Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

SPIRIT, EVIL/UNCLEAN

A spiritual being under the authority of Yahweh who carries out the more negative aspects of his will (Heb. rûaḥ raʿâ; Judg. 9:23; 1 Sam. 16:14-23; 18:10; 19:9; cf. 1 Kgs. 22:19-23, “lying spirit”; Zech. 13:2, rûaḥ ṭumʾâ, “unclean spirit”). Postbiblical Jewish texts refer to “evil spirits” (T. Sim. 4:9; 6:6; Jub. 10:3, 13; 11:4; 12:20; 4Q511 15 1:7; 81 1:3) and “unclean spirits” (cf. T. Benj. 5:2; 11QPs 19:15; 1 En. 99:7). There are synonymous designations for these beings, which, unlike the evil spirits in the OT, operate independently of God, seeking to lead human beings away from obedience to God. Often they are under the authority of a single evil spiritual being who is variously named, e.g., Satan, Mastema, Belial.

In the Gospels Jesus is said to exorcise “evil spirits” (Gk. pneúmata akártharta; Mark 3:11; Luke 8:2; cf. 11:26) or “unclean spirits” (Mark 1:23-28 par.; 5:2-13 [cf. Luke 8:29]; Mark 6:7 par.; 7:25; 9:25 par.). The early Church is also said to have cast out unclean spirits (Acts 5:16; 8:7) and evil spirits (19:11-12; cf. vv. 13-16). Eph. 6:12 refers to “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” against which believers are to defend themselves.

Bibliography. J. M. Hull, Hellenistic Magic and the Synoptic Tradition. SBT, 2nd ser. 28 (Naperville, 1974); G. H. Twelftree, Jesus the Exorcist (Peabody, 1994).

Barry D. Smith

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

SPIRIT, EVIL/UNCLEAN

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)