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. V. Caphar Tsemach. Beth Gubrin. Caphar Carnaim.

WE neither dare, nor indeed can, number up all the Cities of Decapolis, of the same condition with Bethshean: yet the Jerusalem Talmudists fix and rank these three under the same condition with it, in those words which were alledged be∣fore, Caphar Carnaim excepted, of which afterwards.

• I. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Caphar Tsemach. Let something be observed of its name out of R. So∣lomon.
  • 1. In the Jerusalem Talmudists it is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Caphar Tsemach; but R. Solomon citing them reads 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Caphar Amas: which one would wonder at. But this is not so strange to the Chaldee and Syriac dialect, with which it is very usual to change 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Tsadi into 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ain. So that the Rabine in the prouncing of this word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Amas, plays the Syrian in the first letter, and the Grecian in the last, ending the word in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Samech for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Cheth.
  • ...

• ...
  • 2. We dare prononnce nothing confidently of the situation of the place: we have only said this of it before, that it is reckoned by the Jerusalem Writers among 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Cities forbidden in the borders; perhaps 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 In the Coast, of which before: but I resolve nothing.
• II. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Beth Gubrin. The situation of this place also is unknown. There was a Gabara about Cesarea Philippi, called by the Rabbins 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Tarnegola the Upper. But we dare not confound words and places. It is famous for s 1.1 R. Jochanan of Beth Gubrin, who said, there are four noble tongues, &c.
• III. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 t 1.2 Caphar Karnaim, say the Jerusalem Talmudists, is of the same condition with Bethshean: that is, of Heathen jurisdiction.

And now let the Reader judge, whether these were some of the Decapolitan Cities. Whether they were or no, we neither determine, nor are we much solicitous about it: that which we chiefly urge, is, that by the places before mentioned, it appears, as I suppose, that the Cities of Decapolis were indeed within the limits of the Land of Israel, but inhabited by Gentiles. Jews indeed dwelt with them, but fewer in number, infe∣rior in power, and not so free both in their possessions and priviledges. And if you ask the reason, why they would dwel in such an inferiority with the Heathens, take this. u 1.3 The Rabbins deliver. Let one always live in the Land of Israel, though it be in a City, the greatest part of which are Heathens. And let not a man dwel without the Land, yea not in a City, the greatest part of which are Israelites. For he that lives in the Land of Israel hath God: but he that lives without the Land, is as if he had not God: as it is said, To give you the Land of Canaan, that God may be with you, &c. Would you have more reasons? whosoever x 1.4 lives within the Land of Israel, is absolved from iniquity. And whosoever is buried within the Land of Israel, is as if he were buried under the Altar. Take one for all. y 1.5 The men of Israel are very wise. For the very climate makes wise. O most wise Rabbins.

Notes

• s 1.1

  Hieros. Megil. fol. 71. 2.
• t 1.2

  Id. Demai, fol. 22. 3.
• u 1.3

  Bab. Cherub. fol. 110. 2.
• x 1.4

  Ibid. f. 111. 1.
• y 1.5

  Gloss in Bab. San••dr. f. 5. 1.