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. XVII.

1, The people murmur•• for water at Rephidi••••. 4, Moses crieth to the Lord, who sendeth him for water

to the R〈…〉〈…〉 in Horeb. 7. The place is called Massah and Meribah. 8, Amalek fighting with Israel, is over∣come by the holding up of Moses hands, 14. God, threat∣〈…〉〈…〉 [unspec] 〈…〉〈…〉 Amalek, 15, Moses buildeth the altar Iehovah 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

AND all the congregation of the sons [unspec 1] of Israel journeyed from the wilder∣nesse of Sin, after their journeyes, ac∣cording to the mouth of Iehovah: and they camped in Rephidim; and there were no wa∣ters for the people to drinke. And the peo∣ple [unspec 2] contended with Moses, and said, Give ye us waters, that we may drinke: and Mo∣ses said unto them, Why contend you with me? why tempt ye Iehovah? And the peo∣ple [unspec 3] thirsted there for waters, and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Where∣fore is this, that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us, and our sonnes, and our cattell, with thirst? And Moses cried [unspec 4] unto Iehovah, saying, What shall I doe un∣to this people? they bee almost ready to stone me. And Iehovah said unto Moses, Goe on before the people, and take with [unspec 5] thee of the Elders of Israel; and thy rod, that wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thy hand, and goe. Behold, I will stand [unspec 6] before thee there, upon the rocke in Ho∣reb, and thou shalt smite the rocke, and waters shall come forth out of it, and the people shall drinke: and Moses did so, in the eyes of the Elders of Israel. And hee [unspec 7] called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the contention of the sonnes of Israel, and because they tempted Iehovah, saying, Is Iehovah among us, or not? And Amalek came, and fought with [unspec 8] [unspec 9] Israel, in Rephidim. And Moses said un∣to * 1.1 Ioshua, Chuse us out men, and goe thou out, fight with Amalek: to mor∣row I will stand on the top of the hill, and the rod of God in my hand. And Ioshua [unspec 10] did as Moses had said to him, to fight with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur, went up to the top of the hill. And it was, when [unspec 11] Moses hold up his hand, then Israel prevai∣led; and when he let downe his hand, then Amalek prevailed. And Moses hands were [unspec 12] heavy; and they tooke a stone, and put it under him, and he sate upon it: and Aa∣ron and Hur staied up his hands, one on this side, and one on the other side; and his hands were steadie untill the going downe of the Sunne. And Ioshua discomfited A∣malek, [unspec 13] and his people, with the edge of the sword. And Iehovah said unto Moses, [unspec 14] write this for a memoriall in a booke, and put is in the cares of Io〈…〉〈…〉, That wiping▪ I will wipe out the remembrance of Amalek from under the heavens. And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it, Iehovah Nissi. And said, Because the hand upon the throne of Iah, Iehovah will have warre with Amalek from generation to generation.

Annotations.

AFter their,] or, by their journeyes; which were from Sin to Dophkah, from Dophkah, to Al〈…〉〈…〉 and from thence to Rephidim, the place here spo∣ken of, Num. 33. 12.—14. the mouth] that is, as the Greeke and Chaldee doe translate, the word of the Lord. See Gen. 24. 57. Rephidim] in Greeke▪ Raphidein.

V. 2. contended] or, did chide: with many & reprech∣full provoking speeches: so they did again in Num. 20. 3. 4. upon the like occasion. give ye,] thou and Aaron who have brought us hither: see Exod. 16. 2. 3. tempt ye] by unbeleefe: for they doubted of Gods presence with them, verse 7. and would by miracles be assured thereof: which is to tempt God; as Matth. 16. 1. Psal. 78. 18. 19.

Vers. 3. us,] so the Greeke also translateth in the Hebrew is, me, and my sonnes, &c. speaking of the multitude, as of one man.

Vers. 4. cried,] the Chaldee translateth, praied This was Moses usuall refuge, in such troubles: see Exod. 14. 15. and 15. 25. Num. 11. 10. 11. they be almost ready:] Hebr. yet a little, and they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 stone me. Like outrage they shewed also in Num∣bers 14. 10.

Vers. 5. Goe on,] or, passe on: that is, journey towards Mount Horeb, and goe thou and the El∣ders foremost. rod,] or staffe, mentioned also in Exod. 7. 20. Num. 20. 8. 9.

Vers. 6. I will stand,] Hebr. I standing: to wit, in the pillar of the cloud, (the signe of my presence) standing at mount Horeb: whereof see Exod. 3. 1. in the eyes,] or, before the eyes of the Elders, as witnesses of this glorious miracle; whereby God (turning the Rocke into alake of water, the fli〈…〉〈…〉 fountaine of water, Psal. 114. 8.) gave them drinke, both for their bodies and soules. For the Rocke, and water out of it, signified Christ, and is therefore called a spirituall Rocke, 1 Cor. 10. 4. Hee being smitten with Moses rod, and bearing the curse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Law, for our sinnes; and by the preaching of the Gospell also, crucified among his people, Gal. 3. 1. from him floweth the spirituall drinke where∣with all beleeving hearts are refreshed; and ou•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their bellies flow rivers of water of life, Ioh. 7. 37, 38. 39. Esay. 53. 4. 5. Gal. 3. 13. Therefore this water out of the rocke, is often mentioned to the praise of God, and strengthning of his peoples faith, Deut. 8. 15. Psal. 78. 15. 16. and 105. 41. Ne•• 9. 15. The Hebrew Doctors say, the turning of the rocke into water, was the turning of the property 〈◊〉〈◊〉 judgement, signified by the rocke, into the proper〈…〉〈…〉 mercie, signified by water. R. Menachem, on Exod. 17.

Vers. 7. Massah] that is in English Tentati〈…〉〈…〉

which name was given both for a memoriall of their sinne, and a warning to generations follow∣ing, that they should not tempt the Lord, as they tempted him in Massah, Deut. 6. 16. Psal. 95. 8. 9. Heb. 3. 8 9. Meri••ah,] that is, Contention, or, ••itter ehiding, and so provocation to anger: which therefore the Holy Ghost calleth in Greeke Para∣〈…〉〈…〉, that is, Provocation, or bitter contention: which here was with Moses v. 2. and not so much with him, as with the Lord himselfe, Exod. 16. 8. Num. 20. 2. 13. Heb. 3. 8. 9. Is Iehovah, &c.] that is, the gracious presence of Iehovah, and testi∣mony thereof: or, are we deluded by Moses? The Chaldee explaineth it thus; Doth the Majestie of the Lord dwell among us, or not? Of this they would be confirmed by some signe or miracle, which was to tempt God; whose presence and power they had so often seene.

Vers. 8. Amalek] the Amalekites, the posteritie [unspec 3] of Amalek, a Duke of Eliphaz, the sonne of Esau, the brother of Israel, Gen. 36. 15 16. This was the first of the nations, who warring against Israel, pro∣cured their owne utter destruction, Numbers 24. 20. Deuteronomie 25. 19. 1 Sam. 15. 2. 3. But for Israels sinne, came this chastisement upon them; as the Iewes themselves acknowledged, saying, After they had passed through the sea, they murmured for waters: then came against them, the wicked Ama∣lek, who hated them for the first birth right and bles∣sing, which our father Iakob had taken from Esau; and he came and fought against Israel, because they had vio∣lated the words of the law, &c. Thargum on Song 2. 15. fought,] or, warred; but treacherously: for hee smote the hindmost of Israel, even all that were seeble behinde them, when they were saint and weary, and bee feared not God, Deut. 25. 18.

Vers. 9. Ioshuah] or, Iesus: in Hebrew Iehoshuah, [unspec 9] whom the Holy Ghost calleth in Greeke Iesus, Acts 7. 45. Heb. 4. 8. Hee was first called Hoseas. and Moses called his name Iesus, that is, Saviour, Num. 13. 17. Hee was a figure of Iesus Christ the Saviour of the world, both in his name and acti∣ons, fighting the battels of the Lord, and bringing his people into Canaan: hee was the minister or servant of Moses, and his successor in the govern∣ment of Israel, Exodus 24. 13. Numbers 27. 18.—23. Deuteronomie 34. 9. Ios. 1. &c. the top] Hebr. the head of the hill: so in vers. 10. There Mo∣ses holding up his rod as an ensigne, might be seene of the people, for the strengthning of their faith. Compare Ios. 8. 18. 19. rod of God:] the Chaldee expoundeth it, the rod wherewith miracles have beene done from before the Lord. Of it, see Exod. 4. 20. and 7. 9. &c.

Vers. 10. to fight] that is, as the Greeke explai∣neth, [unspec] it, and fought. See the notes on Genes. 2. 3. A like phrase also is in Numb. 18. 22. Deut. 2. 16. 1 King. 12. 33. The Hebrew text sometime mani∣festeth this; as to build, 1 Chron. 14. 1. for which in 2 Sam. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 11. is written, and they built. To say, (or, Saying) 1 Chronicles 13. 12. for which in 2 Sam. 6. 9. is written, and said. So in 1 Chronicles 34. 16. compared with 2 Kings 22. 9. Hur] or Chur: called in Greeke Oar, hee was a Prince of the Tribe of Iudah, being the sonne of Caleb, the son of Ezron, the sonne of Pharez, the sonne of Iudah, 1 Chronicles 2. 5. 9. 18. 19. This Hur was also left with Aaron to judge controversies, when Moses went up unto GOD, upon mount Sinai, Exodus 24. 14. His sonnes sonne B••••aleel, was the master workeman of the Lords tabernacle, Exod. 31. 2.—5.

Vers. 11. held up,] or, held al••ft his hand with the [unspec 11] rod of God in it, for a signe of Gods power and helpe unto his people; and consequently, praying unto God for assistance; as the lifting up of the hands also signifieth, Psal. 28. 2. And so the Thar∣gum Ierusalemy explaineth it, when Moses held up his hands in prayer, the house of Israel prevailed; and when he let downe his hands from prayer, the house of Amalek prevailed. Hand is here for hands as the Greeke translateth, and the verse following ma∣nifesteth.

Vers. 12. heavy:] that he could not continue to [unspec 12] hold them up: a signe of mans infirmities, not a∣ble to indure long in spirituall exercises. The spi∣rit is willing, but the flesh is weake, Matth. 26. 41. 43. See also Luke 18. 1. Rom. 12 12. a stone:] under this similitude of a stone. Christ is often sig∣nified, Esay. 28. 16. Psalme 118. 22. Zacharie 3. 9. 1 Pet. 2. 4. upon whom our weake faith is sustai∣ned in prayer, and by whose spirit our infirmities are holpen, Ioh. 14. 13. 14. 16. 17 Romans 8. 26. were steadie] Hebr. was steadinesse, (or faith fulnesse.) And here the force of the Hebrew word amunah, which signifieth faith, is shewed to bee a steadie or firme perswasion in the promises of God: and that which is most necessary in prayer, Matth. 21. 22. Iames 1. 6. 7. and 5. 15. Romans 4. 20. 21. And this phrase his hand was, meaneth that both his hands were steadfast. For steadinesse, the Chaldee saith; Moses hands were spred-out in prayer. going downe] Hebr. going in of the Sunne: which was the end of the day, and withall of the victory and salvation of Israel. So he that indureth to the end, he shall be saved, Matth. 24. 13.

Vers. 13. edge:] Hebr. mouth: which the Greeke [unspec 13] translateth slaughter of the sword: and that phrase the Apostle followeth, in Heb. 11. 37. So in the Greek version of Num. 21. 24. Deut. 13. 15.

Vers. 14. put in the eares,] that is, rehearse it in the [unspec 14] bearing of Iesus; he was to be Moses his successor; and so the charge was to continue successively, till it was accomplished. wiping I will wipe] that is, will utterly wipe (or blot) out. This God perfor∣med by the hands of Israel, to whom hee gave this charge, thou shalt wipe out the remembrance of Amalek, from under the heavens; forget it not, Deuteronomie 25. 19. Whereupon the Hebrew Canons say, Wee are commanded to destroy the remembrance of Amalek, (Deuteronomie 25.) and commanded to remember continually his evill deedes, and his treacherie; to the end to stirre up enmitie against him, &c. and it is unlawfull to forget his enmi∣ty and hatred, Maimony in Misn. treat. of Kings, c. 5. S. 5. This, as it figured the destruction of Antichrist; so the fulfilling of it, is by the Iewes themselves referred to the dayes of Christ: for they say;

••n the dayes of the Mesias, the seed of E〈…〉〈…〉 und of A∣••alek shall be wiped out through the strength of Israel, which shall prevaile most highly. 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 on Exodus. 17.

Vers 15. Iehovah 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that is Iehovah is any 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈…〉〈…〉 So the altar was to sacrifice thanke offring•• [unspec 15] upon to the Lord and acknowledge the victorie to be from him. The Greeke translateth it, the Lord my refuge. It is a sacramentall speech; where∣of see Gen. 22. 14. The Chaldee paraphraseth thus, And Moses built an altar; and served upon it be∣fore who had done signes (or miracles.) for him.

Vers. 16. upon the throne] or against the throne of 〈…〉〈…〉 of God. This referred to Amalek, mea∣neth thus: because the hand of Amalek is upon (or a∣gainst) the throne of the Lord: therefore Iehovah will have warre with Amalek. By the throne of Iah, mea∣ning heaven, (as Esay. 66. 1.) and so God him-selfe that sitteth thereon, (as Matthew 23. 22.) a∣gainst whom Amaleks hand was, while it was a∣gainst his people and Church, Zach. 2. 8. Acts 9. 4. 5. And so Ierusalem is called the Lords throne, Ier. 3. 17. Otherwise, if it bee referred to God, or Moses his servant, and his hand upon (or unto) the throne of Iah, it may signifie an oath, vowing perpe∣tuall warre with Amalek: for so the lifting up of the hand to heaven, (which is Gods throne,) is a signe of swearing, Revel. 10. 5. 6. Gen. 14. 22. And thus the Chaldee paraphraseth upon this place: With oath this is said from before the fearefull (God,) whose maijestie is upon the throne of glory; to wage warre from before the Lord, against the men of the house of Amalek, to destroy them from the generations of the world. So Thargum Ierusalemy explaineth it to bee an oath, and applieth the fulfilling of it, to King Saul, and to Mordecal and Esther, 1 Sam. 15. Esth. 8. and 9. &c. The Greeke translateth, with hidden hand, the Lord will warre against Amalek, from gene∣ration to generation. In Perkci R. Eliezer, c. 44. it is said, When God would root out and destroy all Ama∣leks sead, hee stretched forth his right hand, and tooke hold on the throne of his glory, and sware to root out and to destroy all Amaleks seed, out of this world, and out of the world to come.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Iesus