The works of the Reverend and learned John Lightfoot D. D., late Master of Katherine Hall in Cambridge such as were, and such as never before were printed : in two volumes : with the authors life and large and useful tables to each volume : also three maps : one of the temple drawn by the author himself, the others of Jervsalem and the Holy Land drawn according to the author's chorography, with a description collected out of his writings.

SECTION X.

Of the name Jehovah, and how it was unknown to the Fathers, Exod. 6. 3.

THIS is the uncommunicable name of God, not given at any time unto the Crea∣ture, Esay 42. 8.

This name in its sound and letters was known unto the Fathers, yea even in its signifi∣cation. Abraham calls mount Moriah, Jehovah Jireh, Gen. 22. 14.

Isaac called upon the name of Jehovah, Chap. 26. 25. And Jacob saith; Jehovah thy God hath brought it to me, Chap. 27. 20.

The name Jehovah signifieth three things,

First, Gods eternal being in himself, without dependence or mixture, upon, or with any other thing. For his being undependent, it is rendred, the first, and the last; and which is, and which was, and which is to come.

For his being without mixture, or composition, it is said here, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Not, By my name Jehovah I was not known: Nor, My name Jehovah was not known: But, My name Jehovah, I was not known, to shew that God and his Name are not two things, united by composition, but one and the same thing.

Secondly, Jehovah betokeneth Gods giving of being to the Creature. To this purpose, it is observable, that God is never called Jehovah, till all the Creation be perfected, and every thing have received its being, Gen. 2. 4.

So in all the speeches that pass between Job and his friends, God is never called Jehovah but once, where mention is made of the Creatures receiving their being, Job 12. 10.

Thirdly, Jehovah signifieth the faithfulness of God in his promise, and in this sense it is rendred, Amen, true and faithful. In this sense it is set after so many commands, Thou shalt, or thou shalt not do thus and thus, I am Jehovah.

And in all these significations it is justly prefixed before all the Commandments, Exod. 20. I am Jehovah thy God.

As this name is not communicable to any Creature, but only appropriate to the God∣head, so it is severally given to every Person in the Trinity.

First, To the Father, Psal. 110. 1. For he is the fountain of being in himself.

Secondly, To the Son, Jer. 23. 6. For he is the giver of being to the Creature.

Thirdly, To the Holy Ghost: compare Esay 6. 8, 9, 10. with Act. 28. 25, 26. For he is the Spirit of Truth, and giver of being to the promise.

The name Jehovah, and the significancy of it to the utmost, did the holy Fathers know before Moses. But they saw not experience of the last signification named, namely the faithfulness of God in his promise made to Abraham concerning his delivery of his seed from bondage, and bringing them into a Land flowing with milk and honey: God gave them the promise by the name of El Shaddai, God Omnipotent: and they relied upon his omnipotency, because he that promised was able to perform: but they beheld it afar of, and tasted not of my performance of it, but now will I shew my self Jehovah, faithful to bring to pass and accomplish what I promised.