Thea Gomelauri: Exegetical (Ex)change: Jewish ‘Satan’ vs. Christian ‘Demon’

This paper will review the history, function and purpose of evil spirits in Hebraic and Christian literature and will argue that the Christian tradition of demons has been influenced by Hellenistic culture, prompting a diversion from Jewish demonology. In order to do this, I shall present a linguistic analysis of the terms ‘Satan’ and ‘Demon’, highlighting points of convergence and difference in the formation and canonisation of the concept of demonic beings in both traditions. I shall be arguing that Christian references about the actions, and functions of demons support the Jewish ideology of Satan. However, influences from Pagan culture concerning spiritual powers contributed to the development of Christian concepts which find little support in the New Testament. This lead to a disproportionate shift in the independent power of demonic beings, resulting in the establishment of alternative spiritual hierarchies. The study will use canonised literature as well as extracanonical books. I will focus particularly on the book of Job where, for the first time, the term ‘Satan’ refers to a personal agent who is subject under divine power, having no right to function independently, in contrast to the term as a verbal function, found in the Book of Numbers ch.22. From a Christian perspective, I shall explore the relationship of power and the level of influence between the Son of God and demonic powers, looking especially at the temptation of Christ and Jesus’ encounter with the demon-possessed.