In Arabia and Syria-Palestine there once existed important and ancient Jewish communities which the Arabs were destined to, in effect, destroy.

A psychopathic vision-seeing Arab named Mohammed [Muhammed] (550-632 c.e.) decided that he had received a prophetic revelation superseding all others and proceeded to persuade his fellow countrymen to believe in him. Wars were fought against non-believers and the Arabian Jews were treacherously exterminated at Mohammed's direction and the presence of Jews in the Arabian Peninsula ultimately forbidden for all time, up to the present!

Regarding the future, some type of ill-fated bond between Ephraim and the followers of Islam appears to be spoken of in the Biblical Book of Hosea. It is obvious that the same Biblical prophecies may legitimately often be understood in several entirely different ways -- as they were perhaps intended to be. The relevant verses discussed here do not necessarily contain any prophetical reference to Islam but nevertheless the possibility should be taken into account.

The verses should be seen in their context. The verses concerned have been rendered here as literally as possible and therefore at first glance may appear difficult to understand. The overall message is that the prophet Hosea condemns Ephraim, uses a word which may be understood to be a form of the name "Mohammed," speaks of the region of Egypt and the east, and predicts a disaster which somehow involves a mad prophet identified traditionally as "Mohammed." The quotations are from Hosea chapter nine:

They will not dwell in the land of the LORD, Ephraim shall return to Mitsrayim (Egypt) and eat unclean (-food) in Assyria (9:3).

For behold they are gone due to looting Egypt (Mitsrayim), Moph (Memphis) gathers them, Machmad [i.e. Mohammed?] buries them, their silver ensnared, the thorn in their tents (tabernacles) inherits them (9:6).

The days of visitation have arrived, the days of payment have come, Israel shall know, the prophet is evil, mad [Hebrew: "Meshuga"] a man of [a?]spirit because of your transgression and of great hatred (9:7).

Ephraim looked out with the god of the prophet, a hidden snare on all his paths, hatred in the house of his god (9:8).

The Greek Septuagint version of the Old Testament renders these verses as follows --

Rejoice not, O Israel, neither make merry, as other nations: for thou hast gone a-whoring from thy God; thou hast loved gifts upon every threshing-floor.

They dwelt not in the Lord's land: Ephraim dwelt in Egypt, and they shall eat unclean things among the Assyrians.

Therefore, behold, they go forth from the trouble of Egypt, and Memphis shall receive them, and Machmas [Mohammed?] shall bury them: as for their silver, destruction shall inherit it; thorns shall be in their tents.

The days of vengeance are come, the days of thy recompense are come; and Israel shall be afflicted as the prophet that is mad, as a man deranged: by reason of the multitude of thine iniquities thy madness has abounded.

The watchman of Ephraim was with God: the prophet is a crooked snare in all his ways: they have established madness in the house of God.

As mentioned above, "The mad prophet" was considered by some (e.g. Maimonides, 1135-1204, in his Letter to Teman) to be a reference to Mohammed and the name of Mohammed (in Hebrew and Arabic: "Machmad") does appear in the passage. The desert sun, sparse diet, and seclusion (as well as the possible use of hashish and various weeds smoked by some of the Arabs) are liable to play tricks on the highly-strung spiritually inclined individuals. Historically, the Arabian Jews whom Mohammed massacred may have been an offshoot from the Lost Ten Tribes, i.e. "Ephraim."

Regarding the future the message of Hosea may be a warning that the forces of Islam are a danger and association with them threatens disaster upon Ephraim which mainly means Great Britain though a portion of Ephraim is also to be found amongst the Jews and in North America, South Africa, and Australia. The said verses may well contain a hint that Ephraim will attempt some type of rapport with "the god of the prophet" and this will not turn out well.

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Biographical Note: Maimonides ("Rambam," 1135-1204). Born in Spain. One of the greatest Jewish legal authorities and religious philosophers. Served as personal physician to Saladin King of Egypt, and according to legend was offered a post by Richard I of England.

Hope of Israel Ministries P.O. Box 853 Azusa, CA 91702, U.S.A. www.hope-of-israel.org

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