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. VI.

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

Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings?

TWO Sparrows were sold for one farthing d 1.1, and five for two. We find that Doves were sold in the Temple upon the account of women in child-bed, and their issues of blood, by whom a pair of Turtles and young pigeons were to be offer'd, if they had not wherewithal to present a more costly sacrifice; so probably the Sparrows were likely to be sold upon the account of lepers in the cleansing of whom they were made use of e 1.2. I confess the Greek Version in this place hath not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, two sparrows, but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, two little birds. And yet if you will believe the far-fetcht reason that R. Solomon gives, you will easily imagine that they are sparrows that are pointed at. The leprosie, saith he, came upon mankind for an evil tongue, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that is for too much garrulity of words, and therefore in the cleansing of it they used 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 sparrows that are always chirping and chattering with their voice.

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

And not one of them is forgotten before God.

f 1.3 R. Simeon ben Jachai standing at the mouth of his Cave (wherein he lay hid for the space of thirteen years) he saw a certain man catching of birds. And when he heard Bath Kol out of Heaven, saying, mercy, mercy, the birds escaped. But when he heard Bath Kol, saying, the pain of death, then was the bird taken. He saith therefore 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 A bird is not taken without God, much less the life of a man. This passage is also recited in Midras Tillen g 1.4, but the circumstances vary.

Notes

• d 1.1

  Mat. X. 29.
• e 1.2

  Levit. XIV. 4.
• f 1.3

  Beresh. rabb. fol. 88. 4.
• g 1.4

  Fol. 15. 1.