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.

SECT. III. The Corban 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Chamber.

THERE was also a Chamber, in which whatsoever mony was collected in these chests, of which we have spoken, was emptied out into three other chests; which is called by the Talmudists emphatically, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or The Chamber.

g 1.1 There were three chests, each containing three Seahs, into which they empty the Corban, and on them were written 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 And why saith R. Jose, was Aleph, Beth, Gimel writ upon them? Namely that it might be known, which of them was filled first, that it might first be emptied. R. Ishmael saith, the inscription was in Greek, Alpha, Beta, Gamma.h 1.2

The chests, which are here spoken of, were those, into which the three greater were emptied, which always stood unmoveable in the Chamber. The manner of the empty∣ing of which take from the words of the Gloss in the place alledged. Those chests, in which the mony was laid up did contain twenty seven Seahs (each nine) and they were cove∣red with a linnin cloth. He, who was to empty, entred with three chests containing nine Seahs. He first filled the chest marked 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, out of the first of the three great chests, and then covered it with the linnin cloth. Then he uncovered the second of the great chests, and out of it he filled the second chest, marked with 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; and covered it again. Then he uncovered the third of the great chests, and filled the third chest marked ••: but covered not the other again, &c.

Moreover of the manner and time of this emptying thus the Masters speak. i 1.3 Thrice in a year 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 They take care about the Chamber (for let me render it thus in this place) that is, as the Gloss writes. Out of the thirteen chests they transferred whatsoever had been collected in them, into these three great ones, which were in this chamber, and in like manner they emptied them into three less, (of which before) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 About the space of half a month before Passover, before Pentecost, and before the Feast of Tabernacles: or, in the beginning of the month Nisan, and of the month Tisri, and fifteen days before Pentecost.

And here I cannot but transcribe the words of the Glosser in that place of the Tal∣mud, which we are now upon, as not a little illustrating the place in the Evangelists.

They published, saith he, and made known, that they should bring the oblation of the Lord (the half Shekel) they that were near (to Jerusalem) at the Passover; and they that were further off, at Pentecost; and they that were most remote, at the Feast of Tabernacles :〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 These words serve for a light to the story in S. Matthew, Chap. XVII. of the Collectors of the Didra••hm, or half Shekel, requiring it of Christ at Capernaum, when the Feast of the Passover was now past a great while ago. But we go on.

He who went into the Chamber, to empty the chests, went not in with a folded garment nor with shoes, nor with Sandals, nor with Phylacteries, nor with charms, &c. And the reason was, that there might be no opportunity, and all suspicion might be removed, of steal∣ing, and hiding any of the mony under them.

The money taken thence served to buy the daily Sacrifice, and the drink-offerings, salt, wood, frankincense, the shew-bread, the garments of the Priests, and in a word, whatsoever was needful for the Worship and service of the Temple.

Yea, l 1.4 Rabh Asa saith, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Judges of things stolen, who were at Je∣rusalem, received as their stipend ninety nine Mana's 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 out of the rent of the Chamber.

Notes

• g 1.1

  Joma, f. 64. 1.
• h 1.2

  Shekalim, c. 3
• i 1.3

  Ibid.
• l 1.4

  Chetubh. fol. 105. 1.