Observations Upon the Old Testament

Amos.

A MOS; Of an Herd-man was made a Prophet; ch. VII. 14. He useth sometimes Country-similitudes, ch. II. 13. & III. 12. & IV. 1, 3. And sometimes he hath high and Astronomical expressions, as, ch. V. 8. & ch IX. 6. As Job had formerly: And God himself, unto Job. And Isaiah, chap. XIII. 10. Yet we may not understand them of such Constellations or Configurations, as our Astronomers, do now retain from the Greeks and Latins, which have their figures and denominations assigned them from the feigned stories of the old fabulous Greeks: we should rather retain the Hebrew terms and names; adding our best exposition of them.

Amos hath great conformity with Hosea, living in the same time, chap. I. 1. and sent to the same people, of Israel's principally.

Amos foretelleth strange shakings and destructions of six Heathen Neighbouring Nations, the Churches enemies; for their three transgressions, and for four severaly.

As likewise he doth the same of Judah: And so of Israel, chap. I. and II. He pursueth in five chapters following Israel manifold transgressions, and mighty sins: Intermixing both Threatenings and Exhortations. Threatenings of Judgments generally, upon all Israel, That they shall finaly be drowned in a flood of miseries, and be captivated: Particularly, upon Jeroboams house; and upon Amaziah Priest of Bethel. And inserting Exhortations to Israel for repentance; as, chap. IV. 3. with Promises of Mercy thereupon; as, chap. V. 4, 14. 15. And after, upon their Obstinacie, and Incorrigibleness; He shows in the two last chapters, under two Types, of a Basket of Summer fruit; and of smiting the door of the Temple; their ripening, approaching subversion, and God's abdicating his house, and people. Yet concluding all, with Evangelical Promises to his Church, of a Reduction, and restauration by, and under Christ.

Among other places, chap. V. 10, 13. and chap. VI. 10. do show the evil of his times.

Carmel] Carmel signifieth plenty, [chapter I] [verse 2] fruitfulness, and fruitful field. This mountain was situate in the Confines of Asher, and Issachar, near the Midland-Sea; and not far from Mount Tabor, Josh. XII. and XV. chapters. See more of it in my Annotations on this Text.

revealeth ] Yet God's true Prophets are not always in all things, [chapter III] [verse 7] guided by divine revelations; As, 1 Chron. XVIII. 2. 2 Kings IV. 27. 1 Sam. XVI. 6. The meaning here is, That God usually reveals to his Prophets his great judgments which he intends to bring upon his own people, for their sins.

A kind of Irony, [chapter IV] [verse 4, 5.] as, Gen. III. 22. 1 Kings XVIII. 27. and XXII. 15. 2. Chron. XVIII. 14. and XXV. 8. Eccles. XI. 9. Job XII. 2. Lam. IV. 21. Mark VII. 9. Of Hyperbolies, see on Josh. XI. 4. Gen. XI. 4.

mighty sins] Ezek. [chapter V] [verse 12] XVI. 23, 27, 28, 33, 34, 47, 48, 51, 52, 56. and chap. XVII. 15, 16, 18. See my Annotations on Ezek. II. 4, 5. God is said to fret at sin, Ezek. XVI. 43. And to ease and quiet himself upon vengeance taken for it, Isaiah I. 24. Ezek. XVI. 42.

Obadiah.

O BADIAHS Time is uncertain. His Prophecy is against Edom. And the like to this, in Matter, and in Words, is likewise against Edom, in Jer. XLIX. 7,— 22. And in Ezekiel, chap. XXV. 12, 13, 14. The Sum is; God's Revenge upon Esau, notwithstanding all his Pride; Self-Wisdom; and Confidence: And that for his Violence against his brother Jacob; and insulting over him in the day of his Calamity. Which God reproves; and foretells that Savior's shall come up on Mount Zion, for Deliverance; and to judge, devour, and possess the Mount of Esau: and the King dome shall be the Lord's.

Gilead ] A large Mountain, or mountainous Country; [verse 19] so named, Gen. XXXI. 47. A place of a rich soil for wealth, and abounding with Balm, and Spicerie, Gen. XXXVII. 25. Num. XXXII. 1. Halfe of Gilead given to Reuben, and Gad; and the other half to half Manasseh, Deut. III. 12, 13. Josh. XIII. 11, 25, 31. and XXII. 9, 13. Of Gilead, see more in my Annotations upon this Text.

Jonah.

I ONAH Prophesied in the days of Jeroboam the second, 2 Kings XIV. 25. A time wherein a Constellation of Prophets appeared. He was sent to Nineveh, the great City, and Metropolis of the Assyrian Empire. But fleeing to Joppa, a clean contrary way; and taking Sea; He is followed with a Tempest; and being thrown over-board, is swallowed of a Fish, called a Whale, Matth. XII. 40. And in the Whales belly, three days, and three nights; which is a resemblance of Christ's lying in the Grave; And to that end is thrice alluded unto, and alleged by our Savior himself, Matth. XII. 39, 40. and chap. XVI. 4. and Luke XI. 29. Not yet that the Correspondence in all points must be exact and absolute; either for the space of three whole days, and three whole nights; for our Savior, as himself foretells, did rise on that third day in a part of it: no, nor yet for some part of three days, and of three nights, unless we reckon the days of twenty four hours, from midnight to midnight. But the Type here, and Text, Matth. XII. 40. needs no such subtle shifts, and curious quirks, to make up their sense. Only this, That this of Jonas was the fittest and nearest shadow of Christ's lying in the Grave, that the Scripture did afford. There prayeth. And the Whale vomiteth him out upon the dry land. Being sent the second time, He obeys; Nineveh repents; And God in pity spares Nineveh for that time: And justifies his pity against the angry Prophet, repining at it.

Wonderful great was the City of Nineveh, Iohah I. v. 2. and c. III. 2, 3, 4 and chap. 4. XI. And such the City of Babylon, Ier▪ LI. 31, 58.

made vows ] Of Vowes, [chapter I] [verse 16] see my Annotations on this Text.

Joppa ] Or Japho. [verse 3] A City, and Haven lying on the Midland-Sea, in the North corner of the Tribe of Dan, as it joins to the Tribe of Ephraim, Josh. XIX. 46. Hither was all the Timber brought in floats that was cut and wrought in Lebanon, for the building of the Temple, (and other buildings) by Solomon, 2 Chron. II. 16. And for the new building of it, by Zerubbabel and Jehoshuah, after the Return from the Babylonish captivity, Ezra III. 7. We see here Jonah fled hither; far enough from the way to Nineveh: And this in the days of Jeroboam the second, King of Israel: In the days of the Apostle Peter, he being at Lidda, was sent for hither; and here raised from the dead that good and charitable Tabitha or Dorcas, Acts IX. 38, 40. And tarrying here many days with one Simon a Tanner, by the Sea-side; He Praying, in a trance saw a Vision, a certain Vessel, as it had been a great sheet, &c. And at that instant being sent for to Cesarea, by Cornelius, he goes thither, Preacheth Christ to Cornelius, and his kinsmen, and near friends. And upon their conversion and receiving the miraculous gifts of the Holy Ghost, he Baptiseth them.

A City of God, [chapter III] [verse 3] i. e. exceeding great; an Hebraism. So we read the Wrestlings of God, Trembling of God, 1 Sam XIV. 15. a Sleep of God, 1 Sam. XXVI. 12. Gen. XXX. 8. the Mountains of God, Psal. XXXVI. 6. Trees of God, Psal. CIV. 16. the Cedars of God, Psal. LXXX. 10. the Increasing of God, Col. II. 19. Prince of God, Gen. XXIII. 6. the Hoast of God, 1. Chron. XII. 22. And so much alike of the garden of God, of the Flame of God, Cant. VIII. 6. a Fire of God, Job I. 16. Cant. VIII. 6. River of God, Man of God, the Visions of God; the Voice of God, the Kindnesse of God, 2 Sam. IX. 3. Harps of God. See my Observations on 1 Sam XIV. 15.

yet forty days ] God's Threatenings and dooms have yet their conditions and limitations, [verse 4] or Provisoes understood; so, Jer. XXI. 10. and XXV. 9, 10, 11. and XXXII▪ 29. and XXXIV. 2, 22. and XXXVII. 8, 10. compared with chap. XXVI. 13. and XXXVIII. 17. And so David understood that threatening, 2 Sam. XII. 14. conditionaly, verse 22. So, Judge. X. 13. Isaiah XXXVIII. 1. Jer. XVIII. 7, 8. Ezek. III. 18. Yet sometimes God expresseth his dooms of judgment against some sinners irrevocably; as, Ezek. XIV. 13, 14, 16, 18, 20. See the Observations on 1 Kings II. 20.

East-wind. ] [chapter IV] [verse 8] So, Hos. XIII. 15. Ezek. XVII. 10. and XIX. 12. Psal. XLVIII. 7. See my Annotations on Hos. XII. 1. an hurtful, dry, and skorching wind.

The Ninevites in all probability, were the rather reduced to their repentance, and that in such a manner, by that Preaching of Jonah; upon the knowledge of him, and of his being in the Whales belly.

Micah.

M ICAH; Is the last of that great number of Prophets that lived, and Prophesied, in the same times. Micah his time is set out thus; in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. He is like to Isaiah, the first of them, in Matter; and in lofty style. He Prophesieth to, and against, both Judah, and Israel: Declareth God's wrath; Lamenteth them; and tells their future destructions, and captivities, by the Assyrians, and Babylonians; For the manifold sins of the People, Princes, and Prophets, Chapters I, II, III. The Repenting Remnant He comforteth with Promises of Temporal Blessings; and Deliverances from their enemies: But chiefly with Promises, and Predictions of Christ; foretelling the Place of his Nativity; And the manifold Spiritual Blessings of Him, and his Kingdom, Chapters IV. and V. And after a fresh controversy, and contestation of God with all his People, for their ill requiting of all his ancient Kindnesses; with their present sundry sins, chap. VI. And the Prophets Complaint thereafter of the Paucity of good men; He endeth his Prophecy, with the Churches Consolation, in he Patient Expectation of God's time to plead her Cause, to the shame of her insulting enemy; and her own marvelous felicity, chap. VII.

The sins of the Prophets, [chapter IV] [verse 2] Princes, and People, are pointed out by this Prophet, as in other places, so namely in these, chap. II. 11. and chap. III. 1, 2, 3, 11. and chap. VII. 2,—6.

The people of God seem to argue, and resolve thus; All people naturally are addicted to their several superstitions, and will walk every one in the Name of his God: Much more we will, as we have all right and reason for it, walk in the Name of Jehovah our God. Yea, though every Sect oppose their Superstition to us, triumph, and glory in theirs, and insulting over us, conspire in one against us, and our way; yet will not we despond, or shrink, but overlook, and overcome all difficulties, obstructions, and oppositions whatsoever; the Name of Jehovah our God shall render us invincible, to walk constantly in him, and his Name, and his true way of worship, forever and ever.

Bethlehem-Ephratah ] To distinguish it from another Bethlehem in the Tribe of Zebulun, [chapter V] [verse 5] Josh. XIX. 15. This being in Judah, Matth. II. 1. And in these parts were many names of this stamp; as, Bethel, Bethaven, Bethania, Bethesda, Bethsaida, Bethabarah, Bethbarah, Bethhaccerem, Bethshemesh, and others. This Bethlehem, and this Text, was alleged by the chief Priests and Scribes to Herod, for the place of Christ's birth, Matth. II. 5, 6. And though here called little; yet by the Priests and Scribes called not the least; either reading the words of Micah interrogatively in a Negative sense; or varying the Text out of ignorance, or of set purpose before Herod; though yet both readings may well be reduced to one true sense; Bethlehem little, when David was borne there; not little, but famous, for, and after that the true Son of David, and Son of God was borne there.

Nahum.

N AHUM; seems to live, and Prophesy, in the days of Josiah. His Prophecy is. The Burden of Nineveh. The Ninevites after their Temporary Repentance, upon the Preaching of Jonah, returned to their former sins; Through their Ambition, Covetousness, and Cruelty, they overthrew the Kingdoms of Syria, and Samaria, after Jonah his time; They invaded Judea, and besieged Jerusalem; and grew up to be like a great Cedar in Lebanon, Ezek. XXXI. 3,—9. And Nahum now propounds God's dreadful power in himself; and his furious revenge upon his enemies: that He will make an utter end of Nineveh; affliction shall not rise up the second time; No more of the name of the Assyrian shall be sown. And this shall be for Judah's Consolation chap. I. And then he expounds more fully the Manner, and the Means of the Ruin of Nineveh; and the woeful Mourning for it, that they shall mourn, as with the voice of Doves, tabering upon their breasts; and bewailing their former flourishing estate, chap. II. And lastly, He insists upon her sins, the Causers of God's wrath, in her shameful ruin: ascertained by the example of populous No (or Alexandria) to be verified upon her; that notwithstanding all her strong holds, and numerous Assyrian Captains, and crowned Commanders; yet there shall be no healing of her bruise, and mortal wound, chap. III.

Not Nahum I. 15. But Isaiah LII. 7. is alleged, Rom. X. 15.

Habakkuk.

H ABAKKVK; Doth comfort the godly against the Chaldeans; as Nahum did against the Assyrians. He succeeds Nahum soon after. He doth humbly expostulate with God of his delay, to hear, and to redress things amiss; Complaining to him of his people's sins; chap. I. 1,—4. And declaring from God, his wonderful judgments to come upon them by the Chaldeans, verse 5,—11. He states the End and Issue of God's dealing therein, verse 12. And yet after admiration, and expostulation, that God should use such wicked instruments for executioners of his judgments upon his people, verse 13,—17. He puts the godly upon their living by Faith, chap. II. 1,—4. And then he largely insists upon the Chaldeans several sins, Intermixing their punishment for them, verse 5,—20. And lastly, concludes with a wonderful Prayer, ch. III. Celebrating therein God's marvelous, and mighty works, of terrible executions upon the enemies, and of the deliverances of his people, in ancient times: and triumphing in Faith, even in the worst of times, in expectation of the like deliverance.

Is thrice alleged in the New Testament. [chapter II] [verse 4] A famous Text. Heb. X. 38 to persuade to Patience, Gal. III. II. to prove, No justification by the Law. And Rom. I. 17. to prove justification by Faith. The Hebrew is, The just shall live by his Faith. The Apostle still omits the particle his. The LXX. translating the Hebrew, have my for his. That place, Heb. X. 37, 38. may seem only to allude to this place, Hab. II. ver. 3, 4. with a liberty of some Variation; which most accords with the LXX. translation of the Hebrew text.

Here is Selah in the middle of a verse. [chapter III] [verse 3] And so, verse 9. Though very rarely so. Of Selah, see A. Rivet on Psal. XXIV. 6.

Zephaniah.

Z EPHANIE; Prophesies towards the beginning of the days of Josiah, chap. I. 1. and chap. II. 13. He doth charge upon Judah, and Jerusalem great and grievous sins: And doth threaten them therefore with a great Day of the Lord's wrath, near at hand, chap. I. He exhorts them to Repentance before the day of the Lord's anger come upon them. And warns them by Examples of like judgments upon Neighbouring Nations, denounced against them, ch. II And after a sharp Reproof and Commination of Jerusalem taken up again; He concludeth with glorious Promises of her deliverance and restauration at the last; and of Evangelical Blessings; and that God will joy over her, and rest in his love.

Her Prophets are light and treacherous persons] Hos. [chapter III] [verse 4] IX. 7, 8. Micah III. 5, 6, 11. Deut. XIII. Prophets of Baal, 1 King XVIII. 2 Kings 10, 19. False Prophets in Israel, and Judah, 1 Kings XXII. Neh. VI. 14. Isaiah XXVIII. 7. Ier. V. 31. and VIII. 1, 2. and XIV▪ 13, 14. and XXIII. 9, 13, 14, &c. and XXVI. 8. and XXVII. 14, &c. and XXVIII. 1, 10, 16. Ezek. XIII. and XIV chapters. See the Argument upon the Prophecy of Ezekiel. So there were false Prophetesses, Neh. VI. 14. Ezek. XIII. 17, 18. Apoc. II 20. And again there were both true Prophets, some extraordinary ones, spoken of, John VII. 52. extraordinarily called, and qualified: Others ordinary, mostly, if not altogether Priests; and Levites, going under the name of Prophets, from the times of Ahab, and after. And also there were true Prophetesses, as Deborah, Huldah, Anna, and Philip's four daughters Virgins.

Haggai.

H AGGAI; His whole Prophecy is within the compass of somewhat less then four months: and was upon four several days within that time; viz. in the second year of Darius [Hystaspes] on the

• VI. Moneth, first day, chap. I. 1.
  • 24. day, chap. I. 13, 15.
• VII. Moneth, 21. day, chap. II. 1.
• IX. Moneth, 24. day, chap. II. 10, 18, 20.

The main matter is, for Zerubbabel, the Governor of Judah, and Joshua, the High Priest, To Build the Temple. With the Promise of the greater Glory of this Temple, then of the Former, by the Coming of the Messias into it.

Zechariah.

Z ECHAIAH; Prophesies likewise in the reign of Darius; in his

• II. year
  • 8th. month, chap. I. 1.
  • 11th. month, 24 day, ch. I. 7.
• IV. year, 9. month, 4. day, ch. VII. 1.

He Prophesied likewise, with Haggai, to Zerubbabel, and Joshua for the Building of the Temple, Ezra. V. 1. Adding the Promise of the Branch. And he being the son of Barachiah, ch. I. 1, 7. And living after the second Temple was built, at the later end of the Old Testament, He may seem rather to be meant by our Savior, Matth. XXIII. 35. though his Death be not recorded before; then that Zechariah flaine by Joash, 2 Chron. XXIV. 21. as the Great Annotations on 2 Chron. XXIV. 20. would have it.

There were seventy years, from Jehoiakim his fourth year, to Darius the Mede: and from Iehojacin, to Cyrus his Monarchy: and from Zedekiah's eleventh year, to the second of Darius Histaspis: and from the murder of Cedaliah, to the fourth of Darious, chap. I. 7, 12. and VII. 1, 5. Thus the best Chronologers do agree.

The Man and Angel, for he is called both that talked with the Prophet, and is mentioned, chap. I. 8,—14, 19. And again, that Commands the Angel that met him to run, and speak to the Prophet, chap. II. verse 3, 4. And again, is mentioned, chap. III. 1,—6. and chap. IV. 1,—5. and chap. V. 5, 10. and chap. VI. 4. is the Son of Man, the Angel of the Covenant Jesus Christ. And so again, The Branch, and Stone is Christ, chap. III. 8, 9.

The four Horns, are Principaly the Chaldeans; And the four Carpenters, the Medes and Persians chap. I. 18, 20.

The Candlestick, with the seven Lamps of it; alluding to the Candlestick in the Temple; Represents the Church, shining forth to the world in the light of Faith, and Life; of Profession, and Conversation, Matth. V. 15, 16. Phil. II. 15. The two Olive trees, and Branches, that through the two golden Pipes empty the golden Oile, out of themselves into the Bowle, and thence to be conveyed by the seven Pipes, to the seven Lamps of the Candlestick, may seem best to signify the manifold Gifts and Graces of God▪ and of Christ, flowing 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 from Him, by the Spirit; and the mystical power of communicating the same, sundry ways, and by sundry means, to the Church, and to the chief anointed Rulers of it; for the plentiful use, and good of it. Chap. IV.

Chap. VIII. 19. The Fast of the

• IV. Moneth, ninth day, was for the taking of Jerusalem, Jer. XXXIX. 2 and LII. 6, 7. 2 Kings XXV. 3.
• V. Moneth, tenth day, was for the burning of the Temple, and City, by Nebuzaradan, 2 Kings XXV. 8. Jer. LII. 12, 13.
• VII. Moneth, for the murder of Gedaliah, Jer. XLI. 1, &c.
• X. Moneth, tenth day, was for the first day of laying the Siege against Jerusalem, Jer. LII. 4. 2 Kings XXV. 1.

Of Swearing see my Notes on Gen. [chapter V] [verse 3, 4.] XXIV. 3.

pleasant land] Heb. [chapter VII] [verse 14] Land of Desire, or Delight. So, Psal. CVI. 24. Jer. III. 19. Hephzi-bah, Beulah, Esa • , LXII. 4. the glory of all lands, which God spied out for them, Ezek. XX. 6.

Is cited in Mat. [chapter IX] [verse 9] XXI. 5. Mar. XI. 2,—7. Luke XIX. 30,—37. John XII. 15. Where Christ rides, not one while upon the Ass, another while upon the Colt; but upon the Colt only, Mar. XI. 7. Luke XIX. 30,—35. Even upon the Colt, the foale of an Ass; as the same particle is used, Mark X. 45. And a Speech not unlike is that, Matth. XXVII. 44.

His staff of Beauty seems to be his Loving, [chapter XI] [verse 7, 16.] Guiding, and Ruling them, by his Word, and Spirit.

His staff of Bands, or Binders, his severe Ruling them by Punishments; as, Isaiah X. 5. The three Shepherds seem to be the many evil Priests and Prophets; and haply those three Sects of Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes; or Priests, Scribes, and Lawyers, in the days of our Savior. The Price, and Potter, are cited, and expounded, Mat. XXVI. 15. and chap. XXVII. 9, 10.

His breaking both the Staves, seems to signify the utter rejecting of Judah, and Israel; and the taking to him the Israel according to the Spirit, all true Believers. The foolish Shepherd signifies evil Pastors, and Governors, which God suffered to raise themselves to those Offices.

Cited and alleged, [chapter XII] [verse 10] John XIX. 37. and Apoc. I. 7. where Saint John leaveth the LXX. Translation scoffed, or insulted; and sticks to the Hebrew Text, pierced.

The like is done by Matth. XXVI. 31. and Mark XIV. 27. in alleging that Text, Zech. XIII. 7.

a rough garment ] Or garment of hair. [chapter XIII] [verse 4] The true Prophets used such coursnesse of habit and attire; as Patterns for Penitents, to whom they preached Repentance, austerity of life, and contempt of the world. So Elias is called an hairy man; not in body, as Esau; but in his rough and hairy attire, and letherne girdle, 2 Kings I. 8. And so John Baptist, the second Elias, answerable to him, had his raiment of Camels hair, not finely spun into Chamlet, or Grogran, but into rough sack-cloth, or hair-cloth, such as is mentioned, Apoc. VI. 12. And suitable to his letherne girdle, and course diet, Matth. III 4. And so those two witnesses did Prophesy clothed in sackcloth, Apoc. XI. 3. And so Isaiah the Prophet used to go attired, Isaiah XX. 2.

Shewes that in Egypt there is no rain; [chapter XIV] [verse 18] or in a manner none.

Malachi.

M ALACHI; The last Prophet; and after the Temple was built; Contemporarie with Nehemiah, as may seem by chap. II. 11. and chap. III. 8. compared with Neh. XIII. Or at least presently after him, in the later end of the reign of Artaxerxes Longimanus; or, in the time of Ochus called Nothus. He ends the Old Testament; Reproving their Prophansing of God's Worship in the Temple, chap. I. 7,—14. And other manifold Vices in their lives: Threatening them, both Priests, and People: and Exhorting to Repentance, chap. II. Promising, and Propheticaly telling them, of the sending of Elijah, the Messenger, and Harbinger; And of the sudden coming of the Lord of the Covenant, in whom they delight, to his Temple, chap. III. 1, &c. Mean while Referring them to the Law of Moses. In his Prophecy he prooceeds most Dialogisticaly.

Hence Saint Paul argueth directly, [chapter I] [verse 2, 3.] or ration pari, by a Consequent at least, Rom. IX. 11, 12, 13. for the Freedom of God's Will and Pleasure, in the free Election of some to Salvation; and the Preterition of others.

Seek the Law at his mouth ] The Priests duty to teach it. [chapter II] [verse 7] And so, Ier. II. 8. Deut. XXXIII. 10. Neh. VIII. 8. The Prophets so frequently mentioned in the practice of it, ordinarily were the Priests and Levites.

Against Polygamie, [verse 15, 16.] and Divorce; alleged and pleaded by our Saviout, Matth. XIX 3,—13.

Chap. III. 1. and ch. IV. v. 5, 6. mentioning the Messenger, Elijah, is expounded of John Baptist, by Zacharias, Luke I. 76. and by Mark, ch. I. v. 2, 3, 4. and by our Savior himself, Matth. XI. 10,—14.

dreadful day ] [chapter IV] [verse 5. 6.] Of Jerusalem's final destruction by Vespasian and Titus.

to the children ] Or, rather with the children; turning and converting them both to Christ, by his preaching of Repentance, and Faith in Jesus; so preparing the way before him.