A discourse of the terrestrial paradise aiming at a more probable discovery of the true situation of that happy place of our first parents habitation / by Marmaduke Carver ...

CHAP. XIV.

Of the Land of Havilah, where there is Gold, Bdellium, and the Onyx-stone.

AS for the Land of Havilah, Chavilah, Evilah, and Evilath, (as it is different∣ly written by several Writers) which this River compassed, Gen. 2. 11. we shall bet∣ter determine what and where it was, when we have taken notice that Moses, Gen. 10. makes mention of two men under this name, both Heads of Families, and giving denomination to their several Countries. The one was Havilah the son of Joctan, whose posterity are said to inhabit from Mesha as thou goest to Sephar, a Mount of the East, v. 30. Both which bounds Ju∣nius finds in Mesopotamia; taking Mesha

for Mount Masius, and Sephar for Sippha∣ra, a City that stood upon the upper∣most Stream of Euphrates. But this Interpretation may well be suspected as doubtful, because to justifie it he is con∣strained to adde a preposition more into the Text then Moses will own. For whereas in the Original it is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (id est, ad verbum) Ingrediendo te Sepha∣ram montem Orientis; Junius renders it, Quâ venis Sepharam, ad montes Orientis usque. Which liberty, how tolerable or necessary soever it may be elsewhere, is not easily to be allowed here, there being no other just cause of this swerving, but a pre∣judicate opinion that Sephar, was the name of a City, which Moses expresly makes the name of a Mountain. Much more pro∣bable I take to be the interpretation of Josephus, (followed by so many of the An∣cients, Euseb. Hieronym. &c.) who gives us this Commentary upon Moses's words, Antiq. Jud. l. 1. c. 7. Hi à Cophene flu∣mine Indiae ad Assyriam usque habitant: so it is in Gelenius's Edition, but certainly corrupted; for S. Hierom, quoting that Testimony two several times, (lib. De loc. Heb.) hath it, Jeriam regionem: But the Greek Copy of Eusebius lately set out by

Bonfrerius hath (no doubt) still retained the true reading, and gives us the best account of Moses's meaning: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Sophira mons Orientis juxta Indi∣am, apud quem habitârunt filii Jectan, filii Heber, quos ait Josephus à Cophene fluvio & Regione Indiae usque ad ipsam Seriam oc∣cupâsse. Whereby it is evident that the corrupted name of Jeria and Assyria in Josephus was indeed Seria, or the Coun∣trey of the Seres, who had their name from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that signifieth Oriens, because they were Inhabitants of the utmost part of the known world Eastward: between whose Coun∣trey and India lay Mount Sephar, (the East bound of the sons of Joctan) which by Arrianus (in his Periplus Erythraei maris) is called Pyrrhus Mons, in Ptolemy Bepyr∣rus, but in Mercator's Tables Sepyrrus, or rather Sephyrrus; and was no other then that long ledge of Mountains that, taking rise from near the Indian Ocean, stretch themselves far up to the North, and sepa∣rate betwixt Indostan and the Kingdom of China to this day. And for the Western Bound, the River Cophen, that being well

known to be the first of those Rivers West∣ward that make up the full Stream of In∣dus; Mesha in Moses is either the famous Mount Nysa, (where India begins) called also (perhaps) Mysa, even as Paropanisus (the same Mount, but compounded with a∣nother word) is by divers called Paropami∣sus and Paropamissus; or else it was the Re∣gion of the Assaceni lying under it, whose true name indeed was Massaceni, as appears by their Metropolis Massaca, (or rather Mas∣sacara, i. e. Massa civitas) situate near the River Cophen, as Arrianus testifies lib. Re∣rum Indic. in initio. And that Havilah should have a dwelling betwixt these Bounds, is very credible from Moses's joy∣ning him with his brother Ophir, Gen. 10. 29. whose Seat was so near this Mountain, that Eusebius (and after him S. Hierom) confound their names, or rather derive the Mountain's name from the Man's, affirming that the Gold which Solomon's Navy brought from Ophir, was from this Mount Sophera, loc. citat. & suprà in voce Ophir: and so Hesychius; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. But Tzetzes hath retained its right name Ophyr, finding it about the same place; and gives us particular notice, that it was the same

Countrey with that which in Ptolemy and others is called Chersonesus Aurea, a Pen∣insula lying betwixt Sinus Gangeticus and Sinus Magnus, (or rather Mangus) called at this day Malacca.

Insula est Indica quam (Poetae) Auream vo∣cant; Alii verò Peninsulam dicunt, sed non Insu∣lam. Hebraei autem Ophyr linguâ suâ vocant. Habet enim metalla auri & lapides omnifa∣rios. Excellenter magis verò Prasinum lapidem.

And if this were the Region of Ophir, no question but the Evilaei, remembred by good Authors as dwelling near about the same parts, were the true posterity of his brother Havilah. Vetus Orbis Descriptio, (lately set out by Gothofredus) reckoning up the Nations which lay next to the West of the Seres, nameth first the Brachmani: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Post hos ab alio latere est regio Evi∣laeorum; qui & ipsi Regum expertes sunt, & penè Deorum vitam viventes. Horum terra est mansionum triginta duarum. In that

he describes them penè Deorum vitam vi∣ventes, he may seem to intimate their Sa∣cred Function, inasmuch as out of this Tribe were their Hierophantae chosen among the Indians; as may appear also by Epiphani∣us, who in like manner joyneth them with the Brachmans, Exposit. Fidei Cathol. num. 12. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Indorum verò, Evilaei appellati & Brachmanes; Graecorum Hierophantae, & Aedituorum Cynicorum turba. And we may well presume that from them that double Region took name, which he calls 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, In Anchoret. n. 58. Through both which see∣ing he finds the River Phison flowing, his Testimony might well enough save us far∣ther labour in this search, if Phison were the same to him that it is to us. But seeing it is manifest that he (as divers of the An∣cients besides) calls that Stream of this Ri∣ver by the name of Phison which we have found to be Gihon, (and is extended by them as far as Ganges;) we having bestowed this title upon Pasitigris, are bound to find another Land of Havilah besides this in the East-Indies, much farther removed to∣wards

the West. And we doubt not but the second Havilah will help us herein, who being the son of Cush, Gen. 10. 7. his dwel∣ling may be presumed not to be far remo∣ved from Susiana. For though we have denied that Countrey to be Havilah, as finding no good warrant to assert it, and willing to reserve it to his Father Chus, to whom of right it did belong: yet seeing divers of his Brethren passed over into Ara∣bia, which was the next-adjoyning Coun∣trey to the West, and separated from it at no greater distance then the Stream of this River, which compassed a good part of it, in such manner as Moses intimates; we need not despair to find him there amongst his kindred, and his dwelling seated in such wise as Moses hath described it. And hereof we have the Testimony of Moses himself to assure us, who describing the dwelling of the Ishmaelites, (the known Inhabitants of Arabia the Desart) sets their Western Bound at Sur, which lies in the way to Aegypt, and the Eastern at Havilah, ly∣ing in the way to Assyria. Gen. 25. 18. And they dwelt from Havilah to Shur, that is before Aegypt, as thou goest toward Assy∣ria. And in the same position did Saul many Ages after find them, when he was

sent to make war against the Amalekites. 1. Sam. 15. 7. And Saul smote the Amale∣kites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Aegypt. And though no question but in after-times they underwent the same Changes that the rest of their neighbours the Arabians did; yet they still continued a Nation of such note, that Heathen Authors also have made men∣tion of them. For Strabo speaking of the way betwixt Petra in Nabathaea and Baby∣lon, (which he makes 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 stadia) sets out the passage of that journey in this wise: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Tota au∣tem via versus Ortum aestivum [tendit] per adjacentes Arabum gentes, Nabataeos scilicet, Chaulotaeos, & Agraeos. Where, that by the Chaulotaeans are to be under∣stood the posterity of Chavilah, there is no more question to be made, then that by the Agraei he meant the Hagarens or Haga∣rites, who in Psal. 83. 6. are joyned with the Edomites, Ishmaelites, and Moabites: and in 1 Chron. 5. 19, 20. it is plainly in∣timated, that their Countrey lay to the East of the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half Tribe of Manasses: farther East

of which those Chaulotaeans dwelt, even as far as the Stream of Phison. So that where∣as Strabo, in that Journal betwixt Petra and Babylon, sets the Chaulotaeans next to the Nabathaeans, and before the Agreans; it is not because the Agreans dwelt more East then the Chaulotaeans, but because the Chaulotaeans dwelt farther to the South then the Agreans, possessing some part of the Countrey that lay betwixt them and the Nabathaeans in the way to Babylon. And so is Dionysius Afer to be understood, who in like manner remembreth both these Na∣tions, save that the Chaulotaei in Strabo are by him called Cablasii, in Perieg.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Verùm enimvero primi ultra declivitatem Libani Divites habitant cognomento Nabataei. Prope autem Chablasii que & Agrei; quos juxta tellus Chatramitica incolitur; è regione Persicae terrae.

And this gives some probability to the

Conjecture of August. Steuchus Eugub. Cosmop. in Gen. c. 2. that the Chauchabeni, which Ptolemy sets along the Current of Euphrates and to the South of Babylonia, were indeed Chaulatheni (Λ being changed into χ and θ into 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which was easie.) How∣ever, no man can well deny that those Evaleni mentioned by Glaucus, an ancient Historian, (l. 2. Arabicorum, as he is cited by Stephanus 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.) were the true poste∣rity of this Havilah. And so were those Bliulaei placed by Ptolemy in Arabia, (Tab. Asiae 6.) for that they were indeed Evilaei Pliny persuades us, who calls the Hills that lay about them Montes Eblitei. And if any object that these were without the compass of the River Phison, because they are in Arabia Felix, whereas this River emptied it self into the Persian Gulf at Te∣redon, (now called Balsara:) I answer; It is true, Ptolemy indeed finds the end of its Course about that City, but we have cause to believe that Ptolemy is herein defective: for not onely Philostorgius apud Niceph. Hist. Ecclesiast. l. 9. c. 19. makes the Island Messene, which lies betwixt the two jaws of this River emptying it self into the Sea, much larger then Ptolemy's description will bear; but also Geog. Nub. finds a Stream

(at least) of this River flowing still on to the South, and upon the bank of it two great Ci∣ties, Manbeg and Madar. And Petrus Texei∣ra (a learned man, and an expert Traveller in those parts) assures us that it reached as far South as Catifa near unto Baharen: for thus he writes in his Itinerary, relating his passage up Tigris after they had sailed the Persian Gulf; Ubi octo aut novem leucas adverso flumine ascenderis, dividit se Flu∣vius in duo brachia; quorum unus labens versus meridiem Sinum Persicum ingredi∣tur in Katifa juxta Barhen, ità ut à Conti∣nente veluti dividat regionem quae in lon∣gitudinem patet supra octoginta leucas. Which large measure as it might alone as∣sure us that the Island made by this Stream took up a great part of the Western coast of the Persian Gulf; so it is farther confir∣med by the situation of Baharen, (near which was the mouth of this River) for it is placed by Ulughbekius in the Latitude of 23 Deg: whis is almost as far. South as the Western bottome of the Persian Gulf in Ptolemy: All which long Course of this River being anciently inhabited by Havilah, (the Au∣thor of a populous Nation, aad spreading far) it will now be no hard matter to find within the compass of this Countrey all

those precious things mentioned by Moses, Gen. 2. 11, 12. viz. Gold, Bdellium, and the Onyx-stone. For who hath not heard of the Gold of Arabia? And whereas Moses seems to denote some excellency in it above ordinary, by adding, And the Gold of that Land is good: so also doth Diodorus Siculus, whose words are a sufficient Com∣mentary, Biblioth. l. 3. c. 12. Effoditur in Ara∣bia Aurum, quod non igni decoquitur, ut apud alios consurvit; sed evestigio effossum, nucibus id castaneis simile reperitur: colore est ità lu∣cido, ut pretiosos lapides ab artificibus auro inclusos splendidiores reddat. Not to menti∣on the Gold of Parvaim, 2 Chron. 3. 6. which Junius supposes to have been fetched from Barbatia, which was a City in this part of Arabia, as appears by Pliny l. 6. c. 28. And as for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, though there be difference amongst Expositors what they were; some taking the former (Bedolach) for a precious Stone, others for a Tree, and the most for a precious Gumme issuing out of that Tree, in colour white like unto Manna, Num. 11. 7. Exod. 16. 31. and the latter (Sho∣ham) some translating the Onyx, (as our En∣glish and others) some the Beryll, as the Chal∣dee Burla, and the Arabick al Belor, and the Septuagint 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in Exod. 28. 20.

whatsoever they were, (if they were any of these) they were undoubtedly to be found in this Coast. For if Bdellium were a sweet Gumme, (as is most likely) the Tree that yielded it grew in this soil, as Dioscori∣des witnesseth lib. 1. cap. 69. Bdellium alii Bolchon appellant, alii Madelcon: lacryma est Saracenicae arboris, (and the Countrey of the Saracens we well know was taken in his time to be here.) Or if it were a kind of Pearl, Benjamin assures us it was to be found about Catifa, (near which we have found the Out-let of this River.) And for the Beryll and Onyx and other precious Stones, this Countrey is so well known to yield them even to this day, that it is altoge∣ther needless to produce the testimony of the Ancients: onely (because it serves so well to clear the words of Moses) let us take notice of the report that Nearchus (Admiral of Alexander's Fleet) made of the Western Coast of the Persian Gulf, which lay upon the land of Havilah. Strabo Geog. l. 16. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. Dicit autem in Persicae orae initio Insulam esse, in qua multi & pretiosi Uniones gignantur: in aliis verò clari & pellucidi lapilli. In In∣sula quoque ante Euphratem arbores Thus redolentes nasci, quarum radices fracta

succum effundunt. As in this latter clause, among those odoriferous Trees that yiel∣ded such excellent juice we may well be∣lieve Bdellium was not wanting: so in the former, amongst those Unions and precious Stones, we may be as sure that there was both the Beryll and the Onyx. And that it was thus in the In-land, as well as about the Sea-coast, Diod. Siculus is a competent witness, from whom those that desire it may receive farther satisfaction, loc. citat. And hence it was that this Countrey growing famous for those rich Commodities, (as it appears to have been of old by Moses ta∣king notice of it) this part of the Land of Havilah was by Secular Geographers as∣signed to that part of Arabia that vulgarly (and not undeservedly) goes under the glo∣rious title of Arabia Felix.