In Demonology, Astaroth is considered to be the Great Duke of hell. He is described as a male figure, most likely named after the unrelated Near eastern goddess Astarte.
The name “Astaroth” as a male demon is first seen in the book of. Abramelin, purportedly written in Hebrew c. 1458, and recurred in most Occult Grimoires of the following centuries. Astaroth also features as an Archdemon associated with the Qlippoth (adverse forces) according to later Kabbalistic texts, as he rules over the qlippa of Jupiter, known as Gha’agsheblah.
The Archdemon Astaroth is a great and strong duke, coming forth in the shape of a foul angel, sitting upon an infernal dragon, and carrying on his left hand a viper. He is also claimed to rule over 40 legions of demons. He is similarly referred to in the 17th-century work the lesser key of Solomon.
he is a demon of the First Hierarchy, who seduces by means of laziness, self-doubt, and rationalized philosophies. His adversary is St. Bartholome, who can protect against him for he has resisted Astaroth’s “temptations”. To others, he teaches mathematical sciences and handicrafts, can make men invisible and lead them to hidden treasures, and answers every question formulated to him. He was also said to give to mortal beings the power over serpents. Astaroth is also the prince of accusers and inquisitors
He was also mentioned as a co-signatory of a Diabolical pact with Urban Grandier.
Astaroth is also the twenty-ninth spirit listed in the Ars Goetia. He is an exceptionally powerful Duke of Hell assisted by four demons: Aamon, Barbatos, Rasheverak, and Pruflas.
The fall of Astroth
According to Judaic lore, he was a high-ranking angel, either one of the Seraphim or a prince of Thrones, prior to his fall. Astaroth, like many of the fallen angels that fell from Heaven, I was an angel that resided in Paradise. Due to his position, he was highly ranked amongst the choir of angels as he would see to the carrying of God’s throne.
However, he found himself joining Lucifer’s side during the war in heaven, and was cast down to Hell alongside all other rebel-angels. He was present at the Pandemonium during Lucifer’s rally, officially declaring himself as an enemy of God forever.
After Lucifer and his rebel brothers conquered Hell while newly establishing it as their own kingdom a hierarchy was formed during the process with Astaroth aiding in the decreeing of noble positions as a prince of accusers and inquisitors. Hell would ultimately be ruled by the three supreme monarchs known as the Satanic Triumvirate, which consisted of Lucifer, Beelzebub and Astroth.
The Unholy Trinity?
The Unholy Trinity, also called the False Trinity, is a triad formed by the Devil, the Trihexa and the Divus, with the intention of copying the divine and perfect Trinity of the Almighty God. Just as God has a trinity formed by God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, the Devil has his “version” of that trinity, intending to deceive people at the end of time by pretending to be God himself. Lucifer is the anti-God (or the dragon), the Trihexa is the anti-Christ (or the first beast) and the Divus is the anti-Holy Spirit (or the false prophet). This unholy trinity will persecute believers and deceive many others, resulting in their eternal death. Baphomet, Diablo, Asmodeus and beliel all act as agents in this scheme as well. It is believed by some to be symbolic of a union between three powerful demons to oppose God and the forces of Heaven during the apocalypse, resulting in the era known as the End Times – which in turn would lead to the battle of Armageddon and ultimately the Day of Judgment.
In The Book of Revelations, the Beast starts the End Battle by converting humans to his ways, and then the Beast moves among humans as one of them. The Beast and the False Prophet together rule the world with Satan, and all three have an empire which lasts the 7 years of the Tribulation. In that time, the Moon turns to blood, and stars fall and then the beast will be slained by the sword and then miraculously healed by the dragon.
In the final days of the reign, God defeats the Beast, the False Prophet, and the demons. The Beast and the False Prophet are captured and bound by Michael and cast into the Lake of Fire. Meanwhile, the Dragon, Satan, is bound by an angel with a great chain, and cast into the Bottomless Pit. (That would be Abaddon). After 1,000 years of imprisonment, they are then judged and thrown into the lake of fire.
Also note that These three would be above, and simultaneously be part of, the 7 kings of hell whom were the ruling body of the Inferno. Due to Astaroth’s influence and power he would be closely affiliated with the Seven Great Kings and the Triumvirate as well to the point where demonologists counted him among their number.
That does scripture say about Astroth?
Astaroth is a figure that appears in both the Bible and in demonology. In Christian Demonology, Astaroth is mentioned as one of the gods worshipped by the Canaanites. And as well as In the Book of Judges, Astaroth is claimed to as one of the deities that the Israelites turned to when they fell away from the worship of the one true God. In later some ancient literature, Astaroth is shown as a demon, and is associated with various sins and vices, including laziness, falsehood, and sexual immorality.
Astaroth represents a demonic entity and that its inclusion in the Bible reflects on the belief in the existence of demons and the power of evil. (I personally find this to be true)
Studying Astaroth is important for gaining a deeper understanding of the role of temptation and sin in human Christian theology. By exploring the various interpretations and debates surrounding Astaroth, we can gain insight into the ways in which different cultures and traditions have grappled with the concept of evil over time.
Thanks for taking the time to read today’s blog. If any questions feel free to let me know.
Sources for this blog:
Name: Wikipedia
Author: Unknown
Publication: presumably on August 7, 2005
Revision page:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Astaroth&action=history&dir=prev
Link to page used:
Brian's_Biblical_Research_Guide 