10.4.08

Origins: Isaiah 34:14

The first and only mention of Lilith in canonical scripture is found in Isaiah 34:14 which reads as follows:

Wildcats shall meet with
hyenas,
goat-demons shall call to each other;
there too Lilith shall
repose,
and find a place to rest.


-Isaiah 34:14, New Revised Standard



The term "Lilith" is not always translated as "Lilith." The original text reads as "lilitu" which does not seem to have a concrete translation. In Isaac Asimov's guide to the Bible, he notes that "lilitu" is a loan word from Babylonian which eventually came to be known as "night." Other translations replace "Lilith" with "screech owl" or "night hag," and in the case of the Latin Vulgate the word becomes "lamia." Lamia, as it turns out, is a Greek mythological figure who eventually becamse a child killer. This echoes the story of Lilith and in later mythology, the two became associated and occasionally synonymous with each other.



Converging mythologies aside, what does the only canonical mention of Lilith in scripture indicate? In the context of chapter 34, Isaiah is primarily focused on the oncoming judgement of the Lord. The animals listed before Lilith as well as Lilith herself are said to inherit a desolate Earth after divine judgement. Lilith is cast out of the holy land and the grace of God, a clear sign of rejection.

This information suggests that there was some sort of mythology behind Lilith when Isaiah was written, but what that story is has been omitted from the text. Perhaps the writer assumed the audience knew the story of Lilith and there was no need for elaboration. What we can glean from this mention though is that she was viewed as a negative figure from a very early point.



Next: Talmudic mentions

10 comments:

HandbagArtisan said...

Hi, I found your blog looking for information on Lilith. She's a very interesting. I doing a series of femme fatales for my blog. Lisa :)

Linebreaker said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Carmiya.Com the Choice of the Chosen said...

Hi! Thanks for the information. I really appreciate. Von Brown (thetrumpets@gmail.com)

Andy Kreusel said...

I found this blog while researching Lilith. I've read several articles on Lilith which have mentioned Isaiah 34:14. I still consider the evidence that this passage is truly a reference to the mythological Lilith sparse.

Unknown said...

Bible says the pagans copied and worshiped the creature I think it's lilith they copied but lilith is one type of vampire mentioned in the middle east lilith is term for group of creatures that r female that prey on young men sexually mentally physically thers a thing u can wear that's got 3 angels names on it thers also a bible code picture. That has 2 agent guys on it ones upside down and two owls r joined at the claws I use it as my facebook page picture I think it has something to do with 2 wings and protecting the lady and baby

not interested said...

Well, looking at everything said and what is said in the bible it points to the fallen angels, those that fell with lucifer. God made women from Adam, she was basicly inside of Adam. When God made man and women the were one body and on the sixth day God seperated them into two bodies now when they join together they become one again. Any other "woman" is demon or fallen angel. If we look at any other human we know that God created them. If God created everyone then if we ask the question where did Adam and eves sons get wifes, The answer is easy, God Created Them, How? From there ribs. Today woman and men are born from Women,how are they made by God? From mans rib. How? God can do all things and He has been making all Woman from man's ribs ever since He made the first and the last will also be made from a man's rib. The way all humans are made is God's way of making all woman from mans ribs by that same way He made the first. Hahaha, I love it, God is Creator of all. :-)

not interested said...

God said it and I believe it and that settles it.....

Unknown said...

Omg I am just getting into subjects like this and this theory is beautiful. I would love to learn more about these subjects. Thank you for opening doors for students like me daring to think out the box.

not interested said...

Using the abbreviation "OMG" for a bible student is inappropriate. I donot want any communication with you.

Unknown said...

As a matter of fact, we all are Lillith's children and the story is much simpler...
But one shall never force the other to believe in the truth that doesn't belong to him.