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. VI.

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

Iohn.

IF we may render 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 with the Vulgar, ex genere sacerdotali, and especially with the Syriack and Arabick, of the stock of the Priests; I would without any stickling conceive this John here mentioned to be no other than Rabban Jochanan ben Zaccai, because at that time there was not any one more famous throughout the whole Nation, and he was of the stock of the Priests.

r 1.1 Rabban Jochanan ben Zaccai the Priest, lived an hundred and twenty years, &c. He sound favour in the eyes of Cesar: From whom he obtained Jasneh, and his wise men, and Physicians that cured R. Zadok.—〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 From the time that he dyed, the glory of wisdom ceased. About that very time which we now have under consider∣ation, we have this passage related concerning him. Forty years before the destruction* 1.2 of the City, when the Gates of the Temple flew open of their own accord, Rabban Jochanan ben Zaccai said. O Temple, Temple, why dost thou disturb thy self? I know thy end, that thou shalt be destroyed, for so the Prophet Zechary hath spoken concerning thee, open thy doors, O I ebanon, that the fire may devour thy Cedars.

He saw the flames of the City and of the Temple: and having obtained from the Emperour Titus, that the Sanhedrin might be settled at Jabneh, he presided there two or five years; for the certain number is not agreed upon.

All that can be objected against this Johanan ben Zaccai being the John mentioned in this place, seems to be this, that if this was an Assembly of Priests levened with the leven of the Sadducees (as may be conjectured out of Chap. V. 17.) then this Johanan ben Zaccai ought not to be reckoned amongst them, for he both lived and dyed a Pha∣risee, at least not a Sadducee. But if the whole Sanhedrin is to be understood here, wherein the Priests as much as they were capable would strengthen their own party, then would I look for no other John than this Son of Zaccai.

Notes

• r 1.1

  I••••••asin. fol. 6••. 7.
• * 1.2

  •• Joma, fol. 39. ••▪