Adam's First Wife

The symbolism of this —black moon,?? as Lilith is often called, is taken from a Jewish myth of uncertain origin in which, prior to the creation of Eve, Adam has a first wife named Lilith. This speculation probably emerged from the text of Genesis, in which two creation myths are related concerning the origin of woman. The first, in Genesis 1:27, states only that when God created mankind, he —created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them.?? This wording suggests that man and woman were created at the same time, yet in Genesis 2:18-25, a second story is related in which Adam is at first alone in the Garden of Eden, and Eve is made from Adam??s rib. One way to reconcile the discrepancy between the two stories (if indeed one sees a discrepancy, which many modern biblical exegetes do not), is to assume that a woman was created with Adam at the same time he was created and in the same manner. At some point, this woman disappears from the narrative, and then Eve is created as Adam??s second companion, this time from his rib (or, more precisely, from his side — the Hebrew text does not specify the rib). The supposed —first wife?? of Adam is not named in Genesis, but later commentators on the Book of Genesis named her Lilith and provided a myth to explain her sudden disappearance from the Garden of Eden.


The first known textual source for the myth of Lilith is The Alphabet of Ben-Sira, which was probably written in the period between 600 and 1000 EV1. A parallel myth is found in the Haggadah (the source for which was probably The Alphabet of Ben-Sira), from which the following quotations will be taken. Lilith was, like Adam, —created out of the dust of the ground,?? making her his equal in origin. The narrative goes on to state that —she remained with him only a short time, because she insisted upon enjoying full equality with her husband.?? The text of The Alphabet of Ben-Sira is even more explicit in stating that the source of conflict between Adam and Lilith was sexual in nature. Adam wanted Lilith to lie beneath him during sex, while Lilith, feeling that this position implied that Adam was her superior, refused. Adam and Lilith argue, at which point she pronounces —the Ineffable Name?? and flies off into the air. Adam complains to God that the woman God had given him had left, and asks Him to return Lilith. Although God sends three angels to return Lilith to Adam, she refuses to go back.

At this point in the narrative, things become a bit confused. Whereas Lilith is originally clearly a human woman, when the three angels catch up with her at the Red Sea, she has turned into a demoness who spawns hundreds of demon children each day. The myth concludes with Lilith brokering a deal with the angels that she will allow one hundred of her demon children to die each day if they leave her alone, and vowing to seek her revenge by killing the descendents of Adam in their infancy. This is apparently effective, for Lilith is never returned to Adam. God instead creates Eve from Adam??s side so that rather than being Adam??s equal, woman will be subordinate to him. After all, it's hardly convenient if one's new bride can pronounce the Ineffable Name of God and fly away every time she wants to be on top.

In later elaborations of the Lilith story, she is depicted as a slayer of children, a demoness who breeds hundreds of demons each day from the semen of wet dreams and masturbation, and a succubus who visits men in the night to steal their precious bodily fluids. Numerous examples of talismans and amulets exist that were intended to protect small infants from the ravages of Lilith. Circumcision eventually provided permanent protection for males, but female children were at risk for a significantly longer period of In modern times, this negative vision of Lilith has been tempered by an appreciation of her positive qualities. In 1868, the Pre-raphaelite painter and poet Dante Rossetti romanticized Lilith??s power, comparing it to the ability of women of all ages to snare the hearts of men. Modern feminists see in the myth of Lilith an early expression of female power, sexual freedom, and independence from male hegemony.

source: The Black Moon Lillith