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§. I. Of diuers memorable places in the Tribe of Beniamin, whereof 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Gilgal, Mitspa, Bethel, Rama, Gobah and Gibha.

OF the Tribe of Beniamin, the twelfth and yongest [unspec 30] sonne of Iacob, whom hee had by Rachel, there were mustred at Mount Sinai 35000. able bodies: all which perishing in the Desarts, there entred the ho∣ly Land of their Issues 45600. fit to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Armes: and these had their Territory on this side Iordan, be∣tweene Iuda and Ephraim: The Cities within this Tribe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Iordan, are Lod, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and Ono: of which Lod and Ono were built by Shemed a Beniamite:* 1.1 they were all three reinhabited with Beniamites, after the returne out of Captiuitie, as is mentioned, Nehem. [unspec 40] 11. 35. and Esd. 2. 35. where Adrichomius reading Lod, Hadid, Ono, makes besides Ha∣did in Nehemia, a Citie called Lodhadid: This Hadid or Chadid was rebuilt by Simon* 1.2 Macchabaeus.

Samarim or Tsemaraim, named of Tsemary one of the sonnes of Canaan, was ano∣ther of their Cities; and further into the Land standeth lericho, one of the Topar∣chies, and the last of Iuda; seated in a most fruitfull valley, adorned with many palme* 1.3 trees: and therefore elsewhere called the citie of Palmes. From the time of IOSVA,* 1.4 who vtterly destroyed it, it lay waste vntill the time of Achab: in whose dayes Chel of Bethel laid the new foundation of it, in the losse of Abiram his eldest sonne, and built the gates of it in the losse of his youngest sonne Segub: according to the curse [unspec 50] of IOSVA: in which and other respects, Hos. 12. 14. calleth IOSVA a Prophet. In after-times it was destroyed by 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and rebuilt by Adrian.

To the Southeast of Iericho stood* 1.5 Halmon of the Leuites, of which Ios. 21. 18. To the South Betharaba, of which Ios. c. 15. and c. 18. Then that Gilgal of which there is

so much mention in the Scripture, where Iosua first ate of the fruits of the land, cir∣cumcised all those borne in the Desarts, and celebrated the Passeouer.

The reason of the name, or rather a memorable application of the Etymologie of this name (for it seemes by the place, Deut. 11. 30. that the name was knowne be∣fore the comming of the Israclites into Canaan) is noted Ios. 5. 9. Ob 〈◊〉〈◊〉 probri Aegyptiaci, because their fore-skinnes (the people beeing there circumcised) were tumbled downe the Hill: which from thence was called Collis praeputiorum. This Gilgal was also called Geliloth, as appeares by comparing the places, Ios. 15. 7. and 18. 17. for it was in the borders of Iordan, of which Ios. 22. 13. and Geliloth signifieth borders. * 1.6 It stood (though in some distance) directly Eastward, ouer against the [unspec 10] two Hills Garizim and Hebal: vpon the one of which the blessings, and on the other the cursings were to be read to the people, both beeing the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Ephraim. Further, for the situation of this Gilgal, it is to be noted, that both it, and Mitspa of Beniamin (of which also wee reade 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the Scripture) were seated about the midst of the length of the land of Canaan: for which reason * 1.7 Samuel chose these two places, to either of which hee came yeerely to giue iudgement to the Israelites; of which two, Gilgal (as is said) was neere Iordan on the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 side of this Tribe; and Mitspa neere the West Sea, towards the land of the Philistims.

The third place, which is named with these two, whither also Samuel vsed yeerely to come, is * 1.8 Bethel: which also was seated in this Tribe of Beniamin. But to re∣turne [unspec 20] to Gilgal which was the first place, where the Arke resided, after they past ouer Iordan (from whence it was carried to Silo, and thence to Kiriath-ieharim, & at length to Hierusalem) here in Gilgal it was that Iosua pitched vp the twelue stones, which were taken out of the channell of Iordan, when it was drie, that the Israelites might passe ouer it: by which Storie, as it is set downe Ios. 4. it appeares, that the same day that they passed ouer Iordan; they lodged at Gilgal. At the same Gilgal, to omit ma∣ny other memorable things, it was that Samuel hewed Agag the King of the Amale∣kites in pieces. And as for Mitspa, whither also Samuel came yeerely to giue Iudge∣ment, there also were often the greatest meetings held: as that for the reuenge of the Leuites wife against Gibha, and the Beniamites, Iud. 20. 1. and another against the Phili∣stims, [unspec 30] 1. Sam. 7. 12. Thither also Iudas Maccabaeus gathered the Iewes, (when 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was possest by the Heathen) as it is 1. Macc. 3. 47. in which place this reason of their meeting is added; Quia locus Orationifuerat Mitspaeanteà Israeli. Touching this Mitspa, to auoid confusion, it is to bee remembred, that the Scriptures mention foure places of this name: Mitspa of Iuda, of which Ios. 15. 38. * 1.9 Mitspa of Gilead, of which we haue spoken already in the Tribe of Gad: Mitspa of the Moabites, where Dauid for a while held himselfe, commending his parents to the King of Moab, 1. Sam. 22. 3. and lastly, this chiefe Mitspa of the Beniamites. And as in this place the chiefe meetings were held both before Hierusalem was recouered from the Iebusites, and also in the time of the Macchabees (as we haue said) when Hierusalem was held by [unspec 40] the wicked vnder Antiochus, so also in the time of Hieremie, after the destruction of the Temple by the Chaldeys, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whom Nabuchodonosor left in Iewry, as Gouer∣nour ouer those that were left in the land, held his abiding in this place: vntill (to the great hurt of the Iewes) he was slaine by the treason of Ismael, one of the royall bloud of Iuda, as it is Hierem 14.

Neere vnto this Mitspa, the * 1.10 Scripture mentioneth Beth-car, after called 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that is, the Stone of helpe: where Samuel pitched vp the pillar or Stone, for a Trophy against the Philistims.

Touching Bethel which (as it seemes) was the third place where Samuel held his chiefe meetings for the ministring of Iustice, that it was anciently called Luz, and [unspec 50] how it was taken by the issue of Ioseph (though it belonged to the portion of Ben∣iamin, as it is Nehem. 11. 31. and Ios. 18. 22.) and how another Citie called Luz * neere adioyning to it, was built by the man of the Citie which shewed the entrance to the Spies, as it is Iudg. 1. and of the occasion of the name from Iacobs vision: and how

Ieroboam, by erecting one of his calues heere, of Bethel (which signifieth the house of God) made it * 1.11 Beth-auen, that is, the house of Vanitie, Hos. 4. 15. and 10. 5. as also o∣ther memorable things of this place, they are so well knowne, out of the Histories of the Scripture, that we may well passe them ouer.

The territorie of Bethel, which at the first belonged to the Kingdome of the tenne Tribes, from the time of the great victorie of Abia against Ieroboam (of which 2. Chr. 13.) was taken from them, and adioyned to the Kingdome of Iuda: and so it con∣tinued, as appeares by the Storie of 〈◊〉〈◊〉: which performed the Prophecies against the altar of Bethel, 2. Reg. 23. whence those coastes 1. Macc. 11. 34. are called Aphae∣rema, which Greeke word signifieth as much as, A thing taken away, to wit, from the [unspec 10] tenne Tribes. It was one of the three Seigniories or Praesectures which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in his Epistle mentioneth, as added by him to the Dition of the Iewes, out of the Sa∣maritan Country. A part of it, as appeares 2. Chron. 13. 19. was Hephrauin, which Ios. 18. 23. is called Hophram, belonging to this Tribe of 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Not farre from this Bethel, in this Tribe, we finde three other Cities often men∣tioned in the Scriptures, Rama, Gibha, and Gebah. Of the name Rama, * 1.12 it is noted alreadie, in the description of Ephraim, that there were many townes so called, because of their high situation. But whereas they finde out Rama in the Tribe of Iuda (as it seemes because Mat. 2. it appeares that it bordered Bethlehem) and also out of Brochard and Breidenbach make Silo to haue beene called Rama, and finde yet [unspec 20] another Rama in Zabulon; these three haue no warrant in the Scripture. Of Rama in the Tribe of Asser, as it seemes, wee haue testimonie Ios. 19. 29. and of another in Nephthalim, Ios. 19. 36. of a third Rama, where Samuel dwelt in Mount Ephraim 1. Sam. 25. 1. which more often is called * 1.13 Ramatha, and 1. Sam. 1. 1. Ramathaim Tsophim: for which the Septuagint haue Aramathaim-sophim, taking the Article affixed in the be∣ginning, for a part of the word, whence they thinke Ioseph of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Matt. 27. 57. was denominated.

Of a fourth Rama we reade 2. Reg. 8. 29. which is Ramoth in Gilehad. The first, which is most often mentioned, is Rama of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, seated as wee said, neere Bethel the vttermost South-border of the Kingdome of the tenne Tribes: for which cause [unspec 30] Baasha in the time of Asa King of Iuda, fortified it, to hinder those that did flie from him to Asa. Of this Rama or Ramatha I should rather thinke Ioseph was, that buried Christ: because it was neerer to Hierusalem, and after the captiuitie belonged to 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as it appeares Esd. 2. 26. where in that it is ioyned with Gebah, it is plaine that he speaketh of that Rama with whose stones (after Baasha had ceased to build it) Asa (as it is 1. Reg. 25. 22.) built Gebah adioyning to it: both being in Beniamin. And as Rama was the South-border of the tenne Tribes, so was Gebah the North-border of the Kingdome of Iuda: whence 2. Reg. 23. 8. wee reade that Iosiah through all his King∣dome, euen from 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which was the North-border, to Beer-sheba which was the South-border, destroyed the places of Idolatry. [unspec 40]

The third Citie Gibha which was the Citie of Saul (the wickednesse of which Citie in the time of the Iudges had almost vtterly rooted out this Tribe) Adricho∣mius confounds with Gebah, making one of two (as they are euidently distinguished Esai. 10. 27. of which word * 1.14 Gibba, in another forme Gibbath, he imagineth Gabaath an∣other Citie in this Tribe, making two of one. The vicinitie of this citie also to Rama of Beniamin, appears Iud. 19. 13. where the Leuite with his wife not able to reach to Ra∣ma, tooke vp his lodging at Gibha. By that place of 1. Sa. 22. 6. it seemes that there was in this Gibha some towre or Citadell called Rama: where Iunius reades in excelso, for in Rama: but it may be that the name of the Kings place in this citie, was Rama: as it seemes that in Rama of Samuel, the name of the chiefe place where Samuel with the [unspec 50] Colledge of Prophets abode, was Naioth. The great Citie of Hai ouerthrowne by Ios. which Ios. 7. 2. is placed neere Beth-auen vpon the East of Bethel, was in this Tribe, as is proued Nehe. 7. 10. 30. though it be not named by 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 18. for it was burned by him and laid desolate, as it is Ios. 8. 28. In solitudinem in 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉; Another

Citie of chiefe note reckoned Ios. 18. 25. in this Tribe was Gibhon, the chiefe Citie of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉: whose cunning to bind the Israelites by oath to saue their liues, is set downe Ios. 9. whence they were reckoned among the* 1.15 Nethinaei or Proselites: and were bound to certaine publique seruices in the house of God: which oath of sa∣uing these Gibeonites broken in part after by Saul, was by God punished by a famine 2. Sam. 21. 1. This Gibeon or Gibhon with Almon and Iebah (of both which wee haue spoken) and with Hanothoth the natall place of Hieremie the Prophet, were said Ios. 21. 28. to be giuen to the Leuites by the Beniamites. Neere to this Hanothoth was Nob, as appeares. 1. Reg. 2 26. where 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Priest, which was of Nob before it was de∣stroyed by Saul, is sent to his grounds at Hanothoth: It is reckoned in the Tribe of [unspec 10] Beniamin, Nehem. 9. 31. and though in the time of Saul the residing place of the Arke was at Kiriath-icarim: yet by the lamentable tragedie of bloudshed, which Saul raised in this place (as it is set downe 1. Sam. 21. and 22.) in the iudgement of Iu∣nius, it is proued that the Tabernacle was there for a time.

Micmas also in this Tribe Nehem. 9. 31. was a place of fame, of which Esai. 10. 28. where also he nameth Gallim, and Migrom in this Tribe. In Micmas Saul had his Campe 1. Sam. 13. 2. (when he left Gibha to Ionathan) and there also was Ionathan Macchabaeus his aboad. 1. Macc 9. 73. Of Giscala in Galilee Iosephus makes often men∣tion, but of any heere in Beniamin, which they make the natall place of S. Paul, whence (they say) when it was taken by the Romans, hee sailed with his parents to [unspec 20] Tharsis, of this I finde no good warrant. Other places of lesse importance 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and come to the Citie of Hierusalem, and the Princes and Gouernours of this Citie: A great part whereof was in the Tribe of Beniamin, whence Ios. 18. 28. it is named among the Cities of Beniamin.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 8. 12.
• * 1.2

  Macc. 12. 38.
• * 1.3

  1. Reg. 17. 36.
• * 1.4

  Ios. 6. 29.
• * 1.5

  1. Chron. 6. 60. This Halmon is called 〈◊〉〈◊〉, whence 〈◊〉〈◊〉 make a new Citie 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as if this Tribe had gi∣uen fiue Cities to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.6

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 11. 30.
• * 1.7

  1. Sam. 7. 15.
• * 1.8

  Iunius in this place, for Be∣thel reads Do∣mum Dei fortis, and interprets it, Kiriath-icha∣rim where the Arke abode. For (saith he) by the Law, Exod. 23. 17. the greatest mee∣tings in their annuall feasts were to be, where the Arke was, but this place doth not speake of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, but of iu∣diclall mee∣tings: and be∣sids the Priests did vse to bring the Arke to their great meetings wheresoeuer they were, as appeares 1. Sam. 12. v. 11. & c. 14. v. 18. nei∣ther is it easie to expound Bethel other∣wise then for the Citie Be∣thel: though Iunius also take it for the place where the Arke was, 1. Sam. 10. 3.
• * 1.9

  It was no o∣ther than this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, of which Ios. 11. 8. as ap∣peares by that which is added Versus orietem, for Iosua notes the three quar∣ters North, West, and East, to which hee followed the Canaanites, thogh Adricho∣mius & others out of this place imagine a Mitspa or Maspba (as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 write it) in the Tribe of 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.10

  1. Sam. 7. 11. Ios. 16. 1.
• * 1.11

  Borrowing the name 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a neighbour towne in the confines of the Kingdomes of Iuda and Israel betweene Hai and Bethel. Ios. 7. 2. and 18. 12.
• * 1.12

  See c. 9. §. 1.
• * 1.13

  Of this Ra∣matha I vnder∣stand the place 1. Macc. 11. 34. where it is na∣med for one of the three Praefectures which Demetri∣us yeelds to the Iewes out of the country of Samaria, this lying toward the East to 〈◊〉〈◊〉: and Lyd∣da toward the West: and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (of which euen now we spake) lying in the midst between the two other. A sixt Rama it seemes there was in the Tribe of Sime∣on toward the South, which Ios. 19. 8. is cal∣led Rama of the South, and otherwise Ba∣halath-beer.
• * 1.14

  Gibha in con∣struction, that is, Gouerning a genitiue case is 〈◊〉〈◊〉: whence the Vulgar out of the Septuaginst 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ios. 24. 33 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Phi∣nees. for which Iunius hath Col∣lis Phincasi (for this word is oft times an Ap pellatiue signi∣fying a Hill) but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 taking notice of this, builds his Citie Gaba∣ath vpon this Text & placeth it in Beniamin, when as the words adioy∣ned, note that this Hill was in the Mountains of Ephraim.
• * 1.15

  The word 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or Nethinaei, is as much as dati (as it were a Deo dati) 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as Iunius ex∣pounds it 〈◊〉〈◊〉, it is vsed, 1. chr. 9. 2. and in Esdras and Nebemias of∣ten.