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. XXII.

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

When the days of her purification was accomplished, &c.

R. Asai saith, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Child whose Mother is unclean by Child∣bearing,* 1.1 is Circumcised the eighth day; but he whose Mother is not unclean by Child-bearing is not circumcised the eighth day.

You will ask probably what Mother that is, that is not unclean by Child-bearing. Let the Gloss upon this place make the Answer. She whose Child is cut out of her womb. As also a Gentile Woman, who is brought to bed to day, and the next day becomes a Proselyte; her Child is not deferred till the eighth day, but is Circumcised streight-way. And the Rab∣bins a little after: One takes an handmaid big with child, and while she is with him, brings forth: her Child is Circumcised the eighth day. But if he takes a serving-maid, and with her a child newly born, that Child is Circumcised the first day.

They did not account an Heathen Woman unclean by Child-bearing, because she was not yet under the Law that concerned uncleanness. Hence on the other side, Mary was unclean at her bearing a Child, because she was under the Law: So Christ was Circum∣cised because born under the Law.

II. After seven days the Woman must continue for three and thirty days 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in the blood of her purifying, Levit. XII. 4. where the Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; in her unclean blood; far enough from the mind of Moses. And the Alexandrian M. S. much wider still: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. She shall sit thirty and ten days in an unclean garment.

Pesikta as before Col. 4. It is written 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 In the blood of her purifying. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Though she issue blood like a floud, yet is she clean. Nor doth she defile any thing by touching it, but what is Holy. For seven days immediately after she is brought to bed, she lies 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in the blood of her uncleanness; but the three and thirty days following, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in the blood of her purifying.

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

To present him to the Lord.

I. This was done to the first-born; but not to the Children, that were born after∣ward; nor was this done to the first-born, unless 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the first-born were fit for the Priest. For in Becoroth a 1.2, they distinguish betwixt 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a first-born fit for inhe∣ritance, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a first-born fit for the Priest. That is, if the first-born should be any ways maimed, or defective in any of his parts, or had any kind of spot or blemish in him, this laid no bar for his inheriting, and yet made him unfit and uncapable of be∣ing consecrated to God.

II. The first born was to be redeemed immediately after the thirtieth day from his birth. b 1.3 Every one is bound to redeem his first-born with five shekels, after he is thirty days old, as it is said, from a month old shalt thou redeem, Numb. XVIII. 16. Not that the price of that redemption was always paid exactly upon the thirtieth day, but that then exactly it be∣came due. Hence in that Treatise newly quoted, c 1.4 If the Child die within the thirty days, and the Father hath paid the price of his redemption before-hand, the Priest must re∣store it: but if he die after the thirty days are past, and the Father hath not paid the price of his redemption, let him pay it. Where we find the price of redemption supposed as paid either before or after the thirty days.

III. The Women that were to be purified were placed in the East-gate of the Court, called Nicanor's Gate, and were sprinkled with blood d 1.5.

There stood Mary for her purifying: and there probably Christ was placed, that he might be presented before the Lord, presented to the Priest.

Notes

• * 1.1

  a Schabb. fol. 135. 1.
• a 1.2

  Cap. 8. hal. 1.
• b 1.3

  Rahbenu Asher in nerecoth, fol. 68. 2.
• c 1.4

  Fol. 49. 1.
• d 1.5

  Tamid cap. 5. hal. 6.