δαιμόνιον
daimónion
G1140 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
An intermediate spiritual being; in Greek literature and Hellenistic usage, a supernatural entity understood to inhabit the world between mortal humans and divine gods. In the New Testament and related Jewish texts, primarily refers to hostile or impure spiritual beings believed to oppose or afflict humans, sometimes associated with idolatry or illness. Contextually may also refer more neutrally to supernatural presences (as in some Greek philosophical texts), but in Jewish and early Christian sources, typically denotes malign supernatural forces.
Semantic Range
supernatural being, intermediary spirit, tutelary spirit, malignant spirit, evil spirit, heathen deity, demon
Root / Etymology
From the root δαιμών (daimōn), which in classical Greek referred to any divine power, fate, or lesser deity. δαιμόνιον is the neuter form, often referring generically to a supernatural being; diminutive in form but not always in sense. No certain non-Greek etymology; ultimately of uncertain Indo-European origin.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, δαιμόνιον could refer generally to any spirit, often with a neutral or even positive connotation (including an attendant or protective spirit). Philosophers (e.g. Plato, Socrates) could use it for a guiding voice or benevolent power. By the time of post-exilic Judaism and into the Hellenistic and Roman periods, δαιμόνιον was increasingly used in Jewish literature (including the Septuagint) for malevolent spirits or beings associated with foreign cults and idolatry. In the New Testament, δαιμόνια are nearly always antagonistic, connected to possession and spiritual affliction, never described as benevolent. Later English translations substituted 'devil' or 'demon,' which flattens the original range of significance. The term never corresponds exactly to the singular "Devil" (ὁ διάβολος) in Greek; in contrast, δαιμόνια plural refers to a class of beings, not a chief adversary. Not to be confused with θεός (theos, 'god') or ἄγγελος (angelos, 'messenger'), which represent different categories in the Greek worldview. The sense of "heathen god" is most common in polemical Jewish or Christian contexts (e.g. 1 Corinthians 10:20–21).
Translation Consistency
In New Testament and related Jewish contexts δαιμόνιον almost always refers to hostile or impure supernatural beings opposing humans; ‘demon’ is the natural, familiar English term used in standard translations and covers the typical malignant sense (while allowing inflection to plural/possessive forms). It is concise, widely understood, and fits the dominant usage over more neutral senses like ‘spirit’ or broader phrases like ‘supernatural being.’
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
neuter of a derivative of δαίμων; a dæmonic being; by extension a deity:--devil, god.
Root Family
δαιμόνιον (daimonion) — spirit being, supernatural entity, lesser deity
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1140-01 |
δαιμόνια | daimonia | N ACC N PL |
demons | supernatural spirit-beings | demons | 32 |
G1140-03 |
δαιμονίων | daimonion | N GEN N PL |
demon | of spirit beings | of demons | 26 |
G1140-04 |
δαιμονίου | daimoniou | N GEN N SG |
demon | of a spirit-being | of a demon | 4 |
G1140-02 |
δαιμονίοις | daimoniois | N DAT N PL |
to demons | to spirit beings | to spirit beings | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
63 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1140-01 |
Matthew 7:22 | δαιμόνια | daimonia | N ACC N PL |
demons | supernatural spirit-beings | demons |
G1140-04 |
Matthew 9:33 | δαιμονίου | daimoniou | N GEN N SG |
demon | of a spirit-being | of a demon |
G1140-03 |
Matthew 9:34 | δαιμονίων | daimonion | N GEN N PL |
demons | of spirit beings | of demons |
G1140-01 |
Matthew 9:34 | δαιμόνια | daimonia | N ACC N PL |
demons | supernatural spirit-beings | demons |
G1140-01 |
Matthew 10:8 | δαιμόνια | daimonia | N ACC N PL |
demons | supernatural spirit-beings | demons |
G1140-03 |
Matthew 11:18 | δαιμόνιον | daimonion | N ACC N SG |
demon | of spirit beings | demon |
G1140-01 |
Matthew 12:24 | δαιμόνια | daimonia | N ACC N PL |
demons | supernatural spirit-beings | demons |
G1140-03 |
Matthew 12:24 | δαιμονίων | daimonion | N GEN N PL |
demons | of spirit beings | of demons |
G1140-01 |
Matthew 12:27 | δαιμόνια | daimonia | N ACC N PL |
demons | supernatural spirit-beings | demons |
G1140-01 |
Matthew 12:28 | δαιμόνια | daimonia | N ACC N PL |
demons | supernatural spirit-beings | demons |