Dictionaries :: Accuser

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Accuser:

Satan is styled the "accuser of the brethren" (Rev 12:10. Comp. Job 1:6; Zec 3:1), as seeking to uphold his influence among men by bringing false charges against Christians, with the view of weakening their influence and injuring the cause with which they are identified. He was regarded by the Jews as the accuser of men before God, laying to their charge the violations of the law of which they were guilty, and demanding their punishment. The same Greek word, rendered "accuser," is found in Jhn 8:10 (but omitted in the Revised Version); Act 23:30, 35; 24:8; 25:16, 18, in all of which places it is used of one who brings a charge against another.

International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia

Accuser:

a-kuz'-er: This word, not found in the Old Testament, is the rendering of two Greek words:

(1) kategoros, that is, a prosecutor, or plaintiff in a lawsuit, or one who speaks in a derogatory way of another (Ac 23:30,35; 25:16,18; Re 12:10);

(2) diabolos, meaning adversary or enemy. This word is rendered "accuser" in the King James Version and "slanderer" in the Revised Version (British and American) and the American Standard Revised Version (2Ti 3:3; Titus 2:3). According to the rabbinic teaching Satan, or the devil, was regarded as hostile to God and man, and that it was a part of his work to accuse the latter of disloyalty and sin before the tribunal of the former (see Job 1:6 ff; Zec 3:1 f; Re 12:10).

Written by W. W. Davies

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words

Accuser:

"an accuser" (cp. ACCUSE, B, No. 1), is used 34 times as a title of Satan, the Devil (the English word is derived from the Greek); once of Judas, Jhn 6:70, who, in his opposition of God, acted the part of the Devil. Apart from Jhn 6:70, men are never spoken of as devils. It is always to be distinguished from daimon, "a demon." It is found three times, 1Ti 3:11; 2Ti 3:3; Tts 2:3, of false accusers, slanderers.

Accuser:

"an accuser," (see ACCUSATION, ACCUSE, B. 4.) is used in Jhn 8:10; Act 23:30, 35; 24:8; 25:16, 18. In Rev 12:10, it is used of Satan. In the Sept., Pro 18:17.

Notes:

(1) Sukophantia, "a false accusation or oppression," is used in Ecc 5:7; 7:8; Psa 119:134; Amo 2:8 (not in the NT). See ACCUSATION, ACCUSE, B, 5.

(2) Sukophantes, "a false accuser, or oppressor," occurs in Psa 72:4; Pro 28:16 (not in the NT).