In the Hebrew Bible Nisroch appears only as the named god of Assyria in whose temple King Sennacherib was slain. Modern summaries note that no Assyrian deity called Nisroch is attested in Mesopotamian sources and that many scholars consider the name most likely a scribal error (a proposed confusion with 'Nimrod'); alternative scholarly identifications proposed in reception include tentative links to Mesopotamian deities such as Ninurta or Nusku, but these remain hypotheses in the modern literature. In rabbinic legend the name is reinterpreted: 'Nisroch' is derived from neser, the name of a plank said to have come from Noah's Ark which Sennacherib worshiped as an idol.
The biblical texts give no description of Nisroch's appearance. Later traditions supply divergent, historically secondary images: in rabbinic legend Nisroch is an object (a plank) rather than an anthropomorphic image; in Renaissance demonological and literary works Nisroch is depicted as a named infernal figure (Milton describes a frowning, armored figure in a poetic context); and nineteenth-century antiquarians such as Layard misapplied the name to winged, eagle-headed protective genii excavated at Kalhu (Nimrud). These later depictions are reception-history attributions and not primary descriptions of an attested Assyrian cult image.
The biblical reference attributes no supernatural actions or specific powers to Nisroch. Post-biblical traditions reassign roles: the Talmud treats Nisroch as an idol-object venerated by Sennacherib; Johann Weyer (Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, 1577) lists Nisroch among infernal ranks as the 'chief cook' of Hell (an early-modern demonological assignment); John Milton uses the name within Paradise Lost as a speaking demon who objects to Satan's reasoning. These are later literary and demonological roles rather than attestations of ancient cultic functions.
57 Mnemosyne
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Aamon
Aamon (also Amon) is a named spirit in early modern Western grimoire tradition (Pseudomonarchia Daemonum; the Ars Goetia / Lesser Key of Solomon). He is presented as a high-ranking infernal officer (Marquis/Prince) who governs forty legions and is credited with knowledge of past and future and with affecting human relationships (reconciling or procuring feuds and favor).
Aaron
Aaron is a central human figure in Israelite sacred literature: the elder brother of Moses, the first high priest (progenitor of the Aaronide priesthood), and a spokesman/prophet who mediates between Israel and God in Exodus–Deuteronomy narratives. His role in the texts establishes hereditary priestly authority, ritual functions (sacrifices, blessing, use of Urim and Thummim), and institutional norms for Israelite cultic life.
Abaddon
In Hebrew scripture Abaddon is primarily a noun meaning 'destruction' or a section/condition of the underworld paired with Sheol; in the New Testament Book of Revelation Abaddon is personified as an angelic figure (Greek Apollyon) described as the king of an army of locusts released from the abyss during the apocalypse.
Abadir
Abadir is a polysemous name attested in distinct cultural contexts: a legendary founding saint and clan ancestor in eastern Ethiopia (Sheikh Abadir Umar Al‑Rida / Aw Abadir), a term applied to cone‑shaped cult stones in Phoenician religious description, and a personal name of a martyr (Abadir/Apater) in the Coptic Synaxarium. The attestations are independent usages of the same name rather than a single supernatural being.
Abadiu of Antinoe
Abadiu of Antinoe was a fourth‑century bishop of Antinoe (Antinoopolis, in Roman Egypt) commemorated as a martyr and saint in the Coptic Orthodox Church, with a feast day on 26 December. Sources record that he was killed during a theological dispute with Arian opponents and reference him in collections of Egyptian martyrs.
Abagtha
Abagtha (Hebrew: אבגתא, ’Ǎḇaḡṯā) is a named human court official in the Hebrew Bible’s Book of Esther, listed among seven chamberlains who ministered before King Ahasuerus and were commanded to bring Queen Vashti before the king. He is attested only in Esther 1:10 and is presented as an institutional palace attendant rather than a supernatural being.
Abanoub
Abanoub is a 4th‑century Egyptian Christian child martyr venerated in the Coptic tradition. Remembered for his public confession of Christ, miraculous healings associated with his passion, and the translation and veneration of his relics, his feast is observed on July 31 (Epip 24) and his cult centers include Nehisa and Samanoud.
Abaskhiron the Soldier
A Coptic Orthodox martyr venerated for refusing imperial idolatry during the Diocletian persecution; reputedly healed by the Archangel Michael, preserved in monastery relics, and commemorated on 14 June (7 Paoni).
Abdel Messih El-Makari
Abdel Messih El-Makari (1892–1963) was a Coptic Orthodox monk and priest venerated as a 20th‑century Coptic saint. Associated with the Monastery of Saint Samuel the Confessor and the Monastery of Saint Macarius (Scetes/Wadi El‑Natrun), he is remembered for humility, asceticism, charity, and reported spiritual gifts such as prescience, discerning of spirits, and healing.
Abdiel
Abdiel (Hebrew עֲבְדִּיאֵל) is primarily a theophoric Hebrew personal name meaning "servant of El/servant of God," attested once in the Hebrew Bible (1 Chronicles 5:15). In later literature—most notably John Milton's Paradise Lost—Abdiel is reimagined as a faithful seraph who opposes Satan's revolt. The provided sources do not treat Abdiel as an autonomous folkloric spirit type or record rituals or wards associated with the name.
Abel
Abel is the second son of Adam and Eve in the Genesis narrative, a shepherd whose accepted offering and subsequent murder by his brother Cain form the biblical account of the first death. Later interpretive traditions expand his role, treating him as an archetypal righteous victim, a postmortem avenging or adjudicating figure, and in some systems (notably Mandaean) identifying him with an angelic lightbeing.
Community Record
- [1]Nisroch - Wikipedia. "Nisroch (Hebrew: נִסְרֹךְ, romanized: Nīsrōḵ; Koine Greek: Νεσεραχ; Latin: Nesroch) was, according to the Hebrew Bible, a god of Assyria in whose temple King Sennacherib was worshiping when he was assassinated by his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer (2 Kings 19:37, Isaiah 37:38)." and summaries on scribal-error hypothesis, Talmudic legend, Weyer and Milton reception.wiki
- [2]International Standard Bible Encyclopedia — Nisroch. Entry summarizing Nisroch as the Assyrian god in whose temple Sennacherib was slain (nis'-rok, niz'-rok (nicrokh)).other
- [3]Biblical Cyclopedia — Nisroch. Older etymological suggestion linking the name to nesher (eagle) and discussing interpretive attempts.other
- [4]Nineveh and its Remains — Austen Henry Layard (archives). Layard's published excavations at Kalhu and later popular identification of the winged, eagle-headed genii with the biblical Nisroch in Victorian literature.other
- [5]Pseudomonarchia Daemonum — Johann Weyer (1577) (summarized in modern sources). Summary note that Weyer lists Nisroch as the 'chief cook' of Hell in his demonological catalogue.literary
- [6]Paradise Lost — John Milton (Book VI) (summarized in modern sources). Summary that Milton depicts Nisroch as frowning and wearing beaten armor and giving a disputing speech in the infernal council (literary depiction).literary