[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 Egyptians 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.