solemn assemblies for his worship and service in the beauties of holinesse Or in the comely honours of the Sanctuarie meaning either the comely or honourable places of holinesse the Sanctuary or Church or rather in the beautiful ornaments of holinesse that is holy graces and vertues which with admirable varietie adorne the faithful and their inner man from the womb The second propertie or condition of the subjects of Christs Kingdome to be very numerous as willing so numerous as the dew from the womb of the morning 2 Sam. XVII 12. by a sudden unusual and wonderful increase and multiplication Esay LIV. 1. Micah V. 7. Esay LXVI 9. so numerous shall his youth be his new-borne people Iohn I. 13. and III. 3. Gal IV. 19. Heb. II. 14. 1 Pet. II. 2. See Esay LIII 10. So that these words are not to be understood of the temporal Nativity of Christ from the Virgin or his eternal generation from the Father as some do but of his active spiritual generation of his children the subjects of his Kingdome The Lord hath sworne The Vocation of Christ to his Office of verse 4 Priesthood Jehovah is the Author of it hath sworne Jehovah swears to confirme matters of greatest moment when and where his wisdome pleaseth And upon this point here of Christs eternal Priesthood mans salvation dependeth He swears by himself though that is not here expressed because he hath no greater to swear by Heb. VI. 13 16. Gen. XXII 16. And so by his life Esay XLIX 18. by his soul Jer. LI. 24. by his right-hand and the arme of his strength Esay LXII 8. The result of all which is the same with himself And implying thereby thus much Let me not be accounted what I am namely God the living God the omnipotent God if that which I speak be not true or my promises or threatnings do faile of performance Of Oaths See the Observations on Jer. LI. 14. and my Annotations on Hos. IV. 15. and will not repent Will not change or retract what he hath sworne Num. XXIII 19. James I. 17. Repenting is sometimes ascribed to God as Gen. VI. 6 7. Psal. CVI. 45. 1 Sam. XV. 11. 35. Not that there is any change of minde of will in God as there is in mans repenting But the change is in the work God eternally and unchangably decreeing both as to do the thing so again to change it upon mans repentance or disobedience Jer. XXVI 3 13 19. Of this see more in the Observations on Jer. XV. 6. In all this God condescends to mans weaknesse Heb. VI. 17 18. Shewes the greatnesse and excellency of the thing here avowed that the Lord Christ was lawfully Called and Ordained to be an eternal Priest for us and our salvation for our greater confirmation and consolation herein Thou art The Lord Christ well knew this and could not doubt of the will of the Father herein What then needed this Oath to be made unto him Answ. It was made to him for the use of his Church that his Church might know and be assured of it As that John XI 42. art God saying is as much as doing a Preist So Gen. XIV 18. Heb. VII 1. Melchizedec in type Christ in truth the Antitype The Priests office was to Teach Pray and Sacrifice The High Priest among the Jewes once a year entred into the most Holy place Yet he in all things was not an absolute and sufficient Type of our High Priest Christ the Lord. For he is an eternal High Priest and both King and Priest and his Sacrifice of another nature and himself of another Tribe for ever Not so the Priests after the order of Aaron Heb. VII 23. 34 and chap. IX 12. after the order Or similitude Heb. V. 6. and chap. VII 15. of Melchizedec Much question who this Melchizedec was He was not the Sonne of God himself our Lord and Christ. Very many take him to be Sem the Sonne of Noah who saw both worlds before and after the Flood and lived to the one hundred and fiftieth year of the age of Abraham Yet because Sems genealogie is exactly set down in Scripture and that the Levitical Priests themselves came from him after sundry descents and the Land of Canaan seems not to be Sems habitation which took its name from his younger brother Cham or from Chams sonne Canaan Neither would Abraham so long have forborne his due respects and visitation of Sem in Canaan if Sem had lived there Therefore divers learned men take this Melchizedec to be rather some eminent man in Canaan raised up by God in those corrupt times both good and godly both King and Priest living in Salem after called Jerusalem whose King in Joshuahs time was called Adoni-Zedeck that is Lord of righteousnesse Josh. X. 1. As this man here is called Melchizedec that is King of righteousnesse By which place or near to it Abraham in his returne from this warre and victory was to passe Of this Melchizedec and his Priesthood and the difference of it from Aarons Priesthood the Apostle to the Hebrews chap VII entreateth at large and observeth divers things his Name and Title his greatnesse in that he blessed Abraham and received Tythes of Abraham his being mentioned in Scripture without any Pedegree without father without mother without descent having neither beginning of dayes nor end of life All these he had as our Saviour himself had them but none of them recorded or registred in the Scripture that he might so become a Type of the eternity of Christs Person and Priesthood verse 3. The Apostle further observeth his Offices that he was both King and Priest and that our Saviour was made such with an oath of God the Father and a Priest of a better Priesthood Covenant and Commandment and that he was made not after the Law of a carnal commandement having carnal successors in his Priesthood but after the power of an endlesse life consecrated for evermore having an eternal Priesthood and unchangeable continuing ever and living ever to make intercession and by his one offering up himself once for all saving them to the uttermost that come to God by him In all which there are manifold resemblances between Christ and Melchizedec and manifold differences between theirs and the Aaronical Priesthood As for those fond and forced dreams of the Papist That Melchizedec offered up to God the sacrifice of bread and wine And therein was a Type and Figure of their sacrifice of the Masse And that thereupon Christ our Lord is said to be a Priest after the order of Melchizedec These may well befal to them who for want of the love of the truth are given up to beleeve lies but are too weak poor and silly for us to trouble our selves withal The Lord at thy right hand The prophesie of Christ the Lord his administration of his Kingly Office verse 5 in this and the next verse The Lord God the Father who will make thine enemies thy footstoole
be sprinkled seven times before the Lord before the vaile of the Sanctuary And then some of it to be put upon the hornes of the Altar of sweet incense before the Lord and the rest of the blood to be poured out at the bottome of the Altar of the burnt-offering as in the sin-offering of the Holy Priest Levit 4. v. 5 6 7. And of the whole Congregation ch 4. v. 16 17 18. Sometimes it was to be put upon the tip of the right eare and upon the thumb of the right hand and upon the great toe of the right foot and some of the blood upon the Altar was to be sprinkled upon the garments as Moses did at the consecration of Aaron and his sonnes Levit. 8. 23 24 30. all which was typical and ceremonial In summe it was given upon the Altar to make an atonement for soules for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soule Lev. 17. 11. and almost all things are by the Law purged with blood and without shedding of blood is no remission Heb. 9. 22. But with them blood was never at any time or upon any occasion to be eaten Lev. 7. 26 27. 1 Sam. 14. 32 33 34. And the Apostles make a decree for the forbearance of eating things strangled and blood Acts 15. 20. yet now the ceremonial Law being expired and the restraint in this text not so clear and full or not reaching to all people in all ages out of the case of scandal which occasioned the Apostles necessary 1 Cor. 8. 13. though temporary decree I see no necessity enforcing the contrary but that Christians may use their Christian liberty knowing that to the pure all things are pure that meat commends us not to God that whatsoever is sold in the shambles that we may eat asking no question for conscience sake V. 5. And surely your blood of your lives Your life-blood The reason of the former prohibition Of every beast Exod. 21. 28. mans brother All men are brethren Act. 17. 26. V. 6. Whoso sheddeth Wittingly and wilfully Numb 35. 31. else Cities of Refuge weee appointed as may be seen Numb 35. 11 15 22 23. Deut. 29. 3 6. by man Magistrate Revenger of blood Numb 35. 19 21 27. for in the image This reason sheweth death to be due for murther before the flood and from the beginning though God extraordinarily suffered Cain to live a life likely worse then death as a spectacle of his wrath all his age To deny the legal and military use of the sword to Christians is an Anabaptistical faucie V. 10. And with every living creature For mans sake for whom they were made and in the flood for his sin destroyed V. 11. All flesh No universal deluge though particular countreys may be drowned by the waters of a flood Yet in the end by fire 2 Pet. 3. 7 10. the earth As ch 6. 11. V. 13. My bowe Wittily say some bended upwards and withoâ—t any arrow in it This was in the clouds before naturally But now significatively instituted to this use to be a token of this Covenant for the assurance of the truth and performance of it and Gods oath annexed to it Esay 54. 9. V. 14. When I bring a cloud At sometimes V. 18. And Ham is the father of Canaan So againe v. 22. To imply the reason why Canaan is cursed v. 25 26 27. And that the Israelites who in Moses time and after were commanded to root them out might know that they were of an accursed race and off-spring V. 20. Began In the new world a new beginner yet some yeares after the flood V. 21. Uncovered Likely wearing long and loose garments without breeches As likely David did when Michal mocked him 2 Sam. 6. 20. To prevent which linnen breeches were commanded to Priests Exod. 28. 42. Ezech. 44. 19. and Gods Altar was to be builded without steps Exod. 20. 26. V. 22. And told He should have concealed it from his brethren and covered it himself V. 24. And knew Upon enquiry or otherways by relation or revelation V. 25. Said Prophetically both in his cursing and blessing by warrant of Gods Spirit V. 25. Cursed be Canaan Not naming Cham. But shewing thereby the curse to be entailed on him and on Canaan his fourth sonne ch 10. 6. then borne and haply a Partner in his fathers sinne and on his posterity after him Prov. 30. 17. a servant of servants Thus fore-doom'd to a most servile slavish estate and condition This most seen long after in the Gibeouites Josh. 9. 21. and in the Canaanites As the blessing on Japhet was long after fulfilled when the Gentiles became Christians V. 26. Blessed be the Lord God of Shem Shem blessed because God is called his God Psal. 144. 15. He named before Japheth his elder brother in covering his fathers nakednesse v. 23. and Canaan shall be his servant So to Chadorâ—aomeâ—â— of Shems progeny being King of Elam ch 14. 1 4 c. and ch 10. 22. so in the times of Joshuah Judges and Kings of Judah and Israel V. 27. In the tents of Shem In the Church become Converts and Christians Eph. 2. 13 14 19. 3. 6. even when Shems posterity the natural branches was much out off Rom. 11. 11. and Canaan shall be his servant Alexander the Great and the Romanes subdued them V. 29. And he died living almost to the birth of Abram CHAP. X. Verse 1. JAphet He is renowned in the ancient Greek Writers called Iupetos V. 2. Madai Of him the Medes Javan Of him the countrey Ionia the Grecians V. 5. Isles Properly or improperly such countreys whereto the Jewes from their land could not passe but by shipping the Province of Europe here meant every one after his tongue As it fell out after that division of tongues ch 11. 9. V. 6 Cush Cushians or the Ethiopians near the Arabian sea Mizraim Egyptians Mizraim in the Old Testament is alwayes called Egypt in the New Testament V. 7. Seba Whence came the West-African-Ethiopians and likely the Queen of Shebah 1 King 10. 1. called the Queen of the South coming from the uttermost parts of the earth Matth. 12. 42. And the Eâ—nuch of Candacâ— Acts 8. 27. Havilah In Arabiah V. 8. And Cush begat Nimrod Reserved here to the last place because Moses meant to speak most of him a mighty one Usurped by violence a more imperious Power and Government then formerly was used and enlarged his dominions V. 9. A mighty Hunter Hunter of men Tyrants and Oppressors are called Hunters Jer. 16. 16. before the Lord Openly without feare of God V. 10. Babel ch 11. 9. Semiramis then the wife of Ninus sonne to this Nimrod or Belus as profane Authors have it founded not this City but repaired it After Nimrods time it seems the seat of that Monarchy being the first was translared to Nineveb in Assyria Micah 5. 6. And after many ages Babylon rebuilt by Nebuchadnezzar Dan. 4. 30. Shinar Comprehending Mesopotamia situate
6. 22. And so many men in Scripture upon weighty causes did lawfully require an oath so did Abraham of his servant Jacob of Esau Gen. 25. 33. and of his sonne Joseph Gen. 47. 31. Rahab of the spies Josh. 2. 12. Samson of the men of Judâ—h Judg. 15. 12. Saul and the Egyptian of David 1 Sam. 24. 21. and 30. 15. Nebuchadnezzar of Zedekiah 2 Chron 36. 13. And many in like cases freely and voluntarily gave their oathes so Moses to Calâ—b. Josh. 14. 9. David to Bathsheba 1 Kings 1. 13. Gedaliah to the â—emnanâ— of â—udah 2 Kings 25. 24. King Zedekiah to Jeremy Jer. 38. â—6 The reason and end of all is to assure men the more of faith and truth in words and promises for in an oath men call God to be both a witnesse of the truth and an avenger of the lie and breach of promise And so an oath bindes the soule with a bond Numb â—0 2. And hereupon the godly to binde themselves the more to God and his service and good duties have sworne to â—he Lord so David to finde out an house and place for Gods habitation Psal. 132. 2. so the Priests Levites and all Israel to reforme the strange marriages Ezra 10. 5. so King Asa and all the people entred into a Covenant to seek the Lord and they sware unto the Lord with a loud voice and with shouting and with trumpets and with corneâ—s 2 Chron. 15. 12 13 14. yea God himself is mercifully pleased so far to condescend as to swear unto men for their better assurance and the confirmation of their faith in the truth of his promises Heb. 6. 12 18. so he sware to Abraham Isaac and Jacob Gen. 24. 7. 26. 3. Exod. 6. 8. Luke 1. 73. so to David Psal. 89. 49. And sometimes in wrath to ratifie his threatenings against sinners so Psal. 95. 11. Heb. 3. 11. In sacred account then is the bond of an oath Heb. 6. 16. it must be carefully taken in truth in righteousnesse and in judgement Jer. 4. 2. Not vainly or falsely Gods wrath is great against such oathes and oath-breakers Exod. 20. 7. Levit. 19. 12. Hos. 4. 2. 10. 4. Jer. 23. 10. Ezek. 17. 15 21. Zech. 5. 3 4. Mal. 3. 5. It was Peters sinne for which he wept so bitterly Matth. 26. 74. 75. we must feare an oath Eccles. 9. 2. though it be taken to men yet it is called the oath of God Eccl. 8. 2. Ezek. 17. 10. and therefore the godly man though he sweareth to his own hurt yet changeth not Psal. 15. 4. Though the Gibeonites beguiled Joshuah and the Princes of Israel yet say they we must let them live lest wrath be upon us because of the oath which we sware unto them Josh. 9. 15 19 20. by the Lord It is a part of our duty and Gods Worship to swear by Gods Name Deut. 6. 13. 10. 20. Esay 45. 23. 65. 16. Jer. 12. 16. Psaâ— 63. 11. so Jacob sware to Laban by the feare of his father Isaac Gen. 31. 53 42. we must not swear by false gods Josh. 23. 7. Jer. 12. 16. not by Baal by the sin and idol of Samaria the manner of Beer-sheba by Malcham Against such Swearers God threareneth his judgements Jer. 5. 7. Amos. 8. 14. Zeph. 1. 5. nor must we sweare by the creatures as if they were God or we had power over them as our own to pawn them on the truth of what we say Mat 5. 34 35 36. and ch 23. 16 18 20 21 22. James 5. 12. of the daughters of the Canaanites ch 9. 25. 10. 15. 15. 16 21. such was the sin of the old world ch 6. 2. This was Rebekahs grief at Esau and feare lest Jacob should do the like ch 27. 46. 28. 1 2. Lest by marrying with idolaters his sonne or seed should be drawn from God Deut. 7. 3 4. And specially he would not have his seed and blood mixed with that cursed Nation whose blood his posterity was to shed without pity and to succeed in their place according to Gods Promise Therefore Moses forbids any Covenant wiâ—h them neither would Abraham buâ—y with them ch 23. 6 20. V. 4. Unto my Countrey the City of Nahor in Mesopotamia v. 10. Haran or Charran not Ur ch 29. 4. Here was the truest Worship of the true God next to that in Abrahams family though indeed vâ—ry much corrupted Laban being an idolater ch 31. 30 53. and after Jacobs marriage there also some of that race in his family were not altogether free ch 31. v. 19 32. 35. 2 3 4. V. 5. Must I needs bring In case the woman will not yield to marry Isaac to leave her countrey and come dwell in Canaan but that he must yield to go and dwell there in that case he desâ—res direction and to know what his oath bindes him unto bring Isaac having undertaken to his father to be guided by him and this servant in the businesse of his marriage bring him by perswasion again Not that Isaac had been there before but Abraham as ch 15. v. 16. V. 6 Beware Yield not to any such condition They there are too corrupt in Religion and my sonne must not by going to dwell elsewhere in a kind renounce so the land of Promise He must live here rather as a stranger and sojourner by faith as himself had done Hebrewes 11. 9. V. 7. His Angel A ministring Spirit Heb. 1. 14. for thy direction and protection V. 8. Clear So Josh. 2. 17. V. 10. Master Or Lord. These two termes in Scripture are used indifferently Mat. 17. 4. compared with Mar. 9. 5. all the goods V. 2. 53. ch 39. 4. â—â—n camels Numerous in those countreys 1 Chron. 5. 11. ten here and servants to attend them v. 59. and lading no doubt for them This argues Abrahams wealth and the servants trust And it was fit for so long a journey and to carry presents and gifts v. 53. and that the kindred might see his Masters great estate Mesopotamia Between Tygris and Euphrates called Padan Aram ch 25. 20. Aram in the New Testament is usually called Syria Mat. 4. 24. City of Nahor See Annotations in ch 11. 31. as Christs City i e. wherein he dwelt Mat. 9. 1. V. 11. Kneel down As the custome of those Camels was to rest them and to load and unload V. 12. And â—e said In his heart v. 45. Good speed V. 42. prosper my way Luke 10. 31. the word chance is used and shew kindnesse This kindnesse in the words following V. 14. Let it come to passe No doubt this came into his minde by the special instinct of Gods Spirit v. 7. as that of Gideon Judg. 6. 17 37. and that of Jonathan 1 Sam. 14. 9. without like warrant we may not attempt the like V. 15. Before he had done speaking So Esay 65. 24. Dan. 9 23. her Pitcher Thus women employed in mean services v. 11. 13. yea great and good women as here and ch 18. 6.
50. Rom. 16 1. 1 Cor. 7. 15. Jam. 2 15. But untrue in their intent V. 8. Looked out As David saw Bathsheba 2 Sam. 11. 2. sporting Deut. 24. 5. Prov 5. 18 19. V. 9. Of a surety she is thy wife So holy and unblameable was Isaacs life that worse then this Abimelech never suspected V. 10. What is this By this passionate expostulation he sheweth how greatly adultery if not dissimulation too were condemned by heathen morality ch 20. 9. guiltinesse Both sin and punishment Lev. 5. 5 6. V. 11. Toucheth So v. 29. ch 20. 6. Josh 9. 19. Ruth 2. 9. Ps. 105. 15. Prov. 6. 29. Zech. 2. 8. V. 12. An hundred fold Mat. 3 8 23. V. 14. Envied him Eccl. 4 4. Psâ—â— 2 10 Job 5. 2. V. 15. The Philistines had stopped Contrary to Covenant and Oath ch 21. 30 31. V. 17. Valley of Gerar V. 6. V. 18. After the names by which his father Renewing the ancient good names and altering idolatrous names Numb 32. 38. The names of idols are not to be heard out of our mouthes Ex. 23. 13. Ps. 16. 4. Deut. 12. 3. Hos. 2. 17. V. 21. Sitnah Hatred or spight Hence Satan hath his name V. 23. To Beersheba The famine being ended he returned to the place whence the famine had driven him the place of his fathers dwelling See Annot. on v. 1. and on ch 21. 31. V. 24. And the Lord appeared As it seems to comfort him against the envious dealings of the Philistines So ch 15. 1. the God of Abraham Therefore Abraham lives in soul Mat. 22. 32. V. 25. An Altar Ch. 12. 7 8. 13. 4 18. V. 26 Then Abimelech As ch 21. v. 22. c. These may be those same men This history is to be compared with that Ahuzzath More then in ch 21. v. 22. V. 27. Seeing ye hate me Prov. 16 7. V. 28. And they said See Annotat. on chap. 21. 22 23. an oath And execration as ch 24. 41. V. 29. That thou wilt With a curse if thou shalt so ch 21. 23. in the margin the blessed Ch. 24. 31. This is spoken to further the Peace and Covenant desired V. 30 Feast Used at Covenants ch 31 54. V. 32. Concerning the Well V. 25. V. 33 Sâ—ebah Oath Beersheba Ch. 21. 31 Here the name of the City This Well was formerly so called by Abraham ch 21. 31. But having been stopped by the Philistines and now opened again by Isaacs servants the old name is again imposed upon the same occasion V. 34. Fourty years old He married thirty six yeares before Jacob. At fourty years old also Isaac married chap. 25. 20. Judith Esaus wives and their fathers had several names Gen. 36. 2. Both Hittites the worst sort of Canaanites Ezech. 16. 3. contrary to the cares and commands of his father mother and grandfather ch 24. 3. and v. 35. of this chapter and ch 27 46. and ch 28. 1 6 8. CHAP. XXVII Verse 1. ISaac was old One hundred thirty six or one hundred thirty seven yeares old As is rightly gathered and proved in the great late Annotat. upon this place For Isaac was sixty yeares old when Jacob was borne ch 25. v. 26. And Jacob was at this time seventy five or seventy six yeares old when he got the blessing and fled to Laban See the Annotat. on ch 29. 21. and his eyes were dimme So Jacobs ch 48. 10. so Elies 1 Sam. 3. 2 4 15. Isaac lived blinde fourty foure yeares at least ch 35 28. V 4 That my soule He would by that feasting chear up his spirit against dulnesse or any distemper that he might be the more fit instrument of the Spirit of God so Elisha calls for a minstrel to allay his passion against Jehoram prepare his minde compose his spirit and fit it for a divine motion of Gods Spirit by Prophecie 2 Kings 3. 15. may blesse thee In faith before the Lord by the Spirit of the Lord Hebr. 1â— 20. some blesse men by praying to God to blesse them So Luke 6. 28. Some by pronouncing a blessing upon them by vertue of their calling and warrant of Gods Word So the Priests blessed the people Numb 6. 23 to the end Some by the Spirit of Prophecie foretelling the blessings should come upon them so Jacob blessed Ephraim and Manasseh ch 48. 9 15 16 20. and the twelve tribes ch 49. 28. and so did Moses likewise Deut. 33. 1. And so Isaac intends to blesse Esau here And doth blesse Jacob and Esau v. 27 28 29 39 40. and Jacob again ch 28. 3 4. Thee Esau. Isaac being left in this point to his owne spirit out of his carnal judgement and affection he intends the blessing to Esau to transmit the inheritance of the blessings and promises made to his father unto Esau as his first-borne either not mindful of the divine Oracle ch 25. 23. Or understanding it not of their persons but of their posterity But Gods Providence serving it self upon the better faith and illumination of Rebekah and by her meanes doth disappoint Isaacs purpose and he by his free grace and singular favour transfers the blessing upon Jacob. V. 6. And Rebekah spake Being soundly grounded that the blessing belonged to Jacob and seeing now her husband going about to give it to Esau she labours to disappoint his errour though by wayes not so warrantable unlesse she were moved by some secret instinct of Gods Spirit V. 7. Before the Lord before my death In his presence and by his power and authority who will ratifie this my last Will and Testament Heb 11. 20 V. 12. I shall bring a curse For my deceiving Deut. 27. 18. Jer. 48. 10. Mal. 14. V. 13. Upon me be thy curse She was over-confident using such ill meanes though in a good cause and trusting to the Oracle V. 15. Goodly raiment Perfumed or kept sweet v. 27. not likely to be holy robes received from their Ancestors and kept for the first-borne to minister in Which were with her Not with Esaus wives V. 16. Skins upon his hands His face by a beard and haire might be much like Esaus V. 19. I am Esau It is in vaine to labour to excuse Jacob here and hereafter from divers lies deceipts and dissemblings V. 20. Brought it to me Ch. 24. 12. one lie drawes on another V. 27. The smell of his raiment Aromatick odours and spices for perfume abounded in those countreys V. 27. As the smell of a field With flowers fruits and vines Cant. 2. 13. 4. 14. 7. 13. V. 28. God give thee A Prayer and Prophecie And these promises of earthly blessings were types of spiritual blessings extending to all that was included in the Promises and Covenant made to and with Abraham Deut. 33. 28. 8. 8. V. 29. Let people serve thee From Jacob came Judah 1 Chron. 5. 2. Gen. 49. 10. David subdued many Nations be Lord over thy brethren Hereby he confirmes to him the right of the first-borne thy brethren and let thy
transgresse Amos 4. 4. And seriously forbids them to seek to Bethel for Bethel shall come to nought but chargeth them to seek the Lord. lest he break out like fire and there be none to quench it in Bethel ch 5. 5 6 7. Upon his preaching Amaziah the Priest of Bethel sends to Jeroboam against him and forbids him to prophesie any more at Bethel for it is the Kings Chappel and it is the Kings Court ch 7 10 13. Josiah in his dayes performed all that was sore told by the man of God 1 Kings 13. He brake down the Altar and burnt the bones of men upon it And the idolatrous pollutions of the Temple of Jerusalem he burnt and carried the ashes of them to Bethel so far off on purpose to defile that place which the ten idolatrous tribes had held so sacred 2 Kings 23. 15. 19. 4. Thus large have I been on this place once for all purposing to make a reference hither whenever I shall meet with the name elsewhere â—uz at the first This name in use ch 35. 6. 48. 3. and in Joshuahs time Josh. 18. 13. See Judg. 1. 23 26. It signifieth Nut-tree whence the City might have its name as Jericho is called the City of Palme-trees 2 Chron. 28. 15. Deut. 34. 3. V. 20. Vowed a Vâ—w There is an Oath a Vow and a devoting of a thing to God of an Oath see Annot. on ch 24. 3. of the devoting any thing See Lev. 27. 28 29. A Vow is a binding of the soule with a bond by a sacred and solemne a free and voluntary Promise made to God for the doing or more careful doing of things which otherwise by our duty and Gods Law we are bound to do or for the doing of certain things lawful in themselves but otherwise left indifferent to be done or not to be done or for the abstaining from the use of some things otherwise lawful to be used And all this in way of thankfulness to God for some extraordinary blessings received or for the obtaining of some special benefits which we greatly desire and stand in need of And therefore Vowes are ever joyned with Prayers or Praises and Thanksgiving or both And these Vowes once made must carefully be kept and performed Thus Jocob here vowed by way of thankfulnesse to God for this glorious Apparition and the gracious Promises vouchsafed to him and for further and future blessings to be received from God that God should be his God this should be a new engagement and obligation upon him that he would for ever serve and worship him and that that stone or pillar now erected by him should be Gods house a place consecrated to his worship and service and that he would give the tenth of all he should have to God and for his special use in Sacrifices Altars sacred buildings and maintenance of his service Thus Hannah vowed that if God would deliver her from the reproach of barrennesse and give her a man-child she would give him to the Lord all the dayes of his life and no razour should come upon his head 1 Sam 1. 11. Thus Bathsheba it seems made a Vow for the obtaining of Solomon whence she calleth him the sonne of her Vowes Prov. 31. 2. Thus Jephthah made a Vow to obtain victory against the children of Ammon Judg 11. 30 39. And all Israel to obtain victory against King Arad the Canaanite and his people Numb 21. 1 2. Thus David vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob forthwith to finde out a place for the habitation of the Lord Psal. 132. 2 3. Thus Paul was under a Vow Acts 18. 18. And again he and foure other men Act. 21 23 24. Yea the Heathen Mariners by the light of nature made vows to the Lord vowes of thankfulnesse for their deliverance from shipwrack Jonah 1. 16. In Moses time the vow of a Nazarite and Lawes for them are set down at large Numb 6. as also the things to be vowed to the Lord as persons beasts clean and unclean houses fields of inheritance and of purchase whether vowed before the year of Jubile or after and the several Lawes for the Redemption of them Lev. 27. And in that Mosaical and Ceremonial Law God carefully provides that no unworthy thing shall be vowed to him no beast deformed or that hath any member superfluous or lacking or any way faulty Lev. 22. 18 21 22 23. Mal. 1. 14. Much lesse the hire of a whore or price of a dog Deut. 23. 18. any sinful thing as those wicked men of Judah did in their idolatrous ways both they and their wives which fled into the land of Egypt contrary to the Word of the Lord by Jeremie say We will surely perform our vowes which we have vowed to burne incense to the Queen of heaven and to poure out drink-offerings unto her Jer. 44. 25. And least of all would he have any sinful vow made unto him Now to forbear to vow is no sin Deut. 23. 22. at least no such sin as if they vow and pay not as John 9. 41. If ye were blinde ye should have no sin no such sin as now remaineth on you for refusing the light And the like John 15. 22 24. For howsoever in the general a vow is a kinde of a free-will-offering a service of God Esay 19. 21. but an arbitrary and voluntary service Before men vow it is in their own power and pleasure as it is spoken in Ananias his case Acts 5. 4. yet in some extraordinary cases of petition and thanksgiving vowes are requisite and necessary And however yet being once made lawfully after vowes to make enquiry undoubtedly it is sin But after vowes to make enquiry is a snare and sin Prov. 20. 25. For who vowes bindes his soule with a bond Numb 30. 3. And therefore when a lawful vow is lawfully made then God strictly requires the same to be punctually performed Deut. 23. 21 23. Eccl. 5. 4 5 6. And for that cause he gives Laws who have power to vow and who may not vow namely children and wives who are not free of themselves but under the power and command of others Numb 30. David therefore is mindful of his performance Thy vowes are upon me O God Psal 56. 12. and 66. 13 14. And he mindes others of it Vow and pay unto the Lord your God Psal. 76. 11. And again To thee shall the vow be paid Ps. 65. 1 2. And he saith unto God Thou O God hast heard my vowes And so will I sing praise unto thy Name for ever that I may daily performe my vowes Ps 61. 5 8. If God will be with me Prayer-wise respecting the Promile v. 15. and will keep me Respects the Promise likewise v. 15. and bindes upon it for if here hath the signification of when as in 1 Sam. 15. 17. And is here a word of doubting or of condition but of faith and inference of his duty of thankfulnesse bread to eate 1 Tim. 6. 8. V.
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
one certain time and these two Evenings in the larger or stricter signification to be contiguous or continued rather to be that Communis terminus which couples the end of the day and the beginning of the night together or the two extremities of our Evening-tide whereof the former belongs to the end and shutting up of the natural day preceding and the later to the beginning of the night which leades on and ushers in the natural or civil day following as the first part of it So that this time is a participle of both or a Borderer betwixt both as the large Annotations fitly expresse it Two side-posts In this first Passeover each Head of a family served as a Priest verse 7 divers Rites were enjoyned which were not observed or required afterwards And the second moneth also allowed for it Num. IX 11 And other seven dayes 2 Chron. XXX 23. No maner of work On divers Feast-dayes of the Jewes it was not lawful for them to do any servile work verse 16 On others any kinde or maner of work save that which every man must eate But on the Sabbath day and so likely on the day of expiation that it self was unlawful or to kindle a fire on it Exod. XII 16. and Ch. XVI 5 23. and Ch. XXXV 2 3. And much more to do any maner of work upon it Neh. XIII v. 15 22. Jer. XVII 21 22. though for the making of the Tabernacle it self Exod. XXXI 11 12 13. or at any time in earing-time or harvest Exod. XXXIV 21. And that upon paine of death Exod. XXXV 2. For ever Many Legal Ceremonies verse 17 or Ordinances are enjoyned the Jewes to be observed throughout their generations for ever all which yet ended at the coming of Christ in the flesh And some such enjoyned in like termes yet ended in the year of Jubile Exod. XXI 6. Levit. XXV 40. Of this see more in the Observations on Deut. XV. 17. 430 years These do commence from the first Promise made to Abram verse 40 in Ur of the Chaldees whence 30 of the years are made up thus viz 5. in Haran 11 in Canaan when Ishmael was borne Gen XVI 3. And 14 years of Ishmaels age when Isaac was borne Gen. XVII 25. and Ch. XVIII 10. and XVI 16. and XXI 5. And the 400. begin from Isaacs birth as was shewed on Gen. XV. 13. By day in a Pillar of a cloud The Pillar of a cloud by day and of fire by night chapter XIII verse 21 may seem to be two Pillars Exod. XIII 21. 22. Nehem. IX 12 19. Num. XIV 14. Or rather seeme to be one Pillar Exod. XIV 19 20 24. Spread as a cloud by day to cover them from heat and gathered up into a Pillar of fire by night to guide them Out of which God spake unto them Psal. XCIX 7. Num. XII 5 10. Deut. XXXI 15. See the Annotations on Esay IV. 5. Migdol A strong City or Fort chapter XIV verse 2 situate in the territory of Bethshemesh in Egypt not farre from the Red-sea Num. XXXIII 7 8. Jer XLIV 1. Before the Testimony This command for Aaron to lay up the Pot of Manna before the Lord chapter XVI verse 34 was performed by him in laying it not before the Testimony not at this time of the Command here but after the Ark and two Tables of the Covenant were made Exod. XXXIII 29. and Ch. XXXVII 1 c. An Omer The Omer and Ephah here seeme quite altered in that Visionary New State of Israel chapter XVI verse 36 Ezek. XLV 11. Unlesse Gnomer and Chomer be two several measures which I rather incline unto and conceive the truth to be this That 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Exod. XVI 36. is the tenth part of an Ephah as is there set down whereunto accords that ver 16. it being the measure of the eating of Manna sufficient for a man by the day But 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ezek. XLV containes ten Ephahs or Baths both being of the same measure v. 11. and 14. And hereunto accords that Esay V. 10. where one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for so the word is there written as it is in Ezek. XLV yeelds but one Ephah i. e. the tenth part of the seed it being a judgement of famine there denounced See also Levit. XXVII 16. And this may serve for the better explication of my Annotations upon that place of Ezekiel contained in the second Edition of the great Annotations printed 1651. Rock Rocks twice smitten chapter XVII verse 6 this Rock Exod. XVII 6. And that water going likely into the Red Sea and so failing them in the 32. Station at Ezion-gaber Upon their new murmuring another Rock was smitten 39 years after Num. 20. 1 13. And both called the waters of Meribah Went up Moses nine or ten times goes up to the Lord on Mount Sinai chapter XIX verse 3 See Exod. XIX 3 7 8 10 14 20 21 25. and Ch. XX. 21. and Ch. XXIV 3 12 13 15 18. and Ch. XXXII 7 15 30. and Ch. XXXIII 6 7 21. and Ch. XXXIV 2 29 34. Moses spake This speech verse 19 not mentioned what it was But seems to be that recorded Heb. XII 21. Priests So verse 22 v. 24. These Priests probably seeme to be the fathers of the families The young men Exod. XXIV 5. might possibly be of those Primogeniti or First-borne which God first challenged to himself within one quarter of a year before Exod. XIII 2. and Ch. XXII 29. And for them the Levites were taken in afterwards Num. III. 12 13 40 41 45. and Ch. VIII 18. Or else such as Moses pleased to imploy in slaying and dressing at least of these Sacrifices Called young men likely as those servants of the King of Assyria are called in the Original young men 2 King XIX 6. An Altar These Altars mentioned in this verse chapter XX verse 24 and v. 25 26. were allowed and appointed for the time much differing from those by appointment made when the Tabernacle and Temple were erected and builded Exod. XXVII 1 c. 2 Chron. IV. 1. Of Altars see more on Levit. XVII 3. In the seventh In the Seventh and Sabbatical year chapter XXI verse 2 beginning in September as the Iubile did The Book of the Law was to be read publikely and solemnly in the beginning of that year The Land was to rest from Culture Lendings vouchsafed to poor Hebrews and then due were to be released and intermitted if not clean remitted Luke VI. 35. Hebrew servants both men and women though bought if not redeemed before were to go out free if themselves would and that liberally furnished Exod. XXI 2 7. and XXIII 11 16. Levit. XXV 4 5 6 7 20 21 22. Deut. XV. 1 18. Jer. XXXIV 14. Who hath betrothed her to himself The Hebrew Text hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying Not chapter XXI verse 8 and so runs thus Who hath not betroathed her But the Hebrew Criticks commonly called Masorets put for
Ps. 81. 3 Esay 1. 13. Yearly at Feasts 3. Solemn of Passeover and Unleavened bread Lev. 23. Weeks Deut. 16. Tabernacles Deut. 16. Others for one day viz. of First-fruits Lev. 23 9. 15. Blowing of trumpets Lev. 23. 24 25. Fast of expiation Lev. 16. and ch 23 27. 32. Incident occassions more Extraordinary as at the Consecration of Aaron and his sonnes Lev. 8. Exod. 29. and ch 40. See Aarons first-offerings Lev. 9. Levities Numb 8. Dedication of the Altar Numbers 7. 10 88. Ordiâ—â— Purification and cleansing of Women after childe-birth Lev. 12. 13 14 15. chapters Leper Lev. 12. 13 14 15. chapters Men in their issues Lev. 12. 13 14 15. chapters Women in theire 〈…〉 Lev. 12. 13 14 15. chapters 9. Day Nadab and Abihu offer Incense with strange fire and are slaine Levit. X. 11 12 13. Dayes Seeme those Lawes given from the Lord to Moses and Aaron touching Beasts Fishes Fowles clean and unclean Ch. XI Moses for Purification of Women in child-birth Ch. XII Moses and Aaron for Leprosies their cleansings Ch. XIII XIV For issues of men and women their cleansings Ch. XV. 14. Day Celebration of the Passeover Num. IX whether the Feast of unleavened Bread for seven dayes was added hereunto is not expressed After the death of Nadab and Abihu Moses receives Lawes from the Lord touching the High Priests coming into the most Holy Place once a year to make an Atonement on the tenth day of the seventh moneth And the maner of it Ch. XVI Place of Sacrificing And touching Blood Ch. XVII Unlawful mixtures and Lusts and other sins And the Punishments of them Ch. XVIII XIX XX. Priests their Holinesse Honour and cleansing Ch. XXI XXII Feasts Ch. XXIII Oile and Lamps And Shew-bread Ch. XXIV 1 9. Shelomiths sonne blasphemeth Ch. XXIV 10 14. Thereafter Moses receiveth Lawes from the Lord touching Blasphemy and Murder Chap. XXIV 15 23. Sabbath-year and Jubile Ch. 25. Idolatry and Religiousnesse with Blessings and Curses Ch. XXVI Vowes and Tythes Chap. XXVII For the better understanding and remembring of this Book And specially of the Offerings and Sacrifices therein contained The Table ensuing and the Directions thereof may give some part of help and furtherance though the same be not in all points perfect and compleat Sacrifices then are of a Divine Institution And were indeed practised by Adam and his children and in all ages But by Moses enlarged with many Observations Circumstances and Prefigurations contained in them Yet not principally commanded nor so much as Morall duties of Piety and Honesty 1 Sam. 15. 22. Psal. L. 5 16. Marke XII 33. Hos. VI. 6. Matth. XII 7. as Joel II. 13. Esay I. 11. and Jer. VI. 20. Amos V. 21. Jer. VII 21 22 23. Of the Cattell The kindes of Beasts and Birds verse 2 for Sacrifices were Oxen Bullocks Sheep Lambs Rams Goats Turtle-Doves young Pigeons The Sparrow or living Bird mentioned Levit. XIV 4. in the cleansing of the Leper was not properly a Sacrifice These Creatures for Sacrifice were of common use for mans sustenance maintenance And so were lawfull to be eaten in civill and common use Deut. XIV 4 26. and Ch. XII 15 21. And they were easie to be had As also Bread Flower Cakes Wafers Wine Salt Oile Frankincense used most in the Meate and Drink-offerings And such likewise are Water Bread and Wine in our Sacraments See Levit. I II III IV. Ch. and Ch. VII v. 11 12 13. A Burnt-Sacrifice In all Burnt-Offerings verse 3 and in such Sin-Offerings whereof any of the Blood was to be brought into the Tabernacle of the Congregation to reconcile withall in the holy place and also in Meat-Offerings of and for a Priest all was to be burnt to the Lord There was nothing left to be eaten by any Levit. I. and Ch. VI. 22 23 30. In all other Sin-Offerings and Trespasse-Offerings besides the fat and kidneys burnt to the Lord All the Flesh was the Priests and to be eaten by him and his And so in all other Meat-Offerings Levit. VI. 16 17 18 26 29. and Ch. VII 6 7 9 10 14. In the Peace-Offerings the Wave-breast and heave or right shoulder were the Priests to be eaten by him and his And the rest of the Flesh belonged to the bringer of the Peace-Offering to be eaten by him and his Levit. VII 31 32 33 34. and v. 15 21. The Levites had no part in any Offerings Burnt-Offerings used for Sinne-Offerings in Jobs time Job XLII 8. At the doore Killed there Because thither it was lawful for the Offerer or Bringer of it to come that he might put his hand upon the head of the Sacrifice Lev. I. 3 4. and III. 2 8 13. and IV. 15 24 29 33. Leaven Leaven generally forbid in Meat-Offerings chapter II verse 11 except in those two mentioned Lev. VII 13. and Ch. XXIII 17. Confesse chapter V verse 5 This Confession of sinne differeth altogether from the Popish Sacramentall Confession That soul shall be cut off from his people This Punishment as it is awarded here against the eating of the flesh of the Peace-Offering chapter VII verse 20 for him who hath any Legal pollution upon him so it is against such who are not circumcised Gen. XVII 14. who eate leavened bread during the Feast of the Passeover Exod. XII 15 19. who do any work on the Sabbath-day Exod. XXXI 14. who eate of the fat of Beasts of which men offer Sacrifices Levit. VII 25. who eate Blood v. 27. and Ch. XVII 10 14. who bring not the Sacrifice to the doore of the Tabernacle to be killed there not elsewhere Levit. XVII 4 9. who eate of the Sacrifice of Peace-Offering on the third day Levit. XIX 8. who give of their Seed to Moloch Levit. XX. 2 3. or kill not such a sinner v. 4 5. who go a whoring after Wizzards and such as have familiar spirits v. 6. who commit incest v. 17. or lie with a woman in her sicknesse v. 18. who goeth unto the holy things which the children of Israel hallow unto the Lord having his uncleannesse upon him Levit. XXII 3. who doth any work or is not afflicted on the Fast-day of Atonement Levit. XXIII 29 30. who keep not the Passeover Num. IX 13. who sinne presumptuously Num. XV. 30 31. who being unclean do not purifie themselves Num. XIX 13 20. who being idolaters come to a Prophet to enquire concerning the Lord Ezek. XIV 8. This kinde of punishment hath variation of phrases in the expressions in Scripture thus shall be cut off utterly cut off cut off from Israel from the Congregation of Israel from among the Congregation in the sight of their people from the midst of my people cut off from the earth cut off from my presence which likely do import various kindes and degrees of punishments according to the nature of the sinnes spoken to in them How farre this phrase advanceth the Jewish Excommunication I leave to further consideration The
unclean might eate of common meats as the child-bed-woman Levit. XII But in no case of Sacred meats as Leviticus VII 20. Fat the Fat of other cleane Beasts then of such as were fit for Sacrifice verse 25 was allowed to be eaten Levit. VII 25. The Fat also of the flesh or body of the beast sacrificed might lawfully be eaten Neh. VIII 10. Esay XXV 6. and LV. 2. But the Fat or Suet that was about the flanck and the kidneys or about and upon the entrails Levit. III. 3 4. was reserved out of all Sacrifices as Gods portion to be burnt upon his Altar Levit. III. 15 16. and IV. 8 10. and XVII 6. Deut. XXXII 38. 1 Sam. II. 15 16. And is forbidden therefore to be eaten by any Levit. III. 17. and XVII 23 25. Take Aaron On the same day chapter VIII verse 2 36. that is the first day of the first moneth of the second year Moses began to consecrate and anoint the Tabernacle Altar and all things belonging to them As also Aaron and his sonnes Exod. XL. 1 17. Levit. VIII 1 36. Anointed Aaron and all his sons were at first anointed verse 12 v. 30. Num. III. 3. XXXV 25. Psal. CXXXIII 2. Not the Levites And the High-Priest onely was anointed afterwards Exod. XXIX 29 30. Levit. XVI 32. We read oft of the Anointing of Kings 1 Sam. X. 1. XVI 13. 2 Sam. 11. 4. 1 Kings I. 39. 2 Kings IX 6. XXIII 30. Psal. LXXXIX 20. But never of Prophets That of Elisaeus 1 Kings XIX 16. seemes not to have beene done with material oile see ver 19. As neither that of Hazael to be King of Syria compare 1 Kings XIX 15. with 2 Kings VIII 13. nor that of Absolon 2 Sam. XIX 10. nor that of Cyrus Esay XLV 1. there being no such custome of oiling Kings in his Countrey But anointing in those places is taken simply without that Ceremony for designing them to their Offices Burned Moses at the Consecration of Aaron verse 1 and his sons Sacrificed with Common Fire See ver 20. 21 28. But upon Aarons first Sacrificing fire came out from before the Lord out of the Sanctuary or came down from heaven rather Levit. IX 24. which must never after be suffered to go out Nadab and Abihu Nadab and Abihu took Strange or Common Fire chapter X verse 16 and not fire from the Altar of Burnt-Offering which was sent from heaven to burne Incense therewith before the Lord on the Altar of Incense as the dayly duty required at or before the dayly morning Sacrifice But fire from the Lord as Num. XVI 35. that is from heaven or the Sanctuary or from the Altar of burnt-Offering like lightning strook them with sudden death not consuming their bodies or their coats Levit. X. 4 5. Some Names of some Beasts chapter XI and Birds and Fishes as also of some Trees and Apparel and some other Hebrew words having no mate in Scripture are to us now and so to the modern Jewes of uncertain signification See also the Annotations on Esay III. 18 23. and on Jer. XVII 3. Hoof The Beasts verse 3 dividing the hoof that is into two clawes and also chewing the cud were clean and to be eaten See ver 26. Deut. XIV 6. Fins Fish here we meet with a phrase of a flesh of fish verse 9 Levit. XI 11. and Num. XI 22. as well as 1 Cor. XV. 39. that had Fins and Scales were likewise cleane and to be eaten Deut. XIV 9 10. Come not The High-Priest must enter into the most Holy place but once in the year chapter XVI verse 2 on the tenth day of the seventh moneth Levit. XVI 29 34. Exod. XXX 10. Heb. IX 7. That is for his Priestly Ministration and Expiation And then he was to be cloathed not with the glorious garments which were peculiar to the High-Priest but with those which were Common to him with the inferiour Priests Levit. XVI 4. as being a day of Humiliation and Afflicting the soul Levit. XVI 29. Yet upon other necessary occasions he might enter in at other times as at the taking down and setting up of the Tabernacle in their removals and journeys in the Wildernesse And when they took thence the Arke upon severall occasions as Josh. VI. 4. 1. Sam. IV. 3. Not to the doore No Sacrifices must be offered chapter XVII verse 3 9. but by Priests nor killed by any but the Priests except in some extraordinary Cases by the Levites but never by the Bringer for whom it was offered Nor was it to be offered at any other place but upon the Altar of Burnt-Offering at the Tabernacle Levit. XVII 3 9. Yet upon Extraordinary and necessary Occasions God commands Deut. XXVII 5 6 7 8. And holy men of Prophetical spirits though not Priests did Sacrifice and for a present time and use did make and use other Altars as Samuel 1 Sam. VII 9 17. and Ch. XI 15. and Ch. XVI 2 5. And David 2 Sam. VI. 13. and XXIV 18 25. And Solomon 1 King VIII 64. And Elijah 1 King XVIII 32. And Gideon and Manoah See Judg. II. 5. and VI. 26. and XIII 16 19. and XXI 4. Blood Blood to make an atonement for their souls Levit. XVII chapter II 11. As a Type of the Messias his Blood Rom. 3. 25. Ephes. I. 7. Col. I. 14 20. Heb. IX 12 22. which is the principal cause of the prohibition of the eating of Blood Defiled The dignity and estimation of the Priest chapter XXI verse 11 and principaly of the High-Priest See v. 4 7 8 9 15. and v. 21 23. is remarkable Burnt The Capitall punishments among the Jewes verse 9 were Burning Gen. XXXVIII 24. Levit. XXI 9. Josh. VII 15. Stoning Levit. XX. 2 27. and 24. 14 16 23. Hanging Num. XXV 4. Deut. XXI 22. And in after-times by example of the Romanes Crucifying and Beheading as in our Saviour and John Baptist. Superfluous In a Freewill-Offering chapter XXII verse 23 the Sacrifice which had something Superfluous or lacking in his parts was accepted To the Feasts chapter XXIII Levit. XXIII are added the Feasts of the New-Moones Num. XXVIII 11 15. 1 Chron. 23. 31. 2 Chron. II. 4. and Ch. VIII 13. The Feast of Purim Esth. IX 17 19 22 26 28. And of that Dedication John X. 22. Sabbath Sabbath is called Sabbath of Rest or Rest of Rest and so verse 3 v. 32. And Sabbath sometimes signifies besides the seventh day weekly other Feast-dayes also as Levit. XXIII 11 24 32 39. And sometimes the whole week as Levit. XXIII 15. Luke XVIII 12. John XX. 1. Of the Sabbath-day see the Annotations on Jer. XVII 21 22 24 27. The seventh moneth The seventh moneth had as many Feasts in it verse 24 as all the year almost beside Levit. XXIII Deut. XVI And the only set Fast-day Of blowing of Trumpets The Feast of blowing Trumpets was the first day of the seventh moneth Beside the Feast of the New-Moone Levit. XXIII v. 24. And
in his time by divine warrant doth distribute them for the service of the Temple into three sorts to three several Functions and Offices One was to Attend the Priests and to be helpful and subservient unto them in their several Services Of these there are sundry Orders set down 1 Chron. XXIII and XXIV Chapters A second to solemnize the Service of God with all maner of Musick by Voice and Instruments both winded and stringed The third sort was to be Porters Of whom 1 Chron. XXIII 5. and Ch. XXVI and 2 Chron. XXIII 4 5 6 19. and XXXV 15. Their Orders are set down 1 Chron. XXV These three Sorts being divided by Lot into twenty four Orders or Courses as the Priests were That the first Course of these might attend with the first Course of the Priests and leave the Temple when they left it The Levites also had other Offices over the Treasures of the house of God and of the Dedicate things and for the outward businesse over Israel for officers and Judges in all businesse of the Lord and in the service of the King 1 Chron. XXVI 20 32. over divers Tribes See further 1 Chron. XXIII 28 32. Even those Levites numbered males from thirty years old to fifty are 8580. Upon which reckoning there was then one such Levite for every seventy such males in Israel In Davids time the Levites besides the Priests from thirty years old to fifty were 38000. 1 Chron. XXIII 3. She The Blessing of conceaving Seed verse 28 seemes to be promised to the innocent Wife chapter V though barren before upon the triall of her innocency in the case of her Husbands jealousie We read not that the man in like case was subject to like triall yet we finde that the Wife could divorce her Husband Mar. X. 12. Woman Women might be Nazarites chapter VI verse 2 Num. VI. 2. And such likely was Sampsons mother Judg. XIII 4. The word Nazarite signifieth one that is separate And the name Pharisee is of the same signification And of these Nazarites some were for a certaine time of moneths or years at their own choice by their own special vow as Acts XVIII 18. and Ch. XXI 24. Of whom these Lawes here are chiefly to be understood Some for terme of life as Sampson Judg. XIII 5. and so Samuel 1 Sam. I. 11 28. And John Baptist Luke I. 15. Our Saviour was not a Nazarite as hath beene commonly mis-conceived out of a mis-translation and mis-understanding of that text Matth. II. 23. Offered At the Consecration of the Tabernacle chapter VII verse 1 9. there were two Waggons and four Oxen given to the Gershonites for carriage Four Waggons and eight Oxen to the Merarites Num. VII 7 8. as they had the more need The Kohathites Levites were to carry upon their shoulders Num. VII 9. 2 Sam. VI. 6. 1 Chron. XV. 2 13 15. And what it was see Num. III. 31. and IV. 15. The Priests Aaron and his sonnes being so few were not then to Carry but to Cover Num. IV. ver 5 15. Deut. XXXI 25. But afterwards growing more in number they onely were to carry the Arke as Josh. III. 3 6 8 13 14 15 17. and IV. 3 9 10 11 18. and ch VI. 4 6. and 2 Sam. XV. 29. and not very rarely as some writing on Josh. III 3. and on 1 Chron. XV. 15. do conceive Altar The Altar of Burnt-Offering had seven dayes spent for the Consecration and Expiation of it to sanctifie it verse 10 as it was appointed by God Exod. XXIX 37. As likewise for Ezekiels Altar Ezek. XLIII 18 27. Yet twelve dayes spent at the Dedication of it Num. VII Silver charger The silver Vessels of Chargers and Bowles verse 13 were for the Altar of Burnt-offerings All Vessels of and in the Sanctuary were of Gold Exod. XXXVII From off the Mercy-seat Moses hears the voice of one speaking to him from off the Mercy-seat Num. verse 89 VII 89. As the Lord promised Exod. XXV 22. Whereas formerly the Lord spake out of the Tabernacle of the Congregation Levit. I. 1. Num. I. 1. Take the Levites The Consecration of the Levites was done in one day chapter VIII verse 6 22. That of the Priests in seven dayes Which was so appointed Exod. XXIX 35. and so executed Levit. VIII 33 35. Certain men chapter IX The Passeover of the second moneth is extended to more dayes then are here mentioned verse 6 or v. 10. As in Hezekiah's time 2 Chron. XXX 2. 15. Priests The blowing of Trumpets is to be used by the Priests alone chapter X verse 8 Num. X. 8. 2 Chron. XXIX 26. And that in Convocating Assemblies in journeying through the wildernesse in going forth to warre Num. X. 2 9. and Ch. XXXI 6. 2 Chron. XIII 12 14. in the first day and tenth day of the seventh moneth Num. XXIX 1. Levit. XXV 9. in the New Moones Num. X. 10. Psal. LXXXI 3. In all their solemne Feasts over their Burnt-Offerings and Peace-Offerings Num. X. 10. And upon Extraordinary Occasions of Fasts and Humiliations Joel II. 1 15 Or of Joy and Gladnesse Num. X. 10. as when David brought in the Arke to the place which he had prepared for it 1 Chron. XV. 24 28. And appointed Priests to minister before it 1 Chron. XVI 6 42. And when Solomon brought the Arke into the Oracle he mightily had multiplied the number of Trumpets and had 120 Priests sounding them at that Solemnity 2 Chron. V. 12 13. And at the Dedication of the Temple the Priests sounded Trumpets 2 Chron. V. 12. and VII 6. As also at the laying of the foundation of the second Temple by Zerubbabel Ezra III. 10. And the Dedication of the Walls of Jerusalem by Nehemiah chapt XII 35. And in Hezekiâ—h's joyful Reformation 2 Chron. XXIX 26 27 28. Besides there were civil Trumpets for civil use sounded by others then Priests As in Warre Judg. VII 2 Sam. II. 28. At the Coronations of Kings as of Solomon Jehu and Joash And upon other occasions The Levites used other Instruments of Musick and not Trumpets 1 Chron. XV. 19 20 21. and Ch. XVI 5. 2 Cron. V. 12. and Ch. VII 6. and Ch. XXIX 25 26 27 28. And used them and song at the daily Sacrifices and all Festival Sacrifices 1 Chron. XXIII 30 31. And haply in the night 1 Chron. IX 33. Psal. CXXXIV 1. On the The Israelites journeyed from Mount Sinai verse 11 in the second year second moneth twentieth day having stayed there in that their twelfth Station a year within thirteen dayes Exod. XIX I. See v. 12. Deut. I. 6 7. Hobab Jethro or Hobab verse 29 32. a Kenite the sonne of Revel or Raguel a Midianite and father-in-Law of Moses comes to Moses to Horeb and brings to him his wife and two sonnes And Moses upon his counsel appointing very many Rulers and Judges over the people Jethro returnes into his own Land Exod. XVIII Deut. I. 9 18. He rather then his
11 12 17 18 26. and Ch. XIV 22 26. And this second Tythe seems every third year to be distributed to the poor Or rather a third Tythe every third year not carried to Jerusalem and eaten there But gathered for these charitable uses onely and to be eaten any where throughout the Land Deut. XIV 28 29. and XXVI 12 13. And this third year is therefore called the year of Tything Deut. XXVI 12. Amos IV. 4. Of Tythes see more 2 Chron. XXXI 4 19. Nehem. X. 32 39. and XII 44 47. and XIII 5 12 13. Mal. III. 8 10. Luke XI 42. and XVIII 12. Heb. VII 2 9. The great maintenance of the Levites appears in that the whole Tribe of Levi being three or four times lesse in number then any other Tribe yet had they distinguished from all the Priests the Tythes of all the Tribes and so more then any one other Tribe Besides their thirty five Cities and Suburbs whereof five were Cities of Refuge Josh. XXI one belonging to the Kohathites Levites two to the Gershonites and two to the Merarites In all twice at least more Cities then some other Tribes had that were twice their number See also that Num. XXXI 30 47. The greater maintenance of the Priests appears in that being but three persons at first at least of ripe and mature age yet they had the Tythes yearly of all the Levites Tythes which were at first 8580 of thirty years old and upwards and so about the hundred part of all the fruits and increase of all Israel And as the numbers of the Priests multiplied afterwards so did in all probability the number of the other Tribes They had also all the First-fruits of all things from all persons throughout the twelve Tribes even of their doughs and bakings Deut. XVIII 4. Num. XV. 20 21. which as some think exceeded their Tythes aforesaid They had also all the First-borne of Oxen Sheep and Goats which were given to them in kinde And the Redemption money of the First-borne of Men and of unclean Beasts and cattell Num. III. 46 52. Exod. XXXIV 19. 20 and Ch. XXII 29 30. Deut. XV. 19. They had also all Oblations both Voluntary and by Vow And the Redemption of Things and of Persons Devoted to God And all Sacrifices for Sinnes and for Trespasses and the Meat and Drink Offerings and Heave-offerings And the Breast and Shoulder in Peace-offerings Deut. XVIII 3. And the Skins of the whole Burnt-offerings And all their Tythes First-fruits and Oblations were to be of the best and choisest sorts Num. XVIII 12 29. Besides these they had thirteen Cities and Suburbs and Priviledges belonging to them whereof one was a City of Refuge Josh XXI 13. See Num. XVIII 8 19. And that also Num. XXXI 28 29 37 38 39 40 50. Levit. X. 12 13 14 15. and Ch. XXVII 21 28. See the Annotations on Num. XVIII 29. Rock At Rephidim by Mount Sinai chapter XX verse 8. 13. Exod. XVII 1 7. being the eleventh Station of the Israelites Num. XXXIII 14. Moses with his miraculous Rod struck the Rock in Horeb in a due obedience to Gods commandment and waters came forth And he named the place Massah and Meribah Exod. XVII 5 6 7. But at Kadesh in the Wildernesse of Zin where Miriam died being the thirty third Station Num. XXXIII 36. Moses with Aarons miraculous Rod for he took it from before the Lord as he commanded him having his spirit provoked by the rebellious people smiles the Rock twice without any such command or commission to smite at all And he and Aaron likewise speak unadvisedly with their lips uttering words of passion and incredulity and so rebelling against Gods commandment And thereupon they not sanctifying the Lord in the eyes of the children of Israel He was sanctified in them by his excluding them from entrance into the Land of Canaan And this also is called the water of Meribah or Strife as here so Ch. XXVII 14. Psal. CVI. 32 33. Aaron Aaron chapter XX verse 28 whose name may seem to signifie an Ark or Chest dies seven moneths and seven dayes before Moses at Mount Hor the Place called Mosera Deut. X 6. in the thirty fourth Station For Aaron dying in the fourtieth year fifth moneth first day Num. XXXIII 38. And that compared with the moneths mourning for Moses Deut. XXXIV 8. and three dayes preparation to passe over Jordan Josh. I. 1. and Ch. III. 2. And their coming out of Jordan on the first moneth tenth day Josh. IV. 19. Do shew that Moses died in the twelfth moneth seventh day And so seven moneths and seven dayes after Aaron In which short interval of time many and mighty things were done and atchieved as among other things Sihon and Og and their Kingdomes conquered the Midianites almost destroyed among whom Balaam was slaine Josh. XIII 22. and the book of Deuteronomie written Num. XXI and XXXI Deut. I. 1 3. Fiery Serpents onely in the later part of the fourtieth year chapter XXI verse 6 after Aarons death Heshbon Heshbon a chief City in Moab verse 26 afterwards of Sihon King of the Amorites Deut. I. 4. afterwards of Gad and out of that Tribe given to the Merarites Josh. XIII 26. and XXI 38 39 40. 1 Chron. VI. 80 81. Afterwards recovered by the Moabites and wasted by Shalmanesar Esay XV. 4. and XVI 8 9. and after by the Babylonians Jer. XLVIII 45. There may seeme to be another Heshbon of the Ammonites Jer. XLIX 2 3. And one in the Tribe of Reuben Num. XXXII 37. Josh. XIII 15 17. Heshbon signifies Devises And an allusion is made to the name Jer. XLVIII 2. in the judgement there denounced against it like to this is English There is mischief devised against the Devises the name of a town with us Balak Balak needed not to have hired Balaam chapter XXII verse 2 and feared Israel Num. XXII and XXIII and XXIV if he had known the prohibition of God to Israel Deut. II. 9. which they obeyed Judg. II. 15 17 18 25. 2 Chron. XX. 10. Yet that part which was great of the Lands of Moab which Sihon had lately conquered from Vehab King of Moab as Tremelius translates Num. XXI 26. the Israelites conquering Sihon in that right possessed it Num. XXXIII 49. Deut. I. 5. and XXXIV 1 5 6 8. and it was given to the Reubenites and Gadites Josh. XIII Unicorne So Deut. chapter XXIII verse 22 XXXIII 17. Job XXXIX 9 10. Psal. XXII 21. and XXIX 6. and XCII 10. Esay XXXIV 7. Yet the translation of the word is doubted of or at least the nature of the beast such as the Pensil of our Painters doth portray out unto us because no such beast was known or seen by any man And the Unicornes horne so deemed is of some strange Fish not of any known Beast Some learned render the word Bufale or Buff or else the wild Oxe called by the Latines Urus eminent for bignesse strength hornes and untamable fiercenesse
Neh. XIII 23. A reason is given Deut. VII 4. Neh. XIII 26. Exod. XXXIV 16. The mischief of that marriage between Jehoram the sonne of Iehoshaphat King of Iudah and Athaliah the daughter of Ahab King of Israel is recorded 2 King VIII 18. Yet in case they became Proselytes Converts to the true Religion the marriage with all of them seemes lawful as in that case Deut. XXI 10 13. And in the case of Rahab and Ruth of the wife of Ioseph in Egypt of the wife of Moses of Maacah the daughter of the King of Geshur with David and of Pharaohs daughter with Solomon And this made Iacobs sonnes propound or pretend the condition of Circumcision to Shechem and the Shechemites Gen XXXIV 14 15 16. In the New Testament we read the prohibition 2 Cor. VI. 14. And the precept 1 Cor. VII 12 16. which rules touching Infidels seeme to serve for the case of grosse Hereticks and Apostates Against unlawful marriages see more Iudg. III. 6 7. and XIV 2 3. 1 King XI 2. Ezra IX and X. Chapters Neh. X. 30. and XIII 3 30. Rayment The rayment waxing not old on the Israelites in the Wildernesse chapter VIII verse 4 was a Miracle sufficient though it grew not greater still with the growing children Deut. XXIX 5. Neh. IX 21. This day Is taken somtimes properly somtimes as for a short time here Somtimes for a longer time indefinitely as Hester I. 18. And the Phrase since yesterday and the third day is sometimes taken properly or for a short time Gen. XXXI 2 5. Exod. IV. 10. and XXI 36. 2 Sam. III. 17. Iob. VIII 9. Sometimes for a long time 1 Sam. XIV 21. and XIX 7. 2 King XIII 5. 1 Chron XI 2. As likewise to morrow is taken sometimes for a short time as 1 Sam. XXVIII 19. Sometimes for a long time as Josh. IV. 6 21. Sometimes for never Iosh. III. 4. 1 Sam. IV. 7. Of to day and to morrow see Iosh. XXII 18. and IV. 6 21. Esay XXII 13. Matth. 6. 30. 1 Cor. XV. 32. Arke Besides that famous Arke for the Tables of the Covenant chapter X verse 1 4. Exod. XXXVII 1 c. There seemes here one formerly made for present use wherein the Tables by Gods commandment were first put And possibly this Arke with the Tables might be put into that famous Arke built afterwards Exod. XXXVII Deut. X 5. Journey These verses seeme to be as a Parenthesis inserted by Moses verse 6 9. And their journeys summarily mentioned v. 6 7. are more distinctly and orderly recorded Num. XXXIII 30 39. without any coming or returning again and again to one and the same place Altars Idolaters had their Priests chapter XII verse 3 Temples Altars Tables Lavers Pillars Groves Oaks Statues Images of wood stone and mettals carved graven molten in Cities and Townes in streets in fields and gardens in houses and on their tops in Gods house in chambers behinde the doores by rivers and rocks and caves upon high mountains and hills and valleys and under green trees with their several sorts of Scrifices and burnings even slaying their children to them Jer. VII 31. XIX 5. Ezek. XVI 20 21. and XX. 26 31. Feasts Incense costly cloathes and other services of them See Deut. VII 5. and XII 31. and sundry other places as Esay I. 29. and LVII 4 5 6 7 8. and LXV 3 4 11. and LXVI 3. Amos II. 8. 1 Cor. VIII 10. and X. 21. Jer. X. 9. XVII 2. And see their eager rage after idolatry Ezek. XVI 15 25 26 28 29 30 31. A poor man Private poor rather then publick beggars were chapter XV verse 7 11. and still will be among Gods people Matth. XXVI 11. For ever Ever hath reference verse 17 sometimes to a long time indefinitely Exod. XXI 6. 1 Sam. I. 22. and XXV II. 12. 2 King V. 27. 2 Chron. XIII 5. Psal. XXXVII 18 27. and LXXXIX 1 Esay XIII 20. and XIV 20. and XXV 8. and XXXIII 20. and XXXIV 10. Jer. VII and XVII 4 25. and XXV 5. and XXXI 40. and XXXV 19. and L. 39. and LI. 26 62. Lam. V. 20. Sometimes to the terme of a mans life 1 Kings I. 31. Dan. III. 9. Josh. 8. 28. Gen. XLIII 9. 1 Sam. I. 22. 1 Chron. XXVIII 4. Psal. XXXVII 27 29. and CXIX 44 98. Esay XXXII 17. Sometimes to the year of Jubile As in this Text and Exod. XXI 6. compared with Levit. XXV 40. Sometimes to so long as the conditions annexed to a thing are observed 2 Chron. XX. 7. 1 Sam. II. 30. Sometimes to the continuance of a State of politie Num. X. 8. See the Annotations on 1 Kings VIII 13. Sometimes to the Time and Coming of the Messiah 1 Chron. XV. 2. and XVII 12 14 22 23 27. and in many places of the Prophets Sometimes to eternity Exod. III. 15. and XV. 18. Deut. XXXII 40. Luke I. 33. And so never is taken sometimes for a long time sometimes for almost all times of a mans life Luke XV. 29. Sometimes for a mans life 2 Sam. XII 10. Sometimes for eternity The flock and the herd Oxen chapter XVI verse 2 Kids Sheep and Bulloks were used in the Feast of the Passeover that is in the Feast of Unleavened bread the bread of affliction for seven dayes Exod. XIII 6 7. Num. XXVIII 16 24. 2 Chron. XXXV 7 8. 9. and Ch. XXX 24. All which Festival time is called the Passeover and so Joh. XVIII 28. A Lamb or a Kid might be used for the Passeover properly so called on the fourteenth day at the going down of the Sunne Exod. XII 5. Deut. XVI 6. A matter too hard As Judges and Officers were to be appointed in all Cities in Canaan chapter XVII verse 8 13. Deut. XVI 18 19 20. So here the highest Court of Judicature over the whole Land in difficult Causes and for matters of Appeal was appointed to be in that one place which the Lord should choose which in after-times appeared to be the City Jerusalem And here it is not sure and evident whether this Supreme Court were to be one mixt of the Priests and the Civil Judge joyntly Or though this not so likely two distinct Courts Ecclesiastical and Civil both Supreme in their kinde Judgement of death was awarded upon presumptuous disobedience to their Sentence And more of this Supreme Court Moses doth not deliver Yet upon this the Jewes in after-ages grounded their great Sanhedrin in Jerusalem and not upon the LXX Num. XI For those were onely added to assist Moses in his troublesome government of that unruly Campe of the Jewes in the Wildernesse as likewise those Rulers and Judges Exod. XVIII The Priests due Of the very great maintenance of the Priests verse 3 see on Num. chapter XVIII XVIII 24. Three Cities more Three other Cities of Refuge chapter XIX verse 9 over and above the six here allowed and conditionally enjoyned Yet we never read more of them that they were separated and set out
and Bathshebah are mentioned Now there being four hundred and eighty years from the coming of the children of Israel out of Egypt to the Building of the Temple in the fourth year of Solomon 1 Kings VI. 1. whereof fourty years were spent in the wildernesse and seventy in Davids life time 2 Sam. V. 4. and four in Solomons reigne The Remaining time between Rahabs receiving the Spies and Davids Birth must be 366. which may and must be made up in some such reckoning as this viz. Supposing Rahab to be eighteen years old when she received the Spies and sixty six when she did bear Boaz to Salmon then of necessity must Boaz beget Obed and Obed beget Iesse and Iesse beget David each about the age of 106. Which well considered evidenceth and evinceth these two things 1. That the years of the six Oppressors in the times of the Judges Ch. III. 8 14. and IV. 3. and VI. 1. and X. 8. and XIII 1. which amount to 111. years cannot be reckoned distinct and apart But are to be included within the years of the Judges and of the Rest of the Land For otherwise the years between Rahabs receiving the two Spies and Davids birth would rise to 477. which cannot be true And secondly that the years 480. which is that famous Link of time 1 King VI. 1. cannot possibly be forced to any more then 480. much lesse to 580. as some learned men of late would have it and contrary to that sacred text 1 King VI. 1. which never received any veriâ—â—s Lection and contrary to the clear evidence and notation of paâ—â—â—cular times set down in Scripture which exacty make up that summe of 480. as was now shewed viz. fourty in the Wildernesse seventeen in Ioshuah's Government 299. in the Judges times eighty in Eli Samuel and Sauls times fourty in Davids and four in Solomons Ark The Ark here leads the way before the hoast chapter III verse 3 into Iordan and Canaan without any more mention of the Pillar of Cloud and Fire Two thousand Cubits The distance of two thousand Cubits from the Ark verse 4 Josh. III. 4. was on either side of it and seemes to be the same distance that was kept from it in their Campings or Pitchings and in their Journeyings in the Wildernesse And may well be deemed to be the Sabbath-dayes journey mentioned Acts I. 12. Comparing together John XI 18. and Luke XXIV 50. Rose up upon an heap When the Israelites passed through Jordan verse 16 the waters were not as a wall unto them on the right hand and on the left as likely they were when Elias and Elizeus divided them with a mantle 2 King II. 8 14. And as certainly the waters of the red-sea were Exod. 14. 21 22. But God stopped the waters of the river that came down from above and they stood and rose upon an heap very farre from the City Adam And thereupon those waters that came down from Adam to the Salt and Dead Sea and Lake of Sodom and Asphaltites did run away failed were cut off Midst The often mentioning the midst of the river of Iordan to be the place where the Priests feet stood bearing the Ark of the Lord verse 17 the place where twelve stones were erected and the place whence twelve stones were taken to be set up in Gilgal Iosh. III. 17. and IV. 3 5 8 9 10 18. doth induce me to take the word midst in its proper signification having no maner of inconvenience in it for so doing rather then to transferre it to the Channel close by the further side and banck Passed over The place of their passage over Jordan chapter IV verse 1 may seeme to be called afterwards Beth-barah in the Tribe of Reuben beyond Jordan Judg. VII 24. And Bethabara John I. 28. not Bethania as the Trent-Bible erroneously there hath it where John baptized Jesus as well as others And Betharabah seemes to be a City not farre from the Passage on the other side a City of Benjamin bordering upon Judah Josh. XV. 6. 61. and XVIII 22. Though some not so rightly place the foresaid town higher upon the river more then twenty miles above Adam and farre off from the border of Judah At this Passage the Altar Ed seemes to be builded in the Tribe of Reuben Josh. XXII 11. Twelve men Reuben verse 2 and Gad are here included in the twelve though their Possessions were beyond Iordan And of these two Tribes and half Manasseh about fourty thousand armed men passed over Iordan to the warre ver 13. which were yet but a few more then one third part of their military men Num. XXVI 7 18 34. The rest stayed behinde for their many necessary occasions Came up They came over Iordan verse 19 on the tenth day of the first moneth were Circumcised the eleventh And did eate the Passeover on the fourteenth Ch. V. 2 10. Both which were omitted in the wildernesse at least since the Returne of the twelve Spies and after that Passeover at Mount Sinai Num. IX 5. See Iosh. V. 5 7. And on the XVI day Manna ceased ver 12. The second time Not that these were Circumcised once before chapter V verse 2 See ver 7. It was neglected or omitted many years for some reasons And at this time upon many reasons renewed and again injoyned by God See the Annotations upon this text Gilgal Of this place verse 9 see the Annotations on Hos. IV. 15. A man This Captain of the Lords hoast verse 13 was not Gabriel or any other created Angel but Michael the Archangel Iude 9. Michael the great Prince of Gods people Dan. X. 21. and XII 1. the Angel of the Covenant Mal. III. 1. Christ the Sonne of God Appearing here and sundry other times in the shape of man as a foregoing presage and prologue to typifie his future Incarnation And this appeareth by Ioshua's Adoration of him as his Lord Jehovah Ch. VI. 2. and by His acceptance of it which an Angel would have refused Apoc. XIX 10. by his Commanding Joshua to put off his shoes because the place was holy like to that Exod. III. 5. Not that the Place was capable of any inherent holinesse in it self but hallowed by Gods holy presence in it and in that relation onely so esteemed and which ceased so to be when his Presence was withdrawn from it This Captain instructs Joshua about the maner of besieging and conquering Jericho Ch. VI. 2 5. Seventh day chapter VI The Sabbath-day must needs be one of the seven wherein the Camp of Israel did march round about the walls of Jericho verse 4 if not the seventh wherein they compassed the Citie seven times and took it And this by the command of him who is the Sovereigne Lord of the Sabbath Priests shall blow with the Trumpets Priests not Levites And Priests not Levites carry the Ark. See the Observations on Num. X. 8. and on Ch. VII v. 1 9. Achan Achan is called also Achar chapter VII
wildernesse and seven of Joshua's Government untill this time And Caleb here ver 9 14. And Joshua Ch. XIX 49 50. did both aske and both had certain inheritances given them two according to the word of the Lord. The City and Suburbs of Hebron were given to the Priests for a City of refuge The fields and Villages thereof to Caleb Ch. XXI 11 12 13. Caleb Not that Caleb chapter XV verse 16 1 Chron. II. 18 42. the sonne of Hezron unlesse by sonne we understand great-grand-childe But Caleb that is constantly called the sonne of Jephunne And Othniel constantly called the sonne of Kenaz are here yet called brethren And Othniel is again called the younger brother of Caleb Judg. I. 13. and III. 9. which could not be except by one mother But Othniel marrying the daughter of Caleb ver 17. And cosen-germans Nephews and the like being often called brethren in Scripture It is likely that either Iephunne and Kenaz were brethren and so Caleb and Othniel cosen-germans or that Caleb and Kenaz were brethren and so Othniel Calebs Nephew or that the Kenezite mentioned Num. XXXII 12. might be Grandfather to them both But no certainty appears for any further determination Separate The bordering Cities of the children of Ephraim chapter XVI verse 9 were between or among the inheritance of the children of Manasseh See also ch XVII 8 9. And as Ephraim had part in Manasseh so Manasseh had Cities in Issachar and in Asher ch XVII 11. The Portion Ten portions to Manasseh chapter XVII verse 5 that is five portions to the five sons mentioned ver 2. And the portion of the sixth son who was Hopher was divided into five portions among his grandchildren the daughters of Zelophahad which so made up ten portions though the five last were but as big as one of the former five One lot Both Ephraim and Manasseh seek for a larger portion and Lot then what did befall them in the General Division verse 14 Shiloh Shiloh was on the North-side of Bethel chapter XVIII verse 1 on the East-side of the high-way from Bethel to Shechem on the South of that Lebanon Judg. XXI 19. And so situated on the border between Ephraim and Benjamin yet belonged to Ephraim not to Benjamin Judg. XXI 1 21. There was the Tabernacle as was formerly said There were the Lots cast for seven Tribes Josh. XVIII 8. Thence were the two Tribes and a half dismissed to their Possessions after the warre Josh. XXII 9. And thither were the whole Congregation of Israel gathered to go up to warre against them upon a wrong surmise concerning the Altar Ed ver 12. Thither came all the other Tribes to aske counsel of the Lord in their warre against the Tribe of Benjamin and there was their Camp Judg. XX. 18. and XXI 12. and XIX 18. Thither came Elkanah and Hannah to worship and Samuel ministred there before the Lord 1 Sam. I. 3. and II. 11. and III. 21. And there the Prophet Ahijah dwelt in the dayes of the first Jeroboam 1 King XIV 2. Tabernacle The Tabernacle coming over Jordan was first set up in Gilgal Not that Gilgal of the Nations Josh. XII 23. Gen. XIV 1. Esay IX 1. whence haply Galilee might take its name But that Gilgal in the Tribe of Benjamin Josh. IV. 19 20. Afterwards in Joshua's time it was set up here in Shiloh in the Tribe of Ephraim near the Center of the Land which was by Sichem Ch. XXIV 1 25 26. And Bochim Judg. II. 1 5. may seeme to be conjoyned to it It may seeme to be fetched thence for a present use to that solemne Assembly at Shechem in Joshua's time Ch. XXIV 1 26. But being returned to Shiloh it continued there above three hundred years at least till the death of Eli 1 Sam. I. 3 9 24. and II. 14. and III. 3 21. and IV. 3. It may seeme to be again at Gilgal with the Ark in Samuel and Sauls time 1 Sam. X. 8. and Ch. XI 15. But soone after we surely finde it to be at Nob in the Tribe of Benjamin near Anathoth Neh. XI 32. when David came thither in his flight from Saul 1 Sam. XXI 1 9. After that sacrilegious slaughter of eighty five Priests by Saul at Nob 1 Sam XXII 18. it was soon removed in the dayes of David to Gibeon in the same Tribe of Benjamin and not farre from Bethel the City first of the wily Gibeonites Hivites but after given to the Priests Josh. IX and ch XXI 17. See 1 Chron. XVI 39 40. and XXI 29. and 2 Chron. I. 3 5 6 13. 1 King III. ver 4 5. And lastly when Solomon had built the Temple he brought the Tabernacle thence to Jerusalem 1 King VIII 4. 2 Chron. I. 3 5 6 13. and ch V. 5. And placed it likely in and among the Treasuries of the Temple For the Ark see the Observations on 1 Sam. IV. 3. Tabor A Mountain in the Tribe of Issachar chapter XIX verse 22 or bordering on it near to Mount Carmel See Joshua XIX 26 34. Here Barak was with his ten thousand men against Sisera Judg. IV. 6 12 14. See more of this in my Annotations on Hos. V. 1. Tyre Called the strong City verse 29 whence it hath its name Tsor in Hebrew signifying a Rock situate like Venice in the Sea A famous Port and Mart-town in Phoenicia the lower part of Syria whence the whole Countrey is supposed to take the name of Syria omitting the letter t in Tsor More of this see in my Annotations on Amos. I. 9. Bethshemesh A City in the Tribe of Naphtali verse 38 ver 32. and 39. Judg. I. 33. Another in the Tribe of Judah given to the Priests Josh. XXI 16. 1 Chron. VI. 59. 1 Sam. VI. 12. 2 King XIV 13. Another also in Egypt Jer. XLIII 13. the same as is supposed with On Gen. XLI 45. by the Greeks called Heliopolis and now Damiata The word signifies a City or House of the Sunne As also Kirharesheth a City in Moab Esay XVI 7. hath the same denomination And all because of Temples and Idol-service used there by the ancient inhabitants to the Sunne From which the Jewes sometimes were not altogether free 2 King XXIII 5 11. Cities of refuge The sixe Cities of refuge belonged to the Levites chapter XX verse 2 that is Hebron and Shechem to the Koathites Golan and Kedesh to the Gershonites Bezer and Ramoth to the Merarites Josh. XX. and XXI Chapters In Galilee Galilee is often mentioned in the Old Testament verse 7 See ch XXI 32. 1 King IX 11. 2 King XV. 29. 1 Chron. VI. 76. Esay IX 1. Galilee divided into the Upper in the Tribe of Naphtali and the Lower in the Tribe of Zabulon verse 11 both coasting about the beginning of Jordan The Upper is called Galilee of the Gentiles because both Populous and replenished with many Gentiles as lying nearest to them 1 King IX 11. Matth. XV. 21. Mar. VII 31. And so is Harosheth
called Harosheth of the Gentiles Judg. IV. 2. as lying in that Tribe of Naphtali Thirteen Thirteen Cities with their Suburbs in title and dominion given to the Priests Josh. chapter XXI verse 19 XXI 4. See the Annotations on 1 Chron. VI. 59. Though one of them at that time was too much for their present use and habitation we reading but of three of them in number about fifty years before this time Called The two Tribes and a half dismist chapter XXII verse 1 likely at the end of sixe or seven years before the Division of the Land and stayed not fourteen yeers till after the Division which Division might yet possibly be made sooner then so Josh. XX. 11. Divide This Dividing the spoile with their brethren verse 8 those that stayed at home beyond Jordan seemes to relate to that Num. XXXI 27. And David seemes hereupon to revive and enact that Law of like Division 1 Saem XXX 24 25. Mention of the name The not naming of Idols is mentioned chapter XXIII verse 7 as here so Exod. XXIII 13. Deut. XII 3. Psal. XVI 4. And a like Ephes. V. 3. Yet the thing in it self is not simply and absolutely unlawful Shechem Shechem was a City in Mount Ephraim chapter XXIV verse 1 Josh. XX. 7. North-North-East from Shiloh and Bethel and close by Mount Gerizim and Ebal Judg. IX 7. Here Abraham and Jacob had sojourned And Jacobs two sonnes Simeon and Levi young men upon Dinah's ravishment murthered the Citizens Gen. XXXIV Here after Gideons death the Citizens worshipped Baal-Berith and rebelled with Abimelech and were after punished and spoyled by him Judg. IX This City in Ioshua's time was made a City of Refuge and given to the Kohathite-Levites Iosh. XXI 21. And here Ioshua made a Covenant with all the people to serve the Lord Chap. XXIV ver 25. The Mount Ephraim whereon the City stood was famous for Burials Here they buried Iosephs bones in Shechem in a parcel of ground which Iacob bought of the children of Hamor or Emor Josh. XXIV 32. Acts VII 16. Gen. XXXIII 19. Here was great Ioshua himself an Ephraimite buried in his inheritance in Timnath-Scrah or Here 's which is in Mount Ephraim on the North-side of the hill Goash Josh. XXIV 30. Judg. II. 9. And here was the High-Priest Eleazar buried in an Hill that pertained to Phineas his son which was given him in Mount Ephraim Josh. XXIV 33. Here Deborah dwelt Judg. IV. 5. And Tola the Judge ch X. 1. Hither came Rehoboam to be made King But Jeroboam was there made King in his stead who built or fortified the City and dwelt there 1 King XII 1 20 25. Judges THE Book of JUDGES contains an History not of four hundred and ten years but of two hundred ninty and nine years So Counting the years of the VI. Oppressors within the years and times of the Judges as I have shewed they necessarily must upon Rahabs marriage with Prince Salmon Josh. II. And so Expounding the Texts following according to the truth of the times thus That the Land had Rest by Othniel in the fourtieth year after it was first settled in Rest by Ioshua at his Death Judg. III. 11. not after the Death of Moses And again had Rest by Ehud in the eightieth year after the former Rest by Othniel Ch. III. 30. And again had Rest by Deborah in the fourtieth year after the former Rest by Ehud Ch. V. 31. And again had Rest by Gideon in the fourtieth year after the former Rest by Deborah Ch. VIII 28. These make up two hundred years And then follow three of Abimelech twenty three of Tolah twenty two of Jair sixe of Jephthah seven of Ibzan ten of Elon eight of Abdon twenty of Sampson which make np the other ninty nine years in all two hunded ninty nine The text Judg. IV. 3 4. seemes to accord with rhis reckoning and to accompt Jabins Oppression within the years of Deborah But yet counting beside these the times of the VI. Oppressors distinctly over and above which amount to one hundred and eleven years and is according to the seeming letter of the texts And then fourty years of Eli being added thereunto the summe ariseth to those 450. years mentioned by Paul Acts XIII 20. But reading the words of Saint Paul as in order they stand there in the Original and after these things about four hundred and fifty years he gave them Judges untill Samuel the Prophet we may rather conceive the four hundred and fifty years to comprehend all the time from the choosing of the Fathers till the Division of the Land by Joshua it being four hundred fifty two from the Birth of Isaac and four hundred fourty seven from the Rejection of Ishmael both wayes about four hundred and fifty wherein those things mentioned ver 18 19 20. were done and accomplished And after that time he gave them Judges until Samuel the Prophet And after that time He gave them Kings And thus the most learned Primate of all Ireland hath it in his learned Annals This Book seemes written of and concerning the Judges as the Book of Ruth concerning Ruth And long after their times As may seeme to be gathered by those phrases remaine unto this day and the like Ch. I. 21 26. and VI. 24. and X. 4. and XV. 19. And Ch. XVIII 30. must needs have relation at soonest to the captivity of the Arke in the dayes of Samuel 1 Sam. IV. 17. Psal. LXXVIII 60 61. Asked They asked the Lord chapter I verse 1 by Phineas the High Priest who by Urim and Thummim makes answer Num. XXVII 21. Both which were on or in the Breastplate and the Breastplate was annexed to the Ephod Exod. XXVIII 28 30. and XXXIX 21. which made David call for the Ephod and High Priest thereby to enquire of the Lord 1 Sam. XXIII 9 10 11 12. and Ch. XXVIII 6. So Ezra II. 63. See more on 1 Sam. XXIII 9. Bezek Bezek a City in the tribe of Iudah verse 4 not farre from Ierusalem lying from it South-West and midway between 〈◊〉 and Bethlehem Adoni-Bezek verse 5 Of him see on Iosh. X. 1. Said verse 7 seventy Kings His seventy Kings subdued and mangled by him must needs be very pettie Kings of Provinces or Cities if not such Princes as are now in Germany where all the brethren of a Prince are called Princes likewise And these seventy were such as in the time of all his reigne and tyranny Adoni-bezek had subdued He was brought from Bezek to Ierusalem to be made a publike example there Ierusalem Iudah had taken Ierusalem verse 8 slaine the inhabitants and burnt the City i. e. that part of it which belonged to Iudah Iosh. XV. 8. yet so as the Jebusite still dwelt therein with the children of Iudah ver 63. even till Davids time 2 Sam. V. 6 7 8. And Benjamin did the like and no more with their part of Ierusalem Judg. I. 21. yet both had little hold in it
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
This Reformation and Covenant made verse 8 and Passeover kept chap. XXXV 19. And yet from this or rather from the twelfth year above mentioned begins that reckoning of the sinne of Iudah Ezek. IV. 6. For under so good a King yet the people continued obstinately wicked as appears in Ieremie who began to prophesie in the thirteenth year of Iosiah's reigne Ier. I. 2. and XXV 3. and ch III. 6. And Iosiah only caused and made them outwardly to obey 2 Chron. XXXIV 32 33. the Houses The Houses of the Priests which adjoyned to the Temple and of the Levites which adjoyned to the Courts Levites Scribes 1 Chron. verse 13 XXIV 6. Ezra VII 6. 21. Neh. VIII 9. and chap. XII 26. and XIII 13. See the Annotation on 1 Kings IV. 3. More fully thus we read in the Old Testament of severall persons that were Scribes some Scribes of Kings or their Secretaries So David had one And Solomon two Ioash one 2 Kings XII 10. Iosiah one 2 Kings XXII 3. Of Ionathan Davids Uncle that he was a Counseller a wise man and a Scribe 1 Chron. XXVII 32. And of Baruch that he was Ieremies Scribe And of families of Scribes that dwelt at Jabez in the tribe of Iudah and were of the posterity of Iethro 1 Chron. II. 55. But why so called or what their Office was whether as Publike Notaries Scriveners or Transcribers of the Law or what else it appears not Here in Iosiah's time we finde that in his businesse of repairing the house of the Lord there were appointed of the Levites Scribes And in Nehemiah's time he made Treasurers over the Treasuries in the Lords House Shelemiah the Priest and Zadok the Scribe And in his time also was that famous Ezra a Priest sonne of the High Priest Serajah slaine by Nebuchadnezzar and the same a ready Scribe in the Law of Moses a Scribe of the Law of the God of Heaven of the words of the Commandments of the Lord and of his Statutes to Israel and the same a publick Reader and Teacher of the Law In the New Testament we finde them much more mentioned and to be of more esteeme and themselves affected Preheminence and precedencies Mark XII 38 39. Here they are often joyned with the Chief Priests and Elders and often with the Pharisees They pretended to extraordinary holinesse as the Pharisees did whence is that Matth. V. 20. and Acts XXIII 9. They were of the Pharisees part against the Sadduces Yea he that is called a Scribe Marke XII 28. the same is called a Pharisee and a Lawyer Matth. XXII 34 35. We read not that they were of the Sect of the Sadduces or Essenes But we finde them to joyne with all the rest to question to pose and oppose our Saviour to entangle and insnare him by Questions to charge his miracles to be done by Belzebub Himself with Blasphemy to apprehend and binde him to condemne him in the Councel to deliver him to Pilate to accuse him before Herod to prosecute him to death to mock him upon the Crosse. And we finde that these Scribes sate in Moses-chair Matth. XXIII 2. and were Preachers and Teachers of the people Mat. VII 29. and XIII 52. And likely were all of the tribe of Levi. rent his clothes See the Annotations on 2 Kings XXII 8. verse 19 Huldah the Prophetesse See the Observations on Zeph. verse 22 III. 4. The High Priest Hilkiah is here sent to her she being an extraordinary Prophetesse so near at hand Put the holy Ark It might be put out of his place chapter XXXV verse 3 in the dayes of his wicked father if not of his grandfather Passeover-Offerings So ver verse 8 9. in the Feast of Unleavened bread for the seven dayes After all this Thirteen years after the foresaid Passeover verse 20 that being in the eighteenth and this in the thirty one and last year of his reigne by Euphrates Heb. Phrat or Prat or Perath the fourth river in Eden Gen. II. 14. usually called the River and the great River made one of the Boundaries of the Promised Land Gen XV. 18. Deut. 1. 7 and chap. XI 24. Iosh. I. 4. 2. Chron. IX 26. Cut by Cyrus into severall Channels when he lay in siege before Babylon which stood upon it and so by him much dreyned and dried Ier. L. 38. See 1 Chron. XVIII 3. Ier. XIII 4. and chap. LI. 63. Apoc. IX 14. and Chap. XVI 12. See on Dan. IV. 30. Megiddo See the Annotations on Zech. verse 22 XII 11. to carrie him But he died by the way chapter XXXVI verse 6 Jer. XXII 18 19. Eight years old when he He was eighteen when himself began to reigne verse 9 2 Kings XXIV 8. And but eight then when his father began to reigne The like relative sense may that speech admit 2 Kings XVI 2. no remedy Desperate sinners procure implacable wrath verse 16 irrevocable exterminating judgements Kingdome of Persia See the Observations on the beginning of the Book of Ezra verse 20 threescore and ten years For the beginning of these verse 21 see the Annotations on Dan. IX 2. rather then those on Zech. VII 3. yet many learned are of the later opinion Ezra THE Book of Ezra contains an History of seventy years viz. from the first of Cyrus or his Proclamation chap. I. 1. to the seventh year of Artaxerxes Longimanus upon this Accompt viz. Cyrus seven Cambyses seven Smerdis one Darius Hystaspis thirty six Xerxes twelve of Artaxerxes Longimanus seven where Ezra end Or premising two of Darius Medus before Cyrus it comes to seventy two The four last Chapters containe the History but of that one year concerning Ezra which was in that seventh year of Artaxerxes See chap. VII 7 9. and chap. VIII 15 21 31 32 33. and chap. X. 8 9 16 17. But the six first Chapters are extended by some otherwise learned men yet upon lesse probable grounds to a farre larger scope of time even to one hundered thirty eight or one hundred fourty five years And they end the Book with the nineteenth year of Artaxerxes Mnemon which seemes cleane contrary to the Text chap. VII 7 8. For the clearer knowledge of divers things in this Book as likewise in Nehemy and Esther A Catalogue of the Persian Monarchs and of the years of their Reignes is very useful which out of the best Authors with very little variation may be as followeth  years Darius Medus 2 Cyrus 7 Cambyses 7 Smerdis 1 Darius Hystaspis 36 Xerxes 12 Artaxerxes Longimanus 48 Xerxes 1 Sogdianus 1 Darius Ochus seu Nothus 19 Artazerxes Mnemon 43 Darius Ochus 23 Arsen 3 Darius Codomannus 5 And so the Persian Monarchy continued two hundred and eight years or there about In this Book of Ezra there is mention made of six Persian Monarchs first of Cyrus chap. I. 1. secondly of Darius ch IV. 5. thirdly of Ahasuerus chap. IV. 6. fourthly of Artaxerxes chap. IV. 7. fifthly of another Darius chap. IV. 24. and
25. Ier. IX 17. Ezra IX 3. Ester IV. 1 3. and VI. 12. Iob I. 20. II. 12. XLII 6. Esay XV. 2 3. and LVIII 8. Jer. II. 37. and VI. 26. and XIV 3 4. and XVI 6 7. and XXV 34 Ezek. XXIV 17. and XXVII 30. Micah I. 10 16. Amos V. 16. Nahum II. 7. Luke XVIII 13. Lam. I. 17. Ier. VII 29. and IX 17 18. XIV 3 4. XVI 6 7. XLI 5. XLVIII 36 37. Lam. III. 48. Ezek. VI. 11. VII 18. In the Observations and Explanations upon this Book as also upon Daniel and the twelve small Prophets I am the briefer because that portion fell to my share in the last Great English Annotations to which in many things I shall now refer thee Ezekiel EZEKIEL like as Ieremie was both Priest and Prophet Being carried captive with Jehojacin He prophesies in Chaldea And calling that His captivity as was said he makes it his Epocha and from thence begins the accompt and reckoning of years in all the distinct times of his several Prophecies throughout his Book Thus In Jehojacins Captivity In the V. Year fourth moneth fifth day He begins to Prophesie chap. I. 2 3. And so continues on in the seven first chapters with some other short Notations of Times soone following chap. III. verse 15 22 27. and chap. IV. v. 5. VI. Year sixth moneth fifth day 420. dayes from the former time chap. I. v. 2. He was carried in a Vision to Jerusalem chap. VIII 1 2 3. chap. IX chap. X. chap. XI 24. And thereafter doth continue on Prophesying to the twentieth chapter VII Year fifth moneth tenth day 335. dayes from that time chap. VIII 1. He was consulted by the Elders And thereupon Prophesied Chapters 20 21 22 23. IX Year tenth moneth tenth day when the siege of Ierusalem began 2 Kings XXV 1 2. He Prophesied Chapters 24 25. X. Year tenth moneth twelfth day Against Pharaoh and Egypt Chap. XXIX v. 1 17. XI Year first moneth though some think the fifth fifth day against Tyrus Chapters 26 27 28. v. 1 20. Zidon chap. XXVIII v. 20 26. First moneth seventh day Against Egypt chapter XXX v. 20 26. Third moneth first day Against Egypt chap. XXXI Fourth moneth ninth day The Citie taken Jer. LII 5 6. 2 Kings XXV 2 3 4. Fifth moneth tenth day Nebuzaradan burnt the Temple and Citie Jer. LII 12 13. XII Year tenth moneth fifth day The newes brought to Ezekiel And then he Prophesied chap. XXXIII v. 21 33. and chapters XXXIV XL. Twelfth moneth first day Against Egypt ch XXXII 1 16. Fifteenth day Against Egypt chap. XXXII v. 17 32. and chap. XXXIII 1 20. XXV Year first moneth tenth day He hath that large Vision chapters XL. XLVIII XXVII Year first moneth first day Against Egypt chap. XXIX v. 17 21. and chap. XXX v. 1 19. The Glory of the Lord Appearing By Chebar ch I. 3 28. In the Plaine chap. III. 22 23. In Jerusalem ch VIII 4 and c. X. 15 20 22. Departing by degrees chap. VIII 3 4 5 6. and IX 3. and chap. X. 3 4 5 18 19. and chap. XI 22 23. Returning chap. XLIII 2 3 4. The Measures mentioned in the Description of Ezekiels Visionarie Temple and Division of the Land chap. XL. XLVIII are Calamus and Cubitus the Reed and the Cubit The length of the Reed is defined chap. XL. 5. and XLI 8. That of the Cubit is more usualy known adding that chap. XLI 8. and XLIII 13. See more of these in my Annotations upon Ezekiel XL. 5. among those large Annotations upon the Bible printed Anno 1651. By the Cubits are measured the Gates East North South of the Exterior and of the Inner Courts with their Posts Porches Arches and Chambers The Courts and the Pillars and Chambers about them The Tables Chambers of the Singers and of the Priests and the Porch of the House chap. XL. The several Parts Places and Chambers of the Temple and of the Separate Place chap. XLI The North-Chambers and South-Chambers before the Separate Place ch XLII The Altar of Burnt-Offerings chap. XLIII And the waters chap. XLVII 3. By Reeds besides a few other parts chap. XL. 6 7 8. there is or seemes to be Measured The Wall about the outmost Court five hundred Reeds on each side of that square Court ch XLII 15 20. Which if Literaly understood it makes the Temple and all Holy Building about it and the Courts of it to be bigger then Solomons Temple and all the Citie of Jerusalem with it But if we understand by five hundred Reeds Reeds of five hundred Cubits that is making up five hundred Cubits on each side of that Square Court as Tremelius doth And indeed the Suburbs of it are named to be fifty Cubits â—ound about chap. XLV 2. Then we shall bring that Sacred Visionarie Building into a spacious yet reasonable and proportionable quantity But with a very harsh as it seemes translation of the words of the sacred Text. And as for that Oblation of the Land offered to the Lord that Holy Portion for the Priests and for the Levites and that Land for the Citie of Jerusalem and Suburbs and Use of it being in all 25000. square mentioning neither Reeds nor Cubits chap. XLVIII 20. And the Princes Portion of Land lying on the outside of it East and West chap. XLVIII 21. If we take that great Square to be so many Reeds as most do with very great probability in this Visionarie Division We shall so make that Visionarie Square to be as big as the whole Land of Canaan But if we understand it of Cubits we shall bring it to be about the compasse of twenty five miles on each side of the square and so leave a proportionable quantity of Land for the twelve Tribes chap. XLVIII stand upon thy feet set me upon my feet chapter II verse 1 2. God with the command gives the power and act of performance And so Grace and Regeneration is both Gods Fromise and Work Ezek. XI 19 20. and XVIII 31. with chap. XXXVI 26. and chap. XI 19. land of Pathros A Province in Egypt chapter XXIX verse 14 chap. XXX 14. Jer XLIV 1 15. possessed by the Pathrusim or Pathruses which were of the lineages of Mitsraim or Egyptus Gen. X. 14. 1 Chron. I. 12. Likely the same with Thebais higher and further up in the Countrey the Noph Esay XI 11. Lybia Heb. chapter XXX verse 5 Phut or Phuth or Put. These Lybians were of the same race with the Ethiopians Gen. X. 6. 1 Chron. I. 6. Seated in Africa to the West of Egypt Lybia These were in Africa and came of Lud the sonne of Mizraim and grandchild of Cham Gen. X 6 13. Ger. XLVI 9. The Lydians in Asia or Anatolia came of Lud the sonne of Shem Gen. X. 22. Esay LXVI 19. See the Annotations on Ezek. XXX 5. Tehaphnehes Or Tahapanes verse 18 or Tachapanes Tapanhes or Tachpanches and the same as it seemes in a contracted forme Hanes or Chanes
They served under the Assyrian Monarchs Salmanesar and Sennacharib and under the Babylonian Nebuchadnezzar against the people of God Esay XXII 6. And therefore are judgements denounced against them by the Prophets Jer. XXV 25. and chap. XLIX 34 38. And they became afterwards Gods instruments to execute his vengeance upon the Babylonians and to deliver his people from their bondage and captivity Esay XXII 6. and XLI 2 25. and XLIV 28. and XLV 1 c. and XLVI 11. and XLVIII 14. See more in the Annotations on Esay XIII 17. Uphaz Where the finest gold seemeth in those times to have beene chapter X verse 5 Jer. X. 9. This some suppose to be the same with Paz or Phaz Job XXVIII 17. Psal. XXI 3. Esay XIII 12. and Mupaz 1 Kings X. 18. 2 Chron. IX 17. Some take it to be Phez in Africa Hosea HOSEA Prophesied in the dayes of four Kings of Judah and seven Kings of Israel from Vzziah of Judah to Hezekiah and from Ieroboam the second of Israel to Hosheah when after that the two Tribes and a halfe had beene carried captive by Tiglath-Pilesar King of Assyria in the dayes of Pekah 2 Kings XV. 29. 1 Chron. V. 26. All the rest of Israel was captivated and that Kingdome extirpated by Shalmanesar in the dayes of King Hosheah Hos. X. 7 15. 2 Kings XVII 6. and chap. XVIII 10. But of him and the rest of the small Prophets see more at large in my Annotations upon them in the large Annotations upon the whole Bible printed Anno 1651. He was sent chiefly to Israel And begins to Prophesie Destruction to them even when they were in the height of their prosperity under Ieroboam the second Among other reasons of Gods vengeance upon the house of Jehu for the blood of Jezreel chapter I verse 4 this might be one That his Commission against the house of Ahab stretched not to slay King Ahaziah of Judah and his brethren 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Most commonly taken illatively for Therefore chapter II verse 14 yet sometimes in a discretive notion for Notwithstanding Neverthelesse Yet as here and Esay VII 14. and XXX 18. and LI. 21. Ier. XVI 14. and XXX 16. Ezek. XXXIX 25. nor sweare chapter IV verse 15 The Lord liveth Swearing and this Forme of swearing is lawful It is a part of our duty and Gods worship to sweare when we are lawfully thereunto called and warranted Esay XIX 18. Psael. LXIII 11. But not in our ordinary communication Matth. V. 34 37. Iaâ—es V. 12. Not upon vaine and light causes as Herods oath was to the dancing damsel Marke VI. 23. much lesse to be a bond to wickednesse as those Acts XXIII 12. to kill Paul But in necessary and weighty causes As for ratification of Covenants and promises of importance So did Abraham and Abimelech Gen. XXI 31. Isaac and Abimelech Gen. XXVI 31. Jacob and Laban Gen. XXXI 53. David and Ionathan 1 Sam. XX. 17. And so God commands it for removal of suspitions of jealousie Num. V. 21. of Theft Exod. XXII 11. 1 Kings VIII 31. 2 Chron. VI. 22. And so many men in Scripture upon weighty causes did lawfully require an oath So did Abraham of his servant Gen. XXIV 2. Jacob of Esau Gen. XXV 33. and of his sonne Joseph Gen. XLVII 31. Rahab of the Spies Josh. II. 12. Sampson of the men of Judah Judg. XV. 12. Saul and the Egytian of David 1 Sam. XXIV 21. and XXX 15. Nebuchadnezzar of Zedekiah 2 Chron. XXXVI 13. And many in like cases did freely and voluntarily give their oaths so Moses to Caleb Josh. XIV 9. David to Bathshebah 1 Kings I. 13. Gedaliah to the Remnant of Judah 2 Kings XXV 24. King Zedekiuh to the Prophet Jeremie Jer. XXXVIII 16. And so godly men to binde themselves the more to God and his service and good duties have sworne to the Lord. So David to finde out an house and place for Gods habitation Psal. CXXXII 2. So the Priests Levites and all Israel to reforme the strange Marriages Ezra X. 5. So King Asa and all the people entred into a Covenant to seek the Lord and they sware unto the Lord with a loud voice and with shouting and with Trumpets and with Cornets 2 Chron. XV. 12 13 14. Yea God himself is mercifully pleased so farre to condescend as to sweare unto men for the better assurance and confirmation of their faith in the truth of his promises Heb. VI. 13 18. So he sware to Abraham Isaac and Jacob Gen. XXIV 7. and XXVI 3. Exod. VI. 8. Luke I. 73. So to David Psal. LXXXIX 49 And sometime in wrath to ratifie his Threatenings against sinners So Psal. XCV 11. Heb. III. 11. In sacred accompt then is the Bond of an Oath Though it be taken to men yet it is called the Oath of God Eccles. VIII 2. Ezek. XVII 19. And why Because therein men call God to be both a witnesse of the truth and an avenger of the lie and breach of promise And so an Oath binds the soul with a Bond Num. XXX 2. It must therefore carefully be taken in truth in righteousnesse without rashnesse and in judgement upon just grounds in just causes Jer. IV. 2. In truth without equivocation or mental reservation And carefully kept yea though made to Heathens or Hereticks without Popish dispensations or relaxations We must fear an Oath Eccles. IX 2. fear to break it And therefore the godly man though he sweareth to his own hurt yet changeth not Psal. XV. 4. Though the Gibeonites beguiled Joshuah and the Princes of Israel yet say they we must let them live lest wrath be upon us because of the Oath which we sware unto them Josh. IX 15 19 20. And the breach of the matter of this Oath by Saul so long after we read punished sorely upon him in his sonnes 2 Sam. XXI 1 6. And of Gods fierce wrath against false Oaths and Oath-breakers we read more Exod. XX. 7. Levit. XIX 12. Jer. VII 9. and XXIII 10. Ezek. XVII 15 21. Hos. IV. 2 3. and X. 4. Zech. V. 3 4. and chap. VIII 17. Mal. III. 5. It bore a part in Peters sinne for which he wept so bitterly Matth. XXVI 74 75. Now the Forme of this swearing here Hos. IV. 15. is lawful It is taken in the Lords Name Gods Name is to be used in Oaths Deut. VI. 13. and X. 20. Psal. LXIII 11. Esay XLV 23. and LXV 16. Ier. XII 16. So Iacob sware to Laban by the Feare of his father Isaac Gen. XXXI 42 53. We must not sweare by false gods Iosh. XXIII 7. â—er V. 7. and ch XII 16. Not by Baal by the sinne and Idol of Samaria the manner of Beersheba by Malcham Against such swearers God threateneth his judgements Ier. V. 7. Amos VIII 14. Zeph. I. 5. Nor must we sweare by the Creatures as if they were God or we had power over them as our owne to pawne them on the truth of what we say Matth. V.