What is a succubus?

According to medieval folklore, a succubus is a demon that takes the form of a woman in order to have intercourse with a man in his dreams. The word succubus comes from Old Latin and means “to lie under.” In Islamic superstition, there is a similar demon called the qarinah or karina, and in ancient Middle Eastern cultures Lilith was the night demon’s name. Whichever name is used, the essential qualities are the same: the succubus is a demon who tempts men sexually at night and who tries to kill infants at birth.

There are two ancient passages that may refer directly to this kind of demon. One of the Dead Sea Scrolls (4Q184) contains a poem commonly called “The Seductress.” This poem depicts a being who has horns and “a multitude of sins is in her wings” (The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English, trans. by G. Vermes, Penguin Press, 1997). This evil being tempts men into sin and ultimately drags them into the Pit. The passage is similar to Proverbs 2:18–19, which describes the dangers of the seductress or “strange woman” (KJV). In describing the results of God’s judgment on Edom, Isaiah 34:14 says, “The night creature shall rest there, And find for herself a place of rest” (NKJV). The Hebrew word translated “night creature” is liyliyth, which can also be translated as “night monster” (NASB 1995) and “night demon” (AMP). The New Revised Standard Version transliterates the name Lilith.

Are succubi real? If we grant credence to the widespread beliefs of ancient cultures, the answer would be “yes.” If we limit ourselves to the biblical text, the answer becomes more difficult. The Bible certainly teaches that demons are real and that they interact with mankind. Second Peter 2:4 speaks of angels who sinned and were cast down to hell in judgment. Jude 1:6 likewise speaks of angels who “did not keep their proper domain” (NKJV) and are awaiting the final judgment. Jesus confronted demonic possession and cast demons out of people, as did His disciples. Could demonic oppression include unwanted sexual acts? Possibly.

The male counterpart of the succubus is the incubus, from the Latin incubo for “nightmare.” An incubus supposedly lies with human women in their sleep in order to have sexual intercourse with them. In folklore, incubi were thought to be capable of fathering children, and the half-human offspring of an incubus was called a cambion. Merlin, the legendary wizard from the King Arthur tales, was supposedly sired by an incubus, from whom he received his supernatural abilities. Belief in succubi and incubi is rooted in medieval superstition most likely developed to explain natural phenomena that occur during sleep—nightmares, sexual dreams, sleep paralysis, and night terrors. The incubus was also blamed for nighttime rapes and other assaults perpetrated by very human offenders.

Some people study demons as an aid in spiritual warfare. While it is good to be vigilant and informed, our main focus should be on learning more about the One who “has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13 – 14, NKJV). We need not fear succubi or incubi. We have been given the full armor of God “so that [we] will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11, NLT).