of the Amorrhites, when it should be rendred in the way to the mountain of the Amorrhites. Let the Reader consult, Deut. I. 19, 20. We departed from Horeb, and went through all that great and terrible desert, which ye saw, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in the way leading to the moun∣tain of the Amorrhite, as our Lord commanded us, and came to Cadesh Barnea. Then I said unto you, You are now come to the mountain of the Amorrhite, &c.
The mountain of the Amorrhites took its beginning from Cadesh Barnea, the Southern border of the land of Israel, and by a hardened gibbosity thrust forward it self into Judea beyond Hebron, the name only changed into the Hil-country of Judea. Whence is that of Samson to be understood, that he carried not the gates of Gaza near to He∣bron, or to the mountain, whence Hebron might be seen, but to the top of this moun∣tanous Country, which runs out to Hebron: and so are the words to be rendred, Judg. XVI. 3. He carried them to the top of a mountanous place, which is before Hebron.
This mountanous Country is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, The mountanous desert, Psal. LXXV. 6. Because it is not from the East, nor from the West, nor from the desert of the mountains. Where the Targum thus, Nor from the South, the mountanous place.
It remains doubtful, why it is called by the Talmudists 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, The Kings mountain. Whether because it was King among all the other mountains of Judea? Or because the royal dignity of Davids house sprange hence, to wit, from Hebron? There is much mention of it in the Jewish writers.
The Chaldee Paraphrast upon Judg. IV. 5. Deborah had 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 white dust in the Kings mountain. That is, as it seems, Potters clay: For the Gemarists speak∣ing somewhere concerning Potters, say 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 &c. that they work in black dust, or in white dust.
In the days of R. Hoshaia, some went about to get a freedom from some tithes for the mount of the King.
Rabbi Simeon had vine-dressers 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in the mount of the King. He was minded to let out his Vineyard to Heathens.
R. Chaijah, R. Issai, and R. Immai went up to the Kings mountain. They saw a certain Heathen, who was suspicious concerning their wine.
A myriad of Cities stood in the mountain Royal, of which R. Eliezer ben Harsum possessed a thousand. This mountanous Country is not therefore called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The mounta∣nous Desert, because it was void of Cities and Towns, but because it was a more barren and rough Country.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 &c. The Royal mountain was laid waste by reason of a Cock and a Hen. It was the custom, when they brought forth the Bridegroom and the Bride, to lead before them a Cock and a Hen: as if they should say, Encrease and multiply, as they. On a cer∣tain day a Regiment of Romans passed by, and wrested the Cock and the Hen from them: these therefore rose up against them, and beat them. Away therefore they go to Cesar, and told him, The Jews rebel against thee, &c. R. Asai saith, Three hundred thousand drew sword, and went up to the Royal mountain, and there slew for three days and three nights, &c.
Rabh Asai saith, Janneus the King had sixty myriads of Cities in the Royal mountain: and in each the number was equal to them that went out of Egypt, excepting three Cities, in which that number was doubted. And these were, I 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Caphar Bish (that is, the ill Town) therefore called so 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 &c. because it afforded not an house of hospitaltity. II. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, A Town, that had its name from a certain herb, because by that herb they were nourished. III. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, The Town of males, so called, saith R. Jocanan, because their wives first brought forth males, and then females, and so left off.
This story is recited by the Hierusalems Talmudist, who say 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is so called, because unless the women departed thence somewhere else, they could not bring forth male children.
But saith Ulla, I saw that place, and it is not able to contain even sixty myriads of nests. Therefore said a certain Sectary of R. Chaninah, Ye lie, Ye lie. To whom he replied, that land is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: but now 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a kid hath a skin that does not contain his flesh: so the land of Israel, while it is inhabited, is spacious, but when un••nhabited, more contracted.