Choice observations and explanations upon the Old Testament containing in them many remarkable matters, either not taken notice of, or mistaken by most, which are additionals to the large annotations made by some of the Assembly of Divines : to which are added some further and larger observations of his upon the whole book of Genesis perused and attested by the Reverend Bishop of Armagh, and Mr. Gataker Pastor of Rederith / by ... John Richardson ...

ANNOTATIONS ON Genesis. (Book Genesis)

CHAP. I.

Ver. 1. IN the beginning,] Of the Crea∣tion which God created, Mark 13. 19. and so in the beginning of the world then not eternal, nor the matter of it, but God only eternal. And this beginning most pro∣bably was at the Autumnal, Equinoctial, or Spring, and that for the Ecclesiastical accompt only▪ upon, and because of Gods m••raculous bring∣ing them out of Egypt at that season of the year, from whence Gods people constantly began their year, till the change made to the vernal Equinoctial.

God] Elohim in the plural number, intimating a plu∣rality, not of Gods, Exod. 12. 2. 23. 11, 16. 34. 22. Lev. 25. 9, 10. Deut. 16. 13, &c. but therefore of per∣sons in the Deity. The word Creators, Eccles. 12. 1. hath a singular number, viz. El. Gen. 14. 8. and Eloah, Job. 12. 4. And it signifies Strong, Almighties, powers. Some∣times it is used, but improperly, to signifie false gods, Exod. 20. 3. Angels, and Magistrates among men, Ps. 8. 5. 82. 1, 6.

created] Bara. This word is proper to God, and a word in the singular number: importing the singular unity of the Deity. And that God had no Assistants, Co-adjutors, or subordinate Agents and Instruments in the work of Creation. But the Angels themselves are his Creatures, Col. 1. 16. A God, and He the Creator of the World; are acknowledged in a manner by all Heathen Writers, if not by all men.

the heaven] Or heavens, and the earth,] Heaven and Earth here may be taken as a summary proposition of the whole Creation; as, ch. 2. 1. and, Exod 20, 11. And the rather considering the Hebrew Articles here used, ETH, and HA, as pointing to these now in being. And yet as probably and more, of the common Chaos, and Masse, and Stock of both, as seeming to be included within the work of the first day: and so it will seem to have the best coherence, with the words next following, and the story ensuing of the Creation of the Heavens and Earth, the second and third day.

light day] Strictly and usually so taken; otherwise called an Artificiall day, consisting of about twelve houres, John 119 As the natural day consists of 24. houres. Both there are mentioned, ch. 7. 12, 17.

V. 5. And the evening, &c.] The Evening, which is the beginning of the Night; and the Morning, which is the beginning of the Day, are called the first day; largely taken, the Day natural of 24 houres. And here observe, that as Darknesse was before Light, v 2, 3. so the Even∣ing and Night is made, and reckoned the beginning, and first part of the natural day, or large day of 24. houres. And accordingly the large Day is called an Evening Morning, Dan. 8. 14, 26. And by Paul, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a Night-Day, 2 Cor. 11. 25. And as Moses doth here, so God commanded it, and the Jewes observed it, to reckon the beginning of their large Day at the Evening, Lev. 23. 32. From evening to evening you shall celebrate your Sabbath. And so for eating unleavened bread at the Passeover. Exod. 12 18, In the first moneth, on the fourteenth day of the moneth at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread untill the twenty one day of the moneth at even. And ye we finde in the dayes of our Saviour, the reckoning altered, that they began their natural and large Day in the Morning, as appeares in the Evangelists, re∣cording the History of our Saviours Resurrection, Mat. 28. 1. Mar. 16. 1, 2, 9. & ch. 15. 42. Luke 24. 1 Joh. 20. 1, 19. Which alteration might haply be occasioned by the accompt of the Romans, and complyance with them, who then had the sovereignty and dominion over them.

Now these two things well observed, may haply serve to assoyle a doubt, and clear a difficulty. The case is this; Our Saviour did eat the Passeover twenty foure houres be∣fore the Jewes did eat it. And this is clear out of the Go∣spels, Matth. 26. 17, 18, 19, 20, 47. Mark 15. 42. Luke 23. 54. Joh 18. 28. and 9. 14, 31, 42. That our Saviour did not anticipate the day by reason of his future Passion; But kept the right day appointed in the Law, we are not to doubt of it; Considering the strictnesse of the Command for the day, Exod. 13. 10. And Christs com∣ing

to fulfil all righteousnesse, to keep the Law both Moral and Levitical. And that he did so in this point and parti∣cular, appears also, Matth. 26. 17. Marke 14. 12. Neither do those words in Joh. 13. 1, 2. disagree from it; The words there mentioned, before the feast of the Passeover, ap∣pearing to be understood of two dayes before the Passeover, Mat 26. 2. And being spoken on the Mount of Olives, Mat. 24. 3. And the Supper there mentioned, being to be under∣stood of the Supper in the night of the Passeover, which was kept in Jerusalem, Mat. 26. 17. And those loavs of bread in the Gospel, Matth. 16. 9, 10. could make and multiply the wa∣ters of the Deluge, to rise to such an height; and that as little by miracle, as the other way must needs imply.

Now the right day was the fourteenth day of the first moneth, Abib, or Nisan, in the evening, or betweene the two evenings, Exod. 12. 6. i. e. betweene the two extremi∣ties of the evening-tide, whereof the former belonged to the end of the declining day the ending, which was the thirteenth day, (not the fourteenth, as in the late learned and large Annotations on Matth. 26. 17) the latter be∣longed to the beginning of the night, when the day follow∣ing is said to begin, Gen. 1. 5. which was the fourteenth day, at the beginning and evening whereof the Passeover was to be eaten, as appears, verse 18.

Now how it came to passe, that the Jews kept the wrong day, and why so, is the question and difficulty remaining. Some speak of a Jewish Tradition; That after the returne from the Babylenian captivity, They ordered and altered the time so, as the day of eating the Passeover might not fall on the Munday, Wednesday, or Friday; but then they put it off to the day following. The truth of this Tradition I am ignorant of: much more, of any reason why they should dare to have such a Tradition and Order. But finding in the Gospels, The Accompt for the Beginning of the natural & large day of twenty four hours altered from the Evening to the Morning, as was formerly observed; I rather conceive that both our Saviour, and the Jewes may be said to eat the Passeover on the same day, viz. both on the Friday, and at the evening too; so it be understood according to their own several mindes and meanings, reckonings and ac∣countings: Our Saviour rightly beginning and ending the day, from evening to evening, and the Jews erroneously, from morning to morning. The issue so, wil be this; That on the thirteenth day, consisting of twelve hours, from morn∣ing to evening, called an artificial day, the Disciples prepa∣red the Passeover for our Saviour; which is therefore cal∣led the first day of the feast of unleavened bread, Matth. 26. 17, 18, 19. And when the ••ven was come, which was the true Beginning of the fourteenth day, Jesus sate down with the twelve to eate the Passeover, Matth. 26. 20. according to the Law; The Morning after, and so on till the Even∣ing, making an artificial day, which indeed was the true la∣ter part of the fourteenth natural day, our Saviour was ex∣amined, condemned, and at last suffered. And that time is called the Jewes Preparation, Luke 23. 54. John 19 31, 42. the Preparation of their Passeover, John 19. 14. the Prepa∣ration before the Sabbath, Marke 15. 42. And the Even∣ing following, which was the later part of their fourteenth day in their account, they did eat their Passeover. And the day following, which was the Sabbath, is called the day af∣ter the Preparation, Matth. 27. 62. And whereas, to coun∣tenance that pretended Jewish Tradition, for putting off the eating of the Paschal Lamb from the Friday, to the Sa∣turday, which was their Sabbath-day, those words of John are alledged, for that Sabbath was an high day, John 19. 31. I answer, That it is called an high day, because it was the Sabbath that fell within the compasse of that high and so∣lemne Feast. But all this I propound and submit to the judgement of the learned.

And again, This Observation of the true Beginning of the day at the Evening; Together with the Alteration of it from the Evening to the Morning in the dayes of our Sa∣viour, may help to quiet that controversie which of late, hath troubled too many, about the Beginning and Ending of the Christian Sabbath, or Lords day rather. For, if we will begin it as the Jewes began their Sabbath, by Gods own appointment; and as the Beginning of the natural day of twenty four hours was reckoned from the Creation, Then sure we must begin it at the Evening. But if we will begin it, according to that alledged Alteration we finde in our Sa∣viours time, Then we must Begin it in the Morning, which later is favoured the more by our Saviours Resurrection ve∣ry early in the morning, Matth. 28. 1, 6. Marke 16. 2, 6. Luke 24. 1, 6. John 20. 1. To the memory and honour of whose Resurrection as the day of Rest was changed, so it accords well, and suitably seems to require the same change for the beginning of that day; agreeing therin with the afore∣said Alteration. However, the Point Material is, That it must comprehend twenty four hours.

V. 6. Firmament] By Firmament here generaly by all is understood whatsoever is to be seene in that vast space a∣bove the earth, from the surface of it, to the uppermost vi∣sible Orbs: As conceiving, and that justly, That the Aire, or lowest region of it, betwixt the Earth and the Clouds, were alone too smal a thing for the whole work of the second day. In the midst of the waters, and let it divide the wa∣ters from the waters: the waters which are under the firma∣ment, from the waters which are above the firmament;] Di∣vers ancient and learned Fathers have conceived hereupon, and upon the words of the Psalme 148. 4. That a great, or the greatest part of those waters that covered the face of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, verse 2. were lifted up and spread as an Orbe of wa∣ters above, and about the highest part of the starry heavens, and so there remaine. And from those windowes of heaven opened some would fetch the greatest part of those waters in the Deluge, that covered all the high hills that were un∣der the whole heaven fifteene cubits upwards. Yet all this seemes too weak a foundation whereon to build that Orbe of supercelestial waters. For plaine it is, that the lowest re∣gion of the aire is called heaven, and the firmament of hea∣ven, even that wherein the winds, clouds, and fowles do flie, verse 20. Jer. 51. 16. Dan. 7. 2, 13. And indeed as e∣very part of the water is truly called water, so every part of the heaven, and firmament may be, and is called heaven, as well as the whole, or the highest parts of it the starry hea∣ven, and the third heaven, chap 1. verse 14, 15, 16, 17. Gen. 22. 17. 2. Cor. 12. 2. And if such a division were meant, as they pretend to, where then would be the division betweene the waters of the seas, and the watery clouds; without which division, and the use of it, the earth could not bring forth sustenance for Man, or Beast? And as for the windowes of heaven, they are understood of the region of the aire, as Psal. 78. 23. Mal. 3. 10. And the same God who rained down fire and brimstone on Sod••m, and made or multiplyed the widowes oyle, 2, Kings 4. 2.

V. 8. the firmament heaven] All above us so called. And the Angels this day most likely were created: considering the words of the Lord, Job 38. 4, 5, 6, 7. that all the sonnes of God shouted for joy, when he laid the foundations of the earth. Though Moses mentions not their creation, as puposely intending to relate only the creation of things corporal and visible; and that haply a having regard there∣in

to the rudiments and weaknesse of that Infant-Church of the Jewes, to whom immediately he wrote this History.

second day] Without that approbation, And God saw that it was good, which yet is doubled, on the third day: (haply because the separation of the waters begun this day, was not perfected till the third day) And it is once repeated on each of the other four dayes with the addition of very good, in the end of all.

V. 20. and fowle] Out of the waters, and the ground also, chap. 2. 19

V. 26. Let us] Intimates a Plurality of Persons in the Unity of the Divine Essence. And so pluraly, chap. 3. 22. 11. 7. Esay 6. 8.

V. 27. created he them] Both this day, chap. 5. 2. though the maner of her creation, be more fully related, chap. 2. v. 18, to 23.

V. 29. to you it shall be for meat] Living things are not here mentioned for meat▪ till after the flood, anno mundi, 1657. and no more are corne, bread, drink, and other things named, which yet no doubt were in use before the flood, Cain being a tiller of the ground; And ••el being a keep∣er of sheep, was not likely to leave their flesh to be devour∣ed of wilde beasts, or to rot, either above, or under ground: And mans body being in a dying condition since the Fall, stood in more need of nourishing meats, then whiles he a∣bode in Innocencie. Neither were the herbs, trees, ground after the Curse, of that vertue and vigour for his nourish∣ment and sustenance, as formely. It is nothing likely then that man should want so needful a nourishment as flesh or fish for so long a time, so many ages of the world; because they were not haply so necessary for him in the time of In∣nocency; or not expressed by name for food at the time of his Creation. But after the Fall, being killed for cloathing; and offered in sacrifices to God, even by Abel himself; It is not to be imagined but that they did eate of the flesh of them, as in sacrifices was ever usual. And therefore also, for those ends and uses the distinction of them, into cleane and un∣cleane, was made, even before the flood; And seven of the Cleane reserved, for sacrifice, and food, whereas two sufficed, as in the Uncleane, for preservation of Seed, Gen. 7. 2. And the words of our Saviour noting the old world for their eat∣ing and drinking before the flood came on, Matth. 24. 38. implies rather an abuse in the excesse, then an abstinence from the use of flesh and other delicacies.

V. 30. Every green herb for meat] But after the Fall of man, beasts, and birds of prey, and fishes eate and devour one another.

CHAP. II.

Ver. 3. BEcause that in it] This being alledged as the Reason of the Sabbath, Exod. 20. 11. 31. 17. shews it to be here instituted before the Fall And then no doubt but Gods people had more need or the same Ordi∣nance and Help in Religion ever since the Fall. And the Rulers Narrative to Moses speech or question Exod. 16. 22, 23. seems to me to imply the keeping of the Sabbath by the Jewes before the giving of Manna in the Wildernesse, Exod. 16. 5. not appearing to be made known to the people till after the Rulers relation of sin; And Gods direction to Moses▪ And apparently it was kept before the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai.

V. 4. the Lord God] Here first the word Jehova is used. And after often in this Chapter, Gen. 15. 7. 22. 14. 26. 24. 27. 20. 28. 13. and in many places more. And there∣fore, Exod. 6. 3. But by my Name Jehova was I not known to them, is spoken comparatively; not known so fully, in making good my promises by answerable effects, as now I will be, in my bringing of them out of Egypt, notwith∣standing all Pharaohs obstinacie.

V. 7. breathed] To shew that mans spirit is not of the earth. as his body; but of nothing by the insufflation of God: and so differing from the spirit of beasts, Job 33. 4. Eccles 3. 21. It hath i••s immediate original from the Fa∣ther of spirits, who did by creating infuse it, or by infusion create it.

V. 8. planted] On the third day, chap. 1 11, 12.

Eastward] From Moses, in the wildernesse, where he wrote this History.

in Eden] A part of Mesopotamia.

V. 9. tree of life] Because naturaly much; but sacra∣mentaly more, it conduced thereunto.

tree of knowledge] From the event, in respect of our first parents.

V. 10. went out of Eden] Flowing into it from above.

V. 11. Pison] A part of Tygris, Pa••itygris, or Pisoty∣gris.

Havilah] From Havilah the sonne of Cush, Gen 10. 7. 25. 18 1 Sam. 15. 7.

V. 13. Gihon] The lower part of Euphrates.

Ethiopia] Cush, i. e. the Westerne Ethiopia, adjacent to the Desert Arabia.

V. 14. Hiddekel] The upper part of Tygris.

Euphrates] Called the river, the great river, Deut. 1. 7. 11 24. Rev. 9. 14.

V. 17. Thou shalt not eate of it] The thing in it selfe indifferent; but made unlawful to him by Gods command; both she•• the Lords absolute dominion over him; and his sin to be the greater and more notorious, if he disobey∣ed it.

surely die] Be subject to mortality, misery; death, and to him which hath the power of death that is the Devil, Heb. 2. 14. A man sentenced to death we count him a dead man, dead in Law, though he and his execution be re∣prieved for a time. If he had not sinned, he had continued in a safe and blessed condition, free from death, and all ma¦ner of evil.

V. 19. and brought them unto Adam] Gen. 7. v. 8. 9.

V. 20. And Adam gave names] Not that the names must needs be given according to their natures,

V. 21. ribs] With the flesh, v 23. The want of which rib, God could, and easily did sufficiently supply, by closing up the flesh instead thereof.

V. 22. made he a woman] 1 Cor. 11. 8.

brought her to the man] As to her husband. Thus the married estate honourable in the state of Innocency, Matth 19. 4, 5, 6.

V. 23. This is now bone &c.] He knew it partly of him∣self; but more by divine revelation.

V. 24. Therefore shall a man leave, &c.] These seeme to be rather the words of God, Matth. 19. 4. 5. then of Adam or of Moses. And are spoken both simply, Gen. 24. 58, 59. and comparatively; rather leave the duty of children to parents, then of husband to wife, when any such case of necessity shall fall out.

And they] Explained by twaine, Matth. 19. 5, 6. by two, 1 Cor. 6. 16. Against Polygamy; and unlawful di∣vorces; and carnal copulation out of marriage.

V. 25. both naked &c.] That shameful through sin since the Fall, Rom. 6. 21. which was not so before: not shall be

after the Resurrection, 1 Cor. 15. 43.

CHAP. III.

••••rs. 1. SErpent] Divers sorts are of them Some specious, and beautiful to the eye.

subtil] Prudent, Matth. 10. 16. crafty, 2. Cor. 11. 3. and so the fitter instrument for Satan.

he said] Many Angels fell, Mar. 5. 9, 12. 2 4. Pet. 2. Jude v. 6. having one for Principal, Matth. 25. 41. And they fell from the beginning, 1 John 3. 8. Now they are called Devils or Daemons, of their knowledge and cun∣ning still remaining. One of them, if not the Princi∣pal, opened here the Serpents mouth, and caused it to speak with mans voice, 2 Cor. 11. 3. as the Lord did with Bala••ms Asse. And the Devil did this speedily after mans creation: Whence he is called a Murtherer from the begin∣ning, Joh. 8. 44. and that old Serpent, which deceiveth the whole world, Rev. 12. 9.

yea, hath God] This would be an abrupt beginning. But it seemes to presuppose a Precedent parley in a more cunning and winning way.

V. 2. And the woman said] She wonders not at the Serpents speaking: and speaking so, or it may be, she did at the first, for a while at least; though it be not here ex∣pressed: yet haply conceiving that her knowledge in some things was to increase by experience, as our blessed Savi∣our did, Luke 2. 52. He came to finde fruit on the fig-tree, when the time of figs was not yet, Mar. 11. 13. And she being not apt, b•• able to suspect any evil or sinne, as not knowing the fall of the Angels; or any evil to be in the world, she might the rather entertaine this conference.

V. 3. Neither shall ye touchit, lest ye die] These words may be uttered with a good intention, and receive a good interpretation, in answer to the Serpents question: she here∣by heightening Prohibition to the utmost, to put the great∣er ••ie upon her obediente; and averring, and ascertaining the danger and death, which otherwise would ensue; as, Matth. 15. 32. compared with, Marke 8. 3.

V. 4. ye shall not surely die] Thus the Devil is a liar, and the father of it, John 8. 44.

V. 5. as Gods] Satan might be pretend to meane it of the Angels. But the woman conceived it of the true God, in plurality of persons, as appears, v. 22.

Knowing] Satan abuseth the name of the tree•• to a wrong sense: pretending all good, but intending all wo∣full knowledge of sinne and misery by it, experimen∣tally.

V. 6. And when the woman saw, &c.] Here was the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, 1 John 2. 16. And thus through his eating, by one man sinne and death entered into the world: In Adam all his posterity sinned, being then in his ••oines, Rom. 5. 12, 19. And in Adam all die, 1 Cor▪ 15. 22. Rom▪ 5. 15, 16, 17, 18.

and he did eate] Yet it is said Adam was not de∣ceived, but the woman being deceived, was in the trans∣gression, •• Tim. 2. 14. She first and deepest in the trans∣gression; and she, not the Devil immediately, the meanes to induce her husband to sinne, she giving the forbidden fruit to him; with words to perswade him, v. 17. though she did not purposely deceive him, as the Devil did purpose∣ly deceive hee.

V. 7. And the eyes of them both] Small distance then betweene the time of both their eating.

naked] In body before, without shame, while without sin, chap. 2. 25. But now experimentally they know that they were naked, both in body and soule; with shame; as, Exod. 32. 25. through guilt of sinne, and sting of conscience.

they sewed] A silly shift. And therefore notwithstand∣ing this, they seek to hide themselves, v. 8. But for their souls, they did not, nor indeed could make any shift at all.

aprons] To cover especially those parts, of all most uncomely now, which serve for generation; By which sinne hath its derivation to all mankinde.

V. 8. voice of the Lord God walking] Either in an hu∣mane shape, or otherwise without that, making this voice, and noise by his Almighty power.

in the coole of the day] Coole winde, at evening tyde; which brought the voice and noise to their hearing.

hid themselves] With as much folly as faultinesse: through the horror and amazednesse wherewith they were stricken at Gods approach.

V. 10. I heard] He toucheth not, but dissembleth the true and maine cause.

V. 11. hast thou eat••n, &c?] q. •• I appeale to thy con∣science, whether this be not the true cause of thy fear, and present shame at thy nakednesse now.

V. 13. What is this, &c?] How heynous an offence? as, chap▪ 44. 15.

V. 14. unto the Serpent] Curseth him, as the Devils in∣strument. Such is Gods hatred of sinne, punishing the bare instruments of it: as in Exod, 32. 20. Levit 20. 15, 16. as a father breaks the sword wherewith his childe was shine. Yet this curse upon the Serpent is so expressed, as fitly in a Mystical sense, relates to, and includes the curse inflict∣ed on the Devil, the chief agent and author.

upon thy belly] This going on his belly, and feeding on dust, was not the natural gate and food of the Serpent be∣fore. For he is numbered among the beasts, chap. 3. 1. di∣stinguished from creeping things, chap. 1. 25. And the greene herbs was given him for meate, chap. 1. 30. But now he is adjudged to go on his belly and breast; and that with more paine and difficulty, then other creeping things: As to Adams labours, and Eves conception, and sujection to her husband, paine and ••orrow were added for their sinne. And for meat, he must lick the dust, Mi••••h 7. 17. Esay 65. 22. Whence they are called Serpents of the dust, Deut. 32. 24. The Sovereignty of Gods power and authority over all his creatures doth clear the justnesse of his proceed∣ing and doome here against all Serpents.

V. 15. enmity] A natural antipathy betweene Man∣kinde and Serpents. A greater enmity betweene Mankinde and the Devil; His enmity to Mankinde is too apparent; And mans to him, so farre as he is rightly knowne and discerned to be the Devil: though by his cunning▪ convey∣ances, as here with Eve, he reignes since the fall, as a God over a great part of Mankinde, 1 Cor. 4. 4.

It] Or, He; the World for Seed, and the Verb for shall break, being both in the Hebrew of the masculine gender, pointing to Christ, the Seed of a woman, Gal. 4▪ 4. Luke 1. 42. 2. 7. the promised Seed, Gal. 3. 16. who destroy∣ed the Devil, Heb. 2. 14. John 12. 31▪ and his works, 1 John 3. 8. triumphing over him on his Crosse, Col. 2. 15. And in Christ our Head, we resist and overcome the Devil, 1 Pet. 5. 9. 1 John 2. 13, 14. The God of Peace bruising Satan under our feet, Rom. 16. 20.

V. 16. thy desire] Shall be subject to thine husband, as, Gen. 4. 7. As Abels to Cain, as the first-borne.

and he shall rule over thee] By Creation she was to live in subordination to man, 1 Tim. 2. 13. 1 Cor. 11. 9. But now a further rule in the man, and desire of subjection in the woman is required here, as a punishment or chastise∣ment on her then he had over her by Creation; and with more grief unto woman-kinde, 1 Tim. 2. 12. 1 Pet. 3. 1, 5, 6. 1 Cor. 14. 34. Tit. 2. 5.

V. 17. Cursed is the ground] The earth which he gave to the children of men, Psal. 115. 16. and to their use, is now by Curse made more unprofitable to them and their use, verse 18, 19. chap. 5. 29. Yea, the Creature was made subject to vanity by mans sin; subject to a vanishing, flit∣ting, and perishing estate; subject to the corruption and abuse of man; subject to serve for the object and instru∣ment of sin, Esay 24. 5. And therefore the heavens and the earth, which are now, are reserved unto fire against the day of judgement, 2 Pet 3. 7, 10. And the whole Creation groan∣eth, and travelleth in paine together untill now: The earn∣est expectation of the creature waiting for the manifestati∣on of the sonnes of God; that it may be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the chil∣dren of God: that all the steps and traces of that maledicti∣on put upon it for mans sin, may be utterly rased out of the world; and new heavens, and a new earth created, as the Scripture phraseth it; every creature according to every ones degree and nature partaking of that glorious liberty of the children of God; being fully delivered from all va∣nity, slavery, abuse, and evill, Rom. 8. 19, 20, 21, 22.

V. 18. the herb of the field] Not the herbs and fruits of Paradise, v. 23, 24.

V. 20. Eve] Here first so called. God calls her Adam, chap. 5. 2.

because she was] To be; thus Propheticaly he foretels it: else it is Moses that gives the reason of the name.

V. 21. coats of skins] In likelihood of the skins of beasts, which God taught him to kill for sacrifice: being that Abel did so soone sacrifice, chap. 4. 4.

V. 22. And now lest, &c.] Spoken by an ironie. For it was not the eating of the fruit, that could recover him, or preserve him from the sentence of death, whereun∣to God for his sin had now doomed him? Both the Trees were Sacraments of the first Covenant of works to confirme the Promise, and threatening there unto appertaining; which Sacramental tree of Life he had now nothing to do withal, no right to it, having broken the Covenant, and incurred the Curse; no more then he ought to have med∣led with the other Tree, in the state of innocencie.

V. 24. drove out] The day not so certainly knowne; But in all probability, the same day of his creation. For Satan would omit no time. The woman, if she had beene better practised, and not taken at the first, would not so soone have ••r••ed: or if she had knowne the Fall of the An∣gels, she would have suspected the more. Her speech, v. 2. We may eate seemes to shew, that no fruit had been eaten before. And doubtlesse she fell a Virgin. And according∣ly Jewes, Caldeans, A••abians, Greeks, Latines, Barba∣rians, hold that they fell the day they were created.

at the East] Where the entrance was into Paradise.

Cheru••ims] Angels. Moses in the use of this word ap∣plying himself to the capacity of the people, to whom the Cherubims in the Tabernacle were well known, represent∣ing the Angels. In Ezekiels Vision, we read of Cheru∣bims as living creatures, with wings, chap. 1. 5. and 10. 1, 15. In Daniel, the Angel Gabriel flying.

and a flaming sword] Haply to each, if there were more Angels then one, Cherubims being of the plural number. We read of an Angel with a drawn sword in Davids time, 1 Chron. 21. 16.

which turned every way] All for the more terror, that•• man should not dare to attempt re-entrance.

CHAP. IV.

Verse 2. ABel] So the New Testament writes him, Matth. 23. 35. Luke 11. 5••. Heb 11. 4. and 12. 24. The Hebrew still is Hebel. Saith David, Psal. 39. 5. Verily every man at his best estate is altogether A∣bel, i. e. vanity. And so indeed Abel was, being slaine by his brother.

V•• 3. of the fruit of the ground an offering] An Obla∣tion, or Meat-offering of fine flower, or first-fruits in the eare, in Levit. 2. and chap. 22. 14. Exod. 22. 29 23. 19. The Heathen Greeks and Romanes, in their times did likewise: Likely by an imitation of the Jewes.

V. 4. firstlings] This afterwards by a special Law, upon a special reason, prescribed to the Jewes, Exod. 13. 2. Num. 3. 13.

and of the fat thereof] In Moses time this expressely com∣manded, Exod. 20. 13, 22, 25. Levit. 3. 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17. The fat is the food of the offering made by fire, for a sweet favour unto the Lord. All the fat is the Lords: neither Offerer, nor Sacrificer; nor yet in Civil use was any Jew to eate of it; at leastwise of the fat of such cleane beasts as were fit for sacrifice, Levit. 7. 23, 24, 25. The fat of the oile is mentioned, Num. 18. 12. mean∣ing the best of it; And so of all things offered to the Lord, the best is required, which it seemes also that Abel here performed. Not as those did, Mal. 1. 13.

By Faith Abel offered this Sacrifice, Heb. 11. 4. And therefore it was no will-worship, but grounded on Gods Word for his warrant; revealed to Adam, and by him like∣ly to his sonnes.

had respect] This was seene of Cain. It is likely there∣fore that God shewed it by some visible signe, as by fire from heaven consuming the Sacrifice; as, Levit. 9. 24. Judg. 6. 21. 1 Chron. 21. 26. 2 Chron. 7. 1. 1 Kings 18. 38. or it might be by some other wayes.

unto Abel, and to his offering] To the man first, to the Offering for the mans sake, as a fruit of his faith. He righ∣teous, Matth. 23 35.

V. 5. not respect] Through his want of faith and since∣rity in this service of God, 1 John 3 12.

very wroth] At God, and Abel both.

V. 7. Sinne lieth] Sinne is anom••e, or enormity; and the punishment of sinne, which like a Serjeant, or they, is couching, and lieth watching, ready to seize upon thee, and tear thee.

And unto thee shall be his desire] Subject to thee, as to the first-borne, as, chap. 3. 16. This is to allay his wrath and incensed spirit.

V. 8. talked] In a brotherly maner, dissembling his ha∣tred, that he might get the better opportunity to kill him, when Abel should not think of it. See the Annotations on chap. 35. 22.

V. 11. Cursed from the earth] The earth shall plague thee, that received thy brothers blood; as is shewed in the next words.

V. 12. when thou tillest] A punishment, the more pro∣per, because he was a tiller of the ground; and proper to Cains portion, where ever he was; not a second general curse upon all the earth.

a fugitive] Cast out from society with thy kindred and acquaintance; from Gods presence, and the communion of his Church, and pursued still with a guilty conscience. So in ver. 14, 16.

V. 14. Of the earth] Of this earth where I now dwell with my Parents and Kindred. Else he speaks like a man distracted by a guilty conscience. He dilates his punish∣ment that denied his sin.

Every one that findeth me shall slay me] There might be many living by this time of Abels murther, of whom he might stand in feare, yea, of them as yet unborn. And his guilty conscience now feares every one, as having made himself odious to every one. And such flee when none pursueth; yea, the sound of a shaken leaf doth chase them: And he might justly fear the beasts of the field. Amongst the ancient Romanes, Greeks and others, such notorious offendors, whosoever would, might surely kill them. And what large power is given to the revenger of blood by Gods Law, we may see in Numb. 35. 19, 21.

V. 15. Seven fold] God would have him preserved a∣live, (though a life likely worse then death,) as a monu∣ment of his justice against murder and tratricide, Psal. 59. 11. Not for love to Cain, but to prevent future murder.

Mark] a mark of protection, and of ignominy too; like∣ly a kinde of palsie and ghastly look; or some worse mark, that made him an horrible spectacle of Gods ven∣geance against so hainous a crime.

V. 16. From the Presence of the Lord] not of his ge∣neral Providence, but of his special Presence, by grace, in the place of his Worship and Service; of which place, and the Presence of the Lord there, with Adam and his godly seed, it might be said, as, Gen. 28. 17. This is no o∣ther but the House of God, and this is the gate of Heaven.

Nod] so called by Anticipation, from his wandring there.

V. 17. Builded a City] at last; builded, or rather was building, began to build, as the builders of Babel, Gen. 11. as in many hundred years after he and his posterity well might, and yet he be a vagabond in body and minde ne∣verthelesse.

V. 19. Two wives] The first bigamist, and corrupter of wedlock.

V. 23 I have slain, &c.] Beastingly he speaks of his valour and wrath, to asray and appease the brawles of his wives between themselves, and the vexing of him; that he was a man that would not suffer the least injury of them, or of any man, but he would avenge himself, and that fully: Or vaunting himself to his wives of his valour, to appease their feare of him, lest hurt should come to him from others, through his fiercenesse and boisterous violence; bragging what heavy vengeance he would take of him that should set upon lamech, many times more then God himself appoint∣ed to be taken for the avengement of Cain. Or, if he had slain a man, and was wounded himself, and thereupon his wives afraid of his life, he seeks to appease them, but in a fierce and insolent manner, as scorning their feare of his danger, and thinking it a disparagement to him and his valour, and upon this reason too; That he had a juster cause for what he had done, then Cain had, and therefore might be the more secure, that if Cains death should be avenged, much more his; or rather in an Athe¦istical scorne, vaunting, That if God did set such a guard upon Cain, surely Lamech they needed not to doubt, should scape well enough; Cains impunity might well serve for his security. Thus variously may these vaunting words of this wrathful, lustful man, be understood and taken; bearing himself haply the more proudly upon his sons in∣ventions, v. 20, 21, 22.

V. 25. Seth] borne, when Adam was 130. years old, ch. 5. 3. Therefore in all probability Cain slew Abel, not long before that time.

For God] Eve rejoyceth, that her whole number of chil∣dren in him was filled up again. For it is not imaginable, that she had no more then Cain and Abel in all that time And it might be she foresaw by the Spirit of God, that Seth should be like righteous faithful Abel, and the roo•• of that holy progeny, wherein the Church was afterward esta∣blished.

V. 26. Enos] Sorrowful, Psal. 9. 20. that the Na∣tions may know themselves to be but Enos, i. e. woful men. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉

Then began men to call] the Worship of God grew more publick and solemne, and in a sort restored and revived again, in the persons and families of Seth and E∣nos, having bin almost buried in the paucity and privacy of the godly before this time; a separation now being made by them from the profane society of the wicked; such as were generaly the posterity of Cain.

CHAP. V.

Ver. 3. IN his own likenesse after his image] such as he was now sinful; not as he was created Holy. Yet still God was the Father of spirits, the God (and Cre∣ator) of the spirits of all flesh, Heb. 12. 9. Numb. 16. 22.

V. 4. And he begat sonnes and daughters] after Seth; yet not excluding some to be begotten before Seth; as Cain and others. And the same is likely to be understood of the rest of the ten Patriarches in this chapter before the flood; That they begat sons and daughters, as well before as after the birth of those Patriarchs, by whom the line of the Genealogy and Chronology is drawn. For it is scarce probable, that in this first Age of the world before the flood, wherein mankinde had most need of multiipli∣cation, the Patriarchs should be so old, as the half of them above 100. yea, Jared 162, Lamecb, 182. Me∣thusalah 187. Noah 500. before they had any children: though indeed Noah for his part, had no more then three, when the flood came, 1 Pet. 3. 20. But so old they were before that sonne was borne who was the Progenitor of our Saviour, and in whose race the main progresse and suc∣cession of the true Church did consist.

V. 5. All the dayes] Adam was living in Lamechs dayes.

V. 21. Enoch walked with God] the seventh of Adam followed not the wickednesse of his age; But pleased God, prophesied, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his Sants, to execute judgement upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them, of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him, Jude ver. 14, 15. And Henoch was not; died not as others: but was translated by faith; God took him, body and soule, as after he did Elias, that he should not see death, and he was not found, Heb. 11. 5. after he had lived on earth so many yeares as there are dayes in our yeare; Thus was he a pledge and pawne of

the Resurrection, and life eternal and celestial, and pro∣phesied of the last and general judgement; Adam and Me∣thusalah, and five Patriarchs between them were living witnesses of his Translation.

V. 27. All the dayes of Methusalah] the longest liver, and died the last of the nine Patriarchs, in the beginning of the yeare of the flood.

V. 29. Noah] Thus Lamech his father prophesied of him at his birth, presaging comfort and rest by him, in the midst of all miseries, in those evil and uncomfortable times.

V. 32. And Noah begat] i. e. began to beget. So, chap. 11. 26. and, chap. 7, 10. Japheth the eldest, Sem the se∣cond, Cha•••• youngest.

Of the LXX-Chronology in this Chapter. They ex∣tend the age of Methusalah beyond the flood, contrary to Scripture, and adde almost 1600. yeares, to the true Chro∣nology, in this and the eleventh chapters. Haply out of some considerations touching the Heathens, for whom that Greek Translation was made. But the LXX. now is no where extant, but patched infinitely.

CHAP. VI.

Ver. 1. WHen men began to multiply] very greatly; and specially Cains wicked progeny, and wickednesse with them.

and daughters] the occasion both of the corruption and calamity set forth in the ensuing story.

V. 2. That the sonnes of God] Professors of the true Worship of God, Deut. 14. 1. 2 Cor. 6. 18. 1 John 3. 1. Which here grew remisse in Religion.

Daughters of men] of the profane race of Cain, that had little of God or his image in them, in their mindes or manners, but were meer men, 1 Cor. 3. 3. natural men, unregenerate, and out of the Church; and such these their daughters were.

Faire] without respect to spiritual beauty, not minding at all what they were for Religion and manners. Thus beauty intangleth the fond and fleshly affection.

Wives] Loved, liked, and chosen only for Beauties sake. Gods Law after forbade such marriages with those out of the Church, Deut. 7. 3, 4. Exod. 34. 16. 2 Cor. 6. 14.

V. 3. My spirit] In the Patriarchs, and specially in Noah, a Preacher of righteousnesse, 1 Pet. 3. 19, 20. 2 Pet. 2. 5. And by good motions and checks of consci∣ence in the men of these times. As, Nehem. 9. 30.

For that he also is flesh] even my people also; all man∣kinde, v. 12. are fleshly, not having the Spirit, Jude v. 19 Rom. 8 8, 9 Gal. 5. 16, 17.

120 years] granted for trial of their repentance, the long suffering of God waiting, whether in this space of time, while the Ark was a preparing they would repent, 1 Pet. 3. 20. by mortification of the flesh, and vivificati•• of the Spirit, or, as St. Peter expresseth it, be judged accord∣ing to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the Spirit, ch. 4. 6. agreeing with that of Paul, 1 Cor. 5. 5.

This was twenty yeares before the birth of Japheth.

V. 4. Giants] Men of huge stature and strength, be∣yond others in those dayes, such as Og was, of the race of giants, and the Anakim•• in Moses time, Numb. 13. 33. Amorites, Amos 2 9 Deut. 3. 11. Goliath, Isbbi-be∣nob, Saph, Lahmi in Davids time, 2 Sam. 21. 16, 18. 1 Chron. 20. 5, 6, 8 Men, who in the pride and confi∣dence of their bodies greatnesse, were apostates from God, oppressors of men, fierce and cruel.

And also after that] After those unlawful mixtures and marriages, v. 2. many of their seed became such Giants: and after that destruction threatened, v. 3.

V. 5. Every imaginari••n] This heightens the sinful∣ness of this age, Mic. 7. 3. But Gen. 8. 21. More strongly proves the universal corruption of mans nature by the fall.

V. 15. 300 cubits] The length is ten times the height, and six times the breadth; resembling for the fashion of it a mans coffin.

V. 16. In a cubit shalt finish it] The Ark, not the window.

Doore] Wide, to receive an Elephant, closed up, and pitched belike, when all were in, and that by God him∣self. ch. 7. 16.

With lower, second and third stories] These stories, considered with the quantity and kinde of the cubits, a common cubit then being longer then our cubits, now and the sacred cubit being double to the common cubit, as appears by comparing 1 Kings 7. 15. with 2 Chron. 3. 15. (not to speak of a Geometrical cubit, six times, as some alledge, as great as a common cubit;) we may ea∣sily conceive the capacity of the Ark, to be fully sufficient to hold whatsoever was required to be contained in it; spe∣cially if we understand here, where no kinde is nomina∣ted, the sacred cubit.

V. 18. My Covenant] For thy preservation, Typify∣ing our spiritual preservation and salvation by Christ, from the deluge of Gods wrath, 1 Pet 3. 21.

Thou] Eight in number, 1 Pet. 3. 20.

V. 19. Two of every sort] Paires of every sort. And here only the kindes are named, the number in chap. 7. v. 2, 3.

V. 20. Shall come unto thee] Of their own accord, by my instinct, not else so freely, as, ch. 2. 19.

V. 22. Thus did Noah] By faith Noah being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with feare, prepa∣red an Ark to the saving of his house, by the which he condemned the world, and became heire of the righteous∣ness which is by faith, Heb. 11. 7. So, Exod. 39. 43. and, 40. 16.

CHAP. VII.

Verse 1. ANd all thy house] Thy children; specified, v. 13. No doubt, but he had more of his fa∣mily; men-servants and maid-servants. But they, and the Shipwrights all drowned.

in this generation] Called by St. Peter, the world of the ungodly, 2 Pet 2. 5.

V. 2. Of every clean beast] Here is the distinction of clean and unclean beasts, and fowles in Noahs time and before, even soon in all likelihood after the fall of man. Long then before Moses time. In Moses time the distin∣ction of beasts and fowles, clean and unclean for sacrifice was this, that of all beasts, only Beeves, Sheep and Goats were counted clean for sacrifice; and of Fowles

only the turtle-Doves and Pigeons, Levit. 1. And the Sparrow was used in the clensing of the Leper and Leprous house, Levit. ch. 14. 4, 5. But for meat to the Jewes there was a further distinction of clean and unclean beasts, fishes, fowles and creeping things, Lev. 11. The distin∣ction here at the flood is not particularized; and therefore we cannot be so certain, but guesse only by Moses, which were clean, which unclean.

by sevens] Not two sevens. The use of the seventh is set down for sacrifice, ch. 8. 20. of other foure, likely for meat; and of the other two, for preservation of seed, as is here commanded, concerning the unclean beasts and fowle. Or more then two of the seven, might be for the greater increase of those which were of most use and com∣fort to mankinde, and the rest, for present food and for sacrifice.

V. 10. Were] Began to be.

V. 11. In the second moneth] Bull; about our October, 1 Kings 6. 38. which is the eighth moneth of the yeare, according to the Ecclesiastical account, first commanded by God to the Jewes, at his miraculous bringing of the children of Israel out of Egypt, Exod. 12. 2. The civil account, and the civil yeare, even then and still after con∣tinuing with them, the same beginning, as it ever had from the beginning; in the moneth Tizri or Ethanim, about our September, 1 Kings 8. 2. I can see no just cause why we should not follow the civil Account of the yeare here in Noahs time. Though the other reckoning of the moneths be most followed in Scripture, after the time of the change aforesaid, 1 Kings 6. 1537, 38. Ne∣hem. 2. 1. 6. 15. Esther 2. 16. 3. 7. 9. 15. Zach. 1. 7. 7. 1.

V. 17. And the flood was fourty dayes, &c.] It rained so long, till the twenty seventh day of the third moneth Chisleu: which is the nineth moneth according to the Ec∣clesiastical Account, Zach. 7. 1. and falls in, with, or about the middle of our December; and it prevailed upon the earth 150 dayes, v. 24.

V. 20. Fifteen cubits upward] Above all the high hills that were under the whole Heaven; whatsoever we heare true or fabulous by Writers, or reports of the height of the hills of Olympus, Atlas, Athos, Caucasus, Pike in Tenerif, or any other.

V. 22. Died] But yet small charity to judge the In∣fants, and all of them to be damned. Cham in the Ark cursed: and many out of it in the time of the lingring de∣luge, might repent and be saved; though not from the tem∣poral death, yet from that which is eternal.

V. 24. One hundred and fifty days] Reckoning from the first day of the raine falling, viz. seventeenth day of the se∣cond moneth, to the seventeenth day of the seventh moneth, whereon the Ark rested on the mountaines of Ararat, ch. 8. 4. are one hundred and fifty dayes.

Heathens in the deluge of Deucalion, shew they had some inckling and hint of this sacred history.

CHAP. VIII.

Ver. 1. A Winde] To asswage; not inrage.

V. 4. Rested in the seventh moneth] Called Nisan by the Chaldees, and Abib by the Hebrewes, an∣swering to part of our March and April.

On the seventeenth day] About the beginning of our A∣pril; where ended the one hundred and fifty dayes.

mountaines of Ararat] An hilly tract of land in Arme∣nia the greater, not far from the Caspian sea, and near to Assyria and Mesopotamia, 2 Kings 19. 37. Esay 37. 38. Jer. 51. 27. Some take these for the Gordean or Cordean mountaines. Some for the hills of Taurus or Cau∣cusus.

V. 5. In the tenth moneth, on the first day] Called Tha∣mus, answering the middle of our June, beginning still the reckoning from September, the beginning of their ci∣vil yeare. Thus after seventy three dayes since the Ark first rested, and two hundred twenty three dayes since the flood first began, were the tops of the mountaines seen. To determine the gradual abatements of the waters day by day, is vain curiosity, and foolish presumption, upon uncertain grounds.

V. 6. At the end of fourty dayes] After the mountaine∣tops were first seen. This makes up the number of two hundred sixty three dayes since the flood began, and one hundred and thirteen days since the Ark first rested; and falls on the eleventh day of their eleventh moneth, called Ab, and towards the end of our July and not as the great Annotators have it on this place, on the eleventh day of the eleventh moneth, called Sebat, Zach. 1. 7. the same which we call January. But to reckon thus were to reckon the yeare according to the Ecclesiastical Account, contra∣ry to their own minde set down in their Annotations, up∣on the fourth verse of this same chapter.

V. 8. A Dove] seven dayes after the Raven, v. 10. on the eighteenth day of their eleventh moneth, about the beginning of our August. The sending out of the Dove is mentioned in Dcucalions history.

V. 9. Found no rest] Though the tops of the mountaines were seen fourty seven dayes before.

V. 10. And again he sent] On the twenty fifth of their eleventh moneth, called by some Ab, about the tenth of our August.

V. 11. In the evening] Spending the day a∣broad.

pluck't off] Not floating on the waters; so now grow∣ing trees were discovered. The Dove found a place of rest to her feet; but not yet food fit for her.

V. 12. Yet other seven dayes] On the second day of the twelfth moneth, called Elul, Nehem. 6. 15. About the se∣venteenth of our August. She met with her mate after. Thus there are twenty one dayes from the opening of the window, for the sending out of the Raven, and the Dove.

V. 13. First moneth, first day of the moneth] Twenty nine dayes after the last sending forth of the Dove, to this time. This moneth is the moneth Tizri or Ethanim, 1 Kings 8. 2. though there called the seventh moneth, according to the Ecclesiastical Account. And the first day if it is about the sixteenth of our September: but we must not here make this the first moneth, according to the Ec∣clesiastical account; which would be the moneth Nisan or Abib; the first day of it answering to the middle of our March.

covering of the Ark] v. 6. He opened the window of the Ark.

was dry] Yet soft and muddy.

V. 14. Second moneth] Not Jiar or Zif, the second moneth according to the Ecclesiastical Account, 1 Kings 6. 1, 3, 7. answering to part of our April, and part of our May: but the moneth Bull, according to the Civil Ac∣count and yeare; according to the Annotations on the fourth verse of this chapter. And answering to part of

our October, and of our November.

Twenty seventh day] The second of our November. And thus there are fifty seven dayes from the first moneth, first day to this time. And here is the end of the flood, continuing from first to last, one yeare and ten dayes. The Account whereof must no wise be cast, as in the said An∣notations on this fourteenth verse: But thus, beginning on the second moneth, seventeenth day, thence to the se∣venth moneth, seventeenth day, are one hundred and fifty dayes, reckoning in them the fourty dayes of raine, as is confessed on ch. 7. ver. 24, and as according to the truth it must needs be. And the Ark then rested on the moun∣taines of Ararat. Thence to the tenth moneth, first day, whereon the tops of the mountaines were seen, are seventy three dayes. Thence fourty dayes, at the end whereof Noah opened the window of the Ark. Thence twenty one dayes of the sending out of the Raven and the Dove. Thence twenty nine dayes reacheth to the first moneth, first day, when the ground was dry. Thence fifty seven dayes, to the second moneth, twenty seventh day, when Noah came out of the Ark. The total summe of this reck∣oning ariseth to three hundred and seventy. And the com∣passe of the yeare, reckoning twelve moneths to the yeare, and thirty days to the moneth, ariseth to three hundred and sixty dayes. And the other ten dayes were those ten, wherein he continued in the Ark more then one year.

V. 20 And offered burnt-offerings on the Altar] In this verse is an Altar first nominated, and burnt-offer∣ings, or whole burnt-offering, Lev. 6. 9. And this so long before Moses and the Levitical Law, an Altar likely of earth or turf.

V. 21. In his heart] After spoken to Noah, chapt. 9. 11.

not again curse the ground] This is opened more in this and the next verse, not as formerly, with an universal de∣luge. Though particular inundations may be.

for the imagination, &c.] This in part moved God to destroy the world, ch. 6. 5, 6. This here is brought in as a motive to mercy, as, Psal 103. 13, 14. A like plea Da∣vid makes, Psal 25. 11. and God himself, Esay 48. 8, 9. Though sin abound, Gods mercy superabounds, mercy rejoyceth against judgement.

V. 22. While the earth] God restores and repaires the natures of things corrupted by the flood. This hinders not Peters fiery Prophecie of the end of the world, 2 Pet. 3. 7. Esay 54. 8, 9, 10.

Seed-time, &c.] Generaly so, which hindereth not par∣ticular judgements upon particular places to the contrary, as, 1 Kings 17. 1. God will henceforth deal more particular∣ly with men, and not overturn the general course of nature any more.

CHAP. IX.

Verse. 1. BE fruitful, &c.] Though we reade not of any more children of Noah after this time: yet it is not likely but he had more; Gods Word and his Work go together. In three hundred fifty two yeares; viz. from the flood to the birth of Abraham mankinde was wonderfully multiplied, and yet mans life in that time mightily shortened.

V. 2. The fear of you] Though not your dominion o∣ver them, as it was before the fall; yet the fear and dread of you shall upon them: even to the taming, or over∣awing at least, of the wildest, fiercest and strongest of them by force or cunning, Psal 8. 6, &c. 104 20, 21, 22, 23. Jam. 3. 7. Though God can arme even the least of them, to execute his judgements upon man.

V. 3. That liveth] Likely, not dying of it selfe, or torne by beasts, as, Levit. 17. 15. and 22. 8. Exod 12. 31. For many of the Mosaical Lawes were in use long be∣fore.

meat for you] See Annotations on ch 1. 29.

meat] Such as were fit for meat: and even those that were not fit for meat and sustenance, yea, poisonous, yet might serve for Physick or otherwise, for the maintenance and preservation of the life of man

V. 4. But flesh with the life thereof, the blood] The blood of these creatures in called the life of them; and their life is said to be their blood, and in their blood, Lev. 17. 11. 14. because the spirits, which are the most lively parts of them, are produced of the purest part of the blood, and with it diffused in arteries throughout the whole body: without which vital spirits, though blood be in the body, yet the body may be dead, as in things strangled. Now with the blood, or in the blood, the flesh was not to be eaten; but first it must be killed and cleansed of the blood. A restraint, no doubt, to make them the more fearful of shedding mans blood, as the words following do declare. But yet thus the sense of the place seemes not so full, as when the blood is forbidden, not on∣ly with the flesh in the veines, (for who desires so to eat it) but also poured out by it self alone. And thus the prohibition was given by Moses to the Jewes, who decla∣red at large the various manner of the use of blood, in their several kindes of sacrifices; but inhibits the eating of it, rather then, or at any other time. In their sacri∣ces, sometimes some of it was sprinkled upon the side of the Altar, and the rest of the blood wrung out at the bot∣tome of the Altar; as when turtle-Doves or Pigeons were sacrificed, Lev. 1. 15. and 5. 9. sometimes it was sprinkled round about upon the Altar; as in the burnt-offerings, and peace-offerings, Lev. 1. 5, 11. and, chap. 3. 2, 8, 13. sometimes with the finger dipped in it, some of it was put upon the hornes of the Altar, and the rest poured out at the bottome of the Altar; as in the sin-offer∣ing for the Ruler, and for any one of the common peo∣ple, Lev. 4. 25, 30, 34. sometimes with the finger dip∣ped in it. some of it was to be sprinkled seven times before the Lord, before the vaile of the Sanctuary. And then some of it to be put upon the hornes of the Altar of sweet incense before the Lord, and the rest of the blood to be poured out at the bottome of the Altar of the burnt-offer∣ing; as in the sin-offering of the Holy Priest, Levit 4. v. 5, 6, 7. And of the whole Congregation, ch. 4. v. 16, 17, 18. Sometimes it was to be put upon the tip of the right eare, and upon the thumb of the right hand, and up∣on the great toe of the right foot; and some of the blood upon the Altar was to be sprinkled upon the garments, as Moses did at the consecration of Aaron and his sonnes, Levit. 8. 23, 24, 30. all which was typical and ceremo∣nial. In summe, it was given upon the Altar, to make an atonement for soules; for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soule, Lev. 17. 11. and almost all things are by the Law purged with blood, and without shedding of blood is no remission, Heb. 9. 22. But with them blood was never at any time, or upon any occasion to be eaten, Lev. 7. 26, 27. 1 Sam. 14. 32, 33, 34. And the Apostles make a decree for the forbearance of eating things stran∣gled, and blood, Acts 15. 20. yet now the ceremonial

Law being expired; and the restraint in this text, not so clear and full, or, not reaching to all people in all ages; out of the case of scandal, which occasioned the Apostles necessary, 1 Cor. 8. 13. though temporary decree; I see no necessity enforcing the contrary, but that Christians may use their Christian liberty, knowing that to the pure all things are pure, that meat commends us not to God, that whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that we may eat, asking no question for conscience sake.

V. 5. And surely your blood of your lives] Your life∣blood. The reason of the former prohibition.

Of every beast] Exod. 21. 28.

mans brother] All men are brethren, Act. 17. 26.

V. 6. Whoso sheddeth] Wittingly and wilfully, Numb. 35. 31. else Cities of Refuge weee appointed, as may be seen, Numb. 35. 11, 15, 22, 23. Deut. 29. 3, 6.

by man] Magistrate. Revenger of blood, Numb. 35. 19, 21, 27.

for in the image] This reason sheweth death to be due for murther before the flood, and from the beginning, though God extraordinarily suffered Cain to live (a life likely worse then death) as a spectacle of his wrath all his age. To deny the legal and military use of the sword to Christians, is an Anabaptistical faucie.

V. 10. And with every living creature] For mans sake, for whom they were made, and in the flood for his sin destroyed.

V. 11. All flesh] No universal deluge, though particu∣lar countreys may be drowned.

by the waters of a flood] Yet in the end by fire, 2 Pet. 3. 7, 10.

the earth] As, ch. 6. 11.

V. 13. My bowe] Wittily say some, bended upwards; and witho••t any arrow in it. This was in the clouds be∣fore, naturally; But now significatively instituted to this use, to be a token of this Covenant, for the assurance of the truth, and performance of it, and Gods oath annexed to it, Esay 54. 9.

V. 14. When I bring a cloud] At sometimes.

V. 18. And Ham is the father of Canaan] So againe, v. 22. To imply the reason why Canaan is cursed, v. 25, 26, 27. And that the Israelites, who in Moses time and after, were commanded to root them out, might know, that they were of an accursed race and off-spring.

V. 20. Began] In the new world a new beginner, yet some yeares after the flood.

V. 21. Uncovered] Likely wearing long and loose gar∣ments, without breeches. As likely David did, when Mi∣chal mocked him, 2 Sam. 6. 20. To prevent which, lin∣nen breeches were commanded to Priests, Exod. 28. 42. Ezech. 44. 19. and Gods Altar was to be builded without steps, Exod. 20. 26.

V. 22. And told] He should have concealed it from his brethren, and covered it himself.

V. 24. And knew] Upon enquiry, or otherways, by relati∣on or revelation.

V. 25. Said] Prophetically, both in his cursing and blessing, by warrant of Gods Spirit.

V. 25. Cursed be Canaan] Not naming Cham. But shewing thereby the curse to be entailed on him, and on Canaan his fourth sonne, ch. 10. 6. then borne, and haply a Partner in his fathers sinne, and on his posterity after him, Prov. 30. 17.

a servant of servants] Thus fore-doom'd to a most servile slavish estate and condition. This most seen long after in the Gibeouites, Josh. 9. 21. and in the Canaanites.

As the blessing on Japhet was long after fulfilled, when the Gentiles became Christians.

V. 26. Blessed be the Lord God of Shem] Shem blessed; because God is called his God, Psal. 144. 15. He na∣med before Japheth his elder brother, in covering his fa∣thers nakednesse, v. 23.

and Canaan shall be his servant] So to Chador••aome•••• of Shems progeny, being King of Elam; ch. 14. 1, 4, &c. and; ch. 10. 22. so in the times of Joshuah, Judges, and Kings of Judah and Israel.

V. 27. In the tents of Shem] In the Church, become Converts and Christians, Eph. 2. 13, 14, 19. 3. 6. even when Shems posterity, the natural branches, was much out off, Rom. 11. 11.

and Canaan shall be his servant] Alexander the Great, and the Romanes subdued them.

V. 29. And he died] living almost to the birth of Abram.

CHAP. X.

Verse 1. JAphet] He is renowned, in the ancient Greek Writers, called Iupetos.

V. 2. Madai] Of him the Medes.

Javan] Of him the countrey Ionia, the Grecians.

V. 5. Isles] Properly; or improperly such countreys, whereto the Jewes from their land could not passe but by shipping: the Province of Europe here meant.

every one after his tongue] As it fell out after that divi∣sion of tongues, ch. 11. 9.

V. 6▪ Cush] Cushians, or the Ethiopians near the Arabian sea.

Mizraim] Egyptians. Mizraim in the Old Testament is alwayes called Egypt in the New Testament.

V. 7. Seba] Whence came the West-African-Ethiopi∣ans, and likely the Queen of Shebah, 1 King. 10. 1. cal∣led the Queen of the South, coming from the utter∣most parts of the earth, Matth. 12. 42. And the E••∣nuch of Candac••, Acts 8. 27.

Havilah] In Arabiah.

V. 8. And Cush begat Nimrod] Reserved here to the last place, because Moses meant to speak most of him.

a mighty one] Usurped by violence a more imperious Power and Government, then formerly was used, and en∣larged his dominions.

V. 9. A mighty Hunter] Hunter of men, Tyrants and Oppressors are called Hunters, Jer. 16. 16.

before the Lord] Openly, without feare of God.

V. 10. Babel] ch. 11. 9. Semiramis, then the wife of Ninus sonne to this Nimrod or Belus, as profane Authors have it, founded not this City, but repaired it. After Nim∣rods time it seems, the seat of that Monarchy (being the first,) was translared to Nineveb in Assyria, Micah 5. 6. And after many ages Babylon rebuilt by Nebuchadnezzar, Dan. 4. 30.

Shinar] Comprehending Mesopotamia, situate between the two rivers Tygris and Euphrates, and the countreys ad∣jacent, ch. 11. 2.

V. 11. Out of the land went forth Ashur] He Shents sonne, v. 22. went out of Shinar by Nimrods invasion, and built Nineveh, and gave the name to the Assyrian Mo∣narchy. Or else Nimrod inlarging his Conquests and Dominions, went from Shinar to Ashur, and built Ni∣neveh.

V. 12. The same is a great city] Not Calah, but Ni∣neveh, Jonah 1. 2. 3. 2. 3. 4. 11. specially in the Pro∣phet Jonahs time, who lived in the dayes of Jeroboam the second, the son of Joash, 2 Kings 14. 25.

14. Out of whom came Philistiim] The Philistines, not of the off-spring of Canaan, but expelling some of them, made roome for themselves in part of the land of Canaan, Amos 9. 7. Jer. 47. 4.

V. 15. And Heth] Whence come the Hittites, ch. 23. 3, 5, 7, 10.

Girgasite] Mat. 8. 28, 34. Gadarenes, Luke 8. 26.

V. 16. Jebusite, 2 Sam. 5. 6. 1 Chron. 11. 4.

V. 19. The border of the Canaanites] Set down particu∣larly, because it was promised to Abraham, and his seed the Israelites.

V. 20. These are the sounes of Ham] Many more of them are set down here, then either of Shem or of Japheth. But most likely it is, that all these children or Grand-chil∣dren of Shem, Cham and Japheth, are not here set down, but only such as were famous, and by their several Planta∣tions gave names to several Nations descending from their loines.

V. 21. Unto Shem also the father of all the children of Eber] Great Grand-father to Eber; yet Eber thus men∣tioned, because of him afterwards they were called He∣brewes; so Abraham, ch. 14. 13. so, ch. 40. 15. Phil. 3. 5. and so frequently.

of Japhet the elder] Because Shem was begotten in the five hundred and second yeare of Noah's life, he being one hundred yeare old, two yeares after the flood, ch. 11. 10. Therefore Japhet was two yeare older.

V. 22. Elam] Hence came the Elamites or Persians, Acts 2. 9.

Aram] From him came the Aramites, Syrians. There is Padan-Aram, ch. 25. 20. Aram-Naharaim ch. 24. 10. Aram-Dammesek, 2 Sam. 8. 5, 6. Ara••-Zobah, Psal. 60. tit. Aram Maachah, 1 Chron. 19. 6. Aram-Beth-Rehob, 2 Sam. 10▪ 6. all these being several Provinces of Syria.

V. 23. Uz] Job 1. 1. There dwelt the Edomites or the Idumeans, Lam. 4. 21.

V. 25. For in his dayes was the earth divided] About the time of his birth was the division of tongues, at the building of Babel, which occasioned their dispersion into several parts of the earth for habitation. And the lan∣guage before used of all, continuing in Eber the father of Peleg, might occasion his posterity to be distinguished from all others by the name of Hebrewes.

V. 29. Ophir] From this mans land in India, it is likely Solomons ships fetched fine gold, 2 Chron. 9. 10. called also gold of Parvaim, 2 Chron. 3. 6. This is sup∣posed to be in Havilah near Ophir. See the Tree in the beginning of Speeds Genealogies.

CHAP. XI.

Ver. 1. OF one language] Since the flood, no doubt. Whether the Hebrew language, which was Adams continued the same among all men, for the space of one thousand six hundred fifty six yeares before the flood, may be more questionable.

And it came to passe] One hundred yeares after the flood, v. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. and ch. 10. 25.

V. 2. They journeyed] Nimrod and his company. Not Noah, Shem, Arphaxad, Salah, Eber, and their godly po∣sterities.

from the East] Likely from about the mountaines of A∣rarat; which parts are much North-eastward from Shi∣nar, or Chaldea, or Mesopotamia. Or from other Easterne parts.

Shinar] Containes Babylon, Mes••potamia, and the Countries adjacent, foure Cities, afterwards built there by Nimrod, ch. 10. 10.

V. 3. Slime] A pitchy slime.

V. 4. Unto Heaven] An Hyperbole, for the chief, hap∣ly to escape another flood.

lest we be scattered] Lest this company be the sooner dispersed. Or when by multiplication they should in af∣ter-times be scattered, yet this might remaine as an ho∣nourable monument and memorial of their former co-ha∣bitation.

V. 6. And now nothing] Ironically, as, ch. 3. 22.

V. 7. Let us go down] See, ch. 1. 26. God speaks of himself after the manner of men, for mans better under∣standing. A while he suffered them to go on in build∣ing.

and confound their language] The number of the seve∣ral languages now made is uncertain.

V. 8. Scattered them] The thing they sought to pre∣vent by their proud project, v. 4. God for it brings up∣on them presently.

V. 10. Generations of Shem] Those, ch. 10. 22, &c. were without any mention of the age of the Patriarchs de∣scended from him, when they begat their eldest sonnes, or those by whom the holy line is drawn, and of whom our Saviour descended. And if they had been passed over so, the Chronology of the world had beed lost. But now here they are resumed, and the chaine of Chronology carefully continued. And as there were ten Patriarchs be∣fore the flood, counting in Noah, so there are ten after the flood, from Shem to Abraham inclusively. The yeares of the world, in the former ten to the six hundredth yeare of Noah, when the flood came, amounted to the number of 1656. The years from the flood, which was in the nine∣ty eighth yeare of Shems age, to the birth of A∣bram the tenth Patriarch after the flood, came but to the number of three hundred fifty two yeares: For mans age was shortened about the half at the time of the flood. And again shortened about the half in Pelegs time, at the building of Babel. And yet the third time shortened somewhat near the half in the time of Nahor, as may be seen and observed in the ages of the Patriarchs at their deaths in this chapter.

Arphaxad] The third son of Shem, 1 Chron. 1. 17.

V. 12. Arphaxad begat Salah] Betwixt these is inserted Cainan, as the sonne of Arphaxad, and father of Salah; Luke 3. 35, 36. which would break the chaine of Chro∣nology, and leave unknown the age of the world. The LXX-Translation hath here in Genesis put in that Cai∣nan. And that Translation was much more known, & much more in use in publick Synagogues, in private Libraries and Houses in our Saviours time, then the Authentical Hebrew Text was; yea, thereupon the Holy Writers of the New Testament, in their quotations out of the Old Te∣stament, do follow much the said Translation, even with some variation from the Hebrew Text, though not in any material thing, as the learned well know. This may seem to occasion St. Luke in this of Cainan, to follow the LXX. Translation, though he knew that this Cainan was never in the world, condescending so to the times and weakness

of men therein, lest otherwise he might have given occa∣sion of offence, or rather they have taken it.

V. 22. Nahor] The first idolater of the line, ch 31. 53. Josh. 24. 2. And so after him were Terah and Abraham, till God called him out of that place, chap. 11. 31. 12. 1. Rom. 4. 2, 5.

V. 26. Begat Abram, &c.] Began to beget, as, Gen. 5. 32. For Abram was borne in the one hundred and thirtieth yeare of his father Terah; Terah dying at the age of two hundred and five in Haran, ch. 11. 31, 32. and Abram being then seventy five years old, as appears, ch. 12. 4. Acts 7. 4. Likely Haran was the eldest, Nahor the second, and Abram the youngest; as the eldest likewise is named last, ch. 5. 32.

V. 28. In Ur] Nehem. 9. 7. Acts 7. 4. Ur signifi∣eth fire, which likely was worshipped by the idolatrous Chaldeans; and some place or city received denomination from that idol. Heathen Writers call it Orchoe, it is the Easterne part of Mesopotamia, when Mesopotamia is taken in a large sense, comprehending ••haldea in it.

of the chaldees] Given much to Astrology, whence such are called Chaldeans, Dan. 2. 2, 4, 5.

Ur of the Chaldees] Called Mesopotamia, Acts 7. 2.

V. 29. Milcah the daughter of Haran] Not another Haran, but Abrams eldest brother, as appears by the next words. He was elder then Abram sixty yeares.

the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah] This Mil∣cab was Grand-mother to Rebecca Isaacs wife, Ge••. 22. 2••, 22, 23. great Grandmother to Rachel and Leah, Gen. 29. 10, 12, 13, 16. This Ischa is Sarai the daughter, i. e. the Grandchilde of Abrahams father, but not the daughter, i. e. the Grandchilde of his mother, Terah ha∣ving Haran her father by another wife then he had Abraham, Gen. 20. 12. Nahor and Abraham marry their Neeces, their brother Harans daughters, and so Amran takes Jochebed his father Kohaths sister to wife, Exod. 6. 20. Such marriages are forbidden, Lev. 18. 12, 14. however here by divine dispen∣sation tolerated, or not condemned.

V. 31. And Terah took Abram] Abram first motioned this remove; God having appeared to him in Ur of the Chaldees, Acts 7. 2. Gen. 15. 7. And here begin the foure hundred and thirtie yeares, at the end whereof the Israelite, came out of Egypt, Exod. 12. 41. Gal. 3. 17. Nahor came too, though not mentioned here. For he set∣led in Haran, whence it is called Nahors City, ch. 24. 10. 29. 4. 28. 2, 10.

to Haran] A City of Mesopotamia, but not taking Me∣sopotamia in a strict sense, as it is taken, Act. 7. 2, 3. Gen. 24 10. 28. 2, 7, 10.

and dwelt there] Likely, through Terahs old age and sicknesse so long, till they got substance and soules there, ch. 12. 5. See, Judeth 5. 8, 9. even five yeares, as may be gathered out of the thirty yeares, between Abrams cal∣ling out of Ur, and the birth of Isaac. See, Annot. on ch. 15. v. 13.

CHAP. XII.

Ver. 1. HAd said] For this seemes not to be a se∣cond Call; But the Narration of the first Call out of Ur, and the cause of their going forth of Ur, ch, 11. 31.

and thy kindred] If they had rather stay behinde thee then remove with thee.

will shew thee] As he raised this righteous man from the East, so he called him to his foot to follow him and his direction, Esay 41. 2. Likely, God bade him go to Ca∣naan, but told him not that that was the land intended for him, till he came thither, Heb. 11 8 Gen. 12. 7. And this was for the greater trial of his faith.

V. 2. A great Nation] Yet Sarah now at sixty five was barren. And under this is also a spiritual seed promi∣sed, Rom. 4. 11, 12. Gal. 3. 7.

blesse thee] Spiritually also, Gal. 3. 14.

thou shalt be] Or be thou a blessing. God will command a blessing, as, Ps. 42. 8. 44. 4. and so, 133. 3.

V. 3. And I will blesse] Like to this is that of Isaac to Jacob, Gen. 27. 29. and that of Bala••m to Israel, Numb. 24. 9.

in thee] In thy seed Christ, Gen. 18. 18. 22. 18. Acts 3. 25, 26. Gal. 3. 8, 14. Thus the Gospel was preached unto Abraham, Gal. 3. 8. From this Promise and Cove∣nant made in Ur of the Chaldees, to the giving of the Law which could not disannul it, were foure hundred and thir∣ty yeares, Gal. 3. 17, 18.

V. 4. Departed] Went out by faith, not knowing whither he went, Heb. 11. 8.

and Lot went with him] Terahs family and Nahor stay∣ed here. See Annotations on ch. 11. 3••. Here they left fol∣lowing God, and fell again to idolatry, ch. 31. 30, 53. Josh. 24, 2.

Seventy five] He lived one hundred yeares after, ch. 25. 7. And Isaac his sonne, then seventy five yeares old, being borne in the one hundredth yeare of Abrahams age, ch. 21. 5. is left heire of Canaan.

V. 5. Soules] Likely divers were converted Proselytes, considering his care of his family, ch. 18. 19. and their ready obedience to him, ch. 14. 14. and to Gods Or∣dinance of Circumcision, ch. 17. 23.

Canaan] Deut. 8. 7, 8, 9. This was the type of an Heavenly, which Abraham looked for, Heb. 11. 9, 10.

And in Salem a City of Canaan, Melchisedech dwelled, and reigned a Priest of the most High God.

V. 6. Sichem] Where after the City Sichem was, chap. 33. 18. about the midst of the countrey called Sichar in our Saviours time, Joh. 4. 5

unto the Plaine] Set with a grove of oakes, Deut. 11. 30.

the Canaanite] When God promiseth the cleansing of his Church, he saith, the Canaanite shall be there no more, Zach. 14. 21.

V. 7. Unto thy seed] Here he tells him this is the land intended for him, and now doth promise it; whereupon it is called the Land of Promise, Heb. 11. 9. the Lords Land, Hos. 9. 3. the Holy Land, Zach. 2. 12. the Land of Immanuel, Esay 8. 8.

thy seed] When as yet he had no childe, Acts 7. 5. an Altar] As, Gen. 8. 20.

V. 8. Bethel] After so called, at this time Luz, ch. 28. 19. Moses calls many places by the names which were after∣wards given to them, sitting his speech to the men of that age wherein himself lived.

West] Sea is here put for the West, as Desert for the South, Ps. 75. 6.

V. 9. South] Next Egypt.

V. 10. Into Egypt, Ps. 105. 13.

V. 11. Faire] Very faire, v. 14. in her self, but more comparing her with the Egyptian women, though now she was sixty five yeares old.

V. 13. My sister] Neece; she being his brothers

daughter, his fathers Grand-childe, persons so near of kin are usually called brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, Gen. 31. 28. Exod. 2. 18. which makes him say to Abi∣melech, ch. 20. 12. Indeed she is my sister. But Abram, praying her to conceale part of the truth, and purposely that the Egyptians might not conceive her to be his wife, bewrayeth weaknesse of faith and humane frailty, fearing perhaps, that if he should die without issue, Gods Pro∣mise should not have taken place, and therefore he expo∣seth her to danger to save himself, though withal he might have some hope that God would prevent that mischief.

V. 15. The Princes] Courtiers.

Pharaoh] The common name of the Egyptian Kings, as Abimelech of the Philistines, and Caesar of the Roman Emperours. They had other proper names, as Pharaoh Neco. 2. Kings 23. 29 Pharaoh Hophra, Jer. 44. 30. In the Grecian Monarchy they were called Ptolemies. Pharaohs house] Likely stayed there a while.

V. 17. Plagued.] Psal. 105. 14. 1 Chron. 16. 21, 22.

V. 20. And Pharaoh commanded] The King being angry, expects no answer.

sent him away] Haply with Honour, as, Exod. 18. 27. and safe conduct.

CHAP. XIII.

Verse 1. SOuth] Canaan is South from Egypt.

V. 2. Very rich] Ch. 12. 2. 24. 35. Prov. 10. 22.

V. 5. And Tents] Which implies also many servants that dwelt in those tents.

V. 6. To beare them] But they wanted pasture and wa∣ter for so many flocks and herds, whence the strife rose, v. 7.

V. 7. And the Canaanite] Had taken up the better part of pasturage; neither were they to have a scandal given them by any dissensions and discords between Abram and Lot.

V. 8. And Abram said to Lot] The Uncle and Superi∣our condescends herein, and chooseth rather to take wrong then to contend, 1 Cor. 6. 7.

V 9 If thou wilt take] By consent of the Canaanites. Abram had no inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on, Act. 7 5 Nor did he, or could he give to Lot any title to the land, but such an use of it, as upon faire and reasonable termes he might obtain and enjoy. Abram af∣ter bought a burial place, ch 23, 11, 12, 13.

V. 10. Zoar] Afterwards so called, but then called Be∣lah, ch 14. 2, 8. 19. 22. The meaning is, all the Plaine of Jordan, even to Zoar was such.

V. 13. Sinners] ch. 19. 5. Ezech. 16. 49, 50. Lot thinking to get Paradise found hell.

V. 15. Which thou seest] Part whereof each way thou seest. So Moses viewed the land, but possessed it not, Deut. 34. 1. 4.

and to thy seed] For thy sake. The heavenly Canaan to thy spiritual seed, Christs mystical body for Christs sake, Gal. 3. 16. Rom. 9. 6, 7, 8. Gal. 4. 22, 23.

for ever] if they obey and keep my Covenant, Esay 65. 9. Psal. 69. 35, 36. degenerate not, John 8. 39 But else not. Deut. 4. 25, 26. Lev. 26. 33. 18. 28. Ezech. 33, 24, 25, 26.

But I will give the heavenly Canaan, typified by this, Heb. 11. 10, 16. to thy spiritual seed to all eternity, Gal. 3▪ ••6, 26, 28, 29.

V. 16. as the dust] Ch. 28. 14. 32. 12. so Balaam said▪ Numb. 23. 10.

V. 18. Plaine of Mamre] Ch. 14. 13, 24. The Plaine of Morch differs from this, and joy••es to Shechem, chap. 12. 6.

which is in Hebron] It had this name afterward, before it was called Kiriath-Arba, ch. 23. 2. 35 27. Josh; 14. 15. 15. 13. It was after a famous burial place, ch. 49. 31. sometime possessed by Gaints, Numb 13. 22. and driven out by Caleb, Josh, 15. 13, 14 and given to him, Josh. 14. 14. a City of Refuge in the Tribe of Judah, Josh. 15. 54. 20. 7. David first reigned in it. And thither most likely went the blessed Virgin to visit her Cousin E∣lizabeth, Luke 1. 39.

an Altar] To sacrifice thankfully to God, and to san∣ctifie his viewed heritage.

CHAP. XIV.

Verse 1. IN the dayes] This falling out a little before Abram took Hagar, as the sequence of the story sheweth, and he taking Hagar in the tenth yeare after he left Haran, and came into Canaan, ch. 16. 3. He being then seventy five yeares old, ch. 12. 4. must be now eigh∣ty foure at the time of this battel.

Shiaar] Chaldea. ch. 10. 10.

Chedorlaomer] The chief in this expedition, though two other Kings named before him, v. 4, 5.

Elam] Or Persia, ch. 10. 22. And so Chedorlaomer of Shems Progeny, had Chams and Canaans posterity for sub∣jects and servants, ch. 9. 26. who these Kings were, and what their Kingdomes cannot certainly be deter∣mined.

V. 2. With Bera King of Sodom] These following were but petty Kings, Kings of Cities: which were burnt, ch. 19. Deut. 29. 23. except Zoar, fifteen yeares after, when Sarah was with childe of Isaac, as appeares, chap. 18. 10, 20, &c.

V. 3. The salt sea] Josh. 3, 16. called so afterwards, the dead sea, or ••ake Asphaltites, of which many strange things are reported by Authors.

V. 5. Rephaims] Ch. 15. 20.

in Ashteroth] A City in Bashan, where Og after reigned.

Emims] Where the Moabites after dwelt, Deut. 2. 9, 10, 11.

V. 6. Horites] In Mount Seir, till the Edomite•• drove them out, Deut. 2. 22.

Elparan] Gen. 21. 21.

V. 7. Kadesh] So called in Moses time, it was in the de∣sert of Zin, Numb. 20. 1, 14, 16. 13. 26. 33. 36. Deut. 1. 2, 46.

Amalekites] The people of that countrey, where after∣wards the Amalekites did dwell. For Amalek the Grand∣childe of Esau was yet unborn, Gen. 36. 12.

Hazezon-Tamar] Which is Engedi, 2 Chron. 20. 2. which fell afterwards to the tribe of Judah, Josh. 15. 62.

V. 10. Fell there] Their armies, rather then their per∣sons. For the King of Sodom escaped, meeting Abram, v. 17.

V. 13. Confederate] So Abimelech and Phicol with

Abraham, ch. 21. v. 22, 23. and after with Isaac. ch. 26. 26, &c. Such confederacies with Infidels, not simply in themselves unlawful, Though specially forbidden with the Canaanite, Exod. 34. 15. Deut 7. 2. And Jeho∣shaphat justly reproved for his needlesse familiarity and as∣sociation with wicked Ahab, 2 Chron. 19. 2.

V. 14. Brother] Being his brothers sonne, v. 12.

trained servants] In militaty and religious disci∣pline.

three hundred and eighteen] A mighty Prince, chap. 23. 6.

pursued] Justly for Lots sake, though haply Chadorlao∣mers cause and quarrel might be just, v. 4.

unto Dan] One of the two springs of Jordan, at the foot of Lebanon, in the North of Canaan, where was a town of that name, called Leshem or Laish, Josh. 19. 47. Judg. 14. 29.

V. 15. Unto Hoba] Thus God gave the Nations be∣fore him, and made him rule over Kings: He gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bowe, he pursued them and passed safely, even by the way which he had not gone with his feet, Esay 41. 2, 3.

V. 17. The Kings Dale] So called in after-times, where likely Absalom set up his pillar▪ 2 Sam. 18. 18.

V. 18. Melchisedech] That this Melchisedech had fa∣ther and mother, descent or pedigree, beginning of dayes, and end of life is not to be doubted. But the Scripture presents him to us as such, no where telling us of his Pa∣rents, descent, birth or death: and so in this, and in his name Melchisedech, and in his title of Office, King of Salem; and in his Offices themselves, being both King and Priest, the Priest of the most High God, and that without being successour to any, or having any successour to him, and so as one that typically abideth for ever; and as one that is far superiour to Abraham, who blessed A∣braham, and to whom Abraham the Patriarch gave tithes; therefore in regard of all these, the Apostle makes him a notable type and figure of Christ, of his Person and Offi∣ces, of his Kingdome and Priesthood especially, as we see at large, Heb. 7. and David did so before him, Psal. 110. 4. Now who this Melchisedech should be, whe∣ther Shem, who being borne before the flood, lived seven∣ty five yeares after Abrams coming into Canaan, and about sixty five after the time of▪ history of his meeting A∣bram, who though his Parents, Birth and Death be known to us, yet not as here brought in under the name of Mel∣chisedech; or whether it were some neighbouring King of Canaan, of another Kindred from that of Abraham, Heb. 7. 6. extraordinarily raised up and sanctified by God to this purpose, though haply it may be probably, yet it can∣not certainly be defined.

Melchisedech King of Salem] Heb. 7. 2. Thus righte∣ousnesse and peace do kisse each other, Psal. 85. 10. Esay 32. 17.

Salem] Not Salim, mentioned, John 3. 23. But Salem, Ps. 76. 2. Jerusalem.

brought forth] Not for sacrifice, but to refresh Abram and his army, as, 2 Sam. 17. 27, 28, 29, The neglect whereof was punished in the Moabites and Ammonites, Deut. 23. 3, 4.

and he was the Priest] King and Priest; both offices concurring in one Person. It was an ancient manner a∣mong Heathen Nations, Rex Anius Rex idem hominum, Phoebíque sacerdos. And how much short was it with the Patriarchs, and first-borne in Israel, before the Levites supplied their place?

V. 19. And he blessed him] A part of the Priests office, Numb. 6, 23, 27. 1 Chron. 23 13. Heb. 7. 6, 7. The lesse is blessed of the greater.

V. 20. Blessed be God] Thanked and praised.

and he gave him tithes of all] Abram gave Melchize∣dech, Heb. 7. 2, 4. 9, 10, 11. And Levi in Abr••ms loines. Tythes are due as an homage to God: as tribute is to Kings. They are called holy, an heave-offering to the Lord, Lev. 27. 30 Numb. 18. 24. As here Abram, so Jacob also paid them to the Lord, before the Levitical Law, Gen. 28. 22. In the Law of Moses they are strict∣ly enjoyned, Numb. 18. 20, 21. yea, if redeemed, a fifth part must be added to it; if changed, both it and the change thereof shall be holy, Lev. 27. 31, 33. yea, Heathen paid tithes both Greek and Latine. And here, being paid to Melchizedech, a type of Christ, they are not abolished by the Gospel.

of all] Of all the spoiles, of Sodoms too, and of all the vanquished. So of the Midianites, Numb. 31. 28, 29, 30. 37, 38, 39, 40, 41.

V. 22. I have lifted up my hand] He had sworne or vowed, when he went forth to this war, and implored Gods aide, Deut 32. 40. Dan 12. 7. Rev. 10. 5, 6.

V. 23. Lest thou shouldest say] Thou or any man should say, that covetousnesse of the prey drew me to this warre, or that this victory, or any thing else enriched me, but Gods extraordinary blessing, Esther 9. 15, 16.

CHAP. XV.

Ver. 1. AFter these things] Spoken by Abram to the King of Sodom.

in a vision] Of the night, v. 5. Numb. 22. 19. 20, There are nightly visions by dreams in sleep, ch. 31. 11. 46. 2. 1 Kings 3. 5. And so God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, Gen. 20. 3. and secret revelations came to Eliphaz, Joh 4. 12, 13. whereupon the false Pro∣phets counterseited false dreams and visions in them, Deut. 13. 1. Jer. 23. 25, 28, 32. And there are also visions to men waking, as, Ezech. 1. 1. Dan. 8. 2. 10. 4, 7. 2 Cor. 12. 2. Acts 2. 17. Both wayes God made himselfe known to his Prophets, Numb. 12. 6. whence Prophets were called Seers, and Prophecie is named a vision, Esay 1. 1. Here is meant an open apparition, which Abram a Prophet, ch 20. 7. beheld waking with the eyes of his body. For v. 9, 10. shewes, he was waking, and a deep sleep is said to fall upon him after this vision, v. 12. In what manner, and how glorious this vision was is not set down particularly.

feare not] The Prophets were sometimes terrified with visions, at the visible appearance of the Majesty of God So, Dan. 10. 7, &c.

feare not] For the presence of my glory, for thine ene∣mies, for any discomfort whatsoever.

I am thy shield] Against thine enemies, those vanquish∣ed Kings, and all else.

reward] Beyond all merit and measure.

I go] Am going on, going away, mine age going on towards mine end.

V. 2. Childlesse] Yet he rejects not the Promises of God concerning his seed, but as perplexed between feare and hope he bemoanes his sad state and condition, inti∣mates and commends his desire to God, that he would at length remember his Promise made to him concerning his seed.

and the steward] He most likely mentioned, ch. 24. 2. He now is the guide and stay of my family. Here Abram complaines not of his steward, but commends him ra∣ther.

of Damascus] By his Ancestors, though he borne in Abrams house, v. 3.

V. 3. Is mine heire] Likeliest for the present, in my thoughts, if I go on and die childlesse, my Nephew Lot having no sonnes but daughters: and Eleezer having all under his charge.

V. 5. And tell the stars] This rherefore was in the night.

if thou be able to number them] Now at this view: though haply it were possible for Astronomers by much Art, to at∣tain to the number of the visible stars. God speaks, as often, according to common account. Jer. 3••. 22.

so shall thy seed be] Innumerable, Deut. 1. 10. specially counting his spiritual seed, children by faith, according to the Promise, Rom. 4. 11, 12, 13. Rom. 9. 8 Gal. 3. 7, 29. innumerable as the dust of the earth, ch. 18. 16. as the sand on the sea-shore, ch. 22. 17.

V. 6. And he believed in the Lord] For the innume∣rablenesse of his seed, and principally for the promised seed, wherein all the Nations of the earth should be blessed.

Believed] Here is belief or faith first named in the Old Testament, whence Abram is called the Father of all Believers, Rom. 4. 11, 16, 17. And this before either Circumcision was ordained, or the Law given, Rom. 4. 9, 10 Gal. 3. 17. Now the word belief or faith signi∣fies a lively motion of the heart and spirit, firmely resting in the things spoken. For which this belief or faith in Abram is much commended, Rom. 4. 18, to 22.

Counted] Imputed, thought, esteemed.

for righteousnesse] Ps. 106. 31. Rom. 4. 3, 9. Now of this the Apostle inferreth justification by faith without works, both to Abram, Rom. 4. 4, 5. as having been an idolater, Josh. 24. 2. and still without glory of works be∣fore God, Rom. 4. 2. and also to all believers, Rom. 4. 23, 24.

V. 8. Whereby shall I know?] This he asked to be strengthened against humane infirmity, and to know somewhat more particularly of the manner of performance: and likely it was by a special motion of Gods Spirit, as that also of Gideon, Judg. 6. 17, 37. and of Hezekiah, 2 Kings 20. 8. And others like by divine instinct, Gen. 24. 13, 14. 1 Sam. 14. 9, 10. without which such qaestions are not so lawful, Luke 1. 18.

V. 9. Take me an heifer] Not for sacrifice, though all sorts here commanded to be used were fit for sacrifice; But for confirmation of this Promise and Covenant, as, Jer. 34. 18.

V. 12. And when the Sun was going down] By compa∣ring this with the fifth verse, it seemes the day was spent by Abram in preparing and doing according to that com∣mand, v. 9.

a deep sleep] As, ch. 2. 21. extasie or trance.

an horrour] See, Dan. 10. 8, 9. Here shadowing out the great distresses Abrams children should have through vexation of their enemies.

V. 13. In a land that is not theirs] In Canaan and Egypt.

and they shall afflict them] Not all that time, nor the greater part, but upward of the last hundred years.

Foure hundred yeares] Acts 7. 6. From the birth of I∣saac to their going out of Egypt: Thus, From the birth of Isaac to the birth of Jacob sixty yeares, Gen. 25. v. 26. Thence to the birth of Joseph ninety yeares: Jacob being so old at Josephs birth, which is collected thus; Jacob was one hundred and thirty when. Joseph was fourty, viz. thirty when Pharaoh advanced him, ch. 41. 46. after which passed seven yeares of plenty, and three of famine, when Jacob came down, ch. 47. 9. Now Jacob was fourteen yeares with Laban before Joseph was borne, ch. 30. 25. de∣ducting then those fourteen yeares before Joseph was born, and fourty yeares of his age out of Jacobs one hundred and thirty, and so will remain seventy five or seventy six, for the age of Jacob when he came to Laban, and so ninety yeares old he was when he had Joseph. Now Joseph lived in Egypt after his father came thither seventy yeares, Gen. 50. 26. Between the death of Joseph and birth of Moses were sixty yeares, as the undoubted beginning, and un∣doubted end of the foure hundred yeares, do clearly and necessarily evince and enforce. Thence to the Israelites going out of Egypt, in the eightieth yeare of Moses age, eighty yeares, Acts. 7. 23, 24, 30 Now these several summes cast up come to foure hundred

• 60
• 90
• 110
• 60
• 80
• 400.

In Exod. 12. 40, 41. and Gal. 3. 17. are foure hundred and thirty years reckoned. But that is from the first giving the Promise and Covenant to Abram, which was in Ur of the Chaldees, to the foresaid time of their coming out of E∣gypt, which thirty yeares are thus made up; viz, five yeares in Haran, at the end whereof Abram was seventy five, ch. 12. 4. Thence ten yeares to the taking of Hagar, ch. 16. 3. Thence fifteen to the birth of Isaac when A∣bram was one hundred yeares old, ch. 21. 5. And thus from the first Promise to their coming into Egypt were two hundred and twenty yeares. And their time in E∣gypt two hundred and ten yeares. And this I take to be the true and clear Account of these times. The particu∣lars wherein I differ from the great Annotations and o∣thers, in this Account I do willingly submit to the judge∣ment of the learned.

V. 14. Will I judge] Exod. 7. 8, 9, 10, 12, 14. cha∣pters, and Psal. 78. 43, to 52. and 105. 27, to 37.

with great substance] Exod. 3. 21, 22. 12. 35, 36. 38.

V. 16. In the fourth generation] Caleh the sonne of Hezron was the fourth generation from Judah, 1 Chron. 2. and Aaron and Moses were the fourth from Levi, Exod 6. 16, 18, 20.

V. 17. A smoking furnace, and a burning lamp] By which God did passe between those pieces, Jer. 34. 18, 19. haply shadowing hereby their afflictions in the furnace of Egypt, Deut. 4. 20. and the burning bush, Exod. 3. 2.

V. 18. Have I given] By Promise already, or this shewes the certainty of the Promise.

from the river of Egypt] Sichor, Josh. 13. 3. Jer. 2. 18.

Euphrates] The Lands so far became Tributary in Davids and Solomons dayes, 2 Sam. 8. 3, &c. 1 Kings 4. 21. 2 Chron. 9. 26. If they possessed not all that was promised, the cause was in their breach of Covenant with God, not in Gods with them.

V. 19. The Kenites, &c.] Here are ten Nations reck∣oned. After usually reduced to seven, Deut. 7. 1. Acts 13. 19.

CHAP. XVI.

Verse 1. NOw Sarai] Being seventy five years old, and Abram being eighty five when he took Hagar, ch. 12. 4. ch. 16. 3, 16. Fifteen yeares after, Sarai beiug then ninety, and Abraham one hundred they had Isaac, ch. 17. 17.

an handmaid] Or bondmaid, ch. 21. 10, 12. Opposed to a free-woman, Gal. 4. 22.

an Egyptian] Of Chams posterity.

Hagar] The Apostle allegorically makes her a figure of the Covenant of the Law on Mount Sinai, and of the earthly Jerusalem, gendring to bondage; and Sarah of the Covenant of the Gospel, and of Jerusalem which is a∣bove, gendring to freedome, Gal. 4. 22, to the end of the chapter. Gal. 3. 12, 14, 18, 22, 29.

V. 2. Restrained me] Ch. 20. 18. God had pro∣mised a seed to Abram, but not as yet unto Sarai; there∣fore doubting whether she should be the mother, she sets on foot this course; not lawful in it self, Mal. 2. 15. The impediment she alledgeth, why she was out of hope of bearing childe, ch. 18. 11. was fifteen yeares after.

it may be] No certainty. But after Sarah had a Son by Promise. ch. 18. 10. Gal. 4. 23. Rom. 9. 9.

I may obtain] Thus Rachel and Leah did, and said, ch. 30. 3, 6, 9. by the Law, Exod. 21. 4. Bond-servants-children were their Masters.

V. 3. Ten yeares] Since he left Haran.

to be his wife] A secondary wife, a Concubine, ch. 25. 6. so Keturah, Gen. 25. 1. 1 Chro. 1. 32. so Bilha and Zil pa, Gen. 35▪ 22. yet called wives, ch. 37. 2. inferiour to a lawful wife. This a fault and infirmity of faith in Abra∣ham too.

V. 4. Conceived] Quickly, v. 16.

despised] Prov. 30. 21, 23. it seems by Saraies words, v. 5. in an high degree.

V. 5. My wrong] Likely Abram bear too much with Hagars insolencie, and was the more tender of her because she was with childe by him. So the Israelites too passion∣ate against Moses and Aaron, Exod. 5. 21. and Zipporah against Moses, Exod. 4. 26. either right thou my wrong, or beare the punishment thereof from God, yet otherwise she made a patterne of wively obedience, 1 Pet. 3. 6.

V. 6. Thy maid] So he calls her still, and so Hagar calls her Mistresse, v. 8.

in thine hand] To correct her for her fault.

V. 7. And the Angel] Christ the Angel of the Cove∣nant, Mal. 3. 1. called here Jehovah, v. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 speaking as God, v. 10. called an Angel, Exod. 14. 19. 13. 21. 23. 20, 21, 22, 23. Esay. 63. 9.

Shur] Towards Egypt her countrey, Exod. 15. 22. In this wildernesse her posterity after dwelt, chap. 25. 17. 18.

V. 8. Whence] As, ch. 3. 9.

V. 11. Thy affliction] Though her self the cause of it.

V. 12. A wilde man] He after dwelt in the wilder∣nesse as a Salvage, and was a warlike man, fierce and un∣ruly, rough and rude, of such courage, as to match all his opposers, ch. 21. 20.

his hand] A quarrelsome man: he for booty by prey and pillage, they most to defend themselves.

and he shall dwell] His seed be a several Nation from his brethren, border upon them, and they not able to o∣verbear him, ch. 25. 9, 18. 37. 23.

V. 13. Have I also, &c.] Magnifying Gods mercy, for his careful eye and providence over her, for vouchsafing her so clear a sight of him, and that even here in the de∣sert, which was more marvell then if it had been in her holy Masters family, and that after her so ill carriage of her self, and letting her yet live after it; many after the sight of God were afraid, yea, some that they should die, Gen. 3. 10. 32. 30. Exod. 3. 9. 24. 12. 33. 20. Deut. 4. 33. and, 5. 24. Judg 6. 22. 13. 22, Esay 6. 2. 5. Luke 5. 8.

V. 14. Beerlehai-roi] i. e. The Well of him that liveth and seeth me.

Kadesh] Kadesh-barneah, Numb. 32. 8. 13. 26. Deut. 1. 19. 9. 23. Josh. 14, 6, 7.

V. 15. Abram called his name] Therefore Hagar re∣turned as the Angel commanded.

Ishmael] Likely upon Hagars relation.

V. 16. Eighty six] See Annot. on v. 1. For the space of thirteen yeares after this God keepeth silence, and speaketh not to Abram, ch. 17. 1.

CHAP. XVII.

Verse 1. APpeared] In a visible forme, v. 22.

before me] As alwayes in my presence, Gen. 5. 22. 48. 15. 1 King. 2. 4. 3. 6. 2 Kings 26. 3.

V. 2. Make] Renew or stablish, it being made, as, v. 7. multiply] ch. 12▪ 2,

V. 3. Fell on his face] v. 17. In way of feare and reve∣rence of gratulation and rejoycing.

and God talked with him] After he had lifted him up, as may appear out of the seventeenth verse, where he is said to fall upon his face again.

V. 4. My Covenant is with thee] Ch. 12. 2.

a father of many Nations] Rom. 4. 16, 17. even all believ∣ing Christians, Gal. 3. 28, 29. following Abrahams do∣ctrine and example.

V. 5. Abraham] i. e. a high father of a multitude, Ne∣hem. 9. 7. so Jacobs name changed to Israel, ch. 32. 28. E∣say 6••. 2. Rev. 2. 17.

a father] Rom. 4. 17. Gen. 17. 6.

have I] Ch. 15. 8.

V. 6. Kings] As Saul, David, Solomon, &c. of the Ishma∣elites, Midianites, and Idumeans. Also the faithful Kings of the Gentiles, Rev 21. 24.

V. 7. And thy seed] Specially Isaac, v. 19. ch. 21. 12, 22. 7. 18. Rom. 9. 8.

everlasting] In respect of the long continuance of the outward ceremony of Circumcision; but for the spiritual part literally everlasting in Christ, Heb. 13. 20. 9. 15. Luke. 1. 71, 73. 1 Pet, 1. 4.

a God unto thee] Herein consisteth the summe and sub∣stance of all; God himself wholly being applied to man for blessing and salvation. Ps. 144. 15. exercising his per∣fections for mans happinesse.

V. 8. Wherein thou art a stranger] Acts 7. 5. Hebr. 11. 9.

everlasting] So, Esay 60. 21. which for the earthly Ca∣naan is to be understood conditionally, if his seed keep the Covenant, which they brake, and so kept it but for a time; Though the outward signe is changeable, yet the Cove∣nant

it self remaineth one in substance for ever, Esay 63. 18. Lev. 18. 28. 20. 22.

V. 10. My Covenant] Token of it, v. 11. so Covenant of Circumcision, Acts 7. 8. so the Lamb is the Lords Passeover, Exod. 12. 11▪ the bread the Lords body. It is called the seale of the righteousnesse of faith, Rom 4. 11. sealing on Gods part, that he would give them that promi∣sed seed the Messiah, and in him accept them, pardon and cleanse them; and on their part, that they would believe in the Messiah, and as Gods peculiar people, mortifie their ••usts, and be new creatures.

Everyman-childe] The man is the head of the woman, from him the generation proceedeth, 1 Cor. 11. 3, 8. wo∣men are baptized, Act. 8. 12.

Circumcised] With shedding of blood, with shame and much paine, Exod. 4. 25, 26. Gen. 34. 25. It figured morti∣fication, Deut. 10. 16. 30. 6. Rom. 2. 25, 29. 4. 11. Phil. 3. 3. Col. 2. 11, 13. See, Lev. 26. 4I. Esay 6. 10. Jer. 4. 4. 6. 10. Lev. 19. 23. Heb. 9. 22.

Circumcised] By whom it is not specified. Abraham did it, v. 23. And likely the Parents, Masters or Magistrates did in case of neglect Zipporah did it, Exod 4. 25.

V. 12. Eight dayes old] Though it fell on the Sabbath∣day, Josh. 7. 22. Creatures till eight dayes old were un∣clean, not fit for sacrifice, Lev. 22. 27. And so in man∣kinde, Lev. 12. 2. The same number of dayes in many o∣ther Levitical rites, Lev 8. 33, 35. 9. 1. 14. 8, 9, 10. 15. 13, 14. Numb. 6. 9, 10. Ezech. 43. 26, 27. And yet we reade, Josh 5. 2. &c. the day and Sacrament it self neglect∣ed; and the Lord commanding Joshuah, to circumcise all the males borne in the wildernesse, in that space of fourty yeares wandring, at Gilgal. And haply sicknesse might put off circumcision till time of health, Hos. 6. 6.

V. 13. Bought with thy money] Heathen Proselytes and their Infants, were hereby made capable and partakers of Gods Covenant.

in your flesh] Genital part. To teach regeneration of na∣ture, Psal. 517. to make an holy seed, Ezra 9. 2. 1 Cor. 7. 14. Thus honouring that uncomely part, to beare the mark of the heavenly Covenant. Thus the foolishnesse of God is wiser then men, 1 Cor 12. 23. 1 Cor. 1. 23, 24.

V. 14. Cut off from his people] The Infant here can be in no fault, as not capable either of the command or contempt; He cannot be said to break the Covenant, in the end of this verse) that can do nothing that belongeth to the keeping of it. Neither was Moses childe in danger of it, but the father, Exod. 4. 24. neither was the want of Circumcision so p••rillous, except in case of contempt or wilful neglect, Josh. 5. 7. As likewise it was with the Passe∣over, enjoyned upon the same danger and penalty, Exod. 12. 14, 15. And yet omitted in the wildernesse, and put off upon occasions to the second moneth, Numb. 9. v 10, 11. 2 Chron. 30. 2, 3. The penalty here then is laid upon that man, who not being circumcised in his Infancy, should afterwards also wilfully and contemptuously neglect it; and upon those by whose default Circumcision of the In∣fant is omitted, as Ezech. 18. 20 Now the penalty of cut∣ting off from his people here; is elsewhere in Scripture ex∣pressed in other cases, with this variety; shall be cut off, Lev. 17. 4. utterly cut off, Numb 15. 31. cut off from Is∣rael, Exod. 12. 15. cut off from my presence, Lev. 22. 3. from the Congregation of Israel, Exod. 12. 19 from among the Congregation, Numb. 19. v. 20. from the midst of my people, Ezech. 14. 8. in the sight of their people, Lev. 20. 18 as in the case of Moses before mentioned, cut off from the earth. And it is used as a threatening and penalty a∣gainst divers sorts of sins and sinners, against such as eate leavened bread in the feast of the Passeover, Exod. 12. 15, 19. or forbear to keep that feast, Numb. 9. 13. or that eate fat, Lev. 7. 25. or blood, Lev 7. 27. 17. 10, 14. or that eate of the flesh of the peace-offering on the third day, Lev. 19. 8. or that eat of the flesh of sacrifice, having their uncleannesse on them, or being uncleane, do not purifie themselves, Numb. 19. 13, 20. or ha∣ving touched any unclean thing, Lev 7. 20, 21. 22. 3. or that bring not their sacrifice to the door of the Taber∣nacle of the Congregation to be killed there, and not else∣where, Lev 17. 4, 9. or that shall not afflict his soule on the fast-day, the tenth day of the seventh moneth, Lev. 23. 29. or doth any work in that same day, or that defi∣leth the Sabbath to do any work therein, Exod. 31. 14. or that lieth with a woman in her sicknesse, Lev. 20. 18. or with a sister, Lev. 20. 17. or an idolater, Ezech. 4. 8. or that gives of his seed to Molech, Lev. 20. 2, 3, 4 or that turneth after wizards and such as have familiar spirits, ••ev. 20. 6. or that doth ought presumptuously, Numb. 15. 30, 31. All these are expressely threatened with, and sen∣tenced to this punishment. And the meaning of the phrase is most usually taken to signifie a cutting off by death, and it is so expressed, Exod. 31. 14. Lev 17. 4 20. 2, 3, 4. 5. And must needs be so understood when it is used against grievous sins and crimes, as against idolatry, witchcraft, incest, and sins done presumptuously, despising the Word of the Lord, and reproaching him. This penalty is to be inflicted by the Magistrates power no doubt: And in case of his faile, God himself threatens and undertakes to do it, Lev. 17. 10, 20. 2, 3, 4. 5, 6. 23. 30. And for the lesser offences mentioned, they being wittingly and wilfully done in Gods Worship and service, and against his plaine and peremptory command; I see not how they come short of sins of presumption, Numb. 15. 30. which are doomed to death in the judgement of the learned upon that place. I conceive therefore that they fall short, that by this pe∣nalty here, will understand no more, but that such an offender is to be cast off, and held for no Jew, but as an Heathen man. And they also that would apply this phrase here, and in other places of the Old Testament, for the maintenance of Ecclesiastical Excommunication among the Jewes. The doubtfulnesse of the meaning of the phrase hath made me the more inquisitive into it, I con∣fesse, if not too tedious in it. However I leave all to bet∣ter judgements. And for my part like not in things dubi∣ous to be too definitive.

V. 15. Sarah] Yet in the New Testament it is written Sara, without the [h] the Greek tongue having no [h] at the end of words.

V. 16. Nations] 1 Pet. 3. 6. Jerusalem, which is above her answerable type, is the mother of us all, Gal. 4. 26.

V. 17. Laughed] For joy and wonder, Rom. 4. 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. as over-joyed and amazed at the promise which he believed, Heb. 11. 12. rejoycing even at the promised seed, Joh. 8. 56.

an hundred yeares old] Rom. 4. 19, 20. he did hope a∣gainst hope. If Abraham married Keturah thirty seven years after this time, and had six children by her, then surely God shewed his power in renewing Abrahams vigour and strength of body as the Eagles, Psal. 103. 5. or it may rather seem that Abraham took Keturah in Sa∣rabs life-time, within those thirty seven yeares between the birth of Isaac and her death, seeing Keturah is called his Concubine, 1 Chron. 1. 32.

V. 18. Oh that Ishmael] Ch. 16. 10.

V. 19. Isaac] Laughter, Chap. 21. 6.

V. 21. My Covenant] Thirteen times named in this chapter, Luke 1. 72, 73, 74.

with Isaac] Ch. 21. 12. Rom. 9. 7, 8. Gal. 3. 29.

at this set time] Ch, 18. 10. This was just a yeare before Isaacs birth.

V. 22. Went up] Ascending, vanished out of his sight; so from Jacob, ch. 35. 13. so from Manoah and his wife, Judg. 13. 20.

V. 23. In the self-same day] Of the command, not eight dayes after.

V. 24. When he was circumcised] By whom Abraham was circumcised is not set down. But he is said to circum∣cise the rest, v. 23. some say that now the Jewes use Chi∣rurgions in this service.

CHAP. XVIII.

Verse 1. PLaines] O. Oak-grove.

of Mamre,] Ch. 13. 18. 14. 13. 23. 19.

V. 2. Three men] So▪ in his thought, and in appearance. But thus he entertained Angels at unawares, Heb. 13. 2. But one of them is called Jehova, 13, 14, 17, 20, 22. And after Abraham so acknowledgeth him, v. 25, 27. The o∣ther two were created Angels, Ch 19. 1.

V. 3. Lord] Speakes to one of them, in shew, the chief.

V. 6. Three measures] Jewes write that their measure, which they call Seah, the Greeks Saton, containes as much as one hundred fourty foure Hens egges, about two gallons and 1/2 of our measure, three of these measures make an Ephah, containing about seven gallons, and 1/2

V. 8. And they did eate] Ch. 19. 3. They had true bo∣dies for the time, and did truly eate. Though a Spirit hath not flesh and bones. Luke 24. 39. yet Spirits may, and by Gods dispensation sometimes do assume humane bo∣dies.

V. 9. Where is Sarah thy wife] Thus they begin to manifest themselves to be more then men.

V. 10. He said] Jehova, v. 13.

returne] Not by apparition again, but by performance of promise, ch. 21. 1.

according to the time of life] From this time, according as the time of life is between conception and birth; so many moneths as a woman goes with childe, Rom. 9. 9. This Promise argued more then men.

V. 11. After the manner of women] Rom 4. 19. Heb. 11. 11.

V. 12. Laughed] Not as Abraham, ch. 17. 17. but through weaknesse of saith, and therefore it is reproved, v. 13. yet commended, Heb. 11. 11. after sure she did better recollect her self, Luk. 1 45. after she laughed for joy, ch. 21. 6.

within her self] Not outwardly and openly, which hap∣ly made her the more readily deny it.

V. 13. And the Lord said] Jehova said, Christ, so, v. 17. He knew her thoughts themselves.

f••ying, shall I, &c] She used, if not the very same words, yet to the same sense.

V. 15. Denied, for she was afraid] Weaknesses and fail∣ings in Saints.

V. 16. Toward Sodom] As going thither, the two An∣gels did so, ch. 19. 1.

V. 17. Shall I hide] Amos 3. 7. Joh. 15. 15. Abraham a Prophet, ch. 20 7. and a friend, 2 Chron. 20. 7.

V. 19. He will command] Duty of Parents, and Masters of families, and example to them, Gen. 28. 1. Deut 6. 7. 11. 10. 32. 46. Job 1. 5. Prov. 6. 20.

V. 20. Sodom and Gomorrah] Admah and Zeboim, Deut. 29. 23. Hos. 11. 8.

V. 21. I will go down and see] God speaks after the man∣ner of men, as, ch. 11. 5, 7.

V. 22. And the men] Two of the three, ch. 19. 1.

stood yet before the Lord] Jehovah. This Abraham now knew.

V. 23. Drew near] A signe and fruit of saith in prayer, Heb. 7. 19. 10. 22.

V. 24. Within the City] Implying the like for the other three Cities.

V. 25. That be far from thee] That the righteous should be as the wicked, taken away in justice, wrath and venge∣ance, as the wicked Sodomites here were; though in pub∣lick calamities they are sometimes taken away, as the wheat is thrashed with the chaffe, yet it is in mercy to them.

V. 32. Ten] Jer. 5. 1. God offers mercy if there were but one, Esay 65. 8. sometimes again he forbids his Pro∣phets to pray for such, Jer 15. 1. Ezech. 14. 14.

CHAP. XIX.

Verse 1. TWo Angels] Two of the three, chap. 18. 2, 22.

in the gate] As Abraham in the tent door, ch. 18. 1. Both entertain Angels at unawares, Heb. 13. 2.

V. 2. Behold now] Now that the night is come on.

Nay] To try his affection, and haply they would have done so otherwise, to see the behaviour of the people, and their carriage, ch. 18. 21.

V. 3. They turned in] Upon his pressing of them. A sleight invitation may be seriously refused; and yet that which is pressing be accepted afterwards; so, Luke 24. 28, 29. and this without Popish equivocation, or mental re∣servation.

unleavened] For haste. And so unleavened is to be un∣derstood, ch. 18. 6. See, Exod. 12. 39.

V. 4. But before they lay down] Likely the rare beauty of the two men (Angels) being soon noted and spread a∣broad occasioned this.

all the people] So vile were they all.

V. 5. called unto Lot, Esay 3. 9. proclaim their sin, im∣pudence.

know them] Hence that sin is called Sodomy or Sodo∣metry, as from Simon is the name Simony, Acts 8. 18. Jude v. 7. Rom. 1. 23, to 27.

V. 7. Brethren] In nature, Act. 17. 26. Esay 58, 7 Gen. 29. 4. 1 Sam. 30. 22, 23. And in neighbourhood.

V. 8. Two daughters] Virgins; yet betrothed, v. 14. This sinful in Lot, Rom. 3. 8. Neither had he such power over his daughters, nor ought they to have yielded to him herein. Haply he might think and hope by this strange offer, to take off their mindes, qualifie their present heat by some delayes, and alter them from their whole purpose by degrees. As Reuben sought by his strange offer, Gen. 42. 37. to alter his fathers minde, and so indeed brought him at last to let Benjamin go with them, chap. 43. 9, 10.

V. 9 Stand further] Spoken in disdain, as, Esay 65. 5.

needs be a Judge] Now and heretofore, 2 Pet. 7. 8.

pressed sore] To impudence they joyne violence, as, Judg. 19. 22. 20. 5. Their other sins are mentioned else∣where, as, Ezech. 16. 49.

V. 11. With blindnesse] Such, as they could not see the door, though likely the house, and the way to their owne houses; so dazled, such a blindnesse likely as that of those Aramites, 2 Kings 6. 18. which could see to follow the Prophet, though they could not distinctly discern who he was, nor the way they went, nor the City whereto they came, v. 20. Mar. 8. 24. Luke 24. 16.

wearied themselves] Infinite impudence in sin.

V. 14. Which married] Shortly should, being about to marry them, and already betrothed, Deut. 22. v. 23, 24. Mat. 1. 18, 20, 23, 24, 25.

V. 15. Which are here] Possibly he had other daugh∣ters which were married, and were dead, or else refused and perished with their husbands. But this not so likely.

V. 16. Laid hold] John 6. 44.

V. 17. That he said] Jehovah; most likely, by the pas∣sages in the ensuing verses. He had now left Abraham, met them, and made himself known to Lot.

Look not] Thou, or any in thy company, v. 26. Luke 17. 22. See, Luke 9. 62. Mat. 24. 16, 17, 18. Phil. 3. 13, 14.

V. 19. I cannot escape to the mountain] In so hasty a flight make so long a journey, lest ere I get thither the judgement poured out should overtake me. His infirmity of faith and fearfulnesse, out of which he left Zoar also, v. 30.

V. 22. I cannot] Mar. 6. 5. Exod. 32. 10. Deut. 9. 14. Gen. 32. 26.

Zoar] Little, before Bela, ch. 14. 2.

V. 23. The Sun was risen] Hasty flight from break of day, v. 15. to Sun-rising and speedy execution of ju∣stice.

V. 24. Then the Lord] Jehovah from Jehovah. Suites well with a plurality of persons in the unity of the Deity.

brimstone and fire] Luke 17. 28, 29, 30. Fit judgement for their stinking burning lusts, and fire unnaturally de∣scending, to punish their unnatural lusts. And this but a forerunner of their everlasting punishment, in that lake which burneth with fire and brimstone for ever, Rev. 21. 8. Jude v 7.

V 25. Overthrew these Cities] Deut. 29. 23 Esay 13 19. Jer. 50. 40. Amos 4. 11.

V. 26. From behinde him] Either Lot going before, and she following behinde him, looked back; or Lot coming hindmost to haste them forward, she looked back, be∣hinde and beyond him.

a pillar of salt] A statue of salt; not such salt as will melt with raine, and turne into water, but a kinde of rockie mineral salt, which will endure all weathers, and serve for a lasting monument, Numb. 18. 19 2 Chron 13. 5. This place of this Plaine is called the salt sea, ch. 14. 3. Salt to season us with better wisdome, Luke 17. 32. 9. 62.

V. 27. Stood] Ch. 18. 22.

V. 28. The smoak] Before it was as the Garden of the Lord, ch. 13. 10. but now fearfully destroyed, Psal. 107. 34.

V. 29. Remembred Abraham] Ch. 12. 1. 14. 14. 16. 18. 23, &c. yet this excludes not a regard had to the righteousnesse of Lot, 2 Pet. 2. 7, 8.

V. 30. In the mountain] Whare the Lord appointed him first, v. 17. so now he findes it had been best to have fol∣lowed Gods Will at the first.

feared to dwell in Zoar, and he dwelt in a cave] Weak∣nesse of faith and other causes might occasion this feare.

two daughters] Maidens, v. 8.

V. 31. In the earth] She knew there were people in Zo∣ar: and saw the judgement to be particular, not universal over the earth or Canaan: and that Abraham and his fa∣mily were not far off. But she complaines, as for the pre∣sent mured up in a cave, and in this solitary life, without society of any but themselves, like to be deprived of all hope of marriage; and this feare and passion blinding her, drives her to this desperate damnable course.

V. 32. Wine] Which they had brought from Zo••r, conceiving, that unlesse drunk he would never sin so foully.

perceived not] Drunkennesse drownes all understanding, sense and conscience. He did prostitute their chastity, v. 8. They overthrow his. This just, as from God, though evil in them. He righteous in Sodom, and almost Sodomitical here.

seed of our father] They seem to be greedy of having children of their own kin, and not of the faithlesse and cursed Nations. And by giving the names of Moah and Ben-ammi, v. 37, 38. even to boast of it.

V. 37. Moah] The Moabites idolaters, neighbours and enemies to the Israelites, yet Ruth a Moabitesse and our Saviour came of her.

V. 38. Ben ammi] Sonne of my people. Ammonites like the Moabites to the Israelites. Many foule faults and infirmities in Lot, and yet pardoned upon repentance, and he commended, 2 Pet. 2. 7.

CHAP. XX.

Verse 1. THence] From the Plaines of Mamre, ch. 18. 1. There it is likely he had now li∣ved about fourteen yeares, ch. 13. 18. 14. 13.

between Kadesh and Shur] Ch. 16. 14, 7.

Gerar] Ch. 10. 19. Hither Isaac came to sojourne, ch. 26. 1, 6. and after went from Gerar to the valley of Gerar, v. 17.

V. 2. She is my sister] Abraham falls into the same sinne the second time, ch. 12. 13. And so Jehoshaphat in joyning with Ahab, and after with Ahaziah, reproved both times, 2 Chron ••9. 2. 20. 37.

Abimelech] The common or usual name of the Kings of the Philistines, ch. 26. 1. Psal. 34. title. See, Anno••. on ch. 12. 15.

V. 3. God came] Psal. 105. 14.

in a dream by night] Dreams natural are not much to be heeded, as being full of vanities and deceits, Eccles. 5. 3, 7. Esay 29. 7, 8. Job 20 8. Dreames are some∣times by the illusions of Satan, as to the false Prophets, Deut. 13. 1, 3, 5. Jer. 23. 25, 27. 27. 9. 29. 8. Zach. 10. 2. Jude v. 8. Dreames are sometimes super∣natural, sent of God, and bring their evidence and assurance with them: God thereby signifying what he would, or what men should do. And thus God sends dreames some∣times upon extraordinary occasions to wicked men, as here

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to Abimelech; and so to Laban, Phara••h, and his butler, and baker, to the Midianite, Judg. 7. 13. to Nebuchadnez¦zar, to Pilates wife, Mat. 27. 19. And all these, for the good of his own servants and people. And chiefly God sends them to his choice servants themselves, as to Jacob, to Solo∣mon, to Daniel, to Joseph the sonne of Jacob, to Joseph the husband of the blessed Virgin. And this was one of the ordinary meanes whereby God revealed his Will unto his Prophets. Numb. 12. 6. Joel 2. 28 Acts 2. 17. Under which colour Saul complaines of the want of them, 1 Sam. 28. 15.

a dead man] A condition and exception is implied, v. 7. So, Jonah 3. v. 4. John 3. 18. The Lord had now struck him and his, v. 17, 18. And here tells him the cause.

V. 4 Near her] Nor touch her, v. 6. being hindred by Gods plague and sicknesse, v. 17, 18.

a righteous Nation] Seeing it on his family, v. 17, 18. and fearing it on all his people and subjects. As they sometimes smart for the Princes sinne; so ch. 34. 24. 2 Sam. 24. 17. so threatened here, 27.

V. 5. Even she her self said] It was even Sarahs sinne also.

integrity] Yet he had a wife, v. 17 but haply he thought Polygamy no sin.

V. 6. Withheld thee] Gods restraining grace in the wicked, giving meanes to stay from evil, Gen. 31. 7. 1 Sam. 25. 26. Gen. 35. 5 Exod. 34. 24. And again sending delusions when it pleaseth him, for the punishment of sin, 2 Thes. 2. 7.

against me] Though wronging in it both Abraham and Sarah, Psal. 51. 4.

V. 7. A Prophet] Psal. 105. 15. To whom God famili∣arly revealed himself and his Will, and who foresaw Christs day, ch. 18. 17, 18, 19. John 8. 56. Some Pro∣phets foretel this to come; some only interpret Scripture, as, 1 Cor. 14. 3, 29. 31, 32. Rom. 12. 6. Aaron is called Moses Prophet, i. e. Interpreter, Exod. 7. 1.

and he shall pray for thee] Prayer for others is the work of a Prophet, Jer 14. 11. 15. 1. 27. 18.

V. 12. Indeed she is my sister] See, Annotat. on chap. 11. 19.

V. 13. When God caused me] In the Hebrew it is, when they, even God, or the gods caused errare facerent Deus, So, 2 Sam ••. 23. Here Elohim is coupled with a word plu¦ral, expounded singularly, Josh. 24. 19.

V. 16. Thy brother] As thou callest him. This summe is 62. li. 16. sh.

a thousand pieces of silver] i. e. shekels usually where sil∣ver is set down, and not the kinde, shekels are understood, as, Numb. 7. 13. where in the end shekels are named. And where shekels are set down, and the mettal not ex∣presed, there silver is understood; so, Exod. 30. 13, 15. compared with Exod. 38. 25, 26. The common shekel is 1. sh. 3. d. The shekel of the Sanctuary 2. sh. 6. d. i. e. ½ ounce. In gold 15. sh. ½ shekel is a Bekah, Exod. 38. 26. ¼ is mentioned, 1 Sam 98. which is the Romane penny, and Grecian drachma, our 7. d. ob. (still counting upon the sacred shekel) A common shekel is ten Gerahs, our 1. sh. 3. d. The Kings shekel 1. sh. 10. d. ob. The sacred she∣kel is 2. sh. 6. d. Shekel comes of Shakal, weigheth; whence haply come our skole, or skase to weigh; they used of old to weigh money. A sacred shekel is twenty Gerahs, Exod. 30. 13. A Gerah weighed sixteen barley cornes, and is our 1. d. ob. Of shekel or the Chaldee Selang, our shilling seemes to come. The Greeks translate shekels didrach∣maes, or double drams

a covering of the eyes] Covering of the eyes and face with a vaile, is a signe of the wives subjection, and of the husbands power, Gen. 24. 65. 1 Cor. 11. 3, 6▪ 7, 10. He is the Guardian of thy chastity to cover thee from the eyes and lusts of all others.

Thus she was reproved] These are rather Moses words, then Abimelech; here a Heathen King schooles her, to her greater shame.

V. 17. Healed Abimelech] Therefore there was some further punishment, then the closing up of the womens wombes by barrennesse, which was a thing that could not in so short a time, either be perceived as a judgement, or discerned as a cure upon Abrahams prayer.

CHAP. XXI.

Ver. 1. VIsited] This word signifieth Gods remem∣brance, care, providence, performance of what he hath spoken, be it good or evil, in justice, as, Ex∣od. 20. 5. or in mercy, for blessings temporal or spiritual. Here, for performance of his promise of a childe to Sarah, ch. 17. 19, 21. 18 10, 14.

V. 2. Conceived] Hereupon her faith commended, Heb. 11. 11.

at the set time] Ch. 18. 10, 14. Hereupon Isaac is said to be borne by promise, Gal. 4. 23, 28. Isaac borne at Gerar.

V. 3. Isaac] So appointed by God, ch. 17. 19.

V. 4. Being eight dayes old] On the eighth day, chap. 17. 12.

V. 5. An hundred yeares old] Ch. 17. 1.

V. 6. Laugh] For joy now, Esay 54. 1. 66. 10. Gal. 4. 27. not out of diffidence, as, ch. 18. 12, 13, 15. Laughing is taken for mocking, or laughing to scorne, v. 9.

V. 7. Who would have said] So, Esay 49. 21. Rom. 4. 18.

children] As daughters for daughter, and sonnes for sonne, ch 46. 7, 23.

V. 8. Weaned] So Samuel 1 Sam. 22. 23, 24. It is not said at what yeare of his age.

feast] Fitter at that time then at the time of birth or Circumcision.

V. 9. Mocking] Laughing to scorne, mocking him as their young Master, and he that must forsooth be heire of all. And likely his mother Hagar had some hand in it, as being not free from an envious eye, and repining at the jollity of this feast; and therefore she is cast out too. So, ch 19. 14. Ezech. 23. 32. Nehem. 2. 19. 4. 1. This mock∣ing here was in some malignant bitter way, which so high∣ly incensed Sarahs wrath. St. Paul calls it a persecution, Gal. 4. 29. So Cham his mothers Progenitor derided his own father, ch. 9. 22.

V. 10. She said] By the Spirit of God, and God con∣firmes it, v. 12. And Paul saith not that Sarah, but the Scripture speaks it, Gal. 4. 30. Her saying was not only passionate, but prophetical.

this bondwoman and her sonne] Gal. 4. 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31.

not be heire] Under this inheritance Heaven was figu∣red, Gal. 3. 18, 29.

V. 12. And God said] By night, v. 14. God approves Sarahs minde and Will, it was not then only her passion that ruled her.

the lad] Ishmael was now about seventeen or eighteen

years old, chap. 17. 24. 25. 21. 5.

in Isaac shall thy seed be called] And not from Ishmael. The promised seed and spiritual prerogatives shall be en∣tailed upon him, Rom. 9. 7, 8.

V. 14. Bottle of water] Scant in those dry deserts.

and the childe] See Annot. on v. 12

wandered] Lost her way in those deserts towards E∣gypt.

of Beersheba] So first called, v. 31.

V. 15. Cast the childe] Being sick and fainting for thirst.

V. 16 The death] Such extremity they were come unto in the wildernesse.

V. 17. And God heard] In accomplishment of his Pro∣mises, ch. 16. 10, 12. 17. 20.

where he is] Though he be cast out of his fathers house, and here in such misery.

V. 18. And ••old him in thy hand] Not lay him on thy back.

V. 19. Opened her eyes] Withheld before from seeing it, by grief or some other reason; or as it was with the two disciples going to Emmaus, Luke 34. 16, 31. and Elishaes servant and the Aramites, 2 Kings 6. 17, 18, 20.

V. 20. Dwelt in the wildernesse] Ch. 16. 12.

archer] And so a Warriour, shooting with the bowe be∣ing used in war, ch. 48. 22. 49. 23, 24. Psal 44. 6. Josh. 24. 12. 2 Sam. 1. 22. 1 Kings 22. 34.

V. 21. Paran] Nigh to Sinai, through which the Israe∣lites went, Numb. 10. 12. A part of th••t wildernesse is called Kedar, from one of Ishmaels sons of that name, ch. 25. 13. Ps. 83. 6.

his mother] The mothers right in marrying her childe; she chose an Egyptian as her self was one.

V. 22. At that time] While Abraham dwelt at Gerar, ch. 20. 1. and after Isaacs weaning.

that Abimelech.] Ch. 20. 2.

V. 23. If thou shalt lie unto me] Gen. 14. 23. An imper∣fect speech, implying an imprecation if he should deal de∣ceitfully with him. For an oath calls God both as a wit∣nesse of the truth, and an avenger of the untruth. This imprecation is sometimes expressed, as, Ruth 1. 17. 2 Cor. 1. 23.

V. 24. I will swear] He••. 6. 16. Abrahams right to the land of Canaan, was but for the future, after foure ge∣nerations, ch. 15. 13, 16.

V. 25. A Well of water] Of great use in that dry Sou∣therne part of Canaan. And therefore such strife about them, v. 30. ch 26. 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 2••, 32.

V. 27. And Abraham took sheep] Likely gifts were in use at the making of Covenants Or he did it in requital of Abimelechs gifts, ch. 20. 14.

V. 30. That they may be a witnesse] To prevent future controversie about this Well, v. 25. so an heap of stones is made a witnesse, ch. 31. 46▪ 48.

V. 31. Beersheba] The Well of the oath, or of seven, with relation to the seven lambes. It was afterward in the Southerne part of the lot of the tribe of Judah, toward the coast of Edom, Josh. 15. 21, 28. 1 Xings 19. 3. Nehem. 11. 25, 27. yet seemes to be allowed to the tribe of Simeon, which was within the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, Josh. 19. 1. 2. 1. ch. 4. 24, 28. It is oft opposed to Dan, as to the Northerne part of Canaan. There is a Well, Wil∣dernesse and City of this name, all joyning together. As Abraham dwelt here, and made this Covenant, and digged this Well: so after Isaac dwells there, makes a Covenant, and digs again the Well, and renewes the name, chap. 26. 23, 33. And Jacob dwelling there with his father, went thence to Laban in Haran: and going into Egypt, with all his family comes thither, there sacrificeth and hath a vision. And yet at last in the dayes of King Uzziah or sooner, it became a seat of some solemn idolatry, Amos 8. 14. 5. 5.

V. 32. a Covenant] Such Covenants lawful with Hea∣thens and Idolaters; so, ch. 31. 44.

V. 33. Grove] Of Oakes, as intending long to dwell here. Abraham dwelt under the shadow of trees in the Plaine of Mamre, ch. 18. 4, 8. Here it seems he intends it for a religious use, for the place of prayer and exercise of Gods Worship, as not being a thing yet forbidden. But after in Moses time, when God had chosen a place of Worship, God strictly forbids this, not to plan•• a grove of any trees near the Altar of the Lord, and commands such groves to be cut down, and threatens grievously such offenders; yet hardly were Gods people kept from this sin and idolatry, but they planted groves, placed their idols, served them, even as the Canaanites and other Heathens did, Deut. 12. 2. Thus it was in the times of the Judges, ch. 3. 7. In the times of the Kings of Israel throughout, 2 Kings 17. 16. specially in the reignes of Jo∣roboam, 1 Kings 14. 15, and of Ahab, whose Queen Jezabel had foure hundred Prophets of the groves, that did eare meat at her table; yea, and in the reignes of some Kings of Judah, specially of Ahaz and Manass••h. But the godly Kings of Judah cut them down, pluck't them up, or burnt them, as Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah and Josiah. And Asa put down his Grandmother Maachah from being Queen, because she had made an idol in a grove.

V. 34. Many dayes] Till Isaac was offered, ch. 22. 19. And how long after we know not.

CHAP. XXII.

Verse 1. AFter these things] How long a time it is not certain. But that Isaac was then able to bear the wood of the burnt-offering, v 6. I know not why any can fix it upon the thirty third yeare of Isaacs age.

God did tempt Abraham,] Not by seeking to seduce him to evil, so God tempts no man, Jam. 1. 13. But so our own lusts and Satan do, Jam. 1. 14. 1 Cor. 7. 5. who is therefore called the Tempter, Mat. 4. 3. 1 Thes. 3. 5. God doth it to try by experiment what is in man, what faith in Gods Promises, what obedience to his Will; as men sometimes use to make experiments of the faithfulnesse of their friends. Not yet that God is ig∣norant of what is in man, but to make it the better known to himself and others. So, Exod. 15. 25. 16. 4. Deut. 8. 2, 16. 13. 3. Indeed God and Satan may both have an hand in one and the same tentation, as in Da∣vids numbring the people, 2 Sam. 24. 1••. 1 Chron. 21. 1. But to far different ends; both Satan and wicked men tempted our Saviour often in the Gospels, with an e∣vil minde, to an evil end. And the sinful Israelites are said often to tempt God, by making doubt and trial of his pre∣sence, Providence, Wisdome, Power, and so by unbelief and murmurings, tempting and provoking him to wrath. And so Ananias and Sapphira tempted the Spirit of the Lord. And Paul gives the caveat that we tempt not Christ, 1 Cor. 10. 9. And again tentations are taken for troubles, afflictions, persecutions, which try the truth

and strength of Gods graces in his children. And so if God lead into temptation, Matth. 26 13. he will with it give you the issue and outgate, 1 Cor. 10. 13. Here God doth so wi••h Abraham, in a marvellous trial of his faith and obedience.

V. 2. And he said] In such a manner, as he could not doubt but it was God, and no Satanical illusion.

thy only (sonne) Isaac] Only in thy family, Ishmael was gone, and we never read he returned, but to the burial of his father, ch. 25. 9. And it seems at this time Abraham had not taken Keturah, or had no children by her. Thy only Isaac that childe of Promise, Heb. 11. 18. Thy only begotton son▪ Heb. 11. 17. namely of Sarah, thy lawful wise, the free••woman.

w••om thou lovest] Above all; and that for many good reasons.

land of Moriah] Here afterwards Solomon built the Temple, 2 Chron. 3. 1. Moriah had this name afterwards, upon the occasion in the fourteenth verse.

a burnt-offering] Not that God intended he should do it. But this was for trial of his rare faith and obedience, and that in a most extraordinary way and manner. For indeed here all that was in Abraham as a Man, Father, Husband, Believer, Professor of Religion, were put to trial, Heb. 11. 19.

one of the mountaines] It was a mountainous countrey, Psal. 125 2. The mountaine or hill Sion was close by it.

V. 3. Rose up early] It seemes the command was given in the night▪ Here in this strange trial is his strange and ready quick obedience.

and went] From Beer-sheba, in the land of the Phili∣stines, ch 21. 31. 33, 34. and v. 19. of this chapter.

God had told him] More particularly then at first, v. 2. 4, 9.

V. 4. The third day] Either he went leisurely, or some occasions might let and hinder him in his travel.

V. 5. Abide you here] Lest they should hinder him.

lad] The same word used of Joshuah when he was thirty yeares old, ch. 41. 12. and of Joseph when he was fifty three yeares old, as appears in that he lived fourty yeares in the wildernesse, and seventeen yeares after Moses death, and his whole life was one hundred and ten, Josh. 24. 29. and so of Benjamin, Gen. 43. 8. when at that time he had nine or ten sons, ch. 46. 21. And so of Absalom at the time of his death, 2 Sam. 18. 29.

and come again to you] He speaks this as a man astonish∣ed and amazed, or in humane frailty, or as Prophet, (as Caiaphas did, John 11. 49. 50, 51. not knowing or mean∣ing what his words would bear, Heb. 11. 19. and so, v. 8.

V. 6. And laid it upon Isaac] Isaac a type of Christ in many things. Christ the only Sonne of his Father, Well-beloved Son in whom he is well-pleased, the promised seed, bore his Crosse, was bound, sacrificed, meekly submitted, being obedient unto death, rose again, as Isaac from the Altar.

V. 9. And bound Isaac] Telling him, no doubt, at this time Gods whole command: and he having only his fa∣thers word for it, yet readily submits and obeyes.

V. 10. To slay his sonne] Heb. 11. 17, 18. James 2. 21, 22, 23.

V. 11. And the Angel] Christ the Angel of the Cove∣nant, who speaks of himself as God, v. 12. sweareth by himself, and promiseth as God, and is called Jehovah, v. 16, 17, 18.

Out of Heaven] So to Hagar, ch. 21. 17.

V. 12. Lay not thine hand] Heb. 11. 19. God accepts the Will for the deed, 2 Cor. 8. 12. Against idolaters sacrifi∣cing their children, both Jewes and Gentiles haply upon this pretended example.

V. 13. Behinde him] Likely that way the Angels voice sounded.

aram] This is for the Lamb mentioned, v. 7, 8. This he to••k as sent from God, 1 Pet. 1. 19.

V. 14. Jehovah Jirch] The Lord will see, or will be seen, answerable to that, v. 8. Mori-Jah is of the same sig∣nification, so Jehovah-Nissi, Exod. 17. 15. Jehovah Sham∣mah, Ezech. 48. 35.

in the Mount of the Lord it shall be seen] The meaning of the proverb is, that in due time and place God will help and provide for his children, and they shall see it.

V. 16. By my self have I sworne] Heb. 6. 13, 14, 17, 18. Sometimes God doth swear by his Soul, Jer. 51. 14. by his Holinesse, Amos 4. 2. by his Name, Jer. 44. 26. And all this is to swear by himself.

saith the Lord] Thus saith Christ of himself. In like manner, Ps. 2. 7.

for because] Not for the merit of this prompt obedience. The Promise was freely made afore. ch. 12. 2. 13. 16. 15. 5. 17. 2, 4, 5, 6, 16. But as an occasion of repeating and confirming the Promise, finding him rightly qualified, and to encourage him and others to the execution of faith and obedience.

V. 17. In blessing] Surely under the name blessing is meant the Promise of eternal salvatation.

thy seed] Isaacs posterity, ch. 21. 12.

possesse the gate] Ch. 24. 60. where all publick places were for consultation, for judgement, Job 31. 21. Deut. 22. 15. 21. 19. Amos 5 12, 15. and which were the strongest for∣tifications. The meaning is, thy seed shall subject them, and bring their strength and government under command; their holds and cities, Mat 16. 18.

V. 18. In thy seed] Christ. So the Apostle applies it, Gal. 3. 16, 18. Jer. 4. 2. Ps. 72, 17.

Beer-sheba] Ch. 21. 31, 33, 34.

V. 20 Milcah] Ch. 1. 29. Abraham sends thither for a wife for Isaac, ch. 24. 15, 47.

V. 21. Uz] In this land Job dwelled, Job 1. 1. There is another Uz, ch. 10. 23. and another, ch. 36. 28.

Buz] Job 32. 2. dwelt by his elder brother Uz in Arabia, Jer. 25. 20, 23, 24.

Kemuel the father of Aram] Aram throughout the Bible, is turned in Greek Syria and Syrians, as Mizraim is Egypt, and Cush Ethiopia.

V. 22. Bethuel] Ch. 24. 15.

V. 23. Rebekah] Isaacs wife, ch. 24. 15, 67▪ For this cause chiefly is this Genealogy here set down.

V. 24. And his Concubine] An half wife, sometimes called by the name of a wife, yet not solemnly betrothed, nor taken with dowry, nor Partner in the Government of the family, but subject to the lawful wife, and whose chil∣dren did not inherit, ch. 16. 6, 9. 25. 5, 6. 21. 10. 1 Kings 11. 3. yet Bilhahs and Zilpahs did extraordinarily, beco∣ming Heads of Tribes.

CHAP. XXIII.

Verse 1. THese were the yeares of the life of Sarah] How long any other woman lived is not recorded in Scripture. She lived sixty yeares in Ur, five in Haran, twenty five in Canaan, (almost all) before she had Isaac, and thirty seven after in Canaan, most at Geraa and Beer-sheba, until her death in Kiriath-arba or Hi∣bron.

V. 2. Kiriath-arba, the same is Hebron] V. 19. Judges 1. 10. This city was first called Mamre, ch. 13, 18. Here Abraham and Isaac sojourned; and hither Jacob came to his father Isaac, after his returne from Laban, ch. 35. 27. This afterwards fell by lot in the tribe, and mountain or hill-countrey of Judah, Josh. 15. 54. And was given to the Priests for a City of Refuge, Josh. 20. 7. But the fields of the City (excepting the subuths,) and the villages thereof were given to Cale••, Josh. 21. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.

and Abrahem came] Out of his own Tent into Sarahs Tent, for they had several Tents, separated from each o∣ther, ch. 24. 67. So, ch. 31 33. It is possible that Abraham had not removed his dwelling from Beer-sheba to Hebron, but that Sarah upon some occasion travelling thither, there from home fell sick and died. And that from Beer-sheba Abraham should come and mourne for her, and take order for her burial. But it is not likely she should so travel in her extream old age, nor so likely he would have in that manner buried her there, if they both had not re∣moved and dwelled there, it being their ancient place of habitation. And wherever Abraham had been, as at Beer-sheba, as at Hebron, he must have bought an inheritance, if any he would have for any use, he being but a stran∣ger and sojourne•• in the land, Acts 7. 5.

to mourn and to weep] So our Saviour wept for Laza∣rus, John 11. 35. but it must be with moderation, as in hope and belief of the Resurrection, 1 Thess. 4 13. A little letter is here in the Original to note his moderation in weeping without excesse.

V. 3. Stood up from before his dead] Where likely he had sitten awhile on the earth, Job. 2. 12, 13. Esay 47. 1.

the sonnes of Heth] The Governours and Elders of the Hittites, the inhabitants of Hebron, of the progeny of Cham, ch. 10. 15.

V. 4. Sojourner] He••. 11. 13, 14, 16.

a possession] Leave to purchase it.

burying place] Abraham having lived sixty two yeares in this land, yet never purchased foot of inheritance, till now a burying place. This was a kinde of taking possessi∣on of this promised land, Esay 22. 16. or a kinde of pledge or prophetical signe that his posterity should come and inherit the land, as Jeremies buying his Uncles field was a signe of the Jewes returne into the possession of this land, Jer. 32. This made Jacob give charge to be buried here. And Joseph to have his bones carried into this land, not a foot; by Gods gift, Acts 7. 5.

bury my dead] Sowe it as seed in the ground, till the Re∣surrection, where they rest, as in their beds, till their change come.

out of my sight] Death makes lovely Sarah, the desire of his eyes, now ••athsome to his sight.

V. 6. A mighty Prince.] ch. 2 1. v. 22.

V. 9. For a possession] Though they offered him the free use of the choice of their sepulchres, v. 6. yet he had rather pay for a propriety, then hold such a community with the heathen.

V. 9. Machpelah] Before Kiriath-arba, or Hebron, or Mamre, v. 17, ••9.

V. 10. And Ephron dwelt] Or sate, being present in that assembly, though likely not known by face to A∣braham. v. 8.

at the gates of the City] There Assemblies used to be and places of Judicature, v. 18. ch. 34. 20. Deut. 17. 5. 21. 19. 22. 15, 24. 25. 7. Ruth 4. 1, 11. and in many other places, Prov. 31. 23.

V. 13. If thou Wilt give it; or be that Ephron.

I will give•• v. 9 The like strivi••g in kindnesse is be∣tween David and Araunah, 2 Sam ••4. 21, 22, 23, 24.

V. 15. Shekels of silver] See, ch. 20. 16. The com∣mon shekel little more then our shilling, viz. three pence, foure hundred common shekels come to twenty five pounds; some make the common shekel to be one shilling eight pence; and the Royal or Kings shekel to be one shil∣ling three pence, 2 Sam. 14. 26.

V. 16 Weighed] Money paid by weight, not by tale, so, ch. 43. 21. Esay 55. 2. Jer. 22. 9. Zech. 11. 12.

V. 17 And the field of Ephron] This is not that men∣tioned, Acts 7 ••6.

were made 〈◊〉〈◊〉] By payment and Witnesses, without Deeds and Writings; after Writings were used, Jer. 32 Now hardly will skilful Writings serve the turne.

V. 18. For a possession] And monument to posterity, without distrust of Gods Promises, or a renunciation of his own right, he buyeth a parcel of the land for his present necessity. The time of possession, according to the grant and promise being not yet come.

V. 19. Buried Sarah] And so after himself was buried there: and Isaac and Rebecca. Jacob and Leah, ch. 25. 9, 49. 31. 50. 13. They testifying hereby their faith in Gods promises, for the inheritance of this land, and of the heavenly Canaan figured by it, Mat. 27. 7.

V. 20. A burying place] A seemly care is to be had of bu∣rial places.

CHAP. XXIV.

Verse 1. WAs old] One hundred and fourty yeares old, as may be gathered out of chap. 25. 20.

V. 2. His eldest servant] Most likely his Steward E∣leezer, ch. 15. 2. And this not without Isaacs consent, he being now fourty yeares old.

thy hand under my thigh] So Jacob required of Joseph, ch. 47. 29. It is a signe of subjection, 1 Chron 29. 24. yet in Scripture the most frequent ceremony used at swearing, is the lifting up the hand, as ch. 1•• 22. Exod. 6. 8. Numb. 14. 30. Deut. 32. 40. Ezech. ••0. 15. Dan. 12. 7. Rev. 10. 5, 6. The custome of several countreys and religions hath been, and is very various for rites and gestures in this case. That Abraham by this gesture here should have any rela∣tion to the promised seed, to proceed out of his loines, is a reach, I feare, too far fetch't.

V. 3. Sweare] A thing lawful; forbidden in vain▪ and light causes, and such was Herods oath to the dancing dam••∣sel, Mar. 6. 23. forbidden in ordinary communication, Mat. 5. 34, 37. James 5. 12. But in weighty causes we may swear, and being thereunto lawfully called and war∣ranted; so here. And so for ratification of Covenants and Promises of importance, so did Abraham and Abimelech

sware, ch. 21. 31. so Isaac and Abimelech, ch 26. 31. so Jacob and Laban, ch. 31. 53. so David and Jonathan. 1 Sam. 20. 17. And ••o God commands it, for removal of suspitions of jealousie, N••mh. 52••. of theft, Exod. 22. 11. 1 Kings 8. 31. 2 Chron. 6. 22. And so many men in Scripture, upon weighty causes did lawfully require an oath; so did Abraham of his servant, Jacob of Esau, Gen. 25. 33. and of his sonne Joseph Gen. 47. 31. Rahab of the spies, Josh. 2. 12. Samson of the men of Jud••h, Judg. 15. 12. Saul and the Egyptian of David, 1 Sam. 24. 21. and 30. 15. Nebuchadnezzar of Zedekiah, 2 Chron 36. 13. And many in like cases freely and voluntarily gave their oathes; so Moses to Cal••b. Josh. 14. 9. David to Bathsheba, 1 Kings 1. 13. Gedaliah to the ••emnan•• of ••udah, 2 Kings 25. 24. King Zedekiah to Jeremy, Jer. 38. ••6. The reason and end of all is, to assure men the more of faith and truth in words and promises; for in an oath men call God to be both a witnesse of the truth, and an avenger of the lie, and breach of promise. And so an oath bindes the soule with a bond, Numb. ••0. 2. And hereupon the godly, to binde them∣selves the more to God, and his service, and good duties, have sworne to ••he Lord, so David to finde out an house and place for Gods habitation, Psal. 132. 2. so the Priests, Levites and all Israel, to reforme the strange marriages, Ezra 10. 5. so King Asa and all the people entred into a Covenant to seek the Lord, and they sware unto the Lord with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with corne••s▪ 2 Chron. 15. 12, 13, 14. yea, God himself is mercifully pleased so far to condescend, as to swear un∣to men for their better assurance, and the confirmation of their faith in the truth of his promises, Heb. 6. 12,—18. so he sware to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Gen. 24. 7. 26. 3. Exod. 6. 8. Luke 1. 73. so to David, Psal. 89. 49. And sometimes in wrath, to ratifie his threatenings against sin∣ners, so, Psal. 95. 11. Heb. 3. 11. In sacred account then is the bond of an oath, Heb. 6. 16. it must be carefully taken, in truth, in righteousnesse, and in judgement, Jer. 4. 2. Not vainly or falsely, Gods wrath is great against such oathes and oath-breakers, Exod. 20. 7. Levit. 19. 12. Hos. 4. 2. 10. 4. Jer. 23. 10. Ezek. 17. 15,—21. Zech. 5. 3, 4. Mal. 3. 5. It was Peters sinne for which he wept so bitter∣ly, Matth. 26. 74. 75. we must feare an oath, Eccles. 9. 2. though it be taken to men, yet it is called the oath of God, Eccl. 8. 2. Ezek. 17. 10. and therefore the godly man, though he sweareth to his own hurt, yet changeth not▪ Psal. 15. 4. Though the Gibeonites beguiled Joshuah, and the Princes of Israel, yet say they, we must let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them, Josh. 9. 15, 19, 20.

by the Lord] It is a part of our duty, and Gods Worship, to swear by Gods Name, Deut. 6. 13. 10. 20. Esay 45. 23. 65. 16. Jer. 12. 16. Psa••. 63. 11. so Jacob sware to Laban by the feare of his father Isaac, Gen. 31. 53, 42. we must not swear by false gods, Josh. 23. 7. Jer. 12. 16. not by Baal, by the sin and idol of Samaria, the manner of Beer-sheba, by Malcham. Against such Swearers God threaren∣eth his judgements, Jer. 5. 7. Amos. 8. 14. Zeph. 1. 5. nor must we sweare by the creatures as if they were God, or we had power over them as our own, to pawn them on the truth of what we say, Mat 5. 34, 35, 36. and ch. 23. 16, 18, 20, 21, 22. James 5. 12.

of the daughters of the Canaanites] ch. 9. 25. 10. 15. 15. 16, 21. such was the sin of the old world, ch. 6. 2. This was Rebekahs grief at Esau, and feare, lest Jacob should do the like, ch. 27. 46. 28. 1, 2. Lest by marrying with ido∣laters his sonne or seed should be drawn from God, Deut. 7. 3, 4. And specially he would not have his seed and blood mixed with that cursed Nation, whose blood his posterity was to shed without pity, and to succeed in their place according to Gods Promise. Therefore Moses for∣bids any Covenant wi••h them; neither would Abraham bu••y with them, ch. 23. 6, 20.

V. 4. Unto my Countrey] the City of Nahor in Meso∣potamia, v. 10. Haran or Charran (not Ur) ch. 29. 4. Here was the truest Worship of the true God, next to that in Abrahams family, though indeed v••ry much corrupted. Laban being an idolater, ch. 31. 30, 53. and after Jacobs marriage there also, some of that race in his family were not altogether free, ch. 31. v. 19, 32. 35. 2, 3, 4.

V. 5. Must I needs bring] In case the woman will not yield to marry Isaac, to leave her countrey and come dwell in Canaan, but that he must yield to go and dwell there, in that case he des••res direction, and to know what his oath bindes him unto.

bring] Isaac having undertaken to his father to be guided by him, and this servant in the businesse of his mar∣riage bring him by perswasion.

again] Not that Isaac had been there before, but Abra∣ham, as, ch. 15. v. 16.

V. 6 Beware] Yield not to any such condition. They there are too corrupt in Religion; and my sonne must not by going to dwell elsewhere, in a kind, renounce so the land of Promise. He must live here rather as a stranger and sojourner by faith as himself had done, Hebrewes 11. 9.

V. 7. His Angel] A ministring Spirit, Heb. 1. 14. for thy direction and protection.

V. 8. Clear] So, Josh. 2. 17.

V. 10. Master] Or Lord. These two termes in Scri∣pture are used indifferently, Mat. 17. 4. compared with Mar. 9. 5.

all the goods] V. 2. 53. ch. 39. 4.

••••n camels] Numerous in those countreys, 1 Chron. 5. 11. ten here, and servants to attend them, v. 59. and la∣ding no doubt for them. This argues Abrahams wealth, and the servants trust. And it was fit for so long a jour∣ney, and to carry presents and gifts, v. 53. and that the kindred might see his Masters great estate.

Mesopotamia] Between Tygris and Euphrates, called Padan. Aram, ch. 25. 20. Aram in the New Testament is usually called Syria, Mat. 4. 24.

City of Nahor] See Annotations in ch. 11. 31. as Christs City, i e. wherein he dwelt, Mat. 9. 1.

V. 11. Kneel down] As the custome of those Camels was, to rest them, and to load and unload.

V. 12. And ••e said] In his heart, v. 45.

Good speed] V. 42. prosper my way. Luke 10. 31. the word chance is used.

and shew kindnesse] This kindnesse, in the words fol∣lowing.

V. 14. Let it come to passe] No doubt this came into his minde by the special instinct of Gods Spirit, v. 7. as that of Gideon, Judg. 6. 17, 37. and that of Jonathan, 1 Sam. 14. 9. without like warrant we may not attempt the like.

V. 15. Before he had done speaking] So, Esay 65. 24. Dan. 9 23.

her Pitcher] Thus women employed in mean services, v. 11. 13. yea, great and good women, as here, and, ch. 18. 6. and, 29 9. Exod. 2. 16.

V. 17. Ran to meet her] v. 13. but had removed a little aloof off to give way ••o Rebekah, and to mark her.

V. 22. Took a golden ear-ring] To give her, as taking or receiving, Psal. 68. 19. is expounded giving. Eph. 4. 8. He puts the ear-ring upon her face, v. 47. after he had asked whose daughter she was.

Shekel] See Annotat. on ch. 20. 16. and on ch. 23. 15. Half a shekel is called Bekah, Ex. 38. 26.

V. 26. Worshipped] v. 52. ch. 22. 5. Exod. 4. 31. This is more then kneeling, or bowing of the head. This is a pro∣strating of the whole body, a falling down upon the face to the ground, Psal. 95. 6. Luke. 5. 12. compared with Mat. 8. 2.

V. 27. Brethren] Kinsfolk, v. 48. ch. 13. 8.

V. 28. Mothers house] It seems the custome of those times and places, was for the women to dwell in tents and hou∣ses apar by themselves, v. 67. ch. 31. 33.

V. 32. And he ungirded] i. e. Laban.

and water to wash] Ch. 18. 4. 1 Tim. 5. 10. In those hot countreys men used to go barefoot, or with sandals, open above.

V. 33. I will not eate] Eph. 6. 5, 6, 7, 8.

V. 47. Upon her face] Some were worne in the eare, some on the forehead which hanged down to the nose, Ezech. 16. 12. Esay 3. 21.

V. 48. Daughter] Grandchilde.

V. 49. Kindly and truly] Mercy and truth joyned, ch. 47. 29. Josh. 2. 14. Prov. 3. 3. Psal. 85. 10.

V. 50. Then Laban and Bethuel] The sonne set before the father, as having the chief managing of all, by reason of his fathers age, v. 55.

bad or good] Nothing at all against it, chap. 31. 24, 29.

V. 51. At the Lord hath spoken] As we plainly see by the whole carriage of this businesse, v. 15. 2 Sam. 16. 10.

V. 57. At her mouth] About this motion for her sudden departure.

V. 59. Her nurse] Deborah, ch. 35. 8. Great is the tender∣nesse of the affections of nursing fathers, and nursing mothers, Numb. 11. 12, 13. 1 Thes. 2. 7. Esay 49, 22. 2 Sam. 4. 4.

V. 61. And followed the man] Psal. 45. 10.

V. 62. Lahai-roi] Ch 16. 14. 12. 9. 25. 11. in the wil∣dernesse of Beersheba, ch. 21. 14, 33, 34.

••e dwelt] Not apart from his father, but with him. That Well was not far from Beersheba where Abraham dwelt, ch. 21. 14, 33, 34.

V. 63. To meditate] Or pray, or both, so the word sig∣nifieth, Psal. 77 3, 6. 12. 119. 15.

V. 65. A Veile] A signe of modesty and subjection, 1 Cor. 11. 5, 6, 10. The custome was to bring the spouse veiled to her husband. The face was covered sometimes for grief and mourning, as in Davids mourning for Absalom. Sometimes by others in token of wrath and judgement, as when Hamans face was covered. Sometimes in way of feare and reverence, as Elias covered his face, 1 Kings 19. 13.

V. 67. Sarahs Tent] Women, it seems had their tents apart, ch. 31. 33. And Sarahs Tent and furniture, it seems, was reserved for Isaacs wife.

and took Rebekah] By solemnity of marriage, in the fourtieth yeare of his life, ch. 25. 20.

loved her] Eph. 5. 25, 28.

after his mothers death] Three yeares before, ch. 17. 17. 23. 1. Dear and durable was his affection toward his mo∣ther.

CHAP. XXV.

Ver. 1. THen again] Whether in Sarahs life-time cannot certainly be determined. The sa∣cred story mentions nothing of Keturab or her children, till now after Sarahs death. And the words here seem to give it to be after her death. And Sarah in her life-time not enduring Hagar and Ishmael▪ would hardly have en∣dured another. And Isaac when offered is called his on∣ly son. And yet on the other side, Keturab is called a Con∣cubine, implicitely, v. 6. and expresly, 1 Chron. 1. 32 And though a Coucubine be called a wife, yet I finde not that a legitimate wife, as she should be after Sarahs death, or a second wife, is called a Concubine. And the words of Abrahams servant seeking a wife for Isaac, ch. 24. 36. compa∣red with v. 5, 6. of this chapter, seem to reflect on Ketu∣rahs sonnes in Sarahs life-time. And which is most of all, if Abraham did not take her to wife till after Sarahs death, then he must be one hundred thirty eight, and likely one hundred and fourty yeares old when he married her, and after that begat six sonnes of her, whereas the Apostle saith, that fourty yeares before that time, his body was dead for begetting of children, Rom. 4. 19. Gen. 17. 17. 18. 12. If then it were after Sarahs death, it must be said, that God did renew unto him that masculine strength, and vigour of body, after fourty yeares, by an extraordinary blessing, in a marvellous, if not miraculous manner, and that to make good his Promise of multiply∣ing Abrahams seed, ch. 17. 5. in others also, though princi∣pally in Isaac.

V. 2. Medan] Ch. 37. 36.

Midian] Numb. 25. 6, 17.

Shuah] Job 2. 11.

V. 3. Sheba] Job 1. 15.

V. 4. Midian] Numb. 31. 18. Judg 7. 25. 8. 5. children of Keturah] And Grandchildren.

V. 5. To Isaac] As being his only heire and childe of Promise, ch. 21. 12. a figure of Christ and Christians, ch. 24. 36.

V. 6. Concubines] Hagar and Keturah.

and sent them away from Isaac] Because he was to be the heire of Canaa••.

Eastward] Arabia Syria, Job 1. 3. Job likely came of Keturah, Judg. 6. 3. 7. 12.

V 7. One hundred seventy five yeares] Ch. 15. 15. He∣ber (of whom he was called an Hebrew, ch. 14. 13.) out-living him. And Jacob and Esau were then fifteen yeares old, v. 26. ch. 21. 5.

V. 8. Gathered unto his people] V. 17. which implies the immortality of the soule, and so the phrase of gathering to their fathers, Judg. 2. 10. Heb. 12. 23.

V. 9. Isaac and Ishmael] Ishmael, though never received again into Abrahams family, yet dwelt not so far off, but might heare of his fathers death, and come to his bu∣rial.

V. 11. Blessed Isaac] Entailed the blessing and Promi∣ses made to Abraham on him, ch. 17. 19.

Lahai-roi] See, ch. 24. 62.

V. 12. Generations of Ishmael] ch 16. 10, 12. 17. 20. much exceeded Isaacs, 1 Cor. 15. 46.

Nebaioth] He and his brethren seated in Arabia, Esay 21. 13. 60 7. Ezech 27. 21. Jer. 49. 28.

V. 15. Tema] Job 2. 11.

V. 16. Twelve Princes] Ch. 17. 20. Like the twelve sonnes of Jacob.

V. 18. Havilah] Ch. 2. 8. an ample region in Arabia, not that Havilah in India.

Shur] Ch. 16. 7 Ex. 15. 22.

died in the presence] His brethren surviving him, ch. 16. 12.

V. 20. The Syrian] So, Luke 4. 27. Aramite is transla∣ted Syrian by our Saviour.

Padan-Aram] Called Aram-Naharaim, ch. 24. 10. sometime Padam only, ch. 48. 7. This is Mesopotamia of Syria, distinguished from Aram-Zobah, Ps. 60 tit.

V. 21. Intrcated] Often, no doubr.

barren] Twenty yeares, v. 20, 26. many good women in Scripture barren a long time.

V. 22. Strugled] A misery to her, and a mystery in her, v. 23.

if it be so, why am I thus?] A speech of passion; why prayed I? why conceived I? or why is this strange strugling in my wombe, more then in other women?

to enquire of the Lord] By her prayer, or by some Pro∣phet, as her father in-law Abraham, ch. 20. 7. or Heber, yet living.

V. 23. Two Nations] Esau and Jacob, the virtual roots and Original of two Nations, Edomites and Israelites.

two manner of people] Differing and disagreeing one from and with another, differing in Religion, Lawes, Manners, Affections, jarring, at variance.

shall be stronger] So Esau stronger then Jacob, ch. 27. 43. 32. 4, 6, 13. and, ch. 33. 3. And a long time the Edo∣mites were more potent then the Israelites, Numb. 20. 18, 20.

and the elder shall serve] So the Israelites subdued the Edomites, 2 Sam. 8. 14. 1 Kings 22. 47. Obad. v. 17, 18. And spiritually Jacob got the birth-right, v. 33. and Esau despised it, v. 34. and he got also the blessing, ch. 27, 29, 36. The Lord in Malachi proceeds further, saying, Though Esau was Jacobs brother, yet I loved Jacob and hated Esau, Mal. 1. v. 2, 3. whence the Apostle gathereth the doctrine of Gods free grace, in the election of some, and reprobation of others, before the doing of good or evil, Rom. 9. v. 10, 11 12, 13. Likely Isaac did not rightly understand this Prediction; but Rebekah did, which made the one seek so much to favour Esau, and the other Jacob.

V. 25. Red] A signe of the cholerick and cruel dispo∣sition, found in him and his posterity, ch. 27. 40. 41. O∣bad. 1. 10. Ezech. 25. 12. His meat red, ch. 25. 30. his land red, ch. 32. 3.

all over] With red haire all over his body, ch. 27. 11.

his name Esau] That is, made, perfected, as if he were borne a man rather then a childe.

V. 26. Took hold on Esaus heele] As if he would have pulled him back, that he might be borne before him, or as if he would overthrow and supplant him. A divine pre∣saging what would afterward come to passe, v. 23. This striving for the grace and preheminence of the birth-right, the Prophet mentioneth, Hos. 12. 3, 4.

Jacob] An holder by the heele or supplanter, chap. 27. 36.

V. 27. A cunning hunter] Somewhat like Ishmael or Nimrod, valourous, fierce.

a plaine man] A good plaine man, living a plaine shep∣herds life, keeping home and looking to houshold-affaires, ch. 4. 20. and a sincere plain-dealing man, without guile, though at his mothers instance and urging, he used too much deceit in getting the blessing, ch. 27. Shepherds kept in Tents. And such was Jacobs trade and his childrens, ch. 46. 34.

V. 28. Because he did eat of his venison] By seeing his officiousnesse to please his fathers palate, his father might take it as a signe, that he did greatly reverence, respect and love him, and that he would prove the most able and a∣ctive, the fittest for great emploiments, and the best and stoutest stay and support of their family; yet all this was but carnal, and not so suiting to the divine oracle, on the behalf of Jacob, v. 23.

V. 29. Sod pottage] This though a small matter, con∣duceth yet, and is subservient to that divine Promise, ch. 27. 29. 2 Sam. 8. 14.

V. 30. Red] Red is doubled in the Hebrew, and pottage omitted; to note Esaus haste, and his eagernesse of appe∣tite, in his extremity of fainting, after that mear which his eye first pitched upon, (there being other meat, no doubt, in his fathers house) and haply fancied too by him for the colour sake, if there were not also some cordial in it, as saffron or other like thing, which gave it that extream red colour.

called Edom] Or Aedom; Adam signifieth red, red-borne, v. 25. and now so greedily desiring red broth, and selling for it his birth-right, got him this nick-name, and brand for it.

V. 31. Sell me this day thy birth-right] The honour of the first-borne was great. God in honour calls Israel his sonne, his first-borne, Exod. 4. 22. and so Ephraim, Jer. 31. 9. as first chosen by him of all people to be his peculiar people, Ex. 19. 4, 5. Deut. 32. 11, 12. Ps. 89. 27. yea, Christ is called the first-borne among many brethren, Rom. 8. 29. This birth-right advanced them to be highest in their Parents affections, Zech. 12. 10. to be first in honour next their Parents, ch. 49. 3. to be Governours of the family under them, ch. 4. 7. 2 Chro. 21. 3. to the Peiesthood, after the fathers death, at least till Moses time, Numb. 8. 14, 15. 10. 18 to a double portion, Deut. 21. 17. to omit, that it might be an out∣ward sign or pledge of being one of those first-born, which are written in Heaven, Hebr. 12. 23. They being peculiar∣ly consecrated to God in after-times, Exod. 22. 29. These rights and priviledges, or the most of them, together with the Oracle, v. 23. might move Jacob to catch at any ad∣vantage to gain the birth-right: and did move him too to seek it, in a way not altogether so lawful, as to deny his brother necessary relief in his extremity, except upon such hard termes: upon such a pinch to drive him for such a price to so unjust a bargain.

V. 32. At the point to die] With this present hunger, with dangers in hunting wilde beasts.

V. 33. Swear] See Annot. on ch. 24. 3.

V. 34. Bread and pottage] One morsel of meat, Hebr. 12. 16.

of lentiles] A mean kinde of graine, a kinde of pulse, 2 Sam. 17. 31. Ezech. 4. 9.

eate and drink] Never troubled at all for what he had done, 1 Cor. 15. 32.

despised] Irreligiously and profanely, Hebr. 12. 16. Though possibly selling so precious a thing, for so poor a price, he might have a purpose to recover that by force, which was got from him by fraud. And therefore he pleads his birth-right after this to his father, ch. 27. 32.

CHAP. XXVI.

Verse 1. BEsides the first famine] Ch 12. 10.

Unto Gerar] From the Well Lahai-roi, ch. 25. 11. near Beersheba, ch 21▪ 14. 33. 34.

V. 2. Into Egypt] As thy father did, and by his example thou mindest to do.

V. 3. I will give] To thee as a sojourner, to thy poste∣rity as owners, by way of propriety, possession and heredi∣tary right.

all these countreyes] Possessed by so many Nations, ch 15. 18, 19, 20, 21.

to Abraham thy father] Thy self being present, ch. 22. 17, 18.

V. 4. Stars] See Annot. on ch 15.

Seed] Meaning Christ, Gal. 3. 6, 18.

V. 5. Because that Abraham obeyed] On mans part there are conditions required, and by the assistance of Gods grace performed and graciously accepted, and mentioned as if there were some causality in them, for Gods accept∣ance and performance of his part ch. 22. 16. See the An∣notat.

V. 6. And Isaac dwelt in Gerar] Where he was borne, ch. 20. 1. 21. 2.

V. 7. She is my sister] As his father did through frailty, ch. 12. 13, 19. 20. 2, 5, 12, 13. This true in a sense, as, Jer. 3. 7, 9. Ezech. 16. 46. Mat. 12. 50. Rom. 16 1. 1 Cor. 7. 15. Jam. 2 15. But untrue in their intent.

V. 8. Looked out] As David saw Bathsheba, 2 Sam. 11. 2.

sporting] Deut. 24. 5. Prov 5. 18, 19.

V. 9. Of a surety she is thy wife] So holy and un∣blameable was Isaacs life, that worse then this Abimelech never suspected.

V. 10. What is this] By this passionate expostulation he sheweth, how greatly adultery, if not, dissimulation too, were condemned by heathen morality, ch. 20. 9.

guiltinesse] Both sin and punishment, Lev. 5. 5, 6.

V. 11. Toucheth] So, v. 29. ch. 20. 6. Josh 9. 19. Ruth 2. 9. Ps. 105. 15. Prov. 6. 29. Zech. 2. 8.

V. 12. An hundred fold] Mat. 3 8, 23.

V. 14. Envied him] Eccl. 4 4. Ps•••• 2 10 Job 5. 2.

V. 15. The Philistines had stopped] Contrary to Cove∣nant and Oath, ch. 21. 30, 31.

V. 17. Valley of Gerar] V. 6.

V. 18. After the names by which his father] Renewing the ancient good names, and altering idolatrous names, Numb 32. 38. The names of idols are not to be heard out of our mouthes, Ex. 23. 13. Ps. 16. 4. Deut. 12. 3. Hos. 2. 17.

V. 21. Sitnah] Hatred or spight. Hence Satan hath his name.

V. 23. To Beersheba] The famine being ended, he re∣turned to the place whence the famine had driven him, the place of his fathers dwelling. See, Annot. on v. 1. and on ch. 21. 31.

V. 24. And the Lord appeared.] As it seems to comfort him against the envious dealings of the Philistines. So, ch. 15. 1.

the God of Abraham] Therefore Abraham lives in soul, Mat. 22. 32.

V. 25. An Altar] Ch. 12. 7, 8. 13. 4, 18.

V. 26, Then Abimelech] As, ch. 21. v. 22. &c. These may be those same men. This history is to be compared with that.

Ahuzzath] More then in ch. 21. v. 22.

V. 27. Seeing ye hate me] Prov. 16 7.

V. 28. And they said] See Annotat. on chap. 21. 22, 23.

an oath] And execration▪ as, ch. 24. 41.

V. 29. That thou wilt] With a curse if thou shalt, so, ch. 21. 23. in the margin.

the blessed] Ch. 24. 31. This is spoken to further the Peace▪ and Covenant desired.

V. 30 Feast] Used at Covenants, ch. 31 54.

V. 32. Concerning the Well] V. 25.

V. 33, S••ebah] Oath.

Beersheba] Ch. 21. 31 Here the name of the City. This Well was formerly so called by Abraham, ch. 21. 31. But having been stopped by the Philistines, and now opened again by Isaacs servants, the old name is again imposed upon the same occasion.

V. 34. Fourty years old] He married thirty six yeares before Jacob. At fourty years old also Isaac married, chap. 25. 20.

Judith] Esaus wives and their fathers had several names, Gen. 36. 2. Both Hittites the worst sort of Canaa∣nites, Ezech. 16. 3. contrary to the cares and commands of his father, mother and grandfather, ch. 24. 3. and v. 35. of this chapter, and ch 27 46. and ch. 28. 1, 6, 8.

CHAP. XXVII.

Verse 1. ISaac was old] One hundred thirty six, or one hundred thirty seven yeares old; As is rightly gathered and proved in the great late Annotat. upon this place. For Isaac was sixty yeares old when Jacob was borne, ch. 25. v. 26. And Jacob was at this time seven∣ty five or seventy six yeares old, when he got the blessing and fled to Laban. See the Annotat. on ch. 29. 21.

and his eyes were dimme] So Jacobs, ch. 48. 10. so Elies, 1 Sam. 3. 2, 4, 15. Isaac lived blinde fourty foure yeares at least, ch. 35▪ 28.

V 4 That my soule] He would by that feasting chear up his spirit against dulnesse, or any distemper, that he might be the more fit instrument of the Spirit of God; so E∣lisha calls for a minstrel, to allay his passion against Jeho∣ram, prepare his minde, compose his spirit, and fit it for a divine motion of Gods Spirit by Prophecie, 2 Kings 3. 15.

may blesse thee] In faith before the Lord, by the Spirit of the Lord, Hebr. 1••. 20. some blesse men, by praying to God to blesse them: So, Luke 6. 28. Some by pronoun∣cing a blessing upon them, by vertue of their calling, and warrant of Gods Word. So the Priests blessed the people, Numb 6. 23, to the end. Some by the Spirit of Prophecie foretelling the blessings should come upon them; so Ja∣cob blessed Ephraim and Manasseh, ch. 48. 9, 15, 16, 20. and the twelve tribes, ch. 49. 28. and so did Moses likewise, Deut. 33. 1. And so Isaac intends to blesse Esau here. And doth blesse Jacob and Esau, v. 27, 28, 29 39, 40. and Jacob again, ch. 28. 3, 4.

Thee] Esau. Isaac being left in this point to his owne spirit, out of his carnal judgement and affection, he in∣tends the blessing to Esau, to transmit the inheritance of the blessings and promises made to his father unto Esau, as his first-borne; either not mindful of the divine O∣racle,

ch. 25. 23. Or understanding it, not of their per∣sons, but of their posterity. But Gods Providence, serving it self upon the better faith and illumination of Rebekah, and by her meanes doth disappoint Isaacs purpose, and he by his free grace and singular favour, transfers the blessing upon Jacob.

V. 6. And Rebekah spake] Being soundly grounded that the blessing belonged to Jacob; and seeing now her hus∣band going about to give it to Esau, she labours to disap∣point his errour, though by wayes not so warrantable, un∣lesse she were moved by some secret instinct of Gods Spirit.

V. 7. Before the Lord, before my death] In his pre∣sence, and by his power and authority, who will ratifie this my last Will and Testament, Heb 11. 20

V. 12. I shall bring a curse] For my deceiving, Deut. 27. 18. Jer. 48. 10. Mal. 14.

V. 13. Upon me be thy curse] She was over-confident, u∣sing such ill meanes, though in a good cause, and trusting to the Oracle.

V. 15. Goodly raiment] Perfumed or kept sweet, v. 27. not likely to be holy robes received from their Ancestors, and kept for the first-borne to minister in.

Which were with her] Not with Esaus wives.

V. 16. Skins upon his hands] His face by a beard and haire, might be much like Esaus.

V. 19. I am Esau] It is in vaine to labour to excuse Ja∣cob here and hereafter from divers lies, deceipts and dis∣semblings.

V. 20. Brought it to me] Ch. 24. 12. one lie drawes on another.

V. 27. The smell of his raiment] Aromatick odours, and spices for perfume, abounded in those countreys.

V. 27. As the smell of a field] With flowers, fruits and vines, Cant. 2. 13. 4. 14. 7. 13.

V. 28. God give thee] A Prayer and Prophecie. And these promises of earthly blessings were types of spiritual blessings, extending to all that was included in the Pro∣mises and Covenant made to and with Abraham, Deut. 33. 28. 8. 8.

V. 29. Let people serve thee] From Jacob came Judah; 1 Chron. 5. 2. Gen. 49. 10. David subdued many Nations.

be Lord over thy brethren] Hereby he confirmes to him the right of the first-borne.

thy brethren, and let thy mothers sonnes]

Cursed] Ch. 12. 3. Numb. 24, 9. The efficacy of the blessing here, did not depend upon the intention of Isaac, And no more doth the truth and efficacy of the Sacrament depend upon the intention of the Minister.

V. 33. Trembled] As one perplexed, astonished, between wonder and feare lest he had done amisse.

Yea, and he shall be blessed] By that trembling as by a bit and bridle. God restraines him from revoking the blessing. And recollecting himself he doth now by faith re-establish it, Heb. 11. 20. And after more advisedly, chap. 28. 3, 4.

V. 34. Exceeding bitter cry] Yet found no place of re∣pentance, no way to change his fathers minde, to recal what he had done, though he sought it carefully with tears, Hebr. 12. 17. Prov. 1. 24, 28.

V. 35. Thy blessing] Which I intended thee, and by birth-right pertained to thee.

V. 36. And he said] These words shew no true repentance in Esau.

he took away] Nay, Esau sold it and despised it, ch. 25. 33, 34.

my blessing] Not his then, when the birth-right was none of his.

V. 37. Thy Lord] V. 29.

and what shall I do?] As if he should say, compara∣tively, all other blessings are nothing.

V. 39. The fatnesse of the earth] Not unlike that, v. 28. Mount Seir was such a place, Josh. 24. 4. By faith Isaac blessed Esau concerning things to come, Hebr. 11. 20. yet Canaan far surpassed Idumea. Besides that Canaan was a type of the heavenly Canaan.

V. 40. And by this sword shalt thou live] With warres and troubles defend thy state and countrey, Mat. 10. 34. And not enjoy peace as Jacob, Deut. 33. 27, 28. Esay. 2. 4.

and shalt serve thy brother] In thy posterity, Deut. 33. 29. Gen. 25. 23. 2 Sam. 8. 14. 1 Kings 22. 47. Obad. v. 18, 19, 21.

when thou shalt have the dominion] Because of Israels sins, as in the days of Jehoram, 2 Kings 8. 20. 22. 2.

break his yoke] Of thy servitude, 2 Chron. 21. 8. under which thou wast from Davids dayes till then, above one hundred yeares, Esay 9. 4. 10. 27. Jer. 27. 8, 11. Herod was an Idumean.

V. 41. Hated] Spitefully. This shewes no true repent∣ance in him, 1 John 3. 12, 15. This hatred continued in his posterity, Obad v. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 21.

said in his heart] Afterwards uttered it in words, v. 42.

are at hand] In his wish and opinion, Isaac being now blinde, and yet he lived fourty foure yeares after.

V. 42. Comfort himself] To receive his birth-right by killing of thee. Revenge is sweet to the enraged wicked man; yea, the very purpose of it. And thus they harden their heart in evil against Gods known Will; so did Saul against David, 1 Sam. 18. 28. God useth a like speech of himself in an holy sense, Ezech. 5. 13.

V. 44. A few dayes] It proved to be above twenty yeares, ch. 31. 38. Doubtful whether ever Rebekah saw him a∣gain: She sent not for Jacob, because she saw Esaus rage and malice continue, ch. 32. 6.

V. 45. Both in one day] By fighting they might kill each other, or if Esau lived, they should and would then count him as dead, and no better. And the Law was such, chap. 9. 6.

V. 46. Of the daughters of Heth] Esaus wives, ch. 26. 35, 34. A wise, godly and crafty counsel she conceales from Isaac, the hatred of Esau, and dangerous discord be∣tween his sons.

CHAP. XXVIII.

Ver. 1. ANd blessed him] Isaac was constant to his first blessing, notwithstanding Jacobs craft in getting it Jacob had need of this second blessing to confirme his faith against his future troubles and trials; I∣saac therefore by his fatherly authority, now wittingly and willingly settles it on him again.

V. 2. Arise, go] Isaac was not; but his fathers servant, ch. 24. 3, 4. 5, 6. And he with ten camels, &c. Jacob here with his staffe in his hand, ch. 32. 10. and to serve for a wife, Hos. 12. 12.

thy mothe••s brother] Cousin-germans marry.

V. 3. A multitude of people] Chapter 35. 11. 48. 4.

V. 4. The blessing of Abraham] His Grandfather, who had the Original grant of the blessings, both temporal and spiritual, earthly and heavenly, made over to him and his seed, and the blessing chiefly of the promised seed.

art a stranger] Ch. 17. 8. This is to prevent the weak∣ening of his faith, by being but a stranger in it still, as al∣so his father and Grandfather were.

unto Abraham] By Promise, ch. 12. 7. and often re∣peated.

V. 5. Of B•• thuel the Aramite] Syrian. So Luke tran∣slateth the word, Luke 4. 27.

V. 9. To Ishmael] The Ishmaelites, for he was dead, ch. 25. 17.

Mahalath] Called also Basemath, ch. 36. 3.

sister] By the same mother at least, if not father.

Nebaioth] Ishmaels eldest sonne, ch. 25. 13. From him Esau had his sister to wife, Ishmael being now dead. Esau and she were Cousin-germans; two brothers children. This Esau did to please his father, and strengthen himself by the Ishmaelites against Jacob. And now he hath three wives, assoon likely as Jacob had any.

V. 10. From Beersheba] Ch. 26. 23.

toward Haran] Charran, Acts 7. 2. a long journey; se∣ven dayes journey in Labans pursuit to Mount Gilead, ch. 31. 22, 23. which Mount stretched through the two tribes, and 1/2 beyond Jordan Eastward. And now was Jacob seventy five or seventy six yeares old. See Annot. on ch. 29. 21.

V. 11. And he lighted] By Gods Providence, chap. 32. 10.

because the Sun was set] And so, or for wearinesse, he did not reach Luz, after called Bethel. Though it were hard by, v. 19. It is conceived to be near fifty English miles distant from Beer-sheba; and from Jerusalem eight miles Northward.

for his pillowes] Hard distresse. He went so meanly from his parents, or haply stole away in a sort, lest Esau should lie in wait for him by the way; as he did at his returne, ch. 32. 6. Abrahams servant went with great state, so that Rebekah calls him Lord, ch. 24. 18. But Jacob with his staffe in his hand, ch. 32. 10.

V. 12. Dreamed] A divine dream; See Annot. on ch. 15. 1. and on ch. 20. 3.

Ladder] Signifying Christ, John 1. 51. In his two na∣tures personally united; Heaven and earth are as it were joyned together. And by him the only Mediatour is man reconciled to God. Colos. 1. 20. by him the Angels for our service, and the Holy Ghost and his gifts descend down to us, and we and our prayers have accesse and ascend un∣to God. And secondarily, hereby is signified the Provi∣dence of God in governing the world, Psal. 113. 5, 6. and particularly, his provident care over Jacob, in his jour∣ney going and returning, v. 13, 15. and 32. 1, 2. And both these, specially by the Ministery of Angels, Psal. 91. 11, 12. Heb. 1. 13, 14.

earth] Denoting Christs humanity, and his conversing with men, Joh. 16. 28.

Heaven] Denoting his Deity and Mediation, or negoti∣ation for men with God, Heb. 8. 1. 9. 24. John 14. 6.

ascending] Coming and going, looking with desire into the mysteries of Christ, 1 Pet. 1. 12. ministring unto him, Mar. 1. 13. at his Tentation, Mat. 4. 11. in his Pas∣sion, Luke 22. 43. at his Resurrection, John 20. 12. and Ascension, Acts 1. 11. And ministring through him unto his people.

V. 13. The Lord stood] Jehovah; His Providence over us in Christ: I am the Lord God of Abraham, ch. 17. 7. Heb. 11. 16. And this teacheth the Resurrection of the dead, Luke 20. 37, 38.

to thee and to thy seed] To thee in thy seed, when yet he had no wife or childe

V. 14. And thy seed] Renewes the Promise to him, and states it in him, which was formerly made to Abraham, and to Isaac, Act. 3. 25.

all the families] So the Promise pertaines to us; we may say with the Prophet, God found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us, Hos. 12. 4.

V. 15. I am with thee] The like Promise made at his return, ch. 31▪ 3.

in all] God giving his sonne, doth with him give all things also, Rom. 8. 32. 1 Tim 4. 8.

not leave thee] Josh. 1. 5. Heb. 13. 5.

untill] Not excluding the time following. As, Mat. 28. 20.

V. 16. And I knew it not] Being awaked, he perceived that God had appeared to him there: admires at it, and his goodnesse in it: that not only in his Fathers house, but even there God vouchsafed such Apparitions, Job 9. 11.

V. 17. Afraid] Such glorious, though gracious Appa∣ritions, affects mans frailty with feare because of his sin, Mat. 17. 6. Luke. 2. 9. 8. 35. Rev. 1. 17. See Annot. on ch. 16. 13.

the house of God] He thinks this therefore a fit place for the building of an House to God, v. 22. 1 Tim. 3. 15.

V. 18. The stone] Or heap of stones, v. 11. or else some one of them.

pillar] Some extemporary pile of stones raised by him a∣fore on the sudden, without tooles, as a thankful memo∣rial of Gods gracious Apparition in that place. This likely being after demolished, he erects about thirty yeares after a new pillar of stone upon another Apparition in the same place, ch. 35. 14, 15. This here was a religious signe and monument as Altars also were, Esay 19. 19. There were also pillars for civil monuments, as Rachels pillar on her grave, ch. 35. 20. and Absaloms pillar, 2 Sam. 18. 18. the pillar Galecd, Gen. 31. 45, 47, 52. But when the Law was given by Moses, pillars for religious use were forbid∣den, Lev. 26. 1▪ Deut. 16. 22. in the margin, Hos. 10. 1. And the pillars of idolaters commanded to be broken down, Deut. 12 3. 7. 5.

and poured oile] Which he had for food, or to anoint his body in travel. Jacob poured it on the top or the pillar to consecrate it for holy use. Thus oile of consecration in use before the Law of Moses. So again, ch. 35. 14. As af∣ter in the Law there was an anointing oile, to sanctifie the things used in Gods service, Exod. 25. 6. 30. 22, 25, 29, to 34. 40. 9, to 16. Or rather here Jacob poured it as to an offering of thanksgiving to God; having no other sacrifice at hand. As David poured out the water of the Well of Bethlehem, 2 Sam. 23. 16. See, ch. 35. 14. but these rites and manner of Worship, with all the Levitical ceremo∣nies, and Consecrations of places, persons, and things to divine service, are taken away by the Gospel, John 4. 20. 1 Tim. 2. 8. Yet the rules of religious order and decency in the times, places, and particulars of Christian Worship are to be observed.

V. 19. Bethel] The City Luz hard by this place; and after hereupon called Bethel. Bethel was on an high hill; And therefore we read of Mount Bethel, Josh. 16. 1. It was

nigh to Hui or Ai, and West of it, Gen. 12. 8. Josh. 7. 2. ch 8•• 9. 12 ch. 12. 9. And therefore the men of Bethel and Ai are joyned together, Ezra 2. 28. Nehem. 7 32. Beth∣lehem and Shilo were not far from it, Gen. 35. 16, 19. Judg. 21, 19. Abraham pitched his Tent close by it i•• not there, Gen. 12. 8. 13. 3. As Jacob had this dream and vi∣sion here, whereupon he calls the name of the place Bethel, so God himself bidding him returne from Laban, is plea∣sed to call himself the God of Bethel, ch 31. 13. And upon his return God bids him go and dwell there. which command he obeyes and here makes an Altar. And up∣on a second vision and Promise made he the second time, erects a pillar, and renewes the name of Bethel, ch. 35. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 9▪ 13, 14 15. Hos 12. 4. In Joshuths time it had a King, Josh. 12. 16. Joshuah, and after the house of Joseph conquered it, Josh. 12. 16. Judg. 1. 22, 23, 24, 25. It fell then by lot to the tribe of Benjamin, Josh. 18. 22. There being another of the name it seems that fell to E∣phraim, 1 Chron. 7. 28. It is one of the three places whither Samuel rede circuit yearly, and judged Israel, 1 Sam 7. 16. Saul in his time met three men going up to God to Bethel, •• Sam 10. 3. & had two thousand men of his army with him there, and in Micmash, 1 Sam. 13. 2. David sent of the spoiles of the Amalckites to them of Bethel, if under that name in that place, Kiriah-jearim, the House of God, where the Ark then was and abode be not understood. Jeroboam in his time set up here one of his golden Calves, made an Altar, and setled Priests, 1 Kings 12. 28. 29, 32, 33. And hence Bethel the House of God, seemes to be called Bethaven, the house of vanity, Hos. 4. 15. 5. 8. 10. 5. And yet there was another place properly called Bethaven, and nigh to B••thel, Josh. 7. 2. 18. 12. 1 Sam. 13. 5. 14. 23. Thither came a man of God while Jero∣boam stood by the Altar to burne incense, and prophesied against it; and healed the Kings hand that was dried up, for stretching it out against him; which Prophet was af∣ter slain by a Lion, for suffering himself to be seduced by an old Prophet that dwelt in Bethel, and came out of Sa∣maria, 1 Kings 13. 2 Kings 23. 18. Abijah the sonne of Rchoboam took from Jeroboam Bethel, with the townes thereof, 2 Chron. 13 9▪ whereupon, and upon the capti∣vity of the ten tribes Jeremie useth these words, That the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel their confidence, Jer. ••8. 13. And before that captivity Hosea threatens that Bethel should do so unto them, as Shalman had spoiled Beth-arbel in the day of battel, Hos, 10. 14, 15. In Aha∣ziah's time, or rather Jehoram's Kings of Israel, Elias comes thither with Elizcus, immediately before his taking up into heaven. And upon Elizcus his return thither, the little children out of the city came and mocked him, cal∣ling him Bald-head, and fourty two of them were torne by beares, 2 Kings 2. In the dayes of Jeroboam the second, Amos the Prophet in scorn, bids the ten tribes come to Bethel and transgresse, Amos 4. 4. And seriously forbids them to seek to Bethel, for Bethel shall come to nought: but chargeth them to seek the Lord. lest he break out like fire, and there be none to quench it in Bethel, ch. 5. 5, 6, 7. Upon his preaching Amaziah the Priest of Bethel sends to Jeroboam against him, and forbids him to prophesie any more at Bethel, for it is the Kings Chappel, and it is the Kings Court, ch. 7 10, 13. Josiah in his dayes performed all that was sore told by the man of God, 1 Kings 13. He brake down the Altar, and burnt the bones of men upon it. And the idolatrous pollutions of the Temple of Je∣rusalem he burnt, and carried the ashes of them to Bethel, so far off, on purpose to defile that place, which the ten ido∣latrous tribes had held so sacred, 2 Kings 23. 15. 19. 4. Thus large have I been on this place, once for all; purposing to make a reference hither, whenever I shall meet with the name elsewhere.

••uz at the first] This name in use▪ ch. 35. 6. 48. 3. and in Joshuahs time, Josh. 18. 13. See▪ Judg. 1. 23, 26. It signi∣fieth Nut-tree, whence the City might have its name, as Jericho is called the City of Palme-trees, 2 Chron. 28. 15. Deut. 34. 3.

V. 20. Vowed a V••w] There is an Oath, a Vow, and a devoting of a thing to God: of an Oath, see, Annot. on ch. 24. 3. of the devoting any thing, See, Lev. 27. 28, 29. A Vow is a binding of the soule with a bond, by a sacred, and solemne, a free and voluntary Promise made to God, for the doing or more careful doing of things, which o∣therwise by our duty and Gods Law we are bound to do, or for the doing of certain things lawful in themselves, but otherwise left indifferent to be done, or not to be done; or for the abstaining from the use of some things, other∣wise lawful to be used. And all this in way of thankfulness to God for some extraordinary blessings received; or for the obtaining of some special benefits, which we greatly desire and stand in need of. And therefore Vowes are ever joyned with Prayers, or Praises and Thanksgiving, or both. And these Vowes once made must carefully be kept and performed. Thus Jocob here vowed by way of thank∣fulnesse to God for this glorious Apparition, and the gra∣cious Promises vouchsafed to him, and for further and fu∣ture blessings to be received from God, that God should be his God, this should be a new engagement and obligation upon him, that he would for ever serve and worship him; and that that stone or pillar now erected by him, should be Gods house, a place consecrated to his worship and service, and that he would give the tenth of all he should have to God, and for his special use in Sacrifices, Altars, sacred buildings, and maintenance of his service. Thus Hannah vowed, that if God would deliver her from the reproach of barrennesse, and give her a man-child, she would give him to the Lord all the dayes of his life, and no razour should come upon his head, 1 Sam 1. 11. Thus Bathsheba it seems made a Vow for the obtaining of Solomon, whence she cal∣leth him the sonne of her Vowes, Prov. 31. 2. Thus Jeph∣thah made a Vow to obtain victory against the children of Ammon, Judg 11. 30, 39. And all Israel, to obtain victo∣ry against King Arad the Canaanite and his people, Numb. 21. 1, 2. Thus David vowed unto the mighty God of Ja∣cob, forthwith to finde out a place for the habitation of the Lord, Psal. 132. 2, 3. Thus Paul was under a Vow, Acts 18. 18. And again he and foure other men, Act. 21, 23, 24. Yea, the Heathen Mariners, by the light of nature made vows to the Lord, vowes of thankfulnesse for their deliverance from shipwrack, Jonah 1. 16. In Moses time, the vow of a Nazarite and Lawes for them are set down at large, Numb. 6. as also the things to be vowed to the Lord, as per∣sons, beasts, clean and unclean, houses, fields of inheritance, and of purchase, whether vowed before the year of Jubile, or after, and the several Lawes for the Redemption of them, Lev. 27. And in that Mosaical and Ceremonial Law, God carefully provides that no unworthy thing shall be vowed to him, no beast deformed, or that hath any member superfluous, or lacking, or any way faulty, Lev. 22. 18, 21, 22, 23. Mal. 1. 14. Much lesse the hire of a whore, or price of a dog, Deut. 23. 18. any sinful thing as those wicked men of Judah did, in their idolatrous ways, both they and their wives which fled into the land of Egypt, contrary to the Word of the Lord by Jeremie say, We will

surely perform our vowes which we have vowed, to burne incense to the Queen of heaven, and to poure out drink-offerings unto her, Jer. 44. 25. And least of all would he have any sinful vow made unto him. Now to forbear to vow is no sin, Deut. 23. 22. at least, no such sin as if they vow and pay not, as, John 9. 41. If ye were blinde, ye should have no sin, no such sin as now remaineth on you, for refusing the light. And the like, John 15. 22, 24. For howsoever in the general, a vow is a kinde of a free-will-offering, a service of God, Esay 19. 21. but an arbitrary and voluntary service. Before men vow it is in their own power and pleasure, as it is spoken in Ananias his case, Acts 5. 4. yet in some extraordinary cases of petition and thanksgiving, vowes are requisite and necessary. And however; yet being once made lawfully, after vowes to make enquiry, undoubtedly it is sin. But after vowes to make enquiry is a snare and sin, Prov. 20. 25. For who vowes, bindes his soule with a bond, Numb. 30. 3. And there∣fore when a lawful vow is lawfully made, then God strictly requires the same to be punctually performed, Deut. 23. 21, 23. Eccl. 5. 4, 5, 6. And for that cause he gives Laws, who have power to vow, and who may not vow, namely, children and wives, who are not free of themselves, but un∣der the power and command of others, Numb. 30. David therefore is mindful of his performance, Thy vowes are upon me, O God, Psal 56. 12. and 66. 13, 14. And he mindes others of it, Vow and pay unto the Lord your God, Psal. 76. 11. And again, To thee shall the vow be paid, Ps. 65. 1, 2. And he saith unto God, Thou, O God, hast heard my vowes. And so will I sing praise unto thy Name for e∣ver, that I may daily performe my vowes, Ps 61. 5, 8.

If God will be with me] Prayer-wise, respecting the Pro∣mile, v. 15.

and will keep me] Respects the Promise likewise, v. 15. and bindes upon it; for if here hath the signification of when, as in 1 Sam. 15. 17. And is here a word of doubting or of condition, but of faith and inference of his duty of thankfulnesse,

bread to eate] 1 Tim. 6. 8.

V. 21. So that I come again] Jacobs vow in all points grounded upon the Word and Promise, v. 15.

then shall] Not as if otherwise not. He was sure of the truth of the Promise, and thereupon vowes this in way of thankfulnesse.

V. 12. This stone] See on v. 18. and ch. 31. 45.

Gods House] So performed, ch. 35. 7, 14.

the tenth unto thee] A signe of homage and subjection to God: And therefore given to the Priests. Thus by Abraham, and by Jacob, tithes paid before the Law of Moses.

CHAP. XXIX.

Verse 1. THeu Jacob] Being seventy five or seven∣ty six yeares old. See, Annotat. on ver. 21.

East] Whence Abraham came, Esay 41. 2. where Job lived afterwards, Job 1. 3. but the particular place in the East here meant is Haran, v. 4.

V. 2. A Well] So, chap. 24. 11, 15. and, Exod. 2. 15, 16, 21.

a great stone] To keep the store.

V. 5. The sonne of Nahor] That is, the Grandchilde. V. 6. Is he well?] So, ch. 43. 17, 28. 1 Sam. 25. 5, 6. 2 Sam 20. 9.

V. 8. We cannot] By right, as, ch. 34. 14. 43. 32. or with our might and strength, for it was a great stone, v. 2.

V. 10. Rolled the stone] By his own strength, or with the help of the shepherds.

V. 11. Kissed Rachel] Having first shewed her who he was, ch. 31. 55.

V. 12. Her fathers brother] That is Kinsman, his sisters sonne, v. 13.

V. 13. Kissed him] One man kisseth another; so, ch. 45. 15. Exod. 4. 27. 18. 7. Luke 7 45. Rom 16. 16. 2 Cor. 13. 12. Traiterous were the kisses of Joab and Judas.

all these things] Touching his father, the birth-right, blessing, Esau, his sending away, and the cause and end of it, and vision by the way, else Laban might have won∣dered at his poor and solitary manner of coming, Deut. 26. 5. considering he saw the servants rich manner o•• coming, ch. 24. 10, ••2, 53. We read not here of any letter or token sent by him.

V. 14. Surely thou art] I doubt not of thy person; and welcome thou art whatever the occasion of thy jour∣ney be.

V. 15. Shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought?] Seeing him in his moneths abode not idle, but active and able, casts about to procure his stay.

beautiful] So, Esther, chap. 2. 7. So, Joseph, chap. 39. 6.

V. 18. I will serve thee] In some countreys, and in some ages men buy wives; so, David, 1 Sam. 18. 25. 2 Sam. 3. 14. Hos. 3. 2. Gen. 34. 12.

V. 19. It is better] Laban out of his churlishnesse and covetousnesse, makes use of Jacobs loving proffer. And yet by his general words and ambiguous speech may be suspected, not to intend faire and ingenuous dealing with Jacob, as soon after appeared, v. 23.

V. 20. Served seven yeares for Rachel] There are two several opinions, and there can be no more, which must guide and rule the Exposition of these words, and some o∣thers also which are in the ensuing passages of this histo∣ry. One is, that Jacob married first at the end of his first seven years service. And then having Leah fraudulently put upon him in stead of Rachel. That he newly con∣tracts the second time to have Rachel for other seven years service; but marries her a week after he had taken Leah; and performes that seven yeares service, for Rachel after he had married her. And most Expositors are of this opi∣nion. But I conceive there are two strong arguments a∣gainst it. One is, that they are thereby forced to hold, that Jacobs twelve children were all borne within those seven yeares, viz. Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Ashur, Issachar, Zebulun, Dinah, Joseph, v. 25. ch. 31. 38, 41. You may say, this may well enough, be by foure women, I confesse it; but considering the plaine and pregnant passages of the sacred history, in the times and manner of their births, I hold it impossible. For it is plaine, that none of them at any time had twins. Again, Leah had Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, at several births, which will take up three or foure of the seven yeares, before Rachel complaines of barrennesse. Or put case she complained sooner then the history mentions, yet Bilhah must have Dan and Naphtali at several births, before Zilpah had Gad and Ashvr at several births; and these last foure sonnes will take up three or foure yeares;

and after all this, Leah having formerly left bearing when Judah was borne, v. 35. ch 30. 9. And when Reuben her eldest sonne was of age to finde mandrakes in the field; then after her time of barrennesse, and after her maid Zil∣pahs births, she then again conceiving beares Issachar, and Zebulun, and Dinah at several births. And last of all Ra∣chel beares Joseth, all which must be done within the com∣passe of one seven years according to that opinion. Which, how it may stand with truth, and without offering vi∣olence to the course of the history, and to many words of the text, I confesse I cannot comprehend. And a second argument against that opinion, is taken from the conside∣ration of Judahs age, and the birth of Hezron and Hamul his Grandchildren, when they with Jacob and all his posterity went down into Egypt ch. ••. 1••.] To, open this we must first knew, that Jacob was seventy five yeares old when he came down to Laban, which appeares thus; he was one hun∣dred and thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, ch 47. 9. and then Joseph was fourty years old, viz. thirty when he was taken out of pri••on and advanced by Phara∣oh, ch. 41. 46. After which passed seven years of plenty, and three of famine when Jacob came down, Joseph then being fourty yeares old; it appeares also that he was borne in the fourteenth yeare after Jacobs coming to Laban, ch 30. 25. 31. 38, 41. Take then those fourteen yeares be∣fore Joseph was borne, and the fourty yeares of Josephs age, when his father stood before Pharaoh, out of his fathers age at that time, he being then one hundred and thirty; and it will so be clear, that Jacob was seventy five or seventy six yeares old, when he first came to Laban. Now this being so, Judah the fourth sonne of Jacob by Leah, must needs be by their opinion but three or foure yeares elder then Jo∣seph, Jacob not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Leah, as they say, till after his first seven yeares of service were ended. And so Judah must be but fourty three or fourty foure yeares old at most, when he and his Grandchildren Hezron and Hamul came with Jacob into Egypt. To compasse this, they must cast their reckonings thus, that Judah married at twelve yeares old, and had Er at thirteen; that Er married at twelve yeares old, and Onan his younger brother, ch. 38. 4. marri∣ed at twelve yeares old, that Tamar remained a widow, and waited till Sh••lah was grown; and the dayes being multi∣plied, Judahs wife died, and Tamar beares to Judah Pharez; and all this within the compasse of three years. That Pha∣rez married at twelve yeares old and begat Hezron and Ha∣mul; and supposing them to be twirs, that at a yeare old they were carried into Egypt. For thus the reckoning will rise to the fourty third or fourty fourth yeare of Judahs age. But these supposed reckonings seem so harsh in that age of the world, to the most learned favourers of this o∣pinion, that they choose to ease or avoid this, to say ra∣ther, that Hezron and Hamul were not carried down into Egypt, but were borne afterwards in Egypt, so the learned late Annot. on ch. 46. 12. But this were to offer such plain violence to that text; and to the drift of that whole chapter, and giving way for others borne after in Egypt to be reck∣oned in as well as they, for why not others as well as they? and so the whole number to be altered, and the intent of the Holy Ghost disappointed; that I think upon due consideration had, not many will comply with that conceit. And the same Annotators disclaim it them∣selves, in their Annotations on ch. 38. 1. The other opi∣nion whereunto my resolution bends, is this; that Jacob being seventy five yeares old, married both sisters at the beginning of the fourteen yeares service, fulfilling a week in keeping the feast at the marriage of the one, and so a∣gain presently after at the marriage of the other. And the enjoying not the want and hopeful expectation of Ra∣chel, made his seven years service for her seem unto him to be bu•• a few dayes. This addition of seven yeares to the former opinion gives faire way to the birth of all the twelve children, in that order and sequence of time, as the letter of the words, and context of the story do require, and gives further scope, (which yet is little enough) for the time of the birth of Hezron and Hamul, in the fiftieth year of Judahs age, (as this opinion makes it) when he and they went down with Jacob into Egypt. The only difficulty here occuring is, the exposition of some words and senten∣ces, seeming to favour the first opinion, which yet may better receive a commodious interpretation, then involve and intangle us in greater perplexities, and draw upon us the fore-mentioned incongruities, if not impossibilities. The text then here saith, That Jacob served seven yeares for Rahel] that is, after he had married her. And so all Ex∣positors agree, that indeed he did so, though most of them infer it upon their construction of the 27. and 28. verses.

but a few dayes] If he had not enjoyed her by marriage all those seven yeares of his service, they would have seemed a longsome and tedious time. For hope deserred maketh the heart sick, Prov. 13. 12. And love makes men think eve∣ryday a year till they enjoy the Party loved.

V. 21. And Jacob said] That is, had said.

for my dayes are fulfilled] That is, I am full of dayes, and ripe for marriage: being now seventy five yeares old, and my brother Esau of my age, being married thirty five yeares ago, ch. 26. 34.

that I may go in unto her] Not go away with her, but use her as my wise, whiles I perform my covenanted service of seven yeers for her.

V. 22. And Laban gathered] Had gathered. The Hebrews want a preterpluperfect tense.

V. 23. He took Leah] Being veiled as the manner was, in bringing Brides into the Bride-chamber, Joel 2. 16. and unto their husbands in the dark, for modesty sake, ch. 24. 65. ch. 38. 15, 16.

V. 25. What is this] For he hated Leah, v. 31.

did not I serve with thee for Rachel?] Covenant to serve with thee.

beguiled me?] In the dark; and by her silence or soft whispering, likely upon her fathers direction, which Ja∣cob also might impute to her modesty.

V. 26. Not be so done in our country] Custom here on∣ly pretended to cover his accustomed fraud. Else he should have said so before, and told it.

V. 27. Fulfil her w••••k] The week-feast for Leah, and keep her with thee, reject her not. The marriage-feast continued a week, Judg. 14. 10, 12, 15, 17. Thus Laban provides that Jacob by voluntary consent to this marriage with Leah, should not be able afterwards to put her a∣way.

give thee this also for the service] All Expositors here a∣gree, that Jacob did not first serve these seven yeares, and after marry Rachel. But married her first, and served after.

V. 28. And fulfilled her week] Leahs week for her mar∣riage-feast. Or it may be understood of Rachels week for her marriage-feast, presently succeeding the other.

V. 30. And he went in also unto Rachel] At the first Creation in Adams time. And again in Noahs time, when there was most need of multiplication of mankinde, yet God allotted but one woman for one man. And therefore

though the Law against plurality of wives, was not yet so expressely and literally declared, nor against the marriage of two sisters, as afterwards it was, Lev. 18. 18. yet this here in Jacob cannot be allowed, unlesse besides a disposition of the divine Provid••••ce in it, there were a dispensation by divine authority for it. Neither may it without like war∣rant be drawn into example. As neither the example of Abraham taking Hagar, nor Jacobs taking here of Zilpah and Bilhah.

V. 31. Hated] Not simply, but in comparison of Rachel, v. 30. so, in Deut. 21. 15. Mat. 6. 24. Luke 14. 26. John 12. 25.

V. 35. Now will I praise] Openly in solemn manner. This here applied to the Lord, is after applied to Judah himself, ch. 49. 8. of Judah the Nation were afterwards called Jewes.

and left bearing] If but two yeares; yet she could not have three children more, viz. Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah, at several births, within the compasse of one seven yeares; yea, the favourers of that opinion confesse, that it must needs be that it was not above a half yeare that she stayed ere she conceived again. Mr. Jackson on ch. 30. 9.

CHAP. XXX.

Verse 1. RAchel envied her sister] Rachels fault, ch. 37. 11. Num. 11. 29. Psal. 106. 16. Prov. 27. 4.

give me children] Laying the fault on her husband, who yet had children by Leah, she speaks this in a womanish passion, never considering to whom she spake, or by what meanes he should be able to satisfie her desire.

or else I die] For grief, Prov. 14. 30. It will be my death, and I shall have no desire to live, Job 5. 2. Barrennesse counted a reproach, v. 23.

V. 2. Am I in Gods stead] ch. 50. 19. God only can give children. ch. 16. 2. 20. 18. Psal. 113 9. 127. 3. Therefore Isaac, and Hannah; and others go to God by prayer for children, Gen. 25. 21. 1 Sam. 1. 10.

V. 3. Bilhah] By the example of Sarah, ch. 16. 2.

heare upon my knees] Brought forth and nursed on my knees, ch. 50. 23.

that I may] So she calls them hers, and she gives them names, v. 6, 8. claiming a kinde of motherhood in her Hand-maids issue; the Hand-maids children by nature were the Dames by adoption, or in right of her husband by the Law given afterwards, in Exod. 21. 4. And so Ra∣chel made account that some part of her barrennesse was put away, and some of her husbands good will swayed from her sister (whose envious rival she was,) to her side.

V. 4. Handmaid to wife] Called a Concubine, ch. 35. 22. so a secondary wife is called, such was Hagar, ch. 16. 3. Ke∣turah, 1 Chron. 1. 32. and Zilpah, v. 9. ye•• she and Zilpah are called his two women-servants, ch. 32. 22. The sonnes of Bilhah and Zilpah became Heads of tribes, and did in herit in Canaan, as well as the sonnes of Leah and Ra∣chel.

V. 5. And bare Jacob a sonne] An improbable cunjecture it is, that this should be the same yeare, wherein Leah did bear Levi.

V. 6. God hath judged me] On my side against Leah, who upbraided me with barrennesse, as Peninnah did Hannah, 1 Sam. 1, 6. so judging is used, 1 Sam. 24. 15. 2 Sam, 18. 19 Gen 49. 16.

V. 8. Have I wrastled] By prayer, and by all meanes.

V. 9 Left bearing] An improbable conjecture it is, that it was not above half a yeare that she stayed ere she conceived again. And yet to these straits they are driven that hold the opinion, that Jacob did not marry till the be∣ginning of the last seven yeares service.

V. 13. Call me blessed] Luke 1. 48. Cant. 6. 9

V. 14. Reuben] Must now need•• be more then five yeares old, rather eight or nine, having seven brethren at this time borne after him; three of his own mother, and foure by the two Hand-maids whiles his mother left off bearing. And yet if he were now but five or six yeares old, as the late Annotat. affirme on this verse, there would remain but one or two yeares for her three last children, Issachar, Zebulun and Dinah▪ which helps still to make against the foresaid opinion formerly re∣jected.

mandrakes] Pleasant to the eye, and of a sweet smell, Cant. 7. 13. Lovely flowers, whether those we call man∣drakes, i••is uncertain. But it seemes they were of some esteeme amongst them, such ado is here kept about them.

V. 15. Hast taken my husband] His affection from me, and so his conjug••l duty belonging to me, that he doth e∣strange himself from my bed through thee. Haply these contentions were not meerly carnal; but aimed and reached further.

shall lie with thee] Rachel makes ill use of her husbands great affection to her, takes upon her the disposal of his person, and hires him out ••or a trifle to her sister.

V. 16. Leah went out to meet him] To make sure, he should not go in to Rachel. It seems they had several tents.

V. 17. And God hearkened unto Leah] v. 22. Therefore she prayed to him, for a child. Gods Providence reacheth to the numbring of our haires, Mat. 10. 30.

and she conceived] Not the same yeare that Zilpah her Hand-maid had her first sonne; much lesse the fifth yeare of the last seven yeares service.

V. 21. Diuah] Ch. 34.

V. 23. My reproach] Of Barrennesse, 1 Sam. 1. 6. Esay 4. 1. Luke 1. 25.

V. 24. The Lord shall adde] Prayer-wise. See the ac∣complishment, ch. 35. 7.

V. 25. When Rachel had borne] Jacob then was ninety yeares old.

send me away] He being now out of Labans debt, chap. 31. 41.

mine own place] Ch. 28. 13. The respect he had to the Promise made him earnest to return thither.

V. 26. Give me my wiv••s] cb 21. 21. He would not have stollen them away against his will, and have married them after. He had served for them, and yet here craves his good leave to depart. Though afterwards upon good occasion he steales away, ch. 31. 20.

V. 27. Favour in ahine eyes] Ch. 18. 3.

for thy sake] Ch 39. 3.

V. 30. Since my coming] And at my labour.

and now when] I being now ninety yeares old, 1 Tim. 5. 8. He alters his former real intention to return present∣ly, upon good considerations. And God did not command his return, till ch. 31. 3, 13.

V. 31. Not give me any thing] No fit wages; nothing

out of thy precedent or present estate, but out of that which shall accrew to thee afterwards.

V. 32. I will passe through] Jacob will depend upon Gods bounty, rather then upon Labans churlish covetous∣nesse.

and of such shall be my hire] Of the speckled only, when no speckled ones were left in the flock. But only white ones.

V. 34. I would it might be] For this was likely to be a good bargain for Laban, for naturally cattel bring forth young ones like themselves; yet seeing the issue of this, Laban changes this course ch. 31. 7.

V. 37. Rods] This he did at the ramming-time; and it seems by Gods command, ch. 31. 9, 10. 11, 12. in recom∣pence of his sore labours, ch. 31. 38, 40. As the Israelites dealt with the Egyptians, at Gods command. And other∣wise Laban would have sent him away empty, ch. 31. 42. E∣zech. 39. 10.

V. 38. Conceive] The colour of the rods, haply made also the shadowes of the rams that leaped upon them, to ap∣pear particoloured in the water. And the strength of fan∣cy or imagination is much at such a time of conception, and specially with Gods blessing upon it, as here.

V. 40. The Lambs] That were particoloured.

and set the faces] That so they might conceive the like, as they did before, by seeing the pilled rods in the troughs.

his own flocks by themselves] Not amongst Labans cat∣tel, lest his own seeing Labans cattel of one colour, shouln engender the like to Labans, and so be Labans, not his. A third device.

V. 43. Increased exceedingly] Thus even in temporal things God abundantly blessed him, ch. 31. 9.

CHAP. XXXI.

Ver. 1. GOtten all this glory] i. e. riches. Riches pro∣cure men honour and glory in the eyes of the world. And worldly men esteem them as their chief∣est glory, Psal. 49. 16, 17. Riches and glory, or honour are joyned together, Prov. 3. 16. 8. 18. Eccl. 6. 2.

V. 2. Countenance] Bewrayes the heart; its looking glasse.

V. 3. Returne] Thus God removes all Jacobs feares and doubts. And Jacob makes use of it, ch. 32. 9.

V. 5. Hath been with me] To bid me returne, v. 3, 13.

V. 7. Ten times] That is, many times. So, Numb. 14. 22. Job 19. 3. Lev. 26. 26. Zech. 8. 23. yet ten times may well be in six yeares, if sheep in Mesopotamia bring forth young twice a yeare, as some say now they do in Italy.

suffered him not] Gods restraining grace in the wicked, ch. 20. 6.

V. 8. Ring straked] With a round strake like a ring, of a contrary colour about their leg. Thus Laban ties and re∣straines him to that one mark.

all the cattel•• For the greatest part.

V. 9. God hath] No fraud in Jacob.

V. 10. In a dream] Sent of God, six yeares afore this time, and this apparition, v. 13.

V. 11. Angel] The God of Bethel, v. 13. which appear∣ed to him in Bethel, ch. 28. 13. ch. 48. 16. the Angel of the Covenant, Mal. 3. 3. Exod. 23, 20, 21.

V. 13. I am the God] This Apparition was six yeare af∣ter the former.

of Bethel] Putting him in minde of his promise and vow there made by him, and accepted by God, thus appro∣ving the name it self, and his service there vowed, ch. 28. 18, 19, 22.

now arise] Without delay.

V. 14. Rachel and Leah] The younger first named, as the best beloved, and who should have been the elder wise. So, Ruth 4. 11.

V. 15. Strangers] Dealt with us as strangers rather then children.

hath sold us] To thee for fourteen yeares service.

our money] What we might have had in money or mo∣ny worth, for thy fourteen years service being our husband; whereas in good conscience he should have given us that as our portion, he hath converted it to his own use. And should he do so with the wages God hath given thee, for us and our children, for thy last six yeares service also?

V. 16. Whatsoever God hath said] This is a binding reasun, which answers all doubts, and secures against all af∣ter-claps.

V. 18. To go to Isaac] By the way he stayed about six yeares at Succoth, and at Shalem a City of Shechem, till Di∣nah was marriageable, who came from Laban at six or seven yeares of age, ch. 30. 21. 33. 18. 34. 1. After he stayed at Bethel, but not long, notwithstanding Gods command for his dwelling there, ch. 35. 1. as appears by the birth of Benjamin by the way, when he left Bethel, ch. 35 16, 17, 18. and the number of Benjamins children, when they all went down into Egypt, ch. 46. 21. Joseph being then fourty yeares old, and Benjamin but twenty seven, though he were borne within a yeare after Dinahs ravishing, nor doth it appear that Jacob stayed long about the tower of Edar, before he came to Isaac to Mamre. ch. 35. 21, 22, 23, 27.

V. 19. Rachel had stollen the images] Teraphim. Laban calls them his gods, his houshould-gods, ••deos penates, v. 30. Images likely in the shape of men, 1 Sam. 19. 13, 16. where the word plural Teraphim signifies one image, used in di∣vine worship by idolaters, Judg. 17 5. 18. 14, 17, 20 Hos. 3. 4. consulted withal as Oracles, Ezech. 21. 21. Zech. 10. 2. as Ahaziah did with Beelzebub, 2 King. 1. 2. put down by Josiah and other godly Kings, 2 Kings 23. 24.

V. 21. The river] Euphrates, Josh. 24. 2, 3.

Gilead] Ag eat mountain, or tract of mountaines East∣ward of Jordan, running through the Kingdomes of Si∣hon and Og, the tribes, two 1/2 Deut. 3. 12. and having in several parts several names, as Gilead, Seir, Hermon and Li∣banus, the countrey under it very fertile, called the land of Gilead, Jer. 22. 6. 8. 22. 46. 11. Gen. 37. 25. Numb. 32. 1. Here called Gilead by Anticipation; See v. 47.

V. 22. The third day] Ch. 30. 36. 31. 19. Labans fact pro∣ved Jacobs advantage, Job 5. 12, 13.

V. 23. Seven dayes journey] From the time he set for∣ward in his pursuit, three days of Jacobs journey were spent ere Laban knew of it. Likely three dayes more in his re∣turn from his sheep-shearing to his home, and in preparing. Then these seven dayes in pursuit were twice swifter, and gained more way then Jacob could in his slow pace, chap. 33. 14. This then is the thirteenth day of Jacobs jour∣ney.

V. 24. And God came] So, ch. 20. 3, 7. Numb. 22. 9.

take heed] A commination and rebuke, v. ••9, 42.

either good or bad] V. 29. Not simply; but to this end to bring him back again, or hinder him in his journey, or a∣ny way to hurt him, as is the present intent of thy pur∣suit, 2 Sam. 13. 22.

V. 26. As captives] They went willingly, ver. 14, 15, 16.

V. 27. Sent thee away with mirth] He had no such minde then, nor willingly now, but as God over-powered him.

V. 28. To kisse] A Ceremony used both at meering and parting, ch. 29. 11. 27. 26. Exod. 4. 27. Gen. 31. 55. 33. 4. Ruth 1. 14. 2 Sam. 14. 33.

foolishly] Jacob did it wisely, and that Laban himselfe knew.

V. 29. It is in the power] A vain brag, like Pilates, John 19. 10, 11.

V. 30. Stollen my gods?] Vanity of idolatry and ido∣laters, that their gods can be stollen: gods plurally is spoken of one image, Ex. 32, 8. And so Teraphim plurally signifies somtimes one image, 1 Sam. 19. 13. 16. Though Jacob was twenty yeares with Laban, yet Laban continued an ido∣later. Not thinking yet those Teraphims to be gods, but that he worshipped God in them, by them and with them.

V. 32. Let him not live] A severe judgement, proceed∣ing from confidence of innocency: uttered in detestation of theft, but much more of idolatry, yet done more rash∣ly then wisely, when he extended it beyond the innocency of his own person.

V. 33. Tent] Each sort had several tents. See, Annot. on ch. 23. 2.

V. 35. The custome of women] Lev. 15. 19.

V. 36. Wroth and chode] Be angry, but sin not, Eph. 4. 26. upon just cause, whence innocency is slan∣dered.

V. 37. May judge] Lay the blame where it is due.

V. 39. I bear the losse of it] Though against the rule of right, Exod. 22 10, 13.

V. 40. Thus I was] Labans iniquity drives Jacob to praise and justifie himself. So, 1 Cor. 15. 10. 2 Cor. 11. 1. Hos. 12. 12. Deut. 26. 5.

V. 41. Ten times] V 7, 8.

V. 42. The feare of Isaac] V. 53. ch. 27. 33. 32, 9•• Psal. 76. 11. Esay 8. 13. As elsewhere called the Hope of Is∣rael.

yesternight] V. 24.

V. 43. And all that thou seest is mine] 1 Kings 20 3. A brag, as if Jacob had nothing by desert from Laban, or gift from God.

and what can I do] As if he should say, I cannot hurt them but I must hurt my self. But why did he then so pur∣sue? surely not to make this ensuing Covenant; it was not his minde then. Jacob may thank God for all, who had thus bridled, if not altered Laban.

V 44. A Covenant] Ch. 21. 32.

V. 45. A stone] Heap of stones, v. 46, 48, 51. as, chap. 28. 19.

a pillar] A Monument of the Covenant.

V. 46. Brethren, gather stones] Jacob speaks to his own family and Labans too, v. 51.

did eat there upon the heap] After the Covenant made, v. 54.

V. 47. Jegar-Sahadutha] In Labans Syrian language ••.

Galced] The same in Jacobs Hebrew language. Hence likely the mountain and countrey took the name of Gi∣lead.

V. 48. This heap is a witnesse] A signe, memo rial, which may be alledged in after-times as a wit∣nesse.

Galeed] Therefore by anticipation so called, v. 21.

V. 49. Mizpah] Near Mount Hermon and Lebanon, Josh. 11. 3. watch-tower. There were afterwards divers places of that name; one in Judahs lot, Josh. 15. 38. another in Benjamins, Josh. 18. 26. another in Moab, 1 Sam. 22. 3.

V. 50. If thou shalt] Implying the words of a curse, as is usual in this case, ch. 14. 23 forbearing the expression of the words of the curse, either out of feare or unwil∣lingnesse to mention it in particular, or as yielding to any curse in general, if they break Promise and Covenant; so, ch. 24. 3.

V. 52. To thee] For harme.

V. 53. The God of Nahor, the God of their father] Te∣rah: both idolaters, Josh. 24. 2. The idolater sweares by his gods, his idols.

V. 54. Offered sacrifice] Killed beasts, for a feast, not sacrifice. Feasts used at the making of Covenants, ch. 26. 30. Numb, 22. 40. 1 Kings 1. 9. 19 21. 1 Sam. 28. 44.

V. 55. Blessed them] Thus God over-rules the wicked; so, ch. 33. 4. so he turned Balaams curse into a blessing, Numb. 23. 11. Deut. 23. 5. so the mindes of the Barbarians towards Paul, Acts 28. 4, 5, 6.

CHAP. XXXII.

Verse 1. ANgelis of God] To comfort and confirm him against the future fear and danger by Esau, Psal 91. 11.

met him] In a visible Apparition when he was a∣wake.

V. 2. Gods Host] Camp, Army, Heavenly souldiers, Luke 2. 13. Horses and charets of fire, 2 Kings 6. 17. fight∣ing for Gods people against their enemies, Dan. 10. 13, 20. 2 Kings 19. 35. Psal. 34. 7. Hoste] For their Numbers, Or∣der, Power, Employment; Angel the Guardian of Ja∣cob; but two Hosts, Heb. 1. 14. No Angel is restrained from a particular ministration to any of the Elect, nor a∣ny of the Elect so allotted to the custody of any Angel, that he may not expect the protection of many.

Mahanaim] Two armies, the word is of the Dual num∣ber, Cant. 6. 13. on either hand of him, or before and be∣hinde, Ps. 34. 7. 91. 11. Here is not one peculiar Angel. It seems not so likely, that by the two Armies should be meant, the one of the Angels, the other of Jacobs family. Hence likely is the name of that City, Josh. 21. 38. in the tribe of Gal, assigned to the Levites the children of Merari.

V. 3. Land of Seir] Ch. 14. 6. Deut. 2. 22. The Horims dwelt there afore; called Seir, not from Esau, but from Seir a Chorite or Horite, ch. 36. 20, 21. ch. 14 6. Thither was Esau gone, ch. 36. 6, 7, 8. And that lay in Jacobs way, which he must passe.

V. 4. My Lord Esau. Thy servant Jacob] V. 18. 33. 8. Not here by prejudicing or renouncing the birth-right or blessing, ch. 27. 29. Though yielding for a time, as David, after he was anointed, did to Saul, so Jacob here to paci∣fie Esaus old malice, and present rage, v. 5. Prov. 15. 1. waiting by faith for the Promise, which was to be accom∣plished in future times.

I have sojourned with Laban] As an exile, as it were so long, and rendering to him an accompt of his time spent.

V. 5. And I have oxen] And so will not be burdensom to him, or to his fathers house, not gape after his fathers riches, nor be a reproach to their family by his poverty, nor seek Esaus favour for his own profit sake.

to tell my lord] q. d. I would not passe by thee without acquainting thee with it.

V. 6. Foure hundred men] Most likely, with a bloody intent, how grievous soever it might be to his aged father, v. 8. These were too many for ostentation sake.

V. 7. Greatly afraid] The infirmity of the flesh ap∣pears, the Angels being gone.

he divided] V. 8. Another division, ch. 33. 1, 2. Good and godly policy, so, v. 16, 17, 18. and, ch. 14. 15. 30. 38.

V. 9. O God] He falls to prayer as his only safe-guard. And prayers not to the Angels that appeared for their medi∣ation. But labours to strengthen himself, and his faith in God, and his Promises and Word throughout his Prayer.

of my father] To whom thou hast made such promises. He prayes not to Abraham.

which saidst unto me, Return] Ch. 31. 13. Be now as good as thyword, to me obeying it.

V. 10. I am not worthy of the least] Nor of this I now beg; so, ch. 18. 27. 2 Sam. 9 7, 8. Luke 17. 10. Though he justly pleaded his merit to Laban, ch. 31. 38.

the truth] In performing thy gracious Promises and Predictions.

this Jordan] Now in sight, being in Mount Gilead or nearer.

two bands] V. 7.

V. 11. And the mother with the children] Or upon them, as, Hos. 10. 14. Deut 22. 6.

V 12. And thou saidest] Ch. 28. 14, 15. 31. 3.

V. 13. Which came to his hand] The night, and his haste to prevent his brother, would not suffer him to stand upon choice, 1 Sam 25. 8.

a Present] Rich, of five hundred and eighty head of cattel, a stock for breed. As Jacob prayeth and trusteth in God and his Promises, so yet he useth means, Prov. 17. 8. 18. 16.

V. 16. A space betwixt] V. 20. To mitigate his displea∣sure by degrees, ch. 33. 8, 9. and that if he fell in hostile manner upon the first, the other might seek the better to e∣scape.

V. 20. Jacob is behinde us] Lest Esau might surmise that he sent these only, that he in the mean season might escape some other way.

V. 21. That night] Not that, v. 13. but the night fol∣lowing, having spent the day before in sending away the droves and Presents by his servants.

V. 22. Two women-servants] So are Bilhah and Zilpah called here.

eleven sonnes] Dinah his daughter not mentioned. And Benjamin not yet borne.

Jabb••ak] Deut. 2. 37. 3. 16. Numb. 21. 24. Josh. 12. 2. Judg. 11. 13. the border of the children of Ammon. If Jacob now had not been well setled in the confidence of Gods Protection, he would not likely have passed over this river, as having better meanes to escape on the other side, Or rather, he being last, stayed yet on the other side of the river.

V. 23 Sent them ever] He remaining behinde, left alone on the other side, v. 24. And there, without knowledge of any, wrestled with the Angel that night, v. 24. 26, 31.

V. 24. Wrestled] Jacob wrestling both spiritually and corporally. He deignes this, who afterwards deigned to be borne in a stable, to die on a Crosse for us, Esay 55. 8. 1 Cor. 1. 27, 28.

a man] God in the shape of a man, even Christ, v. 26, 28, 30. Called God, and an Angel, Hos. 12. 3, 4. that An∣gel, Gen. 48. 16 Mal. 3. 1. that Arch-Angel Michael, Jude v. 9. After he had stayed behinde alone, purposely to pray, as he did, Hos. 12. 4. with weeping, at the last the Lord appeared and set on him with wr••stling.

until the breaking of the day] A private wrastling without Spectators, v. 26. nor then did Jacob fully know with whom he wrastled.

V. 25. And when he saw] This is spoken after the man∣ner of men. God knowes all, with one pure and perfect act.

that he prevailed not] With that measure of strength, which God in that assumed body was then pleased to take and use, Gen. 19. 22. Mar. 6. 5. Mat. 15. 22. 24. 27, 28. Exod. 32, 10. Luke 24. 29. To confirme him hereby, that he should prevail with Esau.

out of joynt] The huckle-bone, where the Sciatica is, to humble him that he should not be exalted out of mea∣sure: but know by whose indulgence he did prevaile; and this halting to remain as a monument of it, and of this Apparition.

V. 26. Let me go] Speaks after the manner of men, whose shape he had taken, and to put Jacob in minde of haste to his affaires, Esay 64. 7. Cant. 3. 4.

except thou blesse me] Now then he knew him to be an Angel, the Arch-angel. Here is his wrastling by prayers and teares, knowing him now to be God, Hos. 12. 4. The power of prayer, Deut. 9. 14.

V. 27. What is thy name] God knew well enough, as what was become of Abel; and Adam, ch. 3. and 4. He asketh his name, to take occasion for what himselfe meant to say of the change of his name.

V. 28. No more Jacob] Only, so, 1 Sam. 8. 7. Jer. 7. 22. or principally. The Jews are never called Jacobites but Isra∣elites; as, Exod. 16. 8. See, Annotations on chap. 46. 2.

but Israel] The change of names for honour sake; so in Abraham, Sarah, Joseph, Daniel and others. Esay 62. 2, see, ch. 35. 10.

with men] Laban already, Esau shortly.

V. 29. Tell me, I pray thee, thy Name] As God asked before his name v. 27. so Jacob here returnes a like demand, hoping he would give himself some peculiar name, where∣by he might have the surer and clearer knowledge of him, and the better remember and honour him, Judg. 13. 17. God appeared to Jacobat least thrice before, yet not ha∣ving the like occasion, he doth not, as now, ask his name.

wherefore is it] A refusal to satisfie his curiosity; as likewise, Judg. 13. 17, 18. It would be curiosity in us to ask the reason of this resusal, 1 Sam. 6. 19. some Angels had names, as Gabriel, Luke 1. 19, 26. Christ the Angel of the Covenant is named Michael, Dan. 10. 21. Jude v. 9. A∣poc. 12. 7. Rom. 12. 3.

blessed him] So granting his request, v. 26.

V. 30. Peniel] And Penuel, v. 31. Exod. 33. 11. so be∣fore in ch. 28. 19. In this place afterward a City and Tower was builded, and spoiled by Gideon, Judg. 8. 8, 17. and built again by Jeroboam, 1 Kings 12. 25.

God face to face] Jacob now knew him to be God, Exod. 33. 11, 20, 23. Deut. 34. 10.

and my life is preserved] Which the godly feared when they saw visions of God. See, Annotat. on chap. 16. 13.

V. 31. He halted] Infirmities we have in tentations and wrastlings with God, whether cured of it afterwards, or it still continued, we reade not.

V. 32. Eate not] In any creatures. To perpetuate the me∣mory of this honour done to Jacob.

unto this day] Till Moses time; without fault or folly in abstaining.

CHAP. XXXIII.

Verse 1. HE divided] Ch. 32. 16.

V. 2. He put] The dearest he reserves to the safest place.

V. 3. Before them] This shewes his fatherly affection, and his faith in the Promises. It seems he followed the five droves of cattel, and went before his children and their mothers, that were in three companies.

bowed] See Annot. on ch. 32. 4. Humility goeth before honour.

Seven times] Sometimes taken for many times, 1 Sam. 2. 5. Prov. 26. 25.

V. 4. Kissed him] Esaus heart really changed, Luk. 15. 20. Prov. 26. 7.

V. 8. What meanest thou] The servants had told him; but he thus takes occasion courteously to refuse them.

V. 9. I have enough] Many will never say so, Eccl. 4 8. Prov. 30. 15.

V. 10. Face of God] Honourable and comfortable. The Scripture useth to entitle to God the things that excel; so the Mountaines of God, the City of God, Prince of God, Wrastlings of God, Cedars of God, and seeing the light of Gods countenance shine evidently in the chear∣ful countenance of his brother, Psal. 41. 11.

V. 11. My blessing] Gift of good will to thee, which God hath blessed me with, 1 Sam. 25. 27. blessing thee, and God for thee, 1 Sam. 30. 26. 2 Kings 5. 15. 2 Cor. 9. 5, 6.

he took it] It is a more blessed thing to give then to re∣ceive, Acts 20. 35. Gen. 14. 23.

V. 14. Be able to endure] Esay 40. 11. Mar. 4. 33. 1 Cor. 3. 2. 9 22. Rom. 15. 1.

until I come unto my Lord] We reade not that he perform∣ed this Promise. After, upon some reasons he might change his minde, (Mat. 2. 12.) Or go to him with a few, making no stay. For it is not like that he would so soon, by so manifest a contempt or neglect, provoke afresh his new reconciled brother.

V. 15. Let me finde grace] Ch 34 11. 47. 25. 1 Sam. 25 8. 2 Sam 16. 4. Ru••h 2. 13.

V. 17. To Succoth] Here first so named, Judg. 8. 15, 16. Exod. 12. 37. Lev. 23. 34.

and built him an house] Not yet that he stayed here long.

V. 18. To Shalem] Or Salem, Thought to be Sychar, Joh. 4. 5. Not that Salem where Melchizedech reigned. This Salem was about fourty miles distant from it, John 3. 23. There is Salim near Ae non, haply that mention∣ed, 1 Sam. 9. ••.

a C ty of Shechem] Sychem, Acts 7. 16. Sychai, John 4. 5, 6.

pitched his tent] Dwelt at Succoth, and here most about six yeares, till Dinah was ravishable, and Jacobs sons able men to slay the Shechemites.

V. 19. And he bought] As Abraham did, ch. 23. 17, 18. See Annot. there.

a parcel of a field] After it became the portion of Joseph and his children. (And perhaps that legacy of Jacob on his death-bed, ch. 48. 22) Josh. 24. 32 Here Christ had con∣ference with the woman of Samaria, Joh. 4. 5.

of Hamor] Acts 7. 16. Emor.

a hundred pieces] Or lambs. Ancient custome to buy and sell by exchanging one thing for another. Or money having the pictures of Lambs stamped on them, whence pecunia hath its name à pecude, Josh. 24. 32. Job 42. 11. the same word Kesitah is used, where it must be understood of a piece of money, likely of gold, for a Lamb were too small a gift. Kesitah is 1 d. ob.

V. 20. An Altar] As, ch 12. 8. 13. 3, 4, 18. 26. 25. He repaired that Altar Abraham had built there, ch. 12. 6, 7.

El-eohe-Israel] Exod. 17. 15. Figuratively calling the signe by the name of the thing signified. This the name of the Altar, not the Inscription upon the Altar.

Judah's departure from his brethren, and marrying a Canaanitish woman, ch. 38. 1. fell not out at this time; but before. See Annot. on that place.

CHAP. XXXIV.

Verse 1. ANd Dinah] Ch. 30. 21, 22. This must needs be about six yeares after Jacobs co∣ming from Laban, and Dinah at this time but thirteen years old at most; because of Benjamins birth a while after this, ch. 35. 16, 17, 18. who, if borne the next yeare, yet can be but twenty six yeares old, when he went with his father into Egypt, and had then ten sons, ch. 46. 21.

went out to see] Likely upon some festival day, and also her self alone, Tit. 2. 5.

V. 2. Hamor] Acts 7. 16. Emor or Emmor.

V. 3. And s••ake kindly] To comfort her, being afflict∣ed for the injury done her, as Tamar in like case was, 2 Sam. 13. 13, 19.

V. 5. Jacob held his peace] Though sorrowful enough. So Aaron, Lev 10. 3. and David, Psal. 39. 9. Thus Jacob ruling his own spirit, did better then his sonnes that took the City, Prov. 16. 32.

until] As fittest to comfort and counsel him.

V. 7. And the sonnes of Jacob] Reuben being born the first yeare of Jacobs coming to Laban, was now about twenty five yeares old, Simeon twenty foure, Levi twenty three.

wroth] In hatred of the sin, and for the disgrace and re∣proach of the Church.

folly] So the rape, Judg. 20. 6. and Achans sacriledge, Josh. 7. 15. are called folly, Rom. 1. 22. Folly in offending God, losing the soule, forfeiting heaven, gaining hell.

in Israel] This name given him first, ch. 32. 28. There∣fore these words likely are the words, not of Jacobs sonnes, but of Moses, who writeth this story, according to the phrase of speech used in his time, and suitable to the words of the Law, delivered by him afterwards, Deut. 23. 17. See, Deut. 21. 21. Josh. 7. 15. Judg. 20. 6.

V. 8. With them] Likely apart from their father.

Your daughter] They treating in their fathers name as well as in their own. So, v. 17.

V. 11. I will give] See, Annot on ch. 29. 18. Amnon

did far worse with Tamar, 2 Sam. 13. Exod. 22. 16, 17. and, Deut. 22. 28, 29, is in satisfaction for wrong done; not upon a free and equal motion and proceeding in mar∣riage.

V. 13. And the sonnes of Jacob] Without their fathers consent.

deceitfully] Without their fathers knowledge. He was a plain man and sincere, ch. 25. 27.

V. 14. Uncircumcised] Superfluous. Though Isaac and Jacob were married to women of Bethael and Labans fami∣ly, where circumcision of the males in all likelihood was not in use.

V. 15. But in this will we] Jacob would not have the holy Sacrament prophaned, and obtruded upon unbelie∣vers, nor his holy seed to be mingled with the cursed Ca∣naanites, (Deut. 7. 3, 4) Neither did Jacobs sons here deal otherwise then deceitfully, v. 25.

be circumcised] Thus they abuse and prostitute the ho∣ly Sacrament to their bloody purpose, and under colour of Religion cover their deceipt; so did Jozebel, 1 Kings 21, 9, 10. and Absalom, 2 Sam. 15. 7, 8.

V. 16. Our daughters] Which we have or shall have.

V. 17. Our daughter] As, v. 8. using the name of their father.

V. 19. More honourable] His great esteem was one ground of his present prevailing so much with all the men, in so strange a request.

V. 20. The gate of their City] Where were the publick Assemblies and Courts of justice. See, Annotat. on chap. 23. 10.

V. 23. And every beast of theirs be ours?] Not as a spoile from them, but by commerce, marriages and the like.

V. 25. On the third day] The Critical day, by Physici∣ans, for wounds.

Simeon and Levi, Dinahs brethren] By father and mo∣ther, Reuben was of a more milde nature, ch. 37. 29. They only the chief Authours and Actors, others also both bre∣thren and servants like to be Assistants, v 13, 27.

boldly] Because the wounded men could not resist them; and the City was secure.

slew all the males] A male had done the wrong. Their wives and little ones they took captives, v. 29. God might justly suffer this for the Shechemites own sins, and take oc∣casion for it from the sin of their Prince, 1 Chron. 32. 25. 2 Sam 24. 1, 15, 17.

V. 27. The sons of Jacob] The rest likely.

and spoiled the City] V. 28, 29. of murderers become rob∣bers.

they had defiled their sister] One of them had, and the o∣ther repressed it not, nor judged him for it; So, Josh. 7. 1, 11, 12. 22. 20.

V. 29. Captive] What they did after with them we reade not.

in the house] In every house, chiefly Shechems house wherein Dinah was, v. 2••.

V. 30. Unto Simeon and Levi] As the chief offenders.

ye have troubled me] He then was neither privy to, nor approver of this massacre. And therefore, ch. 49. 5, 6, 7. he doth by the spirit of prophecie curse them for it, Josh. 6. 18. 7. 25. 1 Kings 18. 18. For this fact likely he de∣prives them of their birth-right, as Reuben for his sinne, and conferres it on Judah, chap. 49. Prov. 11 29.

to make me] Though he were in no fault.

to stink] Cruelty and treachery are odious crimes, Ex. 5. 22. 1 Chron. 19 6.

V. 31. As with an harlot] A stubborne answer. In the Hebrew Zonah, the first letter is extraordinarily great. In ch. 23. 2. There is a little letter to note Abrahams mo∣deration without excesse in weeping.

CHAP. XXXV.

Verse 1. ANd God said] Jacob being now perplexed with feare, for that done to the Sheche∣mites, and likely thinking thereupon of removing, God here bespeaks him, as followeth.

said] Whether by vision, or dream, or in what manner is not set down.

to Bethel] Southward from Shechem about thirty Eng∣lish miles.

and dwelt there] Yet he dwelt a small while there, as appeares by the birth of Benjamin, after he went from Bethel, v. 16, 18. And from Dinahs ravishing at Shechem, to Benjamins going down with his father into Egypt, there can be no more then twenty seven yeares; reckoning Jo∣seph to be thirteen yeares old when Dinah was ravished, both being borne in one yeare, ch. 30 21, 22. and Joseph being fourty yeares old in the third yeare of famine, when Benjamin with his father came down into Egypt. And Benjamin then had ten sons, ch. 46. 21.

an Altar unto God] Altars built by Noah. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob himself, chap. 33. 20. To sacrifice thereon.

unto God] Speaks of himself in the third person. So, Ex. 20. 7, 10, 11.

that appeared unto thee] Thereby minding him of Gods gracious Promises, and of his own vow there made, ch. 28. 22.

when thou fleddest] And wast in as much danger then, as thou art in now.

V. 2. Unto his houshold] Jacobs religious care of his houshold.

and to all that were with him] This may relate to the captived Sichemites, and to all of his retinue and fol∣lowers.

Put away] So, Josh. 24. 23. Judg. 10. 16. 1 Sam. 7. 3, 4. no mixture permitted, no toleration allowed in a false wor∣ship, Deut. 29. 9 10, 11. 1 Sam, 5. 1. 2 Cor. 6. 16.

Strange gods] Of strange Nations, and other people, dif∣fering from the true God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, whether Labans gods stollen by Ruchel, and it may be yet unknown to Jacob; or any other brought by any other of his retinue, when they came from Laban and Mesopotamia; or any gods of the Shechemies, their captives among them, worshipped by them, or taken as spoile, and secretly kept for the tichnesse of them.

and change your garments] Putting on others or washing these, Zech. 3. 3, 4, 5. Exod. 19. 10, 14. Ceremonies after∣wards enjoyned by the Law in divers cases, Lev. 15. 13. Numb. 31, 23. importing change of minde and manners, cleansing from sin to holinesse, Jude v. 23. 2 Cor. 7. 1. E∣zech. 16. 8, 10 Apoc. 3. 4, 18. 7. 14.

V. 3. And go up to Bethel] Eccl. 5. 1. The House of God, that dreadful, the gate of Heaven, chap. 28. 17. Therefore in a special manner they should prepare and sanctifie them∣selves.

I will make] And perform my vow.

an Altar] V. 1, 7. after a pillar, v. 14.

of my distresse] About twenty seven yeares ago.

V. 4. And all their eare-rings] Idolatrous monuments, Hos. 2. 13. Judg 8. 24, 25, 26. 27. Deut. 7. 25, 26. Exod. 32 2, 3, 4.

under an oak] From the knowledge of his family and people, Esay 30. 22. Under an oak by Shechem, Joshuah set up a great stone for a witnesse of the peoples Covenant with God, Josh. 24. 26, 27. And there the Shechemites made Abimelech King, Judg. 9. 6. Oakes and groves of trees forbidden in worship, and used by idolaters, Esay 1. 29.

by Shechem] Shiloh and the Tabernacle of God were af∣ter there, or by Shechem, Josh. 24. 1, 25, 26.

V. 5. Terrour of God] Ch. 34. ••0. In all humane reason they easily might have destroyed him and his, Exod. 23. 27. Josh. 2. 9, 11. Gods restraining hand upon the wicked. See, Annot. on ch. 20. 6.

V. 7. An Altar] According to part of his vowe, ch. 28. 22.

El-Bethel] Here he addes to the former name, chap. 28. 19.

V. 8. Rebekahs nurse] Sent with Rebekah, ch. 24. 59. And Jacob being now returned into Canaan, and being there now about seven yeares, and not very far from his fathers house, she thence might come to him of her owne accord, or he send for her, or fetch her, if she did not return into Mesopotamia, and thence come along with Jacob.

V. 9. Again] This is the seventh time God revealed himself to Jacob in special, manner, ch. 28. 13. 31. 3, 11. 32. 1, 2, 24. v. 35. 1.

V. 10. But Israel shall be thy name] Confirmes this name to him the second time. See Annotat. on chap. 32. 28.

V. 11. I am God Almighty] Confirmes and amplifies the Promises made, ch. 28. and ch. 32.

Kings] Thus God gives him the blessing of Abraham, ch. 28. 4. 17. 6.

V. 12. To thee] Not to Esau.

V. 13. And God went up] Chap. 17. 22. Judges 13. 20.

V. 14. Set up a pillar] Repaired the old, set up neare thirty yeares ago, ch. 28. 18. or rather a new one in the ve∣ry place here named.

a drink-offering thereon, and he poured oile thereon] These in use before the Ceremonial Law by Moses, chap. 28. 18.

V. 16. A little way] About a mile short of Bethlehem, ch. 48. 7. 2 King. 5. 19.

Ephrath] Which is Bethlehem, v. 19. The Prophet joyns them, And thou Bethlehem Ephrata, Micah 5. 2. called al∣so Bethlehem-Judah, to distinguish it from another in Ga∣lilee, in the tribe of Zebulun. Here our Saviour was borne.

V. 17. This sonne also] Ch 30. 24.

V. 18. As her soule was in departing] To God that gave it, Eccl. 12. 7. being it self immortal, as appeareth here; and as is confessed by Heathens themselves, as Plato, Ari∣stotle, Cicero and others; and so again life is restored, when the soule comes again into the body, 1 Kings 17. 21, 22.

for she died] Who formerly would die for want of chil∣dren, ch. 30. 1.

Ben-oni] The like case is, 1 Sam. 4. 20, 21.

Benjamin] Psal. 80. 17. Now was Joseph about twelve or thirteen yeares old, six yeares old when he came from Laban, and six or seven yeares more since he came into Ca∣naan, till the birth of Benjamin after Dinah's ravishing And B••njamin was twenty seven or tweney eight when he went into Egypt with his ten sons, Joseph then being four∣ty, and Benjamin younger then he twelve or thirteen yeares.

V. 19. Buried in the way] About this place many infants were murdered by Herod, Mat 2. 16, 18 Jer. 31. 15.

V. 20. A pillar] Monuments and memorials for the dead are lawful and useful too.

unto this day] Till Moses time, and after that to Sauls time, 1 Sam. 10. 2.

V. 21. Tower of Edar] i e Of the flock, Micah. 4. 8. It may be hereabouts the Angels appeared to the shep∣herds, Luke 2. 8.

V. 22. His fathers Concubine] See Annot. on ch. 22. 24. and on ch. 25. 1. By this he justly lost his birth-right, ch. 49. 4. 1 Chron. 5. 1. So Absalom sinned with his fathers Concubines, 2 Sam. 16. 22. And as David abstained from them afterwards, 2 Sam. 20. 3. so likely Jacob did from Bilhah.

and Israel heard it] Here is an empty space left in the line, with a mark to move consideration. As likewise in Gen. 4. 8. And also a pause or breaking off as to a new matter, even in the midst of the verse. So in Deuteron. 2. 8.

twelve] He had no more after. Dinah was a daughter, and Joseph was one of the twelve; yet after when the twelve tribes were accounted and setled, Ephraim and Ma∣nasse were put in, and Joseph and Levi (in a sort) left out, Levi for any land by lot in Canaan. They are called the twelve Patriarchs, Acts 7. 8. and twelve tribes, Acts 26. 7. Their names engraved on twelve precious stones, on the High Priests plate, Exod. 28. 21, 29. and on the twelve gates of the new Jerusalem, Ezech. 48. 31. A∣poc. 21. 12. The Apostles of Christ were twelve, and their names written on the twelve foundations of the wall or the City of the new Jerusalem, Apoc. 21. 14.

V. 23. The sonnes of Leah] The sons of the wives by themselves, and of the Concubines by themselves.

V. 26. In Padan Aram] Except Benjamin, which is so plain in the former part of this chapter, as no Reader could mistake it. And so no need of an exception of him to be named.

V. 27. And Jacob came unto Isaac] His sons, though borne out of the land of Canaan, come with him into the land, whereas Esau and his sonnes, though borne in the land, do go out and give place. Jacob and his wives, chil∣dren and family came to him, and removed their habitati∣ons thither. Though in all likelihood, living divers years in Canaan before, and that not far from Isaac, he did be∣fore this time come to visit his blinde and aged father.

unto Mamre] See Annot. on ch. 13. 18. and on 23. 2.

V. 29. And died] Long after Jacobs rerurn to him, for he lived till the yeare before Josephs advancement in Egypt, or till the time of his advancement. He being sixty when Jacob was borne, and Jacob being one hundred and twenty when Joseph was advanced in Egypt, and one hundred and thirty when he stood before Pharaoh, which sixty and one hundred and twenty make up the full life of Isaac.

Esau and Jacob buried him] So Isaac and Ishmael buried Abraham, ch. 25. 9.

CHAP. XXXVI.

Verse 1. NOw these are the generations of Esau] 1. Chron. 1. 35. All this shewes the accom∣plishment of that Oracle given to Rebekah, ch. 25. 23. As also of that temporal blessing wherewith his father blessed him, ch. 27. 39, 40. And likewise of the Promise to Abraham, ch. 22. 17.

V. 2. Esau took his wives] Ch. 26. 34. 28. 9. Many here have two names.

Adah] Called Bashemath, ch 26. 34.

Aholibamah] Called Judith, ch. 26. 34.

the daughter of Anah] Called Beeri, ch. 26. 34.

the daughter of Zibeon] His Grand-childe. And this doth distinguish this Anah from another of the name, v. 20. who was the brother of Zibeon, and so the Uncle of this Anah.

the Hivite] A Hittite, ch. 26. 34. The Hivites compre∣hended the Hittites under them.

V. 3. And Bashemath] Called Mahalath, ch. 28. 9.

V. 6. And Esau took] Had taken before Jacobs coming, ch. 32. 3. 33. 14.

and went into the countrey] Another countrey, Mount Seir, v. 8.

from the face] Before Jacobs coming, ch. 32. 3.

V. 7. For their riches] His and his fathers, or else all this removing, though begun as before, yet might receive a full and final accomplishment after Jacobs coming, and perhaps after Isaacs death. When the riches of the two brethren were more, then that they might dwell together in a land wherein they were but only sojourners; and hap∣ly too that Esau by this time had already hope to get the possession of the land of Seir.

V. 8. Seir] So named from a man of that name, v. 20. God gave it to Esau, Deut. 2. 5, 12. Josh. 24. 4.

V. 11. Eliphaz were Teman] Eliphaz the Temanite, Job 2. 11.

V. 12. And Timna] Sister to Lotan, the son of Seir, v. 20, 22. was married to Eliphaz Esaus sonne. Thus by marriages and the sword Esau got into the rule and posses∣sion of Mount Seir, ch. 27. 40. 1 Chron. 1. 36.

Amalek] 1 Chron. 1. 36. A Duke, v. 10. Whence came the Amalekites, which were so great enemies to Israel, Exod. 17. 8, 14.

V. 13. Revel] 1 Chron. 1. 37.

V. 15. Dukes] Leaders or chief Governours, fourteen in number. After they had Kings, v. 31. and after that Dukes again, v 40, 41, 42, 43.

V 16. Duke Korah] Omitted among the sons of Eli∣phaz, v. 11. and 1 Chron. 1. 36. nor yet that Duke Korah, v. 18. he being of another mother.

V. 20. Seir the Horite] Ch. 14. 6. Horites seem to be of the Hivites. v. 2. for Zibeon the Hivite, v. 2. cometh of this race. Their race is mentioned because of the affini∣ties the Edomites made with them, and the Edomites being their successors in the land and Government.

V. 24. This was that Anah] Mule.] The vulgar La∣tine translates it Buhes. Mules ingender not, but are in∣gendred by an He-Asse upon a mare; against the Law, Lev. 19. 19. This Anah was father-in law to Esau, v. 2. 25.

V. 26. Children of Dishon] Many following are of two names, 1 Chron. 1. 41, &c.

Hemdam] Or Amram, 1 Chron. 1. 41.

V. 27. Akan] Or Jakan, 1 Chron. 1. 42.

V. 28. Dishan] And Dishon, distinct persons, v. 21, 28. 1 Chron 1. 38, 42.

V. 30. Among their Dukes] That is, Dukedomes. For these seven sons of Seir had their Dukedomes at one time in several places, being all brethren, the sons of Seir, ver. 20, 21.

V. 31. And these are the Kings] The accomplishment of the Promise to Abraham, ch. 17. 16. For Kings to pro∣ceed from Sarah. Thus Esau after his Dukes, v. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. had of his posterity eight Kings, which b••re succes∣sively a golden scepter, whiles Jacobs posterity was in servi∣tude, under a rod of iron in Egypt.

Before] Before Moses time; for he was King in Jeshurun, Deut. 33.

V. 32.] These Kings being borne in several places, of several kindreds, and reigning most in several Cities, must therefore reign, not by succession, but by election or ty∣ranny.

V. 37. Of Rehoboth] A City builded by Nimrod, Gen. 10. 11.

by the river] Euphrates.

V. 40. And these are the names of the Dukes] From Kings they come down to Dukes again, eleven here named; which haply might be Dukes in several places, all at one time. The Dukes of Edom are mentioned, Exod. 15. 15. at the Israelites coming out of Egypt And the King of E∣dom, mentioned a little before the end of their fourty yeares being in the wildernesse. Numb. 20. 14. and that may be haply the last King Hadar, v. 39. of this chapter. If these eleven Dukes were to be counted in succession one after an∣other, then must Moses here by the spirit of Prophecie fore∣tell their names and dignities, which did succeed when he was dead.

V. 41. Aholibamah] And Timnah likewise, v. 40. before the names of women, v. 12, 14. are here the names of men.

the father of the Edomites] Of Edom, from the red pot∣tage, and his red haire too, ch. 25, 25, 30.

CHAP. XXXVII.

Verse. 2. THe generations of Jacob] The story of things that did befall him, chap. 6. 9. 25. 19.

Joseph being seventeen years old] And Jacob then one hundred and seven, Joseph uourished him seventeen yeares in Egypt before he died.

was feeding the flock] Not idle, but a shepherd him∣selfe.

with the sons of Bilhab] The sonnes of the Handmaids sorted together, and Joseph with them rather then with Le∣ah's sons, for safety against envie and emulation. And specially in safety with Bilhah, Rachels handmaid.

their evil report] Of their injurious usage of him, or of their evil conversation.

V. 3. More then all] More then any of them all.

sonne of his old age] He was upon ninety at the birth of Joseph, and now one hundred and seven; Bonjamin was now but about three or foure yeares old, and not come yet to any proof to gain so much of his fathers affection.

of many colours] So Tamar had, and Kings daughters u∣sed them that were Virgins, 2 Sam. 13. 18. A signe of Ja∣cobs

love, an object of his brethrens envie.

V. 4. More then all his brethren] There appeared in him presages of vertuous acts and great employments.

V. 5. Dreamed] See Annot. on ch. 20. 3.

told it] Gods special Providence was in it, causing him thus to reveal his dreames.

V. 7. And made obeisance to my sheaf] For corne it was that they went down into Egypt, and there did obeisance to Joseph, ch. 42.

V. 8. Reign over us] They apply it to themselves, as the Midianites did, Judg. 7. 13, 14.

made obeisance to me] Twice, as Pharaohs dreams, chap. 41. 25, 32. see it accomplished, ch. 46.

V. 10. And his father rebuked him] Partly through igno∣rance, and partly in policy to abate the hatred of his bre∣thren, v. 11.

and thy mother] Stepmother, Leah; Rachel being dead at this time undoubtedly.

V. 11. Observed the saying] Seeing the dream was doubled, and that excellent gifts and graces of mind and body, appeared in Joseph, Luke 2. 19, 51.

V. 12. In Shechem] Which was from Hebron, where his father and Grandfather were, v. 14. about sixty miles, ch. 35. 27. This the place, where not foure yeares ago they committed that massacre. And ever since likely the lesse inhabited, and so more fit for pasturage, and freer from danger, the terrout of God being still upon the neighbour∣ing places. Haply in that place bought, ch. 33. 19.

V. 14. Well with thy brethren] Minding haply the mas∣sacre they had made there, and their possibility of danger by it.

V. 16. I seek my brethren] His fathers care in sending, and his in seeking, do aggravate his brethrens sin and cruelty against him.

V. 17. And found them in Dothan] Josephs obedience stretched further then his fathers words, to his fathers mind. About eight miles distant from Shechem. Here afterwards was a City where Elizaus was, 2 Kings 6. 13.

V. 18. They conspired] They quickly conclude out of their fore-conceived malices, so, Luke 20. 14.

V. 19 This dreamer] A nick-name in scorne. And so best men are used.

V. 20. Slay him, and we will say] One sin draweth on another.

some evil beast] As, 1 Kings 13. 24. 2 Kings 2. 24. They will do a beastly act, but not own it.

V. 21. Reuben] The eldest, ch. 42. 22. He the eldest might most hate Josephs Sovereignty; he did it with an intent to deliver him to his father again, v. 22. it may be to make some amends to him for his incest with Bilhah. Sinful all the sons of Jacob, sinful the Church.

V. 23. Stript Joseph] He besought them in the anguish of his soule, ch. 42. 21. Mat. 27. 28.

V. 24. No water] Jer. 38. 6. Zech. 9. 11.

V. 25. To eate bread] Exod. 18. 12. without remorse for it, they make much of themselves, and little regard the afflictions of Joseph, Amos 6. 6. Their consciences were asleep.

Ishmaelites came from Gilead] From Arabia; or East from Jordan, by Dothan towards Egypt.

Gilead] A place of merchandise, Jer. 8. 22. 22. 6. 46. 11.

V. 26. What profit] A good quaerie to pose our selves when we are about to sin. Profit would arise by selling him, Mat. 16. 26. Rom. 6. 21.

V. 27. Sell him] Ancient and usual to sell men, Exod. 21. 21, 16.

Ishmaelites] Ch. 39. Called also Midianites, v. 28. and Medanites, v. 36. Medan and Midian brethren, 25. 1, 2. a mixt company of Merchants, both Ishmaelites by Hagars sonne, and Midianites of Keturahs sonne, ch. 25. 2. both dwelling in Arabia; so, in Judg. 8. 22, 24, 26.

V. 28. Drew up] in Reubens absence.

for twenty pieces of silver] Twenty shekels, i. e. shillings, and 3 d. a piece more, •• 1 li. 5. sh See Annot. on ch. 23. 16. Joseph here may many wayes be a type of Jesus; sold for thirty pieces.

V. 29. And he rent his clothes] He was absent when Ju∣dahs counsel was followed, v. 26, 27. And likely he ab∣sented himself of purpose, that he might, as now he did, go some secret way to the pit to deliver him, v. 22. missing him, he rent his cloathes, as custome then was in like ca∣ses of great and grievous sorrow, to shew the brokennesse of their heart, what little care or comfort they took of any thing in that passion. Examples are many of the like, v. 34. ch. 44. 13. David commands it to Joab and the peo∣ple in their mourning before Abuer, 2 Sam. 3. 31.

V. 30. The childe is not] Not in the pit, nor alive, ch. 42. 13, 36. Jer. 31. 15. Yet after he knew all, he consents to conceal the sale of him from his father.

and I, whither shall I go?] Of me the eldest my father will require him. And I have so greatly offended him al∣ready, ch. 35. 22. So, 2 Sam. 13. 13.

V. 32. sent] By messengers. and they brought it] The messengers.

V. 34. Jacob rent his clothes] Isaac was alive, and no doubt mourned too.

put on sack-cloth] Here first mentioned. A ceremony of sorrow much practised afterwards by Gods people, and by the Ninevites themselves, Jonah 3—5. Hereunto were sometimes added earth and ashes on the head.

and mourned] Washed the bloody coat of his son with his teares.

V. 35. And all his sons] That plotted this sorrow, pre∣tended sorrow themselves; and would never lessen his sor∣row by confessing the sale.

and all his daughters] Dinah and his sons wives.

but he refused to he comforted] Infirmity in Jacob. This aggravates his sons sin.

into the grave] The word signifieth the state of the dead, without any reference to pain or anguish. Jacob here meant not a grave properly, because he thought Joseph to be some of wilde beasts, much lesse dreamed he of a Limbus Pa∣trum, and least of Hell or Purgatory, Joseph being so good a sonne. Usually the word signifies a grave. As death is ap∣pointed for all men, so is this Sheol, Psal. 89. 48. Eccl 9. 10. Job desired to be hid in Sheol, Job 14. 13. Gen. 42. 38. 44. 29, 31. Psal. 16. 10.

V. 36. An Officer] Eunuch. Such came to be great Of∣ficers in Courts of Kings, Chamberlaines, &c. and so the word came to be a word of Court-honour, ch. 40. 2. and so given to some that were not gelded; as to Potiphar here, who had a wife, ch. 39. 7, 9. The Law is against such, Deut. 23. 1.

Captain of the guard] A Provost-Marshal, 2 Kings 25, 8. Gen. 40. 3.

CHAP. XXXVIII.

Verse 1. AT that time] Or in that time not of Josephs selling into Egypt. For between that time and Judahs going into Egypt with his father Jacob, were but twenty two or twenty three yeares. Joseph be∣ing sold at seventeen yeares old; and all coming down when he was fourty yeares old. And within the compasse of those twenty two or twenty three years, Judabs marri∣age with the daughter of Shuah, and the begetting of Pharez upon Tamar his daughter-in-law, and Pharez his begetting of Hezron and Hamul could not possibly be done. Judah's marriage then must needs precede the story of Jo∣sephs sale; and Er his eldest sonne must needs be about ten yeares old at that time. Therest, and so the most of the story in this chapter, fell out after the selling of Joseph into Egypt.

went dom•• from his brethren] Not before he left Laban, though some reject not that opinion; but before Dinahs ravishing, yea, speedily upon his first coming into Canaan. They that make Judah to be born in the beginning of the 14th year of the latter seven of Jacobs service, & so but three or four years older then Ioseph, and but fourty three or fourty foure when he came with his father into Egypt, they find him by that account to be but ten yeares old when he first came into Canaan, and thereupon defer his marriage till two or three yeares after, and so straiten the times for the births of his off-spring before they all went into Egypt, which howsoever the great Annotations miscast it upon this place, must needs run thus, viz. that Judah at twelve or thirteen married the daughter of Shuah, two or three yeares after his coming into Canaan; and in three yeares after had Er, Onan and Shelah. That Er at twelve marri∣ed Tamar, that foure yeares were spent in the matters of Onan and Shelah, and Judahs begetting Pharez, and Zerah of Tamar, to the time of the birth of Pharez: that Pharez at twelve married, and in two yeares had Ezrom and Hamul. All which do make up but thirty three or thirty four years, which is the ful time between the first coming of them all into Canaan, and their going down into Egypt, as clearly appears by the several periods of Josephs age; he being six or seven yeares old when they all left Laban, and fourty when they all came down unto him into Egypt. But the other opinion which makes Judah to be borne in the fourth yeare of the first seven of Jacobs service, and so to be ten yeares older then Joseph, and fifty yeares old when he with his father came into Egypt, doth give fairer way to the course and times of the story thus, viz. Judah at six∣teen yeares old, comes into Canaan, and speedily marries the daughter of Shuah. In the next yeare hath Er. Er mar∣ries Tamar at fourteen. After which foure yeares are spent in the matters of Onan, of Shelah, and till the birth of Pha∣rez, begotten by Judah after the death of his wife, upon the body of Tamar, and Pharez at thirteen yeares old mar∣ries, and in two yeares hath Hezron and Hamul, and then all go down into Egypt. And all this within the fifty years of Judahs age.

Adullamite] Adullam, a city that fell afterwards to the tribe of Judah, Josh. 12. 15. 15. 33, 35. had a King was seated in a valley, David fled to a cave here, 1 Sam. 22. 1. 2 Sam. 23. 13.

V. 2. Canaanite] Contrary to the wills of his Grand∣father and great Grandfather, ch. 24. 3. 27. 46. 28. 1.

Shuah] The name not of Judahs wife, but of her father, v. 12. 1 Chron. 2. 3.

V. 3. He called] The man names the childe.

V. 4. She called] The woman names. And so, v. 5.

Chezib] Likely Achzib, Josh. 19. 29. 15. 44. signifies lying, and thereto the Prophet alludes, Micah. 1. 14.

V. 7. Was wicked in] What wickednesse is not set down, but heinous sure in kinde and degree.

slew him] Shortly after his marriage, how or by what meanes is not set down, ch. 46. 12. Numb. 26. 19. 1 Chron. 2. 3. In some extraordinary remarkable manner by sud∣den vengeance.

V. 8. And marry her and raise up seed] This before Mo∣ses time. After a Law made for it, Deut. 25. 5, 7, 9. And in want of a brother, the next Kinsman was to do it, Ruth 3. 9. 4. 6, 7. But forbidden in case the brother left a∣ny issue before he died, Lev. 18. 16. 20. 21.

V. 11. Remain a widow at thy fathers house] Lev. 22. 13. Lest she should entice Shelah.

till Shelah] Yet he minded it not, v. 14, 26.

lest he die] Conceiving something amisse of Tamar, up∣on an evil surmise, as if some unluckinesse followed her.

V. 12. In processe of time] The dayes were multiplied, yet long it could not be: but surely after the deat••s of Er and Onan, because after his fit of mourning for her death, he soon lies with Tamar.

sheep-shearers] Then they used to have feasts, 1 Sam. 25. 8, 11. So he went to make merry after his mourn∣ing.

Timnath] A City in the Philistines countrey, which af∣ter fell to the lot of Judah, Josh. 15. 20, 57. There Sampson took a wife, Judg. 14. 1.

V. 14. Widowes garment] Some mournful guise and ha∣bit, to notifie her estate. An ancient and lawful pra∣ctice.

in an open place.] So whores used, Prov. 7. 12. 9. 14. Jer. 3. 2. Ezech. 16. 25.

grown, and she was not given] Some suitable time must be allowed to this: which will hardly stand with that opini∣on of Judah's not marrying till he had been three yeares in the land of Canaan.

V. 15. Because she had covered her face] A veile did serve for Modesty, ch. 24. 65. But here it was that Judah might not know her. And likely to the same purpose she used whis∣pering, or changed her voice and tone. See, Annot. on ch. 29. 25

V. 16. What wilt thou give me] Ezech. 16. 33. Deut. 23. 18. Micah 1. 7.

V. 17] Pledge] Hebrew Eraben, whence the Greek Arrhaebon, and the Latine Arrhabon. This she did for her future security. v. 24, 25.

V. 18. Thy signet] Luke 15. 22. Jer. 22. 24.

came in unto her] In some secret place by, and near.

conceived by him] Being now about thirty foure yeares of age. The great Annotators reckon him now to be a∣bout thirty yeares of age; and yet by the grounds of their own reckoning, he must needs be twenty nine at the mar∣riage of Er; marrying himself at fourteen, and his eldest sonne Er likewise marrying at fourteen; which how they will agree together let the Reader judge. See their Annot. on ch. 38. 1. yet of Judah by this conception come the Jewes, who brag they were not borne of fornication, John 8. 41. yea, our blessed Saviour sprung from this race, Mat. 1. 3. He will not reject great sinners.

V. 23. Lest we be shamed] Shameful was the sin of for∣nication among the Heathen.

V. 24. Let her be burnt] For adultery, as being betroth∣ed and belonging to Shelah. Thus the Heathens condemned adultery, Jer. 29. 22, 23. And so Moses Law after, Deut. 22. 23, 24. condemned there to be stoned. And a Priests daugh∣ter for fornication to be burnt, Lev. 21. 9. Judah here takes upon him, as if he had power of life and death over those that belonged to his family, as Tamar did though now in her fathers house; or at least, he shewes the eager∣nesse of his desire against her, if his meaning were, but to have her carried before the Magistrate, and be so pu∣nished by burning, according to the Law of the countrey. However, he was desirous to be rid of her, for his sonne Shelahs sake: and bewrayes his own partiality in his owne sinne, and inhumane cruelty in thus judging her to fire, and the fruit in her wombe yet unborne, and that before he heard what she could say for her self, never minding how unjustly he had dealt with her, in not giving her to Shelah to wise. Thus, 2 Sam. 12. 5, 7. Rom. 2. 1.

V. 25. When she was brought forth] To execution, or rather to prison or trial.

she sent] To stay his proceedings, and haply to smother it before it came to a publick hearing.

the signet, and bracelet, and staffe] Thus she convicts him by his owne seale, and beats him with his owne staffe.

V. 26. And Judah acknowledged] His repentance, else he might have pleaded against those tokens many wayes, by many excuses, to have freed himself.

more righteous then I] Aggravates his own fault. In ma∣ny things both faulty, and in some things each of them more faulty then the other. He was the cause or occasion of her sin.

and he knew her again no more] It had been incest. His repentance. To sin no more is true repentance, Job 34. 31, 32. Though Judah were young now, yet we reade not of any more of his children after, so that it seems he married not again, or had no children by his second wife, ch. 46. 12. Numb. 26. 19, 20, 21, 22. 1 Chron. 2. 3, 4. She∣lah was after married, and likely to Tamar, Numbers 26. 20.

V. ••8. Put out his hand] Dangerous labour for her sin, ch. 25. 26.

a scarlet thread] Discerning there were twins, as a skil∣ful midwife might do, and intending to mark the first-borne.

V. 29. This breach be upon thee] Thou hast made it, and thou shalt beare the name of it. As these twins, so Ja∣cob and Esau may be said to strive for the birth-right in the wombe.

Pharez] Ruth 4. 12. Mat. 1. 3.

V. 30. Zarah] Signifies risen or sprung up, as the Sun is said to rise. In the birth of these two brethren, the state of the two Churches of Jewes and Gentiles may be considered, as in a figure, the Jew drawing back his hand by unbelief, Rom. 10. 3. and after the fulnesse of the Gen∣tiles is broken forth and come in, then he coming forth last of all, Rom. 11. 11, 12, 24, 25, 26.

CHAP. XXXIX.

Verse. 1. TO Egypt] For their preservation, chap. 45. 5, 7.

V. 2. And the Lord was with Joseph] V. 3, 21. Acts 7. 9, 10 Psal. 91. 15.

in the house of his Master] Gods blessing went along with him. His Master employed him at home in the house, and not in more servile businesses abroad. No doubt he soon got skill in the Egyptian language, to enable him to it.

V. 3. His Master saw] By the effects. Thus the Hea∣then acknowledge a divine Providence, ch. 30. 27.

V. 4. Found grace in his sight] V. 21. though none in his brethren, Nehem. 2. 4, 5.

Overseer] Steward, Prov. 27. 18. 14. 35. 17. 2.

all that he had] So fully trusted him, his worth and fi∣delity.

V. 5. For Josephs sake] The benefit of a religious ser∣vant, Psal. 1. 3.

V. 6. Save the bread which he did eate] A proverbial speech, noting his ease and security, and his trust reposed in ••oseph, v. 23. ch. 43. 32. the Egyptians might not eate bread with the Hebrewes, as being shepherds.

a goodly person] Here beauty and grace do meet. So in David, 1 Sam. 16. 12.

V. 7. Cast her eyes] Beauty a dangerous object to a wan∣ton eye, eyes full of adultery, 2 Pet. 2. 14. lustful looks condemned, Mat. 5. 28. Job makes a Covenant with his eyes, Job 31. 1.

lie with me] Impudency, though haply she spake not so broad at first, Prov. 7. 13, 18. 6. 26.

V. 9. How then can I] The godly cannot consent to sin, 1 John 3. 9. the wicked cannot cease from sin, 2 Pet. 2. 14.

great wickednesse] Adultery a great wickednesse. The suspition of it raiseth jealousie and rage, Prov 6. 34, 35. It is a kinde of sacriledge in a godly person, 1 Cor. 6. 19.

against God] It had been great ungratefulnes to his kinde Master. Yet the feare of God was the chiefest reason to withhold him.

V. 10. Day by day] Importunity joyned with impu∣dency.

he hearkened not] Perseverance in the resistance of sinne.

or to he with her] Appearances and occasions of sin are to be shunned, 1 Thes. 5. 22. 1 Tim. 5. 14. Prov. 1. 15. 5. 8.

V. 12. Caught him by the garment] So un••uly a thing is lawlesse lust: makes such a woman impudently offer to commit a rape upon a man.

he left his garment] Stayes not to parley with her. got him out] v. 15 Eccl 7. ••6.

V. 14. The men of her house] V. 11. Those few that were about the house.

See] Shewing the garment.

an Hebrew] She so names him in contempt, chap. 43. 32.

to mock us] To cause us to be mocked; by his dishonest attempt to cause us to be disgraced. Or she will seem to speak modestly in a pretended attempt of ravishment. And thus raging lust turnes to raging hatred, yea,

though satisfied, as in Amnon, 2 Sam. 13. 15.

to lie with me] A loud lie. Thus sin is seconded with sin, and the guilty charge the innocent. Thus the blas∣phemous Jewes charge Christ with blasphemy. Papists call us Hereticks, 1 Kings 18. 17.

V. 16. Her Lord] The soveraignty of husbands, and subjection of wives.

V. 17. Which thou hast brought] She layeth the fault up∣on him, that to quit himself to her, he may lay more ri∣gour upon Joseph.

V. 20. Into prison] Dungeon, ch. 40. 15. 41. 14. Psal. 105. 18, 19. without examining the matter, or hearing Joseph, or at least not believing him, and his true pleading for himself, and not willing to have the blame and shame lie upon his wife, and so upon him.

V. 21. And gave him favour] After a time, Psal. 105. 18, 19.

of the Keeper of the prison] Chief Goaler, perhaps un∣der Potiphar, ch. 40. 4. Captain of the Guard. Likely Jo∣seph might declare the matter, and cleare his innocency to him, which he might not be suffered to do to his Master. And Potiphar by his officers relation, might begin to be better perswaded of Joseph, and to shew him favour.

V. 22. He was the doer of it] Not as a drudge to do e∣very ones work, but as a Ruler, that all things there were done by him, or his direction. Thus, though many Ar∣chers had shot at Joseph, yet his bowe abode in strength, and the armes of his hands were made firme, by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob, ch. 49. 23, 24.

CHAP. XL.

Verse 1. BUtler] V. 13. Nehem. 1. 11.

V. 2. Officers] Hebr. Eunuches. See, An∣not. on ch. 37. 36.

V. 3. Put them in ward] The fickle state of Favourites and Courtiers.

in the house of the Captain of the guard] Likely the same Potiphar, ch. 37. 36. 39. 1, 20.

into the prison] Tower or round prison, dungeon, v. 15. ch. 39. 20. 41. 14.

V 4. Charged Joseph with them] Potiphar, if he be this Captain now thinks better of Joseph, and intrusts him, likely upon that relation of his chief officer, chap. 39. 21, 22, 23.

V. 5. And they dreamed] See Annotations on chap. 20. 3.

according to the interpretation] No vain dreams, as the interpretation shewed, v. 12, 18, 21, 22. 41. 11, 12.

V. 6. Sad] So dreams sent of God use much to affect men, ch. 41. 4. Dan. v. 1, 3. Mat. 27. 19.

V. 8. We have dreamed a dream] Each his own dream, not both one.

no Interpreter] Being prisoners we cannot go to the Sooth-sayers, ch. 41. 8. Dan. 4. 7.

be••ong to God▪] Not to your wizards, ch. 41. 16. Dan. 2. 27, 28, 18, 19, 23, 47.

tell me] He findes by the instinct of Gods Spirit that he should be able to interpret their dreames, through an extra∣ordinary gift given him. Though Joseph was bound, yet Gods Word and gift to him was not bound, 2 Tim. 2. 9. Before he was a dreamer, ch. 37. 5, 9, 19. Now an Inter∣preter.

V. 12. They are] They signifie, ch. 41. 26. So, Mat. 26. 26, 28.

V. 13. Within three dayes] V. 20. The three branches might as well have signified three weeks, moneths or years, but for Gods revelation to Joseph.

lift up thine head] Summe up and reckon thee, as, Ex∣od. 30. 12. Numb. 1. 2. 26. 2. and promote thee to thy for∣mer place of office and honour, as, Jer. 52. 31. This shall Pharaah do when he shall take survey of his family and of∣ficers.

V. 14. Think on me] Therefore Joseph knew not the time, meanes and manner of his own deliverance. God in his wisdom did not reveal that unto him. So, 1 Kings 13. the man of God knew not his own mishap, by meanes of the old false prophet, Gen 46. 27.

make mention of me] Joseph is careful to use the meanes for his delivery.

V. 15. Stollen away] To conceal his brethrens fault, And yet stollen from his father and sold, Ex. 21. 16.

Land of the Hebrewes] Canaan, wherein the posterity of Abraham the Hebrew dwelt, ch. 14. 13. And to whom by Gods Promises it belonged, called the Holy Land, Zech. 2. 12. Thus Joseph shewes his faith.

have I done nothing] Innocency protects not against mis∣chief, yet may be pleaded, as here, John 10. 32. Acts 24. 12, 13, 20. 25. 10, 11. Job 31. Psal. 7. 3 26. 1. Dan. 6. 22.

V. 16. White baskets] Of which holes, that is made of white twigs, with holes as net-work.

uppermost] Of the three baskets, nothing mentioned in the two lower baskets.

V. 19. Lift up thine head] Reckon thee; as, ver. 13, 20.

from off thee] Likely cut off thy head, and after hang thy body on a tree.

and the birds shall eate] The Jewes were to bury him the same day, Deut. 21. 22, 23. The Egyptians and many Gentiles suffered them to hang many dayes. Joseph deales truly and plainly with the Baker. So should Physicians do, and such as attend the sick.

V. 20. Birth-day] So Herod kept his with a feast, Mar. 6. 21. Lawful in it self so it be kept without vanity, excesse, superstition and prophanenesse. And so for Ecclesiastical Festivities, if there be no errour committed in the manner and end of their celebrations.

V. 22. Hanged] On his birth-day, having occasion there∣by to take notice of his chief officers.

V. 23. But forgat him] Forgot his misery, and unthank∣ful for his interpretation, Eccl. 9. 15, 16. Amos 6. 6. Thus Joseph tried still two yeares longer, ch. 41. 1. until the time his Word came, Psal. 105. 19.

CHAP. XLI.

Verse 1. TWo full yeares] After that, ch. 40. 19. There is no certainty how long Joseph was in pri∣son, in what yeare first put in. He waited patiently upon God in long afflictions for his deliverance.

by the river] Nilus, or some river drawn from it, Deut. 11. 10, 11. This waters Egypt, and makes it fruitful with∣out raine, Zech. 14. 18.

V. 2. Out of the river] Out of Nilus comes plenty and dearth, according to the heights of the rising of it. Plin. nat. hist. l. 5. c. 9.

Kine] Kine and corne are the two chief sustenances of man.

V. 5. Seven cares of corne upon one stalk] Signe of great plenty.

V. 6. Blasted with the East-winde] Strong and drying to blast the fruits, Ezech. 17. 10. 19. 12.

V. 7. A dream] That stuck by him: dreames the occasi∣on of his fall; and dreames the occasion of his rising.

V. 8. His spirit was troubled,] Ch. 40. 6. Dan. 2. 1, 3. Gods Power to scare men, even Kings, with dreames, Job 7. 17.

Magicians] Exod. 7. 11. Dan. 2. 2. 5. 7. strong illusions of Satan, that wrought men to such deceits, and strong conceits of the power of Magicians, Dan. 2. 2, 4, 5. If A∣theists confesse a devil and devillish divinations, there must needs be a God and divine revelations.

wise men] Mat. 23. 34. Philosophers among the Greeks, Acts 17. 18.

none that could interpret] So, Dan, 2. 10. 5. 8. Thus God maketh the wisdome of their wise men perish, Esay 29. 14. 44. 25. 19. 11, 12, 13.

V. 9. I do remember my faults this day] Courtier-like complements to prevent suspition in the King, lest he should think he grudg'd as unjustly punished in his impri∣sonment. This was rather to please Pharaoh, then to plea∣sure Joseph. Gods Providence in it, that he mentions not Joseph, till the Magicians had been tried.

V. 13. Me he restored] He, that is, the regal Majestie restored me.

V. 14. Brought him hastily] Psal. 105. 20. Dan. 2. 25. The wicked seek to the Prophets and People of God in their necessity.

dungeon] There haply he was then, as overseeing the rest in that place.

shaved himself] Polled himself in a seemly sort. He had let his haire grow, it seems, in signe of sorrow, as, 2 Sam. 19. 24. Mephibosheth did. Now he trims himself; being to go before the King. To shave all haire away were unseemly, Jer. 41. 5. 2 Sam. 10. 4, 5. The middle way is command∣ed the Priests, Ezech. 44. 20.

raiment] His prison-weeds, Esther 4. 2.

V. 16. Not in me] Dan. 2. 28.

an answer of peace] So Joseph wished, hoped, and haply foresaw. It is an apprecation of such an answer, as might quiet his troubled minde concerning his dream.

V. 21. Still ill-favoured] Such are wicked men, Esay 9. 20. The godly otherwise, Psal. 37. 19. neither earing nor harvest, ch. 45. 6.

V. 26. Are] Signifie, Joseph before a Dreamer, now an Interpreter.

V. 32. Doubled] Here God teacheth the reason, why things are sundry times repeated in the Scriptures.

V. 33. Let Pharaoh look out] Meanes must be used. Jo∣seph gives this counsel not rashly, but by the guidance of Gods Spirit, by this meanes and occasion to fulfil that, ch 37. 7, 9.

V. 34. Officers] Overseers, Bishops, so the Bishops of the Army, Numb. 31. 14. 2 Kings 11. 16. Bishops of the works, 2 Chron. 34. 12, 17. So among the Priests and Le∣vites, Numb. 4. 16. Nehem. 11. 9, 14. So, 1 Tim. 3. 1, 2.

the fifth part] Likely other great men would be buyers and storers, by Josephs example. Thus counsels he to pro∣vide against the time of want, as in the example of the Pis∣mire, Prov. 6. 6, 7, 8. Luke 16 9. This fifth part was for the King, ch. 47. 14. Taken up most likely by way of tribute partly, and partly by purchase; and upon his charge put into his granaries. The other foure parts were abun∣dantly sufficient in those yeares of plenty.

V. 37. Was good] Acts 7. 10. Prov 20. 12. Psal. 105. 22.

V. 38 The Spirit of God is] Dan. 4. 6. 5. 11. This Pha∣raoh grounds upon his Prophetical interpretation. He speaks as an Heathen, naming gods plurally. So, chap. 31. 53.

V. 40. Over my house] Psal. 105. 21 So, Dan. 2. 46, 47. 5. 29. So, 1 Kings 8. 3. 2 Kings 18. 18. Luke 12. 42. Men fitly and fully qualified and gifted should be made Of∣ficers, Numb. 11. 17. Acts 6. 3.

according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled] Hebr. is, At thy mouth shall all my people kisse. That is, at thy Commandment. (So, Job 39. 30. Numb. 9. 20. Luke 19. 22. Gen. 24 57.) they shall kisse or apply the hand to the mouth. (as, Job 31. 27.) in signe of honour and obedience, as, Psal. 2. 12. so Samuel kissed Saul, 1 Sam. 10. 1. 1 Kings 10. 18. Hos. 13. 2. Prov. 24. 26. Thus Jo∣seph was honoured and ou••horized, Psal. 105. 22. Acts 7. 10. they kissed the commands that came from his lips, which imports a submission, and that rather of affection and delight then of compulsion and fear.

V. 41. See I have set thee] See, respecting the ornaments and ceremonious signals, whereby this honour was confer∣red unto him. Thus God bringeth low, and lifteth up. &c 1 Sam. 2. 7, 8. Psal. 113. 7, 8.

V. 42. Took off his ring] An Ensigne of honour and au∣thority, Esther 3. 10. and 8 2. Luke 15. 22. Hereby to publish under the Kings seale such Orders and Com∣mands as Joseph would.

of fine linnen] Egypt was famous for fine linnen, Prov. 7. 16. Ezech. 27. 7. it signifies also bysse or silk, Ex. 25. 4. Apoc. 19. 8, 14. The weare of great personages, Prov. 31. 22. Ezech. 16. 10. Luke 16. 19.

a gold chaine] Prov. 1. 9. Ezech. 16. 11. Thus, Dan. 5. 7, 16, 29.

V. 43. Second chariot] 2 Chron. 35. 24. As Mordecai ri∣ding on the Kings horse, Esther 6. 8. Thus Joseph the se∣cond man in the Kingdome, Daniel made the third, Dan, 5. 29.

Bow the knee] Abrech. kneel down, as to the father of the King, ch. 45. 8.

V. 44. I am Pharaoh] I am King, and will be; and as∣sure as I am Pharaoh, so sure without thee, thy advice, and authority, not the least thing shall be done in matter of Government; no man shall do anything, or go any whi∣ther.

V. 45. Zaphnath-Paaneah] A Revealer of secrets, Dan. 1. 7. Gen. 17. 5.

of Poti-pherah Priest of Ou] To distinguish him from that Potiphar, ch. 37. 36. 39. 1. who dwelt in Memphis the royal City.

Priest] Or Prince, Exod. 2. 16. 18. 1. Both offices concurred in one person, as was the manner of those times and places. See Annotat. on chap. 14. 18. This name gi∣ven to the sonnes of David, 2 Sam. 8. 18. and expounded, 1 Chron, 18. 17.

of Ou] Called also Aven, Ezech. 30 17. in Greek Heli∣opolis, the City of the Sun, perhaps now Damiata. Josephs marriage here cannot be an example or rule to us, except where all reasons, and circumstances, and warrants are a∣like, by reason of the prohibitions and perils set down in Scripture. The Israelites forbidden to marry with the Canaanites, Exod. ••4. 16. Deut. 7. 3, 4. 1 Rings 11. 1. Nehem. 13. 26. Forbidden to Christians, 2 Cor. 6. 14, &c. But for Joseph there was no other in the land, and he might not desert his charge and dignity, whereto God had called him for the preservation of his Church, to go seek a wife elsewhere: neither know we what instinct or dispensation

he might have from God. As the like might be in Esthers marrying with Ahashuerus.

V. 46. Thirty yeares old] At this age Jesus Christ en∣tered into his publick Ministery; so John Baptist; so the Levites, Numb 4. 3. And David began his reign, but not Ezekiel his Prophecie. This notation of Josephs age, here gives much light to many passages in this history of Jacob and his sonnes; there are thirteen yeares since he was sold ch 37. 2.

V 51. And all my fathers house] My injuries and mo∣lestations there; not his filial affection, whereby he might haply privily enquire in the thirteen yeares afore, and after∣wards also of his fathers welfare, ere his brethren came down, and yet wait for the most fit opportunity of fulfilling the dream.

V. 54. In all lands] Round about, as Canaan, Arabia, &c. So, Luke 2. 1.

V. 55. Cried to Pharaoh] As the woman, 2 Kings 6 26. Joseph would do but as Pharaoh directed.

V. 56. Sold] Prov. 11 26.

V. 57. And all countreys] Neighbouring. to Joseph] Ch. 45. 5. 50. 20. Psal 105. 16, 17.

CHAP. XLII.

Verse 1. SAw] Heard, v. 2. so the people saw the voices, Exod. 20. 18. Jacob was as much assured of it as if he had seen it. And one eye-witnesse is of more credit then many eare-witnesses. And likely he saw it too by many Canaanites that bought and brought co••ne out of Egypt, Acts 7. 12.

corac] The word for corne signifies also break∣ing.

why] So negligent, or as men amazed helplesse, Acts 7. 11. gaze, as men destitute of counsel. Famine is a ter∣rible thing, 2 Kings 6. 25. Deut. 28. 57. Lam. 4. 10. Esay 9. 20. A famine in Canaan in the dayes of Abram, ch. 12. 10. of Isaac, ch. 26. 1. and now in Jacobs time, and, Acts 11. 28. Gods servants subject to common calamities, yet God provides for them, Psal. 37. 19.

V. 2. Get you down] Egypt lay lower then Canaan, ch. 45. 13, 9.

V. 4. But Benjamin] ••h. 37. 3. 35. 18. 42. 38.

V. 6. Governour] Ps. 105. 22. Of the Hebrew word Shal∣let and Shil••on, is made in Arabick Sultan, a title where∣by the chief Governours of Egypt and Babylon are still called.

and he it was that sold] Likely his Officers to the Na∣tives. But himself to Forreigners, that by sifting them he might informe himself of any danger to the land, to pre∣vent it of any meanes of good to the land, to ad∣vance it.

bowed down] So fulfilling his Prophetick dream, ch. 37. 7, 8, 9. So, ch. 43. 26, 28. 44. 14. 50. 18.

V. 7. He knew them, but] For many good reasons, he yet dissembles that he knew them, and yet discovers not himself unto them, to prevent sundry inconveniences, and to further good intents and purposes towards them.

spake roughly] They deserved no better of him. Though Joseph did it in a good intent, to a good purpose.

V. 9. Remembred the dreams So he did before. But now more usefully, he saw the time for the fulfilling of them.

spies, to see the nakednesse] Exod. 32. 25. Not by way of lying he speaks thus, but by way of questioning and exa∣mining, to bolt out other matters to other good purposes; so▪ v. 12. as a severe Inquisiter.

V. 11. All one mans sons] And therefore not likely to be spies. The spies were sent one of a tribe, Numb. 13. 2. And they dispersed themselves in all likeli∣hood and reason.

V. 13. One is not] Is dead, ch. 44. 20. 37. 30. Not in this world, ch. 5. 24. Heb 11. 5.

V. 14. This is it that I spake] This discovers it; pre∣tending another brother, or why should he alone be left be∣hinde? This not likely; and being false in this, ye are but spies sure.

V. 15. By the life of Pharaoh] Pharaoh liveth: a kinde of oath or swearing as the like phrase importeth, Jer. 5. 2: But more properly a kinde of vehement Asseveration, as, Ezech 33. 11. 1. Sam, 1. 26. 17. 55. 20. 3. 25. 26. and 2 Sam▪ 15. 21. 2 Kings 2. 2, 4. Or it may be a wish, Let, or, so let Pharaoh live, as, &c. No sufficient ground to charge upon Joseph, a sinful oath by the life of Pharaoh, yea, a grievous sin, Deut. 6. 13. compared with Mat. 4. 10. Jer. 5. 7.

Ye] Ye all, v. 16.

ye shall not] If ye go. The words are suspensive, imply∣ing a curse; so, ch. 14. 23.

V. 17. Into ward] God calls them by tribulation to re∣pentance for their sin, Heb 12. 10.

V. 18. I feare God] Chap. 20. 11. Nehem. 5. 15. Prov. 16. 6.

V. 20. Your youngest brother unto me] Cares most for him, and hopes his father will conceive no hurt towards him, by his bountiful dealing with them.

V. 21. And they said one to another] In the absence, or out of the hearing of the Interpreter.

guilty] Affliction as a rack forceth confession, and a guilty conscience, though likely sleeping afore, yet now up∣on twenty yeares after, galleth afresh, Hos. 5. 15. Job 36. 8, 9, 10.

therefore is this distresse] Divers wayes Joseph dealt now with them, as they had done with him, Judg. 1. 7, Mat. 7. 2. Jam. 2. 13.

V. 24. And wept] Ch. 43, 30, moved with their self-ac∣cusations, and his own natural affection, which was to o strong to be kept in by artificial disguises, but that in secret it must have vent.

Simeon, and bound him] That eldest of them that were most against him. Reuben most, and Judah next, were for him. And Simeon was chief in that bloody massacre of the Sichemites.

before their eyes] Though haply when they were gone, he might give him some more liberty, ch. 43. 23.

V. 25. Every mans money] Lest his father should be in want.

Thus did he unto them] Josoph did so, or his steward at his command. Thus Joseph rewards evil with good, Rom. 12. 17, 19. Mat. 5. 44.

V. 27. And as one of them] V. 35. What Judah saith, ch. 43. 21. as if they had all opened their sacks, and found their moneys in the Inne, ••is but a summing and cutting off particulars for brevity sake, to Josephs steward, as not a thing material to their present purpose, with him, and they speaking in haste.

V. 28. Failed them] Suspecting some plot laid for their ruine, or at least some danger to Simeon by it, Lev. 26. 36.

God hath done] They rightly acknowledge Gods hand and his Providence in it.

V. 35. Were afraid] Lest also they should be accused of theft, chap. 44. 5. Guilty consciences timorous, Lev. 26. 36.

V. 36. Against me] Heavy to me, though ye make light of them.

V. 37. My two sonnes] That is, slay two of my sonnes. For he had foure, ch. 46. 9. or my two sonnes here present, or most deare to me. A passionate speech, yet such as might make Jacob conceive he had some reason for his so confi∣dent undertaking for Benjamins return.

V. 38. For his brother is dead] Only brother by the mo∣ther, ch. 44. 20, 27, 28.

to the grave] See Annot. on ch. 37. 35. Here Jacob bewrayes too much passion, and too little faith and pati∣ence.

CHAP. XLIII.

Verse 1. SOre] The longer, the sorer.

V. 2. Eaten up] Near-hand.

a little food] For present need, not knowing there were five yeares of famine yet to come, and he had a great fa∣mily.

V. 3. Solemnely protest] Ch. 42. 15, 20.

not see my face] With favour and safety.

V. 4. Thee food] At thy command, for thee and us all, thy family.

V. 5. We will not go] Because it were vaine and dange∣rous, ch. 44. 26.

V. 7. Asked us strictly] Many things passed between Jo∣seph and his brethren, which are not so expressely related in the story, ch. 44. 22, 19. They could not upon Josephs questions honestly avoid the telliug of their brother Ben∣jamin.

V. 8. And Judah said] He now fittest to move, and this the fittest season.

the lad] Benjamin was now about twenty seven yeares, being twelve or thirteen yeares younger then Joseph, and borne after Dinahs ravishing, and in the departing from Bethel. See Annot. on ch. 35. 18. And now Benjamin had nine or ten sonnes, ch. 46. 21. See Annot. on ch. 22. 5. Lad, comparatively, being the youngest.

V. 11. Must be so] No wisdome to strive against neces∣sity. Better to adventure one to uncertain danger, then to cast the whole family upon certain famine.

a Present] Prov. 18. 16. 21. 14. 17. 8. So Jacob had tri∣ed, ch. 32. 20. He useth prudent meanes as subservient to Gods Providence.

nuts] Of Terebinth, or the Turpentine-tree.

V. 12. Double money] Because the price of corne increa∣sed by the continuance of the famine.

and the money] This besides. Jacobs just dealing.

V. 14. God Almighty] Our chief trust must be in him, Prov. 21. 1.

If I be boreaved] Esther 4. 16. Contentation in Gods Will, referring all to him with patience.

V. 18. S••ek occasion] Guilty persons are suspi∣cious.

V. 19. At the doore of the house] Before they went in.

V. 21. Every mans money] See Annot. on ch. 42. 27, 35. For haste they joyne together what was done in the Inne, and what was discovered at home.

V. 23. Your God] It seems Joseph taught his steward and family to feare God.

V. 24. Washed their feet] Ch. 18. 4. 24. 32.

V. 26. They brought him the Present] Each a part of it, as they had divided it amongst themselves.

bowed] Ch. 37. 9.

V. 28. Thy servant our father] Ch 37. 9.

V. 30. Did yerne] 1 Kings 3. 26.

V. 32. By himself] As became the Viceroy. Here were three Tables.

Abomination unto the Egyptians] For the Hebrewes were known to be Keepers of sheep, and so to kill, eat and sacri∣fice such cattel as the Egyptians worshipped, ch. 46. 34 Ex∣od. 8. 26. The Egyptians had flocks of sheep, ch. 47. 6. Oxen, Exod. 9. 3, 19. But not to kill the sheep or kine, or to eate the head of any beast. But for delight and profit by their milk and wool, and for commerce. And haply those that kept them were strangers rather then Egy∣ptians.

V. 33. Youngest] Hebt. Least in age.

marvelled] Seeing themselves so seasted, and that Joseph appointed them their places, according to each mans age.

V. 34. Messes] The custome of those times, to have the meat set before the Lord, and he to distribute to the Guests, 1 Sam. 1. 4, 5. 9, 23, 24. 2 Sam. 6. 19.

five times] To shew his affection to him, and to make trial whether his brethren would envie him for it. 1 Sam. 1. 4, 5.

drank, and were merry] yet with sobriety, Hag. 1. 6. John 2. 10. Cant. 5 1.

CHAP. XLIV.

Verse 2. PUt my Cup] To try their affection to his fa∣ther and to Benjamin: and for the more full verification of the dreams. Josephs case, and place, and person may carry out these practices, which otherwise are not so warrantable, 2 Cor. 1. 12. 11. 3.

V. 5. Is not this it] Speaking according to the opini∣on the Egyptians had of him, who by reason of his prophe∣tical skill in interpreting dreams, thought he used divina∣tion as their Magicians did.

whereby] Or in which, or by which, or of which cup. Their fault so made the greater, a kinde of sacriledge in stealing such a Cup.

he divineth] Searching searcheth, maketh trial by expe∣rience, as, ch. 30. 27. searcheth thoroughly, 1 Kings 20. 33. or searcheth by divination, and so sinfully using the cup, (as some do a basin and other things) in such an unlawful Art. Thus the steward by Josephs appoint∣ment may speak as an Egyptian, as they conceived of Jo∣seph, and as their Magicians used to do. Not yet that Jo∣seph was guilty of such a crime.

V. 7. My Lord] Thus they call Josephs steward.

God forbid] Far be it, ch. 18. 25.

V. 8. We brought againe] Therefore would no•• steal.

V. 9. Let him die] So, ch. 31. v. 32. Innocency is confident, yet this is too rash and rigorous. They might have though of their money in their sacks mouth be∣fore.

V. 10. My servant] The steward speaks in his Lord Josephs name.

V. 12. And be searched] He knew well how not to meddle with that end of the sacks, where he had put their money.

V. 13. Rent their clothes] See Annot. on ch. 37. 39, 34▪

V. 14. He was yet there] Expecting their return.

V. 15. What deed] As, ch. 3. 13. 4 10.

can certainly divine] See Annot. on v 5

V. 16. What shall we say] Their consciences clear, and yet their conviction seems as clear. They knew not what Apology to make.

God hath found out] So, ch. 42. 28. If we see not evident cause of our affliction, let us look to the secret counsel of God, who punisheth us justly for our sins. A good use of afflictions and crosses, Esay 27. 9. Gen. 42, 21, 22. Judah thought this his best argument and way, having no legal excuse or defence to make for the clearing of themselves: though he was sure enough of Benjamins innocency, and could not upon this occasion, but remember the putting of their money in their sacks, yet he durst not accuse any of Josephs family, nor stand out against him, but yields and submits, as an hopeful way to procure favour with a man of a generous spirit.

iniquity] Our other sins, though free of this.

both we] V. 9.

and he also] Not die, a••, v. 9. but be servant, as, v. 10. is found] He forbears to say that he stole it.

V. 17. He shall be my servants] Joseph confirmes his stew∣ards dealing, v. 10. In Moses Law, for theft restitution should be made, in some cases double, in some fourefold; if the party not able thereto, then to be sold, or become a slave to him from whom he had stollen, Exod. 22. 31. Here Josephs power and their own yielding bindes them.

V. 18. Then Judah came near] Judah before, v. 16. And now Judah more addresseth himself to plead, because he had undertaken for Benjamin, ch. 43. 8. 9.

in my Lords eares] But an Interpreter yet still for ought we reade.

as Pharaoh] And so thine anger would be dreadful and deadly, Prov. 19. 12.

have ye a father] See Annot. on ch. 43. 7.

V. 20. A little one] Ex enuating his age by an officious lie, to excuse his taking so long a journey. See Annot. on ch. 43. 8.

V. 26. We cannot go down] Ch. 43. 5. We will not go down.

V. 27. My wife bare me] Rachel his wife, by way of e∣minency, first in his choice, and dearest in his love. Leah but by fraud.

V. 28. Torne in pieces] Thus Joseph might perceive how they coloured to their father their dealing with him.

V. 30. Bound up in the Lads life] 1 Sam. 18. 1. If he die, or be thought so, the father cannot live.

V. 33. In stead of the Lad] A filial affection to his old father. And yet love useth more to descend then as∣cend.

V. 34. How shall I go] He would rather remain here a servant or prisoner.

CHAP. XLV.

Verse 1. REfrain himself before] Upon this supplica∣tion of Judah, though hitherto he had refrained, ch. 43. 31.

to go out] He would not have his brethrens fault di∣vulged, nor his own passion, being a man of his place, so openly discovered, as to weepe aloud before o∣thers.

V. 2. Wept aloud] No thought of revenge for their cruel usage of him.

heard it] V. 16.

V. 3. Could not answer him] Through astonishment at the wonder; and the prick of their guilty conscience.

V. 4. Come near] They had kept, no doubt at a reverend distance from him so great a Lord.

ye sold] Tells this, not to upbraid them, but to assure them it is he.

V. 5. not grieved] Ch. 31. 35.

nor angry with your selves] He comforts them, 2 Cor, ••. 7. Look up to Gods Providence, who turnes your sin to good.

for God did send] V. 8. Ps. 105. 16, 17.

V. 6. Neither earing nor harvest] None, till Joseph supplied them with corne for it the last yeare, ch. 47. 23. or as good as none; few had corne to sowe, few would at∣tempt to sowe, as being to expect little or no increase by Josephs prediction.

V. 8. But God] Ch. 50. 20. Josph cleares not his bre••thren, but he cheeres them up in contemplation of Gods merciful Providence, who turnes their sin to much good. God can and doth bring good out of evil, out Judas sin and others in the death of Christ the salvation of man∣kinde, Acts 4. 27, 28.

a father to Pharaoh] Judges 17. 10, 11. Gen. 41. 40, 44. As a son follows the direction of a father, so did Pharaoh Josephs.

V. 10. Goshen] A Province between Nilus and the red-sea, very fruitful, ch. 46. 28, 29. 47. 1. 6, 27. Another Goshen in Canaan, Josh. 11. 16. 10. 41. 15. 51. This he saith, presuming of Pharaohs assent, ch. 47. 4, 6.

near unto me] On the City whence he married, and where he most resided was near to Goshen.

V. 12. My mouth] And not an Interpreters, as, chap. 42. 23.

V. 15. He kissed] See Annot. on ch. 20. 13.

talked with him] Having overcome their astonishment and feare, talked of any thing he or they desired to know.

V. 16. And his servants] The Courtiers envied not, but honoured Joseph.

V. 19. Thou art commanded] Thou needest no more au∣thority or instructions from me.

V. 20. Regard not your stuffe] That is not portable. Here you shall be supplied.

V. 22. Changes of raiment] Such as were used to be given for honour or reward, 2 Kings 5. 22. Zech. 3. 4. Judg. 14. 12. Apoc. 6. 11. 7. 9, 14.

Three hundred] Shekels▪ See Annotat. on ch. 20. 16. and on ch. 23. 16.

V. 24. Fall not out by the way] About the selling of me. Reubens former words, ch. 42. 22. occasioned haply this charge.

V. 26. Heart fainted] Between hope and doubt, between joy and feare. Unbelief and doubting weakeneth the heart, Rom. 4 19, 20. Mat. 14. 31.

Believed them not] So he fell into that fainting, swooning fit, Luke 24. 41. They beleeved not for joy, Jacob might the lesse believe them, because of their former lie they had told him of Joseph.

V. 27. Revived] Rose out of that swoone, as it were. His failing of spirit did not altogether take away the use of his sight and senses, but that he saw the wagons.

V. 28. It is enough] Here is proof enough. And it is e∣nough to me that he is alive, and enough for me, if I may

be so happy as to see him once before die. chap. 46. 30.

CHAP. XLVI.

Verse 1. TO Beer sheba] This was in the way from Hebron to Egypt, the most Southern part of Canaan. Here Abraham and Isaac had much been. See Annot. on ch. 21. 31.

sacrifices] Of thanks, for the tydings of Joseph. and to consult with God about his going into Egypt, and thereby to worship God.

V. 2. In the visions of the night] See Annot. on ch. 15. 1. what this vision was, and in what manner is not set down.

Jacob, Jacob] To rouse him up to attention, and for more certainty, as, ch. 22. 11. 1 Sam. 3. 10. Gen. 41. 32. See Annot. on ch. 32. 28. Here Jacob twice for Israel once. And so v. 5. The name Jacob forbidden but comparatively.

V. 3. Feare not] It seems he feared it, knowing his father in a famine was forbid it, ch. 26. 1, 2, 3. And knowing the Oracle, that his seed was to be afflicted in Egypt, ch. 15. 13, 14. And, now he and his father and grandfather had been Pilgrims, two hundred and twenty yeares in Canaan, from the first Promise of Canaan, and he saw now lesse hope to have it, by his leaving the land with seventy soules, which might seem a kinde of forsaking of it; yet by faith as he sojourned in the land, Heb. 11. 9. so now he goes to so∣journe in Egypt upon this warrant.

there] Egypt. This not promised before. This won∣drously fulfilled, in that of seventy souls going down, in the space of two hundred and ten years, there came up six hun∣dred thousand men, Exod. 12. 37. Deut. 10. 22.

a great nation] This promised. ch. 28, 14. 35. 11. 15, 13

V. 4. Thee up again] Thee dead, ch. 50. 5, 13. Thy po∣sterity after, Ex. 12. 37. Josh. 3. A like Promise, ch. 28. 15. his hands upon thine eyes] Closing them on thy death-bed. An ancient and honourable custome.

V. 6. And came into Egypt] This journey is often men∣tioned, Josh. 24. 4. and Esay 52. 4. Acts 7. 15. Numb. 20. 25. Deut. 10. 22. Thus that was fulfilled, chap. 15. 13.

V. 7. His daughters, and his sons daughters] As many as he had. A general kinde of speaking, though he had but one daughter Dinah, and one grand-daughter Sarah, v. 15, 17. The like speech, v. 23. and ch. 21. 7. Numb. 26. 8. 1 Chron. 2. 8, 31. His servants, no doubt, went also.

V. 8. These are the names] To know hereby their won∣derful increase, ch. 35. 23. see the order of the tribes on Aarons breast-plate, Exod. 28. 10, 21.

V. 9. These foure were heads of their fathers house, Exod. 6. 14. Numb. 26. 5, 6. 1 Chron. 5. 3. So of the rest that follow.

V. 10. Jemuel] Nemuel, Numb. 26. 12. 1 Chron. 4. 24.

Obad] Omitted, Nu••b. 26. 12. 1 Chron. 4. 24.

Jachin] ••areb, 1 Chron 4. 24.

Zohar] Zerah, Numb. 26. 13. 1 Chron. 4. 24.

of a Canaanitish woman] Likely Zerah, Numb. 26. 13. Gen. 28. 1.

V. 11. Kohath] Grandfather to Moses. Of his family came the Priests. They are reckoned before the Gersho∣nites, Numb. 4. 34.

V. 12. Hezron and Hamul] Too great violence to the text, to say these were borne after in Egypt. See Annot. on ch. 29. 20. Compare the great Annotations upon this verse, and upon ch. 38. 1.

V. 13. Thola] He had a rare blessing in multitude of children, 1 Chron. 7. 2. A Judge of this name and tribes, Judg. 10. 1.

Job] Jashub, Numb. 26. 24. 1 Chron. 7. 1.

V. 15. In Padan Aram] With his Nephewes or Grandchildren, bor••e after ••e went out of Padan-A∣ram.

Thirty three] Reckoning himself in. It seems Leah was dead.

V. 16. Ezbon] Ozni, Numb. 26. 16.

V. 17. Jisvah] His name and family wanting, Numb. 26. 44.

V. 19. Jacobs wife] As if Rachel were the sole legitimate wife.

V. 20. Ephraim] Here the LXX. adde a sonne and a Grandchilde of Manasse, and two sonnes and a Grand∣childe of Ephraim, taken out of 1 Chron. 7. 14, 20. By rea∣son of that speech, Gen. 50. 23. but this makes too bold with the Hebrew text which wants it.

V. 21. The sonnes of Benjamin,] These ten might well be borne to him now. He being now twenty seven yeares old at least, and twelve or thirteen year younger then Jo∣seph. See Annot. on ch. 35. 18.

Belah] The eldest sonne, 1 Chron. 8. 1.

Becher] Seems to be the fourth sonne, called Nohah, 1 Chron. 8. 2. Neither is his name or family reckoned, Numb. 26. 38. but his children are named, 1 Chron. 7. 8.

Ashbel] The second son, Numb. 26. 38. 1 Chron. 8. 1. cal∣led also Jediael, 1 Chron. 7. 6.

Gera] By the LXX. made the sonne of Balah, and so the Grand-childe of Benjamin from a seeming ground of 1 Chron. 8. 3. But Benjamin was too young now to be a Grandfather, Numb. 26. 38. There is no mention of Ge∣ra, neither was he Benjamins third sonne, but A∣harah.

Naaman] Another of his name, sonne of Belah, 1 Chron. 8. 4. Numb. 26. 40.

Ehi] Aharah, 1 Chron. 8. 1. third sonne, Numb. 26. 38.

Rosh] Likely Rapha the fifth sonne▪ father to Palti one of the spies, Numb. 13. 10. none of his family reckoned, Numb. 26.

Muppim] Called also Shuppim, 1 Chron. 7. 12.

Ard] Seemeth to be the son of Belah, and Grand∣childe of Benjamin. And such a one thing there was, Numb. 26. 40. But this Ard was brother to Belah.

V. 22. Fourteen] The Septuagint say elghteen, adding Josephs Grandchildren, as is noted on v. 28.

V. 23. Sonnes] One sonne, change of numbers is oft in the Hebrew, v. 7. 1 Sam. 9. 21. Gen. 21. 7. Numb. 26. 42. 2 Chron. 24. 25. Thieves for one of them, Mat. 27. 44. Asse for an Asses, Zech. 9. 9. Mat. 21. 5. sate upon them, Mat. 21. 7. for which in Mark 11. 7. it is, he sate upon him.

Sixty six] So the LXX. here. Jacob is not reckoned in here: nor Joseph and his two sonnes which were now in Egypt.

V. 27. Seventy] So Exod. 1. 5. and Deut. 10. 22. count∣ing in Jacob, Joseph and his two sons, Acts 7. 14. the num∣ber is seventy five, which will arise if we reckon in all that are here named, viz. the foure wives of Jacob, and Er, and

Onan that were dead, and take out Jacob, as distinguished from them. The LXX. have here seventy five, raising the number of five out of the p••ste••ity of Ephraim and Ma∣nasseh, (see the notes on v. 20.) And St. Stephen in that, Act. 7. 14. seems to follow the LXX. as St. Luke doth, likewise in the matter of Cainan. See Annot on Gen. 11. v. 12. And see the late lea••ned and large Annotat. upon this text, where this doubt is fully discussed and deter∣mined.

V. 28. To direct his face unto Goshen] That Joseph might meet him there, and by his authority settle him there, without grievance to the native inhabitants.

V. 29. Presented himself] With lowly reverence to his father.

fell on his neck] While Joseph bowed before him.

and wept] With teares of joy, ch. 45. 1.

V. 30. Let me die] I am willing to die, as, Luke 2. 29, 30. ch. 45. 28. here that desire is accomplished.

V. 31. Unto him, my brethren] Joseph in his greatnesse not ashamed of them, yea, though shepherds were an abo∣mination to the Egyptians, v. 34. chap. 47. 7. Hebr. 2. 11.

V 32. Shepherds] Not ashamed of their base trade in the account of the Egyptians.

V. 34. That ye may dwell in the land of Goshen] The nearest part to Canaan a fruitful pasturage for cattel. That thus living by themselvs they might be least corrupted with the Egyptians idolatry and superstition, and lesse offensive to them by their trade of shepherdy. Joseph though in that favour, and of that power, ch. 45. 19. yet would not do it without the Kings expresse consent.

Goshen] See Annot. on ch. 45. 10.

for every shepherd] See Annot. on ch. 43. 32.

CHAP. XLVII.

Verse 1. GOshen] See Annotat. on chap. 45. 10. 46. 28.

V. 2. Five men] Not set down which five, and there∣fore guesses here are but idle and curious.

V. 3. Occupation] Ch. 46. 33. Jonah 1. 8. 2 Thes. 3. 10. Good Magistrates inquisitive against idlen••sse, as the bane of a Common-wealth.

shepherds] Every one a shepherd, v 6. ch. 46. 34.

V. 4. To sojourne] For a time, duri••g the famine. This likely their intent at first, and not to leave Canaan. Though afterwards for Josephs sake, and his great accommodations afforded them, they continued their abode there. And af∣terwards the following Kings against the Lawes of Hospi∣tality, kept them as bond slaves.

no pasture] It failed sooner in Canaan, then in Egypt and Goshen, Canaan being an higher land.

let thy servants dwell] Pharaoh made a frank offer, ch. 45. 18, 20. Joseph intended this place for them, ch. 45. 10. His brethren here requested it, and no doubt by Josephs di∣rection, ch. 46 34. Thus by this meanes, Joseph in his modesty, would gaine Pharaohs ••onsent to this particular place.

V. 6. Of Activity] Men of fit and able parts are to be chosen to places and offices.

Jacob blessed Pharaoh] Saluted him with prayer for his welfare; and thanks, and praise for his bounty to Joseph, to him and his children, 2 Kings 4. 29. Numb. 6. 23, 24. Mat. 26. 26. with Luke 22. 19. so again, when Jacob left Pharaoh, v. 10.

V. 9. Of my pilgrimage] Pilgrims here, seeking after a better countrey, an heavely, Heb. 11. 9, 13. 13. 14. 1 Chron. 29. 15. Psal. 39. 12. 119. 19. Jacobs flittings from Labai roi to Gerar, to the valley of Gerar, to Rehoboth, to Beersheba to Bethel, to Haran in Mesopotamia, to Gilead, to Mahanaim, to Succoth, to Shalem in Sechem, to Bethel, to Ephrath, to Mamre, to Beersheba, to Egypt, to Pharaohs Court.

one hundred and thirty yeares] Therefore Jacob was ninety when Joseph was borne, and seventy six when he came to Laban, v 28.

and have not attained] Abraham lived to one hundred se∣venty five. Isaac to one hundred and eighty.

V. 11. Ramases] Exod. 12. 37. The City built after by the Israelites, Exod. 1. 11. After the Israelites multiplied and spread further, and had Egyptian families among them, and about them, whence their doores were distin∣guished by the blood, Exod. 12 7, 23. and, v. 35, 37. they soon borrowed jewels of them.

V. 12. According] As a child is nourished by the nurse, ch. 45. 11. 49. 24. 50. 21. lovingly, tenderly, carefully.

V. 13. Fainted] Yet now among strangers God satis∣fies his Church with fulnesse.

V. 14. All the money into Pharaohs house] His treasury. Josephs fidelity.

V. 15. Money failed] Generally, for the most part, ••al∣most totally.

give us bread] Yet ask it in an humble manner, v. 17. 18, 19, 25.

V. 18. The second yeare] Namely after their cattel was sold, which seemes to have been the sixth yeare of the fa∣mine, the second of their extremity.

V. 19. And our land] Die, become desolate. As trees while they bear fruit are said to live; when not, to die, so may the ground.

and give us seed] This is the seventh year of the famine,

V. 21. He removed them] So to gain the right of pro∣priety and possession, from the people to Pharaoh. The people mutinie not in all these extremities, nor break open the granaries of Pharaoh: but by Josephs prudence, and Gods over-ruling Providence keep their loyalty and obedi∣ence. Thus Chams posterity was brought into bondage, ch. 9. 25.

V. 22. Only the land of the Priests] Or Princes, Pha∣raohs chief Officers and Lords, as, ch 41. 45. See Annos. on that place, ch. 14. 18. if it be here understood of Priests, as the Chaldee and LXX. translate it. This shews Phara∣ohs care, (not Josephs, for he favoured not idolatrous Priests) to preserve their rights and revenues, to save their lands from alienation, to maintain them; so Jezabel, 1 King. 18. 19. These shall rise up in judgement against many Christian Kings and people, who neglect the main∣tenance of the Ministers of the Gospel.

V. 24. The fifth part] He might have required the halfe, or have allowed them but the fifth part. Here then he deales not with them injuriously, or uncharitably, making his best advantage of their necessity: But mercifully, as them∣selves confesse, v. 25. and yet faithfully, as became the steward of Pharaoh, whose corne he sold. This fifth part was no more then was laid up in the yeares of plenty, ch. 41. 44.

V. 25. Pharaohs servants] His Farmers and Tenants.

V. 27. Multiplied exceedingly] So God fulfilled his Promise, ch. 46. 3.

V. 28. Seventeen yeares] So long Joseph nourished his fa∣ther in Egypt, as his father had nourished him at home.

V. 29. Thy hand under my thigh] See Annot: on ch. 24 2. Jacob requires this oath, not so much doubting Jo∣sephs obedience herein, but that he might alledge it to Pharaoh, ch. 50. 5. and so decline the envy of the Egypti∣ans, and their surmising of his scorning their land, and that it might be a testimony of his faith in Gods Promises for possessing the land of Canaan, & that as a type of Hea∣ven, Heb. 11. 9, 10, 14, 15, 16. and for a strengthening of the faith of his seed, that they should return thither. And for this also Joseph layes his bones, as it were at stake, ch. 50. 25. Heb. 11. 22. Thus being dead they teach and preach faith to them.

V. 30. But I will lie] Lie down and sleep. Such is death, lie in burial.

with my fathers] Abraham and Isaac. See, v. 29.

V. 31. Bowed himself] Unto God with thankfulnesse, Heb. 11. 21. His religious thoughts, now near his end, took up his minde with matter of praying to God, and praising of God. And though weak and bed••id, yet he would not do it without some outward expression of de∣vout reverence. This bowing then was not to Joseph, (ch. 48. 12.) nor yet towards the East or Canaan, but to God, so David, 1 Kings 14.

upon the beds head] The LXX. read it leaning upon the top of his staffe. The Hebrew word without pricks or vowels serves both. Mittch is a bed, Matteh is a staffe. The LXX. sure had a copy without pricks. The Apostle follows the LXX. in Heb. 11. 21. See Annot. on ch. 46. 27. and on ch. 11. 12. Jacob turning his face to the bed, and so rear∣ing himself upon the boulster at his beds head, he then bowed himself and worshipped the Lord, ch. 48. 2. 1 Kings 1. 47, 48. And it well may be, that to help himselfe herein in his great weaknesse, he might leane upon the top of his staffe which he had in his hand, being an old man; and the Apostle knowing this also to be true, did not therefore stick to alledge the place, according to the Translation of the LXX.

CHAP. XLVIII.

Verse 1. WIth him his two sonnes] To receive the blessing of their venerable Grandfather, at his farewel from the world.

V. 2. And sate upon the bed] Ch. 47. 31.

V. 3. At Luz] Or Bethel, and that twice, ch. 28. 13, 19. and, ch. 35. 6.

V. 4. A multitude] Thirteen populous tribes.

for an everlasting possession] Literally, if his seed keepe Covenant with God, spiritually to his spiritual seed, he will give the heavenly Canaan for an everlasting posses∣sion.

V. 5. Ep••raim and Manasseh] Jacob still prefers Ephra∣im, v. 19.

are mine] My sons by adoption, and shall have the pri∣viledge of my sonnes; have either a twelfth share and be heads of tribes, as Reuben and Simeon. Thus Joseph had the double portion, that right of the first-borne, 1 Chron. 5. 1. A Law for this to the first-borne after, Deut. 21. 17. So the Sabbath, Circumcision, raising up seed to the brother, and many such more before Moses Law.

V. 6. begettest after them] Therfore he had no more at this time.

the name of their brethren] Therefore he had more chil∣dren after; which were sorted and counted to the stock and tribe of Ephraim or Manasse, as if they were their sons not their brethren: as all Jacobs other Grand-children like∣wise were.

V. 7. Rachel died] Thy mother, and my dear and only true wife, if I had been fairly dealt withal, and so thou hadst been my right first-borne: and therefore in thy sonnes I give thee a double portion, yet she was soon taken from me.

in the way of Ephrata] Even there, rather then to bury her among idolaters in Bethlehem, ch. 23. 9.

V. 8. Who are these] Named them before, yet knew not that they were present, or did not well discerne them for the dimnesse of his sight, v. 10.

V. 9. I will blesse them] Not by a meere apprecation of prosperity, for so the lesse may blesse the greater; but in the Name and Authority of God, guided with an especial e∣nergy or operation of Gods Spirit, and so ratified by God, as ordinary blessings were not; so, ch. 27. 33. See Annot. on ch. 27. 4. Gen. 49. 26.

V. 10. Dimme] Ch. 27. 1.

V. 11. I had not thought] Gods blessings are beyond our expectations and imaginations.

V. 12. From between] Jacobs knees rather then Josephs, for Jacob embraced and kissed them, v 10.

he bowed] In reverence and thankfulnesse for the former Adoption.

V. 13. Ephraim in his right hand] In a fit posture, as he thought, to receive the Patriarchal blessing, which it seems was usually done with Imposition of hands. And in this punctual order, as fearing haply Jacob might mistake their age and persons, naming Ephraim first, v. 5.

towards Israels right hand] The right hand hath the preheminence of the left, 1 Kings 2. 19. Mat. 25. 33. Ps. 20. 6. 110. 1. 118. 16. Esay 62. 8. Eph 1. 20. in strength and honour. To which the Scripture hath reference, in speech also of God.

V. 14. And laid it upon Ephraims head] Here is the first expresse mention of Imposition of hands, used after in benediction, Mat. 19. 13. Mar. 10. 16. at secrifices, Lev. 1. 4. as witnessing, Lev. 24. 14. in extraordinary giving of graces, Acts 8. 17. in miraculous cures, Mar. 6. 5. in or∣dination of Ministers, Numb. 8. 10. Acts 6. 6. 1 Tim 4. 14. so now Moses laid his hands upon Joshuah, Deut. 34. 9. in prayer, Acts 13. 3.

Ephraims head] Of him came Joshuah, and the Kings of the ten tribes. And the tribe of Ephraim is called the tribe of Joseph, Numb. 1. 32, 34. Apoc. 7. 6. 7. 8. The name of Ephraim is taken for the whole Kingdome of Israel, E∣say 7. 2. They both had a double lot, Josh. 17. 14.

wittingly] And therefore crossed his armes to that pur∣pose, as a signe, not of Christs Crosse, but of that which afterwards he foretold, by the special revelation of the Spirit of God, he being so dim of sight, that he could not thereby so well distinguish between them.

V. 16. the Angel which] Christ. See Annot. on ch. 31. 11. Exod. 14. 19. 13. 21.

my name be named on them] As, v. 5. no invocation of Saints departed; they shall be in the same state and degree as my other sons, my adopted children; so Gods Name is said to be called on us, Deut. 28. 10. 2 Chron. 7. 24. Jer. 14. 9. that is, we are called the sons of God, and the hus∣bands name is called upon the wife, Esay 4. 1. And the Lords Name upon the City Jerusalem, Dan. 9. 19. and up∣on the Temple, 1 Kings. 8. 43. Jer. 7. 10, 11.

grow into a multitude] Spawn like fishes. There were eighty five thousand two hundred men of war of these two

in Moses time, Numb. 26. 28, 34, 37. Thus Moses bles∣seth them, Deut 33. 17. Josh. 17. 17.

V. 17. it displeased him] Thinking his father was mistaken, he seeks to mend the error, and likely before that blessing, v. 15, 16. was uttered.

greater then he] In number of issue and power, though the birth-right remain with Manasseh, Josh. 17. 1. So, Numb. 1. eight thousand three hundred men more of Ephraim then of Manasseh, and, Deut. 33. 17. See Annot. on v. 14. Num. 2. 18, 20. yet sometimes Ephraim was at a losse, 1 Chron. 7. 20, 21, 22. lesse in number then Manasseh, Numb. 26. 28.

V. 20. In thee] Joseph using thy name and for thy sake, or taking thee for an example, as, Ruth 4. 11. and so for cursing, Jer. 29. 22.

Israel] My posterity.

I have given] Thus Prophetically bequeathing, as by Will and Testament to the posterity.

one portion] That bought, ch. 33. 19. nigh unto Sechem after called Sychar, John 4. 5. Not all the City Sechem, and all its territories, as some would have it out of Josh. 17. 7. This portion, though little, was all he had by pur∣chase, and so he designes him as it were his heire; Sechem was the inheritance of the Ephraimites, Josh. 16. 1. 20. 7. John 4. 5. And thither were Josephs bones carried and bu∣ried, Josh. 24. 1, 25, 32.

have taken] Shall take. So, Esay 9. 6. Thus Jacob in faith disposeth of it as already taken, Heb. 11. 21. or rather have taken it out of the hands of those neighbouring peo∣ple, that seised upon it among the rest, after the slaughter of the Sichemites, and would not restore it till Jacob by force of armes took and recovered it. Though this be not elsewhere mentioned in Scripture.

my sword] Of my children, Josh. 17. 14, to 18.

CHAP. XLIX.

Verse 1. GAther your selves] Repeated, v. 2. Some present were to call and gather the absent. By this joynt injunction he intimates the union that should be amongst them, Psal. 133. 2, 3. 33. 3.

that I may tell you] By the Spirit of prophecie. Men on their death-beds should give their last and best coun∣sels to their children, and family, and friends.

you] Altogether, what I have to say to every one particu∣larly, that so every one may reap benefit also of what shall be said concerning his brethren.

in the last dayes] In long time to come, 1 Tim. 4. 1. 2 Tim. 3. 1. Acts 2. 17. with Joel 2. 28. Your last state in this land, your state in Canaan, & til Christs coming, v. 10. The time of the Gospel may be called the last time, because after that there will be no change of the Church from Christi∣anity, no change of doctrine or Sacraments to the worlds end, Heb. 1. 1. This foretelling things to come so long after, shewes that Jacob now was inspired and assisted with a di∣vine Spirit.

V. 3. Reuben, thou art my first-borne] And so many ho∣nourable priviledges belonged to him: headship of the family, a double portion to maintain the honour of the Headship. This practised among the Patriarchs, as many like other things were put into a Law afterwards, Deut. 21. 17. See, Gen, 35. 2. 48. 5.

my might] Deut. 21. 17. Psal. 105. 36. 78. 51. 127. 4, 5. They are the principal stay and pillar of the family also. Thus and thus thou shouldest have been but for thy sinne.

V. 4. Unstable as water] That is, easily moved with the windes, still ebbing or flowing, never standing still, nor easily contained in its own bounds & place, unconstant, light, treacherous, Zeph. 3. 4. Such were the divisions and grudgings of Reuben amongst themselves, Judg. 5. 15, 16. Such was he in his sin, such shall he be in his downfall from the dignity of his birth-right, as waters roll down from high places; or Reubens posterity shall be weak as water, (Ps. 22. 14. Josh. 7. 5.)

thou shalt not excel] We reade not that this tribe ever came to any excellency among the other tribes, excelled not in number, Deut. 33. 6. valour, or any excellent archieve∣ment.

because thou wentest up] For a pang of lawlesse lust he lost all, So doth sensuality besot and befoole men, Prov. 7. 7, 22. This fact, above fourty yeares ago done, soon af∣ter the birth of Benjamin, ch. 35. 22. is here doomed and punished in Reuben and his posterity. Forbearance is no ac∣quittance.

he went up] As out of an indignation of the fact, he turnes his speech from Reuben to his brethren, and shewes how just cause there was to pronounce this sentence a∣gainst him. Such changes are often in Scripture, Deut. 5. 10. love me, and keep his Commandments, Dan. 9. 4. that love him, for that love thee, Mar. 11. 32. If we shall say of men they feared the people, for we feare. Jacob would have this censure of him, to be a caution to his brethren. And now dying, without malice sure to Reuben, is yet thus zealous against sinne. So David, 1 Kings 2. 9.

V. 5. Simeon and Levi are brethren] In birth, in evil, Prov. 18. 9. It may haply be also in conspiracy against Jo∣seph. Thus impartially Moses sets by his relation, & a brand of infamy upon Levi, his great grand-father.

instruments of cruelty] Cruel weapons, Ch. 34. 25.

in their habitations] Or in their agreements and con∣ventions with the Sichemites, ch. 34. 13, 15.

V. 6. my sou••e] By this pathetical Apostrophe, he shewes his zealous detestation of their out-ragious fact, and cleares himselfe of suspicions and aspersions of his fa∣vouring it, which otherwise after his death might have been cast upon him for it.

come not thou into their secret] He protests against his least knowledge of, much lesse consent unto their secret (to him) and cursed plot, contrivance and execution of it. q. d. God forbid that ever my soule should joyne in such a villany.

secret] Psal. 64. 2, 4. Jer 15. 17.

my glory] My soul, which is mans glory. Or, my tongue, Ps. 16. 9. my glory is rendered by the Apostle, my tongue, Acts 2. 26. Jacob would not suffer in his honour and re∣putation for their sakes.

they slew a man] The singular is often put for the plu∣ral, 1 Chron 10. 1. They slew Hamor, Sichem, Citizens and subjects.

self-will] Not in sudden wrath, but upon a wilful setled resolution and deliberation, plotting and act∣ing.

they digged down a wall] We reade not of this, ch. 34. yet haply they might do so to the house of Hamor or Shechem, where their sister was. The words may well, yea,

best be rendred thus, they houghed an oxe; so relating to the prey of cattel they took, and houghing such as would not drive.

V. 7. Cursed be their anger] It was likely to be to the ruine and extirpation of him and his, ch. 34. 31. he curseth not their persons, but their sin; so David not against Ahito∣phels person, 2 Sam. 15. 31. Psal. 109. 17, 18, 19, 20. is a prediction rather then an imprecation, or imprecation conditional, not absolute. Or if absolute, then by the im∣mediate guidance of Gods Spirit, and so not lawful to those that want it. The rule for all is, Prov. 20. 22.

I will divide them] Jacob speaks as in the person of God: as Prophets usually do. Or he would do it by his prediction and prophesie, as it were passing his word, they should be divided. As Ezekiel is said to come to destroy the City, Ezech. 43. 3. Levi was thus divided and scat∣tered, yet God, after their zealous execution, Exod. 32. 26, 29. turned it to a blessing to his people and to them, Deut. 33. 9, 10. The Levites are first mentioned to be taken in, Numb. 1. 47. and 3. 12, 45. and ch. 4. and ch. 7. 5, 6, 7, 8. and ch. 8. for the first borne, which were by their birth the Priests before Moses time, and again due to the Lord, upon his sl••ying the first-borne when he brought Israel out of Egypt, Exod. 13. 2. Simeon likewise was not plant∣ed apart by himself, as the other tribes were, but had their inheritance intermingled with that of Judah, out of whose lot in several places here and there Simeonites had certain cities and villages, Josh. 19. 9. And that not so much for Simeons sake, as because Judah had too much. So Simeon was but an Inmate to Judah, and under him. Till afterwards upon their multiplying they were forced to seek further for new habitations in Mount Seir, and Mount Gedor, driving out the Amalekites, 1 Chron. 4. 39, 41, 43. And so they were scattered in their habita∣tions. And all this wrath of Jacob, and detestation of Si∣meon and Levies massacre of the Shechemites proves the book of Judith to be Apocryphal, which so highly com∣mends this fact of Simeon, ch. 9. 2, 3, 4. Moses omits the blessing of Simeon, Deut. 33. And thus their union in e∣vil was punished with this division and scattering among the tribes.

V. 8. Judah thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise] Judah signifieth praises, ch. 29. 35. as if Jacob should say, thou art so by name, and shalt be so indeed; praised for Regal Government, praised for that Christ shall come of thee, Heb. 7. 14. See, Hos. 11. 12. of Judah all the children of Israel were called Jewes; not Reubenites of Reuben, not Simeonites, nor of any other sonne. Judahs sin with Tamar is omitted; Judah therein only intended single for∣nication.

in the neck] This was fulfilled, Numb. 10. 14. 7. 11, 12. Judg. 1. 1, 2. 20. 18. 3. 9. in Othniel, David, Solo∣mon, and perfectly in Christ, 2 Sam. 22. 41. Psal. 78. 68. 89. 20.

thy fathers children] By all his wives, chap. 27. 29. thy mothers sonnes, because Isaac had but one wife.

shall bow down before thee] Thy Regal power. Every knee to Christ. Phil. 2. 10. the Lion of the tribe of Ju∣dah, Apoc. 5. 5.

V. 9. Lions whelp] True in Judahs Kings, most true in Christ. Lions are kingly beasts, stout, bold, strong, ter∣rible. Lions in Kings armes. Lions were stays for the steps of King Solomons throne.

he couched] Varies the person as the Prophetick Spirit moved him. After victories he shall lie down and rest se∣curely. So in Solomons dayes after Davids victories, 1 King. 4. 25. Numb. 23. 24.

V. 10. The Scepter] Or tribe, so the word signifieth, v. 16, 28. after once the regal dignity should be setled in this tribe, 1 Chron. 5. 2. (as in David) the Government should never be taken from him, at least so far, but that there should be a Law-giver from between his feet; nor his Kingdome and Common-wealth be utterly ruined, and the distinction of his tribe taken away and confound∣ed, till the coming of Shiloh. There were no more Kings of that tribe after Jechoniah and Zedekiah, Jer. 22. 30. E∣zech. 21. 27. After their returne from that captivity, the principality was in Zerubbabel, and likely in others of the tribe of Judah, And when some while after, the Maccabees of the tribe of Levi got the rule; yet then the Sanhedrin, or great counsel of LXX. Elders, consisted of the tribe of Judah And the Maccabees had th••ir supreme power by the choice and appointment of the people of Judah, and continued therein till a little before the birth of Christ, when Herod a meer stranger was King, and rooted them quite out, in the thirtieth yeare of his reigne. And if that Sanhedrin were not all chosen out of the tribe of Judah though most of them doubtlesse were: yet the Maccabees themselves of the tribe of Levi, were of the Kingdome of Judah, as distinct from the Kingdome of Israel, or of the ten tribes, the tribes of Benjamin and Levi, were amongst the tribe of Judah, and adhered to them; yet were but as incorporated into the tribe and Kingdome of Judah, which is therefore said, 1 Kings 11. 1••, 32, 36. three times to con∣sist but of one tribe, viz Judah only; so also, 1 Kings 12. 20. And when they returned out of captivity, the greatest part by far that returned were of that tribe, yea, and after their return out of captivity, they were all chief∣ly planted in the lot and territorie that appertained to the tribe of Judah, and the People, Kingdome and Common∣wealth were still called by the name of Judah; and there∣fore still the Government may be said to be in Judah. wher as those of the ten tribes once carried into Assyria, never returned to become a Kingdome or Common∣wealth, as before, and had also their tribes, confused and confounded.

Shebet] Signifies a rod, a rod of iron, a rod of autho∣rity, a Mace or Scepter of Kings, a Kingdome, Esay 14. 5 a tribe, Judges 18. 19.

shall not depart] When once come to it. It was long ere it came to it. Moses was of the tribe of Levi; Joshuah of the tribe of Ephraim; of the fifteen Judges only two, Othniel and Ibzan were of the tribe of Judah; Saul was of Benjamin, David the first King of this tribe Therefore Jacob saith not when Judah should begin to sway the Sce∣pter, but having begun, how long it should hold on.

from Judah] Not his person, v 1. in the last dayes, but the tribe of Judah, or the Nation of the Jews with rela∣tion to that tribe.

nor a Law-giver] Ps 60. 7. or Scribe, writing Laws for Rules.

from between his feet] Deut. 28. 57.

until] And then it should. The authority of the Syne∣drion in their Synagogues in our Saviour Christ•• time, was but preca••io under the Romanes, and restrained in capital crimes, Mat 23 34. Acts 5. 17. 9. 1, 2. 23. 5. John 18. 3••. 19. 7. Acts 7 59. Ananias was deposed from the High Priesthood, for stoning James the brother of Jesus, Joseph. antiq l. 20. c. 8. The Jewish Scepter was much weakened by Pompey, much shaken by Herods intrusion; finally broken and abolished at the distructi∣on of Jerusalem. After which they had no forme nor face of a Common-wealth. Therefore it is evident

against the Jewes, that the Messiah is come.

until Shiloh come] The Prosperer, Safe-maker, or his Sonne, viz, of a Virgin, i. e. Christ, Heb. 7. 14. secundae e∣jus, the tunicle or skin wherein the childe is wrapt in its mothers belly, and so taken for the childe it self, the con∣tinent for the thing contained in it. Then it shall depart. God appoints the periods of Kingdomes and States, and so the p••uses and stops by rebellions and insurrections; wherein Gods Providence is not asleep, but his Justice a∣wake.

shall the gathering] Jews and Gentiles shallobey him, Is. 11. 10. 42. 4. Mat. 12. 21. Rom. 15. 12. He is the de∣sire of all Nations, Hag. 2. 7. Esay 2. 1, 2.

V. 11. Binding his foale unto the vine] Wondrous fruit∣ful, for wine especially should Judahs lot in Canaan fall out to be, full of vines, and abounding in pastures▪ lying all in the South-part of Canaan.

V. 12. Red with wine] Prov. 23. 29, 30. No allowance to drunkennesse, no more then to theft in that saying, A∣poc 3. 3.

white with milke] Through plenty of pasturage and kine.

V. 13 Zebulun] Before Issachar, so his lot before him in the division of the land, Josh. 19. 10, 17. though Issachar the elder. So, Deut. 33. 18.

at the Haven of the sea] The Ocean westward, neare Mount Carmel, and the sea of Gal lee Eastward, Josh. 19. 10. Esay 9. 1. Thus the lot for Zebulun fell out, not by chance, but by Gods Providence according to Jacobs pre∣diction so many ages before. Nazareth was in this tribe, and Mount Tabor, and here Christ began to preach, Mat. 4. 15.

unto Zidon] Josh. 19. 10. to the 16. the coa••••s of it were over against Zidon, and fit for easie commerce with Zidon.

V. 14. Issachar is a strong Asse] Of strong force, but small courage, Deut. 33. 18. Judges 5. 16.

between two burdens] Or bounds, borders. In a fertile and fat soile, loving husbandry and a quiet life: and not trafficking abroad as Zebulun.

V. 15. And bowed his shoulder] Rather servilely sub∣ject themselves to toile and tribute, then forego their qui∣et peaceable kinde of life. Yet some of Issachar were of more noble and heroick spirits, Judg. 5. 15. 1 Chron. 12. 13, 32.

16. Dan shall judge] Ch. 30. 6. Alludes to his name of judging; as, v. 8. and ch. 9. 27. He shall enjoy the privi∣ledge of a tribe, as well as his free-born sonnes. And as o∣ther tribes had their Heads and Elders to judge and de∣cide causes amongst them, so should they, Numb. 1. 4, 16. And Sampson of Dan was an extraordinary Judge. And the like is implied concerning the rest of the sons of the handmaids.

V. 17. Dan shall be a serpent] More by cunning, then by force shall they prevaile, so did the Danites with Laish, Judges 18. 27. And Sampson used craft as well as strength, Judges 15. and 16. Moses compares him to a Lions whelp, Deut. 33. 22. haply for the suddennesse of his leap, when he seeth the advantage of his prey. Dan is omitted in the sealing of the tribes, Apoc. 7. And so is Simeon o∣mitted in Moses his benediction, Deut. 33. Likely Simeon for his cruelty against the Sichemites. And Dan for his no∣torious idolatry, Judg. 18. 20. 1 Kings 12. 29. Not because Antichrist should come of the tribe of Dan.

V. 18. I have waited] Psal, 130. 5. Esay 26. 8. Moti∣ons of the Spirit, and ejaculations of a dying man, are not tied to rules of method, and yet may have good coherence with silent and smothered thoughts, whence their expres∣sions burst out.

for thy salvation] Foreseeing the troubles of his poste∣rity, and of the tribe of Dan in special, Judg. 1. 34. he breakes out into this passionate expression, of longing af∣ter their deliverance and salvation by Shiloh specially, Luke 2. 30.

V. 19. Gad, a troop] Ch. 30. 11 An Allusion, as, v. 16. See the Annotations upon it. Gad was situate beyond Jordan Eastward, and so the more subject to incursions of the bordering enemies, Judg. 10. 7, 8. Jer, 49. 1. He comforts him against his dangers by sudden inroads of troopes, that at last he shall overcome them, Deut. 33. 20. Fulfilled, 1 Chron. 5. 18, 19, 20, 21, 22. Judg. ch. 10. and 11.

V. 20. Asher his bread shall be fat] Rich soile for corne and wheat specially, and for oile, Deut. 33. 24, 25. and royal dainties, and minerals, Josh. 19. 24, &c. Fat signifies the best of any thing, chapter 4. 4. 27. 28.

V. 21. Naphtali is an Hinde let loose] Deut. 33. 23. with scope and liberty in choice of pastures, in plenty and peace. And also of cunning and active nimblenesse in dealing with their enemies, and light-footed to pursue them, and to escape danger, Psal. 18. 34. Judg. 4. 10, 15, 16. Josh. 19. 32, to 39. Judah a Lion, Is∣sachar an Asse. Dan a Serpent, Naphtali an Hinde. All these were absurd in a literal sense. And so the words in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper in a literal sense.

he giveth goodly words] Faire and courteous, prevail∣ing by that means, and words also of praises and blessings, Judg. 5.

V. 22. Joseph is a fruitful bough] In his two branches Ephraim and Manasseh, which multiplied exceedingly, and became two tribes.

by a well] Moisture is a meanes of fruitfulnesse, Psal. 1. 3. Ezech. 19. 10.

whose branches] Hebr. Whose daughters. As bough was called by the name of sonne, and whatsoever cometh of or from another, is called in Hebrew a sonne, as the young of birds, beasts, &c. arrowes are called the sons of the bowe, ch. 18. 7. Job 41. 28.

runne over the wall] Abundantly increase, Josh. 17. 17.

V. 23. The archers] His brethren that sold him, his Mystris that accused him, his Master that imprisoned him, and haply the Magistrates of Egypt, and the Courti∣ers of Pharaoh.

V. 24. But his bowe] His innocency, patience, faith, chastity, Psal. 18. 34.

by the hands of the mighty] Joseph ascribes his strength to God, Psal. 44. 6, 7, 8.

from thence] From the mighty God of Jacob, from his Power and Providence it was that Joseph became the shepherd, the stone of Israel, to feed them in famine, and to be a rock of refuge, stay and strength unto them. And herein Joseph may be as a type of Christ, the true shep∣herd and corner-stone, Act. 4. 11. Esay 28. 16.

V. 25. With blessings of Heaven] Influences of the startes, raine and dew, Deut. 33. 14. Ezechiel 34. 26.

blessings of the deep] Springs and rivers, if not minerals too, ch. 7. 11. Deut. 33. 13.

of the beasts] Ten thousands of Ephraim, and thou∣sands

of Manasseh, Deut. 33. 17. A contrary curse is that, Hos. 9. 14.

V. 26. The blessings of thy father] Wherewith I do blesse thee and thy brethren.

have prevailed] Or do prevaile, are stronger, of greater efficacy and excellency.

above the blessings of my Progenitors] Abraham and Isaac, I have blessed thee in thy two sonnes, more then my father or grand-father blessed their two sonnes. Abraham gave way that Ishmael should be cast out. And Isaac gave the blessing to me from my brother Esau. But I blesse thy two sonnes, and make them two tribes, and keep them within the Church. Or I have more expressely, and with more tendernesse of affection blessed thee, then my Progenitors blessed their children. I do strive to out-blesse my fore-fathers, in multiplication of bles∣sings upon thy head. Or referring the words to all Jacobs children, he preferres his blessing above that of his Progenitors, as being more particularly ex∣plained and applied; and should be more suddenly, clearly, fully and effectually accomplished in them; by their multiplication in Egypt, &c. And by including them all in the Covenant of grace, ma∣king them all heires of the Promise, not one of them being excluded.

unto the utmost bounds of the everlasting hilles] Deut. 33. 13, 15. This sets forth the riches of that portion of land in Canaan, which should by lot fall to Ephraim and Manasseh. Or, the blessings on Joseph shall be eminent and excellent in extent, and in quality and quantity; and perpetual in duration, as the everlasting hills, intimating so spiritual blessings, Psal. 54. 10.

on the head of Joseph] Poured as oile (wherewith Princes are anointed) on his head.

separated] By his selling away from them, and be∣ing by God so advanced in Egypt.

V. 27. Benjamin shall ravine] Be strong, fierce, warlike, going forth mornings and evenings to take his prey, vanquishing and spoiling his enemies. So did Saul the King of this tribe, 1 Sam. 11. 6, 7, 11. 14. 13. 15. 47, 48. Paul was of Benjamin, Warlike they were, as appears in those bloody bat∣tels, Judges 20. 15, 16, 17. Ehud was of Benja∣min, Judg. 3. 15. Mordecai and Esther were of Ben∣jamin, Esther 8. 7. &c and ch. 9. 5.

devoure the prey] 2 Sam, 2. 26.

V. 28. Twelve tribes] Distinguished into twelve tribes afterward. And in them, rather then in the persons of his twelve sonnes, we are to look for the meaning and the accomplishing of these prophe∣tical blessings. They were thirteen counting in Le∣vi, and Ephraim and Manasseh in stead of Joseph. But Levi had no portion in dividing the land, Deut. 10. 9. And so they were still called the twelve tribes. For their order they are reckoned sometimes accordi••g to their birth, chap. 29. and 30. Exod. 28. 10. sometimes with reference to their mothers, as, chap. 35. sometimes with rela∣tion to their dignity; so is Judah first, Numb. 2. 3. Apoc. 7. 5. sometimes to their lot in di∣viding the land of Canaan. And so is Zebulun placed before Issachar here; sometimes withoot regard had of any order, as here, and Deut. 33. and Apoc. 7. 5. and Numb. 1. 5. 2. 5.

•• and blessed them] To Reuben, Simeon and Levi, it might seeme rather a curse then a blessing; yet the denomination may be from the greater and better part. And their fathers reprehension might prove a blessing to their further repentance. He concludes them within the number of the tribes, and so com∣prehendeth them within the Covenant, gives them a right to Canaan the type, and so by faith to the hea∣venly Canaan. And likely he dismissed them all with a general benediction, praying for them all. And as those three became tribes, and had their shares and portions in Canaan, so they had their names in Aa∣rons breast-plate on twelve stones, Exod. 28. 21. and on two Onix-stones upon the shoulders of the E∣phod, Exod. 28. 10, 11, 11. Levi likely, because they were the Priests and holy Ministers themselves, being left out in the precious stones. And as many of their tribes are sealed, Apoc. 7. 5, 7. as of the rest.

every one according] The blessings applied to eve∣ry tribe, according to the several references to his twelve sonnes; such blessings as were meet for every of them, as Gods Spirit did allot.

V. 29. Gathered into my people] His soule to the Saints, Heb. 12. 23. His body to the grave. See Annot. on ch. 25. 8. and on ch. 47. 9. to my holy fathers by death, v. 33.

bury me with my fathers] See Annotat, on chap. 47. 30.

•• in the cave] This a ground of Josephs request to Pharaoh, ch. 50. 5. And lest in seventeen yeares absence question might be made of his right to the place, evidences by writings being not then in use.

of Ephrou] Bought of him, v. 30. ch 23. 9, 10, &c. and ch. 47. 30.

V. 31. I buried Leah] Ch. 47, 30. 48. 7. Of the death and burial of Rebekah and Leah, we have no∣thing elsewhere set down in Scripture.

V. 33. He gathered up his feet] Which haply hung down before, as he sate on the beds side. And so composed himself to a quiet rest and sleep of death, en∣joying the use of memory and speech unto the last, Psal. 37. 37. The gesture, ch. 47. 31. was for reverence and thankfulnesse to God, and haply to Joseph 100.

CHAP. L.

Verse 1. ANd Joseph fell upon his face] Exceed∣ed his brethren, as in Piety toward God, so in filial affection and duty to his father. Religion rejects not, but regulates natural affecti∣ons.

wept upon him] Not womanish weaknesse to weep, Men of excellent spirit and valour have been noted for it; David, Ezekiah, Ne hemiah, Joseph seven times, Christ himself thrice. John. 11. 3. Luke 19. 41. Heb. 57. Paul, Acts 20. 19, 31. 2 Cor. 2. 4. Lawful in Funerals, if mixt with faith, and exceed not a just measure. The want is a fault, Esay 57. 1. Acts 8. 2. Jer. 22. 18.

and kissed him] To touch the dead was after for∣bidden, Numb. 19. 11, 12. yet in Josephs time not forbidden. Filial affection in a good sonne dieth

not with a good father, but surviveth.

V. 2. His servants the Physicians] The Antiquity of Physick, Physicians, and embalming the dead. Luke a Physician, Col. 4. 14. 2 Tim. 4. 10, 11.

embalmed] Embalmed bodies are transported from E∣gypt into other parts of the world, at this day to be used for medicine. Hence the Jewes had the custome of em∣balming; so they embalmed King Asa, 2 Chron. 16. 14. 21. 16. and our Saviour, John 12. 7, 19, 39, 40. Mar. 14. 8. Though his body needed it not, being secured from corruption, Psal 16. 10. Act. 2 31. 13. 35. yet they that embalmed him knew not so much. Jacobs bo∣dy was to be kept long and carried far.

V. 3. Seventy dayes] To honour him, as, 2 Chron. 32. 33. The Hebrewes time of mourning was thirty dayes, Numb. 20. 29. Deut. 21. 13. 34. 8. And the E∣gyptians time for embalming was fourty dayes. These two might make up the seventy dayes; much time taken in the very ceremonies of mourning.

V. 4. Joseph spake unto the house] Useth the mediati∣on of Egyptian Courtiers, to testifie his modesty in a businesse concerning himself, to prevent all suspicion of his not returning, and to decline their envie, and en∣dear himself to them the more. And perhaps also Mourners were not to come into the presence of Princes, Esther 4. 2.

V. 5. Made me swear] Lest he should seem to disdain to have his father buried in Egypt, he alledgeth this tie upon him by the dead.

which I have digged for me] So spacious was the place, that they might dig themselves several Reposito∣ries or Cells for their dead bodies in it; where his Pro∣genitors and wife were buried. The manner of men to build sepulchres while they were alive. So Absalom, so Asa, 2 Chron. 16. 14. so Joseph of Arimathea, Mat. 27. 60. so Shebna, Esay 22. 16.

bury me] Some bodies are embalmed and not buried; most buried without embalming; some embalmed with Aromatick spices put into their bodies, some only had spices upon them and about them; some had sweet o∣dours burnt at their burials, 2 Chron. 16. 14. 21. 19. Jer. 34. 5. some had their dead bodies themselves burnt, 1 Sam. 31. 12. sundry other manners amongst Heathen. Want of burial is a calamity bewailed, Psal. 79. 3. and a judgement threatened, Jer. 7. 33. 22. 19.

V. 6. As he made thee swear] Very infidels would have oathes performed.

V. 7. All the servants] A very great multitude of them. So, Mat. 3. 5. All Judea; and so again many is put for all, Rom. 5. 19. Such was Josephs prudence, and sweetnesse of disposition, that he kept the height of ho∣nour still without envie, which Court-favourites sel∣dome do.

and all the Elders] Senatours, Governours, Offi∣cers, Counsellours, Ezech. 7. 26. Psal. 105. 22.

V. 10. Valley of Atad] Signifies a bramble or thistle. Likely not far from Hebrou or Machpelah.

beyond Jordan] As Moses stood when he wrote this, Deut. 1. 1. 3. 25. being now in the plaines of Moab. Else in a direct journey from Egypt to Hebron, Mamre or Machpelah, their way was not to passe over Jordan.

seven dayes] So long in Moses Law they were un∣clean, the touched the dead, Numb. 19. 11. See Annot. on v. 3.

V. 13. And buried him in the cave which] Acts 7. 15, 16. saith Stephen, to Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he and our fathers, and were carried over into Sichem, and laid in the Sepulchre that Abraham bought for a summe of money of the sons of Emor, the father of Sichem. The case is clear, that the two places which Abraham bought, ch. 23. and which Jacob bought, ch. 33. are not one and the same but divers; as appears by the place or situation, by the name, use, price and per∣sons, buyers and sellers. And yet these two purchases seem to be confounded in the speech of Stephen. Again, Stephen might have a failer in memory, in his long and sudden speech, as not being then infallibly guided as an Inditer of Scripture, though full of the Holy Ghost, Acts 6. 5. 7. 55. For so it is said of the other Deacons, Acts 6. 3. of Peter, Act. 4. 8. of Paul, Acts 9. 17. yet Peter erred, Acts 10. 14. Gal. 2. 11, &c. and all the A∣postles erred in the point of Christs Resurrection, and of his Kingdome, Acts 1. 6. and of the calling of the Gentiles. And St. Luke might do right in recording it as it came from Stephen. As the like is in ch. 27. 19, 24. and, 1 Kings 13. 18. Josephs bones were buried in She∣chem, the place his father bequeathed to him and his on his death-bed, and likely the rest of his brethren, in con∣formity to his example, would be buried there, have their bones likewise carried thither; and this, though not mentioned in Scripture, might by other Records or Re∣velation be made known to Stephen, as the names of ••annes and Jambres to Paul, 2 Tim. 3. 8. the Prophecie of Enoch to Jude, v. 14. the Genealogy to Luke, ch. 3. v. 23, to 31. Jacob himself was certainly buried in Machpelah, as is here recorded: and though he be joyned together with his sonnes in a state of mortality, Acts 7. 15. yet the sixteenth verse of their burial may well be confi∣ned to his sonnes as the next Antecedent without taking him into the number. And that Jacob bought the field of the sonnes of Emor or Hamor, Shechems father, is like∣wise certain. By Abraham then, Acts 7. 16. we must un∣derstand Abrahams Grand-Child Jacob; And so ex∣pound it, which is a very harsh Exposition, the whole text considered, and could not be so apprehended by the multitude of his hearers. Or rather we may say, that Stephen mistook the story, and named Abraham in stead of Jacob, which may be done without any great offence, as hath been shewed, and so Luke relates what rightly he should; for to lay an errour upon the sacred text, by say∣ing Jacob should be put in the text in stead of Abraham, and that Abraham came into it by the errour of the tran∣scribers, mistaking the one name for the other, or whereas neither was in the Original, and Abraham errour be∣ing put in the margin, that from the margin they put it into the text, all this is not so likely, nor any way so safe. That Emor or Hamor was father to Sichem, not sonne to Sichem, appears, Josh. 24. 32. Gen. 33. 19. and therefore it is so to be supplied in Acts 7. 16. so is the word mother supplied, Luke 24. 10. out of Mar 15. 40. That Zohar, Gen. 23. 8. was not otherwise called Hamor, not had a sonne called Sechem, but called Ephron, the Scripture-Story declares. And Sechem of Hamors sonnes is only mentioned, because he was more honourable then all the house of his father, and so it is most probable, that in the sale of the ground to Jacob he had most to do, and the rest consented to his transaction. They that would make a reconciliation, by saying that the two pla∣ces and sepulchres, that Abraham bought, and that which Jacob bought were near one another, presuppose what is not sound, for Hebron and Machpelah were in the tribe of Judah, and Sechem or Sychar a city of Samaria in the

tribe of Ephraim, above twenty miles distant. And if granted, yet helps nothing to answer the other difficul∣ties of the text.

of the field] Places for burials have been very various. Fields as here. Moses in a valley, Deut. 34. 6. Uzziah in the field of the burial which belonged to the Kings; in the same field; but apart from the corpses of the Kings, 2 Chron. 26. 23. The Potters field was bought to bury strangers in, Mat. 27. 7. Manasseh was buried in the garden of his own house, 2 Kings 21. 18. Our blessed Saviour in a garden, Joh. 19. 41. Among Chri∣stians, after they had peace from persecutions, and Churches for devine service, they soone buried in the Church yards, and afterwards came to bury in the Churches themselves, which grew in time into a su∣perstition among many, and to be an annoyance to the living through the commonnesse of it.

V. 15. And will certainly require us] The unqui∣etnesse of guilty consciences now after fourty yeares, Lev 26. 36.

V. 16. Sent a messenger] And after went themselves, v. 18.

thy father did] Most likely that they feigned this.

V. 17. So shall ye say unto Joseph] They use argu∣ments from his fathers command, their relation as bre∣thren, their Penitencie, his Piety.

wept] As pitying their perplexity, and grieving at their doubt of his good will.

V. 18. Fall down before his face] Wittingly confirm∣ing the prediction, ch. 37. 7. and yielding themselves his servants, whom they had sold for a slave.

V. 19. Am I in the place of God?] Ch. 30. 2. Am I in Gods stead to revenge myself; or to crosse Gods pur∣pose, turning it to your hurt, which he turned to your preservation? or feare ye me more then God? am not I under God?

V. 20. But God] Joseph] ascribes nothing to himself, but all to God, whose goodnesse over-masters mans ma∣lignity and badnesse, chap. 45. 5. Acts 3. 12, 13. Psal. 119. 71.

much people] Them, Egyptians and others.

V. 21. I will nourish you] Doing good for evil, Mat. 5. 44. Rom. 12. 21.

V. 23. Third generation] So soon was Jacobs blessing begun to be accomplished in Josephs life-time, ch. 48. 19. 49. 22.

of Machir] Numb. 32. 39. 1 Chron 7. 16.

V. 24. Surely visit] Ch. 15. 14. 46. 4. Heb. 11. 22.

V. 25. Took an oath] V. 5.

of the children of Israel] His brethren haply were now dead, many of them; yet was Levi alive, who li∣ved one hundred thirty seven yeares, Exod. 6. 6. and so out-lived Joseph some sixteen yeares. Therefore the oath was taken of the children of Israel: and it may be re∣newed by the succeeding generation, that they in whose time the deliverance should be brought to passe, should perform this oath.

from hence] Mean while his body was interred in E∣gypt to the contentment of the Egyptians, and to the comfort of his family and kindred, to have his bo∣dy and bones among them; and so to have them there the more preserved for their good. And Jo∣sephs bones were carried thence. And not kept as reliques to be worshipped. but were buried at She∣chem, Josh. 24. 32. Jacobs purchase, and Josephs sonnes heritage. And this, to testifie his owne, and confirme his brethrens faith, in the belief of the Promises of Canaan, and that as a type or pledge of the heavenly Cannan. There were the other Patriarchs Jacobs sonnes and Jo∣sephs brethren also buried, Acts 7. 16. Their bones likely being carried with his bones.

V. 26. An hundred and ten yeares old] Eighty yeares after his advancement. At that age also died Joshua, who was of his race, Josh. 24. 29. Joseph died in the two thousand three hundred sixty nineth yeare of the world; sixty yeares before the birth of Moses, and one hundred and fourty yeares before the Israelites coming out of E∣gypt, as may be gathered out of Gen. 15. 13. and Exod. 12. 41. See Annot. on ch. 15. 13.

FINIS.