The Treatise of Mark (Mimar Marqe Book 2 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.

Let us consider the sea and listen to it as it speaks. "Far be it from me to do anything to provoke the True One! I was not created to be rebellious or contentious, but to be subservient to the command of the True One."

The great prophet Moses said to the sea, "Be still (cf. Mark iv. 39) for you will become a judge to judge rightly." It was as though the sea was saying to him with deference, "What you command me I cannot disobey, for you have instruction from the True One. Since the beginning, when I created you, your Lord has magnified and strengthened you above all. You were cast into me while yet a child, and the True One abated me, so that you were lifted out of me."

It was as though Moses was saying to it, "By the will of the mighty True One who was revealed there, be the same again. If there was one marvel once manifested in you on my account, verily through me (many) marvels will yet be done in you. If you bore me when I was a child, verily you shall bear me when all the holy myriads accompany me. If Egypt was dried up when I was cast into you, so you will be dried up when I pass through you. If Egypt was at peace through astrologers, then it will be in a state of war through righteous men. If Pharaoh rejoiced at the word of liars, then he will perish at the words of truthful men.

Be still, O sea, for we are coming into you, and our Lord has appointed you to be a righteous judge.

It was as though the sea was saying, "How blessed am I thus, for I have been found worthy of what He commands for me! I am only commanded what the True One desires, and those whom He rules will therefore rejoice at everything."

It was as though Moses said to it, "Be still, for you will be exalted through what will be wrought in you by deliverer and destroyer. What wonderful glory to be exalted by the two among all creatures, for all the peoples of the world have not seen this, nor have they heard that this has taken place, that Pharaoh has magnified himself with increasing evildoing and has become exalted in it even more than in past evildoings. Therefore his recompense has exceeded all bounds."

Let us hearken to the sea and listen as it conversed with the great prophet Moses about Pharaoh who heaped up abomination after abomination. "I will not be defiled by him and his people. My righteousness will not be an eternal graveyard for them!"

The great prophet Moses replied to it, "But you bring about good things, because you slay evil."

It was as though the sea was saying, "He who heaps up shameful things, why should his burial place be made in me?" It was as though Moses said to it, "If you are upset by them, you will rejoice at the safety of the children of the meritorious." It seemed as though the sea was saying, "Alas! I am to be a burial ground for those unclean through manifold defilements. What purpose is there in the good passing through?" It was as though Moses said to it, "Their entry is like entry into water that purifies, sanctifying and cleansing from all impurity." Thereupon the sea fell silent at these words and recognized that he was an apostle. So then the True One (said) to Israel, "You will be safely borne for me, and I will exalt you."

It was as though mercy said to them, "I will not shun you, but I will glorify you whither you go. The pillar of cloud will magnify your camps, so that no blemish will be seen in you. The pillar of fire will shine on them, that every spy may be discovered among them. The angels too will go with them, destroying the evil ones who would oppose them. The great glory will fight for them and manifest their greatness among all the nations."

THE SEA began to address Israel with words that benefit those who seek to learn. "Come safely, O holy people. Cross over me in safety, for before you are mighty and exalted heralds. Come safely, you who are like your fathers. God revealed Himself to and redeemed them with His power. There are excellent signposts leading the way before you, that you may cross over safely and be guided aright. Come safely and do not be hesitant, for I am now going to let you cross me."

The great prophet Moses repeated the conversation with Pharaoh and the Egyptians. "What is the point of your coming now? Recompense is made ready for you. No one shall endure it except you and those who follow you."

Behold the great prophet Moses who was all-powerful in what he did. He raised his hand over the sea with great might. Behold his hand, which was made a storehouse of wonder, uplifted over the Red Sea with great might. Behold his mouth, holy from the day it was created! Magnificent its holiness since the day he was called. He praised his Lord when he raised his hand over the sea and divided it. What great terror the sea put on when Moses raised his hand over it and addressed it aloud, "Be still for those who are to pass through you."

It responded with great fear and submissiveness, "I cannot gainsay the command of my Lord, because of the ten things which were wrought in me from evening till morning: - the word that brought my waters together; the light that shone on me; the wind that blew on me, the fire that dried me up; the miracles that divided me; the wonders that made me ebb; the marvels that weakened me; the east wind that dried me up; the fury that unleashed in me; the expedition that became the starting point of all that happened.

It was as though Moses was saying to it, "Do not be alarmed at this. IF you had not been chosen for this, it would not have been appointed for you." Moses stretched out his hand over the sea and it was as though the True One said to him, "You greatness will be recounted throughout the generations of the world!" When Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, things invisible and visible trembled and the world was then in unparalleled fear.