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. XV.

1, The song of Moses and Israel; wherein they celebrate Gods power and grace, for drowning the E∣gyptians, and saving of Israel, in the red sea: 13, for leading his people through the wildernesse. 14, for terrifying the nations round about. 17, for seating his people in Canaan. 20, Marie and the women, answer the men in singing Gods praise. 22, The people in the wildernesse are brought to bitter waters. 25, a tree sweetneth them. 27, At Elim are twelve wels, and seventie palme trees.

THen sang Moses and the sonnes of Is∣rael [unspec 1] this song unto Iehovah; and they said, saying; I WILL SING unto Iehovah, for hee excelleth gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he throwne into the sea.

Ioh is my strength and song, and hee hath [unspec 2] beene to me a salvation: this is my God, and I will make him an habitation; the God of my father, and I will exalt him.

Iehovah is a man of warre: Iehovah is his name. [unspec 3]

Pharaohs charets and his host hath he cast into the sea; and the choise of his captaines [unspec 4] are drowned in the red sea.

The depths have covered them: they sank downe into the bottomes as a stone. [unspec 5]

Thy right hand, O Iehovah, is become [unspec 6] glorious in power: thy right hand; O Ieho∣vah, hath dashed in peeces the enemie.

And in the greatnesse of thine excellencie, [unspec 7] thou hast overthrowne them that rose up a∣gainst thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which did eat them up as stubble.

And with the blast of thy nostrills the [unspec 8] waters were gathered together; the floods stood upright as an heape, the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.

The enemie said, I will pursue, I will o∣vertake, [unspec 9] I will divide the spoile: my soule shall be filled with them; I will draw out my sword; mine hand shall destroy them.

Thou didst blow with thy winde, the sea [unspec 10] covered them; they sank as lead, in the migh∣ty waters.

Who is like thee amongst the gods, O Ie∣hovah? [unspec 11] who is like thee, glorious in holi∣nesse, fearfull in praises, doing wonders!

Thou stretchedst out thy right hand; the [unspec 12] earth swallowed them.

Thou leadest forth in thy mercy, this peo∣ple [unspec 13] which thou hast redeemed: thou guidest them in thy strength, unto the habitation of thine holinesse.

This may be sung also as the 113. Psalme. 〈♫〉〈♫〉 Nto Iehovah sing will I, for he excelleth [unspec 1] 〈♫〉〈♫〉 gloriously: the horse and him that rode 〈♫〉〈♫〉 thereon, into the sea throwne downe hath 〈♫〉〈♫〉 he. Iah is my strength and melodee, and [unspec 2] 〈♫〉〈♫〉 hath beene my salvation.

This is my God, and for his sake I will an habitation make; God of my father is this same, And I will highly him preferre. Iehovah is a man of warre: [unspec 3] Iehovah his renowned name.

Charets of Phar'oh, and his host, [unspec 4] He downe into the sea hath cast: His Captaines eke each chosen one, He did them in the Red sea drowne. The deepes them covered: they sanke downe [unspec 5] Into the bottomes, as a stone.

Thy right hand, O Iehovah, is Glorious become, in powerfulnesse: [unspec 6] Iehovah, thou with thy right hand, Hast dasht in peeces th'enemie. And in thy great excellencie, [unspec 7] Thrown down them that did thee withstand.

Thy servent wrath thou forth didst poure, Which them as stubble did devoure. And waters with thy nostrils blast, [unspec 8] Together gathered were; as heaps The flouds stood upright; and the deepes In seas heart were congealed fast.

The enemie said, I will make [unspec 9] Pursuit, I will them overtake, I will divide the gotten spoile: My soule shall be replenished With them; my sword I will unshead; Mine hand shall utterly them foile.

Then with thy wind thou diddest blow, [unspec 10] The sea them coverd: they sanke low, As lead in waters vehement. Among the Gods, who is like thee, [unspec 11] Lord? who like thee? in sanctitee Glorious, in praises reverent;

Thou doest wonders! Hast out spred [unspec 12] Thy right hand; them the earth swallowed. Thou in thy mercy leadest on [unspec 13] This people which thou didst redeeme: And in thy strength thou guidest them: Vnto thine holy mansion.

The peoples shall heare, and bee stirred: [unspec 14] sorrow shall take hold of the Inhabitants of Palestina.

Then the Dukes of Edom shall be amazed; [unspec 15] the mighty men of Moab trembling shall take hold upon them: all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.

Terrour and dread shall fall upon them; [unspec 16] by the greatnesse of thine arme they shall bee as still as a stone; till thy people passe over, O Iehovah, till this people passe over which thou hast purchased.

Thou wilt bring them in, and plant them [unspec 17] in the mountaine of thine inheritance, in the place, O Iehovah, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuarie, O Lord, which thy hands have established.

Iehovah shall reigne for ever and aye.

For the horse of Pharaoh went in, with [unspec 18] [unspec 19] his charets and with his horsemen, into the sea, and Iehovah brought againe the waters of the sea upon them: but the sonnes of Is∣rael went on dry land, in the mids of the sea.

And Mary the Prophetesse, the sister of [unspec 20] Aaron, tooke a timbrell in her hand, and all the women went out after her, with tim∣brels, and with dances.

And Mary answered them: SING yee [unspec 21] to Iehovah, for he excelleth gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he throwne into the sea.

And Moses removed Israel forward [unspec 22] from the red sea; and they went out into the wildernesse of Shur: and they went three daies in the wildernesse and found no water▪ And they came to Marah; and they could not drinke of the waters of Ma∣rah, [unspec 23] for they were bitter; therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the peo∣ple murmured against Moses, saying, What [unspec 24] shall we drinke? And he cried out unto Ie∣hovah; and Iehovah shewed him a tree, and [unspec 25] he cast it into the waters, and the waters were made sweet: there he appointed to him a statute and a judgement, & there he temp∣ted him. And hee said, If hearkning thou [unspec 26] wilt hearken to the voice of Iehovah thy God, and wilt doe that which is right in his eyes, and wilt give eare to his commande∣ments, & keepe all his statutes; I will not put upon thee any of the diseases which I have put upon the Egyp〈…〉〈…〉s; for I am Iehovah, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he aleth thee. And they came to Elim, [unspec 27] and there were twelve we••s of water, and se∣〈…〉〈…〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 trees, and they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 there by the•••• ••••••rs.

The peoples they shall heare and quake: [unspec] Sorrow shall hold upon them take, That in Palestina remaine. The Dukes of Edom shall be then [unspec] Amazed, Moabs mighty men, Take hold on them shall trembling paine.

In Canaan shall melt away The dwellers all. Fearfull dismay [unspec] And dread shall fall on them from thee; They shall as still be as a stone, By thy great arme, till over gone Thy people, O Iehovah, be;

Vntill this people over past Shall be, which purchased thou hast. Thou wilt bring in and plant them sure, In mount of thine inheritance In place which for thine habitance Thou, O Iehovah, dost procure:

Even in the Sanctuarie, Lord, Which thy hands firmely have prepar'd. Iehovah ev'r and aye is king. For Pharaohs horse, cars and horsemen, [unspec] Went into Sea; Iehovah then Did the sea waters on them bring:

But goe the sonnes of Isr'el did Vpon dry land, the sea amid. Vnto Iehovah sing doe yee, [unspec] For he excels with glorious fame; The horse and rider on the same, Into the sea throwne downe hath he.

Annotations.

VNto Iehovah] that is, unto his praise, as Da∣vid [unspec] saith, They beleeved in his words, they sang his praise, Psal. 106. 12. So the Chaldee beginneth the song thus, We will sing praise and confesse unto the Lord. With this song of victory over Pharaoh, the Holy Ghost compareth the song of those that have gotten victorie over the spirituall Pharaoh, the Beast (Antichrist) when they stand, by the sea of glasse mingled with fire, (as Israel here standeth by the red sea,) having harpes of God, (as the wo∣men here had timbrels, v. 20.), and they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, the Son of God, Rev. 15. 2. 3. 4. gloriously] or excellently; Hebr. excelling excelleth; which the Gr. translateth, is become gloriously glorious. The Chal∣dee paraphraseth, for he excelleth above the excellent, and excellencie is his. [unspec]

Vers. 2. Iah.] this is one of the proper names of God, Psal. 68. 5. first used in this song; and seldome but in songs and psalmes. The Hebrew Halelujah, (that is, Praise yejah) is kept by the Holy Ghost in Greeke, Allelouia, Rev. 19. 1. 3. 4. 6. The me∣moriall of this name, was kept also among the hea∣then Romans, who called their greatest god Iu-piter,

that is, Iah father. The Greeke Bible usually translateth Iah Lord, the Chaldee, Feare: and Th••rgum Ierusaelemy on this place expoundeth it, the Feare of all the world. Other Hebrewes make it an abridgement of the name Iehovah, and a part of it; Maimo••y in Iesudei hatorah, chap. 6. S. 4. so it signifieth the essence or being of God, (as Iehovah also doth, whereof see the notes on Gen. 2. 4.) or, as Iah is p••onounced with breathing, it may signi∣fie God, who giveth to all, Life and Breath, and all things, Acts 17. 25. my strength] he which gi∣veth me strength, as in Psalme 68. 36▪ (so the Greeke here translateth it Helper:) or, he to whom I give strength, that is, strong praise; as in Psalme 29. 1. give ye to Iehovah glory and strength: so, out of the mouth of babes and sucklings, thou hast founded strength, Psal. 8. 3. is expounded by our Saviour, thou hast perfected praise, Matth. 21. 16. Howbeit, we may here retaine the name Strength, which the Holy Ghost often ascribeth to God among other his praises; as in 1 Tim. 6. 16. to whom be honour and strength: in 1 Peter 4. 11. to whom be glory and strength; and sundry the like, Revel. 1. 6. and 5. 13. Strength is here and alwaies ascribed unto God, for by his owne strength shall no man prevaile, 1 Sam. 2. 9. song] or psalme, melodie; that is, the argu∣ment of my song; or whom I praise with Psalme; so the Chaldee translateth it, my praise: also the Greeke in Esay. 12. 2. though here it turneth it, my protectour. It is generally all melodie, with voice of man, Esay. 51. 3. or instruments of musicke, A∣mos 5. 23. These words the Prophets after use, when they sing of Christ and of his graces, as Psal. 118. 14. and Esay. 12. 2. where the name Iehovah is added, for Iah Iehovah is my strength and song. There immediatly before, he hath reference to Is∣raels salvation from the Egyptians, Esay. 11. 15. 16. which being by him applied to our salvation by Christ, sheweth that all these things happened unto them for types, as the Apostle saith, 1 Cor. 10. 11. and he] or, for he: as, And he heard, Esay. 39. 1. is expounded. For he heard, 2 King. 20. 12. And thou wilt save, 2 Sam. 22. 28. is For thou wilt save, Psalme 18. 28. a salvation] or, for a salvation: that is, hath saved (helped or delivered) mee from mine enemies, who were too strong for mee. So this phrase meaneth, as in 2 Sam. 10. 11. If the Sy∣rian; be too strong for me, then thou shalt be to me a sal∣vation; that is, shalt helpe or rescue me. Thus Christ is called Gods salvation, Luke 2. 30. because by him God hath saved and delivered us out of the hands of our enemies, Luke 1. 71. 74. The Chaldee here paraphraseth, hee said by his word, and hath beene to mee a redeemer. an habitation] or a comely dwel∣ling; and so, will dwell with him: the Chaldee ex∣plaineth it, I will build him a sanctuarie. Or wee may English it, I will adorne him; will doe him seemely ho∣nour; as the Greeke translateth, I will glorifie him. my father] this the Chaldee expoundeth my fathers: it seemeth principally to intend Abraham, the father of many nations, Genes. 17. 5. and with him, Isaak, Iakob, and the rest, to whom God gave his promises; which now beganne to be per∣formed to their children, Gen. 15. 14. exalt] with song and praise, as this word is often used in Psalmes, wherein God his name and actions are extolled, Psalme 30. 2. and 118. 28. and 145. 1. Esay. 25. 1.

Vers. 3. man of warre,] that is, a noble warriour: [unspec 3] for the word man, added to other things, often sig∣nifieth excellencie: as, a man of arme, is a mighty one, Iob 22. 8. a man of words, is an eloquent person, Exod. 4. 10. And so the Chaldee here expresseth it, calling him the Lord, and Victour of wars: and the Greeke, a breaker of warres. Now did the Lord ride upon his horses, and his chariots of salvation, his bow was made quite naked; Habakkuk 3. 8. 9. This also may have reference to Christ, the Conque∣rour, as Psalme 24. 8. Revel. 19. 11. &c. Ieho∣vah] this name among other things, noteth Gods powerfull effecting of judgements upon his ene∣mies, for the salvation of his Church; and hee is therefore called Iehovah of hosts, Psal. 83. 14.—19. and 46. 7. 8.—12. See the notes on Genes. 2. 4. and Exodus 6. 3.

Vers. 4. the choise] that is, as the Greeke transla∣teth, [unspec 4] his chosen captaines; meaning the fairest, best and valiantest; as the Chaldee translateth, the fai∣rest: so in Gen. 23. 6. Of these captaines, see Exod. 14. 7. Like triumph shall bee over the enemies of Christ, when all the fowles of heaven shall be cal∣led to eat the flesh of Kings, and of Captaines, and of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, &c. Rev. 19. 17. 18. 21.

Vers. 5. as a stone:] that they could not helpe [unspec 5] themselves with swimming; neither rise up any more for ever; as Ierem. 51. 63. 64. So after in verse 10. they sanke as lead. This is remembred in Nehem. 9. 11. their persecutors thou threwest into the deepes, as a stone into the mighty waters. A like judg∣ment God will bring upon Babylon, the spirituall Egypt; for as a stone cast into the sea, so with violence shall that great citie Babylon be throwne downe, and shall be found no more at all, Revel. 18. 21.

Ver. 6. become glorious,] or, wondrous excellent, [unspec 6] ample and magnificent. It may also imply, is become glorious to me. So David extolleth the workes of Gods right hand, Psal. 118. 15. 16.

Vers. 7. against thee,] the Chaldee saith, against [unspec 7] thy people: for that which is done against them, is against God himselfe, Zacharie 2. 8. Mat∣thew 25. 45. Acts 9. 4. eat them up] that is, devoure and consume them; as the Chaldee explai∣neth it, consumed them as the fire doth the stubble. So Gods wrath is likened to fire, Psalme 89. 47. and the wicked, to stubble, Esa. 5. 24. and 47. 14.

Vers. 8. blast,] or, spirit, or winde of thy wrath, as [unspec 8] the Greeke translateth it: because the Hebrew Aph signifieth both anger, and the nostrils: and this speech is used in cases of judgment upon Gods e∣nemies, as in Iob 4. 9. by the blast of God they perish, &c. The Chaldee here translateth, with the word of thy mouth. It respecteth Gods command, in Exod. 14. 26. 27. which was performed also by a winde; as after verse 10. So the Lord will consume Anti∣christ, with the spirit of his mouth, 2 Thes. 2. 8. gathered] or, heaped up: became as heaps. And this being done with a mighty winde, was with a great

noise; to which the Prophet hath reference, say∣ing; the deepe uttered his voice, and life up his hands on high, Habakkuk 3. 10. congealed,] as ice, fro∣zen, hardned. It may be meant of the seas bottome, which being muddy and soft, was hardened, that they went as on dry land. He led his people through the deepe, as an horse in the wildernesse, Esay 63. 13. Some understand it of the waters, that they were congealed as ice. the heart] that is, the mids, or deepe of the sea, so Psalme 46. 3. Ezek. 28. 2. And now, the channels of waters were seene, and the foundations of the world were revealed: at the rebuke of the Lord, at the breath of the winde of his an∣ger; as David singeth for his victories, Psal. 18. 16.

Vers. 9. divide the spoile] which is done after vi∣ctory, [unspec 9] Luke 11. 22. and with joy, Esay. 9. 3. Thus the enemie vainely promised themselves the victo∣ry: so in Iudg. 5. 30. soule,] that is, lust, or, will: so in Psal. 27. 12. and 41. 3. and 78. 18. destroy them] or, repossesse them: for so the originall is used sometime for destroying or disinheriting; as Numb. 14. 12. sometime for causing to inherit, or taking possession, Numb. 14. 24. The Chaldee here translateth it, destroy: the Greeke, have dominion, (or Lord over them) The Egyptians came out as a whirlewinde to scatter Israel: their rejoycing was even to dovoure the poore, in secret, Hab. 3. 14.

Vers. 10. blow;] the Chaldee translateth it, thou [unspec 10] didst say with thy word. Of this winde there was no mention in Exod. 14. 27. but it is gathered from verse 21. where the Lord, by a strong east winde, caused the sea to goe backe. covered them] God made the waters of the red sea to flow over their faces, as they pursued after Israel, Deut. 11. 4. the waters covered the distressers of Israel; not one of them was left, Psal. 106. 11. And here God brake the heads of the Dra∣gons, in the waters: the heads of Livjathan, Psalme 74. 13. 14.

Vers. 11. the Gods,] or, the Mighties, the Poten∣tates: [unspec 11] so the Princes of the world are called, Psal. 82. and 89. 7. wonders] or marvels: so the Greeke also and Chaldee translateth it: the He∣brew being singular, a wonder, or miracle: but one is often put for many, as is noted on Gen. 3. 2. So in Psal. 78. 12.

Vers. 12. the earth,] in the bottome of the sea: so Ionas in the sea, said the earth with her bars was a∣bout [unspec 12] me for ever, Ion. 2. 6.

Vers. 13. leadest,] to wit, softly or quietly, as a flocke is led: this was done by the pillar of the [unspec 13] cloud and fire; also by the hand of Moses and Aa∣ron, but ascribed to God as the principall; even as in verse 12. God is said to stretch out his hand, which was ministerially done by Moses, Exodus 14. 26. So in Psalme 77. 21. thou didst leade thy peo∣ple like a flocke, by the hand of Moses and Aaron. habitation of thine holinesse] in Greeke thine holy lod∣ging (or mansion) It is a continuance of the former similitude of a shepherds lodge or habitation, which is in pleasant pastures to feed and give rest to his flocke; as in all the cities thereof, shall be an ha∣〈…〉〈…〉 of shepherds, causing their flockes to lie downe, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 12. It meaneth the land of Canaan, where God 〈…〉〈…〉uld give his people rest, and feed them with his Word. So when God promiseth to return them out of Babylon, hee useth this word, I will bring Israel againe to his habitation, and hee shall feed, &c. Ier. 50. 19. and in that land Ierusalem was as the fold of the flocke, and is called a quiet habitati∣on, Esay. 33. 20. The fulfilling of this prophesie, is celebrated by Asaph, shewing how God made his people to goe forth like sheepe, and guided them like a flocke in the wildernesse; and led them on in safety, and they dreaded not: but the sea cove∣red their enemies. And hee brought them to the border of his Holinesse, to that mountaine which his right hand had purchased, Psal. 78, 52. 53. 54.

Vers. 14. stirred,] with feare, or anger: both which doe stirre the minde and body, and cause it to quake and tremble: and these were in the peo∣ples hearing of Gods workes for Israel, Deut. 2. 25. Ios. 2. 10. 11. Num. 20. 18. 20. and 22. 3. 6. The Greeke here translateth it, angry.

Vers. 15. amazed] or suddenly troubled: it implieth both feare and haste; and so the Greeke translateth it hasten. See this fulfilled in Deut. 2. 4. and of E∣doms Dukes, see Gen. 36. take hold] that is, they shall greatly tremble. For passions of the minde, feare, trembling, astonishment, and the like, are said to take hold, or fall upon men, when they are overcome by them. In Luk. 5. 26. it is said, amaze∣ment tooke all; which in Mark. 2. 12. is expounded, all were amazed. melt,] that is, faint with feare: as was accomplished, Ios. 2. 9. 10. 11. and 5. 1. A similitude whereby the heart is likened to waxe, which melteth with feare, as waxe with fire, Psal. 22. 15. and 68. 3.

Vers. 16. terrour;] this also is signified in Deut. 2. 25. and 11. 25. Thargum Ierusalemy expounds it the terrour of death: which phrase David useth in Psal. 55. 5. terrours of death are fallen upon me. The Hebrew aemathah, hath here a letter added in the end, to denote the excesse of feare, great ter∣rour. This, though it was in respect of the people, as it is said, your terrour is fallen upon us, Ios. 2. 9. yet proceeded it from God, as he saith, I will send my terrour before thee, Exod. 23. 27. purchased] or gotten, bought, and possessest. The Hebrew Kanah signifieth to get either by generation, as Gen. 4. 1. or by buying and purchasing, whereby it becom∣meth ones owne possession, Gen. 25. 10. Ex. 21. 2. All are in God, creating, redeeming, and rege∣nerating his people in Christ. So Moses elsewhere saith, Is not he thy father that hath gotten (or bought) thee? Deut. 32. 6. and Asaph saith, Remember thy congregation which thou hast purchased, Psalme 74. 2. and the Apostle speaketh of such as deny the Lord that hath bought them, 2 Pet. 2. 1. The Chaldee here translateth it, redeemed, as in verse 13.

Vers. 17. plant] that is, give them a setled dwel∣ling: a similitude from the vine tree, as Psal. 80. 9. and 44. 3. mountaine] that is, mountany coun∣try; such as Canaan was, Deut. 11. 11. and in spe∣ciall, Mount Sion, where the Temple was after builded. This land & sanctuary, did also figure hea∣ven, as is noted on Gen. 12. 5. & Exod. 25. 8. So the Heb. Doctors say here, the Sanctuarie, signifieth the Ierusalem which is above. R. Menachem, on Ex. 15.

Vers. 18. and aye,] or, and yet: in this world, and [unspec 18] that which is to come: as the Chaldee explaineth it, for ever, and for ever and ever. God is said to reigne or be King, when he manifesteth his power and goodnesse, in subduing his enemies, and sa∣ving [unspec 19] his people. So after Antichrists overthrow, voices in heaven doe say, The kingdomes of this world are become (the kingdomes) of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reigne for ever and ever. Wee give thee thanks O Lord God almighty, &c. because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and reignest, Rev. 11. 15. 17.

Vers. 20. Marie] in Hebrew Mirjam, in Greek [unspec 20] Mariam: which was also the name of the mother of Christ, Matth. 1. 16. This Marie the Prophe∣tesse, was one of the three principall guides, which God sent before his people; which mercy is re∣membred in Mich. 6. 4. I sent before thee, Moses, Aaron, and Marie. timbrell,] see the notes on Gen. 31. 27. These and other instruments were used not onely in civill mirth, but in spirituall joy, and thanksgiving unto God: as here, so in Iudg. 11. 34. 1 Sam. 18. 6. 7. 2 Sam. 6. 5. prophesied also of, in Ier. 31. 4. O Uirgin Israel thou shalt againe be adorned with thy timbrels, &c. dances] or, flutes, as the word sometime signifieth, Psal. 150. 4. and 149. 3. but the Greeke and Chaldee translate it here, dances: which were wont to be used religi∣ously, as Iudg. 21. 21. Ier. 31. 4. 14.

Vers. 21. them:] that is, the men, to whom the [unspec 21] word in the originall, plainely hath reference. Wherefore her words answer to theirs in verse 1. which it may be also she repeated at the end of e∣very verse of the foresaid song, as the 136 Psalme repeateth in every verse, for his mercy endureth for ever. So also in a Chron. 5. 13.

Vers. 22. of Shur,] called also the wildernesse of E∣tham, [unspec 22] Numb. 33. 8. Exod. 13. 20. Of Shur, see Gen. 16. 7. three daies;] so long a journey they requested of Pharaoh, Exod. 3. 18. and now found it full of wants and tentations. So after in Num∣bers 10. 33.

Vers. 23. Marah,] that is, by interpretation Bit∣ternesse: [unspec 23] so called of the bitter waters. Which the Israelites not being able to drinke, leade us to con∣sider the nature of afflictions; both spirituall by the terrors of the Law, upon the consciences of sin∣ners; and other tentations, wants, and earthly mi∣series, all which are bitter as worme wood, and sor∣rowfull to the flesh, Lament. 3. 15. Psalme 80. 6. Mark. 10. 38. and 14. 36. Hebr. 12. 11. was [unspec 24] called] so the Greeke also translateth the Hebrew phrase he called: which may intend chiefly Moses, who called it so: or, he, that is, every one called it. So where it is said, in 2 Sam. 5. 9. he called: in 1 Chron. 11. 7. it is said, they called. See the notes on Gen. 16. 14.

Vers. 25. a tree,] the Ierusalemy Thargum saith, [unspec 25] And Moses prayed before the Lord, and the Word of the Lord shewed him the tree Ardiphne. This is said to be a tree that hath flowers like lilies, but very bitter: Elias in Lexico Chald. It seemeth to figure out the Tree of Christ, the Crosse, whereby the bitter∣nesse of our afflictions, (likened to waters, Psalme 69. 2.) is turned into sweetnesse and joy, Gal. 3. 13. 1 Pet. 2. 21. 24. 2 Cor. 1. 5. 7. 10. Rom. 5. 3. and 6. 3. 4. So Elisens healed evill waters with salt, 2 King. 2. 21. The Hebrew Doctors, (in Thancu∣ma,) upon this say; It is the manner of the blessed God, to make that which is bitter, sweet, by that which is bit∣ter. Some thought, the wood it selfe had this ver∣tue to sweeten the waters: of whose minde was Ie∣sus the sonne of Syrach, saying, Was not the water made sweet with wood, that the vertue thereof might bee knowne? Ecclus. 38. 5. Others expound it mystical∣ly, of the tree of life, which removed Satan away: as R. Menaches on this place sheweth. he appoin∣ted to him] or he (meaning God) imposed upon him, that is, upon Israel, the people spoken of as one man. tempted him] meaning Israel: whom God tempted or proved by this affliction, as by o∣ther the like afterward, to know what was in their heart, and to doe them good at their latter end; as Deut. 8. 2. 15. 16.

Vers. 26. right] or, pleasing; for so the phrase al∣so [unspec 26] signifieth, 2 Sam. 19. 6. and so the Greeke trans∣lateth it here: and the Holy Ghost useth the like, in 1 Ioh. 3. 22. Whatsoever we aske, we receive of him, because wee keepe his commandements, and doe those things that are pleasing in his sight. This is often men∣tioned in the scriptures; see Deut. 6. 18. diseases,] or, sicknesses: the plagues of Egypt threatned to the transgressors, in Deut. 28. 27. 60. So Gods bles∣sings, under the name of health and welfare, are promised to the keepers of his Law, Prov. 3. 7. 8. and 4. 22. Psal. 103. 3. healeth:] this word is applied to the soule as well as to the body: and im∣plieth the forgivenesse of sins: as heale my soule, for I have sinned against thee, Psalme 41. 9. And Christ when he healed diseases, for gave sinnes also, Matth. 9. 2. 6. and healing of men, Matth. 13. 15. is ex∣pounded to be forgiving of their sinnes, Mark. 4. 12.

Vers. 27. palme trees,] or, date trees, which are [unspec 27] upright and tall of stature, beare sweet fruits, the leaves alwaies greene and flourishing, good for shadow, Song 7. 7. 8. Levit. 23. 40. Psal. 92. 13. To beare the branches of this tree, is a signe of victory over afflictions, Revel. 7. 9. The number of 12. wels, and 70. palme trees, the Ierusalemy Thargum maketh answerable to the 12. tribes of Israel, and the 70. Elders of the Synedrion, mentioned in Gen. 49. 28. and Num. 11. 16. It accordeth al∣so to the number of 70. soules of Israel, that came into Egypt, Gen. 46. 27. Likewise to the 12. Apo∣stles, and 70. Disciples of Christ, Luk 9. 1. & 10. 1. Rev. 21. 12. 14.