[414] _οὐδὲν ναοῦ μεταφερομένου διέφερεν. Joseph. Ant._
[416] _Solis honore novi grati spectacula Circi. Antiqui dixere Patres Corrip. Afric. l. 1. num. 17. vi. Dempst._
[418] _Hic illius arma, Hic currus fuit. Virgil, Æneid. 1._
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]