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.

BLessed him] God hereby confirmed Iakobs [unspec 1] faith, against doubts and feares, both of things past and to come, while his father now wittingly and willingly blesseth him, and comforteth him against future troubles, that might befall him in his pilgrimage. The Hebrew Doctors say. Bet∣ter is the end of a thing, then the beginning thereof, (Eccles. 7, 8.) the first blessings where with Isaak blessed Iaakob, were of the dew of heaven, and corne of the earth. Gen. 27. 28. the after blessings, were blessings that had an eternall foundation, and had no end of them, either in this world, or in the world to come: as it is writ∣ten, And God almightie blesse thee, (Gen. 28. 3. 4. and addeth moreover unto him, the blessing of Abraham. Pirkei R. Eliezer. ch. 35.

Vers. 2 Padan Aram] or Mesopotamia, as the [unspec 2] Greeke turneth it: so vers. 5. 6. &c. see the notes on Gen. 25. 20. a wife,] The like care Abraham tooke, to provide a wife for Isaak, Gen. 24. But there, servants were sent with camels, and store of good things: here the son himselfe is sent on foot in poore estate, with his staffe, Gen. 32. 10. to serve for a wife, Hos. 12. 12. So great was the triall of Ia∣kobs faith in this his pilgrimage, greater then all his fathers: and upon his inheriting of the blessing, there followed presently great afflictions.

Vers. 3. Almighty] or, Alsufficient; see Gen. 17. 1. [unspec 3] an assembly] or, church, congregation, company, that is, a multitude of peoples, as, Ezek. 23, 24. I he Greeke translateth it synagogues (or assemblies) of na∣tions, and the Chaldee, an assembly of tribes: respect∣ing the twelve tribes that came of Iakob: Exod. 24. 4. This blessing, God promised at Bethel to performe unto Iakob, Gen. 48. 3. 4. and 35. 11.

Vers. 4. bessing of Abraham] which chiefly con∣sisted [unspec 4] in redemption frō the curse of the law, by for∣givenesse of sinnes, and receiving the promise of the Spirit (of the adoption of children, and San∣ctification) through faith in Christ, Gal. 3. 13. 14. 9. 29. Rom. 4. 7. 8. 13. &c. Here Iakob is made heyre of the blessing: so are all true Christians, 1 Pet. 3. 9. of thy sojournings] wherein thou art a so∣journer and pilgrim, the land of Canaan. see Gen. 17. 8. gave to Abraham] to weet, by promise: of this gift, see Gen. 12. 7. and 13. 15. and 15. 7. 18. and 17. 8.

Vers. 5. Syrian] so the Greeke usually translateth [unspec 5] it, which the new testament followeth, Luk. 4. 27. The Hebrew is, the Aramite: see Gen 10. 22.

Vers. 8. evill] that is, displeasing, grievous: so [unspec 8] Gen. 48. 17. on the contrary, good, is for pleasing, Gen. 16. 6. 8.

Vers. 9. Ismael] that is, Ismaels family, or the Is [unspec 9]

maelites: for Ismael himselfe was now dead, Gen. 25. 17. See the notes on Gen. 19. 37. Macha∣lath] called also Basemath, Gen. 36. 3. he tooke her, (being of his kinred,) to please his father; though neither according to Gods will, nor his fathers. So the wicked would seeme to amend one evill, by running into another. of Nabajoth] that is, of the same mother that Nebajoth (Ismaels eldest sonne) was. unto his] that is, besides and unto the two Canaanitish wives which hee already had Gen. 26. 34. so now he had three wives.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Here beginneth the seventh section of Moses law, whereof see the annotations on Gen. 6. 9. Which section when it is lesse absolute, the Hebr. call Parasha, a distinction; and signifie it by a threefold P: but when it is more full and absolute, * 1.1 they name it Seder, an Order, and denote it by a threefold S * 1.2 as in this place.

Vers. 10. Charan] of which place, see Gen. 11. [unspec 10] 31. It was distant from Beersheba, almost 500 En∣glish miles. And Iakob was now about 77. yeeres of age, when hee undertooke this pilgrimage, as may be gathered by the historie following, and by Gen. 47. 9. Of which journey, the prophet after speaketh, how Iakob fled into the land of Syria, and Israel served for a wise, Hos. 12. 12. So the afflicti∣ons of the fathers, are examples unto the children in all ages, even whatsoever is written: Rom. 4. 23. 24. and 15. 4. 1 Cor. 10. 11. Of Iakobs age, the Rabbines also say, Seventy and seven yeeres old was Iakob, when he departed from his fathers house, Pirkei R. Eliezer. ch. 35.

Vers. 11. he lighted upon,] or happened, met with, by [unspec 11] Gods providence, not of his owne purpose or choise; who would have gone further, ha dnot night prevented him: and made no reckning of this place, above any other. It was about 48 Eng∣lish miles distant from Beersheba, whence Iakob came: and from Ierusalem 8. miles northward. pillowes] or head bolster: so in 1 Sam. 26. 7. The Greeke translateth, at his head. As this pillow of Iakob, sheweth his hard distresse for the present in body: so Gods appearing and word here revealed, manifesteth the comforts and refreshing of the spi∣rit, which the faithfull have in their afflictions and pilgrimage. Hos. 12. 4. Gen. 35. 7. 2 Cor. 1. 5. See after, on vers. 18.

Vers. 12. dreamed] a divine dreame, such as in [unspec 12] times past God used to speak unto men by, Iob 33. 14. 15. Dan. 7. 1. and so hee usually spake unto the Prophets, as it is sayd, If there bee a Prophet among you, I Iehovah, will make my selfe knowne unto him in a vision, will speake unto him in a dreame: Num. 12. 6. See the notes on Gen. 15. 12. ladder,] repre∣senting Christ, the sonne of man, on whom the Angels of God, ascend and descend, Ioh. 1. 51. applyed now in speciall to Iakob, and his journey, as followeth in verse 13. 15. The Hebrew Doctors say; The things made knowne to a Prophet by propheticall vision, were made knowne unto him by way of parable: and immediately, the interpretation of the parable, was writ∣ten in his heart, and he knew what it was. As the Ladder which Iakob our father saw, and the Angels ascending and descending on it. And that was a parable of the (foure) monarchies. Maimony in Misn. in Iesud. ha∣torah, ch. 7. S. 3. Other Rabbines also apply this vision to the monarchies in Daniel; but our Savi∣our is the best interpreter, Iohn 1. 51. on the earth] signifying Christs humane nature, and con∣versing with men, Iohn 16. 28. and 17. 4. the heavens] signifying Christs heavenly nature, and mediation for men with God, Heb. 8. 1. and 9. 24. By whom all things are reconciled unto God, and both the things in earth, and things in heaven, are set at peace through the blood of his crosse, Col. 1. 20. He is the way, no man commeth to the Father, but by him: Ioh. 14. 6. ascending, &c.] that is, loo∣king with desire into the mysteries of Christ, 1 Pet. 1. 12. ministring unto him, and through him unto his people, Mark. 1. 13. Heb. 1. 14. and now in speciall, guarding Iakob from all perills in his journey: Gen. 32. 1. 2.

Vers. 13. Iehovah] whose providence and grace [unspec 13] is towards his in Christ. The Chaldee translateth it, the glory of the Lord. God of Abraham, &c.] See Gen. 17. 7. He is not ashamed to be called their God, for he hath prepared for them a citie, Heb. 11. 16. Hereby also the resurrection of the dead, was taught unto Iakob; God calling himselfe no lesse the God of Abraham (now dead to the world) then of Isaak now living: for Abraham also was alive unto him, Luk 20. 37. 38. to thy seed] that is, as the Chaldee expounds it, to thy sonnes: when as yet he had no child, (as is noted of Abraham, Acts 7. 5.) nor wife. Here God confirmeth to Iakob, the blessing of Abraham, which his father Isaak had bequeathed unto him, before in v. 3. 4. And as the former, so this promise also was spirituall, to be accomplished by Christ in whom (under the name of David) God promiseth, that his people should dwell in the land, that he gave unto Iakob his servant, Ezek. 37. 24. 25. So the ladder which Iakob saw, should be for him (besides this earthly voyage) to climbe by, unto his heavenly countrey, and inheri∣tance eternall; Heb. 11. 14. 16. and 9. 15. So after, in Gen. 35. 11. 12.

Vers. 14. the dust] that is, innumerable: see Gen. [unspec 14] 13. 16. and 32. 12. So Balaam said, who can count the dust of Iakob Numb. 23. 20. In Gen. 32. 12. for dust, is said sand of the sea. The Chaldee here trans∣lateth, thy sonnes shall be multiplyed as dust. spread-abroad] Heb. breakeforth: that is, greatly in∣crease and suddenly spread abroad. So the word is al∣so used in Exod. 1. 12. Gen. 30. 30. 43. 1 Chron. 4. 38. The Greeke translateth it, inlarge; the Chaldee, prevaile. It is a Prophesie of the spreading of the Church, through all parts of the world. the sea] that is, as the Chaldee expounds it, the west: see Gen. 12. 8. all families] So the promise unto Iakob, pertaineth also to us, who may say with the Prophet, God found him in Bethel, and there hee spake with us: Hos. 12. 4. And it implyeth the bles∣sing of eternal life. and in thy seed] that is, Christ: see Gen. 22. 18. and 12. 3. And, may here bee taken for That is to say; for it explaineth the former

promise. See the notes on Gen. 13. 15.

Vers. 15. I will be with thee] The like promise God made at his returne, Gen. 31. 3. which Iakob [unspec 15] understood thus, I will doe thee good, Gen. 32. 9. The Chaldee translateth it, my word shall be thy helpe. See Exod. 33, 15. 16. Mat. 28. 20. Gen. 46. 4. all the way] so the Greeke expresseth the word way, here wanting; expressed also elsewhere in the Hebrew, Gen. 35. 3. And here the vision of the Ladder, (Christ,) is applyed to his present case & journey: for God giving his Sonne, doeth with him give all things also, Ro. 8. 32. & godlinesse hath the promise of the life present, and that which is to come, 1 Tim. 4. 8. not leave thee,] This taught Iakob to repose confidence in God, being content with things pre∣sent: the like is spoken to us all, Heb. 13. 5.

Vers. 16. Iehovah is] The Chaldee paraphraseth, [unspec 16] the glory of the Lord dwelleth in this place.

Vers. 17. this is, &c.] The Chaldee addeth, this is no common (or private) place, but a place wherein [unspec 17] God taketh pleasure, and over against this place, is the gate of heaven. This place represented the Church of Christ, called the house of God, 1 Tim. 3. 15. which oftentimes is, where men are not aware of it, Rev. 12. 6. Iohn 1. 46. where the Ladder Christ standeth, Matt. 18. 20. Rev. 14. 1. and where his servants see and serve him, Rev. 22. 3. 4. Vnto which (as to the gate of heaven) the Lord bringeth such as shall bee saved, to walke in the light of it; Acts 2. 47. Rev. 21. 24.

Vers. 18. the stone] either stone, is here put for [unspec 18] stones, (as in Gen. 3. 2. tree, for trees,) or, that before in ver. 11. of the stones; is meant some one of them: sec Gen. 46. 23. a pillar] or statue, that is, a monu∣ment or title erected and standing up: This was here for a religious signe, as altars also were, Esay 19. 19. and Iakob did the like afterward, Gen. 35. 14. But when the Law was given by Moses, no pillars might any more be set up, Lev. 26. 1. Hos. 10. 1. but all such as the heathens had erected, were to be broken downe; Deut. 7. 5. and 12. 3. There were also pillars for civill monuments, Gen. 35. 20. 2 Sam. 18. 18. oile] to anoint and consecrate it for holy use: as after in the law, there was an anointing oile, for to sanctifie the tabernacle, altar, laver, and all other things used in Gods service, Exod. 40. 9. 10. 11. &c. So after Iakob powred both a drinke offring, and oile upon his pillar, Gen. 35. 14. Which oyle, represented the anoynting of the Holy Ghost upon Christ and his people, Psal. 45. 8. 1 Iohn 2. 20. 27. both which are also compa∣red unto living stones, 1 Pet. 2. 4. 5. And the He∣brew Doctors commenting upon this place, in Bresith rabbah, doe make this stone to signifie the Messias.

Vers. 19. Bethel] that is by interpretation, The [unspec 19] house of God, as verse 17. and so the Greeke here al∣so translateth it. And upon this ancient religious use of this place, which God himselfe approved of, Gen. 35. 1. it seemeth Ieroboam set up there the monument of his strange worship, which turned to him to sinne, 1 King. 12. 28. 29. 30. wherefore the Prophets changed the name from Beth-el, Gods house, to beth-aven, the house of iniquity, (or of anidol) Hos. 4. 15. Of Luz see Gen. 30. 37.

Vers. 20. Uowed] that is, promised to God: for a vow, is an holy or religious promise, made therfore [unspec 20] with prayers, as this place sheweth, and Psal. 61. 6. Iudg. 11. 30. 31. and payed with thanksgiving, Psal. 65 2. and 66. 13. 14. See more in the law of vowes, Lev. 27. and the annotations there. If God,] that is prayerwise, O that God would be with me; and in way of promise, When God shall have been with me, &c. For, a vow, implyeth both prayer and promise, as before is noted. And the Hebrew Im, that is, If, is used in prayers, as is noted on Gen. 24. 42. if thou bee, &c. It signifieth also, when, as in 1 Sam. 15. 17. Therefore one Prophet saith, If a man shall sinne, 2 Chron. 6. 22. another (relating the same) saith, When a man. So the Evangelists, one writeth, If thine eye be single, Matt. 6. 21. another, when thine eye is single, Luke 11. 34. with me] this respecteth the first part of that promise of God in v. 15. keepe me] as the second part of Gods promise was, v. 15. give me bread, &c.] this respecteth the fourth thing promised in ver. 15. I will not leave thee, which taught him contentation, Heb. 13. 5. and Iakob void of covetousnesse, desi∣reth but food and raiment; wherewith wee all should likewise be content, 1 Tim. 6. 8.

Vers. 21. returne] this respecteth the third part [unspec 21] of Gods promise, in ver. 15. So Iakobs vow, was grounded in all points, upon the word and promise given him: to teach us how to vow, and pray un∣to the Lord. and Iehovah] or then Iehovah: for this may be the first part of Iakobs vow or promise againe to God, whom he would in faith and reve∣rence constantly professe to be his God, that is, au∣thor of his welfare and salvation. And this respect∣eth Gods spirituall worship. Though it may also be meant on Gods part, as are the former branches, and respect the promises made in v. 13. and 14.

Vers. 22. the house of God] that is, a place of Gods [unspec 22] worship; as the Chaldee expoundeth, whereupon I will serve before the Lord. This Iakob after perfor∣med, when he built there an altar, Gen 35. 7. And this respected Gods outward service. tithing give] that is, surely give the tenth. A signe also of ho∣mage and subjection unto God: which therefore was given to the priests of the Lord; see Gen. 14. 20. and the law for tithes, in Lev. 27. Numb. 18. Deut. 14. 22. 23. &c.

Notes

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• * 1.2

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