Chapter XVIII: Concerning the Beard of Microprosopus
In those abodes (otherwise forms) of fragrance the beard beginneth to appear from the top of the ears, and it descendeth and ascendeth in the place of fragrance.
The hairs of the beard are black, and beautiful in form as in (that of) a robust youth.
The oil of dignity of the supernal beard of the Ancient One (floweth down) in this beard of Microprosopus.
The beautiful arrangement of this beard is divided into nine parts. But when the most holy oil of dignity of the Most Holy Ancient One sendeth down rays into this beard, its parts are found to be twenty-two.[868]
And then all things exist in benediction, and thence Israel the patriarch (i.e., Jacob) took his blessing. And the symbol of this is to be found in these words, Gen. xlviii. 20, “BK, with the twenty-two shall Israel bless.” (The real translation of BK is “in thee,” but the numerical value of BK is twenty-two; hence the symbolism here rendered.)
We have described the conformations of the beard already, in the Conclave of the Assembly. Here also I desire to enter upon this matter in all humility.
Now we thus examined all the parts of the beard, that in the Conclave of the Assembly (we found) that they were all disposed from the parts of the beard of the Most Holy Ancient One.
Six there are; nine they are called. For the first conformation goeth forth through that Spark of the most refulgent Light-bearer,[869] and goeth down beneath the hair of the head, assuredly beneath those locks which overhang the ears.