Lilith is an utukku, or night demon, recorded in Islamic, Jewish and
Christian lore. She is probably descended from the Babylonian demon
Lilit, the demon of desolate places. But in rabbinic folklore, she
is Adam's first wife, who was thrown out of Eden for refusing to recognize
her husbands leadership. God sent the angels Semengelaf, Sanvi
and Sansanvi after her to have her repent and return to Adam. After
she refused, God created Eve to take her place.
Some traditions record that she had relations with Adam after he and
Eve ate the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. From
this union resulted the Shedim which is a race of demons. Islamic
lore records that she also bore the children of Iblis, the jinn.
Because of her rebellious ways, God punished her by having her human offspring
destroyed. She is now envious of all human children and seeks to
destroy them whenever the opportunity presents. (see lamia.)
To protect their children from Lilith, parents should place an amulet in
the child's cradle which bears the names of Adam, Eve, Semengelaf, Sanvi
and Sansanvi.
Lilith is also known as a succubus, conceiving even more demons, the
lilin.