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. XXXVIII.

1. Iudas marieth a Canaanitesse, and begetteth of her Er, Onan, and Selah. 6, Er marieth Thamar, and di∣eth. 8, Onan marieth her, and for spilling his seed: the Lord slayeth him. 11, Thamar stayeth for Selah, but is not given to him to wife, 13, wherefore she deceiveth Iudas, who supposing her to be an whore, lieth with her. 24, He hearing she was with childe, would have had her burnt. 26, but knowing himselfe to be the father, hee acknowledgeth his fault. 27, She beareth twins, Pharez and Zarah.

ANd it was in that time; that Iudah went [unspec 1] downe from his brethren: and tur∣ned-in to a man an Adullamite, and his name was Hirah. And Iudah saw there, a daugh∣ter [unspec 2] of a man a Canaanite, and his name was Shuah: and hee tooke her, and went-in unto her. And shee conceived, and bare a [unspec 3] sonne: and hee called his name Er. And [unspec 4] she conceived againe, and bare a sonne: and shee called his name Onan. And she added [unspec 5] againe, and bare a sonne; and shee called his name, Selah: and hee was in Chezib, when she bare him. And Iudah tooke a wife, to [unspec 6] Er his first borne: and her name was Tha∣mar. And Er Iudahs first borne, was evill in [unspec 7] the eyes of Iehovah: and Iehovah slew him. And Iudah said unto Onan; goe in unto thy [unspec 8] brothers wife, and mary her: and raise-up∣seed to thy brother. And Onan knew, that [unspec 9] the seed should not be his: and it was, when hee went in unto his brothers wife, that he spilled it on the earth; that he might not give seed to his brother. And that which he did, [unspec 10] was evill in the eyes of Iehovah: and he slew him also. And Iudah said to Thamar his [unspec 11] daughter in law; Remaine a widow in thy fathers house; till Selah my sonne, be grown∣great; for he said, lest he also die, as his bre∣thren: and Thamar went; and remained, in her fathers house. And the daies were [unspec 12] multiplied; and the daughter of Shua Iudahs

wife, dyed: and Iudah was comforted, and went up unto his sheepe shearers, hee, and Hirah his friend the Adullamite, to Timnath. And it was told unto Thamar, saying: be∣hold [unspec 13] thy father-in-law, is going up to Tim∣nath, to sheare his sheepe. And shee put-away [unspec 14] the garments of her widowhood, from upon her; and covered her with a veil, and wrapped her selfe; and sate in the opening of Enaim, which is by the way to Timnath: for she saw, that Selah was growne-great; and shee, was not given unto him, to wife. And Iudah saw her; and thought her, to be [unspec 15] an harlot: because she had covered her face. And he turned-aside unto her, by the way; [unspec 16] and sayd, Graunt I pray thee, that I may come in unto thee; for he knew not, that she was his daughter-in-law: and she said, what wilt thou give me, that thou mayst come-in unto me? And he said; I will send a kid of the [unspec 17] goates, from the flocke: and she said; if thou wilt give a pledge, till thou send it. And he said; what is the pledge, that I shall give thee? [unspec 18] and she said; thy signet, and thy bracelet; and thy staffe, that is in thy hand: and hee gave them unto her, and went in unto her, and she conceived by him. And shee arose and went-away; and put-away her veil, from upon her: [unspec 19] and put on the garments of her widow∣hood. And Iudah sent the kid of the goates, by the hand of his friend the Adullamite; to [unspec 20] receive the pledge, from the womans hand: but he found her not. And he asked the men [unspec 21] of her place, saying; where is the whore, she that was in Enaim, by the way? And they said, there was no whore, in this (place.) And [unspec 22] he returned to Iudah; and said, I have not found her: and also the men of the place said, there was no whore in this (place.) And Iudah said, let her take it to her; lest wee be∣come [unspec 23] a contempt: Behold, I sent this kid; and thou hast not found her. And it was, a∣bout a three moneths after; that it was told unto [unspec 24] Iudah saying, Thamar thy daughter∣in-law hath committed fornication; and also, behold she is with childe, by fornications: and Iudah said; bring her forth, and let her bee burnt. She was brought forth; and shee sent [unspec 25] unto her father-in-law, saying; by the man whose these are, am I with childe: and shee said, acknowledge I pray thee; whose are these, the signet, and the bracelet, and the staffe? And Iudah acknowledged; [unspec 26] and said, shee is more just then I; for be∣cause that I gave her not, to Selah my Sonne: and hee did not againe, know her any more. And is was, in the time of her [unspec 27] child-birth: that behold, twinnes were in her wombe. And it was in her child-birth, that [unspec 28] the-one gave-out the hand: and the midwife tooke, and bound upon his hand a skarlet threed, saying, This, is come out first. And [unspec 29] it was, as he turned-backe his hand; that be∣hold; his brother came out; and shee said, How hast thou broken forth, upon thee the breach: and he called his name, Pharez. And [unspec 30] afterward, came-out his brother; that had on his hand, the skarlet-threed: and hee called his name, Zarah.

Annotations.

IN that time] in the time before spoken of, when [unspec 1] Iakob returned out of Mesopotamia into the land of Canaan, and long before the selling of Io∣seph into Egypt; did these things begin about Iu∣dah. Who likewise maried when hee was very yong, as did also his children, otherwise the Chro∣nicle will not agree. For Ioseph was borne sixe yeeres before Iakob left Laban and came into Ca∣naan, Gen. 30. 25. and 31. 41. and Ioseph was se∣venteene yeeres old, when he was sold into Egypt, Gen. 37. 2. 25. and thirtie yeere old was he, when hee interpreted Pharaohs dreame, Gen. 41. 46. and nine yeeres after, when there had been 7 yeers plenty, and two yeeres famine, did Iakob with his family goe downe into Egypt, Gen. 41. 53. 54. and 45. 6. 11. and at their going-downe thither, Pha∣rez the sonne of Iudas (whose birth is set downe in the end of this chapter,) had two sonnes, Ezron, and Hamul, Gen. 46. 8. 12. Seeing then from the selling of Ioseph, unto Israels going into Egypt, there cannot bee above three and twenty yeeres; how is it possible that Iudas should take a wife, and have by her three sonnes one after another, and Selah the yongest of the three bee mariageable, when Iudas begat Pharez of Thamar, Gen. 38. 14. 24. and Pharez bee growne up, maried, and have two sonnes, all within so short a space? The time therefore here spoken of, seemeth to bee soone af∣ter Iakobs comming to Sechem, Gen. 33. 18. be∣fore that historie of Dinah, Gen. 34. though Mo∣ses, for speciall cause, relateth it in this place. Iudah] or Iudas as the Greeke alwaies nameth him: Mat. 1. 2. a man an Adullamite] that is, an hea∣then man dwelling in Adullam (or Odollam as the Greeke calleth it,) a citie in the land of Canaan, which afterward was given for a possession to the Sonnes of this Iudas, Ios. 15. 1. 35. The word man here (as in the verse following) may be omit∣ted for the sense: see Gen. 13. 8. or it may be read a man of Adullam, as where one Evangelist wri∣teth, The men Ninivites, Mat. 12. 41. another wri∣teth, The men of Niniveh, Luk. 11. 32.

Vers. 2. Canaanite] the Chaldee translateth it [unspec 2] a merchant, and so the word is sometime used in Scripture, Prov. 31. 24. Iob. 41. 6. but the Greeke

here calleth him a Chananaean. Shua] in Greek Saba: but in vers. 12. Saua. tooke her] name∣ly to wife, as verse 12. Contrary to his dutie, for he should not have maried with such, Gen. 24. 3. and 27. 46. and 28. 1. Iudas was now in likelihood, a∣bout 13. or 14. yeeres of age. went in] that is, lay with her, see Gen. 6. 4.

Vers. 4. Onan] in Greeke Aunan. [unspec 4] [unspec 5]

Vers. 5. Selah] or Shelah: in Greeke Selom: so after, verse 11. &c. he was] the Greeke saith, she was. Chezib] a towne called also Achzib, which likewise fell to the tribe of Iudah, Ios. 15. 44. The Greeke calleth it Chazbi. The name hath in Hebrew the signification of lying: and to it the Prophet alludeth, saying, the houses of Achzib shall be (Achzab) a Lye to the Kings of Israel, Micah 1. 14.

Vers. 6. to Er] or, for Er; when in likelihood, he [unspec 6] also was about 14. yeeres of age. Thamar] or Tamar, that is by interpretation, a palme tree, Song 7. 7. Of what kindred she was, the scripture speaketh not; but shee became the mother to our Lord Christ, according to the flesh: Mat. 1. 3.

Vers. 7. evill in the eyes] that is, displeasing. The [unspec 7] letters in Hebrew of this word * 1.1evill, and of his name * 1.2 Er, are the same, the order onely changed: the like whereof is before in Noes name, and Grace, Gen. 6. 8. slew him] this was very soone af∣ter his mariage, in his youth. So evill doers shall bee cut off, Psal. 37. 9. And this judgement on Iudahs first borne, is mentioned sundry times, Gen. 46. 12. Num. 26. 19. 1 Chron. 2. 3. And as our Lord Christ was to come of Iudas, Hebr. 7. 14. so God would have no wicked man to be his progenitor.

Vers. 8. marie her] the Hebrew word is not [unspec 8] meant of usuall solemnization of mariage, but pe∣culiar for marying with his brothers widow, and do∣ing that dutie of a kinsman: whereof there was a law after given of God, according to this case, Deut. 25. 5. which law (as many other) God had made knowne before unto the Patriarchs, as this scripture manifesteth. The Hebrew Doctors say, It is commanded by the Law (in Deut. 25. 5. 6.) that a man shall marie the wife of his brother by the fathers side, if they have beene maried, or if they have beene be∣trothed together, if he dye without seed. Brethren by the mothers side onely, are not counted brethren in this case of marying the brothers wife, or for matter of inheri∣tance, &c. Maimony in Misneh. tom. 2. in Iibbum and Chalitsah. chap. 1. S. 1. 7. See the annotations on Deut. 25. seed] a childe; which may bee counted thy brothers, who is deceased; that his name be not wiped away out of Israel, Deut. 25. 6. Otherwise excepting this case, it was unlawfull for a man to have his brothers wife, Levit. 18. 16. and 20. 21.

Vers. 9. not be his] but stand up with his brothers name, as his brothers childe: though this was one∣ly [unspec 9] for the first borne, all the rest should have beene counted his owne. Deut. 25. 6. So the Chaldee translateth, that the seed should not bee called by his name. when] or if at any time. Whensoever. spilled] or corrupted, which the Greeke translateth, shed (or spilled.) An unkinde, and most unnaturall fact, to spill the seed, which by Gods blessing should serve for the propagation of man-kinde; and in this man, for the propagation of the sonne of God according to the flesh; in whom all nations of the earth should be blessed, Gen. 22. 18. which made the sinne most impious, and hastened Onans speedy death from the hand of God.

Vers. 11. Remaine] or sit, dwell a widow: so sen∣ding [unspec 11] her home to her fathers house, but without permission to mary another man, yet not purposing she should have his sonne, for whom hee made her stay. This was in him very injurious, which God soone chastened him for, by the death of his wife, and giving him over to incest with his daughter in law. By the law, in Levit. 22. 13. a widow that had no childe, might returne to her fathers house, and her estate was, as in her youth. he sayd] in his heart, as the Greeke explaineth it. lest hee dye] meaning, I will not give her unto Selah to wife, lest he dye also, vers. 14. An unperfect speech, (wher∣of see Gen. 3. 22.) and an evill surmise that he had of Thamar, as if shee had caused his other sonnes death.

Vers. 12. the daughter of Shuah] the Greek trans∣lateth, [unspec 12] and Saua the wife of Iudas dyed. was comforted] after mourning for his wives death, as Gen. 23. 2. and 24. 57. sheepe shearers] At such times they used to have feasts, 1 Sam. 25. 8. 11. So hee went to make merry after his mourning. his friend] the Greeke translateth Eira his shepheard: reading for Regneh, a friend, (without vowels) Rogneh a shepheard: and so in verse 20. but the Chaldee translateth friend: and it hath the name in Hebrew of feeding-together; and so general∣ly of society, friendship, neighbourhood. Tim∣nath] or Thamna, a citie in the Philistines country, which also befell to Iudahs children for a possessi∣on, Ios. 15. 57. There Sampson tooke a wife, Iudg. 14. 1. &c.

Vers. 14. wrapped her selfe] that she might not be [unspec 14] knowne. The Greeke and Chaldee understand it, of trimming and adorning. the opening] or, doore of Enaim, as being the name of a place: so the Greeke translateth, the gates of Ainan. Enaim sig∣nifieth eyes, or fountaines: and the doore (or opening) of the eyes, may be understood an open place to be view∣ed, or place of two wayes. After it is called onely Enaim, verse 21. Such open places, harlots used, Ezek. 16. 25. Ier. 3. 2.

Vers. 16. Grant] or Give me leave: as the Greeke [unspec 16] saith, Suffer me: or, Come on now, let me, &c. An ex∣ample of inordinate lust in this Patriarch: so light∣ly to be affected unto a stranger, and esteemed har∣lot. But God hereby would shew, how the Iewes (so named of this Iudas) have nothing whereof to rejoyce in the flesh more then other nations: but onely in Christ, his holy seed, (if they would re∣ceive him) who came to save sinners, 1 Tim. 1. 15.

Vers. 17. a pledge] or pawne; earnest; in Hebrew [unspec 17] Erabon, whence the Greeke Arrhaebon, is borrow∣ed. By this meanes, she provided for her security against the danger which after followed, verse 24. 25. Yet she caried her selfe herein, after the manner of Harlots, Fzek. 16. 33.

Vers. 18. signet] or seale: the Greeke translateth [unspec 18] it ring on the finger. Men did weare such for ho∣nour: Luk. 15. 22. Ier. 22. 24. bracelet] or, ri∣band, or handkerchiefe.

Vers. 21. her place] that is, the place where shee was. [unspec 21] So, the prayer of this place; that is, made in this place, 2 Chron. 6. 40. the whore] the word here used, in Hebrew Kedesah, commeth from Kadas, which commonly signifieth holinesse: and the man thus prostitute unto filthinesse, is called Kades, usually Englished a Sodomite 1 King. 14. 24. This name is thought to bee given (by a contrary meaning,) to common whores, who are most unholy, and unchast. But it may bee such abomination was committed among the Canaanites, under a pretext of religion and holinesse. For in the apostasie of Israel, houses of such uncleane persons, were in the house of the Lord, 2. King. 23. 7. and they sacrificed with such whores, Hos. 4. 14. An expresse law was given to Israel, that there should bee no such Sodomite, or Sodomitesse among them, nor their hire brought into Gods house, for any vow, Deut. 23. 17. 18. become in contempt] or to be contempt: be laughed to scorne, for being thus deceived by a whore. A∣mong the heathens this sin was infamous.

Vers. 24. be burnt] by Gods law after given, to [unspec 24] defile a betrothed woman (which here was Tha∣mars case with Selah,) was death, by stoning them Deut. 22. 23. 24. and a Priests daughter if she plaid the harlot, was to be burnt with fire, Levit. 21. 9. These lawes it seemeth were executed before, and after even among the heathens: so the King of Ba∣bylon rosted two Iewes in the fire for committing adulterie, Ier. 29. 22. 23. Here Iudas in judging an∣other, condemned himselfe, Rom. 2. 1. so David in like case, 2 Sam. 12. 5. 7.

Vers. 26. know her] that is, lye with her: see Gen. [unspec 26] 4. 1. By this free confession (according to Iudahs name, which signifieth a Confessor) and abstaining from further evill with her; appeareth the true re∣pentance of the Patriarch. And though hee was now (in all likelihood) not above thirty yeares of age: yet find we no mention of any children that euer he had more, but these two of Thamar, and Selah his son before: from w^ch three onely, the fa∣milies of Iudah are reckoned, Gē. 46. 12. Num. 26. 19. 22. 1 Chr. 2. 3. 4. Either he maried not after this time, or God blessed him not with any more seed.

Vers. 28. gave out] that is, put forth: the Greeke [unspec 28] translateth, the one brought forth the hand. This sheweth the birth to be most hard and dangerous, not according to the course of nature. God so cha∣stening the sinne of Thamar with her father. See the like also in Iakobs birth, Gen. 25. 26. is come out] the Greeke translateth, shall come out: as comforting the woman in the extremity of her travell.

Vers. 29. Hast thou broken forth] or hast thou made∣a-breach? [unspec 29] upon thee] that is, the breach is thine, thou hast made it, and shalt cary the name of it up∣on thee. The Greeke translateth; Why is the parti∣tion divided for thee? The Chaldee, How great strength hath beene in thee, that thou mightst prevaile? This strange & perillous childbirth, may be com∣pared with that of Iakob and Esau, Gen. 25. 22.—26. who strove for the first birth-right in the wombe, as these also did at the birth. Pharez] Hebrew Perets, that is, by interpretation Breach, so named upon this fact of his, at the birth. He violently tooke the dignity of the first birth-right from his brother, is set before him in the genealo∣gie, Numb. 26. 20. 1 Chron. 2. 4. 5. and became father of Christ, after the flesh, Matth. 1. 3. Zarah] Hebrew Zerach, which signifieth Risen, or sprung up: (as the Sun is said to rise:) because he should first have risen, that is, have beene borne, but for the breach which his brother made. The Hebrew Doctors say, that Zarah had his name of the Sun, and Pharez had his name of the Moone, which sometime is broken (as in peeces) sometimes is full. And that in Pharez, the strength of Davids house was portended: and therefore from him proceedeth the kingdome of the house of David, R. Menachem, on Gen. 38. In the birth of these two brethren, the estate of the two Churches of Iewes and Gentiles, may as in a figure, bee considered: The Iew, as the elder, drawing backe the hand through un∣beliefe, Rom. 10. 3. 21. The Gentiles as by vio∣lence getting the heavenly birth-right, Math 11. 12. Luk. 15. 11.—32. Act. 13. 46.—48. and when the Gentiles are fully borne, then shall the Iewes (that had the signe of the first birthright on their hand) come forth againe. Rom. 11. 11.—25. 26.

Notes

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