Why is Satan often shown as having Goatlike features?

[General Derangement]

In the article about Satan's usually goatlike features, Cecil quotes something about left-handed goats. But I found an even better bible verse (for the record, I got this from another Straight Dope article. I don't even think I own a bible, and I know very little about what lies within) which makes an even stronger connection between Satan and goats than the lefty goat thing.

"Isaiah 34:14, 'Goat demons shall greet each other; there too the lilith will repose.'"

Now, as indicated before, if I even own a bible anymore it's hopelessly lost, so I guess to be accurate someone who owns one should look it up to verify. Just thought I'd throw this out there. Much better verse for the purposes.

[TWDuke]

Do you know which translation that's from? It's none of these. One translation uses the word "satyr" which is close to the Pan-like depiction mentioned in the report, but in most of them the goats are merely goats.

[General Derangement]

No idea what translation it's from. If any of the three mentioned authors of the article are still lurking around here somewhere, I guess they'd know. Or maybe they just put in "goat-demons" to avoid people asking what satyrs are.

Anyway, it strengthens Cecil's point about Satan's looks being taken from Pan (or something like him). I figure it's worth throwing in there.

[Irishman]

The only one I recognize is Dex. CK Dexter Haven, want to fill us in where that "quote" came from?

[Cunctator]

The "goat-demons" quote in the other article sounds to me more like a tongue-in-cheek paraphrase.

[dropzone]

Originally Posted by Irishman

The only one I recognize is Dex. CK Dexter Haven, want to fill us in where that "quote" came from?

Dude, much as I love him, is OT-Only. As I understand our OT bros, they, like a lot of us fallen Christians, won't bother with imaginings from after the 16th Century.

[John W. Kennedy]

The English quotation is probably from the NRSV. The Hebrew word in question can simply mean "goat", or even "hairy one", but it is used from time to time in a context of idol-worship. "Goat-demon" is one of many possible translations in this passage; so is "satyr".

It is not likely to have had any effect on medieval iconography; the Vulgate translation is pilosus -- "hairy one.

[C K Dexter Haven]

I used what I typically used, the JPS (Jewish Publication Society of America) for translations of Old Testament/Hebrew bible. I usually look at the Hebrew text as well, although that Staff Report was written many years ago, so I don't remember what I did then. I generally find the JPS tends to be fairly close to literal, rather than bringing in interpretative translation. That's not always true, of course, but tends to be more accurate (although less poetic) than KJV, say.

And thanks, dropzone, I love you too, dude. I'll be the first to agree that most of my knowledge/learning/sources are OT, but I've dabbled in NT a bit as well.

[Saint Cad]

Here's an idea. Is it related to the scapegoat? An actual goat that was burdened with sins of the Jews during the Day of Atonement?

[aceplace57]

I agree Satan's appearance was influenced by Pan's goat like features.

Any thoughts on when the goat skin got replaced with bright red skin? Is that a fairly modern image?

[General Derangement]

I would hazard a guess at his color being red because of the fire connection, but that's just speculation.

[zipmo]

My $0.02:

I often wondered about the Satan <-> Goat connection as well... that is until I met my first goat up-close while taking the kiddo to a petting zoo.

Their pupils are not round like humans, nor vertical slits like cats. Pictures I've found online show goats with horizontal-bar pupils. This goat had pronounced dumbell or "dog-bone" shaped pupils. Very unnerving.

I'm thinking the person who first saw a goat's eyes thought "this thing ain't right". Apparently many (most, all?) prey animals have a similar horizontal pupil, so maybe it was just the horns?

[Irishman]

Old thread rehashed. (Hey, I already responded in this thread!)

Since you brought it up...

Originally Posted by TWDuke

Do you know which translation that's from? It's none of these. One translation uses the word "satyr" which is close to the Pan-like depiction mentioned in the report, but in most of them the goats are merely goats.

I just checked biblegateway.com for the New American Standard Bible version
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/...en-NASB-18318p

It states

14 The desert (AE)creatures will meet with the [o]wolves,
The [p](AF)hairy goat also will cry to its kind;
Yes, the [q]night monster will settle there
And will find herself a resting place.

The footnote "p" offers the alternate "or demon".