The Tempter is known by seven distinctive epithets: — ( 1.) The Holy One — blessed be He! — calls him evil; as it is said, " For the imagination of man's heart is evil.* (2.) Moses calls him uncircumcised; as it is said (Deut. x. 16), " Circumcise therefore the uncircumcised foreskin of your heart.* (3.) David calls him unclean; as it is said (Ps. li. 10), " Create in me a clean heart, O God!* Consequently there must be an unclean one. (4.) Solomon calls him enemy; as it is said (Prov. xxv. 21, 22), " If thine enemy hunger, give him bread to eat; if he be thirsty, give him water to drink; for thus thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee" ("*. e., oppose him with the law.
The word rendered bread, is metaphorically taken for the law, Prov. ix. 5, so that give him water to drink means also the law, Isa. lv. 1 — Rashi. And the Lord reward thee, read not reward, but cause him to make peace with thee, not to war against thee.) (5.) Isaiah calls him stumbling-block; as it is said (Isa. lvii. 14), " Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumbling-block out of the way of my people.* (6.) Ezekiel calls him stone; as it is said