VERS. XXXI.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c.
The Queen of the South, &c.
I. I Cannot but wonder what should be the meaning of that passage in o 1.1 Bava bathra, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Whoever saith that the Queen of Sheba was a Woman, doth no other than mistake. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 What then is the Queen of Sheba? The Kingdom of Sheba. He would have the whole Kingdom of the Sabeans to have come to Solomon: perhaps what is said, that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 came 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 with an exceeding great Army, (for so is that clause rendred by some) might seem to sound something of this nature in his ears. But, if there was any kind of am∣biguity in the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 as indeed there is none; or if Interpreters doubted at all about it, as indeed none had done, the great Oracle of truth hath here taught us that the Queen did come to Solomon: but why doth he term her the Queen of the South, and not the Queen of Sheba?
II. There are plausible things upon this occasion spoken concerning Sheba of the Ara∣bians, which we have no leisure to discuss at present. I am apt rather to apprehend, that our Saviour may call her the Queen of the South in much a like sense, as the King of Egypt is called in Daniel, the King of the South: the Countries in that quarter of the world were very well known amongst the Jews by that title: but I question whe∣ther the Arabian Saba were so or no. Grant that some of the Arabian Countries be in later ages called Aliemin, or Southern parts; yet I doubt whether so called by antiquity or in the days of our Saviour.
Whereas it is said that the Queen of the South came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, is it worth the patience of the Reader, to hear a little the folly of the Jews about this matter. Because it is said that she came to make a proof of his wisdom by dark say∣ings and hard questions, these Doctors will be telling us what kind of riddles and hard questions she put to him. p 1.2 She saith unto him, if I ask thee any thing, wilt thou answer▪ me? He said, it is the Lord that giveth wisdom. She saith, what is this then? 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 There are seven things go out and nine enter. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Two mingle (or prepare) the cup, and one drinks of it. He saith, there are seven days for a Womans separation, that go out, and nine months for her bringing forth, that come in. Two breasts do mingle, or prepare the cup, and one sucks it. Again saith she, I will ask thee one thing more, what is this? A Woman saith unto her Son, thy Father was my Father; thy Grand∣father was my Husband; thou art my Son and I am thy Sister. To whom he answered 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Surely they were Lot's Daughters. There is much more of this kind, but thus much may suffice for riddles.