δαιμονίζομαι
daimonízomai
G1139 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be under the influence of a daimon (supernatural spirit), especially to experience effects attributed to indwelling or controlling by such a spirit. Primary context denotes a state in which a person is afflicted, troubled, or overtaken by a daimon, resulting in symptoms such as mental disturbance, abnormal behavior, physical affliction, or loss of self-control. In wider contexts, refers more generally to experiencing the disruptive or altering presence of a daimon, rather than simply 'possession' in later theological terms.
Semantic Range
to be afflicted or troubled by a daimon, to behave under the influence of a daimon, to display symptoms attributed to indwelling of a daimon, to experience spiritual or supernatural disturbance
Root / Etymology
Verb formed from δαίμων (daimōn, supernatural being or spirit) with the verbal suffix -ίζομαι (middle-passive voice), indicating the state or experience of being affected by a daimōn. The form is distinctly Koine, absent from classical Greek.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the New Testament and related literature, δαιμονίζομαι almost exclusively designates individuals believed to exhibit symptoms or behaviors attributed to the influence of a daimon—a term in Greek literature typically denoting a nonhuman or supernatural spirit, not always malicious. In the context of the Gospels, persons described as δαιμονιζόμενοι display symptoms ranging from convulsions and physical afflictions to behaviors interpreted as insanity or extreme agitation. The word is not equivalent to the later theological conception of 'possession,' and should not be automatically rendered 'possessed by a devil.' Standard English translations ('demon-possessed,' 'possessed with a devil') often impose later interpretive frameworks that are not present in the Greek. In the broader Greek-speaking world, δαιμονίζομαι does not appear before the Hellenistic period and is absent from Classical texts; its usage is largely shaped by Jewish and early Christian demonological discourse.
Translation Consistency
The typical New Testament usage describes a person as being under the control or influence of a daimon — commonly translated as “demon-possessed.” Using the base verb “possess” allows consistent, natural English renderings (rendered in context as passive: “was possessed,” “is possessed,” etc.) and captures the primary sense of being controlled/afflicted by a daimon. Other possibilities (e.g., “afflict” or “demonize”) are either too general or carry modern/secondary meanings that don’t match the usual NT sense as closely.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
middle voice from δαίμων; to be exercised by a dæmon:--have a (be vexed with, be possessed with) devil(-s).
Root Family
δαιμον- (daimonízomai) — to be affected by a daimon, to experience influence by a supernatural being
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G1140 | δαιμόνιον | supernatural spirit-beings |
| G1141 | δαιμονιώδης | demon-like (feminine singular) |
Word Forms
8 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1139-05 |
δαιμονιζομένων | daimonizomenon | V PRS MID PTCP GEN M PL |
demon-possessed | of those being influenced by a daimon | of those being possessed by a daimon | 3 |
G1139-08 |
δαιμονιζομένους | daimonizomenous | V PRS MID PTCP ACC M PL |
demon-possessed | those being affected by a daimon | those being affected by a daimon | 3 |
G1139-01 |
δαιμονισθεὶς | daimonistheis | V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG |
who had been demon-possessed | having been daimon-afflicted | having been possessed by a daimon | 2 |
G1139-02 |
δαιμονίζεται | daimonizetai | V PRS MID IND 3P SG |
demon-possessed | is under daimon influence | is under daimon influence | 1 |
G1139-03 |
δαιμονιζομένῳ | daimonizomeno | V PRS MID PTCP DAT M SG |
demon-possessed man | to one being daimon-afflicted | one being daimon-afflicted | 1 |
G1139-04 |
δαιμονιζόμενοι | daimonizomenoi | V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL |
demon-possessed | those under daimon influence | those under daimon influence | 1 |
G1139-06 |
δαιμονιζόμενος | daimonizomenos | V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG |
demon-possessed | being daimon-influenced | being daimon-influenced | 1 |
G1139-07 |
δαιμονιζομένου | daimonizomenou | V PRS MID PTCP GEN M SG |
of one possessed by a demon | of one being daimon-afflicted | of one being daimon-afflicted | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
13 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1139-08 |
Matthew 4:24 | δαιμονιζομένους | daimonizomenous | V PRS MID PTCP ACC M PL |
demon-possessed | those being affected by a daimon | those being affected by a daimon |
G1139-08 |
Matthew 8:16 | δαιμονιζομένους | daimonizomenous | V PRS MID PTCP ACC M PL |
who were demon-possessed | those being affected by a daimon | those being affected by a daimon |
G1139-04 |
Matthew 8:28 | δαιμονιζόμενοι | daimonizomenoi | V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL |
demon-possessed | those under daimon influence | those under daimon influence |
G1139-05 |
Matthew 8:33 | δαιμονιζομένων | daimonizomenon | V PRS MID PTCP GEN M PL |
possessed by demons | of those being influenced by a daimon | of those being possessed by a daimon |
G1139-05 |
Matthew 9:32 | δαιμονιζόμενον | daimonizomenon | V PRS MID PTCP ACC M SG |
demon-possessed | of those being influenced by a daimon | of those being possessed by a daimon |
G1139-06 |
Matthew 12:22 | δαιμονιζόμενος | daimonizomenos | V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG |
demon-possessed | being daimon-influenced | being daimon-influenced |
G1139-02 |
Matthew 15:22 | δαιμονίζεται | daimonizetai | V PRS MID IND 3P SG |
demon-possessed | is under daimon influence | is under daimon influence |
G1139-08 |
Mark 1:32 | δαιμονιζομένους | daimonizomenous | V PRS MID PTCP ACC M PL |
demon-possessed | those being affected by a daimon | those being affected by a daimon |
G1139-05 |
Mark 5:15 | δαιμονιζόμενον | daimonizomenon | V PRS MID PTCP ACC M SG |
demon-possessed | of those being influenced by a daimon | the one being influenced by a daimon |
G1139-03 |
Mark 5:16 | δαιμονιζομένῳ | daimonizomeno | V PRS MID PTCP DAT M SG |
demon-possessed man | to one being daimon-afflicted | one being daimon-afflicted |
G1139-01 |
Mark 5:18 | δαιμονισθεὶς | daimonistheis | V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG |
who had been demon-possessed | having been daimon-afflicted | having been possessed by a daimon |
G1139-01 |
Luke 8:36 | δαιμονισθείς | daimonistheis | V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG |
who was demon-possessed | having been daimon-afflicted | having been possessed by a daimon |
G1139-07 |
John 10:21 | δαιμονιζομένου | daimonizomenou | V PRS MID PTCP GEN M SG |
of one possessed by a demon | of one being daimon-afflicted | of one being daimon-afflicted |