Accuser
Accuser
(, lashan’, in Hiph. accuse, Pro 30:10; and other terms signifying to slander; more properly denoted by some form of the verb , rib, to plead a cause, also in defense; Sept. and N.T. , adversary, or , prosecutor).
1. The original word, which bears this leading signification, means one who has a cause or matter of contention; the accuser, opponent, or plaintiff in any suit (Jdg 12:2; Mat 5:25; Luk 12:58). We have little information respecting the manner in which causes were conducted in the Hebrew courts of justice, except from the rabbinical authorities, who, in matters of this description, may be supposed well informed as to the later customs of the nation. SEE TRIAL. Even from these we learn little more than that great care was taken that, the accused being deemed innocent until convicted, he and the accuser should appear under equal circumstances before the court, that no prejudicial impression might be created to the disadvantage of the defendant, whose interests, we are told, were so anxiously guarded, that any one was allowed to speak whatever he knew or had to say in his favor, which privilege was withheld from the accuser (Lewis, Origines Hebraeoe, 1, 68). SEE ADVOCATE.
2. The word is also applied in Scripture, in the general sense, to any adversary or enemy (Luk 18:3; 1Pe 5:8). In the latter passage there is an allusion to the old Jewish opinion that Satan was the accuser or calumniator of men before God (Job 1:6 sq.; Rev 12:10 sq.; comp. Zec 3:1). In this application the forensic sense was still retained, Satan being represented as laying to man’s charge a breach of the law, as in a court of justice, and demanding his punishment. SEE SATAN.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Accuser
Satan is styled the “accuser of the brethren” (Rev. 12:10. Comp. Job 1:6; Zech. 3:1), as See king 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.
Fuente: Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Accuser
In a forensic sense. (See SATAN.) Luk 18:3; 1Pe 5:8; Job 1:6; Rev 12:10; Zec 3:1.
Fuente: Fausset’s Bible Dictionary
Accuser
a-kuzer: 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 (Act 23:30, Act 23:35; Act 25:16, Act 25:18; Rev 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 (2Ti 3:3; Tit 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; Zec 3:1; Rev 12:10).
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Accuser
The original word, which bears this leading signification, means1. One who has a cause or matter of contention; the accuser, opponent, or plaintiff in any suit (Jdg 12:2; Mat 5:25; Luk 12:58). We have little information respecting the manner in which causes were conducted in the Hebrew courts of justice, except from the Rabbinical authorities, who, in matters of this description, may be supposed well informed as to the later customs of the nation. Even from these we learn little more than that great care was taken that, the accused being deemed innocent until convicted, he and the accuser should appear under equal circumstances before the court, that no prejudicial impression might be created to the disadvantage of the defendant, whose interests, we are told, were so anxiously guarded, that any one was allowed to speak whatever he knew or had to say in his favor, which privilege was withheld from the accuser. The word is also applied in Scripture, in the general sense, to any adversary or enemy (Luk 18:3; 1Pe 5:8). In the latter passage there is an allusion to the old Jewish opinion that Satan was the accuser or calumniator of men before God (Job 1:6, sq.; Rev 12:10, sq.; comp. Zec 3:1). In this application the forensic sense was still retained, Satan being represented as laying to man’s charge a breach of the law, as in a court of justice, and demanding his punishment [SATAN].
Fuente: Popular Cyclopedia Biblical Literature
Accuser
“an accuser” (cp. ACCUSE, B, No. 1), is used 34 times as a title of Satan, the Devil (the English word is derived from the Greek); once of Judas, Joh 6:70, who, in his opposition of God, acted the part of the Devil. Apart from Joh 6:70, men are never spoken of as devils. It is always to be distinguished from daimon, “a demon.” It is found three times, 1Ti 3:11; 2Ti 3:3; Tit 2:3, of false accusers, slanderers.
“an accuser,” (see ACCUSATION, ACCUSED, B. 4.) is used in Joh 8:10; Act 23:30, Act 23:35; Act 24:8; Act 25:16, Act 25:18. In Rev 12:10, it is used of Satan. In the Sept., Pro 18:17.
Notes: (1) Sukophantia, “a false accusation or oppression,” is used in Ecc 5:7; Ecc 7:8; Psa 119:134; Amo 2:8 (not in the NT). See No. 5, above.
(2) Sukophantes, “a false accuser, or oppressor,” occurs in Psa 72:4; Pro 28:16 (not in the NT).