Adramelech In Bible & Demonology Explained

Adramelech, also known as Adrael, is a demon that is mentioned in various Judeo-Christian traditions, including the works of demonologists and occultists. He is often depicted as the Grand Chancellor of Hell and is considered to be one of the most powerful demons in these traditions.

Adrammelech In Demonology

Adramelech Demon

Adramelech is said to have the ability to manipulate and control those who worship him, and is associated with evil, deception, and seduction. He is also often depicted as being involved in the corruption of the minds and souls of humans, leading them away from righteousness and towards sin and evil.

Adramelech is a former angel who became a demon after losing in the War in Heaven. He was defeated by the powerful archangels Uriel and Raphael. In the past, Adramelech was falsely worshiped as a sun deity, while his sibling Anamelech was revered as a moon god. This worship took place in the town of Sepharvaim, and was carried over to Samaria by Sepharvite colonists.

Adramelech Demon

Adramelech is a powerful demon in the Judeo-Christian tradition who was once an angel but was cast out due to his evil ways. He is considered to be the Grand Chancellor of Hell and is the leader of the Senate of Demons. In the hierarchy of demons, he works under the command of Samael. In literature, Adramelech is portrayed as being more evil and cunning than Satan himself. In Robert Silverberg’s short story “Basileus,” Adramelech is depicted as a treacherous and hypocritical fiend who is the enemy of God.

Adramelech is considered as a demon in the Jewish and Christian traditions. He has been associated with Asmadai, a jinni described in John Milton’s “Paradise Lost.” He has also been referred to as an Assyrian idol who was defeated by Uriel and Raphael and is depicted as a horse in the “History of Magic.” Adramelech has been linked to the Babylonian god Anu and the Ammonite deity Moloch.

Adrammelech or Adramelech In Biblical Account

According to 2 Kings 17:31 in the NIV version of the Bible, the Sepharvites are reported to have sacrificed their children to the gods Adrammelech and Anammelech in fire. The Sepharvites were a group of people who were relocated by the Assyrians to Samaria. In 2 Kings 18:34, Adrammelech and Anammelech are mentioned again in comparison to other gods from neighboring cities, such as Hamath and Arpad, and the question is posed as to whether these gods have been able to save Samaria from the speaker’s power. A similar passage can be found in Isaiah 36:19.

Adrammelech is a deity mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. The people of Sepharvaim worshiped Adrammelech, along with Anammelech, although no Assyrian or Babylonian deity is known by this name. The Sepharvaim were possibly Assyrian settlers who were relocated to Samaria after its destruction in 722 BCE.

An inscription from Gozan (Tell Halaf on the Khabur) that dates back to the beginning of the 9th century BCE was once thought to mention a god named Adad-Milki, but this reading is now questionable. The element “melech” in Adrammelech’s name is probably the Hebrew word for “king,” so “Addir-Melech,” meaning “the glorious one is king,” is a possibility. However, the name could also be interpreted as “Addir-Molech,” meaning “glorious is (the god) Molech,” as the two names are often used interchangeably in these traditions.

According to the traditional Hebrew text, Adrammelech was the name of one of the sons of Sennacherib, the king of Assyria. The Bible reports that Adrammelech and his brother Sharezer murdered their father in the temple of Nisroch, and then fled to the land of Ararat. Abydenus (as recorded by Eusebius in the Armenia Chronicle) mentions that the murderer’s name was Adramelus, which has been confirmed by cuneiform evidence that gives the name as Arda-Mulissi, meaning “servant of Mulissu,” a name for the goddess Ninlil in the neo-Assyrian pantheon. This may suggest a correction in the Hebrew text to ארדמלס.

The Bible mentions the murder of Sennacherib in connection with the defeat of the Assyrians near Jerusalem. Although a significant amount of time passed between Sennacherib’s campaign in Phoenicia and Israel (around 701 BC) and his death (681 BC), the Bible condenses these events to demonstrate that the prophecy of Isaiah about Sennacherib (as recorded in Kings 19:7 and Isaiah 37:7) was fulfilled.

Adrammelech In Talmud

Adramelech Demon

According to the Talmud, Adrammelech was an idol worshipped by the Sepharvaim in the form of a donkey. The name Adrammelech is made up of the words “to carry” in Syriac and “king” in Hebrew. This idol was worshipped as God by these heathens who used the same animal to carry their burdens. Another explanation of the name suggests that the idol was in the form of a peacock, derived from the words “magnificent” in Hebrew and “king”. This is described in the Talmud in Sanhedrin 63b and further explained by Rashi’s interpretation of the passage.

Wrapping Up

Adrammelech is first mentioned in the book of Kings, where King Ashurbanipal of Assyria is said to have carried out a successful military campaign against Sepharvaim, destroying the city and its temple to Adrammelech.

In the biblical text, Adrammelech is depicted as a false god, and is condemned by the biblical authors as a form of idol worship. The worship of Adrammelech is portrayed as a form of apostasy, with the people of Sepharvaim turning away from the worship of the one true God to worship the false gods of the surrounding cultures.

Despite this negative depiction in the bible, Adrammelech has been revered in some esoteric traditions as a powerful and mysterious deity. In some of these traditions, Adrammelech is seen as a symbol of the sun, and is associated with fire, light, and the warmth of the sun.

Despite the ominous depiction of Adramelech in these traditions, he remains an important figure in the history of demonology and the study of the supernatural. Whether seen as a powerful demon or a symbol of evil, Adramelech continues to be a subject of fascination and intrigue for those who study the history and beliefs of Judeo-Christian traditions.

Adrammelech is a fascinating example of the diversity of religious beliefs and practices that have existed throughout human history. While the biblical authors saw Adrammelech as a false god, some have seen the deity as a powerful symbol of the sun and light. Whether revered or condemned, Adrammelech remains an important part of our cultural heritage and a reminder of the complexities of religious beliefs and practices.

References:

de Plancy, J Collin (2015). Infernal Dictionary Deluxe Edition. Abracax House. p. 764. ISBN 0997074515

Ginzberg, Louis; and John Dyneley Prince (1906). “Adrammelech”. In Isidore Singer (ed.). The Jewish Encyclopedia