Probably the same as epileptic, the symptoms of which disease were supposed to be more aggravated as the moon increased. In Matt. 4:24 “lunatics” are distinguished from demoniacs. In 17:15 the name “lunatic” is applied to one who is declared to have been possessed. (See DAEMONIAC.)
BIBLE DICTIONARY + WORD STUDY
Lunatic
Historical dictionary entry
Scripture references
Source: Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897). Historical dictionary wording reflects the scholarship and language of its era.