Etymologiczne antynomie terminów śāṭān i diabolos w Starym Testamencie w kontekście kulminacyjnego obrazu Szatana w Mdr 2, 24

Abstract

Word, “satan” is an Hebrew word which means “adversary” while “devil” is a translation of the Greek word “diabolos”, meaning a liar, an enemy or false accuser. The Biblical usage of the term “satan” shows that can be used as ordinary adjectiv, describing ordinary people. The word “satan” in the Bible is not regarded as referring to a supernatural, personal being but to any adversary and figuratively refers to human sin and temptation This fact makes it impossible to reason that the word satan as used in the Bible do in themselves refer to a great wicked person or being outside of us. Hovever, in the books of Samuel and Chronicles are parallels accounts of the same incidents describing of Satan, of the same events but using different language. The original word “diabolos” is derived from the word “diabebola” which is the perfect tense, middle voice of the word “diaballo”. Diaballo is compounded of “dia” (through) and “ballo”, therefore rendering the meaning to “dart or strike through”. He further explains that whenever the word is used in the figurative sense, it signifies to strike or stab with an accusation or evil report. Hovever the word “devil” is a general term and not used as a proper noun. It is a word that can be employed in any situation where slander, accusation and falsehood are present. Inciden tally, please note that the entire Old Testament is silent on the Devil. The word devil does not appear in the Old Testament, except deuterocanonical books. For the first time appears in the in the First Book of Maccabees. In the Book of Wisdom the devil is represented as the one who brought death into the world and he is the principal enemy of God.