PAR. 11.
THe Jewes say, a Lambe that is spotted in Wooll, or skin onely, without o∣ther Blemish, is to be accepted; and this reason is for them, the best things are to be offered to God; but the spotted, speckled, or parti-coloured sheepe were most set by, in the land of Canaan; and it is plaine, Iudg. 5.30. 1 Chro. 29.2. divers∣coloured things were so high esteemed; Iacoh made for his beloved Ioseph, vestem polymitam, a Coate of many colours, Gen. 37.3. and though the Hebrew reade it, in exposition, particularum; yet even those particulae might be polymitae, that is, parti∣colouted. More especially concerning sheepe, Mercer thinkes, the shepheards were called, Nochedim, or Nokedim, Amos 1.1. that is, keepers of spotted Cattle; and though Drusius judgeth rather, they were called Nochedim from the Artificiall markes, with which they were wont (as now they are) to signe, and distinguish both sheepe and beasts; deriving the word from the Hebrew radix, Nacad, which is rendred, signare; yet he confesseth, others thinke, they were called Nochedim, from keeping of such Cattell, as had naturall spots.