Original Word: שָׂטַן
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: satan
Pronunciation: sah-tahn'
Phonetic Spelling: (saw-tan')
KJV: (be an) adversary, resist
NASB: accusers, accuse, act as my accusers, adversaries, oppose
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to attack, (figuratively) accuse

be an adversary, resist

A primitive root; to attack, (figuratively) accuse -- (be an) adversary, resist.

Word Origin
denominative verb from satan
Definition
to be or act as adversary
NASB Translation
accuse (1), accusers (2), act as my accusers (1), adversaries (1), oppose (1).

[שָׂטַן] verb denominative (Gerber³⁰) be or act as adversary; —

Qal Imperfect3masculine plural suffix יִשְׂטְנוּנִי Psalm 38:21; Psalm 109:4; Infinitive construct suffix לְשִׁטְנוֺ Zechariah 3:1; Participle plural construct שׂטְנֵי Psalm 71:13, suffix שׂטְנַי Psalm 109:21, שׂטְנַי Psalm 109:20, שׂוֺטְנַי Psalm 109:29.

Root Concept and Scope

שָׂטַן describes hostile opposition expressed through accusation. It is a dynamic word, portraying active resistance rather than passive dislike. Whether leveled by human enemies or by the spiritual Adversary, the verb always depicts a deliberate attempt to injure by charging with wrongdoing.

Canonical Distribution

Six occurrences form two clusters: five in the Psalms of Davidic lament (Psalm 38:20; Psalm 71:13; Psalm 109:4, Psalm 109:20, Psalm 109:29) and one in Zechariah 3:1. The Psalms reveal the personal anguish of a righteous sufferer; Zechariah unveils the cosmic courtroom where Israel’s high priest stands under accusation.

Accusation in the Psalter

1. Personal Betrayal (Psalm 38:20): “Those who repay my good with evil accuse me for pursuing good.” The psalmist’s integrity is answered with slander, illustrating how righteousness often provokes hostile charges.
2. Prayer for Vindication (Psalm 71:13): “May my accusers be ashamed and consumed; may those who seek my harm be covered with scorn and disgrace.” Here the verb fuels an imprecatory plea, teaching believers to hand over vengeance to God rather than retaliate.
3. The Lament of Misjudged Love (Psalm 109:4): “In return for my love they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.” Accusation meets love; prayer meets injustice. The verse models the correct reflex when falsely charged—communion with God.

4–5. Covenant Lawsuit (Psalm 109:20, Psalm 109:29): The psalmist asks that the very disgrace intended for him would return upon the accusers, trusting divine justice to turn the charges back on their heads.

Zechariah’s Vision and the Cosmic Accuser

“Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, with Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.” (Zechariah 3:1)

The scene exposes the ultimate expression of שָׂטַן. The Adversary presents formal allegations that question Israel’s eligibility for priestly service after exile. The LORD rebukes Satan, replaces Joshua’s filthy garments, and announces forthcoming cleansing “in a single day” (Zechariah 3:9). Thus the verb is framed by grace that silences every charge.

Theological Themes

• Legal Hostility: Accusation functions like a lawsuit, seeking a guilty verdict. Scripture answers with God’s declaration of righteousness.
• Human and Supernatural Agents: The same verb covers both human enemies and the spiritual Adversary, underscoring a seamless biblical world-view in which earthly hostility often mirrors unseen conflict.
• Divine Advocacy: Each passage pairs accusation with God’s defense—either awaited (Psalms) or enacted (Zechariah). “The LORD is on my side as my helper” (Psalm 118:7) summarizes the pattern.

New Testament Resonance

Revelation 12:10 identifies Satan as “the accuser of our brothers,” echoing Zechariah. Romans 8:33-34 answers the challenge: “Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.” The Greek διάβολος (“slanderer”) carries forward the same idea, showing canonical continuity from שָׂטַן to the full New Testament doctrine of the devil.

Pastoral and Ministry Implications

• Assurance in Christ: Believers facing false accusation rest in the High Priest who “always lives to intercede” (Hebrews 7:25).
• Prayerful Response: The Psalms authorize lament and petition for vindication while forbidding personal vengeance.
• Spiritual Warfare: Awareness of demonic accusation equips ministry leaders to confront condemnation with the gospel, applying Christ’s righteousness to the conscience.
• Corporate Cleansing: Zechariah’s imagery urges congregations to pursue holiness, confident that the Lord removes defilement and silences every charge against His people.

Historical Perspective

Second Temple Judaism drew heavily on Zechariah 3 for its understanding of Satan as prosecuting attorney. Early Christian writers then linked the scene to the cross and resurrection, where the decisive verdict in favor of God’s people was rendered.

Summary

שָׂטַן sketches a line from human slander to the cosmic courtroom. Each occurrence reminds the faithful that accusations—whether whispered by enemies or thundered by Satan—find their answer in the Advocate who justifies, cleanses, and ultimately robes His servants in glory.

טני יִ֝שְׂטְנ֗וּנִי יִשְׂטְנ֗וּנִי ישטנוני לְשִׂטְנֽוֹ׃ לשטנו׃ שֹׂ֭טְנַי שֹׂטְנֵ֪י שׂוֹטְנַ֣י שוטני שטני lə·śiṭ·nōw lesitNo ləśiṭnōw śō·ṭə·nê śō·wṭ·nay śōṭənê soteNei sotNai śōwṭnay ṭə·nay tenai ṭənay yiś·ṭə·nū·nî yisteNuni yiśṭənūnîInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts