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.

DOe tell] to wit, unto men, and so give occasi∣on [unspec 2] unto them to tell; as the Chaldee transla∣teth, They that looke upon the heavens doe tell, &c. the glory] that is, the glorious worke; so in Ex. 16. 7. Num. 14. 21, 22. Ioh. 11. 40. the out-spred firmament] the whole cope of heaven with the aire, as the Chaldee saith, they that behold the aire: which though it be soft and liquid, and spred over the earth, yet is it fast and firme, and therefore cal∣led of us according to the common Greeke versi∣on, a firmament, the holy Ghost expresseth it by another terme, Mid-heaven, Rev. 8. 13. and 14. 6. and 19. 17. This out-spred firmament, or expansion,

God made a mids the waters for a separation, and named it Heavens, Gen. 1. 7, 8. which of David is said to be stretched out 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a curtaine or tent, Psal. 104. 2. and elsewhere is said to be firme, as molten glasse, Iob 37. 18. So under this name Firmament, be comprised the orbs of the heavens, and the aire, and the whole spacious roomth above the earth.

Vers. 3. Day unto day] one day unto and after another: so unto is used for after, in Exod. 16. 1. and [unspec 3] 19. 1. Vttereth] or welleth 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as a fountaine, continually and plenteously. manifesteth] or sheweth lively.

Vers. 4. not heard is their voyce] that is, whose voyce is not heard or understood: meaning that they [unspec 4] are no mute or obscure speeches, whereby the hea∣vens preach to the world, but manifest to all, as the next verse sheweth, and Paul plainely confirmeth, Rom. 1. 19, 20. and the Greeke version here lea∣deth us so to understand this sentence, together with the Apostles allegation, Rom. 10. 19. and the like Hebraismes are usuall, as Iob 3. 3. Let the day perish, I was borne in it, that is, wherein I was borne: and hearing is often put for understanding, Gen. 11. 7. 2. Kings 18. 26. 1 Corin. 14. 2. Compare also herewith that Hebrew phrase in ••er. 38. 5. Or we may read it thus: There is no speech nor words: not he••••d is their voyce: that is, the heavens make ••o speech, or Sermon; ••or utter any rea••able words, no nor any voyce (or s〈…〉〈…〉d) 〈…〉〈…〉of theirs is heard: but their line is gone forth, &c. Or, (taking words for peoples that speake them,) there is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 speech no•• words, where the voyce of the heavens is not he〈…〉〈…〉d.

V. 5. their line] or, their 〈◊〉〈◊〉, their delineation: w^ch is a meane to teach the rude and simple; as Esa. 28. [unspec 5] 10. or by line is meane a building, frame or edifice, which is made by line and rule, Zach. 1. 16. Iob 38. 5. The Greeke translateth it, their sound; which word the Apostle also useth, Rom. 10. 18. where he speaketh of the preaching of the Gospell, by which the Church is taught and edified. their spea∣kings] or, their words: but this is used sometime generally for signification any manner of way: as Prov. 6. 13. he speaketh (that is, signifieth) with his feet. And taking him before to have shewed how the heavens have no speeches, words nor voyce; this here may be meant of their significations, by the wonderfull frame, course, order, &c. that all men may see in them. he hath put a tent] God hath put (or set) in the heavens a tabernacle, that is, a flitting habitation: for that the sunne neuer stay∣eth in one place. The Sunne is in Hebrew called Shemesh, that is, a minister or servant; which very name should have kept the nations from worship∣ping and serving it, which God hath distributed to all people under the whole heaven; as Deut. 4. 19.

Vers. 6. as a bridegroome] the Chaldee addeth, [unspec] in the morning as a bridegroome. The Sun when he riseth is gloriously adorned with beautifull rayes, and seemeth most cheerefull; which two things are set forth by similitude of a bridegroom, Esa. 61. 10: & 62. 5. to run a race] a long way, journy, or, course. The swift course of the Sun is joyfully per∣formed, as when a Champion runneth for a game.

Vers. 8. Th〈…〉〈…〉] or Doctrin〈…〉〈…〉▪ an orderly man∣ner [unspec 8] of instruction, an institution or disposition, called in Hebrew Torah, which implieth both doctrine, and an orderly disposition of the same; therefore, where one Prophet relating Davids words, saith, the law of man, 2 Sam. 7. 19. another saith, the or∣derly estate (or course) of man, 1 Chron. 17. 17. The holy Ghost in Greeke calleth it Nomos, a Law, Heb. 8. 10. from Ier. 31. 33. This name is most commonly ascribed to the precepts given by Mo∣ses at Mount Sinai; Deut. 33. 4. Mal. 4. 4. Ioh. 1. 17. and 7. 19. it is also largely used for all his wri∣tings. For the history of Genesis is called Law, Gal. 4. 21. from Gen. 16. And though somtime the Law be distinguished from the Psalmes and Prophets, Luke 16. 16. and 24. 44. yet the other Prophets bookes are called Law, 1 Cor. 14. 21. from Esai. 28. 11. the Psalmes are also thus named, Ioh. 10. 24. and 15. 25. from Psal. 8••. 6. and 35. 19. Yea one Psalme is called a Law, Psal. 78. 1. and the many branches of Moses doctrine; as the Law of the sin∣offering, &c. Lev. 6. 25. and generally it is used for any doctrine; as, the Law of workes, the Law of faith, &c. Rom. 3. 27. is perfect] or, is a perfect Law. The word before is againe understood here and in the speeches following: as sometime it is fully expressed, Psal. 12. 7. returning the soule] or, restoring the life. To returne the soule, is some∣time to deliver it from evils, Ps. 35. 17. Iob 33. 30. sometime to refresh it as with food that keepeth in life, Lam. 1. 11. 19. to refresh it with rest, com〈…〉〈…〉t, and the like, R••th 4. 15. Psal. 23. 3. Prov. 25. 13. All which may be found in the law of God. the testimony] God called the two tables of his law, the Testimonie, Exod. 25. 16. 21. and 31. 18. and the Ark wherin they were kept, had therupon the like name, Num. 17. 4. Exod. 25. 22. and so the taber∣nacle wherein the Arke was, Exod. 38. 21. Rev. 15. 5. Gods Law hath this title because of the testifica∣tion, contestation, and earnest charge w^ch he and his Prophets gave concerning it, as Ps. 81. 9. 2 Kin. 17. 15. Neh. 9. 29, 30. Deut. 31. 28. and 32. 4. and as a record it testifieth what is Gods will and cove∣nant, Ioh. 5. 39. And as the Law, so the Gospell (yea Christ himselfe) is called a testimony, 1 Cor. 2. 1. 2 Thes. 1. 10. 1 Tim. 2. 6. faithfull] or, a faithfull testimony: this word meaneth also, sure, certaine, firme and constant; as faithfull plagues, Deut. 28. 59. are sure and durable: a faithfull house, 2 Sam. 7. 16. is setled, firm & stable, &c. Gods word hath like com∣mendations, Ps. 93. 5. and 111. 7. the simple] or silly. The originall pethi, meaneth one that is easily perswaded or intised, credulous and light of beleefe, according to the proverbe, Pethi, The simple belee∣veth every thing, Prov. 14. 15. Consequently it is used for Unskilfull, and applied sometime to evill foolish persons, Prov. 9. 6. and 22. 3. sometime to the good and simple; as Psal. 116. 6. The Greeke often translateth it, a babe, and so Christ calleth such, Mat. 11. 25. This verse and the two next following, which treat of Gods law, are in Hebrew written every of them with ten words, according to the number of the ten commandements, which are called ten words, Exod. 34. 28.

Vers. 9. The Precepts] or, Commissions, Changes. This word is by David onely applied to Gods [unspec 9] commandements, called of him Pikkudim; of Pu∣kad to 〈◊〉〈◊〉; as if we should say Visitatians, or pre∣cepts, the transgressions whereof God hath threat∣ned to visit or punish; as Exod. 20. 5. and 32. 34. Or of hiphkid, to commend or commit unto ones charge and custodie▪ because these are committed unto men, carefully to be observed; as it is written, Thou hast commanded thy precepts to bee kept 〈◊〉〈◊〉∣mently, Ps. 119. 4. the commandement] that is, the commandements: one put for all; as judgement, 2. King. 25. 6. for judgements, Ier. 52. 9. and ma∣ny the like.

Vers. 10. The feare] or reverence, that is, the [unspec 10] religion and worship prescribed of God; as in Matth. 15. 9. that is called Worship, which in Isa. 29. 13. is named Feare; and this is said to bee cleane from all filthinesse, because hee requireth to be worshipped in spirit and truth; and with pure hands, Ioh. 4. 24. 1 Tim. 2. 8. Or, as God himselfe is called Feare, Psal. 76. 12. so his law may also here be called Peare, for that it was given with fearefull majestie, and worketh in men the feare and reverence of God, Exod. 20. 18, 19, 20. Deut. 5. 24,—29. standing] or abiding, continu∣ing firme, yet and perpetually. judgements] Such lawes as were annexed to the ten comman∣dements, for punishing the offendors, have this title prefixed; as Exod. 21. 1. These are the iudge∣ments which thou shalt set before them, &c. And as decrees or statutes are often put for the ordinances of Gods worship; (as is noted on Psal. 2. 7.) in stead whereof David here seemeth to use the for∣mer word feare; so judgements are lawes and rites for humane duties. These two Moses often joyneth together, saying; Hearken O Israel to the statutes and to the judgements, &c. Deut. 4. 1. 5. 8. 14. 45▪ and 5. 1. 31. and 6. 1. 20. and 7. 11. and 8. 11, &c. just together] that is, all of them together, and each of them apart, is just, or justified.

Vers. 11. fine gold] or solid gold, called Paz, which hath the name of strength, fastnesse, or solidi∣ty: [unspec 11] such gold was rare and precious, Isa. 13. 12. Lam. 4. 2. The Arabians now call gold Phes. It was very fine: therefore when one Prophet calleth it gold. Muphaz, 2 Kin. 10. 18. another calleth it tahor, that is, fine or cleane gold, 2 Chron. 9. 17. liquour of the honey combes] or, liquid honey of the comb••. Each of these words is used by Solomon for the dropting honey combe▪ Prov. 5. 3. and 16. 24. and both are joyned for more vehemencie.

Vers. 12. clearely admonished] The word signi∣fieth illustrating, making bright or shining, Dan. 12. [unspec 12] 3. and so by warning. or. information to make the soule cleare and circumstect. Exod. 18. 20. 2 King: 6. 10. Eccles. 4. 13. Ezek. 3. 17. 18, 19, 20. much reward] or much end, that is, great profit or reward, as the Greeke translate that. The Chaldee applieth this peculiarly to David, saying, and because be kept them, he was made the Prince of Israel. The He∣brew Ghnekeb, signifying the heela or seetsole, is used figuratively for the end of a thing, (as the head, for the beginning, Psal. 119. 160.) and so for the sa••cisse, event and recampence that followeth thereupon. As another word, acharith, which sig∣nifieth end, is used also for reward, Prove. 23. 18. and 1▪ Pet. 1. 9.

Vers. 23. Vnadvised errors] or, Ignorant saults, [unspec 13] Vnwitting. and inconsiderate finnes. The law for which is given, Lev. 4. 2. &c. who dotn under∣stand] or, who candiscerne? meaning, no man can. So Psal. 7. 7. 5. I spake not. for, I could not speake. See the Annorations there. cleanse thou me] or, make me innocent, free, guiltlesse, empty. The word is also used for exempting, or absolving, free from pu∣nishment due to sinne, Exod. 20. 6. and 34. 7.

Vers. 15. be to favour able acceptation] that is, be [unspec 15] acceptable or well pleasing; or, as before, they shall be acceptable. For the Hebrew will beare either interpretation. Therefore also in the Greeke, these two phrases are used as one, He shall be, Marke 10. 44. and Let him be, Mat. 20. 27. Of the word at, ceptation, see the note on Psal. 5. 13. my redee∣mer] or deliverer; the Hebrew Goel is interpre∣ted in the Greek by both these, Rō. 11. 26. frō Isa. 59. 20. Act. 7. 35. The word is of large use, for re∣deeming of things sold or mortgaged, Lev. 25. but applied to redemption or deliverance from danger, Psal. 69. 19 from violence, Psal. 72. 14. from cor∣ruption, Psal. 103. 4. from the enemies hand, Psal. 106. 10. from death, Hos. 13. 14. and from all evill, Gen. 48. 16. And in speciall, one that challengeth or redeemeth any person, or thing that was before alienated, and restoreth it to the first estate, by right of kinred, is called by this name, 1 Kings 16. 11. Ruth 39. 12, 13. and 4. 1. 3. &c. Therefore is this title given to God and Christ, who is our re∣deemer, and allied unto us, as concerning the flesh, Isa. 43. 14. and 44. 6. and 47 4. 1 Thess. 1. 10. Heb. 2. 14, 15.