Testament of Solomon

1Testament of Solomon, son of David, who was king in Jerusalem, and mastered and controlled all spirits of the air, on the earth, and under the earth. By these spirits he also completed all the magnificent works of the Temple. He tells of the powers they wield against men, and how angels thwart these demons. You are blessed, O Lord God, for giving Solomon such authority. Glory to you and power forever. Amen. 2 When the Temple in Jerusalem was being built and the craftsmen were at work, Ornias the demon came among them toward evening; he took half of the chief architect’s young boy’s pay and half his food. He also sucked the thumb of his right hand every day. The child grew thin, though he was dearly loved by the king. 3 So King Solomon called the boy one day and asked him, 'Do I not love you more than all the craftsmen working on God’s Temple? Don’t I give you double wages and twice the food? Why then do you keep losing weight day after day?' 4 The child replied to the king, 'Please, my king, listen to what has happened to me. After we finish our work on God’s Temple each day, after sunset, when I lie down to rest, an evil demon comes and takes half my pay and half my food. Then he grabs my right hand and sucks my thumb. My soul feels crushed, and my body becomes thinner every day.' 5 When I, Solomon, heard this, I entered the Temple of God and prayed intensely, day and night, that the demon might be delivered into my hands and that I might gain authority over him. Through my prayers, Michael, the archangel, granted me favor from the Lord of Hosts. He brought me a small ring with an engraved stone seal on it, telling me, 'Take, O Solomon, king, son of David, this gift from the Lord God, the Most High Lord of Hosts. With this ring, you shall bind all the demons of the earth, both male and female; with their help, you will rebuild Jerusalem. You must wear this seal of God. The engraving on this ring’s seal is a Pentalpha.'^[1] 6 I, Solomon, was overjoyed and praised and glorified the God of heaven and earth. The next day, I called the boy, gave him the ring, and said, 'Take this ring, and at the hour the demon comes to you, throw this ring at the demon’s chest and say, "King Solomon summons you here in the name of God." Then run to me without fear or hesitation about anything you hear from the demon.' 7 The child did as instructed, and at the usual time, Ornias, the fierce demon, came like a blaze of fire to take the boy’s earnings. But the boy, following the king’s directions, threw the ring at the demon’s chest and declared, 'King Solomon summons you here.' He then ran to the king, but the demon screamed, 'Child, why have you done this to me? Remove the ring and I will give you all the gold from the earth. Just take this ring off me and spare me from being taken to Solomon.' 8 The child responded to the demon, 'As the Lord God of Israel lives, I will not tolerate you. So come with me.' He then ran joyfully back to the king and reported, 'I have brought the demon, O king, as you commanded, my lord. And now, he stands at the gates of your court, shouting and pleading loudly, offering me the wealth of the earth if only I would take him to you.' 9 When Solomon heard this, he rose from his throne and went out to the vestibule of his palace court where he saw the demon shuddering and trembling. Solomon asked him, 'Who are you?' The demon replied, 'I am called Ornias.' 10 Solomon then asked him, 'Tell me, demon, under what zodiac sign do you operate?' The demon answered, 'Under the Water-pourer. I afflict those who are consumed by desire for noble virgins on the earth ... these I strangle. If they do not wish to sleep, I transform into three forms. When men are attracted to women, I transform into a beautiful woman; I seduce the men in their dreams, play with them, and then I take to my wings and fly to the heavenly regions. I also appear as a lion, and I command all the demons. I am the offspring of the archangel Uriel, the power of God.' 11 I, Solomon, upon hearing the name of the archangel, prayed and glorified God, the Lord of heaven and earth. I bound the demon and put him to work cutting stones so that he might shape the stones for the Temple, which were brought by the sea from Arabia. But he, terrified of the iron, pleaded with me, 'Please, King Solomon, set me free, and I will bring all the demons to you.' But he was reluctant to obey me, so I prayed for the archangel Uriel to help me, and I saw Uriel coming down to me from the heavens. 12 The angel commanded the creatures of the deep to come out from the abyss. He cast a spell upon the ground, which subdued the great demon. He then commanded the mighty demon and the fierce Ornias to cut stones for the Temple. And so, I, Solomon, praised the God of heaven, the Maker of the earth. He ordered Ornias to bring him the prince of all demons with his destiny, giving him the seal and saying, 'Go now, and bring me the leader of the demons.' 13 Ornias took the ring and went to Beelzeboul, who rules over the demons. He said to him, 'King Solomon summons you.' But Beelzeboul, upon hearing this, said, 'Who is this Solomon you speak of?' Then Ornias threw the ring at Beelzeboul's chest, declaring, 'King Solomon summons you.' Beelzeboul cried out loudly and emitted a great flame of fire; he rose up and followed Ornias back to Solomon. 14 When I, Solomon, saw the prince of demons, I praised the Lord God, the Maker of heaven and earth, and said, 'You are blessed, Lord God Almighty, who has granted wisdom to Solomon your servant and subjected all the powers of the devil to me.'^[2] 15 I questioned him, asking, 'Who are you?' The demon replied, 'I am Beelzebub, the leader of the demons. All the demons have their stations around me. I am the one who reveals the presence of each demon.' He promised to bring all the unclean spirits to me in chains. And I again praised the God of heaven and earth, as I always give thanks to him. 16 I then asked the demon if there were females among them. He told me there were, and I expressed my desire to see them. So Beelzeboul left swiftly and brought me Onoskelis, who had a very appealing shape and the complexion of a fair-skinned woman; she tossed her head. 17 When she arrived, I asked her, 'Who are you?' She replied, 'I am called Onoskelis, a spirit formed under the planet Saturn, lurking upon the earth. I have a dwelling in a golden cave, but I also have places that constantly change. Sometimes I strangle men with a noose; at other times, I creep up from the natural world to the arms of men. I frequently reside in cliffs, caves, and ravines. Often I also mingle with men in the guise of a woman, especially with those of dark complexion, because they are born under my star. They worship my star without knowing they harm themselves and only increase my appetite for causing mischief. They hope to gain wealth through their devotion to me, but I provide only a little to those who worship me faithfully.' 18 I, Solomon, questioned her about her origins, and she said, 'I was born from an unnatural voice, a man's echo, during an untimely birth dropped in a wood.' 19 I asked her, 'Under what star do you pass?' She replied, 'Under the full moon, for the moon traverses over many things.' Then I asked her, 'What angel obstructs you?' She answered, 'The one reigning through you.' I thought she was mocking me, so I ordered a soldier to strike her. But she cried out loudly, 'I am subdued by you, King Solomon, by the wisdom of God given to you, and by the angel Joel.' 20 I commanded her to spin the hemp for the ropes used in the construction of God’s house. After I had sealed and bound her, she was so subdued and weakened that she stood spinning the hemp day and night. 21 Next, I summoned another demon to appear before me; immediately there approached me a demon bound, and I asked him, 'Who are you?' But he glared at me with fury and retorted, 'And who are you?' And I replied to him, 'Though you are punished, you must still answer me.' He, filled with rage, said to me, 'How should I answer you, since you are a human and I was born from an angel's seed by a daughter of man? Our kind naturally speaks overbearingly to earth-born humans. My star shines brightly in the heavens, and people call it by different names—some call it the Wain (the Big Dipper), others the Dragon's Child. I stay close to this star. So, do not ask me too many questions, for your kingdom too will soon end, and your glory is but for a short while. Soon, your rule over us will end, and then we will have dominion over mankind again, so that they will revere us as gods, not realizing they are only men.'^[3] 22 On hearing this, I, Solomon, tightened his bonds and commanded him to be flogged with ox-hide strips, demanding that he humbly tell me his name and his business. He replied, 'I am Asmodeus among mortals, and my business is to plot against the newlyweds, so that they may not consummate their marriage. I sever them completely through various calamities and drain the beauty of virgin women, turning their hearts away.'^[4] 23 I then said to him, 'Is this all you do?' He replied, 'I also incite men to madness and desire when they have wives of their own, so they leave them to pursue other men's wives, leading them to commit sins and engage in deadly deeds.' 24 I then compelled him by the name of the Lord of Hosts, saying, 'Respect God, Asmodeus, and tell me by which angel you are thwarted.' He responded, 'By Raphael, the archangel who stands before God’s throne. The smoke of a fish's liver and gall, burned over the ashes of a tamarisk, drives me away.' I further questioned him, asking him not to withhold anything from me, since I am Solomon, son of David, King of Israel. 'Tell me the name of the fish that you fear.' He replied, 'It is called the Glanos and is found in the rivers of Assyria; that is why I frequently roam there.'^[5] 25 I then asked him, 'Do you have any other influence?' And he replied, 'The God of truth knows, who has bound me with an unbreakable bond, that everything I have told you is true. Please, King Solomon, do not condemn me to water.' But I smiled and said to him, 'As the Lord God of my fathers lives, I will impose iron on you to wear. But you must also tread clay for the entire construction of the Temple.' And I commanded them to give him ten water jars to carry water in. The demon groaned terribly and carried out the tasks I ordered him to do. This I did because the fierce demon Asmodeus knew the future, and I, Solomon, praised God, who gave wisdom to his servant Solomon. I hung the fish liver and its gall on a reed’s spike and burned it over Asmodeus, which weakened his great strength and unbearable fierceness. 26 Next, I called again to have Beelzeboul, the prince of demons, stand before me. I seated him on a raised seat of honor and asked him, 'Why are you alone, the prince of demons?' He replied, 'Because I alone remained of the angels of heaven that came down. I was the first angel in the first heaven, known as Beelzeboul. And now I command all those who are bound in Tartarus. But I also have a child who haunts the Red Sea; whenever he has the opportunity, he comes up to me, being subject to me, and he informs me of what he has done, and I support him.'^[6] 27 I, Solomon, asked him, 'Beelzeboul, what is your function?' And he answered me, 'I destroy kings. I ally myself with foreign tyrants. And to men, I dispatch my own demons, so that they might believe in them and be eternally lost. And the chosen servants of God, priests, and faithful men, I provoke into sinful desires, evil heresies, and lawless acts; they listen to me and follow to their doom. I inspire envy, desire for murder, wars, sodomy, and other evils in them. And I intend to destroy the world.' 28 I then said to him, 'Bring me your child, who, as you claim, is in the Red Sea.' But he replied, 'I will not bring him to you. However, another demon called Ephippas will be compelled to bring him up from the deep to me.' I then inquired, 'Why is your son in the depth of the sea, and what is his name?' He answered, 'Do not ask me, for you cannot learn it from me. Nonetheless, he will come at your command and reveal everything openly.'^[7] 29 I said to him, 'Tell me by what angel you are thwarted.' And he replied, 'By the holy and precious name of the Almighty God, called by the Hebrews by a row of numbers, totaling 644, and by the Greeks, it is Emmanuel. If one of the Romans adjures me by the mighty name of the power Eleéth, I vanish at once.' 30 I, Solomon, was astounded upon hearing this. I ordered him to cut marble for the Temple construction. When he began, the other demons cried out loudly, howling because of their king, Beelzeboul. 31 I, Solomon, questioned him further, 'If you seek relief, tell me about the things in heaven.' Beelzeboul said, 'Listen, king, if you burn aromatic gum, incense, and sea onion bulbs along with nard and saffron, and light seven lamps during an earthquake, you will secure your house firmly. And if, remaining pure, you light them at dawn facing the sun, then you will see the heavenly dragons winding their way and dragging the chariot of the sun.' 32 Hearing this, I, Solomon, rebuked him and commanded, 'Be silent for now, and continue to saw the marbles as I instructed.' I praised God and commanded another demon to present himself to me. Soon, one appeared before me with his face high in the air, but the rest of his body spiraled like a snail. He burst through the ranks of my soldiers, raising a dust storm on the ground, which he sent swirling to frighten us, then inquired about the questions I would ask. I stood up, spat on the ground in that spot, and sealed it with God’s ring. Immediately, the dust-wind ceased. 33 The demon then spoke, 'I am the spirit of the ashes (Tephras).' I asked him about his pursuits, and he responded, 'I bring darkness upon men, set fire to fields, and reduce homesteads to ruins. I am most active in summer. However, when I find the chance, I creep into crevices of walls, both day and night. I come from a mighty lineage.' I then inquired, 'Under what star do you operate?' He replied, 'Under the very tip of the moon’s horn when it is found in the south—that is where my star resides. I have been assigned to restrain the convulsions of the tertian fever; this is why many pray to the tertian fever using the names: Bultala, Thallal, Melchal. And I cure them.' I pressed further, 'When you intend to harm, by whose aid do you act?' He answered, 'By the angel who also calms the fever on the third day.' I asked his name, and he replied, 'Azael.' I summoned the archangel Azael and ordered him to seize the demon, commanding him to toss great stones up to the workmen on the Temple’s higher parts. Compelled, the demon undertook the task. 34 I praised God anew for the authority given to me and summoned another demon. Seven female spirits, bound and interlinked, fair in appearance, came before me. I asked them, 'Who are you?' United, they responded, 'We are from the thirty-three elements of the cosmic ruler of the darkness.' The first spoke, 'I am Deception.' The second, 'I am Strife.' The third, 'I am Battle, known as Klothod.' The fourth, 'I cause men to forget their prudence and moderation, leading them into partisanship; Strife is my companion. I separate husbands from wives, children from parents, and siblings from each other.' The fifth, 'I am Power.' The sixth, 'I am Error.' The seventh, 'I am the Worst; I bring the direst woes.' They disclosed that their stars are lowly and together, and they reside at times in Lydia, sometimes in Olympus, sometimes in a great mountain. 35 I interrogated each demon individually, starting with the first. The first demon confessed, 'I am Deception, I deceive and weave snares here and there, inciting heresies. But I am thwarted by the angel Lamechalal.' 36 The second revealed, 'I am Strife, creator of conflicts. I bring the tools of discord—timbers, stones, hangers—right to the spot. But I am opposed by the angel Baruchiachel.' 37 The third declared, 'I am called Battle, and I incite well-behaved people to aggression towards each other. Why do I bother explaining when I am hindered by the angel Marmarath?' 38 The fourth stated, 'I cause disputes and divisions, drawing men away from sobriety and moderation. But I am frustrated by the great angel Balthial.' 39 The fifth admitted, 'I am Power. I raise tyrants and depose kings, providing strength to rebels. My efforts are undone by the angel Asteraoth.' 40 The sixth explained, 'I am Error. I lead people astray, compelling them to dig into graves and to engage in other impious actions. My opposite is the angel Uriel.' 41 I, Solomon, having heard and marveled, sealed them with my ring; because of their significance, I ordered them to dig the foundations of the Temple of God. Its length was 250 cubits. I commanded them to work diligently, and they began the tasks together with a collective murmur of agreement. 42 But I, Solomon, praised the Lord, and called another demon to come before me. I was presented with a demon possessing the limbs of a man but without a head. I observed him and asked, 'Tell me, who are you?' He responded, 'I am a demon.' 43 I, Solomon, hearing this, sealed him, extending my hand against his chest. At this, the demon jumped up, fell down, and groaned, 'Woe to me! Where have I been brought? O deceitful Ornias, I cannot see!' I said to him, 'I am Solomon. How then do you manage to see?' He replied, 'I perceive through my sensations.' 44 I, Solomon, after hearing his voice, inquired how he managed to speak. He explained, 'I, King Solomon, am entirely voice. I inherit the voices of many men. When children are considered mute, it is I who struck their heads on their eighth day. When a child cries at night, I turn into a spirit and move using his voice. In the crossroads, I also have many tasks, and my encounters are perilous. I swiftly seize a man's head, and with my hands, as if with a sword, I sever it and place it upon myself. Through the fire in me, it is consumed through my neck. It is I who cause severe mutilations and incurable conditions on men's feet, inflicting sores.' 45 I, Solomon, asked him, 'Tell me, from what source do you emit the fire?' The spirit replied, 'From the Morning Star. For here, Elburion has not yet been found, to whom men pray and light lamps. His name is invoked by the seven demons preceding me, and he sustains them.' 46 I asked him, 'Tell me his name.' But he answered, 'I cannot tell you. If I reveal his name, I render myself incurable. But he will respond to his name.' Hearing this, I, Solomon, asked him, 'By what angel are you thwarted?' He replied, 'By the fiery flash of lightning.' I bowed before the Lord God of Israel and commanded him to stay under Beelzeboul's control until Iax arrived. 47 Then I summoned another demon. A large hound appeared, speaking loudly, 'Hail, Lord King Solomon!' Surprised, I asked, 'Who are you, O hound?' He answered, 'I might appear as a hound to you, but before your time, O King Solomon, I was a man who committed many unholy acts on earth. I was exceedingly knowledgeable in scriptures and so powerful that I could restrain the stars of heaven. I perform harm to men who follow our star, leading them astray. I seize men maddened by frenzy by their throats and thus destroy them.' 48 I, Solomon, asked him, 'What is your name?' He responded, 'Staff'. I inquired further, 'What is your task? And what can you achieve?' He replied, 'Send me with your servant, and I will lead him to a mountainous area to show him a green stone, tossed about, which you may use to adorn the temple of the Lord God.' 49 I, Solomon, upon hearing this, commanded my servant to accompany him, taking the ring bearing God's seal. I instructed him, 'Whoever shows you the green stone, seal him with this ring. Carefully mark the location and bring the demon back to me.' The demon showed him the green stone, he sealed it, and brought the demon back to me. I decided to confine the headless demon and the massive hound together, commanding the hound to guard the fiery spirit so that lamps might illuminate the work of the artisans day and night. 50 And I, Solomon, took from the mine of that stone 200 shekels for the supports of the table of incense, which was of similar appearance. I, Solomon, praised the Lord God and then surrounded the treasure of that stone. I ordered the demons again to cut marble for the construction of the house of God. 51 I praised the Lord, the God of heaven and earth, and commanded another demon to come forward. He appeared in the form of a roaring lion and said, ‘King, though I appear as a lion, I am an elusive spirit. I prey on the sick, weakening them further, yet I also possess the power to drive out demons and command legions. I am known in the places where my legions and I dwell.’ I, Solomon, asked him, ‘What is your name?’ He responded, ‘I am called Lion-bearer, Rath by nature.’ I then inquired, ‘How can you and your legions be restrained? Which angel thwarts you?’ He replied, ‘If I reveal my name, it binds not only me but also the legions under my command.’ 52 I insisted, ‘I command you by the name of the God of Hosts to tell me by what name you and your host are subdued.’ The spirit answered, ‘The one known as ‘the great among men,’ who will endure much from humans, whose name sums to 644 and is called Emmanuel, he is the one who binds us and will cast us into the abyss. His name resonates in three letters that summon him.’^[8] 53 Hearing this, I, Solomon, praised God and ordered the legion of the demon to collect wood from the forests. I directed the lion-shaped demon himself to use his teeth to saw the wood for use in the eternal fire of the Temple. 54 I worshiped the Lord God of Israel and summoned another demon. A fearsome three-headed dragon appeared before me. I asked, ‘Who are you?’ It replied, ‘I am a spirit that disrupts life in three ways: I blind children in the womb, twist their ears making them deaf and mute. I also strike men in their limbs, causing them to fall, foam at the mouth, and gnash their teeth. My third head allows me to sneak in unnoticed. The angel of the great counsel, soon to openly dwell on the cross, subdues me; he is mentioned by writing ‘Jerusalem’ at the place called ‘of the head.’ 55 ‘While you sit here, King Solomon, a column stands suspended in the air, fashioned of purple... The demon called Ephippas raised it from the depths of the Red Sea, from inner Arabia. He will be confined in a skin bottle and brought before you. But at the entrance of the Temple you are building, there lies a great amount of gold buried beneath the earth, as I have disclosed.’ I, Solomon, then dispatched my servant who indeed confirmed the gold’s existence as the demon described. I sealed it with my ring and praised the Lord. 56 I then asked the demon, ‘What are you called?’ It replied, ‘I am known as the crest of dragons.’ I commanded it to assist in making bricks for the Temple construction. Remarkably, it had human hands.^[9] 57 I worshipped the Lord God of Israel and summoned another spirit. This spirit appeared in the form of a woman without limbs, with disheveled hair. I asked, ‘Who are you?’ She responded, ‘Who are you to inquire about me? Yet, since you must know, here I am, bound before you. Go and cleanse yourself in your royal chambers, then return to judge me.’ 58 I followed her instructions, purifying myself to better understand her nature and to judge her actions rightly. I returned and asked, ‘What are you?’ She answered, ‘I am called Obizuth; I never sleep but roam the world, visiting women in childbirth. I await the hour to act; if successful, I strangle the newborn. If unsuccessful, I move on to the next. I am relentless, unable to spend a single night without causing harm. I am a fierce spirit with countless names and forms, wandering from place to place, from west to east.’ 59 Impressed by her form and the unusual brightness of her eyes, which were green and clear, and her wildly disheveled hair that resembled a dragon’s, I further questioned her, ‘By what angel are you subdued?’ She replied, ‘By the angel called Afarôt, also known as Raphael, who now binds me forever. His name, if written by anyone during childbirth, prevents me from entering. The number of this name is 6401.’ In awe of this revelation, I ordered her to be bound by her hair and displayed in front of the Temple, that all who passed might see and recognize the authority granted to me by God. 60 Next, I commanded another demon to come before me. It approached, rolling along, resembling a dragon with the face and hands of a man, but its other limbs were dragon-like, and it had wings on its back. Startled by its form, I asked, ‘Who are you, and what is your name? From where do you come?’ 61 The demon replied, ‘This is the first time I stand before you, O King Solomon. I am a spirit exalted among men, now subdued by your wisdom and the ring granted to you by God. I am known as the winged dragon. I consort only with a few select women who bear the mark of my star, and in this guise, I influence them. The children born of these unions become spirits of passion. Because this offspring cannot be sustained by men, the pregnancies end in wind, leaving no trace.’ 62 As the demon spoke, I observed a spirit emanating from his mouth, which consumed the wood of the frankincense tree, incinerating all the logs we had prepared for the Temple of God. Amazed by this sight, I recognized the spirit's destructive power. 63 Glorifying God, I interrogated the dragon-shaped demon, ‘By what angel are you thwarted?’ He answered, ‘By the mighty angel residing in the second heaven, known in Hebrew as Bazazeth.’ I then invoked this angel, compelling the demon to assist in the marble work for the Temple’s construction, and praised God for granting me such authority. 64 Another spirit then appeared before me, manifesting as a woman but bearing two additional heads with hands on her shoulders. I inquired of her, ‘Who are you?’ She responded, ‘I am Enêpsigos, also known by countless other names. I am thwarted by the angel Rathanael, who resides in the third heaven.’ 65 I prayed to God, invoking the angel Rathanael, and bound the spirit with a triple chain beneath the Temple's foundations, using the seal of God. The spirit prophesied, ‘O King Solomon, your reign will eventually end, and this Temple will be destroyed. The vessels created here will be desecrated, and we spirits will roam freely until the advent of a king unlike any before, born of a virgin and destined to frustrate us all profoundly.’ 66 Hearing this prophecy, I glorified God. Although I initially doubted the demons’ words, their eventual realization led me to understand and record this testament for Israel’s children, that they might know the powers of the demons, their forms, and the names of their thwarting angels. 67 I then commanded another spirit to appear; a demon in the form of a hybrid between a horse and a fish, with a powerful voice, came forth and addressed me, ‘O King Solomon, I am a spirit from the sea, voracious for gold and silver, often causing ships to sink and claiming the lives of their crews.’ 68 I asked, ‘What is your function besides causing destruction?’ The demon replied, ‘I transform into waves, showing myself to sailors, and they call me Kuno[s]paston because I assume human form. I am bound by the great prince Beelzeboul, who delivered me into your hands.’ 69 I inquired, ‘By what angel are you frustrated?’ The demon answered, ‘By the angel Iameth.’ I praised God for this knowledge, sealed the demon in a vessel filled with seawater, and stored it securely within the Temple. 70 Another demon appeared, resembling a man but with gleaming eyes and a blade in hand. I asked him, ‘Who are you?’ He replied, ‘I am a spirit born of a giant slain during the ancient wars, roaming the earth to incite terror and madness.’ 71 And he said, ‘My home is in fertile places, but this is what I do. I sit beside the people who pass by the tombs, and sometimes, at the wrong moment, I take on the form of the dead. If I capture someone, I quickly kill him with my sword. But if I can’t kill him, I make him sick with a demon, causing him to waste away and lose the hair from his face.’ Then I said to him, ‘You should fear the God of heaven and earth. Tell me, by which angel are you thwarted?’ He replied, ‘The one who will become the Savior stops me. If anyone writes his number on their forehead, they will overpower me, and in fear, I will flee quickly. Indeed, if someone marks themselves with this sign, I will be afraid.’ And I, Solomon, having heard this, praised the Lord God and confined this demon like the others. 72 Then I summoned another demon to appear before me. Before me came thirty-six spirits with heads like dogs, but their bodies were human; they had faces of donkeys, faces of oxen, and faces of birds. I, Solomon, upon seeing and hearing them, was amazed. I asked them, ‘Who are you?’ Together, with one voice, they responded, ‘We are the thirty-six elements, the rulers of this darkness. But, O King Solomon, you will not mistreat us or imprison us or command us. Because the Lord God has given you authority over all spirits in the air, on the earth, and under the earth, we too come before you like the other spirits, from the ram and the bull, from the twins and the crab, the lion and the virgin, the scales and the scorpion, the archer, the goat-horned, the water-pourer, and the fish.’ 73 Then I, Solomon, invoked the name of the Lord of Hosts, and questioned each one about their character. I commanded each one to step forward and explain their actions. The first one came forward and said, ‘I am the first decan of the zodiac circle, known as the ram, and with me are these two.’ So I asked them, ‘Who are you called?’ The first responded, ‘I am Ruax, O Lord. I confuse the minds of men and cloud their thinking. But if I hear the words, “Michael, imprison Ruax,” I immediately withdraw.’ 74 The second said, ‘I am called Barsafael. I afflict those under my influence with the pain of migraines. If I only hear the words, “Gabriel, imprison Barsafael,” I immediately withdraw.’ 75 The third said, ‘I am called Arôtosael. I harm people’s eyes and cause severe damage. If I hear the words, “Uriel, imprison Arôtosael,” I immediately withdraw.’ 76 The fifth said, ‘I am called Iudal, and I bring about ear blockages and deafness. If I hear the words, “Uruel, imprison Iudal,” I immediately withdraw.’ 77 The sixth said, ‘I am called Sphendonaêl. I cause swelling of the salivary glands, sore throats, and muscle spasms. If I hear the words, “Sabrael, imprison Sphendonaêl,” I immediately back away.’ 78 The seventh said, ‘I am called Sphandôr, and I weaken the strength of the shoulders, cause them to shake, and I paralyze the nerves of the hands. I also cause severe pain in the neck and drain the strength from it. But if I hear the words, “Araêl, imprison Sphandôr,” I immediately withdraw.’ 79 The eighth said, ‘I am called Belbel. I twist the thoughts and emotions of people. If I hear the words, “Araêl, imprison Belbel,” I immediately withdraw.’ 80 The ninth said, ‘I am called Kurtaêl. I cause severe abdominal cramps and pain. If I hear the words, “Iaoth, imprison Kurtaêl,” I immediately withdraw.’ 81 The tenth said, ‘I am called Metathiax. I cause pain in the kidneys. If I hear the words, “Adonael, imprison Metathiax,” I immediately withdraw.’ 82 The eleventh said, ‘I am called Katanikotaêl. I stir up strife and discord in homes, and incite anger and harshness. If anyone wants peace at home, let them write on seven laurel leaves the name of the angel that restrains me, and these names: Iae, Ieo, sons of Sabaoth, in the name of the great God, and use these to sprinkle water around their house from inside to out. Then I immediately withdraw.’ 83 The twelfth said, ‘I am called Saphathoraél. I inspire divisiveness among people and take pleasure in their stumbling. If anyone writes the names of these angels on paper: Iaco, Iealo, Ioelet, Sabaoth, Ithoth, Bae, folds it, and wears it around their neck or against their ear, I immediately withdraw and the confusion dissipates.’ 84 The thirteenth said, ‘I am called Bobêl, and I bring on nervous diseases by my assaults. If I hear the name of the great ‘Adonael, imprison Bobêl,’ I immediately withdraw.’ 85 The fourteenth said, ‘I am called Kumeatêl, and I cause shivering fits and lethargy. If I hear the words: “Zoroel, imprison Kumeatêl,” I immediately withdraw.’ 86 The fifteenth said, ‘I am called Roêlêd. I bring on chills, frost, and stomach pains. If I hear the words: “Iax, stay away, don't warm up, for Solomon is fairer than eleven fathers,” I immediately withdraw.’ 87 The sixteenth said, ‘I am called Atrax. I cause severe, harmful fevers in people. If you want to contain me, chop up coriander and smear it on your lips, reciting the charm: “The fever from dirt, I command you by the throne of the Most High God, leave the dirt and this person alone.” And I immediately withdraw.’ 88 The seventeenth said, ‘I am called Ieropaêl. I lurk on men's stomachs, causing convulsions in baths and on roads; wherever I am found, I knock people down. But if someone whispers these names three times into the right ear of the afflicted: “Iudarize, Sabune, Denoe,” I immediately withdraw.’ 89 The eighteenth said, ‘I am called Buldumech. I drive wedges between husbands and wives, creating bitterness between them. If someone writes down the names of your ancestors, Solomon, on paper and places it in the entrance of their house, I leave. The note should read: “The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob commands you: leave this house in peace.” Then I immediately withdraw.’ 90 The nineteenth said, ‘I am called Naôth, and I settle on the knees of men. If someone writes on paper: “Phnunoboeol, depart Nathath, do not touch the neck,” I immediately withdraw.’ 91 The twentieth said, ‘I am called Marderô. I inflict incurable fevers on people. If someone writes on a leaf of a book: ‘Sphêner, Raphael, stay away, don't drag me along, don't flay me,’ and ties it around their neck, I immediately withdraw.’ 92 The twenty-first said, ‘I am called Alath, and I cause coughing and difficulty breathing in children. If someone writes on paper: ‘Rorex, chase Alath away,’ and ties it around the child’s neck, I immediately withdraw.’ 93 The twenty-third said, ‘I am called Nefthada. I cause kidney pain and difficulty urinating. If someone writes on a tin plate the words: ‘Iathoth, Uriel, Nephthada,’ and wraps it around their waist, I immediately withdraw.’ 94 The twenty-fourth said, ‘I am called Akton. I cause pain in the ribs and lower back. If someone engraves on copper from a ship that missed its port the following: 'Marmaraoth, Sabaoth, pursue Akton,' and ties it around their waist, I immediately withdraw.’ 95 The twenty-fifth said, ‘I am called Anatreth. I induce severe internal burning and fever. But if I hear: 'Arara, Charara,' I instantly withdraw.’ 96 The twenty-sixth said, ‘I am called Enenuth. I confuse people’s minds, alter their hearts, and make their teeth fall out. If someone writes: 'Allazool, pursue Enenuth,' and carries the paper on their person, I immediately withdraw.’ 97 The twenty-seventh said, ‘I am called Phêth. I cause tuberculosis and severe bleeding. If someone exorcises me with wine that smells sweet and is not mixed, by saying: 'I exorcise you by the eleventh aeon to stop, I demand, Phêth (Axiopheth),' and gives it to the patient to drink, I immediately withdraw.’ 98 The twenty-eighth said, ‘I am called Harpax, and I induce insomnia. If someone writes 'Kokphnedismos,' and binds it around their head, I immediately retire.’ 99 The twenty-ninth said, ‘I am called Anostêr. I cause madness and pain in the bladder. If someone mixes three laurel seeds into pure oil and anoints themselves saying: 'I exorcise you, Anostêr. Stop by Marmarao,' I immediately retreat.’ 100 The thirtieth said, ‘I am called Alleborith. If someone swallows a fish bone while eating, they must take a bone from the same fish, cough, and I immediately retreat.’ 101 The thirty-first said, ‘I am called Hephesimireth, and I cause chronic diseases. If you sprinkle salt, rubbed in the hand, into oil and anoint the patient, saying: 'Seraphim, Cherubim, help me!' I immediately retreat.’ 102 The thirty-second said, ‘I am called Ichthion. I paralyze muscles and cause bruises. If I hear 'Adonaeth, help!' I immediately retreat.’ 103 The thirty-third said, ‘I am called Agchoniôn. I hide among newborn clothes and in cliffs. If anyone writes on fig leaves 'Lycurgos,' removing one letter at a time and reversing the letters, I immediately retreat. 'Lycurgos, ycurgos, kurgos, yrgos, gos, os.'’ 104 The thirty-fourth said, ‘I am called Autothith. I incite grudges and conflicts. I am thwarted by Alpha and Omega, if written down.’ 105 The thirty-fifth said, ‘I am called Phthenoth. I cast the evil eye on everyone. If the suffering eye is drawn, it frustrates me.’ 106 The thirty-sixth said, ‘I am called Bianakith. I foster resentment against the body, causing decay in houses and flesh, among other things. If someone writes on the front door of their house: 'Mêltô, Ardu, Anaath,' I flee from that place.’ 107 And I, Solomon, having heard this, glorified the God of heaven and earth. I commanded them to fetch water in the Temple of God. I prayed to the Lord God to bind the demons outside, that disturb humanity, and make them come to the Temple of God. Some of these demons I assigned to heavy construction work of the Temple of God. Others I imprisoned. Others I ordered to wrestle with fire in the making of gold and silver, sitting by lead and bronze. And to prepare places for the rest of the demons, where they would be confined. 108 I, Solomon, enjoyed much peace all over the earth, lived a life of deep peace, honored by all men and all under heaven. I built the entire Temple of the Lord God. My kingdom was prosperous, my army was with me. And all of Jerusalem was at peace, joyful and delighted. And all the kings of the earth came to me from the ends of the earth to see the Temple I had built for the Lord God. They brought gold, silver, and precious stones, and bronze, and iron, and lead, and cedar logs, and woods that do not decay, for the equipment of the Temple of God. 109 Among them also, the queen of the South, renowned as a sorceress, came filled with great awe and bowed down to the ground before me. After hearing my wisdom, she praised the God of Israel. She tested all my wisdom, and the mysteries of love I explained to her according to the wisdom given to me. And all the children of Israel glorified God. 110 Look, in those days, one of the workmen, a man of advanced age, threw himself down before me, and said: 'King Solomon, have mercy on me because I am old.' So I told him to stand up, and asked him to tell me everything. He replied: 'I beg you, king. I have an only son, and he insults and strikes me openly, even pulls the hair from my head, and threatens me with a painful death. So I beg you to avenge me.' 111 I, Solomon, upon hearing this, felt compassion as I looked at his age; and I summoned the son to appear before me. When he arrived, I questioned him about the claims. The young man responded, ‘I would never be so reckless as to strike my father. Please believe me, O king, for I have not committed such an act, wretched as I am.’ But I, Solomon, seeing the demon Ornias laughing, was filled with anger at his mockery in my presence, and commanded that he be brought before me. 112 But I, Solomon, having heard this, asked the demon, 'Is that true?' The demon replied, 'Yes, King Solomon.' Then I dismissed the demon, and called back the old man and his son. I encouraged them to reconcile and provided them with food. I instructed the old man to return with his son after three days, saying, 'I will take care of him.' They thanked me and left. 113 And when they had left, I summoned Ornias and asked him, 'How do you know this?' He replied, 'We demons ascend to the firmament of heaven, fly among the stars, and overhear the decrees passed on human souls. Then we quickly come down, either to enforce these decrees through accidents or force, or by causing fires or other calamities. If a person does not succumb to these, we try to be worshipped in human form.' 114 I, having heard this, praised the Lord God, and questioned the demon further, 'How can you ascend to heaven and be with the stars and holy angels if you are demons?' He replied, 'Just as certain orders exist in heaven, similar structures are mirrored on earth. We demons roam through the air, overhearing the voices of heavenly beings and observing all their powers. Without a solid base to rest on, we lose our strength and fall like leaves from trees. People see us and think they are seeing shooting stars. But actually, it's because we have nowhere to hold on to, and so we fall like lightning in the middle of the night, suddenly. When we fall, we can ignite fires in cities and set fields ablaze. Unlike us, the stars are firmly established in the heavens like the sun and the moon.'^[10] 115 So after hearing this, I ordered the demon to be watched for five days. Once the five days had passed, I summoned the old man again. But when he arrived, he was in deep distress and his face was filled with sorrow. I asked him, 'Tell me, old man, where is your son, and why do you look so troubled?' He replied, 'I am now childless; I have been sitting by my son’s grave for two days, as he has passed away.'^[11] 116 The queen of the South witnessed all this and was amazed, glorifying the God of Israel. She observed the construction of the Temple and contributed a siklos of gold and one hundred myriads of silver, along with fine bronze. She then entered the Temple, admiring the incense altar, the bronze fixtures, and the sparkling gemstones on the lampstand made of stone, emerald, hyacinth, and sapphire. She saw the gold and silver vessels, and left feeling awed by the splendor she had witnessed. 117 While I reigned, the Arabian king, Adares, sent me a letter, saying, 'King Solomon, greetings! We’ve heard of your great wisdom, granted by God, and your authority over spirits. A violent wind spirit in our land kills men and beasts and no spirit can withstand it. Please, use your wisdom to capture it. If you succeed, all of Arabia will serve you and we will have peace. Do not ignore our plea; help us and preserve our lands under your rule.' 118 After reading this letter, I instructed my servants to remind me of it in seven days. Meanwhile, the construction of the Temple continued, and a large cornerstone was brought to be placed at the pinnacle. But despite all efforts, the laborers and the demons could not move it to its designated place, for it was an exceptionally large and important stone. 119 Seven days later, upon being reminded, I ordered a servant to take a leather flask and my seal ring, and go to Arabia to capture the wind spirit. I told him, 'Take this flask and the ring to the place where the wind blows. When the flask inflates from the wind entering it, quickly seal it with the ring. If the spirit offers you treasures to let it go, refuse without swearing an oath. Mark any places it shows you where treasure lies, and bring the spirit to me.' 120 My servant followed my instructions. He took a camel, a flask, and the ring, and set off for Arabia. The locals were skeptical that he could capture the wind spirit. When he arrived, he placed the flask on the ground at dawn as the wind began to blow, and positioned the ring at its opening. As the spirit entered, inflating the flask, he quickly sealed it with the ring, capturing the spirit inside. 121 The servant secured the flask on the camel and returned, honored by the Arabs with gifts and praise for capturing the wind spirit. He brought the flask to the Temple. The next day, I, Solomon, went to the Temple, deeply concerned about placing the cornerstone. To my surprise, the flask moved by itself, walking several steps before bowing down before me. I was amazed that the spirit still had power even inside the flask. 122 I commanded the spirit, 'Stand up!' The flask rose, still swollen with the spirit inside. I asked, 'Who are you?' The spirit inside declared, 'I am Ephippas from Arabia.' I questioned further, 'Is this your name?' The spirit confirmed, 'Yes, and I can manipulate elements and cause destruction by command of my father, the devil.' 123 I then challenged Ephippas, 'Can you lift this great cornerstone and set it at the Temple's pinnacle?' He boasted, 'Not only can I lift this stone, King Solomon, but with the help of the Red Sea demon, I can also bring the pillar of air to wherever you command in Jerusalem.' 124 Encouraged by his confidence, I instructed Ephippas, and he, together with the Red Sea demon, lifted the massive stone. They positioned it precisely at the pinnacle of the Temple, fulfilling the Scripture: 'The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.' This was a testament not to my power, but to God's, who enabled a demon to perform such a feat. 125 I then interrogated the other spirit who came with Ephippas from the depths of the Red Sea. I asked, 'Who are you and what is your story?' The spirit responded, 'I am Abezithibod, once a celestial being in the first heaven. I am known for resisting Moses alongside Pharaoh and for causing the Egyptians to pursue the Israelites into the Red Sea, where they perished while I was trapped beneath the pillar.' 126 Curious, I inquired, 'How did you end up in the Red Sea?' Abezithibod explained, 'During the Exodus, I influenced Pharaoh's heart to chase after the fleeing Israelites, leading them and the Egyptians into the sea. I was left under the sea when the waters returned, trapping me until Ephippas, sent by you, retrieved me.' 127 Having heard all this, I ordered the demons to support the pillar they had raised as a testimony to the God-given wisdom that enabled me to command such spirits. They swore to uphold the pillar until the end of the world, signifying the persistence of divine wisdom through time. 128 My kingdom was blessed with peace and prosperity. I celebrated the completion of the Temple, and many came to marvel at it, including the Queen of Sheba, who was astounded by the wisdom God had bestowed upon me and the grandeur of the Temple. 129 During this time, I fell in love with a foreign woman, the daughter of an Arabian king. Her people, however, demanded that I worship their gods, a condition I could not accept. Despite my refusal, influenced by my love for her, I found myself compromising my values. 130 Regrettably, I followed her advice against my better judgment, which led to the Spirit of God departing from me. I constructed temples for foreign gods and fell into idolatry, a decision that darkened my spirit and led to my downfall. This Testament serves as a warning to honor God's commandments and resist the allure of false gods.