Negative perceptions of Lilith stem from the image created in a number of religious and mythological texts.

Lilith's Dark Duality: Demonization and Defiance

Negative perceptions of Lilith stem from the image created in a number of religious and mythological texts. In these sources, Lilith is portrayed as a demonic figure embodying destructive power and the negative aspects of feminine nature. For instance, in treatises mentioned in the Talmud, Lilith is depicted as a terrifying demoness linked to anti-Christian occultism. In one such description it is stated:

"In some Talmudic treatises (Shabbat, Eruvin, Niddah, Baba Batra) Lilith is mentioned as a terrifying demoness, but nothing is said about her as the first woman, Adam’s wife. This myth was born among medieval Jews on the basis of anti-Christian occultism. Unfortunately, one must quote vulgarities, but this is the best way to demonstrate the spiritual and intellectual level of the 'primary source' that contains the fable they attempt to use to supplement the Holy Scriptures: 'He created woman, also from dust, and called her Lilith. They immediately quarreled. She said, "I will never lie beneath you!" He said, "I will not lie beneath you, but only above you. It is fitting that you be beneath me, and I above you." She replied, "We are both equal, for we are both made of dust." Neither listened to the other. When Lilith realized what was happening, she uttered the Ineffable Name of God and flew away'" (source: link txt).

Moreover, in Jewish demonology, Lilith is defined as an evil spirit of the female kind that not only threatens the stability of the family but also harms health and future offspring. She was attributed the ability to cause infertility, induce illnesses in women during childbirth, or even kill infants— a sharp contrast to traditional views of a wholesome and healthy social order:

"In Jewish demonology during the formation of the Talmud, Lilith (Heb. Lilith) is an evil spirit of the female kind. Two explanations of her name are usually offered. 1. It comes from the names of three harmful spirits in Sumerian-Akkadian mythology: Lilû, Lilītu, and Ardat Lili. 2. From the Hebrew noun lail – night. In the view of the ancient Jews, this terrifying demonic creature brings infertility or illnesses upon women during childbirth, destroys infants, or abducts them to drink their blood or suck the bone marrow of newborns. She forcibly compels men into cohabitation to conceive numerous children from them" (source: link txt).

Additionally, several translations and interpretations, such as in the Slavic tradition, associate Lilith with nocturnal apparitions, adding an element of fear and the unknown to her image. This approach reinforces the negative attitude, as night phenomena are traditionally linked with danger and evil.

Finally, in some beliefs, Lilith is seen not only as a symbol of destructive power but also as the image of a defiant woman who refuses to submit to traditional norms, perceiving her as a threat to established order and gender roles. It is precisely this combination of aspects—a destructive demonic origin, malevolence, and rebellion—that has formed the basis for the negative perception of Lilith in both Christian tradition and other religions with similar views on the struggle between good and evil.

Supporting citation(s):
"In some Talmudic treatises (Shabbat, Eruvin, Niddah, Baba Batra) Lilith is mentioned as a terrifying demoness, but nothing is said about her as the first woman, Adam’s wife. This myth was born among medieval Jews on the basis of anti-Christian occultism. ..." (source: link txt)

"In Jewish demonology during the formation of the Talmud, Lilith (Heb. Lilith) is an evil spirit of the female kind. Two explanations of her name are usually offered. 1. It comes from the names of three harmful spirits in Sumerian-Akkadian mythology: Lilû, Lilītu, and Ardat Lili. 2. From the Hebrew noun lail – night. ... She forcibly compels men into cohabitation to conceive numerous children from them." (source: link txt)

"You may have no idea that, according to Jewish beliefs, the demoness Lilith – the disruptor of procreation, guilty of causing infertility in women and, in modern terms, the first feminist in the world, since she refused to submit to her husband..." (source: link txt)