The Teachings of Mark (Mimar Marqe Book I Chapter 6)

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 the two prophets saw the stubbornness revealed to them, they began to do what their Lord had commanded them. And the Lord said to Moses, "Say to Aaron, 'Stretch out your hand (Ex vii 19; Targ.) over the river and smite it, and it will become blood throughout the whole of Egypt, even among the trees and among the stones.'"

Happy are those already dead, for he will kill the living with his own hand!

It was done mightily throughout the whole of Egypt. Pharaoh was standing by the river, his head bowed down before it and unable to go close to it. The True One proclaimed within him, "O guilty one, why do you kill the living who have committed no crimes? If the tributary of Eden (i.e. the Nile) is smitten this day, how will anyone reach it and then go back in the same state as he was? When it reaches you, you will be slain. You shall not live! Your shame is recorded for the generations!"

There was very greatr afflictions throughout all Egypt from the time he smote the river. Its offshoots Gihon its (i.e. Pishon - the Nile's - for the four rivers see Gen. ii. 10 - 14) fellow, and the Tigris and Euphrates were prepared to set forth to exact revenge, but they were unable to come to the land of Egypt. They raised a cry to the Creator of Waste and Void, "We request you to exact vengeance on Pharaoh for our brother (i.e. the Nile)." "Go in peace," He said to them inwardly, "I am the one who redeems blood. It will be exacted in the end."

Pharaoh turned and went into his house (Ex. vii. 23; Targ.), his attitude hardened and anger welling up in him.
Pharaoh turned and went into his house, an enemy to the world and a foe to creation.
Pharaoh turned and went into his house, after he had vexed the living and the dead.
Pharaoh turned and went into his house, all the Egyptians in the grip of affliction because of him.
Pharaoh turned and went into his house, the debts of the living and the dead heaped upon him for seven days (cf. Ex. vii. 25).

The Egyptians remained in affliction, being also severely oppressed, while Moses and Aaron like two lights shone among the stars of Sarah and Abraham.

The Third Address proclaimed before them they took and delivered before the king of Egypt. They arose with it at once and delivered it before him, but he refused to listen to it. "Thus says the Lord, 'Let my people go,' that they may go to Him and to worship Him (Ex. viii. 1; Targ.) and carry out His well; but if you refuse to let them go (Ex. viii. 2), He will do a great wonder on you. Behold, He will destroy all your borders with frogs. He has uttered an excellent statement - He does not make it in vain! The frogs will come up and enter into your house; they will devour your provisions. You will not be able to stop them. (They will come) into your bedrooms and on to your couches. They will burst your ears and expel your sleep. (They will come) into your baking-ovens and your kneading-troughs (Ex viii. 3 - 4). You yourself will be afflicted. None will go near you. On you and your people, on all your servants, the frogs will climb. We have warned you before you retaliate. If you do not listen, you yourself are a murderer."

He refused to listen to their speech and would not consider them at all. He hardened his heart and refused to heed them.