Origin of Lillith?

Factual Questions
1

I may even be spelling it incorrectly, so no chucking large objects at my head…

To my understanding, prior to the King James version of the Bible, before Eve there was Lillith. I was wondering if anyone has any information on Lillith, what versions she may have appeared in, and any relevant links discussing her? I have been able to find very few, if any sites relating any information on her, or even if she was ever included.

Thanks!

2

IIRC, Lilith was not created from Adam’s rib, but equal to Adam. She was banished from Eden for not being subservient or something and then God created Eve from Adam’s rib to replace her.

There was also some stuff about her stealing children or something.

I can’t remember exactly.

Now I’m gonna go have to do a search.

3

Here ya go:

http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~humm/Topics/Lilith/

4

There is a single line in Isaiah that refers to Lilith, and she is/was a demoness of the waste that carries away children. This is in Isaiah 34:14, and the KJV translates the word as 'screech-owl" instead of some sort of demon (in the revised standard it is “night hag”). In no “version” of the Bible (well, there is always the apocrypha) does Lillith appear as anything else. She first appeared elsewise in the medieval book “Alphabet of ben Sirah”- where she was Adams first wife- crated from the earth, like Adam. Later Talmudic writings refined this. Thus- as a “Biblical person” she does not show up until way late.

Hardly a symbol of “free women”- Lilith was portrayed as slayer of infants & women in childbirth.

There is some reasonable possibilty that Lilith was based upon the the babylonian demon-goddess “lilitu”- who was the Goddess/demoness of the night- and especially of the scary & bad night things (as opposed to the moon-goddess).

5

There’s also a Staff Report on this:
What’s the story on Lilith, Adam’s “first wife”?

6

Thanks, Protesilaus, for posting the link. I (natch) think this is a good summary.

Daniel, a minor quibble: << She first appeared elsewise in the medieval book “Alphabet of ben Sirah”- where she was Adams first wife- crated from the earth, like Adam. Later Talmudic writings refined this. >>

the Talmudic writings are much earlier than medieval, the Talmud is closed, um, I forget the date, someone will correct me, but I think around 400 AD.

7

Well, if you say so- i bow to your superiour knowledge. However, still AFAIK, she appears in no versions of the BIBLE other than that single (doubtful?) mention in Isaiah.

8

To my knowlege, Daniel Lilith isn’t mentioned in the Talmud at all. However, not having covered every page thereof, I would ask you for a cite on that.

Zev Steinhardt

9

I found this page which provides some Talmudical basis for Lilith. However, I would like to check these out personally before agreeing to this. They could be bad translations or what not.

However, here’s a quick “off the top of my head” response to the quotes (you’ll have to go to the page to see what I’m responding to).

#1 (from Eruvin 18): Clearly not referring to a wife of Adam’s.

#2-3 (from Eruvin 100 and Niddah 24). Does not specify what “Lilith” is with regard to Adam.

4 (from Shabbos 151) I’d have to look at that one and see if it actually says “Lilith.”

#5 (from Baba Basra 73) I remember learning this piece a while ago, but I don’t recall Lilith coming up in it.

As I said, I’ll have to go back and check on these.

Zev Steinhardt