'satan' without the definite article

[tonychanyt]

Dr Michael Heiser said:

Every time the word 'satan' occurs, it has the definite article.

1K 5:

4 But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune.

ועתה הניח יהוה אלהי לי מסביב אין שטן ואין פגע רע׃

When שָׂטָן (satan) appeared without the definite article, it was used more broadly to describe any adversary or opponent, whether human or otherwise.

1Sa 29:

4 But the commanders of the Philistines were angry with [David]. And the commanders of the Philistines said to him, “Send the man back, that he may return to the place to which you have assigned him. He shall not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he become an adversary to us. For how could this fellow reconcile himself to his lord? Would it not be with the heads of the men here?

David would become an adversary (satan, no article) to the Philistines.

1Ch 21:

1 Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel.

ויעמד שטן על־ישראל ויסת את־דויד למנות את־ישראל׃

No definite article. On Biblehub, 29 versions translated it as 'Satan'; 5 used 'adversary'.

See also

• The developmental character of ha satan

 

[timothyu]

Are we not all adversaries to the will of God?
T'is why we are in this mess of self-serving ways while God says to serve the needs of others.

 

[tonychanyt]

Are we not all adversaries to the will of God?

I am not

 

[timothyu]

Good to hear you've overcome your natural instinct of self-interest, although if you are like me, it takes hours doing things or driving anywhere, forever letting people go ahead of me.

 

[tonychanyt]

Good to hear you've overcome your natural instinct of self-interest

That's not quite true I still struggle at times. However, I desire to choose God's will over my own. That was how I chose my wife decades ago