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Satyr

Original Hebrew / Aramaic / Greek connected to this term

How to read this: there is rarely one magic “true meaning” hidden behind an English word. A lexicon records a word’s semantic range. The intended meaning is narrowed by grammar, sentence, author, historical usage and context.

GREEK · G7668

θήρ

thēr — a wild beast

1. a wild beast, beast of prey , (Iliad by Homer), etc.; joined with λέων, (Euripides); with λέαινα, [variant datesAnthology Palantina; also of Cerberus, (Sophocles Tragicus):—;in plural beasts , as opposite to birds and fishes, (Odyssey by Homer), etc. 2. of any animal , as of birds, (Aristophanes Comicus), etc. 3. any fabulous monster , as the sphinx, (Aeschulus Tragicus); especially a centaur , (Sophocles Tragicus) (compare Φήρ)); a satyr , (Euripides) (ML)

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GREEK · G8519

ὀνοκένταυρος

onokentauros — a satyr

a satyr

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Historical dictionary entry

Hairy one. Mentioned in Greek mythology as a creature composed of a man and a goat, supposed to inhabit wild and desolate regions. The Hebrew word is rendered also “goat” (Lev. 4:24) and “devil”, i.e., an idol in the form of a goat (17:7; 2 Chr. 11:15). When it is said (Isa. 13:21; comp. 34:14) “the satyrs shall dance there,” the meaning is that the place referred to shall become a desolate waste. Some render the Hebrew word “baboon,” a species of which is found in Babylonia.

Scripture references

Source: Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897). Historical dictionary wording reflects the scholarship and language of its era.

Compare other reference traditions

Look up Satyr in Smith’s Bible Dictionary and ISBE →