Characteristics of Evil:

• Opposition to God: Evil in the Bible is often characterized by direct opposition to God, His laws, and His will. For instance, Satan, in various narratives, embodies this opposition by tempting humans to sin or by accusing them before God (Job 1-2, Revelation 12:9-10).
• Sin and Immorality: Evil is frequently associated with acts or states of sin, including but not limited to, murder, idolatry, adultery, theft, lying, homosexuality, and greed. The story of Cain killing Abel (Genesis 4) exemplifies personal evil through sin.
• Deception and Corruption: The serpent in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3) represents evil through deception, leading to the fall of humanity. Evil often corrupts what is good, turning it away from its intended divine purpose.
• Destruction and Suffering: Evil brings about destruction, both physical and spiritual. The plagues in Egypt (Exodus 7-11) or the actions of the Antichrist in apocalyptic literature (Revelation) show how evil can manifest in causing widespread suffering.

Biblical Symbols of Evil:

• The Serpent: Often represents Satan or the devil, symbolizing deceit and temptation.
• Beasts: In prophetic books like Daniel and Revelation, beasts symbolize empires or leaders who oppose God’s kingdom, often characterized by their oppressive, violent nature.
• Darkness: Used metaphorically to represent evil or the absence of God’s light (John 1:5, Ephesians 6:12).

Personifications:

• Satan: The adversary, often depicted as the epitome of evil, tempting humans to sin, accusing them, and opposing God’s plan.
• The Antichrist: A figure in Christian eschatology who will embody opposition to Christ, leading people astray with false teachings and signs.
• Human Examples: Various individuals like Pharaoh in Exodus, who hardened his heart against God, or Herod, who ordered the massacre of infants to kill Jesus, are portrayed as embodying evil through their actions against God’s people or plan.

Theological Perspective:

• Moral Evil: Acts committed by beings with free will, choosing against God’s moral law.
• Natural Evil: Often discussed in relation to natural disasters or suffering not directly caused by human action, sometimes explained through the concept of a fallen world (Genesis 3).
• Spiritual Evil: The influence or direct action of spiritual beings against God’s will for humanity.

Embodiment in Humanity:

Humans embody evil when they:

• Choose sin over righteousness.
• Oppress or harm others deliberately.
• Deny God’s sovereignty or truth.

However, the Bible also emphasizes redemption, forgiveness, and transformation. Even those who embody evil can turn from their ways through repentance (e.g., Paul, originally Saul, who persecuted Christians before his conversion).

Thus, biblically, to embody evil is to live in opposition to God’s goodness, love, and justice, often through actions, choices, or a lifestyle that promotes or results in suffering, deception, and separation from the divine.