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) CHAPTER III. Charmi, the great-grandson of Juda, by Zara and Zamri, Josue vii. 1. --- Junius takes him to be the same with Calubi, (chap. ii.) father of Sobal. This seems to be transcribed from another ancient register of the family of Juda, and designed to shew where the principal men had resided. (Calmet) --- Only the chiefs are specified. (Du Hamel) Sarathi, who peopled Saraa. (Calmet) Posterity. So all the ancient versions seem to have read boni, instead of the present Hebrew abi, which literally means, "and these are the father of Etam." If words ever wanted sense, they do so here. (Kennicott) --- Etham is perhaps the name of a town. (Malvenda) Ethnan. Some would insert "and Cos," to connect this with the following. Cos. Perhaps (Calmet) the same with Cenez, ver. 13. (Tirinus) Jabes. That is, sorrowful. (Challoner) --- There seems to be something wanting, as we are not informed who were the brethren of Jabes. (Calmet) --- This name he received from his mother, while his father Cos, called him Othoniel. (Estius) For. To reward his piety and vow. Othoniel obtained Cariath-sepher, and Axa, the daugher of Caleb, Josue xv. 17. (Calmet) --- Jabes imitated holy Jacob, (Genesis xxviii.) and both desired temporal blessings, for their advancement in virtue. (Worthington) Caleb. Hebrew, "Celub," different bother from Calubi and the son of Jephone, ver. 15. (Calmet) --- Brother, &c. Septuagint, "father of Ascha," which would seem to make him the same with the latter. City. Hebrew, "Hir-Nachash." (Haydock) --- The latter term denotes "copper of a serpent." We know not where this city was situated, no more than Recha. (Calmet) Othoniel, first judge. (Haydock) --- He was brother, or rather cousin, of Caleb. See Josue xv. 17. Artificers. Hebrew Charashim, which means various sorts of "workmen," (Calmet) or "father (prince.; Menochius) of Ge-Harasim, for," &c. (Calmet) --- Under this lord the artificers dwelt who built the temple. (Worthington) Caleb, so memorable (Calmet) for this fidelity, Numbers xii. 30., and xxxii. 12. (Haydock) Judaia, a second wife, of his own nation. By the first, from Egypt, Mered had Miriam, &c. Some words seem to be lost, which render it doubtful to whom Judaia was married. Odaia, perhaps the same with Judaia, (Calmet) as the Septuagint read. --- Who was. Hebrew and Septuagint, "Machatha," (Haydock) a place to the north of Basan, far from the limits of Juda, whence we should, perhaps, read Menuchat, as chap. ii. 52, 54. Her. Hitherto we have seem the possessions of the descendants of Phares. Those of Her inhabited the country rendered famous by the exploits of Samson with the jaw bone, Judges xv. 9. (Calmet) --- The first-born of Sela was called Her, after his unfortunate uncle, Genesis xxxviii. 7. (Haydock) --- That wrought. Septuagint take it for a proper name, "Ebdath." Hebrew, Beth-habodath habuts, "the house of the byssus, or fine linen manufacturers in Beth-Ashbaah, " (Haydock) which is, perhaps, the same with Beersabee, "the well of swearing," Genesis xxi. 31. (Calmet) --- Oath. The Latin word juramenti, might be retained here, as well as Calor, chap. ii. 55. See 2 Kings xxi. 19. Septuagint read, "Esoba," as the proper name of a place. (Haydock) He, that made, &c. viz., Joazim, the meaning of whose name in Hebrew, is, he that made the sun to stand. In like manner the following names, Lying, (Cozeba) Secure, (Joash) and Burning, (Saraph) are substituted in place of the Hebrew names of the same signification. (Challoner) --- The first etymology is not perfectly accurate, as Jokim means simply, "he made to stand;" Jachin, the pillar which Solomon erected, has the same import. (Haydock) --- Some injudicious person seems to have placed the sun in the margin, whence it has crept into the text. (Tirinus) --- It might be occasioned by the fable of the Rabbins, who assert (Haydock) that Elimelech wrought the like miracle as Josue, to convince the people of Bethlehem of the necessity of being converted; but, finding them incorrigible, denounced a famine, which forced him to retire with his family into the country of Moab. (St. Jerome, Trad., &c.) --- Elimelech died in that country; but these four descendants of Sela retired, probably, along with him, and returned afterwards to Lehem, or Bethlehem, as it is customary to omit a part of a word. (Tirinus) --- This town was peopled by different branches of Juda's family, ver. 4., and chap. ii. 54. (Calmet) --- Lahem, &c. Septuagint seem to leave the original terms: "he made them return to Abedderim Athoukiim." --- Who returned, is also left as a proper name by the Protestants, (Haydock) &c. "And Jasubi Lehem." (Vatable) (Menochius) --- It is not easy to decide, when the Hebrew words should be translated. --- Old. Hebrew, "and ancient words;" (Haydock) records, shewing where these families resided, (Calmet) unless this be also the name (Haydock) of a place. (Septuagint) Potters. Hebrew yotserim, may also designate some family, as it seems improbable that the princes, in Moab, should be reduced to so mean a condition. But we have many examples of such a fall; (Haydock) and it is supposed, that these descendants of Sela were employed by the king of Babylon, at Nethaim and Gadera. (Calmet) --- Hedges. These are the proper names of the places where they dwelt. In Hebrew, Netahim and Gedera. (Challoner) --- Septuagint, "Ataim and Gadera." (Haydock) --- The correct Roman edition of the Vulgate prints these words, plantationibus et Sepibus, with large letters, to imply as much. (Menochius) --- King; David. (Sa) (Menochius) --- Many of the tribe of Juda attended David, while he was forced to flee before Saul, and to hide himself in unfrequented places. Some of them might be these Yotserim, or they might follow the profession of potters. (Haydock) --- "With the king they were powerful in his kingdom, and dwelt there." (Septuagint) (Haydock) --- The Vulgate often give the meaning of proper names. (Du Hamel) CHAPTER IV. Namuel, or Jamuel, Genesis xlvi. 10. --- Jarib; perhaps the same with Sohar, (Menochius) unless the latter be Zara, or Zare, Numbers xxvi. 12. These genealogies seem different; but the same person (Calmet) might have many names. (Du Hamel) Juda, probably, not even in the following cities, which they inhabited along with them. This tribe of Simeon was always the weakest, and kept close to Juda. See Numbers xxvi. 14. Bathuel appears to be the same with Bethulia, Judith vi. 7. (Calmet) David, who had Siceleg given to him, 1 Kings xxvii. 6. (Haydock) --- After the schism, Juda straitened the tribe of Simeon; so that it was forced to seek for other habitations in Gador, under Ezechias, ver. 39., &c. (Calmet) --- It could no longer reside among those of the tribe of Juda, (Du Hamel) and acknowledge another king. (Haydock) Baal, or Ballath, Josue xix. 1. --- Distribution. Hebrew and Septuagint, "and their genealogy." (Menochius) --- Greek: Katalogismos, may as well have the former signification, "their class;" (Haydock) though the sequel seems to determine it in the latter sense. (Du Hamel) Mosabab. This and the following princes joined their forces, to conquer fresh territories from Gador, (Haydock) or Gadara, near Joppe, (Strabo xvi.) which had been long in the possession (Haydock) of the Egyptians, (ver. 40.; Calmet) or Philistines. (Malvenda) Cham. It is not certain that the Philistines, who came from the country of the Casluim, were descendants of Mezraim, Genesis x. 14. But it is very clear that the Egyptians sprung from Cham, Psalm lxxvii. 51. Inhabitants. Septuagint, "and the Mineans." Hebrew meyenim, "the inhabitants of Maon," in Arabia. See Judges x. 11. Syriac and Arabic, "the fountains." Jesi; perhaps Asaia, by the transposition of one letter; (ver. 36.; Calmet) or these chiefs were remote descendants of Jesi, ver. 20. (Haydock) --- The expedition probably took place about the same time as the preceding, to avoid the attack of the Assyrians, or of Juda, by retiring farther into Arabia. (Calmet) Escape the arms of Saul, or of David. (Du Hamel) --- Day. It seems, therefore, that they escaped captivity, having abandoned their own country; or this was taken from a record, which had been made before that event, and is here inserted by Esdras; though, when he wrote, these Simeonites might have experienced the fate of their brethren, who were led captives in the 6th year of Ezechias. (Haydock) First-born, Genesis xlix. 4. (Worthington) --- He gives this reason for not beginning with him. (Calmet) --- And he. Protestants, "and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birth-right." (Haydock) Accounted to Joseph, viz., as to the double portion, which belonged to the first-born: but the princely dignity was given to Juda, and the priesthood to Levi. (Challoner) --- Yet it is not certain that the latter dignity formed a part of the birth-right, (Genesis xxv. 31.) and the author takes no notice of it. (Calmet) --- The double portion seems to have been all the privilege, Deuteronomy xxi. 17. Septuagint, "the blessing or gift was Joseph's." Hebrew also does not specify princes, but "the leader," (Haydock) the Messias, (Syriac, &c.) and kings, from David till the captivity. (Calmet) (Genesis xlix. 4.) (Worthington) Joel. It does not appear whether he was the son of the last, or of Henoch. Beera, This tribe continued to have princes of their own, after the division of the kingdom. Beera was in power when Thelgathphalnasar, or Theglathphalasar, took five tribes into captivity, 4 Kings xv. 29. Only twelve generations are mentioned to fill up about 750 years, from the leaving of Egypt. (Calmet) --- But Enoch must have lived much sooner, as the Israelites continued in that country at least 215 years. The princes are probably not all specified, as on other occasions. (Haydock) Families, when they were led captive into Assyria; (Menochius) or before, when the tribe was in a most flourishing condition. --- Princes. Hebrew and Septuagint, "prince." --- Jehiel. Septuagint, "Joel," ver. 4. And. So Hebrew, &c., as f he was one of the princes. But the Vulgate seems to begin a new sentence, Porro, "now Bala." The possessions of this man must have been very extensive, from the Euphrates till (Haydock) Baal-meon, within nine miles of Hesebon, (Eusebius) almost (Calmet) as far as the Jordan. (Tirinus) --- Bala, or his descendants, extended their conquests as far as the Euphrates, which had been promised to Israel; and, under Saul, conquered the Agarites, who sprung from Agar. Syriac, &c., "the Arabs of Sacca," or the Scenites, "dwelling under tents, " and inhabiting the Desert Arabia. The details of this war are probably given, ver. 19., &c. (Calmet) Cattle, for which reason they desired to have this country, Numbers xxxii. 4. (Menochius) Selcha, not far from Jabok, Deuteronomy iii. 10. (Calmet) Chief, Septuagint, "first-born." (Haydock) --- This list was made under Joathan, king of Juda, when Joel was at the head of the tribe of Gad. (Calmet) --- Basan, the capital city, ver. 16. (Sa) (Menochius) And, &c. Hebrew also, "Achi, son of Abdiel." --- Chief, like the preceding, each in their respective families. (Calmet) --- They were relations (Haydock) of the same tribe. (Menochius) Saron, in Basan; (Josue xii. 18.) different from those vallies near Joppe, (Calmet) and between Thabor and Tiberias. (Eusebius) Israel. Jeroboam II had been dead two years before Joathan was born: unless some of the numbers be incorrect; which seem very probable, 4 Kings xv. 5. Yet these registers might be made at different times, and one, perhaps, under Jeroboam I, as when any war seemed to threaten, the number of soldiers was to be known. (Calmet) --- It does not appear why the king of Juda is mentioned, as the people were not under his dominion, unless (Haydock) he was contemporary with Jeroboam II, as some assert. (Menochius) --- Yet the following expedition seems to have taken place while Israel was still faithful to God. (Haydock) By faith they overcame kingdoms, Hebrews xi. (Worthington) But, &c. Hebrew, "and Jetur, &c., and they were helped by God against them." (Haydock) --- Septuagint, "they prevailed over them, and the Agarites," &c. The ancient, or higher Iturea, lay between Hermon and Manasses; but the lower, which Josephus includes under this name, took in the deserted possessions of that half tribe. (Calmet) --- The former (Haydock) extended from Jordan by Libanus, to the mountains of Tyre. (Menochius) --- And Naphis, sons of Ismael, Genesis xxv. 13. (Haydock) Lord. Very dreadful, and in obedience to God's orders. --- Captivity, ver. 6. (Calmet) Basan, which belonged to Gad. (Haydock) --- In Josue (xvii. 5.) Basan and Galaad seem to be given to Manasses; but the former there denotes all the level country, from the Jabok to the Jordan, as Galaad is put for the mountains on the East. (Calmet) --- Great. It would take thirty hours to travel from the torrent Jabok to Baal Hermon. (Adrichomius) (Menochius) Assur. These princes were scourges in the hand of God, to punish the guilty. (Haydock) --- The former forced Israel to pay tribute; the latter carried many into captivity, 4 Kings xv. 19, 29., and xvi. 7. (Calmet) --- Lahela, or Hala and Haber, cities watered by the river Gozan. --- Ara; perhaps Rages, Tobias i. 16, &c. (Du Hamel)