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. I.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c.

And the third day there was a marriage, &c.

A Virgin b 1.1 marries 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 on the fourth day of the week, and a widow on the fifth. c 1.2 This custom came not in but from the decree of Ezra, and so onward, for the Sanhedrin doth not sit, but on the second and the fifth day; and by the decree of Ezra when the Sanhedrin assembled every day, then was it lawful to take a wife on any day. There is a twofold reason given for this restraint.

I. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Virgin was to be marry'd on the fourth day of the week, because the Assembly of the Twenty three met on the fifth; so that if the husband should find his wife to be no virgin, but already violated, he might have recourse to the Consi∣story in the heat of his displeasure, and procure just punishment for her according to Law. But why then might they not as well marry on the first day of the week, seeing the Beth din met on the second as well as the fifth.

II. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Lest the Sabbath should be polluted by preparations for the Nuptials, for the first, second, and third day of the week are allow'd for those kind of preparations. And the reason why the widow was to be marry'd on the fifth day was, that her husband might rejoyce with her for three days together, viz. fifth, sixth, and the Sabbath-day. d 1.3

If therefore our bride in this place was a virgin, then the Nuptials were celebrated on the fourth day of the week, which is our Wednesday. If she was a widow then she was marry'd on the fifth day of the week, which is our Thursday. Let us therefore number the days according to our Evangelist, and let it be but granted that that was the Sabbath in which it is said, They abode with him all that day, Cap. I. v. 39. Then on the first day of the week Christ went into Galilee and met with Nathanael. So that the third day from thence is the fourth day of the week; but as to that let every one reckon as he himself shall think fit.

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

A Marriage.

Amongst the Talmudists it is sometimes 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 sometimes 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 sometimes 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 sometimes 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 all which denotes matter of pomp and gladness.

• I. The Virgin to be marry'd cometh forth from her Fathers house, to that of her hus∣bands. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in some veil, but with her hair dishevel'd, or her head unco∣ver'd.
• II. If any person meets her upon that day, he gives her the way, which once was done by King Agrippa himself.
• III. They carry before her a cup of wine which they were wont to call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the cup of Trumah, which denoted that she for her unspotted virginity might have married a Priest, and eaten of the Trumah.
• IV. Skipping and dancing they were wont to sing the praises of the Bride. In Palestine they used these words, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 she needs no paint nor sti∣bium, no plaiting of the hair, or any such thing, for she is of her self most beautiful.
• V. They scatter'd some kind of grain or corn amongst the children, that they if occasi∣on should serve might bear witness hereafter that they saw that woman a marry'd virgin.
• VI. They sprinkled also or sowed barley before them, by that ceremony denoting their fruitfulness e 1.4. Whether these sports were used at the wedding where our Saviour was present, let others enquire.
• VII. In Sotah f 1.5 there is mention of Crowns which the bride and bridegroom wore, a•• also what fashion they were of, and of what materials they were made.
• VIII. Because of the mirth that was expected at Nuptial solemnities▪ they forbad all weddings celebrating within the feasts of the Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles, Be∣cause there were great rejoycings at Nuptials, and they must not intermingle one joy with ano∣ther; that is, the joy of Nuptials with the joy of a festival e 1.6.
• IX. The Nuptial festivity was continu'd for the whole seven days which we also see of old, Judg. XIX. 12.

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

And the mother of Iesus was there.

The mother of Jesus was there, not invited (as it should seem) with Christ and his Disci∣ples, but had been there before the invitation made to them.

You may conceive who were the usual nuptial guests by those words of Maimon a 1.7. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The bridegroom and his companions, the children of the bride∣chamber are not bound to make a Tabernacle.

I. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in a more general sense denotes a friend or companion, Judg. XIV. 2. II Sam. XIII. 3. but it is more particularly applied to those friends that are the nuptial guests.

II. But in a most strict sense to those two mention'd b 1.8, Of old they appointed two Shosh∣benin, one for the bridegroom, the other for the bride, that they should minister to them, espe∣cially at their entry into the bridal chamber. They were especially instituted for this end, that they should take care and provide that there should be no fraud nor deceit as to the tokens of the bride's virginity. So Gloss. upon the place c 1.9. The Rabbins very ridiculously (as they almost always do) tell a trifling story, that Michael and Gabriel were the two Shoshbenin at Adam and Eves wedding d 1.10.

But as to the signification of this nuptial term in a more large sense, we may see further. e 1.11 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 If any amongst the brethren make a Shoshbenuth, while the father is yet alive, when the Sheshbenuth returns, that also is return'd too; for the Shoshbenuth is requir'd even before the Beth Din; but if any one send to his friend any measures of wine, those are not requir'd before the Beth Din, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for this was a deed of gift, or work of charity.

The words are very obscure, but they seem to bear this sense, viz. This was the man∣ner of the Shoshbenuth. Some Batchelor or single person, for joy of his friends marriage, takes something along with him to eat and be merry with the Bridegroom; when it comes to the turn of this single person to marry, this Bridegroom to whom he had brought this portion, is bound to return the same kindness again. Nay, if the father should make a wedding for his Son, and his friends should bring gifts along with them in honour of the nuptials, and give them to his Son [the Bridegroom] the father was bound to return the same kindness when ever any of those friends should think fit to marry themselves. But if any one should send the Bridegroom to congratulate his nuptials, either wine or oyl, or any such gift, and not come himself to eat and make merry with them, this was not of the nature of the Shoshbenuth, nor could be requir'd back again before the Tribunal, because that was a free gift.

IV. Christ therefore and five of his Disciples were not of these voluntary Shoshbenim at this wedding, for they were invited guests, and so of the number of those that were call∣ed the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 children of the bride-chamber distinguisht from the Shoshbenim. But whe∣ther our Saviours mother was to be accounted either the one or the other, is a vain and needless question. Perhaps she had the care of preparing and managing the necessaries for the wedding, as having some relation either with the Bridegroom or the Bride.

Notes

• b 1.1

  chetubboth. cap. 1. hal. 1.
• c 1.2

  Ibid. fol. 3 1.
• d 1.3

  Vid. loc. & Gloss. Rambam.
• e 1.4

  Vid. Chetubb. cap. 1. 11.
• f 1.5

  Fol. 49. 1.
• e 1.6

  Motd Katon, Fol. 2. 8.
• a 1.7

  Sotah▪ cap. 6.
• b 1.8

  Chetubb. fol. 12. 1.
• c 1.9

  Fol. 6. 2.
• d 1.10

  Beresh. rab. fol. 10. 4.
• e 1.11

  Bava bathra▪ fol. 144. 2.