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. IX.

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

For the Iews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

I. THAT translation, The Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans, which the French and English follow, seems to stretch the sense of the word beyond what it will well bear: For, 1. granting the Samaritans were meer Heathens, (which some of the Rabbins have affirm'd) yet did not this forbid the Jews having any kind of dealings with them, for they did not refuse Merchandising with any of the Gentile Nations whatever. See Nehem. XIII. 16, &c. 2. But if the Samaritans were 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 true proselytes, as R. Aki∣bah asserts, or as the Israelites in all things, as Rabban Simeon ben Gamaliel saith of them g 1.1 then much more might the Jews have dealing with them.

II. That Version, non utuntur Judaei Samaritis, as Beza; or non contuntur, as the Vul∣gar, hardly reacheth the sense of the word, or comes fully up to the truth of the thing h 1.2.

It is lawful to eat the unleaven'd bread of the Samaritans, nor is there any suspicion as to their leaven'd bread neither. This is to be understood, if the Samaritan should knead it in the house of an Israelite. Now if the Samaritan may knead dough in an Israelites house, it is evident the Israelite might use the Samaritan.

d 1.3 An Israelite may circumcise a Cuthite, but a Cuthite may not circumcise an Israelite, because he is circumcis'd into the name of mount Gerizzim.

R. Josah saith, let him circumcise him, and let him pass into the name of mount Gerizzim till he departs this life. If therefore it was lawful for the Israelite to circumcise the Cuthite, or Samaritan, and the Samaritan the Israelite, then the Jews had dealings with, or did use the Samaritans.

What then must be the proper meaning of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; the Hebrew word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 seems to answer it; e 1.4 The Cuthites of Caesarea asked R. Abhu, saying, Your fathers, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Our fathers, why then do not you the same to us? Let us gather the sense from some∣thing like it; it was a trite and common saying among the Jews 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 It is a gift by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me, as Mat. XV. 5. According to which form of speech I may say, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Let not the Samaritans be profitable to the Jews; and in this sense I would understand the words now in hand. The Jews have no such dealings with the Samaritans, as to be obliged to them for any courtesie or benefit receiv'd from them. They ask or receive nothing from them gratis, they borrow nothing of them, which is not forbidden them as to any other Nations.

f 1.5 For three days before the feasts of the Idolaters it is forbidden [the Jews] either to give to or receive from them, to ask, or lend, or borrow of them. But for any other parts of the year, it was not forbidden them. But as to the Samaritans it was not permitted the Jews to borrow or receive any thing from them at any time gratis. Nor indeed can the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in this place intend any thing else. For whereas it was lawful for the Jews to converse with the Samaritans, buy of them, use their labour, answer to their benedictions, Amen; as we find in Beracoth g 1.6, lodg in their Towns, Luk. IX. 52. I would fain know in what sense after all this can it be said, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; but in this only, that they would not be oblig'd to them for any kindness. Which may a little serve to illustrate that of Luk. X. 33, &c. and it does very well agree with the matter in hand.

For the words before seem to be what the woman speaks, and not what the Evangelist; and they spoken scoptically, or with sarcasm, Doest thou who art a Jew ask water of me who am a Samaritan? 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, for you Jews despise all courtesie of the Samaritans to receive the least kindness of them; and do you ask me for water?

The Greek Lexicons back this Exposition, who render 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 not only by com∣mercium habeo, to have dealings, but also by mutuo accipio, utendum rogo, to borrow for use, &c.

Notes

• g 1.1

  Hieros. She∣kalim, fol. 64. 2.
• h 1.2

  Gloss. In Kiddush. fol. ••6. 1.
• d 1.3

  Hieros. Jera∣moth. fol. 9. 1.
• e 1.4

  Hieros. Avs∣dah Zara, fol. 44. 1.
• f 1.5

  Avodah Zara, cap. 1. hal. ••.
• g 1.6

  Cap. 8. hal. 8.