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. XXX. The gate of Nicanor or the East gate of the Court of Israel. (Book 30)

FROM hence they went up from the Court of the Women fifteen steps. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. a 1.1 There were fifteen steps, saith Josephus, ascending from the partition wall of the women to the greater gate. Concerning these steps the Talmudists relating the custom of the Dance just now mentioned, speak thus: b 1.2 The religious men, and the men of good works, holding torches in their hands danced and sung. The Levites with Harps, Lyres, Cymbals, Trumpets, and infinite other musical Instruments, stood upon the fifteen steps going down out of the Court of Israel into the Womens Court, singing according to the number of the fifteen Psalms of Degrees, &c.

The East Gate of the Court of Israel was called the Gate of Nicanor. c 1.3 All the Gates were changed to be of Gold, except the Gate of Nicanor, because concerning that a miracle was shewn: others say, because the brass of it did exceedingly shine.

d 1.4 In the Gate of Nicanor they made the suspected wife drink the bitter waters; they purified the woman after child birth, and the Leper.

Of the miracle done about the folding doors of this Gate, see Constantine l'Empereur, Middoth, page 57. and Juchasin, fol. 65. 2. &c. Who also produceth another reason of the name in these words: In the book of Josephus ben Gorion it is said, that the Gate of

Nicanor was so called, because a miracle was there shewn, namely that there they slew Nicanor a Captain of the Grecians in the days of the Asmoneans: which may also be seen in the end of the second Chapter of the Tract Taanith.

The History alledged is thus. e 1.5 Nicanor was one of the Captains of the Greeks, and every day he wagged his hand toward Judea and Jerusalem, and said, Oh! when will it be in my power, to lay them wast! But when the Asmonean family prevailed, they subdued them, and slew him, and hung up his Thumbs and great Toes upon the Gates of Jerusa∣lem. Hence Nicanors day is in the Jewish Calendar.

f 1.6 This Gate was 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. fifty cubits in height; the doors contained forty cubits, and very richly adorned with Silver and Gold laid on to a great thickness.

g 1.7 In that Gate sat a Councel of three and twenty, as there was another in the Gate of Susan.

h 1.8 None of the Gates had 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (A small scrole of paper fixed to the Posts) but the Gate of Nicanor.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Joseph de Bello, lib. 5. cap. 14.
• b 1.2

  Succah, cap. 5 hal. 4.
• c 1.3

  Middoth, cap. 2. hal. 3.
• d 1.4

  Sotab. cap. 1. hal. 5.
• e 1.5

  Bab. Taanith, fol. 18. 2. Vid. Joseph. Antiq. lib. 12. cap. 17.
• f 1.6

  Joseph. in the place above.
• g 1.7

  Sanhedr. •••• 11. hal. ••.
• h 1.8

  Bab. Joma, fol. 11. 1.