Daemoniac

1 definition found

From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]:

  Daemoniac
     one "possessed with a devil." In the days of our Lord and his
     apostles, evil spirits, "daemons," were mysteriously permitted
     by God to exercise an influence both over the souls and bodies
     of men, inflicting dumbness (Matt. 9:32), blindness (12:22),
     epilepsy (Mark 9:17-27), insanity (Matt. 8:28; Mark 5:1-5).


     Daemoniacs are frequently distinguished from those who are
     afflicted with ordinary bodily maladies (Mark 1:32; 16:17, 18;
     Luke 6:17, 18). The daemons speak in their own persons (Matt.
     8:29; Mark 1:23, 24; 5:7). This influence is clearly
     distinguished from the ordinary power of corruption and of
     temptation over men. In the daemoniac his personality seems to
     be destroyed, and his actions, words, and even thoughts to be
     overborne by the evil spirit (Mark, l.c.; Acts 19:15).