The Persian Word For Monster
Etymology and Sociological implications in Contrary Theology
The Persian word for monster is “DĪV (demon, monster, fiend), often confused with ḡūl (orge, ghoul) and jinn in both folk and literary traditions,” - https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/div
Perhaps this can be etymologically linked to Deva https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B5#Sanskrit Deva means god, shining one, or idol to Hindus. The Hindu word for demon is Asura, but the Zoroastrian Persian word for Angel or Deity is Ahura. Comparing the Persian and the Hindu, it seems each of them consider the gods of the other to be demons! Or monsters.
[As an aside, both Greco-Roman and Judaic Folklore conceive of demons as neutral terrestrial spirits who can be either good or bad, they did not consider ‘demons’ to be innately evil.] This discourse leads to the question of the etymology of Devil. A cursory glance suggests the word Devil may be etymologically linked to the Zoroastrian conception, however Academics consider Devil to be etymologically rooted in a Latin term Diabolus which means slanderer or accuser, which shares the same meaning as the Hebrew word ha-satan, an accuser. The Hebrew word for evil is ra רע , and Ra is an Egyptian god. I respect all religions and I have an appreciation for both Egyptian Paganism and Judaism.
It is unclear what the etymology of ra רע is, and whether or not its likeness to Ra is a coincidence, however if there has been severe contention between two nations it is natural for one people to see the other’s heroes and gods as monstrous. This makes me wonder if criticisms of idolatry in The Bible were arbitrary, because nations friendly to Israel were NOT generally criticized for being idolaters. For example India is a nation of Idol Worshippers and they have good relations with Israel. This suggests that Biblical criticisms of Idol Worship were likely reserved for nations with severe contentions with Israel.
There is a Chinese Proverb that states: “Human is both God and Devil,” however if this is true of Human then it is likely true of God too: ‘God is both God and Devil.’ Both Muslims and Jews are diverse in their political opinions, however if we look at the present situation in Israel-Palestine there are at least some instances of those peoples praying to the same God in contradiction to each other. I respect all faiths, I respect both Judaism and Islam, I respect both Israelis and Palestinians. I love Humanity.
The fact two separate peoples in a contradiction are praying to the same God for opposing interests hearkens to the Biblical idiom: “The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,” “The God of Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel.” In that phrase God is one but God is mentioned as being in six parts, in a relationship with six persons that is. This must mean that each person communes with a separate side of God, or a distinct ‘face’ so to speak, in a theological conception. That Biblical idiom could even suggest that even though God is one, God is also six! God is both one and many.
This suggests that If two people are in contention and praying for contradictory things, the side of God that one is praying to may be good to them but may be evil to the other. The Jewish Prophet Isaiah said: “both good and evil come from God,” and The Bible affirms that God is in control of all events, which is a theologically sound position for believers. Humanity is God’s children, both Jews and Gentiles are all children of the one God, and both deserving of God’s love, and worthy of respect.
