VERS. XXXVII.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
They shall look on him whom they have pierced.
IT is observ'd by all Expositors how the Greek Version in that place of Zachary, from whence this passage is taken doth vary; for they have it, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. They shall look toward me, because they have insulted. So the Roman Edition, and so some others.
It is questioned whether those Interpreters did so render the words, or whether this were not an interpolation. To pass by the testimonies of the ancients that ascribe it to the Seventy. Let us observe these two things.
I. It is no unusual thing for the Greek Interpreters in their rendrings, sometimes to fa∣vour the Jewish Traditions, and sometimes the common Interpretation of the Nation; there want not instances of both kinds, it is the latter we have to do with at this time; wherein take one or two examples, instead of many that might be reckon'd up.
What reason can be given that they should render Caphtorim, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Cappadoci∣ans, and Caphtor, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Cappadocia, Deut. II. 23. but only because the Pelusiotes, and Pelusium were commonly so termed by the Jews? Who could have imagin'd any rea∣son why they should say of Eli, that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 He judged Israel twenty years, when in the original it is forty, 1 Sam. IV. 18. but that they favour'd the common sigment of that Nation, that the Philistines had such a dread of Samson, that for twenty years after his death they stood in as much awe of him as if he was then alive and judg'd Israel. Of this nature is their rendring 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Son by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, instruction, Psal. II. 12. and upon some such account no doubt is this 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in the place we are now treating of. For,
II. The Chaldee Paraphrast thus renders the words 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Rogabunt a facie mea, quoniam translati sunt. They shall ask after me, because they are carry'd away. Which R. Sol. thus interprets, They shall look back to mourn▪ because the Gentiles have pierced some of them, and killed them in their captivity. Which agrees so well with the sense of the Greek Versi∣on, They shall look on me [mourning] because the Gentiles have insulted over my people in their captivity; that I cannot suspect any interpolation in the Greek Copies; but rather think that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 was the very word which the Interpreters themselves did use, which rendring our Evangelist deservedly rejects.
Think you that figment about Messiah ben Joseph (to which the Talmudists l 1.1 apply these words of Zachary, as also doth Aben Ezra upon the place) was invented when the Greek Version was first framed? if not, which is my opinion, then it is probable that the Chakle•• Paraphrast gave the sense that most obtain'd in the Nation at that time, with which that of the Greek accords well enough. The Interpreters rendring it according to the common opinion of the Nation, read as it seems, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, for it is a thing not unusual with them to be purblind either in earnest, or through trifling; on purpose, or through meet dim sightedness. Nor is it any wonder that our Evangelist should depart from their rea∣ding, when they depart from the Text it self, which the Jews retain against their own Comments upon it. They keep the word, but pervert the sense, especially Kimchi upon