διάβολος (diabolos)
diabolos
devilish/the Devil
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 36 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The word diabolos literally means "slanderer" or "one who throws across," describing someone who accuses falsely or spreads malicious reports. In the New Testament, it functions as both a general term for a defamer and, more prominently, as a proper title for Satan. This dual usage reflects its background in the Greek Old Testament, where it translates the Hebrew word for "adversary" or "accuser," such as in Job 1:6.
While the term appears in lists of character flaws for church leaders (1 Timothy 3:11) and describes false teachers (2 Timothy 3:3), its primary theological weight belongs to the cosmic opponent of God. Jesus identifies this figure as the "father of lies" in John 8:44, establishing a clear distinction between those who belong to God and those who are children of the devil (1 John 3:10). The word also serves metaphorically for Judas Iscariot (John 6:70) and Barnabas’s companion Bar-Jesus (Acts 13:10), highlighting their role as opponents of the gospel.
Translators typically render diabolos as "Devil" when referring to Satan, preserving the sense of a personal enemy who seeks to destroy faith. In Revelation 12:9 and 20:2, this figure is depicted as the ultimate accuser who is finally cast into the lake of fire, ending his role as the adversary of God’s people.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word diabolos literally means 'slanderer' or one who throws accusations across boundaries. In the New Testament, it serves as the primary title for Satan, the cosmic adversary who opposes God’s truth and seeks to destroy faith. This term captures a personal enemy rather than an abstract force of evil.
For your daily life, this word reminds us that spiritual opposition is real but not ultimate. Jesus faced temptation in the wilderness yet remained faithful, showing us how to stand firm when trials come. His victory over the accuser gives us hope and strength for our own struggles.
While the term can describe human slanderers or false teachers, its deepest meaning points to the source of all deception. Christians find peace knowing that Christ has already defeated this power through his death and resurrection, offering freedom from fear and condemnation.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 36 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- devil16×
- devil.7×
- devil;4×
- devil,3×
- [the] devil3×
- slanderers,2×
- slanderous,1×
- of [the] devil,1×
- a devil1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- διάβολος12×
- διαβόλου.5×
- διαβόλου4×
- διάβολος·3×
- διαβόλῳ3×
- διαβόλους,2×
- διαβόλου,2×
- διάβολός1×
- διάβολος,1×
- διάβολον,1×
- διάβολοι,1×
- διαβόλῳ.1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 4:1
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
This verse introduces the devil as a personal tempter who actively opposes Jesus during his wilderness testing.
-
John 8:44
You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn’t stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and the father of lies.
Jesus identifies the devil as the 'father of lies,' revealing his nature as the originator of deception and falsehood.
-
Acts 10:38
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
This passage shows Jesus healing those oppressed by the devil, demonstrating God's power to break the adversary's hold on people.
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Ephesians 6:11
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Paul instructs believers to put on spiritual armor specifically to stand against the devil's schemes and tactics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does diabolos mean in the Bible?
How is diabolos different from Satan?
Where does the word diabolos appear in the New Testament?
Why is Judas called a devil in John 6:70?
Every Occurrence (36 verses across 14 books)
Matthew 6 verses
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Matthew 4:5Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple,
Matthew 4:8Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
Matthew 4:11Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and served him.
Matthew 13:39The enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.
Matthew 25:41Then he will say also to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared…