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.

CHAP. I. The Division of the land. (Book 1)

THE Jewish Writers divide the whole World into 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The land of Israel, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Without the land: that is, the Countries of the Heathen. Both which phrases the Book of the Gospel owns: The land of Israel, Matth. II. 20. And it calls the Heathen 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, those that are without, 1 Cor. V. 13. 1 Tim. III. 7. &c. And sometimes the unbelieving Jewes themselves, as Mark IV. II.

They distinguish all the People of the World into 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Isra∣elites, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the Nations of the World. The Book of the Gospel ownes that Phrase also. Mat. VI. 32. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. After all these things do the Gentiles or Nations seek. Which in Luke XII. 30. is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, The Nations of the World. Hence the word World is most commonly used for the Gentiles, Joh. III. 16, 17. 1 Joh. II. 2, &c.

Somewhere a distinction is made into 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The land (of Israel) and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The region of the Sea, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a 1.1 And every forreign Region is cal∣led the Region of the Sea, except Babylon. They are the words of Rabbi Solomon. Which nevertheless fall under the censure of R. Nissin. b 1.2 It is something hard, saith he, to reckon every country, which is out of the land, to be the Region of the Sea: for then under that name would be included all the neighbouring places, and which are as it were swallowed up by the land. They say therefore, that the more remote places are called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Region of the Sea. But neither does this please me. For there is no need of so great a distance, to make any place to be called, The Region of the Sea, &c. But it is spoken in relation to the Western coast of the land of Israel. On which side there are no (Heathen) Cities near, and swallowed up by the Land. But the Sea sets the bounds; but it doth not set the bounds on other sides, &c. The sense therefore of R. Solomon, when he saith, that every Region, without the Land is the Region of the Sea, comes to this, that Every Region which is like to that Region, is so called.

Heathen Cities were on that Western Coast; but seeing they lay within the ancient bounds of the Land, namely, the Lip of the Mediterranean Sea, they could not so pro∣perly be said to be Without the Land, as those which were altogether Without the limits. Those Cities and that Country therfore are called by a peculiar title 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that is, the Coast or Country by the Mediterranean Sea. Which title all other Cities of the like condition underwent also, wheresoever seated within the bounds of the land. Examples will not be wanting as we go along.

They commonly define the Land of Israel under a double notion: to wit, that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which they possessed who went up out of Egypt; and that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which they possessed, who went up out of Babylon. This was in very many places circumscribed within narrower limits than that, not only by reason Samaria was rejected and shut out, but also, because certain portions were cut off, (and they neither a few, nor small) which became the Possessions of those that went up out of Egypt: but under the second Temple had passed into the possessions of the Heathen.

Now they were upon this account the more exact in observing their bounds, di∣stinguishing this Land by known bounds both from all others, and in some places, as it were from it self; because they decreed that very many mysteries of their religion were to be handled no where but within these limits. c 1.3 For besides the rites of that Dispensa∣tion, which the holy Scripture doth openly and evidently fix to that land, such as Sa∣crifices, Passovers, the Priesthood, and other appoyntments of that nature (which are commonly, and not improperly called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Statutes appendant to that Land) very many others also are circumscribed within the same borders by the Fathers of the Traditions.

d 1.4 The Land of Israel, say they, above all others lands, is sanctified by ten holinesses. And what is the holiness of it? Out of it they bring the Sheaf, and the first fruits, and the two Loaves. And they do not so out of any other Land.

e 1.5 The Law of beheading the Cow doth not take place any where, but in the Land of Israel, and beyond Jordan.

f 1.6 They do not appoint or determin concerning the New Moons, nor do they interca∣late the year any where but in the Land of Israel: as it is said, The Law shall go forth out of Sion.

g 1.7 They do not prefer to Eldership out of the Land of Israel: no, not although they that do prefer have themselves been preferred within the Land.

And that I heap not together more, they do in a manner circumscribe the Holy Spirit himself within the limits of that Land. For h 1.8 Shechina, say they, dwells not upon any out of the Land. Compare Act. X 45.

The Land, which the Jews that came up out of Babylon possess, They divide after this manner.

i 1.9 There are three Lands (or Countries 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) Judaea, the Land beyond Jor∣dan, and Gallilee. And each of those have three Countreys. Those we shall take notice of in their places. To this received division our Saviour hath respect, when sending his Disciples to preach to the lost Sheep of Israel, he excludes Samaria, Mat. X. 5. Which according to the Condition of the Nation, was not merely Heathen, nor was it truly Is∣rael. It was not Heathen; For k 1.10 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Land of Samaria is reckoned clean, and the gathering together of its Waters clean, and its dwellings clean, and its paths clean. Which the Jewish curiosity would by no means pronounce of a Heathen Land. But as to many other things, they made no dif∣ference between them and the Gentiles.

The Jewish Doctors do indeed particularly apply that Division of the three Coun∣treys in the place alledged, to the tradition and Canon concerning 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 but yet they do every where retain the same, wheresoever they treat of the Division of the Land of Israel. What 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 means you may learn from the Authors of the Gloss upon the place. Breifly it was this. In the seventh year they might eat of the fruits layd up in their storehouses, so long as some fruit of that kind hung upon the tree in that Country. But when they could no more find them upon the trees, they were to cast out those which they had gathered, and laid up at home, and not to eat of them as they did before.

Notes

• a 1.1

  R. Sol. in Gittin. Cap. 1.
• b 1.2

  R. Nissin Ibid.
• c 1.3

  Vid. R. Sol. in Num. 34.
• d 1.4

  Kelim, Cap. 1. hal. 6. Hieros. Sh••ka∣lim, fol. 47. 4.
• e 1.5

  Maimon. in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Cap. 10.
• f 1.6

  Idem in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Cap. 1. Vid. Hieros. Neda∣rim, fol. 40. 1.
• g 1.7

  Idem in San∣hedrin, Cap. 4.
• h 1.8

  Vid. R. Sol. in Jonab. 1.
• i 1.9

  Sheviith, cap. 9. hal. 2.
• k 1.10

  Hieros. Avod. Zara. fol. 44. 4.