For the close of this point, I shall add the apprehension of a learned Expositor,1 who taking the words in this last sense, as referring to those solemn mournings, yet conceive that the word Leviathan must stand here in the letter; not as if Job had any intendment to speak of the fish Leviathan, or to allude to fishing for Leviathan: but either because Heathens in those execrations, did invoke or provoke Leviathan, 2that is the Devil. Or because in those solemn songs of lamentation, Leviathan was a word much used, or Leviathan was the first word of some of those lamenting songs; For in execrations, strange, uncouth, dreadful words were purposely used, the more to affect and astonish the hearers: Now there is no word more dreadful then Leviathan, whether we take it for that sea-monster the Whale, or for that Hell-monster the Devil. And so the meaning is this; Let them curse it who curse the day, who are ready to raise up Leviathan, that is, Let those mourners, who sing that most passionate song of mourning, which begins with or is entitled Leviathan. It is ordinary among us, to call for a song, or to call a song by the general subject matter of it, or by the first word of it. And so, many books of Scripture have their names in the Hebrew from the first word, as the book of Genesis, is called Beresith, or In the beginning. And Exodus, Veele semoth, (that is,) And these are the names: because both begin with those words in the Hebrew. So the song which was the form of those Lamentations, might be called Leviathan, because (saith this Author) it began with that word; and he allegeth a proverbial tradition for it out of Mariana, which he had received from a Jew, that it was forbidden upon the Feast-day to raise up Leviathan; That is, they might not take up that execratory song which beginneth with Leviathan. I only present this opinion, because it suites with and illustrates the former notion of solemn mourning.
For the close of this point, I shall adde the apprehension of a learned Expositor,1 who taking the words in this last sense, as referring to those solemne mournings, yet conceive that the word Leviathan must stand here in the letter; not as if Job had any intendment to speake of the fish Leviathan, or to allude to fishing for Leviathan: but either because Heathens in those execrations, did invoke or provoke Leviathan, 2that is the Devill. Or because in those solemne songs of lamentation, Leviathan was a word much used, or Leviathan was the first word of some of those lamenting songs; For in execrations, strange, uncouth, dreadfull words were purposely used, the more to affect and astonish the hearers: Now there is no word more dreadfull then Leviathan, whether we take it for that sea-monster the Whale, or for that Hell-monster the Devill. And so the meaning is this; Let them curse it who curse the day, who are ready to raise up Leviathan, that is, Let those mourners, who sing that most passionate song of mourning, which begins with or is entitled Leviathan. It is ordinary among us, to call for a song, or to call a song by the generall subject matter of it, or by the first word of it. And so, many bookes of Scripture have their names in the Hebrew from the first word, as the booke of Genesis, is called Beresith, or In the beginning. And Exodus, Veele semoth, (that is,) And these are the names: because both begin with those words in the Hebrew. So the song which was the forme of those Lamentations, might be called Leviathan, because (saith this Authour) it began with that word; and he alledgeth a proverbiall tradition for it out of Mariana, which he had received from a Jew, that it was forbidden upon the Feast-day to raise up Leviathan; That is, they might not take up that execratory song which beginneth with Leviathan. I only present this opinion, because it suites with and illustrates the former notion of solemne mourning.
- 1Sanctius.
- 2In execrationibus illa communitèr adhibentur, quae horribilia sunt, qu eque hominibus metum ac terrorē incutiunt: In aquatilibus nihil audimus horribilius Leviathan, Sanct in loc. Carmen illud dicebatur Leviathan quemadmodum multa ca•mina abijs sumpserunt nomen de quibus institus sunt. Idem.In execrationibus illa communitèr adhibentur, quae horribilia sunt, qu eque hominibus metum ac terrorē incutiunt: In aquatilibus nihil audimus horribilius Leviathā, Sanct in loc. Carmen illud dicebatur Leviathan quemadmodum multa ca•mina abijs sumpserunt nomen de quibus institus sunt. Idem.
