Observations Upon the Old Testament, Commentary · Genesis
Genesis.
GENESIS Containns an History of 2369 years; from the Creation of the World, and Adam; to the death of Joseph.
The Day of 24 hours, book I called Day, verse 5 Numb. 8. 17. begins here at Evening, Chap. I. v. 5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31. And so Exod. XII. 18. and Levit. XXIII. 32. And hence, in Daniels time, it is called the Evening-Morning. foreign, Dan. VIII. 14, 26. 2 Cor. XI. 25. Yet the Account sometimes seemes to begin in the Morning: as vulgarly with us, and many other Nations. And may seeme so also, in some kinde of reckoning with the Jewes; out of Num. XXVIII. 3, 4. And so in the dayes of our Saviour, out of Matth. XXVI. 17, 20. and XXVIII. 1. Mar. XVI. 1, 2. Luke XXIV. 1. John XX. 1, 19. Unlesse we take the day there for the time of Light contradistinguished to Darknesse; as it is, 2 Sam. I. 12. Divers other Nations did begin their day diversly; Some with Sunne-rising; some at the setting; some at mid-night, as Astronomers with us usually do. And whereas our Saviour seemes to some to keep his last Passeover a day before the Jewes, out of John XVIII. 28. and XIX. 14. Unlesse by Passeover there we understand the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which immediately succeeded the Passeover, or Paschal Lamb, Levit. XXIII. 5, 6, 7, 8. and not the Passeover it self; or both, as Luke XXII. 1. yet supposing he did so; both upon the former diversities of accompts, may be said to keep it on the XIV. day at Even: Our Saviour rightly reckoning the Beginning of the day, from the Evening: And the Jewes then reckoning it amisse, as vulgarly, and the Romanes then did, from the morning following. But all this is only tendered to consideration. And yet this rather then that Jesus should not be said to eate the Passeover at that time; But onelyonly a like thing, which they please to conceive, and call, without all ground save their own imagination, a commemorative Passeover, commemorative of that which was to be kept the next day.
Eden] A Region in Mesopotamia or Chaldea, chapter II verse 8. 3. Acts VII. 2, compared with Gen. XI. 31. It signifies Delicacy or Delight, Psal. XXXVI. 8. Esay XLVII. 8. In the Eastern part whereof, and not onelyonly Eastward from Jurie was this Garden planted. See Esay XXXVII. 12. Ezek. XXVII. 23.
Ethiopia] Heb. Cush, Called so from the sonne of Cham, verse 13 or Ham, ch. X. 6. 1 Chron. I. 8, 10. The Ethiopians or Cushites seeme first to inhabite some parts of Arabia, on the North-side of the Red Sea: And after to settle themselves on the South-side of it, and South of Egypt; whence we read in Authors of the Asian and African Ethiopians. And in Scripture we reade of Zerah their King, who came out against Asa, with the hughest hoast that Gods Word doth mention, 2 Chron. XIV. 9. And of Tirhakah that came forth against Sennacherib, Esay XXXVII. 9. Of Candace the Queen, Acts VIII. 27. Of those two great and good Eunuchs, Proselytes; the one Jeremies deliverer, Jer. XXXVIII. and the other baptized by Philip, Acts VIII. 27,—39. And of Zipporah the wife of Moses Num. XII. The Ethiopians were kinsmen and allies to the Egyptians; coming both of Cham; near neighbours and confederates, Esay XVIII. 1. and XX. 4. Jer. XIII. 23. and XLVI. 9. Ezek. XXX. 9. See more in the Annotations on Jer. XIII. 23.
A Tree is mentioned, and the Fruit of it. verse 16 And so, v. 17. and ch. III. 1, 2, 3, 6. But the Apple-tree, or what kinde of Tree, is not specified.
Cherubims] And so, chapter III verse 24 Num. VII. 89. 1 Sam IV. 4. 1 King. VII. 29. Esay. XXXVII. 16. Ezek. X. throughout that Vision; and ch. XLI. 18. Heb. IX. 5. and in sundry other places. And in like sort we have the word Seraphims, Esay VI. 2, 6. And this for expression-sake of our English plural by the letter (s): whereas the words might have been rendered Cherubs and Seraphs, or Cherubim and Seraphim; that being the termination plural in the Original Hebrew; as also in the Chaldee, and Syriak. And so is rightly left out in the word Baalim, in all places. Of Cherubin see my Annotations on Ezek. IX. 3. and X. 1, 3,—10, and v. 14,—22. and XI. 22.
Offering] Offering is here mentioned. chapter IV verse 3 And so v. 4. Called Sacrifice, Heb. XI. 4. And as this; so other nominated Mosaical and Levitical Rites and Ceremonies, were in use before the times of Levi, and Moses. As,
2. Beasts, and Fowles, clean and unclean; at the time of the Flood; ch. VII.
3. Priests, Altars, Burnt-Offerings, Drink-Offerings, VIII. 20. and XIV. 18. and XXII. 13. and XXXV. 14.
4. Eating of Blood forbidden, ch. IV. 4.
5. Oile in use for Consecration; XXVIII. 18. and XXXV. 14.
6. Marrying the brothers widow, to raise up seed to the brother deceased; ch. XXXVIII. 8, 9, 26.
Called his name] Names afterwards usually imposed at the time of Circum…sion; verse 25 as appears, partly in Abraham; plainly in John the Baptist, and others. By the Jewes some of Gods Titles were many times inserted into the Composure of the names of their children, as plentifully appears. And the maner of many Heathens was to impose, or insert the names of their Idols and Pagan Deities upon, or into the names of their children, and of their Kings and Favourites, Rom. XVI. 1, 14, 15. 1 Cor. I. 12. 1 Thess. I. 1. And hence we have among the Babylonians, from their Idols, Bel, Nebo, and Merodach, these Names, of Belteshazzar, Dan. I. 7. and IV. 8. and Belshazzar, Dan. V. 1. And Merodach-Baladan, Esay XXXIX. 1. and Evil-Merodach, 2 Kings XXV. 27. And Nebonatsar Na…opolatsar, and Nebuchadnetsar. And in the same names are many times a change of letters, like letters put some times one for another; as Merodach is called Berodach, 2 King. XX. 12. As Dibon the name of a Citie, Numb. XI. 30. is called Dimon, Esay XV. 9. And Nebuchadnezzar is written also in Scripture Nebuchadnetsar, Ier. XXII. 25. and Nebuchadrezzar, and Nebuchadretzer, Ier. XXI. 2. and XXIV. 1. Sometimes letters, or syllables are transposed, and left out, and added: And so there is much variation in one and the same name: Esaias is called also Ieshajah, and Ieshajahu; Hezekiah is called and written Ezekias, Chiskijah, 2 King. XVIII. 1. Chiskijahu, XXXVI. 1. Jechiskijab, Micah I. 1. Iechiskijahu, Esay I. 1. Iehojacin is called also Iechoniah, Iechonias, Coniah, Conijahu. I omit others not much unlike. Yea sometimes in Scripture divers men have divers dissonant names; some 2, some 3, as 1 King. XV. 2, 10. compared with 2 Chron. XI. 20. and Ch. XIII. 2. And as further may be seene at large in the Great Annotations upon 1 Chron. III. 1, 15, 16. and VI. 1, 20, 24. and VIII. 5, 33. and Ch. XI. and Ch. XVIII. 10, 16. and Ch. XX. 7. And divers places have two several names; as in 2 Sam. VIII. 8. compared with 1 Chron. XX. 4. And many others.
Adam] chapter V verse 3 Adam lived to the 243 year of Methuselah.
Seth] Seth was borne in the 130th year of Adams age, And so likely soone after the murder of Abel by Cain. In which space of near 130 years, so many might be borne, as might justly occasion that speech of guilty Cain, Every one that findeth me shall slay me.
Enoch] Enoch lived so many years before his Translation, verse 23 as we have dayes in our year, viz. 365. And his Prophecie mentioned, Jude v. 14, 15. is not intimated in the Old Testament.
Methuselah] Methuselah lived to the 98 year of Shem. verse 27
Methuselah] Methuselah the longest liver, verse 27 died in the beginning of the year of the Flood, as appears by the Chronology of the times and years of those ten Patriarchs; Ch. V. and VII. 6.
Noah] Of Noah's sonnes, verse 32 Japhet was the eldest, Shem the second, and Cham the youngest, Gen. VII. 1. and IX. 24. and X. 21. and XI. 10.
Shem] Shem was two years younger then Japhet, verse 32 Ch. V. 32. and VII. I. and Ch. XI. 10. and lived to the fiftieth year of Isaac. And so Shem is the onelyonly person in Scripture that lived to see his posterity of the tenth generation. And seemes to be Melchizedech, Gen. XIV. 18. Heb. VII. I. &c.
These 120 years, verse 3 c. VI. 3. begin 20 years before Noah had any children.
Cubits] Of Cubits, chapter VI verse 15 which measure the Ark, see my Annotations on Ezek. XL. 5.
Flood] These 150 dayes c. chapter VII verse 24 VII. 24. from the begnning of the Flood on the second monethmonth, 17 day, c. VII. 11. to the Resting of the Ark on the seventh monethmonth, 17 day, XIII. 4. do shew those monethmonth to consist of 30 dayes apiece. And the number of the moneths cannot be doubted of. Here is mention made of the 1, 2, 7, 10. Which shews the year to differ little from ours now.
Noah] Noah lived 950 years, chapter IX verse 29 c. IX. 29. being born in the 1056 year of the World; and dying in the year 2006. two years before Abraham was born; He so lived to see his children or posterity of the ninth generation.
Iles] Iles are taken, chapter X verse 6 not onelyonly for Ilands properly, compassed about with Sea, or water; but for Countreys also lying on the Seacoasts, as Jer. XXV. 22. Ezek. XXXVII. 3, 15. Esay XX. 6. And sometimes for Ilands likewise, being remote and transmarine parts, as Esay XLII. 1, 5. and XLII. 4, 10. and XLIX. 1. and LI. 5. and LX. 9.
Babel] See my observations on Dan. verse 10 IV. 30.
Sidon] Sidon, in Hebrew Tsidon, verse 19 called the great City, Josh. XI. 8. and Ch. XIX. 28. Ancienter by much then Tyre. See my Annotations on Zech. IX. 2.
Arphaxad] Mans life halfed, chapter XI verse 13 or thereabouts, at the time of the flood, XI. 11. &c. compared with Ch. V. And again shortened about another half at the building of the Tower of Babel, X. 25. and XI. 19. And well-nigh the third time, between the times of Abraham and Moses, XXV. 7. Psal. XC. 10.
Abram] Abram borne, verse 26 not in the 70, but in the 130. year of Terah, Gen. XI. 32. and XII. 4. Acts VII. 4.
Ur] Ch. XI. 31, 32. verse 31 and Acts VII. 2, 3, 4. shew Ur to be in Mesopotamia, and Abram to be called there. And after Terahs death at Haran, then he had a new Call, Gen. XII. 1. And else the Hebrew Perasha upon Terahs death, Ch. XI. 32. had been unfit.
Egypt] Egypt, chapter XII verse 10 In Hebrew Mitzrajim, or Misraim. So called from the sonne of Ham of that name, Gen. X. 6. whence also it is called, the Land of Ham, Psal. CV. 27. and CVI. 22. It is called also Rahab, Esay LI. 9. from her pride and power, Esay XXX. 7. Ezek. XXX. 6. It is the ancientest Kingdom that we read of; except it be the Kingdome of Assyria, by Cush, the other sonne of Ham, Gen. X. 8.—12. The Kings of Egypt mentioned in Scripture, are Pharaoh (which after seemes to be a common name to their Kings; as Ptolomie, whence Bartholomew that is Bar-Ptolomie, the son of Ptolomie, was to them in the times of the Macedonian or Greekish divided Empire) or many Pharaohs; as in the dayes of Abraham, Gen. XII. 15. Of Jacob and Joseph, Gen. XXXVII. 36. and Ch. XLI. 1. and XLVI. 5. & L. 4. Of Moses, Exod. I. 11. and Ch. XVIII. 10. Heb. XI. 24. Of Solomon, 1 King. III. 1. Shishak is the name of the King of Egypt in Solomons time, and in Rehoboams time, 1 King. XI. 40. and Ch. XIV. 25. 2. Chron. XII. 2, 9. So, a Kings name of Egypt in Hoshea's time, 2 King. XVII. 4. Pharaoh in Ezekiah's time, 2 King. XVIII. 21. Pharaoh Necho (deemed to be the sonne of Psammetichus) in Josias his time, and in Jehojakims time, 2 King. XXIII. 29. and Ch. XXIV. 7. Jer. XLVI. 2. Pharaoh. and Pharaoh-Hophra, in Zedekiahs; and in the Prophet Ezekiels time, Jer. XXXVII. 5, 7, 11. and XLIV. 30 Ezek. XXIX. 2, 3. and Ch. XXX. 21. and Ch. XXXI. 2. and Ch. XXXII. 2, 31.
Sarai] Sarai fair; verse 11 and the more accounted so, going among the Egyptians, XII. 11, 12. And she the onelyonly woman, whose whole age is recorded in Scripture, XXIII. 1.
That Prophetical promise, chapter XV verse 13 Gen. XV. 13. makes not the Israelites to be 400 years in Egypt; But rather is thus rightly understood; That Abrahams Seed, that is, Isaac and Jacob, should be strangers in a Land that was not theirs; that is, in Canaan 190; years from the birth of Isaac, to Jacobs going down into Egypt, XXV. 26. and XLVII. 9. And Jacobs posterity were strangers in Egypt, from his going down thither, till their bringing forth by Moses, 210 years; not 400 years there: Moses himself being the sonne of Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, Num. XXVI. 59. and grandchilde of Kohath; And Levi, and Koath went down into Egypt with Jacob, XLVI. 11. And Machir the sonne of Manasseh: And Jair the grandchilde of Hezrom, living in Moses his time, Num. XXXII. 40, 41. And Achan the third from Zarah living in Joshuahs time, Josh. VII. 1. 18. 1 Chron. II. 6, 7. And thus 190 and 210 make up those 400 years, in this Prophetical promise mentioned. And the Samaritan Bible or Text here; and the LXX. in Exod. XII. 40. do thus declare this point; though their insertion and addition there be of their own minde and meaning; and no part of the sacred Text.
Name] Names changed, chapter XVII verse 5 as Abrams, and Sarai's here; so Jacobs, Josephs, Naomies, Pashurs, and others. See the Annotations on Esay LXII. 4. and on Jer. XXIII. 6. and XXXIII. 16.
Abram] Abram signifies an high or lofty Father; Abraham, a Father of a great multitude. He is called, The Friend of God, 2 Chron. XX. 7. Esay XLI. 8. Jam. II. 23.
Sarai] Sarai signifies my Lady, verse 15 or my Princesse: Sarah a Lady, or Princesse, without restriction; The Title being so enlarged.
Ishmael] Ishmael was 13 years old when he was circumcised, verse 25 XVII. 25. And so above 15. or rather 17 at Isaacs weaning, when he and his mother were cast out of Abrahams family, XXI. 5, 8, 14, 15.
Three measures] chapter XVIII verse 6 The Hebrew measures of Capacity mentioned in the Old Testament, are these 10. viz. 1 Log. Lev. XIV. 10. the least measure. 2 Cab, 2 King. VI. 25. 3 Hin, Exod. XXIX. 40. Levit. XXIII. 13. Ezek. IV. 11. 4 Omer or Homer, or Gnomer, being the quantity of a mans daily eating of Manna, and the tenth part of an Ephah, Exod. XVI. 16. 36. 5 Seah, translated measure or Satum, in this Text, Gen. XVIII. 6. and 2 King. VII. 1. 6 Ephah, containing ten Omers, Exod. XVI. 36. 7 Bate or Bath, containing likewise ten Omers; and being both the tenth part of a Cor, and Chomer, Ezek. XLV. 11, 14. 8 Lethec, translated half an Omer, or rather half a Chomer, Hos. III. 2. 9 Cor, and 10 Chomer, each equal, and containing ten Bates or Ephahs apiece, Ezek. XLV. 11, 14. Thus farre Scripture. The particular assignations of their several Capacities are usually made thus, viz: The Log to containe the quantity of six hen-eggs-shels of Palestine, the same with Sextarium Romanum, and is about our half pinte (yet some make it a pinte.) The Cab to contain four Logs, i. e. a quart of our measure, or 24 egs-shels; (yet some say a pottle) The Hin to containe six Logs, i. e. 36. egs-shels (some say 12 Logs, or 72. egs-shels) or about three quarts. An Omer to containe one Cab and an half, and a fifth part, about our three pintes and an half, or a pottle, the tenth part of an Ephah. Seah to containe two Hins, or six Cabs, i. e. a gallon and an half, or Modius Romanus, the third part of an Ephah. Ephah to containe ten Omers or Pottles, i. e. four gallons and an half; or about three Seahs; and to be Medimnus Atticus, (yet some make it to containe eight gallons; and so four Ephahs to containe our barrel; some to containe near ten gallons: or about the measure of our bushel, or half a bushel and a pottle.) Bate or Bath is of the same measure for liquid things, as Ephah is for dry things. Lethec to containe five Ephahs, or fifteen Seahs, or Sata, or Modii, that is, two bushels, six gallons, and one pottle; or half a Chomer. Chomer, and Cor are both of the same measure, either equal; and contains certainly, as was said, ten Bates or Ephahs apiece, or two Lethecs. Cor is oft translated Measures. And thus uncertaine are we for the grounds of these measures of Capacities.
Abimelech] And XXVI. chapter XX verse 2 1. This seemes to be a common name to the Kings of Palestine; as Pharaoh to the Kings of Egypt; Benhadad to the Kings of Syria; Candace to the Queens of Ethiopia; Caesar to the Romane Emperours.
Hebron] Hebron called also Kiriath-Arba, chapter XXIII verse 2 the City of Arba, the the father of Anak, where Anak lived, and his sonnes and the Anakims, all Giants. Here Abraham, Isaac and Jacob dwelled, and were buried here in the Cave of Macpelah, before Mamre, the same is Hebron. Here Sarah died, and was buried in that Cave: And Rebekah, and Leah were likewise buried here. Hence Joseph was sent to see the welfare of his brethren. And hither the Spies came that were sent by Moses to spy out the Land. Hoham the King of Hebron was one of the five Kings hid in the Cave, and slaine and hanged up by Joshuah: And it seemes another King of Hebron soone after slaine by him. And he and Caleb slew the Anakims dwelling here. This City fell to the Tribe of Iudah; and was seated in a mountaine of Iudah: and together with the Suburbs of it, was given to the Priests; and to be a Citie of refuge: But the Fields, and Villages of it were given to Caleb that good Spie. To the top of an hill before Hebron, Sampson carried the Gate of Gaza. David having sent to them of Hebron a Present of the spoile which he got of the Amalekites, in the rescue of Ziklag, was commanded by God to go hither. And here at Hebron he was made King, and reigned seven years and six moneths: had six sons borne him here, of six several wives. Hither Abner cameto David; and being murthered by Joab, was by David mournfully buried here. Hither Ishbosheths head was brought, and buried in Abners grave; and his murtherers by David hanged here. Hither came all Israel to make David King over all Israel. And afterwards Absalom being borne here, pretended a vow to be performed here; and rebelling against his father made himself King here. This City was first built seven years before Zoan in Egypt. And in King Rehoboams time was repaired and fortified by him.
Abraham] Abraham alive when Jacob was 15 years old, chapter XXV verse 7 XXI. 5. and XXV. 7, 26. And so Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were living at the same time, Heb. XI. 9.
Esau] Esau sold his Birth-right for bread and pottage, verse 34 XXV. 34. for one morsel of meat, as it is, Heb. XII. 16.
Isaac] Isaac blinde above 43 years. chapter XXVII verse 1 He being 60 at the birth of Jacob, XXV. 26. And blinde at the blessing of Jacob, XXVII. 1. And Jacob was then 77. years old, as appears by his age of 130 when he stood before Pharaoh, XLVII. 9. And the age of Joseph being then 39 or 40, viz. 30 when he was advanced by Pharaoh, XLI. 46. And after that, seven years of plenty, and two of famine passed ere Jacob came down, XLV. 6. And Joseph was borne in the 14 year after Jacobs coming to Laban, XXX. 25. and XXXI. 41. And Iacob came to Laban presently after the foresaid blessing, XXVII. 42. &c. XXVIII. 1, 2. And so the 14 years before Ioseph was borne, and 39 of Iosephs age after, being taken out of Iacobs 130. leaves him to be 77. when Isaac blessed him. And Iacobs 77. being added to Isaacs 60 when Iacob was borne, makes Isaac to be 137. when he was blinde, and blessed Jacob. And Isaac dying at 180, XXXV. 28. must so needs be blinde 43 years at the least.
Esau] Esau could not prevaile with Isaac to bring him to repent of his blessing Iacob, verse 33 and to recall the blessing, though Esau sought it of Isaac with tears, XXVII. 33, 34. Heb. XII. 17.
Iacob] Iacob being 77 years old, chapter XXIX verse 27 marries both Leah and Rachel, in the first year of his coming to Laban, [Laban by inversion of the letters is Nabal] and at or before the beginning of the 14 years service for them. This appears by his twelve children; Dinah being one: and by the Sequence of their births, within those 14 years, Ch XXIX. and XXX. which are not possible to be, in that maner, and order borne, within the compasse onelyonly of the last seven years: And having seven of them by Leah her self; who yet left bearing a while after her fourth sonne: and Reuben her eldest sonne being so old to gather Mandrakes in the field a year before Issachar, her fifth childe, was borne by her. And this is further evidenced by the age of Iudah, being but fifty upon this account it self, that is, 10 years elder then Joseph, when yet he, and his grandchildren by Tamar, both Hezron and Hamul came down with Iacob into Egypt, XLVI. 12. whereby it also appears, that Iudah marrying at 17 years of age, which was the first year of Jacobs returne from Laban the Syrian into Canaan, XXXVIII. 1, 2, 3. Then both Er, and Onan, and Pharez must needs marry each when they were about 12 or 13 years old, which was rare in that age of the world. And this truth of the time of Jacobs marriage will stand well with the computation of time by the ages and acts of Judah, and his posterity; and with a right rendition of those texts, Gen. XXIX. 20, 21, 25, 27, 28, 30. which should be somewhat altered in our English translations. Here then those large Annotations 1651. making Jacob to marry both Leah and Rachel at the end of the first seven years service: And the twelve children to be borne within the compasse of the seven later years: And Judah to be but three years elder then Joseph; And to marry at fourteen years of age: And Er and Onan to marry at fourteen apiece: And Hezron and Hamul, to be borne in Egypt, and to come downe with Jacob only in the loynes of their father Pharez; (wherein yet there remaines a contradiction in them, as appears by comparing together their Annotations on Gen. XXXVIII. 1. and XLVI. 12, 27. do in all the said particulars seeme to me to misse the right; and at least to require a more serious review and consideration. See the said Annotations on Gen. XXIX. 27, 30. and XXXVIII. 1, 2, 6. and XLVI. 12.
Sacks] Sacks, chapter XLII verse 25 saccus; and Amen are the words that hold most, in most languages.
Benjamin] Benjamin not 24 years old when he came into Egypt, chapter XLVI verse 21 but hard upon 30. Yea some conceive him to be conceived in Padan-Aram, out of Gen. XXXV. 24, 26. and so to be 33 years old at that time; yet is he called a Lad, Gen. XLIII. 8. and XLIV. 22, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34. and a little one, v. 20. And yet at that time said to be the father of ten sonnes, Gen. XLVI. 21. And two of them, Naaman, and Ard, (if not more) seeme to be his grand-children, Num. XXVI. 40. But not borne in Egypt: no more then Hezron and Hamul were borne there. And so both Benjamin, and his eldest sonne Belah must marry very young: as the like was observed in Er, Onan, and Pharez, before.
The number] The number of the souls that came out of Jacobs loines, and came down with him into Egypt, verse 26 are truly told and reckoned to be 66. Gen. XLVI. 26. And this is the exact number. For Joseph and his two children came not down with Jacob into Egypt, but were in Egypt before. And leaving out Er and Onan, that were dead before in Canaan; and reckoning in Hezron and Hamul, the grand-children of Judah by Tamar; as the expresse letter of the Text doth in both points require, the said number of 66. doth rightly arise. And to imagine otherwise, that Hezron and Hamul were borne in Egypt, and did go down thither with Jacob onelyonly virtually in the loines of their father Pharez, it doth not onelyonly contradict the Text, as was said; but also doth overthrow the whole intent and drift of the Record, Catalogue, and Genealogy in that chapter; which is to shew the small number that went down personally with Jacob into Egypt, Deut. XXVI. 5. That thereby wonderful multiplication of their posterity in Egypt, Exod. XII. 37. and in little more then a year after, Num. I. 45, 46. by Gods blessing might the more gloriously appear. And if some; or any of those mentioned in the said Catalogue, went down onelyonly virtually in the loines of their parents; in that sense as well might 46000; yea 600000. be said to have descended with Jacob into Egypt.
Again, the number of the souls of the house of Jacob which came into Egypt, are truly told to be 70. Gen. 46. 27. Exod. I. 5. Deut. X. 22. So justly reckoning Jacob himself, and Joseph with his two sons, who were then in Egypt already. And so these 70. are made up of those summes, 33. 16. 14. 7. set down in Gen. XLVI. 15, 18, 22, 25.
Again, the number is told to be 75. by Stephen, and Luke recording Stephens speech, Acts VII. 14. Here, denying any corruption of the Text; some would lay a failer of memory upon Stephen; as the like again in v. 16. as not being so priviledged in this sudden Speech, as the holy Pen-men were inspired for the writing of Scripture: And thereupon say, That Luke dealt tfaihfully in relating what Stephen spake. Others say, That Stephen herein did wittingly and willingly follow the Translation of the LXX. Interpreters on Gen. XLVI. 27. and Exod. I. 5. As in divers citations the holy Writers of the New Testament do; That Translation being then in high esteeme, and almost onelyonly in use. Yet the five persons superadded by them seeme not to be those which the LXX. fetch out of 1 Chron. VII. 14, 20. But rather all those that are named, Gen, XLVI. namely Jacobs four wives, and Er, and Onan; which make up 75. in all, leaving out Jacob himself.