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.

The Book of DEUTERONOMY. (Book Deuteronomy)

THE sum of the Book of Deuteronomy, is a rehearsal and ex∣planation made to the children, of the Law given to their fathers; the time of the Book is but two months, namely the two last months of their fortieth year, divided into the time of Moses his repeating the Law, and dying, and Israels mourning thirty days for him. There can be little dislocation of stories expected where there are so few stories at all, and therefore it will be the less needful to insist much upon the Book, when that which we chiefly aim at in this undertaking, is already done; namely the laying of the story in its pro∣per method and order: only some few things it may not be impertinent nor unprofitable to observe.

1. Whereas Moses is said to be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, when he explains this Law, Chap. 1. 1. it is to be understood that he was over against Suph in Moab, and not near the Red-sea; see Numb. 21. 14. Vaheb in Suphah.

[World 2553] [Moses 120] [Redemption from Egypt. 40] 2. Speaking of the exclusion of the people out of Canaan for their murmuring at Kadesh Barnea, upon the return of the Spies, Numb. 14. he brings in the story of his own exclusion, as if it had been at the same time, Chap. 1. 35, 36, 37. whereas it was not till eight and thirty years after: but thus close and concisely doth the Scripture sometime use to speak in rehearsing known stories; see Acts 7. 7.

3. He speaketh to the generation then present, as if they had been the generation that was already perished and consumed in the wilder∣ness; see Chap. 1. ver. 26. 27, 34, 35, &c. for he puts the murmuring at Kadesh, and the decree against entering into the Land upon these men present, as if they had been the men, whereas those men that were pro∣perly concerned in that business, were already dead and gone. But he useth this manner of stile, 1. Because they were abundance of them ca∣pable of murmuring then as well as their fathers, they being many thou∣sands of them indeed under twenty years, and yet not so much under but that they could be and could shew themselves as untowardly and unlucky as they that were above twenty years of age: And by this man∣ner of expression, Moses would bring them to be humbled, some for their fathers guilt, some for their own, and some for both, and to ac∣knowledge that their being alive till now, and their liberty to enter in∣to the Land, was a free and a great mercy; for their own and their fa∣thers faults, might justly have caused it to have been otherwise with them. 2. They had imitated their fathers rebellion to the utmost, in their murmuring at Kadesh, at their last coming up thither, and in the matter of Baal Peor; and therefore he might very well personate them by their fathers, when their fathers faults were so legible and easie to be seen in them.

4. He reckoneth not their second journy to Kadesh by name, but slips by it, Chap. 2. 1, 4. Nor mentions their long wanderings for se∣ven and thirty years together between Kadesh and Kadesh; but only under this expression, We compassed mount Seir many days, Chap. 2. 1. because in that rehearsal he mainly insisteth but upon these two heads, Gods decree against them, that had first murmured at Kadesh, and how that was made good upon them; and Gods promise of bringing their children into the land, and how that was made good upon them; therefore when he hath largely related both the decree and the pro∣mise, he hastens to shew the accomplishment of both.

5. In rehearsing the Ten Commandments; he proposeth a reason of the Sabbaths ordaining, differing from that in Exodus: there it was, because God rested on the seventh day; here it is, because of their delivery out of Egypt; and so here it respecteth the Jewish Sabbath more proper∣ly, there the Sabbath in its pure morality and perpetuity. And here is a figure of what is now come to pass in our Sabbath, celebrated in me∣morial of Redemption, as well as of Creation.

In the fifth Commandment, in this his rehearsal, there is an addition or two more then there is in it in Exod. 20. and the letter Teth is brought in twice, which in the twentieth of Exodus was only wanting of all the letters.

6. In Chap. 10. ver. 6. 7, 8. there is a strange and remarkable transpo∣sition, and a matter that affordeth a double scruple. 1. In that, after the mention of the golden Calf in Chap. 9. and of the renewing of the Tables, Chap. 10. which occurred in the first year after their coming out of Egypt, he bringeth in their departing from Beeroth to Mosera where Aaron died, which was in the fortieth year after: now the reason of this is, because he would shew Gods reconciliation to Aaron, and his reconciliation to the people; to Aaron, in that though he had deserved death suddenly with the rest of the people that died for the sin of the golden Calf, yet the Lord had mercy on him and spared him, and he died not till forty years after: and to the people, because, that for all that transgression, yet the Lord brought them through that wilderness to a land of rivers of waters. But 2. there is yet a greater doubt lies in these words then this, for in Numb. 33. the peoples march is set down to be from Moseroth to Bene Jahaan, ver. 31. and here it is said to be from Beeroth of Bene Jaahan, to Moseroth; there it is said, Aaron died at mount Hor, but here it is said, He died at Moseroth: now there were

[World 2553] [Moses 120] [Redemption from Egypt. 40] seven several incampings between Moseroth and mount Hor, Numb. 33. 31, 32, &c. Now the answer to this must arise from this considerati∣on, that in those stations mentioned Numb. 33. From Moseroth to Bene Jaahan, to Horhagidgad, &c. they were marching towards Kadesh before their fortieth year, and so they went from Moseroth to Bene Jaahan. But in these stations, Deut. 10. 6. they are marching from Kadish in their for∣tieth year, by some of that way that they came thither, and so they must now go from Bene Jaahan to Moseroth. And 2. how Moseroth, and mount Hor, Gudgodah, and Horhagidgad, were but the * 1.1 same place and Country, and how though Israel were now going back from Ka∣dish, yet hit in the very same journies that they went in, when they were coming thither; as to Gudgodah, or Horhagidgad, to Jotbathah or Jotbath, requires a discourse Geographical by it self; which is the next thing that was promised in the Preface to the first part of the Harmony of the Evangelists; and with some part of that work by Gods permis∣sion and his good hand upon the Work-man, shall come forth.

7. It cannot pass the Eye of him that readeth the Text in the Origi∣nal, but he must observe it, how in Chap. 29. ver. 29. the Holy Ghost hath pointed one clause, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 To us and to our Children belong the revealed things: after an extraordinary and unparalleld manner; to give warning against curiosity in prying into Gods secrets; and that we should content our selves with his revealed will.

8. Moses in blessing of the Tribes, Chap. 33. nameth them not accor∣ding to their seniority, but in another order. Reuben is set first though he had lost the birth-right, to shew his repentance, and that he died not * 1.2 the second death. Simeon is omitted because of his cruelty to Si∣chem and Joseph; and therefore he the fittest to be left out when there were twelve Tribes beside. Judah is placed before Levi, for the King∣doms dignity above the Priest-hood, Christ being promised a King of that Tribe, Benjamin is set before Joseph, for the dignity of Jerusa∣lem above Samaria, &c.

9. The last Chapter of the Book was written by some other then Moses; for it relateth his death, and how he was buried by the Lord, that is by Michael, Jude 9. or Christ, who was to bury Moses Ce∣remonies.

Notes

• * 1.1

  As Horeb and Sinai were, though they be counted two several in∣campings of Israel, Exod. 17. 1, 6. and 19. 1. compa∣red.
• * 1.2

  So the Chal∣dee renders, ver. 6. Let Reu∣ben live and not die the se∣cond death.