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. XXVIII. The Court of the Gentiles. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Mountain of the house in the Rabbines. (Book 28)

IN the Jewish Writers it is ordinarily called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Mountain of the house; sometimes 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or the common Court. Hence is it that a gate descending hither from the Court of the women, is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The gate, whence they go out from the Court of the women into the Common Court. Hence the Author of Tosaphtoth, a 1.1 They go out by the gate leading from the Court of the women 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 into the Common Court. And some vessels of stone were fastned to the wall of the steps going up into the womens Court, and their covers are seen 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in the common Court.

And that because hither the Heathen might come. b 1.2 Rabban Gamaliel walking 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in the Court of the Gentiles, saw a Heathen woman, and blessed concerning her.

And those that were excommunicated and lamented. c 1.3 All that entred into the Mount of the Temple, enter the right hand way, and go about: but they go out the left hand way: except him, to whom any accident happens, for he goes about to the left hand. To him that askes, what is the matter with you, that you go about to the left hand? He answers, Because I lament: and he replies to him, He that dwells in this Temple comfort thee. Or because I am excommunicated; And to him he replies, He that dwells in this house, put it into their heart to receive thee.

And not seldom those that are unclean. Yea, he that carries away the scape goat might enter into the very Court, although he were then unclean. d 1.4 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 &c. Is he polluted who is to take away the goat? He entreth unclean even into the Court, and takes him away.

e 1.5 The greatest space of the Court of the Gentiles was on the South; the next to it on the East, the third on the North, but the least space was on the West. Of that place, where the space was greater, the use was greater also.

f 1.6 In the wall compassing this space were five gates: and within joyning to the wall were 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 double Galleries or Halls, which yeilded delightful walks, and defence also from rains.

g 1.7 There was only one gate Eastward, and that was called the Gate of Susan; because the figure of Susan, the Metropolis of Persia was ingraven in it, h 1.8 in token of subject∣on. i 1.9 In this Gate sat a Councel of three and twenty. At the Gate on both sides were 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Shops; and the whole Gallery-walk on this East side was called Solomons Porch.

On the South were two Gates, both called the Gate of Huldah: of the reason of the name we are not solicitous. These looked towards Jerusalem or Acra. The Hall or Gal∣lery gracing this South side was called l 1.10 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Kings walk, which was tre∣bled, and of stately building.

On the West was the Gate 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Kiponus (haply so named from m 1.11 Coponius, Go∣vernor of Judea. By this Gate they went down into Sion, the bridge and way bending thither.

On the North was the Gate 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Tedi or Teri, of no use; for so is the Tradi∣tion, n 1.12 The Gate of Tedi on the North was of no use. On this side was the Castel Anto∣nia, where the Romans kept guard, and from hence perhaps might be the reason the Gate was deserted.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Tesapht. in Parah, cap. 2.
• b 1.2

  Hieros. Avo∣dah Zarah, fol. 40. 1.
• c 1.3

  Middoth, cap. 2. hal. 2.
• d 1.4

  Bab. Joma, fol. 66. 2.
• e 1.5

  Middoth, cap. 2. hal. 2.
• f 1.6

  Ibid. c. 1. hal. 3.
• g 1.7

  Ibid.
• h 1.8

  Glossa, ibid.
• i 1.9

  Sauhed. cap. 11. hal. 2.
• l 1.10

  Joseph. Antiq. lib. 15. cap. 14.
• m 1.11

  Idem, ibid. lib. 18. cap. 1.
• n 1.12

  Middoth, in the place above.