307Babel
Tow’ebah
…Abominable
6
Chuwd | Enigma
No Greater Taunt…
The 16th chapter of Ezekiel set a new standard for evil. Reading it was akin to a graduate-level class on Satanology. And yet, it was worth the effort. We not only discovered the reason Judaism, Christianity, and Islam demean and degrade women; we made significant strides toward destroying their credibility.
Now that we have been resolutely assured that the Book of Ezekiel is demonic, our purpose moving forward will remain twofold. We will continue to demonstrate that Ezekiel was a false prophet while learning what we can about Satan’s methods and limitations with an eye to how they affect the religions at his disposal.
Hopefully, the 17th chapter will be less objectionable and incriminating, so that we won’t want to hide our eyes from the horror of it all. However, it opens with an enigmatic taunt by way of an obscure and ambiguous riddle. And ever in character, after threatening a horrific penalty for anyone citing a Mashal | Proverb to Yisra’el, the Lord of Babel contradicts himself…
And it is (wa hayah – he exists (qal imperfect third-person masculine singular)) the word (dabar) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!) to me (‘el ‘any) to say (la ‘amar), (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 17:1) son of mankind (ben ‘adam – child of male human, descendant of ‘Adam), you must offer an enigma by proposing a dark and obscure interpretation through a perplexing riddle (chuwd – it is 308imperative that you propound an allegory (qal imperative)) as an ambiguous taunt (chydah – as an intriguing guessing game with answers that will never be known) and quote a Proverb (wa mashal – because you must cite a pithy quote similar to (qal imperative)) as a parable to insult and ridicule, showing contempt (mashal – as a means to disrespect an object of scorn through a terse, vivid, and easily remembered byword) toward the Household of Israel (‘el beyth Yisra’el). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 17:2)
There would be no proverb and there would be no perplexing riddle to solve. So, while we will consider the clues, we are not going to pretend that there is an obscure enigma whose resolution will provide a useful insight.
Also, since the Lord will “answer” his own question, his credibility is already undermined because the Household of Israel no longer existed, only Judea – and their fate was sealed.
And said (wa ‘amar), thus said (koh ‘amar) my owner, lord, and master (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), the lacerating bird of prey (nesher – the winged creature that mangles, tearing apart as a carrion, refuse-eating vulture or eagle), the greatest of the great (ha gadowl gadowl – the biggest of the big, the most important, and the highest of the high), the long wings (ha kanaph ‘arek), the plumage (nowtsah – the array of feathers collectively and individually) full of feathers (‘eber male’ – wings and epidural fully covered), which (‘asher) for him (la huw’) the colors are variegated (riqmah – of various tones, introduced to depict the sexual enslavement of Jewish women by Sisera’s goons) came to (bow’ ‘el – he entered into) the Lebanon (ha Labanown) and grasping (wa laqach – and seizing (qal imperfect)) the tree top (‘eth tsamereth – the uppermost part of the tree) of the cedar (ha ‘erez). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 17:3)
309There is no greatest of great vultures or eagles – especially in the middle east. They were unimpressive scavengers. Further, all carrion birds have feathers and long wings – so most of this verbiage is a waste of breath, that is except riqmah because it is simply wrong.
When the Lord “solves” his riddle, he claims that he is speaking of the Yisra’elite king making and breaking a covenant with Babylon, and then going to Egypt, which has us scratching our heads as to why the riddle’s bird is off to Lebanon.
Neither the vulture nor the eagle was identified with Yisra’el, Babylon, or Egypt, making the choice curious. Moreover, while equipped with talons, such birds are incapable of grasping the top of a cedar.
With (‘eth) the top (ro’sh – the head, source, or beginning) of its newest growth as a shoot (yaniqah huw’) he had plucked off (qataph – he picked apart (qal perfect)) and he returns, arriving with it (wa bow’ huw’ – he comes bearing it (hifil imperfect)) to the land of Canaan (‘el ‘erets Kan’an) having placed it (sym huw’ – having set it) in a city (ba ‘iyr) of merchant traders (rokel – of those who barter, buying and selling goods). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 17:4)
There is no correlation between the top of a Lebanese cedar and any of the three nations mentioned in the Lord’s explanation. And the only way for a bird to return to Canaan circa 650 BCE would be to travel back in time. And considering their location, it is likely that the Canaanites were merchants and traders, as their name suggests, but there were no cities of merchants at that time. And even if there were, there is no correlation between traders and the solution the Lord of Babel is providing.
Then he obtains (wa laqach – he grasps hold (qal imperfect)) from a seed (min zera’ – out of sowing or from semen) of the land (ha ‘erets) and gives it (wa nathan 310huw’ – he bestows and offers it (qal imperfect)) in a field (ba sadeh) of seed (zera’ – of sowing offspring) ? (qah – used only this once in Ezekiel) over many waters (‘al maym rab – upon great, extensive, abundant, excess, or exalted liquid, floods, seas, or tears). Willow (tsaphtsaphah) he placed, put, or set it (sym huw’ – he located it (qal perfect)). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 17:5)
At this point, the Lord of Babel somehow forgets about the transported top of the Lebanese cedar and transitions to a seed of an unidentified land. This seed is then planted in a field, over the great waters, or in a raised planter box, depending upon which verse we are reading. And while attempting to define qah is a fool’s folly, the willow is a fish out of water – tossed into the story and forgotten like Lebanon and the cedar top.
And it sprouts (wa tsamach – it springs up and grows (qal imperfect)) and it becomes (wa hayah – so it exists (qal imperfect)) as an ignorant and decayed creeping plant (la gephen sarach – as an overhanging vine), lowly and humiliated (shaphal – ignoble and vile) to the highest extent which can be measured (qowmah – heights or tallest; from quwm – to rise and stand), for its branches (la dalyth huw’) turn (panah – face (qal infinitive)) to it (‘el huw’), and (wa) its roots (shoresh huw’) under it (tachath huw’) it wants to exist (hayah – it chooses to be (qal imperfect jussive)).
So, it is (wa hayah) for a vine (la gephen – a tendril which bends), making (‘asah – doing) poles by itself (bad – alone, members, staves, and linen) and it sends out (wa shalach – it dispatches) boughs (po’rah – offshoots). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 17:6)
Is it the seed, the cedar, or the willow which is sprouting? And why dispose of each to introduce a lowly creeping vine? Further, how can a vine be the lowest and the highest simultaneously? Or is all of this just another 311word salad with ‘its branches turn to it and its roots under it, it wants to exist’? Similarly, vines do not make poles.
And (wa) it is (hayah) a lacerating bird of prey (nesher – the winged creature that mangles, tearing apart as a carrion, refuse-eating vulture or eagle), one (‘echad – the first, certain, singular, and only) greatest of the great (gadowl gadowl – the biggest of the big, the most important, and the highest of the high) wings (kanaph), and abundant greatness (rab), plumage (nowtsah), and behold (wa heneh), this vine (ha gephen ha zo’th) sent out (kaphan) its roots (shoresh hy’) over (‘al) it (huw’) and its foliage (wa dalyth – its boughs of leafy tendrils) were dispatched (shalach – were sent out) toward it (la huw’) to give drink (la shaqah) for her (‘eth hy’) from a garden bed (min ‘aruwgah – a plot of cultivated ground boxed higher than normal), her planted garden plot (mata’ hy’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 17:7)
There is yet another great, great eagle, but only one of them. Although true to life, this one also has wings and plumage. However, this bird adds nothing to the story and is thus superfluous, as are the absurdly irritating number of ‘beholds.’
This time, the vine is in a raised planter bed rather than an open field. And instead of being inundated with abundant water, it has to send out its roots in search of a drink. More relevant, however, the bird, feathers, vine, roots, foliage, and garden bed do nothing to advance the story of political intrigue between Judea, Egypt, and Babylon.
To good field (‘el sadeh towb), to numerous and great waters (‘el maym rab), she was planted (hy’ shathal) to make (la ‘asah) non-fruit-bearing branches (‘anaph) and to lift up and bear (wa la nasa’) fruit (pary) to exist (la hayah – to be) a cloaked vine (gephen ‘adereth 312– a magnificent tendril with a splendorous robe). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 17:8)
Having left the planter with an inconvenient source of water, we have returned to the field which, to its credit, is good. Water is now abundant, but how do non-fruit-bearing branches produce? And what is the purpose of cloaking a vine?
You must say (‘amar – you are commanded to state), thus said (koh ‘amar) my owner, my Lord and Master (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), Success (tsalach – prosperous (qal imperfect)) or not (ha lo’) with its roots (‘ets shoresh hy’)? He pulls up (nathaq – he snaps off, tears up, and drags off (piel imperfect)) and with its fruit (wa ‘eth pary hy’) strips and tears (qasas – removes and makes scaly (poel imperfect)), and it dries up and withers (yabash), all of the fresh-picked and new (kol taraph), its vegetation (tsmach hy’ – her sprouts and plant growth) shriveled up and paralyzed (yabesh – dry and withered), and not with a strong arm (wa lo’ ba zarowa’ gadowl) and with many great people (wa ba ‘am rab), lift it (nasa’ ‘eth hy’) from its roots (min shoresh hy’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 17:9)
More questions, no answers. Surely, the Lord isn’t so stupid that after all of these clues he is now asking if a plant can be successful when uprooted, stripped bare, and deprived of water. Perhaps, however, this is considered an enigma because of the way it is worded: ‘it dries of the fresh-picked vegetation shriveled up, and not with a strong arm and with many great people, lift it from its roots.’
And so, behold (wa hineh), it is planted (shatal). Will it succeed (ha tsalach – will it be powerful and forceful, prosper and thrive)? Will not as (ha lo’ ka) touched (naga’ – stricken) with it (ba hy’) spirit or wind (ruwach) of the east (qadym), will dry up, its vegetation (tsemach) withered and shriveled (yabesh yabesh) upon the garden 313plot (‘al ‘aruwgah) withering (yabesh)? (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 17:10)
The question was imbecilic when initially posed, so why restate it? Why add the drying effect of a withering wind when the plant has already been uprooted, stripped bare, and deprived of water? Is this like killing Jews 18 times over? And why have we left the field to return to the garden plot? Does this vine produce magical jumping beans?
And is the word (wa hayah dabar) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!), to me (‘el ‘any) to say (la ‘amar), (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 17:11) you must say (‘amar – you are ordered to speak (qal imperative)), please, I beg (na’) to the Household of the Rebellion (la beyth ha mary – to the home of disobedience and resistance), were you ignorant and unaware (ha lo’ yada’) what these (mah ‘eleh)?
Must say (‘amar), behold (hineh), came (bow’) king (melek) of Babel | Babylon (Babel) to Jerusalem (Yaruwshalaim) and grabbing (wa laqach) with her king (‘eth melek hy’) and with her representatives of her king (wa ‘eth sar hy’) and bringing with them (wa bow’ ‘eth hem) to him (‘el huw’) of Babel (Babel – With the Lord, In the Bible, Babylon, to confuse by commingling). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 17:12)
Why, in the midst of this jumbled rant, attempt to impersonate the wisest and most articulate being in the universe? And why, after making an unmitigated fool of oneself, is the Lord renouncing Yisra’el, calling smart people stupid?
Why tell those who were enslaved by the King of Babylon, that the king who dragged them away from their home came to Jerusalem and took them to Babylon? It was not only a current event in their lives, it was the most horrific thing that they would ever experience. This is like 314telling Jews in Auschwitz in 1940 that Hitler’s Nazis invaded Poland which is why they were enslaved. I understand that Satan is incapable of prophecy, but he’s going to have to do a better job with current events to fool a fool.
And he is taking (wa laqach) from the offspring (min zera’ – out of the seed) of the kingship (ha maluwkah) and he is cutting (wa karat – he is establishing (qal imperfect)) with him (‘eth huw’) a covenant agreement (beryth) and arrive (wa bow’ – come) with him (‘eth huw’) with the oath (ba ‘alah – with a curse or in an oak) and with the ram (wa ‘eth ‘ayil – by the leader or with the oak) of the land (ha ‘erets) he was obtained and received (laqach), (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 17:13) to be (la hayah) a lowly, humbled, and humiliated kingdom (mamlakah shaphal) to not be independently lifted up (la bilthy nasa’ – to avoid being carried away by itself (hitpael infinitive)), to be observant (la shamar) of his covenant agreement (‘eth beryth huw’) to present it (la ‘amad hy’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 17:14)
We finally have the Lord using karat correctly with regard to cutting a covenant agreement. However, this is the wrong covenant. He is speaking of the demand for tribute imposed by Babylon. It was not a familial agreement, volitional or loving but, instead, pay or die. However, having arisen out of Babylon, Satan seems more invested in the Beryth Babel than the one Yahowah cut with ‘Abraham and Sarah.
At least Satan got one thing right. When the world’s most powerful army shows up seeking vengeance and a community is powerless to fend them off, the result is humbling.
And he rebelled (wa marad – so he disobeyed) against him (ba huw’) by dispatching his messengers (la shalach malak huw’) to Egypt (Mitsraym – of the 315Crucibles of Religious and Political Oppression) so that they would give him (la nathan la huw’) horses and a large army (suws wa ‘am rab). Will he succeed (ha tsalach)? Will he be saved (ha malat – will he be rescued and escape) who does this (ha ‘asah ‘eleh) and has broken (wa parar – has frustrated) a covenant agreement (beryth) and had been spared (wa malat – was rescued)? (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 17:15)
The purported rebellion is not against God but, instead, against Babylon – Satan’s lair. And while it was true that Mattaniah, renamed Zedekiah, was fickle and renounced the tribute payments to Babylon in hopes the Egyptians could be bribed into defending Judea, there would have been no chance that the pharaohs would have parted with horses or troops when engaged in conflict against the Babylonians themselves. It is nonsensical.
Nonetheless, Satan is asking if a nation that reneges on its tribute payments to Babylon can survive after the answer has been vividly demonstrated. Moreover, this whole sordid affair had been duly discussed, with the outcome clearly delineated by Yirma’yah | Jeremiah many decades before it actually occurred. And yet, Satan’s riddle hasn’t been entirely meaningless fluff because we are now aware that the only covenant which matters to the Lord is the one cut with Babylon.
This entire rant is against a broken blackmail agreement with thugs. The Babylonians had viciously attacked Judea and had plundered the nation, killing and enslaving many. And they had threatened to return and destroy Jerusalem, killing and enslaving all who remained, if the tributes stopped. It was a deal with the Devil, and one that the Devil sought to enforce.
Alive I (chay ‘any), prophetically declares (na’um) the owner who controls and possesses me, my Lord and Master (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), if not in a 316place (‘im lo’ ba maqowm) the king (ha melek) who is reigning as king (ha malak) with him who (‘eth huw’ ‘asher) he despised (bazah – he found contemptible) with his oath (‘eth ‘alah huw’ – with his improper and lamentable curse) and which he revoked and nullified (wa ‘asher parar – which he thwarted and broke) with his covenant agreement (‘eth beryth huw’) with him in the midst of Babel | Babylon (‘eth huw’ ba tawek Babel) he dies (muwth). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 17:16)
It is a myth the Devil has been promoting for some time. If you make a deal with him, such as bribing him not to torture and kill you, and then, you become aware that such bribes are illegal and immoral, there is no renegotiation. It’s like the Mafia – you can join but you cannot leave. If I recall correctly, America fought an uncivil war over the right to secede.
Recognizing that this was written after these events had been foretold by Yirma’yah and even after they had played out in history, we are left to see them as nothing other than a bully kicking sand in the faces of slaves.
And not with mighty strength or abundant troops (wa lo’ ba chayl gadowl – not by great ability, property, character, or wealth) or with a large congregation (wa ba qahal rab – with a numerous community, crowd, throng, or horde) will act or engage (‘asah) with him (‘eth huw’), Pharaoh (Phar’oah) in the war (ba ha milchamah) in pouring out (ba shaphak) a siege ramp (solalah – an elevated embankment) and with building (wa ba banah) siege works (dayeq – bullworks) to cut off and cut down, establish and eliminate (la karat) numerous souls (nepesh rab). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 17:17)
By this time, the Egyptians could not even defend themselves against the Babylonians, which is why Yirma’yah pleaded against this course of action. Moreover, the Judeans had barely survived their recent experiences 317with them, further demonstrating that Mitsraym could not be trusted.
However, this time, there was no war, just a prolonged siege – thirty months of agonizing torment. And in this case, the object of Babylon’s assault was money, not the elimination of souls. Enslaved people provided free labor, making them valuable.
Zedekiah, like every king before and after him, hated the idea of sending what he perceived as his wealth to Babylon or Egypt in order to keep them from killing him. The tribute arrangements were, at best, a temporary extension of life because they were so egregious. The entire nation was reduced to slavery to fund the bribe. And yet, from the perspective of the Lord of Babel, a covenant which demeaned Jews and put them under the control and influence of Babylon was worthy of his endorsement.
So (wa), he despised, showing his contempt for (bazah), the oath (‘alah – the cursed agreement with Allah, the untenable binding pledge, and the lamentable vow) by frustrating and nullifying, disassociating from and breaking (la parar), the covenant (beryth).
Then, behold (wa hineh), he offered his hand (nathan yad huw’) and all of these (wa kol ‘eleh) he did (‘asah). He will not flee or escape (lo’ malat). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 17:18)
It was, indeed, a cursed agreement, an untenable deal with Allah and a lamentable vow. Such is the nature of every oath to the Lord of Babel.
In actuality, Zedekiah, the weasel that he was, did flee. He escaped in the confusion as the Babylonians breached the walls and were flooding into the city. The Devil’s brigade would, however, catch him outside of Jericho. They did not kill him, but in honor of their Lord, they forced the king to watch the execution of his sons. Then 318they blinded him before hauling him away as a trophy so that they could gloat before their god.
While the 17th chapter has been moronic rather than morbid, as was the case with the 16th, we have endured the Lord’s rants up to this point for the payoff line – one worth everything we have endured up to this point.
As a result, therefore (la ken – so likewise it stands to reason), thus said (koh ‘amar) my owner, the one who controls and possesses me, my Lord and Master (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), Alive Me (chay ‘any), this cannot be (‘im lo’), my vow (‘alah ‘any – my cursed agreement with me being Allah, my untenable binding pledge, and my lamentable oath) which (‘asher) he despised, showing his contempt (bazah), and my covenant (beryth ‘any) which he nullified and broke (‘asher parar – which he frustrated by making ineffectual), so I have placed it (wa nathan huw’ – I have produced it, offered it, and given it, assigned it (masculine and thus referring to the ‘alah rather than the beryth)) upon his head (ba ro’sh huw’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 17:19)
The Covenant with Babylon like the Curse of ‘Allah was Satan’s all along. While Zedekiah may have thought he was agreeing to blackmail a human empire, Satan is claiming this arrangement as his own. His covenant would impoverish, enslave, and exterminate Jews, making it the opposite of Yahowah’s Beryth.
It is a stunning confession, and with it, there is no enigma left to resolve. The voice being conveyed in Ezekiel is the same found in the Talmud, New Testament, and Quran. If you are religious, meet your Lord – Satan.
Even worse, if that is possible, the Lord’s goons are serving as Satan’s net, a snare that he is deploying to bring the Jews to him – in Babylon – so that he can judge them there for breaking his Beryth Babel.
319I have spread out (wa paras) over him (‘al huw’) my net (resheth ‘any) and he was seized and controlled (wa taphas) in my trapping implement, a victim in my prison (ba matsuwdah ‘any). Then I will bring him (wa bow’ huw’) to Babel | Babylon (Babel – confounding confusion by commingling; from ba – with and bel – the lord, the Hebrew textual equivalent of bible).
And I will judge him there (wa shaphat ‘eth huw’ sham) for his disobedience (ma’al huw’) which he broke the faith and violated the agreement with me (‘asher ma’al ba ‘any). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 17:20)
It is a complete and undeniable confession. Satan, as the Lord of Babel, is impersonating Yahowah, while seeking to trap and imprison Yisra’el. He wants to bring them to Babylon for the crime of breaking an impoverishing and enslaving covenant with him. The Lord sought to be obeyed, but Jews were seen as unfaithful – as was the child the Devil molested in the previous chapter.
It is also telling that, in the Hebrew text, Satan’s matsuwdah | trapping implement and prison for prey is just one letter removed from Yahowah’s mitswah | terms of the Covenant agreement. The means to eternal life in God’s family excludes the Dalet. And even that is interesting because, while identified as a doorway, the Dalet was actually drawn as a trap – something to stumble into without a doorway to escape, making it akin to a prison.
And with all (wa ‘eth kol) of his fleeing people (mibrah – vulnerable individuals), with all of his troops (ba kol ‘agaph huw’), by the sword (ba ha chereb), they will fall (naphal), and the remaining who survive (wa ha sha’ar) to every spirit (la kol ruwach), they will be scattered (paras).
And so (wa), you made it known (yada’ – you actually acknowledged and were made aware (qal perfect)) 320that, indeed (ky), I (‘any), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), I had spoken (dabar). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 17:21)
This is the 19th attempt at annihilating Jews – this time taking the sword to vulnerable and defenseless individuals who are fleeing from him. Fortunately, this is not what actually occurred. The surviving remnant of Yahuwdym in Yaruwshalaim were not scattered or killed, but instead, they were taken to Babylon for a seventy-year time out for bad behavior. And after having been given time to reconsider their ways, Yahowah arranged for them to be freed, bringing them back home to Yahuwdah.
Satan did not get any part of this right, proving that he is not Yahowah. Even his concluding claim was wrong. Jews have not made Yahowah’s name known – even unto this day.
After his confession, Satan wanted to further explain his riddle. And in doing so, he identified himself as the nesher | lacerating bird of prey, the mangling and refuse-eating vulture who was ha gadowl gadowl | the greatest of the great and the highest of the high, with ha kanaph ‘arek | the longest wings and the ‘eber male’ | fullest array of feathers, even with nowtsah | plumage identifying him with riqmah | human trafficking and the sexual enslavement of women.
Thus said (koh ‘amar) my owner, the one who controls and possesses me, my Lord and Master (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), so I have grasped hold and seized (laqach – I have obtained and accepted (qal perfect)) for myself (‘any) out of the treetop (tsamereth) of the cedar (ha ‘erez) to be the one raised on high, to be lifted up and exalted (ha ruwm – to rise in rebellion, proud of being above the most high (qal participle)).
Then I will be bestowed (wa nathan – I will be given, afforded and offered (qal perfect first-person singular)) from the source, being the most crucial and uppermost 321head, the best from the beginning, the sum of all things (min ro’sh).
His young and tender shoots, his offspring and descendants (yowneqeth huw’ – his suckling children and infants), those who are tender and weak, the spoiled without moral resolve, the inexperienced and incapable, the coddled and frail (rak), I will pluck off, breaking and picking apart (qataph – I will strip bare and cut down (qal imperfect first-person singular)).
Then I will plant (shathal – I will transplant (qal perfect first-person singular)) myself (‘any) on high, upon the highest and loftiest of mountains (‘al har), the highest official, the most powerful of all, splendorous and majestic, albeit haughty and conceited (gabah – exalting myself, even if immorally and improperly), towering above all (taluwl – the most eminent and exalted; used only this one time in Ezekiel). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 17:22)
Satan not only views himself as the greatest of all eagles, he wants to be seen rising up above and beyond the Most High. So once again, in the Devil’s own words, we are witnessing the fulfillment of Yasha’yah | Isaiah 14. He would have everyone believe that he is ha ruwm | the most exalted of all. He is presenting himself as ro’sh | being the uppermost from the beginning – the source and sum of all things.
And in the process, he is seeking to pluck away the Children of Yisra’el, picking apart God’s family. He has even announced that he will target the rak | coddled and frail, the spoiled and weak, the inexperienced and incapable.
Once this is accomplished, Satan intends to plant himself on high, rising above the loftiest of mountains – above Mowryah – which he accomplished with the Dome of the Rock. So, Ezekiel is Satan’s coming-out party. He 322has come out of the darkest of closets to be seen as the most powerful spirit of all, the splendorous and majestic one who towers above all, eminent and exalted.
It is breathtaking in its audacity.
And every tree (wa kol ‘ets) of the field (ha sadeh) will have come to know and acknowledge (yada’) that, indeed (ky), This Is Not Him (#^^#!).
I humble and humiliate (shaphel – I shame (hifil perfect first-person singular)) proud and haughty, splendorous and majestic tree (‘ets gaboah), and (wa) I make taller and exalt (gabah) the lowly and humiliated tree (‘ets shaphal).
I dry up and shrivel (yabesh – I wither) the fresh, moist, and vigorous tree (‘ets lach), and I cause to sprout, blossom, and flourish (parah – I enable to thrive) the dried-up and withered tree (‘eth yabesh).
I (‘any), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), I have spoken (dabar). And I have done (wa ‘asah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 17:24)
Since he couldn’t convince Jews that he is Yahowah, then trees must have seemed like the next best option. But evidently, even they rebelled. Poor Satan; he can’t seem to catch a break.
What criteria do you suppose, did the religious use to propose that Ezekiel be considered as Godly and good? It is so obvious that the voice behind the book is demonic, equally egotistical and incapable, dumb as a stick, and as lethal as a viper, Ezekiel’s inclusion among the prophets is the only riddle worth considering.
323The repetitive rhetoric has become annoying as has the pretense that this nonsense was offered by God to anyone, much less to a fellow known as Son of Human.
And it is the word (wa hayah dabar) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!), to me (‘el ‘any) to say (la ‘amar), (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:1) what to you (mah la ‘atem) you quoting a Proverb (‘atem Mashal) with the Proverb (‘eth ha Mashal) of this (ha zeh) over the ground (‘al ‘adamah) of Israel (Yisra’el), saying (‘amar) fathers (‘ab) eat (‘akal) unripe fruit (boser) and teeth of the sons (wa shen ha ben) are dull (qahah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:2)
Alive Me (chay ‘any), prophetically declares (na’um) my owner, the one who controls and possesses me, my Lord and Master (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), if it is (‘im hayah) for you (la ‘atem) no longer a Proverb (‘owd Mashal), this Proverb (ha Mashal ha zeh) in Israel (ba Yisra’el). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:3)
Congratulations, ha Satan, you finally got a prediction right…maybe. Since ‘saying fathers eat unripe fruit and teeth of sons are dull’ was plagiarized from Yirma’yah | Jeremiah, it was never a Mashal. Therefore, you would be correct, Alive Me, by predicting that ‘if it is for you no longer a Proverb, this Proverb in Israel.’ Now, if you could convince Yahowah to change His standard for authenticity from every statement being correct to all but one being incorrect, Ezekiel would be able to join the ranks of the prophets.
But alas, we are quickly jerked back into She’owl with the transition from hell. What do sour fruit and dull teeth have to do with Satan claiming every soul for himself, especially those who die missing the way?
Behold (hen – lo surely), every one of the souls (kol ha nepesh) approach me (la ‘any – to me and for me). They (henah), like the soul (ka nepesh) of the father (ha ‘ab) and like (wa ka) the soul (nepesh) of the son (ha ben) 324toward me (la ‘any). They (henah), the soul (ha nepesh) who misses the way (ha chata’), it dies (hy’ muwth). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:4)
Not so. Most souls simply cease to exist at the conclusion of their mortal existence. They, by that definition, belong to no one. The souls of the Covenant’s children are Yahowah’s. Satan can only lay claim to those joining him in She’owl. And in their case, their crime will not be missing the way but, instead, leading others astray.
There are five conditions associated with our participation in the Covenant and, therefore, being vindicated. You will not find any of them here…
An individual (wa ‘iysh), verily (ky) is (hayah) right and vindicated (tsadyq – correct, innocent, and acquitted) and he has done (wa ‘asah) mishpat | a sound decision (mishpat – exercised good judgment regarding the means to resolve disputes) and correct (tsadaqah – just and right) (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:5) to the mountains (‘el ha harym) not having eaten (lo’ ‘akal) and his eyes (wa ‘ayn huw’) not having been lifted up (lo’ nasa’) to images worshiped (‘el giluwlym – that which is either rolled away or worn) by the Household of Israel (beyth Yisra’el), and with his evil friends or unethical countrymen’s woman (wa ‘eth ‘ishah rea huw’), he was not dirty (lo’ tame’) or to a menstruating woman (wa ‘el ‘ishah nidah), he does not approach or draw near (lo’ qareb). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:6)
Do not eat the mountains is always sage advice. However, since Yisra’el did not exist at the time, not having lifted up one’s eyes to what they worshiped is superfluous. Showering before being with your friend’s woman is better than being a dirty Jew, I suppose, as is waiting for her period to end before approaching her.
325Not that we should be surprised, nevertheless, Satan has repeatedly shown that he does not meet his own conditions…
An individual (wa ‘iysh) does not take advantage (lo’ yanah – he does not crush, mistreat, or oppress (hifil imperfect)) his pledge of collateral for a loan (chabolah) for the guilty (chuwb – only used in Ezekiel), he returns (shuwb – he brings back (hifil imperfect)) robbed things (gazelah – feminine loot).
He does not seize or kidnap (lo’ gazal – he does not rob or mug without a proper agreement (qal imperfect)). His bread (lechem huw’) to hungry (ra’eb – famished (written as an adjective, not a noun)) he gives (nathan – he offers (qal imperfect)).
And naked (‘erowm – bare (presented as an adjective rather than a noun)), he covers and conceals (kasah – he hides (piel imperfect)) treachery and betrayal (beged – of deceitful apparel). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:7)
With the usurious interest (neshek – with the excessive interest), he does not provide (lo’ nathan – he does not offer (qal imperfect)) an exorbitant charges (tarbyth) he does not grasp (lo’ laqach – he does not take (qal imperfect)) out of (min) dishonesty and injustice (‘awel – evil) he returns (shuwb – he brings back and restores (hifil imperfect)) his hand (yad huw’) sound thinking (mishpat – good judgment), reliability and honesty (‘emeth – true (written as a noun rather than adverb)) he does (‘asah – he performs (qal imperfect)) between (bayn) individual to individual (‘iysh la ‘iysh). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:8)
Ever the economic wizard, should the debtor be guilty of nonpayment – robbing the lender – the Lord of Babel would have the lender return the collateral. Should that be the norm, there would be no more loans, and without loans, 326only the wealthy would own businesses and homes. This leads to a culture of dependency in which people are easily manipulated.
Since the Lord of Babel has been fixated on kidnapping Yisra’el from Yahowah, we can only assume that he does not want anyone freeing those he has captured. However, because he has instituted mass starvation and recognized that there would be no incentive to be productive in his system, he needs someone to feed his victims – particularly the naked he has sought to torment. And in this case, he wants the Devil’s children to cover and conceal his treachery and betrayal.
In a society, people are either empowered, enriched, and emancipated by free enterprise or subjugated, impoverished, and controlled through a feudal caste system, socialism, or communism. The availability of capital to every responsible individual on equitable terms is among the hallmarks of a liberated society, where interest rates are fair because there are many lenders. The rates, however, that lenders will provide capital, and borrowers will seek loans, are a complex algorithm that neither governments nor debtors seem to understand. So, to tell the borrower that he should not provide payment of what he believes to be usurious belies an appreciation for the dynamics involved and will lead to unpaid loans and bankruptcy.
If the speaker was God and not a demonic anti-Semitic psychopath, this would have been good advice, at least up to the conclusion…
In my decrees (ba chuqah ‘any), he walks (halak – he goes (piel imperfect)) and my decision-making (wa mishpat ‘any) he observed (shamar – he examined (qal perfect)) to do (la ‘asah) reliability and honesty (‘emeth – trustworthiness (written as a noun rather than an adverb)). Right (tsadyq – vindicated) he, himself, absolutely and 327continually lives (huw’ chayah – he is continually and certainly kept alive (qal infinitive imperfect)), declares (na’um) my owner, the one who controls and possesses me, my Lord and Master (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:9)
Five centuries before Ezekiel was penned in Babylon, Dowd had written brilliantly in Yaruwshalaim about Yahowah’s chuqah and mishpat, while also including far more valuable instructions regarding observing the mitswah and Towrah. Dowd’s insights made it abundantly clear that our commitment to being observant had to be ongoing (written using the imperfect conjugation), not just in the past (as written here in the perfect conjugation). Further, when inclusive of the mitswah | conditions of the Covenant and Towrah | Guidance, the observant would hayah | be tsadaq | right with God. But in this presentation, the result of prior observations leads la ‘asah | to doing ‘emeth | honesty – defining the intent of religion, particularly Judaism and Christianity.
And in this regard, the writer used the wrong form of ‘emeth both times, as he had ra’eb and rowm in the previous statement, revealing a linguistic deficiency uncharacteristic of God. Similarly, “shuwb yad huw’ mishpat ‘emeth ‘asah bayn ‘iysh la iysh – he brings back and restores his hand good judgment, reliability and honesty he does between individual to individual” is senseless.
However, these issues pale in comparison to the conclusion where it is by performing this rather odd list of inadequate things that the individual is deemed correct and lives. That is not only inconsistent with Yahowah’s Towrah | Guidance regarding the role of the Mitswah and Miqra’ey, continually living without reconciliation and having been perfected by Yahowah leads to the worst of all outcomes – an eternity with Satan in She’owl.
328Eternal life is a very bad thing unless it is in the right place. And to arrive there, we must accept the mitswah | conditions of the Covenant and attend the Miqra’ey | Invitations to be Called Out and Meet with God.
The promise the Lord of Babel is making is similar to that of Christianity and Judaism – albeit in somewhat different ways. Both religions prioritize a misinterpretation of Pesach, the means to eternal life, and then forego Matsah, where souls are perfected by removing the fungus of religion and politics. To chayah | live as a result of observing Pesach (Christianity is based upon a misinterpretation of the sacrifice of the Passover lamb) without capitalizing on the cleansing effects of UnYeasted Bread is to be imperfect and immortal, necessitating incarceration in She’owl | Hell. And while there is no individual salvation or immortality in Judaism, tsadaq | righteousness is obtained by performing a long list of religious edicts.
Having forgotten that everything he previously stated was good, the Lord of Babel stumbles on his tongue. However, that isn’t the worst of it. Beyond convoluted, much of this is nonsensical and wrong…
And he fathered a son (wa yalad), a violent robber (paryts) pouring out blood (shapak dam) and he did (‘asah – he performed (qal perfect)), alas (‘ah), a single one of (min ‘echad min) these things (‘eleh), (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:10) and himself (wa huw’), he did not do (lo’ ‘asah) any of these (‘eth kol ‘eleh), then, indeed (ky), also (gam) to the mountains (‘el ha harym), he has eaten (‘akal – he consumed (qal perfect)), and with his evil friends or unethical countrymen’s woman (wa ‘eth ‘ishah rea huw’), he was not clean (lo’ tame’ – he was dirty (piel perfect)), (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:11) afflicted and oppressed (‘any) and poor and needy (wa ‘ebyown), he took advantage or mistreated (yanah – he oppressed (hifil perfect)), he has seized, kidnapped, or robbed 329(gazal – he came to possess without the proper agreement (qal perfect)) the robbed things (gazelah – the plundering of loot (presented as a verbal noun)), the pledge for a loan as collateral (chabol) he does not return or restore (lo’ shuwb – he does not bring back (hifil imperfect)), and to the images rolled away as dung (wa ‘el ha giluwlym – the rolling idols akin to feces), he has lifted up (nasa’ – he has carried (qal perfect)) his eyes (‘ayn huw’).
He has done (‘asah – he has committed (qal perfect)) an abomination (tow’ebah), (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:12) with the high interest (ba ha neshek) he has offered or provided (nathan – he has given or bestowed (qal perfect)), and incrementally more (wa tarbyth – a bonus profit) he has taken (laqach – he has grasp hold and obtained (qal perfect)) and he has lived (wa chayah – he remained alive (qal perfect)) he will not live (lo’ chayah – he will not be kept alive (qal imperfect)) with all of the abominations (‘eth kol ha tow’ebah) of these (ha ‘eleh) he did (‘asah – he performed (qal perfect)).
His death will actually be dramatically compelled so that he will continually be forced to die (muwth muwth – he will have no say in his execution (qal infinitive hofal imperative)). His blood (dam huw’) is (hayah – will be (qal imperfect)) in himself (ba huw’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:13)
There are so many things the Devil got wrong, it’s hard to know where to start, so let’s jump in. It would be inappropriate to condemn parents for the crimes committed by their adult children. Further, armed robbery does not warrant the death penalty – which is where this leads. While we are not told who is bleeding and pouring out blood, based on the bloody conclusion, this inference is that it is the robber. If so, bleeding is not a crime. The pouring out of someone else’s blood, apart from a medical procedure or accident, could be a crime, but if so, it is one the Lord is guilty of committing.
330The previous three verses delineate 16 positive behaviors, which is the only way to interpret not doing something presented as bad. So, by saying that, if the father, although it could be the son, is in trouble and will die if he did any of these things, is to condemn one or both for following the Lord’s instructions.
To this, there are other bad behaviors, although this time there is the presumption that they are being perpetrated. Not eating mountains becomes “to the mountains he has eaten.” While refraining from eating dirt may be good advice, having eaten them is wrong every which way. If having consumed dirt was an unforgivable sin leading to certain death, every toddler on earth would have to be executed. And that is why Yahowah avoids using the perfect conjugation when counseling us about behaviors we should avoid. Should this have been conveyed in the imperfect, as were the Ten Statements Yah etched in stone, the moment the toddler stopped eating dirt, the problem would be resolved from God’s perspective.
Forgetting the order of his previous arrangement, the Lord skips past eyeing idols and jumps to being dirty with the neighbor’s woman. And while showering before being neighborly is good advice, by scribing lo’ tame’ with the perfect conjugation, one dirty house call would damn one’s soul.
While it is the Lord’s prerogative, I suppose, the third item on his naughty list did not appear on the nice side of the ledger. The wayward father or son is shown acting like Satan and taking advantage of and mistreating the afflicted and oppressed in addition to the poor and needy. And again, scribed using the perfect, a single commission of an exceedingly nebulous act, one that isn’t actually a crime, would warrant the death penalty.
Failing to mention not approaching menstruating women this time through, the Lord temporarily tables 331returning collateral to addressing seizing, kidnapping, and robbing the robbed things by actually inverting the order of his prior instruction. It appears that robbery and kidnapping are approved activities so long as you are not stealing already stolen property.
This brings us back to the returning collateral, although the second time, there is no mention of the borrower being guilty of nonpayment. And even then, there is a telling point of comparison. The positive ledger of behaviors was conveyed using the imperfect conjugation. This means if you ever do what you should be avoiding, you are forever guilty. Then with the negative listing, everything is in the perfect conjugation, where a person is one and done, creating an untenable situation either way.
The first time through, the Lord stated that, to live, one could never lift one’s eyes to stinky images rolled away or worn by the House of Israel. In the second pass, there was no mention of the offensive nation. Although in the repetitive rephrasing, we are told that to have done any of this, even once, is an abomination. And yet, there is no mention of offering bread to the hungry on the second list or of concealing the betrayal of the naked.
Somehow, never profiting by charging a high rate of interest is required to live and doing so, even once, leads to one’s execution. This means that there would be no small loans, no loans to anyone who hasn’t borrowed previously, and no loans during inflationary periods.
The negative ledger does not require returning his hand, sound thinking, or honesty between individuals. There is no need to walk in the Lord’s decrees or observe his decision-making process to do reliability, either. And should you think that I’m nitpicking the Lord, you’d be right. And it is right because the Lord is impersonating God while speaking of life and death.
332In the terminal list, everything is considered an abomination. And the consequence is forced execution. There is no mercy, no second chance, no reconciliation. The Devil’s torah kills without any provision for life apart from individual perfection – having always done everything right and never doing anything wrong. So, in Satan’s scheme, Moseh and Dowd were unsalvageable souls.
Moving on, I propose that the unnecessary repetition of ‘behold’ becomes a crime punishable by taking away one’s writing apparatus. And while we are at it, can we ban mindless repetitions? Although, to mix it up, this time the list contains both naughty and nice. It was so babel of the Lord to commingle them.
Then behold (wa hineh), he fathered a son (yalad ben) and he continually sees (wa ra’ah) all of the sins (kol chata’ah) of his father (‘ab huw’) which (‘asher) he has done (‘asah), and he sees (wa ra’ah) and he does not do them similarly (wa lo’ ‘asah ka hen), (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:14) he did not feed (lo’ ‘akal – he did not eat) upon the mountains (‘al ha har), or his eyes (wa ‘ayn huw’) not lifted up (nasa’) to rolling images clothed and crafted with dung (‘el giluwlym) of the House of Israel (beyth Yisra’el), with his troublesome friend’s woman or his loudmouthed neighbor’s wife (‘eth ‘ishah rea’ huw’) ever be dirty (lo’ tame’ – have been unclean (piel perfect)), (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:15) and individual (wa ‘iysh) he did not mistreat or take advantage (lo’ yanah – he did not parse out or destroy) pledge (chabowl – collateral) he did not require or take for security and surety of repayment (lo’ chabal), and robbed loot he did not rob, steal, kidnap, or seize (gazelah lo’ gazal), his bread (lechem huw’) to the hungry he gave (la ra’eb nathan), and the naked (wa ‘erowm) he covered and concealed (kasah) betrayal and treachery with a cloak (beged), (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:16) from afflicted (min 333‘any) he returned his hand (shuwb yad huw’) interest for borrowing money (neshek) or percentage profit (wa tarbyth) he did not accepted (lo’ laqach), my judgmental decisions (mishpat ‘any) he did (‘asah) with my prescriptions (ba chuqah ‘any) he walked (halak), he, himself, will not die (huw’ lo’ muwth) with his father’s (‘ab huw’) guilt and punishment, perversity and depravity (‘awon), living, he will live (chayah chayah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:17)
We endured all of this mindless repetition to discover that by perfectly performing as the Lord requires a son will not be punished for his father’s crimes. Since we cannot choose our fathers, that was so informative and generous of him.
As for dear old dad, how did he manage to mistreat tyranny and defraud extortion? And wouldn’t doing so be good, not bad?
His father (‘ab huw’), indeed (ky), mistreated and defrauded (‘ashaq) tyranny and extortion (‘osheq). He seized, kidnapped, and robbed (gazal) the robbed and confiscated loot (gazelah) of brother (‘ach) who is not good (‘asher lo’ towb), he did (‘asah) in the midst of his people (ba tawek ‘am huw’), and behold (wa hineh), he has died (muwth) with (ba) his perversity and punishment (‘awon huw’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:18)
Was it the hypothetical, tyranny-defrauding father and robber of robbers, who was perverse and dead, or was it the bad brother? And what does this have to do with the son?
And you say (wa ‘amar), why, on what account (maduwa’), the son (ha ben) he has not lifted up or carried away (lo’ nasa’) with the perversity and punishment (ba ‘awon) of the father (ha ‘ab)?
And the son (wa ha ben) decision (mishpat) and right (wa tsadaqah) he has done (‘asah) with all of my 334regulations (‘eth kol chuqah ‘any), he has observed (shamar) and he is doing (wa ‘asah) with them (‘eth hem) lives, he will live (chayah chayah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:19)
Since the question makes no sense, let’s assume that the Lord of Babel is just making it up to amuse himself. And as for his answer, as an obedient submissive, it appears that the hypothetical son will soon rival Ezekiel.
If I may interrupt the tossing of this word salad, we should not look to God for advice on life and death. With no credit to ourselves, we are already living. And apart from a very select few, none of whom will benefit from these edicts, we will all die. What matters is the dispensation of our souls. But the Lord of Babel isn’t the least bit interested in any of that. Further, misleading others without the benefit of the Beryth’s blessings or the Miqra’ey’s provisions is to be damned to Hell. Dying is a much better option.
The following statement, therefore, isn’t always true. Missing the way is resolvable through the Beryth and Mow’ed. Further, those who do as the Devil’s Advocate is doing will endure an eternity in She’owl, which is the opposite of dying.
The soul (ha nepesh) who sins (chata’ – who misses the way or leads astray), she, herself, will die (hy’ muwth). The son will not lift up or carry (ben lo’ nasa’) with the perversity and punishment (ba ‘awon) of the father (ha ‘ab) and the father (wa ‘ab) will not lift up or carry (lo’ nasa’) with the perversity and punishment (ba ‘awon) of the son (ha ben).
Righteousness (tsadaqah) of the righteous (ha tsadyq) upon himself (‘al huw’) is (hayah) and wickedness (risha’ah) of wicked (rasha’) upon himself (‘al huw’) is (hayah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:20)
335Why did the Lord say otherwise earlier in this same chapter? Is his intent to confuse? Or is he enamored with his own rant?
But the wicked (wa ha rasha’), indeed (ky), he turns away (shuwb) from all of his sins (min kol chata’ huw’) which he has done (‘asher ‘asah) and observed (wa shamar) with all of my regulations (‘eth kol chuqah ‘any) and he did (wa ‘asah) judgment (mishpat) and justice (wa tsadaqah), living, he lives (chayah chayah), not will he die (lo’ muwth). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:21)
If they are supposedly wicked, why are they turning away from their sins? If they had been observant, why didn’t they know better? And why, since every Jew from that date to this one has passed away, did the Lord of Babel claim otherwise? More importantly, why hasn’t he bothered to explain that there are three potential outcomes for souls, not just two – live or die?
With every word, this is sounding more like Judaism, where the religious believe that righteousness is its own reward – the be-all and end-all of life.
All of his transgressions (kol pesha’ huw’ – rebellions and revolts) which he did (‘asher ‘asah), they will not be remembered (lo’ zakar). For him (la huw’), with his righteousness (ba tsadaqah huw’) which he had accomplished (‘asher ‘asah), he will live (chayah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:22)
If our righteousness exonerates sin, obliterating all traces of man’s religious rebellion against Yahowah, why did God present, explain, and fulfill the Mow’ed? Why bother with the conditions and benefits of the Covenant? Why provide the Towrah? Why did God liberate the Children of Yisra’el when they were capable of saving themselves? With all of the pious religiosity over the past 25 centuries, why are Jews still dying and life not improving? Why did Yahowah state repeatedly that He is 336our Savior if man saves himself? Did anyone bother to read Ezekiel before claiming that these contradictions of the Towrah were inspired by the Author of the Towrah?
It is rather odd that a spirit which has sought to murder Jews 19 ways from Sunday, now claims that he doesn’t enjoy killing. Methinks he’s lying.
Riddle me this (ha): delighting and desiring (chaphets – having a fondness and preference (qal infinitive)) I am enjoying and finding pleasure in (chaphets – I am inclined to pursue with a decided bent favoring (qal imperfect first-person singular)) the widespread plague of death (maweth – the virulent pandemic disease which is epidemic, killing vast populations) of the unrighteous and guilty (rasha’ – the violators), declares (na’um) my owner, the one who controls and possesses me, my Lord and Master (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!)?
Rephrasing the question (ha), not with returning (lo’ ba shuwb) of him (huw’) from his way (min derek huw’) and he was alive (wa hayah – he would have lived (qal perfect))? (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:23)
After delineating the many ways he was anticipating killing Jews, the answer is obvious. There is nothing Satan wants more than to obliterate the Jewish people. If he was attending a Hamas rally or Hezbollah recruitment drive, he’d be indistinguishable from the rest of the nincompoops.
As for the second question, I am not qualified to answer it. I have not been sufficiently schooled in gibberish.
Oh, great devilish demon, what is your standard for righteousness? If I recall, at the conclusion of the previous chapter, you told men who had prostituted themselves to stone, dice, and incinerate their lovers, burning their 337families inside of their homes as others watched and then instructed the least righteous to judge and punish their victims. That does not sound appealing to me.
And with turning away (wa ba shuwb) a righteous (tsadyq) from his righteousness (min tsadaqah huw’) and he did (wa ‘asah) wrong (‘awel – evil) like (ka) all of the abominations (kol ha tow’ebah) which the wickedly unrighteous (‘asher ha rasa’) has done (‘asah), he does (‘asah) and lived (wa chayah).
All (kol) of his righteousness (tsadaqah) which he did (‘asher ‘asah) they cannot remember (lo’ zakar – they cannot recall (nifal imperfect third-person feminine plural)) with his disobedient perfidy (ba ma’al huw’ – in his over-the-top treachery, his highly disloyal infidelity) for which (‘asher) he was breaking the faith by having been unreliable (ma’al).
And with his sin (wa ba chata’ huw’) which he has sinned (‘asher chata’) with them (ba hem), he will die (muwth). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:24)
A baseline requirement for posing as God is to be literate. It is a standard Ezekiel, Paul, and Muhammad could not meet. The first two sentences are incomprehensible and the third is unjustified.
Sharing yet another imaginary conversation with his critics, the Adversary reveals that those who do not exist are more aware and rational than he…
And you said (wa ‘amar), the way of my Lord and Master, the conduct of the one controlling and possessing me (derek ‘adony) reveals that he is a lightweight, off the mark, and unjust, completely dysregulated and off balance (lo’ takan – he does not measure up and is impossible to understand because he is not on the level (nifal imperfect third-person masculine singular))!
338You must listen, now (shama’ na’ – you are compelled to hear, I pray (qal imperative)), Household of Israel (beyth Yisra’el)! How is my way (ha derek ‘any) off the mark, unjust, and incomprehensible (lo’ takan – of no value, dysregulated, and off balance, below the acceptable standard)?
Are not your ways (ha lo’ derek ‘atem) incomprehensible and dysregulated, unacceptable as those of an unequal lightweight (lo’ takan)? (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:25)
Had “Ezekiel” said any of what we have read through the first 18 chapters to anyone, every informed and rational person in earshot would have immediately concluded that his Lord was impossible to understand and dysregulated. He is out of his league pretending to be Yahowah. The voice conveyed throughout Ezekiel is grotesquely unjust and completely unacceptable.
And let’s be clear, “Ezekiel” could not have been having this imaginary conversation with the Household of Israel. The ten tribes comprising Yisra’el had been conquered and dispersed as captives in 721 BCE by the Assyrians. They were lost to history. The Jewish captives in Babylon circa 590 BCE, when this was alleged to have been written, were Yahuwdym. If the Lord of Babel and his apprentice, “Ezekiel,” want to converse with imaginary friends, for credibility’s sake, they should get the name of their audience right, especially when pretending to be God and prophet.
Back in a day when people were less indoctrinated and religious, when evidence and reason mattered, the first to hear this vulgar and delusional diatribe recognized that it was as incongruous with Yahowah’s testimony through actual prophets as possible. They are at the far extremes of the credibility scale. It is like comparing Moseh and Dowd to Paul and Muhammad.
339Knowing that the accusation was accurate, all “Ezekiel” could muster was, “Na, na, na, na, nah.” His response to the only accurate statement we have read throughout 18 chapters was to inadvertently slip into the voice of his Lord while turning the statement into a question without an answer, followed by another accusatory question repeating the same rather odd verb.
It all boils down to: “How dare you claim my Lord is off of his rocker just because he is relentlessly threatening to exterminate you. Shame on you for suggesting that the exploitation of a minor is wrong, even after we arranged for her to pay her partners to have sex with her and then stone, dice, and flambé her to let other women know that they must also submit. You are so unappreciative; you must be lo’ takan.”
It is readily apparent that “Ezekiel” is a foil being used by the Lord of Babel, also known as Satan, to project himself as God. But this attempt is pathetic, so dysregulated and incomprehensible, so unethical, it is a wonder it fooled the religious sufficiently to incorporate this devilish drivel into their bibles.
In turning away (ba shuwb) righteous from his righteousness (tsadyq min tsadaqah huw’ – just out of his justice as an adjective and then a noun) and he did (wa ‘asah) evil (‘awel – wicked perversity and unjust depravity) and so he has died (wa muwth) over them (‘al hem) with his evil (‘awel huw’ – his dishonest depravity) which he did (‘asher ‘asah). He will die (muwth). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:26)
Consistent with my previous assessment, the imaginary accuser was correct, leaving Satan without rebuttal. Unable to debate his foe, the Devil threatens to kill him. We find this same broken record in Allah’s voice throughout the Quran. Paul is also fond of the fallacy.
340Now in all fairness, since “in turning away righteous from his righteousness and he did evil” is senseless, I based my assessment on muwth | he will die, which seemed sufficiently clear.
Just as two wrongs do not make a right, repeating something senseless does not make it comprehensible. It is as if Ezekiel were being rewarded for the number of words he wrote with his limited vocabulary.
And with returning (wa ba shuwb – so in turning around) unrighteous (rasha’ – wicked as an adjective) from his unrighteousness (min risha’ah huw’ – out of wickedness as a noun), which he did (‘asher ‘asah), and he does (wa ‘asah) decision (mishpat – judgment) and his righteousness (wa tsadaqah huw’) with his soul (‘eth nepesh huw’) lives (chayah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:27)
And he sees (wa ra’ah) and he returns (wa shuwb) from all of his rebellious defiance and revolting disobedience (min kol pesha’ huw’) which he has done (‘asher ‘asah) live, he lives (chayah chayah), not die (lo’ muwth). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:28)
No. We all live and die. Our tsadaq or rasha’ has no bearing on our mortality. Pursuant to God, all that matters is the outcome of our soul. And for that, there are three options. Most souls dissipate and vanish, ceasing to exist after the mortal passing of the body. For these souls, there is no afterlife, no reward or punishment, no heaven or hell. These individuals, who represent the vast majority of people, do not know Yahowah and are either unaware of what He is expecting of us or they have rejected His requests.
However, those who lead others astray, and away from God, like Ezekiel and his Lord, will be held accountable for this crime. Their recompense is to spend an eternity incarcerated in She’owl – their soul incapable of escape. This will make Hell an especially religious realm. Those 341who enter this lightless place akin to a black hole will find the likes of Ezekiel and Daniel, Paul and Akiba, Muhammad and Maimonides, along with almost every pope and priest, rabbi and imam, all anticipating their arrival.
By contrast, by acknowledging Yahowah’s name, embracing the conditions of His Covenant, and accepting His Invitations to the Mow’ed, souls become immortal, perfected, adopted, enriched, and empowered, enabling His children to live forevermore in His Home. In this regard, so long as the crime was not the negating of His name, every prior violation of the Towrah’s Instructions can be resolved, leading to the desired result.
We should not be surprised that a pretend prophet and pretend god are engaged in pretend conversations with pretend people. Nor should it be unexpected that an extremely unusual verb is now being repeated for the fourth, fifth, and sixth times. But most incriminating of all, for a second time, “Ezekiel” slips out of character. “My Lord” cannot be “my ways” in this conversation unless there is no distinction between “Ezekiel” and “my Lord.” They have been and remain one and the same, as is the case with Paul and his Lord and Muhammad and Allah.
And said (wa ‘amar) the Household of Israel (beyth Yisra’el), the way of my Lord (derek ‘adony) continually fails the test, does not measure up, and is constantly unbalanced, unequitable, and not on the level (lo’ takan – cannot be verified and is not correct, it fails to meet the standard and is discriminatory, it is dysregulated and misdirected (nifal imperfect – the Lord is responsible for and affected by his psychosis)).
How are my ways (ha derek ‘any) unequitable, unbalanced, misdirected, and discriminatory (lo’ takan – unverifiable and incorrect, failing the test and not measuring up)?
342House of Israel (beyth Yisra’el), are not your ways (ha lo’ derek ‘atem) incorrect, inconsistent, and unequitable (lo’ takan – contrary to the standard and discriminatory, misdirected and inappropriate)? (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:29)
While I would have been thrilled to report that even a smattering of Yisra’elites came to this conclusion, the incorporation of Ezekiel into Judaism’s religious texts and doctrines says otherwise. Nonetheless, it is a valid assessment of the Lord of Babel.
Judaism is invalid in part because of the inclusion of Ezekiel, but nothing the rabbis have ever said is as misdirected as Satan claiming to be Yahowah. So, in this battle of tit for tat, Yahuwdym are not only redeemable, they are vastly preferable.
Also, while Ezekiel did not pause for an answer to his question when speaking as the Lord, I think I’ve done a decent job of delineating the countless ways Satan has been lo’ takan. And while it matters not that the Devil heeds this rebuke, I am hopeful that it resonates with and liberates Yahuwdym.
In the meantime, unable to refute the charges brought against him or his prophet, all the Lord has left is bluster.
Therefore (la ken), individual (‘iysh) according to (ka) his ways (derek huw’) I will pass judgment (shaphat) with you (‘eth ‘atem), Household of Israel (beyth Yisra’el), declares (na’um) my owner, the one who controls and possesses me, my Lord and Master (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!).
You must return (shuwb – you are compelled to turn around (qal imperative)). So, you are commanded to turn (wa shuwb) from all of your rebellious defiance (min kol pesha’ ‘atem) and not existing (wa lo’ hayah) for you (la 343‘atem) stumbling block (mikshowl) sin (‘awon). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:30)
You must hurl (shalak) from (min) over you (‘al ‘atem) all of your rebellious offenses (kol pesha’ ‘atem) which (‘asher) you have rebelled defiantly (pasha’) with them (ba hem). And you must do (wa ‘asah) to yourselves (la ‘atem) a new heart (leb chadash) and a new spirit (wa ruwach chadash).
So why do you continually die (wa la mah muwth), House of Israel (beyth Yisra’el)? (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:31) For (ky) I am not desiring or taking pleasure (lo’ chaphets – I am not fond of or swayed) by death by pandemic or plague (ba maweth) of the dying (ha muwth), declares (na’um) my owner, the one who controls and possesses me, my Lord and Master (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!). So, you are compelled to return (wa shuwb – you must turn around (hifil imperative)) and you are commanded to live (wa chayah – you must remain alive (qal imperative)). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 18:32)
The Lord will be judged as opposed to being the Judge. However, other than to understand the many ways he uses religion to pass himself off as God, we do not have to be concerned about his threats.
We have learned that the imperative mood conveys volition, but freewill is alien to the Adversary, necessitating rendering it as a command. And in this case, the Devil is anticipating getting almost every Yisra’elite to turn to him rather than Yahowah. If he is right, Yowm Kipurym will be sparsely attended, and we will have failed Yahowah.
