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Iacob.

ANNOTATIONS. CHAP. XXXI.

19. Idols.) Images of false Gods (as these were) are most properly called idols. And so the hebrew word Teraphim is heer rightly translated idols: which in other places signifieth other things. As The statua which Michol put in Dauids bed, couering the head therof with a hairie goates skinne, to deceiue Saules seriants who sought Dauids death, is called Teraphim, and may there be translated a statua, image, or similitude, but not an idol. Againe, Osee the Prophet fortelling the lamentable state of the Israelites, sayth, they shal be long without King, Prince, Sacrifice, Altar, Ephod, and Teraphim, which last word in the Protestants English Bibles remaineth vntranslated .Where if they had translated images (as here they doe) it would proue, that some images pertaine to true religion, the want wherof is lamented among other principal things.

These idols Rachel stole from her father, to withdraw him from idolatrie, as S. Basil (in li. Proueb.) S. Gregorie Nazianzen. (orat. de Paschate) and Theodoret (q. 89. in Gen.) expound it. And in this, saith Theodoret, she was a right figure of the Catholike Church, which depriueth idolaters of their idols. It is probable also by her base vsing of them, that she held them not for Gods, when she put them vnder the camels litter, and sate vpon them. Finally that she reserued them, and did not cast them away, nor burne, nor burie them, argueth that they were perhaps of precious mettal, or other matter, which she might turne to profit: and that lawfully in part of recompence, that she and her sister had no other dowrie, but rather were sold to Iacob. Who also had suffered much iniurie at their fathers hands.

CHAP. XXXII.

ACOB also went on his iourney that he had begun: the Angels of God met him. Whom when he had seen, he said: These are the Camps of God, and he called the name of that place Mahanaim, that is, Camps. And he sent also messengers before him to Esau his brother into the land of Seir, into the countrie of Edom: and he commanded them, saying: Thus speake ye vnto my lord Esau: This saith thy brother Rh