The Teachings of Mark (Mimar Marqe Book I Chapter 5)

A continuation in our series from John MacDonald's (1963) translation of the most important book in the Samaritan tradition after the Pentateuch. The central 'revelation' - not merely a midrash but a revelation given around the beginning of the second century - from which 'Samaritanism' itself is derived.

When they heard what Pharaoh the king said, their heart was emboldened and they were greatly strenghtened. Aaron threw down his rod before Pharaoh and it became a serpent (Ex vii. 10; Targ) - a terrifying sight! Pharaoh and all his counsellors looked at it and great dread fell upon them. The serpent opened its mouth before Pharaoh as though it would come intending to swallow him up, and it fixed its eyes like lightning towards him, as if coming with intent to burn him up. Pharaoh looked at his assembled counsellors and began to seek advice on immediate action. His counsellors said to him, "O King, we and you are in a a dilemma. This is a great miracle, the like of which we have not seen. We believe that there is none like it in the whole land of Egypt, not since the day it was created. Send word now, summon all the sages, to see whether they know what this wonder is, whether it is the work of sorcerers, for it is in their power to tell you, O King."

Hear what Pharaoh answered them, his heart full of extreme disquiet - it was like iron. His servants, who stood about the palace, were unable to leave the door of the palace to go outside. "I know they are disquieted like me" (said Pharaoh), and are unable to move right or left."

All the servants who were outside fell on their faces in great fear (when they heard this). "If a cry of shame were to be cast against me and all who listen to me cry 'He is to be blamed' against me - If I knew they would do this, I would not give them permission to come to me, now would I myself despair - I who am like those who go into battle victoriously and overtake their enemies - whom they do not even know!"

When the servants outside heard that the king was himself in a dilemma, they came and stood in his presence; they said to him, from a distance - "Tell us what you want us to do." He replied, "Quickly bring me the sages and sorcerers.

They arose at once in great fear, as quick as a flash, and told these "Make haste now to Pharaoh the king, for he is in great anxiety. His body is weak and he is faint." They got up and followed them in considerable wonderment. When they came and looked over the gate of Pharaoh's palace and saw him and all his servants frozen with fear, they passed through and entered the presence of Pharaoh the king. They found him fainting, the serpent in front of him menacing, while he was in terror of the serpent lest it should swallow him.

Moses and Aaron were like two lights, their faces giving light in Pharaoh's abode. When the sages and sorcerers arrived, they addressed Pharaoh the king, "Do not be afraid of it. It will soon depart. Brace yourself now."

The magicians said, "We are able to do the like of that. These men will not get the better of you. We shall do the same as this (wonder) in your own presence. If these are the doings of sorcerers, then we are truly the chief of sorcerers. This is a most shameful thing, that the heart of a king like you should be in such terror over the work of sorcerers. Now we shall do the same deed before your very eyes; then you will know who are the conquerers among us."

(Pharaoh said), "Win my battle, for I am overcome in the face of this serpent. I shall not keep your offices for you unless, on the occasion of such an hour like this, wonders and signs pass before me. I have not seen the like of this marvel since the day I was born. Were I not greatly encouraged by the sight of you, my spirit would depart from me."

"Console yourself! Do not be afraid of it, for we have in our power something that is greater than it in skill." They case down their rods and they all became serpents around it (Ex. vii. 12). Pharaoh and all his counsellors looked at the serpents which the sorcerers had brought into being - a wondrously joyous sight (for them). (Said they), "The brothers do not glory over us now!"

The serpent looked to its right and to its left and saw the other serpents ganging up against it. It opened its mouth and swallowed the whole lot in a flash (Ex vii. 12); then it turned to Pharaoh seeking to swallow him too. His body became even weaker than it was. The sorcerers stood in great confusion and essayed to produce something to crush it, but they were unable to do anything to it. When Pharaoh saw that the sorcerers were defeated, he had to yield to Moses and Aaron. He said to them, "Drive off the serpent quickly from my palace. My spirit despairs of it and I am in great and terrible distress. That which you demand I will do for you. Be patient, for your demand is in your own hands. The evening draws near and there is no opportunity during the day to speak and listen to you. This is a mighty serpent and my heart is terrified of it, and my spirit is weak before it. Drive it away now from my presence. If it remains another hour before me, I shall die. I fear lest it swallows up everything else."

When it swallowed up the rods, consternation increased, for it swallowed up all the serpents and yet there was no increase in its size! "It is (still) hungry, for it looks as though it would swallow me up too. My spirit is not at ease as long as the serpent is with me in the palace. All the limbs of my body are lifeless because of it. Undeniable is this miracle which you have manifested. It is a sign demonstrating its reality. Take it away and depart. Come again in the morning and I shall speak the truth to you."

Aaron stretched out his hand, and behold the serpent became a rod as it had been before!

Praise be the doer of wonders, who does what He wills with all that is His.

At the approach of evening Moses and Aaron departed, their hearts filled with exultation, having beheld the triumph of their God as He protected them and subdued their foes before them with His tremendous power. After their departure, Pharaoh began to devise evil. He said to his servants, "I shall go out tomorrow for a pleasant walk by the river. If Moses and Aaron come in the morning, say to them, "Turn back! The king is off to war. Pharaoh is in secret session with his servants."

The knower of mysteries reveals Pharaoh's secrets!

Then the Lord said to Moses, "Set forth in the morning (Ex. vii. 15; Targ); go to the river to meet Pharaoh, for he has planned his departure for the water in the morning in order to flee from me, lest he encounter you. Declare to him on my authority with bold heart, "Let my people go, that they may serve me." (Ex vii. 16; Targ.).

If you refuse to let my people go, you will be smitten and will flow with blood.
If you refuse to let my people go, you will be oppressing the living and harming the dead (lit. 'the speakers and the silent ones').
If you refuse to let my people go, then the whole land of Egypt will be destroyed through oppression.
If you refuse to let my people go, you yourself and all the Egyptians with you will perish.

Behold I will strike the Nile with the rod that is in my hand and all the water it contains will be turned into blood (Ex vii. 17; Targ.).

The perfect ones arose as their Lord had commanded them, and they found Pharaoh standing by the river. Pharaoh looked and saw them at once. He stood there in great consternation - never was there the like of it! He looked at his chief ministers and said to them in an undertone, "We have made a mistake in what we have done. I came out to the water hoping to escape from them, and lo, they have come out to meet me right here. Undoubtedly they possess the secrets of the astrologers, knowing the inner things of minds through them. Yesterday my spirit would not rest from turmoil, and likewise I am in turmoil today, for my distress is acute.

"Greetings to you, O King," the prophets said, "We have come now to you with a message from the True One, as follows: The Lord, the God of the Hebrews has declared, 'Let my people go, that they may serve me' (Ex. vii. 16; Targ.). Yesterday you said to us, 'Come in the morning that I may give you true answer.' Well, we have come to you without delay. Tell us what you have decided to do with us. If you refuse to let my people go, we will strike the river, and it shall be turned into blood (Ex. vii. 17), and you will suffer along with your people and the whole land of Egypt. Because of you all that it contains will be smitten. The spirit of life in the waters will die and they will be changed through being turned into blood."

But a proud attitude took hold of him and he refused to listen to them. His attitude was stiffened because he was suffering.
A proud attitude took hold of him and he refused to listen to them; his mind was dulled because of the affliction he was enduring.
A proud attitude took hold of him and he refused to listen to them; his tongue was hardened, so much that it became accursed.
A proud attitude took hold of him and he refused to listen to them; his mouth, because it poured out wrath, was given bitter water to drink.
A proud attitude took hold of him and he refused to listen to them; he was a branch sprouting forth burning fire.
A proud attitude took hold of him and he refused to listen to them; his voice was mighty, but memory of him will be cut short!