There are two words that are translated “Satan” in the scriptures. In the Old Testament, it has a broader application and not always a personal devil referred to, but someone who was an opponent or adversary.

The Old Testament word “Satan,” Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #H7854 is translated as "Satan" 19 times. However, that same Hebrew word occurs 27 times in Bible verses and is also translated "adversary" or "to withstand." In the New Testament, the Greek word applies to a certain being and occurs 36 times.

The word satan just means to be an opponent. When we apply it to the Devil, who is the chief and arch opponent, it then becomes another name for him. But Satan is not his personal name, it is more of an earned title.

When Jesus said to the Apostle Peter, “Get thee behind me satan.” He was not calling him Satan, but opposer, as Peter was opposing the will of God in that instant.

Satan has a personal name, and while there is some controversy over the matter, we believe we are given his personal name in the book of Isaiah – the name is Lucifer. Isaiah chapter 14 tells us of the destruction of Lucifer, also called the day star, the son of the morning. Lucifer had a very chief position before he fell. He was one of the morning stars. Jesus also has that title

Revelation 22:16, “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.”

Revelation 2:28,  “And I will give him the morning star.”

2 Peter 1:19, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:”

Lucifer wanted to be more than Jesus. He wanted the preeminence.  The Prophet Ezekiel also gives us some information on Lucifer (Satan):

  1. he was a covering cherub,
  2. he was beautiful,
  3. he became iniquitoussinful.

Ezekiel 28:15-18: Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.