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.

INto dayes] that is, yeeres: see Gen. 18. 11. Hee [unspec 1] was now 140 yeeres old: for Isaak his son was fourty, Gen. 25. 20. and he was borne when Abra∣ham was 100. Gen. 21. 5.

Vers. 2. the eldest] or, the Elder: so the Greeke [unspec 2] translateth it elder, or ancient, whereby may bee meant Governour, as the words following doe ex∣plaine: for Elder, is an usuall name for Governour, Gen. 50. 7. Num. 11. 16. Ruth. 4. 2. 1 Tim. 5. 17. This in likelihood was his Steward Eliezer, Gen. 15. 2. under my thigh] a signe which Iaa∣kob also required of his sonne Ioseph, Gen. 47. 29. eyther to signifie subjection, or for a further my∣stery of the covenant of circumcision, or rather of Christ the promised seed, who was to come out of Abrahams loynes or thigh, as the like phrase shew∣eth, in Gen. 46. 26. of the soules that came out of Iaa∣kobs thigh: wherefore Abraham and Iaakob make their thighes as holy signes, in respect of Gods promise. For otherwise in swearing, they used to lift up the hand towards heaven: see Gen. 14. 22. Hereupon the Greekes have of the Hebrew word Ierek, that is, a Thigh, framed their Horkos, that is, an oath: even as of the Hebrew Iamin, which is the right hand, (used when oaths were taken, Esay 61. 8.) they have formed the Greeke word Om∣nuo, to sweare.

Vers. 3. by Iehovah] by whom alone we are com∣manded to sweare, Deut. 6. 13. The Chaldee saith, [unspec 3] by the word of the Lord: that is, Christ: Ioh. 1. 1. the Canaanite] or Canaanites, as the Greeke translateth: see Gen. 10. 16. This care Abraham had for his sonnes wife, lest by marying with unbe∣leevers, he or his posterity should be drawne from God, as the Law saith, Thou shalt make no mariages with them; they daughter thou shalt not give unto his sonne, neither take his daughter unto thy sonne; for they will turne away thy sonne from following me, &c. Deut. 7. 3. 4. See also Gen. 27. 46. Plato a heathen Philo∣sopher divinely sheweth (in his 6 booke of lawes,) the end of mariage to be, the continuall propaga∣tion of mankind, and good education of children, that leaving childrens children after them, parents may alwayes have some as in their owne stead, to serve God, and to worship him according to the Law. As Isaak was a type of Christ, so in this procuring of him a holy wife by his servant, may bee typed the Church, gathered of Saints, by the employ∣ment of his ministers, to bee the Spouse of Christ. For he is compared to a bridegroome, Ioh. 3. 29. and the Church is the bride the Lambes wife, Rev. 21. 9. 10. and the Apostles prepared the Churches for one husband, to present them a pure virgin to Christ, 2 Cor. 11. 2. which was not to be of the Canaanites, that figured the unholy shut out of the Lords house Zach. 14. 21. but from Christs owne land and kin∣red, that is, from heaven, borne of God from above, Rev. 21. 2. 1 Per. 1. 23. 1 Iohn 3. 9. 10.

Vers. 4. my land] which after is named Mesopota∣mia, [unspec 4] vers. 10. where though Idolatry too much prevailed, (Ios. 24. 2. Gen. 31. 19. 53.) yet not so much as among the Canaanites, Deut. 12. 31.

Vers. 5. If so be] or, Peradventure, so vers. 39. see [unspec 5] Gen. 18. 24. goe after] that is, follow, or come with me: so in ver. 8. &c. That which in Mar. 1. 20. is went after him, in Mat. 4. 22. is written, followed him. Againe, where one writeth, he followeth not us, Mar. 9. 38. another saith, hee followeth not with us, Luke 9. 49. that is, he accompanieth us not.

Vers. 6. lest thou] or, that thou returne not. As A∣braham [unspec 6] by faith abode in the land of promise, so would he have his sonne, Heb. 11. 9.

Vers. 7. thy seed] the Chaldee explaineth it, thy [unspec 7] sonne: the Greeke, to thee and to thy seed. See Gen. 12. 7. before thee] and with thee, as in the repe∣tition, vers. 40. is expressed: both to lead and to protect. As a prudent wife is of the Lord, Prov. 19. 14. so Abraham beleeved that the Angels, who are all ministring spirits, sent forth to minister, for them, who shall be heyres of salvation, Heb. 1. 14. should bee sent for assistance in this businesse, which unto ma∣ny, seemeth worldly and base, but is indeed honou∣rable, Heb. 13. 4.

Verse 8. cleare] or innocent: and so discharged [unspec 8] of the oath.

Vers. 9. his Lord] or master; the pillar and sustai∣ner [unspec 9] of the family: see Gen. 15. 2. As the Hebrew signifieth Lord and Master; so the Scripture useth them indifferently: as where one Evangelist saith Lord, Matth. 17. 4. another saith Master, Mar. 9. 5.

Vers. 10. and all the goods] the Greeke translateth, [unspec 10] and of all the goods of his Lord, with him. This by comparing ver. 53. seemeth to bee the true mean∣ing. Mesopotamia] in Hebrew called Aram Naharajim, that is to say, Aram (or Syria) of the two rivers, it being a country that lay betweene the rivers Euphrates and Tigris (or Chiddekel,) where∣of see Gen. 2. 14. The Chaldee calleth it Aram that is by Euphrates. As Mizraim is in Greek and other tongues, called Aegypt, Gen. 12. 10. so A∣ram Naharajim, is in Greeke Mesopotamia, so called of lying amidst the rivers, which name the New Testament also keepeth, in Act. 7. 2. Afterwards it is called Padam Aram, in Gen. 25. 20. Aram, the New Testament usually calleth Syria, Mat. 4. 14. Act. 15. 23. 41. See Gen. 10. 22. of Nachor] where Nachor dwelt, that was Charran, Gen. 28. 2. 10. By which it appeareth that Nachor accom∣panied Abraham and Tharah from Vr to Charran, but no further, Gen. 11. 31. So that is called Christs City, wherein he dwelt, Mat. 9. 1.

Vers. 11. to kneele downe] and consequently to rest [unspec 11] them; as the Greeke interpreteth it.

Vers. 12. bring it to passe] or, cause it to happen: that [unspec 12] is, give good successe, or send me good lucke. The same word is in Gen. 27. 20. and is spoken of occurren∣ces and events that do fall out and offer themselves unto men, beyond their skill and counsell, through Gods providence, but to us by hap or chance, as the Scripture also speaketh in Luke 10. 31. This be∣ing repeated by the servant, ver. 42. is expounded

prospering: and the Greeke there and here, so trans∣lateth it by one and the same word.

Vers. 14. the damsell] or yong-woman, maid: in [unspec 14] Hebrew Naarah, which five times in this chapter, and often otherwhere is written by the letters Naar, in the forme masculine, but by the vowels Naara. evidently-appointed] or prepared, as by certaine argument and demonstration: or nurtured, that is, prepared and brought up by nurture and chastisement. The originall word signifieth pro∣perly to argue, chastise, or nurture. Here it signifi∣eth appointing or preparing, (as the Greek and Chal∣dee doe translate it) but with evident demonstrati∣on to another. So Paul useth the Greeke word E∣lench, (answerable to the Hebrew here) for an Evi∣dence or Demonstration, Heb. 11. 1.

Vers. 15. it was, &c.] this may also be read thus, [unspec 15] And the same was, (or came to passe,) before hee had made an end of speaking; for loe Rebekah, &c. So God promiseth his people, before they call, I will answer; and whiles they speake, I will heare, Esay 65. 24. And in the 45 verse following, it is said that this speak∣ing was in his heart. and her pitcher] the Greek translateth it, having her pitcher (or waterpot.) The Scripture often setteth downe the base and home∣ly workes, wherein the Saints (men and women) were in old time employed from their youth; as here of Isaaks wife, the mother of the Patriarches: likewise of Rachel Iaakobs wife, Gen. 29. 9. and of the daughters of Moses father in law, Exod. 2. 16. and sundry the like.

Vers. 16. good countenance] or, good of visage, that [unspec 16] is, fayre to looke upon. So Gen. 26. 7. and Exod. 2. 2. translated fayre or goodly, by the Apostles authority. knowne] that is, lyen with her: see Gen. 4. 1. These properties of humilitie, kindnesse, beauty and chastity, are mentioned by the Holy Ghost, as the most excellent: so Christs Spouse is spiritually described by such, Song 1. 8. 15. &c.

Vers. 17. let me drinke] or, slake my thirst. The [unspec 17] word here used is strange, and seemeth to be Syri∣acke, which they spake in that country, and to have the significatiō of great thirst, which he desireth to be slaked: and after in repeating this, ver. 45. hee useth the common Hebrew, hashkini, that is, let me drinke.

Ver. 21. wondering] that is, wondred; and as the [unspec 21] Greeke translateth, considered her, and held his peace.

Ver. 22. tooke] and gave unto her: as taking, Psal. [unspec 22] 68. 19. is expounded giving, Eph. 4. 8. eare-ring] or abillement, jewell, ouch: which was hanged sometime on the care, Genesis 35. 4. sometime on the nose, face, or forehead, Ezek. 16. 12. and so this here was, as the 47. ver. sheweth. The Greek turneth it as of many ear-rings. In narration of this story, (which yet seemeth to be of light and trivi∣all matters,) the Spirit of God is very exact and large; whereas other things wherein great myste∣ries are infolded (as the history of Melchisedek, Gen. 14. and many the like,) are set downe in few words. That men might consider Gods wisedome and providence in things of least esteeme among men. Compare 1 Cor. 1. 25. 27. 28. halfe a she∣kel] a weight called in Hebrew bekagh, which sig∣nifieth cleft or cut in the mids: and so the Law ex∣poundeth it to be halfe a shekel, Exod. 38. 26. the Greeke translateth it a drachm, or dram: which if it were halfe the common shekell, weighed 80 grains of barley: the holy shekell was double so much: see Gen. 20. 16. ten] to weet, shekels, as the Chal∣dee expresly addeth: such words as are easie to bee understood, are often omitted: so a thousand, 2 Sam. 8. 4. for a thousand charrets, 1 Chron. 18. 4. the three, 1 Chron. 11. 18. for the three mighty men, 2 Sam. 23. 16. and many the like.

Vers. 24. Bothuel] in Greeke, Bathouel sonne of [unspec 24] Melcha.

Vers. 26. bowed himselfe] or, adored, worshipped [unspec 26] Iehovah. The former word signifieth the bending or stooping with the head: this meaneth the bow∣ing or prostrating of the whole body: usually called worshipping or adoration. So Exod. 4. 31. Gen. 22. 5.

Vers. 27. mercy] or gracious kindnesse: see v. 49. [unspec 27] brethren] that is, kinsfolke: see Gen. 13. 8. or brethren is put for brother, as the Greeke and Chal∣dee translateth it, and so it is after explained, v. 48.

Ver. 31. blessed of Iehovah] an honourable title, [unspec 31] used as it seemeth, in those times by many, as Gen. 26. 29.

Ver. 33. there was set] to weet, by Laban; or he [unspec 32] set: (for the Hebrew hath a double reading to af∣ford both senses) and so the Greeke translateth he set, and the Chaldee, they set: and here the word meat or bread (as the Greeke expresseth) is to bee understood; as elsewhere other words, which the scope of the place sheweth: as, hee put in Syria, 1 Chron. 18. 6. for, he put garisons in Syria, 2 Sam. 8. 6. See Exod. 34. 7. not eat] an example of a diligent and faithfull servant, preferring his worke for which he was sent, before his food. So the A∣postle teacheth servants obedience, in singlenesse of their heart, as unto Christ: not with eye-service as men pleasers, &c. Eph. 6. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Vers. 36. after her old-age] that is, after shee was [unspec 36] wexen old: and so without natural strength to bear: see Gen. 18. 11. all that he hath] wherein he also was a figure of Christ, whom the Father hath made heyre of all things, Heb. 1. 2. and of true Chri∣stians, who with him shall inherit all things, Rev. 21. 7. So againe in Gen. 25. 5.

Vers. 38. If thou shalt not goe] understand, wishing [unspec 38] a curse to thy soule, if thou goe not: for so imprecations were annexed with solemne othes, but not expres∣sed: see Gen. 21. 23. The Greeke translateth, but thou shalt goe: which is also the meaning, and so expressed before, in v. 4. family] that is, kinred, or as the Greeke saith, my tribe: and so before in v. 4. and after, v. 40. 41.

Vers. 40. have walked] and pleased (as the Greeke [unspec 40] translateth) and that by his calling and faith in his promises, as before, v. 7. see Gen. 5. 22. and 17. 1. with] and before thee: see vers. 7.

Vers. 41. execration] or, curse: as the Greeke [unspec 41] here translateth it. Before it was called simply an oath, vers. 8. and so the Chaldee still hath it here: but this word, and the forme of the oath in v. 38.

sheweth it was also with imprecation of evill, if he did breake his promise. So Gen. 26. 28. Deut. 29. 12. 14. 19. 21. The Hebrew Alah, is by the Apostle in Greeke, ara; that is, acurse, Rom. 3. 14. and in Num. 5. 21. both are joyned, an oath of cursing.

Ver. 42. if thou be now] or, O bee thou I pray thee: [unspec 42] for it was a prayer, as the 12. verse before sheweth: and as oathes, so prayers were often uttered after this manner: as in Luke 12. 49. if it were already kindled: that is, O that it were: as the Syriacke translation explaineth it, I desire that it were already kindled. So in Psal. 139. 19. If thou wouldst slay the wicked: that is, O that thou wouldest: and sundry the like: see Gen. 28. 20.

Vers. 45. in my heart] or, unto my heart: the Greek [unspec 45] saith, in my mind. This was not expressed before, in vers. 15.

Vers. 46. from upon her] from her shoulder, and [unspec 46] to put upon her hand, as was said verse 18. and so the Greeke here joyneth them both.

Vers. 47. her face] or nose, forehead, from whence it hung downe on the nose: so Ezek. 16. 12. See [unspec 47] before in ver. 22.

Verse 48. way of truth,] that is, the true (the [unspec 48] right) way.

Vers. 49. doe mercy and truth] that is, deale merci∣fully [unspec 49] and truly, or kindly and faithfully: which two things as they are often spoken of God towards men, as before in v. 27. and Gen. 32. 10. 2 Sam. 2. 6. Psal. 25. 10. and 57. 4. and 61. 8. and 89. 15. and 98. 3. and 138. 2. so of men toward men, as here, and in Gen. 47. 29. Ios. 2. 14. The first word signi∣fieth a gracious, kind, and mercifull affection; the other, a true and faithfull disposition, constantly to performe what is spoken or expected: of these both it is said, let not mercy and truth forsake thee, Prov. 3. 3.

Vers. 50. the thing] or, the word is come forth. [unspec 50] unto thee] the Greeke turneth it, speake against thee. evill or good] that is, any thing at all against it; but doe rest in the will of God. A like speech is in Gen. 31. 24.

Vers. 53. vessels] or instruments, ornaments, jewels, [unspec 53] &c. The word is large, signifying all things for use or ornament. precious things] or, dainties: and by conference with other places, the word see∣meth to be meant of the precious or dainty fruits of the earth: the Greeke translateth it onely gifts. This word is used in Deut. 3. 3. 13. 14. 15. Song. 4. 13. 2. Chron. 21. 3. and 32. 23. Ezr. 1. 6. The ho∣ly Ghost seemeth to expresse it in Greeke by opora, that is, summer or autumn-fruit, Rev. 18. 14.

Vers. 55. dayes, at least ten] or thus, dayes, or ten: meaning a yeere, or ten moneths. The Greeke inter∣preteth [unspec 55] it, about ten dayes; but the Chaldee addeth, or ten moneths, and so it may well be understood, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yeere of dayes, (that is, a full yeere) or at least tenne moneths. Dayes is often used for a yeere, as is shew∣ed on Gen. 4. 3.

Vers. 57. her mouth] that is, aske her consent: or, what she will say. The Chaldee translateth it, and [unspec 57] heare what she saith. The mouth is put for that which commeth out of the mouth: which the holy Ghost expoundeth the word, Luke 4. 4. from Deut. 8. 3. Hereupon the mouth is often used for speech, or words; as in Gen. 41. 40. and 45. 21. Exod. 17. 1. Num. 9. 20. Deut. 1. 26. Psal. 49. 14.

Vers. 59. her nurse] named Deborah, whom Iaa∣kob [unspec 59] buried with lamentation, Gen. 35. 8. she was sent for honourable respect, and to have tender care of Rebekah, as the Scripture sheweth Nurses to have, 1 Thes. 2. 7. Num. 11. 12.

Vers. 60. unto thousand,] that is, a mother of innu∣merable [unspec 60] people. The Chaldee translateth, thousands and ten thousands, whereby an infinite number is meant, as in Dan. 7. 10. the gate] that is, as the Greeke and Chaldee translateth the cities: and by possessing or inheriting, is meant dominion over them Lev. 25. 46. See in Gen. 22. 17. them] or it, that is, the seed: see Gen. 22. 17.

Vers. 61. after] the Greeke translateth, with the [unspec 61] man. So in 1 Cor. 10. 4. the rocke that followed them, is in the Syriack and Arabick versions, turned, the rocke that went with them. Thus Rebekah left her friends, and fathers house, to goe unto Isaak her husband: so the Spouse of Christ is exhorted to forget her people and her fathers house, Psal. 45. 11.

Vers. 62. from the way] Hebr. from the comming: [unspec 62] or, from comming, that is, from walking. The Greeke translateth, Isaak walked through the wildernesse.

Beer lachai roi] that is, the well of him that liveth, that seeth me; whereof see Gen. 16. 14. The Greek saith, by the well of vision: the Chaldee, from the well whereat the Angell of life appeared. But the Ierusa∣lemy paraphrase saith, And Isaak went from the schoole-house of Sem the great, to the well whereat the majesty of the Lord had beene revealed. Though this exposition be uncertaine, yet it is certaine Sem was now alive, by comparing his life time, Gen. 14. 18. Where Melchisedek is counted by the Iewes, Sem the great: who might well be master of a schoole of the Prophets. south country] or, land of the south: the south part of Canaan: see Gen. 12. 9.

Vers. 63. to mediate] or to pray, as the Chaldee [unspec 63] translateth: but the Greeke saith, to exercise him-selfe, which comprehendeth both meditation and prayer, as the Hebrew also doth, Psal. 77. 4. 7. 13. and 119. 15. and 102. 1. the looking forth] or, turning towards; that is, when it was towards eve∣ning; before Sunne setting: as on the contrary, the looking forth of the morning, Exod. 14. 27. is very early, before Sunne rising. So in Deut. 23. 11. where this phrase is explained to meane before the Sun be set. It seemeth to be at the ninth houre of the day, (with us, the third houre after noone) for then they beganne the daily evening service of God, and burning of sacrifice, and it was called in Israel, the houre of prayer, Act. 3. 1.

Vers. 64. lighted] Hebr. fell downe; the Greeke [unspec 64] hath, leaped downe, which was to meet him with the more reverence and submission. a veyl] a signe also of subjection, 1 Cor. 11. 5. 6. 10.

Vers. 67. the ••••nt of Sarah] which she had peculi∣ar, [unspec 67] for her owne use, see Gen. 23. 2. the Greek trans∣lateth it, the house, or habitation: and so the Lords tent, is called an house, 1 Chron. 9. 23. Compare

with this, Song 8. 2. where the Church bringeth Christ into her mothers house. he tooke] by solem∣nity of mariage; this was in the 40 yeere of his life; Gen. 25. 20. loved her] So ought men to love their wives, as their owne bodies: likewise hee saith, Hus∣bands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, Eph. 5. 28. 25▪ was dead] These words the Chaldee paraphrast addeth: and the Hebrew text sometime supplieth such wants, as that which thou hast prayed, Esay 37. 21. for, I have heard that which thou hast prayed, 2 King. 19. 20. The Greeke translateth, he was comforted concerning Sarrha his mother. She died three yeeres before his mariage. Hereupon the Hebrew Doctors say, Isaak mourned for his mother Sarah, three yeeres; after three yeeres he tooke Rebekah, and forgat the mourning for his mother: from whence thou maist learne, that whiles a man takes not a wife, his love goeth after his parents; when hee takes a wife, his love goeth after his wife; as it is said (in Gen. 2. 24.) Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and he shall cleave to his wife. Pirkei R. Eliezer, ch. 32.