1Babel
Tow’ebah ~ Abominable
…God Hates Religion
1
Damuwth | Divisive Image
The Babylonian Effect…
When Ezekiel is mentioned, the mind races to one of many places. For some, it is the incredible stories Ezekiel tells of seeing his Lord appear in Babylon. For others, it may be the fanciful depiction of the Valley of the Dry Bones. But for most, it is the apocalyptic Magog War. After all, even the rabbis disdain the detailed presentation of the monstrous Millennial Temple and replacement feasts at the conclusion of the book. And the seven labors of Ezekiel at the beginning are too dumb for words.
Unfortunately for those seeking Divine guidance in these stories, Ezekiel was a false prophet. He is delusional, barely literate, and seldom credible. Worse, his Lord is a psychopath.
Beginning with the grand illusions of the Lord riding in a chariot pulled by fearsome beasts modeled after the zodiac, this book is not suitable for young readers. This is the horrific portrait of a dark and demented spirit pretending to be God, one who desperately wants to be acknowledged as Yahowah, even though he is His opposite.
If you are not yet an adult, either in years or in your growth in the Covenant, you should not be reading this assessment of Ezekiel and his Lord. The wannabe god presented within its pages hates Jews and is committed to exterminating them. He is obsessed with his own aggrandizement and is desperate to be worshiped as if he 2were Yahowah. Anyone who is perceived to be standing in his way is either plagued, slashed, starved, burned, or boiled. Even those who attempt to escape are hunted down and murdered by this ruthless deity.
And yet, as disgusting as Ezekiel is from beginning to end, Yahowah wants the truth to be known. His people have been tormented by the wrongful incorporation of the Devil’s tale into the Bible, into the Zohar and Kabbalah, into the New Testament and Christianity, where it is cited 38 times in Revelations, alone, and into the Quran and Islam, where Gog becomes a cartoonish character. And so, therefore, Yahowah wants the Book of Ezekiel exposed and condemned, from the erroneous details to the overriding themes.
Yahowah’s preference when confronting religious myths is to be disdainful and sarcastic, openly ridiculing the satanic mythology. I have done my best to comply. I have attempted to pose my cynicism similarly to how ‘ElYah confronted the prophets of Ba’al and Asherah long ago. So, if you are uncomfortable mocking false prophets, false gods, and religious stupidity, you ought not read further.
This is not my first journey into Hell. I began by destroying the credibility of the Quran, Islam, Muhammad, and Allah in Prophet of Doom, rewritten and retitled God Damn Religion. I wrote the four volumes of Questioning Paul, now presented as five volumes of Twistianity, to liberate rational souls from the false claims presented throughout the Christian New Testament. And while it is a constant theme throughout Yada Yahowah, Judaism is thoroughly renounced in the 8th volume, ‘Azab | Separation. God hates religion, as do I.
Ezekiel is not the only book which does not belong among the Towrah, Naby’, wa Mizmowr. Others include Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, 3Lamentations, large swaths of Daniel, and Haggai. Enoch is also invalid, as is Maccabees, along with the entire Christian New Testament, Talmud, Zohar, Quran, and Book of Mormon. However, this volume, as was the last, is devoted to undermining a single foe – one that has misled billions of people for over 2,000 years.
The 1st chapter of Ezekiel opens with a wild depiction of a spiritual being aboard a celestial chariot, but from there we come down to Earth and the focus through the 24th chapter is on condemning and tormenting Jews. Then, through the conclusion of the 33rd chapter, we find a rebuke of Israel’s neighbors, particularly the Lebanese city of Tyre and its king – albeit in an exceeding incredulous fashion.
Thereafter, we are regaled with tales of the impending demise of Sidon, Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, Elam, and Meshech-Tubal which, along with Edom, are shown vacationing in She’owl. This is naturally followed by the sight of a Shepherd in Yisra’el caring for God’s flock with showers of blessings cascading upon the people. Yisra’el’s renewal is seen in the Vision of Dry Bones – another altogether discordant portrayal out of sync with other prophets. But that is the rub. One cannot compare Ezekiel with any other “prophet” save Daniel – who was actually a witness.
Continuing through the text, Yahuwdah and Yisra’el are reunited with Dowd serving as king. And while true, this is somehow followed by the haunting predictions against Gog, his overthrow, and the burial of his hordes. Even though the Lord of Babylon promises that he will annihilate every Jew, who doesn’t like a happy ending. So, an oddly different Israel is re-restored along with detailed and elaborate plans for a gargantuan temple complex, inner and outer courts, gates, massive walls, and guard chambers. The wannabe God then arrives, but he’s in a bad mood, still railing against Jews – the most courageous of whom he 4seeks to devour, literally eating their flesh and drinking their blood.
There is a new agenda, including a meticulous presentation of offerings and meeting times – even of a nasyi’ | elevated leader who is supposedly in charge of a fanciful Shabat / Do Nothing Day, New / No Moon Day, and Ignorance Day. Pesach is continued but corrupted beyond recognition. Matsah is demoted from a Miqra’ to an ingredient. The other Mow’ed prescribed in the Towrah are eliminated – most notably, Yowm Kipurym | the Day of Reconciliations. The book concludes with an exceedingly odd redistribution of land to the twelve tribes.
Only one problem – much of what Ezekiel states contradicts the Towrah in a myriad of ways, from the details to the most important themes. Okay, two problems – Yahuwdym are left homeless, Mount Moriah is flattened, and Jerusalem is buried beneath the hideous death camp the Lord of Babylon envisions as his shrine.
I am not the first to study Ezekiel and recognize that there are serious problems with the text. Its dissimilarity to Moseh’s Towrah, Dowd’s Mizmowr, Howsha’, Yasha’yah, Yirma’yah, Zakaryah, or Mal’aky is among the signs that we are sailing into uncharted waters. And we are going against the prevailing wisdom of the religious scholars who lavish praise on this despicable tome.
The problems begin in the first chapter because the writer claims that he is in Babylon after the first captives were taken but before the city was destroyed. And yet, he is shown doing the strangest things to garner the attention of Jerusalem’s remaining residents as if they could see or hear him 900 miles away. He was told to enact a bondage scene, then build a model of the city and besiege the clay rendering. He was told to lay on his left side for 390 days and on his right side for 40 days, shave his head, strike his beard with a sword, and throw his whiskers to the wind. 5His Lord commanded him to pack up his belongings every night and dig through an imaginary wall in mock exile, even to starve himself. He is pulled by a lock of his hair from Babylon to Jerusalem as his Lord dusts the city with burning coals. And that is not the worst of it. Jews are to be put into a pot and boiled alive.
Even if we could get past all of these mercurial shenanigans, since just seven years separated the two Babylonian sieges of Jerusalem, the book’s “prophetic” warnings would have been obsolete before the ink dried. The Lord’s inability to predict the future is underscored, not only in the many prophecies he gets wrong, but also in his admission that long-term prophecy is of no interest to him.
With our initial journey into Babylon, detailed in the previous volume of Babel, fresh on our minds, it is with a healthy dose of skepticism that we proceed into the only other book which claims to have been written in the realm of confusion. During our review of Daniel, we endured a steady diet of truth and lies, often intermixed into an unappealing word salad. Fortunately, once we made our way into the second half of the book, we found old friends who were illuminating even in this dark realm. But they will not be here this time.
As I did with the previous volume on Daniel, after having spent several weeks translating and commenting on Ezekiel, I have retreated to share this assessment in the opening chapter. I had tried to explain away the many errant statements found among some nuggets of truth, suggesting that the Babylonian Effect was on full display.
To be fair, knowing that we were still in Babylon, in my initial approach I did with Ezekiel what I had not done before – cherry-picking the most interesting statements from a sea of clutter. However, when I veered off of that course, the turbulence was undeniable – beginning early in 6the opening depiction of God aboard His chariot emblazoned with the faces of the Babylonian Astrological constellations.
Long before Ezekiel starts contradicting the Towrah at the conclusion of the book, he shares an exceedingly bizarre portrayal of men considered so righteous that they were imbued with superpowers. Unfortunately, two of the three individuals were literary creations. So, as I analyzed the absurdity of the related claims in the 14th and 28th chapters of Ezekiel, I realized that I had to recalibrate my strategy because jumping in and out of lucid and uninspired statements was not only disorienting, it is contrary to Yahowah’s Towrah Guidance.
Therefore, other than coming to know the Adversary’s ambitions and plans better, it is unlikely that we will glean any inspiration from God in this review – other than what to avoid. That said, since the Book of Ezekiel degrades women and dehumanizes Jews, by confronting its caustic rhetoric we can liberate both from the pain it has inflicted.
My mission is to systematically demonstrate why Ezekiel, like the first half of Daniel, should not be trusted, recognizing that it is one thing to make this claim but another to prove it. And in the process, I will explain how everything the Lord of Babel says and does serves to sketch out Satan’s self-portrait and autobiography, leaving us with a copy of his playbook so that we might be better equipped to thwart his ambitions.
Since Ezekiel fails miserably as a prophet, as did Daniel (although that was not his purpose), along with truncating Daniel and the demise of second Babylonian book, we will witness the fall of Judaism and Christianity. Without the insane depictions of God in Ezekiel, there is no basis for the mysticism of the Zohar, and without it, Kabbalah is an orphan. And without Daniel, there is no Christ.
7Since Ezekiel fails the test of a prophet as laid out by Moseh in Dabarym | Deuteronomy, there is no Gog and there will be no Magog War. There are no published plans for a Millennial Temple. We can count on celebrating the Miqra’ey of Matsah, Bikuwrym, Shabuw’ah, Taruw’ah, Kipurym, and Sukah into perpetuity even though they were discarded by Ezekiel. The menu will remain consistent with the Towrah as will the land allocation to the twelve tribes. Jerusalem will be restored, not buried, and Moriah will stand tall.
While Ezekiel describes the fall of Jerusalem, it was a current event and not prophetic. He also predicts the fall of Tyre, but every detail is invalid, and the surrounding text is so obviously false, one would be foolish to credit this to Divine inspiration. The remaining prophecies describe highly improbable future events, so they cannot be used to validate the text.
There is one theme, however, which rings true – at least if we avoid the spurious details. The first score of chapters denounces Judaism. But this is a lose-lose proposition for the religion because, if the book is genuine, Judaism is invalid, and if the book is a forgery, Kabbalah falls with it as do the Haredim.
Therefore, for those who have just set down the tumultuous 1st volume of Babel, Chywah | Beast, and are now anticipating a less turbulent ride, buckle your seatbelts please because we are still in Babylon. The challenges we faced when trying to explain why Daniel’s account was often incongruent with Yahowah’s testimony as it was conveyed through proven prophets are exacerbated in Ezekiel. This is not only because the book is much longer, but there does not appear to be an explanation for the divergent text. In Daniel, we were able to explain the stifling presence of politicized religiosity by recognizing that the first 6 chapters of the book exist to convey the unwelcome rise of Judaism and Christianity. However, in 8Ezekiel, truth and deception are intermixed. Moreover, Daniel does not directly contradict the Towrah, while Ezekiel does so with reckless abandon. Further, Ezekiel claims to be a prophet while Daniel was content reporting what actual prophets revealed to him.
This known, translating the second half of Daniel was worth the effort. No matter when the book was written, or by whom, the prophecies provided by Dowd, who was called Gabry’el, and the two witnesses, ‘ElYah and another named Myka’el, are detailed, accurate, far-reaching, inspiring, and indispensable. And with numerous extant copies found in the caves above Qumran dating to the 2nd century BCE containing descriptions of events which would transpire immediately thereafter and through the close of time, we can be assured that those portions of the book were inspired by credible prophets. There is no other reasonable explanation.
In the process of evaluating Daniel, we learned to do something we had never anticipated, and certainly had never attempted. We thoroughly analyzed what was reliable and learned from it while simultaneously explaining or discarding the incongruous. We ascribed this intermixing of truth and lies to the Babylon Effect – whereby the unwary are easily confounded and confused.
Admittedly, it was unnerving, and my first jittery steps through this quagmire were awkward. Questioning the veracity of someone who has been wrongly ascribed the status of prophet, and then ridiculing statements which are presented as “scripture” in every biblical rendition, is not for the faint of heart. It is easier to assume that every word of the “Bible” was inspired by God and is correct, but in reality, neither is true.
And that is why Yahowah encouraged Moseh to provide those who are guided by His Towrah with a test we could use to determine when someone was speaking for 9themselves or for God. And now, we are afforded the opportunity to use it.
Fortunately, having begun with Prophet of Doom, now presented as God Damn Religion, and then later, writing Questioning Paul, rewritten and retitled Twistianity, I was prepared to use evidence and reason to expose and condemn those things which were demonstrably wrong – regardless of how many people believe them to be true. Those who have read those books know that I was able to prove beyond any doubt that the Quran and Christian New Testament were unreliable, uninspired, inaccurate, and worthless – even counterproductive. And from God’s perspective, this is necessary, because we cannot walk to Him until we first walk away from religion.
We had another advantage, one that proved vital as we embarked on the augmentation of Twistianity and, more recently, with our bold assessment of Daniel. For two decades, I have translated and analyzed the Towrah, Naby’, wa Mizmowr – and with 30 volumes to show for this effort – I know the truth, I know Yahowah, and I have come to understand His message. As was the case with Moseh before me, I know when something is not right.
I share this with you now as we are embarking upon our journey through Yachezq’el | Ezekiel because the Babylonian Effect is on full display. And neither Dowd nor ‘ElYah is here to hold our hand. Further, the speaker, as ‘adony | my Lord Yahowah, is assaulting God’s good name, character, and intent. Since misappropriating and sullying Yahowah’s name is unacceptable, when Ezekiel writes YHWH, I will consistently remind readers: This Is Not Him (#^^#!).
We were forewarned. A century before the events twisted by Daniel and Ezekiel transpired and were committed to writing, Yahowah inspired Isaiah to reveal that Satan would rise out of Babylon to fulfill his destiny – 10which is to present himself as if he were God. It was all foretold in the 14th chapter of Yasha’yah | Isaiah – not long after introducing the Choter and explaining how he would be inspired to compose this report for your edification.
The Devil’s tale begins…
It came to be (wa hayah) in the thirtieth year (ba shalosh shanah), in the fourth (ba ha rabya’y) of the month (la ha chodesh), during the fifth (ba ha chamesh) that I was in the midst of (wa ‘any ba tawek) the exiles (ha gowlah) by the Kabar waterway (‘al nahar Kabar).
The heavens were opened (patah ha shamaym – the sky parted), and I saw (wa ra’ah) an image of the gods which should be questioned (mar’ah ‘elohym – a questionable supernatural vision, the visual images of gods in patterns to be pondered of the deities; from mah – to question, pondering the implications of ra’ah – what is being shown). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 1:1)
As I share these words with you, I want you to realize that, while I’m using the bold type and italicizing the Hebrew basis for the text within (parentheticals), as I have done throughout my translations of Yahowah’s Towrah, Naby’, wa Mizmowr, Ezekiel does not belong in that category. Therefore, I’m going to do a few things differently to underscore this reality. I am eliminating the quotation marks that I would normally use to set God’s words apart from my analysis.
More importantly, as previously stated, when we come to Yahowah’s name, I will not write it out because it is being used fraudulently. Moreover, I will refrain from amplification to the extent possible because there is nothing additional to learn about God in this text – only 11about Satan and his ambitions. And also, I’m going to be as literal as possible with the translations because I do not want to add to the confusion or make it appear as if Ezekiel and his Lord were articulate.
This known, in his introduction, Yachezq’el | Ezekiel was not clear. I do not think he intended to say he was 30 years old. And if this was intended to demark the time of his captivity, since he does not disclose which calendar he was using, even if he represents an actual historical character, this specificity is superfluous.
Most Jews living 6th century BCE would have either been subjugated and oppressed by the Babylonians in Judea or they would have been captive slaves in Babylon. Therefore, if using the Babylonian calendar, then this would have been 30 years after King Nabopolassar’s coronation.
The king was not only the founder of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, their accounting of time commenced with his ascension to the throne on what we would call 22 November 626 BCE. With this in mind, and by our reckoning, it would have been 27 March, 596 BCE – which was Passover that year. And that is problematic because the image being portrayed is a religious depiction of God, something Chag Matsah would be fulfilled to resolve.
This said, we should keep in mind that the Babylonians would eventually reset the religious new year to the 1st day of the 7th month rather than the end of the 11th month when the king was coronated. Religious Jews still acknowledge this by beginning their High Holy Days with Rosh Hashanah. However, the surviving records of the Babylonian calendar reveal that it is in sync, right down to shared names of the months, with the rabbinical version used today.
As we learned in the previous volume, Chywah | Beast, Babylon does strange things to a person’s mind and 12coordinating calendars between the various systems, Babylon’s, Rome’s, the Church’s, and Yahowah’s, remains challenging even when sober. Therefore, while the previous accounting is straightforward and based upon the historic portrayals, making this the beginning of the second year of Jehoiachin’s exile – the next statement says otherwise. And while determining the exact date isn’t the goal of this enterprise, there is a discrepancy of several years.
Regardless, by this time, Nabopolassar had been dead for about a decade. His son, Nebuchadnezzar, was now king. Since Babylon’s initial siege of Yaruwshalaim began in 597 BCE, should the other dates be accurate, this would have been the beginning of the second year of captivity for the 7,000 exiles – comprised of royalty, notables, eunuchs, craftsmen, smiths, and warriors. Although, the next line describes it as the fifth year of exile, placing the vision in 592 BCE – just two years prior to the second assault upon Jerusalem.
Turning to the vision, not even the Tower of Babel could pierce the skies or open the heavens such that the spiritual realm could be seen from Earth. It is four dimensions distant, beyond Euclidian space and time, past dark energy and dark matter. However, should the clouds have parted during that day, the entire Babylonian pantheon would be available for one’s viewing pleasure. As astrologists, they charted them moving around the night sky.
Standing where Dany’el stood when he was frightened by the sight of Satan, we were told that “the sky parted and the heavens were opened (patah ha shamaym), and I saw (wa ra’ah) an image of the gods which should be questioned (mar’ah ‘elohym).” If you have been led to believe that Ezekiel was whisked from Babylon to Heaven, please think again. In actuality, while in Babylon, in the heart of the Beast in which Satan would rise to inspire 13religious worship, the clouds parted to show the canopy of ‘elohym | pagan deities. And that is why we should mah-ra’ah | question what we are being shown.
Throughout this revelation, we must never forget to mah | examine the who, what, why, and where of ra’ah | what is being revealed. We have turned the page, moving out of Daniel into Ezekiel without leaving Babylon – the place where institutionalized religion was integrated into the government, military, and caste system under Satan’s orchestration to control the masses – and to keep them from knowing Yah.
There is an inexplicable change of voice between the first statement and the next two. Ezekiel goes from being a first-person narrator to speaking of himself in third person. It is either sloppy writing or the narrator is not who he purports to be…
In the fifth of the month (ba ha chamesh la ha chodesh), this (hy’) the fifth year (ha shanah ha chamyshy) of the exile (la galuwth – of the deportation) of King (ha melek) Yowyakyn | Jehoiachin (Yowyakyn – Yahow Prepares), (Yachezq’el 1:2) the word (dabar) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!) came to dramatically and demonstrably exist (hayah hayah – it realy, really happened (qal infinitive qal perfect)) to Yachezq’el | God Strengthens (Yachezq’el – empowered and prevail, growing strong with God), the son (ben) of Buwzy | Contempt (Buwzy), the priest (ha kohen) in the land (ba ‘erets) of the Chaldeans / Babylonians (Kasdym – Sages, Astrologers, Soothsayers, and Magians) by the Kabar waterway (‘al nahar kabar).
It came to be that (wa hayah) the hand (yad – the influence) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!) was upon him (‘al huw’) there (sham). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 1:3)
It is time we ask ourselves who is telling this story and why is he pretending to be Yachezq’el, a slave in Babylon? 14He knows and uses the name, YaHoWaH, but so does Satan, which means that he was likely demon-possessed. However, because he uses the name, and because he rants against the Jewish propensity to be religious and political, he is not a forerunner of the rabbis – nor religious. He disdains Jewish traditions and culture. He is also barely literate in Hebrew but is sufficiently aware of the language for us to assume that he was likely Jewish, albeit a deeply disturbed and self-loathing one. And how is it that, like Daniel, he is unable to present an accurate accounting of his own brief history?
This known, he must not be afforded any shelter. The crimes he has committed against Yahowah and Yahuwdym by writing this farce such that it would be included in the Bible are egregious and unforgivable.
Examining the characters he has presented, it had been Yowyakyn’s | Jehoiachin’s father, Yahowyaqym | Jehoiakim, who had solicited the Egyptians to protect Yahuwdah | Judea against the Babylonians, foregoing tribute to the latter. Yowyakyn was eighteen years old when the spineless lad ascended to the throne of Yahuwdah. Just three months later, Nebuchadnezzar descended upon him and took him to Babylon as a slave. There would be no fifth year of his reign, and he was no more King of Judea at this point than a pomegranate.
The Akkadian clay tablet known as the Babylonian Chronicle Number 5 fills in the details…
“The seventh year [of Nebuchadnezzar], in the month of Kislev, the king of Akkad mustered his army and marched to Hattu. He encamped against the city of Judah and on the second day of the month of Adar, he captured the city and seized the king. A king of his own choice he appointed in the city and taking the vast tribute, he brought it into Babylon.”
15Therefore, the date of Jehoiachin’s surrender based upon the secular record would have been the 2nd of Adar I in Nebuchadnezzar’s seventh regnal year: March 15th, 597 BCE (Julian calendar). Five years later, it would have been 592 BCE. And that is a serious problem for this story because it means that, rather than predicting the second siege of Jerusalem, it would have been occurring as the charades foretelling it played out.
The admission that the writer was in Babylon is also problematic because his stated audience is in Jerusalem – 900 miles away. Nothing he says or does would have done them any good.
No doubt you noticed, but rather than sully Yahowah’s great name and reputation with this verbal diarrhea, I have omitted it, replacing YaHoWaH with “This Is Not Him (#^^#!).” God had nothing to do with this book and wants you to be aware of that fact.
As mentioned throughout the previous volume of Babel, Chywah | Beast, there is something truly sinister about Babylon which tends to cloud one’s mind and alter their perspective. There are elements of this which are obviously invalid…
I looked (wa ra’ah – I was shown), and behold (wa hineh), a stormy spirit or gale-force wind (ruwach sa’arah – a tempest of the spirit or a destructive and raging swirling windstorm) came from (bow’ min – arrived out of) the north (tsaphown – the hidden and treasured), a great cloud (‘anan gadowl – tremendously obscuring phenomenon).
Then fire (wa ‘esh – so flames from combustion and burning) grasping hold (laqach – taking hold, obtaining, and receiving) of knowledge and brightness (wa nogah – radiant light and shining splendor) to surround it (la huw’ sabyb – to encircle it).
16From its midst (wa min tawek hy’), something similar to an eye (ka ‘ayn) of the shining substance (ha chashmal – of the amber stone or glowing bronze) out of the middle (min tawek – from the midst) of the fire (ha ‘esh). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 1:4)
The primary use of ruwach is to convey “spirit,” but it can be translated as “wind” on occasion. However, in conjunction with this vision, “spirit” must take precedence over “wind.” And that is a problem since sa’arah describes a “tempest” which is “raging, swirling, twisted, and destructive.” The only ruwach fitting that depiction would be Satan. Therefore, Babylon has brought us back to the rise of the Adversary from his natural element. He is the twisted spirit of the north.
Even in conveying his direction of travel, this is a perfect fit for the Beast. Yahowah’s Ruwach | Spirit would have arrived from above or from Yaruwshalaim – due west of Babylon, not from the tsaphown | north. And yet, it was the king of the north, Antiochus Epiphanes, whom we were offered as an exemplar of the Towrahless One in Dany’el 11.
Further, Yahowah’s ‘esh | fiery light offers up nogah | knowledge and enlightenment, but it does not laqach | grasp hold of it and keep it. Moreover, while it is appropriate to afford ‘ayn | sight to God, He does not have an eye in the midst of a fire. So now that we are back in Babylon, something is amiss. The reason that this depiction of God has never made sense to anyone is now becoming obvious.
Called the “All-Seeing Eye of Providence” in Christianity, it was the Eye of Horus to the Egyptians. It is featured to this day on US currency and the nation’s Great Seal. This eye was also associated with Babylonian and Greek religious rites, where the mysteries of life and death were seen by those who were drugged as part of the 17ceremonies. And since this is being presented in Babylon, it is germane to know that the all-seeing eye was predominantly associated with the sky god, An, the moon god, Nanna or Sin, and the sun gods, Enlil and Marduk.
This is an inauspicious beginning…
From the midst (wa min tawek) of her (hy’m – of it) was the likeness (ka – the similarity) of four animals (‘araba’ chayah – four wild beasts or lifeforms). And this was their appearance to ponder the implications (wa zeh mara’ah hanah – this was the questionable pattern and form, to ponder the implications of this phenomenon and revelation, this spectacle pertaining to them; from mah – to question ra’ah – what is being seen): they were comparable to a man (damuwth ‘adam la henah – their likeness, similitude, and resemblance was of an idolatrous person; from damah – to resemble and be compared, even to devise and imagine that which is separating, divisive, and destructive, deadly and undoing and dam – blood). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 1:5)
Pagan gods were modeled after animals and people. Yahowah created animals and people. Yahowah is One, not four. So, while it is proper to compare ‘Adam to Yahowah, in that God made him in His image, the religious do the opposite, constantly crafting gods who look and act like men and women.
These animals are interpreted as the “animating force” of Kabbalah in the Zohar – a name which is derived from Ezekiel’s celestial vision. In Christianity, the god not only is a man, the religion’s primary symbol is that of a dead god on a stick. And in Islam, Muhammad is Allah. Further, since we remain in Babylon, it is important to note that the images they used to depict their gods show the faces of kings superimposed on beasts such as these – usually with wings and often with bull or goat legs.
18For each one (la ‘echad) was four-faced (wa ‘araba’ paneh – had four appearances) and four wings (wa ‘araba’ kanaph) for each one (la ‘echad) of them (la hem). (Yachezq’el 1:6)
Their legs (wa regel hem), straight feet (regel yashar), and the paw-like hooves of their feet (wa kaph regal hem) were similar to (ka) the sole (kaph) of a bull’s foot (regel ‘egel).
And they sparkled and blossomed like gleaming flowers (wa natsats – they shined brightly and bloomed), like an eye (ka ‘ayn) of a polished and burnished bronze snake (nachosheth qalal – of a smooth and glowing divining serpent; from nachash – to practice divination and fortune-telling as a serpent or snake). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 1:7)
While I cannot imagine God having wings, mal’ak | spiritual messengers are depicted with them. And Satan is a mal’ek, not God. As for being two-faced, or four, that is not the God I know – although this is also fitting for the Adversary.
Pagan gods, especially those associated with either the Lord or the Devil, were commonly crafted as bulls or given the legs of a goat, albeit these were clearly a step above the ordinary because they sparkled and blossomed like gleaming flowers. It was as if the Egyptian Golden Calf from the Apis cult was being reinterpreted as the Brazen Bull of the Greeks. And should you think that this is all in the past, check out the opening ceremonies of the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Associating the Father of the Gods with a bull began in Sumer, the predecessor of Babylon. The bull with a sun disk was of paramount importance to the pharaohs and their priests and was later incorporated into the mythology of Hadad, Zeus, and Jupiter.
19This foursome of beastly faces and animal legs is given yet another eye – this one like that of a burnished bronze snake and divining serpent. This is how Yahowah described Satan in the Garden of ‘Eden.
And his human hands (wa yad huw’ ‘adam) from under their wings (min tachath kanaph hem) on their four quarters (‘al ‘araba’ reba’ hem) of their appearances (wa paneh hem), with their wings (wa kanaph hem), the four of them (la ‘arba’ hem) (Yachezq’el 1:8) joined (chabar – were fastened together) as a woman (‘ishah) to her sister (‘el ‘achowth hy’).
Their wings (kanaph hem) did not go around (lo’ sabab – did not surround, encircle, or turn) in their travel (ba halak henah – with their walking) with the individual (‘iysh – person) walking (halak) to a presence beyond the opposing side (‘el ‘eber panah huw’ – to an opposite appearance on the other side). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 1:9)
There is a lot more to ‘eber than I shared within the parenthetical. The same three letters, based upon the verbal root, ‘abar, speak of “going beyond meddling and arrogance, crossing over to lead to the other side, angry and arrogant, interfering unjustifiably as a moral failure while passing by or crossing over.” That is not the way Yahowah walks – but may be indicative of His people.
I had expected better now that we have moved on from Dany’el | Daniel, but this is far worse. And yet, here once again there is a benefit because we are being reminded that the Lord of Babylon is Satan and that he wants to be seen as God.
Even then, the human hands and wings on all four quarters being joined like a woman to her sister are exceedingly odd. Wings do not go around and those with them need not walk. Further, we should not want to travel to the opposite side.
20The likeness (wa damuwth – the divisive similarity and image, the deadly pattern and model, from damah – to devise that which is bloody and separates) of their appearances (paneh hem – their faces and presence) was of human presence and faces (paneh ‘adam), the appearances (wa paneh – the presence and faces) of a vicious lion (‘aryeh – of a beast which plucks apart its prey) to the right (‘el ha yamyn).
For the four of them (la ‘arba’ hem), the appearance (wa paneh – the faces or presence) of a bull (showr) from the left (min ha samow’l) of these four (la ‘arba’ henah) and the face (wa paneh) of an eagle (nesher – unclean carrion bird of prey akin to a vulture) of the four of them (la ‘arba’ henah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 1:10)
I added a verb to the first “sentence,” while none was supplied by Ezekiel. I left the second as it was written.
The bull is Satan’s most enduring symbol. The eagle directs our attention to Rome, the most demonic of beasts. And all the while, this apparition remains four-faced.
These four faces also represent the astrological signs of Taurus the bull, Leo the lion, Scorpio, whom the Babylonians drew as an eagle, and Aquarius as the man. They are symbolic of Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter in the Zodiac. And in this case, and since these Beasts have been depicted by Satan in this manner, I will share their identity momentarily.
But first, let’s pause a moment and rub our eyes. When we were confronted by the Satanic symbolism in Dany’el 10, which transpired in this same location, there were so many overtures to Paul’s experience on the road to Damascus that we were able to make sense of it. Further, we had nine chapters to prepare ourselves to recognize it because Daniel was continually casting himself as an exemplar of Rabbinic Judaism and Roman Christianity. But this is right out of the gates of hell – and at the very 21beginning of the book of Ezekiel as well. So, had we not been introduced to Satan in Yasha’yah and then in Dany’el, this would have blown fuses.
The picture of the fractured faces and separated wings continues…
Their faces (wa paneh hem – their presence and appearance) and their wings (wa kanaph hem) were separated and divided (parad – were parted and dispersed, spread out) from above (min la ma’al).
For each individual man (la ‘iysh – for each person), two (shanaym) people (‘iysh – individuals) were joined together and touched (chabar – were fastened together, forming an alliance), and two (wa shanaym) covered and hid (kasah – shrouded and clothed) their dead bodies (‘eth gawyah henah – that which is associated with their carcasses and corpses). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 1:11)
I have been working with Yahowah for 22 years in the same capacity – as a witness – translating and contemplating, perceiving and sharing. It has all been productive and good, even though the time we spent exposing and condemning Muhammad and then Paul was not nearly as enjoyable as when we were listening to Moseh and Dowd. Yasha’yah and Howsha’ are depressing relative to religion and uplifting pursuant to the relationship. So, I’m accustomed to the highs and lows of this mission.
However, after spending two months in Babylon with Daniel, this is burdensome. Yahowah has but one face, and it is of my Father – warm and caring. He does not have wings and He is one, neither separated nor divided. He is not a man, much less four of them. I cannot imagine what would possess Ezekiel to say that two men were joined together, as if representing Gemini, and that two were veiled as if Virgo. But this I know, Yahowah cannot die. He has no corpse. He is the source of life.
22Since Daniel used gawyah | the carcass of a dead body in conjunction with the terrifying vision of Satan that he envisioned in the same place, we are witnessing the same deadly Babylonian Beast. To suggest otherwise would be an insult to Yah.
Should the propensity of English translations be accurate in rendering ‘eber in the next statement as “straightforward,” this brings up another problem. One of the great advantages a seven-dimensional spiritual being like Yahowah has over us as three-dimensional mortals stuck in the ether of gravity and time is that, while we are linear, He can move in ways we cannot even imagine. And so, while being linear is a restriction that Yahowah placed upon Satan, it does not apply to God.
Moreover, since the inability to turn is being ascribed to this spirit, no matter how ‘eber is rendered, we are witnessing one of the most important limitations of the Adversary. If he could go back in time, for example, or even forward, he would destroy humankind and freewill.
Even worse, should we translate ‘eber appropriately as “opposite and opposing side” or as ‘abar | to go beyond meddling in arrogance, crossing over to lead away, the problem grows exponentially for those who want to believe that this is a depiction of God…
And the individual (wa ‘iysh – the person or man), his presence walked (paneh huw’ halak – his appearance traveled) to the opposite and opposing side (‘el ‘eber – to go beyond meddling and arrogance, crossing over to lead to the other side; from ‘abar – to be angry, displeased, and arrogant, interfering unjustifiably as a moral failure while passing by or crossing over).
To whatever place exists (‘el ‘asher hayah sham), the spirit (ha ruwach) would go (la halak – would walk or travel). They walked (halak) without turning (lo’ sabab – 23without pivoting) as they moved (ba halak henah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 1:12)
This depicts an individual walking away from the presence of this god. He, sometimes they, even she, is opposed to the vision being depicted because this individual is depicted as arrogant and immoral, unjustifiably meddling in human affairs.
The Ruwach Qodesh | Set-Apart Spirit can transcend space and time, moving without restriction. And yet, She does not wander around aimlessly, going to whatever place may exist.
While further from the truth, there are aspects of Ezekiel’s Babylonian vision which are quite similar to Daniel’s sighting of Satan, although with far more equivocation…
A divisive image (wa damuwth – a deadly comparison, this bloody likeness as the similitude of a religious idol; from damah – to be compared to that which is divisive and bloody by imagining that which is separating, destructive, and deadly) of the animals (ha chayah – of the beasts, creatures, and lifeforms) – their questionable appearance (mara’ah hem – their pattern and form of enquiry into this sight and their spectacle; from mah – to question ra’ah – what is being seen) comparable to (ka) combustible, destructive, and deadly (ba’ar – scorching) burning coals of fire (gachal ‘esh – charcoal embers ablaze), like (ka – similar to and associated with) an enquiry of the imagery (mara’ah – a questionable pattern, sight, and vision; from mah – to question, pondering the implications of ra’ah – what is being shown) of the torches of hers (ha lapydym hy’ – the burning sticks and firebrands of hers) moving independently and of their own accord between (halak bayn – going about and walking on her own recognizance and impulse while positioned in proximity to (hitpael participle – not 24influenced by anyone or anything, albeit vividly walking)) the beasts (ha chayah – the animals and living creatures).
And bright light (wa nogah – radiant gleaming) toward the fire (la ha ‘esh – approaching the flames) and out of the fire (wa min ha ‘esh) came forth (yatsa’ – was brought out) as lightning (baraq – flashing bolts of lightning cast forth). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 1:13)
After being deluged with the comparative terms, damuwth, mara’ah, and ka, on five occasions in a single sentence, when we are finally given a verb, “the torches of hers are walking independently and of their own accord between the beastly animals.” That’s clearly not good.
And let’s be clear, the proper definition of chayah is “animal” or “beast.” The ideas of a “lifeform” or “living creature” were concepts which were not integrated into the vocabulary of the day. Furthermore, the Lord of Babel will use chayah frequently to describe a monster he has deployed to prey upon humans, a beast with a craving for Jewish flesh.
Also intriguing, gachal is used symbolically by Dowd to address “strife” in Mashal 26:21, “shame” in Mashal 25:22, God’s “righteous indignation” in Mizmowr 18:8-9, and then speaks of “being condemned” by God in Mizmowr 120:4 and 140:10. That is not good, either.
We are reminded once again of the thunderous roar of these Beasts. With lightning at the ready, as Marduk and Hadad, Zeus and Jupiter, they are prepared to zap those who step out of line.
When we do as mara’ah and damuwth suggest and question the image of this divisive and deadly Beast which is being presented as if God, there are a limited number of ways to evaluate the chayah emerging from Babel. We can blame all of this on ergot, the psychedelic fungus prevalent along the banks of the river which, while later harvested to 25create LSD, was used extensively by the Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and early Christians as a religious sacrament. While I don’t much like my ‘prophets’ stoned, the role that hallucinogens have played in every major religion cannot be ignored. Ezekiel is in Babylon where it was prevalent and would have numbed the pain of slavery.
Some can take it at face value and believe that God is not only monstrous but similar to every other pagan god and goddess, whether animal, human, or both. This too is an impoverished and ignorant option.
Or we can compare this vision to Daniel’s, as we should, and recognize that this is Satan. Then the questions become, why is the Devil being compared to God, why is this twisted spirit coming from the north, why four faces, why are we shown the signs of the zodiac, why a beast, and why are there so many references to eyes and lightning bolts? I suggest that Yahowah has already answered each of these questions to our satisfaction through Yasha’yah | Isaiah.
If you recall, I began this review by establishing the parameters of this book’s content. I shared that, following a wild depiction of a spiritual entity, the next 33 chapters of Ezekiel, 66.6% of the book, serve to condemn Jews so as to justify the Lord’s commitment to exterminate them. With that in mind, shouldn’t we expect the Devil to express how he intended to use Babylonian paganism (the Bull), Judaism (the Lion), Christianity (the Man), and Islam (as the Scorpion), the four faces of this Beast, to attack God’s people? Satan’s quest to be seen as God is understood when presented this way.
The two books which claim to have been written in Babylon, Daniel and Ezekiel, tell the same story – as does Yasha’yah’s depiction of Satan emerging from this place in his attempt to rise above the Almighty. We are 26witnessing how Satan has used the Babylonian religion to inspire devotion.
And the Beasts (wa ha chayah – so the animals) sped forth (ratsa’ – made quick and darting, but exclusively linear, movements as if running ahead), then returned (wa shuwb), like (ka – similar to and associated with) the questionable appearance (mara’ah – pondering pattern, sight, and vision; from mah – to question, pondering the implications of ra’ah – what is being shown) of lightning (baraq – of flashing bolts of fire cast forth). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 1:14)
There were many false gods with bolts of lightning, including the head of the Babylonian pantheon, Marduk. Hadad, as the chief deity of the Canaanites and Amorites, was also depicted wielding thunderbolts. These gods would be followed by Zeus in Greece and Jupiter in Rome. Yahowah, however, does not carry bolts of lightning in His quiver.
The pagan gods who shaped Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all rode in chariots across the sky. So…
And I looked (wa ra’ah) for the beasts (ha chayah – the animals), and behold (wa hineh), a vehicular wheel (‘owphan), one (‘echad) in the Earth (ba ha ‘erets – in the region and land) beside (‘etsel – near) the animals (ha chayah – the beasts) – for the appearance of each of the four (la ‘arba’ paneh huw’). (Yachezq’el 1:15)
The perplexing sight (mara’ah – the questionable appearance, pattern, and vision where we are encouraged to ponder the implications of what is being shown) of the vehicle wheels (ha ‘owphanym) and their construction (wa ma’aseh hem – their workmanship and how they were crafted) was similar to (ka – could be assimilated with) that of an eye (‘ayn – the apparatus responsible for vision) of Tarshysh (Tarshysh – the ancient Punic (thus Phoenician and Carthaginian) naval superpower with the 27first reserve currency to control the trade and commerce) and the divisive image (wa damuwth – the deadly comparison of this bloody likeness as the similitude of a religious idol; from damah – to resemble and be compared to that which is divisive and bloody by imagining that which is separating, destructive, and deadly) as one (‘echad) of these four (la ‘arba’ henah).
Their questionable appearance (mara’ah hem – the perplexing sight) and their fabrication (wa ma’aseh hem – their workmanship) could be compared to (ka ‘asher) the existence of (hayah) a wheel within the center of a wheel (ha ‘owphan ba tawek ha ‘owphan). (Yachezq’el 1:16)
Over their four quarters (‘al ‘arba’ reba’ henah) when going (ba halak – with moving), they, themselves moved (hem halak) without turning around (lo’ subab – without moving in a circular fashion) as they walked (ba halak henah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 1:17)
You were forewarned. The writing quality is remedial. And considering the source, it would be improper to improve it.
What we are being shown is four beasts with one large wheel on Earth beside the animals. The other wheels looked like Tarshysh, which is often used as a pseudonym for yesterday’s Carthaginian Empire and today’s United States. Within the wheels, there were wheels, none of which turned. While defeating the purpose, I suppose it kept the eyes from being spun around so that the beasts wouldn’t become nauseous.
I wonder how much ergot is required to see things this way. Or are we witnessing a severe case of schizophrenia?
And their eyebrows (wa gab henah), lofty and proud (wa gobah – high and haughty, exalted and conceited) were they (la hem), and fearsome, terrifying, and 28awesome (wa yira’ah) they were (la hem). So, their eyebrows (wa gab hem) were filled with eyes (male’ ‘ayn) all around (sabyb – on all sides) of these four (la ‘arba’ henah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 1:18)
Considering the fact that several billion people believe Ezekiel was a prophet, we have proof that it does not take much to fool almost everyone. All one has to do is wheel out one of these fearsome contraptions with eyes all around and the people will bow down and worship it.
God has promised that He will raise His children such that they grow and become more like Him. This, however, seems like a demotion…
Then when the Beasts (wa ba ha chayah) walked (halak – moved), they moved the wheels (halak ha ‘owphan) beside them (‘etsel hem). And when the animals (wa ba ha chayah) were lifted up (nasa’) from upon the Earth (min ‘al ha ‘erets), they carried the wheels (nasa’ ha ‘owphan). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 1:19)
Perhaps we have this all wrong. Rather than chariots filled with the gods racing across the sky, they are now decrepit and rolling along in their wheelchairs. I’m sure it happens to the best of them. If so, Babylon has become a nursing home for geriatric gods – it’s Satan’s retirement party featuring aging Olympians. And who said translating is difficult?
Since I was not the architect and these are not my designs, it is important to accurately reflect the text and not embellish it. Therefore, this is a literal translation…
Over which (‘al ‘asher) exists there (hayah sham) the movement (la halak) of the spirit (ha ruwach) to go wherever (halak sham) the spirit (ha ruwach) moves (la halak). Then the wheels (wa ha ‘owphan) rise (nasa’) along with them (la ‘umah hem) because (ky) the spirit 29(ruwach) of the Beasts (ha chayah) is in the wheels (ba ha ‘owphan). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 1:20)
So, do I hear a motion to bring back ‘ElYah? And if we get him to return, since he is over 2,700 years old, do we need to provide one of these fancy wheelchairs? Surely, I jest.
In walking (ba halak), they (hem), themselves, go (halak). And in standing (wa ba ‘amad), they (hem), themselves, are propped up (‘amad). So, when raising them (wa ba nasa’ hem) from upon the Earth (min ‘al ha ‘erets), they lifted up the wheels (nasa’ ha ‘owphan) along with them (la ‘umah hem).
For indeed (ky), the spirit (ruwach) of the Beasts (ha chayah) is in the wheels (ba ha ‘owphan). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 1:21)
This religious spirit is trapped within the circle of the wheel because it represents the sun and moon as gods. The magic and secret powers of the circular form are liberally presented in the Zohar and are central to Kabbalah. The mystical founder of Hasidism is even venerated for having drawn a circle with his staff to defeat a demonic priest in a spiritual battle. Jews are famous for dancing in circles and even wandering about in circles for seven days carrying the magical Etrog during Sukkot. And of course, the Kippah is round for a reason.
Circles were thought to hold magic powers among ancient priests, and their spells and lore were incorporated into Judaism to shield brides, mothers giving birth, and the Torah from demons, and to justify the authority of the sages. Consider this from the Babylonian Talmud: “Honi drew a circle in the dust, stood inside it, and informed G!d that he would not move until it rained. When it began to drizzle, Honi told G!d that he was not satisfied and expected more rain; it then began to pour. He explained that 30he wanted a calm rain, at which point the rain calmed to a normal rain.” (Taanit 23a:4-10)
“Church” is derived from the name of the goddess, Circe – which is pronounced similarly. She was the Magic Enchantress of Greek mythology, from whom the English words, circle and circus, were also derived. Jesus and the saints are all depicted wearing halos, which are sun disks. And as for Islam, the Quran speaks of chariots in the sky and of the sun and moon riding within them as they race across the sky. And of course, Muslims circumambulate the Ka’aba.
I’m not auditioning for Devil’s Advocate, and I recognize that the position has already been filled, but wouldn’t it have been more believable to say, “The Lord is the God of every religion? He is flashy, moves fast, is fearsome and beastly, and he has eyes on you?”
I realize that these wheels do not turn, and that they have to be lifted up to move, but putting the spirit and eyes in them is pretty creepy. However, in fairness, Satan is a spiritual being with a split personality who strives to be lifted up, so Ezekiel got that part right.
The divisive image (wa damuwth – the deadly comparison of this bloody likeness as the similitude of a religious idol; from damah – to resemble that which is derisive and bloody by imagining something destructive and deadly) over the heads (‘al ro’wh) of the Beasts (ha chayah – the animals) is expansive (raqya’ – is atmospheric and spacious), similar to (ka) eyes (‘ayn) of ice (qerach – frost, crystals of frozen water), awe-inspiring and terrifying (ha yare’ – fearsome and frightening) stretched out (natah – spread out and extended) over their heads (‘al ro’sh hem) from above (min la ma’al). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 1:22)
Do icy eyes mean blue, cold, occluded, or cataracts? And is flying under such conditions dangerous?
31Irregardless (yes, I know it’s not a sensible word since it would mean that you should not regard that which cannot be regarded, but it, nonetheless, seems appropriate), the description of the Babylonian Beast with coals and ice, being inspiring and terrifying, with multiple personalities and eyes galore watching every move reminds me of the old line: “I used to be a schizophrenic, but we are better now.”
I do not know how much more of this impoverished writing we can endure without starting to blather about like an idiot, but I suppose, since it worked for Ezekiel, doing so, we could also be venerated as prophets…
And under (wa tachath – so what’s located beneath) the expanse (ha raqya’ – the atmospheric space) of their wings (kanaph hem) straight (yashar – not crooked, either upright or on the level), each woman (‘ishah) to her sister (‘el ‘achowth hy’). To each man (la ‘iysh), two (shanaym) clothing and covering them (kasah la henah). Then with the two men (wa la ‘iysh shanaym) under cover, the women hide and conceal (kasah) their corpses (la henah ‘eth gawyah – their dead bodies). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 1:23)
Okay, I did not see that coming. So now I must ask, are these Beasts transgender or hermaphrodites? Is this incestuous between the girls and are the two gay guys going to come out of the closet? Is Satan a Progressive or just Demonic with the necrophilia?
With the switch from fearsome men, bulls, lions, and eagles to babes with wings and dead men in dresses, does the Devil need a fancy acronym like LGBTQ with an added W for wings, a C for corpses, or perhaps N for necrophilia?
Welcome to Ezekiel One, now departing from Babylon. Climb aboard if you dare.
32By the way, it should go without saying, if this describes your god, then you may want to shop for another outside of Babylon. May I suggest looking in the Towrah? There is a seldom-used God cataloged therein who is available for immediate acquisition. He’s such a value, He more than pays for Himself. And He comes tested, proven, and highly recommended.
By the way, should you be offended at the translation of gawyah as “corpse, carcass, or dead body,” you will be delighted to know that its root means “behind,” as in derriere. Apparently, everyone has one, including the Babylonian god.
Birds’ wings were designed such that they are quiet, but Satan wants everyone to know that he has arrived…
So I heard (wa shama’) the sound of their wings (‘eth qowl kanaph hem), like the sound of a sea of rabbis (ka qowl maym rab – similar to the noise of many waters), similar to the sound (ka qowl) of devastating demonic destruction and despoliation (shaday – of the devil’s havoc and ruin, of satanic violence and plunder; from ‘any – I am, shed – demonic, shod – devastating and chaotic, and shadad – pillaging, assaulting, and utterly ruining) wherever they went (ba halak hem).
It was the sound (qowl) of a large, confusing, and disorderly crowd, the din of pomp and ceremony, and the uproarious commotion and clamor of hordes of army troops (hamown – of the rumbling roar of an accumulation of expensive possessions, and of a multitude of wealthy individuals, the disquieting tumult of a growing and enraged throng), yes, indeed (ky), like the sound (ka qowl) of the military (machaneh – an army encampment of soldiers ready to lay siege and a large human institution prepared for prostration).
By standing, they (ba ‘amad hem – when present they (feminine plural)), themselves, constantly choose to 33disable their wings such that they continually hang limp (raphah kanaph hem – the women want their wings to be feeble and falter (piel imperfect jussive third-person feminine plural – these females continually choose to have their wings suffer the effect of being disabled)). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 1:24)
This may be the most overt affirmation that we are still in Babylon – although that is a little like saying black is dark. We are witnessing Satan lording over the confusing amalgamation of religion and politics which would emerge from this confounding place to fool the unwary into worshiping and serving the Lord as a god.
Let’s begin by reinforcing the realization that mal’ak | spiritual beings like Satan have wings, but Yahowah does not. Satan is so loud his voice can be heard in almost every human institution, while we must be quiet and listen to the Towrah and Prophets to hear Yahowah’s voice.
While shaday is presented as “the Almighty” in virtually every Bible translation, its roots are fiendish. The etymology speaks of shaday | devastating demonic destruction and despoliation as a result of the Devil’s havoc and ruin. Shaday shouts – ‘any – I am, shed – diabolical, shod – devastating and chaotic, shadad – pillaging, assaulting, and utterly ruinous. And it is the juxtaposition of Almighty and demonic which enables Satan to be perceived as ‘G!d.’
Hamown describes the three rotten religions which would claim ‘Abraham’s heritage – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The Devil’s ambitions are accomplished by the things hamown represents – “the rumbling roar of an accumulation of expensive possessions, the commotion and clamor of hordes of army troops, and the din of religious and political pomp and ceremony, even of a multitude of wealthy individuals and the disquieting tumult of a growing and enraged throng of people.”
34Satan needs to be popular, while Yahowah is set apart and uncommon. The Adversary’s religions are comprised of many compared to a relationship with one.
Satan shouts, while Yahowah wants us to be quiet and listen. It is an army of armed men compared to Moseh shepherding God’s flock.
Satan is chaotic, while Yahowah is consistent. There are many paths to the Lord of Religion like spokes on a wheel, but there is but one way to Yahowah. And it is linear, not circular.
The four Beasts comprising this picture of Satan are portrayed as fatigued females prone to standing around, doing nothing – ostensibly to give their feeble and faltering wings a rest. We can only assume that the constant drumbeat of war that has plagued the planet is wearisome – even for demons.
This frightening image seeking to be seen as God is so pretentious and demonic in this setting, why has no one spoken of it previously? In search of that answer, I turned to Chabad (chabad.org), which is the international voice of the most popular strain of Judaism. When we read what they wrote pursuant to this image in Ezekiel 1, we find that Jews have done what Yahowah was predicting.
“The haftarah [final reading from the prophets] for the first day of Shavuot [the fourth Miqra’ when the Towrah was revealed] is of the most hallowed portions of the Bible. Known as Mirkevet Yechezkel, ‘the Chariot of Ezekiel,’ the reading speaks of the revelation to Ezekiel in which he saw the entire gamut of divine beings in what he describes as a ‘chariot.’ This text is actually the primary source in the Tanach for the mystical element of Torah, known in the Jewish vernacular as Kabbalah. In fact, the Talmud and early Jewish works refer to Kabbalah as Maaseh Merkavah, ‘the Workings of the Chariot.’
35“The narrative in Ezekiel speaks in physical terms about a completely spiritual reality. It is impossible to interpret any part of this description in a literal way, as it is only an allegory for metaphysical concepts. In fact, according to Avodat HaKodesh [Service of the Kabbalah Sanctuary] this is exactly what transpired in Ezekiel’s vision: he was shown images of the physical, while understanding the G‑dly ideas to which they corresponded.
“This style is replicated in most Kabbalistic works, where much of the teachings are also taught via physical metaphor. The sages throughout the ages warned that the student of Kabbalah must ‘divest the words from their physicality’ and be knowledgeable enough to do so.
“In recent times, one of the great achievements of Chabad chassidic [Hasidic / Ultra-Orthodox] teachings was to do just that. All the key and foundational aspects of Kabbalah are dissected and thoroughly explained in such a way that the human mind can grasp at least the concept of a certain spiritual idea. Many of the phrases in this haftarah are explained in Chabad Chassidut [the Ukrainian Hasidic cult of Judaism which is attributed to the rabbinic mystic Baal Shem Tov | Lord of the Good Name in the 18th century, called Ultra-Orthodox when it is nothing of the sort] at great length.”
The rest of the article blends mysticism and Gnosticism into a dizzying soup of religiosity. Chabad, Hasidic Judaism, and the rabbis in black mourning suits comprise a metastasizing cancer which is consuming the lives of the Jewish people.
(https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4036882/jewish/The-Vision-of-Ezekiel.htm)
Funny thing, Moseh spent 40 years alongside Yahowah and he never once described Him in this manner. Dowd knew Yahowah better than anyone and said nothing of this sort about Him. ‘Abraham’s description of 36Yahowah during their meetings bears no resemblance to this spectacle. Yasha’yah met with Yahowah in Heaven, and yet, he did not describe it this way.
The seraphim were shown to have wings and one even carries a piece of coal, but these things are not attributed to God. The only analog to this portrait with satanic overtures was witnessed in the same place by Daniel. And now you know why. Although, we are left to ponder whether this is the reason Santa Claus snubs bad boys and girls by leaving them a lump of coal.
To be fair, the Christian interpretation of this Satanic Beast may actually be worse. The four faces of the Zodiac are attributed to the Gospel writers as Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Many claim that this monster is a portrait of the mythical misnomer, ‘Jesus Christ.’
Continuing to describe the god of religion and the Beast of Babylon, the monster speaks but says nothing…
And there was a voice (wa hayah qowl) from above (min ‘al) the expanse over their heads (la ha raqya’ ‘asher ‘al ro’sh hem – approaching the firmament of the atmospheric space, beneficially over the top of them).
By standing and being present, they (ba ‘amad hem), themselves, constantly chose to disable their wings such that they would continually hang limp (raphah kanaph hem – these women want their wings to be feeble and falter (piel imperfect jussive third-person feminine plural – the females continually choose to have their wings suffer the effect of being disabled)). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 1:25)
This reminds me of the scene from the movie, Devil’s Advocate, in which Al Pacino’s character speaks of God being “an absentee landlord” – “worship that, never!” Representing Satan, he says, “I’m here on the ground with my nose in it since the whole thing began. I have nurtured 37every sensation man has been inspired to have. I’ve never rejected him because I never judged him. I’m a fan of man. I’m a humanist. Who could possibly deny that the 20th century was entirely mine? All of it mine. I’m peaking. It is my time now.”
Satan wants credit for constantly working against humankind. His wings are weary after hovering over the development of the babel in Babylonian that would evolve into Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. And then there was the constant stream of war and the perpetual fountain of lies, resulting in the agonizing oppression of God’s people. It has been a long haul, and the Devil needs his rest before the grand finale.
One can only imagine how fatiguing, indeed annoying and exasperating, it must have been acting as the Ba’al | Lord responsible for giving Hasidic Judaism a Shem Towb | Good Name. Like Pacino in the starring role, it has been one of the greatest acting performances of all time.
I believe I may have seen what could have been revealed and that it might have been similar to the likeness of something comparable to…
From even higher above (wa min ma‘al) the expanse which is over their heads (la ha raqya’ ‘asher ‘al ro’sh hem), like a questionable vision (ka mara’ah – comparable to the pattern of enquiry of the who, what, where, and when associated with the appearance of the puzzling phenomenon; from mah – to question ra’ah – what is being seen), a sapphire stone (‘eben saphyr), the bloody likeness and divisive similarity (damuwth – the representative image, a similitude as a religious idol; from damah – to resemble that which is imagined and divisive, separating, deadly, and destructive) of a throne (kise’).
And over the discordant image (wa ‘al damuwth – so above the deadly representation of this bloody likeness as the similitude of a religious idol; from damah – to 38resemble and be compared to that which is derisive and bloody, imagined such that it is separating, destructive, and deadly) the seat of royal dignity and authority (ha kise’ – the elevated throne).
The divisive image (wa damuwth – the fatal comparison of this likeness of a bloody and destructive religious idol) like (ka – similar to and comparable with) the dubious vision (mara’ah – questioning the pattern of enquiry, pondering the who, what, where, and when associated with the appearance of the puzzling phenomenon) of ‘Adam / man (‘adam – humankind) upon it (‘al hy’) out of the heights above (min la ma’al). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 1:26)
Lots of dazzle without substance. It is a metaphor for religion. And in the end, ‘Adam is sitting on the throne. Satan must have been right – eating from the forbidden tree made him like God. Now, if only he had offered Satan a bite.
And now for the good news, we are nearing the end of Ezekiel’s nightmarish vision…
So I saw (wa ra’ah) as if it were (ka – something similar to) an eye (‘ayn) of glowing brass (chashmal – of a shining substance such as glowing bronze) like a questionable vision (ka mara’ah – similar to the pattern of enquiry regarding the who, what, where, and when associated with the appearance, this puzzling phenomenon and spectacle; from mah – to question ra’ah – what is being seen) of a house afire (‘esh beyth – of a family ablaze and burning, a home consumed by fire), approaching it from every side (la hy’ sabyb – surrounding and encircling it).
Out of (min) an enquiry of the imagery (mara’ah – a questionable pattern, sight, and vision), his waist (matnaym huw’ – his slender back, body, rear, girdle, or loins) and above (wa la ma’al), including from (wa min) the perplexing sight (mara’ah – was the questionable 39appearance, pattern, and vision where we are encouraged to ponder the implications of what is being shown) of his slender back, his rear or loins (matnaym huw’ – his thin waist), and then downward (wa la matah – so regarding what is below and beneath), I saw as if it were (ka – that which is similar and comparable to) a curious image (mara’ah – the questionable site) of fire (‘esh – of flames) and the bright light (wa nogah – the majestic radiance) regarding him was circular and encircling (la huw’ sabyb). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 1:27)
The idea of Satan burning the house of God, setting His family ablaze, with flames surrounding His home and children afire is truly demonic. But it serves as a fitting conclusion to Satan’s embellished portrait.
No mouth but, yet another eye. So, I was curious and found that the dragonfly has the most, with 28,000 lenses per compound visual organ. Spiders have eight eyes and some marine mollusks, such as the fuzzy chiton, while lacking a brain, have hundreds. The deadly box jellyfish is also brainless but touts 24 eyes of four different kinds. So, the religious god is in fine visual company.
The concluding comment is perplexing, indeed. Was the Beast of Babylon’s butt on fire or were his loins burning? Why was his slender waist and backside ablaze rather than his countenance? Why did the flames encircle him as they were seen as doing to the family home? Is this a picture of the destructive demon circumambulating the Covenant and Home of God in an effort to incinerate both?
This brings us to the concluding line of the first chapter of the Book of Ezekiel...
Like the questionable vision (ka mara’ah – similar to the pattern of this form of enquiry visualizing the who, what, where, and when associated with the appearance of this puzzling phenomenon and spectacle; from mah – to question ra’ah – what is being seen) of the rainbow (ha 40qesheth – a bow which flings arrows) which (‘asher) exists in the cloud (hayah ba ha ‘anan) in the day of the rain (ba yowm ha geshem), thus likewise and correct (ken – so truthful and right) was the perplexing sight (mara’ah – was the questionable appearance, pattern, and vision where we are encouraged to ponder the implications of what is being shown) of the knowledge, radiance, and splendor (ha nogah – the bright light and majesty) all around him (sabyb huw’ – surrounding and encircling him) – the sight which should be questioned (mara’ah – the intriguing pattern and form, the puzzling appearance and vision, the phenomenon and revelation) of the bloody likeness and divisive similarity (damuwth – of a comparative image, this similitude of a religious idol; from damah – to resemble that which is imagined and divisive, separating and destructive, deadly and bloody) of the significance and glory (kabowd – the honor and respect, the attribution of status and manifestation of power) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!).
And when I was looking (wa ra’ah – as I was seeing (qal imperfect)), I fell (wa naphal – I prostrated myself to the tyrant feigning death, ready to be cast down) upon my face (‘al paneh ‘any). I heard (wa shama’) the voice of one speaking (qowl dabar). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 1:28)
Just as the rainbow has been usurped by the LGBTQIA+ community of queers who are questioning, and intersex invertebrates who strive to be more than asexual androids, the sign of the Covenant is often misappropriated. So is Yahowah’s name. There are a number of religious charlatans around the world who immorally and illegally use these translations and transliterations to establish lucrative religious cults. Be wary of them.
At least, Yachezq’el got one thing right. He planted his face in the muck of the river. He should have been 41embarrassed. From Ba’al to the Bible and the Babylonian Talmud, nothing good comes from the Devil’s dominion.
