Punon

PUNON, or Phunon, a Station of the Numb. xxxiii. 42, 43.Hebrews in the Wilderness. ‘Tis also call’d Phæno, Phaino, and Metallo-phænon, because of the Mines of Metals there found. Eusebius says, that this Place was situate between Petra and Segor; and elsewhere he places it four Miles from Dedan. St. Athanas. Epist. ad Solitarios.Athanasius says, that these Mines of Phanos were so dangerous, that Murtherers condemn’d to work there, could not live but a few Days. We find Bishops of Phenos in the Subscriptions of the Councils.

Lucan l. 9. Isai. xiv. 29. xxx. 6.‘Tis thought to be at Punon that Moses erected the Brazen Serpent, for the Cure of the murmuring Israelites, who had been bit by the fiery Serpents. Others believe this happened at the Encampment of Zalmonah. The Matter is thus related in the Book of Numbers. a The People began to be tired of their Journey, and to murmur against the Lord. Wherefore the Lord sent Serpents among them, the biting of which burned like Fire. The Hebrew reads Seraphim, Serpents, or burning Serpents, which is generally understood by the Præster, a sort of Serpent, which by its biting causes a great Inflammation in the Face, and a Swelling through the whole Body. Isaiah says expresly, that the Saraph was a flying Serpent, and Historians inform us, that such are found in Arabia and Egypt. See Herodot. l. 2. c. 76. and the Authors quoted in Bochart, de Animalibus sacris, part. 2. l. 3. c. 13. and the Article SERPENT hereafter.

But Moses goes on thus: Several Israelites having been kill’d and wounded by the John iii. 14, 15.biting of these Serpents, the People came to Moses, and said to him; We have sinn’d in speaking against the Lord, and against thee. Pray to him, that he would deliver us from these Serpents. Moses therefore having pray’d for the People, the Lord said to him; Make a Brazen Serpent, and set it up for a Sign: Whosoever is bit, and shall look upon it, shall be forthwith healed. Moses therefore made a Serpent of Brass, and fix’d it upon a Standard, to serve as a Sign; and whoever look’d upon it when wounded, were immediately healed. Our Saviour in the Gospel says to Nicodemus; As Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have eternal Life. Shewing by this, that he was to die upon the Cross, for the Salvation of Mankind.

We have shewn under the Article NOHESTAN, that this Brazen Serpent was preserved among the Jews to the time of King Hezekiah; and that this wise Prince seeing the Abuse that was then made of it by the People, who paid an idolatrous and superstitious Worship to it, he caused it to be destroy’d, and named it Nohestan, in Derision.¹

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