Lilith is the figure widely known in folklore as Adam’s first wife who existed before Eve. While she is entirely absent from the official biblical creation story, her narrative developed extensively through medieval Jewish folklore, specifically in a 10th-century text called The Alphabet of Ben Sira. The Mythological Narrative
According to folklore, Lilith’s story unfolds through a sequence of creation, defiance, and exile:
The Equal Creation: Unlike Eve, who was created from Adam’s rib, Lilith was created at the exact same time as Adam, out of the same dust of the earth. This shared origin made them inherent equals.
The Conflict: Because she was his equal, Lilith refused to take a subservient role to Adam. Legend states that during intimacy, she refused to lie beneath him, asserting her independence and equal status.
The Escape: When Adam refused to acknowledge her equality, Lilith uttered the secret, holy name of God, grew wings, and fled the Garden of Eden.
The Demonic Transformation: God sent three angels (Senoi, Sansenoi, and Semangelof) to retrieve her. She refused to return. As punishment for her defiance, she was transformed into a night demon (“succubus”) condemned to lose hundreds of her children every day, leading her to target human infants out of revenge. After her departure, God created Eve from Adam’s rib to ensure a companion who would remain loyal to him. Where the Story Comes From
Leave a Reply