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. XXXI. Concerning the Gates and Chambers lying on the South side of the Court. (Book 31)

HERE concerning the Chambers they differ. The Tract Middoth assigns these to the South side, a 1.1 The Chamber of Wood, the Chamber of the spring of water, the chamber Gazith. The b 1.2 Babylonian Gemara and c 1.3 Maimonides assign them to the North side. In Middoth, the Chamber of Salt, the Chamber of Happarva, the Chamber of them that wash, were on the North side: in those they are said to be on the South. The mat∣ter is hardly of so great moment, that we should weary our selves in deciding this con∣troversie. We enter not into disputes, but follow those things that are more probable, the Middoth being our guide.

I. Therefore we suppose first, that the Chamber Gazith was on the South side of the Court near the East corner: and that upon this reason, that since according to all the Jews (howsoever differing on what side it was placed) this Chamber was not in the middle of the three Chambers before named, but on the outside either on the one hand or on the other, the Councel could not sit in the lot of Judah, if Gazith were not seat∣ed about that place, which we assign.

:〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 d 1.4 The Chamber Gazith was in the form of a great Court-walk. And half of it was in the holy place, and the other half in that which was com∣mon: and it had two doors, whereof one opened towards the holy place, the other towards that which was common. That is, one into the Court, the other to the Chel. The great Sanhedrin sat in that part, which was in Chel; for none might sit in the Court, unless Kings only of the stock of David.

e 1.5 In the Chamber Gazith sat the Councel of Israel, and judged concerning the Priests. Whosoever was found touched with any spot, was clothed in black, and was vailed in black, and went away. Whoever was without spot, being clothed and vailed in white went into the Court, and ministred with his brethren.

:〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 f 1.6 The President sat in the West part of the Chamber; g 1.7 and Ab beth Din on his right hand, and the Elders on both sides in a half Circle.

How the Sanhedrin was driven from this Chamber, and when and why, we observe elsewhere.

II. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 h 1.8 The Chamber of the spring was next to this Westwardly: Where was a Well, and a Pully: whence water was supplied to the whole Court.

III. Contiguous to this was the Gate of Waters; so called, either because the water to be poured out upon the Altar on the feast of Tabernacles was brought in through this Gate, or because the Water-course conveyed into the Temple from the fountain Etam, went along through this Gate into the Chamber of the Spring. i 1.9 Abai saith, That fountain was deeper than the pavement of the Court three and twenty cubits. And I think, saith the Author of the Gloss, that the fountain Etam was the same with the waters of Nephtoa, of which mention is made in the book of Joshua (Chap. XV. 9.) for thence it descends and slopes into the East and West, and that place was the highest in the land of Israel.

IV. l 1.10 After this Gate was the Chamber of Wood, and above that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Chamber, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, of the Magistrates; or as it was commonly called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Chamber of the Councellors: where there was a Sessions of the Priests consulting about the affairs of the Temple and Service. The Wood-chamber seems to be called so upon this account, because the Wood was conveyed hither after the search about it was made in the Chamber of Wood (which was in the corner of the Womens Court) whether there were any Worms in it. That which was found fit for the Altar was laid up here, that it might be more in readiness.

V. Beyond that was 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Gate of offering: and after that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Gate of kindling.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Midd. cap. •• hal ••▪
• b 1.2

  I•…•…. ••.
• c 1.3

  〈…〉〈…〉
• d 1.4

  Joma, fol. 25. 1.
• e 1.5

  Ibid. fol. 19. 1
• f 1.6

  Ibid. fol. 25. 1.
• g 1.7

  Maimon. in Sanhedr. cap. 1.
• h 1.8

  Midd. cap. ••. hal. 3. & Joma, fol. 19. 1.
• i 1.9

  Bab. Joma, fol. 31.
• l 1.10

  See Midd. in the place above.