A treatise of the necessity of humane learning for a Gospel-preacher shewing the use of I. Languages, II. Rhetoric, III. Logic, IV. Natural philosophy, V. Moral philosophy, VI. History, VII. Chronology, VIII. Arithmetic, IX. Geometry, X. Astronomy, XI. Geography, and the benefits of learning in all ages : also this question is determined, whether grace be essential to a minister of the Gospel? / by Edward Reyner ...

SECT. VII. The Usefulness of the Chaldee.

THe knowledge of the Chaldee is re∣quisite,

I. For the understanding of those pla∣ces of Scripture, which were written in that Language, though Chaldee be called Sy∣riac in the Old Testament, of which before, as the Syriac is stiled Hebrew in the New) as Ezra, from chap. 4.7. to chap. 6.19. and chap. 7. from ver. 11. to ver. 27. and Daniel 2. from ver. 4. to the 8. chapter. Jer. 10.11. Vide Piscat. Scholias in loc.

II. For the understanding of Chaldee words scattered up and down in other pla∣ces in the Original, and some Hebrew words, whose root is in the Chaldee: as also of many Chaldaisms in the Hebrew Text, when Hebrew words borrow a Chaldee signification: thus 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in Chaldee is to con∣sult, and so it is used, Neh. 5.7.

Many Hebrew Nouns and Verbs are for∣med, and words altered after the Chaldee manner. See many instances hereof in De Dieu's Oriental Grammar, and in Bythner's Introduction to the Chaldee Tongue, and his Appendix de Aramaeismis, both at the end of his Hebrew Grammar.

III. For understanding of the Chaldee Paraphrases, which rendered the Hebrew Text for the help of the Jews, who were better acquainted with the Chaldee since the Captivity, then with the Hebrew.

These Paraphrases, * 1.1 especially those most ancient ones of Onkelos on the Law, and of Jonathan, Judges, Samuel, Kings, and all the Prophets, except Daniel, are represen∣ted as very useful, in two respects.

1. In that they illustrate difficult and obscure places, and explane Old-Testa∣ment Rites, Customes, Histories, and the genuine signification of words. For know∣ing of which the Authors thereof had a farr greater advantage then others since, because they lived nearer those times, when the Hebrew was commonly spoken, and those Rites in use.

2. In that they confirm diverse Arti∣cles of the Christian Faith, and afford the strongest arguments against the Jews. There are clear testimonies in them of the Person of the Messiah, his coming and Of∣fices, which (as Amama in Consilio de stud. Hebr. saith) makes them afraid of Christi∣ans, who are any whit versed in these Pa∣raphrases; because they are with them of almost equal authority with the Text. There you may see those Prophesies, Gen.

49.10. Psal. 45. Esa. 9.6. and 52.13. to the end of the 53. chapter plainly ap∣plied to the Messiah.

IV. There are divers expressions in the New Testament, which frequently occurr in the Chaldee Paraphrases; as (a) 1.2 The Word, which seems often there to denote a person, is by John (c. 1. v. 1.) applied to Christ.

The second death, and the world to come (see Deut. 33.6. Isa. 65.6. Jer. 51.39, 57. in those Paraphrases) and the false, or deceitful Mammon, (that is, riches) for so should 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, be ren∣dred in Luke 16.9. since its opposed to the true Mammon, the true riches, ver. 11. and so it will be the same with 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 opes fallaces, which we meet with in the Chaldee, Hos. 5.11. Prov. 15.27. Nor is this sense repugnant to the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, both which carry the Notion of falshood and deceit, as they are divers times used by the Hellenists, which you may see proved by Heinsius, and de Dieu on Luke 16.9.

Notes

• * 1.1

  See Prolegom. Bibl Polyglott. p. 86.
• (a) 1.2

  See Drusi∣us & Grotius in Joh. 1.1. & Heins. Ari∣starch. c. 3.