The Teachings of Mark (Mimar Marqe Book I Chapter 8)

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.

Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron after this, "Strike the dust of the earth, that it may become gnats." (Ex. viii. 16; Targ.). They did as the Lord commanded. Gnats came into being throughout the land of Egypt. All the dust of the earth became gnats (Ex. viii. 17; Targ.), oppressing the living and harming all the dead. The sorcerers realized they themselves were overcome, for they started to drive them off, but were unsuccessful. When the sorcerers saw that they were themselves victims, they said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God (Ex. viii. 19; Targ.). It is not within our power to fight the God of the prophets. Know that their God is a doer of wonders (Ex xv. 11). They are able to destroy and build up, while we destroy, but cannot build up what you desire."

Pharaoh said to them, "Begin for me the ending of your decree from me (i.e. Pharaoh's command to them was now rescinded). Do not tire yourselves this day. Restrain your evil intent. Prepare greater retaliations than these. Be wrathful against them." They went out, leaving him confounded and his face ashen. The gnats continued on him, till it was said of him, "The flies are fed by the power of God as revenge on you. Turn back from your error and release Israel, else Egypt will be ruined by his power."

He fell silent at this statement and would not consider it at all.

Before the day ended, flies came and behold there was great darkness.

There appeared there exceedingly many flies, which prevailed over the Egyptians.
Extensive darkness was seen there, accompanied by hear which destroyed their sons.
The land was ruined by reason of the flies (Ex. viii. 24; Targ.), as they consumed their children while yet alive.
The land was ruined by reason of the flies - sorrows within and dearth without.

When Pharaoh the king was distressed, he called Moses and Aaron with heart full of fear, "If you want to leave the land of Egypt, go, sacrifice to your God within the land" (Ex. viii. 25; Targ.). They answered as one and said, "O King, we cannot carry out this command. You say that there are two gods in the universe, one in heaven and another on earth; but we say that there is only one God, sole Creator of heaven and earth. You say that spirits are shared among the dead and the living, but we speak of soul and spirit, referring to the soul of body and the spirit to the living. The governing of living human beings is by both soul and spirit; the governing of the dead is sufficiently done by soul. You say the eating of flesh is not permissible. We want to slaughter and sacrifice cattle. You worship different animal forms but we sacrifice animal flesh to our God. There is a considerable difference between us. It is not permissible for us to sacrifice anywhere but in the desert. If we were to sacrifice what is abominable in the sigh of the Egyptians, they would quickly stone us (Ex. viii. 26). For a period of three days we shall journey into the desert and sacrifice to the Lord, the God of our fathers." (Ex. viii. 27).

(Pharaoh said), "Pray now to the Lord and remove these flies which cause me sore distress, so that my body is weak" (Ex. viii. 28). They said to him, "We shall pray and remove them from you, but do not deceive us as you usually do" (Ex. viii. 29). Moses prayed to the Lord (Ex. viii. 30) and He removed the flies (Ex. viii. 31), but Pharaoh hardened his heart and he did not let the people go (Ex viii. 32; Targ.). As long as the judgements upon Pharaoh were great, his attitude was one of pride and continued stubborness.

After the fifth judgement the power of the Lord destroyed their cattle. As long as his attitude was hard and presumptuous, judgement was increased upon him. Moses testified to him, swearing to him that whenever he let his people go, further judgement would not come his way.

And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, "Take ashes from the kiln and let Moses throw them towards heaven" (Ex ix. 8; Targ). The great prophet Moses took ashed from the kiln after that and scattered them upwards. They became spreading ulcers, burning the bodies of living people (Ex. ix. 11), their flesh ulcerated, their tongue stuttering, their souls in torment, and their bodies fainting. But Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not release the people (Ex. ix. 12).

And the Lord said to Moses, "Stretch forth your hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt (Ex. ix. 22; Targ.), killing cattle and destroying all fruits.

That there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, uprooting roots and stripping branches.
That there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, felling trees and wasting crops (Ex. ix. 25).
That there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, punishments for the guilty who do not believe in God.

As long as there were men and beasts in the field hail descended on them (Ex. ix. 25). They died in a twinkling - a great punishment!

There were in the land of Egypt smashed trees and wasted crops. There was consuming fire in the midst of the hail, burning the living and the dead (Ex. ix. 24). Out of the fear he was experiencing Pharaoh the king gave in to the great prophet Moses and said, "The Lord is right. I and my people are in the wrong (Ex. ix. 27; Targ.). He cried out before Moses from his great disquiet and said, "Pray to the Lord to stop this hail and quieten this thunder which distress my heart, and I will let the people go at once, that they may offer sacrifices to the Lord." (cf. Ex. ix. 28).

The prophet Moses stretched out his hands before the Lord, and the hail and rain were brought to an end. (Ex. ix. 33) The thunder was stilled and Pharaoh's heart became strong again at that very moment, but he did not let the people go as the Lord had commanded him (Ex. ix. 35).

Then the Lord said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt, that locusts may come up (Ex. x. 12; Targ.), bringing severe punishments upon the Egyptians, more severe than the seven previous judgements."

When Moses stretched forth his hand, a multitude of locusts came up and obscured sight of the land. It was darkened by them, and they consumed the (fruit of the) trees and fed on the plants (Ex. x. 15). They destroyed the houses and plundered the food. The spirit of Pharaoh the king was straitened because of it and his heart was as though dead. He summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Pray to the Lord to remove this death from me." (Ex. x. 17).

Moses requested his Lord and his request was favourably answered (Ex. x. 18). He turned a very strong west wind and made it to blow on the Red Sea (Ex. x. 19), but he hardened his heart and he did not let the children of Israel go (Ex. x. 20; Targ).

Then the Lord said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward heaven that there may be darkness (Ex. x. 21); throughout the land of Egypt."

Moses did as his Lord commanded him and stretched out his hand and there came intense darkness to the sight of the Egyptians. They saw no light in the land for three days, an exceedingly bitter prison, a prison of darkness (Ex. x. 22).

All the fated were imprisoned in it, a dark prison-house in which no light was to be seen. All those imprisoned therein were in a state of confusion; but all the Hebrews had before them a light shining on them (i.e. the Glory), whereas the Egyptians were as people fettered in iron behind them (Ex. x. 23).

Pharaoh made haste to Moses the third day. He summoned Moses and Aaron; he cried before them, not seeing them, and said, "O Moses, open up the prison in which I am a prisoner, and let me out of it, and I will let your people go out from Egypt at once." (Ex. x. 24). The prophet Moses opened up the prison of darkness and let Pharaoh and all the assembly of the Egyptians go out of it.

When morning came, the great prophet Moses stood before Pharaoh and said to him, "Release the people as you have promises." Pharaoh the king answered with great treachery, "Leave your belongings behind, and go, offer sacrifice! (Ex. x. 24b). Moses said to him, "We cannot go forth without our cattle, for we mean to make offerings from them." (Ex. x. 25 - 6). Pharaoh hardened his heart and refused to let them go from his possession (Ex. x. 27). He rebuked Moses and said to him, "Leave me. You are not see my face again! If I see again I shall order your execution" (Ex. x. 28). Moses said to him, "As you say (Ex. x. 29; Targ.).

The pillar of the cloud descended with great might and the Lord addressed him in his hearing.