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.

Visited] This word signifieth a remembrance, [unspec 1] providence, care and performance of that which was spoken, be it good or evill. For good, as here, and Gen. 50. 24. Exod. 4. 31. Luk. 1. 68. and often. For evill, and so it meaneth punishment, Exod. 20. 5. Psal. 89. 33. Num. 16. 29. The Chaldee here translateth remembred: and the Hebrew im∣plyeth that, as 1. Sam. 15. 2.

Vers. 2. conceived,] hereupon her faith is com∣mended, [unspec 2] Heb. 11. 11. By saith Sarah her selfe recei∣ved strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when when she was past age, because shee judged him faithfull who had promised, in his] or, to his oldage: so vers. 7. the set time] promised the yeere before, Gen. 18. 10. Hereupon Isaak is sayd to be borne of a freewoman, by promise, and after the spirit, Gal. 4. 22, 23, 29. and this birth is set forth as an example of Gods mercy to, and increase of his Church, by the covenant of grace in Christ under the new Testament, whereof Sarah was a figure; Esay 51. 2, 3. Gal. 4. 24. 28.

Vers. 3. Isaak] which signifieth Laughter, or Ioy: this name was foreappointed him of God, [unspec 3] Gen. 17. 19.

Vers. 4. son of 8 daies] or, 8 daies old: but under∣standing, in the 8 day, as the Greeke translateth it: [unspec 4] see the Law, Gen. 17. 12. Isaak is the first that wee read of, circumcised at this age.

Vers. 6. made me] or, made laughter to me, that is, [unspec 6] joy, as the Chaldee translateth it: as if shee had said, hath made me to laugh, or, rejoyce. The word is some∣time used for laughing to scorne, or mocking, as v. 9. & Ezek. 23. 32. and so some understand it here, laugh∣ter at me, that is, hath made me to be laughed at; mea∣ning of the profane, which would laugh & mocke, as did Ismael, verse 9. Though both may bee im∣plyed in the word, yet the first seemeth most pro∣per: and according to the prophesies, Rejoyce thou barren which didst not beare, Esay. 54. 1. which hath reference to this birth. Gal. 4. 22.—27. 28. & Esay 51. 2. 3. with me] or at me: but the Greeke tran∣slateth it, rejoyce with me: the Chaldee also turneth it into joy. And so the Prophet, Rejoyce yee with Ie∣rusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her, Esay 66. 10. which Ierusalem, was figured out by this Sa∣rah, Gal. 4. 22, 26.

Vers. 7. should have given sons] Hebrew hath given sons: so noting the certainty: speaking as of a thing [unspec 7] done. By sonnes, is meant any sonne, or child: as the Greeke explaineth it: see Gen. 46. 23. The like ad∣miration is spoken by the Church, Esay 49. 21. who hath begotten me these? The Chaldee paraphrast re∣ferreth this to God, saying, faithfull is he that said to Abraham, and hath fulfilled it, that Sarah should give sucke,

Vers. 8. weaned] The Hebrew word signifieth [unspec 8] an exchange of one thing for another; and so in weaning, from milke to stronger meat: which as it signified in Isaak a growth in strength of nature, so is it in the faithfull, a signe of growth in grace and understanding, 1 Cor. 3. 1, 2. Heb. 5. 12, 13, 14. and of abstaining from worldly childish pleasures. Psal. 131. 2. and Isaak being a figure of all the chil∣dren of promise (Gal. 4. 28.) we may hereupon ga∣ther the reason why Abraham made so great a ban∣quet at Isaaks weaning. So at Samuels weaning hee was presented to the Lord, with a spirituall feast, or sacrifice 1 Sam. 1. 22, 24.

Vers. 9. laughing] that is, deriding or mocking: for [unspec 9] so laughing often signifieth, as Gen. 19. 14. Ezek. 23. 32. Lam. 1. 7. it meaneth also abusing other∣wise, whereupon laughter and scorne followeth, as Gen. 39. 14. 17. also idolatrous laughing or play, as Exod. 32. 6. Hereupon the Ierusalemy paraphrast referreth it to this latter, of laughing in Gods wor∣ship: the Greeke translateth it, playing with Isaak her sonne: (which word playing is sometime used for fighting, 2 Sam. 2. 14, 16.) and by laughing or mocking, the Scripture often noteth a contemptu∣ous and malignant carriage, Iob 30. 1. and 12. 4. Lam. 3. 14. Mat. 27. 29. But the Apostle plainly cal∣leth it persecuting, and saith, as then he that was born after the flesh, persecuted him that was borne after the spirit, even so it is now, Gal. 4. 29. And here begin∣neth by an Egyptians son, that 400 yeeres afflicti∣on, spoken of in Gen. 15. 13.

Vers. 10. this bondwoman,] shee figured the old [unspec 10] Testament: and her sonne, such as are under the works of the law, Gal. 4. 24. and the mother being to be cast out, it is likely shee was the cause, or an abettor of her sons evill. not be heire,] or, not in∣herit: under which inheritance is figured heavenly blessings in Christ, and life everlasting. Gal. 3. 18, 29. and 4. 7. 1 Pet. 1. 4. So Ismael cast out from be∣ing heire, is a type of servants that abide not in the house for ever, that is, of reprobates, Iohn 8. 35. Galat. 4. 30. And though Ismael were now but a youth, yet even a child is known by his doings, whether his worke be pure and right. Prov. 20. 11. therefore Sarah by the spirit of God uttered this speech, and God confirmeth it, ver. 12. and Paul saith not that Sarah, but the Scripture speaketh this, Galat. 4 30. and by this it is probable, that Ismaels mocking, was about the inheritance; as some of the Hebrew Doctors also have observed: R. Moses Gerundens. my son,] who am a free-woman, with Isaak, who is freeborne: see Gal. 4. 30. 31. 28.

Vers. 11. very evill,] or vehemently evill, that is, [unspec 11] very much displeasing, as on the contrary, to be good in the eyes of any, is to please or content, Gen. 20. 15. because,] or, for the causes: so v. 25. The love to his son, caused this griefe: howbeit when God bad him kill his beloved son Isaak, he shewed no such discontentment, Gen. 22. 2, 3. it seemeth hee thought this to proceed but from Sarahs owne passion of minde, till hee was further informed of God, vers. 12. 14.

Vers. 12. shall seed bee called to thee] or, shall thy [unspec 12]

seed be called: they shall be named of Isaak, not of Ismael: that is, (as Paul inferteth) they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise, are counted for the seed: Rom. 9. 7. 8. Seed to thee, may also bee read seed of thee, that is, thy seed: for the Scripture some∣time putteth one for another, as disciples to thee, Mar. 2. 18. is the same that disciples of thee, or thy dis∣ciples, Mat. 9. 14. From this limitation of Abrahams seed to Isaak, the Iewes do reckon none for Abra∣hams, but the Israelites: as in their Canons they say: who so voweth concerning Abrahams seed, is free from Ismaels and Esaus sonnes, and is not bound but touching Israelites: as it is said, for in Isaak shall seed be called to thee: and loe Isaak said to Iaakob, And God give thee the blessing of Abraham, Gen. 28. 4. Maimony, treat. of Vowes, chap. 9. S. 21.

Vers. 13. make of him] Heb. put him unto a nation, [unspec 13] so verse 28. Compare Gen. 17. 20. thy seed] thy sonne, according to the flesh: though not after the promise as Isaak was.

Vers. 14. bread] Sometime bread is used for all food, as in Mark. 6. 36. compared with Mat. 14. 15. [unspec 14] Psal. 78. 20. if it be not so here, the Scripture would note the great hardnesse and miserie which they must indure that are cast out of the Lords inheri∣tance. and the child] to weet, he gave unto her, he being now about 18. yeeres of age: so casting him his first borne son, with her, out of his house. the wildernesse,] the way towards Egypt, where there was no way, no food, no waters, no inhabi∣tants: thus were they exposed to many miseries: see Deut. 8. 15. Ier. 2. 6. Contrariwise, Isaaks chil∣dren were led and guided of God, through that great & fearfull wildernes, wherein Ismael and his mother wandred: Deu. 32. 10. 11. 12. Ex. 13. 21. 22. Our English word wildernesse, signifieth a place where men goe wild, that is, goe astray, or wander, as Agar here did; and so in Iob 12. 24. Psal. 1074. 40. the like is spoken. In Hebrew it is called Mid∣bar, as being without order, a place not for men to dwell in; but onely for beasts, who there must also be led and gouerned. See Exod. 3. 1. 18.

Vers. 15. she cast the child] that is, shee left him be∣ing [unspec 15] sicke, and fainting for thirst. The state of such as are without Christ is hereby resembled: Esay 65 13, but they that drinke of his waters, shall never thirst, for it shall be in them a well of water, springing up unto everlasting life, Ioh. 4. 14. shrubbes,] or, trees, as the Chaldee expounds it. The Greeke saith, under a firre-tree.

Vers. 16. the death,] This sheweth the extremitie that they were come into in the desert, who ere∣while [unspec 16] had meat and drinke enough in Abrahams house, now ready to perish for thirst: God so chaste∣ning their former insolencie. A like example is of the prodigall son, who almost dyed for hunger, when the servants in his fathers house had bread enough, Luk. 15. 14. 17. for the man that wandreth out of the way of understanding, shall remaine in the congregation of the dead, Prov. 21. 16.

Vers. 17. there where] in Greeke, from the place where he is: that is, in this desolate wildernesse, [unspec 17] where he lyeth, perishing, forsaken of all Compare herewith Gods promises to his people in miserie, Deut. 4. 27.—30. and Psal 107. 4. 5, 6. And thus God remembreth his former promises, Gen. 17. 20. and 16. 10. &c.

Vers. 19. she saw a well,] which though it were [unspec 19] there before, yet she saw not, her eies being holden, till they were opened of God, (as in Luke 24. 16. 31.) By similitude of waters breaking out in the wil∣dernesse, and drawing waters out of the wells of salvati∣on, the Scripture denoteth the spirituall graces of the gospel, communicated with the poore afflicted, Esay 35. 6. and 12. 3.

Ver. 20. God was] The Chaldee paraphraseth, [unspec 20] the word of the Lord was a helpe to the lad. shooter with bow] or, an archer: and so consequently, a wa∣riour: for shooting with bow, was used in battels with men, Gen. 49. 23. 24. and 48. 22. and thus the oracle was fulfilled, that hee should be a wild man, and have his hand against every man, Gen. 16. 12.

Vers. 21. of Pharan] or Paran: a wildernesse next [unspec 21] adjoyning to the desert of Sinai, through which the Israelites journeyed as they went from Egypt to Canaan, Num. 10. 12. and 13. 1. 4. Deut. 33. 2. Hab. 3. 3.

Vers. 22. Abimelech,] King of Gerar in Palesti∣na: [unspec 22] see Gen. 20. 2. Prince] that is, chiefe Cap∣taine: as the Greeke calleth him Archistrategos, Chiefe-leader of the Armie. God is] the word of the Lord is for an helpe to thee, saith the Chaldee pa∣raphrast: so in the verse following, for God, he useth the word of the Lord.

Vers. 23. if thou shalt lye,] that is, that thou wilt not [unspec 23] lye: as Psal. 89. 36. an imperfect speech, where an imprecation is understood, which sometimes is ex∣pressed in part, as in Ruth 1. 17. the Lord doe so to me and more also, if. &c. For an oath, is both a taking of the Lord to witnesse that which one sweareth, and to punish if any violate his faith: both which Paul expressed when he sware, I call God for a witnesse upon (or against) my soule, 2 Cor. 1. 23. See before Gen. 14. 23. and 26. 29. The Greeke for lying translateth hurting, or wronging. It meaneth false and deceitfull dealing contrary to the cove∣nant now to be made betweene them, see Ps. 44. 18

V. 25. a well] which was of great use and worth in [unspec 25] that dry country, as the south parts of Canaan are noted to bee, in Iudg. 1. 15. Hereupon grew that betweene Isaak and the Philistines, for wells of wa∣ter, Gen. 26. 18. 20. 21. The Greeke for well, transla∣teth wells, as being many: and indeed Abraham had there moe wells then one, as appeareth by Gen. 26 15. 18. and it is usuall in scripture, to put one for many, as is obserued, on Gen. 3. 2. and 4. 20. Albeit the 30. vers. sheweth rather one speciall to be here meant; where also the Greek speaketh of one.

Vers. 31. Beer sheba] by interpretation, the well [unspec 31] of the oath, as the Greeke translateth it, and the words following doe confirme: or, the well of seven; because of the 7 lambes forementioned, for Sheba usually signifieth seven, and Shebuah, an oath. See also Gen. 26. 33. they sware,] or, were sworne: for swearing is alwaies expressed in Hebrew, in

the forme passive, to be sworne; because it is with a passion of the mind, and offred or occasioned by a∣nother. It hath also the signification of seven, which is a mysticall number, Gen. 2. 2. The reason hereof some thinke to be, because it is confirmed as by se∣ven, that is, by many witnesses: or, as having refe∣rence to the seven spirits that are before the throne of God, Rev. 1. 4. the seven hornes, and seven eyes of the Lambe (Christ,) which are the seven spirits of God sent into all the world, Rev. 5. 6. Wherefore Abra∣hams seven lambes, seeme to bee not without mystery.

Vers. 33. he planted] that is, Abraham planted: as [unspec 33] the Greeke expresseth: which sheweth his purpose and hope here long to continue. a tree] or, a grove: that is, a plot of trees: the Greeke saith, hee planted a field: the Ierusalemy Thargum transla∣teth it, a paradise, or orchard: and it is usuall to put one for many, see Gen. 3. 2. The Hebrew Aeshel is used also for a tree, in 1 Sam. 22. 6. and 31. 13. which another Prophet rehearsing, calleth Aelah, that is, an Oake, 1 Chron. 10. 12. It is before recor∣ded, that Abram had such trees by his tent, under whose coole shadow men sate and were refreshed, in that hot Country, Gen. 18. 1, 4, 8. but by that which here followeth, that hee called there on the name of the Lord, it is also probable, that this plan∣tation was for religious use, which before the Law given by Moses, might bee lawfull; and was used generally of the nations, Deut. 12. 2. but after was forbidden, when God had chosen a place of wor∣ship. Yet as from Abrahams example, offring his sonne Isaak, Gen. 22. the Iewes would superstiti∣ously sacrifice their children, Ier. 7. 31. and 19. 5. so from Abrahams grove, they used groves for religi∣ous use, and sacrificed under greene trees: 2 King. 17. 10. Ier. 17. 2. Esay 57. 5. But God forbad such things, Deut. 16. 21. yet the heathen Romans com∣manded them, saying, Lucos in agris habento: Leg. 12. tab. de relig. lex. 2. eternall God] or, God of eternitie, or, of the World. But the Greeke transla∣teth eternall; and so God is called in Rom. 16. 26. Here is the first place, where this title was given him.

Ver. 34 many daies] or, yeres, (as Gen. 4. 3.) Thus [unspec 34] God gave some rest to this weary pilgrim: hee dwelled here still when Isaak was offred, (which was in the 33. yeere of his life,) Gen. 22. 19. and how long after is uncertaine.