What does the word Devil mean?

Question:

What does the word Devil mean?

Answer:

Devil is a New Testament word that means “false accuser.”

 

The Greek word is diabolos Strong’s #1228. In the King James Version this word is translated “devil” 35 times, “false accuser” 2 times and “slanderer” 1 time with the total: 38 times.

 

The Greek Lexicon gives the meaning of diabolos to be:

1) prone to slander, slanderous, accusing falsely,

1a) a calumniator, false accuser, slanderer,

2) metaph. applied to a man who, by opposing the cause of God, may be said to act the part of the devil or to side with him

Other names for the devil are Lucifer, Satan, Beelzebub, Belial, Prince and Power of the air, Roaring Lion. God created Lucifer (morning star), but he fell because of his pride (read Isaiah 14:12-15), and by his fall he became Satan, Beelzebub, etc. (Edited).