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. LXXII. Tiberias. (Book 72)

ALL the Jews declare almost with one consent, that this was a fortified City from antient times, even from the days of Josua, and was the same with Rakkath, of which mention is made, Jos. XIX. 35.

:〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a 1.1 Rakkath is Tiberias, say the Jerusalem Gemarists. And those of Babylon say the same, and that more largely. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 b 1.2 It is clear to us, that Rakkath is Tiberias. And when after a few lines, this of Rabbi Jochanan was objected,

When I was a boy, I said a certain thing, concerning which I asked the Elders, and it was found as I said; namely, that Chammath is Tiberias, and Rakkath Zippor: it is thus at last concluded, Rabba said, Who is it, to whom it was said, that Rakkath is not Tiberias? For behold! when any dyes here (in Babylon,) they lament him there (at Tiberias) after this manner: The Hearse of a famous man decea∣sed in Sheshach (Babylon,) whose name also is of note in Rakkath, is brough hither: thus lament ye him. O ye lovers of Israel, O Citizens of Rakkath, come forth, and bewail the dead of Babylon. When the Soul of R. Zeira was at rest, thus one lamen∣ted him, The land of Babylon conceived and brought forth delights, the land of Israel nourished them. Rakkath said, Wo to it self because she lost the Vessels of her de∣lights. Therefore saith Rabba, Chammath is the same with the warm baths of Gadar, and Rakkath is Tiberias.

This City touched on the Sea, so that the Sea served on one side for a wall to it. Hence is that, in the place but now cited,

Rabh Hezekiah read the book of Esther in Tiberias, on the fourteenth day (of the month Adar,) and also on the fifteenth day (see Esth. IX. 21. doubting whether it were compassed with walls from the days of Josua, or not. But who would doubt this of Tiberias? When it is written, And the senced Cities, were Ziddim, Zer, Chammath, Rakkath, and Chinnereth. But it is clear to us, that Rak∣kath is Tiberias. The reason therefore, why he doubted, was this, because on one side it was enclosed by the Sea instead of a wall. But if it were so, why did he doubt? Because truly it was no wall. When the Tradition is thus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 A City which hath a wall, but not fortified walls, the contiguous houses are for such walls. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 But Tiberias is ex∣cepted, which hath the Sea for a wall.

So also R. Simeon Ben Jochai, in the Jerusalem Gemara just now alledged:

Among the Cities fortified with walls Tiberias is excepted, as having the Sea for a wall.

What fortune this City underwent under the name Rakkath, remains unknown. He∣rod the Tetrarch put the name of Tiberias upon it, and built the City for the sake and memory of Tiberius Cesar. The Etymology of which place while the Gemarists deduce elsewhere, namely either from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Tob reja, because it was fair to behold, or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 because it was Betiborah in the Navel or middle, &c. they seem ra∣ther to sport out of a luxuriant wit, than to be ignorant of the thing it self.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Hieros. Megill. fol. 70. 1.
• b 1.2

  Bab. Megill. fol. 5. 2. & 6. 1.