The Testament of Solomon: Demons Who Built the Temple
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BY NICOLE LAU
Before the Key of Solomon, before the Ars Goetia, there was the Testament of Solomonβthe earliest text linking King Solomon to demon magic.
Written between the 1st and 5th centuries CE (over a thousand years before the medieval grimoires), the Testament tells the story of how Solomon acquired a magical ring from the archangel Michael, used it to command demons, and forced them to build the Temple of Jerusalem.
This isn't a grimoire in the traditional sense. It's a narrativeβa first-person account (supposedly by Solomon himself) of his encounters with demons. Each demon appears, reveals its name and powers, explains how it harms humans, and is then bound by Solomon and put to work on the Temple. Each demon also reveals the angel or divine name that can defeat it.
The Testament of Solomon is part demonology catalog, part magical manual, part moral tale. It influenced all subsequent Solomonic grimoires and shaped how Judaism, Christianity, and Islam understood Solomon's relationship with the spirit world.
What you'll learn: The dating and origins of the Testament, the story of how Solomon got the ring, the structure of the text (demon encounters), famous demons from the Testament (Ornias, Asmodeus, Beelzeboul, Lix Tetrax), how each demon is bound and what angel defeats it, the Testament's influence on later grimoires, and how Solomon's power is portrayed across Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions.
Disclaimer: This is educational content about ancient religious and magical texts, NOT instructions for demon binding or magical practice. The Testament of Solomon is a historical and theological document, not a practical grimoire.
Origins and Dating
When Was It Written?
Date Range: 1st to 5th century CE (exact date debated). Most scholars place it in the 3rd century CE. Written in Greek (Koine Greek, the language of the New Testament). Earliest surviving manuscripts date to the 15th century (but the text is much older).
Not by Solomon: Despite the first-person narrative, Solomon did not write this. It's pseudepigraphic (falsely attributed to a famous figure). Written by an unknown Christian author (possibly Jewish-Christian). Uses Solomon's legendary wisdom and power to frame a demonology text.
Cultural Context
Greco-Roman Magic: Written during the height of Greco-Roman magical practice. Magical papyri (Greek and Coptic spells) were common. Demon binding and spirit summoning were widespread. The Testament reflects this magical milieu.
Early Christianity: Written when Christianity was emerging and defining itself. Demons were seen as real, malevolent entities. Exorcism was a key Christian practice. The Testament shows how Christians understood demonic power and how to defeat it (through angels and divine names).
Jewish Influence: Draws heavily on Jewish angelology and demonology. References the Talmud and Midrash (Jewish oral traditions). Solomon's power over demons was already established in Jewish lore. The Testament elaborates and Christianizes this tradition.
The Story: How Solomon Got the Ring
The Demon Ornias
The Problem: Solomon is building the Temple. A young boy (Solomon's favorite worker) is being tormented by a demon. Every day, the demon steals half the boy's wages and sucks out his vitality (through his thumb). The boy grows weak, pale, and sickly.
Solomon's Prayer: Solomon prays to God for help. He asks for power to stop the demon and complete the Temple. God hears his prayer and sends the archangel Michael.
The Ring from Michael
The Gift: Michael appears to Solomon and gives him a golden ring. The ring is inscribed with a sealβa pentagram (five-pointed star) engraved with the name of God. Michael tells Solomon: "Take this ring and use it to bind all demons. Command them in the name of God, and they will obey."
The First Binding: Solomon gives the ring to the boy and tells him to throw it at the demon's chest when it appears. The boy does so. The demon Ornias is struck by the ring and immediately bound. He's brought before Solomon, trembling and powerless.
The Interrogation
Solomon's Questions: Solomon interrogates Ornias: "Who are you? What is your power? How do you harm humans? What angel can defeat you?"
Ornias' Answers: Name: Ornias. Power: Strangles people, transforms into a beautiful woman to seduce men, causes insomnia and anxiety. Zodiac: Associated with Aquarius. Defeated by: The archangel Uriel.
The Task: Solomon commands Ornias to bring him the prince of demonsβBeelzeboul. Ornias obeys (he has no choiceβthe ring compels him).
The Pattern Established
This becomes the structure of the entire Testament: A demon appears or is summoned. Solomon interrogates it (name, power, harm, weakness). The demon reveals the angel or divine name that defeats it. Solomon binds the demon and assigns it a task (usually building the Temple). The demon obeys (or is punished if it resists). Repeat for dozens of demons.
Structure of the Testament
Part I: Individual Demons (Chapters 1-15)
Format: One demon per chapter (or section). Each demon is interrogated and bound. Demons reveal their names, powers, zodiacal associations, and weaknesses. Solomon assigns them tasks (cutting stones, carrying materials, etc.).
Key Demons: Ornias (first demon, strangler). Beelzeboul (prince of demons). Asmodeus (demon of lust and wrath). Lix Tetrax (demon of winds and illness). Onoskelis (female demon, seductress). Kunopegos (sea demon, shipwrecker).
Part II: Collective Demons (Chapters 16-20)
Format: Groups of demons appear together. The Decans (36 demons of the zodiac, one for each 10-degree segment). The Seven Planetary Demons (associated with the seven classical planets). Elemental demons (wind, water, fire, earth).
Purpose: Shows the cosmic scope of Solomon's power. He doesn't just bind individual demonsβhe commands entire hierarchies. The Temple is built by a demonic workforce organized like an army.
Part III: The Temple Completion and Solomon's Fall (Chapters 21-26)
The Temple Finished: With the demons' labor, the Temple is completed. It's a wonder of the worldβmassive, beautiful, perfect. Solomon's fame spreads. Kings and queens come to see the Temple and honor Solomon.
Solomon's Hubris: Solomon becomes proud. He forgets that his power came from God (via the ring). He starts to worship idols (influenced by his foreign wives). He loses God's favor.
The Fall: The demons are released (or escape). Solomon's power wanes. He writes the Testament as a warning: "I had power over all demons, but I fell because of pride and idolatry. Learn from my mistake."
Famous Demons from the Testament
1. Ornias (The Strangler)
First Demon: The demon who tormented the boy. Strangles people (especially at night). Transforms into a beautiful woman (Astarte) to seduce men. Causes insomnia, anxiety, and nightmares. Associated with Aquarius. Defeated by Uriel.
Significance: Sets the pattern for all subsequent demon encounters. Represents sexual temptation and nocturnal terror. His transformation into Astarte links him to ancient goddess worship (demonized by monotheism).
2. Beelzeboul (Prince of Demons)
Rank: Prince (or king) of all demons. Name Meaning: "Lord of the Flies" (Baal-Zebub in Hebrew). Originally a Philistine god (Baal), demonized by Judaism and Christianity. Appearance: Huge, with fiery eyes. Sometimes described as having wings. Powers: Commands all other demons. Causes jealousy, murder, and war. Inspires idol worship. Possesses people. Defeated by: The name "EleΔth" (a divine name) or the archangel Michael.
Interrogation: Solomon asks Beelzeboul about his power. Beelzeboul boasts: "I destroy kings, cause wars, inspire false worship. I was once a heavenly angel, but I fell." Solomon binds him and forces him to cut stones for the Temple.
Significance: Beelzeboul is one of the most famous demons in all demonology. In the New Testament, he's called "Beelzebub" and identified with Satan. The Testament portrays him as powerful but ultimately subject to God's authority (via Solomon's ring).
3. Asmodeus (Demon of Lust and Wrath)
Name: Asmodeus (Ashmedai in Hebrew). Origin: Appears in the Book of Tobit (Jewish apocrypha) as a demon who kills seven husbands of Sarah. In the Talmud, he's the king of demons. Appearance: Sometimes human, sometimes monstrous (multiple heads, serpent tail). Powers: Causes lust, adultery, and sexual sin. Inspires wrath and violence. Destroys marriages. Plots against newlyweds. Zodiac: Associated with the constellation of the Great Bear (Ursa Major). Defeated by: The archangel Raphael (who also defeats him in the Book of Tobit).
Interrogation: Solomon asks Asmodeus how he harms humans. Asmodeus replies: "I cause men to lust after women who are not their wives. I make women desire men who are not their husbands. I destroy love and create hatred. I am the enemy of marriage." Solomon binds him and forces him to make clay vessels for the Temple.
Significance: Asmodeus is one of the most powerful and famous demons. He appears in the Ars Goetia (as a king with 72 legions). The Testament establishes his association with lust and his defeat by Raphael.
4. Lix Tetrax (Demon of Winds and Illness)
Name: Lix Tetrax ("Whirlwind" or "Four-Winged"). Appearance: A headless spirit or a whirlwind. Powers: Causes storms, shipwrecks, and illness. Brings fever, chills, and respiratory disease. Spreads pestilence. Defeated by: The name "Emmanuel" ("God with us") or the archangel Raphael.
Interrogation: Solomon asks how Lix Tetrax harms people. The demon replies: "I bring sickness through the air. I cause fevers and chills. I destroy crops and spread disease." Solomon binds him and commands him to lift heavy stones for the Temple.
Significance: Represents disease and natural disaster (seen as demonic in the ancient world). His defeat by "Emmanuel" (a messianic name) shows the Christian framing of the text.
5. Onoskelis (The Seductress)
Name: Onoskelis ("Donkey-Legs"). Appearance: Beautiful woman with the legs of a donkey (or mule). Sometimes described as having one human leg and one donkey leg. Powers: Seduces men and leads them to ruin. Causes lust and sexual sin. Strangles victims during sex. Lives in caves or desolate places. Zodiac: Associated with the full moon. Defeated by: The name of God or the archangel Michael.
Interrogation: Solomon asks Onoskelis about her nature. She replies: "I was born of a human voice (an echo or incantation). I seduce men and destroy them. I appear beautiful, but I am monstrous." Solomon binds her and forces her to spin hemp for the Temple ropes.
Significance: Represents the danger of female sexuality (from a patriarchal perspective). Similar to succubi, lamiae, and other seductress demons in various cultures. Her donkey legs may reference the Greek god Dionysus (associated with ecstasy and madness).
6. The Seven Planetary Demons
Concept: Seven demons associated with the seven classical planets (Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn). Each demon causes specific harms related to its planet. Each is defeated by a specific angel or divine name.
Examples: Deception (Sun): Causes pride and arrogance. Defeated by the name "Iao" (a Gnostic name of God). Envy (Moon): Causes jealousy and madness. Defeated by the archangel Gabriel. Wrath (Mars): Causes violence and war. Defeated by the archangel Michael.
Significance: Links demonology to astrology (a key feature of later grimoires like the Picatrix). Shows the cosmic scope of Solomon's power (he commands not just individual demons, but planetary forces).
How Demons Are Bound
The Ring as Authority
Divine Power: The ring doesn't give Solomon personal power. It channels God's authority. The seal on the ring (pentagram + divine name) is what compels obedience. Demons fear and respect the ring because it represents God's power.
Compulsion, Not Persuasion: Solomon doesn't negotiate with demons (unlike some later grimoires). He commands them by the authority of the ring. Demons have no choice but to obey. Resistance is futile (and results in punishment).
Angelic Counterparts
Every Demon Has a Defeater: Each demon reveals the angel or divine name that can defeat it. This creates a system of cosmic balance: For every demonic force, there's an angelic counter-force. Knowing the angel's name gives you power over the demon.
Key Angels: Michael: Defeats Beelzeboul and many others (warrior angel, prince of heaven). Raphael: Defeats Asmodeus and Lix Tetrax (healing angel, protector against disease and lust). Gabriel: Defeats lunar and water demons (messenger angel, associated with the Moon). Uriel: Defeats Ornias and fire demons (angel of wisdom and light).
Divine Names
Power in Names: Certain names of God have power over specific demons. "Emmanuel" (God with us). "Iao" (Gnostic name of God). "Sabaoth" (Lord of Hosts). "Adonai" (Lord). "EleΔth" (possibly "God Most High"). Speaking these names compels demons to obey or flee.
Tasks and Punishment
Forced Labor: Demons are assigned tasks related to building the Temple: Cutting stones. Carrying materials. Spinning ropes. Smelting metal. Carving decorations. The Temple is literally built by demonic labor (under angelic supervision).
Punishment for Disobedience: If a demon refuses or fails, Solomon punishes it: Binding in chains. Imprisonment in brass vessels. Torment by angels. Exposure to divine fire. The demons learn quickly: obey or suffer.
Influence on Later Grimoires
The Solomonic Tradition
Foundation Myth: The Testament establishes the core Solomonic narrative: Solomon has a magical ring. The ring gives him power over demons. He uses demons to build the Temple. He binds demons in brass vessels. This story is referenced in nearly every later Solomonic grimoire.
Demon Catalogs: The Testament is one of the earliest systematic demon catalogs. It lists demons by name, power, and weakness. This format is copied in the Ars Goetia and other grimoires. Many demons from the Testament appear in later texts (Asmodeus, Beelzeboul, Ornias).
The Key of Solomon
Ring and Seal: The Key of Solomon emphasizes the brass ring and the Seal of Solomon (though it uses a hexagram instead of a pentagram). The ring is the primary tool of command. The Testament is the origin of this motif.
Angelic Invocations: The Key of Solomon uses angelic names to command demons (Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel). This comes directly from the Testament.
The Ars Goetia
Demon Hierarchy: The Ars Goetia organizes demons by rank (kings, dukes, princes, etc.). The Testament has a simpler hierarchy (Beelzeboul as prince, others as subordinates), but the concept is the same.
Asmodeus: Asmodeus appears in both texts. In the Testament, he's a demon of lust defeated by Raphael. In the Goetia, he's a king with 72 legions who teaches sciences and grants invisibility. The character evolved, but the name and core associations remain.
Christian Exorcism
Exorcism Rituals: The Testament influenced Christian exorcism practices. Using divine names and angelic invocations to cast out demons. Commanding demons to reveal their names and powers. The structure of interrogation and binding. Catholic exorcism manuals (like the Rituale Romanum) echo the Testament.
Solomon Across Traditions
Jewish Tradition
Talmud and Midrash: Solomon has power over demons (shedim). He uses a magical ring or the shamir (a magical worm/stone) to build the Temple. Asmodeus (Ashmedai) is the king of demons. Solomon tricks Asmodeus and forces him to help build the Temple. The Testament draws heavily from these Jewish sources.
Ambivalence: Jewish tradition is ambivalent about Solomon's magic. Some texts praise his wisdom and power. Others warn that his magic (and his foreign wives) led to his downfall. The Testament reflects this ambivalence (Solomon is powerful but ultimately falls due to pride).
Christian Tradition
Wise King and Magician: Christians saw Solomon as a wise king favored by God. His magic was "natural philosophy" or "divine science" (not sorcery). The Testament frames Solomon's power as coming from God (via the ring from Michael). This made Solomonic magic acceptable (or at least defensible) in Christian contexts.
Moral Warning: The Testament ends with Solomon's fall (due to idolatry and pride). This serves as a moral warning: even the wisest man can fall if he turns from God. Magic without piety is dangerous.
Islamic Tradition
Sulayman the Prophet: In Islam, Sulayman (Solomon) is a prophet and king. He commands jinn (spirits, similar to demons but not necessarily evil). He has a magical ring with God's name inscribed on it. The jinn build palaces and wonders for him. His power comes from Allah, not sorcery.
Quranic Account: The Quran (Surah 27, 34, 38) describes Sulayman's power over jinn, birds, and winds. He's a righteous servant of Allah. The Testament is not part of Islamic scripture, but the core narrative (Solomon + ring + spirits) is shared.
Conclusion: The First Testament
The Testament of Solomon is the origin story of Solomonic magic. It's where the ring, the demons, and the Temple-building narrative all begin. Written nearly 2,000 years ago, it shaped how three major religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) understood Solomon's relationship with the spirit world.
It's not a practical grimoire (you can't use it to summon demons step-by-step). But it's the mythological foundation for all later Solomonic grimoires. Without the Testament, there would be no Key of Solomon, no Ars Goetia, no tradition of demon binding and spirit summoning in Western magic.
Solomon commanded demons to build the Temple. The Testament tells us howβand warns us what happens when power is misused.
In the next article, we'll explore the Book of Abramelin, one of the most intense and dangerous grimoires ever writtenβa manual for summoning your Holy Guardian Angel through 18 months of purification and ritual.
The demons built the Temple, stone by stone, under Solomon's command. But the Temple fell, and Solomon fell with it. Power over demons is not the same as wisdom. The ring can bind spirits, but it cannot bind pride.
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