The Treatise of Mark (Mimar Marqe Book 2 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.

When the Egyptians encamped by the sea, they were arranged in four divisions: the chariotry, Pharaoh's young warriors and also his cavalry captains, preceded by the infantry and the specially selected volunteers. When they were assembled for this evil purpose - which displeased God - firmly believing that their division represented an unchangeable kingdom, they stood on four sides facing Baal-Zephon.

Pharaoh was standing before it by himself, the young warriors on his right hand and the captains on his left; all the footsoldiers in front of him and the volunteers opposite them. Baal-Zephon was in the middle and all these men were round about it.

Pharaoh went close to it and made offerings to it, while all the Egyptians bowed down before it.

Thus God spoke in His Scripture, "In front of Baal-Zephon. When Pharaoh was made offering" (Ex. xiv. 9-10; Targ.).

It was as though the True One said to him, "This arrangement does not please my greatness, and I cannot leave it as it is, for it is an evil offering meriting destruction. It will destroy those who make offering to it. I shall not let this array remain as it is. By my power revenge will be taken on them. The Egyptians are divided into sections; so they show a split to the children of my beloved people. All this hostility towards me and every one has begun to do what is to to his own hurt. Lo, I will manifest the destruction of each one of them just as he is, and I will bring about ten judgements as well, that they may know my greatness and might."

The cloud caused illumining and darkening all that night, so that they were trembling at that wonder which was done first. If there is no terror, rulership is not made known!

Next it is said, without one coming near the other (Ex. xiv. 20; Targ.) - a great, mighty marvel was revealed there. It was the cloud! It was the first of the wonders and it was a start to all the glory, for after the wonders which Moses had done in the land of Egypt in the presence of Pharaoh, the first destroying boils and the last deep darkness, thus it was brought back with might at the sea, and evil Pharaoh was in terror when he saw it; he realized that our Lord had appeared to destroy him.

At the time of the boils all Israel rested and all the Egyptians were burned with them. So at the time of the darkness, all of them were in confusion and knew that it was a might power.

When he appeared at the sea in the cloud, they said "Flee from before Israel." When the True One heard this statement, He manifest a second wonder. He looked down in a pillar of fire and cloud from His high habitation, so that their terror was heightened and their army in dread.

Woe to the man whom the True One terrifies!
Hence the evil knew that this was their recompense.

Those who fled to the True One escaped; the remaining forces of Egyptians were saying, "Now we know that our destruction has drawn near. It was not because of us that it happened to us as it did through Israel, while we were in Egypt, so that we pursued after them. What is this we hope for? It is hurtful to us! Now, whatever we do we see them (the captains) standing speaking with Pharaoh. "Where is the skill you had at the beginning? You have seen the water of the sea change from a favourable state to this unfavourable one." And now speech increases more than all that took place before (when the campaign was being planned). If we had been delivered at the beginning, in any case we would perish in the end."

It seemed as though the True One said to them, "Restrain yourselves from such talk. I will deal with you!"

Pharaoh's answer to them was, "Baal-Zephon sees us and what is to happen to us. He will not yield to Him and he will not let us down."

It was as though the True One said to him, "Your bold attitude will bring you misfortune. It will become your destruction. See what the great Powerful One will do!"

The third wonder was the urging on of their beasts so that they caught up with Israel. Just as He said in His Holy Scripture, So he made ready his chariot and took his people with him (Ex. xiv. 6) - a might preparation, manifestly triumphant, so that no man could escape from there - when they were bogged down in the sea they sank down and were then heaped up because of their numbers. Such a vast forced bogged down its warriors, the horsemen bogged down the soldiers - (and so recently) they had all been so joyful in themselves and had said to Pharaoh, "Be brave! We are in your victory. There is no fear in us. We are the riders, the soldiers. No one has any power over us."

The great Powerful One exercised His mighty strength and bogged down the whole of the people in their mightiness.

What great might! What superlative sovereignty! Where is there a king who can stand before it?
What great might! What superlative sovereignty! Woe to the man who errs before it.
What great might! What superlative sovereignty! It magnifies the good and destroys the evil.
What great might! What superlative sovereignty! Who is there can estimate the greatness of its owner?

When they saw themselves crushed and all their army reduced, while Israel's were increased, they said, "No weakness has manifested itself in their army, not even any fear." They said, "It would be better for us to flee from before Israel, for the Lord fights for them against the Egyptians (Ex. xiv. 25; Targ.).

These have the significance of momentous words. They said, "Know the True One and speak by Him," but the True One was too righteous for them, and so they turned from Him and did not cleave to Him. Its importance lies in matters of great moment. This was a place of might power. Weak humanity stood before its boundary.

When all this happens to the good their minds are confused, but when it happens to the evil, they recognize their evildoing.

These are the four divisions made; in each one of them a wonder followed by destruction has been manifested. One is unlike the other. Woe to you, Pharaoh, for what you have seen happen to the Egyptians and for what was manifest in the sea. Recompenses were made ready, that the requital should be just.

THE FIFTH that was done to Pharaoh and his riders was that He lifted them up high and dropped them in the sea, while all of Israel were watching in fear at this event. Pharaoh was speaking with the chief officers of his army. "What is this serious reversal that has befallen me? My power has turned into considerable weakness.

Where is my power which was great, when all who saw me would prostrate before me?
Where is my glory which was mine, when all who looked on me trembled before me?
Where is my sovereignty which I had, when all who looked on me trembled before me?

It was as though the True One said to him, "You have been involved in evils; therefore the True One will destroy you and all that belongs to you. Where are the things that taught you evil? Let them come and save you now!"

Israel was paying attention to all this, and their heart was fearful of this circumstance. They said to the great prophet Moses, "Do not leave us, for you are like a compassionate father, bringing up his children in honour. How great the day when we saw you! You taught us what our Lord would do to us. This is a blessing to us which multiplies blessings, which our God has taught you, O you for whose sake all good has been revealed to us. Because of what our Lord commanded for our good we believe in the Lord and also in the prophetic one. We will not stray from what you teach us."

The SIXTH, what the great Powerful One commanded to be done gloriously with his choice captains, who directed the forces of Pharaoh in their camps. They sank into the Red Sea - a horrible death! Never has there been seen or heard such a death in the world! It was as though the True One said to them when they were in distress, "Where are those who were leading you? By the True One they have been smitten! They have no more existence. Where is the enduring mght or the power of the success or the glory or the lasting exaltation? - only the True One's! What destruction has gripped them! What affliction has crushed them! This is your recompense and there is greater still to come from me, for it is my practice to do greater than this, recompensing each doer according to his deed, whether good or evil."

Israel witnessed all that was done and their heart feared what they saw, but their Lord magnified them and their heart was filled with faith. For this purpose all these happenings had taken place.

The praises of Adam were increased in that place.
The proclamation of Enosh was before them, so that they walked in it.
The way of Enoch was before them, so that they walked in it.
The righteousness of Abraham was now revealed; it was by reason of it that all that happened took place.
The innocence of Isaac was magnified, for it was by reason of it that all that happened took place.
The fearlessness of Jacob also shone forth. It was by reason of it that all that occurred took place.
The purity of Joseph too was established. It was by reason of it that all this event occurred.

All the angels were arrayed there by reason of Moses, to honour him. This is a mighty place, wholly beneficial to a holy congregation whose like is not to be found among the people of the world!

THE SEVENTH, what happened to the accursed footsoldiers. The waters which had dried up returned to its original state - as God said, "The depths cover them" (Ex. xv. 5; Targ.). They had been journeying so confidently! The kingdom of the deep engulfed them there with great affliction.

They had said, "Let us possess Israel," but judgements were saying, "We will possess you in truth!"
They had said, "Let us kill Israel," but wrath said, "We will kill you in truth."
They had said, "Let us take their possessions from them." The True One said, "Let them take their right from you!"
They had said, "Let us take the flock back from them." The True One said, "You have no means of getting it."
They had said, "Let us make war on them." The True One said, "Prepare now to war with me."
They had said, "Let us destroy their food." The True One said, "I will destroy yours."

Israel were then increasing in numbers and the True One was greatly magnifying them, and Righteousness was glorifying them. O world, be at rest and He will reveal good; take a goodly portion of powerful righteousness, then fine treasures will begin to glitter in the world always for all who have understanding.

Where in the world is there a people of such great glory as Israel? Manifold wonders were done for their sake, manifold marvels by reason of them; and the assembly of the angels came to help them, and the great glory was manifested for the sake of their preservation. Righteousness was encircling them and their Lord was sustaining them.

THE EIGHTH, what happened to the officers who evilly treated the Israelites by making them gather stubble for the manufacture of bricks. Thus the True One said in His Scripture, "Thou sendest forth thy fury, it consumes them like stubble" (Ex xv. 7; Targ.), for they were treating them harshly the whole time, so that they had to bring stubble and make bricks. Their bodies were burned with fire in the sea. When Israel saw them then, their hearts were strengthened, for the True One was fighting for them and taking His portion from those who oppressed them.

The Israelites realized the greatness of their ancestors and what was stored up for themselves, as well as all had been done by reason of their eminence.

Come in peace, O great prophet Moses, who faithfully carried out what He commanded. The creatures say, "Greeting!"
Come in peace, O great prophet Moses, who reveals the truth and destroys the lie.
Come in peace, O great prophet Moses, who ennobles the righteous and destroys the evil.
Come in peace, O great prophet Moses, who magnifies the good and crushes the guilty.
Come in peace, O great prophet Moses, and let goodly recompense be wrought for goodly men!

Greatness was seen in that place; water and fire were combined. This was a tremendous wonder, far exceeding anything, that water and fire should appear there. The dominion of water was brought low and that of the fire overcome. The mighty act of Adam's creation was there made known, for water and fire brought great power and wisdom into him. From the beginning he was borne by spirit, and from it wisdom dwelt in his mind.

Thanks be to this King whose glory magnifies the Speaker

Blessed the hour in which He created Adam, when Adam filled the whole world with praises to the Lord of the world.
Blessed the hour in which water and fire were combined in the Red Sea.
Blessed the hour in which water and fire combined for the destruction of unbelievers.

The world radiated in the presence of the True One, who appeared for the sake of His beloved. Good is the True One and good are His beloved. Blessed was the world when He appeared! Let us be sincere before Him and give thanks for His greatness, perchance we may be worthy of this.

Let us worship and say, "There is only one God."

THE NINTH, when He appeared with great might - a terror to the enemy! When the great prophet Moses called, the earth opened up its mouth to swallow. Exalted is the King, whose kingdom is great. Thus He said in His holy Scripture, "Thou didst stretch out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them" (Ex. xv. 12; Targ.).

How great is the evil of mankind! He was destined for this, but his guilt exceeded it. Korah and his assembly were thus requited because they said, "You have gone too far" (Num xvi. 3; Targ.).

There were four elements combined in the bringing about of the deed that was done. WIND from above, MIGHT in the centre, a WORD that went forth like a messenger going about, and glory was manifest. FORCE brought the interaction of these (three). They wrought about the judgements below, and the plagues above.

What is this He commands, this action of the WIND blowing and the MIGHT? They obey and open up the earth's mouth to engulf. LIFE shone mightily from above, and the four elements by which Adam was raised welcomed him truly. Like good men they were brought up with favour.

THE TENTH, the destruction of the Egyptians when they entered into the holocaust when morning came, at the decree of the True One - the returning of the water to its former state by the might of the Powerful One who controlled it. They were all going through judgement, punished by the Lord of power.

Adam arose in the world, speaking to magnify thanksgiving at morning time. So the Egyptians in the morning were perishing and the whole world was in terror at that event. Thus He said in His holy Scripture, "And the sea returned to its deep state at the turn of the morning" (Ex. xiv. 27).

Observe the inner meaning of this statement and praise Him who made it with sincerity of heart. He said concerning the sea that He brought it back to its deep state with great might, that He might teach all the generations that it is not in man's power to pass through the sea. If it were, the sea would not have such great depth.

There was no sign of what was to happen, but the water which was in it closed over them with mighty power. The waters were like mountains, so much did they hem them in, showing that there was great depth. The mighty Wise One has said that it is not in man's power to comprehend it.

Pharaoh and his people were perishing in the sea in great and exceedingly might recompense, and the wonders that were seen at that time were crowned by the majesty of Him who wrought them - SIX in the sea, and FOUR on four separate occasions took place.

THE SIX took that took place in the sea - contemplate them and give praise to the Powerful One who does wonders.

The first, the waves of the sea were turned from beneath upwards by His abundant power.
The second, the dividing of the waters into two heaps to make a pathway for that crossing. Thus He said, "And the Lord drove the sea backward by an east wind" (Ex. xiv. 21; SP).
The third: high walls on the right and on the left preserved them. Thus He said, "The waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left" (Ex. xiv. 22).
The fourth that was done by the great might of God was the turning of the waters from below upwards, as He said, "At the blast of thy nostrils the waters piled up" (Ex. xv. 8; SP).
The fifth, the standing up of the water like a mountain of rivers through the power of the Divine One. Thus He said in His holy Scripture, "They stood up like high mountains" (cf. ibid).
The sixth, when their destruction was completed by the True One. The water returned to the same state as it was in at the first, as He said, "And the sea returned to its wonted flow when the morning appeared" (Ex. xiv. 27).

THE FOUR (other) events that took place with great power:
The first, water and fire were combined with abundant sovereignty, as He said, "Thou sendest forth thy fury, it consumes them like stubble" (Ex. xv. 7).
The second: when he commanded the earth, it opened its mouth and swallowed them up in a flash, as He said, "Thou didst stretch out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them" (Ex. xv.12).
The third which He did with mighty power was in the drying up of the waters in the sea, as He said, "And made the sea dry land" (Ex. xiv. 21).
The fourth: the mighty deed which He did in the Red Sea making a pathway for walking on, as He said, "The deeps congealed in the heart of the sea" (Ex. xv. 8; SP).

Praised by the great King who is eternal in (His) oneness, who is before all His creations and likewise after them for eternity. Therefore the great prophet Moses sang with loud voice, "My strength and my song" (Ex. xv. 2). Cleave to His eternal strength for ever! And (he sang also) "He has become my salvation (ibid), for He made known to His people through His wonders which He revealed in Egypt and in the sea.