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.

CHAP. XXV.

1, Abraham taking Keturah to wife, hath by her many sonnes and nephewes. 5, The division of his goods. 7, His age and death. 9, His buriall. 11, Isaak bles∣sed after his father's death. 12, The generations of Is∣mael; 17, his age and death. 19, Isaak prayeth for Rebekah being barren. 22, She conceiving, the children strive in her wombe. 24, The birth of Esau and Iakob. 27, Their different state. 29, Esau selleth his birthright to Iakob, for a messe of pottage.

ANd Abraham added, and tooke a wife, and her name was Keturah. And [unspec 1] [unspec 2] she bare to him Zimran, and Iokshan, and Medan, and Midjan: and lishbak, and Shuach. And Iokshan begat Sheba, and De∣dan: and the sonnes of Dedan, were Asshu∣rim [unspec 3] and Lerushim, and Leummim. And the [unspec 4] sonnes of Mid••an, Ephah and Epher, and E∣poch▪ and Abida, and Eld〈…〉〈…〉 all these, were the sonnes of Keturah. And Abraham gave all that he had to Isaak. And to the sonnes [unspec 5] [unspec 6] of the concubines which Abraham had, A∣braham gave gifts: and sent them away from 〈…〉〈…〉aak his sonne, while hee yet lived; eastward, unto the east country. And these are the dayes of the yeeres of the life of A∣braham, [unspec 7] which he lived: [hundred yeeres, and seventy yeeres, and five yeeres. And A∣braham [unspec 8] gave-up the ghost, and dyed, in a good hoary: age, an old-man, and full (of 〈…〉〈…〉) and hee was gathered unto his peo∣ples▪ And Isaak and Ismael his sonnes, bu∣ried [unspec 9] him; in the cave of Macpelah▪ in the field of Ephron the sonne of Zohar the Che∣thite, which is before Mamree. The field, [unspec 10] which Abraham purchased, of the sonnes of Cheth: there was Abraham buried, and Sa∣rah his wife. And it was, after the death of [unspec 11] Abraham, that God blessed Isaak his sonne: and Isaak dwelt by Beer-lachai-roi.

And these are the generations of Ismael, [unspec 12] Abrahams son: whom Hagar the Aegyptian Sarahs hand maid, bare unto Abraham. [unspec 13] And these are the names of the sonnes of Is∣mael; by their names, according to their ge∣nerations: the first-borne of Ismael, Neba∣joth and Kedar, Adbeel, and Mibsam. And [unspec 14] [unspec 15] [unspec 16] Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa. Hadar and Tema, Ietur, Naphish, and Kedmah. These are the sonnes of Ismael, and these are their names; by their townes; and by their castles: twelve Princes, according to their nations. And these are the yeeres of the life of Ismael; [unspec 17] a hundred yeeres, and thirty yeeres, and se∣ven yeeres: and he gave-up the ghost and di∣ed; and was gathered unto his peoples. And [unspec 18] they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur; which is before Aegypt, as thou goest to Assiria: before the faces of all his brethren, did hee fall.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉

And these are the generations of Isaak, the [unspec 19] sonne of Abraham: Abraham, begat Isaak. And Isaak was fourtie yeeres old, when hee [unspec 20] tooke Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel the Sy∣rian, of Padan Aram: the sister of Laban the Syrian, unto him to wife. And Isaak intrea∣ted [unspec 21] Iehovah, for his wife; because shee was barren: and Iehovah was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. And the [unspec 22] sonnes strougled-together, within her; and she said if it be so, why am I thus? And shee went to inquire of Iehovah. And Iehovah [unspec 23] said unto her; Two nations, are in thy womb; and two peoples shall be separated from thy bowels: and the one people, shall be stronger then the other people; and the greater shall serve the lesser. And her dayes were fulfil∣led, [unspec 24] to bring-forth: and behold, twins were in her wombe. And the first came-out red, [unspec 25] all over like an hairy mantle: and they called his name Esau. And afterward came his [unspec 26] brother out; (and his hand holding by the heele of Esau; and he called his name Iakob: and Isaak was sixtie yeeres old, when she bare them. And the boyes grew; and Esau was a [unspec 27] cunning huntsman, a man of the field: and Iakob was a perfect man, dwelling in tents.

And Isaak loved Esau, because venison was [unspec 28] in his mouth: and Rebekah loved Iakob. And Iakob sod pottage: and Esau came from [unspec 29] [unspec 30] the field, and he was faint. And Esau said to Iakob; Let me taste I pray thee, of that red, that red pottage, for I am faint: therefore he called his name Edom. And Iakob said, Sell [unspec 31] [unspec 32] to me this day thy first-birthright. And E∣sau said, Loe I am going to dye: and where∣fore (serveth) this first-birthright unto me? And Iakob said, Sweare unto me this day, [unspec 33] and he sware unto him: and he sold his first-birthright unto Iakob. And Iakob gave to [unspec 34] Esau, bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eate and drinke, and rose up and went-away: and Esau despised the first-birthright.

Annotations.

ADded] that is, did againe take a wife, when hee [unspec 1] was an hundred and fourty yeeres old, and had of her sixe sonnes, by the extraordinary bles∣sing of God: whereas fourty yeeres before, his bo∣dy was even dead, in respect of naturall strength and vigour, as the Apostle noteth, Rom. 4. 19. a wife] called elsewhere a concubine, 1 Chron. 1. 32. what manner of wife that was, see on Gen. 22. 24. Keturah] in Greeke Chettoura.

Vers. 2. Zimran] in Greeke Zombran. Iek∣shan] in Greeke Iezan] Medan] whose posteri∣ty [unspec 2] are called Medanites, Gen. 37. 36. Midian] in Greeke Madiam and Madian, Act. 7. 29. of him came the people called Madianites; that soone fell from Abrahams faith to idolatry, Num. 25. Shuach] in Greek, Soie: of him came Bildad, Iobs friend, called the Shuchite, Iob 2. 11.

Vers. 3. Sheba] in Greek, Saba: his posterity rob∣bed [unspec 3] lob of his oxen and asses, Iob 1. 15.

Vers. 4. Ephah] or Gepha: in Greeke, Gephar. Epher] or Gepher, in Greek Apheir: of him the [unspec 4] country Aphrica is thought to have the name. Enoch] in Heb. Chanoch: as Gen. 5. 18.

Vers. 5. to Isaak] as being his onely heyre, and child of promise, Gen. 21. 12. a figure of Christ and [unspec 5] Christians, heyres by promise of all things, Heb. 1. 2. Iohn 3. 34. Rev. 21. 7. Gal. 3 29. and 2. 28.

Vers. 6. concubines] Hagar, and Keturah: vers. 1. [unspec 6] east country] or, land of the East: a part of Ara∣bia: hereupon mention is made of the sonnes of the East, Iob 1. 3. And Iob himselfe was in likelihood the son of one of these sons or nephewes of Abra∣ham by Keturah.

Vers. 7. 175 yeeres] This summe of his yeeres sheweth, how Abraham had lived a pilgrim in Ca∣naan [unspec 7] a hundred yeeres after he came out of Char∣ran, Gen. 12. 4. That he attained not to the yeeres of his forefathers, who all lived longer then hee, Gen. 11. 11. &c. as did also his son Isaak, Gen. 35. 28. That he left alive behind him, Heber, that great Patriarch and Prophet, of whom hee had the sur∣name to be an Hebrew, Gen. 11. 17. and 14. 13. and from whom he was the seventh generation, as E∣noch was from Adam.

Vers. 8. hoary age] as was promised, Gen. 15. 15. [unspec 8] of dayes] so the Greek and Chaldee explain∣eth it, and the Hebrew it selfe elsewhere, Gen. 35. 29. Such words are often to be understood, as a full, for a full cup, Psal. 73. 10. see Gen. 4. 20. and 5. 3. and by being full of dayes, is meant a willingnesse to dye, without desiring longer life on earth. his peoples] the Greeke translateth, his people: the like is said of Ismael, vers. 17. of Isaak, Gen. 35. 29. of Iaakob, Gen. 49. 33. of Aaron, Num. 20. 24. of Moses, Deut. 32. 50. and others: sometime it is said, gathered to their fathers, 2 King. 22. 20. Iudg. 2. 10. Act. 13. 36. and by Abrahams peoples, are meant his fathers, Gen. 15. 15. and the phrase signifieth the immortality of soules: for Abrahams body was gathered to the body of Sarah onely, as the next words shew: and by his fathers, are meant the spirits of just men made perfect, Heb. 12. 23. See after, in verse 17.

Vers. 10. and Sarah] as is shewed in Gen. 23. 19. [unspec 10] Afterwards Isaak and Iakob with their wives, were buried there also, Gen. 49. 29. 31.

Vers. 11. blessed Isaak] so applying and confir∣ming [unspec 11] to him, the promises made to Abraham, Gen. 12. 2. and 14. 19. and 17. 19. and so Isaak com∣mended to Iakob, the blessing of Abraham, Gen. 28. 3. 4. and by this blessing, the righteousnesse of faith is implyed, to Abrahams seed, Galat. 3. 8. 9. &c. Beer-lachai-roi] in Greeke, the well of vi∣sion; in Chaldee, the well at which the Angell of life appeared: this place of Isaaks seating, is not without mystery: see Gen. 16. 14. and 24. 62.

Vers. 12. generations] a rehearsall of Ismaels off∣spring; [unspec 12] as Gen. 5. 1. And here, the fulfilling of Gods promise is seene, made in Gen. 16. 10. 12. and 17. 20. and how hee that was borne after the flesh, and cast out of Abrahams house, Gal. 4. 23. 30 was multiplyed before Isaak the child and heyre of the promise. See the like of Esau, Gen. 36. 43.

Vers. 13. Nebajoth] he and his brethren seated [unspec 13] in Arabia, Esay 20. 13. 14. 16. Ezek. 27. 21. where peoples and places retained the footsteps of their names: they gave themselves to shepherdy, as ap∣peareth, Esay 60. 7. Ier. 49. 29. And here are twelve sons reckned, which were Princes of their tribes, as was promised in Gen. 17. 20. answerable in num∣ber to the twelve sonnes of Iakob, heads of the twelve tribes of Israel; but these Ismaelites are a generation before them, as Ismael himselfe was borne before Isaak. For, that is first which is na∣turall, and afterward that which is spirituall, 1 Co∣rinth. 15. 46.

Vers. 16. castles,] or, villages: dwelling houses so [unspec 16] named of being faire and high built in a row or or∣der. In Greeke habitations, as in Act. 1. 20. from Psal. 69.

Vers. 17. 137 yeeres] So he lived not so long as his [unspec 17] father Abraham, or his brother Isaak, or as did Iakob; though he lived till a great old age. And this mention of the terme of his life, and gathe∣ring

to his fathers, (as was spoken before of Abra∣ham, v. 8.) and the burying of his father with his brother, vers. 9. may be some probability of Isma∣els repentance, and dying in the faith of Abraham: for unlesse it be he, no reprobate hath his whole life time recorded in holy Scripture. Or if Ismael dyed wicked; then by his fathers to whom he was gathered, are meant the soules of wicked men be∣fore him: which are spirits in prison, 1 Pet. 3. 19.

Vers. 18. they] that is, Ismaels sonnes dwelt. In [unspec 18] Greeke, he dwelt. Shur] a place in the wilder∣nesse: see Gen. 16. 7. The Chaldee there and here calleth it Chagra. did he fall] meaning either, that his lot did befall him, so to dwell, or that he so dyed, as the word fall sometime signifieth, Psal. 82. 7. Gen. 14. 10. But the Greeke here translateth it, he dwelt: so also doth the Chaldee paraphrast, & so the plaine text was before, in the promise, Gen. 16 12. and to make to fall, is to divide by lot an inheri∣tance to dwell in, Ios. 23. 4. Psal. 78. 55.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Here beginneth the sixt Section of the Law, called The generations of Isaak. See Gen. 6. 9.

Vers. 19. the generations] that is, the history of the [unspec 19] off-spring of Isaak; and things that befell unto him, as Gen. 2. 1. and 5. 1. and 6. 9.

Vers. 20. old] Hebr. son of fourty yeere, so v. 26. [unspec 20] see Gen. 5. 32. the Syrian] the Hebrew name is Aramite: which the holy Ghost in Greeke calleth Syrian, Luke 4. 27. See Gen. 10. 22. Padan Aram] the same that Aram Naharajim, Gen. 24. 10 for the Greeke turneth them both, Mesopotamia of Syria. Aram is Syria, Gen. 24. 10. and 10. 22. Padan in the Syrian tongue is a payre or couple, and the country of Aram lying betweene a couple of rivers, is so named Padan Aram: and sometime onely Padan, as Gen. 48. 7.

Vers. 21. for] or, directly-for, (as the force of the [unspec 21] Hebrew word implyeth) and before his wife: so it seemeth to bee some solemne prayer which they made together directly for this matter: having lived twenty yeeres together without any child, and Isaak wexen old, into the 60 yeere of his life, ver. 26. God exercising his faith hereby, as he had done Abrahams, Gen. 15. 2. The Iewes have a tra∣dition, that Isaak went with his wife to mount Mo∣rijah, to the place where he had beene bound, (Gen. 22. 9.) and prayed there: Pirke R. Eliezer, ch. 32.

Vers. 22. strugled-together] or, bruised themselves, [unspec 22] by strugling: which did presage the contrarietie that should be betweene these two brothers: and so betweene the children of God, & of this world. if so, &c.] an unperfect speech, which in her passion she uttered: the Greeke translateth it, if it shall so be with me, why (is) this unto me? why have I conceived, if I must feele such things? to en∣quire] or seeke, either by private prayer, or by ask∣ing some Prophet. The Ierusalemy Thargum taketh it in this last sense, and saith, she went to the Schoole of Sem the great: Howbeit Sem was dead about ten yeeres before this: but by Abraham, or Heber, the great Patriarch, then living, shee might well inquire of God. Others, (as R. Eliezer, Perek 32.) take it to be meant of her praying unto God.

Vers. 23. Two nations] that is, fathers of two na∣tions, and divers peoples: Edomites and Israelites. [unspec 23] the greater] to weet, in dignity, which came naturally by the first birthright: or, the elder. The Hebrew Rab, (whereof great men and masters are called Rabbies, Iohn 1. 39. Mat. 23. 8.) signifieth a superiour in dignity. The holy Ghost in Greeke translateth it, the greater, Rom. 9. 12. Hereby Esau and his posteritie are meant. shall serve] as came to passe carnally, when the Aedomites (of Esau) became servants to David, and to the Israelites which were of Iakob, 2 Sam. 8. 14. and spiritually, when Iakob got of Esau the first birthright, and bereaved him of the blessing, Gen. 25. 33. and 27. 29. For servitude came in with a curse, and figu∣reth reprobation, Gen. 9. 25. Iohn 8. 34. 35. Gal. 4. 30. 31. Therefore from hence the Prophet teach∣eth, that God loved Iakob, and hated Esau, Mal. 1. 2. 3. and the Apostle gathereth the doctrine of Gods election and reprobation, saying, when Re∣bekka had conceived by one, even by our father Isaak, the children being not yet borne, neither having done any good or evill, that the purpose of God according to elec∣tion might stand, not of workes, but of him that calleth, it was said unto her, the greater shall serve the lesser, as it is written, Iakob have I loved, but Esau have I ha∣ted, Rom. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

Vers. 25. red] a signe of the cholericke, cruell, [unspec 25] and bloody disposition, found in Esau himselfe, and in his posterity, Gen. 27. 40. 41. Obad. 1. 10. Ezek. 25. 12. So the cruell persecuting Dragon was of red colour, Rev. 12. 3. The Hebrew Doctors say, Esau the wicked, was drawne after the workes of judge∣ment, mystically signified in these words, And by thy sword shalt thou live, Gen. 27. 40. and therefore he was red: R. Menachem Rakenat. on Gen. 25. And in Bresith rabbah they note, how hee was red, and his meat was red, Gen. 25. 30. end his land was red, (as in Gen. 32. 3.) &c. And he that takes vengeance on him is red; and in red clothing, Song 5. 10. Esay 63. 1. 2. all over] Hebr. all of him like a mantle of hayre; which the Greek translateth, like a rough hide. This also signified his strong, fierce, and crafty nature: For hayre is a signe of naturall strength; and na∣ture being corrupted, hairinesse denoteth the po∣wer of corruption; therefore when Lepers were purified, all their hayre was to be shaven off, Lev. 14. 8. So the Hebrewes say, that his hayrinesse sig∣nified the strength of uncleannesse, which came out of him: R. Menachem, on Gen. 25. Esau] by in∣terpretation, Made, or Perfected: as being of a more strong and perfect constitution naturall, then other children: rather like a man then a babe.

Vers. 26. the heele] or foot sole; as if he would have [unspec 26] pulled backe his brother from the birth, and have beene before him: or at least, for to overthrow him. Which as God by their former strugling in her body, and now by this behaviour did signifie: so the Prophet mentioneth it after to Iakobs chil∣dren, how he thus strove for the grace of the first birthright, which they by sin suffered themselves to be deprived of, Hos. 12. 2. 3. This manner of

birth, that Iakobs hand held his brother by the heele, was also extraordinarily strange, and peril∣lous for the life both of mother and child. See the like after, in Gen. 38. 28. he called] that is, every one called: as in vers. 25. it is written, they called: or, he was called; so vers. 30. See the notes on Gen. 16. 14. Iakob] that signifieth one that should hold by the foot, or overthrow his brother.

Vers. 27. a cunning huntsman] Hebr. a man know∣ing [unspec 27] hunting. of the field] ranging the fields for to hunt beasts. Of a disposition much like Ismaels, Gen. 16. 12. or Nimrods, Gen. 10. 9. perfect] of a religious, honest, plaine and simple disposition, without guile or wickednesse: as the Greeke trans∣lateth, vnfeighned. See Gen. 6. 9. dwelling] or, sitting in tents: that is, either keeping home, (as Iudg. 5. 24.) or being with the sheepfolds as an heirder: for shepherds kept in tents, Gen. 4. 20. Esa. 38. 12. and such was Iakobs trade and his chil∣drens, Gen. 46. 34. Besides, that dwelling in tents, signified his pilgrimage in the land, Heb. 11. 9. Hereupon Iakobs tents, are used for the state of the commonwealth of Israel, Num. 24. 5. Mal. 2. 12. The Greeke here translateth, dwelling in house: but the Chaldee saith, A minister of the house of doctrine: as giving himselfe to religious study and scholler∣ship. So other of the Hebrew Doctors; as in Pir∣kei R. Eliezer, ch. 32. it is said, After the children were growne, the one walked in the way of life, the other walked in the way of death. Iakob our father walked in the way of life, for he dwelt in tents, and studied the law, all his dayes; but Esau the wicked, walked in the way of death, to kill Iakob, Gen. 27. 41.

Vers. 28. in his mouth] or, for his mouth; namely, [unspec 28] his meat, as the Greeke explaineth it: that is, be∣cause he delighted to eate of Esaus venison. This love for carnall respect continued contrary to the Oracle of God, but it was disappointed, Genes. 27. 4. 33.

Vers. 29. pottage] or broth: Hebr. sod a seething. [unspec 29] faint] with wearinesse; as the word implyeth. This signified Esaus vaine imployment of his time and strength: whereas they that wait on the Lord spiritually, faint not, Esay 40. 30. 31. but the righte∣ous eateth to the satisfying of his soule: Pro. 13. 25.

Vers. 30. Let me cast] or, let me have a draught; [unspec 30] the Greeke and Chaldee translate it tast. It is a word not used but in this place. red] which in Hebrew is Adom: whereupon his name was called Aedom. The doubling of the word red, and omit∣ting the word pottage, noteth Esaus hast and gree∣dinesse, increased also by the colour. he called] or, his name was called Aedom, that is, Red: for hee was ruddy when hee was borne, vers. 25. and now longing for red broth, and selling his birthright for it, this name was given him, as a brand-marke of his greedinesse and profanenesse.

Vers. 31. this day] or, even now: the Hebr. Cajom, [unspec 31] As to day, is often used for hajom, this day, as the Greeke here interpreteth it, and in vers. 23. follow∣ing. So 1 Sam. 2. 16. and 9. 13. 27. 2 Chron. 18. 4. And the Hebrew word for As, is often a very af∣firmation: see Gen. 27. 12. firstbirthright] The dignity whereof the Law sheweth to be great, in that all the first-borne were peculiarly consecrated and given unto God, Exod. 22. 29. were next in ho∣nour to their parents, Gen. 49. 3. had a double por∣tion of their fathers goods, Deut. 21. 17. succeeded them in the government of the family, or king∣dome: 2 Chron. 21. 3. and administration of the priesthood, and service of God, Num. 8. 14.—17. Therefore the first-borne is used for one that is lo∣ved, and deare to his father, Ex. 4. 22. and higher then his brethren, Psal. 89. 28. and figured Christ, Rom. 8. 29. and true Christians heyres of the king∣dome of heaven, Heb. 12. 23. This honour Iakob strove to have at his birth; but missing then, hee seeketh now, and obtaineth it. The Greeke trans∣lateth it plurally, firstbirthrights; and so doth the Apostle in Heb. 12. 16.

Vers. 32. going to dye] that is, ready, or in danger to [unspec 32] dye: which may bee meant, both in respect of his present hunger, which could not (as he prophane∣ly thought) bee satisfied with the title of his birth-right: and of his daily danger to bee killed by the wild beasts, in the field where hee hunted. wherefore serveth] or, what profiteth? as if he should say, nothing at all.

Vers. 33. Sweare] to confirme the bargain, (Heb. [unspec 33] 6. 16.) and to make it irrevocable, (Psalm. 110. 4. and 15. 4.) So by oath he renounced his birthright before God, whose name is therfore used in othes; Deut. 6. 13. he sold] It is recorded in the Iewes canon lawes, that the first-borne who selloth the por∣tion of his birthright, even before it be parted; his sale standeth in force: because the firstborne hath part in the birthright, before the parting thereof: Maimony, Treat. of Inheritances, ch. 3. S. 6.

Vers. 34. of lentiles] a kind of pulse much like to [unspec 34] vetches, or small pease; and but course food, so vile an exchange did Esau make of his heavenly digni∣ty: that not without cause doth the holy Ghost call him a profane person; who for one meales meat, sold his first birthrights, Heb. 12. 16. It is a tradition of the Hebrew Doctors, that Lentiles were wont to be eaten of men, in their sorrow and mourning: and that Iakob did feed upon Lentiles, in mourning and sor∣row, for that the kingdome, and dominion, and first-birthright was Esaus. Whereupon they also gather, that the sonnes of Esau should not fall, untill the Re∣mainder of Iakob come, and give to the sonnes of Esau, food of lentiles, with mourning and sorrow, and take from them the dominion, kingdome, and firstbirthright, which Iakob bought of him by oath. Pirkei R. Eliezer, ch. 35. eat and drinke] This seemeth to intimate not onely a satisfying of his hunger, but a carnall secure despising of his honor now sold: as in 1 Cor. 15. 32. let us eat and drinke, for to morrow wee shall dye. went away] without shewing any remorse or sorrow, for his profane bargaine. despised] unto this the Ierusalemy Paraphrast addeth, that he also despised his portion in the world to come; and de∣nyed the resurrection of the dead. Thus the Iewes esteemed his fact most irreligious and profane: as the Apostle also doth, Heb. 12. 16.