Who is Lilith ?

[Apple Sky]

The Bible mentions the Lilith only once, as a dweller in waste places (Isaiah 34:14),

Wildcats shall meet with desert beasts, satyrs shall call to one another; There shall the lilith repose, and find for herself a place to rest.

So she obviously existed.

 

[Apple Sky]

Was she Adam's first Wife ? If this is the case then Lilith wouldn't have eaten from the tree of life therefore rendering her immortal.

 

[prodromos]

The Bible mentions the Lilith only once, as a dweller in waste places (Isaiah 34:14),

Wildcats shall meet with desert beasts, satyrs shall call to one another; There shall the lilith repose, and find for herself a place to rest.

So she obviously existed.

Lilith is a what, not a who.

 

[ozso]

The Bible mentions the Lilith only once, as a dweller in waste places (Isaiah 34:14),

Wildcats shall meet with desert beasts, satyrs shall call to one another; There shall the lilith repose, and find for herself a place to rest.

So she obviously existed.

That's not what the NKJV says. Which what I get from the CF hyperlink.

But anyways there's no person named Lilith in the Bible. The story of Lilith is purely unscriptural folklore. You can put Lilith in the same category as Medusa and other mythological beings.

 

[ozso]

Lilith is a what, not a who.

It's not even "Lilith" as a proper name. But rather "the lilith" which certainly does suggest a thing rather than a who.

 

[JesusFollowerForever]

The Bible mentions the Lilith only once, as a dweller in waste places (Isaiah 34:14),

Wildcats shall meet with desert beasts, satyrs shall call to one another; There shall the lilith repose, and find for herself a place to rest.

So she obviously existed.

I did a quick search with chat gpt and here is what it says, I rerely use AI but it is useful For gathering preliminaty information on a topic sometimes;

""In the Bible, the name "Lilith" appears in a passage in the book of Isaiah (Isaiah 34:14), but her role and identity are somewhat ambiguous and have been the subject of various interpretations over the centuries.

The specific verse in question is Isaiah 34:14 (in the New Revised Standard Version):

"Wildcats shall meet with hyenas,
the satyr shall cry to his fellow;
indeed, there Lilith shall settle,
and find a resting place for herself."

In many Bible translations, "Lilith" is rendered as a "night creature" or "screech owl," but the Hebrew word used in this verse is "לִילִית" (Lilith), which is thought to refer to a mythological figure. The term "Lilith" is likely a reference to an ancient folk belief, as it is not used widely in the Hebrew Bible outside of this passage.

Who was Lilith?​

The character of Lilith is not extensively developed in the Hebrew Bible, and her appearance in Isaiah is more symbolic than biographical. However, she is often associated with earlier folklore and later interpretations:

1. Sumerian and Akkadian Mythology: Lilith’s roots can be traced to Mesopotamian mythology, where she appears as a wind demon or a female night spirit. In this tradition, she is often depicted as a seductive figure or a dangerous, supernatural being associated with the night.
2. Jewish Folklore: In later Jewish folklore, Lilith became a more prominent figure. According to the Alphabet of Ben Sira (a medieval text), Lilith was Adam's first wife, created by God in the same manner as Adam. However, she left him after she refused to submit to him, and she is often depicted as a symbol of rebellion, sexual independence, and the dangers of unrestrained desires. In this narrative, Lilith is said to have become a demon, often associated with the harming of infants and women during childbirth.
3. Christian and Gnostic Interpretations: In some Gnostic texts, Lilith is described as a figure who defies God, and she is sometimes associated with Satan or a female counterpart to evil. This view contributes to her characterization as a seductive and dangerous figure in later Christian demonology.

The Role of Lilith in Isaiah 34​

In Isaiah 34, the mention of Lilith is part of a larger description of the desolation and judgment of Edom. The passage is highly poetic and uses a series of wild animals and mythical creatures to describe the destruction of the land. The mention of Lilith in this context could symbolize a desolate, uninhabitable place, where only spirits and night creatures dwell. It is possible that the mention of Lilith here reflects the presence of ancient mythical beings or dark spirits that were associated with desolation and chaos.

Conclusion​

The Lilith mentioned in Isaiah is not a fully developed character in the Bible itself but is instead part of the broader tapestry of ancient Near Eastern mythology and Jewish folklore. While she has been associated with various roles over time—such as a demon, a rebellious figure, or a symbol of chaos—her mention in Isaiah is largely symbolic, reinforcing the themes of desolation and judgment. The more detailed and famous stories of Lilith, particularly as Adam’s first wife, come from later Jewish and mystical writings, rather than the Bible itself.""

 

[Apple Sky]

That's not what the NKJV says. Which what I get from the CF hyperlink.

But anyways there's no person named Lilith in the Bible. The story of Lilith is purely unscriptural folklore. You can put Lilith in the same category as Medusa and other mythological beings.

Then why does Ahijah mention her in the book of 'Ahijah prophesies' ?

 

[David Lamb]

The Bible mentions the Lilith only once, as a dweller in waste places (Isaiah 34:14),

Wildcats shall meet with desert beasts, satyrs shall call to one another; There shall the lilith repose, and find for herself a place to rest.

So she obviously existed.

Answers in Genesis says:

"According to the story, Lilith was the first wife of Adam and was made from the dust of the earth like him. She claimed equal status with him and refused to lie under him because of it. Lilith fled the garden of Eden and refused to come back when three angels tried to persuade her to do so. She was then cursed to be the mother of demons and would seek to kill Adam’s sons. Adam, now having no wife, was given the more submissive Eve who would listen to and obey him. Some will claim that this story was taken out of the Genesis account in order to uphold male prominence and subjugate women to the desires of man. However, when we look at ancient sources, we find that Lilith does not have biblical origins but pagan ones. She was not written out of the Genesis account because this story never took place."

The verse in Isaiah says:

14 The wild beasts of the desert shall also meet with the wild beasts of the island, and the satyr shall cry to his fellow; the screech owl also shall rest there, and find for herself a place of rest.

The word translated "screech owl" is "Lilith" but this is clearly not the Lilith of the pagan legend.

 

[prodromos]

Then why does Ahijah mention her in the book of 'Ahijah prophesies' ?

Where can we read this book you describe?

 

[ozso]

Where can we read this book you describe?

Have you tried Amazon?

 

[Maria Billingsley]

The Bible mentions the Lilith only once, as a dweller in waste places (Isaiah 34:14),

Wildcats shall meet with desert beasts, satyrs shall call to one another; There shall the lilith repose, and find for herself a place to rest.

So she obviously existed.

Besides the Jewish folklore identitying Lilith as a woman demon, there is the biblical account in Isaiah 34:14.
In this verse, "lilith" is translated as a "night monster," a particular animal and not a human being. I took a photo of this quote from the Masoretic Text which should be our " go to".
Blessings

 

[Maria Billingsley]

Then why does Ahijah mention her in the book of 'Ahijah prophesies' ?

Where? Chapter and verse please.
Thanks!

 

[David Lamb]

Have you tried Amazon?

I don't think you'll find it there. The Bible Fellowship Union (about which I know nothing) says on its website: "Ahijah, like Malachi, recorded his prophecy in a book. Unlike Malachi, his book has not survived." Wikipedia (not always trustworthy, I know) also says it is lost. Another site OT Lost Books says:

"The prophecy of Ahijah the Shilohite​

Ahijah was the prophet who brought God’s word to Jeroboam I, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel (1 Kg 14:2-18), condemning him for what the Book of Kings refers to as ‘the sin of Jeroboam’, and predicting the exile beyond the River Euphrates. The reference to the prophecy of Ahijah may be to this passage in the First Book of Kings, rather than to a distinct document."

 

[Job 33:6]

The Bible mentions the Lilith only once, as a dweller in waste places (Isaiah 34:14),

Wildcats shall meet with desert beasts, satyrs shall call to one another; There shall the lilith repose, and find for herself a place to rest.

So she obviously existed.

She's part of Jewish mythology. The LXX also speaks of "ono centaurs" in Isaiah. Half human half donkey demons alongside Lilith.

Onocentaur - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

See 24 minutes in to the above video^.

As should be verifiable using a suitable concordance to the Bible, the Septuagint translators used the word onokentauros or ("onocentaur") four times in the Book of Isaiah.[5]

Once it is used without any corresponding Hebrew word, in verse 34.11. Twice, in verses 13:22 ("and onocentaurs will settle there and hedgehogs will make nests in their homes. It comes quickly and does not delay")[6] and 34:14 ("and the spirits will meet with the onocentaurs and howl one to another, and the onocentaurs will stop because they have found rest") to translate some sort of "island beast(s)" called ’íy (אִי; pl. ’íyyîm אִיִּים) in the original Hebrew,[7][8] possibly jackal[9] or hyena.[8] The second instance in the same verse (Is. 34:14) translates lîlîṯ (לִילִית), probably a female demon.[8]

Jerome's translation of the Septuagint and Vetus Latina versions into the Late Latin standard version, the Vulgate, preserved this interpretation.[10] John Wycliffe's early English-language translation of the Bible did not use the word "onocentaur", but instead glossed the term as: "wondurful beestis, lijk men in the hiyere part and lijk assis in the nethir part".[11] The later King James Version translates the word as "satyr".[12]

 

[ozso]

I don't think you'll find it there. The Bible Fellowship Union (about which I know nothing) says on its website: "Ahijah, like Malachi, recorded his prophecy in a book. Unlike Malachi, his book has not survived." Wikipedia (not always trustworthy, I know) also says it is lost. Another site OT Lost Books says:

"The prophecy of Ahijah the Shilohite​

Ahijah was the prophet who brought God’s word to Jeroboam I, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel (1 Kg 14:2-18), condemning him for what the Book of Kings refers to as ‘the sin of Jeroboam’, and predicting the exile beyond the River Euphrates. The reference to the prophecy of Ahijah may be to this passage in the First Book of Kings, rather than to a distinct document."

Hence the emoji I added.

 

[Job 33:6]

Besides the Jewish folklore identitying Lilith as a woman demon, there is the biblical account in Isaiah 34:14.
In this verse, "lilith" is translated as a "night monster," a particular animal and not a human being. I took a photo of this quote from the Masoretic Text which should be our " go to".
Blessings View attachment 359894

Well the masoritic texts aren't even in English. So where does this translation come from? In reality, I'd say that looking at the Hebrew itself gives us an indication of what's going on. And in Hebrew it is, Lilit.

Strong's Hebrew: 3917. לִילִית (liyliyth) -- Night creature, night monster, screech owl

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, particularly in Mesopotamian mythology, Lilith was considered a female demon or night spirit. She was often depicted as a seductress or a bringer of chaos. The Hebrew term "liyliyth" may have been influenced by these cultural myths, representing a fear of the unknown and the dangers associated with the night. The Bible's use of the term in Isaiah reflects a broader theme of desolation and divine judgment, where even the most feared creatures inhabit the ruins of a judged land.

Hence the translation "night monster" that's what she is.

Brown-Driver-Briggs
לִילִית noun feminine Lilith (Milton Che night-hag), name of a female night-demon haunting desolate Edom; probably borrowed from Babylonian, Isaiah 34:14 (Late Hebrew id.; Assyrian lilîtu, DlHWB 377; Syriac PS1951; on the development of legends of Lilith in later Judaism, see BuxLex. Talmud., under the word Cheon the passage GrünbaumZMG xxxi.1877, 250 f. — Connexion with לילה perhaps only apparent, a popular etymology).

 

[Maria Billingsley]

Well the masoritic texts aren't even in English. So where does this translation come from? In reality, I'd say that looking at the Hebrew itself gives us an indication of what's going on. And in Hebrew it is, Lilit.

Strong's Hebrew: 3917. לִילִית (liyliyth) -- Night creature, night monster, screech owl

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, particularly in Mesopotamian mythology, Lilith was considered a female demon or night spirit. She was often depicted as a seductress or a bringer of chaos. The Hebrew term "liyliyth" may have been influenced by these cultural myths, representing a fear of the unknown and the dangers associated with the night. The Bible's use of the term in Isaiah reflects a broader theme of desolation and divine judgment, where even the most feared creatures inhabit the ruins of a judged land.

Hence the translation "night monster" that's what she is.

Brown-Driver-Briggs
לִילִית noun feminine Lilith (Milton Che night-hag), name of a female night-demon haunting desolate Edom; probably borrowed from Babylonian, Isaiah 34:14 (Late Hebrew id.; Assyrian lilîtu, DlHWB 377; Syriac PS1951; on the development of legends of Lilith in later Judaism, see BuxLex. Talmud., under the word Cheon the passage GrünbaumZMG xxxi.1877, 250 f. — Connexion with לילה perhaps only apparent, a popular etymology).

This translation is from The Jewish Publication Society and can also be found in the NKJV as well.
Also keep in mind that the verses before and after speak of animals not humans. So it is a far stretch to translate this into a woman.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[Job 33:6]

This translation is from The Jewish Publication Society and can also be found in the NKJV as well.
Also keep in mind that the verses before and after speak of animals not humans. So it is a far stretch to translate this into a woman.
Thanks for sharing.

That's not actually true. The LXX identifies the satyrs as ono-centaurs. Not mere animals. Unless you don't agree with the LXX and think it's a faulty translation or something.

Different translations say different things, but there really is no doubt around a mythological tradition backgrounding these texts in some manner.

Not to say that this night monster is necessarily a woman. But I would say that it's similarly questionable to assume it to be an animal like an ostrich or regular jackle. Etc.

Lilu (mythology) - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Maria Billingsley]

That's not actually true. The LXX identifies the satyrs as ono-centaurs. Not mere animals. Unless you don't agree with the LXX and think it's a faulty translation or something.

Different translations say different things, but there really is no doubt around a mythological tradition backgrounding these texts in some manner.

Not to say that this night monster is necessarily a woman. But I would say that it's similarly questionable to assume it to be an animal like an ostrich or regular jackle. Etc.

Well I guess we all want to see what we want to see. I don't see a woman nor a mythological creature. Thanks for sharing!
Be blessed.

 

[Job 33:6]

Well I guess we all want to see what we want to see. I don't see a woman nor a mythological creature. Thanks for sharing!
Be blessed.

In Greek it is literally onokentauros. This isn't debatable. They're ono centaurs as plainly stated in the LXX.

Onocentaur - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

It's not about "what I want to see" rather it's a matter of what is said.

Kentauros, for those who aren't familiar with ancient Greek literature:

Centaur - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org