Ashmedai

English

Alternative forms

• Asmodai, Asmoday, Hammadai, Hashmedai, Osmodai, Shidonai

Etymology

Borrowed from Hebrew אַשְׁמְדַאי (ashmedáy). Doublet of Asmodeus.

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /ˈæʃ.mɪˌdaɪ/
• Rhymes: -aɪ

Proper noun

Ashmedai

1. (Judaism) Synonym of Asmodeus
   • 1869, E. C. A., Count Teleki: A Story of Modern Jewish Life and Customs, →OCLC, page 202:

     Whilst Ashmedai was reigning in Jerusalem, Solomon went about from place to place saying that he was Solomon the king of the Jews; but the people laughed at him and said that he was mad.

   • 2006, Dov Noy, Folktales of the Jews, Volume 3: Tales from Arab Lands, →ISBN, page 586:

     The moment he released Ashmedai from his fetters, the demon snatched the ring and hurled it into the sea. Solomon’s power and wisdom were lost, and Ashmedai took the king’s throne in his place.

   • 2009, Eli Yassif, The Hebrew Folktale: History, Genre, Meaning, →ISBN, page 154:

     In the famous tale of Solomon and Ashmedai (Gittin 68a-b), the latter resists until the moment Benaiah produces Solomon’s ring, engraved with the Ineffable Name

Usage notes

• The use of this term is chiefly restricted within Jewish contexts; in Christian contexts, the term Asmodeus is generally preferred instead.