Word of mouth can be a powerful mode of communication; and in addition to flying reports, the chief judge also made Korihor’s fate an official proclamation. As one marked by Yahweh, people would fear him. In fact, he would be considered dangerous. The chief judge stressed that the “same judgments” might befall any whom Korihor had persuaded away from faith; fear of similar consequences apparently promptly reversed the damage of Korihor’s prior preaching. Those who had believed him now feared Yahweh and were no longer able to deceive themselves into denying Yahweh, the Atoning Messiah.