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.

IOrdan] Hebr. Iarden: a river thorow which Is∣rael [unspec 1] was to passe into the land, Deut. 1. 1. See Num. 34. 12. this day] that is, at this time, ve∣ry shortly. Day is often used for time, as 2 Cor. 6. 2. An boure is likewise so used for time; as the last houre, 1 Iohn 2. 18. So, in that houre, Luke 10. 21. 16. At that time, Matth. 11. 25. possesse] or inherit; which when it is spoken of nations, signi∣fieth dominion over them, Lev. 25. 45, 46. Here it may be meant also of the lands or countries of those nations, as they are said to possesse Gad, which dwelt in his cities, Ier. 49. 1.

Vers. 2. Anakims] whom the Chaldee calleth Gi∣ants. [unspec 2] They were named of one Anak. (of whom see Numb. 13. 23.) and so the Greeke here saith, sonnes of Enak. hast heard] to wit, men say. A common report of others, and of the Israelites themselves, Numb. 13. 29, 34.

Vers. 3. he that passeth] Against feare and distrust, [unspec 3] (such as had affected them before, Numb. 14. 1, 2, 3, &c.) hee opposeth the presence and power of God, which is the maine argument to strengthen faith, Numb. 14. 9. Psal. 56. 4, 5. and 60. 13, 14.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 consuming] Hebr. eating: so Deut. 4. 24. The Chaldee translateth, his word is a consuming fire suddenly] or, quickly, hostily: see the notes on Deut. 7. 22.

Vers. 4. For my justice] The Hebrew In, is by the Greeke also here translated For, and it often noteth [unspec 4] the cause of a thing; as Hos. 12. 13. in (that is, for) 〈◊〉〈◊〉. So in Psal. 1. 2. Deut. 2••. 16. Here he op∣poseth the second evill, pride of heart, against which he dealeth in all the rest of this Chapter.

Vers. 5. righteousnesse] or, uprightnes, straitnesse, [unspec 5] equitie: the Greeke translateth it here piety; the Chaldee, truth. By naming iustice, hee excludeth all merit of workes, Deut. 6. 25. and by righteous∣nesse of heart, all inward affections and purposes, which men might plead, notwithstanding that they faile in action. Yet these two are the chiefe things which God respecteth in men, Psal. 15. 1, 2. 1 Chron. 29. 17. for the wickednesse] Two causes are here shewed of this worke of God; justice a∣gainst the wicked inhabitants, which should pe∣rish for their sinnes; and mercie towards Israel, whom he would doe good unto, of grace. Thus also hee dealeth concerning the heavenly inheri∣tance, the wicked are shut out, for their evill works, Iude v. 14. 15. But the Saints are saved by grace through faith not of workes, lest any man should boast, Ephes. 2. 8, 9. the word] the Greeke trans∣lateth, stablish the covenant (or, testament:) here∣by he calleth them wholly to Gods word and pro∣mise, as Paul doth us in Gal. 3. 18. Rom. 15. 8. shew∣ing that Iesus Christ was a minister of the circumcisi∣on for the truth of God, to constrant the fathers pro∣mises, and that the Gentiles might glorifie God for mercie.

Vers. 6. this good land] a figure of heavenly bles∣sings, as is shewed on Gen. 12. 5. stiffe-necked] [unspec 6] or, of a hard necke, that is, stubborne and rebelli∣ous: see the notes on Exod. 32. 9. to which place Moses hath reference, and from Gods testimonie there, and their sinnes then and at other times, con∣vinceth them as being altogether unworthy: that (as another Prophet saith) they might remember their wayes, and all their doings wherein they had beene defiled; and might loath themselves in their own eyes, for all their evils that they had commit∣ted; and might know that he was Iehovah, when he had wroug〈…〉〈…〉 it with them for his names sake, not according to their wicked wayes, nor according to their corrupt doings, Ezek. 20. 43, 44. and 36. 31, 32.

Vers. 7. Remember, forget not] an earnest and ef∣fectuall [unspec 7] manner of speaking, to move unto carefull remembrance: see the notes on Deut. 33. 6. a∣gainst] Hebr. with Iehovah, which the Chaldee translateth, before the Lord; the Greeke, yee have rebelliously performed things pertaining to the Lord. This generall charge he proveth by many particu∣lar instances following.

Vers. 8. H••reb] or 〈◊〉〈◊〉, the mountaine where the Law was given: their rebellion there is descri∣bed [unspec 8] in Exod. 32. destroyed you] for there God said to Moses, let me alone, &c. and I will consume them, Exod. 32. 10.

Vers. 9. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the mount] called up thither of God, [unspec 9] to receive the tables of the covenant, and other or∣dinances, Exod. 24. 12.—18. The time, place, oc∣casion, end, and all circumstances, greatly aggra∣vated the peoples sinne.

Vers. 10. of stone] the signification whereof is [unspec 10] noted on Exod. 31. 18. finger] signifying the Spirit: as, I with the finger of God, cast out devils, Luke 11. 20. that is, with the Spirit of God, Matt. 12. 28. So it figured the worke of God in our hearts writing there his Law; as, Yee are manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ, ministred by us, written not with inke, but with the spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshie tables of the heart, 2 Cor. 3. 3.

Vers. 12. corrupted.] This word meaneth the [unspec 12] corruption of Gods service and religion▪ see the notes on Exod. 32. 7. and Gen. 6. 11, 12, 13. molten calfe] the word calfe is expressed in v. 16. This molten calfe they worshipped; and Moses said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sinne, and have made them gods of gold, Exod. 32. 8. 31.

Vers. 13. saying] Here the Greeke version ad∣deth, [unspec 13] I have spoken unto thee once and twise, saying; I have seene, &c. I have seene] by the Lords seeing and hearing of sinners, is often meant a due regard of their sinnes, to punish them in his anger, Deut. 32. 19. Psal. 78. 21. and 90. 8. But when he pardoneth sinners, he is said to hide his face from their sinnes, and not to see them, Psal. 51. 11. Num. 23. 21.

Vers. 14. Let me alone] which the Chaldee ex∣pounds; [unspec 14] Leave off thy prayer before me. So in Ex∣od. 32. 10.

Vers. 15. burned] Hebr. burning: the terrour [unspec 15] of which sight onely, might have kept them from this sinne, in that the signes of Gods presence were not yet departed from their eyes. See Exod. 19. 18. and 20. 18. two hands] both hands full with blessings of the Lord for them, if their unworthi∣nesse had not turned them away.

Vers. 17. I took a] the originall word signifieth [unspec 17] a purposed taking hold, and ••••ndling of a thing; as they that goe to warre, are said to take (or handle) the shield, Ier. 46. 9. and they that expound the Law, are said to handle it. Ier. 2. 8. So Moses did this advisedly, guided by Gods Spirit; signifying that the covenant betweene God and them was now disa••ulled and broken, and that the Law per∣tained not to them, except to their condemnati∣on, for breaking the same. See Exod. 32. 19.

Vers. 18. I fell downe] the Greeke expoundeth [unspec 18] it, I prayed before the Lord the second time, as at the first. Here Moses repeateth, how by his humble intercession, they escaped destruction, and were reconciled againe unto God. See the historie at large, in Exod. 32. 31. &c. fortie dayes] the number of dayes, and of yeeres, sundry times men∣tioned in the Scripture; 〈…〉〈…〉tion 〈◊〉〈◊〉 judge∣ment. See the 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 7. 4. sinne] the Greeke transleteth, sinne▪ respecting the manifold evill in this, and their other ••••ansgressions.

Vers. 19. For I was] the Greeke applying this [unspec 19] to the time present also, saith; And I am afraid:

For the Lord, though he pardoned it then, reser∣ved vengeance till another opportunity, Exod. 32. 34. hearkened unto me] that is, as the Chaldee explaineth it, accepted my prayer.

Vers. 20. with Aaron] who made the calfe for [unspec 20] them, and would have excused himselfe, but was guilty of death: see Exod. 32. 21,—24.

Vers. 21. your sinne] the Calfe is so called, as be∣ing [unspec 21] the thing wherein they sinned. So Idols are called a sinne in Esa. 31. 7. the brooke] that came out of the Rock Horeb, which Rocke in figure was Christ, 1 Cor. 10. 4. of which they drunke, to signi∣fie the abolishing of their sinne by Christ, upon their repentance and faith: see the notes on Exod. 32. 20.

Vers. 22. at Taberah] or, in Taberah, that is (as [unspec 22] both Greeke and Chaldee do interpret it) the Bur∣ning: a place so called, because the people complai∣ning there, the fire of the Lord was kindled, and consumed some of them. See the historie in Num. 11. 1, 2, 3. Massah] in English, the tentation; and so the Greek and Chaldee translate it. A place at Rephidim in the wildernesse, before they came to Horeb, ten stations from Egypt, in the first yeere of their travell; where wanting water, they temp∣ted God, saying, Is the Lord amongst us, or no? and there he gave them water out of the Rocke, Exod. 17. See the annotations there, and Psal. 95. 8, 9. Heb. 3. 8. &c. Deut. 6. 16. Kibroth-hattaavah] in English, the Graves of lust; so translated also by the Greeke. Here (a little from Taberah foremen∣tioned) they loathed Manna, and lusted for flesh: God gave them Quailes, but they died of a plague, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the flesh was yet betweene their teeth; and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 buried there, occasioned this name of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, for a perpetuall memoriall. See Num. 11. 4—34. and the annotations there. Also Psal. 78. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.—31. and 106. 14, 15.

Vers. 23. Kadesh-barnea] where, being come [unspec 23] thorow the wildernesse of Pharan, to the border of the land of Canaan, they were commanded of God to goe take possession. Then they sent spies, who discouraged the people: so through want of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they durst not enter, and were for it condem∣〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 40. yeeres wandring in the wildernesse, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ended their dayes. See Numb. 13. and 14. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. against the mouth] that is, against the 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ or commandement: in Greeke, yee disobeyed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 word.

Vers. 24. that I knew you] the Greeke expounds [unspec 24] 〈…〉〈…〉 the day that he was knowne unto you. So he 〈…〉〈…〉deth with a generall charge of rebellion up∣on them, shewing hereby the impossibility of the law, and ministery thereof, to bring men unto God▪ for it causeth sinne and wrath to abound; as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 4. 15. and 8 3. Gal. 3. 19, 22. For besides these 〈…〉〈…〉lars, they sinned many other times in the 〈…〉〈…〉nesse, as is noted on Num. 14. 22. and in Psa. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. and 106.

Vers. 25. I fell downe] in Greeke, I prayed. Hee [unspec 25] 〈…〉〈…〉th to speake of their reconciliation to God, which was by the prayer of Moses, as a mediatour, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 figure of Christ: by whom (and not by our own deserts) we have entrance into the kingdome of God, Gal. 3. 22. 24. Rom. 3. 20,—22. and 5. 1, 2, &c. as I fell downe] to wit, at the first, as v. 18. or, which I fell downe, that is, which I said before that I fell downe. But the Hebrew asher, which, is sometimes used for as, as in Ier. 48. 8. said for to destroy] that is, said that he would destroy you. See the like phrases so expounded in Esay 49. 6. with Acts 13. 47. 1 Chron. 17. 4. with 2 Sam. 7. 5. Matt. 20. 19. with Mark. 10. 33, 34.

Vers. 26. Lord Iehovoh] in Greeke, Lord, Lord: [unspec 26] in Chaldee, Lord God. See the annotations on Gen. 15. 2. thy people] this respecteth their adop∣tion in Christ, and justification, 1 Pet. 2. 9, 10. inheritance] this implyeth their sanctification, un∣to the obedience and service of God by the Spirit: See Exod. 34. 9. through thy greatnes] in Greek, through thy great strength, as v. 29. it implyeth al∣so his great goodnesse, and therefore is often spo∣ken of his gracious workes for his people, 1 Chron. 17. 19. Luke 1 49.

Vers. 27. thy servants] Hee meaneth Gods oath [unspec 27] unto them, to multiply their seed, and to give them the land for an eternall inheritance, as is expressed in this prayer before, Exod. 32. 13. So the Greeke addeth here, unto whom thou swarest by thy selfe. hardnesse] the naturall corruption, whereby the heart is hardned, that it cannot repent and be∣leeve the word of God; (from which, the two e∣vils following doe flow,) Rom. 2. 5.

Vers. 28. the land] that is, as the Greeke and [unspec 28] Chaldee both explaine, the inhabitants of the land. This reason is also alleaged in Exod. 32. 12. and Numb. 14. 16.