Meet Lilith, Adam’s First Wife: She’s Only Mentioned Once In The Bible
Here’s what led to Lilith abandoning Adam, prompting God to create Eve.
In the Bible, the name “Lilith” is not mentioned by name, but according to Jewish mythology, she was Adam’s original or first, wife. This myth has combined ancient beliefs from Mesopotamia and Judaism for centuries. The traditional depiction of Lilith blends elements of demonic legends with Biblical beliefs, often challenging gender norms, resulting in her portrayal as a terrifying night hag.
The portrayal of Lilith as a sinful temptress neglects to recognize her multifaceted role in both the Jewish religion and Mesopotamian customs.
The First Wife of Adam
The Jewish tradition includes the role of Lilith as Adam’s first wife, introduced in a midrash that interprets and clarifies Hebrew scriptures. The midrash addressed the discrepancies in the Book of Genesis, where man and woman are created simultaneously in one account, but in another account, Eve was created from Adam’s rib. This suggests that there was another woman in Adam’s life to reconcile these differing narratives.
Meet Lilith. She is the first wife of Adam in the Alphabet of Ben Sira, a text that was incorporated into Jewish…
