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. III. The Pool 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Shelach, and the Pool 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Shiloach.

BY another stream the waters of Siloam are deriv'd into another Pool which is call'd the lower Pool, Isa. XXII. 9. and the Kings Pool, Nehem. II. 14. neer the West∣wall of Zion.

We have the mention of it also in Nehem. III. 15. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the Pool of Siloam by the Kings garden. Where we may observe that it is here written 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Shelah, different from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Shiloah, Isa. VIII. 6. by a difference hardly visible in Bibles not pointed, indeed sometimes overlookt by my self, and so as is evident by others. For 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is render'd in the very same sound with Shiloahh, in the Complutensian, Vulgar, English and French Bibles. And in St. Joh. IX. 7. where there is mention of the Pool Siloam, some Commentators refer you to that Text in Nehemiah.

The Greek Interpreters did indeed observe the difference, and thus render the words of Nehemiah, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. The Pool of skins by the Kings

Wool. Nor doth the Italian over-look it, for that renders it thus: La Piscina di Selac presse al Orto del Re: The fish-pond of Selac hard by the Garden of the King.

It is observable in the Greek Version, that whereas they render the word by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the King's Wool, or Hair; they may seem to have read 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a ••lcece of Wool, for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a Garden: and whereas they translate 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉▪ the Pool of Skins, the follow they signification of the word as it is frequently used amongst the Talmudists.

Now therefore here ariseth a question, whether that Pool be the Pool of Siloam or no, which as yet hath hardly been questioned by any, and for some time not by my self. But I am now apt to think, that it was so distinguished betwixt the two Pools, that the lower Pool retaining its name of the Pool of Shelah, the upper Pool obtained that of Si∣loah. For,

I. How otherwise should that distinction in the Greek Version arise, but that the Inter∣preters followed the common pronunciation of the word Shelahh, when they render it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, of Skins.

II. Those words of St. John IX. 7. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, In the Pool of Siloam, which is by interpretation, Sent, seem to intimate that there were two Pools of a very near sound, whereof one signified 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Sent, the other not.

III. The Jerusalem Talmudists seem to say that the upper Pool was called the Pool of Siloam, in these words: * 1.1 He that is unclean by a dead body, doth not enter into the mount of the Temple. It is said, that they appear only in the Court. Whence do you measure? From the wall or from the Houses? It is Samuel's Tradition, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 from Siloam; now Siloam was in the midst of the City.

The question here propounded is, whether he that is unclean by a dead body may be permitted to enter the Temple, and the stating of it comes to this, that enquiry be made, within what measure he is to be admitted, whether within the wall of the Tem∣ple, or at that distance where the Houses next to the Temple end: especially where the Houses of Siloam end.

Now whereas they say 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that Siloam is in the midst of the City, it must by no means be understood of the Fountain its self, for that was plainly without the City; nor yet of the lower Pool Shelahh for that also was without the City, or scarce within it. There is therefore no third, unless that this upper Pool be called the Pool of Siloam, and that it give denomination to the adjacent part of the City, to wit, to the five Porches and the buildings about it: which, though they were not in the very centre of the City, yet they might properly enough be said to be in the middle of it, be∣cause they were situated a good way within the walls, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Luk. XIII. 4. the Tower of Siloam was amongst these buildings.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Chagiah, fol. 76. 1.