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Testament of Solomon

A pseudepigraphical work attributed to King Solomon, describing his magical powers and his control over demons.|||Survives in Greek and other versions. The manuscripts from which this work was discovered date from the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries.|||Probably composed in the 1st–3rd century CE.|||Not canonical in any tradition.|||Describes Solomon's magical powers and his control over demons, and his building of the Temple with their help. Contains a catalogue of demons and their functions.|||Duling, D. C. " Testament of Solomon." In The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, vol. 1. Doubleday, 1983.|||McCown, C. C. The Testament of Solomon. Leipzig: J. C. Hinrichs, 1922.|||Testament of Solomon — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testament_of_Solomon|Background and scholarly discussion.|||" And Solomon said: I have been given power over all the spirits of the air, and they obey me." — Testament of Solomon 1:1

Collection: Jewish Pseudepigrapha Canon: varies

Canon Status

Not canonical in any tradition.

Date & Provenance

Probably composed in the 1st–3rd century CE.

Language & Manuscripts

Survives in Greek and other versions. The manuscripts from which this work was discovered date from the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries.

Why It Matters for Study

Describes Solomon's magical powers and his control over demons, and his building of the Temple with their help. Contains a catalogue of demons and their functions.

" And Solomon said: I have been given power over all the spirits of the air, and they obey me." — Testament of Solomon 1:1

Read the Text & External Resources

Public-domain translations and scholarly databases where the text can be read online or downloaded.

  • " And Solomon said: I have been given power over all the spirits of the air, and they obey me." — Testament of Solomon 1:1 " And Solomon said: I have been given power over all the spirits of the air, and they obey me." — Testament of Solomon 1:1

External links open in a new tab. Sources are chosen for public-domain or open-access availability; always verify edition and translation when citing in academic work.

Further Reading

Duling, D. C. " Testament of Solomon." In The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, vol. 1. Doubleday, 1983.
McCown, C. C. The Testament of Solomon. Leipzig: J. C. Hinrichs, 1922.
Testament of Solomon — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testament_of_Solomon|Background and scholarly discussion.