167Babel
Tow’ebah
…Abominable
4
‘Adony | Lord
This Is Not Him…
Even when he had them right where he wanted them, the Lord of Babylon did not much like his Jewish exiles. I dare say, there was no pleasing him. Even when they were religious, he disrespected them, calling them blind and deaf. I suspect dumb was out of the question considering their propensity to talk ad nauseam about nothing.
By way of reminder, I will continue to dispense with opening and closing quotation marks. They were not included in the original text and are arbitrary in English because the alleged conversations never occurred. This was all written in the voice of the individual who compiled it on behalf of his Lord long ago. So, we will string his words together as they were written, even when grammatically incorrect – as is often the case.
Then was (wa hayah) the word (dabar) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!) to me (‘el ‘any) to say (la ‘amar), (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 12:1) son of man (ben ‘adam), in the midst (ba tawek) of the rebellious house (beyth ha mary) you dwell (‘atah yashab – you live and sit) whose eyes (‘asher ‘ayn) of theirs (la hem) to see (la ra’ah) and cannot see (wa lo’ ra’ah), ears (‘ozen) for them to hear (la hem la shama’) and they are not listening (wa lo’ shama’). Indeed (ky), they are a contentious house (beyth mary hem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 12:2)
Lacking sight and the ability to hear would cause those without the benefit of braille to be unaware and likely 168dependent, not contentious. And up to this point, Ezekiel has been a model submissive, the antithesis of rebellious.
When we consider what comes next, since they cannot, what is the point of showing them the objects of exile? And since they had been living as captives in Babylon for nearly a decade, don’t you think that they would have known by now that they were enslaved?
So, you (wa ‘atah), son of man (ben ‘adam), act for yourself (‘asah la ‘atah). Objects (kely – vessels and utensils) of exile (gowlah) reveal (galah) of the day (yowmam) for their eyes (la ‘ayn hem). And uncover and make known (wa galah) from your place (min maqowm ‘atah) to another place (‘el maqowm ‘acher) for their eyes (la ‘ayn hem). Perhaps (‘uwlay) they will see (ra’ah), even though (ky) they a rebellious household (beyth mary hem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 12:3)
Perhaps it is a miracle, enabling those with eyes to see. Or it could be a sign that the contentious will notice the objects of exile and realize that they have been deported. If you cannot be a prophet, this may be the next best thing.
With no obstructions, in perfect conditions, a person with unimpaired vision would have difficulty identifying objects the size of chains and fetters at the distance of a quarter mile. Therefore, telling a slave in Babylon to “uncover them for their eyes in your place to another place” in Jerusalem 3,600 times this distance is insane.
You should bring out (wa yatsa’) your vessels, and objects (kaly ‘atah) as (ka) the implements (kaly – the objects, vessels, and possessions) of exile (gowlah) by day (yowmam) for their eyes (la ‘ayn hem) and yourself (wa ‘atah), you should come out (yatsa’) in the evening (ba ‘ereb) for their eyes (la ‘ayn hem) like (ka) the act of going out (mowtsa’) for exile (gowlah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 12:4)
169What a great idea. Why not play charades? What better way to let those know that they have been dragged away from their homes as slaves and are now living as exiles in the swamps surrounding Babylon than to have the biggest nutcase among them pretend that he is leaving home. Brilliant.
Even better, as a prisoner and without tools, in plain sight, tell him to dig through a wall and pretend to escape, carrying along the implements used to enslave him – fetters and chains.
For their eyes (la ‘ayn hem), you are commanded to dig (chathar – you must dig through or down (qal imperative)) for yourself (la ‘atah) in the wall (ba ha qyr) and come out through it (wa yatsa’ ba huw’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 12:5)
For their eyes (la ‘ayn hem), upon your shoulder (‘al katheph ‘atah), lift and carry (nasa’) in the dusky darkness (ba ha ‘alatah). You continually withdraw (yatsa’) your presence (paneh ‘atah) so you are hidden (kasah). And you will not see (wa lo’ ra’ah) the land (‘eth ha ‘erets) because (ky) I am offering you (nathan ‘atah) as a wondrous miracle and important sign (mowpheth) for the Household of Israel (la beyth Yisra’el). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 12:6)
Surely, we haven’t earned a prize for guessing correctly. It was sufficiently obvious that anyone with half a brain should have known that these ridiculous shenanigans would be called miraculous. As for the Devil, that is about the best he can do.
As for Ezekiel, he was not bright enough to know that he was being played by a spirit way too dumb to be pretending that he was God. And that is what makes books such as these so dangerous. Paul had the same problem, as did Muhammad.
170And I did as I was commanded (wa ‘asah ken ka ‘asher tsawah). My vessels, objects, and implements (kaly ‘any) I brought out (yatsa’) as (ka) the apparati (kaly – the object, vessel, and possession) of exile (gowlah) by day (yowmam). And in the evening (wa ba ha ‘ereb), I dug (chathar) for myself (la ‘any) into the wall (ba ha qyr) with my hands (ba yad ‘any) during the darkness of dusk (ba ha ‘alatah), bringing out (yatsa’) upon my shoulder (‘al katheph ‘any), I carried (nasa’) for their eyes (la ‘ayn hem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 12:7)
After 2,500 years, it is gratifying to finally disclose how far this book falls beneath the standard Yahowah has set. This may have been among the dumbest games Satan and his advocates have ever played. The lone miracle is that billions have been led to believe that God asked his prophet to play along in this way.
The word of This Is Not Him came to be with me (wa hayah dabar #^^#! ‘el ‘any) in the morning (ba ha boqer) to say (la ‘amar), (Yachezq’el 12:8) son of man (ben ‘adam), has it not been said to you (ha lo’ ‘amar ‘el ‘atah) by the Household of Israel (beyth Yisra’el), the rebellious and contentious family (beyth ha mary), What are you doing (mah ‘atah ‘asah)? (Yachezq’el 12:9)
How perceptive. Surely one of the exiled prisoners asked, “Are you insane?”
Say to them (‘amar ‘el hem), Thus says my Lord and Master (koh ‘amar ‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), This oracle and prophetic pronouncement (ha masa’ ha zeh) are for the leader (ha nasyi’) in Jerusalem (ba Yaruwshalaim) and for the entire Household of Israel (wa kol beyth Yisra’el) who they in the midst of them (‘asher hem ba tawek hem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 12:10)
Ezekiel’s story allegedly begins in the fifth year of the exile. We have been exposed to two years of games and other shenanigans. And yet, in the 8th chapter, we were told 171that we were in the sixth year. The reason this matters is because the second siege began five or six years after the conclusion of the first, such that it would have been ongoing as the exile games were commencing. And therefore, it was not prophetic. And since we know the name of the leader of the Jews in Jerusalem at the time, why didn’t the Lord? While I understand that Babylon is based upon babel, and is, therefore, confusing by definition, it’s unnerving to see a statement attributed to “Yahowah” dragged through this muck.
Surely, even the Devil knows that Ezekiel is as dumb as a stone. He’s the furthest from wonderful on the planet…
Say (‘amar), I am a marvelous miracle and wonderful symbolic sign (mowpheth) for you (‘atem) by comparison because of what (ka ‘asher) I have done (‘asah – I have accomplished thus far (qal perfect)). In this manner (ken), it will continually be done to them (‘asah la hem). They will go (halak) into exile (ba ha golah) in captivity, while being captured, oppressed, and controlled (ba ha shaby). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 12:11)
Placing one’s chains and fetters on display while pretending to dig through a wall with one’s hands for the eyes of those currently being subjugated, slaughtered, and starved isn’t a sign. And if one wanted to perform a miracle, why not liberate the Jews in Babylon and Jerusalem so that they are not enslaved? If Satan is intent on pretending to be God, why not reenact the Exodus rather than have one man grovel in the dirt?
The operative verb in this next statement, yatsa’ | to withdraw, is the Hebrew word Yahowah chose to describe what the religious, using Greek terminology, call the “Exodus.” So evidently, Satan liked the idea of orchestrating one of his own. Whatever God can do, he can do better. Only one problem: he was taking them from freedom to bondage.
172So, the leader who will arise (nasyi’ ‘asher – ruler who will be lifted up; from nasa’ – to lift up) within their midst (ba tawek hem) to shoulder, he will lift and carry (‘el katheh nasa’) in the encroaching darkness (ba ha ‘alatah). Then he will be brought out, withdrawing (wa yatsa’ – he will come forth).
In the wall (ba ha qyr), they will dig (chathar) to come out (la yatsa’) with him (ba huw’). His face (paneh huw’) he will cover and conceal (kasah) so that (ya’an ‘asher) he will not see (lo’ ra’ah) for the eyes of his (la ha ‘ayn huw’) the ground or dirt (‘eth ha ‘erets – the land or earth). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 12:12)
I will spread out (wa parash) my net (‘eth resheth ‘any – my snare and mesh trap which captures, restrains, and confines) upon him (‘al huw’) and he will be seized (wa taphas – he will be caught and controlled) in my trap (matsuwdah ‘any – a victim in my snare).
And so, I will bring him (wa bow’ ‘eth huw’) to Babel | Babylon | the Confusion of Intermixing and Integrating (Babel), the realm (‘erets) of the Kasdy | Chaldeans | Sages and Astrologers (Kasdy).
And (wa), within it (‘eth hy’), he will not see (lo’ ra’ah). And there (wa sham), he will die (muwth). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 12:13)
And all who (wa kol ‘asher) surround him (sabyb huw’), his assistants and helpers (‘ezer huw’), and all of his troops, his soldiers and military (wa kol ‘agaph huw’), I will scatter (zarah) toward every spirit (la kol ruwach). And I will draw and brandish (wa ryq) the sword (Chereb) after them (‘achar hem – behind them). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 12:14)
Getting one thing partially accurate among a sea of mistakes does not a prophet make. The King of Judea at this time had a name, even though the Devil’s Advocate 173was unaware of it. However, it would have been incorrect to call Zedekiah a nasy’ | the leader who will arise because he had been appointed by Nebuchadnezzar seven years earlier. Rather than shouldering the burden he had created by being capricious with the treasury, he abandoned his people as the city was burning and fled. He was not brought out, and most assuredly, he was not leading an “Exodus.” And while there is no indication that it was at dusk when he escaped, it would not have mattered.
The walls surrounding Jerusalem were limestone. They were breached, but not by digging through them. It would not have done Zedekiah or the remaining Judeans any good to cover their faces to preclude seeing the ground. Even the thought of it is absurd.
By saying that “I will spread out my net,” Satan is claiming credit for the Babylonian military, among the world’s most ruthless, because they captured Zedekiah and his entourage outside of Jericho. There was no net or trap, however. After forcing him to witness the execution of his sons, the Babylonian military blinded him and took him as a slave into captivity. All of which had been predicted and written by Yirma’yah | Jeremiah long before “Ezekiel” composed his fairytale.
At the time, Zedekiah likely had some staff around him, but not an army. There is no indication that swords were drawn upon his capture, most certainly not God’s. And rather than being “scattered toward every spirit,” the survivors of the siege in Jerusalem and the deposed king’s subordinates were gathered up, collected, and marched into Babylon as slaves.
And if that were not bad enough, rather than coming to acknowledge Yahowah by name at this point, Jews made it illegal to even mention Him by name…
They will know and acknowledge (wa yada’) that (ky) I am (‘any) This Is Not Me (#^^#!) in dispersing and 174scattering me with them (puwts ‘any ‘eth hem) in the gentile nations (ba ha gowym). I will spread them (wa zarah ‘eth hem) in the Land (ba ha ‘erets). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 12:15)
Wrong again. Over a century earlier, the Assyrians scattered all the Yisra’elites they had captured around Northern Mesopotamia, but this time, the Babylonians took those they had starved to a single gentile nation – Babylon. And God did not accompany them. Further, they were removed from the Land, not spread around it.
After promising to kill 8/3rds of Jews, one-third each from just the three things which are repeated, this must pertain to the 9th third…
Then I will have a residue left over of them (wa yathar min hem), a number of individuals (‘iysh misphar) from the sword (chereb), from starvation (min ra’ab), and from the plague (wa min deber) for the reason that (la ma’an) they many recount and record (saphar) every one of their reprehensible abominations (‘eth kol tow’ebah hem) with the gentiles (ba ha gowym) which they go (‘asher bow’) there (sham). Then they will realize (wa yada’) that (ky) I am (‘any) This Is Not Me (#^^#!). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 12:16)
Wrong. Because he didn’t exterminate Jews with his sword, food shortages, or germs as he had planned, a large number returned from Babylon when Yahowah inspired Cyrus to let them go home. Back in Yahuwdah, they did not recount or record their inappropriate behaviors but continued to be tow’ebah.
The problem with Jews wasn’t so much what they did in exile but, instead, it was what they did among themselves in the Land. And to this day, Jews do not acknowledge that Yahowah is God. In fact, they are religious about denying it.
175Yahowah’s standard is that, to be a prophet, those speaking for Him must always be right and never wrong. Whereas the Lord of Babylon is setting the inverse standard.
So now that Satan has lied to us, he wants to play charades again…
The word (wa dabar) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!) was with me (hayah ‘el ‘any) to say (la ‘amar), (Yachezq’el 12:17) son of man (ben ‘adam), consume (‘alal) your bread (lechem ‘atem) by clamoring and trembling (ba ra’ash). And your water (wa maym ‘atah), anxiously drink (ba shathah) with trepidation while agitated (ragzah). (Yachezq’el 12:18)
Then say (wa ‘amar) to the people of the land (‘el ‘am ha ‘erets), Thus says (koh ‘amar) This Is Not Him (#^^#!), my Lord and Master (‘adony), to those living in Jerusalem (la yashab Yaruwshalaim) in the Land of Israel (‘el ‘adamah Yisra’el): they will consume (‘akal) their bread (lechem hem) worried and restless (da’agah). And their water (wa maym hem), they will drink (shathah) with anxiety (ba shimamown).
As a result (wa la ma’an), her land (‘erets hy’ – her soil or ground) will be desolated and devastated (shamem) of what fills it (min malo’ hy’) from the violent destruction (min chamas) of what fills (min malo’) of all of those who live in it (kol ha yashab ba hy’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 12:19)
The Lord should have known better. Yaruwshalaim is in the Land of Yahuwdah. There was no Yisra’el at this time nor Yisra’elites to be found. The besieged citizens in the city didn’t have bread to eat, which was the express purpose of the nearly three-year siege.
Even if they could magically see him shudder and shake 900 miles away, playing games to reveal that those 176being attacked by the Babylonian army should be worried is pathetic.
And speaking of pathetic, the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and a handful of neighboring towns, but they did not ransack the land, leaving the earth lifeless. And all who filled the city were not destroyed. While devastating, most were taken away as slaves.
There is no record of the Babylonian military marauding any meaningful distance from Jerusalem. That is where the leading offenders resided from their perspective and, more importantly, the money. Further, there is no record of a drought…
The populated towns and cities (wa ha ‘iyr ha yashab) will be parched, dried up and desolated, for a lack of water (chareb). And the land and earth (wa ha ‘erets) will be uninhabitable (shamamah hayah).
Then you will be aware and recognize (wa yada’) that, indeed (ky), I am (‘any) This Is Not Me (#^^#!). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 12:20)
Even the pirates of old knew better: Dead men tell no tales. There would have been no one left to acknowledge Yahowah and no one there to hear them if they had spoken his name. But it is telling to see just how desperate Satan continues to be in his quest to be known as God. He’s even willing to have the parched and desolate earth vouch for him. Another miracle.
Even better, the lost souls of Israel are communicating with the Lord of Babylon. Does that make him a clairvoyant, a necromancer, a telepathic psychic, or just psychotic when he wants his “prophet” to argue with them?
The word (wa dabar) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!) was with me (hayah ‘el ‘any) to say (la ‘amar), (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 12:21) son of man (ben ‘adam), what is this proverb (mah ha mashal ha zeh) toward you (la ‘atah – 177regarding you) over the ground (‘al ‘adamah – upon the earth, soil, or dirt) of Israel (Yisra’el), saying (‘amar), Be long (‘arak) the days (ha yowmym) and squander (wa ‘abad – then ruin) every revelation (kol chazown – every communication from God)? (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 12:22)
Likewise, therefore (la ken), say to them (‘amar ‘el hem), Thus says My Lord and Master (koh ‘amar ‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), I will stop (shabat) this proverb (‘eth ha mashal ha zeh). Then negating the proverbial expression (wa lo’ mashal), it continues (‘eth huw’ ‘owd) in Israel (ba Yisra’el).
Unless except (ky ‘im – surely for if by contrast indeed because nevertheless rather) you must speak (dabar – you are impelled to convey (piel imperative)) to them (‘el hem), The days (ha yowmym) are approaching and near (qarab) and word (wa dabar) every revelation (kol chazown). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 12:23)
Although wrongly attributed to Solomon, the Mashal | Proverbs were written by Dowd. They say no such thing. Nonetheless, the mighty Lord and Master of Babylon is going to stop that which was not said. He will then negate the proverbial expression, causing it to continue in Israel. Perhaps the Devil meant to negate ‘owd, but since his intrepid spokesman and comedic actor botched his line, it isn’t our job to help them with their script.
And should we wish to speculate on what he was trying to say, it appears as if Satan was claiming that every word of his pronouncements would be fulfilled immediately – in which case, they would not be prophecies but, instead, current events. That is if any of this actually occurred. If true, the Magog War and the Super Temple described later in this book occurred long ago. Oh well, we must have missed all the fuss.
Then with all evidence to the contrary, Satan reassures the Devil’s Advocate…
178Indeed, by contrast it is true (ky’), there will not be (lo’ hayah) any longer (‘owd) any (kol) futile or ineffective, dishonest or deceitful (shawa’ – false, vain, worthless, inconsequential, or idolatrous) prophetic communications (chazown – visions or revelations from God) or (wa) soft, tender, or flattering (chalaq – apportionments, assigning or distributing) supernatural signs or omens on behalf of the false prophets (miqsam – religious divination) within the midst (ba tawek) of the House of Israel (beyth Yisra’el). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 12:24)
Technically, he is correct, but loses anyway. Since the Household of Israel had been hauled away by the Assyrians circa 700 BCE, and was now considered lost, they would not be saying anything that anyone would know about. That notwithstanding, we have been fed a constant diet of babel | commingling of the truth with confounding deceptions since we entered Babylon with Dany’el, and it is now continuing with Yachezq’el.
At best, chazown shawa’ | vain and inconsequential revelations and, at worst, false and idolatrous visions have permeated these pages. And while everything we have read has been stained by the miqsam | religious divinations and omens of false prophets speaking for the Lord, nothing has been chalaq | soft or tender, flattering or smooth. Although, it has been chalaq | exceedingly divisive in apportioning blame.
Knowing that the voice behind this garbled rhetoric is the Lord of Babylon, it is apparent that he is attempting to demean the prophetic role Yisra’elites have played in revealing Yahowah’s testimony. Since the prophets spoke against him, he finds their testimony unappealing, so he is discounting their prior witness and then trying to silence them. And while this approach was effective with the feebleminded and religious, enrapturing Christians, 179Muslims, and Jews, Satan is playing out of his league. He does not have any such authority.
Based upon everything we have read thus far, and what follows, I’d like to make an announcement: We are reading the fulfillment of Yasha’yah | Isaiah 14. What Daniel began, Ezekiel is now completing. Collectively, these two books represent Satan’s most elaborate attempt at prophecy, and with it, the expectation that he will be seen and worshiped as if he were God.
From this perspective, it is out with the old and in with the new. Yahowah’s pronouncements through His prophets must be discarded and replaced by those from Daniel, Ezekiel, Enoch, Esther, Job, the Maccabees, Paul, Akiba, Muhammad, and Maimonides. Satan would use them to advance his agenda. And we are witnessing it occur in Babylon as predicted.
This is why chazown, which speaks of the prophetic revelations conveyed by God, were portrayed as having previously been shawa’ | futile, idolatrous, and ineffective, both dishonest and deceitful. In so doing, Satan is besmirching and discarding Yahowah’s prophets, from Moseh to Dowd, from Yasha’yah to Yirma’yah, and from Howsha’ to Mal’aky.
Then by using miqsam, which depicts religious divination and the oracles of the Lord, we are on notice that it will not be chalaq | soft, tender, or flattering. And whatever Yahowah had previously allocated to His people will have no bearing going forward. There would be a new sheriff in town.
And since Sheriff Lord’s posse is shooting prophetic blanks, their “revelations” will focus on current events, which is how this book has played out since the beginning.
Because by contrast (ky), I am (‘any), This Is Not Me (#^^#!). I will speak (dabar) that which is the word 180(‘eth ‘asher dabar) and it will be acted out and performed (wa ‘asah) without being drawn out or delayed (mashak) any longer (‘owd) but, instead (ky), during your days (ba yowm ‘atem), household (beyth) of the rebellious and disobedient (mary).
I will speak a word (dabar dabar) and I will make it happen at that time (wa ‘asah huw’ – I will engage and perform it then (qal perfect)), prophetically announces (na’um) My Lord and Master (‘adony), This Is Definitely Not Him (#^^#!). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 12:25)
Satan is on record admitting that he is incapable of predicting the future. And since everything he says must be carried out concurrently, he is also admitting that we ought not rely on his portrayal of history either. Further, when we reach the end of the book and read about the Magog War and New Temple, since they did not happen circa 600 BCE, they aren’t going to happen.
This admission explains why Daniel and Ezekiel have both been unable to present a cogent assessment of their own history. It reveals why the Lord’s shenanigans have been focused on current events. This further explains why ‘adony | my Lord is being called Yahowah and why the visions pertaining to this god have been so Satanic. The Devil is using the Babylonian books to achieve his goal of rising out of this place to be the Lord of religion.
So, while this serves to affirm that we are witnessing the fulfillment of Yasha’yah 14, it is devastating to those who claim that Daniel and Ezekiel were inspired by God. It should now be obvious to everyone.
And the word is (wa hayah dabar – so the message exists (qal imperfect)) about me (‘el ‘any) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!) to say (la ‘amar), (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 12:26)
Satan’s solution was to report on an imaginary conversation. If you do not know the difference between a 181Yahuwd and a Yisra’elite, you ought not be pretending to be Yahowah.
Son of human (ben ‘adam), pay attention (hineh). The household of Yisra’el (beyth Yisra’el) says (‘amar), The revelation (chazown – the vision communicated from God) which he envisions (‘asher huw’ chazah) is his prediction (huw’ naba’) for a great many days from now – for a time far into the future (la yowmym rabym la ‘eth rachowq). (Yachezq’el 12:27)
Therefore, say to them (la ken ‘amar ‘el hem), Thus says (koh ‘amar) This Is Not Me (#^^#!), my Lord and Master (‘adony): Nothing will be deferred or dragged out (lo’ mashak) any longer or ever again (‘owd).
Every one of my words (kol dabar ‘any – all of my statements) which (‘asher) I state the word (dabar dabar), and it will be done (‘asah), prophetically announces my Lord and Master (na’um ‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 12:28)
If Satan says, Satan does, why isn’t every Jew dead? He has promised to kill all of them in conflicting and repetitive ways multiple times. Or is Satan practicing to be Allah, so that he can contradict himself with impunity?
Based upon the Lord’s admissions, and what we have read in the Towrah, we can readily deduce that Satan and, therefore, mal’ak are precluded from going forward or back in time. Should this have been allowed, Satan would have bolstered his credentials with prophecy. He would have given Ezekiel, and the likes of Paul and Muhammad, insights into the future which would have afforded them some legitimacy.
As it would transpire, it is not until the end of this book that Ezekiel offers anything more than a crude and often inaccurate portrayal of what was already occurring. And by the time we arrive at his “predictions” pertaining to the 182Valley of Dry Bones, the Gog and the Magog War, and the New Temple, his prior testimony has undermined his authenticity. And with statements like this, the Lord’s pronouncements necessitate them having been contemporaneous events.
Similarly, even after having Paul admit that he was demon-possessed, throughout 14 letters and the Book of Acts, there is only one prophecy. It pertains to the Christian rapture, which he got entirely wrong. Satan’s deficiency in this regard was exacerbated thereafter with Muhammad. While he would also publicly acknowledge being demon-possessed, he was constantly repudiated by those who knew him because he was incapable of validating his claims through prophecy. It is incredulous to claim to be the Messenger of God or a prophet and not be able to perform as advertised. And yet, the Quran confirms that Muhammad was not a prophet and history reveals that, in addition to not getting a single prediction right, he was largely wrong about history.
And it is Satan’s failures in this regard which are his undoing. With books such as Ezekiel being overwhelmingly incredulous, there is nothing within them to convince us otherwise. They all lack Yahowah’s seal of authenticity – prophecy.
During our review of Howsha’ | Hosea in Volume 8 of Yada Yahowah, entitled ‘Azab | Separation, we turned to Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 13 to consider how a gader | stone wall was used to renounce prior prophets. The “wall of stones” was said to have crushed the deceived. However, now with fresh eyes, let’s return to it and more accurately assess who is talking to whom, when, and why.
183But first, we must continue to endure the repetitive ramblings of the Lord…
And the word is (wa hayah dabar – so the message exists (qal imperfect)) about me (‘el ‘any) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!) to say (la ‘amar), (Yachezq’el 13:1) son of man (ben ‘adam), prophesy (naba’ – you are ordered to act like a prophet (nifal imperative)) toward the prophets (‘el naby’) of Israel (Yisra’el) who are prophesying (ha naba’ym) and you say (wa ‘amar) toward those who are prophets (la naby’) based upon their thinking and inclinations (min leb hem – from their hearts), You must listen to the word (shama’ dabar – it is imperative that you hear (qal imperative)) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 13:2)
New chapter, same verse, albeit more condemning. Here Satan, based upon the nifal stem and imperative mood, is demanding that his “prophet” start acting like one if he wants to be considered as one. To accomplish what should have been impossible, his orders are to assail the actual prophets of Yisra’el – those who have previously performed as naby’. And now, with the Lord impersonating Yahowah, these prophets must be disavowed for him to be considered credible by comparison. Therefore, of those who, with Yahowah’s inspiration, were able to predict future events, they evidently got lucky because they were prophesying on their own initiative. So then, how did they outperform the Lord?
It is also telling to see how bossy the Lord has become. The imperative mood is giving him away. And while it often is used to convey volition in the second person, there is no hint of freewill in these words.
Methinks that Ezekiel is trying too hard to convince us that his Lord is in control and has mastery over Yahowah…
Thus says my Lord and Master (koh ‘amar ‘adony) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!), woe (howy – this warning) 184unto the prophets (‘al ha naby’ym) who are foolish and ignorant (ha nabal – who are stupid and disobedient) who walk after (‘asher halak ‘achar) their spirit (ruwach hem) and for nothing (wa la bilthy) they have looked (ra’ah – they were temporarily shown (qal perfect)). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 13:3)
Israel (Yisra’el), your prophets (naby’ ‘atah) have been (hayah) like foxes (ka shuwa’al – similar to the hollow of an empty hand) within the ruins (ba charbah – in the destroyed and depopulated desert). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 13:4)
To speak against Yahowah’s prophets while claiming mastery over God is, to quote Satan, nabal | stupid. But since he was unable to fulfill his desire to exterminate them, slicing, burning, starving, and plaguing them, the only option left is to denounce and ridicule them. But then, what’s left – Daniel, Ezekiel, Enoch, Job, Esther, the Maccabees, Paul, and Muhammad? How did Satan manage to fool so many with such an impoverished hand?
And for the naby’ of Yisra’el to have had access to a ruwach in opposition to the Lord of Babylon, She would have been the Ruwach Qodesh | Set-Apart Spirit – who has been conspicuously absent from these pages. Further, not only have Yahowah’s prophets never been like foxes among the ruins, but since foxes are known to be clever, this is the wrong metaphor to mix with nabal | foolish.
And speaking of moronic, not only was the House of Israel lost and without walls, but why would anyone, especially the prophets of Yahuwdah who had predicted this siege, be entering the breaches of the walls with the Babylonians lurking outside?
You have not ascended (lo’ ‘alah) into the breach which is ruptured (ba ha perets) and built a wall of stones to block progress and to imprison (wa gader gader – you have not fenced up, hedged in, or closed off 185by erecting stones to block the way) over the House of Israel (‘al beyth Yisra’el) to stand (la ‘amad) in the battle (ba ha milchamah – in the war) during the day (ba yowm) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 13:5)
So, please tell us, why build walls after the ten tribes have been taken away as slaves? Why would anyone want to block their own progress or imprison their people – especially when they were already captives? Where was the battle being waged? The Yahuwdym were trapped like flightless birds in a cage. They were not fighting a war with the Babylonians but, instead, being pummeled by them. And these are minor issues because this suggests that the Yisra’elites have built an inadequate wall to separate them from Yahowah – who is presented as being at war with them.
Somewhere along the way, the Lord of Babylon is going to say something which is accurate and true. But here in the 13th chapter, we haven’t seen hide nor hair of an insight worth remembering.
Continuing to rail against Yahowah’s naby’, Satan would have the religious believe…
They have seen prophetic visions (chazah – for a limited time, they have received select information from God (qal perfect)) which are worthless and false (shawa’ – which are futile and idolatrous), pagan divinations as fortune-tellers (qesem – signs and omens) which are contrary to reality, deceptive and delusional (kazab – which are misleading), who say (ha ‘amar), Yahowah prophetically declared (na’um YaHoWaH – announces Yahowah before it occurs), when Yahowah (wa YaHoWaH) did not dispatch them, sending them out or away (lo’ shalach hem) and they expect (wa yachal – they wait for) the word (dabar) to stand (quwm – to be kept, confirmed, validated, and established). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 13:6)
186By using chazah, the Lord is acknowledging that Yahowah’s prophets received prophetic visions from God. However, he wants us to believe that the ‘old god’ lied to them and that His predictions were worthless. According to Satan, men like Yasha’yah who conveyed the na’um Yahowah were imposters without authorization, unlike Ezekiel. And now, because Satan’s answer to prophecy is to address current events, the Devil is mocking the prior prophets by suggesting that they are waiting in vain for some future fulfillment. According to the Lord of Babylon, if he did not say it, it does not count, and if it has not already occurred, the prophecy is moot.
But there is a confession. Satan has been claiming that he is Yahowah, but now, when he wants to besmirch prior prophets, Yahowah is the source of the worthless testimony. The Devil said “Yahowah did not dispatch them,” not “I did not send them.”
So, in this next statement, the Lord awkwardly tries to correct his mistake…
Question whether (ha) not a false and worthless revelation from God (lo’ machazeh shawa’) you have observed as a prophet (chazah), a questionable divination (miqesem – a debatable omen as a fortune-teller; from my – to question and qesem – an omen) which is deceptive and delusional (kazab – misleading and invalid) you have said (‘amar) when you said (wa ‘amar), Yahowah prophetically declared (na’um YaHoWaH – announces Yahowah before it occurs), when I have not, myself, spoken (wa ‘any lo’ dabar)? (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 13:7)
Since the Lord of Babylon is addressing his “prophet,” the son of man, he is calling the Devil’s Advocate a liar. And while that is likely so, it is obvious that the negation provided by lo’ was misplaced, making lo’ machazeh shawa’ a double negative, indicating that wrong was right.
187So, the question must be asked, does the Master of Babel believe that by repeating himself ad nauseam that his lies become true?
As a result (la ken), thus says my Lord, Master, owner, and one who possesses me (koh ‘amar ‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), Because (ya’an) having spoken of you falsely and vainly without result (dabar ‘atem shawa’), and you are receiving prophecies (chazah) which are false to the point of delusional (kazab), so therefore, behold (la ken hineh), I to you all (‘any ‘el ‘atem), prophetically reveals (na’um) This Is Not Me (#^^#!), my Lord and Master (‘adony). (Yachezq’el 13:8)
If Satan is addressing Yisra’el, then he is babbling to a non-existent foe, because they are nowhere to be found. And even if they could hear him ramble, the last Yisra’elite prophet had been Howsha’. He had not uttered a single prophecy over the past 200 years. Moreover, unlike Ezekiel, everything he professed has either occurred or is inevitable in our immediate future. So, there is something afoot which is false to the point of being delusional, and that is everything the Lord is conveying. A butterfly would be as adept at prophecy as this fellow.
But let’s be clear, this nitwit hated Jews…
My hand will be (wa hayah yad ‘any) toward the prophets (‘el ha naby’ym) who receive prophetic revelations from God (ha chazah) which are without result (shawa’) and who falsely practice divination as fraudulent soothsayers (wa qasam kazab).
They should not be (lo’ hayah) confidentially confiding in fellowship with (ba sowd) my people (‘am ‘any) and in writing (wa ba kathab) for the House of Israel (beyth Yisra’el), not writing (lo’ kathab) and to the ground (wa ‘el ‘adamah) of Israel (Yisra’el) they will not enter (lo’ bow’).
188Then, you will know (wa yada’) that (ky) I am my Lord and Master (‘any ‘adony), This Is Not Me (#^^#!). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 13:9)
Since the Lord of Babel continues to be repetitive, I’d like to reiterate that I am providing an accurate rendering of each word by consistently using the preferred definition. Yes, it sounds illiterate, indeed, stupid, but that’s the message which must be conveyed. The Creator of the universe and Author of life is considerably more articulate. And since the Son, Dowd, is portrayed “as brilliant as the sun,” Satan is comparatively a sparkler.
The reason Satan hates Yahowah’s prophets is that he cannot compete with them. And he does not like what they have written. None of it bodes well for him.
The argument the Master of Babel is using against them has not changed. He is saying that since many of their prophecies addressed future events, such as the fulfillment of the Miqra’ey or Yahowah’s return, by remaining unfulfilled at the time of this writing, they were without results. The moment they were fulfilled, however, Yahowah’s prophets were proven correct and Satan and his pal, Ezekiel, were shown to be the charlatans.
It is funny, however, to read that Satan was opposed to those “qasam kazab – who falsely practice divination as fraudulent soothsayers.” The honest occultists aren’t so bad.
Then Babylon’s resident anti-Semite reveals that Yisra’elites “lo’ hayah ba sowd – should not be confiding in or be in fellowship with” Yisra’elites. I suppose hanging around the Babylonians would have led to a better result.
At the time of this writing, Yisra’elites were not writing anything. And while they would never write to the ground, the next time we would see a document that could be attributed to the House of Yisra’el, it would be the 189Babylonian Talmud, 1,000 years after this date. That is just a smidgen beyond Satan’s prophetic range.
Also, while Yahuwdym would return to Yahuwdah within 70 years, Israelis would not enter Israel for another 2,500 years. But yet, they would eventually return. And it is in this way that we might know that this is not Yahowah.
Lastly, This Is Not Him just referred to himself as “‘adony – my Lord and Master.” That is a bit peculiar.
Because and (ya’an wa) with intent (ba ya’an) they wander away and are led astray (ta’ah) with my people (‘eth ‘am ‘any) to say (la ‘amar), Peace (shalowm), when there is no peace (wa ‘ayn shalowm) and he builds (wa huw’ banah) a flimsy wall (chayts), and behold (wa hineh), they whitewash (hem tuwach) with it (‘eth huw’) plaster whitewash (taphel). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 13:10)
How did someone who communicates this poorly manage to convince billions that this rubbish was inspired and that he was God? Wandering away and being led astray are inadvertent. There is no correlation between being misled and saying “Shalowm.” For Jews, it is like saying, “Hello.” To say that there was no peace is to state the obvious, rendering the attack ridiculous and superfluous.
The walls surrounding Yaruwshalaim were some of the best in the world. Sections still stand two millennia after being attacked by the Assyrians, Babylonians, Greeks, and Romans. And in this context, while enduring a thirty-month siege, to say that they were flimsy is a cheap shot. And whether walls are whitewashed, plastered, both or neither, is irrelevant to their function.
Criticizing everything Satan has placed before us has likely become irritating for some, and clearly, it is no fun for me, but if I don’t, who will? And the stakes are high. Throughout Ezekiel, Satan has presented himself as Yahowah, and most believe him. And so, with billions 190touting Satan’s appeal as Divinely inspired, and one lone critic professing otherwise, it would be counter to Yahowah’s interests, or those of His people, to let anything slide and remain a stumbling block.
In this light, Captain Obvious wants you to know that a wall’s strength is not degraded by adding plaster or whitewash. And although plaster is beneficial when deflecting water, why does Satan care? He devoted several chapters to ranting about how he was going to starve, burn, slice, and plague all of God’s people.
Say to (‘amar ‘el) plastering whitewash (tuwach taphel), It will fall (wa naphal – it will actually and always drop (qal imperfect)). There will be (hayah) a deluge of rain (geshem – a rainwater flood).
And you (wa ‘aten) stones of hail (‘eben ‘elgabysh – rocks of ice crystals) will genuinely and continually fall (naphal – will consistently drop (qal imperfect)), and a stormy wind or swirling spirit (ruwach sa’arah) will divide and split open (baqa’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 13:11)
So now, the Maestro of Babel is talking to whitewash, telling the plaster that it will fall. This is evidently bad because there will be a deluge of rain – but if so, how would it bring the walls down on the top of a hill, and why wasn’t it recorded? Perhaps because it did not happen?
Then speaking to the hailstones, they will fall on Jerusalem rather than the rocky projectiles from the catapults. However, it will not be the flood or the ice that takes down the walls, not even the Babylonians, but a stormy wind or swirling spirit. Methinks the Lord of Babylon is whistling out of his tuches.
Then, behold (wa hineh), the wall falls (naphal ha qyr), and is it not said (ha lo’ ‘amar) to you (‘el ‘atem), Where is the plaster daubing which you whitewashed 191(‘ayeh ha tyach ‘asher tuwach)? (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 13:12)
Umm, no.
Therefore, as a consequence (la ken), this is what says my Lord and Master (koh ‘amar ‘adown ‘any), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), So I will split and divide (wa baqa’) a stormy spirit or hurricane wind (ruwach sa’arah) with by venomous serpentine rage (ba chemah ‘any).
There will be (hayah – it will actually and continually exist (qal imperfect)) a deluge of rain (geshem – a rainwater flood) in my nostrils as a show of my resentment (ba ‘aph ‘any) and (wa) stones of hail (‘eben ‘elgabysh – rocks of ice crystals) in the heat of the poisonous fury (ba chemah) to complete destruction and final annihilation (la kalah – to everyone and everything being gone, complete extermination). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 13:13)
Another idiotic statement and additional false prophecies. Not only didn’t any of this happen, much of it was not even possible. Satan appears to have had a few too many ergots and has lost lucidity. While hallucinogenic for most, the ergot fungus, which grows on grains of rye and wheat, can cause psychosis.
There were no enquiries about daubing. No missing plaster. No split ends or irreconcilable divides among the Yisra’elites. There were no hurricanes in Jerusalem. No serpentine rage among the gods. To Satan’s great regret, a deluge of rain did not flow from his nostrils nor was there a show of hailstones as a sign of his heated fury. And Yisra’elites have returned and rebuilt the city, so there was no complete extermination either.
Some may argue that this is symbolic language and not meant to be taken literally. Then why not stop at the mention of a flood, which is symbolic, and not add rain, 192hail, and hurricanes? Why fixate on the wall being inadequate because it was allegedly plastered? Why speak of such things eradicating Jews after the failure of the sword, plague, arson, and famine?
Why embarrass oneself by restating what never should have been said? Why solicit credit for being destructive? And why claim to have done things which have never occurred?
So (wa), I will destroy, tearing down and demolishing (haras) the wall (‘eth ha qyr) that you have smeared and plastered over with whitewash (‘asher tuwach taphel). I will strike it to the ground (wa naga’ huw’ ha ‘erets) so its foundation is revealed (wa galah yasowd huw’).
And when it falls (wa naphal), you will be finished, as everyone will perish, ceasing to exist (wa kalah – and it will be the end of you) in the midst of it (ba tawek hy’).
So, then you will know (wa yada’) that, by contrast (ky), I am (‘any) This Is Not Me (#^^#!). (Yachezq’el 13:14)
I yearn for complete annihilation and total destruction, determined to fully deploy (wa kalah) my venomous rage and toxic serpentine fury (‘eth chemah ‘any) against the wall (ba ha qyr) and against those who have daubed plaster over it (wa ba ha tuwach ‘eth huw’) for whitewash (taphel – to smooth it out and whiten its surface).
I will say to you (wa ‘amar la ‘atem), Not existing and for naught the wall (‘ayn ha qyr) and not existing and for naught those who plastered over it with whitewash (wa ‘ayn ha tuwach ‘eth huw’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 13:15)
The Beast of Babylon falsely predicted that he would tear down and destroy Jerusalem’s walls because they were 193plastered over with whitewash. Then he lied by saying that he would strike the wall to the ground to expose its foundations. His intent was for it to fall on the Yisra’elites, who were nowhere to be found, so that they would all perish, ceasing to exist. And then once the people who are not there were all eliminated beneath the wall which was not whitewashed, they, by dying, would ‘know’ that he was Yahowah.
And that is the most pathetic statement of all. It is only in the death of Jews, their complete obliteration, that Satan believes that he will finally be acknowledged as Yahowah. But how is that possible if they are all dead, unless, of course, the Crown Prince of She’owl intends to claim that name in Hell?
But even then, he’d be wrong. These lyrics, written by Dowd 500 years earlier, say otherwise…
“Not so much for us (lo’ la ‘anachnuw), Yahowah (YaHoWaH), nor for our approach (lo’ la ‘anachnuw) but, instead (ky), for Your name and reputation, and so that You are properly recognized (la shem ‘atah), You have chosen to be giving, offering to bestow (nathan) power, honor, respect, an abundance of riches, and tremendous rewards (kabowd) upon those You love, favor, and are devoted to (‘al chesed ‘atah) over and above You being trustworthy and reliable (‘emeth ‘atah). (Mizmowr / Psalm 115:1)
So why do the gowym continually ask (la mah ‘amar ha gowym), ‘Where, we want to know (‘ayeh na’), is their God (‘elohym hem)?’ (Mizmowr / Psalm 115:2)
Our God (wa ‘elohym ‘anachnuw) is in the spiritual realm (ba ha shamaym). He acts and engages, doing (‘asah) everything (kol) He desires (chaphets) for the benefit of the relationship (‘asher). (Mizmowr / Psalm 115:3)
194Yisra’el | Individuals who Engage and Endure with God (Yisra’el), confidently trust and rely upon (batach ba) Yahowah (YaHoWaH) who strengthens and supports them (‘ezer hem). He (huw’) is their shield of protection (wa magen hem). (Mizmowr / Psalm 115:9)
Family of ‘Aharown | the Alternative of Enlightened Freewill (beyth ‘Aharown), boldly confide in and depend upon (batach ba) Yahowah (YaHoWaH). He (huw’) helps and assists them (‘ezer hem) while protecting them (wa magen hem). (Mizmowr / Psalm 115:10)
Respect (yare’) Yahowah (YaHoWaH). Trust in and rely upon (batach ba) Yahowah (YaHoWaH). He (huw’) strengthens and supports them, assisting and helping them (‘ezer hem) in addition to protecting and shielding them (wa magen hem). (Mizmowr / Psalm 115:11)
Yahowah (YaHoWaH) is mindful of us, remembers us, and acknowledges us (zakar ‘anachnuw). He will lower Himself, getting down on His knees to lift up and bless (barak barak) the Beyth Yisra’el | Household and Family of those Who Engage and Endure with God (beyth Yisra’el). He will lift up and extol (barak) the House of ‘Aharown | the Alternative of Enlightened Freewill (beyth ‘Aharown). (Mizmowr / Psalm 115:12)
The smallest and youngest, even the least significant without status (ha qatan) along with (‘im) the greatest, most important, and highly esteemed, the most empowered and capable (ha gadowl) who respect and revere (yare’) Yahowah (YaHoWaH), He will praise, commend, lift up, favor, and extol benefits (barak). (Mizmowr / Psalm 115:13)
Yahowah (YaHoWaH) will continually increase and augment you, enhancing and adding to you (yasaph ‘al ‘atem) over and above your children (‘al ‘atem wa ‘al beny ‘atem). (Mizmowr / Psalm 115:14)
195Lifted up and blessed (barak) are you (‘atem) by approaching (la) Yahowah (YaHoWaH) who fashioned and formed (‘asah) Heaven and Earth (shamaym wa ‘erets). (Mizmowr / Psalm 115:15)
The spiritual realms (ha shamaym) of the Heavens (shamaym) are to be near (la) Yahowah (YaHoWaH). So, the material realm of the Earth and the Land (wa ha ‘erets), He has given as a gift (nathan) to the children (la beny) of ‘Adam (‘Adam). (Mizmowr / Psalm 115:16)
It is not for the dead who have perished (lo’ ha muwth) to foolishly praise (halal – to improperly cheer or brag about) Yah (YaH) – nor does anyone (wa lo’ kol) who descends (yarad) in death and is silenced (duwmah). (Mizmowr / Psalm 115:17)
We, however (wa ‘anachnuw), will appreciate the blessings and acknowledge the goodness (barak) of Yah (YaH) now and forever more (‘atah wa ‘ad ‘owlam). Halaluwyah (Halaluwyah)!” (Mizmowr / Psalm 115:18)
It was a preemptive strike against the claims being made here by Satan in Ezekiel. Yahowah and Yisra’el will prevail, and there is nothing the Devil can do to change God’s approach to His people.
Oblivious to the obvious, Satan is now coming out of the closet filled with other anti-Semites. He is admitting that he yearns for the complete annihilation of God’s people. His intent is to fully deploy his venomous rage and serpentine fury against that which is perceived to be protecting Jews as well as the people who committed the unforgivable sin of daubing the wall with plaster to enhance its appearance.
So, let’s meet the daubers…
The prophets (naby’) of Israel (Yisra’el) who spoke as prophets (ha naba’ym) to Jerusalem (‘el Yaruwshalaim) and who observed prophetic insights 196from God (wa ha chazah) on her behalf (la hy’), revelations communicated by God (chazown) of reconciliation (shalowm – of harmonious relations, freedom from disputes, friendship, contentment, blessings, and total satisfaction) when there has been no reconciliation (wa ‘ayn shalowm – no harmonious relations, no freedom from disputes, no friendship or contentment, and no blessings or peace), prophetically declares (na’um) My Lord and Master, the one who possesses and controls me (‘adony), This Is Not Me (#^^#!). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 13:16)
The only way for the Beast of Babylon, the Lord and Master of Confusion, to rise out of the Realm of Commingling and Confounding so as to be worshiped as the god of religion is to discredit Yahowah’s naby’ | prophets and then inspire the religious to annihilate every Yisra’elite. And that is the message being conveyed throughout Ezekiel.
Recognizing that everything Yahowah’s prophets have revealed regarding Yaruwshalaim | the Source of Guidance on Reconciliation has been and will continue to be accurate, Satan is claiming that the long duration of time between God’s promises to bring His people back home and shalowm | reconcile the relationship is proof that the prophecies were invalid. But even in this, it is a lose-lose game for the Adversary. If what Yahowah conveyed was unreliable, why trust him now that he is claiming to be Yahowah? And if those promises turn out to be true, then many Yisra’elites will be singing Halaluwyah while he’s singing the blues in She’owl.
Having the pleasure of knowing Yahowah, having come to understand what He is offering and expects in return, by becoming a good listener and observant student, I realize that He will return with Dowd, the author of the Mizmowr, on Yowm Kipurym | the Day of Reconciliations 197in year 6000 Yah – sunset in Yaruwshalaim, October 2nd, 2033. And at that moment, it will all be over for Satan.
So, you (wa ‘atah), son of man (bey ‘adam), set your face (sym paneh ‘atah) toward the daughters (‘el bath) of your people (‘am ‘atah) who speak as prophets (ha naba’) from heart of them (min leb henah). Speak as a prophet (wa naba’) over and against them (‘al henah),… (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 13:17)
In debate, the fallacy is called ad hominem | against the man, although in this case, the Adversary is demeaning women. When opponents cannot disprove an argument, when evidence and reason are against them, they resort to attacking the people making the case they cannot refute. Since Satan cannot out-debate God, and since he cannot disprove Yahowah’s prophets, he has resorted to slandering them.
And while there were relatively few female prophets, Satan does not seem to like seamstresses very much…
…and say (wa ‘amar), Thus says (koh ‘amar) my Lord and Master (‘adony), This Is Not Me (#^^#!): Woe (howy – this warning) to the female sewers (la taphar) of ? (kaseth – an unknown word which only appears in Ezekiel) over every joint (‘al kol ‘atsyl) of my hands (yad ‘any) and fashion (wa ‘asah) the ? (ha misphachah – an unknown word which only appears in Ezekiel) upon the head (‘al ro’sh) of every (kol) height (qowmah), to hunt and catch by stalking (la tsuwd – to capture and control, hounding and ensnaring) souls (nepesh).
Whose souls (ha nepesh) are you women hounding and stalking (tsuwd – are you hunting and ensnaring) of my people (la ‘am ‘any)? And souls (ha nepesh) your intent is to keep them alive (chayah – you want to live and revive (piel imperfect second-person feminine plural jussive – the object suffers the ongoing effect of the 198women’s desires)) for yourself (la ‘aten). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 13:18)
Lord knows why he said any of this, or even what he may have meant to say. Only he knows what a kaseth or misphachah might be, why one was placed on his joints or the other on every height. And Lord knows how such “seamly” contraptions were used to hunt, hound, stalk, and ensnare souls. But nonetheless, these women were stalkers of souls that they intended to keep alive. Oh my.
By either making the imaginary wall smooth, white, and more resilient, or by sewing traps for souls…
You have dishonored me, treating me with contempt (wa chalal ‘eth ‘any) with my people (‘el ‘am ‘any) with handfuls (ba sho’al) of barley (sa’orah) and with morsels and crumbs of bread (wa ba patowth lechem) for souls (la nepesh) to die (muwth) who would not have died (‘asher lo’ muwth) while keeping alive (wa la chayah) souls (nepesh) who would not have lived (‘asher lo’ chayah) by lying (ba kazab), you to my people (‘atem la ‘am ‘any) listening to lies (shama kazab). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 13:19)
It's a compliment of sorts. Satan should be dishonored and treated with contempt. The wages, however, are another story. Barley and morsels of bread in conjunction with the life and death of souls seem indicative of Chag Matsah. And if so, then Satan is miffed that, by observing the Miqra’, souls are saved when he would prefer that they die.
In this case, handfuls of barley and morsels of bread cause souls to die while other souls should not have lived. There is no way to win with the Lord of Babel, which is to be expected since he wanted to starve those he did not slice, burn, or plague.
199With so many Jews dying, Satan is getting all lathered up and ripsnorting mad…
Similarly (la ken), thus says (koh ‘amar) My Lord and Master, the one who possesses and controls me (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), pay attention (hineh), I to (‘any ‘el) your ? (kaseth ‘aten – an unknown word which only appears in Ezekiel) which (‘asher) you hunt by stalking and ensnaring (‘aten tsuwd) there (sham) along with the souls (‘eth ha nepesh) of sprouts which fly (la parah), so (wa) I will tear them, ripping and severing them (qara’ ‘eth hem) from upon your arms (min ‘al zarowa’ ‘atem) and I will dispatch, setting free (wa shalach) the souls (‘eth ha nepesh) which (‘asher) you women have hounded, stalked, and captured (‘atem tsuwd – you females have hunted and ensnared (polel participle feminine plural – your effect on the souls is debilitating)) with souls (‘eth nepesh) of flying blossoms (la parah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 13:20)
And I will rip and tear (wa qara’) your ? (‘eth misphachah ‘atem – an unknown word which only appears in Ezekiel (although it may have been a misspelling of ‘questionable family’)) and deliver, snatching away (wa natsal) my people (‘am ‘any) out of your hand (min yad ‘aten). Then they will not exist (wa lo’ hayah) any longer (‘owd) in your hand (ba yad ‘aten) as prey trapped in a prison (matsuwdah). And you will acknowledge (wa yada’) that I am (ky ‘any) This Is Not Me (#^^#!). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 13:21)
Babble, indeed. And even if we were afforded a working definition of either kaseth or if misphachah is a misspelling of ‘questionable family,’ we’d have a complete sentence but would still be wondering how women stalk souls and how sprouts fly. I don’t even know how a hand becomes a prison unless the souls are the size of ants.
But evidently, it was really bad…
200Because (ya’an) broken and disheartened (ka’ah) heart (leb) of the rightfully and justly (tsadyq) deceived (sheqer) when I (wa ‘any) have not inflicted physical pain or emotional anguish on him (lo’ ka’ab huw’).
And to have encouraged (wa la chazaq – to have empowered) the hand (yad) of the wicked (rasha’) for not returning (la bilthy shuwb) from his way (min derek huw’) of being bad (ha ra’) to live his life (la chayah huw’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 13:22)
How dare they break the hearts of those who were rightfully deceived before Satan could torment them, inflicting pain and anguish? No wonder the Devil is having a hissy fit.
Therefore (la ken), false, futile, and vain (shawa’), you women will not see visions from God (lo’ chazah – will not receive prophecy (qal imperfect second-person feminine plural jussive)) or pagan divinations as fortune-tellers (wa qesem).
You will no longer be oracles or fortune-tellers practicing divination (lo’ qesem ‘owd). Then I will deliver (wa natsal) my people (‘eth ‘am ‘any) from your hand (min yad ‘aten).
Then you will recognize and acknowledge (wa yada’) that I am (ky ‘any) This Is Not Me (#^^#!). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 13:23)
I wonder if the National Organization for Women is aware of this slight, and if so, do they plan to take Satan to court to enforce equal opportunity for fortune-tellers?
It would have been helpful if one of the outgoing oracles could have dropped the Lord of Babel a note, 201revealing that they were in Babylon. The Yisra’elites were enslaved by the Assyrians while Yahuwdym were guests of the Chaldeans.
Then came to me (wa bow’ ‘el ‘any) individuals (‘iysh) from the elders (min zaqen) of Israel (Yisra’el) and they settled and sat (yashab) before me (la paneh ‘any). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 14:1)
And continually existing (wa hayah) the word (dabar) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!) to me (‘el ‘any) to say (la ‘amar), (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 14:2) son of man (ben ‘adam), these specific individuals (ha ‘iysh ha ‘eleh), they have lifted up (‘alah) their idols, effigies they have worshiped in lieu of a deity (giluwlym hem), over their heart (‘al leb hem) and the stumbling block (wa mikshowl) of their iniquity and resulting punishment (‘awon hem) they have offered (nathan) before their faces (nokach paneh hem). Should I seek to be consulted and do I want to be accounted for (ha darash darash) by them (la hem)? (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 14:3)
While Satan is the Lord God of religion, he is apparently not happy with his place in Judaism. Their effigies, at least at this time, must not have included the spirit who wanted to be known as if he were Yahowah.
From what we can tell, Satan has no problem being worshiped as Jesus Christ by Christians or Allah by Muslims, but he is butthurt by Jews who do not ascribe a name to their G-d. So, the Adversary is asking his alter ego, Yachezq’el, whether he should consult with or ignore the imaginary Israelites attending the enslaved confab. What’s the Devil to do? Should he promote the name, Heylel ben Shachar, the title, Ha Satan, or remain anonymous as ‘adony | my Lord ‘el | G-d?
Clearly, having tipped his hand, ha Satan was not going to ignore the imaginary Israeli leaders. However, rather than talk directly to them, even though they were 202supposedly in the room, he told his “prophet” to repeat this message…
Likewise (ken), speak with them (dabar ‘eth hem) and say to them (wa ‘amar ‘el hem), Thus says (koh ‘amar) my Lord and Master (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!): An individual person (‘iysh ‘iysh) from the House of Israel (min beyth Yisra’el) who goes up, lifting up (‘asher ‘alah) his idols in lieu of a deity (giluwlym huw’) to his heart (‘el leb huw’) and the stumbling block (wa mikshowl) of his perversity and depravity (‘awon huw’) he places (sym) before his faces (nokach paneh hem) and comes to the prophet (wa bow’ ‘el ha naby’), I (‘any), This Is Not Me (#^^#!), will reply to him, answering by afflicting him (‘anah la huw’), with her by (ba hy’ ba) the greatness of his many idols (rob giluwlym huw’) (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 14:4) so that (la ma’an) I can seize and control (taphas) the House of Israel (‘eth beyth Yisra’el) by their heart (ba leb hem) – whoever deserts me, alienating from before me (‘asher zuwr min ‘al ‘any) with their effigies in lieu of their deity (giluwlym hem) – every one of them (kol hem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 14:5)
Even if we can get past this bizarre scene of the Lord of Babel telling his wannabe prophet to speak to people who could not have been sitting around him at the time, about the idols that slaves would not have been able to carry with them, while insisting that he is both “my Master” and “Yahowah,” we must deal with remedial writing and a ruthlessly controlling Lord. Satan is allegedly telling Israel that if you desert me, I’ll regain control by seizing your heart. And his intent is to taphas | arrest the heart of every Israeli.
Therefore (la ken), say (‘amar) to the House of Israel (‘el beyth Yisra’el), Thus says (koh ‘amar) my Lord and Master (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!): Turn around (shuwb) and return (shuwb) from (min) your idols (giluwlym ‘atem) and from upon (wa min ‘al) 203all of your abhorrent abominations (kol tow’ebah ‘atem). Turn your faces (shuwb paneh ‘atem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 14:6)
Had this not been in Babylon, if it were addressing Yahuwdym instead of Yisra’elites, had it not been preceded by delusional and retarded rhetoric, and had this been Yahowah speaking through an actual prophet, it would have been good advice. But alas, four strikes do not make a walk.
This next sentence is long, and it is especially difficult to translate since the words can be rendered positively or negatively based on the context. Had we not been in Babylon, had we not been badgered by Satan, and had it not been for the use of the imperfect conjugation in conjunction with the verb, ‘alah, which was translated as “he continually lifts up” religious ideals, it could have served as an affirmation that our religious past can be expunged once we walk away and come to rely upon Yahowah. Because if ‘alah had been written using the perfect conjugation, then the person’s affinity for religion would not be ongoing, putting them on the road to recovery.
In this regard, ‘anah | answer or afflict, ba | with or against, and karat | establish or cut off can each be translated positively to demonstrate the restorative power of the Towrah in the proper context– or negatively here in Babel to show that the religious are without hope.
For (ky) an individual person (‘iysh ‘iysh) from the Household of Israel (min beyth Yisra’el), or from the strangers (wa min ha ger), who (‘asher), he is dwelling as an alien (guwr) in Israel (ba Yisra’el), and dedicates or separates, consecrates or withdraws (wa nazar) from after or behind me (min ‘achar ‘any), and he continually lifts up (wa ‘alah) his idols (giluwlym huw’) to his heart (‘el leb huw’), placing (sym) the stumbling block (wa 204mikshowl) of his perversity (‘awon huw’) before his faces (nokach paneh huw’), and he comes to (wa bow’ ‘el) the prophet (ha naby’) to search and enquire (la darash) through him (la huw’) with me (ba ‘any), I (‘any), This Is Not Me (#^^#!), will respond to afflict him and deny his approach (‘anah la huw’) by myself (ba ‘any). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 14:7)
Not that anyone should try, there is no pleasing ha Satan. It does not matter if an Israeli separates himself and withdraws from him or dedicates and consecrates himself to him, after him or behind him. Should an Israelite desire insights and seek guidance from an actual naby’ | prophet, Satan will deny him – which sounds like a fine idea.
I will place (wa nathan) my presence, appearance, and face (paneh ‘any) against that particular individual (ba ha ‘iysh ha huw’). Then I will set him up as (wa sym huw’) a sign (la ‘owth), and as a terse oracle to taunt and ridicule to establish control (la mashal). Then I will cut him off, severing him (wa karat huw’ – I will banish and destroy him) from the midst of (min tawek) of my people (‘am ‘any) so that you realize (wa yada’) that (ky) I am (‘any) This Is Not Me (#^^#!). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 14:8)
Apart from the episodes recorded in Babylon with Daniel and Ezekiel, Paul’s horrifying experience on the road to Damascus, and Muhammad being demon-possessed in a cave near Petra, Satan has not been seen. Since his capabilities are obviously very limited, and since he wants to be seen as God rather than the Adversary, it is in his interest to lurk in the shadows. Therefore, Yisra’elites need not fear his appearance or threats.
Through His Prophets, Yahowah rebuked the religiosity of His people, and then He told them that a day would come when Yisra’el would reject Judaism and return to Him. Those who do will not be taunted or ridiculed, and rather than being controlled, they will be liberated. On this 205day, Yowm Kipurym in year 6000 Yah – October 2nd at sunset, 2033 – the Covenant will be reestablished with Yisra’elites, which is the antithesis of being banished and destroyed.
And the prophet (wa ha naby’) that (ky) is easily enticed and not very bright, thus, gullible and openly naïve (patah), and he speaks words (wa dabar dabar), I (‘any), This Is Not Me (#^^#!), then have seduced and deceived that prophet (patah ‘eth ha naby’ ha huw’).
So, I will extend my hand (wa natah ‘eth yad ‘any) against him (‘al huw’) and I will destroy him, overthrowing and exterminating him (wa shamad huw’), from being among (min tawek) Israel, my people (‘am ‘any Yisra’el). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 14:9)
That’s quite a confession. If a wannabe prophet like Daniel or Ezekiel is gullible and easily enticed, the Lord of Babel will seduce and deceive them. Then, he has promised to exterminate them – which isn’t much of an incentive. So, that being the case, why was this book placed in the midst of the actual prophets so as to appear genuine?
Considering the fact that Daniel and Ezekiel were slaves in Babylon, they were naturally deprived of Godly options. Nonetheless, this time out for bad behavior from Yahowah would not be helped by reversing course and irritating God further. And clearly, away from Yahowah, Babylon is the most confusing place on Earth with its interwoven tapestry of religion and government.
And so even now, we are afforded a limited number of choices when dealing with anything set within this context. We can accept it as the word of God or reject it as a religious hoax written by an imposter. And if the latter, we then must determine if it is simply wrong or demonic in its intent. Does the writer confuse his audience and lead them down a meandering path away from God or does he or she 206represent an evil spirit determined to upend Yahowah’s message and exterminate His people?
In making this determination, we must not be enticed by the book’s place in the Bible or naïvely accept it as true just because we find Yahowah’s name. God not only expects more of us, He made it possible for us to think for this very reason.
When we apply the standard Yahowah prescribed in His Towrah | Guidance to the words we have been reading, the verdict is clear: Ezekiel is a false prophet. But that is a minor issue compared to the Lord of Babylon’s insistence that he is Yahowah. And that makes this book exceedingly dangerous.
Speaking of the prophets Satan deliberately deceived and then promised to exterminate…
And they will bear, suffering (wa nasa’) their punishment for the resulting perversions (‘awon hem), similar to (ka) the guilt and liability (‘awon) of the one seeking answers (ha darash) – the same punishment (ka ‘awon) shall be (hayah) for the prophet (ha naby’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 14:10)
The Master of Babel has put us on notice. He is looking for the most gullible simpletons. His plan is then to deceive them. And when they share what he has conveyed, the Lord of Babylon intends to murder them. Even worse, after death, Satan, given the opportunity, will punish them, which means dragging their souls with him into She’owl | Hell. He also wants to eternally incarcerate everyone who has sought guidance from a misguided and false prophet such as Ezekiel – sending them to Hell. And considering how much of Ezekiel and Daniel have been incorporated into Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, the Devil’s threat applies to billions upon billions of souls.
207Therefore, rather than chafe at my constant haranguing against Ezekiel and his Lord, everyone who has ever opened a Bible, the New Testament, the Zohar, the Talmud, or the Quran should join with me in pursuit of the truth. And fortunately, this rebuke of Ezekiel, like those I have previously published under ‘Azab | Separation, Chywah | Beast, Questioning Paul, and Prophet of Doom, is ironclad and airtight – and each comes with Yahowah’s seal of approval.
I suppose if every prophet was dead, if every Jew was exterminated, to Satan’s delight, we’d be living in the entry room to Hell.
As a result (la ma’an), the Household of Israel (beyth Yisra’el) will no longer deceive anyone or wander away (lo’ ta’ah ‘owd) from following after me (min ‘achar ‘any). And they will no longer be defiled (wa lo’ tame’ ‘owd) with all of their rebellious and revolting religiosity (ba kol pesha’ hem).
For a finite time, they will be (wa hayah) for me as my people (la ‘any la ‘am), and I will be (wa ‘any hayah) for them (la hem) as God (la ‘elohym), prophetically declares (na’um) my Lord and Master (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 14:11)
The Lord’s ambition is to rise out of Babylon and be accepted as the God of Israel. And we are committed to thwarting his ambitions. We know that the casualties will continue to be dreadfully high, as we are but a candle in a dark world, but in the end, we will most assuredly prevail. Join us.
For those remaining in Babel, you are about to fall deeper into The Twilight Zone of the Babylonian Effect. The following is among the least sensible statements we have encountered, and it opens up an entirely new can of worms...
208And existing to me the word (wa hayah dabar ‘el ‘any) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!) to say (la ‘amar): (Yachezq’el 14:12) Son of man (ben ‘adam), a country (‘erets) that (ky) commits an infraction toward me (chata’ la ‘any) by breaking the faith and being disobedient (la ma’al ma’al), I stretch out my hand (wa natah yad ‘any) against it (‘al hy’) and I break, destroying (wa shabar) its tribe, branch, or staff (la hy’ mateh) of bread or war (lechem). Then I send (wa shalach) with it (ba hy’) famine and mass starvation (ra’ab). In addition (wa), I will cut off, banishing and killing (karat) out of it (min hy’) man and beast (‘adam wa bahemah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 14:13)
This is simply not true. God has not done this to any nation in the past, including Yisra’el. And He cannot do this in the future because it would be counter to His commitment to restoring the Earth to the conditions experienced in ‘Eden. Moreover, what’s the point? There is no gentile nation that can be ma’al | disloyal because none have ever been aligned with God. And since the only country that can be chastised for chata’ | missing the way is Yisra’el, the only reason for listing a hypothetical nation is because of Yahowah’s promise to restore Israel.
Further, the wrong word was chosen. God cannot go about breaking a mateh | tribe, branch, or staff of either lechem | bread or war. And there never has been any place on Earth which has been cut off from life.
We are aware that Yahowah briefly flooded Upper Mesopotamia and the region around the Black Sea. Many centuries later, He rained brimstone upon Sodom and Gomorrah. However, they do not fit this declaration. They knew nothing of God and, therefore, did not commit an infraction against Him. They could not have broken the relationship with the Almighty because one did not exist. There was no stretching out of a hand in either case. Sodom was not a country and the region which was flooded was 209not broken. The mateh, in all forms related to Yisra’el, were still on the horizon. Neither event had anything to do with God breaking bread or war. He did not induce a famine. In the case of the flood, the animals returned, and in Sodom, they weren’t included in the carnage.
Further, both cases were moral lessons, not demonstrations of God’s ability to torment humans. With the flood, mankind devolved so rapidly that the only way to save us from prematurely obliterating ourselves was to provide a fresh start. God then said He would never do so again. And the cancer that had become Sodom had to be cut out of the land or it would have metastasized and crippled Yisra’el before she had a chance to grow. Therefore, this statement is invalid.
Moreover, when we combine the previous statement with what follows, we find Satan pretending to have been God and to have done these things. However, what began poorly soon falls completely apart. The Lord of Babel is about to list the names of three men who, had they been there, would have caused him to spare either their souls or those of the disobedient and unfaithful lands. Unfortunately for Satan’s credibility, Noach | Noah was there and except for his family and the animals he rescued, no one else in the region was spared. And Dan’el | Danel and ‘Iyowb | Job are literary creations and, thus, are without souls. And even in the myths conceived about them, there is no mention of anyone’s soul being saved, not even their own.
Since Satan presents a number of hypotheticals regarding the effect of his superheroes upon the unfaithful and disobedient, let’s peruse the entire story, beginning with the previous statement, before dismembering it.
And existing to me the word (wa hayah dabar ‘el ‘any) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!) to say (la ‘amar): (Yachezq’el 14:12) Son of man (ben ‘adam), a country 210(‘erets) that (ky) commits an infraction toward me (chata’ la ‘any) by breaking the faith and being disobedient (la ma’al ma’al), I stretch out my hand (wa natah yad ‘any) against it (‘al hy’) and I break, destroying (wa shabar) its tribe, branch, or staff (la hy’ mateh) of bread or war (lechem). Then I send (wa shalach) with it (ba hy’) famine and mass starvation (ra’ab). In addition (wa), I will cut off, banishing and killing (karat) out of it (min hy’) man and beast (‘adam wa bahemah), (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 14:13) however, if there were (wa hayah – existed (‘im | if is essential to this hypothetical but it was not included in the text)) these three individuals (shalosh ha ‘iyshym ha ‘eleh) in the midst of it (ba tawek hy’) – Noach | Noah (Noach), Dan’el | Danel (Dan’el), and ‘Iyowb | Job (‘Iyowb) – they, by their righteousness (hem ba tsadqah), they would spare, deliver, and save (natsal) their soul (nepesh hem – their consciousness (singular)), declares (na’um) my Lord and Master (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 14:14)
O that if this hypothetical situation were real (luw), with an evil and immoral (ra’ah) beast (chayah – animal (singular)) angrily and arrogantly passing through the land (‘abar ba ha ‘erets), and she bereaves her it by leaving her childless (wa shakal hy’ – she causes her miscarriages), and she becomes lifeless and uninhabitable (wa hayah shamamah), such that no one can travel through (min baly ‘abar) because of the presence (min paneh) of the wild animalistic beast (ha chayah), (Yachezq’el 14:15) the three individuals (shalowsh ha ‘iyshym ha ‘eleh) in the midst of it (ba tawek hy’), Alive Me (chay ‘any – living me (written as an adjective, not a verb, which is not bound to the following pronoun)), prophetically announces my Lord (na’um ‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), if not or hypothetically neither (‘im) sons (benym) and if not perhaps hypothetically neither (wa ‘im) daughters (bath), they 211would influence to continually deliver or rescue, saving them (natsal hem – they would consistently defend and spare (hifil imperfect)).
So alone, by themselves (la bad hem), they would carry out ongoing salvation and they would receive the benefit of being spared (natsal – they would continually carry out and receive deliverance (nifal imperfect)), but the country (wa ha ‘erets – and the land, Earth, or region) would actually and continually exist (hayah – would always be (qal imperfect)) lifeless and uninhabitable, a desolate wasteland (shamamah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 14:16)
Or (‘ow), I arrive and bring a sword (chereb bow’) upon that country (‘al ha ‘erets ha hy’) and say (wa ‘amar), The sword wants to be angry and pass through (chereb ‘abar – it is the will of the dagger to make a linear motion to continually banish (qal imperfect jussive)) within the nation (ba ha ‘erets) so that I can cut off from it and sever (wa karat min hy’) man and beast (‘adam wa bahemah), (Yachezq’el 14:17) and these three individuals in the midst of it (wa shalosh ha ‘iyshym ha ‘eleh ba tawek hy’), Alive Me (chay ‘any), prophetically declares my Lord (na’um ‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), they would not snatch away, influencing the rescue to continually spare or save (lo’ natsal – they would not be able to deliver (hifil imperfect)) sons or daughters (benym wa bathowth) but, instead (ky), they alone (hem la bad), themselves (hem), they would rescue, deliver, and snatch away (natsal – they would carry out and benefit from ongoing salvation (nifal imperfect)). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 14:18)
Or (‘ow – as an alternative), I bring about and disburse (shalach – I send out on an ongoing basis, causing (piel imperfect)) a plague, a pandemic disease and pestilence (deber), to that land (‘el ha ‘erets ha hy’) and then pour out My wrath as a venomous snake toxin 212(wa shaphak chemah ‘any) upon her (‘al hy’) with blood (ba dam) to cut off and eliminate (la karat) from her (min hy’) man and beast (‘adam wa bahemah), (Yachezq’el 14:19) and (wa – the writer may have intended to convey ‘im | if) Noach (Noach), Dan’el (Dan’el), and (wa) ‘Iyowb (‘Iyowb) in her midst (ba tawek hy’ – missing the verb, hayah | are), Alive Me (chay ‘any – the writer may have intended to write ka ‘any chayah | as I live in the verbal form), prophetically announces (na’um) my Lord and Master (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), if only or perhaps neither, hypothetically (‘im – whenever or whether), son (ben) if only or perhaps neither, hypothetically (‘im – whenever or whether) daughter (bath), they would by their actions save, providing ongoing deliverance (natsal – they would influence a continual snatching away (hifil imperfect)) of them (hem), by their righteousness (ba tsadaqah hem – with their vindication and the correctness of them), would influence the rescuing and sparing (natsal) of their souls (nepesh hem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 14:20)
By comparison (ky), thus says (koh ‘amar) my Lord and Master (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), also even more wrathful, with really angry breath (‘aph), rather indeed (ky), four (‘arba’) of my punishments from me inflicting pain and suffering (shephet ‘any), the evil and wicked (ha ra’) sword (chereb), then mass starvation and famine (wa ra’ab), then an immoral and wickedly evil (ra’) beast (wa chayah – in addition to a wild animal, living creature, or lifeform (feminine singular)), followed by plague and pestilence, a epidemic disease which becomes a pandemic (wa deber) I have dispatched toward, deliberately effecting (shalach ‘el – I have extended (piel perfect – I have put these into effect at a moment in time)) Jerusalem (Yaruwshalaim – the Source of Guidance on Reconciliation) to remove, cutting off from it and eliminating (la karat min hy’) humankind (‘adam – man) and beast (wa bahemah – animal, lifeform, 213living creature, livestock, hippopotamus, elephant, or crocodile (feminine singular)). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 14:21)
And behold (wa hineh), she will remain left over (yathar – she (as in one female and thus the beast) will escape (nifal perfect third-person feminine singular)) within it (ba hy’), a female survivor (paletah – a fugitive (feminine singular)), who will be forced out (ha yatsa’ – will be compelled to leave and ordered out (hofal – the subject and object are deprived of freewill, making the exit compulsory)).
Sons and daughters (benym wa bathowth), behold them (hineh hem). Exist to you (yatsa’ ‘el ‘atem) then you see (wa ra’ah) their way (‘eth derek hem) and their deeds (wa ‘eth ‘alylah hem).
And you will be grieved, relent, repent, and change your mind for the moment (wa nacham – you will have regret, perhaps try to avenge yourself (while nacham also speaks of being consoled and comforted, such connotations would make the audience as depraved as the Lord) (nifal perfect)) over the evil and immoral disaster (‘al ha ra’ah) that I have brought (‘asher bow’) upon Jerusalem (‘al Yaruwshalaim) with everything (‘eth kol) which (‘asher) I have brought upon her (bow’ ‘al hy’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 14:22)
So (wa) they will be grieved or consoled, relent and repent or be comforted, such that they change their mind for the moment (wa nacham – they will have regret, trying to avenge themselves or be sorry (piel perfect)) with you (‘eth ‘atem), because (ky) you will continually see (ra’ah) their way (‘eth derek hem) and their deeds (wa ‘eth ‘alylah hem). Then you will know (wa yada’) that (ky) not for nothing, without cause, or for free (lo’ chinam – not in vain or to no avail, without reason) I have engaged and acted, doing (‘asah – I have performed) 214everything that I have done (kol ‘asher ‘asah) with her (ba hy’), prophetically announces my Lord and Master (na’um ‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 14:23)
I may have lost track, but I think the Lord of Babel has sought to murder 14/3s of Jews, and the book is still young. The sword has been a common theme, with multiple attacks, albeit this is the first time he has called his favorite weapon “evil.” We have witnessed many claims of famine and plague. He promised to torch the city, and then for giggles, he had his apprentice sprinkle coals over it. Those who escaped he hunted down and exterminated. He deployed a snare and a net to trap and incapacitate them. He threatened to tear down the wall and bury Jews alive because he did not like their daubing. They were to be blown away by a hurricane and then pelted with stones of ice. There was also to be a flood from excessive rain upon the top of the mountain. And who can forget the Lord’s promise to boil them alive to make Jew stew? Not to miss an opportunity, more recently, he said that he would break their tribe and, perhaps, even their bread. And now, we have the evil beasts of miscarriages that will be released to depopulate Israel. It all makes the flying monkeys in the Wizard of Oz seem like sympathetic characters by comparison.
With billions having accepted this tortured tale as “Scripture,” we may owe the wicked witch an apology. Ding dong, now if only the Lord were dead.
My first time through this dark and demonic fantasy, I was dumbfounded by the inclusion of Danel among the list of super-righteous individuals with the intermittent power to vindicate themselves and sometimes others from the Lord’s attacks. Having just completed a long volume on Dany’el | Daniel, I was flabbergasted by the notion of him being equated with Noach and being seen as righteous. He was everything but right. But when this dark tale of doom 215is viewed as a collective whole, that is the least of the problems – so we’ll table our review of Danel and the other two individuals until after we have excoriated Satan’s claims.
As expected, the unnamed and hypothetical country which had committed the untenable offense of breaking the faith and being disobedient was a ruse to justify the Devil’s rage against Jews. It was the last of the mateh | tribes that the Adversary wanted to eliminate. To achieve this objective, he would break their bread and then starve them to death – killing every man and animal.
However, had any of the three superheroes been there, the Lord of Babel may have spared their own souls. But since they weren’t there, why mention them?
Tabling Danel for the moment, Noach, by listening to Yahowah and doing as He requested, saved his entire family and the souls of countless animals. His example is out of place in the scenario being painted by the Lord. And ‘Iyowb, should he have even existed (which is doubtful), did not save anyone’s soul, including his own. His possessions and health were restored, but that is the end of the story.
The Devil’s tale then overtly resorts to a series of luw | hypotheticals to indict Jerusalem during a time of actual siege. And in the first scenario, the villain is a ra’ah chayah | evil and immoral beast which ‘eber | angrily and arrogantly passes through the land. It does not, however, kill indiscriminately but, instead, shakal | targets the wombs of pregnant mothers, causing miscarriages.
Of course, there was and is no such beast. Animals are not immoral, and they do not devour fetuses. However, since chayah is the same term Ezekiel used to describe the four-faced winged animals surrounding the wheels of his god, they were evil beasts as well.
216The writing is so impoverished, we don’t know if the superheroes, confronted by the beast, would only save themselves or others from the baby banisher, but perhaps, they would spare neither or both sons and daughters. But since they were not in residence, every child would have been consumed, and the mythical country or actual city would have become lifeless and uninhabitable. The fact that this did not happen either would suggest that Ezekiel and his Lord were lying, but that’s the least of the problems for those who want them to be a prophet and a God.
Next, we find the Lord of Babel arriving with a sword that has an attitude. It wants to pass through the land and sever humans and animals alike – sparing none. However, the onslaught could have been prevented, says “Alive Me,” if only Noah, Danel, and Job had been on the scene. But since they weren’t, we have everyone slashed to pieces by the good Lord’s sword. And even if the terrific three had been shining examples of goodness, Satan wants us to know that he would have murdered everyone anyway.
Not yet done being bad, the Master of Deceit has a third hypothetical – plaguing the land with a pandemic disease. He intends to spread it by pouring out his venomous toxin like a snake – revealing who he actually represents. Then in addition to the noxious poison, the country posing as Judea will find itself swimming in blood, another gift from their Lord. But this time, Alive Me reveals that if only, perhaps neither, hypothetically, son or daughter, would be saved by the righteousness of the would-be rescuers. When it comes to Jews, confusion and false hope seem to be Satan’s favorite disposition.
Pulling off the veil, the Lord of Babylon tells us that he will be even more wrathful and angry when it comes to the Jews being attacked by the Babylonians in Jerusalem. These four punishments are directed at them. He wants them to feel the pain and to be emotionally anguished as a result of what he intends to do to harass them. So, this being 217true, where is the ADL (Anti-Defamation League)? Why aren’t they screaming that Ezekiel and his Lord are anti-Semites?
The punishments include inflicting the pain of an angry sword, perpetrating mass starvation, setting the evil baby-eating beast loose to make the city uninhabitable, followed by releasing a deadly plague. The sea of blood must have been an afterthought because it did not make the final cut. And there is no fire, falling coals, or crumbling walls on this occasion, so they have that going for them.
With every Jew dead, some 14 times over, the punishments the Lord has dispatched to deliberately torment Jerusalem seem like overkill. The Lord would have us know that every human and animal is dead.
But behold, Jews must not be human because, out of all of the ungodly slicing and dicing, beastly miscarriages, virulent plagues, and relentless famines, a single female will emerge. The lone survivor isn’t fleeing, however, but is being forced out. She could have been a masochist, I suppose.
We are left to speculate as to whether the boys and girls who have beheld this are watching the carnage from Babylon or if the lone fugitive of ungodly abuse was pregnant and delivered multiple sons and daughters on her exit from town. Nonetheless, their way and their deeds were so bad, they justified murdering all but one Jew.
While we are not told who would be grieved or consoled by the evil and immoral disaster Alive Me claimed to have perpetrated in Jerusalem, it was a cathartic experience. They did not know if they should be comforted by the Lord murdering everyone or repent, lest he tortures them next.
But make no mistake, this was something the Lord of Babel wanted to accomplish and justify to the degree he 218made up this entire morbid story to explain his reasons. The extermination of Jews would not be in vain.
Now if I may, for those who believe that this was inspired and perpetrated by God, you are so stupid, you are a danger to yourselves. And this list, unlike that of the superheroes, is not small. It includes almost every Haredi Jew, Christian, and Muslim.
Story over, let’s expose the characters in Satan’s play. Noach was real enough, but none of the three scenarios presented in this chapter apply to his situation. He lived 2,500 years prior to Ezekiel. There were no swords, beasts, famines, or pandemics. His soul and those of his family were spared by responding to Yahowah’s instructions, while also saving the souls of thousands of animals. Further, the one thing which made him approachable, and thus able to be saved while rescuing others, is that he was a loner, having decided not to live in a city. And since he died a millennium before the Towrah was presented, there would have been no basis to determine whether he was tsadaq | right.
Turning to “Dan’el,” his name does not belong in a list of righteous individuals, especially should this be a misspelled reference to the “Dany’el” who was overtly political and religious in the book bearing his name. Moreover, while some of the religious and political intrigue found in the first six chapters of Daniel may have taken place prior to Yachezq’el putting pen to parchment, if he actually wrote what is attributed to him, everything of value is found in the 7th through the 12th chapters, all of which were written decades after Ezekiel’s passing. Therefore, Yachezq’el would have had no reason to speak favorably of Dany’el, much less Dan’el.
However, with the variant spelling of Dan’el, the reference is likely addressing a different individual. And 219this Dan’el | Danel, while not part of Yahowah’s story, is nonetheless known to historians and archeologists.
While the Baal Cycle is the most famous Ugaritic text, there is another which chronicles a Danel Epic. The Corpus Tablettes Alphabetiques, which date to 1350 BCE, were found in Ugarit (modern Ras Shamra, Syria). The text presents Danel as a “righteous ruler” who “adjudicates on behalf of widows and orphans.” The first of three extant tablets depicts Danel going to the temple of Ba’al for six successive days to pray for a son, which Ba’al | the Lord asks ‘El, the god of the Canaanites, to provide. Thereafter, Aqhat is born. Danel is then depicted celebrating with a variety of goddesses, one of whom gives him a very special bow as a gift. Being a righteous dad, he bestows it to his son.
According to the second tablet, when the goddess, Anat, is unable to bribe Aqhat into giving her the bow, she pleads with ‘El and is given leave to kill him. Meanwhile, feeling remorse for killing the boy and breaking the coveted bow in the process, in the third tablet, Danel continues on as righteous as ever. He rends his clothes in mourning and then prays to bring rain so that his people don’t continue to suffer through a seven-year drought.
Seeing vultures circling overhead, Danel pleads with Ba’al to bring them down so that he can cut them open and retrieve the body of his dead son. Finding the bones and fat of Aqhat in the mother of the vultures, he buries them along the shores of the Sea of Galilee. It is then that Danel is told that the seven-year drought was the result of the gods mourning his son’s unjust death.
This Danel is the only illustrious person of this age whose name is known to history. And he is a particularly good fit for this reference. And even if Ezekiel was written by an imposter, the pieces still fit because, in the midst of 220the three-chapter diatribe against Tyre (Ezekiel 26-28), we read…
The word was for me (wa hayah dabar ‘el ‘any) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!) to say (la ‘amar), (Yachezq’el 28:1) son of man (ben ‘adam), say to (‘amar la) the conspicuous ruler (nagyd) of Tsowr | Tyre (Tsowr), Thus says my Lord and Master (koh ‘amar ‘adony) This Is Not Him (#^^#!): Because (ya’an) your thinking and inclinations (leb ‘atah) are towering (gabah), and you have said (wa ‘amar), I am a God (‘el ‘any), I live, dwelling with gods (mowshab ‘elohym yashab) in the heart of the seas (ba leb yamym), yet you are a man (wa ‘atah ‘adam) and not god (wa lo’ ‘el), you have offered your heart (wa nathan leb ‘atah) as if it were comparable to (ka) the heart, inclinations, and judgment (leb) of gods (‘elohym) (Yachezq’el 28:2) – behold, it is apparent (hineh) you are wiser, more knowledgeable, discerning, and intelligent (chakam ‘atah) than (min) Dan’el (Dan’el). There is nothing which can be known, no secret, which is hidden from you (kol satham lo’ ‘amam ‘atah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 28:3)
Umm, no. That is worse, not better.
Beyond these considerations, Danel’s name is horribly awkward in the preceding lists. Neither Noach | Noah nor ‘Iyowb | Job were Yisra’elites. Neither were prophets. Both were pre-Towrah. Frankly, we know nothing about Noach other than he lived apart from other people, listened to Yahowah, and did as God requested. He was, therefore, a good man. However, beyond responding appropriately to Yahowah during a time when God is disappointed with everyone else, there is nothing we can deduce from his life that would warrant this reference.
‘Iyowb | Job is a complete mystery. Unlike every other person in God’s story, we know nothing of his heritage, his geographic location, or even when he may have lived – if 221at all. He might as well be from the Emerald City of Oz rather than the mythical land of Uz for all we know.
If there was such a person and he lived either after Noach, around the time of ‘Abraham, or between ‘Abraham and Moseh, why wasn’t he mentioned in the Towrah? If he lived after the Exodus, then why isn’t he woven into the story of Yisra’el? ‘Iyowb is the ultimate outlier – the only person without an established time, place, or genealogy. And since he was not a prophet, we have no way of verifying the veracity of the book that bears his name.
Also, there are serious problems with the book of Job. An exceptional number of the words used to tell his story – more than any other book – are found nowhere else in the Towrah or Naby’. Even the words which are common are spelled differently. It is a strange blend of archaic Hebrew and Aramaic.
Further, God is not going to accept a challenge from Satan and the Adversary is not a member of God’s council. Rather than being right about Yahowah, ‘Iyowb is belligerent toward Him and even implies that He is unjust. In this way, his character established the central theme of Yisra’elite theology – our G-d is testing us with all of these trials so that we can demonstrate our worth in this life. Consistent with this idea, there is no mention of salvation, an eternal reward, or of an extension of life in Heaven – all consistent with Jewish religious ideals.
Also concerning, God never actually responds to anything ‘Iyowb requests. Instead, He belittles him from the midst of a whirlwind. This stormy portrayal of the Divine, rather than enlightening Job, essentially says that as a stupid mortal he’s not bright enough to understand God – thereby annulling the purpose of the Towrah and Naby’. Moreover, the rambling and fanciful tale of God killing the Behemoth and the Dragon is an embarrassment, as is the 222egotistical rant which precedes it. And speaking of myth, Egyptian, Akkadian, and Sumerian stories of God punishing upright men were known 2,000 years before Job was written.
Clearly, ‘Iyowb | Job is an interesting character, and the book is an entertaining read. It addresses an important issue relative to our relationship with God. If in this life, Yahowah showered His children with every blessing such that every aspect of our lives were perfect, He would be bribing constituents. Everyone would opt in for the benefits – the perfect parents, siblings, spouse, children, friends, home, health, job, intellect, and life. There would be no incentive to work, learn, or grow. And we wouldn’t appreciate anything because it would have been offered without effort.
However, by including ‘Iyowb | Job in this list of righteous superheroes, the author of Yachezq’el | Ezekiel is impugning his own credibility. In all likelihood, he never existed, and the book is nothing more than a harmless version of Enoch. I suppose that the reason Enoch wasn’t included is that his fraudulent book had not yet been compiled.
If Yahowah intended to put a list together of good men who were right about Him, He most certainly would have included Moseh and Dowd in that accounting. Yahowsha’ ben Nuwn would have been another good choice, as would have been ‘ElYah. Yasha’yah and Yirma’yah would have served as excellent examples too. But sandwiching the misspelling of the name of a highly questionable Jewish false prophet, and contemporary of Ezekiel, between two people from long ago, before Yahuwdym, the Towrah, or Yisra’el, is not sensible.
Therefore, we are back in the same dilemma we experienced throughout Dany’el | Daniel and again in the opening chapters of Yachezq’el | Ezekiel. We have 223heretofore ascribed this problem to the Babylon Effect, revealing that the corruption is so extensive within the birthplace of institutionalized religion and its integration into politics, that everything is warped by it. As a consequence, we have to exercise good judgment, knowing what to accept as valid, and what to reject as babel.
Further, what is the point of the Towrah if only three men, one woman, and some early exiles are going to be saved? What about ‘Abraham and Sarah, Yitschaq and Rebekah, or Ya’aqob and Leah and Rachel – don’t they matter? Does being in Babylon whitewash all of Jewish history?
There is nothing prophetic about this, and there are no lessons to be learned. God is portrayed in a horrific light. And men and animals are being judged as if we were similar. Moreover, there was no justification given to explain why these three individuals were considered right, or how their correct assessments would save their souls and others, or just themselves.
In light of this demented portrayal of a hypothetical land with beasts preying on children, God wielding an evil sword, and a plague of toxic words, we will clearly have to be circumspect moving forward. When something we read is affirmed elsewhere, we’ll consider it valid. But if this is the lone source, we will have to reject everything inconsistent with Yahowah’s testimony – as was the entirety of the previous diatribe.
Just because a book is considered to be authentic, that does not make it so. Ezekiel may turn out to be a better forgery than Enoch, but nonetheless, it is invalid. There is even the possibility that people named Dany’el and Yachezq’el may have lived, but that a significant portion of what is now found in the books bearing their names was later augmented by an ambitious scribe. This would explain the disparity between the first six chapters of 224Daniel and the final six. The same thing may be occurring here – although we have not yet read anything even remotely credible. Most of what we have endured has either been demonic or hilarious, neither of which speaks of Divine inspiration.
Based upon our study of the prophets over these many years, I have come to realize that Job, Esther, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Haggai, Enoch, Maccabees, and the Christian New Testament were not inspired by God. To this list, we can now add portions of Daniel and all of Ezekiel. And it should go without saying, the Talmud, Zohar, Quran, and Book of Mormon are rubbish.
This realization may be unnerving for some, but even without all of Daniel and any of Ezekiel, we have more genuine and readily validated prophetic insights available to us than we could fully digest given ten lifetimes. And since we are asked to listen and observe, know, think, and understand, determining what to rely upon or reject is an essential part of the process. If we were to leave the determination of what is to be accepted and rejected up to religious or political institutions, we’d be Haredim, Christians, Muslims, Communists, or Progressives.
So, let’s do our job, follow the Towrah’s instructions on making these determinations and avoid falling into the trap of assuming something is valid simply because it is found in the Bibles printed by religious institutions. Yes, it will require us to be discriminating and judgmental – but isn’t that why Yahowah equipped us with our neshamah | conscience in the first place?
