An exposition of the morall lavv, or Ten Commandements of almightie God set dovvne by vvay of exercitations, wherein is contained an explanation of diverse questions and positions for the right understanding thereof, together with an explication of these scriptures which depend upon, or belong unto every one of the commandements, all which are cleared out of the originall languages, the customes of the Iewes, and the distinctions of the schoolemen / by Iohn Weemse ...

EXERCITAT. VII. To give God his right titles and attributes. Commandement III.

2. King. 2.14. And he tooke the mantle of Elijah that fell, from him, and smote the waters, and said; Where is the Lord God of Elijah Aphhu.

WE have spoken of the negative part of this com∣mandement, that wee should not take the name of God in vaine. Now wee come to the affirma∣tive, to use the name of God reverently in prayer, in swearing, and vowing.

The Lord, when hee appointed his Prophets, used sundry signes to confirme them; he touched Esaiahs lips with a cole from the altar. Esay. 6.6. so he touched the mouth of Ieremiah. Cap. 1.9. Then the Lord put forth his hand and touched my mouth. So he biddeth Ezekiel, eate the booke, Ezek. 3.2. so hee appointed Elisha by casting the mantle of Elijah about him. 1. King. 19.19. and to this Christ alludeth: Luc. 24.49. But tarry ye in the citie of Ierusalem untill ye be cloathed with power from on high.

Now when Elisha was cloathed with this mantle of E∣lijah he stroke the waters with his mantle, as he saw his master doe before; and the waters not being divided, as hee saw Elijah divide them before with the same mantle, hee cryeth out, where is the Lord God of Elijah Aphhu.

The question is, whether this word Aphhu should bee joyned to the words going before, or to the words fol∣lowing: Some joyne it to the words following, and

reade it this waies, he himself smote the waters, that is, Eli∣jah himselfe, but the words should be joyned with the words going before, Where is the Lord God of Elijah Aph∣hu. For they are distinguished from the words follow∣ing by the point Pesik, and Aph-hu, are joyned to∣gether by the Euphonick accent Maccaph, which sheweth them to bee but one word; the words they are to bee read as a prayer, Elisha calling upon the God of Elijah by his title and attribute Aph-hu.

Now that this is one of Gods attributes, first it is proved; because the Seventy never do translate it.

Secondly, because Aquila and Symmachus translate it here 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which signifieth the hid name of God, and Hu is often times joyned to the proper name of God Iehova: Lament. 1.18. So to the name Peli, hu peli Dan. 8. So to the Messias. Zach. 9.9.

Thirdly, the Chaldee paraphrast doth not translate it, but paraphraseth it this wayes; Suscipe petitionem me∣am Domine Deus Elijah Aph-hu.

Fourthly, the Iewes at this day in the beginning of their prayers, they begin their invocations thus, Aph-hu, qui es ante orbē conditū, & Aph-hu a quo conditus est orbis.

Lastly, the ancient Iew Abrabaniel commenting upon this place, putteth Iehova for Aph-hu: by these reasons wee may perceive, that all those take it for a proper name of God.

It is a speciall part of Gods worship to use his names, titles and attributes reverently, now if this his name should be passed by and neglected, were not this a ta∣king of the name of God in vaine?

So we should studie to know his other names which are revealed to us, as Shem, and Iehova and Shecina. Exod. 29.45. and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, power: Luc. 22.63. at the right hand of the power, and many such.

But where the names are altogether hid, as Hu Pe∣loni

Almani contracted Palmoni. Daniel 8. these we should not search.

Notes

• When the Lord called his Prophets he confir∣med them in their cal∣ling by sundry signes.
• Allusion.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Sic legitur. Ʋbi est Iehova Deus Elijae Aph-hu? & percussit aquas.
• Reasons proving that Aph-hu is a proper name of God.
• A speciall part of Gods worship to know his names and attributes.