Adversary (Hastings' Dictionary)
Besides the general sense of opponent, a. occurs with the special meaning of an opponent at law {imlSiKOi), Lk 12* ' When thou eoest with thine adversary to the magistrate ' ; Mt 6" Lk 18. In the foil, passages it is used as the tr. of Heb. npi? Satdn, Nu 22^, 1 S 29, 2 S 19'^, 1 K 5« 11"- »■ ». Cf. 1 P 5» • your a. (Gr. di^lSiKot) •the devil.' See Satan. J. Hastings. ADVERTISE, ' to give notice,' ' inform,' Nu 24" * I will a.
thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days ' ; and Ru 4* ' I thought to a. thee' (RV 'disclose it unto thee'). In the last passage the Heb. is ' uncover the ear ' ([i-x n^j). See Ear. Advertisement, in the sense of precept, admonition, occurs in the beading of Sir 20. J. Hastings.
This topic also has an entry in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Both articles offer independent scholarly perspectives.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on Adversary
Adversary ad'-ver-sa-ri, ad'-ver-sa-ri: This word (in the singular or plural) is used in the Old Testament to render different Hebrew words. In thirty-two cases the word corresponds to the noun tsar, or the verb tsarar. This noun is the ordinary word for "foe" or "adversary." In twelve passages the Hebrew word, of which "adversary" is the translation, is saTan = noun or saTan = verb. This stem means "to oppose," or "thwart" anyone in his purpose or claims. ⇒See the definition of adversary in the KJV Dictionary The angel of Yahweh was saTan to Balaam (Nu 22:22). The word often denotes a political adversary (1Ki 11:14,23,25). In four cases (namely, Prologue to Job; Zec 3:1-2; 1Ch 21:1; Ps 109:6) the King James Version retains Satan as the rendering. But it is only in 1 Chronicles that the word is used without the article, that is, strictly as a proper name. The Septuagint gives diabolos, as the rendering, and both in Job and Zechariah, Satan is portrayed as the "false accuser." In two cases "adversary" represents two Hebrew expressions which mean the "opponent in a suit" or "controvers…
Fausset's Bible Dictionary on Adversary
The meaning of Satan (1Pe 5:8); also divine justice (Luk 12:58-59).
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Easton, M.G. (1893) Easton's Bible Dictionary. 3rd edn. Thomas Nelson. [Public Domain]
- Nave, O.J. (1897) Nave's Topical Bible. Topical Bible Publishing Co.. [Public Domain]
- Hastings, J. (ed.) (1909) A Dictionary of the Bible. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Smith, W. (ed.) (1884) Smith's Bible Dictionary. London: John Murray. [Public Domain]
- Fausset, A.R. (1878) Fausset's Bible Dictionary. [Public Domain]A Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopaedia