Belles-Lettres
The Prophet in Pharoah's Palace
Translated from the Hebrew of Eliyahu Margolis by Elias Margolis
N the ‚birthday of Pharoah, the Kings of the East came to greet him, laden with costly gifts. They brought with them their gods. Moses and Aaron also come to do honor to Pharoah, but they stood at the gate of the palace. Then Pharoah, being informed.that the leaders of the children of Israel stood before his gate, ordered that they be brought in to his presence. When Moses and Aaron entered the palace, the anger of Pharoah was kindled against them, for they brought no gifts (as God had commanded Moses).
Then spoke Pharoah: "Who are you, and whence come you?"
Then Aaron the Seer spoke the following parable:
"I speak in the name of God. Woe unto him who seeks the priest in the court of death and the living among the dead! Is not our God the God of Life and the King of the Universe, whose name is Jahve Sebaoth? To whom wouldst thou liken God, and what likeness wouldst thou ascribe to him? When God shall ride in his chariots of victory the idols shall tremble before him and likewise the soothsayers and the lying prophets!"
Pharoah was amazed. His spirit weakened and his counsel was confused. He said:
"Who is this Jahve whose voice I should heed? Is he a youth or an old man? Is he a giant or a pygmy? How old is he, and how long has he reigned? Whom has he conquered? Tell me that I may know!"
"Jahve, our God, is the God of Life and the King of the Universe," said Moses. "Jahve Sebaoth is his name. He is infinite and he is the Lord of the World. He reigned before creation. He was, he is, he shall ever be to the end of time. He is without beginning and without end. Jahve Sebaoth is his name. It is he who created all living creatures, the multitudes of creation without end. He created thee; he formed thee, and he breathed the breath of life into thee."
"Wherein lies his strength?" asked Pharoah.
"Lift thine eyes on high," said Moses, "and see who stretched out the heavens and who made the earth, and whose handwork is beyond description. The voice of Jahve cleaves the flames of fire, splits the mountain and shatters rocks. His arrow is fire. His dart is the flash of lightning. His spear is the Thunderbolt. His shield is the clouds. His armor is the sky. His sword is lightning. He makes the grass to grow and herbiage for cattle. He creates the infant, and opens the womb of life. He renders naught the giants of the earth, and he sets kings upon their thrones. Jahve Sebaoth is his name."
"Who are you?" asked Pharoah.
Moses and Aaron replied:
"We are messengers of Jehovah, and in his name have we come to you."
"And what do you seek?" asked Pharoah.
"This saith the Jahve, the God of Israel," said Moses. "Send forth my people that they may serve me!"
Pharoah’s anger burst forth.
"Who is this Jahve," he exclaimed, "that I should hearken to his voice? Is he greater than the Kings of the East, who do me homage and bring me gifts? I do not know this Jahve and as for the children of Israel, I shall not let them go."