Legends of Old Testament characters, from the Talmud and other sourcesBaring-Gould, S. (Sabine)
Religion
Legends of Old Testament characters, from the Talmud and other sources
Baring-Gould, S. (Sabine)
Bible. Old Testament -- Legends; Jewish legends
Djemschid was the brother of Tahmourath; he was the first man to forge
arms, and he is probably to be identified with Tubal-cain. He introduced
also the use of pigments, and he discovered pearls, and also to dig for
lime, vermilion, and quicksilver; he likewise compounded scents, and
cultivated flowers. He divided all men into four classes,—soldiers,
scribes, agriculturists, and artisans. At the head of all he placed the
learned, that they might guide the affairs of men, and set them their
tasks and instruct them in what they were to do.
Then Djemschid asked the wise men, “What must a king do to secure his
throne?”
They answered, “He must reign in equity.”
Consequently, Djemschid instituted justice; and he sat the first day of
every month with his wise men, and ministered righteous judgments. For
seven hundred years he continued this practice; and in all that time no
rebellion broke out, no afflictions troubled him, nor was his reign in
any way menaced.
One day, whilst Djemschid was taking his siesta alone in his chamber,
Eblis entered by the window, and Djemschid asked, “Who art thou?” Now he
thought he was one of those who waited without till he should come forth
to administer justice. Eblis entered into conversation with Djemschid,
and said, “I am an angel, and I have descended from heaven to give thee
counsel.”
“What counsel dost thou offer?” asked the king.
Eblis replied, “Tell me, who art thou?”
He answered, “I am one of the sons of Adam.”
“Thou mistakest,” said the Evil One: “thou art not a man. Consider,
since thou hast reigned, has anything failed thee? Hast thou suffered
any affliction, any loss, any revolt? If thou wert a son of Adam, sorrow
would be thy lot. Nay, verily, thou art a god!”
“And what sign canst thou show me of my divinity?”
“I am an angel. Mortal man cannot behold an angel, and live.”
Then he vanished. Djemschid fell into the snare of pride.
Next day he caused a great fire to be lighted, and he called together
all men and said to them, “I am a god, worship me; I created heaven
above and earth beneath; and those that refuse to adore me shall be
consumed in the fire.”
Then from fear of him many obeyed; and the same hour revolt broke out.
There was a man named Beyourasp who stirred up the people, and led a
great army against Djemschid, and overcame him, and took from him his
kingdom, and sawed the king asunder from the head to the feet.[170]
Footnote 162:
Nischmath Chajim, fol. 116, col. i.
Footnote 163:
Eisenmenger, i. p. 380.
Footnote 164:
Das Buch Henoch, von Dillmann, Leipz. 1853, c. xv. p. 9.
Footnote 165:
Abulfaraj, p. 6.
Footnote 166:
Eutych., Patriarcha Alex., Annales ab Orbe Condito, Arabice et Lat.,
ed. Selden; London, 1642, i. p. 19.
Footnote 167:
D’Herbelot, s. v. Surkrag and Kaïumarth.
Footnote 168:
Tabari, c. xxxvii.
Footnote 169:
D’Herbelot, s. v. Tahmourath.
Footnote 170:
Tabari, caps. xxxix. xl.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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