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.

IN the day] to wit, the first day: so the Greeke ex∣plaines [unspec 1] it, In the first day of the first moneth, in the new Moone. Among the Iewes, the moneths of the yeere, were the moneths of the Moone: as their yeers were the yeeres of the Sunne: Maimony in treat. of Sanctifying the new Moone, chap. 1. And all new Moones (or first dayes of the Moneths) were so∣lemne feasts unto Israel, Num. 28. 11. 14. Psalm. 81. 3. This (which was the first moneth of the se∣cond yeere, after their comming out of Aegypt) was solemnized the first day, by the rearing up of the Tabernacle, here described; which being done, the Princes of Israel, brought offrings of wa∣gons and oxen for the service of the Tabernacle; and other offrings for the dedicating of the Altar, which solemnity dured twelve dayes, Num. 7. On the fourteenth day of this moneth, the Israelites kept the feast of the Passeover in the wildernesse, Num. 9. 1. 2. 3. The new Moone following, which was on the first day of the second moneth, the Israelites were numbred, and their Tents set in order foure-square, round about the Tabemacle, Num. 1. 1. 2. &c. and 2. 2. 3. &c. and all uncleane persons, were put out of the Campe, Numb. 5. 2. 3. 4. On the twentieth day of that moneth, the Cloud re∣the

Tabernacle now reared up, was then taken downe againe, and the Israelites tooke their jour∣neyes out of the wildernesse of Sinai, Num. 10. 11. In the meane space, God by voice out of the most holy of the tabernacle, taught Moses and Israel all those lawes, for sacrificing, cleansing, and other re∣ligious duties, w^ch are written in the whole booke of Leviticus, and the nine first Chapters of Numb∣bers, Lev. 1. 1. &c. Num. 1. 1. &c. of the Congrega∣tion] or, of the meeting: where-God met w^th his peo∣ple, Ex. 25. 22. & 30. 36. Elsewhere it is named the Tent of the testimony (or Tabernacle of witnesse) Num. 9. 15. & 17. 7. 8. so in the new Testament, Act. 7. 44 Rev. 15. 5. because the Tables of Testimony were kept in the Arke therein, Exod. 25. 16. and so the Greeke translateth it in this place.

Ver. 3. cover the Arke,] that is, hide it from the [unspec 3] eyes of men, by hanging the veile before it: which parted the most holy place from the holy. Hereup∣on it is called the covering veile, Numb. 4. 5. The mystery of this veile is noted on Ex. 26. 33.

V. 4. the order] or the disposition thereof, that is, the shewbread; which was weekly to be set in two rows [unspec 4] upon it: see Ex. 25. 30. The Gr. translateth, shalt pro∣pose the proposition, meaning the bread of propositiō or shew-bread; so called in Matt. 12. 4. cause to as∣cend] that is, to burne; or shalt light: see Exodus 25. 37. and 27. 20.

V. 5. set] Heb. shalt give, which is used for setting, [unspec 5] placing, disposing, &c. often in this chapter, and else-where: see Gen. 1. 17. hanging-veil] or covering∣veil: which hindred the people from entring or seeing into the holy place; see Exod. 26. 36.

Ver. 6. Tabernacle of the Tent] so called because the [unspec 6] Tabernacle was overspread, and covered with the Tent, as v. 19. and Ex. 26. 7. and so it was an over∣spread and covered Tabernacle, signifying Gods Church, by his providence covered & protected. A like phrase is in Rev. 15. 5. the Temple of the tent of the testimony in heaven was opened. For Moses Taber∣nacle is also called a Temple (or Palace.) as 1 Sam. 1. 9. and 3. 3. Psal. 27. 4. and 138. 2.

V. 7. there] that is, therein, as the Gr. translateth [unspec 7] in it; so v. 30. See Exod. 30. 18.

V. 8. hanging veil] or, covering: see Ex. 27. 16. [unspec 8]

V. 9. oile] whereof see Ex. 30. 23. &c. Levit. 8. 10. Num. 7. 1. holy] Hebr. holinesse. [unspec 9]

V. 10. holy of holies] Hebrew, holinesse of holinesses, [unspec 10] that is, most holy; as that which hallowed the sacri∣fices: see Exod. 29. 37.

V. 15. eternal priesthood] so that their children after [unspec 15] the shold not need to be anointed, but administer by reason of this first unction of their fathers: only the high Priests were anointed in the generations following, Lev. 4. 3. See the notes on Exod. 30. 33.

V. 17. second yeere] to wit, after they were come out [unspec 17] of Egypt; as the Gr. version here addeth for expla∣nation: and as Moses speaketh in Num. 9. 1. first of the moneth] that is, the first day of it: as the first of the feast, Matt. 26. 17. is expounded, the first day of the feast, Mark. 14. 12. The Greeke saith, in the New moone: see the annotations on v. 2.

V. 18. the Tabernacle] a visible signe of Gods pre∣sence, [unspec 18] dwelling with & governing his Church in Christ, Lev. 26. 11. Eze. 3. 27. 28. as it is said, I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying; Behold the Taber∣nacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, & they shal be his people, & God himself wil be with them, &c. Rev. 21. 3. set] or fastened: Heb gave; which is used for a firme setting or stablishing, as is noted on Gen. 1. 17. This setting of the sockets, with the boards bars, and pillars, signified the stability of the Church, and members thereof, grounded and sta∣blished by faith in Christ, Esay 33. 20. and 14. 32. 1. Tim. 3. 15.

V. 19. the Tent] in Gr. the curtaines: which were of [unspec 19] two sorts, some of white, blew, purple, and scarlet, cunningly wrought with Cherubims, & coupled together: others, of Goats haire, Exod. 26. 1. 7. the covering] both that of rams skins, and the other of Tachash skins, Ex. 26. 14. This tent & covering, shadowed the heavenly graces wherewith Christ and his Church in him are adorned, their uniting together by the Spirit, through faith and love; and their safe protection: though these things veiled and obscure. See the notes on Exod. 26.

V. 20. the Testimonie] the two tables of Gods law, [unspec 20] Ex. 25. 16. Covering-mercy-seat] a figure of Christ, in whose heart was Gods law; by whom our trans∣gressions of the Law are covered, and the word of grace from God commeth unto us: see Ex. 25. 17.

V. 21. covered the Arke] hid it with the veile han∣ged [unspec 21] before it. A figure of Christs flesh, veiling the divine things in him, till hee entred through it into the holy heavens, and opened a way for his Church thereinto, Heb. 10. 19. 20. Rev. 11. 19.

Ver. 23. the order of bread] that is, the bread set in [unspec 23] order, called in Gr. the bread of proposition, and so in Mat. 12. 4. but Paul nameth it the proposition of bread Heb. 9. 2. which we call Shew-bread: twelve cakes representing the twelve tribes, that is, all beleevers presented pure unto God in Christ: see Ex. 25. 30.

Vers. 24. the Candlesticke] a figure of the Law, [unspec 24] which giveth light to his people standing before God in his sanctuary, Psal. 119. 105. See the notes on Exod 25. 31. &c.

Ver. 25. to ascend] that is, to burne and shine, as v. [unspec 25] 4. representing the seven Spirits of Christ, where∣by (through the oile of his grace) his word shineth unto his Church, Rev. 4. 5.

Ver. 26. Altar of gold] figuring Christs mediati∣on [unspec 26] for his Church, whereby they and their praiers are presented as sweet odours unto God. See the notes on Ex. 30. These all being in the most holy, and holy places, hidden with veiles from the eies of the people, signified the obscuritie of the hea∣venly mysteries of the Gospell, before the veile of Christs flesh was rent, & the treasures of his grace more fully opened, Heb. 10. 1. Rom. 16. 25. 26. Ephes. 3. 5.

Ver. 29. the altar of burnt-offring] the brazen Al∣tar, [unspec 29] standing in the open Court, for all to see: wher∣upon the daily sacrifices (figuring Christs death and sufferings) were burned: to lead the Church unto the expectation of his body to bee offred for us, and our bodies by him unto God, Heb. 10. 5. 6. 7. Rom. 12. 1.

Ver. 30. The Laver] a figure of the sanctification [unspec 30]

of the Church, washed frō their sins by the blood of Christ; that they may come neere unto God, Heb. 10. 22. Rev. 1. 5. 6. Tit. 3. 5.

Vers. 33. the Court] an holy inclosure, for the [unspec 33] Church to be kept in pure; when they came to appeare before God. And here was the finishing of the worke of the sanctuary: about which thus erected, first the tribe of Levi, Numb. 1. 50. and be∣hind them, the other tribes of Israel pitched their Tents in holy order appointed of God, in a foure square forme, (Num. 2.) such as is the forme of the heavenly Ierusalem, Revel. 21. 16. which Tents were also holy, & might have no uncleane person within them, Num. 5. 2. (as nothing that defileth, may be in the new Ierusalē, the Church of Christ, Rev. 21. 27.) and unto which Tents or camp e, the earthly Ierusalem, (the holy citie, Neh. 11. 1.) was answerable. For some open uncleane, might not be in the campe, or citie: others though in the campe, might not come into the Lords Court, & of those in his court, none entred into the sanctuary but the Priests: & of thē, none into the most holy of the san∣ctuary, but the high priest, once in the yeer, He. 9. 6. 7. because holines becōmeth the House of the Lord, for ever, Ps. 93. 5. and the neerer they come unto him, the more they ought for to be sanctified, Lev. 10. 2. 3. & 16. 2. 3. &c. So after that Israel came into Ca∣naan, and had there a temple; they had degrees of holy places: both of thē are de scribed by the Heb. thus: Three Camps were in the wildernesse; the campe of Israel, which was in foure camps, [Num. 2.] the camp of Levi, [Numb. 1. 50.] and the campe of the Divine Majestie; which was from the doore of the Court of the Tabernacle of the congregation, and forward. And answerable unto thē, in the ages following, frō the gates of Ierusalem, unto the mountaine of the Temple, was as the camp of Israel: & from the gates of the mountain of the Temple, unto the doore of the Court, (which was the gate of Nicanor) was as the Campe of Levi: and from the doore of the court & forward, was the camp of Gods Majesty Maim. in Beth habchirah, c. 7. s. 11. Other like differences of holinesse of places they also ob∣serve: which are to be mentioned otherwhere.

V. 34. the cloud] a testimony of Gods presence and [unspec 34] approbation, who thus took (as it were) possession of the Tabernacle, to dwell therein amongst his people; but with an hiding of his glory and power. So when Solomon had builded the Temple, the cloud filled the house; then spake Solomon; The LORD said, that he would dwell in the thicke darknesse, 1 Kin. 8. 10. 12. But when Gods presence was with dis∣pleasure for the sins of the people, it was signified by a smoake filling the Temple, Esa. 6. 4. Rev. 15. 8, for smoake was a signe of anger, Psal. 18. 9. Esay 14 31. glorie] a signe of Gods glorious presence, who now came to dwell there, as he had promised Exod. 25. 8. So in 2 Chron. 5. 14. and Ezek. 43. 4. 5. where it is opened by God himselfe thus; Sonne of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the sons of Is∣rael for ever, &c. Ezek. 43. 7. So the holy Ierusalem, hath the glory of God, Rev. 21. 11.

Vers. 35. dwelt] that is, abode or continued; and as [unspec 35] the Greeke translateth, over-shadowed it. And in that Moses could not now goe into the Tent, nor the priests into the Temple, 2 Chron. 5. 14. and 7. 2. it sheweth the weaknesse and unworthinesse of all flesh, to come into the presence of God: who therefore gave a Law, that the high Priest himselfe should not at all times come into the holy place within the veil, &c. that he died not; because God would appeare in the cloud upon the Mercie-seat, Lev. 16. 2.

Vers. 36. journeyed in all their journeyes] and in the place where the cloud abode, there the sons of Is∣rael pitched their tents. Al the daies that the cloud dwelled upon the Tabernacle, (whether it were a day or daies, or a Moneth, or a yeere) they rested in the tents, and journeyed not; when the cloud was taken up, whether it were by day or by night, then they journeyed. At the mouth of the Lord they pitched their tents, and at the mouth of the Lord they journeyed; they kept the charge (or watch) of the Lord, Num. 9. 17. 23. This token of Gods guidance and protection of his people, con∣tinued with Israel whiles they travelled in the wil∣dernesse: which grace, the generations following, remembred to the praise of God, Neh. 9. 19. Ps. 78. 14. and 105. 39.

V. 38. the cloud of Iehovah] which in Thargum Ierusalemy is called the cloud of the glorie of Shecinah (the Divine presence) of the Lord. and fire] At evening, there was upon the Tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire untill the morning: so it was alway; the cloud covered it (by day) and the appearance of fire by night, Numb. 9. 15. 16. Hereby was figured the guidance and protection of the Church by Christ under the Gospel; whereof it is written, The Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Sion, and upon her assemblies, a Cloud and smoake by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glorie shall be a defence, Esay 4. 5.

The number of the Sections (or Lectures) in Exodus, are eleven: the verses 1209. The middest is at Exodus 22. 28.

Remember the Law of Moses my servant, which I commanded him in Horeb, for all Israel; with the Statutes, and Iudgements,

Malach. 4. 4.

By the Law, is the knowledge of Sinne,

Rom. 3. 20.

The Law worketh wrath; for where no Law is, there is no transgression,

Rom. 4. 15.

By the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified,

Gal. 2. 16.

The Law was our Schoolemaster (to bring us) unto Christ,

Gal. 3. 24.

Christ is the end of the Law, for righteousnesse to every one that beleeveth,

Rom. 10. 4.