A commentary on the prophecy of Hosea by Edward Pococke.

V. 9. O Israel, thou hast sinned from the dayes of Gibeah: there they stood: the battel in Gibeah against the chil∣dren of iniquity did not overtake them.

O Israel thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah: there they stood, &c.] Divers and very diffe∣rent expositions of this verse are given; though it be by the most agreed that respect is had to the history of the war by the rest of the tribes undertaken against the Benja∣mites, who defended that foul fact of the inhabitants of Gibeah in their abuse of the Levites concubine, which is recorded in the 19. and 20. chapters of the book of Judges. In which war is remarkable, as to the Israe∣lites, that they were twice smitten by the Benjamites; then, as for the Benjamites, that they were utterly overcome and destroyed except six hundred men which escaped. Now some will have what is here spoken to be referred to what concerns the condition of the Israelites at that time, others to what concerns that of the wicked Benjamites. A∣gain as to the particle 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 me rendred by ours from, in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Mime Hagibeah, from the dayes of Gibeah, d 1.1 some will have it to be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 mim, a particle pointing out time, that so it may be an aggravation of their sin from their long continuing in it, ever since the time spoken of: e 1.2 others to be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 mim, taken for a note of comparison or excess, denoting more than, and so it will be an aggravation of it by comparing it to a∣nother great and notorious sin, and affirming it to be greater than that was. And their difference concerning this, is a chief occasion of their giving different meanings of the o∣ther words, as in reciting some of them we shall see.

Both of those accpetions have their abet∣tors, both among Jews and Christians anci∣ent and modern. Among such as take it to signifie, from, we may reckon the Chaldee: though the time which he refers it to, be not that which (as we have said) is more gene∣rally agreed on; he referring it to the time of their electing Saul king at Gibeah, and so rebelling against God, for which cause they were not acocunted worthy to have the kingdom continued to them, but were in∣vaded by (or, there came up to them) men of war who slew the fathers with the chil∣dren. But in this he is not approved by the * 1.3 Jews themselves, who otherwise have him in great esteem, but censured for an exposi∣tion no way apposite to the purpose. A∣mong them also are the LXX. who render 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 from the time that the hills were, and so the printed Arabic 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ex quo fuerunt colles. By which time, what time they mean is not so easie to say. Cyril and Theoph. understand it of those f 1.4 high places set apart for idolatrous worship, by Solo∣mon before the calves set up by Jeroboam, but perhaps considering how Gibeah though a proper name, is else where rendred by the LXX. according to its signification of a hill, as in this prophecy c. 5.8. and 9.9. though they put it in the plural number, hills, or a hilly place, it may be particularly meant by them of the place peculiarly so called, as if from since the hills, may sound since the fact of what was done at the hills viz. Gi∣beah, as it is likewise by the Syriac rendred 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; romtho, the hill, and so the time de∣signed

to be the same which is by many modern here taken to be understood by the dayes of Gibeah, viz. the time of that war a∣gainst the Benjamites the inhabitants of that place; so that what is objected against the Israelites is, That from that time they sin∣ned, or were then guilty, and ever since con∣tinued so to be. Their putting it in the third person, Israel hath sinned, as likewise the Vul∣gar Latin puts it, peccavit, though in the He∣brew it be in the second, O Israel thou hast sinned, makes no difference as to the mean∣ing.

These things I note by the way, that they may not interrupt us in our proceeding. That which at present we intend by mention∣ing them is to shew that they take the particle forementioned to signifie from, and to denote the time since when they are said to have sin∣ned; so doth also the Vulgar Latin, and ma∣ny modern take it, and among the Jews R. Salomo and Kimchi; but those that in this agree, and generally, that by the dayes of Gibeah is meant the time of the war there as we said, yet in the farther expounding of the words, do wonderfully differ among them∣selves. As for the sin that they are taxed of, while he saith, O Israel thou hast sinned, it is as by S. Jerom and several g 1.5 Christian ex∣positors, so by R. Salomo and Kimchi, thought to have been the sin of idolatry, which while they punished the lewd fact of the men of Gibeah, they countenanced among them∣selves in suffering the Danites to set up the graven image which they had taken from Mi∣cah, and continued it all the time that the house of God was in Shilo, as appears Judg. 18.30, 31. This seems to have ground for it, but that of some who agreeably to the Chaldee would have it to be meant of their choosing Saul king at Gibeah, h 1.6 by some ci∣ted and censured, seems to have none.

We may with i 1.7 others look on the words without particular inquiring into the sin, as an accusation of them more in general, to have been even then in the time, and ever since the time of that war against Gibeah, guilty of hainous sins, as hainous as that of the men of Gibeah, and that they continued to grow and increase in them, so to declare that it was not of late only that they became guilty of such crimes as deserved those judg∣ments that God now threatned against them, though he had hitherto in great mercy spared them, and to shew how justly they deserve these punishments for their so long and per∣tinacious continuing in their sins and not re∣penting of them.

What follows 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 sham amadu, there they stood, is also very differently inter∣preted, the change of the person from the se∣cond spoken to, O Israel thou hast sinned, to the third, and that in a different number, they stood, makes place for a question, whe∣ther he who is in the second clause the person spoken of, be the same that in the first is spo∣ken to, and expressed to be Israel, or some other. And different opinions there be about it. k 1.8 A learned man thinking it not to be the same, viz. Israel who made war against Gi∣beah, but Benjamin who defended it; and of them understood some will have it to import with the following words, That there the Gi∣beonites stood, that is, stood to it, or in defence of their fowl fact stood in battel against the rest of the Israelites, and did twice obtain the victory, slaying of them who came against them fourty thousand. They were indeed at last overcome and slain most of them, yet so as there remained of them some, (viz. six hun∣dred) whom the war against those wicked ones did not overtake, as which reliques of them he looks on these Israelites now, not in person but in wickedness even the same, and saith that as yet, any such war hath not overtaken them, i. e. they have not yet been punished for their sins as the other whom war destroyed, and this after a profession that he had taken great pains in finding out the me∣thod and meaning of the prophets words be∣ing very obscure, he saith, Sine dubio genuina est sententia versus noni, Is without doubt the meaning of the ninth verse; although I think what he gives is obscure enough. In like manner do l 1.9 others also look on it as spoken of the Ben∣jamites, to declare how it was with them in that time, and intimating what ill use the present Israelites made of it for hardening themselves in their sins by hope of escaping still as those did then, though vainly as the following words will shew.

But the way more generally taken, is to un∣derstand them not of the Gibeonites, but the Israelites, that there stood. But what is meant by their standing there, is not so easily agre∣ed. There they stood, i. e. say some, in their evil courses. There Israel m 1.10 repressit gradum, ne ultra ambularet in viis Domini, stood or stop∣ped themselves from walking in the wayes of the Lord, and therefore war shall not overtake them, or captivity seize on them n 1.11 for Gibe∣ahs sake, (seeing in that they did well viz. in punishing those sinners) but according to my desire will I chastise them, &c. saith Jerom. o 1.12 There (or then) they ceased to walk in the wayes of the Lord, p 1.13 or (which is but the same in other terms) persisted ever since in their idolatrous courses as pertinaciously as

the Gibconites in defence of the lewdness act∣ed among them. Which last expression is that which q 1.14 Calvin also approves, Ab eo tempore fuerunt pertinaces in suis sceleribus, From that time were they pertinacious in their wickedness: though he mention two other expositions, viz. one of some who understand it as if it were meant, That there they (viz. the other tribes of Israel) stood, i. e. would have de∣sisted from war, because they did not at the first prevail against the Benjamites, as faint∣ing in their hearts through incredulity, and thinking they had been deceived by God who incouraged them for undertaking that war, and so not giving due honour to God, for which they justly deserved reproof. A se∣cond, as if by their being put to a stand there, and not presently getting the victory, were intimated that even then and there God by that means had warned them that they were as great sinners as the Gibeonites, though they did then execute the judgement of God upon them; but he prefers that which we in the first place named, and he in the last, of their pertinacious standing or persisting to go on in their wickedness, so that they were come up to the highest degree of it. Accor∣ding to him the meaning of the following words, The battel in Gibeah against the chil∣dren of iniquity did not overtake them, will be either that they are said, to shew that this, viz. that God then so severely dealt with the Gi∣beonites, and spared them, ought not to make them confident, because that war did not o∣vertake them to their utter destruction, that he would still spare them; but that if not such a war, yet a worse, tending to their ut∣ter destruction, should overtake them, seeing what was then done brought them not to re∣pentance, though he had deferred it hitherto; or else (which he prefers) that the war of Gi∣beah 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 lo tassigem, did not ap∣prehend them, viz. did not work on them to take due notice of it, and to be brought to re∣pentance, by the example of Gods severe judg∣ment on the Gibeonites. But (though he ci∣ting it also do not so much approve it) I think with r 1.15 others, that if their standing be so un∣derstood, it would be the plainest way to read the last words with an interrogation, And shall not such a war as that in Gibeah overtake them? viz. to consume them as that did the Benjamites. Equivalent to this seems that of Kimchi though without an interrogation, with a little supply of thinking, or they do think.

They, though by reason of their like wic∣kedness, and their obstinate persisting in it without repentance, they may seem to have stood, or been in those times as Gibeah,

yet do think that such a war shall not overtake them, as did then the Benjamites, and that they shall not be destroyed by the sword of the enemy. As it did overtake those then, so shall it overtake these now. Let them not think that it shall not. This is the scope of his words.

But s 1.16 others make the meaning of standing to be otherwise, viz. That they stood in bat∣tel, fought it out, and though twice beaten for punishment of the t 1.17 idolatry and other sins that were among them, yet remained the most part of them, and were at last conquerours, v 1.18 as being then punishers of sin, viz. of the lewdness of the Gibeonites.

But then they who in this meaning of that word agree, differ in the rendring and ex∣pounding the following words, some rendring (as ours) The battel in Gibeah against the chil∣dren of iniquity, w 1.19 did not overtake them, x 1.20 others, shall not overtake them. The reason of which difference is because the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 tassi∣gem, being in form of the Future tense, doth indeed properly signify, will, or shall overtake them, but by reason of the promiscuous use of that Tense, which hath been formerly ob∣served, may be as the sense shall require ren∣dred either in the Preter or Imperfect, hath overtaken, or did overtake. If it be taken in this latter way (as by ours it is) it is but a far∣ther explication of what is meant by the for∣mer words, there they stood, viz. remained and were not quite destroyed. If in the former, viz. as the Future, then will it be a negative expression including an affirmative; the ne∣gative, The battel in Gibeah, viz. such a bat∣tel as was there against those lewd sinners whether understood of the Benjamites, or Is∣raelites, shall not overtake them, which though it there consumed most of them against whom it was, and many of those that waged it, yet did not totally destroy either of them; the affirmative included and inferred, but y 1.21 a worse shall now overtake these, viz. such where∣in they shall all be taken away by the Assyri∣ans, and not be able to resist. z 1.22 Others in this way supply, thinking or saying, that that war should not overtake them, because they had a just cause which would bear them out, and give them the victory; or if it be so rendred in the Future tense, here also would well seem to be place for an interrogation, but though they then stood, and God saved them then, shall not now such a war overtake them obstinately persisting in their idolatrous cour∣ses? So doth the Syr. (as the Latin translatour of it, I think, well takes it, though it it be no interrogative particle expressed) since the days

of Romtho (the hill or Gibeah) thou hast sinned O Israel, should they there stand, and the war in the hill not overtake the wicked children? though the interrogation so put have influence on more of the words than in the former way, taking in those, should they there stand, also as well as the following.

Cocceius gives a different rendring from any of these, A diebus Gibeae peccasti Israel, ibi qui steterunt, non attinget eos in Gibea bellum contra filios injustitiae vel elationis, i. e. From the dayes of Gibeah thou hast sinned, O Israel; those that there stood, the war in Gibeah against the sons of wickedness or of height shall not over∣take them. This rendring of his is made up with an easie supply of qui, in qui steterunt, those that stood, and might receive a literal ex∣plication to a good meaning; yet because it is by him directed to a mystical one, which I think, is by none but himself followed, I shall not insist on it, only I shall take occasi∣on from his double interpretation of these words 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 bene alvah, filios injustitiae, sons of wickedness, & clationis, sons of height or pride, to speak something of that word, ac∣cording to what others also say of it, and make use of in their translations and expositi∣ons.

It is therefore by most said that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 al∣vah is by transposition of letters the same that a 1.23 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 avlah wickedness or iniquitie, or per∣verseness. There are examples of like transpositi∣on of letters in words without alteration of the signification, as in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Zaavah, Deut. 28.25. and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Zavaah, in Isa. 28.19. commotion, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 falmah and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 samlah, both a garment, &c, This is by most b 1.24 both Jews and Christians taken for granted, and there∣fore it is usually referred to the Theme 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Aval, signifying to be evil, or do what is evil or perverse. Yet do others look on it as from a different Theme, and of a different significati∣on, to wit, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Alah, to ascend or be on high. So manifestly the Chaldee 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 whe∣ther it be taken for a Verb, they ascended, as in the Latin translation, or for a Nown (as by c 1.25 Schindler) ascensionis of height; and so R. So∣lomo renders it by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 height or pride, by which he saith are meant the Benjamites 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 &c. Who made them∣selves high, or, uppermost, and hearkened not to the voice of their brethren to deliver to them the Gibeonites. Among modern writers, Lud. de Dieu is also of that opinion, who saith that the obstinacy of the Gibeonites seems here described, who refused to hearken to their brethren, as thinking they had no need to fear any danger from that war, by reason of the confidence that they had in viris suis d 1.26 excelsis & sublimibus, i. e. their tall stout men, As for those words 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Lo tussigem ba Gibeah milchama, ren∣dred, the war in Gibeah did not (or, shall not) overtake them, R. Solomo also seems to give different construction, which may sound, The war in Gibeah against the sons of height (the Benjamites) did not succeed to them. In a dif∣ferent manner Drusius also, Non assecuti sunt filios iniquitatis, They did not overtake, or, prevaeil against the children of iniquity in the war which they made with the Benjamites.

All this hath been said for illustrating such meanings as they give who render, From the days of Gibeah, which seems the most obvious way of rendring 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Mime ha Gi∣beah. But there are (as we said) others of good authority, and those both of Jews and Christians also, who prefer to render it, more than the days of Gibeah, that is, more than in those dayes, supplying in. In this way the dayes of Gibeah will seem to be a e 1.27 proverbial expression for setting forth of great and enor∣mous wickedness, as great as that which was by the Gibeonites, in that story of them said to have been committed. And so it may seem to be, by what is above said c. 9.9. They have deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah. This way of rendring, among the Jews Aben Ezra takes, by explaining it by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 yother, more than, and then giving for the meaning of the following words, that he speaks of the sinners of his generation, as if they had stood with the Benjamites which were sons of iniquity, yet did not now fear that war should overtake them, as it overtook the Benja∣mites, from the other tribes. R. Tanchum also saith, that the letter 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 mim or m here prefix∣ed hath the signification of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in Arab. i. e. more than, and expounds the whole, That their sins are increased, and are now more than the sins of the tribe of Benjamin in Gibeah, yet 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for all this they remain, and war hath not over∣taken them, as it overtook those wicked ones of the children of Benjamin. Which is spoken as looking on it as a strange thing that they should be so long forborn. And he saith that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Al in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Al bene alvah (by ours and others ren∣red, Against the children of iniquity) is as much as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 im with. With his exposition much agrees the MS. Arabic translation which is (as written in Hebrew letters, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which as the words in him lie, literal∣ly sound, Plus quam dies (or in diebus) Gibeah

peccasti, O Israel, ibi steterunt, non assecutum est eos bellum in Gibeah cum populo injuriae (or, cum injuriosis) i. e. More than the dayes (or in the dayes) of Gibeah, hast thou sinned, O Israel, there they stood, (there) overtook them not in Gi∣beah war with the people of iniquity. But he notes withall, that it may be rendred 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 from the time of Gibeah.

Abarbinel likewise, as to the first words takes the same way, viz. Thou hast sinned more than in the dayes of Gibeah, as looking on the other way of rendring, since the dayes of Gi∣beah, not to be so probable, seeing it is not probable that in the dayes of Samuel, Saul and David there should have been found idolaters in Israel, that they should be now taxed for continuing all along, since those times of Gi∣beah, in that sin. And so taking the first words to signifie, More than in the dayes of Gibeah, to make out the meaning of the following words he adds in the next a supply of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 im if, making 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 sham amadu, to be as much as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 if they had stood there, and so the following words with them to sound, had these people of Samaria and Ephraim stood there, (or been there) at that time, the war against those children of iniquity (viz. the wicked Benja∣mites) would not have overtaken them (or con∣cerned them) i. e. none of them would have un∣dertaken that war, as being themselves guilty of greater sins and so probably would not have been zealous of punishing them, whose evil deeds they did imitate or surpass. Of this exposition Jacob Abendana f 1.28 saith 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that it is right, or convenient, and indeed if we allow of his supply, which is but easy, it makes a plain and good meaning, as compa∣ring these now more wicked people, with those of their progenitors who had so much goodness and righteousness in them as moved them to seek to revenge that lewdness, in o∣thers which these now approve of and outdo in themselves.

Among Christians who do so look on the words as sounding more than, we have the Tigur. Version, which renders thus, Plus pecca∣sti, O Israel, quam isti in diebus Gibeah, Thou hast sinned more, O Israel, g 1.29 than those in the dayes of Gibeah, and then reads the other words with an interrogation, Ibi steterunt, non apprehendet eos proelium in Gibeah quod erat contra filios iniquitatis? i. e. There they stood, shall not the war in Gibeah which was against the children of iniquity overtake them? Rivet also, who looks on the first words as to be compa∣ratively taken, and makes the meaning of the whole to this sense, that Israel was now guilty of greater sins than those in the times of Gibeah; then (at that time) they (i. e. Israel) stood though at the first, twice beaten, and loosing many men, yet were at last conquerours; but now there shall over∣take them, not such a war, but a more severe one, wherein they shall be totally overthrown, and all either slain, or taken away captives. These I look on as chief of the many different ren∣drings and expositions of this Verse, and such as any other which we shall find may be redu∣ced to. If any shall ask why we reckon up so many, I must say by the way of apologie, that which * 1.30 one of them in the same case useth for his doing the like, That it was ut quisque in obscuro loco sequatur quod placet, that every one in so obscure a place may follow what liketh him best. Our translatours choose to render the first words, Thou hast fi••ned from, i. e. in, the days of Gibeah, and ever since, and the meaning of the whole according to them seems to be, That the Israelites were even in and from those dayes great sinners, guilty, many of them, of idolatry and other hainous sins, yet then, and hitherto they stood; and though many of them then fell, yet were they not totally destroyed, in that war against the wicked Benjamites: intimating that they now thought it should be so still with them, but that these were vain thoughts; for there should a worse war overtake them, which should utterly take them all away. That it was Gods purpose now ere long to bring such a de∣structive war upon them, the next v. declares.

Notes

• d 1.1

  Abarbinel.
• e 1.2

  See the same.
• * 1.3

  R. Sal. Kimc.
• f 1.4

  1 King. 11.
• g 1.5

  Lyra. Munst. Rib. Calv. Castro. Oecol. Pelican
• h 1.6

  Riber. Ch. à Castro.
• i 1.7

  Calv. Riber. Mer. Grot.
• k 1.8

  Pare.
• l 1.9

  Mercer in his former notes. Lively, Tarnov. De Dieu.
• m 1.10

  Jerom.
• n 1.11

  Pelican.
• o 1.12

  Menoch.
• p 1.13

  Id. and Tirin.
• q 1.14

  And see Geneva note.
• r 1.15

  Capito per interrogationem haec particulo legenda est.
• s 1.16

  Drus. Jun. Trem. Pisc. Rivet.
• t 1.17

  R. Salomo.
• v 1.18

  Grot.
• w 1.19

  Or, non assequutus est, hath not overtaken them. Jun. Trem.
• x 1.20

  Vulg. Lat.
• y 1.21

  Sa. Menoch. Tirin. Rivet. Ch. à Castro his paraphrase.
• z 1.22

  Merc. Vat.
• a 1.23

  As it is in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 2 Sam. 3.34. and 7.10.
• b 1.24

  Ab. Ezra, Kimchi, R. Tanc. Abarb. MS. Arab. which ren∣ders it, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The people of iniquity, or injurious people.
• c 1.25

  In 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• d 1.26

  In this way we may compare it with the Arabic 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which will concur in signification.
• e 1.27

  I. H. Ursin.
• f 1.28

  In his notes on Michal Yophi.
• g 1.29

  Noting in the margin, that m is particula comparandi, a particle of com∣pariso.
• * 1.30

  Tarnov.