VERS. XIV.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
Threescore and fifteen Souls.
THE Hebrew Copies have it every where but threescore and ten. So also Josephuso 1.1 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. He came to Egypt with his Sons, and all their Sons, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 they were in all threescore and ten. Again elswherep 1.2 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. wherewith threescore and ten, all that were with him going down into Egypt, &c.
So Ezekiel, Tragad. in Euseb. de praepar. Evangel.* 1.3 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. From the time that Jacob having left the Land of Canaan, came down into Egypt, having seven times ten Souls with him. So the very Greek Version it self in Deut. X. 22. 'Ev 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 &c. Thy Fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; which is strange, when they have it in another place 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 threescore and fifteen.* 1.4 We may easily discern that Saint Luke here follows that Version, that adds five Grand∣children to Joseph, Gen. XLVI. 20. Machir and Gilead, because of those words, Gen. L. 22. The Sons of Machir, the Son of Manasseh, brought up upon Josephs knees. And Sute∣lah, and Tahan and Eden, because it is said, Joseph saw Ephraims Children unto the third genera••••on. Where, by the way, I cannot but think it strange, why the Greek Inter∣preters should select these their additional persons out of the Sons of Joseph rather than any other of the Patriarchs: and further take notice, how though they reckon up nine Children of Joseph, (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. Now the Sons of Joseph which were born to him in the Land of Egypt were nine Souls, ver. 27.) yet they name but seven. Josephus the Historian speaking of those threescore and ten persons that went down into Egypt, I will reckon them up (saith he) that I may satisfie those who would pre∣tend we took not our original from Mesopotamia, but from Egypt: It is strange therefore that the Interpreters would add those that were actually born in Egypt. But it seems that when they would confound the true number, they chose those upon the ac∣count of those words in Gen. L. which we mentioned.
As to these Children of Ephraim, and others whose story is mentioned 1 Chron. VII. 20. the Masters of Traditions tell some ridiculous tales of them; viz. that having not counted right as to the years of their bondage in Egypt, they went to invade the Land of Palestine before the appointed time, and fell by the sword of the Git∣tites.q 1.5 But that they came to life again with those whom Ezekiel raised from the dead, Chap. XXXVII.r 1.6
I have in my notes upon Luke III. offered my conjecture why the Interpreter should confound the number, and put threescore and fifteen, instead of threescore and ten: as also why the Evangelist should follow that Version, and that number: and am of the same mind still. In the mean time wondring at their retaining the true number, Deut. X. 22. Where Nobilius in his Scholia, tells us, Josephus lib. 2. Antiquitatum &c. Josephus in his second book of Antiquities writing of Jacob, hath set the number. (I have quo∣ted the passage already) And St. Jerom in his questions upon Genesis, witnesseth that the Septuagint so writ it. Alii codices, &c. Other Copies have 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 threescore and fifteen Souls.
If the Septuagint wrote so in this place, when elsewhere they have threescore and fifteen, I know no other reason can be rendred of it, but that Moses is here introdu∣ced speaking to the people of Israel, who very well knew the certain and true num∣ber; but elsewhere, where it is rendred by them threescore and fifteen, he is writing an History for the whole world, to whom the precise number was not so well known. But one may suspect the same pen did not translate the Book of Deuteronomy, that had translated the Books of Genesis, and Exodus. So Gaphterim in Gen. X. 14. by the Interpreter of that Book is rendred 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Gaphthoriim, or as it is in M. S. Alex. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Caphthoriin; but in the Book of Deuteronomy, Chap. II. 23. it is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Cappadocians.