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. II.

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

That a Mill-stone were hanged about his neck.

THERE is mention among the Talmudick Authors concerning 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 an Ass-mill, and it is distinguisht from an Hand-mill. a 1.1 Whoso hireth an House of his Neighbour, he may build 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 an Ass-mill, but not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 an Hand-mill.

To have a Mill-stone hanged about his neck, was a common Proverb. b 1.2 Samuel saith, it is a Tradition, that a man may marry, and after that apply himself to the study of the Law. But R. Johanan saith, No. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Shall he addict himself to the study of the Law with a Mill-stone about his neck?

Suidas tells us, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: when they drowned any in the Sea, they hung stones about their necks. And quotes that of Aristophanes:

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

Lifting him up, I'll plung him to the deep. * A Stone hung at his neck—

* For so Suidas takes 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and renders it by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a Stone. But this Interpreter ingeniously remarks, that Suidas seems to have reached the place and meaning of the Poet; for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifies not a Stone hung about the neck of him that is to be drowned in the Sea: but when he should have said 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, hanging a Stone, he does by way of jest and beside all expectation, for laughters sake, say, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, hanging Hyperbolus; that is, a litigious fellow about his neck, whom for his pecu∣liar wickedness he would represent as the most burthensome thing that could be to all the Athenians, hanging about them like an heavy Stone that is hanged about the neck of one condemned to be drowned; one indeed that deserves that fate himself that he might no more vex and disturb the Commonwealth.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Aruch in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 out of Bava Mezia.
• b 1.2

  Kiddushin, fol. 29. 2.