Demonic Possession in the Old Testament: What Ancient Scriptures Reveal About Spiritual Torment
When most people hear the phrase demonic possession, they picture New Testament scenes—unclean spirits shrieking in the synagogues, people convulsing at the feet of Yeshua, or the man possessed by a legion of them. Many modern readers assume the Hebrew Bible lacks direct mention of demonic activity, but that’s far from accurate. It may use different language—like “evil spirit,” “lying spirit,” or “madness”—but the symptoms and outcomes are unmistakably consistent with what we now understand as demonic possession.
But demonic possession didn’t begin in the Gospels. The Old Testament—and other ancient texts once included in our Bibles (removed in the 1800s) like 1 Enoch, Jubilees, and 4 Ezra—are full of accounts and insights into demonic influence and spiritual torment.
These writings, widely read until the 1800s, reveal the backstory of fallen angels, unclean spirits, and human vulnerability to possession. Together with the canonical Old Testament, they show us that the struggle with demonic powers is as old as humanity itself.
Misconceptions About Demons: Hollywood vs. Reality
The image above reflects what many people imagine when they think of demons—horned, monstrous figures cloaked in darkness. However, that is a vision shaped more by Hollywood and horror films than by Scripture. While it may look terrifying, this is NOT the biblical reality of demonic possession. Demons are not grotesque creatures lurking in shadows; they are tormenting spirits. Their purpose is not primarily to scare us with appearances but to rob us of peace, joy, and wholeness. Their true aim is to twist our thoughts, break our relationships, and enslave our emotions so that we cannot shine as the “city on a hill” Yeshua called us to be.
Personal Testimony: Delivered From a Spirit of Jealousy
Before diving into Scripture, I want to share a personal perspective. I know tormenting spirits are real, because I used to be tormented by a spirit of jealousy. It consumed my mind, twisted my perception of others, and robbed me of peace. When I say it was tormenting, I mean it quite literally! Jealousy consumed my thoughts, distorted my perception of others, and wrecked my inner peace. It wasn’t just a destructive emotion—it felt like something had gripped my mind and my soul.
But through prayer and teshuva (repentance and returning to YHVH), I was set free. There was no mistaking it—the hold it had on me broke. I experienced peace in a way I had never felt before. This personal deliverance fuels my passion for showing others that demonic possession can hide behind emotional strongholds—like jealousy, rage, envy, or pride.
Let’s explore what the Bible actually says about this spiritual reality.
Old Testament Cases of Demonic Possession and Affliction
King Saul: Tormented by an Evil Spirit
📖 1 Samuel 16:14
“Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the Lord tormented him.”
When Saul disobeyed, God’s Spirit departed, leaving a vacuum for torment. His paranoia, rage, and violence are classic signs of possession-like behavior. After Saul disobeyed YHVH, the Spirit of God departed from him. What followed was a spiritual vacuum—and a tormenting spirit filled the void. Saul experienced mood swings, fits of rage, paranoia, and even murderous intent toward David (1 Samuel 18:10–11; 19:9–10). When David played the harp, the spirit would leave temporarily, but it always returned.
Though the Hebrew phrasing says the evil spirit was “from the Lord,” many scholars interpret this as God allowing an afflicting spirit as a form of judgment. Saul’s behavior reflects what today we would call demonic possession: violent outbursts, torment, loss of control, and spiritual oppression.
Lying Spirit in Ahab’s Prophets
📖 1 Kings 22:21–23
A lying spirit deceived hundreds of prophets, hijacking their speech. This is prophetic possession—false prophecy inspired by demonic forces.
In this chilling passage, a lying spirit is permitted to influence the prophets of Ahab to give him false hope—leading him into battle and death. These prophets were convinced they were hearing from God, but their words were spiritually manipulated.
This wasn’t just a one-time deception—it was a case of prophetic possession, where a demonically permitted force hijacked mouths. It mirrors New Testament accounts of false prophecy and demon-inspired utterances (e.g., Acts 16:16–18, the girl with the spirit of divination).
Nebuchadnezzar’s Madness
📖 Daniel 4:28–33
The proud king lived like a beast until he acknowledged heaven. His breakdown parallels New Testament demoniacs stripped of reason until delivered.
King Nebuchadnezzar lost his sanity and lived like a wild animal for seven years, eating grass and avoiding human contact. His mental break was a direct result of his pride and rebellion against YHVH.
Though the Bible doesn’t call this demonic possession explicitly, the symptoms are strongly aligned with spiritual affliction. He is stripped of human reasoning until he lifts his eyes to heaven and acknowledges God.
This mirrors the restoration of the demon-possessed man in Mark 5, who was naked, wild, and living among tombs—until Yeshua restored him to his right mind.
Abimelech and the Spirit of Division
📖 Judges 9:23
An evil spirit stirred hostility and bloodshed between Abimelech and Shechem, showing corporate or territorial demonic influence.
Here, the evil spirit incited division, betrayal, and eventual destruction. It didn’t possess an individual in the typical sense but operated between people, sowing relational chaos. This is a broader picture of territorial or corporate demonic influence.
Job’s Satanic Attack
📖 Job 1–2
Though not possessed, Job was afflicted in his body, family, and emotions by Satan’s assault—revealing demonic strategies.
In this ancient account, Satan receives permission to attack Job physically, emotionally, and relationally. Though Job is not possessed, this passage gives rare insight into demonic strategies—sickness, loss, emotional breakdown, and despair.
Job’s case is similar to the woman bent over by a spirit of infirmity for 18 years in Luke 13:11–16. Yeshua released her from her bondage.
Spirit of Jealousy
📖 Numbers 5:14
Scripture names jealousy itself as a spirit, not just a passing thought—showing how emotional states can be spiritually driven.
This ritual law acknowledges a “spirit” of jealousy that could come upon a man, overwhelming him with suspicion about his wife. While some might read this purely as metaphorical, Scripture often portrays strong emotional states as spiritually driven.
In modern terms, we would recognize this as a form of obsessive torment, and possibly an open door for demonic possession or influence—something I personally experienced and overcame.
Insights From Ancient Texts Once in the Bible
1 Enoch: Origins of Demons
📖 1 Enoch 15:8–12
“The spirits of the giants… shall be called evil spirits upon the earth… And the spirits of the giants afflict, oppress, destroy, attack, do battle, and cause trouble on the earth.”
1 Enoch explains that demons are the disembodied spirits of the Nephilim, offspring of fallen angels and human women (Gen. 6:1–4). Though destroyed in the Flood, their spirits remained, seeking to possess humans.
Jubilees: Mastema and the Remaining Spirits
📖 Jubilees 10:8–9
“Let a tenth of them remain before him, and let nine parts descend into the place of judgment.”
In Jubilees, Mastema (chief of evil spirits) pleads to keep some demons active after the Flood. God allows a portion to remain, explaining the persistence of demonic possession throughout history.
4 Ezra (2 Esdras): The Struggle Against Evil
📖 4 Ezra 7:92–93
“The hearts of men shall be troubled, and the evil impulse shall overcome them… for the evil seed has grown strong in their hearts.”
Here, demonic influence is not only external torment but inward corruption of the heart and mind.
The Language of the Old vs. New Testament
Many people assume that demonic possession is exclusive to the New Testament because of how clearly it’s described in the Gospels. But the difference is not in spiritual activity—it’s in language and revelation.
In the Old Testament, evil spirits are often seen as permitted by God as judgment or discipline.
In the New Testament, Yeshua reveals their nature more clearly: unclean spirits, tormentors, deceivers, destroyers.
Whether it’s called an evil spirit, madness, lying spirit, or torment, the result is the same: destruction of human wholeness, interference with obedience, and separation from the peace of God.
Old vs. New Testament Comparisons
| Old Testament Case | Behavior | New Testament Parallel |
| Saul tormented by spirit | Rage, paranoia | Boy with mute spirit (Mark 9:17–29) |
| Ahab’s prophets deceived | False prophecy | Spirit of divination (Acts 16:16–18) |
| Nebuchadnezzar’s madness | Loss of reason, beast-like | Demoniac in tombs (Mark 5) |
| Abimelech’s division | Territorial chaos | Ephesians 6:12 – principalities and powers |
| Job’s affliction | Bodily torment | Woman bent by spirit of infirmity (Luke 13:11–16) |
| Spirit of jealousy | Obsessive suspicion | Galatians 5 – jealousy as a work of the flesh |
| Spirits of the Nephilim (Enoch) | Affliction, destruction | Legion of demons (Mark 5) |
Charlatan Demon Slayers: Theater vs. Truth
Modern deliverance ministries have turned demonic possession into a spectacle. Figures like Katherine Krick, Greg Locke, and others stage exorcisms for crowds and cameras, often charging money or using theatrics for fame.
But true deliverance is never entertainment. Yeshua and His disciples never performed exorcisms for applause or profit. Real freedom comes through repentance, faith, and God’s power—not staged dramatics. Theatrics may impress crowds, but they rarely break chains.
Do Not Fear the Demons
One of the most important truths is this: believers should not fear demons.
- Demons tremble at YHVH’s authority which Yeshua embodied (Mark 1:24).
- Yeshua taught his disciples and they too had the power to cast out unclean spirits (Luke 10:19).
- James 4:7 says, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Fear empowers darkness, but faith exposes its weakness. Demons may torment, but they are defeated foes under YHVH’s authority.
Why This Matters Today
Demonic possession is not just a New Testament reality—it is a whole-Bible warning and a present-day concern. Emotional torment, obsessive thoughts, spiritual confusion, and destructive behaviors often have unseen spiritual roots. What was true for Saul, Ahab, and Nebuchadnezzar remains true today.
The good news? The same God who delivered ancient kings and healed the demon-possessed through Yeshua is still delivering people today. I am living proof. That spirit of jealousy I carried for years didn’t just fade away—it was broken through repentance (teshuva), prayer, fasting, and aligning with truth.
From Saul to Nebuchadnezzar, from the Watchers in Enoch to Mastema in Jubilees, the message is clear: demonic possession and spiritual torment have always been real. But just as clear is the promise of freedom.
Deliverance does not come through charlatan shows or sensational theatrics. It comes through YHVH’s Spirit, through teshuva, prayer, and the authority of YHVH.
I know because I lived it. The spirit of jealousy that once consumed me didn’t just fade—it broke through truth and repentance.
How to Recognize Demonic Possession or Influence
- Persistent thoughts that torment and accuse (yourself or others)
- Emotional reactions out of proportion to the situation
- Sudden changes in personality, mood, or mental clarity
- Obsessions, addictions, or behaviors you feel powerless to stop
- Repeated dreams, night terrors, or sleep paralysis
- Hatred toward God, Scripture, or others without cause
If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, it’s worth praying, fasting, and seeking spiritual insight. Don’t assume it’s just “emotional”—there may be a deeper root.
Final Thoughts: From Torment to Teshuva
Whether we call it demonic possession, affliction, or torment, Scripture shows that evil spirits have always sought to hijack human lives—through pride, rebellion, emotional brokenness, or false worship.
But the power of YHVH is greater. Through repentance, prayer, worship, and truth, we can be set free.
“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)
If you’d like to explore more studies and resources that uncover the Hebraic roots of Scripture, the lost books once included in the Bible, and the truth about spiritual warfare, visit Healthy in Heart Media Store. My store features companion books, journals, and devotionals that go deeper into these topics—including The Eden Way and The Eden Way Journal. You’ll also find guided studies on the Book of Enoch, Jubilees, and other ancient texts that help restore a fuller picture of YHVH’s truth.
