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. I. Concerning Naim near Tabor, shewn to strangers.

IN the Alexandrian Copy 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ijon is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Nain, 1 Kings XV. 20. In the Roman, it is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ain. So Hazar-Enan Numb. XXXIV. 9. in the Roman Copy is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Arsenain, in the Alexandrian, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Asernain; neither of them agrees with our Nain. For it is very absurd to conceive that our Saviour ever was at Hazar-Enan the ut∣most borders of the Land toward Syria; nor can we suppose him in Ijon, that seeming to be according to the order of the places as they are ranked in the Text above quoted, either beyond Dan, or in the extreamest borders of the Land on that side.

As to our Nain, Borchard saith thus, A Nazareth duabus leucis, &c. Two leagues from Nazareth, not much above one from Mount Tabor, Southward is Mount Hermon the less, on the North side of which is the City Nain; at whose Gates Jesus recovered a Wi∣dows Son from death, as we read, Luke VII. So also Breidenbach: So some Tables as to the situation of Hermon near Tabor, and the situation of Naim near Hermon.

I am well enough satisfied that they should place Naim in the Tribe of Issachar, if there be no mistake among them as to Mount Tabor. For whereas Tabor is indeed the very utmost border of Issachar, Northward, Jos. XIX. 22. a 1.1 It must needs be that what is beyond that, Southward, a league or two, should be reckoned within that Tribe. But I much suspect the Tabor mentioned by them, and that which is now shewn to Travellers, is not the true Tabor: nor do I much question but that Hermon of which they talk, is made out of a mistake, and misconstruction of Psal. LXXXIX. 12. Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy Name. My scruple as to Mount Tabor, ariseth hence; because

that Tabor which is shewn to strangers, as our Country-man Biddulph, and another ac∣quaintance of mine own, who were on the top of it, do describe it, does not at all agree with the description Josephus gives us of the true Mount Tabor. Our Country∣man tells us, It is an hill not very steep, nor very high, nor very large; but a round beauti∣ful hill, &c. On the contrary, * 1.2 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Mount Tabor is in height thirty furlongs, very difficult of ascent on the North-side; the top is a great plain of about six and twenty furlongs.

The Persian Interpreter instead of Nain hath 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Nabelis, that is, Neapolis, which is also Sychem: but for what reason I know not. Nor do I suppose that it was conceived by any one Expositor, that the Widow's Son whom Christ raised from death, was a Samaritan; he was indeed upon the borders of Samaria, but at a great distance from Sychar.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Joseph. Antiq. lib. 5. cap. 1.
• * 1.2

  Joseph. de excid. lib. 4. cap. 16.