Observations Upon the Old Testament

Nehemiah.

T HE Book of Nehemiah is the last Book and History of the Old Testament, mentioning matters after Malachi. It contains an History of one hundred and twenty years, or thereabout; reckoning from the twentieth of Artaxerxes Longimanus when Nehemiah began, chap. II. 1. to the days of Jaddua, two years before the period of the Persian Empire, chap. XII. 11, 22. Some make it about fifty five; reckoning so from the twentieth of Artaxerxes Mnemon, to the period of the Persian Empire.

The two main and differing reckonings then of the years of the two Books of Ezra, and Nehemie jointly considered, stand thus; Reckoning as some do, to Ezra one hundred forty six, and to Nehemie fifty five, the sum of both comes to two hundred and one. But rather reckoning to Ezra seventy two, and to Nehemie one hundred and twenty, the sum of both doth arise to one hundred ninety two. Thus the difference between these two reckonings of both Books jointly, amounteth to nine years.

If this Nehemiah be the same that came up with Zerubbabel and Jeshua, mentioned Ezra II. 2. Neh. VII. 7. and writ this Book; then Nehemiah must needs be a very old man; And that passage, ch. XII. 10, 11. mentioning Jaddua the High Priest, must needs be inserted by some other Prophet since his days; And much more since the days of Ezra: For Jaddua lived till the days of Alexander the Great, and met him coming into Jerusalem: which is the very last Historical Passage and Record of the Old Testament: For Psalm XLIV. And LXXIV. conceived by some to be penned in the days of Antiochus Epiphanes, carry no sure ground for such an after-date. And surely so many years as include the whole continuance of the Persian Empire and more, do far pass the date of one man's life in that age of the world. Yet that Nehemiah might well reach to the 32. year of Artaxerxes Longimanus; which is the last passage of this Book, setting that of Jaddua aside. However, many make this Nehemiah this famous Governor, to be another Nehemiah, of younger and later years, then he, Ezra II. 2. This Nehemiah came to his Government, when Eliashib, the Grandchilde of Jeshua, or Joshua, or Jehoshua was High Priest, chap. III. 1. and XII. 10. The whole time of his Government is set down, chap. II. 1. and chap. V. 14. and chap. XIII. 6. The first time was twelve years. And the twelve first Chapters of his Book mention the things that were done by him in the first year only of those twelve. The second time of his Government is contained in the last chapter: And the beginning and durance of it is uncertain: yet long it was, as may be gathered out of chap. XIII. 28. See the Observations on that Text.

And it was ] The first particle may seem to join this Book to that of Ezra. [chapter I] [verse 1] And some Translatours give this Book the title of the second Book of Esdras; as supposing Ezra to be the sacred Penman of both; though Nehemiah be brought in usually speaking in his own person.

Chisleu ] About our November.

Shushan] Shushan signifying a Lily in the Greek; a Fountain or Well in that Country language. The chief City in Persia; the winter Mansion of the Persian Monarchs. See Ezra VI. 2. Esther I. 2. Dan. VIII. 2.

the wall ] Ever since the ruin made by Nebuchadnezzar. [verse 3]

Nisan ] which is the Hebrew Abib; [chapter II] [verse 1] about our March. the vernal equinoctial.

Artaxerxes] Longimanus, thirteen years after Ezra, chap. VII. 7.

I took up ] His waiting-course being then come: four months after Hanani his coming, chap. I. 1, 2.

prayed] Nehemiah his Prayer, [verse 4] by ejaculation, like that of Moses, Exod. XIV. 15. And specially his zeal in the building, chap. IV. 16, 17, 23. and V. 11. And his speed, chap. VI. 15. And his courage against all oppositions, chap. IV. and chap. VI. And his care for the needy and oppressed, chap. V. 11, 12, 13. And his heat and wrath against sin, chap. XIII. 25. And his wonderful bounty, chap. V. 14, 15, 17, 18. are all very remarkable.

a time ] Twelve years, [verse 6] chap. V. 14. and XIII. 6.

Sanballat ] As the Samaritans opposed and hindered Zerubbab • l in the Building of the Temple, Ezra IV. So the Moabite, Ammonite, and Arabian disturbed Nehemiah in the building of the walls of the City, Neh. II, 10, 19. and IV. 1, &c. and VI. 1, &c.

Which were ] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ; Here 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ( m ) is used in the end of a word; which never useth so to be. And again 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ( m ) proper to the end of a word, is found in the middle, in the beginning of Isaiah IX. 7.

Eliashib] Eliashib the son of Jojakim, [chapter III] & grandchild of Jeshua, (which Jeshua came up with Zerubbabel, Neh XII. 10. Ezra II. 2. and lived to finish the Building of the Temple, Hag. I. 14.) was High Priest in the Beginning of Nehemiah's twelve years Government, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes Longimanus, Neh. III. 1. 20. as was said before; about sixty years after the Temple was finished.

gate ] For the Gates of the City of Jerusalem we read of the Citiegate, 2 Chron. XXXII. 6. the first Gate, Zech. XIV. 10. the Gate of Benjamin, Jer. XXXVII. 12, 13. and XXXVIII. 7. Zech. XIV. 10. situate in the wall of the City, in the Tribe of Benjamin, Northward. Yet said to be in the House of the Lord, Jer. XX. 2. that is, by it; as the particle Beth is used, Num. XXXIII. 37. Josh. V. 13. and chap. XXIV. ver. 25, 26, 32. Jer. XIII. 5. and XXXII. 7. the Gate of Ephraim, 2 Kings XIV. 13. Neh. XII. 39. the Corner Gate, 2 Chron. XXV. 23. and the Valley Gate, 2 Chron. XXVI. 9. the Fish Gate, 2 Chron. XXXIII. 14. The New Gate, Jer. XXVI. 10. because repaired new by Jotham, 2 Kings XV. 35. 2 Chron. XXVII. 3. Yet some make it the East Gate, some the West Gate of the outer Court of the Temple; wherein they will have the Sanhedrin to sit. The Gate between two walls, by the Kings Garden, if this be a Gate of the City, 2 Kings XXV. 4. In Nehemiah's time, at his new building of the Walls of the City, we read of the Sheep Gate; of the Fish Gate; the Old Gate; the East Gate, Jer. XIX. 2. the Valley Gate; the Dung-Gate; the Gate of the Fountain; the Water Gate; the Horse Gate; the Gate Miphkad or Judicatory; the Gate of Ephraim; the Prison Gate, Neh. II. 13, 14. and chap. III. 1; 3, 6, 13, 14, 15, 26, 28, 31. and chap. XII. 39. Zech. XIV. 10.

Besides Towers upon the Walls of both Cities; the Tower of Meah; the Tower of Hananeel; Neh. XII. 39. Zech. XIV. 10. on the East side of the City, between the Tower of Meah, and the corner gate, Neh. III. 1. the Tower of the Furnaces, Neh. III. 1, 11. and Ch. XII. 38, 39. and others.

And Valleys about it; as Jer. XXXI. 40. the Valley of the dead bodies, under Mount Golgotha, West-North-West of the City: and the Valley of Ashes; likely that came from the Altar of Burnt-Offerings: the Valley of Jehoshaphat on the East, and the Valley of the sons of Hinnom also; the Valley of Savey, or the Kings Vale or Dale on the South; and the Valley of Rephaim or Giants, on the South-West.

And Fields mentioned about it, the Fullers field on the South, Isaiah VII. 1. and the Porters field, or Acheldama, on the South-East, Jer. XVIII. 2. and XIX. 2. and XXXI. 40. Matth. XXVII. 7. And Hills about Jerusalem were, Mount Olivet on the East; Mount Calverie or Golgotha on the West-North-west, Mount Gihon West, Mount Gareb North, Ier. XXXI. 39.

The Brook Kidron did run on the East-side of Jerusalem; And the Fountain of Siloam, or waters of Gihon, on the West.

Pooles, two of note were near Jerusalem, Neh. III. 15, 16. The upper Poole of Siloah, called also the old Poole, and Kings Poole; on the South, 2 Kings XVIII. 17. Isaiah VII. 2. and XXXVI. 2. or South-West corner: receiving its water from the river Gihon. And the Lower, of which Isaiah XXII. 9. 2 Chron. XXXII. 30. which was made long after, Neh. III. 16. on the West: and drew water from the upper.

sanctified it ] This sanctification of this Sheep-gate, built by the High Priest, and his brethren, is deemed by some to be extraordinarily ratified and graced with that miraculous gift of healing from this time vouchsafed to the Poole of Bethesda close by this Gate: of which mention is made, John V. 2.

cover not their iniquity ] See the Observations on Psal. [chapter IV] [verse 5] CIX. and the Annotations on this text of Nehemie.

unto the half ] Of the height of the Wall. [verse 6]

a great cry ] Of Oppressions in three sorts; [chapter V] set down in the three verse. following: Their needs and wants, which made them liable to these oppressions, being the more occasioned by their labors so much employed in the public work of the Walls.

usury] Ver. 10. Of this see the inhibitions, [verse 7] Exod. XXII. 25. Lev. XXV. 36, 37. Deut 23. 19, 20. Ezek. XVIII. 8. 13, 17. And God's judgments against it, Prov. XXVIII. 8. Ezek. XXII. 12, 13. Psal. XV. V. Yet the word is used sometimes in a larger sense, and lawful way; as Matth. XXV. 27. Luke XIX. 23. And so Isaiah XXIV. 2. Jer. XV. 10. And to a stranger the Jews might lend upon usury, Deut. XXIII. 20.

even this day ] Without delay: [verse 11] as Gen. XVII. 23.

hundredth part ] Which seems to be that which they received for use and interest; likely the hundredth part by the month of what they lent.

require nothing ] Here is more then was asked; [verse 12] or rather nothing more then what thou askest.

an oath ] See the Observations on Hos. IV. 15.

Shook my lap ] See such like Rites used Luke IX. 5. Acts XIII. 51. and XVIII. 6. 1 Kings IV. 29, 30. [verse 13]

forty Shekels ] Five pounds haply each day, [verse 15] taken and gathered from among them all.

daily ] Yet Solomon's exceeded far, [verse 18] 1 Kings IV. 22, 23.

Ono ] A Valley, [chapter VI] and a City in Benjamin, chap. XI. 35. 1 Chron. VIII. 12. not far from Jerusalem.

the fifth time ] Thinking to prevail by impudent importunity. [verse 5]

their King ] A charge of high treason. [verse 6] So Ezra. IV. 12, 13. John XIX. 12.

Shemaiah ] His vile hypocrisy, [verse 10] false prophesy, corruption by bribery, so attempting strongly to hinder or destroy Nehemiah, and his godly proceedings.

Elul ] About our August. [verse 15]

in fifty and two days ] Wondrous speed. See the Annotations. This was in the twentieth or one and twentieth year of Artaxerxes, and first year of Nehemiah's Government.

Nobles of Judah ] Guilty likely some way in the matter of marrying strange wives, [verse 17] ver. 18.

These are the children ] See the Observations on Ezra▪ [chapter VII] [verse 6] II. 2,—60.

And some ] These Contributions differ from those Ezra II. 68, 69. And were made at another time, [verse 70] long after the other; namely when Nehemie gathered the Nobles and Rulers together, ver. 5.

seventh month ] Beginning with the Autumnal Equinoctial, and was at first the first month, but changed, Exod. XII. 1, 2. The Jews being then in their Cities; gathered themselves to Jerusalem, ver. 5. and chap. VIII. 1, 2.

seventh month ] See more of this in the Annotations on 1 Kings VIII. [chapter VIII] 2. and the Observations on Lev. XXIII. ver. 24. This was in the first year of Nehemiah's Government. [verse 2]

Also Ieshuah ] Here are thirteen in several places, at the same time with Ezra, [verse 7] reading, and expounding the Law to the people, ver. 12.

Wept ] As weeping at Prayer, Ezra X. 1. So here weeping at Preaching, ver. 11.

Second day ] Of this seventh month. [verse 13]

feast ] On the fifteenth day, [verse 14] for seven days together. Of this Feast, see Levite. XXIII. 34. Deut. XVI. 13.

roof of his house That were flat, and most likely leaded. [verse 16] So Deut. XXII. 8. 2 Sam. XI. 2. Ier. XIX. 13. and XXXII. 29. Matth. X. 27. 2 Kings XXIII. 12. Zeph. I. 5.

Done so ] Making such Booths; [verse 17] and having an holy Convocation, not only on the first, and last day, as the Law required; but on every of the seven days, ver. 18.

Eighth day ] Which likewise was enjoined by the Law, [verse 18] Levite. XXIII. 36.

twenty and fourth day ] The second day after the Feast of Tabernacles was ended. [chapter IX] [verse 1]

separated themselves ] They had not yet fully performed what they had solemnly covenanted, [verse 2] Ezra X. 3. or soon fell into that sin again, chap. XIII. 23, 24. And were also under the guilt of the breach of that Commandment, Deut. XXIII. 3. Hereupon they make an ample Confession of sin of their fathers, and their own, in this Chapter; and solemnly renew their Covenant with God for amendment, in the next Chapter.

One fourth part ] Which is three hours; [verse 3] viz. those from our nine to twelve, in reading and expounding.

another fourth part ] From twelve to three; in prayer, confessing, and worshipping: all the time between the morning and evening sacrifice spent in those two.

Ieshua ] Here are eight, [verse 4] in eight several places, preaching to eight several Congregations.

bread water ] 1 Cor. [verse 15] X. 2, 3, 4. Spiritual blessings also in them.

Appointed a Captain ] This explains that, [verse 17] Num. XIV. 4.

Seraiah] Chap. [chapter X] [verse 2] XI. 11. The persons that sealed the Covenant are set down; Priests, twenty two; Levites, seventeen; chief of the people, forty four; did it in the name of all the rest.

entered into a curse ] As by Covenant, [verse 29] and Seal, and Oath; so by an Execration they bound themselves. See Judge. XXI. 18.

to observe ] The matter of the Covenant: set forth afterwards in seven main branches.

third part of a Shekel ] A new Ordinance for this time, and present necessity. [verse 32]

year by year ] As so bound by the Law. [verse 35]

Shall be with the Levites ] See Num. [verse 38] XVIII. 26, 27, 28, 29.

take Tythes ] Or rather give Tythes.

lots ] See the Annotations on Jonah I. [chapter XI] [verse 1] 7. This also was in the first year of Nehemiah's Government.

to dwell] Chap. VII. 4 the inhabitants few: therefore here is care taken to increase the number: and by lot to take one out of ten; beside Volunteers.

Solomon's servants ] See the Observations on 1 Kings IX. 21. [verse 3]

at Jerusalem dwelt ] The inhabitants of Jerusalem after the Return are recroded here; [verse 4] and 1 Chron. IX. But with much variation. And many more are recorded in that of 1 Chr. IX. as intending there all promiscuously, both such as were chosen by Lot, and also Volunteers. And moreover there is mention made of Ephraimites, Menaschites, Zerachites, and others which are not once named here. And also the accompt was taken likely at another time after the first Record in Nehemie. chap. VII. 5, &c.

Ophel ] See the Observations on 2 Chron. XXVII. 3. [verse 21]

over the business ] These for the inward business of the house of God, [verse 22] to assist it, in executing their function there: as those Levites, ver. 16. had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God, 1 Chron. IX. 15, 16. and chap. XXVI. 29.

the Kings commandment ] As formerly, [verse 23] Ezra VI. 8, 9. and Ezra VII. 2, 24. So here by the Kings grant to Nehemiah.

Villages ] From the inhabitants of Jerusalem, [verse 25] he proceeds now to the inhabitants of other Cities, Villages, and places: and first in the tribe of Judah, ver. 25,—30. Then in Benjamin, ver. 31,—36.

And of the Levites ] Cities, [verse 36] and Suburbs were given to the Levites, in Judah, and Benjamin, for the necessary use of instructing and teaching the people.

Priests ] The chief of them, [chapter XII] ver. 7. that came up with Zerubbabel, and were in the days of Ieshua; [verse 1] in number twenty two. Many of these Priests are not mentioned in that Catalogue, Ezra II. 36,—39. and might well be there left out, without blame.

The Levites ] The chief of them, in the foresaid time; [verse 8] in number eight, ver. 8, 9.

Ieshua Catalogue or Series of the High Priests from Ieshua or Joshua, to the end of the Persian Empire, [verse 10] from Cyrus to Alexander the Great; in six generations, ver. 10, 11. Of these, Eliashib was allied to Tobia; and Ioiada to Sanballet; both alients, and enemies to the Jews, chap. XIII. 4, 5, 28, 29. And Iaddua the last of them hath his name inserted here by some Prophet, after the days of Ezra, and Nehemiah too, specially if Nehemiah be the man that came up with Zerubbabel; as hath been said in the Observations upon the beginning of this Book. See them.

days of Iojakim ] The son of Ieshua. [verse 12] As formerly in his fathers days; so here in his days, the Prime Priests that were Heads of families, (those in his fathers time being supposed to be now dead) are set down; in number twenty, from ver. 12. to 21. These relate to those ver. 1,—7. Yet the number of the Courses of the Priests appointed by David was twenty four, 1 Chron. XXIV. 7, 18. That the number of the Priests were now but few, that place Ezra VIII. 15. doth import.

The Levites ] The chief Fathers of them; [verse 22] in the times here mentioned.

recorded ] And so to be found registered by name in the public records; so as they need not here to be set down again.

also the Priests ] They likewise so recorded; and so not needful to be here recited.

Darius] Darius Codomannus; the last Persian Emperor, conquered by Alexander the Great.

in the Book of the Chronicles ] 1 Chron. IX. 14, 15, 16. seem to be related to in these words, [verse 23] for these Levites, in the times of these High Priests.

Porters ] See 1 Chron. XXVI. and chap. IX. [verse 25]

Nehemiah ] It seems hereby that Joshua the High Priest was dead before Nehemiah came as Governor into Judea; [verse 26] yea or Ezra with his Commission.

Dedication of the wall ] The former Genealogies and Records of the Priests and Levites seem to be insisted upon, [verse 27] the rather because they had so prime an hand in the Dedication of the wall. And therefore they are here so carefully gathered and brought together, 27, 28, 29. And this seems to be also in the first year of Nehemiah's Government.

purified ] See the Annotations. [verse 30]

I brought up ] The manner of the Dedication of the wall was thus; The wall was thick and broad; [verse 31] that divers went a breast on it. Nehemiah appointed two great companies, consisting of Priests, Levites, Princes, and People. They entered upon the wall about the middle of the West wall, near the Dung-gate. And there the two companies parted. And each went as in Procession in this Order; The one company had Ezra the Priest and Scribe before them. And other Priests after him, founding their Trumpets. After them the Levites, playing on sacred musical instruments; and singers of them, that sang with a loud voice; All sounding forth God's praise, and their own thankfulness and joy, ver. 31,—42. After them the Princes and Rulers. After them the People. And last of all, some great Prince, likely next in degree to Nehemiah. And this company thus went on the right hand South-ward by the Fountain Gate; and about the City of David, and all along the South-wall, even unto the Water-gate on the East. The other company went in like equipage; and Nehemiah himself the last of them. And they made their Procession on the left hand North-wards, from beyond the Tower of the Furnaces, even unto the Broad wall. And all along the North-side, from above the Gate of Ephraim, and above the Old-gate; and above the Fish-gate, and the Tower of Hananeel, and the Tower of Meah, even unto the Sheep-gate, on the East; And they stood still in the Prison-gate. The two companies somewhat beyond this Gate met together, that they might in order descend from this East-wall, to go into the House of God. And likely it was from the Water-gate on the East-wall; For the street it opened upon, was one of the eminentest, and of greatest receipt in the City, deemed to be that of Millo, which lay between the Temple on Mount Morea, and the Palace on Mount Zion, by which the King and Courtiers did usually pass to and fro, Neh. III. 26. and VIII. 3, 16. 2 Chron. XXIX. 3, 4. and XXXII. 6.

Ezra ] Some other Ezra. [verse 33]

Ezra the Scribe ] That famous Ezra. [verse 36]

Gate ] Of the Gates, and Towers in this Procession mentioned, [verse 39] see the Observations on chap. III. 1.

great sacrifices ] As in like cases of joy and thankfulness: [verse 43] So 1 Chr. XXIX. 21. 1 Kings VIII. 62, 63.

for the treasures ] 1 Chron. [verse 44] IX. 26. And so in Hezekiah's time, 2 Chr. XXXI. 4, 5, 11. See again, Neh. XIII. 12, 13.

And the Levites sanctified them unto ] The Levites paid to the Priests the tithes of all their tithes, [verse 47] Num. XVIII. 26,—30.

On that day ] [chapter XIII] [verse 1] Doubtful it is to what particular time this relates. Yet most likely, to that Interim of time which passed in the absence of Nehemiah, between the end of the first, and beginning of his second Government.

written] Deut. XXIII. 3. See the Observations on that text.

they met not ] As Melchizedek did, [verse 2] Gen. XIV. 17.

separated ] See that Ezra chap. [verse 3] IX. and X. and Neh. IX. 2. and ch. X. 30. and chap. XIII. 23,—30. So difficult was this point of the Reformation; and so ready they to relapse into this sin.

a great chamber ] Pulling down the Partitions, [verse 5] to make two or three into one.

I cast forth ] And so ver. 9. [verse 8] brought I again. By my command and authority, not in my person.

had not been given ] This, [verse 10] and other matters imply the Interim of Nehemiah's absence to have been more then a year.

Sabbath ] See the Annotations on Jer. [verse 15] XVII. 21, 22, 24, 27.

dark ] The sooner, because of the hills about Jerusalem: [verse 19] and the Sabbath was to be kept from Even to Even.

some of my servants ] That the Merchants might not thrust in amongst those that came to the Service in the Temple.

the Gates ] The Gates of the Temple; [verse 22] by keeping out persons legaly unclean from the house and ordinances of God.

swear ] And so they had sworn before, [verse 25] chap. X. 29, 30.

sons of Jojada ] His grandchild, [verse 28] called Menasche, and brother of Jaddua the High Priest, as Josephus writeth, Antiq. lib. 11. c. 7.

I chased him from me ] This argues this Nehemiah not to be that man mentioned, Ezra II. 2. that came up with Zerubbabel: and yet to live to a very great age, whether he were the Penman of this Book; or else this clause inserted by some other Prophet. See the Observations on the beginning of this Book.

Remember me ] So likewise, [verse 31] ver. 14. and 22. and chap. V. 19. He pleads not here any merit of his own, but all he pleads is for God's mercy sake; all goodness in him still proceeding from God's mere grace. He doth cheer up himself in this, in the sincerity and integrity of his heart, and the effects thereof, as fruits and sound proofs of the truth of God's graces in him, whereupon he further with comfort expects more mere mercy to come from the Lord.

Esther.

T HE Book of Esther contains an History of nine years, expressed in the reign of Ahasuerus; viz. the third of Ahasuerus, chap. I. 3. the seventh, chap. II. 16. and the twelfth, chap. III. 7. In which twelfth year are mentioned the first month, chap. III. 7, 12. the third month, chap. VIII. ver. 9. and the twelfth month, chap. III. 7. 13. and chap. VIII. 12. and chap. IX. 1, 13, 14, 15, 17, 21. And some more years in his reign afterwards are noted indefinitely, chap. X.

In this Book only of all the Scripture, there is no mention made of God, nor his Name once used. The Book of Canticles speaking much of Christ the Bridegroom.

Ahasuerus] Heb. [chapter I] [verse 1] Ahasuerosh. It is doubted which of the Persian Monarchs this was. The LXX. still name him in their Translation Artaxerxes. Others take him to be Xerxes. Others fix their several fancies upon sundry others of the Persian Monarchs. But the greatest probability is for Darius Hystaspes; who first extended the bounds of that Empire so far and wide, and over so many Provinces; and married Atossa the daughter of Cyrus, called Vashti, ver. 9, who was the third King of Persia; omitting Darius the Mede, before Cyrus; and the Magus Smerdis, not worthy the reckoning; and was next before Xerxes, that fourth and rich King, Dan. XI. 2. See the Observations on Esther II. 5. This Ahasuerus in his third year makes that Imperial Feast of one hundred eighty seven days; And therein that good Law for drinking, as most take it; And at the end of it, he deposeth Vashti, by the learned thought to be the daughter of Cyrus, chap. 1. In his fourth year Haggai, and Zechariah do prophesy: In his sixth year the Temple is built: In his seventh year, chap. II. 16, 17. he marries Esther. After promotes Haman; And in his twelfth year hangs him, chap. III. 7. and VII. 10. And about his twenty sixth year he imposeth that tribute, chap. X. as Historians do accompt.

Shushan ] The chief City of the Assyrian Empire was Nineveh: [verse 2] of the Babylonian, Babylon: of the Persian, Shushan, and Ecbatana: of the Grecian, divers; as the divisions of it were: of the Roman, Rome. Of Shushan, see more on Neh. I. 1.

according to the Law, [verse 8] none did compel ] Compel; or restrain rather. For so a learned Divine renders the word, and sense of the place; That the drinking was according to the Kings Law, not of the Kingdom, but of all the Officers of his house; or that the Officers should give them royal wine, such as the King himself used, and that in abundance, according to the state of the King when now in this Feast the Kings purpose was to show the riches of his glorious Kingdom, and the honor of his excellent Majesty; that none therefore of his officers should restrain, inhibit, or hinder it, but give to everyone of the guests freely and bountifully what wine, and as much, and as often as he desired; that as no restraint, so no complaint should be to the contrary.

a feast ] The greatness of his Empire was, [verse 3,—9.] ver. 1. and is also Ch. VIII. 9. See that, Dan. VI. 1. Here is the greatness of his Feast; and chap. II. 18. And great was his riotous luxury in the Purification of the Virgins, chap. II. 12.

beds ] Beds whereon they feasted; [verse 6] after the manner of those ancient times. See chap. VII. 8. Beds, i. e. bedsteads of gold and silver. And Amos VI. 4. Beds of Ivory. Those for cost and beauty. That of Ogs, Deut. III. 1 • . for largeness.

On the seventh day ] On the seventh day of that Feast, [verse 10] ver. 5.

refused ] She might have made some fair excuse: [verse 12] and not seem in this sort to despise her husband, ver. 17.

his anger burn ] See the Annotations on Dan. III. 19.

wise men ] Wise men in State affairs, [verse 13] in policy, and experience, in prudence and knowledge; and so of great place and accompt, ver. 14. Such are Kings Counselors. Such as those, Ezra VII. 14. and 1 Chron. XII. 32. men gathering wisdom by observation of times and seasons, for passages of State, in ages past and present: and so the ablest to give counsel and judgment, the fittest for wise plots and projects. Such were still of great use in all Nations. We find mention of wise men, chap. VI. 13. Isaiah XIX. 11, 12. and XXIX. 14. Jer. X. 7. and chap. L. 35. Matth. II. 1. And such a great Politician, a man expert in State-skill; was Achitophel in his time, 2 Sam. XVI. 23. and Jonathan, 1 Chr. XXVII. 32. and others, ver. 34. Of such we read, Prov. XV. 22. Isaiah I. 26. and chap. III. 3. Micah IV. 9.

according to Law ] Thus he keeps close to the Law, [verse 15] and that laudable manner, ver. 13. notwithstanding his burning anger.

deed of the Queen ] Examples have in them a kind of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ; [verse 17] And magnates, men, or women, are in a sort magnetes, loadstones, by their example to dray on others.

among the Laws ] Irrevocable, [chapter II] [verse 19] chap. VIII. [verse 2] 8. Dan. VI. 8, 12, 15.

Let there be ] To divert his mind from Vashti; and to prevent displeasure from him, and her, against those who any wise did counsel and animate him against her, if he should repent, and she be restored to favor. See Dan. VI. 24.

to the house of the women] Ver. 14. [verse 3] Mention is made of a second house; for the Concubines: Hege, or Hegai, ver. 8. the Keeper of the first: Shaahgaz, the Keeper of the second, ver. 14.

purification] ver. 12.

Mordecai ] This might well be that Mordecai, [verse 5] which came up with Zerubbabel, Ezra II. 2. And evinceth this Ahasuerus to be Darius Hystaspides; and not Xerxes, or Artaxerxes; because he and not Kish, was the man that was carried captive with Jeconiah, ver. 6. And so he lived above sixty years in the Captivity; two years under Darius Medus; seven under Cyrus; seven under Cambyses; one under Smerdis; twelve under Darius Hystaspes, when Haman conspired against the Jews, chap. III. 7. And so he was eighty nine years old at that time; besides the age that he was of, when he was carried away captive; and the time that he lived after that conspiracy. All which may well stand together. But if by Ahasuerus be meant Xerxes, then instead of those eighty nine, we must reckon one hundred thirty five, that is, adding to them twenty four more of Darius Hystaspes, and twelve of Xerxes: which, together with his age before his captivity; and after the said conspiracy, intimated chap. X. would make him out-live the age of men in that age of the world.

Hadassah ] Not the same with Atossa or Vashti who was the daughter of Cyrus; [verse 7] though the Greek Historians seem to take Atossa for Esther: But this Hadassa is Esther: called so, as may seem from the Myrtle-tree, dedicated by the Paynims to Venus; or from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , the Star of Venus.

his Uncles daughter ] So Mordecai and Esther were cosen-germans, brothers-children.

best of the house ] Best places and rooms in that house. [verse 9]

twelve months ] Many were purifying together. [verse 12]

the turn ] Which was in the fourth year since Vashti was put away; [verse 15] and in the seventh year of the Kings reign. She was taken into the house a year before.

Tebeth ] The Jews after their return from the Babylonish captivity used the Chaldee and Persian names of months. [verse 16] To this Tebeth our December, our tenth month, most what answereth; they beginning the year at the vernal equinoctial.

Queen ] The year after the Temple was finished, [verse 17] Ezra VI. 15.

the second time ] To what ends then gathered, [chapter III] [verse 19] it is not expressed. [verse 1]

the Agagite] Ver. 10. Likely of the royal stock of Agag: but sure an Amalakite. Of whom see Exod. XVII. 14, 16. Num. XXIV. 7, 20. Deut. XXV. 17, 19. 1 Sam. XV. 2, 3, 8. Ever bitter enemies to the Jews, ver. 10. See the Annotations on this text.

King had so commanded ] Commanded more then ordinary bowing and reverence; [verse 2] for to other no command had been needful: This sure was extraordinary, such or such like as was used to the Kings of Persia themselves, more then was fit for any mortal man to have, a kind of Divine reverence and worship, which made some Heathen men themselves, as Conon the Athenian, not to yield unto it.

bowed not ] In that sort. His pious spirit would not stoop to it, could not brook it: And the rather because Haman was of that cursed stock, which God would have rooted out for their bitter enmity against the Jews. Yet Mordecai's humility appears in returning to the Kings gate, his ordinary standing and calling, presently after his so high advancement in chap. VI. 6,—12.

had told them that he was a Jew ] This he did to satisfy them, [verse 4] and justify himself; which shown the true cause of his refusal; and moved Haman to such wrath.

all the Jews ] Wrath raging, [verse 6] and unmeasurable: the rather out of his inveterate hatred against all Jews.

Nisan] Nisan is the Chaldee name, And Abib the Hebrew name, [verse 7] of the first month; whereunto our March doth mostly answer. In which month the Lots were cast that shown Adar the twelfth month, to be the lucky month for executing that bloody Decree. The Commandment for which bloody butchery, was issued forth on the thirteenth day of the foresaid Nisan, chap. III. 12.

from month to month ] All this was or might be done in one day.

Adar ] Whereunto our February mostly answereth; as beginning on the eleventh day of our month.

scattered abroad ] Not into Babylon only, [verse 8] but also into Persia, and all the many Provinces of it: And there remained behind after the Proclamation of Cyrus, and the Return made with Zerubbabel, Ezra II. Amighty scattering, though this comprehend the ten Tribes also; And a shameful neglect of the Jews, in not Returning.

to suffer them ] Lest they infect and infest the Kings good subjects.

I will pay ] The Jews paid great tributes to the King. [verse 9] In recompense of that loss, if they were destroyed, Haman would pay this great sum

Ten thousand Talents] The ten thousand Talents, at three hundred seventy five pound the Talent, comes to 3750000. See Observations on Eoxd XXXVIII. 24.

to the hands ] Of the Kings treasurers.

his Ring ] See chap. [verse 10] VIII. 2, 8. Gen. XLI. 42. Luke XV. 22. 1 King. XXI. 8. Dan. VI. 17.

given unto thee ] The grace of Favorites. [verse 11]

first month ] All haste used. [verse 12] Malice expedites mischief.

young and old ] Monstrous cruelty. [verse 13]

twelfth month ] Delayed so long, because of the lot, ver. 7. else folly in Haman to have made so long a delay. God's Providence seen in ordering the lot so as there might be so long a time between the decree and the execution, for the using of means to prevent it.

for a prey ] To encourage the enemies and murderers. Which prey the Jews, in their case, punctualy abstained from, chap. 8. 11. and ch. IX. 10, 15, 16.

sent raiment ] That he might be fit to come into the Court, [chapter IV] [verse 4] ver. 2. and unto her.

who is not called ] This custom and law was partly for state and honor, [verse 11] partly for safety and security. Some had a general calling and license by their places and offices about the King: but this extended not to the Queen herself.

deliverance arise] Mordecai's faith and confidence. [verse 14]

but thou] Mordecai's peremptoriousness with Esther in such a case of extremity, ver. 13. And assuring her of certain danger and destruction from God, if she insisted on pretended danger from the King.

three days, [verse 16] night or day ] Of Fasting, see the Annotations on Joel I. 14. This length of time might be endured in that hot Country; and in a case of such extremity: yet see chap. V. 1. Haman might well know of the Jews fasting and mourning in Shushan: But not of this of Esther's and her maids.

likewise ] But not three whole days, chap. V. 1.

and if I perish ] She might suspect her countenance less beautiful upon her Fasting; and remember the Kings rigor against Vashti: yet this is her pious resolution. See Gen. XLIII. 14.

on the third day ] [chapter V] [verse 1] Whiles they in Shushan continued the Fast.

his royal throne ] She takes the time, when most likely she might find the King, and have access.

half of the Kingdom ] Again, [verse 3] ver. 6. and chap. VII. 2. So Herod, Mark VI. 23. a kind of Proverbial speech; not literaly to be taken.

the King and Haman ] Both together, [verse 4] that she might accuse him face to face before the King; and so prevent delays, or mediations.

tomorrow ] God's secret and over-ruling hand of Providence herein. [verse 8]

nor moved for him ] It seems less respect used now then before; [verse 9] else Haman belies him. And hither Mordecai comes, now without sackcloth, on the third day of the Feast; upon just causes no doubt.

of fifty Cubits high ] Monstrous high; [verse 14] and suddenly erected.

on that night ] God's wondrous Providence. [chapter VI] [verse 1] See the like 1 Sam. XXIII. 27. 1 Kings XXII. 34. Seene, as in Esther's putting off her Petition to the next day; so here; in his ordering the Kings waking; and hearing the Chronicles read, That so the advancement of Mordecai might intervene. Of God's Providence, see in the four living Wights, and in the Wheeles, Ezek. I. 5,—25. and X. 12.

read ] Likely reading to one in bed makes him sleep the sooner.

to Mordecai the Jew ] So that the King knew Mordecai to be a Jew; [verse 10] and could not forget his Grant to Haman against them; and yet thus honors him.

nothing fail ] Yet the Crown is not mentioned, [verse 11] ver. 11.

Then took Haman ] Without any replies, excuses, or objections made.

begun to fall ] One Favorite falls at the rising of another. [verse 13]

yet talking ] High time it was considering the business already past on that day. [verse 14]

could not countervail the Kings damage ] [chapter VII] [verse 4] The Jews were many ways very advantageous to the Persian Monarchs; as the Israelites were to Pharaoh in Egypt.

upon the bed ] For the banquet, [verse 8] chap. I. 6.

will he force ] Likely Haman might clasp her feet in his hands, to show the earnestness of his Petition for his life, that he would not let her go without granting him some favor. See 2 Kings IV. 27. Matth. XXVIII. 9.

covered Haman's face ] See Job IX. 24. 2 Sam. XV. 30. Ezek. XII. 6, 12. as unworthy to see the Kings face, [verse 9] or to be seen himself.

hang ] The Kings word in those days was warrant enough.

pacified ] He was not sorry for it afterwards.

On that day ] [chapter VIII] [verse 1] The very same day wherein the things in the former Chapter were done.

the house ] And his estate, as escheated to the King.

came before the King ] As one of those, chap. I. 14.

had told ] And so the Kings kinsmanby marriage.

Esther spake yet again] Esther's zealous care for the safety of God's people the Jews still appears, [verse 3] after Haman's hanging, and Mordecai's advancement, in the seconding of her Petition on their behalf, with kneeling, and tears, formerly not mentioned to be used by her to the King.

golden Scepter ] She ventures again to go in uncalled, [verse 4] for her people's sake. See chap. IV. 11. and chap. V. 2.

write ye ] This is another way. [verse 8] For the former Decree could not be reversed, nor this new one being sealed with the Kings Seal. See Ch. I. 19.

third month ] Two months, and ten days after Haman's Decree; [verse 9] chap. III. 12. The Lots were cast in the first month, and twelfth year of Ahasuerus, chap. III. 7. And the Decree issued out the thirteenth day of that month, ver. 12. And did stretch even to the Jews in Jury, ver. 6, 8, 13. And the execution of it was to be on the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month following. But the Edict on their behalf issued forth on the twenty third day of the third month Sivan, i. e. two months and ten days, after Haman's bloody Edict.

Sivan ] Whereunto our May most answereth.

and unto the Jews ] Whom it so much concerned.

crown of gold ] See chap. [verse 15] VI. 8.

became Jews ] Proselytes, [verse 17] turned to their Religion.

as sought their hurt ] As assaulted them; [chapter IX] [verse 2] so as they were on the defensive part, and stood for their lives, chap. VIII. 11. and chap. IX. 16.

smote all their enemies ] Wonder that they durst rise against the Jews, [verse 5] considering the mind and power of the King, and Queen, and Mordecai for them; see ver. 3.

in Shushan ] These likely of Haman's faction; [verse 6] eager set to revenge his death and downfall.

to do tomorrow ] It may be necessity to preserve the lives of the Jews in Shushan, [verse 13] against such as might seek an opportunity hereafter, to revenge the blood of Haman, his sons, and others that were slain, might move her to this Petition; so to rid their hands of all their enemies.

75000] It argues a great height of malice against the Jews, [verse 16] That Haman's ten sons, and others in Shushan, even on a second day; and so many in all the Kings Provinces, durst so assault the Jews, that in their own defense they killed in all seventy five thousand eight hundred, likely most Amalekites; considering the Kings Edict for the Jews, and the power of the Queen, and Mordecai, with the King, as hath been said: yet the Jews laid not their hands on the prey and spoil, though granted to them by the King chap. VIII. 11. chap. IX. 10, 15, 16. to show they did it not for covetousness; but to preserve their own lives.

Mordecai wrote ] Some extend this to the whole Book: [verse 20] but more likely it relates to the point of Deliverance and ordaining the Feasts, ver. XXIII. 29. And herein the power of the Church is seen in Ordaining set annual Feasts, ver. 27. 29, 31. And so for Fasts, Zech. VII.

Purim] i. e. Lots. [verse 26] Of Lots, see the Annotations on Jonah I. 7.

the matters of the fastings, [verse 31] and their cry ] The occasions that were given of their fastings, and cries, by which they obtained such a blessing. Some take this as a part of the Ordinance and Decree, to fast on the thirteenth day: And allege for it the practice of the Jews to this day.

in the Book ] Some public record. [verse 32]

a tribute ] We read of a release, [chapter X] [verse 1] chap. II. 18. whether the Jews, by Mordecai's means were released of this Tribute, the Scripture expresseth not.

Job.

T HE Book of Job is a true History, accompanied fully with all the circumstances of a true History, from first to last: and attested, Ezek. XIV. 14. and Jam. V. 11.

This Book is written, in the judgment of some, in Prose, to chap. III. v. 3. In Verse; thence, to chap. XLII. ver. 6. And then again concludes in Prose, thence to the end.

Job lived most likely when the Israelites were in Egypt; His age being one hundred and forty years after his Affliction was ended: and he having seven sons, and three daughters; and being the greatest of all the men of the East, before his Affliction began; Job XLII. 16. and I. ver. 2, 3.

Jobs patience is wonderful; and so highly commended by the holy Ghost, Jam. V. 11. His Impatience too much accused, as by his friends then, so by some others now; not weighing the burden of his Afflictions, outward, and inward; from heaven, earth, and hell; and withal his fair clearing of God, and his justice; and his full acknowledgement of his own sinfulness; though not of that Hypocrisy wherewith his friends did falsely charge him, chap. VII. 20, 21. and IX. 2, 3. 14, 15, 20, 21. and XIII. 26. and XIV. 17. and XXVII. 5, 6. and XXXI. 6. 33, 35, 36, 37. and XXIII. 10. and XIII. 15. and IX. 12.

Jobs three friends most likely were of the posterity of Abraham, viz. Eliphaz, and Zophar of the posterity of Esau, Gen. XXXVI. 11, 40. Bildad of Abraham's race by Ketura Gen. XXV. 2. 1 Chron. I. 32. And Elihu the fourth, of the race of Nahor, Abraham's brother, Gen. XXII. 21.

Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, speak in order, one after another; Eliphaz and Bildad, thrice; Zophar, twice. To everyone of which, Jobs Answers are annexed and interposed.

Elihu speaks after they ceased, without any answer made by Job to him.

Jehovah speaks last of all; And Orders all.

Uz] Uz in Idumea, [chapter I] [verse 1] or Arabia bordering upon it. So called from Uz the son of Dishan, of the linage of Seir, Gen. XXXVI. 28. Of this we read, Lam. IV. 21. Jer. XXV. 20. Or in that part of Arabia the Desert, near to Chaldea, where Job had such bad neighbors, the Chaldeans on the one side, and the Sabaeans on the other, chap. I. 15. 17. We read of Kings of the Land of Uz, Jer. XXV. 20. And of Uz, the grandchild of Shem, Gen. X. 22, 23. And of Vz, the son of Nahor, Abraham's brother, Gen. XXII. 21.

three thousand Camels ] When God blessed his latter end, [verse 3] he had six thousand Camels, chap. XLII. 12. a wondrous number for one man. They were numerous, and of much use, in the Eastern Countries. Fifty thousand taken from the Hagarites, 1 Chron. V. 20, 21. The Midianites used very great multitudes of them in war; and put ornaments, and chains of gold about their necks, Judge. VII. 12. and chap. VIII. 21, 26. Some of them were swift; all, for burden, with bunches on their backs, fit for that purpose; but not fit to go through the eye of a needle. David himself had a special officer, only over his Camels, 1 Chron. XXVII. 30.

East ] Whither Abraham sent his sons, Gen. XXV. 6.

and sanctified them ] Sent to them, [verse 5] requiring them to fit and prepare themselves, by all means, in an holy manner, to come and join with him in offering a sacrifice for them, and their sins. See Num. X 1. 18. Exod. XIX. 10. Josh. III. 5. and chap. VII. 13. 2 Chron. XXIX. 5.

continually ] On those days when their feasting was gone about.

the sons of God ] The good Angels, [verse 6] Job XXXVIII. 7.

to present themselves ] See 1 Kings XXII. 19. This is spoken after the manner of men, as Rom. III. 5.

among them ] Not that Satan comes into Heaven. The similitude is taken from earthly Kings.

escaped alone ] Satan spared him, [verse 15] that by him Job might quickly hear it.

wind ] a great whirlwind. [verse 19]

young men ] And daughters also. Satan by his Commission might have taken away his wife also, as well as his children; But he left her to vex him.

shaved his head ] Did it himself, [verse 20] or by some other.

thither ] Into the womb of our common mother the earth; [verse 21] whereon he fell, ver. 20.

sinned not ] Contrary to that of Satan. [verse 22] He blesseth, ver. 21. not curseth, as Satan said, ver. 11.

earth ] He hath no power in Heaven; [chapter II] [verse 2] no temptation is there.

skin for skin ] Any skin for his own; though even that of his children, chap. I. 19.

for his life ] To save his life and person free.

sore boils ] Satan's power, [verse 7] if God give him leave.

Curse] Hebr. Bless. Either it is an ironical scoff at Jobs piety, [verse 9] and patience: Or the word beareth two contrary significations: as the Hebrew Kadesh, Levite. VI. 29. Deut. XXII. 9. And with the Greeks, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ; and the Latins, Sacer, and sundry others do. And so Cursing is here meant; as chap. I. 11. and 1 Kings XXI. 10. Some conceive that the crime of Blasphemy was so odious and execrable in those days, that men could not endure to hear it called by the proper name; but though they had a word to express it by, yet they chose rather to understand it by the contrary. So a Sodomite, and a Whore (our English word may haply be rather Hore, from Hire; as Meretrix, from Merces ) have their names in Hebrew from holiness, being both most unholy, Job XXXVI. 14. Gen. XXXVIII. 21, 22. Deut. XXIII. 18.

and knew him not ] At first sight. [verse 12]

wept ] When they came near, and knew him.

Seven days ] The three friends silence for seven days and nights is wonderful; [verse 13] Somewhat like is that, Ezek. III. 15, 16. See Lam. II. 10. and III. 28.

After this] Job first breaks off that strange silence; [chapter III] [verse 1] and his former pious patience; And through infirmity he passionately falls to curse the day and night of his nativity: wisheth he had died as soon as he was born; much magnifying the state of the dead, above his woeful life; whereof he complains, that it is in being, and is so bitter to him.

conceived] i. e. borne or brought forth. [verse 3] The night of conception is unknown, and the man-child till it be borne.

Then Eliphaz ] Here begins the first Onset of Jobs three friends. [chapter IV] [verse 1] I will sum them up together: Here Eliphaz doth accuse Jobs faintness under present miseries: glance at his former hypocrisy: maintain in the general, that no good man was ever so punished; showing the prosperous state of the godly, and the plagues of God upon the wicked: and by relating a fearful Vision, he seeks to humble the excellencies of man, and justify God in his doings above him, chap. IV. Moreover, he hints, that no Saint is so afflicted as Job; and he showeth that the prosperity of the foolish sinner is but momentary: adviseth Job to submit his cause to God; who doth wonderful things and unsearchable; against the evil, and for the good: and that he despise not the chastening of the Almighty; who then shall and will deliver and defend him, preserve and prosper him and his, chap. V. After Jobs answer to this; Then Bildad doth reprove him for it: doth justify God in his judgments: and that if Job will seek to him, and be upright, God, who doth confound the hope of the hypocrite, will prosper him, and fill his lips with rejoicing, chap. VIII. After Job's answer hereupon; Then Zophar reproves Job, more then the other did, for his former answer, as justifying himself more then God; showing that God exacts of him less then his iniquity deserved: that God and his ways are unsearchable: But if Job will pray unto him, and put away iniquity; then his future state shall become secure and glorious, chap. XI.

who can with-hold? ] Hearing such, [verse 2. 6.] and so impatient speeches.

Is not this ] This, as a touch-stone, shows that formerly they were but counterfeits. Thus Eliphaz unwittingly plays Satan's part, chap. I. 9, 10, 11. and II. 5.

Remember ] Give one instance, [verse 7] if thou canst, of any good man perishing by the hand of God, as thou art like to do. This, and many other speeches of Jobs friends, we must not take for Scriptural and Canonical truths; though some of their speeches be cited elsewhere in Scripture. True it is that they said thus, though all be not true that they said; specially their false charges against Job, and misapplying of things to him, chap. XLII. 7.

Lion ] Seven names of Lions in Scripture. [verse 10] Whereof see the Annotations on this text; and Buxtorfs Lexicon.

Now a thing ] A Vision, [verse 12—16.] or Preparation for the Revelation ensuing.

Shall ] The voice speaking, [verse 17—21.] or revelation itself. Now Eliphaz might misapply the speech of this Vision; as himself, and his companions did many other good grounds.

Loe ] There is no comparison between Angels and God, [verse 18] much less between man and God.

Saints wilt thou turn? ] [chapter V] [verse 1] To find a parallel for thyself, that any living Saint was ever so afflicted.

wrath ] Impatience in man; [verse 2] or wrath in God.

To set up ] This might serve as an encouragement to Job. [verse 11]

yea in seven ] From many, [verse 19] yea from all troubles. There are in the words following seven troubles reckoned up.

thou shalt know ] Now Promises of Blessings do follow; [verse 24] a comfortable state, and numerous posterity, a long life, and happy death.

Loe this ] Application of all to Job, [verse 27] to make use of it.

But Job answered ] Here I will sum up together his first Answers to each of the three friends; [chapter VI] [verse 1] as I did formerly their several first speeches to him. Here then, He aments the most woeful extremity of this misery which God inflicts upon him, so that his Complaints are not causeless; he wisheth that God would cut him off, and complaineth of the unpitifulnesse of his friends towards him, chap. VI. He reneweth the mention, and bemoaning of his miseries, as insupportable: he wisheth death: confesseth his sinfulness; and craveth pardon, chap. VII. He acknowledgeth man cannot contend with God; and that he will not answer God, or contend to justify himself, though he were righteous, which he is not; but makes supplication to his Judge. He saith, God destroys the perfect and the wicked; that his days are few; his sorrows are great; that God will not hold him innocent; that he cannot answer God; yet would willingly speak to him, if his rod, and terrors were taken away from him, chap. IX. He will speak to God and say, wherefor doest thou so contend with me; and search after my sin? Thou knowest I am not wicked: Thy hands have made me: If I be wicked, woe unto me; and if I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head; I am full of confusion; Thou huntest me as a fierce Lion: Oh that I had not been borne. Cease then, that I may take comfort a little before I die, chap 10. He reproves his friends for their pleadings against him: He knows what they know, and say, viz. That God doth all things in the governing of the affairs and states of men; even of the great ones. chap. XII. Again reproves his friends, as before; and checks them for pleading for God, in a wrong manner: bids them hold their peace; that he may speak: professeth his trust in God; his uprightness, void of Hypocrisy; and that he shall be justified: he desires of God to know his iniquity, for which he writeth such bitter things against him, Chap. XIII. He entreateth God for favor by the shortness of life, and certainty of death; though life once lost be irrecoverable; yet he waighteth for his change: he complains that God watcheth over his sin; and concludes that God prevaileth over man, chap. XIV.

Doth the wild Ass ] So neither do I complain, [verse 5] if I had not so great a cause as ver. 3, 4.

Can that ] Can it with any pleasure? [verse 6] much less if it be bitter, as mine afflictions are; and your unsavory words. So the application seems to be made in the next verse.

Cut me off ] His wealth and health were taken away before; [verse 9] now he desires that his life may be so.

not concealed ] But professed before others, [verse 10] his word and worship.

Is not ] Any help in me, [verse 13] and defense for me, against these evils, and your words?

Pitie should ] Here he strikes at Eliphaz; [verse 14] and continues on so to do to the end of this Chapter.

Tema ] That part of Arabia where the posterity of Tema, [verse 19] one of Ishmael's race, Gen. XXV. 15. did inhabit See Jer. XXV. 23.

Sheba ] In Arabia Felix, South from Judea; whose Queen came to Solomon. And whereof we read Psal. LXXII. 10. Isaiah XLIII. 3. and LX. 6. Ier. VI. 20. Ezek. VII. 22, 23. and XXXVIII. 13. These seem to be the posterity of Cush, by his fourth son Raamah, Gen. X. 7. The Ethiopians were no remote neighbors from them.

ye are nothing] Hebr. not, [verse 21] or, as the Masorets in the margin, to it; i. e. ye are like to that brook, ver. 15. See the like various reading, Ch. XIII. 15. Psal. C. 3. Isaiah LXIII. 9. Exod. XXI. 8.

to reprove words ] As if my speeches were words without matter, [verse 26] words of a desperate brainlesse man?

my righteousness is in it ] Ye shall find me no hypocrite, if ye consider better.

shall come up no more ] Into this world: [chapter VII] [verse 9] till the Resurrection, chap. XIV. 12. and chap. XIX. 26, 27.

I will complain ] Men in anguish think it some ease to complain. [verse 11] Grief kept in, like fire, burns the more.

Am I a Sea ] Too bold a speech from a creature to God, [verse 12] in this, and that which follows.

not depart from me ] To give me the least intermission of pain. [verse 19]

I have sinned ] Though not by hypocrisy; [verse 20] nor more then all others. Here he confesseth sin: And petitions for pardon, ver. 21.

How long ] He seems to cut off Job in his speaking; [chapter VIII] [verse 2] as not able to endure him longer to speak so much against God; so to charge him, and complain of him.

If thy children ] Sons; [verse 4] and daughters, chap. I. 18, 19.

If thou wert Wouldest be, [verse 6] as ver. 5, 7.

Though thy beginning was small ] After thy repentance. [verse 7] As indeed it was, chap. XLII. 11.

yesterday ] See the Observations on Deut. XV. 17. [verse 9]

Can the rush ] No more could Job's and his children's prosperity continue, [verse 11] because of their hypocrisy, without sound piety, which is the true nourisher of God's blessings. To which purpose he useth also the Similitude of a Spider, and of a tree, to set out the fleeting prosperity of ungodly men, such as he intimates Job and his children to be.

Arcturus] Job's skill in Astronomy. [chapter IX] [verse 9] And again, chap. XXVI. 7. 13. and in XXVII. 18. in some Translations. See the Annotations on Isaiah XIII. 10. And we see Astronomy in God's speech to Job, chap. XXXVIII. 31, 32, 33.

without cause ] High speeches against God, [verse 17] and impatient passages. As likewise, ver. 22.

should not ] An angry beginning likewise, [chapter XI] [verse 2] savouring of indignation.

I am clean in thine eyes ] Indeed no hypocrite, [verse 4] otherwise this is a false charge.

secrets of wisdom ] The hidden ways of his providence, [verse 6] wherein he walks in his dealings with mortal men.

wild Asses colt ] So foolish, [verse 12] so unable to comprehend the ways of God in his workings towards the sons of men.

the wicked ] Concludes with the misery of the wicked; [verse 20] surmising, or implying Job to be such an one.

ye are the people ] Ye all three. [chapter XII] [verse 2] This is an ironical scoff, with indignation. See the Observations on Josh. XI. 4. and on Amos IV. 4, 5.

who calleth upon God ] Either the mocked or mocker, [verse 4] calleth upon God.

answereth him ] The mocker; whereas Job himself, the mocked, is not answered.

of robbers prosper ] This Job proves at large. [verse 6]

earth ] This English word may seem to come from the Hebrew word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . [verse 8]

Doth not the ear ] So easy is this point of trial. [verse 11]

with the ancient ] This may relate to that, [verse 12] chap. VIII. 8, 9, 10. And indeed it should be so, chap. XXXII. 7. but is not always so, ver. 20. and XXXII. 9.

are his ] And subject to his authority and power. [verse 16]

girdle ] Bringeth them to a lower condition. [verse 18]

what ye know ] This relateth to chap. [chapter XIII] [verse 2] XII. 3.

to reason with God ] Rather then with his friends; [verse 3] he is weary of that. And he joins herein with Zophar in his wish, chap. XI. 5. because he could clear his own innocence, before him, who sees his heart; and that he is no hypocrite, ver. 16. as his friends take him to be, by God's harsh dealing with him.

of lies ] Against God, [verse 4] and me.

Hear now ] Bids them save their labor in speaking, [verse 6] unless it were to better purpose, ver. 5. And now hearken to him, and his reasonings, for God, against them, and in defense of himself.

mock him? ] Or seek to delude and beguile him; [verse 9] pleading his cause by bad arguments?

accept persons Though it be God's own person. [verse 10]

what will ] What ever become of me. [verse 13] Like that 2 Sam. XVIII. 23.

my flesh in my teeth? ] Grief and plagues enough to make me tear my flesh. [verse 14]

put my life ] Every moment be in danger to die.

yet will I trust ] Here the Cetib, [verse 15] or written in the text, is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 not: And so the Reading and rendering may rather be this, should I not trust in him? And thus the denying Interrogative is equivalent to an affirming Enunciative. The like may well be admitted, Isaiah XLIX. 5, 6. And there are sundry Interrogatives found in Scripture where the Negative is suppressed; as Job XX. 4. Gen. XXVII. 36. 1 Sam. II. 27, 28. 2 Sam. XXIII. 19. Jer. III. 6. and XXXI. 20. Ezek. XX. 30. Amos VI. 2. And the Masorets in like cases to this in Job, do usually adscribe 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , to him; as their Keri in the margin. And they use this liberty more in this one word, then in any other in the Old Testament.

before him ] To plead his cause with confidence, [verse 16] as I am ready to do.

I have ordered my Cause ] He prepares for his trial before God. [verse 18] I am ready to plead.

justified ] For the various significations of this word, see the Annotations here.

Only ] That he may have a fair trial. [verse 20]

then ] I will go on in my plea.

Then call thou ] He offers the choice to God, [verse 22] whether he will be Plaintiff, or Defendant: such is his confidence.

and answer thou me. ] This is too much for any man, or creature, to say to God. Yet the extremity of his case brings him to this extremity.

How many ] Here begins his Plea; [verse 23] and continues to the end of the next Chapter. Let me know my charge; and condemn me not before I be heard.

wherefore ] If no heinous cause be alleged. [verse 24]

break a leaf ] No honor to a Giant to break and bruise an infant. [verse 25]

a print upon ] Followest me step by step; [verse 27] not one step behind me; to mark my sins, to plague me, and prevent my escape.

woman ] In the Hebrew, [chapter XIV] [verse 1] hath her name from a man; as the first woman had her nature also.

And doest thou] Chap. VII. 17, 18.

me into judgment with thee? ] So great a God, [verse 3] to deal summo jure, most rigorously, with such a worm and wretch, and not to pity him; as if this were a main thing that God looked at in his providence.

who can ] Why then am I thus singled out? [verse 4]

Turn from him ] From plaguing him so sorely for sin, [verse 6] as now thou doest me.

hope of a tree ] But an impossibility after man's death, [verse 7] to return hither again, to enjoy any comfort here.

and where is he? ] No where among the living. [verse 10]

As the waters ] As the flood fed by those waters then decayeth; [verse 11] So, &c.

till the heavens be no more ] As now they are; [verse 12] but changed, at the Resurrection.

shall he live again ] As chap. XV. 11. [verse 14] and IV. 2. Gen. XVII. 17. a wonder it is; yet true.

Thou wilt have a desire ] Thus at that time it will appear; [verse 15] to Jobs comfort.

For now] Job concludes in a passionate fit, [verse 16] That yet now God deals strictly and harshly with him, and his sins.

the mountain ] The strongest creatures yield to thy power. [verse 18]

Thou prevailest ] Applies it to man, [verse 20] and God's prevailing power over him, and his hopes.

his soul ] For the various acceptations of this word, [verse 22] See the Annotations here.

Then ] Here begins the second onset of Jobs three friends. [chapter XV] [verse 1] Wherein being angered likely by some harsh words of Job, reflecting on them, they do only lay load upun him, as upon a wicked man; drawing ill Conclusions from his Passionate Speeches; and insisting upon it still, That so many, and great calamities, as fell upon him, befell to none but to ungodly men: But they afford him not one Exhortation to Repentance, or one comfortable promise, as formerly they had done, chap. V. 8, 17. and chap. VIII. 5, 20, 21. and chap. XI. 13,—19.

And Job, in his Replies, the more sharply reproves them for their inhumanity, and uncomfortableness towards him, in his distressed condition; which sad estate he still sets out copiously; and that it ought to move them the more to pity and commiseration. He refels their false position, whereupon they stood so much, viz. the Prosperity of the Godly, and the Punishment of the Wicked only; and shows, That many times the wicked greatly flourish, and the godly extremely suffer. And he refutes the slanderous imputations fastened upon him by reason of the strange grievousness of his afflictions; He asserts and defends his own innocence, and contends more eagerly for his integrity, against hypocrisy, then he did before: He comforts himself in the certain hope of a glorious Resurrection hereafter: and moves them to Repent of their ill and hard dealings against him.

and restrainest Prayer before God ] By thy ungodly speeches doest discourage men from Praying to God. [verse 4]

that we know not? ] See chap. XIII. 2. [verse 9]

what is man] Eliphaz doth but repeat the same argument which he used before, [verse 14] chap. IV. 17, 18, 19. And makes little against Job; who confesseth as much. And yet Bildad useth it again, chap. XXV. 4, 5.

unto whom ] Unto which wise worthy men God gave a continuance of undisturbed prosperity. [verse 19] And therefore their sayings not to be slighted.

The wicked ] Here follow those wise sentences, [verse 20] to the end of the Chapter. The same in substance he had said before, chapter IV. and V. But here are they more lively set forth.

and the number ] How long the Oppressor shall live.

He runneth upon him ] God sets fiercely on him, [verse 26] and his strongest armor.

dwelleth in desolate ] His luxury fore-runs his poverty. [verse 28] He shall not be rich, nor prosper; God will blast his endeavors: for all his vain confidence; as he showeth to the end of the chapter.

Though I speak] Job acknowledgeth that all those things had, [chapter XVI] [verse 6] and do befall him, which Eliphaz had said do befall wicked men: and he instanceth in divers particular afflictions, wherein, and whereby he complaineth of his misery, and the harsh and fierce dealings of God, and his friends, against him, to verse 17. Yet denies himself to be an ungodly man; and by arguments makes it good, from verse 17. to the end of the chapter.

a surety] Job would be glad of a Surety to be put in; [chapter XVII] [verse 3] to have some other, and not his friends, to hear him plead and maintain his cause.

astonied ] At this dealing of God with Job. [verse 8]

stir up himself ] For me, against the hypocrite; to clear me, and themselves, from such men: and make better use of mine afflictions; as in the verse following.

my hope ] He was sailed past the Cape of good hope, [verse 15] for any worldly prosperity: It shall lie down with him in the dust.

for thee] Bildad bitterly reproves Job, [chapter XVIII] [verse 4] for contemning them, and misbehaving himself.

the light of the wicked ] In a sharp and angry speech he lays out to the life the miseries of wicked men, [verse 5] in life, in death, and after death, to the end of this chapter. And so he doth but enlarge what he had said, chap. VIII. And seems to imply thereby that they had not charged Job unjustly, seeing him lie under such judgments, as God did not inflict but upon ungodly men. And here he deals not with him by exhortation, and promises; as there he did; but seems also to imply and threaten these judgments to Job, as unavoidable by him.

the first-borne of death ] The most terrible kind of death, [verse 13] that carrieth the principality above all other kinds of death; as the first-borne doth above all the brethren. And yet death itself, in what kind soever, is called in the next verse the King of terrors.

How long ] Here Job again blames his friends, [chapter XIX] [verse 2] ver. 2, 3.

And be it ] By a fresh commemoration of his miseries, [verse 4] wherein he chargeth God still too heavily, he moves them rather to a Compassion and Commiseration of him, to verse 23.

skin of my teeth ] Of my lips, [verse 20] or gums rather.

Oh that my words ] Fearing to find little comfort in his friends, [verse 23] he betakes himself to God, and comforts himself in an assured expectation of a joyful Resurrection.

But ye] Job admonisheth his friends to be well advised of their ill dealing with him; [verse 28] and to fear God's wrath; seeing the root of right and Religion is in Job, and will be found so in the end.

that the triumphing of the wicked is but short ] Being driven from that part of their argument, [chapter XX] [verse 5] That God did not use to give prosperity to wicked men; Zophar now insisteth upon this; That though it be so, Yet their Prosperity is but for a moment, or short; and ruin and destruction shall befall them. And this he pursues to the end of the chapter.

sweet in his mouth] Zophar seems to insist upon this similitude, [verse 12] to verse 23.

bow of steel ] Of the Bow, [verse 24] see the Annotations on Zech. IX. 13. and chap. X. 4. Here is mentioned a Bow of steel. And so Psal. XVIII. 34. such, it seems, were in use.

Wherefore do the wicked live] Job overthrows Zophars assertion of the short prosperity of wicked men in this world, [chapter XXI] and their sudden downfall; [verse 7] and shows their flourishing estate in themselves, ver. 7. in their children, ver. 8. in their families, ver. 9. in their wealth, ver. 10. in their pleasures, ver. 11, 12. in their life and death, ver. 13. yea though they were notoriously wicked men, ver. 14, 15. yet their counsel, and course is far from Job, ver. 16. And he shows that God doth oftentimes break off their prosperity; and plagueth them verse 17,—21. And that God deals both ways thus diversely with them, out of his unsearchable wisdom, whereunto we cannot reach, verse 22,—26. He concludes with an application of the premises to his own case; relating their false doom of him, and his, upon their false grounds, ver. 27, 28. And refelling the same, by the testimony of passengers themselves, and their better judgment, that many wicked men live and die prosperously, and peaceably, 29—33.

Then Eliphaz ] Here begins the third Onset, [chapter XXII] [verse 1] by Eliphaz, and Bildad, only. Wherein being convinced by Job of the falsehood of their grand plea and position; Eliphaz now doth charge him home with particular sins; tells him the justification of himself, and his righteousness, cannot be profitable to God; and Exhorts him to Repentance, with Promises of Mercy, chap. 22. And Bildad having little more to say, Concludes with this, That neither Job, nor any man can be justified with God; And therefore Job should not contend with God, as if he had done him some wrong in afflicting him more then was fitting, chap. 25.

And Job in his Replies, longeth yet to appear and plead before God, in confidence of his mercy. He asserts his innocence against Eliphaz; and promiseth to himself an happy issue, though for the present God do seem to him inexorable. He shows that God often winketh at many gross wickednesses committed by ungodly men, which God punisheth not in this world, but suffers them still to prosper and flourish, chap. XXIII. and XXIV. And checking Bildads impertinencies, He speaks more magnificently of God Power, and Wisdom, then Bildad had done, chap. XXVI. And seeing his three friends at a Non-Plus, He goes on the more confidently to maintain his Cause, and clear his own innocence, against hypocrisy. He acknowledgeth that God's judgments light on ungodly men in this world, and that their Blessings are turned into Curses; though not always, chap. XXVII. And this by God's wonderful wisdom, which passeth man's deepest wisdom, and is unsearchable, and carrieth things far above the reach of the wisest men; whose highest wisdom is to Fear the Lord, chap. XXVIII. And Job, it seems after some intermission of speech, finding his friends still silent, goes on, And in his last speech, bemoanes himself and excuseth his impatience, by his great fall from so great prosperity, chap. XXIX. to so great misery, chap. XXX. And for conclusion, He stands upon the clearing of his own integrity, much more then before. And that by a solemn Protestation of his uprightness, and piety in sundry several duties, without any gross wickedness committed by him, chap. XXXI.

for fear of thee? Lest thy wickedness should hurt him? [verse 4] or, thy fear of him and piety could help him?

Is not ] He chargeth Job home, and in particulars: [verse 5] But falsely.

old way ] Haply relating to the time of the Flood. [verse 15]

By the pureness of thine hands. ] God will not only do good to thee, [verse 30] but to others also for thy sake.

but he is not there ] I cannot so see and find him, [chapter XXIII] [verse 8] that I might reason with him.

in one mind ] To lay load on me. [verse 13]

that is appointed for me ] In his infinite wisdom, [verse 14] and irresistible will: he will not cease afflicting me till all be done.

cut off ] By death; [verse 17] God's Executioner.

Why ] Why may not God hide his times of punishing the wicked, [chapter XXIV] [verse 1] even from the knowledge of the godly themselves; that they could never observe that he punisheth many ungodly men, according to their deeds, in this world? The wicked make ill use of this; as thinking, God sees not, or cares not.

yet God ] Calls them not to account for their foolish sinful actions. [verse 12]

the way of the Vineyards ] He walketh not in those ways where men use to travel to their work, [verse 18] lest he should be seen and taken.

He evil entreateth ] The oppressor doth so in this, [verse 21] and in what followeth. Yet some understand it of God and his judgments upon the wicked; in this verse, and in those also that follow.

ears of corn. ] The not pronouncing this word rightly did cost so many Ephraimites their lives, [verse 24] Judge. XII. 6.

peace in his high places. ] [chapter XXV] [verse 2] In and above the heavens. No Angel doth or dare question or complain of his proceedings, much less should Job.

How] Job ironicaly taunts Bildad. [chapter XXVI] [verse 2]

Dead things] Job now makes a more majestical discourse of God's infinite power, and knowledge, [verse 5] seen in the works of creation, and administration, then Bildad had done; so that his speech was impertinent and needless.

crooked Serpent ] Some understand this of the Orbs; [verse 13] or of a fiery Meteor, called the flying Dragon; or of the Whale.

God liveth ] He further asserts and clears his own innocence against hypocrisy, [chapter XXVII] [verse 2] to ver. 11. These words are in the form of an oath.

will he delight himself ] Even in times of adversity? [verse 10] The hypocrite cannot. But Job doth so.

I will teach you ] Even that which you so much insist upon; [verse 11] and I confess; that is, God's judgments upon the wicked, and his turning their blessings into curses, many times, to the end of this Chapter.

Surely] Job shows how far man's wisdom goes, [chapter XXVIII] [verse 1] in natural things. He instanceth in his digging in mines, searching minerals, and finding out gold and precious things, to ver. 12.

But where shall Wisdom ] He puts a period to human wisdom; [verse 12] implying that it is not able to find out a reason of God's proceedings in his various dispensations, prospering some good and bad, and crossing others of both sorts: And he shows, that this wisdom cannot be found anywhere, ver. 13, 14. nor gotten by any price, ver. 15—19. by any living man, ver. 20, 21. But is proper to God, who alone hath it: and teacheth man a more humble wisdom, the best for him, ver. 23—28.

Mereover ] In this Chapter Job wisheth for his former prosperity, [chapter XXIX] which he sets forth at large; and his own upright, and pious behavior in it.

But now] Job bemoaneth his present misery; [chapter XXX] [verse 1] which is so much the greater, by considering such a Fall, from such an height of prosperity, to such a depth of misery. This misery he sets forth by injuries received from others, even most base people, in words, to ver. 10. in deeds, to ver. 16. by describing his own grief and pain by reason of his soars, to ver. 19. by God's rough handling of him; to ver. 25. by lamenting his woeful estate, and the sad effects of it, though not so deserved, as he conceives; to the end of the chapter.

I made ] In this Chapter Job most of all doth clear his innocence, [chapter XXXI] [verse 1] and the uprightness of his former life: Implying thereby, that these extraordinary plagues and punishments came not upon him for his extraordinary sins, or hypocrisy, as his three friends would needs have it. He clears himself in many main particulars, That he was clear from fornication; and Adultery; ver. 1,—12. from ill dealing with his servants, ver. 13, 14, 15. from unmercifulness to the poor; or wronging the widow, 16,—23. from trusting in riches, ver. 24, 25. from Idolatry, ver. 26, 27, 28. from desire of Revenge, ver. 29, 30. or unkindness to strangers; or hiding his own sins ver. 32, 33. or provoking and wronging others, ver. 34—37. or detaining other men's lands; or the hirelings wages, ver, 38, 39, 40. And he annexeth several solemn imprecations against himself, if all the premises were not so in truth.

or my mouth hath kissed my hand ] Kissing the Idols was Idolatry, [verse 27] 1 King. XIX. 18. Hos. XIII. 2. The Sun and Moon being at such a distance, could not be kissed; therefore Idolaters used to put their hand to their mouth, in a way and sign of their idolatrous Kissing and worshipping of them.

Oh that we had of his flesh ] The flesh of him that hated Job. [verse 31] Jobs domestics provoked him to take revenge on his hating enemies; professing, themselves could not be satisfied, no not though they had eaten them up quick. Yet Job free from any revenge.

of Job are ended ] Which he had with his three friends. [verse 40]

of Elihu] Elihu, [chapter XXXII] [verse 2] the Buzite, descended of Buz, the son of Nachor, Abraham's brother, Gen. XXII. 20, 21. who had been present all the while, taking occasion of the silence now on all hands used; and being partly offended at some things passed, on either side; He begins his speech; yet modestly excusing the necessity of it; And he continues it in six Chapters. He speaks to Jobs friends, by way of Preface, most for Attention chap. XXXII. To Job himself, after a like Preface, in four several Orations: wherein he repeats divers of Jobs sayings; yet with some strainings of some of them; and gathering Collections out of them; and so thereupon, blaming him; and answering them, ch. XXXIII. XXXIV. and XXXV. And in the XXXVI. and XXXVII. chapters, He seeks to allay Job's Complaints of God, with a magnificent setting out of God's justice, mercy, power, glory, and wisdom, which Job seemed to obscure by his bitter complaining of God's harsh proceeding with him. Elihu speaks more uprightly and wisely in this cause, then Job's three friends had done; As appears, in that he stopped Job's mouth, that he answers nothing, though he gave him liberty three or four times to speak; And God himself blames not him at all, as he doth the other three friends.

God thrusteth him down ] God by his judgments on him, [verse 13] gives sentence on our side, that Job is an hypocrite and wicked man: though none but God can thrust him down from his own immovable confidence; which God may haply do by the efficacy of his words in the mouth of Elihu; As in a like sense Joseph speaks, Gen. XLI. 16. And Daniel, chap. II. 28.

They were amazed ] Thus Elihu speaks of Job's friends; [verse 15] turning his speech to some other persons.

wherefore Job ] Now Elihu speaks to Job. [chapter XXXIII] [verse 1] And after a Preface first used, ver. 1,—7. He falls close to his work, in that which followeth.

surely thou ] Here Elihu begins to charge Job with undiscreet speeches, [verse 8] touching himself, and touching God, ver. 9, 10, 11.

I am clean ] This chardge seems gathered out of chap. X. 7. and chap. [verse 9] XVI. 17. and XXIII. 10, 11. and XXVII. 5. And yet elsewhere Job acknowledged his sinfulness.

Behold, [verse 10] he finds ] This seems gathered out of chap. IX. 17. and XIII. 24, 27. and XIV. 16, 17. and XVI. 9. and XIX. 11.

Behold, [verse 12] in this] Elihu's Confutation; from God's greatness, giving not account of any of his actions, ver. 12, 13. And therefore Job's expressions against God were too unsavory and irreverent: And from man's weakness, not apprehending God's ways of revealing his mind and will; nor God's aim and end in his proceedings with man; the issue, effects, and fruits of his chastisements; which he sets down in particulars, ver. 14,—28. And sums up all together, ver. 29, 30. And makes a Conclusion and application of this his first speech to Job, ver. 31, 32, 33.

Furthermore] Elihu's second speech to Job, [chapter XXXIV] [verse 1] in this Chapter, wherein the Preface is, ver. 1,—4.

Job hath said ] His charge against Job, and the heinousness of it; [verse 5] ver. 5,—10. This seems gathered out of chap. XIII. 18. and XXIII. 10. and XXVII. 2, 6. and XXXI. 1, &c. And again out of chap. IX. 22. and XXI. 7, 8. and XXX. 26. where he complaineth, that God had handled him like an ungodly man; and would not let him clear himself: And that God destroyed good men, as well as bad; and prospered evil men, and afflicted him so fearfully.

Therefore hearken ] His Confutation of Job, [verse 10] wherein he speaks to Job's friends, ver. 10,—15. to Job himself, ver. 16,—33. and to his friends again, ver. 34,—37. To Jobs friends, he argues against Job, from God's justice, ver. 10, 11, 12. And from God's absolute Authority and Power, ver. 13, 14, 15.

If now thou ] To Job himself; [verse 16] Coming closer to him; He proceeds here to new arguments, and seeks to convince Job of injury done to God, ver. 17,—31. That he injuries God, he argues from God's just government, ver. 17, 18. from the effects of it, upon Princes, ver. 19. upon whole Nations, ver. 20,—23. upon strong and stout men; With God's end in such proceedings, ver. 24,—30. Then he teacheth Job how to carry himself better, ver. 31, 32, 33. And lastly he turneth his speech to Jobs friends again; being confident of their consent with him, That Job hath spoken foolishly.

Elihu spake] Elihu's third speech; [chapter XXXV] [verse 1] and the shortest; in this Chapter.

Thinkest thou ] His charge against Job, ver. 2, 3. [verse 2] That in effect Job said, That the righteousness of his cause, [not person] was more then that of God's: which he would gather by consequence out of Job's words, ver. 3. and chap. IX. 22. and X. 15. See chap. XXXIV. 9.

I will answer] Elihu's Answer, [verse 4] and confutation of Job. He shows that Job's sin, or righteousness cannot either hurt, or help God, ver. 4,—8. that the Oppressed and afflicted cry; but not to God; and therefore he doth not deliver them, ver. 9,—13. And he applies this case to Job, ver. 14, 15, 16. Therein withal seeming to refute a saying of Job, ver. 14. taken out of chap. XXIII. 9. by averring; that God will judge; that Job should trust in him; that because he doth not so, God doth visit him in anger, though in the extremity of his affliction Job so well heeds it not; And so, vainly multiplies words, without knowledge.

Elihu ] This is Elihu's last speech, and largest; [chapter XXXVI] [verse 1] contained in this, and the next Chapter. And herein, after his Preface, ver. 2, 3, 4. He propounds to Job, and dilates upon God's Wisdom, Power, Justice, Mercy; the good he aims at in sending afflictions, ver. 5,—15. He applieth this last point to Job. telling him what might have been, if he had carried himself well in this affliction, ver 16. What is on him, because he did not, ver. 17. What will be, if he repent not, ver. 18,—21. He adviseth him to remember himself, what God is, in himself, and in his ways, ver. 22, 23. And in his works; in the Meteors of the air, the rain, the clouds, the lightnings, whereby he can work good to his, and hurt to his enemies; And whereby Job should be moved to magnify him, and his infinite wisdom, rather then to stand on his own innocence, and quarrel so much at his rigorous dealing with him, ver. 22,—33.

At this also] Elihu proceeds on to speak of God's works of Lightning and Thunder; [chapter XXXVII] [verse 1] haply the cracks of it then sounding, ver. 1—5. Of the Snow; storms; Whirle-wind; Frost; Clouds; And this either for correction, or for mercy. And that Job should weigh, and wonder at all this, ver. 1,—14. These natural things far surpass the knowledge of man: and much more God's strange and various proceedings with the sons of men: And therefore Job must not so censure God, though he be in such misery. And Elihu further pursueth this same point; with the use, and application of it, to the end of his speech, ver. 15,—24.

Then the Lord ] Here Jehovah himself, [chapter XXXVIII] [verse 1] out of a Whirle-wind begins to answer Job. And this continues in two majestical speeches; far beyond those of Elihu for matter, and manner. And herein by his manifold, and marvelous works chap. XXXVIII. and XXXIX. And particularly by his creatures, Behemoth, chap. XL. and Leviathan, chap. XLI. he convinceth Job of ignorance, and of impotency; and therefore that he should not take upon him to contend with God; to condemn God, that himself might be righteous. To each of which speeches there is adjoined Job's humble and penitent submission. And lastly the Lord prefers Job, and his Cause, before his three friends; Orders their Submission, and Sacrifice, and Job's Prayer for them; Accepts Job, and blesseth him, giving him as many sons and daughters, and twice as much in all particulars of his substance and wealth, as he had before, chap. XLII.

answer thou me.] Job had desired this more then once: And Zophar too, chap. XI. 5. [verse 3] Job had been right in the main; yet some rash, if not raging speeches, had escaped from him; complaining of God, and his justice, if not injustice, in his dealing with him. For which, as Elihu before, so Jehovah here more calls him to answer.

where wast thou ] Thou that takest upon thee to censure me, [verse 4] and my actions, in governing the world; the various dispensations and administrations of my Providence towards the sons of men, Tell me, Where wast thou when I made the world; the Earth, ver. 4,—7 • the Sea, ver. 8,—11. And need I thy counsel now in governing all? Hast thou caused and commanded the morning, and day-spring to know his place? ver. 12,—15. Knowest thou the springs, and depth of the Sea? the gates of death? the breadth of the earth? where light and darkness dwelleth? the treasures of the Snow, and Hail, ver. 16,—23? Knowest thou who causeth and ordereth the lightning and thunder; the Waters, and water-courses, the Rain; Yce; Profit? ver. 24,—30. And yet takest thou upon thee to know and censure the depth of my ways, and wisdom? Canst thou order the Influences, and Ordinances of heaven? Or call for and command clouds, and lightnings, and rain? or give wisdom to man? ver. 31,—38. Wilt thou hunt the prey for the Lion? or provide the Raven his food? If not these things; then much less order me, and my ways, and wisdom.

Knowest thou ] Having spoken of the Lion, [chapter XXXIX] [verse 1] and of the Raven; Jehovah adds more in this Chapter of the wild Goat; of the Hind, ver. 1,—4. Of the wild Ass, ver. 5,—8. Of the Unicorne, ver. 9,—12. Of the Peacock, and Ostrich, ver. 13,—18. Of the Horse, ver. 19,—25. Of the Hawk, ver. 26. Of the Eagle, ver. 27,—30. God shows his power in these; in making and ordering them; in his Provision for them, which men take no care for, nor cannot effect; in the extraordinary strength, and other qualities, which he hath bestowed upon them, in some whereof they far excel men. In all which particulars Job's weakness, and insufficiency doth more then sufficiently appear▪ And will Job then contend and debate his quarrel with God? this God? reprove him? or think to apprehend, or comprehend the invisible reasons of his proceedings?

Moreover ] Here the Lord calls upon Job to answer; [chapter XL] [verse 1] turns him over to his own desire. chap. 13. 22.

Then Job] Jobs Submission. [verse 3]

Once ] His sin is already too great, in speaking presumptuously against God's proceedings. [verse 5] He will do so no more.

Then ] Here the Lord proceeds yet further to press Job, [verse 6] and convince him, and humble him. Where, after his Preface, in this verse; and challenge in the next; He reproves him thus; Wilt thou disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous? ver. 8. Wilt thou be like God? ver. 9. Then do as he doth, ver. 9—13. And so God will confess it, ver. 14.

Behold now Behemeth ] The Lord bids Job consider of the Elephant; [verse 15] and of God's power in making such a creature, which he describes and sets forth, ver: 15,—24.

Canst thou ] The Lord doth further argue by an instance in Leviathan, [chapter XLI] the Whale; [verse 1] in this whole Chapter. And shows Jobs weakness to encounter and grapple with him by strength, ver. 1,—10. And applies it thus, Who then is able to stand before me? ver. 10, 11.

I will not ] Here follows a magnifical description of the Whale; [verse 12] of the particular parts and members of his body; and of his qualifications, and actions. All to the end aforesaid, ver. 10, 11. Yet Whales seem now-a-days to be by Art more easily caught and conquered, then they were in Jobs days.

Then Job ] Here Job makes a more full profession of his Repentance, [chapter XLII] [verse 1] ver. 1,—6.

have I uttered ] More then was fitting, [verse 3] in things so far above my capacity.

And it was so ] God's sentence upon Jobs three friends, ver. 7, 8, 9. [verse 7]

seven bullocks ] A great sacrifice for sin. [verse 8]

a burnt offering ] There is in Leviticus a difference between Burnt-Offerings, and Sin, and Trespass-Offerings; yet likely not known in Jobs time.

the Lord turned ] The restitution and restauration of Job, after all his misery, [verse 10] ver. 10,—17.

After this lived ] His age shows probably that he lived about that time of the Israelites being in Egypt. [verse 16]

Psalms.

P SALMES, Luke XXIV. 44. Or Book of Psalms, Luke XX. 42. Acts I. 20. is divided by the Hebrews into these five Parts: The first part ending with Psal. XLI. The second part, with Psal. LXXII. The third, with Psalm LXXXIX. The fourth, with Psalm CVI. The fifth, with Psalm CL.

The Division of them, from the Subject-matters of them, is very various. There are Psalms Laudatorie, of Praises; Gratulatorie, of Thanksgiving: Psalms of Supplications; of Deprecations; of Consolations; of Comminations; of Imprecations: There are Penetential Psalms; Psalms to teach; to give instruction; Psalms to bring to Remembrance, things past; Psalms Prophetical, of things to come: And many Psalms are mixed of many, or most of these matters. So as out of them, as out of a storehouse, every man may richly fit and furnish himself for all and every particular occasion, either public, or else private, according to his several conditions, in prosperity, or adversity, in all his devotions, and addresses to God; still finding his own estate in someone Psalm or other; These Psalms containing the very Anatomy of the soul, the characters and representations of the thoughts, meditations, affections, and workings of it, towards God, towards man, towards herself, throughout all the changes of her pilgrimage in this world.

The number of them is one hundred and fifty. The LXX. and vulgar Latin, do divide the ninth Psalm into two. And so their reckoning of the number doth constantly go on to exceed ours by one, unto the CXLVII. Psalm: which Psalm doth contain their CXLVI. and CXLVII. And so in the conclusion all agree in the same number of CL.

Of these, eighty two bear David's title. Whereof these are upon several special occasions, as appears in their Inscriptions▪ viz. the III. VII. XXX. LI. LII. LIV. LIX. LX. LXIII. And at Gath, before Achish or Abimelech, XXXIV. LVI. And when he was in the Cave, Psalm LVII. and CXLII. His Psalms of Prayer are Psalm 17. and 86.

Some are his Psalms, and yet without his name in the Title as Psal. II. Acts IV. 25. And Psal. XCV. Hebr. IV. 7. See also Psal. XCVI. and CV. and CVI. See 1 Chron. XVI. 7. and LXXII. 20.

Other Psalms, without David's name, which have special Titles, are Psalms XLV. LXXII. And, of or for Asaph, Psalms, L. LXXIII. to LXXXIII. See 2 Chron. XXIX. 30. Of, or for the sons of Korah, LXXXIV. LXXXV. LXXXVII. Of Heman, for the sons of Korah, LXXXVIII. Of Ethan, LXXXIX. Of Moses, XC. For the Sabbath, XCII. A Prayer of, or for the Afflicted, CII. Psalms of Degrees, CXX. to CXXXIV. Having Titles, are 125. The rest being XXV. the sixth part of the whole number, are without any Title or Inscription at all.

In the Titles we have the persons, by whom they were written; or for whom they were written; or to whom they were committed. And these last are either generally described, by their skill in Music; or more particularly named to be of the Choir or Posterity of Jeduthun, of Korah, or of Asaph.

In some we have also the Times when they were made; or when to be used. In some also their Quality and Excellencie. In some their Matter Subject, as of Prayer, of Deprecation, as Destroy not; of obtestation; of Gratulation or Thanksgiving; of Praise; of Instruction, and Doctrine; of Commemoration, or for Remembrance; of nuptial love.

The Music, either by voice, or instrument mentioned in some Titles, is but little known in our days; yet for the voice, some Psalms may seem to point to the Base, some to the Tenor, some to the Counter-tenor: And again, in some men's opinions, some Psalms do intimate that the voice should lead, and the instrument follow; as in those Titles 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 : Some, that the instruments should lead, and the voice follow; as in those Titles 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 But the truth is, That howsoever Selah in the Text, used some seventy times in this Book, and three times in that prayer of Habakkuk, chap. III. sometimes in the middle of a verse, but mostly in the end; may seem to be a Musical Note; And Neginoth to be an hand or stringed instrument; Shoshannim, of six strings; from Shesh, six, as Shalishim of three strings, 1, Sam. XVIII. 6. Sheminith, of eight strings; Nehiloth, a wind-instrument; Mahalath, likewise. And so other guesses may be made of other words mentioned in sundry Titles of sundry Psalms; as Shoshannim Eduth, Shushan Eduth, Mahaloth Leannoth, Muthlabben, Altaskith, Gittith, Alamoth, Hammagneloth, Aijgeleth Shahar, Jonath-Elem-rehochim: As also of Higgajon, Michtam, Maschil: All which belonging to those instruments, Music, or Poetry, then in use, now unknown, nor greatly material for us now to know, may admit of conjectural probabilities; yet no certainties can be had for the exact notions and significations of them.

Psalm XIV. and LIII. are much the same. And so again, Psalm LX. and CVIII. and Psalm XVIII. and 2 Sam XXII. are more the same. And Psal. CVIII. 1,—5. are the same with the end of the LVII. Psalm. And ver. 6,—18. are the same with the end of the LX. Psalm. Psalm XXV. begins each verse almost with the several letters of the Hebrew Alphabet, in order. And so in a manner doth the XXXIV. Psal. CXI. and CXII. begin each half verse with the letters of the Hebrew Alphabet, in order: save that the two last verses in both Psalms, take up three letters apiece, to fill up the number of the two and twenty letters of the Hebrew Alphabet. Psal. XXXVII. begins every second verse with the letters of the Hebrew Alphabet in order. Psalm CXIX. without David's Title, begins each of the first eight verses with the first letter of the Hebrew Alphabet: and each of the eight next verses with the second letter of the Hebrew Alphabet. And so continues along to the end of the Alphabet. Psalm CXLV. begins each verse with the letters of the Hebrew Alphabet; omitting only the letter Nun.

Some Psalms composed long before David was borne; as Psalm XC. Some long after he was dead; as Psalm LXXIV. LXXXIII. CXXVI. CXXXVII. Whereby it appears that the Psalms were put into the form and order they now have, after the return of the Jews from Babylon.

Some are set-forms, as Psalms XX. XXI. CII. CXXXVI. Isaiah XXVI. 1.

The Book of Psalms authentical with the Papists, and by them fathered upon Jerome, is confessed by him to be but a Translation out of the Greek LXX. not out of the Hebrew text. And the Popish Bonaventure ventures but badly when he substitutes the word Mary, or Lady, instead of Lord or God; and with some other alterations applies them to the Virgin Mary.

This Book of the Psalms is much cited in the New Testament: As doth appear in this Table following.

Psalms;	Alledged, or Alluded to in
2. 1.	Acts 4. 25.
7.	Acts 13 33.
	Hebr. 1. 5.
9.	Apoc. 2. 27.
	19 15.
5. 9.	Rom. 3. 13.
8. 2.	Matth. 21. 16.
4, 5, 6.	Heb 2. 6, 7, 8.
	1 Co. 15. 27.
10. 7.	Rom. 3. 14.
14. 2.	Rom. 3. 10.
16. 8—11.	Acts 2. 25—28. 31.
	13. 35.
18. 2.	Hebr. 2. 13.
49.	Rom. 15. 9.
19. 4.	Rom. 10. 1 • .
22. 1.	Matth. 27. 46.
	Mark 15. 34.
7, 8.	Matth. 27. 35, 39, 43.
16, 18.	Mark. 15. 24.
	Luke 23. 33.
	John 19. 23. 24. 34. 37
22.	Hebr. 2. 12.
24. 1.	1 Cor. 10. 26, 28.
31. 5.	Luke 23. 46.
32. 1, 2.	Rom. 4. 6, 7, 8.
34. 12—16	1 Pet. 3 10, 11, 12.
37. 11.	Matth. 5 5.
40. 6, 7, 8.	Hebr. 10. 5 6 7.
41. 9.	John 13. 18.
44. 22.	Rom. 8. 36.
45. 6, 7.	Hebr. 1. 8, 9.
49. 4.	Matth. 13. 35.
50. 12.	1 Cor. 10. 26.
51. 4.	Rom. 3. 4.
53. 1, 2, 3.	Rom. 3. 10, 11, 12.
62. 12.	Matth. 16. 27.
68. 18.	Ephes. 4. 8.
69. 9.	John. 2. 17.
	Rom. 15. 3.
21.	John 19. 28, 29.
22, 23.	Rom. 11. 9, 10.
78. 2.	Matth. 13. 35.
25.	John. 6. 31.
81. 12.	Acts 14. 6
82. 6.	John 10. 34.
90. 4.	2 Pet. 3. 8.
91. • 1.	Matth. 4. 6.
	Luke 4. 10.
94. 11.	1 Cor. 3. 20.
95. 8—11.	Hebr. 3. 7—11.
	4. 7.
97. 7.	Hebr. 1. 6.
102. 25, 26, 27	Heb. 1 10, 11, 12.
104 4.	Hebr. 1. 7.
105. 41.	1 Cor. 10. 4.
109. 8.	Acts 1. 20▪
110. 1.	Mat. 22. 43, 44.
	Mark 12. 36.
	Luke 12. 42.
	Acts 2. 34, 35.
	Hebr. 1. 13.
4.	Hebr. 5. 6.
	7. 16.
112. 9.	2 Cor. 9. 9.
116. 10.	2 Cor. 4. 13.
1 • .	Rom 3. 4.
117 1.	Rom. 15. • 1.
118. 6.	Hebr. 13. 6.
22, 23.	Matth. 21. 42.
	Mar. 12. 10, 11.
	Luke 20. 17.
	Acts 4. 11.
25, 26.	Matth. 21. 9.
132. 11.	Acts 2. 30.
17, 18.	Luke 1. 69, 70.
140. 3.	Rom. 3. 13, 14.
143. 2.	Rom. 3. 20.
	Gal. 2. 16.
144. 3.	Hebr. 2. 6.

In these Citations and Allegations, and Allusions, The Penmen of Scripture regard more oftentimes the sense and intent of the Text cited, then the precise terms, where the one swerves not much from the other, and what is in the words so read or implied, is of undoubted truth. And sometimes they cite not the entire Text, nor tie themselves to the precise words of the place, nor observe strictly the Order of them, as they lie in the Text; but pick only out of them so much as may serve for their present purpose; which in quotation of places is sufficient. So John XII. 40. Matth. IV. 15, 16. Ezek. XX. 7. And in Citations in the New Testament, the holy Penmen in some places follow the LXX. as then most in use in Synagogues, & Schools, publicly, & privately, though therein departing from the Hebrew, but yet only in matters of no concernment as to the present Allegation. Some are Accommodations only; when Prophesies besides their Litteral sense; have sometimes another in this sort affixed to them, To which when they are accommodated, they are said to be fulfilled, i. e. to have a more eminent accomplishment in a higher sense; As Isaiah IX. 1, 2. the great Light and comfort and deliverance from Sennaoherib, and out of Babylon, is accommodated, Matth. IV. 13,—16. to Christ's preaching the Light and comfort of the Gospel, and his deliverance of them from the bondage of Sin and Satan.

Blessed ] This is the main end man aims at. [chapter I] [verse 1]

Walketh not ] Some here observe a Climax, or treble Climax, gradation, or ascension, from the less and lower, to the greater and higher: And so there is indeed in the sins here mentioned: But not in the shunning and avoiding of sin, as some conceive. For so the first degree here mentioned seems to them to be the highest of the three, in that kind. And so the speech doth not ascend, but descend lower, in each degree. A true Climax is that Rom. VIII. 29, 30. And again, ver. 34. And Jer. XV. 5. The sense here agrees with David's words, Psal. XXVI. 4, 5.

He shall be like] Jer. XVII. 7, 8. [verse 3] Job VIII. 16, 17. Ezek. XIX. 10. and XXXI. 4. Psal. XCII. 12, 13, 14.

a tree ] No mind or mention here of the Palme tree, or allusion to the tree of Life in Paradise.

not so ] Thus are these words used, [verse 4] Gen. XLVIII. 18. Exod. X. 11. Num. XII. 7. Deut. XVIII. 14. Prov. XV. 7. Isaiah XVI. 6. repeated Jer. XLVIII. 30. Ephes. IV. 20. And in Matth. XX. 26. where Christ forbids not the exercise of Superiority among Christians, or among Ministers of the Gospel, or requires parity of authority among them; but saith, that those things, though good and lawful in themselves, yet have no place in, nor relation to, his spiritual Kingdom, which is in the soul.

not stand ] As Num. XXX. 5, 12. [verse 5] Josh. II. 11. and VII. 12, 13.

Knoweth ] Acknowledge and own; [verse 6] approveth, regardeth, rewardeth. As Exod. III. 7. Deut. XXXIV. 10. Psal. XXXI. 8. and XXXVII. 18. and CXLII. 5. and CXLIV. 12. Prov. XII. 10. Hos. XIII. 5. Matth. VII. 23. Rom. VII. 15. John X. 14. Job XXIII. 10. Prov. II. 8.

Why ] I his Psalm by many of the Ancients is joined to the former, [chapter II] [verse 1] as a part of it; And they take the former, as a Preface to this; or rather to the whole Book of the Psalms. But Saint Paul doth distinguish them, Acts XIII. 33. And the Church doth ascribe this Psalm to David, though it bear not his Title, Acts IV. 25. And in this Psalm David bears a Type of Christ, who is here more realy, properly, principally, and immediately intended. All which appears Acts IV. 25, 26. and XIII. 33. Heb. I. 5. and V. 5. So that the first and open sense points to David; the mystical and more abstruse to the Messias. And no doubt, but this, and such allusions more, were out of all question, even from the beginning so fore-cast, and appointed, as it were, by the holy Ghost.

Why ] The Psalmist demands, and wonders at the banding and conspiring of all, and all sorts of enemies, against David and his Kingdom typicaly, as did Saul, Ishbosheth, Abner, the Philistines, Jebusites, and others: But against Christ, and his Kingdom principally, as is the prime purpose▪ main scope, and intent of this Psalm, Acts IV. 25, 26. Mark III. 6. John XI. 53. Luke XIX. 14. Though all in vain, ver. 1, 2, 3.

The Kings] 2 Sam. VIII. and X. [verse 2] Chapters.

heavens ] 1 King. VIII. [verse 4] 27. Jer. XXII. 24. Psal. CXXXIX. 7. The King of heaven against those Kings of the earth, ver. 2.

laugh] And have them in derision, as Job XLI 29. dictum 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ; intelligendum 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . Psal. XXXVII. 12, 13. and LIX. 8. Prov. I. 26.

wrath ] No passion properly hath any place in God's will. [verse 5] It is not in him, but without him; not in his affection, but in his act. These expressions are but condescensions to the weakness of our capacities, Psal. LXXVI. 6,—9. and CIV. 32.

yet have I ] God the Father who makes and orders all earthly Kingdoms, [verse 6] Dan. IV. 14. and II. 21. and VII. 14. Ezra I. 1.

my King] Prov. VIII. 22,—30. Acts II. 36.

Zion ] See the Observations on Deut. III. 9. and on 1 Chron. XI. 5. See Psal. LXXVIII. 68. and LXVIII. 17. and CXXXII. 13. and LXXXVII. 2. Isaiah II. 2, 3, 4. and IV. 4.

I will declare] David typicaly; [verse 7] Christ principally who is in the bosom of the Father, the Word and Wisdom of the Father.

The Lord hath said] Hebr. V. 5. Psal. CX. 1.

my son ] Not as holy men. Princes, David, or Angels are called the sons of God, John I. 12. Jer. XXXI. 9. Psal. LXXXII 6. Job I. 6. But in a peculiar manner far above all these, Hebr. I. 4, 5, 9. not by adoption or grace, but by nature.

This day ] Relates to his Nativity, as man; not to his Divinity, as God. And as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , he is called the Son of God, Luke I. 35. Heb. I. 5. And that raising up of Jesus, Acts XIII. 33. relates to this Exhibition of him in the flesh, mentioned also, ver. 23. That other raising him from the dead speaks plainly of his resurrection from the grave, Acts XIII. ver. 34,—37. Rom. I. 4.

have I begotten thee ] Not relating here to his eternal generation as the Son of God, the second Person and Hypostasis in the Trinity: But to his gigniture 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , when he revealed him to the world.

Ask of me ] God Decrees, [verse 8] as the End, so the Means. As Ahasuerus to Ester, chap. V. 3. And Herod to the daughter of Herodias, Mark VI. 23. And God himself to Solomon, 1 King. III. 5. So, and much more here God the Father to Christ his Son, the Mediator. Thus Christ asked and prayed, in the days of his flesh; and was ever heard in whatsoever he asked, according to the nature of his asking, John XI. 22, 42. Heb. V. 7. John XVII. 9.

and the uttermost] Psal. XXII. 29, 30. Heb. I. 2. Dan. II. 44.

them ] Thine enemies, [verse 9] ver. 1, 2, 3.

rod of iron] Isaiah XXX. 14. Jer. XIX. 11. See the actual execution, Apoc. II. 26. and chap. XII. 5. and XIX. 15. Isaiah XI. 4.

Be wise ] Take better counsel then that, [verse 10] ver. 2; use better wisdom.

now] Heb. V. 7. Prov. V. 7. and VII. 24. and VIII. 32. Isaiah XLIV. 1. Delay is dangerous.

Kings] Ye, ver. 2.

serve ] Kings; [verse 11] and all other yet enemies serve him, Luke I. 74, 75. Psal. CXVI. 16.

with fear ] A filial fear, which is joined with joy, Psal. C. 2.

rejoice with trembling ] These two also are coëxistent; joy, Rom. XIV. 17. Ps. IX. 2. 14. Phil. IV. 4. Trembling, Phil. II. 12. The regenerate man is a kind of mixed person; hath, as Rebecca, two struggling in him.

Kiss ] A sign, [verse 12] of Love amongst equals, Gen. XXXIII. 4. 1 Sam. XX. 41. Rom. XVI. 16. 1 Cor. XVI. 20. Of Subjection in inferiors, Gen. XLI. 40. 1 Sam. X. 1. Prov. XXIV. 26. Of religious adoration, 1 King. XIX. 18. Job XXXI. 27.

the Son] 1 John II. 23. John V. 23.

lest he be angry] Gen. III. 3. Certainly he will, ver. 5. 2 Thes. I. 8. Apoc. VI. 16, 17.

and ye perish from the way ] The way of happiness; you, and your way perish, Psal. I. 6. or your way of combination against Christ, ver. 1, 2. or in the way of your conceited peace and secure prosperity.

Blessed] Apoc. XIX. 9. Rom. IX. 33. John III. 36.

ten thousands of people ] And likely more now gathered against him, [chapter III] [verse 6] by means of Absalom. Most of David's Psalms in order of time go before this Psalm.

my glory ] The glory of my Kingdom which God hath promised me, [verse 2] and whereunto he hath anointed me.

godly ] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , [chapter IV] [verse 3] In an active signification. Whence the Asideans, 1 Macc. 7. 13. 2 Macc. XIV. 6. may seem to have their name. And whence the Pelican hath the name of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , from the pious benignity it shows, as to her young ones, so to her dam when over-grown with years, as some write. And from her Greek name 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ariseth the Greek Proverb 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , to denotate a retribution and recompensation of pious duties, offices, and benefits, such as the Pelican useth. The same word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , is taken also and used by some for the Stork, as Jer. VIII. 7. the Stork having the like pious benign properties and qualifications.

stand in awe and sin not] Ephes. IV. 26. [verse 4] Be anrgy, and sin not. And that sense the word here used will bear; David speaking thus to his friends; Let not your indignation, and just resentment of these scandals and confusions in my sufferings, proceed to a sinful murmuring against God; but consider of it wisely in your most retired thoughts, and be silent, contented, and quiet.

into thy house ] [chapter V] [verse 7] So far as it was lawful for David.

toward thy holy Temple ] And so David, Psal. XXVII. 4. and XXIX. 9. and LXV. 4. and LXVIII. 29. and CXXXVIII. 2. And yet in David's days the Temple was not built. He minded that which after his days he knew presently should be: And mean time he stiles the Ark, or Tabernacle, by the name of the Temple. See the Observations on Exod. XXXIII. 7.

rebuke me not] Psal. [chapter VI] [verse 1] XXXVIII. 1.

heal me] David was in some soar sickness at this time. [verse 2]

bed to swim] See the Observations on Josh. XI. 4. [verse 6]

If I have done this ] Whereof Cush Saul's Courtier or Favorite, [chapter VII] [verse 3] one of his Tribe, doth falsely accuse me.

return thou on high ] To ascend, [verse 7] and set thyself on thy high tribunal and judgment-seat, 1 Kings X. 19. And this; to judge for me; and against Cush; as it followeth in the rest of the Psalm.

Out of the mouth] This is alluded to Mat. [chapter VIII] [verse 2] XXI. 16.

What is man ] This, [verse 4] and ver. 5, 6. are applied to Christ by the Apostle, Heb. II. 6,—9. 1 Cor. XV. 27. Ephes. I. 22. so taking in both Christ the head; and mankind, specially the faithful, as members; showing thereby that mysticaly and propheticaly in these words is intimated the humiliation and exaltation of the man Christ Jesus.

O thou enemy ] A kind of scoff and derision, [chapter IX] [verse 6] whereby David upbraids him for his bloody designs and threats.

Know thy name will ] Know experimentaly, [verse 10] practicaly, verse 20. in all their hearts, and souls; in themselves; as the phrases of Scripture are, Josh. XXIII. 14. 1 Sam. VI. 9. Heb. X. 34. Of this knowledge is that John XVII. 3. and 1 John II. 3, 4, 5. and chap. III. 19 24. and chap. IV. 6, 7, 8, 13. and chap. V. 2. 18, 19. 20. Noëtical, speculative knowledge, swimming only in the brain, and not sinking into the heart, is none of this knowledge.

till thou find none ] Rid the world of them, [chapter X] [verse 15] and their sins, at once.

flee a bird] 1 Sam. [chapter XI] [verse 1] XXVI. 19.

If the foundations ] In Church and Kingdom. [verse 3]

what can ] He help; but suffer in such a general ruin?

The fool] Psal. [chapter XIV] [verse 1] X. 4. and LIII. 1. The three first verses of this Psalm are by Saint Paul applied to all mankind in general, in the state of the Fall, and natural corruption, Rom. III. 10, 11, 12.

usury ] Of this see Exod. [chapter XV] [verse 5] XXII. 25. Levite. XXV. 36, 37. Deut. XXIII. 19, 20. Neh. V. 17. Levite. XXVIII. 8. And the Annotations on Ezek. XVIII. 8. and XXII. 12, 13. Mat. XXV. 27.

that hasten ] Or give gifts to another god. [chapter XVI] [verse 4] See Ezek. XVI. 33, 34. The true God needs them not, ver. 2. But false gods do; which gifts do redound in the end to the damage and sorrows of the givers.

their drink-offerings of blood ] Their Offerings and Sacrifices of man's blood. The drink-offerings to the true God, were of wine, according to his Law, Num. XV. 5. But Idolaters instead thereof did many times offer man's blood. Paul's readiness to be offered, Phil. II. 17. 2 Tim. IV. 6. imports no more then his willingness to die and spend his blood, for Christ's cause, and the good of his Church and people.

their names ] See the Observations on Josh. XXIII. 7.

I have set the Lord] Acts II. 25,—31. [verse 8] and XIII. 35,—37. David speaks here of himself, in this regard, as having Christ in his loins, in a Prophetical spirit relating to Christ.

right hand] Psal. CIX. 31. & CX. 5. & CXXI. 5.

not be moved] Psal. CXVIII. 6. CXXXV. 1. Rom. VIII. 31, &c.

my glory] My tongue, [verse 9] Acts II. 26. Psal. XXX. 12. and LVII. 8. and CVIII. 2. Gen. XLIX. 6.

my flesh also] As Rom. VIII. 19. 21.

my soul in hell ] A Prophesy of Christ's Resurrection. [verse 10] David speaks here in the Person of Christ.

Soul ] Sometimes is taken properly, sometimes improperly, for the whole person of man, Gen. XIV. 12. Acts XXVII. 37. sometimes for the life of the person, sometimes for the body, Gen. XVII. 21. sometimes for the dead carcass, Levite. XIX. 28. and XXI. 1, 2. Num. VI. 6. and V. 2, 9, 10. Hag. II. 14. And so 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is taken also. Here, my soul, i. e. myself.

hell ] the Hebrew 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is taken for the grave, Psal. CXLI. 7. and LXXXVI. 13. and XXX. 13. and LV. 15. Gen. XXXVII. 35. and XLII. 3. 1 Kings II. 6, 9. Num. XVI. 30. Jonah II. 1, 2. Not for a place of souls under the earth. See Doctor Rainolds, Praelect. 81. & 82. upon the Apocryphal books: and Robert Parker upon Christ's Descent into hell; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is taken for death, or the state of the dead: for the place invisible; for the grave, in relation to the body, Acts II. 27. And in relation to the soul, for heaven to the godly soul, as in our Creed; and for Hell, to the soul ungodly; and so most usually. Christ's soul did not descend to the lower parts, or that imaginary place of Limbus Patrum. This place here meant is a place of punishment, and therefore it is mentioned as a mercy, that Christ was thence delivered; Christ's soul was not therefore there in triumph. The scope of the Apostles in citing this place is not to deal about the deliverance of Christ's soul out of Hell, but punctualy of Christ's Resurrection: They infer nothing else out of this Text. But Resurrection is properly of the Body, not of the Soul. Gehenna is sometimes taken for the Grave; and most-times further, for Hell itself. The true meaning and sense of the Article of Christ's Descent into Hell, as the Latins very improperly translate the words, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , seems to be thus rendered rather, he went into the place of invisible souls: and to be understood of Christ's Soul; for his body remained in the Grave; And his soul in that interim to pass to the place of souls; to Heaven or Paradise; as the souls of the godly did, and his principally. As the souls of the wicked went to Hell. For 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 as a general name doth certainly and evidently signify both places. And thus the Articles go on methodicaly, without any tautology; That after Christ's death, his body was buried in the Grave, his Soul went to the place of blessed souls; and the third day, both soul and body were reunited in his Resurrection. This verse then, and two before, and one following, are most properly meant of Christ, and of his Resurrection. Acts II. 25,—28, 31. and XIII. 35, 36, 37.

Thou wilt show me] Experimentaly.

me ] Christ spea • s of himself.

the path of life ] Of glory after his Resurrection. [verse 11] All this true of Christ the head; and in and by him, true also of David, of all his members. Christ's Resurrection, and Glorification is the beginning of ours; he the Author, and means of it to us; in our first Resurrection here by Regeneration, to the life of Grace; whereby Christ lives in us, Gal. II. 20. He in us, and we in him by Faith, Ephes. III. 17. Rom. I. 17 And in our second Resurrection, to the life of Glory; as follows in. this verse.

In thy presence ] Before thy face; in the light of thy countenance. See Gen. XXXII. and Exod. XXXIII. 14, 15. Num. VI. 23. Psal. IV. 6. and XXXI. 16. and LXXX. 3. Deut. XXXIV. 10. Isaiah VI.

fullness ] Yet all the former but in part, whiles we are in the way; in fullness, when we come to our country, or heavenly Canaan, Job XIX. 26, 27. 1 John III. 2. 1 Cor. XIII. 12. Matth. V. 8. And yet this beatifical Vision of God in glory shall be to our fullness; not to his. The fullness of his infinite Essence, by any created power of Saint, or Angel by the eye of flesh, though glorified, or by the intellectual eye of a soul or spirit glorified cannot be seen, 1 Tim. VI. 16. But to our fullness, as far as creatures are capable of, our vessel thrown into this infinite Sea, shall be brim full, though it contain not all this Ocean, Psal. XVII. 15. And how great then shall this fullness then be, when of things in this kind revealed of God to his Apostles in this life, by his Spirit, the Apostle so speaketh, as we read, 1 Cor. XI. 9. out of Isaiah LXIV. 4? This is a fullness beyond all that of Faith, and Hope, a fullness that fills up all desires, a fullness of fruition, of satisfaction, without satiety. Apoc. III. Consider that saying of the Queen of Sheba, 1 King. X. 8. and of the Disciples at Christ's Transfiguration, Mat. XVII. 4.

At thy right hand] And by thy right hand, Psal. XX. 7. LXIII. 9. CXVIII. 16.

for evermore ] Without which eternity there were no true felicity.

right ] My plea for my righteous cause; [chapter XVII] [verse 1] my righteous cause and complaint, ver. 2.

I am purposed] Psal. XXXIX. 1. [verse 3]