Seth. Protestants, "Sheth, Enosh, Kenan:" but in Genesis they agree with us, which shews that the translator of the two different books is different, and that there is a want of uniformity in the plan adopted by king James I. (Haydock) --- The posterity of Cain is neglected, as it all perished in the deluge. (Calmet) Noe begot Sem, Cham, and Japheth. (Haydock) See Genesis x. The author passes lightly over some of the descendants of the two latter, as he had David's genealogy principally in view. Riphath. Hebrew begins with D. (Calmet) --- But the Protestants correct it (Haydock) according to the book of Genesis and the Septuagint. The two letters are very much alike. Dodanim. Hebrew has R, conformably to the Samaritan copy of Genesis, and the Septuagint translate the Rhodians. Yet Dodanim seems more accurate, (Calmet) and is retained by the Protestants. (Haydock) Earth, first establishing the monarchy of Babylon, and building the castle. (Du Hamel) Philistines, a colony from Crete. Hus and Hul were the immediate sons of Aram, as well as.... Mosoch, or Mes; (Genesis x. 23.; Calmet) so that there seems to be here some transposition. (Du Hamel) Sale. The Roman Septuagint omits ver. 11 to 17, and ver. 18 to 24, having only, "The sons of Sem, Ailam and Assur; and Arphaxad, Sala." (Haydock) --- But the other copies here insert Cainan, as the father of Sale. See Genesis x. 24. (Calmet) --- It is a matter of great doubt whether he ought not to be inserted, Luke iii. (Haydock) Sem begot Arphaxad. (Menochius) CHAPTER I. Concubine. She was his lawful wife, but of an inferior degree, and such were called concubines. (Challoner) --- She has the title of wife , Genesis xxv. 1. --- And the sons of Dadan, &c., seems to be copied from Genesis, as the addition is not found in many Latin manuscripts, no more than in the Hebrew or Septuagint. (Calmet) And by. This serves to explain the difficulty; as Thamna would otherwise seem to be a daughter of Eliphaz, though we know she was his concubine, Genesis xxxvi. 12. (Haydock) --- The Hebrew, Roman Septuagint, Syriac, and Latin, suppose that Thamna was the brother of Amalec; but the Alexandrian Septuagint has, "Now Thamna, the concubine of Eliphaz, bore Amalec." Arabic, "And Thamna, who was the concubine of Eliphaz, the son of Esau, bore him Amalec," which seems to be the true reading. (Kennicott) --- Hebrew, "And Timna and Amalek," (Protestants; Haydock) which confounds the sense. (Mariana) (Du Hamel) Seir, not Esau, but the Horrite, (Genesis xxxvi. 20.; Menochius) which is added in order to explain the origin of Thamna. (Du Hamel) Dixon. We must add Oolibama, Genesis xxxvi. 25. Hamram. In Genesis Hamdan. Two letters have been mistaken since the Chaldean characters have been adopted. (Calmet) --- On this occasion, we may briefly remark, 1. The most learned fathers have admitted such mistakes in Scripture: yet these are not to be corrected by each one's private judgment, but we must all abide by the determination of the Church, which is plainly appointed for our guide in the infallible word of God. 2. To obviate the objections of infidels, respecting the apparent contradictions of Scripture, particularly in these books, we must observe that many people and places had different names; 3. And those who had the saem were really distinct. 4. Frequently also grandchildren, and those who have been adopted, are mentioned as the immediate offspring. 5. Some mysterious numbers are specified, as fourteen in the genealogy of Christ, though the history allows more. 6. Odd numbers are sometimes neglected. 7. Often a part is put for the whole, or on the contrary; as Christ is said to have been dead three days, though he was only one whole day and part of two others: and in the reigns of different kings, in the same year, the different parts are assigned to each, as a whole year. 8. Sometimes two reigned together, as Joathan ruled while Ozias was still living, (4 Kings xv.) and so both reigns are sometimes counted, and, at other times, their respective years. 9. The interregnums are either omitted in calculations, or added to the years of the next ruler. 10. Only the years that a person governed well are sometimes noticed, as Saul is said to have reigned two years, (1 Kings xiii.) though his administration continued much longer. Some of these rules may be applied to most of the scriptural difficulties, as the spirit of God could not dictate any falsehood. At the same time we must be forced to acknowledge that the Scriptures are hard to be understood, 2 Peter i. 20., (Worthington) and iii. 16.; and this may serve to exercise the genius, and to humble the pride of man. (Haydock) Israel. The same remark had been made in Genesis xxxvi. 31. It is wonderful that the author of this work gives us no further information, when so many revolutions had since occurred. (Calmet) --- But he might content himself with repeating the words of Moses. (Haydock) --- The eight kings here specified must have reigned each 50 years, which is not impossible. David conquered the country under Adad. River. Euphrates is commonly so designated. See Genesis x. 11. (Calmet) --- Pagnin translates, "from the river Rohoboth." (Du Hamel) Mezaab. It is unusual for the Scripture to mark so particularly the genealogy of a woman. We might translate the Hebrew, "a native, or who was a native of Mezaab," which is probably the same with Dizahab, "abundance of gold," Deuteronomy i. 1. Mezaab signifies, "waters of gold," (Calmet) or "whose is gold," whence some infer that the woman was very rich, (Lyranus) or had discovered the art of drawing gold thread. (Abulensis) --- It is more probably a proper name. (Menochius) Kings. Hebrew, "Adad also died, and the dukes of Edom were duke Thamna, &c. (Haydock) --- This, and the following names, designate the place of their residence. (Menochius) --- The same forms of government prevailed in Idumea, as among the Hebrews, who had judges or dukes, then kings, and, after the captivity, dukes, till the time of the Machabees. (Tirinus) Israel, "seeing, or valiant with God," was before called Jacob, or "a supplanter," Genesis xxxv. (Worthington) Aser. They are not placed in the order of their birth. (Haydock) Her. The crime for which he was punished is not specified in Scripture. (Calmet) --- The Rabbins say that he was so enamoured of the beauty of his wife, that he treated her in the same manner as Onan did afterwards. (Cassian viii. 11.) --- It is supposed that he was slain by a devil, (Calmet) like the (Tirinus) impure husbands of Sarai, Tobias vi. 14. (Haydock) Zamri, or Zabdi, Josue vii. 1. --- Etham. Similar names occur [in] 3 Kings iv. 30. But they seem to have been different persons. Achar, alias Achan, (Josue vii.; Challoner) which was his real name, as the former was given him (Calmet) in consequence of his having "troubled" Israel. (Du Hamel) --- One letter may have been mistaken. (Worthington) --- It may seem more probable that Achar, which appears invaribly in the Vatican Septuagint and Syriac, is the proper name. (Kennicott) --- Anathema, the thing devoted or accursed, viz., the spoils of Jericho. (Challoner) Ram. He is commonly called Aram. But it is to be observed here, once for all, that it was a common thing among the Hebrews for the same person to have different names: and that it is not impossible among so many proper names, as here occur in the first nine chapters of this book, that the transcribers of the ancient Hebrew copies may have made some slips in the orthography. (Challoner) --- Juda. Probably the first, appointed by Moses in the desert, Numbers i. 7., and vii. 12. Salma. Septuagint have "Salmon," as it is written [in] Ruth iv. 20., and Matthew i. 4. Seventh. Syriac and Arabic add, "Eliu, (chap. xxvii. 18.) and the eighth David." It appears, in effect, the Isai had eight sons, and that David was the youngest, 1 Kings xvi. 10., and xvii. 12. The Rabbins suppose that one was only adopted, namely, Jonathan, the son of Samma, noted for his prudence and valour, 2 Kings xiii. 3., and xxi. 21. (Calmet) --- One might die in his youth, and be therefore omitted, (Tirinus) as he had done nothing memorable. (Du Hamel) --- The Scripture does not always specify the full number. (Abulensis) Sarvia. The honour shewn to the sisters of David is unusual. The father of the three valiant children of Sarvia is no where specified. Ismahelite, or more correctly, "Jethra, of Jezrahel;" (2 Kings xvii. 25.) though the Hebrew and Septuagint in that place read "Israelite," which would be a trifling remark; and it is improbable that Isai would give his daughter to a descendant of Ismahel. (Calmet) --- The person might, however, have resided among them. (Du Hamel) Caleb, alias Calubi, ver. 9. (Challoner) (Worthington) --- He is different from Caleb, the son of Jephone. --- Took, &c. Hebrew, "begot Azuba, Ischa, and Jerioth;" or rather with the Septuagint, "took to wife Gazuba and Jerioth." (Calmet) --- Syriac and Arabic, "Caleb had Jerioth by his wife Azuba." We know that the latter was his wife, (ver. 19.) and this seems to be the true reading. As ath signifies "of or from," (Noldius) the Hebrew only requires a small correction. As it stands at present, it means, "Caleb begot Azuba, a woman, (or wife) and Jerioth." Protestants supply, "begat children of Azuba, his wife, and of Jerioth." (Kennicott) --- Her sons. The original determines us to read her, instead of " his, " as ejus would as naturally be understood. If Jerioth was not the wife, she seems to have been the daughter of Caleb; as Jaser, &c., were his sons. (Haydock) Bezeleel, the famous artist, (Exodus xxxi. 2.; Calmet) or a different person. (Du Hamel) --- The Rabbins, who confound Caleb with the son of Jephone, say that he espoused Ephrata, or Mary, the sister of Moses, when he was ten years old, that Ur and Uri had each a child at eight, and the Bezeleel began to work at the tabernacle before he was nine years old. (Lyranus) --- But this is extravagant, and the Bezeleel here mentioned was of the family of Hesron. (Calmet) Machir, grandson of Joseph, whose descendants occupied part of Galaad, (Haydock) of which he is styled the father, or prince. (Menochius) --- The daughter of Machir was probably an heiress, and Segub dwelt with his mother's tribe. (Calmet) Aram. Protestants add "with the towns of Jair from them," the former possessors; (Haydock) or Gessur assisted Aram (Syria) in attacking Israel, 4 Kings x. 32. (Calmet) --- All these villages. Protestants supply, " belonged to the sons." Septuagint, " were of the sons." All these were dependencies of Machir, "prince" of Galaad; in which sense father is taken, ver. 24. (Menochius) --- Sons often denote nephews, &c. (Worthington) Hesron. Perhaps it ought to be Azuba, ver. 19. Hebrew, "and after Hesron was dead, in Caleb-ephrata, then Abia, the wife of Hesron, bore him a (posthumous) son, Ashur, the father of those who dwelt at Thecua." He could not reside there himself no more than Caleb did at Bethlehem, which some, without proof, pretend was called Caleb-ephrata. The Septuagint agree with the Vulgate. They may signify that Caleb went to the town of Ephrata. But he son of Hebron certainly never resided at Bethlehem. (Calmet) And, is not in Hebrew. Achia, which may also signify "her sister." Septuagint, "brother." Others take (Calmet) Achia to be the first wife of Jerameel. (Jansenius) Oholai, a daughter, (ver. 34.; Tirinus) unless this son died before his father. (Vatable) Caleb, or Calubi, ver. 9. Ziph, Maresa, and Hebron, are the names of towns, as well as of men. The descendants of Mesa inhabited Ziph, and those of Maresa dwelt at Hebron. The same remark will hold good in other places, where the names of places are put for those who occupied them. (Calmet) --- And the sons. Hebrew, "and of the sons of Maresa." (Vatable) --- But it may be as well explained in the sense of the Vulgate. Septuagint, "Marisa, his first-born. He was the father of Ziph, and the sons of Marisa, of the father of Hebron." --- Father. Literally, "of the father," patris Hebron. (Haydock) Jahaddai. His name occurs not before. Some suppose he was the son of Mosa: perhaps a verse may be lost, as the Syriac and Arabic pass over this and the two following verses. Achsa, different from Axa, the grand-daughter of Jephone, Judges i. 12. (Haydock) --- Both had daughters of the same name. (Du Hamel) Caleb, grandson of Calubi. (Vatable, &c.) --- Sobal, his descendant, was prince of those who established themselves at Cariathiarim. (Calmet) --- The Alexandrian Septuagint seems rather to assert that he was son of Hur, as well as those who follow. "The sons of Hur....Sobal....Salomon, father of Baithlammon, father of Bethleem." But the editions vary. (Haydock) CHAPTER II. He that saw, &c. The Latin interpreter seems to have given us here, instead of the proper names, the meaning of those names in the Hebrew. He has done in like manner, ver. 55., (Challoner) and in many other places. (Du Hamel) --- Hebrew, "had sons, haroe cha hamenuchoth, (Haydock) or Raia, Roeh, (chap. iv. 2.) and Chazi of the canton of Menuchat, near Babaa, chap. viii. 6., and Judges xx. 43. Septuagint mention Manocho, Josue xv. 60. --- We may also translate "the father of Cariathiarim, the prince of half Manuchat, had sons who peopled different cities." It seems too harsh to call a man "half the place of rest," or "seeing from the moiety of rest," though the Hebrew has this literal signification. The Septuagint give proper names, (Calmet) "Araa, Esei, Ammanith," (but [in] ver. 55, half of Manath) and the Protestants, "Haroeh and half of the Manahattites." (Haydock) --- Sobal left to his descendants half the country which he had quietly occupied. Kindred. Septuagint, "Oumasphas." (Haydock) --- Esthaolites. All these places were in Juda, (Calmet) or perhaps (Haydock) the two last in Dan, (Menochius) or occupied by both tribes. (Abulensis, q. 8.) Salma, or Salmon's descendants, people Bethlehem, &c. --- Crowns. Valiant heroes who assisted Joab to gain crowns. (Worthington) --- Hebrew, "Hateroth," the house (Alexandrian Septuagint, of the house of Jobab) of Joab; (Haydock) perhaps the famous general who had land near Absalom's, on the frontiers of Ephraim, where Ataroth was situated. --- And half. Hebrew, "half of the Manahethites." Protestants (Haydock) or "of Menuchat, towards Zarai." The author seems purposely to mention to whom the cities at first belonged, that the right owners might be reinstated in their possessions, at their return from Babylon. (Calmet) --- This verse may specify six towns, Bethlehem and Netophat, (Haydock) Beth-Joab, Chatsi, Manachti, and Atsothi. Scribes, learned in the law. (Menochius) --- Singing, &c. The different professions of the Rechabites are here given, instead of proper names, (Calmet) which the Vatican Septuagint retains. --- Thargathiim and Samathiim, Sochathim. --- Hebrew Tirhatim, "porters;" (Chaldean) Shimhathim, "the obedient;" Sucathim, "the inhabitants of tents;" Calor, "the heat," as the Hebrew Chamath (Protestants, Hemath) signifies. The Cinites dwelt on the south of Juda, for which reason they are probably here mentioned, though some of them also inhabited Jabes Galaad, while the Rechabites dwelt in tents, (Haydock) and were perhaps employed as porters in the temple. (Calmet) (Jeremias xxxv. 5, 19.) Hebron, during the seven years that he reigned there over Juda. (Menochius) --- Jezrahel, a city of Juda, less noted than the one in Issachar. --- Daniel, or Cheliab, 2 Kings iii. 3. Aggith. The mother of Adonias is styled Haggith elsewhere in the Vulgate. (Haydock) His wife also. (Tirinus) --- This title refer to all the preceding. (Sanctius) Solomon is put last, though the eldest, because of his genealogy is to be continued. Some think that the three others were the sons of Urias, adopted by David, as Solomon styles himself an only son; (Proverbs iv. 3.) but that only means singularly beloved, and an heir, (Calmet) as David had certainly another child by Bethsabee, who died in his infancy. (Tirinus) --- Bethsabee. Syriac and Arabic, "Bersabee." Hebrew, "Bathshuah," all erroneously. --- Ammiel, or Eliam, (2 Kings xi. 3.) as the same man had two names, (Calmet) or, in this instance, we must allow a transposition. (Haydock) Elisama, or Elisua, chap. xiv. 5. (Calmet) --- Hebrew substitutes Elishama and Eliphelet, and Nogah, the last name being "an evident corruption of Nepheg, and the two former being taken in to soon, and still repeated, "in their proper places." The Vatican Septuagint is likewise interpolated, (2 Kings v. 14., &c.) by the insertion of eleven names from another version, and two names are twice repeated, so that we have 24 sons of David instead of 11. (Kennicott) Noge; called Noga, (chap. xiv. 6.) and omitted entirely in the book of Kings. Eliphaleth being twice mentioned in this book, has made some conclude that David's first son of this name died in his youth; (Calmet) which may be said of Elisama also. (Sa) Eliada, or Elioda, (2 Kings v. 16.) styled Baaliada, (chap. xiv. 7.; Calmet) as both have the same meaning, "God's, or the Lord's knowledge." (Haydock) --- Nine, excluding the children of Bethsabee. In 2 Kings there are only seven, or, with the sons of Bethsabee, eleven. There must be a mistake in one place, unless the book of Kings only specifies those who were then alive. (Vatable) (Calmet) The concubines. The inferior wives. (Challoner) --- Some of the preceding sons were born of such, ver. 6., &c. --- Thamar. She is the only one whose name is mentioned, but David had other daughters, 2 Kings vi. 13. Johanan, who is not mentioned in 4 Kings xxiii., and xxiv. Some think that he died young, (Tostat) or in battle with his father, against Pharao. (Pradus.) --- Joakim, or Eliacim, possessed the throne after Joachaz, or Sellum, (Calmet) which name signifies "confusion," and was given to all the sons of Josias. (St. Jerome) --- Then came Joachin and Sedecias, whose proper name was Matthanias. (Haydock) --- Joakim is passes over by St. Matthew. (St. Jerome, ibid.) Jechonias, who is called also Joakim, (Worthington) and Cenias in Hebrew, Jeremias xxii. 28. (Calmet) --- Both the son and the grandson of Josias go under the name of Jechonias, Matthew i. 11. (Barradius i. 5. 16.) (Menochius) --- Sedecias. If this be the same with the king, was born must signify succeeded, as we know that Joakim was not the father of Sedecias. (Grotius, &c.) Asir, means a "prisoner," so that we might translate, Hebrew ,"and the sons of Jechoias, the prisoner, (at Babylon, 4 Kings xxiv. 15.) were Salathiel." (Calmet) --- Protestants, "Assir, Salathiel his son." (Haydock) --- Some think that the following were the adopted children, or successors of Jechonias; as St. Luke (iii. 24.) insinuates that Neri was the father of Salathiel, and Jeremias (xxii. 30.) seems to declare that Jechonias should have no children. But he means such as should sit on the throne, as he explains himself, and St. Matthew (i. 12.) expressly says, Jechonias begot Salathiel. Melchiram, &c., born of Salathiel. (Calmet) --- Sama. Septuagint, "Osamo and Nabadias." Protestants, "Hosahama," &c. (Haydock) Phadaia, called also Salathiel, (Matthew i. 12.) or these two brothers had each a son named Zorobabel. The grandson of Salathiel was called Abiud, and that of Phadaia, Mosollam, (Menochius) unless these were the same person. (Sa) --- Phadaia, son of Salathiel, and father of Zorobabel, left his son to the care of his brother Salatheil, who was therefore accounted the father of Zorobabel too. (Calmet) Son. Hebrew, "sons of Hananias, Phaltias, and Jesacias, the sons of Raphias, the sons of Arnan,... the sons of Sechenias, Semeia, &c." But the Septuagint and Syriac have read in a more intelligible manner, (Calmet) intimating that these people were lineally descended from each other, (Haydock) while the Hebrew leaves us ignorant of the names of the sons of Rephaias, &c. (Calmet) Six. Counting the father in the number. (Challoner) --- Hebrew shisha, or "six." Sixtus V with several manuscripts, Gothic edition, &c., take it improperly for the name of a man. (Calmet) --- Semeia and his five sons are attributed to Sechenias. (Worthington) --- Others think that a name has been lost. (Castalion) Oduia, the 12th from Zorobabel, which shews that this has been inserted since the time of Esdras, and that the author was very careful to preserve the genealogical tables, as it was not known from what family of the descendants of David the Messias should be born. (Calmet) --- St. Matthew gives us a different genealogy. (Du Hamel) (Calmet)