Adramelech

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This entry incorporates text from the public domain Easton's Bible Dictionary, originally published in 1897.


Adramelech (also called Adrammelech, Adramelek or Adar-malik) was a form of sun god, the centre of his worship was the town of Sepharvaim (II Kings 17:31) and was brought by the Sepharvite colonists into Samaria. The "melech" from his name means "King" in Hebrew

There was also a god called Baal Adramelch his name "Baal" means "Lord". In Assyrian mythology the title Baal was a title for many gods and he is described as a son of Sennacherib, king of Assyria (2 Kings 19:37; Isa. 37:38). In later times, he is associated with the Moloch of Carthage. This often leads to the concept that children were sacrificed to him. The concept of child sacrifice via burning them or placing them within a heated bronze statue of the god comes from Greek accounts and is not historically verifiable as no archaeological proof of such a large, bronze statue exists.

Like other pagan gods, Adramelech is considered a demon in Judeo-Christian tradition. According to Collin de Plancy's book on demonology, Adramelech became the President of the Senate of the demons. He is also the Chancellor of Hell and supervisor of Satan's wardrobe. Being generally depicted with a human torso and head, and the rest of the body of a mule (or sometimes as a peacock).

A poet's description of Adramelech can be found in Robert Silverberg's short story "Basileus". Adremelech is described as "The enemy of God, greater in ambition, guile and mischief than Satan. A fiend more curst — a deeper hypocrite."

In classic literature, Adramelech is a fallen angel, vanquished by Uriel and Raphael, in Milton's Paradise Lost.

[edit] In popular culture

[edit] See also