In
Kabbalah
Kabbalah ( he, קַבָּלָה ''Qabbālā'', literally "reception, tradition") is an esoteric method, discipline and school of thought in Jewish mysticism. A traditional Kabbalist is called a Mekubbal ( ''Məqūbbāl'' "receiver"). The de ...
, Eisheth Zenunim (
Heb. אֵשֶׁת זְנוּנִים, "Woman of Whoredom") is a princess of the
Qliphoth
In the Zohar, Lurianic Kabbalah and Hermetic Qabalah, the ''qliphoth/qlippoth/qlifot'' or ''kelipot'' ( ''qəlīpōṯ'', originally Aramaic: ''qəlīpīn'', plural of ''qəlīpā''; literally "peels", "shells", or "husks"), are the represe ...
who rules Gamaliel, the order of the Qliphoth of
Yesod. She is found in
Zohar
The ''Zohar'' ( he, , ''Zōhar'', lit. "Splendor" or "Radiance") is a foundational work in the literature of Jewish mystical thought known as Kabbalah. It is a group of books including commentary on the mystical aspects of the Torah (the five ...
1:5a as a feminine personification of sin.
In
Jewish mythology
Jewish mythology is the body of myths associated with Judaism. Elements of Jewish mythology have had a profound influence on Christian mythology and on Islamic mythology, as well as on world culture in general. Christian mythology directly in ...
, she is said to eat the souls of the damned.
In popular culture
In
's
Kushiel's Legacy
''Kushiel's Legacy'' is a series of fantasy novels by Jacqueline Carey, comprising the Phèdre Trilogy and the Imriel Trilogy (called the "Treason's Heir" trilogy in the United Kingdom). Since the series features a fictional version of medieval ...
saga, Eisheth is one of eight angels who follow
Elua
''Kushiel's Legacy'' is a series of fantasy novels by Jacqueline Carey, comprising the Phèdre Trilogy and the Imriel Trilogy (called the "Treason's Heir" trilogy in the United Kingdom). Since the series features a fictional version of medieval ...
. She was noted for being gentle. In the series, she is noted as the patron angel of music, medicine, and art, and associated with the sea. Her province is Eisande.
See also
*''
Many Waters''
References
{{Kabbalah-stub
Individual angels
Angels in Judaism
Qliphoth
Female legendary creatures
Mythological princesses