Key Facts
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  Background
  Satan being traditionally applied to an angel in Judeo-Christian belief, and to a jinn in Islamic belief.
 

While Hebrew ha-Satan is "the accuser" and Satan itself means "to overcome" — the one who challenged the religious faith of humans in the books of Job and Zechariah — Abrahamic religious belief systems other than Judaism relate this term to a demon, a rebellious fallen angel, devil, minor god and idolatry, or as an allegory for evil.

 

The word 'Satan', and the Arabic شيطان "shaitan", may derive from a Northwest Semitic root śtn, meaning "to be hostile", "to accuse." An alternative explanation is provided by the Hebrew in Job 1:7. When God asks him whence he has come, Satan answers: "From wandering (mi'ŝut) the earth and walking on it".

 

Satan has many appearances, depending on the source. Many people connect the term Satan with the more goat-like appearance of the devil, with cloven hooves, goat legs, and horns. This image of Satan may be related to the notion of the Satyr, a half-man/half-goat in Greek Mythology, but evidence for this connection is lacking.

  The name Satan can be used to describe all forms of the devil. For example, people may believe that Satan is invisible, that he resembles the Minotaur, that he is a small devilish spirit, or that he looks like a man. The human-like form is the one most commonly known as Mephistopheles. In many descriptions, he looks like a dark angel. He is typically depicted with horns, a pointed tail, bat-like wings, and a staff or trident. In the biblical Book of Revelation, he is described as a dragon.
   
   
   


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