Lilith - First Wife of Adam - Origins of the Demon Queen

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Historically, the figure of Lilith first appeared in a class of wind and storm demons known as Lilitu, in Sumer, circa 3000 BC (c. 7000 HE).  Corresponding versions of the demon were found in ancient Babylonian culture, eventually influencing the demonology of medieval Rabbinic Judaism.  Lilith would become a part of Jewish lore as a night demon and was later adopted into Christianity as a "screech owl" in the King James version of the Bible.

Two primary characteristics are found in ancient and medieval legends about Lilith:

1. she was seen as the incarnation of lust, causing men to be led astray

2. she was viewed as a child-killing witch, who strangled helpless neonates.

These two aspects of the Lilith legend seemed to have evolved separately, in there is hardly a tale where Lilith encompasses both roles.

Lilith's first appearance was as a class of Sumerian storm spirits called Lilitu. The Lilitu were said to prey upon children and women, and were described as associated with lions, storms, desert, and disease.  Early portrayals of lilitu are known as having Zu bird talons for feet and wings.  Later accounts depict lilitu as a name for one figure and several spirits.  Similar demons from the same class are recorded around this time frame.  Lilu, a succubus, Ardat lili ("Lilith's handmaid"), who would come to men in their sleep and beget children from them, and Irdu lili, the succubus counterpart to Ardat lili.  These demons were originally storm and wind demons, however later etymology made them into night demons.

Babylonian texts depict Lilith as the prostitute of the goddess Ishtar.  Similarly, older Sumerian accounts state that Lilitu is called the handmaiden of Inanna or "hand of Inanna".  The texts say that "Inanna has sent the beautiful, unmarried, and seductive prostitute Lilitu out into the fields and streets in order to lead men astray."

Identical to the Babylo-Sumerian Lilitu, the Akkadian Ardat-Lili and the Assyrian La-bar-tu presided over temple prostitution.  Ardat is derived from "ardatu," a title of prostitutes and young unmarried women, meaning "maiden".  Like Lilith, Ardat Lili was a figure of disease and uncleanliness.

Lilith is also identified with ki-sikil-lil-la-ke. a female being in the Sumerian prologue to the Gilgamesh epic.  Ki-sikil-lil-la-ke is sometimes translated as "Lila's maiden", "companion", "his beloved", or "maid", and she is described as the "maiden who screeches constantly."

The earliest reference to a demon similar to Lilith and companion of Lillake/Lilith is on the Sumerian king list, where Gilgamesh's father is named as Lillu.  Little is known of Lillu (or Lilu, Lila) and he was said to disturb women in their sleep and function as an incubus.

Where's Twizty when he's needed?

Quote:

Historically, the figure of Lilith first appeared in a class of wind and storm demons known as Lilitu, in Sumer, circa 3000 BC (c. 7000 HE).  Corresponding versions of the demon were found in ancient Babylonian culture, eventually influencing the demonology of medieval Rabbinic Judaism.  Lilith would become a part of Jewish lore as a night demon and was later adopted into Christianity as a "screech owl" in the King James version of the Bible.

Two primary characteristics are found in ancient and medieval legends about Lilith:

1. she was seen as the incarnation of lust, causing men to be led astray

2. she was viewed as a child-killing witch, who strangled helpless neonates.

These two aspects of the Lilith legend seemed to have evolved separately, in there is hardly a tale where Lilith encompasses both roles.

Lilith's first appearance was as a class of Sumerian storm spirits called Lilitu. The Lilitu were said to prey upon children and women, and were described as associated with lions, storms, desert, and disease.  Early portrayals of lilitu are known as having Zu bird talons for feet and wings.  Later accounts depict lilitu as a name for one figure and several spirits.  Similar demons from the same class are recorded around this time frame.  Lilu, a succubus, Ardat lili ("Lilith's handmaid"), who would come to men in their sleep and beget children from them, and Irdu lili, the succubus counterpart to Ardat lili.  These demons were originally storm and wind demons, however later etymology made them into night demons.

Babylonian texts depict Lilith as the prostitute of the goddess Ishtar.  Similarly, older Sumerian accounts state that Lilitu is called the handmaiden of Inanna or "hand of Inanna".  The texts say that "Inanna has sent the beautiful, unmarried, and seductive prostitute Lilitu out into the fields and streets in order to lead men astray."

Identical to the Babylo-Sumerian Lilitu, the Akkadian Ardat-Lili and the Assyrian La-bar-tu presided over temple prostitution.  Ardat is derived from "ardatu," a title of prostitutes and young unmarried women, meaning "maiden".  Like Lilith, Ardat Lili was a figure of disease and uncleanliness.

Lilith is also identified with ki-sikil-lil-la-ke. a female being in the Sumerian prologue to the Gilgamesh epic.  Ki-sikil-lil-la-ke is sometimes translated as "Lila's maiden", "companion", "his beloved", or "maid", and she is described as the "maiden who screeches constantly."

The earliest reference to a demon similar to Lilith and companion of Lillake/Lilith is on the Sumerian king list, where Gilgamesh's father is named as Lillu.  Little is known of Lillu (or Lilu, Lila) and he was said to disturb women in their sleep and function as an incubus.

↑ - All above from  This New World Encyclopedia Article 

Though we often like to think the Judeo-Christian mythos is uniquely monotheist, it openly borrows elements from religions it considers to be untrue.

Though we often like to think the Judeo-Christian mythos is uniquely monotheist, it openly borrows elements from religions it considers to be untrue.

^ Excellent points!

I didn’t realize that you were interested in ancient Bible lore.

Not so much biblical lore as mythology, not that the two can be separated from each other.