Archdemon
Encyclopedia
In Biblical
tradition, an archdemon is a spiritual entity, prominent in the infernal
hierarchy. Essentially, an archdemon is the counterpart of an archangel
. Archdemons are described as the leaders of demon
ic hosts, just as archangels lead choirs of angels
.
In the Occult
tradition, there is controversy regarding which demons should be classed as archdemons. During different ages, some demons were historically 'promoted' to archdemons, others were completely forgotten, and new ones were created. In ancient Jewish lore, pagan
gods of neighbouring cultures were classed as extremely pernicious in order to protect Jews from worshiping them; therefore, Ba'al
and Astarte
were among the worst enemies of God
. During the Middle Ages these characterizations were no longer important, but still persisted. New ones emerged, mostly revolving around Satan
and the Antichrist
.
Based upon the writings of Saint Paul (Col. i 16; Eph. i 21) the angelic court had been constructed by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite
and comprised nine orders of angels with three orders each to three hierarchies. The First Hierarchy: Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones. The Second Hierarchy: Dominions, Principalities and Powers. The Third Hierarchy: Virtues, Archangels and Angels.
Given that devils were rebellious angels who had fallen, they maintained their rank as ex-angels within their new roles. Alphonsus de Spina in 1459 believed that specifically one third of the original angelic court became devils; specifically 133,306,668. However, accounts have varied throughout history and Johann Weyer
altered the figures to 7,405,926 demons and 72 princes of hell.
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
tradition, an archdemon is a spiritual entity, prominent in the infernal
Hell
In many religious traditions, a hell is a place of suffering and punishment in the afterlife. Religions with a linear divine history often depict hells as endless. Religions with a cyclic history often depict a hell as an intermediary period between incarnations...
hierarchy. Essentially, an archdemon is the counterpart of an archangel
Archangel
An archangel is an angel of high rank. Archangels are found in a number of religious traditions, including Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Michael and Gabriel are recognized as archangels in Judaism and by most Christians. Michael is the only archangel specifically named in the Protestant Bible...
. Archdemons are described as the leaders of demon
Demon
call - 1347 531 7769 for more infoIn Ancient Near Eastern religions as well as in the Abrahamic traditions, including ancient and medieval Christian demonology, a demon is considered an "unclean spirit" which may cause demonic possession, to be addressed with an act of exorcism...
ic hosts, just as archangels lead choirs of angels
Hierarchy of angels
The most influential Christian angelic hierarchy was that put forward by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite in the 4th or 5th century in his book De Coelesti Hierarchia . During the Middle Ages, many schemes were proposed, some drawing on and expanding on Pseudo-Dionysius, others suggesting completely...
.
In the Occult
Occult
The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus , referring to "knowledge of the hidden". In the medical sense it is used to refer to a structure or process that is hidden, e.g...
tradition, there is controversy regarding which demons should be classed as archdemons. During different ages, some demons were historically 'promoted' to archdemons, others were completely forgotten, and new ones were created. In ancient Jewish lore, pagan
Paganism
Paganism is a blanket term, typically used to refer to non-Abrahamic, indigenous polytheistic religious traditions....
gods of neighbouring cultures were classed as extremely pernicious in order to protect Jews from worshiping them; therefore, Ba'al
Baal
Baʿal is a Northwest Semitic title and honorific meaning "master" or "lord" that is used for various gods who were patrons of cities in the Levant and Asia Minor, cognate to Akkadian Bēlu...
and Astarte
Astarte
Astarte is the Greek name of a goddess known throughout the Eastern Mediterranean from the Bronze Age to Classical times...
were among the worst enemies of God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
. During the Middle Ages these characterizations were no longer important, but still persisted. New ones emerged, mostly revolving around Satan
Satan
Satan , "the opposer", is the title of various entities, both human and divine, who challenge the faith of humans in the Hebrew Bible...
and the Antichrist
Antichrist
The term or title antichrist, in Christian theology, refers to a leader who fulfills Biblical prophecies concerning an adversary of Christ, while resembling him in a deceptive manner...
.
Based upon the writings of Saint Paul (Col. i 16; Eph. i 21) the angelic court had been constructed by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite
Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite
Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, also known as Pseudo-Denys, was a Christian theologian and philosopher of the late 5th to early 6th century, the author of the Corpus Areopagiticum . The author is identified as "Dionysos" in the corpus, which later incorrectly came to be attributed to Dionysius...
and comprised nine orders of angels with three orders each to three hierarchies. The First Hierarchy: Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones. The Second Hierarchy: Dominions, Principalities and Powers. The Third Hierarchy: Virtues, Archangels and Angels.
Given that devils were rebellious angels who had fallen, they maintained their rank as ex-angels within their new roles. Alphonsus de Spina in 1459 believed that specifically one third of the original angelic court became devils; specifically 133,306,668. However, accounts have varied throughout history and Johann Weyer
Johann Weyer
Johann Weyer , was a Dutch physician, occultist and demonologist, disciple and follower of Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa. He was among the first to publish against the persecution of witches...
altered the figures to 7,405,926 demons and 72 princes of hell.