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.

SECT. I. Different Readings, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

IT is observed by all that treat upon this Evangelist, that the reading doth vary in some Copies, and this instance is alledged for one.

a 1.1 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. These things were done in Bethabarah, but in other Copies it is, in Be∣thany.

But Drusius, Vulgati codices, &c. The vulgar hath it, in Bethabarah. which Epiphanius in the place above mentioned calls Bethamarah. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Of this reading Petavius is silent.

It might easily happen that Bethabarah should change into Bethamarah, partly consider∣ing the affinity of the characters, which (saith he) tanta est in antiqua Scripturâ, ut vix discerni possit, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, & contra, is so great in antient writings, that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 can hardly be distinguished; partly that the alternate use of Mem and Beth is so very common in those Countries.

Nor indeed is it much wonder that Bathamara should change into Bethania, since Bethamara being writ 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifies a place of Wool; and Bethania being writ 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifies a place of Sheep.

But it seems very strange how Bethabarah should ever change into Bethany unless upon some such occasion as these:

Either that Bethabarah might be taken for the same with 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i. e. the House of Exposition or the School (in which sense we meet with 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) whence for Explication it is annexed by some hand or other in the Margine * 1.2 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the House of Tradition, or Doctrine: as if the Evangelist were to be understood in this manner, these things were done or disputed in a certain School beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. And so that word * 1.3 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 being so very known and obnoxious, might steal from the Margin into the Text and common use.

Or perhaps, secondly; upon the suspition of a Tautology if Bethabarah and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 should be found together 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: because 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 may be looked upon as the same thing with a place beyond Jordan: therefore they might substitute the word Bethany as signifying Batanaea or Bashan to some such sense as this. These things were done in Batanea beyond Jordan, &c. But it is our province at present to enquire rather into the situation of Bethabarah, than into the original and derivation of Bethany.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Epiphan. Hae∣res. LI.
• * 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.3

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