E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Azaz’il.
In Milton’s Paradise Lost, Azazil is the standard-bearer of the infernal host. According to the Koran, when God commanded the angels to worship Adam, Azazil replied, “Why should the son of fire fall down before a son of clay?” and God cast him out of heaven. His name was then changed to Eblis, which means “despair.”
