Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

LILITH

(Heb. lîlîṯ)

A demon attested only in Isa. 34:14, but whose Mesopotamian roots go back to the 3rd millenium b.c. The Babylonian Lilitu was a female spirit who could not bear children, but instead gave forth poison from her breasts by which she would seek to kill babies. She was also associated with stormy winds and is described as fleeing from a house through the window. Within medieval Jewish demonology Lilith is identified as the “first Eve” who was created from the earth along with Adam, but refused to accept a position subservient to him. She then fled from him and roams the earth looking for newborn infants to devour. Isa. 34:14 describes Lilith as dwelling with the wildcats and hyenas among Edom’s ruins; the picture is thus one of complete desolation where only death and destruction reign.

Bibliography. M. Hutter, “Lilith,” DDD, 520-21; G. Schakel, “Lilith,” EncJud 11:245-49.

Christian M. M. Brady

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

LILITH

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)