On the word 'demon', and the old Greek words daimôn and daimonion.
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A number of religious people talk about demons. Some preachers claim that they know
this or that, about demons. Some even practise exorcism, supposedly driving out
evil spirits. But what does the Bible say about demons? It is easy to ask that question,
but it is not quite as easy to give a short and concise answer to it. The problem
is that the Scriptures simply do not say much at all, regarding demons (or about
the "spirit realm" in general). However, there are some few things one can
learn about them in the Bible, especially in the New Testament.
This essay is a study on the word "demon", and the old Greek words daimôn and daimonion, including their origin and meaning, as well as a few related matters.
Some might ask, what about the Old Testament and the Hebrew words for
demons? The 1769 KJ version OT does not at all contain the word "demon" (nor does
its NT part, for that matter), but there are a number of OT passages where other
words and phrases are used as a reference to wicked spirits. Some of those passages
will be looked at in this essay, even though this study concentrates on the NT.
The root and origin of the English noun "demon" is that is comes from the Greek words daimôn and daimonion. There is more on the meaning of those words, below.
A note: Again, the 1769 KJ version does not contain the word "demon" at all; it translated daimôn and daimonion as "devil" and daimones as "devils". Many newer translations have instead used the word "demon". But, what is a "demon", or daimôn or daimonion?
For most people in our day, the word "demon" means something very different from what the words daimôn and daimonion used to mean for people in ancient Greece. It must be noted that the use of those words in the Greek text of the NT and the LXX (the Septuagint) is slightly different from how they were used in normal Greek of those days – but, it is nevertheless good to know the meaning of those words in normal old Greek.
So, let us first consider how old Greek writers used the words daimôn
or daimonion, without any connection to the Bible.
Greek writers of old times often used the word daimôn (δαιμων) in the meaning "god", goddess", "the gods", "deity" and "divine power". Many times, it was used in a similar way as the word theos.
A side-note: For people of ancient Greece, the word theos had nothing to do with the God of the Bible; they had not even heard of him. For them, theos meant something else. The essay eo15c.htm has more on the origin and meaning of the word theos. The essay ed07b.htm has more on the word angelos (αγγελος), "angel".
In old Greece, the word daimôn was often also used as a reference to "the power controlling the destiny of individuals" – "fate", "lot", "fortune". The Greek-English lexicon by Liddell and Scott notes that probably, the root of daimôn ("deity") was the verb daiô which meant "to distribute", used of beings who "distributed destinies".
The word daimôn was even used in the meaning "spirit being" or "(semi-)divine being". Sometimes the word daimôn especially referred to an "evil spirit". It could also mean "genius" – a good or evil genius (a spirit) connected to a person. The longer form daimonion (δαιμονιον) had basically the same meaning as daimôn. On the other hand, it is good to know that the related verb daimonimozai meant, not only "to be under the influence of a daimôn", but also, "to be deified".
The adjective daimonios meant such things as "given by heaven", "inspired by heaven", "divine", "by divine grace", "by divine power", "by the hand of gods", "miraculous", "marvellous" and so on, and of course also, "belonging to a daimôn" and "under the influence of a daimôn". The verb daimonomacheô meant something like "to fight against Heaven" (that is, against the divine powers – the Greek "gods").
A note, regarding what was said above: This is regarding the use of those words in old Greece. That is, in connection to Greek idol religion, and in Greek mythology.
Further: The expression hoi daimones could also refer to "the souls of men of the golden age" (those who "formed a link between gods and men"). To understand this, one must know what the "golden age" really was. It was related to a time when the "sons of god" (read: rebel spirits) ruled here on Earth in person – apparently, those particular Greek myths really refer to antediluvian times (the time before the Flood). But, even though that matter is closely related to the meaning of the word daimôn, it is too much to be included here and is thus something for a separate study.
That is how the words daimôn and daimonios were used in old Greek, in the Greek culture.
In the LXX (an ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament) and in the Greek NT text, those words were for the most part used in a slightly different manner. There, they were more frequently used of spirits who took over human bodies. Jesus and the apostles freed many people who had been taken over (captured) in that way.
But still, for a better understanding of the New Testament (and of the LXX), it is good to know the original meaning of those Greek words. In addition to what was said above, here is an excerpt from the article "Daemon" in Harper's Dictionary of Classical Antiquities (1898):
(daimôn). Originally a term applied to deity in general, manifested
in its active relation to human life, without special reference to any single divine
personality. But as early as Hesiod the daemones appear as subordinates or servants
of the higher gods. He gives the name especially to the spirits of the past age
of gold, who are appointed to watch over men and guard them. In later times, too,
the daemones were regarded as beings intermediate between the gods and mankind,
forming, as it were, the retinue of the gods, representing their powers in activity,
and intrusted with the fulfilment of their various functions. This was the relation,
to take an instance, which the Satyrs and Sileni bore to Dionysus. But the popular
belief varied in regard to these deities.
[...]
A note: That dictionary entry mentions the phrase and concept "the
past age of gold" (the same as "the golden age"). That is a thing in mythology,
and refers to a time when the "sons of god" ruled here on Earth in person. But again,
even though that so-called "golden age" (which was a wicked age that led
to the Flood) is closely related to the deeper meaning of the word daimôn,
that matter is something for a separate study.
In the Greek Septuagint translation of the Old Testament, the LXX, the word daimonion occurs in eight passages, Deuteronomy 32:17, Psalms 91:6 (90:6), 96:5 (95:5) and 106:37 (105:37), and Isaiah 13:21, 34:14, 65:3 and 65:11. The form daimôn is not found in the LXX at all.
In Deuteronomy 32:17 and Psalms 106:37 (105:37), the LXX used daimonion as a translation of the Hebrew noun shed (which occurs only twice in the Bible, in those two passages).
In Psalms 96:5 (95:5), the LXX used daimonion as a translation of 'eliyl (which the KJV-1769 mostly translates as "idol").
When it comes to Psalms 91:6 (90:6) and the four passages in Isaiah,
things are a bit more complicated; there, the LXX and the present-day Hebrew text
seem to have a somewhat different wording. But anyway, a study of the use of the
word daimonion in the LXX gives very little – actually nothing.
The Old Testament does not tell us very much about evil spirits. They are mentioned in a number of OT passages, though. The 1769 KJ version does not at all use the word "demon", but it has some other words and phrases that (sometimes) refer to wicked spirits. Here are some of them, found in the KJV-1769 Old Testament:
"Devils" (Hebrew, shed or saiyr/sair):
The 1769 KJ version Old Testament contains the word "devils" (plural) in Deuteronomy 32:17 and Psalms 106:37 (Hebrew, shed), and in Leviticus 17:7 and 2 Chronicles 11:15 (Hebrew, saiyr or sair).
A note: In the case of the two latter passages, many translate saiyr or sair as "he-goats". Another note: The singular form "devil" is not at all found in the Old Testament part of the KJV.
"Familiar spirit" or "familiar spirits" (Hebrew, owb):
That phrase is found in Leviticus 19:31, 20:6 and 27, Deuteronomy 18:11, 1 Samuel 28:3, 7, 8 and 9, 2 Kings 21:6 and 23:24, 1 Chronicles 10:13, 2 Chronicles 33:6, Isaiah 8:19, 19:3 and 29:4.
"Lying spirit" (Hebrew, sheqer + ruwach):
1 Kings 22:20-23 and 2 Chronicles 18:19-22 record a story of how the LORD said, "Who shall persuade Ahab to go and attack Ramothgilead?", and where finally some spirit (apparently a wicked one) came and said that he would do that. How that story should be interpreted, literally or in some other way, is hard to say.
It must be noted that none of those passages tell us much about wicked spirits; they are merely mentioned in there.
There are also some other places in the OT which might seem to refer to wicked spirits, but where a closer study shows that that may not at all be the case. Here are some of the passages in question, sorted by the phrases used in the KJV:
"Unclean spirit" (Hebrew, tumah + ruwach):
Some translations pun an "unclean spirit" in Zechariah 13:2, but some others translate the Hebrew as "the spirit of uncleanness", which does not have to refer to a spirit-being of any kind.
"Evil spirit" (Hebrew, ra + ruwach):
Judges 9:23 says that "God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem", but that does not have to refer to a spirit-being; probably those words refer to "disagreement", "hate" or similar.
1 Samuel 16:14 says, "the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him". Also 1 Samuel 16:15, 16 and 23, 18:10 and 19:9 mention that "evil spirit". Whether that refers to a spirit-being of some kind, or simply to psychological problems, is not clear, but probably it was the latter.
A note regarding Job 4:15: Many translations have in that passage something like "then a spirit passed before my face", but the Hebrew text can also mean "a wind passed", or similar. Here is how the 1560 Geneva Bible renders Job 4:15:
"And the winde passed before me, & made the heeres of my flesh to stand vp".
The 1535 Coverdale translation:
"And when the wynde passed ouer by me, the hayres of my flesh stode vp".
(The Hebrew word in question was ruwach, which for instance
the KJ version rendered 92 times as "wind", 27 times as "breath", 4 times as "blast",
232 times as "spirit" in different meanings of that word, and a few times in miscellaneous
ways.)
As was mentioned above, in the New Testament those words were for the most part (but not always) used of wicked spirits who took over humans bodies – "possessing" them (taking over them, taking them in their power). Even the verb daimonizomai referred to that, in the NT. The Gospels and even the other parts of the New Testament contain numerous accounts of how Jesus and the apostles freed people from the power of such capturers. Here is an example of that:
Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. 24 Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. (NKJV)
(A note: The 1769 KJ version has instead "possessed with devils", but most newer translations use the word "demons".)
The New Testament records many similar occasions. One of them is found in Matthew 8 – there, some daimones (wicked spirits possessing human bodies) pleaded to Jesus that as he forced them to leave the human bodies they had taken over, he would at least allow them to take their abode in some swine that were in the vicinity. Jesus allowed that – but, as it happened, those swine went into panic, ran into the sea, and drowned. Whether it was Jesus who caused the end of those swine, or whether it was the overtaking by those wicked spirits that caused the swine to panic, we cannot know. Nor do we know what happened to those wicked spirits, after that.
But who and what were those spirits who in that way possessed human bodies (and even animal bodies), and their kind? And, why did they do that? The simple answer is that the Bible does not give any answer to that question. One can only speculate. So, let us do some speculating: It would seem obvious that those spirits had no bodies of their own. For what other reason would they have wanted to take over someone else's body? Also, their manner of behaving indicates that they had had bodies at some past time, and that they either were used to having bodies, or perhaps even that they actually needed such in order to survive, and that they for that reason took over humans, forcibly seizing the control of their bodies.
Here, some might say, "but spirit beings are immortal". But, does the Bible say that? The answer is that the Bible does not say that. A more careful study of the Bible shows that not even angels are immortal so that they could not die. God the Father in Heaven is truly immortal, but not others. And then, several bible passages indicate that at a coming time of Judgment, the rebellious angels who will not repent, will face death. The essay ed02c.htm has more on this.
(Regarding the word "immortal": Not dying – under certain circumstances not ageing but ever-living. But, the matter of immortality and everlasting life is something for a separate study.)
But again, who or what were those wicked spirits? Where did they come from? What was their background and origin? The short and simple answer again: The Bible does not tell us. But, if one carefully reads what happened in the days of the Flood, including some small notes and clues regarding that matter in the New Testament, one could perhaps speculate that those daimones were spirits who had rebelled against God and who now were roaming the world, without any real goal or purpose. And, as was mentioned above, it seems that they simply needed some body to live in, in order to stay alive. This is indicated even by their desperation when they begged Jesus to allow them to at least take their abode in the swine.
But again, what above was said regarding those wicked, possessing spirits, was mostly speculation. The Bible does not tell us very much about them. We mostly know that they existed, and also, that they were waiting for their doom. Reading more in Matthew 8 gives an indication of that:
Matthew 8:28 When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. 29 And suddenly they cried out, saying, "What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?" (NKJV)
"Before the time" – obviously, before the day of judgment for those spirit rebels. It would seem that the judgment they referred to and knew about, might be the time when Jesus returns to this planet. But, even that is speculation – the Bible does not tell us the where and when regarding the judgment which those wicked spirits were talking about. It might even be that those particular spirits already have been judged by now – we simply do not know.
Here is some more reading in that connection: The essay et07e.htm which is about the coming "great judgment" (and shows that it seems that there actually are more than one Judgments to come; one in direct connection with Jesus' return, and another one some time later when the dead will be raised up). Also, the essay ed02c.htm which was mentioned above and which considers the question, can angels die? And then, the essay ew11c.htm which is about "darnel" of the parable – the wicked seed which the Enemy sowed. (Some might ask, "Darnel? What does that have to do with spirits?" But, there is a connection between the wicked seed of that parable, and wicked spirits, or at least one particular wicked spirit.)
What more can we learn about demons, in the New Testament? Not much. Those who want, could of course do a study of all the NT passages that contain the words daimôn, daimonion and daimonizomai, but that will not give much. And, there is also the word daimoniôdês ("demonic") in James 3:15, but studying that verse will not make one much wiser either, in regard to this matter. The NT and the Bible as a whole simply do not tell us very much, regarding the "spirit realm". Why? Well, one way to see that matter is that since it is clear that we normal, mortal humans are not able to cope with beings and forces in that realm, it is best that we keep away from them, and also, we should not spend all too much time at studying such things.
That may actually be what one really needs to know about the subject of demons and even about the "spirit realm" in general. God will take care of whatever that needs to be taken of in that realm – so, let us leave those things to him. And, let us keep close to God and let us study things connected to him, instead of turning in the other direction.
But, in order to finish this study of the words daimôn and its derivative daimonion with basically the same meaning, let us consider some New Testament passages where the word daimôn is used in the meaning "god" or similar, and not in the meaning "demon". That is, passages where the original, Greek meaning of those words comes into expression. Here is one example of that:
Acts 17:18 Also some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers debated with him. Some said, "What does this babbler want to say?" Others said, "He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign divinities [daimonion]." (This was because he was telling the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.) [...] 22 And standing in the middle of the Areopagus, Paul said, Men, Athenians, I see how you in everything are fearful of gods [deisidaimonestêros] (NRSV, comments added)
Verse 18: Well, Paul certainly was that: A proclaimer of a divine Power who was not known to the Greek and who thus was "foreign" to them. (See also Paul's use of the word deisidaimonestêros, verse 22, and Festus' use of the word deisidaimonia in Acts 25:19.)
Then, 1 Corinthians 10:20 mentions how the Greek sacrificed things to the daimoniois. A note: Even though many bible-versions "translate" the word daimonion in that passage as "demon", the meaning was, "the things offered by the nations are offered to spirits [or, idols] and not to God; and it is not my desire for you to have any part with [those evil] spirits [or, idols]". Again, for the Greek the words daimôn and daimonion meant "gods" and "divine power". 1 Corinthians 10:21 records how Paul stated that the saints in Corinth had to choose: They could not serve both the Greek gods and the true God who is in Heaven. Let us take a look at that passage:
1 Corinthians 10:14 Therefore, my dear friends, shun the worship of idols. [...] 19 What do I mean? you ask. That an offering made to an idol, or the idol itself, is anything? 20 No; what I say is that the sacrifices offered by the Gentiles 'are offered to demons and to a Being who is no God,' and I do not want you to share with demons. 21 You cannot drink both the Cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake at the Table of the Lord and at the table of demons. 22 Or 'are we to rouse the jealousy of the Lord'? Are we stronger than he? (20CNT, highlighting added)
A note: Many bible-translations have made it seem (in certain passages)
that Paul supposedly taught that the saints could partake of "the cup of
the demons", but that is not what Paul taught. (This has to do with foods sacrificed
– dedicated – to idols.) But, even though that subject certainly has to do with
"demons" or spirits, it cannot be included here. For more on 1 Corinthians 10 and
the whole matter regarding foods that have been "sacrificed" (dedicated) to idols,
please read the essay
ef03b.htm.
Earlier in this essay, it was mentioned that the root of the word daimôn ("deity") perhaps was the verb daiô which meant "to distribute", used of beings who "distributed destinies". And indeed, among the Greek, the daimones were beings who had power over the destiny of humans.
It is worth noting that also the Bible talks about "powers and principalities", "dominions", "thrones" ("seats"), and so on. Even though the Bible does not spell these things out in any greater detail, it seems that certain spirits or "sons of God" had been given this planet as their "domain", or something like that, with some legal powers over it and its human inhabitants.
Unfortunately, at some point of time, those beings became rebels and began doing things God did not want them to do. The actions of those rebels hurt, not only those rebels themselves but humans also. We do not know the details, but it is obvious that for some for us unknown "legal reasons", God could not simply do away with those rebels, but instead had to ransom mankind from their legal powers. That seems to be why God had to send his own Son to humiliation, suffering and death. In other words: That is one of the reasons why Jesus had to die – because of those rebel spirits and their legal power-position (whatever it was – we so not know the details). The essay ed06c.htm has more on that subject.
Colossians 2:15-18 refers to those "powers and principalities", and mentions that through his death (by giving his life in ransom for others), Jesus stripped those "principalities" of their powers. That was mankind's salvation de jure – on the legal level. However, this world (planet) still remains in the hands of those wicked powers, on the practical level. But in the future, Jesus will return and will free this planet from those wicked spirit powers and their fleshly cronies even de facto – also on the practical level. See also the essays ed06c.htm and eo07d.htm.)
A note: Those "powers and principalities" probably have very little to do with spirits of the kind that are mentioned in the account in Matthew 8.
There is also the wicked seed which the Enemy planted here on Earth. The "darnel" of Matthew 13:24. Or, "the children of disobedience", if you please. The essay ew11c.htm has more on that subject.
For more on God's spirit messengers ("angels"), look under the heading "Angels" on the index-page keyw-a3.htm. See also the "Additional reading" section, below.
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Additional reading at the Bible Pages, on related as well as other issues:
A clarifying explanation of the short names for the bible-versions quoted or mentioned at this site, such as that NKJV stands for New King James Version, YLT for Young's Literal translation, HCSB for Holman Christian Standard Bible, NRSV for the New Revised Standard Version, and so on. → es09c.htm
Some notes regarding the ancient Greek word theos, including its eventual origin and meaning. → eo15c.htm
What does the Bible say about angels? A study on angels and archangels, including the origin and meaning of the words "angel" and "archangel". → ed07b.htm
Jesus warned his disciples about false prophets, teachers of falsehood, deceivers and deception. He said that many would be deceived. → eo09e.htm
Are angels immortal, or can they die? → ed02c.htm
The meaning of the words Christ, Christian, Messiah and Messias. Also: Did the saints call themselves "Christians" – christianos or christianoi? → eg07b.htm
Check your bible knowledge. A basic self-test with 15 biblical questions (with answers and commentary). → es04b.htm
The cherubs, cherubim or keruwbim, what did they look like? Also: Do angels have wings, and in what form do they appear? → ed01c.htm
Matthew 13:24-30 and 36-43, the parable of the darnel or "tares", the wicked seed sown by the Enemy. → ew11c.htm
Many people wonder, why does God allow evil, sickness, pain, war and suffering? What is the biblical answer – does the Bible explain that matter, or in some way make it understandable? → ew01b.htm
On the dragons, flying serpents, satyrs, unicorns, the leviathan, and other odd creatures that appear in many translations of the Bible. → ed03b.htm
What does the Bible say about Satan the Devil? Various things regarding mankind's arch-enemy. → ed04c.htm
"Amateur bible students" versus "professional theologians". Some preachers have spitefully called people who actively study the Bible on their own, "amateur theologians". Indeed, many a clergyman seems to feel that a layman should not put his or her nose into theological studies but should rather leave those things to "experts". But, is that correct? This treatise sorts out that matter, and clarifies and explains in layman's terms the linguistic and historical background of the concepts "clergymen" and "laymen", and gives the definition and actual meaning of such words as "clergy", "laity", "scholar" and "scholarly". → es07c.htm
Do Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 talk about Satan? → ed05c.htm
Colossians 1:26, "the mystery of the ages" or "the secret of God", and the "princes of this age" and "thrones and dominions". How Jesus conquered and spoiled certain principalities and powers. → ed06c.htm
For more on angels, look under the heading "Angels" on the index-page keyw-a3.htm.
A study on the phrases "the snare of the Devil" and "the love of money is the root of all evil" (1 Timothy 3:7 and 6:9-10 and 2 Timothy 2:26). On Jesus' and Paul's teachings regarding how those who proclaimed the Gospel or Good Message could become spiritually unfruitful. → em08c.htm
The Great White Throne Judgment, a time when both living and dead will be judged. When will it take place, where, and who will judge? Also, there is more to take into consideration, because the Bible talks about more than one still future times of judgment. → et07e.htm
Colossians 2:16-17, "Let no man therefore judge you". What was Paul really talking about? → eo07d.htm
On how the Lord's prayer (the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 6), the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7) and the Beatitudes (Matthew 5, verses 3-11) have a connection with the Old Covenant's Day of Atonement. → ec05c.htm
On the Day of Atonement and its symbolism. (Yom Kippur or the Fast, Leviticus 16:29-31 and 23:27-32.) → ex05b.htm
Could the saints sit in idols' temples or eat foods that had been offered to idols? This essay sorts out the translation and meaning of Acts 15:19-20 and 29, and 1 Corinthians 8:1-12 and 10:14-32. → ef03b.htm
What is the Kingdom of God? Where is it located? Does it exist already, or is it only going to be established in the future? Or, is it only something "in the hearts of men" as some have claimed, quoting the translation "within you" in Luke 17:21? → eo01b.htm
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The essays at this site are not in "bible lesson" or "bible study course" format, nor are they meant as on-line "bible study classes" of some kind. Even though this site gives ready answers to biblical questions of many kinds, its main goal is providing food for thought on a variety of biblical subjects, and challenging and encouraging people to get started with deep personal bible study and then continue with that. (Many religious organisations and denominations have their bible lessons and correspondence courses; they are ready-made "studies" which are shrewdly constructed and written in such a manner that they lead the reader to conclusions that fit the dogmas of the group in question.) A careful, closer study of the books of the Bible with proper tools will help a believer to gain better and deeper biblical understanding. In that way, one will find out more about what the Bible really says, means and teaches. One can then, with wisdom, use that knowledge as a guide for one's life, instead of accepting as "biblical truths" whatever commercial religion – churches and their ministers (preachers) – have taught and want people to believe.
A more thorough, bible-based study with care and with thought will, not only help one to learn more, but also show one how many a popular belief has no scriptural basis or support but is altogether false and not biblical at all. This applies, not only to prophecy and "end time" related things, but also to many other subjects where prevailing dogmas are often taken "for granted". For this reason, it is extremely important for believers to personally study the Writings, and to thoroughly analyse them down to the smaller details, in order to find out the real facts. For doing that, it is not necessary to know the Hebrew, Greek or Latin languages (even though learning their letters and alphabet can be a good idea); there are modern, advanced tools which can help one to study in an effective way – see the pages es01d.htm and es02c.htm for more on this. The essay eg02c.htm supplies a number of easy, elementary keys to acquiring a better and deeper understanding of the Bible, simply by consciously and methodically avoiding certain usual errors and pitfalls.
This site is non-denominational and non-sectarian. It is not connected to any church, sect or religious organisation or movement. This site looks at things from a biblical perspective, and not from a dogmatic one. It does not claim to be without error or to "know it all" or to have a perfect or complete explanation to all things – it consists of an ongoing bible study that has been made public, and as the study goes on, the contents of these pages are revised and also expanded, with new topics and themes being addressed. Readers are invited and welcome to write to the author with thoughts and comments, or to ask questions or to point out a mistake if they feel that they have found one. For more on this, see the page purpose.htm.
The address to this page is www.biblepages.web.surftown.se/ed08c.htm
Please send or mention the address to this site to others, and link to these pages.
This page was created or modified 2010-01-17.