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. | Early English Books Online | University of Michigan Library Digital Collections

CHAP. V. The Sea of Sodom, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (Book 5)

THE bounds of Judea on both sides are the Sea; the Western bounds is the Medi∣terranean, the Eastern the dead Sea, or the Sea of Sodom. This the Jewish Writers every where call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which you may not so properly interpret here. The Salt Sea, as the bituminous Sea. In which sense 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 word for word, Sodoms Salt, but properly, Sodoms bitumen, doth very frequently occur among them. The use of it was in the holy incense. They mingled 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a 1.1 Bitumen, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the Amber of Jordan, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 an herb known to few, with the spices that made that Incense.

b 1.2 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. The Lake Asphaltitis is di∣stant from Jerusalem three hundred furlongs. About eight and thirty miles.

c 1.3 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. It is extended in length five hundred, and eighty furlongs. Seventy two miles. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. In bredth an hundred and fifty furlongs. Eighteen miles.

Pliny speaks thus of it: d 1.4 In length it is more than an hundred miles: in its greatest bredth it makes five and twenty, in its least six. What agreement is there between these two? I suppose Josephus does not comprehend within his mesure the tongue of the Sea, of which mention is made, Jos. XV. 2. and defines the bredth as it was generally every where diffused. Concerning its distance from Hierusalem Selinus also speaks: e 1.5 In a long retreat from Hierusalem (saith he) a sad bay oppresseth it self, which that it was struck from Heaven, the ground black and dissolved into ashes, testifies. There were two Towns there, one named So∣dom, the other Gomorrha. But that distance was not directly Southward, but by a very long declination Eastward.

The Talmudists devote to the Sea of Sodom, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 any thing that is destined to rejection and cursing, and that by no means is to be used.

f 1.6 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Let him devote the use of such a thing to the bituminous Sea. g 1.7 Let the price of an oblation for sin, the owner whereof is dead depart 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 into the salt Sea.* 1.8

h 1.9 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Proselyte Aquila divided the Inheritance with his brother a Gentile, and devoted the use and benefit of it to the Salt Sea. Of three Doctors one saith, that he devoted the monies of Idolatry into the Salt Sea. Hence is that allusion, Revel. XX. 14. And death and hell were cast into the Lake of fire.

It doth not please me, that Sodom in the Maps is placed in the Northern bounds of the Asphaltites, when it seems rather to be placed in the Southern extremity of it, For,

I. The bounds of the Land are thus defined by Moses, Gen. X. 19. The borders of the Canaanites were from Sidon (on the North) unto Gaza, (on the South) as thou goest for∣ward, or until thou comest to Sodom. Are not the bounds here bent from Gaza to the furthest term opposite to it on the East?

II. Josephus in the description of the Asphaltites, which we quoted a little above hath these words, The length of it is five hundred and eighty furlongs, i 1.10 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: And it is stretched out as far as Zoar of Arabia. Note that the furthest coast of the extension of it southward, is to Zoar. But now Zrar was not far distant from Sodom, when Lot with his Company got thither before the rising of the Sun,* 1.11 Gen. XIX. 23. It is written, say the Gemarists, the Sun was risen upon the earth, when Lot entred into Sodome. Now Sodom was four miles from Zoar.

The Maps shew you Zoar and Lots Cave in Judea at the Nothern Coast almost of the Asphaltites. By what authority I do not apprehend. The Talmudists indeed do mention* 1.12 a certain Zoar, which they also call, The City of Palms. There is a story, say they, of some Levites, who travailed to Zoar, the City of Palms: and one of them fell sick, whom they brought to an Inn, and there he dyed. But I should sooner believe that there were two Zoars, then I should believe, that the Father of the Moabites were not conceived and born near Zoar of the Land of Moab. See Esai XV. 5.