by means of demons who take possession of their bodies at his bidding; the malignant enemy of God and the Messiah: Matthew 4:1, 5,(); ; Luke 4:2,( R L, ); ; John 13:2; Acts 10:38; Ephesians 4:27; Ephesians 6:11; 1 Timothy 3:6; 2 Timothy 2:26; Hebrews 2:14; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8; Jude 1:9; Revelation 2:10; Revelation 12:9, 12; Revelation 20:2, 10; (Wis. 2:24; (cf. Psalm 108:6 (); 1 Chronicles 21:1)). Men who resemble the devil in mind and will are said εἶναι ἐκ τοῦ διαβόλου to be of the devil, properly, to derive their origin from the devil, tropically, to depend upon the devil in thought and action, to be prompted and governed by him: John 8:44; 1 John 3:8; the same are called τέκνα τοῦ διαβόλου, children of the devil, 1 John 3:10; υἱοί τοῦ διαβόλου, sons of the devil, Acts 13:10, cf. Matthew 13:38; John 8:38; 1 John 3:10. The name διάβολος is figuratively applied to a man who, by opposing the cause of God, may be said to act the part of the devil or to side with him: John 6:70, cf. Matthew 16:23; Mark 8:33. (Cf. σαταν at the end.)