SECT. IV. GIZBARIN. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
IT was a fixed tradition 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a 1.1 That the Gizbarin were not to be less than three, and they were as substitutes to the Immarcalin.
The word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is used in the Hebrew Text, Ezra 1. 8. and in the Chaldee Text, Ezra 7. 21. in both which places our English hath rendred it Treasurers: the scope and sense of the former place doth evidently enough justifie the translation; for, speaking of Cyrus, his re∣storing the vessels of the Temple, to the Temple again; he saith, He brought them forth by the hand of Mithredath the Gizbar: which the LXX hath rendred Gazbarenus, as if it were some proper name, or a name Patronymick: but the very place sheweth that it meaneth that he was the man that kept these vessels or was Treasurer of them: and so Kimchi expounds it, b 1.2 He was Overseer and Treasurer. In the latter place cited, the LXX renders it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, not Treasurers but Treasuries, but the sense of the place sheweth that it meaneth the Kings Officers and Receivers, and so Rabbi Solomon glosseth it, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 c 1.3 The receivers of his Tributes.
Now as for these officers of the Temple that we are speaking of, which were called Giz∣barin, Maymony in the place cited a little before, gives them this character, d 1.4 That they were they that demanded all the hallowed things, and redeemed what was to be redeemed: which in his gloss upon the Talmud treatise, Shekalim he speaketh more at large, and saith e 1.5 that the Gizbarin were those that were appointed over the holy stock and all consecrate things: And they redeemed every sanctified thing [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Lev. 27. 14. &c.] And every devoted thing [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Num. 18. 14.] And every estimated person or thing, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Lev. 27. 2. &c.] And the second ti••h.
And the Talmudick Text it self in that Treatise Shekalim f 1.6 speaketh of the Gizbarin, receiving the half-shekel poll money: and of the Gizbarin opening the Treasury of the dedicate vessels. And in the Treatise Megillah g 1.7 it speaketh of the Gizbarin receiving wood, &c. So that these men that we have in discourse, were the first Receivers and Treasurers of all things due or dedicate to the Temple treasury, as the half shekel mony of every Israe∣lite, the vessels that were offered to the service, things that were vowed or devoted, and the thing vowed or devoted, that was to be redeemed with mony; these were they that stated the rate of the redemption, and received the mony; now these were but as sub-collection and sub-treasurers, for what they received they were accountable for to the seven Immar∣calin, and both these and the Immarcalin, to the Katholikin: and all under the oversight of the High-priest and Sagan.
And this was properly the Beth Din or Consistory of the Priests, of which we spake before, which transacted the business of the Sanctuary; not sentencing nor inflicting any penalties, or mulcts, corporal or pecuniary, upon their brethren or any other; but they were 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Counsellors for the Temple, that took care of the dues, stock, treasury, vessels, vestments, repair and service of the Temple, and of ordering of all things tending to these ends: and these were they, that kept their sitting to consult of these things in the chamber of Par∣hedrin or Palhedrin of which we have spoken in the survey of that piece of building: And these in the honester times were called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Counsellors, because they consulted and con∣trived really for the good of the Temple, but when they grew corrupt and minded their own ends, they were called but Parhedroi or sitters: Joseph of Aramathea is said to be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, an honourable Counsellor, Mark 15. 43. Probably a Priest of this society, but of more than ordinary integrity and goodness. And so the Talmud speaks of R. Simeon 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the Counsellor. Jerus. in Taanith. per. 4.