| Easton's Bible Dictionary Satan is styled the "accuser of the brethren" (Revelation 12:10. Comp. Job 1:6; Zechariah 3:1), as seeking to uphold his influence among men by bringing false charges against Christians, with the view of weakening their influence and injuring the cause with which they are identified. He was regarded by the Jews as the accuser of men before God, laying to their charge the violations of the law of which they were guilty, and demanding their punishment. The same Greek word, rendered "accuser," is found in John 8:10 (but omitted in the Revised Version); Acts 23:30, 35; 24:8; 25:16, 18, in all of which places it is used of one who brings a charge against another. Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who accuses; one who brings a charge of crime or fault. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ACCUSER a-kuz'-er: This word, not found in the Old Testament, is the rendering of two Greek words:
(1) kategoros, that is, a prosecutor, or plaintiff in a lawsuit, or one who speaks in a derogatory way of another (Acts 23:30, 35; Acts 25:16, 18 Revelation 12:10);
(2) diabolos, meaning adversary or enemy. This word is rendered "accuser" in the King James Version and "slanderer" in the Revised Version (British and American) and the American Standard Revised Version (2 Timothy 3:3 Titus 2:3). According to the rabbinic teaching Satan, or the devil, was regarded as hostile to God and man, and that it was a part of his work to accuse the latter of disloyalty and sin before the tribunal of the former (see Job 1:6; Zechariah 3:1; Revelation 12:10).
W. W. Davies |  | Multi-Version Concordance Accuser (9 Occurrences) Matthew 5:25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are with him in the way; lest perhaps the prosecutor deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison. (See RSV) Luke 12:58 For when you are going with your adversary before the magistrate, try diligently on the way to be released from him, lest perhaps he drag you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. (See RSV) John 5:45 Do not think that I will accuse you unto the Father; there is who is accusing you, Moses -- in whom ye have hoped; (See NIV) 1 Peter 5:8 Curb every passion, and be on the alert. Your great accuser, the Devil, is going about like a roaring lion to see whom he can devour. (WEY) Revelation 12:10 I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now is come the salvation, the power, and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ; for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) Job 9:15 Though I were righteous, yet I wouldn't answer him. I would make supplication to my judge. (See RSV) Job 31:35 oh that I had one to hear me! (behold, here is my signature, let the Almighty answer me); let the accuser write my indictment! (WEB NIV) Psalms 109:6 Set a wicked man over him. Let an adversary stand at his right hand. (See NAS RSV NIV) Isaiah 50:8 He who takes up my cause is near; who will go to law with me? let us come together before the judge: who is against me? let him come near to me. (See NIV) |
