Editing Devil (section)

==== Old Testament ====
The Devil is identified with several figures in the Bible including the [[Serpents in the Bible#Eden|serpent in the Garden of Eden]], [[Lucifer]], [[Satan]], the [[Temptation of Christ|tempter of the Gospels]], [[Leviathan]], and the [[Serpents in the Bible#Ancient serpent|dragon]] in the [[Book of Revelation]]. Some parts of the Bible, which do not refer to an evil spirit or Satan at the time of the composition of the texts, are interpreted as references to the Devil in Christian tradition.{{sfn|Kelly|2006|page=13}} [[Book of Genesis|Genesis 3]] mentions the [[Serpents in the Bible#Eden|serpent in the Garden of Eden]], which tempts [[Adam and Eve]] into eating the forbidden fruit from the [[tree of the knowledge of good and evil]], thus causing their [[The Fall of Man|expulsion from the Garden]]. The Babylonian myth of a rising star, as the embodiment of a heavenly being who is thrown down for his attempt to ascend into the higher planes of the gods, is also found in the Bible and interpreted as a fallen angel (Isaiah 14:12–15).<ref>{{Bibleverse|Isaiah|14:12–15}}</ref>{{sfn|Theißen|2009|p=251}} 

[[Ezekiel's cherub in Eden]] is thought to be a description of the major characteristic of the Devil, that he was created good, as a high ranking angel and lived in Eden, later turning evil on his own accord:<ref>''The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament'', p. 1283 John F. Walvoord, Walter L. Baker, Roy B. Zuck. 1985 "This 'king' had appeared in the [[Garden of Eden]] (v. 13), had been a guardian [[cherub]] (v. 14a), had possessed free access ... The best explanation is that Ezekiel was describing Satan who was the true 'king' of Tyre, the one motivating."</ref>

{{blockquote|You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, emerald, chrysolite, onyx, jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and beryl. Gold work of tambourines and of pipes was in you. In the day that you were created they were prepared. You were the anointed cherub who covers: and I set you, so that you were on the holy mountain of God; you have walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. You were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created, until unrighteousness was found in you.|source=Ezekiel 28:13–15<ref>{{bibleverse|Ezekiel|28:13–15}}</ref>}}

The [[Hebrew]] term {{transliteration|he|śāṭān}} ({{langx|he|שָּׂטָן}}) was originally a common noun meaning "accuser" or "adversary" and derived from a verb meaning primarily "to obstruct, oppose".<ref>ed. [[George Arthur Buttrick|Buttrick, George Arthur]]; ''The Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible, An illustrated Encyclopedia''</ref>{{Sfn|Farrar|2014|p=10}} Satan is conceptualized as a heavenly being hostile to humans and a personification of evil 18 times in Job 1–2 and Zechariah 3.{{sfn|Farrar|2014|p=7}} In the [[Book of Job]], [[Job (biblical figure)|Job]] is a righteous man favored by God.{{sfn|Kelly|2006|page=21}} Job 1:6–8<ref>{{bibleverse|Job|1:6–8|HE}}</ref> describes the "[[sons of God]]" ({{transliteration|he|bənê hā'ĕlōhîm}}) presenting themselves before God.{{sfn|Kelly|2006|page=21}} Satan thinks Job only loves God because he has been blessed, so he requests that God tests the sincerity of Job's love for God through suffering, expecting Job to abandon his faith.{{sfn|Kelly|2006|pages=21–22}} God consents; Satan destroys Job's family, health, servants and flocks, yet Job refuses to condemn God.{{sfn|Kelly|2006|pages=21–22}}