Part 13

It is much controversed among Expositors, whether the children in this sacrifice _were burnt in the fire_ or only _initiated and consecrated to ~Moloch~, passing in the middest of two fires in sign of their consecration_? It is probable, that both were in use. _First_, the Scripture speaketh of both. _Secondly_, the _Hebrew Doctors_ shew the manner of both. That they were _burnt_, _Jalkut_ expressly teacheth, and with him others accord,[406] saying, _That Molech is the name of an Image; and the wise men of blessed memory interpret Molech to be an universal name, denoting any whom they made to rule over them: And it is agreed upon, that this is the abomination of the Sons of Ammon, and this phrase, to cause to pass thorow, is as much as, to burn._ Others say,[407] _This Idols name was Molech, and this was his worship: That he (namely, the Father) delivered his son unto the Priests, and they made two great fires; and they made his son pass on his feet between both these fires._

[406] _Aben Ezra. Lev. 18, 21._

[407] _Rabbi Solomon. Lev. 18. 21._

Notwithstanding, we must not think that there were no other oblations unto _Molech_, besides sacrificing of children: For what use then served those other six Chappels? No: I take this oblation of children not to have been forced on them by any superstitious law, or tradition, binding them thereunto; but to have been reputed a work more meritorious, because it was meerly voluntary. This I note, because otherwise there were an apparent difference between _Baal_ and _Moloch_. For the _Baalites_ offered unto their fancied Deity a Bullock, in that contention between them and _Eliah_, _1 Kings 18._ Bullocks, and Calves, and Lambs, were their ordinary sacrifices, the sacrificing of their children, _extraordinary_. Yet their ordinary sacrifices, were not always altogether void of mans blood, but sometimes the _Priests_ would lance and cut their own flesh: which custome, whence it had its original, I find not: only we find the like to have been practised by the _Heathenish Priests_ in their sacrifices to _Bellona_: _Tertullian_[408] toucheth it, but _Lactantius_[409] treating of _Bellona_ and her _Priests_, speaketh more clearly, saying, _They sacrificed not with any other mans blood, but with their own; their shoulders being lanced, and with both hands brandishing naked swords, they run and leaped up and down like mad men_. Who would not take these _Bellonites_ to be the very _Baalites_, spoken of, _1 Kings 18._ _They leapt upon the Altar which was made ---- and cut themselves as their manner was, with knives and lances, till the blood gushed out upon them._

[408] _Ter. Apol. c. 9._

[409] _Lactant. c. 40._

That the opinion of pleasing _God_ by sacrificing their children sprang from _Abraham_’s offering of _Isaac_, seemeth very probable, and is intimated by _R. Solomon_, who bringeth in _God_ speaking concerning _Moloch_ after this manner: _I never commanded that they should offer up their sons for an oblation, and I never spake it unto any of my Prophets:[410] and when I spake to_ Abraham _to sacrifice his son, it entred not into my heart that he should sacrifice him, but to make known his righteousness_, Yea _Porphyry_[411] treating of _Saturn_, (who seemeth to have been this very _Moloch_) saith, that the _Phœnicians_ called him _Israel_, and that he had by _Anobreth_ one only son called _Jeud_ in the _Phœnician_ language, (no doubt from the _Hebrew_ _Jechid_, signifying an _only begotten_, and applied to _Isaac_, _Gen. 22. 2._) which he offered upon an _Altar_ purposely prepared. Who seeth not the History of _Abraham_ and _Sarah_ under the names of _Israel_ and _Anobreth_? and the immolation of _Isaac_ under the name of _Jeud_? and the original of this Son-sacrificing Divinity, to have been the unwarrantable imitation of _Abraham_?

[410] _Solomon Iarchi Jer. 7. 31._

[411] _Euseb. præpar. Evang. l. 1. c. 7, p. 17._

But what! Was the _Sun_ worshipped _Idolatrously_, no otherwise? Yes, except I am deceived, we find another manner of worship described by _Amos_, _Chap. 5. 26._ _But ye have born the Tabernacle of your Moloch_, and _Chiun_ your Images, the _star of your God_, which ye made to your selves. This translation I prefer before others. First, because the _Hebrew_ word[412] signifieth a _Tabernacle_. Secondly, it is rendred the Tabernacle of _Moloch_, not _Siccuth_ your King, by the _Seventy_. Thirdly, it is so repeated by Saint _Stephen_[413] _Act. 7. 43._ _Ye took up the Tabernacle of Moloch_, and the _star of your God Remphan_, figures which ye made to worship them.

[412] _‎‏ונשאתם את סכות מלככם‏‎_

[413] _Καί ἀνελάβετε τὴν σκηνὴν τοῦ Μολὸχ, καὶ τὸ ἄστρον τοῦ θεοῦ ὑμῶν ῥαιφὰν τοὺς τύπους οὓς ἐποιήσατε ἑαυτοῖς._

Three things are to be enquired for the understanding of this parrallel. First, what the _bearing or taking up of this Tabernacle is_. Secondly, what Idol was pointed out by these names of _Chiun_ and _Remphan_. Thirdly, what is meant by the _star of this God_.

_The taking up of this Tabernacle_ denoteth their worship which they exhibited unto their Idol, by carrying him up and down in _Tabernacles_ and _Pageants_, after a solemn manner of procession: By the _Romans_ this solemnity was termed _pompa_, and the _Tent_ or _Pageant_ in which the Idol was carried, _Thensa_, according to that, _Thensa Deorum vehiculum_. This kind of Idolatry may seem to have had its original among the _Heathens_ from an unwarrantable imitation of _Moses_’s _Tabernacle_, which was nothing else but a _portable Temple_[414] to be carried from place to place, as need required. For it cannot be denied, but that many superstitions were derived unto the _Heathens_ from the true worship of _God_, which he himself had prescribed unto his people. Thus, as _God_ had his _Tabernacle_, _Priests_, _Altars_, and _Sacrifices_, so the _devil_ had his _Tabernacles_, _Priests_, _Altars_ and _Sacrifices_. As _God_ had his _Fire ever burning upon the Altar_, so had the _devil_ his _fire preserved burning by those Vestal Votaries_. As _God_ had his _Propitiatory_ or Mercy seat:[415] so had the _devil_ his _Sacros tripodas_, his _Oracles_, from which he would speak unto them that served him. This solemn procession was performed by the _Romans_ in the honour of the _Sun_.[416] It was performed by the _Israelites_ in honour of their _Moloch_, who formerly was interpreted, the _Sun_. To add unto the pomp and state of this solemnity, both the _Romans_ and the _Israelites_ caused _great Horses_ and _Chariots_ to be led up and down. _Horses_ were consecrated to the _Sun_ by the _Romans_, and their _Cirque place_ was sometimes called τὸ ἱππικὸν, and ἱπποδρόμιον, an _Horse-race_.[417] And that _Chariots_ was commonly used in those pompous shewes is evident.[418] Concerning the people of _Judah_, doth not the like practice plainly appear? _2 Kings 23._ _Josiah_ did put down the _Horses_ given to the _Sun_, and the _Chariots of the Sun_. This kind of Idolatrous worshipping the _Sun_ seemeth to have had its beginning from the _Persians_, who also accounted _Horses_ holy to the _Sun_:[419] And the _Persian King_, when he would shew himself in great state, caused an exceeding great _Horse_ to be led up and down, the which was called _Equus solis_.

[414] _οὐδὲν ναοῦ μεταφερομένου διέφερεν. Joseph. Ant._

[415] _Lev. 6. 3._

[416] _Solis honore novi grati spectacula Circi. Antiqui dixere Patres Corrip. Afric. l. 1. num. 17. vi. Dempst._

[417] _Alex. ab Alex. lib. 3. cap. 12._

[418] _Hic illius arma, Hic currus fuit. Virgil, Æneid. 1._

[419] _Cœl. Rhodig. antiq. l. 8. c. 2._

The second inquiry is, What _Idol_ was meant by _Chiun_ and _Remphan_, otherwise in ancient Copies called _Repham_. Not to trouble the Reader with the various interpretations of _Expositors_, much less with the bold adventures of others in correcting the text: by _Chiun_ we are to understand _Hercules_, who in the _Egyptian_ language was called _Chon_: by _Repham_ we are to understand the same _Hercules_, for ‎‏רפאים‏‎ _Rephaim_, in the holy tongue signifieth _Gyant_: By _Hercules_ we may understand the Planet of the _Sun_: There are _Etymologists_ that derive _Hercules_ his name from the _Hebrew_ ‎‏האיר כל‏‎, _Heircol_, _illuminavit omnia_: the _Greek Etymology_,[420] holds correspondency with the _Hebrew_ and both signifie that universal light which floweth from the _Sun_ as water from a fountain. Add hereunto, that _Porphyry_[421] interpreteth _Hercules his twelve labours_, so often mentioned by the _Poets_, to be nothing else but the _twelve signs of the Zodiack_, thorow which the _Sun_ passeth yearly. But some may question, whether the name of _Hercules_ was ever known to the _Jews_? It is probable the name was; for _Hercules_ was the _god_ of the _Tyrians_, from whom the _Jews_ learned much _Idolatry_, as being their near Neighbours: Yea, it is apparent, that in the time of the _Maccabees_ the name was commonly known unto them: for _Jason_ the _High-Priest_ sent three hundred drachmes of silver to the sacrifice of _Hercules_, _2 Mac. 4. 19._

[420] _Heracles quid aliud est quam ἧρας κλέος (~i.~) aeris gloria: quæ porro alia est aeris nisi solis illuminatio? Macrob. Satur. l. 1. c. 20._

[421] _Euseb. de præp. l. 3. c. 4. p. 71._

_Thirdly_, it followeth that we should enquire, what this _star of Remphan_ was, it is probably thought[422] that it was a certain _star painted in the forehead of Molech_; Neither was it unusual for the Heathen people to paint their _Idols_ with such _Symbolica Additamenta_. _Julius Cæsar_ his Image had a _star_ depicted on the _crown of his head_.[423]

[422] _Oecumenius. Act. 7. 43._

[423] _Sueton. in Jul. c. 88. It. Plin. hist. l. 2. c. 25. Horat. l. 1. Od. 12._

The _Sun_ was also worshipped by the house of _Judah_, under the name _Tamuz_; for _Tamuz_, saith _Hierom_,[424] was _Adonis_, and _Adonis_ generally interpreted the _Sun_,[425] from the _Hebrew_ _Adon_, signifying _Dominus_, the same as _Baal_, or _Moloch_ formerly did, namely, the _Lord_ or _Prince_ of the _Planets_. The month which we call _June_, was by the _Hebrews_ called _Tamuz_; and the entrance of the _Sun_ into the sign _Cancer_ was, in the _Jews Astronomy_, termed _Tekuphu Tamuz_, the _revolution_ of _Tamuz_. Concerning _Adonis_ whom sometime ancient Authors called _Osiris_; there are two things remarkable, ἀφανισμὸς, the _death or loss of Adonis_ and εὕρησις, the _finding of him again_. As there was great lamentation[426] at his loss, especially amongst the Women;[427] so was there great joy at his _finding_. By the death or _loss of Adonis_, we are to understand the departure of the _Sun_; by his _finding again_, we are to understand his return. Now he seemeth to depart twice in the year: First, when he is in the _Tropick of Cancer_, in the farthest degree Northward. Secondly, when he is in the _Tropick of Capricorn_, in the farthest degree Southward: answerable unto these two departures, which may be termed ἀφανισμοὶ, _disparitions_, or _losses of the Sun_, there are two returns immediately succeeding, which may be termed likewise εὑρήσεις, the _findings_ or new appearings of the _Sun_. Hence we may note, that though the _Egyptians_ celebrated their _Adonia_ in the moneth of _November_, when the _Sun_ began to be farthest _Southward_; and the house of _Judah_ theirs, in the month of _June_, when the _Sun_ was farthest _Northward_, yet both were for the same reasons, and in substance they agreed. And of this the Prophet _Ezekiel_ is thought to have spoken, _Ezek. 8. 14._ _There sate women weeping for ~Tamuz~._

[424] _Hieron. comment. 3 in Ezek._

[425] _Pier. Hierogl. l. 9. p. 68._

[426] _Nunquamq; satis quæsitus Osiris. Semper enim perdunt, semper & inveniunt. Lucan._

[427] _Plutarch. in Alcibiade._

These solemnities were chiefly observed, between the _Byblienses_ and the _Alexandrini_, the manner was thus:[428] When the _Byblienses_ solemnized the death or loss of _Adonis_, at that time the _Alexandrini_ wrote a letter, this letter was inclosed in an _Ark of Bulrushes_, therein they signified, that _Adonis_, whom they lamented, was found again, this Ark, being after the performance of certain rites and ceremonies, committed to the Sea, forthwith it was carried by the stream to _Biblus_; upon the receit whereof, the lamentation of the Women was turned into joy. Others say,[429] that this lamentation was performed over an Image in the night season, and when they had sufficiently lamented, a Candle was brought into the room (which Ceremony might mystically signifie the return of the Sun) then the Priest with a soft voice muttered this form of words[430] _Trust ye in God, for out of pains salvation is come unto us._ There are likewise of the _Jews_ that say[431] their _Tamuz_ was an Image whose eyes they filled with Lead, which Lead being molten by the means of fire under it, the Image it self seemed to weep.

[428] _Procopius in Isaiam. ad c. 18. It. Cyrillus l. 2. Tom. 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._