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The Library
of Alexandria

A figure of the lost texts

Who is Asmodeus?

By the Library of Alexandria · 3 minute read · Updated 24 Oct 2026

In short

  • In Testament of Solomon, Asmodeus appears as a bound demon brought before Solomon.
  • He tells Solomon that he plots against newly married couples and separates them through calamities.
  • Solomon burns a fish's liver and gall over Asmodeus, and the text says his malice is frustrated.

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In Testament of Solomon

In Testament of Solomon, Asmodeus approaches in bonds, and Solomon asks him to identify himself. Asmodeus describes his work as plotting against newly married couples, keeping them apart and separating them through calamities.

Solomon calls on the name of the Lord Sabaôth and asks Asmodeus which angel frustrates him. Asmodeus says that God's power has bound him through a seal, and he begs Solomon not to condemn him to water. Solomon burns a fish's liver and gall over Asmodeus on a reed's spike, frustrating the demon's malice.

Where Asmodeus appears

  1. Testament of SolomonTestament of Solomon presents Asmodeus as a bound demon who describes his attacks on newly married couples. · The Complete Books of Enoch

What the texts say, in their own words

“And I at once bade another demon to be led unto me; and instantly there approached me the demon Asmodeus, bound, and I asked him: “Who art thou?””

Testament of Solomon · Asmodeus approaches in bonds when Solomon orders another demon brought before him. · Read it in The Complete Books of Enoch

“And he answered me thus: “I am called Asmodeus among mortals, and my business is to plot against the newly wedded, so that they may not know one another. And I sever them utterly by many calamities, and I waste away the beauty of virgin women, and estrange their hearts.””

Testament of Solomon · Asmodeus answers the question about his identity by describing his attacks on newly married couples. · Read it in The Complete Books of Enoch

“And the liver of the fish and its gall I hung on the spike of a reed, and burned it over Asmodeus because of his being so strong, and his unbearable malice was thus frustrated.”

Testament of Solomon · Solomon burns parts of a fish over Asmodeus to frustrate his malice. · Read it in The Complete Books of Enoch

Questions

Who is Asmodeus?

Asmodeus is a demon in Testament of Solomon who says he plots against newly married couples.

What does Asmodeus know?

Testament of Solomon says that Asmodeus knows even the future.

How does Solomon frustrate Asmodeus?

Solomon burns a fish's liver and gall over Asmodeus, and the text says this frustrates his malice.

Where is Asmodeus mentioned in the lost texts?

Asmodeus appears in Testament of Solomon, in The Complete Books of Enoch.

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Read and hear the whole of The Complete Books of Enoch, free

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