Satan facts for kids
Satan is a name that means "the enemy" or "the trouble-maker" in Hebrew. He is also sometimes called the Devil. This figure appears in the writings of the Abrahamic religions, which include Muslims, Christians, and Jews.
Followers of these religions believe that Satan tries to make people do bad things. His main job is to test and challenge people's faith. Many also believe that he was once a good angel named Lucifer before he rebelled.
In some beliefs, like Satanism, Satan is not seen as a real being. Instead, he is a metaphor for what humans desire or want. In a different type of Satanism, called Theistic Satanism, Satan is actually thought of as a good and powerful force.
Satan in the Quran
In Islam, a shayṭān is any kind of evil creature. The Qu'ran describes Satan as being very proud. His story starts in a chapter called Baqarah. It says that Satan thought he was better than God's other creations. This is because he was made from fire, while humans were made from clay.
The Qu'ran tells us that God asked Satan why he did not bow down when commanded. Satan replied:
- (Allah) said: "What prevented thee from prostrating when I commanded thee?" He said: "I am better than he: Thou didst create me from fire, and him from clay."
Satan in the Bible
In the Hebrew Bible, which Christians call the Old Testament, Satan is involved in several actions that go against God's will. Here are some examples:
- Many believe he was the one who convinced Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. His name is not directly used in this story.
- God allowed Satan to make Job suffer greatly to test his faith.
- He caused King David to go against God's wishes by counting the people of Israel.
- He also accused God's servant Joshua, who was a high priest.
In the New Testament, Satan appears again:
- The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert to fast. There, the devil tested him three times. Jesus resisted Satan by using words from the Scriptures.
- The Revelation describes a final battle between God and Satan. In this battle, God wins over the powers of evil.
Many people believe that Satan was originally an angel named Lucifer. They think he left Heaven and took many other angels with him. He did this because he thought he was as powerful as God.
Images for kids
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Balaam and the Angel (1836) by Gustav Jäger. The angel in this incident is referred to as a "satan".
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The sound of a shofar (pictured) is believed to symbolically confuse Satan.
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St. Michael Vanquishing Satan (1518) by Raphael, showing Satan being cast out of heaven by Michael the Archangel.
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The Genius of Evil (1848) by Guillaume Geefs
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Muhammad Siyah Qalam, showing Iblis as a black man.
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A stoning of the Devil from 1942.
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A depiction of Santa Muerte.
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Early 6th century Byzantine mosaic Art, showing Jesus separating the sheep from the goats. The blue angel might be an early image of Satan.
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An ancient Roman mosaic showing a horned, goat-legged Pan. Many of Satan's traditional looks come from Pan.
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Tartini's Dream (1824) by Louis-Léopold Boilly.
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See also
In Spanish: Satanás para niños
