Lilith the Woman Before Eve
Tales and legends about Lilith date back to ancient times.
Originally Lilith was nothing but a demon who killed newborn children and seduced men during the night, to enable her to bear more demons.
In Jewish folklore however, Lilith is portrayed as a goddess who was sent to be Adams first wife. Lilith was not made of Adams rib and was seductive and independent. Lilith refused to be submissive to Adam, and ran from the Garden of Eden. refusing to return to Adam, Lilith disobeyed God and the 3 angels sent to return her to Eden further by consorting with evil spirits near the Dead Sea. It is written that Lilith gave birth to a hundred demons a day.
Further to this tale, Muslim legend tells of Lilith joining withSatan himself and giving birth to the demon Djinn. God, in his wrath, kills many of Lilith's children each day, thus enhancing the tale of her seducing men in their beds.
As a further act of revenge, Lilith kills newborn children, especially males.
Throughout the bible, Lilith is noted once and is not mentioned at all throughout Genesis, the reference to Lilith in the bible is (Isaiah 34:14).
“Liliu [Lilith] nobles will have nothing there to be called a kingdom, all her princes will vanish away. 13.¦Thorns will overrun her citadels, nettles and brambles her strongholds. She will become a haunt for jackals, a home for owls. 14.¦Desert creatures will meet with hyenas, and wild goats will bleat to each other; there the night creatures will also repose and find for themselves places of rest.”
As can be seen this only passage naming Llilith, is not exactly written in her favour.
Even until the 18th century many Europeans would protect their newborns with an amulet. This adornment would feature an image of Adam and Eve, the names of the three angels sent to bring Lilith back to the Garden of Eden, and the words " barring Lilith" and "protect this child from harm". Such is the strength and belief of Lilith.
In medieval times ,the controversial tale "the alphabet of ben sirah", which describes Lilith as the first Eve appeared.
All early descriptions of Lilith are of a demoness, but in the modern world Lilith is also considered to be a goddess and a role model for many a woman who craves independence in the world.
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