Satan, or the Devil, has been given a number of titles in Scripture.
1. Satan
Fifty-two times in Scripture this being is designated as Satan.
Now it came about on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, that Satan also came among them (Job 1:6).
2. Day-Star
In Isaiah this creature is called the "day star." This has the idea of "bearer of light." This name, translated into Latin, is Lucifer. This was the name of Satan before his fall.
How you are fallen from heaven, O day-star, son of the morning! how you are cut down to the ground, that did lay low the nations! (Isaiah 14:12).
The true "day star" and "bearer of light" is the Lord Jesus Himself.
It is I, Jesus, who sent My angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star (Revelation 22:16).
Jesus is the true light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world (John 1:9).
3. Son Of The Morning
He is also titled "son of the morning."
How you are fallen from heaven, O day-star, son of the morning! how you are cut down to the ground, that did lay low the nations! (Isaiah 14:12).
4. The Anointed Cherub
This angel was also called the "anointed cherub."
You were the anointed cherub that covered: and I set you, so that you were upon the holy mountain of God; you have walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire (Ezekiel 28:14).
5. The Devil
This is one of the most popular names for this personage. It only appears in the New Testament.
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil (Matthew 4:1).
The Devil literally means "slanderer." Satan is called this because he slanders both God and humanity. In the Garden of Eden, he slandered God's character.
And the woman said to the serpent, "From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; and the serpent said to the woman, "You surely shall not die! "For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil" (Genesis 3:2,4,5).
He now accuses believers.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming, "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Messiah, for the accuser of our comrades has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God (Revelation 12:10).
Satan is the one who tempts people to sin. He wants to bring out the worst in each of us.
The tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread" (Matthew 4:3).
7. Ruler Of Demons
This evil personage is called the ruler of the demons.
But the Pharisees said, "By the ruler of the demons He drives out demons" (Matthew 9:34).
8. Beelzebul
Satan is known as Beelzebul, which means "lord of the flies," or "lord of dung."
But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, "It is only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons, that this fellow casts out the demons" (Matthew 12:24).
9. The Evil One
Satan is also called the "evil one."
When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path (Matthew 13:19).
10. Enemy
He is the enemy of humanity.
and the enemy who sowed them is the Devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels (Matthew 13:39).
11. Liar
Jesus made it clear that Satan is always a liar. Liar, therefore, is an appropriate title.
You are of your father the Devil . . . there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own nature: for he is a liar, and the father thereof (John 8:44).
12. Father Of Lies
He is the one who originated lies.
When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own nature: for he is a liar, and the father thereof (John 8:44).
13. Murderer
This fallen angel is also a murderer.
You are of your father the Devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44).
14. Ruler Of This World
Satan is the ruler of this world in the sense that the world is still characterized by sin. Jesus said.
I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over Me (John 14:30).
This title suggests that he is the major influence over our world. Scripture teaches that the whole world is in his power.
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the evil one (1 John 5:19).
15. God Of This Age
He is the god of this present age.
in whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them (2 Corinthians 4:4).
16. Angel Of Light
He appears as an angel of light.
And no marvel; for even Satan fashions himself into an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14).
17. Belial
The idea behind Belial is "vileness." This title may be applied to the Devil only by implication.
What agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what does a believer share with an unbeliever? (2 Corinthians 6:15).
18. Ruler Of The Authority Of The Air
He is the authority over this present, evil world-system.
in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient (Ephesians 2:2).
19. Adversary
This being stands in opposition to everything holy. The word "Satan" means adversary.
Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the Devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).
20. Roaring Lion
He is likened to a lion who goes about seeking its prey.
Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the Devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).
21. The Angel Of The Abyss
There is some question as to whether this is a description of Satan, or merely another powerful evil angel.
They have as king over them the angel of the pit; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he is called Apollyon (Revelation 9:11).
22. Apollyon And Abaddon
He is called Apollyon and Abaddon.
They have as king over them the angel of the pit; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he is called Apollyon (Revelation 9:11).
The idea behind these terms is "destroyer." Satan has been filled with hatred against God from the beginning, and has attempted to destroy every good thing that God has done.
23. Dragon
Satan is called the dragon.
And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him (Revelation 12:9).
The term dragon is associated with those who oppose God.
24. Old Serpent
He is also known as the old serpent.
And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him (Revelation 12:9).
This reminds us of the Garden of Eden when Satan came to Adam and Eve in the form of a serpent. It speaks of his cunning.
25. Deceiver Of The Whole World
This fallen angel deceives the unbelieving world.
And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him (Revelation 12:9).
Deception is what this being is all about - he is the master deceiver.
26. Accuser Of God's People
God's people are constantly accused by this evil personage.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming, "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Messiah, for the accuser of our comrades has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God" (Revelation 12:10).
Summary
Satan, or the Devil, is known by a number of names in Scripture. All of these names point to his evil character. The chief characteristics we find in this creature are his hostility, cunning, power, and evil intent toward God and His people.
