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In demonology, Malphas is a mighty Great Prince of Hell, having forty legions of demons under his command and is second in command under Satan.

Overview[]

He builds houses, high towers and strongholds, throws down the buildings of the enemies, can destroy the enemies' desires or thoughts (and/or make them known to the conjurer) and all what they have done, gives good familiars, and can bring quickly artificers together from all places of the world. Malphas accepts willingly and kindly any sacrifice offered to him, but then he will allegedly deceive the conjurer.

Malphas in Christian and Occult Demonologies[]

Throughout history multiple formalized classifications of demons have been proposed. None of them however are considered canon by modern mainstream Christian denominations. Instead, lists of formalized demonologies tend to remain popular in occult traditions.

Malphas in the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum[]

The Pseudomonarchia daemonum, or False Monarchy of Demons, by the Dutch occultist Johann Weyer, was published as an appendix to his book titled De praestigiis daemonum, or On the Tricks of Demons, in 1577. The description of Malphas from the Pseudomonarchia daemonum is as follows:

"Malphas is a great president, he is seene like a crowe, but being cloathed with humane image, speaketh with a hoarse voice, be buildeth houses and high towres wonderfullie, and quicklie bringeth artificers togither, he throweth downe also the enimies edifications, he helpeth to good familiars, he receiveth sacrifices willinglie, but he deceiveth all the sacrificers, there obeie him fourtie legions."[1]

Malphas in the Lemegeton Clavicula Salomonis (Ars Goetia)[]

The Lemegeton Clavicula Salomonis or Lesser Key of Solomon is an anonymously written book of demonology that is believed to have been complied sometime during the 17th century CE. The work is divided into five books, the first of which, known as the Ars Goetia, lists seventy-two demons. The Ars Goetia is heavily based off of Johann Weyer's Pseudomonarchia daemonum. The Ars Goetia's passage on Malphas is as follows:

"The Thirty-ninth Spirit is Malphas. He appeareth at first like a Crow, but after he will put on Human Shape at the request of the Exorcist, and speak with a hoarse Voice. He is a Mighty President and Powerful. He can build Houses and High Towers, and can bring to thy Knowledge Enemies’ Desires and Thoughts, and that which they have done. He giveth Good Familiars. If thou makest a Sacrifice unto him he will receive it kindly and willingly, but he will deceive him- that doth it. He governeth 40 Legions of Spirits, and his Seal is this, etc."[2]

Malphas in the Dictionnaire Infernal[]

The Infernal Dictionary is a book of demonology written in 1818 by the French occultist Jacques Auguste Simon Collin de Plancy. The entry for Malphas is as follows:

"Malphas, great president of the underworld, who appears as a crow. When it appears with the human figure, the sound of his voice is hoarse; he builds citadels and impregnable towers, overthrows enemy ramparts, finds good workers, gives familiar spirits, receives sacrifices and deceives the priests: forty legions obey him."[3]

References[]


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