mishap by meanes of the old false prophet Gen 46. 27. make mention of me Joseph is careful to use the meanes for his delivery V. 15. Stollen away To conceal his brethrens fault And yet stollen from his father and sold Ex. 21. 16. Land of the Hebrewes Canaan wherein the posterity of Abraham the Hebrew dwelt ch 14. 13. And to whom by Gods Promises it belonged called the Holy Land Zech. 2. 12. Thus Joseph shewes his faith have I done nothing Innocency protects not against mischief yet may be pleaded as here John 10. 32. Acts 24. 12 13 20. 25. 10 11. Job 31. Psal. 7. 3 26. 1. Dan. 6. 22. V. 16. White baskets Of which holes that is made of white twigs with holes as net-work uppermost Of the three baskets nothing mentioned in the two lower baskets V. 19. Lift up thine head Reckon thee as ver 13 20. from off thee Likely cut off thy head and after hang thy body on a tree and the birds shall eate The Jewes were to bury him the same day Deut. 21. 22 23. The Egyptians and many Gentiles suffered them to hang many dayes Joseph deales truly and plainly with the Baker So should Physicians do and such as attend the sick V. 20. Birth-day So Herod kept his with a feast Mar. 6. 21. Lawful in it self so it be kept without vanity excesse superstition and prophanenesse And so for Ecclesiastical Festivities if there be no errour committed in the manner and end of their celebrations V. 22. Hanged On his birth-day having occasion thereby to take notice of his chief officers V. 23. But forgat him Forgot his misery and unthankful for his interpretation Eccl. 9. 15 16. Amos 6. 6. Thus Joseph tried still two yeares longer ch 41. 1. until the time his Word came Psal. 105. 19. CHAP. XLI Verse 1. TWo full yeares After that ch 40. 19. There is no certainty how long Joseph was in prison in what yeare first put in He waited patiently upon God in long afflictions for his deliverance by the river Nilus or some river drawn from it Deut. 11. 10 11. This waters Egypt and makes it fruitful without raine Zech. 14. 18. V. 2. Out of the river Out of Nilus comes plenty and dearth according to the heights of the rising of it Plin. nat hist. l. 5. c. 9. Kine Kine and corne are the two chief sustenances of man V. 5. Seven cares of corne upon one stalk Signe of great plenty V. 6. Blasted with the East-winde Strong and drying to blast the fruits Ezech. 17. 10. 19. 12. V. 7. A dream That stuck by him dreames the occasion of his fall and dreames the occasion of his rising V. 8. His spirit was troubled Ch. 40. 6. Dan. 2. 1 3. Gods Power to scare men even Kings with dreames Job 7. 17. Magicians Exod. 7. 11. Dan. 2. 2. 5. 7. strong illusions of Satan that wrought men to such deceits and strong conceits of the power of Magicians Dan. 2. 2 4 5. If Atheists confesse a devil and devillish divinations there must needs be a God and divine revelations wise men Mat. 23. 34. Philosophers among the Greeks Acts 17. 18. none that could interpret So Dan 2. 10. 5. 8. Thus God maketh the wisdome of their wise men perish Esay 29. 14. 44. 25. 19. 11 12 13. V. 9. I do remember my faults this day Courtier-like complements to prevent suspition in the King lest he should think he grudg'd as unjustly punished in his imprisonment This was rather to please Pharaoh then to pleasure Joseph Gods Providence in it that he mentions not Joseph till the Magicians had been tried V. 13. Me he restored He that is the regal Majestie restored me V. 14. Brought him hastily Psal. 105. 20. Dan. 2. 25. The wicked seek to the Prophets and People of God in their necessity dungeon There haply he was then as overseeing the rest in that place shaved himself Polled himself in a seemly sort He had let his haire grow it seems in signe of sorrow as 2 Sam. 19. 24. Mephibosheth did Now he trims himself being to go before the King To shave all haire away were unseemly Jer. 41. 5. 2 Sam. 10. 4 5. The middle way is commanded the Priests Ezech. 44. 20. raiment His prison-weeds Esther 4. 2. V. 16. Not in me Dan. 2. 28. an answer of peace So Joseph wished hoped and haply foresaw It is an apprecation of such an answer as might quiet his troubled minde concerning his dream V. 21. Still ill-favoured Such are wicked men Esay 9. 20. The godly otherwise Psal. 37. 19. neither earing nor harvest ch 45. 6. V. 26. Are Signifie Joseph before a Dreamer now an Interpreter V. 32. Doubled Here God teacheth the reason why things are sundry times repeated in the Scriptures V. 33. Let Pharaoh look out Meanes must be used Joseph gives this counsel not rashly but by the guidance of Gods Spirit by this meanes and occasion to fulfil that ch 37. 7 9. V. 34. Officers Overseers Bishops so the Bishops of the Army Numb 31. 14. 2 Kings 11. 16. Bishops of the works 2 Chron. 34. 12 17. So among the Priests and Levites Numb 4. 16. Nehem. 11. 9 14. So 1 Tim. 3. 1 2. the fifth part Likely other great men would be buyers and storers by Josephs example Thus counsels he to provide against the time of want as in the example of the Pismire Prov. 6. 6 7 8. Luke 16 9. This fifth part was for the King ch 47. 14. Taken up most likely by way of tribute partly and partly by purchase and upon his charge put into his granaries The other foure parts were abundantly sufficient in those yeares of plenty V. 37. Was good Acts 7. 10. Prov 20. 12. Psal. 105. 22. V. 38 The Spirit of God is Dan. 4. 6. 5. 11. This Pharaoh grounds upon his Prophetical interpretation He speaks as an Heathen naming gods plurally So chap. 31. 53. V. 40. Over my house Psal. 105. 21 So Dan. 2. 46 47. 5. 29. So 1 Kings 8. 3. 2 Kings 18. 18. Luke 12. 42. Men fitly and fully qualified and gifted should be made Officers Numb 11. 17. Acts 6. 3. according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled Hebr. is At thy mouth shall all my people kisse That is at thy Commandment So Job 39. 30. Numb 9. 20. Luke 19. 22. Gen. 24 57. they shall kisse or apply the hand to the mouth as Job 31. 27. in signe of honour and obedience as Psal. 2. 12. so Samuel kissed Saul 1 Sam. 10. 1. 1 Kings 10. 18. Hos. 13. 2. Prov. 24. 26. Thus Joseph was honoured and ouâ—horized Psal. 105. 22. Acts 7. 10. they kissed the commands that came from his lips which imports a submission and that rather of affection and delight then of compulsion and fear V. 41. See I have set thee See respecting the ornaments and ceremonious signals whereby this honour was conferred unto him Thus God bringeth low and lifteth up c 1 Sam. 2. 7
8. Psal. 113. 7 8. V. 42. Took off his ring An Ensigne of honour and authority Esther 3. 10. and 8 2. Luke 15. 22. Hereby to publish under the Kings seale such Orders and Commands as Joseph would of fine linnen Egypt was famous for fine linnen Prov. 7. 16. Ezech. 27. 7. it signifies also bysse or silk Ex. 25. 4. Apoc. 19. 8 14. The weare of great personages Prov. 31. 22. Ezech. 16. 10. Luke 16. 19. a gold chaine Prov. 1. 9. Ezech. 16. 11. Thus Dan. 5. 7 16 29. V. 43. Second chariot 2 Chron. 35. 24. As Mordecai riding on the Kings horse Esther 6. 8. Thus Joseph the second man in the Kingdome Daniel made the third Dan 5. 29. Bow the knee Abrech kneel down as to the father of the King ch 45. 8. V. 44. I am Pharaoh I am King and will be and assure as I am Pharaoh so sure without thee thy advice and authority not the least thing shall be done in matter of Government no man shall do anything or go any whither V. 45. Zaphnath-Paaneah A Revealer of secrets Dan. 1. 7. Gen. 17. 5. of Poti-pherah Priest of Ou To distinguish him from that Potiphar ch 37. 36. 39. 1. who dwelt in Memphis the royal City Priest Or Prince Exod. 2. 16. 18. 1. Both offices concurred in one person as was the manner of those times and places See Annotat. on chap. 14. 18. This name given to the sonnes of David 2 Sam. 8. 18. and expounded 1 Chron 18. 17. of Ou Called also Aven Ezech. 30 17. in Greek Heliopolis the City of the Sun perhaps now Damiata Josephs marriage here cannot be an example or rule to us except where all reasons and circumstances and warrants are alike by reason of the prohibitions and perils set down in Scripture The Israelites forbidden to marry with the Canaanites Exod. â—4 16. Deut. 7. 3 4. 1 Rings 11. 1. Nehem. 13. 26. Forbidden to Christians 2 Cor. 6. 14 c. But for Joseph there was no other in the land and he might not desert his charge and dignity whereto God had called him for the preservation of his Church to go seek a wife elsewhere neither know we what instinct or dispensation he might have from God As the like might be in Esthers marrying with Ahashuerus V. 46. Thirty yeares old At this age Jesus Christ entered into his publick Ministery so John Baptist so the Levites Numb 4. 3. And David began his reign but not Ezekiel his Prophecie This notation of Josephs age here gives much light to many passages in this history of Jacob and his sonnes there are thirteen yeares since he was sold ch 37. 2. V 51. And all my fathers house My injuries and molestations there not his filial affection whereby he might haply privily enquire in the thirteen yeares afore and afterwards also of his fathers welfare ere his brethren came down and yet wait for the most fit opportunity of fulfilling the dream V. 54. In all lands Round about as Canaan Arabia c. So Luke 2. 1. V. 55. Cried to Pharaoh As the woman 2 Kings 6 26. Joseph would do but as Pharaoh directed V. 56. Sold Prov. 11 26. V. 57. And all countreys Neighbouring to Joseph Ch. 45. 5. 50. 20. Psal 105. 16 17. CHAP. XLII Verse 1. SAw Heard v. 2. so the people saw the voices Exod. 20. 18. Jacob was as much assured of it as if he had seen it And one eye-witnesse is of more credit then many eare-witnesses And likely he saw it too by many Canaanites that bought and brought coâ—ne out of Egypt Acts 7. 12. corac The word for corne signifies also breaking why So negligent or as men amazed helplesse Acts 7. 11. gaze as men destitute of counsel Famine is a terrible thing 2 Kings 6. 25. Deut. 28. 57. Lam. 4. 10. Esay 9. 20. A famine in Canaan in the dayes of Abram ch 12. 10. of Isaac ch 26. 1. and now in Jacobs time and Acts 11. 28. Gods servants subject to common calamities yet God provides for them Psal. 37. 19. V. 2. Get you down Egypt lay lower then Canaan ch 45. 13 9. V. 4. But Benjamin â—h 37. 3. 35. 18. 42. 38. V. 6. Governour Ps. 105. 22. Of the Hebrew word Shallet and Shilâ—on is made in Arabick Sultan a title whereby the chief Governours of Egypt and Babylon are still called and he it was that sold Likely his Officers to the Natives But himself to Forreigners that by sifting them he might informe himself of any danger to the land to prevent it of any meanes of good to the land to advance it bowed down So fulfilling his Prophetick dream ch 37. 7 8 9. So ch 43. 26 28. 44. 14. 50. 18. V. 7. He knew them but For many good reasons he yet dissembles that he knew them and yet discovers not himself unto them to prevent sundry inconveniences and to further good intents and purposes towards them spake roughly They deserved no better of him Though Joseph did it in a good intent to a good purpose V. 9. Remembred the dreams So he did before But now more usefully he saw the time for the fulfilling of them spies to see the nakednesse Exod. 32. 25. Not by way of lying he speaks thus but by way of questioning and examining to bolt out other matters to other good purposes so v. 12. as a severe Inquisiter V. 11. All one mans sons And therefore not likely to be spies The spies were sent one of a tribe Numb 13. 2. And they dispersed themselves in all likelihood and reason V. 13. One is not Is dead ch 44. 20. 37. 30. Not in this world ch 5. 24. Heb 11. 5. V. 14. This is it that I spake This discovers it pretending another brother or why should he alone be left behinde This not likely and being false in this ye are but spies sure V. 15. By the life of Pharaoh Pharaoh liveth a kinde of oath or swearing as the like phrase importeth Jer. 5. 2 But more properly a kinde of vehement Asseveration as Ezech 33. 11. 1. Sam 1. 26. 17. 55. 20. 3. 25. 26. and 2 Sam 15. 21. 2 Kings 2. 2 4. Or it may be a wish Let or so let Pharaoh live as c. No sufficient ground to charge upon Joseph a sinful oath by the life of Pharaoh yea a grievous sin Deut. 6. 13. compared with Mat. 4. 10. Jer. 5. 7. Ye Ye all v. 16. ye shall not If ye go The words are suspensive implying a curse so ch 14. 23. V. 17. Into ward God calls them by tribulation to repentance for their sin Heb 12. 10. V. 18. I feare God Chap. 20. 11. Nehem. 5. 15. Prov. 16. 6. V. 20. Your youngest brother unto me Cares most for him and hopes his father will conceive no hurt towards him by his bountiful dealing with them V. 21. And they said one to another In the absence or out of the hearing of the Interpreter guilty Affliction as a rack
ch 26. 34. the daughter of Anah Called Beeri ch 26. 34. the daughter of Zibeon His Grand-childe And this doth distinguish this Anah from another of the name v. 20. who was the brother of Zibeon and so the Uncle of this Anah the Hivite A Hittite ch 26. 34. The Hivites comprehended the Hittites under them V. 3. And Bashemath Called Mahalath ch 28. 9. V. 6. And Esau took Had taken before Jacobs coming ch 32. 3. 33. 14. and went into the countrey Another countrey Mount Seir v. 8. from the face Before Jacobs coming ch 32. 3. V. 7. For their riches His and his fathers or else all this removing though begun as before yet might receive a full and final accomplishment after Jacobs coming and perhaps after Isaacs death When the riches of the two brethren were more then that they might dwell together in a land wherein they were but only sojourners and haply too that Esau by this time had already hope to get the possession of the land of Seir. V. 8. Seir So named from a man of that name v. 20. God gave it to Esau Deut. 2. 5 12. Josh. 24. 4. V. 11. Eliphaz were Teman Eliphaz the Temanite Job 2. 11. V. 12. And Timna Sister to Lotan the son of Seir v. 20 22. was married to Eliphaz Esaus sonne Thus by marriages and the sword Esau got into the rule and possession of Mount Seir ch 27. 40. 1 Chron. 1. 36. Amalek 1 Chron. 1. 36. A Duke v. 10. Whence came the Amalekites which were so great enemies to Israel Exod. 17. 8 14. V. 13. Revel 1 Chron. 1. 37. V. 15. Dukes Leaders or chief Governours fourteen in number After they had Kings v. 31. and after that Dukes again v 40 41 42 43. V 16. Duke Korah Omitted among the sons of Eliphaz v. 11. and 1 Chron. 1. 36. nor yet that Duke Korah v. 18. he being of another mother V. 20. Seir the Horite Ch. 14. 6. Horites seem to be of the Hivites v. 2. for Zibeon the Hivite v. 2. cometh of this race Their race is mentioned because of the affinities the Edomites made with them and the Edomites being their successors in the land and Government V. 24. This was that Anah Mule The vulgar Latine translates it Buhes Mules ingender not but are ingendred by an He-Asse upon a mare against the Law Lev. 19. 19. This Anah was father-in law to Esau v. 2. 25. V. 26. Children of Dishon Many following are of two names 1 Chron. 1. 41 c. Hemdam Or Amram 1 Chron. 1. 41. V. 27. Akan Or Jakan 1 Chron. 1. 42. V. 28. Dishan And Dishon distinct persons v. 21 28. 1 Chron 1. 38 42. V. 30. Among their Dukes That is Dukedomes For these seven sons of Seir had their Dukedomes at one time in several places being all brethren the sons of Seir ver 20 21. V. 31. And these are the Kings The accomplishment of the Promise to Abraham ch 17. 16. For Kings to proceed from Sarah Thus Esau after his Dukes v. 15 16 17 18 19. had of his posterity eight Kings which bâ—re successively a golden scepter whiles Jacobs posterity was in servitude under a rod of iron in Egypt Before Before Moses time for he was King in Jeshurun Deut. 33. V. 32. These Kings being borne in several places of several kindreds and reigning most in several Cities must therefore reign not by succession but by election or tyranny V. 37. Of Rehoboth A City builded by Nimrod Gen. 10. 11. by the river Euphrates V. 40. And these are the names of the Dukes From Kings they come down to Dukes again eleven here named which haply might be Dukes in several places all at one time The Dukes of Edom are mentioned Exod. 15. 15. at the Israelites coming out of Egypt And the King of Edom mentioned a little before the end of their fourty yeares being in the wildernesse Numb 20. 14. and that may be haply the last King Hadar v. 39. of this chapter If these eleven Dukes were to be counted in succession one after another then must Moses here by the spirit of Prophecie foretell their names and dignities which did succeed when he was dead V. 41. Aholibamah And Timnah likewise v. 40. before the names of women v. 12 14. are here the names of men the father of the Edomites Of Edom from the red pottage and his red haire too ch 25 25 30. CHAP. XXXVII Verse 2. THe generations of Jacob The story of things that did befall him chap. 6. 9. 25. 19. Joseph being seventeen years old And Jacob then one hundred and seven Joseph uourished him seventeen yeares in Egypt before he died was feeding the flock Not idle but a shepherd himselfe with the sons of Bilhab The sonnes of the Handmaids sorted together and Joseph with them rather then with Leah's sons for safety against envie and emulation And specially in safety with Bilhah Rachels handmaid their evil report Of their injurious usage of him or of their evil conversation V. 3. More then all More then any of them all sonne of his old age He was upon ninety at the birth of Joseph and now one hundred and seven Bonjamin was now but about three or foure yeares old and not come yet to any proof to gain so much of his fathers affection of many colours So Tamar had and Kings daughters used them that were Virgins 2 Sam. 13. 18. A signe of Jacobs love an object of his brethrens envie V. 4. More then all his brethren There appeared in him presages of vertuous acts and great employments V. 5. Dreamed See Annot. on ch 20. 3. told it Gods special Providence was in it causing him thus to reveal his dreames V. 7. And made obeisance to my sheaf For corne it was that they went down into Egypt and there did obeisance to Joseph ch 42. V. 8. Reign over us They apply it to themselves as the Midianites did Judg. 7. 13 14. made obeisance to me Twice as Pharaohs dreams chap. 41. 25 32. see it accomplished ch 46. V. 10. And his father rebuked him Partly through ignorance and partly in policy to abate the hatred of his brethren v. 11. and thy mother Stepmother Leah Rachel being dead at this time undoubtedly V. 11. Observed the saying Seeing the dream was doubled and that excellent gifts and graces of mind and body appeared in Joseph Luke 2. 19 51. V. 12. In Shechem Which was from Hebron where his father and Grandfather were v. 14. about sixty miles ch 35. 27. This the place where not foure yeares ago they committed that massacre And ever since likely the lesse inhabited and so more fit for pasturage and freer from danger the terrout of God being still upon the neighbouring places Haply in that place bought ch 33. 19. V. 14. Well with thy brethren Minding haply the massacre they had made there and their possibility of danger by it V. 16. I seek my brethren His fathers care in sending and his
the lawful wife and whose children did not inherit ch 16. 6 9. 25. 5 6. 21. 10. 1 Kings 11. 3. yet Bilhahs and Zilpahs did extraordinarily becoming Heads of Tribes CHAP. XXIII Verse 1. THese were the yeares of the life of Sarah How long any other woman lived is not recorded in Scripture She lived sixty yeares in Ur five in Haran twenty five in Canaan almost all before she had Isaac and thirty seven after in Canaan most at Geraa and Beer-sheba until her death in Kiriath-arba or Hibron V. 2. Kiriath-arba the same is Hebron V. 19. Judges 1. 10. This city was first called Mamre ch 13 18. Here Abraham and Isaac sojourned and hither Jacob came to his father Isaac after his returne from Laban ch 35. 27. This afterwards fell by lot in the tribe and mountain or hill-countrey of Judah Josh. 15. 54. And was given to the Priests for a City of Refuge Josh. 20. 7. But the fields of the City excepting the subuths and the villages thereof were given to Caleâ— Josh. 21. 11 12 13 14 15. and Abrahem came Out of his own Tent into Sarahs Tent for they had several Tents separated from each other ch 24. 67. So ch 31 33. It is possible that Abraham had not removed his dwelling from Beer-sheba to Hebron but that Sarah upon some occasion travelling thither there from home fell sick and died And that from Beer-sheba Abraham should come and mourne for her and take order for her burial But it is not likely she should so travel in her extream old age nor so likely he would have in that manner buried her there if they both had not removed and dwelled there it being their ancient place of habitation And wherever Abraham had been as at Beer-sheba as at Hebron he must have bought an inheritance if any he would have for any use he being but a stranger and sojourneâ— in the land Acts 7. 5. to mourn and to weep So our Saviour wept for Lazarus John 11. 35. but it must be with moderation as in hope and belief of the Resurrection 1 Thess. 4 13. A little letter is here in the Original to note his moderation in weeping without excesse V. 3. Stood up from before his dead Where likely he had sitten awhile on the earth Job 2. 12 13. Esay 47. 1. the sonnes of Heth The Governours and Elders of the Hittites the inhabitants of Hebron of the progeny of Cham ch 10. 15. V. 4. Sojourner Heâ— 11. 13 14 16. a possession Leave to purchase it burying place Abraham having lived sixty two yeares in this land yet never purchased foot of inheritance till now a burying place This was a kinde of taking possession of this promised land Esay 22. 16. or a kinde of pledge or prophetical signe that his posterity should come and inherit the land as Jeremies buying his Uncles field was a signe of the Jewes returne into the possession of this land Jer. 32. This made Jacob give charge to be buried here And Joseph to have his bones carried into this land not a foot by Gods gift Acts 7. 5. bury my dead Sowe it as seed in the ground till the Resurrection where they rest as in their beds till their change come out of my sight Death makes lovely Sarah the desire of his eyes now â—athsome to his sight V. 6. A mighty Prince ch 2 1. v. 22. V. 9. For a possession Though they offered him the free use of the choice of their sepulchres v. 6. yet he had rather pay for a propriety then hold such a community with the heathen V. 9. Machpelah Before Kiriath-arba or Hebron or Mamre v. 17 â—9 V. 10. And Ephron dwelt Or sate being present in that assembly though likely not known by face to Abraham v. 8. at the gates of the City There Assemblies used to be and places of Judicature v. 18. ch 34. 20. Deut. 17. 5. 21. 19. 22. 15 24. 25. 7. Ruth 4. 1 11. and in many other places Prov. 31. 23. V. 13. If thou Wilt give it or be that Ephron I will giveâ— v. 9 The like striviâ—g in kindnesse is between David and Araunah 2 Sam â—4 21 22 23 24. V. 15. Shekels of silver See ch 20. 16. The common shekel little more then our shilling viz. three pence foure hundred common shekels come to twenty five pounds some make the common shekel to be one shilling eight pence and the Royal or Kings shekel to be one shilling three pence 2 Sam. 14. 26. V. 16 Weighed Money paid by weight not by tale so ch 43. 21. Esay 55. 2. Jer. 22. 9. Zech. 11. 12. V. 17 And the field of Ephron This is not that mentioned Acts 7 â—6 were made 〈◊〉 By payment and Witnesses without Deeds and Writings after Writings were used Jer. 32 Now hardly will skilful Writings serve the turne V. 18. For a possession And monument to posterity without distrust of Gods Promises or a renunciation of his own right he buyeth a parcel of the land for his present necessity The time of possession according to the grant and promise being not yet come V. 19. Buried Sarah And so after himself was buried there and Isaac and Rebecca Jacob and Leah ch 25. 9 49. 31. 50. 13. They testifying hereby their faith in Gods promises for the inheritance of this land and of the heavenly Canaan figured by it Mat. 27. 7. V. 20. A burying place A seemly care is to be had of burial places CHAP. XXIV Verse 1. WAs old One hundred and fourty yeares old as may be gathered out of chap. 25. 20. V. 2. His eldest servant Most likely his Steward Eleezer ch 15. 2. And this not without Isaacs consent he being now fourty yeares old thy hand under my thigh So Jacob required of Joseph ch 47. 29. It is a signe of subjection 1 Chron 29. 24. yet in Scripture the most frequent ceremony used at swearing is the lifting up the hand as ch 1â— 22. Exod. 6. 8. Numb 14. 30. Deut. 32. 40. Ezech. â—0 15. Dan. 12. 7. Rev. 10. 5 6. The custome of several countreys and religions hath been and is very various for rites and gestures in this case That Abraham by this gesture here should have any relation to the promised seed to proceed out of his loines is a reach I feare too far fetch 't V. 3. Sweare A thing lawful forbidden in vain and light causes and such was Herods oath to the dancing damâ—sel Mar. 6. 23. forbidden in ordinary communication Mat. 5. 34 37. James 5. 12. But in weighty causes we may swear and being thereunto lawfully called and warranted so here And so for ratification of Covenants and Promises of importance so did Abraham and Abimelech sware ch 21. 31. so Isaac and Abimelech ch 26. 31. so Jacob and Laban ch 31. 53. so David and Jonathan 1 Sam. 20. 17. And â—o God commands it for removal of suspitions of jealousie Nâ—mh 52â— of theft Exod. 22. 11. 1 Kings 8. 31. 2 Chron.
Sam. 3. 10. Gen. 41. 32. See Annot. on ch 32. 28. Here Jacob twice for Israel once And so v. 5. The name Jacob forbidden but comparatively V. 3. Feare not It seems he feared it knowing his father in a famine was forbid it ch 26. 1 2 3. And knowing the Oracle that his seed was to be afflicted in Egypt ch 15. 13 14. And now he and his father and grandfather had been Pilgrims two hundred and twenty yeares in Canaan from the first Promise of Canaan and he saw now lesse hope to have it by his leaving the land with seventy soules which might seem a kinde of forsaking of it yet by faith as he sojourned in the land Heb. 11. 9. so now he goes to sojourne in Egypt upon this warrant there Egypt This not promised before This wondrously fulfilled in that of seventy souls going down in the space of two hundred and ten years there came up six hundred thousand men Exod. 12. 37. Deut. 10. 22. a great nation This promised ch 28 14. 35. 11. 15 13 V. 4. Thee up again Thee dead ch 50. 5 13. Thy posterity after Ex. 12. 37. Josh. 3. A like Promise ch 28. 15. his hands upon thine eyes Closing them on thy death-bed An ancient and honourable custome V. 6. And came into Egypt This journey is often mentioned Josh. 24. 4. and Esay 52. 4. Acts 7. 15. Numb 20. 25. Deut. 10. 22. Thus that was fulfilled chap. 15. 13. V. 7. His daughters and his sons daughters As many as he had A general kinde of speaking though he had but one daughter Dinah and one grand-daughter Sarah v. 15 17. The like speech v. 23. and ch 21. 7. Numb 26. 8. 1 Chron. 2. 8 31. His servants no doubt went also V. 8. These are the names To know hereby their wonderful increase ch 35. 23. see the order of the tribes on Aarons breast-plate Exod. 28. 10 21. V. 9. These foure were heads of their fathers house Exod. 6. 14. Numb 26. 5 6. 1 Chron. 5. 3. So of the rest that follow V. 10. Jemuel Nemuel Numb 26. 12. 1 Chron. 4. 24. Obad Omitted Nuâ—b 26. 12. 1 Chron. 4. 24. Jachin â—areb 1 Chron 4. 24. Zohar Zerah Numb 26. 13. 1 Chron. 4. 24. of a Canaanitish woman Likely Zerah Numb 26. 13. Gen. 28. 1. V. 11. Kohath Grandfather to Moses Of his family came the Priests They are reckoned before the Gershonites Numb 4. 34. V. 12. Hezron and Hamul Too great violence to the text to say these were borne after in Egypt See Annot. on ch 29. 20. Compare the great Annotations upon this verse and upon ch 38. 1. V. 13. Thola He had a rare blessing in multitude of children 1 Chron. 7. 2. A Judge of this name and tribes Judg. 10. 1. Job Jashub Numb 26. 24. 1 Chron. 7. 1. V. 15. In Padan Aram With his Nephewes or Grandchildren borâ—e after â—e went out of Padan-Aram Thirty three Reckoning himself in It seems Leah was dead V. 16. Ezbon Ozni Numb 26. 16. V. 17. Jisvah His name and family wanting Numb 26. 44. V. 19. Jacobs wife As if Rachel were the sole legitimate wife V. 20. Ephraim Here the LXX adde a sonne and a Grandchilde of Manasse and two sonnes and a Grand-childe of Ephraim taken out of 1 Chron. 7. 14 20. By reason of that speech Gen. 50. 23. but this makes too bold with the Hebrew text which wants it V. 21. The sonnes of Benjamin These ten might well be borne to him now He being now twenty seven yeares old at least and twelve or thirteen year younger then Joseph See Annot. on ch 35. 18. Belah The eldest sonne 1 Chron. 8. 1. Becher Seems to be the fourth sonne called Nohah 1 Chron. 8. 2. Neither is his name or family reckoned Numb 26. 38. but his children are named 1 Chron. 7. 8. Ashbel The second son Numb 26. 38. 1 Chron. 8. 1. called also Jediael 1 Chron. 7. 6. Gera By the LXX made the sonne of Balah and so the Grand-childe of Benjamin from a seeming ground of 1 Chron. 8. 3. But Benjamin was too young now to be a Grandfather Numb 26. 38. There is no mention of Gera neither was he Benjamins third sonne but Aharah Naaman Another of his name sonne of Belah 1 Chron. 8. 4. Numb 26. 40. Ehi Aharah 1 Chron. 8. 1. third sonne Numb 26. 38. Rosh Likely Rapha the fifth sonne father to Palti one of the spies Numb 13. 10. none of his family reckoned Numb 26. Muppim Called also Shuppim 1 Chron. 7. 12. Ard Seemeth to be the son of Belah and Grand-childe of Benjamin And such a one thing there was Numb 26. 40. But this Ard was brother to Belah V. 22. Fourteen The Septuagint say elghteen adding Josephs Grandchildren as is noted on v. 28. V. 23. Sonnes One sonne change of numbers is oft in the Hebrew v. 7. 1 Sam. 9. 21. Gen. 21. 7. Numb 26. 42. 2 Chron. 24. 25. Thieves for one of them Mat. 27. 44. Asse for an Asses Zech. 9. 9. Mat. 21. 5. sate upon them Mat. 21. 7. for which in Mark 11. 7. it is he sate upon him Sixty six So the LXX here Jacob is not reckoned in here nor Joseph and his two sonnes which were now in Egypt V. 27. Seventy So Exod. 1. 5. and Deut. 10. 22. counting in Jacob Joseph and his two sons Acts 7. 14. the number is seventy five which will arise if we reckon in all that are here named viz. the foure wives of Jacob and Er and Onan that were dead and take out Jacob as distinguished from them The LXX have here seventy five raising the number of five out of the pâ—steâ—ity of Ephraim and Manasseh see the notes on v. 20. And St. Stephen in that Act. 7. 14. seems to follow the LXX as St. Luke doth likewise in the matter of Cainan See Annot on Gen. 11. v. 12. And see the late leaâ—ned and large Annotat. upon this text where this doubt is fully discussed and determined V. 28. To direct his face unto Goshen That Joseph might meet him there and by his authority settle him there without grievance to the native inhabitants V. 29. Presented himself With lowly reverence to his father fell on his neck While Joseph bowed before him and wept With teares of joy ch 45. 1. V. 30. Let me die I am willing to die as Luke 2. 29 30. ch 45. 28. here that desire is accomplished V. 31. Unto him my brethren Joseph in his greatnesse not ashamed of them yea though shepherds were an abomination to the Egyptians v. 34. chap. 47. 7. Hebr. 2. 11. V 32. Shepherds Not ashamed of their base trade in the account of the Egyptians V. 34. That ye may dwell in the land of Goshen The nearest part to Canaan a fruitful pasturage for cattel That thus living by themselvs they might be least corrupted with the Egyptians idolatry and superstition and lesse offensive to them by their trade of shepherdy Joseph
though in that favour and of that power ch 45. 19. yet would not do it without the Kings expresse consent Goshen See Annot. on ch 45. 10. for every shepherd See Annot. on ch 43. 32. CHAP. XLVII Verse 1. GOshen See Annotat. on chap. 45. 10. 46. 28. V. 2. Five men Not set down which five and therefore guesses here are but idle and curious V. 3. Occupation Ch. 46. 33. Jonah 1. 8. 2 Thes. 3. 10. Good Magistrates inquisitive against idlenâ—sse as the bane of a Common-wealth shepherds Every one a shepherd v 6. ch 46. 34. V. 4. To sojourne For a time duriâ—g the famine This likely their intent at first and not to leave Canaan Though afterwards for Josephs sake and his great accommodations afforded them they continued their abode there And afterwards the following Kings against the Lawes of Hospitality kept them as bond slaves no pasture It failed sooner in Canaan then in Egypt and Goshen Canaan being an higher land let thy servants dwell Pharaoh made a frank offer ch 45. 18 20. Joseph intended this place for them ch 45. 10. His brethren here requested it and no doubt by Josephs direction ch 46 34. Thus by this meanes Joseph in his modesty would gaine Pharaohs â—onsent to this particular place V. 6. Of Activity Men of fit and able parts are to be chosen to places and offices Jacob blessed Pharaoh Saluted him with prayer for his welfare and thanks and praise for his bounty to Joseph to him and his children 2 Kings 4. 29. Numb 6. 23 24. Mat. 26. 26. with Luke 22. 19. so again when Jacob left Pharaoh v. 10. V. 9. Of my pilgrimage Pilgrims here seeking after a better countrey an heavely Heb. 11. 9 13. 13. 14. 1 Chron. 29. 15. Psal. 39. 12. 119. 19. Jacobs flittings from Labai roi to Gerar to the valley of Gerar to Rehoboth to Beersheba to Bethel to Haran in Mesopotamia to Gilead to Mahanaim to Succoth to Shalem in Sechem to Bethel to Ephrath to Mamre to Beersheba to Egypt to Pharaohs Court one hundred and thirty yeares Therefore Jacob was ninety when Joseph was borne and seventy six when he came to Laban v 28. and have not attained Abraham lived to one hundred seventy five Isaac to one hundred and eighty V. 11. Ramases Exod. 12. 37. The City built after by the Israelites Exod. 1. 11. After the Israelites multiplied and spread further and had Egyptian families among them and about them whence their doores were distinguished by the blood Exod. 12 7 23. and v. 35 37. they soon borrowed jewels of them V. 12. According As a child is nourished by the nurse ch 45. 11. 49. 24. 50. 21. lovingly tenderly carefully V. 13. Fainted Yet now among strangers God satisfies his Church with fulnesse V. 14. All the money into Pharaohs house His treasury Josephs fidelity V. 15. Money failed Generally for the most part â—almost totally give us bread Yet ask it in an humble manner v. 17. 18 19 25. V. 18. The second yeare Namely after their cattel was sold which seemes to have been the sixth yeare of the famine the second of their extremity V. 19. And our land Die become desolate As trees while they bear fruit are said to live when not to die so may the ground and give us seed This is the seventh year of the famine V. 21. He removed them So to gain the right of propriety and possession from the people to Pharaoh The people mutinie not in all these extremities nor break open the granaries of Pharaoh but by Josephs prudence and Gods over-ruling Providence keep their loyalty and obedience Thus Chams posterity was brought into bondage ch 9. 25. V. 22. Only the land of the Priests Or Princes Pharaohs chief Officers and Lords as ch 41. 45. See Annos on that place ch 14. 18. if it be here understood of Priests as the Chaldee and LXX translate it This shews Pharaohs care not Josephs for he favoured not idolatrous Priests to preserve their rights and revenues to save their lands from alienation to maintain them so Jezabel 1 King 18. 19. These shall rise up in judgement against many Christian Kings and people who neglect the maintenance of the Ministers of the Gospel V. 24. The fifth part He might have required the halfe or have allowed them but the fifth part Here then he deales not with them injuriously or uncharitably making his best advantage of their necessity But mercifully as themselves confesse v. 25. and yet faithfully as became the steward of Pharaoh whose corne he sold. This fifth part was no more then was laid up in the yeares of plenty ch 41. 44. V. 25. Pharaohs servants His Farmers and Tenants V. 27. Multiplied exceedingly So God fulfilled his Promise ch 46. 3. V. 28. Seventeen yeares So long Joseph nourished his father in Egypt as his father had nourished him at home V. 29. Thy hand under my thigh See Annot on ch 24 2. Jacob requires this oath not so much doubting Josephs obedience herein but that he might alledge it to Pharaoh ch 50. 5. and so decline the envy of the Egyptians and their surmising of his scorning their land and that it might be a testimony of his faith in Gods Promises for possessing the land of Canaan that as a type of Heaven Heb. 11. 9 10 14 15 16. and for a strengthening of the faith of his seed that they should return thither And for this also Joseph layes his bones as it were at stake ch 50. 25. Heb. 11. 22. Thus being dead they teach and preach faith to them V. 30. But I will lie Lie down and sleep Such is death lie in burial with my fathers Abraham and Isaac See v. 29. V. 31. Bowed himself Unto God with thankfulnesse Heb. 11. 21. His religious thoughts now near his end took up his minde with matter of praying to God and praising of God And though weak and bedâ—id yet he would not do it without some outward expression of devout reverence This bowing then was not to Joseph ch 48. 12. nor yet towards the East or Canaan but to God so David 1 Kings 14. upon the beds head The LXX read it leaning upon the top of his staffe The Hebrew word without pricks or vowels serves both Mittch is a bed Matteh is a staffe The LXX sure had a copy without pricks The Apostle follows the LXX in Heb. 11. 21. See Annot. on ch 46. 27. and on ch 11. 12. Jacob turning his face to the bed and so rearing himself upon the boulster at his beds head he then bowed himself and worshipped the Lord ch 48. 2. 1 Kings 1. 47 48. And it well may be that to help himselfe herein in his great weaknesse he might leane upon the top of his staffe which he had in his hand being an old man and the Apostle knowing this also to be true did not therefore stick to alledge the place according to the Translation of the LXX CHAP. XLVIII Verse
like is implied concerning the rest of the sons of the handmaids V. 17. Dan shall be a serpent More by cunning then by force shall they prevaile so did the Danites with Laish Judges 18. 27. And Sampson used craft as well as strength Judges 15. and 16. Moses compares him to a Lions whelp Deut. 33. 22. haply for the suddennesse of his leap when he seeth the advantage of his prey Dan is omitted in the sealing of the tribes Apoc. 7. And so is Simeon omitted in Moses his benediction Deut. 33. Likely Simeon for his cruelty against the Sichemites And Dan for his notorious idolatry Judg. 18. 20. 1 Kings 12. 29. Not because Antichrist should come of the tribe of Dan. V. 18. I have waited Psal 130. 5. Esay 26. 8. Motions of the Spirit and ejaculations of a dying man are not tied to rules of method and yet may have good coherence with silent and smothered thoughts whence their expressions burst out for thy salvation Foreseeing the troubles of his posterity and of the tribe of Dan in special Judg. 1. 34. he breakes out into this passionate expression of longing after their deliverance and salvation by Shiloh specially Luke 2. 30. V. 19. Gad a troop Ch. 30. 11 An Allusion as v. 16. See the Annotations upon it Gad was situate beyond Jordan Eastward and so the more subject to incursions of the bordering enemies Judg. 10. 7 8. Jer 49. 1. He comforts him against his dangers by sudden inroads of troopes that at last he shall overcome them Deut. 33. 20. Fulfilled 1 Chron. 5. 18 19 20 21 22. Judg. ch 10. and 11. V. 20. Asher his bread shall be fat Rich soile for corne and wheat specially and for oile Deut. 33. 24 25. and royal dainties and minerals Josh. 19. 24 c. Fat signifies the best of any thing chapter 4. 4. 27. 28. V. 21. Naphtali is an Hinde let loose Deut. 33. 23. with scope and liberty in choice of pastures in plenty and peace And also of cunning and active nimblenesse in dealing with their enemies and light-footed to pursue them and to escape danger Psal. 18. 34. Judg. 4. 10 15 16. Josh. 19. 32 to 39. Judah a Lion Issachar an Asse Dan a Serpent Naphtali an Hinde All these were absurd in a literal sense And so the words in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper in a literal sense he giveth goodly words Faire and courteous prevailing by that means and words also of praises and blessings Judg. 5. V. 22. Joseph is a fruitful bough In his two branches Ephraim and Manasseh which multiplied exceedingly and became two tribes by a well Moisture is a meanes of fruitfulnesse Psal. 1. 3. Ezech. 19. 10. whose branches Hebr. Whose daughters As bough was called by the name of sonne and whatsoever cometh of or from another is called in Hebrew a sonne as the young of birds beasts c. arrowes are called the sons of the bowe ch 18. 7. Job 41. 28. runne over the wall Abundantly increase Josh. 17. 17. V. 23. The archers His brethren that sold him his Mystris that accused him his Master that imprisoned him and haply the Magistrates of Egypt and the Courtiers of Pharaoh V. 24. But his bowe His innocency patience faith chastity Psal. 18. 34. by the hands of the mighty Joseph ascribes his strength to God Psal. 44. 6 7 8. from thence From the mighty God of Jacob from his Power and Providence it was that Joseph became the shepherd the stone of Israel to feed them in famine and to be a rock of refuge stay and strength unto them And herein Joseph may be as a type of Christ the true shepherd and corner-stone Act. 4. 11. Esay 28. 16. V. 25. With blessings of Heaven Influences of the startes raine and dew Deut. 33. 14. Ezechiel 34. 26. blessings of the deep Springs and rivers if not minerals too ch 7. 11. Deut. 33. 13. of the beasts Ten thousands of Ephraim and thousands of Manasseh Deut. 33. 17. A contrary curse is that Hos. 9. 14. V. 26. The blessings of thy father Wherewith I do blesse thee and thy brethren have prevailed Or do prevaile are stronger of greater efficacy and excellency above the blessings of my Progenitors Abraham and Isaac I have blessed thee in thy two sonnes more then my father or grand-father blessed their two sonnes Abraham gave way that Ishmael should be cast out And Isaac gave the blessing to me from my brother Esau. But I blesse thy two sonnes and make them two tribes and keep them within the Church Or I have more expressely and with more tendernesse of affection blessed thee then my Progenitors blessed their children I do strive to out-blesse my fore-fathers in multiplication of blessings upon thy head Or referring the words to all Jacobs children he preferres his blessing above that of his Progenitors as being more particularly explained and applied and should be more suddenly clearly fully and effectually accomplished in them by their multiplication in Egypt c. And by including them all in the Covenant of grace making them all heires of the Promise not one of them being excluded unto the utmost bounds of the everlasting hilles Deut. 33. 13 15. This sets forth the riches of that portion of land in Canaan which should by lot fall to Ephraim and Manasseh Or the blessings on Joseph shall be eminent and excellent in extent and in quality and quantity and perpetual in duration as the everlasting hills intimating so spiritual blessings Psal. 54. 10. on the head of Joseph Poured as oile wherewith Princes are anointed on his head separated By his selling away from them and being by God so advanced in Egypt V. 27. Benjamin shall ravine Be strong fierce warlike going forth mornings and evenings to take his prey vanquishing and spoiling his enemies So did Saul the King of this tribe 1 Sam. 11. 6 7 11. 14. 13. 15. 47 48. Paul was of Benjamin Warlike they were as appears in those bloody battels Judges 20. 15 16 17. Ehud was of Benjamin Judg. 3. 15. Mordecai and Esther were of Benjamin Esther 8. 7. c and ch 9. 5. devoure the prey 2 Sam 2. 26. V. 28. Twelve tribes Distinguished into twelve tribes afterward And in them rather then in the persons of his twelve sonnes we are to look for the meaning and the accomplishing of these prophetical blessings They were thirteen counting in Levi and Ephraim and Manasseh in stead of Joseph But Levi had no portion in dividing the land Deut. 10. 9. And so they were still called the twelve tribes For their order they are reckoned sometimes accordiâ—g to their birth chap. 29. and 30. Exod. 28. 10. sometimes with reference to their mothers as chap. 35. sometimes with relation to their dignity so is Judah first Numb 2. 3. Apoc. 7. 5. sometimes to their lot in dividing the land of Canaan And so is Zebulun placed before Issachar here sometimes withoot regard had of any order as here and
so enlarged Ishmael Ishmael was 13 years old when he was circumcised verse 25 XVII 25. And so above 15. or rather 17 at Isaacs weaning when he and his mother were cast out of Abrahams family XXI 5 8 14 15. Three measures chapter XVIII verse 6 The Hebrew measures of Capacity mentioned in the Old Testament are these 10. viz. 1 Log. Lev. XIV 10. the least measure 2 Cab 2 King VI. 25. 3 Hin Exod. XXIX 40. Levit. XXIII 13. Ezek. IV. 11. 4 Omer or Homer or Gnomer being the quantity of a mans daily eating of Manna and the tenth part of an Ephah Exod. XVI 16. 36. 5 Seah translated measure or Satum in this Text Gen. XVIII 6. and 2 King VII 1. 6 Ephah containing ten Omers Exod. XVI 36. 7 Bate or Bath containing likewise ten Omers and being both the tenth part of a Cor and Chomer Ezek. XLV 11 14. 8 Lethec translated half an Omer or rather half a Chomer Hos. III. 2. 9 Cor and 10 Chomer each equal and containing ten Bates or Ephahs apiece Ezek. XLV 11 14. Thus farre Scripture The particular assignations of their several Capacities are usually made thus viz The Log to containe the quantity of six hen-eggs-shels of Palestine the same with Sextarium Romanum and is about our half pinte yet some make it a pinte The Cab to contain four Logs i. e. a quart of our measure or 24 egs-shels yet some say a pottle The Hin to containe six Logs i. e. 36. egs-shels some say 12 Logs or 72. egs-shels or about three quarts An Omer to containe one Cab and an half and a fifth part about our three pintes and an half or a pottle the tenth part of an Ephah Seah to containe two Hins or six Cabs i. e. a gallon and an half or Modius Romanus the third part of an Ephah Ephah to containe ten Omers or Pottles i. e. four gallons and an half or about three Seahs and to be Medimnus Atticus yet some make it to containe eight gallons and so four Ephahs to containe our barrel some to containe near ten gallons or about the measure of our bushel or half a bushel and a pottle Bate or Bath is of the same measure for liquid things as Ephah is for dry things Lethec to containe five Ephahs or fifteen Seahs or Sata or Modii that is two bushels six gallons and one pottle or half a Chomer Chomer and Cor are both of the same measure either equal and contains certainly as was said ten Bates or Ephahs apiece or two Lethecs Cor is oft translated Measures And thus uncertaine are we for the grounds of these measures of Capacities Abimelech And XXVI chapter XX verse 2 1. This seemes to be a common name to the Kings of Palestine as Pharaoh to the Kings of Egypt Benhadad to the Kings of Syria Candace to the Queens of Ethiopia Caesar to the Romane Emperours Hebron Hebron called also Kiriath-Arba chapter XXIII verse 2 the City of Arba the the father of Anak where Anak lived and his sonnes and the Anakims all Giants Here Abraham Isaac and Jacob dwelled and were buried here in the Cave of Macpelah before Mamre the same is Hebron Here Sarah died and was buried in that Cave And Rebekah and Leah were likewise buried here Hence Joseph was sent to see the welfare of his brethren And hither the Spies came that were sent by Moses to spy out the Land Hoham the King of Hebron was one of the five Kings hid in the Cave and slaine and hanged up by Joshuah And it seemes another King of Hebron soone after slaine by him And he and Caleb slew the Anakims dwelling here This City fell to the Tribe of Iudah and was seated in a mountaine of Iudah and together with the Suburbs of it was given to the Priests and to be a Citie of refuge But the Fields and Villages of it were given to Caleb that good Spie To the top of an hill before Hebron Sampson carried the Gate of Gaza David having sent to them of Hebron a Present of the spoile which he got of the Amalekites in the rescue of Ziklag was commanded by God to go hither And here at Hebron he was made King and reigned seven years and six moneths had six sons borne him here of six several wives Hither Abner cameto David and being murthered by Joab was by David mournfully buried here Hither Ishbosheths head was brought and buried in Abners grave and his murtherers by David hanged here Hither came all Israel to make David King over all Israel And afterwards Absalom being borne here pretended a vow to be performed here and rebelling against his father made himself King here This City was first built seven years before Zoan in Egypt And in King Rehoboams time was repaired and fortified by him Abraham Abraham alive when Jacob was 15 years old chapter XXV verse 7 XXI 5. and XXV 7 26. And so Abraham Isaac and Jacob were living at the same time Heb. XI 9. Esau Esau sold his Birth-right for bread and pottage verse 34 XXV 34. for one morsel of meat as it is Heb. XII 16. Isaac Isaac blinde above 43 years chapter XXVII verse 1 He being 60 at the birth of Jacob XXV 26. And blinde at the blessing of Jacob XXVII 1. And Jacob was then 77. years old as appears by his age of 130 when he stood before Pharaoh XLVII 9. And the age of Joseph being then 39 or 40 viz. 30 when he was advanced by Pharaoh XLI 46. And after that seven years of plenty and two of famine passed ere Jacob came down XLV 6. And Joseph was borne in the 14 year after Jacobs coming to Laban XXX 25. and XXXI 41. And Iacob came to Laban presently after the foresaid blessing XXVII 42. c. XXVIII 1 2. And so the 14 years before Ioseph was borne and 39 of Iosephs age after being taken out of Iacobs 130. leaves him to be 77. when Isaac blessed him And Iacobs 77. being added to Isaacs 60 when Iacob was borne makes Isaac to be 137. when he was blinde and blessed Jacob. And Isaac dying at 180 XXXV 28. must so needs be blinde 43 years at the least Esau Esau could not prevaile with Isaac to bring him to repent of his blessing Iacob verse 33 and to recall the blessing though Esau sought it of Isaac with tears XXVII 33 34. Heb. XII 17. Iacob Iacob being 77 years old chapter XXIX verse 27 marries both Leah and Rachel in the first year of his coming to Laban Laban by inversion of the letters is Nabal and at or before the beginning of the 14 years service for them This appears by his twelve children Dinah being one and by the Sequence of their births within those 14 years Ch XXIX and XXX which are not possible to be in that maner and order borne within the compasse onely of the last seven years And having seven of them by Leah her self who yet left bearing a while after her fourth sonne
a miracle and to declare to all That they were gifted and assumed to that their present Office and imployment Naked i. chapter XIX verse 24 e. Stript of his upper garment or military habit So Peter John XXI 7. and Micah chap. I. 8. Esay chap. XX. 2 4. And those Acts XIX 16. Slew chapter XXII verse 18 Sauls most horrid and bloody Act. Ephod The Ephod here is that of the High Priests chapter XXIII verse 9 wherin were the Urim and Thummim Exod. XXVIII 30. which Urim and Thummim were not the twelve precious stones of the Breast-plate mentioned v. 17-21 Or the words of Vrim and Thummim engraven in the middest of those twelve precious stones on the Breast-plate Or things committed into the hands of the workmen to make them But rather given by God to Moses to put them not on but into the Breast-plate which haply to this end and purpose was doubled ver 16. so to have them hid there And accordingly Levit. VIII 8. Moses is said to put in the Breast-plate the Urim and the Thummim Yet what things or what kinde of things they were appears not Only we know the names signifie Lights and Perfections haply intimating Knowledge of Doctrine and Integrity of Life and Conversation And that by these the High Priests extraordinarily did ask Counsels of the Lord and did receive Answers as Oracles from him So we see the Precept for it Num. XXVII 21. Joshuah shall stand before Eleazar the Priest who shall ask Counsel for him after the judgement of Urim before the Lord at his word shall they go out and at his word they shall come in both he i. e. Joshuah and all the children of Israel with him And the Practice of it we finde expected earnestly by Saul 1 Sam. XXVIII 6. though the same it may seeme lighty sleighted by him 1 Sam. XIV 18 19. And here acted by Abiathar the High Priest for David David hereunto adjoyning his Request unto the Lord for the Answer ver 10 11 12. And again 1 Sam. XXX 7. And not unlike but Davids enquiring of the Lord 2 Sam. II. 1. and chap. V. 19 23. and XXI 1. And possibly that Judg. XX. 18 23 27 28. was by the same meanes upon the same ground And if it were burnt or lost at the ruine of the Temple and all by Nebuchadnezzar yet the Tirshatha entertains an expectation of the restoring of it Ezra II. 63. Neh. VII 65. a Messinger Gods providence for the preservation of his verse 27 unto Achish This second time chapter XXVII verse 2 upon better security beforehand given then formerly was had in Shunem In Shunem and Aphek chapter XXVIII verse 4 1 Sam. XXIX 1. the Philistines pitched And the Israelites in Gilboa by a Fountain which is in Jezreel All in the Tribe of Issachar Josh XIX 18. This is Davids Spoile i. chapter XXX verse 20 e. all that the Amalakites had taken from others save from them of Ziglag This by his right and free consent and gift of his souldiers he made use of to gratifie his friends and engage them to him ver 26 31. they shall part alike They both alike shall have their shares verse 24 according to Gods appointment Num. XXXI 27 30. Josh. XXII 8. Though not both equal shares fell upon it Saul his own bloody butcher and self-murderer chapter XXXI verse 4 The Amalakite belies himself in most of his relation to David 2 Sam. I. 5 10. in hope of grace and reward from David but in issue to the losing of his life God in his secret justice justly takes it upon himself that he slew him 1 Chron. X. 14. his head This they fastened in the Temple of Dagon verse 9 1 Chron. X. 10. His body to the wall of Bethshan or Bethshean And his Armour in the house of Ashteroth a name of their female goddesses II. Samuel THis Book contains an History of fourty years from the death of King Saul to the death of King David or the time immediately preceding it 2 Sam. V. 4 5. The time and story of Davids reign Crown that was upon his head Likely not so worne by him in the day of battel chapter I verse 10 1 King XXII 30. But carried with him or before him by his armour-bearer verse 18 or some others as an Ensigne of his Kingly honour bowe That they might be skilful in the right use of their armes and weapons against their enemies in this time of need Of the Bowe in warre see ver 22. And the Annotations on Hos. I. 5. and on Zech. X. 4. How are the mighty fallen Repeated verse 19 ver 25. and 27. as the foot of this sad song and Elegie Tell it not in Gath This impossible not to be told there But this shews Davids desire verse 20 if it had been possible A Pathetical expression not much unlike is that ver 21. Unto Hebron Of this place chapter II verse 1 thus once for all Hebron was a City in the Tribe and Mountain of Judah Josh. XV. 54. Called also Mamre and Kiriath-arba the City of Arba the father of Anak where Anak lived his sonnes and the Anakims a race of Giants Here formerly dwelt the children of Heth and Hittites And Abraham Isaac and Jacob sojourned here And they and Sarah and Rebekah and Leah were buried here in the Cave of Machpelah before Mamre the same is Hebron Gen. XIII 18. and XXIII 19. and XLIX 31. Hence Joseph was sent to see the welfare of his brethren Hither the Spies came that were sent from Kadesh-barnea in the Wildernesse of Paran to search the Land Hoham the King of Hebron was one of the five Kings mured up by Joshuah in a Cave and after slaine and hanged up And soone after the City taken and another King thereof seems then to be slaine by him And he and Caleb slew the Anakims that dwelled here This City and Suburbs were given to the Priests and to be a Citie of Refuge The Fields and the Villages of it to Caleb the sonne of Jephunne the Kenezite that good Spie Josh. XX. 7. and XXI II. To the top of an hill before Hebron Sampson carried the Gate of Gaza To them in Hebron David sent a Present of the Spoile taken from the Amalakite 1 Sam. XXX 31. Hither God directed him to go in this Text. And here he was anointed King and reigned seven years and six moneths And here he had six sonnes born to him of six several women his wives Here Abner was slain by Joab and mournfully buried by David Hither King Ishbosheths head was brought by his murderers buried in Abners Sepulchre and they hanged up here Hither came all the Tribes of Israel to make David King over all Israel and anointed him here And Absalom being borne here pretended a vow to be performed here and rebelling against his father made himself King here This Citie of Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt Num. XIII 23. And in Rehoboams reigne was
1. WIth him his two sonnes To receive the blessing of their venerable Grandfather at his farewel from the world V. 2. And sate upon the bed Ch. 47. 31. V. 3. At Luz Or Bethel and that twice ch 28. 13 19. and ch 35. 6. V. 4. A multitude Thirteen populous tribes for an everlasting possession Literally if his seed keepe Covenant with God spiritually to his spiritual seed he will give the heavenly Canaan for an everlasting possession V. 5. Epâ—raim and Manasseh Jacob still prefers Ephraim v. 19. are mine My sons by adoption and shall have the priviledge of my sonnes have either a twelfth share and be heads of tribes as Reuben and Simeon Thus Joseph had the double portion that right of the first-borne 1 Chron. 5. 1. A Law for this to the first-borne after Deut. 21. 17. So the Sabbath Circumcision raising up seed to the brother and many such more before Moses Law V. 6. begettest after them Therfore he had no more at this time the name of their brethren Therefore he had more children after which were sorted and counted to the stock and tribe of Ephraim or Manasse as if they were their sons not their brethren as all Jacobs other Grand-children likewise were V. 7. Rachel died Thy mother and my dear and only true wife if I had been fairly dealt withal and so thou hadst been my right first-borne and therefore in thy sonnes I give thee a double portion yet she was soon taken from me in the way of Ephrata Even there rather then to bury her among idolaters in Bethlehem ch 23. 9. V. 8. Who are these Named them before yet knew not that they were present or did not well discerne them for the dimnesse of his sight v. 10. V. 9. I will blesse them Not by a meere apprecation of prosperity for so the lesse may blesse the greater but in the Name and Authority of God guided with an especial energy or operation of Gods Spirit and so ratified by God as ordinary blessings were not so ch 27. 33. See Annot. on ch 27. 4. Gen. 49. 26. V. 10. Dimme Ch. 27. 1. V. 11. I had not thought Gods blessings are beyond our expectations and imaginations V. 12. From between Jacobs knees rather then Josephs for Jacob embraced and kissed them v 10. he bowed In reverence and thankfulnesse for the former Adoption V. 13. Ephraim in his right hand In a fit posture as he thought to receive the Patriarchal blessing which it seems was usually done with Imposition of hands And in this punctual order as fearing haply Jacob might mistake their age and persons naming Ephraim first v. 5. towards Israels right hand The right hand hath the preheminence of the left 1 Kings 2. 19. Mat. 25. 33. Ps. 20. 6. 110. 1. 118. 16. Esay 62. 8. Eph 1. 20. in strength and honour To which the Scripture hath reference in speech also of God V. 14. And laid it upon Ephraims head Here is the first expresse mention of Imposition of hands used after in benediction Mat. 19. 13. Mar. 10. 16. at secrifices Lev. 1. 4. as witnessing Lev. 24. 14. in extraordinary giving of graces Acts 8. 17. in miraculous cures Mar. 6. 5. in ordination of Ministers Numb 8. 10. Acts 6. 6. 1 Tim 4. 14. so now Moses laid his hands upon Joshuah Deut. 34. 9. in prayer Acts 13. 3. Ephraims head Of him came Joshuah and the Kings of the ten tribes And the tribe of Ephraim is called the tribe of Joseph Numb 1. 32 34. Apoc. 7. 6. 7. 8. The name of Ephraim is taken for the whole Kingdome of Israel Esay 7. 2. They both had a double lot Josh. 17. 14. wittingly And therefore crossed his armes to that purpose as a signe not of Christs Crosse but of that which afterwards he foretold by the special revelation of the Spirit of God he being so dim of sight that he could not thereby so well distinguish between them V. 16. the Angel which Christ. See Annot. on ch 31. 11. Exod. 14. 19. 13. 21. my name be named on them As v. 5. no invocation of Saints departed they shall be in the same state and degree as my other sons my adopted children so Gods Name is said to be called on us Deut. 28. 10. 2 Chron. 7. 24. Jer. 14. 9. that is we are called the sons of God and the husbands name is called upon the wife Esay 4. 1. And the Lords Name upon the City Jerusalem Dan. 9. 19. and upon the Temple 1 Kings 8. 43. Jer. 7. 10 11. grow into a multitude Spawn like fishes There were eighty five thousand two hundred men of war of these two in Moses time Numb 26. 28 34 37. Thus Moses blesseth them Deut 33. 17. Josh. 17. 17. V. 17. it displeased him Thinking his father was mistaken he seeks to mend the error and likely before that blessing v. 15 16. was uttered greater then he In number of issue and power though the birth-right remain with Manasseh Josh. 17. 1. So Numb 1. eight thousand three hundred men more of Ephraim then of Manasseh and Deut. 33. 17. See Annot. on v. 14. Num. 2. 18 20. yet sometimes Ephraim was at a losse 1 Chron. 7. 20 21 22. lesse in number then Manasseh Numb 26. 28. V. 20. In thee Joseph using thy name and for thy sake or taking thee for an example as Ruth 4. 11. and so for cursing Jer. 29. 22. Israel My posterity I have given Thus Prophetically bequeathing as by Will and Testament to the posterity one portion That bought ch 33. 19. nigh unto Sechem after called Sychar John 4. 5. Not all the City Sechem and all its territories as some would have it out of Josh. 17. 7. This portion though little was all he had by purchase and so he designes him as it were his heire Sechem was the inheritance of the Ephraimites Josh. 16. 1. 20. 7. John 4. 5. And thither were Josephs bones carried and buried Josh. 24. 1 25 32. have taken Shall take So Esay 9. 6. Thus Jacob in faith disposeth of it as already taken Heb. 11. 21. or rather have taken it out of the hands of those neighbouring people that seised upon it among the rest after the slaughter of the Sichemites and would not restore it till Jacob by force of armes took and recovered it Though this be not elsewhere mentioned in Scripture my sword Of my children Josh. 17. 14 to 18. CHAP. XLIX Verse 1. GAther your selves Repeated v. 2. Some present were to call and gather the absent By this joynt injunction he intimates the union that should be amongst them Psal. 133. 2 3. 33. 3. that I may tell you By the Spirit of prophecie Men on their death-beds should give their last and best counsels to their children and family and friends you Altogether what I have to say to every one particularly that so every one may reap benefit also of what shall be said concerning his brethren in the last dayes In long
time to come 1 Tim. 4. 1. 2 Tim. 3. 1. Acts 2. 17. with Joel 2. 28. Your last state in this land your state in Canaan til Christs coming v. 10. The time of the Gospel may be called the last time because after that there will be no change of the Church from Christianity no change of doctrine or Sacraments to the worlds end Heb. 1. 1. This foretelling things to come so long after shewes that Jacob now was inspired and assisted with a divine Spirit V. 3. Reuben thou art my first-borne And so many honourable priviledges belonged to him headship of the family a double portion to maintain the honour of the Headship This practised among the Patriarchs as many like other things were put into a Law afterwards Deut. 21. 17. See Gen 35. 2. 48. 5. my might Deut. 21. 17. Psal. 105. 36. 78. 51. 127. 4 5. They are the principal stay and pillar of the family also Thus and thus thou shouldest have been but for thy sinne V. 4. Unstable as water That is easily moved with the windes still ebbing or flowing never standing still nor easily contained in its own bounds place unconstant light treacherous Zeph. 3. 4. Such were the divisions and grudgings of Reuben amongst themselves Judg. 5. 15 16. Such was he in his sin such shall he be in his downfall from the dignity of his birth-right as waters roll down from high places or Reubens posterity shall be weak as water Ps. 22. 14. Josh. 7. 5. thou shalt not excel We reade not that this tribe ever came to any excellency among the other tribes excelled not in number Deut. 33. 6. valour or any excellent archievement because thou wentest up For a pang of lawlesse lust he lost all So doth sensuality besot and befoole men Prov. 7. 7 22. This fact above fourty yeares ago done soon after the birth of Benjamin ch 35. 22. is here doomed and punished in Reuben and his posterity Forbearance is no acquittance he went up As out of an indignation of the fact he turnes his speech from Reuben to his brethren and shewes how just cause there was to pronounce this sentence against him Such changes are often in Scripture Deut. 5. 10. love me and keep his Commandments Dan. 9. 4. that love him for that love thee Mar. 11. 32. If we shall say of men they feared the people for we feare Jacob would have this censure of him to be a caution to his brethren And now dying without malice sure to Reuben is yet thus zealous against sinne So David 1 Kings 2. 9. V. 5. Simeon and Levi are brethren In birth in evil Prov. 18. 9. It may haply be also in conspiracy against Joseph Thus impartially Moses sets by his relation a brand of infamy upon Levi his great grand-father instruments of cruelty Cruel weapons Ch. 34. 25. in their habitations Or in their agreements and conventions with the Sichemites ch 34. 13 15. V. 6. my souâ—e By this pathetical Apostrophe he shewes his zealous detestation of their out-ragious fact and cleares himselfe of suspicions and aspersions of his favouring it which otherwise after his death might have been cast upon him for it come not thou into their secret He protests against his least knowledge of much lesse consent unto their secret to him and cursed plot contrivance and execution of it q. d. God forbid that ever my soule should joyne in such a villany secret Psal. 64. 2 4. Jer 15. 17. my glory My soul which is mans glory Or my tongue Ps. 16. 9. my glory is rendered by the Apostle my tongue Acts 2. 26. Jacob would not suffer in his honour and reputation for their sakes they slew a man The singular is often put for the plural 1 Chron 10. 1. They slew Hamor Sichem Citizens and subjects self-will Not in sudden wrath but upon a wilful setled resolution and deliberation plotting and acting they digged down a wall We reade not of this ch 34. yet haply they might do so to the house of Hamor or Shechem where their sister was The words may well yea best be rendred thus they houghed an oxe so relating to the prey of cattel they took and houghing such as would not drive V. 7. Cursed be their anger It was likely to be to the ruine and extirpation of him and his ch 34. 31. he curseth not their persons but their sin so David not against Ahitophels person 2 Sam. 15. 31. Psal. 109. 17 18 19 20. is a prediction rather then an imprecation or imprecation conditional not absolute Or if absolute then by the immediate guidance of Gods Spirit and so not lawful to those that want it The rule for all is Prov. 20. 22. I will divide them Jacob speaks as in the person of God as Prophets usually do Or he would do it by his prediction and prophesie as it were passing his word they should be divided As Ezekiel is said to come to destroy the City Ezech. 43. 3. Levi was thus divided and scattered yet God after their zealous execution Exod. 32. 26 29. turned it to a blessing to his people and to them Deut. 33. 9 10. The Levites are first mentioned to be taken in Numb 1. 47. and 3. 12 45. and ch 4. and ch 7. 5 6 7 8. and ch 8. for the first borne which were by their birth the Priests before Moses time and again due to the Lord upon his slâ—ying the first-borne when he brought Israel out of Egypt Exod. 13. 2. Simeon likewise was not planted apart by himself as the other tribes were but had their inheritance intermingled with that of Judah out of whose lot in several places here and there Simeonites had certain cities and villages Josh. 19. 9. And that not so much for Simeons sake as because Judah had too much So Simeon was but an Inmate to Judah and under him Till afterwards upon their multiplying they were forced to seek further for new habitations in Mount Seir and Mount Gedor driving out the Amalekites 1 Chron. 4. 39 41 43. And so they were scattered in their habitations And all this wrath of Jacob and detestation of Simeon and Levies massacre of the Shechemites proves the book of Judith to be Apocryphal which so highly commends this fact of Simeon ch 9. 2 3 4. Moses omits the blessing of Simeon Deut. 33. And thus their union in evil was punished with this division and scattering among the tribes V. 8. Judah thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise Judah signifieth praises ch 29. 35. as if Jacob should say thou art so by name and shalt be so indeed praised for Regal Government praised for that Christ shall come of thee Heb. 7. 14. See Hos. 11. 12. of Judah all the children of Israel were called Jewes not Reubenites of Reuben not Simeonites nor of any other sonne Judahs sin with Tamar is omitted Judah therein only intended single fornication in the neck This was fulfilled Numb 10. 14. 7. 11 12.