The Multifaceted Significance of Anamelech in Hebrew Bible and Jewish Tradition

Anamelech (Hebrew: אנמלך, "Worm" or "Insect") is a name that appears in the Hebrew Bible and in some Jewish tradition. It is associated with several different figures, including:

1. A son of Haman: In the Book of Esther, Haman is a court official who plots to destroy the Jews living in Persia. His ten sons are also involved in his scheme, and one of them is named Anamelech (Esther 9:7-8).
2. A king of the Ammonites: In 1 Chronicles 20:3-4, there is a brief mention of a king of the Ammonites named Anamelech, who fought against King David.
3. A demon: In some Jewish tradition, Anamelech is considered to be a demon or evil spirit. For example, in the Zohar, a medieval Jewish text, Anamelech is described as a "prince of darkness" who is associated with the sin of pride (Zohar 1:28b).

It's worth noting that the name Anamelech is relatively rare in Jewish tradition, and it is not clear how widespread the association with demons or evil spirits is. However, the name does appear in some texts and has been interpreted in various ways by different scholars and religious leaders.