What was the Satan that challenged Job in the Bible?

Answer 1

In the Book of Job, Satan had nothing much to do, so God gave him the challenge to put Job to the test. The challenge was that Satan could do any evil that he wished, as long as he did not harm Job. When Satan was unable to have Job curse God, God gave him another, easier challenge in which Satan could now harm Job himself.

So, God initiated the challenges and Satan carried them out.

Answer 2

Satan entered Jewish belief during what is known as the 'Persian period' as the loyal assistant of God, tasked with proving the righteousness of the faithful. The Book of Job is identified as having been written in the Persian period, partly because of its mention of Satan, but there are other indicators. Here, God is sending Satan "to and fro in the earth" seeking out those to test on behalf of God. The Book of Job is arguably an attempt to explain the existence of evil, in the presence of an all-powerful, benevolent God.

In later Christian belief, the existence of evil is explained through Satan as the evil adversary of God, but this has never formed part of Jewish belief.

Answer 3

The particular angel to play God's ha-satan, or accuser was to try to cause the character Job to curse God and to denounce his faith in God. The book of Job is an epic poem much like the Illyad.