Dictionaries :: Adversary

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Adversary:

(Heb. satan), an opponent or foe (1Ki 5:4; 11:14,23,25; Luk 13:17); one that speaks against another, a complainant (Mat 5:25; Luk 12:58); an enemy (Luk 18:3), and specially the devil (1Pe 5:8).

International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia

Adversary:

ad'-ver-sa-ri, ad'-ver-sa-ri: This word (in the singular or plural) is used in the Old Testament to render different Hebrew words. In thirty-two cases the word corresponds to the noun tsar, or the verb tsarar. This noun is the ordinary word for "foe" or "adversary." In twelve passages the Hebrew word, of which "adversary" is the translation, is saTan = noun or saTan = verb. This stem means "to oppose," or "thwart" anyone in his purpose or claims.

The angel of Yahweh was saTan to Balaam (Nu 22:22). The word often denotes a political adversary (1Ki 11:14,23,25). In four cases (namely, Prologue to Job; Zec 3:1,2; 1Ch 21:1; Ps 109:6) the King James Version retains Satan as the rendering. But it is only in 1 Chronicles that the word is used without the article, that is, strictly as a proper name. The Septuagint gives diabolos, as the rendering, and both in Job and Zechariah, Satan is portrayed as the "false accuser." In two cases "adversary" represents two Hebrew expressions which mean the "opponent in a suit" or "controversy" (Job 31:35; Isa 50:8).

In the New Testament "adversary" represents:

(1) antikeimenoi, the participle of a verb which means "to be set over against," "to be opposed" (Lu 13:17; Php 2:8).

(2) antidikos, "opponent in a lawsuit," "prosecutor" (Mt 5:25; Lu 12:58; 18:3; 1Pe 5:8).

According to the last passage the devil is the "accuser" or "prosecutor" of believers, but according to another writer they have an "advocate" or "counselor for the defense" with the Father (1Jo 2:1). In one passage (Heb 10:27) "adversary" represents a Greek word, hupenantios, which means "set over against," "contrary to"-a word used in classical Greek and in the Septuagint.

Written by Thomas Lewis

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words

Adversary:

firstly, "an opponent in a lawsuit," Mat 5:25 (twice); Luk 12:58; 18:3, is also used to denote "an adversary or an enemy," without reference to legal affairs, and this is perhaps its meaning in 1Pe 5:8, where it is used of the Devil. Some would regard the word as there used in a legal sense, since the Devil accuses men before God.

Adversary:

is, lit., "to lie opposite to, to be set over against." In addition to its legal sense it signifies "to withstand;" the present participle of the verb with the article, which is equivalent to a noun, signifies "an adversary," e.g., Luk 13:17; 21:15; 1Cr 16:9; Phl 1:28; 1Ti 5:14. This construction is used of the Man of Sin, in 2Th 2:4, and is translated "He that opposeth," where, adopting the noun form, we might render by "the opponent and self-exalter against..." In Gal 5:17 it is used of the antagonism between the Holy Spirit and the flesh in the believer; in 1Ti 1:10, of anything, in addition to persons, that is opposed to the doctrine of Christ. In these two places the word is rendered "contrary to." In the Sept. it is used of Satan, Zec 3:1, and of men, Job 13:24; Isa 66:6.
See CONTRARY, OPPOSE.

Adversary:

"contrary, opposed," is a strengthened form of enantios (en, "in," and antios, "set against"). The intensive force is due to the preposition hupo. It is translated "contrary to," in Col 2:14, of ordinances; in Hbr 10:27, "adversaries." In each place a more violent form of opposition is suggested than in the case of enantios.
See CONTRARY.