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.

VERS. IX.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Hosannah to the Son of David.

SOME are are at a loss why it is said 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to the Son, and not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 O Son. Wherefore they fly to Caninius as to an Oracle; who tells us, that those very bun∣dles of boughs are called Hosanna, and that these words, Hosanna to the Son of David signifie no more than Boughs to the Son of David: w 1.1 We will not deny that bundles are sometimes so called; as seems in these clauses, x 1.2 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 And 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 where it is plain that a branch of Palm is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Lulab, and boughs of Mirtle and Willow bound together, are called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ho∣sanna: y 1.3 But indeed if Hosanna to the Son of David signifies Boughs to the Son of Da∣vid; what do those words mean, Hosanna in the highest? The words therefore here sung, import as much as if it were said, We now sing Hosanna to the Messias.

In the Feast of Tabernacles the great Hallel, as they call it, used to be sung, that is, the CXIII, CXIV, CXV, CXVI, CXVII, CXVIII. Psalms. And while the words of the Psalms were sung, or said, by one, the whole company used sometimes to answer at certain clauses, Halleluia. Sometimes the same clauses that had been sung, or said, were again repeated by the company; sometimes the bundles of boughs were bran∣dished or shaken; But when were the Bundles shaken? The Rubric of the Talmud saith, At that clause 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Give thanks unto the Lord, in the beginning (of Psalm.

CXVIII.) and at the end. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and at that clause, save now I beseech thee O Lord (Psalm CXVIII. 25.) as saith the School of Hillel. But the School of Shammai saith also, At that clause, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 O Lord I beseech thee send now prosperity. R. Akibah said, I saw R. Gamaliel, and R. Joshuah, when all the company shook their bundles, they did not shake theirs, but only at that clause, save now I beseech thee O Lord. z 1.4

On every day of the feast they used once to goround the Altar with bundles in their hands, singing this, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Save now I beseech thee O Lord; I beseech thee O Lord send now prosperity. But on the seventh day of the feast, they went seven times round the Altar, &c. a 1.5 The tossing or shaking of the bundles was on the right hand, on the left hand, upwards and downwards. b 1.6

The reason of the bundles was this, because it is written, Then let all the trees of the wood sing, (Psal. XCVI. 12.) And afterwards it is written, Give thanks unto the Lord because he is good, (Psal. CVI. 1.) And afterwards, Save us O Lord, O our God, &c. (Psalm CVI. 47.) And the reason is mystical; In the beginning of the year Israel and the nations of the world go forth to Judgment; and being ignorant who are to be cleared and who guilty; the holy and blessed God commanded Israel that they should rejoyce with these bundles, as a man rejoyceth who goeth cut of the presence of his Judg, acquitted. Behold therefore what is written, Let the trees of the wood sing, as if it were said, Let them sing with the trees of the wood, when they go out justified from the presence of the Lord, &c. c 1.7

These things being premised concerning the rites and customs of that Feast, we now return to our story.

I. It is very much worth our observation, that the company receives Christ coming now to the Passover, with the Solemnity of the Feast of Tabernacles. For what hath this to do with the time of the Passover? If one search into the reason of the thing more accurately, these things occur, First, The mirth of that Feast above all others, concern∣ing which there needs not much to be said, since the very name of the Feast (for by way of emphasis, it was called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, Festivity or, Mirth) sufficiently proves it. Secondly, That prophesie of Zacharie, d 1.8 which however it be not to be understood according to the letter; yet from thence may sufficiently be gathered the singular Solemnity and Joy of that Feast above all others; and perhaps from that same prophe∣sie, the occasion of this present action was taken. For being willing to receive the Messias with all joyfulfulness, triumph, and affection of mind (for by calling him the Son of David, it is plain they took him for the Messias) they had no way to express a more ardent zeal and joy at his coming, than by the solemn procession of that Feast. They have the Messias before their eyes; they expect great things from him; and are therefore trasported with excess of joy at his coming.

II. But whereas the great Hallel, according to the custom, was not now sung, by reason of the suddenness of the present action, the whole solemnity of that song was as it were swallowed up in the frequent crying out and ecchoing back of Hosanna; as they used to do in the Temple while they went round the Altar. And one while they sing Ho∣sanna to the son of David, another while, Hosanna in the highest, as if they had said, now we sing Hosanna to the Son of David, save us we beseech thee, O thou (who dwellest) in the highest, save us by the Messias.

Notes

• w 1.1

  See Baronius at the year of Christ 34.
• x 1.2

  Bab. Succah, fol. 37. 2.
• y 1.3

  See the Gloss
• z 1.4

  Succah, cap. 3. halac. 9.
• a 1.5

  Maimon. on Succah, cap. 6.
• b 1.6

  Bah Succah, sol. 27. 2.
• c 1.7

  Rabbenu Asher on Succah, sol. 66. 2. 3.
• d 1.8

  Chap. XIV. 16.