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) CHAPTER V. Levi. The genealogy of the Levites is given with more exactitude than any of the preceding. Caath formed two branches, 1. the priests, descended from Aaron; 2. all his other children, who were simply Levites. (Calmet) --- Hence they are placed after the priests. (Menochius) Isaar, or Aminadab, ver. 22. Abiu. These died without children. The genealogy of Eleazar is given, as his family enjoyed the pontificate a long time, while that of Ithamar is neglected, (Calmet) as only Heli and a few others were raised to that dignity. (Haydock) Eleazar. The nine following generations to Sadoc may be immediate. (Du Hamel) Abisue. He is mentioned no where else. Josephus ([Antiquities?] v. ultra) calls him Abiezer. (Calmet) --- Many of these high priests were very obscure. (Menochius) --- Ozi, after whom Heli is supposed to have reigned, so that Zaraias and the three following were excluded, (Calmet) while Heli, and four of the same family of Ithamar, were acknowledged as high priests. (Tirinus) --- Abiathar was then forced to give place to Sadoc, (3 Kings ii. 26.; Haydock) whose family was in power at the captivity, ver. 15. (Tirinus) --- Nicephorus (ii. 4.) and Josephus ([Antiquities?] x. 11.) mention other high priests besides these. (Worthington) Azarias. Perhaps the same who is called Amarias, (2 Paralipomenon xix. 11.) as Johanan is probably the illustrious Joiada, 4 Kings xi. 4. This may refer to either. (Calmet) --- The Holy Ghost gives an encomium to Joiada, for re-establishing the divine worship, (Junius) or to Azarias, for withstanding the impious attempt of king Osias. (Estius; Tirinus, &c.) (2 Paralipomenon xxvi. 17. (Menochius) Sellum, or Mosollam, chap ix. 11. (Calmet) Went out, into captivity, while his father was slain, 4 Kings xxv. 18. More than 22 priests would be requisite to fill up near 900 years. See Salien. Gerson. Hebrew here reads Gersom, though it had Gerson before, ver. 1. The, &c. This verse is repeated from ver. 2., as the author is now going to continue the genealogy of the Levites, in their natural order, (Haydock) to Samuel. (Du Hamel) Jahath. See ver. 42, 43. --- Zamma springs from Semei, Jeth, Gerson, and has a son named Ethan, who has Adaia; as Zara begot Athanai, ver. 41. Almost all the names are rather different Asir. While Core perished, his children were preserved, Numbers xvi. 30., and xxvi. 11. (Haydock) Asir. This name seems superfluous (ver. 36., and Exodus vi. 24.; Calmet) perhaps taken from the preceding verse. (Haydock) --- The two former were sons of Core, ver. 25, 37. (Calmet) CHAPTER VI. Sophai, Nahath, and Eliab, are called Suph, Thohu, (ver. 34.; Calmet) and Eliel. (Haydock) --- Sophai may be a surname of Elcana. (Poole) (Du Hamel) Elcana, his son. It seems necessary to supply, "Samuel, his son," (Haydock) as he descended from the 3d Elcana. (Du Hamel) Vasseni. Some Latin copies subjoin "Joel," who was the first-born, (ver. 33.) (La Haye) --- Vasseni means, "and the second;" which can hardly be considered as the name of the eldest son, tough some have take it as such, in like manner as they have explained six, chap. iii. 22. But then the v ought at least to be omitted, (Calmet) as it is in the Vatican and Alexandrian Septuagint, "Sani and Abia." (Haydock) --- Other editions insert "Joel," with the Syriac and Arabic. (Calmet) --- This person had therefore either two names, or Joel has been omitted, and we should translate "Joel and the second, Abia." (Menochius) --- These brothers acted so ill as judges, that the people took occasion to demand a king, 1 Kings viii. 3. The singing. Hebrew, "the hands or places of the canticle," the two tribunes on each side of the altar. Heman presided over the band in the middle, while Asaph directed those on the right, and Ethan those on the left, ver. 33, 39, and 44. (Calmet) --- Placed. Hebrew, "rested," as before David's time it had been carried about. He erected a tabernacle for it on Sion, and directed the Levites to attend in order, (chap. xxv.) so that some should be present every day (Menochius) to honour God, both by instruments and vocal music, while the priests performed their sacred functions with the utmost decency. Heman. Some families among the Levites were more distinguished than the rest, having authority to regulate the singers, and to give the tune. Hence many psalms are addressed to these three masters of music. Yet from those titles we cannot surely infer that those psalms were composed by Asaph, &c. (Calmet) Eliel. Many of the genealogies do not seem to agree in these first 10 chapters, as some more obscure names have been passed over, (Menochius) or the people had different names, or, through the fault of transcribers, some alteration has taken place, which could hardly be avoided, without a constant miracle. (Haydock) Brother, or relation, though of the family of Gerson. He also followed the same profession as Ethan did, ver. 44. Ethan is also called Idithun (chap. xxv. 1, 8.[6.?]) in the Psalms. (Calmet) Brethren. All the other Levites, who were not Cantors. (Menochius) Offerings, which is here the meaning of incensum; as "incense" was not burnt on this altar, but only victims, Exodus xxix. 13. Sadoc. By God's ordinance Heli had been appointed. But the dignity still subsisted in Aaron's family. (Worthington) --- Achimaas, who was pontiff in the days of Solomon. This genealogy had been brought down to the Captivity, ver, 3, &c.) which shews that the author give extracts from different records. Suburbs, or 2000 cubits round the city. See Josue xx., and xxi. (Calmet) Of, is not authorized by the Vulgate civitates, but is added, to signify that all these 13 cities were not thus privileged. (Haydock) --- There were only six cites of refuge, of which Hebron was one. See Josue xx. 7. (Calmet) (Menochius) --- Protestants, "And to the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of Juda, namely, Hebron, the city of refuge." But "such a licence to insert words at pleasure, cannot be allowed." Hebrew literally, "they gave cities of Hebrew refuge, Hebron," &c. The "sense absolutely disallows the word Judah, " which is omitted , (Josue xxi. 13.) as well as in some Hebrew manuscripts in the Bamberg, and Complutensianeditions, and in those of Jablonski and Michaelis. --- Hari, "cities," ought to be hir, "a city," as only one is meant. We should also add with the Arabic and Syriac, and the parallel passage in Josue, "and her suburbs," after Hebron. (Kennicott) --- "Juda" is not found in the Septuagint, &c.: and Buxtorf acted with little wisdom, when he thought he had sufficiently answered Capellus, by observing that the Masora declared the word to be authentic. It is a great misfortune that most of the printed Hebrew editions have been given under such influence; and that the Masorets have defaced so many manuscripts by their corrections. (Haydock) --- Hence they probably burnt all the first edition of Naples, 1487, except part of a single copy, comprising the Cethubim given to Eton college by Dr. Pellet, which omits the word Juda. (Kennicott, Dis. i. p. 520-2) Asan, perhaps Jethnan, or Ain, Josue xv. 23., and xxi. 15. Syriac adds Ethra. (Calmet) --- Bethsames. Alexandrian Septuagint subjoins, "Baither and its suburbs." (Haydock) --- All these cities were in the tribes of Juda and of Simeon. (Menochius) Almath. Josue, Almon. --- Thirteen; but Geta and Gabaon are not here expressed, Josue xxi. 16, 17. (Calmet) --- Alexandrian Septuagint inserts, "Lebee," before, and "Anchos, with its suburbs," after Anathoth, thus making 14; but these additional cities are not sacerdotal. (Haydock) Out of. We may supply, "the tribe of Dan, Ephraim, &c.," as only two cities belonged to Manasses, Josue xxi. 25. (Calmet) --- Double that number was taken from the two other tribes. (Menochius) Them. The priests, ver. 54. (Du Hamel) --- Names. Some being styled of the priests, (Calmet) other of the Levites, (Menochius) whose dominion as thus asserted. (Calmet) The cities, or rather "some cities," as all were not in the tribe of Ephraim. (Haydock) Of the. Literally, "cities to flee to, ( or of refuge) Sichem," (Haydock) which might induce some to suppose that all these cities were of this description; but, in reality, only Sichem had that privilege. (Calmet) --- Septuagint is liable to the same ambiguity. See ver. 57., (Haydock) Josue xx. 7., and xxi. 21. Jecmaan, or Cibsaim, (Josue) as Helon is put for Aialon below. And of the tribe of Dan, Eltheco and Gabathon is omitted. See Josue xxi. 23. Aner and Baalam, perhaps the same as Thanach and Gethremmon, which were given to the children of Caath of the inferior degree, (Josue xxi. 26.; Calmet) or, who were left out of the rank of priests, (Menochius) or before unprovided for, as the partition was made at different times. --- Baalam. Hebrew, "Balaam." Septuagint, "Iblaam" is the Jeblaam, Josue xvii. 11. Astharoth, or Bosra. (Calmet) --- Hebrew Hashtaroth, Josue xxi. 27. (Haydock) Cedes....Ramoth, and Anem, are Cesion, Jaramoth, and Engannim, Josue xxi. 28, 29. Hucac....Hamon, and Cariathaim, are Helcath, Hammoth-Dor, and Carthan. Remmono and Thabor, or, Jecham and Cartha. (Haydock) --- Damna and Naalol are here omitted, Josue xxi. 35. There was formerly a town on Thabor, perhaps called Ceselet Thabor, Josue xix. 12., and Judges iv. 6. (Calmet) Jasub, or Job. See Genesis xlvi. 13., and Numbers xxvi. 23. (Calmet) --- Simeron, elsewhere Samron and Semran; (Menochius) which shews, either that the names have been differently pronounced, or that the transcribers have erred. (Haydock) Chiefs. They were at the head of distinct families. (Menochius) --- David. We know that David took an account of his fighting men, 2 Kings xxiv. But it is not certain that this register was made at that time; as we read that Benjamin was not numbered, chap. xxi. 6. These lists were probably made when some expedition was intended by David. The author was not, perhaps, able to recover the accounts of Nephthali, Manasses, and Ephraim, no more that the genealogies of Dan (ver. 12) and Zabulon, which do not appear in this book. (Calmet) Sons, for "the son." (Du Hamel) --- Izrahia. He alone deserved to be mentioned. See ver. 6, where only three sons of Benjamin appear, though there were more, chap. viii. 2. (Tirinus) --- Five, comprising Israhia, "all chiefs," (Haydock) men of note, (Du Hamel) or one name may be lost. (Calmet) Children, who had numerous offspring; (Haydock) so that, in the days of David, these descendants of Thola, amounted to so many. (Menochius) War. In all, this tribe could muster 145,600 men, at that time. (Calmet) Benjamin; a man, perhaps, of the tribe of Issachar. See ver. 10. Or the patriarch had originally ten sons, (Genesis xlvi. 21.) or grandsons, five of whom only had children, and perhaps two of their families perished entirely in the war with the other tribes; (Judges xx. 46.) so that, under David, only three branches were acknowledged. (Calmet) --- Jadihel, or Asbel in Genesis. Urai, a grandson, called Hir, ver. 12. (Calmet) --- Five chiefs, but inferior to the seven original families, (Numbers xxvi. 38.; Menochius) unless the fortune of war had made great changes, or some of the lists be imperfect. (Calmet) And Hapham; called Mophim and Ophim, (Genesis xlvi.) and Suphim and Hupham, Numbers xxvi. 39. --- Aher, in Hebrew means, "another" son, called Hazim: or more probably Aher ought to be Dan, the father of Husim, (Genesis xlvi. 23.) as Dan and Nephthali had both the same mother, Bala, ver. 13. (Calmet) Son. Hebrew, "sons....Ezriel, whom she bare." This seems imperfect. The Hebrews seldom name the mother. (Calmet) --- Septuagint intimate that the Syrian wife was mother of both. (Haydock) --- Galaad, whose posterity enjoyed the country of the same name, (Numbers xxii. 29., and xxxii. 41.) only Machir in mentioned as the son of Manasses. And Saphan. St. Jerome seems to have taken them for women. If they were the sons of Hir, (ver. 12) Machir probably adopted them. Hebrew, "Machir took a wife from Happhim," &c. But does one woman marry two men? Syriac and Arabic, "Machir took a wife one of the sisters of Huphim and Suphim, (the great and powerful) named Maacha." (Calmet) --- Protestants, " the sister of Huppim....whose sister's name was Maachah." (Haydock) --- Hebrew may have this sense, with a small alteration. (Calmet) --- Le Clerc thinks that the name of the woman has been lost, and the text altered. --- Second. This also seems defective, as no first had been mentioned. (Calmet) --- Two intervened between Machir and Salphaad, namely, Galaad and Hepher, (Numbers xxvi. 29., and xxvii. 1.; Menochius) so that Salphaad was his great-grandson. (Haydock) Badan, perhaps the same with Jair; (Judges x. 3., and 1 Kings xii. 11.; Calmet) or rather in this last place, the Syriac, &c., read more correctly Barac, and Samson instead of Samuel, who was then speaking. See Hebrews xi. 32. There was no such deliverer as Badan, but the word has been corrupted from Barac. (Septuagint) (Kennicott) Queen. Hebrew, "Moleceth bore Ishehod." St. Jerome and the Latin Church translate these names. (Worthington) --- Protestants, "Hammoleketh bore Ishod." (Haydock) --- The proper names might have been as well retained, (Calmet) as in the Septuagint. (Haydock) --- Some suppose that the mother of Josue, or Debora, may be designated. (Rabbins) --- Abiezer, Leci, are the Jeser and Chelek, Numbers xxvi. 30. Bared, Thahath, probably called Becher and Theken, in Numbers. Three alone are there mentioned, though the other thirteen, whose names are given, seem to have been all the immediate sons of Ephriam, (Calmet) since he mourns for them, (ver. 22.; Menochius) and his other children afterwards. (Haydock) --- The dreadful slaughter made them, is perhaps the reason why only three are mentioned in Numbers, and none in Genesis. Son, Ezer. Hebrew, "and Ezer and Elad." His son, after each, seems to be twice omitted, as these were in the same degree as the rest. Septuagint agree with the Vulgate. (Haydock) --- Because they, the sons of Ephraim, (Calmet, &c.) or the men of Geth. (Syriac and Arabic) (Du Hamel) (Menochius) (Tirinus) --- The text is ambiguous, but the former supposition seems more rational, (Haydock) and more generally received. (Calmet) Beria. This name signifies, in evil, or in affection. (Challoner) --- Briae, "in howling." (Menochius) Daughter, or great grand-daughter, repaired these three cities. (Calmet) --- The last, probably, was called after her. (Haydock) --- But its situation is unknown. (Calmet) Thale. Hebrew, "and Thale, his son, and Thaan, his son." These seem to have been the sons of Ephraim. The following were their descendants. (Haydock) --- At least Elisama was prince in the wilderness, (Calmet) under Moses; (Numbers i. 10.; Haydock) and Josue, the sixth from Ephraim, was 54 years old, when the Israelites left Egypt. (Calmet) Daughters. Septuagint, "villages." --- Joseph, by Ephraim and Manasses, west of the Jordan. (Haydock) Aram. Add, "and Helem," (Calmet) unless Helem was the first-born (ver. 35) of Ahi, which signifies "brother." Perhaps Helem was brother of Somer, called Hotham, ver. 32. Jethran. Septuagint, Jether," as v. seq.[as in the following verse, ver. 38. Jephone. The father of Caleb was of the tribe of Juda. (Calmet) Of captains; a Hebrew idiom, to denote the most excellent. (Haydock) --- Hebrew, "chief of the princes." All mentioned from ver. 30, were at the hand of their tribe, in succession, and led their brethren to battle. (Calmet)