devil

The Devil is a figure found in many religious and cultural traditions, typically linked with evil, temptation, and opposition to the divine. Interpretations vary from a specific personal being to a symbol of moral evil or chaos.

The word devil derives from Old English deofol, from Proto-Germanic, while Satan comes from Hebrew ha-Satan meaning "the accuser" or "the adversary." In Christian usage, Lucifer has been used as a name for the Devil.

In mainstream Christianity, the Devil is a spiritual adversary who tempts humanity and opposes God. Some traditions view him as a fallen angel; others treat him as a personification of sin. Eschatological beliefs often anticipate his defeat at the end of time.

In Judaism, ha-Satan is an agent or accuser within the divine court who tests people, not a rebellious rival to God. The notion of a single, all-powerful evil being is less central than in Christian thought.

In Islam, the figure most often called Shaitan or Iblis refused to bow to Adam and was cast out. He tempts people but has no power over those who seek protection. Iblis is regarded as a jinn, not an angel, and remains under God's sovereignty.

Across cultures, Angra Mainyu in Zoroastrianism and various demon figures echo the Devil’s broad role as a destructive or tempting spirit. In literature and art, the Devil is a flexible symbol for rebellion, moral choice, and the problem of evil.

In modern discourse, the Devil appears in theology, philosophy, and popular culture as a metaphor for moral struggle rather than a concrete being, with interpretations shaped by historical context and cultural tradition.