Midras Yesaya 14:17: Midrash Tanchuma, Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vayikra Rabbah & Bereshit Rabbah

(Lev. 13:2:) “When anyone has on the skin of his flesh.” This text is related (to Hab. 1:7), “Terrible and dreadful [is that one].”²⁷In the biblical context THAT ONE is the nation of the Chaldeans. This verse is speaking about the first Adam, about Pharaoh, about Edom, about Sennacherib and about Nebuchadnezzar.²⁸Cf. Lev. R. 18:2. How does it concern the first Adam? R. Abba bar Kahana said, “When the Holy One, blessed be He, created the first Adam, He created him in His likeness, as stated (in Gen. 1:27), ‘And God created man (Adam) in His own image.’” And when He created him, He created him [to extend] from the one end of the world to the other, as stated (in Deut. 4:32), “So please ask about the former days which came before you, [ever since the day that God created man upon the earth, even from one end of heaven to the other].”²⁹Cf. Gen. R. 8:1. Now he ruled over the whole earth, as stated (in Gen. 1:28), “and rule over the fish of the sea […].” It also says (in Gen. 9:2), “And the dread of you and the fear of you [shall be upon every beast of the earth].” It is therefore stated (in Hab. 1:7), “Terrible and dreadful.” This refers to the first Adam. (Ibid., cont.:) “His justice and his dignity proceed from himself.”³⁰The midrash requires such a literal translation. In the biblical context a more normal translation would read with reference to the Chaldeans: THEIR JUSTICE AND THEIR DIGNITY PROCEED FROM THEMSELVES. This refers to Eve who came out of him, as she caused him to die, as stated (in Gen. 3:6), “Then she also gave some to her husband, and he ate.” And where is it shown that she came out of him? Where it is so written (in Gen. 2:23), “bone out of my bone and flesh out of my flesh.” Ergo (in Hab. 1:7), “Terrible and dreadful [is that one],” this refers to the first Adam; “his justice and his dignity proceed from himself,” this refers to Eve, who came out from him. Another interpretation (of Hab. 1:7), “Terrible and dreadful is that one”: This refers to Pharaoh, [when] he was world ruler,³¹Gk.: Kosmokraton. as stated (concerning him in Ps. 105:20), “the ruler of peoples released him (i.e., Joseph).” (Hab. 1:7, cont.:), “His justice and his dignity proceed from himself.” This refers to Moses, since he was reared within that one's house, so that he believed that he [actually] was a child of his house, as stated (in Exod. 2:10), “When the boy had grown up, she brought him [to Pharaoh's daughter; and he became her son].” Then he arose and brought ten plagues upon him, as stated (in Exod. 3:10), “So come now, I will send you unto Pharaoh.” R. Judah said, “The rod had a weight of forty seah and was [made] of sapphire;³²Gk.: sappheirinon, an adj. meaning “of sapphire,” or “of lapsis lazuli.” it also had ten plagues (makkot) inscribed upon it with the acronym³³notarikon. dtsk 'dsh b'hb.³⁴D = dam (“blood”), Ts = Tsefardia‘ (“frogs”), K= kinnim (“gnats”), ‘ = ‘arov (“flies”), D = dever (“cattle pestilence”), Sh = shehin (“boils”), B = barad (“hail”), ‘ = ‘arbeh (“locusts”), H = hoshekh (“darkness”), B = bekhorot (“first-born”). Then Moses, when he had looked at the rod and seen the punishment (makkah) which had been appointed to come, brought it upon Pharaoh. Ergo (in Hab. 1:7), “Terrible and dreadful [is that one],” this refers to Pharaoh; “his justice and his dignity proceed from himself,” this refers to Moses. And also the messiah, who in the future will take retribution from Gog and Magog and all of its troops, grew up with them in the city, as stated (Isaiah 27:10), “there shall the calf feed, and there shall he lie down and consume the branches thereof.” Another interpretation (of Hab. 1:7), “Terrible and dreadful [is that one]”: This refers to Edom, of which it is stated (in Dan. 7:7), “frightful, dreadful, and [exceedingly] strong.” (Hab. 1:7, cont.), “His justice and his dignity proceed from himself.” This refers to Obadiah since he was an Edomite proselyte and he also prophesied [against] him (i.e., against Edom, in Obad. 1:1), “The vision of Obadiah; thus says the Lord God to Edom […].”³⁵Cf. Sanh. 39b. Ergo (in Hab. 1:7), “Terrible and dreadful,” this refers to Edom; “his justice and his dignity proceed from himself,” this refers to Obadiah.Another interpretation (of Hab. 1:7), “Terrible and dreadful”: This refers to Sennacherib, since it is stated (in II Kings 19:24), “with the sole of my feet I have dried up all the streams of Egypt.” He also said (in II Kings 18:35 = Is. 36:20 // II Chron. 32:14), “Who are there among all the gods of the lands which have saved their land from my hand?” And it also says (in Is. 8:8), “and the radial bones³⁶For this translation of muttah, see Jastrow, s.v. In the context of Scripture, a more normal translation of muttah would be “spread.” of his wings (i.e., the army of Sennacherib) shall fill the breadth of your land, O Immanu-El].”³⁷Cf. M. Pss. 79:1. One sixtieth of the troops³⁸Gk.: ochlos. had been sufficient for the Land of Israel, since it is stated (ibid.), “and the radial bone of his wings.” This radial bone of a cock is one sixtieth of its wings. When he came to enter Jerusalem, he said to his troops, “You sleep, and in the morning we shall throw our rings into its midst and stone them with them.”³⁹In other words, Sennacherib believed that his army was so large and Jerusalem so small that his army could bury the city in their rings. Cf. Sanh. 95a, according to some renderings of which, each soldier would use as much mortar as necessary to seal a letter with a signet ring. So Levi, in his Talmud and Midrash lexicon, s.v., gulmohrag. See also Rashi on this passage, according to whom the army would use stones easily dislodged from the wall of Jerusalem. Ergo (in Hab. 1:7), “Terrible and dreadful is he.” (Ibid., cont.:), “His justice and his dignity proceed from himself.” These refer to his children. When he went up to destroy Jerusalem, he did not succeed. [It is so stated (in II Kings 19:35 = Is. 37:36),] “the angel of the Lord went out and smote [one hundred and eighty-thousand] in the camp of Assyria….” It is also written (in II Chron. 32:21), “so he returned shamefaced to his own land, and when he came into the house of his god, [some of those who came out of his own belly struck him down there with the sword].” Ergo (in Hab. 1:7), “Terrible and dreadful is he,” this refers to Sennacherib; “his justice and his dignity proceed from himself,” this refers to his children, who killed him. Another interpretation (of Hab. 1:7), “Terrible and dreadful is he”: This refers to Nebuchadnezzar, of whom it is stated (in Is. 14:13), “And I will ascend to the heavens; [above the stars of God I will set my throne].” (Hab. 1:7, cont.:) “His justice and his dignity proceed from himself.” This refers to Evil-merodach (his son). Our masters have said, “When Nebuchadnezzar was driven away, just as it is written (in Dan. 4:29), ‘You shall be driven away from humankind’; all that time Evil-merodach served in his place.” Then when he returned, he put him in prison. Now whoever was imprisoned by him never emerged from the prison until the day of his death. Thus it is stated (in Is. 14:17), “he never released his prisoners to their homes.” When Nebuchadnezzar died, they wanted to make Evil-merodach king. They approached him, but he did not accept. He said to them, “I listened to you the first time. For that reason I was imprisoned. So now I shall not listen to you. Perhaps he is alive. Then he will rise up against me and kill me.” They stood over Nebuchadnezzar, dragged him from his grave, and brought him out. Then he saw that he was dead, and they made him king. [This act was] to fulfill what is stated (in Is. 14:19), “And you have been cast from your grave like a detestable offshoot.” Ergo (Hab. 1:7), “Terrible and dreadful is he,” this refers to Nebuchadnezzar; “his justice and his dignity proceed from himself,” this refers to Evil-merodach. Another interpretation (of Hab. 1:7), “Terrible and dreadful is he”: This refers to the human race, which rules over all which the Holy One, blessed be He, has created in His world. Thus it is stated (in Ps. 8:7), “You have set him as ruler over the [works] of Your hands [….].” (Hab. 1:7, cont.) “His justice and his dignity proceed from him.” Thus when he sins, the Holy One, blessed be He, brings torments upon him from his [own body]. Why? Because His ways are not like the ways of flesh and blood. When [a person of] flesh and blood wants to punish his slaves, he brings [whips] and fetters to punish them and cause them pain; but the Holy One, blessed be He, is not like that. Rather it is from a person's whole body that He punishes and beats him. And from where is it shown? From what is written about the matter (in Lev. 13:2), “When anyone has on the skin of his flesh [a swelling or a sore or a bright spot, and it becomes on the skin of his flesh the plague of leprosy, he shall be brought unto Aaron the priest].” One verse says (in Is. 46:10), “My plan shall come to pass, and I will accomplish all My desire.” But another verse says (in Ezek. 33:11), “As I live, says the Lord, [it is not my delight for the wicked to die].” This is what is written about the matter, (in Lev. 13:2), “When anyone has on the skin of his flesh ….”; and it is [yet also] written (in Ps. 5:5), “For You are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not abide with You.”

[Another interpretation] (of Hab. 1:7): TERRIBLE AND DREADFUL. This refers to Nebuchadnezzar, of whom it is stated (in Is. 14:13): I WILL ASCEND TO THE HEAVENS; < ABOVE THE STARS OF GOD I WILL SET MY THRONE >…. (Hab. 1:7, cont.:) HIS JUSTICE AND HIS DIGNITY PROCEED FROM HIMSELF. This refers to Evil-merodach (his son). Our masters have said: When Nebuchadnezzar was driven away, just as it is written (in Dan. 4:29 [32]): YOU SHALL BE DRIVEN AWAY FROM HUMANKIND; all that time Evil-merodach served in his place. Then when he returned, he put him in prison. Now whoever was imprisoned by him never emerged from the prison until the day of his death. Thus it is stated (in Is. 14:17): HE NEVER RELEASED HIS PRISONERS TO THEIR HOMES. When Nebuchadnezzar died, they wanted to make Evil-merodach king. They approached him, but he did not accept. He said to them: I listened to you the first time. For that reason I was imprisoned. So shall I listen to you now? Perhaps he is alive. Then he will rise up against me and kill me. They stood over Nebuchadnezzar, dragged him from his grave, and brought him out. Then he saw that he was dead, and they made him king. < This act was > to fulfill what is stated (in Is. 14:19): AND YOU HAVE BEEN CAST FROM YOUR GRAVE LIKE A DETESTABLE OFFSHOOT. Ergo (in Hab. 1:7, cont.): HIS JUSTICE AND HIS DIGNITY PROCEED FROM HIMSELF. This refers to Evil-merodach.

Another matter, “any man, when he has a discharge from his flesh,” this is what the verse said: “It is terrifying and awesome, from it will emerge its justice and its burden” (Habakkuk 1:7).¹⁴This verse refers to the Chaldean nation, but in Hebrew the pronouns can be read as either “it” or “he.” The midrash adopts the second reading, and applies the verse to various individuals. “It is terrifying and awesome,” this is Adam the first man. Rabbi Yehuda bar Simon in the name of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi: When the Holy One blessed be He created Adam the first man, He created him such that he filled the whole world in its entirety. [He filled the world] from east to west, as it is stated: “Back and front You shaped me” (Psalms 139:5).¹⁵Front [kedem] is also a term used for east (see, e.g., Exodus 27:13). From north to south, as it is stated: “From one end of the heavens to the other end” (Deuteronomy 4:32). From where is it derived that [he filled] even the space of the world?¹⁶The space between heaven and earth. The verse states: “You placed Your palm upon me” (Psalms 139:5). “From it will emerge its justice and its burden,” this is Eve. That is what is written: “The man said: The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me [from the tree, and I ate]” (Genesis 3:12).¹⁷That sin brought upon him the “justice and burden” – the punishment of death.
Another matter, “it is terrifying and awesome,” this is Esau. That is what is written: “Rebecca took the garments of Esau, her elder [hagadol] son” (Genesis 27:15).¹⁸According to the Sages, these garments had belonged to Adam, and then eventually belonged to Nimrod, and Esau killed Nimrod and took them (see Bereshit Rabba 65:16). Since Nimrod himself was described as having been mighty (see Genesis 10:9), Esau must have been “terrifying and awesome” (Etz Yosef). “From it will emerge its justice and its burden,” this is Obadiah. Rabbi Yitzḥak said: Obadiah was an Edomite convert and he prophesied regarding Edom: “There will be no survivor for the house of Esau” (Obadiah 1:18).
Another matter, “it is terrifying and awesome,” this is Sennacherib, as it is written: “Who among all the gods of these lands has delivered their land from my hand?” (Isaiah 36:20). “From it will emerge its justice and its burden,” these are his sons. “It was as he was prostrating himself in the temple of Nisrokh, his god, that Adramelekh and Saretzer, his sons, smote him with the sword” (II Kings 19:37).
Another matter, “it is terrifying and awesome,” this is Hiram king of Tyre, as it is written: “Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre: So said the Lord God: Because your heart became haughty” (Ezekiel 28:2). “From it will emerge its justice and its burden,” this is Nebuchadnezzar. Rabbi Simon said: There is an aggadic tradition that Hiram was the husband of Nebuchadnezzar’s mother. [Nebuchadnezzar] rose against him and killed him. That is what is written: “I took out a fire from your midst; it devoured you” (Ezekiel 28:18).
Another matter, “it is terrifying and awesome,” this is Nebuchadnezzar. “You said in your heart: I will ascend to the heavens” (Isaiah 14:13). “From it will emerge its justice and its burden,” this is Evil Merodakh. They said: For all those seven years that passed for Nebuchadnezzar,¹⁹Nebuchadnezzar spent seven years roaming as an animal in the forest; see Daniel 4:22. they took Evil Merodakh and crowned him in his stead. When he returned, he took him²⁰Nebuchadnezzar took Evil Merodakh. and incarcerated him in prison. Anyone who entered prison in the days of [Nebuchadnezzar] would never emerge from there, as it is stated: “Who never released his prisoners homeward” (Isaiah 14:17). When [Nebuchadnezzar] died, they approached Evil Merodakh to crown him. He said to them: ‘I will not heed you. Initially, I heeded you, and he took me and incarcerated me in prison. Now, he will kill me.’ He did not believe them until they dragged [Nebuchadnezzar’s corpse] and cast him before him. That is what is written: “But you were cast from your grave” (Isaiah 14:19). Rabbi Avina said: Moreover, each and every enemy that he had would come and stab his [corpse] with the sword, to realize what was stated: “Clad in the garb of corpses, stabbed with a sword” (Isaiah 14:19).
Another matter, “it is terrifying and awesome,” this is Israel, as it is written: “I had said: You are divine” (Psalms 82:6). “From it will emerge its justice and its burden,” they were afflicted with discharges and leprosy. Therefore, Moses cautions Israel and says to them: “Any man, when he has a discharge from his flesh.”