
Ha-Satan testing Job
Satan, or more properly, HaSatan is an angel who resides in the heavenly realm. HaSatan means the accuser or the adversary. The term Satan or HaSatan is used in three different contexts within the Tanach.[1]
First, as an enemy in war as seen in I Kings 5:18: And now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side, (there is) neither adversary nor evil occurrence.[2]
Second, as an accuser before the seat of judgment as seen in Psalm 109:6: Set a wicked man over him, and let an adversary stand at his right hand.[2]
Third, as an adversary in the general sense of the term as seen in II Samuel 19:23: And David said, “What is it between me and you, sons of Zeruiah, that you should become a hindrance to me today? Shall any man be put to death today in Israel? For do I not know that today I am king over Israel?”2
As a proper character, Satan appears only once in the Tanach – in the Book of Job. He is depicted as an angel who mocks the piety of the righteous Job.[3]
Job 1:6: Now the day came about, and the angels of God came to stand beside the Lord, and the Adversary, too, came among them.[2]
From the dialogue in the opening chapter of the Book of Job we see that HaSatan is a member of the angelic hosts of the abode of Hashem and has no independent power.
Job 1:7, 12: (7) The Lord said to the Adversary, “Where are you coming from?” And the Adversary answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth and from walking in it.” … (12) Now the Lord said to the Adversary, “Behold, all that he has is in your hands; only upon him do not stretch forth your hand.” Now the Adversary left the presence of the Lord.[2]
From this exchange we see that HaSatan is an angel who watches over the activities of humanity, searching for mankind’s sins and then appearing as their accuser to Hashem. HaSatan is not considered an opponent to Hashem as Christianity teaches. Monotheistic teachings are no more disturbed by the existence of HaSatan than by the presence of other beings that go before Hashem. This view is shown in Zechariah 3:1-2 where HaSatan is described as the adversary of the high priest Joshua.[1]
Zechariah 3:1-2: (1) And He showed me Joshua, the High Priest, standing before the angel of the Lord. And Satan was standing on his right, to accuse him. (2) And the Lord said to Satan: The Lord shall rebuke you, O Satan; and the Lord shall rebuke you, He who chose Jerusalem. Is this one not a brand plucked from fire?[2]
Christianity teaches that Satan was once an angel in the heavenly realm but through his rebellion, he became a fallen angel.
The authoritative teaching of the Catholic Church regarding Satan was set forth in the decrees of the Fourth Lateran Council which reads in part: “…the Devil and the other demons were created by God good in their nature but they by themselves have made themselves evil.”[4]
As a proof text from the Tanach, Christianity uses Isaiah 14:12 to prove their stand regarding Satan.
Isaiah 14:12: How have you fallen from heaven, the morning star? You have been cut down to earth, You who cast lots on nations.[2]
Christianity argues “that Isaiah’s mention of the fallen ‘morning star’ refers to Satan’s ultimate demise at the end of time when Satan will finally be cast into a lake of fire as articulated in the twentieth chapter of the Book of Revelation.”[5]
However, if you read the fourteenth chapter of Isaiah it will quickly become apparent that the “morning star” is referring to Nebuchadnezzar.
Isaiah 14:4: And you shall bear this parable against the king of Babylon, and you shall say, “How has the dominator ceased, has ceased the haughty one![2]
In Isaiah 14:12 “Nebuchadnezzar is compared to the planet Venus whose light is still visible in the morning yet vanishes with the rise of the sun. … Like the light of Venus, Nebuchadnezzar’s reign shone brilliantly for a short time, yet, as the prophets foretold, was eventually overshadowed by the nation of Israel whose light endured and outlived this arrogant nation who tormented and exiled her.”[5]
Judaism firmly believes that HaSatan is nothing more than an accusing angel that resides in the heavenly court. HaSatan is not a fallen angel and is not evil incarnate.
[1]Jacobs, Joseph & Blau, Ludwig. Satan. Jewish Encyclopedia, 1906.
[2]“The Complete Jewish Bible.” chabad.org. Chabad, n.d.
[3]Pelaia, Ariela. Do Jews Believe In Satan?. About.Com Judaism, n.d.
[4]Kent, William. “Devil.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 4. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1908.
[5]Singer, Tovia. “Who is Satan?” outreachjudaism.org. Outreach Judaism, n.d. (Old Link)