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CHAP. LXXI. Within what Tribe the Lake of Genesaret was. (Book 71)
BY comparing the Maps with the Talmudie Writers, this question ariseth: for there is not one among them, as far as I know, which does not altogether define the Sea of Genesaret to be without the Tribe of Nephthali; but the Talmudists do most plainly place it within.
:〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a 1.1 The Rabbins deliver. The Sea of Tiberias is the portion of Nephthali; yea, it takes a full line for the nets on the South side of it: as it is said, Possess the Sea and the South (Deut. XXXIII. 23.) The Gloss is, (Nephthali) had a full line in the dry land on the South coast, that he might draw out his nets. So also the Hierusalem writers; b 1.2 They gave to Nephthali a full line on the South coast of the Sea, as it is said, Possess the Sea and the South. They are the words of Rabbi Josi of Galilee. So that Talmud, that was written at Tiberias: so R, Josi who was a Galilean.
The words of Josephus which we cited before, are agreeable to these. c 1.3 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 &c. The Tribe of Zabulons portion was to the Sea of Genesaret stretched out also (in length) to Carmel and the Sea. On the South the land of Zabu∣lon was bounded by that of Isachar, extending it self in bredth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to Genesaret: touching only upon Genesaret, not comprehending Genesaret with∣in it. So the same Josephus speaks in the place alledged, that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the men of Nephthali took those parts that ran out Eastwardly unto the City of Damascus. It would be ridi∣culous if you should so render 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, unto the City of Damascus, as to include Damascus within the land of Nephthali. The Maps are guilty of the like Soloe∣cism, while they make Zabulon, which only came 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, unto the Lake of Gennesaret, to comprise all the Lake of Gennesaret within it. Look into Adrichomius, to say nothing of others, and compare these words of Josephus with him.
Hither perhaps is that to be reduced, which hath not a little vexed Interpreters in Jos. cap. XIX. where Jordan is twice mentioned, in desining the limits of the Tribe of Nephthali; vers. 33. The outgoings of the border, hence, was to Jordan; and vers. 34. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The going out from thence, that is, from the South border, was to Jordan in Judah towards the Sun rising.
What hath the land of Nephthali to do with Jordan in Judah?
I answer, Juda, that is, Judea, is here opposed to Galilee: Judah is not here spoken of as opposed to the other Tribes. Before ever the name of Samaria was risen, the name of Galilee was very well known, Jos. XX. 7. and so was the name of Judea: and at that time one might not improperly divide the whole land within Jordan, into Galilee and Judea: when as yet there was no such thing as the name of Samaria. The words al∣ledged therefore come to this sense, as if it had been said,
The North bounds of Naph∣thali went out Eastwardly to Jordan in Galilee: in like manner the South bounds went out Eastwardly to Jordan now running into Judea:that is, the Country without Gali∣lee, which as yet was not called Samaria, but rather Judea.
The bounds certainly of the land of Nephthali seem to touch Jordan on both sides, both on the North and the South; and so to contain the Sea of Genesaret within its bo∣som, according to that which is said by the Talmudists, before alledged, and those also men of Tiberias.
While I am discoursing of Jordan, and this Lake, let me add this moreover concern∣ing the boat of Jordan. d 1.4 R. Jacob bar Aidai saith, in the name of R. Jochanan, Let no man absent himself from Beth▪Midrash, for this question was many a time propounded in Jab∣neh, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The boat, or barge of Jordan, why is it unclean? Nor was there any, who could answer any thing to it; until R. Chaninah the son of Antigonus came, and expounded it in his City. The boat of Jordan is unclean, because they fill it with fruit, and sail with it down from the Sea unto the dry land, and from the dry land into the Sea. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the Jews themselves being interpreters, is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 A small vessel, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a little Ship. Josephus hath these words, e 1.5 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. Having gathered together all the boats in the Lake, they were found to be two hundred and thirty, and there were no more than four mariners in each.