2. in Isaiam._
[429] _Julius Maternus Firmicus. l. de errore profan. Religion._
[430] _Θαῤῥεῖτε τῷ θεῷ, ἐστὶ γὰρ ἡμῖν ἐκ πόνων σωτηρία.
Firmicus ibid._
[431] _הסיר עושים צלם ים מלאים עיניו עופרח יחיו אש מתחתיו R. Dav.
Kimchi. radic._
There are that think[432] the _Prophet_ alludeth unto those letters
inclosed in those fore-mentioned _Bull-rush Arks_, _Isa. 18. 2._ When
he speaketh of Ambassadors sent by the Sea even in _Vessels of Reeds_
upon the waters. But I rather approve the literal sense, for by reason
of the Shelves and dangerous Rocks in the River _Nilus_, it was not
unusual for men to sail in Hulks, and _Vessels made of a kind of great
Bull-rush_, which by the _Egyptian_s was termed _Papyrus_ and these
kind of Ships _Papyraceæ naves_.[433]
[432] _Procop. in Isai. 18._
[433] _Plin. Hist. lib. 6. cap. 22._
CHAP. III.
_Of Baal-Peor, Baal-Tsephon, Baal-Zebub, Baal-Berith, Bell and the
Dragon._
Whom the _Hebrews_ called _Baal_, the _Babylonians_ called _Bell_; and
although the _Planet of the Sun_ only at first might be worshipped
under that name, yet at last it became a common name to many other
Idols, according to that, _There are many Gods, many Baalims or Lords_,
_1 Cor. 8. 5._ As the same Idol _Jupiter_ had different names, and
different Rites of worship, occasioned sometimes from the different
places, as _Jupiter Olympius_, from the Hill _Olympus_; _Jupiter
Capitolinus_, from the _Capitol hill_; _Jupiter Latialis_, from that
part of _Italy_ which is called _Latium_. Sometimes from the different
benefits which he was supposed to bestow on men, as _Jupiter Pluvius_
because he gave _Rain_; _Jupiter Lucetius_, because he gave _Light_;
_Jupiter Altitonans_, from _thundring_; So _Baal_ had his distinctive
Titles, and different Rites of worship, sometimes occasioned by the
place, as _Baal-Peor_, _Numb. 25. 3._ sometimes from the benefit
obtained, as _Baal-Tsephon_, _Exod. 14. 1._ and _Baal-Zebub_, _2 King.
1. 2._ sometimes for some other reason, as _Baal-Berith_, _Judg. 8. 33._
_Baal-Peor_ is thought[434] to be that _Priapus_, that obscene _Idol_,
so famous in prophane Authors. He was called _Peor_, from the Hill
_Peor_, mentioned, _Numb. 23. 28._ as likewise his Temple wherein he
was worshipped, standing upon the same Hill, was called _Beth-Peor_,
_Deut. 3. 29._ He was worshipped by the _Moabites_ and _Midianites_:
the _Idol Chemish_, _Jer. 48. 7._ is thought to be the same,[435] and
I take it to be applied to _Baal Peor_, by way of contempt, as if one
should say, their _blind god_, according to that in the Psalm, _They
have eyes and see not_. For the first letter[436] _Caph_, signifieth
_quasi_; and מוש _Musch Palpare_, to _grope_ or _feel about, in manner
of blind men_.
[434] _Hieronym. ad Hos. c. 9. Idem. prodidit Isidor. Orig. l. 8._
[435] _Hieron. in Isai. l. 5. c. 15._
[436] _Philo Jud. lib. 2. Allegor. p. 79._
_Baal-Tsephon_ is thought by the _Hebrews_,[437] to have been an
_Idol_ made by the _Ægytian Magicians_, and placed in the Wilderness,
to observe and stop the _Israelites_ in their departure from _Ægypt_;
whence it was termed צפן _Tsephon_, from צפה _Tsapha_,
signifying to _watch_, & observe in manner of a _watchman_: because
we may call him _Baal speculator_, as, among the _Romans_; because
_Jupiter_ stayed the _Romans_ when they were flying, he was called
_Jupiter stator_.[438]
[437] _P. Fag. Exod. 14. 1._
[438] _Rosin. lib. 2. antiq. Rom. cap. 5._
_Baal-Zebub_, soundeth as much as the _Lord of the Flies_, or a
_Master fly_,[439] which hath power and authority over the rest, in
which respect the _Prince of the Devils_ in the _Gospel_ is termed
_Beel-Zebub_, זבוב _Zebub_ signifieth a _Fly_. This _Idol_ was
worshipped by the _Cyrenians_,[440] but principally by the _Ekronites_,
because whensoever they sacrificed unto him, the swarms of _flies_
which at that time molested the Country, died. But it is certain, that
this was not the alone reason, for they were wont to repair to him,
as to an Oracle, _2 King. 1. 2._ We may call him _Jupiter muscarius_,
or _Hercules muscarius_:[441] for the Inhabitants of the City _Elis_
sacrificed to _Jupiter_ under the name ἀπομύιος, (_i._) _A driver
away of flies_: and the _Romans_ to _Hercules_, under the same name.
Some _Greek Copies_ in the _Gospel_ read Βεελζεβοὺλ, _Beelzebul_:
which change is interpreted to be, for to shew the greater contempt of
the _Idol_, as if they should say _Jupiter stercoreus_, זבל _Zebel_
signifieth _stercus_, and _Beel_, or _Baal_, signifieth _Dominus_.
[439] _Ζητήσουσι μυῖαν Θεὸν Ἀκκαρῶν. Gregor. Nazianz. orat. 2.
contr. Julian. p. 102._
[440] _Plin. l. 10. c. 28._
[441] _Clemens Alexand. in protrep._
_Baal-berith_ was the _Idol_ of the _Shechemites_; of his Temple we
read, _Judges 9. 4._ ברית _Berith_ signifieth a _Covenant_; so that
_Baal-berith_ may be translated _Jupiter fœderatus_,[442] _The God
unto whom they bound themselves by Covenant_. Concerning _Bel_ and
the _Dragon_, little is spoken, besides what we read in that off the
_Apocrypha_, where the History is described.
[442] _Ἔθηκαν ἑαυτοῖς τῷ βάαλ διαθήκην, τοῦ εἶναι αὐτοῖς αὐτὸν
εἰς θεὸν. Septuagint. interp. Jud. 8. 33._
CHAP. IV.
_Of Dagon._
The _Hebrew Doctors_ say[443] this Idol _Dagon was made from the Navel
downward in form of a Fish, but from the Navel upward in form of a
Man_. This they collect from _1 Sam. 5. 4._ The _two palms of his hands
were cut off upon the threshold_. And furthermore they say, The Idol
_Dagon_ had his name from the _Hebrew_ דג _Dag_, signifying in the
Holy Language, a _fish_, according to which description we may English
him, the _Philistians Neptune_, or _Triton_.[444] Others derive the
name from דגן _Dagon_, signifying _Corn_: and they say,[445] that he
first invented the use of the _Plow_, and _Corn_; whence they translate
him _Jupiter aratrius_. In this respect we call him the _Philistians
Saturn_, because Antiquity[446] makes _Saturn_ the _first Inventer
of Husbandry_, and therefore paints him with an _Hook_ or _Sithe_ in
his hand, as being the fittest _Hieroglyphick_ for _Husbandry_. Both
opinions have their Authors, and no sufficient proof hath been produced
to overthrow either. Yea, they are not wanting among the _Jews_
themselves, that say,[447] this Image of _Dagon was made in the form of
a man_. Notwithstanding _Scaliger_ his conjecture is not improbable,
that those who interpret _Dagon_, _Jupiter aratrius_, or Ἀγροτὴς,
might mistake and read שדי _Shadai_, signifying _Ager_, _A field_, for
שדי _Shaddai_ being the very Name of God, signifying _Omnipotens_,
_Almighty_.
[443] _R. Dav. 1 Sa. 5._
[444] _Triton non absimilem habuisse figuram fingitur; Frons
hominem præfert, in piscem desinit alvus, Pier. Hierogl. lib.
1. p. 28._
[445] _Phylo Byblius apud Euseb. de præpar. lib. 1. c. 7._
[446] _Pier. Hierogl. l. 32. p. 228. Id. lib. 56._
[447] _R. Levi. 1 Sam. 5._
CHAP. V.
_Of the molten Calf._
The History of the _Molten Calf_ is at large set down, _Exod. 32._,
where we read, that by reason of _Moses_ his long absence, the people
desired of _Aaron_, _gods_ to be made; whereupon _Aaron_ made for them
the _molten Calf_. The reason why they worshipped _God_ rather in
the similitude of a _Calf_, than of any other Creature, is generally
by _Expositors_ conceived to be from the corruptions learned among
the _Egyptians_, who worshipped their Idol _Apis_,[448] otherwise
called _Serapis_,[449] in a living _Oxe_, and otherwise in an Image
made in the form and similitude of an _Oxe_, with a bushel on his
head. This _Oxe_ was remarkable for certain notes and marks, whereby
it was differenced from all others. It was _black bodied_, it had
a _white fore-head_, and _white spot behind_, and a _knot_ under
his tongue: for the more curious fashioning and pollishing of these
marks in the _molten Calf_, _Aaron_ may seem to have made use of his
_graving tool_.[450] The _Egyptians_ repaired unto this _Oxe_ for
the resolution of matters doubtful, as to an _Oracle_,[451] and the
manner of consulting with him, was thus. The party that repaired unto
him, tendred a bottle of Hay, or Grass; which if he received, then
it betokened a good and happy event; if otherwise he refused it,
then it did portend some evil to come. _Thus they turned their glory
into an Oxe that eateth grass_, _Psalm 106. 20._ The _Hebrew_ word
in the _Psalm_, translated an _Oxe_, is, _Shar_;[452] which I note,
because in my opinion, it giveth light to one of the names by which
this _Idol_ was denoted. Sometimes it was called _Apis_, from the
_Hebrew_ word _Ap_,[453] signifying a _face_: sometimes _Serapis quasi
Shor-apis_, which is nothing else but _Bovis caput_, an _Ox-head_;
the very name used by the _Fathers_[454] to express this _Idolatry_.
It is commonly known that this _Idolatry_ was derived to _Israel_
from the _Egyptians_; but whence the _Egyptians_ first learned it few
have taught. They do not conjecture amiss, who interpret the first
Institution hereof to have been in the memory of _Joseph_, who by his
providence relieved both _Egypt_, and other Neighbour Countries, in the
seven years of famine. Besides the testimony of no slight Authors,[455]
there are strong inducements to perswade it. _First_, both the years
of plenty and famine were foresignified by the apparition of _Oxen_.
_Secondly_, what fitter Emblem, (if it had not afterward proved an
_Idol_) to continue the remembrance of a _Joseph_, (by whose alone
care and industry, corn and victual was provided in an extream famine)
than an _Ox_, the true and lively Hieroglyphick of an industrious
Husbandman? _Thirdly_, in this _Suidas_ agreeth with others, that
_this Ox was pourtrayed with a bushel on his head_, though others do
more clearly express the reason of this portraiture, namely, because
of the great quantity of Corn measured out by _Joseph_ in that extream
dearth. Concerning the sin of the _Israelites_ in making this _Calf_ or
_Ox_, the modern _Jews_ do transfer the fault upon certain _Prosylite
Egyptians_ who came forth with them: and they say, that when _Aaron_
cast their Jewels into the fire, these _Egyptians_, contrary to his
expectation, by their Art _Magick_ produceth a Calf, to which purpose
they urge _Aarons_ own words, _Exod. 32. 34._ I did cast the Gold into
the fire, and _thereof came this Calf_, as if his art or will went
not with the making thereof, but _of it self it made it self_. But
this answer of his sheweth rather, how vain the wit of man is in the
excuse of sin; and as his ingraving instrument writes down _Aaron_’s
sins; so the confession of others, more ingenuous _Jews_ proclaims the
_Israelites_, saying,[456] that _No punishment befalleth thee ~Israel~,
in which there is not an ounce of this Calf_. I conclude this with the
analogy between the _Egyptian Apis_, and the _molten Calf_: and this
consisteth in three things. _First_, As there were some _special marks
in the Egyptians Ox_; so is it probable that _Aaron_ with his ingraving
Tool made the like. _Secondly_, As the _Egyptians_ in honor of their
_Ox_ celebrated a _solemn Feast_, with much singing and mirth.[457]
So the _Israelites_ proclaimed a feast in honor of their _Calf_: _The
people sate down to eat and drink, and rose up to play_. _Thirdly_, As
the _Egyptians Ox_ was at last drowned in the River, so _Moses_ burnt
the _molten Calf_, and beat it to powder, and cast it upon the face
of the water, _Exod. 32. 10._ _Deut. 9. 21._ _Jeroboam_ afterward,
though upon other inducements, committed the same sin; he thought in
his heart, that if the people go up to _Jerusalem_, and do sacrifice in
the _house of the Lord_, they would revolt from him, and return to the
King of _Judah_: whereupon he set up _two Calves of gold_, the one in
_Bethel_, the other in _Dan_; saying unto the people, It is too much
for you to go up to _Jerusalem_, _1 King. 12. 28._
[448] _Plin. Nat. hist. l. 1. c. 46. Herod. l. 1. Setin. c. 35.
aut aliorum distinctione 45._
[449] _Alex. Genial. dier. l. 6. cap. 2._
[450] _בחרט stylo sculptorio_
[451] _Plin. Hist. lib. 8. c. 46. It. Alex. Genial. dier. l. 6.
c. 2._
[452] _שר_
[453] _Vultus facies אף_
[454] _Cyprian. de bono patient. p. 318. vid. etiam August. p.
73. It. Tertul. adv. Jud. cap. 1._
[455] _Suidas in Ζάραπις. Ruffinus lib. 2. hist. Eccles. cap.
23. Pier. Hierog. lib. 3. p. 25._
[456] _אין לך ישראל פורענות שאין בה אנקיא מעון העגל Moses
Gerund, vid. Munst. Exod. 32._
[457] _Suid. in voce Ἄπιδες._
CHAP. VI.
_Of ~Astaroth~, ~Ammonia~, ~Juno~, the Queen of Heaven, ~Diana~ of the
~Ephesians~._
As the _Sun_ was worshipped under many names, so likewise the _Moon_.
_Astaroth_ was the _Idol_ chiefly of the _Zidonians_, _1 King. 11.
5._ _2 King. 23. 13._ she had her _Temple_, called the house of
_Astaroth_, in which the _Philistims_ hanged up _Saul_’s Armor[458]
after his death, _1 Sam. 31. 10._ That the _Moon_ was worshipped under
these names needs not proof;[459] only some say,[460] that _Astarte_
was _Juno_: and why may we not say, that _Juno_ was often used to
express the _Moon_? Both the _Moon_ and _Juno_ are often called by the
name of _Urania_.[461] And as the _Moon_ in respect of her light is
called _Urania_; so in regard of the lesser lights in the heaven, she
is called _Astroarche_ that is, the _Queen of the Planets_;[462] or
as _Horace_ speaketh of the _Moon_, _Siderum Regina_, the _Queen of
the Stars_: Or lastly, as _Virgil_ speaketh of _Juno_; _Divum incedo
regina_, the _Queen of the Gods_. It seemeth very probable, that this
is that _Queen of Heaven_, of which the _Prophet_ speaketh, _Jer. 7.
18._ _Jer. 44. 17._ Again, unto whom may we imagine those ancient
Heathens to have performed that solemn worship, which they did on the
_Calends_, or first day of every month (was it not to the _Moon_?) And
yet notwithstanding it is ascribed to _Juno_ whence she is called _Juno
Calendaris_.[463] Lastly, As _Jupiter Ammon_ was no other than the
_Sun_,[464] and worshipped him in form of a _Ram_; so for ought I see,
the _Moon_ might be called _Juno Ammonia_, and worshipped in the form
of a _sheep_.[465] Sure I am, that the _Hebrew Doctors_[466] describe
the Images of _Astaroth_, to have been made in the form of _sheep_; and
the word _Astaroth_, in the Original, signifieth a _flock of sheep_,
and the _Moon_ might as well be called _Ammonia_, as the _Sun_ _Ammon_,
both being so called from their _heat_, which in the Holy Tongue is
called _Hammah_,[467] and from thence likewise those Images (of which
we read, _Levit. 26. 30._ _Isa. 17. 8._ _Isa. 27. 9._) are called
_Hammianim_,[468] because they were certain Idols placed upon the house
top, and so alwayes exposed to the _Sun_. Furthermore, as _Jupiter
Ammon_ was painted with _horns_,[469] so likewise was the _Moon_:[470]
why they should be thus painted, many reasons might be produced, but
chiefly three; the _first_ peculiar to the _Sun_, the other common both
to _Sun_ and _Moon_. First, the _Sun_ was painted with _Rams horns_,
because with the Astronomers the sign _Aries_ in the _Zodiack_ is
the beginning of the year.[471] Secondly, because as the strength of
_horned beasts_ consists in their _horns_, so the virtue and influence
of the _Sun_ and _Moon_ is derived into sublunary creatures by their
beams. Thirdly, because the light of the _Sun_ and _Moon_ makes the
reflection _cornute_, or _horn-like_. When _Moses_ came down from
God, _Aaron_ and the people saw that his face shined, _Exod. 34._ the
_Latine_ reads it, _Facies ejus erat cornuta_: and hence it is, that
_Moses_ is painted with _horns_, which some of the _Rabbines_ have
interpreted[472] _horns of magnificence_. The errour grew from the
doubtful signification of the _Hebrew_ word signifying _splendor_ or
_brightness_ and also _horns_.
[458] _Horum Anathematum oblationem primo didicerunt ab
Israelitis, Num. 7. 1 Sam. 21._
[459] _Ἀστάρτην δὲ ἐγὼ δοκέω σεληναίαν ἔμμεναι. Astarten lunam
esse opinor. Lucian. de dea Syria._
[460] _August. super. Judic. quæst. 16._
[461] _Astarte Urania idem omnino valet apud Phœnicas, quod
Juno Lucina apud Latinos. Deducitur, Urania ab Hebræo אור Nun
in fine adjecto aut per se solum, aut cum Jod quod passim fit
Syris, quasi אורן vel אורני in fœminino vero אורניא (~i.~)
Lucidus & Lucida, aut Lucinus & Lucina. Et hinc Græci suum
ὀυρανὸν mutuati sunt._
[462] _Αστροάρχη dicitur, παρὰ τὴν τῶν ἄστρων ἀρχὴν ab imperio
quod in astra exercet. vid. Herodian. l. 5._
[463] _Macrob. Sat. l. 1. c. 15._
[464] _Macrob. Sat. l. 1. c. 21._
[465] _Cœl. Rhodig. l. 18. c. 58._
[466] _D. Kimchi. 1 Sam. 31. 10. It. Jud. 2. 13._
[467] _המה Calor. Sol._
[468] _R. Solomon in Levit. 26. 30._
[469] _… stat corniger illis Jupiter. Lucan, l. 9. v. 514._
[470] _Syderum regina bicornis, audi, Luna, puellas. Horat.
car. sæcular._
[471] _Pier. hierogl. l. 10._
[472] _קרני ההוד cornua magnificentiæ, R. Solom. porro
Hebraicum קרן (unde Κέρας & cornu emanarunt) significat in
morem cornuum splendorem radiosq; emittere._
The _Moon_ was also worshipped under the name of _Diana_,[473] who
although she were worshipped thorowout all _Asia_, yet she was had
in principal esteem among the _Ephesians_, whence arose that cry,
_Great is Diana of the Ephesians_, _Act. 19. 28._ Her greatness among
the _Ephesians_ appeareth partly by her _Temple_; which in one place
_Pliny_ saith[474] was two hundred and twenty years abuilding, but
elsewhere[475] he saith 400 years: partly from the great gain procured
unto the Silver-smiths in making and selling _silver Temples of Diana_.
_Act. 19. 24._ It is much disputed what those _silver Temples_ were;
some think them to be _little houses_, or _shrines_ (such as were for
their smallness portable) in form representing the _Temple of Diana_,
and within having the Image of _Diana_ inclosed, and in this sense
ναίδια is sometimes used, to signifie _closets_ or _shrines wherein
Images were kept_: Others think, certain coyns or pieces of money
to be called by the name of _Diana_’s _Temple_, from the similitude
of _Diana_’s _Temple_ engraven or stamped upon those coyns: as in
_England_ we call some pieces of gold the _George_, others the _Angel_,
others the _Thistle_, from the impression which they bear. The like
custom of naming coyns from their Sculpture or impression was not
unusual among the Ancients;[476] neither were such coyns unusual on
which the _Temple of Diana_ was engraven, and these capital letters
added, DIAN. EPHE. _Theodorus Beza_ in his major Annotations upon the
_Acts_, reporteth that he hath seen two of these himself.
[473] _Macrob. Saturn. l. 1. c. 15._
[474] _Plin. l. 36. 14._
[475] _Plin. l. 16. 40._
[476] _Simili prorsus ratione Atheniensium nummos
quosdam, boves: eorundem Atheniensium alios quosdam Κόρας
(~i.~) puellas, alios Corinthiorum πώλους pullos: alios
Peloponnesiorum χελώνας testudines; alios Romanorum naves
vocabant._
We read[477] of another kind of Idolatrous Worship towards the _Moon_,
to have been that men sacrificed to her in womans apparel, and women in
mens apparel, because they thought the _Moon_ to be both _male_ and
_female_, whence the _Moon_ is called by old Authors as well _Lunus_
as _Luna_: And _Venus_, whom _Philocorus_ affirms to be the _Moon_, is
termed _Deus Venus_, as well as _Dea Venus_. Some have thought[478]
that God had respect unto this kind of _Idolatry_, _Deut. 22. 5._ Where
men are forbidden to wear womens apparel, _& è contra_; but it is more
generally, and upon better grounds thought, that the promiscuous use
of apparel (whereby the distinction of sex is taken away) is there
forbidden.
[477] _Macrob. Saturn. l. 3. c. 8. Non absimilem idololatriam
in cultu Veneris prodidit Julius Firmicus de errore profan.
religion. c. 4._
[478] _Maimonid. in more Nebochim part. 3. cap. 38._
CHAP. VII.
_Of other Gods mentioned in Scripture._
The _Sun_ and _Moon_, which are the greater lights in the Heaven,
I take to have been the chiefest Idols worshipped by the _Heathen_
people. Notwithstanding, their blind devotion deified also the other
_Planets_, and that numberless number of lesser lights, called in
Scripture, _Militia Cœli_, The Host of Heaven, whose several natures,
properties and influences, are not distinctly known. In like manner
there is an _Host of Idols_ mentioned in Holy Writ, of whom little
or nothing is spoken to the purpose by Authors, more than their very
names. Of this nature are those _Chambers of Imagery_, wherein all
forms of creeping things were pourtrayed on the walls, _Ezek. 8._ It
may be termed their _Pantheon_.
In those Colonies which the _King_ of _Ashur_ transplanted into
_Samaria_, every one worshipped the _god_ of his own Nation. The men
of _Babel_ made _Succoth Benoth_, the men of _Cuth_ made _Nergal_, the
men of _Hamath_ made _Ashima_, the _Avims_ made _Nibhaz_ and _Tartak_;
the _Sepharvaims_ burnt their Children in the fire to _Adram-melech_,
and _Anammelch_ the _gods of Sepharvaim_, _2 King. 17. 30, 31._ The
_Hebrew Doctors_ say,[479] that _Succoth Benoth_ was the picture of an
_Hen with her Chicken_: _Nergal_ they interpret _Gallum Sylvestrem_,
_Asima_ a Goat, _Nibhaz_ a Dog, _Tartak_ an Ass, _Adrammelech_ a Mule,
_Anammelech_ an Horse: that such brute beasts should be worshipped
as _gods_, may seem ridiculous; but the like to have been practised
among the _Heathens_, profane Authors abundantly testifie. The _Cock_
was worshipped as a _god_ among the _Syrians_,[480] A _Goat_ by the
_Mendesii_;[481] A _Dog_ by others:[482] Yea, they have adopted
into the number of their _gods_ &c. _Oxen, Lyons, Eagles, Wolves,
Crocodiles, Cats, Rats_,[483] Nay, they have digged their _gods_ out
of their gardens, _Garlick, Leeks, Onions, &c._[484] To these may be
added _Nisroch_, which was the _god_ of the _Assyrians_, and, as it
seemeth, had his _Temple_ at _Nineve_, _2 King. 19. ult._ and _Esay.
37. ult._ Secondly, רמון _Rimmon_, the word signifieth a _Pomegranate_.
Concerning this Idol it is much controverted, whether _Naaman_ sinned
not in saying, _The Lord be merciful unto thy servant, that when my
Master goeth into the house of Rimmon_, &c. _2 King. 5. 18._ Read the
words in the _Præter tense_ (when my _Master_ went into the house of
_Rimmon_) the sense appears to be a pardon craved for sins past, not
afterward to be committed. The same word בבוא _Bebbo_, _in going_,
is put to express the time past, in the titles of the _Psalms 52._
and _Psalm 54._ Thirdly, _Nebo_ otherwise called _Nabo_, an Idol
of the _Assyrians_, _Jer. 48. 1._ He had his name from _Prophecy_,
נביא _Nahbi_, signifying a _Prophet_, he seemeth not much to differ
from Ζεὺς βουλαῖος, or Ζεὺς μητιέτης, so often mentioned in _Homer_,
_Diodorus Siculus_[485] maketh them both one, and we may render
_Nebo_, the _Assyrians Ammon_, or _Jupiter Vaticinus_, the _god of
their Oracles_.
[479] _R. Jarchi. 2 King. 17. R. David non dissentit._
[480] _Lucian l. 16. de Syr. Dea._
[481] _Herodotus in Euterp._
[482] _Cic. de legib. l. 1. vid. Tiraquel. in Alex._
[483] _Neopol. l. 6. c. 26._
[484] _Porrum & cepe, nefas violare & frangere morsu. O sanctas
gentes quibus hæc nascuntur in hortis Numina. Juvenal. satyr.
25._
[485] _Diod. Sicul. l. 5. c. 27._
CHAP. VIII.
_The several manners of Divine Revelation._