We all know the story: Moses, Pharaoh, the parting of the waters. But what about the behind-the-scenes drama? Let's dive into some lesser-known legends surrounding this pivotal moment.
The Egyptians, see, they weren't just going to sit back and drown. According to the Legends of the Jews, they were master magicians. In fact, they possessed nine of the ten measures of magic allotted to the entire world! They tried to use their enchantments to escape the sea. And for a moment, it worked! They actually got out.
But the sea itself had a moment of reckoning. "How can I allow the pledge entrusted to me by God to be taken from me?" the sea thought, according to the tale. So, the water surged back, dragging every last Egyptian back into its depths.
Now, here's where it gets even wilder. Among Pharaoh's forces were two arch-magicians, Jannes and Jambres.These weren't your run-of-the-mill sorcerers; these were top-tier magic users.
Jannes and Jambres weren't ready to give up. They fashioned wings for themselves and flew up to heaven! They even had the audacity to tell Pharaoh, "If God Himself hath done this thing, we can effect naught. But if this work has been put into the hands of His angel, then we will shake his lieutenants into the sea." Talk about confidence!
And they went for it. They used their magic to try and drag angels down from the heavens! Can you imagine the chaos? The angels, overwhelmed, cried out to God: "Save us, O God, for the waters are come in unto our soul! Speak Thy word that will cause the magicians to drown in the mighty waters."
The archangel Gabriel then implored God, "By the greatness of Thy glory dash Thy adversaries to pieces." It was a celestial plea for divine intervention.
So, what happened next? God commanded Michael, another archangel, to execute judgment. Michael seized Jannes and Jambres by their hair and, with incredible force, shattered them against the surface of the water.
What does this all mean? It’s easy to dismiss such stories as "just legends." But within them, we find echoes of deeper truths. The story, as retold by Ginzberg in Legends of the Jews, highlights the power of faith, the limits of human ambition, and the ultimate triumph of the divine will. It reminds us that even the most skilled magicians, the most powerful empires, are ultimately subject to a higher power. And perhaps, most importantly, it adds another layer of depth and wonder to one of the most iconic stories in Jewish history. It's a reminder that there's always more to the story than meets the eye.