A commentary on the prophecy of Hosea by Edward Pococke.

v. 8. Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity; and is polluted with blood.

How Gilead is called a city, or what city it was that is so called, seems somewhat doubt∣ful. For that we read of, as the name of a l 1.1 Mount, a Land, or Countrey, on the other side of Jordan, Numb. 32.1. &c. Deut. 3.12, 13.—15. and elsewhere; in which it appears there were m 1.2 many cities, and among them n 1.3 some relate that there was one particularly called by that name; but of that there is no evident mention elsewhere in Scripture: but of o 1.4 Ramoth Gilead there is, a city belonging to the Priests and Levites in that country, and one of the cities of refuge, Deut. 4.43. Jos. 20.8. of which p 1.5 many do here understand i••, thinking it very apposite to the place here, that it should be understood of such a city, once a place of refuge, now turned contrary. But others by reason of the ambiguity, give other rendrings, by which it is not made the name of a particular city; as q 1.6 some, In Gilead is a city, so qualified as described. r 1.7 Others, every city in Gilead is so, or s 1.8 all the cities of Gilead, putting the singular, city, for the plural, cities. Or as if the whole country were t 1.9 as one city, the inhabitants thereof conspired in such wickedness as is mentioned. v 1.10 Others think under the name of Gilead to be comprehended all the cities of refuge, which were in that country, and under them all the rest in the whole Kingdom, and all the inhabitants of those cities, viz. the Levites and Priests; so that by accusing them, which ought to have been better than the rest, w 1.11 he manifestly shews the great corruption of that whole countrey, or of the whole Kingdom of Israel.

But whatever the place or places be, here designed by the name of Gilead; and the ap∣pellation of a City, (which doubtless was from the mouth of the Prophet, then well understood by all; though to us, x 1.12 through ignorance of the history, and particular occasion on which it was spoken, now more obscure) the accu∣sation, or thing whereof it is (or they are) taxed, is, that it is (or they are 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Kiryath poale aven, i. e. accord∣ing as ours well render it, a city of them that work iniquity. The vulgar Latin rendring it, operantium idolum, of such as make an Idol, i. e. y 1.13 make and worship Idols, or have there some peculiar Idol, is by z 1.14 some thought to restrain the word Aven too much, which though it may signifie an Idol, yet more generally signi∣fies all iniquity, (although under Idolatry may all iniquity be comprehended.) a 1.15 Some (I know not on what ground) think that the author of that Translation first wrote it, dolum, deceit, which was after changed into Idolum. The LXX render it a City 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that worketh vain things. The Chaldee, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 of such as exercise violence; the word will well com∣prehend all these, and seems best rendred, as ours render it, and the scope to be, to de∣scribe them as wicked doers, and given to all manner of evil.

It is added in the description of the wick∣edness thereof, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Akubbah middam, which ours in the Text (with a supply of, and is) render, polluted with bloud, and in the Margin, or cunning for bloud. These different rendrings they give us, and there are yet other different. The chief of which we shall take notice of; only premising the reason of that variety, which is because the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Akubbah doth not occur in any other place of Scripture in the same forme, so as that we might thence have any light for the use and understanding of it, and therefore from such significations, as others derived from the same root are found in, are Expositors put to guess of the meaning of it here, which be∣ing different, gives them occasion of different expositions, as they think most agreeable to the scope of the place: and observing also that the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Middam, joyned with it, doth properly signifie from, or by reason of bloud, à sanguine, or propter sanguinem: which observed, will help us in judging of the se∣veral rendrings which we shall mention.

To begin with those that our Translators give; first, that in the Text is, polluted with bloud. There is no other place in Scripture (I think) observed, wherein any word, from the same root 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Akab derived, hath that signification of pollution; but it is proved from the authority of b 1.16 ancient Rabbins, so under∣standing and using it. It is also backed by the ancient Syriack Translation, which renders it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i. e. as their c 1.17 Lexicographers expound it in Arabick, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, fouled, stained, or besmeered, or dawbed with bloud, (as they ob∣serve the word to be peculiarly spoken of such staining or fouling as is by bloud) which, if we be satisfied concerning the signification of the word, is a plain and perspicuous mean∣ing, and well admits the construction of the Preposition with, i. e. from, or by reason of bloud.

Secondly, that in the margin is, d 1.18 cunning for bloud. That the word hath in it the notion of fraud, cunning, or deceit, is manifest out of the use of others of the same root in Scripture; e 1.19 as where it is said, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Jer. 17.9. The heart is deceitful; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and Jehu did it in subtlety (or deceitfully,) 2 Kin. 10.19. with many other places. And this mean∣ing the Chaldee Paraphrast plainly respects, while he expounds it, Gilead is a city of such as do violence, who by fraud shed innocent bloud; which f 1.20 R. Salomo Jarchi expresseth by, full of such as lay wait for slaughter (or murdering.) And so Kimchi gives it as the exposition of some of their ancient Doctors, that the mean∣ing of the words Akubbah middam, is, that they were 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i. e. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 cunning to slay men. But I know not whe∣ther this so well agree with the construction of Middam, praesanguine, by reason of bloud, ex∣cept they mean that they were cunning for bloud, or in slaying men; by reason of bloud, i. e. g 1.21 by reason of their being much versed and exercised in it. These are the two ren∣drings that our Translators give us.

Among other different ones by others gi∣ven, there is in the first place that of the Vulgar Latin, supplantata sanguine, supplanted with bloud. That the Verb 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Akab, hath that signification of supplanting, is not doubted, From the Noun 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, signifying the heel, or hinder part of the foot, is that Verb, signify∣ing, h 1.22 by putting the heel (or foot) under the heel or foot of another, to throw him down, to trip up his heels, as we speak, which is in Latin, supplantare; and thence also used for deceiving, or circumventing by fraud in any matter. What they mean by, supplanted with bloud, according to those who follow that Translation, and take the word in its proper and usual signification, is by i 1.23 some expressed, that she shall be suddenly overthrown by rea∣son of the much bloud shed in her. To which may be referred what k 1.24 others give, oppressa sanguine, oppressed with bloud, or by reason of bloud, or overwhelmed, and as it were brought under by bloud, or l 1.25 decepta à sangui∣ne, deceived of bloud.

But I suppose as convenient an explication is given by Grotius, taking it in another sense not so usual, who explaining it, supplantata, supplanted, saith, that is, in omni solo impressa habens caedis vestigia, having every where on the ground footsteps of bloud imprinted; so agreeing with what is otherwise another rendring by some given, viz. m 1.26 vestigiis sanguinolentis, with or of bloudy footsteps, (from the Noun 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, taken for the footstep, or print of the foot, as also it is) or vestigiata sanguine, marked with footsteps of bloud; or as m 1.27 others, calcata à sanguine, or à pedibus sanguinolentis, troden on with bloud, or bloudy feet: so much bloud ha∣ving been shed on it, n 1.28 that a man could not set his foot any where, but that he should tread in bloud, or perhaps every where mar∣ked and stained with the bloudy footsteps of those who had put innocent bloud in their shooes, which were on their feet, as David's

expression is, 1 King. 2.5. staining their shoes with bloud that they shed, so that where∣ever they went they left marks and signs of it: and in this sense it falls in with that in the first place given, which ours in the Text have, viz. polluted, stain'd, or fouled with bloud.

o 1.29 There be who would have it from the same signification of supplanting, taken rather in an active sense, * 1.30 supplantatrix, a supplanter of bloud, (or for bloud,) knowing how craftily to lay wait, or snares, for the shedding of bloud; or doing such things as were for the shedding of bloud, or making crafty pretences for it, or p 1.31 making pretences for the defence of such as shed it. And this would be all one with the marginal reading in our Bibles, Cunning for blond. From another signification of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Akab, which is, to retain, or detain, q 1.32 others think it may be rendred, retenta à sanguine, or occupa∣ta à sanguine, detained, or occupied by bloudshed, possessed by it, full of it.

One more rendring I shall mention, which, though not so common, may seem as probable, and agreeable to the sense as any of them, which is given by r 1.33 R. Tanchum, viz. Gilead is hard of access, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the ways to which are diffi∣cult, and crooked, by reason of the many murthers committed in it, or in the way to it, taking it from the use of the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Akub, in s 1.34 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which our Translators render, and the crooked shall be made strait; and Abu Walid saith the word there to signifie, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, hard, uneven, difficult to be gone in. His meaning seems to be, that that place was so made by reason of blouds, that is, many murders or outrages committed in the way on such as would go thither, so that bloud touched bloud, as c. 4.3. which in any place or part of the country had been a great wickedness, but much more in Gilead, whe∣ther taken for a particular city of refuge, or the country in which it stood, it being con∣trary to the law, Deut. 10.3. which required (as it is generally expounded) that that way to those cities should be prepared, i. e. so pre∣pared and made safe, and easie, as that nothing might hinder or offend those that repaired thither; no t 1.35 hill, no dale, no waters without a bridg, or any like impediment. Surely if there were high-way men, as we call them, robbers and murtherers, which infested pas∣sengers in those ways; that would be a greater impediment than any such; and the place, by reason of them and their doings, rather than of any such, be said to be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Akubbah, difficult of access: and so this, and the last be∣fore mentioned exposition, of being hindred, detained, or retarded, may in this respect also not unfitly concur.

But however these expositions hitherto mentioned do otherwise differ between them∣selves, yet do they not require different read∣ings, and they all agree in one, as to the crime of which Gilead is taxed, viz. of much bloud∣shed, and horrid murders.

But the u 1.36 Septuagint or Greek give a far different exposition, not well reducible to that reading which we follow, or any of those rendrings of it named, rendring 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, troubling the water. This seems to require of necessity a reading different from what we fol∣low, and they are thought by * 1.37 some to have read otherwise, viz. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Maim, waters, in∣stead of what we read, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Middam, for or from bloud; and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ocerah, troubling, instead of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Akubbah. But if the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Maim, water, were agreed upon, as for the other there would need no change; it might be made well enough out of the right, only taking the word in an active sense, and in the signification of treading, and so, troubling with the feet. What reason induced them to this, whether it were from any fault in the writing of the copy which they followed, or obscurity in it, which made them take the let∣ter 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 d small written, as some think, for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i, or otherwise, I think it not needful to en∣quire, or seek to give a reason, the meaning which their rendring gives seeming not any way agreeable to the place. Yet Mercer saith, that it is egregia figura, a very handsome figura∣tive expression. But Tremellius with more se∣verity rejects it, saying, quid viderint illis divi∣nandum relinquo, quos non pudet corum authorita∣tem veritati Hebraicae opponere, ne nihil scire Grae∣cè videantur. And so we leave them farther to enquire into it, who shall think fit so to do, adhering mean while to that reading which we have in the Hebrew, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Middam, from bloud, or by reason of bloud; or, that we may adde one more exposition to those that we have seen, more than bloud,

So Oecomlampadius: Perversa facta plus quam sanguis, w 1.38 more perverse than bloud. The people therefore, saith he, are all polluted with bloud, so perverse as in their pollution to out-doe bloud; which however it answers well enough to the Grammatical construction of the words, yet it is more harsh than those before named.

Now while Gilead is taxed as polluted with bloud, or guilty of it, it is amongst Expositors

questioned, how or in what regard she is said so to be. As x 1.39 whether in respect that the Priests and Levites (the inhabitants thereof, as of the cities of refuge, such as this is taken to be, they were,) were by negligence in teaching the people to do right things, and incouraging them in evil ways, and in idolatry, guilty of the bloud of those people; or whether because they did not give free access to those who had unwillingly committed man-slaughter, to that place which was appointed for refuge to them; or did deliver them up to the avenger of bloud, against whom they were to have defen∣ded them; or else did give entertainment and patronage to wilful murderers, by which means the place appointed for a refuge to the innocent, became as a den of wilful mur∣derers, or they themselves committed mur∣der; y 1.40 which were all contrary to the law, and would make them guilty. But the text doth not particularize in this matter, but on∣ly speak in general, that the inhabitants of Gilead (those spoken of) were guilty of bloud; and therefore it may suffice, according as the nature of a literal Commentary requires, in so general a manner to have given the meaning of the words, The following words will something more particularly give us to wit, both of the persons, and their crime.

Notes

• l 1.1

  Gent 31.21.
• m 1.2

  Jud. 10.4.
• n 1.3

  Drus. from Euseb.
• o 1.4

  Or Ramoth in Gilead, to distinguish it from other Ramahs.
• p 1.5

  Tremell. Ribera. Pare. Diodati. &c.
• q 1.6

  See Drus.
• r 1.7

  Jun. Tremel. Tarnov.
• s 1.8

  Lively.
• t 1.9

  Tar∣nov. and see Dutch notes.
• v 1.10

  Pareus. Rivet.
• w 1.11

  Zanchy.
• x 1.12

  Calv.
• y 1.13

  Ribera. St. Jerom.
• z 1.14

  Rivet.
• a 1.15

  Tarnov.
• b 1.16

  See Kimchi.
• c 1.17

  Bar. Ali. Bar. Bahlul.
• d 1.18

  Insidiosa propter sanguinem, Capito. sanguine callida. Cast. and see Ab. Ez.
• e 1.19

  See Kimchi, though R. Tanchum deny it to have there that meaning, but, in difficulty, or, perplexed.
• f 1.20

  and see barb.
• g 1.21

  See Ab. Ez. and Castal.
• h 1.22

  Calcanco supposito dejicere. Fuller. cap. Concordant.
• i 1.23

  Ribera. Chr. à Castro. Sa Menoch. Tirin.
• k 1.24

  Zanch.
• l 1.25

  Id.
• m 1.26

  Jun. Trem. Pisc. viz. of those who committed murders, illorum qui ho••icidia perpetrarunt.
• m 1.27

  Jun. Trem. Pisc. viz. of those who committed murders, illorum qui hon••icidia perpetrarunt.
• n 1.28

  Tarnov.
• o 1.29

  See Drus. Rive.
• * 1.30

  or, Insidiatrix. Riv.
• p 1.31

  Trem.
• q 1.32

  Calv.
• r 1.33

  And so Abu Walid in his Lexicon.
• s 1.34

  Is. 40.4.
• t 1.35

  which in Arab. is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Akabat.
• u 1.36

  Which the printed. Arab. here follows.
• * 1.37

  Cappel. p. 261.
• w 1.38

  Prava praesanguine. Schind. That so he means, appears by his reading Jer. 17.9. Pravum est cor prae omni.
• x 1.39

  Rivet. and see Pareus.
• y 1.40

  See Exod. 21.13, 14. Num. 35.14. &c.