📖 Biblical Definition
Satan's fall is the biblical event of Satan's fall from heaven. Christ stated it directly: I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven (Lk 10:18). Old Testament hints in Isaiah 14:12-15 (the king of Babylon's fall language, applied secondarily to Satan) and Ezekiel 28:11-19 (the king of Tyre's fall language, similarly applied) develop the picture: pride lifted him up; judgment cast him down.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
(Composite.) The biblical event of Satan's fall from heaven; pride was the cause, exclusion the consequence.
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Christ's direct statement (Lk 10:18) is the clearest. Isaiah 14 (king of Babylon) and Ezekiel 28 (king of Tyre) both contain language exceeding any earthly king and applied by traditional interpreters secondarily to Satan. 1 Tim 3:6 names the condemnation of the devil as falling through pride.
Revelation 12:7-9 records the eschatological war in heaven and Satan's being cast down. Whether this is past, present, or future is debated; the picture itself is clear.
📖 Key Scripture
Luke 10:18 — "And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven."
Isaiah 14:12 — "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground."
Ezekiel 28:17 — "Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground."
1 Timothy 3:6 — "Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity sometimes denies a personal devil; Christ Himself testifies to having seen him fall.
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Luke 10:18 is decisive. Christ saw it. The fall is real, the figure is personal, the cause was pride. The household that pretends otherwise has departed from Christ's own report.
And the implication is pastoral. Pride is the original sin of the highest creatures; pride is the persistent danger to the saint. Lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil (1 Tim 3:6). The saint's humility is a defense against the very corruption that ruined the highest angel.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew helel ben shachar (Day-star, son of dawn) in Isa 14:12 (translated Lucifer in KJV).
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Hebrew helel — shining one, day-star.
Greek satanas — Satan; loanword from Hebrew.
Usage
"Christ saw it."
"Pride is the original sin of the highest creatures."
"The saint's humility is a defense against the corruption that ruined the highest angel."