Where did Satan come from?

Question

The original of Satan comes from two sources: Egyptian and Persian.

In ancient Nilotic religions, there was Set, one of the children of Ra, the firstborn among whom was Osiris, the man-god and Son of God, the mediator and redeemer who was killed and resurrected and transmits the promise of eternal life to his worshippers who partake in the meal of bread and wine. The brother of Osiris, Set, is the bad guy who opposes his redemptive work on behalf of mankind. The name "Satan" derives from "Set."

But the idea of polar opposites of good and evil came into Christianity from Zorostrianism, with its Prince of Darkness, Aharman, who opposes Mazda, the Prince of Light, who was born of a virgin, Dukdaub. The idea of Christ being the "Eternal Son", divine before his birth, comes from Zarathustra, who was created by Ahuramazda six thousand years before his incarnation.

Where did the representation of Set/Satan as a snake originate? I don't know. I doubt if it was originally Hebrew.

Answer 1

According to Christians, God created everything -- therefore God must have created Satan as well.

Actually , ancient peoples created him in their imagination as a personification of evil.

Answer 2

Satan, from the Hebrew word for "accuser" (Standard Hebrew: שָׂטָן, Satan; Tiberian Hebrew Śāṭān; Koine Greek: Σατανάς, Satanás; Aramaic: סטנא, Saṭänä; Arabic: شيطان, Šayṭān, Ge'ez: ሳይጣን Sāyṭān), is a term with its origins in the Abrahamic faiths which is traditionally applied to an angel. Ha-Satan is the accuser, a member of the divine council, who challenged the religious faith of humans, especially in the books of Job and Zechariah. 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.

Answer 3

The Scriptures indicate that the creature known as Satan did not always have that name. Rather, this descriptive name was given to him because of his taking a course of opposition and resistance to God. The name he had before this is not given. God is the only Creator, and ‘his activity is perfect,’ with no injustice or unrighteousness. (De 32:4) Therefore, the one becoming Satan was, when created, a perfect, righteous creature of God. He is a spirit person, for he appeared in heaven in the presence of God. (Job chaps 1, 2; Re 12:9) Jesus Christ said of him: “That one was a manslayer when he began, and he did not stand fast in the truth, because truth is not in him.” (Joh 8:44; 1Jo 3:8) Jesus here shows that Satan was once in the truth, but forsook it. Beginning with his first overt act in turning Adam and Eve away from God, he was a manslayer, for he thereby brought about the death of Adam and Eve, which, in turn, brought sin and death to their offspring. (Ro 5:12) Throughout the Scriptures the qualities and actions attributed to him could be attributed only to a person, not to an abstract principle of evil. It is clear that the Jews, and Jesus and his disciples, knew that Satan existed as a person.

Answer 4

Read "The Devil: A Biography" written by Peter Stanford for an enlightening view about the evolution of Satan from an angel working for God to help strengthen men's souls to the monstrous demon Christianity created. It's a great book!

Answer 5

Hmmm. I thought the Old Testament God was Set and then the Christians had to come up with Satan b/c there wasn't a specific bad guy in the OT so they combined all the characters and names (Lucifer, satan (Job, adjective originally), and Beezlebub). Just so this character (Satan) would distract from the God-Set comparison. After all, wasn't Set the god of chaos & confusion? That seems like a fitting description of the OT God.

Answer 6

The snake represents evil and came to Eve who broke her vow to God and was forever condemed to painful birth as is all her daughters granddaughters etc. Men were condemned to hard work. I think having had birthed two children, I'd rather have been a man.

Answer 7

Satan , also known as the Devil or Lucifer (his angelic name) was one of the three arch - angels in Heaven. The other two being Michael and Gabriel.

Because of rebellion and pride - seeking to be worshiped instead of God, he was forced out of heaven together with the angels who were under him - a third of the entire angelic host. That is how Lucifer came to be Satan.

Answer 8

Satan was the greatest of all of gods angels who was cast from heaven into hell for leading a revolt of the angels against god. He was cast into to hell and took 1/3 if the angels(known as the fallen angels or demons.)See Revelation 12:7.

Answer 9

God created the anointed cherub that covered the throne of God. He was perfect in the day that he was created but since he had a free will iniquity was found in him. Since he was the most beauty thing that God created he desired to be like God. Ezekiel 28: 14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Ezekiel 28: 15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

Answer 10

satan came from heaven ,he was called lucifer then ,he used to lead worship in heaven till he started thinking he was as great as God and tried and failed to over throw God ,God cast him out of heaven to earth then god made man in His image and that made satan mad and hate god more because He gave man free will so he corrupted man in the guise of a serpent in the garden of eden and decieeved woman and man into thinking like him and question god's words and authority and brought sin into the world