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. IV. Migal Eder. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉

BY occasion of these places discovered to us by the Talmudists, I cannot but ob∣serve another also out of them, on another side of the City, not further distant from the City, than that whereof we now spake, if it were as far distant as that. That is Migdal Edar, or the Tower of the Flock, different from that mentioned, Gen. XXXV. 21. The Jerusalem Talmudists of this our place speak thus, g 1.1 The Cattle which are

found 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 From Jerusalem as far as Migdal Eder on every side, &c. The Babylonian Writers more fully, h 1.2 The Cattle which are found from Jerusalem as far as Migdal Eder, and in the same space on every side, being males are burnt offerings, fe∣males, are peace offerings.

In that place the Masters are treating and disputing, Whether it is lawful to espouse a Woman, by some consecrated thing given in pledg to assure the thing. And concer∣ning Cattle, found between Jerusalem and Migdal Eder, and the same space every where about Jerusalem, they conclude that they are to be reputed for consecrated. Because it may be supposed (as the Gloss speaks) that they were strayed out of Jerusalem; for very many Cattle going out thence were to be sacrificed.

They have a tradition not unlike this, as we said before, of mony found within Jerusalem. i 1.3 Monies which are found in Jerusalem, before those that buy Cattle, are always tithes, &c.

But to our business. From the words alledged we infer, that there was a Tower or a place, by name Migdal Eder, but a very little space from Jerusalem, and that it was situate on the South side of the City. I say, A little space from Jerusalem: for it had been a burthen to the Inhabitants dwelling about the City, not to be born, if their Oxen, or smaller Cattle, upon any occasion straying away and taken in stray, should imme∣diately become consecrated, and that the proper Owner should no longer have any right in them. But this Tower seems to be situate so near the City, that there was no Town round about within that space. We say also, that that Tower was on the South side of the City; and that upon the credit (shall I say?) or mistake of the LXX Inter∣preters.

Notes

• g 1.1

  Hieros. Kidd. fol. 63. 1.
• h 1.2

  Bab. Kidd. fol. 55. 1.
• i 1.3

  Bava Mezia, fol. 26. 1.