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.

CHAP. II. NAZARETH, Joh. I. 45.

I. A Legend not much unlike that of the Chappel of Loretto. II. The situation of Nazareth. III. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ben Nezer. IV. Certain horrid practises in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Caphornachum. V. Some short remarks upon Cana, Joh. II. 2.

SECT. I. A Legend not much unlike that of the Chappel of Loretto.

FOrasmuch as our Evangelist makes only a transient mention of Nazareth in this place, not relating any thing that our Saviour did there, we shall take as transient notice of it at this time, by the by only enquiring into its situation, as what we may have occasion to discourse more largely upon in another place.

But what indeed need we be very solicitous about the situation of this Town, when the place we would especially look for there, that is, the House of the Blessed Virgin, hath taken its leave of Nazareth, and by the conveyance of Angels hath seated its self in Loretto in Italy. Of which thing amongst many others Cardinal Baronius g 1.1 gives us this grave relation.

Porro domus illa, &c.

That House wherein the most Holy Virgin received the Heavenly message about the Word being made Flesh, doth not only by a wondrous miracle, stand to this day intire, but by the ministery of Angels was retrieved from the hands of Infidels, and translated, first into Dalmatia, thence into Italy, to Loretto in the Province of Picenum.

Let us repay one Legend with another.

h 1.2

They say of R. Chanina, that he seeing once his fellow Citizens carrying their Sa∣crisices to Jerusalem, cryeth out: Alas! they every one are carrying their Sacrifices, and for my part, I have nothing to carry, what shall I do? Streight way he betaketh him∣self into the Wilderness of the City, and finding a Stone he cuts it, squares, and arti∣ficially formeth it; and saith, what would I give that this Stone might be convey∣ed into Jerusalem? Away he goeth to hire some that should do it, they ask him an hundred pieces of Gold and they would carry it. Alas! saith he, where should I have an hundred pieces, indeed where should I have three? Immediately the Holy Blessed God procureth five Angels in the likeness of Men, who offer him for five shillings to convey the Stone into Jerusalem, if himself would but give his helping hand: He gave them a lift, and of a sudden they all stood in Jerusalem, and when he would have given them the reward they bargained for, his workmen were gone and vanish∣ed. This wonder he relates before the Sanhedrin, in the Conclave of Gazith. They say to him, Rabbi, it should seem that these were Angels that brought this Stone: So he gave the Elders the Money for which the Angels had bargained with him.

In truth I should easilier incline to believe this Story than that of Loretto, because there is some reason to apprehend this R. Chaninah no other than Haninah ben Dusa a no∣torious Magcian i 1.3. Unless you will also say that the Chappel at Loretto took that jaunt by the help of Magick.

k 1.4 A huge Stone of its own accord takes a skip from the Land of Israel, and stops up the Mouth of the Den in Babylon where Daniel and the Lyons lay. But so much for Tales.

SECT. II. The situation of Nazareth.

THE situation of Nazareth according to Borchard, Breidenbach, and Saligniac, ought to be measured and determined from Mount Thabor. For so they unani∣mously: A Nazareth duabus leucis contra orientem est Mons Thabor: From Nazareth two leagues Eastward is Mount Tabor. Nor is there any cause why with respect to that Re∣gion of Galilee, in which they place this City, we should dissent from them, seeing there are others of the same opinion. Now the Mount Tabor was in the very confines that divided Issachar from Zabulon, Jos. XIX. 22. And the coast [i. e. of Issachar] reacheth to Tabor and Shahazimath. But what coast should this be, Northor South? The North coast, saith Josephus l 1.5.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 [the Manassites] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. i. e. next to Manasseh is Issachar, having for its bounds of longitude, Mount Carmel and the River [Jordan,] and of latitude, Mount Tabor. That is, The latitude of Issachar is, from Manasseh to Mount Tabor, as Josephus plainly makes out in that place. Mount Tabor therefore, lay as it were in the midst betwixt the Coasts of Samaria and upper Galilee: Having on this side Issachar to∣ward Samaria, and on that side Zabulon toward the aforesaid Galilee.

Josephus m 1.6 describes Mount Tabor where these things seem something obscure, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. We have already seen where Scy∣thopolis lay, and where the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the great plain, near Scythopolis. But what should that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, great Plain be, that lyeth so behind Tabor toward the North, that Ta∣bor should be betwixt it and Scythopolis? Is not Zabulon so called in Josephus? yea, and Issachar too, at least a great part of it, if we consult the same Josephus n 1.7 So that the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 of Scythopolis or Manasseh is distinctly called by him 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, The great Plain of Samaria o 1.8.

And the lower Galilee is described by the Talmudists by this character, that it pro∣duceth Sycamines, which the upper Galilee doth not p 1.9. Now the Sycamine Trees were 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in the vale, 1 King. X. 27. And hence seems to arise the distinction be∣tween

the upper, and the lower Galilee, the lower so called, because more plain and Champaigne; the upper, because more Hilly and Mountanous.

I am deceived if the upper Galilee, be not sometimes by way of Emphasis called Ga∣lilee; nor without cause, whenas the lower might be called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or the great plain. So Cana hath the adjunct of Cana of Galilee, perhaps that it might distinguish that Cana which bounds, both the Galilees; of which more in its proper place. That passage which we meet with in our Evangelist, Chap. IV. 43, 44. He departed from thence [from Sama∣ria] and went into Galilee, for Jesus himself testified that a Prophet hath no honour in his Country. It looks this way: that is, he would not go into Nazareth, but into Galilee, viz. the upper, and so came to Cana.

Nazareth therefore was in the lower Galilee, in the very confines of Issachar and Zabu∣lon, and is commonly received within Zabulon, its self being distant sixteen miles or more from Capernaum; for from Capernaum, Mount Tabor is distant ten miles or there∣abouts.

SECT. III. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ben Nezer.

I Am not abundantly satisfied in the common writing of the word Nazareth by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; much less that Nazarenus should be expressed by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i. e. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, when the sa∣cred Amanuenses write it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. But I can hardly suppress a just indignation when I read what the Jews scribble about 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ben Nezer.

q 1.10 The Rabbins have a Tradition: Those that are taken out of the Kingdom, behold they are properly Captives, but those that are taken by Thieves, they are not to be called Captives.

The Tradition is to be distinguished. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 as to Kingdom and King∣dom there is no difficulty. That is, as to Kingdoms which are equal. But between the Kingdom of Ahashuerus, and the Kingdom of Ben Nezer there is. Between Thieves and Thieves there is no difficulty, but between ben Nezer, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the Thieves of the world, (viz. common Thieves) there is. There [in Palestine] Ben Nezer is called a King. Here [in Babylon] he is called a Robber 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Gloss. Ben Nezer was a Thief and took Cities and ruled over them and became the Captain of Robbers.

It is very suspicious to what purpose they have invented that name for the most infa∣mous Robber, to call him the Son of Nezer. By those very Letters 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 they write the City Nazareth. Read on and the suspition will encrease.

r 1.11 I considered the horns, and behold there came up among them another little horn, [Dan. VII. 8.] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 This is Ben Nezer. Aruch quoteth this passage under the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in this manner: There came up among them another little horn. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 This is the Kingdom of the Cuthites. Now what they meant by the Kingdom of the Cuthites, may be conjectured from s 1.12 The Winter is past [Cant. II. 11.] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 This is the King∣dom of the Cuthites. And a little after: The time is coming when the Kingdom of Cuth shall be destroyed, and the Kingdom of Heaven shall be revealed.

It is easie imagining what they would point at by the Kingdom of the Cuthites; the Christians no doubt: (unless they will pretend to some Samaritan Kingdom.) And if so, it is as obvious whom they design by Ben Nezer. Let them shew whence came the name of the Tetrarchy of the Nazarens in Celosyria: Of which Pliny t 1.13, Caelosyria habet Apami∣am Marsyâ amne divisam. A Nazarinorum Tetrarchiâ Bambycen, quae alio nomine Hiera∣polis vocatur, Syris verò Magog.

SECT. IV. Certain horrid practises in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Caphar Nachum.

HAving spoken of Nazareth, it will not be amiss to make some mention of Caperna∣um, which however distant many miles, yet was it the place where our Saviour dwelt, as Nazareth was his native soil. We have considered its situation in another Treatise, being in the Country of Gennesareth, a little distance from Tiberias, There is another Capernahum mentioned by Gulielmus Tyrius u 1.14, that lay upon the Coast of the Mediterranean, as this did upon the coast of Gennesaret. In loco quae dicitur Petra incisa, juxta antiquum Tyrum, inter Capharnaum & Doram, oppida Maritima: In a place called Petra Incisa, near old Tyre, betwixt Capernaum and Dor, two Sea-coast Towns.

It is uncertain whether the name be derived from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. The former de∣notes pleasantness: the latter, comfort. And though our Capernaum might justly enough take its name from the pleasantness of its situation, according to the description that

Josephus giveth of it x 1.15. Yet the oriental Interpreters write it the latter way. The Rab∣bins also mention such a Town written in the same Letters 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, of which perhaps it will not be tedious to the Reader to take this Story.

y 1.16 Chanina R. Joshua's Brother's Son went into 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Capernaum 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and the Hereticks (or Magicians, for the word signifies either) inchanted him. They brought him into the City sitting upon an Ass: on the Sabbath day, which was forbiden by their Law. He went to his Uncle R. Joshua 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 who besmeared him with a certain Ointment, and he was recovered. It should seem that by some kind of En∣chantments they had thrown him into a Delirium so far that he had forgot both himself and the Sabbath day. There is another Story immediately follows that.

A certain Disciple of R. Jonathan's flies over to these Hereticks: [That himself might be entred amongst them, and become one too.] Jonathan finds him out employed in castra∣ting Birds and Beasts. They sent to him [Jonathan] and said it is written, cast in thy Lot amongst us and let us all have one purse. He fled; and they followed him, saying, Rabbi, come and give us a cast of thy office toward a young Birde. He returned and found them 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 committing Adultery with a Woman. He asketh them 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Is it the manner of the Jews to do such things as these? They answer, Is it not written in the Law, cast in thy lot amongst us, and let us all have one purse? He fled and they pursued him to his own house, and then he shut the doors against them. They call to him and say, O Rabbi, Jonathan, go, and rejoycing tell thy Mother, that thou didst not so much as look back toward us, for if thou hadst looked back, thou hadst then followed us as vehe∣mently as we have now followed thee.

Whiles I read these things, I cannot but call to mind the Nicolaitans and such who in∣dulged to themselves a liberty of all obscene filthinesses; nor is what we have related un∣worthy our observation, with respect to Heresies of this kind. Should this Capernaum be the same (as probably it is) with that Capernaum which we meet with so frequently in the Evangelists, it is something observable what is said of it. Thou Capernaum, which art exalted unto Heaven shalt be brought down to Hell.

SECT. V. Some short remarks upon Cana, Joh. II. 2.

IT is very disputable which should be the first letter of the word Cana, whether Caph, or Koph, for we find both.

I. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Kanah with the initial letter Koph, is a City in the Tribe of Aser, Josh. XIX. 28. where the Greek for Canah have 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and MS. Alex. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

II. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Kene, a word not very much differing in the sound, occurs amongst the Tal∣mudists,* 1.17 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Rabbi. and his Sanhedrin having numbred votes, pronounced Keni, clean. Gloss. Keni was a place of doubtful esteem, reckoned amongst the unclean, [that is a place of the Gentiles] but in the days of R. Judah Haccodesh, it came under tryal and they pronounced it clean.

III. We find 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in Josephus, but the situation not mentioned. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. a 1.18 An∣tiochus being slain, [viz. when he fought with the Arabian King] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, his Army fled to the Town Kana. This is hardly our Cana, as may in some measure appear in Josephus's Context.

IV. But further he speaks in his own life, of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Cana in Galilee. As for its situation, as far as can be collected from Josephus, we discuss that in another Treatise, and shew that it is not far from that where the River Jordan dischargeth its self into the Sea of Gennesaret; so that, between this Cana and Capernaum there seems to be almost the whole length of that Sea.

V. But it must not be forgot that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Canah beginning with the Letter Caph is met with in Juchasin b 1.19 the words these: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 In the end of the Chapter [it is these venth Chapter of Bavah Meziah] there is a Tradition. Abba Chalaphtha of Caphar Ha∣naniah, in the name of R. Meir saith, [they are in Bavah Meziah, where he is brought in and what he said c 1.20] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 It seems to me (they are the words of the Author of Juchasin) that Caphar Hananiah is Caphar Cana: as may be proved out of the ninth Chapter of the Book Sheviith: for there was the entrance of the lower Galilee.

From that place quoted in Sheviith which is Halac. 2. it plainly appears that Caphar Hananiah was in the very outmost border that divided the upper and the lower Galilee. From whence it is evident that the entrance of the lower Galilee, according to our Au∣thor, was not as we go from Samaria to Galilee, but from the upper Galilee into the lower. And whether Cana of Galilee be so called to distinguish it from that Cana that so divides between the two Galilees, or from that Cana that was in the Tribe of Aser (which may not unfitly be called Cana of the Sidonians) it is at the Reader's choice to deter∣mine.

As also why the Syriack Interpreter should in this place write 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Katna in∣stead of Cana. Whether he had in his eye or mind 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Kattath, Josh. XIX. 15. which in the vulgar dialect was called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Katanath, as the Seventy render it, and the Jerusalem Talmudists affirm d 1.21: or whether by a diminutive kind of word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Katanah, he would intimate the smallness of the Town. q. d. Cana the less.

Notes

• g 1.1

  Ad An. IX.
• h 1.2

  Midras Schir. fol. 2. 2.
• i 1.3

  Juchasin, fol. 57. 1.
• k 1.4

  In Bemidbar Rabba, fol. 257.
• l 1.5

  Antiqu. lib. 5. cap. 1.
• m 1.6

  Lib. de bell▪ 4. cap. 6.
• n 1.7

  Lib. 3. cap. 4.
• o 1.8

  Ibid. lib. 2. cap. 21.
• p 1.9

  Shevith, cap. IX. hal. 2.
• q 1.10

  Chetubb. fol. 51. 2.
• r 1.11

  Beresh. rabb. sect. 76.
• s 1.12

  Midras Schir. fol. 17. 2.
• t 1.13

  Lib. ••. cap. 23.
• u 1.14

  Lib. 10. cap. 26.
• x 1.15

  Lib. de bell. 3. cap. 35.
• y 1.16

  Midras Cohe∣leth, fol. 85. 2.
• * 1.17

  •• In Ohaloth, cap. 18. hal. ult.
• a 1.18

  Lib. 13. cap. 23.
• b 1.19

  Fol. 57. 2.
• c 1.20

  Fol. 94. 1.
• d 1.21

  ••••••••••••. fol. ••••. 1.