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. XXXVIII. Kedron. (Book 38)

TO a 1.1 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. A deep bottom, called Kedron, bounds the Mount of Olives, which lyes against the City Eastward. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 b 1.2 They built a foot-causey, or a foot-bridge, upheld with arches, from the Mount of the Temple to the Mount of Olives, upon which they led away the red Cow to be burned. In like manner such a foot-causey they made, upon which they led away the Scape-goat: Both were built at the charges of the publick treasure, which was in the Temple. The reason of that curiosity concerning the Bed Cow was this: when the ashes of that Cow were especially purifying above all other things, (for they cleansed from the uncleanness contracted by the touch of a dead person) they thought no caution enough to keep him safe from uncleanness, who was to burn the Cow. When therefore there might be perhaps some Sepulchres not seen, in the way he was to go, whereby he might be defiled, and so the whole action be rendred use∣less, they made him a path at no small cost all the way upon arches joyning to one ano∣ther, where it was not possible to touch a place of burial. The like care and curiosity was used in leading away the Scape-goat.

c 1.3 The Sheaf of first-fruits was reaped from the ashes-valley of the brook Kidron. The first day of the feast of the Passover certain persons departed from the Sanhedrin went forth into that valley, a great company attending them, and very many out of the neigh∣bouring Towns flocked together, that the thing might be done a great multitude being present. And the reason of the pomp was fetched thence, because the Baithuseans or Sadduces, did not think well of doing that action on that day: therefore that they might cross that crossing opinion, they performed the business with as much shew as could be. When it was now Even, he, on whom the office of reaping laid, saith, the Sun is set, and they answered, Well. The Sun is set, and they answered, Well. With this reaping hook; and they answered, Well. With this reaping hook; and they answered, Well. In this basket; and they answered, Well. In this basket; and they answered, Well. If it were the Sabbath, he said, On this Sabbath; and they answered, Well. On this Sabbath; and they answered, Well. I will reap; and they answered, Reap. I will reap; and they answered, Reap. This he said thrice, and they answered thrice, Well.

In d 1.4 the place marked in the margin they are treating concerning removing a Sepul∣chre, seated in an inconvenient place, that it might not pollute any man. Examples are brought in of the Sepulchres of the house of David, which were moved out of their places, and of the Sepulchres of the sons of Huldah, which were within Jerusalem, and were not moved out of their places. Hence it appears, saith R. Akibah, that there was a certain Cave, whereby filth and uncleanness was carried down into the valley of Kidron.

By such a pipe and evacuation under ground did the filth of the Court of the Temple run into the valley of Kidron. e 1.5 The blood poured at the foot of the Altar 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 flowed into a pipe, and emptied it self into the valley of Kidron: and it was sold to the Gar∣diners to dung their gardens.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Joseph. de Bell. lib. 5. cap. 8.
• b 1.2

  Maimon. in Shekalim, cap. 4. 8.
• c 1.3

  Mena••both, cap. 10. & To∣sa••••t. ibld.
• d 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, ••ol. 57. 4.
• e 1.5

  Bab. Joma, fol. 58. 2.