Possession and Sleep Paralysis in the Old Testament - Michael Heiser

Michael Heiser emphasises beginning in the Old Testament with a focus on some lesser-known but significant texts, including the Masoretic Text, the Septuagint (Greek translation), and the Dead Sea Scrolls. He highlights a passage from 1 Kings 4, where Solomon is described as having immense wisdom and composing thousands of proverbs and songs, noting differences between the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint, particularly in the number of songs attributed to Solomon. Heiser then draws attention to psalmic material found in the Dead Sea Scrolls, which references David composing many psalms and songs, including those described as having power over the "possessed" or "assaulted"—suggesting an early tradition linking these songs to deliverance from demonic forces. He discusses Psalm 151, an extra psalm appearing in the Septuagint and Dead Sea Scrolls, which contains similar themes of protection against evil spirits. Heiser then analyses Psalm 91, contrasting the Masoretic Text and Septuagint, where terms like "terror of the night" and "arrow by day" in Hebrew are rendered in Greek as references to demonic entities—the "nighttime demon" and "midday demon." He connects these terms to ancient Near Eastern demonology, including figures like Lilith and Lilu, demons associated with night terrors, harm to pregnant women, and attacks on newlyweds. He also highlights that references to pestilence and destruction in these texts correspond to Canaanite deities such as Reshef and Devour, who are depicted as hostile divine beings beneath the authority of the God of Israel. Heiser points to the messianic theme where the Messiah, described as son of David and of the Most High, has authority over these demonic forces and death itself. Ultimately, Heiser presents a theological framework where Old Testament texts, expanded by intertestamental sources, depict the Messiah’s power over spiritual enemies, demons, pestilence, and death—anticipating New Testament portrayals of Jesus’ authority over demonic entities and death, thus tying the ancient texts to the salvation history culminating in the resurrection. #MichaelHeiser #BiblicalDemons #OldTestamentMysteries #Septuagint #DeadSeaScrolls #MessianicProphecy #SpiritualWarfare #DivineCouncil #AncientPsalm #DemonicEntities #Psalm91 #SonOfDavid #MostHighGod #BiblicalScholarship #UnseenRealm