|
| |
Asmodeus
Asmodeus (Asmodeus, Asmodaeus, pronounced Ashmed or Ashmedeus in Hebrew, also
Chammadai, Sydonai) is a semi-Biblical demon mostly known thanks to the
deuterocanonical Book of Tobit; he is also mentioned in some Talmudic legends
and in demonology, as he is a leading figure in the construction efforts of the
Temple of Solomon. Amongst many scholars, legends about Asmodai are thought to
derive from Zoroastrianism, and incorporated into Judaism (and hence
Christianity) during the Persian Achaemenids' rule over the Jews. Asmoday is one
of the Four Princes of Hell, specifically the reigning prince over the Eastern
Regions. He rules over 72 Legions of Demons and is the Demon of Lust in
Binsfeld's and Michaelis' classification of demons.
Spelling variations
Æshma (Old Persian), Æshma-dæva, Ashmadia, Ashmedai (Hebrew),
Asmodaios-Ασμοδαίος (Greek), Asmoday, Asmodée (French), Asmodee, Asmodei,
Ashmodai, Asmodeios, Asmodeo (Spanish, from a Latin declination), Asmodeius,
Asmodeus (Latin, as he is known in most translations of the Book of Tobit),
Asmodi, Chammaday, Chashmodai, Sidonay, Sydonai.
The Persian Asmodai
In Mazdeism, Æshma-deva (Asmodai) is the chief of all demons, a personal being
under direct command of Angra Mainyu, the principle of evil, and the enemy of
Sraoscha, one of the suras or angels that serve Ahura Mazda, the principle of
good (see dualism). Æshma's mission is to fill the hearts of men with anger and
vengeful desires, and to create all evil on Earth. He incites men to abandon the
path of good and follow that of evil. Avestan Æshma is cognate with modern
Persian kheshm.
Asmodai in Judaism
In Judaism Asmodai appears in the Book of Tobit and the Talmud. Note, however,
that the Book of Tobit is not part of the established Jewish canon.
In the Book of Tobit, Asmodai falls in love with Sarah, daughter of Raguel, and
kills her husband each time she gets married. In this way, he killed seven men
on their wedding nights, thus impeding the consummation of the sexual act. After
this, Sarah becomes engaged to a young man called Tobias. Tobias is menaced by
the demon and receives the aid of the angel Raphael. Raphael teaches Tobias how
to deal with the demon, making him catch a fish and put its heart and liver on
lit coals. This produces a vapour that makes Asmodai flee to Egypt, where
Raphael binds him. More about the demon's fate in this story is unknown, but
here he is presented as feeling carnal desire as well as having evil behaviour.
In the Talmud, Asmodai seems not to be the evil creature he is in other books.
However, there are some legends concerning Asmodai and King Solomon. One of them
tells that King Solomon tricked the demon and obliged him to collaborate in
building the temple of Jerusalem. In another legend Asmodai changed place for
some years with King Solomon. Yet another legend tells that Asmodai is the king
of all demons, comparable to the Christian notions of Satan, and married Lilith,
the daughter of Samael and Lilith (the original wife of Adam).
It is also stated that he was the offspring of the union between Adam and the
angel of prostitution, Naamah, conceived whilst Adam was married to Lilith.
Asmodai in demonology
Seraphim Angels
Seraphiel
Metatron
Michael
Vehuel Uriel
Nathanael Jehoel
Chamuel
Lucifer Abaddon
Asmodeus Astaroth
Leviathan Samael
Semyazza
Back to
Angels
| |
|