First of all we need to establish what was meant by the term Evil spirit in the scriptures. This is important so that we are not confused with the various terms used for invisible entities.
If we look in the new testaments of the bible,we see the terms devils,and evil spirits and unclean spirit.
Matthew 8:16
16When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils:..
The Term devils that we see here is 1139 in the Greek Concordance, which is
1139. daimonizomai dahee-mon-id’-zom-ahee middle voice from 1142; to be exercised by a dæmon:–have a (be vexed with, be possessed with) devil(-s).
Which is to be possessed with evil spirits. We can also see where the word Demon is derived from, below are other words which talk about demons and where they are used in scriptures the word devil(s) has been bolded for clarity…
1140. daimonion dahee-mon’-ee-on neuter of a derivative of 1142; a dæmonic being; by extension a deity:–devil, god. found in:
Matthew 7:22
22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
1142. daimon dah’-ee-mown from daio (to distribute fortunes); a dæmon or supernatural spirit (of a bad nature):–devils. found in:
Revelation 16:14
14For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
1228. diabolos dee-ab’-ol-os from 1225; a traducer; specially, Satan (compare 7854):–false accuser, devil, slanderer. devil found in
Revelation 2:10
10Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
You can see the list of other words which describe the nature of having a spirit live in you. And where a person works on behalf of the Devil is being called a devil him self (Revelation 2:10)
It is also interesting to note that although the word spirit is usually used to indicate the good Spirit (Holy Spirit) The word literally means Breath, or Wind and can also refer to an evil spirit, where indicated for example:
Matthew 8:16
16When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:
Here the Messiah heals people possessed with evil spirits, and cast out the “spirit”, this word Spirit is the same one used when the Holy Spirit is spoken of and can be found in the old testament as
7307 ruwach roo’-akh from 7306; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions):–air, anger, blast, breath, X cool, courage, mind, X quarter, X side, spirit((-ual)), tempest, X vain, ((whirl-))wind(-y).
and in the Greek as
4151. pneuma pnyoo’-mah from 4154; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ’s spirit, the Holy Spirit:–ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually)
Here are two scriptures that parallel each other and speak of the Holy Spirit where the word for Spirit is 7307 in hebrew and 4151 in Greek the same word, so you can see:
Isaiah 61:1
1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Luke 4:18
18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
As you can see the Messiah in Luke 4:18 is quoting from Isaiah 61:1,and the word which is talking about the Spirit of the Lord, or Holy Spirit is the same as what is used, in Matthew 8:16, where it is said.
Matthew 8:16
“…and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:
So we can see that the word demon has be derived from the Greek word daimon dah’-ee-mown,which is when a person is possessed by an evils spirit.
The word for spirit can also suggest an evil or unclean spirit in certain contexts, so in summary evil and unclean spirits are the same. Devils, evil and unclean spirits are also the same, although where devils is seen, it is specifically talking about being possesses with evil spirits.
So now you know what demons, unclean and evil spirits in the bible are, you may want to know where they came from according to the scriptures….?
Peace an Shalom
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