Often interpreted as coming from the root ش ي ط (š y ṭ) meaning “to burn, scorch” and the ـَان (-ān) suffix forming adjectives. Given the historical precedence of Hebrew texts wherein the word is of relevance, it is likely that the Arabic word is a reinterpretation of Hebrew שָׂטָן (śāṭān), from a root relating to opposition or accusation.
Cognate with Classical Syriac ܣܛܢܐ (sāṭānā), Hebrew שָׂטָן (śāṭān), Ge'ez ሠይጣን (śäyṭan), ሰይጣን (säyṭan).
شَيْطَان • (šayṭān) m (plural شَيَاطِين (šayāṭīn))
| singular | basic singular triptote | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| indefinite | definite | construct | |
| informal | شَيْطَان šayṭān |
الشَّيْطَان aš-šayṭān |
شَيْطَان šayṭān |
| nominative | شَيْطَانٌ šayṭānun |
الشَّيْطَانُ aš-šayṭānu |
شَيْطَانُ šayṭānu |
| accusative | شَيْطَانًا šayṭānan |
الشَّيْطَانَ aš-šayṭāna |
شَيْطَانَ šayṭāna |
| genitive | شَيْطَانٍ šayṭānin |
الشَّيْطَانِ aš-šayṭāni |
شَيْطَانِ šayṭāni |
| dual | indefinite | definite | construct |
| informal | شَيْطَانَيْن šayṭānayn |
الشَّيْطَانَيْن aš-šayṭānayn |
شَيْطَانَيْ šayṭānay |
| nominative | شَيْطَانَانِ šayṭānāni |
الشَّيْطَانَانِ aš-šayṭānāni |
شَيْطَانَا šayṭānā |
| accusative | شَيْطَانَيْنِ šayṭānayni |
الشَّيْطَانَيْنِ aš-šayṭānayni |
شَيْطَانَيْ šayṭānay |
| genitive | شَيْطَانَيْنِ šayṭānayni |
الشَّيْطَانَيْنِ aš-šayṭānayni |
شَيْطَانَيْ šayṭānay |
| plural | basic broken plural diptote | ||
| indefinite | definite | construct | |
| informal | شَيَاطِين šayāṭīn |
الشَّيَاطِين aš-šayāṭīn |
شَيَاطِين šayāṭīn |
| nominative | شَيَاطِينُ šayāṭīnu |
الشَّيَاطِينُ aš-šayāṭīnu |
شَيَاطِينُ šayāṭīnu |
| accusative | شَيَاطِينَ šayāṭīna |
الشَّيَاطِينَ aš-šayāṭīna |
شَيَاطِينَ šayāṭīna |
| genitive | شَيَاطِينَ šayāṭīna |
الشَّيَاطِينِ aš-šayāṭīni |
شَيَاطِينِ šayāṭīni |
شيطان (plural شيطان-شيطان or شيطان٢)