Annotations upon the five bookes of Moses, the booke of the Psalmes, and the Song of Songs, or, Canticles VVherein the Hebrevv vvords and sentences, are compared with, and explained by the ancient Greeke and Chaldee versions, and other records and monuments of the Hebrewes: but chiefly by conference with the holy Scriptures, Moses his words, lawes and ordinances, the sacrifices, and other legall ceremonies heretofore commanded by God to the Church of Israel, are explained. With an advertisement touching some objections made against the sinceritie of the Hebrew text, and allegation of the Rabbines in these annotations. As also tables directing unto such principall things as are observed in the annotations upon each severall booke. By Henry Ainsworth.

Annotations.

FInished the rearing up] that is, had fully set u•• the Tabernacle, which was reared the first day of the first moneth of the second yeare after their comming out of Egypt, Exod. 40. 17, 18, &c. anointed it] as was commanded, Exod. 40. 9. (〈◊〉〈◊〉 the holy oyle appointed to be made, in Ex••••. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 23—26, 27, 28.) the performance whereof is men∣tioned in Levit. 8. 10, 11. Because the Sanct•••••••• and Altar were the chiesest things, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the oblations, Matth. 23. 17. 19. therefore the P〈…〉〈…〉∣ces performed not this homage following, till they were set up and anointed.

Verse 2. Then offered] Heb. And the Princes, &c▪ [unspec] offered. This offering was in the second moneth of the second yeare after they were come out of E∣gypt, after that the Princes had beene appo〈…〉〈…〉 with Moses and Aaron to number the people, Numb. 1. 1, 2, &c. and the tribes had beene 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in order about the Tabernacle, Numb. 2. according to which order they here bring their offerings ••or the dedication of the Altar. And so the first note on Exod. 40. 2. is to be corrected, where the offe∣rings of these Princes are said to be in the first mo∣neth, which should follow after in the second▪ heads] that is, governours, as the Greeke trans¦lateth the twelve rulers (or, princes) 〈…〉〈…〉 houses: see Numb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 16. stood over them that were mustered] or, that were numbred: the Greeke ••aith over the visitation, (or, muster:) of whom it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 said to Moses, in Numb. 1. 5. these are the 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 the men which shall stand with you. So at the ma∣king of the Tabernacle, the Rulers brought pr••••••∣ous Beryll stones, and filling stones for the Ep••••••, &c. Exod. 35. 27. And for the building of the Temple▪ the Princes offered willingly, and gave for the 〈…〉〈…〉

of the house of God, gold, silver, brasse, &c. 1 Chron. 29. 6, 7, 8.

Verse 3. their oblation] Hebr. their Korban; in Greeke, their gifts. This oblation was for the [unspec] publike service of the Tabernacle, to carry it when 〈◊〉〈◊〉 removed, verse 5. Chazkuni here saith, it was to make atonement, for that they had numbred Israel, as in Numb. 31. 49, 50. Thy servants have taken the summe of the men of warre, &c. and there lacketh not one man of us; we have therefore brought an obla∣tion for the LORD, &c. to make an atonement for our soules before the LORD. covered wa∣gons] or, coach wagons, according to the Greeke version: and so the Hebrew Tsabbim is used for coaches in Esai. 66. 20. The Chaldee and other Hebrewes expound them covered wagons. In Levit. 11. 29. Tsab is a Tortois, so called of the shell that covereth it: accordingly here they may bee called wagons Tsab, of the Tortoys (or of covering) because they were like to a Tortois, covered above. Chazkuni expoundeth Tsab for Tsaba an hoast (or armie,) by cutting off the last letter, and so they were named, wagons that went in the armie for the service of the Tabernacle: to which one Greeke ver∣sion agreeth, translating it Dunameos. a wa∣g••n] that is, one wagon for two Princes. for one] that is, as the Greeke translateth, for every one. Thus in their gifts they were partly severall, partly joyned in communion, two and two, for a wagon. The Hebrewes compare the number of six, with the six severall blessings, in Numb. 6. 24, 25, 26. and the twelve oxen, according to the number of the twelve tribes: R. Menachem on Numb. 7. before the Tabernacle] to present them there unto God. Ionathan in his Chaldee paraphrase addeth, Moses would not receive thē of them, & they brought them neere (or offered them) before the Tabernacle. And Sol. Iarchi so explaineth it, because Moses received them not from their hand, till hee was com∣manded by the mouth of God.

Verse 5. that they may be to serve] or, and let [unspec] them be to serve the service, that is, to doe the work; as the Greek translateth, and they shall be for the mi∣nisteriall workes of the Tabernacle of Testimo∣nie.

Verse 8. foure wagons, &c.] Because the service [unspec] of the Merarites was heavier than the Gersonites, as having the charge of the boards, barres, pillars, and sockets of the Tabernacle; whereas the Gerso∣nites carried but the curtaines, coverings and hang∣i••gs, Numb. 4. 31. 25. therefore the Merarites had as many moe wagons and oxen, as the Gersonites. in the hand] that is, under the guidance and government of Ithamar: see Num. 4. 28, 33.

Verse 9. of the Sanctuary] or, of the holy things, [unspec] Hebr. of the holinesse: meaning, the Arke, Table, Candlesticke, Altars, &c. see Num 4 5—15. was upon them] the Greeke translateth, they have the ministeriall things of the holy. with shoulder] that is, as the Greeke explaineth it, they shall be are them on (their) shoulders, and no otherwise; there∣fore when the Arke was carried on a wagon, God was angry, and killed Vzzah, 2 Sam. 6. 3, 7. then David acknowledged that the Lord had made a breach among them, because they sought him not in d••e order, 1 Chron. 15. 1••.

Verse 10. the 〈◊〉〈◊〉] or, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, con∣secration; [unspec 10] called in Hebrew Chanuc〈…〉〈…〉, which when it is spoken of men, meaneth the C〈…〉〈…〉sing▪ initiation, information and trayning up to any new thing which they were not accustomed to before: when of other things, as of Temples, Altars, Hou∣ses, or the like, it meaneth the first using of them, or dedication & consecration to their first use, w^ch was done with solemnitie; as Solomon 〈…〉〈…〉ted the house of God, 2 Chron. 7. 5. and kept the dedica∣tion of the Altar seven dayes, 2 Chro••. 7. 9. and at the returne out of Babylon, they kept the dedication of the house of God, with ioy, and offered at the dedi∣cation thereof, 100 bull••••cks, 200 rammes, 400 lambs, &c. Ezr. 6. 16▪ 17. So they kept the dedica∣tion of the wall of Ierusalem, with gladnesse, thanks∣giving, singing, cymbals, psalteries, harpes, &c. and with offering of sacrifices and great ioy, N••hem. 12. 27—43. And David made the 30 Psalme, for the dedication of his house. And all the Israelites used to dedicate their dwelling houses, Deut. 20. 5. Like∣wise in the Maccabe••s time, they kept the dediction of the Altar eight dayes, with sacrifices and glad∣nesse, and ordained it to be so kept yeerely, 1 Mac. 4 54, 56▪59. which ordinance was kept in Christs time, Ioh. 10. 22. The like observation is found also among the Heathens, who dedicated their idols with musicke and solemnitie, Dan. 3. 2, 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ This Dedication is named in Greeke, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and the feast is called 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ ••o••. 10. 22. of new making or using, or in memorie of the new ma∣king of any thing. So the sole••nitie of the Law at Mount Sinai, in Exod. 24. was a dedication; as the Apostle saith, it was not dedicated without blood, Heb. 9. 18. and Christ is said to have dedicated for us a new and living way into the holy heavens. Heb. 10. 20. And now, that the altar might be consec••a∣ted for the oblations of all Israel at all times, the Princes of the twelve tribes dedicate the same with gifts and sacrifices of all sorts, and great solemnitie twelve dayes; so testifying their faith and joy in Christ (whom the Altar figured) by whom they should offer the sacrifice of praise to God continu∣ally, Heb. 13. 10—15. And this was a distinct thing from the former oblation, as S••l▪ ••arc••i here obser∣veth; After they had voluntarily given the wagons and oxen to carry the Tabernacle, their heart stirred them up to offer voluntary offerings for the Altar, to dedicate it. before the Altar] to present them there unto the Lord: whereupon Iarchi againe saith, that Moses received it not from their hana, un∣till he was commanded by the mouth of the Power▪ that is, of God. And here we may observe the He∣brewes phrase, which call God the Pow••r; as doe the Evangelists, saying, Yee shall see the So••••e of man sitting on the right hand of the Power, Mat. 26. 64. and Marke 14. 62. which is explained in Luk. 22. 69. the power of God. So the Sonne of the Blesssed▪ Marke 14. 61. that is, the Sonne of God, Matth. 26. 63.

Verse 11. One Prince for a day] this sentence [unspec 11] twice written, is for more plainnesse & exactnesse,

and solemniey of the action: as also to shew an equall right that all the Princes and Tribes had in the Altar now to be dedicated; and how the Lord esteemed of the religious dutie now to be perfor∣med, which he would have done in distinct dayes. Wherefore he also writeth their particular offe∣rings at large, repeating the same things twelve times together.

Verse 12. Naasson] Hebr. Nachshon: so in Num. 1. 7. of the tribe] or, for the tribe; in [unspec 12] which sense the oblation was not for his owne per∣son, but for the whole tribe whereof he was gover∣nour: but the Greeke translateth, Prince of the tribe of Indas. Here the Captaines of the tribes of∣fer every one in his day, not according to their births, or as they are named in Num. 1. but accor∣ding to the order wherein God had set them round about his Sanctuary, in Num. 2. beginning at the East quarter, proceeding to the South, then to the West, and ending at the North, (according to the course of the Sunne) as may be viewed thus; of

• ...
  East.
  • 1. Iudah: Naasson, verse 12.
  • 2. Issachar: Nethaneel, verse 18.
  • 3. Zabulon: Eliab, verse 24.
• ...
  South.
  • 4. Reuben: Elizur, verse 30.
  • 5. Simeon: She lumiel, verse 36.
  • 6. Gad: Eliasaph, verse 42.
• ...
  West.
  • 7. Ephraim: Elishama, verse 48.
  • 8. Manasses: Gamaliel, verse 54.
  • 9. Benjamin: Abidan, verse 60.
• ...
  North.
  • 10 Dan: Ahiczer, verse 66.
  • 11. Aser: Pagiel, verse 7••.
  • 12. Naphtali: Ahira, verse 78.

Thus God would have that order kept in their ob∣lations, w^ch he had appointed for their situations, Num. 2. and so likewise for their journeyings, Num. 10. 14—27. to shew that he is not the author of con∣fused tumult, but of peace, 1 Cor. 14. 33. And Iudah in Naasson his sonne, was first in these oblations (as in many other things,) for to type out the ho∣nour of Christ, who was to be his sonne according to the flesh, Heb. 7. 14.

Verse 13. dish] or, charger, platter, in Hebrew Kag••nara••; in Greeke, Trublion, which word is [unspec 13] used for a dish, in Mat. 26. 23. Such dishes were used to set the Shewbread in, on the golden Table, Exod. 25. 29. and thirtie shekels] the word shekels is expressed in the Chaldee version, and rightly, as the next words manifest: the shekell spo∣ken of in the Law weighed three hundred and twenty barley cornes, saith Maimony in treat. of shekels, ch. 1. sect. 2. See the notes on Gen. 20. 16. bason] or, viall; called in Hebrew Miz••ak, of powring out; in Greeke Phialee, a viall; w^ch word is used in Rev. l. 16. where the vials of Gods wrath are pow∣red out. Such basons or vials were used to carry the blood of the sacrifices to the Altar, where it was powred out: of them mention is made in Zach. 14. 20. the p••ts in the LORDS house, shall be like the basons before the Altar. shekell of the Sanctua∣rie] or, of Sanctitie, that is, the holy shekell, as the Greeke translateth it; which weighed 〈…〉〈…〉∣rahs, Num. 3. 47. and Exod. 30. 13. 〈…〉〈…〉∣offering] or, Minchah: of this see Levit••. 2.

Verse 14. of gold] touching this, C〈…〉〈…〉 no∣teth, [unspec 14] the cup it selfe was of gold, and the weight o•• it was by silver shekels. So Ionathan in his T••••rgum saith, One cup weighing ten shekels of silver, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (the cup) was of gold. This is plaine by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 verse following: there Sol. Iarchs saith, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shekels of gold weighed not so much as the silver 〈…〉〈…〉∣kels. of incense] or, perfume, in Hebr. K〈…〉〈…〉 every meat-offering of floure as it was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with oyle, so it had frankincense (Lebonah) 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Levit. 2. 1. but the incense (Ke••oreth) was ••or the golden Altar, the making whereof is descr••bed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Exod. 30. 34. &c. Sol. Iarchi here noteth, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 incense for any particular person, nor for the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (brasen) Altar, but this onely. So it was an ex••ra∣ordinary oblation for this present action.

Verse 15. bullocke] in Chaldee, a 〈◊〉〈◊〉; in He∣brew, [unspec] Par, which is a yong bull of the second or third yeere: see the notes on Exod. 29. 1. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ling] Hebrew, sonne of the herd (or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Exod. 29. 1. ramme] which also was of the se∣cond yeere, as lambes were of the first: see the notes on Levit. 1. 10. his first yeere] Hebr. sonne of his yeere: of which phrase, see the notes on Gen. 5. 32. Exod. 12. 5. Burnt-offering] the Law and signification hereof, see in Levit. 1.

Verse 16. goat-bucke] a goat of the second yeere [unspec] such was the ordinary Sin-offering for a ruler; see Levit. 4. 22, 23. But this is brought for s〈…〉〈…〉e 〈◊〉〈◊〉 generall, not for any speciall sinne, which L〈…〉〈…〉. 4. treateth of: and so it was also extraordinary, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Chazkuni here observeth, This (man) 〈◊〉〈◊〉 voluntary incense, whereas no particular p〈…〉〈…〉 eth voluntary incense: this bringeth a 〈…〉〈…〉 which is not for sinne, whereas no particular 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bringeth a sin-offering, but for sinne.

Verse 17. of Peace-offerings] in Greake, of 〈…〉〈…〉∣tion; [unspec] in Chaldee, of sanctifications: see Levit. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 where the Law of this sacrifice is opened. T〈…〉〈…〉 sacrifices of all sorts, figuring the death of C〈…〉〈…〉, and benefits to be reaped thereby, they recon〈…〉〈…〉 and made themselves & theirs acceptable to God, and were made partakers of his grace, to rem〈…〉〈…〉 of sinnes, justification and sanctification through faith, and by the worke of the Holy Ghost; in the communion and feeling whereof they r••joyced be∣fore God.

Verse 18. Nethaneel the sonne of Zuar] called in Greeke Nathanael the sonne of Sogar: see Num. 1. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Prince] this title is given to all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈…〉〈…〉∣cept Naasson of Iudah, who offered first: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Chazkuni giveth this reason, He is not 〈…〉〈…〉 that he might not be puft up because he 〈…〉〈…〉 and all the other are called Princes, ••••r that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈…〉〈…〉∣mitted themselves and offered after 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Verse 19. He offered] In the Chaldee of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 than there is added, He offered hi•• 〈…〉〈…〉∣dah by the mouth of the Holy 〈◊〉〈◊〉. S〈…〉〈…〉 writeth thus; Why speaketh the 〈…〉〈…〉 Prince of) the tribe of Issachar HEO〈…〉〈…〉 when the like is not said of all the 〈…〉〈…〉

cause Reuben came, and made a stirre, and said, It is enough that my brother Iudah offred before me, I will offer after him. Moses answered, It was said unto me by the mouth of the Almighty, that they should offer according to the order of their journying by their stan∣dards. Therefore is it said, He offered his offering: and the word [Hikrib offered] wanteth the letter jod; that after the plaine writing (by the consonant letters) it is Imperative [Hakreb, offer thou] for that by the mouth of God he was commanded to offer.

Verse 42. Deguel] in Num. 2. 14. he is called Reguel; and so the Greeke here hath Elisaph the [unspec 42] sonne of Rigovel: see Num. 1. 14.

Verse 48. the seventh day] the Hebrewes note this to be extraordinarie, that on the Sabbath day [unspec] the same course of offring was kept as on the other dayes without intermission. Ammihud] in Greeke, Semioud: see the notes on Numb. 1. 10.

Verse 54. Gamaliel] in Hebrew, Gamliel. [unspec] Pedahzur] in Greeke, Phaddasour: see Numb. 1. 10.

Verse 72. In the eleventh day] so the Greeke [unspec] translateth it, which in the Hebrew and Chaldee phrase is, In the day of eleven dayes. So in ver. 78. In the day of twelve dayes; which the Greeke expoundeth, In the twelfth day. Pagiel] in Greeke, Phageel the sonne of E••ran.

Verse 84. dedication of the Altar] The Chal∣dee [unspec] called sonathans, expoundeth it, the dedicati∣on of the anointing of the ••ltar. Here God summeth up the offrings of the Princes, the number of ves∣sels, and the weight of them, and the number of all their sacrifices; to shew how acceptable this their service was unto him, which he so largely set downe in the particulars and in the generall. And as the Altar now dedicated, was a type of Christ: so the oblations of the Princes of the twelve tribes, shewed the faith, hope, and love of Israel towards God in Christ; of whom the Apostle giveth this testimonie; Now I stand and am judged, for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: unto which promise, our twelve tribes instantly serving [God] day and night, hope to come, Acts 26. 6, 7. And they are an example unto all Princes of the earth, how they should honour the Lord with their persons and substance, and willingly offer to the maintenance of his continuall publike service: as is promised unto Ierusalem, They shall bring gold, and incense, and they shall shew forth the praises of the Lord. All the flockes of Kedar shall be gathered toge∣ther unto thee; the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance upon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Altar, and I will glorifie the house of my glory. And the sonnes of strangers shall build up thy wals, and their kings shall minister unto thee, Esai. 60. 6, 7, 10. And the Nations of them which are saved, shall walke in the light of it: and the kings of the earth doe bring their glory and honour unto it; Rev. 21. 24. See examples of the like liberality, in Neh. 7. 70, 71, 72. Ez 2. 68, 69. 1 Chr. 29. 6, 7, 8.

Verse 85. Every] Hebr. one. 2400. shekels] The reason of this exactnesse of their weight seve∣rally and joyntly, was for the honour of the Lords Sanctuary, and vessels of the same, all which were holy: for which cause also at the returne of the Iewes out of Babylon, the vessels of the house of God, were delivered by weight, and received a∣gaine at Ierusalem by weight; for they were holy, and therefore warily to be kep••; and they were taken by number, and by weight of every one: and all the weight was written at that time, Ezr. 8. 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 33, 34.

Verse 86. an hundred and twentie] so there [unspec 86] was iust the twentieth part of the weight of all the silver vessels in these twelve golden cups. And Ionathan in his Thargum maketh these 120 she∣kels, answerable to the 120 yeeres of Moses life.

Verse 87. their meat-offering] the Greeke ver∣sion [unspec 87] addeth, their meat-offerings, and their drinke-of∣ferings: which though they were not mentioned before, yet were to be understood by the sacrifices that were offered. For by the Law every burnt of∣fering was to have with it a meat-offering of flow∣er mingled with oyle and wine for a drinke-offe∣ring: the appointed measure of them, is to be seene in Num. 15. 3—12.

Verse 88. sixtie] so all the beasts which the 12 [unspec 88] Princes offered at this dedication, were two hun∣dred fifty and two: of which two hundred and foure were Peace offerings; whereof themselves with the Priests did eat, and so kept a feast with joy before the Lord, for his mercy towards his people. See Lev. 7. 15. 29—34.

Verse 89. to speaker with him] that is, with God: [unspec 89] of him speaking] or, of one speaking; which the Greeke translateth, of the Lord speaking. And Thar∣gum Ionathan expoundeth it, of the Spirit speaking. Herein Moses excelled all other Prophets; in that the Lord spake so familiarly with him. See the notes on Num. 12. 8. the covering mercie seat] thus the promise was fulfilled, I will meet with thee there; and I will speake with thee from above the covering mercie seat, Exod. 25. 22. And here∣upon the most holy Place of the Sanctuary, where the Arke and the Mercie-seat was, is called Debir, the Oracle or speaking place, 1 Kings 6. 23. And the Covering mercie seat (or Propitiatorie) being a figure of Christ, Rom. 3. 25. (as it is noted on Exod. 25. 17.) it was a Testimonie of Gods grace to his Church in Christ his Sonne, by whom hee alwayes spake unto our fathers, but more clearely unto us in these last dayes, Heb. 1. 2. And whereas it is said in Lev. 1. 1. the Lord spake unto Moses out of the Tabernacle; this place sheweth how it is to be understood; as Sol. Iarchi here saith, Two Scrip∣tures contradict one another, the third commeth and decideth the case betweene them. One Scripture saith. The Lord spake unto him out of the Tabernacle which was without the veile; and another Scripture saith, I will speake unto thee from above the Mercy-seat. This commeth and decideth it betweene them; Moses went into the Tent, and there he heard tho voyce that came from above the Mercy-seat. The voyce came out from heaven to between the Cherubims; & frō thence it came out into the Tent of the congrega••on. From hence also some of the Hebrews gather (as Chaz∣kuni here noteth) that the beginning of the booke of Leviticus, was when the dedication (here spoken of)

was finished, and he spake unto him] the Hebrews observe how this, HEE SPAKE VNTO HIM, is doubled; to shew that the voyce came from heaven to the mercie-seat, and from thence spake with him: for all the speech with Moses was from heaven, in the day time, and was heard from betweene the two Cherubims, according to that (in Deut. 4. 36.) Out of heaven he made thee to heare his voyce, &c. and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire. R. Menachem on Num. 7.