CHAPTER X

Of the Scutcheons of the Tribes of Israel.

We will not pass over the Scutcheons of the Tribes of _Israel_, as they are usually described in the Maps of _Canaan_ and several other pieces; generally conceived to be the proper coats, and distinctive badges of their several Tribes. So _Reuben_ is conceived to bear three Bars wave, _Judah_ a Lyon Rampant, _Dan_ a Serpent nowed, _Simeon_ a sword inpale the point erected, etc. The ground whereof is the last Benediction of _Jacob_[SN: Gen. 49.], wherein he respectively draweth comparisons from things here represented.

Now herein although we allow a considerable measure of truth, yet whether as they are usually described, these were the proper cognizances, and coat-arms of the Tribes; whether in this manner applyed, and upon the grounds presumed, material doubts remain.

For first, They are not strictly made out, from the Prophetical blessing of _Jacob_; for _Simeon_ and _Levi_ have distinct coats, that is, a Sword, and the two Tables, yet are they by _Jacob_ included in one Prophesie, _Simeon_ and _Levi_ are brethren, Instruments of cruelties are in their habitations. So _Joseph_ beareth an Ox, whereof notwithstanding there is no mention in this Prophesie; for therein it is said _Joseph_ is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; by which repitition are intimated the two Tribes descending from him, _Ephraim_ and _Manasses_; whereof notwithstanding _Ephraim_ only beareth an Ox: True it is, that many years after in the benediction of _Moses_, it is said of _Joseph_[SN: Deut. 33.], His glory is like the firstlings of his Bullock: and so we may concede, what _Vossius_ learnedly declareth, that the _Ægyptians_ represented _Joseph_, in the Symbole of an Ox; for thereby was best implied the dream of _Pharoah_, which he interpreted, the benefit by Agriculture, and provident provision of corn which he performed; and therefore did _Serapis_ bear a bushel upon his head.

Again, If we take these two benedictions together, the resemblances are not appropriate, and _Moses_ therein conforms not unto _Jacob_: for that which in the Prophesie of _Jacob_ is appropriated unto one, is in the blessing of _Moses_ made common unto others. So whereas _Judah_ is compared unto a Lion by _Jacob_, _Judah_ is a Lions whelp, the same is applied unto _Dan_ by _Moses_, _Dan_ is a Lions whelp, he shall leap from _Bashan_, and also unto _Gad_; he dwelleth as a Lion.

Thirdly, If a lion were the proper coat of _Judah_, yet were it not probably a Lion Rampant, as it is commonly described, but rather couchant or dormant, as some _Heralds_ and _Rabbins_ do determine; according to the letter of the Text, _Recumbens dormisti ut Leo_, He couched as a Lion, and as a young Lion, who shall rouse him?

Lastly, when it is said, [SN: Num. 2.] Every man of the Children of _Israel_ shall pitch by his own standard with the Ensign of their fathers house; upon enquiry what these standards and ensigns were there is no small incertainty; and men conform not unto the Prophesie of _Jacob_. Christian expositors are fain herein to rely upon the _Rabbins_, who notwithstanding are various in their traditions, and confirm not these common descriptions. For as for inferiour ensigns, either of particular bands or houses, they determine nothing at all; and of the four principal or Legionary standards, that is, of _Judah_, _Reuben_, _Ephraim_, and _Dan_ (under every one whereof marched three Tribes) they explain them very variously. _Jonathan_ who compiled the Thargum conceives the colours of these banners to answer the precious stones in the breast-plate, and upon which the names of the Tribes were engraven. [SN: _The like also_ P. Fagius _upon the Thargum or_ Chaldie _Paraphrase of_ Onkelus. Num. 1.] So the standard for the Camp of _Judah_ was of three colours, according unto the stones, Chalcedony, Saphir and Sardonix; and therein were expressed the names of the three Tribes, [SN: Num. 10.] _Judah_, _Isachar_, and _Zabulon_, and in the middest thereof was written, Rise up Lord, and let thy enemies be scattered, and let them that hate thee flee before thee; in it was also the pourtrait of a Lion. The standard of _Reuben_ was also of three colours, Sardine, Topaz, and Amethyst; therein were expressed the names of _Reuben_, _Simeon_, and _Gad_, in the middest was written, [SN: Deut. 6.] Hear, O _Israel_, The Lord our God, the Lord is one: Therein was also the pourtraiture of a Hart. But _Abenezra_ and others, beside the colours of the field, do set down other charges, in _Reubens_ the form of a man or mandrake, in that of _Judah_ a Lion, in _Ephraims_ an Ox, in _Dan's_ the figure of an Eagle.

And thus indeed the four figures in the banners of the principal squadrons of _Israel_ are answerable unto the Cherubins in the vision of _Ezekiel_[SN: Ezek. 1.]; every one carrying the form of all these. As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the likeness of the face of a Man, and the face of a Lion on the right side, and they four had the face of an Ox on the left side, they four had also the face of an Eagle. [SN: _The common Pictures of the 4 Evangelists explicated._] And conformable hereunto the pictures of the Evangelists (whose Gospels are the Christian banners) are set forth with the addition of a man or Angel, an Ox, a Lion, and a Eagle. And these symbolically represent the office of Angels, and Ministers of Gods Will; in whom is required understanding as in a man, courage and vivacity as in the Lion, service and ministerial officiousness, as in the Ox, expedition or celerity of execution, as in the Eagle.

From hence therefore we may observe that these descriptions, the most authentick of any, are neither agreeable unto one another, nor unto the Scutcheons in question. For though they agree in _Ephraim_ and _Judah_, that is, the Ox and the Lion, yet do they differ in those of _Dan_, and _Reuben_, as far as an Eagle is different from a Serpent, and the figure of a Man, Hart, or Mandrake, from three Bars wave. [SN: _The Antiquity of bearing Scutcheons._] Wherein notwithstanding we rather declare the incertainty of Arms in this particular, than any way question their antiquity; for hereof more ancient examples there are, than the Scutcheons of the Tribes, if _Osyris_, _Mizraim_ or _Jupiter_ the Just, were the Son of _Cham_; for of his two Sons, as _Diodorus_ delivereth, the one for his Device gave a Dog, the other a Wolf. And, beside the shield of _Achilles_, and many ancient _Greeks_: if we receive the conjecture of _Vossius_, that the Crow upon _Corvinus_ his head, was but the figure of that Animal upon his helmet, it is an example of Antiquity among the _Romans_.

But more widely must we walk, if we follow the doctrine of the _Cabalists_[SN: _Ricius_[4] de cœlesti Agricultura, lib. 4.], who in each of the four banners inscribe a letter of the Tetragrammaton, or quadriliteral name of God: and mysterizing their ensigns, do make the particular ones of the twelve Tribes, accommodable unto the twelve signs in the Zodiack, and twelve moneths in the year: but the Tetrarchical or general banners, of _Judah_, _Reuben_, _Ephraim_, and _Dan_, unto the signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricornus: that is, the four cardinal parts of the Zodiack, and seasons of the year.

[4] _Recius_, 1650, 1658, 1669, 1672, 1686.