Biblical Word Etymology
The Etymology of “Demon”
The biblical word “Demon” traces back to Hebrew / Greek (shedim (Hebrew), daimon (Greek)), where it meant “An evil spirit; a supernatural being opposed to God”. Across 3eras it evolved into the modern sense: “An evil spirit; in theology, a servant of Satan”.
How the Meaning Evolved
Ancient Hebrew/Greek
Hebrew / Greekshedim (Hebrew), daimon (Greek)An evil spirit; a supernatural being opposed to God
Hebrew shedim (H7700, 'demons') from sheid ('waste, desolation'). Greek daimon (δαίμων, G1139) originally neutral ('divine power'), later evil spirits. NT uses daimonion (δαιμόνιον, G1140) for demons Jesus cast out.
Medieval Latin / Church
Latindaemon, daemoniumA servant of Satan; an unclean spirit or devil
Latin daemon from Greek daimon. Medieval demonology systematized demon hierarchies and classes. Church theology distinguished demons from the Devil (Satan); emphasized exorcism and spiritual warfare.
Modern English
Englishdemon (British), daemon (archaic)An evil spirit; in theology, a servant of Satan
From Latin via Old French demon. English demon (c. 1300). Secularized in modern usage ('a demon of procrastination'); theological meaning preserved in religious and horror contexts.