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CHAP. III. A great part of South Judaea cut off under the second Temple. Iewish Idumea. (Book 3)
THE Talmudic Girdle ends, as you see, in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Cadesh, Barnea, & Askalon. Hence it cannot but be observed, that these two places are placed as it were in parallel, and whatsoever space lies between Ascalon and the River of Egypt is excluded, to wit LIV miles. And one might indeed almost see some foot∣steps of that exclusion under the first Temple, in that very common expression, From Dan even to Bearsheba.
This Country that was excluded was something barren. The Talmudists speak thus of it; a 1.1 That Tract, which lies in Gerariku [Gerar] is ill to dwell in. How far? To the River of Egypt. And b 1.2 Srabo thus, The Country, which follows Gaza, is barren, and sandy, &c.
It was antiently inhabited by the Avites, namely, from Gaza to the River of Egypt. The Avims dwelt in Hazerim, Deut. II. 23. Hazar is a word of most frequent mention in that Southern Land, Hazar-Addar, Hazar-Gaddah, Hazar-Shua, Hazar-Susah, &c. And it seems to denote some champion plain, and level lying between the Mountains. Hence the habitation of the Avites is called Hazerim; who are numbred with the Phi∣listines, but yet by themselves, Jos. XIII. 3. For see there, how the holy text pro∣mising to number five Nations only, numbers six.
This excluded portion is passed into the name of Idumea. Hence Pliny: c 1.3 Presently from the rising up of the Lake Sirbon begins Idumea and Palestine. Nor that alone, but another very great part of Judea. Hence the Sea of Sodome, is said by Diodorus Siculus to be d 1.4 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: about the middle of Idumea. And in Josephus, and the Book of the Macabees we find very many places mentioned under the name of Idumea, which were almost in the very middle of Judea. For example sake, e 1.5 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. He came even to the Gadari, and the plains of Idu∣mea, and Azotus, and Jamnia. And again, f 1.6 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 &c. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. And Judas and his brethren left not off fighting with the Idumeans: but fell upon them every where: and taking the City Chebron, &c. and the City Marissa, &c. And having come unto Azotus, &c. And more to this purpose may be read here and there. So that distinction may be made, between Idumea the greater and the less. Simon of Gerasa, g 1.7 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: overran the Towns along the Mountanous Country, &c. And the overran A∣crabatene, and the parts as far as Idumea the great. And there is mention of h 1.8 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Idumea called the Upper. With these passages compare Mark, Chap. III. ver. 8.
Whilst the Jews were absent from their own Country, enduring the Seventy years bon∣dage in Babylon, it is easy to be believed, that their antient enemies, the Edomites, and that were so from the very first original of them, had invaded their possessions, as much as they could, and had fixed their roots in that countrey especially, which was nearest their own: but at length by the powerfull armes of the Maccabees, and the Asmo∣neans they were either rooted out, or constrained to embrace Judaism. So Josephus speaks of Hyrcanus: i 1.9 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. Hyrcanus takes Ador and Marissa cities of Idumea: and having subdued all the Idumeans suffered them to remain in the Country, on condition they were willing to be circumcised, and to use thei Jewish Laws. And they out of a desire of their own Country underwent circumcision, and conformed to the same course of life with the Jews. Hence there became a mingled generation in that Coun∣try between Jew and Edomite; and the name of the place was mingled also, and called both Judmea and Judea. l 1.10 And Palestine was divided into five Countreys, Idumea, Judea, Samaria, Galilee, and the Country beyond Jordan.