A commentary on the prophecy of Hosea by Edward Pococke.

v. 9. And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests mur∣der in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness.

So ours in the Text; and in the margin, as to the last words, by consent, Heb. with one shoulder, or, to Shecem. These different read∣ings in our Translation, that we may give a reason of them, give us to look to the words in the Original; much more those other very different ones, as to the whole, which are in other Translations found. Let us first look into that which our Translation gives, of all, I think, much the properest, and most agree∣ing with the Original. Then will it be suffici∣ent only to name the chief of the others, that the reader may judge of them. The words in the Hebrew are, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ʋcechacce ish gedudim che∣ber cohanim derec yeratsechu, to which our Translation so well agrees, both as to the sig∣nification of the words, and the Grammatical construction of them, that whosoever shall without farther scruple acquiesce therein, shall not be at any loss; yea, I suppose, will, when he hath examined any other which he shall meet with, find good reason so to do, accor∣ding either to what is in the Text, or in the margin.

As to the first word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ʋcechacce, it being z 1.1 the Infinitive mood of the conjugation Piel, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Chacah, to wait for, (the same that the more usual form 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Chacceh, with the letter 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Yod instead of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 H,) and the let∣ter 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 C, a note of similitude, prefixed, might in Latin be rendred literally, secundum expecta∣re; but our language not bearing it, it is ex∣pressed according to the necessary import thereof in the present tense, wait, or do wait. The other words have their known significa∣tion; only that what is rendred, by consent, is in the margin noted to signifie according to the letter, with one shoulder, a 1.2 by which is known to be usually meant, by a proverbial expression, with one consent, as if they joyned shoulder to shoulder, b 1.3 like Oxen yoked together in draw∣ing, or more men joyntly putting to their shoulders for moving some weight, or the like. Or else it may be taken for a proper name of a city, that so, according to the first way it may signifie their joint consent in doing what they did; according to the other, the place where they did it. The thing done, in both ways described, is the same, viz. the Priests associating themselves for murdering such as they could meet with, as troops of Rob∣bers lay wait for any passenger to spoil him. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Gedudim, signifies troops of souldiers, and may be applied to robbers also, who in an ho∣stile manner set on any. It may also (as by some is noted) signifie ^c Cutters, High-way rob∣bers. Of the same crime, or like to that which was before affixed to Gilead, is here more par∣ticularly the company of Priests taxed with, viz. wilful shedding of bloud, and murder. The Priests of the high places, saith Kimchi; But tells us, that his father understood it, not of Priests properly and usually so called, viz. such as ministred in matters of religion only, but of great men or Princes, in which sense it is manifest the word is sometimes used; as for example, 2 Sam. 8. v. last, where it is said, and David's sons 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 were Cohanim: That they could not be properly Priests, is manifest, and therefore it is translated, were chief rulers, (or, as in our margin, Princes.) And this meaning of it d 1.4 some think might in this place be rather convenient, than that of Priests. But concerning this it will not be ne∣cessary here to dispute. Which soever of those they were (and the Gileaditish idolatrous Priests, properly so called, more likely) their fault is aggravated, in that it was not an act of any single person, but they were 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Cheber, the company of Priests. e 1.5 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the gene∣rality

of them who did associate themselves with joint counsels, consent, force, and indea∣vours, to commit such outrages, and villanies; which argues necessarily the great corruption of the manners of the whole people at that time. For if the Priests, which ought both by doctrine and their examples to lead the peo∣ple, or the Princes who were to govern them by good laws, and lead them on in obedi∣ence to them by their own pattern, by which they were most probably, as usually they are, led, were the company or generality of them so openly wicked, how should we think, or how should we expect, but that the ordinary people or whole nation were in a very bad condition, as to their religion, and their man∣ners?

The aggravation of their wickedness is ma∣nifest in that they associated themselves, the whole multitude of them in doing of it, and in that they all consented in it, doing it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Shecemah, all putting to it their shoulder, using joint force and indeavours. The Chaldee Paraphrast takes the words all in the same sig∣nification, but seems a little to differ in the con∣struction, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and as a man f 1.6 expects troops, they and their Priests are gathered (or joined together) in one (or the same) way, they kill men with one consent, i. e. g 1.7 I suppose, as a passenger might expect or fear troops of souldiers or robbers, so shall he find them (the inhabitants of Gilead, and their Priests) associated for committing mur∣ders and robberies on them whom they should have protected, together with one consent, and no better than such can he look on them.

Which meaning will fall in with the other, and the Grammatical construction bears either, viz. whether the one or the other of the two Nouns be made the Nominative, or the Ac∣cusative case. But the h 1.8 former way seems the plainer, the parts of the comparison an∣swer better so one to the other, and it is by most embraced.

Thus will the meaning of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 with 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 h, added i 1.9 for Emphasis sake, be taken as it signifies, shoulder, or imports, consent: but if the marginal reading, or in the way to She∣chem, be taken, then will it be, according to what is by most said, a description of the place, where such murders and outrages were committed by those idolatrous Priests, and their associates from Gilead. And so the letter 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 h, in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Shecemah, will denote motion to a place, and sound, in the way that leadeth to Shechem, k 1.10 the Verb that signifieth, that leadeth, being understood. The word occurreth in Jud. 9.1. (in which chapter is an history, which l 1.11 some think here to be refer∣red to.) It is there said, Abimelec went 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Shecemah, to Shecem, although there be some difference in the vowels, there and here, that which is there in the first place, be∣ing here in the second; that which there in the second, here in the first, (though the sound be still the same, viz. Shecemah,) which seems to some to be an argument that it should not have in both places the same meaning, and being therefore there necessarily a proper name, should here be otherwise; and not be rendred, to Shechem, but as before we said, with one shoulder, or one consent. But m 1.12 others think it is, for all that, best to take it as a proper name, viz. Shecem, or Sichem, to which from Ramoth Gilead was a known bea∣ten way.

That Shecem it is taken to be which was in n 1.13 mount Ephraim, Jos. 20.7. which was also a city of refuge; so that the words will sound, either that the company of Priests be∣ing like troops of robbers that wait for a man, did murder in the way to Shecem, or else o 1.14 go out into the way to Shecem to rob and mur∣ther, or that they were like such robbers, and did even according to the way or custom of such as murdered toward Shecem; so that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 way, shall signifie the manner or custom, and be referred to the persons, not to the way to the city, there being in the last letter added to the word enough of its self to express that: Or else with a p 1.15 different placing of the words, As robbers wait for a man in the way to Shecem, that they may kill him, so is the company of Priests, i. e. they all associate and agree together as a troop of such robbers for mischief; whether such as dwelt in Gilead, or in Shecem, or both, is not expressed. But others, who take Shecem as the proper name of a place, do not yet look upon it as describing so much the place where such outrages were committed, as the manner how they were committed, and so be put q 1.16 ad∣verbially, as much as to say, Sicamicè, or more Sicamiticè, Sicamitily, or qua via ad She∣cem factum est, in such a way as was done at Si∣chem, viz. referring to the story of a bloudy fact, which was anciently there committed on the men of that city by Simeon and Levi, Gen. 34.25. &c. so that it will signifie that they committed murder with much falshood and cruelty, as that of old was done. But r 1.17 one censures this exposition as wanting good foun∣dation.

Here again is, as in the foregoing verse, que∣stion made how they are said to be guilty in

this kind, whether in regard, not so much of their violent shedding the bloud of men, as of their s 1.18 inticing them to Idolatry, to the de∣struction of their souls; or t 1.19 whether the Priests of Gilead did in their own persons go forth and rob, and murder in the way such as they met with, either going to Shecem, or o∣ther cities of refuge than their own, because they would ingross the profit of such as fled for refuge only to themselves; or else to Je∣rusalem there to worship, that so they might through fear bring all to the worship of their Calves in Dan and Bethel; or did it by setting others to lay wait for them in the way, and to commit such outrages on them; and so are said to be guilty of that which they set others to do, with whom they did partake in the spoil, as if themselves had done it with their own hands; or because they suffered such who fled to them for protection to go out of their city, and do such things; or whether their guilt were, in that they took 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the dues of the Priests by vio∣lence, as Aben Ezra thinks. But as to such like particulars, as the words give no distinct expression of them, so it is not necessary to enquire after them, nor positively to deter∣mine. all will be but conjecture.

The words as they sound, manifestly give us to know, that they did such things as made them to deserve that charge which is laid against them; and that with general con∣sent, the company of them; and also delibe∣rately, and maliciously, as the words added, as a reason why they are so taxed, shew, in saying, for they commit lewdness, [or enormity, as the margin] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ci zimmah asu. The word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Zimmah, being derived from the root 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Zammam, which signifies, to think, and more particularly that which is evil, v 1.20 imports some deliberate, before thought of, and contrived wickedness; so that it argues them to have given themselves wholly to plot and contrive mischief, and accordingly to act it. w 1.21 They give themselves to work mischief, and do nothing else. They make it their bu∣siness. The Chaldee renders it, they have exe∣cuted [or execute] the counsel of sinners. And Kimchi, As they have thought [or contrived] in their hearts, so they do; or, they do not only so, but all their doings are wickedness. That only they contrive, that they act. x 1.22 They think and contrive whither they shall go to spoil, rob, and murder. This must needs be a great and horrid sin, in those who had such means as they had to direct them better.

Having said this for explication of the words, according to such rendrings as our Translation gives us; the other far different rendrings which we speak of, are 1 that of the LXX, which hath, (as the printed Arabick that follows them,) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and thy strength is of a piratical man, (Ar. is the strength of a man that is a robber,) the Priests have hid the way, (other copies, and the Arab. y 1.23 the way of the Lord,) they have slain Sicima, (perhaps they mean toward Sicl em,) because they have done wickedness, (or, committed ini∣quity.) They are thought to have taken in the first word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Cechacce, the first letter 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 C, not for a particle or note of similitude, but for a radical, as if it were from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Coach, which signifies strength, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ce, the last syllable, for an Assix or Pronoun of the femi∣nine gender, signifying, thy; so speaking as it were to Gilead, ( z 1.24 but why then should it be in the feminine gender?) and then for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Cheber, the company, to have read by mistake, between the letters 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 d, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 u, a 1.25 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or b 1.26 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which signifies, they have hid; and to have taken 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Gedudim in the signification of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Gedoth, which signifies banks, as if a Pirat might be called b 1.27 vir riparum. With these the Syriack, as to the first words, agrees, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ushonec aic degabro gayoso, Thy strength is as of a man that is a robber; but then goes on, the Priests 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Eshtautaphu, have been companions in the way, they have murdered [to∣ward] Shecem.

Secondly, that of the Vulgar Latin which hath, & quasi fauces virorum latronum particeps sacerdotum, in via interficientium pergentes de Sichem, quia scelus operati sunt; which the Do∣way more obscurely than the Latin it self thus englisheth, And as it were the jaws of men that are robbers, partaker with the Priests, of them that in the way kill those that pass out of Sichem, be∣cause they have wrought wickedness. That which makes this rendring different from what ours give, seems this. First from that c 1.28 they take 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Chacce, which we take to signifie, to wait for, to be the plural number, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Chec, which signifies, the Palat, and is by them also elsewhere rendred, the Jaws, as Job. 6.30. 12.11. 33.2. Psal. 137.6.119.103. d 1.29 Then in that for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Cheber, the Noun, signi∣fying, the company, they took 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Chaber, signifying, a partaker, or companion, and ren∣der 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Shecemah, from Shecem, which properly signifies, to Shecem, the letter 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 h, when added to Nouns of place, importing to, not from.

Thirdly, That of the Manuscript Arabick Version, which thus renders 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. And as the hooks of a Fisher on the banks (or shore), so all the Priests slay men with shoulder on side of shoulder, (or shoul∣der set to shoulder,) because they have done foul (or very wicked) things; and adds this note, that what is said, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the company of Priests, intimates that a great company of them were partners (or associates;) then that he rendred 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Chacce, fish hooks, according to what is said, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 they take up all of them with the hook (or angle,) Habb. 1.15. and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Is. 19.8. all they that cast angle (or hook) into the river; and that he ren∣ders 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Gedudim, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 banks, accor∣ding to the signification of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for Jordan overfloweth all his banks, Jos. 3.15. This Translation, and this note, seems an argument that this Translation is R. Saadiahs, though in the copy that we use, we find not his name expressed; because R. David Kimchi takes notice that by R. Saa∣diah the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Cechacce was so rendred, and the meaning made to be; That as Fishers standing on the shore, cast their angle or hook into the river, to catch the fish that are there; so the company of Priests fish after men.

R. Salomo Jarchi reports much the like Ex∣position from one R. Meir, who likewise makes the company of Priests and their doings to be compared to Fishers, taking fish with their books: and himself gives another inter∣pretation of the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Chacce, which he saith is used in their Rabbins to signifie tackings, or couplings, for joyning of things together, and the meaning to be, That whereas there are among them consociations and companies of men joyned together; the company or associa∣tion of the Priests is, that they may murder joyntly. His words are obscure.

But it may suffice to have mention'd these ways, and the grounds on which they go. The farther examining of any of them I shall leave to any, who may think it to the purpose so to do. I think it no need so to do, as sup∣posing that rendring which ours with many others give, to be so plain, so agreeable to the known signification of the words, and the warrantable construction of them, so free from any such incongruity or inconvenience, as the others are liable to, that no unprejudiced Reader will leave it to embrace any of the other; and so proceed we to the next words, in which the wickedness and corrupt estate of Israel is further described.

Notes

• z 1.1

  Aben. Ezr. R. Tanchum.
• a 1.2

  Zeph. 39.
• b 1.3

  Trem. Rivet.
• d 1.4

  Drus.
• e 1.5

  R. Tanchum.
• f 1.6

  Buxt. great Lexic.
• g 1.7

  Rather than as a man, viz. a thief, expects troops of travellers. See Drus.
• h 1.8

  Drus. Buxt. vindic.
• i 1.9

  Vel ad ornatum, vel ad augendam interpretationem. Rivet.
• k 1.10

  Pisc.
• l 1.11

  Id.
• m 1.12

  Mercer.
• n 1.13

  L. de Dieu. Non eam quae in tribu Benjamin: th••ugh Masius doubts whether it can be proved out of Scripture, that there were two Sichems, on Jos. 20.8.
• o 1.14

  Abarb. L. de Dieu.
• p 1.15

  Grot.
• q 1.16

  Drus. Buxt. Lex. Jun. Trem.
• r 1.17

  Tarnov. Fundamento certo carere videatur.
• s 1.18

  Merc. Cast.
• t 1.19

  Pareus. See Rivet.
• v 1.20

  Nefarium scelus. Chr. à Castro.
• w 1.21

  Grot.
• x 1.22

  R. Salomo.
• y 1.23

  See Edit. Francf. Wechel.
• z 1.24

  Buxt. Vindic part. 2. c. 8.
• a 1.25

  Schindl. in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 See Drus. Cappel:
• b 1.26

  Tremel.
• b 1.27

  Tremel.
• c 1.28

  Pet. à Fig. Cappel. Schindler, Trem. Chr. à Castro. Rivet.
• d 1.29

  Trem.