Lilith: The Myth Of Genesis

The creation myths of the Old Testament demonstrate discrepancies in the first and second chapter of Genesis. The myth of Lilith is a rejected myth of the Christian tradition. Yet, the Bible gives evidence to support the existence of Lilith as the first woman and Eve as her replacement. The creation myths will be analyzed to show that Lilith’s existence is supported in the Bible and that her legend is compatible with Jewish and Christian views.

In Genesis chapter one, man and woman are created simultaneously. Yet, man is only mentioned to be created in the image of God. According to Jewish folklore, Lilith was the first woman. God had created Adam from dust, while Lilith was created with filth and sediment instead of dust. Lilith would argue with Adam and she would refuse to lie beneath him sexually since she believed herself his equal. Lilith was in rage and called on God by his forbidden name.

She supernaturally sprouted wings and left the garden. Angels were sent out to find her and she was found near the Red Sea. She refused to return with them. Instead, she chose to mate with demons with whom she would conceive more than a hundred Lilim a day.

Her punishment by god was for the death of one hundred of her newborn demons every day (Colonna, 1980). God created Eve as her replacement for which Lilith became jealous and decided to avenge her fate. Lilith partnered with the devil and took the form of a serpent with the features of a female (Hoffeld, 1968).

In Genesis chapter two, man was alone so God created woman out of a rib from Adam’s side. This is inconsistent with Genesis chapter one, since Eve was created after Adam. Lilith’s departure would explain why Adam became alone. According to Christian tradition, Eve is the first ...

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... been shown to be supported in the Bible. During her creation, the demonic mist made her in Lucifer’s image. She is the fleeing Leviathan whose spirit is infused with Lucifer. She became the serpent who led the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden.

Lilith is the mother of the rival generation of Eve that was cursed, which her seed would be crushed by Eve’s seed. Her linage brought forth Nephilim which re-emerged after the flood of

Noah. The readings provided a better understanding to learn about the creation myths of the Old

Testament from a Christian and Jewish perspective that links to the existence of Lilith. The myths allow the provocative interest to be exercised. Overall, the readings are highly applicable to the course since they expand the view of the most influential religions in the world, which question the established norms for those influential religions.