344Babel
Tow’ebah
…Abominable
7
Qinah | Lamentable
Funeral Dirge…
I feel like we have come up for air. While the 17th and 18th chapters of Ezekiel were dark and demented, it was like comparing a thunderstorm to a tornado when contrasted with Ezekiel 16. And so now, here’s hoping that the 19th chapter is simply stupid rather than lewd, deadly, and demonic.
We have dispensed with names and titles. Yachezq’el, the ben ‘adam, has been reduced to “you.”
So, you, yourself, must lift up (wa ‘atah nasa’) a lamentation as a funeral dirge (qinah – so you are compelled to express a sorry, mournful song performed as a memorial to a dead person) for the exalted political and religious leaders (nashya’ – for the uplifted government rulers and rabbis who are esteemed and who get carried away) of Israel (Yisra’el). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 19:1)
Surely, the reason for the sorrowful memorial service cannot be that the matriarch of Yisra’el was a lioness or that she had numerous cubs…
You said (wa ‘amar – you expressed (qal perfect)), what was (mah) your mother (‘em ‘atah)? A lioness (labya’ – used only in Ezekiel 19 in this form; from an Akkadian cognate, lab’u – to roar). Between (bayn) female lions (‘ary), she had laid down (rabats – she had crouched, sat, and rested (qal perfect)). In the middle (ba tawek) of fierce lions (kaphyr – adolescent and aggressive 345beasts), she increased (rabah) her whelp (guwr huw’ – her sojourn). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 19:2)
Yisra’el was not a lion, only Yahuwdah. So, the Lord is confused yet again.
Considering the Lord’s 19 murderous assaults upon the matriarch of Yisra’el, it is curious that she is now shown proliferating. Although what follows is lamentable. The most damaging conspiracy being heralded at Jews is that they are overbreeding and over-succeeding with the intent of wiping out gentiles. And while the opposite is true, with gentiles having persecuted and exterminated Jews for the past 3,500 years, the conspiratorial, myths never die.
And she is raising (‘alah – she is elevating (hifil imperfect)) one of her brood (‘echad min guwr hy’). He was (hayah – he existed as (qal perfect)) an adolescent and aggressive lion (kaphyr). He is learning (wa lamad – he is being trained (qal imperfect)) to rip apart and mangle prey (la taraph tereph). Humankind (‘adam – man) she devoured (‘akal – she consumed as food (qal perfect)). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 19:3)
With Ezekiel having influenced the religious and political for the past 2,500 years, it’s apparent where they turned to fuel their anti-Semitic rants. This is why it is so offensive to see Ezekiel placed among prophets in their bibles.
So rather than Ya’aqob’s sons heading to Mitsraym and the river to avoid the all-encompassing drought in the 19th century BCE, they were there because…
So, they listen (wa shama’) to him (‘el huw’). Gentiles (gowym) in their pit (ba shachath hem – in the slime of their putrid dungeon of corruption) he was captured and seized (taphas – he was caught and controlled (nifal perfect)) and (wa) they are bringing him 346(bow’ huw’ – they are coming for him) with the nose ring and hook (ba ha chach – the implements put into a captive to control him as if he were an animal) to the land of Mitsraym (‘el ‘erets Mitsraym – to the realm of the crucibles of religious and political persecution). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 19:4)
This revisionist history was obviously written for those who remain willfully ignorant of the Towrah. While there were pits and nose rings, even hooks, this combination of things was never brought to bear against Yisra’el. Further, when Ya’aqob and his sons arrived in Egypt, they were welcomed with open arms. Two hundred fifty-eight years would pass before they would be enslaved.
While ‘Abraham and Sarah would sojourn into Egypt to avoid an earlier drought, she did not have a son at the time.
Seeing (wa ra’ah – looking (qal imperfect)), surely (ky), she waited (yachal – she lingered expectantly and hopefully (nifal perfect)). Her hopeful expectation (tiqwah) was destroyed (‘abad – ceased to exist (qal perfect)).
She was grasping (wa laqach – she is obtaining (qal imperfect)) one (‘echad) from her cubs (min guwr hy’), an adolescent and aggressive lion (kaphyr) she placed him (sym huw’ – she put him (qal perfect)). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 19:5)
When someone has to lie to make their point, they do not have a valid point. This was not true the first time and it does not get better with repetition.
And he is walking (wa halak) within the midst (ba tawek) the felines (‘ary – the lionesses), an adolescent and aggressive lion (kaphyr) he was (hayah). So, he is learning (wa lamad) to tear apart and mangle (la taraph) 347prey (tereph). He ate men (‘adam ‘akal). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 19:6)
Well, if she did it twice, it must be so.
If the Israeli beasts were devouring their own, why was this lamentable for the Lord? He had already dispatched a beast which deprived women of children. But please explain how the man-eater came to know his widows. Wouldn’t he have to have died for this to have occurred? And wasn’t he, in his prior life, devouring men so that there would be more women in his pride?
So, he is coming to know (wa yada’ – he is familiar with (qal imperfect)) his widows (‘almanah huw’). And their cities (wa ‘iyr hem) he dried up and desolated (chareb – he shriveled up and wasted away (hifil perfect)). So, the land (wa ‘erets) is destitute and deserted, completely abandoned and uninhabitable (qal imperfect)). Fullness (wa malo’ hy’), from the sound (min qowl) of his roaring (sha’agah huw’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 19:7)
The beast is a man-eater but woman lover – which is not appealing to Satan. This lion produces droughts so as to leave the land abandoned and uninhabitable – something the Lord would applaud. And I suppose the Devil meant to say that the sound of his roaring filled the land.
If he was prowling Yisra’el, why did the Gentiles care…
The Gentiles (gowym) are given to be over him (wa nathan ‘al huw’) all around (sabyb – surrounding) from provinces (min madynah) and spreading (wa paras) out their net (resheth hem) over him (‘al huw’). In their pit (ba shachath hem – in the slime of their putrid dungeon of corruption), he was seized and controlled (taphas). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 19:8)
348Offering (wa nathan) him (huw’) in the cage (ba ha suwgar) with the nose rings and hooks (chach). And they were bringing him (wa bow’ huw’ – they came with him) to the king (‘el melek) of Babel | Confusion with the Lord | Babylon (Babel – to confound by commingling in the Bible). They were bringing him (bow’ huw’) into the prison (ba ha matsowdah – the fortress, fishnet, or trap) because (la ma’an) he was not listening (lo’ shama’) his voice (qowl huw’) any longer (‘owd) to the mountains (‘el har) of Israel (Yisra’el). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 19:9)
The first part is accurate enough. Gentiles have long sought to rule over Jews. However, they had not attacked in unison until Israel’s War of Independence in 1948 and then again during the Six-Day War in 1967. With all of the attacks on Judea over the ages, there was never a pit or net. And the one time that nose rings were used, Yisra’elites were being taken to Assyria, not Babylon. And even then, there was no prison. Slaves are, instead, put to work throughout the kingdom. And while each of those points was historically invalid, the mountains do not speak.
Your mother (‘em ‘atah) is like the vine (ka ha gephen) in your blood (ba dam ‘atah) over the water (‘al maym) being planted (shathal) bearing fruit (parah) and full of branches (wa ‘aneph) she exists out of a great many waters (hayah min maym rab). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 19:10)
So much for the lioness notion. That just wasn’t working out. Better yet, she’s a vine in blood over water. Perfect analogy. I wonder why Yahowah didn’t think of it?
As for the full branches existing of many great waters, she may have been nonbinary…
He is (wa hayah) for her (la hy’) strong and mighty tribes, branches, staffs, lances, and scepters (mateh ‘oz) to the proverb quoting and governing (mashal) tribes, branches, staffs, lances, or scepters (mateh).
349So, she is towering high, exalted and proud (wa gabah) at her upper limits (qomah hy’ – the highest heights) over between (‘al byn) the thick foliage (‘abowth). And he is seen (wa ra’ah) in his highest heights (gobah huw’) in the multitude of great (ba rob) her foliage (dalyth hy’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 19:11)
While I do not know if the Lord of Babel was rambling about tribes, branches, staffs, lances, or scepters, whether he was citing proverbs or governing, if it was a he or she who was riding high, I know that this is a lot better than what we previously endured. Let’s be grateful that the Lord is simply making a fool of himself.
Sorry, I spoke too soon…
Then is being pulled out, uprooted, and destroyed (wa natash) in venomous serpentine rage (ba chemah) to the land (la ha ‘erets), hurled away and thrown out (shalak).
The spirit or wind (wa ruwach) of the east (ha qadym) dried up and withered (yabesh – shriveled and paralyzed) her offspring (pary hy’ – her fruit and descendants).
They were torn apart and shredded (paraq – they were stripped off and ripped to pieces (hitpael perfect – on their own initiative they were snatched and broken)). They were shriveled and paralyzed (wa yabesh).
Her mighty tribes, branches, staffs, lances, and scepters (mateh ‘oz hy’) were consumed by fire (‘akal ‘esh). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 19:12)
When the metaphors fall flat on their faces and break apart, the next best option is to become enraged, destroy the critics, toss them out, shred their children, and then burn the evidence. Works every time.
So how is that which was ripped to pieces, shredded and shriveled, then burned, was now growing elsewhere?
350Now (wa ‘atah), it is planted (shathal) in the barren wilderness (ba ha midbar), in a dry desert land (ba ‘erets tsyah) and thirsty (wa tsama’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 19:13)
And fire (wa ‘esh) is coming out (yasha’) from the tribes, branches, staffs, lances, and scepters (min mateh). She alone, her poles and parts (bad hy’), her fruit, young descendants, and offspring (pary hy’) it has devoured (‘akal) and nothing exists with her (wa lo’ hayah ba hy’). Strong and mighty tribes, branches, staffs, lances, and scepters (mateh ‘oz), tribes, clans, people, or rulers, rods, staffs, or clubs (shebet) for citing Proverbs or ruling governments (la mashal).
Her lamentable funeral dirge (qinah hy’) is a lamentable funeral dirge (wa hayah la qinah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 19:14)
Isn’t it someone else’s turn to write commentary? Or can I end this fire breathing, poles and parts, staffs and scepters, of her devoured descendants who no longer exist as tribes or lances for citing parables or governing people as lamentable?
The following “details” have been written into this script to create the false impression that Yachezq’el | Ezekiel was a Yisra’elite in Babylon, a man of considerable standing in the community, and a prophet to whom God spoke prior to the second siege upon Jerusalem. But none of that is true. Ezekiel is a prop, a fictitious character in the Lord’s preposterous story.
There were no Yisra’elites in Babylonian captivity and certainly no elder statesmen. The initial tranche of captive slaves were comprised of the elite of Yahuwdah. And here 351in Babylon, they were slaves, without property, homes, or rights. Had “Ezekiel” actually existed and performed any of the ridiculous shenanigans described in the opening chapters, he would have been cast aside as a lunatic.
The dark and deadly, indeed, the perverted and grossly immoral, rantings we have read which were falsely ascribed to God are obviously of the Devil. He is revealing himself to us and it isn’t a pretty picture. Satan is deluded and psychotic, playing the role of a psychopath and egomaniac. He is dysregulated, completely out of control, to the point of twisting the foundations of truth into absurd counterfeits. His claims are not only preposterous, they are not even lucid. Reading Ezekiel is like descending into hell and entering a disorienting realm of sadistic rage with deadly and diabolical intent. Perversity, delusion, slander, and gibberish prevail. Everything is inverted and miscast.
And that is why Ezekiel is such a compelling story. It speaks to our collective psychological failings, self-destructive tendencies, inadequacies, rationalizations, sexual hang-ups, the need to control or be controlled, even fear of death and of going against the crowd.
While it is certain that Ezekiel was not written by Yachezq’el in the 6th BCE, I do not claim to know who actually wrote it or when. Both are irrelevant. What matters is what was written – the content – because it has been placed within the Christian and Jewish Bibles and is considered to be the inspired word of their god. And as such, these demonic diatribes have shaped both religions such that they demean Jews, degrade women, and serve to enshrine Satan as the Lord God of both religions.
As we move forward, I will continue to scribe the ongoing nature of the imperfect conjugation in the present or future tense while retaining the completed action of the perfect conjugation to the past. The imperative mood will be rendered as a command. The participle will be conveyed 352as a vivid version of the imperfect since it reflects similar qualities.
However, unless the conjugation or stem is essential to the message, for expediency’s sake, I’m no longer going to show them. Further, I will try to keep the translation as literal as possible, using either the primary definition of each word, or a combination of them when more than one seems to apply. In other words, as awkward and grammatically incorrect as this may seem, you will be reading what was actually written.
It is (wa hayah) in the year (ba ha shanah) of the seventh (ha shaby’iy), in the fifth (ba ha chamyshy), in the tenth (ba ha ‘asowr) of the month (la ha chodesh) had come (bow’) individuals (‘iysh) from the elder statesmen (min zaqen) of Israel (Yisra’el) to be seekers (darash) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!) and they were dwelling (wa yashab) before my presence (la paneh ‘any). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:1)
And it is the word (wa hayah dabar) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!) to me (‘el ‘any) to say (la ‘amar), (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:2) son of human (ben ‘adam), you must speak (dabar) with the elder statesmen (‘eth zaqen) of Israel (Yisra’el) and have said to them (wa ‘amar ‘el hem), thus said (koh ‘amar) the owner who controls and possesses me, my Lord and Master (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), why as one who seeks for me (ha la darash ‘eth ‘any) do you come (‘atem bow’), Alive Me (chay ‘any), if, hypothetically (‘im), I allow myself to be sought or found (darash – I care to facilitate a search or be seen (nifal imperfect)) by you (la ‘atem)? declares (na’um) the owner who controls and possesses me, my Lord and Master (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:3)
Curious, indeed, because this is just like Muhammad. He claimed to have heard Allah while no one else heard a 353peep. Allegedly, the gang is all gathered around Ezekiel, having come seeking Yahowah. But rather than God speaking to them, or even encouraging their quest to know Him, the Lord commands Ezekiel to ask a question which includes the answer: ‘Why as one who searches for me do you come?’ Without pausing, since it isn’t an intelligent question, the Lord adds: ‘Alive me, if hypothetically, I allow myself to be sought or found.’ So, are we to assume that the Lord is silently conveying messages to Ezekiel because he does not want the imaginary Yisra’elites to know he is there? Is he hiding behind the silence? And why, if the Lord is desperate for Yisra’el to acknowledge that he is Yahowah, does he not want them to know him – unless to know him is to know that he is not Yahowah?
As incriminating as this has been, it gets worse. The Lord is asking Ezekiel if he plans to judge those whose only crime is seeking to know the Lord’s true identity. And so now, after contradicting himself and telling us that sons are not held accountable for the sins of their fathers, the Lord wants the Devil’s Advocate to accuse these men of being accountable for what their fathers have done – such as confirm the Covenant and convey the Towrah. Clearly, the Lord is trying to deflect their attention away from himself so that he is not exposed.
Will you judge them (ha shaphat ‘eth hem)? Will you judge (ha shaphat ‘eth), son of human (ben ‘adam), the abominations (tow’ebah) of their fathers (‘ab hem)? You must acknowledge them (yada’ hem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:4)
The Devil is in a tricky situation. He wants to be known as God and not the Adversary. Since the imaginary people are seeking Yahowah, he has to acknowledge their pursuit and pretend to be God, all while hiding the fact that he is Satan.
354And so, now we know why he is insistent that his title constantly, even to the point of irritation, be juxtaposed alongside Yahowah’s name.
And said to them (wa ‘amar ‘el hem), thus said (koh ‘amar), the owner who controls and possesses me, my Lord and Master (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), in the day (ba yowm) I preferred and chose to prove myself (bachar ‘any) in Israel (ba Yisra’el) and I am lifting up (wa nasa’) my hand (yad ‘any) to the offspring and seed (la zera’) of the House (beyth) of Ya’aqob (Ya’aqob), and I am becoming known (wa yada’) to them (la hem) in the Land of Egypt (ba ‘erets Mitsraym) and I am lifting up (wa nasa’) my hand (yad ‘any) to them (la hem) to say (la ‘amar), I (‘any), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), your god (‘elohym ‘atem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:5)
Satan is saying that he did not choose this day or place to reveal himself, so too bad for you. However, the Devil is confused because his proof statements were in Mitsraym and during the Exodus, not in Yisra’el. Moreover, God did not lift up His hand to say these things. Satan is making this up as we go along.
When Yahowah led His people out of Mitsraym, He stretched out His hand to them – He did not raise it.
In the day (wa ha yowm ha huw’) I lifted up my hand (nasa’ yad ‘any) for them (la hem) to bring them out (la yatsa’ hem) the land of Egypt (min ‘erets Mitsraym) to a land (‘el ‘erets) which (‘asher) I searched out, explored, and investigated (tuwr – I spied out) for them (la hem) flowing (zuwb) with milk and honey (chalab wa dabash). Conspicuously prominent and glorious of her (tsaby hy’ – decorated and splendorous in swelling with beautiful ornaments and desirable objects) of all the lands (la kol ha ‘erets). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:6)
Yahowah did not search out, explore, or investigate the promised Land. Has the Devil not read the Towrah? 355That was done by leaders of each of the twelve tribes, with all except Kaleb shaking in their sandals. Further, Yahowah says many things about Yisra’el but never that it is tsaby | swelling, splendorous, conspicuous, prominent, or beautifully decorated.
Is Satan running out of material? What is the purpose behind this inaccurate rehashing of the Towrah? Is the Lord trying to embellish it to his liking?
And I say (wa ‘amar) to them (‘el hem – third-person masculine plural), individual (‘iysh – masculine singular) vile (shiquwts) his eyes (‘ayn huw’ – third-person masculine singular) you must throw (shalak – second-person masculine plural) and with idols (wa ba giluwlym – images of worship) of Egypt (Mitsraym), do not be unclean by yourself (‘al tame’ – without outside influence be clean (hitpael imperfect jussive second-person masculine plural)). I (‘any), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), your god (‘elohym ‘atem – second-person plural). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:7)
This is yet another proof that babel results in a haphazard commingling of confounding terminology – known as a word salad. Nonetheless, why isn’t the Lord of Babel sufficiently focused to remember if he is addressing his audience in second or third person, and if there is one or many of him, them, or you? Or could three persons in one sentence be proof of the trinity?
Also curious, how does an eye become vile? What is the benefit of tossing an eye when the goal is to be observant? Why are the Yisra’elites being accused of being unclean with Egyptian idols when they did not bring any with them? And how does one go about cleaning one’s soul without God’s help?
Satan is fantasizing about what it would have been like if he, rather than Yahowah, escorted the Yisra’elites out of Egypt. And as we would expect, it is a horrific experience. 356It is also mind-numbingly repetitive, repetitive, repetitive said the broken record.
They are disobedient and rebelling (wa marah) against me (ba ‘any) and were not willing (lo’ ‘abah) to listen (la shama’) to me (‘el ‘any). Individual (‘iysh) with vile filth (shiquwts) their eyes (‘ayn hem) they did not hurl away (lo’ shalak). And with the idols (wa ‘eth giluwlym) of Egypt (Mitsraym), they did not reject, leave behind, or abandon (lo’ ‘azab).
Then I say (wa ‘amar) to pour out (shaphak – to shed and spill) my venomous wrath (chemah ‘any) over them (‘al hem) to finish (la kalah) my anger and snorting (‘aph ‘any) with them (ba hem) in the midst (ba tawek) of the land (‘erets) of Egypt (Mitsraym). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:8)
We are back to tossing vile eyes and taking idols for a walk. But could you blame them, considering enduring Satan as the alternative?
This is so absurd it hurts my brain to read…
I am acting (wa ‘asah) for the sake of (la ma’an) my name (shem ‘any) for not to be defiled and profaned by being commonly used (la bilty chalal) in the eyes of the gentiles (la ‘ayn ha gowym) which (‘asher) they with among them (hem ba tawek hem) which (‘asher) I was known (yada’) to them (‘el hem) for their eyes (la ‘ayn hem) for bringing them out (la yatsa’ hem) from the land of Egypt (min ‘erets Mitsraym) . (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:9)
The Egyptians were not profaning Yahowah’s name. They did not know it. And they were not alone; the Yisra’elites didn’t know it either. Therefore, not only is the opposite of this true, the truth is so easily discerned and obvious, why is Satan squandering his credibility?
357The Egyptians worshiped scores of gods, all of whom had names, and none of whom were called Yahowah. Moseh was educated in pharaoh’s household, and he did not know it. And when God’s name was conveyed to the Egyptian overlord by Moseh, pharaoh said it meant nothing to him.
And I brought them out (wa yatsa’ hem) of the land of Egypt (‘erets Mitsraym) and I am bringing them (wa bow’ hem) to the wilderness (‘el ha midbar). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:10)
And I am giving to them (wa nathan la hem) my regulations (chuqah ‘any) and with my judgment (wa ‘eth mishpat ‘any) I made known to them (yada’ ‘eth hem) which he does (‘asher ‘asah) with them (‘eth hem). The human (ha ‘adam) and he lived (wa chayah) in them (ba hem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:11)
Yatsa’ in the perfect conjugation was a completed act. Bow’ in the imperfect is ongoing. It is an odd juxtaposition. But not as odd as bringing the Children of Yisra’el to the wilderness rather than to the Promised Land. The wilderness was the terrain they traversed. It was not the destination.
In the next sentence, regulations were ongoing while judgment was in the past. But what we are missing are the mitswah | conditions of the Covenant which make eternal life possible.
Yahowah has only one Shabat. It is the seventh day. It is not a sign. It does not reveal that Yahowah is God.
And also (wa gam), my Sabbaths (shabat ‘any) I gave (nathan) to them (la hem) to be (la hayah) for a sign (la ‘owth) between me and between them (bayn ‘any wa byn hem) to know (la yada’) that (ky) I (‘any), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), consecrated them (qadash hem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:12)
358The reason the Lord of Babel is conjuring multiple Sabbaths is because he is promoting an annual Sabbath observance along with celebrating new moons. These actually replace four of the seven Miqra’ey – making them an essential part of Satan’s plans.
This reenactment of the Exodus is overly demanding and rather depressing…
So, the Household of Israel (beyth Yisra’el) is disobedient, contentious, and defiant (marah) with me (ba ‘any). In the wilderness (ba ha midbar), with my decrees (ba chuqah ‘any), they did not walk (lo’ halak).
And my judgment (wa ‘eth mishpat ‘any), they despised and rejected (ma’as) what he does (‘asher ‘asah) with them (‘eth hem). The man (ha ‘adam), he lived (wa chayah) with them (ba hem). And with my Shabaths (shabat ‘any), they greatly profaned, making tremendously common (chalal ma’od).
So, I say (wa ‘amar) to pour out (la shaphak) my serpentine rage and toxic venom (chemah ‘any) over them (‘al hem) in the wilderness (ba ha midbar) to finish them, exterminating them (la kalah hem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:13)
There are a number of reasons that this presentation of the Exodus, Part 2, should be rated: NO. There is no context, no explanation of how the Yisra’elites arrived in Mitsraym, no progression into slavery, no Moseh, no introduction to Yahowah, no discussion with pharaoh, no plagues, no Passover or Matsah, no parting of the seas, no return to Choreb, no revelation of the Towrah. All we have is a repetitive and poorly written rant demanding obedience. There is no concern for the people, only denunciations.
And this is inaccurate. They observed the mishpat and rejected the mitswah. The instructions on the means to 359eternal life with Yahowah were delineated throughout the Towrah, first with the development of the Covenant with ‘Abraham and then with the explanation of the Mow’ed. There is no mention of either here.
The Children of Yisra’el were unappealing travel companions to be sure, all throughout the Yatsa’, but we do not find them profaning the Shabat while with Yahowah in the wilderness. Yes, those who elected to make and worship the Golden Calf were dispatched with prejudice, but there was no point during their journey that God considered exterminating the whole of Yisra’el. But given the chance, Satan would have drowned the Yisra’elites rather than the Egyptians. His serpentine rage and toxic venom remain dysregulated.
Yahowah is God’s name. Hylel ben Shachar and Ba’al | Lord are ha Satan’s | the Adversary’s designations.
I am acting (wa ‘asah) for the sake of (la ma’an) my name (shem ‘any) to not profane it by making it commonly used (la bilthy chalal) in the sight (la ‘ayn) of the gentiles (ha gowym) which (‘asher) I had brought them out (yatsa’ hem) for their eyes (la ‘ayn hem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:14)
An informed and rational reader will immediately recognize that ha Satan is lying and that Yachezq’el and his ‘adony | Lord are wrong. Yahowah’s name was not known to the Egyptians or even to the Hebrew slaves in Egypt. It was the opposite of chalal | common.
There were numerous reasons for the Yatsa’ | Exodus, but keeping Yahowah’s name from being profaned among the Gentiles was not among them. The smartest, best connected, and most experienced man on the planet at the time did not know it. Moseh had to ask Yahowah to share His name with him because he recognized no one knew it.
360Since we’ve broached the subject, the reasons Yahowah delivered His people from religious and political bondage are many. God is a liberator. He opposes government intrusion and control over people’s lives. He is a Father, and His children were suffering. God prefers free enterprise and is opposed to the enslavement of people and the caste system. Yahowah had made a promise in this regard to ‘Abraham and He was intent on honoring it. God used the transition from the horrors of human oppression to life in the Promised Land to reveal the purpose of His Mow’ed Miqra’ey. The Yatsa’ provided an ideal backdrop to reveal and explain His Towrah | Teaching and Guidance. And seldom considered, the initial Exodus from Mitsraym is prophetic of leaving Babylon and returning to Yisra’el prior to the fulfillment of Yowm Kipurym and Sukah in year 6000 Yah – October 2 and 7, 2033.
Casting himself as the leader of the Exodus, the Lord raises his hand rather than extending it down to lift up the Children of Yisra’el.
What’s more (wa gam), I, myself, raised my hand (‘any nasa’ yad ‘any) to them (la hem) to bring them out (la yatsa’ hem) of the wilderness (ba ha midbar), not bringing them (la bilthy bow’ ‘eth hem) to the land (‘el ha ‘erets) which (‘asher) I had given (nathan) for them (la hem) flowing (zuwb) with milk and honey (chalab wa dabash). Conspicuously prominent and glorious of her (tsaby hy’ – decorated and splendorous in swelling with beautiful ornaments and desirable objects) of all the lands (la kol ha ‘erets). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:15)
I suppose those who choose to remain religious and believe that this is God addressing His people will get to ask the Lord why he was set on bringing everyone to the place he was not bringing them. Sounds like a double-cross to me.
361Apart from what Yahowah had to say about them and reveal through them, Yisra’el was never conspicuous or prominent among nations or locations. And the kingdom was never glorious by any comparative standard, even during the reign of Dowd and Solomon. Moreover, it no longer existed, making it insignificant. But such is the nature of hyperbole among egomaniacs.
Because, in my judgment (ya’an ba mishpat ‘any), they became loathsome and despicable (ma’as). Regarding my requirements (wa ‘eth chuqah ‘any), they did not walk (lo’ halak) in them (ba hem). And with my Sabbaths (shabat ‘any), they defiled by making common (chalal). Indeed (ky), after (‘achar) their idols (giluwlym hem), their heart (leb hem) travels (halak). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:16)
The opening sentence is obvious and thus superfluous. The second is true since he had not conveyed his requirements to them. And the third is invalid. The concluding statement is misleading. The only material idol constructed during the Exodus was modeled after the pharaoh’s Apis | Bull cult and, thus, was not of Israeli design. And following Yahowah’s response, the behavior was not repeated.
This is, however, true from beginning to end…
And from my perspective, I view them as pathetic and pitiable (wa chuws ‘ayn ‘any ‘al hem) because of them being corrupted and slimed (min shachath hem). So, I did not do (wa lo’ ‘asah) with them (‘eth hem) total annihilation or complete extermination (kalah) in the wilderness (ba ha midbar). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:17)
Compassion personified. In the process of supposedly liberating them, he did not obliterate them.
While there is no purpose in reiterating aspects of the Exodus since the Towrah is readily available, nonetheless, 362the Lord remains fixated on doing so. However, one would have thought that Satan would at least review Yahowah’s presentation first so that his retelling wasn’t so contradictory.
The next line was not spoken by God because, prior to the Exodus, there were no “statutes of the fathers.” There were no judgments or idols either. The Covenant family was just four generations old, and the twelve brothers comprising Yisra’el were in their first full generation as a family when they headed off to Egypt.
And I say (wa ‘amar) to their children (‘el ben hem) in the wilderness (ba ha midbar) in the statutes and prescriptions (ba choq) of your fathers (‘ab ‘atem) you should not walk (‘al halak) and their decisions (wa ‘eth mishpat hem) do not observe (‘al shamar), and with their idols (ba giluwlym hem), on your own initiative, do not make them common or profane (‘al tame’ – you must not allow outside influences to clean (negated hitpael imperfect jussive)). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:18)
Lie upon lie, results in a very big pile of lies. And these lies, having been placed on top of the Towrah and within the Bible among the Prophets, are misleading and worrisome.
It was compiled to convince the religious that the Lord is your god…
I (‘any), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), your god (‘elohym ‘atem). In my regulations and stipulations (chuqah ‘any), you must walk (halak – you are commanded to move (qal imperative)). And in my decisions and judgment (mishpat ‘any), you are commanded to observe (shamar – you must examine (qal imperative)) because you are commanded to act upon them and do them (wa ‘asah ‘eth hem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:19)
I like the real God better.
363Examining Ezekiel has had the opposite of the intended effect. Rather than viewing the Lord of Babel and the Devil’s Advocate favorably, as if they were competent, we’ve come to see Satan as a blithering idiot. He is no brighter, better, or more articulate than I found him in Muhammad’s surahs or Paul’s epistles. Considering this dunderhead’s influence on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, it’s no wonder Yahowah hates religion and needed a prolonged intermission from His wayward children.
And with my Sabbaths (wa ‘eth Shabatoth ‘any), you are ordered to dedicate and consecrate (qadash) so they were (wa hayah) for a sign (la ‘owth) between me and between you (byn ‘any wa bayn ‘atem) to know and acknowledge (la yada’) that (ky), I (‘any), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), your god (‘elohym ‘atem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:20)
Again, there is only one Shabat, not many. It is always the seventh day of each week. The annual Sabbath observance proposed later in Ezekiel to replace four or more of Yahowah’s Mow’ed, including Kipurym, is invalid.
The Shabat is a time to celebrate our relationship with Yahowah and enjoy His company. It is not a sign. But then, again, the Lord of Babel is not Yahowah, your God.
The screeching broken record repeats, repeats, repeats, re…
And the children (wa ha ben) are rebelling and disobedient (marah) with me (ba ‘any). In my statutes and stipulations (ba chuqah ‘any), they did not walk (lo’ halak). And with my decisions (wa ‘eth mishpat ‘any), they were not observant (lo’ shamar) to do with them (la ‘asah ‘eth hem).
Whoever does them (‘asher ‘asah ‘eth hem), that man (ha ‘adam), he lived (wa chayah – he was alive (qal 364perfect)) in them with Sabbaths of mine (ba hem ‘eth shabatowth ‘any), they profaned, making ordinary and common (chalal).
So, I say (wa ‘amar) pouring out (shaphak) my toxic venom and snake poison (chemah ‘any) over them (‘al hem) in order to completely fulfill my desire and yearning (la kalah) to breathe out my resentment and anger (‘aph ‘any) against them (ba hem) in the wilderness (ba ha midbar). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:21)
We have seen it so many times, I’ve been content just to translate chemah as “toxic venom, snake poison, and serpentine rage,” recognizing that this is an apt depiction of what the Lord of Babel has been dishing out since the beginning. Chemah also identifies ha Satan with the snake that slithered into the Garden of ‘Eden to intoxicate Chawah with his poisonous recasting of Yahowah’s instructions. It is derived from the verbal root which speaks of becoming feverishly hot – the most telling symptom of having been inseminated with a viper’s venom.
And since we have been offered yet another reminder, let us never forget that the Lord of Babel, Satan, resents the Children of Yisra’el. Envenomating them is his 20th attempt at paralyzing their purpose while exterminating them.
Not so fast some might say, since his next statement has the Devil offering to restrain himself. So why do you suppose that might be? Why would a sadistic psychopath offer to return the hand that had been raised to strike and kill children?
The answer is obvious. Satan wasn’t there, Yahowah was. So, the Devil could not do what he yearned to accomplish. And since the Children of Yisra’el made it to the Promised Land and live today, he did not kill them. However, rather than tell us the truth and explain why they 365survived his toxicity, the devilish blowhard lies and tries to appear magnanimous.
I turned my hand (wa shuwb ‘eth yad ‘any – I returned that which was associated with my influence) and I am acting (wa ‘asah) for the sake of (la ma’an) my name (shem ‘any), to not have it be profaned and common (la bilthy chalal) in the eyes of the gentiles (la ‘ayn ha gowym) who I brought them out (‘asher yatsa’ ‘eth hem) to see them (la ‘ayn hem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:22)
Even the reason the Devil has given for not striking and killing all of God’s people during the Exodus is intriguing. Lord knows, it wasn’t for their sake. It was instead because of the way his name would be perceived among the Gentiles. He wanted to be known as the Lord, as the god of the Ba-bel, even as HaShem and Adony, anything but ha Satan | the Adversary.
With this line, the Lord of Babel exposed himself for all to see…
What’s more (wa gam), I, myself, gave to them (‘any nathan la hem) undesirable and counterproductive, immoral and displeasing (lo’ towb – awful, not good and thus bad), statutes and stipulations (choq), decisions and judgments (wa mishpat) for them to die, unable to stay alive (lo’ chayah – to foreclose life, restoration, and renewal) with them (ba hem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:25)
This admission is immensely saddening and tremendously frustrating. I am disappointed in my fellow man. How is it that we have been so ignorant that billions believe that this is the voice of God when it is so obviously Satan’s? It is infuriating that Christian and Jewish theologians, knowing that this spirit fixated on the death and damnation of Jews was not God, nonetheless, presented Ezekiel as Divinely inspired. To Hell with the lot of you!
366It is a curious thing that, with all of the jumbled words and deficient grammar we have encountered from the beginning, when Satan finally comes out of the dark recesses to expose himself, he speaks clearly and unambiguously. It is, therefore, obvious that he is deliberately taunting man and irritating God. It is all a deceitful and deadly game to him. He is saying that humankind is so blinded and dumbfounded by religion that he can offer humanity the most debilitating poison, even label it as such, and humans will gobble it down as if it were a treat from God.
To all of those who would attack me for exposing Satan’s authorship of Ezekiel, be aware, your Lord has provided that which is undesirable and unproductive, immoral and irrational, so that your death is assured. Claim it and own it or reject Ezekiel. But don’t justify it or death will be the least of your problems.
And speaking of the religious god having issues, this may be worse…
Then I deliberately corrupted and continually defiled them, making them immoral (wa tame’ eth hem – so I desecrated and polluted them (piel imperfect)) with their gifts and offerings (ba matanah hem – with what they have bestowed, granted, and entrusted), through crossing to the other side to intoxicate, disrobe, and breed, then passing over (ba ‘abar) each and every firstborn to always elude and breech (kol peter) the womb of the mother (rechem – the point of origin and compassion) so that (la ma’an) I can devastate and destroy them in an appalling and astonishing manner, stupefying and eliminating them (shamem – I will continually influence them to astound and desolate them (hifil imperfect)), with the express intent (la ma’an) that (‘asher) they will acknowledge (yada’ – they will recognize and perceive (qal imperfect)) that, by 367association (‘asher), I (‘any), This Is Not Him (#^^#!). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:26)
To the extent Satan has been able to influence religion and inspire the scriptures venerated within the Babylonian Talmud and European Zohar, the Greco-Roman New Testament and the Arabian Quran, he has corrupted and defiled humanity, making humankind unsuitable to enter God’s presence. It is a monumental achievement – the Devil’s life’s work. And the Lord of Babel was largely successful in using religion to preclude humanity from recognizing him or Yahowah. The Devil is perceived as God by a million times more people than those who recognize and accept Yahowah.
This is even more astonishing when we consider their true identities and offerings. One is the Creator and the other was created. One is God, the other is the Adversary. One conceived life and the other seeks to destroy it. One loves and the other hates. One is trustworthy and the other deliberately deceives. One is offering eternity in Heaven and the other eternity in Hell. One is Yahowah and the other wants the unwary to believe that he is Yahowah.
Ezekiel’s Lord is on record announcing that he is undesirable and deadly. His stated intent is to corrupt humankind. He wants to stupefy and eliminate humanity, beginning with Yisra’el. And all of this, now the 21st deadly assault on God’s people, is to convince the religious that Satan is God. It is breathtaking in its audacity.
Therefore, for this reason (la ken), you are commanded to speak (dabar) to the Household of Israel (‘el beyth Yisra’el), son of human (ben ‘adam), and said to them (wa ‘amar ‘el hem) thus said (koh ‘amar) my Lord and Master, the one who controls and possesses me (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), what’s more and beyond this (‘owd zo’th), your fathers (‘ab ‘atem), they blasphemed, having slandered (gadaph – they scoffed at 368and ridiculed) me (‘eth ‘any) by breaking the faith and ascending over and above (ma’al) they with me (hem ba ‘any) as sore losers and disloyal infidels seeking the upper hand (ma’al). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:27)
Why listen? If this filth had not been inserted between actual prophets, we would not have bothered with it. The absurdity of the first chapter was more than enough to demonstrate that Ezekiel did not belong.
These statements are preposterous when juxtaposed. Satan tells the Jews that he’s out to mislead and murder them. Then he protests that they have slandered him, breaking the faith by trying to rise above his taunts and threats. Someone needs a therapist because he is delusional. It is like Hitler complaining that the Jews are treating him unfairly.
He even has an imaginary audience he questions and then answers, conveniently providing both sides as if talking to oneself…
So, I queried them (wa ‘amar ‘el hem), what is (mah) the hill (ha bamah) to which you are going there (‘asher ‘atem ha bow’ sham)?
Its name (shem hy’) is called (wa qara’) hill (bamah) up to this day (‘owd ha yowm ha zeh). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:29)
Brilliant insight and oratory. Compelling message and revelation. ‘What is the hill you are going to? It is called hill.’ Who would have known? Bravo! The All-Knowing Lord of Babel has spoken. Applause, please.
Even better, it is followed by this penetrating question, also posed to those the religious god deliberately misled so that he could exterminate them…
Therefore (la ken – it stands to reason as a result), you must say (‘amar) to the House of Israel (‘el beyth Yisra’el), thus said (koh ‘amar) my Lord and Master, the 369one who controls and possesses me (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), I am questioning whether (ha) in the way (ba derek) of your fathers (‘ab ‘atem) you will be defiled (tame’) and follow after and rear end (wa ‘achar) their vile filth (shiquwts hem), you whoring prostitute, you fornicating, intercourse craving, unfaithful adulterer, you bad harlot and sexual sinner, you (‘atem zanah)? (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:30)
The Whore of Babylon is calling Yisra’el a harlot. I’d take that as a compliment. And should you be troubled by the reference to the Whore of Babylon, while it is best known from the Book of Revelation, it was actually introduced and explained 800 years earlier in the 47th chapter of Yasha’yah | Isaiah.
There was a brief period in the history of Yisra’el, when devotees of Molek exposed their children to the ritual of walking across coals, but the practice ended millennia ago. Moreover, there were no Yisra’elites in Babylon and the Yahuwdym enslaved there were not engaging in the Canaanite religion. And while the Haredi are lost souls, they are not idolatrous. And so, while Satan is floundering in his allegations, the bigger issue is that the Devil does not want his identity known…
With lifting up (wa ba nasa’ – so by carrying) your gifts (matanah ‘atem) in passing your children over (ba ‘abar ben ‘atem) in the fire (ba ha ‘esh), you are unclean and defiled (‘atah tame’) with all of your idols (la kol giluwlym ‘atem) up to this day (‘ad ha yowm).
And so I determine who enquires about and consults with me, while influencing who finds me (wa ‘any darash – I (nifal imperfect – the subject, Satan, controls the search by influencing the seeker while determining how the enquiry will affect him on an ongoing basis)) of you (la ‘atem) Household of Israel (beyth Yisra’el), Alive Me (chay ‘any), announces (na’um) my 370Lord and Master, the one who controls and possesses me (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), hypothetically, should it occur (‘im), I control the search and determine what the one enquiring finds (darash – I influence the process and the effect of the investigation (nifal imperfect)) of you (la ‘atem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:31)
The transition from the erroneous assessment of fire walking to precluding access to his true identity is strained even for the Lord of Babel. And how does Satan square his overriding desire to be seen as God with this statement, precluding being known? The answer, of course, is that it demonstrates Satan must hide his true identity if he is to pass himself off as God.
There is a singular purpose to Ezekiel – to replace Yahowah with Satan. It is why the book opens with his grand appearance in the skies above Babylon. Demonizing and exterminating Jews is then ancillary to that objective. They were the only people standing in Satan’s way – because, as Yahowah’s prophets, they should have known better.
However, Satan succeeded brilliantly and Jews failed miserably – at least up to this point in time. Rather than stop the Devil’s assent to becoming the Lord of religion, Jews became enablers through their religious practices. And by failing to repudiate the Book of Ezekiel, they have been dehumanized and persecuted based on its claims.
And what is arising (wa ha ‘alah) over and above your spirit (‘al ruwach ‘atem) will actually never exist (hayah lo’ hayah – reality will never be (qal infinitive negating qal imperfect)) because of you (‘asher ‘atem) saying (‘amar – expressing (qal participle)) we are (hayah) like (ka) the gentiles (ha gowym), similar to (ka) the people, ethnicities, and nations (mishphachah) of the Earth (ha ‘erets) by religiously serving and ministering 371to (la sharath – by attending to) wood and stone (‘ets wa ‘eben – trees and rocks). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:32)
Alive Me (chay ‘any), utters (na’um) my Lord and Master, the one who controls and possesses me (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), if not with a harsh and severe hand (‘im lo’ ba yad chazaq – if not by a strong and firm influence) and with a strong and capable arm (wa ba zarowa’) outstretched and extended (natah), then with venomous snake toxin furiously poured out (chemah shaphak), I will be king and rule (melek) over you (‘al ‘atem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:33)
By forcing himself on them, extending his influence over them, or poisoning them, the Lord of Babel intends to rule over Jews. And so, now we know where Machiavelli got his material. There is no need for reason or love when torturous tactics prevail.
This is Satan’s idea of an Exodus. He took them away from the family and into the wilderness while enraged for the purpose of judging the people rather than liberating them.
I brought you out (wa yatsa’ ‘eth ‘atem) from the family (min ha ‘am) and assembled you (wa qabats ‘eth ‘atem) away from the Land out of the Earth (min ha ‘erets) where (‘asah) you are scattered (puwts) in them (ba hem) with a fiercely harsh hand (ba yad chazaq) and with a strong arm (wa ba zarowa’) spread out and turned aside (natah), then with an outpouring of hateful toxicity and vengeful serpentine venom (wa ba chemah shaphak). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:34)
Then I brought you (wa bow’ ‘eth ‘atem) to the wilderness, a barren and lifeless wasteland (‘el midbar) of people (ha ‘am) and judged you (wa shaphat ‘eth ‘atem) there (sham) face-to-face (paneh ‘el paneh). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:35)
372Accordingly (ka ‘asher), I judged (shaphat) your fathers (‘eth ‘ab ‘atem) in the wilderness (ba midbar) of the land of Egypt (‘erets Mitsraym). Therefore (ken – it is appropriate), I am passing judgment on you (shaphat ‘eth ‘atem), predicts (na’um) my Lord and Master, the one who controls and possesses me (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:36)
Since Yahowah’s approach and standard require complete accuracy, Satan appears to be distinguishing himself by not getting anything right. God intended for the Children of Yisra’el to be His family and for them to live with Him in His home. Satan wants the opposite. The Yatsa’ was an act of compassion while the Adversary prefers antagonism and vengeance. Rather than entering the Promised Land with Yahowah, the Devil would take them to the barren wilderness. Rather than being taught, they would be judged. Instead of witnessing Yahowah as light, Satan would claim that they met face-to-face – suggesting that Yahowah’s face was ablaze.
Then falling off the rails completely, the Lord of Babel claims that the wilderness was actually in Egypt, making his Exodus a staycation, I suppose. Remaining in Mitsraym was then reason enough to pass judgment, or so claims the Lord.
The trials and tribulations of the Devil would entail…
I will cause you to be like me and to have you arrogantly and angrily passed by, crossed over, and traveled through, while having you disrobed and banished (‘abar ‘eth ‘atem) under (tachath) the tribe, people, rod, staff, scepter, branch, or ruler (ha shebet).
And so, I will have brought you (wa bow’ ‘eth ‘atem) into the obligation as one who is bound as a prisoner (masoreth – used only this one time in Ezekiel but apparently derived from mah – to question ‘asar – being fettered and restrained, harnessed and obligated, embattled 373and incarcerated, so as to be tied and harnessed) of the covenant (ha beryth). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:37)
Just when it appeared that we had hit rock bottom, we find a complete repudiation of the intent of Passover and the Covenant. It is Israel which is being sacrificed and banished as a people. And with this stroke of malfeasance, Yisra’elites become fettered captives in Satan’s ulterior covenant. They are no longer family but, instead, prisoners.
This does not sound like much fun either…
So, I have purged (wa barar) from you (min ‘atem) those who disobey and resist authority (ha marad) in addition to the defiant rebels (wa ha pasha’) with or against me (ba ‘any) out of the land (min ‘erets) of their alien pilgrimage as illegal immigrants (magowr hem). I will withdraw them (yatsa’ ‘eth hem) to the dirt (wa ‘el ‘adamah) of Israel (Yisra’el), they will not arrive or enter (lo’ bow’). And (wa) you have known (yada’) that I (ky ‘any), This Is Not Him (#^^#!). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:38)
Actually, Yahowah seldom imposes His authority and does not require obedience. Further, He took everyone out of the land of Egypt – the origin of the Exodus, not just the defiant. I do not think that a case can be made for Jews being perceived as illegal immigrants when scattered as slaves. And obviously, the Yisra’elites could not have been withdrawn to the soil of Israel if their arrival and entry were denied.
It isn’t prophecy when the Lord and his pretend pal, Ezekiel, are misrepresenting the past. And it isn’t helpful when the people being addressed were nowhere to be found. And it is not right, when everything he says is wrong.
And you, House of Israel (wa ‘atem beyth Yisra’el), this is what said (koh ‘amar) my Lord and Master, the 374one who controls and possesses me (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), individual (‘iysh), his rolling idols of woven religious dung (giluwlym huw’), you must go and serve (halak ‘abad), following after (wa ‘achar).
If not, you (‘im ‘ayn ‘atem) listen to me (shama’ ‘el ‘any): With a name, my sanctuary and exclusively for me (wa ‘eth shem qodesh ‘any), you will not treat with contempt or dishonor (lo’ chalal) any longer (‘owd) with your gifts, offerings, and bribes (matanah ‘atem) and with your religious imagery (wa ba giluwlym ‘atem – your rolled up and woven idols of dung). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:39)
The Lord of Babel just issued a commandment, ordering Israel to follow after and serve their objects of worship. It was so satanic of him. However, if they rebel against the Lord’s commandment, then he is warning them that the sanctuary he has constructed to claim exclusivity over the name of God will become impenetrable, no matter the offerings or bribes. So, the moral of the story is that, if Israel agrees to worship false gods, it’s all good with Satan, but if not, know that he is calling dibs on Yahowah’s name.
Since the Lord of Babel ordered Jews to worship and serve their religious idols, Satan must be auditioning for the chief among them. And lucky for him, the Muslims were willing to build his shrine atop the Temple Mount. Satan couldn’t be happier…
Indeed, on the mountain (ky ba har) of my sanctuary (qodesh ‘any), on the exalted and most desired mountain (ba har marowm) of Israel (Yisra’el), announces (na’um) my Lord (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), there (sham), they will continually serve me (‘abad ‘any) – the entire household of Israel (kol beyth Yisra’el), every single one of them without exception (kol huw’).
375There (sham), in the land (ba ha ‘erets), I will be pleasured by them (ratsah hem), because there (wa sham), I will seek (darash) your special gifts, religious offerings, exalting tribute, and bribes to the most high (taruwmah ‘atem).
Then with the choicest and best, the foremost (wa ‘eth re’shyth) of your uplifting tribute, the largesse of you carrying your burden and raising up your contribution (mas’eth ‘atem) in your every sanctuary and holy object (ba kol qodesh ‘atem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:40)
Yes, in a different place, and on the lips of an actual prophet speaking for Yahowah, qodesh would be rendered “set apart.” But here, the featured definition is more fitting. With the Gowym already in his pocket, Satan envisions every Jew capitulating to him. And while he will continue to prevail with most, he will lose the best in the end.
Between now and then, the Haredi will bring the Devil as much pleasure as a psychopath can handle. Their tributes will no doubt tantalize him. And in this regard, both taruwmah and mas’eth are based upon verbs which speak of lifting and raising up Satan until he is worshiped as the Most High. It is the exalting tribute of religious worship and the largesse the Devil craves.
Then after taking credit for Yahowah’s promises while pretending to be God, the Lord rewrites the script…
And there you will remember to proclaim, mention and memorialize, never forgetting (wa zakar sham) your ways (‘eth derek ‘atem) and all of your foolish and wanton practices (wa ‘eth kol ‘alylah ‘atem) with which you have sullied and defiled, even desecrated (‘asher tame’) by them (ba hem). And then (wa) you will loathe your very presence, be disgusted by your face, and abhor your appearance (quwth ba paneh ‘atem) for every one of your evil shepherding and miserable 376wrongs (ba kol ra’ah ‘atem) which you have committed, engaged in, and acted upon (‘asher ‘asah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:43)
Sounds like a fun reunion. Nothing makes the Devil happier than remembering the worst of times along with some self-loathing while acting like pigs during a pity party. But now, at least, we know why Judaism’s version of Yowm Kipurym | the Day of Reconciliations features the afflicting and debasement of one’s soul. They are getting ready for the pity party.
For entertainment, they will get to hear Satan wail at the desert and forest as he burns them down…
Son of human (ben ‘adam), you must put your face (sym paneh ‘atem) the way of the south (derek teman) because you are commanded to preach, prophesying (nataph – dripping with authority, pouring out the appeal (hifil imperative)) toward the south and against freedom (‘el darowm).
And you are ordered to speak as a prophet (wa naba’) to the forest undergrowth (‘el ya’ar – the brush and woods) of the field (sadeh) of the Negeb (negeb). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:46)
And say (wa ‘amar) to the woods (la ya’ar) of the Nageb (ha Negeb): You must listen (shama’) to the word (dabar) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!), this is what said (koh ‘amar) my Lord (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), behold me (hineh ‘any), I will set ablaze and burn (yatsath) in you a fire (ba ‘atah ‘esh) and it will devour and consume (wa ‘akal) in you every fresh tree (ba ‘atah kol ‘ets lach) and every dry tree (wa kol ‘ets yabesh).
The brightly glittering gaseous flame and blazing sword (lehabah shalhebeth – the flashy fire and consuming and destructive configuration being brandished; found only 377in Ezekiel and Job) will not be quenched and will continue to burn (lo’ kabah).
And every face (wa kol paneh) will be scorched by it (tsarab ba hy’) from the south to the north (min negeb tsaphown). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:47)
Since we are keeping track, this represents the Devil’s 22nd attempt at exterminating Jews. While fire, this is a special iteration, seen as a glittering and blazing sword which is unquenchable. And while it was originally set to burn the woods and desert, before he was through, Satan sought to scorch the faces of everyone he despised.
And so, by burning Jews alive in his preview of the Holocaust, the Lord of Babel is demonstrating to the remaining Gentiles that he is God. It is the Passion in reverse, with god killing Jews.
And all flesh will see (wa ra’ah kol basar) that I (ky ‘any), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), ignited the blaze and lit the fire to destroy and kill (ba’ar). It will not be quenched as it continues to burn (hy’ lo’ kabah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:48)
And so then, I say (wa ‘amar), Alas (‘ahah), my Lord (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), they are saying of me (hem ‘amar la ‘any), Is he not making up stories (ha lo’ mashal mashal huw’ – is he not showing himself to be one who makes up stories)? (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 20:49)
If this is your god, welcome to Hell.
One of the seldom considered, albeit constantly repeated, themes found within Paul’s letters and throughout the Quran is that those who knew Paul and Muhammad best, those who actually listened to them, recognized that they were making it all up. Nothing either 378said was true, and their contemporaries knew it. The same was said of “Ezekiel.”
