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.

CHAP. IX. In what value the Version of the Seventy, as it is commonly called, seems to have been among the Iews.

THUS it remains doubtful, whether the Talmudists acknowledge any Version of the Seventy two Elders, or no. Let it be granted therefore, that they attribu∣ted 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Divine inspiration to them, from hence, that being put asunder, yet they all conspired in one mind and sense; nevertheless it will not at all follow thence, that any honour was given by them to this Version, which is carried about under that name.

One may much more readily perceive in it the breath of Jewish Traditions, than any inspiration of the Holy Ghost: And although their own Traditions were of account certainly to the Nation; and for the patronizing them, many things seem to be put into the Version, which favour them; yet this did by no means so much obtain with them, as that they valued the Version above the Hebrew Original, and that the casting away that, made choise of this to themselves; but they always reserved to the Hebrew Text its due honour.

I. What the Learned among them might judge of the Greek Version, one may some∣what guess from hence, that even a Christian himself seriously reading and viewing it, may observe many things in it, whereby he may discover by what counsils, cautions, and crastiness that Version was published; especially, if together with it he hath in his Eye, the Manners, Traditions, Ordinances, and State of the Jewish Nation; to which allusi∣on is very frequently made, and respect had by those Interpreters. The matter may be illustrated by one or two examples, as to their Traditions.

Gen. XX. 18. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Because the Lord in shutting shut up all the Womb without. Whence comes the putting in of the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Without? It agrees with the Tradition, that the Wombs were barred up against copulationa 1.1.

Exod. XXIV. 10. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. They saw the place, where God had stood, instead of, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. They saw the God of Israel. Compare the Tract Kiddushin b 1.2 with this; where the Gloss is this, R. Hananiel saith, He that renders, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 They saw the God of Israel, is a liar, &c. See the Notes before at Chap. XIV. vers. 2.

Deut. XXX. 6. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. And the Lord shall puri∣fie thy heart. And Jos. V. 4. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Af∣ter which manner Joshua purified the children of Israel: for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, He circumci∣sed; in a sense too much inclining to the trifling praises of Circumcision among the Masters.

Whence are those words taken? Jos. XXI. 42. and XXIV. 30. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. There they laid with him (Josua) into the Sepulchre in which they buried him, I say, there they laid the stone, knives, &c. And 2 Sam. XXI. 11. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 And they died, and Dan the son of Joa of the sons of the Giants took them.

1 Sam. I. 21. This clause is added, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 And all the tiths of his land: according to the Canons of the Nation concerning offering tiths at the Feast.

2 King. II. 1. When God would take up Elias in a whirlewind, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as into Hea∣ven; so vers. 11. Agreeing with the opinion of the Nation concerning the Ascention of Elias very near to Heaven, but not into Heaven it selfc 1.3

1 Chron. IX. 31. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The pan of the High Priest: from the noted fame 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Of the High Priests pan. See Menacoth d 1.4, and in other places very frequently.

Psal. II. 12. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Take hold of instruction; instead of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the Son. e 1.5 Bar signifies nothing else but the Law, as it is said, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Kiss the Son.

We omit more passages of the same observation and suspition; and they are not a few.

II. We may observe in the Jerusalem Talmudists, that the Greek Version of Aquila is sometimes quoted, but that of the Seventy never.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 f 1.6 Aquila renders (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Tablets, Esa. III. 20.) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Stomachers.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 g 1.7 Aquila renders 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Over against the Candlestick, Dan. V. 5. Over against the Lamps.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 h 1.8 He shall be our guide unto death (Psal. XLVIII. 14. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Aquila renders 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Immortality.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i 1.9 Fruit of goodly trees (Levit. XXIII. 40.) R. Tanchuma saith, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Aquila renders 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Etz, Water; if his conjecture fail not in the interpre∣tation. See also Bereshith Rabbal 1.10.

But I do not remember, that I have found one clause alledged out of the Version of the LXX in the whole Talmud, either one or other.

Let it also be added, that m 1.11 the Book of Ben Syra is a prohibited book, and yet you may find it cited in both Talmuds. In that of Jerusalem, in the Tract Beracoth n 1.12: where it seems to be the book of Syracides. But otherwise in divers other placeso 1.13. But I do not, I say, remember, that I have found the Version of the Seventy alledged in any place; and I scarce think, that such an allegation could pass me unobserved. Which thing more encreaseth my suspicion, that those Jews owned not such a Version, and that they understood the Transcription of the Seventy, not to be the Version, but the copy∣ing out the very Hebrew Text it self. And as to the Version it self, whereof we are speak∣ing, how they stood affected towards it, one may in some measure learn from this, that when another Version is alledged by them, they cite not this at all.

III. The Jews knew well enough, that the Greek Version was not published for Jews, but for Heathen: and was done by their labour, who came unwillingly to that work, nor would have suffered any such thing, if it had laid in their power to have hindred it. But now with what faithfulness such a thing was done, the thing it self speaks, and the Jews knew it well enough; who knew also well enough with what small affection the whole Jewish Nation stood towards the Heathen.

By no argument therefore shall any perswade me, that that Version was a pure and ac∣curate Version, exactly according to the Hebrew truth, which the Interpreters had in their hands; and that the differences which we now perceive in our Bibles, were risen thence, that the Jews depraved the Hebrew Text according to their pleasure. For I shall never believe, that any Masters of the Jews would exhibit a pure, uncorrupted and exact Bible to the Heathen in the Greek Version; and obtrude an interpolated, depraved, corrupt one upon themselves. And let us call themselves in for judges in this case.

• ...

• I. In Gen. II. 2. The Greek words are, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 And God finished on the sixth day. Was it to that very sense in the Copy, which the Interpre∣ters used? They changed, and wrote, say the Gemarists, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 He finished in the sixth day. The Gloss writes, That it might not be said, that God did any thing on the Sab∣bath. In their Hebrew Copy it was, as it is in ours, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 And God ended his work on the seventh day; but they changed it in the Hebrew Transcript, whereof we spake, and so did the Interpreters in the Greek Version.
• II. In Exod. XII. 40. The Greek words are, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, which they sojourned in the Land of Egypt, and in Canaan, &c. Did the Interpreters read so in their Hebrew Copy? No. They changed, say the Talmudists, and writ, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 In the Land of Egypt, and in the Land of Canaan. In the Copy which was in their hands, those words 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 In the Land of Canaan, were absent: but they added it of their own. The Gloss saith, Lest it should be said, a lie is written in your Law: for behold Kohath was among those that went down into Egypt. And if you reckon all the years of Kohath, Amram, and Moses, they amount not to four hundred.
• III. In Numb. XVI. 15. The Greek words are, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 I have not taken the desire of any of them. Was 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Desire, writ in the Copy the Seven∣ty used? No, It is an alteration, say the Masters; for it was writ 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 an Asse, and they transferred it into 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 desire. The Gloss writes, That it might not be said, Perhaps he took not an Asse, but he took away some other desirable thing. And you may know the Lion by his paw.

Let these things be spoken to prove, that it is not so Heterodox to suppose that the Greek Version was not read in the Synagogues of the Hellenists, but the Hebrew Text, so as it was in the Synagogues of the Hebrews. And now let us briefly weigh, what things are said on the contrary side.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Bava Kama, fol. 92. 1.
• b 1.2

  Fol. 49. 1.
• c 1.3

  Succah, fol. 5 1.
• d 1.4

  Cap. 11. hal. 3
• e 1.5

  Sanhed. fol. 92 1.
• f 1.6

  Schabb. fol. 8. 2
• g 1.7

  Joma, fol. 41. 1
• h 1.8

  Megill. fol. 73 2.
• i 1.9

  Succah, fol. 54 4.
• l 1.10

  Fol. 14. 2. & fol. 19. 1, &c.
• m 1.11

  Sanhedr. fol. 100. 2.
• n 1.12

  Fol. 11. 2.
• o 1.13

  Bab. Chetub. fol. 110. 2. Cha∣gig. fol. 13, 1. Bathra, fol. 98. 2. especially, Sanhedr. in the place before.