Refiner Word Study diabolos (G1228)
G1228  ·  Greek  ·  Strong's Concordance
διάβολος
diabolos
36 occurrences in Scripture Greek

"slanderer, 1 Tim. 3:11; 2 Tim. 3:3; Tit. 2:3; a treacherous informer, traitor, Jn. 6:70; ὁ διάβολος, the devil"

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Definition and meaning

What does diabolos mean in Greek?

36
Occurrences in Scripture
G1228
Strong's number
Greek
Original language

slanderer, 1 Tim. 3:11; 2 Tim. 3:3; Tit. 2:3; a treacherous informer, traitor, Jn. 6:70; ὁ διάβολος, the devil

In the original Greek the word is written: διάβολος

Historical context

What was happening when this word was written?

Roman-Occupied Judea (c. 4 BC-AD 30)

Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.

The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.

Scripture references

Top 10 Bible verses with diabolos

These are the most notable occurrences of diabolos (G1228) across the King James Bible.

Matthew 4:1

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

Matthew 4:5

Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

Matthew 4:8

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

Matthew 4:11

Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

Matthew 13:39

The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

Matthew 25:41

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Luke 4:2

Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.

Luke 4:3

And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.

Luke 4:5

And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

Luke 4:6

And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

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Common questions

Frequently asked questions about diabolos

What does diabolos mean in Greek?

Strong's G1228 (diabolos) is a Greek word that means: slanderer, 1 Tim. 3:11; 2 Tim. 3:3; Tit. 2:3; a treacherous informer, traitor, Jn. 6:70; ὁ διάβολος, the devil It appears 36 times in the King James Bible.

How many times does diabolos appear in the Bible?

The word diabolos (G1228) appears 36 times in the original Greek text.

What is Strong's number G1228?

Strong's G1228 is diabolos, a Greek word defined as: slanderer, 1 Tim. 3:11; 2 Tim. 3:3; Tit. 2:3; a treacherous informer, traitor, Jn. 6:70; ὁ διάβολος, the devil. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.

Is diabolos in the Old Testament or New Testament?

diabolos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.