The History Of The Golem Explained

Publish date: 2024-04-21

In its earliest, simplest form, "golem" is a descriptive word used to refer to a being that's half-formed. According to the Jewish Encyclopedia, in some interpretations of early Jewish texts, Adam himself is referred to as a golem, but he's not a man made out of mud wreaking havoc in Paradise. Instead, the term refers to his first few hours as a "shapeless mass," long before his limbs were formed, or he was granted a soul by God. It makes sense, given that he was said to have been shaped from the clay of the earth.

Other religious texts like the Bible briefly refer to embryos still growing in the womb as "golems," again referencing their half-formed, pre-human nature. Psalm 139:16 says that "Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being imperfect." The word "substance," in some versions, is translated as "golem."

The Jewish Virtual Library notes that some portions of the Talmud hint at golems that were made not by the Almighty, but by very learned humans like the prophet Jeremiah. Then again, there's always the chance that these very early legends aren't referring to a quasi-man that's made out of clay and animated by magic but are instead talking about a metaphorical spiritual transformation. And it's important to note that, while Adam was said to be created by God and so imbued with a soul, golems created even by the holiest and wisest of men lack that divine spark.

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