SECT. V. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Gad Javan in the Temple.
IN the Talmudic Book Zavim these words occur, obscure enough :〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 He saw one (woman) multiplied (or, con∣tinued) like three, which are as from Gad Javan to Siloah. The thing discoursed of, is of the discovery of some profluvious issue. For example, one discovers such a profluvious issue in himself, now one, by and by another, presently after a third; it is disputed, how great or how little distance of time is to be assigned, to make it one or two pro∣fluviums; and consequently to how great or how small an oblation the party is bound for his purification. The Tradition, which we have produced comes to this: namely, if one sees such an issue at one time, which is so continued, that it contains the space of three discoveries; that is, so much time as one might walk from Gad Javan to Si∣loam 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Behold! such a man is compleatly Profluvious.
The Glossers, and the Aruch teach us what was 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Gad Javan. Hear themselves, Gad Javan is a phrase drawn from those words : 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 That prepare a Table for that Troop (Esai. LXV. 11. Where the LXX read, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Preparing a Table for the Devil. The Vulgar reads, Qui ponitis fortunae mensam, Who set a Table for fortune. The Interlinear, Jovi mensam, a Table for Jupiter.) And it is a place where the Kings of Grecia erected an Idol: as it is said in the book Avodah Zarah, In the corner looking North-East, the Asmoneans hid the stones of the Altar, which the Greeks had profaned with their Idols.
But whether these our Interpreters suppose Gad Javan to be that chamber, where those stones lay hid, laid up there, by the Asmoneans when they repaired the Altar, concerning which place see, if you please, the place in the Margin; o 1.1 or whether they suppose it to be the place it self where the Idol stood, enquire. But how much space it was thence, and what way they went from thence to Siloam, I heartily wish, they had told us. They say only thus much of that matter, That it was so much space as one might walk while a man twice bathed, and twice dryed himself.
Being now in the Temple we cannot but take notice of a name of it, usual among the Masters, namely 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Birah, that is, as the Aruch explains it, A Palace. p 1.2 If a mischance in the night (or a Gonorrhea) happened to any Levite, going forth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 he went down into a secret walk, which led away under Birah, or the Sanctuary, to a Bath, &c. These things are related of the second Temple. But elsewhere, when it is disputed, Whether men were better under the first Temple, or the second, Rabba determins it, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Birah may teach this, which they had, that lived before; but they had not, that lived after. If by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Birah, is to be understood the Temple it self, both they that lived before, and they that lived after, had it; if some particular part of the Temple, they that lived after had that also, as appears from the places alledged. But by the thread of the Discourse in the place quoted, it seems, that by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Birah, Rabbah understood not the Temple it self, but the Glory of the Temple, and those divine endowments of it, The Heavenly fire, The Ark, Urim, &c. Which were present to the first Temple, but ab∣sent from the second. For presently they slip into discourse concerning the ceasing of Prophesie under the second Temple, and the Bath Kol succeeding in its places. The word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is in Davids mouth, 1 Chron. XXIX. 19. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to build the Palace for which I have made provision.