Lexical Summary daimón: Demon Original Word: δαίμων Strong's Exhaustive Concordance demon, evil spiritFrom daio (to distribute fortunes); a d?Mon or supernatural spirit (of a bad nature) -- devil. HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 1142 daímōn (a feminine noun) – a demon, i.e. a fallen angel. See 1139 /diamonizomai ("demonized") and 1140 /daimónion ("little demon"). [This term occurs more often in the Textus Receptus (TR) than the later editions of the critical text. See for example Rev 16:14, 18:2. Whereas 1140 (daimónion) emphasizes the evil nature of fallen angels, 1142 (daímōn) may stress the pervasive presence of demons in the world.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originperhaps from daió (to distribute destinies) Definition a demon NASB Translation demons (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1142: δαίμωνδαίμων, δαίμονος, ὁ, ἡ; 1. in Greek authors, a god, a goddess; an inferior deity, whether good or bad; hence, ἀγαθοδαιμονες and κακοδαιμονες are distinguished (cf. Winer's Grammar, 23 (22)). 2. In the N. T. an evil spirit (see δαιμόνιον, 2): Matthew 8:31; Mark 5:12 (R L); Luke 8:29 (R G L marginal reading); Revelation 16:14 (Rec.); Strong’s Greek 1142 (δαίμων, plural δαίμονες) designates personal, malevolent spirit-beings who operate in conscious rebellion against the one true God. While the more common New Testament word for these beings is δαιμόνιον (Strong’s 1140), 1142 supplies an emphatic reminder of the personality and power of demons. This term appears only once in the Greek New Testament, at Matthew 8:31, but it is anchored to a wider biblical witness concerning unclean spirits. Old Testament Background Although the Hebrew Scriptures do not employ an exact linguistic counterpart to δαίμων, they unmistakably portray spiritual adversaries. The fallen cherub in Isaiah 14:12-15, the enigmatic figures behind idolatry in Deuteronomy 32:16-17, and the hostile spirit sent in Judges 9:23 all anticipate the fuller demonology unveiled in the Gospels. Psalm 106:37 mourns Israel’s tragic sacrifice of children “to demons,” foreshadowing the New Testament recognition of distinct demonic personalities. Narrative Setting in Matthew 8:31 Matthew records a dramatic confrontation between Jesus and a legion of evil spirits possessing two men in the Gadarenes. The spirits beg Him, “If You drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs” (Matthew 8:31). Several truths emerge: 1. Demons acknowledge the supreme authority of Christ, addressing Him and negotiating for permission. Theology of Demonic Powers 1. Personhood: Demons exhibit intellect (Luke 4:34), emotion (James 2:19), and will (Matthew 12:43-45), aligning with the personal vocabulary of δαίμων. Christ’s Authority and Believers’ Victory The unique appearance of δαίμονες at a pivotal exorcism accents Jesus’ messianic credentials. The King demonstrates His dominion over “the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). Post-resurrection, this victory is shared with the Church: • Delegated Power: “In My name they will drive out demons” (Mark 16:17). Practical Ministry Implications Pastoral care must balance sober recognition of demonic realities with confidence in Christ’s triumph. Biblical deliverance involves: 1. Proclamation of the gospel, leading to repentance and faith. Sensationalism is avoided; the pattern of the Apostles emphasizes proclamation rather than preoccupation with demons (Acts 19:18-20). Eschatological Outlook Demons are destined for irreversible defeat. Revelation 20:10 envisions their final consignment to the lake of fire, guaranteeing the eventual eradication of all evil influence from the renewed creation (Revelation 21:3-4). The single New Testament use of δαίμονες in Matthew thus anticipates a cosmic trajectory: from present harassment to ultimate judgment. Related Terminology • δαιμόνιον (1140): the common New Testament term for demon. Summary Strong’s 1142 underscores the reality of personal evil spirits within biblical revelation. Its lone appearance in the Gospels captures the clash between the kingdom of darkness and the incarnate Light. The passage calls believers to rely upon Christ’s finished work, wield spiritual authority responsibly, and anticipate the final banishment of every δαίμων when “the kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ” (Revelation 11:15). |
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