81Babel

Chemah

…Venomous

 

3

Tanyn | Serpent

 

Slithering Elsewhere…

After all of the demonic drivel that has been thrown at us since the beginning, Satan’s reveal in the last chapter was a refreshing change. It was as honest as anything we are likely to see from the Lord of Babylon.

While he is mentioned elsewhere, there are only two portraits painted of Hylel ben Shachar in the Towrah, Prophets, and Psalms. The first occurs in the Garden of Eden. It is recorded in Bare’syth / Genesis 3. In the second, we return to Babylon and witness Satan’s rise as presented in Yasha’yah / Isaiah 14. The third portrayal, in Ezekiel 28, is different than the other two because it was scribed by Satan himself.

In the tenth year (ba ha shanah ha ‘asyry), in the tenth (ba ha ‘asyry), in the twelfth of the month (ba ha shanaym ‘asar la ha chodesh), a word it was (wa hayah dabar) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!) to me to say (‘el ‘any la ‘amar), (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 29:1) son of Adam (ben ‘adam), you are compelled to set (sym) your face (paneh ‘atah) over and above Pharaoh (‘al Phar’oah), king of Egypt (melek Mitsraym), and are commanded to act like a prophet (wa naba’) over him (‘al huw’) and over Egypt (wa ‘al Mitsraym), all of it (kol hy’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 29:2)

You must speak and have said (dabar wa ‘amar), thus said (koh ‘amar) my Lord and Master (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), behold (hineh), I am over you 82(‘al ‘atah), Pharaoh (Phar’oah), king of Egypt (melek Mitsraym).

The great serpent (ha tanyn – the longest venomous snake, the monstrous dragon and dinosaur), the greatest and most important (ha gadowl), the one lying (ha rabats) in the middle (ba tawek) of his Nile or Tigris Rivers (ya’ory huw’ – in Bare’syth 41:1 and Yasha’yah 19:6 ya’or is the Nile while in Dany’el 12:5-7 it is the Tigris, both of which must be considered because ya’ory is plural), who says me (‘asher la ‘any), my Nile or Tigris River (ya’or ‘any). And I, myself, made for myself (‘any ‘asah ‘any). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 29:3)

If this were actually written in Babylon during the tenth year of the exile, then the story would have been about what had occurred in Jerusalem during the siege, the plundering of the city, and its demise, followed by the forced exile of virtually every surviving Jew. Instead, the conversation strays from boiling Jews to destroying Tyre and then to a retelling of what occurred in the Garden. Now we are to believe that we are having a conversation with the pharaoh.

Even though it had been 900 years, the Egyptians kept sufficient records for the leadership to have known that they fared poorly the last time they opposed Yahowah. Therefore, God would not have had an inarticulate prisoner in Babylon attempt to proclaim His superiority over the Egyptians. The thought is laughable.

To say that pharaoh is the king of Egypt is to be unaware of the origin, meaning, and use of the title. And to say it twice is to assume that the audience is comprised of idiots.

When ya’or is seen in Daniel, the only other text allegedly scribed in Babylon, it speaks of the Tigris River. When we see it in the Towrah and Prophets, it denotes the Nile. More confusing still, it was plural in the first use in 83Ezekiel 29 and singular in the second. There is only one river in Egypt and two in Babylon.

We have proven, and Yasha’yah has affirmed, that the great and notorious serpent and monstrously venomous snake resides between the rivers of Babel. Satan had a poisonous presence among the pantheon of gods in Egypt as well. But apart from the serpent representing Satan, there were no dragons in either nation.

The pretense of a conversation with an unknown pharaoh apart from an audience with him is a flight of fancy. It would not even qualify for hearsay because there was no one there to listen or report on what someone had heard. There is no context, either, rendering the alleged conversation meaningless.

The nature of ancient civilizations like Egypt is that the ruler owned everything. The Nile was the pharaoh’s, as were the temples and the people. The same was true in Babylon. Such is the nature of a caste system. Even the land and homes claimed by royalty could be confiscated by the king on a whim. So, had this been better written, and said, “the Nile River is mine,” it would have been redundant with stating that he was pharaoh.

The kings of Babylon and pharaohs of Egypt seldom claimed to have created their realms, rivers, or sea. They obviously existed long before their births. Making matters worse, in Egyptian mythology, the Nile was not created because it was deemed to be the creator. From the Nile, life, gods, and humans emerged. And this makes the Lord’s statement particularly ignorant.

Should you be curious, there were numerous gods who played a role in the Nile’s management and control. They would include Sobek, Osiris, and Hapi – although the first is said to have eaten the second, making him a cannibal among gods and not very ‘hapi.’

84Yahowah would have had ample reason to oppose the pharaohs for the way they had treated His children. However, the Lord and Cherub seeking to annihilate Jews needed an excuse, so the fictitious claim of having made the Nile was the best he could do under the circumstances.

This would lead to a sadistic, albeit familiar, act of being hung on a hook. Muhammad would later claim when visiting Allah’s Hell, en route to the Islamic god’s heavenly brothel, that the inhabitants were ungrateful women hanging from meat hooks by their breasts. If nothing else, we know that Satan’s continual fixation on women’s breasts and torturing them is a serious concern.

So, I will have given as a gift (wa nathan), hooks, rings, and fetters (chach) in your jaw, through your jawbone and cheek (lachy ‘atah).

Then (wa) I will cause the female fish of your Nile Rivers to stick to your scales (dabaq dagah ya’ory ‘atah ba qasqeseth ‘atah).

And then, I will lift you up, elevating you (wa ‘alah ‘atah), out of the midst (min tawek) of your Nile and/or Tigris Rivers (ya’ory ‘atah). And all of the female fish (wa ‘eth kol dagah) of your Nile and/or Tigris Rivers (ya’ory ‘atah) will stick (dabaq – it will cling (qal imperfect third-person feminine singular)) in your scales (ba qasqeseth ‘atah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 29:4)

If the Cherub we know as the Lord and Adversary, Satan, was created such that he was 1% as brilliant as he claims, we are witnessing proof of a lobotomy. Either that, or when Yahowah transformed him metaphorically into a snake, he was afforded a similar pea-sized brain.

This account is as sadistic as it is stupid. No pharaoh was hooked in this manner. There is no celestial fishing rod to hoist potentates out of the water. People do not have scales. Fish are not clingy.

85I wonder what the penalty would have been if the pharaoh claimed that he was God?

Ezekiel failed the Towrah’s test for a prophet in the first sentence of the first chapter, and he has done nothing but dig his own grave since that time. However, I cannot help but wonder why no one has done a sanity check on the mentally deranged author of Ezekiel.

Making matters worse, to have natash | abandoned the pharaoh, there would have had to have been a prior relationship. So, is Satan revealing that he was on the opposing side during the Yatsa’ | Exodus?

So, I have forsaken and deserted you, having rejected and abandoned you (wa natash ‘atah) to the wilderness (ha midbar) with you (‘eth ‘atah), and with all of the fish (wa ‘eth kol dagah) of your Nile and/or Tigris Rivers (ya’ory ‘atah).

Over and above appearances (‘al paneh – upon the faces) of the field (ha sadeh), you will fall (naphal). You not be gathered or harvested (lo’ ‘asaph – you not being removed or taken (nifal imperfect)) and you will not be assembled (wa lo’ qabats).

For the beasts (la chayah – unto the wild animals) of the Earth (ha ‘erets), and to the birds (la ‘owph) of the sky (ha shamaym), I will have offered you (nathan ‘atah) as food (la ‘aklah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 29:5)

Evidently, after the creation remark, the cozy relationship with the pharaoh ended. He was rejected and then abandoned in the wilderness, fish included – with the Nile ‘Rivers’ being denuded of life.

Then I suppose that it was the fall from the appearance over the field that made Humpty Dumpty so broken he could not be reassembled. And unfortunately for him, he couldn’t even be gathered up, which would have precluded the embalmers from putting the pieces in those little 86canopic jars they used for vital organs, which would have scared the scarabs out of the pharaoh.

The beasties offering to eat the scrambled potentate are also problematic. Chayah is the same term Ezekiel used to describe the Lord’s companions in the skies above Babylon. If that was their diet, it’s little wonder their wings hung limp.

Now that the Lord has been sufficiently sadistic, it’s time for him to proclaim…

Then all of the inhabitants (wa kol yashab) of Egypt (Mitsraym) will have known (yada’) that I am (ky ‘any) This Is Not Him (#^^#!) because (ya’an) is of them (hayah hem) a staff or rod, a cane or stick (mish’eneth) of branch, stalk or reed (qaneh) to the House of Israel (la beyth Yisra’el)… (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 29:6)

I suppose one would have to be religious to believe that this was sensible. So, you might have to find an apologist to explain how the staff, rod, cane, stick, branch, stalk, and reed conundrum would lead to an understanding of Yahowah – especially since none of them know Him.

This is also an enigma awaiting religious elicitation:

…by seizing, grasping, and capturing them (ba thaphas hem) with you (ba ‘atah) in the palm of the hand (ba ha kaph), you, yourself, are oppressed and harassed, broken and smashed (‘atah ratsats).

So, you split and divided (baqa’) them (la hem), every shoulder (kol datheph). And in leaning on them (wa ba sha’an hem) upon you (‘al ‘atah), you broke (shabar) and you presently stand (wa ‘amad) to them (la hem) all loins (kol mothnaym). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 29:7)

Are we playing pick-up sticks with the branches, and if so, why is that oppressive? What do the reeds have to do with shoulders, and why are they broken? I’m afraid to even ask about standing on the loins.

87Evidently, it is bad because…

Therefore (la ken), thus said (koh) my Lord and Master (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), behold, notice me (hineh ‘any), I will bring (bow’) upon you (‘al ‘ath) a sword (chereb). Then I will cut off from you (wa karath min ‘atah) man and beast (‘adam wa bahemah), (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 29:8) and the land of Egypt (wa ‘erets Mitsraym) will have been (hayah) as a desolate and uninhabitable ruin (la shammah) and rubble, destroyed to the extent no one survives (wa charbah).

Then they will have known (wa yada’) that I am (ky ‘any) This Is Not Him (#^^#!), because (ya’an) you had said (‘amar) the Nile River (ya’or) for me (la ‘any) and I, myself, made (wa ‘any ‘asah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 29:9)

The only way the Lord of Babel gets noticed is by annihilating a nation, which means that he is only known to those he has killed. That does not sound good.

And speaking of immoral, how does one justify exterminating all life in an empire simply because the Lord does not like something one person didn’t actually say? The Lord of Babel is dishonest and petty, he lacks ethics and morals, and he is destructive and deadly. That is the most salient read deduced from these pages.

And he is repetitive…

Therefore (laken), I am against you (‘an ‘el ‘atah) and against your Nile River (wa ‘el ya’or ‘atah – toward your Tigris River).

And so I will have endowed (wa nathan) the land of Egypt (‘eth ‘erets Mitsraym) as desolate and destroyed, a depopulated ruin which is a dried-up pile of rubble (charbah choreb) from Migdol (Migdowl – a location near the Sea in the Sinai referenced during the Yatsa’ | Exodus) Syene (Saweneh – unknown location, only used in Ezekiel) 88and unto the territory (wa ‘ad gebuwl) of Cush (Kuwsh – an unknown land in either Africa, Arabia, or in or above Mesopotamia). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 29:10)

We begin by acknowledging that this is a contrived conversation and thus is not actionable. We realize that the Lord’s claim isn’t even possible within the framework of the Egyptian religion. We even know that those things aside, had it been said, it would not be grounds for the intended extermination of Egyptians. The penalty would not fit the crime, making the Lord unjust. And of course, only those who cannot control their tempers lash out at inanimate objects.

The boundaries are indeterminable which is not helpful. And since the Lord of Babel is on record stating that there will be an immediate fulfillment of his prophetic statements rather than over a prolonged period, and since this did not occur, we have yet another proof that Ezekiel was a false prophet. And it gets worse…

A foot (regel) of a man (‘adam) will not pass through it (lo’ ‘abar ba hy’). And the foot (wa regel) of a beast (bahemah) will not pass through it (lo’ ‘abar ba hy’). And then it will be uninhabited (wa lo’ yashab) forty years (‘arba’ shanah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 29:11)

So, I will have offered (wa nathan) for the land of Egypt (‘eth ‘erets Mitsraym) a lifeless and uninhabitable ruin (shamamah) in the midst (ba tawek) of lifeless and uninhabitable lands which are in ruins (‘erets shamamah). And her cities (wa ‘iyr hy’) in the midst of cities (ba tawek ‘iyrym) dried up, devastated, and desolated (chareb). It will be (hayah) a lifeless and uninhabitable ruin (shamamah) forty years (‘arba’ shanah).

Then I will have scattered (wa puwts) the Egyptians (‘eth Mitsraym) among the gentiles and nations (ba ha 89gowym). And I will have scattered (wa zarah) them in the Earth (ba ha ‘erets). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 29:12)

How many lies must a wannabe god utter before the religious recognize that he isn’t Divine? This is a single verse, and yet, there were nine false statements. That cannot be by happenstance.

There remains a singular informed and rational conclusion that can be drawn from this litany of lies thrust into the midst of the world’s only prophets – Satan is so repulsed by humans that he is trying to prove to Yahowah that mankind isn’t worth His attention or sacrifice. The false statements are deliberate, and they affirm that the religious are ignorant and irrational.

Indeed (ky), thus said (koh) my Lord and Master (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), from the end (min qets) of forty years (‘arba’ shanah), I will gather the Egyptians (qabats ‘eth Mitsraym) from the people (min ha ‘am) who scattered there (‘asher puwts sham). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 29:13)

And I will have restored (wa shuwb) the captivity, fortunes, and assets (shabuwth) of Egypt (Mitsraym) and I will return (shuwb) with them (‘eth hem) the land (‘erets) of Pathros (Phathrows), upon the land (‘al ‘erets) of their ancestry (makuwrah hem), having existed there (hayah sham) a low or lowly (shaphal) kingdom (mamlakah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 29:14)

This is upside down and backward. It is all the more proof that Ezekiel’s Lord was on the opposing side during the Exodus. Yisra’el was scattered, not the Egyptians. Yisra’el will be gathered, not the Egyptians. Yahowah has already returned His people from captivity and will restore their fortunes. The Egyptians were never hauled off into captivity and God does not give a hoot about them, their freedom or their fortunes. And, Yahowah is returning to Yisra’el and for Yisra’el, not to Egypt or for Egypt. 90Therefore, once again, everything Satan has claimed is invalid, and much of it is actually inverted.

Phathrows is particularly indicting. It is mentioned twice outside of Ezekiel, once by Isaiah and then by Jeremiah. Both speak of it as one of the places Yahowah will be drawing Yisra’elites out of so that they can come home to Yisra’el prior to His return. And yet, Ezekiel’s Lord is bringing Egyptians back to this place and is even arriving with them.

Since this message is the antithesis of Yahowah’s, can it be from any other than the inverse of God? And oh dear, who might that be?

This is as invalid as it is contradictory, while also being completely irrelevant. That is a bad combination for a twosome playing god and prophet.

From the kingdoms (min ha mamlakah), it will continually and actually be (hayah) low in elevation and/or lowly in status (shaphal). And it will not be lifted up (wa lo’ nasa’) ever again upon the gentile nations (‘owd ‘al ha gowym). And I will have trifled with them to make little and few of them (wa ma’at hem) so that they never rule over or control (la bilthy radah) with the gentiles (ba ha gowym). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 29:15)

Since Pathros is thought to be Upper Egypt, it cannot be lower in elevation. And since the Lord promised to restore their fortunes, he’s inept if they are to remain lowly.

As for the Lord of Babel trifling with them so that they would never again influence anyone, perhaps an introduction to the Ptolemies would help. They ruled the region, including Judea, as pharaohs from Egypt.

At this point, we can only assume that Christians, Jews, and Muslims are so accustomed to being deliberately deceived that they have developed an affinity for false prophets. Otherwise, why would all three religions 91consider this trash inspired by God? After all, we are 60% of our way through Ezekiel, and we haven’t read a single statement which was both relevant and true. And most, like these, are completely false. Many have been demented and demonic, sadistic and satanic.

And it will not exist (wa lo’ hayah) ever again (‘owd) for the House of Israel (la beyth Yisra’el) for security and safety (mibtach – for someone to trust), remembering (zakar) their perversity and depravity (‘awon hem) with their turn (ba panah hem) after them (‘achar hem).

Then they will have known (wa yada’) that I am (ky ‘any) my Lord (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 29:16)

Egypt was never a source of security and safety for Israel or Judea – so it “cannot exist ever again.” After having been pummeled by the Egyptians and then subjugated, and against Yirma’yah’s advice, they briefly bribed the Egyptians to protect them against the Babylonians. And that poor decision led to the Babylonians returning to destroy Judea and Jerusalem, while enslaving Jews. All the while, the Egyptians did not perform as promised.

It was not a matter of perversity but, instead, survival. Soon Nebuchadnezzar would be at their doorstep, and they would need their troops close to home.

While I do not suppose anyone knows what “with their turn after them” means, we know for certain that neither the Egyptians nor Judaeans capitalized upon this opportunity to know Yahowah. It still has not happened. And so, the Christian choir has returned to sing their favorite refrain: “Prophecy fulfilled.”

From one sentence to the next, we are to believe that 17 years had passed without a word from the Lord. And even then, the story isn’t concerned about Yahowah’s 92relationship with Yahuwdym but, instead, regarding Nebuchadnezzar’s ineffectiveness against Tyre.

The Lord of Babel, as we have learned, painted himself into a black box. He had predicted the fall of Tyre, gloating over its annihilation. But it did not occur. And rather than just admitting that he’d been wrong, pinning the false prophet tag on his apprentice, the Lord came up with a lame excuse. It’s okay because Nebuchadnezzar tried really hard to do a good job. He and his men worked themselves to the nub and had actually been shortchanged, literally underpaid for the excellent work of trying to starve women and children to death.

And it is in (wa hayah ba) the 27^th (‘esrym wa sheba’) year (shanah) in the first (ba ha ri’shown), in the first of the month (ba ‘echad la ha chodesh), it was (hayah) a word (dabar) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!) to me to say (‘el ‘any la ‘amar), (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 29:17) son of Adam (ben ‘Adam), Nebuchadnezzar (Nabuwkadne’tsar), king of Babylon (melek Babel), worked diligently (‘abad – served) with his strength, wealth, ability, and troops (‘eth chayl huw’) laboring (‘abodah) greatly (gadowl) toward Tyre (‘el Tsor).

Every head (kol ro’sh) was shaved bald (qarach) and every shoulder (wa kol katheph) was pulled off and smooth-skinned from being rubbed raw (marat) and wages or reward (sakar – pay back for services rendered) were not (lo’ hayah) to him (la huw’) and for his property, military, capacity, and qualifications (la chayl huw’) from Tyre (min Tsor) above the labor (‘al ha ‘abodah – beyond the work) which he had worked and served (‘abad) upon her (‘al hy’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 29:18)

The Lord has provided us with his definition of good works and fair compensation. If you do your best to bludgeon a community to death without provocation for the 93express purpose of plundering them, but fail, you are to be commended, rewarded, and compensated for your efforts. This, evidently, is especially so if you are laboring to fulfill a false prophecy.

War can be rewarding, even when one fails, so long as the warrior is fighting for the Lord…

Therefore (la ken), thus said (koh ‘amar) my Lord (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), behold, notice me (hineh ‘any), I will give (nathan) to (la) Nebuchadnezzar (Nabuwkadne’tsar), king of Babylon (melek Babel), the land of Egypt (‘eth ‘erets Mitsraym), and he will have lifted and carried (wa nasa’) its wealth and multitudes (hamown hy’) and will plunder (shalal) taking her people and property as a spoil of war (shalal hy’) and he will loot and rob it (bazaz hy’) for her plunder (baz hy’).

Then it will have been (wa hayah) wages, compensation, and a reward, pay back (sakar – fare and payment) for his army, his property, the military and the ability of his troops (la chayl huw’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 29:19)

One of the things that I learned very early on in this relationship is that those who do it for a living are doing it for the money and not God. Further, those who are working on behalf of Yahowah tout His message and not their own. They serve for the benefit of God’s people and never to enrich themselves. So, this narrative between the Lord of Babel and the King of Babel is all sorts of wrong. In fact, it reminds me of the Quran’s 8^th Surah – the Spoils of War – which begins by saying that “stealing is lawful and good.”

There are six references to ill-gotten gain, of what is nothing less than armed robbery, in a single verse. And, then, next explains that this will have been a service to the Lord because they would be working for him.

94His wage as income and compensation for his work (pa’ulah huw’) which he earned by his effort and service (‘asher ‘abad) in her (ba hy’). I had given (nathan) to him (la huw’) the land of Egypt (‘eth ‘erets Mitsraym) because (‘asher) they engaged, doing so by working (‘asah) for me (la ‘any), declares (na’um) my Lord (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 29:20)

While the work and rewards are grossly inappropriate, indeed immoral, there is new evidence which suggests that, to some degree, this likely occurred. That would not, however, make this the first prophecy Ezekiel got right because the part which appears accurate, had been previously predicted by Yirma’yah | Jeremiah in the 43^rd chapter.

And while Ezekiel’s claim remains wrong because it is shown as a way of diverting attention from a false prophecy, it glorifies armed robbery, and it was pilfered from another source, Yirma’yah’s prophecy now appears accurate. Until quite recently, scholars had said that there was no evidence to show that Nebuchadnezzar had been successful in Egypt.

Before he was even king, we know that Babylon’s heir-apparent began his career routing the Egyptians at Carchemish, which is accurately predicted in Jeremiah. Moreover, he managed to take control of every kingdom between Babylon and Egypt. He is also known for having entered Egypt and for winning and losing battles against the pharaohs. However, since archeologists have not yet found Babylonian texts for regnal years 12-43, detailing what occurred, there is the inference that Nebuchadnezzar’s entrees into Mitsraym were limited and mostly unsuccessful.

The truth is that we just have not unearthed the clays attesting to what occurred during the years this assault 95would have occurred. So it isn’t that the king didn’t gloat, it is that we are yet to find the record of his boasts.

According to the prophet’s testimony, Yirma’yah fled to Tahpanhes, Mitsraym in the southeastern part of the Nile Delta sometime after the fall of Jerusalem in 587-6 BCE. And it was there that he predicted that Nebuchadnezzar would prevail over this location, and while there, he would torch temples and break idols. He even revealed that Pharaoh Hophra (Uahabra in hieroglyphics) would suffer this indignity.

The successful raid would have had to have occurred after the failed siege of Tyre, which culminated in 574-3 BCE. Josephus would affirm that after subduing the entire region, Nebuchadnezzar entered Egypt and wasted the country, slayed the reigning pharaoh, and then returned to Babylon with his Judean slaves. His testimony, however, is often discounted for lack of additional corroboration.

Fortunately, it has been found. The testimony of a contemporary Egyptian source, Nes-Hor, the heir-apparent to the crown of Nubia, was written in hieroglyphics on his statue. His likeness and accounting of events had originally been erected in the temple of Knnum in his hometown at Elephantine (an island in the Nile located at the first cataract). Having been stolen, it is now housed in the Louvre. According to the translation of German Egyptologist, Dr. Alfred Wiedemann (Ph.D. from Leipzig University, professor of Egyptology at Bonn University, and author of 12 books on ancient Egypt), the text reads…

“I have caused my statue to be prepared, through which my name shall be immortal, never to be destroyed in this temple, because I repaired the temple when it was wasted by the attack of the Aamu, and all the wretched Northerners from the land of Sati...to make an expedition to waste and plunder the upper country [Upper Egypt] was in their heart. The fear of His Majesty was slight with them. 96They caused to strengthen their heart with plans. I did not let them plunder as far as Nubia: I made them come near the place where His Majesty was, and His Majesty made a great carnage among them.”

Nebuchadnezzar represents the only northern force capable of having entered the Nile Delta of Lower Egypt and then to have destroyed the temple at Elephantine Island during the reign of Pharaoh Hophra. Babylon was actively menacing Egypt at a time when Nebuchadnezzar had subjugated the entire region north of Egypt. It would have been impossible for any other army to pass through the Babylonian gauntlet and attack Egypt through the Nile Delta.

Moreover, “Aamu” is from ‘am, the Hebrew word for “people” and, specifically, Jews. They were likely mentioned because Nebuchadnezzar would have preferred conscripting able-bodied young Jewish men into his army where they could do him some good rather than just killing them. And “Sati” is Mesopotamia, the Babylonian homeland.

Having traveled up the Nile far enough to plunder the temple on Elephantine, the entire Nile Delta, including Tahpanhes, would have been under Nebuchadnezzar’s control. And while he would be ousted, his tenure and behavior fulfilled Yirma’yah’s very specific prophecy.

Making matters more challenging, however, Jeremiah, like Isaiah, is not presented in strict chronological order. The preceding prophecy is contained in the 43^rd chapter. And yet, the predictions regarding the battles between Nebuchadnezzar and Pharaoh Necho, which would have occurred in Carchemish prior to the aforementioned invasion, are described in the 46^th chapter. The reason is twofold. Yahowah’s perception of time is not linear but, instead, simultaneous. For God, all time can be seen at any one time. This makes prophecy future history. Yahowah’s 97prophets are describing events which they have witnessed in our future while in our past. Therefore, since time is no longer linear to them, the prophet will often arrange material by subject so that he stays on topic. The sojourn to Tahpanhes was part of a broader conversation in Yirma’yah about why Yahuwdym were in this mess.

This known, all of Ezekiel’s embellishments would remain incorrect. Egypt would not be laid waste nor would it be uninhabitable for forty years. And Egypt was not recompensed for the failed predictions regarding Tyre. But what would one expect from a quasi-literate sadistic psychopath pretending to be God?

In the day (ba ha yowm ha huw’), I will sprout up and grow (tsamach – I will spring up) a horn (qeren) for the House of Israel (la beyth Yisra’el). And for you (wa la ‘atah), I will give (nathan) opening (pithachown) mouth (peh) within their midst (ba tawek hem).

Then (wa), they will have known (yada’) that, indeed (ky), I am (‘any) This Is Not Him (#^^#!). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 29:21)

Perhaps a little more dressing with that word salad would make it more palatable.

After sacrificing Egypt to meet Nebuchadnezzar’s belated payroll, the Lord and his apprentice were back on speaking terms after their 17-year hiatus. Therefore, we return to familiar verbosity, which was no doubt chosen because the sole determining factor distinguishing between major and minor ‘prophets’ among the religious was word count.

98And a word (wa dabar) is (hayah) to me (‘el ‘any) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!) to say (la ‘amar), (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 30:1) son of human (ben ‘adam), you must act like a prophet and have said (naba’ wa ‘amar), thus said (koh ‘amar) my Lord (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), it is imperative that you wail, crying out loud with a shrill voice to lament (yalal) alas (hah) for the day (la ha yowm). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 30:2)

For near (ky qarowb) a day (yowm), and near, close and approaching (wa qarowb) a day (yowm) of (la) This Is Not Him (#^^#!), a day (yowm) of cloud (‘anan), a time of non-Israelites (‘eth gowym) will be (hayah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 30:3)

Yes, indeed, the Lord is on a roll. This is yet another partially accurate prophecy. There would be lamentable days, a day whereupon there would be a cloud, and a time for non-Israelites. However, putting the obvious aside, the Day of Yahowah was 2,600 years distant, which isn’t near by any literary standard.

As for predicting the impending doom of Egypt, the little that Ezekiel got right by plagiarizing Jeremiah was overshadowed by the embellishments he got wrong and his continued and absurd theatrics. And unlike Yirma’yah’s assessments, which were to affirm the inappropriateness of trusting Egypt, there is no rational justification provided in Ezekiel for the impending doom.

And a sword will come (wa bow’ chereb) in Egypt (ba Mitsraym) and it will have been (hayah) anguishing and painful (chalchalah) in Cush (ba Kuwsh) with the pierced, defiled, and slain (ba chalal) falling (naphal) in Egypt (ba Mitsraym).

Then her wealth, abundance, commotion, and crowds (hamown hy’) will have been seized and taken (laqach) and her foundations (wa yasowd hy’) have been 99destroyed and demolished (haras). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 30:4)

The location of Cush is not known. It could have been anywhere from Northern Africa to Southern Arabia, while many think Upper Mesopotamia. And based upon its proximity to the Garden of Eden, we must also look to the region surrounding the Black and Caspian Seas. So, while there is a wide swath of possibilities, since Cush is not in Egypt, the Lord would be wrong again.

Egypt was plundered many times, as were all ancient empires, but her foundations survived a litany of conquerors. Even the Greeks adopted Egyptian ways rather than upending them. It would not be until the bloody hand of Imperial Rome and the diabolical rage of Islamic jihadists that they would crumble.

Returning to fun-with-names, we read…

Cush (Kuwsh), and Put (wa Puwt), and Lud (wa Luwd), and all of Arabia (wa kol ha ‘ereb – all mixed company, foreign people, flies, fabrics, or evenings), and ? (wa Kuwb – only used this once in Ezekiel), and the children of the land (wa beny ‘erets) of the covenant (ha beryth), with them (‘eth hem) by the sword (ba ha chereb) will fall (naphal). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 30:5)

With Cush’s location unknown, and some of the far-flung possibilities being Turkey, Arabia, Yemen, and Ethiopia, Put could also be in either Libya or Persia. Lud is perceived to be Lydia, but even that does not provide a discernible location or nation. As for Arabia, should the Lord have intended to identify the people and place, all of it was not subjugated until Muhammad invented Islam in the 7th century CE. Therefore, by the inclusion of kol, it is clearly wrong. There is no Kuwb. And there is only one Land of the Covenant and that would be Yisra’el. However, its demise was long past.

100While the Devil’s Apprentice loves to toss out names, we must remember that the monikers of Noach’s | Noah’s descendants do not all equate to places on a map.

Egypt did not very often have ongoing sustainers or supporters. For all of the reasons Yahowah articulated through Yirma’yah, they weren’t sufficiently trustworthy or accommodating so this was not valid either. The few who fought alongside Egypt were there only because they feared the same foe.

Thus said (koh ‘amar) This Is Not Him (#^^#!), they will have fallen (wa naphal) those supporting and sustaining (samak) Egypt (Mitsraym).

And he will have descended and gone down (wa yarad), her majestic might and splendorous strength (ga’own ‘oz hy’) from (min) Migdol (Migdol – an unidentifiable and unlocatable site along the Yatsa’ | Exodus in Northern Egypt) ? (Saweneh – used only in Ezekiel) by the sword (ba ha chereb), they will fall (naphal) in her (ba hy’), announces (na’um) my Lord (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 30:6)

Satan is deploying a unique strategy to overcome his prophetic limitations. If he speaks of places which are unidentifiable or, even better, fictitious, then who is to say he’s lying? That way, his majestic might and splendor are not diminished. All the while, he’ll huff and puff and blow your house down…

And they will be desolate and devastated, destitute and uninhabitable (wa shamem) in the midst (ba tawek) of desolate, devastated, and deserted countries (‘erets). And his cities (wa ‘iyr huw’) in the middle (ba tawek) of cities (‘iyr) dried up and desolate (chareb) they will choose to be (hayah – they are by choice (qal imperfect jussive)). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 30:7)

101Then (wa), they will have known (yada’) that, indeed (ky), I am (‘any) This Is Not Him (#^^#!) in giving (ba nathan) of me (‘any) fire to Egypt (‘esh ba Mitsraym) and have been broken (wa shabar) all of her helpers and supporters (kol ‘azar hy’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 30:8)

There are no cities within cities. And Egypt is neither uninhabitable nor in the midst of lifeless places. Since it isn’t well-forested and its buildings are predominantly stone, the Lord’s fires have done minimal damage. As for helpers, Egypt’s aggressive and xenophobic approach to her neighbors has rendered the Lord’s final claim meaningless too.

In the day of his (ba ha yowm ha huw’) will go out (yatsa’) spiritual messengers (mal’ak) out of to my presence (min la paneh ‘any) in the ships (tsym) to startle, astonish, and frighten (la charad) the confidence of the unsuspecting and naïve (‘eth betach) of Cush (Kuwsh).

And it will have been (wa hayah) anguish and pain (chalchalah) in them (ba hem) in the day (ba yowm) of Egypt (Mitsraym), for behold, it comes (ky hineh bow’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 30:9)

In this case, the Lord of Babel is suggesting that he is putting the mal’ak | spiritual implements to work. The Lord would have them be terrorists to startle the unsuspecting. This would make the most sense if Satan was a mal’ak and convinced others to be similarly adversarial.

In this regard, and since we are confronted with mal’ak | spiritual messengers in this passage, it is germane to know that Yahowah presents spiritual beings under four categories. The broadest is tsaba’ | which seems to depict all of the spiritual entities and implements under Yahowah’s control – recognizing that God created and has considerable influence over Satan.

102The next most inclusive depiction is mal’ak. They serve as heavenly implements and spiritual messengers. Essentially, they do as they are told and serve Yahowah and His people in many important ways. Their aptitude is considerable because they endure through time and seem able to travel through it and through dimensions.

While I have long considered ha Satan to be among their ranks, we are not specifically told that this is the case. We also do not know if he works alone or if there are other spiritual beings doing his bidding. This statement suggests the latter.

The second narrowest categorization of spiritual beings includes the aforementioned karuwbym. They were shown guarding the Garden of Eden against encroachment – just as Satan has stated. And they are shown protecting the Mercy Seat of the Ark of the Covenant so that it cannot be approached from the rear or sides. They are also presented watching over the Tent of the Witness.

Satan revealed previously that he was a karuwb, and in that depiction, there is no reason to doubt his self-assessment because it appears fitting. It explains why Chawah seemed familiar with him and was impressed by him. If true, it would have provided Satan an opportunity to witness the Almighty’s fascination with ‘Adam, revealing why, without empathy, he would not have understood the attraction or known that love is the most powerful bond in the universe. Confused or jealous, this would then explain his disdain for humankind, and set the course for everything that followed, including what we are reading in Ezekiel.

The final categorization of spiritual entities is all directly associated with Yahowah’s persona, outreach, and purpose. The most important is the Ruwach Qodesh | Set-Apart Spirit, representing the Maternal aspects of God’s nature. She has a number of other titles and is also the 103Mal’akah | the Maternal Manifestation of the Spirit’s Work. The name ‘Eyaluwth is ascribed to Her in this regard. She could also be responsible for manifesting the seven spirits of Yahowah, although they may be conveyed by special mal’ak – such as those who met with the prophets.

The difficulty in determining which category of spiritual being Satan was conceived is that, apart from the Lord’s rantings here in Ezekiel, we are not told. And also, apart from ha Satan, every other mention of a spiritual being is favorable. They do great work. Satan would be the exception.

On the other hand, Satan bears every other resemblance to the mal’ak – especially in the sense that they are immortal and thus must be incarcerated in She’owl rather than be exterminated. And clearly, he’s been around for at least 6,000 years. Therefore, in this light, and while recognizing that we are not explicitly told, I suspect that karuwbym are a designation of mal’ak and that mal’ak comprise the tsaba’.

The most challenging aspect of identifying ha Satan with the mal’ak, other than he went rogue, is the issue of freewill – something deprived of all tsaba’. Because we assume that he chose to rebel and rise above the Almighty, he is often ascribed with volition. But what if he is doing as he was designed – if he is simply playing his role? And also possible, just as in the military, a private can defy a general, but without freewill, there is a penalty. This would be consistent with what Satan endured, because he was diminished and constrained as a result of misappropriating Yahowah’s testimony to betray Chawah. Moreover, the deprivation of freewill would explain Satan’s lack of empathy and creativity, such that it is all about misleading and counterfeiting.

104Finally in this regard, my job is to accurately reveal what Yahowah has said to His people and then explain it such that it is more readily understood. God did not categorize Satan because there is no benefit to us knowing how he originally fit into the tsaba’. Further, the realization that an entirely perfect God could create and use evil is a difficult concept for us to process, even when we understand that it was necessary.

In conclusion, Yahowah gave us the means to determine what He inspired so that we could know Him and respond to Him. And this provides us with the alternative, which is a way to recognize that which is not from Him and is, therefore, unreliable. What more do we need to know?

Returning to the text of the previous statement, Yahowah did in fact torment the oppressive and recalcitrant Egyptians because they were reluctant to let His people go. But it would not be until Xerxes became the fourth king of Persia that the nation would tremble again. Even the Greeks and Romans left the common folks alone.

As we have discovered, Nebuchadnezzar’s conquest of Egypt was severely restricted in scope and duration. But evidently, the Lord didn’t get the memo.

Thus said (koh ‘amar) my Lord (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), so I will have put an end (wa shabath) to the commotion and crowds, the wealth and abundance (hamown) of Egypt (Mitsraym) by the hand (ba yad) of Nebuchadnezzar (Nabuwkadne’tsar), king of Babel | Confusion with the Lord (melek Babel). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 30:10)

The hamown of Mitsraym was not shabath by Nabuwkadne’tsar. Although, there has been ample Babel | Confusion with the Lord.

105He (huw’) and his people (wa ‘am huw’) with him (‘eth huw’), the cruelest and most ruthless terrorizing (‘aryts) of gentiles and nations (gowym), will be forced to come, having no say or options in the matter (bow’ – they will arrive passively by compulsion (hofal participle passive)) to corrupt and destroy, sliming and spoiling (shachath) the land (ha ‘erets).

Then they will have poured out (wa ryq) their swords (chereb hem) over Egypt (‘al Mitsraym) and completely fill (wa male’) the land (‘eth ha ‘erets) of pierced, profaned, and slain (chalal). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 30:11)

This is one of the many ways Ezekiel demonstrates that he was a false prophet. The Babylonians and Persians were among the least ruthless and cruel nations. Assyria, Egypt, Greece, and Rome were far worse. And toward Jews, so were Roman Catholics and Muslims. And this was the reason Yirma’yah | Jeremiah was pleading with his people that, if they aren’t willing to trust Yahowah, they should put their fate in the hands of the Babylonians rather than the Egyptians. So, the crux of the issue is not only lost on Ezekiel’s Lord, it is inverted.

Of the lesser issues, no one compelled the Babylonians to invade a nation or leave it alone. The hofal stem does not apply to them. Further, even during Nebuchadnezzar’s brief incursion, he did not corrupt, destroy, slime, or spoil the land. Moreover, it was never filled with the pierced, profaned, or slain.

This reveals the fundamental difference between knowing and understanding. The author of Ezekiel no doubt read the prophecies in Jeremiah and knew that Nebuchadnezzar would have some limited success in Egypt, but he remained clueless about the reasons behind all that Yirma’yah had to say to Yahuwdym during this time.

106Yahowah’s prophets also spoke of the drying of the Nile, but it was in conjunction with the Time of Ya’aqob’s Troubles before God’s return for His people. And with the recent completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, that prophecy now appears inevitable. However, it did not occur prior to, during, or after the Babylonian invasion.

Then I will have provided the gift (wa nathan) of drying up the Nile Rivers, such that they become waterless ground (ya’orym charabah – the rivers are totally dry without any water).

And I will have sold (wa makar) the country (‘eth ha ‘erets) into the hands (ba yadym) of the evil and wicked, fierce and harmful, troubling and miserable (ra’ym).

So (wa), I will devastate and destroy, making appalling and uninhabitable (shamem) the country (‘erets) along with (wa) what fills it (malo’ hy’) by the hand (ba yad) of illegitimate and unauthorized foreigners (zar – strangers and aliens).

I am (‘any), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), and I have spoken (dabar). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 30:12)

Since all of this continues to be untrue, there is no hiding from the fact that the errancy was intentional. It would not be rational to assume that the Lord was unlucky this many times in succession.

There is one Nile, not two. The Blue, White, and Red Nile tributaries do not make more than one Nile. The mighty river ebbs and flows, and it will become much dryer, but it has never and will never be completely devoid of water, which is what charabah requires to be accurate.

Egypt has never been sold nor will that occur in the future. After having bested the Assyrians 200 years previous to this false prophecy, Egypt was never again under the control of a nation more wickedly fierce or 107troubling than the pharaohs themselves. The Babylonians were not nearly as troubling, and they were booted out almost as quickly as they came. The initial Persian conquest under Cyrus’ son, Cambyses II, was remarkably congenial. And although Xerxes was less accommodating, soon thereafter, the Greeks set up shop and acted like pharaohs. They ran Egypt as if they were Egyptians until the Roman conquests. Like all human civilizations, the Greeks were evil but not demonstrably worse than their predecessors in Egypt. Islam is particularly repressive, but since 90% of Egyptians are Muslims, the miserable conditions cannot be blamed on outsiders.

Contrary to the Lord’s profession, Egypt has never been destroyed and it has never become uninhabitable. Further, the zar | unauthorized and illegitimate tag only works when speaking of those invading Yisra’el, not when gowym are invaded by gowym. And, of course, we know that Yahowah did not say any of this because everything would have been right rather than wrong.

Occasionally, Egypt’s foes have removed some of their gods but mostly for trophies or to stock museums. Napoleon took a cannon to the Great Sphinx of Giza, but even then, it’s not likely that a stone representation of a false god could have been exterminated. And as proof that there has been no end to Egypt’s religious images and effigies, countless representations of both still stand and are visible today.

Thus said (koh ‘amar) my Lord and Master, the one who owns and controls me (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), so I will have annihilated and exterminated (wa ‘abad) idols, images of worship, and religious effigies representing deities (giluwlym – that which rolls) while I have put an end to, having ceased (wa shabath – having stopped) worthless idols (‘elyl –not gods) out of (min) Noph (Noph – perhaps a misspelling of Moph, which 108would have been short for Memphis, the religious and political capital of Lower Egypt).

And an elevated leader (wa nasy’ – a high-ranking ruler) from the land of Egypt (min ‘erets Mitsraym) will no longer exist (lo’ hayah ‘owd).

So, I will have offered to give (wa nathan) fear or reverence, terror or respect (yira’ah) in the land of Egypt (ba ‘erets Mitsraym). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 30:13)

Even if we make ‘nophing’ of the spelling error and pretend that Noph was Moph and that Moph was Memphis, the ancient religious site remains replete with all manner of religious imagery. Also incorrect, Egypt has been home to many high-ranking rulers from that day to this day.

Then I will have desolated and devastated, ravaged and destroyed, stunned, horrified, and stupefied (wa shamem) Pathros (Phathrows – assumed to be Upper Egypt in Yasha’yah and Yirma’yah) and I will give fire (wa nathan ‘esh) to Zoan (Tso’an – an ancient Lower Egyptian town). Then I will perform (wa ‘asah) punishments by inflicting pain (shephet) in No (ba No’ – a city in Egypt thought by some to be Thebes even though there is no etymological connection). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 30:14)

And I will have poured out (wa shaphak) my venomous snake toxin (chemah ‘any) on Sin (Syn – of unknown location), the protective refuge and stronghold (ma’oz) of Egypt (Mitsraym), and cut off (wa karat) the commotion and crowds, the wealth and abundance (hamown) of No (ba No’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 30:15)

Upper Egypt was not destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, forestalling the ravaging and stupefying of Pathros. Even if we could identify ancient Zoan, one would be hard-pressed to find evidence of fiery demise. I’m betting against chronic pain for No as well.

109The following isn’t credible and is borderline illegible…

I will have offered the gift (wa nathan) of fire (‘esh) to Egypt (Mitsraym). Sin (Syn) is laboring and writhing, twisting and turning (chyl), and No (No’) will be (hayah) divided and split apart (lo baqa’). Then Noph (wa Noph) enemies and adversaries by day (tsar yomam). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 30:16)

The young men (bachuwr) of On (‘Own – only used in Ezekiel as the name of a place, otherwise identical to ‘awon – evil) and Pi-Beceth (Pybeseth – used only in Ezekiel, based upon the name of an Egyptian goddess, Bastet) by the sword will fall (ba ha chereb naphal) and behold, now, they (wa henah) will walk (halak) into the captivity and exile (ba ha shaby). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 30:17)

And in Tehaphnehes (Tachpanches – used only in Ezekiel, perhaps a misspelling of the town cited in Yirma’yah which served as the germ of this gross extrapolation), the day (ha yowm) will have been withheld and halted (chasak) in breaking, destroying, crushing, and smashing of me (shabar ‘any) there (sham) with the yoke (‘eth mowtah) of Egypt (Mitsraym). And it will cease in her (wa shabath ba hy’) her strong pride and mighty majesty (ga’own ‘oz hy’).

She (hy’) of cloud (‘anan), he will have chosen to be dramatically covered (kasah – he will enthusiastically elect to have been concealed (piel imperfect third-person masculine singular energic nun jussive paragogicum)) of her (hy’) and her daughters (wa bath hy’) will walk (halak) into the captivity and exile (ba ha shaby). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 30:18)

While it would be reasonable to dispute the gift of fire and labor of Sin, the splitting of Noph and captivity of On, we can be assured that the day was not halted in 110Tehaphnehes as the Lord shattered the mighty majesty of Egypt. As for “she of cloud, he will have chosen to be covered of her” as “her and her daughters walk into exile,” let’s give him that one for giggles.

All of the unfulfilled threats to slash and smash, break and punish, are proving only that This Is Not Him…

Then I will have performed (wa ‘asah) punishment by inflicting pain (shephet) in Egypt (ba Mitsraym). Then (wa), they will have known (yada’) that, indeed (ky), I am (‘any) This Is Not Him (#^^#!). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 30:19)

Jumping 16 years back in time, as would be a prophet’s prerogative if Ezekiel had been a prophet…

And it is (wa hayah) in the eleventh year (ba ‘echad ‘esreh shanah), in the first (ba ha ri’shown), in the seventh of the month (ba ha sheba’ la ha chodesh), a word it was (wa hayah dabar) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!) to me to say (‘el ‘any la ‘amar), (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 30:20) son of Adam (ben ‘adam), with the strong arm (‘eth zarowa’) of Pharaoh (Phar’oah), king of Egypt (melek Mitsraym), I have broken, crushed, and shattered (shabar).

And behold (wa hineh), it is not saddled, twisted, or bound (lo’ chabash) to give (la nathan) healing (raphuwa’ah – remedy) with the placing (la sym) of a splint (chithuwl) by saddling, twisting, or binding it (chabash hy’) to severely harden and strengthen it firmly (la chazaq hy’) to take hold (la taphas) with the sword (ba ha chereb). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 30:21)

I think that the Lord meant to say that he broke the unnamed pharaoh’s arm so that he would be unable to lift a sword, as if that would stop him from using his army. Then for good measure, in the land of mummification 111where everything is wrapped, the pharaoh’s wounds will go unbound such that they will never heal.

Therefore (la ken), thus said (koh) my Lord and Master (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), behold, notice me (hineh ‘any) toward (‘el) Pharaoh (Phar’oah), king of Egypt (melek Mitsraym), and I have broken, crushed, and shattered (wa shabar) his arms (‘eth zarowa’ huw’), with the harsh, severe, hard, and strong (‘eth ha chazaq) and with the shattered and crushed (wa ‘eth ha shabar). So, I will cause to have fallen (wa naphal) the sword from his hand (ha chereb min yad huw’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 30:22)

Even better, after breaking one arm, the Lord intends to shatter the other, crushing both. That will be it for swords in Egypt. They will be defenseless.

Then I will have scattered (wa puwts) the Egyptians (‘eth Mitsraym) among the gentiles (ba ha gowym) and I will have scattered them (zarah hem) in the earth (ba ha ‘erets). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 30:23)

Perhaps someone should tell the Lord of Babel that the Egyptians are gentiles. And as a point of fact, unlike Jews, they haven’t been scattered.

And I will have severely strengthened (wa chazaq) the arms (‘eth zarowa’) of the king of Babel | Confusion with the Lord (melek Babel) and have given (wa nathan) my sword (‘eth chereb ‘any) into his hand (ba yad huw’). So, I will have shattered and smashed (wa shabar) the arms (‘eth zarowa’) of Pharaoh (Phar’oah).

And he will have excessively groaned and moaned (wa na’aq na’qah) defiled, profaned, and slain (chalal) to his presence (la paneh huw’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 30:24)

In actuality, Pharaoh had the last gash against Babylon. They would retreat and never return. It was only 112after Cyrus conquered Babylon, making it part of Persia, that his son conquered Egypt. But even then, he did not break the pharaoh’s arms. And as for excessive groaning and moaning from profaning and slaying, the Lord is confused and does not know which nation prevailed.

And I will have severely strengthened (wa chazaq) the arms (‘eth zarowa’) of the king of Babel | Confusion with the Lord (melek Babel). And (wa) the arms (zarowa’owth) of Pharaoh (Phar’oah) will fall (naphal).

Then (wa), they will have known (yada’) that, indeed (ky), I am (‘any) This Is Not Him (#^^#!) in having given of me (ba nathan ‘any) my sword (chereb ‘any) into the hand (ba yad) of the king of Babel | Confusion with the Lord (melek Babel).

And he will have stretched it out (natah ‘eth hy’) toward the country of Egypt (‘el ‘erets Mitsraym). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 30:25)

Then I will have scattered (wa puwts) the Egyptians (‘eth Mitsraym) with the gentiles (ba ha gowym) and I will have scattered with them (zarah ‘eth hem) in the ground (ba ha ‘erets).

Then (wa), they will have known (yada’) that, indeed (ky), I am (‘any) This Is Not Him (#^^#!). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 30:26)

Babylon was weakened by Egypt and never regained her former glory. So, the inverse of this pronouncement is actually true. It is likely that the defeats suffered against Egypt contributed to the empire’s demise such that Babylon was easy pickings for Cyrus.

Egypt is a gentile nation, and her people were not scattered in the ground. More importantly, even to this day, the Egyptian Muslims and Copts, representing 99% of the 113population, have one thing in common – they do not know Yahowah.

Over the course of the last two chapters, the Lord of Babel has continuously ranted against Mitsraym, acting like a deranged child throwing his toys at the other kids in the sandbox. He promised to demolish Egypt, exterminate its gods, and make the land completely uninhabitable after breaking Pharaoh’s arms. The Lord’s justifications were inconsequential and fabricated, and yet, he is so deranged and out of control there is no hiding the realization that this was written by a sadistic psychopath.

The Lord of Babel is delusional, grossly overstating his ability while overestimating the consequences of his actions. He is duplicitous, claiming to be God when he is the Adversary. And once again, we are left to consider how he managed to get every single one of his predictions wrong – even when attempting to plagiarize an actual prophet.

The test Yahowah provided in His Towrah | Guidance to ascertain whether a prophet was speaking for God or himself was and remains inerrancy throughout time. He did not provide one for the likes of Ezekiel – a quasi-literate word salad where nothing is true. I suppose Yahowah thought that if people are this susceptible to lies then there is no hope that such individuals will ever know Him.

While the Book of Ezekiel offers nothing from God, and nothing of value, our commitment to disemboweling its contents must continue because it was placed among the prophets, and it continues to influence Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in ways that demonize and dehumanize God’s people.

114With the Lord’s tirade against Tyre, glorification of its imaginary king and cherub, including the revisionist view of the role he played in the Garden of Eden, Ezekiel became autobiographical. We were shown a self-portrait, inclusive of Satan’s warped perspective and inverted reality. So, with that in mind, what are we to make of him smashing Egypt’s sandbox? If the depictions of Tyre and its king served as the basis of the Lord’s Replacement Theology where his role and God’s are interchanged, are we witnessing Satan’s perspective on She’owl | Hell in his annihilation of Egypt?

Should this be the case, then Pharaoh is being accused of Satan’s egotistical self-portrayal – of claiming to be the Creator when he is among the created. By portraying the hellish consequence as a justified penalty, then the Devil is playing God, thereby confusing the reader while obsessed with demonstrating that he thinks Yahowah grossly overreacted to what he did in Eden and subsequently in Yisra’el and among her neighbors. If I’m right, the Egyptian chronicles are Satan acting as a god over Hell.

So how do you suppose a Jewish slave confined in Babylon, over a thousand miles from Egypt, is going to dress the pharaoh down?

And it is in the 11^th year (wa hayah ba ‘echad ‘esreh shanah) in the third (ba ha shalyshy), in the first day of the month (ba ‘echad la ha chodesh), it was (hayah) a word (dabar) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!) to me (‘el ‘any) to say (la ‘amar), (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 31:1) child of person (ben ‘adam), it is imperative that you say (‘amar) to pharaoh (‘el Phar’oah), king of Egypt (melek Mitsraym), and to his abundant wealth and multitude of people (wa ‘el hamown huw’):

To whom (‘el my) were you comparable (damah) in your greatness and majesty (ba godel ‘atah – in your magnificence and eminence)? (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 31:2)

115This may seem complicated, but it’s actually fairly simple. The pharaoh, Assyria, and the cedar all represent the egotistical and self-promoting Adversary seeking to rise above the Almighty pursuant to his depiction in Isaiah 14. Since Satan is trying to shed that reputation, he is playing the role of God in this scenario to sweep the Adversarial connotations aside, thereby providing the opportunity to rise above them. Therefore, this is Satan condemning an adversarial caricature of himself to be perceived as God. As a puppet master, he asks, “To whom are you comparable in your majesty.” It is not a question God would pose to any man.

Behold (hineh – pay attention), ‘Ashuwr | Assyria (‘Ashuwr – Asherah and Astarte in Babylon and Canaan, Queen of Heaven and Mother of God in Christianity, based upon ‘asher – to walk, making progress, to be correct and blessed, to be guided and led, taking a stand along the proper path to form a relationship, and to be fortunate), a cedar as the tallest tree (‘erez) in Lebanon | White (Lebanon – to be pure white), a branch (‘anaph) which is beautiful and proper (yaphah – attractive, appropriate, and right), a forested height (choresh) growing darker (tsalal – blocking the source of light) at the highest and uppermost heights (wa gabeah qomah – at the upper limits, lofty, haughty, and proud), with insights and understanding amongst (byn) that which is interwoven, twisted, and intertwined (‘abowthym), having been at his uppermost position (tsamereth huw’ – ?, used only in Ezekiel). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 31:3)

Satan, as the Assyrian, would have us believe that he is the tallest and purest of the living. He wants to be perceived as better than his adversary, Dowd, and, therefore, as the rightful and proper branch – albeit one who perceives that he will be the most insightful in the ensuing darkness.

116With Mitsraym | Egypt, as the Crucibles of Religious and Political Persecution, representing She’owl | Hell, ‘Ashuwr is far more than the name of an ancient and extinct empire. It, like Babel | Babylon, represents ha Satan | the Adversary. This is why, in Yasha’yah | Isaiah, the two are juxtaposed and interwoven into the plot of God’s story.

As I was seeking to explain Satan’s autobiographical sketch here in Ezekiel, I was drawn back to something I translated in Yasha’yah | Isaiah for Observations. After excoriating Judaism in chapters 1 through 7, the great prophet makes the connection between ‘Ashuwr | Assyria and conspiracy, denoting the Assyrian as the Father of Religion. In the 8^th chapter, ‘Ashuwr is shown binding up the Towrah while becoming the inspiration behind religion.

This leads directly to the famed 9^th chapter, wherein Dowd is serving as Yahowah’s opposing force – the remedy to religion, to conspiracy, and to the aforementioned Adversary, who was represented by ‘Ashuwr in the previous chapter. He is not only Yahowah’s answer, Dowd is God’s way of demonstrating that Satan was wrong. While many may be worthless, Yahowah would have the man Satan despised most, bring the Adversary down and prove him wrong – all of which is conveyed in the 9^th chapter. Dowd is the Son who was given to speak openly of his relationship with God Almighty. Dowd is God’s gibowr | most confident and capable man, his most courageous and confrontational individual.

In the 10^th chapter of Yasha’yah | Isaiah, we are confronted with one of God’s most insightful declarations regarding Satan, who is referred to as the Assyrian. This is conveyed so that we might become more familiar with Satan’s approach and plans.

However, since the world has largely been oblivious to Satan’s role in religion and conspiracy and also of 117Yahowah’s retort, in the 11^th chapter of the great prophet, we are told that God has selected and enabled a Choter to educate His people. He will explain God’s story in a way that will allow those who are interested to understand many things, including the ultimate battle between the Messiah and the Adversary. To do so, he must expose Satan and reintroduce Dowd such that Yisra’elites understand who led them astray and demonized them and appreciate who is offering to redeem and reconcile them back into the Covenant. Satan wants to demean and kill them while Dowd has come to elevate and emancipate his people.

The next segment is short and sweet. It is entirely about Yahowah, His name and His role as our Savior. This then leads to the 13^th and 14^th chapters, and a return to Babylon. In them, we are shown how Satan uses the birthplace of institutionalized religion and its integration into governance as the springboard to vault above the Most High. This is the most detailed portrait of the Adversary’s nature, ambitions, and strategies.

As one might expect, the 15^th and 16^th chapters of Yasha’yah introduce readers to Satan’s most formidable ally, Christianity, by way of the modern manifestations of Moab and Damascus. And then, in the 17^th and 18^th chapters of Isaiah, we find our present and future before our eyes, witnessing how all of this will end. And this, naturally, brings us to the place where we are asked to confront the caustic influence of Islam through Mitsraym, Babylon, and Arabia.

Throughout the opening chapters of Isaiah, the three Babylons from which Yahowah is withdrawing His people are explored – religious, political, and geographic Babel. They will all fall upon Dowd’s return.

There is more to the Adversary than this, but by viewing the first 20 chapters of Yasha’yah as a collective whole, we are afforded a word’s-eye view of Satan’s role 118within religion and discover who will bring him down. The great prophet shows Yahowah getting the last laugh. A man with his herald, a Yahuwd and a Gowy, will thrash the Adversary and all that he has influenced. The spirit who sought to devalue men before God, so that he could be perceived as a god, will be done in by those he saw as unworthy. The irony is delicious.

Returning to Satan’s view of himself as the most wonderful lifeform within the garden…

Waters (maym) made it great and glorious, tremendously exalted in status (gadal huw’). The inexhaustible and mysterious depths and inaccessible darkness (tahowm – the primeval abyss associated with She’owl and the sea) raise him up on high, lifting him up to be exalted (ruwm huw’). With her rivers (‘eth nahary hy’) traveling (halak) all around the circumference (sabyb) this garden (mata’ hy’).

And with its uplifting conduits (ta’alah hy’) reaching out (shalach) to every tree (‘el kol ‘ets) of the open areas (sadeh). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 31:4)

The tahowm | primeval abyss of inaccessible darkness is something Satan would know well, but trees, not so much. There are tall evergreens, but none are exalted. So these are additional references to how Satan perceived himself in the mata’ | garden and beyond.

But there is more to this story. Can you name a god who emerged from a river, who was acknowledged as ‘God’ at that very moment, while being baptized in water by his imaginary herald? Did I hear you say, “Jesus?”

Suffice it to say, Satan had an inflated self-image…

Therefore (‘al ken), he towered at the highest and uppermost heights, exalted and proud above all, at the upper limit of what can be confirmed and what will 119endure (wa gabeah qomah hy’) beyond all of the trees (min kol ‘ets) of the open environs (ha sadeh).

His burning branches (sara’phah huw’ – ?, used only in Ezekiel; perhaps from saraphem – burning serpent or spiritual being) are increased in size and became great (wa rabah), becoming the longest and most extended (‘arak – especially noticeable and beyond compare) branch (po’rah huw’ – ?, only used in Ezekiel) from abundant and great waters (min maym rab) of what it sends out (ba shalach huw’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 31:5)

The references to extensive and extended branches of notable greatness are a slap at Dowd, who is the Branch from which the Covenant family blossoms and grows. Satan is suggesting that he is better than the Messiah and Son of God.

In Satan’s projection of his magnificence, the lives of all who can fly through the heavens begin within his branches. And under his purview, the beasts of the open and broad way are born. By blocking the light of God, the greatest empires emerge. He may have a point.

In his burning branches (ba sara’phah huw’ – ?, used only in Ezekiel), every bird made a nest (qanan kol ‘owph) for the heavens (ha shamaym).

And under his headdress (pa’er huw’), they gave birth to children (yalad), every one of (kol) the beasts (chayah) of the field (ha sadeh).

And through his shadow and protection from the light while growing dark (wa ba tsel huw’), lived and dwelt (yashab) all of the greatest gowym and nations (kol gowym rab). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 31:6)

The delusional Lord of Babel perceives that, after having exterminated Yisra’elites twenty-five times over, all who remain are gowym. And Satan is staking his claim to the gentiles 2,500 years before he would inspire Paul to 120say the same. Like father, like son. Under their long shadow, the Persians, Greeks, and Romans would have their god. And isn’t it handy that they would accuse Jews of killing him by nailing him to a…tree.

Who needs the root of Jesse, the land of Yisra’el, the Branch representing Dowd, or the greatness that is God when one lays claim to the life-giving and cleansing nature of water and prevails based upon appearances?

He is visually appealing to the senses and admired for his brilliance and beauty, as he was magnificently adorned (yaphah – he was made to appear bright and beautiful by being highly decorated, and he is so very pretty (qal imperfect third-person masculine singular – he is genuinely gorgeous and continually attractive)) in his glorious majesty and the magnitude of his power (ba godel huw’), with the longest, most enduring, and even patient (‘orek) of his branches (dalyth huw’ – ?, used only in Ezekiel).

For truly (ky), his roots (shoresh huw’) have existed (hayah) beside the most abundant waters (‘el maym rab). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 31:7)

As clearly as he can communicate, Satan is saying that he is akin to ‘Jesus Christ’ – among the most beautiful and gloriously adorned of the gods with his magnificent churches and cathedrals. He is so very pretty and yet powerful that his far-reaching roots and branches would be more extensive and patient than the one he is replacing. And they would span the waters and even use them to baptize the faithful.

More amazing still, the Adversary, in his rivalry with God, would get Jews to advance his cause. They would be the first to call Ezekiel a ‘prophet’ and to place Satan’s autobiographical tome in the midst of Yahowah’s witnesses. They would even invent Christianity, and then oppose it in a way that would assure their subjugation and 121death. They would play his game so marvelously, they would offer their Talmud to Muhammad, thereby overtly contributing to the most satanic, anti-Semitic, and heinous of all religions. And if that were not enough for one people, this spirit would inspire Jews to dress for their own funeral a thousand years thereafter, creating the Haredi strain of Judaism, blinding the cult such that he could be assured that they would never see the Light that he has so insidiously blocked.

Initially, I intended to skip past Ezekiel 31 and 32, thinking that analyzing two chapters of Egyptian chronicles was sufficient. And yet, by staying the course we have developed a far more comprehensive understanding of Satan’s perceptions and agenda. His confessions here in Ezekiel have led us to announce what is perhaps the most adroit assessment of who the Adversary is and what he is trying to achieve – even of how he intends to go about being perceived as God.

Satan, who began pondering the pharaoh’s supposed magnificence, and quickly mutated past the Assyrian to the greatest lifeform the world would ever know, is now seen gloating above the Garden where it all began. This is where God initiated His love affair with humankind and where Satan came to despise his newly created rival for Yahowah’s attention.

It was in the Gan ‘Eden where Satan became adversarial, misrepresenting the word of God to entice Chawah into joining him in his quest to become a god. And it was in the Garden that it all changed for Satan because this is where he was diminished, such that he was relegated to slithering on the Earth, and confined to three dimensions, having lost the luster he had been given. So, therefore, this story represents his attempt to regain what he lost in the minds of the men and women he has risen above by demeaning.

122That is his plan. And he would like everyone to play along. Most have.

The tallest trees (‘erez) ba Gan ‘Elohym | in the Garden of God and of the Gods (ba gan ‘elohym) were not his rival or equal, as they were dimmed and less lustrous by comparison – they were diminished by him, even hidden by him, because they were inferior to him (lo’ ‘amam huw’).

In the Garden of God and within the Protective Enclosure of the Gods (ba gan ‘elohym), the evergreen cedars and cypress (barowsh – the firs and pines) were silenced because they were incomparable – they were unable to tell their story because they could not measure up to the same standard (lo’ damah) of his uppermost branches (‘el sa’aphah huw’).

Even the largest deciduous trees with renewing life (wa ‘ermown) ceased to exist (lo’ hayah) in a manner similar to his branches (ka po’rah huw’ – ?).

All of the trees (kol ‘ets) in the Garden of God and within the Protective Enclosure of the Gods (ba gan ‘elohym), were silenced because they were incomparable and inferior (lo’ damah) to his beautiful appearance, desirable nature, and attractive persona (‘el huw’ ba yophy huw’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 31:8)

Since this is Satan’s retelling of his Eden experience, while projecting himself gloriously into the scene, why are we the first to explain it as such? Why has it taken this long to acknowledge that the Lord of Babel is not Yahowah but, instead, the Messiah’s, Shepherd’s, King’s, and Son of God’s Adversary?

In Satan’s Replacement Theology, he is God and not the Adversary. He is the tallest, not the lowliest creature. He is not the rival, but instead, the one against whom all others are diminished and less lustrous. It is beneath the 123soaring ego of ha Satan that God, Himself, is hidden and seen as inferior. If you think it is not so, ask a Christian, Muslim, or Jew how they would compare Yahowah to Jesus, Allah, or HaShem.

Satan is to be seen as providing a bigger and better branch – one to be perceived as surpassing the Branch, the greatest son of ‘Adam our world would ever know. And in so doing, Jesus replaces Dowd, Gentiles replace Jews, the Church is substituted for Israel, and Satan is worshiped as God over Yahowah. And through the Talmud, New Testament, Quran, and Zohar, even Ezekiel, Enoch, Job, Esther, and Maccabees, the voice of Yahowah’s Towrah, Naby’, wa Mizmowr would be silenced. It would all be accomplished by appearances, not merit, a triumph of faith over reason. The ugliest among us would project the most attractive appearance. Jesus, Allah, and G-d would become more appealing and popular than He whose name shall not be mentioned. And perhaps that is why, every time ‘adony yahowah appears within Ezekiel, every religious rendition of the book renders it as “my Lord God.”

And now for another confession…

I acted and engaged as him, performing through him to make him (‘asah huw’) appear beautiful and proper, gloriously exceeding what would be expected (yaphah – righteous and excellent, especially good and brilliant, perceived as fair, pleasant, and desirable) through the great abundance, widespread reach, and magnitude (ba rob) of his branches (dalyth huw’ – from dalah – what has been drawn and lifted up then dangled regarding him).

And so (wa), they were jealous and envied him (qana’ huw’) – all of the trees and every lifeform which had been fashioned and formed (kol ‘etsy) of Eden (‘Eden – Joy in the Most Favorable of Circumstances) 124which (‘asher) were in the Garden of the Gods (ba gan ha ‘elohym). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 31:9)

There is no reason to doubt that this is how Satan views himself and what occurred in the Gan ‘Eden. He did not slither in as a snake but, instead, arrived looking beautiful and proper, gloriously exceeding what would have been expected of a created being. He would play every angle, use all of his cunning, and perform at the highest level imaginable to appear as glorious as God. And even when diminished, and limited to three dimensions, his outreach would be widespread and unheralded – succeeding to the point that he became the god of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as well as the inspiration behind Secular Humanism and Progressives. The Alternative to God would rise above God in the minds and hearts of other created beings.

Since Satan cannot come out and say that God was envious of him without tipping his hand, he is suggesting that all of the other lifeforms were jealous of what he had achieved and would become. And clearly, while counterproductive, what Satan accomplished remains the most resounding triumph in the history of our planet. He managed to beguile ‘Adam and Chawah and then convince virtually all humankind to worship him as if he were God. Humans would build temples and shrines to him, churches, synagogues, and mosques in his honor, and even replace Yahowah’s Covenant Home atop Mowryah with the Dome of the Rock as a trophy awarding Satan victory over and above Yahowah.

As he did with the glorious king of Tyre who became the guardian cherub of Eden, the pharaoh who became the towering evergreen in the Garden must now be cut down for Satan to be perceived as God.

Therefore, likewise and afterward (la ken), here and now, thus said (koh ‘amar) my Lord (‘adony), This 125Is Not Him (#^^#!), because of which (ya’an ‘asher) he was on high and exalted to the maximum extent (gabah) in stature and beyond all others (ba qomah) and he is offered and appointed (wa nathan) as the uppermost (tsamereth), for him to have insights and understanding among (huw’ ‘el byn) that which is intermixed and woven as a tapestry, intertwined and bound together (‘abowth), and his conscience, judgment, and inclinations were lifted up on high and exalted in rebellion (wa ruwm lebab huw’) with him being lofty and haughty, majestic and prideful (ba gobah huw’), (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 31:10) I will give him (wa nathan huw’) into the hand (ba yad) of the ram, the leader and ruler, and the largest tree (‘ayil) of the gentiles and foreign nations (gowym).

He will do to him and deal with him (‘asah ‘asah la huw’) in a manner consistent with his violation (ka resha’ huw’). I will cast him out and banish him, divorcing myself of him by removing him so that he no longer exists (garash huw’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 31:11)

And this is how it is perceived by the religious. They cannot fathom that Satan is their god because their god condemns Satan. It is as the Adversary intended.

After having projected his every attribute and desire upon the personification of the pharaoh, the Assyrian, and loftiest of living entities, telling us how magnificent he was, for no reason other than he was superior, indeed, the uppermost being in the universe, the Lord of Babel dispatches his ram, the most formidable of the gentiles against him. And so, consistent with his indiscretion, the accused will be cast out of the story and banished, removed from memory such that he no longer exists. And in so doing, Satan shed his Adversary title and was thereafter free to be as he had described himself.

126And now you know why the Lord of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam denounces Satan. It was the most cunning way for him to play the hand he was dealt. And funny thing, he is so proud of this ploy, he wants to be credited for it. And that is why Ezekiel was written.

Mission accomplished.

Illegitimate foreigners and unauthorized aliens (zar) have cut a covenant with him by uprooting him (wa karat huw’). The most ruthless gentiles and cruel nations, the most terrifying pagan empires (‘aryts gowym) have rejected him (wa natsah huw’).

Toward the mountains (‘el ha har) and in every valley (wa ba kol gay’), his branches (dalyth huw’) have fallen (naphal). His branches (pho’rah huw’) have been broken and destroyed (wa shabar) within every ravine, even in the depths of the seas (ba kol ‘apyq) of the Earth (ha ‘erets). And they have descended, bowing down prostrate (wa yarad) because of his shadow, the way he hovers over to block the light (min tsel huw’) of all of the people (kol ‘am) of the Earth (ha ‘erets) as they are drawn to and follow him (natash huw’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 31:12)

Gentiles of every ilk would cut their covenant with Satan but not until removing the Adversarial designation from their god. With a sadistic psychopath as their Lord and Master, it is little wonder they became ruthless and cruel, the most terrifying empires on the planet.

Satan’s branches may have fallen, but they took root. His seeds may have been crushed, but they would bear fruit. And as a result, humans bow down and worship the Adversary as if he were God.

The more he blocked the light, the more the faithful believed he was the light. By rejecting ha Satan, they were 127inclined to follow the Lord, not realizing they were one and the same.

Parting is such sweet sorrow…

Upon his fallen trunk and carcass (‘al mapheleth huw’), every winged creature of the heavens (kol ‘owph ha shamaym) dwells (shakan – lives and remains).

And next to his branches (wa ‘el pho’rah huw’), every beast of the open environment (kol chayah ha sadeh) has existed (hayah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 31:13)

This is a trial balloon tailored after Tammuz, Osiris, and Dionysus – that of the death and resurrection of god leading to new life for all of the little creatures. Pagans used it to explain why plants which would emerge in the spring would die off in the winter. Christians used it to explain away the purpose of the Passover Lamb. It would be one of ha Satan’s greatest achievements. In so doing, he created a religion with the worst possible outcome – a corrupted form of continued existence through Passover without the perfecting of UnYeasted Bread. And in response to it, he managed to convince Jews to despise the Pesach ‘Ayil – failing to appreciate that it was their King and Shepherd serving them in this role.

Throughout this diatribe, one solitary individual has been aggrandized – soaring in the heavens. But now that he has been cut down so that he can branch out and conceive new life, Satan is saying that there will never be another. Huw’ | he has become hem | them. The rival to Dowd and his God will not tolerate any competition.

This insight is particularly interesting because one might naturally assume that Satan would not care if he was worshiped as Ba’al or Asherah, Osiris or Isis, Dionysus or Jesus, G-d or Allah. But it appears that he no longer wants to hide behind these names. This is because he wants to be known by only one name – Yahowah.

128If I am correct, this explains why “my Lord” and “Yahowah” are constantly juxtaposed throughout Ezekiel. It explains why Satan is constantly saying, “And, indeed, they will have known that I am Yahowah.” And it also explains why Satan is so irritated by the Phoenicians, Egyptians, and Babylonians in that they promoted many gods rather than him as the only god. It even reveals why he hates Jews. The one name he covets most is the one they have removed from their lexicons.

This is in order that (la ma’an ‘asher) they may not be exalted on high and achieve a status evoking devotion (lo’ gabah) with their stature (qowmah hem) – all trees (kol ‘ets – every living thing comprised of wood; from ‘atsah / ‘etsah – every means to curtail counsel and advice while eliminating the purpose) of waters (maym).

And they will not be offered or given (wa lo’ nathan) with their wooly top (‘eth tsamereth – ?; likely from tsemer – wool) to be insightful or gain understanding between (‘el byn) that which is intermixed and woven into a tapestry, intertwined and bound together (‘abowth).

So, they will not be present, standing (wa lo’ ‘amad), their mighty trees, lambs, doorways, and leaders (‘ayil hem) in their glorious heights of splendor and majesty (ba gobah hem) – all who drink (kol shathah) water (maym).

For indeed (ky), all of them (kol hem), they were given (nathan) to the plague of death (la ha maweth), to the Earth below (‘el ‘erets tachthy) in the midst of (ba tawek) the children of ‘Adam | mankind (beny ‘adam), among those who go down (‘el yarad) to the pit, serving as a prison and dungeon (bowr). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 31:14)

If you are not clued in by now, it is past time for Captain Obvious to reveal that the Lord of Babel is not 129talking about tall or mighty trees. The ‘ets growth and fall is simply Satan’s projection of himself in Eden, before and after his debacle with Chawah.

Even the word ‘ets, itself, is revealing. It is from ‘atsah and ‘etsah which speak of the means to curtail counsel and advice while eliminating someone’s purpose. And obviously, trees cannot derive insights or gain understanding. Moreover, a dead tree rots, returning nourishment to the soil. It does not descend into the pit with the sons of Adam.

Therefore, the lone towering tree in Eden represents Satan before his fall. And by mentioning others, Satan is warning would-be rivals – whether trees, lambs, doorways, or leaders – that they will all die and be incarcerated in She’owl.

The Lord’s persistence in delineating waters, rivers, and drinking all goes back to Gan ‘Eden. Life within it was maintained in part because the Garden served as the headwaters of great rivers. Further, water is not only the source of life and the universal solvent for cleaning, these are not things Satan can produce independently.

It is also possible that the Lord of Babel is trying to downplay the caustic nature of She’owl. While there are no fires, it will be intensely hot due to the enormity of the pressures associated with a black hole. So, Satan is inferring that it won’t be so bad since there will be plenty to drink. However, should someone be inclined to follow him, be aware, he’s lying as usual.

This is a difficult role for Satan to play. He wants his audience to realize that, in his created form, he was powerful, brilliant, and majestic. And while he may have been impressive, as a created being, he cannot be the Creator. Therefore, Satan must bury his true nature before he can be perceived as God. But that is easier said than done by someone with ego containment issues. So, his 130solution is to have “God,” the role he is not playing, grieve and lament over having to send such a magnificent being to She’owl | Hell. While it isn’t credible, it does not take much to fool the religious.

It is also interesting to note that, before he is cast into She’owl, Satan was cast down to Earth and has lived among humans. This is potentially telling because, if he were a karuwbym and/or mal’ak, Satan would likely have been seven-dimensional and would have been able to maneuver in time. However, since we on Earth are presently living in three dimensions and are stuck in the ordinary flow of time, the same is likely true of the Adversary. This would have been part of the judgment imposed upon him. And it would serve to explain why the writing is so impoverished, why his options are so limited, why he is so inept at prophecy, and why he must ask Ezekiel to do so much for him.

And while all of that has been revealing, what follows is astounding, unbelievable, really…

Thus said (koh ‘amar) my Lord (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), in the day (ba yowm) of going down (yarad – of being brought down) of him (huw’) to She’owl | Hell (She’owl), I mourned, having lamented and grieved (‘abal).

The inexhaustible and mysterious depths and inaccessible darkness (‘eth tahowm – that which pertains to the primeval abyss of the vast powers of She’owl) I covered over him to keep him hidden and shrouded (kasah ‘al huw’).

And I denied and withheld, depriving (wa mana’) his rivers (nahar huw’) and the abundant, the numerous and great (rab), waters (wa maym) were restrained and refused (kala’ – hindered and contained).

131And I became dark, blackened without light, wailing (qadar – I mourned in the darkness and gloom (hifil imperfect first-person singular)) over him (‘al huw’).

Lebanon (Labanown – White and Pure) and all of the trees (wa kol ‘ets) of the open environs (ha sadeh) languished and lamented, pining and fainting over him being disguised (‘ulpheh – ?, in this form used only in Ezekiel; from ‘alaph – to be enwrapped, masked, veiled, and hidden by being camouflaged). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 31:15)

While it was exceedingly painful for the Lord to rid the world of something he considered to be so magnificent, especially after building himself up beyond compare, Satan is finally burying his ha Satan | Adversary designation. And even though gone was to be forgotten, we have not found his true identity so inaccessible or shrouded in darkness that it was irretrievable. And yet, this ruse managed to fool billions. Perhaps the Lord felt that, by placing his confession in an ocean of lies, none would be the wiser.

Nonetheless, since depicting God lamenting over the Adversary’s demise is preposterous, Satan was putting his reputation on the line, something he exacerbated when he claimed that he, as God, was darkened and devoid of light as a result. He must also have surmised that his audience was irrational when he claimed that every living thing languished and lamented, pining and fainting over him being disguised in this way. By suggesting such a thing, Satan is revealing that he is a narcissist and must have people fawning over him.

The only way for the following statement to be accurate is for this event to be witnessed by Christians and Muslims sometime in the future when they discover after worshiping Satan as their god that he was actually the Devil 132and is off to She’owl. Experiencing such a thing would be disorienting and frightening for believers.

From the sound (min qowl – out of the noise and due to the voice) of his downfall, and of his carcass and corpse (mapheleth huw’ – his overthrow; from mah – to question the circumstances surrounding his naphal – fall), I caused the gentiles and their nations to tremble, to be shaken up and sway (ra’ash gowym) in going down (ba yarad – in coming down and descending), myself with him (‘any ‘eth huw’) to She’owl | Hell (She’owl) along with those who go down (‘eth yarad) to the pit, the prison and dungeon (bowr).

All of the trees (kol ‘ets – every living thing comprised of wood; from ‘atsah / ‘etsah – to curtail counsel and advice while eliminating the purpose) of Eden (‘Eden – a joyful and favorable circumstance), they are continually comforted and consoled (nacham – they express sympathy and are encouraged (nifal imperfect third-person masculine plural – they carried out acts of encouragement and received compassion)) in the lowest realm below (ba ‘erets tachthy).

The most highly valued questionable choices (mibchar – debatably the best aspect; from my – to question and bachar – choosing and deciding)) and beautiful and beneficial (wa towb – the good, moral, and pleasing) of the Pure and White (Labanown) all drink water (kol shathah maym). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 31:16)

Nary a tree will find its way to She’owl. Plants do not have souls and cannot mislead anyone. Satan’s portrayal is becoming muddier by the moment. And he appears desperate in promoting the myth that his compatriots will all be refreshed during their time of eternal estrangement. He goes so far as to present his incarceration in Hell as a comforting and encouraging experience. Methinks he’s 133lying again. But then again, he has far more experience in this regard. She’owl is his domain.

Satan continues to push credulity to the limits with trees joining him in Hell. But then, credibility has never been the Lord’s strong suit. And even if our storyteller has altered his audience, neither the pierced nor the defiled enter Hell. It takes a lot more than dying to earn eternal separation. Most souls simply die, and that is the end of it.

In addition (gam – also), they with him (hem ‘eth huw’) descended, going down (yarad) to She’owl | Hell (She’owl – realm of the dead and abandoned, place of questioning, sharing its name with King Saul and the Apostle Paul; from sha’al – questioning and begging), to those who are pierced and slain, profaned and defiled (‘el chalal) by the sword (chereb).

Then his arm (wa zarowa’ huw’) lived (yashab) with his shadow (ba tsel huw’ – in his protection to block the light) within the gentiles and non-Israelite nations (ba tawek gowym). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 31:17)

Are we to assume that the broken and crushed arms of the pharaoh will live on in Satan’s shadow as it is cast across the gentile nations? Or did Egypt’s king regain his sword such that he is now piercing and slaying his foes? These are actually reasonable questions because, after veering away from any mention of the pharaoh, the Lord will close this chapter by asking if we perceived any resemblance.

However, since there were only four individuals in Eden – Yahowah, ‘Adam, Chawah, and Satan – and pharaohs and egotistical trees were not among them, who do you think the Lord has been addressing? Likewise, who among the four provides the most adroit fit for the depiction of the Lord of Babel in Yasha’yah | Isaiah 14? Same answer? Then why has it remained a mystery?

134To whom (‘el my) were you comparable and do you resemble (damah – were you similar and likened) to this extent and to such a degree (kakah – in this case) in the attribution of status, honor, and respect, glorification and splendor, eminence, reputation, and renown (ba kabowd) and in greatness and majesty, bravado and importance (wa ba godel – in magnificence and eminence) within the trees (ba ‘ets – with wood; from ‘atsah / ‘etsah – to curtail counsel and advice while eliminating purpose) of Eden (‘Eden – a joyful and favorable circumstance)?

You have descended (wa yarad) with the trees (‘eth ‘ets – with wood; from ‘atsah / ‘etsah – to curtail counsel and advice while eliminating purpose) of Eden (‘Eden – a joyful and favorable circumstance) to the lowest realm below (‘el ‘erets tachthy) within the midst (ba tawek) of the uncircumcised, the stubborn, unbelieving, and forbidden (‘arel).

You will lie down and sleep (shakab) with the pierced and slain, profaned and defiled (‘eth chalal) by the sword (chereb – the knife or dagger; from charab – to be wasted and desolate).

He (huw’), Pharaoh (Phar’oah), and his entire agitated and confused populace, his uproarious multitude (wa kol hamown huw’), prophetically announces (na’um) my Lord and Master, the one possessing and controlling me (‘adon ‘any), This Is Not Him (#^^#!). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 31:18)

There is no correlation between pharaohs, Egyptians, and circumcision, just as there is no correlation between She’owl and circumcision. Satan is confused. Being uncircumcised will preclude entry into Shamaym | Heaven because it is one of the conditions of the Covenant. However, incarceration in She’owl | Hell is predicated on leading others away from God, which is independent of this decision.

135Similarly, there is no correlation between Eden and She’owl, other than one of the four occupants of one is destined to spend eternity in the other. And while Satan would no doubt prefer that She’owl be akin to taking a long nap, such is not the case. So just as the Lord of Babel has tried to mislead the gullible into believing that the Adversary was a magnificent fellow who was judged too harshly, he wants the faithful to believe that Hell isn’t such a bad place.

There is one last thing to consider before we move on to the next chapter, and that is whether or not Yahowah wanted Satan to reveal his hand in this way. Since it is so obvious that this was inspired by the Adversary and not God, is it a test? If Satan wanted to fool us, surely, he would not have made so many mistakes nor would he have been so obvious – particularly with the references to himself in Eden.

Could the Book of Ezekiel serve Yahowah by providing a clear demarcation between right and wrong, between the intended relationship and religion? Just as He allowed Satan into the Garden, might God have allowed His people this opportunity to grasp hold of the twisted rope they have used to hang themselves?

No other book is this dehumanizing and demonizing of Jews, and yet, religious Jews are solely responsible for its conception and inclusion within the Tanakh and Bible. They have brought its curses upon themselves and, most especially, upon Jewish women.

When everyone over the past 2,500 years has missed it, did God make the truth this obvious to His final messenger because He wanted to free the last generation of Jews from its grip in the anticipation that they would walk free of it and choose Him? And in so doing, should this be the case, did Yahowah bolster the reputation of His Choter 136and embolden him such that His people might be more receptive to listening now that time is in such short supply?

Clearly, what we have discovered is so counter to accepted religious beliefs, this book serves as a referendum on what is true and false. Our analysis serves as a line drawn in the sands of time, with God and His chosen on one side and the religious on the other.