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. IV.

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

To the image of Baal.

THOSE who would have the Hebrew Bibles corrected by the Greek Version, and contend that those Interpreters were inspired with a Prophetick Spirit; let them tell us here, who it was that mistook, these Interpreters or St. Paul? For so they in 1 King. XIX. 18. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. And thou shalt leave in Israel seven thousand men, all the knees, which have not bowed the knee 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to Baal. So the Roman and Alexandrian Edition. But the Apostle, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 I have reserved to my self seven thousand men, all that have not bowed the knee 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to Baal. To pass by the difference between 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Thou shalt leave, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, I have left, or reserved which is no little one; we will only examine the difference be∣tween the two Articles 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉

Ahab had introduced Baal the Idol of the Tyrians, amongst the Israelites, 1 King. XVI. 31. And were there but seven thousand amongst the whole ten Tribes of Israel that did not worship this Baal? Perhaps there were seventy thousand, nay perhaps seven times seventy thousand. For consider the story in 2 Kings X. 21. and it will appear that the worshippers of this Baal were not so numerous, that they could amount to many thou∣sands, perhaps not many hundreds.

But what did it avail them not to have worshipped Ahab's Baal, if in the mean time they worshipped Jeroboam's Calves? Jehu himself that rooted out Baal and his worship∣pers out of Israel, yet did not he depart from the sin of Jeroboam, namely, the Golden Calves. And what great matter was there in this divine answer to Elijah, if it had said, I have reserved to my self seven thousand men, who have not worshipped 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Baal, the God of the Tyrians, if in the mean time, they worshipped the Calves in common with the rest of that Nation? Elijah himself had slain these worshippers of Baal, before he had this answer from God; and therein indeed had done a great act. But it was a small matter, if all Israel, excepting seven thousand only, should still worship this Baal.

By 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, therefore, with the femine Article, the Apostle teacheth us, that it must be understood not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, of the image of Baal, but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, of the Calf of Baal. For all will confess, that Baal was a common name for all Idols. And that which follows, 1 Kings XIX. 18. Every mouth which hath not kissed him, takes light from that in Hos. XIII. 2. Let them kiss the Calves.

Now Jeroboams Calves are called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in the feminine gender, 1 Kings XII. 28. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, he made two Calves of gold. So Josephus, g 1.1 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. Jeroboam making two golden Calves, places them, &c. And instead of more, the Book of Tobit comments sufficiently upon 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Tob. I. 5. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, And all the Tribes that revolted together, sacrificed to the Calf Baal. To this sense therefore the words of God to Elijah come: I have left, or I have reserved, to my self, seven thousand men that have kept themselves untoucht with the common Idolatry of the Nation, in the adoration 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, of Baal, or of Jeroboam's Calf.

Notes

• g 1.1

  Antiq. lib. 8. cap. 3.