[64] _Buxtorf. Recens. operis Talmud, p. 155._
3. _Scribes_: This name was given to two sorts of men, some meerly _Laicks_, others _Clergy-men_. The body of the _Laick Scribes_, were those, to whom was committed the instruction of young children in their minority, especially to teach them to write; we may English them Scriveners. This office was appropriated to the Tribe of _Simeon_. In this sense we read not of _Scribes_ in the Scripture, although the ground of their first institution hath been taken thence, namely, from those words which _Jacob_ used unto _Simeon_ and _Levi_; I will divide them in _Jacob_, and scatter them in _Israel_, _Gen. 49. 7._ So that as _Levi_ had no portion, but lived dispersed among the other Tribes, by the benefit of the Altar.[67] In like manner _Simeon_ had no portion in the judgement of the _Hebrews_, but lived scattered among the other tribes, getting their maintenance by teaching and schooling little children: Whether this office of teaching children was appropriated to them, I leave to the inquiry of others; certain I am that the _Simeonites_ had their own inheritance by lot, _Josh. 19. 1._ And the prophecy concerning their being scattered is thought to have been accomplished in this, that the inheritance of the _Simeonites_, was taken out of the portion of the children of _Judah_, _Josh. 19. 9._ Furthermore it is certain, that if not all Scriveners, yet those publick Notaries, who were imployed in drawing Deeds, and writing Contracts (be they of what Tribe they will) they were called by the name of _Scribes_. Unto this there is allusion, _Psal. 45. 1._ My tongue is as the _pen_ of a swift _Writer_, or _ready Scribe_. Out of the body of these I conceive certain choice men to have been elected for publick imployments; some to attend the King, as his Secretaries, termed, γραμματεῖς βασιλέως, the Kings Scribes, _2 Kin. 12. 10._ Such were _Sheia_, _2 Sam. 20. 25._ And _Shaphan_, _2 Kin. 22. 3._ Others to attend the publick Courts and Consistories: they much resembled our _Clarks of Assizes_, these were termed, γραμματεῖς λαοῦ the _Scribes of the people_, _Mat. 2. 4._ _It._ _1. Mac. 5. 42._
[67] _Solom. Jarchi. Gen. 49. Vide Ambros. Tom. 4. cap. 2. & Targum Hierosol._