a celebrated rabbi, born in Portugal about the year 1624, was the son of Joseph Ben Israel, and followed his father into Holland. Here he was educated by Rabbi Isaac Uziel, under whom he in a short time made such progress in the Hebrew tongue, that at 18 years of age he succeeded him in the synagogue of Amsterdam. In this post he continued several years, and married Rachel of the family of the Abarbanel, whom the Jews imagine to be descended from King David. He afterwards went to his brother Ephraim, a rich merchant, who had settled at Basil; by whose advice he entered into trade. Some time after, the hopes of a more agreeable settlement induced him to come into England, under the protectorship of Cromwell; who gave him a very favourable reception, and one day entertained him at his table with several other learned divines. However, he soon after passed into Zealand; and died at Middleburg about the year 1657. The Jews at Amsterdam obtained his body, and interred it at their expense. He was of the sect of the Pharisees; had a lively wit, a solid judgment, great learning, and all the virtues that can adorn private life. He wrote many works in Hebrew, Latin, Spanish, and English. The principal of those published in Latin, are,

1. His Commentarius; a learned and curious work, in which he reconciles those passages of Scripture which seem to contradict each other. 2. De resurrectione mortuorum. 3. De termino vitae. 4. Dissertatio de fragilitate humana, ex lapsu Adami, deque Divino in bono Menasseh operae auxilio. 5. Spes Israel.

Dr Thomas Pococke has written his life in English.