[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.