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.

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Mary, called Magdalene.

WHence should she have this name?

I. We have observed above in our Notes upon Matth. XXVII. 56. that there is mention made in the Talmudick Authors of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Maria Magdilaseen Nashaia, the Daughter of Maria a plaiter of Womens hair; who, they say was the Wife of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Papus ben Juda, but an. Adulteress. They make this Pa∣pus co-temporary with Rabban Gamaliel (he of Jafneh) and R. Joshua a 1.1; and with R. Akibah b 1.2: who all lived both before and after the destruction of Jerusalem: So that the times do not very much disagree. And probable it is, that the Gemarists retained some memory of our Mary Magdalene in the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Magdila.

II. We further observe in our Notes upon Joh. XII. that there was a certain Town near Jerusalem called Magdala, of a very ill fame, which perhaps was Bethany it self; or be it it some other, yet might our Mary (if she was the Sister of Lazarus) not unfitly be

called Magdalene, either as she might have lived there some time, being there married, or have imitated the whorish customs of that place. But I am apt to think that Bethany it self might go under the name of Magdala.

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Out of whom went seven devils.

As to the number seven, we contend not, when there is hardly any thing more usual than to put this certain number for an uncertain. Our difficulty is, whether these words are to be taken according to their letter, or according to the Jewish sense who were wont to call vices by the name of Devils: as, An evil affection is Satan c 1.3. Drunkeness by new wine is a devil. d 1.4 If this Mary be the same with the Woman that was a sinner in the fore∣going Chapter, as is believed, then by devils seems to be understood the vices she was addicted to; especially when both the Pharisee and Evangelist call her a sinner, rather than Demoniack. But this we leave at the choice of the Reader.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Hieros. Bava batra, fol. 15. 1.
• b 1.2

  Gloss, in Schabb. fol. 104. 2.
• c 1.3

  Gloss in Jo∣ma, fol. 67. 2.
• d 1.4

  Gittin. fol. ••7. 2, &c.