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.

VERS. IX.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c.

According to the custom of the Priests Office, his lot was, &c.

a 1.1 THE Ruler of the Temple saith 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 come ye and cast your lots, that it may be determined who shall kill the Sacrifice, who sprinkle the blood, who sweep the inner Altar, who cleanse the Candlestick, who carry the parts of the Sacrifice to the ascent of the Altar; the head, the leg, the two shoulders, the tail of the back-bone, the other leg, the breast, the gulet, the two sides, the entrails, the flower, the two loaves, and the wine. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 He hath it to whom it happens by lot.

b 1.2 The room Gazith (in which the lots were cast) was in the form of a large Hall: the casting of the lots was on the East-side of it, some Elder sitting on the West. (i. e. Some Elder of the Sanhedrim, that instructed them in the custom and manner of casting the lot.) The Priests stood about in a circle, and the Ruler coming snatcht off a Cap from the head of this or that person, and by that they understood where the lot was to begin.

c 1.3

They stood in a circle, and the Ruler coming, snatches off a Cap from the head of this or that man; from him the lot begins to be reckoned, every one lifting up his finger at each number: The Ruler also saith, in whomsoever the number ends, he ob∣tains this or that Office by lot, and he declares the number. e. g. There is it may be the number, one hundred, or threescore, according to the multitude of the Priests standing round. He begins to reckon from the person whose Cap he snatcht off, and numbers round, till the whole number is run out; now in whomsoever the number terminate, he obtains that Office about which the lot was concerned. And so it is in all the lots.

I will not enquire at present, whether this casting of lots was every day, or whether for the whole week, wherein such or such a Course performed its attendance. It seems that at this time the number, whatever it was, for the choice of one to burn Incense, ended in our Zachary; whose work and business in this Office, let it not be thought tedi∣ous to the Reader to take an account of, in these following passages.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

To burn Incense.

d 1.4 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉

He whose lot it was to burn incense, took a Vessel containing the quantity of three Cabs; in the midst of which there was a Censer full and heaped up with Incense: over which there was a cover.

e 1.5 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉

He to whom the lot fell of the Vessel wherein the coals were to be taken up, takes it and goes up to the top of the Altar, there stirring the fire about, takes out some of the hottest coals, and going down pours them out into a golden Vessel.

f 1.6

When they had come from hence to the space between the Altar and the Porch of the Temple, one of them tinkles a little Bell, by which, if any of the Priests be with∣out doors, he knows that his brethren the Priests are about to worship, so that he makes all speed and enters in. The Levite knows his brethren the Levites are begin∣ning to sing, so he makes hast and enters in too. Then the chief head or ruler of the course for that time, sets all the unclean in the East-gate of the Court, that they may be sprinkled with blood.

g 1.7

When they were about to go up the steps of the Porch, those whose lot it was to sweep off the ashes from the inner Altar, and the Candlestick, went up first: He that was to sweep the Altar went in first, takes the Vessel, worships, and goes out.

h 1.8

He who by lot had the vessel for gathering up the coals, placeth them upon the inner Altar, lays them all about to the brim of the Vessel, then worships and goes out.

i 1.9

He who was to burn the Incense, takes the Censer from the midst of the Vessel wherein it was, and gives it to one standing by. If any incense had been scattered in the Vessel, he gives it him into his hand: scatters the incense upon the coals and goes out.

He does not burn the incense till the Ruler bids him do it.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Tamid. cap. 3. hal. 1.
• b 1.2

  Joma, fol. 25. 1.
• c 1.3

  Gloss. ibid. fol. 22. 1.
• d 1.4

  Tamid. cap. 5. hal. 4.
• e 1.5

  Halac. 5.
• f 1.6

  Halac. 6.
• g 1.7

  Cap. 6. Hal. 1.
• h 1.8

  Halac. 2.
• i 1.9

  Halac. 3.