Note 64 — Chapter X
David Shea translation
The name of a magician said to have been contemporary with Moses. He is mentioned in the Koran, chap. XX. v. 87. Sale observes (vol. II. pp. 145. 146. N. 9.) that he was not, as the Muhammedans believe, one of the Samaritans, who were not then formed into a people, nor bore that name till many ages after. Selden is of opinion, that this person was no other than Aaron himself, called al Sameri, from the Hebrew word shamar, “to keep;” because he was the keeper, or guardian, of the children of Israel during the absence of his brother, Moses, on the mount.