SECTION I. Idumea, Mark III. 8.
THERE was a time, when the Land of Israel and Idumea were not only distinct Countries, but separated with an iron Wall, as it were, of Arms and Hosti∣lity: but I know not how, Idumea at last crept into Judea; and scarcely left its name at home, being swallowed up in Arabia.
They were truths which Pliny speaks, in that time when he spake them: a 1.1 Arabia is bounded by Pelusium LXV mile. Then Idumea begins, and Palestine, at the rising up of the Sirbon Lake. But thou art deceived, O Pliny, would the Antienter ages have said; for Idumea is bounded by Pelusium LXV. miles. Then begins Palestine at the rising up of the Sirbon.
We are beholding to Strabo that we know the reason of the transmigration of that people and of the name. For thus he writes; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. b 1.2 The Idumeans and the Lake (of Sirbon) take up the furthest Western parts of Judea, next to Casius. The Idumeans are Nabateans: but being cast out thence by a sedition, they joyned themselves to the Jews and embraced their Laws.
Every one knows, what the Land of Edom or Idumea, in the Old Testament was: but it is not the same in the New, and if that old Idumea retained its name, (which it scarcely did, but was swallowed up under the name of Arabia) then by way of distincti∣on, it was called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, c 1.3 Great Idumea. Idumea the less or the new, is that which we are seeking and concerning which St. Mark speaks, no small part of Judea, so called either from its nearness to Idumea properly so called, or because of the Idu∣means that travailed thither and possessed it, and that became Proselytes to the Law and manners of the Jews. Such a one was Herod Ascalonita. When therefore it is said by the Evangelist, that a great multitude followed Jesus from Galilee and from Judea, and from Jerusalem and from Idumea, he speaketh either of the Jews inhabiting that part of Judea, which at that time was called Idumea, or at least of the Idumeans who inhabited it, being now translated into the Religion of the Jews. Concerning the Country now contained under that name we shall speak by and by, following first, Pliny's footsteps a little, from the place where he sets out his progress, namely, from Pelusium.