The devil is the name given in Scripture to the chief of these fallen
angels. He is also known as Satan. The Hebrew name I@ (satan) derives
from the verb ~piy, which means to be or act as an adversary.22 Hence he
is the opponent, the one who opposes the cause of God and of the
people of God. The Greek word &XT~V or CCU(YV&S is a transliteration of
this Hebrew name. The most common Greek word for him is &&/3oho~
(devil, adversary, accuser). ~a~fiywp (accuser-Rev. 12:lO) is also used.
Several other terms are used of him less frequently: tempter (Matt. 4:3;
1 Thess. 35) Beelzebub (Matt. 12:24, 27; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15, 19),
enemy (Matt. 13:39), evil one (Matt. 13:19,38; 1 John 2:13; 3:12; 5:18), Belial
(2 Cor. 6:15), adversary (1 Peter 5:8), deceiver (Rev. 12:9), great dragon
(Rev. 12:3), father of lies (John 8:44), murderer (John 8:44), sinner (1 John
3:8). All of these convey something of the character and activity of the
devil. Although the devil is not explicitly termed a demon in Scripture, it
is clear that Jesus identified Satan with Beelzebub, the prince of demons
(see the parallel accounts in Matt. 12:22-32; Mark 3:22-30; and Luke
11:14-23). That Satan is a demon is also implied in Luke 10:17-20, where
the casting out of demons signals the defeat of Satan. Those who were
demon-possessed were characterized as “oppressed by the devil” (Acts
10:38; cf. Luke 13:16)