BOOK OF GLEANINGS.
CHAPTER SEVEN: THE DEATH OF YADOL.
(1) Hurmanetar married Astmeth, daughter of Anukis, governor of all the Western parts of Hamanas, and the mother of Astmeth was Neforobtama, daughter of Hahuda, prince of Kerami. In those days, Daydee, daughter of Samshu, king of all the lands to the North, even to the land of everlasting night, ruled all the Eastern parts of Hamanas, and of all women she was the most beautiful.
(2) Now, as time passed Hurmanetar grew rich and he built himself a great house of cedar wood and had many servants and concubines. In these, the days of his greatness, he forgot the teachings of Nintursu, and the Great Key lay hidden, for the hours of his days were filled with worldly matters.
(3) The overseer of Hurmanetar's cornfields was Noaman, a man of Loza, a man whose word was not worth an obal of sand, for he falsified the measure. Therefore, fingers were removed from him and he was driven forth out of the lands of Hurmanetar, and he became the servant of one Sabitur. This Sabitur dwelt on the road to Milikum, outside the city of Kithim where Daydee ruled, and Daydee was a great queen.
(4) In the days when men came to Kithim and Lodar to buy and sell, before the feast when new-milled com was offered to the Bull of Yahana, Hurmanetar went up into the city of Kithim to pay his tribute. Now, Gilamishoar, the king, had died because of the thing hidden in an earthenware box, and the new king, wishing to know where he stood with the gods, sent for wise men who threw bundles of cedar wood before him. They saw he was destined to reign in greatness and prosperity, providing that he never quarrelled with a queen or killed a child. Therefore, the king deemed it wise to strengthen his peace with Daydee and sent his son to her with many gifts.
(5) The prince journeyed some days then stopped at an inn a day's journey from Kithim, and supped there; and while he ate word was brought to him that someone wished to speak with him. It was Noaman, and he spoke poisoned words regarding Hurmanetar, so these should be brought to the ear of the queen. Thus, when Hurmanetar entered the city of Kithim he was seized and brought before the queen. But when she saw him and spoke with him, Daydee found no fault with him and looked upon him with favour. Therefore, though the prince departed, Hurmanetar dallied at the court of queen Daydee.
(6) Time passed and Hurmanetar came frequently to the court and he was well favoured, but it came about that strife arose in the lands about, for the Mother of the Gods strove with the Father of the Gods. It was a time of turmoil, when the hand of brother was against brother, and all the while Hurmanetar rose in the esteem of the queen. So it came about that a son was born to Hurmanetar and Daydee. While the lands about had been ravaged by war there was peace in Kithim, but when the son of Hurmanetar and Daydee was scarce one year old, men came bearing tidings of war; the hosts of the king had gathered and voices were crying in the market place. "Prepare to die, for those who are mightier than the Humbala are upon us. None shall be spared from the fire of the pit, neither old men nor women and children." For those who came were The Children of Githesad the Serpent, the Cunning One, whose mother was one of those who brought defilement into the race of men. These people knew neither justice nor mercy.
(7) The priests and the people went up into the mountain to gather before the cave of Yahana. They cried out to be delivered, they were overpowered with weakness and their teeth shook, their knees became weak. But Daydee
remained in the city and she appointed Hurmanetar captain of her war hosts, and he gave the orders. The arms makers bent to the task, making spears of willow wood and casting axes. Hurmanetar freed Turten who, because he had renounced his father, had become a slave, and gave him command of the bowmen. For Turten was a man of might and a bowman of renown.
(8) In the days when men feared because of the bull of Heaven, the war hosts of The Children of Githesad gathered on the plain and the fires of their encampment were, at night, numbered like stars. The men of Hurmanetar encamped against them, and when he led the war hosts of queen Daydee out in the morning light the men of blood faced one another. Turten, the bowman, had been made a war captain and he went out before the host of Daydee to see how those who stood against them were arrayed. When he returned he spoke thus to Hurmanetar,
"Behold my Lord, great is the host of The Children of Githesad and well set in their order of battle. Behold the long-limbed spearman, Kami the Mighty, far famed among men, leads them. See the powerful bowmen whose wide ranging arrows speed from behind tall shields which stand before them. What has Hoames failed to teach these people? Behold the hosts of the Husigen who are with them, led by Aknim of the firm standard. See to their left the spearmen of ever mighty Marduka, they stand firm in line; they are like the point of a nail, ready to thrust inward. See, already the horns of the bull spread out for the encircling clash. Slingers already harass our foreguard, while bowmen sting us on either side."
(9) "Still let us take heart. Have we not ourselves many mighty men ready to give their life's blood for you? Are they not all armed with every kind of weapon and masters of war? There are far throwing slingers and keen-eyed bowmen, there is tall Lugal with the flashing weapons of fire. Yet we can number our host, while the
number of those who stand against us seem countless as the sands."
(10) Then Hurmanetar raised his voice, calling upon his men to stand firm-footed in line to await the clash and bear up before it. He said, "Think of your duty and do not waver before the thrusts. To step back in battle is to step back from manhood. To take flight would cause men to tell of your dishonour now and in the days to come, and to an honourable man the disgrace of dishonour is worse than death itself. If any of you run, the staunch ones who stood firm will say you have fled the battle through fear, and your comrades who expected your support
will treat your name with scorn. Those who stand against us on the field of blood will speak of you with contempt and derision. They will mock your courage, and for a true man there can be no more shameful fate." Then, to encourage those who were faint-hearted, Humanetar sounded the loud thunderous war cry. It resounded like the roar after bulls. Then he caused his companion of the shield to blow the far sounding war horn. After this came a rolling boom of war drums, the ringing sound of clashing cymbals, the loud shrilling of trumpets and even louder trumpets filled the sky above with thunder.
(11) Turten, of the powerful bow, and Lugal, of the bright weapons, prepared their men to meet the clash. The war hosts drew closer and the flight of arrows and sling stones began, followed by the hurling of flight spears. Heaven and Earth trembled under the fearful sound of war cries and the clamour of war horns; even the hearts of stout fighting men shook before they commanded themselves. Yet those with Hurmanetar stood firm, eager for the clash and saying, "Let us smite those who come full of fight and fury to do the evil will of their dark king." Now I, Ancheti, stood behind the slingers' wall and my limbs trembled and my mouth was dry, my tongue craved for water. My scalp moved in fear and my hands loosened their grip through moisture. My heart thumped
in confusion and I saw a mist of redness before my eyes, for this was my first battle and I was but a youth. Beside me stood Yadol, the wild tender man, and he said, "I see no gladness in victory, if victory be granted. I crave no kingdom that I may rule over other men. What would be its pleasures to one such as I? For what do men slay one another? Which man seeks spoil and its pleasure and which man the joys of life? Against us stand men of living flesh and blood, men who have mothers and wives, men who have children, men who are good, even if those who lead them are evil. These good men I have no wish to slay, better would it be were I to be slain myself. Not a man will I slay with these hands, not even for the kingdom of the three spheres would I do it, much less an earthly kingdom. Were those who stand against us all men of evil, it would perhaps be a good deed to slay them; but in the clash of war the good slay the good and the evil ones live safely behind the shields." "Can we slay men made in our own likeness, brother beings? What peace shall we henceforth enjoy in our hearts? Will not the memory make our hearts heavy, so that Life becomes an unbearable burden? Even if there are others among these great war hosts who are so overcome with greed for spoil that they see no evil in the slaying of men, shall we not withhold our blows from this awful deed of blood?"
(12) "O doom of darkness, O day of sorrows, what evil has moved the hearts of rulers that men be slain in thousands for the gain of treasure and the rule of an earthly kingdom? What do we here on this field of blood, we who are men of peace and goodwill? Better by far that I stood unarmed, my breast bared, unresisting, and let them slay me, that I might lay in my own innocent blood." Thus spoke Yadol as the clash drew nigh, but only I, Ancheti, heard him.
(13) Then the lunge and thrust was upon us and I heard another voice beside me, that of my uncle, Hurmanetar, who was there, red sword in hand. The press of the foe drew back and in the lull Hurmanetar stood beside Yadol, the companion of his wanderings, and placed a hand on his shoulder in compassion, for Yadol was a man without fear, a man of more courage than Ancheti. On the field of blood the craven-hearted are truly separated from the men of peace and goodwill.
(14) The foe swept upon the thinning ranks again, they came like waves breaking upon a beach. They swept in, then sullenly, tardily, they rolled back, only to reform and crash again. As they came I heard Hurmanetar open his mouth and cry out, "They come yet again, they are upon us, arise and greet them; arise above this field of blood like men, for this is the day of heroes. This is the final test, this is the last trial of strength, the last effort to cast back. Why this lifeless rejection of all that is manly? Strong men cannot despair in their hearts when facing conflict and death, this gains neither victory on Earth nor peace in Heaven. Stand as you have done, firm- footed, rising to the battle clash like the whirlwind that carries all before it. We are but men who know nothing of the
causes of gods and their ways. I fight for the cause of loyalty and honour, I know not whether their victory or ours be best for the true cause of Yah, but I fight. Come, rise to the clash."
(15) Then the remnants of the war hosts came together in the clash of arms. The cruel weapons struck one against the other, blow and counter blow. There were dull cries of death, the shrieks of pain and the shrill shout of victory, the last efforts of weary bodies, the last cries of dry-throated voices. The men of Hurmanetar stood firm in the line and the war hosts of those who sought to overwhelm them broke like a wave upon the seashore, they came no more. Hurmanetar stood blooded and proud in the exultation of victory, but it passed in a moment when he saw Yadol lying among the dead and dying, wounded to death but not yet dead. He had taken upon himself the spear thrust meant for Ancheti.
(16) Hurmanetar lifted him up, his knee under his head, and Yadol opened his mouth and said, "The Great One has given you the victory, and for you, behind and beyond the victory, I see a great destiny, and therefore a difficult one. Be not heavy-hearted, nor let your spirit grieve, heavy-laden with sorrow because of me. Weep not, for this I know, he who thinks he can slay another or be slain by him is devoid of Enlightening Truth. The spirit of man cannot perish by the sword or be overwhelmed by death."
(17) "The sharp weapon of war cannot harm the spirit, nor can fire burn it. Waters cannot drown it and soil cannot bury it. My spirit departs to its abode beyond the power of sharp sword, beyond the reach of thrusting spear, beyond the range of swift arrow. Now, face to face with what must be and cannot be altered, face to face with the ultimatum of destiny, cease from sorrow."
(18) "What is this passing thing called life? This fragile flower so tenderly cherished, seen in its true frailty here on the field of blood. Does it have any real meaning? Here on the field of blood the dead sleep to awake to Glory. To the victorious ones remaining alive there is glory on Earth. So do not dally here with the dying. Arise, go to your proper reward and lay me down to mine. Fear not for me, already I see the welcoming light beyond the veil. We shall meet again."
(19) Thus Yadol departed from Earth and he was laid to rest in glory. He sleeps among the hills and trees, among the wild birds and beasts which were his friends. These words are cut on his tomb, 'He was a man of peace and died
because other men were not as he.'
COMMENTARY.
It states here that Hurmanetar married Astmeth. Her father was governor of the Western parts of Hamanas. Her mother was daughter of a prince of Kerami so there’s some privilege in her life. No doubt she saw Hurmanetar as at least a sort of prize or someone worthy of her or maybe she was just happy to have him. What part in the telling of this chapter he married her isn’t told but its fair to say it was at the beginning or sometime before. However , other than here she is never mentioned again in chapter or Book of Gleanings. In the next paragraph, it mentions he had many servants and concubines. Hmmm. When Hesurta was with him it seemed he went out of his way to be faithful to her. Later, we find he has child with Queen Daydee. Also, again in next paragraph, ‘In these, the days of his greatness, he forgot the teachings of Nintursu.’ So, it would be alright to suggest the loyalty factor wasn’t at its zenith. Daydee, as stated, was Queen of the land. She was daughter of king Samshu of all the lands of the North, to the land of everlasting night (does it mean evil?) and Eastern parts of Hamanas. Of women she was the most beautiful.
When he became rich he built a cedar wood house. Cast off the teachings of his mother. The Great Key became hidden. Filled the hours of his days with worldly matters.
Noaman oversaw his cornfields but his word was worth nothing because he falsified the measure. His fingers were removed and he departed Hurmanetar’s lands. He became servant of Sabitur, on the road to Milikum outside Kithim where the great queen Daydee ruled from.
When men came to buy and sell in Kithim and Lodar new-milled com was offered to the bull of Yahana. Hurmanetar went to pay his tribute. King Gilamishoar (Lugadur) had died. He had died due to the thing hidden in an earthenware box - most mysterious! The new king, therefore, wanted to know where he stood with the gods called for the wise men. They threw bundles of cedar wood. It revealed: destined to be great and prosper as long as don’t quarrel with a queen or kill a child. So he looked to strengthen peace with Daydee by sending son with many gifts. This was typical of the times of these city states rolling into larger areas due to triumphs in wars and other means. Bible has stories of these kinds of alliances. Even today the news is put in this way of alliances taking place.
The prince journeyed until he came to an inn one day from Kithim. Here he met Noaman. He spoke poisoned words against Hurmanetar so when he (the latter) entered Kithim was seized and brought before the queen. She, however, found no wrong in him looking on with favour. So when the prince left he dallied around the court and the queen.
Therefore, he visited frequently and was well favoured. Strife, however, broke out in nearby lands as the Mother of Gods and the Father of Gods strove with each other. Was there an anointing or purpose of Yah somewhere in this to teach men something good about Himself which the king of darkness changed to bring about war? The Children of Yah and The Children of Men had passed away and only men remained yet the king of darkness still used war as his main way. The wheat being separated from the chaff again. Brother’s hand was against brother so while strife broke out round about Hurmanetar grew in stature before the queen. A son between Daydee and Hurmanetar was born. While war ravaged nearby lands, Kithim was at peace. (Would appear, therefore, to be a city state.) When the child, however, was barely one year old people came talking about war. Was this from the king who had replaced Gilamishoar or another seeking to replace the new king as dominant in these lands. Whatever, it’s to do with taking plunder and women! "Prepare to die, for those who are mightier than the Humbala are upon us. None shall be spared from the fire of the pit, neither old men nor women and children." (Now we learn:) It was the Children of Githesad the Serpent, the Cunning One who brought war. His mother was one who brought defilement to the race of men. (Now, because of the wickedness that was done, there are among men those who are the Children of the Beast, and they are a different people. The race of man alone was punished, for the beast acted according to its nature. In man the beast and god strive to decide whether he shall take his place among the gods that live or the beasts that die, and woman, in her weakness, betrayed him to the beast.) Neither justice nor mercy known by these people and their king. If we’re to believe things being addressed here in view of the new timeframe being shown in the last chapter, Gilamishoar (Nimrod) was killed by Esau (Book of Jasher chapter 27) or by thing hidden in an earthenware box (a strange event but maybe in some way the same) the king of darkness sees a major spiritual event with the introduction of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac & Jacob) and fledgling new Israel so is stirring things up. If this is the case, Yah uses Joseph to secure a place in Egypt for His new nation to protect them until numbers build up. Yes, they’re slaves but it works for a purpose. If, however, I come across anything in latter chapters which suggests a different timeframe I will correct myself or suggest otherwise. I can make another suggestion even here and now as to whether the timeframe is in chronological order throughout the Kolbrin or moves back and forth.
The people went up mountain to cave of Yahana to pray! Their knees knocked and teeth shattered. Daydee remained in the city appointing Hurmanetar as captain of the war bands. He released Turten who had renounced his father becoming a slave who was to command the bowmen - a man of might and a bowman of renown himself. Therefore, we see the two groups of mankind in this. In brackets above, ‘In man the beast and god strive to decide whether he shall take his place among the gods that live or the beasts that die.’ (The wheat and chaff separating again.) What I’m showing here is ‘the gods’ aren’t all bad at least as a concept otherwise the spiritual path we take leads to death of this physical body. In ‘Eloma,’ (Book of Gleanings chapter 2) we read: "Men call on many gods, though above all there is but One; yet whatever they call Me I will hear them, for I Am Yah Above Names, The Yah Embracing All Names. Whatever men believe, if it serves Good it serves Yah. But gold necklaces are not for sheep and outward forms of worship must suffice for the spiritually undeveloped. The rituals of men may often be empty ceremonials, but they may also guard the Great Mysteries behind them." Also, in chapter 3 (The Flood Of Atuma) Yah speaks to the Chief of Interpreters, he ‘ “went sorrowfully apart, hiding himself, for now he was fearful for his life. When the waters had subsided, he cast his spirit and entered into communion with the Chastening Spirit, and he said. "Shall I also enter the falling waters as a sacrifice? For life is now futile, as I am without Yah or honour.’ " The Great One answered, "Men see in events the things they wish to see, they can interpret only according to their understanding. The waters rose to their limitations and did not fall because of the needless sacrifices.” And: "These priests follow another, a longer path, but they too condemn wickedness and they too point the way to Truth, though that way may be indirect and beset with hazards. So whether they or you reached the ears of the people the odour of wickedness will be diminished. Divine ends are achieved by diverse means, and the eyes of few men are opened to see either the means or the end."
In these days men feared the ‘bull of heaven’ army tactic of the Children of Githesad. When Hurmanetar led out Daydee’s forces in the morning the men of blood faced each other. Turten went ahead to see how they were arrayed. They are well set. Kami the Mighty leads the spearman. The powerful bowmen behind tall shields stand before. The hosts of Husigen led by Aknim of the firm standard. Spearmen to the left with Marduka. Already the horns of the bull are spread to encircle. Slingers harass our foreguard. Bowmen sting us on either side.
But let’s take heart. We have are own mighty men to give. Armed with every kind of weapon. Masters of war. Slingers and bowmen well prepared. Lugal with the flashing weapons of fire. However, we can number our host while there’s seems countless.
Hurmanetar raised his voice. He called them to stand firm-footed and bear up before it. Think of your duty against the thrusts. Stepping back is from manhood. Taking flight would tell of your dishonour. To one honourable the disgrace is worse than death. Don’t flee the battle through fear. Those standing against will talk with contempt and derision. This would be a shameful fate. To encourage the faint-hearted he sounded the thunderous war cry. It resounded. Then his companion blew the far sounding war horn. Then a rolling boom of war drums, clashing cymbals and shrilling of trumpets. Then even louder trumpets filled the sky.
Turten and Lugal prepared their men to meet the clash. The flight of arrows and slingshots began. Then the hurling of flight spears. Earth trembled under the fearful sound of war. Yet Hurmanetar’s men stood firm. "Let us smite those who come full of fight and fury to do the evil will of their dark king." I, Ancheti, was standing behind the slingers wall. My limbs trembled. Mouth was dry. Tongue craved water. Hands loosened their grip. Heart thumped in confusion. Mist of redness was before my eyes. This was my first battle and I was a youth. Yadol the wild tender man stood beside me. "I see no gladness in victory, if granted. I crave no kingdom. For what do men slay one another? Which man seeks spoil and which the joys of life? Men of living flesh and blood, men with mothers, wives, children, good ones, while evil leads them. These good I have no wish to slay. Better I to be slain myself. Not a man will I slay. Not even for kingdom of the three spheres. Much less an earthly kingdom. Were all men of evil perhaps it would be a good deed to slay them. In the clash of war good slay good and evil ones live on." "Can we slay men those in our own likeness? What peace shall we enjoy? Life will become an unbearable burden? Even if others greedy for spoil see no evil shall we not withhold blows from this deed of blood?"
"O doom of darkness, day of sorrows, evil has moved hearts of rulers that men are slain in thousands to gain treasure and rule an earthly kingdom? What do we here us men of peace and goodwill? Better by far I stand unarmed, breast bared, unresisting to be slain to lie in my own innocent blood." Thus Yadol spoke. Only I, Ancheti, heard him.
Then, as it drew nearer I heard my uncle Hurmanetar next to me, red sword in hand. Press of the foe drew back. Hurmanetar put his hand on Yadol’s shoulder in compassion. Yadol was without fear. He had more courage than I, Ancheti. Craven-hearted are truly separated from men of peace.
The foe swept the thinning ranks again. Like waves breaking on a beech. Sweeping forward, rolling back, then crashing again. Hurmanetar opened his mouth and cried: "They come again, arise and greet them; arise above this field, this is the day of heroes. The final test, the last trial of strength, the last effort to cast back. Why this rejection of what’s manly? Strong men cannot despair facing conflict and death. It gains neither victory on Earth nor peace in Heaven. Stand as you have rising to the battle that carries all before it. We are but men. What do we know of gods? Fight for loyalty and honour. Whether victory is ours or there’s I don’t know which is best for the true cause of Yah, but I fight. Come, rise to the clash."
Then the remnants came together in the clash of arms. Cruel weapons struck. Blow after counter blow. Dull cries of death. Shrieks of pain. Shrill shout of victory. Last effort of weary bodies. Last cries of voices. They stood firm in the line. Those who sought to overwhelm crashed like a wave on the seashore and came no more. Blooded yet proud in the exultation of victory. For Hurmanetar it passed in a moment as Yadol lay dying on the field. He had taken the spear meant for Ancheti.
Hurmanetar’s knee lifted up his head. “The Great One has given you the victory. Behind and beyond the victory I see a great destiny and therefore a difficult one. Be not heavy-hearted, spirit grieving or sorrowful for me. Weep not for I know the slayer is devoid of the Enlightening Truth. The spirit of man can’t be overwhelmed by death.”
“The sharp weapon cannot harm the spirit, nor fire burn it. Waters can’t drown nor soil bury. Departing to its abode. Beyond sharp sword, thrusting spear and swift arrow now face to face with destiny’s ultimatum cease from sorrow.”
“What is this passing Life? Fragile flower trendily cherished seen in true frailty on field of blood. Is there any real meaning? Dead sleep to awake to Glory. Those remaining there’s Glory on Earth. Do not dally with the dying. Arise to proper reward. Lay me down here. Fear not, I see welcoming light behind veil. We shall meet again.”
Then Yadol departed. Laid to rest in glory. Among hills, trees, birds and beasts his friends he sleeps. His final epithet: 'He was a man of peace and died because other men were not as he.'
So Hurmanetar now holds/is carrying the metaphysical key of knowledge alone. This is how its meant to be. The teachings of wise Nintursu his mother have prepared him for this which will come next through the story we’re learning. A pattern is emerging through all of these teachings. Different people, different times. All listening to Yah. ‘Once Yah had walked with men. Now He was hidden behind many veils. Yet the Great Key remained in the midst of men at the Temple of the Seven Illuminated Ones, the Key of Life, the Key given to our father Hurmanetar. Wouldn’t we say that Yadol was better suited for this task? A wisdom that seems to have passed onto him from the ancients. That’s not how Yahuah works. Through all things I feel His touch on my Life too. He has a relationship with all of us even if we don’t know it.
There’s much a to do with the Earthly Mother showing through this also. The seven female angels of her which have been defeated along mankind‘s time no longer point the way to the Tree of Life. Their messages in the morning bringing angels of the Earthly Mother, Earth, Life, Joy, Sun, Water, and Air for our healing to enter the Infinite Garden where the Tree of Life is. Also the angels in the evening of our Heavenly Father, with Eternal Life, Work, Peace, Power, Love and Wisdom to bathe in the Fountain of Light and enter the Sea of Eternity. Since their defeating the king of darkness has used battles and wars to divide mankind within and against itself using religions, economics to control.