δαιμονιώδης (daimoniōdēs)
daimoniōdēs
demonic
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective daimoniōdēs means "demon-like" or resembling an evil spirit. It is a rare word in the New Testament, appearing only once in James 3:15 to describe a specific kind of earthly wisdom. The term combines the root for "demon" with a suffix indicating resemblance or nature.
James uses this striking descriptor to contrast heavenly wisdom with a base, unspiritual origin. By calling certain attitudes "daimoniōdēs," he suggests they are not merely human flaws but have a character that mirrors the destructive influence of evil spirits. This usage highlights the spiritual seriousness of pride and selfish ambition within the community.
The word’s singular occurrence underscores its rhetorical force. Rather than describing a person possessed, it characterizes the quality of wisdom itself as originating from a demonic source. This sharp distinction helps readers identify behaviors that oppose the peaceable and pure nature of divine truth.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word daimoniōdēs appears only once in the New Testament, found in James 3:15. It describes a type of wisdom that is earthly, sensual, and demonic. This rare adjective helps us see that some attitudes are not just simple human errors but have a deeper, destructive origin. When we face conflict or pride, this word reminds us to look beyond surface behavior to the spiritual roots of our actions.
Understanding this term encourages us to examine our own motives with honesty. It invites us to reject wisdom that divides and instead seek the peaceable, pure understanding that comes from God. By recognizing the danger of demonic influences in our thinking, we can turn toward the light of divine truth. This awareness helps protect our hearts and minds from the chaos that selfish ambition brings.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- demonic.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- δαιμονιώδης.1×
Key Verses
-
James 3:15
This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
This verse uses daimoniōdēs to sharply contrast worldly wisdom with heavenly truth, showing that prideful attitudes mirror the destructive nature of evil spirits.