Vinder & 16.
من
Tappan Presbyterian Association
LIBRARY.
Presented by HON. D. BETHUNE DUFFIELD.
From Library of Rev. Geo. Duffield, D.D.
%
A
COMPLETE
OF
SYSTEM
ASTRONOMICAL CHRONOLOGY,
Unfolding the SCRIPTURES.
IN WHICH
I. The Chronolgy of the Maforetic Hebrew Text
is proved, Aftronomical Arguments, to be
genuine and thentic, without Error, and with-
out Corrupti
II. The Date the Creation is fixed,
III. The Year Month, Day of the Month, and
Day of the Week, in which the Ifraelites went
out of Egy are aſcertained.
IV. It is clear proved, that at the going out of
Egypt the dginal Sabbath was changed by Di-
vine Legiftive Authority.
V. It is proid, that our Saviour roſe from the
Dead on t Seventh Day of the Week, in the
uninterrupted Series of Weeks from the Creation,
and that the original Seventh Day, or Patriarchal
Sabbath, revived with him.
VI. It is proved, that our Saviour gave up the
Ghoſt upon the Crofs, on the very Month, Day,
Hour, and Minute, on which the Pafchal Lamb
was ordered, by the Law, to be flain.
VII. The Chronology of the Five Books of Mofes
is compleated in all its Particulars.
VIII. The Aftronomical Epocha of the Gospel,
and the Year, Month, and Day of CHRIST'S
Death, are determined.
Si orig mundi in notitiam hominum veniffet exordium inde fumeremus.
CENSORINUS.
Ethnicis nullumtempus propriè hiftoricum audiat, nifi quod primam Olympiadem fequitur. Nos autem, qui
Mofaicis gidemus ratiociniis ab ipfo primo homine mundoque condito hiftorias noftras exordiamur. Et
idcirco totu temporis, quod ab ipfis motuum cæleftium carceribus ad hanc ufque metam five tempus prefens
effluxerit, ftoricum jure nominamus. BEV. Chronolog. Inftitut.
By
JOHN
KENNEDY,
Rector of BRADLEY in Derbyshire.
LONDON:
Printed by E. ALLEN, in BOLT-COURT, FLEET-STREET;
For Meffrs DAVIS and REYMERS, in Holborn; W. OWEN, in Fleet-Street;
and T. HOPE, behind the Royal Exchange.
J794
M.DCC.LXII,
Pres. Assocn.
Гарраш
appan Pres.
16-18-1924
TO THE
KING.
SIR,
H
AVING by long Labour, and diligent En-
quiry, endeavoured to illuſtrate and eſtabliſh
the Chronology of the BIBLE, I hope to
be pardoned the Ambition of infcribing my Work
to YOUR MAJESTY.
J
AN Age of War is not often an Age of Learning;
the Tumult and Anxiety of Military Preparations
feldom leave Attention vacant to the filent Progreſs of
Study, and the placid Conquefts of Inveſtigation. Yet,
furely, a Vindication of the Inſpired Writers can never
be unfeaſonably offered to the DEFENDER OF
THE FAITH, nor can it ever be improper to promote
that
DE DIC AUT. I O N.
that Religion without which all other Bleffings are
Snares of Deftruction, without which Armies cannot
make us fafe, nor Victories make us happy.
I AM far from imagining that my Teſtimony can
add any Thing to the Honours of YOUR MAJESTY,
to the Splendour of a Reign crowded with Triumphs,
to the Beauty of a Life dignified by Virtue. I can
only wiſh, that Your Reign may long continue fuch
as it has begun, and that the Effulgence of Your
Example may ſpread its Light through diftant Ages,
till it fhall be the higheft Praife of any future
Monarch, that he exhibits fome Refemblance of
GEORGE THE THIRD.
I AM,
SIR,
YOUR MAJESTY'S
Moft obedient,
✔
Moft devoted, and
Moft bumble Subject,
and Servant,
JOHN KENNEDY.
AN
ANALYSIS
OF THE
ENTIRE
WORK.
A¹
N INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE,
page i.
A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE, con-
taining a ſeries of 5768 years, terminating in
the year of our Lord 1761, p. 1—69.
A COLLECTION of more than five
hundred texts from the Old and New Teſta-
ment, relative to the ſcheme of facred Chro-
nology, p. 71-113.
DISSERTATION I.
Of the folar tropical year, and the distances of the four cardinal points of the ecliptic
from each other, as collected from the tables of obfervations.
T
The CONTENT S.
HE quantity of the folar tropical year
is a conclufion in aftronomy, and it is
a firft principle in chronology. The quantity
of the folar tropical year undetermined, p. 115.
The diftances of the four cardinal points of the
ecliptic not certainly known, p. 120. Thefe
uncertainties a great diſadvantage to the chro-
nologift; explained by an example, p. 120.
The rule made ufe of by the aftronomers, for
the more accurate determination of the quan-
tity of the folar tropical year, p. 120, 121.
Four quantities of the folar tropical year by the
moſt eminent authorities. The truth of the
firft is poftulated, and its preciſion is, in the
courſe of this work, ſupported by a great variety
of calculations, p. 121.
DISSERTATION
II,
An enquiry into the determinate length of a folar day, and whether folar days are
equal or unequal to one another.
T
The CONTENT S.
HE precife quantity of a natural day, as
neceffary in chronological computations
as of the natural year, p. 122. Definition i.
of a folar day, p. 122. Definition ii. iii. p. 123.
Definition iv. p. 124. The quantity of the
fidereal day, and the complement of the folar,
not yet determined with certainty. The whole
doctrine of the fidereal and folar day compre-
hended in fix queries. The fidereal day illu-
ſtrated by an example, p. 126, 127. The
(*)
effects
An ANALYSIS of the Entire WORK.
}
effects of dividing the annual orbit into 365 de-
grees, and of making the earth to proceed one
degree eastward, in the fpace of a compleat
rotation, ftated p. 128, and explained p. 129,
132. A corollary, p. 132. Advantages to cal-
culation arifing from the divifion of the annual
A
orbit into 365 degrees, and from the earth's
proceeding eastward one whole degree, in the
fpace of an entire rotation, equal in time to 24
hours, p. 133. Equatoreal aftronomy ſtated
and explained by an example, p. 133-135. A
corollary, p. 135.
DISSERTATION III.
Of original and fundamental principles.
The CONTENT S.
}
N enumeration of the principles, (in num-
ber viii.) which are neceffary for a cal-
culation downwards from a given fixed point to
the preſent times, p. 136. The æra of the crea-
tion, of great importance, but embarraffed with
a variety of opinions, p. 137-140. Not to be
afcertained by the fole evidence of hiftory, p.
141-143. Without chronology no certainty in
hiftory, p. 143-150. Without aftronomy no
certainty in chronology, p. 150. Chronologi-
cal principles and characters; every folar tro-
pical year has its appropriated combination of
characters, ibid. The certainty of chronolo-
gical characters depends upon the certainty of
aftronomy, ibid. Era and epoch explained,
p. 151. The æra of the creation involves the
origin of time, ibid. The original cardinal
point of the year, what? Its deduction from
exts of fcripture. Every calculation that is
made, will give full atteftation to the truth of
the deduction, p. 152, 153. The original qua-
lity or phafis of the moon, what? Its deduction
from texts of fcripture. No uniform fuper-
ftructure can be erected upon fictitious prin-
ciples, p. 153-155. The day of the week on
which time commenced. The fyftem of feven
days, a divine inftitution, known only from
the Mofaic writings; of extraordinary uſe in
diftinguiſhing the intervals of times. The Chri-
ftians' Sunday-Sabbath as old as the creation.
The Jewiſh Saturday-Sabbath commenced at
the going out of Egypt; proved in a fubfe-
quent differtation, p. 155-158. A determina-
tion of the quantity of the folar tropical year,
p. 160. Firſt, from the rule mentioned by Keil,
p. 120, 121. The reaſons of it explained, p.
161, 162. This fame rule, as it is commonly
applied, muſt ever produce either a defective
or a redundant quantity of the folar tropical
year; proved by examples, p. 162-164. Áno-
-
ther method of determining the quantity of the
folar tropical year, from the difference of the
four minutes between the fidereal and the folar
day, p. 164-166. A day the aliquot part of
1440 years, and of all the multiples of that
number, p. 167, 168. Another method of
determining the quantity of the folar tropical
year, from the number of compleat days in
5760 folar tropical years, p. 168. The in-
veftigation of the firſt meridian, and its corre-
fponding point of the equator, p. 169. The
number of equatoreal minutes which conftitute
the precife and immutable quantity of a natural
day, p. 170, 171. The exact quantity of a
mean lunation, what? Chronological compu-
tations require a mathematical exactnefs in the
meaſures of time. The neceffity of fuch preci-
fion is more apparent in the quantity of a mean
lunation, than of the folar tropical year. The
reaſons why, p. 172, 173. A meridian distance
is amongſt the fundamentals. It enables us to
perfect the calculations. Its difcovery is owing
to the aftronomical properties of a commen-
furating year, and to Dr. Bradley's obfervation
made in that year. Such another obſervation
cannot be made for fourteen centuries to come,
P. 174. The chronologiſt has juſt grounds to
complain of the want of uniformity and confi-
ftency in the numbers of the aftronomers. Such
want of uniformity proved from nine different
meridian diſtances, collected from fifteen obfer-
vations made fucceffively in one and the fame
place. The advantage of poftulating five of
thofe fifteen obfervations to be exactly true, in
the conſtruction of a perpetual aftronomical
table, p. 176, 177. The ufe of this table exem-
plified in eftimating the error of Hipparchus's
firft obfervation of O in at Rhodes, in the
year before Chrift 162, p. 176, 183. The theory
of a true obfervation minutely deſcribed, p. 183.
The
An ANALYSIS of the Entire WORK.
The being able to make the moment of equi-
noxes and folftices to fall, for a ſeries of years,
on one and the fame individual point of the
equator, or meridian, would ever produce ifo-
chronal terminations of the folar tropical year.
This proved by examples, p. 184-194. The
folar and lunar periods, p. 195. Their aftro-
nomical properties. The time in which they
are compleated. The aftronomical properties
of a folar period explained by the folution of
an equatoreal problem, p. 196-198. It appears
from hence, that the conclufion will be the fame,
whether we calculate the moment of the fun's
entry into libra at the end of A. M. 5, or at
the end of A. M. 5765; proved from the tables
of equable motion, p. 200-2c8. Equations of
time unaftronomical; the effects which they
produce when applied. Equal time, and true
time, a diftinction without a difference, p. 208.
The mean time of a full moon, in a given me-
ridian, makes a flow, gradual, and uniform cir-
culation round the equator eastward, in the
courfe of 49680 lunations. Begins another
round, in the fame meridian, 9 minutes after
noon; returns to noon again after 7948800
lunations are compleated. As the folar period
throws off 11 days, the lunar period throws off
160, p. 208-211. The uſefulneſs and necef-
fity of the third principle, namely, Without
aftronomy there is no certainty in chronology, evinced
by a variety of examples. An aſtronomical
problem, folved by the tables, p. 212, 213.
Chronological computations clogged with a
complication of difficulties, p. 214. The re-
quifites neceffary for the folution of the problem
propofed, by calculation from the original radix.
All theſe requifites included in a threefold cal-
culation: ft, By decennoval cycles, p. 214-
216. 2dly, By triacontaeterids, or periods, of
30 lunar years, p. 216-218. 3dly, By the fum
total of 71205 lunations, p. 218, 219. The
conclufion in agreement with the tabular radi-
cal numbers. The poftulated quantity of a
mean lunation found to be true. The æra of
the creation demonftrably afcertained by the fo-
lution of the propofed problem, p. 219. The
reaſons why the numbers 297 and 298 are con-
ſtantly made uſe of in the reduction to the Ju-
lian kalendar, p. 221. A fcheme, reprefenting
to the view the original pofition of the fun and
moon in the centers of two interfecting circles,
P:
P. 225. A ſcheme, reprefenting to the view
the greateft poffible diftance of the feaft of ta-
bernacles after the cardinal point, ibid. Ob-
jections from tabular calculations obviated. The
error of Sir Ifaac Newton's affigned quantity of
the folar tropical year, and of Mr. Mayer's
affigned quantity of a mean lunation, difco-
vered, and eftimated to a fingle moment, by
the mathematical exactneſs of the original radix,
P. 225-228.
EXAMPLE II. p. 228. A total eclipſe of
the fun; diſtance from the original full moon;
will be obferved A. M. 5771, A. D. 1764,
p. 229, 232; about the vernal equinox, p. 231.
The calculation of this eclipfe throws off 1386
redundant years from the computations of the
Septuagint. No error, in the article of chro-
nology, can poffibly have crept into the preſent
printed editions of the Hebrew text, p. 235, 236.
The computations of the Septuagint Greek ver-
fion are confuted, and the long-fubfifting con-
troverſy is finally decided, p. 236, 237. An
enumeration of the fynchroniſms, p. 235. The
reaſons why the original full moon is repre-
fented, in the ſcheme, as totally and centrally
eclipfed. How the aftronomers may difcover,
whether the Creator fixed the original ftation
of the moon in the very nodes, or not. The
Septuagint chronologiſt called upon to calculate,
p. 236.
EXAMPLE III. p. 237. A total eclipfe of
the moon; diſtance from the original full moon;
was obſerved at London A. M. 5765, p. 238;
A. D. 1758, p. 241; after the winter folftice.
An enumeration of ſynchroniſms, p. 241, 242.
The Septuagint chronologiſt again called upon
to calculate, p. 242.
EXAMPLE IV. p. 242. A total and cen-
tral eclipſe of the fun; diftance from the ori-
ginal full moon; was obſerved at London
A. M, 5722, p. 244; A. D. 1715, p. 246;
after the vernal equinox, p. 245. An enume-
ration of the calculated characters, p. 246, 247·
Difference between Halley's and Whifton's cal-
culations, p. 247. There is no fufficient proof
of the accelerations of the moon's mean mo-
tions, ibid. Another cauſe affigned for the not
being able to calculate the recorded times of an-
cient eclipfes, ibid. The confequence of being
able to calculate this folar eclipfe in the Sep-
tuagint year of the world, p. 248.
EXAMPLE
(*) 2
An ANALYSIS of the Entire WORK.
A total eclipfe of the
original full moon;
EXAMPLE V. p. 248.
fun; diſtance from the
was obſerved A. M. 3423, p. 249; in the year
before Chrift 585, p. 251.
The year before
Chrift 585 proved to be in aftronomical con-
nection with A. M. 3423, by a calculation both
ways, p. 252. Remarkable, becauſe out of
the power of all the tables extant, ibid. In the
calculation of ancient eclipfes, the equations
correct the excess of the tabular meaſure inſtead of
the mean time, p. 254. This renders it uncer-
tain, in the remote ages, whether the mean time
of a new moon or full moon precedes or follows
after the true, ibid. A tabular calculation of
this eclipfe of the fun confidered, ibid. A new
diftribution of the twelve figns, p. 255. The
fun's place at the time of this eclipfe, by tabu-
lar calculation, ibid. The Olympiad, p. 256.
The year from Nabonaflar, ibid. The Egyp-
tian month and day of the month, ibid. An
enumeration of the chronological characters, and
of hiſtorical fynchronifms, p. 256, 257. The
Septuagint chronologift again called upon to
calculate, p. 258.
EXAMPLE VI. p. 258. A total eclipfe of
the fun; diſtance from the original full moon;
happened A. M. 3405, ibid. in the year be-
fore Chrift 603, p. 261. The year before
Chrift 603 proved to be in aftronomical con-
nection with A. M. 3405, p. 261, 262. The
Olympiad, p. 263. The year from Nabonaf-
far, ibid. The Egyptian month and day of
the month, ibid. The fun's longitude, by our
diſtribution of the figns,. ibid. An enumera-
tion of the calculated characters, and of hifto-
rical fynchroniſms, p. 264, 265. The feventy
years of the Babylonifh captivity defined hifto-
rically and chronologically, p. 265. A conti-
nuation of the fynchronifms. This folar eclipfe
faid to be predicted by Thales, p. 266. The
chronological table, p. 267. The year of this
eclipfe rightly determined by Mr. Coftard of
Wadham college, Oxford, ibid. Placed 18
years too low in time by Ricciolus, and Sir Ifaac
Newton, ibid. The Septuagint chronologiſt
again called upon to calculate, p. 268.
EXAMPLE VII. p. 268. The moft ancient.
total eclipſe of the moon upon record; diftance
from the original full moon; was obſerved at
Babylon A. M. 3287, p. 269; in the year be-
fore Chrift 721, P. 271.
The year before
Chrift 721 proved to be in aftronomical con-
nection with A. M. 3287, P. 271, 272. A
calculation backwards by Ferguſon's lunar tables,
p. 273. Query, Whether what is called the
fum of the three equations, corrects the mean
time of the full moon, or the excess of the tabu-
lar meaſure? p. 274. The Olympiad, ibid.
The year from Nabonaffar, ibid. The fun's
place, p. 275. An enumeration of the calcu-
lated characters, and of hiftorical ſynchroniſms,
ibid. The calculation in near agreement with
the obferved time, p. 277. Demonftrates the
connection of the fcriptural canon with the Pto-
lemaic, and of facred hiftory with prophane,
ibid. Afcertains the authenticity of the preſent
Hebrew text, in the article of chronology, to
the entire confutation of all other pretenfions,
ibid. The Septuagint chronologiſt again called
upon to calculate, p. 278.
EXAMPLE VIII. p. 278. An obfervation
of Timocharis recorded by Ptolemy, made in
the year from Nabonaffar 466, on the 7th of
Thoth, and the 6th day of the Attic month
Pyanepfion, decreafing, ibid. Theſe characters
truly chronological and very diftinguiſhing, ibid.
It will require a revolution of more than 27700
Nabonafarean years to bring about the fame
coincidence, fuppofing 19 years to be a cyclic
number, p. 279. This coincidence found, by
calculation from the original radix, in the folar
tropical year of the world 3726, p. 280. This
calculated coincidence is another infallible cri-
terion of the whole variety of chronological com-
putations, p. 279. The Septuagint chronologiſt
again called upon to calculate, p. 283.
EXAMPLE IX. p. 284. The taking of Con-
ftantinople by the Turks, a remarkable event;
happened in the 857th year of the Hegira, on
the 20th day of Jomada Prior, in coincidence.
with the 29th day of May, A. D. 1453, upon
a Tueſday; fee the table, ibid. The Julian
month, day of the month, and day of the week,
on which the laft lunation, computed from the
original full moon, muft terminate A. D. 1453,
in the year of the Hegira 857, determined a
priori, antecedent to all calculation, p. 285-287.
This determination a priori, antecedent to all
calculation, demonftrates the truth and unerring
certainty of thofe original principles (p. 136.)
which are the bafis of this fyftem of chrono-
logy. Years may be diftinguiſhed by folar cha-
racters
An ANALYSIS of the Entire WORK.
racters only, in union with the day of the week;
evinced by feveral diftinct calculations, p. 287-
299. The argument greatly ftrengthened by
the addition of the lunar computation, p. 299.
The folar tropical year of the world in which
the era of the Hegira commenced A. D. 622,
ibid. The Eaftern Roman emperor, and year
of his reign, ibid. The lunar year of the world,
month, and day of the month, and day of the
week, anſwering to the Julian month, and day
of the month, from which the æra of the He-
gira is computed, p. 303, 304. The moon
viſible on the evening of July 15, A.D. 622,
when Mahomet fled from Mecca to Medina,
proved by calculation from the original radix,
P. 304. The characters which difcriminate
the æra of the Hegira digefted into a table, ibid.
The folar tropical year of the world in which
Conftantinople was taken by the Turks, p. 290.
The lunar year of the world, month and day,
on which this event happened, p. 287. The
year of the Hegira calculated, p. 305.
T
The
Julian month, and day of the month, and day
of the week, on which the 856th year of the
Hegira ended, and the 857th year began, cal-
culated, 1ft, From the era of the creation, p.
305-307. And, 2dly, From the era of the
Hegira, p. 307, 308. A table of the months
of the Turkiſh year, p. 308. The month of
the Turkiſh year, and day of the month, an-
fwering to the 29th of May, A. D. 1453, cal-
culated, ibid. An enumeration of the calcu-
lated characters, and of hiftorical fynchroniſms,
P. 309-310. Table i. ii. From whence it ap-
pears, that the 20th day of Jomada Prior, can-
not be found in coincidence with the 29th day
of May, upon a Tueſday, in any ſolar tropical
year of the world, which either comes before
or follows after the 5460th The Septuagint
chronologift not called upon to calculate this
coincidence in the Septuagint year of the world,
becauſe it is unreaſonable to demand impoffi-
bilities.
DISSERTATION
IV.
Of national kalendars; or, of civil and political years.
The CONTENT S.
HIS fyftem of chronology rifes no higher |
in its pretenfions than kalendar-aftrono-
my; fimple in its principles, yet fufficient for
the purpoſes of chronology; its uſefulneſs ſet
forth, p. 311. A perfect national kalendar the
fubject of cur prefent enquiry; its three pro-
perties defcribed, p. 312. No fuch perfection
to be found amongſt the European nations, ap-
pears from an examination, ift, Of Romulus's
year; 2dly, Of Numa's year; 3dly, Of Julius
Cæfar's year, p. 311.
Of Romulus's year.
Irregular; confifted of 10 months; of 304
days; ignorantly miſtaken for the quantity of
the lunar year, p. 312. Its form, as it has been
conjectured, repreſented by a table. Too im-
perfect to anſwer the purpoſes of a national
kalendar, p. 313.
Of Numa's year.
Numa began to reign Olympiad xvi. 1. in
the 13th year of Hezekiah king of Judah, in
the 7th year of the Affyrian captivity, p. 314.
When hiſtorical times can be fynchronized with
the Olympiads, or with the fcriptural computa-
tions, the interval will be ascertained by a true
chronology, ibid. Numa, to compenſate the
defects of his predeceffor's year, prefixed the
two months of January and February, which
lengthned it into 354 days. Was inftructed, as
Macrobius fuppofes, by the Greeks. Seems to
have borrowed their tetraeteris, or cycle of four
years. By an intercalation of two fhort months
(compounded of two lunar epacts and the ſum
of four quadrants) brought it as near to the fun's
courfe, in the ſpace of a quadriennium, as the
Julian year is, p. 315, 316. Numa's inſtituted
different from all other forms of year, an-
cient and modern; in quantity, folar; in out-
ward appearance, lunar, p. 315-31S. A table
of the months and days of Numa's folar-lunar
year, in the ſpace of a quadriennium, p. 317.
Numa's original diftribution into kalends, nones,
and ides, irretrievably loft. Cicero, in his fa-
miliar epiftles, computes by its months and
year
#
days.
An ANALYSIS of the Entire WORK.
days. An example produced. The ftyle quite
obfolete and unintelligible to us. Cannot be
readily reduced to their correfpondent months
and days in the reformed year, p. 318.
ciple of a meridian epact ufeful and curious.
Proof of a divine diftributive wiſdom. The
Julian computation not altogether unaftrono-
mical. Its defect ftated. The effects of a true
correction, and of a right application of the
Of Julius Cæfar's reformation of Numa's difor- Julian year, exemplified in the calculation of
dered kalendar.
By the negligence or ignorance of the ponti-
fices, who were invefted with the power of
intercalation, the original epoch of Numa's
year, had gone back in Cæfar's time, from
capricorn almoſt to libra, p. 319, 320. A table
of the year of confufion; confifted of fifteen
months. The neceffity of calling in the affift-
ance of an aftronomer, p. 320. Cæfar, as
pontifex maximus, religiously obferved the ordi-
nations of Numa. Made as few alterations as
poffible, p. 320, 321. A table of the twelve
months of the reformed year. The biffextile
day in its true fituation, p. 321. The principal
point in view was the recovery of Numa's origi-
nal epoch, p. 320. By what fteps he effected
it, p. 322-328. It was the very reaſon why the
kalends of January were fixed to the 8th degree
This circumftance of
Cæfar's correction greatly perplexed the Roman
writers. Was mifunderſtood by Ovid, Colu-
mella, and Pliny, p. 325. A recapitulation of
the whole in a citation from Dr. Prideaux's
connection, p. 329-332.
of capricorn, p. 325.
Of the correction of Julius Cæfar's year.
Not
The European nations have not received from
Julius Cæfar's year the benefit of a true folar re-
volution. Neither the emperor, nor his coadjutor
Sofigenes, nor the moſt learned Roman for fome
hundreds of years after, had any apprehenfion
of the annual difference of II minutes.
known in the times of the council of Nice.
First discovered by Tyco Brahe's obfervations,
about the end of the 16th century of Chriftianity.
Upon this principle Pope Gregory the XIIIth
threw out of the Julian kalendar 10 days, A.D.
1582, and we 11 days, A.D. 1752, p. 332, 333
Our late correction unaccurate and unaftrono-
mical. It confiders their annual difference as
the Julian excess only, not as a meridian epact,
with aftronomical properties. A very near affi-
nity between the lunar and meridian epacts,
illuftrated by tables, p. 333, 334. The prin-
ſeveral large intervals, p. 335-345. The times
of the equinoxes and folftices at Greenwich, in
the four firft Julian years, p. 346. The doc-
trine of a folar period and of a commenſurating
year afcertained by calculation, p. 348-356.
It appears from the aftronomical properties of
the meridian epact, that the moment of the equi-
noxes and folftices, have not gone back, towards
the beginning of the year, in a given meridian,
more than 23 h. 59 min. fince the creation.
The annual revolution has been conſtantly per-
formed with an undisturbed uniformity. No
deviation from the original track, fo as to lengthen
or fhorten the year a fingle moment, fince the
commencement of motion, p. 356. The ad-
vantages which would have arifen from the
poftponing the late correction one year longer,
namely, until A. D. 1753, p. 357. A table
fhewing how to accommodate Julian mean years,
to the fun's true courfe, ftill retaining the po-
litical reckoning by entire days. This table
confifts of nine columns. Their numbers feve-
rally explained, p. 358, 359. Several incon-
veniencies, which at prefent perplex calculation,
would be removed, by only carrying forward
the biffextile day, and placing it at the end of
the year, under the denomination of prid. kal.
Jan. or the day before the kalends of January,
every fourth year.
Of the Nicene pafchal canons, the ecclefiaftical
vernal equinox, the calculation of Eaſter-Sunday,
and of the 15th of Nifan, as computed by the
Jews.
The 21st of March, and the vernal equinox,
are not equivalent terms. The fun is obſerved
to enter aries, in this age, on the 19th and 20th
days of March, and on the fame days it came
to the vernal equinox in the times of the council
of Nice, p. 359, 360. Had it been neceffary
to make the year of the council of Nice the
ftandard of the late correction, it ought to have
been deferred until A. D. 1765. In that year
the fun will come to the vernal equinox, on the
fame
An ANALYSIS of the Entire WORK.
fame Julian month, day, hour, and minute, as
it did A. D. 325. In that year the 11 days will
be compleated, in the meridian of the Green-
wich obfervatory, March 20 d. 8 h. 21 min.
morning. See the tables, p. 360, 361. The
22d of March not the earlieſt Eafter-Sunday
poffible.
The 21st of March not the earlieſt
pafchal full moon. Eafter-Sunday, calculated
aftronomically, may happen, in the new ſtyle,
on the 21st of March, and, in a courfe of years,
on the 20th. And the pafchal full moon may
fall on the 20th of March, and, in a courſe of
years, on the 19th. Theſe points are clearly
itated, p. 361, 362. By miſtaking the day of
the equinox the pafchal limits have never yet
been rightly fixed. An impropriety in the pafchal
Nicene canon. An emendation of the impro-
priety, p. 362. The Evangelifts account of the
laft paffover examined, p. 363. Their expref-
fions are undeterminate, and require fome further
explanations. Not to be imputed to ignorance
or chance, but manifeftly to defign. They
plainly refer to the Mofaic law, and to Jewiſh
computation. This laſt article rendered highly
probable from the ſtyle of our Saviour's addreſs
to his difciples two days before the paffover,
Mat. xxvi. 2. p. 362-364. We learn from
Jofephus, in what month, on what day of the
month, and in what ſeaſon of the year, the latter
Jews, in the Goſpel age, annually obferved the
paffover. From Philo, how they computed the
beginnings of their months. The Evangelifts
accounts are fet immediately in a clearer light
by theſe citations from Jofephus and Philo, p.
365. Philo's definitions of Neomenia. Makes
the months to begin μera ovvodov, on the evening
next after the conjunction. Gives no intimation
of the difference between the mean time and the
true. Suppofes the moon to be conftantly vifible
in the end of the first day of the month. The
hypothefis but occafionally true. Owing to
the want of a due ſkill in aſtronomy, p. 365,
366. The pafchal term, in St. Ambrofe's
epiftle to the Biſhops of Emilia, is quarta decima
luna; in the Nicene canon it is full moon.
Not always in coincidence, p. 368. In the year
of our Saviour's paffion, the 14th day of the
month, was the 15th day of the moon's age,
and the day of the full moon. Proved by a lunar
eclipſe, as aftronomers report, on the evening
of that day, p. 367, 368. A. D. 1761, the
14th day of the month was as diftinct from the
day of the full moon, as the paffover-day is
from the first day of the feaft, p. 367. If the
14th day of the month A. D. 1761, was to be
calculated by an aſtronomer and a Jew, it would
fall on the fame day of the week. But if the
14th day of the month, in the year of our Savi-
our's paffion, was to be calculated by an aftro-
nomer and a Jew, computed by Philo's rule,
it would fall on different days of the week.
The reaſons of the difference. A Jew the only
proper perfon to atteft, by calculation, the times
of Chrift's fufferings and death, as recorded by
the Evangelifts, p. 367. In what terms the
pafchal canon ought to be framed, in conformity
to the Gofpel hiftory, and the circumftances of
the commemorated event, p. 369. A general
account of the civil and ecclefiaftical year of the
Jews. By what aftronomical law they obſerve
their appointed feafts, ibid. A chronological
problem. Its folution demonftrably afcertains
the paft age of the world, p. 370. A. D. 1761
in aftronomical connection with A. M. 5768,
p. 370. The pafchal full moon A. D. 1761
calculated from the creation; Eafter-Sunday
is found to be the morrow after the 15th of Nifan,
or the first day of the feaft, calculated aftrono-
mically, not ecclefiaftically, as by the Jews,
juft as it happened in the year of our Lord's re-
furrection, p. 371-373.
The table, p. 374.
A. D. 1761 the fun paffed from the firft to the
fecond degree of aries, in the first year after bif-
fextile, on the day of a full moon, upon a Sa-
turday. The fame combination of characters
not to be found in any two years fince the crea-
tion, p.370. By theſe aftronomical coincidencies,
the first year of the reign of his preſent Majeſty
George III. ftands more diftinguiſhed than the firſt
year of George I. does,by a total and central eclipſe
of the fun. The reafons of it affigned, p. 374.
A. D. 1757 in aftronomical connection with
A. M. 5764. The pafchal new moon calculated
from the creation, proves a metachroniſm of
four years in archbishop Ufher's fyftem, p. 374-
378. A table of difcriminating characters of
the calculated years, p. 379. Thefe difcrimi-
nating characters eſtabliſh the fyftem of chrono-
logy, and render it as demonftrably certain as
geometry itſelf, p. 378. The fecret and irre-
fiftible power of the root of time, manifeſted in
the preceeding calculations. The root of time
or
An ANALYSIS of the Entire WORK.
or æra of the creation lies four years higher up
than archbiſhop Uſher's computations have placed
it. The year of the Julian period 706 may be
made the teſt of the truth or falfity of every fy-
ftem of chronology that can be offered. Arch-
biſhop Ufher's and Scaliger's computations exa-
mined by that teft, p. 379. A table of excluded
years, p. 380. The importance of the firft
quadriennium of the world's age in the fyftem of
chronology. Omitted by Ufher, p. 380.
Tempora qué vetuftiora eó certiora, an axiom in
fcriptural computation, p. 380, 381. All prac-
tical knowledge of the primitive kalendar has
been loft to the Jews more than two thouſand
years, p. 381.
The Jewiſh year.
Rabbi Hillel's aftronomical year publiſhed
about the middle of the fourth century. Is ftill
ufed by the Jews. Has a great affinity with the
fcriptural form of year, although different in its
conftruction. Is greatly to be admired for its
uncommon art and ingenuity, p. 381. The
Jews, in their feveral difperfions, and under the
greateſt diſadvantages, have zealouſly endea-
voured to obferve their appointed feafts in as
near a conformity to the divine law as they have
been able, p. 381. Jofephus informs us how
they interpreted, in his time, Levit. xxiii. 5.
This Jewiſh interpretation lays open to us the
reaſons why the Evangelifts, who refer us to
Mofes's law, neither mention the month, nor
day of the month. By wording it as they have
done, they refer us both to the Mofaic law, and
to Jewiſh computation, p. 382. The first re-
quifite neceffary for fetling the aftronomical.
epoch is a true chronology. In this article the
Jews have greatly failed. They have fixed their
æra of the creation at the autumnal equinox,
in the end of the 12th year of the ante-diluvian
patriarch Enofh, the third from Adam inclufive,
247 years too late.
The current Jewiſh year
of the world 5521, reckoned from the true æra,
reaches no lower down than the autumnal equi-
nox A.D. 1514, and the 5th year of Henry VIII.
king of England; falls 247 years fhort of A. D.
1761, p. 382, 383, 389. A popular objection
confidered, p. 383. A table of intervals from
the creation to the burning of the fecond temple,
as collected by the Jews, p. 384. An exami-
nation of the ſeveral defects of Jewish chronology,
The
p. 384-388. A view of the characters of Rabbi
Hillel's molad tohu, or chaotic new moon;
not luni-folar but lunar only, p. 388.
difficulty which attends the inveſtigation of luni-
ſolar characters at the head of a large interval.
There are but three poffible ways of coming to
the knowledge of them, p. 389. Two problems.
propofed, ibid. Several particulars previouſly
neceffary, in order to underſtand rightly their
demands. The luni-folar epoch of the Jewiſh
year merits our attention. It is truly aſtrono-
mical. May be confidered as an immemorial
traditional explication of a divine law. Texts
of ſcripture referred to. Three Hebrew terms
explained in an aftronomical fenfe. A table of
Jewish tecuphot, or moments of the fun's entry
into the cardinal points, p. 390. The ecclefi-
aftical computations both of the Jews and the
Chriſtians unaftronomical. The confequence
with reſpect to both confidered. An eafy cor-
rection fuggeſted, p. 391. A table exhibiting
the difference between patriarchal and Jewiſh
computation, p. 392. The original pofition of
the fun and moon of prime importance, as well
in practical aſtronomy, as in the uniform ſcheme
of facred chronology. A recapitulation of the
combined characters of the world's æra, p. 393.
A return to the folution of the problems. The
firft involves this queftion, At what diftance after
the autumnal equinox, did the primitive patriarchs
Adam and Seth, &c. celebrate the original
feaſt of in-gathering, in the end of A. M. 247, or
rather in the beginning of A. M. 248? The
feaſt of in-gathering ſuppoſed to have been infti-
tuted at the creation, and to have been coeval
with it. The hypothefis grounded on the actual
creation of the fun and moon on the feaſt day,
and to the declaration of the creator, haju
lemoadim, Gen. i. 14. When the Jews celebrate
the feaft of tabernacles, they celeb ate the birth-
day of the world and of the promiſed Meſſiah
too, p. 393. The folution of the firſt problem
depends not upon the truth or falfity of the fore-
going hypothefis, but upon the principles of
aftronomy, p. 393, 394. It requires us to aſcer-
tain the appropriated and luni-folar characters in
the end of A. M. 247, which is the Jewish era of
the creation, p. 394. May be thought a difficulty,
becauſe there is a latitude of 30 days in the
reſpective diſtances of the feſtival full moon after
the cardinal point, p 394. A table of thoſe
various
An ANALYSIS of the Entire WORK.
various diſtances in any given year of the world,
paſt, preſent, or to come; founded on the ori-
ginal pofition of the fun and moon, and made
up
of
of the proportional and aftronomical di-
vifions of 15 days, equal in number to the
days of the original integral epact, ibid.
The uſe of the quintodecimal table fhewn
by an example. The two laft numbers of
the ſecond parallel line being characterized with
their proper fymbols, immediately expreſs the
luni-folar characters required, p. 395. Proved
by calculation, p. 395-397. A table, repre-
fenting to the view, the luni-ſolar characters
of A. M. o, and A. M. 947, in the year of
the Jewiſh æra, p. 398. An axiom in aftro-
nomy, ibid.
This axiom helps to a folution
of the ſecond problem, which involves this
queſtion, On what day of the moon's age, and
on what day of the week, as computed by the Chri-
ftians, did the fun come to the vernal equinox,
A. D. 1514? ibid. The calculation, p. 398-
400. The chronological argument fummed
The moon has neither
up, p. 400, 401.
anticipated its original ftation, nor accele-
rated its mean motion, a fingle moment fince
the creation, p. 401. A new method of cal-
culating the moment of the fun's entry into
libra, in a given year, and in a given meri-
dian. The calculation true with a mathema-
tical precifion. The minute particulars of
the original full moon day defined, p. 401,
402. The Jewish method of computing the
beginnings of their months erroneous and un-
fcriptural, p. 402. The mathematical coinci-
dence of the point of the autumnal equinox
with the extreme point of the original full moon
day demonftrated to be true in fact, p. 403.
Holds true in every meridian of the globe;
proved by calculation in a different meridian,
P. 405, 406.
The uncertainty of practical
aftronomy muft be afcribed to the uncertainty
of obſervation. The error of obfervation for-
mally lies in the frequent change of the meri-
dian; proved by diftinct calculations, p. 406,
407. A ftanding aſtronomical table; its ufe-
fulneſs and truth manifefted by examples, p.
408, 409. This table, in its uſe and applica-
tion, would correct and prevent the greater
error in the ecclefiftical computation of the
Jews, and the leffer error in the ecclefiaftical
computation of the Chriftians. Another re-
**
quifite neceffary for the fettling an aftronomical
epoch is the exact quantity of a mean luna-
tion; as neceffary in the lunar computations,
as the exact quantity of the annual period is
in the folar. An indifputable teft of the truth
or error of every quantity of the folar tropi-
cal year, and of every quantity of a mean lu-
nation, reprefented to the view in a fcheme,
p. 410. The diftance of the first point of the
mean paſchal full moon day from the point of
the vernal equinox A. D. 1761; calculated in
five diftinct meridians; the calculated diftance
uniformly the fame to a minute, p. 411,
412. The fame calculation made by Fer-
gufon's folar and lunar tables; found to be
the error eſtimated, p.
grofsly erroneous;
413, 414. 29 d. 12 h. 44 min. 1 fec. 45 thirds
demonftrated to be the exact mathematical
quantity of a mean lunation, p. 415, 416. An
error of 26 hours and 40 minutes difcovered in
the characters and numbers of Rabbi Hillel's
molad tohu. A table of the true luni-folar cha-
racters of the Jewiſh æra of the creation, A.J. P.
953, P. 417.
I
Jewish computation.
The laws and principles of Jewiſh computa-
tion explained in all its particulars, p. 417-420.
Their truth exemplified by a calculation of
Neomenia Tifri in the Jewiſh year of the
world 5521; of the feaſt of tabernacles, A. D.
1760; of the 1ft and 15th of Nifan, A.D. 1761,
from Rabbi Hill's molad tohu, or chaotic new
moon, p. 420-425. Had the Jews been able
to calculate the day of the vernal equinox, their
paffover-day would have fallen this year, name-
ly, A. D. 1761, upon our Good-Friday, p. 425.
A calculation of the fame feafons, in the fame
Jewiſh year of the world, and the fame year
of our Lord, from the Mofaic molad tohu, or
chaotic new moon, by true aftronomical mea-
fures, p. 425-431. The near agreement of the
conclufions implies, that it is not all material,
in Jewish computation, whether the æra be
true or falfe, or whether the meaſure be accu-
rate or not. Admitted, that it is not. The
reaſons why the Jews have no apprehenſion of
any error in either, p. 432. The advantage
and indifpenfable neceffity, 1ft, Of a genuine
original æra; 2d, Of a true chronology; 3d,
(**)
Of
An ANALYSIS of the Entire WORK.
Of exact aftronomical meaſures; 4th, Of a
true meridian diſtance, clearly evinced by two
calculations, under very pecular limitations and
reſtrictions, p. 432-448. Tables of the calcu-
lated conclufions, p. 442-449.
The fcriptural kalendar.
Amongſt the great variety of fyftems, it has
not yet been made to appear, that any one
article of fcriptural chronology has ever been
ſettled upon fcriptural principles, p. 449. The
year of the Julian period, and the month and
days of the Julian kalendar, are conftantly car-
ried back to the remote ages. Inftances given
from the greateſt authorities. No agreement in
their years, months, and days; no rule by
which we may judge of the truth of any one
hypothefis in preference to another. Julian
computations, in the primitive ages, unfcriptural
and abfurd, p. 450, 451. Noah, in his ac-
count of the flood, has regiſtered the times of
events in the month and days of the then cur-
rent year, according to their fituation in the
patriarchal kalendar, which was then in vulgar
ufe. No affinity between the Julian and the
primitive kalendar, p. 451. The preſent ſub-
ject of enquiry refolved into five queries; the
folution of most of them to be found in the
feventh and eighth chapters of Genefis, ibid.
By Noah's account two diftinct folar years,
and two diftinct lunar years, follow one another
in immediate fucceffion. Such another example
not to be found in facred hiftory, p. 452. There
are twelve months in the fcriptural folar year;
the hypotheſis ſupported by exprefs texts, ibid.
There are juſt twelve months in the fcriptural
lunar year; the hypothefis fupported by exprefs
texts, p. 453. The twenty-four courfes of the
prieſts, and their regulations, prove, that there
were 365 entire days in the fcriptural folar year,
P. 454. Although Mofes, in his writings, adopts
no technical terms, gives no precife definitions,
yet, by a cloſe attention to his hiftorical data,
the patriarchal folar and lunar kalendar may
be reſtored in all its parts, and in its original
form and beauty, p. 454, 455. A fimilar year
made choice of for illuftration fake. A fimilar
year explained, p. 455. The 33d year of the
reign of George II. king of Great Britain, fimi-
lar to the 600th year of Noah's life, and A. D.
1760 (made to begin and end at the autumnal
equinox) to A. M. 1656, p. 458. The Mo-
faic ftyle brought down to the fimilar year;
an imitation of Noah's journal, ibid. The fe-
veral ſteps explained by which any intelligent
enquirer, who ſhould live at the fame diſtance
after the fimilar year, as itſelf is, after the flood
of Noah, might inveftigate the frame and
ftructure of the aftronomical folar and lunar
kalendar, p. 458-468. A fcheme of the folar
and lunar kalendar compleated, p. 469. A
minute and circumftantial explanation of the
ſeveral parts of its aftronomical conftruction,
P. 470 - 479. The aftronomical argument
ftated, p. 480, 481. The deductions confirmed
by calculation, p. 481-484. The ftrength of
the argument, p. 485.
An examination of the contents of Noah's journal.
A table of fix different computations. of the
year of the flood, p. 486. The first elements
of fcriptural chronology are not yet known,
and the corner ftone of the building is not yet
laid, ibid.
It has never been proved, upon
fcriptural principles and fcriptural data, in what
year of the world Noah's flood happened. It
remains a perplexing query to this day, whe-
ther the difference of fix compleat centuries, in
the interval from the creation to the flood, were
originally fubftracted from the Hebrew, or added
to the Greek text of the Septuagint verfion,
and of Jofephus, p. 486-490. Proved by in-
conteftible criteria, recorded by Mofes in his
Hebrew text of the Pentateuch, which are con-
firmed by calculation, that the 600th year of
Noah's life is in fuch an appropriated connec-
tion with the folar tropical year of the world
1656, that it cannot, upon principles of aftro-
nomy, be connected with any other, p. 490-499.
A diftinct calculation of the feveral aftronomi-
cal characters which are inherent in the contents
of Noah's journal, and Mofes's hiftorical nar-
|ration, Gen. vii. viii. p. 499-505. A ſcheme
of the patriarchal kalendar in an imperfect ftate,
p. 506. A ſcheme of the patriarchal kalendar
compleated, p. 509. Noah, by recording the
epact, did, by that means, determine the actual
pofition of the lunar year to the folar in the
600th year of his life, p. 508. The reality
and certainty of the recorded epact proved by cal-
culation,
;
An ANALYSIS of the Entire WORK.
culation, p. 509, 510. Noah's computations,
both folar and lunar, are truly aftronomical, p.
511, 512. Noah's journal a genuine and
authentic monument of the antediluvian age.
The excellency and perfection of the primæval
kalendar exceeds all human ſkill and contrivance;
the moſt cultivated European nations have not
devifed its equal, p. 512.
Objections answered.
;
We read, in facred hiftory, of years, months,
weeks, days, and alſo of the cardinal points of the
day;
the leffer ſubdiviſions of time, as hours,
minutes, &c. no where occur. Theſe leffer fub-
divifions neceffary in aftronomical calculations,
p. 513. The obfervation founded on fact
leads us to examine and explain the terms of
computation, which are interfperfed in the Old
Teſtament and the New, p. 513-519. Noah's
computations prove, that he was no ftranger to
the tetarton or quadrant, p. 519. Nor to its
quadriennial change, p. 520, 521.
The pa-
triarchal folar and lunar tetraeteris. The table,
p. 522. No intercalary day in the primitive form
of year. The feparate quadrant annually mea-
fured, and annually computed. Made intelli-
gible by the variable epoch of the folar days,
and the invariable epoch of the days in the
lunar reckoning, p. 523. The number 360
primæval and patriarchal. In this kalendar
number, the primitive patriarchs were furniſhed
with the means of aftronomical calculation;
borrowed by the modern aftronomers and ma-
thematicians, upon the account of its unparal-
leled aptitude for computation; naturally re-
folvible into fexagefimal parts, p. 523, 524.
A table of fubdivifions. The folar tropical year
deduced from its inherent aftronomical radicals,
·60. 30. 15. II. 4, P. 525. Its quantity is
found, by the mechanical calculation, to con-
fift of 365 d. 5 h. 49 min. The frame and
ftructure of the primitive folar and lunar ka-
lendar, is in itſelf a compleat aftronomical di-
rectory, p. 526. Exemplified in two elabo-
rate calculations; the one of A. M. 1656, the
other of A. M. 5767, p. 527 - 536.
Several
remarkable particulars noted in thete mechani-
cal calculations, p. 536-538. The aftrono-
mical and proportional divifion of a lunar month
of 30 days, founded upon and derived from the
original pofition of the fun and moon, p. 537,
-
538. The number of kalendar lunar years,
ever equal to the given number of the folar.
The fupernumerary lunations are formed me-
chanically of the fucceffions of annual epacts
and annual corrected quadrants, p. 538, 539.
This doctrine of a mechanical formation proved
to be literally true, p. 564.
Scriptural aftronomical data.
The
Two fcriptural epacts recorded; the new
moon epact 15, is fix'd to the beginning of the
old world; and the new moon epact 11, to the
beginning of the new; their true fituation repre-
ſented to the view in table I. II. p. 539. The
fcriptural epact 15, is the bafis of this fyftem
of chronology, p. 540. A feries of the whole
variety of epacts derived from it. The epacts
encreaſe annually by II; they decreaſe every
fourth year by i. A table of the quadriennial
decreaſe of the epacts, p. 540, 541.
reality of the fcriptural epact 11, afcertained,
Ift, By making deductions from it, p. 541.
2dly, By fupporting the truth of the deductions
by calculation, p. 542-548. In a given year
of the Julian period, the cycle of the fun is de-
termined a priori upon fcriptural principles,
P. 548, 549. The aftronomical properties of
the number 4 (the difference between 15 and
11) manifefted in a determination of feveral
fucceffive epacts, without the affiftance of any
other principle, befides one given epact, p. 549.
The connection of lunar years with the folar,
a nice and difficult undertaking. The doctrine
has not been taught, and therefore it is not un-
derſtood, p. 550. The requifites of a perfect
kalendar-aftronomy, ibid. The integral new
moon epact 15, the prime aftronomical datum
of the Pentateuch, inveſted with a diſtinguiſhed
prerogative; no other in the table of epacts can
be made to anſwer the fame purpoſes, or enable
us to draw conclufions uniformly true, through
the whole interval from the creation to the pre-
fent times, p. 550. Tried by fix fucceffive years
of the Julian period, from 705 to 710; in the
laft, archbiſhop Ufher fixes the era of the crea-
tion. His hypothefis concerning original cha-
racters, defective and unaftronomical, p. 551.
The omiffion of luni-folar characters, implies,
either a very flight, or no application to the
tables, p. 551.
(**) 2
The
:
An ANALYSIS of the Entire WORK.
The imperfection of aftronomical tables, and the cer-
tainty of original principles.
A tabular calculation of the mean time of
full moon in October A. J. P. 706. A rule laid
down, by which the truth or falfity of tabular
calculations, in the remote ages, may be tried,
P. 552. Two years of the Julian period are fet
down at the diſtance of more than 5000 years
from each other, p. 552. It is not a matter
of indifference from which of the four cardinal
points, or from which of the lunar phaſes, we
compute downwards to the preſent times. The
calculation pinn'd down to the autumnal equi-
nox and a full moon. A clear proof that they
are original, p. 552, 553. To obtain the time
of a new moon, we are neceffiated to add, in
every given year, half a lunation; a clear proof
that it is not original, p. 553. The truth
of theſe particulars evinced by calculation, p.
553-558. Without obfervation, the cardinal
points of the folar tropical year cannot be ad-
jufted aftronomically to the months and days
of the Julian. A table of the obferved Julian
ftations of the autumnal equinox, in three dif-
ferent meridians, for eight years, p. 355. A
ſcheme of the aftronomical interfection of a
mean lunation by the moment of the fun's en-
try into libra, A. D. 1758, p. 559. The fame
aſtronomical interfection calculated by the ta-
bular radical numbers, p. 557-559. Cannot
be calculated by the tabular meaſures in the
given interval, p. 559. The error of the ta-
bular calculation of mean time of full moon
in October, A. J. P. 706, eftimated; found to
be 39 h. 57 min. p. 56c, 561. The quantity
p. 560, 561. The quantity
of the tabular error analized into the ſeveral
particulars of which it confifts, p. 561, 562.
The inference is, if the luni-folar characters of
the world's æra had not been given, if they
had not been recorded in the writings of Mofes,
the beft folar and lunar tables extant could not
have diſcovered and afcertained them, p. 562.
The autumnal equinoctial new moon and full
moon epacts in the fix given years of the Julian
period, determined by the differential num-
ber 4, p. 563, 564. A table of the luni-ſolar
characters, which archbiſhop Ufher has omitted,
at the autumnal equinox, A. J. P. 710, p. 565.
Sunday, and not Saturday, was the original
feventh day, p. 566. The number 4 the bafis
and foundation of the epacts; the reafon of
its aftronomical properties laid open, p. 566,
567. The day of the week correfponding
aftronomically with the autumnal equinoctial
new moon evening, A. J. P. 705, determined
a priori, p. 567.
Explanation of the primitive and fcriptural
kalendar.
No trace or footſtep of any intercalary month
appears throughout the fcriptures. Query, Un-
der the direction of what law or principle did
they compute and adjuſt theſe 30 intervening
days, which it was impoffible in nature to avoid?
p. 568. The query anſwered, and the method
of adjuſtment explained, p. 583-585. Luni-
folar characters the first requifite in the conftruc-
tion of the primitive kalendar, p. 569, 570.
Four primitive kalendars, in their original form,
brought down to the preſent times; the firſt
commences at the autumnal equinox, A. D.
1757, and the laft ends at the fame cardinal
point, A. D. 1761, p. 568,569. Comprehend
the 1442d quadriennium, p. 586. Their con-
ftruction requires fuch principles as muſt have
been given; they muft neceffarily be known
a priori, independent of all obfervation, p. 571.
Several particulars in the fcriptural chronologi-
cal ftyle and twofold computation confidered,
P. 572-576. An explication of theſe fcriptu-
ral kalendar terms, namely, Rifhon, Chodesh,
fom, and Famim, p. 576-582. The luni-
folar characters of the 1442d quadriennium cal-
culated a priori, by the fole affiftance of the ori-
ginal new moon epact 15, p. 585-588. The
variable quantity of the epact, p. 588. The
fixed and unchangeable ftations of the four
cardinal points in the fcriptural kalendar deter-
mined, p. 589. The method of computing the
annual returns of the appointed feafts, and their
refpective diſtances after the cardinal points, mi-
nutely and circumftantially explained, p. 584-
593. The chaotic year in the primitive folar
and lunar form, connected aftronomically with
the months and days of the Julian, p. 598.
DISSER
An ANALYSIS of the Entire WORK.
DISSERTATION
V.
Of the chronology of the Exodus, and of the year in which Chrift fuffered on
the paffover-day.
TH
The CONTENT S.
HE year of the Exodus, or of the mira-
culous going forth of the children of Iſrael
out of Egypt, memorable for its tranfactions
and events; the æra of the Ifraelitic polity com-
menced; an alteration was made in the be-
ginning of the year; the original Sabbath was
changed, by the divine legiſlative authority, p.
599.
There is fuch a clofe connection between
the Law and the Gofpel, that the latter is but.
the counterpart of the former, p. 600. Without
a previous knowledge of the inftitution of the
firft paffover, and an attention to the letter of
Mofes's law, we fhall never be able to under-
ftand rightly the Evangelifts account of that
paffover at which Chrift fuffered the death of
the cross, ibid. Chrift, the Lamb of God,
Chriſt, the Lamb of God,
expired upon the altar of the crofs, on the
fame month, day, hour, and minute, in which
the pafchal lamb was ordered, by God himſelf,
to be flain. A clear proof of type and anti-
type, ibid.
The chronology of the Exodus
ſtated by Mofes, in a very unuſual and feemingly
defective ftyle, Exod. xii. 40. Not a corrupted
text. The verb defignedly omitted. Left to be
ſupplied by the judgment of the reader, and
may eaſily be fupplied; two reaſons may be
affigned for the omiffion of the verb. The in-
terpolation of the Septuagint Greek verfion,
and of the Samaritan Pentateuch rejected; bears
not the genuine marks of the Mofaic ftyle, p.
600, 601. Mofes, by not defining the diftinct
times of peregrination in Canaan and in Egypt,
more ſtrongly fixes the attention of the reader
on the whole interval of 430 years; expreffed
in the Hebrew text under this form, namely,
30 year and 400 year, p. 601, 602. An en-
quiry into the reafon of thefe peculiar pro-
ceedings, p. 602. The enquiry clogg'd with
difficulties. Two particulars are wanting to
make up the whole interval of 430 years, p.
603. The interval computed from the divine
vocation of Abram out of Ur, (Gen. xv. 7.)
and not from his departure out of Haran, which
was but a proſecution of his journey towards
Canaan. The age of Abram at his going out
of Ur, no where mentioned. No apparent
hiſtorical data which may lead to its difcovery.
This filence a ſtone of ftumbling to the chro-
nologifts. Is the very reaſon why the chrono-
logy of the Pentateuch has never been rightly
determined in all its particulars, ibid. A wrong
divifion of Gen. xi. The wrong divifion recti-
fied. The ſenſe ſecured by a parentheſis. (ver.
33-36) The chronological computations of
the Pentateuch examined. Of the age of Noah
at the birth of Shem, p. 607. Of the age of
Terah at the birth of Abram, p. 608. Of the
age of Jofeph when he introduced his father Ja-
cob into the prefence of Pharaoh, p. 610. Of
the age of Jacob at the birth of Jofeph, p.611.
Of the year of the life of Abram in which he
was called by God out of Ur of the Chaldees,
ibid. This grand defideratum in the chronology
of the Pentateuch, muſt be fought for in the
contents of the prophetic chapter, namely, Gen.
xv. Inveftigated, p. 614, 615. Afcertained,
p. 616. By another method, p. 620, 621. The
argument refumed, p. 634. The following par-
ticulars of God's revelations to Abraham, con-
cerning the future ftate of his pofterity, are exa-
mined, and their explanation attempted. Ift,
The chronological numeral 400 years, p. 612,
613. 2d, The number. 3d, The age of the ani-
mals, p. 614. 4th, The divifion of the carcafes
in the midft, p. 617-620. 5th, The fymbol of
the fmoaking furnace, p. 622. 6th, The fymbol
of the lamp of fire, p. 632. 7th, Their paffing
between the equal divifions, p. 632,633. 8th, Thy
feed fhall be a Stranger in a land that is not theirs,
and ſhall ſerve them, and they ſhall afflict them,
p. 621, 622. 9th, Alfo that nation whom they
hall ferve I will judge, p. 626. 10th, But in
the fourth generation they ſhall return hither again,
p. 623-626. 11th, And afterward they ſhall
come out with great fubftance, p. 627-632. At
the going out of Egypt, Mofes changes the
epoch
An ANALYSIS of the Entire WORK.
epoch of his chronological computations, p. 635.
Computes the years of his own life, not from
the autumnal, but from the vernal equinox,
p. 635, 636. The chronology of the Exodus
reduced to this fingle query,
Whether the Ifraelites went out of Egypt A.M.
2512, or A. M. 2513?
7
This query includes theſe four particulars,
Ift, The feafon of the year; 2d, The month;
3d, The day of the month; 4th, The day of
the patriarchal week, p. 635. 1ft, The deduc-
tions are ſeverally made, a priori, from the He-
brew text, p. 635-638. 2d, Are ſeverally con-
firmed by calculation from the original radix,
p. 638-641. The year of the Exodus justly
reckoned amongſt thofe which are fignalized in
facred hiftory. Several reafons affigned, which
induced us to give a kalendar of that year, in
its true fcriptural form, p. 641, 642. The
change of the original Sabbath an important
fcriptural truth, and a demonftrable matter of
fact. A table reprefenting to the view in what
manner it was effected, p. 643. The feventh
day of the patriarchal week aftronomically coin-
cident with the first day of the feaſt of un-
leavened bread in the year of the Exodus, ibid.
The Ifraelites paffed the Red Sea on the even-
ing preceeding the 21ft day of the month coin-
cident with the ſeventh day of the feaft, which
was itſelf the new inftituted Sabbath. Ex-
plains Deut. v. 15, p. 644. Mofes earneſtly
inculcates a conftant remembrance of the month
and day of the month in which the Ifraelites
came out of Egypt, and a religious obfervance
of the feaft of unleavened bread which was
connected with it, p. 644, 645. Seems pro-
bable that the pofitive command for obferving
the new Sabbath, was given at Marah, before
the arrival at Mount Sinai, p. 645. The ob-
ſervance of it enforced by a double and ftanding
miracle, p. 645. The Ifraelites were not per-
mitted to forget the memorial of creation in the
memorial of temporal redemption. Many remem-
brancers of it appointed. The folemn re-pub-
lication of the original Sabbath, from Mount
Sinai, a proof, that it was not abrogated, but
only fufpended for typical reaſons, p. 646. A
greater matter of wonder, that the change of the
Sabbath, at the Exodus, fhould have been fo
generally overlooked, than that it ſhould be
| diſcovered, explained, and proved. The tem-
porary Ifraelitic Sabbath died and was buried
in the fepulchre of Chrift; then the primi-
tive Sabbath was reftored, and its ancient ob-
ſervance revived in the practice of the apostles,
and the whole body of Chriftians, ibid. The
fourth commandment Exod. xx. compared
with Deut. v. amounts to an explicit declara-
tion, that a change of the Sabbath had been
made, ibid. The difference between the terms
feventh day and Sabbath day, p. 647. That the
primitive Sabbath was obferved on the fame day
of the week, with the Chriftian Sabbath, proved
by calculation, p. 647, 648. The chronology
of the Pentateuch compleated in all its parti-
culars, and effectually fecured by aftronomical
calculation founded upon Moſaic data, againſt
all future attempts to unfettle it, ibid.
|
The year of Christ's crucifixion.
A tranfition from one important fcriptural
year to another in clofe connection with it, of
much greater concernment, in its tranſactions
and events, to the whole race of mankind,
gives an opportunity to explain the chronology
of the Gospel, and the very peculiar computa-
tions of the Evangeliſts, p. 649. Sect. i. The
Evangelifts do not mention the month or day of
the month; nor do they openly and explicitly
denominate the day of the week on which our
Saviour was crucified, p. 649-652. Sect. ii.
The Evangelifts have referred their readers to
Mofes's law, and to the divine inftitution of the
firſt paffover, for the month and day of the
month of Chrift's paffion, p. 652, 653. Sect.
ii. The Evangelifts borrow their terms from
Mofes's hiftory of the firft paffover, and they
have his immediate direction and authority for
the uſe of every one of them, p. 653, 654.
Sec. iv. In what diftinct and limited fenfe the
fourteenth day of the month is called Jom harifhen
the firſt day, p. 654, 655. Sect. v. Jefus, the
night in which he was betrayed, did not eat
the legal paffover with his difciples, p. 655,
657. Sect. vi. The Evangelifts deſcribe the
laft fupper, which Jefus eat with his difciples,
in terms, which cannot, with any propriety,
be applied to the eating of the legal paffover.
Sect. vii. The two difciples, Peter and John,
when they were fent by Jefus from Bethany to
Jeru-
An ANALYSIS of the Entire WORK.
Патхая
+
Jerufalem, in the beginning of the first day of
unleavened bread, wrote to make, made
preparation for eating the legal paflover, (but
not by any orders from Jefus) according to the
accuſtomed manner, and expected to eat it, p.
660. Jefus forefheweth his death four dif
ferent times, and that he fhould die on the
paffover-day, p.661, 662. The difciples ad-
drefs themſelves to Jefus, and not Jefus to the
difciples, concerning their making preparation
to eat the paffover, p. 663. The terms of their
addreſs, compared and harmonized, p. 664.
Sect. viii. St. Matthew and St. Luke apply the
term "asxa, in an evangelical and fpiritual
fenſe, p. 665-667. Sect. ix. The Meffiah
was cut off (Dan. ix. 26.) or Chrift died the
death of the crofs, on the 14th day of a lunar
month, computed from the evening of appa-
rition, p. 667. Query 1. In what lolar tropi-
cal year of the world did this predicted event
happen? p. 668. The neceffity of having re-
courfe to the prophecy of Daniel's feventy
weeks. No other part or parts of fcripture can
immediately direct us to the year, month, and
day, of Chrift's death, ibid. The prophecy
in the English verfion. A few corrections and
neceffary explanations annexed, p. 668, 669.
Four decrees iffued out from the kings of Perfia
in favour of the Jews, cited at large from the
books of Ezra and Nehemiah, p. 631, 632,
633.
The prophetic terms, to restore and build
Jerufalem, to be underſtood in a diftinct and
literal fenfe, p. 674. Scriptural account of
weeks of years, p. 676. The prophetic
term, to reſtore, clearly and fully exprefies the
purport of the commiffion granted to Ezra,
p. 674, 675. The date of Ezra's commiffion
in the folar tropical_reckoning, p. 676. The
Julian year before Chrift. The year of the
Nabonafarean æra. The Olympiad, p. 678,
679. The advantage and neceffity of the lunar
computation in the explication of this prophecy
of the feventy weeks, p. 679, 680. An enu-
meration of the calculated characters, p. 682.
The year of the world.
of the world. Of the Nabonaſarean
æra. The Olympiad. The Roman emperor,
and year of his reign. The year of the vulgar
Chriftian æra, in which the feventieth prophe-
tic week ended and the Meffiah was cut off,
p. 683-687. The month, day of the month,
and day of the week, in which the Meffiah
was cut off, afcertained by the lunar camputa-
tion, which is included in the fo'ar, p. 688.
He rofe from the dead the third day,
An important article of our creed, to be
explained by the law of Mofes, p. 691, 692.
The law prophecies. Theſe prophecies of the
law receive their accomplishment in the perfon
of Chrift. The correfpondency, fimilitude,
and agreement, between the pafchal lamb and
Chrift crucified, p. 692, 693. Two typical
days accompliſhed together, by means of a rare
and remarkable coincidence, namely, the Jewish
Sabbath and feaft of unleavened bread, p. 693,
694. The firſt verſe of the 28th chapter of St.
Matthew's goſpel explained by a precept of
Mofes's law, p. 694. The Jewish Sabbath
cannot be calculated from the creation, p.695.
The Chriftian church has conftantly obferved,
not only the morality, but alſo the letter of
the fourth commandment, p. 694. An enume-
ration of the calculated characters in the
year of
our Saviour's paffion, p. 696. The first divi-
fion of the feventy weeks, aptly expreffed in
the form of a Jubilean period, ibid. The
prophetic term, after, ufed in two fenfes, p.
697. The commencement of the LXXth week
follows in a continued reckoning after the
LXIXth, ibid. Four evangelical years. Epocha
of the Gofpel aftronomical, p. 698, 699.
What ſpace of time the Baptift preceded the
Meffiah in his public miniſtry, p. 700. The
aftronomical difference between the age of the
Baptift and the age of the Meffiah. Their
exact ages when they entered upon their public
miniftry. St. John records four paffovers
during our Saviour's miniftry. The years of
the reign of Tiberius in which they were ob-
ferved, ibid. A commiffion was granted to
|
Nehemiah to build Jerufalem, fourteen years
after that which was granted to Ezra to restore
it, p. 701. The folar tropical date of Nehe-
miah's commiffion, ibid. Year of the Na-
bonaſarean æra. The Olympiad. The Ju-
lian year before Chrift, p. 703. The lunar
computation, p. 704. The feaft of tabernacles
John vii, at which our Saviour was prefent,
afcertained by Daniel's prophetic numbers, p.
708-712. How to find the number of Chaldee
years anſwering to LXIX prophetic weeks,
P. 713.
An ANALYSIS of the Entire WORK.
p. 713. An enumeration of the calculated
fynchroniſms, p. 713, 714. In the latter
branch of the prophecy, the LXXth week is
fet at a diſtance after the LXIXth, p. 714.
Our Saviour, in his difcourfes with his dif-
ciples, gives two general rules where to look
for the beginning of the LXXth week, p. 718.
Our Saviour's predictions concerning the de-
ftruction of the city and temple of Jerufalem,
the flaughter and captivity of the Jews, plainly
refer to the prophecy of Daniel, and is ex-
prefsly cited by him, p. 715-717. The
literal accompliſhment of our Saviour's pre-
dictions, and of the exprefs characters of the
LXXth week, are to be fought for in Joſe-
phus's hiftory of the Jewiſh wars, p. 722. The
truth of the feveral particulars related by Jofe-
phus proved by calculation,. p. 726, 727.
A COL
An ANALYSIS of the Entire WORK.
A
COLLECTION of the ASTRONOMICAL and CHRONOLOGICAL
TABLE S.
A
Table of the obfervations of fixteen equi-
noxes and folitices at Uraniburgh, by
Tyco Brahe
Of the terminations of the folar tropical
year, arifing from Tyco's fixteen obferva-
tions
Of twelve quantities of the folar tropi-
cal year, arifing from Tyco's fixteen obferva-
tions
Of the obfervations of fifteen equinoxes.
and folftices, at Greenwich, by the reverend
Dr. Bradley
Of the terminations of the folar tropi-
cal year, ariſing from Dr. Bradley's fifteen ob-
fervations
Of eleven quantities of the folar tropi-
cal year, arifing from Dr. Bradley's fifteen ob-
fervations
Page
116
ibid.
ibid.
Of the ante-diluvian genealogies, ac-
cording to the Hebrew and Samaritan texts, the
Vatican and Alexandrine copies of the Septua-
gint, and Jofephus
Of the poft-diluvian genealogies, ac-
cording to the fame copies
Of twenty-three different opinions, con-
cerning the year of the creation, amongſt thoſe
who ground their computations on the Hebrew
text
Page
137
138
139
145-150
Of the world's chronology, confifting
not of fingle years, but of intervals
Of the feven days of the firſt Moſaic
week, refolved into their four equidiftant qua-
drants, which terminate in their refpective car-
dinal points
Of the days of the week in perpetual
fucceffion, which will admit of no change, nor
require any correction to the end of time
156
117
ibid.
ibid.
Of fixteen equinoxes and folftices taken
from Parker's ephemeris
157
118
Of the terminations of the folar tropical
Of the days of the firft Mofaic week, in
a more contracted form
156
year, arifing from the ephemeris
ibid.
119
Of the various returns of the Sunday-
letter to the days of the Julian months, in the
ſpace of feven quadrienniums, or twenty-eight
years, for old ftyle and new
158
Of the refolution of 15' into its units
fucceffively, in order to difcover the meridian
epact, or annual difference
169
Of twelve terminations of the folar tro-
pical year, as determined by tabular calcula-
tion
Of the diſtances of the four cardinal
points of the ecliptic, according to the obfer-
vations of Tyco Brahe, and the reverend Dr.
Bradley
Of four mean meaſures of the ſolar tro-
pical year, affigned by the aftronomers
Of Keil's and Ferguſon's numbers, de-
noting the quantity of the fidereal day, and
the complement of the folar; and alſo of thoſe,
which we endeavour to fupport by calcula-
tion
120
121
Of the fun's entry into libra, in the firſt
meridian, and at Greenwich A. J. P. 706, and
alfo A. J. P. 6466, interval 5760 years
170
Of diminutions of the folar tropical year
from 1 to 15″, and of the aggregate of the
refpective diminutions in 5760 years
172
173
126 tion
Of the moments of a given meridian's
arrival at a certain fixed ftar, after its depar-
ture from a conjunction with the fun at noon,
in the end of every 30 days, in a courfe of 360,
equal to the number of degrees in the circum-
ference of the equator
130
Of the fun's entry into libra on the four
cardinal points of the day, in four fucceffive
years
133
Of the meridian diftance between A
and B (fuppofing A to have a fixed ftation,
and B to travel upon the equator in an annual
proportion, eastward) in the end of 130 and
of 131 years
134
Of thirteen quantities of a mean luna-
Of the hour and minute of one fingle
obfervation, expreffing the time of the fun's
entry into libra at Greenwich A.D. 1753,
A. M. 5760, which was the fourth commenfu-
rating year
Of nine unequal meridian diſtances, col-
lected from fifteen obfervations, made fuccef-
fively in the meridian of the Greenwich obfer-
vatory
Of five obfervations made by the reverend
Dr. Bradley at Greenwich, which we have
poftulated to be exactly true, and have made
them the teft of the truth of all our calculations
of equinoxes and folftices from the creation
*** )
174
176
176
Of
An ANALYSIS of the Entire WORK.
Page
Of the Julian ſtations of equinoxes and
folftices in the firft quadriennium of the world's
age
177
180
Of the months of the Egyptian year
Of four quadrienniums, from A. D. 1750
to A. D. 1765, in which only the numbers of
one obfervation A.D. 1753, are expreffed 184, 185
Of the times of the fun's entry into T,
,, and VS, at Greenwich, from A. D.
1750 to A. D. 1753, by calculation from the
original radix
Of twelve ifochronal terminations arifing
from the reduction of the times of equinoxes
and folftices to one and the fame meridian, and
to that very meridian in which the times of the
five ſelected obfervations fell A. D. 1753
Of fixteen equal meridian diftances,
which never fail to produce true terminations
Of the times of the fun's entry into Y,
,, and VS, by calculation from the ori-
ginal radix, and adjufted to the fame meridian
as before, A. D. 1754—1757
Of the times of the fun's entry into Y,
,, and VS, by calculation from the ori-
ginal radix, and adjuſted to the ſame meridian,
A. D. 1758-1761
Of the times of the fun's entry into V,
,, and VS, by calculation from the ori-
ginal radix, and adjuſted to the fame meridian,
A. D. 1762-1765
Of the meridian diſtance between A and
B (fuppofing A's ftation to be fixed, and B to
travel round the equator, in an annual propor-
tion, eastward) in the end of 5765 years
Of equable motion, computed for 6000
folar tropical years
Shewing in what exact equatoreal pro-
portions the earth's diurnal motion is adjusted
to its annual
Of equatoreal time, correfponding with
the tables of equable motion for 6000 years
Of retroceffion and progreffion, and of
meridian diſtances, in the end of every 131
years, during a courfe of 1440 years
Of 138 triacontaeterids, or periods of
30 lunar years
Of lunations and characters
Of lunations, and of the days thrown
off in a lunar period
Shewing in what determinate propor-
tions the moon departs from its original coinci-
dence with the autumnal equinox, by a pro-
greffion eastward, in every decennoval cycle, or
courfe of 19 years
193
193
194
194
Page
Of the excess of the Julian computa-
tion above the lunar in 300 decenmoval cycles 220
Of three different methods of comput-
ing the beginnings of the months, aftronomi-
cal, patriarchal, and Jewiſh
Of 6000 folar tropical years, quantity
365 d. 5 h. 48 min. 57 fec. Sir Ifaac Newton
Of 70000 lunations, quantity 29 d. 12 h.
44 min. 2 fec. 53 thirds, Mr. Mayer of Got
tingen
Of the world's chronology, compre-
hended in ſeven intervals, to A. D. 1764, ac-
cording to the computations of the Septuagint
Greek verfion
224
226
226
236
– Of the diftribution of the twelve figns
into 365 degrees
255
265
Of the feventy years of the Babyloniſh
captivity, computed from the fcriptural and the
Ptolemaic canons, only tranfpofing one year
Of the feveral years before Chrift, of
the Nabonaſarean æra, and of the Olym-
piads, which have been affigned for that eclipſe
of the fun, which is faid to be predicted by
Thales, &c.
Of the months of the Jewish, Macedo-
194
nian, and Attic years
194
198
267
282
Of the year of the Hegira 857, in con-
nection with four different years of the world 284
Of aftronomical coincidences which dif-
criminate the year of the Hegira, or` of Ma-
homet's flight from Mecca to Medina
310
304
200
Of the months of the Turkiſh year
Of thoſe coincidences and characters
which would be produced by calculating A.M.
5756, as the year in which Conftantinople was
taken by the Turks, according to archbishop
Ufher's Syftem of Chronology
308
201
202
Of thofe coincidences and characters,
which would be produced by calculating A.M.
5759, according to the chronology of the Sa-
maritan Pentateuch, which the compilers of
the Univerſal Hiftory efpoufed, in the first folio-
edition of their work
310
204
Of the ten unequal months of Romulus's
year
209
Of the months and days of Numa's fo-
211 lar year, in the space of a quadriennium
Of four of Numa's years in their lunar
211 form
313
317
318
Of the months and days of Numa's
year, with the retroceffion of its epoch, by the
error of intercalation
320
321
Of
Exhibits the twelve months of the Julian,
215 or reformed Roman year
An ANALYSIS of the Entire WORK.
Of the year of confufion, A. U. C. 708,
confifting of XV months, and of 444 days
Of the months of Numa's laſt year, and
collected days, which diſcover to us, by what
fteps Cæfar recovered Numa's original epoch
Of five lunar years following one another
in fucceffion, with their epacts
Page
324
328
333
Of five folar tropical years following one
another in fucceffion, with their meridian epacts 334
Of the Julian months and days, on which
the fun would have entered the cardinal points,
had the late correction been carried back to the
beginning of Numa's reign
Of the Julian ſtations of the equinoxes and
folftices in the four firft Julian years; from
whence it will appear, that the fun never came
to the vernal equinox on the 25th of March,
nor to the winter folftice on the 25th of De-
cember
345
346
Of the times of the vernal equinox at
Greenwich, in the year before the council of
Nice was held, A. D. 324; in the year of the
council A. D. 325, and in the two following
years
}
Of four years, A. D. 1764 1767, in
which the fun entered the vernal equinox, on
the fame Julian month, day, hour, and minute,
as it did in the year before the council of Nice,
in the year of the council, and in the two fol-
lowing years
360
361
Shewing that Eafter-Sunday fell, in the
year of our Lord 1761, exactly in the fame
manner, with refpect to the Jewish compu-
tation of the days of the week, as it did in the
year of our Saviour's paffion
Proves that there is a metachronism of
four years in archbishop Ufher's chronology
Of the years which are excluded by the
computations of Scaliger and of Uſher
374
375
380
Of the years which are excluded by the
computations of the Jews
383
384
Of the world's chronology, from the cre-
ation to the deftruction of the fecond temple, as
collected by the Jews
Of Jewiſh Tecuphot, or times of the fun's
entry into the cardinal points
Exhibits to the view, in abftract characters,
(i. e. unconnected with the months and days of
any known political form of year) the coinci-
dence of the 15th day of the firſt month of the
firft lunar year, with the original cardinal point
of the folar
Of the proportional divifion of 15 days,
equal in number to the days of the original in-
tegral epact
390
392
394
Page
Expreffes in fymbols the coincidence of
the original full moon with the autumnal equi-
nox, and its departure from thence by a decen-
noval progreffion eastward
Of the luni-folar characters of the Jewish
403
æra, A. J. P. 953
Of the character of a decennoval cycle
from 1 to 300
417
426
Of the character of a mean lunation
from 1 to 12
427
Of the character of a common lunar year
from 1 to 12
427
Of the character of an embolimæan lunar
year, from 1 to 7
4271
Of the excess of 19 Julian years above 19
luni-folar, from 1 cycle to 300
427
Of the excess of a Julian year above a
common lunar year, from 1 to 12
428
Of the excefs of an embolimæan lunar
year above the Julian, from 1 to 7
428
Exhibits to the view, at what diſtance
after O´in'´´, and after the paſchal full moon,
or the 15th of Nifan, Eafter-Sunday would have
fallen, Á.D. 1506, if calculated aftronomically,
and alfo by the golden number
443
Exhibits to the view, at what diſtance af-
ter O in V, and likewife after the 15th of Ni-
fan, Eaſter Sunday fell aftronomically, A. D.
1753
449
Of the XII months of the fcriptural folar
year, on every one of which fucceffively, Da-
vid's XII military officers ferved in the matter
of the courfes
452
Of the twenty-four courfes of the priests 454
Of the reigns of the kings and queens of
England fince the conqueft, to the first year of
his preſent majefty George III. inclufive, which
are reduced, according to the Moſaic aſtrono-
mical law, to begin and end at the autumnal
equinox, and fo to run parallel with the years
of the world
Of the collected number of days, from the
beginning of the 600th year of Noah's life, to
the day inclufive, on which he fent out the dove
the third and laft time
457
460
463
469
Of the whole variety of lunar epacts
Of the XII months of the primitive folar
and lunar year before and after the Exodus
Of the XII months of the patriarchal
and political lunar year, which include the
unequal months of the aftronomical lunar year 476
Of half lunations
476
Of four different computations of the
years fince the æra of William the Conqueror 480
Of
(***) 2
=
An ANALYSIS of the Entire · WORK.
Of four different computations of the in-
terval from the creation to the flood
Of the chronology of the first period of
the world's age, in which the corrupted numerals
of the Samaritan Pentateuch, of the Vatican
and Alexandrine copies of the LXXII are
omitted; which leaves the computations of the
Hebrew text, to be compared only with the
text of Jofephus; and they are compared
Page
486
489, 490
Of the Mofaic divifion of the nu&theme-
ron or natural day, into octants, and of the
Goſpel computation anſwering to it
Of the four cardinal points of the day,
as we find them denominated in the writings
of Mofes
Of the unchangeable difpofition or com-
putation of the quadrant, in every quadriennium
fince the creation
513
520
522
Of the patriarchal folar and lunar tetrae-
522
teris
Of 360 fexagefimal parts, and of the re-
folution of that original and patriarchal num-
ber into its inherent aſtronomical radicals,
namely, 60. 30. 15. 11. 7. 4.
Repreſents to the view, the original
epact 15, and its true fituation in the begin-
ning of the firſt ſolar tropical year of the
world
525
539
Repreſents to the view, the recorded
epact 11, and its true fituation in the end of
the old world, or in the beginning of the new 539
Repreſents to the view, the integral epact
II, and its true fituation in the end of the 33d
year of the reign of George II. king of Great
Britain, which was fimilar to the 600th year of
Noah's life
Of new moon and full moon epacts at
the autumnal equinox, beginning with the new
moon epact 15, and the original full moon
epact o
539
540
Of quadrienniums, with their correfpon-
ding new moon and full moon epacts
541
Of four new moon and full moon lunar
years with their epacts, for the years of Noah's
life 597, 598, 599, 600
Of four new moon and full moon lunar
years, with their epacts, for the years of the
reign of George II. 30, 31, 32, 33
550
550
Of the Julian ftations of the autumnal
equinox for 8 years, A. D. 1753-1760
Of the full moon and new moon epacts,
at the autumnal equinox in the chaotic year,
or in the year immediately preceeding the cre-
ation; and alſo at the fame cardinal point, in
the first four years of the world; to which we
have annexed the correſponding years of the
Julian period
Page
555
564
Of fix epacts and fix quadrants, which
conſtitute two aftronomical lunar months of 30
and 29 days
Of thofe luni-folar characters, which
archbishop Uſher has omitted to take notice of,
when he dates his chronological computations
from the autumnal equinox, A. J. P. 710
Diſcovers to our view, that the ancient
Ifraelites obſerved the first paffover on the
fourteenth day of the first month of the poli-
tical and not of the aftronomical lunar year
Of the luni-folar characters of the chao-
tic year
564
565
577
587
quadriennium
Of the luni-folar characters of the 1442d
587
588
Of the new moon and full moon epacts,
for the firſt ſeven years of the 304th decenno-
val cycle.
Of thoſe feveral particulars which help
to explain the frame and ftructure of the pri-
mitive folar and lunar kalendar
592-593
A table of five columns, conftructed
upon the luni-ſolar characters of the chaotic
year
596
Of reduction to the Julian kalendar
596
The interval of 430 years, (Exod. xii.
40.) reduced to its feveral particulars hiftori-
cally, chronologically. and aftronomically 617
A genealogical table of the lineal defcent
of Mofes from our firft parents Adam and Eve 624
A table, fhewing in what manner the
change of the original Sabbath was effected 643
A table, expreffing the month, day of
the month, and day of the week, on which
Chrift died, lay in the grave, and roſe from
the dead
A table of the laſt forty years of God's
forbearance of the iniquity of the whole people
of the Jews, and its three remarkable divi-
fions
691
721
A COL-
An ANALYSIS of the Entire WORK
168
181
188
•
Greenwich A. D. 3193, A. M.
A. M. 7200
355
ibid.
247
At Greenwich A. J. P. 953, A.M.
Day of the week
A COLLECTION of all the CALCULATIONS of the Equinoxes,
Solftices, Mean New Moons, Mean Full Moons, and their correfponding
Days of the Week, &c.
A
Calculation of the returns of a given me-
ridian to a certain fixed ftar, and to the
center of the fun, in the ſpace of 360 days; and
of the diſtance of the meridian and fixed ſtar
from the fun, in the end of the 360th day
Of the returns of a given meridian, to a
certain fixed ftar, and to the center of the fun,
in the ſpace of 365 folar days; and of the
diſtance of the meridian from the center of the
fun in the end of the 366th fidereal day
Calculations of the autumnal equinox.
D
Of the Julian month and day of the month
coincident with the fourth day of the creation,
when the annual motion commenced at the au-
tumnal equinox in the firſt meridian, at noon
Page
Of the Julian month, day, hour, and
minute, in which the fun entered libra, by
Hipparchus's firft obfervation at Rhodes; by
calculation, 1ft, at Greenwith, 2d, at Rhodes,
A. C. 162, A. M. 3846
At Greenwich, A. D. 1750
Ditto, A. D. 1751
By tabular calculation, A. D. 1758
At Greenwich, A. D. 313
The correfponding day of the week
The time in which the fun will enter libra at
Correfponding day of the week
132
206
Calculations of the Winter Solstice.
The Julian month, day, hour, and minute, in
which the ſun entered capricorn, at Greenwich,
and in a meridian which lies 8° to the west-
ward of it, A. D. 1585
Page
160
Sun in capricorn, A. M. 5765, A.D.
1758
239
Sun in capricorn at Greenwich, A. J. P.
714
ibid.
Day of the week
336
}
337
Sun in capricorn at Greenwich, A.D.
1760
339
Day of the week
ibid.
The Julian month and day of fun in capricorn,
old ſtyle, A. D. 1760, A. M. 5767
34L
Day of the week
ibid.
The Julian month and day of fun in capricorn,
new ſtyle, as by obfervation, A. D. 1760,
A. M. 5768
342
Day of the week
ibid.
Sun in capricorn at Greenwich, A. J. P.
4001, A. M. 3294
344
Sun in capricorn at Greenwich, in the
192 firft, fecond, third, and fourth Julian years
346
Sun in capricorn at Greenwich, A. D.
351 312
ibid. Day of the week
348
ibid.
Sun in capricorn at Greenwich, A. D.
313
351
Day of the week
352
Sun in capricorn at Greenwich, A.D.
396
3192, A. M. 7199
ibid.
354
Day of the week
ibid.
Sun in libra at Greenwich, A. D.
Sun in capricorn at Greenwich, A. D.
1756
Sun in libra in the end of A. M. 1652
543 3193
356
546-Day of the week
ibid.
The day of the week
548
Sun in libra A. D. 1753-1760
555
Sun in libra at Greenwich, A. D.
Calculations of the Vernal Equinox.
313
351
Day of the week
ibid.
The fun's entry into libra A. M. 247,
A. J. P. 953, calculated by the moon's decen-
noval progreffions
The Julian month, day, hour, and minute, in
which the fun will enter aries, at Greenwich,
A.D. 1764, A. M. 5771
230
404
Day of the week
234
Sun in libra A. M. 2511, at Alexan-
Sun in aries at Greenwich; A. M. 5722,
dria
638
A. D. 1715.
244
Sun in libra at Jerufalem, A. M. 4039,
Sun in aries at Greenwich, A. M. 3423
249
A.D. 32
711
In the year before Chrift 585
251
Sun
An™™ANALYSIS of the f
Entire WORK.
Sun in aries at Greenwich, A. M. 3405
In the year before Chriſt 603.
Sun in aries at Greenwich, A. M. 3287
Page
259 Calculations of the Mean New Moons, or Conjunc-
tions, and alfo of New Moon Epacts.
261
1
269
Page
In the year before Chrift 721
27!
Sun in aries at Greenwich, A. M. 5460
288
Day of the week
289
Sun in aries at Greenwich, A. D. 1453
ibid.
Diftance after fun in aries
the mean new moon neareſt to fun in aries, at
The Julian month, day, hour, and minute, of
Greenwich, A. D. 1764, A. M. 5771
231
ibid.
Day of the week
ibid.
Sun in aries at Greenwich, A. M. 5456
Day of the week
240
290
Mean new moon by Ferguſon's tables
233
Day of the week
291
Time of mean new moon at Greenwich, in
Sun in aries at Greenwich, A. D, 1449
292
Day of the week
ibid.
April, A. D. 1715, A. M. 5722
245
Diſtance after fun in aries
ibid.
Day of the week
Day of the week
Sun in aries at Greenwich, A. M. 5759
Day of the week
Sun in aries at Greenwich, A. D. 1752
Sun in aries at Greenwich, A. M. 5761
Sun in aries at Greenwich, A. D. 1754
293
Day of the week
246
ibid.
Time of mean new moon at Greenwich, in
294
May, A. M. 3423
250
ibid.
In the year before. Chrift 585
252
295
Diſtance after fun in aries
251
1 J
296
Day of the week.
ibid.
Day of the week
Sun in aries at Greenwich, A.D.
313
349 In the year before Chrift 603
Time of mean new moon at Greenwich, in
297 May, A. M. 3405
255
260
264
Day of the week
ibid.
Day of the week
264
Sun in aries at Greenwich, A. D. 31932
A. M.
7200
Day of the week.
Dillance after fun in aries
2613
353
354
Sun in aries at Greenwich, A. D. 1761
371
The Julian month and day of the mean new
In the year before Chrift 283
moon neareſt to fun in cancer, A. M.
A. M. 3725
281
283
Day of the week
ibid.
Sun in aries at Greenwich, A. D. 1757
376
Day of the week
ibid,
Sun in aries at Greenwich, A. D. 1514
390
Day of the week
The Julian month and day of the mean new
moon neareſt to fun in cancer, on the evening
of whofe vifibility the era of the Hegira is
dated, A. D. 622
302
ibid.
The day of the week
ibid.
A calculation of the hour and minute of fun
in aries, A. D. 1761, firſt meridian
Distance after fun in cancer
-ibid.
411
Age of the moon at the vernal equinox, A. D.
The hour and minute of fun in aries, at Green-
wich, A. M. 1513
1761
434
A. D. 1506
435
Age of the moon at the autumnal equinox,
A. M. 247, A. J. P. 953
372
397
678
The calculation of Neomenia Tifri, the feaſt
of tabernacles, and the pafchal new moon,
679 A. D. 1760 and 1761, A. M. 5531, as-com-
Sun in aries at Jerufalem, the year before
Chriſt 458
Day of the week
Sun in aries at Jerufalem, A. M. 4040,
A.D. 33
683 Tohu
puted by the Jews, from Rabbi Hillel's Molad
Sun in aries at Jerufalem, A. M. 3564 702 tabernacles, and the pafchal new moon, A. D.
420-424
684 The calculation of Néomènia Tifri, the feaſt of
Day of the week
Day of the week
Calculations of the Summer Sölftice.
The Julian month, day, hour, and minute, in
which the fun came to the fummer folftice, at.
Greenwich, A. M. 3725
L
1760 and 1761, A. M. 5768,' from the Moſaic
Molad Tohu, or chaotic new-moon- 428-431
?
703
A calculation of the pafchal new moon from
the creation, A. D. 1753, A. M. 5760
Day of the week
447
ibid.
280
A calculation of the new, moon-epact at fun in
Day of the week
libra, A. D. 1759, A. M. 5766
482
ibid.
484
ibid.
A cal
Sun in cancer at Greenwich, A.M. 46293.00
Sun in cancer at Greenwich, A.D. 313 359
Day of the week
ibid.
Sun in cancer at Greenwich, A. D. 3193
A. M. 7200
1
(1
354
A calculation of the new moon epact at fun in
libra, A. D. 1760, A.M: 5767
Day of the week
An ANALYSIS of the Entire WORK.
of the
Page
A calculation of the new moon epact at fun
Of the mean full moon in January A.M.
Page
in libra, A. M. 1655
496
5765, A. D. 1758
Day of the week
497
Diſtance after fun in capricorn
240
ibid.
A calculation
of the new moon epact at fun
Day of the week
241
in libra, A. M. 1656
509
Time of the mean full moon at London, A.M.
Day of the week
510 3287
270
A calculation of the fame new moon epacts,
from the frame and ſtructure of the patriarchal
kalendar
In the year before Chriſt 721
272
Diſtance before fun in aries
528, 535
Mean time of this full moon at Babylon, by
271
Julian month and day of mean new moon
neareſt to ſun in libra, A. D. 1756
Ferguſon's tables
544
Day of the week
273
275
Julian month and day of mean new moon
neareſt to fun in libra, A. M. 1652
547
Day of the week
548
The new moon epact nearest to fun in libra,
A.D. 1757, A. M. 5764
569
Day of the week
Diſtance of the feftival full moon after fun in
libra, A. M. 247, A. J. P. 953
The mean full moon coincident with fun in
aries, A, D. 1757, A. M. 5764
378
397
397
Day of the week
New moon evening nearest to fun in aries,
A. M. 3550
Day of the week correfponding with the au-
tumnal new moon evening, A. M. 2511
639
A calculation of the hour and minute of mean
full moon A. D. 1761, A. M. 5768, neareſt to
fun in aries, firſt meridian
41 [
681
The full moon in coincidence with fun in aries
682 | A. D. 1514, A.M. 5521
400
New moon evening nearest to fun in aries,
A. M. 4040, A. D. 33, ær. vulg.
Day of the week
ibid.
688
Day of the week
ibid.
Day of the week
New moon evening neareſt to fun in aries,
A. M. 3564
704
Diſtance of mean full moon after fun in aries
A. D. 1761, A. M. 5768, in five meridians
Diſtance of full moon before fun in aries,
A.M. 5513, A. D. 1506
412
436
705
After fun in aries
437
New moon evening nearest to the autumnal
equinox, A. D. 32, A. M. 4039
Day of the week
438
712
Time of the vernal equinox, and full moon
epact, A. M. 5760, A.D. 1753
443, 444
219-221
222
Of the mean full moon in September,
A. J. P. 706
Calculations of the Mean Full Moons, and Full Day of the week
Moon Epacts.
The Julian month, day, hour, and minute, of
the mean full moon, coincident with the third
day of the creation, if the Julian ſtyle be exten-
ded backwards from the autumnal equinox
A. D. 1750, A. M. 5757
Of the mean full moon in October,
A.M. 5757, A. D. 1750
Diſtance of the first point of the mean full moon
day before fun in aries, A. D. 1506
A calculation of the pafchal full moon, and of
Eafter-Sunday, A. D. 1753, A. M. 5750
The Julian month and day of mean full moon
neareſt to fun in libra, A. D 1758, A. M.
445
ibid.
448
5765
557
The Julian month and day of the feſtival
full moon, A. D. 32, A.M. 4039
Day of the week
711
112
ibid.
INTRO-
ليا
INTRODUCTORY
DISCOURSE.
T
HE Author of the enfuing fyftem of chronology can with
truth fay, he would not have ventured to have fubmitted his
private fentiments, concerning fuch a controverted fubject, to
the judgment of the public, if he had not been in fome degree
convinced, that the principles, on which he all along proceeds,
would enable him to caft a new light upon its many and great
difficulties, and to make fome diſcoveries of fufficient importance to engage
the attention and regards of the inquifitive reader.
Although many perfons of extenfive learning, confummate judgment, and
great abilities, have thought the fubject of facred chronology worthy of their
moſt diligent reſearches, yet they have all failed in the main point. They ſeem
to have taken it for granted, that the Mofaic and fcriptural computations are
quite unaftronomical: the title of the world's chronology has been fixed to very
different collections of years, without looking for any fcriptural aftronomical
æra to fupport the title; and, indeed, I may fay, without having any thought
of its exiſtence, and indifpenfible neceffity.
How ſtrange foever it may appear, this is the firft attempt that has yet been
made to recover chronology from its preſent ſtate of uncertainty, and to reduce
it, by calculation, to a regular, uniform, and demonftrable ſyſtem.
"I have
ii
DISCOURSE.
INTRODUCTORY
I have employed many pages, and made a great variety of calculations, to
prove the fundamental propofition of this fcheme, which is, That Mofes has
recorded in his Pentateuch, the pofition of the fun and moon to each other at the
creation, and in the first year after the flood, or in the beginning of the old
world and the new. This revealed pofition of the fun and moon at the creation,
I call the fcriptural aftronomical æra.
By the affiftance of this æra, together with fome other principles to be
mentioned in another place, I find myſelf able to keep even pace with the courſes
of the two great luminaries, from the first year of the world, to that which is
current. Nor will it be thought prefumption to take it for granted, that no
intelligent perfon will be enclined to call in queftion the truth of thofe conclu-
fions, which are confirmed by the joint atteftations of the fun and moon, the
two faithful witneſſes in the heavens.
Hence appears the diftinction between hiſtorical and phyſiological chronology.
Hiſtorical chronology is liable to error from various caufes, but phyfiological
chronology muſt be true; fuch are its principles and characters, that the con-
clufions will enforce affent.
If the calculations, by which I have laboured to eſtabliſh this fundamental
propofition, cannot be refuted, or convicted of any fenfible error, the end of
writing this book will be fully anſwered, whatever inaccuracies or defects the
critical examiner may find in any other particulars, which are foreign to the
principal point in view, or are but fubordinate to it.
It is not my intention in this performance to amufe the reader with an account
of the Egyptian and Chaldean dynalties; nor fhall I diſplay my learning in a
vain attempt to reconcile them either to the Hebrew or the Greek computations;
I make no enquiry into the Chineſe annals, or take upon me to determine
whether the first Chinefe emperor Fohi, was the fcriptural Noah; nor, paffing
from China into Egypt, whether Rameffes, Miamun, or Amenophis, was the
Pharaoh that was drowned in the Red Sea. I fcruple not to own my utter
inability to connect with certainty any one article of facred hiftory with prophane,
until I come down to the times of Ptolemy's canon. I am only follicitous to
afcertain the paſt age of the world, and to fix the exact feries of years from the
creation. And one of the motives which induced me to write this preliminary
difcourfe, was, to excite the reader's attention to the fundamental propofition
mentioned above, which is indeed the unchangeable bafis of the calculations,
and the root from which they are all derived.
It may be thought neceffary to explain, in a few words, what I would be
underſtood to mean by theſe terms, the revealed and recorded pofition of the fun
and moon at the creation, and in the firſt year after the flood, when Shem
entered into the ninety-ninth year of his life.
With
INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE.
111
•
With respect to the year of the creation, I have inferred from the writings of
Mofes, and have clearly proved, by a multiplicity of examples, that time
commenced at our autumnal equinox on the fourth day of the creation, in
coincidence with a full moon day, or the 15th day of the first month of the
firſt lunar year, reckoned from that evening in which the moon generally
makes its first appearance after its conjunction with the fun.
I have likewife inferred, from the fame authority, (p. 493) and have clearly
proved by calculation, (p. 509, 510) that in the end of the fix hundredth year
of Noah's life, the moon was viſible eleven days before the autumnal equinox,
on the fixth day of the week, and confequently in the beginning of the fix
hundredth and first year, the fun entered the cardinal point, on the twelfth day
after the moon's vifibility, and on the fourth day of the week.
By what fteps, and by what methods of reasoning, I made thefe deductions
from a few texts of fcripture compared together, may be feen, p. 152--158,
and alſo under the article of the fcriptural year.
Here I fhall obferve, that if any one can fairly and critically prove, that theſe
deductions from the writings of Moſes are mere fictions and fancies, then it muſt
be faid, that I have luckily mifinterpreted fome general expreffions into a true
aſtronomical æra, refpecting the fun, the moon, and correfponding day of the
week. For the truth of this fcriptural æra, and its combined characters, I
appeal to the effects, which, in its uſe and application, it never fails to produce,
in an exact agreement with the natural fituation of the fun and moon in the
heavens, without any exceptions to the contrary.
·
Thus I have endeavoured to explain the terms of a propofition, the neceffity
and importance of which, in a general fyftem of chronology, is fo obvious to
common apprehenfion that it cannot be made a doubt of. For by means
of theſe revealed, or, which is all one, thefe fcriptural aftronomical characters
and data, the feveral difcordancies which ſtill continue to embarraſs the facred
computations, may be happily and eafily adjufted, by bringing the truth or
falfity of the various contending claims, to their only proper teft.
It is well known to every chronologift, that in the first period of the world's age,
from the creation to the flood, there are no less than fix difagreeing computations,
1. Of the Hebrew text; 2. Of the Samaritan Pentateuch; 3. Of the Vatican
copy; 4. Of the Alexandrian copy of the Septuagint; 5.and 6. Of Jofephus, who
gives two computations which cannot be reconciled to each other by 400 years.
The nature and ftrength of what I call the chronological argument and proof,
may be ſtated in a very few words.
<
That ſeries of years which will enable us to connect theſe recorded aftrono-
mical characters, refpecting the fun, the moon, and the correfponding day
of the week, muſt be the true feries;
1.
a 2
But
iv
INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE.
But this connection can be obtained by the Hebrew computations only;
Therefore, the computations of the Hebrew text only are authentic, and all
others, which differ from them, must be rejected.
<
They who do not fee the conclufiveneſs of this proof, need only aſk ſome
experienced aftronomer, in what limited ſpace of time the fun will return twice
to a given point of its annual orbit, on a given day of the moon's age, on a given
day of the week, in the given year of a quadriennium, or, as we ſay, after
biffextile, in the fame place. I would not fcruple to allow ten times the
number of years which are computed to have paffed from the creation to the
flood, according to the largeſt chronology, to bring the fame combination of
characters together again.
4
ኦ
Could it be made to appear, that I have, in this performance, proved nothing
more but this one point, namely, that the difference of fix compleat centuries,
between the Hebrew and the Greek computations, in the firft period, from the
creation to the flood, were not originally fubftracted from the Hebrew, but were
added to the Greek text; it muſt be allowed that I have made a greater advance
in the ſcheme of facred chronolgy, than ever has been made yét, fince this
article remains an undetermined queftion to this day.
1
4
The chronological table which is prefixed to this book, fets forth that 5768
years meaſure the whole ſpace from the autumnal equinox at the creation, to
the autumnal equinox in the year of our Lord 1761 inclufive; whilſt Capellus
fuppofes time to commence two years, and Archbiſhop Ufher four years later.
We have then, in theſe three computations, as many different Julian years before
the vulgar Chriſtian æra. And it is highly probable, fuch is the prefent uncertain
ſtate of chronology, that ninety-nine perfons in an hundred, might cooly and
deliberately afk, what can three or four years avail, in a ſeries of between five
and fix thouſand? But thoſe who ſhall examine the principles of this ſcheme,
and the tendency of ſuch a number of calculations, will foon become ſenſible,
that the error of a fingle year would ſo interrupt the feries, as to diſorder the
aftronomy of the whole and could the error of a fingle year be diſcovered in
that ſeries which I have collected from the evidences of facred and prophane
hiſtory, I ſhould immediately be convinced, that I had employed a great deal
of time and pains, and had made a great number of calculations, not only to
very little, but no purpoſe at all.
Flattering myſelf with the hopes, that I fhould be found able to authenticate
my chronological table, I was induced, upon the account of its importance, to
give it the first place in this work. That which follows, for more than two
hundred pages, is but a comment upon this text. The moment it is admitted,
that I have demonftrably aſcertained the world's paft duration, amidſt an indefinite
variety of opinions, the calculating part of this fcheme, may, without any
hefitation,
INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE.
*
heſitation, be laid afide, like ſcaffoldings, which are of no further uſe after the
building is compleated; then this table will itſelf become the book, fo far as
it is chronological only; and fuch a book, as will derive all its value from the
demonftrable verity of its numbers. The texts of fcripture which are annexed
to this table, inform the reader from what evidences of facred hiſtory it was
conftructed.
It will be eaſily credited, that in the execution of this fcheme, I muſt
frequently have been called upon to encounter difficulties, and fuch diffi-
culties, as, at the first view, might well be thought infuperable.
My third general principle, (p. 212) is, Without aftronomy there is no
certainty in chronology. By chronology here, is meant the world's chronology,
or the whole extent of the world's paft duration. And the requifites which
are effentially neceffary to fupport this propofition, are laid together in the
beginning of my third differtation, (p. 136) to which I refer.
I am required,,, by the very nature of this undertaking, to diſcover and
aſcertain,
1. The created distance of the moon from the fun, with reſpect to that
cardinal point, at which the earth's annual motion commenced.
2. The true ſeries of years from that epoch to the preſent times.
3. The exact quantity of the folar tropical year, of a folar day, and of a
mean lunar month.
;
4. A true meridian diſtance; by which is meant a true diſtance eaſtward
. from that point of the equator, in connection with which the annual motion
commenced at noon; which point of the equator muſt in nature be the firſt
meridian.
5. To theſe I have added the folar and lunar periods; a previous knowledge
of which is quite neceffary, in order to underſtand ſome ſteps in the calculations.
Thefe particulars are inveſtigated and feverally explained in the third
differtation, from p. 136, to p. 211; then their truth is confirmed by examples
from p. 212, to p. 310.
The difficulties which clog the first article of enquiry, concerning the
created diſtance of the moon from the fun, will appear from a confideration of
the following particulars.
Thus much only is certain, that it muſt have been determinate; further than
this we cannot proceed by abſtract reafoning, and the impoffibility may be
eafily ſtated, and eafily comprehended.
There are within the limits of a folar year two equinoxes, and two ſolſtices,
which are called the cardinal points of the year; each of theſe cardinal points
hath its attending moon; if a new moon comes before, then a full moon
follows after, or falls upon it. Theſe diſtances of the new moons and
full
wi
INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE.
full moons before and after the equinoxes and folftices, are limited and
various.
;
This variety ſets them quite out of the reach of conjecture; fo that if any
year, and any one of the cardinal points, be given, there are but three poffible
ways of knowing the determinate diftance of the moon from the fun. For,
Ift, it muſt either be revealed; or, 2d, it muſt be diſcovered by obfervation
or, 3d, by tabular calculation. But it is evident, that the created diftance of
the moon from the fun, could not have been diſcovered by obfervation, becauſe
there was no human witneſs to creation. Nor can it be determined by tabular
calculation, becauſe amidſt a great variety of calculated pofitions, we have
no means of knowing which was original, and which was not.
The con-
clufion is, that if it be not revealed, and recorded in the writings of Mofes,
it is impoffible it ever ſhould be known.
As the certainty of chronology depends upon the certainty of aftronomy,
the conclufions of the latter, being affumed as the first principles of the
former, it was incumbent upon me to exert my utmoſt efforts to define the
quantities of the year, day, and lunar month, with a mathematical precifion, if
it might be; I fay, with a mathematical preciſion; ſince the exceſs or defect of
one fecond of time in the meaſure of the year, multiplied into almoſt fix
thouſand revolutions, will create a fenfible error in a given meridian; but if
the fame particle of time be multiplied into the included number of lunar
months, which are more than feventy thoufand, the error will increaſe
into fuch a prodigious bulk, as muft defeat the intention of the calcu
lation.
i
At my first fetting out, I thought it not only highly reaſonable, but quite
neceffary, to confult the fentiments and decifions of the aſtronomers; but
here I met with a fignal diſappointment; it foon appearing, that they are
not agreed amongſt themſelves concerning the meaſures of time, and that they
confider both the year and the day as indeterminate and variable quantities;
and the refult of this enquiry was, that I could borrow no affiftance from
them. Hence the defign of my first differtation is to fhew, that neither the
quantity of the folar tropical year, nor the diftances of the four cardinal points
of the ecliptic from each other, can be collected with a fufficient exactneſs
from the tables of obfervations. And we learn from Keil, that the aftronomers
themſelves, when they would more accurately determine the quantity of the
year, depend not upon the obfervations made at the diftance of a year, but
have recourfe to an artificial rule, mentioned p. 120, 121,
>
In
INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE. vii
In my fecond differtation, I examine the aftronomers definitions of a folar
day; but thefe, when compared together, feemed fo inconfiftent and irrecon-
cileable, that I was forced to form my own judgment as I could. It muſt
be acknowledged, that my definition of a folar day, (p. 124) as it is
compounded of one fidereal day and part of another, ftands diftinguiſhed by
this one peculiarity; I have thrown off four feconds of time, which are
conftantly annexed to the quantity of a fidereal day; and I was induced to
throw them off, to avoid the perplexities which they occafion in compu-
tation.
In my third differtation, which treats of original and fundamental principles,
I have again introduced the folar year, and the folar day, without taking any
notice of the preceding determinations. This perhaps may be thought an in-
advertency; but I fhall here account for the proceeding.
-
In this differtation (following the example of the aftronomers themſelves)
inftead of the numbers of obfervations made at the diftance of a year, I
betake myſelf to other expedients, rejecting the rule, laid down by Keil, as
incompetent; and I prove, by examples; (page 163) that, as it is generally
applied, it muſt produce either a defective or a redundant quantity of the
+
year.
There are various methods of determining the quantity of the natural year, or
of the fun's annual courſe: amongſt others I have made ufe of the aftronomical
difference between the folar and fidereal day, (p. 164--166) which is not an
artificial but a natural medium. And perhaps this method of inveftigation will
not only authorize, but eſtabliſh my definition of a folar day, as it conſiſts of
one fidereal day, and part of another.
One point inculcated in this differtation is, that the quantities of the na-
tural folar year, and of the natural folar day, are not only determinate, but
ever commenfurate to themfelves. In proof of the determinate and un-
changeable quantity of the natural folar year, fee the calculations, from the
bottom of page 347 to page 356 inclufive; and in proof of the determinate
and unchangeable quantity of the natural folar day, confidered as the reſult
of one entire rotation of the earth about its axis, including the diurnal pro-
greffive motion, fee the calculations page 170, 171.
As the great variety of particulars, which I have treated of, and have at-
tempted to prove, may be feen in the Analyfis, or contents of the feveral
differtations, I fhall only take notice of a few, which are either not to be
found in the writings of the aftronomers, or are reprefented by me in a dif-
ferent light.
Amongſt
viii
INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE.
Amongſt the many difficulties, which have occurred in the progrefs of this
undertaking, it cannot be reckoned one of the leaft, that I was, in fome
cafes, neceffitated, not fo much to learn, as to find out, as I could, fuch a
kind of aſtronomy, as might be fully fubfervient to the purpoſes of chrono-
logy, yet ever in agreement with nature, and the courfes of the fun and
moon.
I will begin with the mentioning of fome points, in treating of which I
found it neceffary to deviate from the common track.
Ift, The aftronomers ftill adhere to the ancient divifion of the ecliptic
into 360 degrees; but may not this divifion be thought unnatural? 365 de-
grees, and almoft one fourth part of another, are undeniably more corre-
fpondent to the fun's annual period. Upon this latter divifion I, conſtruct a
table, (page 200) and, by its affiftance, have made a truer calculation, (page
203, 206) than can be made by any other.
2dly, The inequality of folar tropical years, and the inequality of the equations
of natural days, claim a, place amongſt eſtabliſhed doctrines, and currently
received opinions. To thefe I may venture to oppoſe the aforementioned cal-
culation, founded upon my divifion of the ecliptic, or table of equable mo-
tion, to which is annexed a correfponding table of equatoreal time, p. 202.
With thefe tables before me, I take a feries of feveral thouſands of years,
(which bring it down to A. D. 1758) and I calculate the fun's entry into libra.
To effect this, I only add the meridian diftance (p. 174) to the odd hours
and minutes of the reduction, and the conclufion is found, upon an exami
nation, to be in clofe connection to a minute, with the numbers of a moſt
exact obfervation, made at the Greenwich obfervatory A. D. 1753, without
applying any, equations at all.
But does not this clofe connection to a minute with the obferved time,
through a long ſeries of years, ftrongly imply, that natural years and natural days
are ever commenfurate to themfelves, without being liable to diminution,
or encreafe, from any affignable phyfical caufes whatever? and, moreover,
that there is an uninterrupted harmony, regularity, and uniformity in the
folar ſyſtem?
Again, Becauſe fome truths are beft illuftrated by compariſon, I calculate
(p. 206) the fame autumnal equinox by the aſtronomical tables, obſerving
the diſtinction between equatoreal time and folar time. The confequence is,
the tabular equatoreal time is found, upon an examination (page 208) to differ
more than a quarter of an hour, and the tabular folar time almoſt half an
hour, from the fame obſerved time. From hence I infer, that the equations
ſet the conclufion at a greater diſtance from the truth than it was before, and
therefore they are unaftronomical.
But
INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE. ix
But I have no occafion to enter into controverfy, concerning the truth or
falfity of ſuch ſpeculations, fince thus much is certain, that whoever would
compute the times of equinoxes and folftices, and fubmit their calculated con-
clufions to the teft of the lateſt and beft obfervations, will find no room for
folar equations.
3dly, The aftronomers fpeak much of lunar anticipations; they unanimouſly
maintain, that, at the end of 19 luni-folar years, the mean new moons and
the mean full moons happen about an hour and an half fooner than they
did in the beginning of that cycle: on the contrary, I undertake to evince,
that the reverfe of this doctrine is true. It is admitted, that, at the end of
19 luni-folar years, or 235 lunations, the moon departs from the fun; but then
it departs from it, not by a retroceffion weftward, but by a progreffion eaſt-
ward. To expreſs myſelf in plainer terms, the mean new moons and the
mean full moons fall out, not about an hour and an half fooner, but almoſt
two hours later, in that fpace of time. (See the table page 215) This is as
demonftrably certain, as that the quantity of the mean Julian year exceeds
the quantity of the natural folar, with which the aggregate of lunations
ought to have been compared. The doctrine of the moon's anticipations
has no foundation in nature; it entirely owes its exiſtence to a miſtaken com-
putation.
Thoſe particulars which follow are peculiar to this ſcheme, and are quite
neceffary to be underſtood by thoſe who are inclined to examine the cal-
culations.
1. The aftronomers, in their publications, make no mention of the folar
period; by which is meant, the reduction of years and days to an exact
commenſuration or coincidence with each other.
Although a day be not the aliquot part of a year, yet it is the aliquot
part of a periodical number of years, p. 167, 168. Hence it follows, that
in whatever hour and minute the fun enters any of the cardinal points, in
a given place, and in a given year, it ſhall enter the fame cardinal point at
the fame hour and minute, in the fame place, periodically, (p. 360, 361).
This principle in aftronomy is as ufeful as it is curious; and no one will
wonder at my having taken fo much pains to confirm, by calculation, its
reality, certainty, and truth.
By this means, the true feries of years from the creation, may be
aſcertained by the folar tropical reckoning only. See the calculations from
p. 287, to p. 297.
The argument may be ſtated thus: the fun cannot return again to the
fame point of the ecliptic, in the fame hour and minute, on the fame day
b
of
*
X
INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE..
of the week, in the fame year after biffextile, in the fame place, in lefs
than 10080 years; but the largeſt chronology does not compute this
number.
To obviate objections, it muſt be noted, that the period does not conſtitute
the exact quantity of the folar tropical year; but, on the contrary, the
exact quantity of the folar tropical year conftitutes the period; by changing
the quantity of the year, the period is proportionably changed. And although
there are as many numerical commenfurations, as there may be affigned
erroneous quantities of the year, one only can be aftronomical.
2. A commenfurating lunar month feems to be as unknown to the
aſtronomers, as a commenfurating year; by this latter commenfuration, or
lunar period, is meant the periodical return of the mean new moons, and
mean full moons to the fame point of the day, in the fame place; which
will require more than fix hundred thouſand folar tropical years, and more
than ſeven millions, of lunar revolutions to bring it about again.
This fingular novelty is minutely explained under the article of the lunar
period, p. 208-211. And both its uſefulneſs and neceffity is exemplified
in the folution of a problem, which occurs p. 212.
3.
The aftronomers confider the annual difference of 11 minutes, only
as the excess of the Julian above the folar tropical year: but I have confidered
them as a meridian diſtance; how, or in what manner, may be ſeen in
the ſolution of what I have called an equatoreal problem, p. 132--135, &c.
A
4. It may be confidered as an axiom in this fcheme, that all the parts
of time are meaſured and computed by the earth's rotative motion; and
this fo abfolutely, and without any exception, that in the calculation of an
equinox or a folftice, (fuppofing the distances of the four cardinal points
of the ecliptic, in time, to be known) the computift will have no occafion
to enquire, whether there be any motion at all. And the quantity of what
is generally called a folar revolution, will be compounded of a determinate
number of the earth's rotations about its axis, and of part of another.
them be, firſt, for days, and then for years, fays Mofes, Gen. i. 14.
Let
5. The day of the week is of fignal uſe in chronological computations,
and as this feptenary fyftem is purely fcriptural, the fcheme of facred
chronology would have been defective without it. For although the day
of the week, is not, in itſelf confidered, aftronomical, yet when it is
found in union with the day of an equinox or folftice, or of a new or full
moon,
INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE.
xi
moon, (with one or two fimple principles more) it not only give an
additional ſtrength to the argument, but even the fulneſs of demonſtration.
I know not of any one article more worthy of attention, than my table
of the firſt ſeven days of the creation, p. 156, 157. Thus much may be
confidently faid to recommend it, that as many proofs of its unerring truth
and exactneſs may be offered, as there have paffed days from the creation;
which are more in number than two million.
A few experiments will convince any one, who is difpofed to make them,
that that day of the week which we call Sunday, and not that which we
call Saturday, was the original feventh day.
This original Sabbath (or Sunday) continued in force until that year in
which the Ifraelites went out of Egypt: in that remarkable year two
alterations were made by God's immediate authority.
Ift, That month, which was anciently and throughout the patriarchal diſ-
penſation, the ſeventh month of the year, was now ordered to become the firſt.
2dly, That which was anciently the feventh day of the week, was now
ordered to become the firſt day of the feaſt of unleavened bread. This feaft
was appointed to continue feven days, and they were themſelves the feven
days of the new inſtituted week, and of the fame divine authority with the
original inſtitution.
This new inſtituted Sabbath was in force until the year of our Saviour's
paffion; our Saviour ſuffered on the day before the Jewish Sabbath; all the
Sabbath day he refted in the grave; on the morrow after the Sabbath he
arofe: but we have proved (p. 690) that the morrow after the Jewiſh
Sabbath, in the year of our Saviour's paffion, was the feventh day of the
week, in the uninterrupted feries of weeks from the creation, and that the
original Sabbath revived with him.
Theſe aftronomical calculations, open to us a long fecreted and much
wifhed-for truth; they certify us, after much perplexity and doubt, that
the firſt day of the Jewiſh week, was the feventh day of the firſt, or
patriarchal week; and confequently, that the Chriftian church, has all
along, fince the times of the apoftles, obferved not only the morality, but
the letter of the fourth commandment, Exod. xx.
6. The aftronomers calculate the places of the fun and moon, their
mutual afpects, relations, and diſtances, from certain points of the heavens,
which are fixed by obfervation: but all the calculations, throughout this
fcheme, are made downwards to any given year, from the created pofition
of the fun and moon, recorded in the writings of Mofes.. There is this
material difference in the conclufions; the former produce approximations
b 2
only,
1
INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE.
xii
only, whilſt the latter lay a claim to mathematical precifion, and de-
monftrable certainty, with refpect to mean time of new moons and full moons,
and the true time of equinoxes and folftices in a given place.
7. In the end of the third differtation, I have propoſed eight or nine
chronological problems, with a view to afcertain, by accumulated and
irrefragable proofs, the true feries, of years from the creation, or the paſt
age of the world.
Of the firſt of theſe examples (p. 212) I ſhall give
this fummary account: the moſt experienced aftronomer cannot effect the
ſolution of that moſt plain and fimple problem, in the given number of
5757 years, by any other principles in nature than thoſe which are there
made uſe of; fo indifpenfably neceffary is an indefectible exactneſs, in the
affigned quantities of a year, day, and lunar month; that if a fingle principle
can be changed, the argument will be proportionably weakened, and the
remaining examples will add no ftrength to it.
The fourth differtation treats of national kalendars, or of civil and political
years. As thefe are not among the effentials of this fcheme, I fhall only
mention the out-lines, and leave the reader to pafs his own judgment
concerning the manner of my filling them up.
Here the points enquired into and difcuffed, are in general theſe, namely,
Romulus's year; Numa's year; Julius Cæfar's year; the correction of Julius Cæfar's
year; the Nicene pafchal canon; the ecclefiaftical equinox both of the Jews and the
Chriftians; Eafter-Sunday; its dependance upon the fifteenth day of the Jewiſh
month of Nifan, and the Goſpel hiftory; in what refpect it is an aſtronomical
character; three diftinct calculations from the creation, of its aftronomical
obfervance in the years of our Lord 1506, 1753, 1761;
the Jewiſh
chronology, the Jewiſh year, and the Jewiſh computation; the feaſt of ta-
bernacles, and of unleavened bread, are calculated, firſt, in the current Jewiſh
year of the world, and from Rabbi Hillel's epocha; and then, in the true
current year of the world, and from the true epocha; the near agreement
between the conclufions, although the calculations are made from different
epochas, and by different meaſures of time, is accounted for.
The next fubject of enquiry (page 449) is the fcriptural kalendar, or pri-
mæval form of year; all practical knowledge of which is as entirely loft to the
Jews, as it is unknown to the Chriftians: nor have I met with any one
writer, who ſeems to have any notion or idea of the reality of its exiſtence.
This will undoubtedly be a juft matter of wonder, when the many and ſtrong
indications of an eſtabliſhed fcriptural kalendar are laid together in one view,
and confidered. I am pretty confident, it will be found, upon a due exami-
nation,
INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE.
xiii
mation, to be fomewhat more than a probability, that I have been able, by
the direction of expreſs fcriptural authority, to inveſtigate and afcertain its
form, quantity, and epoch.
As to its form, I have fhewn (page 452, 453), that it was not folar only,
nor luni-folar, like that in ufe amongst the Jews, but folar and lunar diftinctly.
There were juſt twelve months in the primitive folar year; and there were
no more than twelve kalendar months in the primitive lunar year.
How
they computed what the Jews call an intercalary month (of which there is
no trace or footſtep in the facred writings) I have endeavoured to explain mi-
nutely and circumftantially, under the article of the, fcriptural year.
This primitive and fcriptural year had a twofold epoch, the one refpecting
the fun, the other the moon. The epoch of the folar year was the point of
the autumnal equinox; and the epoch of the lunar year was that evening in
which the moon made its firft appearance after its conjunction with the fun.
The diſtance between theſe two epochs the aftronomers call the epact; and
from the recorded epact, or diftance between the epoch of the folar year, and
the epoch of the lunar year, in the end of the fix hundredth year of Noah's
life, we may collect that curious law, by which, in the primitive ages, they
were taught to adjuſt the lunar years to the folar: à principle in aftronomy, which
is not rightly understood, nor has it ever been explained in thefe latter ages.
The quantity of this twofold primitive year was aftronomical (p. 519--526),
it being exactly accommodated to the annual periods of the two luminaries.
But although in its quantity it was aftronomical, yet in its external frame and
ftructure, and in the manner of computing and adjufting its months, it was
quite political. Notwithſtanding this, it was fo nicely adapted to every civil
and religious uſe, that the most cultivated nations of the world have never
been able to devife its equal.
1
I have brought down to the prefent times feveral of thefe primæval kalen-
dars, in their full length, and have inferted them at the end of this work.
They who are difpofed, not only to caft their eye over any one of them, but
carefully to examine the principles of its conftruction, will want no other
proof, that it was no invention of the author, but a difcovery only; I may
rather ſay, a happy recovery from a long ſtate of oblivion, and darkneſs, to
that of its original perfection. Nor would a long fucceffion of ages to come
at all diminiſh its native perfection, or render it liable to the neceffity of a
fenfible correction.
36
་
9
solenozo
ARTICO
A difcovery of the true æra of the world, and a recovery of the long-loft
ſcriptural year, are, in themſelves confidered, of ſuch extraordinary im-
portance, as may fully compenfate for thoſe many leſſer defects, which may
occur, for aught I know, in every page. Nor can the moſt laboured apologies
avail
xiv
INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE,
avail in their behalf, if they are not entitled to fome candid allowances, upon
the account of the deficiency of the author, and the extenfiveneſs of the
fubject.
The purport of the fifth differtation is, To fettle the chronology of that
year, in which the Ifraelites went out of Egypt, when the paffover was in-
ftituted and the purport of the fixth is, To ſettle the chronology of that
ear, in which our Saviour fuffered on the paffover-day,
!
Theſe two ſcriptural years were felected, not only because they are
diſtinguiſhed by very remarkable and intereſting events, but also upon the ac-
count of their clofe connection with each other. From hence
appears the
harmony between the Law and the Gofpel, and that the latter is but a coun-
terpart of the former. The Law is faid to prophecy; and, in theſe enquiries,
I take occafion to fhew, How and in what manner the prophecies of the
Law were punctually accomplished in the actions and perfon of Jefus; how
fhadow gave way to fubftance, and how type was fulfilled in anti-type; it
being evident, that Jefus expired on the croſs on the very month, day, hour,
and minute, in which the pafchal-lamb was ordered, by God himself, to
be flain.
:
This correfpondency and agreement between the legal type, and the
evangelical anti-type, rendered it neceffary to difcufs at large that much
agitated and perplexing queftion, Whether our Saviour eat the legal paffover
the night before he fuffered? This, by various arguments and reafonings, is
determined in the negative; and it is a determination of confiderable con-
fequence; fince if theſe arguments and reaſonings can be refuted, and this
decifion in the negative can be reverfed; it neceffarily follows, that Jefus
muſt have eaten this paffover, not only irregularly, but in flat contradiction
to the precepts, prophecies, and types of the law, as he died on the croſs,
the moment it was enjoined by the law to be flain; and the moment it
was enjoined to be eaten, namely, in the evening, at the going down of the
ſun, Jeſus was reſting in the graye, whilſt his diſciples and followers were
difperfed; nor is it certain, from the Gofpel hiftory, that they eat that
paflover at all, notwithſtanding they had made the neceffary preparations
for it.
}
f
The chronological queries, whofe folution is required, are ſtated above.
With refpect to the chronology of the Exodus, it was quite neceffary to
underſtand tightly the computations of the Pentateuch, and to be able to
compleat it in all its diftinct parts: but here a complication of difficulties
obſtructed the attempt, which I fhall briefly relate.
Mofes
INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE.
XV
R
#
Mofes carries on an uninterrupted feries of years, by the ages of the
patriarchs at the birth of a recorded fon, from the creation to the death of
Jofeph: here the chronological feries ceafes. To remedy this apparent defect,
an interval is given (Exod. xii. 40.) of 439 years, which are computed from
that year in which Abram was called by God out of Ur of the Chaldees,
Gen. xv. 7. But when we would refolve theſe 430 years into the particulars
of which they confift, we find two to be wanting: we cannot collect what
fpace of time intervened between Abram's departure out of Ur, and his
departure out of Haran; nor, in confequence of that, how many years
paffed from the death of Jofeph to the birth of Mofes. The reafon of
this deficiency is very obvious, for although Mofes fays, that Abram was
75 years old, when, upon the death of his father, he quitted Haran; yet
he no where mentions the year of the life of Abram, when, in company
with his father, he went out of Ur to go into Canaan.
Here is the appearance of a chaſm in the chronology, and of an inter-
ruption in the feries of years; and this feeming omiffion is the greateſt
difficulty that I know of in the whole ſcheme of facred chronology.
Thefe difficulties obliged me to confult Gen. xv. which may properly be
called the prophetic chapter, and to try if I could gain any affiftance from
its various contents. How far I have fucceeded I muft leave the reader to
judge, as I am enclined to think, that the fymbols of Abram's viſion and
facrifice, were never interpreted in fuch a fingular manner before.
refult of my proceedings is, that I differ one year from archbishop Ufher
in fixing the year of the Exodus..
The
I undertake to defend this difference of one year by the following
argument.
In the twentieth chapter of Exodus, the Sabbath is mentioned as a me-
morial of the creation; but in the fifth of Deuteronomy, as a memorial of
redemption from the bondage of Egypt. The inference is, that the Iſraelites
paffed the Red Sea on that evening which preceded their new inftituted
Sabbath, and that on the following day the first Saturday - Sabbath was
celebrated in finging Mofes's hymn of praiſe and thankſgiving to God. And
as calculation (p. 643) confirms the truth of this inference, it is equally
certain, that the 15th day of the month, on which they began their journey
from Rameffes, must have fallen in the fame year upon a Sunday, which
calculation again confirms. Theſe two calculations fully diſcover to us,
how, and in what manner, the ancient Sabbath was changed at the going
out of Egypt, (which change characterizes the true year of the world) and
the reader may eafily form an idea of it by only looking into that table
which fenfibly repreſents it to the view, p. 643.
With
xvi
INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE.
With refpect to the remaining query, concerning the year of the world,
in which the Meffiah was cut off, or Chrift died the death of the cross ;
I was neceffitated, in order to obtain its folution upon fcriptural authority,
to have recourſe to the famous prophecy of Daniel's feventy weeks; there
being no other part, or parts of fcripture, which can immediately and
directly lead us to a difcovery of the very year, month, and day of Chrift's
death, and enable us to aſcertain feveral remarkable times and ſeaſons, which
are left undeterminate in the accounts of the Evangeliſts.
A
*
We are very well informed that the Gofpel began with the preaching of
John the Baptift, and that he firft preached repentance to Ifrael in the
fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cæfar; but in what feaſon of that
year the Baptiſt entered upon his public miniftry, or what precife ſpace of
time he preceded the Meffiah, or how long the Meffiah's public miniſtry
lafted, are points which are left to be diſcovered and fixed, by a true explica-
tion of theſe prophetic weeks.
+
Taking occafion from this unavoidable neceflity of having recourſe to this
prophecy, I exerted my beſt endeavours to explain it in all its diftinct parts;
and am clearly convinced, that theſe calculations will, above all others,
eſtabliſh my chronological table, or feries of fingle years from the creation,
with fuch a degree of certainty, as can only be equalled, for it cannot be
exceeded, by the demonftrable certainty of geometry.
+
J
Very evident reafons may be affigned, why thefe prophetic weeks have
never yet received a full and fatisfactory explication; notwithſtanding two
fuch eminent authors, as Bishop Lloyd, and Dr. Prideaux, have publiſhed
their reſpective ſchemes, in which this error is committed on both fides;
each has laboured to exclude the contrary hypothefis; whereas both hypo-
theſes, as we have fhewn, are literally, chronologically, and hiſtorically
true.
**
}
*
It may be objected againſt Dr. Prideaux's ſcheme, that over and above
his figurative interpretation of theſe prophetic terms, To reftore and build Je-
rufalem, he has by no means given a juft account of the laft or ſeventieth
week, nor of the accompliſhment of the affigned events in the latter half part of
it and it muſt be faid alfo on Biſhop: Lloyd's part, that he has made a mif-
take of a whole year, by fixing the date of Nehemiah's commiffion in the
beginning, when it ought to have been fixed in the end, of the twentieth
of Artaxerxes Longimanus king of Perfia.
vt
!
year
The corrections of theſe feveral errors are not, perhaps, the only improve-
ments which may occur to the reader in his perufal of thofe explications
which I have offered; of which I fhall here give. fuch a general account as
will include the main ſcope and defign of the two hypothefes abovementioned.
1
In
INTRODUCTORY
xvii
DISCOURSE.
In this prophecy are clearly forefhewn two diftinct and important events;
the one having refpect to the rejection of the Jews, that they ſhould be no
more God's peculiar people; the other, to the deftruction of the city and temple
of Jerufalem, when the Jews, by their difperfions and long captivity, fhould
be no more a people or polity, until God's appointed feafon of restoration.
Theſe diſtinct events have different epochs and intervals, which require
fuch different computations, that, for their true adjuſtment, three forms of
year will be neceſſary.
Ift, Solar tropical years aftronomically meaſure the refpective intervals.
2d, The included lunar years enable us to determine the month, and day
of the month, of Chrift's death, in both branches of the prophecy.
3d, The angelic divifion of the weeks is preſerved, firſt, by folar tropical;
fecondly, by Chaldee years.
In the ufual method of explaining the terms of this prophecy, one
material circumſtance feems not to have been fufficiently attended to, which
is, that they are to be underſtood, not only in a literal, but alſo in a double
fenſe. The meaning of this remark will appear by the following manner
of collecting and ftating the feveral particulars.
1
The firft Branch of the Prophecy, as it was adopted, and in
part explained, by Dr. Prideaux.
1. Seventy weeks, or 490 folar tropical years, are determined upon thy
people.
2. From the going forth of a commandment, or decree, to restore
Jerufalem, its ecclefiaftical and political ſtate, unto Meffiah the prince,
are feven weeks and fixty-two weeks; or, in a continued reckoning
of time, fixty-nine weeks.
3. After fixty-nine weeks (the fum of feven weeks and fixty-two weeks)
or 483 folar tropical years, the Meffiah fhall be cut off; and they
who cut him off, fhall, for this bafe and ungrateful act, be no more
his people.
* Here the term after is to be taken in an exclufive ſenſe; and by this phraſe, After fixty-nine
weeks, we are to underſtand, in the feventieth week. This exclufive fenfe is neceffary, upon ac-
count of the divifion of the laſt or feventieth week into halves, or two equal parts, as will be
evident from the following fections.
d
4. In
1
xviii
DISCOURSE.
INTRODUCTORY
4. In the one remaining week, confifting of feven folar tropical years,
he (the Meffiah) fhall confirm the covenant (of grace) with many
of the Jews, by preaching the goſpel in perfon to them.
5. In the latter half of the one remaining week, or in the end of three
folar tropical years and fix months, (for fo long fhall the Meffiah's
public miniſtry laft) he ſhall (by his death) cauſe the facrifices and
oblations of the temple (virtually) to ceaſe.
The Second Branch of the Prophecy, as it was adopted, and in
part explained, by Bishop Lloyd.
1. Seventy weeks, or 490 Chaldee years, are determined upon thy holy
city.
2. From the going forth of a commandment, or decree, to build Jerufalem,
its wall, and its ſtreets, unto Meffiah the prince, are (feven weeks
and) fixty-two weeks; or, in a continued reckoning of time, fixty-nine
weeks.
3. After * fixty-nine weeks, or 483 Chaldee years, the Meffiah fhall be
cut off; and they who cut him off, fhall, for this baſe and ungrateful
act, be no more his people.
4. The future people of Prince Meffiah, that is, the Romans, fhall
deſtroy the city and the fanctuary.
5. In the one remaining week, confifting of feven Chaldee years, he
(the Roman emperor Nero) fhall make a firm peace with the neigh-
bouring nations.
6. In the latter half of the one remaining week, or, in the end of three
years and a half, (for fo long ſhall the Romans carry on the war againſt
the Jews) he (the Roman emperor Vefpafian) fhall, by his fon Titus,
cauſe the facrifices and oblations of the temple finally to ceafe.
7.
Then fhall the abomination of defolation ftand upon the wing or
battlements of the temple; and this defolation fhall continue, until the
confummation of God's determined vengeance.
In comparing together the two diftinct branches of this prophecy, we
meet with this obfervable difference. In the former, the feventieth week
follows in a conjoined reckoning after the fixty-ninth; in the latter, the
* Here the term after is to be underſtood in an inclufive fenſe; as, After three days, that is,
On the third day I will rife again.
feventieth
INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE.
xix
feventieth week is detatched from the fixty-ninth, and placed at a diftance
after it. And we muſt inform ourſelves from the Goſpel hiſtory, and our
Saviour's laſt diſcourſes and parables, at what precife diftance after the fixty-
ninth week we are to look for the beginning of the feventieth.
In my explication of theſe weeks, I have generally adhered to theſe two
hypothefes, only taking the liberty to rectify what appeared to me to be
miſtakes. But fuch readers as have no averfion to calculation, will not, I
prefume, reft fatisfied with a general account; they will rather chufe to be
convinced, by their own experiment, of the exact truth of the ſeveral par-
ticulars, and to fuch I may recommend the calculations.
Although I am not at all fenfible of a weak fide in the chronological
proofs, which may lay them more open to an attack; yet it may reaſonably
be fuppofed, that what I have offered as original and fundamental principles,
will create fome fufpenfion of judgment, at least until they are duly examined
and tried; eſpecially as the affigned quantities of the year, day, and lunar
month, which are amongst the number, make pretenfions to preciſion.
And it is highly probable, that a fcriptural radix, or, as I have termed it,
the created and recorded pofition of the fun and moon, will be confidered,
at the firſt view, only as an illufion of the mind. But how will the ſurpriſe
be encreaſed, when it ſhall be found, that, from a full conviction of its
unerring truth, its never-failing influence and direction, I oppoſe it to all
the aſtronomical radixes that have, with the utmoſt efforts of human art and
ſkill, yet been fixed by obſervation.
As I cannot foreſee what kind of objections I may be called upon to contend
with, I fhall take this occafion to convince the reader, by an enumeration
of particulars, that there are fufficient inducements to fearch for and expect
aftronomical principles and characters in the ſacred writings.
It will be allowed, that equinoxes, new moons, and full moons, are true
aftronomical characters.
The autumnal equinox is evidently diſtinguiſhed, in facred hiftory, by the fol-
lowing computations.
1. Time commenced on the fourth day at noon, at our autumnal equinox,
and on a full moon day.
2. The fun and moon were created on that month and day of the firſt
lunar year of the world, on which the Jews obferve the feaft of taber-
nacles; and whenever they celebrate this feaft, as they annually do,
they at the fame time celebrate the birth-day of the world, and, let
me add, the birth-day of the Meffiah too.
d 2
3. The
XX
INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE.
3. The primitive patriarchs reckoned the ages of men, and the dur atio
of things, by folar tropical years; but they computed the times, and
recorded all hiſtorical tranfactions and events, by the months and days
of the lunar year.
4. The ages of the ante-diluvian and poſt-diluvian patriarchs, are reduced,
by an aſtronomical law, to begin and end at the autumnal equinox,
and fo to run parallel with their correfponding years of the world.
5. My chronological table is conſtructed for 5768 fingle years, upon the
fame Mofaic aftronomical law.
6. The fabbatical years, and the years of the jubilee, were computed to
begin and end at the autumnal equinox.
7. The ſeven years of plenty, and the feven years of famine, which were
foretold by Jofeph, began and ended at the autumnal equinox.
8. The temple of Solomon was dedicated at the autumnal equinox, and
the feaſt of tabernacles, on the 15th day of the ſeventh month, reckoned
from the vernal equinox.
The temple of Solomon, the type of Chriſt incarnate, was dedicated on
the fame month, day of the month, and day of the week, on which Chriſt,
the anti-type, was born. By the former, the Jewiſh diſpenſation was brought
to its ſtate of perfection; by the latter, it received its diffolution.
O Xp150$
TEXCS TY voμs, Chrift was the end of the law, fays the apoſtle.
τελος το νομό
John ii. Then answered the Jews, and faid unto him, What fign fhewest
thou unto us, feeing thou doeft theſe things?
Jefus answered, and faid unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days
I will raiſe it up.
Then Jaid the Jews, forty and fix years was this temple in building, and
wilt thou rear it up in three days?
But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he was rifen from
the dead, his difciples remembered, that he had faid this unto them.
The vernal equinox is diftinguiſhed, in facred hiſtory, by a greater variety
of remarkable events, than the autumnal.
1.). God called Abram, out of the land of his nativity, Ur of the Chaldees,
at the vernal equinox.
(2.) God revealed unto Abram in a vifion, the future difpenfations of his
providence, towards his remote pofterity, at the vernal equinox.
£
(2.) The
INTRODUCTORY
xxi
DISCOURSE.
(3.) The 215 years, in which the three patriarchs, Abraham, Ifaac, and
Jacob, fojourned in the land of Canaan, began and ended at the vernal
equinox.
(4.) The 215 years, in which the children of Ifrael fojourned in the land
of Egypt, began and ended at the vernal equinox.
(5.) The children of Ifrael departed out of Egypt, and they entered into
the land of Canaan, at the vernal equinox.
(6.) The 120 years of Mofes's life, are computed to begin and end at
the vernal equinox.
(7.) The 110 years of the life of Joshua, and the 30 years of his go-
vernment, after the diftribution of the land by lot, began and ended
at the vernal equinox.
(8.) The twelve intervals between the death of Joſhua, and the death of
Eli the high-prieft, are computed to begin and end at the vernal equinox.
(9.) The reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon, and the reigns of all the
kings of Judah and Ifrael, are computed to begin and end at the vernal
equinox.
(10.) The 390 years of God's forbearance of the iniquity of the houſe
of Ifrael, and the 40 years of God's forbearance of the iniquity of the
houſe of Judah, which are included in them, began and ended at the
vernal equinox.
(11.) The 70 years of the Babyloniſh captivity, began and ended at the
vernal equinox.
(12.) The prophet Daniel's 70 weeks, or 490 years, in their folar tropical
reckoning, began and ended at the vernal equinox.
(13.) The prophet Daniel's 70 weeks, in their lunar computation, began
and ended with a vernal equinoctial full moon.
(14.) The Prince Meffiah was cut off, or Chrift died the death of the
crofs, at the vernal equinoctial full moon,
5) The laft 40 years of God's forbearance of the iniquity of Judah and
Ifrael, began at the vernal equinox, and at the firft paffover in our
Saviour's public miniſtry; and they ended at the vernal equinox, and
at that paffover, on which the city of Jerufalem was befieged by the
Romans.
(16.) The conception of John the Baptift, the fore-runner of Christ,
happened at a new moon; and his birth at the vernal equinox, upon
the feaſt of unleavened bread, and at a full moon.
(17.) The conception of the Meffiah happened alfo at a new moon;
his birth, at the autumnal equinox, and the feſtival full moon.
and
Whatever
xxii
INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE.
Whatever was the
age of the Baptift, in the fifteenth year of the reign of
Tiberius Cæfar, at the vernal equinox, and the feaft of unleavened bread; the
fame was the age of the Meffiah to a day, in the beginning of the fixteenth
year of the fame reign, at the autumnal equinox, and at the feaſt of ta-
bernacles, when he was baptized by John in the river of Jordan, and was
inaugurated into his prophetic office, by the viſible deſcent of the Holy Ghoſt
upon him.
(18.) Six lunar months, or 177 days, were the precife aftronomical differ-
ence between the age of the Baptift, and the age of the Meffiah.
Luke i. 24. After thofe days Elizabeth conceived, and hid herſelf five months.
ver. 26. And in the fixth month, the angel Gabriel was fent from God, to a
virgin of the houfe of David: and the virgin's name was Mary.
ver. 30. And the angel faid unto her, ver. 36. Behold! thy coufin Elizabeth,
She has also conceived a fon in her old age, and this is the fixth month
with her who was called barren.
Here we muſt obſerve, that when, in the fcripture computation, a month is
given, and the day of the month, in which the tranfaction happened, is
not mentioned, and if no day of that month be afterwards expreffed, we
may compute the whole month. From hence it is inferred, that the angel
made this annunciation to the virgin Mary, on the laſt day of the fixth lunar、
month of Elizabeth's conception. -
To render this probable, we find, ver. 44. Elizabeth faying to the virgin
Mary,
11
Lo! as foon as the voice of thy falutation founded in my ears, the babe leaped
in my womb for joy.
ม
(19.) We read, Levit. xii. that if a woman hath born a man-child, ſhe
Thall continue in a ftate of purification 7 days and 33 days, that is,
40 days; a day of purification being allotted for every week of gefſtation.
L
.{
A
Multiply 40 weeks into 7, then to the product 280 add 1 for the day of
the birth, and it will give 281 days; from 281 ſubſtract, for 9 lunar months,
260 days, and the remainder 15 will exprefs the true aftronomical day of
the month, on which both the Baptift and the Meffiah were born.
Look into the biflextile column of collected days in the Julian kalendar,
for the number 281, and it will be found over-againſt the 7th day of October;
2070D
in
INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE.
xxiii
in this Julian month, on this day of the month, and upon a Sunday, Chrift
was born.
The feaſt of tabernacles was obferved, as might eafily be proved, on the
7th day of October, upon a Sunday, in the 26th year of the reign of Auguſtus
Cæfar, and in the 36th year of the reign of Herod king of Judea, which
corrects the vulgar account by three compleat years, and fome odd days.
The reaſon why I have poftponed the calculation of the true time of our
Saviour's nativity, is this, We have an expreſs prophecy to direct us to the
year, month, and day of Chrift's death; but we have no prophecy to direct
us to the year, month, and day of Chrift's birth.
Although the month and day of the month, may be inferred from the
inſtitutions of Mofes's law, which were typical and predictive; yet the Goſpel
only gives this general account, that Chrift was born, when Auguftus Cæfar
was emperor of Rome, and Herod was king of Judea. But we muſt
borrow affiſtance from profane hiftory, and more particularly from the
writings of the Jewish hiftorian Jofephus, in order to find out, in what year
of the reign, either of Auguftus or of Herod, this grand event happened.
To conclude; I defire from the reader no other regard to the following
fyftem of chronology, than fuch as it may derive from the exactness of its
calculations; nor with my calculations to be farther credited, than as they agree
with the characters of time delivered to us by Mofes and the Prophets.
THE
THE
CHRONOLOGY
OF THE
WORL D,
From the Creation, to the Year of our Lord 1761.
D
C15 O
Antediluvian
Solar Tropi-
Antediluvian
Solar Tropi-
Patriarchs.
cal Years of
Patriarchs.
cal Years of
Antediluvian
Patriarchs.
Adam
the World.
A. M.
the World.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
Adam
A. M.
Adam.
A. M.
O
7
7
14
14
I
I
8
8
15
15
2
2
9
9
16
16
3
3
ΙΟ
ΙΟ
17
17
4
4
I I
I I
18
18
5
I 2
12
19
19
6
6
13
13
20
20
B
2
The Chronology of the World.
Antediluvian Solar Tropi-
Antediluvian Solar Tropi-
Antediluvian
Solar Tropi-
Patriarchs.
cal Years of
Patriarchs.
the World.
cal Years of
the World.
•
Patriarchs.
cal Years of
the World.
Adam
A. M.
Adam
A, M.
Adam
A. M.
21
2 I
58
58
95
95
22
22
59
59
96
96
23
23
60
60
97
2 2
24
25
26
27
2 2 2 ~
24
61
61
98
97.
98
25
62
62
99
26
63
63
100
99
100
27
64
64
ΙΟΙ
ΙΟΙ
28
28
65
65
102
I02
29
*29
66
66
103
103
30
30
67
67
104
104
31
31
68
68
105
105
32
32
69
69
106
106
33
33
70
70
107
107
34
34
71
71
108
108
-
35
36
ww
35
72
72
109
109
36
73
73
IIO
IIO
37
37
74
74
III
III
38
38
75
75
I 12
II2
39.
39
76
76
113
113
40
40
77
77
114
114
4I
4I
78
78
115
115
42
42
79
79
116
116
43
43
80.
80
117
117
44
44
81
81
118
118
45
45
82
82
119
119
46
46
83
83
120
120
47
47
84
84
121
121
48
48
85
85
122
122
49
49
86
86
123
123
50
50
87
87
124
124
51
51
88
88
125
125
52
52
89
89
126
126
53
53
90
90
127
127
54
54
91
91
128
128
55
55
92
92
129
129
56
56
93
93
130
57
57
94
22
130
94
The Chronology of the World.
3
Antediluvian
Patriarchs.
Solar Tropi-
Antediluvian Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
Patriarchs.
cal Years of
the World.
Antediluvian
Patriarchs.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
Seth
A. M.
Seth
A. M.
Seth
A. M.
I
131
38
168
75
205
!
2
132
39
169
76
206
4
3+no N∞
133
40
170
77
134
41
171
78
5
135
42
172
79
7∞ a
207
208
209
6
136
43
173
80
210
7
137
44
174
81
2II
8
138
45
175
82
212
9
139
10
140
++
46
176
83
213
47
177
84
214
II
141
48
178
85
12
142
49
179
86
56
215
216
13
143
50
180
87
217
14
144
51
181
88
218
15
145
52
182
89
219
16
146
53
183
90
220
1
17
147
54
184
91
221
18
148
55
185
92
222
19
149
56
186
93
223
20
150
57
187
94
224
2I
151
58
188
95
225
22
152
59
189
96
226
23
153
60
190
97
227
24
154
61
191
98
228
2 2
25
155
62
192
99
229
26
156
63
193
100
230
27
157
64
194
ΙΟΙ
231
28
158
65
195
102
232
29
159
66
196
103
233
30
160
67
197
104
234
31
161
68
198
105
235
32
162
69
199
33
163
70
200
Enofh
34
164
71
201
35
165
72
202
36
166
73
203
37
167
74
204
1234
I
236
237
238
239
B 2
:
4
Chronology of the World.
The
Antediluvian Solar Tropi-
Antediluvian Solar Tropi-
Patriarchs.
cal Years of
the World.
Patriarchs.
cal Years of
the World.
Antediluvian
Patriarchs.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
Enofh
A. M.
Enoth
A. M.
Enofh
A. M.
7
5 NÓ
240
42
277
79
314
241
43
278
80
315
242
44
279
81
316
8
243
45
280
82
9
244
IO
245
I I
246
+44
46
281
83
47
48
71
282
84
283
85
12
247
49
284
86
13
248
50
285
87
14
249
51
286
88
3+56 NOO
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
15
250
52
287
89
324
16
251
53
288
90
325
1
17
252
54
289
18
253
55
290
Cainan
19
254
56
291
20
255
57
292
21
256
58
293
22
257
59
294
23
258
60
295
24
259
61
296
2 ~ ~
25
260
62
297
26
261
63
298
123+ SO N∞
I
326
327
328
4
329
5
330
6
331
7
332
8
333
27
262
64
299
9
334
28
263
65
300
ΙΟ
335
29
264
66
301
II
336
30
265
67
302
12
337
31
266
68
303
13
338
32
267
69
304
14
339
33
268
70
305
15
340
34
269
71
306
16
341
35
270
72
307
17
342
36
37
O N
271
73
308
18
343
272
74
309
19
344
38
273
75
310
20
345
39
274
76
311
21.
346
40
275
77
312
22
347
4I
276
78
313
23
348
The Chronology
5
of
the World.
of the
Antediluvian
Solar Tropi-
Patriarchs.
cal Years of
Antediluvian
Patriarchs.
the World.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
Antediluvian
Patriarchs.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
Cainan
A. M.
Cainan
A. M.
Mahalaleel
A. M.
24
349
61
386
26
421
25
350
62
387
222
26
351
63
388
2 2
27
422
28
423
27
352
64
389
29
424
28
353
65
390
30
425
29
354
66
391
3 I
426
30
355
67
392
32
427
3 I
356
68
393
33
428
32
357
69
394
34
429
33
358
70
395
35
35
36
37
38
450 NOO
34.
359
36
360
Mahalaleel
37
361
I
396
38
26 2∞
430
43 I
432
433
362
363
39
364
40
365
41
366
42
367
43
368
8
~ 3+ 4O NOO
2
397
39
434
398
40
435
4
399
4I
436
5
400
42
437
6
401
43
438
7
402
44
439
403
45
440
44
369
9
404
46
441
45
370
ΙΟ
405
47
442
46
371
I I
406
48
443
47
372
12
407
49
444
48
373
13
408
50
445
49
374
14
409
51
446
50
375
15
410
52
447
51
376
16
411
53
448
52
377
17
412
54
449
53
378
18
413
55
450
54
379
19
414
56
451
55
380
20
415
57
452
56
381
21
416
58
453
58
59
60
8ཀྱG
57
382
22
417
59
454
383
23
418
60 .
455
384
24
419
61
456
385
25
420
62
457
6
The Chronology of the World.
cal Years of
Antediluvian
Patriarchs.
Antediluvian Solar Tropi-
Patriarchs.
Solar Tropi-
Antediluvian
Patriarchs.
Solar Tropi-
the World.
cal Years of
the World.
cal Years of
the World.
Mahalaleel
A. M.
Jared
A. M.
Jared
A. M.
63
458
33
493
70
530
64
459
34
65
460
35.
36
Jared
37
I
461
38
+50 NOO
494
71
531
495
72
532
496
73
533
497
74
534
498
75
535
2
462
39
499
76
536
3
463
40
500
77
537
4
464
4I
501
78
5
465
538
42
502
79
539
6
466
43
503
80
540
7
467
44
504
81
541
8
468
45
505
82
542
9
469
46
506
83
ΙΟ
470
47
507
84
I I
471
48
508
85
12
472
49
509
86
13
473
50
510
87
14
474
15
475
16
476
17
477
18
478
19
479
20
480
21
481
22
482
23
483
དགག་པ་
511
88
3456 NOO
543
544
545
546
547
548
512
89
549
513
90
550
54
514
91
551
515
92
552
516
93
553
57
517
94
554
58
518
95
555
59
519
96
556
60
520
97
557
24
484
61
521
98
558
25
485
62
522
99
26
486
559
63
523
100
27
487
560
64
524
ΙΟΙ
28
488
561
65
525
102
29
489
562
66
526
103
563
30
490
67
527
104
564
31
491
68
528
105
565
32
492
69
529
106
566
The ·
7
Chronology of the World.
Antediluvian
Patriarchs.
Solar Tropi-
Antediluvian
Solar Tropi-
Antediluvian
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
Patriarchs.
cal Years of
Patriarchs.
cal Years of
the World.
the World.
the World.
Jared
A. M.
Jared
A. M.
Enoch
A. M.
107
567
144
604
17
639
108
568
145
605
18
640
109
569
146
606
19
641
110
570
147
607
20
III
571
148
608
21
642
643
112
572
149
609
22
644
113
573
150
610
23
645
114
574
151
611
115
575
152
612
116
576
153
613
117
577
154
614
2 2
2
24
25
26
27
+56 N
118
578
155
615
28
646
647
648
649
650
119
579
156
616
29
651
120
580
157
617
30
652
121
581
158
618
31
653
122
582
159
619
32
654
123
583
160
620
33
655
124
584
161
621
34
125
585
162
622
126
586
127
587
Enoch
35
36
37
128
588
I
129
589
2
130
590
3
131
591
132
592
133
593
134
594
hood ~♡ two noo0
623
38
+56 NOO
33
656
657
658
659
660
624
39
661
625
40
662
4
626
4I
663
627
42
664
6
628
43
665
7
629
44
666
135
595
8
630
45
667
136
596
9
631
46
668
137
597
ΙΟ
632
47
669
138
598
II
633
48
670
139
599
12
634
49
671
140
600
13
635
50
672
141
601
14
636
51
673
142
602
15
637
143
603
16
638
ઞઞ
52
674
53
675
8
The Chronology of the World.
Patriarchs.
cal Years of
Antediluvian
Patriarchs.
Antediluvian Solar Tropi-
Solar Tropi-
Antediluvian
Patriarchs.
Solar Tropi-
the World.
cal Years of
the World.
cal Years of
the World.
´Enoch
A. M.
Methufalah
A. M.
Methufalah
A. M.
54
676
↑
24
711
6I
748
55
677
25
712
62
749
56
678
57
679
58
680
2 2 2
26
713
63
750
27
714
64
751
28
715
65
752
59
681
29
716
66
753
60
682
30
717
67
754
61
683
31
718
68
755
62
684
32
719
69
756
63
685
33
720
70
757
64
· 686
34
721
71
758
65
687
35
722
72
759
36
723
73
760
Methufalah
37
724
74
76↓
I
688
38
725
75
762
2
689
39
726
76
763
3
690
40
727
77
764
4
691
4I
728
78
765
5
692
42
729
79
766
6
693
43
730
80
767
7
694
44
731
81
768
8
695
45
732
82
769
9
696
46
733
83
770
10
697
47
734
84
I I
698
48
735
85
12
699
49
736
86
456
771
772
773
13
700
50
737
87
774
14
701
51
738
88
775
15
702
52
739
89
776
16
703
53
740
go
777
17
704
54
741
91
778
18
-705
55
742
92
779
19
706
56
743
93
780
20
707
57
744
94
781
21
708
58
745
95
782
22
709
59
746
96
783
23
710
60
747
97
784
The Chronology of the World.
9
Antediluvian
Patriarchs.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
Antediluvian
Patriarchs.
Antediluvian
Patriarchs.
Solar Tropi-
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
cal Years of
the World.
the World.
Methufalah
A. M.
Methufalah
A. M.
Methufalah
A. M.
98
785
822
135
172
859
99
786
136.
823
860
173
100
787
137
824
861
174
862
ΙΟΙ
788
138
825
175
102
789
I 39
826
176
863
103
790
140
827
177
864
104
791
141
828
178
865
866
105
792
142
829
179
тоб
793
143
830
180
867
107
794
144
831
181
868
108
795
145
832
182
869
109
796
146
833
183
870
IIO
797
147
834
184
871
III
798
148
835
185
872
II2
799
149
836
186
873
800
150
837
187
874
113
114
801
151
838
115
802
152
839
Lamech
116
803
153
840
I
875
117
804
154
841
2
118
805
155
842
806
119
156
843
4.
120
807
157
844
121
808
158
845
122
809
159
846
810
160
847
~ 3 to 7∞
876
877
878
879
6
880
881
8
882
123
124
811
161
848
9
883
125
812
162
849
10
884
126
813
163
850
I I
885
886
127
814
164
851
12
128
815
165
852
13
887
816
166
853
14
888
129
130
817
167
854
15
889
818
168
131
855
16
899
132
819
169
856
17
891
820
133
170
857
18
892
134
821
171
858
19
893
C
10
The Chronology of the World.
Antediluvian
Solar Tropi-
Patriarchs.
cal Years of
the World.
Antediluvian
Patriarchs.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
Antediluvian
Solar Tropi-
Patriarchs.
cal Years of
>
the World.
the World.
Lamech
A. M.
Lamech
A. M.
Lamech.
A. M.
20
894
57
931
94
968
2I
895
58
932
95
969
22
896
59
933
96
970
23
897
60
934
97
971
2 2 2
SO N
24
898
6I
935
98
972.
25
26
27
899
62
936
99
973
900
63
937
100
974
901
64
938
ΙΟΙ
975
28
902
65
939
102
976
29
903
66.
940
103
977
30
904
67
941
104
978
31
905
68
942
105
979
32
906
69
943
106
980
33
907
70
944
107
981
34
www
35
36
37
38
+56 NOO
908
71
945
108
982
909
72
946
109
983
910
73
947
IIO
984
911
74
948
III
985
912
75
949
I12
986
39
913
76
950
113
987
40
914
77
951
114
988
4. I
915
78
952
115
989
42
916
79
953
116
990
43
917.
80
954
117
991
44
918
81
955
118
992
45
919
82
956
119
993
46
920
83
957
120
994
47
921
84
958
121
995
48
922
85
959
122
996
49
923
86
960
123
997
50
924
87
961
124
998
51
925
88
962
125
999*
52
926
89
963
126
1000
53
927
90
964
127
ΙΟΟΙ
54
928
91
965
128
1002
55
929
92
966
129
1003
56
930
93
967
130
1004
The Chronology of the World.
I I
Antediluvian
Solar Tropi-
Patriarchs.
cal Years of
the World.
Antediluvian
Patriarchs.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
Antediluvian
Patriarchs.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
the World.
Lamech
A. M.
Lamech
A. M.
Noah
A. M.
13 I
1005
168
1042
2 I
1077
132
1006
169
1043
22
133
1007
170
1044
23
134
1008
171
1045
135
1009
172
1046
136
ΙΟΙΟ
173
1047
137
ΙΟΙΙ
174
1048
138
1012
175
1049
139
1013
176
1050
Noo
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1078
1079
24
1080
25
1081
~
26
1082
27
1083
28
1084
29
1085
140
1014
177
1051
30
1086
141
1015
178
1052
31
1087
142
1016
179
1053
32
1083
143
1017
180
1054
33
1089
144
1018
181
1055
34
1090
145
1019
182
1056
35
1091
146
1020
36
1092
147
1021
Noah
37
1093
148
1022
I
1057
38
1094
149
1023
2
1058
39
1095
150
1024
3
1059
40
1096
151
1025
4
любо
41
1097
152
1026
5
1061
42
1098
153
1027
6
1062
43
1099
154
1028
7
1063
44
1100
155
1029
8
1064
45
ΙΙΟΙ
156
1030
9
1065
46
I 102
157
1031
JO
1066
47
1103
158
1032
I I
1067
48
1104
159
1033
12
1068
49
1105
160
1034
13
1069
50
1106
161
1035
14
1070
51
1107
162
1036
J
15
1071
52
1108
163
1037
16
1072
53
1109
164
1038
17
1073
54
II10
165
1039
18
1074
55
IIII
166
1040
19
1075
56
II 12
167
1041
20
1076
57
1113
C 2
12
The Chronology of the World.
Antediluvian
Patriarchs.
Solar Tropi-
Antediluvian Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
Patriarchs.
the World.
cal Years of
the World.
Antediluvian
Patriarchs.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
Noah
A. M.
Noah
A. M.
Noah
A. M.
58
1114
95
1151
132
1188
59
1115
96
1152
133
1189
60
1116
97
1153
134
1190
61
1117
98
1154
135
1191
62
1118
99
1155
136
1192
63
1119
100
1156
137
1193
64
1120
ΙΟΙ
1157
138
I 194
65
1121
102
1158
139
1195
66
1122
103
1159
140
1196
67
1123
104
1160
141
1197
68
1124
105
1161
142
1198
69
1125
106
1162
143
1199
70
1126
107
1163
144
1200
71
1127
108
1164
145
120I
72
1128
109
1165
146
1202
73
1129
IIO
1166.
147
1203
74
1130
III
1167
148
1204
75
1131
II2
1168
149
1205
76
1132
113
1169
150
1206
77
1133
114
1170
151
1207
78
1134
115
1171
152
1208
79
1135
116
1172
153
1209
80
1136
117
1173
154
1210
81
1137
118
1174
155
121 I
82
1138
119
1175
156
1212
83
1139
120
1176
157
1213
84
1140
121
1177
158
1214
85
1141
122
1178
159
1215
86
1142
123
1179
160
1216
87
1143
124
1180
161
1217
88
1144
125
1181
162
1218
89
1145
126
1182
163
1219
90
1146
127
1183
164
1220
91
1147
128
1184
165
1221
92
1148
129
1185
166
$
93
1149
130
1186
167
94
1150
131
1187
- 168
1222
1223
- 1224
The Chronology of the World.
13
Antediluvian
Solar Tropi-
Patriarchs.
cal Years of
the World.
Antediluvian
Patriarchs.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
Antediluvian
Patriarchs.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
the World.
Noah
A. M.
Noah
A. M.
Noah
A. M.
169
1225
206
1262
243
1299
170
1226
207
1263
244
1300
171
1227
208
1264
245
1301
1228
172
209
1265
246
1302
173
1229
210
1266
247
1303
174
1230
2II
1267
248
1304
175
1231
212
1268
249
1305
176
1232
213
1269
250
1306
177
1233
214
1270
251
1307
178
1234
215
1271
252
1308
179
1235
216
1272
253
1309
180
1236
217
1273
254
1310
181
1237
218
1274
255
131 1
182
1238
219
1275
256
1312
183
1239
220
1276
257
1313
184
1240
221
1277
258
1314
185
1241
222
1278
259
1315
186
1242
223
1279
260
1316
187
1243
224
1280
261
1317
188
1244
225
1281
262
1318
189
1245
226
1282
263
1319
190
1246
227
1283
264
1320
191
1247
228
1284
265
1321
192
1248
229
1285
266
1322
193
1249
230
1286
267
1323
194
1250
231
1287
268
1324
195
1251
232
1288
269
1325
196
1252
233
1289
270
1326
197
1253
234
1290
271
1327
198
1254
235
1291
272
1328
199
1255
236
1292
273
1329
200
1256
237
1293
274
1330
201
1257
238
1294
275
1331
202
1258
239
1295
276
1332
203
1259
240
1296
277
1333
204
1260
241
1297
278
1334
205
1261
242
1298
279
1335
་
1
14
The Chronology of the World.
Antediluvian
Patriarchs.
Antediluvian Solar Tropi-
Patriarchs. cal Years of
Solar Tropi-
Antediluvian
Patriarchs.
Solar Tropi-
the World.
cal Years of
the World.
cal Years of
the World.
Noah
A. M.
Noah
A. M.
Noah
A. M.
280
1336
317
1373
354
1410
281
1337
318
1374
355
1411
282
1338
319
1375
356
1412
283
1339
320
1376
357
1413
2 2 2 2
284
1340
321
1377
358
1414
285
1341
322
1378
359
1415
286
1342
323
1379
360
1416
287
1343
324
1380
361
1417
288
1344
325
1381
362
1418
289
1345
326
1382
363
1419
290
1346
327
1383
364
1420
291
I 347
328
1384
365
1421
292 /
1348
329
1385
366
1422
293
1349
330
1386
367
1423
294
1350
331
1387
368
1424
295
1351
332
1388
369
1425
296
1352
333
1389
370
1426
297
1353
334
1390
371
1427
298
1354
335
1391
372
1428
299
1355
336
1392
373
1429
·300
1356
337
1393
374
1430
301
1357
338
1394
375
1431
302
1358
339
1395
376
1432
303
1359
340
1396
377
1433
304
1360
341
1397
378
1434
305
1361
342
1398
379
1435
306
1362
343
I 399
380
1436
307
1363
344
1400
381
308
1437
1364
345
1401
382
1438
309
1365
346
I 402
383
1439
310
1366
347
1403
304
1440
311
1367
348
14.04
385
1441
312
1368
349
1405
386
1442
313
1369
350
1406
387
1443
314
1370
351
1407
388
1444
315
1371
352
1408
389
316
1445
1372
353
1409
390
1446
The Chronology of the World.
15
Antediluvian Solar Tropi-
Patriarchs.
cal Years of
the World.
Antediluvian
Patriarchs.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
Antediluvian
Patriarchs.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
Noah
A. M.
Noah
A. M.
Noah
A. M.
391
1447
427
1483
463
1519
392
1448
428
1404
464
1520
393
1449
429
1485
465
1521
394
1450
430
1486
466
1522
395
1451
431
1487
467
1523
396
1452
432
1488
468
1524
397
1453
433
1489
469
1525
398
1454
434
1490
470
1526
399
1455
435
1491
47I
1527
400
1456
436
1492
472
1528
401
1457
437
1493
473
1529
402
1458
438
1494
474
1530
403
1459
439
1495
475
1531
404
1460
440
1496
476
I
1532
495
1461
441
I 497
477
1533
406
1462
442
1498
478
1534
407
1463
443
1499
479
1535
408
1464
444
1500
480
1
1536
409
1465
445
1501
481
1537
410
1466
446
1502
482
1538
411
1467
447
1503
483
1 539
412
1468
448
1504
484
1 540
413
1469
449
1505
485
1541
414
1470
450
I 506
486
1542
415
1471
451
1 507
487
1543
416
1472
452
1508
488
1544
417
1473
453
I 509
489
1545
418
1474
454
1510
490
1546
419
1475
455
1511
491
I 547
420
1476
456
1512
492
1548
421
1477
457
1513
493
I 549
422
1478
458
1514
494
1550
423
1479
459
1515
495
1551
424
1480
460
1516
496
1552
425
1481
461
1517
497
1553
426
1482
· 462
1518
498
1554
*
A
The Chronology of the World.
16
Antediluvian
Solar Tropi-
Antediluvian Solar Tropi-
and
Poftdiluvian
cal Years of
and
cal Years of
the World.
Poftdiluvian
the World.
Antediluvian
and
Poftdiluvian
Patriarch.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
T
Patriarchs.
Patriarch.
Noah
A. M.
Shem
A. M.
Shem
A. M.
499
1555
30
1588
65
1623
500
1556
3 I
1589
66
1624
501
1 557
32
I 590
67
1625
502
1558
33
1591
68
1626
34
1592
69
1627
Shem
35
I
2
3
*~♡ to no o
I 559
36
1560
37
1561
38
SO NX
1 593
70
1628
I 594
71
1629
1595
72
1630
1596
73
1631
4
1562
39
1 597
74
1632
3
1563
40.
1 598
75
1633
6
1564
4I
I 599
76
1634
7
1565
42
1600
77
1635
8
1566
43
1601
78
1636
9
1567
44
1602
79
1637
ΙΟ
1568
45
1603
80
1638
I I
1569
46
1604
81
1639
12
I 570
47
1605
82
1640
13
1571
48
1606
83
1641
14
1572
49
1607
84
15
1573
50
1608
85
16
1574
51
1609
86
17
1575
52
1610
87
456 N
1642
1643
1644
1645
18
1576
53
1611
88
1646
19
1 577
54
1612
89
1647
20
1578
55
1613
90
1648
21
I 579
56
1614
91
1649
22
1580
57
23
1581
58
лос
1615
92
1650
1616
93
1651
24
1582
59
1617
94
1652
25
1583
60
1618
95
1653
26
1584
61
1619
96
1654
27
1585
62
1620
97
1655
28
1586
63
1621
98
1656
2.9
1587
64
1622
99
1657
100
1658
The
17
Chronology of the World.
Poftdiluvian
Patriarchs.
Arphaxad
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
Poftdiluvian Solar Tropi-
Patriarchs.
cal Years of
Poftdiluvian
Patriarchs.
Solar Tropi-
the World.
cal Years of
the World.
A. M.
Salah
A. M.
Eber
I
1659
I
1694
2.
1660
2
1695
3
1661
3
1696
4
1662
5
1663
6
1664
7
1665
8
1666
456 7OO
1697
1698
456 N∞
A. M.
1727
1728
1729
7
1730
1731
1699
9
1732
1700
IO
1733
8
1701
I I
1734
9
1667
9
1702
1 2
1735
10
1668
10
1703
13
1736
I I
1669
II
1704
14
1737
12
1670
I 2
1705
15
1738
13
1671
13
1706
16
1739
14
1672
14
1707
17
1740
15
1673
15
16
1674
16
17
1675
17
18
1676
18
∞v aur
1708
18
1741
1709
19
1742
1710
20
1743
1711
21
1744
19
1677
19
1712
22
1745
20
1678
20
1713
23
1746
21
1679
2 I
1714
24
1747
22
1680
22
1715
1681
23
23
1716
24
1682
24
2 2 2 N
36 2∞
25 1683
1684
26
27
28
1685
1686
560
N∞
2 ~ ~ ~
25
26
27
28
1717
1718
2 2 2
25
1748
26
1749
27
1750
28
1751
1719
29
1752
1720
30
1753
1721
31
1754
29
1687
29
1722
32
1755
1688
30
30
1723
33
1756
31
1689
34
1757
32
1690
Eber
33
1691
34
1692
35
1693
1 2 3
1724
Peleg
D
1725
1726
I
1758
2
1759
18
The Chronology of the World.
cal Years of
Poſtdiluvian Solar Tropi-
Patriarchs.
Poftdiluvian Solar Tropi-
Patriarchs.
the World.
cal Years of
the World.
Poftdiluvian
Patriarchs.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
Peleg
A. M.
Reu
A. M.
Serug
A. M.
3
1760
7
1794
9
1828
456 N∞
1761
8
1795
ΙΟ
1829
1762
9
1796
I I
1830
1763
ΙΟ
1797
12
1831
7
1764
I I
1798
13
1832
8
1765
12
1799
14
1833
9
1766
13
1800
1 5
1834
IO
1767
14
1801
16
1835
I I
1768
15
1802
17
1836
12
1769
16
1803
18
1837
13
1770
17
1804
19
1838
14
1771
18
1805
20
1839
15
1772
19
1806
2I
1840
16
1773
20
1807
22
1841
17
1774
21
1808
23
1842
18
1775
22
1809
24
1843
19
1776
23
1810
20
1777
24
1811
21
1778
25
22
1779
26
23
1780
27
L NO
1812
222
56 2∞
25
26
1844
1845
27
1813
28
1846
1847
1814
29
1848
24
1781
28
1815
30
1849
2 2 2 2
25
26
27
28
5
1782
29
1816
1783
30
1817
Nahor
NOO
1784
31
1818
1785
32
1819
2
29
1786
30
1787
Serug
Reu
I
123+ SO
1788
1789
1790
4
1791
5
1792
6
123+ 5o No
I
1820
1821
1827
4
ас
1823
1824
1 ~ ~ +50 No a
I
1850
1851
3
1852
4
1853
1854
6
1855
7
1856
8
1857
1858
6
1825
ΙΟ
1859
7
1826
I I
1860
1793
8
1827
12
1861
ཉ
The Chronology of the World.
19
cal Years of
•
Poftdiluvian Solar Tropi-
Patriarchs.
Poftdiluvian
Patriarchs.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
Poſtdiluvian
Patriarchs.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
the World.
the World.
Nahor
A. M.
Terah
A. M.
Terah
A. M.
13
1862
18
1896
54
1932
14
1863
19
1897
55
1933
15
1864
20
1898
56
1934
16
1865
21
1899
57
1935
17
1866
22
1900
58
1936
18
1867
23
1901
59
1937
19
1868
24
1902
60
1938
20
1869
21
1870
22
1871
23
1872
2 2 2 N
25
1903
61
1939
26
1904
62
1940
27
1905
63
1941
28
1906
64
1942
24
28
2 2 2
4567∞
1873
29
1907
65
1943
25
26
1874
30
1908
66
1944
1875
31
1909
67
1945
27
1876
32
1910
68
1946
1877
33
1911
69
1947
29
1878
34
1912
70
1948
Terah
ww
35
1913
71
1949
36
1914
72
1950
I
423+ SO DO
1879
37
1915
73
1951
1880
38
1916
74
1952
1881
39
1917
1882
40
1918
ངང་
75
1953
76
1954
5
1883
41
1919
77
1955
6
1884
42
1920
78
1956
7
1885
43
1921
79
1957
8
1886
44
1922
80
1958
9
1887
45
1923
81
1959
ΙΟ
1888
46
1924
82
1960
II
1889
47
1925
83
1961
12
1890
48
1926
84
1962
13
1891
49
1927
85
1963
14
1892
50
1928
86
1964
15
1893
51
1929
87
1965
16
1894
52
1930
88
1966
17
1895
53
1931
89
1967
D 2
4
20
The Chronology of the World.
cal Years of
Poftdiluvian Solar Tropi-
Patriarchs.
Poſtdiluvian Solar Tropi-
Patriarchs.
the World.
cal Years of
the World.
Poftdiluvian
Patriarchs.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
Terah
A. M.
Terah
A. M.
Abraham
A. M.
90
1968
126
2004
30
2038
91
1969
127
2005
31
2039
92
1970
128
2006
32
2040
93
1971
129
2007
33
2041
94
1972
130
2008
34
2042
95
1973
35
96
1974
Abraham
36
97
98
78
1975
I
2009
37
1976
2
99
1977
3
100
1978
4
ΙΟΙ
1979
102
1980
103
1981
Nm + i ♪
2010
38
56 N∞
2043
2044
2045
2046
201 I
39
2047
2012
40
2048
5
2013
41
2049
6
2014
42
2050
7
2015
43
2051
104
1982
8
2016
44
2052
105
1983
9
2017
*4.5
2053
106
1984
ΙΟ
2018
46
2054
107
1985
I I
2019
47
2055
108
1986
I 2
2020
48
2056
109
1987
13
2021
49
2057
IIO
1988
14
2022
50
2058
III
1989
15
2023
51
2059
112
1990
16
2024
52
2060
113
1991
17
2025
53
2061
114
1992
18
2026
54
2062
115
1993
19
2027
55
2063
116
1994
20
2028
56
2064
1
117
1995
21
2029
57
2065
118
1996
22
119
1997
23
120
1998
121
122
1999
2000
26
123
124
125
2003
200 I
2002
28
+36
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
2030
58
2066
2031
59
2067
24
2032
60
2068
25
2033
61
2069
2034
62
2070
27
2035
63
2071
2036
64
2072
29
2037
65
2073
The
21
Chronology of the World.
Poftdiluvian
Patriarchs.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
Poftdiluvian Solar Tropi-
Patriarchs.
cal Years of
Poftdiluvian
Patriarchs.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
the World.
the World.
Abraham
A. M..
Ifaac
A. M.
Ifaac
A. M.
66
2074
I
2109
37
2145
67
2075
2
2110
38
2146
68
2076
3
2III
39
2147
69
2077
4
70
2078
71
2079
72
2080
73
2081
+56 7∞
2112
40
2148
2113
4I
2149
2114
42
2150
2115
43
2151
8
2116
44
2152
74
2082
9
2117
45
2153
777
56 N∞o
75
76
77
2083
IO
2118
46
2154
2084
I I
2119
47
2155
2085
12
2120
78
2156
78
2086
13
2121
49
2157
79
2087
14
2122
80
2088
15
2123
81
2089
16
2124
82
2090
17
2125
없었​었엉
​2158
2159
2160
2161
83
2091
18
2126
54
2162
84
2092
19
2127
55
2163
85
2093
20
2128
56
2164
86
2094
21
2129
57
2165
87
2095
22
2130
58
2166
88
2096
23
2131
59
2167
89
2097
24
2132
60
2168
90
2098
25
2133
91
2099
26
2134
Jacob
92
2100
27
2135
93
2101
28
2136
94
2102
29
2137
95
2103
30
2138
96
2104
31
2139
97
2105
32
2140
98
2106
33
2141
123+ SO NO
I
2169
2170
2171
4
2172
5
2173
6
2174
7
2175
99
2107
34
2142
8
2176
100
2108
35
2143
9
2177
36
2144
ΙΟ
2178
1
22
The Chronology of the World.
Poftdiluvian Solar Tropi-
Poftdiluvian Solar Tropi-
Poftdiluvian
Solar Tropi-
Patriarchs.
cal Years of
Patriarchs.
cal Years of
A
Patriarchs.
cal Years of
the World.
the World.
the World.
Jacob
A. M.
Jacob
A. M.
Jacob
A. M.
II
2179
47
2215
83
2251
12
2180
48
2216
84
2252
13
2181
49
2217
85
2253
14
2182
50
2218
86
2254
15
2183
51
2219
87
2255
16
2184
52
2220
8.8
2256
17
2185
53
22 I
89
2257
18
2186
54
2222
90
2258
19
2187
55
2223
91
2259
20
2188
56
2224
21
2189
57
2225
Jofeph
22
2190
58
2226
I
2260
23
2191
59
2227
24
2192
60
2228
25
2193
61
2229
26
2194
62
2230
27
2195
63
2231
28
2196
64
2232
29
2197
65
2233
23+5O NO
2261
2262
4
2263
2264
6
2265
7
2266
8
2267
30
2198
66
2234
9
2268
3 I
2199
67
2235
10
2269
32
2200
68
2236
I I
2270
33
2201
69
2237
12
2271
34
2202
70
2238
13
2272
35
36
37
38
33
MO NO
2203
71
2239
14
2273
2204
72
2240
15
2274
2205
73
2241
16
2275
2206.
74
2242
17
2276
39
2207
75
2243
18
2277
40
2208
76
2244
19
2278
4I
2209
77
2245
20
2279
1
42
2210
78
2246
21
2280
43
221 I
79
2247
2.2.
2281
44
2212
80
2248
23
2282
++
.45
2213
81
2249
24
2283
46
2214
82
2250
25
2284
澹
​1
23
The Chronology of the World.
Poftdiluvian Solar Tropi-
Patriarchs.
cal Years of
the World.
Poftdiluvian
Patriarchs.
Solar Tropi-
Poftdiluvian
cal Years of
Patriarchs.
the World.
Jofeph
A. M.
Joſeph
A. M.
Jofeph
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
A. M.
26
2285
62
2321
98
2357
27
2286
63
2322
99
2358
28
2287
64
2323
100
2359
29
2288
65
2324
ΙΟΙ
2360
30/
2289
66
2325
102
2361
31
2290
67
2326
103
2362
32
2291
68
2327
104
2363
33
2292
34
2293
35
2294
36
2295
BORN
2328
F05
2364
2329
106
2365
2330
107
2366
2331
108
2367
37
2296
73
2332
109
2368
38
2297
74
2333
ΙΙΟ
2369
39
2298
75
2334
40
2299
76
2335
To the Birth
4I
2300
77
2336
of Mofes.
42
2301
78
2337
I
2370
43
2302
79
2338
44
2303
80
2339
45
2304
81
2340
4
46
2305
82
2341
47
2306
83
2342
48
2307
84
2343
49
2308
85
50
2309
86
56
2344
~ 3+ O NOO
2
2371
2372
2373
5
2374
6
2375
7
2376
8
2377
2345
9
2378
51
2310
87
2346
ΙΟ
2379
52
2311
88
2347
II
2380
53
2312
89
2348
12
2381
54
2313
90
2349
13
2382
55
2314
91
2350
14
2383
56
2315
C
92
2351
15
57
2316
93
2352
16
58
2317
59
2318
60
2319
61 V
}
2320
2005
94
2353
95
2354
18
DO NO
(
2384
2385
17-
2386
2387
96
2355
19
2388
97
2356
}
20
2389
24
The Chronology of the World.
From the
Death of fo-
feph, to the
Birth of Mofes
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
From the
Death of fo-
feph, to the
Birth of Mofes
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
Age of Mofes Solar Tropi-
before the
Exodus.
cal Years of
the World.
A. M.
A. M.
Mofes
A. M.
2I
2390
56
· 2425
26
2458
22
2391
57
2426
27
2459
23
2392
58
2427
28
2460
24
2393
59
2428
29
2461
2 2 2
25
2394
60
2429
30
2462
26
2395
6I
2430
3I
2463
27
2396
62
2431
32
2464
28
2397
63
2432
33
2465
29
2398
34
2466
30
2399
Mofes
35
2467
31
2400
32
2401
33
34
35
36
37
38
moto NO
2402
2403
2404
2405
2406
2407
39
2408
40
HN3+3oNoo as
I
2433
36
2468
2
2434
37
2469
2435
38
2470
4
2436
39
2471
5
2437
40
2472
6
2438
41
2473
7
2439
42
2474
8
2440
43
2475
2441
44
2476
2409
IO
2442
4.5
2477
4I
2410
I I
2443
46
2478
42
241I
I 2
2444
47
2479
43
2412
13
2445
48
2480
44
2413
14
2446
49
2481
45
2414
15
2447
2482
46
2415
16
2448
51
2483
47
2416
1'7
2449
2484
48
2417
18
2450
2485
49
2418
19
2451
54
2486
50
2419
20
2452
55
2487
51
2420
21
2453
52
2421
22
2454
53
2422
23
2455
54
2423
24
2456
55
2424
25
2457
༄་གགg
2488
57
2489
58
2490
2491
2492
The
25
Chronology of the World.
Age of Mofes
before the
Exodus.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
The Ifraelites Solar Tropi.
in the Wil-
TheGovern-
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
ment of fof-
cal Years of
derneſs.
the World.
hua.
the World.
Mofes
A. M.
Mofes
A. M.
Joſhua
A. M.
61
2493
14.
2526
8
2560
62
2494
15
2527
9
2561
63
2495
16
64
2496
17
65
2497
18
DO NO
2528
ΙΟ
2562
2529
II
2563
2530
12
.2564
66
2498
19
2531
13
2565
67
2499
20
2532
14
2566
68
2500
21
2533
15
2567
69
2501
22
2534
16
2568
- 70
2502
71
2503
72
2504
73
2505
74
2506
ང་
75
76
១
2507
2508
N N N N N N
23
2535
17
2569
24
2536
18
2570
25
2537
19
2571
26
2538
20
2572
29
2539
28
2540
29
2541
N N N
21
2573
22
2574
23
2575
77
2509
30
2542
24
2576
78
2510
3 I
2543
79
2511
32
2544
80
2512
33
2545
N N N
25
26
27
34
2546
28
56 No
2577
2578
2579
2580
In the Wil
35
derness.
36
I
2513
37
2
2514
38
So Noo
2547
29
2581
2548
30
2582
2549
31
2583
2550
32
2584
5
av an A W
2515
39
2551
33
2585
2516
40
2552
34
2586
2517
35
2587
2518
Joſhua
36
2588
2519
I
2553
37
2589
2520
2
2554
9
2521
3
10
2522
4
II
2523
M & LOV
2555
Othniel
2556
I
2590
2557
2
2591
1 2
13
2524
2525
6
2558
3
2592
2559
4
2593
E
26
The Chronology of the World.
The Times
of the Judges.
Solar Tropi-
The Times
cal Years of
of the Judges.
the World.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
The Times
Solar Tropi-
of the Judges.
cal Years of
the World.
Othniel
A. M.
Ehud
A. M.
Ehud
A. M.
50 700
2594
I
2630
37
2666
6
2595
2
2596
8
2597
9
2598
IO
2599
I I
2600
I 2
2601
INM+ 3 NO0
2631
38
2667
3
2632
39
2668
4
2633
40
2669
5
2634
41
2670
2635
42
2671
7
2636
43
2672
8
2637
44
2673
13
2602
9
2638
45
14
2603
ΙΟ
2639
46
15
2604
II
2640
47
567
2674
2675
2676
16
2605
12
264I
48
2677
17
2606
13
2642
49
2678
18
2607
14
2643
50
2679
19
2608
15
2644
51
2680
20
2609
16
2645
52
2681
2I
2610
17
2646
53
2682
22
2611
18
2647
54
2683
23
LOL
NO0
2 2 2 2 2 2
2612
19
2648
55
2684
24
25
26
27.
28
29
2613
20
2649
56
2685
2614
21
2650
57
2686
2615
22
2651
58
2687
2616
23
2652
59
2688
2617
24
2653
60
2689
2618
30
2619
31
2620
2 2 2
25
2654
61
2690
26
2655
62
2691
27
2656
63
2692
32
2621
28
2657
64
2693
33
2622
29
2658
65
2694
34
2623
30
2659
66
2695
35
2624
31
2660
67
2696
36
2625
32
2661
68
2697
37
2626
33
2662
69
2698
38
2627
34
2663
70
2699
39
2628
40
2629
ww
56
35
2664
71
2700
36
2665
72
2701
The Chronology of the World.
27
The Times
of the Judges.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
The Times Solar Tropi-
The Times
Solar Tropi-
of the Judges.
cal Years of
of the Judges.
cal Years of
the World.
the World.
Ehud
A. M.
Deborah
A. M.
Gideon
A. M.
73
2702
27
2736
21
2770
74
2703
28
2737
22
2771
75
2704
29
2738
23
2772
76
2705
30
2739
24
2773
77
2706
31
2740
78
2707
32
2741
79
2708
33
2742
80
2709
34
2743
Deborah
I
2710
www
35
36
37
2
2711
38
5 700
2744
2 2 2 ~ N
25
2774
26
2775
27
2776
28
2777
29
2778
2745
30
2779
2746
3 I
2780
2747
32
2781
3
2712
39
2748
33
2782
IO
+mo no ag
4
2713
40
2749
34
2783
5
2714
35
6
2715
Gideon
36
7
2716
I
2750
37
8
2717
2
2751
38
56 No
2784
2785
2786
2787
9
2718
3
2752
39
2788
2719
4
2753
40
2789
I I
2720
5
2754
I 2
2721
6
2755
Abimelech
13
2722
7
2756
I
14
2723
8
2757
15
16
17
18
56 7∞
2724
9
2758
2 3
2790
2791
2792
2725
IQ
2759
2726
I I
2760
Tolah
2727
1 2
2761
I
19
2728
13
2762
20
2729
14
2763
2I
2730
15
2764
4
22
2731
16
2765
5
23
2732
17
2766
6
N N N
24
2733
18
2767
7
25
2734
19
2768
8
26
2735
20
2769
Y
* 23+ DO N∞ a
2793
2794
2795
2796
2797
2798
2799
2800
2801
E 2
28
The Chronology of the World.
The Times
of the Judges.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
The Times
of the Judges.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
The Times
Solar Tropi-
of the Judges.
cal Years of
the World.
Tolah
A. M.
Jair
A. M.
Abdon
IO
2802
2I
2836
4
II
2803
22
2837
12
2804
13
2805
Jephtha
14
2806
I
2838
56 200
A. M.
2864
2865
2866
7
2867
2868
15
2807
2
2839
16
2808
3
2840
Eli
17
2809
4.
18
2810
19
2811
456
2841
I
2869
2842
2
2870
2843
3
2871
20
2812
4
2872
21
2813
Ibzan
5
2873
22
2814
I
2844
6
2874
23
2815
2
2845
7
2875
3
2846
2876
Jair
4
2847
9
2877
I
123+ SO DO
2816
5
2848
ΙΟ
2878
2817
6
2849
II
2879
2818
7
2850
12
2880
4
2819
13
2881
5
2820
Elon
14
2882
6
2821
I
7
2822
8
2823
9
2824
4
IO
2825
I I
2826
12
2827
13
2828
H23+ SO NOO
2851
15
2883
2852
16
2853
17
2854
18
хола
2884
2885
2886
5
2855
19
2887
6
2856
20
2888
7
2857
21
2889
8
2858
22
2890
14
2829
9
2859
23
2891
15
2830
IO
2860
16
2831
17
2832
Abdon
18
2833
I
2861
2 2 2 2
24
2892
25
2893
26
2894
27
2895
19
2834
2
20
2835
W N
2862
28
2896
3 2863
29
2897
The Chronology of the World.
29
The Ifraelites
under the
Government
of Kings.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
The Ifraelites Solar Tropi-
under the
Government
of Kings.
cal Years of
the World.
The Times
of the Judges.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
Eli
A. M.
Saul
A. M.
David
A. M.
30
2898
23
2931
16
2964
31
2899
32
2900
33
2901
34
2902
35
2903
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
24
2932
17
2965
25
2933
18
2966
26
2934
19
2967
27
2935
20
2968
28
2936
2I
2969
ww
36
2904
29
2937
22
2970
37
2905
30
2938
23
297I
38
2906
31
2939
39
2907
32
40
2908
33
34
Saul
35
I
2909
36
2
2910
37
3
2911
38
2345 NO0
2940
2941
2942
2943
2944
2945
2 2 2 2 2 2
24
2972
25
2973
26
2974
27
2975
28
2976
29
2977
30
2978
2946
31
2979
4
2912
39
2947
32
2980
5
2913
40
2948
33
2981
6
2914
34
2982
7
2915
David
35
8
2916
9
2917
ΙΟ
2918
I I
2919
12
2920
13
2921
14
2922
born ~ ♡ to no
I
2949
36
2
2950
37
SO N
2983
2984
2985
3
2951
38
2986
4
2952
39
2987
5
2953
40
2988
6
2954
7
2955
Solomon
15
2923
8
2956
16
2924
9
2957
17
2925
IO
2958
18
2926
I I
2959
19
2927
12
2960
20
2928
13
2961
21
2929
14
2962
22
2930
15
2963
1234+ 50 N∞
I
2989
2990
2991
2992
2993
6
2994
7
2995
8
2996
30
The Chronology of the World.
The Ifraelites
under the
Government
of Kings.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
The Ifraelites Solar Tropi-
under the
Government
of Kings.
cal Years of
the World.
The Ifraelites Solar Tropi-
under the
Government
of Kings.
cal Years of
the World.
Solomon
A. M.
Solomon
A. M.
Solomon
A. M.
9
2997
20
3008
31
3019
10
2998
21
3009
32
3020
I I
2999
22
3010
33
3021
12
3000
23
3011
34
3022
13
3001
24
3012
35
14
15
16
17
18
450 noo
3002
3003
3004
222
25
3013
36
56
3023
3024
26
3014
37
3025
27
3015
38
3026
3005
28
3016
39
3027
3006
29
3017
40
3028
19
3007
30
3018
Solomon dies, King of all Ifrael, when Ten Tribes revolted to Jeroboam.
The Chronology of the World.
31
Kings of Judah.
Compleat Years.
Current and in-
compleat Years.
Kings of Ifrael. Current and in-
compleat Years.
Compleat Years.
Solar Tropical
Years of the
World.
Rehoboam
I
+23+ no 200
Jeroboam
I
A. M.
3029
2
3
3030
3031
4
4
3032
5
5
3033
6
6
3934
7
3035
8
8
3036
.9
9
IO
ΙΟ
3037
3038
II
I I
3039
12
I2
3040
13
13
3041
14
14
3042
15
15
3043
16
17
Abijah I
2
3
Afa I
16
3044
17
3045
18
3046
19
3047
20
3048
Afa I
2
2I
Nadab 1.
~~+monoo as
2
3
22 Baaſha 1,
3
4
Baafha
I
4
5
6
5
6
7
7
8
5
8
9
ΙΟ
I I
IO
9
6
7
I I
8
~~3+ SO N∞0
2344o soo
~ ~ ~
3049
3050
3051
3052
4
3053
5
3054
6
3955
7
3056
8
3057
9
3058
12
9
ΙΟ
3059
I2
13
ΙΟ
I I
3060
13
14
I I
12
3061
14
15
I2
13
3062
15
16
13
14
3063
16
17
14
15
3064
32
The Chronology of the World.
Kings of Judah.
Current and in-
compleat Years.
Kings of Ifrael. Current and in- Solar Tropical
compleat Years. Years of the
Compleat Years.
Compleat Years.
World.
Afa
Afa
Baafha
Baafha
A. M.
17
18
15
16
3065
18
19
16
17
3066
19
20
17
18
3067
20
21
18
19.
3068
21
22
19
20
3069
22
23
20
2 I
3070
23
24
2I
22
3071
2 2
24
25
26
2 2 2
25
22
23
3072
26
23
24
3073
27
24
Elah
I
3074
27
28
Omri
Zimri 7 da.
Omri I,
·2
S
3075
28
29
29
30
30
3 I
31
32
4.
32
33
33
34
34
35
}
35
36
36
37
38
O N
37
38
3+50 NO
I 5
2
3
4
8
← 23+ MO N∞
I
I
2
6
3 7
7
4
8
~ 3+O NO
2
3076
3977
4
3078
5
3079
6
3080
3081
3082
5 9
3083
5
9
6 10
3084
6 10
7 II
3085
39
Ahab
I
8 12
3086
39
40
40
41
Jehofaphat I
2
3
4
6
~ ~ + 4 NOO
Net 200 noo a
2
3087
3
3088
4
3089
3090
3091
3092
8
3993
3094
IO
3995
8
I I
3096
9
12
10
13
3097
3098
II
14
3099
The Chronology of the World.
Y
33
*
16
17
18
19
+
20
2I
Jehoram 1 22
223
3 24
425
Jehoram I
2
18
19
20 Ahaziah
21 Jehoram 1
Jehoram 1 22
2
3
Kings of Judah. Current and in-
compleat Years,
Compleat Years.
Compleat Years,
Kings of Ifrael,
Current and in-
compleat Years.
Solar Tropical
Years of the
World.
Jehofaphat
12
13
14
15
Ahab
15
16
17
A. M.
3100
3101
3102
3103
3104
4
5
26 2∞
7
7
Shandy ~ ~ ~ +56 NOO
I
3105
2
3106
2
3107
3
3108
4
3109
3110
3111
3112
8
3113
Ahaziah 1 8
Athaliah
56 700 H
8
9
3114
9
ΙΟ
3115
ΙΟ
I I
3116
I I
12
3117
I
Jehu
I
2
3
4
60
4
Joafh
I
2
123tino Não
3118
3119
3120
3121
5
3122
6
3123
3124
3125
3
9
3126
4
ΙΟ
3127
5
I I
3128
6
12
3129
76
8
9
ΙΟ
II
12
F
13
14
15
16
56 7
17
18
3130
3131
3132
3133
3134
3135
34
The Chronology of the World.
19
20
23
21
22
24
24
25
26
27
28
Jehoahaz I
Kings of Judah.
Current and in-
compleat Years.
Kings of Ifrael.
Current and in-
compleat Years.
Compleat, Years.
Compleat Years.
Joalh
Jehu
13
19
14
15
16
17
18
+30
20
21
22
'23
Solar Tropical
Years of the
World.
A. M.
3136
3137
3138
3139
3140
2 2 2 2 2
LAV NO I
3141
· 3142
3143
3144
3145
Ι
3146
So Noo
2 2 2 N
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
23+3 1oo a
3147
3148
4
3149
5
3150
6
8
3151
3152
3153
3154
1
32
10
3155
33
II
3156
34
35
36
37
Amaziah 1 38
239
3 40
4
+56 NO
12
3157
13
3158
14
3159
Jehoaſh 1 15
3160
2 16
3161
3 17
4
+50 7∞
6
56 78
3162
3163
3164
3165
3166
3167
8
9
9
10
10
I I
3168
3169
3170
II
12
3171
The Chronology of the
35
World.
15
16
17
18
19
Kings of Judah.
compleat Years.
Current and in-
compleat Years.
Kings of Ifrael.
compleat Years.
Amaziah
12
13
14
Jeroboam II. 1 16
Jehoafh
Current and in-
compleat Years,
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
A. M.
13
14
15
3172
3173
3174
3175
~ 34
2
3176
3177
3178
5
3179
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ N
20
2I
22
23
20 7∞ o
6
3180
3181
8
3182
9
3183
24
ΙΟ
3184
2.5
I I
3185
26
12
3186
27
13
3187
28
14
29
15
Inter-reign í
16
2
17
3
4
Uzziah, or
8
9
IO
I I
Azariah S
mtmo N∞
18
16 NO
3188
3189
3190
3191
3192
1.9
5
20
3193
3194
6
21
7
22
3195
3196
23
3197
2 2 2
24
3198
25
3199
26
3200
27
3201
6
23tba
28
3202
29
3203
4
30
3204
5
31
3205
32
3206
F 2
36
The Chronology of the World.
·
Kings of Judah.
{
compleat Years.
Uzziah, or
Azariah
}
Current and in-
compleat Years.
Kings of Ifrael.
Current and in-
compleat Years.
Compleat Years.
Solar Tropical·
Years of the
World.
Jeroboam II.
A. M.
8
9
7∞
33
3207
34
3208
35
3209
ΙΟ
36
3210
II
37
3211
12
38
3212
13
39
3213
14
40
3214
15
4I
16
3215
Inter-reign I. I
3216
17
18
19
20
4
3219
5
3220
21
22
23
24
6
3221
7
3222
8
3223
9
3224
25
ΙΟ
3225
222
26
I I
3226
27
12
3227
28
13
3228
29
14
3229
30
15
3230
31
16
3231
2 3+ LO NOO
3217
3218
The
37
Chronology of the
of the World.
Kings of Judah. Current and
Kings of Ifrael,
Current and in-
Compleat Years.
incompleat
Years.
compleat Years. Olympiads
Compleat Years.
Kings of t
Babylon.
Ptolemy's
Canon.
Years of
Naballar
Solar Tro-
pical Years
of the
World.
Uzziah
Inter-reign I.
A. M.
32
17
i
I
3232
33
18
2
3233
34
19
3
3234
www
35
36
20
4
3235
21
ii
I
3236
37
22
2
3237
Zecariah 7
38
23
6 mon.
3
3238
Shallum
39
40
4I
Menahem r
2
3
I mon.
}
4
3239
iii
I
3240
2
3241
42
4
3
3242
43
5
4
3243
44
6
iv
I
3244
45
46
ܤ
716
2
3245
3
3246
47
9
4
3247
48
49
ΙΟ
Inter- 7
reign II.SI
V
I
3248
2
50
Pekahiah I
51
2
4
52
Pekah
I
vi
I
Jotham I
-23+mon∞ að
5
6
4
6
7
vii
7
8
II
IO
II
12
8
9
2345O NOO
2
~ 3+HN
3249-
3250
3251
3252
3253
3
3254
4123
3255
3256
3257
3258
4
3259
viii I Nabo-
3260
4
~ 3 t
2 naffar 1 I
3261
2 2
3262
3
3
3263
38
World.
The Chronology of the
of the Kings of Judah. Current and Kings of Ifrael.
CompleatYears.
incompleat
Years.
CompleatYears.
Years of
the Ally-
rian Cap-
Olympiads
Kings of Baby-
lon.
Ptolemy's Canon.
Years of
tivity.
Nabonaffar
Jotham
Pekah
Solar Tro-
pical Years
of the
World.
A. M.
12
13
ix
I
13
14
14
15
15
16
Ahaz 1 16
2
3
4
17
16 NO
2
3
4
X
I
8
+ no Não
456 7oo
4
3264
5
3265
3266
7
3267
8
3268
18
2
9
9
3269
19
3
10
10
3270
20
4
II II
3271
5
6
7
8
Inter-7
reign III.SI
xi
I.
12
12
3272
2
2
13
13
3273
3
3
14 14
3274
4
4
Nadius
I 15
3275
9
ΙΟ
5
xii
I
2 16
3276
Chinzerus?
6
2
I
and Porus
17
3277
I
12
13 Hezekiah
14
Hofhea I
712
3
4
xiii
I
234
18
3278
19
3279
20
3280
3
2
5 21
3281
Heze-
kiah I
16
3
}15
2
4
3 Jugæus I
Į 22
3282
5
5
-6
ino noo
3446
+4
5
4
2
XIV
I
3
7
8
2 3
4
22 2
23
3283
24
3284
25
3285
5
26
3286
6
Mardo- 7
7
9
4
cempadus
I 27
3287
No ag
7
·8
8
.9
ΙΟ
III
10
IF
1.2..
12
13
13.
14
1234567
I XV
I
2 28
3288
234
3
29
3289
4
5 xvi
I
2
3
ON OG A
30
3290
5
31
3291
6 32
3292
76
3.31
3293
34
3294
The Chronology of the World.
39
1
Kings of Judah. Current and
Years of
Compleat Years.
incompleat the Ay Kings of Media. Olympiads
Years. rian Cap-
Kings of Baby-
lon.
Ptolemy's Canon.
tivity.
Nabonofjar
Years of
Solar Tro-
pical Years
of the
World.
Hezekiah
Mardocem-
A. M.
14.
15
8
xvi
4
padus 9 35
3295
15
16
9
xvii
I
ΙΟ
36
3296
16
17
ΙΟ
2
I I
37
3297
17
18
II
3
I 2
38
3298
18
19
12 Deijoces I
4 Archianus I
39
3299
19
20
13
2 xviii
I
2
4.0
3300
20
2I
14
3
2
3
4[
3301
21
22
15
4
3
4
42
3302
22
23
16
5
4
5
43
3303
Inter- 2
23.
24
17
6 xix
I
reign I.SI
44
3304
24
25
26
27
N N N N
56 N∞
2 2
no
25
26
27
18
7
19
8
20
9
~ 3+
2
2
45
3305
3 Belibus I
46
3306
4
28
21
IO XX
I
2 3
47
3307
48
3308
28
Apro- 7
29
22
I I
2
I
nadius
49
3309
29
Manaffeh I
5
2 2 2
3456
234
N∞
2 2
23
24
25
26
27
28
12
13
14 xxi
15
16
3+
4
I
2 3
~ 3+5
2
50
3310
3 51
3311
4
52
3312
53
3313
6
54
3314
17
4 Regibelus I
Ι 55
3315
6
29
18 xxii I
Mefeffi-
mordacus
I 56
3316
7
30
19
2
2 57
3317
8
31
20
3
3
58 3318
9
32
21
4
4
59
3319
Inter-
ΙΟ
33
22 xxiii I
reign II.
III
60
3320
II
34
12
13
14
35
36
37
15
38
16
39
2 2 2 ~ ~
+56 N∞
23
2
2 6'1
3321
24
3
25
4
26 xxiv I
LA NO0
27
28
2
3 -62 3322
4
63
5
3323
64 3324
6 65
3325
3
7
66
3326
40
the World..
The Chronology
of of
I
Compleat Years.
tivity.
Kings of Judah. Current and
incompleat
Years.
Years of
the Aly Kings of Media. Olympiads
rian Cap-
Kings of Baby
lon.
Ptolemy's Canon.
Years of
Nabmnafar
Solar Tro-
pical Years
of the
World.
Manaffeh
Deijoces
Inter-reign
A. M.
17
40
29 xxiv
4
II.
8 67
3327
18
41
30 XXV I
Affaradi.
68
3328
nus
19
42
31
2
2 69
3329
20
43
32
3
3 79
3330
21
44
33
4
22
45
34 xxvi i
23
46
35
2
24
47
36
3
2 2 2 2
56 700
25
48
37
4
4567∞
4 71
3331
72
3332
73
3333
7 74
3334
75
3335
26
49
38 xxvii I
9 76
3336
27
50
39
2
10 77
3337
28
51
40
3
1 I
78
3338
29
52
41
4
12
79
3339
30
53
42 xxviii i
13 80
3340
Saofdu-7
3I
54
43
2
I 81
chinus
3341
32
55
44
3
2 82
3342
33
56
45
4
3 83
3343
34
57
46 xxix I
4
84
3344
35
58
47
2
5 85
3345
36
59
48
3
6 86
3346
37
60
49
4
7
87
3347
38
61
50 XXX
XXX
I
8 88
3348
39
62
51
2
9 89
3349
49
63-
52
3
10
90
3350
4.
64
53
4
I I
91
3351
42
65 Phraortes I xxxi
I
12
92
3352
43
66
2
44
67
45
68
4
46
69
47
70
48
71
7
49
72
8
~ 3+
~ 3+ 4 N∞
~ 3+
2
13 93
3353
14 94
3354
4
15 95
3355
Xxxii I
16 96
3356
2
17 97
3357
18 98
3358
4
19 99. 3359
The Chronology of the World.
41
Compleat Years.
Kings of Judah. Current and
incompleat
Years.
Years of
the Ally Kings of Media.. Olympiads
rian Cap-
Kings of Baby-
lon.
Ptolemy's Canon.
tivity.
Years of
| Nabmalar
Solar Tro-
pical Years
of the
World.
Manaffeh
Phraortes
Saofduchinus
A.M.
50.
73
9 xxxiii I
20 100
3360
5 I
74
ΙΟ
2
Chynila-
danus
I ΙΟΙ
3361
52
75
I I
3
2 102
3362
53
76
12
4
3 103
3363
54
77
13
xxxiv i
4 104
3364
55
78
14
2
5 105
3365
Amon I
79
15
3
6
106
3366
2
80
16
4
7 107
3367
Jofiah
-a3+no n∞ ag
I
81
17 XXXV I
8 108
3368
2
82
18
2
9 109
3369
4
83
84
19
3
10 110
3370
20
4
II III
3371
5
85
21 xxxvi I
I 2
112
3372
6
86
22
2
13 113
3373
7
87 Cyaxares I
3
14 114
3374
II
12
8
9
90
91
92
88
2
4
15 115
3375
89
3 xxxvii I
16 116
3376
13
93
7 xxxviii i
14
94
8
2 3
456 N∞
17 117
3377
18 118
3378
4
19 119
3379
I
20 120
3380
2
21 121
3381
15
95
9
3
22
122
3382
16
96
ΙΟ
4
Nabopo-1
laffarus S
123
3383
17
97
II xxxix I
2 124
18
98
12
2
19
99
13
3
20
100
14
4.
5
21
ΙΟΙ
15 xl
I
127
6 128
3 125 3385
4 126 3386
3387
3384
3388
22
102
16
2
7 129
3389
23
103
17
8
3
130
3390
24
104
18
4
9 131
3391
25
105
1.9 xli
I
10 132
3392
G
42
The Chronology of the World.
Kings of
Judah.
Compleat
Current and
incompleat
Years.
Years of Kings of
the Ay-
Media.
Olympiads
rianCap-
Years.
tivity.
Kings of
Babylon.
Ptolemy's
Canon.
Solar Tro-
pical Years
of the
World.
Jofiah
Cyaxares
26
106
20 xli
27
107.
2 I
28
108
22
2 3 4
Nabopo-
laffarus 11 133
3393
12 134
3394
13
135
3395
29
109
23 xlii
I
14 136
3396
30
IIO
24
2
15 137
3397
Jehoahaz
· 31
3 mon.
III
25
3
16 138
3398
Jeho-2
112
26
4
iakim S
17 139
3399
1
-
2
3
4
i13
27 xliii
I
18 140
3400
114
28
2
19 141
I
3401
115
29
3
20 142
2
I
3402
Nebuchad-
56 7∞
116
30
4
nezzar I 143
117
31 xliv
I
2 144
118
32
2
8
119
33
3
3 145
4 146
9
IO
120
34
4
5 147
121
35 xlv
I
6 148
3456 NO
7
8
2344O N
3403
3404
4
3405
5
3406
6
3407
7
3408
Jehoiachin
II 3 mon.
122
36
2
7 149
9
8
3409
Io days.
Zede-
kiah S
123
37
3
8
150
10
9
3410
2
124
,
38
4
9.151
II
10
3411
3
125
39 xlvi
I
10 152
12
4.
126
40
2
II 153
13
II 3412
12 3413
Afty-
5
127
I
ages S
3
12 154
14
13
3414
6
128
2
14
13155
15
14 3415
8
1∞
7
129
32
3 ! xlvii i
14 156
16
15
3416
130
4
2
15157
17
16 3417
9
131
5
3
16 1.58
18
17
10
132
6
4
17 1:59
19
3418
1-8 3419
133°
7. xlviii i
18 любо
20
19
3420
The Chronology of the World.
*43
5
Years of
the Afy Kings of Media. Olympiads
rian Cap-
tivity.
Kings of Baby- 냉
​lon.
Ptolemy's Canon.
Solar Tro-
pical Years
of the
World.
Aftyages
Nebuchad-
A. M.
134
8 xlviii 2
nezzar 19 161
21
20
3421
135
9
3
20 162
22
2 I
3422
136
IO
4
21 163
137
II xlix I
22 164
138
I 2
2
139
13
140
14
4
141
15
142
16
143
17
144
18
56 7∞
I
HAWN
I
3
23 165
24 166
25 167
26 168
2
27 169
29
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
56 N∞
23
22
3423
24
23
3424
25
26
27
24
25
26
28
27
+56 NO
3425
3426
3427
3428
28
3429
3
28
170
30
29
3430
4
29 171
3 F
30
343
145
19 li
I
30 172
32
3 I
3432
146
20
2
31 173
33
32
3433
147
21
3
32 174
34
148
22
4
33 175
35
149
23
lii
I
34 176
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
28
29
30
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
56 NOO
24
2
35 177
ww
36
37
25
26
3
36 178
38
+56 N∞
33
3434
34
3435
35
3436
36
3437
37
3438
4
37 179
39
38
3439
27 liii
I
38 180
40
39
3440
2
39 181
41
40
3441
3
40 182
42
41
3442
4
41 183
43
42
3443
157
31 liv
I
42 184
44
43
3444
158
32
2
43 185
45
44
3445
159
33
3
Evilme-}
rodac I 186
45
3446
160
34
4
2 187
46
34.47
161
35 lv
I
3 188
47
3448
Niricaffo-
162 Cyaxares, I
or Darius
2
}
laflarus I 189
1
$8
3449
163 the Mede 2
164
165
3
3
4
4 Ivi
I
2 190
49
3450
3 191
50
3451
4
192
51
3452
G 2
44
The Chronology of the World.
.Years of
the Ally-
Kings of Media.
Olympiads
rian,Cap-
tivity.
Kings of Baby-
lon.
Ptolemy's Canon.
Years of
Nabonafjar
Years Cap-
The 70
tivity in
Babylon.
Solar Tropical
-
Years of the.
World.
166
168
169
167
Cyaxares, or Da-
-}
16 78
Nabonadius
A. M.
rius the Mede 5
lvi
2
I 193
52
3453
3
2 194
53
3454
4
3
195
54
3455
8 lvii
I
4 196
55
3456
170
9
171
ΙΟ
2 3
5
197
56
3457
6
198
57
3458
172
II
4
7 199
58
3459
173
12 lviii
I
8
200
59
3460
174
13-
175
14
176
15
234
9
201
60
3461
IO 202
61
3462
II 203
62
3463
177
16 lix
I
12 204
63
3464
178
17
2
13
205
64
3465
179
18
3
14 206
65
3466
180
19
4
15 207
66
3467
181
20 lx
I
16
208
67
3468
182
2 I
2
17 209
68
3469
183
22
3
Darius
I 210
69
3479
184
4
2 211
70
3471
185
I
lxi i Cyrus
I 212
71
3472
The Chronology of the World.
45
Babylonian
Monarchy.
Ptolemy's Ca-
non.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
Babylonian
Monarchy.
Ptolemy's Ća-
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
The Perfian
Monarchy.
Ptolemy's Ća-
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
non.
non.
Cyrus
A. M.
Darius I.
A. M.
Xerxes
A. M.
I
3473
17
3504
14
3537
2
3474
18
3505
15
3538
3
3475
19
3506
16
3539
4
3476
20
3.507
17
3540
3477
2I
3508
18
6
3541
3478
22
3509
19
3542
7
3479
23
3510
20
3543
· 24
3511
2I
Cambyfes
3544
25
3512
I
3480
7
8
23+ O NO
3481
3482
2 2
26
3513
Artaxerxes I.
27
3514
I
3545
28
3515
2
3546
4
3483
29
3516
3
3547
5
3484
30
3517
4
3548
6
3485
31
3518
3549
3486
32
3519
6
3550
3487
33
3520
7
3551
34
3521
8
3552
Darius I.
35
3522
9
3553
6
7
8
- ~♡ + 5o No
I
3488
36
3523
10
3554
2
3489
II
3555
3
3490
Xerxes
12
3556
4
3491
3492
3493
3494
3495
9
3496
ΙΟ
3497
123456 7
I
3524
13
3557
3525
14
3558
3526
15
3559
3527
16
3560
3528
17
3561
3529
18
3562
3530
19
3563
II
3498
8
3531
20
3564
12
3499
9
3532
21
3565
13
3500
ΙΟ
3533
22
3566
14
3501
I I
3534
23
3567
15
3502
12
3535
24
3568
16
3503
13
3536
25
3569
·46
Chronology of the World.
The
The Perfian
Monarchy.
Ptolemy's Ca-
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
The Perfian Solar Tropi-
Monarchy.
Ptolemy's Ca-
cal Years of
the World.
The Perfian
Monarchy.
Ptolemy's Ca-
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World,
non.
non.
non.
Artaxerxes I.
A. M.
Darius II.
A. M.
Artaxerxes II.
A. M.
26
3570
18
3603
32
3636
27
28
22
3571
19
3604
33
3637
3572
34
29
3573
Artaxerxes II.
35
30
3574-
3I
3575
24
32
3576
33
3577
34
3578
35
3579
36
3580
7
37
3581
8
Jubilad ņ party of Go N∞
3605
3606
ww
36
37
3607
38
+no n∞
3638
3639
3640
3641
3642
4
3608
39
3643
5
3609
40
3644
3610
4I
3645
3611
42.
3646
3612
43
3647
38
3582
9
3613
44
3648
39
3583
ΙΟ
3614
45
3649
40
3584
I I
3615
46
3650
41
3585
12
3616
13
3617
Ochus
Darius II.
14
3618
I
3586
15
2
3587
16
3
3588
17
4
3589
I &
пола
3619
3620
3621
3622
6
DONO
5
3590
19 3623
3591
20
3624
7
7
3592
2 I
3625
8
- ~34 5O NO
I
3651
2
3652
3653
3654
3655
6
3656
3657
3658
8
3593
22
3626
9
3659
9
3594
23
3627
ΙΟ
3660
10
3595
24
3628
I I
3661
I I
3596
25
12
3597
26
13
3598
27
SÓ N
3629
12
3662
3630
13
3663
3631.
14
3664
14
3599
28
3632
15
3665
15
3600
29
3633
16
3666
16
3601
30
3634
17
3667
17
3602
3 I
3635
18
t
3668
The Chronology of the World.
47.
narchy. Pto-
lemy's Canon.
Perfian and
Part of the
Grecian Mo-
narchy. Pto-
lemy's Canon.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
Perfian and
Part of the
Grecian Mo-
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World..
cal Years of
Egypto-Mace- Solar Tropi-
donian Kings.
Ptolemy's Ca-
non.
the World.
Ochus
A. M.
Alex. Ægus
A. M.
Ptol. Phila-
A. M.
19
3669
20
3670
21
3671
Arogus
I
3672
2
3673
8
1~3+bo Noo
I
3693
delphus I
2
3694
3695
4
3696
4
5
3697
6
3698
6
7
3699
3700
♡ ♡ BO NOO
2
3
3725
3726
3727
3728
5
3729
3739
7
3731
8
3732
Darius III.
9
3701
9
3733
I
3674
ΙΟ
3702
IO
3734
2
3675
I I
3793
II
3735
3
3676
12
3704
12
3736
4
3677
13
3737
Ptol. Lagi
14
3738
Alexander
I
3705
15
3739
I
3678
6
8
23tno s∞
3679
3680
4
4
3681
5
5
3682
6
3683
7
7
3684
8
23tnO NO
3706
16
3740
3707
17
3708
18
24
3741
3742
3709
19
3743
3710
20
3744'
3711
21
3745
3712
22
3746
3685
9
3713
23
3747
ΙΟ
3714
24
3748
Phil. Aridæi
I I
3715
1
3686
12
3716
2
3687
13
3717
7
3456 N
3688
14
3718
28
no Noo
2 2 2
25
3749
26
27
3750
'3751
3752
3689
15
3690
16
3691
17
3692
18
no Noo
3719
29
3753
3720
30
3754
3721
3 £
3755
3722
32
19
3723
33
20
3724
34
AW N
3756
3757
3758
48
The Chronology of the World.
Egypto-Mace- Solar Tropi-
donian Kings.
Ptolemy's Ca-
non.
cal Years of
the World.
Egypto-Mace- Solar Tropi-
donian Kings.
Ptolemy's Ca-
non.
cal Years of
the World.
Egypto-Mace
donian Kings.
Ptolemy's Ca-
Solar Tropf-
cal Years of
the World.
non.
Ptol. Phila-
A. M.
Ptol. Phi-
A. M.
Ptol. Epi-
A. M.
delphus 35
3759
lopator 3
3790
phanes 19
3823
36
3760
4
3791
20
3824
37
3761
38
3762
Ptol. Euer-
56 700
3792
21
3825
3793
22
3826
3794
23
3827
8
3795
24
3828
getes I. 1
3763
9
3796
2
3764
10
3797
Ptol. Phi-
3
3765
ΕΙ
3798
lometor I
3829
4
7
∞y QL +
3766
I 2
3799
2
3830
5
3767
13
3800
6
3768
14
3801
3769
15
3802
3770
16
3803
6
9
3771
17
3804
ΙΟ
3772
II
3773
Ptol. Epi-
9
3+no 72 O
3831
4
3832
5
3833
3834
3835
8
3836
3837
12
3774
phanes I
3805
10
3838
13
3775
2
3·806
I I
3839
14
3776
3
3807
I2
3040
15
3777
4
16
3778
17
3779
18
3780
19
3781
20
3782
to 7∞ a
3808
13
5
3809
14
6
3810
15
3811
16
8
3812
17
9
3813
18
∞v an A
3841
3842
8
3043
3844
3045
3846
2I
3783
ΙΟ
3814
19
3847
22
3784
II 3815
20
3848
23
3785
1 2
3816
21
3849
24
3786
13
3817
22
3850
25
3787
14
3818
23
3851
15
3819
24
3852
Ptol. Phi-
16
6
3820
lopator 1
3788
17
3821
56
~ N
25
3853
26
3854
2
3789
18 3822
27
3855
1
ノ
​The Chronology of the World.
4.9
Egypto - Mace-
donian Kings.
Ptolemy's Ca-
non.
Ptol. Philo-
metor 28
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
cal Years of
Egypto-Mace- Solar Tropi-
donian Kings.
Ptolemy's Ca-
non.
the World.
Egypto-Mace- Solar Tropi-
donian Kings.
cal Years of
Ptolemy's Ca-
the World.
non.
A. M.
Ptol. Euer-
A. M.
Ptol. Soter
A. M.
3856
getes II. 26
3889
30
3922
29
3857
27
3890
31
3923
30
3858
28
3891
32
3924
1
31
3859
4
29
3892
33
3925
32
3860
34
3926
33
3861
Ptol. Soter
35
3927
34
3862
I
3893
36
3928
35
3863
2
3894
3
3895
Dionyfius
Ptol.Euer-
4.
3896
I
3929
getes II. 1
3864
5
3897
2
3930
2
3865
6
3898
3
3931
3
3866
7
3899
4
3932
1
+56 A∞O
4
3867
8
3900
5
3933
3868
9
3901
6
3934
3869
IQ
3902
7
3935
3870
I I
3993
8
3936
8
3871
12
3904
9
3937
9
3872
13
3905
ΙΟ
3938
10
3873
14
3906
I I
3939
II
3874
15
12
3875
16
13
3876
17
14
3877
18
5 7∞
3907
12
3940
3908
13
3941
3909
14
3942
3910
15
15
3878
19
3911
16
16
3879
20
3912
17
17
3880
56 NO
3943
3944
3945
21
3913
18
3946
18
3881
22
3914
19
3947
19
3882
23
3915
20
3948
20
3883
2I
3884
22
3885
23
3886
N N N N
24
3916
21
3949
25
3917
22
3950
26
3918
23
3951
27
3919
24
24.
3887
28
3920
25
3888
29
3921
2 2
25
26
a5 A
3952
· 3953
3954
H
50
The Chronology of the World.
Egypto-Mace
donian Kings,
and Part of the
Roman Mo-
narchy. Pto-
lemy's Canon.
Dionyfius
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
The Roman
Monarchy.
Ptolemy's Ca-
non.
3955
Auguftus
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
The Roman
'Monarchy.
Ptolemy's Ca-
non.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
A. M.
A. M.
Auguftus
A. M.
27
6
3985
40
4019
28
3956
گو
29
3957
8
7∞
3986
4I
4020
3987
42
4021
9
3988
43
4022
Cleopatra
. 10
3989
I
3958
I I
3990
Tiberius
2
3959
12
3991
I
4023.
3
3960
13
3992
2
4024
456 7∞
3961
14
3993
3962
15
3994
3963
16
3995
3964
17
3996
8
3965
18
3997
9
3966
19
3998
3456 N∞
4025
4026
4027
4028
7
4029
8
4030
10
3967
20
3999
9
4031
II
3968
21
4000
ΙΟ
4032
I 2
3969
22
4001
II
4033
13
3970
23
4002
12
4034
14
3971
24
4003
13
4035
15
3972
16
3973
17
3974
18
3975
2 2 2
56
700
25
26
27
4004
14
4036
4005
15
4037
4006
16
4038
28
4007
17
4039
19
3976
29
4008
18
4040
20
3977
30
4009
19
4041
21
3978
31
4010
20
4042
22
3979
32
4011
21
4043
33
4012
22
Auguftus
4044
34
4013
I
3980
2
3981
3
3982
333
35
4014
Caius
36
4015
I
4045
37
4016
2
4046
4
3983
38
4017
3
4047
5
3984
39
4018
4
4048
+
The Chronology of the World.
51
non.
A. M.
Vefpatian
The Roman
Monarchy.
Ptolemy's Ca-
non.
Claudius
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
The Roman Solar Tropi-
Monarchy.
Ptolemy's Ca-
cal Years of
the World.
The Roman
Monarchy.
Ptolemy's Ca-
non.
Trajan
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World..
A. M.
A. M.
I
4049
4
4080
?
234nO N∞
4050
5
4081
4051
6
4082
4052
7
4083
5
4053
8
4084
6
4054
9
4085
4055
10
4086
8
23+5O NO
4107
4108
4
4109
4110
6
4III
7
4112
4113
8
4056
9
4114
9
4057
Titus
ΙΟ
4115
10
4058
I
4087
II
4116
II
4059
2
4088
I 2
4117
12
4060
3
4089
13
4118
13
4061
14
4119
14
4062
Domitian
15
4120
I
4090
16
4121
Nero
2
4091
17
4122
I
4063
2
4064
4
3
4065
4
4066
5
4067
6
4068
3+ma NQ
4092
18
4123
4093
19
4124
5
4094
6
4095
Hadrian
7
4096
I
4125
8
4097
7
4069
9
4098
8
4070
ΙΟ
4099
9
4071
I I
4100
10
4072
12
4101
II
4073
13
4102
12
4074
14
4103
8
13
4075
15
4104
- 9
23+nO 100 a
4126
4127
4
4128
5
4129
6
4130
7
4131
4132
4133
14
4076
IO
4134
Nerva
I I
4135
Vefpatian
I
4105
12
4136
I
4077
13
4137
2
4078
Trajan
14
4138
3
4079
I
4106
15
4139
H2
52
The Chronology of the World.
The Roman
Monarchy.
Ptolemy's Ca-
non.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
The Roman
Monarchy.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
The Roman
Monarchy.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
Hadrian
A. M.
Anto. Phi-
A. M.
Septimius
A. M.
16
4140
lofophus 4
4171
Severus I
4201
17
4141
18
4142
19
4143
20
SO NO
5
4172
2
4202
6
4173
7
4174
4144
8
4175
21
4145
9
4176
ΙΟ
4177
Antoninus
II
4·178
77
Pius I
4146
12
4179
9
3456 NOO O
4203
4204
4205
4206
4207
8
4208
4209
2
4147
13
4180
ΙΟ
4210
6
8
3+mo 7∞
4148
14
4181
I I
42II
4
4149
15
4182
12
4212
4150
16
4183
13
4213
4151
17
4184
14
4214
4152
18
4185
15
4215
4153
19
4186
16
4216
9
4154
17
4217
ΙΟ
4155
Commo-
1 I
4156
dus I
4187
Caracalla
12
4157
2
13
4158
14
4159
15
4160
16
4161
17
4162
18
4163
8
~ 3+ iO NOO
4188
I
4218
4189
2
4219
4
4190
3
4220
4191
4
4221
6
4192
5
4222
7
4193
6
4223
4194
19
4164
9
4195
Opilius Ma.
20
4165
10
4196
crinus I
4224
21
4166
II
4197
22
4167
I 2
4198
Helioga-
13
4199
- bulus
Anto. Phi-
lofophus I
4168
Pertinax-
2
4169
Julianus 1
4200
1234
I
4225
4226
4227
4228
3
4170
#
The Chronology
53
of the World.
Monarchy.
The Roman Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
The Roman
Monarchy.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
The Roman Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
Monarchy.
Alex. Se-
A. M.
Decius
A. M.
verus I
4229
I
4256
Tacitus and
Florianus I
A. M.
4282
2
4230
2
4257
4
ΙΟ
3 too no ao
4231
Probus I
4283
4232
Gall. Hof-
2
5
4233
tilius. I
4258
6
4234
2
4259
4
7
4235
3
4260
8
4236
~ 3+506
4284
4285
4286
4287
4288
9
4237
Emilian.
4238
Valer. and
Marcus
II
4239
Gallienus I
4261
Aurelius
12
4240
2
4262
Carus
I
4289
13
4241
4
Maxim.
and the two
6
Gordians I
4242
2
4243
४
3+no N∞
4263
2
4299
4264
5
4265
Dioclefian
4266
I
4291
7
4267
4268
f
3
4244
9
4269
ΙΟ
4270
Gordian,
I I
4271
Jun. I
4245
I2
4272
2
a 3 +6
4246
13
23+5O NO
4292
4293
4
4294
4295
6
4296
7
4297
4273
8
4298
4247
14
4274
9
4299
4
4248
10
4300
{
5
4249
Claudius
I I
4301
4250
I
4275
12
4302
2
4276
13
4303
Phil. the
14
4304
Arabian I
4251
Aurelian
15
4305
2
4252
I
4277
16
4306
3
4253
2
4278
17
4307
4
4254
3
4279
18
4308
5
4255
4
4280
19
4309
5
14281
20
4310
54
The Chronology of the World.
The Roman
Monarchy.
Solar Tropi-
the World.
Conftan.
A. M.
A. M.
cal Years of
the World.
The Roman Solar Tropi-
Monarchy.
Conftant.
cal Years of
The Roman Solar Tropir
Monarchy.
cal. Years of
the World.
Valens
A. M.
Clorus I
4318
Jun. I
4344
2
4372
2
4312
+
Conftant.
234
4345
3
4373
4346
4
4374
4
4347
the Great I
4313
2
4314
Conftantius
3
*
4315
I
4348
56 700
4375
4376
4377
8
4378
+46 700
4316
4317
4318
4
43 19
}
8
4320
6
JIE.
9
4321
7
ΙΟ
4322
8
23tno z∞
4349
9
4379
4350
ΙΟ
4380
435I
II
4381
4352
12
4382
4353
13
4383
4354
14
4384
4355
15
4385
II
·43+23
9
4356
12
4324
10
4357
Theodof.
13
4325
II
4358
the Great I
4386
14
4326
12
4359
2
4387
15
4327
13
4360
16
43.28
14
4361
I'
4329
15
18
4330
16
19
4331
17
20
4332
18
LAV NO
4362
4363
4364
4365
21
4333
19
4366
22
43.34
20
4367
3+no no as
4388
4
4389
5
4390
6
4391
7
4392
8
4393
4394
ΙΟ
4395
23
4335
II
4396
24
4336
Julian the
12
4397
25
4337
Apoſtate I
4368
13
4398
26
4338
2
4369
14
4399
27
4339
15
4400
28
4340
Jovian
16
440I
29
434T
I
4370
30
3442
Arcadius
31
4343
Valens
I
4402
I
4371
2
4403
The Chronology of the World.
55
cal Years of
the World.
perors.
The Roman Solar Tropi-
Monarchy.
The Roman Solar Tropi
Monarchy.
Eaftern Em-
cal Years of
the World.
The Roman
Monarchy.
Eastern Em-
perors.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
Arcadius
A. M.
Theodof.
A.M.
Leo I.
A. M.
3
4404
Jun. 23
4437
7
8
+56 NO
4
4405
24
4438
4406
4407
4408
2 2 2
25
4439
26
4440
27
4441
4409
28
mo no as
5
4468
6
4469
7
4470
8
447I
9
4472
4442
10
4473
9
4410
29
4443
II
4474
10
4411
30
4444
12
4475
ΙΙ
4412
31
4445
13
4476
12
4413
32
4446
14
4477
13
4414
33
4447
15
4478
Theodof.
Jun. I
4415
2
4416
3
4417
38
333
450 NOO
34
35
36
4448
16
4479
4449
17
4480
4450
37
4451
Leo II.
4452
I
4481
4
4418
39
4453
5
4419
40
4454
6
4420
41
4455
7
4421
42
4456
8
4422
9
4423
Marcianus
10
4424
I
4457
23+5O DO
4482
4483
4
4484
4485
6
4486
4487
8
4488
II
4425
2
12
4426
13
4427
4
14
4428
15
4429
6
16
4430
~ 3 to A
4458
9
4489
4459
IO
4490
4460
II
4491
5
4461
12
4492
4462
13
4493
7
4463
14
4494
17
443 I
15
4495
18
4432
Leo I.
16
4496
19
4433
I
4464
17
4497
20
4434
2
4465
22
2I
4435
3
4466
Anaftafius
22
4436
4
4467
I
4498
·
World.
KO
The Chronology of the "
Monarchy.
Eaftern· Em-
perors.
The Roman
Monarchy.
Eaſtern 'Em-
perors.
Solar Trópi-
cal Years of
the World..
The Roman Solar Tropi-
The Roman
Monarchy.
Eaſtern Em-
perors.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
cal Years of
the World.
Anaftafius
·A. M.
Juſtin I.
A. M.
Juftinian I.
A. M.
2
4499
8
4532
32
4565
3
4500
9
4533
33
4566
+40 700 a
4501
34
4567
4502
Juftinian I.
35
4568
4503
I
4534
36
4569
4504.
4505
4506
4
ΙΟ
4507
II
4508.
6
I 2
4509
13
4510
8
~ 3+nO NOO
2
4535
37
4570
4536
38
4571
4537
5
4538
Juſtin II.
4539
I
4572
7
4540
2
4573
4541
14
4511
9
4542
15
4512
IO
4543
16
4513
I I
4544
6
17
4514
I 2
4545
18
4515
13
4546
3+5oo N∞
4574
4
4575
4576
4577
7
4578
8
4579
19
4516
14
4547
9
4580
20
4517
15
4548
IO
4581
21
4518
16
4549
II
4582
22
4519
17
4550
12
4583
23
4520
18.
4551
13
4584
24
4521
19
4552
56
2 2 2
25
4522
20
4553
Tiberius II.
26
4523
21
4554
I 4585
27
4524
22
4555
23
4556
Juſtin I.
24
4557
234
>
4586
4587
4588
I
4525
25
4558
· 3
4
23+5O N
4526
26
4559
Mauricius
4527
27
4560
I
4589
4528
28
4561
2
4529
29
4562
6
7
J
4530
30 4563
453I
31
4564
345
4590
4591
4592
4593
The Chronology of the World.
57
perors.
A. M.
Heraclius
The Roman Solar Tropi-
Monarchy.
cal Years of
Eaftern Em-
the World.
perors.
Mauricius
The Roman
Monarchy.
Eaſtern Em-
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
The Roman
Monarchy.
Eaftern Em-
perors.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
A. M.
A. M.
Conftans.
6
4594
9
4625
II.
28
7
4595
IQ
4626
7∞
4655
8
4656
4596
I I
4627
9
4657
9
4597
I 2
4628
ΙΟ
4658
10
4598
13
4629
11
4659
I I
4599
14
4630
12
4660
I 2
4600
15
4631
13
4661
13
4601
16
4632
14
4662
•14
4602
17
4033
15
4663
15
4603
18
4634
16
4664
16
4604
19
4635
17
4665
17
4605
20
4636
18
4666
18
4606
21
4637
19
4667
19
4607
22
20
4608
Phocas
I
4609
2
4610
3
4611
450 NOO
4612
4613
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
3+no
7∞
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~
a
4638
20
4668
4039
2 I
4669
4649
22
4670
4641
23
4671
4642
24
4672
4643
4644
2 2
26
25
4673
26
4674
4645
30
4646
Conftantine
6
4014
31
4547
V,
I
4675
7
8
4615
4616
2
4676
Conftantine
3
4677
II. and III.
4
4678
Heraclius
I
4648
5
4679
I
4617
6
4680
2
4618
Conftans,
7
4681
3
4619
II.
I
4649
8
4682
+46 7∞
4620
2
4650
9
4683
5
4621
3
4651
10
4684
4622
4623
4624
456
4652
II
4685
4653
12
4686
4654
13
4687
I
}
The Chronology of the World.
58
The Roman
Monarchy.
Eaſtern Em-
perors.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
The Roman
Monarchy,
Eaſtern Em-
perors.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
The Roman
Monarchy.
Eaſtern Em-
perors.
Solar Trop
cal Years of
the World.
Conftantine
A. M.
Juftinian
A. M.
Leo III.
A. M.
V.
14
4688
II. reftor'd 5
4715
20
4743
1
2
15
4689
6
4716
21
4744
16
4690
7.
4717
22
4745
17
4691
23
4746
Philip Bar-
24
4747
Juftinian
danes I
4718
II.
I
4692
2
4719
Conftantine
*
~ 3+ SO NO. a
2
4693
VI. I
Anaftafius
4748
4694
II.
2
4
4695
I
4720
5
4696
2
4721
4
6
4697
Theodofius
7
4698
I
4699
4722
2
4723
9
4700
8
~ 3+nO NOO
#4749
4750
4751
5
4752
6
4753
7
4754
4755
Leo III.
9
4756
Leontius
I
4701
2
4702
3
4703
Abfim.Ti-
berius I
4704
2
6
~ 3+ 40
4705
1 2 3 456 7∞O
I
10
4724
4757
II
4725
4758
4726
12
4759
4727
13
4760
4728
14
4761
4729
15
4762
16
4730
4763
8
4731
17
4764
4706
18
9
4732
4765
4
4707
IO.
4733
19
4766
4708
II
20
4734
4767
4709
12
21
4735
4768
7
4710
+
13
4736
22
4769
14
Juftinian
4737
23
4770
15
II.reftor❜d I
}
4711
16
2
4712
17
3
4713
18
56 700
4738
4739
4740
4741
4
4714
19
2 2 2 2 2
24
4771
25
26
56
4772
4773
27
4774
28
4742
4775
The Chronology of the World.
59
The Roman
Monarchy.
Eaſtern Em-
perors.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
The Roman
Monarchy.
Eaſtern Em-
perors.
Irene
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
The Roman
Monarchy.
Eaſtern Em-
perors.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
-Conftantine
VI.
A. M.
A. M.
Michael II.
A. M.
29
4776
30
4777
31
4778
23+
4805
4806
4
4807
56 2
4832
4833
4834
32
4779
5
4808
8
4835
33
4780
34
4781
Nicepho-
Theophilus
rus I.
I
4809
I
Leo IV.
2
I
4782
2
4783
3
4784
4
4785
5
4786
~ 3 + LOO N∞
4810
481 I
4
4812
5
4813
6
4814
7
4815
8
4816
2 3 4 5 7∞
4836
4837
4838
4839
4840
6
404F
4842
8
4843
Conftantine
9
4817
9
4844
1
VII.
I
4787
ΙΟ
4845
3
~♡tno n∞
2
4788
Michael I.
II
4846
4789
I
4818
12
4847
4
4790
2
4819
13
4848
5
4791
6
4792
Leo V.
Michael III.
7
4793
8
4794
9
10
I I
I 2
4795
4796
4797
4798
13
4799
14
4800
1 2 3 4 56 N∞
I
4820
I
4849
4821
4822
4823
4824
4825
7
4826
8
4827
23+no n∞
4850
4051
4
4852
5
8
4053
6
4854
7
4855
8
4856
15
4801
9
4857
16
4802
Michael II.
10
4858
17
4803
I
4828
I I
4859
2
4829
12
4860
Irene
I
4804
3t
4830
13
4861
4
4831
14
4862
I 2
60·
The Chronology of the World.
The Roman
Monarchy.
Eaſtern Em-
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
perors.
The Roman
Monarchy.
Eaftern Em-
perors.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
The Roman Solar Tropi-
Monarchy.
Eaftern Em-
perors.
cal Years of
the World.
Michael III.
· A. M.
Leo VI.
A. M.
Conftantine
A*M.
15
4863
2
4894
VIII. 7
4925
16
4864
3
4895
8
4926
17
4865
18
4866
19
4867
20
4868
21
4869
22
4870
23
4871
+mo n∞o ao
4
4896
9
4927
5
4897
IO
4928
4898
II
4929
7
4899
12
4930
8
4900
13
493I
9
4901
14
4932
4902
15
4933
24
4872
II
4903
16
4934
25
4873
12
4904
17
4935
13
4905
18
4936
Bafilius I.
14
4906
19
4937
4
7
K♡ ♡ to noo
I
4874
15
2
4875
16
3
4876
17
56 7
4907
20
4938
4908
21
4939
4909
22
4940
4877
18
4910
23
4941
5
4878
19
4911
24
6
4942
4879
20
4912
4880
21
4913
8
4881
22
5
4914
2 2 2
25
4943
26
4944
27
9
4882
4945
23
4915
28
4946
10
4883
24
4916
29
II
4884
4947
25
4917
30
12
4885
4948
31
13
4886
4949
Alexander
32
14
4887
4950
I
4918
33
15
4888
495I
34
16
4889
4952
Conftantine
17
4890
VIII. I
4919
18
33
35
4953
ვნ
4891
4954
19
4892
Leo VI.
I
4893
23+5O
4920
37
4955
4921
38
4956
4
4922
39
4957
4923
40
4958
6
4924
41
4959
7
The Chronology of the World.
61
Monarchy.
Eaftern Em-
perors.
A.M.
Bafilius II.
The Roman
Monarchy.
Eaſtern Em-
perors.
Conftantine
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
The Roman Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
The Roman
Monarchy.
Eastern Em-
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
the World.
perors.
A. M.
Bafilius II.
A. M.
VIII. 42
4960
6
4987
41
5022
43
4961
44
4962
74
4988
42
5023
8
4989
43
5024
45
4963
9
4990
44
46
5025
4964
ΙΟ
4991
47
4965
I I
4992
++
45
5026
46
5027
12
4993
47
5028
Romanus
13
4994
48
5029
I.
I
4966
14
4995
49
5030
2
4967
15
4996
50
5031
3
4968
16
4997
4
4969
17
4998
Conftan-
18
4999
tine IX. I
Nicepho-
5032
19
5000
2
rus II. I
5033
4970
20
5001
3
5034
2
4971
2 I
5002
3
4972
22
5003
Romanus
4
4973
23
5004
II.
I
5035
5
4974
24
5005
2
6
5036
4975
John Ze-
mifces I
4976
2
4977
2 2 2 2 2
25
5006
3
5037
26
5007
4
5038
27
5008
5
5039
28
5009
6
5040
29
5010
3
4978
30
5011
Michael
4
4979
31
5012
IV. I
5041
5
4980
32
5013
2
6
5042
4981
33
5014
3
5043
34
5015
Bafilius II.
35
I
4982
36
2
4983
37
3
4984
38
56 200
5016
5017
5018
4567
5044
5045
5046
5047
5019
4
4985
39
5020
Michael V.
5
4986
40
5021
I
5048
6.2
The Chronology of the World.
The Roman Solar Tropi-
Monarchy.
Eaſtern Em-
The writt
perors.
Romanus
çal Years of
the World.
The Roman
Monarchy.
Eaſtern Em-
perors.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
The Roman
Monarchy.
Eaſtern Em-
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
perors.
Conftan-
A. M.
A. M.
Alex.Com-
A. M.
tine X. I
5049
Diogenes I
5075
nenus 16
5103
8
iNm+ 5O N∞
2
5050
2
5076
17
5104
3
5051
3
5077
18
5105
4
5052
19
5106
5053
Michael
20
5107
6
5054
VII.
I
5078
2.I
5108
7
5055
2
5079
22
5·109-
5056
3
5080
23
5110.
9
5057
4
5081
IO
5058
5
5082
I I
5059
6
5083
r
I 2
5060
7
5084
~ ~ 2 2
24
2.5
26
27
28
446 NOO
511 I
5112
5113
5114
5115
Theodora
Nicepho-
29
5116
I
5061
rus III. I
5085
30
5117
2
5062
2
5086
31
5118
3
5087
32
5119
Michael
33
5120
VI. 江
​5063
Alex.Com-
34
nenus I
5088
35
IfaacCom-
2
5089
36
456
5121
5122
5123
L
nenus I
5064
3
5090
37
5124.
2
Conftan-
ţine XI. I
+
8
£9
23456 7∞
.6
1
5065
5066
5067
5068
5069
5070
5071
.4
ΙΟ
+no noo ao
5091
5092
John Com-
6
5093
nenus I
5125
7
5094
2
5126
8
5095
3
5127
9
5096
4
5128
5097
5
5-129
I I
5098
.6
5130
12
5099
7
5131
5072
13
5100
8
}
5132
5073
14
5101
9
5133
5074
15
5102
10
5134
: 4
The Chronology of the World.
63
perors.
A. M.
Manuel
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
The Roman
Monarchy.
Eaſtern Em-
perors.
John Com-
the World.
The Roman
Monarchy.
Eaſtern Em-
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
The Roman
Monarchy.
Eaſtern Em-
perors.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
M. A.
Ifaac An-
A. M.
nenus II
5135
Comnenus
gelus 4
5195
12
5136
18
5167
13
5137
19
5168
14
5138
20
5169
56 2
5196
5197
7
5198
15
5139
16
5140
2 2
21
5170
8
5199
22
5171
9
5200
17
5141
23
5172
10
5201
18
5142
24
5173
19
5143
20
5144
21
22
5145
5146
23
5147
2 2 2 2 2
25
5174
Alexius III.
26
5175
I
5202
27
5176
2
5203
28
5177
29
5178
24
5148
30
5179
25
5149
31
5180
32
5181
7
Manuel
33
5182
3+56 N∞
5204
4
5205
5206
5207
5208
8
5209
Comnenus
34
5183
9
5210
I
5150
35
5184
2
~ 3456 7∞
5151
36
5185
Theodore
5152
5153
5154
37
5186
Lafcaris 1
5211
·2
Alexius II.
5155
5156
8
9
5157
5158
1 2 3
I
5187
5188
5189
6
ΙΟ
5159
Andronicus
8
2 3 + O NOO
5212
5213
4
5214
5215
5216
7
5217
5218
I I
5160
I
5190
9
5219
12
5161
2
5191
IO
5220
13
5162
II
5221
14
5163
Ifaac An-
12
5222
15
-5164
gelus i
5192
13
5223
16
5165
2
V
5193
14
5224
17
5166
3
5194
15
5225
64
The Chronology of the World.
J
The Roman
Solar Tropi-
Monarchy.
cal Years of
Emperors of
the World.
Nice.
Monarchy.
Emperors of
Nice.
cal Years of
the World..
The Roman Solar Tropi-
←
The Roman
Monarchy.
Emperors of
Nice.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
Theodore
A. M.
John Du-
A. M.
Mich. Pa-
A. M.
Lafcaris 16
5226
cas 31
5259
leologus 23
5288
17
5227
32
5260
24
5289
18
5228
33
5261
Androni-
John Du-
Theodorus
cus I. I
5290
cas
I
5229
I
5262
~2
5230
2
5263
3
5231
3
5264
8
+5O NO
4
5232
5233
John Pa-
6
5234
leologus
5265
7
5235
8
76
~~+O NOO
2
5291
3
5292
4
5293
5294
5295
5296
5297
5236
Mich. Pa-
9
5298
9
5237
leologus I
5266
IO
5299
10
5238
24
5267
II
5300
II
5239
I 2
5240
13
5241
14
5242
15
5243
16
mt no 7
3
5268
12
5301
4
5269
13
5302
5270
14
5303
5271
15
5272
16
5244
8
5273
17
17
5245
9
5274
18
no NX
5304
5305
5306
5307
18
5246
5275
19
5308
19
5247
I I
5276
20
5309
20
5248
12
5277
21
5310
2I
5249
13
5278
22
5311
22
5250
14
5279
23
23
25
2 2 2 2 2 2
456 NO
5251
15
5280
24
5252
16
5281
5253
17
5282
26
5254
18 5283
27
28
5255
19
5284
28
5256
20
5285
456 7∞
~ ~ 2 N
N N N
5312
24
5313
25
5314
26
5315
27
5316
5317
29
5318
29
5257
2 I
5286
30
5319
30
5258
22
5287
3I
5320
1
The Chronology of the World.
65
The Roman
Monarchy.
Emperors of
Nice.
Monarchy.
Emperors of
the World.
Nice.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
The Roman Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
The Roman
Monarchy.
Emperors of
Nice.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
Androni-
A. M.
John V. Pa-
A. M.
cus I. 32
John V. Pa-
A. M.
5321
leologus 5
33
5322
34
5323
35
5324
260 2∞
5352
leologus 40
5387
5353
41
5388
7
5354
42
5389
8
5355
43
36
5399
5325
9
53.56
44
37
5326
5391
IO
5357
45
5392
I I
5358
Androni-
I 2
5359
cus II. I
5327
13
5360
+44
46
5393
47
5394
48
8
234400 n∞
5328
5395
14
5361
49
5396
5329
15
5362
50
5397
5330
16
5363
5
5331
17
5364
Manuel II.
6
5332
18
5365
Paleologus
5333
19
5366
I
5398
5334
2Q
5367
2
5399
9
5335
21
5368
3
10
5336
5400
22
5369
4
5401
II
5337
23
5370
5
I2
5338
5402
24
5371
6
54°3
13
5339
14
5340
15
5341
16
5342
2 2 2 N
25
5372
7
54°4
26
5373
8
54°5
27
5374
9
5406
28
5375
10
5407
17
5343
29
5376
I I
18
5408
5344
30
5377
12
5409
19
5345
3 1
5378
13
20
5346
5410
32
5379
14
5411
2I
5347
33
5380
15
5412
34
John V. Pa-
5381
16
5413
35
leologus I
5382
17
5348
54¹4
36
5383
18
5415
3
4
AW N
3349
37
5384
19
5416
5350
38
5385
20
5417
5351
39
5386
21
5418
K
66
The Chronology of the World.
The Roman
Monarchy.
Emperors of
Nice.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
The Roman Solar Tropi-
Monarchy.
Emperors of
Nice.
cal Years of
the World.
Kings and
Queens of
England.
Solar Tropi
cal Years of
the World.
Manuel II.
A. M.
John VI.
A. M.
Edward
A. M.
Paleologus
Paleologus
IV. and V.
22
5419
18
5448
3
5471
23
5420
19
5449
24
5421
20
5450
28
no N∞
2 2 2
25
5422
2 I
545 I
26
27
5423
22
5452
5424
23
5453
8
+50 NO
4
5472
5473
6
5474
7
5475
5476
5425
24
5454
9
5477
29
5426
ΙΟ
5478
30
5427
Conſtantine
I I
5479
31
5428
Paleologus
I 2
5480
32
5429
I
5455
13
548F
33
5430
John VI.
Paleologus
I
5431
8
~ 3+ LO NO
2
5432
23+5O *
5456
14.
5457
15
4
5458
16
5459
17
6
5460
18
+56 N∞
5482
5483
5484
5485
5486
19
5487
5433
20
5488
4
5434
Henry VI.
21
5489
5
5435
32
5461
22
5490
6
5436
33
5462
7
5437
34
5463
Richard
5438
9
5439
33
10
5440
I I
5441
www.c
35
5464
III. F
5491
36
5465
2
5492
5466
5467
Henry VII.
12
5442
39
5468
I
5493
13
5443
2
14
5444
Edward
5494
15
5445
IV. and V.
3
5495
16
4
5446
5496
I
5469
5
5497
17
5447
2
5470
6
5498
Emperors of Nice end with the 6th of Conftantine Paleologus, which fynchronizes with the
31st Year of Henry VI. King of England.
The Chronology of the World.
67
Kings and
Queens of
England.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
Kings and
Queens of
England.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
Kings and
Queens of
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
England.
the World.
Hen. VII.
A. M.
Hen. VIII.
A. M.
Mary
A. M.
7
5499
17
5533
8
5
5565
5500
18
5534
9
5501
19
5535
Elizabeth
IQ
5502
20
5536
I
5566
I I
5503
2I
5537
2
5567
I 2
5504
22
5538
3
5568
13
5505
23
5539
4
5569
14
5506
24
5.540
5570
15
16
N N N N Decoy
Bed and
17
18
19
no N∞ a
5507
25
5541
5571
5508
5509
2 2
26
5542
7
5572
27
5543
8
5573
5510
28
5544
9
5574
5511
29
5545
10
5575
20
5512
39
5546
1 I
5576
2I
5513
3 I
5547
I 2
5577
22
5514
32
5548
13
5578
*
23
5515
33
5549
14
5579
24
5516
34
5550
15
Hen. VIII.
I
557
www
35
36
37
2+iO NO
5518
38
SO NO
5551
16
5552
17
65 97
5580
5581
5582
5553
18
5583
5554
19 5584
3
5519
20
5585
4
5520
Edw. VI.
2 I
5586
5
5521
I
5555
22
6
5587
5522
2
5556
23
5588
5523
3
5557
24
8
5589
5524
9
5525
5526
456
5558
5559
5560
I I
5527
2 2 2 N
25
26
27
28
56
7∞
5590
5591
5592
5593
Fence of
12
5528
Mary
29
5594
13
5529
I
5561
30
5595
14
15
I
45
5539
2
5562
31
5596
5531
3
5563
16
32
5532
4.
5564
33
W N
5597
5598
K 2
68
The Chronology of the World.
Kings and
Queens of
England.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
Kings and
Queens of
England.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
Kings and
Queens of
England.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
Elizabeth
A. M.
Charles I.
A. M.
Inter-reign
A. M.
34
5599
I
5633
I I
5667
35
5600
2
36
5601
EN EN
37
38
39
A∞ a
5602
4
5603
5604
40
5605
41
5606
~ 3+ LO NO
5634
5635
Charles II.
5636
I
5668
5637
6
5638
7
5639
8
5640
42
5607
9
5641
43
5608
10
5642
44
5609
II
5643
~ 3+4O NO
2
5669
5670
5671
5
5672
5673
7
5674
8
5675
45
5610
12
5644
9
5676
13
5645
10
5677
James I.
14
5646
I I
5678
I
5611
15
5647
12
5679
2
4
6
7
8
N3th N∞ a
5612
16
5648
13
5680
5613
17
5649
14
5681
5614
18
5650
15
5682
5615
19
5651
16
5683
5616
20
5652
17
5684
5617
21
5653
18
5685
5618
22
5654
19
5686
9
5619
23
5655
20
5687
10
5620
24
5656
21
5688
I I
5621
22
5689
12
5622
Inter-reign
23
5690
13
5623
I
5657
14
5624
15
5625
16
17
18
16 2∞
5626
4
5627
5628
19
5629
20
5630
23+5O NO
5658
2 2
24
5691
25
5692
5659
5660
James II.
.5661
I
5693
6
5662
2
5694
7
5663
3
5695
8
5664
4
5696
21
5631
9
5665
22
5632
IO
5666
The Chronology of the World.
69
Kings and
Queens of
England.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
cal Years of
the World.
Kings and Solar Tropi-
Queens of
England.
Kings and
Queens of
England.
Solar Tropi-
cal Years of
the World.
Will. III.
A. M.
George I.
A. M.
George II.
A. M.
I
5697
I
5722
1.3.
5747
2
7
8
Ň ♡ to Noo
5698
2
3
5699
4
5700
4
5
5701
5
6
5702
6
5703
7
5704
8
OON O AW N
5723
1.4
5724
1.5
5725
16
5726
17
5727
18
26 N∞
5748
5749
5750
5751
5752
5728
19
5753
5729
20
5754
9
5705
9
5730
21
5755
1
ΙΟ
5706
10
5731
22
5756
1 I
5707
If
5732
23
5757
12
5708
12
5733
24
5758
13
5709
13
5734
25
5759
26
5760
Anne
George II
27'
5761
I
5710
I
5735
28
5762
ΙΟ
~3+mo noo a o
2
5711
5712
4
5713
5
5714
6
5715
7
5716
8
5717
5718
~ 3+ mo noo as
2
5736
29.
5763
5737
30
5764
4
5738
31
5765
5739
32
5766
5740
33
5767
7
5741
8
5742
George III.
5743
I
5768
5719
10
5744
I I
5720
II
5745
12
5721
12
5746
A COL-
COLLECTION
OF ALL THE
TEXTS of SCRIPTURE,
BOTH FROM
The OLD and NEW TESTAMENT,
U
Relative to its CHRONOLOGY.
Chap.i. ver. 1
3
4
5
14
15
16
17
18
IN
GENESIS.
N the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
And God faid, Let there be light, and there was light.
And God divided the light from the darkneſs.
And God called the light day, and the darkneſs he called
night.
And God faid, Let there be lights in the firmament of the
heaven, to divide the day from the night; and let them be for
figns and for ſeaſons, and for days and years.
And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven,
to give light upon the earth; and it was fo.
And God made two great lights, the greater light to rule the
day, and the leffer light to rule the night, --- and the ſtars.
And God fet them in the firmament of the heaven, to give
light upon the earth,
And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide
the light from the darkneſs,
}
•
And
72
The Chronology of the World.
Ch. i. ver. 5
1000
8.
13
19
23
3 I
Ch. ii. ver. 2
3
Ch. v. ver. 3
5
6
8
9
II
12
14
15
17
18
20
21
(-22 °·
1:23.
24
2.5
GENESIS.
3
4.
And the evening and the morning were the firſt day.
And the evening and the morning were the fecond day.
And the evening and the morning were the third day.
And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
And the evening and the morning were the fixth day.
And on the ſeventh day
God ended his work which he had made, and he refted on the
ſeventh day from all his work which he had made.
6
7
And God bleſſed the ſeventh day, and fanctified it; becauſe
that on it he had refted from all his work, which God created
and made.
And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begat
a fon, and he called his name Seth.
And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and
thirty years, and he died.
And Seth lived an hundred and five years, and begat Enoſh.
And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve
years, and he died.
And Enoſh lived ninety years, and begat Cainan.
And all the days of Enofh were nine hundred and five years.
And Cainan lived feventy years, and begat Mahalaleel.
And all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten
years, and he died.
And Mahalaleel lived fixty-five years, and begat Jared.
And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred and
ninety-five years, and he died.
!
And Jared lived an hundred and fixty-two years, and
begat Enoch.
And all the days of Jared were nine hundred and fixty-
two years, and he died.
And Enoch lived fixty-five years, and begat Methuſalah.
And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuſalah
three hundred years, ---
And all the days of Enoch were three hundred and fixty-
five years.
And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God
took him.
And Methufalah lived one hundred and eighty-feven years,
and begat Lamech.
And
The Chronology of the World.
73
Ch. v. ver. 27
28
29
3 I
32
Ch. vi. ver. 3
Ch. vii. ver. I
4
6
IO
II
12
13
.17
20
24
Ch.viii. ver. 3
4
5
GENESIS.
And all the days of Methuſalah were nine hundred and fixty-
nine years, and he died.
And Lamech lived an hundred and eighty-two years, and
begat a fon.
And he called his name Noah.
And all the days of Lamech were feven hundred ſeventy and
feven years, and he died.
And Noah was five hundred years old: and Noah begat Shem,
Ham, and Japheth.
And the Lord faid, my Spirit fhall not always ftrive with man,
for that he alfo is fleſh: yet his days fhall be an hundred and
twenty years.
And the Lord faid unto Noah, come thou, and all thy houſe,
into the Ark.
For yet feven days and I will cauſe it to rain upon the earth
forty days and forty nights. -
And Noah was fix hundred years old, when the flood of
waters was upon the earth.
And it came to paſs after ſeven days, that the waters of the
food were upon the earth.
In the fix hundredth year of Noah's life, in the ſecond month,
the ſeventeenth day of the month, the fame day were all the
fountains of the great deep broken
up.-
And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.
In the ſelf-fame day entred Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and
Japheth, the fons of Noah—into the Ark.
And the flood was forty days upon the earth: and the waters
increaſed, and bare up the ark.
Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail, and the moun-
tains were covered.
And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and
fifty days.
After the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters
were abated.
And the ark refted in the feventh month, on the feventeenth
day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.
And the waters decreaſed continually until the tenth month:
in the tenth month, on the firſt day of the month, were the tops
of the mountains feen.
3
L
And
74
The Chronology of the World.
Ch. viii. ver. 6
716
GENESIS.
And it came to paſs at the end of forty days, that Noah opened
the window of the ark.
And he ſent forth a raven.
8
Alfo he ſent forth a dove from him. ---
9
IO
I Į
12
13
14
15
16
22
Ch.ix.ver.28
29
Ch.xi.ver.10
II
12
14
16
18
20
But the dove found no reft for the fole of her foot, and the
returned unto him into the ark.
and took her. ----
Then he put forth his hand,
And he ſtayed yet other feven days, and again he ſent forth
the dove.
And the dove came in to him in the evening. --
And he ſtayed yet other ſeven days, and fent forth the dove;
which returned not again to him any more.
And it came to pafs in the fix hundreth and first year, in the
firſt month, on the first day of the month, the waters.were dried
up from off the earth.
And in the ſecond month, on the ſeven and twentieth day of
the month,-
God fpake unto Noah, faying,
Go forth of the ark.
While the earth remaineth, feed-time and harveft, cold and
heat, fummer and winter, day and night ſhall not ceaſe.
And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years.
And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years:
and he died.
Theſe are the generations of Shem. Shem was an hundred
years old, and begat Arphaxed two years after the flood.
Shem lived after he begat Arphaxad five hundred years. All
the days of Shem were fix hundred years.
Arphaxad lived thirty-five years, and begat Salah. All the
days of Arphaxad were four hundred and thirty-eight years.
Salah lived thirty years, and begat Eber. All the days of Salah
were four hundred and thirty-three years.
Eber lived thirty-four years, and begat Peleg. All the days
of Eber were four hundred and fixty-four years.
Peleg lived thirty years, and begat Reu. All the days of Peleg
were two hundred and thirty-nine years.
Reu lived thirty-two years and begat Serug. All the days of
Reu were two hundred and thirty-nine years.
Serug
The Chronology of the World.
75
Ch.xi.ver.22
24
26
3 I
32
Ch.xii.ver.33
34
35
36
37
Ch.xv. ver. 7
8
9
10
'I I
ĭ
GENESIS.
Serug lived thirty years, and begat Nahor. All the days of
Serug were two hundred and thirty years.
Nahor lived twenty-nine years, and begat Terah. All the
days of Nahor were an hundred and forty-eight years.
And Terah lived feventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and
Haran.
And Terah took Abram his fon, and Lot the ſon of Haran
his fon's fon, and Sarai his daughter in law, his fon Abram's wife;
and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into
the land of Canaan, and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years, and
Terah died in Haran.
CC
(Now the Lord had ſaid unto Abram, "Get thee out of thy
country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's houſe,
"unto a land that I fhall fhew thee.
“And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bleſs thee,
" and make thy name great: and thou shalt be a bleffing.
"And I will blefs them that bless thee, and curfe him that
"curfeth thee: and in thee all families of the earth fhall be
bleffed.)"
CC
So Abram departed, as the Lord had ſpoken unto him, and
Lot went with him: And Abram was ſeventy-five years old,
when he departed out of Haran.
And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's fon, and
all their ſubſtance that they had gathered, and the fouls that they
had gotten in Haran: and they went forth to go into the land
of Canaan, and into the land of Canaan they came.
And he ſaid unto him, I am the Lord that brought thee out
of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.
And he ſaid, Lord God, whereby fhall I know that I ſhall
inherit it?
And he ſaid unto him, take me an heifer of three
years old,
and a fhe-goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old,
and a turle dove and a young pidgeon.
And he took unto him all theſe, and divided them in the midft,
and laid each piece one againſt another; but the birds divided
he not.
And when the fowls came down upon the carcafes, Abram
drove them away.
L 2
And
76
· The Chronology of the World.
Ch.xv.ver. 12
із.
14
15
16
17
18
Ch.xvi.ver.16
Ch. xvii. 24
25
26
Ch. xxi. 4.
5
8
Ch. xxiii. I
4
2
Ch. xxv. 7.
8
A
GENESIS.
And when the fun was going down a deep fleep fell upon
Abram and lo! an horror of great darkneſs fell upon him.
And he ſaid unto Abram, know of a furety that thy feed fhall-
be a ſtranger in a land that is not theirs, and fhall ferve them---
and they ſhall afflict them four hundred years.
And alſo that nation whom they ſhall ferve, will I judge: and
afterward ſhall they come out with great ſubſtance.
And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried
in a good old age.
But in the fourth generation they ſhall come hither again: for
the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
And it came to paſs, that when the fun went down, and it
was dark, behold a fmoking furnace, and a burning lamp that
paffed between thoſe pieces.
In that fame day the Lord made a covenant with Abram,
faying, unto thy feed have I given this land, from the river of
Egypt unto the great river the river Euphrates.
And Abram was eighty-fix years old, when Hagar bare
Ishmael to Abram.
And Abram was ninety-nine years old, when he was circum-
cifed in the flesh of his forefkin,
And Iſhmael his fon was thirteen years old, when he was
circumciſed in the fleſh of his foreſkin.
In the ſelf ſame day was Abram circumcifed and Ishmael his fon.
And Abram circumcifed his fon Ifaac, being eight days old,
as God had commanded him.
And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his fon Ifaac
was born unto him.
And the child grew, and was weaned; and Abraham made a
great feaſt the ſame day that Ifaac was weaned.
And Sarah was an hundred and twenty-feven years old: theſe
were the years of the life of Sarah.
And Sarah died in Kirjath-Arba; the fame is Hebron, in the
land of Canaan.
And theſe are the days of the years of Abraham's life which he
lived, an hundred and feventy-five years.
Then Abraham gave up the ghoft, and died in a good old
an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people.
age,
Theſe
The Chronology of the World.
77
Ch. xxv. 17
20
26
Ch. xxvi. 34
Ch. xxix. 14
21
25
26
27
28
29
Ch. xxx. 22
23
24
2 2
25
Ch. xxxi. 36
38
41
GENESIS.
Thefe are the years of the life of Iſhmael, an hundred thirty-
ſeven years, and he gave up the ghoft and died, and was
gathered unto his people.
Ifaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the
daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan Aram, the fifter to Laban
the Syrian.
Ifaac was fixty years old when Rebekah bare him Efau and Jacob.
Efau was forty years old, when he took to wife Judith the
daughter of Beeri the Hittite.---
And Jacob abode with Laban (Chodesh Famim), a month of
days, (i. e. a whole month of thirty days).
And Jacob faid unto Laban, give me my wife (for my feven
days are fulfilled) that I may go in unto her.
And it came to paſs, that in the morning behold it was Leah:
and he ſaid to Laban, what is this thou haft done unto me?
did not I ferve with thee (feven days, as an earnest of feven years)
for Rachel? wherefore then haft thou beguiled me?
And Laban ſaid, it muſt not be fo done in our country, to
give the younger before the firſt-born.
Fulfil her (Rachel the younger's) week, and we will give thee
this alſo, for the ſervice which thou shalt ferve with me yet other
feven years.
And Jacob did fo, and fulfilled her week; and he gave him
Rachel his daughter alfo to wife.
And he went in alfo unto Rachel, and he loved alfo Rachel
more than Leah, and ferved with him yet feven other years.
And God remembred Rachel. ---
And ſhe conceived and bare a fon.
And the called his name Jofeph.---
And it came to paſs, when Rachel had born Jofeph, that Jacob
ſaid unto Laban, fend me away, that I may go unto mine own
place, and to my country.
And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban, and Jacob
anfwered and ſaid to Laban, what is my trefpafs?---
Theſe twenty years have I been with thee. ---
Thus have I been twenty years in thy houſe: I ferved thee
fourteen years
for thy two daughters, and fix years for thy cattle;
and thou haſt changed my wages ten times.
And
783
The Chronology of the World.
Ch. xxxv. 28
Ch. xxxvii. 2
28
Ch. xli. I
25
29
30
46
Ch. xlii. 2
Ch. xlv. 4
3
5.
6
Ch. xlvii. 8
9
a.
10
-28
Ch. 1. 24
25
GENESIS.
And the days of Ifaac were one hundred and eighty years.
Jofeph being feventeen years old, was feeding the flock
with his brethren.
And they fold Jofeph to the Ifhmaelites for twenty
pieces of filver: and they brought Jofeph into Egypt.
And it came to pafs at the end of two full years that Pharaoh
dreamed. ---
+
And Jofeph faid unto Pharaoh, God hath fhewed Pharaoh
what he is about to do.
Behold there come feven years of great plenty, throughout all
the land of Egypt.
And there fhall arife after them ſeven years of famine.
And Joſeph was thirty years old, when he ftood before Pharaoh
king of Egypt.---
And Jacob faid, behold, I have heard that there is corn in
Egypt, get you down thither and buy for us from thence.-
And Joſeph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt.
And the fons of Ifrael came to buy corn among thoſe that
came.
And Jofeph faid unto his brethren, --
For these two years hath the famine been in the land; and yet
there are five years, in the which there ſhall neither be earing
nor harveſt.
And Pharaoh faid unto Jacob, how old art thou?
And Jacob faid unto Pharaoh, the days of the years of my
pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years, few and evil have the
days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto
the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of
their pilgrimage.
And Jacob bleffed Pharaoh. ---
And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt feventeen years: fo the
whole age of Jacob was an hundred and forty-feven years.
And Jofeph faid unto his brethren, I die : and God will furely
vifit you, and bring you out of this land, unto the land which he
fware to Abraham, Ifaac, and Jacob.
弗
​A
And Jofeph took an oath of the children of Ifrael, faying, God
will furely vifit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence,
1
1
Sa
The *
Chronology of the World.
Ch. 1. 26
+
14
GENESIS.
So Joſeph died (A. M. 2369) being an hundred and ten years
old; and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in
Egypt.
A
}
Ch. ii. ver. 2
EXODU S.
Chap.i.ver. 6 AND Jofeph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation.
And the woman (viz. fochebed the wife of Amram and
mother of Moſes) conceived, and bare a fon: and when ſhe
faw that he was a goodly child, fhe hid him (Shelofhe ferachim,
three moons, i. e.) three months (of the lunar year, confifting of
thirty days each).
Ch. vi. 16
18
20
Ch. vii
7
Ch. xii.
I
2
3
6
15
16
17
The years of the life of Levi were an hundred and thirty-feven
years.
1.
The years of the life of Kohath were an hundred and thirty-
three years.
The years of the life of Amram were an hundred and thirty-
feven years.
And Mofes was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years
old, when they ſpake unto Pharaoh.
And the Lord fpake unto Mofes and Aaron in the land of
Egypt, faying,
This month fhall be unto you the beginning of months: it
ſhall be the first month of the year to you.
---In the tenth day of this month, they ſhall take to them
every man a lamb.---
And ye ſhall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the fame
month, and the whole affembly of the congregation of Ifrael
fhall kill it---ben hagnarbajim.
Seven days fhall ye eat unleavened bread, even the first day
ye fhall put away leaven out of your houſes: for whofoever
eateth leavened bread, that foul fhall be cut off from Ifrael.
And in the firſt day there ſhall be an holy convocation, and
in the ſeventh day there fhall be an holy convocation to you; no
manner of work fhall be done in them, fave that which every
man muſt eat, that only may be done of you.
And ye fhall obferve the feaſt of unleavened bread; for in
this
800
The Chronology of the World.
Ch. xii. 18
A
19
20
2.9
40
41
42
Ch. xiii. 4
IO
Ch. xvi. I.
35
Ch. xix. I
ΙΟ
II
15
16
EXOD U S.
this ſelf-fame day, have I brought your armies out of the land
of Egypt: therefore ye fhall obferve this day in your generations,
by an ordinance for ever.
In the firſt month, on the fourteenth day of the month at
even, ye fhall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty-firſt day
of the month.
1
Seven days ſhall there be no leaven found in your houſes. ---
Ye shall eat nothing leavened: in all your habitations ye ſhall
eat unleavened bread.
And it came to pass that at midnight the Lord fmote all the
firſt-born in the land of Egypt.
Now the fojourning of the children of Ifrael, who dwelt in
Egypt, --- four hundred and thirty years.
And it came to paſs, at the end of the four hundred and thirty
years, even the felf-fame day it came to paſs, that all the hofts
of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt.
It is a night to be much obferved unto the Lord, for bringing
them out from the land of Egypt; this is that night of the Lord
to be obferved of all the children of Ifrael, in their generations.
This day came ye out in the month Abib.
Thou ſhalt therefore keep this ordinance in its ſeaſon from
year to year.
All the congregation of the children of Ifrael came unto the
wilderneſs of Sin, on the fifteenth day of the ſecond month, after
their departing out of the land of Egypt.
And the children of Ifrael did eat manna forty years, until
they came to a land inhabited.
In the third month, when the children of Ifrael were gone
forth out of the land of Egypt, the fame day came they into the
wilderneſs of Sinai.
And the Lord faid unto Mofes, go unto the people, and
fanctify them to day and to-morrow. ---
And be ready against the third day: for the third day the Lord
will come down upon mount Sinaj.
And he ſaid unto the people, be ready againſt the third day.
And it came to paſs on the third day in the morning, that there
were thunders and lightnings.
And
The Chronology of the World.
81
Ch. xix. 20
Ch. xx. ver. 8
9
ΙΟ
I I
Deuteronomy,
Ch. v. ver. 12
Exodus,
13
14
15
Ch. xxiii. 14
15
16
17
Ch.xxxiii. I I
Ch.xxxiv. 22
Ch. xl. ver. I
2
EXOD U S.
And the Lord came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of
the mount.
Remember the fabbath-day to keep it holy.
Six days fhalt thou labour and do all thy work,
But the ſeventh day is the fabbath of the Lord thy God: in it
thou shalt not do
any work.
For in fix days the Lord made heaven and earth --- and reſted
the feventh day: wherefore the Lord bleffed the fabbath-day,
and hallowed it.
Keep the fabbath-day to fanctify it, as the Lord thy God hath
commanded thee.
Six days thou ſhalt labour, and do all thy work.
But the ſeventh day is the fabbath of the Lord thy God: in
it thou shalt not do any work.
And remember that thou waft a fervant in the land of Egypt,
and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence, through a
mighty hand and by a ftretched out arm; therefore the Lord
thy God commanded thee to keep the fabbath-day.
Three times thou ſhalt keep a feaſt unto me in the year.
Thou ſhalt keep the feaft of unleavened bread: thou ſhalt
eat unleavened bread feven days, in the time appointed of the
month Abib, for in it thou cameft out from Egypt.
And the feaſt of harveſt, the firſt fruits of thy labours, which
thou haft ſown in the field; and the feaft of in-gathering which
is in the end of the year, when thou haft gathered in thy labours
out of the field.
Three times in the year all thy males fhall appear before the
Lord God.
But Joſhua, the fervant of Mofes, the ſon of Nun, a young
man, departed not out of the tabernacle.
And thou shalt obſerve the feaſt of weeks of the firft fruits of
wheat harveſt, and the feaſt of in-gathering at the year's end,
or in the revolution of the year.
And the Lord ſpake unto Mofes, ſaying,
On the firſt day of the first month fhalt thou fet up the ta-
bernacle.
M
LEVITICUS.
82
The Chronology of the World,
Ch. xii. ver. I
2
A
3
4
Ch. xvi. 29
Ch. xxiii. 1
24
3
5
6
7
8
9
IO
II
LEVITICUS.
ND the Lord Ipake unto Mofes, faying,
Speak unto the children of Ifrael, faying, If a woman have
conceived feed, and born a man-child, then ſhe ſhall be unclean
feven days.
And in the eighth day the fleſh of his foreſkin ſhall be circum-
cifed.
And ſhe ſhall then continue in the blood of her purifying
three and thirty days: fhe fhall touch no hallowed thing, nor
come into the fanctuary, until the days of her purifying be ful-
filled.
J
This ſhall be a ftatute for ever unto you: that on the ſeventh
month, on the tenth day of the month, ye ſhall afflict your fouls,
and do no work at all:
And the Lord fpake unto Mofes, faying,
Speak unto the children of Ifrael, and fay unto them, con-
cerning the feaſts of the Lord, which ye fhall proclaim to be
holy convocations, even theſe are my feafts.
Six days fhall work be done, but the feventh day is the fab-
bath of reft, an holy convocation, ye fhall do no work therein.
In the fourteenth day of the first month at even, is the Lord's
paffover.
And on the fifteenth day of the fame month, is the feaft of
unleavened bread unto the Lord: feven days muſt ye eat un-
leavened bread.
In the firſt day ye ſhall have an holy convocation, ye ſhall do
no fervile work therein.
In the feventh day is an holy convocation, ye ſhall do no
fervile work therein.
And the Lord fpake unto Mofes, faying,
Speak unto the children of Ifrael, and fay unto them, when
ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and ſhall reap
the harveſt thereof, then ye fhall bring a ſheaf of the firſt fruits
your harveſt unto the prieſt.
of
And he ſhall wave the fheaf before the Lord; ---
morrow after the fabbath ſhall the prieſt wave it.
on the
And
The Chronology of the World.
83
Ch. xxiii. 15
16
17
20
21
23
24
25
2 2
26
27
32
33
34
35
36
37
39
LEVITICUS.
And ye ſhall count unto you from the morrow after the fab-
bath, from the day that ye brought the fheaf of the wave-
offering; ſeven fabbaths ſhall be compleat.
Even unto the morrow after the feventh fabbath ſhall
number fifty days.
Ye fhall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves, -
they are firſt-fruits unto the Lord.
ye
And the prieſt ſhall wave them with the bread of the firſt
fruits, for a wave-offering before the Lord.
And ye ſhall proclaim on the ſelf fame day, that it may be
an holy convocation unto you: ye ſhall do no fervile work there-
in it ſhall be a ſtatute for ever, in all your dwellings through-
out your generations.
And the Lord fpake unto Mofes, faying,
Speak unto the children of Ifrael, faying, In the ſeventh
month, on the firſt day of the month, ye ſhall have a ſabbath,
Ziccaron Terogneh, an holy convocation.
Ye fhall do no fervile work therein.
And the Lord fpake unto Mofes, faying,
Alfo on the tenth day of this ſeventh month, there ſhall be
a day of atonement, it ſhall be a holy convocation unto you.--
It ſhall be unto you a fabbath of reft, and ye ſhall afflict
your fouls on the ninth day of the month at even: from even
unto even ſhall ye celebrate your fabbath.
And the Lord fpake unto Mofes, faying,
Speak unto the children of Ifrael, faying, on the fifteenth
day of this ſeventh month fhall be the feaft of tabernacles,
for ſeven days, unto the Lord.
On the firſt day fhall be an holy convocation: ye ſhall do
no fervile work therein.
Seven days ſhall ye offer an offering
It is a
unto the Lord: on
the eighth day ſhall be an holy convocation unto you.
folemn affembly, and ye fhall do no fervile work therein.
Theſe are the feafts of the Lord, which ye ſhall proclaim to
be holy convocations. --- Every thing upon his day.
Alfo in the fifteenth day of the feventh month, when ye
have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye fhall keep a feaſt
unto the Lord ſeven days.
M 2
And
84
The Chronology of the World.
Ch. xxv. I
2
3
4
8
9
10
I I
Ch. xxvi. 40
41
42
Chap.i.ver. I
2
LEVITICUS.
And the Lord ſpake unto Mofes in mount Sinai, faying,
Speak unto the children of Ifrael, and fay unto them, when
ye come into the land which I give you, then ſhall the land keep
a fabbath unto the Lord.
Six years thou fhalt fow thy field, and fix years thou shalt
prune thy vineyard, and gather in the fruit thereof.
But in the feventh year ſhall be a fabbath of reft unto the land,
a fabbath for the Lord: thou fhalt neither fow thy field, nor
prune thy vineyard.
And thou shalt number feven fabbaths of years unto thee,
ſeven times ſeven years, and the ſpace of the ſeven ſabbaths of
years ſhall be unto you forty-nine years.
Then fhalt thou cauſe the trumpet of jubilee to found on the
tenth day of the ſeventh month: in the day of atonement ſhall
ye make the trumpet found throughout all your land.
And ye fhall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty
throughout all the land.
A jubilee ſhall that fiftieth year be unto you, ye fhall not
fow.---
If they ſhall confefs their iniquity and the iniquity of their fa-
thers, with their trefpafs which they have treſpaſſed againſt me,
and that alſo they have walked contrary unto me:
And that I alſo have walked contrary unto them, and have
brought them into the land of their enemies, if then their un-
circumciſed hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the
puniſhment of their iniquity:
Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and alfo
my covenant with Ifaac, and alfo my covenant with Abraham
will I remember, and I will remember the land. [Vide Dan.
chap. the 9th.
ANI
NUMBER S.
ND the Lord ſpake unto Mofes in the wilderneſs of Sinai ---
on the first day of the fecond month in the fecond year,
after they were come out of the land of Egypt, faying,
Take ye the fum of all the congregation of the children of
Ifrael every male by their poll.
From
The Chronology of the World.
85
Ch. i. ver. 3
Ch. ix. ver. I
2
3
5
Ch. x.ver. II
12
Ch. xi. 28
Ch. xiv. 32
33
34
30
Ch. xxvi. I
2
64
65
Ch. xxviii. I I
NUMBER S.
From twenty years old and upwards, all that are able to go
forth to war.
And the Lord fpake unto Mofes, in the wilderneſs of Sinai,
in the firſt month of the ſecond year, after they were come out
of the land of Egypt, ſaying,
Let the children of Ifrael alfo keep the paffover at his ap-
pointed ſeaſon.
In the fourteenth day of this month at even, ye shall keep it
in his appointed feafon. ---
And they kept the paffover on the fourteenth day of the firſt
month at even, in the wilderneſs.
And it came to pass on the twentieth day of the ſecond
month, in the ſecond year, that the cloud was taken up
And the children of Ifrael took their journeys, out of the
wilderneſs of Sinai. ---
And Joſhua, the fon of Nun, the
his young men, anfwered and faid
them.
fervant of Mofes, one of
my Lord Mofes, forbid
But as for you, your carcafes they ſhall fall in this wilderneſs.
And children fhall wander in the wilderneſs forty years.
your
After the number of the days in which ye fearched the land,
even forty days (each day for a year) fhall ye bear your iniqui-
ties, even forty years. ---
Doubtless ye ſhall not come into the land concerning which
I ſware to make you dwell therein, fave Caleb the fon of
Jephunneth, and Joſhua the fon of Nun.
And it came to pafs after the plague, that the Lord ſpake
unto Mofes faying,
-
Take the fum of all the congregation of the children of Ifrael,
from twenty years old and upward — all that are able to go to
war in Ifrael.
But among theſe there was not a man of them whom Mofes
and Aaron the prieſt numbered, when they numbered the chil-
dren of Ifrael in the wilderneſs of Sinai,
-And there was not left a man of them fave Caleb the fon
of Jephunneh, and Joſhua the fon of Nun.
In the beginnings of your months
unto the Lord.-
ye
ſhall offer a burnt-offering
-This
86
The Chronology of the World.
Ch.xxviii. 14
Ch.xxxiii. 38
39
NUMBERS.
This is the burnt-offering of every month throughout the
months of the year.
And Aaron the prieſt went up into mount Hor- and died
there in the fortieth year, after the children of Ifrael were come
out of the land of Egypt, on the firft day of the fifth month.
And Aaron was an hundred and twenty three years old when
he died in mount Hor.
DEUTERONOM Y.
Ch. i. ver. 3 AND it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh
month, on the first day of the month, that Mofes fpake
unto the children of Ifrael, according unto all that the Lord had
given him in commandment unto them.
Ch. xvi. I
2
3
4.
8
Ch. xxxiv. 7
8
Obferve the month of Abib, and keep the paffover unto the
Lord thy God: for in the month of Abib the Lord thy God
brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.
Thou shalt therefore facrifice the paffover unto the Lord thy
God.
Thou ſhalt eat no leavened bread with it: feven days fhalt
thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of afflic-
tion, (for thou cameft forth out of the land of Egypt in haſte) that
thou mayſt remember the day when thou cameft forth out of
the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.
There ſhall be no leavened bread ſeen with thee in all thy
coaſts ſeven days.
Six days thou fhalt eat unleavened bread, and on the feventh
day ſhall be a folemn affembly to the Lord thy God; thou
fhalt do no work therein.
And Mofes was an hundred and twenty-years old when he
died, his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.
And the children of Ifrael wept for Mofes in the plains of
Moab thirty days. ---
JOSHUA.
The Chronology of the World.
87
✔
JOSHUA.
Ch.xiv.ver. 6 THEN the children of Judah came unto Joſhua in Gilgal:
and Caleb the ſon of Jephunneh - faid unto him, --
7
IO
Ch. xxiii. I
Ch. xxiv. 29
3I
Ch. ii. ver. 1O
Ch. iii. ver. 7
8
9
10
I I
.12
Forty years old was I when Moſes the ſervant of the Lord fent
me to ſpie out the land.-
And now behold, the Lord has kept me alive, as he ſaid,
theſe forty-five years, even fince the Lord fpake this word unto
Mofes, while the children of Ifrael wandered in the wilderneſs,
and I am this day eighty-five years old.
And it came to pafs a long time after that the Lord had given
reft unto Ifrael from all their enemies round about, that Joſhua
waxed old and ftricken in age.
And it came to pafs after theſe things that Joſhua the fon of
Nun, the fervant of the Lord, died, being an hundred and ten
years old.
And Ifrael ſerved the Lord all the days of Joſhua, and all the
days of the elders that over-lived Joſhua, and which had known
all the works of the Lord, that he had done for Ifrael.
AN
JUDGES.
ND alfo all that generation were gathered unto their fathers;
and there aroſe another generation after them, which knew
not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Ifrael.
And the children of Ifrael did evil in the fight of the Lord,
and forgat the Lord their God, and ferved Baalim.
Therefore the anger of the Lord was hot againſt Ifrael, and
he fold them into the hands of Chufan-riſhathaim — and they
ferved him eight years.
---And the Lord raiſed them up a deliverer, viz. Othniel ---
And he judged Ifrael, and went out to war: and his hand
prevailed againſt Chufhan-rifhathaim.
And the land had reſt, (i. e. was releived by Othniel from
that oppreffion) forty years. And Othniel the fon of Kenaz died.
And the children of Ifrael did evil again in the fight of the
Lord and the Lord firengthened Eglon the king of Moab againſt
Ifrael-
:
So
88
The Chronology of the World.
Ch.iii. ver. 14
15
16
21
25
30
Ch. iv. ver. I
2
3
4
14
23
Ch. v. ver. 31
Ch. vi. yer. I
Ch. viii.
2
16
ΙΟ
28
31
JUDGE S.
So the children of Ifrael ſerved Eglon the king of Moab eighteen
years.
But when the children of Ifrael cried unto the Lord, the Lord
raiſed them up a deliverer, Ehud the fon of Gera, a Benjamite--
Now Ehud made him a dagger, which had two edges---
And he put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his
right thigh, and thruft it into his belly.
--- And when they opened the doors, behold, their Lord
was fallen down dead on the earth.
So Moab was fubdued that day under the hand of Iſrael ;
and the land had reft, (i. e. was relieved from the oppreffions of
Moab) fourſcore years.
And the children of Ifrael again did evil --- after Ehud was
dead.
And the Lord fold them into the hands of Jabin, king of
Canaan.
-Twenty years he mightily oppreffed the children of Ifrael.
And Deborah a prophetefs, the wife of Lapidoth, ſhe judged
Ifrael at that time.
And Deborah faid unto Barak, Up, for this is the day in which
the Lord hath delivered Sifera into thine hand.
So God fubdued on that day, Jabin the king of Canaan, before
the children of Ifrael.
And the land had reſt, (i. e. was by this victory relieved from
the oppreffion of Fabin king of Canaan) --- forty years.
And the children of Ifrael did evil in the fight of the Lord,
and the Lord delivered them into the hands of Midian ſeven
years.
And the hand of Midian prevailed againſt Ifrael.
And the Lord ſaid unto Gideon, furely I will be with thee,
and thou ſhalt fmite the Midianites as one man.
--- There fell (of the Midanites) an hundred and twenty thou
fand men that drew the fword.
Thus was Midian fubdued before the children of Ifrael, fo
that they lifted up their heads no more; and the country was
in quietnefs forty years in the days of Gideon.
And Gideon's concubine the alſo bare him a fon whoſe name
he called Abimelech.
1
And
The Chronology of the World.
89
Ch.ix.ver. 22
50
53
54
Ch. x. ver. I
2
3
6
7
8
Ch.xi. ver. I
12
26
32
Ch. xii. ver. 7
76
8
II
13
14
Ch.xiii.ver. I
+
5
Ch.xiv.ver. 4
Ch. xv.
20
JUDGE S.
And when Abimelech had reigned three years-
He encamped against Thebez.
his head
And a certain woman caft a piece of millftone upon
And his young man thruſt him through and he died.
And after Abimelech there arofe to defend Ifrael Tola. ---
And he judged Ifrael twenty-three years, and died ---
And after him arofe Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Ifrael twenty-
two years, and Jair died.
And the children of Ifrael did evil again in the fight of the
Lord.---
And---he fold them into the hands --- of the children of
Ammon
--Eighteen years.
Now Jepthah--- was a mighty man of valour. ---
And Jepthah fent meffengers unto the king of the children of
Ammon faying,
Whilft Ifrael dwelt in Heſhbon, ---and in Aroer---three-
hundred years, why did ye not recover them within that time?
So Jepthah paffed over unto the children of Ammon to fight
againſt them, and the Lord delivered them into his hands.
And Jepthah judged Ifrael fix years.
And after him Ibzan judged Ifrael---feven years.
And after him Elon ---judged Ifrael ten years.
And after him Abdon---judged Iſrael --
---eight years.
And the children of Ifrael did evil again in the fight of the
Lord, and the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Phi-
liftines forty years.
And he (Samfon) fhall begin to deliver Ifrael out of the
hands of the Philiftines.
At that time the Philistines had dominion over Ifrael.
And he (Samſon) judged Ifrael in the days of the Philiſtines
twenty years.
KING S.
Ch. iv. ver. 7 AND Solomon had twelve officers over all Ifrael, which pro-
vided victuals for the king and his houfhold; each man his
month in a year made provifion.
N
The
90
1
The Chronology of the World.
I SAMU E L.
Ch.iv. ver. 15 NOW Eli was ninety-eight years old.
Now
16
17
18
Ch. vii. ver. 2
2 Samuel,
Ch. v. ver. 4
5
1 Kings,
Ch.ii. ver. II
Ch, vi. ver. I
37
38
Ch. viii. 2
65
Ch.xi.ver. 42
And the man faid unto Eli ---
Ifrael is fled before the Philistines
is taken.
and the ark of God
and he
And it came to paſs that when he made mention of the ark
of God, that he fell from off the feat backward,
died. And he had judged Ifrael forty years.
And it came to paſs while the ark abode in Kirjath-jearim,
that the time was long--- for it was twenty years.
Saul reigned.
The REGAL GOVERNMENT.
(N.B. There is no account in the Old Teftament relating
to the times either of Samuel or Saul.)
David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he
reigned forty years.
In Hebron he reigned over Judah ſeven years and fix months :
and in Jerufalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Iſrael and
Judah.
And the days that David reigned over Ifrael were forty years;
ſeven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty-three years reigned
he in Jerufalem.
And it came to paſs in the four hundred and eightieth year, after
the children of Ifrael were come out of the land of Egypt, in
the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Ifrael, in the month Zif,
which is the ſecond month that he began to build the houſe of
the Lord.
In the fourth year was the foundation of the houſe of the
Lord laid, in the month Zif.
And in the eleventh year in the month Bul, (which is the
eighth month) was the houſe finiſhed.-
And all the men of Ifrael affembled themſelves unto king
Solomon, at the feaft, in the month Ethanim, which is the
feventh month.
And at that time Solomon held a feaft before the Lord --
ſeven days and ſeven days, even fourteen days.
And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerufalem, over all
Ifrael, was forty years. And Solomon flept with his fathers.
The
The Chronology of the World.
91
The REIGNS of the KINGS of
JUDAH
1 Kings
Ch. xiv. 21
XV. I.
And Rehoboam the ſon of So-
lomon reigned in Jerufalem - ſe-
venteen years.
Now, in the eighteenth year of
king Jeroboam the fon of Nebat
reigned Abijam over Judah.
Three years reigned he in Je-
and
1 Kings
Ch.xiv.20
XV.
25.
2
rufalem.
9
And in the twentieth year of
Jeroboam king of Ifrael, reigned
Afa over Judah.
28
10
33
xxii.— 41
42
2 Kings
viii. 16
17
25
26
ix.
29.
xi.
2
3
4
xii.-
Forty-one years reigned he in
Jerufalem.
Jehoshaphat fon of Afa began
to reign over Judah in the fourth
year of Ahab king of Ifrael, and
He reigned twenty-five years in
Jerufalem.
In the fifth year of Jehoram the
fon of Ahab king of Ifrael, Je-
hofhaphat being then king of Ju-
dah, Jehoram the ſon of Jehoſha-
phat king of Judah began to reign.
Thirty-two years old was he
when he began to reign, and he
reigned eight years in Jerufalem.
In the twelfth year of Jeho-
ram, the ſon of Ahab king_of
Ifrael, did Ahaziah the ſon of Je-
horam king of Judah begin to
reign.
And he reigned one year in
Jerufalem.
And in the eleventh year of
Jehoram the fon of Ahab, began
Ahaziah to reign over Judah.
Jehofheba the daughter of king
Jehoram, fifter of Ahaziah, took
Jehoafh the fon of Ahaziah,
And he was with her hid in the
houſe of the Lord fix years, and
Athaliah did reign over the land.
and
And the feventh year Jehoiada
fent and fet the rulers
fhewed them the king's fon.
xvi. 8.
15
23
29
xxii.-51
2 Kings
Ch. i. 17
iii.
I
36
ix.
14
X.
In
In the feventh year of Jehu,
Jeholafh began to reign; forty
years reigned he in Jerufalem.
ISRAEL.
The Days which Jeroboam
reigned were twenty-two years,
and Nadab his fon reigned in his
ftead.
Nadab the ſon of Jeroboam be-
gan to reign over Ifrael in the
fecond year of Afa king of Judah,
and reigned over Ifrael two years.
In the third year of Afa king
of Judah did Baafha flay Nadab,
and reigned in his ftead.
In the third year of Afa king
of Judah began Baafha the fon of
Ahijah to reign over Ifrael in
Tirzah twenty-four years.
N 2
In the twenty-fixth year of Afa
king of Judah, began Elah the fon
of Baafha to reign over Ifrael in
Tirzah, two years.
In the twenty-feventh year of
Afa king of Judah did Zimri reign
feven days in Tirzah.
In the thirty-firſt year of Afa
king of Judah began Omri to reign
over Ifrael twelve years. Six
years reigned he in Tirzah.
In the thirty-eighth year of Afa
king of Judah began Ahab the fon
of Omri to reign over Ifrael in
Samaria twenty-two years.
Ahaziah the ſon of Ahab be-
gan to reign over Ifrael in Sa-
maria the feventeenth year of Je-
hofaphat king of Judah, and reign-
ed two years over Iſrael.
So (Ahaziah) died and Je-
horam reigned in his ftead, in the
fecond year of Jehoram the fon of
Jehoshaphat king of Judah.
Now Jehoram the fon of Ahab
began to reign over Ifrael in Sa-
maria the eighteenth Year of Je-
hofhaphat king of Judah, and
reigned twelve years.
i
Jehu the fon of Nimfhi con-
fpired against Jehoram.,
And the time that Jehu reigned
over Ifrael was twenty-eight years.
In
92
Chronology of the World.
The
2 Kings
Ch. xiv. I
XV.
2
32
23
xvi. -
I
2
xviii.—— I
2
9
10
13
19
xxii. --- I
The REIGNS of the KINGS of
JUDAH
In the fecond year of Joafh fon
of Jehoahaz king of Ifrael, reigned
Amnaziah the ſon of Jehoaſh king
of Judah.
He reigned twenty-nine years
in Jerufalem.
In the twenty-feventh year of
Jeroboam king of Ifrael, began
Azariah, or Uzziah, to reign over
Judah fifty-two years.
In the fecond year of Pekah,
the ſon of Remaliah king of Ifrael,
began Jotham the fon of Uzziah
king of Judah to reign, and
He reigned fixteen years in Je-
rufalem.
In the feventeenth year of Pe-
kah the ſon of Remaliah, Ahaz
the ſon of Jotham king of Judah
began to reign, — and
He reigned fixteen years in Je-
rufalem.
Now it came to pass in the
third year of Hofhea, the fon of
Elah king of Ifrael, that Hezekiah
the fon of Ahaz king of Judah
began to reign,
and
He reigned twenty-nine years
in Jerufalem.
And it came to paſs in the
fourth year of king Hezekiah,
(which was the feventh of Hofhea
fon of Elah king of Ifrael) that
Salmanefar king of Affyria came
up againſt Samaria, and befieged it.
And at the end of three years
they took it; even in the fixth
year of Hezekiah (i. e. the ninth
year of Hofhea king of Ifrael) Sa-
maria was taken.
In the fourteenth year of king
Hezekiah, did Sennacharib king of
Affyria come up againſt Judah-
Manaffeh the ſon of Hezekiah
reigned fifty-five years in Jerufalem.
Amon the ſon of Manaffeh
reigned two years in Jerufalem.
Jofiah the ſon of Amon reigned
- thirty-one years in Jerufalem
and
2 Kings
Ch. xiii. I
IO
xiv.-17
XV.
23
- 8
13
17
23
27
xvii.---- I
6
ISRAEL.
In the twenty-third year of Jes
hoafh the ſon of Ahaziah king of
Judah, Jehoahaz the ſon of Jehu
began to reign over Ifrael in Sa
maria feventeen years.
In the thirty-feventh year of
Jehoafh king of Judah began
Joath the fon of Jehoahaz to reign
over Ifrael-fixteen years.
And Amaziah the fon of Je-
hoaſh king of Judah, lived after
the death of Joafh the fon of Je-
hoahaz king of Ifrael-fifteen
years.
In the fifteenth year of Ama-
ziah the ſon of Jehoafh king of
Judah, Jeroboam the fon of Joafn
king of Ifrael- began to reign in
Samaria forty-one years.
In the thirty-eighth year of
Uzziah king of Judah - did Ze-
chariah the ſon of Jeroboam reign
over Ifrael in Samaria
months.
fix
Shallum the ſon of Jabefh be-
gan to reign in the thirty-ninth
year of Uzziah king of Judah
and he reigned one full month in
Samaria.
In the thirty-ninth year of Uz-
ziah king of Judah began Me-
nahem the fon of Cadi to reign
over Ifrael ten years.
In the fiftieth year of Uzziah
king of Judah, Pekahiah the fon of
Menahem began to reign-two
years.
In the fifty-fecond year of Uz-
ziah king of Judah, Pekah the
fon of Remaliah began to reign
-twenty years.
In the twelfth year of Ahaz
king of Judah, began Hofhea the
fon of Elah to reign over Iſrael
nine years.
In the ninth year of Hofhea,
the king of Affyria took Samaria,
and carried Ifrael away into Af-
fyria.
Jehoahaz
The Chronology of the World.
93
2 Kings,
Ch.xxxiii. 31
36
Ch. xxiv. 8
12
15
18
Ch. xxv. I
3
8
The REIGNS of the KINGS of JUDAH.
Jehoahaz the ſon of Jofiah reigned three months in Jerufalem.
Jehoiakim the fon of Jofiah reigned eleven years in Jerufalem.
Jehoiachin the fon of Jehoiakim reigned three months in
Jerufalem.
Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to meet the king of Ea-
bylon, and the king of Babylon took him (priſoner) in the
eighth year of his reign.
And he carried Jehoiachin to Babylon..
Zedekiah (viz. Mattaniah the son of Jofiah) reigned eleven
years in Jerufalem.
And it came to pafs in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth
month, on the tenth day of the month, Nebuchadnezzar came
to Jerufalem,—and the city was befieged unto the eleventh year
of king Zedekiah.
--- On the ninth day of the fourth month, viz. in the ele-
venth year of the reign of Zedekiah:
In the fifth month, on the ſeventh day (which is the nine-
teenth year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon) came Nebu-
9 zaradan unto Jerufalem. And,
2.5
27
1 Chronicles,
Ch. xxvii. I
he burnt the houfe of the Lord.
--It came to pafs in the feventh month, that Ifmael ---
fmote Gedalia that he died.
And it came to pafs in the thirty-feventh year of the capti-
vity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on
the twenty-feventh day of the month, that Evilmerodach king
of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, did lift up the
head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prifon.
The captains of thouſands and hundreds, and the officers
that ſerved the king in any matter of the courſes which came
in and went out month by month throughout all the months
of the year, of every courſe were twenty-four thouſand,
For the first month -- was Jafhobeam.--
2
4
For the ſecond month -- was Dodai. --
5
For the third month -- was Benaiah..
7
For the fourth month -- was Afahel. --
8
For the fifth month -- was Shamhuth.
9
For the fixth month -- was Ira. --
For
94
The Chronology of the World.
2
The REIGNS of the KINGS of JUDAH.
For the feventh month was Helęz.--
For the eighth month -- was Sibbecai. --
2 Chron.
Ch. xxvii. 10
I I
12
For the ninth month
-- was Abiezer.
13
14
15
Ch. xxix. 27
For the tenth month --was Maharai.
For the eleventh month -- was Benaiah the Pirathonite.
For the twelfth month -- was Heldai.
The time that David the ſon of Jeffe reigned over Ifrael was
forty years. Seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty-
three years in Jerufalem,
The twenty-four Courses of the PRIESTS,
The firft lot to Jehoiarib.
Ch. xxiv. 7
The ſecond to Jedaiah.
8
3
10
The third to Harim.
The fourth to Seorim,
The fifth to Malchijah.
The fixth to Mijamin.
The ſeventh to Hakkoz,
The eighth to Abijah.
I I
The ninth to Jefhuah.
The tenth to Shacaniah.
12
The eleventh to Eliaſhib.
The twelfth to Jakim.
13
The thirteenth to Huppah.
The fourteenth to Jefhebeab,
14
The fifteenth to Bilgah.
The fixteenth to Immer.
15
The feventeenth to Hezir.
The eighteenth to Aphfes.
16 The nineteenth to Pethahiah,
A
The twentieth to Jehezekel.
17
The twenty-firft. to Jachin.
18
The twenty-third to Delaiah.
2 Chronicles,
Ch. iii. ver. I
The twenty-fecond to Gamul,
The twenty-fourth to Maaziah,
Then Solomon began to build the houfe of the Lord at
Jerufalem. --
On
The Chronology of the World.
95
2 Chron.
Ch. iii. ver. 2
Ch. v. ver. 3
8
9
10
Ch.ix.ver. 30
Ch. xii. 13
Ch.xiii. ver. 1
2
Ch. xiv. I
13
Ch. xvi.
Ch. xvii. I
3 I
Ch. xxi.
I
5
Ch. xxii.
I
2
12
Ch. xxiv. I
277
Ch. xxv. I
25
Ch. xxvi. I
4
3
2 I
The REIGNS of the KINGS of JUDAH.
--- On the fecond day of the fecond month in the fourth
year of his reign.
---All the men of Ifrael affembled themfelves unto the king
in the feaft (of tabernacles) which was 'in the ſeventh month:
Alfo at the fame time Solomon kept the feaft feven days.--
And on the eighth day they made a folemn affembly; for they
kept the dedication of the altar feven days, and the feaſt ſeven
days.
And on the twenty-third day of the ſeventh month he fent
the people away into their tents.---
Solomon reigned in Jerufalem--- forty years.
Rehoboam the ſon of Solomon reigned in Jerufalem --- ſeven-
teen years.
Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam began Abijah
to reign over Judah.
He reigned three years in Jerufalem.---
So Abijah ſlept with his fathers, and Afa his fon reigned in
his ftead.
And Afa---died in the forty-first year of his reign.
And Jehoshaphat his fon reigned in his ſtead.---
He reigned twenty-five years in Jerufalem. And
Jehoram his fon reigned in his ftead. And
He reigned eight years in Jerufalem.
And the inhabitants of Jerufalem made Ahaziah his youngeſt
fon king in his ſtead, and
He reigned one year in Jerufalem.
And Joafh the fon of Ahaziah king of Judah was hid fix years
in the houſe of God, and Athaliah reigned over the land.
Joaſh was ſeven years old when he began to reign, and he
reigned forty years in Jerufalem.
And Amaziah his fon reigned in his ſtead.
He reigned twenty-nine years in Jerufalem.
And Amaziah the fon of Joafh king of Judah, lived after.
the death of Joaſh ſon of Jehoahaz king of Ifrael---fifteen years.
Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, and made him
king in the room of his father Amaziah, and
He reigned fifty-two years in Jerufalem.
And Uzziah the king was a leper
and Jotham his fon was
over the king's houſe, judging the people of the land.
Jotham
96
The Chronology of the World.
2 Chron.
Ch. xxvii. I
Ch. xxviii. I
Ch. xxix. I
Ch. xxxiii. I
21
Ch. xxxiv. I
Ch. xxxvi. 2
5
ότι
I-I
The REIGNS of the KINGS of JUDAH.
Jotham the ſon of Uzziah king of Judah reigned ſixteen
in Jerufalem.
years
Ahaz the fon of Jotham reigned fixteen years in Jerufalem.
Hezekiah the fon of Ahaz reigned twenty-nine years in Je-
rufalem.
Manaffeh the fan of Hezekiah reigned fifty-five years in
Jerufalem.
Amon the ſon of Manaffeh reigned two years in Jerufalem.
Jofiah the fon of Amon reigned thirty-one years in Jerufalem.
Jehoahaz the ſon of Jofiah reigned three months in Jerufalem.
Jehoiakim the fon of Jofiah reigned eleven years in Jerufalem.
Jehoiachin the fon of Jehoiakim reigned three months and
ten days in Jerufalem.
Zedekiah the ſon of Jofiah and unkle to Jehoiachin reigned
eleven years in Jerufalem.
E Z R A.
Ch. i. ver. I NOW in the first year of Cyrus king of Perfia (that the
word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah ch. 29, ver. 10.
might be fulfilled) the Lord ſtirred up the fpirit of Cyrus king of
Perfia, that he made a proclamation faying, who is there among
you of all his people ?---let him go up to Jerufalem which is in
Judah, and build the houſe of the Lord God of Ifrael.---
And when the feventh month was come---
Ch. iii. ver. I
4
+∞.
Ch. iv. 15
Ch. vii.
I
t
6
7
They kept the feaft of tabernacles, as it is written. ---
Now in the fecond year of their coming unto the houſe of
God at Jerufalem, in the fecond month ---began Zerubbabel
and Jeſhua to ſet forward the work of the houſe of the Lord.
And this houſe was finiſhed on the third day of the month
Adar, in the fixth year of the reign of Darius the king.
Now after theſe things, in the reign of Artaxerxes (Longimanus)
king of Perfia---
Ezra went up from Babylon, and he was a ready ſcribe in the
law of Mofes.---
And there went up fome of the children of Ifrael, and of the
Priefts and Levites--in the feventh year of the king.
And
The Chronology of the World.
97
Ch. vii. 8
9
1
I I
12
13
14
25
26
Ch. x. ver. 9
16
17
Ch. i. ver. I
Ch. ii. ver. I
5
EZ R A.
And he came to Jerufalem in the fifth month which was in
the ſeventh year of the king.
For upon the firſt day of the first month began he to go up
from Babylon, and on the firſt day of the fifth month came he
to Jerufalem.---
Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes
gave unto Ezra the prieft, the fcribe, even a fcribe of the
wds
of the commandments of the Lord, and of his ftatutes to Ifrael.
Artaxerxes king of kings unto Ezra the priest, a ſcribe of the
law of the God of heaven, perfect peace---
I make a decree that all they of the people of Ifrael, and of
his prieſts and levites in my realm, which are minded of their
own free-will to go up to Jerufalem, go with thee.
Forafmuch as thou art fent of the king, ---to enquire con-
cerning Judah and Jerufalem, according to the law of thy God
which is in thine hands.
And thou, Ezra, after the wiſdom of thy God, that is thine
hand, fet magiſtrates and judges, which may judge all the people
that are beyond the river, all fuch as know the laws of thy God;
and teach ye them that know them not.
And whofoever will not do the law of thy God --- let judgment
be executed ſpeedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or
to banishment, or to confifcation of goods, or to impriſonment.
Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered them-
felves together unto Jerufalem ---it was the ninth month, and
the twentieth day of the month.
fat
And Ezra the prieſt, with certain chief of the fathers
down on the firſt day of the tenth month to examine the matter.
And they made an end --- by the firſt day of the firſt month,
NEHEMIA H.
IT came to pafs in the month Chifleu in the twentieth
A
year.
And it came to pafs in the month Nifan, in the twentieth
year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him.
And I faid unto the king--- ſend me unto Judah, unto the
city of
of my
fathers fepulchres, to build it.
Then
98
The Chronology of the World.
Ch. ii. 17
Ch. vi. 15
Ch. viii.
2
3∞
18
Ch. ix.ver. I
Ch. v. ver. 14
Ch. xiii. 6
7
NEHEMIAH.
Then faid I unto them, ye fee the diſtreſs that we are in,
how Jerufalem lieth wafte, and the gates thereof are burnt with
fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerufalem, that we
be no more a reproach.
So the wall was finiſhed on the twenty-fifth day of the month
Elul, in fifty-two days.
And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congrega-
tion--- upon the firſt day of the ſeventh month
And he read therein.-
Alfo day by day from the first day unto the laft day, he read
in the book of the law of God: and they kept the feaſt (of
tabernacles) ſeven days, and on the eighth day was a folemn
affembly, according unto the manner.
Now on the twenty-fourth day of this feventh month the
children of Ifrael were affembled with faſting
Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their go-
vernor --- from the twentieth year even unto the thirty-fecond
year of Artaxerxes the king, (i.e. twelve years,) I and my
brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.
--- In the thirty-fecond year of Artaxerxes the king, came I
unto the king, and after certain days, obtained I leave of the king.
And I came to Jerufalem.
ES THE R.
Ch.ii. ver. 16 SO Efther was taken unto king Ahafuerus, into his royal houſe,
in the tenth month (which is the month Tebeth) in the ſeventh
year of his reign.
Ch. iji. ver. 7
Ch.viii. ver. 9
12
In the first month (that is the month Nifan) in the twelfth
year of king Ahasuerus, they caft Pur, i. e. the lot, before Haman,
from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth
month, that is the month Adar.
Then were the king's fcribes called at that time in the third
month (that is the month Sivan) on the twenty-third day
thereof.
On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the
month Adar.
God
The Chronology of the World.
99
Pfalm civ.
ver. 19.
PSALM.
God hath appointed the moon (Lempadim) for certain ſeaſons.
ISAIA H.
Ch. xliv. 24 THUS faith the Lord thy Redeemer.--- I am the Lord that
25
28
Ch. i. ver. I
Ch. xxv.
2
3
I
2
3
II
12
Ch. xxix. 10
maketh all things.
That confirmeth the word of his fervant, and performeth the
counſel of his meffengers, that faith to Jerufalem, Thou ſhalt
be inhabited, and to the cities of Judah, thou shalt be built.
That faith of Cyrus, he is my ſhepherd, and fhall perform all
my pleaſure, even faying to Jerufalem, Thou shalt be built,
and to the Temple, Thy foundation ſhall be laid.
JEREMI A H.
HE words of Jeremiah,
TH
To whom the word of the Lord came in the days of
Jofiah the fon of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year
of his reign.
It came alfo in the days of Jehoiakim the fon of Jofiah king
of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the
fon of Jofiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerufa-
lem captive in the fifth month.
The word that came to Jeremiah in the fourth year of Jeho-
iakim the ſon of Jofiah king of Judah, (that was the firſt year
of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon).
That which Jeremiah the prophet ſpake unto all the people
of Judah --- faying,
From the thirteenth year of Jofiah the fon of Amon king of
Judah even unto this day (which is the twenty-third year) the
word of the Lord hath come unto me. ---
And this whole land fhall be a defolation, and an aſtoniſh-
ment, and theſe nations ſhall ſerve the king of Babylon ſeventy
years.
And it ſhall come to paſs when ſeventy years are accompliſhed,
I will puniſh the king of Babylon.
For thus faith the Lord, that after ſeventy years be accom-
pliſhed
O 2
100
The Chronology of the World.
Ch. xxxii. I
Ch. xxxvi. I
21 TO
4
6
9
22
Ch. xxix. I
2
Ch. lii. 12
13
28
2
30
JEREMIA H.
pliſhed in Babylon, I will vifit you, and perform my good word
towards you, in caufing you to return to this place.
The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, in the tenth
year of Zedekiah king of Judah, (which was the eighteenth year
of Nebuchadnezzar.)
For then the king of Babylon's army befieged Jerufalem.
And it came to paſs in the fourteenth year of Jehoiakim,
Jeremiah called Baruch the fon of Neriah faying,
Go thou and read in the roll--- the words of the Lord in the
ears of all the people in the Lord's houſe upon the fafting-day,
viz. the tenth day of the feventh month.
And it came to paſs in the fifth year of Jehoiakim --- in the
ninth month, they proclaimed a faſt.
Now the king fat in the winter-houſe, in the ninth month,
and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him.
In the ninth year of Zedekiah --- in the tenth month, came
Nebuchadnezzar againft Jerufalem, and befieged it.
And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month,
the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up.
In the fifth month on the tenth day of the month (which was
the nineteenth of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon) came
Nebuzaradan into Jerufalem,
year
And burnt the houſe of the Lord. --.
Nebuchadnezzar, in the ſeventh year
three thouſand and twenty-three Jews.
carried away captive
29 In the eighteenth year eight hundred thirty-two perfons.
In the twenty-third year of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuzaradan
the captain of the guard carried away captive of the Jews feven
hundred and forty-five perfons.
31
And it came to pafs in the thirty-feventh year of the captivity
of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the
twenty-fifth day of the month, that Evil-Merodach king of Ba-
bylon, in the firſt year of his reign, lifted up the head of Jehoiachin
king of Judah, and brought him forth out of priſon.
EZEKIEL.
The
101
Chronology of the World.
Ch. i. ver. I
Ch. xxix. I
Ch. xxxi. I
Ch. xxxii. I
Ch.xxxiii. 2 I
Ch. iv. ver. 5
6
I
Ch. viii.
Ch. xx.
I
Ch. xxiv. I
2
Ch. xxix. 17
18
Ch. xl. ver. I
EZEKI E L.
IN the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, (which
was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity).
In the tenth year, in the tenth month, on the twelfth day of
the month, the word of the Lord came unto me, ---
And it came to paſs in the eleventh year, in the third month,
on the firſt day of the month.
And it came to pafs in the twelfth year, in the twelfth month,
on the firſt day of the month.
And it came to paſs, in the twelfth year of our captivity, in
the tenth month, on the fifth day of the month, one that had
eſcaped out of Jerufalem, camé unto me, faying, the city is ſmitten.
I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity, according
to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days: fo
ſhalt thou bear the iniquity of the houſe of Ifrael.
And when thou haft accompliſhed them, lie again on thy
right fide, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the houſe of Judah
forty days; I have appointed thee each day for a year.
And it came to pafs in the fixth year, in the fixth month, on
the fifth day of the month.
And it came to paſs in the feventh year, in the fifth month,
on the tenth day of the month.-
Again in the ninth year, in the tenth month, on the tenth day
of the month.
Son of man, write thee the name of the day, even of this
fame day the king of Babylon fet himſelf againſt Jerufalem this
fame day.
And it came to paſs in the twenty-feventh year, in the firſt
month, on the firſt day of the month, the word of the Lord came
unto me, faying.
Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon cauſed his
army to ſerve a great ſervice againſt Tyre: ---
In the twenty-fifth year of our captivity in the beginning of
the year on the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year
after that the city was ſmitten, in the ſelf-fame day the hand of
the Lord was upon me.--
DANIEL.
102
The Chronology of the World.
Ch. i. ver. I IN
3
5
18
19
21
Ch. ii. ver. 1
Ch. vii. ver. I
Ch. viii.
I
Ch. ix.
I
2
3
23
24
25
DANIE L.
N the third year of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchad→
nezzar king of Babylon went unto Jerufalem and befieged it.
And the king ſpake unto Afhpenaz the maſter of his Eunuchs
that he ſhould bring certain of the children of Ifrael ---
And nouriſh them three years, that at the end thereof they
might ſtand before the king.
Now at the end of the days that the king had faid he ſhould
bring them in, then the prince of the Eunuchs brought them
in before Nebuchadnezzar.
And the king communed with them, and among them all
was found none like Daniel.
And Daniel continued even unto the firſt year of king Cyrus.
And in the ſecond year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar,
Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams.
In the first year of Belſhazzer king of Babylon, Daniel had
a dream---
"
In the third year of the reign of king Belſhazzer, a viſion
appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel.
In the first year of Darius the ſon of Ahafuerus, of the feed
of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the
Chaldeans.
In the firſt year of his reign, I Daniel underſtood by books
the number of the years whereof the word of the Lord came
to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accompliſh ſeventy
years in the defolations of Jerufalem.
And I fet my face unto the Lord God to feek by prayer
and fupplication. ---
At the beginning of thy fupplications the commandment came
forth, and I am come to fhew thee, for thou art greatly beloved :
therefore underſtand the matter, and confider the vifion.
Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people, and upon thy
holy city, to reſtrain (the original) tranfgreffion, and to perfect
the fin-offerings; and to make reconciliation for iniquity; and
to bring in everlaſting righteouſneſs, and to feal up prophe-
tic vifion, and to anoint the moſt holy.
of
Know therefore and underſtand, that from the going forth
a commandment to restore and to build Jerufalem (unto
Meliab
ก
The
103
Chronology of the World.
DANIE L.
Ch.ix.ver. 25 Meffiah Nagid,) fhall be ſeven weeks and fixty-two weeks; the
ftreet fhall be built again, and the wall in the leffer period of
time.
26
And after fixty-two weeks (added to the foregoing Seven) fhall
Meffiah be cut of; and they fhall be no more his people; for
the future people of prince Meffiah (viz. the Romans) fhall de-
ftroy the city and the fanctuary, and the end thereof ſhall be
with a flood, and unto the end of the war defolations are de-
termined.
27 And he fhall confirm the covenant with many in the one
remaining week; and in the half of a prophetic week (i. e. in
the space of three years and a half) he fhall cauſe the facrifice
and oblation to ceafe; and upon the battlement of the temple
or holy place fhall ftand the defolating abominations, even
until the confummation, and that determined (vengeance) ſhall be
poured out upon the (Romans) the defolators.
Ch. x. ver. I
4
Ch. xi. ver. I
2
Ch. xii. 7
Ch. 1. ver. I
14
15
In the third year of Cyrus king of Perfia, a thing was reveal-
ed unto Daniel, whofe name was Beltefhazzar.
In the twenty-fourth day of the firſt month I was by the ſide
of the great river which is Hiddekel.
In the first year of Darius the Mede, even I ftood to confirm
and to ſtrengthen him.
And now will I fhew the truth, behold, there ſhall ſtand up
yet three kings in Perfia, and the fourth fhall be far richer
than they all; and by his ftrength through his riches he ſhall
ftir up all againſt the realm of Grecia.
IN
It fhall be for a time, times, and a half.
HAGGAI.
N the fecond year of Darius the king, in the fixth month,
on the firſt day of the month, came the word of the Lord
unto Haggai the prophet. ---
---They came and did work in the houſe of the Lord of
hofts their God.
In the twenty-fourth day of the fixth month, in the fecond
year of Darius the king.
In
104
World.
The Chronology of the
HAGGAI
Ch. ii. ver. I In the feventh month on the twenty-firft day of the month
came the word of the Lord by the prophet Haggai, ſaying,
ΙΟ
18
Ch. i. ver. 1
7
Ch. vii. I
Ch. viii.
5
19
In the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the fecond
year of Darius, came the word of the Lord by Haggai the pro-
phet, faying.
Confider now from this day and upwards from the twenty-
fourth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the
foundation of the Lord's temple was laid, confider it.
IN
ZECHARIAH,
N the eighth month, in the fecond year of Darius, came the
word of the Lord unto Zechariah.
Upon the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which
is the month Shebat, in the fecond year of Darius, came the
word of the Lord unto Zechariah.
And it came to paſs, in the fourth year of Darius, that the
word of the Lord came unto Zechariah, on the fourth day of
the ninth month, even in Chifleu,
ye
-When fafted and mourned in the fifth and feventh
month, even theſe ſeventy years, did ye at all faſt unto me, even
unto me?
The faſt of the fourth month, and the faſt of the fifth, and
the faft of the ſeventh, and the faft of the tenth month, ſhall
be to the houſe of Judah joy and gladneſs.
The
The Chronology of the World.
105
The Goſpel of St. MATTHEW.
ESUS Chrift the fon of David the fon of Abraham,
JESUS
2 Abraham I.
Ch. i. ver. I.
Ifaac
2.
Jacob
3:
Judah
4.
3
Phares
5.
Efrom
6.
Aram
7.
4
Aminadab
8.
Naaffon
9.
Salmon
IO.
5
Booz
II.
Obed
12.
Jeffe
13.
6
David
17
Ch. ii. ver.
7
16
Ch. xi. ver. 13
Ch. xvi. 21
Ch. xvii. 22
23
14.
So all the generations, or defcents, from Abraham to David,
are fourteen.
Jefus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of
Herod the king.-
Then Herod, when he had privily called the wife men, en-
quired of them diligently what time the ftar appeared.
Then Herod, when he faw that he was mocked of the wife
men, was exceeding wroth, and fent forth, and flew all the
children that were in Bethlehem, --- from two years old and
under, according to the time that he had diligently enquired of
the wife men.
-All the prophets and the law prophefied until John.
From that time forth began Jefus to fhew unto his difciples,
how that he muft go unto Jerufalem, and fuffer many things
of the elders, and chief priests, and ſcribes, and be killed, and
be raiſed again the third day.
And while they abode in Galilee Jefus faid unto them, the
fon of man ſhall be betrayed into the hands of men :
And they ſhall kill him, and the third day he fhall be rai-
fed again.
P
A houf-
106
the
The Chronology of the
?
St. MATTHEW.
Ch. xx. ver. I
3
5
6
8
17
18
19
Ch. xxiv. 14
15
16
Ch. xxvi. 2.
17
18
Ch. xxvii. I
37
45
A houfholder went out early, (pw) i. e. fix o'clock in the
morning.)
And he went out about the third hour, (i. e. about nine
o'clock in the morning.)
Again he went out about the fixth and ninth hour. (i. e.
twelve at noon, and three o'clock in the afternoon.
And he went out about the eleventh hour, (i.e. about five
o'clock in the afternoon.)
So when even (o) was come, (i.e. fix o'clock in the even-
ing.)
And Jefus going up to Jerufalem faid unto his difciples,
Behold, we go up to Jerufalem, and the fon of man fhall be
betrayed unto the chief priests --- and they fhall condemn him
to death,
And the third day he ſhall rife again.
And this goſpel of the kingdom ſhall be preached in all the
world, for a witnefs unto all nations: and then fhall the end
come.
When ye therefore fhall fee the abomination of deolation
ſpoken of by Daniel the prophet, ftand in the holy place (whoſo
readeth let him underſtand.)
Then let them which be in Judea flee.
Ye know that after two days is the paffover, and the ſon of
man is betrayed to be crucified.
Now the firſt day of unleavened bread the difciples came to
Jefus faying were wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat
the paffover.
And he faid, go into the city to fuch a man, and ſay unto him,
The mafter faith, my time is at hand, I will keep the paffover
at thy houſe with my difciples.
When the morning was come ---
They ſet up over his head, his accufation written, THIS
JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. (Hua Nagid
Meffiab.)
IS
Now from the fixth hour there was darkneſs over all the
land unto the ninth hour,
And
The Chronology of the World.
107
Ch. xxvii. 46
50
57
Ch. xxvi. 20
Ch. xxvii. 62
63
64
Ch. xxviii. I.
St. MATTHEW.
And about the ninth hour Jefus cried with a loud voice-
And when he cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the
ghoſt.
When the even was come there came a rich man of Arima-
thea. ---
Now when the even was come he fat down with the twelve.
Now the next day that followed the day of the preparation,
the chief priests came unto Pilate,
Saying, fir, we remember that that deceiver faid while he
was yet alive, after three days I will rife again.
Command therefore that the fepulchre be made fure until
the third day..
In the end of the fabbath, when it began to dawn towards
the first day of the week.
St.
MARK.
Ch. i. ver. 32 AT even, when the fun did ſet
35
Ch.vi.ver. 35
47
48
Ch. viii. 31
Ch. ix. 2
31
Ch. x.
x. 34
Ch. xiii. 10
14
35
Ch. xiv.
xiv. I
17
--- In the morning rifing up a great while before day.---
When the day was now far spent.
Now the time,is
far paffed.
When the even was come.
About the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto
them. --
again.
The fon of man muſt be killed, and after three days rife
After fix days, Jefus was transfigured.
After that he is killed, he ſhall rife the third day.
They fhall kill him, and the third day he fhall rife again.
The goſpel muſt firſt be publiſhed among all nations.
When ye fhall fee the abomination of defolation, ſpoken
of by Daniel the prophet, ftanding where it ought not.
-At even, or at midnight, or at cock-crowing, or in the
morning.
After two days was the paffover.
In the evening he cometh with the twelve.
P 2
On
108
The Chronology of the World.
Ch. xiv. 12.
Ch. xv. ver. I
\
25
26
33
34
42
Ch. xvi. I
2
9
St. MAR K..
On the firſt day of unleavened bread, when they killed the
paffover.
And ſtraightway in the morning. -
And it was the third hour, when they crucified him.
The ſuperſcription of his accufation was written over ---
KING OF THE Jews.
THE
And when the fixth hour was come there was darkneſs over
the whole land until the ninth hour.
And at the ninth hour Jeſus cried with a loud voice, and
gave up the ghoft.
Now when the even was come, becauſe it was the preparation,
(that is the day before the fabbath.)
And when the fabbath was paſt.
Very early in the morning, the first day of the week, they
came unto the fepulchre, at the rifing of the fun.
Now when Jefus was riſen early on the first day of the week.---
St. L.UK E.
Ch. i. ver. 5 THERE was in the days of Herod the king of Judea, a
23
24
2.5
26
36
56
Ch. ii. ver. I
2
certain prieſt named Zacharias, of the courſe of Abia. ---
And it came to paſs, that as ſoon as the days of his miniſtration
were accompliſhed, he departed to his own houſe.
And after thoſe days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and hid
herſelf five months.
And in the fixth month, the Angel Gabriel was fent from
God.
To a virgin --- and ſaid unto her,
Behold, thy coufin Elizabeth, ſhe alſo hath conceived a fon
in her old age, and this is the fixth month with her, who was
called barren.
And Mary abode with her about three months.
And it came to pafs, in thofe days, that there went out a
decree from Cæfar Auguftus, that the whole Roman empire
fhould be enrolled.
And this enrollment was firft put into execution when Cyre-
nius was governor of Syria.
Now
The Chronology of the World.
109
Ch. iii. ver. I
2
23
Ch. vi. ver. I
Ch.ix. ver. 12
22
28
Ch. xiii. 33
32
35
Ch. xviii. 31
32
33
Ch. xix. 41
44
Ch. xx. 15
16
Ch. xxi. 6
12
20
St LUKE.
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cæfar,
Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being
Tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip being Tetrarch
of Iturea.-
Annas and Caiphas being the high priests, the word of God
came unto John the fon of Zacharias.
Jeſus began to be about thirty years of age.---
And it came to pafs on the fecond fabbath after the firſt. ---
When the day began to wear away.
The ſon of man --- must be flain and be raiſed the third
day.
And it came to paſs about eight days after.
Nevertheleſs, I muſt walk to day and to morrow and the day
following,
And the third day I ſhall be perfected.
Behold! your houſe is left unto
you defolate.
Then he took unto him the twelve, and faid unto them,
behold! we go up to Jerufalem, and all things that are written
by the prophets concerning the fon of man ſhall be accompliſhed.
For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles.
And they ſhall put him to death, and the third day he ſhall
rife again.
And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept
over it.
Saying,
Thine enemies fhall lay thee even with the ground.
What therefore ſhall the Lord of the vineyard do unto them?
He ſhall come and deſtroy theſe huſbandmen, and ſhall give
the vineyard to others.
As for theſe things, which ye behold, the days will come,
in the which there ſhall not be left one ftone upon another, that
fhall not be thrown down.
But before all theſe they ſhall lay their hands on you, and
perfecute you being brought before kings and rulers for my
name's fake.
And when ye shall fee Jerufalem compaffed with armies,
then know that the defolation thereof is nigh.
For
IIO
The Chronology of the World.
·
Ch. xxi. 22
32
Ch. xxiii. I
2
3
36
37
38
44
54
56
Ch. xxiv. I
2I
26
27
44
45
46
St. LUK E.
For theſe be the days of vengeance, that all things which are
written may be fulfilled.
Verily I fay unto you, this generation fhall not paſs away till
all be fulfilled.
And the whole multitude of them arofe, and led him unto
Pilate.
And began to accuſe him, ſaying, we found this fellow .per-
verting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Cæfar,
faying, that he himself is Chrift, a king.
And Pilate aſked him, faying, art thou the king of the Jews?
The foldiers mocked him, faying,
If thou be the king of the Jews, fave thyſelf.
And a ſuperſcription alfo was written over him, in letters of
Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS The King of the
JEWS. Hua Meffiah Nagid.
It was about the fixth hour, and there was a darkneſs over
all the land until the ninth hour.
That day was the preparation, and the fabbath drew on.
They refted the fabbath-day, according to the com-
mandment.
Upon the firſt day of the week, very early in the morning,
they came unto the fepulchre.
Befide all this, to day is the third day fince theſe things
were done.
Ought not Chrift to have ſuffered theſe things, and to enter
into his glory?
•
And beginning at Mofes and all the prophets, he expounded
unto them in all the fcriptures, the things concerning himſelf.
And he ſaid unto them, theſe are the words which I fpake
unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things muſt be
fulfilled which were written in the law of Mofes, and in the
prophets, and in the pfalms, concerning me.
Then opened he their underſtanding, that they might under-
ſtand the fcripture,
And ſaid unto them, thus it is written, and thus it behoved
Chriſt to ſuffer and to riſe from the dead the third day.
St.
The Chronology of the World.
111
St. JOHN.
T was about the tenth hour.
Ch. i. ver. 39 IT
Ch.ii. ver. 1 3
18
19
20
21
Ch. iv. ver. 6
25
26
52
Ch. v. ver. 1
39
46
47
Ch. vi. ver. 4
Ch. vii. ver. I
ΙΟ
14
37
Ch. xi. 55
And the Jews paffover was at hand, and Jefus went up
to Jerufalem.
Then anſwered the Jews, and ſaid unto him, what fign
ſheweth thou unto us, feeing that thou doeft theſe things.
Jefus anſwered and faid unto them, deftroy this temple, and.
in three days I will raiſe it up.
Then faid the Jews, forty-fix years was this temple in build-
ing, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?
But he fpake of the temple of his body.
It was about the fixth hour.
The woman faith unto him, I know that Meffias cometh,
which is called Chrift: when he is come, he will tell us all
things.
Jefus faith unto her, I that ſpeak unto thee am he.
They ſaid unto him, yeſterday at the feventh hour the fever
left him.
After this there was a feaft of the Jews, and Jeſus went up
to Jerufalem.
Search the fcriptures
they are they which teſtify of me.
Had ye believed Mofes, ye would have believed me: for he
wrote of me.
But if ye believe not his writings, how fhall ye
words.
And the paffover, a feaft of the Jews, was nigh.
Now the Jews feaft of tabernacles was at hand.
believe my
When his brethren were gone up, then went he alſo up unto
the feaſt.
Now about the midſt of the feaft, Jefus went up into the
temple and taught.
In the laſt day, that great day of the feaſt, Jeſus ſtood and
cried, faying, if any man thirft, let him come unto me and
drink.
And the Jews paffover was nigh at hand, and many went
out of the country up to Jerufalem before the paffover to purify
themſelves.
Then
I 12
The Chronology of the World.
Ch. xii. ver. I
Ch.xiii. ver. I
Ch. xx. I
Ch. ii. ver. I
Ch. vii.
FOTOD
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Ch. xiii. 18
19
20
21
St. JOHN.
Then Jefus fix days before the paffover came to Bethany. -
Now before the feaft of the paffover when Jefus knew that
his hour was come.
The firſt day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early
when it was yet dark unto the fepulchre.
ACTS.
HEN the day of Pentecoft was fully come. ---
WHEN
The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham,
when he was in Mefopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran.
And ſaid unto him, get thee out of thy country, and from thy
kindred, and come into the land which I fhall fhew thee,
Then came he out of the land of the Chaldeans, and dwelt
in Haran, and from thence, when his father was dead, he re-
moved him into this land wherein ye now dwell.
And he gave
him none inheritance in it, no not fo much as
to fet is foot on yet he promiſed that he would give it to him
for a poffeffion, and to his feed after him, when as yet he had
no child.
And God ſpake on this wife, that his feed ſhould ſojourn in
a ſtrange land, and that they ſhould bring them into bondage,
and entreat them evil --- four hundred years.
And the nation to whom they ſhall be in bondage, will I
judge, faid God: and after that they fhall come forth, and
ferve me in this place.
And he gave him the covenant of circumcifion.
---
About the time of forty years fuffered he their manners in the
wilderneſs.
And when he had deſtroyed ſeven nations in the land of Ca-
naan, he divided their land to them by lot.
And after that he gave unto them judges, about the ſpace of
four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.
And afterwards they defired a king; and God gave unto them
Saul the fon of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin --- forty
years.
And
The Chronology of the World.
113
Ch. xiii. 22
ACT S.
And when he had removed him, he raiſed up unto them
David to be their king.
GALATIANS.
Ch. iii. 17 AND this I fay, that the covenant that was confirmed before
Ch. iv.
iv. 4
of God in Chrift, the law which was four hundred and
thirty years after, cannot difanul, that it ſhould make the pro-
miſe of none effect.
But when the fulness of time was come, God ſent forth
his fon made of a woman, made under the law.
REVELATIONS.
Ch. xii. 6 AND the woman fled into the wilderneſs where ſhe has a
place prepared of God, that they ſhould feed her there one
thouſand two hundred and fixty days.
14
And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle,
that ſhe might flee into the wilderneſs, unto her place: where
ſhe is nouriſhed for a time, and times, and half a time. ---
е
DIS.
The Chronology of the World.
115
DISSERTATION I.
Of the folar tropical year, and the distances of the four cardinal
points of the ecliptic from each other, as collected from the tables
of obfervations.
C
HRONOLOGY is founded on aftronomy, and fo intimate is the
connection, that the conclufions of the one, are properly affumed in
fupport of the other. Thus the quantity of the folar tropical year is a con-
clufion in aſtronomy, and it is alfo a firſt principle in chronology. But al-
though the quantity of the folar tropical year is a conclufion in aftronomy, yet
fuch an unhappy fatality has attended this valuable and neceffary reſearch, for
almoſt two thouſand years paft, that the computift, when he examines the
vaft variety of opinions, is convinced that nothing, with reſpect to this impor-
tant conclufion, has hitherto been determined with certainty. So that inſtead
of a preciſe and eſtabliſhed definition, he meets with little more than a general
account, that the quantity of the natural year is fomething that has been long
and much fought after, but with fo little fucceſs, that it ſtill ſeems to be a point
which muſt be reckoned amongſt the yet undiſcovered ſecrets of nature.
This being the true ftate of the cafe, without any exaggerations, that we
may be able to fix the times of events to the precifion of months, and days,
in agreement with the motions of the fun and moon, and the laws of true a-
ftronomy, (which is the diſtinguiſhing office of chronology) it is neceſſary to
begin with an enquiry concerning the exact quantity of the folar tropical year;
and becauſe to obferve the heavenly bodies, by the affiſtance of exquifite in-
ſtruments, has been thought the only juft expedient to determine the times of
their periodic motions, it might feem, the computiſt hath little more to do,
than to examine diligently the tables of obfervation. Let us then make the
experiment from two fuch tables, the one of which was made by Tyco Brahe
in the reign of Queen Elizabeth; the other, by Dr. Bradley, the preſent aftro-
nomer royal, at the diſtance of an hundred and feventy years from the age in
which Tyco flouriſhed. Here follows,
A TABLE
116
The Chronology of the World.
A TABLE of the times of the fun's entry into the four cardinal points of the
ecliptic, beginning at the vernal equinox A. D. 1584, and ending at the winter
folftice A. D. 1587, according to the obfervations (or corrected numbers) of Tyco
Brabe, in the meridian of Uraniburgh.
Vernal
Equinox.
Summer
. Solſtice.
Autumnal
Winter
Equinox.
Solſtice.
March.
June.
September.
December.
A. D. D. H.
M.D.
H.
M.D. H. M.D. H.
M.
Biff. 1584 10
9
30 II
14
1313 4
0011
II 14 44
11585 10
15
1911
1911
20
113
9
49 11
20 33
2 1586 10
21
812
I
49 13
15
38 12 2 22
3158711
2
56 12
7
3713
21
26 12
8 II
A TABLE of twelve terminations of the folar tropical year, arifing from Tyco's
fixteen obfervations, or corrected numbers, and they are obtained by fubftracting
the uppermost line from, that which is immediately below it.
Vernal Summer | Autumn.] Winter
Equinox Solftice. Equinox Solftice.
A D. H.
M. H. M. H.
M. H. M.
1585 5
49 5
48 5
49 5
49
1
1586 5
4915
48 5
1587 5
485
48/5
4915 49
485 49
From this table of twelve terminations we may obſerve, that ſeven of them
confift of forty-nine minutes, and the remaining five of forty-eight. If
we place them in this manner 43', we are inftructed to infer, that the quantity
of the year lies within theſe limits; but this difference of one minute perplexes
the conclufion, and leaves it in a ftate of uncertainty. Here follows,
ATABLE of twelve quantities of the folar tropical year arifing from the corrected
numbers of Tyco's fixteen obfervations.
D. H. M.
+
I 365 5 49
D. H. M.
D. H. M.
+
D. H. M.
+
IV 365 5 48 – 1|VII 565 5 49
- 1 VII 565 5 490X 365 5 49
+
OV 365 5 48 1VIII 365 5 490XI 365 5 49
+
II 365 5 49
III 365 5 48-1 VI 365 5 48
-
IIX 365 5 48 - 1XII 365 5 49
Thus
The Chronology of the World.
117.
Thus we have confulted the table of Tyco's obfervations, but meeting with
no fatisfaction, becauſe with no certainty, we proceed with the hopes of better
fuccefs, to examine
The TABLE of the times of the fun's entry into the four cardinal points of the
ecliptic, beginning at the vernal equinox A. D. 1752, and ending at the autum-
nal equinox A. D. 1755, according to the obfervations of Dr. Bradley, in the
meridian of the Greenwich obfervatory.
Vernal
Equinox.
Summer
Solſtice.
Autumnal
Winter
Equinox. Solſtice.
March.
June.
September.
December.
A. D. D.
H.
M. D.
H.
M.D.
H.
M.D.
H. M.
Biff. 1752 19
16
40 20
15
14 22
4
32 20
20
32
11753 19 22
33 20
21
15.22
10
2421
2
2 I
21754 20
4
26 21
3
8 22
16
14 21
8
15
31755 20 10
16 21
8
48 22
22
4
A TABLE of eleven terminations of the folar tropical year, arifing from the fore-
going table of obfervations.
Vernal
Summer Autumn.] Winter
Equinox Solftice. Equinox Solſtice.
M.H. M.H. M.H. M.
A.D.H.
1753 5
53/6
15
5215
49
1754 5 53 5
53 5
50.5
175515
5015
4015
5o|
54
In this table the leaft terms are 5 hours, 40 minutes, and the greateſt 6
hours, 1 minute, which leaves a latitude of 21 minutes; this will appear by
fetting them down one under the other as before; 4. Here follows,
A TABLE of eleven quantities of the folar tropical year, arifing from the la-
teft and beft obfervations.
D. H. M.
D. H. M.
D. H. M..
VII|365
D. H. M.+
365 5 49 - 0
XI 365 5 49+5
I 365 5 494 IV 365 5 49+12 VII 365 5 49+3 X
II 365 5 49+4V 365 5 49+ 4 VIII 365 5 49+
III 365 5 49+1 VI 365 5 49- 9IX 365 5 49+I
From
118
The Chronology of the World.
From the whole of the examinations taken together it appears, that the o-
riginal and uncorrected numbers of a ſeries of obfervations, expreffing the times
of equinoxes and folftices in a given meridian, are not applicable to uſe in
their native quantities, nor are they to be underſtood in a literal fenfe; but we
muſt read the comments of the aftronomers upon them, and endeavour to in-
form ourſelves, as we can, by what rules of art they reduce them to fome
kind of uniformity, and to an intelligible and aftronomical fenſe.
Should we extend our enquiries to far as fo take into confideration the cal-
culations of an ephemeris, fome would probably fay, and it often has been
faid, what avails almanac aftronomy? which is only accommodated to vulgar
ufe; however, as it will be no great trouble to make the experiment; here
follows,
A TABLE of the times of the fun's entry into the four cardinal points of the
ecliptic, beginning at the vernal equinox A. D. 1750, and ending at the winter
folftice A.D. 1753. Parker's ephemeris for the meridian of London. Hours
reckoned from midnight.
Vernal
Summer
Autumnal
Winter
Equinox.
Solſtice.
Equinox.
Solftice.
March.
June.
September.
December.
A.D. D. H.
21750 9 17
31751 9 22
Biff. 1752 9
M.D. H. M.
6 10 15 59
50 10 21 56
D.
H. M.
12 5 18
D. H. M.
10 20
50
12 II 22
I I
4
4
11753 20
10
31 10 3 42
2821
9 32 N.S.
22 17 14N.S. 21
22 23 00
2 49
8 42
21
14
14 29
A TABLE of twelve terminations of the folar tropical year, arifing from the
foregoing calculations.
Vernal Summer Autumn. Winter
E qunox Solftice Equinox Solstice
A. D. H. M. H. M. H. M. H.
M.
1751 5 445
576
415 59
1752 5 415
465 5215 53
175315 5715 5015
465
47
A TABLE
The Chronology of the World.
119
A TABLE of twelve quantities of the folar tropical year, as determined by cal-
D. H. M.
culation.
D. H. M.
D. H. M.
D. H. M.
I 365 5 49- 5 IV 365 5 49+8 VII 365 5 49+15 X 365 5 49+10
II 365 5 49
8V 365 5 49 - 3 VIII 365 5 49+ 3|XI | 365 5 49+ 4
III 365 5 49+8\VI 365_5_49+1|IX 365 5 49 3 XII 365 5 47 - 2
Thus we ſee the preſent imperfect ſtate of the folar tropical year, and that
no true judgment can be formed of its quantity, either from obfervation or ta-
bular calculation; we will therefore, in the next place, confider the aſtrono-
mical divifions of the ecliptic, or the diſtance of its four cardinal points from
each other, which taken together ought to conſtitute the quantity of the annual
period.
The aſtronomers continue to confider the ecliptic as a circle, and equal to
the equator, as thus,
The Ecliptic
confifts of
360 degrees.
The four quarters of the ecliptic.
From to vs 90°
From vs to r
From to
From
to
90°
900
90°
The Equator
confifts of
360 degrees.
The four quarters of the equator.
From Noon to Sunſetting
900
From Sunfetting to Midnight 90°
From Midnight to Sunrifiing 90°
From Sunrifiing to Noon
90°
Here the ecliptic and the equator are both of them divided into four quar-
ters, each of them confifting of ninety degrees; and fome might be induced
to infer from hence, that if the quarters of the ecliptic were converted into
time, they would be found equal to one another, like the quarters of the e-
quator; and that their quantities might be expreſſed in numbers with the fame
facility and certainty; for what other conftruction can be put upon theſe iden-
tical appearances? But obfervation has difcovered, that although the reduction
of the equator to time, in the whole, and its minuteft parts, is perfectly and
univerfally known, yet it is an extreme difficult undertaking, and requires no
fmall ſkill to determine the diſtances of the fun's four ftations, with a due pre-
cifion; nay, it may be made a queftion, whether this determination muſt not
be reckoned amongst the number of the yet undiſcovered fecrets of nature.
To evince this we need but confider the following table, exhibiting the diſtances
of the four cardinal points of the ecliptic, according to the numbers of
Tyco
Ì 20`
The Chronology of the World.
Tyco Brahe.
Dr. Bradley.
D. H. M.
D. H. M.
H. M.
H. M.
From
to
93 4
4 43
92
22
42
6 I
. 6
6
39
From
to
93
13 47
93
13
9
38
From to vs
From vs to r
89
10 44
89
15
57+ 5
13
89 OQ 33
89 2
I
26+ 6 39
Sum total
365 5 49
365
5 49
We need not go about to prove, for it is felf-evident, that if the diſtances of
the fun's four ſtations could be aſcertained to a moment of time, the quantity
of the year, which is the fum total of them, muſt be alfo known with the
fame exactneſs: But this remark does not hold reciprocally true, ſince it is e-
vident from theſe tables, that we have from both of them the ſame termination
of the year to a minute, whilft there is a vifible difference in the numbers which
are made uſe of to notify the four diſtances: and the reaſon why this diſagree-
ment does not immediately appear from the conclufion, is, becauſe the defect
on the one fide is exactly ballanced by the excefs on the other, for 6 hours
39 minutes+6 hours 39 minutes = o. And from this balance arifes one and
the fame termination; but notwithſtanding this fameneſs of termination, it
would be a fignal advantage to the computift, to be indubitably affured which
account of the fun's four ſtations approaches the neareſt to the truth; fince the
difference of the numbers is of fuch importance, that ſhould two perſons cal-
culate a fummer folſtice, in a given year, for a given place, the one by Tyco's,
the other by Dr. Bradley's obferved diſtance of v from, the times would fall
upon two points of the equator, very near 6000 geographical miles to the
eastward and weftward of each other, which is a grofs abfurdity, becauſe it
is impoffible to be ſuppoſed of two meridians that are no more than fifty-one
minutes of time diftant from each other. And as there is no eſtabliſhed rule
by which to judge of the truth of either, the computiſt will incline to give
the preference to the lateſt obfervations.
Theſe tables are ſo perplexed with uncertainties, that the aſtronomers them-
felves, whenever they attempt to aſcertain the quantity of the folar tropical year,
they give up the numbers of obfervation, and have recourſe to artificial rules,
as appears from Keil's 22d lecture, where we meet with the following ac-
count, p. 271.
CE
By obfervations that are made at the diſtance of a year, we cannot fafely
"rely upon the true quantity of the year collected from them; for a ſmall er-
"ror of one minute, being conftantly encreaſed and multiplied by the number
"of years, in procefs of time would amount to a prodigious miſtake in the
"place of the fun, therefore the aftronomers more accurately determine the
"quantity
The Chronology of the World.
121
"quantity of the year, by taking the obfervations of two equinoxes at many
<< years diſtance from one another; and dividing the time between the obſer-
"vations, by the number of revolutions the fun has made, the quantity will
"fhew the time of one revolution, or nearly the period of the earth in her
"orbit. For by this means, if there be any miſtake made in the obſervation,
"it will be divided into fo many parts, according to the number of years,
"that it will be infenfible for the fpace of one year."
By theſe rules of art we are ſupplied with four different mean meafures of
the folar tropical year.
D. H. M. S.
I
365 5 49 00
2
365 5 48 57 3 according to
3 365 5 48 55 5
4 365 5 48 45 15
The majority of Tyco's corrected numbers.
Sir Ifaac Newton's
Dr. Halley's
Dr. Bradley's
corrections.
Thus we have confulted the tables of obfervations, and the feveral correcti
ons, with the hopes of diſcovering in how many days, hours, minutes, &c.
the fun finiſhes one entire revolution, but can come at no certainty; we are at
a ſtand, like a traveller, who arriving at a place where four ways meet, is re-
tarded in his progrefs, for want of a faithful directory which of them to take;
and as our traveller would rather chuſe to ſtop three miles ſhort of the place
he was going to than five, and five than fifteen, it muſt make him the more
folicitous to know which was the leaft deviation. Juſt ſo it is with the chro-
nologiſt, in whoſe calculations the defect or exceſs of a ſingle ſecond of time,
frequently repeated in a long ſeries of years, would encreaſe by degrees from
minutes to hours, and throw him wide of the meridian, or point of the equa-
tor, which he propofed to calculate.
It is therefore a great difadvantage to the chronologift, that the aftronomers
are not agreed among themſelves concerning the quantity of the folar tropical
year; hence it comes that we were obliged to deviſe methods how to aſcertain
it; according to our methods, which will be explained as we proceed, we find it
to confift of 365 days, 5 hours, 49 minutes, and we fhall fupport the pre-
cifion by a great variety of calculations.
· R
DISSER-
1
122
The Chronology of the World.
DISSERTATION II.
An enquiry into the determinate length of a folar day, and
whether folar days are equal or unequal to one another.
THE meaſure of the natural folar year is not more neceffary in chronological
computations, than the meaſure of the natural folar day.
The aftronomers, when ſpeaking of the length of a folar day, give two very
different kinds of definitions, which feem not reconcileable with one another,
as may be ſeen by comparing them.
DEFINITION
I.
"A folar day is that ſpace of time which paffes while the plane of the
meridian of any place, paffing through the center of the fun, by the earth's
" rotation about its axis from weft to eaſt, returns again to the fun's center.”
Keil's Lect. xxv.
Or, "It is the time between one mid-day and the next which comes af-
"ter." Ibid.
The preciſe ſpace of time, in which the plane of any meridian revolves, by
the earth's rotation about its axis from weft to eaft, from and to the center of
the fun, is explicitly determined in the following citations.
I.
"The earth goes round the fun in the ſpace of a year, and at the ſame
"time turns round her axis every 24 hours." Keil, Lect. vii.
(C
2. Ptolemy, and his followers, maintained, that the fun, and all the ſtars,
"had two motions contrary to one another; the one common with the hea-
"vens from eaſt to weft, in the ſpace of 24 hours; the other proper and
peculiar to each, from the weft to the eaft." Lect. vii.
"C
3. "Befides the annual circulation of the earth, it has a vertiginous motion
round its axis, from the weſt to the eaft, in 24 hours." Lect. xviii.
4. "Since the earth turns round its own axis, from thence it comes that the
inhabitants thereof, fee the heavens and all the ftars revolve round the earth
"in the ſpace of 24 hours from east to weft." Lect. xviii.
CC
5. "Since every meridian finiſhes its circulation round the axis, or 360
degrees, in 24 hours, it muſt needs each hour have a motion of 15 degrees
"of the equator, which is the 24th part of 360." Lect. xviii.
Mr. Ferguſon, in his treatiſe of aftronomy, explained upon fir I. Newton's
principles, and was compiled, as he himſelf fays, upon the beſt modern au-
thorities, writes as follows.
1. "The
The Chronology of the World.
123
1. "The earth, by turning round its axis every 24 hours, from weft to eaſt,
"it cauſes an apparent diurnal motion of all the heavenly bodies from east to
" weft." Sect. 47. p. 14. 1ſt edit.
<<
3.
2.
---
"On the 15th day of May, when the fun appears in the 15th degree of
"taurus a large track round the north pole has all the 24 hours day,
"for many rotations of the earth round its axis." Sect. 192. ift edit.
"If an obſerver be any where on the terreftrial equator, he is in the
plane of the celeſtial equinoctial, and the axis of the earth is coincident with
"the plane of his horizon, extended to the north and the fouth poles of the
"heavens. It is plain that this obferver has the pole conftantly in his horizon,
"which cuts the diurnal paths of all the celestial bodies perpendicularly and
"in halves. Therefore the fun, planets, and ftars, rife every day, and afcend
"perpendicularly above the horizon for fix hours, and paffing over the meri-
dian, deſcend in the ſame manner for the fix following hours; then fet in the
"horizon, and continue 12 hours below it, confequently at the equator the
"days and nights are equally long throughout the year. Thus we find that
to an obſerver at either of the poles, one half of the ſky is always viſible,
" and the other half never feen; but to an obferver at the equator the whole
ſky is ſeen every 24 hours." Sect. 124. 1ft edit.
66
66
<<
4. "The fixed ftars appear to go round the earth in 23 hours 56 minutes
"and 4 feconds, and the fun in 24 hours. Therefore in 365 days as mea-
"fured by the returns of the fun to the meridian, there are 366 days as meaſured
by the ſtars returning to it. The former are called folar days, and the
"latter fidereal." Sect. 221. 2d edit.
Theſe definitions and computations of the length of a folar day are, as it
might ſeem, ſo clear, fo fatisfactory, and fo obvious to the apprehenfion of
every one, who has the leaſt acquaintance with a well-regulated clock, that,
at the firſt view, it might juftly excite our wonder, to find the aftronomers
themſelves taking fo much pains, to render theſe uniform conclufions intricate,
perplexed, and unintelligible; as it will appear by what follows.
DEFINITION II.
"Becauſe, while the earth is whirling round its axis, it is alfo going forward
"in its proper motion eaftward, when any meridian has compleated its revo
"lution, after having paffed the fun's center, its plane will not then have
paffed through the fun, nor will the inhabitants under that meridian have
"had their mid-day,--- and therefore all the folar days are longer than the time
“of one revolution round the earth's axis." Keil, Lect. xxv.
L
c
DEFINITION III.
“A middle folar day is equal to the time in which the whole circumference
R 2
"of
124
The Chronology of the World..
"of the equator, or 360 degrees, paffes the meridian, and befides that 59′ 8″.”
Lect. xxv.
Now the 360 degrees of the equator give 24 hours, and 59' 8" give 3′
56″ 32″ of time; fo that here is an excess of 3′ 56″ 32″ above 24 hours, in
flat contradiction to all the foregoing determinations.
We muſt not, in this place, omit to take notice of Keil's fophiftical direc-
tions concerning the adjuſtment of the clock, where he is giving rules how to
find the right aſcenſion of the ſtars. His words are,
CC
CE
cr
Having the place of the fun in the ecliptic, by the help of it, and a good
pendulum clock, we may find the right aſcenſion of all the ſtars, for which
purpoſe the motion of the clock muſt be fo adjusted, that the hand may run
through the 24 hours in the time that a ſtar, leaving the meridian, will arrive
"at it again; which time is fomewhat shorter than a natural day, becauſe of
"the ſpace the fun moves through in the mean time eaftward." Lect. xix.
If we lay theſe accounts together they will ſtand thus:
1. A meridian revolves from and to the center of the fun, or the earth
turns round its axis in 24 hours.
2. A fidereal day, and the complement of the folar day, taken together, con-
fift of 24 hours + 3′ 56″ 32″ Keil.
3. A fidereal day, by the artificial adjuſtment of the clock, confifts of 24
hours. Keil.
It is expreffly faid above, that "the ſtars appear to go round the earth in 23
"hours 56 minutes and 4 feconds;" now theſe 23 hours 56 minutes, &c. are
made, by the adjustment of the clock, to affume the
appearance of 24 hours; but
is not this a fophifm in aftronomy?
All aſtronomers agree, that a natural folar day is compounded of one fidereal
day, and part of another; and this part of another being a diurnal arch of
the equator, and ever equal to itſelf, I fhall venture to offer.
DEFINITION IV.
A folar day is that ſpace of time, in which the plane of any meridian, after
having paffed the center of the fun, in conjunction with a fixed ftar at noon,
by the earth's rotation about its axis from weft to caft, revolves to the ſtar in
the ſpace of 23 hours 56 minutes, and from the ftar to the fun in 4 minutes,
which being added together make 24 hours preciſely, as meaſured by a well-
regulated clock, juft in the fame manner, with refpect to time, as if the earth
hath only a diurnal and no annual motion at all. Having premiſed thus much,
I proceed with the enquiry.
SECTION I.
Neither the preciſe length of a fidereal day, nor the complement of the folar,
hath yet been determined with certainty.
When
The Chronology of the World.
125
r
When it is faid, that “a middle folar day is equal to the time in which the
"whole circumference of the equator, or 360 degrees, paſs the meridian, and
" befides that 59'. 8"; or, " that an abfolute turn of the earth on its axis — never
brings the fame meridian round from the fun to the fun again; but that the
"earth requires as much more than one turn on its axis to finiſh a natural day,
"as it has gone forward in that time; (Ferguſon's Aftron.)" it is obvious to
perceive, that theſe terms do not convey to the mind any diſtinct idea of the
determinate quantity, either of a fidereal day, or of a folar day, or of their
difference.
CC
Moreover, when it is faid, that "the ftars appear to go round the earth in
23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4 feconds," would it be thought unreaſonable to
afk, how or in what manner does it appear? fince no obfervation is expreſsly
appealed to, nor is any authority cited.
We may add further, that if 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4 feconds, are con-
verted into their correfpondent parts of the equator, they will amount to no
more than 359°. 1'; but 360 degrees are neceffary to compleat the revolution
of the equator, or one abfolute turn of the earth about its axis.
SECT. II.
The whole doctrine of the fidereal and folar day comprehended in fix queries.
Since the earth's two diftinct and independant motions, the one round its axis,
and the other round the fun, are in an infeparable connection, and adjuſted to
each other with nice mathematical proportions, it will be to little purpoſe, to
attempt the framing of aſtronomical tables, until we are able to fill up, with
adequate numbers, the divifions of the following
Annual motion, A—
Diurnal motion, D
Time,
G
Rectilineal Schemes.
BC. Diurnal arch of the earth's annual orbit.
EF. The circumference of the equator.
HI. The fidereal day, and complement of the folar.
1. What precife portion of its annual orbit, or how many minutes, &c. of a
degree repreſented by the ftrait line AB, does the earth paſs over by its
progreflive motion eastward, whilſt any meridian, after having departed from
the center of the fun in conjunction with a fixed ſtar, revolves to the ſtar again?
2. What precife portion of its annual orbit, or how many feconds of 1 minute
of a degree, repreſented by the ftrait line BC, does the earth pafs over, by
its progreffive motion eaſtward, whilſt the aforefaid meridian revolves from the
ftar to the fun, and compleats the folar day?
I
3. What precife portion, or how many degrees, &c. of the equator, repre-
ſented by the ftrait line DE, revolve, whilft the aforementioned meridian
arrives at the ftar?
4. What
126
The Chronology of the World.
•
4. What precife portion of the equator, or how many minutes, &c. of a
F, revolve, whilft the meridian is
degree, reprefented by the ftrait line E
carried from the ftar to the center of the fun?
5. How many hours and minutes, &c. preciſely, repreſented by the ſtrait line
GH, does the hand of a well-regulated clock paſs over, in the ſpace of a
fidereal day?
6. How many minutes, &c. preciſely, repreſented by the ftrait line, H-—I,
compleat the fidereal day into the folar?
As all the fundamental points are here included, we fhall give three of theſe
rectilineal ſchemes, and fill up the divifions of the firft and fecond with the
numbers affigned by the aftronomers; and the divifions of the third, with fuch
numbers as we ſhall endeavour to fupport by calculation.
8"
Annual motion, A_59′
Diurnal motion, D. 360° +
I. Keil's numbers.
Time,
G_24 hours
+
II.
Annual motion, A— 59' 00"
Diurnal motion, D_359°
Time,
I'
B-
O
E_59' 8"
C, mean diurnal motion of the fun.
F, circumference of the eq. + 59′ 8″.
H3'56" 32" I, fidereal day and complem, of the ſolar.
Ferguſon's numbers.
O
B_
E 59'
C, mean diurnal motion of the fun.
.F, circumference of the equator.
G 23h. 56' 4" H_3'56" I, fidereal day and complem. of the folar.
Annual motion, A_59′ 50″
III.
C, 60 or 1 degree of the annual orbit.
Diurnal motion, D.
359°
1º
E-
F, the 360 degrees of the equator.
Time,
G_23 h. 56' 00"
H
4'
I, the 24 hours of the folar day.
The 360th part of the circumference of the equator, or 4 minutes of time,
expreffed in ſcheme III. by H-4_I. conſtitute the true aftronomical diffe-
rence, as we ſhall prove, between the fidereal and the folar day.
Min. Day Min. .Days.
Say, As 4: 1 :: 1440: 360.
First, we ſhall fhew from theſe proportions, that if any perfon, whom we
fhall call A, fhould take his departure from any point of the equator, whilſt
the
The
127
Chronology of the World.
the plane of his meridian was paffing the center of the fun in conjunction with
a fixed ftar, and fhould travel quite round the globe eastward, at the rate of
one degree in the ſpace of 24 hours, in the time that the earth made an entire
rotation about its axis without any annual motion, in the end of 360 days, he
would again return to the fun in conjunction with the fame fixed ftar at noon,
juft as if the earth had made but one fingle rotation about its axis.
4
1. Let us fuppofe A to have proceeded eaſtward on the equator 30 degrees,
the earth in the mean while turning on its axis; then having the fun in the
meridian at the end of 30 days, it would be 10 o'clock in the morning, or 2
hours before noon, in the place of his departure.
2. If we fuppofe A to have proceeded eastward on the equator 60 degrees;
then having the fun in the meridian at the end of 60 days, it would be 8 o'clock
in the morning, or 4 hours before noon, in the place of his departure.
3. If we fuppofe A to have travelled eaftward, as before, 90 degrees; then
having the fun in the meridian at the end of 90 days, it would be 6 o'clock
in the morning, or 6 hours before noon, in the place of his departure.
4. If we fuppofe A to have gone forward 120 degrees; then having the
fun in the meridian at the end of 120 days, it would be 4 o'clock in the
morning, or 8 hours before noon, in the place of his departure.
5. If we ſuppoſe A to have gone forward 150 degrees; then having the
fun in his meridian at the end of 150 days, it would be 2 o'clock in the
morning, or 10 hours before noon, in the place of his departure.
6. If we ſuppoſe A to have gone forward 180 degrees, then having the fun
in the meridian at the end of 180 days, it would be midnight, or 12 hours
before noon, in the place of his departure.
7. If we ſuppoſe A to have gone forward 210 degrees; then having the fun
in the meridian at the end of 210 days, it would be 10 o'clock at night, or
14 hours before noon, in the place of his departure.
8. If we fuppofe A to have gone forward on the equator 240 degrees, then
having the fun in the meridian at the end of 240 days, it would be 8 o'clock
at night, or 16 hours before noon, in the place of his departure.
9. If we fuppofe A to have travelled on the equator eastward 270 degrees;
then having the fun in the meridian at the end of 270 days, it would be 6
o'clock in the evening, or 18 hours before noon, in the place of his departure.
10. If we fuppofe A to have travelled 300 degrees on the equator eaſtward;
then having the fun in his meridian at the end of 300 days, it would be 4
o'clock in the afternoon, or 20 hours before noon, in the place of his departure.
11. If we fuppofe A to have travelled 330 degrees; then having the fun
in his meridian at the end of 330 days, it would be 2 o'clock in the after-
noon, or 22 hours before noon, in the place of his departure.
12. If
128
The Chronology of the World.
<
12. If we ſuppoſe A to have travelled eastward quite round the equator,
then at the end of 360 days, equal to the number of degrees, he would again
have the fun in his meridian in conjunction with the fame fixed ftar; juft as
hours.
if the earth had only made one ſingle rotation about its axis in 24
SECT. III.
If we fuppofe the earth's annual orbit to be divided into 365 degrees, equal
to the number of the meridian altitudes of the fun, within the limits of an
apparent folar revolution, (and it is fo divided by nature;) and if we likewiſe
ſuppoſe the earth, by its progreffive motion eastward, to be carried forward
one whole degree in the ſpace of 24 hours, or in the time of one entire ro-
tation of the earth about its axis, this diurnal progreffion, of one degree in the
annual orbit, will caufe a fixed ftar to pafs over a given meridian 4 minutes.
in time fooner than it paffed over it the day before; and in the end of 360
days, equal to the number of degrees in the circumference of the equator,
the meridian will revolve to the center of the fun in conjunction with the fame
fixed ſtar at noon, from whence it departed 360 days before; juft in the fame
manner, as if the earth had made only one fingle rotation about its axis without
any annual motion at all; and in the end of 365 days the meridian will revolve
to the ſtar 20 minutes before noon, as may be inferred from the following
proportions.
Day Min.
Days
Min.
Say, As I : 4 : 365 : 1460.
From 1460 fubftract 1440 minutes, equal in time to the whole circum-
ference of the equator, there will remain 20 minutes before noon, for the time
of the meridian's arrival at the ſtar in the 365th day, fuppofing no apparent
progreffive motion of the ſtars.
If theſe computations are not exactly true, juft as they are here ftated, then
we muſt ſay, that the following geometrical fcheme was contrived and
conſtructed only with a view to amufe or to deceive the learner.
The
The Chronology of the World.
129
The EXPLANATION.
1. The letters ABCDEFGHIKLM,
expreſs no more than 360 degrees of the earth's
annual orbit, equal to the number of degrees of
the circumference of the equator.
2. Theſe 360 degrees are divided into 12
equal parts, at the points. A 1. B 2. C 3. D4.
E 5. F 6. G 7. H 8. I 9. K 10. L 11. M 12.
Every one of theſe equal divifions is com-
pounded of 30 diurnal arches, confiſting each of
them, by the conftruction of the fcheme, of
one whole degree: but by the immenſe diſtance
of the fixed ftars from the earth, the whole
diameter of the annual orbit (containing, as it
is faid, 162 millions of miles, exclufive of the
vaft body of the fun) and conſequently all its
diurnal arches are diminiſhed into a phyfical
point this is evident from the parallelifms of
the meridian N m. Now it is impoffible for
parallel lines to form an angle; but where there
is no angle, there is no meaſure, and where there
is no meaſure, there is no determinate quantity.
3. Since therefore theſe 360 degrees of the
annual orbit, and its 12 divifions are, by the
immenfity of diſtance, rendered evanefcent
quan
tities, or equal to nothing, we have no means
left, by which to diſcover the earth's annual
and progreffive motion, but only the difference
of the times in which a given meridian arrives
at any fixed ftar, from which it had departed K
in conjunction with the fun at noon.
N
Nlm
N
m
12
72
N
m
R
nm
N
72
m
N
MIN
R
Nim
N
N
71
m
m
772
m
ས་་
4. This difference of the times is by the geo-
metrical construction of the ſcheme, the 360th,
not the 365th part, of the circle of the equa-
tor. And to expreſs it in time, it is not 31
56", but 4 minutes precifely. For let Nm be
any particular meridian of the earth, and N a given point or place upon that
meridian, when the earth is at A the fun S hides the ftar R, which would
always be hid if the earth never removed from A; and, confequently, as the
S
earth
1.30
The Chronology of the World.
earth turns round its axis, the point N would always come round to the fun
and ſtar at the ſame time: but when the earth has advanced, fuppofe 30 degrees,
in its orbit, from A to B, its motion round its axis, will bring the point N
a 12th part of the equator, or of a day, i. e. two hours fooner to the ftar than
to the fun; For the angle NBn is equal to the angle ASB; and therefore
any ftar which comes to the meridian at noon, when the earth is at A, will
come to the meridian at ten in the forenoon when' the earth is at B.
We will here fubjoin a table of the precife moments of time, in which,
according to the geometrical conftruction of the ſcheme, the meridian N m
will arrive at the ftar, when the earth is fucceffively in the points A B C D E
FGHIK L M.
Hours
of the Day.
I When the earth is in
A
12,
the fun and ſtar are in conjunction at noon.
The meridian comes to the ftar in B at
10,
3
Cat
8,
4
Dat
6,
E
at
5
6
1
4,
1
Fat
2,
7
8
9
1
Gat
ten o'clock in the morning, or 2 hours before noon.
eight o'clock in the morning, or 4 hours before noon.
fix o'clock in the morning, or 6 hours before noon.
four o'clock in the morning, or 8 hours before noon.
two o'clock in the morning, or 10 hours before noon.
o, midnight, or 12 hours before noon.
-
1
Hat
10,
I at
8,
IÒ
I I
K at
6,
12
L at
M at
4,
2,
1
A at
o,
ten o'clock at night, or 14 hours before noon.
eight o'clock at night, or 16 hours before noon.
fix o'clock in the evening, or 18 hours before noon.
four o'clock afternoon, or 20 hours before noon.
two o'clock afternoon, or 22 hours before noon.
the fun and ftar again in conjunction at noon.
&
SECT. IV.
All folar days are equal to one another, and to the time of the revolution of
the equator, i. e. to 24 hours, or 1440 minutes, never more and never leſs.
It appears from the geometrical conftruction of the ſcheme, and the table of
times, that when the earth has proceeded eastward in its orbit 30 degrees, from
the point A to the point B, the ftar paffes the meridian at ten o'clock in the
morning, or 2 hours before noon. Now 30 degrees are the 12th part of the
circumference of the equator; and 2 hours are the 12th part
of 24.
We have faid, that 30 degrees are, by the ſcheme, the 12th part of the circum-
ference of the equator; becauſe, as the angle A S B is equal to the angle N B n,
the arches A B and Nn are fimilar: but it has been fhewn, that the arch A B
is, by the immenſity of diſtance, contracted into a phyſical point; and therefore
there only remains the arch N n to be confidered and eſtimated: but Nn is
an arch of the equator; and it is well known, that fince the axis of the earth is
perpendicular to the plane of the equator, equal arches conftantly país through.
the meridian in equal times. Hence it comes, that folar days muſt be equal to
one another, and to the time in which the whole circumference, or 360 degrees
of the equator, pafs the meridian, i. e. to 24 hours.
SECT. V.
The Chronology of the World.
131
SECT. V.
The invariable and mathematical equality of folar days is demonftrably certain
from the geometrical conftruction of the preceeding equatoreal fcheme.
In this ſcheme the fun and ftar are in conjunction at noon in the meridian
N; in the point B the meridian comes to the ftar at ten o'clock in the morn-
ing; from 12 fubftract 10, and there will remain 2 hours; multiply 2 hours
into 60 minutes, and the product will be 120 minutes; one degree of the equa-
tor gives 4 minutes of time; divide 120 by 4, and the quotient will give 30
degrees: from 360 fubftract 30, and the remainder will fhew, that in the 30th
day after the earth has departed from the fun in conjunction with a fixed ſtar
at noon, the equator muft revolve 330 degrees to bring the meridian to the
ftar from 360 fubftract 330, and the remainder will fhew, that the equator
muſt revolve 30 degrees through the arch Nn, to bring the meridian from the
ftar to the center of the fun, which will compleat, to a point, the 30th folar
day,
From B 2 we will país on to M 12. It appears by the geometrical conftruc-
tion of the ſcheme, and the table of times, that when the earth, by its pro-
greffive motion eaftward, has advanced in its orbit to the point M, the ftar will
paſs the meridian, or rather, the meridian will arive at the ftar, at two o'clock
in the afternoon, or 22 hours before noon: multiply 22 hours into 60 minutes,
and the product will be 1320 minutes; divide 1320 by 4, and the quotient will
give 330 degrees; if from 360 we fubftract 330, the remainder will ſhew,
that in the the 330th day after the earth has departed from the fun in conjunc-
tion with a fixed ftar at noon, the equator muft revolve 30 degrees to bring
the meridian to the ſtar; and 330 degrees to bring the meridian from the ftar
to the center of the fun; which will compleat, to a point, the 330th folar day.
When the earth, by its progreffive motion eastward, has advanced in its
annual orbit 360 degrees, equal to the number of degrees in the circumference
of the equator, it appears, by the geometrical ſcheme and the table of times,
that o degrees of the equator muſt revolve to bring the meridian to the ftar;
and o degrees, of the equator muft revolve to bring the meridian from the ſtar
to the center of the fun; for they will be now again in conjunction at noon,
as if the earth had only made one rotation about its axis in the ſpace of
24 hours.
SECT. VI.
When the earth turns round its axis, and at the fame time goes forward in
its orbit eaſtward, then, in the end of 360 days, the meridian will have re-
turned to the ſtar 361 times, and to the fun 360 times.
When ever any meridian comes to a fixed ftar with the fun, the fidereal day
and the folar day muſt then be faid to end together; and ſince a fidereal day
S 2
IS
132
The Chronology of the World.
is 4 minutes ſhorter than the folar day, if we reduce 360 days to minutes,
and from the product ſubſtract 4, and then divide the remainder by 1436,
the quotient will give the number of compleat fidereal days, without any re-
mainder.
The CALCULATION.
Multiply 360 days into 1440 minutes, and from the product 518400' fub-
ftract 4', and there will remain 518396.
Divide by 1436') 518396'. (361 compleat fidereal days.
Remainder .0.
SECT. VII.
When the earth turns round its axis, and at the fame time goes forward in
its annual orbit eaſtward, then in the ſpace of 365 days, the meridian will
return to a certain ſtar 366 times, and to the fun 365 times. And on the
365th day, the meridian will come to the ftar 20 minutes before noon, if
the fun and the ftar were in conjunction at noon 365 days before, and ſup-
pofing no apparent progreffive motion of the ſtars eaſtward.
The CALCULATION.
Multiply 1440 minutes into 365 days, and from the product 525600' ſub-
ftract 4', then there will remain 525596'.
1
Divide by 1436') 525596' (366 compleat fidereal days.
Remainder.. . 20 which was to be proved.
COR. If the geometrical conftruction of the preceeding equatoreal ſcheme,
and the mathematical proportions arifing from it, may be depended upon, then
the mariner will have the advantage of an unerring celeftial clock to carry
round the world with him; and, feemingly, nothing more will be wanting
to find out the diftance, either to the eastward or to the weftward of his place
of departure, than the being able to aſcertain the moment of a certain ftar's
culmination, in the place where he is, with an equatoreal exactneſs.
SECT. VIII.
If the earth's annual orbit be divided into 365 degrees, &c. and the earth be
fuppofed to advance one whole degree eastward, whilft it makes an entire
rotation about its axis in the ſpace of 24 hours, the calculation of the earth's
(or of the fun's apparent) ingrefs into the four cardinal points, would never more
be perplexed with anomalies or equations of any kind; for we ſhould be able
to
The Chronology of the World.
133
to aſcertain the moment of the ingreffes (fuppofing the diftances of the four
cardinal points from each other to be known) directly, with an equatoreal pre-
cifion, and in a nearer agreement with the obſerved times of an equinox or a
folſtice, than any folar tables extant can attain to; as we fhall clearly prove in
the fubfequent calculations.
SECT. IX.
The principles of equatoreal aftronomy ftated and explained.
1. If the folar tropical year had been ordered to confiſt of 365 days 6 hours,
then the fun would have come to a cardinal point of the year (fuppoſe the
autumnal equinox) on the four cardinal points of the day, every four years.
fucceffively, in the fame meridian, by an immutable law; as in the table
annexed.
(1.)
H
(2)
(3.)
(4.)
H
H
H
6
12
18
24
Noon
But, 2dly. We are affured by repeated obfervations that there is no fuch law
exiſting; the point of the day, in which the earth finiſhes its period, annually
changes, and in a fettled proportion.
3dly. The aforementioned law thus far holds true: the fun ever fince the
creation has come to a cardinal point of the year, on the four cardinal points
of the day, every four years fucceffively, but not in the fame meridian: and
the annual change of the meridian, is made in the fame proportion by a pro-
greffion on the equator eaftward; as the change of the point of the day is by
a retroceffion on the equator weftward.
4thly. We ſhall illuftrate our meaning by an example. Suppofe A and B
to be fituated on a certain point of the equator, in which the fun entered libra
at noon; and fuppofe A to keep his ftation, while B travelled round the
equa-
tor eaſtward at the rate of 2° 45', in the time that the fun appeared to finiſh
its annual revolution. By thefe proportions the fun would appear to enter libra
on the four cardinal points of the day, every four years, in B's fucceffive meri-
dians. And if from the cardinal point of the day in a given year, we ſubſtract
the meridian diſtance between A and B, or the proportional quantity of B's
progreffions, the remainder will give the hour and minute of the equinox in
the place where A was fixed, e.g.
In
134
the
The Chronology of of the World.
In this treatiſe we have given an equatoreal table, expreffing the variations
of the meridian epact. B will not have finiſhed his round on the equator in
the end of 130 years.
Look into the table for 130 years, and fet down the following numbers in
that parallel line.
Years
130.
Cardinal point
of the Day.
II.
Midnight
Progreffion Eaſtward.
Equator.
H.
M.
357°. 30'.
23- 50
According to theſe numbers, in the end of 130 years, B would have ad-
vanced 357° 30' upon the equator, by his annual progreffions eaſtward; in that
meridian the fun would enter libra at midnight; from 24 hours fubftract the
meridian diſtance 23 hours 50 minutes, and the remainder will fhew that the
fun entered libra in A's meridian 10 minutes after midnight.
Midnight
The TABLE.
A
H
10' .. 50' 23.
Midnight I
From hence it appears, that what is generally called the annual exceſs of the
Julian year above the tropical folar, is not ftrictly speaking an excefs; it is a
meridian epact, and has a true longitudinal property; for it preciſely meaſures
the diſtance between the meridian of A, and the meridian of B.
5thly. Look into the equatoreal table for 131 years, and ſet down the fol-
lowing numbers in that parallel line.
Years.
131
Cardinal
Point of
the Day.
III.
Sun-rifing.
131 Years.
Midnight
The Meridian Distance,
or
Longitudinal Meaſure.
D.
决
​H.
Equator.
360°+15'
M.
0 −24+24=0 +1
The TABLE. B
H.
A.
5
59 O
I/
Sun-rifing I
I
The Chronology of the World.
135
It appears from this table, and from what has been faid, that if A and B be
fituated on that point of the equator, in which the fun entered libra at noon,
and that whilſt A kept his ftation, B advanced on the equator eastward, in the
annual proportion of 2° 45', in every four years the fun would conftantly
enter libra on the four cardinal points of the day, in his fucceffive meridians,
and that at the end of 131 years B would have finiſhed the circumference of
the equator, and 15 minutes more to the eastward of the place of his departure;
as may be ſeen in the numbers 360° 15'. In this meridian, the fun would
enter libra at 6 o'clock in the morning; the meridian diſtance is 1', which being
ſubſtracted from 6 hours, will give 5 hours 59 minutes past midnight for the
moment of the equinox in A's meridian, who is now 15 geographical miles
to the weftward of B.
H.
H.
In the column entitled,
numbers - 24 + 240, which we thus explain; as B travelled round the
equator eaſtward, he would gain 24 hours, or one whole day, of the fun, and
therefore it is noted 24 hours; on the other hand, becauſe the annual
change of the point of the day, in which the earth finiſhed its periods, con-
ſtantly retroceded in the fame proportion weftward, the fun would gain 24
hours, or one whole day of A, juſt as if A had travelled round the equator
weftward: confequently, as B would reckon one day more than A, and A
would reckon one day leſs than B, and as — 1 + 1 are equal to nothing, there
will remain between the computations of A and B, no more than 1' of
toreal time, as may be ſeen in the table.
The retroceffion and progreffion-we have theſe
equa-
COR. From hence it is demonftrably evident, that if we ſhould ever think
it worth our while, to apply the natural folar year to civil uſe, without being
liable to error, we muft ftudy the ecliptic leís, and the equator more; becauſe,
ever fince the creation of the world, the fun has come to the autumnal equi-
nox on the four cardinal points of the day, in all the meridians of the globe, in
proportional intervals, as regularly, as uniformly, and with as equable a motion,
as the four cardinal points of the day appear to fucceed one another to an inha-
bitant of the equator.
DISSER
136
The Chronology of the World.
DISSERTATION III.
Of original and fundamental principles.
1
As S all the calculations of this ſcheme are made from a fixed point down-
wards to the preſent times, (which is a very unufual method of proceeding,
and quite unknown to the aftronomers) it will be neceffary to ſtate thoſe prin-
ciples upon which a computation downwards depends, and without which it
cannot be made.
Now the principles which are neceffary upon this occafion are theſe enſuing,
namely;
I. An original radix, which includes the point of the year, the point of the
day, and the day of the week, on which the earth's annual motion com-
menced, and from which the computations of time muſt be dated.
II. The quality or phaſis of the moon, and its created diſtance from the fun.
III. A true ſeries of years from the creation, to that which is current, in-
clufive.
IV. The precife quantity of the folar tropical year.
V. The precife and immutable quantity of a folar day.
VI. The precife quantity of a mean lunation.
VII. A true meridian diſtance, if it may be.
VIII. A previous knowledge of the folar and lunar periods.
Theſe are the original and fundamental principles, which we muſt endea-
vour to inveſtigate and aſcertain, before we attempt to make a calculation.
The first article of our enquiry muft be, the original radix, or, in other
words,
The ara of the creation.
AT
T the end of archbishop Ufher's annals, there is annexed a treatiſe of
facred chronology, which is divided into ſeveral chapters; the firft of which
continues to bear this title --- De principio temporis --- Of the beginning of time.
But the editor, in a fhort addrefs to the reader, makes no fmall complaint,
that after the moſt diligent ſearch amongſt that prelate's papers, he could not
find a fingle article relating to it; and therefore was obliged, as he ſays, with
no aufpicious omen, to publiſh that treatiſe, axepexzior. It might be doubted,
whether the great author ever wrote fuch a chapter or not; efpecially if we
may be allowed to form a judgment from what he has advanced upon that head
in his preface: yet it is fufficiently apparent from this title alone, that the
learned prelate left it as his opinion to the world, that fuch an enquiry was
neither unreaſonable, nor the attainment impoffible.
The
The Chronology of the World.
137
The creation is undoubtedly an æra, and the moſt important of all; but
the leaſt determined amongſt writers: a few of theſe it may be proper to take
notice of.
If the year of the creation had been made known to mankind, fays Varro,
as Cenforinus reports, hiftorians would have digeſted their annals from that æra.
"The æra from the creation (fays dean Prideaux, in the preface to vol. i.
"of his Hiftorical Connection) is of very common ufe in chronology; but
"this I have rejected, becauſe of the uncertainty of it, moft chronologers
following different opinions herein; fome reckoning the time of the crea-
"tion fooner, and fome later, and ſcarce any two agreeing in the fame
CC
year for it."
Theſe, and ſeveral other writers upon this fubject, I apprehend, were led
into an opinion that the era of the creation was an infcrutable difficulty, by
refting their conclufions in the fole evidence of hiſtory, which, of itſelf, is
not fufficient to aſcertain the intervals of times. For although it muſt be ad-
mitted, (1ft,) that without the evidence of hiftory there is no chronology,
and (2dly,) that without chronology there is no certainty in hiftory; yet it
muſt alſo be admitted, (3dly,) that without aftronomy there is no certainty
in chronology: hiftory may be falfe, but aftronomical chronology must be true.
With reſpect to the evidence of hiſtory, if we make our whole and ſole
appeal to this for the chronology, or exact number of years, which paſſed in
the firſt periods of the world's age, from the creation to the flood, and from
the flood to the 70th year of Terah, the father of Abram, we ſhall find our
judgments mightily embarraffed with four diſcordant computations.
This firſt table exhibits the Mofaic genealogies of the antediluvian patri-
triarchs, as far as the chronology is concerned, from the Hebrew and Sama-
ritan texts, the Septuagint and Jofephus.
Lived Years before
the Son's Birth.
Heb. Sam.
Vatican lxxii. Alexandrine
Copy.
Copy. Jofephus.
Adam (Gen. v.) 130 130 130+1Co 130+100 130+100
Seth
105 105 105+100 105+100 105+100
90 90 90+100 90+100 90-100
70 70+100 70+100 70+100
65 65+100 65+100 65+100
62162
65 65+100 65+100 65+100
67167
1
Enofh
Cainan
70
Mahalaleel
65
Jared
162
162
162
Enoch
65
Methufalah
187
Lamech
182
Noah
53 182+6
600 600 600
187
1826 182
187
600
600
A. M. 1656 13072242
2262
2256
T
This
138
The Chronology of the World.
This ſecond table exhibits the Mofaic genealogies of the poftdiluvian patri-
archs to the 70th year of Terah, the father of Abram, as far as the chro-
nology is concerned, from the Hebrew and Samaritan texts, the Septuagint
and Jofephus.
Lived Years before
the Son's Birth.
Gen. xi.
Shem begat Ar-.
phaxad after the
Flood, years.
Heb.
Sam. Septuagint Jofephus
2
2
2 10
Arphaxad
35 35+100| 35+100
35+100 35+100
Cainan
O
130
Salah
30 30+100
30+100 30+100
Eber
34
34+100 34100
34+100
Peleg
Reu
30
30+1001 30+100
30+100
30+100
32
32+100
32+100
32+100
Serug
301 30+100
30+100
30+100
Nahor
29 29 50
29 50
29+100
Terah
70 70
70
70
Years from the flood 292 292+650 292+780|292+710
292|292+650|292+780|292+710
When we compare the contents of theſe two tables, and take an eſtimate
of their enormous diſagreements, amongst the many obfervations which muſt
needs occur to almoft every reader's thoughts, I fhall at preſent only offer
theſe few.
1. If, as is generally faid, chronology be the foul of hiſtory, I would aſk,
what fort of life theſe diſagreeing numbers can be fuppofed capable of giving
to the ſcripture account of things in the remote ages of the world. A more
memorable event, fince the creation, is not recorded in all hiſtory, than
the deſtruction of the old world by a univerfal deluge. As to the time when
this happened, we are indeed authoriſed, by the concurring teftimony of all
copies, to fay, that it was in the 600th year of Noah's life, and in the ſecond
month; but fhould curiofity prompt us to be more particular in our enquiries,
concerning the year from the creation, and the day of the month, in which
this tremendous example of vindictive juftice was difplayed upon a profligate
and impenitent generation, we then receive different informations; namely,
that the flood happened, according to the computations, 1. of the Hebrew
text, A. M. 1656, in the 2d month, on the 17th day of the month: 2.
of the Samaritan Pentateuch, A. M. 1307, in the 2d month, on the 17th day
of
The Chronology of the World.
139
of the month: 3.- of the Vatican copy of the lxxii. A. M. 2242, in the
2d month, on the 27th day of the month: 4. of the Alexandrine
copy of the lxxii. in the 2d month, on the 27th day of the month:
5. of the particulars recorded by Jofephus, A. M. 2256, in the 2d
month, on the 27th day of the month: 6.according to Jofephus's own
cafting up of the particulars, A. M. 2656; his words are (Antiq. Jud. 1. 1.
c. 3.) Axinor saxo01V TEVTExorta . Now, betwixt theſe two reckonings of Jo-
fephus, there is a difference of 400 years; and all theſe differences, taken to-
gether, amount to a clear proof, that the evidence of hiſtory is not of itſelf
fufficient to fix the year of the world, or the month, and day of the month,
in which the flood of Noah happened.
ων
2. If the certainty of chronology muſt entirely reſt in the evidence of
hiftory, and depends more upon it than any other principle, as the opinion of
fome is, then we muſt fay, that there is no compact ſcheme of facred chro-
nology, and that theſe jarring numbers can only furnish matter for endleſs
controverfy and difpute. But,
3. Could it be clearly demonftrated, that the Samaritan Pentateuch, the
Septuagint Greek verfion, and the text of Jofephus, were either defignedly or
undefignedly corrupted, and that they muft, without further conteft, yeild the
preference to the uncorrupted Hebrew text; yet it might be faid, upon very
fufficient grounds, that a very ſmall advance would thereby be made towards
the eſtabliſhing a general fyftem of chronology; fince St. Jerom did, in his
days, complain, and the cauſe of the complaint ftill remains, that amongſt
thoſe who had founded their calculations upon the Hebrew text, there were
very few who entirely agreed in their opinions.
Here follows a lift of fome of thofe authors who followed the Hebrew text,
as given by Strauchius in his Breviarium Chronologicum.
The world was created,
according to the opinion of
1. Marianus Scotus
2. Laurentius Codomannus
3. Thomas Lydiat
4. Michael Mæſtlinus
Years
before
A.D. | A.M.
Chrift.
4192 1759❘ 5951
4141
5900
4103
5862
4079
5838
4062
5821
4053
5812
4051
5810
8. William Lange
4041
5800
9. Erafmus Reinholt
4021
5780
10. Jacobus Cappellus -
4005
5764
T 2
11. Ja-
5. J. Bapt. Ricciolus
6. Jacob. Salianus
7.
Henricus Spondanus
140
The Chronology of the World.
The world was created,
according to the opinion of
11. Jacob. Uffer Armach
Years A.D. A.M.
before
Chrift.
4003 1759 5762
12. Dionyfius Petavius
3983
5742
13. Krentzeim
3971
5730
14. Elias Reufnerus -
3970
5729
15. Joannes Cluverius
3968
5727
16. Chriftianus Longomontanus
3966
5725
17. Philip Melancton
3964
5723
18. Jacob Haynlinus
3963
5722
19. Alphonfus Salmeron
3958
5717
20. Scaliger
3949
5708
21. Matthæus Beroaldus
3927
5686
22. Andreas Helwigius
3836
5595
23. The Jewiſh vulgar computation 3760|
5519
There are in this table 23 computations of the interval from the creation
to A. D. 1759; and it is evident, at firft fight, that not any two of them,
when compared together, will be found to agree exactly with each other.
Thoſe which meet the neareft are ABp. Ufher, who collects 4003 years, and
Jacobus Cappellus, who collects 4005 years, from the creation to the vulgar
year of Chrift's birth; the difference between them being no more than 2
years; but theſe are enough to bare teftimony to the uncertainty. This vari-
ety of computations, all derived from the Hebrew text, muft appear ftrange
and unaccountable to thoſe who have never employed a thought on thefe re-
fearches, and fo can have no juft apprehenfion of the cauſe, or, I may rather
fay, of the complicated caufes of theſe diſagreements. The most obvious
inference from hence, ſeems to be, either that the facred writers never
intended any regular uninterrupted ſcheme of chronology, or that the antient
well-known method of computing the fcriptural fucceffions of years, like the
ſcriptural year itſelf, was entirely loft; or, which amounts to the fame, was ſo
clogged with difficulties, that it was become little elfe but lofs of time to at-
tempt its recovery.
The principal motive which firſt engaged, and ſtill animated me to purſue
the enquiry through all theſe diſagreements and difficulties, was a ſtrong per-
fuafion concerning the authenticity of the Hebrew text; and this perfuafion was
grounded, not upon a mere opinion, but upon my not being able to diſcover
one fingle various reading in that multitude of numeral words and letters, which
conftitute the fcriptural feries of years, from the creation to the burning of the
firft temple by the Babylonians, or to the death of Nebuchadnezzar the great,
26
The Chronology of the World.
141
26 years after. The Jewish Hebrew text, I will beg leave to affirm; has never
been corrupted, in the article of chronology, either by Jew or pagan, either
by chance or defign. If this be not matter of fact, fome one may arife to con-
fute it. But let not mere fuppofitions claim the force of an argument; nor arbi-
trary and bold affertions, obtrude themſelves for pofitive proofs.
T४
It will not be thought incredible, that the Hebrew text fhould have been
providentially tranſmitted to us in its original integrity, not only fo far forth as
its doctrines and duties, or the neceffary points of faith and practice, are more
immediately concerned, which is readily allowed, even by thoſe who ſtrenuouſly
plead for a corruption in fome other points, but alſo with reſpect to its compu-
tations, when it is confidered, that the birth of Chrift is the center of facred
chronology; this central point is called by St. Paul, pμa T8 xps, the fulneſs
of time; and as Chrift was born, fo did he die, xaтa xaipov, in the afore-appointed
feafon. The creation of the world, and its redemption by Jefus Chrift, are the
moſt grand and intereſting events, which are recorded as matters of fact in the
facred records; but the certainty of the proof, with reſpect to the exact time,
when they happened, though not with reſpect to the reality of the fact itſelf,
depends upon
the certainty of facred computations. Could it be made to appear,
and it has frequently been attempted, though hitherto without any fuccefs, that
the Hebrew text, in the article of chronology, has been diſturbed, interrupted,
or depraved, by any means whatſoever, it muſt follow, by neceffary conſequence,
that the proof of theſe important points, with reſpect to the time when, muſt
be perplexed in the fame proportion.
To give the reader a compendious view of the contents of the ſcheme of
facred chronology, and, at the fame time, a further conviction how infufficient
the evidence of hiſtory is of itſelf to aſcertain the intervals of times, I offer the
following collection of æras and events from facred hiſtory.
Æra's of SACRED HISTORY.
THE creation of the world.
The univerſal deluge.
The call of Abram out of Ur of
the Chaldees, to the acknowledg-
ment and worſhip of the one true
God.
The departure of Abram out of
Haran, upon the death of his father
Terah, and his arrival in the land
of Canaan.
The birth of Iſhmael.
The birth of Ifaac.
Abram's magnificent feaſt at the
weaning of his fon Ifaac, when God
revealed unto him in a viſion, the
future ftate of his pofterity in a ſtrange
land,
142
The Chronology of the World.
[Era's of facred hiftory.]
land, and their divine deliverance
from affliction and fervitude in the
fourth generation, 400 years before
it came to paſs.
The birth of Jacob.
The birth of Jofeph.
The felling of Jofeph to the
Ishmaelites.
The feven years of plenty.
The feven years of famine.
The defcent of the ten fons of
Jacob into Egypt, the firſt time, to
buy corn.
The defcent of Jacob and his fa-
mily into Egypt, in the fecond
year
of famine, and his ftanding before
Pharaoh when he was 130 years old,
and Joſeph 39.
The death of Jacob.
The death of Jofeph.
The birth of Mofes, and the edict
of Pharaoh to drown all the male
infants of the Hebrews.
The divine miffion of Mofes and
Aaron to Pharaoh, to demand the
difmiffion of the Ifraelites, and their
miraculous deliverance from their
Egyptian bondage.
The origin of the Jewish polity;
as a perpetual memorial of which, the
beginning of the facred year was
transferred, by the divine command,
from the autumnal equinox to the
vernal, and the feventh day of the
week to the firft.
The inſtitution of the paffover,
and the feaſt of unleavened bread.
The raining of manna, or bread,
[Era's of facred history.]
from heaven round the camp of the
Ifraelites, the firſt time.
The giving of the law from mount
Sinai, on the 50th day after the
coming out of Egypt.
The death of Aaron the high-
prieſt upon mount Hor.
The repetition of the law.
The death of Mofes.
The paffing of the children of
Ifrael over Jordan, to take poffeffion
of the promiſed land.
The diftribution of the land of
Canaan by lot amongſt the twelve
tribes.
The government and death of
Joſhua.
The twelve intervals from the
death of Joſhua, to the death of Eli
the high-prieſt, which include the
times of the judges, and the ſeveral
oppreffions of the Ifraelites.
The death of Saul and Jonathan
upon mount Gilboa.
The reign of David over Judah
and Benjamin at Hebron.
The reign of David over the twelve
tribes at Jerufalem.
The foundation of the temple.
The dedication of the temple.
The revolt of the ten tribes from
the houſe of David and Solomon.
The golden calves erected at Dan
and Bethel by the apoftacy of Je-
roboam.
The ftatutes of Omri.
The revolution by Jehu.
The ufurpation of the kingdom
of
The Chronology of the World.
143
[Æra's of facred hiſtory.]
of Judah by Athaliah, the daughter
of Ahab and Jezebel, and the grand-
daughter of Omri.
The deſtruction of 185 thouſand
perfons in the army of Sennacherib,
king of Affyria, in one night, by the
angel of the Lord.
King Hezekiah's paffover.
The conqueft of Samaria, and the
captivity of the ten tribes, by Salma-
nefer, king of Affyria.
The divine miffion of the prophet
Jeremiah, to preach repentance to
Judah and Jerufalem.
King Jofiah's paffover.
The depofition and captivity of
Jehoahaz the fon of Jofiah, by Pha-
raoh-Neco king of Egypt, and the
ſetting up his brother Eliakim,
whom he called Jehoiakim, in his
ftead.
The expedition of Nebuchadnez-
zar, king of Babylon, into Judæa
and Egypt, in the latter end of the
3d year of Jehoiakim, king of Ju-
dah.
The taking of Jerufalem in the
latter end of the fourth year of Jé-
hoiakim, by Nebuchadnezzar, in his
Syrian expedition.
The captivity of Jehoiachin, or
Jechoniah, fon of Jehoiakim, king
of Judah, and his carrying away
in-
to Babylon: from which æra the
prophet Ezekiel conſtantly com-
putes.
The fiege, famine, and breaking
up of the city of Jerufalem, by the
[Era's of facred hiftory.]
Babylonians, and the flight of Zede-
kiah, king of Judah.
The prophet Daniel's interpreta-
tion of Nebuchadnezzar's dream con-
cerning the golden image, reprefent-
ing the four great monarchies.
The conflagration of Solomon's
temple, and the utter deftruction of
the city of Jerufalem, and of the
Jewiſh polity, the first time, by the
Babylonians.
The fiege, and taking of Tyre,
by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon.
The death of Nebuchadnezzar the
great, and the releaſe of the captive
king Jechoniah, by Evilmerodach.
The prophet Daniel's interpreta-
tion of the hand-writing upon the wall
during Belshazzar's impious feaſt;
who, being flain that very night by
Cyrus's foldiers, the kingdom was
transferred to the Medes and Per-
fians.
The prophet Daniel's earneſt fup-
plications to God, in behalf of the
defolations of the fanctuary, and the
captive Jews.
The edict of Cyrus for the releaſe
of the Jews from their captivity in
Babylon, and the building of the
temple.
The decree of Darius (Hyftafpes)
for the encouraging and fupporting
the Jews, to carry on the work of
the houſe of the Lord, under the
direction of Zerubbabel the gover-
nor, Jeſhua the high-prieft, and the
prophets Haggai and Zechariah.
The
144
The Chronology of the World.
[Era's of facred hiftory.]
The finiſhing and dedication of the
ſecond temple, and the celebration
of the firſt paffover.
The decree granted to Ezra the
prieft, to restore Jerufalem, by a king
of Perfia.
TH
[Era's of facred hiftory.]
The decree granted to Nehemiah
to build Jerufalem, by the fame king
of Perfia.
Nehemiah's return to the Perfian
court; with which the old tefta-
ment hiſtory concludes.
Era's of the GOSPEL
HE annunciation of the con-
ception and birth of John the
Baptift, by the arch-angel Gabriel,
to Zechariah the prieſt, of the courſe
of Abia, which was the eighth
courſe.
The annunciation of the concep-
tion and birth of Jeſus Chriſt, by the
fame arch-angel, to the virgin Mary,
juſt fix months after.
The arrival of the Eaſtern Magi
at Jerufalem, with this enquiry, where
is the king of the Jews who is born?
The enrollment of the whole Ro-
man empire, by the decree of Au-
guftus Cæfar, in order for a general
taxation, which was put in executi-
on fome years after, when Cyrenius
was præfect of Judea.
The infanticidium at Bethlehem,
and the death of Herod the great,
not many days before the paffover,
according to Jofephus, who records
an eclipſe of the moon to have hap-
pened about this time.
The beginning of the goſpel of
Jefus Chrift by the preaching of John
the Baptiſt in the wilderneſs of Judea.
HISTORY.
The baptiſm of Chriſt by John in
the river Jordan, and his inaugura-
tion to his public miniftry, by the
viſible deſcent of the Holy Ghoft
upon him.
The feaſt of tabernacles (John vii.
2.) at which Chrift was prefent in
the latter end of the third year of
his public miniftry, when Daniel's
feventy weeks were within fix months
of their expiration.
Chriſt's coming to Bethany fix
days before the paſſover,
Chrift's public entry into Jerufa-
lem four days before the paffover,
which was the very day on which
the paſchal lamb was, by the law,
to be taken up.
Chrift's foretelling his death, the
laft time, to his difciples, two days
before the paffover.
Chriſt's eating his laſt fupper with
his diſciples, in the beginning of the
firft day of unleavened bread, when he
inſtituted a perpetual memorial of
his death, which was now approach-
ing.
Chrift expiring upon the croſs, in
the
}
The Chronology of the World.
145
[Era's of the gospel hiſtory.]
the month, day, hour, and minute,
in which the pafchal lamb, by the
law, muſt be flain.
The coincidence of the firſt day
of the feaſt of unleavened bread with
the Jewiſh fabbath, on which Chrift
refted in the grave.
The refurrection of Chrift from
the dead, on the morrow after the
Jewiſh fabbath, as typified in the
wave fheaf.
[Era's of the gospel hiſtory.]
Chrift's afcenfion into heaven, in
the preſence of his difciples.
The miraculous and viſible def-
cent of the Holy Ghoft upon the
Apoſtles on the day of Pentecoft,
when the legal difpenfation gave way
to the evangelical.
Although the deftruction of the
temple and city of Jerufalem by the
Romans, be no where recorded by
the facred writers, yet fcriptural chro-
nology ends with this grand event.
The SECOND PRINCIPLE.
Without CHRONOLOGY there is no certainty in HISTORY.
IT appears, from the preceeding collection of events, that the bare relation
of a matter of fact, without mentioning the year, to fay nothing of the
preciſion of the month, and day of the month, in which it happened, is
very lifeless and unentertaining. It is chronology which gives the form to hi-
ftory, and renders it uſeful and intelligible. And indeed without fome fixed
aſtronomical æra, to which hiſtorical narrations may be referred, however true
in themſelves, they muſt be deemed very little preferable to romance.
Our aim is to ſubſtitute the folar tropical year of the world, inſtead of the
Julian period, and the year before Chrift, (the certainty of both which de-
pends upon a computation backwards from the preſent times) and, with this
view, we offer the following
TABLE of the World's Chronology.
ADAM lived before he
begat Seth
Seth
Enofh
Cainan
Solar
Trop.
Solar
Years
Years.
Years
Trop.
Years.
Mahalaleel
65
460
130 130 Jared
162
622
105
235 Enoch
65
687
90 325 Methufalah
187
874
70
395 Lamech
182 1056
U
Noah
146
The Chronology of the World.
Solar
Trop.
Years Years.
Noah
502 1558
Shem
Arphaxad
I
100
Salah
30
1723
Eber
34 1757
Peleg
Reu
Serug
Nahor
Terah
Abram, to his calling out
of Ur
To his departure out of
Haran
To the birth of Ishmael
To the birth of Ifaac
To the birth of Jacob
To the birth of Joſeph
To the carrying of Jo-
feph into Egypt
To the defcent of Jacob's
ten fons into Egypt
To the deſcent of Jacob
and his family into
Egypt
To the death of Jacob
To the death of Joſeph
To the birth of Mofes
To the Exodus
To the death of Mofes,
and the entrance into
Canaan
To the diftribution of the
land by lot
To the death of Joſhua
The first interval after the
7 death of Joſhua in-
1658
35 1693
2008
cludes, ift. The eight
years oppreffions of Ču-
than-riſhathaim, king
of Mefopotamia. 2dly.
The times of Othniel.
Solar
Years
Trop.
Years.
This contains 40 2629
cludes, ft. The eigh-
30
1787
32 1819
30 1849
The fecond interval in-
29 1878
teen years oppreffions of
130
74 2082
I 2083
I I 2094
14 2108
60 2168
91 2259
Eglon king of Moab.
2dly, The times of Ehud.
This contains 80 2709
The third interval in-
cludes, ift. The twenty
years oppreffions of Ja-
bin king of Canaan.
2dly, The times of De-
borah and Barak.
This contains 40 2749
17 2276 The fourth interval in-
cludes, Ift, The feven
years oppreffions of the
Midianites. 2dly, The
times of Gideon.
21 2297
I 2298
This contains
17 2315 In the fifth interval Abi-
54 2369 melech reigned
63 2432 In the fixth interval Tola
80 2512
judged Ifrael
The feventh interval in-
cludes, ift, Part of the
eighteen years oppref-
fions of the Ammonites.
40 2552
7 2559
2589
30
2dly,The times of Jair.
40
40 2789
3 2792
23 2815
This contains 22 2837
The eighth interval in-
cludes, ft, Part of the
?
eight-
The Chronology of the World.
147
Solar.
Trop.
Years
Years.
eighteen years oppref-
fions of the Ammonites.
2dly, The times of Jep-
thah.
Rehoboam
Abijah
Afa
Jehofaphat
1
Solar.
Trop.
Years. Years.
17
3045
3 3048
40 3088
2I
3109
This contains
6
2843 Jehoram
In the ninth interval Ibzan
judged Ifrael
Ahaziah
7
2850 Athaliah
Joafh
In the tenth interval Elon
judged Ifrael
In the eleventh interval
Abdon judged Iſrael
The twelfth interval
(which was the laſt
before the regal go-
vernment) includes, I ft,
Part of the forty years
oppreffions of the Phi-.
liftines. 2dly, The
judge-fhip of Eli the
high-prieft. 3dly, The
twenty years of Samp-
fon. 4thly, Part of the
times of Samuel.
10 2860 Amaziah
Inter-reign
8 2868 Uzziah
This contains 40
The thirteenth interval in-
cludes, ift, Part of the
forty years oppreffions
of the Philistines, and
their defeat at Eben-
Ezer. 2dly, The latter
part of the times of
Samuel. 3dly, The
regal government of
Saul. This contains,
David reigned
Solomon
Act. v. 21. 40
Jotham
Ahaz
Hezekiah
1
7 3116
I
3117
6
3123-
37
3160
29
3189
I I
3200
52 3252
15 3267
14 3281
29 3310
Manaffeh
55
3365
Amon
2
3367
Jofiah and Jehoahaz
31
3398
Jehoiakim
I I
3409
Zedekiah
1 I
3420
Ptolemy's Canon.
The Babylonian Monarchy.
2908 To the end of Nebuchad-
+
nezzar's reign, accord-
ing to the fcripture
computation
Ilvarodamus
Niricaffolaffar
Nabonadius
Darius
The Perfian Monarchy.
2948 Cyrus
40
2988 Cambyfes
40 3028 Darius Hyftapes
U 2
26 3446
3
3449
4 3453
17 3470
2
3472
7 3479
8
3487
36 3523
Xerxes
148
The Chronology of the World.
Solar
Trop.
Years.
Years.
Selar
Trop.
Years.
Years.
Xerxes
21 3544
Ptolemy's Canon ends.
Artaxerxes Longimanus
41
3585
Darius Nothus
19
3604 Antoninus Philofophus
19 4186
Artaxerxes Mnemon
46
3650 Commodus
13 4199
Artaxerxes Ochus
21
3671 Pertinax Julianus
I 4200
Arogus
2. 3673 Septimus Severus
Darius Codomannus
4 3677
Caracalla
The Grecian Monarchy.
Opilius Macrinus
Heliogabulus
Alexander Severus
3685 The two Gordians
7 3692 Gordian, junior
17 4217
6 4223
I 4224
4 4228
13 4241
Alexander
8
3 4244
Phil. Aridaeus
6
4250
Alexander Ægus
12
3704 Philip the Arabian
5 4255
Ptolemeus Lagi
20
3724 Decius
2
4257
Ptolemeus Philadelphus
38
3762 Gallus Hoftilius
3 4260
Ptolemeus Euergetes I.
25
3787 Emilianus and Gallienus
14 4274
Ptolemeus Philopator
17
3804 Claudius
2 4276
Ptolemeus Epiphanes
24
3828 Aurelian
5 4281
Ptolemeus Philometor
35
3863 Tacitus and Florianus
I 4282
Ptolemeus Euergetes II.
29
3892 Probus
6
4288
Ptolemeus Soter
36
3928 Marcus Aurelius Carus
2
4290
Dionyfius
29 3957
3957 Dioclefian
20
4310
Cleopatra
22
3979 Conftantius Chlorus
2
4312
The Roman Monarchy.
Conftantine the Great
Conſtantine, junior
31 4343
4 4347
Conftantius alone
20 4307
Auguftus
43 4022 Julian the Apoftate
2 4369
Tiberius
22 4044 Jovian
I 4370
Caius Caligula
4 4048
Claudius
14 4062
Eaſtern Emperors.
Nero
14 4076
Gal. Oth. Vitell. Vefpafian 10 4086 Valens
15 4385
Titus
Domitian
Nerva
Trajan
Hadrian
Antoninus Pius
3 4089 Theodofius the Great
16
4401
15 4104 Arcadius
13 4414
I 4105 Theodofius II.
424456
19 4124 Marcianus
7 4463
2I
22 4167 Leo II.
4145 Leo I.
3,》
17
4480
17 4497
Anaftafius
The Chronology of the World.
149
Solar
Trop.
Solar
Trop.
Years. Years.
Years.
Years.
Anaftafius
27
4524 Conftantine IX. alone
3
5034
Juftin I.
9
4533 Romanus II.
6
5040
Juftinian I.
38
4571 Michael IV. and V.
8
5048
Juftin II.
13 3
4584 Conſtantine X.
12
5060
Tiberius II.
4
4588 Theodora
2
5062
Mauricius
20
4608 Michael VI.
I
5063
Phocas
8
4616 Ifaac Comnenust
2
5065
Heraclius
31
4647 Conftantine XI.
Conftantine III. IV.
I
4648 Romanus Diogenes
Conftans II.
26
4674 Michael VII.
( )
Conftantine V.
17 4691 Alexius Comnenus
-}
Juftinian II.
9 4700 Nicephorus
'
9 5074
3 5077
7 5084
5121
3 5124
37
Leontius
3
4703 John Comnenus
25 5149
Abfimerus Tiberius
7
4710 Manuel Comnenus
37 5186
Juftinian II. reſtored
7
4717 Alexius Comnenus II.
3 5189
Philippicus Bardanes
2 4719
Andronicus Comnenus
2 5191
Anaftafius II.
2
4721 Ifaac Angelus Comnenus
10 5201
Theodofius III.
2
4723
Alexius III.
9 5210
Leo III.
24 4747
Conftantine VI.
34 4781
Emperors of Nice.
Leo IV.
5 4786
Conftantine VII.
17 4803 Theodore Lafcaris
18 5228
Irené his mother alone
5
4808 John Ducas
33 5261
Nicephorus
9
4817 Theodorus
3 5264
Michael I.
2
4819 John Paleologus
I 5265
Leo V.
8
4827 Michael Paleologus
24
5289
Michael II.
Theophilus
Michael III.
Bafilius
Leo VI.
Alexander I.
Conftantine VIII.
Romanus
Nicephorus II.
John Zemifces
Bafilius II.
23
لعا
8
4835 Andronicus Paleologus I.
37 5326
3.
[ ]
[1
1.
!
13 4848 Andronicus Paleologus II.
25 4873 John Paleologus V.
19 4892 Manuel II. Paleologus
21 5347
50 5397
33 5430
25 4917 John VI. Paleologus
I 4918
4918 Conftantine Paleologus
24 5454
6 5460
47
4965
# 1
4 4969 Kings and Queens of England.
6 4975
6 4981 To the end of the reign of
Henry VI.
3 50 5031
[
8 5468
Edward
150
The Chronology of the World.
Solar
Solar
Trop.
Trop.
Years.
Years.
Years.
Years.
Edward IV. and V.
22
5490 Charles I.
Richard III. -
2
5492 Charles II.
Henry VII.
24 5516 James II.
Henry VIII.
38
5554 William III.
24 5656
36 5692
4 5696
5709
13
Edward VI.
6
5560 Anne
12
5721
Mary
5
5565 George I.
13 5734
Elizabeth
45
5610 George II. A. D. 1760.
33 5767
James I.
22
5632 George III. A. D. 1761. I
5768
I.
The THIRD PRINCIPLE.
Without ASTRONOMY there is no certainty in CHRONOLOGY.
Ас
CCORDING to this table of the world's chronology, A. M. 5768
falls in with A. D. 1761; but the queſtion is, by what arguments can
this connection be ſupported, amidſt a vaſt variety of about 300 different claims,
out of which we have fet down from Strauchius 23, not one of which agrees
with our computations?
Archbiſhop Ufher, for example, reckons 4003 years from the creation to the
vulgar Chriftian æra, to which if we add A. D. 1761, it will give 5764 for the
correfpondent year of the world, which falls 4 years fhort of A. M. 5768;
and it may be queftioned, whether any propofition in Euclid's Elements be
more demonftrably certain, or more convincing to the underſtanding, than that
the learned prelate's computations fall 4 years, and no more nor leſs than 4
years, fhort of the true interval.
This confidence is grounded upon the fure, certain, and immutable prin-
ciples or characters of chronology; thefe are equinoxes, folftices, new moons,
full moons, with folar and lunar eclipfes, and their correfpondent days of the
week. By thefe, times may be diſtinguiſhed with a facility equal to their cer-
tainty; and they may be diftinguiſhed with certainty, becauſe every folar tro-
pical year of the world has its appropriated characters, refpecting the fun, the
moon, and the day of the week; and we call them appropriated, becauſe they
cannot poffibly in nature return identically the fame, in a much greater number
of
years than have paffed fince the creation, take which of the four chrono-
logies we pleaſe.
The
M
certainty of chronological characters, depends upon the certainty of aftronomy.
Within
The Chronology of the World.
151
Within the limits of a Julian year, the fun conftantly comes, 1ft, To the
vernal equinox; 2dly, To the fummer folftice; 3dly, To the autumnal equinox ;
4thly, To the winter folftice. Every one of theſe cardinal points has its atten-
ding new moon, and full moon, both before and after it; and ſometimes they
are in coincidence. In every inftance, the moon's mean oppofition, or con-
junction, muſt happen within 14 days, 18 hours, 22 minutes, before an e-
quinox or a folftice, or it muſt fall upon it. Theſe mutual aſpects, relations,
and diſtances of theſe two luminaries, are fo conftantly varying, that they
cannot happen alike, or under the fame circumftances, two years together:
and, if the moment of the equinox, or folftice, or of the mean oppofition or
conjunction, in any particular meridian, be taken into the account, the varia-
tions will be innumerable; nor is it poffible to aſcertain, by calculation, theſe
varying and limited diſtances, in a given year, without a connection with ſome
fixed æra or epoch, as true as nature.
3. The terms Era and Epoch explained.
"As in the heavens there are certain points, (fays Keil, lect. xxviii.) from
"which the aftronomers begin their computations of the planets motions,
"fo alſo there muſt be certain points or inftants of time, from which, as
"from roots, all calculations must begin; and all memorable actions are
ic difpofed and recorded, according to the feries of years which follows from
Theſe roots are called epochs, or æras, from which we ge-
"nerally count our years and times."
"that root.
The way being now prepared, I proceed to fix the æra of the creation, by
affuming it from certain texts of fcripture, and then proving the affumption
to be true by calculation.
The era of the creation, neceffarily involves the origin of time.
Eternity a parte ante, and a parte poft, may be confidered as an indivifible
inſtant; on the other hand, time is a determinate fucceffive duration, meaſured
by motion; fo that motion and time are cœtaneous.
If we would frame a conception of time in its first moment, we muſt
trace it back to that inftant before planetary motions had any exiſtence, or were
nothing; and, when planetary motions fhall ceaſe, Ta To Texs, then cometh
the end of time.
είται το τέλος,
The era of the creation muſt conſiſt of a combination of characters, re-
fpecting the fun, the moon, and the correfpondent day of the week. From
hence arifes,
QUERY
152
The Chronology of the World.
QUERY I. What was the original cardinal point of the year?
The combined characters of the original æra muſt be given; but if they are
not recorded in facred hiſtory, they cannot be certainly known, becauſe there
was no human witneſs to creation; nor are there any diſcriminating diftin&ti-
ons in nature.
It is a queſtion among chronologers, at what time or ſeaſon of the year the
earth was formed, and the annual motion of it commenced. All the four car-
dinal points have, upon this occafion, been adopted and rejected in their
Arguments have been alledged to countenance the fuppofition, that
time began at the vernal equinox; on the other hand, arguments have been
alledged to countenance the fuppofition, that time began at the autumnal
equinox, without concluding, on either fide, with any certainty; and, if
Moſes, in his hiſtory, is entirely filent about it, it muſt ſtill remain an hy-
pothefis.
For the fettling of this point from Mofes's writings, we offer the following
obfervations.
1. From the creation of the world, to the going of the Ifraelites out of
Egypt, the ancient facred and civil year began together at the fame cardinal
point.
2. All commentators agree, that at the Exodus the beginning of the facred
year was transferred, by the divine commandment (Exod. xii. 1, 2.) from
the autumnal equinox to the vernal; whilft the epoch of the civil year re-
mained unaltered: and it may not be improper to obſerve, that the Jews com-
pute the beginning of their civil year, from the autumnal equinox, to this
day, and of their facred year from the vernal.
3. The Ifraelites in the land of Canaan had three harveſts, (1.) the barley-
harveſt, in that ſeaſon of the year which Mofes called Chodeſh Abib, i, e. the
month of ripened corn. (2.) The wheat harveſt 50 days after. (3.) the lat-
ter harveſt, or the in-gathering of the olive yards and vineyards.
4. Mofes enjoins the obfervance of a double feftival, Chag Haafiph, the
feaſt of in-gathering; 2. Chag Haffuccoth, the feaft of tabernacles, on the 15th
day of the 7th month, in the end or revolution of the (civil) year. Levit.
xxiii. 33, 34. Exod. xxiii. 15, 16. Exod. xxxiv. 2.
5. The feaft of tabernacles was inftituted in the wilderness, after the going
out of Egypt, and therefore Mofes explicitly relates the reafons of its infti-
tution, Levit. xxiii. 40, 41, 42, 43. But he gives no account of the feaſt
of in-gathering, nor of the reafons why it was inftituted: from this filence we
infer, that it was an original feaſt, and tranſmitted down to the Ifraelites quite
through the patriarchal difpenfation, from the times of Adam. And fince
the
1
The Chronology of the World.
153
the terms, Chag Haafiph, or feaft of in-gathering the olive-yards and vine-
yards, are as defcriptive of the autumnal equinoctial feafon, as Chodeſh Abib,
the month of ripened corn, are admitted to be of the vernal; we fay, there-
fore, in anfwer to query 1. that the autumnal equinox was the original car-
dinal point of the year; and every calculation which is made, will give a full
atteftation to its truth.
QUERY II. Whether the original moon was a full moon, or a new moon?
In other words, Whether the moon was created in a state of oppofition or con-
junction?
This point of enquiry is of fuch importance, that it may well be reckoned
one of the main fupporting pillars of the ſyſtem of chronology; and as it is
of fuch importance, it luckily happens that the determination is as eaſy, as its
truth and certainty is demonftrable.
Should it be doubted, whether the fcriptural computation either of hiſtori-
cal events, or of the annual returns of feftival days, be lunar or not, I ſhould
think it ſufficient, for a removal of the doubt, to refer to the following ſcrip-
tural accounts.
1. Mofes relates, (Exod. ii. 2.) that his mother Jochebed hid him whilſt an
infant, (to evade the bloody edict of Pharaoh) Shelofhe Jerachim, which
words, in our Engliſh tranſlation, are rendered three months; but the words
literally fignify three moons. We fhall not, at preſent, ftay to enquire, whether
we are to underſtand three unequal lunar months, or three equal months of the
lunar year: it is certain, that the computation is lunar, as appears from the
plural noun Ferachim, whofe fingular areach, denotes the moon.
2. In the 23d chapter of Leviticus the feaſts of the Lord are enumerated,
which Mofes calls Moadei Jehovah. Theſe (Moadim) feaſts, were annually
obferved in the appointed feafon of the folar year, but they were ever com-
puted in the months and days of the lunar year. Pfal. civ. ver. 19, we read
in the Hebrew text, (Fehovah) gnashah Fareach lemoadim: i. e. Jehovah has
appointed the moon for (the regulation of the periodical returns of) feſtival
days.
It is very obfervable, that theſe terms, lemoadim, are recorded by Mofes,
Gen. i. 14. as ſpoken by the Creator himſelf, on that very day, in which
the fun and moon were commanded to enter upon their joint offices.
And
God faid, let the fun and moon be, amongst other original defignations, lemo-
adim, that is, for the regulation of feftival days.
3. If we call to mind, that the Jews, to this day, begin their month Tifri,
which is the firſt of their civil year, from that new moon which is neareſt to
the autumnal equinox, and regularly celebrate their feaft of tabernacles on
X
that
154
The Chronology of the World.
that full moon, which either falls upon the autumnal equinox, or follows, at
a limited diſtance after it, we cannot be greatly at a lofs to find out, in what
aſtronomical ſenſe we are to underſtand the following paffages in the Penta-
teuch.
Levit. xxiii. 33, 34, 39. Exod. xxiii. 16. xxxiv. 22. Thou shalt obſerve
the feaft of in-gathering, and the feaft of tabernacles, on the 15th day of the
7th month, (of the facred and ecclefiaftical lunar year) in the end or revolu-
tion of the (tropical) folar.
Since at the going out of Egypt, that which was the feventh month of the
primitive lunar year, was ordered to become the firſt; and that which was the
firft, was ordered to become the feventh; from 7 months ſubſtract 6, (for ſo
many months intervene between the vernal and the autumnal equinox) there
will remain the 1ſt month of the lunar year, which contains 30 days; in the
evening of the firſt and of the laſt of theſe 30 days, the moon will be viſible
at its fetting.
Let this, be the fymbol of the moon's vifibility; this O, of the full
moon; and this of the autumnal equinox. Now we will fet down half a
lunation, and characterize it with the fymbols.
15.
O
Here we muſt obſerve, that the Hebrew word Tecupha, may be rendered
cardinal point: this we learn from the Jews; for in their ftyle, Tecupha Tifri,
denotes the autumnal equinox; Tecupha Tebet, the winter folftice; Tecupha
Nifan, the vernal equinox; and Tecupha Tammuz the fummer folftice.
Having premiſed this, the half lunation, with its fymbols, may be read
thus, in words at length.
On the fourth day of the creation, when God faid, baju lemoadim, let the
fun and the moon be appointed, amongſt other original defignations, for the
regulation of feſtival days, the 15th day of the first month of the facred and
ecclefiaftical lunar year, was ordered to be coincident with the original cardi-
nal point of the folar tropical year.
It is plain from the incommenfurability of the folar and lunar years, that
the words of Mofes cannot be interpreted to mean, that the 15th day of the
7th or ift month of the facred year falls annually upon the cardinal point of
the civil year. For this reafon I would fuppofe that thefe expreffions refer to
the original law, to the firſt eſtabliſhment and primary pofition of the fun and
moon to each other. Mofes cannot be thought to aſcertain the variable fitu-
ations of the 15th day of the month, or the day of the full moon, with re-
ſpect
ta
The Chronology of the World.
155
fpect to the cardinal point; but only to defcribe and fix the epoch of the
computation, and together with it the epoch of time. Thus from theſe words
of Mofes we infer, and ſhall ſupport the deduction by accumulated proofs,
that at the creation the autumnal equinox was coincident with a full moon.
In vain muſt be all attempts to raiſe a uniform fuperftructure upon a ficti-
ous foundation, and a mere chimerical hypothefis, to which the fun and moon
can never be made fubfervient: but if theſe two luminaries fhall be found all
along to conform to this principle, without any exception to the contrary, then
this principle muſt be original, and it muſt be true.
We ſay then, in anſwer to query 2, that the original moon was a full
moon.
QUERY III. What day of the week correfponded with the day of the autumnal
equinox, and the day of the full moon, at the creation?
Any perſon, of the moſt ordinary capacity, who reads his Bible only in the
Engliſh tranſlation, is duly qualified to obferve, that Mofes, in the firſt and ſecond
chapters of Genefis, hiftorically relates the fucceffion of 7 natural days, in the
following ſtyle and form of expreffions.
Gen. i. 5.
8.
13.
19.
23.
31.
Gen. ii. 3.
The evening and the morning was the firſt day.
The evening and the morning was the ſecond day.
The evening and the morning was the third day.
The evening and the morning was the fourth day.
The evening and the morning was the fifth day.
The evening and the morning was the fixth day.
God bleffed and fanctified the feventh day.
2. To the preceeding hiſtorical account we here ſubjoin
Syftem of
feven days.
I
2
3
4
6
7
A TABLE of the feven days of the first Mofaic week refolved into their four equi-
diftant quadrants, which terminate in their respective cardinal points.
FIRST DAY.
Evening.
Midnight.
SECOND
X 2
156
The Chronology of the World.
Evening.
SECOND DAY.
Evening.
Evening.
Evening.
Evening.
Evening.
Midnight.
Midnight.
Morning.
Morning.
L
THIRD DAY.
о | F.M. day
begins.
FOURTH DAY.
F.M.day
ends.
FIFTH DAY.
SIXTH DAY:
SEVENTH DAY.
A TABLE of the firſt Mofaic week, in a more contracted form.
O
I 2
3 4
5 6 7
I
2 3
3. The
The Chronology of the World.
157
3. The four first days are here diftinguiſhed with three dots, and a cypher,
to note, that though they had a real exiſtence, and are to be reckoned real
natural days, with their evenings and mornings, in which the earth, by the
immediate power of the Creator, was made to revolve about its axis in the
ſpace of 24 hours, as we have defined the time by common confent; yet that
they exiſted before the earth was caufed to proceed in its orbit, or had any
progreffive motion: theſe I would call extra days, becauſe they cannot, by
any true calculations, be made to fall within the limits of meaſured time.
Hence too I conclude, that theſe words of Mofes, — Let them be for days and
years, are to be taken in a ſtrict literal ſenſe; and, from this form of expref-
fion, I underſtand, that the computation by days, bears the fame date with
the computation by years, and that the combined computation commenced
on the fourth day at noon, the center of the enlighted hemifphere. It ſurely
would be highly incongruous and abfurd, to date the beginning of time from
an intermediate, and not from the central point of the day.
4. Should a great number of folar tropical years of the world be given,
in order to be reduced to days, then we fay, that after the diviſion of the
feveral reductions by 7, the following numbers will exprefs all the variety of
remainders which can poffibly happen; o, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Upon theſe grounds we have framed
An univerfal TABLE of the days of the week in perpetual fucceffion; which will
admit of no change, nor require any correction, to the end of time.
Days of the week
Extra days.
о
Indices
I 2 3 4
5
6
7 I 2
Remainders
I
2
3 4 5
30
6
A TABLE
158
The Chronology of the World.
A TABLE exhibiting the various returns of the dominical letter to the days of the
Julian months, in the space of feven quadrienniums, or twenty-eight years.
OLD STYLE.
Biff. I GF.
5 BA.
I
2 E
9 DC. | 13 FE.
6 G
| 17 AG.
10 B
14 D
21 CB. | 25 ED.
18 F
2
3 D
22 A
7
F
26 C
II A
15 C
3 / 4 C
19 E
8 E
12 G
23 G
27 B
16 B
20 D
24
F
28 A
NEW STYLE.
Biff.
I DC.
5 FE.
9 AG.
I
2 B
13 CB.
|
|
6 D
17 ED.
IO F
14 A
21 GF. | 25 BA.
18 C
2
3 A
7 C
22 E
26 G
II E
15 G
34
G
19 B
8 B
12 D
23 D
2 F
16 F
20 A
24
C
28 E
5. It is to Mofes's hiftory alone, that we are indebted for this piece of
knowledge, that the fyftem of 7 days derives its origin from the immediate
inſtitution of the Deity, the Creator of the heavens and earth, which muſt
needs leffen our ſurpriſe, fhould we find it of extraordinary uſe in diſtinguiſh-
ing the intervals of times.
As the argument founded on the correfpondent day of the week is entirely
Mofaic, it ought not to be omitted in a ſcheme of fcriptural chronology; and
indeed chronology would have been defective without it. But a week being
a ſyſtem of 7 days, the term feventh day implies an inftituted æra, from
which the uninterrupted fucceffions of an eſtabliſhed period or cycle, muſt be
computed, the firſt of which was compleated on the 7th day of the creation.
And it is a circumftance worthy to be obferved, that we may, if we pleaſe,
be convinced by more than two millions of examples, that the Chriftian's
Sunday, and not the Jewiſh Saturday, was the original feventh day. The
Jewiſh Saturday-Sabbath can claim, as we fhall prove, no higher a deſcent
than the year in which the Ifraelites went out of Egypt.
We fay then, in anſwer to query 3, that time commenced at the autumnal
equinox, in coincidence with a full moon, on the fourth day of the firft
week, at noon *.
* In the Table of feven days, refolved into their four equi-diftant quadrants, the full moon day
begins on the third day at noon, and ends on the fourth day at noon, with a mathematical pre-
cifion; hence it comes to paſs, that the earth's annual motion is dated from the autumnal equinox,
and the extreme, or laft point, of the original full moon day.
1
{
QUERY
The Chronology of the World.
159
A:
QUERY IV. What is the precife quantity of the folar tropical year?
Such, at preſent, is the uncertain ftate of this important and fundamental
determination, it will, we apprehend, be thought incredible, that we ſhould
be able, (from the very rule offered by Keil, lect. xxii, p. 271, which we
have cited, p. 8.) to inveftigate and afcertain the folar tropical year in its na-
tive quantity.
It is to be wiſhed, that Keil had explicitly mentioned the obſerved times
of two equinoxes or two folftices, and their diftances from each other, inſtead
of only faying in general terms “ by this means the folar tropical year is
"found to confift of 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 57 feconds.
rr
>>
We think it neceffary to fupply this defect, by fetting down the times of
two winter folftices, the one of which was obſerved by Tyco Brahe, A.D.
1585, the other by Dr. Bradley, A. D. 1753, at the diſtance of 168 years
in the meridians of Uraniburg and Greenwich.
Uraniburg. in vs A.D. 1585,
Greenwich. in vs A.D. 1753,
D. H. M.
Dec. 11 20 33 p.m.n. i.e. after midnight, O.S,
Dec. 10 2 21 p.m. i.e. after noon, Õ.S.
The difference of the times
Subft. to reduce Tyco's hours to noon
I IO 12
12
Remains I 6 12
But before we divide this difference of the times by the number of revolu-
tions the fun had made, two particulars must be confidered;
Firſt, Tyco's numbers make the diſtance from to vs to be 89 days, 10
hours, 44 minutes, which according to Dr. Bradley's obfervations, is 89 days,
15 hours, 57 minutes; the difference is 5 hours, 13 minutes.
Secondly, The meridian diſtance between the two obfervatories is reckoned
to be 51 minutes; but it
may be
be proved, that Tyco's numbers make that
diſtance to be no leſs than 4 hours, 37 minutes, which being fubſtracted
from 5 hours, 13 minutes, will ſtill leave an error of 36 minutes; theſe be-
ing added to 1 day, 6 hours, 12 minutes, will give 1 day, 6 hours, 48 mi-
nutes, for the exact difference of the times between the two folftices in the
meridian of the Greenwich obfervatory.
1 day, 6 hours, 48 minutes, give, by reduction, 1848 minutes.
Divide
160
The Chronology of the World.
Divide by 168) 1848 (11 minutes,
Remainder
From
Subſtract, for the annual difference
D. H. M.
365 6'00
The quantity of the folar trop. year 365 5,
1
I I
5, 49
To find the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, in which the fun came
to the winter folftice A. D. 1585, in a meridian which lies 9 degrees, or 36
minutes of time, to the weftward of the Greenwich obſervatory.
A.D. 1753, the fun was obferved
to enter capricorn at Greenwich, } Dec.
Subſtract to bring it back to Qld Style
D. H. M.
21
2 21 p.m. N. S.
II
*
Remains, Dec.
10 2 21 p.
Add, to reduce the hours to midnight,
Add for the retroceffion in 168
in vs Dec.
years
2 21 p.m. O. S.
12
10 14 21 p.m. n.
I 6 48
o in vs at Greenwich, A:D. 1585, Dec. 11 21
Subſtract for 9 degree of the equator,
Ⓒ ín vs by Tyco's obfervation, A.D. 1585, Dec.
9 p.m. n..
36
II 20 33
We will now examine the rule laid down by Keil, and take occafion from
thence to explain, why the aftronomers have never yet been able, by their
repeated endeavours, to collect and determine with precifion, the quantity of
the folar tropical year, from the numbers of obfervation.
"We cannot fafely rely, fays Keil, upon the quantity of the year, collected
"from obfervations that were made at the diftance of a year.
>>
But if the obferved times are exactly true, why cannot we fafely rely upon
them? If there be any error in them, what is the nature of it? how may it
be diſcovered, and by what principles may it, in every inſtance of variation,
be corrected?
+
Now it is very evident, that the error of obfervation, muſt be an error
refpecting place, and not refpecting time. It cannot be an error in time,
unless it could be proved, that the affigned day of the month either falls
fhort
The Chronology of the World.
161
fhort of, or over-paffes, the limits of the equinoctial or folftitial day, which
cannot be ſuſpected.
The rule by which we may judge, is obvious; for whenever the difference of
the times, by obfervations made at the diftance of a year, gives 5 hours, 49
minutes, for the termination of the folar tropical year, it is certain, that time
and place are then in union, although we cannot, perhaps, afcertain the geo-
graphy; but whenever the difference of the times exceeds, or falls ſhort of,
that termination, the exceſs or defect will be the quantity of the error, and
the error will ever be equal to the change of the meridian.
In the table of II terminations, p. 117, under the vernal equinox A.D.
1753, we find theſe numbers, 5 hours, 53 minutes, which being fubftracted
from 6 hours, leave 7 minutes for the annual difference. But it is agreed, on
all hands, that the annual difference is not less than 11 minutes; from II
minutes ſubſtract 7, and the remainder 4, will be the quantity of the error,
and it expreffes the change of the meridian.
To prove this, let it be required to calculate the Julian month, day, hour,
and minute, in which the fun entered aries A. D. 1753, in a meridian which
lies one whole degree, or 4 minutes of time, to the weftward of the Green-
wich obfervatory.
The CALCULATION.
A.D. 1753,
the fun was obſerved to enter Aries at Greenwich March 19
days, 22 hours, 33 minutes, p. m. from 33 minutes' ſubſtract 4, and it will
leave March 19 days, 22 hours, 29 minutes, for the time of the ingrefs in
the given meridian.
A. D. 1752 the obſerved time was March 19 days, 16 hours, 40 minutes.
From
Subftract
D. H. M.
March 19 22 29 p. m. A.D. 1753,
p.m.
March 19 16 40 p. m. A.D. 1752.
The true termination - -
5 49
Again, let it be required to calculate the Julian month, day, hour, and
minute, in which the fun entered aries, at Greenwich, A.D. 1752.
The CALCULATION.
A. D. 1752, the obferved time of the o in aries fell in a meridian
which lies one whole degree, or 4 minutes of time, to the weftward of Green-
wich, namely March 19 days, 16 hours, 40 minutes; add 4 minutes to bring
it to the meridian of Greenwich, and we ſhall have March 19 days, 16
hours, 44 minutes.
Y
From
162
The Chronology of the World.
From
Subſtract
D. H. M.
March 19 22 33 p.m. A.D. 1753,
March 19 16 44
The true termination oo 5 49
It is plain, therefore, that when obfervations, made at the diſtance of a
year, are compared together, the error, if there be any, formally lies in the
change of the meridian, and we have fhewn how it may be diſcovered, eſti-
mated, and corrected.
But inſtead of confidering, or fo much as fufpecting, a change of the-me-
ridian," the aſtronomers, fays Keil, more accurately determine the quantity
"of the year, by taking the obfervations of two equinoxes at many years
"diſtance from one another, and dividing the time between the obſervations,
by the number of revolutions the fun has made, the quantity will fhew the
"time of one revolution, or nearly the period of the earth in her orbit; for,
by this means, if there is any miſtake made in the obfervation, it will be
"divided into fo many parts, according to the number of years, that it will
"be infenfible for the ſpace of one year."
(c
This rule or method of proceeding, is fo extremely infufficient, and, we
ſhall add, ſo very unaſtronomical, that it is impoffible it ſhould ever anſwer
the end propoſed; for it neither informs us of the nature of the error, or by
what means its quantity may be diſcovered, or by what principles it may be
corrected, and they, who follow its directions, muft neceffarily produce either
a redundant, or a defective quantity of the folar tropical year, becauſe they
generally compare the obferved times of two diftant equinoxes or folftices,
which do not exactly coincide with one and the fame place, meridian, or point
of the equator.
In order to fupport the truth of theſe remarks by examples, we will
go back to A.D. 1585, and fet down the moment of the fun's ingrefs into
capricorn in three different meridians.
D. H. M.
A.D. 1585, Dec. 11 9
Dec. II 9 9 3
o in vs
9
Dec. 11 9 15
Interval
168 years.
A.D. 1753,
o in vs
D. H. M.
Dec. 10 2 15
Dec. 10 2 21
Dec. 10 2 27
D. H. M.
(Ift.)
From
Subſtract
Dec. II 9 3 p.m. in vs A.D. 1585,
Dec. 10
Dec. 10 2 15 p.m. © in vs A.D. 1753.
Difference of the times
I
6 48
(2dly.)
The Chronology of the World.
163
(2dly.)
From
Subſtract
Difference of the times
(3dly.)
From
Subſtract
D. H. M.
Dec. 11 9 9 p.m. o in vs A.D. 1585,
Dec. 10 2 21 p.m. o in vs A.D. 1753.
1 6 48
D. H. M.
Dec. 11 9 15 p.m. o in vs A.D. 1585,
Dec. 10 2 27 p.m. o in vs A.D. 1753.
Difference of the times
1 6 48
Here the difference of the times is uniformly 1 day, 6 hours, 48 minutes,
which being reduced to minutes, and divided by 168, will give, in every in-
ſtance, 5 hours, 49 minutes, for the termination of the folar tropical year;
and the reaſon is, becauſe the times of the two diftant folftices, fall in the
fame meridian reſpectively. On the other hand,
D. H. M.
If from
Dec.
II 9 3 in vs, A.D. 1585,
We fubftract
Dec.
10 2 21
?
The difference of the times will be
I
642
If this difference of the times be reduced to minutes, and divided by 168,
it will produce a redundant quantity of the folar tropical year, and although
the exceſs will be but fmall, yet there will be an exceſs in proportion to the
deficiency of fix minutes.
The CALCULATION.
1 day, 6 hours, 42 minutes, will produce 1842 minutes.
Divide by 168) 1842 (10′ 57″, &c.
From 6 hours fubftract 10' 57", and it will give 5 hours, 49 minutes, 3
feconds, for the termination of the folar tropical year; which was to be proved.
Example II.
From Dec. 11 9 15 o in vs A.D. 1585,
Subftract
The difference of the times
Dec. 10 2 21
I 6 54
. Y. 2.
If
བན་ ན
164
The Chronology of the World.
}
If this difference of the times be reduced to minutes, and divided by 168, it
will produce a defective quantity of the folar tropical year, and the defect will
be in proportion to the excess of 6 minutes.
The CALCULATION.
1 day, 6 hours, 54 minutes, will produce 1854 minutes.
Divide by 168) 1854 (11' 2" 8.
From fix hours fubftract 11′ 2″ 8", and it will give 5 hours, 48 minutes,
57 feconds, &c. for the termination of the folar tropical year; which was to
be proved.
Another METHOD.
The exact quantity of the folar tropical year may be inveſtigated and af-
certained from the aftronomical difference between the folar and the fidereal
day.
A folar day contains {
A fidereal day
Min.
1440
1436
The difference
4
Day Min.
Days
Min.
365
1461.
ift, Say, As I : 4 :: 365
Thefe 1461 minutes, which are the fourth proportional, conftitute the
equatoreal meaſure of the whole ambit of the earth's annual orbit, including
the annual difference, which we are to feparate by calculation.
2dly, Since 4 minutes of progreffion anſwer to 24 hours of rotation, it fol-
lows, that I minute of progreffion anſwers to 6 hours of rotation.
Min. Hours
Min.
Hours.
Say, then, As I : 6 :: 1461 : 8766.
This fourth proportional 8766, gives the number of hours in a mean Julian
year.
3dly, In 6 hours there are 360 equatoreal minutes.
Min.
Min.
Min.
Min.
Say, then, As
I :
360 ::
1461
: 525960.
This
The Chronology of the World.
165
This fourth proportional 525960, gives the number of equatoreal minutes in
à mean Julian year, and they terminate with the number 60; which, being
divided by 4, gives in the quotient 15 minutes.
From 365 days, 6 hours, fubftract 15 minutes, and it will leave 365 days,
5 hours, 45 minutes, for the quantity of the folar tropical year. But, as
are affured, that this quantity is defective, we muſt endeavour to find the
aſtronomical complement.
3
In order to this, refolve 15 minutes into its units fucceffively.
It is evident, by inſpection into this TABLE, that the com-
plement of 45 minutes muſt be ſearched for in one of theſe
three divifions,
5
4
3
IO
I I
I 2
15
14 I
13
12
II
ΙΟ
2
3
4
5
O bond ~ ~ +bo Noo
9
6
8
7
7
8
6
9
5
ΙΟ
4
I I
I2
2
13
I
14
15
o a∞o non +3 N
Ift, If to 5 hours, 45 minutes, we add 5, and make the
year
to confift of 365 days, 5 hours, 50 minutes, and attempt to
calculate the time of the autumnal equinox in a given meridian,
by this quantity, the confequence will be, that in an interval
of 5760 years, the calculated time will overpaſs the cardinal
point full four days, and therefore 5 minutes are too much.
о
2dly, If to 5 hours, 45 minutes, we add 3 minutes, and make
the year to confift of 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, then the
confequence will be, that in an interval of 5760 years, the cal-
culated time will fall full four days fhort of the cardinal point, and therefore
minutes are too little.
3
3dly, If to 5 hours, 45 minutes, we add 4 minutes, which is the middle
number, and make the year to conſiſt of 365 days, 5 hours, 49 minutes,
then the conſequence will be, that in a given interval of 5760 years, the cal-
culated time will be coincident with the cardinal point in a given meridian,
and therefore 4 minutes aftronomically compleat the termination.
1
To
166
The Chronology of the World.
To find the meridian epact, or the annual difference between the mean Julian,
and the folar tropical year.
The CALCULATION.
1. Divide by 15') 525960' (35064'
2. Multiply the quotient 35064' into 4, and the product will be 140256.
3. From
Subſtract
525960'
140256
4. Divide by 35064) 385704 (11', the annual difference fought.
Remainder
Q
From the fum of the minutes in a mean Julian year
Subftract for the annual difference
Remain the minutes in a folar tropical year
D. H. M.
1
525960
I I
525949
Divide by 1440) 525949 (365 5 49, the true quantity.
As various quantities of the folar tropical year have been affigned by the
beſt authorities, we will fet down three others, together with that which we
have inveſtigated by calculation,
D. H. M. S.
365 5 49 oo the refult of five of Dr. Bradley's obfervations, and of calculation.
3" Sir Ifaac Newton.
I.
2.
365 5 48 57
3.
365 5 48 55
5" Dr. Halley.
4.
365 5 48 45
#
15″ Dr. Bradley.
Throw off from every one of theſe quantities 365 days, 5 hours, 45 mi-
nutes, and there will remain,
I.
400
2.
3 57
3" + 11'=15'.
3.
3 55
5"
4.
3 45
15"
It appears from theſe tables, that three determinations out of four, are but
approximations, which ever involve a mixture of error.
Although
The Chronology of the World.
167
$
Although a day be not the aliquot part of a year, yet it is the aliquot part
of 1440 years, and of all the multiples of that number, namely, 2880,
3420, 5760, &c.
Becaufe in the number 1440, there are just as many years, as there are
minutes in a day, therefore 1440 years will produce juft as many days as there
are minutes in a folar tropical year.
The CALCULATION.
Multiply
into
1440
II
years of 365 days, 6 hours,
minutes.
Divide the product by 1440') 15840 (11 days, the Julian exceſs.
Remainder
Multiply
into
1440 years,
1461 quadrants.
Divide the product by 4) 2103840 (525960 days.
Subſtract the Julian excefs
I I
525960'
II'
525949
525949'
There is ſomething in theſe conclufions which deſerves attention; for fince
there are as many days, namely, 525949, in 1440 folar tropical years, as
there are minutes, namely, 525949, in one folar tropical year, the aſtrono-
mical unit is aſcertained, and from theſe determinations it is evident, that the
fun cannot fail to enter the original cardinal point of the year, &c. in all the
meridians of the globe, in every minute of the day, and in the ſame number
of years, as there are minutes in a day.
Ágain, becauſe in the number 5760, there are juſt as many years as there
are minutes in four days, therefore 5760 years will produce juſt as many days
as there are minutes in four folar tropical years.
The CALCULATION.
5760 years of 365 days, 6 hours.
II minutes.
Multiply
into
Divide the product by 1440′)
63360 (44 00
D. H. M.
oo, the Julian exceſs.
Remainder
Mul-
168
The Chronology of the World.
$
Multiply
into
5760 years, &c.
1461 quadrants.
D.
H. M.
Divide the product by 4) 8415360 (2103840 00 00, Julian reduction.
Subſtract the Julian exceſs
44
2103796 folar tropical reduction.
"
To find the quantity of the folar tropical year, from the number of compleat
days in 5760 folar tropical years.
Multiply the fum total of
into
Multiply the product
into
The CALCULATION,
2103796 days,
4 quadrants.
8415184
360, the minutes in a quadrant.
Divide the product by 5760) 3029466240 (525949 minutes in a year.
Multiply the quotient
into
525949'
4
The product 2103796 minutes in four years.
From hence it appears, that there are juſt as many days in 5760 years, as
there are minutes in four folar tropical years, which was to be proved.
We ſay, then, in anfwer to query 4, that 365 days, 5 hours, 49 minutes,
conftitute the quantity of the folar tropical year, without exceſs or defect.
To find the Julian Station of the original autumnal equinox, or the Julian
month, and day of the month, coincident with the fourth day of the firſt
week, when time commenced in the first meridian at noon.
The CALCULATION,
A.D. 1753, the fun was obſerved to enter libra, in the meridian of the
Greenwich obfervatory, September, 22 days, 10 hours, 24 minutes, p. m.
A. D. 1753, is in connection with A. M. 5760, which is known by adding
A. M. 4007, anſwering to the year o of the vulgar chriftian æra.
At
The Chronology of the World.
169
At the autumnal equinox of this year the fourth folar period was compleat-
ed; when, by the principles of commenfuration, the fun returned to the o-
riginal cardinal point of the year, namely, the autumnal equinox, on the
original cardinal point of the day, namely, noon, in the fame meridian in
which it began its courſe.
From September, 22 days, 10 hours, 24 minutes, throw off 10 hours,
24 minutes, for the meridian diftance of the Greenwich obfervatory, and
their will remain September, 22 days, oo hours, oo minutes, for the mo-
ment of the equinox in the firſt meridian.
The Julian excefs in 5760 years, was found, by calculation, to be 44 days;
from which throw off 11 for New Style, and there will remain 33.
To September, 22 days, oo hours, oo minutes, add 33, and from the
fum 55 ſubſtract the 30 days of September, and it will carry it back to Oc-
tober, 25 days, oo hours, oo minutes, coincident with the point of the au-
tumnal equinox on the fourth day of the firſt week at noon.
To find the first meridian, or that individual point of the equator, in connection
with which the earth's annual motion commenced at noon, and in which it
has ever fince compleated its periods.
The CALCULATION.
A.D. 1753, A.M. 5760, the fun entered libra, in the firft meridian,
September, 22 days, oo hours, oo minutes, which being fubftracted from
the obſerved time, September, 22 days, 10 hours, 24 minutes, leaves 10
hours, 24 minutes, for the diſtance of the Greenwich obfervatory, from the
firft meridian eastward.
10 hours, 24 minutes, in time, anfwer to 156 degrees of the equator; if
we compute longitude quite round the equator from weft to eaft, beginning
at our own meridian, the 360th degree will terminate with it;
from 360
ſubſtract 156, and it will leave in remainder 304 degrees; if we bring theſe
304 degrees to the brazen meridian, we fhall find the firft meridian to fall in
no diftinguiſhed place, but in the wide-extended bofom of the vaft Pacific Sea.
Here we may, with fome admiration, remark, that if the perfon who ob-
ferved the fun's entry into libra at Greenwich A.D. 1753, fhould be indul-
ged the longevity of an Antediluvian patriarch, he would not have it in his
power again to make fuch another obfervation, whofe hours and minutes would
immediately and directly exprefs the diſtance from the firſt meridian, as thefe 10
hours and 24 minutes do; nor can fuch an opportunity offer again until A.D.
3193, for then the fun will again enter the fame cardinal point, in the fame hour
and minute, in the fame place, as it did A.D. 1753, and whatever error there
C
Z
may
170
The Chronology of the World.
may
be in the hours and minutes of this obfervation, we muft, till then,
acquiefce in a poftulated exactness.
QUERY V. How many equatoreal minutes conftitute the precife and immutable
quantity of a natural day?
This query ſome may think unaſtronomical, and will, perhaps, impute it
to ignorance; it is indeed a query, whofe folution depends more upon the cer
tainty of calculation, than the inaccuracy of obfervation; and we ſhall attempt
it by very fingular ſteps.
It appears by calculation, that 5760 annual revolutions are commenſurate in
time to 2103796 rotations of the earth about its axis.
A.M. 5760, ended, according to this ſcheme of chronology, at the autum-
nal equinox A.D. 1753, on the 22d day of September at noon, in the firſt
meridian, and 24 minutes paſt 10 at night in the meridian of the Greenwich
obfervatory.
A.D. 1753, is in connection with the year of the Julian period 6466;
from which fubftract A. M. 5760, and it will carry it back to the year of
the Julian period 706. We will now fet down theſe two years of the Julian
period, and under them the moment of the fun's entry into libra in two me-
ridians, which are diſtant from each other 156 degrees upon the equator.
A. J. P.
706
o in
Firſt meridian.
D. H. M.
October 25 00 00
The TABLE.
Interval
5760 years,
A. J. P.
6466
A.D. 1753,
o in ~
Firft meridian.
2103796 days.
Sept.
D. H. M.
22 00 00
A. J. P.
706.
• in
At the place
of the
Interval
5760 years,
2103796 days.
Greenwich obfervatory.
D. H. M.
Oct. 25 10 24 p.m.
A. J. P.
6466
A.D. 1753,
O in
At the
Greenwich obfervatory.
D. H. M.
Sept. 22.10 24 p.m.
Now,
The
171
Chronology of the World.
Now, becauſe every one of theſe compleat days begins and ends at noon,
they, collectively taken, meaſure the interval with a mathematical and aftro-
nomical preciſion; they meaſure the interval with a mathematical precifion,
becauſe, like a ftrait line, they lie evenly between the points; and they mea-
fure it with an aftronomical precifion, becauſe the firſt of them is computed
from the moment of the fun's entry into libra, either at noon in the firſt
meridian, or 10 hours, 24 minutes, paſt noon, in the meridian of the Green-
wich obfervatory, and the laft of them terminates with the moment of the
fun's entry into the fame cardinal point, the fame inſtants of time, in the fame
meridians. And, therefore,
To find the number of equatoreal minutes fought,
*
Multiply 525949', the minutary meaſure of the folar tropical year,
into 5760, the given number of folar tropical years.
Divide the product by
2103796, the number
1
of the earth's rotations3029466240' (1440 equatoreal minutes.
about its axis,
We fay, then, in anſwer to query 5, that 1440 equatoreal minutes, confti-
tute the preciſe immutable quantity of the natural or folar day.
In Ferguſon's aftronomy the tables of the equations of natural days occupy
feveral pages; they are adjuſted to the biffextile year, and to the firſt, ſecond,
and third years after it, fo that they comprehend 1461 natural days. Now
the publiſher of theſe tables has free liberty to chufe which of theſe 1461
days he pleaſes, and let him try whether he can, by the fame collective num-
ber, meaſure the given interval with the fame mathematical and aftronomical
preciſion ; if he finds, upon trial, that not any one of the number will ferve
the purpoſe, he may perhaps be inclined to fufpect, that the inequality of na-
tural days is an unaftronomical doctrine; it is without controverfy a doctrine,
which ever will, and ever muſt, be rejected by thoſe who ſtudy the com-
putations of time, fince it renders fuch computations impracticable.
Here we may properly remark, that as thefe 1440 equatoreal minutes, thus
aſcertained, are the ftandard by which to try all the affigned quantities of a
natural day, fo thefe 2103796 days, commenfurate in time to 5760 folar tro-
pical years, are the ſtandard by which to try all the affigned quantities of the
folar tropical year; for if 5 hours, 49 minutes, be not the true ter-
mination, it muſt be either greater or lefs; let us fuppofe it to be one or more
feconds lefs, then make a table from 1" to 15", and fet down, in the oppo-
fite column, the aggregate of the differences, in the ſpace of 5760 folar tropi-
cal years.
Z 2
TA-
174
The Chronology of the World.
TABLE.
Annual
Diminution.
5760 Years.
I
2
~ 3 + LO DO
Aggregate
of the
Diminution.
D. H. M.
。 I 36
O
3
4
468
9
0 9
4
5
6
7
8
o
O
9
ΙΟ
I I
12
13
14
15
12
48
24
36
O II 12
12
48
O 14 24
O 16 Oo
0 17 36
I 2
0 19
0,20 48
O 22
I OO
24
Oo
ift, If from 5 h. 49 min. we ſubſtract 3", it will leave 5 h. 48 min. 57″,
for the termination of the folar tropical year. The aggregate of this diffe-
rence, in 5760 years, is 4 h. 48 min. and fo much the tabular conclufion
will fall fhort of the fun's entry into libra at noon, in a given meridian.
2dly, If from 5 h. 49 min. we fubftract 5", it will leave 5 h. 48 min.
55 fec. for the termination of the folar tropical year; the aggregate of this
difference, in 5760 years, is 8 hours, and fo much the tabular conclufion will
fall fhort of the fun's entry into libra at noon, in a given meridian, &c.
which was to be proved.
QUERY VI. What is the exact quantity of a mean lunation?
Chronological computations require a mathematical preciſion in the meaſures
of time; but the neceffity of fuch precifion is more apparent in the quantity
of a mean lunation, than in the quantity of the folar tropical year; for if an
excefs or defect of three feconds of time be multiplied into the number of
years which have revolved fince the creation, the aggregate of the error will
not amount to 5 hours: on the other hand, if an exceſs or defect of but one
fecond
The Chronology of the World.
173
fecond of time, be multiplied into the number of lunations which have re-
volved fince the creation, the aggregate of the error will be 20 hours nearly:
nay, if the inſenſible particle of one third of time, be multiplied into the fum
total of lunations, it will produce an error of 20 minutes nearly, which an-
fwer to 5 degrees upon the equator; but an error of 5 degrees upon the equa-
tor, will cauſe a fenfible change of the meridian; fo indefpenfably neceſſary
is an indefectible quantity of a mean lunation in chronological computations,
founded upon the principles of aſtronomy.
"As to the quantity of a fynodical month, we are to gather it, fays Strau-
"chius, from the aftronomers who ftudy its motion; as chronologers do the
"time in which the motion is made: however, fince fynodical months are ap-
parently unequal, we ſhall content ourſelves with the enumerating from
"feveral authors their opinions of its mean motions, as they call it; among
whom we take Tyco Brahe's to be the moſt genuine; they are theſe :
<<
"C
1. Cleoftratus
2. Harpalus
3. Eudoxus
4. Hipparchus
5. Calippus
6. Meton
7. Ptolemy
8. Alphonfus
9. Tab. Pruten
10. Tyco Brahe
11. Keil
II.
}
12. Mayer of Gottingen
13. To theſe we will add
1
1
1
D. H. 1
>>
"
4ths. 5ths. 6ths.
29
12
Oo
29
I 2
50
54 33
Oo
29 12 43 38
II OO oo oo
29
12 44 3
15
44
39
4
29 12 44 12 45
57
26 49
29
12 41
26 48 30
38 18
29
12 44
3 20
୦୦
29
I2 44
3
3
Oo
29
12 44
3
10
38
38 00
29
I 2
44
3 9 Oo
OO
29
I 2
44
3
Oo Oo OO
29
12 44
2
53 23 25
-
29
12 44
I 45
Oo
oo oo
In this table we have 13 different quantities of a mean lunation; out of
theſe we ſhall ſelect 4, namely,
Ift, That which is affigned by Ptolemy, 29
and is ftill adopted by the Jews,
2dly, By Keil
3dly, By Tobias Mayer of Gottingen
4thly, We ſhall add
D. H.
4ths.
I 2
44 03 20 OO
29
I 2 44 03
oo oo
29 I2 44 02 53 23
29 12 44 OI 45
60
After we have explained all our fundamental principles, a previous know-
ledge of which is neceffary for a right underſtanding of the calculations,
and the ſeveral ſteps of them, we ſhall propoſe a method how to bring theſe
four
篇
​174
The Chronology of the World.
four different quantities to fuch an aftronomical and unexceptionable teſt, as
will fully enable us to judge of the truth, or want of exactnefs, of every one
of them, to a fingle moment.
Proceed we, therefore, to explain what we have entitled, No. VII.
A true meridian diftance.
f
THere were very good reaſons for inferting
-a true meridian diftance
amongſt the fundamentals; for it is this principle alone which enables us
to perfect the calculations; without its affiftance we could not, by a compu-
tation downwards, from a point fixed independent of obfervation, have deter-
mined either the times of the fun's apparent ingrefs into the cardinal points,
or the moment of a mean full moon, or of a mean new moon, in a given
place; but now we can do it, by only adding 10 h. 24 min. (the ob-
ſerved times of the autumnal equinox A.D. 1753) to the terminating hours
and minutes of an equinox, or a folftice, or of a mean full moon, and mean
new moon, in the firft meridian, and it will immediately reduce it to the
meridian of the Greenwich obfervatory, in a very near agreement with truth,
as it will appear upon an examination.
We are indebted for this valuable acquifition, to the aftronomical proper-
ties and affections of a commenfurating year; but as the doctrine of a com-
menfurability between years and days, is not known, and will not perhaps
be preſently credited or adopted, it muſt for ever have eſcaped the obfervers
notice.
We will now fet down thefe 10 h. 24 min. (omitting the Julian month
and day) in a table by themſelves; and we will fet them down by them-
felves, as a reſult of the moſt uſeful and moft diftinguiſhed obfervation, that
ever was made fince the firft foundation of the obfervatory, or that will or
can be made for more than 14 centuries to come.
A TABLE of the hour and minute of one fingle obfervation, expreffing the time
of the fun's entry into libra at Greenwich, A. D. 1753, A. M. 5760, which
·was the fourth commenfurating year.
་
A,D. 1752
A.D. 1753
A.D. 1754
A.D. 1755.
The Vernal
Equinox.
The Summer
* Solftice.
The Autumnal
Equinox.
The Winter
Solítice.
1
f
}
~H. M.
O 10 24 p.m.
Here
The Chronology of the World.
175
Here it may be proper to prove, by an example, that the knowledge of
fome one determinate meridian diftance, is not only uſeful, but indifpenfably
neceffary, in a computation downwards to the preſent times; fince, without its
afliſtance, the conclufion would be unintelligible.
To this end, let it be required to calculate, from the correfponding year of
the world, the hour and minute (no matter for the Julian month and day of
the month) in which the fun entered libra, in the meridian of the Greenwich
obfervatory, A.D. 1757.
To A.D. 1757 add A.M. 4007 and the fum, 5764, will be the
world fought.
year of the
5764 folar tropical years reduced by table 1, produce 2105256 d. 23 h. 16
min.; throw off the compleat days, and there will remain 23 h. 16 min. after
noon, for the moment of the equinox in that point of the circle of the equa
tor, in connection with which the earth's annual motion commenced, and
in which it conſtantly compleats its periods.
If a ſtrait line was drawn from that point of the heavens, in which the
ecliptic interſects the celeftial equinoctial, it would fall on this very point of
the circle of the equator, and therefore this point muſt be, in nature, the firſt
meridian. But fince the geography of the firft meridian is not given, and
confequently cannot be known a priori, to find how many degrees upon the
equator it is fituated to the eastward or to the weftward of the Greenwich
obfervatory, we must have recourfe to obfervation, and to fuch an obfervation
as was made at the end of a commenſurating year; for it can be collected
only from fuch a year, immediately and directly. By this means we are cer-
tified, that the diftance between theſe two meridians is 156 degrees upon the
equator, or 10 h. 24 min. in time; and that this is true in fact, we ſhall e-
vince by calculation.
A.D. 1757 was the firſt year after biffextile, fo alfo was A.D. 1753; the
interval is four years, which gives for the retroceffion 44 minutes.
H. M.
From O
Subſtract for the retroceffion in 4 years
10 24 p.m. A.D. 1753,
44
Remains
O
9 40 p.m. A.D. 1757.
But, on the other hand, if to
-23
16 p.m.
firſt meridian, A.D. 1757,
We add, for the meridian diſtance,
1 t
We ſhall have, as before,
10 24
9 40 p.m. at Greenwich, A.D. 1757-
This
176
The Chronology of the World.
This one example proves the neceffity of knowing fome one meridian diſtance
in a computation downwards, and that without it we could not compleat the
calculation, or make it intelligible.
Now becauſe the certainty of chronological computations depends upon
the
certainty of aftronomical conclufions, it follows, that the former muſt par-
take of the uncertainties of the latter; upon this account the chronologiſt has
reaſon to wiſh, there had been fuch a uniformity and confiftency in the num-
bers of the aſtronomers, that it was quite indifferent which of them he made
choice of for a directory; but the following table, of 9 unequal meridian di-
ſtances, collected from fifteen obfervations of equinoxes and folftices, made
fucceffively in one and the fame place, undeniably prove, that no fuch uni-
formity is to be expected; and, moreover, that the error of obfervation for-
mally lies in the frequent change of the meridian.
A TABLE of nine unequal meridian diftances, collected from fifteen obſervations,
made fucceffively in the meridian of the Greenwich obfervatory.
".
VS
O
II
H.
M.
H.
M.
H.
M.
H. M.
A.D. 1752,
10
20
10
I 2
ΙΟ
21
10 24
}
A.D. 1753,
10 24
ΙΟ
24
10 24
10 24
A.D. 1754,
FO 28.
10
28
10.25
10 29
A.D. 1755,
to 29:
10 19
10 26
In this table the numbers 10 h. 24 min. occur five times fucceffively, and,
upon this account, we have given them the preference, and conſtantly make
ufe of them in the calculations; and if we might be permitted to poftulate
the exact truth of thoſe five obſervations, from which theſe uniform meridian
diſtances are derived, and might erect them into a ſtandard, by which to cor-
rect the reft, we could very easily, by their means, frame a perpetual aſtro-
nomical table, which would enable us to aſcertain the moment of the fun's
ingreffes into the four cardinal points of the ecliptic, in any given year, and
in any given place, whofe meridian diftance was known, in a conftant con-
nection with the numbers of theſe five obfervations.
The firſt of theſe. felected obfervations, was made at the winter folftice A. D.
1752, and the laſt of them at the winter folftice A.D. 1753; and they are theſe ;
Vernal Equinox.
March.
D. H. M.
Summer Solftice.
June.
D, H. M.
Autumnal Equinox.
September.
D. H. M.
A.D. 1752,
A¿Ð; 1953, N¡S: 49.22 33.
20 21 15
22 10 24
CIT
Winter Solſtice.
December.
}
D. H. M.
20 20 32 p.m.
21 2 21
Accord-
The Chronology of the World.
177
1
According to theſe ſelected obfervations, the diſtances of the four cardinal
points of the ecliptic from each other, are,
1. From the winter folftice, to the vernal equinox
2. From the vernal equinox, to the ſummer folftice
3. From the fummer folftice, to the autumnal equinox
4. From the autumnal equinox, to the winter folſtice
D. H. M.
89 2 I
92 22 42
93 13 9
89 15 57
The fum total
365 5 49
As a perpetual aſtronomical table will be extremely uſeful, as well as cu-
rious, we ſhall fhew how to conſtruct it.
Carry theſe obſerved diſtances back to the fourth day of the creation, and
to October 25, which was coincident with it; then, by a continual addition of
them for four years, beginning at the autumnal equinox, they will produce
the following table; only we muſt note, that as every one of theſe four
years is made to confift of 365 days 6 hours, the times are not adjuſted to
any determinate meridian. They are fo ordered, that if the given meridian
diſtance be ſubſtracted from the fum of the retroceffion, or Julian excefs, and
the remainder from the radical numbers, it will give, without the help of
equations, the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, of the equinox or fol-
ftice, in the given year, and in the given place, with fuch exactneſs, that
the error of the calculation will ever be equal to the error of the ſelected
obfervation.
A TABLE of the Julian Stations of equinoxes and folftices, in the first quadri-
ennium of the world's age.
Vernal
Equinox.
Summer
Solftice.
April.
July.
Autumnal
Equinox.
October
Winter
Solſtice.
January.
After Biff. A.M. D.
H. M. D.
H. M. D. H.
M.' D. H. M.
I
O
O O
2
I2I
17
58 23
3
221
Biff. o
23
321 5
I
021
21 II
025
16 40 25
58 23 22 40 25
58 23 4 40 24
58 23
ΙΟ 401 o
22 15 57
6
12
O
2 2
22 21 57
23
3 57
18 O 22
9 57
O
O
We will illuſtrate the uſe and application of this table by examples.
>
A a
EXAMPLE
178
The Chronology of the World.
EXAMPLE I. Let it be required to calculate the Julian month, day, hour,
and minute, in which the fun entered libra, in the meridian of the
Greenwich obfervatory, A.D. 1757.
A.D. 1757 is in connection with A.M. 5764, which gives for the retro-
ceffion, or Julian excefs, 44 d. oo h. 44 min. throw off 11 days for new ſtyle,
and there will remain 33 d. 00 h. 44 min. fubftract for the meridian diſtance
oo
of Greenwich 10 h. 24 min. and there will remain 32 d. 14 h. 20 min.
A.D. 1757 was the firſt after biffextile; and if we divide 5764 by 4,
there will remain o; look into the table under A.M. and we fhall find it in
connection with the year after biffextile 1; and therefore the radical numbers
are October 25 d. oo h. oo min.; add the 30 days of September to make
the ſubſtraction, and the fum will be 55 d. 00 h. oo min.
D. H. M.
From
55 00 00
32 14 20
Subftract for the retroceffion
Julian M. D. H. and M. of O in Sept. 22
9 40 p. m. A.D. 1757.
EXAMPLE II. Let it be required to eſtimate the error of Hipparchus's
firſt obſervation of the autumnal equinox, in the meridian of Rhodes,
in the year before Chrift 162.
Hipparchus began his aftronomical obfervations at Rhodes, in the 17th
year of the third period of Calippus; and if * Ptolemy's teftimony may be
credited, they were all made as axpißesara, with the greateſt accuracy.
In Ptolemy's record there is a great appearance of exactneſs; we have the
17th year
of the third Calippic period; the 30th day of the Egyptian month
Mefori; and about the time of fun-fetting for the fun's ingrefs into libra, in
the place were the obſervation was made.
To find the year of the world corresponding with the 17th year of the third
period of Calippus.
A Metonic cycle confifts of 19 years; a Calippic period is compounded of
4 Metonic cycles, and is a ſyſtem of 76 years.
The firſt Calippic period began at the fummer folftice, in the third
year of
* Almeg. 1. 3. p. 60. ειτα παρατίθεται (ιππαρκος) πρωτον μεταπωρινων ισημερινών χρονον, ως ακρι
βεςατα τετνρέμενων. εν μεν τῷ ιζ ετει της τρίτης κακα καλιππον περίοδο, τη Μεσαρη λ, περι την δυσιν
* !૪.
Poft hæc (Hipparchus) autumnalium æquinoctiorum tempora exactiffimé obfervatorum exponit.
In 17° quidem anno tertiæ fecundum Calippum periodi, 30 die Mefori, circá folis occafum.
the
The Chronology of the World.
179
the 112th Olympiad. This requires us to afcertain the year of the world,
from which the era of the Olympiads must be computed.
A.M. 5768 will end at the autumnal equinox A.D. 1761, which is in con-
nection with the year of the Julian period 6474.
The era of the Olympiads commenced at the fummer folftice, in the year
of the Julian period 3938, which being fubftracted from the year of the
Julian period 6474, will leave an interval of 2356 years.
From A.M. 5768 ſubſtract 2356, and it will carry it back to the fummer
folſtice A.M. 3232, and to the 33d year of the reign of Uzziah king of
Judah.
We ſay then, that the era of the Olympiads muſt be computed from the
folar tropical year of the world 3232, and from the fummer folftice of that
year.
From 112 ſubſtract 1, and there will remain III compleat Olympiads,
which being multiplied into 4 will produce 444 years; add 2 years of the
112th Olympiad, and they will make 446 years.
To A.M. 3231 add 446, and it will bring it down to A. M. 3677;
at the fummer folftice of this
of this year the firft Calippic period
menced.
com-
Multiply 76 into 2 (the number of compleat periods) and to the product
152 add 17, (the current year of the third period) and the fum total will be
169. To A.M. 3677 add 169, and it will give A.M. 3846.
We fay then, that Hipparchus made his firſt obſervation of the autumnal
equinox at Rhodes, in the folar tropical year of the world 3846.
In what year of the Nabonafarean era, and in the reign of what king of Egypt,
and in what year of his reign, did Hipparchus make his firft obfervation?
Firſt, We muſt find the year of the world, from which the era of Nabo-
naffar muſt be computed.
The era of Nabonaffar commenced on the 26th day of February in the
year of the Julian period 3967, which being fubftracted from the year of the
Julian period 6474, will leave an interval of 2507 years.
From A.M. 5768 ſubſtract 2507, and it will carry it back to A.M.
3261.
We fay then, that the æra of Nabonaffar commenced in the folar tropical
year of the world 3261, between the winter folftice and the vernal equi-
nox.
From A.M. 3846 fubftract A. M. 3260, and the remainder will fhew that
the year of the Nabonafarean æra 586 ended, and the year 587 began A.M.
3846.
A a 2
Hippar
180
▼
The Chronology of the World.
Hipparchus therefore made his firft obfervation towards the end of the
586th year of the Nabonafarean æra, and in the * 19th year of the reign of
Ptolemy Philometor king of Egypt.
To find the year before Chrift correfponding with A. M. 3846.
From the Julian year of the world 4008, fubftract A.M. 3846, and the
remainder 162 will be the year fought before Chriſt.
It appears from all theſe particulars, taken together, that Hipparchus made
his firft obfervation,
1. In the folar tropical year of the world 3846.
2. In the 586th year of the Nabonafarean æra, and in the 19th year of
the reign of Ptolemy Philometor king of Egypt.
3. In the 17th year of the third Calippic period.
4. In the year before Chrift 162.
To find the Julian month, and day of the month, anfwering to the 30th day of
the Egyptian month Meſori.
A TABLE of the months of the Egyptian year.
Collected
Collected
D. Days.
D. Days.
I. Thoth
38 30
8. Pharmuthi
30 240
2. Paophi
30
60
9. Pachon
30 270
3. Athyr
30
90
10. Pauni
4. Chciac
30 300
30
120
11. Epiphi
5. Tybi
30 330
30
150
12. Mefori
30 360
6. Mecheir
30
180
Epagomenæ
-
7. Phamenoth
5 365
30
210
The æra of Nabonaffar is computed from the 26th day of February, which
is the 57th day from the kalends of January. Divide 586 by 4, and ſub-
ftract the quotient 146 from 422 (i. e. 57 + 365,) and the remainder 276
will fhew that the Thoth of the 587th year fell on the 3d day of October,
that being the 276th day from the kalends of January.
From October 3 fubftract 1, and it will carry it back to October 2, on
which the 586th year ended. To October 2 add the 30 days of September,
* In the tables of the world's chronology, A.M. 3846 ftands overagainſt the 18th year of king
Philometor; but here we muſt obferve, that although the years of the world begin and end at the
autumnal equinox, yet the years of the reigns of the kings, in Ptolemy's canon, are reduced, by
an aſtronomical law, to begin and end at the vernal equinox, without any regard had to the
Egyptian Thoth; in confequence of this law, the 19th year of king Philometor, begins at the
vernal equinox A. M. 3846, and ends at the vernal equinox A. M. 3847.
and
The Chronology of the World.
181
and from the fum 32 ſubſtract 5 for the Epagomenæ, and it will carry it back
to the 27th day of September, in connection with the 30th day of Mefori, on
which the fun was obſerved to enter libra.
Now let it be required to calculate the Julian month, day, hour, and mi-
nute, in which the fun came to the autumnal equinox, in the folar tropical
year of the world 3846, firſt, in the meridian of the Greenwich obfervatory,
and fecondly, in the meridian of Rhodes, whofe longitude eaſt, according to
the lateſt tables, is 1 h. 54 min.
Multiply
into
The CALCULATION.
D. H.
3846 years, of 365 6
II minutes
D. H. M.
Divide the product by 1440') 42306 (29 9 6. The retroceffion.
From 29 d. 9 h. 6 min. fubftract 10 h. 24 min. for the meridian diſtance
of the Greenwich obfervatory, and there will remain 28 d. 22 h. 42 min.
If we divide A.M. 3846 by 4, and look for the remainder 2 in the perpe-
tual aſtronomical table, we ſhall find it under A.M. in the fame parallel line
with the third year after biffextile, fo that the radical numbers are, October
25 d. 12 h. 00 min. add the 30 days of September to make the ſubſtraction,
and the ſum will be 55 d. 12 h. oo min.
From
Subftract
O in
Reduce the hours to midnight
D. H. M.
55 12 00
28 22 42
Sept. 26 13 18 p.m. A.M. 3846.
+ 1-12
O in Mefori 30, Sept. 27 1 18 after midnight, A.M. 3846.
To find the time of the equinox in the meridian of Rhodes.
From 28 d. 22 h. 42 min. fubftract 1 h. 54 min. for the difference of
longitude, and there will remain 28 d. 20 h. 48 min.
D. H. M.
From
55 12 00
Subftract
28 20 48
O in at Rhodes,
~at
Reduce the hours to midnight
Ⓒ in Meſori 30,
Sept. 26 15 12 p.m.
+ 1-12
Sept. 27 3 12 after midnight, A.M. 3846.
Accord-
182
The Chronology of the World.
According to Hipparchus's obfervation, the fun entered libra about fix in
the evening, which is 18 hours after midnight. From 18 hours fubftract 3 h.
12 min. and the remainder will fhew, that the obferved time overpaffed the
meridian of Rhodes 14 h. and 48 min.
Should it be queftioned, whether in the year before Chrift 162, the fun came
to the autumnal equinox at Greenwich, September, 26 d. 13 h. 18 min. p. m.
according to our calculation, we offer the following proof that it did.
A.D. 1753 the fun was obſerved to enter libra at Greenwich, September,
22 d. 10 h. 24 min. p. m. from the year before Chrift 162 fubftract 1, and
add the remainder 161 to 1753, and the fum will give an interval of 1014
years, whoſe retroceffion is 14 d. 14 h. 54 min. from which throw off II
days for new ftyle, and there will remain 3 days 14 hours 54 min. But
becauſe A. D. 1753 was the first year after biffextile, and the year before
Chriſt 162 was the third, for this difference of two years fubftract 12 from
the hours, and add i to the days, then the retroceffion will be 4 days, 2
hours, 54 minutes.
+
D. H. M.
From
Subftract
Sept. 26 13 18
}
Oin at Greenwich, in the
year before Chrift 162,
4 2 54
Remains thé obferved timè
2
Sept. 22 10 24 0 in A.D. 1753.
From this connection with the numbers of one of the five felected obferva-
tions, we infer the truth of the calculated time.
If from September 26 days, 13 hours, 18 min. we fubftracted 10 hours,
24 min. for the meridian diftance of Greenwich, it will leave September, 26
days, 2 hours, 54 min, p. m. for the time of the equinox in the firſt meri-
dian, which must be reckoned the first point of the autumnal equinoctial
day; and as that day ended September, 27 days, 2 hours, 54 min. p.m.
from 6 hours ſubſtract 2 hours, 54 min. and the remainder will fhew, that
Hipparchus's obfervation overpaffed the limits of the autumnal equinoctial
day, 3 hours, 6 minutes; nor did the fun enter libra on the 30th day of Meſori,
at the time of its fetting, in any one meridian of the globe.
Thus we have undertaken to eftimate the error cf Hipparchus's firſt ob-
fervation. But, in juftice to Hipparchus, it muſt be faid, that if we examine
fome other obfervations which he made feveral years after, we fhall find the
times both of the autumnal and of the vernal equinox, in a nearer agree-
ment with the meridian of Rhodes, by many hours.
Theſe two examples will fully inform the reader of the ufe of the table,
and direct him how to apply it.
We
The Chronology of the World.
183
We ſhall now offer a direct proof that the error of the obferved times of equi-
noxes and folftices formally lies in the change of the meridian, and the quan
tity of the error, in any given obſervation, may be eaſily diſcovered and
eſtimated.
If we look back to the table of 9 unequal meridian diftances p. 176, we
may obſerve that 10 hours 24 min. occur 2 years together; for we find them
under the winter folftice A.D. 1752 and A.D. 1753; we ſay then, that
becauſe we have the fame meridian diſtance, by the obfervations made at the
beginning and end of a given year, the difference of the times will and muſt,
in nature, give the true termination of the folar tropical year.
To be certified of this, we need only fubftract the times of the latter ob-
ſervation from the times of the former, e. g.
From
Subſtract
The difference of the times
D. H. M.
Dec. 21 2 21 0 in vs A.D. 1753,
Dec. 20 20 32 © in vs A.D. 1752.
O 5 49
From hence we learn, that the theory of a true obfervation, may, without
much difficulty, be ftated and explained.
What we call an equinox or folftice, is the moment of the fun's entry into
the cardinal points, which is but an inftaneous interfection; but then,
Ift, This inftaneous interfection, this momentary tranfit, ever includes the
1440 minutes of the equator.
2dly, Thefe 1440 minutes of the equator, include an equal number of
diſtinct and coexifting terminations of the folar tropical year.
3dly, Every one of theſe diftinct and coexifting terminations of the folar
tropical year, has its appropriated equatoreal minute.
4thly, Every equatoreal minute has its appropriated meridian diſtance, ex-
tending 15 geographical miles upon the equator.
5thly, Every meridian diſtance has its appropriated and immutable ſection
of the equator.
When, therefore, the obferver can, by his diligence and ſkill, make the
obferved times of an equinox or a folftice, to fall, for feveral years together,
upon his
his appropriated equatoreal minute, then, and not till then, will he be able
to publiſh tables of Ifochronal terminations.
Although the theory which we have ſtated above, is too perfect in itſelf,
and in too an exact conformity to nature, to be copied by the utmoſt efforts
and ſkill of the moſt diligent obſerver, as every table of obfervations for four
years together will teftify, yet we may eaſily prove by calculation, what effects
would be produced, from the being able to aſcertain the ſame meridian diſtances,
ora
184
The Chronology of the World.
or, in other words, from the being able to make the times of equinoxes
and folftices to fall upon the fame individual point of the equator for a feries
of years, and the contrary; for whenever the obferved times fall but
minute to the weftward of the place of obfervation, then, in that cafe, the
termination of the year will be 5 hours, 48 minutes; when they fall one minute
to the eastward of it, then the termination of the year will be 5 hours,
50 minutes; and, by a general rule, an exceſs or defect in the termination,
will ever be proportioned to the change of the meridian.
To evince the truth of what is here alledged, we will firft fet down blank
tables (excepting only the times of a fingle obfervation) for four diftinct
quadrienniums, every one of which contains 16 ingreffes into the cardinal
points.
Secondly, We will fill up theſe tables by calculation from the original folar
radix, adjuſting the times to the meridian of that fingle obfervation, by which
means we ſhall have a ſeries of true and Ifochronal terminations, which is
the point we are to prove.
TABLE I. The 1440th quadriennium of the world's age.
[The first year of the four is computed from the vernal equinox A.D. 1750, A. M. 5757, and
the laſt of them ends at the winter folftice A.D. 1753, and with the first quarter of A.M. 5761.]
Vernal
Equinox. Solſtice.
Summer
Autumnal
Equinox.
Winter
Solſtice.
March.
June.
September.
December.
A. D. A.M. D. H. M. D. H. M.
D. H. M. D. H. M.
1750 5757
1751 5758
1752 5759
1753 5760
22 10 24
TABLE II. The 1441ft quadriennium of the world's age.
Vernal
Summer Autumnal
Winter
Equinox. Solftice.
Equinox.
Solstice.
March.
June.
September.
December.
A. D. JA.M. D. H. M. D. H. M.
D. H. M. D. H. M.
1754 5761
1755 5762
1756 5763
1757 5764
TABLE
The Chronology of the World.
185
TABLE III. The 1442d quadriennium of the world's age.
Vernal
Summer Autumnal
Equinox.
Solſtice.
Equinox.
Winter
Solſtice.
March.
Fune.
September.
December.
A. D. A.M. D. H. M. D. H. M.
D. H. M. D. H. M.
1758 5765
1759 5766
1760 5767
1761 5768
TABLE IV. The 1443d quadriennium of the world's age.
Vernal
Summer Autumnal
Winter
Equinox.
Solftice.
Equinox.
Solítice.
March.
June.
September.
December.
A. D., A.M. D. H. M. │D. H. M. | D. H. M. D. H. M.
1762 5769
1763 5770
1764 5771
176515772
In theſe tables of four fucceffive quadrienniums, there is no more given
than the obferved times of one autumnal equinox; and taking thefe num-
bers for a directory, we will undertake to fill up the blank spaces with the
true times in the given meridian; and in fuch a manner, that the calculation
downwards fhall take in all the numbers of obfervation which are adjuſted to
the fame meridian, and they will rectify the reft by reducing them to it.
Firſt, We will determine the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, in
which the fun entered aries A.D. 1750 at Greenwich, or in that equatoreal
minute which lies 156 degrees to the eastward of the firſt meridian.
The CALCULATION.
A.D. 1750 is, by the table, in connection with A.M. 5757, from which
fubftract 1, and there will remain A.M. 5756.
D. H.
Multiply 5756 years of 365 6
into
M.
II minutes.
D. H. M.
Divide the product by 1440) 63316 (43 23 16. The retroceffion.
B b
From
186
The Chronology of the World.
From 43 d. 23 h. 16 min. fubftract 11 days for new ftyle, and there will
remain 32 d. 23 h. 16 min. from which fubftract 10 h. 24 min. for the me-
ridian of Greenwich, and it will leave 32 d. 12 h. 52. min.
Divide A.M. 5757 by 4, and the remainder 1 will be found under A.M. in
the fame parallel line with the 2d year after biffextile; fo that the radical
numbers are April 21 d. 17 h. 58 min. add, to make the fubftraction, the
31 days of March, and the fum will be 52 d. 17h, 58 min.
From
Subftract for the retroceffion
D. H. M.
52 17 58
32 12 52
Julian M. D. H. and M. of Ⓒ in March 20 05 6 p.m. A.D. 1750.
Another Method.
D. H.
Multiply 5756 years of 365 6
into
1461 quadrants.
D. H. M.
Divide the product by 4) 8409516 (2102379 00 00 Julian reduction.
Subſtract the Julian excefs
43 23 16
To the remainder 2102335 00 44 folar tropical reduction.
178 17 58
Add for the diſtance between and y
To the fum 2102513 18 42
D. H. M.
Add for October 25 00 00
298
To the fum 2102811
Add for the meridian of Greenwich
18 42 o in T firft meridian.
10 24
From the fum 2102812 5 6
Subft. the Jul. reduct. of 5757 years 2102744 o o
O in r
Add for N.S.
Jul. M.D.H. and M. of o in
March 9 68 5 6 O.S.
I I
March 20 70 5 6 N.S. AD. 1750, Greenwich.
It appears by theſe calculations from the folar radix on the fourth day of the
creation, that the fun entered the firft point of aries A.D. 1750, in the meridian
of the Greenwich obfervatory, on the 20th day of March, new ftyle, 6 minutes
paſt 5 o'clock in the afternoon.
A.D.
The Chronology of the World.
187
A.D. 1750 was the 2d year after biffextile, ſo alſo was A.D. 1754.
To find the hour and minute in which the fun was obferved to enter the firſt
point of aries, at the Greenwich obfervatory A. D. 1754, from the tables
of unequal meridian diſtances, p. 176, and of unequal terminations p. 117.
Under the vernal equinox, and over-againft A.D. 1754, we find this me-
ridian diſtance 10 h. 28 min. (p. 176) and this termination 5 h. 53 min. (p. 117)
from 10 h. 28 min. fubftract 10 h. 24 min. and it will leave an excess of 4
minutes; and from 5 h. 53 min. ſubſtract 5 h. 49 min. and it will alſo leave
an exceſs of 4 minutes.
D. H. M.
To the calculated time, March 20 5 6
give}
D. H. M.
add thefe 4 minutes, and it will give March 20
Subſtract for the retroceffion in 4 years
Remains the obferved time,
5
ΙΟ
44
March 20
4 26 A.D. 1754.
By theſe means we diſcover, that the obſerved time of the vernal equinox,
at Greenwich A.D. 1754, fell 4 minutes to the eastward of the place of
obſervation, and ſo much it changed the meridian.
To find the time of the fummer folftice A.D. 1750, in the meridian of the
Greenwich obfervatory, or in that equatoreal minute which lies 156 degrees
to the eastward of the first meridian.
The radical numbers are, (p. 177) July 23 d. 16 h. 40 min. add, to make
the ſubſtraction, the 30 days of June, and the fum will be 53 d. 16 h. 40
min.
D. H. M. ·
From
53 16 40
32 12 52
Subſtract for the retroceffion
Jul. M.D.H. and M. of O in June 21 3 48 p.m. N.S. A.D, 1750.
To find the hour and minute in which the fun was obferved to enter the first
point of cancer at Greenwich, A.D. 1754, which was the fecond year after
bifextile, as was A.D. 1750, from the tables of unequal meridian diftances,
and of unequal terminations.
Under the fummer folftice, and over-againſt A.D. 1754, we have, (p. 176)
this meridian diſtance, 10 h. 28 min. and this termination, 5 h. 53 min. (p. 117)
Bb 2
from
188
The Chronology of the World.
from 10 h. 28 min. fubftract 10 h. 24 min. and it will throw off an exceſs
4
་
of minutes. Again, from 5 h. 53 min. fubftract 5 h. 49 min. and it will
throw off an excefs alfo of 4 minutes.
To the calculated time, June 21 d.
And it will give
Subft. for the retroceffion in 4 years
Remains the obſerved time
3
h. 48 min. p.m. add four minutes,
D. H. M.
June 21 3 52 p.m.
44
June 21 3
8 A.D. 1754.
From hence we are informed, that the obferved time of the fummer fol-
ftice A.D. 1754, overpaffed the meridian of the place of obfervation 4 mi-
nutes, which made it to fall fo much to the eastward of it.
To find the time of the autumnal equinox A. D. 1750, in the meridian of
the Greenwich obfervatory, or in that equatoreal minute which lies 156
degrees to the eastward of the first meridian.
At this autumnal equinox, the fun compleated its 5757th revolution; ſo
that we muſt now add 11 minutes to 32 d. 12 h. 52 min. which will make
the retroceffion to be 32 d. 13 h. 3 min. the radical numbers are October 25
d. 6 h. oo min. add, to make the fubftraction, the 30 days of September,
and the fum will be 55 d. 6 h. oo min.
From
D. H. M.
55 6 00
6.00
Subſtract for the retroceffion
32 13 3
Jul. M.D.H. and M. of O in Sept. 22 16 57 p.m. N.S. A.D. 1750.
To find the hour and minute in which the fun was obſerved to enter the first
point of libra at Greenwich A.D. 1754, which was the 2d year after bif-
fextile, as was A.D. 1750.
Under the autumnal equinox, and over-againſt A.D. 1754, (p. 176) we
have this meridian diſtance, 10 h. 25 min. and for the termination, we have
5 h. 50 min. (p. 117) from 10 h. 25 min. fubftract 10 h. 24 min. then from
5 h. 50
min. fubftract 5 h. 49 min. and it will in both cafes throw off an ex-
cefs of 1 minute.
To
The Chronology of the World.
189
To the calculated time, September, 22 d. 16 h. 57 min. add 1 minute,
And the Sum will be
Subftract for 4 years
Remains the obſerved time
D. H. M.
Sept. 22 16 58 p.m.
44
Sept. 22 16 14 A.D. 1754.
We ſay then, that the obferved time of the fun's entry into the firſt point
of libra A.D. 1754, overpaffed the meridian of the place of obſervation I
minute; and becauſe it fell 1 minute to the eaſtward of it, therefore the ter-
mination of the year, inftead of 5 h.
inſtead of 5 h. 49 min. was 5 h. 50 min. according
to the general rule, as ſtated above.
To find the time of the winter folftice A.D. 1750, in the meridian of the
Greenwich obfervatory, or in that equatoreal minute which lies 156 degrees
to the eastward of the first meridian.
The radical numbers are (p. 177) January 22 d. 21 h. 57 min. add, to
make the ſubſtraction, the 31 days of December, and the fum will be 53 d.
21 h. 57 min.
D. H. M.
From
53 21 57
Subftract for the retroceffion
32 13 3
Jul. M. D. H. and M. of O in vs
Dec. 21 8 54 p.m. A.D. 1750.
To find the hour and minute in which the fun was observed to enter the firſt
point of capricorn at Greenwich A.D. 1754, from the tables of unequal
meridian diftances, and of unequal terminations.
Under the winter folftice, and over-againſt A. D. 1754, we have, for the
meridian diſtance, 10 h. 29 min. and for the termination 5 h. 54 min. fubſtract
io h. 24 min. from the one, and 5 h. 49 min. from the other, the exceſs in
both cafes will be 5 minutes.
D. H. M.
To the calculated time,
Add
Dec. 21 8 54
5
From the fum
Dec. 21 8 59
Subſtract for the retroceffion in 4 years
44
Remains the obſerved time
Dec. 21 8
8
15.
15. A.D. 1754•
From
190
The Chronology of the World.
From hence we are informed, that the obferved time of the winter folftice
A.D 1754, overpaffed the meridian of the place of obfervation 1° 15', or 5
minutes in time.
To find the time of the vernal equinox A. D. 1751, in the meridian of the
Greenwich obfervatory, or in that equatoreal minute which lies 156 degrees to
the eastward of the first meridian.
A.D. 1751 was the 3d year after biffextile, fo that the radical numbers for
the vernal equinox, are April 21 d. 23 h. 58 min. add, to make the ſub-
ftraction, the 31 days of March, and the fum will be 52 d. 23 h. 58 min.
h.
From
Subſtract for the retroceffion
Jul. M.D. H. and M. of o in r
D. H. M.
52 23 58
32 13 3
March 20 10 55 p.m.N.S. A.D.1751.
To find the hour and minute in which the fun was observed to enter the first
point of aries at Greenwich A. D. 1755, which was also the 3d year after
bifextile, from the tables of unequal meridian diftances, and of unequal
terminations.
Under the vernal equinox, and over-againſt A.D. 1755, we have, for thẹ
meridian diftance, 10 h. 29 min. and for the termination, h. 50 min. from
10 h. 29 min. fubftract 10 h. 24 min. and from 5 h. 50 min. ſubſtract
5
49 min. and the exceſs in the one cafe will be 5 minutes, and in the other
I minute; from whence it appears, and we have in the preceeding calculations
proved, that there was an excess of 4 minutes in the obferved times of the
vernal equinox A.D. 1754; but 4 minutes and 1 minute make 5 minutes.
Now then, to the calculated time, March 20 d. 10h. 55 min. add 5 minutes,
And from the fum
Subſtract for the retroceffion in 4 years
Remains the obferved time A.D. 1755
G
D. H. M.
March 20 II 00
44
March 20 10 16 p.m. N.S.
Theſe calculations diſcover to us, that the obſerved time of the fun's entry
into the first point of aries at Greenwich, overpaffed the meridian of the
place of obſervation 1° 15', or 5 minutes in time, A.D. 1755.
To
The Chronology of the World.
191
A
To find the time of the fummer folftice A.D. 1751, in the meridian of the
Greenwich obfervatory, or in that equatoreal minute which lies 156 degrees
to the eastward of the first meridian.
The radical numbers are July 23 d. 22 h. 40 min. add, to make the
ſubſtraction, the 30 days of June, and the fum will be 53 d. 22 h. 40 min.
D. H. M.
From
53 22 40
Subftract for the retroceffion
Jul. M. D. H. and M. of o in
32 13 3
June 21 9 37 p.m. N.S. A.D. 1751.
To find the hour and minute in which the fun was observed to enter the first
point of cancer at Greenwich A.D. 1755, from the tables of unequal meri-
dian diftances, and of unequal terminations.
Under the fummer folftice, and over-againſt A.D. 1755, we have, for the
meridian diſtance, 10h. 19 min. which being fubftracted from 10 h. 24 min.
leaves a defect of 5 minutes; and we have, for the termination, 5 h. 40 min.
which being fubftracted from 5 h. 49 min. will leave a defect of 9 minutes.
Here is a complicated error in the obferved times of the fummer folftices
A.D. 1754 and 1755, which we muft endeavour to account for.
Firſt, from the calculated time, A.D. 1751,
Subftract
From the remainder,
Subſtract for the retroceffion in 4 years,
Remains the observed time, A.D. 1755,
From which fubftract the obferved time, A.D. 1754,
Remains for the termination
D. H. M.
June 21 9 37 p.m.
5
June 21 9 32
44
June 21 8 48
June 21 3 8
5 40
Here is evidently a defect of 9 minutes in the termination, and we thus
account for it. A.D. 1754 the obferved time of the fummer folftice, fell 4
minutes to the eastward of the place in which the obſervation was made; and
A.D.
192
of the
the World.
The Chronology of
A.D. 1755, it fell minutes in time to the weftward of it; but
5
and 4 minutes make 9 minutes; which was to be fhewn.
5 minutes
To find the time of the autumnal equinox A.D. 1751, in the meridian of the
Greenwich obfervatory, or in that equatoreal minute which lies 156 degrees
to the eastward of the first meridian.
At the autumnal equinox A.D. 1751, the fun compleated its 5758th re-
volution, ſo that now we muſt add II minutes to 32 d. 13 h. 3 min. and
the fum of the retroceffion will be 32 d. 13 h. 14 min.
The radical numbers are October 25 d. 12 h. oo min. add, to make the
ſubſtraction, the 30 days of September, and the fum will be. 55 d. 12 h. oq
min.
1
D. H. M.
From
55 12 00
Subſtract for the retroceffion
32 13 14
Jul. M.D.H. and M. of o in Sept. 22 22 46 p.m. N.S. A.D. 1751.
n
To find the hour and minute in which the fun was obſerved to enter the firſt
point of libra at Greenwich A.D. 1755, from the tables of unequal meri-
dian diftances, and of unequal terminations.
Under the autumnal equinox, and over-againft A.D. 1755, we have, for
the meridian diſtance, 10 h. 26 min. from which fubftract 10 h. 24 min.
and it will leave an excess of 2 minutes; the termination is 5 h. 50 min.
from which fubftract 5 h. 49 min. and it will leave an excefs of 1 minute;
ſo that here is again a complicated error, which muſt be accounted for by the
fame rules as before.
To the calculated time, A.D. 1751,
Add
D. H. M.
Sept. 22 22 46
2
From the fum,
Sept. 22 22 48
Subftract for the retroceffion in 4 years
44
Remains the observed time, A.D. 1755,
Sept. 22 22
4
I
From hence we learn, that the obferved times of the autumnal equinox
A.D. 1754 and A. D. 1755, overpaffed the meridian of the place of obfer-
vation, I minute each.
Should
The Chronology of the World.
193
Should we continue this method of calculating, quite through the four
quadrienniums, we ſhould fill up the blank tables of equinoxes and folftices
in the following manner.
ATABLE of the times of the fun's entry into the four cardinal points of the
ecliptic, in the meridian of the Greenwich obfervatory, beginning at the
vernal equinox A.D. 1750, and ending at the winter folftice A.D.
1753.
[Wherever any marginal numbers, as
4' 4', &c. occur, they diſcover to us in what
proportions the meridian is changed by the error of obfervation.]
I.
Vernal
Summer
Autumnal
Winter
Equinox.
Solſtice.
Equinox.
Solítice.
March.
June.
September.
A.D. A.M. D. H. M.
D. H. M.
D. H. M.
December.
D. H. M.
2I 3 48
22 16 57
21 8 54
2 I 9 37
22 22 46
21 14 43
20 20 32+
fro
1750 5757 20
5 6
1751 5758 20 10 55
1752 5759 19 16 44-4
+
$753 5760 19 22 330 20 21
20 15 26-12 22 4 35-3
+
+
15 O 22 IO 24 021 2 21
very
A TABLE of twelve Ifochronal terminations arifing from the reduction of the times
of equinoxes and folftices to one and the fame meridian; and to that
meridian in which the times of the five felected obfervations fell, which begin
at the winter folftice A.D. 1752, and end at the winter folftice A.D.
1753.
Winter!
Vernal Summer; Autum,
Equinox. Solftice. Equinox. Solftice.
A. D. A.M. H. M. H.
1751 5757 5 49 5
1752 5758 5 49 5
175315759 5 491 5
M. H. M. H. M.
495 49 5 49
495
49
5 49
49'5
49
5 49
Cc
A TABLE
194
World.
The Chronology of of the the
A TABLE of fixteen equal meridian diſtances which never fail to produce true terminations.
i
1
Winter
Vernal Summer | Autum.
Equinox. Solſtice. Equinox. Solſtice.
A.D.₁A.M. H. M. H. M. H. M. H. M.
1750 5757 10
24 10
24/10
24/10
24
1751 5758 10
24 10
24 10
24 10
24
1752 5759 10
24 10
24 10
24 10
24
17535760 10
24 10
24 10
24 10
24
TABLE II.
Vernal
Summer
Autumnal
Winter
Equinox.
Solſtice.
Equinox.
Solítice.
March.
June.
September.
December.
H. M.
D.
H. M.
D. H. M.
D. H. M.
A. D. A. M.D.
1754 5761 20 4 22+421
1755 5762 20 10 15 21
1756 5763 19 16 00
20
1757 576419 21 49
3 4+4 22 16 13+1 21 8 10+
8 53-5 22 22 2+2 21 13 59
14 42
20 20 31
22 3 51
20 19 48
22
9 40
21 I 37
2 2
TABLE III.
Vernal
Summer
Autumnal
Winter
Equinox.
Solftice.
Equinox.
Solſtice.
March.
June.
September.
December.
A. D.]A.M. D.
H. M.
D. H. M.
D. H. M. D.
H. M.
1758 5765 20
3.38
3.38
21
21 2 20
1759 5766 20
1760 5767 19
9 27
2I 8 9
22 15 29
22 21 18
21
7 26
21 13 15
15 16
20 13 58
22 3 7
20 19 4
1761 576819 21
5
20 19 47 22 8 56
21 0 53
TABLE IV.
Vernal
Summer Autumnal
Winter
Equinox.
Solſtice.
Equinox.
Solitice.
March.
June.
September.
December.
A. D., A.M. D. H. M. D. H. M. D. H. M. D.
1762 5769 20 2 54 21 I 36 22 14 45 21
1763 5770 20 8 43 2[ 7 25 22 20 34
22 20 34 21
764 5771 19 14 32 20 13 14 22
223
17655772 19 20 21
20 19 3
H. M.
6 42
12 31
22
2 2
8 12
20
8 20
21 O
9
From
The Chronology of the World.
195
From theſe uniform conclufions, in cloſe connection with the original folar
radix, and the times of five felected obfervations made in our appropriated me-
ridian, we infer,
I. That there is an eſtabliſhed and uninterrupted harmony in the ſyſtem.
II. That 365 d.
min. conftitute the precife quantity of the
folar tropical year.
5
h. 49
III, That the quantity of the folar tropical year is ever commenfurate to
itſelf, without being liable to diminution or encreafe from any affignable
phyſical cauſes whatever *.
The VIIIth, and laſt article, leads me to confider, the effects and reſults
Of the folar and lunar periods.
OUR propofition is, that as the fun has its period, fo has the moon; the
former is produced by the exact quantity of the folar tropical year, and
the latter, by the exact quantity of a mean lunation; otherwife the commen-
* "Dum cometæ moventur in orbibus valdé excentricis undeque & quoquoverfum in omnes
"cœli partes, utique nullo modo fieri potuit ut cœco fato tribuendum fit, quod planetæ in orbibus
"concentricis motu confimili ferantur eodem omnes; exceptis nimirum irregularitatibus quibuf-
<C dam, vix notatu dignis, quæ ex mutuis planetarum & cometarum in fe invicem actionibus
" oriri potuerint; quæque verifimile eft fore ut longuinquitate temporis majores ufque evadant,
"donce hæc naturæ compages manum emendatricem fit defideratura.'
"It is found, that there are diſturbances among the planets motions, arifing from their mutual
"attractions, when they are in the fame quarter of the heavens; and that our years are not
"always precifely of the fame length.”
If this doctrine be true, that there are ſuch diſturbances amongſt the planets motions, as evidently
affect the earth's annual period, they muft produce their effects upon the equator. Let us then
imagine, that obſervation, inſtead of tranfcribing the perfections of the fyftem, only prefents us
with a copy of its imperfections; and from hence it came to pafs, that at the fummer folftice,
A.D. 1753, the year was lengthened into 365 days, 6 hours, and I minute; and at the fummer
folftice, in the following year, it was fhortened into 365 days, 5 hours, and 40 minutes; not by the
inaccuracy of obfervation, fed ex cometarum & planetarum in fe invicem actionibus.
But, if from the obfervations of the aftronomers, we go to the calculations of an ephemeris, we
fhall find the quantity of the year to be lengthened at one time into 365 days, 6 hours, and 4
minutes, and ſhortened at another time into 365 days, 5 hours, and 44 minutes. Now, how are
we to account for theſe tabular inequalities? Muft they be ascribed to heavenly commotions and
heavenly disturbances, rather than to the imperfection of tables, and to grofsly-miftaken calculations ?
Again, If the doctrine of heavenly commotions be true, what is the reafon that all aftronomers
in Europe, (fuppofing obfervation to be a tranſcript of nature, as we are affured it is an appeal to
it) do not record the fame terminations to a minute? for, when compared together, they vary from
themſelves, and from one another; now, muft thefe variations amongst the aftronomers, be im-
puted to the heavens, or to the earth; to nature or to art? It is reaſonable to ſuppoſe, they muſt be
imputed to art; for as there are neither more nor leſs than 1440 minutes of the equator, and,
confequently, neither more nor less than 1440 diftinct terminations of the folar tropical year, there
can be no poffible room left for the admiffion of fuch varying inequalities in the quantity of the
year.
Cc 2
furating
196
The Chronology of the World.
furating year, with refpect to the fun, and the commenfurating lunation, with
refpect to the moon, would be only numerically, and not aftronomically true.
1. The fun finiſhes his period in 1440 annual revolutions; for in that
ſpace of time the moment of the autumnal equinox, &c. paffes through all its
variations, falling by turns upon every point of the equator, fubdivided into
1440 minutes; and then the fun returns again to the original cardinal point
of the year, on the original cardinal point of the day, in the fame place, but
not on the fame day of the week, as at the creation.
From hence we collect, that the fun cannot make its entry into any of
the four cardinal points, on the fame hour and minute of the day, on the
fame day of the week, in the fame year of a quadriennium, and in the fame
place, twice, in less than 10080 years, the product of 1440 into 7, or of
360 into 28.
Theſe are the aſtronomical properties of a commenfurating year, in the
firſt meridian; and, only changing the cardinal, for an intermediate point of
the day, in all the meridians of the globe.
2. The moon finiſhes her period (admitting, untill it falls in our way to
prove, that 29 d. 12 h. 44' 1" 45" are the exact meaſure of a mean lunati-
on) at the end of 7,948,800 fynodical revolutions; which are more than
600,000 folar tropical years. This vaſt interval will be required for the moon
to go through all her variations, and to cauſe the moment of her mean oppo-
fition, to fall upon every point of the equator, before it will return to noon
again in the fame place.
As both the folar and the lunar computations are dated, the former from the
noon of the fourth, and the latter from the noon of the third day of the firſt
week, it falls out, that the odd hours and minutes in the reductions, always
expreſs the hour and minute of equinoxes, folftices, of mean full moons, and
mean new moons, in the firft meridian; and if to theſe we add any known
meridian diſtance, it will give the times in that place.
Theſe are the aſtronomical properties of a commenſurating lunation in the
firft meridian, &c.
3. As in the completion of 1440 folar tropical revolutions, 11 days are
thrown off from the folar computation, and I day 1 minute in the end of 131
revolutions, by an aftronomical principle, and a true aftronomical law; in like
manner, and by the fame kind of law, 160 days are thrown off from the
lunar computations, in the courſe of 7948800 lunations, and I entire day at
the end of 49680 lunations.
Indeed the doctrine of a lunar period is ſo neceffary to be known, that any
one who is ignorant of it, might as well attempt to calculate the moment of
an equinox or a folftice, in a given meridian, by a ſeries of uncorrected Julian
years,
The Chronology of the
197
World.
years, as the moment of a mean full moon, in a given meridian, by a com-
putation downwards, without being liable to an error of a whole day, in a
determinate interval.
Firſt, We will explain the aſtronomical properties of the folar period.
Here we will again fuppofe, that two perfons, A and B, were placed toge-
gether in that point of the equator to which the fun was vertical, on the fourth
day of the creation, when time commenced at the autumnal equinox; and
let us ſuppoſe farther, as above, that while A kept his place, B advanced eaſt-
ward on the equator, in the conftant proportion of 2° 45', in the ſpace of
an annual revolution. It is evident, that as A was thus immoveably ſtationed,
in every folar tropical reduction, the terminating hours and minutes would in-
tuitively expreſs the moment of the fun's entry into libra in his meridian
and that B, by his proportional progreffions eastward, would always com-
pute the
year to end and begin on the four cardinal points of the day fuc-
ceffively.
This being premiſed, what would be the meridian diſtance between A and
B, at that autumnal equinox, in which the fun compleated its 5765th revo-
lution?
;
It is evident, from the aftronomical properties of a folar period, or of a
commenfurating year, that the fame conclufions will be produced, whether
we calculate 5765, or only 5 years. For if we divide A.M. 5765 by 1440,
the quotient will inform us, that 4 periods were compleated, and the remain-
der 5, will exprefs the current year of the 5th folar period.
Look into the equatoreal table for this remainder 5, in col. 4, and fet
down the following numbers in the fame parallel line.
I
3
4
A.D. A.M. 5th period.
6
1758
5765
5 years
6 hours
8
9
progreffion
equator
+55 min.
13° 45'
We fay then, in anfwer to the query, that if A and B were placed toge-
ther in that point of the equator, in connection with which time commenced
at the autumnal equinox, on the fourth day of the creation at noon, then in
the end of the 5765th annual revolution, at the autumnal equinox A.D.
1758, B, by his proportional progreffions on the equator, would be diſtant
from A 13° 45', longitude eaft, equal in time to 55 minutes.
The 6 hours, in col. 6, informs us, that A. M. 5765 was the firſt of
year
a quadriennium, and that the correfponding cardinal point of the day was
fun-fetting, whofe index is 1, being the remainder after the divifion by 4.
From
198
The Chronology of the World.
1
From 6 hours fubftract 55 minutes, the meridian diftance, and the re-
mainder will ſhew, that the fun entered libra in A's immutable meridian, 5
h. 5 min. afternoon, and in the meridian of B at the moment of its ſetting.
Noon
The TABLE.
H. M.
5 5
A
M.
O
55
Sunſetting
B
If we look back to table iii. p. 194, under the autumnal equinox, and in the
fame parallel line with A.D. 1758, A. M. 5765, we fhall find September
22 d. 15 h. 29 min. which was the Julian month, day, hour, and minute,
in which the fun entered the firſt point of libra that year, in the meridian of
Greenwich.
From
D. H. M.
Sept. 22
15 29 O in ~
IO. 24
Subft. for the Meridian diſtance,
O in in A's Meridian, Sept. 22
5 5 which was to be proved.
The TABLE adjusted to the meridian of Greenwich, A.D. 1758,
Midnight.
H. M.
M. H.
3 29 0 31 2
Sunriſing.
Thus we have brought aftronomical calculation down from the ecliptic to
the equator, from the heavens to the earth; we have, by equatoreal princi-
ples alone, afcertained the meridian diftance between A and B, to the precifion
of a minute, in the end of the 5765th annual revolution, without finding our-
felves under the neceffity of confidering, 1. Either what is called the preceffion
of the equinoctial and folftitial points. Or, 2. The apparent inequality of the
fun's diurnal motion. Or, 3. The obliquity of the ecliptic to the equator,
which at the cardinal points indeed is o. Or, 4. The fun's diſtance from its
apogee, and the correſponding fign of anomaly. Or, 5. The difference be-
tween the mean place of the fun and the true. Or, 6. Between mean motion
and true. Or, 7. Between mean time and true; and confequently, 8. Either
the equation of the fun's place; or, 9. The trigonometrical doctrine of the
equations of time.
•
We
The Chronology of the World.
199
We will now proceed to prove diſtinctly, that if 5765 years be given, and
the moment of the fun's entry into libra be required, at the end of the ſeries
in a given meridian, he that calculates the moment of the equinox in the
end of A.M. 5, will at the fame time calculate the moment of the equinox
in the end of A. M. 5765.
In the ſolution of this paradoxical problem, we ſhall take occaſion to prove,
what was but barely afferted, fect. viii. p. 132.
If the earth's annual orbit be divided into 365 degrees, and as much more
as anſwers to almoſt one fourth part of a degree, and the earth be fuppoſed to
advance 60 minutes, or one whole degree eastward, whilft it makes an en-
tire rotation about its axis in the ſpace of 24 hours, the calculations of the
earth's (or of the fun's apparent) ingreffes into the four cardinal points, would
never more be perplexed with folar anomalies or equations; for we ſhould be
able to determine the moment of the ingreffes (fuppofing the diftances of the
four cardinal points from each other to be known) directly and at once, with
an equatoreal precifion, and in a nearer agreement with the obferved times, in
a certain meridian, than any aſtronomical tables can attain to.
According to the table annexed, the earth's annual orbit is divided, as di-
rected by nature, into 365 degrees, and almoft one fourth part of another,
fo that the earth's diurnal progreffion is 60 minutes, or 1 degree, as in the
margin of ſcheme iii. p. 126.
1
A folar
200
The Chronology of the World.
A folar TABLE of equable motion computed for 6000 folar tropical years.
Terminations of Complements of
Sol. Trop Year.
the Quadrant.
Years.
Degrees
HI
I
365°
14 32 30
Q: 27 30
2
14
5
O
55
00
3
13 37 30
I
22
30
4
13 IO
I
50
00
5
12
42 30
2
17 30
12 15
2
45
00
II 47 30.
3
12
30
II 20
3
40
00
9
10 52 30
4 7 30
IO
IO
25
4 35
00
20
5 50
9 IO 00
30
I 15
13 45
00
40
I I
40
3
20 00
50
60
72
5
7
55
OQ
30
12 30 00
70
12
55
2
5
00
80
8
20
6
40
00
90
3 45
I I
15
00
100
14
IO 00
O
50 00
200
13
20
I
40 00
300
12
30
2
30
00
400
II 40
3 20
00
500
IO
50
OO
600
10 00
OO.
700
9 10
800
8
20
900
1000
2000
7 30
6 40
Oo
00
OQ
13
20 00
4556 N∞ H
JO 00
00
00
5
50
00
6
40
00
7 30
00
3000
5
OQ
00
IQ
4000
II
40
OO
5000
6000
3
20 00
I I
8 20 00
I 40 OQ
00 00
3 20 0Q
40 00
10 00
00
5
00 00
TABLES
The Chronology of the World.
201
TABLES fhewing in what exact equatoreal proportions, the earth's diurnal mo-
tion is adjuſted to its annual.
Hours
of the
Day.
Degrees
of the
Equator.
Diurnal
Minutes.
Minutes
Minutes
of the
Hour.
of the
Equator.
Diurnal
Second
Minutes.
I
15
2
30
I
15
2
30
5
00
2
30
2 5
30
00
ต
3
45
7
30
3
45
7 30
8
450 NOO
60
IO 00
75
I 2 30
90
15
7
105
17 30
120
20 00
456 7∞
60
IO
00
75
I 2
30
90
15
00
105.
17 30
8
120
20
00
9
135
22
30
9
135
22
30
IO
150
- II
12
165
180
2 2
25
00
ΙΟ
150
27 30
II
165
2 2
25
00
27 30
30
00
12
180
30
00
13
195
32 30
13 195
32 30
14
210 35
00
14
210
35 00
15
225
37 30
15 225
37 30
16 240 40
00
16
240
17
255
42 30
17
255
18 270
45 00
18
270
+44
40
00
42 30
45
30
00
19
285
47 30
19
285
47 30
20
300
50 00
20
300
50 00
21
315
52
30
21
315
52 30
22
330 55 00
22
330
55 00
23
345
57 30
23
345
57 30
24
360
бо
oa
24
360
60
00
To theſe we ſhall ſubjoin
Dd
A TABLE
202
The Chronology of the World.
A TABLE of equatoreal time, correfponding with the tables of equable motion,
computed for booo folar tropical years.
Years.
Equatoreal Terminations of Complements of
Days.
Sol. Trop. Year.
the Quadrant.
Y.
D.
H. M.
H.
M.
I
365
5
49
II
2
5
3
5
4
5
327
38
22
27
33
16
44
5
5
55
6
4
54
I
6
7
4
43
I
8
4
32
I
1 2
17
28
9
10
20
30
+420
21
I
39
10
I
50
20
30
40
4
40
50
2
50
60
I
00
70
5
10
80
3 20
90
I
30
100
200
300
400
in in in t
5
40
5
20
5
OO
MUHMION+00+of
3
40
5
30
20
3
ΙΟ
5
50
2 40
4
30
20
40
00
4 40
I
20
500
4
20
I
40
600
4
700
3
40
800
3
20
900
3
Oo
3
1000
2 40
3
2000
5
20
3000
2
Oo
~ ~ ~ ~mo +
2
Oo
2
20
2
40
୦୪
20
40
4
OQ
4000
5000
4 40
I
20
I 20
6000
4
Oo
42
40
In
The Chronology of the World.
203
In the tables of equable motion, if the numbers in the two distinct co-
lumns be added together, they will always make 15'. And, in the tables of
equatoreal time, if the numbers in the two diftinct columns be added together,
they will always make 6 hours. Agreeably hereto, 15 minutes, in the tables
of horary motion, ftand over againſt 6 hours. Now 15 minutes are the
fourth part of a degree, and 6 hours are the fourth part of a day.
The tables computed for 6000 folar tropical years, fhew us the aftronomi-
cal divifions of theſe 15 minutes, and theſe 6 hours; and the extent of the
earth's annual orbit, together with the quantity of its annual period, may be
defined by the following numbers.
Days. Hours.
365 + 6
Degrees. Min.
365 + 15
#
H. M. | M.
fll
HI
Aftronomical divifions
14 32 39 19 27 30
5 49
I I
1
Theſe aſtronomical divifions exprefs, immediately and directly, without any
equations, i. e. without any additions or fubftractions, the hour and minute of
the fun's entry into libra, in the end of the first year of a folar period, in the
firft meridian, whofe longitude weft, is afcertained by an obfervation made in
the meridian of Greenwich, at the autumnal equinox A.D. 1753.
Now we are to prove, that whoever calculates the moment of the autum-
nal equinox, at the end of A.M. 5, calculates, at the fame time, the mo-
ment of the autumnal equinox at the end of A.M. 5765.
Take from the tables of equable motion, and likewife from the correſpond-
ing tables of equatoreal time, the numbers anſwering to 1440 folar tropical
years, and fet them down, in two columns, oppofite to each other.
(1.) 1000 years give
400
49
# Q
O
# #
"1 !!!
6 6 40 00 8 20 00
II 40 00
H. M. H. M.
2 403 20
3 20 00
4 40 I 20
4 49 I 20
II 40 00 3 20 00
00 00 000 00 00
o ooo oo noon.
In the tables of motion, when the minutes amount to 15, or its multiple,
we throw them off; and in the tables of time, when the hours amount to
6, or its multiple, we throw them off; which leaves in remainder o, on
both fides; but o is the index of noon.
It
appears from theſe calculations, that in 1440 revolutions, B would return
to the fame point of the equator with A; and would again have the fun
Dd 2
vertical
204
The Chronology of the World.
vertical to him, at the moment of its entry into the plane of the equator: but
then we muſt obſerve, that in this interval, B would be obliged to make 11
circulations round the equator, before he would be coincident with A at
noon; as may be collected from the ſubjoined
TABLE.
A. M.
Cardinal points.
III.
H.
Retroceffion and
progreffion.
H.
Meridian
diſtances.
1. 131
Sunriſing
24 +
24 = 0
I'
II.
2. 262
Midnight
24+24=0
2'
I.
حب
393
Sunſetting
24 +24=0
ين
O
4.
524
Noon
24 +24=0
4'
III.
5.
655
Sunriſing
24
+ 24 = 0
5'
II.
6.
786
Midnight
24+24=0
61
I.
77. 917
8. 1048
9. 1179
Sunfetting
24 +24=0
71
O
Noon
24240
81
III.
Sunrifing
24+24=0
9'
•
II.
10. 1310
Midnight
24+24=0
IO'.
O
Noon
24 + 24 = 0
이
​JI. 1440
(2.) Take from both tables the numbers anfwering to 2880 years, the
product of 1440 into 2; throwing off the minutes when they amount to 15,
and the hours when they amount to 6.
1
1
=
2000 years give 13 20 00 I 40 00
800
80
Ο ΙΣ
8 20 00
6 40 00
8 20 00 6 40 00
oo oo oolo oo oo
H. M. | H. M.
5 20 · 40
2 40
3 20
3 20
2 40
o oo noon
(3.) Take
00
The Chronology of the World.
205
(3.) Take from both tables the numbers anſwering to 4320 years, the
product of 1440 into 3.
}}
1
HI
H. M. | H. M.
4000 years give
II 40 00
300
20
12 30 00
3 20 00
2 30 00
4 40 I 20
5 00
I 00
5 50 00
9
10 00
2 20
3 40
< 0
00 00 00 0 00 00
0 00
oo noon.
(4.) Take from both tables the numbers anfwering to 5760 years, the
product of 1440 into 4.
1
!!!
5000 years give
3 20 00
1
1
H. M.
H. M.
TII
II 40 00
I 20 4 40
700
60
9 10 00
2 30 00
5 50 00
12 30 00
3
40
2 20
I 00
5 00
0 00 00
00 00 00
0 00
o oa noon.
From 5765 years, fubftract 5760, and there will remain
Take from both tables the numbers anfwering to 5 years."
1/1
In
5 years give 12 42 30 1 2 17 30 |
5.
H. M. H. M.
5 5 o 55
Now if we take from both tables, the numbers anſwering to 5765 years,
we ſhall have the fame conclufions.
H. M., H. M.
“
In
5.000 years give
3 20 00 II 40 00
I 20 4 40
700
9 10 00
60
5
2 30 00
12 42 30
5 50 00
12 30 00
2 17 30
3 40 2 20
I
00 5 00
5 5
o 55
The fame conclufion
12 42 30
2 17 30
5 5
• 55 Q. E. P.
We will now examine, by the tables of horary motion, whether 12′ 42″
30", &c. of equable motion, exactly anſwer, to 5 h. 5 min. of equatoreal time.
From 12 42" 30", fubftract 12' 30" for 5 hours, and there will remain
12" 30", which in the tables of minutary motion are found over-againſt 5
minutes, which agree with the calculated time.
I'
There ftill remains 2 17" 30" to be examined; ' contains 60" which
anſwer to 24 minutes of time; multiply 24 minutes by 2, and the product
will
206
of the
The Chronology of the World.
will give 48 minutes; 17" 30" are found, in the tables of minutary motion,
over-againſt 7 minutes, which being added to 48, makes 55 minutes of time,
in agreement with the calculations; and therefore the tables of motion and
time, exactly correfpond with each other.
Before we quit this article, we will make it appear by an example, that
the beſt aſtronomical tables will not help us to folve the foregoing problem;
they cannot aſcertain to the precifion of a minute, the meridian diftance be-
tween A and B, in the end of the 5765th folar tropical revolution; nor B's
return to the fame point of the equator with A, in a determinate interval; we
would fay, that the tables do not rightly adjuſt the moment of an equinox
or a folſtice, or of a mean full moon, or new moon, to a given place.
To evince this, here follows
A tabular calculation of the autumnal equinox A.D. 1758, in the meridian of
the tabular radical numbers, which is not, as we shall fhew, the meridian
of London.
Mean mot. of o
S.
-O
"
9 10 16 52
II 29 47 29
Sun's mean anomalies.
S.
O 1
6 i 38
II 29 42
7 29 30
21 41
37
A.D. 1753
Add for 5 years
September
7 29 30 44
Sum
5 9 35 5
Sun's equation ſubſtract
I 55 II
Sun's true place then
Taken from, or,
Remains
From which ſubſt. for 22 days
5 7 39 54
0 22 20 6
21 41 3
2 23 10
3 Equation of natural days 7' 44"
OOO
2
Remains
From which ſubſt. for 15
hours
39 3
36 58
Remains
2
5
From which fubft. for
50 minutes
2
3
Remains
2
From which fubft. for
49 feconds
2
Remains
According to theſe calculations, the fun entered the firft point of libra A.D.
1758, at London.
Septem-
The Chronology of the World.
207
September
Add for the equation of natural days
D. H. M. S.
22 15 50 49 p.m. equatoreal time.
7 44
o in M September 22 15 58 33 p.m. folit arme.
Thus we have obtained a twofold conclufion, which must be read in
words at length in the following manner.
A.D. 1758 the fun entered libra at London, on the 22d day of Septem-
ber 15 h. 50 min. 49 fec. after noon, equatoreal time; which is the equal
time, but not the true time.
Again we ſay, that A.D. 1758, the fun entered libra at London, on the
22d day of September 15 h. 58 min. 33 fec. after noon, folar time; which
is the true time, but not the equal time.
Here I would aſk, whether the geometrical conftruction of the preceeding
equatoreal ſcheme, affords any grounds for this diftinction, or will enable us
to comprehend and explain it; for the diurnal arches of the ecliptic, or an-
nual orbit, on which the diftinction is founded, are thereby rendered evanef-
cent quantities; and there are reaſons to believe, that the aftronomers, to this
day, are no more able to determine the precife quantity of the diurnal arches
of the ecliptic, by the apparent diurnal motion of the fun, than they are
able to determine the preciſe diſtance of two fixed ſtars from the earth, by
the obfervable quantity of the parallactic angle.
It will be no very difficult undertaking, to eſtimate the twofold error of
this twofold tabular conclufion; for A.D. 1758 is, as we have ſeen, in con-
nection with A. M. 5765, which gives, by reduction, 2105621 d. 5 h. 5 min.
throw off the compleat days, and there will remain 5 h. 5 min. after noon,
for the moment of the equinox in the firſt meridian. To theſe add 10 h. 24
min. and the ſum will inform us, that the time of the equinox at London,
was 15 h. 29 min. after noon.
The PROOF.
To 1o
A.D. 1753, the obferved time of the o in, was 10 h. 24 min. p.m. the
interval is 5 years, which gives for the retroceffion 55 minutes.
hours add 6, for the difference of 1 year in the quadriennium,
And from the fum
H. M.
Subſtract for the retroceffion
16 24
55
Remains the calculated time
15 29 p.m.
From
208
the World.
The Chronology of the
D. H. M. S.
From the tabular equatoreal time
Sept.
Subſtract the time at London
Sept.
22 15 50 49
22 15 29
Remains, the error of the tabular calculation
21 49
D. H. M. S.
Again, from the tabular folar time
Sept. 22 15 58 33
Subſtract the time at London
Sept.
22 15 29
29 33
-
Remains, the error of the tabular calculation
From hence it is evident, that the equations of time are unaſtronomical ;
and whenever they are applied, they produce theſe three effects. 1ft, They
change the meridian; for, if added, they carry it more to the eaſtward; if
ſubſtracted, they carry it more to the weftward; and whether they are ad-
ded or ſubſtracted, they fet the concluſion at a greater diſtance from the truth
than it was before. 2dly, They break the connection with the numbers of
a true obſervation. 3dly, They deſtroy the quantity of the annual difference,
and, together with it, of the folar tropical year, which are in their nature im-
mutable. For theſe reaſons, either jointly or feparately taken, we would rejec
them; and fince equal time and true time are a diftinction without a differ
ence, they ought to be rejected.
I.
We will now proceed to confider and explain the reſults and effects
IT
Of the lunar period.
will anſwer our preſent purpoſe, if we poftulate 29 days, 12 h. 44
min. 1 fec. 45 thirds, to be the preciſe quantity of a mean lunation;
for admitting this poftulatum, for experiment's fake, we then ſay, and ſhall
undertake to prove, that at the expiration of 49680 lunations, a day muſt be
thrown off to keep pace with the lunar reckoning, by the fame aftrono-
mical law, which caufes a day to be thrown off, at the expiration of 131 Ju-
lian mean years, to keep pace with the folar tropical reckoning. If, upon
trial, it ſhould appear, that this poftulated quantity involves fome excefs or
defect, yet ſtill the aſtronomical law will hold true, only the number of lu-
nations will be changed.
2. According to the poftulated quantity of a mean lunation, a lunar year
confifts of 354 d. 8 h. 48 min. 21 fec. thefe being multiplied into 30, pro-
duce 10631 days, oo h. 10 min. 30 fec. in this product there are oo h. 10
min. 30 fec. over and above compleat days, which we call the indices of
the times, becauſe they inform us, that if a mean full moon happens, in a
certain
The Chronology of the World.
209
certain place, exactly at noon, then at the end of 30 lunar years, or 360 lu-
nations, it will happen, in the fame meridian, oo h. 10 min. 30 fec. after
noon; fo that,
3. In this determinate proportion, and in this determinate interval, the
mean time of the moon's oppofition, will make a flow, gradual, and uniform
progreffion eaſtward quite round the equator, in the courſe of 138 triacontaeterids,
or 49680 lunations, and then it will begin another round at 9 minutes after
noon, in the ſame meridian.
This will be clearly reprefented to view in the table annexed.
Triacon-
taeterids.
I am to 7∞∞
2
Days.
10631
21262
H.
M.
S.
IO
30
21
00
3
31893
3 I
30
4
42524
42
00
53155
52
30
6
63786
I
3
00
74417
I
13
30
8
85048
I
24
00
9
95679
I
34
30
IQ
106310
I
45
00
20
212620
30
318930
456
40
425240
50
531550
35700
30
00
1 5
00
00
00
8
45
00
60
637860
ΙΟ
30
00
7༠
744170
I 2
15
00
80
850480
14
00
00
90
956790
15
45
00
100
1063100
17 30
00
137
1456447
23 58
30
138
1467078 (24) 9
00
In the end of 138 periods, we find 24 h. 9 min. and as theſe 24 hours
are compounded of what we call the indices of the times, at the rate of oo h.
10 min. 30 fec. in every 30 lunar years, they, having diſcharged their office,
muſt be diſmiſſed, otherwiſe they would be reckoned twice over; beſides,
they would cauſe the calculated time to over-paſs the limits of the mean full
moon day juſt ſo much, ſuppoſing the meaſure to be precifely true.
E e
4. If
210
The Chronology of the World.
4.
If we look into the table for the 137th triacontaeterid, we ſhall find it in
the fame parallel line with theſe numbers, 23 h. 58 min. 30 fec. which will
be clearly underſtood, if we difpofe them in the following manner.
Weft.
Noon.
Equatoreal day.
H. M. S.
23 58 30
FM. S. M.
O 30 I
Noon.
Eaft.
Theſe numbers, thus difpofed, may be read in words at length, in the fol-
lowing manner; if the mean time of the moon's oppofition happens, in a
certain place, at noon; then in the end of 137 triacontaeterids, it will happen
23 h. 58 min. 30 fec. after noon, in the fame place; we muſt reckon after
noon, becauſe the progreffion is eaſtward.
5. Although the mean time of the moon's oppofition, in the end of the
137th triacontaeterid, falls fhort of noon no more than 1 min. 30 fec. yet it
will require more than 7 millions of fynodical revolutions, to bring about a
coincidence with the fame point of the equator, and the fame point of the
day, from which the progreffion commenced.
To find the number of lunations, which must be compleated, before the moon's
mean oppofition can return to the fame point of the equator, and the fame
point of the day.
I
The CALCULATION.
From 24h. 00 min. oo fec. oo thirds, ſubſtract 12 h. 44 min. 1 fec. 45
thirds, the characters of 1 lunation, and it will leave in remainder 11 h. 15
min. 58 fec. 15 thirds, for the characters of the laft lunation but 1, in the
lunar period.
To find that numerical lunation, whofe characters are defined to be 11 b. 15
min. 58 fec. 15 thirds.
The characters of 70,000 lunations are, by the table of lunations, 7 h.
21 min. 40 fec. to which add, for 30,000, 6 h. 35 min. oo fec. and the
fum, 13 h. 56 min. 40 fec. will be the characters of 100,000 lunations.
The
The Chronology of the World.
211
Lunations.
100,000
200,000
300,000
600,000
1,000,000
2,000,000
The TABLE.
Characters.
H. M.
S.
13 56 40
3 53 20
Oo
19 26 40
T.
H88
00
14 53 20 00
17 50
II 40
4,000,000
5 46 40
00
6,000,000
20 49
OQ
OQ
$7,000,000
16
6 40
00
900,000
5 30
00
40,000
о
0
46 40
00
8,000
14 33 20
00
700
9 40 25 00
90
18 2
37 30
9
18
36 15 45
The numerical lunation fought II 15 58 15
From hence it appears, that fuppofing the poftulated quantity of a mean
lunation to be exactly true, the lunar period is not compleated in lefs than
7,948,800 lunations. In which vaft interval, the mean time of the full moon
goes through all its variations, and falls fucceffively on every point of the
equator, in all the meridians of the globe.
To find the number of days, which will be thrown off in the courſe of a lunar
Lunations.
49,680
496,800
993,600
1,987,200
3,974,400
7,948,800
period.
Days thrown off.
I
ΙΟ
20
40
4.5
80
160
Theſe two laſt calculations might have been omitted, as being rather mat-
ter of curiofity than of uſe. But fo far as 4968o lunations are concerned, it
is neceffary to know, by what law the lunar reduction muſt be leffened by 1
whole day.
Ee 2
We
212
The Chronology of the World.
We will now return back, and give a direct and poffitive anſwer to query
6,
p. 172. What is the exact quantity of a mean lunation? An anſwer to this query
will be included in the folution of the following
PROBLEM. Let it be required to determine the diſtance of the mean full
moon, in days, hours, and minutes, after the autumnal equinox A.D.
1750, which, according to our chronological tables, is in connection
with the folar tropical year of the world 5757.
In other words, Let it be required to aſcertain that individual point, or mi-
nute, in which the fun, by the moment of its entry into libra, inter-
fected the current mean lunation, A.D. 1750 A.M. 5757:
The firſt principle which we laid down, was, Without the evidence of hiſtory
there is no chronology.
The fecond, Without chronology there is no certainty in hiftory.
The third, Without aftronomy there is no certainty in chronology.
We ſhall endeavour to evince the uſefulneſs and neceffity of this third
principle, by a variety of examples.
First, We must determine the time of the autumnal equinox, A.D. 1750,
A.M. 5757, in the meridian of the Greenwich obfervatory, and if we look
back to table 1, p. 193, we fhall find it to be September 22 d. 16 h. 57 min.
p.m. from which if we fubftract 35 minutes, it will leave in remainder
September 22 d. 16 h. 22 min. for the time of the equinox in a meridian
which lies 8° 45' to the weftward of Greenwich.
In the next place, we will calculate the time of the mean full moon, next
after the autumnal equinox, by Ferguſon's tables of mean lunations, that we
may try, whether the tabular diſtance will give atteftation to the truth of our
calculations from the original radix, and the correſponding year of the world.
To find the time of the mean full moon in October A. D. 1750.
Tab. III. mean time of full moon in March, O.S.
Tab. VI. add for 7 lunat. to bring it to October
The days in Tab. VII. anſwer to October 4,
The tabular time of the m. full moon in Oct. 1750, was
D. H. M.
I I 8 18
206 17
8
218 I 26
D. H. M.
4 1 26
26 p.m.O.S.
From September 22, fubftract 11, and it will give for the time of the au-
tumnal equinox O.S. September 11 d. 16 h. 22 min.
To October 4, add, to make the fubftraction, the 30 days of September,
and the fum will be 34 d. 1 h. 26 min.
From
The Chronology of the World.
213
From
D. H. M.
34 I 26
Subftract, September
II 16 22
Remains the tabular diſtance
22 9 4
$
From 29 d. 12 h. 44 min. the quantity of a mean lunation, fubftract 22 d.
9 h. 4
min, the tabular diftance of the mean full moon, after the autum-
nal equinox, and there will remain 7 d. 3 h. 40 min. for the diſtance in days,
hours, and minutes, of the mean full moon before the autumnal equinox,
in the given year. We will now give
A TABLE of the aftronomical interfection, A. D. 1750.
D. H. M.
M. H. D.
F.M. O 7 3 40 O 4922
O F.M.
We need not take any pains to prove, for it is as certain as an axiom,
that this aſtronomical interfection of a mean lunation, by the moment of the
fun's tranfit over the equator at the autumnal equinox, cannot be found but
in one individual folar tropical year of the world, and that year in which
it fhall be found by calculation, muſt be in a true connection with the year
of our Lord 1750. Nor can the given year of our Lord 17.50 be poffibly in nature
connected with any other folar tropical year of the world, in the whole interval
from the creation, take which of the four chronologies we pleaſe, nor need
we ftrengthen the argument with the correfponding day of the week.
As this is one of the examples by which we propofe to eſtabliſh the au-
thenticity of the Hebrew text, in the article of chronology, and to define
the paft age of the world, we fhall be elaborate in the calculations, and not
decline the trouble of making them 3 different ways.
I. By decennoval cycles.
II. By triacontaeterids, or periods of
-30 lunar years.
III. By the fum total of lunations, included in the given number of folar
tropical years.
Here we ſhall obferve, 1ft, That the progreffions, in the end of every tria-
contaeterid, or period of 30 lunar years, difcover to us, how much the mean
time of full moon, has departed from its created coincidence with the ori-
ginal cardinal point of the day, namely, noon.
2dly, That the decennoval progreffions, diſcover to us how much the
moon has departed from its created coincidence with the original cardinal
point of the year, namely, the autumnal equinox.
Firſt, We will make the calculation by decennoval cycles.
But becauſe of the uncertainty of thofe principles, upon which chronolo-
gical computations depend, and by which they muſt be regulated, we muſt
fteer
214
The Chronology of the World.
any
ſteer our courſe with caution, although not with diffidence; we find ourſelves
reduced to the neceffity of arguing with an appearance of doubt, and to fay,
1. If no difficulties. had interpofed to obftruct the inveſtigation of original
principles. Or, 2. The methods commonly made uſe of, in determining
the quantity of the folar tropical year, and of a mean lunation. Or, 3. Had
there been any rule to judge of truth and falfity, amidſt many hundred dif-
Or, 4.
If five ob-
agreeing opinions, concerning the year of the creation. Or,
fervations of the times of equinoxes and folftices, in a certain place, could
be relied on, without fufpicion of error. Or, 5. If an uninterrupted harmony
in nature, inſtead of heavenly commotions and diſturbances, had been an
adopted and prevailing opinion. Or, 6. If we could by any means diſcover a
true meridian diftance, then, by theſe combined helps, chronology would
have long ago been formed into a regular and inconteftable fyftem. And
could we content ourſelves, to argue upon theſe feveral points, ex hypothefi, or
conditionally, no ftrenuous oppofition would arife; but, if we prefumed to
conclude with confidence, the truth of all of them jointly, or of every one
of them feparately, might perhaps be contefted.
If the year of our Lord 1750 be given, in connection with the folar tro-
pical year of the world 5757, inftead of taking this connection for granted,
upon the fole authority of the chronological canon, we muft, antecedent to
the proof, argue ex hypothefi, and fay, (1.) If the firſt of theſe folar tropi-
cal years began at the autumnal equinox, and at noon, in a meridian which
lies 156 degrees to the weftward of the Greenwich obfervatory, equal in time
to 10 h. 24 min. If, (2.) The firft of the included lunations began in the
fame meridian at noon, juft 24 hours before the autumnal equinox. If, (3.)
365 d. 5 h. 49 min. be the exact quantity of the folar tropical year. If, (4.)
29 d. 12h. 44 min. 1 fec. 45 thirds, be the exact quantity of a mean luna-
tion. If, (5.) The 5757th folar tropical revolution, ended at the autum-
nal equinox A.D. 1750; then, we fay, upon theſe fuppofitions, it unadenia-
bly follows, that the difference between the folar tropical and the lunar re-
ductions, will exprefs the true aftronomical diſtance of the mean full moon,
after the autumnal equinox A.D. 1750. Here follows,
The calculation by decennoval cycles.
19 luni-folar years contain 235 lunations.
D. H. M. S. Th.
200 lunations give
5906 2 45 50 00
·30
885 22 00 52 30
5
147 15 40 8 45
Sum total 6939 16 26 51 15
Reduce
The Chronology of the World.
215
Reduce 19 folar tropical years to days.
D. H. M.
10 years give
3652 10 10
9
3287 4 21
Sum total
6939 14 31
D.
From the lunar reduction
Subſtract the tropical folar
Exceſs of the lunar computation above the ſolar
H. M. S. Th.
6939 16 26 51 15
6939 14 31 00 00
。 I 55 51 15
A TABLE, Shewing in what determinate proportions the moon departs from
its original coincidence with the autumnal equinox, by a progreffion eastward,
every decennoval cycle, or course of 19 years.
in
Cycles | Years D. H.
I
19
2
38
13
3
57
+367∞
4
76
O
5 47
7 43 25
5
95
9 39
I 55 51
15
51
+32 H
42 30
3345
OO
16
15
8
114
133
I I 35 7 30
30
58 45
50 00
13
152
O
9
I7I
O 17
32 2
10
190
2 ∞
20
380
30
570
40
760
50
950
95
234
60
1140
70
1330
80
1520
90
1710
567
15126
22
O 19 18
41
15
3230
I 14 37 5 00
O
55 37 30
14 IO 00
32 42 30
4 19 51 15
15 9 47 30
IO
28 20 00
5
46
52 30
100
200
1900
3800
8
I
5
25
16 2 10
50
300
5700
24
3 16 15 Oo
1
Divide
216
The Chronology of the World.
}
A. M.
Divide by 19) 5757 (303 cycles,
Remainder
1°
D. H. M. S. Th.
300 cycles give
24
3 16 15 00
3
•
5 47 33 45
Sum of the progreffion 24 9 3 48 45
From 24 d. fubftract 1, for 49680 lunations, and there will remain 23 d.
Again, Becauſe the fun began its courfe at the autumnal equinox, in coin-
cidence with the end of a full moon day, we muft, from every lunar re-
duction, ſubſtract 1, to carry it back to the beginning of the full moon day.
In confequence of this original principle, from the remainder 23 days
fubftract 1, and it will leave 22 d. 9 h. 3 min. 58 fec. 45 thirds, which we
will call 22 d. 9 h. 4 min.
1
1
D. H. M.
From the tabular diſtance
Subſtract the calculated diſtance
22
9 4
22 9 4
Difference
oo o
O
!
Secondly, We will calculate the diſtance of the fame mean full moon,
after the autumnal equinox A.M. 5757, by triacontaeterids, or periods of 30
lunar years.
The CALCULATION.
Multiply 303 cycles into 235 lunations, and the product will be 71205.
lunations.
Divide by 12) 71205 (5933 compleat lunar years.
Remain
{
9 lunations.
lunar years.
Divide by 30) 5933 (197 periods of
Remain
30 lunar
years.
23 years of the 198th period.
138 periods
The Chronology of the World.
217
138 periods give by the table, (p. 209)
1467078 24
D.
H. M.
S.
9 00
Add for the remaining{
$502
periods
531550
8 45
00
9
94679
I 34
To the fum
Add for
23
lunar years
2094307
8150
34 30
ΙΟ 28 30
ΙΟ 32 3
To the fum
2102457
Add for
9 lunations
From the fum
21 00 33
265 18 36 27
2102723 15 37 00
Subftract, to bring it back from the laſt to
to }
I 00
00
00
the first point of the mean full moon day
The true Reduction
2102722 15 37 00
The given number of folar tropical years are 5757.
D.
H. M.
1826211 19 20
40
255669 15
18262 2 50
5000 years contain
700
50
7
2556 16 43
The folar tropical reduction
2102700 6
33
2102722 15
2102700 6
15 37
33
22 9
From the lunar reduction
Subſtract the tropical folar
Diſtance of the mean F. M. after O in
4 A.M. 5757.
We thought it neceffary to calculate triacontaeterids, or periods of 30 lunar
years, before we had recourfe to the fum total of lunations; becauſe what
we call the indices of the times, and their gradual increment, plainly open
to our view, the reaſons why I muſt be ſubſtracted from the reduction, in a
determinate number of lunations; otherwife, the computation downwards, to
the preſent times, would be embarraffed with a redundant day.
If we look for number 1 in the table (p. 209) we ſhall find over-againſt
it, oh. 10 min. 30 fec. after noon; but if we caft our eye downwards to
the number 60, we fhall find 10 h. 30 min. after noon. If we double
the number of the periods, we ſhall alfo double the indices of the times
for 120 periods will give 21 hours. In 137 periods we fhall have 23 h.
Ff
58 min.
218
The Chronology of the World.
58 min. 30 fec. after noon.
fec. after noon. And it is certain, that the mean time of the
moon's oppofition may ſo happen in a given place. But,
If to
We add the indices of one period
It will give
H. M. S.
23 58 30 p.m.
10 30
(24) 9
The moon has now compleated its circulation round the equator eaſtward;
and if theſe (24 hours) are admitted into the fum total of days, they would
be reckoned twice over, which would render the computation unaftronomical.
into 30,
30 lunar
Multiply 138 periods of
and it will produce 4140
lunar years, which multiplied into 12, will produce 49680 lunations.
years
D. H. M. S.
1181223 00
00 46 40
40,000 lunations give
9,000
265775
22
4
30
600
17718 8 17
30
80
2362 10 42
20
From the fum total,
Subſtract for 138 periods,
1467079 00
1467078 124 9
9
00
The difference
I O O
Here I beg to afk, by what means would an aftronomer find out this re-
dundant day? It is only diſcoverable by a calculation downwards from the origi-
nal radix, and we ſhall prove, by calculation, that it is true in fact, even fuppofing
no error at all, either in the radix, or in the quantity of a lunation. We will now,
Thirdly, Calculate the diſtance of the mean full moon, after the autum-
nal equinox A.M. 5757, by the fum total of 71205 lunations.
70,000 lunations give
1,000
200
D.
H. M.
M. S.
2067140 7 21 40
29530 13 49 10
5
5906 2
45
50
147
15
40
8 45
15 36 48 45
I
From the fum 2102724
Subſtract for 49680 lunations
From the remainder 2102723 15 36 48 45
Subſtract to bring it back to the firſt point,&c.
1
The true reduction 2102722
15 36 48 45
If
The Chronology of the World.
219
If from this lunar reduction we fubftract the tropical folar, it will give
22 d. 9 h. 4 min. for the diſtance required as before; fo that the fun, by
the moment of its entrance into libra A. M. 5757, interfected the current
mean lunation, in the fame point or minute, as it did A.D. 1750.
The chronological inference is, that the given year of our Lord 1750, and
the tabular year of the world 5757, are in fuch an individual connection,
that neither the one, nor the other, can be connected with any other that
has yet paffed.
It appears from theſe calculations,
Ift, That the conclufions in aftronomical chronology, are as demonftrably
certain as the conclufions in geometry.
2dly, That the poftulated quantity of a mean lunation is true.
We ſay then, in anfwer to query vi. that 29 d. 12 h. 44 min. 1 fec, 45
thirds, conftitute the quantity of a mean lunation with a mathematical pre-
cifion; and that the leaft particle of time, can neither be added to, nor
fubftracted from it, without difconcerting the aftronomical interfection, as
determined by the tabular radical numbers.
QUERY VII. If the Julian style be extended backwards 5757 years, from the
autumnal equinox A.D. 1750, what Julian month, and day of the month,
will be found coincident with the original station of the full moon, on the
third day of the first week at noon?
The CALCULATION.
19 Julian years contain
From which fubftract for 19 luni-folar years
D. H. M. S. Th.
6939 18 00 00 00
6939 16 26 51 15
I 33
8 45
The excess of the Jul. comput. above the lunar
Here let it be obſerved, that when we compared 19 luni-folar with 19
tropical-folar years, the exceſs of the lunar reckoning was 1 h. 55 min. 51
fec. 15 thirds.
thirds. But now, when we compare 19 luni-folar with 19 Julian
years, the fituation of the luminaries is quite reverfed; for as in the former
calculation there was found, in every decennoval cycle, a progreffion of the
full moon eaſtward from the cardinal point, we have now, in the fame in-
terval, a retroceffion from it weftward. This is called by the Greeks
sonyi canviann, or the lunar anticipation; and it was this which caufed the
difference, before the late correction, between the ecclefiaftical and aſtrono-
mical new moons and full moons in our Julian kalendar; notwithſtanding this,
Ff 2
it
220
The Chronology of the World.
it has no foundation in nature, but entirely owes its exiſtence to an unaſtro-
nomical computation. Here follows
A TABLE of the excefs of the Julian_computation above the lunar in 300
decennoval cycles.
Cycles | Years D. H.
I
2
19
38
50
}}}
I 33
8 45
3+6
6
17 30
26
15
8
1 357
3456 7∞
57
76
95
4
7
114
9
133
10
152
12
9
171
13
10
190
15
20
380
I
30
570
I
40
760
50
950
60
1140
70
1330
80
1520
90
1710
100
1900
200
3800
I 2
233+556.N
7
72
27
39
12
45
18
52
00
35
43 45
52 301
2
♡ mood to Ind 42
242
500 ml à +
53
25
58
31
2
22 34
14
I 15
IQ IO
18
45
27 30
55 00
30
22
5 50
00
5
2 I
78
37 17
30
8 45
୦୦
4 12
40
12
30
4
I I
40
5 19 43
7 30
I 1
14
35
OO
22 29 IO
300 5700
19
9
43 45
D.
H. M. S. T.
19
9 43 45 00
0 4 39 26 15
19
14 23
19 14 23 II 15
300 cycles give
To which add for 3 cycles
Sum of the anticipation will be
To theſe 19 compleat days, we must add that I, which we fubftracted
for 49680 lunations, and then the fum of the corrected anticipation will be
20 d. 14 h. 23 min. 11 fec. 15 thirds.
45
h. 36
71205 lunations give, by reduction, 2102722 d. 15 h. 36 min. 48 fec.
thirds; throw off the compleat days, and there will remain 15 h.
min. 48 fec. 45 thirds, for the moment of the mean full moon, next after
the autumnal equinox A.D. 1750, A.M. 5757, firſt meridian.
To
The
221
Chronology of the World.
D. H. M. S. Th.
To the tabular time of the m. F. Moon -1' Octob.
4
Add
I 25 00 00
48 45
To the fum, Octob.
4
1 25 48 45
Add, to bring it to the meridian of London,
35
Time of the mean full moon at London, Octob. 4 2 00 48 45
From the time of the m. F. M. at London, Octob.
Subftract for the meridian diſtance
4 2 00 48 45
10 24
Remains the time of the m.F.M. in the firſt merid.Oct. 3 15 36.48 45-
Add the corrected anticipation
Remains the Jul. month and day fought, Octob.
20 14 23 II 15
24
6.00 00 00
But becauſe A.M. 5757, is the firſt year of a quadriennium, and A.M. 1,
muſt be ſuppoſed to begin in the end of the fourth, for this difference of a
year we muſt ſubſtract 6 hours, and there will remain October 24 d. oo h.
oo min. oo fec. oo thirds.
We ſay then, in anſwer to query vii. that as it appears by a former calcula-
tion, that the Julian ftation of the original autumnal equinox, was October
d. oo h. oo min. fo does it likewiſe appear, that the Julian ftation of the
original full moon was October 24 d. oo h. oo min, oo fec. oo thirds.
25
October 25, is the 298th day from the kalends of January; and October
24, is the 297th; and theſe numbers we conftantly make uſe of in the
Julian reductions.
From October 25 d. oo h. oo min. fubftract October 24 d. oo h. oo min.
oo fec. oo thirds, and the remainder will ſhew, that the moment of the ori-
ginal full moon, preceeded the moment of the original autumnal equinox, I
whole day, or 24 hours precifely, which has never happened fince in the
fame meridian.
To find the Julian month, day, hour,
day, hour, and minute, &c. of that mean full
moon, which followed next after the autumnal equinox A.D. 1750, A.M.
5757; first, in the meridian of London, and then in that meridian which
lies 8° 45', or 35 minutes of time, to the westward of it.
The
1
222
The Chronology of the World.
The CALCULATION.
5757 folar tropical years include 71205 lunations.
71205 lunations produce
Subſtract for 49680 lunations
From the remainder
Subſtract, to bring it back from the laſt to the firft?
point of the mean full moon day
To the remainder
Add for October 25 d. oo h. oo min.
From the fum
Subftract for the Jül. reduction of 5757 years
Jul.M.D.H.and M. of the m. F. M. firſt merid. Oct.3
Add for the meridian of London
K
Time of the mean full moon at London, Octob. 4
Subftract for 8° 45'
Tabular time of m. F. M. corrected, Octob. 4
D. H. M. S. Th.
2102724 15 36 48 45
I
2102723 15 36 48 45
I
2102722 15 36 48 45
298
2103020 15 36 48 45
2102744
H. M. S. Th.
276 15 36 48 45
IO 24.
277 2 00 48 45
35
I 25 48 45
A.D. 1750, falls in with the year of the Julian period 6463, from which
ſubſtract A. M. 5757, and it will carry it back to the year of the Julian
period 706.
The day, bour, and minute, of the mean full moon in September, in the year
of the Julian period 706, is required; firft meridian.
From 30
The CALCULATION.
fubftract 29 d. 12 h. 44 min. the quantity of a mean lunation,
excluding 1" 45", and it will leave in remainder 11 h. 16 min. p.m. for
the time fought in the firft meridian..
From October 24 fubftract 30, firſt adding the days of September, and it
will give September 24 d. 11 h. 16 min. p.m.
D. H. M.
To September
Add
24 II 16
p. m.
29
12 44
And it will give, October 24
Oo 00 noon.
To
The M
223
Chronology of the World.
To find the day, hour, and minute, of the mean new moon in October, in the
year of the Julian period 706; first meridian.
The CALCULATION.
From 15
fubftract 14 d. 18 h. 22 min. the quantity of half a mean luna-
tion, and it will leave in remainder 5 h. 38 min. p. m. for the mean time
of the new moon, required, in the firſt meridian.
From October 24 fubftract 15, and it will carry it back to October 9 d.
5 h. 38 min. p. m.
To October 9
Add
D. H. M.
5 38 p.m. N. M.
14
18
22
A. I. P. 706. F. M.
It will give, October 24 Oo Oo
The more fcrupuloufly the foregoing calculations are ſcrutinized, the more
they will be admired; and the more will thoſe who examine them be con-
vinced of the perfection of original principles; and that the Creator, in the
beginning, difpofed the two luminaries under fuch circumftances, as fhould
become the fure bafis of an aftronomical calcules, throughout all ages of the
world.
Should it be aſked, by what authority we have fet down in the front of
D. ö
15 O, the anſwer
the chronological canon, theſe ſymbols and characters,
is, Ift, That the 15th day of the month, is expreffly appointed by Mofes
for the obfervance of the annual feaſt. 2dly, That the laft calculations dif
cover to us three different epochs, or beginnings of the lunar month; the
firft is aftronomical; the two others are aftronomical and political; the one
we may call patriarchal, and the other Jewiſh.
Firft, If we compute the beginning of the month from October 9 d. 5 h.
38 min. that is, from the first point of the mean new moon day, half a lu-
nation will bring it down to October 24 d. oo h. oo min. that is, to the
firſt point of the mean full moon day.
This we call the aftronomical epoch of the firſt month of the lunar year.
Secondly, If we compute from October 9 d. 6 h. P. M. that is, from
the evening next after the moon's mean conjunction, the 15th day of
the month will terminate in October 24 d. 6 h. P. M. that is, on the even-
ing next after the mean full moon; and on the 15th day of the month thus
computed, the Jews obferve to this day their feaft of tabernacles.
This we call the Jewish epoch of the first month of the lunar year.
Thirdly,
224
The Chronology of the World.
Thirdly, If we compute from October 10 d. 6 h. P.M. that is, from
the evening the next but one after the conjunction, on which the moon is
generally viſible at its fetting, the 15th day of the month will terminate in
October 25 d. 6 h. P. M. or, in that evening, which either follows after the
completion of the full moon day, as at the creation, or after a great part of
it is compleated; and on the 15th day of the month, thus computed, the
primitive patriarchs, the antient Hebrews and Ifraelites, obſerved their feaft
of ingathering, and their feaſt of tabernacles.
This we call the patriarchal and Ifraelitic epoch of Rifhon, or the firſt
month of the lunar year.
The table annexed, includes and expreffes theſe three different methods of
computation, in which the 15 days of the first month, of the firſt lunar year,
are reduced to the Julian kalendar, and to their correfponding days of the
patriarchal week.
Days of the Patriarchal Jewish lu-
patriarchal lunar com-nar com
week.
2
3
putation.putation. H. M.
1 2
October.
Common Biflextile
year.
year.
5 38 p. m.
9
B
282
283
ΙΟ
C
283
284
JI D
7
I
2
3
ነ
4567-
+56 ACO
4
I
5
2
3
6
3.
4-
4
6
284
285
12
E
285
286
13
F
286
287
1
14
G
287
288
15
A
288
289
7
16
B
289
290
8
7
17
C
290
291
8
18
D
9
9
ΙΟ
19
IO
I I
20
F
II
I 2
21
I
12
13
22
2
13
14
H. M.
23
3. 14
: 15
O. o.
0.
24
4
15
{100
25
PERGAAUA
291
292
292
293
293
294
294
295
А
295
296
B
296
297
C
297
298
D
298
299
If
Вартов
The Chronology of the World.
225
If we fet down this number 15, three times together, and characterize
them with the fymbols of two new moons, and two full moons, they will
convey to the mind an idea of two circles interfecting one another, and of
the firft pofition of the fun and moon in their reſpective centers.
e. g.
D.
D.
D.
0 15
«
15
15
Now, if we fix the foot of the compaffes in this fymbol, and take
15 days for a radius, it will defcribe a circle whofe circumference will touch
the ſymbols of two full moons.
for a
Again, if we take this fymbol o for a center, and the number 15
radius, it will defcribe a circle, whofe circumference will touch the fymbols
of two new moons.
All things, fays the wife man, were made in number, weight, and meaſure.
If we fet down the number 15, three times together, as in the fubjoined
ſcheme, we ſhall have an intuitive view of the utmoft limits in which the
annual feaſt of tabernacles can fall in the whole courfe of time.
D.
~ D.
D.
15 0 0 15 15 The feaſt at its greateſt diſtance from the cardinal point.
Before we conclude our enquiry after fundamentals, we fhall, in order to
obviate objections, enter into a direct proof, that no aſtronomical tables ex-
tant, are in ſuch a ſtate of exactnefs, as will help us to diſcover the perfection
of original principles, and that they can neither confirm the truth of our
calculations, nor convict them of error.
As fir Ifaac Newton's affigned quantity of the folar tropical year, conſiſting of
365 d. 5h 48 min. 57 fec. and Mr. Mayer's affigned quantity of a mean lu-
nation, confifting of 29 d. 12 h. 44 min. 2 fec. 53 thirds, 25 fourths, are
nearer to the truth than any of thoſe which we have fet down, we ſhall bring
them to the teſt; and the teſt which we propoſe, is, the diſtance of the mean
full moon after the autumnal equinox A. D. 1750, which, as determined by
the radical numbers of the tables, was found to be 22 d. 9 h. 4 min.
G g
A TABLE
226
The Chronology of the World.
A TABLE of 6000 folar tropical
years, quantity 365 days, 5 hours,
48 min. 57 Seconds.
Newton.
Yrs.
Days. H. MS.
I
2
3
365 5 48 57
730113754
10951726 | 51
1460 23 15 48
1826 5 445
21911053!42
2556 16 42 39
+46 70
}
A TABLE of 70,000 lunations,
quantity 29 days, 12 hours, 44
min. 2 fec. 53 thirds. Mayer.
Lunat. Days. H. MS. T.
123456 D∞
20
401
。་་
2912 44 2 53
59 I28
8814 12
5146
39
118 2561132
147 15 40! 14/25
177
4241718
206 17 8 20
8 20 II
265|18|36|25| 57
2630
295 7 2028 50
590 14 405740
885 22
1181 5215520
1476 12 42|24|10
1771 20 253100
2067 3 23 2150
2362 10 43 50 40
2657 18 41930
2921 22 31 36
8
236 55223
Q
3287 4 20 33
9
IO
20
30
40
3652 10 930
73042019 00
10957 628 30
14609 16 38 00
10
30
50
18262 24730
50
60
21914 12 57:00
70
25556 23
630
70
80
29219 916
91600
80
90
32871192530
90
100
36524 5 35 00
535
100
200
73048 11 10 00
300 109572 16 4500
109.5721645
400 146096 22 20 co
500 182621 355 00
600 219145 93000
700 25566915 5
200
300
400
2953 I 24 48 20
5906 2 49|36|40
8859 414 2500
11812 5391320
600
700
800
292193|20|40
800
900 328718 215
900
1000 365242 750 00
5001 14765 7
140
17718 8285000
20671 9 53 38 20
23624|11|18|26|40
2657712431500
1000
29530 14 8
320
2000 730484 154000
2000
3000 1095726 23 30 00
3000
40001460969 7 20
2000
5000 1826211 15 1000
6000|2191453 2300100
7 20 00
4000
5000
10000
640
88591 18 24 10 00
118122 832 | 13
8321320
147652 22 40 16 40
6000 177183|12|48|20|00
7000 206714 256|23|20
8000 236244 17 4 26 40
9000 265775 7 12 30 co
295305|21|20|33|20
20000 59061118 4I 6140
30000 8859171 16 14000
40000 1181223 13 22 13 20
500001476529 10 42 46 40
60000 1771835 8 32000
70000 2067141
5|23|53|20
59061 416
Reduce
The Chronology
227
of of
the World.
Reduce
71205 lunations to days.
Quantity of a lunation 29 d. 12 h. 44 min. 2 fec.
70000 lunations give
1000
200
5
From the fum
Subftract
The lunar reduction
D.
53 thirds.
H. M. S. Th.
2067141 5 23 53 20
23
29530 14 8
3 20
5906 2 49 36 40
147 15 40 14 25
2102725 14 I 47 45
2
2102723 14 I 47 45
Quantity 365 d. 5 h. 48 min. 57 fec.
Reduce
5757
folar tropical years to days.
D.
H. M. S.
5000 years give
700
255669 15
5%*
7
1826211 15 10 00
15 5 00
18262 2 47 30
2556 16 42 39
Sum total
2102700 I 45 9
From the lunar reduction
Subſtract the tropical folar
From the remainder
Subſtract the corrected tabular diſtance
Sum of the exceſs is
D.
H. M. S. Th.
2102723 14 I 47 45
2102700 I 45 9 00
23 12 16 38 45
22 9 3 48 45
I 3 12 50 00
From hence it appears, that if in a given interval of 5757 years, and of 71205
lunations, the calculation be made, by fir Ifaac Newton's definition of the folar
tropical year, and by Mr. Mayer's definition of a mean lunation, thoſe tables will
involve an error in the diftance of the moon from the fun of more than 27
hours; but then we muft obferve, that in this quantity of error, the defect of
the folar tropical reckoning is included, which, in the given number of years,
will amount to 4h. 47 m. 51 fec.
From 27 h. 12 min. 50 fec. fubftract 4 h. 47 min. 51 fec. and there will re-
main, for the excess of the lunar computation only, 22 h. 24 min. 59 fec.
Gg 2
From
228
The Chronology of the World.
D. H. M
S. Th.
From
29 12 44
2 53
Subſtract
29 12 44
Ι I 45
The difference
I 8
Now, if an excess of one fecond of time be multiplied into 71205 lunations,
it will produce an error of 19 h. 46 min.
being ſubſtracted from
will leave in remainder
Subſtract for the exceſs of 8"
From the remainder
45 fec. which
Subft. for the defect of the folar trop. reckoning
Remains the true diſtance
D. H. M. S. Th.
23 12 16 38 45
22 16 29 53 45
2 38 14
22 13 51 39 45
4 47 51 00
22
9 3 48 45
In like manner the excefs or defect of all tabular meaſures may be tried
and eſtimated to a fingle moment. A very fignal acquifition in practical
aſtronomy!
Thus we have endeavoured to be aforehand with ſuch objections as might
have been raiſed, upon the account of a wide diſagreement with tabular cal-
culations, carried back to the remote ages.
EXAMPLE II. A total eclipfe of the fun, which has never yet been obſerved.
Interval in lunations,
71371 0
This future eclipfe of the fun, like all other eclipfes, whether folar
or lunar, will be inveſted with ſuch particular circumftances and characters, as
cannot be found but in one folar tropical year of the world, and but in one
year of our Lord; and this as certainly, as that the fame cycles of the fun,
moon, and indiction, cannot be found but in one year of the Julian period,
confiſting of 7980 years.
A propoſition which undertakes to limit the paft duration of the preſent ſtate
of things, will be but flowly credited by thoſe who are acquainted with
* Aftronomicum tempus a primo creationis puncto ad principium æræ Chriftianæ exactum, qui
fe dare nobis poffe promittunt, favore mihi digni videntur magis quam laude, quia majus quid
humano ingenio moliuntur. David Paræus.
Annorum ab orbe condito ad hæc tempora numerum, neque certâ ratione compertum effe,
neque citrà divinam fignificationem poffe comperiri.
Petavius.
the
The Chronology of the World.
229
the difcordancies in chronology; and yet a late writer + upon the ſubject
doubts not to affert, that we are "within fix years certain of the two firft
periods of the world's age, notwithſtanding all the confufion and corruption
"of the prefent Hebrew and Samaritan copies.
CC
But furely our author ſhould have faid within 1386; for fo many years the
computations of the Septuagint Greek verfion, add to thofe of the prefent
Hebrew text, in the interval from the creation, to the 70th year of Terah,
the father of Abram.
From this, and feveral other differences, there arifes
QUERY I. In what folar tropical year of the world, will this future eclipſe of
the fun happen, at the distance of 71371 lunations and a half, from the ori-
ginal full moon?
We are now then to find that folar tropical year of the world, in which
a total eclipſe of the fun will be visible at London, in the middle of the
71372d lunation.
The CALCULATION.
19 folar years contain 235 lunations.
lunations
Divide by 235) 71371 (303 decennoval cycles.
Divide the remainder by 12) 167 (13 folar
Remain
years.
II lunations.
Multiply 303 cycles into 19, and to the product 5757, add the 13 years
in the quotient, then the fum will give A.M. 5770; but as there are 11
lunations remaining, they will bring it forward to A. M. 5771.
QUERY II. Near what cardinal point, or, at what preciſe diſtance, in days,
hours, and minutes, either before it or after it, will that new moon
which will caufe an eclipfe of the fun A.M. 5771?
happen,
The CALCULATION.
From A. M. 5771 fubftract 1, and it will give A. M. 5770.
A. M.
Divide by 19) 5770 (303 cycles.
Remain
13 years of the 304th.
+ Jackſon's Chronological Antiquities of the Hebrews, vol. i. p. 70.
Multiply
230
Chronology of the World.
The
Multiply 303 cycles into 235 lunations, and to the product 71205, add for the
remaining 13 years 156, and the fum will be 71361; to this fum add 4,
for intercalary months, then the whole amount of lunations will be 71365.
lunations
Divide by 12) 71365 (5947 compleat lunar years.
Remains
I lunation.
It appears by this calculation, that the 5947th lunar year of the world,
will end with a full moon, at the diſtance of 1 lunation before the autumnal
equinox A. M. 5770.
If therefore to 71365 lunations, we add 6, to bring it from the autumnal
equinox A. M. 5770, to the vernal equinox A. M. 5771, the fum of the lu-
nations will be 71371, which wants but half a lunation of the given number.
To find the distance of the mean new moon, in days, hours, and minutes, from the
vernal equinox A. M. 5771, either before it or after it.
Before we can determine the moon's diſtance from a given cardinal point,
we muſt firſt ſettle the moment of the fun's ingrefs into that cardinal point,
in the year of the eclipfe, and in the meridian of the Greenwich obfervatory.
Here follows,
A CALCULATION of the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, in which the
fun will enter the first point of aries at Greenwich, A.M. 5771.
ĭ
Multiply
into
M.
D. H.
5770 years of 365 6
II minutes.
D. H. M.
Divide the product by 1440) 63470 (44 1 50, Julian exceſs.
Multiply
into
5770 years
1461 quadrants.
D.
H. M.
Divide the product by 4) 8429970 (2107492 12 00 Julian reduction.
Subſtract the Julian excefs
44 1 50
178 17 58
To the folar trop. red. for o in A.M. 5770, 2107448 10 10 0 in, firft meridian.
Add, to bring it to the vernal eq. A.M. 5771,
1
Add for the meridian of Greenwich
To the fum
To the fum
oo
Add, for October, 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
Sub. the Jul. biff. reduct. of 5771 yrs.-11 d.
Jul. M.D. H. and M. of o in Y, March 19
2107627 4 8 o in V, firft meridian.
IO 24
2107627 14 32
298
2107925 14 32
2107847 00 00
78 14 32 p.m. A.M. 5771, N.S.
It
The Chronology of the World.
231
It appears by theſe calculations, that the fun will come to the vernal equinox
at Greenwich A.M. 5771, on the 19th day of March, N.S. 14 hours, 32 min.
after noon. To this we ſhall ſubjoin,
A CALCULATION of the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, of the mean
new moon, nearest to the vernal equinox, in the fame meridian, A. M. 5771.
The fum total of lunations are 71371.
70,000 lunations give
1,000
300
70
I
I
2
From the fum
Subftract for 49680 lunations
To the remainder
Add, for the meridian of Greenwich,
To the fum
Add, for October, 24 days, oo hours, oo min.
From the fum
Sub. the Jul. biff. reduct. of 5771 yrs.
5771 yrs. 1 d.
Jul. M.D.H. and M. of mean new moon, March 31
From the time of the mean new moon, March
Subſtract the time of the vernal equinox, March
The diſtance of the mean new moon after o in V
Or, if from the days of the lunar reduct. - 1 day
We ſubſtract the days of the folar
Remains the fame diftance after the?
vernal equinox as before
D. H. M. S. Th.
2067140 7 21 40 00
29530 13 49 10 00
8859 4 8 45 00
2067 3 22 2 30
29 12 44 I 45
14 18 22 o oo
2107641 11 47 39 15
I
2107640 11 47 39 15
IO 24
2107640 22 11 39 15
297
2107937 22 11 39 15
2107847
90 22 11 39 15
D. H. M. S. Th.
31 22 II 39 15 p.m.
19 14 32 00 00 p.m.
7 39 39 15
12
D. H. M. S. Th.
2107639 22 11 39 15
2107627 14 32 00 00
12
7 39 39 15
QUERY III. What year of our Lord, according to the vulgar Dionyfian æra,
correfponds aftronomically with the folar tropical year of the world 5771 ?
The CALCULATION.
A.D. 1750 has been proved to be in connection with A.M. 5757; if
therefore we fubftract 1750 from 5757, it will carry it back to A.M. 4007,
which
232
The Chronology of the World.
which anſwers to the year of the vulgar chriſtian æra o, and to the
the Julian period 4713.
year of
From A. M. 5771 ſubſtract A. M. 4007, and the remainder 1764 will be
the year of our Lord, in which there will be obſerved a total eclipfe of
the fun, on the first day of April in the morning; for a proof of this, we
refer to Ferguſon's catalogue of viſible eclipſes from 1700 to 1800.
ven.
H.
A.D. 1764, || April 1. | 10 morn. | total.
Here the middle time of this eclipfe is fet down to the neareſt hour, which
implies, that it will happen after ten o'clock in the morning, and before ele-
Our calculations affign, for the mean time, March 31 d. 22 h. 11 min.
39 fec. 15 thirds, reckoning the hours from noon; but if we would reckon
them from midnight, then add 1 to the days, and ſubſtract 12 from the
hours, and the time will be April 1 d. 10 h. 11 min.
d. 10 h. 11 min. 39 fec. 15 thirds,
morning; from which if we take April 1 day, there will remain, 10 h. II
min. 39 fec. 15 thirds, for the moment of the mean new moon at Greenwich.
Now the mean time muft either fall before the true, or it muſt follow after
it, or it muſt agree with it; and if this eclipfe, according to Ferguſon's geo-
metrical conſtruction of it, ſhould prove to be annular, then it will be cau-
fed by an apogeal new moon; but when the moon is in the point of her
apogee, or near it, the difference between the mean time and the true, will
be very inconfiderable, if any at all; the cauſe of the difference being then
removed.
ཉ་
Should it be found, by a diligent obfervation, that we have nearly
calculated the middle time of this future eclipfe of the fun, in our own me-
ridian, then it will be demonftrably certain, that the calculations were regu-
lated, (1.) By a true ſeries of folar tropical years, and of lunations, from the
autumnal equinox at the creation, to the vernal equinox A. D. 1764. (2.)
By an exact quantity of the folar tropical year, and of a mean lunation. (3.)
By a true meridian diſtance.
To find the time of the mean new moon in April 1764, in a meridian which
lies 6° 30', or 26 minutes of time to the weftward of Greenwich, by
Ferguson's lunar tables, ft edit.
The
The Ghronology of the World.
233
(Moon's mean Sun's mean
motion from
the fun.
anomaly.
Moon's mean ano-
maly.
The times taken out.
S,
S.
O
Ӧ
/S.
Radical year 1761
1
9
20
45 6
Ι
33/10
12
28
Compleat three years
O
28
52 11
29
April
0 17
IO 2
28
14 8 26 10
42 3 5 51
The fum
II
6 47
59
13
4
I d.
Which being fubftracted from
I 2
O
52
II 26
21 h.
Leaves in remainder
0 23 13
2
24
45 m
Motion of 1 day, or next leſs number, ſubſtract
O 12
II 9 I 2211
9 23
And there remains
II
2
H. M.
Motion of 21 hours fubftract
10
4.0
Moon's ann. equation o 21 add.
Moon's ellipt.equation 3 23 ſubſt.
Remains the motion of 45 minutes
o 22 Sun's equation
3 32 add.
D.
H. M.
Mean time of conjunction in April
I
9 45
Which being fubftracted from
April 1 10 11
Leaves a difference in time of
26
To find the time of mean new moon in April 1764, in a meridian which
lies 7° 30', or 30 minutes of time, to the westward of Greenwich, by
Ferguson's lunar tables, 2d edit.
Suns anomaly.
Moon's anom.
D. H.
H. M. S.
S.
O
Mean time of N. M. in March, 1764, N.S.
Add for I lunation
2
23
29 12
Mean new moon, in March
31
21
Which being fubftracted from
31
22
II
Leaves a difference in time of
O
30 Anomaly corrected
Moon's anomaly
8 57
8 2
44 o 29 6
419 I 29
Equat. of M's anom.
Sun's equation +
H. M.
Moon's ann. equation o 22 add.
Moon's ellipt.equation 3 10 fubft.
Sun's equation
3 32 add.
IO
13 32
0 25 49
I I
9 21
-20
I I
9 I
I
56
1
II 10 57
Hh
To
234
The Chronology of the World.
To find the day of the week, correfponding aftronomically with the day of the
vernal equinox A.D. 1764, A.M. 5771.
The CALCULATION.
D.
H. M.
The days of the folar tropical reduction (p. 230) are 2107627 14 32
Reduce the hours to midnight
D.
+1-12
2107628 2 32
Divide by 7) 2107628 (301089 compleat weeks from the fourth day.
Remainder 5 | index 2 | day of the week, Tueſday.
PROOF.
To A.D. 1764, add 9, then divide the fum 1773 by 28, and the remain-
der 9 will give AG for the dominical letters for that year new ſtyle, which
will be a leap year. G then will be dominical, after the 29th of Febru-
ary, and B is the literal character of March 20, which that year will denote
Tueſday, that is, the ſecond day after Sunday exclufive, as it is expreffed by
the index.
We may, upon this occafion, obſerve, that the fun cannot enter the firſt
point of aries, 32 minutes after two in the morning, upon a Tueſday, in the
third year of a quadriennium, in the fame meridian, twice, in less than
10080 years.
To find the day of the week, corresponding aftronomically with the first of April,
on which the fun will fuffer a total eclipſe A. D. 1764, A.M. 5771.
The CALCULATION.
The days of the lunar reduction (p. 231) are
Subſtract, to bring it back from the last to the
first point of the mean new moon day
Reduce the hours to midnight
D.
the}
Remain's
Divide by 7) 2107640 (301091 compleat weeks.
Remainder
D.
I
H. M.
2107640 22 1I
2107639 22 11
+1-12
2107640 10 1I
3 | index 7 day of the week, Sunday.
PROOF,
The Chronology of the World.
235
PROOF.
G was the dominical letter for the month of April 1764, and it is the lite-
ral character of April 1, which was to be proved.
19
Here we may obferve, that if 19 years had been a true cyclic number,
and if the Julian had been the original kalendar of the fame quantity with
the tropical folar, then at the end of every 532 years (the product of
into 28) the fun would have come to the fame degree of aries, on the firſt
of April, on the day of the new moon, upon a Sunday; but in that ſpace
of time, or in the courfe of 28 cycles, the moon will have departed from
the fun, by its progreffion eastwards, more than two days and a quarter; fo
that it may be queftioned, whether this combination of characters has been
exiftent once fince the creation; but it appears by the preceeding calculations,
that theſe coincidences will happen A.D. 1764, and alfo A.M. 5771. The
chronological inference is, that the individual year of our Lord 1764, is in
ſuch an inſeparable connection with the individual folar tropical year of the
world 5771, that it cannot be connected with
any other.
We will now collect, and bring together into one view, that combination
of characters, which we have been calculating.
We fay then, that that eclipfe of the fun which is placed, in the ſcheme,
in the middle of the 71372d lunation, will be obſerved at London,
ift, In the folar tropical year of the world 5771, and about the vernal
equinox of that year.
2dly, In the correfponding year of our Lord 1764, according to the vulgar
Dionyfian æra.
3dly, Upon the first of April, reckoning the hours from midnight.
4thly, Upon a Sunday, the feventh day of the week, regularly computed
from the creation.
5thly, The fun will pafs from the 12th to the 13th degree of aries, upon
the day of the new moon or conjunction.
6thly, The diſtance of the mean new moon after the vernal equinox, will
be 12 d. 7 h. 39 min. 39 fec. 15
thirds.
7thly, The moment of the mean new moon at London, will be 10 h. 11
min. 39 fec. 15 thirds, in the morning; which cannot happen again in the
fame meridian, until 7948800 lunations are compleated; that is, until more
than fix hundred thouſand folar tropical years have revolved.
REMARK I. We have, by thefe calculations, difembarraffed chronology
from 1386 redundant years, inferted hypothetically into the computations
of the Septuagint Greek verfion, in the two firft periods of the world's age;
we call them redundant years, becauſe the fun and moon can never be made
to give their joint atteftations to their truth.
Hh 2
REMARK
236
The Chronology of the World.
REMARK 2. We have demonftrated, by aſtronomical arguments, that
Cainan, the Septuagint fon of Arphaxad, is a furreptitious Poft-diluvian Pa-
triarch, who never had any exiftence; and that not one fingle year, can either
be added to, or fubftracted from, the computations of the prefent Hebrew
text, without diſconcerting the aſtronomy of the whole feries.
To find the folar tropical year of the world, correfponding aftronomically
with the year of our Lord 1764, according to the chronology of the Septu-
agint Greek verfion.
Mr. Jackſon, in his Chronological Antiquities of the Hebrews, zealously
pleads for the chronoloy of the Septuagint Greek verfion, in oppoſition to the
preſent Hebrew text; and page 4, and 29, he thus ftates the fundamental
principles of his ſcheme.
Page 4.
"The two great lights, the fun and moon, appeared in the fir-
"mament of heaven, and alternately enlightned the whole earth, on the
"fourth day of the creation."
<<
Page 29.
"It being proved, that the earth was created at the vernal equi-
nox (in coincidence with a full moon, page 4) the firſt parents of mankind,
"Adam and Eve, were created when the fun entered either the fixth or
"the third degree of aries, (as aftronomers commonly fpeak) or the then
"vernal equinoctial fign, according as we reckon the annual motion of the
"earth to have begun, either on the firft, or on the fourth day of the
creation; fo they were created about the middle of March, in the firft
year of the world, and in the year 5426, before the vulgar chriſtian æra.
"This date of the era of the creation, will be particularly and fully
"proved hereafter;" namely, page 125.
"C
1. From the creation to the flood are computed
2. From the flood to the birth of Abram
3. From thence to the going out of Egypt
41 From thence to the building of the temple
5. From thence to the vulgar Chriftian æra
6. To the fum
7. Add
1
Years.
2256 Jofephus,
Septuagint, and
1072
5051
579 Jackfon.
1013
5425
A. D. 1764
The world's chronology
7189 A.D. 1764.
Now the Septuagint chronologiſt is to prove, by calculation, from the ori-
ginal full moon, in coincidence with the vernal equinox, that a total eclipfe
of
The Chronology of the World.
237
of the fun will be obſerved at London, on the firſt of April, upon a Sunday,
between ten and eleven o'clock in the morning, in the folar tropical year of
the world 7189, in connection with the year of our Lord 1764.
When this can be done, then the chronological computations of the Sep-
tuagint Greek verfion, may claim an equal right to authenticity with thoſe
of the preſent Hebrew text.
Before we propoſe another example, and enter upon another calculation, `it
may be thought neceffary to fay fomething concerning the reaſons which
induced us to reprefent, in the fcheme, the original full moon as totally
and centrally eclipfed; for this, it may be faid, feems quite incongru-
ous, and not at all agreeing with the Mofaic account of God's commanding
the fun and moon, at their creation, to give light upon the earth.
In anſwer to this, we may, it is prefumed, be permitted to deliver our
fentiments and conceptions of theſe primæval points, with the fame freedom
as any other. We apprehend then, that a diftinction is to be made between
the original station of the full moon, and the first appearance of the moon's
orb, to enlighten the earth. According to our conceptions, the orb of the
moon did not make its appearance, untill the evening of the fourth day, full
30 hours after the time of the oppofition; and we fuppofe the original ſta-
tion of the full moon to have been fixed, by the ordination of the Creator,
in ipfiffimis nodis; or, in that point, in which the orbit of the moon interfects
the annual orbit of the earth. So that had the orbs of the fun, moon, and
earth, exiſted, the moon must have fuffered a total and central eclipſe. And
ſhould an eclipſe of the moon happen, under the like circumſtances, in our
age, it would be vifible at London between ten and eleven o'clock at night.
But let this ſtand, at prefent, as an hypothefis; for, whenever the aſtronomers
fhall think it expedient to correct their tables, and that fome correction is ne-
ceffary, we have clearly proved under example 1, they will then be able to
determine, whether the ftation of the original full moon, was in the very
nodes, or not.
EXAMPLE III. A total eclipfe of the moon.
Interval in lunations,
71295
In this ſcheme, we have reprefented to our view, two total eclipfes of the
moon; the latter of which was vifible in the meridian of London.
QUERY I. In what folar tropical year of the world, did the last of these two
eclipfes happen?
The
238
The Chronology of the World.
In 19
folar
The CALCULATION.
years there are 235 lunations.
lunations.
· Divide by 235) 71295 (303 decennoval cycles.
Divide the remainder by 12)
Remain
90 (7 years
6 lunations.
If we multiply 303 cycles into 19, and to the product 5757 add the 7
years in the quotient, the fum will give the folar tropical year of the world
5764; but as there are fix lunations remaining, they will bring it forward
to A. M. 5765
QUERY II. Near what cardinal point, or, at what precife diftance, in days,
hours, and minutes, either before it, or after it, did this eclipfe of the moon
happen, A. M. 5765?
The CALCULATION.
From A. M. 5765, ſubſtract 1, and it will leave in remainder A. M. 5764,
A. M.
Divide by 19) 5764 (303 cycles.
Remain
7 years of the 304th.
Multiply 303 cycles into 235 lunations, and to the product 71205, add
for 7 years 84, and for intercalary months 3, then the whole amount of lu-
nations will be 71292.
lunations
Divide by 12) 71292 (5941 compleat lunar years.
Remainder
Becauſe there is no remainder, we are certified that the 5941ft lunar year
of the world, ended on a full moon evening, within I lunation of the au-
tumnal equinox A. M. 5764; and if from 71295 we fubftract 71292, the
difference will be 3 lunations, which being added to the full moon near to
the autumnal equinox A. M. 5764, will bring it forward to the full moon
near to the winter folftice A. M. 5765.
QUERY III. At what precife distance, in days, hours, and minutes, either
before or after the winter folftice, did this total eclipfe of the moon happen
A. M. 5765?
Before
The Chronology of the World.
239
+
Before we can return a full anſwer to this query, we muſt firſt calculate
the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, in which the fun came to the
winter folftice, in the meridian of the Greenwich obfervatory.
Multiply
into
M.
The CALCULATION.
5764 years of 365 days, 6 hours
II minutes
D. H. M.
Divide the product by 1440) 63404 (44 00 44 Julian excels.
Multiply
into
5764 years
1461 quadrants.
Divide the product by 4) 8421204
Subftract the Julian excefs
To the folar trop. reduction A.M. 5764
Add, to bring it to the winter folftice,
A. M. 5765,
To the fum
Add, for the meridian of Greenwich,
To the fum
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
D.
H. M.
(2105301 00 oo Julian reduction.
44 00 44
J
2105256 23 16 o in, 1ft merid.
89 15 57
2105346 15 13 o in vs, 1ft merid.
IO 24
2105347 1 37
298
2105645 I 37
Subſt, the Jul. reduct. of 5764 yrs. -11d. 2105290
Jul. M.D. A. and M. of o in vs, A.M. 5765
December 21,
5765}
355 I 37
It appears, by theſe calculations, that the fun came to the winter folftice
at Greenwich A, M. 5765, on the 21ft day of December new ftyle, 37
nutes paſt one o'clock in the afternoon. To which we ſhall ſubjoin,
mi-
A CALCULATION of the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, of the mean full
moon near to the winter folftice, A. M. 5765, in the fame meridian.
The fum total of lunations are 71295.
70,000
240
The Chronology of the World.
70,000 lunations, give
1,000
200
90
5
From the fum
Subſtract, for 49680 lunations.
To the remainder
Add, for the meridian of Greenwich,
To the fum
Add, for October, 24 d. oo h. oo min.
From the fum
Subſt. the Jul. redu&t. of 5765 years, -11 d.
Jul. m.d.h.and m. of m.F.M.A.M.5765, Jan.
Reduce the hours to Midnight
ว
January
-D.
H. M. S. Th.
2067140 7 21 40
29530 13 49 10
5906 2 45 50
2657 18 2 37 30
147 15 40
8 45
2105382 9 39 26 15
I
2105381 9 39 26 15
IO 24
2105381 20
297
3 26 15
2105678 20
3 26 15
23 20
3 26 15 p.m.
2105655
+ 1-12
24 8 3 26 15 P.M.N.
It appears, by thefe calculations, that the mean time of this eclipfed full
moon happened at Greenwich, A. M. 5765, 15 thirds, 26 feconds, and
minutes, after 8 o'clock in the morning, on the 24th day of January.
3
To find the precife distance, in days, hours, and minutes, of this mean full moon
after the winter folftice.
To January 23, add the 31 days of December, and the fum will be 54
days.
From
Subft. the time of the folftice,
Diſtance of the mean F. M. after in vs
D. H. M. S. Th.
54 20 3 26 15
18 26 26 15
December
21
I 37
33
D.
H. M. S. Th.
Or, from the days of the lunar reduct.-1 d. 2105380´20
Subft. the days of the tropical folar
Remains the fame diſtance as before
2105347
3 26 15
I 37
33 18 26 26 15
QUERY
The Chronology of the World.
241
QUERY IV. What year of our Lord, computed from the vulgar æra, falls in
with the nine laſt months of the folar tropical year of the world 5765?
The CALCULATION.
From AM. 5765, ſubſtract A. M. 4007, and it will leave in remainder
A. D. 1758, terminating at the autumnal equinox.
The PROOF.
In Ferguſon's catalogue of vifible eclipfes from 1700 to 1800, we find
the following account.
A. D. 1758 | | January 24 | 7 h. morn. I total. [
QUERY V. What day of the week correfponds aftronomically with the 24th
day of January A. D. 1758, A. M. 5765?
The CALCULATION.
From the days of the lunar reduction
Subftract, to bring it back from the last to2
the firſt point of the mean full moon day S
to}
D.
H. M.
2105382 8 3 P.M. N.
I
2105381 8 3
Rernains
Divide by 7) 2105381
Remainder
5
(300768 compleat weeks from the 4th day.
index 2 | Tueſday.
The PROOF.
The dominical letter for A. D. 1758, new ſtyle, was A; the literal cha-
racter of January 24 is C; which that year denoted Tueſday, which is the
fecond day after Sunday exclufive, and fo it is expreffed by the index.
We will now collect together that combination of characters which indi-
vidually connect the year of our Lord 1758, with the folar tropical year of
the world 5765.
We fay then, that that total eclipfe of the moon, which, in the ſcheme,
is placed at the end of the 71295th lunation, was obſerved at London,
ift, In the folar tropical year of the world 5765, between ſeven and eight
o'clock in the morning.
2dly, In the year of our Lord 1758, according to the vulgar æra.
3dly, Upon the 24th day of January, reckoning the hours from midnight.
I i
4thly,
242
The Chronology of the World.
4thly, Upon a Tueſday, the fecond day after Sunday exclufive.
5thly, In that year, the fun paffed from the third to the fourth degree of
aquarius, upon the day of an eclipfed full moon.
6thly, The precife diſtance of the mean full moon, after the winter folftice,
was 33 d. 18 h. 26 min. 26 fec. 15 thirds.
7thly, The moment of the mean full moon, in the meridian of London,
was 8 h. 3 min. 26 fec. 15 thirds, morning.
Here we may obferve, that the purpoſes of chronology do not require us
to calculate this whole combination of characters, in order to afcertain the
connection between the two years; we need only try to compute, in what
determinate ſpace of time, the fun will again paſs from the third to the
fourth degree of aquarius, on the day of an eclipfed full moon, viſible at
London, in the firſt year of a quadriennium, upon a Tueſday, as it came to
paſs A. D. 1758, A.M. 5765.
To find the folar tropical year of the world corresponding aftronomically with
the year of our Lord 1758, according to the chronological computations of
the Septuagint Greek verfion.
The CALCULATION.
To A. M. 5425, add 1758, and the fum 7183, will be the folar tropical
year of the world, according to the chronology of the Septuagint Greek ver-
fion, as ſtated and explained by the author of the chronological antiquities of
the Hebrews.
Now the Septuagint chronologiſt is to prove, by calculation, from the ori-
ginal full moon, in coincidence with the vernal equinox, that a total eclipſe
of the moon happened, in the meridian of London, on the 24th day of Ja-
nuary, upon a Tueſday, between feven and eight o'clock in the morning,
(whoſe mean time was 8 h. 3 min. 26 fec. 15 thirds) in the folar tropical year
of the world 7183, in connection with A. D. 1758. And he ought to
prove this, according to the mean time, by calculation, from his original and
fundamental principles, ere he prefumes to fet up the Greek text of the Sep-
tuagint verſion, in oppofition to the Maforete Hebrew verity, in the article of
chronology.
EXAMPLE IV. A total and central eclipfe of the fun.
Interval in lunations,
707661 0.
In this ſcheme, we have a total and central eclipſe of the fun, obſerved
in the meridian of London, at the diftance of 70766 lunations and a half,
from
The Chronology of the World.
243
from a total and central eclipfe of the moon, as we have fuppofed, by a
prolepfis, or anticipation.
From theſe data we are to give an anſwer to the feveral queries enfuing.
QUERY I. In what folar tropical year of the world, did that total and
central eclipfe of the fun happen, in the meridian of London, which, in the
Scheme, is placed in the middle of the 70767th lunation, brought down from
the original radix?
The CALCULATION.
In 19 folar years there are 235 lunations.
lunations
Divide by 19) 70766 (301 decennoval cycles,
Divide the remainder by 12)
Remain
31 (2 years.
7 lunations.
Multiply 301 cycles into 19, and to the product 5719, add the 2 years
in the quotient, and the fum will give A. M. 5721 ; but as there are 7 lu-
nations remaining, they will bring it forward to A. M. 5722.
QUERY II. Near what cardinal point did this eclipfe of the fun happen,
A. M. 5722?
The CALCULATION.
From A. M. 5722 fubftract 1, and it will leave in remainder A. M. 5721.
A. M.
Divide by 19) 5721 (301 cycles.
Remain
Multiply 301 cycles into 235,
2 years of the 302d.
and to the product 70735, add for 2 years
24, and the whole amount of lunations will be 70759.
lunations
Divide by 12) 70759 (5896 compleat lunar
Remain
7 lunations.
years.
From hence it appears, that the 5896th lunar year of the world, ended with
a full moon evening, at the diſtance of 7 lunations before the autumnal equi-
nox A. M. 5721; if, therefore, to 70759 we add 6 lunations, the fum
70765 will bring it forward to the full moon evening, neareſt to the vernal
equinox A. M. 5722.
Ii 2
From
244
The Chronology of the World.
From 70767 ſubſtract 70765, and the remainder will fhew, in anſwer to
query 2, that this eclipfe of the fun, happened in the middle of the fecond
lunation after the vernal equinox A. M. 5722.
QUERY III. At what precife diſtance, in days, hours, and minutes, after the
vernal equinox, did the mean time of that new moon fall, which caufed a
total eclipfe of the fun, visible in the meridian of London, A. M. 5722 ?
The folution of this query will require us, as in the preceeding examples,
to determine the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, in which the fun
entered the firſt point of aries, A. M. 5722, in the meridian of the Green-
wich obſervatory.
The CALCULATIOŇ.
From A.M. 5722 fubſtract 1, and it will give A.M. 5721.
Multiply
into
ж
M.
5721 years of 365 d. 6 h.
II minutes.
D. H. M.
Divide the product by 1440) 62931 (43 18 31 Julian exceſs.
Multiply
into
5721 years
1461 quadrants
D.
H. M.
Divide the product by 4) 8358381 (2089595 6 00 Jul. reduction.
Subſtract the Julian excefs
To the folar trop. reduction, A.M.5721,
Add, to bring it to the vern.equin. A.M.5722,
To the fum
Add, for the meridian diſtance
To the fum
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
1
43 18 3 I
2089551 11 29 in,1ftmerid.
178 17 58.
2089730 5 27 o inr, 1ft merid.
10 24
2089730 15 51
298
2090028 15 51
Subſtract the Jul. reduction of 5722 years 2089960
Jul.M.D.H.and M.of o in v,AM. 5722, Mar.9,
4
68 15 51 O. Style.
From theſe calculations it appears, that A. M. 5722, the fun came to the
vernal equinox, at Greenwich, on the 9th day of March O.S. 15 h. 51 min.
after noon; but if we would reckon the hours from midnight, we muſt fay,
March 10 d. 51 min. after three in the morning. To this we ſhall fubjoin,
A CAL-
The Chronology of the World.
245
A CALCULATION of the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, of the mean new
which was the next but one after the vernal equinox A. M. 5722.
moon,
The fum total of lunations are 70766%.
70,000 lunations give
7༠༠
60
6
D.
H. M. S. Th.
La
From the fum
Subſtract for 49680 lunations
To the remainder
Add for the meridian diſtance
To the fum
Add for October 24 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
Subft. the Jul. reduction of 5722 years
Reduce the hours to midnight
April 21
Jul. M.D. H. and M. of m. N. M. April 22,
2067140 7 21 40 00
20671 9 40 25 00
1771 20 I 45 00
177. 4 24 10 30
14 18 22 00 00
2089775 11 50 00 30
I
2089774 11 50 00 30
10 24
2089774 22 14 00 30
297
2090071 22 14 00 30
2089960
*
III 22 14 00 30
+1-12
10 14 00 30
To find the precife distance, in days, hours, and minutes, of this mean new moon
after the vernal equinox, A. M. 5722.
The CALCULATION.
To April 21, add the 31 days of March, and the fum will be 52 days.
From
Subft. the time of the vernal equin. March
Diſtance of mean N. M. after o in,
D. H. M. S. Th.
52 22 14 00 30
9 15 51
43
6 23 00 30
D.
H. M. S. Th.
Or, from the days of the lunar reduction -1 d. 2089773 22 14 00 30
Subftract the days of the tropical folar
2089960 15 51
Remains the fame diftance as before
43 6 23 00 30
From
246
The Chronology of the World.
¿
From 43 days fubftract 30, for the fign aries, and there will remain the
13th degree of taurus, for the place of the fun.
To find the year of our Lord corresponding aftronomically with the folar tropical
year of the world 5722.
The CALCULATION.
From A.M. 5722 ſubſtract A. M. 4007, and the remainder 1715, will
be the correſponding year of our Lord.
The PROOF.
In Ferguſon's catalogue of vifible eclipfes from 1700 to 1800, we meet
with the following account.
A.D. 1715 | |
101
May 3, new ftyle 9h. morn.
April 22, old ſtyle
I
total.
To find the day of the week correfponding aftronomically with the 22d day of
April, A. M. 5722, A. D. 1715.
The CALCULATION.
From the days of the lunar reduction
D.
2089774 22 14
H. M.
they
Subſtract, to bring it back from the laſt to the
firſt point of the new moon day
Reduce the hours to midnight
I
2089773 22 14
+1-12
2089774 10 14
Divide by 7) 2089774 (298539 weeks.
Remainder
|
1 index 5 | Friday.
The PROOF.
The Dominical letter for A. D. 1715, old ftyle, was B; the literal character
of April 22 is G, which that year denoted Friday, the 5th day after Sunday
exclufive, as it is expreffed by the index.
An enumeration of the calculated characters.
We fay then, that that eclipfe of the fun, which, in the ſcheme, is pla-
ced in the middle of the 70767th lunation, was obſerved at London,
ぜ
​Ift,
The Chronology of the World.
247
ift, In the folar tropical year of the world 5722.
2dly, In the year of our Lord 1715, according to the vulgar æra.
3dly, On the 22d day of April O.S. reckoning the hours from midnight.
4thly, Upon a Friday, the fifth day after Sunday excluſive.
5thly, In that year the fun paffed from the 13th to the 14th degree of
taurus, on the day of the moon's conjunction.
6thly, The preciſe diſtance of the mean new moon after the vernal equi-
nox, was 43 d. 6 h. 23 min. 00
oo fec.
30 thirds.
7thly, The mean time of the new moon at London, was 14 min. oo fec.
and 30 thirds, paft 10 o'clock in the morning.
Both Dr. Halley and Mr. Whifton publiſhed geometrical ſchemes of this
eclipſe before it happened, and they differ in their determinations of the time
9 or 10 minutes.
According to Mr. Whifton's calculations, the middle of it, in common time,
was April 22 d. 9 h. 51 min. nearly; our calculated mean time is April 22 d.
10 h. 14 min. fo that the difference between the mean time of that new moon,
and the true, was about 23 minutes; and as the mean time followed about
23 minutes after the true, and the calculation was made through a long
ſeries of more than 70,700 lunations, I cannot fee what arguments the
aſtronomers can make ufe of, which may induce any one to believe, that the
moon, by an acceleration of her mean motion, performs her circulations
round the earth, in a lefs fpace of time now, than it did in the primitive
ages of the world.
But may not fuch hypotheſes be more properly refolved into the want of
exactneſs in the tabular radical numbers, and the tabular meaſures; eſpeci-
ally when the tables are applied to the calculation of antient eclipfes, which
were obſerved and recorded, fome of them, at the diſtance of more than
2000 years from the preſent times; in fo large an interval, a ſmall tabular
error will encreaſe into a ſenſible quantity.; and that this is the real ſtate of the
cafe, we ſhall prove as we proceed.
Many may remember to have feen this remarkable eclipfe of the fun
(which will diftinguiſh the first year of the reign of his late majefty George I.
from all other years paft, prefent, or to come) A. D. 1715, on the 22d day
of April, upon a Friday, between nine and ten o'clock in the morning, in
our meridian; but few or none fufpected that it happened in the folar tro-
pical year of the world 5722. And if the Septuagint chronologift can con-
nect his Septuagint year of the world, with that year of our Lord, by means
* "Et collatis quidem obfervationibus eclipfium Babylonicis cum iis Albategnii & cum ho-
"diernis, Halleius nofter motum medium lunæ cum motu diurno terræ collatum, paulatim accele-
"rari, primus omnium, quod fciam, deprehendit."- Newton's Princip. 1. iii. prop. 42.
of
A
i
248
The Chronology of the World.
of this folar eclipfe, then it muſt be allowed, that by fuch calculation, the
paſt duration of the preſent ſtate of things, will be rendered precarious and
uncertain.
+
EXAMPLE V. A total eclipfe of the fun.
Interval in lunations,
423324 0.
4
We have here fet down, from the calculations of the aftronomers, for wẹ
do not find it inſerted in the catalogue, a very fignal eclipfe of the fun;
its diſtance from the original full moon is, by the fcheme, 42332 lunations
and a half.
QUERY I. In what folar tropical year of the world, did this eclipse of the
fun happen?
The CALCULATION.
In 19 folar years
there are 235 lunations.
Divide by 235)
42332
(180 decennoval cycles,
Divide the remainder by 12)
32
(2 years of the 181ft.
•
Remain
8 lunations.
Multiply 180 cycles into 19, and to the product 3420, add the 2 years
in the quotient, and it will give A. M. 3422; the remaining 8 lunations will
bring it forward to A. M. 3423.
QUERY II. Near what cardinal point did that new moon happen, which caufed
a folar eclipfe A. M. 3423?
The CALCULATION,
A. M.
Divide by 19)
3422 (180 cycles.
2 years of the 181ft.
Remain
Multiply 180 cycles into 235 lunations, and to the product 42300, add
for the 2 remaining years 24, and the whole amount of lunations will be
42324.
Divide by 12) 42324 (3527 lunar years.
Remainder
O
It
The Chronology of the World.
249
It appears from Irence, that the 3527th lunar year of the world, ends with
a full moon evening, nearest to the autumnal equinox A. M. 3422. If,
therefore, we add 6 lunations, the fum 42330 will bring it forward to a full
moon evening neareſt to the vernal equinox A. M. 3423.
From 42332 lunations, fubftract 42330, and the remainder will fhew, that
this folar eclipfe happened in the middle of the third lunation, computed
from full moon to full moon, after the vernal equinox A. M. 3423.
QUERY III. At what precife distance, in days, hours, and minutes, after the
vernal equinox, did that mean new moon happen, which cauſed an eclipfe of the
fun, A. M. 3423 ?
The folution of this query will require us, firft, to determine the Julian
month, day, hour, and minute, in which the fun came to the vernal equinox,
in the meridian of the Greenwich obfervatory, in the year of the world 3423.
The CALCULATION.
From A. M. 3423 fubftract 1, and it will give A. M. 3422.
3422 years of 365 d. 6 h.
II minutes.
D. H. M.
37642 (26 3 22 Julian excefs.
Multiply
into
M.
Divide the product by 1440)
Multiply
into
Divide the product by 4)
Subſtract the Julian excefs
4999542
3422 years
1461 quadrants.
To the folar trop. reduct.for o in,AM.3422,
Add,to bring it to the vern. equin. A.M.3423,
To the fum
Add, for the meridian diſtance,
To the fum
oo
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
Subft. the Jul. biſſext. reduct, of 3423 years
D.
H. M.
(1249885 12 00 Jul. reduction.
26 3 22
Jul.M.D.H.and M.ofo in r,at Greenw.Mar.26,
K k
1249859 8 38oin, 1ft merid,
178 17 58
1250038 2 36
IO 24
1250038 13 00
298
1250336 13 00
1250251
85 13 00 p.m.A.M.3423.
From
250
The Chronology of the World.
From thefe calculations it appears, that the fun came to the vernal equi-
nox at Greenwich A. M. 3423, on the 26th day of March, 13 hours after
but if we would reckon the hours from midnight, we muft fay, on
the 27th day of March, at one o'clock in the morning, minutes oo.
this we ſhall fubjoin,
noon;
To
A CALCULATION of the Julian month, day, hour, and minute of that mean
new moon, which happened in the middle of the third lunation, after the ver-
nal equinox A. M. 3423,
The fum total of lunations are 42332.
40,000 lunations give
1
2,000
300
30
2
D. H. M. S. Th.
1181223 00 46 40 00
59061 3 38 20 00
8859 4 8 45 00
885 22 00 52 30
3 30
ร
From the fum
Subſtract for 117 triacontaeterids, or
triacontacterids, or
for 20 hours, 28 minutes
To the remainder
Add, for the meridian diftance,
To the fum
Add, for October 24 d. oo h. oo min.
From the fum
Subſt. the Jul.biffext. reduct. of 3423 yrs.
Jul. M. D.H. and M.of m. N.M. May 28,
59 1 28
14
18 22 00 00
1250103
2 24 41 00
I
1250102
2 24 41
IO 24
1250102 12 48 41
297
1250399 12 48 41
1250251
148 12 48 41 p.m.A.M.3423.
To find the diſtance of this mean new moon after the vernal equinox.
The CALCULATION.
To May 28 add 61, for the 31 days of March, and the 30 days of April,
and the fum will be 89 days.
1
From
The Chronology of the World.
251
From
Subſt, the time of the vern. equinox, May
Diſtance of mean new moon fought
D. H. M. S.
89 12 48 41
26 13
62 23 48 41
Or, from the days of the lunar reduction, -1 day,
Subſtract the days of the tropical ſolar
Remains the fame diſtance as before
D. H. M. S.
1250101 12 48 41
1250038 13
62 23 48 41
To find the year before Chrift, or the vulgar chriftian ara, which corresponds
aftronomically with A. M. 3423.
The CALCULATION.
From the Julian year of the world 4008, fubftract the folar tropical year
of the world 3423, and the remainder 585 will be the Julian year fought.
To find the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, in which the fun came to the
vernal equinox, in the Julian year before Chriſt 585.
The CALCULATION.
The year before Chrift 585, was a biffextile year, fo alfo was A. D. 1752.
which is in connection with A. M. 5759, from which ſubſtract A. M. 3423,
and it will leave an interval of 2336 years, whofe Julian exceſs is 17 d. 20 h.
16 min.
D. H. M.
8 16
17 20 16
44 O. S.
A. D. 1752, the fun entered aries at Greenwich, March
Add, for the Julian excefs, or retroceffion,
Jul. M. D. H. and M. of o in V, as before p. 249, March 26 13 00 p.m.
From this calculation it appears, that the year before Chrift 585, is in a
true aſtronomical connection with A. M. 3423.
To find the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, in which the mean new
moon happened in the middle of the third lunation after the vernal equi-
nox, in the year before Chrift 585.
The CALCULATION.
A. D. 1715 the fun was totally eclipfed upon the 22d day of April O.S.
in the folar tropical year of the world 5722. From the creation to that
Kk 2
new
}
252
The Chronology of the World.
new moon we computed 70766 lunations, which produced 2089774 d. 22 h.
14 min. 00 fec. 30 th. we will make ufe of this reduction as a radix, from
which to compute backwards to the year before Chrift 585.
co
From 707661 lunations, fubftract 423321, and it will leave in remainder
28434.
20,000 lunations give
8,000
D.
H. M. S. Th.
400
30
4
Sum total
590611 12 23 20 00
236244 14 33 20 00
11812 5 31 40 00
885 22 00 52 30
118 2 56 7 00
839672
From the ſubſtituted radix
Subſtract the reduction of 28434 lunations.
From the remainder
Subſtract the reduction of 42332% lunations
Difference
9 25 19 30
D.
H. M. S. Th.
2089774 22 14 00.30
839672 9 25 19 30
1250102 12 48 41 00
1250102 12 48 41 00
O
It appears again, from theſe calculations, that the year before Chrift 585, is
in a true aftronomical connection with A. M. 3423.
+
Here let it be particularly noted, that whether we compute from the
creation downwards, through a ſeries of 42332% lunations, to the year be-
fore Chrift 585; or from A.D. 1715, through a ſeries of 28434 lunations,
backwards to the fame year, the Julian ftation of the mean new moon will
be, in both caſes, May 28 d. 12 h. 48 min. 41 fec. at Greenwich.
This is very remarkable and very fingular, becauſe no lunar tables extant
can produce fuch coincidence.
We will, for experiments fake, calculate both ways, by thoſe tables which
affign 29 d. 12 h. 44 min. 2 fec. 53 th. for the quantity of a mean lunation.
Firſt, We will calculate downwards through a feries of 42332 lunations.
40,000 lunations give
2,000
300
30
2
ร
From the fum
2
D. H. M. S. Th.
1181223 13 22 13 20
59061 4 16 6 40
8859 4 14 25 00
885 22 1 26 30
59 I 28 5 46
14 18 22 00 00
1250102 15 44 17 16
2 24 41 00 p.250.
Subſt. the reduct. by 29d. 12 h. 44 min. 1 fec. 45 th. 1250102
The fum of the excefs
13 19 36 16
To
The Chronology of the World.
253
D. H. M S. Th.
To the calculated time of the m. new moon, May 28 12 48 41 00 p.m.
Add the exceſs of the tabular meaſure
Tabular time by a computation downwards, May 29
13 19 36 16
2 8 17 16 p. m.
Secondly, We will calculate, by the fame lunar tables, from the ſubſti-
tuted radix backwards, through a ſeries of 28434 lunations.
20,000 lunations give
8,000
400
30
4
From the fum
I
D. H. M. S. Th.
590611 18 41
6 40
236244 17 4 26 40
11812 5 39 13 20
885 22
22 I 26
118 2 56 11 32
30
839672 18 22 24 42
Subft, the reduct. by 29 d. 12 h. 44 min, 1 fec. 45 th. 839672 9 25 19 30
The excess of the tabular meaſure
From the ſubſtituted radix
Subſtract the tabular reduction
Remains the tabular time of mean N. M.
D.
857
57 5 12
H. M. S. Th.
2089774 22 14 00 30
839672 18 22 24 42
1250102 3 51 35 48
D. H. M. S. Th.
3 51 35 48 p.m.
8 57 5 12
To May
28
28 12 48 41 00
Add the excefs of the tabular meaſure
The calculated time,
May
The preſent point of enquiry is not, whether we have rightly determined,
in a given meridian, the mean time of that new moon which caufed a folar
eclipſe, on the 28th of May, in the year 585 before Chrift; but the queſtion
to be folved is this, namely, how comes it to paſs, that when a calculation
is made both ways, by thoſe tables which affign 29 d. 12 h. 44 min. 2 ſec.
th. inſtead of a coincidence, as in the preceeding calculation, the tabular
times fall in two different days of the month, at the diſtance of more than
22 hours from each other; for from May 29 d. 2 h. 8 min. fubftract May
28 d. 3 h. 51 min. and it will leave in remainder 22 h. 17 min.
53
This coincidence of the times, by a calculation made both ways, is a
circumſtance which merits the regard and careful examination of the aftro-
nomical
254
The Chronology of the World.
1
nomical reader, as it is an undeniable teſt of all the tables which can
be pro-
duced; for it requires fuch a mathematical exactnefs in the radix, and in the
quantity of a mean lunation, that the minute error of no more than one
third of time in the tabular meaſure, multiplied into the fum total of luna-
tions, will obftruct the obtaining it, as any one may be convinced who will
give himſelf the trouble to make the experiment.
From hence we diſcover, that when an ancient eclipſe of the fun or of the
moon, at the diſtance of 2000 years paft, or more, is calculated by the tables,
the equations, inftead of correcting the mean time, only correct in part
the excess of the tabular meaſure; and by this means it is rendered uncertain,
whether the mean time of a new moon, or full moon, comes before or follows
after the true, and confequently, whether the equations must be added or
ſubſtracted, which creates a hazard of their being caufed to fall ſometimes,
nay, they are frequently cauſed to fall, on the wrong fide.
Suppoſe it was required to calculate the hour and minute in which this
eclipfe of the fun might have been obſerved in our meridian, at the diſtance
of 2299 years from A. D. 1715, by thofe lunar tables which affign 29 d.
12 h. 44 min. 3 fec. 20 th. for the quantity of a mean lunation, as it was
computed by Ptolemy, and is ftill by the Jews.
The fum of the lunations is 28434, and, in that interval, the exceſs of
the tabular meaſure will be encreaſed into 11 h. 3 min. 28 fec.
D. H. M. S.
From the calculated time, May 28 12 48 41 p.m.
Subftract the excefs of the tabular meaſure
I I 3 28
Remains the tabular mean time,
Add for the equations
May 28
I 45 13 p.m.
2 18 29
Tabular true time of new moon,
May
May 28
4 4 42 p.m. London.
A
very
Upon principles, in a very near agreement with thefe, I meet with this
calculation of that eclipfe of the fun, which happened in the year before
Chrift 585; in the mean while, no lefs than 8 h. 44 min 59 fec. must be
fubftracted from May 28 d. 12 h. 48 min. 41 fec. to have caufed the eclipſe
to have been obferved, at that hour, and minute, at London. I only men
tion this to fhew, that in the calculation of this eclipfe, the equations muft
be fubftracted, and not added.
To find the fun's longitude from the first point of aries, on the 28th day of May,
in the year before Chrift 585, A. M. 3423.
The
The Chronology of the World.
255
The CALCULATION.
If the earth's annual orbit be divided by nature into 360 degrees, then
the following diftribution of the 12 figns, by which we compute the fun's
place, muſt be deemed unnatural.
I
II!
III
IV
V
VI1
VS
*
Days 30 Days
30 Days
30 Days
30 Days
30 Days 30
Deg. 30 Deg.
30 Deg.
30 Deg.
30 Deg.
30 Deg.
30
VII
ԴՐ
VIII
IX
X
IX
XII Sum total.
୪
II
રી
m
Deg. 30 Deg.
Days 30 Days
30 Deg.
30 Days
30 Days
30 Days
30 Days
30 Days
30 Days
35 Days 365
30 Deg. 30 Deg.
30 Deg.
30 Deg.
30 Deg.
35j Deg. 365
In whatever terms we may denominate the fun's longitude, or diſtance, from
a cardinal point, it is certain, that the moon's mean conjunction with the fun,
on the 28th day of May, in the year before Chrift 585, A. M. 3423, fell
on the 63d day after the moment of the vernal equinox; from which if we
throw off 60 for two whole figns, namely, aries and taurus, there will re-
main the third degree of gemini for the fun's place; and this computation
is fo intelligible, that it requires no explanation.
I have ſeen an aſtronomical calculation, which refers the fun's place on this
day to 29° 43' 17", but it ſeems to be defective.
Ŏ
To find the day of the week corresponding aftronomically with the 28th day of
May, in the year before Chrift 585, A. M. 3423.
The CALCULATION.
The days of the lunar reduction (p. 250) are, 1250102
Subſt. to bring it back from the laſt to the?
firſt point of the mean new moon day,
Divide the remainder by 7)
Remainder
I
1250101 (178585 weeks.
The PROOF.
6 | index 3 | Wedneſday.
The year before Chrift 585, falls in with the year of the Julian period
4129, which being divided by 28, leaves in remainder 13, which gives F E
FE
for
256
The Chronology of the World.
for the dominical letters, of which E is dominical for the month of May;
the literal character of May 28 is A, which that year denoted Wedneſday,
the third day after Sunday exclufive, as it is expreffed by the index.
To find the Olympiad, and the year of that Olympiad, which ended at the
Jummer folftice in the Julian year before Chrift 585, and in the folar tro-
pical year of the world 3423.
The CALCULATION.
From A. M. 3423, fubftract A. M. 3232, and it will leave in remainder
191 years; which being divided by 4, will give in the quotient 47 com-
pleat Olympiads, and three years over; which fhews, that this folar eclipſe
was obſerved in the 3d year of the 48th Olympiad.
To find the year of the Nabonafarean ara, whofe Thoth will be found in the
before Chrift 585, A. M. 3423,
The CALCULATION,
year
From A. M. 3423, ſubſtract A. M. 3260, and the remainder 163, will
be the year of the Nabonaſarean æra fought.´
To find the Egyptian month, and day of the month, anfwering to the 28th day
of May, in the year before Chrift 585, A. M. 3423.
The CALCULATION.
Divide the year of the Nabonafarean æra 163 by 4, then ſubſtract the
quotient 40 from 57, and it will give January 17 for the Thoth of that year;
to January 16, add for the months Thoth, Paophi, Athyr, and Choiac, 120
days, and it will bring it down to the 136th day after the kalends of Ja-
nuary, or to the 16th day of May; from May 28 ſubſtract 16, and it will
leave the 12th day of Tybi, which is the fifth month of the Egyptian year.
An enumeration of the chronological characters.
We fay then, that that eclipſe of the fun, which, in the ſcheme, is pla-
ced in the middle of the 42333d lunation, happened,
Ift, In the folar tropical year of the. world 3423.
2dly, In the Julian year before the vulgar chriftian æra 585.
3dly, On the 28th day of May, in the Julian kalendar extended fo far back.
4thly,
The Chronology of the World.
257
4thly, On the 12th day of the Egyptian month Tybi.
5thly, In the 163d year of the Nabonafarean æra.
6thly, Olympiad xlviii. 3.
7thly, Upon a Wedneſday, the third day after Sunday exclufive.
8thly, The fun in that year, according to our diftribution of the 12 figns,
paffed from the third to the fourth degree of gemini, on the day of the
moon's conjunction.
9thly, The diſtance of the mean new moon after the vernal equinox, was,
62 d. 23 h. 48 min. 41 fec.
Iothly, The moment of the mean new moon, in the meridian of Greenwich,
was, May 28 d. 12 h. 48 min. 41 fec. p. m.
HISTORICAL SYNCHRONISMS.
I. This eclipſe of the fun happened, in the fourth year after the confla-
gration of Solomon's temple, and the deſtruction of the city of Jerufalem,
by the Babylonians.
In this very year, Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard to Nebuchadnezzar,
carried away captive the poor remains of Judah and Ifrael, amounting in the
whole to no more than 745 perfons, Jer. lii, 30.
II. In the fifteenth year of the captivity of king Jeconiah at Babylon.
III. In the beginning of the 137th year of the captivity of the ten tribes,
by Salmanefer king of Affyria.
IV. In the 23d year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon,
according to the fcripture computation, and in the 21ft, according to
Ptolemy's canon.
V. In the 22d year of the Babyloniſh captivity,
VI. In the tenth year of the reign of Aftyages, the fon of Cyaxeres, king
of Media,
To find the year of the world anfwering to the year before Chrift 585, accor-
ding to the computations of the Septuagint Greek verfion.
In the interval from the creation, to the 70th year of Terah, the father of
Abram, there are inferted, in the Greek text, 1386 redundant years.
1
To
Add
A. M. 3423
1386
The Septuagint year of the world 4809
L 1
Now
258
The Chronology of the World.
Now the Septuagint chronologift is to prove, by calculation from the ori-
ginal full moon, in coincidence with the vernal equinox, that an eclipſe of
the fun happened on the 28th day of May, upon a Wedneſday, in the folar tro-
pical year of the world 4809, in connection with the year before Chrift 585.
EXAMPLE VI. A total eclipfe of the fun.
Interval in lunations,
421091 0.
We have here a much more diſtinguiſhed eclipſe of the fun than the pre-
ceeding one, at the diſtance of 42109 lunations and a half from the original
full moon; we have ſeen very elaborate calculations of this eclipfe, and it is
inſerted in the catalogue.
QUERY I. In what folar tropical year of the world was this folar eclipfe obferved?
The CALCULATION.
In. 19 folar years there are 235 lunations.
lunations.
Divide by 235) 42109 (179 decennoval cycles.
Divide the remainder by 12)
44 (3 years of the 180th.
Remain
8 lunations.
Multiply 179 cycles into 19, and to the product 3401, add the 3 years
in the quotient, the fum will be A. M. 3404, ending at the autumnal equi-
nox; but the remaining 8 lunations will bring it forward to A. M. 3405.
QUERY II. Near what cardinal point, did that new moon happen, which cauſed
a folar eclipfe A. M. 3405?
The CALCULATION.
A. M.
Divide by 19) 3404 (179 cycles
Remain
3 years of the 180th.
Multiply 179 into 235 lunations, and to the product 42065, add for 3
years 36, and to the fum 42101, add for intercalary months 1, then the
whole amount of lunations will be 42102.
Divide
The Chronology of the World.
259
Divide by 12) 42102 (3508 lunar years.
Remain
6 lunations.
It appears from hence, that the 3508th lunar year of the world ended
with a full moon evening, at the diſtance of fix lunations before the autum-
nal equinox A.M. 3404. If to the ſum of the lunations 42102, we add 6,
they will make 42108, and the laſt of them will terminate with a full moon
evening neareſt to the vernal equinox A. M. 3405. From 421091 ſubſtract
42108, and the remainder will fhew, that this folar eclipfe happened in the
middle of the fecond lunation after the vernal equinox A. M. 3405.
To find the precife diftance, in days, hours, and minutes, of this new moon after
the vernal equinox A. M. 3405.
First, We muſt calculate the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, in
which the fun entered the firſt point of aries, at Greenwich, in the given year.
The CALCULATION.
From A. M. 3405 fubftract 1, and it will give A. M. 3404.
Multiply
into
M.
3404 years of 365 days, 6 hours,
II minutes.
D. H. M.
Divide the product by 1440) 37444 (26 00 4, Julian exceſs.
Multiply
into
3404 years
1461 quadrants.
D.
H. M.
Divide the product by 4) 4973244 (1243311 00 00 Julian reduction.
Subtract the Julian excefs
To the folar tropical reduction
Add, to bring it to the vernal equinox,
To the fum
Add, for the meridian diftance,
To the fum
Add, for October, 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
Subſtract the Julian reduction of 3405 years
Jul. M. D. H. and M. of o in T,
26 00 4
1243284 23 56 o in, firft meridian,
178 17 58
1243463 17 54 O in V, firft meridian,
IO 24
1243464 4 18 p.m.
298
1243762 4 18 p. m.
1243676
March 27
86 4 18 p. m.
L12
It
260
The Chronology of the World.
It appears from theſe calculations, that the fun came to the vernal equinox,
at Greenwich, A. M. 3405, on the 27th day of March, 18 minutes paft
four o'clock in the afternoon. Here follows,
A CALCULATION of the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, of that mean
new moon, which happened in the middle of the fecond lunation after the vernal
equinox A. M. 3405, in the fame meridian.
The fum total of lunations is 42109 and a half.
lunations.
Divide by 12) 42109 (3509 lunar years.
Remains
Divide by 30)
Remain
100 periods give
10
6
To the fum
Add, for 29 lunar years,
Add, for i lunation,
Add, for half a lunation,
From the fum
I lunation.
lunar yrs.
3509 (116 periods of 30
29 years of the 117th.
Subſtract for 116 periods, or 20 h. 18 min.
+
To the fum
Add, for the meridian diſtance,
To the fum
Add, for October, 24 d. oo h. oo min.
From the fum
Sub. the Jul. reduction of 3405 years
Jul. M.D. H. and M. of m. N. M. May 18,
D.
lunar years.
H. M. S. Th.
1063100 17 30 00 00
106310 I 45 00 00
63786 1 3 00 00
1233196 20 18 00 00
10276 15 22 9 00
29 12 44 I 45
14 18 22 00 00
1243517 18 46 10 45
I
1243516 18 46 10 45
IO 24
1243517
5 10 10 45
297
1243814 5 10 10 45
1243676
138 5 10 10 45 p.m.A.M.3405»
According
The Chronology of the World.
261
According to theſe calculations, the mean time of that new moon which
cauſed the eclipfe, happened on the 18th day of May, 10' 10" 45" after 5
o'clock in the afternoon, in the meridian of Greenwich A. M. 3405.
QUERY III. At what precife distance, in days, hours, and minutes, after the
vernal equinox, did that mean new moon happen, which cauſed an eclipfe A.M.
3405?
The CALCULATION.
From May 18, a kal. Jan.
Subſtract March 27, a kal. Jan.
Diſtance of mean new moon after o in v
D. H. M. S. Th.
138
5 10 10 45
86
4 18 00 co
52
O 52 10 45
Or, from the days of the lunar reduct, - 1 day,
Subſtract the days of the tropical folar
D. H. M. S. Th.
1243516 5 10 10 45
1243464 4 18 00 00
Remains the fame diſtance as before
52 0 52 10 45
QUERY IV. What year before Chrift falls in with the folar tropical year of
the world 3405?
The CALCULATION.
From the Julian year of the world 4008, fubftract the folar tropical year
of the world 3405, and the remainder 603, will be the year fought.
To find the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, in which the fun came to the
vernal equinox, at Greenwich, in the year before Chrift 603.
The CALCULATION.
The year before Chrift 603, was the fecond year after biffextile, ſo alſo
was A. D. 1754, which is in connection with A. M. 5761; from which
ſubſtract A. M. 3405, and it will leave an interval of 2356 years, whoſe
Julian exceſs is 17 d. 23 h. 56 min.
A. D. 1754, O.S. the fun entered aries, March
Add, for the Julian excéfs, or retroceffion,
D. H. M.
9 4 22 p. m.
17 23 56
O in, March 27 4 18 A. C. 603.
o in r,
March 27 4 18 A.M. 3405.
Difference
This
262
The Chronology of the World.
This coincidence proves, that the year before Chrift 603, is in a true
aſtronomical connection with the folar tropical year of the world 3405.
To find the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, of the mean new moon,
which happened in the middle of the fecond lunation after the vernal equinox,
in the Julian year before Chrift 603.
The CALCULATION.
From the creation of the world to a total eclipſe of the fun, on the 22d
day of April A. D. 1715, we computed 70766 lunations and a half, which
produced 2089774 d. 22 h. 14 min. oo fec. 30 thirds; this reduction we
will take for a radix, from which to compute backwards to the year before
Chriſt 603.
From 70766 fubftract 42109%, and it will leave 28657 lunations, for the
interval between the two eclipfes.
28657 lunations produce 846257 days, 17 hours, 3 min. 49 fec. 45 thirds.
From the fubftituted radix
Subſtract the reduction of 28657 lunations
From the remainder
Subftract for 42109 lunations (p. 260)
I
Difference
D.
H. M. S. Th.
2089774 22 14 00 30
846257 17 3 49 45
1243517 5 10 10 45
1243517 5 JO 10 45
From this coincidence of the times, we have another proof that the year
before Chriſt 603, is in a true aftronomical connection with A. M. 3405.
If we had calculated back from the ſubſtituted radix, through the fame
number of 28657 lunations, by thofe lunar tables which affume 29 d. 12 h.
44 min. 3 fec. 20 thirds, for the quantity of a mean lunation, we ſhould
have found the mean time of this new moon to have been May 18 d. 6 h.
morning, computed to the neareſt hour.
Again, if we had calculated by thoſe tables, which make the quantity of
a mean lunation to confift of 29 d. 12 h. 44 min. 2 fec. 53 thirds, the mean
time of the new moon would have been May 18 d. 8 h. morning, computed
to the neareft hour; the former tables carrying along with them, an exceſs
of 11 hours, and the latter of 9. This may mèrit fome examination.
QUERY
The Chronology of the World.
263
QUERY V. In what Olympiad, and in what year of that Olympiad, did this
eclipfe of the fun happen?
The CALCULATION.
From A. M. 3405, ſubſtract A. M. 3232, and there will remain 173 years,
which being divided by 4, will give in the quotient 43, and 1 year over;
which fhews, that this folar eclipfe was obferved in the firft year of the
forty-fourth Olympiad.
The first year of the forty-fourth Olympiad commenced at the fummer
folftice A. M. 3404, in the end of the firſt three months of the ſeventh year
of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and it ended at the fummer fol-
ftice A. M. 3405, in the end of the firſt three months of the eighth year of
the reign of the fame king of Judah.
QUERY VI. What year of the Nabonafarean ara commenced in the folar tropical
year of the world 3505 ?
The CALCULATION.
From A. M. 3405, fubftract A. M. 3260, and the remainder 145, will be
the year of the Nabonafarean æra fought.
QUERY VII. What Egyptian month, and day of the month, was coincident with
the eighteenth day of May, in the year before Chrift 603, A. M. 3405?
The CALCULATION.
Divide the year of the Nabonafarean
of the Nabonaſarean æra 145 by 4, then fubftract the
quotient 36 from 57. and it will give January 21 for the Thoth of that year.
Add to January 20, for the months Thoth, Paophi, and Athyr, go days,
and it will bring it forward to the 110th day after the kalends of January,
or to April 20. From 138, or May 18, ſubſtract 110, and the remainder will
give the 28th day of Choiac, which is the fourth month of the Egyptian year.
QUERY VIII. What was the fun's longitude, or diftance, from the first point
of aries, on the 18th day of May, in the year before Chrift 603, A.M. 3405?
The CALCULATION.
The diſtance of the mean new moon after the vernal equinox, was found
to be 52 d. 00 h. 52 min. from which fubftract 30 for the fign aries, and
there will remain the beginning of the twenty-third degree of taurus for the
fun's place, on the 18th day of May, according to our computation.
QUERY
264
The Chronology of the World.
QUERY IX. What day of the week correfponds aftronomically with the 18th day
of May, in the year before Chrift 603, A. M. 3405?
The CALCULATION.
D.
The days of the lunar reduction (p.260) are 1243517
Subftract, to bring it back from the laft to the
firſt point of the mean new moon day
Divide by 7)
Remainder
PROOF.
I
1243516 (177645 weeks.
index 5 | Friday.
The year before Chrift 603, is in connection with the year of the Julian
period 4111, which being divided by 28, leaves in remainder 23, whoſe do-
minical letter is G; the literal character of May 18 is E, which that year
denoted Friday, the fifth day after Sunday exclufive, as it is expreffed by the
index. Here follows,
An enumeration of the calculated characters.
We ſay then, that that eclipſe of the fun, which, in the ſcheme, is placed
in the middle of the 42110th lunation, happened,
Ift, In the folar tropical year of the world 3405.
2dly, In the 603d Julian year before the vulgar chriftian æra.
3dly, On the 18th day of May, in the Julian kalendar extended ſo far back.
4thly, On the 28th day of the Egyptian month Choiac.
5thly, In that year, the fun, according to our diſtribution of the 12 figns,
entered the 23d degree of taurus, on the day of the moon's conjunction.
6thly, Upon a Friday, the fifth day after Sunday exclufive.
7thly, The diſtance of the mean new moon after the vernal equinox, was
52 d. 00 h. 52 min. 10 fec. 45 thirds.
oo
8thly, The mean time and Julian ſtation of the new moon, was May 18 d.
5 h. 10 min. 10 fec. 45 thirds, p.m.
HISTORICAL SYNCHRONISMS,
I. This folar eclipfe happened in the beginning of the eighth year of the
reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and in the fecond year of his rebelling
againſt Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who had ſubjected him to a tribute.
II. In the beginning of the 119th year of the captivity of the ten tribes.
III. In the beginning of the third year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar
king of Babylon, according to Ptolemy's canon, corrected in one inftance
only,
L
1
The Chronology of the World.
265
only, by the authority of the fcriptural aſtronomical canon; for the fcriptu-
ral connection of the Jewiſh affairs with thofe of the Chaldeans, obliges us
to ſubſtract 1 from the 21 years reign of Nabopollaffar the father of Nebu-
chadnezzar the great, and to affign him no more than 20 years; although
Berofus gives him 29, from which Ptolemy threw off 8. This 1 year, which
is here fubftracted, muſt be carried forward, and added to the two years of
Ilvarodamus, or Evilmerodach, as he is called in facred hiſtory, and this will
lengthen his reign into three years. By this tranfpofition of a ſingle year, the
two canons will be brought to an agreement with each other, and the
feventy years of the Babyloniſh captivity, which have never yet been rightly
accounted for, will be found to confift of the following years of the reigns
of the kings of Judah and of Babylon.
Years of the reign of Jehoiakim
Zedekiah
To the end of Nebuchadnezzar's reign,
and the captivity of Jehoiakin
Ilvarodamus, or Evilmerodach,
Nerigliffar
Nabonadius, or Belfhazzar,
Darius the Mede
Sum total
7
II
26
3
4
17
2
70
The firſt of theſe 70 years is computed from the vernal equinox, in the
end of the fourth year of Jehoiakim excluſive, and the laſt of them termi-
nates at the vernal equinox in the first year of Cyrus. The fourth year of
Jehoiakim runs parallel with the first year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar,
in the ſcripture account; and the fifth year of the reign of Jehoiakim, runs
parallel with the first year of the Babyloniſh captivity
of the Babyloniſh captivity; hence it comes, that
the 18th year of the captivity, falls in with the 19th year of the reign of
Nebuchadnezzar; and as there is one year difference between the epoch of
Nebuchadnezzar's reign, and of the captivity, fo there is a difference of juſt two
years between the fcriptural and the Babyloniſh computation of Nebuchad-
nezzar's reign. Hence we obſerve, that this eclipſe of the fun happened,
IV. In the beginning of the fifth year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, as
it is computed by the prophet Jeremiah ch. xxv. 1.
V. In the beginning of the fourth year of the Babyloniſh captivity.
VI. In the beginning of the 32d year of the reign of Cyaxeres king of Media.
VII. In 145th year of the Nabonafarean æra.
VIII. Olympiad xliv. 1.
It will be quite neceffary to underſtand the minute exactneſs of theſe Syn-
chroniſms, and alſo the conſtruction of the fcriptural aftronomical canon; and
M m
firſt,
266
The Chronology of the World.
firſt, we muſt know, that all the years, throughout the chronological canon,
begin and end at the autumnal equinox; fecondly, that the reigns of the
kings of Judah, and of all the cotemporary kingdoms, by one uniform law,
begin and end at the vernal equinox.
If we look into the table of fingle years for A. M. 3405, all the fynchro-
niſms of that parallel line are to be underſtood as if they had been fet down
in the following manner:
Jehoiakim.
Nebuchad.
A. M..
4. 05. 34058
Captiv. of ten tribes.
Cyaxeres.
Nebuchad.
ԴՐ
ԴՐ
ԴՐ
7.
8.
118. 119.
O
119. I20.
31.032.
32-33.
2.03.
3. 4.
5. 6.
8. 9.
34060
Eudemus, in his aftrological hiſtory, fays, that Thales foretold this very
eclipfe of the fun; by means of which (as Herodotus relates) the day was
turned into night, in the midſt of an engagement between the Lydians and
the Medes, near the river Halys. This laft battle was fought in the fixth
year of the war, when Cyaxeres, the father of Aftyges, was king of Media;
and Halyattes, the father of Crofus, was king of Lydia; and Nebuchad-
nezzar, whom Herodotus calls Labynetus, was king of Babylon.
As to Thales's prediction, who knew of no more than 365 d. 00 h. oo
min. in the folar year, which he learned from the Egyptians, we muſt take
the ſtory as we find it; but it may be made a queftion, (only admitting.
that Dr. Prideaux has rightly fixed the epoch of Deijoces's reign) whether
it be not as demonftrably certain, that that eclipfe of the fun which inter-
rupted the engagement between the Lydians and Medes near the river Halys,
happened, (1ft,) In the 32d year of Cyaxeres king of Media. (2dly,) In
the 8th year of Jehoiakim king of Judah. (3dly,) In the 3d year of the
reign of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, computed, not from the 21ſt,
but from the 20th year of his father Nabopollaffar. (4thly,) In the 5th year
of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, computed from the 18th year of Nabopol-
laffar, two years before his death, which is the prophet Jeremiah's account;
as that an eclipſe of the fun was obſerved, in its total character, at London,
on the 22d day of April, A. D. 1715, in the first year of the reign of
George I. king of Great Britain.
This certainty is founded on theſe two arguments,
ift, We can receive no fatisfactory directions, either from the calculations
of the aftronomers; or,
2dly, From the evidences of facred or profane hiftory, to look for this
eclipfe, but in the 603d year before Chrift, which is in connection with the
folar tropical year of the world 3405.
The
The Chronology of the World.
267
The truth of thefe arguments will be more ftrongly confirmed, by an ex-
amination of the following variety of calculations, with refpect to Thales's
eclipfe, as it is called, which we have ſet down, together with their authors,
in the table annexed.
A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE,
Exhibiting the feveral years before Chrift, of the Nabonafarean æra, and of the
Olympiads, which have been affigned for that eclipfe of the fun, which is faid
to have been predicted by Thales, and by which, according to Herodotus,
uμepa vu EvEVETO, the day was turned into night, when the last battle was fought
between the Lydians and the Medes, near the river Halys, in the reign of
Cyaxeres king of Media.
Years of
the Na-
Years
Kings of
Babylon.
bonafarean
A. M. æra.
before Kings of Kings of
Olympiads Chrift. Judah. Media.
Scripture
account.
3401 141
xliii
2
607
3402 142
3
606
3403
143
4 605
3404
144 xliv
I
604
Jehoiakim
3405 145
2
603
3406
146
3
602
8
3+56 n∞
Cyaxeres
28
29
30
31
32
3407 147
4
601
9
3408
148 xlv
I
600
ΙΟ
3409 149
2
599
I I
3410 150
3
598
3411
151
4
597
3412 152
xlvi. I
596
3413
153
2
Zedekiah
I
2
3
♡♡♡ ♡ ♡ ♡
33
Nebuchadnezzar
23+
3 Calvitius.
4
5
Mr.Coftard of Wadham-
6 College, Oxford, May 18.
34
35
.00
8
78
36
37
38
7 Archbishop Ufher,
Sept. 20.
9
ΙΟ
II Petavius, July 9.
595
3414
154
3
594
3415
155
4
593
3416
156 xlvii 1
592
3417
157
2
591
456700
40
Aftyages
39
12
13
I
14
2
15
8
3418
158
3 590
9
3419
159
4
3420
160
xlviii I
589
588
ΙΟ
I I
3421
161
3422
162
3423
163
234
587
3456 7∞
16
17
18
19
20
3424
164
xlix 1
586
585
584
13425 165
2
583
∞∞∞
643
8
2 I
9
IO
I I
24
12
22
23 Ricciolus. Sir Ifaac
Newton, May 28.
25 Scaliger.
M m 2
To
268
The Chronology of the World.
To find the year of the world, correfponding aftronomically with the year before
Chrift 603, according to the computations of the Septuagint Greek verfion.
The CALCULATION.
To A. M. 3405 add 1386, and the fum 5791, will be the year of the
world fought.
Now the Septuagint chronologiſt is to prove, by calculation, from the ori-
ginal full moon, in coincidence with the vernal equinox, that an eclipſe of
the fun happened, on the 28th day of the Egyptian month Choiac, upon a
Friday, in the folar tropical year of the world 5791, in connection with the
year before Chriſt 603.
EXAMPLE VII. A total eclipfe of the moon.
Interval in lunations,
40648
We have, in this fcheme, the moſt ancient total eclipfe of the moon upon
record, and it fell upon the 40648th full moon, computed from the creation.
QUERY I. In what folar tropical year of the world did this total eclipfe of
the moon happen?
In 19 folar
The CALCULATION.
years
Divide by 235)
Divide the remainder by 12)
Remainder
there are 235 lunations.
lunations.
40648 (172 decennoval cycles.
228 (19 years.
:
Multiply 172 cycles into 19, and to the product 3268, add the 19 years
in the product, the fum 3287, will be the year of the world fought.
QUERY II. Near what cardinal point did that full moon fall, which fuffered
a total eclipfe A. M. 3287?
The CALCULATION.
From A. M. 3287, fubftract
Divide by 19)
Remain
1, and it will give A. M. 3286.
A. M.
3286 (172 cycles.
18
years of the 173d.
Multiply
The Chronology of the World.
269
Multiply 172 cycles into 235 lunations, and to the product 40420, add
for 18 years 216, and to the fum 40636, add for intercalary months 6, it
will make 40642; to which add 6 lunations, to bring it from the autumnal
to the vernal equinox, and the whole amount of lunations will be the given
number 40648.
From hence it appears, that this total eclipfe happened at that full moon,
which was neareſt to the vernal equinox A. M. 3287.
QUERY III. At what precife distance from the vernal equinox, either before it
or after it, did that full moon (according to mean time) happen, which fuffered
a total eclipfe A. M. 3287?
For the folution of this query, we muſt firſt calculate the Julian month,
day, hour, and minute, in which the fun entered the first point of aries, in
the meridian of the Greenwich obfervatory A. M. 3287.
The CALCULATION.
From A. M. 3287, fubftract 1, and it will give A. M. 3286.
Multiply
into
M.
3286 years of 365 days, 6 hours,
II minutes.
D. H. M.
36146 (25 2 26 Julian exceſs.
Divide the product by 1440)
Multiply
into
•
3286 years
1461 quadrants.
Divide the product by 4) 4800846
Subftract the Julian exceſs
To the folar tropical reduction
Add, to bring it to the vernal equinox
To the fum
Add, for the meridian diſtance,
To the fum
Add, for October, 25 d. 00 h. 00 min.
From the fum
Subft. the Jul. biſſext. reduct. of 3287 yrs.
Jul.M.D.H. and M. of o in T, March 27,
D.
H. M.
(1200211 12 00 Julian reduction.
25 2 26
1200186 9 34 p.m. o in, 1ft merid.
178 17 58
1200365 3 32
10 24
1200365 13 56
298
1200663 13 56
1200577
86 13 56 p.m. A. M. 3287.
- It
270
The Chronology of the World.
It appears by theſe calculations, that the fun came to the vernal equinox
A. M. 3287, in the meridian of the Greenwich obfervatory, on the 27th day
of March, 13 h. 56 min. afternoon; but if we would reckon the hours from
midnight, we muft fay, March 28, 56 minutes paft one o'clock in the morn-
ing. Here follows,
A CALCULATION of the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, of the mean full
moon, nearest to the vernal equinox A. M. 3287.
1
The fum total of lunations is 40648.
Divide by 12) 40648 (3387 lunar years.
Remain
4 lunations.
Divide by 30) 3387
Remain
3387 (112 periods of 30
27 years of the 113th.
100 periods give
ΙΟ
lunar years.
D.
H. M. S.
1
2
To the fum
Add, for 27 lunar years,
To the fum
Add, for 4 lunations,
From the fum
1
I
Subſt, for 112 periods, or for 19 h. 36 min.
To the remainder
Add, for the meridian diftance,
To the fum
Add, for October, 24 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
Subſt. the Jul. biffext. reduct. of 3287 yrs,
Jul.M. D. H. and M, of m. F.M. March 19,
1063100 17 30
106310 I 45
21262 0 21
1190672 19 36
9567 21 45.27
1200240 17 21 27
18 2 56.7
1200358 20 17 34
I
1200357 20 17 34
10 24
1200358 6 41 34
297
1200655 6 41 34
1200577
78 6 41 34 p.m. A.M.3287.
According
The Chronology of the World.
271
According to theſe calculations, the mean time of the full moon, neareſt
to the vernal equinox A. M. 3287, was, March 19, 41 min. 34 fec. after
fix o'clock in the evening, at Greenwich.
To find the precife distance of this mean full moon before the vernal equinox A.M.
3287.
From the time of the equinox,
March 27,
Subſt. the mean time of the full moon, March 19,
Diſtance of the mean full moon, before o in v,
Or, from the days of the folar tropical reduction
Subſtract the days of the lunar, −1 day,
Remains the fame diftance, as before,
D.
D. H. M. S.
86 13 56 00
78
6 41 34
8
7 14 26
H. M. S.
1200365 13 56 00
1200357 6 41 34
8 7 14 26
2
QUERY IV. What Julian year before Chrift correfponds aftronomically with
the folar tropical year of the world 3287?
The CALCULATION.
From the Julian year of the world 4008, ſubſtract the folar tropical year
of the world 3287, and the remainder 721 will be the correfponding year
before Chrift.
To find the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, in which the fun entered
the first point of aries, in the meridian of the Greenwich obfervatory, in
year before Chrift 721.
the
The CALCULATION.
The year before Chrift 721 was a biffextile year, fo alfo was A. D. 1752,
which is in connection with A. M. 5759; from which ſubſtract A. M. 3287,
and it will give an interval of 2472 years, whofe Julian exceſs or retroceffion
is 18 d 21 h. 12 min.
March
A. D. 1752, old ſtyle, the fun entered aries,
Add, for the retroceffion in 2472 years,
Sun in aries in the year before Chrift 721,
Subft. the time of the equinox, A. M. 3287,
Difference =
D. H. M.
8 16 44 p.m.
18 21 12
March 27 13 56
March 27 13 56
This
t
272
The Chronology of the World.
f
1
This coincidence of the times, is a clear proof, that the year before Chriſt
721, is in a true aſtronomical connection with the folar tropical year of the
world 3287.
To find the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, on which the full moon happened
8 days before the vernal equinox in the year before Chrift 172.
The CALCULATION.
From the creation of the world to a total eclipfe of the moon, which was
obſerved at London, on the 24th day of January A. D 1758, A.M. 5765,
we computed 71295 lunations, which produced 2105381 d. 20 h. 3 min.
26 fec. 15 thirds; we will take this reduction for a radix, from which to com-
pute backwards to the year before Chriſt 721.
From 71295 lunations fubftract 40648, and it will leave in remainder
30647.
30,000 lunations give
600
40
D.
H. M. S. Th.
885917 6 35 00 00
17718 8 17 30 00
1181 5 21 10 0Ọ
206 17 8 12 15
7
The fum
905023 13 21 52 15
警
​From the fubftituted radix
D.
H. M. S. Th.
2105381 20 3 26 15
Subſtract the reduction of 30647 lunations
905023 13 21 52 15
From the remainder
1200358 6 41 34 00
Subſtract the reduction of 40648 lunations 1200358 6 41 34 00
Difference
It again appears, from this coincidence of the times, which no aftrono-
mical tables can effect, that the year before Chrift 721, is in a true aftrono-
mical connection with the folar tropical year of the world 3287.
To find the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, of the fame mean full moon,
if calculated backwards through a ſeries of 30647 lunations, from the fame
fubftituted radix, by Ferguſon's tables of lunations, from 1 to 100,000
30,000
The Chronology of the
the World.
273
30,000 lunations give
600
40
7
From the fum
D. H. M. S. Th.
18 15 00 00
885917 18
17718 8 31 30 00
1181 5 22 6 00
206 17 8 22 00
905024 1 16 58 00
Subſt.the reduct.by 29 d. 12h. 44 min. 1 fec. 45th. 905023 13 21 52 15
The excess of the tabular meaſure
From the fubſtituted radix
Subſtract the tabular reduction
Remains
From the calculated time,
II 55 5 45
D.
H. M. S. Th.
2105381 20 3 26 15
905024 1 16 58 00
1200357 18 46 28 15
D. H. M. S.
March
19
6 41 34
II 55 5
March
Subſtract the exceſs of the tabular meaſure
Remains the tabular time,
18 18 46 29 p. m.
Here is a difference of near 12 hours in the mean time of the fame full
moon, in the fame meridian; which fhews the neceflity of corrected lunar
tables. The former of theſe calculations give March 19, 41 minutes paſt 6
in the evening, the latter, March 19, (reckoning the hours from midnight)
46 minutes paft 6 in the morning; and to this difference the equations will
be applied, as may be feen in the following calculation, tranſcribed from Fer-
gufon's astronomy, 2d edit,
<<
To find the time of full moon at Babylon, in March, the year before Chrift 721."
720 added to 1780 make 2500 years, or 28 centuries.
}
N n
Το
274
The Chronology of the World.
1
To the mean full moon, in March, 1780,
Add 1 lunation and its anomalies
Subftract the days and anomalies of 2500 years
The mean time of F. M. in March, A.C.721,
Add the ſum of the 3 equations
True time of full moon, March
Which was the 19th day, at 41 minutes paft
fix in the evening, at London; to which
time, if 2 hours, 51 minutes, be added,
we ſhall have the time at Babylon, namely,
9 hours, 32 minutes.
Sun's anomaly.
Moon's anom.
D. H. M. S.
S.
O
9
4 418 19 48
7
8 ΙΟ
29 12
44 O 29 6
o
25 49
38 17
25 9 18
54
8
3 59
19
22
2011 26
26 29
6 6 43
18
19
59 22 25
I 27 16
II
36
-18
6 41 Anomaly corrected
I
26 58
I
47
I 28
28 45
H. M.
o 20 add.
1 add.
3 15 add.
The fum
I
11 36
19
Equat. of M's anom.
Sun's equation +
Moon's anomaly
Moon's ann. equation
Moon's ellipt. equation 8
Sun's equation
It ſeems to merit an enquiry, whether what is here called the fum of the 3
equations, corrects the mean time of the full moon, or the excefs of the ta-
bular meaſure, in the given interval of 30647 lunations.
QUERY V. In what Olympiad, and in what year of that Olympiad, did this
total eclipfe of the moon happen 8 days before the vernal equinox A. M. 3287?
The CALCULATION.
From A. M. 3287 ſubſtract A. M. 3232, and there will remain 55 years,
which being divided by 4, will give 13 in the quotient and 3 years over;
which fhews, that this eclipfe of the moon, happened in the 3d year of the
14th Olympiad.
QUERY VI. What year of the Nabonafarean æra, commenced in the folar
tropical year of the world 3287?
The CALCULATION.
From A. M 3287 fubftract A. M. 3260, and the remainder 27, will be
the
year of the Nabonafarean æra fought.
QUERY VII. What Egyptian month, and day of the month, was coincident with
the 19th day of March, in the year before Chrift 721, A. M. 3287?
The
The Chronology of the World.
275
The CALCULATION.
Divide the year of the Nabonafarean æra 27 by 4, then fubftract the quo-
tient 6, from February 26, and it will give February 20, for the Thoth of
that year.
To March 19 add February 29, as that year was biffextile, and from the
fum 48, fubftract February 19, then the remainder will fhew that March 19
was coincident, in the year before Chrift 721, with the 29th day of Thoth,
which was the firſt month of the Egyptian year.
QUERY VIII. What was the fun's place in the ecliptic on the 19th day of March,
in the year before Chrift 721, A. M. 3287?
The CALCULATION.
It has been fhewn, that the diſtance of the mean full moon before the vernal
equinox was 8 days, 7 hours; if, therefore, we fubftract 9 from 30, the re-
mainder will inform us, that the fun paffed that day from the 21ft to the 22d
degree of pifces.
year before
QUERY IX. What day of the week correfponds aftronomically with the 19th day
of March, and the 29th day of the Egyptian month Thoth, in the
Chriſt 721, A. M. 3287?
The CALCULATION.
The days of the lunar reduction are (p. 270)
Subſtract, to bring it back from the laſt to the
firſt point of the mean full moon day
1200358
Boerif
I
1200375
Divide by 7) 1200375 (171479 weeks.
Remainder
4 index | Monday.
The PROOF.
The year before Chrift 721, falls in with the year of the Julian period
3993; which being divided by 28, leaves in remainder 17, whofe dominical
letters are AG; fo that G takes place after the 29th of February; the literal
character of March 19 is A, which for that month denoted Monday, the first
day after Sunday exclufive, as it is expreffed by the index.
An enumeration of the calculated characters.
We fay then, that this total eclipfe of the moon, which, in the ſcheme, is
placed at the end of the 40648th lunation, happened,
ift, In the folar tropical year of the world 3287.
Nn 2
2dly,
276
The Chronology of the World.
2dly, In the year before the vulgar chriftian æra 721.
3dly, On the 19th day of March, if the Julian ſtyle be extended ſo far back.
4thly, On the 29th day of the Egyptian month Thoth.
5thly, Upon a Monday, the firſt day after Sunday excluſive.
6thly, Olympiad xiv. 3.
7thly, In the 27th year of the Nabonafarean æra.
8thly, In that year the fun paffed from the 21ft to the 22d degree of
pifces, upon the day of a full moon.
9thly, The mean time (and by tabular calculation the true time) of the full
moon was March 19 d. 6h. 41 min. 34 fec. p. m. at London.
1othly, The diſtance of the mean or true full moon before the vernal equi-
nox, was 8 d. 7h. 14 min. 26 fec.
HISTORICAL SYNCHRONISMS..¯
This total eclipſe of the moon happened,
>
I. Towards the end of the fixth year of the reign of Hezekiah king of
Judah, and of the ninth of Hofhea king of Ifrael.
II. Near that vernal equinox, from which the captivity of the ten tribes,
by Salmanefer king of Affyria, is computed.
III. In the first year of the reign of Mordac Empadus, who is called in
facred hiftory (Ifaiah xxxix. 1.) Merodach Baladan, the fon of Baladan king
of Babylon.
IV. Twelve years before the reign of Deijoces king of Media.
If the learned reader will give himſelf the trouble to perufe the citation in
the margin, he will perceive a very near agreement with thefe calculated cha-
racters and that record; for the circumftances of that eclipfe are ſtated by
Ptolemy in the following manner,
"It was, he fays, the firft of the three moſt antient eclipfes, which were
"obferved at Babylon; it happened in the firſt year of Mordacempadus, on
"the 29th day of the Egyptian month Thoth, which was followed by the
* Ptol. Almeg. 1. iii. p. 95. Gr. Edit. ων τοίνυν ειληφαμεν παλαιων τριων εκλείψεων, εκ των εν Βαβυλωνι
πρωτῳ ετει Μαρδοκεμπαδο, κατ' Αιγυπτιος θα θ
κι εις την λ; ηρξατο δε φασιν εκλείπειν μετα την ανατολην μιας ωρας ικανως παρελθέσης, και εξελιπεν ολη.
errey ૪૪
ο ήλιος περι τα εκατα των ικθύων, και η νυξ ωρων ισημερινών ιβ εγγίρα, η μεν αρχή της
εκλείψεως δηλονοτι προ δ. ς. ωρων ισημερινων προ μεσονυκτι8.
τετηρεμένων, η μεν πρώτη αναγέγραπται γεγονμια, τω
δε μέσος χρονο, επειδήπερ τέλεια την εκλειψις, προ β. 5. ωρων, εν Αλεξανδρεια αρα, επειδήπερ προς τον
δι'αυτης μεσημβρινον τας ωριαίας εποχας συνισαμεθα, προηγειται δε ο δι' αυτής μεσημβρινο το δια Βαβυλων
εμισει και τρίτο έγγισα μιας ώρας ισημερινης, ο μέσος χρονο γεγονε της προκείμενης εκλείψεως προ τριών
τριτο ωρών ισημερινών το μεσονυκτικ
"30th,
The Chronology of the World.
277
ec
30th, when the fun was towards the latter end of pifces;”—and, by our
calculation, it was the 9th day before the fun's entrance into aries.
"This eclipſe began a full hour after the moon was rifen, about four hours
" and a half before midnight," that is, about half an hour after ſeven o'clock
in the evening," and it was total."
"Its middle time, as obferved and computed at Babylon, was two hours
"and a half before midnight," that is, half an hour after nine at night.
"And becauſe the meridian of Alexandria lies 50 minutes in time to the
"weftward of Babylon, its midle time, as obferved and computed there,
was three hours and 20 minutes before midnight," that is, forty minutes
paft eight at night. Thus Ptolemy defines the times of this eclipfe in two
meridians; and accordingly,
(C
D. H. M.
If to the calculated time of the full moon at London, March 19
We add, for the meridian of Alexandria,
641.
2 I
March 19
8
42
50
We have the middle time nearly at Alexandria,
And if to the obferved time at Alexandria, we add,2
for the meridian of Babylon,
We are within two minutes of Ptolemy's computation, March 19 9 32
This calculation of the moft ancient eclipfe of the moon, of all that are
upon record, from the original radix, is of itſelf fufficient, to demonſtrate the
connection of the fcriptural aftronomical canon with the Ptolemaic, and of
facred hiſtory with profane. It inconteftably aſcertains and eſtabliſhes the au-
thenticity of the Hebrew text, in the article of chronology, and for ever
filences all other claims and pretenfions.
It is not more certain, that there are a fun and moon in the heavens, than
it is, that not a fingle error of the prefs, or of a Jewiſh tranſcriber, has crept
into the prefent copies of the Maforete Hebrew text, tò give the leaſt inter-
ruption to its chronological ſeries of years.
year before
To find the folar tropical year of the world corresponding with the
Chrift 721, according to the computations of the Septuagint Greek verfion.
The CALCULATION.
To A. M. 3287 add 1386, and the fum 4673 will be the year of the
world fought.
Now
278
The Chronology of the World.
Now the Septuagint chronologift is to prove, by calculation from the ori-
ginal full moon, in coincidence with the vernal equinox, that an eclipfe of
the moon, or, at leaft, that a full moon happened on the 29th day of the
Egyptian month Thoth, upon a Monday, the fun being towards the latter end
of pifces, in the folar tropical year of the world 4673, in connection with
the year before Chrift 721.
EXAMPLE VIII.
Timocharis, as Ptolemy relates, (Almeg. 1. i. c. 3. p. 170.) obferved the
ftar called Spica Virginis exactly to touch the north part of the moons diſk,
juft as fhe was rifing above the horizon, in the year of the Nabonafarean æra
466, on the fixth day of the Attic month Pyanepfion decreafing, and on the
feventh day of Thoth.
We did not chuſe this example, upon the account of the obfervation, which
ſeems to be but a trivial one; but upon the account of the chronological and
very diftinguiſhing characters which occur in the record. For from hence
it will appear, that for the fully afcertaining of this year, it will not be at
all fufficient to ſay, that Timocharis made this obfervation (no matter for the
object) (1ft,) In the 466th year of the Nabonaſarean æra. (2dly,) In the fe-
cond year of the reign of Ptolemy Philadelphus king of Egypt. (3dly,) In
the year of the Julian period 4431. (4thly,) In the Julian year before Chriſt
283. (5thly,) In the folar tropical year of the world 3726. All, this we
fay, will not be fufficient, becauſe different computiſts will be almoſt ſure to
offer different years of the world, ftill agreeing in all the other particulars.
If, for example, from the year of the Julian period 4431, we fubftract the
year of the Julian period 710, in which archbiſhop Ufher places the era of the
creation, the remainder will give A. M. 3721; to which, if we add 1 to
carry it beyond the autumnal equinox, we ſhall have A. M. 3722, which falls
four years fhort of A. M. 3726. And if from this difference of four years,
it ſhould be made the fubject of an enquiry, or a point of debate, whether
Timocharis made his obfervation A. M. 3722, or A. M. 3726, the chrono-
logical characters which occur in Ptolemy's record, will furniſh us with the
means how to fatisfy the enquiry, and put an end to the debate. Here fol-
lows, in the first place,
A CALCULATION of the Julian month, and day of the month, correfponding
with the feventh day of the Egyptian month Thoth, in the year of the Nabo-
nafarean æra 466.
Divide 466 by 4, and the quotient will fhew, that the Thoth had
gone back
116 days from the 26th of February, which is the 57th day from the kalends
}
1
of
The Chronology of the World.
279
of January; but to make the ſubſtraction, to 57 add 365, then from the fum
422 fubftract 116, and it will carry it back to the 306th day from the kalends
of January, or to the 2d day of November for the first day of Thoth. To
November I add 7, and the fum will fhew, that the feventh day of Thoth
fell, that year, upon the eighth day of November.
A mean Julian year confifts of 365 d. 6 h. and a Nabonafarean year of
365 d. 00 h. the difference is 6 hours, or one fourth part of a day. And
therefore 1460 Julian years include 1461 Nabonafarean; this we may call the
period of the Nabonafarean year when compared with the Julian. Now if
we ſuppoſe the ſeventh of Thoth to commence this year on the eighth day
of November at midnight, it will not return to the fame Julian month, day
of the month, and point of the day, until 1460 Julian, and 1461 Nabona-
farean years have been compleated.
The Attic year was luni-folar, and it began in the evening next after that
mean new moon or conjunction, which was neareft to the fummer folftice,
whether it came before it, or after it, or fell upon it.
And it is certain, that fome one day of fome one month of the Attic luni-
folar year, muft, in nature, have been coincident with the feventh day of the
Egyptian month Thoth, and the eighth day of November, if the Julian
ftyle be extended fo far back, in the 466th year of the Nabonaſarean æra.
In the end of 19 years, the fame day of the fame Attic month, will re-
turn to the fame Julian month, and day of the month, and likewife to the
fame Egyptian month, but not to the fame day of the month; for the Thoth
will now have gone back full four days; and admitting 19 years to be a true
cyclic number, if we multiply it into 1461, the product will inform us, that
more than 27700 Nabonafarean years muft revolve, before the fame day of
the fame Attic month can return again to the fame day of the fame Egyp-
tian month.
From hence we are affured, that the coincidence recorded by Ptolemy,
cannot poffibly be found in any two diftinct years fince the creation, take
which of the four chronologies we pleafe. And, by this means, we have
another infallible criterion by which to try the whole variety of computations,
and to reduce them to the one true one; fince that folar tropical year of
the world, in which the fixth of the Attic month Pyanepfion decreaſing,
fhall be found, by calculation from the original radix, to be coincident with
the feventh day of the Egyptian month Thoth, An. ær. Nabonaff. 466,
muſt be the year of the world in which Timocharis made his obferva-
tion, and it would be only lofs of time to fearch for it in any other. Here
follows,
QUERY
280
The Chronology of the World.
QUERY I. What folar tropical year of the world correfponds aftronomically with
the year of the Nabonafarean æra 466?
The CALCULATION.
The era of Nabonaffar began A. M. 3261, but as the Thoth was gone
back 116 days, which are more than 57, we muft fubftract 1, and there
will remain A. M. 3260, which being added to 466, will give A. M. 3726,
for the year of the world fought.
QUERY II. What month of the Attic luni-folar year, and what day of the
month, was coincident with the feventh day of the Egyptian month Thoth, A. M.
-3726?
The CALCULATION.
It has been already obferved, that the first month of the Attic year, or
Neomenia Hecatombæonis, began in the evening next after that mean new
moon, or conjunction, which was nearest to the fummer folftice.
the ſolution of this query, requires us firſt,
So that
To calculate the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, in which the fun came
to the fummer folftice, in the meridian of the Greenwich obfervatory, A. M.
3725.
From A. M. 3726, ſubſtract 1, and it will carry it back to the autumnal
equinox, in the end of A. M 3725.
Again, from A. M. 3725, fubftract 1, and it will carry it back to the au-
tumnal equinox, in the end of A. M. 3724.
Multiply
into
M.
Divide the product by 1440)
3724 years of 365 days, 6 hours,
II minutes.
D. H. M.
40964 (28 10 44 Julian excefs.
Multiply
The Chronology of the World.
281
Multiply
into
3724 years of 365 days, 6 hours,
1461 quadrants.
D.
H. M.
Divide the product by 4) 5440764 (1360191 00 00 Jul. reduction.
Subſtract the Julian exceſs
To the folar trop. reduction, A.M.3724,
Add,to bring it to the fummer folft. A.M.3725,
To the fum
Add, for the meridian of Greenwich,
To the fum
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
Subſtract the Jul. reduction of 3725 years
o in, June 25,
28 10 44
1360162 13 16 o in~,1ft merid.
271 16 40
1360434 5 56 © in 9.
10 24
1360434 16 20
298
1360732 16 29
1360556
176 16 20 A. M. 3725.
From theſe calculations it appears, that A. M. 3725, the fun came to the
fummer folſtice at Greenwich, on the 25th day of June, 16 h. 20 min. after
noon; but if we would reckon the hours from midnight, we muft fay, on
the 26th day of June, 20 minutes after four in the morning. To this we
fhall fubjoin,
A CALCULATION of the Julian month, and day of the month, (but not the hour
and minute) on which the mean new moon or conjunction fell, nearest to the
Summer folftice A. M. 3725, from the evening of which day, Neomenia He-
catombaonis, or the first day of the first month of the Attic year, was computed.
A. M.
Divide by 19) 3724 (196 cycles.
Remainder
Multiply 196 cycles into 235 lunations, and the product will be 46060.
lunations.
Divide by 12) 46060 (3838 compleat lunar years.
Remain
4 lunations.
If to theſe 4 lunations we add 6, they will bring it forward to the full
moon, neareſt to the vernal equinox A. M. 3725 and if to thefe 10 lunations
we add 2, we ſhall have 3839 compleat lunar years, the laft of which will
Oo
terminate
282
The Chronology of the World.
terminate, with a full moon, neareſt to the fummer folftice, and in the middle
of the month Schirrophorion, which was the 12th month of the Attic year.
For the better underſtanding of this, we ſhall here ſubjoin,
A lunar TABLE, containing the months of the Jewish, the Macedonian, and the
Attic years.
Celeſtial Months of the
SOHOLE IE
Months of the Ma-
cedonian year.
Xanticus.
Months of the
Attic year.
Mounuchion.
Thargelion.
Schirrophorion.
figns.
Jewiſh year.
Nifan.
୪
Jiar.
Artemifius.
II
Sivan.
Dæfius.
Tamuz.
Panemus..
Hecatombæon.
Ab.
Lous.
Metagitnion.
Elul.
Tifri.
m
Marchefvan. Dius.
Pyanepfion.
Chifleu.
Apellæus. Pofideon.
VS
Tebet.
Audynæus.
Gamelion.
Shebat.
Peritius.
Anthefterion.
*
Adar.
Dyftrus,
Elaphebolion.
Gorpiæus. Boedromion.
Hyperberetæus. Maimacterion.
In the column of Attic months, Schirrophorion is placed over-againſt the
fign (1) gemini, and Hecatombæon over-againſt (5) cancer, which was
the aftronomical epoch of the year. We have computed 3839 compleat
lunar years, from the creation to the full moon, in the month Schirrophorion,
to which, if we add half a lunation, it will bring it to the evening next after
that mean new moon, from which Ptolemy computed the beginning of that Attic
year, and found the fixth of Pyanepfion decreafing, or the 24th day of the
5th month, to be coincident with the 7th of Thoth; which coincidence
we ſhall aſcertain by the following calculation.
lunar yrs.
Divide by 30) 3839 (127 periods of
Remain
Multiply the quotient 127 into
the remaining 29 years, and the
355 days, will be 1407.
29 years of the 128th.
30 lunar years.
II, and to the product 1397 add 10, for
whole amount of lunar years, confiſting of
Multiply
The Chronology of the World.
283
Multiply
3839 lunar years,
354 days.
into
To the product
Add, for lunar years of 355 days,
To the fum
Add half a lunation, to bring it to a N. M.
To the fum
Add, for odd hours and min. and merid.diſtance,
To the fum
Add, for October, 24 d. oo h. oo min.
From the fum
Subſtract the Julian reduction of 3725 years
Julian month and day of new moon, June 19,
Add, for four Attic months,
Add, for Pyanepfion
1359006
1407
1360413
15
1366428
I
1360429
297
1360726
1360556
170 Neomenia Hecatombæonis.
118
24
November 8,
312 Thoth 7.
From this calculated coincidence, in agreement with Ptolemy's computation,
we are as certain of the diftance from the era of the creation, as we are of
the diſtance from the æra of Nabonaffar. And we are equally affured, that
Timocharis made his obfervation of the ſtar called Spica Virginis, in the
folar tropical year of the world 3726, between the autumnal equinox, and
the winter folftice, as that he made it in the year of the Nabonafarean æra
466, and in the year before Chriſt 283.
To find the year of the world corresponding with the year of the Nabonafarean
ara 466, and the year before Chrift 283, according to the computations of
the Septuagint Greek verfion.
The CALCULATION.
To A. M. 3726 add 1386, and the fum 5112 will be the year fought.
Now the Septuagint chronologiſt is to prove, by calculation from the ori-
ginal full moon, in coincidence with the vernal equinox, that the fixth day of
the Attic month Pyanepfion decreaſing, was coincident with the feventh day
of the Egyptian month Thoth, in the folar tropical year of the world 5112,
1
002
in
284
The Chronology of the World.
1
in connection with the year of the Nabonafarean æra 466, and the year before
Chriſt 283.
"c
*
EXAMPLE IX.
In the chronological index, at the end of the viith volume of the univerfal
history, ift edit. fol. in the laft article but one, we find the following epitome.
A.M. 5759, A.D.
A.D. 1453.
"On Tueſday, the 29th day of May, the Turks
began to attack the imperial city of Conftantinople, at three in the morning,
"and after a prodigious number were killed, the enemy took the city by
ftorm, put the emperor, nobles, and all the inhabitants to the fword, and
plundered it for three days fucceffively; when Mohammed entered it in
triumph, chofe it for the feat of his empire, and promifed all the natives that
would ſtay, or come there, liberty to live unmolefted, with the free excer-
"cife of the Chriftian religion. Thus the death of the laft Roman emperor,
"the lofs of Conftantinople, and the final diffolution of the Conftantinopolitan
empire, happened * the 29th of May, upon a Tueſday, A. D. 1453,
"A.M. 5759,"according to the computations of the Hebrew Samaritan
Pentateuch.
<c
But the times of this memorable event are tranfmitted in the lunar com-
putation of the Turks, dated from the era of the Hegira, or of Mahomet's
flight from Mecca to Medina. And, we will now collect and digeft into a table
thoſe aftronomical Synchroniſms, which are appropriated to that year in which
Conftantinople was taken by the Turks; to which we ſhall prefix four dif-
ferent years of the world, every one of which claims a connection with A. D,
1453, and the year of the Hegira 857.
Lunar year of
the world.
Julian
month Day of the
and week.
A. M. │| ¯A. M. A. M. A. M.
A. D.
5456 5460
5759 5761
1453
Year of the
Hegira.
857
Month and day
Jomadæ prioris
Month and
day.
20
day.
May Tueſday.
29
* "Et quidem Conftantinopolin, hoc anno Chrifti, hoc die menfis, & hac feria Hebdo-
madis captam fuiffe, in Patriarchica Martinii Crufii Hiftoria confirmatur his verbis noav de
χρονοι από xeiss γενεσέως χιλιοι τεΐρακοσιοι πεντεκοντα τρεις μαιω εικοςη ενναλη, ημέρα τρίτη.
+"Aljunabius, tefte clariffimo doctiffimoque noftro Edvardo Pocockio, & Leunclavius affe-
"runt, Conftantinopolin a Muhammede chano captam fuiffe Anno Hegira 857, Jomadæ prio-
"ris vigefimo, feria tertia.”
In
The Chronology of the World.
285
In this table four different years of the world are fet down in the fame
parallel line with the year of our Lord 1453; and ſhould a diſpute ariſe con-
cerning the right of any one of theſe connections, in preference to the other,
the blank column, entitled, the lunar year of the world, month, and day, fuggefts
the means which will enable us to adjuſt the claim, and that fo effectually, as
to leave no room for any farther debate or enquiry.
We are now, therefore, to fill up the blank column; and fhall proceed to
prove, firft, pofitively, that theſe appropriated fynchroniſms, are to be found,
by calculation from the original radix, in the folar tropical year of the world
5460; and,
In the ſecond place, we ſhall make it appear, negatively, that they cannot
be found, by any calculation, either in any year of the world which comes
before A. M. 5460, as, for example, not in A. M. 5456; nor in any year of
the world which comes after A. M. 5460; as, for example, not in A. M.
5759, or 5761; which are the years fet down in the table.
Firſt, We are to prove, pofitively, that theſe appropriated fynchroniſms are to
be found, by calculation from the original radix, in the folar tropical year of
the world 5460.
Although we cannot predetermine what will be the numerical lunar year
of the world, nor what numerical lunation, will be found to fall in with the
month of May, A.D. 1453, yet ſo abſolutely certain are thoſe five principles
which we have laid down, and by which the calculations are regulated without
being liable to err, we can, with confidence, fay, that the laft lunation will
terminate with a full moon evening, on the 24th of May, upon a Thurſday;
and that if the fum total of days, in the lunar reduction, be divided by 7,
the remainder will be o.
Theſe concluſions may be collected, antecedent to all calculation, from the
joint teftimonies of Aljunabius and Leunclavius, who agree in relating, that
the city of Conftantinople was taken, on the 20th day of Jomada Prior, co-
incident, fays Crufius, with the 29th day of May. Now the Turks do not
compute the beginnings of their months* from the evening next after the
moon's conjunction with the fun, (as the Greeks formerly did, and as the
Jews, after their example, continue to do) but from the evening in which it is
firſt viſible.
A. D. 1453 the moon was in conjunction with the fun on the 8th day of
May; on the evening of the 9th it was vifible; to May 9 add 15, and it will
bring it down to May 24, which will be the 15th day of Jomada Prior, and
* "Non ab ipfo novilunio menfes fuos aufpicantur Arabes, fed a prima poft coitum appari-
❝tione veſpertina, quæ uno plerumque die ferior eft.”
}
the
286
The Chronology of the World.
1
*
and
the very day on which the laſt lunation in the feries will terminate
thereby prove to us, that this remarkable event happened on the 5th day after
the full moon; and as the 29th of May fell that year upon a Tuefday, which
is the ſecond day after Sunday exclufive, to 2 add 7, and from the fum 9
fubftract 5, the remainder 4 will inform us,
will inform us, that the 24th of May happened that
year upon a Thurſday.
The CALCULATION.
A. M.
Divide by 19) 5460 (287 decennoval cycles.
Remain
7 years of the 288th.
Multiply 287 cycles into 235 lunations, and to the product 67445, add,
for the 7 remaining years, 84, and for intercalary months 2, then the whole
amount of lunations will be 67531.
Divide by 12) 67531 (5627 lunar years.
Remain
Divide by 30)
Remain
Multiply 187 periods into II,
6, then the whole amount of
be 2063.
Multiply
into
Add, for lunar
To the product
years of 355 days,
To the fum
7 lunations.
5627 (187 periods of 39 lunar years.
17 years.
and to the product 2057, add, for 17 years,
lunar years, confifting of 355 days, will
5627 lunar years,
354 days.
1991958 days,
2063
1994021
Add, for odd hours and min. and merid.diſtance,
I
To the fum
Add, for October, 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
1994022
298
From the fum
Subſtract the Julian reduction of 5460 years
1994320
1994265
February 24,
55 A.D.1453. The 5627th lunar year
[ends.
To the fum
1994022
Add, for 3 lunations, to bring it to May
89
To the fum
1994111
From
Add, for October, 25 d. 00 h. oo min,
Subſtract the Julian reduction of 5460 years 1994265
May 24,
144 F.M. day ends. A.D. 1453.
298
1994409
To
The Chronology of the World.
287
To find the day of the week correfponding aftronomically with the 24th day of
May, A. D. 1453, A. M. 5460.
The CALCULATION.
Divide the fum total of days
in the lunar reduction by 7) 1994111 (284873 weeks.
Remainder
o
index 4 | Thurſday.
.
The PROOF.
To A. D. 1453 add 9, then divide the fum 1462 by 28, and it will leave
in remainder 6, which gives G for the dominical letter; the literal character
of May 24 is D, which that year denoted Thurſday, the fourth day after
Sunday exclufive; which was to be proved.
It appears by theſe calculations, that A. D. 1453, A. M. 5460, the laſt day
of the third month of the 5628th lunar year of the world, was coincident
with the 15th day of Jomada Prior, and the 24th day of May, upon a Thurf-
day, as it was predetermined.
The argument arifing from hence is fo conclufive, that had not an oppor-
tunity offered of fettling the æra of the Hegira from the æra of the creation,
and of eftimating the error of the Hebrew Samaritan Pentateuch in the article
of chronology, we might have reſted in it, and could have been juſtified in
fo doing; but as the proof is far from being compleated, we ſhall proceed
to calculate the four given years of the world fucceflively, from whence it will
appear, if we confine ourſelves to the folar tropical reckoning only, that the
year of the world 5460 is in a true aftronomical connection with A. D. 1453,
and that no other year of the world, which either comes before it, or follows
after it, can claim fuch connection.
Theſe are not offered as points to be debated, but as matters of fact to be
tried.
We propoſe, at prefent, to deduce our proof from the folar tropical reck-
oning only, and therefore we must make choice of fome one of the four
cardinal points, and let it be the vernal equinox.
Now then we fay, that if the calculated times of the fun's entry into the
first point of aries, in a given year of the world, be compared with the times
of the fun's entry into the fame cardinal point, in a given year of our Lord, in the
fame meridian, they will either agree or diſagree: if they agree, that year of
the world will be in connection with that year of our Lord; if they diſagree,
they will be difcordant years, and the difference of the calculated times will
be equal to the error of the chronological computation.
EXAMPLE
288
The Chronology of the World.
t
EXAMPLE I.
A CALCULATION of the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, in which the
fun entered the first point of aries, A. M. 5760, in the meridian of the Green-
wich obfervatory.
From A.M. 5460, fubftract 1, and there will remain A. M. 5459.
5459 years of 365 days, 6 hours,
Multiply
into
M.
II minutes.
D. H. M.
Divide the product by 1440) 60049 (41 16 49 Julian excefs.
From the Julian excefs 41 d. 16h. 49 min. fubftract, for the meridian
diſtance, 10 h. 24 min. and it will leave in remainder 41 d. 6 h. 25 min.
Divide A. M. 5460 by 4, then look for the remainder o, in the perpetual
aftronomical table under A. M. and it will be found over-againſt the 1ft year
after biffextile, ſo that the radical numbers are April 21 d. 11 h. 58 min. to
which add the 31 days of March, to make the fubftraction, and the fum
will be 52 d. 11 h. 58 min.
From the fum
D. H. M.
52
11 58
6 25
Subft.for the retroceffion in 5460 yrs. 41
Jul.M.D.H. and M. of o inr, March 11
5 33 p.m.at Greenwich, A.M.5460.
To find the day of the week correfponding aftronomically with the day of the vernal
equinox A.M. 5460.
The CALCULATION.
From A. M. 5460, ſubſtract 1, and it will give A. M. 5459.
Multiply
into
5459 years,
1461 quadrants.
D.
H. M.
Divide the product by 4) 7975599
(1993899 18 00 Jul. reduction.
41 16 49
Subſtract the Julian exceſs
To the folar tropical reduction, A.M. 5459, 1993858 I II p.m. o in, ift
Add, to bring it to the vern. equin. A.M.5460,
To the fum
[merid.
178 17 58
1994036 19 9
IO 24
The fum
1994037 5 33
Add, for the meridian diſtance,
Divide
The Chronology
289
of of World.
the
the Divide by 7)
Remainder
1994037
(284862 weeks.
3 | index 7 | day of the week, Sunday.
It appears by theſe calculations, that A. M. 5460, the fun came to the
vernal equinox, on the 11th day of March O.S. 33 minutes past five in the
afternoon, upon a Sunday, in the meridian of the Greenwich obfervatory.
To find the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, in which the fun entered the
first point of aries, in the fame meridian, A. D. 1453.
The CALCULATION.
A. D. 1453 was the first year after biffextile, fo alfo was A. D. 1753; the
interval is 300 years, whoſe Julian exceſs or retroceffion is 2 d. 7 h. 00 min.
oo
D. H. M
A.D. 1753 the fun was obferved to enter? March
March 8 22 33 p.m.
aries at the Greenwich obfervatory, O.S.S
Add, for the retroceffion in 300 years
Sun in aries, A. D. 1453, March II
From the calculated time of o in v, A.M. 5460, March
Subft. the calculated time of o in v, A.D. 1453, March
Difference of the times
2 700
5 33
D. H. M.
11
11
5 33 p.m. O.S.
.5 33
ооо
To find the day of the week, correfponding aftronomically with the day of the
vernal equinox, A.D. 1453•
The CALCULATION.
The dominical letter for A. D. 1453 was G; and it is the literal character
of March 11, which fhews that the fun came to the vernal equinox that year,
upon a Sunday, as it did A.M. 5460.
From this agreement in the characters we are certified, that A. M. 5460,
is in a true aſtronomical connection with A. D. 1453, which was to be proved.
P P
The
290
The Chronology of the World.
The CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
}
True chronology, A.M. 5460,
A. J. P. 4166, Conftantinople taken by the Turks,
A.D. 1453-
Sun in aries.
March 11 d. 5 h. 33 min. p.m. at Greenwich.
Sunday.
HISTORICAL SYNCHRONISMS.
year
of the
1. The Conftantinopolitan empire was diffolved, in the fixth
reign of Conftantin Paleologus, the laſt Eaſtern Roman emperor.
II. In the thirty-first year of the reign of Henry VI. king of England.
EXAMPLE II.
A CALCULATION of the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, in which the
Jun entered the first point of aries, A. M. 5456, in the meridian of the Green-
wich obfervatory.
From A. M. 5456 ſubſtract 1, and it will give A. M. 5455. .
5455 years of 365 days, 6 hours,
II minutes.
Multiply
into
M.
D. H. M.
Divide the product by 1440)
440)
60005
60005
(41 16
(41 16 5 Julian exceſs.
From the Julian excefs, 41 d. 16 h. 5 min. fubftract, for the meridian di-
ftance, 10 h. 24 min. and it will leave in remainder 41 d. 5 h. 41 min.
Divide A. M. 5456 by 4, then look for the remainder o, under A. M. in
the perpetual aftronomical table, and it will be found over-againſt the firſt
year after biffextile, fo that the radical numbers will be April 21 d. 11 h. 58
min. to which add, to make the ſubſtraction, the 31 days of March, and the
fum will be 52 d. 11 h. 58 min.
From the fum
Subft. for the retroceffion in 5456 years,
D. H. M.
52 11 58
41 5 41
Jul. M.D.H. and M. of © in v, A.M. 5456, March 11
6 17 p.m. at Greenw.
To
The Chronology of the World.
291
To find the day of the week correfponding aftronomically with the day of the vernal
equinox, A.M. 5456.
Multiply
into
Divide the product by 4)
Subſtract the Julian exceſs
The CALCULATION.
5455 years,
1461 quadrants.
D.
H. M.
7969755 (1992438 18 oo Julian reduction.
41 16
5
To the folar tropical reduction, A.M.5455, 1992397 1 55 Oin, 1ft merid.
Add, to bring it to the vern.equin.A.M.5456,
178° 17 58
1992575 19 53
10 24
To the fum
Add, for the meridian diſtance,
The fum 1992576 6 17
Divide by 7) 1992576 (284653 weeks.
Remainder
5 | index 2 | day of the week, Tueſday.
It appears by theſe calculations, that A. M. 5456, the fun came to the ver-
nal equinox, on the 11th day of March, old ftyle, 17 minutes paſt fix in the
evening, upon a Tueſday, in the meridian of the Greenwich obfervatory.
To find the year of our Lord, in which the fun came to the vernal equinox, in
the fame Julian month, day, hour, and minute, and on the fame day of the
week, as it did A.M. 5456.
The CALCULATION.
From A. M. 5460 ſubſtract A. M. 5456, and it will leave in remainder 4 ;
which being fubftracted from A. D. 1453, it will carry it back to A. D. 1449;
which was the firſt year after biffextile, ſo alfo was Á. D. 1753; the interval
is 304 years, whofe retroceffion is 2 d. 7 h. 44 min.
A. D. 1753, the fun was obferved to enter?
aries at the Greenwich obfervatory, O.S.S
Add, for the retroceffion in 304 years,
March
D. H. M.
8 22 33 p.m.
2 7 44
Sun in aries at Greenwich, A. D. 1449,
Pp 2
March 11
6 17
From
292
The Chronology of the World.
From the calculated time of o in v,
Subſt. the calculated time of o in †,
A. M. 5456,
A. D. 1449,
A. D. 1449,
Difference of the times
D. H. M.
March 11 6 17
March
March II 6 17
To find the day of the week, correfponding aftronomically with the day of the vernal
equinox, A. D. 1449.
The CALCULATION.
To A. D. 1449 add 9, then dividing the fum, 1458 by 28, it will leave in
remainder 2, which gives E for the dominical letter; the literal character
of March 11 is G, which that year denoted Tueſday, and it fhews, that
A.D. 1449, the fun came to the vernal equinox on the fame day of the
week, as well as on the fame Julian month, day, hour, and minute, as it
did A. M. 5456.
From this agreement in the times we are affured that A. M. 5456, is in a
true aſtronomical connection with A. D. 1449.
The CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
Ufher's Chronology A. M. 5456
Conftantinople taken.
A. J. P. 6162
1449
A. D.
Sun in aries.
March 11 d. 6 h.
d. 6 h. 17 min. p.m. Greenwich.
Tueſday.
HISTORICAL SYNCHRONISMS.
I. According to archbiſhop Ufher's fyftem, the Conftantinopolitan empire
was diffolved by the Turks, in the fecond year of the reign of Conſtantin
Paleologus, the laſt Eaſtern Roman emperor.
II. In the 27th year of the reign of Henry VI. king of England, in con-
tradiction to all hiſtory.
EXAMPLE III.
A CALCULATION of the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, in which the
fun entered the first point of aries, A. M. 5759, in the meridian of the Green-
wich obfervatory.
From
The Chronology of the World.
293
From A. M. 5759 fubftract 1, and it will give A. M. 5758.
Multiply
into
M.
Divide the product by 1440)
5758 years of 365 days, 6 hours,
II minutes.
63338
D. H. M.
(43 23 38 Julian exceſs.
From the Julian exceſs, 43 d. 23 h. 38 min. fubftract 10 h. 24 min. for
the meridian diſtance, and it will leave in remainder 43 d. 13 h. 14 min.
Divide A. M. 5759 by 4, then look for the remainder 3 under A. M. in
the perpetual aftronomical table, and it will be found over-againſt the biffextile
year, fo that the radical numbers are April 21 d. 5 h. 58 min. add, to make
the ſubſtraction, the 31 days of March, and the fum will be 52 d. 5 h. 58 min.
From the fum
Subftract, for the retroceflion in 5759 years,
Jul.M.D. H. and M. of o inv, A.M.5759, March
D. H. M.
52 5 58
43 13 14
8 16 44 p.m.O.S.Greenw.
To find the day of the week, correſponding aftronomically with the day of the
vernal equinox, A. M. 5759.
The CALCULATION.
From A. M. 5759 ſubſtract 1, and it will give A. M. 5758.
Multiply
into
5758 years,
1461 quadrants.
D.
H. M.
Divide the product by 4) 8412438 (2103109 12 00 Julian reduction.
Subtract the Julian excefs
To the folar tropical reduction, A.M. 5758, 2103065 12 22 ✪ in, firſt meridian,
Add, to bring it to the vern.equin. A.M.5759,
43 23 38
178 17 58
To the fum
2103244 6 20
Add, for the meridian diſtance,
IO 24
Reduce the hours to midnight
2103244 16 44
+1-12
The fum 2103245 4 44
Divide by 7) 2103245 (300463 weeks.
Remainder
4 index | Monday.
It
294
The Chronology of the World.
It appears by thefe calculations, that A. M. 5759 the fun came to the ver-
nal equinox, on the 9th day of March, old ftyle, 44 minutes paſt four in
the morning, upon a Monday, in the meridian of the Greenwich obfervatory.
To find the year of our Lord, in which the fun came to the vernal equinox,
on the fame fulian month, day, bour, and minute, and on the fame day of
the week, as it did A. M. 5759.
}
The CALCULATION.
From A. M. 5759 fubftract A. M. 5460, and it will leave an interval of
299 years; whoſe retroceffion is 2 d. 6 h. 49 min. To A. D. 1453 add 299,
and it will bring it forward to A. D. 1752, in connection with A. M. 5759-
For,
From the hour and minute of o inv, A. D. 1453, March
Subſtract, for the retroceffion in 299 years,
D. H. M.
I I
5 33
2 6 49
From March
8 22 44
6
Subftract, for the difference of 1 year in the quadriennium,
Remains for the time of the equinox, A.D. 1752, O.S. March
D. H. M.
8 16 44
From the calculated time of o in v, A.M.5759, March 8 16 44 p.m.O.S,
Subft, the calculated time of o inv, A.D.1752,March 8 16 44
Difference of the times
оо
Q
To find the day of the week, corresponding aftronomically with the 9th of March,
on which the fun came to the vernal equinox, reckoning the haurs from mid-
night, A.D. 1752.
The CALCULATION.
To A.D. 1752 add 9, then dividing the fum 1761 by 28, it will leave
in remainder 25, which gives ED for the dominical letters, old ftyle; the
literal character of March 9 is E, which that year, after February 29, denoted
Monday.
From this coincidence of times and characters we are certified, that A. M.
5759 is in a true aftronomical connection, not with A. D. 1453, in which
Conftantinople was taken by the Turks, but with A. D. 1752, which is 299
years lower down in time.
The
The Chronology of the World.
295
The CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
The Samaritan Chronology
erroneouſly ſtated
A. M. 5759
A. D.
A. J. P. 6465
1752
Conſtantinople taken.
Sun in aries.
March 8 d. 16 h. 44 min. p.m O .S.
Monday.
HISTORICAL SYNCHRONISM.
According to the computations of the Hebrew Samaritan Pentateuch,
as collected and ſtated by the compilers of the Univerfal Hiſtory, 1ft edit. fol.
the Conftantinopolitan empire was diffolved in the 25th year of the reign of
George II. king of Great Britain, which is a very grofs anachroniſm.
EXAMPLE IV.
A CALCULATION of the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, in which the
fun entered the first point of aries, A. M. 5761, in the meridian of the Green-
wich obfervatory.
From A.M. 5761 ſubſtract 1, and it will give A. M. 5760.
Multiply
into
M.
5760 years of 365 days, 6 hours,
II minutes.
D. H. M.
Divide the product by 1440) 63360 (44 00 00 Julian excefs.
From the Julian excefs, 44 days, fubftract, for the meridian diſtance,
10 h. 24 min. and it will leave in remainder
Ioh.
43 d. 13 h. 36 min.
Divide A. M. 5761 by 4, then look for the remainder 1, under A. M. in
the perpetual aſtronomical table, and it will be found over-againſt the 2d year
after biffextile, fo that the radical numbers are April 21 d. 17 h. 58 min. add,
to make the ſubſtraction, the 31 days of March, and the fum will be 52
17 h. 58 min.
From
Subſtract, for the retroceffion in 5761 years,
D. H. M.
52 17 58
43 13 36
d.
Jul.M.D.H. and M. of © in V, A.M.5761,March 9 4 22 p.m.O.S.Greenw.
To
296
The Chronology of the World.
To find the day of the week, correfponding aftronomically with the day of the
vernal equinox, A.M. 5761.
The CALCULATION.
From A.M. 5761 ſubſtract 1, and it will give A. M. 5760.
Multiply
into
5760 years,
1461 quadrants.
D.
H. M.
Divide the product by 4) 8415360 (2103840 00 00 Julian reduction.
Subſtract the Julian exceſs
44 00 00
To the folar trop. reduction, A.M. 5760, 2103796 00 oo o in, firſt meridian,
Add,to bring it to the vern.equin. A.M.5761,
178 17 58
To the fum
2103974 17 58
Add, for the meridian diſtance,
IO 24
The fum
2103975 4 22 O in v.
Divide by 7) 2103975 (300567 weeks.
Remainder
6 | index 3 | Wedneſday.
It appears by theſe calculations, that A. M. 5761, the fun came to the
vernal equinox at Greenwich, on the 9th day of March, old ftyle, 22 minutes
paſt four in the afternoon, upon a Wedneſday.
To find the year of our Lord, in which the fun came to the vernal equinox, on
the fame Julian month, day, hour, and minute, and day of the week, as
it did A. M. 5761.
The CALCULATION.
From A. M 5761 ſubſtract A. M. 5460, and it will leave an interval of
301 years, whofe retroceffion is 2 d. 7 h. 11 min. To A.D. 1453, add 301,
and it will bring it forward to A. D. 1754, in connection with A. M. 5761;
For,
From the time of the equinox, A.D. 1453, March
Subftract, for the retroceffion in 301 years,
Remains for the time of the equinox, A.D. 1754, March
D. H. M.
5 33
II
2 I II
9 4 22
We
The Chronology of the World.
297
We ſubſtract 6 hours from the retroceffion, becauſe A. D. 1753 was the
firſt year after biffextile, and A. D. 1754 was the fecond.
D. H. M.
9
From the calculated time of o in v, A. M. 5761, March
Subft. the calculated time of o inv, A. D. 1754, March 9
Difference of the times
4 22 p.m.
4 22 p.m.
ооо
To find the day of the week, correfponding aftronomically with the 9th day of
March, old ftyle, on which the fun came to the vernal equinox, A.D. 1754.
The CALCULATION.
To A. D. 1754 add 9, then dividing the fum 1763 by 28, it will leave in
remainder 27, which gives B for the dominical letter. The literal character
of March 9 is E, which that year denoted Wedneſday.
This coincidence of times and characters undeniably proves, that A. M.
5761, is in a true aftronomical connection with A. D. 1754, according to the
computations of the Maforete Hebrew text, and not of the Samaritan Pen-
tateuch.
The CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
The Chronology of the Samaritan
Pentateuch rightly ſtated
A. M. 5761
A. J. P. 6467
A.D. 1754
Conftantinople taken,
Sun in aries.
March 9 d. 4 h. 22 min. p. m. O, S,
Wedneſday.
HISTORICAL SYNCHRONISM.
According to the chronology of the Samaritan Pentateuch, when rightly
stated, the city of Conftantinople was taken by the Turks, in the 27th year
of the reign of George II. king of Great Britain.
We need only look into theſe chronological tables to be informed, that every
given year of our Lord, has its correfponding year of the world, and they are
aftronomically connected with fuch a reciprocation of characters, as cannot be
calculated to meet again, according to the principles laid down, in a much
greater number of years than have paffed fince the creation. Hence it comes,
Qq
that
•
298
The Chronology of the World.
of our
that whatever event is related to have happened, in any certain year
Lord, it muſt neceffarily have happened in its appropriated year of the world;
which from the identity of characters may be eaſily known and eaſily aſcer-
tained. And the calculation of any other year, will only tend to diſcover to
us, the error of the chronological computation; and this error will be always
equal to the differences between the times of the fun's entry into the given
cardinal point; but theſe particulars will be beft explained and underſtood
by examples.
EXAMPLE I.
Hiftorians relate that the city of Conftantinople was taken by the Turks,
A. D. 1453, which, according to archbishop Ufher's fyftem, falls in with A.M.
5456; we want to know whether this be the true correfponding year of the
world; and by examining the preceeding chronological tables, we find, that
in the year of our Lord 1453, the fun came to the vernal equinox at Green-
wich, old ftyle, March 11 d. 5 h. 33 min. p. m. upon a Sunday; but in the
folar tropical year of the world 5456, it entered the fame cardinal point, in
the fame meridian, March 11 d. 6 h. 17 min. p. m. O.S. upon a Tueſday,
the difference between the times of the ingrefs is 44 minutes, which being
divided by 11, the quotient will inform us, that there is a metachroniſm of
four years in Ufher's chronology.
I
From A. M. 5460 ſubſtract 4, and it will carry it back to A. M. 5456;
and if from A.Ď. 1453 we ſubſtract 4, it will carry it back to A.D. 1449 ;
whilft from the coincidence of times and characters, we have as full an
affurance that A. M. 5456 is in connection with A. D. 1449, as that A. M.
5460 is in connection with A. D. 1453.
EXAMPLE II.
It is well known, that the compilers of the Univerfal Hiftory, in the firſt
edition of that uſeful work, digefted the feries of years, as directed by the
Hebrew text of the Samaritan Pentateuch; agreeably hereto (excepting a
miſtake of two years) they have ſet down in the margin the folar tropical year
of the world 5759, inſtead of 5761, as correfponding with A. D. 1453. But
by looking into the preceeding tables of times and characters, we find an
error in the Samaritan computation of full 301 years.
In order to diſcover and eftimate the excefs of the Samaritan chronology,
we muſt look into the tables for A. M. 5761, and we ſhall find it in con-
nection with A. D. 1754; in this year of the world, and in this year
of our
Lord, the fun entered aries, at Greenwich, March 9 d. 4 h. 22 min. old ftyle,
which being fubftracted from March 11 d. 5 h.
h. 33 min. the time of the
vernal
The Chronology of the World.
299
I
vernal equinox, at the fame place, A.M. 5460, A. D. 1453, the difference
of the times will be 2 d. 1 h. 11 min. but becauſe A. D. 1754 was the
fecond year after biffextile, and A. D. 1453 was the firft, we muſt add 6 to
the hours, which will make for the retroceffion 2 d. 7 h. 11 min. theſe will
produce 3311 minutes; and if divided by II', the quotient will inform us, that
there is an excess of 301 years in the chronology of the Samaritan Pentateuch.
This exceſs will be confirmed by Mofes's tables of the genealogies of the
Patriarchs; for from the creation to the flood, the Maforete Hebrew text
computes 1656 years, and the Hebrew text of the Samaritan Pentateuch
1307, which falls fhort 349 years. From the flood to the 70th year of Terah,
we collect from the Maforete Hebrew text no more than 292 years; but
from the Hebrew text of the Samaritan Pentateuch 1042, in which there is
an exceſs, in the Samaritan chronology, of 650 years; from 650 ſubſtract 349,
and the fum of the exceſs will be, as it is ſtated above, 301 years. From
A.D. 1754 fubftract 301, and it will carry it back to A. D. 1453, which
is hiſtorically true.
By theſe means, the defect and exceſs of every ſyſtem of chronology which
has ever been offered, may be diſcovered and eſtimated to a fingle year.
Thus far we have been fhewing, how the diſtinction of years may be pre-
ſerved by the folar tropical reckoning only; but the argument will receive a
very great addition of ftrength, if to the folar we add the lunar computation,
and fuch is that in ufe among the Turks and Arabs, from the æra of the
Hegira, dated July 16, A. D. 622.
To find the folar tropical year of the world correfponding aftronomically with A. D.
522, in which the ara of the Hegira commenced.
The CALCULATION.
To A. D. 622 add A. M. 4007, and the fum 4629 will be the folar tro-
pical year of the world fought. Or, from A. D. 1453 fubftract A. D. 622,
and the difference 831 from A. M. 5460, it will give, as before, A. M. 4629.
To find the reign of the Eastern Roman emperor, and the year of his reign, in
which Mahomet took his flight from Mecca to Medina.
8
The CALCULATION.
According to our chronological canon, the Roman emperor Phocas, reigned
years, and died A. M. 4616, which being fubftracted from A. M. 4629,
will give the 13th year of Heraclius.
Q q 2
We
300
The Chronology of the World.
We fay then, that the æra of the Hegira is dated from the 13th year of
the reign of the Eaſtern Roman emperor Heraclius, A. D. 622, A. M. 4629.
Since Mahomet's flight is related to have happened on the 16th day of
July, upon a Friday, and the moon to have been vifible on the evening of
the 15th, upon a Thurſday, it muſt have been in conjunction with the fun,
on the 14th day of July, upon a Wedneſday; from hence ariſes,
QUERY I. At what precife distance, in days, hours, and minutes, after the
fummer folftice, the nearest cardinal point, did that mean new moon happen, from
the evening of whofe vifibility, Mahomet's flight from Mecca to Medina is
computed?
Before we can give a folution of this query, we muſt firſt determine the
Julian month, day, hour, and minute, in which the fun came to the fummer
folftice, in the meridian of the Greenwich obfervatory, A. D. 622, A. M.
4629.
The CALCULATION.
From A. M. 4629 ſubſtract 1, and it will give A. M. 4628.
Multiply
into
M.
Divide the product by 1440)
Multiply
into
4628 years of 365 days, 6 hours,
II.minutes.
D. H. M.
50908 (35 8 2.8 Julian exceſs.
4628 years,
1461 quadrants.
Divide the product by 4) 6761508
Subſtract the Julian excefs
To the folar tropical reduction, A. M. 4628,
Add, to bring it to the fum. folftice, A.M.4629,
To the fum
Add, for the meridian diſtance,
To the ſum
Add, for October, 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
Subſtract the Julian reduction of 4629 years
D.
H. M..
(1690377 00 00 Jul. reduction.
35 8 28
Jul.M D.H, and M. of o in, A,M.4629, June 18,
1690341 15 32 o in,1ft merid.
271 16 40
1690613. 8 12
10 24
1690613, 18 36
298
1690911 18 36
1690742
169 18 36 p.m.
J
It
The Chronology of the World.
301
30 г
It appears by theſe calculations, that the fun came to the fummer folftice
A. M. 4629, A. D. 622, in the meridian of the Greenwich obfervatory, on
the 18th day of June, 18 h. 36 min. afternoon; but, if we would reckon
the hours from midnight, we muſt ſay, on the 19th day of June, 36 minutes
paſt fix in the morning. Here follows,
A CALCULATION of the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, of that mean new
moon, on the evening of whofe vifibility the era of the Hegira commenced.
A. M.
Divide by 19) 4628 (243 decennoval cycles.
Remain
11 years of the 244th.
Multiply 243 cycles into 235 lunations, and to the product 57105, add;
for the II remaining years, 232, then to the fum 57237, add for intercalary
months 4, and the whole amount of lunations will be 57241; the laſt of
theſe lunations ends with a full moon evening, near the autumnal equinox,
A. M. 4628.
To
Add, to bring it to the F.M. after the fum. folſt. A.M.4629,
To the fum
Add, to bring it to the N. M. in July
Sum total
57241 Iunations,
9
57250
I
2
a lunation.
57250/1/
Reduce 57250 lunations and a half to days.
50,000 lunations give
7,000
D.
H. M. S. Th.
1476528 18 58 20 00
206714 00 44 10 00
200
50
2
From the fum
Subftract, for 49680 lunations,
To the fum
Add, for the meridian diftance
To the fum
5906 2 45 50 00
1476 12 41 27 30
14 18 22 00 00
1690640 5 31 47 30
I
1690639 5 31 47 30
TO 24
1690639 15 55 47 30
Add, for October, 24 d. oo h. oo min,
297
From
302
The Chronology of the World.
1
From the fum
Subft. the Julian reduction of 4629 years
Jul.M.D.H.and M. of mean N.M. July 13,
Reduce the hours to midnight
July 14
D.
H. M. S. Th.
1690936 15 55 47 30
1690742
194 15 55 47 30 p.m.
+1-12
195 3 55 47 30 P.M. N.
To find the precife distance of this mean new moon after the fummer folftice.
D. H. M. S. Th.
From July
13 15 55 47 30
18 18 36 00 00
Subſtract the time of the folftice, June
The diſtance fought
24 21 19 47 30
Or, from the days of the lunar reduction, - 1 day,
Subſtract the days of the tropical folar
Remains the fame diſtance as before
D. H. M. S. Th.
1690639 15 55 47 30
1690613 18 36 00 00
24 21 19 47 30
To find the day of the week, corresponding aftronomically with the 14th day
of July, or the day of the moon's conjunction with the fun A. D. 622, A. M.
4629.
The CALCULATION.
D. H.
The fum total of days in the lunar reduction, are 1690639 15
Reduce the hours to midnight
+1-12
The fum 1690640' 3
Divide by 7) 1690640 (241519 weeks.
Remainder
To A. D. 622 add 9, then
-I
6 | index 3 | Wedneſday.
PROOF.
dividing the fum 631 by 28, it will leave in
remainder 15, which gives C for the dominical letter; the literal character
of July 14 is F, which that year denoted Wedneſday.
QUERY
The Chronology of the World.
303
QUERY II. In what lunar year of the world, in what month of that
and on what day of the month, did the era of the Hegira commence?
The CALCULATION.
The fum total of lunations are, page 301, 57250%.
Divide by 12) 57250 (4770 lunar years.
year,
Remain
Divide by 30)
Remainder
10 lunations.
4770 (159 periods of 30 lunar years.
Multiply 159 periods into 11, and the product 1749 will be the whole
amount of lunar years, confifting of 355 days.
Multiply
into
To the product
Add, for lunar years of 355 days,
To the fum
Add, for odd hours, &c. and merid. diſtance,
To the fum
Add, for October, 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
4770 lunar years,
354 days.
1688580
1749
1690329
I
1690330
298
From the fum
1690628
Subſtract the Julian reduction of 4628 years
1690377
The 4770th lunar year ends, September 8,
Add, for 10 lunations,
251 A.M. 4628.
295
From the fum
Subſtract
June 30,
546
365
181
From this calculation it appears, that the 10th month of the 4771ft lunar
year of the world, terminated on a full moon evening, on the 30th day of
June, A. D. 622, A. M. 4629.
To
304
The Chronology of the World.
1
To June 30
a kal. Jan. 181 days,
Add half a lunation, to bring it to a N. M. evening, 15
Or, to the fum total of days in 4770 lunar years,
Add, for 10 remaining lunations,
July 15
196 Moon vifible.
1690329
295
To the fum
Add, for half a lunation,
1690624
15
Add, for odd hours, &c. and meridian diſtance,
Add, for October, 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
I
To the fum
1690640
298
1690938
Subſtract the Julian reduction of 4629 years
1690742
July 15
196 Moon vifible.
To find the day of the week, correfponding aftronomically with the 15th day of
fuly, on the evening of which the moon was vifible A. D. 622, A. M. 4629.
The CALCULATION.
Divide the days of the lunar reduction by 7) 1690640 (241520 weeks.
o | index 4 | Thurſday.
Remainder
We fay then, that the era of the Hegira commenced in the 4771ft lunar
year of the world, and in the middle of the 11th month of that year, as
the lunations are computed from full moon to full moon.
We will now collect into a table, thoſe coincidences and characters, which
diſcriminate the year of the Hegira.
M
A. M. A. D.
|
Eaftern Roman Lunar year of | Jul, month Day of the Diſtance after the
Emperor, the world.
4771
year of his reign
13.
M.
M. D.
.
and day,
July 15. Thurf-
day.
week.
fummer folftice.
26 days,
Moon viſible.
I I
15
4629 622| Heraclius,
The
The Chronology of the World.
305
The foregoing calculations were neceffary for the introduction of
QUERY III. In what year of the Hegira was Conftantinople taken by the Turks,
A.D. 1453, A. M. 5460?
The CALCULATION.
It has been already made to appear, (pagé 303) that this event came to paſs
in the 5628th lunar year of the world. The era of the Hegira commenced
in the lunar year of the world 4771, which being fubftracted from 5628,
leaves in remainder the 857th year of the Hegira, in agreement with the joint
relations of Aljunabius and Leunclavius.
QUERY IV. In what Julian month, and day of the month, did the 856th
year of the Hegira end?
The CALCULATION.
To the lunar year of the world 4771, in which the first year of the
Hegira began, add 856, and it will give the lunar year of the world 5627.
Reduce 5627 lunar years to days.
5000 lunar years give
600
20
D. H. M. S.
1771834 13 10 00
212620 3 30 00
7087 8 7 00
7
From the fum
Sub. for 49680 lunations, or for 4140 lunar yrs.
To the remainder
Add, for the meridian diſtance,
To the fum
Add, for October, 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
Subſtract the Jul. reduction of 4629 years
2480 13 38 27
1994022 14 25 27
I
1994021 14 25 27
10 24
1994022 00
298
1994320
The 5627th lunar year ends with a F.M. Feb. 24,
Rr
1994265
55 A.D.1453. A.M.5460.
To
}
306
The Chronology of the World.
In the next place, we must find the Julian month, and day of the month, on the
evening of which the moon was visible, neareſt to the 15th day of July, in the
lunar year of the world 5628.
The CALCULATION.
To February 24 -
Add, for four lunations,
a kal. Jan. 55 days,
Add for half a lunation, to bring it to a N. M.
July 7, moon viſible
118
15
188 A.D.1453, A.M. 5460..
In the first year of the Hegira A. D. 622, the moon was viſible on the
evening of the 15th day of July, which is the 196th day from the kalends of
January; but we now find that A. D. 1453, the moon was vifible on the
evening of the 7th day of July, which is the 188th day from the kalends
of January; the difference between the 7th and the 15th day of July is 8
days; and we muft continue the calculation, until we can aſcertain that de-
terminate number of days, which being added to the difference 8, and ſub-
ftracted from 196; or, which, without any addition, being ſubſtracted from
188, will carry it back to the Julian month, and day of the month, on the
evening of which the 856th year of the Hegira ended with the moon's.
vifibility.
The CALCULATION continued.
From A. D. 1453, ſubſtract A. D. 622, and it will leave in remainder
831 folar years.
Divide by 19) 831 (43 decennoval cycles.
Remain
14 years of the 44th.
Multiply 43 cycles into 235 lunations, and to the product 10105, add for
14 remaining years 168, and to the fum 10273, add for intercalary months
5, then the whole amount of lunations will be 10278.
Divide by 12).
Remain
lunations.
10278
10278 (856 lunar
(856 lunar years.
6 lunar months.
In 6 lunar months, there are 177 days, which are the determinate number
of days fought. For to 177 add 8, and ſubſtract the fum 185 from 196,
and
The Chronology of the World.
307
and it will carry it back to the 11th day of January, on the evening of which
the 856th year of the Hegira ended, A.D. 1453; or if from 188 we ſubſtract
177, it will ſtill carry it back to January 11; fo that the 857th year began on
the 12th day of January, which a Turk would call Neomenia Muharram.
Multiply
into
[ 1
าร
Another method.
831 years of 365 days, 6 hours,
1461 quadrants.
D. H. M.
Divide the product by 4) 1214091 (303522 18 00 Julian reduction.
lunar yrs.
Divide by 30) 56 (28 periods of
856 (28 periods of 30 lunar years.
Remain
16 years of the 29th.
Multiply 28 periods into II, and to the product 308, add 5, for the 16
remaining years, then the fum 313, will be the number of lunar
fifting of 355 days.
years con-
Multiply
into
856 lunar years,
354 days.
Add, for lunar
To the product
years of 355 days
303024
313
1
393337
196
303533
To the fum
Add, for July 15, a kal. Jan.
From the fum
Subſtract the Julian reduction of 831 years 303522
The 856th year of the Hegira ends, Jan. 11 A.D.1453, A.M.5460.
To find the day of the week, correfponding aftronomically with the 11th day of Ja-
nuary, A.D. 1453.
The CALCULATION.
The 5627th lunar year of the world, was found to end A.D. 1453, on
the 24th day of February, a kal. Jan. 55 days. From 55 days fubftract
January 11, and it will leave in remainder 44 days. From the creation of
the world to the 24th day of February, A.D. 1453, we computed 1994022
days,
Rr 2
308
The Chronology of the World.
days, from which fubftract 44, and the remainder 1993978 will
back to the 11th day of January.
Divide by 7) 1993978 (284854 weeks.
Remainder
o | index 4 | Thurſday.
carry
it
We ſay then, that A. D. 1453 the 856th year of the Hegira ended on
the 11th day of January, upon a Thurſday, and the 857th year began on
the 12th day of January, upon a Friday, in agreement with the computation
of the Turks.
To find the Turkish month, and day of the month, which in the 857th year of
the Hegira, was aftronomically coincident with the 29th day of May, A.D.
1453.
A TABLE of the months of the Turkiſh year.
Months.
Days. Collected days.
I
Muharram.
30
30
2
Saphar.
29
59
3
Rabia Prior.
30
89
4.
Rabia Pofterior.
29
118
Jomada Prior.
30
148
6
Jomada Pofterior.
29
177
Rajab.
30
207
8
Shaaban.
29
236
9
Ramadan.
30
266
ΙΟ
Shawall.
29
295
I I
Dulkaadah.
30
325
I2
Dulheggia.
29
354
D.
The 586th year of the Hegira ended
1. Muharram contains 30 days, and ended
January 11
February 10
I I
2. Saphar
29
3. Rabia Prior
30
4. Rabia Pofterior
29
5. Add for Jomada Prior 20
March
I I
April
ΙΟ
May
May
29
It appears by theſe calculations, that the city of Conftantinople was taken
by the Turks in the 857th year of the Hegira, on the 20th day of Jomada
Prior, coincident with the 29th day of May, A. D. 1453; and fo fay the
hiftorians.
To
The Chronology of the World.
309
To find the day of the week, correfponding aftronomically with the 20th day
of Fomada Prior, in the 857th year of the Hegira, and the 29th of May,
A. D. 1453.
The CALCULATION.
From the creation of the world to the 11th day of January, A.D. 1453»
we computed
Add, for 4 lunar months,
Add, for Jomada Prior,
1993978 days.
118
20
Divide by 7) 1994116 (284873 weeks.
Remainder
5 | index 2 | Tueſday.
The PROOF.
The dominical letter for A. D. 1453 was G; the literal character of May
29, is B; which that year denoted Tueſday. Here follows,
An enumeration of the calculated characters.
We fay then, that the æra of the Hegira, or of Mahomet's flight from
Mecca to Medina, commenced,
ift, In the folar tropical year of the world 4629.
2dly, In the 4771ft lunar year of the world, and in the middle of the 11th
month of that year, computed from full moon to full moon.
3dly, In the year of our Lord 622, according to the vulgar æra.
4thly, On the 16th day of July, upon a Friday,
5thly, The moon was in conjunction with the fun, on the 14th day of
July, upon a Wedneſday; was viſible on the evening of the 15th day, upon
a Thurſday,
6thly, On the 26th day after the fummer folftice.
7thly, In the 13th year of the reign of the Eaſtern Roman emperor
Heraclius.
The city of Conftantinople was taken by the Turks,
Ift, In the folar tropical year of the world 5460.
2dly, In the 4628th lunar year of the world; on the 5th day of the 4th
month, computed from full moon to full moon.
3dly, In the 857th year of the Hegira, or of Mahomet's flight from Mecca
to Medina.
4thly,
310
The Chronology of the World.
4thly, On the 20th day of Jomada Prior, coincident with the 29th day
of May, A.D. 1453.
5thly, Upon a Tueſday, the 2d day after Sunday excluſive.
6thly, In the 6th year of the reign of Conftantin Paleologus.
7thly, In the 31ft year of the reign of Henry VI. king of England.
TABLE I.
Exhibits thoſe coincidences and characters which would be produced by calculating
the folar tropical year of the world 5456, according to archbiſhop Uſher's fyftem
of chronology.
A. M. A. D. Rom. Emperor.
The laſt Eaftern
King of
England.
Lunar year
the world.
Year of the
Hegira.
Jul. month Day of the
and day.
week.
Paleologus, year of his reign
5624
M. D.
853
May 29. Thurf-
Rabia Pofter.
day.
y.of his reign 2.
27.
2
20
+5.
54561449 Conftantin Henry VI.
TABLE II.
Exhibits thofe coincidences and characters which would be produced by calculating
the folar tropical year of the world 5759, which has been fuppofed to be in
connection with A. D. 1453.
A. M.A. D.
57591752
King of
England.
Lunar year of Year of the Jul. month Day of the
Hegira. and day. week.
the world.
George II.
5936
1165 May 29. Friday.
year of his reign]
25.
M.
D.
Rajab
6
1 I
20.
We need not point out the differences between theſe coincidences and cha-
racters; they will readily difcover themſelves to any one who fhall examine
and compare the tables; and we may obferve, that if we calculate, in this
manner, every year that has paffed fince the creation, we ſhould not find the
857th year of the Hegira to fall in any year of our Lord but the 1453d; nor
the 20th day of Jomada Prior coinciding with the 29th day of May, upon a
Tueſday, but only in the folar tropical year of the world 5460; which aſtro-
nomical appropriations remove all uncertainty from a fyftem of chronology.
DISSER-
The Chronology of the World.
311
DISSERTATION
IV.
Of national Kalendars, or, of civil and political Years.
T
HIS fyftem of chronology rifes no higher in its pretenfions, nor does
it indeed require any ftronger fupport, than what it derives from ka-
lendar aftronomy, whofe fimplicity does not fink it beneath our regards; for
although it affects no fpeculative theories, (however true in themſelves, or fub-
lime in their nature) yet it offers fomething of more general ufe; for it teaches
us the practical part; it inftructs us how to accommodate, with exactneſs, the
annual periods of the fun and moon, to civil and religious affairs. We are
therefore to ſearch, if haply we can find, a national kalendar, whoſe perfect
conftruction no aftronomy can correct, and which true aftronomy will con-
firm; to whoſe months and days we may refer, with great aptitude and pro-
priety, the ſtations of the fun and moon; and compute their various rela-
tions, fituations and diſtances from each other in time, without
to the afteriſms.
any reference
Now that no kalendar, ſo abfolutely perfect in its form and quantity, as
we have been mentioning, and are fearching after, ever had any exiſtence
in theſe weſtern parts of the world, will evidently appear from an examination,
Ift, Of Romulus's year,
2dly, Of Numa's year, and
3dly, Of Julius Cæfar's year.
The Roman year, as it ſtands corrected by Julius Cæfar, merits our eſteem
for its general uſe and benefit to all the kingdoms and ſtates in Europe ever
fince, upon the account of its near, although not exact, conformity to the
natural folar year; and it is alfo become extremely venerable, for what a pro-
fane hiftorian would call, its high antiquity.
1805 Years, computed from that which is now current, namely A. D.
1760, would but juft carry it back to the epoch of its reformation; and 2512
years, to its infant ftate in the firft year of Romulus's reign A.M. 3255,
which fynchronizes with the 3d year of the 6th Olympiad, and the beginning
of the fourth year of Jotham king of Judah.
Every national kalendar ought by its conſtruction, to be made ſubſervient
to theſe three purpoſes, namely,
Ift,
312
Chronology of the World.
The
ift, It ought to be a compleat directory for computing the months and
days, as they follow one another in fucceflion, throughout the year, whether
it be folar or lunar, or both; which year may be caufed to begin ad libitum,
from any of the four ſeaſons; unleſs it can be proved, that its epoch was
fixed originally by the Creator himſelf, who is undoubtedly the firſt and ſupreme
legiflator.
2dly, For recording the times of hiftorical tranfactions and events, in exact
correfpondency with the fituations of the fun and moon in the heavens.
3dly, For aſcertaining the determinate and periodical returns of feſtival
days in their appointed ſeaſons.
As every civilized nation has its feftival days, fo alfo it has a kalendar, more
or leſs perfect, and its ſtated methods of computation.
Our firft enquiry fhall be, whether Romulus's year or kalendar, was fo
conſtituted as to anſwer any one of theſe three purpoſes; or whether it only
ferves to diſcover to us, the profound uncultivated ignorance and barbariſm,
which overſpread with darkneſs theſe weſtern regions, in the days of Jotham
king of Judah.
Romulus ordained the year to confift of ten months, faith Ovid *, and theſe
of 304 days, faith Macrobius +. By this number of months and days, he
aimed to expreſs the quantity of the lunar year, as the poet Ovid obferves,
rather from the dictates of fancy, than any ſkill in aftronomy.
There are various accounts of the year made uſe of by Romulus, with
reſpect to the number of days in its ſeveral months; but this we are affured
of on all hands, that the months were unequal: Plutarch (life of Numa)
fays, they were reckoned avoμaas, irregularly; fome of them having leſs than
20 days, whilſt others had 35 days, and others more. Cenforinus relates, that
March had 36 days, May 22, September 16.
Tempora digereret cum conditor urbis, in anno
Conftituit menfes quinque bis effe fuo.
+ Non igitur mirum in hâc varietate Romanos quoque olim, auctore Romulo, annum fuum
decem habuiffe menfibus ordinatum, qui annus incipiebat a Martio, & conficiebatur diebus 304.
Macrob. Saturn.
Annus erat, decimum cum luna repleverat orbem,
Qui numerus magno tunc in honore fuit.
Seu quia tot digiti per quos numerare folemus
Quod fatis, ex utero matris dum prodeat infans,
Hóc anno ftatuit temporis effe fatis.
Scilicet arma, magis quam fidera, Romule noras.
Ovid. Fafti,
The
1
The Chronology of the World.
3 13
The whole perhaps might ſtand in fome fuch form as this:
Unequal Months.
1. March
2. April
36 days.
36
3. May
4. June
5. Quintilis
2 3
22
26
36
6. Sextilis
28
7. September
16
8. October
39
9. November
3.0
10. December
35
Sum total 304 days.
Macrobius and Cenforinus confider theſe as the months of the old Alban
year, and affirm that Romulus regulated thefe inequalities, by reducing fix of
them, namely, April, June, Sextilis, September, November, and December,
to 30 days a piece; whilft to each of the remaining four, March, May, Quin-
tilis, and October, he gave 31 days. But as this imperfect form could not
anſwer one of the three purpoſes of a kalendar, we proceed to confider
Numa's year.
At the death of Romulus, there followed an inter-reign of 1 year, at the
expiration of which, Pompilius Numa, an illuſtrious Sabin, was elected king
in the first year of the 16th Olympiad.
22 Years had paffed from the reftitution of the Olympic games by Iphitus,
to that year exclufive, in which Romulus began to build his city. Multiply
15 Olympiads by 4, and the product will give a ſeries of 60 fingle years
reckoned from the fame æra; throw off 1 year for the inter-reign, and there
will remain 59. From 59 throw off the aforementioned 22, and the re-
mainder 37 will be the number of folar years that Romulus reigned. But
had the reign of Romulus been computed by the years of his own inſtitution,
they would have amounted to 43, without inferting the current year in which
he died; for as it confifted of no more than 304 days, and was unreſtrained
by intercalation, the kalends of March would, in that interval, have run
back through all the feaſons of the folar year fomewhat more than fix times.
Hiftorians, therefore, have prudently and rightly reduced the defective Ro-
mulean years to the true folar.
to the true folar. And this muſt conſtantly happen, whenever
S s
we
314
The Chronology of the World.
we adjuſt the intervals of times, by a fucceffion, either of Olympiads, or of
fcriptural years; and the reafon, in both cafes, is very evident: For the
Greeks celebrated the laſt of the four Olympic games on that mean full moon
day, which happened either upon or next after the fummer folſtice; but
between that feafon in one year, and the fame feafon in the next, there muſt
always intervene a folar year. In like manner, the antient Hebrews and
Ifraelites, as well as the modern Jews, obferved their feaft of tabernacles, on
that mean full moon day which happened either upon or next after the autum-
nal equinox, by which means their years, whether fingly or collectively taken,
muft be tropical folar. And therefore, how inadequate foever to the fun's
courſe, the years in ufe among the feveral nations might have been, yet when
they can be fynchronized with the Olympiads, (which begin and end at the
fummer folftice) or with the reigns of the kings of Judah and Iſrael, (which
are computed to begin and end at the vernal equinox) the interval will be
aſcertained by a true chronology.
I
Romulus, for example, began to reign in the former part of the fourth
year of Jotham king of Judah, in the folar tropical year of the world
3255
and died in the latter end of the 11th year of Hezekiah, in the folar tropical
year of the world 3292. From A. M. 3292 fubftract A. M. 3255, and the
difference will fhew, that Romulus reigned 37 fcriptural folar tropical years,
and was cotemporary with Jotham king of Judah 12 years; with Ahaz 14;
and with Hezekiah 11.
In the chronological tables, the firft Olympiad falls in with the former
part of the 33d year of Uzziah king of Judah, and with the folar tropical
year of the world 3232.
Numa fucceeded to the throne of Rome, in the beginning of the 13th
year of Hezekiah, in the folar tropical year of the world 3293.
From A. M. 3293 fubftract A. M. 3232, and divide the remainder 61 by 4,
the quotient will be 15, and the refidual number will be 1; from whence
we collect, that Numa began to reign Olympiad xvi. 1.
From 61 fubftract 22, the number of years that lapſed from the era of the
Olympiads to the beginning of Romulus's reign, and the remainder 39 will
be the year from the building of Rome.
The ten tribes of Ifrael were carried into captivity by Salmanefer king of
Affyria, in the 6th year of Hezekiah; from 13 fubftract 6, and the remain-
der will fhew, that Numa's reign, at Rome, commenced in the 7th year of
that captivity. Let thus much fuffice for fynchroniſms with reſpect to the
first year of Numa's reign.
Numa was not, like his predeceffor Romulus, of a martial difpofition. In-
flead of war, he ftudied the arts of peace, agriculture, and legiſlation; was
very
The Chronology of the World.
315
very
follicitous about the affairs of religion, and, with this view, took under
his examination the kalendar of Romulus; he foon perceived, as he was be-
fore inſtructed by the Greeks*, that it was very deficient in its quantity † :
to remedy this defect, to his ten months, he added two ‡, namely, January
and February; or, more particularly, to his 304 days, he added 50, which
made them 354, equal to a common lunar year. And in order to prevent
the epoch of the year from running back through all the four ſeaſons, as he
knew by experience it did during the reign of Romulus, in every quadrien-
nium, in the end of the ſecond year, he added 22 days, and at the end
of the fourth, he added 23 days, which effectually anfwered his purpoſe.
In theſe corrections of Ñuma, there are fome circumftances fo very pe-
culiar, that the like are not to be found in any other form of year, either an-
tient or modern, either in the Eaſtern or Weſtern world. For, (1.) Numa's
inſtituted
year was in
appearance lunar, with refpect to its ftructure, its
quantity, and the nature of its intercalations, which, taken together, were
compounded of 4 lunar epacts and 1 day over; and this I day over included
the annual ſeparate quadrants of 4 folar years;
years; and yet the computations
that were made by it, were neither lunar nor luni-folar, but as truely and
as altogether folar, as our computations by the Julian year are to this day.
(2) Numa feems to have borrowed from the Greeks their tetraeteris or cycle
of 4 years, which he applied in his own way, fuopte ingenio magiftro, with
great ingenuity indeed, but quite unaftronomically, without the leaft refpect
had to the periods or phaſes of the moon, as is evident from the quantity
and difpofition of his months, which had no agreement with the motions
* Numa, quantum fub cœlo rudi & feculo adhuc impolito, folo ingenio magiftro, comprehen-
dere potuit; vel quia Græcorum obfervatione forfan inftructus eſt, quinquaginta dies addidit, (fcil.
Anno Romuleo 304 dierum) ut in trecentos quinquaginta quatuor dies, quibus duodecim lunæ
curfus confici credidit, annus extenderetur. Macrob. Saturn.
+ Primus oliviferis Romam deductus ab arvis,
Pompilius menfes fenfit abeffe duos.
Ovid.
± Duos menfes anno addidit, Januarium & Februarium, cum ante hunc decem tantum menſes
apud Romanos fuiffent. Caffiod.
Sciendum decem tantum menfes fuiffe apud majores-duo vero propter rationem fignorum anni
intercalabantur, qui poftea a Jano & Februo nominati funt. Servius, ad virg. Georg.
At Numa nec Janum, nec avitas præterit umbras,
Menfibus antiquis appofuitque duos.
Ovid.
|| Intercalarem menfem viginti duum vel viginti trium dierum alternis addi placuiffet, ut civilis
annus ad naturalem exæquaretur. Cenforinus.
S s 2
and
316
The Chronology of the World.
and courſes of either of the two luminaries. (3.) The epoch of Numa's
year was feemingly political, it not being originally fixed, with exactneſs, to
any one of the cardinal points, nor to a new moon, or a full moon. (4.) If
we take 4 of Numa's years together, they will, with their intercalations, fol-
low one another in this manner,
I.
D.
354.
III.
IV.
D.
II.
D.
D.
D.
D.
354.
35423.
354 + 22.
Multiply 354 into 4, and to the product 1416,
add 45 days, (the fum of
22 days and 23 days, the two intercalary months) and the whole amount will
be. 1461 days.
In like manner, multiply 365 into 4, and the product will be alſo juſt
1461 days.
From hence we are clearly informed, that Numa's folar year, like that
which was introduced and eſtabliſhed by Julius Cæfar, with the affiftance of
an Alexandrian aſtronomer, above 600 years afterwards, confifted of 365
days, for 3 years together, and every 4th year of 366 days.
If we confider the firft of theſe lunar years fingly and by itſelf, we
muſt from appearances, judge it to be lunar; but if we extend our enqui-
ries farther, and carefully examine into the end, defign, and effects, of the
biennial intercalations, together with the ſtated method of computing by its
months and days, digefted into kalends, nones, and ides, (without including
one feftival day to be obſerved periodically κατα σελήνην, according to the courte
of the moon) we ſhall foon quit our notions of a lunar year, and judge it to
have been originally meant for the folar year, artificially determined with an
exactneſs equal to our much celebrated Julian, although in a more indirect
manner.
Had a genuine and authentic tranſcript of Numa's kalendar, as it was ori-
ginally inftituted by himſelf, with his own diftribution of the months and
days, according to the antient Roman manner, been preferved in the wri-
tings of Cicero, who computes the times of tranfactions by it, it muſt have
been thought a valuable piece of antiquity; and we muſt have judged it a
curiofity, to ſee a ſeries of folar years carried on with exactness, under the
form and guife of the lunar year, without any reference at all to the menſtrual
revolutions of the moon, and without any practical knowledge of them.
This is evident, as it has been obſerved, from the number of days which
were allotted to the refpective months both of the Romulean and Pompilian
years, by thoſe writers who have treated of the ſubject.
Macrobius
T
The Chronology of the World.
317
Macrobius* and Cenforinus † report, that when Numa undertook the refor-
mation of his predeceffor's kalendar, out of a fuperftitious regard for odd num-
bers, he cauſed his year to confift of 355 days, and 11 of his 12 months of 29 and.
of 31 days; whilft February alone, as it was dedicated to the infernal deities, was
permitted to continue in the unlucky ſtate of evennefs, it having but 28 days.
?
But as Plutarch ſeems to know nothing of this, we ſhall rather chufe to fol-
low his authority for the honour of Numa, and to ſuppoſe (for all the accounts
taken together, will amount to little more than a fuppofition, I mean, with
refpect to the difpofition of the months, not to the quantity of the year) that
he adhered to the regulations of Romulus; and that he computed and adjuſted
the 12 months of his year, with their correfponding days, in the ſpace of a
quadriennium, as in the annexed table.
The months and days of Numa's folar year, in the space of a quadriennium.
Months.
I.
II.
III.
IV.
D.
D.
D.
D.
1. January
27
27
27
27
2. February
23
23
23
23
22 Merkidinus.
3. March
23 Merkidinus.
31
3 I
3 I
4. April
30
30
30
5. May
6. June
ww
31
31
31
со сосе
31
30
31
30
30
30
30
7. Quintilis
31
31
31
31
8. Sextilis
30
30
30
30
9. September 30
30
30
30
10. October 31
3I
3 I
31
11. November 30
12. December
}
30
30
30
30
30
30
30
Sum total
354
354+22
354
354+23
* Quinquaginta dies addidit (Numa) ut in trecentos quinquaginta quatuor dies, quibus duo-
decim lunæ curfus confici credidit, annus extenderetur ; atque his quinquaginta a fe additis alios
fex retractos illis fex menfibus, qui triginta habebant dies, id eft, de fingulis fingulos, factofque
quinquaginta & fex dies, in duos novos menfes pari ratione divifit: ac de duobus primum Janua-
rium nuncupavit, primumque anni effe voluit, tanquam bicipitis dei menfem, refpicientem &
profpicientem tranfacti anni finem futurique principia. Secundum dicavit Februo deo, qui luftra-
tionum potens creditur, luftrari autem eo menfe civitatem neceffe erat ; quo ftatuit ut jufta diis
manibus folverentur. Paulo poft Numa
Paulo poft Numa in honorem imparis numeri, fecretum & hoc ante Py-
thagoram parturiente natura, unum adjecit diem quem Januario dedit; ut tam in anno quam in
menfibus fingulis præter unum Februarium, impar numerus fervaretur.- Januarius igitur, Apri-
lis, Junius, Sextilis, September, November, December, undetricenis cenfebantur diebus.
tius vero, Maius, Quintilis, & October dies tricenos fingulos poffidebant. Sed folus Februarius
viginti & octo retinuit dies; quafi inferis & diminutio & par numerus conveniret. Macrob.
Saturn. lib. i. c. 13.
+ Cenforinus, de die Natali, c. xx.
Mar-
According
318
The Chronology of the World.
∗
According to Plutarch's * account, Numa was no ftranger to what we tech-
nically call the lunar epact; and indeed it is evident from the conftruction
of his kalendar, that he knew nearly the quantities of both years; he muſt
have known, that as the lunar year contained 354, the folar year muſt at
leaſt have confifted of 365 days, and that the difference was 11 days.
This difference of 11 days, fays Plutarch, he doubled, and making of them
a ſhort month of 22 days, which the Romans call Merkidinus, he ordered it
to be intercalated in the month of February after the 23d day, which was
antiently called the Terminalia, upon account of its immediately preceeding
the kalends of March, the Romulean epoch of the year: but we muſt not
omit to take notice that Plutarch paffes over in filence the fecond Merkidinus,
or poſterior intercalation, which Cenforinus faith was introduced in the end of
every 4th year; here the lunar epact was again doubled, with the addition of 1
whole day, which made this latter intercalary month to conſiſt of 23 days.
This additional day being compounded of the annual feparate quadrants, it
comes to paſs that taking 4 of Numa's mean folar years together, they will
fucceed one another in the following manner,
I.
D. D.
354+11/1/
II.
D. D.
III.
D. D.
354+11/4/
354 +11/4/
IV.
D. D.
354+114
In what preciſe manner the days of Numa's kalendar were diſtributed into
kalends, ides, and nones, cannot be collected from hiſtorians; this muſt be
fet down among thoſe points which have been irretrievably loft. Who, for
example, is now able to interpret rightly the following paffage in Cicero's
familiar epiftle to Ligarius, 1. vi. epift. 14. "Ego tamen at v. Cal. intercalares
priores mane veniffem ad Cæfarem.
Cicero here fays, that he tranſacted a certain affair on the 5th of the ka-
lends, or on the 5th day before the kalends of the prior intercalation, which
confifted, as we have obferved, of 22 days. But the difficulty is to diſcover, how
they denominated the firſt of theſe days; did they call it the kalends of Merkidi-
nus, or of the firſt intercalary month? If they did, then how many days did they
give to the nones? how many to the ides ? and how many days did they reckon
before the kalends of March? Thefe enquiries cannot be fatisfied, nor can Cicero's
computation, by the months and days of Numa's common or intercalary year,
**
Νέμας δε το παραλλαγμα της ανωμαλιας ημερών ενδεκα γινεσθαι λογιζομενα, ως τε μεν σεληνιακό
τριακοσίας πεντεκονία τέσσαρας ημερας εχονία, τε δε ηλιακό, τριακοσίας εξηκοντα πενλε, τας ενδεκα ταυλας
Η μερας διαπλασιαζων, επηγαγε παρ ενιαυλον επι τω φεβραρίω μην εμβολιμον, υπό Ρωμαίων Μερκιδινον καλό
μενον, είκοσι και δυοιν ημερων οντα. Plut. vit. Num.
be
The Chronology of the World.
319
*-
be readily reduced to their correfpondent months and days in the reformed
year And this leads us to confider
Julius Cæfar's reformation of Numa's corrupted kalendar.
Although the method of computing by the months and days of Numa's
form of year be now entirely loft, yet it muſt be acknowledged, that had the
pontifices (in whofe hands the power of intercalation was wholly and folely
inveſted) religiouſly obferved Numa's original ordinations, the kalends of Ja-
nuary would not have departed from that ſtation, in which he at firſt placed
them, but a very little more than 5 days, in a courſe of 669 years. Whereas
Cæfar was obliged to infert more than two months to bring the original epoch
of Numa's year back to the winter ſeaſon; which was owing to the negli-
gence or corruption of the latter pontifices *
If we would know exactly to what a diſordered ſtate Numa's year was re-
duced in the times of Julius Cæfar, by fometimes neglecting, and at other times
mifapplying the intercalary month, in order to prolong or fhorten the time
of the annual magiftrate then in being, we muſt have recourfe to the year of
confufion, whofe months and days are minutely deſcribed by the Roman hiſto-
rians. It confifted, fays Suetonius, in the life of Julius Cæfar, of xv months,
and, according to the computations of Cenforinus, of 445 days, which carry
back the kalends of January to October 13.
Thus then ſtood the year of confufion A. U. C. 708, when Cæfar entered
upon his third confulfhip.
* Diligenter habenda ratio intercalandi eft ; quod inftitutum perite a Numa pofteriorum pon-
tificum negligentia diffolutum eft. Cicero, de Leg. lib. ii.
Months
320
The Chronology of the World.
Months and days of
Numa's year.
D.
1. January
27
2. February
Retroceffion of its epoch, by
the error of intercalation.
D.
13
Signs.
Degrees.
23
October
November 9
O in
in
18°
3. Merkidinus
23
December 2
4. March
31
December 25
ل لا کی
15°
8°
VS
5. April
10
30
6. May.
January 25
2°
31
February 24
*
7. June
20
30
March
27
าก
8. Quintilis
4°
31
April
26
9. Sextilis
୪
30
May
27
I
1
10. September
30
June
26
11. October
31
July
26
12. November
&
3°
3°
29
10
30
Auguft
36
mx
September 25
October
25
m
November 24
Z
December 23
30°
8
VS
go
13. 1ft intercalary month 30
14. 2d intercalary month 30
15. December begins
December ends.
30
To the kalends of January excluſive
From theſe two tables compared together, we are clearly informed, of the
true ſtate and condition of the laft Roman intercalary year in Numa's form,
with reſpect, I mean, to the fituation of its epoch and its connection, with
the correſpondent fign of the ecliptic. Upon the firft view we perceive, that
a correction was neceffary, and the reaſon why the emperor called in an aftro-
nomer to his affiftance. It was an aftronomer only, that could either difco-
ver or rightly explain to him the extent and quantity of the error, or was
able to inform him, that the kalends of January, on which Cæfar vas now
entring upon his third confulfhip, had gone back from capricorn to libra, or
from the winter folftitial to the autumnal equinoctial month.
To rectify theſe errors Cæfar propofed to effect theſe two things, namely,
ift, to abolish the lunar form of the year, (which was now become vague
and erratic through the abuſe of Numa's ſkilful inſtitutions) and to fubflicute
in its ſtead what he thought to be the true folar, directly and at once, with-
out any intercalary month at all. 2dly, To bring back the kalends of J³-
nuary to Numa's original epoch, which he had fixed as near to the cardinal
point as the aſtronomy of that age would admit of; how near will, I think,
appear from the refult of Cæfar's corrections; and this reftitution of Numa's
epoch feems to have been one of the principal points in view. For, in every
ftep of his reformation, Cæfar, as pontifex maximus, fhewed not only a very
ſtrict, but even a religious regard to every ordination of Numa, fo far forth
as
The Chronology of of the 321
the
World.
as his new plan would poffibly admit of. To ſpecify particulars, 1. He made
no change at all, either in the order, names, or number of his months, or
in the quantity of his mean folar year. 2. He ftill retained the intercalation
of a day, and inferted it, as Numa did, at the end of every fourth
year, and
after the 23d of February, in the very place of the fhort month Merkidinus.
3. December was ftill the tenth month of the year from the epoch of Ro-
mulus, and the twelfth from the epoch of Numa. 4. The change that he
was obliged to make in the quantity of the months was as little as poffible.
For Numa's mean folar year, as it has been already obferved, was in this
form, 354+11 days, which, by coalition, are 365 days. The annual diffe-
rence of 11 days he diftributed amongſt his political folar months in this man-
ner, namely,
1. To the 27 days of January he added
2. To the 23 days of February he added
3. To the 30 days of Sextilis he added
4. To the
30 days of December he added
4,
which made them 31.
5,
which made them 28.
I,
which made them 31.
1,
which made them 31.
I I
A TABLE, exhibiting the twelve months of the reformed Roman year.
1. January
.
Biffextile year.
D.
Common year.
D.
31
3 I
2. February
28
28+I
3. March
3 I
3 I
February.
4. April
D.
30
30
5. May
3I
31
6. June
30
30
Quintilis, or July 31
31
8. Sextilis, or Auguſt 31
23. vii. kal. terminalia.
24. vi. kal.biffextile day.
24. vi. kal.j
25. v. kal.
31
9. September
26. iv. kal.
30
30
10. October
27. iii. kal.
II. November
12. December
Sum total
365
| www
31
28. prid. kal.
30
31
366
Some, we may fuppofe, will be curious enough to inquire, by what ſteps
this folar kalendar was extracted from under the cover of xv political months
and 445 days. The undertaking, as things then ftood, was undoubtedly
perplexed with fuch difficulties, as nothing but an appeal to the heavens could
Tt
overcome.
322
The Chronology of the World.
overcome.
The imperial pontiff was obliged to let every month pafs in its
ufual order and quantity without any interruption; whilft in every stage of
its progrefs he carefully obferved the changes of the fun's place in the ecliptic,
and by this means he carried along with him a true connection with the
heavens; at length, by the affiſtance of 67 intercalary days, over and above
the 23 days of the fhort month Merkidinus, he was conducted to Numa's
original epoch.
If we go back to the firſt day of the firſt month of the year of confufion,
we muſt become fenfible that Cæfar could not be furniſhed with any other
directory but the apparent motion of the fun in the heavens. He muft have
been informed either by immediate obfervation, or by aftronomical calculation,
that the kalends of January that year, fell upon the day in which the fun
entered the 18th degree of libra.
part
To confirm this, we need only anticipate the corrected Julian kalendar
one whole
and
year
of another; then the fun will be found to have come
to the autumnal equinox at Rome September 25; and, making the degrees
to keep pace with the days, if to 18° we add the 30 days of September, and
from the fum 48, fubftract September 25, the remainder will give October
13 for the Julian month, and day of the month, correfponding with the 18th
degree of libra.
January at that time contained no more than 27 days, and it ended on the
8th of November; fo that February began on the 9th day of November,
when the fun entered the 15th degree of fcorpio, ftill making the degrees to
keep pace with the days.
February confifted of 23 days, and ended on the 1ft day of December; fo
that the intercalary month Merkidinus, began on the 2d day of December,
when the fun entered the 8th degree of fagittarius.
The intercalary month Merkidinus, confifted of 23 days, and ended on
the 24th day of December, when the fun entered capricorn.
The kalends of March in Numa's year, fell on the 25th day of December,
when the fun was in the 1ft degree of capricorn; it contained 31 days, and
ended on the 24th day of January; fo that April began on the 25th day of
January, when the fun was in the 2d degree of aquarius.
April contained 30 days, and ended on the 23d day of February, fo that
May began on the 24th, when the fun was in the 2d degree of pifces.
May contained 31 days, and ended on the 26th of March, fo that June
began on the 27th, when the fun was in the 4th degree of aries; the fun
entered aries this year March 23, and in Numa's kalendar on the 28th day
of May this will help us to explain a paffage in Cicero, epift. ad Attic. x.
fect. 17, 18.
June
The Chronology of the World.
323
June contained 30 days, and ended on the 25th day of April; fo that
Quintilis (afterwards called July, in honour of Julius Cæfar) began on the 26th,
when the fun was in the 3d degree of taurus.
Quintilis, i. e. July contained 31 days, and ended on the 26th day of
May; fo that Sextilis (afterwards called Auguft, in honour of Auguftus Cæfar)
began on the 27th day of May; when the fun was in the 3d degree of gemini.
Sextilis, i. e. Auguft contained 30 days, and ended on the 25th day of
June; fo that September began on the 26th, when the fun was in the 2d
degree of cancer.
The fun entered cancer this year June 24.
September contained 30 days, and ended on the 25th day of July; ſo that
October began on the 26th, when the fun was in the 1ft degree of leo.
October contained 31 days and ended on the 25th day of Auguſt, ſo that
November began on the 26th, when the fun was in the rft degree of virgo.
November contained 30 days, and ended on the 24th day of September,
fo that the Ift intercalary month began on the 25th day of September, when
the fun, that year, entered libra.
The ft intercalary month contained 30 days, and ended on the 24th
day of October; ſo that the 2d intercalary month began on the 25th; when
the fun entered ſcorpio.
The 2d intercalary month contained 30 days, and ended on the 23d day
of November; ſo that the laft and 12th month December, began on the
24th day of November, when the fun entered fagittarius.
December contained 30 days, and ended on the 23d day, when the fun
was in the laſt degree of fagittarius.
There remains 8 intercalary days, the firſt of which began on the 24th
day of December, when the fun, that year, entered capricorn, and the laft
ended with the 31ft day of December, or the day before the kalends of
January in the reformed year.
Theſe calculations proceed all along upon the hypothefis, efpoufed by Cen-
forinus, that Numa reckoned 355 days to the lunar year; we, on the contrary,
have concluded upon the authority of Plutarch, that he made it to conſiſt of
no more than 354 days. This difference of a day in the fum total, will
cauſe the fun's place in the ecliptic to fall one day forwarder, through every
ftage of its progreffive motion; as is clearly expreffed in the fubjoined table,
which we offer as the true one.
Tt2
A TABLE
324
The Chronology of the World.
Į
A TABLE of the year of confufion A. U. C. 708, confifting of xv months
and 444 days.
Retroceffion of its epoch, by
the error of intercalation.
Months and days of
*
Numa's year.
_Signs.
Degrees.
D.
1. January
27
D.
October 14
O in
19°
2. February
23
November 10
m
16⁰
3. Merkidinus
23
December
3
Z
9°
4. March
31
December 26
گی
2°
5. April
30
6. May
31
7. June
30
March
8. Quintilis
31
April
9. Sextilis
30
May
10. September
30
June
II. October
3 I
July
January 26
February 25
28
27
28
27
27
48
2
7∞
♪
2 2 2 2
12. November
30
Auguft
27
13. 1ft intercalary month 30
14. 2d intercalary month 30
15. December
September 26
October 26
30
November 25
ended
December 24
VS
$ / = 169 Hα
I
થૈ.
m
20
10
*
3º
Ο
5°
хо
3°
3°
2°
Sum total
Intercalary days
437
7
+7
444
December 31
VS
I
7°
$
It appears by theſe calculations, that the 30th of December in Numa's
form of year, is, by the affiftance of two intercalary months confifting of
60 days, brought to a coincidence with the 24th day of December, in the
reformed kalendar, when the fun entered capricorn and the winter folftice
commenced. But it may be thought a matter of furpriſe, that Cæfar, in-
ftead of beginning his year at the cardinal point, or attempting to eſtabliſh
an aftronomical epoch, carries on his intercalations 7 days farther, and
places the kalends of January, of the firſt Julian year, in the 8th degree of
capricorn.
This circumftance of his correction has much perplexed all the Roman
writers; not one of them ſeems to have underſtood it, or found himſelf able
to explain the reaſons of it.
Columella
The Chronology of the World.
325
Columella*, Pliny †, Ovid ‡, and others ||, who in their writings have
deſcribed the reformed Roman year, agree to place the equinoxes and folftices
in the 8th degree of the figns. This abfurd and unnatural doctrine, was not
the reſult of obſervation, nor of any principles of aftronomy taken up in that
age; it ſeems as if they were induced to argue in this manner, only becauſe
they knew very well, that the kalends of January of the firft Julian year
were fixed to the 8th day after the fun's ingrefs into capricorn. It feems to
be a miſtaken compliment paid to the emperor; for, as they were firmly per-
fuaded, that the Julian kalendar was conftructed upon the baſis of a true
folar revolution, they might think it, not only incongruous, but highly dero-
gatory to the judgment of Cæfar, to order his true aftronomical year to be
computed from a merely political and unaftronomical epoch. The winter
ſolſtitial day, ſays Ovid ||, is the laſt of the old year, and the firſt of the
new,
* Ab æquinoctio primo quod menfe Martio circa viii kalendas Aprilis in octava parte Arietis
conficitur. Ad folftitium quod fit ultimo menſe Junio, circa octavam partem Cancri.-Ab æqui-
noctio deinde quod conficitur circa vui kalendas Octobris.-Ad Brumam, quæ fere conficitur circa
vii kal. Januarii, in octava parte Capricorni. Columell. de re ruftica.
+ Fol autem ipfe quatuor differentias habet, bis æquata nocte diei, vere & Autumno; & in
centrum incidens terræ, octavis in partibus Arietis & Libræ. Plin. N. H.
V. 725. Jam fex & totidem luces de menfe fuperfunt,
Huic unum numero tu tamen adde diem.
Sol abit a Geminis, & Cancri figna rubefcunt.
- 777. Tempora fi veteris quæris temeraria damni,
Poftera lux melior
785. Ecce fuburbanâ rediens male fobrius æde,
Ad ftellas aliquis talia verba jacit.
Zona latet tua nunc, & cras fortaffe latebit.
Dehinc erit, Orion, confpicienda mihi.
At fi non effet potus, dixiffet eâdem
Venturum tempus folftitiale die.
June 18.
June 18, O in .
June 23.
June 24.
June 24, 25.
June 26.
June 26, folftice.
From June 26 ſubſtract June 18, remains the 8th degree of Cancer for the time of the folftice,
according to Ovid's computation.
Non octavas partes, qui olim ita fentiebant, poft fignorum cardines fed in ipfis cardinibus
locabant; initia vero fignorum octavo ante gradu. Ac de Juliano quidem anno perfpicua res
erit, fi quis illius formam ex Ovidio, Columella, Plinio, ac cæteris æftimare velit, a quibus eft
anni ejus expreffa ratio. Quippe ingreffum in dodecatemoria ad octavum circiter ante folftitia &
æquinoctia diem opponunt. Petavius.
Bruma novi prima eft, veterifque noviffimus anni,
Principium capiunt Phoebus & annus idem.
It
326
Chronology of the World.
The
*
new, fo that the fun and the Roman year begin their courfes together. But
For Cæfar did
all this while, they miſunderſtood the real matter of fact.
not overpass the cardinal point either through ignorance or inadvertency, or
through miſinformation; his method of correction proves, that he knew it
well; but he had a different object in purſuit, and what he aimed at, he ac-
compliſhed with a ſkill and judgment equal to the undertaking.
Numa's antient kalendar was now in a very difordered ftate; the months
had departed from their firſt appointed feaſons, and the reaſons of it have
been explained. It was required, in this ftate of things, not only to bring
the months back again to their old ſtations, but likewiſe the beginning of the
year to that very day on which Numa had placed it above 650 years before
the times of Cæfar. This was what he chiefly propoſed, and that he ef-
fected it, I fhall now undertake to fhew.
From 444, the fum total of days in the year of confuſion, ſubſtract 11,
the lunar epact, and from the remainder 433 fubftract 354, and it will leave
79 days, which are the fum of the error or retroceffion; for juft fo many
days the kalends of January had gone back from Numa's original epoch.
If we ſet theſe numbers down together in one line, we ſhall clearly under-
ſtand their meaning.
Sum of the retroceffion
D.
79
Numa's mean folar year
D.
D.
354 +11.
* It does not appear, that Ovid, or indeed any other Roman writer, had any apprehenfion that
Numa's folar year was of the fame quantity with the Julian, fince in the introduction to his ela-
borate definition of the Julian year, he ſpeaks of it as fomething that was unknown to the Ro-
mans, before it was communicated to them and brought into common uſe by the emperor.
V. 155. Sed tamen errabant etiam tunc tempora; donec
Cæfaris, ut multis, hæc quoque cura fuit.
Non hæc ille Deus, tantæque propaginis autor,
Credidit officiis effe minora fuis.
Promiffumque fibi voluit prænoſcere cœlum,
Nec Deus ignotas hofpes adire domos.
Ille moras folis, quibus in fua regna rediret,
Traditur exactis difpofuiffe notis
Is decies fenos ter centum, quinque diebus
Junxit, & expleto tempora quina die.
Hic anni modus eft; in luftrum accedere debet
Qui confummatur partibus, una dies.
Faft. lib. iii.
1
The
The Chronology of the World.
327
The intercalary days, inferted by Caefar, were theſe,
1. The short month Merkidinus contained 23 days.
2. The 1ft intercalary month after November 30
3. The 2d intercalary month
4. To theſe were added
30
7
From the fum
Subſtract
90
I I
79
1
Remain
The 11 days, which are here fubftracted, being added to 354, compleat,
as may be ſeen in the ſcheme, Numa's mean folar year.
Hitherto we have confidered thefe 79 days as intercalary only, but if we
take them in another light, and reckon them as a part of Numa's depraved
year, then they will be compounded of the following months,
1. In Numa's year January contained 27 days.
2.
3.
AW
February
Merkidinus
4. Add of the month of March
The fum
23
23
བ་།
79
Again, if we confider theſe 79 days as a part of the reformed kalendar,
then their Julian components will be as follows,
October 18 days.
1. They will contain of the month of November 30
December 31
|
The fum
79
As the year of confufion confifted of xv months, or 444 days, it muſt
begin in one year of the Julian period, and end in the next which followed,
`e. g.
In the year of the Julian period 4667
A. U. C.
In the year before Chriſt
Year of confufion
began
ended
707
4668
708
47
46
As
328
The Chronology of the World.
As we are at preſent more immediately concerned with Numa's corrupted
year, we muſt call to mind that the 79 redundant days, were calculated to
terminate on the 6th of March in his kalendar, and on the 31ft of December
in the A. I. P. 4667. Therefore the kalends of January in the year of the
Julian period 4668, will be in aftronomical connection with the 7th of March
in Numa's year. Here then the fubject of our enquiry muft be, of what
months and days was Numa's laſt mean folar year compounded? which year
is fet down, in the ſcheme above, in its diftinct lunar form; but theſe may
eafily be computed as follows; March contained 31 days, from which fub-
ſtract 6, the laſt of the 79. redundant days, and there will remain 25. -
Months of Numa's year.
Collected days.
We fet down for March
25 days.
25
April
30
May
3 I
1000
June
30
55
86
116
536
Quintilis
31
147
Sextilis
30
177
יי
September 30
October
207
31
238
November 30
268
Ift intercalary month
30
298
2d intercalary month
30
328
December 30
358
Theſe collected days amount, we fee, to 358, from which if we ſubſtract
354, there will remain 4.
From
Subſtract
It will leave in remainder
D. D.
354+11, the quantity of Numa's mean folar year.
354 +4
7
If we look for 358 in the Julian kalendar, and in the column of collected
days, we ſhall find it over-againſt December 24, when the fun entered ca-
pricorn. To December 24, add 7, and the fum 31 will be the number of
days in that Julian month.
To 358 add 7, and the fum 365, will be the completion of a common
Julian year. Thefe 365 days, Julius Cæfar fubftituted in the place of Numa's
354+11 days. And from hence forward this lunar form was aboliſhed, ſo
as never to be in ufe again to this day.
From
The Chronology of the World.
329
From the whole, we are plainly informed of the reafons why Julius Cæfar
intercalated, as hiſtorians relate, 67 days over and above the 23 days of the
ſhort month Merkidinus: he intercalated 60 days, and 23 days, to bring
the months back again to their first appointed feaſons; and he intercalated
7
days more, in order to compleat Numa's mean folar year, and to make the
epoch of his firſt inſtituted year, to coincide with the epoch eſtabliſhed by
Numa. This
This appears to be the end he propofed in this undertaking, and we
have traced out the ſeveral ſteps by which he attained it.
As Dr. Prideaux, in his circumftantial account of this affair, has compriſed
the fum and ſubſtance of all that the Roman writers have faid upon it, we
fhall, by way of recapitulation, give it in his own words, only begging the
reader to obferve, in what a flight, inaccurate, and we may add, unintelligible
manner, they ſpeak of the form of Numa's year, and more eſpecially of the
epoch of the Julian; fo that, by comparing the different accounts together, he
will be better able to judge, whether we have brought any light to the ſubject,
or deduced any particulars, which may tend to advance the credit and
reputa-
tion either of Numa or of Cæfar.
<c
"Cæfar having returned from his African expedition, undertook the refor-
"mation of the Roman kalendar, and happily * effected it, by forming the
Julian year, which the world has had the benefit of ever fince. This
belonged to him to do as high priest of Rome, which was an office
" he had long been in before he was either dictator or conful, and there was
rr now very great need for this to be done.
&
<<
"For at this time, by reafon of the faults of the former kalendar, the
beginning of January was carried back to the time of our prefent Michael-
"mas, and all their folemn times and feftivals were put out of their due
"order by this means.
"The former year, which the Romans went by to this time, confifted of 12
"lunar months; but 12 lunar months falling II days ſhort of a folar year, it
"was the office of the high priest, with the college of the pontifices, to
"add fuch intercalations as fhould make all even; this they uſually did by
cafting in another month every 2d year, which did alternately confift of
"22
22 days one time, and 23 another; this fhort month was called Merkidinus,
"and the place in the Roman kalendar, where it was intercalated, was be-
(C
* Plutarchus, in Cæfare. Dion. Caffius, lib. 43. p. 227. Suetonius, in Julio Cæfare, cap. 40.
Plinius, lib. 18. cap. 25. Cenforinus, de die Natali, cap, 8. Macrobius, Saturn. lib. 1. c. 14.
Ammianus Marcellinus, lib. 26. cap. 1. Videas etiam Scaligerum, Petavium, Calvifium, aliofque
Chronologos & Aftronomos, de hâc re.
For the intercalating of the year, and the whole ordering of that matter, belonged to the
college of the pontifices, of which Cæfar, as pontifex maximus, was the head.
U u
66 tween
330
the
The Chronology of World.
ແ
<<
(c
'
the of "tween the 23d and the 24th day of February. But the pontifices, who
"had the authority of making theſe intercalations, executing it very arbitra-
rily, fometimes irregularly intercalating the month Merkidinus where they
ought not, and ſometimes as irregularly omitting to intercalate it where they
ought, according as they had a mind to prolong or abbreviate the time of
"the annual magiftrates then in office; hereby it came to paſs, that dif
great
"orders got into the political as well as into the aftronomical part of the
year; and therefore for the bringing a remedy to both, Cæfar found it ne-
"ceffary to make this reformation, which effectually prevented all fuch dif-
"orders for the future. For hereby he fettled the year to a fixed and ftated
form, always to go unvariably the fame, without leaving it to any man's
arbitrary power to difturb it, which he accompliſhed by theſe following
"methods. Ift, He aboliſhed the lunar year confifting of 12 lunar months,
"or 355 days, which the Romans had hitherto gone by, and inſtead thereof
"introduced the uſe of the folar year, confifting of the time in which the
"fun goes thro' the zodiac, and comes about again to the fame point from
"which it did fet out. 2dly, Having, according to the beſt obfervations of
"thoſe times, ſtated this revolution to be made in 365 days and 6 hours, of
"theſe he made his folar year to confift. 3dly, Thefe 365 days he diſtri-
"buted into 12 political or artificial months, inftead of the lunar and natural
"months before in ufe, which confifted fome of 31 days and fome of 30, and
"`one, that is February, of 28 days. 4thly, The 6 hours over and above in
4 years making a day, he added it in the beginning of every 5th year,
making that year thereby to confift of 366 days, and this is that which we
"call the leap year. 5thly, This day he added between the 23d and 24th
day of February, in the fame place in the Roman kalendar, where formerly
"their intercalated month Merkidinus was inferted in their old form; and
"this addition being made by putting the latter of thoſe days twice in the
kalendar, and that day being there called fextus kalendarum*, the putting
"of this fextus dies bis, i. e. twice, is the reaſon why this leap year is called
annus biffextilis in Latin, and from hence by us the bifextile. But in our
"almanacks inſtead of putting this 24th day of February twice, in the faid
leap years, we number on the days as before, fo as in every fuch leap year
to make that month confiſt of 29 days. 6thly, He began this year at the
"kalends, or ift day of January, on which all the annual magiftrates of the
ce
cr
<<
<c
<<
<<
<<
"Romans
* It is moſt commonly called, fextus kalendarum, i. e. fextus dies ante kalendas.
+ Formerly the Roman year confifted of ten months, and began from the firft of March;
hence July was called Quintilis, and Auguft Sextilis, becauſe they were the fifth and fixth months,
in the old Roman year; and, for the fame reafon, the months of September, October, November,
and December, have their prefent names, i. e. becauſe they were the feventh, eighth, ninth, and
tenth
The Chronology of the World.
331
}
ct
<<
<c
<c
<<
"Romans first entered on their offices. 7thly, This 1ft of January he then
"fixed to the winter folftice *, tho' now it hath over-run that time ſeveral days,
"by reaſon that the faid Julian folar year is 11 minutes longer than the na-
"tural folar year. For the natural folar year, according to the beſt and moſt
"accurate obfervations, confifts of no more than 365 d. 5 h. 49 min. but
"the Julian containing 365 d. 6 h. confifts of II minutes more, which in
131 years making a day, this has occafioned that every 131 years, the 1ſt
of January in the Julian kalendar over-runs that time of the natural year,
" where it was firſt placed, one whole day, which is the only fault that is to be
"found in this form. 8thly, Cæfar, to bring this form into practice, befides
"the month Merkidinus, which was intercalated in February, added to this
preſent year two other months more, which he inferted between the months
"of November and December, fo that thereby he made that year to confift
"of 445 days; that is 355 days for the ordinary Roman year, 23 for the in-
tercalary month Merkidinus, and 67 days for the other months added
"between November and December. All theſe added together made this
year the longeſt the Romans ever had, which putting many of their affairs
out of their ufual order, hence it was called by them the year of confufion.
"In the fettling of this matter, Cæfar made uſe of the affiftance of Sofigenes,
an aftronomer of Alexandria, for the aftronomical calculation, and that of
"Flavius, a ſcribe, for the forming and digeſting of it into a kalendar according
"to the Roman manner; that is, in diftributing the days of each month into
kalends, nones, and ides, and affixing the feftivals, and other folemn times,
"to the days in which they were to be obferved. But Cæfar being flain foon
"after this, the pontifices, who fucceeded in the care of this matter, not well
"underſtanding it, inſtead of making the intercalation of the leap year after
every fourth year in the beginning of the fifth, did it after the third in the
beginning of the fourth, and fo it went for 36 years following, by which
means 12 years being intercalated, or made leap years, inſtead of 9, the
error was then perceived; whereon Auguftus Cæfar, then Roman emperor,
"for the bringing of this again to rights, ordered, that for the 12 years next
enfuing no leap year fhould be at all made; whereby the 3 fupernumerary
days which were erroneoufly caft in, being again dropped, this form hath
"ever fince gone without any alteration, till that made by pope Gregory the
"XIIIth A. D. 1582, and it is called the new ftyle."
<<
<<
cc
ec
CC
cc
CC
CC
cc
tenth months in that old Roman year. Numa afterwards made their year to confift of twelve
months, by adding January and February; but this made no alteration in the names of the other
months.
* Cenforinus.
U u 2
The
332
The Chronology of the World.
The reader is now fufficiently acquainted with the ftate and condition of the
old Roman year, the neceffity of a reformation, and the methods made ufe
of by Cæfar to effect it; and Dr. Prideaux, in his fummary, fets forth, that the
world has had the benefit of it ever fince, that is, for the ſpace of 18 centuries
and more, if we bring it down to the current year of our Lord 1760. But
we may obſerve, that all this while the European nations have never received from
it the benefit of a true folar revolution, nor of its proper and natural applica-
tion to civil ufe.
It does not appear, that either Sofigenes, or Julius Cæfar, or the moſt learned
Roman, for many hundred years afterwards, had any knowledge, or even the
leaft fufpicion of the annual difference of 11 minutes; it is certain Ovid had
not, when he fays,
Principium capiunt Phœbus & annus idem.
Nor do they ſeem to have made the diſcovery in the time of the council
of Nice, which was held in the 370th Julian year, A.D. 325. Nay, it is
evident they had not, from the tenour of their paſchal canons; for, after they had
erroneouſly fixed the fun's entry into the vernal equinoctial point on the 21ft
day of March, (which was not true in any one meridian of the globe) they
took it for granted, that this their vernal equinoctial day would immoveably
preſerve its affigned Julian ſtation, in all future ages, without feeming to know
that the equinox had already gone back nearly 3 whole days fince the eſta-
bliſhment of the Julian year. But in the courfe of about 1200 years, or in
the cloſe of the 16th century of Chriftianity, when practical aftronomy had
received very great improvements by the labours of Tyco Brahe, the fun was
obferved to enter the vernal equinox on the 10th and 11th days of March,
reckoning the hours from midnight; and in the middle of the 18th century,
which is now current, it was obſerved to enter the fame cardinal point on
the 9th of March, old ftyle. And therefore when pope Gregory the XIIIth
A. D. 1582, thought it neceffary to make the year of the council of Nice, the
ftandard of his reformation, to the end that our folemn feftival of Eafter
might annually fall on the fame Julian months and days, on which it was
wont to be celebrated about 12 or 1300 years before, i. e. on the first Sunday
next after the first full moon, which happened either upon or next after the
21ft of March, he threw off from the current year 10 days, to bring the
vernal equinox back from the 11th of March to the 21ft. And when our
legiflature was difpofed, 170 years after this, to follow pope Gregory's example,
upon the fame ecclefiaftical motives, and alfo for the fake of conformity to the
neighbouring nations, they threw out from A.D. 1752 eleven days, which brought
the
The Chronology of the World.
333
འ
the vernal equinox back from the 9th to the 20th of March. And to keep
thefe Julian ſtations fixed and immoveable, it was ordered, that, taking 400
years together, the
firſt ſhould be reckoned common years, and the fourth
3
biffextile; which is rather a political than an aftronomical correction, becauſe
it confiders this annual difference of 11 minutes, only as the excess of the
Julian above the natural folar year, without attempting to explain the me-
ridional uſe and application of them.
*
There is a very near affinity between the lunar, and what we call, the
meridian epact, both of them encreafing annually in an arithmetical progreffion
by 11. To evince this, we will firft fet down 5 lunar years, following one
another in fucceffion, with their epacts; and after that, 5 folar tropical years,
following one another in fucceffion, with their meridian epacts; by this means
the fimilarity will immediately diſcover itſelf to our view.
A TABLE of five lunar years, following one another in fucceffion, with their epacts.
I.
D.
I I
D. 4. D. 5. D.
1334 | 343 22 332 33321 441310 35
|
55
1
As the folar and the lunar years are incommenfurate in their quantities, if it
ſo happens that they begin together, the next lunar year in fucceffion will begin
II days before the cardinal point of the year, and end 343 days after it; which
being added to II make 354. The 3d lunar year will begin 22 days before
the cardinal point, and end 332 days after it; thefe being added to 22 will
make 354. The 4th lunar year will begin 33 days before the cardinal point,
and end 321 days after it; thefe being added to 33, will again make 354-
The 5th lunar year will begin 44 days before the cardinal point, and end
310 days after it; thefe being added to 44 will again make 354.
From hence we fee, that the lunar epact is not merely an excefs; it is a
part of the following lunar year, and being fubftracted from 365, will afcer-
tain the month and day of the folar year, in which the preceeding lunar year
ends, and the next in fucceffion begins.
<c
*" It muſt be acknowledged, ſays Keil, Lect. xxviii. that the time appointed by Julius Cæſar
"for the folar year is too much; for the fun finiſhes his courfe in the ecliptic in 365 days,.
"5 hours, and 49 minutes, and therefore he begins again his round, II minutes before the civil
year is ended. So that if the fun in any year has entered the equinox upon the 20th of March
"at noon day, after 4 years he will arrive at the equinox 44 minutes before noon; and fo every
year 11 minutes fooner than by this reckoning. So that in 131 years he will anticipate or enter
"the equinox a whole day before the 20th of March; and therefore the celeftial equinox will
"not always fall upon the fame day of the month, but by degrees it will move towards the be-
"ginning of the year."
cc
A TAPIE
334
The Chronology of the World.
A TABLE of five folar tropical years, following one another in fucceffion, with
their meridian epacts.
Noon. © I
Noon. O I
히
​I.
H. M.
5 49
5.
O
M.
II
H. M. M.
5 5155
Sunſetting. Sunſetting. O 1
2.
3.
4.
IF
H. M. O M.
5 38 | 22
H. M. O M.
H. M. o M.
O
5 2733
5
16 144
In the preceeding table we had theſe numbers, 11 days, 22 days, 33 days,
44 days, and 55 days; and now, to anſwer them, we have here II minutes,
22 minutes, 33 minutes, 44 minutes, and 55 minutes. And when it falls
out, (as it muſt in the end of every 1440 years) that the fun comes to the
autumnal equinox, in the firft meridian, at noon, it will finiſh that revolution
5 h. 49 min. paſt noon; in which caſe, the hour and minute of the equinox
and the termination of the year give one another reciprocally, and this con-
ſtantly happens in the end of the first year of every folar period. We will
give an example of it: according to our chronological tables, and the principles
laid down in this fcheme, the fourth folar period ended at the autumnal equi-
nox A.D. 1753; and confequently A. D. 1754 muſt fall in with the firſt
year of the fifth period, when the fun was obferved to enter libra at Green-
wich September 22 d. 16 h. 13 min. from which fubftract 10 h. 24 min. for
the meridian diftance, and there will remain September 22 d. 5 h. 49 min.
for the time of the equinox in the firft meridian; which was to be proved.
Under the aforementioned circumſtances, the 2d folar tropical year in fuc-
ceffion will begin II minutes before fun-fetting, and end 5 h. 38 min. after
it, which being added to 11, will make 5 h. 49 min. The 3d folar tropical
year will begin 22 minutes before midnight, and end 5 h. 27 min. after it;
which being added to 22 make 5 h. 49 min. The 4th folar tropical year
will begin 33 minutes before fun-rifing, and end 5 h. 16 min. after it, which
being added to 33, make 5 h. 49 min. The 5th folar tropical year will begin
44 minutes before noon, and end 5 h. 5 min. after it; which being added to
44, make 5 h. 49 min. &c.
This
The Chronology of the World.
335
This laft table affords an ocular proof, that the annual difference of 11
minutes, is not ſo much an exceſs of the Julian year above the tropical ſolar,
as a fettled proportional part of a fucceffive folar tropical year, which, with its
multiples, being fubftracted from 6 hours, or 12 hours, or 18 hours, or 24
hours, will help us to aſcertain the quadrant of the day, and the intermediate
point of the quadrant, that is, the hour and minute, in which the fun will
come to the autumnal equinox in the firſt meridian in a given year.
Theſe principles are as ufeful as they are curious; they are curious, as being
the immediate conftitutions of a divine diftributive wifdom, by which means
the fun (as it has been already explained) enters the original cardinal point of
the year, not only on the four cardinal, but in every intermediate point of
the day, in every meridian of the globe, within a limited ſpace of time,
without partiality and without diſtinction.
The Julian computation is not altogether unaftronomical; but becauſe it
only expreffes the progreffion eaſtward, and not at all the retroceffion weſt-
ward, it is fo far defective; and therefore to render it compleat, we must take
both of them together, and make them to ballance one another; and by this
proceeding, the Julian ftations of the equinoxes and folftices, of new moons
and full moons, will be immutably preſerved, however they may have been fixed.
If, for example, we date the computation from Numa's epoch, we ſhall find the
kalends of January falling this very year at the fame diſtance after the winter
folftice as they were originally placed by Numa himſelf. Or, if we compute
from the year of Cæfar's reformation, down to the preſent times, the kalends
of January will be found on the 8th day after the fame cardinal point, as
in the days of Julius Cæfar. Nay, we will fay further, if we go back to the
primitive ages, and compute downwards from thence to the current year,
through an interval that is made up of compleat folar periods, the equinoxes
and folftices will not only fall on the fame Julian month and day of the month,
but alſo on the fame hour and minute in the fame meridian; moreover, the
kalends of January will be in connection with the fame fign and degree, and
the only aſtronomical difference will be in the day of the week. On the
other hand, if the given interval does not confift of entire folar periods, but
after the divifion by 1440 there fhould be a remainder, yet ftill the difference
in abfolute time, between the two equinoxes or folftices, can neve. amount
to a whole day, if the quantity of the Julian year be rightly underſtood and
rightly applied.
We will explain, what is here afferted, by examples.
Let the year of
the Julian period 713 be given, which was a biffextile year, as is alſo the
current year of our Lord 1760; and ift,
Let
336
The Chronology of the World.
Let it be required to calculate the Julian month, day of the month, and like-
wife the hour, and minute, in which the fun came that year to the winter
folftice, in the meridian of the Greenwich obfervatory.
The CALCULATION.
From the year of the Julian period 713, fubftract the year of the Julian
period 706, and the remainder will fhew, that A.M. 7, ended at the autumnal
equinox of that year, and confequently that the winter folftice happened in
the firft quarter of A. M. 8. Multiply 7 years into II minutes, and the pro-
duct will give 1 h. 17 min. for the fum of what we call the retroceffion
weftward.
If we look into the table of the Julian ftations of equinoxes and folftices
for the firſt four years of the world, we ſhall find in the fame parallel line with
the biffextile year, and under the winter folftice, theſe numbers, January 22 d.
9h. 57 min. firſt meridian; add 10 h. 24 min. to reduce it to the meridian
of Greenwich, and we ſhall have January 22 d. 20 h. 21 min. for the time
of the winter folftice in that meridian.
D. H. M.
From January 22 20 21
I 17
Subſtract, for the retroceffion,
©
o in vs, A. M. 8, Greenwich, January 22 19 4 A. M. 8.
If to January 23, having reduced the hours to midnight, we add the 31
days of December, and from the fum 54 fubftract 30, for the fign capricorn,
it will carry it back to the 24th of December, for the day in which the fun
entered the first degree of fagittarius; and if to January 1, we add the 31
days of December, and from the fum 32 fubftract December 24, the remainder
will inform us, that in the beginning of the year of the Julian period 714,
the kalends of January fell on the 8th degree of fagittarius.
To find the day of the week, correfponding with the day of the winter folftice, in
the beginning of the year of the Julian period 714, reckoning the hours
from midnight.
The
The Chronology of the World.
337
1
The CALCULATION.
Seven folar tropical years produce
Add, to bring it to the winter ſolſtice,
To the fum
Add, for the meridian of Greenwich,
The fum
Reduce the hours to midnight
Divide by 7)
The fum
days.
2647 (378 weeks.
D. H. M.
2556 16 43
89 15 57
2646 8 40
10 24
2646 19 4 p.m.
+1-12
2647 7 4 P.M.N.
Remainder 1 | index 5 day of the week, Friday.
This reduction of the hours from noon to midnight, cauſes the folſtice to
fall on the 23d day of January, whofe literal character is B; accordingly,
the dominical letter for that year muſt be D; and if we divide 714 by
28, the remainder will be 15, whoſe dominical letter is D; which was to be
proved.
We are informed from hence, that in the year of the Julian period 714,
and in the first quarter of the 8th folar tropical year of the world, the fun
came to the winter folftice, in the meridian of Greenwich, on the 22d day of
January, 19 h. 4 min. after noon, upon a Thurſday; or on the 23d day of
January, 7 h. 4 min. after midnight, upon a Friday; whilft the kalends of Ja-
nuary were coincident with the fun's entry into the 8th degree of fagittarius.
In the following example, we will take an interval of 5760 years, which
contain 4 folar periods without any remainder; if this number be added to
the winter folftice in the year of the Julian period 713, or in the beginning
714, it will bring it down to the winter folftice in the year of the Julian
period 6473; or, if it be added to the winter folftice A. M. 8, it will bring
it down to the winter folftice A. M. 5768, and to the current year of our
Lord 1760; this will appear by fubftracting the year of the Julian period
of the world 4007,
4713 from the year of the Julian period 6473; or the year
from the year of the world 5767.
of
It has been already made to appear, that in the end of 131 years the dif-
ference in abfolute time between the year of 365 d. 6 h. and the folar tropical
year of 365 d. 5 h. 49 min. was no more than 1 minute, and we reprefented
it to the view in the following table.
X x
I
Years.
338
The Chronology of the World.
Years. Retroceffion. Progreffion,
Difference in equa
toreal time.
H.
H.
131
-24 + 24
: 0
I'
t
years. D.
Divide by 131)
5760
(44, the retroceffion and progreffion.
Divide by 130)
520
(4
Here we ſee, that if 5760 years be divided by 131, and the remainder 520
by 130, the quotient will give 44 compleat days, without any remainder;
which we will fet down in the fame manner as above,
Years.
Retroceffion.
H.
Progreffion:
H.
5760
- 44
+
44
Difference in abfo-
lute time.
이
​Now becauſe the difference in abfolute time is nothing, it is certain that the
fun muſt enter the cardinal points, not only in the fame Julian month and day
of the month, but alſo in the fame hour and minute, in the fame meridian,
as it did 5760 years before; nor can there be any other aftronomical dif-
ference between the times of an equinox, or folftice, but only in the day of
the week. For the proof of this, we refer to the following
CALCULATIONS.
5767 Julian mean years?
5767 folar tropical years produce {
Difference
D.
H. M.
2106396 18 00
2106352 16 43
44 I 17
Now becauſe - 44 + 44 days ballance one another, and become equal to
nothing, there remains no more than 1 hour, and 17 minutes, for the fum of
the retroceffion, in the courſe of 5767 years; which being equal to the re-
troceffion of 7 years, the celeſtial folftice will fall under the like circumſtances
in the year of the Julian period 6473, as it did in the year of the Julian
period 713, or 714. e.g.
To
}
339
The Chronology of the World.
D.
To the folar tropical reduct. for o in ~, A.M.5767, 2106352
Add, to bring it to the winter folftice
To the fum
Add, for the meridian of Greenwich,
To the fum
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
Subſtract the Julian reduction of 5768 years
Reduce the hours to midnight
o in vs, January
o in vs, January
H. M.
16 43 p.m.
89 15 57
2106442 8 40
IO 24
2106442 19 4
298
2106740 19 4
2106718
22 19 4 p.m.
+1-12
23 7 4 P.M.N.
By comparing this conclufion with the foregoing, we find them in exact
agreement with each other, and the given years will be only diſtinguiſhed by
the fingle character of the day of the week.
To find the day of the week corresponding aftronomically with the day of the winter
folftice, A. D. 1760.
The CALCULATION.
From the year of the creation to the winter folftice, A.D. 1760, we compute
5767 folar tropical years, and 3 months, which, by reducing the hours to
midnight, produce 2106443 d. 7 h. 4 min.
days.
Divide by 7) 2106443 (300920 weeks.
Remainder
3 | index 7 | day of the week, Sunday.
Or, the day of the week may be found in the following manner;
From A. M. 5767 ſubſtract Á. M. 7, and the interval will be 5760 years,
which produce 2103796 days.
days.
1
Divide by 7) 2103796 (300542
↓
Remainder
2
X x 2
In
340
Chronology of the World.
The
In the year of the Julian period 713, or 714, the day of the winter ſolſtice
fell upon a Friday, which is the 5th day after Sunday. To 5 add the re-
mainder 2, and the fum will be 7; which fhews that the winter folftice will hap-
pen this year, namely, A. D. 1760, upon a Sunday, which is the 7th day of
the week, computed from the creation.
If we fet down thefe conclufions in two columns, oppofite to one another,
they will diſcover to our view what a diftinguiſhing character the day of the
week is.
A.J.P. 714.
A. M. 8.
in vs, January 23 d. 7 h. 4 min.
Day of the week, Friday.
A.J.P. 6473.
A. M. 5768, A. D. 1760.
in vs, January 23 d. 7 h. 4 min.
Day of the week, Sunday.
In theſe calculations, the Julian ftyle is proleptically carried back, we fee,
to the primitive ages; and the computation downwards from thence to the
preſent times being made by folar tropical years, uniformly confifting of 365 d.
5 h. 49 min. hence it comes, that the aggregate of the annual difference be-
tween theſe and the Julian mean years of 365 d. 6 h. being thrown off, the
Julian month and day remain unalterable; whilft the fame hour and minute of
the folftice, in the fame meridian, arifes from the aftronomical property of a
folar period, or commenfurating year, which we have attempted to explain
above. But, however true this Julian ſtation of the winter folftice may be with
reſpect to the primitive ages, it muſt appear unintelligible to us at fo great a di-
ſtance from them; and it is a material objection againſt this computation, that
no aftronomer will obferve the fun to enter that cardinal point this year, either
on the 22d or on the 23d day of January, according as we reckon the hours
from noon or from midnight; nor will the kalends of January be judged to be
in connection with the 8th, or any other degree of ſagittarius. And, therefore,
in order to make theſe points intelligible to us in this age, we muſt infert thoſe
44 days, which by the preceeding calculation were thrown off; or, in other
words, we muſt compute downwards through the fame interval, by Julian
mean years of 365 d. 6 h. by which means, although we ſhall have the fame
hour and minute of the folftice, and the fame day of the week (which have
never concurred twice) yet, inſtead of the 22d or the 23d day of January, we
fhall obtain the fame Julian month and day, on which the aftronomer would
have obferved the folftice to have happened under the old ſtyle, or before the
late correction of the kalendar was made.
The
The Chronology of the World.
341
The CALCULATION.
5767 Years and 3 months meaſure the interval from the creation to the
winter folftice A. D. 1760; which give by reduction 2106442 d. 19 h, 4 min.
D.
H. M.
To the days of the folar tropical reduction 2106442 19 4
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
Subft. the Jul. biffextile reduction of 5767 years
©
A. D. 1760, in capricorn, December 9,
Reduce the hours to midnight
A. D. 1760, in capricorn, December 10,
298
2106740 19 4
2106397
343 19 4 p. m. O. S.
+1-12
344 7 4 P.M,N. O.S.
A Shorter method of calculation.
To January 22 days, add the 31 days of December;
D. H. M.
And from the fum
Subſtract
in capricorn, December
O in capricorn, December
53 19 4
44
9 19 4 p.m. O.S. A. D. 1760.
+1-12
ΙΟ 7 4 P.M.N. O.S.
To find the corresponding day of the week.
The literal character of December 10 is A, which by the preceeding cal-
culation muſt have been the dominical letter for the ten laft months of A. D.
1760, O. S. and fo it would have fallen out; for if we divide the year of the
Julian period 6473 by 28, the remainder will be 5, which gives BA for the
dominical letters, old ftyle.
To find the fign and degree with which the kalends of January would have been
coincident if the old ftyle had continued.
The CALCULATION.
To January 1 add the 31 days of December, and from the fum 32 fubftract
December 10, and the remainder will give the 22d degree of capricorn, which
is the fign and degree fought.
To
11
342
The Chronology of the World.
To find the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, in which the aftronomer will
obferve the fun to enter the winter folftice at Greenwich A.D. 1760, according
to new style.
The CALCULATION.
From 44 days ſubſtract 11, and there will remain 33.
From
Subſtract
D. H. M.
53 19 4
33
© in capricorn, December 20 19 4 p.m. A.D. 1760, N.S.
+1-12
O in capricorn, December 2I 7 4 P.M. N.
That this calculated hour and minute of the winter folftice will nearly agree
with the obſerved hour and minute, we thus prove:
A. D. 1760 is a biffextile year, and fo alfo was A. D. 1752, when the ſun
was obſerved to enter the winter folftitial point at Greenwich December 20 d.
20 h. 32 min. the interval is 8 years, which give 1 h. 28 min. for the retro-
ceffion.
I
1
D. H. M.
From December
Subſtract
20 20 32
I 28
Remains the calculated time, December 20 19 4
To find the correfponding day of the week.
The literal character of December 20 is E, which is the dominical letter
for this year new ftyle, in agreement with the preceeding calculation.
To find the fign and degree with which the kalends of January will be coincident
A.D. 1760, new ftyle.
The CALCULATION.
To January 1, add the 31 days of December, and from the fum 32 ſubſtract
December 21, and the remainder will give the 11th degree of capricorn, which
is the fign and degree ſought.
It
The Chronology of the World.
343
It is plain, that the fituation of the equinoxes and folftices in the Julian ka-.
lendar vary in proportion to the diſtance of the æra from which we compute;
but then this variation, or change of the Julian month and day, does not at all
affect the hour and minute of the fun's ingrefs into the cardinal points, nor the
correfponding day of the week, which are the diſtinguiſhing aſtronomical cha-
racters, in which the Julian month and day make no part. The fun will
certainly be obſerved to enter the winter fclftice this year, A.D. 1760, at Greenwich
(if obſervation be confiftent with itſelf) 4 minutes paft 7 o'clock in the morning,
upon a Sunday; but it is quite a matter of indifference, or a mere political
confideration, whether we compute it to happen on the 23d day of January,
or on the 21st day of December, or on the 10th; or on any other day within
the limits of 44. The Julian kalendar therefore cannot be original, nor is it,
in itſelf confidered, truly aftronomical, nor has it ever been rightly adjuſted to
the folar tropical year.
Thus far we have calculated compleat folar periods, and by the principle of
commenſuration have obtained the fame hour and minute of the winter folftice
at the end of 5760 years, in the fame meridian, as in A. M. 8.
We will take, for the next example, fuch an interval, as being divided by
1440, will leave a remainder. Let the given interval be 2472 years, from
which if we ſubſtract 1440, there will remain 1032, which gives for the re-
troceffion 21 h. 12 min. From the year of the Julian period 6473, ſubſtract
the interval 2472, and it will carry it back to the year of the Julian period
4001.
We have here again two diſtinct years of the Julian period, which are di-
ſtant from each other more than 2000 years; and yet, notwithſtanding
this, it will be found by calculation, that the difference in abfolute time between
the winter folſtices, when compared together, will not amount to 24 hours in
the ſame meridian; nay, it will not be, as may be ſeen above, more than 21
hours and 12 minutes; fo that the hour and minute of either folſtice being
known, the hour and minute of the other may be alfo readily known by
fimple addition or fubftraction, without having recourfe to the aftronomical
tables.
The fun, for inſtance, will come to the winter folftice this year (A. D. 1760)
at Greenwich 19h. 4 min. paft noon; add 21 h. 12 min. for the retroceffion,
and the fum will be 40 hours and 16 minutes; from which ſubſtract 24 hours,
and the remainder will fhew, that the fun entered capricorn in the year of the
Julian period 4001, 16 h. 16 min. paft noon in the fame meridian.
To
344
The Chronology of the World.
To find the corresponding Julian month and day of the month.
The CALCULATION.
From the year of the Julian period 4001, fubftract the year of the Julian
period 706, and it will give A. M. 3295, which carries it back to the ſecond
year of Numa's reign; for he began to reign, as it has been already fhewn,
A. M. 3293, which was the fecond year after biffextile in the Julian compu-
tation.
Multiply
into
M.
A. M.
3295
II minutes.
Divide by 1440) 36245
36245
D. H. M.
(25 4
(25 4 5 the retroceffion.
D. H. M.
To the biffextile radical numbers, Jan, 22
Add, for the days of December
To the fum
Add, for the meridian of Greenwich,
From the fum
9 57
31
53 9 57
IO 24
53 20 21
Subft. for the retroceffion in 3295 years, 25 4 5
Julian M. D. H. and M. December 28 16 16 p.m.o in vs, A. J.P.4001.
The truth of theſe points will be confirmed by the following calculations.
Multiply the interval
into
M.
2472 years,
II minutes.
D. H. M.
Divide the product by 1440) 27192 (18 21 12 the retroceffion.
To December
Add, for the retroceffion in 2472 yrs.
Julian M.D.H. and M. as before, Dec.
Subft. for the retroceffion in 1032 yrs.
D. H. M.
9 19 4 p.m. in vs, O.S. A.D.1760,
18 21 12
28 16 16
21 12
o in vs, December 27 19 4 p. m. A.D. 1760.
p.m.
From
The Chronology of the World.
+58
From hence we are informed, that if the late correction of the Julian ka-
lendar had been carried back as far as the beginning of Numa's reign, who
was cotemporary with Hezekiah king of Judah, the equinoxes and folftices
would have happened, with reſpect to the Julian months and days of the
month, in this current year of our Lord 1760, as in the table annexed.
Vernal
equinox.
Summer
Autumnal
Winter
folftice.
equinox.
folftice.
March.
June., September. December.
D. H. M.D. H. M.D. H. M.D. H. M.
A.J.P .6473,A.D.1760.26 15 1627 13 58 29 3 7 27 19 4
Add for the retroc.in 1032 yrs.
21 12
21 12
21 12
21 12
A.J.P.4001,A.M.3295.27 12 28 28 11 1030 0 19 28 16 16
From the winter folftice, in the latter end of the fecond year of Numa's
reign, to the winter folftice in the latter end of the firft Julian year; or, from
the year of the Julian period 4001 exclufive, to the year of the Julian period
4669 inclufive, there paffed 668 years, which give for the retroceffion 5 days,
2 hours, and 28 minutes.
In the beginning of the firft Julian year, the kalends of January fell, by
Julius Cæfar's correction, on the 8th day after the winter folftice; if from 8
we fubftract 5, the remainder will fhew that Numa fixed the epoch of his
folar year to the 3d degree of capricorn; and if he aimed at the cardinal
point, although it cannot be proved that he did, he made a nearer approach
to it by five days than Cæfar.
Now fince the Julian computation cannot, without a prolepfis or anticipa-
tion, be carried backwards beyond the firſt Julian year, (which fell in with
the 45th year before the vulgar Chriftian æra) we ſhall take this opportunity,
in order to fix the utmoſt limits of the Julian ftations of the equinoxes and
folftices, to calculate the month, day, hour, and minute, in which the fun
entered the cardinal points, in the first four Julian years, at the Greenwich
obfervatory.
The CALCULATION.
The 45th year before the vulgar æra of Chrift's birth, was in connection
with the year of the Julian period 4669; from which ſubſtract`the year of the
Julian period 706, and it will give A. M. 3963.
From A. M. 3963 ſubſtract 1, and there will remain A. M. 3962.
Y y
Multiply
346
The Chronology of the World.
3962 years,
Multiply
into
M.
II minutes.
D. H. M.
Divide by 1440) 43582 (30 6 22 the retroceffion.
In the table of equinoxes and folftices, for the first four years of the world,
we find the following numbers, in the column over-againſt the biffextile
year.
Biffextile
2 I
Add for Mar. 31
Vernal
equinox.
April.
D. H. M.
5 58
Jun. 30
Summer
folftice.
July.
Autumnal
equinox.
October.
Winter
folftice.
D. H. M.
23 4 40
24 18 00
Sept. 30
D. H. M.
January.
D. H. M.
22 957
Dec. 31
To the fum
52 5 58
53 4 40
54 18 00
53
Add
IO 24
10 24
IO 24
9 57
IO 24
From the fum 52 16 22
53 15 4
55
4 24
53 20 21
Subftract 30 622
30
6 22
30
6 33
30 6 33
March 22 10 00 Jun. 23
8 42 Sept.24 21 51 Dec. 23 13 48 A.J.P. 4669 |
We will here fubjoin
A TABLE of the Julian Stations of the equinoxes and folftices in the four firſt
Julian years; from whence it will appear, that the fun never came to the
vernal equinox on the 25th of March, nor to the winter folftice on the 25th
of December.
A. C.
Vernal
equinox.
March.
D. -H. M.
Summer
folftice.
June.
D. H. M.
Biff. 45
22 IO OO
23
8 42
24 21 51
Autumnal
equinox.
September.
D. H. M.
Winter folftice.
December.
D. H. M.
23 13 48
I
44
22 15 49
23 14 31
25 3 40
23 19 37
2
43
22 21 38
23 20 20
25 9 29
24 I 26
3
42
23 3 27
24 2 9
25 15 18
24 7 15
Should ſome proper criterion of the truth of theſe calculations be required,
and it may reaſonably be expected that it will, we might with confidence offer
the following one:
The
The Chronology of the World.
347
The firſt Julian year, if refpect be had to its correſponding year of the
Julian period, was biffextile; and fo alfo was A. D. 1752, in which the fun
was obſerved to enter the winter folftice at Greenwich, December 20 d. 20 h.
min. This is the firſt of thoſe 5 obfervations which we have poftulated to be
exactly true.
32
To A.D. 1752 add 45, and the fum 1797 will be the interval in Julian
years, which begin on the firft of January, and end on the 31st of December;
. from 1797
1797 ſubſtract I, and the remainder 1796 will be the interval in folar
tropical years, which may be computed from equinox to equinox, or from
folftice to folftice.
Multiply
into
M.
1796 years of 365 d. 6 hours,
II minutes.
Divide by 1440) 19756
D. H. M.
19756 (13 17 16 the retroceffion.
From 13 days throw off II for the new ftyle, and there will remain 2 d.
h. 16 min. In the firſt Julian year the fun came to the winter folftice at
Greenwich, December 23 d. 13 h. 48 min.
17
From December
Subſtract
Remains, Ⓒ in vs, December
D. H. M.
23 13 48
2 17 16
20 20 32 as by obfervation A. D. 1752.
When, in the year 1752, 11 days were thrown out of the kalendar,
in order to abolish the old ftyle, and to introduce the new, it is very
evident, that, inſtead of the era of the Julian year, refpect was had to the
Nicene pafchal canons, and to the reformation of pope Gregory the XIIIth.
The retroceffion of 11 days is compleated in 1440 years; which being
ſubſtracted from A. D. 1752 carries back the correction to A. D. 312. Or,
if from the interval of 1796 folar tropical years we fubftract 1440, and from
the remainder 356 take 44, it will fill bring it down to A. D. 312, which
lies 13 years higher up than A. D. 325, in which year the council of Nice
was held.
Now by the doctrine of a ſolar period, or year of commenfuration, the fun
entered the cardinal points on the fame month, day, hour, and minute, in the
ſame meridian A.D. 312, and 313, as it did by obfervation A. D. 1752, and
*753. And to prove that this was true in fact, here follows,
Y y 2
A CAL-
348
The Chronology of the World.
A CALCULATION, from the original radix, of the Julian month, day, bour, and
minute, in which the fun came to the winter folftice A. D. 312, which was a
biffextile year, in the meridian of the Greenwich obfervatory.
To A. D. 312 add A.M. 4007, and the fum will give A. M. 4319.
Multiply
into
M.
Divide by 1440)
Multiply
into
4319 years,
II minutes.
D. H. M.
47509 (32 23 49 the retroceffion.
4319 years,
1461 quadrants.
Divide by 4) 6310059
Subſtract the retroceffion
To the folar tropical reduction
Add, to bring it to the winter folſtice,
To the fum
Add, for the meridian of Greenwich,
To the fum
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. 00 min.
From the fum
Subft. the Jul. biff. reduct. of 4319 yrs.
© in vs, A.D. 312, December 20,
D.
H. M.
(1577514 18 00 Julian reduction.
32 23 49
1577481 18 11 o in
89 15 57
1577571 10 &
10 24
1577571 20 32
298
1577869 20 32
1577515
354 20 32
From the obſerved time A. D. 1752, December
Subſt. the calculated time A. D. 312, December
Difference
!!
D. H. M.
20,20 32
20 20 32
To find the day of the week, corresponding with the day of the winter folftice A. D.
312, reckoning the hours from midnight.
The CALCULATION.
D.
Divide the folar trop. reduction by 7) 1577572 (225367 weeks.
Remainder
3 | index 7 | Sunday.
The
The
349
Chronology of the World.
The PROOF.
To A.D. 312 add 9, and the fum will be 321; this being divided by 28,
will leave in remainder 13, which gives for the dominical letters FE. The
literal character of December 21 is E, which was the dominical letter for the
laft ten months of that year.
A. D. 1752 the fun came to the winter folftice upon a Thurſday; and this
difference in the day of the week is the only aftronomical character which di-
ftinguiſhes the two folftices from each other.
From the winter folftice A. D. 312 we will proceed to the vernal equinox
A. D. 313.
The CALCULATION.
D.
H. M.
To the folar trop. reduction, for the winter folſtice A.D. 312, 1577571 20 32
Add, to bring it to the vernal equinox,
To the fum
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
Subſtract the Jul. reduction of 4320 years
I
o in, at Greenwich, A. D. 313, March 19,
From the obſerved time A. D. 1753, March
Subſtract the calculated time A. D. 313, March
Difference
89 2 I
1577660 22 33
298
1577958 22 33
1577880
78 22 33
D. H. M.] .
19 22 33
19 22 33
To find the day of the week, correfponding with the day of the vernal equinox
A.D. 313, reckoning the hours from midnight.
The CALCULATION.
D.
Divide the folar tropical reduction by 7) 1577661 (225380 weeks.
Remainder
1 | index 5 | Friday.
The PROOF.
To A. D. 313
313 add
9,
and the fum will be 322; this being divided by 28,
will leave in remainder 14, which gives D for the dominical letter. The literal
character
359
The Chronology of the World.
character of March 20 is B, which that year denoted Friday, which is the
5th day after Sunday, and it is ſo expreffed by the index.
A. D. 1753 the fun came to the vernal equinox upon a Tueſday, reckoning
the hours from midnight.
In the next place we will calculate the fummer folftice A. D. 313.
D.
H. M.
To the folar trop. reduction for the vernal equin. A. D. 313, 1577660 22 33
Add, to bring it to the fommer folftice
To the fum
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
Subſtract the Julian reduction of 4320 years
I
O in, A. D. 313, June 20,
From the obſerved time A. D. 1753, June
Subſtract the calculated time A. D. 313, June
Difference
92 22 42
1577753 21 15
298
1578051 21 15
1577880
D. H. M.
20 21 15
20 21 15
171 21 15
To find the day of the week, correfponding with the day of the fummer folftice A. D.
313, reckoning the bours from midnight.
The CALCULATION.
D.
Divide the folar tropical reduction by 7) 1577754 (225393 weeks.
Remainder
The PROOF.
3 | index 7 | Sunday.
The dominical letter for A D. 313 was D; the literal character of June 21
is D; which agrees with the index.
The fun came to the fummer folftice A. D. 1753 upon a Thurſday, reckon-
ing the hours from midnight.
From the fummer folftice we will go forward to the autumnal equinox in
the fame year of our Lord 313..
The
The
35I
Chronology of the World.
The CALCULATION.
D. H. M.
To the folar trop. reduction for the ſummer ſolſtice A.D. 313, 1577753 21 15
Add, to bring it to the autumnal equinox,
To the fum
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
Subſtract the Julian reduction of 4320 years
in at Greenwich, A. D. 313, September 22,
93 13 9
1577847 10 24
298
1578145 10 24
1577880
265 10 24
D. H. M.
From the obſerved time A. D. 1753, September 22 10 24 p. m.
Subſtract the calculated time A.D. 313, September 22 10 24
Difference
To find the day of the week, correfponding with the day of the autumnal equinox
A.D. 313, reckoning the hours from noon.
The CALCULATION.
D.
Divide the folar trop. reduction by 7) 1577847 (225406 weeks.
Remainder
PROOF.
5 | index 2 | Tueſday.
The dominical letter for A. D. 313 was D; the literal character of Septem-
ber is F, which that denoted Tueſday.
year
A. D. 1753 the fun came to the autumnal equinox upon a Saturday.
There only remains the winter folftice in the ſame year of our Lord 31-32
and here follows the calculation.
D.
H. M.
To the folar trop. reduct. for the autumnal equin. A.D. 313, 1577847 10 24
Add, to bring it to the winter folftice,
To the fum
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
Subſtract the Julian reduction of 4320 years
1
o in vs at Greenwich, A. D. 313, December 21,
From the obſerved time A. D. 1753, December
Subtract the calculated time A. D. 313, December
Difference
89 15 57
1577937
298
2 21
1578235 2 21
1577880
355
D. H. M.
21 2 21
21
2 21
2 21
1
To
352
The Chronology of the World.
To find the day of the week, correfponding with the day of the winter folftice A. D.
313, reckoning the hours from noon.
The CALCULATION.
D.
Divide the folar trop. reduction by 7) 1577937 (225416 weeks.
Remainder
The PROOF.
4 | index 1 | Monday.
The dominical letter for A. D. 313 was D; the literal character of Decem-
ber 21 is E; which that year denoted Monday.
A. D. 1753 the fun came to the winter ſolſtice upon a Friday, the dominical
letter being G.
To purſue theſe principles one ſtep farther; if, to A.D. 1752, we add 1440,
it will bring it down to A. D. 3192, and becauſe we have taken a compleat
folar period for the interval, we ſhall find the fun entering the cardinal points on
the fame Julian month, day, hour, and minute, as it did A. D. 312, and 313,
or as it did A.D, 1752, and 1753, and the only difference will still be in
the day of the week.
The CALCULATION.
To A. D. 3192 add A. M. 4007, and we ſhall have A. M. 7199.
Multiply
into
M.
Divide the product by 1440)
Multiply
into
7199 years of 365 days, 6 hours,
II minutes.
D. H. M.
79189 (54 23 49 the retroceffion,
7199 years,
1461 quadrants,
D.
H. M.
Divide the product by 4) 10517739 (2629434 18 00 Julian reduction.
Subſtract the retroceffion
To the folar tropical reduction
Add, to bring it to the winter folftice,
To the fum
Add, for October 25 d. oo h. oo min.
To the fum
Add, for the meridian of Greenwich,
The fum
54 23 49
2629379 18 11 O in
89 15 57
2629469 10
298
8
2629767 10 8
2629767 20 32
The
10 24
The Chronology of the World.
353
The Julian reduction is 2629434 d. 18 h. from which fubftract 22 days
for two folar periods, and there will remain 2629412 d. 18h.
D.
H. M.
From the folar trop. reduct. +298 d. 10 h. 24 min. 2629767 20 32
Subftract the biffextile Julian reduction
ד
o in vs, A. D. 3192, December 20,
From the obſerved time A. D. 1752, December
Subſtract the calculated time A.D. 3192, December
$
Difference
2629413
354 20 32
D. H. M.
20 20 32
2020 32
To find the day of the week, correfponding with the day of the winter folftice
A. D. 3192, A. M. 7199, reckoning the hours from midnight.
The CALCULATION.
Divide the folar trop. reduction by 7) 2629470 (375638 weeks.
Remainder
*』。
4 | index | Monday.
A.D. 312 the fun came to the winter folftice upon a Sunday; A. D. 1752,
upon a Thurſday; and it will enter the fame cardinal point A. D. 3192, upon
a Monday.
Secondly, Here-follows
A CALCULATION of the Julian' month, day, hour, and minute, in which the
fun will come to the vernal equinox at Greenwich, A. D. 3193, A. M. 7200.
D.
H. M.
To the folar trop. reduct. for the winter folftice, A.D.3192, 2629469 20 32
Add, to bring it to the vernal equinox
To the fum
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
1
Subft.the Jul.reduct.of 7200 yrs.having first thrown off 22 days,
o in V, at Greenwich, A. D. 3193, March 19,
From the obſerved time A. D. 1753, March
Subſtract the calculated time A. D. 3193, March
Difference
Z z
89 2 I
2629558 22 33
298
2629856 22 33
2629778
78 22 33
D. H. M.
19 22 33
19 22 33
To
354
The Chronology of the World.
To find the day of the week, correfponding with the day of the vernal equinox
A.D. 3193, reckoning the hours from midnight..
The CALCULATION.
Divide the folar trop. reduction by 7) 2629559 (375651 weeks.
2 | index 6 | Saturday.
Remainder
The fun came to the vernal equinox A. D. 313, upon a Friday; A. D. 1753»
upon a Tueſday; and it will enter that cardinal point A. D. 3193, upon a Sa-
turday, reckoning the hours from midnight.
Thirdly, Here follows
A CALCULATION of the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, in which the
fun will come to the fummer folftice at Greenwich A. D. 3.193.
D.
H. M:
To the folar trop. reduct. for the vernal equinox, A.D.3193, 2629558 22 33
Add, to bring it to the fummer folftice,
To the fum
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
Subftract the corrected Julian reduction of 7200 years
o in, at Greenwich, A. D. 3193, June 20,
92 22 42
2629651 21 15
298
·
2629949 21 15
2629778.
171 21 15
D. H. M.
From the obſerved time A. D. 4753,
Subſtract the calculated time A.D. 3193,
June
20 21 15
June
June
20 21 15
o o ó
- Difference
To find the day of the week, correfponding with the day of the fummer folftice
A. D. 3193 reckoning the hours from midnight.
The CALCULATION.
Divide the folar trop. reduction by 7) 2629652 (375664 weeks.
Remainder
4 | index 11 Monday.
A.D.
The Chronology of the World.
355
A. D. 313, the fun came to the fummer folftice upon a Sunday; A. D. 1753,
upon a Thurſday; and it will enter the fame cardinal point A. D. 3193, upon
a Monday, reckoning the hours from midnight.
Fourthly, Here follows
A CALCULATION of the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, in which the
fun will come to the autumnal equinox, at Greenwich A. D.
3193.
D.
H. M.
To the folar trop. reduct. for the fummer folftice, A.D.3193, 2629651 21 15
Add, to bring it to the autumnal equinox,
To the fum
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
Subſtract the corrected Julian reduction of 7200 years
O in, at Greenwich, A. D. 3193, September 22,
93 13 9
2629745 10 24
298
2630043 10 24
2629778
265 10 24 p. m.
D. H. M.
From the obferved time A. D. 1753,
Subſtract the calculated time A.D. 3193, September
September
22 10 24
22 10 24
Difference
ооо
To find the day of the week, correfponding with the day of the autumnal equinox,
A. D. 3193, reckoning the bours from noon.
The CALCULATION.
Divide the folar trop. reduction by 7) 2629745 (375677 weeks.
Remainder
6 | index 3 | Wedneſday.
A.D. 313, the fun came to the autumnal equinox upon a Tueſday; A.D.
1753 upon a Saturday; and it will enter the fame cardinal point A. D 3193,
upon a Wedneſday, reckoning the hours from noon.
Fifthly, Here follows
A CALCULATION of the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, in which the
fun will come to the winter folftice at Greenwich A. D. 3193.
Zz2
To
356
The Chronology of the World.
D. ` H. M.
To the folar trop. reduct. for the autumnal equin.A.D.3193, 2629745:10 24
Add, to bring it to the winter folftice,
To the fum
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
Subſtract the corrected Julian reduction of 7200 years
o in vs, at Greenwich, A. D. 3193, December 21,
89 15 57
2629835 2 21
298
2630133 2.21
2629778
?
3,55
2 21
D. H. M.
2 21
From the obſerved time A. D. 1753, December 21
Subſtract the calculated time A.D. 3193, December 21 2 2E
Y
Difference
ооо
To find the day of the week, correfponding with the day of the winter folftice
A. D. 3193, reckoning the hours from noon.
The CALCULATION.
Divide the folar trop. reduction by 7) * 2629835 (375690 weeks.
Remainder
5 | index 2 | Tueſday.
A. D. 313, the fun came to the winter folftice upon a Monday; A.D. 1753,
upon a Friday; and it will enter the fame cardinal point A. D. 3193, upon a
Tueſday, reckoning the hours from noon.
It plainly appears from this exact agreement of the calculated with the ob-
ferved times of the equinoxes and folftices, whether we compute 1440 years
before, or 1440 years after A. D. 1753, that the folar tropical year confifts of
365 d. 5 h. 49 min. preciſely; and that the annual revolution is performed,
with an undiſturbed uniformity, without the leaft deviation from the original
track, ſo as to lengthen or ſhorten the year a fingle moment fince the com-
mencement of motion.
From this, and one or two more fimple principles, we ſhall be enabled to
effect, what has never yet been effected; for moſt certain it is, that neither
Gregory's reformation A.D. 1582, nor that which was attempted A. D. 1752,
has caufed the Julian year (ſtill retaining its months, their names, their order,
and their qu´ntity) to keep even pace with the fun's annual courſe, ſo as not
to
The Chronology of the World.
357
to be ſubject to the leaſt future error. The throwing off 3 days in 400 years,
leaves a remainder of 1 hour and 20 minutes, which will encreaſe into a day
in the courſe of 7200 years; not to mention the grofs error in making every
hundredth year to conſiſt of 365 days, for three centuries together. Such an
inaccurate, and unaftronomical correction, ftrongly implies a full perfuafion, 1ſt,
That there is no determinate quantity of the folar tropical year; and, 2dly,
If there be, that its application to civil uſe, in its native quantity, is quite im-
practicable. But, in proof of the contrary, we offer the following calculations
and tables; only premifing, that what is generally confidered as the annual
excefs of the Julian above the folar tropical year, we confider as a change of
the meridian in a fixed annual proportion eastward; and if we keep pace with
this change of the meridian from west to eaſt quite round the equator, we
ſhall find, that at the end of 131 years, the difference in abfolute time, take
what meridian we pleaſe, will be no more than I minute; and, confequently,
that the moment of the equinoxes and folftices have not gone back towards
the beginning of the year one whole day fince the creation; nay, we ſhall be
convinced that it has never gone back more than 23 h. 59 min. which is but
a meridian diſtance, as it falls within the limits of the equator.
It will be no difficult matter, we fay, upon the foregoing principles, to lay
down rules for accommodating the folar tropical year to civil uſe, with an in-
defectible exactneſs, thro' all ages to come; provided we might be permitted
to poftulate the truth of thoſe five aforementioned obfervations; and they who
will not admit of the poftulatum, fhould undertake to eſtimate the error.
4
The fourth folar period ended A. D. 1753, A.M. 5760, when the fun re-
turned to the original cardinal point of the year, i. e. the autumnal equinox,
on the original cardinal point of the day, i. e. noon, in the firſt meridian; this
moment of the autumnal equinox in the firft meridian, we ſhall transfer to
the kalends of January, and make the firſt day of the Julian year to begin
and end at noon, in the fame manner as the aftronomers do, for the fake of
the cardinal points of the day, which will help us to illuftrate, with greater
advantage, the annual changes and variations from them, in a fixed and inva-
riable proportion.
If the late correction of the kalendar had been poftponed but one year more,
then the years of our Lord, computed from A. D. 1753, and reduced to the
autumnal equinox, would have fallen in with the years of the fifth ſolar period,
and every fourth year would have compleated a quadriennium of the world's
age, regularly brought down from the creation. The peculiar advantages
which calculation would have derived from hence, might be exemplified in
as many inftances as there are parallel lines in the table, conftructed for 1440
years, which, in the preceeding pages, we have called equatoreal, but we
might
358
The Chronology of the World.
might entitle it, A table, fhewing how to compute the Julian mean years of
365 d. 6 h. aftronomically, or, in a conftant agreement with the fun's annual
courfe, ftill retaining the civil reckoning by entire days.
This table, conftructed for 1440 years, confifts of 9 columns; and, firſt, we
will give a fhort explication of their contents, fo far as may be thought neceffary;
fecondly, we will fhew the aſtronomical uſe and application of thoſe numbers,
which form the 7th and 8th columns, ſhould it be required to calculate an
equinox or a folftice, in any given year, and in any given meridian; and we
fhall make it appear by examples, that whether we calculate an equinox or a
folftice, the conclufion will ever be in connection with the numbers of thofe five
ſelected obfervations; which connection cannot be obtained in a ſingle inſtance,
by any tables extant, and we offer that connection as a proper teft of the truth
of the calculations.
Firft, We will give a fhort explication of the contents of the 9 columns
which frame the table of 1440 years, fo far as may be thought neceſſary.
In col. 1. the years of our Lord are reckoned from 1753 exclufive, to 3193
inclufive.
In col. 2. the biffextile years are placed in the fame order in which they
occur in the Julian period, and in vulgar computation.
In col. 3. the folar tropical years of the world correſpond aſtronomically,
as we ſhall prove, with the years of our Lord in col. 1.
In col. 4. we have the year of the fifth folar period gradually increafing.
Col. 5. contains the true Julian computation, which reckons 365 days for
three years together, and every fourth year 366.
In col. 6. the firft of January is made to begin with the fun's entry into the
11th degree of capricorn at noon; and as a mean Julian year confiſts of 365
days, the first year ends with the firſt quadrant of the day at fun-ſetting, or
6 hours after noon; the fecond at midnight, or 12 hours after noon; the
third at fun-rifing, or 18 hours after noon; the fourth ends and begins again
at noon. Thefe four quadrants, added together, form the intercalary day; but
inſtead of inferting it after the 23d of February, according to Julius Cæfar's
ordination, it is brought forward, and placed at the end of the year, under
the denomination of Prid. Kal. Jan. or, the day before the kalends of Ja-
nuary; by this true and natural fituation of the intercalary day, the biffextile
column of days, and the doubling the dominical letter, would be avoided,
with ſome other inconveniencies, which, at prefent, give no fmall diſturbance
to calculation.
The numbers of the 7th and 8th columns are aftronomical; they annually
correct the quantity of the mean Julian years, by which they are rendered folar
tropical, and are thereby cauſed to begin and end with the fun's true courſe;
to
The Chronology of the World.
359
to which if we add 10 h. 24 min. the times will be reduced, without any
further trouble, to the meridian of the Greenwich obfervatory.
In col. 7. we have -11, which we call the retroceffion weftward; and in
col. 8. we have +11', which we call the progreffion eaftward; this two-
fold computation may be made intelligible by a very few words; for if, (as
Keil obferves, lect. xxviii.) the fun in any year has entered the equinox upon
the 20th of March at noon, in the fourth year after he will arrive at the equinox
44 minutes before noon. This is very true, if refpect be had to one and the
fame meridian; but if we proceed eastward 11 degrees upon the equator, (as
appears by the numbers of col. 9. in the end of the fourth year) it will ſtill enter
that cardinal point at noon, and will continue to do fo every fourth year by an
invariable law; and if we take 132 years, which being divided by 4, will
leave no remainder, we fhall find the fun entering the vernal equinox on the
20th of March, 12 minutes before noon, in the given meridian; which 12
minutes are the ſum of the retroceffion aftronomically computed.
It is evident, by an infpection into this table, that in the year of our Lord
3193, the 1st of January will again begin aftronomically with the fun's entry
into the 11th degree of capricorn at noon, juft as it did A. D. 1753, after the
hours and minutes have gone thro' 1440 variations; and yet amidst all theſe
changes, the greateſt retroceffion will be no more, as it has been already noted,
than 23 hours and 59 minutes; which numbers are to be found in the fame
parallel line with the year of our Lord 3062, and in that year only.
In the next place, we will illuftrate by examples the aftronomical uſe and
application of the numbers in the 7th column, when the calculation of equi-
noxes and folftices is required in a given year, and in a given meridian; and
we will take for the first example A. D. 325, in which the council of Nice
was held, and the pafchal canons were fettled; according to which, Eaſter-day
is always the firft Sunday next after the firft full moon, which happens upon,
or next after, the 21st of March.
Here the 21st of March, and the day of the vernal equinox, are confidered as
equivalent terms; and it feems to be taken for granted, that the fun would
perpetually enter that cardinal point on that month and day; as it was thought
to do then; and yet, if we examine into the truth. of the fact, we ſhall find
that the fun entered the vernal equinox, in the year of the council of Nice,
and in the following years, as it does by obfervation in the prefent age, new
ftyle, on the 20th, and not on the 21ft day of March, in any one place in
Europe, reckoning the hours from midnight.
Had there been a real neceffity for making the year of the council of Nice
the era of the late correction, it would have been highly proper to have de-
fer'd it untill the year of our Lord 1765, becauſe in that year the fun will
enter
360
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1
1
enter the four cardinal points on the fame Julian month, day, hour, and mi-
nute, as it did in the year of our Lord 325. In proof of this, here follows
X
A CALCULATION of the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, in which the
fun came to the vernal equinox, A. D. 324, (which was a biffextile year) and
in the three following years, in the meridian of the Greenwich obfervatory, and
alfo in the meridian of Jerufalem, whofe longitude east, by Robertfon's tables,
is 35°, 25'; which gives 2 hours, 21 minutes in time, rejecting the feconds.
From A. D. 325, which was the year of the council of Nice, and the firſt
after biffextile, ſubſtract A.D. 313, (which was the laft of the third folar
period) and the remainder will give the 12th year of the fourth period, whofe
retroceffion in col. 7. is 2 h. 12 min.
A. D. 313 the fun came to the vernal equinox March 19 d. 22 h. 33 min.
or, reckoning the hours from midnight, March 20 d. 10 h. 33 min. ſubſtract
for the retroceffion in 12 years, 2 h. 12 min. and there will remain March
20 d. 8 h. 21 min. for the time of the equinox A. D. 325, in the meridian
of Greenwich.
If, in any given year, the hour and minute of an equinox or a folftice be
known, and we would aſcertain the time of the ingrefs in the year immediately
foregoing, the rule is, we muſt fubftract 6 from the hours, and add II to the
minutes: but to find the time of the ingrefs in the year immediately following,
the former rule muſt be reverfed, for now we muft add 6 to the hours, and
fubftract II from the minutes; but when the minutes are under II, then we
muſt add 5 to the hours. By theſe methods we ſhall obtain the following
TABLE of the times of the fun's entry into the vernal equinox, at Greenwich,
beginning at A.D. 324, which was a biffextile year, and ending at A.D. 327,
which was the third year after bifextile...
A.D.
A. M.
324
4331
325
4332
326
4333
327
4334
Vernal equinox.
March
D. H. M.
20 2 32
20 8 21
o in T, Greenwich, P.M.N
20 14 10
20 19 59
Add, for the meridian of Jerufalem,
A. D. 327, March
2 21
20 22 20 O inr, Jerufalem, P.M.N.
To
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361
To A. D. 325 add 1440, and it will bring it down to A. D 1765; from
which fubftract A. D 1753, and the remainder will give the 12th year of the
5th folar period, which is now current, whoſe retroceffion, in col. 7, is, as
before, 2 h. 12 min.
A.D. 1753,
the fun was obſerved to come to the vernal equinox at Green-
wich, March 19 d. 22 h. 33 min. or, if we reckon the hours from midnight,
March 20 d. 10 h. 33 min. from which ſubſtract, for the retroceffion
in 12 years 2 h. 12 min. and we fhall have March 20 d. 8 h. 21 min. for
the time of the equinox A. D. 1765, in exact agreement with the times A. D.
325, in the fame meridian. We ſhall ſubjoin
A TABLE´ for four years, beginning at A. D. 1764, which will be a biſſextile
year, and ending at A. D. 1767, which will be the third year after biſſextile.
A.D.
A. M.
1764
5771
1765
5772
1766
5773
1767 5775
Vernal equinox.
March
D. H. M.
20 2 32
20 8 21
Add, for the meridian of Jerufalem,
A. D. 1767, March
A.D.
20 14 10
20 19 59
2 21
Soinr,Greenwich, P.M.N.
20 22 20 Oinv, Jerufalem, P.M.N.
The foregoing tables and calculations not only diſcover, but they alſo help
us to correct, a very material, (we will venture to fay, a fundamental) error,
in the paſchal Nicene canons, which affign the 21ft of March, for the per-
manent and immutable day of the vernal equinox. From hence we may judge,
that the authors of them, whoever they were, were poffeffed of an opinion,
that the mean Julian year of 365 d. 6 h. was the true folar; fo that we need
not be greatly ſurpriſed at the want of exactneſs in their obfervations.
By thus miftaking the day of the equinox, it has come to paſs, that the
pafchal limits have never been rightly fixed; the 22d of March has all along
been reckoned, and it is ftill fet down in the tables, for that day on which
the neareſt Eaſter-Sunday can happen, and the 21ft of March for the day of
the neareſt paſchal full moon; but it may eaſily be proved, that this is by no
means true, with reſpect either to the full moon or the vernal equinox; for
if in the year of our Lord 1761, which we are now entering upon, the mean
pafchal new moon fhould happen on the 5th of March upon a Friday, and it
may fo fall out in a long feries of years, then if to March 5 we add 15, this
would cauſe the paſchal full moon to fall on the 20th of March, i. e. on the
A a a
vernal
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The Chronology of the World.
vernal equinox, and upon a Saturday; in confequence of which, the 21ſt of
March, would, by the intention of the paſchal canons, and the laws of aſtronomy,
be Eaſter-Sunday.
We may add farther, that becauſe within the ſpace of 131 years, the retro-
ceffion, as we have called it, will amount to 23 hours and odd minutes, this
will cauſe the moment of the equinox to fall as high up on the 19th of March,
reckoning the hours from midnight, as it does in the prefent age on the 20th;
and when this ſhall be the cafe, if the mean pafchal new moon fhould happen
on the 4th of March upon a Friday; and it may ſo fall out in a long ſeries of
years, then to March 4 add 15, and the paſchal full moon will be brought
down to the 19th of March, i. e. it will coincide with the day of the vernal
equinox upon a Saturday; and the 20th of March will be Eafter-Sunday: fo
far is it from being true, that the 22d of March new ftyle, is the day on which
the neareſt Eaſter-Sunday, or that the 21st of March is the day, on which
the neareſt paſchal full moon can poffibly happen aftronomically.
From theſe examples we plainly perceive, that the paſchal aftronomical rule
might, with great propriety, have been framed in the following terms:
Eaſter-day is always the firft Sunday after the firſt full moon, which happens
either upon, or next after, the vernal equinox, which, in the new ftyle, will
ever fall either on the 19th, or on the 20th day of March, reckoning the
hours from midnight.
This apparent aftronomical defect in the ſtated rule for finding Eafter-Sunday,
is a clear proof, that the rule itself was not originally a divine, but a mere
human appointment.
But let us now ſuppoſe, for arguments fake, that the annual commemoration
of our Lord's refurrection from the dead, had been an exprefs gofpel inftitu-
tion, and that the univerfal Chriftian church had been commanded to celebrate
this anniverſary feaſt in the ſame terms, in which the whole affembly of the
congregation of Ifrael was commanded to obferve the anniverſary feaſt of un-
leavened bread, on which they were delivered from the bondage of Egypt.
This command is recorded by Mofes in the following manner:
Exod. xii. 14. This day fhall be unto you for a memorial, ye ſhall keep it a
feaft unto the Lord, throughout your generations: ye shall keep it a feast by an
ordinance for ever.
Exod. xiii. 10. Thou shalt keep this ordinance in its feafon (lemoadah) from
year to year.
We are now fuppofing, that the whole body of Chriſtians had lain under
the obligation of fuch a law, and fuch an expreſs evangelical command, as we
have cited above, to obferve, throughout all generations, the annual returns
of Eafter-Sunday, as it is generally called, in its appointed feafon; nor need we
heſitate
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363
hefitate to ſay, that had this been the caſe, the firſt point of enquiry would
have been, what was the appointed feafon? and if, in order to find out this,
we had diligently examined the goſpel hiſtory relative to this momentuous event,
we ſhould have been clearly informed from thence, that all the Evangelifts
agree in characterizing three diftinct days, following one another in immediate
fucceffion. On the firſt of theſe three days, our Saviour fuffered the death of the
cross, by the fentence of Pontius Pilate, the then Roman governor. On the
fecond, he reſted in the grave. On the third, he aroſe from it.
Having fhewed how theſe three days are diftinguiſhed, in the goſpel hiſtory, by
their reſpective events, and fuch events as every defcendent of fallen Adam is
intereſted in, we ſhall proceed to enumerate thoſe ſeveral characters and nota-
tions by which they are ftill further diftinguiſhed by the facred pen-men.
And here we ſhall obferve, 1ft, That the firft of them is called (Mark xiv. 12.)
The first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the paffover; or, as St. Luke
expreffes it, (xxii. 7.) when the paſſover muſt be killed. 2dly, It is called (John
xiii. 1.) The day before the feast. 3dly, (John xix. 14.) The preparation of the
pallover. 4thly, (Mark xv. 41.) The preparation, or day before the Sabbath.
5thly, Towards the conclufions of that day, we read, (Luke xxiii. 54.) that
it was the preparation, and the Sabbath drew on.
The ſecond day is exprefly called (John xix. 31.) the Sabbath day, and that
Sabbath day is faid to be a nepa, a high day.
The third day is called (Mark xvi. 9.) The first day of the week, (the Sabbath
being paſt, Mark xvi. 1.) when Jeſus was rifen early.
From all theſe particulars, taken together, we may with certainty infer, (and
it is all that can be inferred with certainty) that our Lord Chrift rofe from the
grave on that day of the week which we call Sunday, and which, in that
year, was the next after the first day of the feast of unleavened bread, and the
next but one after the first day of unleavened bread, on which the paſſover muſt
be killed, which was, πpo opтns, the day before the feast.
The next Eaſter-Sunday A. D. 1761, will happen in this manner exact-
ly, with refpect to the days of the week, and the days of the Jewiſh
month.
It is undeniably certain, that there is fomething very extraordinary, and de-
ferving our attention, with reſpect to the ftyle and manner in which theſe
grand events are related by the Evangelifts. It muſt have been the effect of
defign, and not of ignorance or chance, that all of them, without exception,
make uſe of ſuch general and indeterminate expreffions, that, without ſome
further explanations and affiftances, no aftronomical calculation can be founded
upon them.
Aaa 2
In
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The Chronology of the World.
In the Old Teſtament hiſtory, when any tranfaction is recorded, with no-
tations of time, there is always given, either the name of a patriarch and his
age, or the name of a king, either of Judah or of Perfia, and the year of his
reign, together with the precifion of month and day of the month; e. g.
1 Kings vi. 1. And it came to pass, in the 480th year after the children of Ifrael
were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Ifrael.
(2 Chron. iii. 2.) In the fecond month, on the fecond day of the month, he began to
build the houſe of the Lord.
Thus they recorded remarkable events in the times of Solomon; but, in
the extracts from the goſpel hiſtory, there is no name given of a Roman em-
peror, or year of his reign; there is no month, or day of the month, mentioned,
either in the Julian, or the Jewiſh kalendar; there is no reference to any well
known fixed æra; nor, as far as can be judged from expreffions, is there any
reference either to the fun, or to the moon, or to any particular ſeaſon of the
year. We read, indeed, in the gospel of St. John (chap. xviii. 18.) That they had
made a fire of coals, (for it was cold) and warmed themselves. From this fingle
circumſtance we infer, that theſe things were not done in the fummer ſeaſon,
but, probably, in the cloſe of the winter, or early in the ſpring.
When we attentively confider the phrafes which the Evangelifts make uſe
of when they ſpeak of the day before the feaſt, the day of the feaſt, and the
day after it, without the leaft appearance of any artificial computation, or of
any rule to direct it, we plainly perceive, that for the full explanation of their
terms, they refer the reader, not only to the Mofaic law, but alſo to Jewiſh
computation; and to thoſe methods of computation which were in uſe
among
them in the very times in which they themſelves lived.
The former part of this affertion will be proved, when we come to diſcuſs
that perplexing and much agitated queftion, whether our Saviour, in the night
before he ſuffered, eat the legal paffover with his diſciples, or only a common
fupper.
The latter part will appear, we appehend, highly probable from the follow-
ing arguments.
St. John relates in his goſpel, (xii. 1.) that Jefus came to Bethany fix days
before the paſſover; when four of thefe days were paffed, he fays to his diſciples,
(Matt. xxvi. 2.) ye know, that after two days is the paffover.
Here it may be obſerved, that our Saviour addreſſed himſelf to his diſciples,
as to ordinary and common Jews, when he faid, ye know, that after two days
is the paffover. For we need not ſay, that our Lord's firft difciples, were ob-
fcure, mean, and illiterate perfons, who had neither the opportunity nor the
ability to know the annual returns of their moveable feaſt of the paffover, no
more than the generality of Chriſtians have, to know the annual returns of
their
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·365
their moveable feaſt of Eafter, which depends upon the Jewish paffover, but
by publication. And we may fairly conclude from this addrefs, that the paff-
over-day was computed and fixed, by thoſe who were empowered and qualified
to do it, and that a declaration of the times was made to the people by public
authority; and from this declaration of the times by public authority, the
diſciples, with the reft of the Jews, came to the knowledge of it. The main
difficulty is how to inform ourſelves rightly, whether they adjuſted the begin-
ning of their months by obfervation, or by calculation: but, for our fatisfaction
in this point, we need only confult the writings of the antient Jews; we
call thofe antient (although confeffedly latter Jews) who lived in or near the
times of the goſpel, and fuch were Jofephus and Philo.
Jofephus, fpeaking of the paffover, is very particular in defcribing the feaſon
of the year, as alfo the Jewiſh month, and day of the month, in which it
was kept, as may be feen in the following citation.
Τῳ δε μηνι τῷ Ξανθικῷ, ος Νισσαν παρ' ημιν καλείται, και το ε1ός εσιν αρχή, τεσσαρεσκαιδεκαλη κατα
@savur, ev xpic to naiy xa‡esw]@, di' elus exasy #aoxa Sueir evoμice. Jofeph. Antiq. lib. iii. cap. 10.
"In the Macedonian month Xanticus, which by us Jews is called Niſan,
"and is the beginning of the year, on the 14th day of the month, according
to the moon, the fun being in aries, we annually kill the paffover, in the
"accuſtomed manner."
By this fingle citation from Jofephus's hiftory of the Jewiſh antiquities, al-
moſt every obſcurity is removed, and the accounts of the Evangeliſts appear
at once in a clear and intelligible light. For,
Firſt, We are from hence as certain, that the day in which the paſſover
muſt be killed, and in which Chrift must needs have fuffered, and actually did
fuffer, was the 14th day of Nifan, (as it was then, and is ftill called, by the
Jews) becauſe it was the day before the feast, and the preparation of the paſſover,
as we are, that it was the fixth day of the week, becauſe it was the day be-
fore the Sabbath.
Secondly, From hence we know, that Jefus came to Bethany on the 8th day
of Nifan, becauſe if to 8 we add 6, it will give 14; and likewiſe, that he
held that conference with his difciples, as he fat upon mount Olivet, over-
againſt the temple, on the 12th day of Nifan, becauſe if to 12 we add 2, it
will again give 14.
Thirdly, From hence we know, that the ſeaſon of the year, at which our Sa-
viour fuffered, was the vernal equinox.
It muſt be confeffed indeed, that Jofephus does not, in this paffage, in-
form us how they computed the beginnings of their months; but then this
defect is well fupplied by Philo, who was cotemporary with Jofephus, in the
following definitions: Mela ouredov, Tuv xala Tiva sexurur rear, Neoμna. i. e. The first day
of
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of the month begins on the evening next after the fynod, or the moon's (mean) con-
junction with the fun; and this rule is to be obſerved in every fucceffive month
throughout the lunar year.
All the twelve months of the Jewiſh (and, by Ptolemy's calculation, of the
Attic) lunar year, begin on the evening next after the moon's mean conjunc-
tion. We have repeated the terms, mean conjunction, becauſe it is fo well
known, that the Jews, to this day, continue to calculate mean new moons, and
mean full moons, without any regard to the true, that it needs no proof.
Philo gives a further explanation of the term Neomenia, and fuch a one
as effectually confutes the opinion of thoſe who hold, that the Jews, under
the ſecond temple, fettled the beginning of their months, by an obſervation of
the moon's phafis, or firft appearance after its return to the fame meridian
with the fun. His words are: Νεμενια γαρ αρχεται φωτίζειν αισθητω φεγγε ο ηλιος σελήνην.
i. e. "In the end of the firſt day of the month, the fun begins to enlighten
"the moon with a perceptible light."
Here the antient Jewish writer, for want of a due ſkill in aftronomy, takes
it for granted, (and the fame may undoubtedly be faid of all the Jews of that
age, and of the Greeks too) that the mean time of a new moon, or a full
moon, and the true, was one and the fame. His words are, μela ovvodor, after
the conjunction, without the leaft intimation of the difference between them,
although that difference is fometimes more than 12 hours; and under this per-
fuafion he offers his definitions as certain and unchangeable truths.
Juft in like manner, thoſe who framed the pafchal canons, and the rule for
finding Eaſter for ever, took it for granted, that the mean Julian year, and
the true folar, were one and the fame, and that nineteen luni-folar years con-
ſtituted a true cycle. If fuch notions had not prevailed, the vernal equinox
would not have been fixed to the 21st of March in the Julian kalendar, nor
ſhould we ever have been deluded by golden numbers.
To return to Philo; as he lays it down for a certainty in Jewiſh computa-
tion, that the moon would be conftantly viſible at the end of the first day
of the month, he muſt, in conſequence, have fuppofed, that the 14th day of
the month would uniformly fall on the 14th day of the moon's age, and the
15th day of the month on the 15th day of the moon's age, fo that the full
moon would never happen on the 14th day of the month.
Now that he did fuppofe all this, may be inferred, we think, from the fol-
lowing paffage, compared with what has been ſaid above: To de vi trợ, πept
τεσσαρεσκαιδεκατην ημέραν, μελλοντ@ το σεληνιακο κυκλο γινεσθαι πλησιφαές, αγεται τα διαβητηρια. i. c.
e.
In this month the paffover is celebrated, when towards the end (for fo I
"underſtand it) of the 14th day of the month, the moon was near the full.”
It is not faid, Tessaрeoxaldexαth nμepa, upon the 14th day, but I, towards, i. e.
τεσσαρεσκαιδεκατη ημέρα,
towards the end of it.
Al
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367
Although the particulars, which are here ſtated by Philo, are by no means
univerfally true, yet will they happen exactly as they are here ftated, at the
next pafchal new moon and full moon A. D. 1761. For then,
ift, At the end of the firſt day of the month, the fun will begin to enlighten
the moon with a perceptible light.
2dly, The 14th day of the month will be the 14th day of the moon's age,
immediately preceeding the full moon.
3dly, The 15th day of the month will be the 15th day of the moon's
age, and in ſuch a manner as to include almoſt the whole full moon day.
4thly, Although the difference between the mean time of the next pafchal
new moon and the true, will be 12 hours or more, (according to our calcu-
lations) yet that difference will be fo circumſtanced, that the 15th day of
the month, (on which the Jews would celebrate aftronomically the firſt day
of the feaſt of unleavened bread,) will fall on the fame Julian month, day of
the month, and day of the week, whether the calculation be made by an
aſtronomer, or a Jew, if the Jew calculates aftronomically, and not ecclefi-
aftically.
I thought it the more neceffary to mention this, becauſe, if an aftronomer
and a Jew, were jointly engaged to afcertain the paffover day, in the year of
our Saviour's paffion, beginning the month by Philo's rule, la curador, on the
evening next after the conjunction, inſtead of agreeing in their conclufions, they
muft needs differ a whole day from each other; the aftronomer would calculate
the 14th day of the month to fall upon the 14th day of the moon's age, and
upon a Thurſday; the Jew would find it to fall upon the 15th day of the
moon's age, and upon a Friday, or day before the Sabbath, according to the
gofpel hiftory. And how great a paradox foever it may be thought, the Jew
is the only proper perſon to atteft, by calculation, the times of the fufferings
and death of Chrift, as they are recorded by the Evangelifts.
The reaſon of this difference of a whole day, between the two calculations,
may be eafily affigned, and it is this;
In the year of our Saviour's crucifixion, the true aftronomical time of the
pafchal new moon happened fome hours before fix in the evening, in the me-
ridian of Jerufalem; whilft the mean time, as computed by the Jews, followed
ſome hours after fix in the evening; by which means, Neomenia Nifan, the
firſt day of Niſan, began in the fecond evening after the true conjunction, on
which evening the moon was vifible, although the Jews did not propoſe to
calculate the vifibility; but under the aforementioned circumſtances it muſt
neceffarily begin in that manner. Now, if to the fecond evening after the
conjunction, we add 14 days, it will bring us down to the 15th day of the
moon's age, or to the day of the full moon; and that the moon was at the
full,
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The Chronology of the World.
full, on the paffover, day, on which our Lord fuffered, (in the 19th year of
Tiberius Cæfar, and the 33d of the vulgar Chriſtian æra, as the beſt chrono-
logers agree to fix it) is not difficult to prove; for as there was, by the goſpel
hiſtory, on the noon of that day, a fuper-natural eclipfe of the fun, fo was
there on the evening of that day (as aftronomers report) a natural eclipſe of the
moon, which is a clear proof that it was at the full. So far is it from being
true, that the moon would be conſtantly viſible at the end of the firſt day of
the month, that, on the contrary, the month would fometimes begin on the
evening on which the moon was vifible: it began fo in the year of our Lord's
crucifixion; and by the laws of Jewiſh computation.
St. Ambrofe, in his epiftle to the bishops of Emilia, punctually relates on
what month, and day, both of the fixed Egyptian and Roman year, as it was
diſtributed into kalends, nones, and ides, they obſerved Eaſter-Sunday in ſuch
and fuch a year of the Dioclefian æra.
One example will be fufficient to diſcover to us the directory which they then
made uſe of.
Nonagefimo & tertio anno, a die imperii Diocletiani, cum incideffet quarta de-
cima luna in quartam decimam diem Pharmutii menfis, quæ eft quinto Idus
Aprilis, quæ erat dominica dies, celebratum eft dominica pafcha Pharmutii vige-
fimo & primo die, qui fuit fecundum nos fexto decimo kalendas Maii.
"In the 93d year of the Dioclefian æra, when the 14th day, according
"to the moon, fell on the 14th day of the Egyptian month Pharmuthi, which
"was the 5th of the ides of April, and happened upon a Sunday, we cele-
"brated the feaft of Eafter upon the 21ſt day of Pharmuthi, which, according
"to us, was the 16th of the kalends of May".
The paſchal term, which occurs in this epiftle of St. Ambrofe, is quarta decima
luna, the 14th day of the month according to the moon, without any mention
of the full moon; it is plain, therefore, that the canon was expreffed in the
following terms: "Eafter-day is always the Sunday next after the 14th day
"of the month, according to the moon, which falls either upon, or next
"after, the 21st of March, or the vernal equinox." But in the pafchal Nicene
canon, the term full moon occurs, and not the 14th day of the month; fo that
theſe two canons, when compared together, tacitly imply, that the 14th day of
the month Nifan, and the full moon, were ever in coincidence. But they who
entertain fuch an opinion, will commit juſt fuch a kind of miſtake as Philo
did, when he ſuppoſed that the moon would be conſtantly viſible at the end of
the firſt day of the month. For, A.D. 1761, the 14th day of Nifan, calculated
aftronomically, and the full moon, will be quite as diftinct from each other,
as the paſſover day, and the firſt day of the feaſt of unleavened bread are.
The
The Chronology of the World.
369
The conclufion is, that if we would celebrate the memorial of our Lord's
refurrection from the dead, in exact conformity to the relations of the Evangeliſts,
and real matter of fact, the canon ought to be framed in theſe terms enſuing:
Eafter-day is always the Sunday next after the 15th of Nifan, or the first day of the
feaft of unleavened bread, (not as it is computed by the fews, but from the evening of
the moon's vifibility) which happens either upon, or next after, the vernal equinox.
There is, we fee, fuch a clofe connection of our Eafter-Sunday with the
paffover day, and the firſt day of the feaſt of unleavened bread, that, in order
to a due obſervation of the former, we muſt needs acquaint ourſelves with the
Jewish luni-folar year, and the Jewish law of computation.
The Jewiſh luni-folar year is civil and ecclefiaftical.
The first month of the civil year is Tifri, which begins in the evening
next after that mean conjunction of the moon, which is neareſt to the au-
tumnal equinox; whether it comes within a limited number of days before it,
or whether it falls upon it, or follows within a limited number of days after it,
The feaſt of tabernacles is annually obſerved on the 15th day of Tifri, or
on that mean full moon day, which happens either upon, or next after, the
autumnal equinox; but by the original law it cannot come before it; I fay,
by the original law; for on the fourth day of the creation, when God faid, haju
lemoadim, let the fun and moon be appointed, amongſt other offices, for the
regulation of feſtival days, the 15th day of the firſt month of the lunar year,
fell upon the cardinal point of the folar, and that cardinal point was the au-
tumnal equinox.
By this law, the primitive Patriarchs obſerved their annual feaſt of in-
gathering. By this law the antient Hebrews and Ifraelites obferved their feaft of
fabernacles; and by the fame law (but not by the fame principles of computa-
tion) the modern Jews continue to obferve it to this day.
The firft month of the facred and ecclefiaftical lunar year is Nifan, which
begins in the evening next after that mean conjunction of the moon which is
neareſt to the vernal equinox; whether it comes within a limited number of
days before, or whether it falls upon, or follows within a limited number of
days after it.
The feaft of unleavened bread is annually obferved on the 15th day of Nifan,
or on that mean full moon day, which happens either upon, or next after, the
vernal equinox.
From this ſhort account of the civil and facred lunar year, as it is ſtill uſed
by the Jews, we plainly perceive, that in order to determine rightly our folemn
feſtival of Eaſter, we muſt neceffarily know, and be able to aſcertain, 1ft, The
vernal equinox; and 2dly, The 15th day of Nifan; for this being known,
Eafter-day will be the next Sunday after.
Bbb
We
370
The Chronology of the World.
We have faid thus much of Jewish computation, and of the rule for fixing
Eaſter-Sunday, in order to introduce and to prove the following propofition,
and we ſhall endeavour to prove it by Jewish computation.
The fun cannot return twice to a given degree of the ecliptic, in a given year
of a quadriennium, on a given day of the week, and on a given day of the moon's
age, in a much greater number of years than have paffed fince the creation,
according to the largeſt chronology.
Any common almanac, together with the tables of mean lunations, will
inform us, that in the year of our Lord 1761, the 15th day of the month
Nifan, computed from the evening next after the moon's mean conjunction
neareſt to the vernal equinox, will fall upon the day of the Jewifh Sabbath;
on which day the fun will paſs from the ift to the 2d degree of aries, in the
ift year after biffextile.
Now, we fay, that the ſelf fame characters will be found, by calculation,
from the original radix, in the folar tropical year of the world 5768; and if
all the years, which have been fo variouſly affigned by chronologifts, fhould be
tried one by one, the abovementioned characters would not occur in any one
of them, but only in the 5768th, and therefore that muſt be the correſponding
year.
Archbiſhop Uſher dates his chronology from the year of the Julian period
710; A. D. 1761 is of the year of the Julian period 6474; from which fub-
ftract 710, and there will remain the year of the world 5764, correfponding
with the year of our Lord 1761, according to Ufher's fyftem.
This example will afford us another clear proof, that there is a defect of four
years, and of juſt four years, in archbishop Ufher's chronology. For fuppoſe
the queſtion to be, whether the year of the world 5764, or 5768, was in aftro-
nomical connection with the year of our Lord 1761, a fatisfactory anſwer
might be easily obtained; for by looking into a common almanac for that year
of our Lord, and the tables of mean lunations, it will appear that A. D. 1761,
the fun will come to the vernal equinox on the 14th day of the Jewish
month Niſan, calculated aftronomically, upon a Friday; and therefore that year
of the world, in which theſe coincidences will be found, by calculation, muft
be the year fought.
We will first try the year of the world 5768, and here follows
The CALCULATION.
From A. M. 5768 ſubſtract 1, and there will remain A. M. 5767.
Multiply
The Chronology of the World.
371
Multiply
into
M.
Divide by 1440)
Multiply
into
5767 years of 365 d. 6 hours,
II minutes.
D. H. M.
63437 (44 1 17 the retroceffion.
5767 years,
1461 quadrants.
Divide by 4) 8425587
Subſtract for the retroceffion
To the fum
Add, for the meridian of Greenwich,
To the fum
Add, to bring it to the vernal equinox,
The fum
Reduce the hours to midnight
To the fum
oo
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
瞥
​D.
H. M.
(2106396 18 00 Julian reduction.
44 I 17
2106352 16 43
10 24
2106353 3 7
178 17 58
2106531 21 5 p.m.
+1-12
{
2106532 9 5 P.M.N. o in v.
298
2106830 9 5
From the fum
1
Subſt. the Jul. reduct. of 5768 yrs. N.S.
2106751
March 20, B.
79 9 5 o in v.
By theſe calculations the fun will come to the vernal equinox A. D. 1761,
A. M. 5768, on the 20th day of March, 5 minutes paft 9 o'clock in the
morning, at Greenwich.
To find the day of the week corresponding with the day of the vernal equinox,
A. D. 1761, A. M. 5768.
The CALCULATION.
Divide the days of the folar reduction by 7) 2106532
Remainder
The PROOF.
(300907 weeks.
index 5 | Friday.
To A. D. 1761 add 9, then dividing the fum 1770 by 28, the remainder
will be 6, which gives G for the dominical letter, old ftyle, and for the new
ftyle, D. The literal character of March 20 is B, which denotes Friday.
B b b 2
The
372
The Chronology of the World.
The LUNAR COMPUTATION.
years.
Divide by 19) 5767 (303 cycles.
Remain
Multiply
into
To the product
Add, for 10 common years
For intercalary years
10 years of another cycle.
303 cycles,
235 lunations.
71205
120
3
Divide by 12)
71328
(5944 lunar years.
Remainder
lunar yrs.
Divide by 30) 5944 (198 periods of 30 lunar years.
Remain
4 years.
4 re-
Multiply 198 into II, and to the product 2178 add 1, for the
maining years, then the fum 2179 will be the fum of lunar years, confifting
of 355 days.
Multiply
into
To the product
5944 lunar years,
Add, for lunar years of 355 days,
To the fum
Add, for odd hours, &c. and the merid. diſtance,
354 days.
2104176 days,
2179
2106355
I
To the fum
2106356
Add, for 5 lunations,
148
To the fum
2106504
Add, for half a lunation,
14
The fum
2106518
From the folar tropical reduction
Subſtract the lunar
Age of the moon at the vernal equinox, A. D. 1761,
2106532 days.
2106518
14
The
The Chronology of the World.
373
The day of the week has been already proved to be Friday. The argument
therefore ftands thus; it appears by calculation, from the original radix, that
the fun will enter the vernal equinox, in the year of the world 5768, on the
14th day of the month Nifan, if computed aftronomically by the Jews, on
the day before their Sabbath, which we call Friday, and fo it will alſo in the
year of our Lord 1761; and, confequently, that year of the world cannot be
made to correfpond aftronomically with any other year of our Lord whatever,
at the fame diſtance after biffextile.
To find at what diſtance, after the vernal equinox, the 15th day of Nifan will fall
A. M. 5768.
The CALCULATION.
To the lunar reduction
Add, to bring it to a full moon,
2106518
15
From the fum
2106533
Subſtract the folar reduction
2106532
1 A.M. 5768.
The diſtance of the 15th of Nifan, after the © in V,
If we look into an almanac for A. D. 1761, we fhall find the vernal
equinox on the 20th of March, and the full moon, or the 15th of Nifan, on
the 21ft, which is one day after it.
To find the day of the week correfponding with the 15th day of Nifan, or the firſt
day of the feast of unleavened bread, A. M. 5768.
The CALCULATION.
days.
Divide the lunar reduction by 7) 2106533 (300933 weeks.
Remainder
The PROOF.
2 | index 6 | Saturday.
The dominical letter for A. D. 1761, new ſtyle, will be D. The literal
character of March 21 is C, which denotes Saturday.
In the year of our Lord 1761, the paffover day, the first day of the feaſt
of unleavened bread, and Eafter Sunday, will fall exactly in the fame man-
ner, with respect to the days of the week, as they are recorded by the Evan-
gelifts to have happened in the year of our Saviour's paffion.
The
374-
The Chronology of the World.
The TABLE.
A. M. 5768.
Julian month
Jewiſh month
A. D. 1761.
March.
Nifan.
Days of the week.
D.
D.
Vernal equinox
20
14
Friday,
Προσάββατον.
Full moon
21
15
Eafter
22
16
Saturday, Σαββατον.
Sunday, Πρώτη Σαββατο.
By theſe aſtronomical coincidences, and by thefe appropriated characters, the
fyftem of chronology is eſtabliſhed, and the paft age of the world is demon-
ftrably aſcertained.
We are as certified from hence, that the first year of the reign of his preſent
majefty George the IIId, falls in with the fołar tropical year of the world 5768,
as that it will end in the year of our Lord 1761, according to the vulgar æra.
Nay, we will venture to ſay farther, that it is more diftinguiſhed, by a coin-
cidence of the 15th day of Nifan, or the firſt day of the feaſt of unleavened
bread, with the day of the Jewiſh Sabbath, calculated aftronomically, than it
would have been, by a total and central eclipſe of the fun, as the firſt year of
the reign of his late majefty George I. was; becauſe, in a long courſe of years,
a given day of the moon's age cannot fall twice, on a given day of the week,
on a given day of a month, and in a given degree of the ecliptic; whereas a
total and central eclipſe of the fun may, although not under the fame circum-
ſtances exactly.
As theſe aſtronomical combinations, upon which the certainty of chronology
depends, are eaſily calculated, and that too, without being liable to miſtake
the day either of an equinox or a folftice, or of a new moon or full moon, or
the true day of the week, we are hereby poffeffed of the means by which every
hypothefis, concerning the year of the creation, no matter for the variety, may
be brought to a proper teſt.
We will take, for the next example, archbishop Ufher's year of the world
5764, which, by his authority and computations, claims a connection with
the year of our Lord 1761; but this claim, as we have ſeen, is fuperfeded by
the year of the world 5768; and in order to diſcover its only true affociate,
from A. M. 5768 fubftract A. M. 5764, and it will leave 4, which being
fubftracted from A. D. 1761, will carry it back to A. D. 1757; in which year,
as appears by the common almanacs, and the tables of mean lunations, the
fun came to the vernal equinox on the day of the moon's conjunction, and upon
a Sunday; if then, thefe individual characters fhall be found by calculation in
the folar tropical year of the world 5764, the enquiry will be fatisfied, and it
muſt be acknowledged, that archbishop Ufher's chronology falls four
of the truth.
years ſhort
The
The Chronology of the World.
375
The fubjoined table will inform us of the particulars which we are required -
to calculate, and will alfo convince us, that without true aftronomy, we
cannot aſcertain the periodical returns either of the Jewiſh feafts, or of our
Eafter-Sunday.
Julian months,
March and April.
D.
oint. 20 B
Jewiſh month,
Nifan.
D.
Month
I.
D.
conjunction.
A. D. 1757.
5764.
A. M.
21 C
I
22 d
2
1
23 e
24 f
25 g
26 a
27 B
7
28 c
8.
29 d
9
2 344LO NO
3 +56
4
8
6
30 e
10
31 f
I I
I g
2 a
12
13
9
10
II
12
13
Full moon. 4 C
5 d
6
e
7 f
8 g
2
3
23 +46 7∞
3 B
14 Paffover.
15 Feaſt.
I
14 Paffover.
Full moon. 15 Feaft.
2
I
4
9 a
10 B
5
6 Eafter Sunday.
3
4
5
Before we enter upon the proof, it may not be improper to obferve, that, as
the day of the moon's conjunction falls upon the day of the equinox, if the
true year of the world be given, the folar and lunar reductions muſt be equal,
and the difference o will exprefs the coincidence. Again, becauſe the day of
the week was Sunday, if the days either of the folar or the lunar reduction be
divided by 7, the remainder will be 3, whilft the quotient will give the number
of compleat weeks, computed from the fourth day of the firſt Mofaic week
exclufive. Here follows,
A CAL-
376
The Chronology of the World.
1
A CALCULATION of the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, in which the fun
came to the vernal equinox, A. D. 1757, A. M. 5764, in the meridian of the
Greenwich obfervatory.
From A. M. 5764 ſubſtract 1, and there will remain A. M. 5763,
5763 years of 365 days, 6 hours,
II minutes.
D. H. M.
63393 (44 00 33 the retroceffion.
Multiply
into
M.
Divide by 1440)
Multiply
into
Divide the product by 4)
8419743
Subſtract for the retroceffion
5763 years,
1461 quadrants.
To the folar tropical reduction
Add, to bring it to the vernal equinox,
To the fum
Add, for the meridian of Greenwich,
The fum
Reduce the hours to midnight
To the fum
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
D. H. M.
(2104935 18 oo Jul. reduction,
44 00 33
2104891 17 27
178 17 58
2105070 11 25
IO 24
2105070 21 49 p. m.
+1-12
2105071 9 49 P. M. N.
298
2105369
Subſt. the Julian reduct. of 5764 yrs, - 11 d. 2105290
Jul.M.D.H. and M. of the vern.equin. March 20,
79 9 49 P. M. N.
To find the day of the week, correfponding aftronomically with the day of the ver
nal equinox, A. D. 1757, A. M. 5764.
The CALCULATION,
days.
Divide the folar reduction by 7) 2105071 (300724 weeks.
Remainder
3 | index 7 | Sunday.
The
The Chronology of the World.
377
The PROOF.
To A. D. 1757 add 9, then dividing the fum 1766 by 28, the remainder
will be 2, which gives E for the dominical letter old ftyle, and B for the new.
The literal character of March 20 is B, which is dominical, in agreement with
the calculation.
From hence it appears, that in the year of the world 5764, the fun entered
the vernal equinox on the 20th of March 49 minutes paft 9 o'clock in the morn-
ing, upon a Sunday, in the meridian of the Greenwich obfervatory, in the ſame
manner as it did in the year of our Lord 1757.
The LUNAR COMPUTATION.
A. M.
Divide by 19) 5763 (303 cycles.
Remain
Multiply
into
1
· 6 years of another cycle.
303 cycles,
To the product
Add for 6 common years
For intercalary years
To the fum
Add, to bring it to the full moon before?
the vernal equinox, A. M. 5764, S
235 lunations.
71205
72
2
71279
rez
6
Divide by 12
12)
71285 (5940 lunar years.
Remain
5 lunations.
lunar yrs.
Divide by 30)
5940 (198 periods of 30 lunar years.
Multiply 198 into II, and the product 2178 will be the number of lunar
years, confifting of 355 days.
Ccc
Multiply
378
The Chronology of the World.
Multiply
into
To the product
Add for lunar years of 355 days
5940 lunar years,
354 days.
2102760
2178
To the fum
Add for 4 lunations
2104938
118
To the fum
2105056
7
Add for odd hours, &c, and merid. diſtance
I
To the fum
Add, to bring it to a new moon,
2105057
14.
From the lunar reduction
2105071
2105071
Subftract the folar
Difference
Now, becauſe in this example the lunar reduction is equal to the folar, the
paſchal new moon muſt neceffarily fall on the fame Julian month, day of the
month, and day of the week, in which the fun came to the vernal equinox by
the preceeding calculations; and from, this identity of characters we are in-
conteſtably affured, that archbiſhop Ufher's year of the world 5764, correfponds
aftronomically (not with the year of our Lord 1761, whofe characters are the
fun's entry into the vernal equinox on the 14th day of Nifan, computed aftro-
nomically, upon a Friday) but with the year of our Lord 1757, whoſe cha-
racters are the fun's entry into the vernal equinox, on the day of the moon's
conjunction, upon a Sunday.
In theſe calculations, the vernal equinox is a fixed and immoveable point,
with reſpect to which the pafchal new moons and full moons fall variouſly,
and ſo variouſly every year, that if we add the day of the week, and the year
of the quadriennium, to the account, it will not be eafy to determine, upon the
principles of aſtronomy, in what definite time, the multiple combination will
return identically the fame, which renders chronology as demonftrably certain
as geometry itſelf.
We have here an additional proof, founded upon Jewiſh computation, of a
defect of four years in archbiſhop Ufher's fyftem, from whence a confiderable
advantage to chronology may be derived.
'The
The Chronology of 379
the
World.
the of The TABLE.
Ufher's Chronology SA.M. 5764. Difference
Characters inr, Sunday. 4 years. Zo inv,
ZA. D. 1757:
o
,
A.M. 5768.
A. D. 1761.
o inv, Nifan 14 d. Friday.
In this table there is no apparent connection with any year of the Julian
period, and yet it is well known, that archbiſhop Ufher fixed the era of the
world, in the year of the Julian period 710, to which if we add 5764, it
will bring it down to the year of the Julian period 6474, in connection with
the year of our Lord 1761; but, by the table, the computation is carried back
to the year of our Lord 1757, and to characters quite different from thoſe
which are fet down under the year of our Lord 1761. From hence ariſes
this chronological query: To what fecret and imperceptible, nay, to what
irrefiftible power is it owing, that the interval of 5764 years, unconnected with
any year of the Julian period, is caufed to fall aftronomically in that very year
of our Lord, which alone contains its inherent characters, reſpecting the fun,
the moon, and the day of the week, as may be ſeen in the table? Can fuch
aftronomical termination be aſcribed to any other cauſe, but the ſecret operations
of the root of time, or the original radix; and have we not here a clear proof,
and an undeniable argument, that this true root of time, this original radix,
lies four years higher up than archbiſhop Ufher's chronology has placed it?
To make this evident, from the year of the julian period 710, fubſtract 4,
and it will carry it back to the year of the Julian period 706; and if to this
we add the interval of 5764 years, it will bring it down to the year of the Ju-
lian period 6470, and to the year of our Lord 1757, which was to be proved.
By the year of the Julian period 706, we fhall be enabled to eſtimate the
error of every ſyſtem of chronology which has been offered. Let us examine
that of Scaliger's, which computes 3949 years in the interval from the creation
to the vulgar æra of Chrift's birth; if to 3949 we add A. D. 1761, the fum
will be 5710; again, if to the year of the Julian period 706, we add Scaliger's
year of the world 5710, it will bring it down to the year of the Julian period
6416, from which fubftract the year of the Julian period 4713, and it will give
the year of our Lord 1703, which falls 58 years fhort of A. D. 1761, and it
is the fum of Scaliger's error; unleſs it can be made to appear by calculation,
that in Scaliger's year of the world 5710, and in its correfponding year of our
Lord 1703, the fun came to the vernal equinox, on the 14th day of Nifan,
upon a Friday, and in the firſt year after biffextile, which are the characters
which muft authoriſe its claim to a connection with the current year
Lord 1761.
Ccc 2
of our
From
380
The Chronology of the World.
From theſe examinations it appears, that archbiſhop Ufher's backward
compu-
tations did not reach the first 4 years of the world, nor Scaliger's the firſt 58. If
we divide the world's true chronology, into three parts, thefe divifions will give
us a diſtinct view of theſe excluded years, which, as far as their computations
are concerned, have helped to keep chronology in a perplexed and uncertain
ſtate.
Excluded years.
4
58
Ufher
Scaliger
I Before Chrift.
4003
3949
After Chrift.
1761
1761
A true ſeries of years from the creation is one of the fundamental principles
of this ſcheme, and had we omitted the firſt four years of the world, and to-
gether with them the combined characters of the original æra, reſpecting the
fun, the moon, and the day of the week, we could not have calculated through
a long ſeries of 5767 years and 6 months, the fun's ingrefs into a cardinal
point, on a given day of the moon's age, on a given day of the week, and
in a given year of a quadriennium; nor could we have determined that our
next Eafter-Sunday would fall aftronomically juſt in the fame manner, with
respect to the days of the week, and the days of the Jewiſh month, as it did
the very year in which the commemorated event happened.
In the foregoing calculations, which we have called Jewiſh, becauſe the
month Nifan is made to begin in the evening next after that mean conjunction
of the moon which comes neareſt to the vernal equinox, determined aſtronomi-
cally, we have the bafis of that very form of year, whofe aftronomical con-
ſtruction we are now in queft of; and if the firſt quadriennium of the world's
age, in the beginning of which the root of time has its real and actual ex-
iſtence, had been afcertained fooner, and rightly underſtood, the original ka-
lendar, compounded of the annual periods of the two luminaries, and their
difference, would have been recovered and underſtood long ere this; for its
frame and ſtructure is included in this quadriennium, and the out-lines of
it at leaſt may, by a ſmall ſkill in aftronomy, be deduced from it; and we
fhall add farther, that all the particulars of the deduction, may be ſupported
and confirmed by the expreſs evidence of the ſcripture hiſtory, as it will appear
in the fequel.
Although it will undoubtedly be thought incredible, yet it will be found,
upon due examination, to be literally true, and that we have good authority
to ſay,
Tempora quo vetufticra ed certiora.
The nearer we approach to the firſt ages of the world, the national kalendar,
and the ſtated methods of computation, will be found, not only in a nearer, but
in
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381
in an exact agreement with the annual periods of the fun and moon, under
the never failing influence and direction of their true pofitions to each other at
their creation.
There is nothing that will fo effectually contribute to the afcertaining and
eſtabliſhing the ſcheme of facred chronology, as a recovery and explanation
of its inherent twofold year, both folar and lunar; all practical knowledge
of which, has been entirely loft to the Jews for more than 2000 years; we
ſuppoſe from the times of Alexander the great, when, by the diffolution of
the Perfian monarchy, the Jews were difperfed through the Grecian colonies,
and learned from the Greeks to compute the beginnings of their unequal lunar
months, μera Guvodov, on the evening next after the moon's mean conjunction
with the fun, as Philo defines it; and to this rule the Jews adhere in their
computations to this day; which leads me to treat firſt of
The Jewish year.
Now as Rabbi Hillel's aftronomical year, which was publiſhed about the
middle of the 4th century of Chriſtianity, and is ftill uſed by the Jews, claims,
by the principles of its conftruction, (although not by its method of computing
and adjuſting the months) a near affinity with that form of
year which we
find in the fcriptures, and ſhall attempt to explain in all its parts and branches,
we think it neceffary, in the first place, for illuftration fake, to take a ſhort view,
and to give ſome account of it. And thus much may be faid of the preſent
Jewiſh year in general, that admitting feveral defects and imperfections, yet
is there nothing like it to be found in theſe weſtern parts of the world, and
to thoſe who will give themſelves the trouble to examine it carefully, it will
approve itſelf to be the refult of deep thought, and of fuch fubtile contrivance,
that although we may not perhaps approve of its aftronomy, yet we ſhall not
fail to admire its uncommon art and ingenuity.
It muſt be faid, in juſtice to the Jews, that they have, in their ſeveral
difperfions, and under the greateſt diſadvantages, zealouſly endeavoured to ob-
ferve the annual returns of their moveable feaſts, in their appointed ſeaſons,
with a due fenfe of their obligation to a divine law, and in as near a conformity
to it, as they have been able, fince the time that they loft all knowledge of
the primitive kalendar, and, together with it, the fure and never failing direction
of the original æra, and its characters.
We know from the Jewiſh hiſtorian Jofephus, who wrote above 1700 years
ago, whilſt the ſecond temple was ſtanding, how they interpreted the precept
of the law concerning the paffover. "We annually kill the paffover, fays he,
on the 14th day of the month Nifan, according to the moon, when the
46
fun
382
}
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یر
fun is in aries;" and, under thefe circumftances, the modern Jews obferve it to
this day.
Thus, then, they interpret the precept of the law concerning the paffover, which
Mofes delivers in theſe words, namely, Levit. xxiii. 5. In the 14th day of the
firſt month, at even, is the Lord's paſſover.
Here is no mention either of the month Nifan, or of the moon, or of the
fun in aries.
By comparing this Jewiſh interpretation with the letter of Mofes's law,
and noting the difference, we plainly perceive the reafon, why the Evangelifts,
in their accounts of the paffover, omit to mention either the month, or day
of the month. For,
Firſt, If they had explicitly mentioned the month of Nifan, and had refer'd
us to the Mofaic law for an explanation of their phraſes, as they evidently
do, it is certain, that no month occurs under that denomination, in his five
books; and it is impoffible it ſhould, becauſe it was borrowed from the Chal-
deans, during the Babylonian captivity.
Secondly, If they had mentioned the first month, and the 14th day of the
month, as Mofes does, without introducing the moon, a queſtion might have
been ſtarted, which few could have readily anſwered, namely, whether the
Ifraelites, in the times of Mofes, computed the paffover day according to the
moon, or not? but by wording it as they have done, they refer us to both,
and if we would underſtand their accounts rightly, we must confult them
both.
But our preſent deſign is not to conteft the Jewiſh interpretation of the letter
of Mofes's law, with refpect either to their feaſts, or any other point, but to
examine Rabbi Hillel's year, and the principles of its conſtruction. And here
it may, upon good grounds, be faid, that when the Jews thought it neceffary
to fettle a form of year, in which they might regularly obferve their annual
feaſts, more eſpecially their feaſt of tabernacles, and of unleavened bread, in
their appointed ſeaſons, as the Lord commanded Moſes, it was their hard lot
to encounter fuch a complication of difficulties, as that every one of them
fingly taken might well be thought infuperable; and, in fact, it has proved ſo,
for not one of them has been adjuſted with an exact aftronomy to this day.
We ſhall enumerate in order the feveral difficulties which thoſe who con-
ftructed the Jewiſh kalendar, and fixed its aftronomical epoch, had to en-
counter.
The first requifite, effentially neceffary upon this occafion, was nothing lefs
than an exact chronology, or a true feries of years from the creation; but in-
ftead of fucceeding in this firft enquiry, they greatly failed; for, in the interval
from the creation to the year of Chrift exclufive, they reckon 3761 Julian,
or
The Chronology of the World.
383
or 3760 folar tropical years; if to A. M. 3760, we add A. D. 1761, the fum
5521 will be the current year of the world, according to the chronology of
the Jews.
If we would eſtimate the error of Jewish chronology, to the year of the
Julian period 706, add the Jewish current year of the world 5521, and
it will bring it down to the year of the Julian period 6227, from which ſub-
ſtract the year of the Julian period 4713, and it will leave in remainder the
year of our Lord 1514, in connection with the 5th year of the reign of
Henry VIII king of England. From A. D. 1761, fubftract A. D. 1514, and
A.D.
the difference 247, will be the number of years by which the chronological
computation of the Jews falls fhort of the truth; that is, they date the
beginning of time 247 years too late, and inſtead of the firſt year of Adam's life,
they fix their æra of the creation at the autumnal equinox, in the end of the
12th year of the Ante-diluvian Patriarch, Enoſh. For Adam lived 130 years
before the birth of Seth, and Seth 105 years before the birth of Enoſh, which
taken together make 235, to theſe add the 12 firſt years of the life of Enoſh,
and the fum will be 247.
A TABLE reprefenting to the view the excluded years.
Jewish Chronology
Excluded years. Before Chrift. After Chrift.
247
3760
1761
To find the year of the Julian period, corresponding with the era of the creation
as computed by the Jews.
To the year of the Julian period 706, add for the excluded years 247, and
the fum 953, will be the year of the Julian period fought, as all chronologers
agree, and the Jews themſelves will acknowledge.
It may perhaps be objected againſt what we have here faid, and the ob-
jection will be thought a popular one, that as the Jews are the undoubted
depofitaries of the Hebrew bible, for it is ours only in a ſecondary ſenſe, it may
be prefumed, that if a regular ſcheme of chronology be contained in it; if
either Moſes, or the reft of the facred writers, intended any fuch regular ſcheme,
the Jews would long ere this have had a perfect knowledge of it, and we from
them, without giving our felves any more trouble than that of tranſcribing.
It muſt be confeffed, that fuch perfuafion and expectation is not at all unreaſonable,
or abfurd; and yet if we have recourfe, for our information in this article, to
the deductions of the Jews, we ſhall foon be convinced, that the antient well
known method of collecting fucceffively the fcriptural years, is as irrecoverably
loft
384
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loft to them, as the fcriptural year itſelf is; and that, like us, they are entirely
left to the text, and to their own induftry, diligence, and fkill. But whether
their induſtry and ſkill has enabled them to attain a more perfect knowledge
of the ſeveral diſtinct intervals of facred chronology, and of their uninterrupted
connections with each other, muſt be judged of by comparing their tables with
ours; that which follows we have taken from Strauchius.
A TABLE of the world's chronology, from the creation to the deftruction of the
Second temple, as collected by the Jews.
1. From Adam to the deluge
2. From the deluge to the divifion of tongues
3. From thence to the nativity of Ifaac
4. From thence to their going out of Egypt
5. From thence to their entering into Canaan
6. From thence to the Babyloniſh captivity
יי.
Years.
1656
340
52
400
40
850
70
422
A. M.
3830
7. From thence to the building of the ſecond temple
8. From thence to the deſtruction of the ſecond temple
According to our fyftem of chronology, the fecond temple was deftroyed by the
Romans A. M. 4077, from which fubftract A. M. 3830, and the difference 247,
will be the fum of the error, with reſpect to the chronology of the Jews.
Jerufalem was befieged and taken by the Romans A. D. 70; from A. M.
3830, fubftract A. D. 70, and the remainder 3760, will be the Jewish com-
putation from Adam to the year of Chrift 1.
We have here two diftinct chronologies, the one reckons 4077 years, the
other 3830, from the creation to the burning of the ſecond temple; the dif-
ference, as it has been ſhewn, is 247 years; which are compounded of theſe
four, diftinct parts, namely 60. 4. 159. 24. the two firft of which are owing
to a miſunderſtanding of the facred hiſtory, and the two laſt, to the not being
duly acquainted with profane.
Here we fhall take occafion to explain, by what means the Jews loft, in
one interval, 60, and in another, 4 years, when they undertook to fettle
their chronology, which probably was many years before they ſettled their pre-
ſent aſtronomical year.
It appears from the table, given by Strauchius, that the Jews compute 340
years from the flood to the divifion of tongues; but by what authority they
were led to make a chronological æra of an event, although a very remarkable
1
one,
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385
one, to which Mofes, in his hiftory, has fixed no date, has diftinguiſhed by
no chronological characters, or notations of time at all, is what I cannot account
for; now that the building of the city and tower of Babel, with the confufion
of language, confequent thereupon, is no chronological æra in the Mofaic hiſtory,
we need only read it over to be convinced of it.
Gen. xi. 1. And the whole earth was of one language and of one Speech.
2. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a
plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.
3. And they faid one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them
throughly; and they had brick for ftone, and flime had they for mortar.
4. And they faid, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whofe top may reach
unto heaven, and let us make us a name, left we be ſcattered abroad upon the face
of the whole earth.
5. And the Lord came down to ſee the city and the tower, which the children
of men builded.
6. And the Lord faid, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language;
and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which
they have imagined to do.
7. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not
underſtand one anothers fpeech.
8. So the Lord ſcattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth,
and they left off to build the city.
9. Therefore is the name of it called Babel, because the Lord did there confound
the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord fcatter them abroad
upon the face of all the earth.
To this hiſtorical narration, we will add the following text, which perhaps
may be confidered as a character of time.
Gen x. 25. Unto Eber were born two fons, the name of one was Peleg, i.e.
divifion, for in his days was the earth divided.
Now Peleg was born 101 years after the flood, and lived 239 years, which,
taken together, make up the Jewiſh number 340. But where does Mofes fay,
or fo much as infinuate, that the confufion of language happened in the laft
year of Peleg's life, juſt 340 years after the flood? Much lefs does he fay, in
contradiction to himſelf, that it happened in the 48th year of Abram's life,
or 10 years before the death of Noah.
Now, in order to make it clearly appear, that the firſt interval after the flood,
as it is fet down by the Jews, is not only unfupported by any exprefs teftimony
of fcripture, but is inconfiftent with it, we fhall give a table of the poſt-diluvian
genealogies for 340 years after the flood.
Ddd
Shem
386
The Chronology of the World.
Shem begat Arphaxad, after the flood,
Arphaxad
Salah
Eber
Peleg
Reu
Serug
Nahor
Terah
Abram
...
Years.
After the flood.
2
2
35
30
37
67
~~
34
ΙΟΙ
30
131
32
163
30
193
29
292
70
292
48
340
Having given this table, let us fuppofe this queſtion was propofed, Whether
Abram was cotemporary with Noah? Or, if he was, How many years did he live
cotemporary with him?
It is exprefly faid, Gen. ix. 28. that Noah lived 350 years after the flood.
Of theſe we have 340 in the table, ſo that there remains 10 years of Noah's
life; and if we add theſe 10 years to the 48 in the oppofite column, we muſt
fay, in anſwer to the question, that Abram lived 58 years cotemporary with
Noah. And yet by Mofes's own computations, Noah died two years before
Abram was born. I fay, by Mofes's own computations; and the argument
is fo obvious, and fo clear, that one would wonder how it could ever be miſtaken.
For, if the age of the father be given at his death, and the age of the ſon when
the father died, it is certain, that the age of the father, at the birth of the ſon,
is alfo given. Terah died when he was 205; Abram was 75 years old at the
death of Terah, and therefore he muſt be born in the 130th year of Terah's
life, and not, as the Jews ſuppoſed, in the 70th; by which miſtaken compu-
tation they loft 60 years.
From the flood, to the 70th year of Terah, the Hebrew text reckons 292
years, to which add 60, to bring it to the 30th of Terah, when Abram
was born, and from the fum 352, fubftract 350, the number of years that
Noah lived after the flood, and the remainder will fhew, that Abram was born
two years after the death of Noah, which was to be proved.
From this one example we learn, that facred chronology is the fubject of a
moſt curious reſearch, and that it requires the cloſeſt attention to the hiſtorical
and chronological data; for the leaſt miſtake of the data will caufe a propor-
tionable error in the interval under confideration; for want of this attention,
the Jews loft 60 years in the fucceffion of years; and by this attention we
have recovered them.
Having
The Chronology of the World.
387
Having made it appear that the omiffion of fixty years, which is the firſt
number of the divifion, is owing to a miſunderſtanding of the facred hiſtory,
we ſhall next fhew, that the omiffion of four years, which is the fecond num-
ber of the divifion, is owing to the fame cauſe.
In order to this, inftead of thofe affigned by the Jews, we will fubftitute the
following intervals, from the creation to the departure of the Ifraelites out
of Egypt.
1. From the creation to the flood
2. From the flood to the feventieth year of
Terah when his eldeſt fon was born
Years.
Collected years.
1656
1656
of}
292
1948
3.
To the birth of Abram
60
2008
4. To the call of Abram out of Ur of the Chaldees
5. To the departure of Abram out of Haran
6. To the birth of Ifaac
74
2082
I
2083
25
2108
7. To Abraham's feaft when Ifaac was weaned
8. To the going out of Egypt
4
2112
400
2512
2448
Difference
64
Subſtract the Jewiſh computation
The difference is 64 years, which we have divided into 60 years, and 4
years; we have already accounted for the 60, and now we are to account for
the omiffion of the 4 years.
In the chronological table of the Jews, the compleat 400 years low im-
mediately after the nativity of Iſaac ; but in the table of intervals which we have
given, they follow immediately after Abraham's feaft, at the weaning of Ifaac,
when he was three years of age compleat, and was in his fourth current year,
which in the table is compleated.
But as this is a nice and difficult difquifition, we fhall refer to a future
differtation for the proof, and fhall at prefent only fubjoin this remark:
It may juſtly excite our furpriſe, that the Jewish chronological computations
make an immediate tranfition from the divifion of tongues, to the nativity of
Ifaac, paffing over in filence the renowned patriarch Abraham, the friend of
God, the father of the faithful, the founder of the Jewish nation, whoſe birth,
life, and actions, make fo eminent a part of the facred hiftory; and does not
this negligent omiffion greatly leffen the dignity of Jewish chronology?
The third number of the divifion is 159, which took its rife, as we ſhall
fhew, from the want of a due acquaintance with profane hiftory. The Jews
ſuppoſe, by their chronology, that the fecond temple continued no more than
Ddd 2
420
388
The Chronology of the World.
420 years, (which we have made 422, for the fake of calculating the Jewiſh
interval of 3760 years from the creation to the vulgar Chriftian æra) whereas
in reality it lafted 605 years; from 605 fubftract 422, and there will remain
183, which is the fum of the error with refpect to profane hiftory.
Ptolemy, in his canon, affigns 209 years for the duration of the Perfian
monarchy, which the Jews have contracted into
fubftract 50,
From 209
and the difference 159, will be the true account of the third number. The
fourth number is 24, the reafon of which cannot be explained, unleſs the 420
years were refolved into their particulars; let it therefore fuffice, that we have
reduced an error of 247 years, in the chronology of the Jews, to 24.
50.
The next requifite, full as neceffary to be known as a true fucceffion of
years,
was the being able to afcertain the luni-folar characters at the head of the
chronological interval; but theſe, through the inability of the Jews to fix the
day only of an equinox or a ſolſtice, without the exactneſs of hour and minute,
either in the remote ages, or the prefent, are reduced to a fimple molad tohu,
or chaotic new moon, as it is called, without any determination of the ſup-
pofed original diſtance of the moon from the fun. The characters of Rabbi
Hillel's molad tohu are theſe, namely,
D. F. H. Helakim.
October 7 2 5 204
But it is certain, that the Julian kalendar could have no exiftence fo far
back as the twelfth year of the life of the ante-diluvian patriarch Enofh, who
was the third from Adam inclufive; if therefore we throw off October 7 d.
there will remain theſe abſtract characters:
New moon
>
F. H. Helakim.
2 5 204
which may be read in words at length as follows: In the folar tropical year
of the world 247, and the twelfth year of Enofh, as appears from what has
been ſaid concerning the defects of Jewiſh chronology, the chaotic new moon,
or that new moon which is fuppofed by the Jews to be neareſt to the original
cardinal point of the folar year, happened, or was found by their calculations
to have happened, on the 2d feria, or on that day of the week which we
call Monday, 5 hours, 204 helakim, after fix o'clock in the evening.
Here let it be obſerved, that becauſe the fuppofed original diſtance of the
moon from the fun, or cardinal point of the year, is left uncertain, theſe muſt
be called imperfect lunar, for they cannot be called luni-ſolar characters.
The difficulties which attend theſe inveſtigations will foon diſcover them-
felves, if we confider the following reafonings, and the chronological compu-
tations annexed.
When
The Chronology of the World.
389
When we lift up our eyes to the heavens, we behold the fun ruling c.cr
the day, and the moon over the night; the actual exiſtence of theſe two
luminaries, cannot be doubted, becauſe they are evident to fenfe; fome know-
ledge of aſtronomy, fuper- added to the evidence of fenfe, will teach us, that
the fun, in making his annual round, paffes over four cardinal points, namely,
two equinoxes and two folftices; every one of thefe cardinal points, has its
attending moons; if a new moon comes before an equinox or a folftice, a full
moon will follow after it, or fall upon it, and vice verfa. Theſe diſtances of the
new moons and full moons, before and after the cardinal points, are ſo changeable,
that they cannot happen under the like circumſtances two years together. So
that if any year, or any cardinal point be given, the actual pofition of the fun
and moon to each other, muſt lie out of the reach of conjecture; and there are
but three poffible ways of coming to this knowledge. Ift, It muft either be
given, which will make it known a priori; or, 2dly, It muſt be obtained by
obfervation; or, 3dly, By calculation.
To theſe reaſonings we fhall fubjoin two different divifions of the world's
true chronology, in which that of the Jews is not only included, but placed
the first in order.
Years, omitted
A. M.
A. M. Jewish comput.
247
5521
5521
A. D.
1761
247 years, A. D. 1761.
It is a poſtulatum in the chronology of the Jews, that the 5521ft year of
the world's age is now current; and if to A. M. 247 we add the Jewiſh
year of the world 5521, it will bring it down to A. M. 5768, in connection
with A. D. 1761. But if to A. M. o, or the true year of the creation, we
add the current Jewiſh year of the world 5521, it will fall 247 years ſhort
of A. D. 1761, and will terminate at the autumnal equinox A. D. 1514, in
which the fifth year of the reign of Henry VIII. ended.
The folar tropical year of the world 247 (towards the end of which Rabbi
Hillel, or fome other Jew before him, fixed, after a fort, molad tobu) in-
cludes two equinoxes and two folftices, with their attending new moons and
full moons, at various but limited diftances, and fo alfo does the
Lord 1514.
year of our
Theſe points being ſtated, let it be required to aſcertain,
First, The day of the moon's age, and alfo the corresponding day of the week, on
which the fun came to the autumnal equinox, A. M. 247.
Secondly, The day of the moon's age, and the correfponding day of the week, on
which the fun came to the vernal equinox, A. D. 1514.
Before
390
The Chronology of the World.
Before we enter upon the calculations, it will be neceffary, in order to underſtand
rightly theſe demands, to fay fomething of the epoch of the Jewiſh year, which
merits our attention; for it has fuch a folid foundation in nature, that it muſt
have derived its origin from a much higher authority, than the mere inven-
tion or device of the moſt ingenious Jew. It begins with that new moon which
is neareſt to the autumnal equinox, and confequently the fucceeding full moon
muſt either happen upon, or come immediately after, the cardinal point.
The luni-folar epoch of the Jewiſh year is truly aftronomical, and we
may look upon it as an immemorial traditional explication of a divine law,
the feveral terms of which may be collected from the following texts taken
together. Levit. xxiii, 33, 34, 39. Exod. xxiii. 16. xxxiv. 22.
And the Lord spake unto Mofes, faying, Speak unto the children of Ifrael, fay-
ing, The fifteenth day of the feventh (which was antiently the firft) month (of
the facred and ecclefiaftical lunar year) fhall be the feast of ingathering, (namely,
of the olive-yards and vine-yards, at the autumnal equinoctial feafon) and alfo
the feast of tabernacles (which was a Mofaic inftitution) in the end, going out,
or cardinal point of the tropical folar year.
In the Hebrew text we have theſe three terms, zteeth, tecupha, and ſhanah.
The Hebrew word, fhanah, literally fignifies iteration, or repetition, becauſe
when the fun has finiſhed one round, it begins another.
By xteeth we underſtand the completion of the fun's annual period.
The remaining term, tecupha, the Jews interpret to mean ipfum temporis
articulum, the very moment in which the fun comes to the cardinal point,
and, with respect to this law, to the autumnal equinox.
To prove, that the Jews interpret tecupha to mean cardinal point, we ſhall
fubjoin a table of tecuphot, or of their computed times of the fun's entry into libra,
capricorn, aries, and cancer, and which they ſuppoſe to be immutable.
Tecupha Tifri,
O in.
September..
D. H. M.
Tecupha Tebet, | Tecupha Nifan,
Ⓒ in VS.
O in Y.
Tecupha Tamuz,
O in .
June.
D. H. M.
December.
D. H. M.
Biffext. 24 9 00
24 16 30
March.
D. H. M.
26 00 00
25 7 30
I
24 15 00
24 22 30
26 6 00
25 13 30
2
24 21 00
254 30
26 12 00
25 19 30
-3.
25 3 00·
25 10 30
26 18 00
26 I 30
The command of God to the Ifraelites, by the hand of Mofes, concerning
the obfervance of the annual feaft of tabernacles, on the 15th day of the 7th
month of the lunar year, at the autumnal equinoctial ſeaſon of the folar, is,
to
The Chronology of the World.
391
to this day, a ſtanding aftronomical directory to the whole body of the Jews;
and they have exerted their utmoſt efforts, from age to age, fince their ſecond
difperfion by the Greeks, to act in conformity to it, but for want of a true
aftronomy, they have not been able to attain their ends; for proof of this, we
need only look back to their table of Tecuphot, or the moments of the fun's
entry into the four cardinal points, which are fo grofly erroneous, that they
cannot fo much as be called approximations. It muſt be acknowledged indeed,
that although the Jews continue to regulate their feftivals by them, yet they
confider them not as aftronomical, but as ecclefiaftical equinoxes and folftices;
juft in the fame manner as we Chriftians confider the 21ft of March, not as
the aftronomical (for every obferver will certify us that it is not) but as the
ecclefiaftical equinox; and, with respect to our feftival of Eafter, for many
centuries together, the Chriftian church computed ecclefiaftical new moons
and full moons, inſtead of the true, and it ſtill adheres to the 21ſt of March;
fo that the Chriftians have very little reaſon to cenfure the Jews for their un-
aftronomical application of their true aftronomical rule.
We will juſt confider the confequences arifing from this want or neglect
of a true aftronomy, with reſpect both to the Jews and the Chriſtians.
Firſt, We will confider it with refpect to the Jews. And here we ſay,
that becauſe the full moon falls this year, namely, Ã.D. 1761, on the 21ft of
March, which is the ecclefiaftical equinox of the Chriftians, and precedes the
26th of March, which is the ecclefiaftical equinox of the Jews, they will in-
tercalate a veadar; this will throw the beginning of their month Nifan forward
to the 5th of April, and the firſt day of their feaſt of unleavened bread, to the
19th of the fame month, which will fall this year upon a Sunday.
Secondly, With refpect to the Chriftians, we fhall obferve, that if the full
moon had happened this year on the 20th of March, inftead of the 21ft,
notwithſtanding the fun will be obſerved to enter the vernal equinox on that
day, yet becauſe it precedes the 21ft of March, or the day of the ecclefiaftical
equinox, Eafter-Sunday would have fallen more than a month later, for it
would have been carried forward to the 26th of April; and it would have
been obſerved on the 26th of April, by the pafchal rule, which directs, that
when the full moon, or the 15th day of Nifan, as computed by the Jews,
happens upon a Sunday, as it does this year, then Eafter-day is the Sunday after.
Thus far the Jewish and the Chriſtian church, are in the fame ftate and
condition; fince neither the one nor the other, has attained to ſuch a ſkill in
aftronomy, as might enable them to celebrate their moveable feaſts, in a due
conformity to their aftronomical rule and directory; we, for inſtance, ſhall
be ever liable to the miſtake of a month, unleſs we expunge from our canon
- 21st of March — and place — vernal equinox — in its room.
-in its room. This one al-
teration will ſecure us from ever miſtaking the true paſchal full moon.
Although
392
The Chronology of the World.
Although the ſtream of commentators may not have diſcovered, in the
above cited texts, and the terms made ufe of by Mofes, the coincidence of a
full moon with the autumnal equinox; yet, it is certain, that the Jews, the de-
pofitaries of the Hebrew bible, have, and for this I appeal to the luni-folar epoch
of their aſtronomical year. From the immemorial uſage and practice of the
Jews, in their annual celebration of the feaſt of tabernacles, we were led to
interpret the terms made ufe of by Mofes in a literal, and yet in a ſtrict aftrono-
mical ſenſe; and we have already affigned the reaſons which induced us to
carry this literal and ſtrict aſtronomical interpretation of the Mofaic terms back
to the year of the creation, and to the fourth day of the firſt Mofaic week. And
in a full conviction of its truth, fupported and confirmed by a variety of
calculations, which never fail to produce concluſions aftronomically true, we
ſhall here fubjoin
A TABLE, exhibiting to the view, in abſtract characters, (i. e. unconnected with
the months and days of any known political form of year) the coincidence of the
15th day of the first month of the first lunar year, with the original cardinal
point of the folar.
Days of the Firſt month of the Firſt month, or Titri, computed,
patriarchal lunar year, computed according to the ufage of the
from the evening of Jews, from the evening next after
the moon's viſibility. the conjunction.
week.
2
3
I
456
Molad tohu.
<vifible.
7
2
3
4
5
↑
Molad tohu, or choatic
I < vifible.
2
3
4
6
7
8
9
10
I
2
3
7
45674~3
8
9
10
I I
I
12
2
13
14
4
15
F. M.
I I
12
13
14
15 OF. M.
[N.M.
•
The
The Chronology of the World.
393
The original pofition of the fun and moon is of fuch prime importance,
as well in practical aftronomy, as in the uniform ſcheme of facred chronology,
that a full diſcovery and proof of its combination of characters, will 'amply
reward the moſt laborious reſearches. Its combination of characters are, as
it has been already obferved,
ift, The original cardinal point of the year, namely, the autumnal equinox.
2dly, The original cardinal point of the day, namely, noon.
:
3dly, The original quality or phafs of the moon, namely, the full moon.
4thly, The correfponding day of the patriarchal week, namely, the fourth.
From theſe recorded coincidencies (excepting only noon, which is the reſult
of ratiocination) we learned to calculate the fun's tranfit over the cardinal
points, on a given day of the moon's age, and a given day of the week, to
which if we add the year of the current quadriennium, they may be confi-
dered as appropriated characters.
We have now prepared the way for an intelligible folution of the problems
propoſed, the firſt of which involves this queſtion, At what distance after the autum-
nal equinox, in the end of A.M. 247, or rather in the beginning of A.M. 248, did
the primitive patriarchs Adam, Seth, and Enofh, &c. celebrate the original feast
of ingathering? I call it original, becauſe our hypothefis is, that it was inftituted
at the creation, and is coeval with it. This hypothefis is grounded upon
upon the
original poſition of the fun and moon to each other on the feaft day, and to
the declaration of the Creator, baju lemoadim, Gen. i. 14. We fuppofe, that the
feaſt of ingathering was conftantly obſerved under the patriarchal difpenfation,
as the feaſt of tabernacles was under the Mofaic; and it deferves our attention,
that whenever the modern Jews celebrate their feaſt of tabernacles, which
they never fail to do every year in its appointed ſeaſon, they at the ſame time
celebrate not only the birth-day of the world, but of the promiſed Meffiah
too; for the Meffiah was born on the first day of the feaft of tabernacles,
and was circumciſed on the eighth, or great day of the fame.
But the ſolution of the firſt problem, does not at all depend either upon the
truth or falfſity of the foregoing hypothefis, fince the queftion is not, whether,
in the firſt ages of the world, the patriarchs were commanded, by the Creator
of heaven and earth, to obſerve an annual feaſt, on the 15th day of the firſt
month of the lunar year, in an appointed ſeaſon of the folar; but it is
fimply this, on what day of the moon's age, and on what day of the patriarchal
week, did the fun come to the autumnal equinox A. M. 247?
We know, a priori, from the Mofaic writings, that at the creation, or
A. M. o, the autumnal equinox, the full moon, and the fourth day of the
patriarchal week, were in union; and we are affured, from principles of aftro-
nomy, that in the courſe of 247 years, this union muſt be diffolved, and another
combination different from it, would fucceed in its ftead. For, (1ft,) If in the
Eee
year
394
The Chronology of the World.
year of the world 247 ending, the fun came to the autumnal equinox, on the
fame day of the patriarchal week, as it did A. M. o, yet it would not be the
day of the full moon. (2dly,) If the feftival full moon happened upon the
fame day of the patriarchal week, as it did A, M. o, yet it would not be the
day of the autumnal equinox. (3dly,) If the full moon ſhould be coincident
with the day of the autumnal equinox, as it was A. M. o, yet it would not be
the fame day of the patriarchal week.
It will be eafily credited, that the original combination of characters, re-
fpecting the fun, the moon, and the day of the week, muft, in a revolution of
247 years, undergo fome change or alteration; and the prefent problem requires.
us to afcertain that very fucceffion of characters, which are appropriated to
the given year. But this may be thought a difficulty, becauſe there is a latitude
of full 30 days in the refpective diſtances of the feſtival full moons after the
cardinal point. For if the mean full moon day fhould terminate in any year,
on the evening immediately preceeding the autumnal equinox, the feſtival full
moon, in that cafe, would fall on the 30th day after it, which is its greateft
elongation.
The table fubjoined, expreffes the ſeveral fituations of the feaft day, and
the whole variety of its diftances after the cardinal point, whatever year of the
world may be given, either paft, prefent, or to come. It is derived from the
pofition of the fun and moon to each other at their creation; and it is made up
of the proportional divifions of 15 days, equal in number to the days of the
original integral epact.
6
7
8
9
ΙΟ
I I
12345 No
98 no 5
15
0 15
14
I
14
I
13
12
I-I
2
13
2
3
I 2
3
4
I I
4
10
5
10
5
6
7
8
7
8
7
6
9
6
ΙΟ
I 2
4
I F
13
3
12
14
2
13
15
I
14
Q 15
0 15
900 No 5+32 H LO
6.
7
8
9
10
4
I I
12
13
I
14
The
The Chronology of the World.
395
The numbers, in every one of theſe parallel lines, have this propriety,
namely, if the firft and the fecond, or the ſecond and third, or the third and
the fourth, or the firft and the fourth be added together, they will ftill be
equal to 15; whilft the feveral numbers, and proportional divifions, have a li-
mited aftronomical fenfe.
To give an example, Take the numbers of the ſecond parallel line, which
are 14 I, 14 I; now let this be the fymbol of the moon's vifibility,
this of the autumnal equinox, and this O of the full moon.
laft numbers of the ſecond parallel line are 14 I.
The two
To theſe numbers place the foregoing fymbols in the following manner :
D.
D.
O I
A.M. 247 14 0 О
The numbers, thus characterized, are to be read in words at length as fol-
lows: In the year of the world 247 ending, as we ſhall prove, the fun came
to the autumnal equinox on the 14th day of the month, computed, not from
the evening next after the moon's mean conjunction with the fun, but on the
evening next but one after it, when the moon is generally visible.
And
as, at the creation, the feſtival full moon fell upon the day of the autumnal
equinox, at the end of 247 years (which being divided by 19, give 13 com-
pleat decennoval cycles, without a remainder) the moon had departed from
the fun a whole day, by a gradual and uniform progreffion eastward, by
which means the feaft-day fell, not upon the day of the autumnal equinox,
but on the day immediately following it, as may be ſeen in the table.
t
Multiply
into
The CALCULATION.
M.
Divide by 1440)
247 years of 365 days, 6 hours,
II minutes.
D. H. M.
2717 ( I 21 17 the retroceffion.
247 years,
1461 quadrants.
Multiply
into
Divide by 4)
360867
D. H. M.
(90216 18 00 Jul. reduction,
I 21 17
Subftract for the retroceffion
To the folar tropical reduction
Add, for the meridian of the Greenwich obfervatory,
To the fum
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
90214 20 43
IO 24
90215 7 7
298
90513
Subſtract the Julian biffextile reduction
90217
October 23, B.
296 77 in ~.
Eee 2
From
396
The Chronology of the World.
From this calculation it appears, that in the year of the world 247, which
was in connection with the year of the Julian period 953, the fun came to
the autumnal equinox on the 23d day of October, 7 hours, 7 minutes, after
noon, in the meridian of Greenwich.
To find the day of the patriarchal week, correfponding aftronomically with the day
of the autumnal equinox, A. M. 247, A. J.P. 953.
The CALCUlation.
Divide the days of the folar reduction by 7) 90215 (12887 weeks.
6 | index 3 | Wedneſday.
Remainder
The PROOF.
The year of the Julian period 953 was biffextile, and its dominical letters
were GF; G for the two firft months, and F for the ten laft. The literal
character of October 23 is B, which that year denoted Wedneſday, or the
third day after Sunday, as it is expreffed by the index.
At the creation, the fun entered the autumnal equinox upon the fourth
day of the patriarchal week, but in the year of the world 247, upon the
third, which is one characteriſtical difference.
•
Multiply
into
The LUNAR COMPUTATION.
A.M.
Divide by 19) 247 (13 decennoval cycles.
Remainder
235 lunations,
13 cycles.
The product 3055 lunations. Divide by 12) 3055 (254 lunar years,
Remain
7 lunations.
Divide 254 lunar years by 30, and the quotient will give 8 periods of
lunar years, leaving for a remainder 14.
30
Multiply 8 into 11, and to the product 88 add 5 for the remaining 14
years, and the fum 93 will be the whole amount of lunar years, confifting of
355 days.
Multiply
The Chronology of the World.
397
Multiply
To the product
into
Add, for lunar years of 355 days,
254 lunar years,
354 days.
89916
93
To the fum
90009
Add, for 7 lunations
207
From the fum
90216
Subftract for half a lunation
15
The lunar reduction for the new moon
90201
From the folar reduction
90215
90201
(
14
Subſtract the lunar
Remains the new moon epact
” O
From this calculation it appears, that in the end of A. M. 247, the fun
came to the vernal equinox upon the 14th day of the moon's age, computed
from the evening of its vifibility, which is another characteriſtical difference,
fince it entered that point A. M. o, on the 15th day, computed in the fame
manner.
To find the distance of the festival full moon after the autumnal equinox
A. M. 247.
From the lunar reduction for the full moon 90216
Subſtract the folar
The diſtance of the full moon fought
90215
I O
To find the day of the patriarchal week, correſponding aftronomically with the
day of the festival full moon A. M. 247.
The CALCULATION.
Divide the days of the lunar reduction by 7) 90216 (12888 weeks.
Remainder
o | index 4 | Thurſday.
A. M.
398
The Chronology of the World.
A. M. 247, the day of the feftival full moon was on the fame day of the
patriarchal week as A. M. o, but then it was not the day of the equinox,
but the day after it.
If we fet down theſe feveral characters at the beginning and end of the
given interval, we ſhall have a clearer and more diftinct view of them.
A. M. o
о
OOF
31
D.
247 years
14
I O
F.3 F.4
< 15
F.4
It may, we fee, be confidered as an axiom in aftronomy, (and the table of
the moon's progreflions eaſtward, in a ftated proportion every 19 years, will
lay open to us the reaſons of it) that if, in any year, the full moon be
in coincidence with an equinox or a folftice, at the end of 13 decennoval cycles,
or 247 years, it will have departed from the fun one whole day. And, on the
contrary, if in any year the full moon fhall come one whole day after an
equinox or a folſtice, if we compute backwards from thence 247 years, we ſhall
find the full moon in coincidence with the fame cardinal points.
Upon theſe principles we may eaſily anfwer the ſecond demand, namely,
on what day of the moon's age, and on what day of the week, as computed
by the Chriftians, did the fun come to the vernal equinox A. D. 1514? for
as it has been already fhewn that the pafchal full moon, calculated aftronomi-
cally, will fall in this current year of our Lord 1761, on the day after the
vernal equinox, we may infer, that the full moon was coincident with the
fame cardinal point A. D. 1514, at the diftance of 247 years; and becauſe, if
247 folar years, be reduced to lunar years, and thoſe lunar years to days, after
the divifion by 7, there will be no remainder, the full moon in both cafes
will fall on the fame day of the week.-
The aftronomical tables will certify, that A. D. 1514, there was a coinci-
dence of the full moon with the vernal equinox, upon a Saturday, and if
the fame combination of characters ſhall be found, by calculation from the
original radix, in the Jewiſh year of the world 5521, it will be an un-
anſwerable argument, that there is a defect of 247 years in the chrono-
logy of the Jews.
The CALCULATION.
From 5521 years fubftract 1, and there will remain 5520.
Multiply
The Chronology of the World.
399
Multiply
into
M.
5520 years of 365 days, 6 hours,
II minutes.
D. H. M.
Divide by 1440) 60720 (42 4 00 the retroceffion.
Multiply
into
5520 years,
1461 quadrants.
Divide the product by 4) 8064720
Subftract for the retroceffion
To the folar tropical reduction
Add, to bring it to the vernal equinox,
To the fum
Add, for the meridian of Greenwich,
To the fum
oo
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
D.
H. M.
(2016180 00 00 Julian reduction.
42 4 00
2016137 20 00
178 17 58
2016316 13 58
2016 3 1 373
IO 24
2016317 00 22
298
2016615 00 22
Subſtract the Jul. reduction of 5521 yeras 2016545
March 11, G.
70 00 22 0 inr, A.D.1514.
According to thefe calculations, the fun came to the vernal equinox A.D.
1514, on the 11th day of March O. S. 22 minutes past noon.
To find the day of the week, as computed by the ancient patriarchs and the Chri-
ftians, correfponding aftronomically with the day of the vernal equinox A. D.
1514.
The CALCULATION.
Divide the days of the folar trop. reduction by 7) 2016317 (288045 weeks.
2 | index 6 | Saturday.
Remainder
The LUNAR COMPUTATION.
A. M.
Divide by 19) 5520 (290 decennoval cycles.
Remain
10 years of the 291ft cycle.
Multiply
400
The Chronology of the World.
Multiply
into
To the product
Add, for 10 years,
Add, for intercalary months
Divide by 12)
290 cycles,
·
235 lunations:
68150
120
3
68273 (5689 lunar years.
Remain
lunar yrs.
5 lunations.
Divide by 30) 5689 (189 periods of 30 lunar years.
Remain
19 years.
Multiply 189 periods into II, and to the product 2079, add 6, for the
remaining 19 years, and the fum 2085, will be the whole amount of lunar
years confifting of 355 days,
Multiply
into
5689 lunar years,
354 the days of a com-
[mon lunar year,
2913906
2085
2015991
2
To the product
Add for lunar years of 355 days
To the fum
Add, to bring it to the autumnal equin. 5 lunations,
To the fum
Add, to bring it to the vern. equinox, 6 lunations,
148
2016139
177
To the fum
2016316
Add for odd hours, &c. and meridian diftance
I
From the folar lunar reduction
Subftract the folar
2016317
2016317
Difference
$
The difference o is the note of coincidence, and the chronological argument
may be expreffed in theſe few words : In this current year of our Lord 1761,
the fun will come to the vernal equinox on a Friday, and on the day before
the
The Chronology of the World.
401
the full moon; but in the year of our Lord 1514, as the tables will fhew,
and alfo in the year of the world 5521, as is evident from the preceeding
calculations, the fun came to the vernal equinox in coincidence with a full
moon, upon a Saturday; the inference is, that the current Jewiſh year of the
world 5521, is in true aftronomical connection with the year of our Lord 1 514,
and not with the year of our Lord 1761, to which it lays a claim.
But if the aſtronomical tables fhould give their fuffrage to the truth of our
calculations, (and to the last of them, for A. D. 1514, they will, but to
the firſt of them, for A. M. 247, they cannot) then what becomes of the
doctrine of the lunar anticipations, as taught by the aftronomers? I will be
bold to ſay, and the preceeding calculations will authoriſe me to fay, that the
moon has never anticipated its original ſtation, no more than it has accelerated
its mean motion, a fingle moment fince the creation; and yet much has been
faid of the former, and tables have been given of the latter.
If 19 luni-folar years, containing 235 lunations, be compared with 19 folar
tropical years, each confifting of 365 d. 5 h. 49 min. the lunar reckoning
will exceed the tropical folar by 1 h. 55 min. 51 fec. 15 thirds; theſe being mul-
tiplied by 13 (the number of decennoval cycles omitted in the chronology of
the Jews) will produce, 1 d. 1 h. 6 min. 6 fec. 15 thirds. But theſe numbers
do not exprefs the moon's departure from the fun by a retroceffion weſtward,
but by a progreffion eaftward. This being premiſed, if mathematical preci-
fion can juſtly recommend numerical calculations in aſtronomy, thoſe which
follow, may perhaps be entitled to fome regard.
I
Although it has been already determined, that the fun came to the autumnal
equinox Ă. M. 247, A. J.P. 953, October 23 d. 7 h. 7 min. p. m. yet cu-
riofity prompts us to calculate the fame ingrefs over again, by a new, uncommon,
and unheard of method, we mean, by the help of the moon's decennoval
progreffions eastward, in a fettled proportion; for fuch calculation will not
only demonftrably aſcertain the coincidence of a full moon with the autumnal
equinox at the creation, but it will alſo clearly prove to us, that the fun began
its courſe at the extreme point of the chaotic full moon day; for the original
ſtation of the full moon, (we ſpeak not here of the first appearance of the moon's
orb) was, as it has been already obferved, on the third day of the firſt week
at noon, and that full moon day ended on the fourth day at noon, when the
annual motion commenced. From hence it follows, 1ft, That the 14th day
of the chaotic month, as computed afterwards by the patriarchs, from the
evening of the moon's vifibility, terminated on that evening which followed
after the beginning of the full moon day, and it included the firſt fix hours
of it. 2dly, That the 15th day of the first month, which was alſo chaotic,
Fff
excepting
402
The Chronology of the World.
excepting only the laft quadrant from noon to fun-fetting, terminated on that
evening, which followed fix hours after the equinox, and alfo after the com-
pletion of the full moon day, including the remaining 18 hours; ſo that at
the creation, the firft full moon day was diſtributed between the 14th and the
15th days of the month. And in every calculation which is made from the
original radix, the 15th day of the month, as computed by the primitive pa-
triarchs from the evening of the moon's vifibility, will conftantly terminate, either
on that evening which follows fome hours after the completion of the mean
full moon day, as at the creation, (when there was no difference between the
mean time and the true) or after a great part of it is compleated, and there
are no more variations that I know of.
•
If we examine the numbers in the oppofite column of the table page 392,
we may perceive, that the 15th day of the month, as computed by the Jews,
from the evening next after the moon's mean conjunction with the fun, an-
fwers to the 14th day of the patriarchal month; and in all their calculations
to this day, their 15th day of the month generally terminates on that even-
ing which follows after the beginning of the mean full moon day, including
only fome hours of it; fometimes it will ſcarcely reach it; and whenever this
happens, as it ſometimes muft, then their 15th day of the month cannot be
the 15th day, xaτα σexиv, according to the moon, as it ought to be.
•
That the Jewiſh method of computing the beginnings of their months is
erroneous and unſcriptural, may be inferred from the original table, page 392,
by looking into which it appears, that their 15th day does not reach the day
of the equinox, whereas by the patriarchal computation it falls upon it; I
call it patriarchal computation, becauſe we ſhall undertake to prove, from
Noah's journal of the flood, that the ante-diluvian patriarchs computed their
Riſhon, or first month of their lunar year, not from the evening next after
the moon's mean conjunction with the fun, as the latter Jews did, and the
modern Jews continue to do to this day, but from the evening of apparition.
Thoſe who fhall read over, with candor and impartiality, this detail of
minute circumſtances, relating to the original full moon, and, more particularly,
the mathematical coincidence of the point of the autumnal equinox, with the
extreme point of the original full moon day, confifting, like all other days, of
24 hours, may perhaps confider the narrative as a plaufible hypothefis, and,
becauſe it does not openly contradict any known principle in nature, may look
upon it as poffible, yet without any fanguine perfuafions, or approving con-
victions, of its being true in fact. Now, therefore, the defign of the enfuing
calculations is to prove, that the mathematical coincidence of the point of the
autumnal equinox at the creation, with the extreme point of the original
full moon day, was true in fact; and the only principle in aſtronomy,
which
The Chronology of the World.
403
which can enable us to eſtabliſh its certainty, is the moon's decennoval pro-
greffions, in a ſettled proportion, eaftward.
In the annexed ſcheme, x denotes the firſt, and ≈ the laſt point of the
original full moon day neareſt to the autumnal equinox.
A. M.
A. M. 228
A. M. 247
BBN B
א
22
In this ſcheme we have three years of the world, in the two firft, x, (which
denotes the beginning of the full moon day) comes before the autumnal equi-
nox, at a greater and at a leffer diftance; but in the year of the world 247,
x comes after the cardinal point, at the diſtance of x, and we are to
aſcertain the numerical quantity of x with fuch preciſion, as, that being
ſubſtracted from the moment of the mean full moon, it fhall give the moment
of the autumnal equinox in the affigned meridian.
~
~
Now let it be required to afcertain the numerical quantity of the ſtrait line
x, for we know that x
z is 24 hours.
In the table (p. 177) of the Julian ſtations of equinoxes and folftices for the firſt
quadriennium of the world's age, over-againſt the biffextile year, and under
the autumnal equinox, we have theſe numbers, October 24 d. 18 h. oo min.
to which add 10 h. 24 min. for the meridian of the Greenwich obfervatory,
and it will give October 25 d. 4 h. 24 min. p. m.
The given year of the world is the 247th, whofe retroceffion is 1 d. 21 h.
17 min. 00 fec. oo thirds.
oo
From the fum of the retroceffion, in 247 years,
D. H. M. S. Th.
I 21 17 00 00
Subſt. the ſum of the moon's progreff. in 13 cycles, (p.401) I 1 6 6 15
From the biffextile radical numbers,
Subftract the remainder
Remainder
0 20 10 53 45
D. H. M. S. Th.
October 25 4 24 00 00
0 20 10 53 45
Remains the laſt point of the m. F. M. day, or z, Oct. 24 8 13
Subſtract for the quantity of x-%
Remains the first point of the m. F. M. day, or x, October 23
From the fum of the moon's progreffion
Subſtract for the quantity of x-
I
D. H. M.
6 15
8 13 6 15
F
S. Th.
I
I 1 6
6 15
Z
I
Remains the numerical quantity of
Z
0 1 6 6 15
Fff 2
From
404
The Chronology of the World.
D. H. M. S. Th.
From the first point of the mean F.M. day, Oct. 23
Subſtract the quantity of
x
8 13
6 15
1 6 6 15
Remains the hour and minute fought, Oct. 23 7 7 0 00 p.m.
o oo p.m., A.M.247.
There is fuch a furpriſing accuracy in thefe calculations, and fo much
beyond what any aftronomical tables extant can in any degree attain to,
that one would be apt to fufpect, there must be fome fecret and imper-
ceptible fallacy in the management of them: but although we know of
no fallacy in theſe calculations, yet thus much we do know, and it ought
not to be concealed, that a certain poftulatum is concerned, which perhaps
may be difputed. We have poftulated, for inftance, 10 h. 24 min. to be the
true meridian diſtance of the Greenwich obfervatory, and we conftantly make
uſe of theſe numbers as fuch, and yet this meridian diſtance is but one out
of nine, (p. 176.) and we have made choice of this, only becauſe it occurs
the ofteneſt; but notwithſtanding our choice, we will here give a proof of its
uncertainty.
The year of the Julian period 9.53 was biffextile, fo alfo was A. D. 1752,
which is in connection with A. M. 5759. Now fuppofe we wanted to know
in what hour and minute the fun entered libra at the Greenwich obfervatory
A. D. 1752, we need only take from the table of folar tropical years, the hours
and minutes annexed to A. M. 5759, then in cafting them up, throw off the
whole days, and to the remainder add 10 h. 24 min. by this means, we ſhall
know whether obfervation be uniform and confiftent with itſelf or not.
H.
M..
5000 years give
700
50
9
19 20
15. 40.
2
50
4
21
To the fum
Add for the meridian of Greenwich
18 II
IO 24
September 22,
4 35
Subſtract the numbers of obſervation
4 32
Difference
3
॥
A. D. 1752)
Let
Now, if inſtead of 10 h. 24 min. we had added 10 h. 21 min. the fum would
have given the hour and minute of that obfervation; ſo inconfiftent is obſerva-
tion with itſelf.
The Chronology of the World.
405
Let it be required to determine, in what Julian month, day, hour, and
minute, the fun entered libra in the year of the Julian period 953, by com-
puting backwards 5512 years from A. D. 1752;
from A. D. 1752; the retroceffion is 42 d.
2 h. 12 min. - 11 d. for new ftyle.
D. H. M.
D. H. M.
To September 22 4 35
Add for the retroceffion 31 2 32
September 22
31
4 32
232
O
October 23 7 7
October 23 7 4
Here are two calculations of the autumnal equinox in the end of A. M.
247, and of the year of the Julian period 953, and they are adjuſted to two
diſtinct meridians, which are diftant from each other three minutes in time,
equal to 45 minutes of 1 degree of the equator. One of theſe meridian di-
ſtances contains 10 h. 21 min. the other 10 h. 24 min. which being refpectively
applied to the hour and minute of the equinox in the firſt meridian, muſt
neceffarily produce a proportionable difference in the time, as may be evinced
by a very eafy calculation.
The given year of the world is the 247th.
200 folar tropical years contain
40
7
D. H. M.
73048 11 20
14669 16 40
2556 16 43
20 43
If we throw off the days, there will remain 20 hours, 43 minutes, which
being reduced from noon to midnight, will be 8 hours 43 minutes.
D. H. M.
To October 23 8 43
Add for meridian diftances
Subftract
10 21
From October 23 19 4
12
D. H. M.
October 23 8 43,1ft merid.
IO 24
23 19 7
12
Remains the calcul. time, October 23 7 4 p. m. October 23 7 7 p. m.
Secondly, It may be thought neceffary to prove, that a difference of time,
occafioned by a difference in the meridian diſtances, (taken from one and the
fame table of obfervations) does not at all affect the principles by which the
foregoing calculations were made, and upon which their mathematical accuracy
depends; for although this difference of meridians will caufe fome change in
the time of the mean full moon, and alſo in the time of the equinox, yet the
diſtance of the point of the equinox from the point of the mean full moon,
or the precife quantity of the trait line will remain unalterably the
~ x
fame, in all the meridians of the globe; for the proof of what is here ſaid,
we appeal to the following calculations.
To
406
The Chronology of the World.
D. H. M. S. Th.
oo
To the Julian radical biffextile numbers, October 24 18 00 00 00 p.m.
Add for the meridian diftance
Subſtract, as before,
10 21
From October 25
25 4 21 00 00
20 10 53 45
6 15
I
8 10
Remains the laſt point of the m.F.M.day, or z, October 24
Subftract for the quantity of x-Z
Remains the firſt point of the m.F.M. day, or x,October 23 8 10 6 15
Subftract for the quantity of
1 6 6 15
Remains the calcul. time of the autumn.equin. October 23 7 4000 A.M.247.
X
Thirdly, Theſe calculations diſcover to us, that the uncertainty of practical
aſtronomy, muſt be afcribed to the error and uncertainty of obfervation; and
we find, that the error of obfervation formally lies in the frequent change of
the meridian; and that this frequent change of the meridian arifes from the
not being able to make the obferved times of the equinoxes and folftices to
fall on one and the fame point of the equator for two years together; when
this can be done, then the difference of the times will ever give the true ter-
mination of the folar tropical year,
Although theſe points have been mentioned before, yet we fhall endeavour
to ſet them in a fuller and clearer light by the following examples taken from
the table of obſervations.
A.D. 1752, the fun was obſerved to enter the fummer folftice, June 20 d.
15 h. 14 min. and in the following year, June 20 d. 21 h. 15 min. the dif
ference of the times is 6 h. 1 min, which no aftronomer would offer to a
computiſt to calculate by; and if he ſhould, it would be impoffible to make uſe
of it. Now, from 6 h. 1 min. fubftract 5 h. 49 min. and there will remain an
excess of 12 minutes; to account for which we fhall prove, that two meridian
diſtances are included in the numbers of thefe obfervations, one of which con-
fifts of 10 h. 12 min. the other of 10 h, 24 min; and if they be reſpectively
added to the hour and minute of the folftice in the firft meridian, the corre
fponding times will fall on two points of the equator, whofe diftance from
each other will be equal to the excess of 12 or 30. And by proceeding in
this manner two years together, we fhall find, that inftead of 6 h. I min. we
ſhall have, in both cafes, 5 h. 49 min. i. e. the true termination of the year,
The CALCULATION,
A. D. 1752 is in connection with A. M. 5759, from which fubftract 1,
and there will remain A. M. 5758.
5758
The Chronology of the World.
407
5758 folar tropical years contain 2103065 days, 12 hours, 22 minutes.
H. M.
D.
To the folar trop. reduction for the autumnal equinox, A.D.1751, 2103065 12 22
Add, to bring it to the vernal equinox, A. D. 1752,
To the fum
Add, to bring it to the fummer folftice, A. D. 1752,
The fum
tice? June
D. H. M.
June 20 5 2
A
IO 12
To the hour and minute of the fummer folftice?
in the firſt meridian, A. D. 1752,
Add, for meridian diſtances,
O in, at Greenwich, A. D. 1752, June 20 15 14
178 17 58
2103244
6 20
92 22 42
2103347 5 2
D. H. M.
June 20 2
5
IO 24
20 15 26
D. H. M.
5 2
To the folar trop. reduct. for the fum.folft.in the ift merid. A.D.1752, 2103347
Add, for one year,
To the hour and minute of the fummer folftice June 20 10 51
in the firſt meridian, A. D. 1753,
Add, for meridian diſtances,
365
5 49
2103712 10 51
D. H. M.
June 20 10 51
IO 24
The fum
D. H. M.
ftice?
10 12
June 20 21 3
June 20 21 15
D. H. M.
D. H. M.
Now from June 20 21
Subſtract June 20 15 14
3
A. D. 1753,
A. D. 1752.
June
20 21 15
A. D. 1753,
June
20 15 26
A. D. 1752.
True termination
5 49
5 49
From hence it is evident, that if any number of obſervations be given, how-
ever erroneous, and difagreeing with each other, if we might be permitted to
poftulate the truth of any one of them, then by reducing the reft to the fame
point of the equator, which would be determined by its meridian diſtance, the
difference of the times would give the true termination of the folar tropical year,
and that termination would always be 5 h. 49 min.
Now, becauſe in chronological computations it may be frequently neceffary
to calculate the fun's ingrefs into the four cardinal points, in a given meridian,
to the exactneſs of a minute, if it might be, (the calculation of the autumnal
equi-
408
World.
The Chronology of the 2
equinox A. M. 247 ending, demands fuch a minutary exactnefs) we hall
tranſcribe from p. 193, 194, the following table, which may be confidered
as a ſtandard for all future ages; and thoſe who make uſe of it, will be able
to underſtand, from the marginal numerals + 4'-4' &c. how it comes to
paſs, that their calculated times are in a conftant connection with theſe tabular
numbers, and not always with the numbers of obfervation; and why it is
impoffible they fhould, unless they can be prevailed upon to change their
meridian diſtance, as often as the error of obfervation directs them to change
it. Here follows,
A TABLE of the times of the fun's entry into the four cardinal points of the
ecliptic, beginning at the vernal equinox A. D. 1752, and ending at the winter
folftice A.D. 1755; in which, by a reduction of the difagreeing numbers of
obfervation, to the fame point of the equator with 10 b. 24 min. reckoned from
the first meridian eastward, the difference of the times gives the true termination
of the folar tropical year.
Vernal equinox.
March.
A. D. A. M.D. H. M,
Summer folftice. ¡Autumnal equinox.
June.
September.
D. H. M.
D. H. M.
26
-12/22
༢ 4
1752575919 -4/20
1752 5759 19 16 44 -4 20 15
1753 576019 22 330/20 21 15
1754 5761 20 4 22 +421
1755576220 10 11+5/21
Winter folſtice.
December.
D. H. M.
5 35 -3'20 20 32+0'
022 10 240/20
+0
+4′22 16 13 +1/21
8 53 -5/22 22
2 21±0
8 10+5'
2+2/21 13 591
This table, in the uſe of it, will require very little more than fimple addition
and fubftraction. If the given year comes before that which is fet down in
the table, and is at the fame diftance from the biffextile year, then the retro-
ceffion muſt be added to the tabular numbers; if it comes after it, then it
muſt be ſubſtracted. We will explain it by an example or two.
EXAMPLE I. Let it be required to calculate the hour and minute of the
fun's ingreſs into the firſt point of aries A. D. 1514, in the meridian of the
Greenwich obfervatory. This, by a calculation downwards through a ſeries of
5520 years and 6 months, was found to have happened on March 11 d. ooh.
22 min. p.m. we will now try whether a calculation by theſe tables will agree
with theſe times or not.
A. D. 1514, was the fecond year after biffextile, fo alfo was A. D. 1754,
the interval is 240 years, and the retroceffion is 1 d. 20 h. 09 min.
I
The
The Chronology of the World.
409
The radical numbers are March 20 d. 4 h. 22 min. from which ſubſtract
11, to carry it back to the old ſtyle, and we ſhall have March 9 d. 4 h.
22 minutes.
D. H. M.
To March
9 4 22
O. S. A. D. 1754.
Add, for the retroceffion,
I 20 00
II OO 22
The fum is, as before, March
EXAMPLE II. Let it be required to calculate the hour and minute of the
fun's entry into the first point of aries, in the meridian of the Greenwich ob-
fervatory, in this current year of our Lord 1761.
From A. D. 1761, ſubſtract A. D. 1753, when the 4th folar period ended,
and the remainder will give the 8th year of the 5th period, which is now cur-
rent, whofe retroceffion is 1 h. 28 min.
A.D. 1761 is the firſt year after biffextile, fo alfo was A. D. 1753.
D. H. M.
From the tabular numbers, A. D. 1753, March 19 22 33 p.m.
Subſtract for the retroceflion in 8 years
I 28
March 19 21
+1-12
5 p.m.
The H. and M. of the vern.equin.fought, March 20 9 5 p.m.n. A.D. 1761.
Could the Jews be prevailed upon to exchange their tecuphot, or times
of the fun's entry into the cardinal points, for this aftronomical table of equi-
noxes and folftices, they could never fail to obferve their feaft of unleavened
bread, the memorial of their deliverance out of Egypt, ve chodesh Abib, in
the vernal equinoctial month, as commanded by Mofes. Their next feaſt,
if calculated aftronomically, would fall in this current year of our Loid
1761, on the 21ſt day of March, which follows next after the vernal equinox;
but by their ecclefiaftical equinox it is protruded forward to the 19th day of
April, as it has been already obferved, on which day, the vernal equinoctial
month will expire, fome hours before their feaft day is ended.
It is a very obfervable circumftance, that the annual returns of the Jewiſh feaſts
require an exact aftronomy; and that too, by a law delivered by their law-giver
Mofes, above 3000 years ago, long before we have any hiftorical account of
the cultivation of ſcience. What! an aftronomy in the Pentateuch? - Credat
Judæus Apella, non ego-may the
may the Anti-fcripturiſt fay, whilft the Karaite
will rejoice in the diſcovery.
Ggg
What
410
The Chronology of the World.
What has here been faid further concerning equinoxes and folftices, cannot
be thought an impertinent digreffion, becaufe as we are enumerating the feveral
difadvantages the Jews laboured under, when they attempted to frame their
aftronomical year, the meaſure of the fun's annual period, and the methods of
calculating the ingreffes into the cardinal points, muft needs be included in
the number of the requifites; nor is it at all to be wondered at, that they have
proved infuperable difficulties to the Jews, fince, in the prefent imperfect ſtate
of aftronomy, they may, to this day, be reckoned amongſt the uncertainties,
if precifion be required.
There ſtill remains another requifite to be confidered, which could not be
omitted in the framing of an aſtronomical year, and that is the exact quantity
of a mean lunation, by which we underſtand the time in which the moon,
after having departed from the fame meridian with the fun, returns to the
fame meridian with the fun again: this is a fundamental article, and is quite
as neceffary in the lunar computation, as the exact quantity of the fun's annual
period is in the folar.
It is certain, that the one has been purſued with as follicitous and as fruitleſs
a reſearch as the other. Ptolemy affigned for its quantity 29 d. 12 h. 44 min.
3 fec. 20th. This the Jews have adopted in their aftronomical calculations,
for they conftantly make uſe of thefe numbers, namely, 29 d. 12h. 793 he-
lakim. To underſtand which, we muſt obſerve, that as we divide the hour
into 60 parts, which we call horary minutes, the Jews divide it into 1080
parts, which they call helakim; fo that 18 helakim, are equal to one horary
minute. And if we multiply 44 min. 3 fec. 20 th. into 18, the fum will be
793.
But becauſe, if any quantity of a mean lunation, or of a folar tropical year,
be given,
fome fure, certain, and indiſputable teft of their truth and exactnefs, may be
thought neceffary, fuch a one will be found included in the annexed ſchemes.
A. M. o.
I.
5767 folar tropical years and 6 months.
II.
71334 lunations.
ԴՐ
A. D. 1761.
A. D. 1761.
Z
*
કાર
Theſe two ſchemes exhibit the folar tropical and its correfponding lunar
computation, from the autumnal equinox A. M. o, to the vernal equinox A. D.
1761, and to the end of the mean full moon day next after the vernal equinox,
denoted by the quantity x 2.
Z. Now we are to determine the numerical
meaſure of the quantity -x, equal to the diſtance of the firſt point of
the mean full moon day after the point of the equinox.
It
The Chronology of the World.
411
It will appear, by repeated experiments, 1ft, That there is but one deter-
minate feries of years from A. M. o, to the current year of our Lord 1761
inclufive; 2dly, That there is but one determinate quantity of the folar tropical
year; 3dly, That there is but one determinate quantity of a mean lunation, or
fynodical month, by which we can poffibly afcertain the numerical meaſure
of the interval -x with a minutary exactneſs, in any given meridian.
We will take four diſtinct meridian diſtances, namely, (1ſt,) 9 h. 52 min.(2dly,)
9h. 53
min. (3dly,) 10 h. 19 min. (4thly,) 10 h. 24 min. Now if theſe numbers
be reſpectively applied to the hour and minute of the vernal equinox, and alſo
to the hour and minute of the mean full moon, in the firſt meridian, they
will give the time both of the equinox and of the mean full moon, correfpond-
ing with theſe ſeveral diſtances from it; and the uniform difference of the times
will be the uniform meaſure of the interval - x. In order to prove this,
here follows
A CALCULATION of the hour and minute in which the fun will come to the
vernal equinox A. M. 5768, A.D. 1761, in the first meridian.
H. M.
5000 years give
700
60
19 20
15
40
13
7
To the fum
16 43
16 43
Add, to bring it to the vern.equinox, 17 58
Hour and minute of the vern. equin. 10 41 p.m. in the ift merid. A.D. 1761.
To this we ſhall ſubjoin
'A CALCULATION of the hour and minute of the mean full moon, nearest to the
vernal equinox, A.D. 1761, in the firſt meridian.
The number of lunations are 71334.
70,000 lunations give
1,000
H. M. S Th.
7 21 40 00
13 49 10 00
300
30
4
4
8 45 00
22 00 52 30
2 56 7 00
Hour and min. of the M. F.M. 2
16 34 30 p.m. in the 1ft merid. A.D. 1761.
Ggg 2
To
412
The Chronology of the World.
To find the diſtance of the mean full moon day after the vernal equinox A.D.
1761, or the numerical measure of the quantity
meridian.
D. H. M.
x, in the first
2 16 p.m. 1ft meridian.
10 41 p.m. 1ft meridian.
0 15 35
From the M. D. H. and M. of the mean F. M. March 20
Subſt. the M. D. H. and M. of the vern.equinox, March 19
Remains the numerical meaſure fought
It now remains to make good theſe two particulars; namely,
Firſt, That this numerical meaſure 15 h. 35 min. will be found unalterably
the fame in all the meridians of the globe.
Secondly, That it cannot be afcertained with the fame minutary exactneſs
by any other ſeries of years, &c. than thoſe which we have affigned.
Firſt, We are to fhew, that this numerical meaſure 15 h. 35 min. will be
found unalterably the fame in all the meridians of the globe. e.g.
To the moment of O in V, in the firft meridian,
D. H. M.
D. H. M.
D. H. M.
D. H. M.
March 19 10 41 Mar. 19 10 41 Mar. 19 10 41 Mar. 19 10 41
Add for merid.diſtances 9 52
IO 24
9 53
10 19
O in Y, March 20
8 33 Mar. 20
8
8 34 Mar. 20
9 00 Mar. 20
9 5
If we look into Parker's Ephemeris for this current year of our Lord 1761,
the fun will enter aries March 20 d. 9h. oo min. and by examining the fore-
going numbers, we ſhall perceive that 10 h. 19 min. is the meridian diſtance
of that calculation. In the next place,
To the hour and minute of the mean full moon in the firſt meridian,
Add for merid. diftances
D. H. M. D. H. M.
D. H. M.
D. H. M.
March 20 2 16 Mar. 20 2 16 Mar. 20 2 16 Mar. 20
2 16 p.m.
9 52
9 53
10 19
IO 24
H. and M. of m. F.M. March 20 12 8 Mar. 20 12 9 Mar. 20
12 35 Mar. 20 12 40
If we look into Mr. Ferguſon's lunar tables for the time of the mean fulf
moon in the month of March A. D. 1761, we ſhall find March 20 d. 12 h.
9 min. and by examining the foregoing numbers, we ſhall be informed that
h. 53 min. is the meridian diftance of that tabular calculation.
9 h.
From the hour and minute of the mean full moon, in the given meridians,
D. H. M.
D. H. M.
D. H. M.
March 20 12 8 March 20 12 9
March 20 12 35
Subſtract, O in Y, March 20 8 33 March 20 8 34 March 20 9 00
Uniform meaſure
15 35
15 35
15 35
D. H. M.
March 20 12 40,
March 20
9. 5
15 35
From
The Chronology of the World.
413
From this uniform meaſure of the interval -x, we are affured that
we have rightly preferved the diſtinction of the meridian diſtances, which no
aſtronomical tables, in their preſent ſtate, can preſerve.
Secondly, I am to make it appear, that no other feries of years, which is
more or less than 5767 and 6 months; that no other quantity of the folar
tropical year, which is more or less than 365 d. 5 h. 49 min. and that no other
44 min.
quantity of a mean lunation which is more or less than 29 d. 12 h.
i fec. 45
terval N
O
th. can poffibly help us to aſcertain the numerical meaſure of the in-
x with a minutary exactneſs.
The firſt article we may take for granted, or refer it to experiment. Pro-
ceed we therefore to the fecond and third.
In Ferguſon's treatiſe of aftronomy, we find (page 113, 2d edit.) a folar
table, which fuppofes the folar tropical year to confift of 365 d. 5 h. 48 min.
fec. and page 229, a table of lunations from 1, to 100,000, which affigns
for its quantity, 29 d. 12 h. 44 min. 3 fec. Let 5767 years be reduced by
the one, and 71334 lunations, by the other.
57
D.
H. M. S.
5000 folar tropical years contain 1826211 15 10 00
700
60
7
To the fum
Add, to bring it to the vernal equinox, A.D.1761,
The fum
70,000 lunations contain
1,000
300
30
4
The fum
}
From the days of the lunar reduction
Subſtract the days of the tropical folar
Difference
255669 15 5 00
21914 12 57 00
2556 16 42 39
2106352 II 54 39
178 17 58 00
2106531 5 52 39
D.
H. M. S.
2067141 10 35 00
29530 14 12 30
8859 4 15 45
885 22 1 34
118 2 56 13
6 1 2
2106535 6
D.
H. M. S.
2106535
2106535 6 1 2
2106531 5 52 39
4 0 8 23
In
414
The Chronology of the World.
In the preceeding calculations, the difference was 15 h. 35 min. but here
it amounts to more than four days; but the whole of this difference muſt
not be imputed to the error of the lunar tables, it being compounded of
feveral diftinct quantities; for, 1ft, Subftract, for 49680 lunations 1 day, and
this will leffen it into 3 d. oh. 8 min. 23 fec. 2dly, Subftract 1 day, for
the quantity x-2 to bring it back from the laft point of the mean full
moon day to the firſt, and this will leffen it into 2 d. oh. 8 min.
23 fec.
3dly, Subſtract for the defect of the folar tropical computation 4 h. 48 min.
21 fec. and this will leffen it into 1 d. 19 h. 20 min. 2 fec. 4thly, Subſtract
for the ſum of the exceſs of the tabular meaſure in the given number of luna-
tions, 1 d. 3 h. 45 min. 2 fec, and there will remain 15 h. 35 min. for the
numerical meaſure of the quantity -x, as before.
ԴՐ
That the fourth fubftraction rightly expreffes the fum of the exceſs of the
tabular meaſure, we thus prove;
Quantity.
D. H. M. S. Th.
From the days of the lunar reduction 29 12 44
3 00
Subft. the days of the lunar reduction 29 12 44 I 45
Remains the tabular excefs, as before,
D.
H. M. S.
2106533 6 1 2
2106532
2 16
2 16 0
I 3 45
3 45 2
There needs no argument to prove, that whatever degree of error any
folar or lunar tables fhall be found to bring along with them by a compu-
tation downwards, they muft unavoidably carry along with them the fame
degree of error in a computation backwards.
We will confider more minutely the advantages gained from the being
poffeffed of an indefectible meaſure of a mean lunation, as well as of the
folar tropical year. In the fchemes, which we have given above, there are
two fixed points, the one at the autumnal equinox A. M. o; the other at
vernal equinox A, M. 5768, A.D. 1761. The interval is filled up with
71344 lunations; the firft of which is in connection with the extreme point
of the original full moon day and the autumnal equinox; the laft terminates
with the mean full moon day, whofe firſt point comes 15 h. 35 min. after the
vernal equinox A. D. 1761. The firft 247 years of the world include 3055
lunations; the firft of which is computed from the fame fixed point mentioned
above, and the laſt terminates with that mean full moon day, the beginning of
which follows 1 h. 6 min. 6 fec. 15 th. after the autumnal equinox.
I
This calculation divides the fum total of 71334 lunations into 3055, and
68279, which we ſhall digeft into a table,
A. M.
The Chronology of the World.
415
Lunations.
A. M. o. *
Z 3055
I
A.M.
247 O
1
Lunations.
68279
O
Jul. M. D. H. and M. of the m. F.M. Oct. 23 d. 8 h. 13 m.
-z. A.D.1761.
D. H. M.
March 20 12 40
Now it may be obferved, that mean lunations follow one another like the
links of a chain, in an uninterrupted fucceffion, at uniform and immutable di-
ftances. Nay, thefe diftances are fo uniform and immutable, that if the
tabular meaſure is preciſely true, i. e. without an exceſs or defect, we ſhall obtain
the fame month, day, hour, and minute, of the mean full moon, whether
we compute downwards from A. M. o to A. M. 247, through 3055 lunations,
or backwards from the month, day, hour, and minute, of the mean full moon
next after the vernal equinox A. M. 5768, A. D. 1761, namely, March 20 d.
12 h. 40 min. through a much larger ſeries of 68279 lunations.
The CALCULATION.
D.
H. M.
68279 lunations, reduced to days, produce 2016317 4 27
Subſtract, to bring it back from the laft to the
firſt point of the mean full moon day
Remain
I
the}
2016316 4 27
From the full moon at the creation to the full moon neareft to the vernal
equinox A. M. 5768, A.D. 1761, we compute 2106532 d. 12 h. 40 min.
From the reduction of 71334 lunations
Subſtract the reduction of 68279 lunations
To the remainder
Add, for October 24 d. oo h. oo min.
Subſtract the Julian biffextile reduction of 247 years
H. M.
D.
2106532 12 40
2016316 427
90316 8 13
297
From the fum
90613 8 13
90317
Julian M. D. H. and M. of the mean full
moon, A. M. 247, A. J.P. 953,
full Z October 23,
296 8 13 p.m.
If from March 20 d. 12 h. 40 min. the month, day, hour, and minute,
of the mean full moon next after the vernal equinox A. D. 1761, we fub-
ftract 14 d. 18 h. 22 min. or a lunation, it will give March 5 d. 18 h.
18 min.
I
2
416
The Chronology of the World.
}
18 min. for the month, day, hour, and minute, of the mean new moon
neareſt to the vernal equinox A. D. 1761. Now, we fay, that if we take this
new moon for a radix, and calculate backwards from thence through 68279
lunations, it will give the fame Julian month, day, hour, and minute, for
the time of the mean new moon neareſt to the autumnal equinox A. M. 247,
A. J. P. 953, as if we only fubftracted 14 d. 18 h. 22 min. or a lunation,
from October 23 d. 8 h. 13 min. the time of the mean full moon next after
the autumnal equinox; which may be confidered as an inconteftable proof,
that 29 d. 12 h. 44 min. I fec. 45 thirds, is the preciſe mathematical quantity
of a mean lunation.
1
The CALCULATION.
From the reduction of 71334 lunations
Subſtract for half a lunation
2
D.
H. M.
2106532 12 40
14 18 22
From the remainder
2106517 18 18
2016316 4 27
Subſtract the reduction of 68279 lunations
To the remainder
Add, for October 24 d. oo h. oo min.
From the fum
Subſtract the Julian biffextile reduction of 247 years
Jul.M.D.H. and M. of the m. N.M. A.M. 247, October 8,
L
The PROOF.
D. H. M.
From the time of the mean F. M. October 23 8 13
Subſtract for half a lunation
14 18 22
90201 13 51
297
99498 13 51
90217
281 13 51
Mean new moon, October 8 13 51, which was to be proved.
From this calculated time of the moon's mean conjunction, namely, October
8 d. 13 h. 51 min. we ſhall be able to eftimate the error of Rabbi Hillel's
molad tohu, or chaotic new moon. The hours in our calculation are 13, which
being reckoned from noon, if we fubftract 6, they will be reduced to the
Jewiſh epoch of the day. This reduction being made,
D. H. M.
From October 8 7 51, after fix in the evening,
Subſtract Rabbi Hillel's computation, October 7 5 11
Remains the quantity of the error Į 2 40
We
<
The Chronology of the World,
417
A. J. P. 953.
We will now exprefs in a table the luni-folar characters of the Jewish æra
A. J. P. 953, calculated aftronomically according to mean time; from whence
it will appear, that the 15th day of the firſt month of the lunar yea“, com-
puted from the evening of the moon's vifibility, will include the grea.eft part
of the mean full moon day, whilft the Jewiſh computation, from the evening
next after the mean conjunction, will fall ſhort of it.
A. M. 247.
Days of the Patriarchal
Jewiſh
Patriarchal lunar compu- lunar com-
Julian
Week.
tation.
putation.
October. Calendar
conjun.
«
5
I
2
3
4
7
I
4
8
9
ΙΟ
7
II
I
2
12
13
3
14 명
​ABCDEFGABCDEFGAB
123+ 56 7∞
~ ~ + 46 700
23 +46 ~ 23 +66 ~ ~
8
281 282
« I
9
282 283
10
283 284
II
284 285
4
I 2
285 286
13
286 287
14
А
15
8
16
9
17
4567
287 288
288 289
289 290
290 291
ΙΟ
18
291 292
1 1
19
292 293
12
20
293 294
13
2 I
294 295
14
22
295 296
15
23
10
296 297
4
15 OF.M.
C
24
297 298
Having taken a furvey of Jewiſh principles, our next attempt will be to
explain, with all the brevity and perfpicuity we are able, the ſtated and inge-
nious methods of
Jewish computation.
I. The lunar year of the Jews is twofold, aftronomical and civil.
II. The aftronomical year is either common or embolimæan.
III. The common year confifts of 12, and the embolimaan of 13 months.
It is certain, that the Jews reckon their years by the courſe of the fun; but
their months and days by the courſe of the moon; and to the end, that
their feaſts might be annually celebrated, not only on the fame month and
Hhh
day
418
The Chronology of the World.
day of the lunar year, but alfo in the fame feafon of the folar, in the courfe
of 19 folar years, they intercalate 7 months, by which means, the beginning
of the firſt month of the lunar year, is conftantly reftrained within limited di-
ftances from the cardinal point of the folar.
IV. In the aſtronomical year of the Jews, five obfervable particulars occur,
namely, quantity, months, emboliſm, epoch, and calculation.
V. 1. As to quantity, a lunar month is computed by Ptolemy and the Jews
to confift of 29 d. 12 h. 44 min. 3 fec. 20 thirds, i. e. 793 helakim. Theſe
being multiplied into 12, produce 354 d. 8 h. 876 helakim, i. e. 48 min.
40 fec. for the quantity of a common lunar year; to which if we add the
quantity of a lunar month, we fhall have 383 d. 21 h. 589 helakim, i. e. 21 h.
32 min. 43 fec. 20 thirds, for the quantity of an embolimæan year.
VI. 2. The names, quantity, and order, of the Jewish months, are re-
prefented in the table annexed.
Months of the
Jewiſh year.
Days of
the
Collected
Month.
Days.
Tifri
30
30
Marhefhvan
29
59
Cafleu
30
89
Tebet VS
29
118
Shebat
30
148
Adar
29
177
Nifan ԴՐ
30
207
Jiar
29
236
Sivan
30
266
Tamuz
29
295
Ab
30
325
Elul
29
354
VII. 3. Emboliſm is the intercalation of a month of 30 days after the
month Adar, and it is therefore called ve Adar, or another Adar; and this
is conftantly done, whenever the full moon comes before the ecclefiaftical
equinox, or the 26th of March, as it will in this current year of our
Lord 1761.
VIII. 4. The epoch, or radix, of the lunar year, which the Jews call
Rosh hashanah, is that mean new moon which is neareſt to the autumnal
equinox.
IX. 5.
The Chronology of the World.
419
IX. 5. The Jews calculate their aftronomical year under the direction of
theſe principles, namely,
X. 1. They compute the beginning of the day, not from the moment of
fun-ſetting, for that is conftantly varying, but from fix in the evening, by an
immutable law, in the meridian of Jerufalem.
XI. 2. The epoch of the Jewish calculation is molad tohu, or the chaotic
new moon, which they have fixed to the feventh day of October, in the year
of the Julian period 953.
XII. 3.
The calculation is performed by decennoval cycles reckoned from
their molad tohu, or chaotic new moon.
In this cycle there are 12 common lunar years, and 7 embolimaan, namely,
3, 6, 8, 11, 14, 17, 19.
19 Julian years contain
D. H. M. S. Th.
6939 18 00 00 00
Subítract for 19 Jewiſh lunar years 6939 16 33
The difference
i 26
Helak.
3 20, i. e. 595
26 56 40, i. e. 485
XIII. 4. In theſe calculations the characters are chiefly to be obſerved, which
are obtained by dividing the days by 7, and throwing off the compleat weeks
by this means,
1. The character of a lunar month will be
2. Of a common lunar year
3. Of an embolimæan year
4. Of a decennoval cycle
5. Of Molad tobu
6. The Julian exceſs. In a common lunar
6. The Julian excefs2. In a decennoval cycle
Fer. H. Helak.
I 12 793
4 8 876
5 21 589
2 16 595
2 5 204
D. H. Helak.'
year is
· 10 21 304
。 I 485
7. The exceſs of an embolimæan year above the Julian is 18 15 589
XIV. 5. By the help of theſe præcognita, the calculation may be performed
by the ſeveral ſteps enſuing.
1. Subſtract 1 from the given Jewiſh year of the world, whoſe Roſh ha-
Shanah is required, then divide the remainder by 19, and the quotient will
give the number of complete cycles from the Jewiſh æra; multiply theſe com-
pleat cycles into 2 fer. 16h. 595 helakim, the character of a cycle, and re-
ferve the product.
2. The remainder will exprefs the compleat years of the current cycle; of
theſe, multiply the common years into their character, 4 fer. 8 h. 876 helakim,
Hhh 2
and
420
The Chronology of the World.
and the embolimæan years into 5 fer. 21 h. 589 helakim, which is their
character.
3. To the reſerved products add, for the character of molad tohu, 2 fer. 5 h.
204 helakim, and the fum, throwing off all the compleat weeks, will be the
character of Tifri, or of the firſt month of the given Jewiſh year.
EXAMPLE. Let the current Jewiſh year of the world 5521 be given, and let
it be required to calculate the feria, or day of the week, and likewiſe the hour
and minute, on which the mean new moon happened, in the Jewiſh meridian,
neareſt to the autumnal equinox A. D. 1760; for at the evening next after
that mean new moon, Neomenia Tifri, or the firſt month of the current
Jewiſh lunar year, commenced.
The CALCULATION.
From A. M. 5521 ſubſtract 1, and there will remain A. M. 5520.
A. M.
Divide by 19) 5520 (290 decennoval cycles.
Remain
10 years of the 291ft.
Charact. cycli.
F. H. Hel.
Of common years.
F. H. Hel.
Of embolimæan years.
F. H.
Hel.
Multiply 2 16
595
4
8 876
5 21
into
290
7
589
3
2
13 732
F.
INN MN
2
2
3 16
H. Hel.
23 830
13 732
687
16
16 687
2
5 204
Product 2 23 830
1. The character of 290 cycles is
2. Of
7 common lunar years
3. Of 3 embolimaan years
4. Add the character of Molad tobu
3
The character of Tifri, A.M. 5521, A.D. 1760, 4
M.
11 293, i.e. 16
XV. To find the Julian month, and day of the month, correfponding aftrono
mically with Neomenia Tifri, or the first day of the first Jewish month of
their civil year, A. M. 5521, A. D. 1760.
The CALCULATION.
1. Multiply the number of compleat cycles into 1 h. 485 helakim, the
excess of 19 Julian above 19 Jewish lunar years, and referve the product.
2. Mul-
The Chronology of the World.
42 I
2. Multiply the common years into 10 d. 21 h. 304 helakim, the exceſs of
the Julian year above the Jewiſh lunar, and again referve the product.
3. Multiply the embolimean years into 18 d. 15 h. 589 helakim, the exceſs
of the embolimæan Jewiſh year above the Julian, and referve the product,
4. Subſtract the product of this laft multiplication from the fecond, then
add the remainder to the product of the firſt, which ſum ſubſtract from Octo-
ber 7, having firſt added the 30 days of September, if the ſubſtraction requires
it, and that remainder will give the Julian month and day ſought.
The CALCULATION.
1. Multiply 290 cycles,
into
H. Hel.
D. H.
о
O I I 485
The firſt product
17 I2 250
D. H.
Hel.
2. Multiply
into
10 21 304
7
The fecond product
76 4
348
D. H.
Hel.
3. Multiply
18
15
589
into
3
The third product
55
22 687
D.
H. Hel.
4.
From the ſecond product
76
4 348
Subſtract the third
55 22 687
To the remainder
20 5 741
Add the firſt product
17
12 250
The fum
37 17 991
To October 7, add the 30 days of September, and the fum will be 37; to
this add 1, for the biffextile day, and it will make it 38; fubftract 11 days for
the new ſtyle, and that will reduce it to 27 days.
From
Subſtract
Neomenia Tifri, September
37 days.
27
September 10 A. D. 1760.
It
422
The Chronology of the World.
It appears, by theſe calculations, that the mean time of the new moon,
neareſt to the autumnal equinox A. D. 1760, A. M. 5521, happened September
10 d. 11 h. 16 min. after fix in the evening at Jerufalem, upon a Wedneſday,
which is the fourth day after Saturday exclufive.
But to render theſe conclufions more intelligible, it will be neceffary to ſay
fomething concerning the adjuſtment of the day of the week, to the days of
a Julian, aftronomical, and Jewish month.
In the year of our Lord 1760, for example, the 9th day of September
began and ended at midnight, in the Julian reckoning, upon a Tueſday; and
the 10th day of the fame month, began and ended at the fame cardinal
point, upon a Wedneſday. So that here, the days of the week run parallel
with the days of the Julian month.
But neither in the aftronomical, nor in the Jewiſh computations, fhall we
find this parallelifm or coincidence.
The aftronomers computed the 9th day of September that year, from the
noon of that day, to the noon of the next that followed it; but the firſt 12
hours of the aſtronomical day, fell in with the 9th day of September, upon
a Tueſday, and the laſt 12 hours, with the 10th day of the ſame month, upon
a Wedneſday, and confequently it was concurrent with two diftinct days of
the Julian month, and two diftinct days of the week.
The Jewiſh epoch of the day anticipates the aſtronomical 18 hours, and
the Julian 6; fo that it muſt be likewiſe concurrent with two diſtinct days of
the Julian month, and two diſtinct days of the week, in the Julian reckoning.
The fourth feria in the calculation, commenced on the 9th day of September,
at fix in the evening, upon a Tueſday, and it ended on the 10th day of Sep-
tember, at fix in the evening, upon a Wedneſday.
The Jews do not change the day of the Julian month, when, in their
kalendar, they enter upon another day of the week. This appears from the
character of their molad tohu, October 7 d. 2ª fer. 5 h. 204 helakim, for in
the year of the Julian period 953, the 7th day of October began and ended
at midnight, upon a Sunday; yet in the character of molad tohu, inſtead of
the 1ft feria, we have the 2d feria, which is a clear proof of the truth of
our affertion.
If, in the foregoing conclufion, we fubftract 1 from the days, and add 6
to the hours, which are reckoned from fix in the evening, then inſtead of
September 10 d. 11 h. 16 min. we fhall have September 9 d. 17h. 16 min.
where the hours are reckoned from noon; and, by ftating the time in this
manner, it will be better underſtood, than when it is computed by the method
in uſe amongſt the Jews, with which we are not fo well acquainted.
If
The Chronology of the World.
423
If we would eftimate the error of thefe Jewiſh computations, we need only
compare them with the tables of mean lunations, in Ferguſon's aftronomy,
2d edit. page 216.
To find the time of the mean new moon in September A. D. 1760.
D. H. M.
Tab. II. To the time of the mean new moon in March 16 8 58
Tab. VI. Add 6 lunations, to bring it to September
177 4 24
The numbers in tab. VII. anſwer to September 9 d. 193 13 22 p.m.
From the Jewiſh computation,
Subſtract the tabular time,
From the remainder
D. H. M.
September 9 17 16 p.m.
September 9 13 22 p.m.
Subſtract for the difference of meridians
Remains the error of Jewish computation
3 54
2 21
I 33
From hence it appears, that A. D. 1760, the month of Tifri began on the
evening of the tenth day of September, whether the mean new moon be
computed by the tables, or from Rabbi Hillel's molad tohu, through a ſeries of
290 decennoval cycles and ten years over.
To find the Julian month, day of the month, and day of the week, on which the
Fews celebrated their feast of tabernacles A. D. 1760, A. M. 5521.
If we look into an ephemeris for A. D. 1760, it will inform us, that the
true time of the new moon or conjunction, nearest to the autumnal equinox
was September 9 d. 11 h. 50 min. i. e. the 9th day of September 50 minutes
paſt eleven in the morning.
Now we fay, that becauſe the true time of the new moon happened ſeveral
hours before fix in the evening, and the mean time followed ſeveral hours after
it, the month Tifri would begin, not on the next, but on the evening the next
but one after the true time of the conjunction; and confequently on that evening
in which the moon was viſible: and if to September 10 days, we add 15, it
will bring it down to September 25, and to that evening which followed,
either after the completion of the mean full moon day, or after a great part
of it was compleated.
Το
424
The Chronology of the
the World.
D. H. M.
To the tabular time, Sept. 9 13 22 p.m.
Add for half a lunation
Time of mean F. M. Sept.
14 18 22
D. H. M.
Sept. 9 17 16 Jewish comput.
14 18 22
Sept. 24 11 38 p.m.
24 7 44 p.m.
According to theſe calculations, the mean full moon day began on the 24th
day of September, and ended on the 25th; and, as the 15th day terminated
on the evening of the 25th, it would include, although not the whole, yet a
confiderable part of the full moon day, and would be regularly the feaſt day.
To find the corresponding day of the week.
The CALCULATION.
Divide 15 by 7, then add the remainder I to the 4th feria, and it will give
the 5th feria, or Thurſday.
The dominical letters for A. D. 1760, (which was a biffextile year) were
FE; F was dominical until the 29th of February, and E for the following
months to the end of the year; the literal character of September 25 is B,
which, in the Jewiſh computation, denoted Thurſday, or the 5th day after
Saturday exclufive.
The Jews then obferved their feaſt of tabernacles A. D. 1760, A. M. 5521,
on the 25th day of September, upon a Thursday, on the 4th day after the
autumnal equinox inclufive.
To find the Julian month, day of the month, and day of the week, on which the
first day of Nifan will fall, as calculated by the Jews, in this current year.
of our Lord 1761.
The CALCULATION.
A. D. 1761, is the firſt after biffextile, in which year Tecupha Nifan, or
the time of the vernal equinox, is, by an invariable law, March 26 d. 6h.
after fix in the evening, The new moon which is neareft to March 26,
whether it comes before, or follows after it, is, in Jewiſh computation, the
pafchal new moon; and as this year a full moon comes next before it, the
month of Nifan will begin in April,
find the day,
and to
D. H. M.
To the tabular time, Sept. 9 d. 252 13 22
Sept. 9 d.
Add for 7 lunations.
206 17 8
From the fum
Subſtract
459 6 30
365
Pafchal mean N, M. April 4,
94 6 30
April 4,
D. H. M.
252 17 16 p.m. Jewish computation,
2c6 17 8
459 10 24
365
94 10 24 p. m. A. D. 1761.
To
The Chronology of the World.
425
To find the character of the month of Nifan.
The CALCULATION.
To the character of Tifri
Add the character of 7 lunations
F. H. M.
II
4 11 16 after fix in the evening,
3 17 8
The character of Nifan fought I 4 24 Sunday.
If this feftival was to be calculated from the original full moon, the 14th
day of the month would fall upon the 19th day of April, on a Sunday; and
the 15th, or the first day of the feaſt of unleavened bread, upon the 20th
day of April, and upon a Monday.
But we have no occafion to be follicitous about the minute exactnefs of
every point in theſe calculations, our principal intention being to prove, that
if the Jews had been able to have conſtructed a true table of Tecuphot; or
could they have determined, by a due fkill in aftronomy, the moment of the
fun's ingreffes into the cardinal points, in a given year, and in a given meridian,
they would not have intercalated a ve Adar this year; their Nifan would have
begun a month earlier; their paffover-day would have fallen on our Good-Fri-
day, and their firſt day of the feaſt of unleavened bread, would, by a regular
calculation, have immediately preceeded our Eaſter-Sunday.
We will now calculate, from the original radix, firſt the feaſt of tabernacles, and
then the feaſt of the paffover, A.M. 5768, A.D. 1761; and we will make the
calculation after the manner of the Jews, (Ift,) By decennoval cycles; (2dly,)
By obferving the diftinction between common and embolimaan lunar years;
(3dly,) By the affiftance of luni-folar characters, which lie 247 years, or 13
decennoval cycles, higher up in time, than Rabbi Hillel's molad tohu.
The following calculations are rendered fo extremely eafy, that whoever
fhall think it worth his while to make them, need only take the numbers
out of the reſpective tables, then ſetting them down in order one under the
other, and cafting them up, the fum, throwing off all the compleat weeks,
will be the aſtronomical character of Tifri fought, in the given year, at Lon-
don; to which add 2 h. 21 min. and it will reduce it to the meridian of
Jerufalem,
e
Lii
According
426
1
The Chronology of
of the World.
According to our chronological principles and computations,
1. A mean lunation contains
2. A common lunar year
3. An embolimæan lunar year
4. 19 luni-folar years
5. The excess of 19 Julian above 19 luni-folar years
6. The excess of a Julian above a common lunar year
1
D. H. M. S. Th.
29 12 44 I 45
354 8 48 21 00
383 21 32 22 45
6939 16 26 51 15
。 I 33 8 45
IO 21 II 49 00
7. The excess of an embol. lunar year above the Julian 18 15 32 22 45
1. Of a mean lunation
2. Of a common lunar year
Characters 3. Of an embolimaan lunar year
4. Of a decennoval cycle
5. Of the original full moon
TABLE I.
S. Th.
F. H. M.
I 12 44 I 45
4
8 48 21 00
5 21 32 22 45
2 16 26 51 15
3 00 00 00 00 1ft meridian.
The character of a decennoval cycle, from 1 to 300.
Cycles. Feriæ. |Hours. M.
S.IT.
I
4
5
2 5- MO
H23+ 66 7
16
2651 15
8
5342 30
I
I
20
33 45
3
17
47
25 00
6
10
14
16 15
2
2
4I
730
8
4
19
I I
4
58 45
34 150 00
7
16
12
I
14
I
4115
28
3230
57
500
25 37 30
54 10 00
22
51
42 30
1500
1947 30
4820 00
16
52130
452500
30 50 00
16
15100
2 52 52 5
96 2 malo a
9
3
4
ΙΟ
5
20
20
4
16
30
3
13
40
2
но
50
60
70. 5
23
80
19
4325
90
100
200
300
TABLE
The Chronology of the World.
427
TABLE II.
The character of a mean lunation,
from 1 to 12.
515
700
845
241030
TABTE III.
The character of a common
lunar year, from 1 to 12.
Lunar
years. Feriæ. Hours M. S.
book a ♡ t 66 n∞
8 48 21
1736 42
2 25 31
I 1
13 24
Number
of
months. Feriæ. Hours M. S. T.
I
I
12
44
2
3
I
28
145
330
I
4
2
I
3
4
14
12
3
6
4
2
56
4
3
5
15
40
20
45
12
2356 paned a t
4
5
4
50 6
17
18
I
7
∞26
532
812 15
1215
7
2
13
38 27
5 52 14 00
8
6
22
26 48
361545
9
4
7
15 9
201730
ΙΟ
I
16
330
2
20 4 19 15
11
6
51 51
4
848 21
48/2100
12
3
6
7
8
9
10
I I
TABLE IV.
The character of an embolimaan
lunar year, from 1 to 7.
Years Feriæ Hours M. S. IT.
94012
TABLE V.
The excess of 19 Julian years above
19 luni-folar, from 1 cycle to 300.
Cycles Days. Hours M. S. T.
123456
I
5
21 322245
4
19
44530
3
7
2
6
16 37 815
14
I I
93100
100
11 415345
9141630
6 46 39 15
}
4 39 26 15.
12 35
6
I am + 56 D∞
Ι
I
33 8/45
2
3
3
617301
615
8
9
ΙΟ
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
O
O
7 45 43 45
9 18 52 30
IO 52 I 15
12
25/10/00
13 58 18 45
15 31 27 30
I
7
I 22
2
14
~ 3m+556
4
2I
1 2
2155
34/22
34 22 30
550 00
5 37 17 30.
4
845
45 00
401230
1140 00
1943
73
14 3500
90
100
I I
200
12
22
29 10 00
300
19
9 143145
428
The Chronology of the World.
TABLE VI.
The excess of a Julian year above
a common lunar year, from 1 to 12.
Years Days. Hourst M. ( S.
TABLE VII.
The excess of an embolimaan lunar
above the Julian, from 1 to 7.
year
Years Days. Hours M. S. T
t
1
I
IO
21
32
43
1746
4567
456
12345678
2I
11 39
I
18
15
32 22 45
18
23 18
2
37
7
15
34 57
12 46 36
54 9 158 15
65
76
8.7
9 54
33 12
3456
55
22
74
14
44530
37 8
815
9 31 00
93
5
41 53 45
III
2I
14 16
30
2133
7 1130
12 |46|39|15
9
97
ΙΟ
108
22 44 51
1956 30
II
119
17 8.9
12 130
14 19 48
Now to fhew the uſe of theſe tables, by an example, let it be required to
calculate the character of Tifri A. D. 1760, A. M. 5767 ending.
Divide by 19)
Remain
The CALCULATION.
A. M.
5.767 (303 decennoval cycles.
10 years of the 304th.
Tab. I. The character of 300 cycles is
of 3 cycles
The character of 303 cycles
F. H. M. S. Th. Fourths
0 14 16 15 00 00
I I 20 33 45 00
1 15 36 48 45 00
5
4 50 6 00 00
16 37 8
years 3
Tab. III. The character of 6 common lunar years
Tab. IV. The character of 3 embolimaan lunar
Tab. II. The character of II lunar months
The character of half a lunation
The character of the original full moon
Add for the meridian of London
Add for the meridian of Jerufalem
From the fum
Subſtract for 49680 lunations
The character of Tiſri, A. M. 5767, A.D. 1760,
5 00
2 20 4 19 15 00
0 18 22 00 52 30
3 00 00 00 00 00
O 10 24 00 00 00
O 2 21 00 oo oo
3 16 15 23 7 30.
I
2 16 15 23 7 30
Here
The Chronology of the World.
429
}
Here the hours are reckoned from noon, which being reduced to midnight,
will give the 3d fer. 4 h. 15 min. 23 fec. 7 th. 30 fourths, p. m. n.
In theſe calculations, the 3d feria expreffes the diſtance after Sunday exclu-
five, and not after Saturday.
To make it agree with the Jewiſh computation we muſt add 1, which will
give the 4th fer. 4 h. 15 min. The Jewiſh computation was the 4th fer. 11 h.
16 min. where the hours are reckoned from fix in the evening: From 11
hours ſubſtract 6, and we ſhall have the 4th fer. 5 h. 16 min. after midnight.
F. H. M.
From the Jewish computation
Subftract our calculated time
4
4
5 16
4 15
p.m. n.
Difference
I I
To find the Julian month, and day of the month, correfponding aftronomically with
the first day of the Jewish month Tifri, A. D. 1760, A. M. 5767 ending.
The CALCULATION.
Tab. V. The Julian excefs in 300 cycles is
3 cycles
The Julian exceſs in 303 cycles is
Tab. VI. The Julian excefs in 7 common lunar years is
Tab.VII. The excess of 3 embolimæan years above the Jul. is
To the difference
Add for the Julian excess of 303 cycles
The fum is
D. H. M. S. Th.
19
9 43 45 00
4 39 26 15
14
19 14 23 II 15
76 4 21 33 00
55 22 37
8 15
20 5 44 24 45
19 14 23 II 15
39 20
7 36 00
Here the ſum of the Julian excefs is 39 compleat days exclufive of odd
hours, &c. Add 1 for 49680 lunations, and the fum of entire days will be
40; A. D. 1760 was a biffextile year, and if we add 1 for the biffextile day,
then the fum of entire days will be 41, from which ſubſtract II for the new
ſtyle, and there will remain 30 d. 20 h. 7 min. 36 ſec. to be ſubſtracted from
the moment of the chaotic new moon.
It will be no difficult matter to find the moment of the mean chaotic new
moon, as the Julian ftation of the original full moon has been found to be
October 24 d. ooh. oo min. oo fec. in the firft meridian.
If
430
The Chronology of the World.
D. H. M. S. Th. Fo.
If therefore from the Jul. ſtation of the original F.M. Oct. 24 00 00 00 00 00
We fubftract for half a lunation
14 18 22 00 52 30
Remains the moment of the chaotic N.M. 1ft merid. O&.
Add for the meridian of the Greenwich obfervatory
Time of the chaotic new moon at Greenwich,
Oct.
the} October
In the year after biffextile 1, the time of the
chaotic new moon at Greenwich was
In the year after biffextile 2, take for a radix, October
In the year after biffextile 3,
In a biffextile year,
9 5 37 59 7 30
IO 24
9 16
I 59 7 30
D. H. M. S.
I 59 p.m.
9 16
9 22 I 59
October ΙΟ 4 I 59
October 10 10 1 59
A. D. 1760, was a biffextile year, fo that the radical numbers are October
10 d. Ioh. I min 59 fec. To October 10, add, to make the ſubſtraction,
the 30 days of September, and the fum will be 40 days.
From
Subftract for the Julian exceſs
Time of mean N. M. in September
Subft. the tabular time, September
The difference is
I
D. H. M. S,
40 10
1 59 the radix of a biffextile year,
30 20 7 36
9 13 54 23 p.m. A.D.1760,A.M.5767,
9 13 22 00
D. H. M.
32
To September 9 13 54 p.m. time of mean N. M. at London,
Add for the merid. of Jerufalem
2 21
September 9 16 15 p.m. time of mean N.M. at Jerufalem,
Reduce the hours to midnight +1-12
A. D. 1760, September 10 4 15 p. m, n. as above,
The dominical letter for that part of the year was E; the literal character
of September 10 is A; fo that the fourth feria denotes Wedneſday, in Jewish
computation; but Wedneſday is the fourth day after Saturday, and the third
after Sunday exclufive.
As the feaſt of tabernacles would be obſerved on the 25th of September by
our calculations, juft in the fame manner as it was by the calculations of the
Jews;
The Chronology of the World.
431
Jews; we ſhall proceed to prove, that if the Jews had been poffeffed of exact
tables of the fun's ingreffes into the cardinal points, they would not have
intercalated a ve Adar this year.
We learn from the table of obfervations, that the fun paffes from the au-
tumnal to the vernal equinox, in the ſpace of 178 d. 17 h. 58 min.
A. D. 1760, the fun came to the autumnal equinox at Greenwich September
22 d. 3 h. 7 min. p.m. The 22d of September is the 265th day from the
kalends of January; and therefore,
D. H. M.
265 3 7 p.m. A. D. 1760.
178 17 58
If to September 22,
We add, to bring to o inv, A.D.1761,
Then from the ſum
433 21 5
Subſtract
365
The remainder will give,
March 19,
78 21
5 p.m. o inv, A.D.1761.
Reduce the hours to midnight
+I,
I-12
March 20,
79 9 5 p. m. n.
Six lunar months, or 177 days, intervene between the feaſt of tabernacles,
and the feaſt of unleavened bread; A.D. 1760, the feaſt of tabernacles was
obferved on the 25th day of September, which is the 268th day from the
kalends of January.
To September 25, 268 days.
Add for 6 lunar months
From the fum
Subftract
177
445
365
80 days a kal. Jan.
The paſchal full moon, March 21,
It appears, by theſe calculations, that in this current year of our Lord 1761,
the 15th of Nifan, or the firſt day of the feaſt of unleavened bread, will fall
on the 21st of March, the day after the vernal equinox. Now it is one of
the pafchal rules: Ως et εξ ανάγκης τη των διαβητηρίων εορτη μη μόνον τον ηλιον το ισημερινον δια
πορεύεσθαι τμημα, και την σεληνην δε "It is neceffary, for a due celebration of the
"feaſt of the paffover, not only that the fun fhould have paffed the vernal
equinox, but the moon too."
If from March 26, the ecclefiaftical equinox of the Jews, we ſubſtract
March 20, the remainder will fhew, that Tecupha Nifan, or the vernal equinox,
as
432
The Chronology of the World.
as computed by the Jews, comes 6 days too late; and if the full moon falls
on any one of theſe 6 days, as in this year it will fall on the firſt of them,
the beginning of Nifan will be poſtponed to the month of April. And this
is owing, we fee, to the not being able to calculate the vernal equinox aftro-
nomically.
We have given two diſtinct computations of the Jewiſh feaſt of tabernacles,
A.D. 1760; to fay nothing of the feaft of unleavened bread A. D. 1761.
Theſe computations proceed from two diftinct epochs, which are diſtant from
each other 247 years; and they are made by different quantities of a mean
lunation; and yet notwithſtanding this diſtance between the two epochs, and
the difference in the affigned quantities of a mean lunation, the conclufions,
when compared together, are in a near agreement with each other. This
near agreement, under the foregoing circumftances, feems to imply, that, in
Jewiſh computations, it is not at all material, whether the era from which
they proceed, be true or falſe; or whether the affumed quantity of a mean
lunation, by which they are made, be accurate or not; for, taken either
ways,
the Jews can ftill afcertain the annual returns of their feaft days, without a
ſenſible error in fixing the beginnings of their months.
In anſwer to this, we fay, that in fact, it is not at all material in Jewiſh
computations, whether the epoch be original or not; or whether the affumed
quantity of a mean lunation be accurate or not, provided the calculations be
made by decennoval cycles, and the Julian excefs: Let me add further - if
the time of the first mean new moon be fixed to a Julian month and day, by.
a computation backward from a given year; for, under theſe circumſtances,
whatever quantity of error there may be in the tabular lunation, when the
computation is made downwards from the fixed Julian ſtation by the fame
meaſure, the error will be left behind in that fixed point, and will give very
little diſturbance to the conclufion. From hence it is, that the Jews have no
apprehenfion that there is an error of 26 hours and 40 minutes in the time of
Rabbi Hillel's molad tohu, or chaotic new moon.
And, therefore, in order to be convinced, not only of the advantage, but
alſo of the indifpenfable neceffity, (1ft,) Of a genuine original æra; (2dly,)
Of a true chronology; (3dly,) Of exact aftronomical meaſures; (4thly,) Of
a true meridian diftance; let us take the Jewiſh year of the world 5513,
which terminates, as the Jews fuppofe, at the autumnal equinox A. D. 1753.
This is known by fubftracting A. M. 3760 (for ſo many years they reckon
from the creation to the vulgar, Chriftian æra) from A. M. 5513.
As the Jewiſh chronology has been proved to be defective, we will reprefent
that defect in the annexed ſcheme.
True
The Chronology of the World.
433
True æra.
Jewiſh æra.
A. M. o.- ·A.M. o.
Jewish chronology.
5513 years.
ฐ
A.D. 1753.
There is nothing given in this ſcheme, but the Jewiſh year of the world
5513, and its fuppofed termination at the autumnal equinox A. D. 1753.
Now let it be required to find, by calculation, ift, At what diſtance after
the vernal equinox; and, 2dly, After the 15th of Nifan, Eaſter-Sunday was
obferved A. M. 5513, which was the firft year of a quadriennium.
It is faid, that the earliest Eafter poffible, is the 22d of March, and the
lateſt the 25th of April; within thefe limits there are 35 days, and the num-
ber belonging to each of them is called the number of direction.
According to the pafchal canon, if the full moon, or the 15th of Nifan,
happens upon a Sunday, Eafter-day is the Sunday after. Here is then a
latitude of 7 days for the diſtance after the Jewiſh feaſt; and confequently Eaſter-
Sunday cannot fall, 1ft, At the fame diſtance after the vernal equinox, nor,
2dly, At the fame diſtance after the 15th of Nifan, in the fame year of a
quadriennium, but once in 980 years, the product of 35 into 28.
This is a true chronological probiem; for although Eafter-Sunday is not,
in itſelf confidered, an aftronomical character, yet fince, in the problem, it
is connected with the vernal equinox, and the 15th of Nifan, it will require
an exact aſtronomical calculation, and this will render it an aftronomical cha-
racter. But then, as only the year of the world 5513 is given, the folution
depends upon principles, with which the Jews are but imperfectly acquainted,
and the aſtronomers not at all. This will evidently appear, if the calculations
be made under the following reftrictions, (1ft,) No year of the Julian period
muſt be admitted; nor, (2dly,) The Julian kalendar with its months and
days. (3dly,) Decennoval cycles and the Julian excefs muſt be rejected. (4thly,)
No computation muſt be made backward from a given year, in order to fix
the luni-folar characters at the head of the interval. (5thly,) We muſt bor-
row no affiſtances from aftronomical radixes, and no information from an
ephemeris.
Theſe reſtrictions, which are the negative part of the account, will fully
diſcover to us the advantage and neceffity of the luni-ſolar characters of the
original æra, made known to us a priori, independant of obſervation or tabular
calculation.
Should it be aſk'd, By what means may we certainly know, whether the
Jewiſh year of the world 5513, if computed backwards from the autumnal
equinox A. D. 1753, will extend it felf to the year of the creation or not;
and if it does not, how many years it will fall fhort? The anſwer is, that neither
Kk k
*
that,
434
The Chronology of the World.
æra;
that, nor any other number of years, can be given, but the first of them muft
neceffarily be in cloſe connection with the luni-folar characters of the world's
and this original æra will, by its irreſiſtible influence and direction, cauſe the
laft year of the given interval to fall, at fuch a due diftance from itſelf, as
fhall not fail to produce the true pofitions of the fun and moon to each other,
firſt at the original cardinal point of the year, and likewiſe, by an eaſy reduction,
at all the reft; and whether the year of the termination, comes before or
follows after the vulgar Chriftian æra, it may be diſcovered by an agreement
with the calculated characters.
•
But all this will be beſt explained and underſtood by an example. To this
end, here follows
A CALCULATION of the hour and minute of the day, and alfo of the day of
the week, (for the Julian kalendar with its months and days are excluded) in
which the fun came to the vernal equinox, in the meridian of the Greenwich
obfervatory, A. M. 5513.
A.M.
From A. M. 5513 fubftract i, and it will give A. M. 5512.
Multiply
into
M.
5512 years of 365 days, 6 hours,
II minutes.
D. H. M.
Divide the product by 1440) 60632 (42 2 32 Julian exceſs.
Multiply
into
5512 years,
1461 quadrants.
D.
H. M.
Divide the product by 4) 8053032
Subſtract the Julian exceſs
(2013258 00 00 Julian reduction.
42 232
To the folar tropical reduction A. M. 5512 2013215 21 28 in,1ft merid.
Add, to bring it to the vern.equin.A.M.5513,
178 17 58
To the fum
Add, for the meridian diſtance
Hour and minute of o in v fought
2013394 15 26
IO 24
2013395 I 50.
According to theſe calculations, the fun came to the vernal equinox A. M.
5513 at Greenwich, 50 minutes paſt one in the afternoon.
To find the day of the week, correfponding aftronomically with the day of the vernal
equinox, A. M. 5513.
The
The Chronology of the World.
435
The CALCULATION.
D.
Divide the folar tropical reduction by 7) 2013395 (287627 weeks.
Remainder
·
6 | index 3 | Wedneſday.
So that the calculated characters of o in v, A. M. 5513, are, the 3d feria,
3ª
1 hour, 50 minutes, p. m.
Thefe characters are fo difcriminating, that the fun has never entered the
vernal equinox, in the fame hour and minute of the day, on the fame day of
the week, in the fame year of a quadriennium, in the fame place, twice fince
the creation.
'
To find the year, either before or after the vulgar Chriftian æra, in which theſe
folar characters occur.
Divide by 1440)
Remain
The CALCULATION.
A. M.
5513 (3 compleat folar periods.
1193 years of the 4th period.
From 1440 ſubſtract 1193, then the remainder 247 from A.D. 1753, and
it will carry it back to A. D. 1506, in connection with A.M. 5513.
Now we are to prove, that in the year of our Lord 1506, the fun entered
the vernal equinox the 3ª fer. 1 h. 50 min. p. m. at Greenwich.
I
The CALCULATION.
From A. D. 1753, fubftract A. D. 1506, and it will leave an interval of
247 years, whofe Julian excefs or retroceffion is 1 d. 21 h. 17 min. throw off
1 day, and there will remain 21 h.. 17 min.
A.D. 1753, the fun was obferved to enter aries at Greenwich, the 1ft fer.
22 h. 33 min. but becauſe A. D. 1506 was the fecond year after biffextile, and
A. D. 1753 was the first, to the rt fer. 22 h. 33 min. add 6 hours, for the
difference of one year in the quadriennium, and it will give the 2 fer. 4 h.
33 min.
To
Add, for the retroceffion in 247 years
F. H. M.
2
2
4 33
21 17
The characters of o in T
K kk 2
3
I 50 A. D. 1506.
This
436
The Chronology of the World.
+
This agreement in the folar characters, in union with the fame feria, or day
of the week, is a convincing proof, that the Jewiſh year of the world 5513,
is in connection, not with the year of our Lord 1753, as the Jews have mifta-
kenly ſuppoſed, but with the year of our Lord 1506, which lies 247 years
higher up in time.
upon
If to the folar computation we add the lunar, the argument
argument founded
the uncontroulable power and never-failing direction of the original radix, will
not only be ſtrengthened, but it will be rendered demonftrably certain.
*
The LUNAR COMPUTATION.
To find the full moon nearest to the vernal equinox, either before it, or after it,
A. M. 5513:
1
5512 years and 6 months give (p. 434.) 2013395 days, from which fub-
ftract 1, for 49680 lunations, and there will remain 2013394.
In 30
30 lunar years there are 10631 days.
D.
Divide by 10631) 2013394 (189 periods of 30 lunar yrs, thrown off.
Divide the remainder by 354)
4135 (11 lunar yrs, thrown off, which include
[4 of 355 days.
From the remainder
Subft. for lunar yrs. of 355 days
From the remainder
Subft. for 8 lunar months
241
4
I
237
236
Remains the full moon epact
६०
I A.M. 5513.
Another Method.
D.
From the folar tropical reduction (p. 434.) 2013395
Subſtract for 49680 lunations
Remainder
2013394
Multiply 189 periods of 30 lunar years into 11, and to the product 2079,
add 4 for 11 lunar years, then the whole amount of lunar years, confifting of
355 days, will be 2083.
From
L
The Chronology of the World.
437
D.
From the remainder
Subſtract for lunar years of 355 days
Divide the remainder by 354)
From the remainder
Subſtract for 8 lunar months
2013394
2083
2011311 (5681 lunar years.
237
236
Remains, as above, the full moon epact 01 A.M. 5513-
D
We have, in theſe calculations, a vifible difplay of the power, influence,
and direction of the original radix; and this will be the more diſcoverable,
if we examine the principles which enable us to underſtand the conclufion in
its true aſtronomical ſenſe; for the conclufion cannot be underſtood in its true
aſtronomical ſenſe, without a previous knowledge that time commenced at the
autumnal equinox in coincidence with a full moon; from hence we immedi-
ately infer, with the certainty of an axiom, that A. M. 5512 begins and ends
at that cardinal point, and that the annexed fix months bring it forward to the
vernal equinox A. M. 5513. Hence likewife we infer, and with the fame
degree of certainty, that becauſe the firſt lunation is computed from a full
moon, the laſt muſt end with the fame phafis, and confequently the remain-
der 1, muſt expreſs the full moon epact, or diſtance of the full moon before
the vernal equinox A. M. 5513.
Any one, without being a profeſſed aſtronomer, may make theſe calculations
with the fame facility as we have made them, but no aftronomer can under-
ftand the conclufion without an interpreter; and it is impoffible that he ſhould,
becauſe it requires the direction of the original radix, and its combined cha-
racters.
We might have proved directly, and at once, from the difference between
the folar tropical and the lunar reductions, that the full moon did come one
day before the vernal equinox A. M. 5513. And here follows
The CALCULATION.
5512 years and 6 months include (as may be feen in the preceeding cal-
culations) 5681 lunar years and 8 lunar months.
To find the number of days in 5681 lunar years and 8 lunar months.
Multiply
438
The Chronology of the World.
Multiply
into 1=
To the product
Add, for lunar years of 355 days
5681 lunar years,
354 days.
2011074
2083
2
To the fum
Add, for 8 lunar months
2013157
236
To the fum
Add, for odd hours, &c. and meridian diſtance,
The fum
2013393
I
2013394
D..
From the folar tropical reduction
20133.95':
Subſtract the lunar
20.13394
1
The full moon epact
To find the distance of the pafchal full moon after the vernal equinox,
O. I
I A. M. 5513.
A. M. 5513.
The CALCULATION.
To the days of the lunar reduction
2013394
30
From the fum)›
2013424
2013395
29
Add for I lunation
Subſtract the folar tropical reduction
Remains the diſtance of the pafchal F. M. after © in V,
1
To find the day of the week, corresponding aftronomically with the day of the pafchal
full moon, A.M. 5513.
The CALCULATION,
Divide the days of the lunar reduction by 7) 2013424 (287632 weeks.
Remainder
o index 4 | Thurſday.
To
The Chronology of the World.
439
To find the distance of Eafter-Sunday, after the vernal equinox, and after the
peſchal full moon, A. M.¯ 5513.
The CALCULATION.
?
The paſchal full moon happened, as we have feen, upon a Thurſday,
which is the fourth day after Sunday exclufive; from 7 fubftract 4, and there
will remain 3.
To the days of the lunar reduction
Add the remainder
2013424
3
Divide by 7)
2013427 (287632 weeks.
Remainder
From the days of the lunar reduction
Subſtract the days of the tropical ſolar
3 | index 7 | Sunday.
Diſtance of Eaſter-Sunday after the vern.equin. A.M.5513,
2013427 Eafter-day.
2013395
32
From 32 ſubſtract 29, and the remainder 3 will expreſs the diſtance of
Eafter-Sunday after the pafchal full moon, or the 15th of Nifan.
If we divide A. M. 5513 by 4, the remainder I will fhew, that it was
the firſt year of a quadriennium.
5
Now then we fay, that Eafter-Sunday cannot fall twice under the fame
circumſtances in lefs than 980 years; and if we add the hour, minute, and
day of the week, in which the fun entered the first point of aries, that year,
theſe taken together, may be called appropriated characters, which will de-
monftrably prove, that the Jewiſh year of the world 5513, cannot, by the
uncontroulable power of the original radix, be brought lower down than the
year of our Lord 1506, and that 247 years are the complement of Jewiſh
chronology.
To find the year of our Lord, correfponding aftronomically with the Jewish year
of the world 5513, from the year of the Julian period 706.
The CALCULATION.
To the year of the Julian period 706, add the Jewiſh year 5513, and
from the fum 6219, fubftract the year of the Julian period 4713, (anfwering
to the year o of the vulgar Chriftian æra) and the remainder 1506 will be the
year fought.
To
440
The Chronology of the World.
To find the Julian month, and day of the month, in which the fun came to the
vernal equinox, A.D. 1506.
The CALCULATION.
A. D. 1506 was the fecond year after biffextile, fo alfo was A. D. 1754,
the interval is 248 years, whofe retroceffion is 1 d. 21 h. 28 min.
I
A.D. 1754, the fun was obferved to enter aries, at Greenwich, old ſtyle,
March 9 d. 4 h. 22 min,
To
Add, for the retroceffion in 248 years,
© in V, A. D. 1506.
D. H. M,
March
9 4 22
I
21 28
March 11 1 50 p.m,
}
To find the correfponding day of the week.
The dominical letter for that year was D; the literal character of March 11
is G, which that year denoted Wedneſday, the third day after Sunday ex-
clufive, in agreement with the preceeding calculations.
In the Jewiſh year of the world 5513, the full moon came one day before
the vernal equinox, and fo it did, as we fhall proceed to ſhew, in the corre-
fponding year of our Lord 1506, when the fun entered aries the 11th day of
March old ftyle. Here follows
A CALCULATION of the Julian month, and day of the month, on which the
vernal equinoctial full moon happened that year,
A.D. 1758, A.M. 5765, a total eclipfe of the moon was obſerved at London
on the 24th of January, in the end of the 71295th lunation; this number
of lunations produced 2105381 d. 20 h. 3 min. p. m. p. 240.
T
5512 years and 6 months, include 68180 lunations, which being fubftracted
from 71295, leave in remainder 3115.
Reduce
The Chronology of the World.
441
Reduce 3115 lunations to days.
3000 lunations give
100
IO
5
The fum
From the ſubſtituted radix
D. H. M. S. Th.
88591 17 27 50 00
2953 I 22 55 00
295 7 20 17 30
147 15 40 8 45
91987 17 50 51 15
Subſtract the reduction of 3115 lunations
To the remainder
Add, to include the F. M. day, Octob.25 d. 00h. 00min.
From the fum
Subſtract the Julian reduction of 5513 years
I
Full moon day, March 10,
D.
H. M.
2105381 20 3
9.1987 17 51
2013394
298
2 12
2013692
2013623
2 12
69 2 12
From March 11, the day of the vernal equinox, ſubſtract March 10, the
day of the full moon, and the remainder I, will be the full moon epact,
which was to be proved.
In the Jewiſh year of the world 5513, Eafter-Sunday has been calculated
to fall on the thirty-fecond day after the vernal equinox, and on the third
day after the pafchal full moon, or the 15th of Nifan; and we ſhall ſhew,
that it would have happened under the like circumſtances in the correfponding
year of our Lord 1506, if, rejecting the golden number, it had been calcu-
lated aſtronomically.
The CALCULATION.
To March 10 add 15, and it will give March 25, for the laſt day of the
intercalary month ve Adar, according to our computation; fo that March 26
was the firft of Nifan.
To March 25 add 15, and from the fum 40, ſubſtract the 31 days of
March, and it will give April 9, for the 15th of Nifan, which being fubftracted
from April 12, or Eafter-Sunday, will leave in remainder 3, which was to bę
proved. We will here fubjoin
LII
A TABLE
442
The Chronology of the World.
A TABLE exhibiting to the view, at what diftance after the vernal equinox, and
after the pafchal full moon, or the 15th of Nifan, Eafter-Sunday would have fallen
A. M. 5513, A. D. 1506, if calculated aftronomically, and also by the golden
number.
Days of the pa-
triarchal and
Chriftian week.
Months and Days of the The intercalary
Diſtance of Eafter-Sun-
day after the veinal
equinox.
folar year.
month ve Adar.
2
f. h. m.
15 F.M.
3
in V. 3. I. 50.
16
4567
17
I
18
2
19
3
20
4
I
21
23456
22
23
24.
8
25
~ og + 2010 No Of
26
IQ
7
27
II
I
28.
12
6
7
I
-2
3
4
2 + O NE
3
4
29
30 a
I Nifan 15
56
13
14
2
16
I
18
19
20
4
21
22
23.
567
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 ♡♡♡
+ 23+ 46 7∞ O
4
8
9
3+56 7∞
12
13 II
14 12
15
13
I 14
30
2
15
7
3
I
+56
ΙΟ
8
7
I I
9
I
10
2
3
5
er ♡ 46
17 1ft of Nifan, golden
[number
24
25
26
27
28
29 Pafchal F.M. aftro-
[nomically.
31 15th of Nifan, gol. num.
32 Eafter Sunday.
If
The Chronology of the World.
443
If to A. D. 1506, we add 247 years, it will bring it down to A. D. 1753;
and if to A. M. 5513, we add the fame number of years, it will give A.M.
5760; and we ſhall go on to prove, that not the Jewiſh year of the world.
5513, but the year of the world 5760, and that that year only is in a true
aftronomical connection with the year of our Lord 1753.
It appears by calculation, that in the year of our Lord 1506, the full moon
came one whole day, exclufive of odd hours and minutes, before the vernal
equinox: 247 years include 13 decennoval cycles; in which ſpace of time,
the moon will have departed from the fun, by its progreffion eastwards, 1 d.
1 h. 6 min. and, confequently, in the year of our Lord 1753, the full moon
day will fall upon the day of the vernal equinox.
To find the time of the vernal equinox and the full moon epact at the fame.
cardinal point, A. M. 5760, A. D. 1753.
The CALCULATION.
From A. M. 5760 ſubſtract 1, and it will give A. M. 5759:
5759 folar tropical years produce
Add, to bring it to the vernal equinox, A.M. 5760,
Add, for the meridian diſtance,
D.
H. M.
2103430 18 II
178 17 58
IO 24
To the fum
2103609 12 9
The fum
Reduce the hours to midnight
2103609 22 33 p.m.
+1-12
Hour and minute of o in v, A.M.5760,A.D.1753, 2103610 10 33 p. m. n.
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
Subft. the Julian reduction of 5760 years, -11 d.
Jul.M.D.H.and M. of o inv, A.M.5760,March 20,
298
2103908
2103729
79 10 33
A. D. 1753,
the fun was obferved to enter aries in the fame month, and on
the fame day, hour, and minute; which agreement, in the folar tropical
reckoning, proves the aftronomical connection of the years.
The LUNAR COMPUTATION,
From the folar tropical reduction ſubſtract 1, for 49680 lunations, and
there will remain 2103609 days.
LII 2
In
444
World.
The Chronology of the
of In 30
the lunar years there are 10631 days.
Divide by 10631) 2103609 (197 periods of 30 lunar yrs. thrown off.
Divide the remainder by 354)
From the remainder
Subft. for lunar yrs. of 355 days
From the remainder
Subft. for 3 lunar months
3
The full moon epact
9303 (26 lunar yrs. thrown off, which include
[9 of 355 days.
98
9
89
89
o the character of coincidence.
Another Method.
Multiply 197 periods of 30 lunar years into II, and to the product 2167,
add 9 for 26 lunar years, then the whole amount of lunar years, confifting
of 355 days, will be 2176.
From the folar trop. reduction,-1 d. 2103609
Subſt. for lunar years of 355 days
2176
Divide the remainder by 354) 2101433 (5936 lunar years thrown off.
From the remainder
Subſtract for 3 lunar months
Remains, as above, the full moon epact
89
89
Theſe conclufions certify us, that A. M. 5760, A.D. 1753, the mean full
moon day ended on the day of the vernal equinox.
The coincidence of the mean full moon day, with the day of the vernal
equinox A. D. 1753, may be proved by the difference between the folar tropical
and the lunar reductions.
The CALCULATION.
5759 folar tropical years and 6 months, include 5936 compleat lunar years
and 3 lunar months.
1
AT
To find the number of days in 5936 lunar years and 3 months.
To the product
Multiply
into
Add, for lunar years of 355 days,
To the fum
Add, for 3 lunar months,
To the fum
Add, for odd hours, &c. and merid. diſtance,
The fum is
5936 lunar years,
354 days.
2101344
2176
2103520
89
2103609
I
2103610
G+
From
The Chronology of the World.
445
$
From the days of the folar tropical reduction 2103610
Subſtract the days of the lunar
Remains the character of coincidence
2103610
o Full moon epact.
To find the day of the week, correfponding aftronomically with the day of the vernal
equinox, and the day of the pafchal full moon, A. M. 5760, A. D. 1753.
· The CALCULATION.
D.
Divide the folar and lunar reductions by 7) 2103610 (300515 weeks.
Remainder
5 | index 2 | Tueſday.
The dominical letter for A. D. 1753, new ftyle, was G; the literal cha-
racter of March 20 is B, which that year denoted Tueſday.
It appears from theſe calculations, that A. M. 5760, A. D. 1753, the pafchal
full moon happened upon the day of the vernal equinox, and upon a Tueſday;
and confequently Eafter-Sunday was the 5th day after, by a true aftronomical
computation; although upon the account of the ecclefiaftical equinox and the
golden number, it was poftponed to April 22, which was near a month later.
To find the distance of the first point of the mean full moon day before the vernal
equinox, in days, hours, and minutes, A. M. 5513, A. D. 1506.
The CALCULATION.
5512 folar tropical years and 6 months, include 68180 lunations, which
produce 2013394 d. 2 h. 12 min.
H. M.
From the folar tropical reduction
Subſtract the lunar, -1 d.
Diſtance before the vernal equinox fought
D.
2013395 I 50
2013393 2 I2
I 23 38
To find the diſtance of the first point of the mean full moon day before the vernal
equinox A.M. 5760, A.D. 1753
The CALCULATION.
From the diſtance of the firſt point of the mean full moon
day before the vernal equinox A. M. 5513, A.D. 1506,Š
Subſtract the progreffion in 13 decennoval cycles
D. H. M.
I 23 38.
II 6
Remains the diſtance fought, A. M. 5760, A. D. 1753, 0 22 32
That
446
The Chronology of the World.
That we have rightly calculated the diſtance of the mean full moon before
the vernal equinox A. M. 5760, A. D. 1753, may be proved by the difference
between the folar tropical and the lunar reductions.
5759 folar tropical years and 6 months produce
D.
H. M.
2103609 22 33
Subft. the reduct. of 5936 lunar years and 3 lunar months,-1d. 20103609 O I
0 22 32
Remains, as above,
The SCHEME.
D. H. M.
0 22 32 g
M. H.
28 I
Z.
In this ſcheme, x denotes the first point of the mean full moon day, and z
the laſt; x comes 22 h. 32 min. before the fun's entrance into the cardinal
point, and ≈ follows 1 h. 28 min. after it; confequently, the 15th of Nifan
terminates on that evening which follows near 6 hours after the completion
of the mean full moon day; and the 14th day of the month terminates on
that evening, and in that quadrant which includes nearly the firſt 6 hours of it,
as it happened on the third and fourth days of the creation; fo that that full
moon was the true pafchal full moon.
If we would difcard the lunar cycle, as it is miſtakenly called, together with
its unaftronomical golden numbers and epacts, and could we be prevailed upon
to calculate the annual returns of our folemn feftival of Eafter from the original
radix, this would conftantly direct it to fall at the due limited diftance after
the 15th of Nifan, computed from the evening the next but one after the mean
conjunction, or from the evening of apparition. It is undeniably certain, that
our Lord rofe from the dead on the morrow after the 15th of Nifan, computed
in this manner, and it might be to us à ftated rule, for we are under no ne-
ceffity to adopt the errors of Jewiſh computation,
Let us take, for experiments fake, the year of our Lord 1753, and let it
be required to calculate the first Sunday after the 15th of Nifan, reckoned
from the evening of the moon's vifibility, in the month and day of the Julian
kalendar.
Firſt, We will calculate, from the original radix, the Julian month and day
of the pafchal new moon, or the Julian month and day on the evening
of which the moon was vifible, neareſt to the vernal equinox A. M. 5760,
A. D. 1753.
The
The Chronology of the World.
447
*
The CALCULATION.
year
5759 folar tropical years and 6 months, fill up the interval from the
of the creation to the vernal equinox A. D. 1753; thefe include 71235 luna-
tions, the laſt of which terminates with the pafchal full moon; and confequently
71234 lunations and a half will bring it to the paſchal new moon fought.
Reduce 71234 lunations and a half to days.
70,000 lunations give
1,000
200
30
4
+-~
יי.
D.
H. M. S. Th. Fo.
2067140 7 21 40 00 00
29530 13 49 10 00 00
From the fum
Subſtract for 49680 lunations
To the remainder
Add, for the meridian diſtance
To the fum
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
ན་
5906 2 45 50 00 00
885 22 00 52 30 00
2 56 7 00 00
14 18 22 00 52 30
118
2103595 19 15 40 22 30
I
2103594 19 15 40 22 30
IO 24
2103595 5 39
298
From the fum
2103893
Subſt. the Jul. reduction of 5760 years,-11 d.
2103829
Day after the moon's conjunction, March 5,
64 A.D. 1753, N.S.
To find the day of the week, corresponding aftronomically with the 5th of March,
the day after the moon's mean conjunction, A. D. 1753.
The CALCULATION.
Divide the days of the lunar reduction by 7) 2103595 (300513 weeks.
Remainder
4 | index | Monday.
The dominical letter for new ſtyle was G; the literal character of March
is A, which that year denoted Monday.
5
Secondly, Let it be required to calculate, from the original radix, the Julian
month and day on which the paſchal full moon happened A. D. 1753.
The
}
448
The Chronology of the World.
The CALCULATION.'
To the days of the lunar reduction for n
the paſchal new moon, A.D. 1753, S
Add for half a lunation, to bring it to a F.M.
To the fum
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
2103595
D.
H. M.
5 39
14 18 22
2103610 0 1
298
2103908
Subſt. the Jul. reduction of 5760 years, -11d. 2103829.
Jul. M. and D. of the pafchal F. M. March 20,
79° A. D. 1753.
To find the day of the week, correfponding aftronomically with the day of the
pafchal full moon, which was also the day of the vernal equinox, which hap-
pened, as it has been proved already, upon a Tueſday.
Thirdly, Let it be required to calculate, from the original radix, the Julian
month, and day of the month, on which Eaſter-Sunday would have been
obferved aſtronomically, and its diftance after the 15th of Nifan.
The CALCULATION,
The 15th of Nifan fell upon a Tueſday, which is the fecond day after
Sunday exclufive; from 7 fubftract 2, and it will leave in remainder
To the days of the lunar reduction, brought } 2103610
down to the paſchal full moon
Add
To the fum
Add, for October 25 d. 00h. oo min.
5
2103615
298
From the fum
2103913
Subſtract the Jul. reduction of 5760 years, -11 d.
2103829
5.
Eaſter-Sunday, March 25, G.
84 A.D. 1753.
We may justly obferve, upon this occafion, that Eafter-Sunday was never
calculated aftronomically from the year of the creation before, nor was it ever
determined in a nearer conformity to the goſpel hiftory.
We will now throw off the months and days of the Julian kalendar, and
fet down the calculation, as we did before, in abftracted characters, and yet
we ſhall find the abftracted computation as intelligible as the political.
A TABLE
The Chronology of the World.
449
A TABLE, exhibiting to the view, at what distance after the vernal equinox, and
likewiſe after the 15th of Nifan, Eafter-Sunday fell aftronomically A. M. 5760,
A. D. 1753.
Days of the pa-
triarchal and
Chriftian week.
7
I
2
3
4
Months and Month and days of the lunar year.
Nifan.
days of the
folar year.
«
I
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
6
7
I
2
8
3
9
4
5
6
71
2
ΙΟ
I I
12
13
14
15
I
2
3456
3
VS
O Pafchal F.M. and day
[of the equinox.
In this table we
have a blank column,
entitled, months and
days of the folar year,
and could we proper-
ly fill up this blank
column with fuch
months and days as
had an evident refe-
rence to a connection
with an aftronomi-
cal epoch, or cardinal
point of the folar tro-
pical year, eſtabliſhed
by legiſlative autho-
rity, we ſhould have
had a compendious
view at leaſt of a per-
fect kalendar both fo-
lar and lunar; which
leads me to treat of
7
4
5 Eaſter Sunday.
The fcriptural kalendar, or original form of year, which was in ufe amongst the
primitive Patriarchs, and afterwards amongst the antient Hebrews and Ifraelites,
from Mofes to Nehemiah.
TH
reader
HAT the reader may underſtand what kind of improvement he is to
expect from this undertaking, we ſhall obſerve, that notwithſtanding the
vaft variety of ſchemes, which have been publiſhed in the laft age, and the
prefent, it has never yet been made to appear, that any one point of fcriptural
chronology has been aſcertained upon fcriptural principles; nay, we have never
been rightly informed, in what determinate fenfe we are to underſtand the
Mm m
terms,
450
The Chronology of the World.
terms, fcriptural chronology. One would reaſonably have imagined, that the
fcriptural year, its form, quantity, and epoch, and likewiſe that the fcriptural
law of computation, or its ſtated method of recording the times of events in
the primitive ages, would have been admitted into the definition, and have
made a principal part of it: whereas, to our great diſappointment, we find
the year of the Julian period, the Julian months, and days of the month, to
be conſtantly made ufe of, when the chronology of the deluge, or of any other
fcriptural æra, is to be fettled.
Archbiſhop Uſher informs his readers, that the flood began, and Noah
entered into the ark, in the year of the Julian period 3265, on the 7th day of
December, and that the ark refted on the 6th day of May, &c.
Mr. Bedford labours to prove, by aſtronomical tables and calculations, that
this event happened in the year of the Julian period 3261, and on the 28th
day of November, &c. whilſt both of them plead for the integrity of the
Maforete Hebrew text in the article of chronology.
On the contrary, Mr. Jackſon, in his chronological antiquites, ftrenuouſly
maintains, like a fecond Ifaac Voffius*, that the Maforete Hebrew text, in the
article of chronology, has been wilfully and defignedly corrupted by the malice
of the Jews, in the fecond century of the Chriftian æra, and fets up, in oppo-
fition to it, the computations of the Septuagint Greek verfion, as corrected
by Jofephus, in the firſt period of the world's age, from the creation to the
flood. His hypothefis concerning the time of Noah's flood is very fingular,
and we fhall give it in his own words, vol. i. p. 48.
"It is to be obſerved, that the flood came in the ſame ſeaſon of the year
"in which the world was created, i. e. in the ſpring, and fifty-fix days after
"the vernal equinox; fuppofe by our prefent reckoning the vernal equinox to
commence on the 10th of March, the flood began on the 6th day of May.”
<<
Ifaac Voffius (fays Strauchius) calls to his aid, not only the authority of the feventy interẻ
preters, and Jofephus, but alſo the antient monuments of the Egyptians, Chaldeans, and Chineſe,
which are of a much older date than the vulgar epocha of the world.
Bryan Walton feems to be of the fame opinion with Voffius, for in the prolegomena to his Bible,
printed at London, he declares, that the computation, according to the Hebrew text, is not to be
relied on; but that, in its ſtead, the feventy interpreters ought to be confulted. As to what has
been objected to chronologers, concerning the newly invocated prophane antiquities, I cannot but
give this feaſonable caution, that it appears to me moſt unbecoming a Chriftian philofopher, to
prefer the fabulous relations of the Gentiles before the authority of the facred hiſtory. Beſides that,
Voffius (and his followers) ought to have confidered, that his fifteeen ages will fall much ſhort of
fupplying the difference there is betwixt the vulgar epocha of the world, and thofe of the Chineſe,
and other Gentiles. Neither can he be ignorant, that among the Gentiles themſelves, Plutarch
and Cenforinus, and among the Chriftians, St. Auſtin, have many years ago left it as their opinion
to the world, that the years, mentioned in the chronologers of the Gentiles, are not of the fame
length with ours. Strauchius, b. iv. Salt's tranflation.
Although
The Chronology of the World.
451
Although theſe three authors, and many more might be added to them,
have built their reſpective hypothefes upon very different principles, yet they
unanimouſly concur in carrying back the Julian ftyle to the year of the deluge;
but if the affigned Julian months and days, and the affigned years of the
Julian period be compared together, they will be found to differ widely
from each other, without affording any rule by which we may judge of the
truth of any one in preference to the other.
This method of proceeding muft, we think, be confidered, and it ought to
be rejected as anti-fcriptural; becauſe Noah in his journal, has recited feveral
circumftances of the flood, and has regiſtered the times in which they happened,
regularly in the months and days of the then current year, and according to
their fituation in the patriarchal kalendar, which was then in vulgar uſe; a ka-
lendar, which is as diftinguiſhed and as diftinct from the Julian, and has as
little affinity with it, as the cuftoms and manners of the ante-diluvian age, can
be ſuppoſed to have with the cuſtoms and manners of the age which is now
paffing.
It is very certain, that the Julian ſtyle cannot be carried back to the patriar-
chal age; nor can we imagine that the Julian months and days have any ſhare
in the formation of an original kalendar: and therefore the preſent ſubject of
our enquiry may be refolved into theſe ſeveral queries enſuing:
QUERY I. Can it be diſcovered from the Pentateuch of Mofes, whether the
primitive Patriarchs, the ancient Hebrews and Ifraelites, were poffeffed of any
Stated form of year, any conftructed kalendar? If they were, then,
QUERY II. Of what kind was it? 1ft, Was it folar only? or, 2dly, Was
it luni-folar? as it is now in ufe among the Jews; or, 3dly, Was it folar
and lunar diſtinctly, in a manner quite different from any known form of year
whatever? If the latter, then,
QUERY III. How many days did they reckon to a year and to a month? or,
how did they compute and adjust the months both of the folar and of the lunar
year?
QUERY IV. What was the cardinal point of their folar year, and what was
the epoch of the lunar? Did it commence on the evening next after the conjunction,
or on the evening of apparition?
QUERY V. Did they record hiftorical events, and celebrate their annual feaſts
on the months and days of the folar or of the lunar year?
A fatisfactory anſwer may be given to the greateſt part of theſe queries from
Noah's journal of the encreaſe and decreaſe of the waters of the flood, and
from a variety of incidents, which Mofes has circumſtantially tranſmitted, as
an hiſtorian, in the 7th and 8th chapters of Genefis.
Mmm 2
The
452
The Chronology of the World.
The two following citations, being read as directed by the parentheſes,
cannot fail to convey a clear and full idea of the patriarchal folar and lunar
computations.
Gen. vii. 11. In the 600th (folar tropical) year of Noah's life, in the ſecond
month, the 17th day of the month, (of the lunar year) in the ſelf fame day it
came to pass
Gen. viii. 14, 15, 16. In the 601ft (folar tropical) year of Noah's life, in the
fecond month, on the 27th day of the month, (of the lunar year) God spake unto
Noah, faying, Go forth of the ark—
From the texts here cited, we can ſcarcely avoid perceiving that there are two
folar tropical years following one another in immediate fucceffion, being clearly
diſtinguiſhed by the numbers 600 and 601.
It is alſo as evident, from the principles laid down, that there are two lunar
years as diſtinct as the folar; for we have the 17th day of the ſecond month
of one lunar year, and the 27th day of the fecond month of another lunar
year, following in immediate fucceffion.
་
Such another example is not to be found throughout the Old Teſtament
hiſtory; we may therefore indulge a hope, that from hence we ſhall be enabled
to diſcover, in great part at leaſt, the frame and ſtructure of the original and
patriarchal kalendar. But fince in the journal of Noah, no more than four
months, namely, the first, the ſecond, the feventh, and the tenth, are expreſsly
mentioned, we muſt examine ſome other parts of the facred hiſtory, in order
to diſcover that there were juſt twelve months in both years, and that they are
conftantly diſtinguiſhed by ordinal numbers prefixed, as, the firſt, ſecond,
third, &c.
In the first book of Chronicles we meet with an uninterrupted feries of the
twelve months (we will fay) of the folar year, which I fhall tranſcribe in
the fame order in which they are there fet down with the ordinal numbers
prefixed.
1 Chron. xxvii. 1. Now the chief captains of thouſands and hundreds, and
their officers that ſerved the king in any matter of the courses, which came in and
went out month by month, throughout all the months of the year; of every courfe
was twenty and four thousand.
Over the first courfe was for the
First month
Jafhobeam,
Seventh month
Helez,
Second month
Dodai,
Eighth month
Sibbecai,
Third month
Benaiah,
Ninth month
Abiezer,
Fourth month
Afahel,
Tenth month
Maharai,
Fifth month
Shamhuth,
Eleventh month
Benaiah,
Sixth month
Ira,
Twelfth month
Heldai.
To
The Chronology of the World.
453
To this account of the twelve months of the folar year, we ſhall fubjoin an
enumeration of the twelve months of the lunar year, in which hiftorical tranf-
actions and events are conftantly recorded in the writings of Mofes and the
Prophets, as they may be collected from feveral parts of the facred hiftory.
Ġen. viii. 13. And it came to pass in the 601ft year, in the first month, the
first day of the month, the waters were dried up from off the earth.
Gen. viii. 14. And in the ſecond month, on the twenty-feventh day of the month,
the earth was dried. 15. And God fpake to Noah, Jaying, 16. Go forth of the
ark
Efther 'viii. 9. Then were the king's fcribes called at that time, in the third
month, (that is the month Sivan) on the twenty-third day thereof, and it was
written, according to all that Mordecai commanded-
Jerem. lii. 6. And in the fourth month, on the ninth day of the month, the
famine was fore in the city, fo that there was no bread for the people of the land.
Jerem. lii. 12. Now in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month, (which
was the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon) came Nebuzaradan,
captain of the guard, which ferved the king of Babylon, unto Jerufalem.
Ezek. viii. 1. And it came to pass in the fixth year (of Jechoniah's captivity)
in the fixth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I fat in mine houfe, and the
elders of Judah fat before me, that the hand of the Lord God there fell upon me.
Gen. viii. 4. And the ark refted in the ſeventh month, on the feventeenth day
of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.
1 Kings vi. 38. And in the eleventh year, (of Solomon's reign) in the month
Bul, (which is the eighth month) was the houfe finished throughout all the parts
thereof - fo was he feven years in building it.
Ezra x. 9. Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin, gathered themselves to-
gether at Ferufalem, within three days. It was the ninth month, and the tenth
day of the month, and all the people fat in the street of the houſe of God·
Gen. viii. 5. And the waters decreafed continually, until the tenth month; in
the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains ſeen.
Deut. i. 3. And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on
the first day of the month, that Mofes fpake unto the children of Ifrael, according
unto all that the Lord had given him in commandment unto them.
Ezek. xxxii. 1. And it came to pass in the twelfth year, (of Jechoniah's capti-
vity) in the twelfth month, on the first day of the month, that the word of the
Lord came unto me
Thus far it appears, that there were twelve months in the folar year, and
twelve months in the lunar year. But fince it is neceffary to know the num-
ber of days, as well as the number of months, in every political year, the
next enquiry is, How many days were reckoned in the fcriptural year, whether
1
454
The Chronology of the World.
it were folar, or lunar, or both? I fay, Scriptural year, whofe quantity ought
to be aſcertained by fcriptural evidences.
With reſpect to the fcriptural folar year, our anſwer is, We may with cer-
tainty determine, from the twenty-four courſes of the prieſts, that it confifted
(not of 360, as fome learned writers have miſtakenly fuppofed, but) of 365
entire days, the fun conftantly ending its annual revolution on the 366th day.
David eſtabliſhed thefe twenty-four courfes, whofe heads were as follows:
I 1 Chron. xxiv. 7.
The Ift lot came forth to Jehoiarib,
The 13th lot came forth to Huppah,
The 14th
Jefhebeab,
Bilgah,
Immer,
The 2d
Jedaiah,
The 3d
Harim,
The 15th
The 4th
Seorim,
The 16th
The 5th
Malchijah,
The 17th
Hezir,
The 6th
Mijamin,
The 18th
Aphfes,
The 7th
Hakkoz,
The 19th
Pethahiah,
The 8th
Abijah,
The 20th
Jehezekel,
The 9th
The 10th
The 11th
Jefhuah,
The 21ft
Jachin,
Shacaniah,
The 22d
Gamul,
Eliafhib,
The 23d
Delaiah,
The 12th
Jakim,
The 24th
Maaziah.
Theſe twenty-four courſes were appointed to come in and go out on the
fabbath days, (2 Kings xi. 5, 7.) and they came round twice in the year,
which made 48 weeks. All the males of Ifrael were obliged to appear three
times a year before the Lord at Jerufalem, 1. at the feaft of unleavened bread;
2. at the feaſt of weeks; 3. at the feaſt of tabernacles. During theſe feaſts all
the courſes ſerved without diftinction, (2 Chron. v. II.) The feaſt of ta-
bernacles was held 8 days, which include two Sabbaths; theſe being added
to 48 make 50 weeks; add for the two remaining feafts two weeks, and the
whole amount will be 52 weeks; to which add 1 day for the fabbath on
which the twenty-four courfes went out, and the firſt courſe came in, and the
fum total will be 52 weeks and 1 day, that is, 365 days, which was to be
determined,
If we ſhould ſtop our enquiries here, and add nothing more upon the ſubject,
could any one be fo wilfully blinded with prejudice, as not to diſcern plainly,
from theſe few particulars, fome ftrong out-lines at leaſt of a regular fcriptural
kalendar? and yet both the Jews and the Chriſtians ſeem to have taken it for
granted that there is no fixed fcriptural year at all. But a continuation of theſe
reſearches ſome ſteps farther, will enable us to recover the primitive folar and
lunar year in all its parts, and in its original form and beauty.
Notwith-
The Chronology of the World.
455
Notwithſtanding Mofes, in his ftyle and manner of writing, adopts no
technical terms, gives no precife definitions, and makes no expreſs declarations,
yet if we nicely fcrutinize his hiſtorical data, we ſhall not find it very difficult,
to deduce with certainty from thence, moſt of the effential points; only let
the enquirer acknowledge thus much, namely, 1ft, That the 600th year of
Noah's life, and indeed that the recorded ages of all the patriarchs are reduced
by an aſtronomical law, to begin and end at the autumnal equinox. 2dly,
That within theſe limits there conftantly revolve 365 entire days; which two
particulars he may fairly acknowledge to be Mofaic and fcriptural, becauſe
the autumnal equinox has been proved to be the original cardinal point of the
year, from theſe words of Mofes, Chag haafiph, i. e. the feaft of in-gathering,
which are deſcriptive of the ſolar ſeafon; and the number of days in a ſolar
year have been collected from David's eſtabliſhment of the twenty-four courfes
of the prieſts.
Having premiſed theſe two particulars, we fhall proceed to evince, that
from the Mofaic hiſtorical data, if carefully attended to and compared together,
we may eaſily diſcover, ift, How many days there were in a month. 2dly, The
manner of computing and adjuſting the months, both of the folar and of the
lunar year. 3dly, The number of days in the 12th month both of the folar
and of the lunar year. 4thly, The number of days in the epact, or integral
difference between the two incommenfurate years. 5thly, In confequence of
the recorded epact, we are informed of the determinate pofition of the lunar
year to the folar, in the year of the deluge. 6thly, We shall be able to aſcer-
tain, from the Mofaic hiftorical data, the day of the patriarchal week on which
the fun entered the autumnal equinoctial point in the beginning of that year.
7thly, The day of the patriarchal week, as well as diftance from the cardinal
point, in the evening of which the moon was vifible at its fetting in the be-
ginning and end of the fame year; which phaſis or vifibility was, as we ſhall
prove, the aftronomical epoch of the primitive lunar year, as the fun's ingrefs
into the original cardinal point was the aftronomical epoch of the primitive
folar year.
Now, a more likely, or a more fatisfactory method of proceeding, has not
yet occurred to my thoughts, than that of finding out a fimilar year; by fimilar
year, I mean fuch a one, in the beginning and end of which, the fun and
moon returned to the fame pofition at the autumnal equinox, as Mofes, by his
narration, has determined them to be in at the deluge, when Noah was
paffing the 600th year of his life. And here it luckily falls out, that the
of our Lord 1760, is fuch a one as is required; for at the autumnal equinox
A. D. 1759 and A. D. 1760, the Mofaic adjuſtment of the lunar year to the
folar
year
456
The Chronology of the World.
>
ſolar returned, as we ſhall prove, identically the fame, excepting only the
correſponding days of the week, and the hour and minute of the equinox in
a given meridian, which we have no occafion, as yet, to confider. Without
any farther introduction, we fhall fubjoin the following chronological tables.
TABLE I.
Exhibits the Mofaic genealogies of the ante-diluvian Patriarchs, whofe ages, at the
birth of their recorded fons, are reduced, by an aftronomical law, to begin and
end at the autumnal equinox.
A.M.
Adam
1300
1300
Seth
10.5
235
Enofh
yo
325
Cainan
70
395
Mehalaleel
65
460
Jared
162
622
Enoch
65
687
Methufalah
187
874
Lamech
182
1056
Noah
600
1656 the
year of the deluge,
TABLE
The Chronology of the World.
457
}
TABLE II.
Exhibits the years of the reigns of the kings and queens of England fince the conqueft,
to the first year of the reign of his prefent Majefty George the III. inclufive, which
are reduced, according to the Mojaic aftronomical law, to begin and end at the
autumnal equinox, and are made to run parallel with the years of the world.
1
}
Names of the Kings and (Reigned Years of the
A. D.
Queens of England.
years.
world.
1066
O
5073 0
1087
William I.
21
5094
1100
William II.
13
5107
1135
Henry I.
35
5142
1154
Stephen.
19
5161
1189
Henry II.
35
5196
1199
Richard I.
IO
5206
1216
John.
17
5223
1272
Henry III.
56
5279
1307
Edward I.
35
5314
1327
Edward II.
20
5334
1377
Edward III.
50
5384
1399
Richard II.
22
5406
1413
Henry IV.
14
5420
1422
Henry V.
9
5429
1461
Henry VI.
39
5468
1483
Edward IV. V.
22
5490
1485
Richard III.
1509
Henry VII.
24
2 +
5492
5516
1547
Henry VIII.
38
5554
1553
Edward VI.
6
5560
1558
Mary.
5
5565
1603
Elizabeth.
45
5610
1625
James I.
22
5632
1649
Charles I.
1685
Charles II.
2 2
24
5656
36
5692
1689
James II.
4
5696
1702
William III.
13
5709
1714
Anne.
12
5721
1727
George I.
13
5734
1760
George II.
33
5767
1761
George III.
I
*5768
to
* The reader will be pleaſed to remember, that in theſe computations the years of our Lord,
and of the reigns of our kings, are made to begin and end at the autumnal equinox.
Nnn
From
¿
458
The Chronology of the World.
From the firſt of theſe tables we learn, that the whole extent of the old
world's duration was 1655 years; and from the ſecond, that the fun compleated
its 5767th annual revolution at the autumnal equinox A.D. 1760; the interval,
from the year of the deluge exclufive, being 4111 years, which we will fet
down in the following manner:
Noah's flood happened A. M. 1656. ~ |
O
Interval A. M. 5767.
4111 years. | A.D. 1760. 0
We are now to fhew, firft, by the direction of the Mofaic ftyle, and his
expreſs hiſtorical data, that the fun and moon were in the fame pofition to
each other, at the beginning and end of the 33d year of the reign of George
the IId. king of Great Britain, which runs parallel with the folar tropical year
of the world 5767, as they were in the beginning and end of the 600th
of Noah's life, which runs parallel with the folar tropical year of the world
1656.
year
Secondly, We are to fupport the truth of theſe deductions and methods of
reafoning by calculation.
Firſt, The hiftorical data here referred to occur in the ſeventh and eighth
chapters of Genefis, and are as follow:
A. M. 1656
The year of Noah's life 600
A. M. 5767
600 The year of the reign of George II. 33
Noah's Journal, as recorded by Mofes.
1. Gen. vii. 11. In the fix hundredth year of
Noah's life, in the fecond month, on the fe-
venteenth day of the month, the fame day,
were all the fountains of the great deep broken
up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
2. Gen. viii. 3, 4. After the end of one hundred
and fifty days the waters were abated: and
the ark refted in the feventh month, on the
Seventeenth day of the month, upon (one of)
the mountains of Ararat.
3. Gen. viii. 5. And the waters decreaſed con-
tinually, until the tenth month; in the tenth
month, on the firſt day of the month, were
the tops of the mountains feen.
4.
Gen. viii. 6, 7. And it came to pass at the
end of forty days, that Noah opened the win-
dow of the ark which he had made; and he
fent
Noah's Journal imitated.
1. In the thirty-third year of the
reign of George II. king of Great
Britain, in the fecond month, on
the 20th day of the month, on
the fame day, it came to pafs
2. And it came to paſs, after the
end of one hundred and fifty
days, in the feventh month,
on the twentieth day of the
month
3. And it came to pafs, in the
tenth month, on the fourth day
of the month-
4. And it came to paſs, at the
end of forty days, that a cou-
rier was diſpatched, who re-
turned
}
The Chronology of the World.
459
fent forth a raven, which went forth to and
fro, until the waters were dried up from
off the earth.
5. Gen. viii. 8, 9. Alſo be fent forth a dove
from him, to fee if the waters were abated
from off the face of the ground. But the dove
found no reft for the fole of her foot, and ſhe
returned unto him into the ark.
6. Gen. viii. 10, 11. And he stayed yet other
feven days, and again he fent forth the dove
out of the ark; and the dove came in to him
in the evening, and lo, in her mouth was an
olive leaf pluckt off: fo Noah knew that the
waters were abated from off the earth.
Gen. viii. 12. And he stayed yet other feven
days, and fent forth the dove: which re-
turned not again to him any more.
7.
8. Gen. viii. 13. And it came to pass, in the
fix hundred and first year, in the firſt month,
the first day of the month, Noah removed the
covering off the ark, and looked, and behold,
the face of the ground was dry.
9.
Gen. viii. 14. 15. 16. And in the Second
month, on the twenty-feventh day of the
month, was the earth dried. And God Spake
unto Noah, faying, Go forth of the ark-
turned not to give an account
of his commiffion
5. Alfo another courier was dif-
patched upon the fame bufi-
nefs, who returned the fame
day-
6. And after other feven days,
the fame courier was fent forth,
who returned again in the even-
ing-
7. And after other ſeven days, the
fame courier was fent forth, who
returned again no more —
8. And it came to paſs, in the
firft year of the reign of George
the Third, king of Great Bri-
tain, in the first month, on the
fourth day of the month
9. And it came to paſs, in the
fecond month, on the thirtieth
day of the month, and upon a
Sunday, which is kept holy by
the Chriſtians-
Theſe are the data with which we are to co-operate. Now let us fuppoſe, that
the primitive kalendar had been brought down to the preſent times, and that,
in an uninterrupted ufage thereof, we had been as well acquainted with its
form and methods of computing by it, as thoſe ante-diluvians were who lived
in the days of Noah; we fay then, that if by the viciffitude of human affairs
it fhould come to be gradually and entirely loft, as all knowledge of it is
entirely loft at prefent to the modern Jews, by the affiftance of the Moſaic
ſtyle and theſe hiſtorical data, it might be recovered in its original ftate and
perfection, by any perfon moderately ſkilled in aftronomy, although his lot of
exiftence fhould place him at as great a diſtance after the current year, as
itſelf is after the flood of Noah; only admitting him to be previouſly in-
formed, ift, That our cardinal point of the year was the autumnal equinox.
2dly, That we digefted our annals by folar tropical years, but recorded
Nnn 2
events
460
The Chronology of the World.
events and computed the times by the months and days of the lunar year. 3dly,
That the feventh day of the week, as obſerved by the Chriftians, was that
which we call Sunday.
Theſe particulars, I fay, being previouſly known, he would foon find out
the number of days in a month, by only laying together the following data.
Noah entered into the ark, and the diluvial rains began in the fecond month,
on the 17th day of the month; after the end of 150 days, the ark reſted in
the ſeventh month on the 17th day of the month.
Noah's Journal.
From the 7th month, the 17th day, I the
Subftract the 2d
Difference 5
17th
Noah's Journal imitated.
7th month, the 20th day, .
the
2d
20th
5
Now if we divide the interval of 150 days by 5, the quotient will fhew
that 30 days were reckoned to a month.
From hence we are certified, that thoſe words of Mofes, fhelobe jerachim,
which we have cited above, cannot be interpreted to fignify, three unequal
lunar months, confifting of 30 and 29 days alternately, but three equal months
of the lunar year: for we fee that five compleat months give (not 148, but)
150, i.e. five times 30 days. But whether theſe 30 days are alſo to be ap-
plied to the months of the folar year, as they are here to the months of the
lunar year, or what was the precife quantity of the twelfth month of both
years, does not yet appear.
We may obferve, in the foregoing citations, that ſeveral months, and days of
the month, are occafionally noted, which are plain indications of a kalendar
under ſome ſtated form. The next attempt therefore muſt be to find out, if
it may be, its particular conftruction, and of how many days it confifted. Now
the exact number of fucceffive days in Noah's journal may be eaſily collected
into one fum, by only cafting up the intervals of the ſeveral events. e. g.
1. From the epoch of the primitive lunar
year to
the day of Noah's entrance into the ark exclufive I
2. From the day of Noah's entrance into the ark
incluſive, to the fixteenth day of the ſeventh
month inclufive
3.
From the ſeventeenth day of the ſeventh month
inclufive, (on which day the ark refted) to the
firſt day of the tenth month exclufive
Noah's Journal
imitated.
M. D. Coll, D..
Noah's
Journal.
M. D. Coll. D.
16 46
I
19 49
5 00 196
5
00! 199
2 14 270
2 14 273
4. From
The Chronology of the World.
461
4. From the first day of the tenth month inclu-
five, (when the tops of the mountains were
feen) to the forty-first day after, inclufive,
when Noah ſent out the raven
5. From the eleventh day of the eleventh month
excluſive, to the fending out the dove the firſt
time
6. From the eighteenth day of the eleventh
month exclufive, to the fending out the dove
the fecond time
7. From the twenty-fifth day of the eleventh
month exclufive, to the fending out the dove
the third and laſt time
Noah's
Journal.
M. D. Coll. D.
I II 311
7 318
7 325
7 332
8. From the ſecond day of the twelfth month
exclufive, to the end of the lunar year
Noah's Journal
imitated.
M. D. Ĉoll. D.
I II 314
기
​Q
7321
7 328
7 335
000
이 ​000
It appears from the columns of collected days that, as yet, we have made
but a very inconfiderable progrefs in our enquiries, and have gained but a very
ſmall ſhare of information; fince Noah's journal, inſtead of compleating the
kalendar, breaks off abruptly at the fecond day of the 12th month; for if
we divide 332 by 30, the number of days in a month, the quotient will give
II compleat months, and there will remain 2 days of the 12th; but whether
of a political or of an aftronomical year, is not certain from any evidences
that have yet been offered. And whether we take the collected fum of 332
days, at the foot of Noah's journal; or the fum of 355 days, at the foot of
Noah's journal imitated, they muſt be confidered only as an imperfect ſketch
of a kalendar, as they do not fill the quantity of
up
known form of year,
that has ever been in uſe amongſt the nations of the world, ancient or modern;
for they neither exprefs the year of 360 days, nor of 354, nor of 365 days;
they may indeed be applied hypothetically to all or to any one of them in-
differently; for if to 332 we add 22, or if to 335 we add 19, the fum 354
will be the quantity of the lunar year; or if we add to the former 28, and
to the latter 25, the fum will give the antient Eaftern year of 360 days.
Laftly, if to 332 we add 33, and if to 335 we add 30, the fum 365 will
be the number of entire days in the folar year. But then
But then it may be aſked,
what authority or direction have we from the records themſelves for any one
of theſe additions ?
any
It
{ There]}]}
462
The Chronology of the World.
It would, we may prefume, be thought an incredible paradox, fhould any
one go about to maintain, or even to infinuate, that Mofes has difplayed a more
fignal proof of his fuperior ſkill and judgment, in the prefent difpofition of the
ſeveral diſtinct parts of his hiſtorical narration, (which yet,
yet, without any viſible
affectations of art, feem, in every inftance, adapted to the real times of the
recorded events) than if he had gratified the curiofity of fome with the moſt
preciſe definitions, either of the folar tropical or of the lunar year: and it
be concluded, (as will fully appear in the fequel, from his not having defined
them, either here or any where elfe throughout his five books) he all along
took it for granted, that his cotemporaries, or thofe to whom he primarily
addreffed himſelf, were well acquainted with the periods of both.
may
In order to make good this feeming paradox, let us, for argument fake,
ſuppoſe, that Mofes or Noah in his journal, had fo circumſtantiated his account
of fending out the dove, and of its returns, as would have compleated the
quantity of the lunar year; the queſtion is, what ſpecial advantage, or what
degree of neceffary information, would have accrued to an aftronomical reader
from the determination? For, would it not have given a keener edge to his
curiofity, and have rendered him quite impatient to have been informed farther,
how, or in what manner, by what unknown principle or law, the ante-diluvians
were enabled to adjuſt their aſtronomical lunar year, to their aftronomical folar?
Let this be the ſymbol of the autumnal equinox; this of the moon's
vifibility after its conjunction; thefe being rightly underſtood, and they cannot
be eaſily miſtaken, the ſubjoined tables will ſtand in need of little explication.
Lunar year..
31
Solar year.
D.
}}
O
365
O
2
D.
a
354
«
Theſe tables repreſent to our view, the number of days both in the folar and
in the lunar year, and their reſpective aftronomical epochs for the fymbols
explicitly declare, that the patriarchal folar year commenced at the autumnal
equinox, and the lunar year on the evening in which the moon was viſible
at its fetting.
Now I afk, what would fuch a Mofaic table as this have availed? Could
we have learned from hence alone, the appropriated connection of theſe two
incommenfurate years with each other?
with each other? Could we, by a bare inſpection, have
afcertained the particular adjustment of this lunar year to its correſpondent
folar? Or could we have been certified by it, whether the new moon or vifibility,
coincided with the day of the autumnal equinox? or whether it came after it?
or whether it came before it? and at what limited diſtance? There are evi-
dently the odds of 30 to 1, to baffle all pretences to conjecture, and the moſt
fkilful
The Chronology of the World.
463
ſkilful aftronomer might juftly charge that perſon with ignorance, who ſhould
require it of him independent of calculation. This impoffibility is owing to
the annual change of this limited diſtance, technically called the epact, whoſe
variations, through the whole courſe of time, whatever year of the world
may be given, are as follow:
A TABLE of the whole variety of lunar epacts.
Years.
Epacts.
Years.
Epacts.
O
16
26
J
II
17
7
23+5O NOO a
22
18
18
4
14
25
6
7
17
ntino no
3
19
29
20
ΙΟ
21
2I
6
22
2
23
13
8
·28
9
9
ΙΟ
20
I I
I
2 2 2 2
12
12
24
25
26
27
28
24
1 2
5
16
27
8
136 NO0
13
23
29
19
14
4
30
15
15
Now, as the foregoing table difcovers to us no less than 30 changes of the
diſtance between the epoch of the primitive lunar year, and the epoch of the
primitive folar year; it follows, that Noah's journal muſt be eſteemed, not only
a genuine remain, but a very valuable monument of high antiquity, if it ſhould
be found to tranfmit to us, under the terms of an hiftorical narration, the true
aftronomical diſtance of the moon from the fun, in the end of the old world,
and in the beginning of the new; in which intervening year this terraqueous
globe was reduced, by a univerfal deluge, to its original chaotic ftate; when,
in the language of the Pfalmift, the earth was covered with the deep aз with
a garment; the waters ftood above the hills, above the tops of the higheſt
mountains under the whole heavens.
In order to underſtand rightly this ancient record, the next enquiry fhall be
this, namely, How may we determine, from the conents of Noah's journal, the
lunar epact at the end of the 600th year of Noah's life, and likewife, from the
contents
464
The Chronology of the World.
1
contents of that which we have entitled, Noah's journal imitated, at the end of the
33d year of the reign of George II. king of Great Britain?
This article of enquiry includes an effential point; but, firft, we will fet
forth the difficulties which would obftruct the ſolution of this query, if we
ſuppoſe that record, which we have entitled, Noah's journal imitated, to fall
into the hands of a perſon who ſhall live at as great a diſtance after the preſent
age, as itſelf is after the flood of Noah; for fuch a perfon, however intelligent
he might be, or however ſkilled in aſtronomy, yet if he was ignorant of thoſe
principles, the knowledge of which was neceffary for a right explication of it,
he would judge the contents to be not at all ſcientific, becauſe there was no
reference to the afterifms; there was no mention, he might fay, of the fun's
place in the ecliptic, or of the moon's in her orbit. He would confider it as an
imperfect fragment of an obfolete antiquated kalendar, whofe form and quantity
was, by a long difufe, quite buried in oblivion, and, as it might feem, irreco-
verably loft; fince, upon the moſt attentive peruſal of it, he could perceive no
directory, or explanatory terms, fuch as folar year, lunar year, lunar epact,
equinox, folftice, new moon, full moon, conjunction, oppofition, first appearance after
the conjunction, or any other of this kind. In a word, he could diſcover nothing
with certainty, but only this one point, namely, that in this remote age they
reckoned 30 days to a month. And therefore it might appear to him as the
moſt probable hypothefis, that this ancient kalendar confifted of twelve equal
months of 30 days a-piece, and in the whole of 360 days, without any con-
nection with an aftronomical epoch, either folar or lunar.
And yet, notwithſtanding theſe perplexities and obftructions, he might, upon
a review of it, obferve fuch an exactnefs in the ftyle and method of compu-
ting the times of events, and fuch evident traces of a kalendar, as might ftill
engage his attention, and excite him to a farther enquiry and more ſtrict exami-
nation. For here are, he might fay, two diftinct kings, their names are given,
and the country. The fon fucceeds the father to the throne without any
inter-reign, ſo that the hiftorian muſt know when one reign ended, and the
other began. And in proof of a kalendar, here are punctually noted, (
The ſecond month, and twentieth day of the month. (2.) The feventh month,
and twentieth day of the month. (3.) The tenth month, and fourth day of
the month. (4.) The eleventh month, and fourteenth day of the month.
(5.) The twelfth month, and fifth day of the month.
All theſe times fall out in the 33d year of the reign of the father. From
hence we are brought down to the next fucceeding reign. And here we have
(1.) The first month of the first year, and the fourth day of the month.
(2.) The fecond month, and thirtieth day of the month. (3.) The corre-
ponding day of the week.
From
The Chronology of the World.
465
From all theſe particulars, taken together, he is led to conclude, that there
was, in this remote age, a regular and well known kalendar, although he is
not able to inveftigate its quantity or its form.
Now let us ſuppoſe this intelligent enquirer, living at the diſtance of more
than 4000 years after the prefent times, to meet with our chronological table
of the reigns of the kings and queens fince the conqueft, and to have been
rightly informed, that theſe reſpective reigns were reduced, by an aftronomical
law, to begin and end at the autumnal equinox, whilft we regiſtered the
times of hiſtorical occurrences, by the months and days of the lunar year,
whofe fettled epoch was that evening on which the moon was generally viſible at
its fetting. Thefe neceffary informations could not fail to diffipate a great part
of the former obfcurity; he would at once perceive, that the firft event hap-
pened on the 50th, and the laſt, on the 60th day after the lunar epoch, and
that 365 days intervened between them; for if from 50 we fubftract 1, there
will remain 49 days; and if from 354, the number of days in a lunar year,
we fubftract 49, there will remain 305 days of the firft lunar year; to which
if we add 60, the number of recorded days in the fucceeding lunar year, the
fum will be 365.
Thus far he might proceed without much difficulty; but he would again
find himſelf embarraffed, when he recollected that there was a twofold epoch,
the one of the lunar, and the other of the folar year; and that although the
latter was invariably the fame, yet the former was fubject to three varieties;
for the new moon evening might fall within a limited number of days either
before or after the autumnal equinox, or it might immediately precede it, in
which laſt caſe the epact would be o. If, therefore, in the beginning of the
33d year
of the reign of George II. there was a limited diſtance between the
two epochs, an exprefs declaration of it in the record would have been neceffary
for the aſcertaining of it; but as there is no fuch declaration, or any intimation
of that kind, he might prefume, that there was no diſtance at all, and that the
epact was o; and as the collected fum of 335 days brings down the compu-
tation to the fifth day of the twelfth month of the lunar year, it would, by
means of the coincidence, bring it alfo down to the fifth day of the twelfth
month of the folar year; and the full determination of the epact at the end
of the year, would require no greater ſkill in aſtronomy, than a bare knowledge
of the number of days in the folar, and in the lunar year. For, (1.) If from
365 we ſubſtract 335, the remainder will ſhew, that there wants 30 days to
compleat the folar year. (2.) If from 354 we fubſtract 335, the remainder
will fhew, that there wants 19 days to compleat the lunar year. (3.) If from
30, the complement of the folar year, we fubftract 19, the complement of
the lunar year, the remainder II will be the lunar epact fought. And if we
Ooo
look
466
of the
the World.
The Chronology of
look into the table of epacts, we ſhall find the number II the next in order
after o.
From theſe eaſy ſteps he would infer, that the pofitions of that lunar year, to
its correſponding folar, was as in the fubjoined table:
1
The year of the reign of George II.
33.
D.
D.
• 354 II
In the record, there are two folar years, and two lunar years, following one
another in immediate fucceffion; whofe days are divided by the times of the
events in this manner:
D.
D.
D.
The folar years
49
316
The lunar years
49
305 <
O 49
60
The epact
1 I
II
This deduction of the lunar epact in its true natural fituation in the end of
the folar year, was obtained merely by fuppofing, that becauſe the record was
entirely filent concerning the diftance between the two epochs in the beginning
of the year, therefore there was no diftance at all, and the epoch muſt be o.
We ſhall now fhew, that this inference was juft; but in order to this we
will firſt give the following tables :
The year of the reign
of George II.
D.
32.
D.
The year
year of the reign
of George II.
D.
33.
D.
© II (354
© 354
II O
In the firſt of theſe tables the lunar year begins 11 days after the autumnal
equinox; and as the laft day of this lunar year falls upon the last day of the
folar, the epact is o. In the other table, the lunar year ends 11 days before
the fun's entry into the cardinal point.
Now, if an hiſtorian was enclined to aſcertain the epact o at the end of the
32d year by the terms of a narration, he would not be able to do it, unleſs
he took notice, that the lunar year commenced 11 days after the folar, and
then he might eaſily do it in the following ftyle:
In
The Chronology of the World.
467
In the 32d folar tropical year of the reign of George II. king of Great
Britain, in the fecond month, on the feventeenth day of the month, of the
lunar year, which was the twenty-eighth day of the fecond month of the
folar year, it came to paſs
From 47 days fubftract 1, and there will remain 46; from 354 ſubſtract
46, and the remainder 308 will carry it to the end of the lunar year.
From 58 fubftract I, and there will remain 57 days; from 365 ſubſtract
57, and the remainder 308 will carry it to the end of the folar year.
From 308 days of the folar year, ſubſtract the 308 days of the lunar year,
and the remainder will fhew that the epact was o.
As the 599th and the 600th folar years of Noah's life are fimilar to the 32d
and 33d folar years of the reign of George II. king of Great Britain, the
pofitions of the lunar year to the folar will be expreffed by the fame tables.
The year of Noah's life
D.
599.
D.
O II 354 «
1
The year of Noah's life
D.
600.
D.
O 354 II
We plainly underſtand from hence, by what means Noah, in his journal, has
recorded the epact at the end of the 600th folar year of his life; for the
collected ſum of 332 days brings it down to the fecond day of the twelfth
month of the lunar year, and likewiſe, becauſe the epact at the beginning of
the year was o, to the ſecond day of the twelfth month of the folar year.
And, iſt, If from 365 we ſubſtract 332, the remainder will fhew, that
there wanted 33 days to compleat the folar year.
2dly, If from 354 we fubftract 332, the remainder will fhew, that there
wanted 22 days to compleat the lunar year.
3dly, If from 33, the complement of the folar year, we fubftract 22, the
complement of the lunar year, the remainder II, will be the epact, in its
true fituation, at the end of the folar year.
It is certain that Noah was confined in the ark part of two folar years, and
part of two lunar years; and the days are divided by the times of the events,
in the following manner:
The folar years
The lunar years
The epact
D.
46
46
600
319
༢༠༠ ༩
I I
0002
O IF
601
46
57
I I
Noah
468
The Chronology of the World.
}
Noah continued in the ark 319 days of the 600th year of his life, and 46
days of his 601ft year, which added together make 365; and likewiſe, 308
days of one lunar year, and 57 of another, whofe fum is alfo 365.
Noah came forth of the ark on the twenty-feventh day of the ſecond month
of the lunar year, but on the fixteenth day of the ſecond month of the folar
´year; from hence we are certified, that the ante-diluvian patriarchs meaſured
their ages by folar tropical years, but computed the times of events by the
months and days of the lunar year.
In the difcuffion of the next article we fhall confine our felves to Noah's
journal; from hence arifes the following
QUERY. How did the primitive Patriarchs compute and adjust the months of their
two-fold year? and how many days did they reckon to the twelfth month of their
folar year, and to the twelfth month of their lunar ?
year
This queſtion may be eafily anfwered; for if we divide the collected fum
of 332 days by 30, the quotient will give, eleven compleat months; and if to
the remainder 2, we add 33, the complement of the folar year, the fum 35
will be the number of days in its twelfth month.
Again, If to the remainder 2, we add 22, the complement of the lunar
year, the fum 24 will be the number of days in its twelfth month.
The patriarchallunar year
D.
D.
folar year
330 +.35
330 + 24
Q
II
The difference
But the twelve months of the folar year may be computed in the following
manner:.
From the beginning of the 600th year of Noah's life, to the day in which
he was commanded to go forth of the ark, there paffed an entire folar year,
and 46 days of another, and the fum total of days is 411; which being
divided by 30, will give 13 months, and 21 days over. Multiply 13 into 30,
and the product will be 390: 46 days were compleated before Noah entered
into the ark. Now then,
From
Subftract
M. D.
13 + 21
I + 16
D.
390 + 21
30 + 16
D.
D.
411
4.6
Remain
12 + 5
360 + 5
365
From
The Chronology of the World.
469
From what has been faid, we may venture to give
A SCHEME of the primitive folar and lunar year, before and after the Exodus.
Solar year.
Months.
Lunar year.
Days.
Months.
O I
Days.
I.
30
I.
30
II.
30
II.
30
III.
30
III.
30
IV.
30
IV.
30
V.
30
V.
30
VI.
30
VI.
30
VII.
30
;
VII.
30
VIII.
30
VIII.
30
IX.
30
IX.
30
X.
XI.
XII.
Sum total
I w wy
30
X.
30
XI.
30
XII.
24
365
1
354
A SCHEME of the primitive folar and lunar year, after the beginning of the
facred year was changed at the going out of Egypt.
Solar year.
Lunar year.
Months.
Days.
Months.
Days.
I.
30
VII.
30
II.
30
VIII.
30
III.
30
1X.
30
IV.
30
X.
30
V.
30
XI.
30
Y VI.
30
XII.
30
VII.
3.0
I.
30 Exod. xii. 1, 2.
VIII.
30
II.
30
IX.
30
III.
30
X.
30
IV.
30
XI.
30
V.
30
XII.
35
VI.
24
|
Sum total
365
354
Now
470
The Chronology of the World.
Now we may flatter ourſelves with the hopes, that we ſhall be allowed to
have reſtored the primitive and fcriptural kalendar in its twofold form, and to its
integral ſtate, after it had lain dormant for more, perhaps, than 2000 years;
and we have clearly made it appear, what a ſmall ſkill in aftronomy was ne-
ceffary for its recovery.
We will now return to Noah's journal imitated, becauſe it brings down the
patriarchal computation to the preſent times; and there the next article of
enquiry fhall be, by what means might any intelligent perfon, who lived at
the diſtance of more than 4000 years after the preſent age, and was not quite
ignorant of aftronomy, be enabled to prove the following
PROPOSITION.
Such was the frame and ſtructure of this ancient kalendar, at leaſt ſo far
forth as it is ſtated in Noah's journal, and in that which we have entitled
Noah's journal imitated, that if any month, and day of the month, be given,
the day of the week, and alſo the day of the moon's age, is given.
We will first explain the methods of computing the days of the week
from the contents of the record. Here we propoſe the following
QUERY. On what day of the week did the lunar year end, in the 32d year of
the reign of George II. king of Great Britain, when the epact was o?
Here are given (1ft,) The name of a king. (2dly,) The place where he
reigned. (3dly,) The year of his reign. (4thly,) The coincidence of the laſt
day of a lunar year with the laſt day of the folar.. (5thly,) The moon's viſibility
on the evening of that day which immediately preceeded the fun's coming to
the autumnal equinox. Now fhould it be required to find the correfponding
day of the week from thefe characters alone, the problem would be fo abftrufe,
that it would baffle all the fkill and endeavours of every hiftorian, philofopher,
aftronomer, and mathematician in the world.
This problem would be ſo abſtruſe, becauſe the ſolution implies a traditional
knowledge, fuch as Noah had, and an uninterrupted computation of the fuc-
ceffion of weeks from their original inftitution by the Creator; but this is fo
far from being the cafe with us, that it is a matter of doubt, whether the
Chriſtians obſerve a feventh day, or only one day in feven; whether they ad-
here to the letter, or only to the morality of the fourth commandment; and
therefore if a ſingle year be given, and the problem confines us to it, ſome
one day of the week must be given for the fake of connection, or no one
day of the week throughout that year can be known from any other data
whatever.
Upon
The Chronology of the World.
471
Upon theſe confiderations, and under the direction of Noah's journal, we
found it neceffary to draw up the record in the following ftyle:
And it came to paſs, in the firſt year of the reign of George III. king of
Great Britain, in the fecond month, on the thirtieth day of the month, and
upon a Sunday, which is kept holy by the Chriftians.
In theſe terms, upon a Sunday - our enquirer finds the connection which
he ſtood in need of; for knowing that from the beginning of the 33d year of
the reign of George II. to the month and day of the laſt event, there inter-
vened one entire folar year, and 49 days of another, or one entire lunar year,
and 60 days of another; which added together, make up the fum of 414
days; thefe being divided by 7, will leave in remainder 1 ;
I from 7 fubftract
this remainder 1, and this laſt remainder will ſhew, that the preceeding folar,
and the preceeding lunar year, ended together upon the fixth day after Sunday,
or upon
that day of the week which we call Saturday, and which the Jews
continue to obſerve as their Sabbath, and it is the day of the week fought.
We were directed to add the words, upon a Sunday, by comparing together,
and attentively confidering, the following texts:
Gen. vii. 1. And the Lord faid unto Noah 4. Yet feven days, and I will
cauſe it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living
fubftance which I have made will I deftroy from off the face of the earth. 10. And
it came to pass, after feven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth,
Gen. viii. 14. And it came to pass, in the fix hundred and first year, in the
Second month, on the twenty-feventh day of the month, was the earth dried.
God Spake unto Noah, Jaying, 16. Go forth of the ark—
15. And
Gen. viii. 10. And he stayed yet other feven days, and again he fent out the
dove out of the ark. 12. And he stayed yet other feven days, and fent forth the
dove-
In theſe narrations we have undeniably the ſyſtem of ſeven days, or an
explicit diftinction of weeks; but upon comparing the accounts together, there
is found a viſible difference between them: in the former, God is repreſented
as holding a familiar converſe with the ante-diluvian patriarch, and as revealing
to him his intentions to drown the world; and in fuch a ſtyle, as if he had
expreffly ſaid, I will execute my vengeance upon this wicked generation
week hence: in the latter, Noah is repreſented as tranfacting an affair, relative
to his fituation and irkſome confinement in the ark, without any immediate
interpofition of the Deity.
Noah entered into the ark, on the feventeenth day of the ſecond month;
from 17 fubftract 7, and it will carry it back to the tenth day of the fame
month on this month and day God fpake unto Noah; and from hence we
infer, that theſe revelations were made, and the command to go forth of the
ark,
a
472
The Chronology of the World,
ark, was given to Noah on the feventh day of the patriarchal week; on that
very day which was inftituted in the beginning, as a memorial of God's
refting from his work of creation; which was fanctified and fet apart for the
public worſhip of God, and the purpoſes of religion, and we fee that the
triarchs obferved it.
pa-
There is no other principle that I know of, by which the day of the week,
anſwering to the given month and day of the month, can be determined a
priori, or from exprefs characters in the text, but only this; and the truth or
falfity of theſe methods of reaſoning may eafily be difcovered. For if to 30,
the number of days in a month, we add 10, the fum will be 40, which by
means of the coincidence, gives the diſtance after the twofold epoch; and if
we divide 40 by 7, the remainder will be 5; and if from 7 we fubftract 5,
it will give 2, for the day of the patriarchal week, on which the preceeding
folar and lunar year ended; and ſhould this deduction be confirmed by calcu-
lation, it muſt be allowed that we have obtained a very uſeful fcriptural di-
rectory.
Now becauſe the 32d and the 33d years of the reign of George II. king of
Great Britain, are fimilar to the 599th and the 600th years of Noah's life,
that is, becauſe they have fimilar epacts, and fimilar pofitions of the lunar year
to the folar; it follows, that the fame kind of principles, which will enable our
imaginary enquirer to underſtand, explain, and fupport by calculation, the
contents of Noah's journal imitated, muft likewife enable us to underſtand,
explain, and ſupport by calculation, the contents of Noah's journal itfelf: and no
doubt can be made, but that the 33d year of the reign of George II. king of
Great Britain, and the times of the record which are adapted to it, muſt be
eſteemed as high a piece of antiquity to a perſon who ſhould live, we will ſay,
as low down as A.D. 5871, as the 600th year of Noah's life, and the times
of the record which are adapted to it, muſt be eſteemed by us.
The principles, which are indiſpenſably neceffary for fuch an enquirer as
we have imagined, to know, are theſe, namely,
Ift, He must be furniſhed with an exact and authentic copy of a chrono-
logical table, containing the refpective reigns of our kings and queens fince
the conqueft, without any various readings or corruptions of the numerals.
2dly, He muſt be rightly informed, that this æra commenced at the au-
tumnal equinox A. D. 1066, A. M. 5073.
3dly, It is neceffary to know, that we had a twofold epoch, the one re-
fpecting the fun, the other the moon; that the epoch of our foiar year was
the autumnal equinox, and that the epoch of our lunar year was the new
moon evening neareſt to it, and that by new moon we meant the firſt appear-
ance after the conjunction.
4thly,
}
473
The Chronology of the World.
4thly, He muſt not be fo ignorant of aftronomy, as not to know, that
there were 365 days in a folar year, and 354 days in a lunar, and that the
difference of 11 days is the epact.
5thly, In this ancient record, fome one day of the week muſt be expreſſed,
anfwering to a given month and day of the month.
By the help of theſe præcognita, he would eaſily aſcertain, from the terms
of the record, 1ft, The day of the week; 2dly, The day of the moon's age,
anſwering to any given month, and day of the month.
Firſt, With reſpect to the day of the week, he might without any difficulty
fatisfy the following queries.
QUERY I. What day of the week correfponds aftronomically with the 20th day
of the IId month, in the 33d year of the reign of George II. king of Great
Britain?
The CALCULATION.
?
The record expreffly declares, that the 30th day of the IId month, of
the 2d lunar year, happened upon a Cunday; this being known, he would
find, by an eafy computation, that the 32d year ended upon the 6th day after
Sunday exclufive, or upon that day of the week which is called Saturday.
From this number 6, the days of the week, throughout the kalendar, may
be determined. e.g.
A month has 30 days, to which add 20, and the fum will be
50; divide
50 by 7, and to the remainder I add 6, and the fum will be 7.
He might fay, therefore, in anſwer to query I, that the 20th day of the IId
month, in the 33d year, happened upon a Sunday.
QUERY II. What day of the week correfponds aftronomically with the 20th day
of the VIIth month, in the 33d year of George II. king of Great Britain?
The CALCULATION.
In VI months there are 180 days, to which add 20, and the fum will be
Divide 200 by 7, then to the remainder 4 add 6, and the fum will be
10, from which fubftract 7, and the remainder will be 3.
200.
He might fay, therefore, in anſwer to query 2, that the 20th day of the
VIIth month, in the 33d year, happened upon the 3d day after Sunday excluſive,
or upon that day of the week which we call Wedneſday.
QUERY III. What day of the week correſponds aftronomically with the 4th day
of the Xth month, in the 33d year?
L
Pp P
The
474
The Chronology of the World.
The CALCULATION.
In IX months there are 270 days, to which add 4, and the fum will be
274. Divide 274 by 7, then to the remainder i add 6, and the fum will be 7.
He might ſay, therefore, in anſwer to query 3, that the 4th day of the Xth
month, in the 33d year, happened upon a Sunday.
:
QUERY IV. What day of the week correfponds aftronomically with the 14th, the
21ft, and the 28th days of the XIth month, and alfo with the 5th day of the
XIIth, in the 33d year? For thefe being all at the distance of 7 days from each
other, muft fall on one and the fame day of the week.
The CALCULATION.
In XI months there are 330 days, to which add 5, and the fum will be
335. Divide 335 by 7, and the remainder will be 6, to which add 6, and then
from the fum 12 ſubſtract 7, and it will leave 5.
He might therefore fay, in anſwer to query 4, that the 5th day of the XIIth
month, in the 33d year, happened upon the 5th day after Sunday exclufive,,
or upon
that day of the week which we call Friday.
QUERY V. On what day of the week did the firſt lunar year end; or, on what
day of the week was the moon vifible 11 days before the autumnal equinox, in
the 33d year?
The CALCULATION.
Divide 354 by 7, then to the remainder 4 add 6, and the fum will be
10, from which fubftract 7, and it will leave 3..
He might ſay, therefore, in anfwer to query 5, that the firft lunar year ended,
or that the moon was vifible 11 days before the autumnal equinox, in the
33d year, upon the 3d day after Sunday exclufive, or upon that day of the
week which we call Wedneſday.
QUERY VI. What day of the week correfponds aftronomically with the 4th day
of the first month of that lunar year, which was concurrent with the first year
of the reign of George III. king of Great Britain?
The CALCULATION.
The preceeding lunar year ended on the 3d day after Sunday; to 3 add 4,
and the fum will be 7.
He
The Chronology of the World.
475
He might fay, therefore, in anſwer to query 6, that the 4th day of the
first month of that lunar year, which was concurrent with the first year of
the reign of George III. king of Great Britain, happened upon a Sunday.
QUERY VII. On what day of the week did the compleat days of the 33d year of the
reign of George II. end, and the first year of the reign of George III. begin, with
the fun's entry into the point of the autumnal equinox?
The CALCULATION.
Divide 365 by 7, then to the remainder I add 6, and the fum will be 7.
He might fay, therefore, in anſwer to query 7, that the 365th day of the 33d
year of George II. ended, according to the aftronomical law of our canon of
kings, upon a Sunday; and that the firſt year of the reign of George III. began
with the fun's entry into the point of the autumnal equinox upon a Monday.
Here we ſhall obferve, that if from any month and day of the lunar year,
we fubftract the epact, which at the laft autumnal equinox A. D. 1760 was
11, it will give the correfponding month and day of the folar year:" and be-
cauſe the preceeding folar year ended upon a Sunday, and the preceeding lunar
year upon a Wedneſday, which is the third day after it; if we divide the
collected ſum of the days in the folar year by 7, the remainder will give the
correſponding day of the week without any addition: but if we divide the
collected fum of the days in the lunar year by 7, to the remainder we muſt
add 3, and the fum will give the fame day of the week. e.g. According to
the record an event happened on the 30th day of the fecond month of the
lunar year; from 60 fubftract 11, and the remainder 49 will give the 19th
day of the ſecond month of the folar year. Divide 49 by 7, and the re-
mainder will be o, which denotes Sunday; on the other hand, if we divide
60 by 7, and to the remainder 4 add 3, the fum 7 will exprefs the fame
day of the week.
Thus the days of the week may be calculated aftronomically throughout
the current year of our Lord 1761, if we ſuppoſe it to end at the next au-
tumnal equinox.
We have here circumftantially explained, how fuch an enquirer, as we have
imagined, might be able to determine the days of the week in a given month,
and day of the month, from the record itſelf, and the ſtated form of the
year.
In the next place, we will ſhew, how, by the fame means, he might as readily
aſcertain the day of the moon's age, on the given month and day of the month.
But, first, it will be neceffary to give the following tables, by looking into
which we ſhall be immediately informed, by the feparate units in the left hand
column, how the unequal lunar months are included in the equal months of the
political lunar year.
Ppp 2
Political
476
The Chronology of the World.
Political lunar year.
Aftronomical lunar year..
D.
D.
D.
D.
I. 15
15 + 15
30
30
30
30
2.
15
15 +14+ I
I
30
60
29
59
3. 15 + 15
30
90
30
89
4.
15 +14 +1
I
30
120
29
118
5.
15 + 15
30
150
30
148
6.
15
14+ I
30
180
29
177
7.
15
15
30
210
30
207
8.
15 +14 + I
30
240
29
236
9.
15
+ 15
30
270
30
266
10. 15 + 14 + I
30
300
29
295
II. 15
15 + 15
30
330
30
325
12.
15 + 9
24
354
29
354
The perfection of kalendar aſtronomy, carried on by integral days, confifts
in the being able to find out, in what determinate order lunar years, lunations,
and half lunations, follow one another; that is, when a lunar year confifts of
354 or of 355 days, and a lunation of 30 or of 29 days; and when we muſt
add 15 or 14 days for half a lunation.
Could we have offered a certain rule for the determination of theſe points,
nothing more would have been wanting towards its completion; but as we can-
not, we found ourſelves obliged to fet down the following table of half lunations
twice, as the truth will be found either in the one or in the other, but with fome
uncertainty.
A TABLE of half lunations.
O D.
D.
O
D.
O
O
D.
1. 15 15
15 15
«
1. 15 30
15
30
2. 14 44
15
45
«
હ
2.
59
59
3. 15 74
15
74
3. 15 89
15 89
O
4. 14 103
4. 15 118
15 104
10.
«
14 118
O
1
5. 15 133
5. 15 148
6. 14 162
15 133
15 148
O
15 163
C
12.
6. 15 177
14 177
MOFOMPROMOFORORORDFORAMO
7. 15 192
15 192
«
7. 15 207
5
15 207
8. 14 221
15 222
«
8. 15 236
14 236
9. 15 251
15 251
a
9, 15 266
15
366
о
14 280
15 281
C
10. 15 295
14 295
II. 15 310
15 310
il. 15 325
15 325
14 339
15 340
12. 15 354
14 354
Thefe
The Chronology of the World.
477
Theſe tables are quite neceffary, and we will now illuſtrate the uſe of them
by examples. In order to this, here follows,
QUERY I. At what distance after a full moon or new moon day, did the 20th
day of the IId month of the political lunar year, happen, in the 33d year of
the reign of George II. king of Great Britain?
The CALCULATION.
The number of days neareſt to 50, in the table of half lunations, is 44
and 45; the one of which gives 5, the other 6 days, for the diftance fought;
but this difference of a day renders the diſtance uncertain. We give the pre-
ference to 44 days, and affign the following reafon for it. The table of half
lunations begins with a full moon, but we learn from the principles laid down,
that the ancient political lunar year was computed from a new moon evening;
paffing over therefore the firſt half lunation which is 15, we take the next 3
in order, namely, 15. O 15. 14. o. theſe being added together make
44; and if from 50 we ſubſtract 44, the remainder 6 will be the diſtance
after a full moon day.
To find the day of the week correfponding aftronomically with the day of the full
moon 44 days after the epoch both of the folar and of the lunar year.
The CALCULATION.
The 20th day of the IId month happened upon a Sunday; from 7 fubftract
6, and the remainder I will fhew, that the full moon day was the next day
after Sunday, or that day of the week which we call Monday.
Or it may be calculated in this manner. Divide 44 by 7, then to the re-
mainder 2 add 6, and the fum will be 8; from 8 fubftract 7, and the remain-
der 1, will give Monday, as before.
From hence our enquirer concludes, that in the 33d year of the reign of
George II. king of Great Britain, the 20th day of the IId month of the poli-
tical lunar year happened upon a Sunday, 6 days after the full moon day,
which happened upon a Monday.
QUERY II. At what distance after a full moon or new moon day, did the 20th
day of the VIIth month happen, in the 33d year ?
The CALCULATION.
The 20th day of the VIIth month is the 200th day after the epoch both of
the folar and of the lunar year. VI equal months of the political lunar year,
give 180 days, and 6 urequal lunar months give 177 days, the feparate units
being
478
The Chronology of the World.
being 3; to 177 days, which end with a new moon evening, as the year
begins with that phafis, add for half a lunation 15, and the fum will be 192
days, which end with a full moon day; from 200 ſubſtract 192, and the re-
mainder 8 will give the diſtance after a full moon day.
To find the day of the week, correfponding aftronomically with the day of the
full moon, on the 12th day of the VIIth month of the political lunar
the given folar.
The CALCULATION.
year, in
The 20th day of the VIIth month was Wedneſday, or the 3d day after Sunday
exclufive; to 3 add 7, and the fum will be 10; from 10 fubftract 8, and the
remainder 2 will ſhew, that the day of the week fought was Tueſday, which is
the 2d day after Sunday exclufive.
2
Or the day of the week may be found in this manner; divide 192 by 7:
then to the remainder 3 add 6, and the fum will be 9;
9; from 9 fubftract 72
and the remainder 2 will give Tueſday for the day of the week as before.
QUERY III. At what diſtance after a new moon or a full moon day, did the
4th day of the Xth month of the political lunar year happen, in the given folar
year?
The CALCULATION.
The 4th day of the Xth month is the 274th day after the epoch both of the
folar and of the lunar year: IX equal months give 270 days, and 9 unequal
lunar months give 266 days, the feparate units being 4; from 274 ſubſtract
266, and the remainder 8, will be the diſtance arter a new moon evening.
To find the day of the week, corresponding aftronomically with the 26th day of the
IXth month of the political lunar year, in the evening of which the moon was
vifible in the given folar year.
The CALCULATION.
The 4th day of the Xth month fell upon a Sunday; we cannot ſubſtract
8 from 7, but if we add 7, and fubftract from 14; the remainder o will
give Saturday for the day of the week ſought.
Or if we divide 266 by 7, and to the remainder o add 6, it will give the
fame day of the week as before.
QUERY IV. At what distance after a new moon or full moon day, did the
14th day of the XIth month of the political lunar year happen, in the given
folar year?
The
The Chronology of the World.
479
The CALCULATION.
The 14th day of the XIth month, is the 314th day after the epoch both of
the folar and of the lunar year: X equal months give 300 days; and 10
unequal lunar months 295 days, the feparate units being 5. Thefe 295 days
end with a new moon evening; add to bring it to a full moon day 15, and
the fum will be 310; from 314 fubftract 310, and the remainder 4, will be
the diſtance after a full moon day.
To find the day of the week correfponding aftronomically with the 10th day of the
XIth month of the political lunar year, which was the day of the full moon
in the given folar year.
The CALCULATION.
The 4th day of the XIth month fell upon a Friday, which is the 5th day
after Sunday exclufive; from 5 fubftract 4, and the remainder will give Monday,
which is the ift day after Sunday, for the day of the week fought.
Or, if we divide 310 by 7, and to the remainder 2 add 6, the fum will be 8;
from 8 ſubſtract 7, and the remainder 1, will give the fame day of the week
as before.
QUERY V. At what distance after a new moon or a full moon day, did the 5th
day of the XIIth month of the political lunar year happen, in the given folar
year?
The CALCULATION.
The 5th day of the XIIth month is the 33 5th day after the epoch both of the
folar and of the lunar year: XI equal months give 330 days, and I 1 unequal
lunar months give 325 days, the feparate units being 5; from 335 ſubſtract
325, and the remainder 10 will be the diſtance after the new moon evening.
To find the day of the week, correſponding aftronomically with the 25th day of
the XIth month of the political lunar year, on the evening of which day the
moon was visible in the given folar year.
The CALCULATION.
The 5th day of the XIIth month fell upon a Friday, which is the 5th day
after Sunday exclufive. We cannot fubftract 10 from 5, but if we add
7, and
fubftract 10 from 12, the remainder 2 will give Tueſday, which is the 2d
day after Sunday exclufive, for the correſponding day of the week.
Or, if we divide 325 by 7, and to the remainder 3 add 6, the fum will be
9 ; from 9 fubftract 7 and the remainder 2 will give the fame day of the week
as before.
Theſe
480
The Chronology of the World.
€
Thefe examples are fufficient for an illuftration of the uſe of the tables;
and we will now fuppofe that the next attempt of our enquirer would be to
ſupport theſe deductions from the contents of this ancient record, by a regular
calculation from the original radix, which he muſt be admitted to underſtand
but in this attempt he meets with great obftructions; for by collecting the
ſeveral copies of the Engliſh chronicle, he finds them perplexed with various
readings, and fuch a corruption of the numerals in the refpective reigns of the
kings, as to produce no lefs than fix different computations of the interval
from the era of the conqueft to the 33d year of the reign of George II.
inclufive. And although all the copies agree, that William I. began to reign
at the autumnal equinox A. D. 1066, A. M. 5073; and that the recorded
events happened in the 33d year of the reign of George II. in the IId month,
yet they diſagree in the day of the month, and in the year from the conqueſt.
Thefe differences are ſet down ad libitum in the fubjoined table.
Years fince the conqueſt
Years of the reign of George II.
The month
Day of the month
I.
2. 3. 4.
5. 6.
694|644674 700 714 724
33 33 33 33 33 33
IId IId IId IId
20 20 30
IId IIª
30
30
30
It is very certain, that no rules of criticiſm can poffibly adjuſt the differences
which are here found in the years of the interval, and in the days of the
month; and as he muft neceffarily have recourſe to the aftronomical argu-
ment, he might, upon good grounds, reaſon in this manner:
It appears, by the contents of the ancient record,
Firſt, That, in the beginning of the 33d year of the reign of George II. king
of Great Britain, the moon was in conjunction with the fun two days be-
fore the autumnal equinox, upon a Friday; was vifible on the evening of
the next day, upon a Saturday; and the fun came to the autumnal equinox
on the next day, upon a Sunday.
I
Secondly, The 20th day of the fecond month happened upon a Sunday, fix
days after the full moon day, which fell upon a Monday; forty-four days
after the autumnal equinox, and alfo after the new moon evening.
Thirdly, Towards the end of that year, the moon was viſible 11 days before
the autumnal equinox, upon a Wedneſday; the folar year ended upon a
Sunday, and the fun came to the autumnal equinox in the beginning of the
firft year of the reign of George III. on the 12th day, computed from a
new moon evening, upon a Monday.
Now, becauſe theſe combinations of characters, refpecting the fun, the moon,
and the day of the week, (to which more might have been added) cannot,
upon
;
The Chronology of the World.
481
upon
the principles of aftronomy, if we add the year of the current quadrien-
nium, be brought together again, in a much greater number of years than
have paffed fince the creation; it follows, that that folar tropical year of the
world, in which they fhall be found by calculation, muſt be in a true aftro-
nomical connection with the 33d year of the reign of George II. king of Great
Britain, and that all other claims muſt ceaſe, without further difpute or con-
troverſy.
In the preceeding table, the years N°. 1. from the conqueſt, are 694, which
being added to A. M. 5073, bring it down to A. M. 5767, in connection with
the 33d year of the reign of George II. From A. M. 5767 ſubſtract 1, and
it will carry it back to A. M. 5766, and to the end of the year 32.
Now let it be required to calculate the new moon epact, at the end of the
32d year of the reign of George II. and of the folar tropical year of the world
5766, which, by the foregoing deduction, was o.
Multiply
into
M.
The CALCULATION.
Divide the product by 1440)
Multiply
into
5766 years of 365 days, 6 hours,
II minutes.
D. H. M.
63426 (44 I 6 the Julian exceſs.
5766 folar years,
1461 quadrants.
D.
H. M.
Divide the product by 4) 8424126 (2106031 12 00 Julian reduction.
Subſtract the Julian excefs
To the folar tropical reduction
Add, for the meridian of Greenwich,
44 I 6
2105987 10 54
IO 24
O 2105987 21 18 p.m.
The LUNAR COMPUTATION.
A. M.
Divide by 19) 5766 (303 cycles.of 19 years.
Remain
9 years.
L
Multiply 303 cycles into 235 lunations, and the product will give 71205;
to which add 108 for 9 years, and the fum will be 71313; add 3 for inter-
calary months, and the whole amount of lunations will be 71316.
Qq q
Divide
482
The Chronology of the World.
Lunations.
Divide by 12) 71316 (5943 lunar years of 12 months each.
Divide by 30)
Remain
Lunar yrs.
5943 (198 periods of 30
lunar years.
3 years of another period.
Multiply 198 periods into II, and to the product 2178, add 1 for the re-
maining 3 years, and the whole amount of lunar years, confifting of 355 days,
will be 2179.
Multiply
into
To the product
Add, for lunar years of 355 days,
To the fum
5943 lunar years,
354 days.
2103822 days,
2179
2106001
Add, for odd hours, &c. and merid. diſtance,
I
From the fum
2106002 O
Subftract for half a lunation
15
Remains
2105987, the true lunar reduct.
D.
From the folar trop. reduction 2105987
Subſtract the days of the lunar 2105987
Remains the new moon epact
eo, A.M.5766, which was to be proved.
To find the day of the week, corresponding aftronomically with the new moon even-
ing, A. M. 5766 ending.
The CALCULATION.
D.
Divide the folar or lunar reduction by 7) 2105987 (800855 weeks.
Remainder
2 | index 6 | Saturday.
To find the day of the week on which the fun came to the autumnal equinox, in the
beginning of the 33d year of the reign of George II. A.M. 5767.
The
The Chronology of the World.
483
The CALCULATION.
D.
H. M.
5766 folar tropical years produce
Reduce the hours to midnight
The fum
D.
2105987 21 18 p. m.
+1-12
2105988 9 18 p. m. n.
Divide by 7) 2105988 (300855 weeks.
Remainder
3 | index 7 | Sunday.
Thus the feveral particulars, which we deduced from the contents of the
record, are minutely confirmed by calculation. For, according to both, the moon
is viſible on the evening which immediately preceeds the autumnal equinox, upon
a Saturday; the first day of the first month of the lunar year is coincident
with the firſt day of the first month of the folar, upon a Sunday. To which
we may add, although not from the contents of the record, yet from cal-
culation, that, at this autumnal equinox, the fecond year of a quadriennium
ended, and the third year began; for, if we divide 5766 by 4, the remainder
will be 2; and if we divide 5767 by 4, the remainder will be
3.
Secondly, Let it be required to calculate the day of the week correfponding
aſtronomically with the 14th day of the ſecond month of the political lunar
year, which was the day of a full moon, and then of the 20th day of the
ſame month, in the 33d year of the reign of George II. A. M. 5767.
The CALCULATION.
D.
5766 folar tropical years produce
Add, for 1 month and 14 days
2105987
44
Divide by 7)
2106031
(300861 weeks.
Remainder
4 | index | Monday,
D.
To the folar tropical reduction
2105987
I
Add, for 1 month and 20 days
50
Divide by 7) 2106037 (300862 weeks.
Remainder
3 | index 7 | Sunday.
From hence it is evident, that thoſe copies which affign the 30th day of
the IId month for the time of the first event, muſt be corrupted in their nume-
Q99 2
rals;
484
The Chronology of the World.
rals, becauſe that will be found to fall upon a Wedneſday; whereas, by the
contents of the record, the first event happened upon a Sunday. Of fuch im-
portance is the corruption of a fingle numeral where aftronomical computation
is concerned.
Thirdly, Let it be required to calculate the new moon epact at the end of
the 33d year of the reign of George II. A. M. 5767.
The CALCULATION.
D.
H. M.
5766 folar tropical years produce 2105987 21 18 p. m.
Add, for one year,
The reduction of 5767 years
365 5 49
2106353
3 7
To the days of the lunar reduction equal to the folar 2105987
3-54
Add, for one year,
The lunar reduction
210634
D.
From the folar tropical reduction,
I d.
2106352
Subſtract the days of the lunar
2106341
« II 0, A. M. 6767.
Remains the new moon epact fought
To find the day of the week, correfponding aftronomically with the day of the new
moon, eleven days before the autumnal equinox, in the given folar year.
The CALCULATION.
Divide the days of the lunar reduction by 7) 2106341 (300905 weeks.
Remainder
6 | index 3 | Wedneſday.
To find the distance after the new moon evening, on which the fun came to the
autumnal equinox, in the beginning of the first year of the reign of George III..
king of Great Britain, A. M. 5768.
The CALCULATION.
From the days of the folar trop. reduction of 5767 yrs. 2106353
Subſtract the days of the lunar reduction
2106341
Remains the diſtance from the new moon evening fought 12 A.M.5768.
‹
To
The Chronology of 485
the
World.
the of To find the day of the week, correfponding aftronomically with the day of the
autumnal equinox, in the beginning of the first year of the reign of George III.
king of Great Britain, A.M. 5768.
The CALCULATION.
Divide the days of the folar reduction by 7) 2106353 (306907 weeks.
Remainder
4 | index 1 | Monday.
Since every ſtep of theſe calculations from the original radix, confirms the
deduction from the contents of the record, which was itſelf framed inde-
pendant of calculation, we will examine where the ftrength of the aftronomical
argument lies, by taking a review of that combination of characters which
we make uſe of for the difcrimination of the intervals of times; and which
fo unexceptionably diſtinguiſh every given year from all others that have paffed,
according to any known chronological computations founded on facred hiſtory,
as muſt prevent or remove every fufpicion of uncertainty.
Theſe characters are in number 7, although we do not generally make uſe
of them all. (1.) The fun's entry into a cardinal, or any intermediate point
of its annual orbit; (2.) On a given day of the moon's age; (3.) On a given
day of the week; (4.) In a given year of a quadriennium; (5.) In a given
hour and minute in an affigned meridian; (6.) The moment of a mean
new moon; (7.) The moment of a mean full moon in an affigned meridian.
With respect to the hour and minute of an equinox or a folftice, and day
of the week, we may venture to affirm, that the first year of the reign of
George III. king of Great Britain, ftands diftinguiſhed not only from all other
years which, by the accounts of facred hiſtory, are ſuppoſed to have paffed
fince the creation, but from more than 400 years to come, by the fun's arrival
at the laſt autumnal equinox 7 minutes paft three o'clock in the afternoon
upon a Monday, in a meridian which lies 156 degrees to the eastward of that
point of the equator, in connection with which the earth's annual motion
commenced; and we wish we could with certainty call it the meridian of the
Greenwich obfervatory. We venture to affirm this, becauſe, upon the prin-
ciples laid down, the fun cannot enter any one of the cardinal points, in the
ſame hour and minute, on the fame day of the week, in the fame year of a
quadriennium, and in the fame place twice, in lefs than 10080 years, the
product of 1440 years into 7. But if there be any who will not admit of
the doctrine of a folar period, let them not cavil at, but confute, one of the
moſt curious and moſt uſeful principles in practical folar aftronomy.
With reſpect to the moment of the mean new moons, and of the mean
full moons, in a given place, it would require more than 600,000 folar tropical
years to bring the fame moment round again,
Omitting
486
1
The Chronology of the World.
4
Omitting therefore the argument arifing from the minutiae of hours and
minutes, we chiefly confine ourſelves to the four firſt of theſe characters; and
although a year may be affigned fo fimilar to the 33d year of the reign of
George II. that three characters out of the four fhall be found the fame,
yet it may be doubted, whether all the four occur in any two years fince
the creation.
fo
Hence it comes, that if never ſo many errors, either of tranſcribers or of the
prefs, had crept into fome of the copies of the chronological table of our kings
and queens that have reigned fince the era of the conqueft, one fingle cal-
culation from the original radix, under the foregoing circumftances, would
have diſcovered and corrected them all; and, by its decifive authority, would
counterballance all that could be alleged in favour of thoſe depraved copies,
againſt a genuine and authentic one, which had been happily preſerved, in
this article, without any various readings or corruptions at all in the printed
editions thereof.
་
From an examination and calculation of Noah's journal imitated, we will
return back to an examination and calculation of Noah's journal itſelf, having
fully prepared the way for a right underſtanding of its contents in all the
particulars of it. And here immediately arifes,
QUERY I. In what folar tropical year of the world did Noah's flood happen?
No one can be furpriſed at our making this a leading queſtion, who will
give himſelf the trouble to perufe the following table of the year of the world
in which Noah's flood happened, collected from the Jewiſh Hebrew text, the
Samaritan Hebrew text, the Vatican and Alexandrine copies of the Septuagint
Greek verfion, and from the Jewiſh antiquities of Jofephus.
Samari- ILXXII. Va-1 Alexandrine
Hebrew.
A. M.
tan.
A. M.
tican copy.
A. M.
copy.
A. M.
A.M.
Jofephus.
A. M.
The flood came
1656
1307
2242
2262
2656
2256
Year of Noah
600
600
600
600
600
600
Month
IId
IId
IId
IId
IId
IId
Day of the month
17
17
27
27
27 27
If the ſubject of fcripture chronology was at this time to be revived, and
purſued with a zeal equal to its importance, many would be furpriſed to find,
upon this re-examination, that the firſt elements were not yet known, and that
the corner ftone of the building was not yet laid. For may we not, without
offence, be permitted to aſk, to which of the many treatiſes which have been
publiſhed,
The Chronology of the World.
487
publiſhed, muſt we refer for a fatisfactory folution, upon fcriptural principles,.
of the foregoing query ?
More than one circumftance tends to render its folution extremely difficult,
namely,
Ift, A peplexing variety of fix different computations,
2dly, Notwithſtanding a great many remarkable events are related in the
facred hiſtory, with the precifion of month, and day of the month, yet the
year of the world never once occurs. e. g.
(1.) When the chronology, or the time when the old world was deftroyed
by a univerfal deluge is to be ftated, the ftyle is, Gen. vii. 11. In the fix
hundredth year of Noah's life
41.
Or, (2.) Of the departure of the Ifraelites out of Egypt, Exod. xii.
After four hundred and thirty years— computed from ſome intermediate æra.
Or, (3.) Of the laying the foundations of the temple, 2 Kings vi. 1. In the
fourth year of Solomon's reign, which was the four hundred and eightieth after
the children of Ifrael were come out of Egypt.
Or, (4.) Of the burning of the temple by the Babylonians, 2 Kings xxv. 2.
In the eleventh year of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the nine-
teenth of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon
We may obferve, that neither in theſe, nor in any other examples which
can be produced, is there any explicit reference to the æra of the creation, or
any expreſs mention of the year of the world.
Jofephus is the only hiftorian who collects into a fum the ages of the pa-
triarchs, in the interval from the creation to the flood; the terms of his
computation are Axini žarotiv Tertexovтa ež, i. e. 2656 years; but to make
this fum to agree with his own particulars, it ſhould have been wrote,
Δισχιλίων διακοσίων πεντεκοντα εξ, i. e. 2256 years.
Here is a grofs corruption of the Greek text of Jofephus, which it is not
eafy to reconcile; and if we could reconcile it critically, it would not follow
that the critical emendation was in agreement with the Mofaic computations,
as he no where collects the ages of the patriarchs into a fum, which might
exprefs the year of the world; for this we muſt rely upon the integrity of
the Hebrew text.
Now the prefent point of our enquiry is this, namely, 1. Whether Noah's
flood happened in the year of the world 1656; or, 2. in the year of the
world 1307; or, 3. in the year of the world 2242; or, 4. in the year of
the world 2262; or, 5. in the year of the world 2656; or, 6. in the
of the world 2256.
year
The author of the chronological antiquities of the Hebrews thinks (p. 37.
vol. 1.) “that 2256 is the true number of years from the creation to the flood
12
If
*
488
The Chronology of the World.
+
If we ſearch into the reaſons of this preference, it will be found in great
part a matter of neceffity rather than of choice, upon account of the corrupted
numerals, in the ſeveral copies of the Septuagint Greek verfion, and of the
Samaritan Pentateuch.
The Vatican copy gives no more than 167 years to the age of Methuſalah
at the birth of his fon Enoch, inſtead of 187; which extends the life of
Methufalah 14 years beyond the flood; although we are certified from the
hiſtory, that he was neither involved in the flood, nor admitted into the ark.
The Alexandrine, and indeed all the Greek copies, give 188 years to the
age of Lamech at the birth of his fon Noah, inftead of 182*, which he
allows to be the true number; and yet he thinks it highly probable †,
†," that
"this Septuagint number 188, is neither a corruption of the text, nor the
"error of any tranſcriber, but the original number of the LXXII. interpreters
"themſelves," who, one and all, miftook the numerical letter beth, which
denoted two, for the numerical letter cheth, which denoted eight.
The motives for preferring the computations of Jofephus to thofe of the
Jewiſh and Samaritan Hebrew texts, we ſhall give in his own words. Chronolog.
Antiq. vol. 1. p. 38.
"The great and wilful corruptions in the Samaritan copies, as well as the
"leffer in the Hebrew copies, in the times before the flood, are unpardonable,
"and cannot but juftly throw a difcredit on them. The Samaritans at firft
"copied the corruptions of the Jews in the ante-diluvian ages, and afterwards
improved them by adding others to them.”
4C
Theſe four corrupted copies then, namely, the Jewish Hebrew text, the
Samaritan Hebrew text, and likewife the Vatican and Alexandrine copies of
the Septuagint Greek verfion, being difcarded, there only remained the corrupted
Greek text of Jofephus, on which he could erect a fabric of chronology.
Whether we have rightly accounted for the motives of this preference, the
reader will be able to judge from the annexed table,
66
* "From the foregoing evidence we may very reaſonably conclude, that the number of 182
6.6 years, afcribed, in the Hebrew text, and by Jofephus, to Lamech before the birth of Noah, is
"the original number of that text, and therefore is to be thought the true number; and there is
an error of fix years in the verfion of the Septuagint, which feems to have proceeded from their
"miſtaking the numeral letter which denoted two, for that which fignifies eight." Vol. I. p. 39.
"Hence it comes to pafs, (p. 70.) that we are within fix years certain of the firſt æra of the
"world, or of the age of the old world, notwithſtanding all the confufion and corruption of the
* prefent Hebrew and Samaritan copies."
+ "From the foregoing teftimonies it is highly probable, that the number of the Septuagint
188, is not an error of any tranfcriber, but was the original number of the Greek interpreters
s themſelves." Vol. I. p. 38.
The
The Chronology of the World.
489
The CHRONOLOGY of the first period of the world's age from the creation
to the flood.
Samari- Vatican
Alexandrine
Hebrew. tan.
copy.
copy.
Adam
130
130
230
230
Jofephus.
130 + 100
Seth
105
105
205
205
105 + 100
Enofh
.90
90
190
1
190
90 + 100
Cainan
то
70
170
170
70 + 100
Mehalaleel
65
65
165
165
65 + 100
Jared
162
·62
162
162
162
Enoch
65
65
165
F
165
65 + 100
Methufalah
187
7
1.7
187
187
Lamech
182
18.
18.
182
Noah
600
600
600
600
600
A. M.
A. M.
~A. M.
A. M.
A. M.
The flood came 1656
1656 600
The preceeding fix computations are, by this table, reduced to two, which
greatly leffens the embarraſſment, and will ſhorten the work. For now the
queftion propofed is contracted within narrow limits; fince we have only to
enquire, whether Noah's flood happened A. M. 1656, according to the col-
lected fum of the Jewish Hebrew text; or A. M. 2256, according to the
collected fum of Jofephus.
The difference between theſe two computations is fix compleat centuries;
and theſe fix compleat centuries have all along, and they ftill continue to
perplex the chronology of the firſt period of the world's age, from the creation
to the flood.
That a wilful and defigned alteration has been made, either in the Jewiſh
Hebrew text, or in the Greek text of Jofephus, is undeniably certain from
the uniformity, as St. Auguftine has long ago obferved, and it will be beft
repreſented to the view by
*
* In his autem in quibus continuatur ipfius mendofitatis fimilitudo, ita ut ante genitum filium
qui ordini inferitur alibi fuperfint centum anni, alibi defint; poft genitum autem, ubi deerant fuperfint,
ubi fupererant defint, ut fumma conveniat: & hoc, in prima, fecunda, tertia, quarta, quinta,
feptima generatione invenitur; videtur habere quandam, fi dici poterit, error conſtantiam; nec
cafum redolet fed induftriam. De civitate Dei, lib. xv. c. 11.
Rrr
A TABLE.
(
490
The Chronology of the World.
A TABLE.
Years.
Years.
Years.
Hebrew S Adam
Jofephus Adam
130 100
130 + 100
800 + 100
930
700
ΙΟΟ
930
Hebrew S Seth
Jofephus
{
105 - 100
807 + 100
912
Seth
105 + 100
707
100
912
Hebrew
Jofephus
{
Enofh
go
100
.815 +100
905
Enoſh
90 + 100
715 - 100
905
Hebrew
Fofepbus
{
Cainan
70 100
840 + 100
910
Cainan
70 + 100
740
100
910
Hebrew
Jofephus
{
Mehalaleel
65
100
830100
895
Mehalaleel
65 + 100
730
100
895
Hebrew S Jared
Jofephus
{
162
800
962
Jared
162
800
962
Hebrew
Jofephus
{
Enoch
65 and ÍOỘ
3·00 +100
365
Enoch
65 + 100,
200
200-100
365
Fofephus {
Hebrew S Methufalah 187
782
969
Methufalah
187
782
969
Hebrew
Jofephus
{
Lamech
182
595
777
Lamech
182
595
777
Hebrew
Noah
600
350
950
Jofephus
Noah
-600
·
350
950
Hebrew S A. M.
•
1656
600
#
Jofephus A. M. 1656 600
Although it may be impoffible, perhaps, ever to diſcover, either when, or
by whom, this alteration was originally made, yet there need no arguments
to prove, for it is evident at fight, that it must have been made with a view
either to ſhorten or lengthen the chronology; and, in fact, the chronology, in
the interval from the creation to the flood, has been lengthened or fhortened
fix hundred years; but as there is no pofitive evidence fubfifting, which may
rightly inform us, of the particular motives for fuch a machination, we chufe
to fay, with St. Auguftine, Hanc vel illam opinionem aut fufpicionem accipiat
quifque ut putaverit. For notwithſtanding the diverfity of hypothefes concerning
it, the queſtion ftill recurs, whether theſe fix centuries were originally ſubſtracted
from the Hebrew, or whether they were added to the Greek text?
Now, if it can be clearly proved, that Mofes has recorded in his Pentateuch
fuch inconteftible criteria, or combination of characters, refpecting the fun, the
moon,
The Chronology of the World.
491
moon, and the day of the week, which will properly qualify us to judge, (at
the diſtance of more than 3200 years, and under the difadvantage of many
thouſands of tranſcripts) whether the Hebrew text be preſerved, in the article
of chronology, without any change, alteration, or corruption of its numerals,
or not, then all farther enquiry will be needlefs; for fuch criteria, or characters,
will certify us, that the fix compleat centuries, which are under confideration,
were not ſubſtracted from the Hebrew, but where added to the Greek text,
and that the chronology in the firſt period of the world's age was not ſhort-
ned by the Jews, but lengthened by fome helleniſtical copieft, on fome fanciful
inducements of his own.
Now, we ſay, and ſhall proceed to evince, that ſuch criteria, or combination
of characters, as we are here fpeaking of, occur in the journal of Noah, as
it is tranſmitted by Mofes, in the feventh and eighth chapters of Genefis, and
they may be collected from the terms of his hiſtorical account of ſeveral re-
markable incidents, which happened either in the beginning, or in the conti-
nuation, or end, of the year of the deluge. Such, for example, are:
ift, Gen. vii. 1, 4, 11. God's command to Noah and all his houſe to enter into
the ark, ſeven days before the flood came, in the ſecond month, on the
tenth day of the month.
2dly, Gen. vii. 11, 13. Noah's entrance into the ark with all his houſe, in
the fix hundreth year of his life, in the ſecond month, on the feventeenth
day of the month, feven days after he had received the divine command.
3dly, Gen. viii. 4. The ark's refting on the top of a mountain, after 150
days, in the ſeventh month, on the feventeenth day of the month.
4thly, Gen. viii. 5. The appearance of the tops of the mountains, after the
waters 'had fubfided fifteen cubits, in the tenth month, on the firft day of
the month.
5thly, Gen. viii. 6. The fending forth a raven, to explore if the waters were
off the face of the earth, after the end of forty days, in the eleventh month,
on the eleventh day of the month.
6thly, Gen. viii. 8. The fending out a dove the firſt time, after he had waited
feven days for the return of the raven, in the eleventh month, on the
eighteenth day of the month.
7thly, Gen. viii. 10. The fending out the dove the ſecond time, after he had
ſtayed yet other ſeven days, in the eleventh month, on the twenty-fifth day
of the month.
8thly, Gen. viii. 12. The fending out the dove the third and laſt time, after
he had ſtayed yet other feven days, in the twelfth month, on the ſecond
day of the month.
Rrr 2
9thly,
492
The Chronology of the World.
9thly, Gen. viii. 13. The removing the covering of the ark, in the fix hundredth
and first year, on the first month, the first day of the month, to fee if the
face of the ground was dry.
10thly, Gen. viii. 13, 14, 15, 16. God's command to Noah and all his houſe,
in the fix hundredth and firſt year of his life, in the ſecond month, on the
twenty-ſeventh day of the month, to go forth of the ark.
Thus we have laid together the hiſtorical data of Noah's journal; but we
muſt again obſerve, that no one will be able to diſcover from hence the latent
astronomical characters, who does not carry along with him, to the reading of
the ſeventh and eighth chapters of Genefis, theſe principles, or præcognita, en-
fuing; namely,
ift, He must be previouſly informed, that the primitive patriarchs reckoned
their ages, and the duration of things, by folar tropical or natural folar years, but
recorded the times of events in the months and days of the lunar year.
2dly, That Mofes carries on an uninterrupted ſeries of natural folar years,
by the tables of the genealogies of the patriarchs both before and after the
flood.
3dly, That the ages of the patriarchs, at the birth of their recorded fons,
conftitute the chronology, and aſcertain aftronomically the paſt age of the world.
Thefe ages collected into a fum, from the firſt year of Adam's life inclufive,
to the 600th year of Noah's life inclufive, amount, according to the compu-
tations of the Hebrew text, to 1656 years. And, therefore, when Moſes ſtates
the chronology of the flood by the 600th current year of Noah's life, he in
effect ſtates it by the 1656th current year of the world's age, and reduces the
years of the patriarchs, by an aftronomical law, to begin and end at the
autumnal equinox, and by that means to run parallel with the correfponding
years of the world.
-
4thly, That the epoch of the patriarchal year was two-fold, the one having
reſpect to the fun, the other to the moon. The twelve kalendar months of the
folar year began and ended at the autumnal equinox; and the twelve kalendar
months of the lunar year, began and ended with a new moon evening. By
new moon here, we do not mean the conjunction, but the firſt appearance
after it.
5thly, He must not be fo ignorant of aftronomy as not to know, ift, That
there are 365 days in a folar year; 2dly, That there are 354 days in a lunar
year; and, 3dly, That the difference of 11 days is commonly called the epact.
This ſmall pittance of knowledge will inform him, that if any two of theſe
three quantities be given, the third will be alſo given. For, 1. If from 365
we fubftract 11, the remainder 354 will be the quantity of a lunar year. 2. If
from 365 we ſubſtract 354, the remainder 11 will be the quantity of the epact.
3. If
The Chronology of the World.
493
If to 354 we add 11, the fum 365 will be the integral quantity of the
folar year.
3.
6thly, He muſt be allowed to poftulate that the day on which God gave
his command to Noah, was the feventh day of the patriarchal week.
Any perſon, of a common capacity, by the help of theſe præcognita, will
be enabled to perceive, that the contents of Noah's journal are aftronomical; it
being extremely evident, that two folar years and two lunar years follow one
another in immediate fucceffion. Noah entered into the ark in the 600th
folar tropical year of his life, and was ordered to come out in the 601ft; the
flood came in the ſecond month, and on the ſeventeenth day of the month of
the firſt lunar year; and he was loofed from his confinement in the fecond
month, and on the twenty-feventh day of the month, of the following lunar year.
In the interval from the beginning of the 600th, folar tropical year of Noah's
life, to the day of his enlargement inclufive, there paffed one entire lunar
year, and the 57th day of another lunar year was current.
A lunar year
confifts of 354 days; to 354 add 57, and the fum of the days will be 411.
In the fame interval there paffed one entire folar
year and
and part of another
a folar year confifts of 365 days; from 411 ſubſtract 365, and the remainder
will give the 46th current day of the folar year 601. We will now fet down
the current day of the fecond folar year, and of the ſecond lunar year, in the
following manner, and we ſhall fee that one eaſy ſtep more will lead us to a
diſcovery of the epact in the end of the 600th folar year, and in confequence
of that, of the determinate poſition of the lunar year to the folar.
Year of Noah's life
Solar year
Lunar year
OF
Month.
I.
D.
30
30
601
Month.
II.
D.
16
27
year
In this table, we have the 16th day of the ſecond month of the folar
601, and the 27th day of the ſecond month of the correfponding lunar year;
from 27 fubftract 16, and the remainder II will be the epact at the end of
the 600th folar year, as may be feen in the table fubjoined.
The epact at the end of the year of Noah's life
The folar
year
The lunar
year
600
D.
O
The
494
The Chronology of the World.
The epact being given, the determinate pofition of the lunar year to the folar
is alfo given. For in a folar year there are 365 days; from 365 fubftract the
given epact 11, and the remainder 354, will not only give the quantity of the
lunar year, but alſo its true pofition to the correfponding folar, as in the table
fubjoined.
Solar year
Lunar year
The year of Noah's life
O I
600
D.
{©
365
«
354
II
ĭ
In Noah's journal of the flood, the fum of the collected days is 332. From
this collected fum of 332 days, let it be required,
To find the complement both of the folar and of the lunar year, whofe difference
Shall be the epact.
To 332 add 46, the number of days of the fecond folar year, and the fum
will be 378. From 411 fubftract 378, and the remainder 33, will be the
complement of the folar year.
Again, to 332 add 57, the number of days of the ſecond lunar
year, and
the fum will be 389. From 411 fubftract 389, and the remainder 22, will
be the complement of the lunar year.
Again, From 33 fubftract 22, and the 'difference II, will be the epact.
The complement of the folar year, of the lunar year, and alfo their dif-
ference, or epact, being given,
To find on what day of the XIIth month of the lunar year, and alfo on what day of the
XIIth month of the folar year, Noah fent out the dove the third and laſt time.
It is undoubtedly as eaſy to aſcertain the fum of the collected days from
the given complements, as the complements from the given fum of the col-
lected days, fince both calculations require a previous knowledge of the quantity
of both years; and thefe being known, they muft reciprocally give one another
by fubftraction; for if from 365 we fubftract 33, or if from 3.54 we fubſtract
22, the remainder 332, will be the fum of the collected days; from which
if we throw off 330 for 11 equal months, there will remain the ſecond day
of the 12th month both of the folar and of the lunar year; and, on the contrary,
if from 365 we fubftract 332, the remainder 33 will be the complement of the
folar year; and if from 354 we fubftract 332, the remainder 22 will be the
complement of the lunar year.
Now,
The Chronology of the World.
495
Now, could it be faid upon juſt grounds, that theſe circumſtantial deductions,
from the contents of Noah's journal, carried along with them their own proof,
the nature of patriarchal kalendar aftronomy would, in fome meaſure, have
been underſtood, and its reality have been admitted; but it is very certain,
that unleſs theſe conclufions can be confirmed by a regular calculation from the
original radix, they will amount to no more then verifimilitudes, or probable ap-
pearances of truth; for it muſt be confeffed, that the foregoing diſcovery of the
epact, in its true natural fituation, in the end of the 600th year of Noah's life,
entirely depends upon a poftulatum, which no aſtronomer will grant, nor can it
be required that he fhould. We have, in the courſe of the deduction, poftulated,
that becauſe I month and 16 days of the firft lunar year had paffed before Noah
entered into the ark, therefore i month and 16 days of the correfponding ſolar
year, had alſo paffed before his entrance; and that at the end of the preceeding
year the epact was o; but this requires proof, and the proof requires calcu-
lation, and the more fo, as we have no argument to offer, from the record itſelf,
in fupport of the fuppofition, except its filence concerning the diſtance between
the two epochs in the beginning of the year; from this filence we infer, that
there was no diſtance at all; but as this is a matter of fact to be tried, fuch in-
ference cannot be thought conclufive. And, therefore, in full confirmation of
the truth and certainty of the foregoing deductions, and methods of reaſoning,
here follows
A CALCULATION of the new moon epact, in the end of the 599th year of Noah's
life, which begins and ends at the autumnal equinox, and by that means runs
parallel with the folar tropical year of the world 1655, according to the com-
putations of the Jewish Hebrew text.
Multiply
into
M.
Divide the product by 1440)
Multiply
into
1655 folar years of 365 days, 6 hours,
II minutes.
D. H. M.
18205 (12 15 25 the retroceflion.
1655 folar years,
1461 quadrants.
D.
H. M.
Divide the product by 4) 2417955 (604488 18 00 Julian reduction.
Subftract for the retroceffion
12 15 25
≤1
Remains the folar tropical reduction
604476 2 35 o›
ift merid.
The
496
The Chronology of the World.
{ “
The LUNAR COMPUTATION.
Divide A. M. 1655 by 19, the quotient will give 87 decennoval cycles, and
there will remain 2 years of the 88th cycle.
Multiply 87 cycles into 235 lunations, and to the product 20445, add for
the 2 remaining years 24, and the ſum of the lunations will be 20469.
Divide by 12)
Remain
Lunations.
20469 (1705 lunar years.
9 lunations.
Lunar years.
Divide by 30)
1705
Remain
(56 periods of 30 lunar
25 years of another period.
years.
Multiply 56 periods of 30 lunar years into II, and to the product 616,
add 9. for 25 remaining years, then the whole amount of lunar years, con-
fifting of 355 days, will be 625,
Multiply
into
To the product
1705 lunar years,
354 days.
Add, for lunar years of 355 days,
To the ſum
Add, for 9 lunations,
To the fum
Add, for half a lunation,
The lunar reduction
From the days of the ſolar trop.redu&t. 604476
Subft. the days of the lunar reduction 604476
Remains the N. M. epact fought
603570
625
604195
?
266
604461 full moon,
15
604476
‹ 。 6,A.M.1655, year of Noah
599.
It now appears, by calculation, as it did before by ratiocination, that the
599th year of Noah's life, and its correfponding folar tropical year of the
world 1655, ended with a new moon evening; and as the epact was o, the
first day of the firſt month of that lunar year, which was concurrent with
the
The Chronology of the World.
497
year;
the 600th folar year of Noah's life, fell on the firſt day of the 1656th folar
from whence we know, for a certainty, without the neceffity of mak-
ing a calculation, that that lunar year muft end 11 days before the folar, juſt
as Noah has ſtated it.
To find the day of the week, correfponding aftronomically with the new moon evening
in the end of the 599th year of Noah's life, A. M. 1655.
Calculated from Noah's journal.
From the beginning of the 600th year of Noah's life, to the day of his being
commanded to go out of the ark, we have computed 411 days; as on this laſt
day, God spake unto him, from this ftyle we conclude, that it was the feventh day
of the patriarchal week, and we ſhall now prove the affumption to be true.
Divide 411 by 7, and the remainder will be 5; this remainder carries it
back to the 5th day after the autumnal equinox inclufive, A.M. 1656, and it
was itſelf a ſeventh day. From 7 ſubſtract 5, and the remainder will fhew,
that A. M. 1655, ended on the ſecond day of the patriarchal week, which we
call Tueſday.
Proved by calculation from the original radix.
Divide the folar and lunar reductions by 7)
Remainder
D.
604476 (86353 weeks.
5 | index 2 | Tueſday.
To find the day of the week, correfponding aftronomically with the day of the
autumnal equinox, when Noah entered into the booth year of his life, in
connection with the folar tropical year of the world 1656.
Calculated from Noah's journal.
From the fum total of 411 computed days, fubftract 1, then divide the re-
mainder 410 by 7, and it will leave 4; this laft remainder carries it back to
the 4th day after the autumnal equinox exclufive, A. M. 1656, and it was itſelf
a feventh day; from 7 ſubſtract 4, and the remainder will fhew that the fun
came to the autumnal equinox upon the 3d day of the patriarchal week, which
we call Wedneſday.
Proved by calculation from the original radix.
Divide the folar and lunar reductions (after having added 1, for the autumnal
equinoctial day,) by 7) 604477 days (86353 weeks.
Remainder
6 | index 3 | Wedneſday.
Sss
Here
498
The Chronology of the World.
Here let us ftop a while and confider, what it is that conftitutes the difcri-
minating property of this combination of recorded characters, for recorded they
are in the journal of Noah.
It appears from the contents of the ancient record, and alſo by calculation
from the original radix, that the fun entered the original cardinal point of the
patriarchal folar year 1656, 1. On the first day of the first month of a
lunar year computed from the evening of apparition. 2. Upon the third day
of the patriarchal week, which we call Wedneſday. 3. In the beginning of
the fourth year of a quadriennium; for if we divide A. M. 1655 by 4, the
remainder will give 3, and if we divide 1656 by 4, there will remain o.
Here let it be noted, 1. That the fun's entry into a cardinal point cannot
happen on the fame day of the week, in the fame year of a quadriennium,
but once in 28 years; which is called the cycle of the Sunday letter.
2. The fun's entry into a cardinal point, cannot happen on the fame day
of the moon's age, on the fame day of the week, and in the fame year of a
quadriennium, but once in 532 years, the product of 28 into 19. But in
that ſpace of time, the moon, by its progreffion eaſtward, will have departed
from the fun more than two days.
So difficult is it to afcertain the periodical return of identical characters,
which are eaſy to be calculated, without the hazard of miſtaking a day.
We may venture to affirm with confidence, that no year is to be found, in
the whole compafs of facred and prophane hiſtory, which is fo fignally diftin-
guiſhed by recorded and appropriated characters, as the 600th year of Noah's
life, in which the flood began and ended.
Theſe appropriated characters are fairly deducible from the terms of Mofes's
hiftorical account of the circumſtances of the deluge, and of Noah's tranfactions,
and they occur in the folar tropical year of the world 1656; we conclude, there-
fore, that that year of the world is in a true aftronomical connection with
the 600th year of Noah's life, and that all other claims to fuch connection
are precluded.
From this unrivalled connection we are furniſhed with an unanswerable argu-
ment in fupport of the authenticity of the Jewiſh Hebrew text, (fo juftly called,
in the article of chronology, the Maforete Hebrew verity) againſt the complicated
embarraffments of corrupted numerals, of furreptitious patriarchs, and of hypo-
thetical centuries, both before and after the flood. In the firft interval of the
world's chronology, no less than fix of theſe hypothetical centuries have in-
truded themſelves into the copies of the Septuagint Greek verfion, and the
computations of Jofephus, but they are all thrown off as redundancies, by
the concurring fuffrage of the fun and moon, which acknowledge them not.
Theſe being thrown off, there remains A. M. 1656, collected from the ages of
the
The Chronology of the World.
499
the patriarchs at the birth of their recorded fons, according to the Mofaic
numbers, and the uncorrupted integrity of his autographon.
We ſay, therefore, in anſwer to query 1, that the flood of Noah happened
in the 600th year of his life, and in the folar tropical year of the world 1656;
and we may obſerve, that this was never proved before upon fcriptural principles,
and upon fcriptural data.
Thus we have difencumbered the first period of the world's age, from fix
additional centuries, which never had any exiſtence in the chronological ſeries
of years. We will now proceed to eſtabliſh more firmly the year of the world
1656, and its inconteſtable connection with the 600th year of Noah's life, by
calculating diftinctly the aftronomical characters which are inherent in the hiſto-
rical data, that offer themſelves to our confideration, in the perufal of the ſeventh
and eighth chapters of Genefis.
Theſe calculations will diſcover two particulars, which we ſhall here take
occafion to mention.
1. Although the primæval kalendar was in its frame and ſtructure political,
yet it was in its twofold quantity aftronomical; it being exactly accommodated
to the annual periods of the two luminaries, the fun and moon.
2. Patriarchal aftronomy was confined to the months and days of the lunar
year; whilſt the ſum of the collected months and days of the folar year, only
expreffed the diſtance after the original cardinal point; for it does not appear
that in the primitive ages they had a knowledge of any more of the cardinal
points than one; and that one was the autumnal equinox.
We are now to calculate
to calculate diftinctly the ſeveral aftronomical characters,
which are inherent in the hiſtorical data of Noah's journal, contained in the
ſeventh and eighth chapters of Genefis.
EXAMPLE I. Gen. vii. 1. And the Lord faid unto Noah, Come thou and all thy
houſe into the ark-
ver. 4. For yet feven days, and I will cauſe it to rain upon the earth forty days
and forty nights.
ver. 10. And it came to pass, after feven days, that the waters of the flood were
upon the earth.
ver. 11. In the fix hundredth year of Noah's life, in the fecond month, on the
Seventeenth day of the month, the fame day were all the fountains of the great
deep broken up
It is very obvious, upon comparing theſe accounts together, that God ſpake
unto Noah on the tenth day of the fecond month of the then current year,
and that the ordinal number expreffes the diftance from its epoch; but of
Sss 2
what
500
The Chronology of the World.
what nature that epoch was, i. e. whether it was political or aſtronomical, does
not immediately appear from the terms of the narration.
In the midſt of this uncertainty let us ſuppoſe, that an intelligent enquirer
was defired only to caft his eye over the table annexed:
Year of Noah
D.
599.
D.
Year of Noah
600.
D.
D.
II « 354 « 0 0 354 « II
ΙΣ
Let me afk, whether this table would not, by a bare infpection, inform
him of every particular which was neceffary for him to know, in order to
underſtand the terms in their aſtronomical ſenſe? Would he not immediately
perceive, that (as there were 30 days in a month) God ſpake unto Noah on
the 40th day after the epoch both of the folar and of the lunar year? And
from this ſtyle, God faid to Noah, he might infer, that it was the feventh day
of the patriarchal week; and he might eafily know, whether the inference
was true or falſe, by a calculation from the original radix. For,
To the days of the folar and lunar reduction 604476
Add, for I month and 10 days,
40
Divide the fum by 7) 604516 (86359 weeks.
Remainder
3 | index 7 | Sunday.
From this part of Noah's journal then, we learn, that God
gave orders to
Noah and his family to enter into the ark in the 600th year of his life, 1. On
the 40th day after the autumnal equinox inclufive; 2. On the tenth day after
a new moon evening; 3. On the feventh day of the patriarchal week. 4. That
Noah and his family entered into the ark, as God had commanded, on the
47th day after the autumnal equinox inclufive; 5. On the third day after the
full moon day; 6. On the feventh day of the patriarchal week; 7. In the
fourth year of a quadriennium.
QUERY. In what determinate number of years will a given distance, after a
cardinal point, fall on a given day of the moon's age, on a given day of the
week, in a given year of a quadriennium, twice?
In the 33d year of the reign of George II. king of Great Britain, the 47th
day after the autumnal equinox inclufive, fell on the third day after the full
moon day ending, juſt as it did in the 600th year of Noah's life; but ther
the
The Chronology of the World.
501
the day of the week was Thurſday, inftead of Sunday, and the year of the
quadriennium was the third, inftead of the fourth.
EXAMPLE II. Gen. viii. 4. And the ark refted in the feventh month, on the
Seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.
To find the day of the week, correfponding aftronomically with the 17th day of
the VIIth equal month of the political lunar year, in the 600th year of Noah's
life, A. M. 1656.
Calculated from Noah's journal.
In VI equal months there are 180 days, to which add 17,
be 197; theſe being divided by 7, will leave in remainder 1.
lunar year ended on the 2d day of the week; to 2 add the
the fum will be 3, which is the day of the week fought.
Proved by calculation from the original radix.
To the days of the lunar reduction
Add, for VI months and 17 days,
Divide the fum by 7)
Remainder
604476
197
and the fum will
The preceeding
remainder 1, and
604673 (86381 weeks.
|
6 index 3 | Wedneſday.
To find the distance after a new moon or full moon, correfponding with the 17th
day of the VIIth month of the political lunar year, and the third day of the
week, in the booth year of Noah's life, A. M. 1656.
Calculated from the table of equal and unequal months of the political and aftro-
nomical year. (p. 476.)
In VI equal months there are 180 days; the feparate units are 3, which
being fubftracted, will give 177 days for 6 unequal months. To 177 add 15
to bring it to a full moon, then fubſtract the fum 192 from 197, and the
remainder 5 will be the diftance after a full moon.
EXAMPLE III. Gen. viii. 5. And the waters decreased continually until the tenth
month: in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the
mountains feen.
To find the day of the week, correfponding aftronomically with the first day of
the tenth equal month of the political lunar year, in the 600th year of Noah's
life, A. M. 1656.
Calculated
592
The Chronology of the World.
1
f
Calculated from Noah's journal.
In IX equal months there are .270 days, to which add 1, for the firſt day
of the tenth month, and the fum will be 271, which being divided by 7,
will leave in remainder 5; to this remainder 5 add 2, and the fum will be 7,
which was the day of the week fought.
Proved by calculation from the original radix.
To the days of the lunar reduction 604476
Add, for IX equal months and 1 day, 271
Divide the fum by 7) 604747 (86392 weeks.
Remainder
|
3 | index 7 | Sunday.
To find the distance after a new moon or full moon day, correfponding with
the first day of the tenth month of the political lunar year, and the 7th day
of the patriarchal week, in the booth year of Noah's life, A. M. 1656.
Calculated from the table of equal and unequal months of the political and aftro-
nomical year.
In IX equal months there are 270 days, the ſeparate units are 4, which being
fubftracted from 270, will leave 266 days for 9 unequal months of the aſtro-
nomical lunar year. From 271 fubftract 266, and the remainder 5 will be
the diſtance after a new moon day.
EXAMPLE IV. Gen. viii. 6. And it came to pass, at the end of forty days,
that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made.
ver. 7. And he fent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the
waters were dried up from off the earth.
In forty days there is one month and ten days over; thefe being computed
from the first day of the tenth month inclufive, bring it down to the tenth day
of the eleventh month, and as Noah fent out the raven at the end of forty
days, he fent it out on the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
To find the day of the week, corresponding aftronomically with the 11th day of
the Xith equal month of the political lunar year, in the 600th year of Noah's
life, A. M. 1656.
Calculated from Noah's journal.
In X equal months there are 300 days, to which add 11, and the fum
will be 311, which being divided by 7, will leave in remainder 3; to this
remainder
The Chronology of the World.
503
remainder 3 add 2, and the fum will be 5, which was the day of the week
fought.
Proved by calculation from the original radix.
604476
To the days of the lunar reduction
Add, for X equal months and 11 days,
3II
Divide the fum by 7)
Remainder
604787 (86398 weeks.
1 | index 5 | Friday.
To find the distance after a new moon or full moon day, correfponding with the
11th day of the XIth month of the political lunar year, and with the 5th
day of the patriarchal week, in the 600th year of Noah's life, A. M. 1656.
Calculated from the table of equal and unequal months of the political and aftro-
nomical lunar year.
In X equal months there are 300 days; the feparate units are 5, which
being fubftracted from 300, will leave 295 for 10 unequal months of the
aftronomical lunar year; add 15 to bring it to a full moon day, then fubftract
the fum 310 from 311, and the remainder I will fhew, that Noah ſent out the
raven on the day after a full moon day.
We will bring this computation down to the preſent times, and try the truth
of it by a reduction to the Julian month and day, and by its agreement with
a common almanac.
A. D. 1759, the moon was in conjunction with the fun on the 21ft day of
September, which that year happened upon a Friday; viſible on the evening
of the 22d day upon a Saturday; and the fun came to the autumnal equinox
the day following, upon a Sunday. The 22d of September is the 265th day
from the kalends of January; to 265 add 311, then from the fum 576,
ſubſtract for a biffextile year 366, and it will give the 210th day after the
kalends of January, which ftands over-againſt July 29, and ought to be the
day after a full moon.
Almanac. A. D. 1760, full moon, July 28, 1 hour, 27 min. morning.
But we muſt obſerve, that the day after the full moon in July, 1760,
fell upon a Tueſday, inſtead of a Friday.
EXAMPLE V. Gen. viii. 8. Alfo be fent forth a dove from him, to fee if the
waters were abated from off the face of the ground.
ver. 9. But the dove found no reft for the fole of her foot, and fhe returned
unto him into the ark: for the watere were on the face of the whole earth.
Then
504
The Chronology of the World.
Then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into
the ark.
ver. 10. And he stayed yet other feven days, and again he fent forth the dove
out of the ark.
ver. 11. And the dove came in to him in the evening, and lo, in her mouth was
an olive leaf plukt off; fo Noah knew that the waters were abated from off
the earth.
ver. 12. And he stayed yet other ſeven days, and ſent forth the dove; which
returned not again to him any more.
Three hundred and ten days of the current lunar year were compleated
before Noah ſent out the raven to explore the ſtate of the waters.
If from 354 we fubftract 310, the remainder will fhew, that there wanted
44 days to compleat the lunar year; theſe 44 days are divided by the narration
into 22 days and 22 days; for Noah fent out the raven on the IIth day of the
XIth month; and he ſent out the dove the third and laſt time on the 2d day of
the XIIth month. In XI equal months there are 330 days, to which add 2,
and the fum will be 332; from 332 fubftract 310, and the remainder will
be 22; and fince it is faid, that the dove returned not again to him any more, it
is evident that Noah waited as many days in expectation of the dove's return,
as there had paffed from the day that he fent out the raven inclufive, to the
day he ſent out the dove the laſt time inclufive, that is 22 days.
Noah's computations of the times of events, and of his own tranfactions, are
of three different kinds; 1. A fucceffion of IX equal months; 2. Of 41
fingle days; 3. Of weeks. But although Noah divides thefe 44 days, at leaſt
one half of them, into weeks, yet they may be computed aftronomically, as
they contain one lunation and a half, or three half lunations. For 310 days
terminate, as we have feen, on a full moon day; and they may be fet down
as parts of an aftronomical lunar year in the following manner:
D.
D.
D.
D.
310 0 15 15 0 14 C.
D.
Sum total 354-
In XI equal months there are 330 days; the feparate units are 5, which
being fubftracted from 330, will leave 325 for the number of days in 11
unequal lunar months; and, if to 310 we add the firſt half lunation 15, the
fum 325 will inform us that Noah fent out the dove the ſecond time on that
day, in the evening of which the moon was vifible.
If we bring thefe computations down from the 600th year of Noah's life
to the 33d year of the reign of George II. king of Great Britain A, D. 1760,
which was a fimilar year, we fhall find, that 310 days reckoned from the
new moon evening neareft to the autumnal equinox A. D. 1759, will fall, in
agreement
The Chronology of the World.
505
agreement with the calculations of an almanac, on the 28th day of July,
which was a full moon day.
To July 28 add the firſt half lunation 15, and from the fum 43, fubftract
the 31 days of July, the remainder will give Auguft 12, for the day on
which the new moon day ended, or the greateſt part of it; fo that the moon
will be in conjunction with the fun, either early in the morning of that day,
or on the day before.
Almanac. A. D. 1760, new moon, Aug. 11, o hour, 49 min, morning.
To Auguſt 12 add, for the fecond half lunation, 15, and it will bring it
down to Auguſt 27, on the evening of which day the full moon day ended,
or the greateſt part of it; fo that the moon was at the full either early in the
morning of that day, or on the day before.
Almanac. A.D. 1760, Aug. 26, full moon, 1 hour, 32
min. afternoon.
To Auguſt 27 add 14, for the laſt half lunation, and from the fum 41
ſubſtract the 31 days of Auguft, and it will bring it down to September 10,
on the evening of which day the moon was viſible, and the lunar year ended
11 days before the autumnal equinox.
Almanac. A. D. 1760, new moon, Sept. 9, 11 hours, 50 min. morning.
That the lunar year ended 11 days before the autumnal equinox excluſive,
may be eaſily proved. For A. D. 1760 was a biffextile year, and the fun
came to the autumnal equinox on the 22d day of September, fo that the 365th
day of the preceeding folar year ended on the evening of the 21ft. From
September 21 fubftract September 10, and there will remain II days for the
epact.
But although theſe 44 days may be confidered as confifting of three half
lunations, and in that view of them they may be computed aftronomically, yet
it is very evident from the ftyle of the record, that Noah did not compute
them aftronomically, for he divides them into two equal parts, the latter of
which he drops, and the former he ſubdivides into three weeks and one day;
without any intimation that he fent out the raven on the day after a full moon
day; or that he fent out the dove the fecond time, on that day in the evening
of which the moon was vifible; or that he fent out the dove the third and
laft time, on the feventh day after a new moon evening, and 22 days before
the end of the lunar year; for he makes no mention of a lunar year, nor does
he afcertain its quantity.
We muſt try, therefore, if any farther light may be gained by an examination
of thoſe circumſtances relating to the deluge, and to Noah's tranfactions, which
remain to be confidered,
1
Ttt
EXAMPLE
506
The
Chronology of the World.
EXAMPLE VI. Gen. viii. 13. And it came to pass, in the 601ft year, in the
first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from off the
earth. And Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and behold,
the face of the ground was dry.
ver. 14. And in the Second month, and ſeven and twentieth day of the month,
was the earth dried.
ver. 15, 16. And God Spake unto Noah, Jaying, Go forth of the ark.
It appears from theſe extracts, that Noah as well underſtood, and was as
well able to compute the fucceffions of years, as the fucceffions of months,
weeks, and days; he as certainly knew when one year ended and another
year began, as he certainly knew when one month ended and another month
began, or when one day of the week ended and another day of the week
began. But how clear foever theſe ſeveral points may be thought to be, yet
unleſs the reader carries along with him the idea of a diſtinction of years
(and ſuch a diſtinction is ſtrongly implied in the very ſtyle of the narration)
all that can be collected with certainty, concerning the form and quantity of
the patriarchal kalendar, is expreffed in the fubjoined table.
The year of Noah's life
600.
Months. Days. Coll. Days.
The fucceffion of polit. months I.
30
30
II.
30
60
III.
30
90
IV.
30
120
V.
30
150
VI.
30
180
VII.
30
210
VIII. 30
240
IX.
30
270
The fucceffion of days
4I
The fucceffion of weeks
7
*
7
311 the raven ſent out.
318 the dove ſent out, 1ft time.
325 the dove ſent out, 2d time.
332 the dove ſent out, 3d time.
7
*
*
The year of Noah's life
601.
Months. Days.
Succeffion of months I.
30
II.
27 Noah commanded to go forth of the ark.
Now,
The Chronology of the World.
507
Now, let me aſk, what known form of year can, without fome farther
direction, be diſcovered from this miſcellaneous computation of months, weeks,
and days, fhould we add to the account the 57 days of the following lunar
year? For, be it admitted, that the fum 332 (if we reckon 30 days to a
month) brings it down to the ſecond day of the twelfth month of the current
year; yet, whether of a folar, or lunar, or of a merely political year, there
appears not the leaft grounds for a conjecture.
On the other hand, if we ſuppoſe the ſame examiner to infer from the
numbers 600 and 601, that the primitive Patriarchs meaſured by folar years,
and computed by the months and days of the lunar, he would, by this addi-
tional principle, be directed to form the following compleat fcheme of the
twofold year:
The folar year
Months.
The correſponding lunar
year.
O I
600.
Days.
Months. Days.
I.
30
I.
30
II.
30
II.
30
III.
30
III.
30
IV.
30
IV.
30
V.
30
V.
30
VI.
30
VI.
30
VII.
30
VII.
30
VIII.
30
VIII.
30
IX.
30
IX.
30
X.
30
X.
30
XI.
30
XI.
30
XII.
2
XII.
2
*
*
33
22
365
354
The folar year
601.
Months. Days.
The correſponding lunar
year.
Months. Days.
I.
30
I.
30
II.
16
Difference
II.
27 Noah goes
forth of
II days.
[the ark.
Now, ſhould we here be called upon to give an account, by what authority
we have inſerted 33 days after the fecond day of the XIIth month of the folar
Ttt 2
year,
508
The Chronology of the World.
>
year, and 22 days after the ſecond day of the XIIth month of the lunar year;
the anſwer muſt be, that we were directed to make theſe infertions by the
well known number of days in the folar and in the lunar year.
But ſhould it be enquired farther, how it comes to pafs, that Noah, if he
had an intention to tranſmit to future ages, in the contents of his journal, a
ſcheme of the patriarchal kalendar, breaks off fo abruptly, as to leave the
quantity of the XIIth month, quite indeterminate? The answer is, that the
patriarch, inſtead of defining the quantity either of the folar or of the lunar
year, (which every cotemporary knew as well as himſelf, and fo muſt every
aftronomer in every age) very wifely fixes the attention of the reader on the
recorded epact, and by means of that, on the determinate pofition of the
lunar year to the folar. This was a neceffary point of information; fince nei-
ther can the moſt confummate ſkill, nor the acuteft penetration, poffibly aſcertain
a priori, in a given year, the limited diſtance of a new moon evening from the
cardinal point. This variable and limited diſtance muft either be given, or it muſt
be known, as it has been already noted, by obfervation, or by calculation.
That Noah fixes the attention of the reader upon the recorded epact, and
by means of it, on the pofition of the lunar year to the folar, will immediately
appear, if we digeft his numbers into a table.
Solar year
Lunar year
The year of Noah's life
600.
D.
332
332
« II
If from 365, the number of days in a folar year, and which the reader is
ſuppoſed to be well acquainted with, we fubftract the epact 11, the remainder
354, will not only give the number of days in the correfponding lunar year,
but, as we obſerved before, its true adjuftment to the folar.
If Noah, in his journal, had not brought down the account to fome one
day of the XIIth month, we never could have diſcovered, in what manner
the primitive patriarchs computed and adjuſted the months of their twofold
year, but now it may eafily be done; for if from 365 we ſubſtract 330, there
will remain 35 days for the XIIth month of the folar year; and if from
354
we ſubſtract 330, there will remain 24 days for the XIIth month of the political
lunar year; and if from 35 we fubftract 24, there will remain 11 for the epact,.
in its true fituation at the end of the folar year.
The only queftion, therefore, which remains, is, whether it be true in fact
that Noah has recorded the epact in the given year? and for our full fatisfaction
in this material article, here follows
A CAL-
The Chronology of the World.
509
A CALCULATION of the new moon epact in the end of the booth year of Noah's
life, which begins and ends at the autumnal equinox, and fo runs parallel with
the folar tropical year of the world 1656.
Multiply
into
M.
Divide the product by 1440)
Multiply
into
1656 folar years of 365 days, 6 hours,
II minutes.
D. H. M.
18216 (12 15 36 the retroceflion.
1656 folar years,
1461 quadrants.
D.
H. M.
Divide the product by 4) 2419416 (604854 00 oo Julian reduction.
Subſtract for the retroceffion
The fum
12 15 36
604841 8 24, 1ft meridian.
The LUNAR COMPUTATION.
A. M.
Divide by 19)
1656 (87 decennoval cycles.
Remain
3 years of the 88th cycle.
Multiply 87 cycles into 235 lunations, and to the product 20445, add for
3 remaining years 36, the fum of the lunations will be 20481.
Lunations.
Divide by 12) 20481 (1706 lunar years, confifting of 12 months each.
9 lunations.
Remain
Divide by 30)
Remain
Lunar yrs.
1706 (56 periods of
30 lunar years.
26 years of another period.
Multiply 56 into 11, and to the product 616 add 9 for the 26 remaining
years, then the whole amount of lunar years, confifting of 355 days, will be 625.
:
To the product
Multiply
into
Add, for lunar years of 355 days,
To the fum
Add, for 9 lunar months,
To the fum
Add, for half a lunation and odd hours, &c.
The fum of the lunar reduction.
1706 lunar years,
354 days.
603924
625
604549
266
604815 O
15
604830 C
From
510
The Chronology of the World.
From the folar tropical reduction
Subſtract the ſum of the lunar reduction
Remains the recorded new moon epact
604841
604830
« II O
which was to be proved.
To find the day of the week, corresponding aftronomically with the new moon
evening 11 days before the autumnal equinox, in the end of the 600th year
of Noah's life, A. M. 1656.
Calculated from Noah's journal.
I
Noah received the divine command to go forth of the ark, on the 27th day
of the fecond month of the ſecond lunar year, and on the ſeventh day of the
patriarchal week. A month has 30 days, to which add 27, and the fum will
be 57, which being divided by 7, will leave in remainder i; this remainder 1
carries it back to the first day of the firft month of the lunar year, which was
itſelf a ſeventh day; from 7 ſubſtract 1, and the remainder will ſhew, that
the preceeding lunar year ended on the fixth day of the patriarchal week.
Another Method.
Noah ſent out the dove, the third and laſt time, on the ſecond day of the
XIIth month, and on the fifth day of the patriarchal week, (for on that day
of the week he fent out the raven) juft 22 days before the completion of the
lunar year.
Divide 22 by 7, and to the remainder I add 5, the fum will give
the fixth day of the week, as before.
Another Method.
There are 354 days in a lunar year, which being divided by 7 will leave
in remainder 4; the preceeding lunar year ended on the ſecond day of the
patriarchal week; to 4 add 2, and the fum will give the fixth day of the
week, as before.
Proved by calculation from the original radix.
To the days of the lunar reduction
Add, for I entire lunar year,
604476
354
Divide the fum by 7) 604839 (86404 weeks.
Remainder
2 | index 6 | Saturday.
To find the day of the patriarchal week, and alfo the day of the moon's age, com-
puted from the evening of apparition, on which the fun came to the autumnal
equinox, in the beginning of the 601ft year of Noah's life, A. M. 1657-
Calculated
The Chronology of the World.
511
Calculated from Noah's journal.
Noah and his family went forth of the ark on the 57th day after the epoch
of the lunar year, and on the 46th day after the epoch of the folar year inclufive;
from 46 fubftract 1, and the remainder 45 will be the diſtance after the au-
tumnal equinox exclufive; divide 45 by 7, and the remainder will carry it
back to the third day after the autumnal equinox exclufive, and it was itſelf
a feventh day; from 7 fubftract 3, and the remainder will fhew, that the
fun entered the cardinal point on the fourth day of the week. And if from
57 we ſubſtract 45, the remainder will inform us, that the day of the autumnal
equinox was the 12th day after the evening of the moon's vifibility, as in the
fubjoined ſcheme.
l
D.
600
k
354 12
бол
D.
45
Now may we not fairly argue thus? If Noah was able to record the day of
the patriarchal week, on which one lunar year ended, and another lunar year
began; let me add farther, if he was able to record the day of the patriarchal
week, and the day of the moon's age, reckoned from the evening of apparition,
on which one folar tropical year ended, and another, which immediately fol-
lowed it, began; have we not fufficient grounds to conclude, that fuch a
recorder muſt have been well acquainted with the annual periods of both, and
their aſtronomical quantities?
In the beginning of the 600th year of Noah's life, A. M. 1656, the ſun,
by Noah's computation, came to the autumnal equinox on the third day of
the patriarchal week, and on the firſt day or the firſt month of a lunar year;
but in the beginning of the 601ft year, A.M. 1657, the fun, by Noah's com-
putation, entered the fame cardinal point on the fourth day of the patriarchal
week, and on the 12th day of the firſt month of the fecond lunar year; tɔ
354 add 12, and the fum will be 366; the patriarch therefore muſt have
known that 365 days did not compleat the folar year; nor can it, with any
colour of reafon, be afcribed to the fport of fancy, or the mere warmth of
imagination, to fuppofe that in the primitive ages they were rightly informed
of the terminating quadrant, and its quadriennial changes; fince, without
having recourſe, at prefent, to the minute circumſtances of the original pofition
of the fun and moon, it may, with great probability, be inferred from the fucceffive
years 1655 and 1656; for the former, after the divifion by 4, leaves in remain
der 3, that is, 3 quadrants of a day; and the latter, after the divifion by 4,
will leave in remainder o, which indicates, that the fourth quadrant was com-
pleated when the fun that year came to the autumnal equinox. Now, if from 4
quadrants
512
The Chronology of the World.
I
4
quadrants we fubftract 3, there will remain 365 days and for the quantity
of the current year; But that the ante-diluvian patriarch was poffeffed of the
means which might enable him to correct thefe 365 days, and one fourth
part of another, into the true quantity of a folar revolution, we fhall attempt
to fhew in the fequel.
The more attentively we examine and confider the contents of Noah's
journal, the more we muſt admire it; the more we muſt eſteem it as the genuine
and authentic monument of high antiquity. But it will be thought incredible,
until demonſtration ſhall enforce affent, that in the primitive ages of the world
they ſhould be favoured with a kalendar, fo adequately commenfurate to the
annual revolutions of the fun and moon; fo nicely adjuſted to the periodical
returns of the appointed feſtival; and of fuch an exact aftronomical texture,
that the two luminaries could not fail to give their joint atteftations to the
recorded times of memorable events. In a word, this primæval kalendar
was ſo perfectly conftructed, that it muſt, in its original exemplar, have exceeded
the utmoſt power of human ſkill and contrivance; and it is certain, that the
moſt cultivated European nations, with all their improvements in philoſophy
and ſcience, have not deviſed its equal.
Although all practical knowledge of this original kalendar has been entirely
loft many ages ago, yet, as we have ſeen, it is fo tranfmitted to us in the
writings of Mofes, that with the help of a competent ſkill in aſtronomy, it
may be reſtored to its native integrity; and we might, if the legiſlature thought
fit, make uſe of it in the annals of our hiftory, in the fame manner as it was
vulgarly uſed in the days of Noah, of Mofes, of David and Solomon, of
Ezra and Nehemiah, after whofe death it ſeems to have fallen into difufe
by the difperfions of the Jews amongſt the Grecian colonies, in the times of
Alexander the Great.
We have purpoſely inferted theſe words, by the help of a competent skill in
aftronomy, because, in order to diſcover the determinate pofition of the fun and
moon to each other in the end of the 600th year of Noah's life, A. M. 1656,
a very little more will be neceffary, than a previous information of theſe few
particulars, namely, 1ft, That the patriarchal folar year began at the autumnal
equinox. 2dly, That the correſponding lunar year commenced on the evening
in which the moon was generally vifible at its fetting. 3dly, That there are
365 entire days in the former, and 354 in the latter. 4thly, That the dif-
ference between them forms what we technically call the epact.
We muſt now prepare ourſelves to anſwer objections, and ſuch objections as
at the firſt view will be thought unanswerable.
It will undoubtedly be alledged, that although we read in the writings of
Mofes of years, months, weeks, days, and alſo of the cardinal points of the day,
namely,
The Chronology of the World.
513
namely, noon, evening, midnight, morning, yet no fuch terms, as quadrant of
the day, occurs, much leſs the fubdivifions of it into the minuter parts of time,
which we call hours, &c. but thefe leffer fubdivifions are the effential re-
quifites of every aftronomical calculation.
As the foregoing obfervation is founded in fact, we ſhall here take occafion
to examine the feveral terms of computation which lie interfperfed in the fe-
veral parts of the Old Teſtament and the New, in the Law and in the Gofpel.
The following examples, taken from the Pentateuch, will diſcover to us,
that the time of the current day, in which fome event is related to have hap-
pened, is either limited to a cardinal point, or is ſeemingly left undeterminate.
EXAMPLE Í. Gen. i. 5. The evening and the morning was the firſt day.
If theſe terms, evening and morning, may be understood to exprefs the
moment of the fun's fetting and rifing at the equinox, then, by them, the
natural day (which we compute to confift of twenty-four hours) is divided
into the darkened and enlightened hemifphere, when, throughout the globe,
the day is equal to the night. And in this aftronomical and equinoctial ſenſe
we underſtand them.
EXAMPLE II. Gen. vii. 11. Noah entered into the ark on the feventeenth day of
the Second month (begnetzem haijom hazzeh, in the body, or fubftance, of
this very day; that is, between the rifing and the fetting of the fun.)
EXAMPLE III. Gen. xviii. 1. Abraham fat in the tent-door, in the heat of the day.
EXAMPLE IV. Gen. xix. 23. The fun was rifen upon the earth, when Lot
entered into Zoar.
EXAMPLE V. Gen. xix. 27. Abraham got up early in the morning.
EXAMPLE VI. Gen. xliii. 16. And Jofeph faid, Make ready, for thefe men
Shall dine with me at noon.
EXAMPLE VII. Exod. xii. 29. And it came to pass, that at midnight the Lord
Smote all the first-born of the land of Egypt.
:
EXAMPLE VIII. Exod. xiv. 24. And it came to pass, that in the morning-
watch, the Lord looked unto the host of the Egyptians.
Without producing any more examples, we may pertinently remark, that
if Moſes had been acquainted with the leffer fubdivifions of time, which have
a natural
U u u
514
The Chronology of the World.
a natural aptitude for computation, he would never have had recourſe to ſuch
laboured circumlocutions, as we find he does, when the fubject required him
to aſcertain the appointed time of killing the paffover.
Exod. xii. 1. And the Lord Spake unto Mofes and Aaron in the land of Egypt,
Saying,
ver. 3. Speak unto all the congregation, faying, in the tenth day of this month,
they shall take every man a lamb.
ver. 6. And ye fhall keep it up untill the fourteenth day of the fame month, and
the whole affembly of the congregation of Ifrael ſhall kill it, (ben hagnarbajim.)
Before we attempt to explain in what definitive fenfe we are to underſtand
this peculiar Hebrew phrafe, ben bagnarbajim, we ſhall firft enquire at what
preciſe time the Ifraelites were commanded to eat the paffover after it was killed.
Exod. xii. 18. In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at even,
(begnereb) ye shall eat (with the paffover) unleavened bread.
But to prevent our interpreting the Hebrew word gnereb, which is rendered
evening, with too great a latitude, Mofes himſelf limits it to a ſtrict aſtronomical
fenſe, Deut. xvi. 6. Thou shalt facrifice the paſſover, (begnereb beboa ſhemeſh
i. e. in the evening, at the going down of the fun.)
It appears then by Mofes's own explication, that the Hebrew noun gnereb,
denotes the time of fun-fetting at the equinoxes.
The precife point of time, in which the paffover was to be eaten as a
facrifice to the Lord, is expreffed, we fee, in fuch terms whofe limited ſenſe
cannot be eaſily miſtaken; but the Hebrew phraſe, ben hagnarbajim, lies more
remote from our comprehenfions, and feems to be written in fuch an obfolete
and unintelligible ftyle, as that the literal tranflation into Engliſh, between the
two evenings, conveys no diftinct idea of the time to the reader's mind, and
we muſt be at ſome pains to underſtand it.
The noun gnarbajim is, by its punctuation, in the dual number; and there
is a great propriety in this, as it evidently has reſpect to two cardinal points,
namely, noon and fun-fetting. The prepofition ben prefixed, divides the in-
termediate ſpace into two equal parts, and we apprehend the fenſe may be
thus expreffed: In the middle point of the fun's diurnal declinations; or in the
middle point between noon and fun-fetting.
Here Mofes divides the fourth quadrant into halves, and confequently the
whole nuƐthemeron, or natural day, into octants, or eight equal parts; which
the latter Jews, who lived under the dominion of the Romans, diftributed
into the four watches of the night, and into the four watches of the day, as
we read in the Goſpel.
Mark xiii. 35. Ye know not when the master of the houſe cometh, at even, or at
midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning.
Matth.
The Chronology of the World.
515
Matth. xx. 1. An houſeholder went out early in the morning; i. e. on the first
hour of the day, to hire labourers.
ver. 3. And he went out about the third hour.
ver. 5. Again he went out about the fixth and ninth hour.
ver. 6. And about the eleventh hour he went out.
ver. 8. So when the even was come, he faith unto his fterward, call the labourers.
Now, if we digeft thefe Goſpel computations into a table, their exact agree-
ment with the Mofaic fubdivifion of the nucthemeron, or natural day, into octants,
or eight equal parts, will clearly appear.
Sunſetting.
I.
Midnight.
The Mofaic divifion.
3.
ள்
4.
Sunrifing.
I.
2.
Noon.
1
ben hagnarbajim.w
Sunſetting. →
I.
The Gospel computation.
2. 3. 4.
I.
2.
Ωρα εκτη.
Ωρα έννατη. ω
3.
4.
озро
In this table the adverbe (evening) denotes the first watch of the night,
which commences at the moment. of the fun's fetting at the equinoxes, and
terminates in the middle point of the firft quadrant of the natural day; in
our ſtyle, it begins at fix o'clock in the evening, and ends at nine o'clock at
night, marked in the table number 1.
From the adverb is derived the noun ok, and this phraſe, ofias veroμerns,
frequently occurs in the Goſpel; the time fignified by it, may be either the
moment of ſunſetting at the equinoxes, or after fix in the evening, and be-
fore ſeven; or after feven, and before eight; or after eight, and before nine :
but which of theſe times the term of may be fuppofed occafionally to expreſs,
muſt be collected from the context, and the circumftances related. All that
can be known with certainty, is this, that whatever be related in theſe terms,
the time in which it happened, muſt be either at or after fix o'clock in the
evening, and before nine o'clock at night.
Here ends the firſt watch, and the first half of the firft quadrant of the
nucthemeron, or natural day.
Uuu 2
The
516
The Chronology of the World.
The fecond watch commenced at the middle point of the firſt quadrant, and
terminated together with it at midnight, marked number 2. In our ſtyle, it
began at nine o'clock at night, and ended at twelve o'clock at night.
St. John the evangelift remarks, (ch. xiii. 30.) that Judas having received
the fop, went immediately out, uv de vue, and it was night. The time here
fignified might be nine o'clock at night; or after nine, and before ten; or
after ten, and before eleven; or after eleven, and before twelve. Thus o
and wʊž are diſtinguiſhed.
And although, ftrictly speaking, night comprehends the whole ſpace between
fun-fetting and fun-rifing at the equinoxes, yet it may be queſtioned whether
w be uſed in the Goſpel to denote any part of the firſt watch.
Here ends the ſecond watch, and the firft quadrant of the nucthemeron.
The third watch commenced at midnight, and terminated in the middle
point of the fecond quadrant, marked number 3. In our ſtyle, it began at
midnight, and ended at three o'clock in the morning, which is called in the
Gofpel, axextopopia, or the time of cock-crowing.
In the end of this third watch our Saviour Jefus Chrift was at Annas's
palace, and had there been examined by him (John xviii. 19.) concerning
his diſciples, and his doctrine, before he had fent him bound to Caiphas, who
was high-prieft for that
year.
At this place, and at this time, Peter had denied his Maſter thrice, by the
fire-fide in the common hall, before the cock had crowed once; in the whole,
at three different places, and at three different times, (reckoning the denial at
the fire-fide for one) he had denied him thrice before the cock crowed twice,
punctually verifying his Maſter's twofold prediction, John xiii. 38. Mark xiv.
30.
Here ends the third watch, and the firſt half of the fecond quadrant.
The fourth watch, which is exprefsly called TETapTи quaaxn, commenced at the
middle point of the fecond quadrant, and ended at funrifing, marked num-
ber 4. In our ftyle, it began at three o'clock in the morning, and ended at
fix o'clock in the morning.
πρωί,
uſed with the fame lati-
The time fignified may
after three, and before
The adverb πp, and its derivative noun pa, are
tude, and in the fame reftrained fenfe, as ove and ofia.
be either three o'clock in the morning; or it may be
four ; or after four, and before five; or after five, and before fix. And fome-
times they are uſed to exprefs fix o'clock in the morning precifely, as Matth.
xx. 1. The houſeholder went out aμa pw, in the beginning of the day, i. e. at
fix o'clock in the morning, or the first hour of the day.
Sometimes theſe terms, pw and pα, are uſed to denote the whole extent
of the fourth watch, whilft the precife time can only be known by the
adjuncts.
Mark
The Chronology of the World.
557
Mark xvi. 9. Now when Jefus was rifen pw, early, that is, in the fourth
watch, without any note of limitation.
Matth. xxvii. 1. Пpwas gevoμerns, when the morning was come, i. e. the fourth
watch, when the fourth watch was come, the chief priests and elders of the
people took counsel against Jefus; here the hour is not determined.
πρωί, ετι
e.
John xx. 1. The first day of the week, apwi, oxorias eri vons, i. c. in the beginning
of the fourth watch, when it was yet dark, Mary Magdalene goeth to the fepulchre.
Mark xvi. 2. The first day of the week, av pw, when it was early, valdè manè,
i, e. in the beginning of the fourth watch, they went, or fet out, for the fe-
pulchre, and they arrived there at the rifing of the fun.
BONS,
για πρωί,
In theſe phraſes, #ew, CHOTIαs ETI Yous, and a po, we have the date of the
refurrection. This appears from St. Matthew's account, who joins the time
of the women's fetting out, when it began to dawn, with the earthquake, the
rolling away the ſtone by an angel, and the frighting away the guards, who
were bribed to falfify the evidence of their fenfes. Our Saviour aroſe from
the grave then in the beginning of the fourth watch, or at three o'clock in
the morning.
The conclufion is, that the fourth watch of the night ended, and the firſt
watch of the day began at fix o'clock in the morning, at which point the ſecond
quadrant of the nucthemeron ended.
John xi. 9. Our Saviour fays to the Jews, are there not twelve hours in a day?
But we ſhall obferve that theſe hours were not reckoned either from noon or
midnight, but from fix o'clock in the morning to fix o'clock in the evening.
When the given number of hours is lefs than 6, add 6 to them, and the
fum will be the hours after midnight; e.g. Mark xv. 25. And it was the third
hour when they crucified him. To 3 add 6, and the fum will exprefs 9 hours
after midnight, or nine o'clock in the morning for the time in which Jefus
was led away to the place of his crucifixion.
In the xixth chapter of St. John's Gofpel, ver. 14. we read, wpa de wσe extи>
it was about the fixth hour, that is, about noon. But an error has evidently
crept into the text, for it not only makes St. John to contradict the accounts
of the other Evangelifts, but his own too. In Nonnus's paraphraſe we read,
apa TρITATи, i. e. the third hour.
ра третати,
Matt. xxvii. 45. Now from the fixth hour, there was darkness over all the land
until the ninth hour. To 6 add 6, and the fum will give twelve hours after
midnight, or twelve o'clock at noon.
If the given number of hours be more than fix, fubftract fix from them,
and there will remain the hour or hours after noon.
John iv. 52. Yesterday at the feventh hour the fever left him. From 7 ſub-
Atract 6, and there will remain 1 hour after noon.
John
518
The Chronology of the World.
John i. 39. They abode with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.
From 10 fubftract 6, and there will remain 4 hours after noon.
Matth. xxvii. 45. There was darkneſs over all the land untill the ninth hour.
From 9 fubftract 6, and there will remain 3 hours after noon.
Matth. xx. 6. He went out about the eleventh hour. From II fubftract 6, and
there will remain 5 hours after noon.
No one that has peruſed the four Goſpels can make it a queſtion, whether
the Evangelifts and Jews of that age were inftructed to compute the hours of
the day, although they did not reckon them from midnight to midnight as we
do. But if filence be a good foundation for an argument, then there are reaſons
to conclude, that neither the Evangelifts nor the Jews of that age, had any
knowledge of minutes or fexagefimal parts, fince they make no mention
of them.
Matth. xxvii. 46. Пept Tuv erratur wper, about the ninth hour Jefus cried with a
loud voice-
ver. 50. Jefus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yeilded up the ghost,
(at the ninth hour.)
Now, did the Evangelift know, by immediate inſpiration, or by vulgar methods
of computation, that it was about the ninth hour, or in our ſtyle, that there
wanted but a few minutes of three o'clock in the afternoon when Jeſus ut-
tered that bitter cry upon the croſs?
If it be urged, that hours are not recorded in the computations of Moſes,
may it not be equally faid, that neither are minutes recorded in the com-
putations of the Evangelifts?
And yet, as the Goſpel phrafe, Tepi Thy ervatuv apar, about the ninth hour, im-
plies the knowledge of the leffer fubdivifions of time, which we call minutes;
fo, on the other hand, the Mofaic phrafe, ben hagnarbajim, implies the ma-
thematical exactnefs of a moment.
No one would think it at all abfurd to fuppofe, that the Evangelift was inftructed
to compute that time of the day which he has fo minutely defined; on the
other hand, when it is expreflly faid, Exod. xii. 28. that the whole affembly
of the congregation of Ifrael did as the Lord commanded Mofes and Aaron,
is there any room to doubt, whether they were furniſhed with means to
afcertain that point of the day, which they were obliged, by divine authority,
to obſerve, and actually did obſerve ?
If, in our imagination, we carry back the Goſpel hours to the fourteenth
day of the first month of that year, in which the firft paffover was appointed
to be killed, it will be eafy to perceive, that without the help of fome lower
fubdivifions, an ancient Ifraelite would derive no advantage from them; he
would be as well able to aſcertain the middle diſtance between noon and fun-
fetting
The Chronology of the World.
519
S
fetting without them, as with them; for how fhould he difcover their comple-
tion? And, moreover, he would, in the three watch hours, have three points
to determine with precifion inftead of one.
Again, If, in our imagination, we carry back theſe Goſpel hours to the
times of Noah, it is very evident, that we ſhould no more be able to calculate
the revolution of the year, or the minute diſtance of a mean new moon or full
moon before the cardinal point, by the 24th part of a day, confidered as the
loweſt meaſure, than we could by the Mofaic octant, confidered as the loweſt
meaſure.
The conclufion from what has been faid is, that the knowledge of fexage-
fimal parts is indiſpenſably neceffary in every aftronomical calculation, and that
without them no aftronomical calculation can be performed.
Here it will be faid, that the Jews were then well qualified to compute the
times aftronomically, fince long before the Gofpel age, they had divided the
24th part of a day into 1080 (the product of 60 into 18) helakim or parts,
and continue to do fo to this day.
This account, fo far as it concerns the latter or the modern Jews, no one
will be inclined to controvert; but the queſtion is, by what evidences can it
be made to appear, that the primitive patriarchs, or to come lower down, the
ancient Hebrews and Ifraelites, (who feem to have no word in all their language
to expreſs the leffer fubdivifions of time) were inftructed to calculate aftrono-
mically? And yet moſt certain it is, whatever may be thought of the paradox,
that Noah has recorded in his journal fuch a combination of characters, re-
fpecting the fun, the moon, and the day of the patriarchal week, as cannot
poffibly be aſcertained in an interval of 1656 years, without the exact meaſure,
not only of the folar tropical year, but of a mean lunation too.
Now let this queftion be propoſed, By what means might Noah, and the reft
of the primitive patriarchs, be given to understand, that there wanted a quadrant,
or one fourth part of a day, to complete the 365 days into a folar year? The
anſwer is, they might have been acquainted with it from the knowledge of
original principles.
It would be abfurd to fuppofe, that the patriarchs were entire ftrangers to
the pofition of the fun and moon at their creation, which is a datum of the
Pentateuch, and we have given accumulated proofs of its reality and certainty.
And fince there could have been no human witnefs to creation, it muſt be
ultimately refolvible into an immediate divine communication to our great
progenitor Adam, and from him it might be conveyed traditionally, and by
practical ufe, to Noah, and from Noah to Mofes. With reſpect to Noah,
this traditional conveyance may be readily admitted; for although he was the
tenth in deſcent from Adam inclufive, yet was he but the third in fucceffion ;
:
as
}
:
520
The Chronology of the World.
as his grand-father Methufalah lived 243 years cotemporary with Adam, and
599 years with Noah. Rightly is it called the old world, fince nothing like
this is to be found in the new.
We ſee then, that Noah might have been traditionally informed, that the
fun began its courſe at what we call the point of the autumnal equinox, in the
end of a full moon day, at noon; and that the computation by compleat lunar
years, commenced on the evening of the fourth day, exclufive of it. From
noon to fun-fetting is a compleat quadrant; and be it noted, that this quadrant
was the firſt diſtinct portion of time that was meaſured by the earth's diurnal
or rotative motion in union with its annual.
We ſay then, that becauſe the computation by folar years commenced on
the fourth day at noon, in the firft meridian; and the computation by kalendar
lunar years and kalendar lunations, commenced in the evening of the fourth
day, and exclufive of it, it follows that the firſt ſolar year of the world ran in
this form, +365 days.
4
We have, in the foregoing pages, confidered it as a fundamental principle,
as an original eſtabliſhment of the creation, the truth of which every obſervation
that ſhall be made will confirm, that the fun conftantly comes to a given car-
dinal point of the year, ſuppoſe the autumnal equinox, on the four cardinal
points of the day, every four years fucceffively, although not in the fame
meridian,
This quadriennial change of the cardinal point of the day, diſcovers to us
the neceffity of annexing the TapTov, or quadrant, to the 365 compleat days of
the folar year. Here follows,
A TABLE of the four cardinal points of the day, as we find them denominated in
the writings of Mofes.
Od
"чиголодого 10
A.M. 1.
A. M. 2.
Gnereb.
Midnight. FOI Chatzi laijelah. = {}
A. M. 3.
III.
Sunrifing. Boker.
A. M. 4.
O
A. M. 1. A. M. 2.
Ą. M, 3.
A. M. 4.
Noon.
Sumfetting. O]}
¶ 08
pop Zoboraim.
Noon.
In
The Chronology of the World.
521
,
In this table we have placed the fymbol of the autumnal equinox, name-
ly o over every one of the cardinal points, and under it theſe numbers,
o. I. II. III. which we call the indices of the cardinal points; o. is the index
of noon, I. of fun-fetting, II. of midnight, III. of fun-rifing.
I
4.
Let us take two years in immediate fucceffion, fuppofe A. M. 1655 and
A. M. 1656. It has been already fhewn, that the former, after the divifion
by 4, will leave in remainder 3, and the latter o. But theſe numbers are
indices of fun-rifing and noon; fo that A. M. 1656 began at the one cardinal
point, and ended on the other; and it muſt have confifted of 365 days and
That Noah reckoned more than 365 entire days to the year 1656, is plain from
the change of the day of the week; for he entered into his 600th year on
the third, but he entered into his 601ft year on the fourth day of the patriar-
chal week; nor need we ſay, that 365 entire days muſt ever end on the fame
day of the week with which they began.
We muſt not, upon this occafion, omit to take notice, that the days of the
folar computation have a variable epoch throughout the current quadriennium,
whilft the days of the lunar computation have an invariable one; Ye shall ce-
lebrate your Sabbaths (fays Mofes, Levit. xxiii. 32.) from even to even. The
ancient computation was lunar, and their computed days, we fee, were ordered
to begin and end, in our ſtyle, at fix o'clock in the evening.
From hence we may infer, that as the fun began its courfe from the point
of the autumnal equinox at noon, in the end of A. M. 1, it returned to the
ſame point again at its fetting; and in this caſe the epoch of the firſt ſolar year
muſt have preceeded the epoch of the first full moon lunar year a whole qua-
drant, and that firſt folar year muſt have proceeded, as we before obſerved, in
this form, 365 days.
4
In the end of A. M. 2, the fun compleated its revolution at midnight;
from fun-ſetting to midnight is one quadrant, and fo much the epoch of the
lunar computation preceeded the folar.
In the end of A. M. 3, the fun compleated its revolution at its rifing; from
fun-fetting to fun-rifing is two quadrants, and fo much the epoch of the lunar
computation preceeded the folar.
In the end of A. M. 4, the fun compleated its revolution at noon; from
fun-ſetting to noon are 3 quadrants, and fo much the epoch of the lunar
computation preceeded the folar.
In the end of A. M. 5, the fun compleated its revolution at its ſetting; from
noon to fun-ſetting is I quadrant, and fo much the epoch of the folar com-
putation did again precede the epoch of the lunar, and that year, like the firſt,
proceeded again in this form, + 365 days.
X X X
If
522
The Chronology of the World.
If we divide the number of years that have paffed fince the creation, by 4,
and digeft them into diftinct quadrienniums, the fun will have compleated its
revolutions in every one of them, with refpect to the cardinal points of the
day, in the manner as is reprefented in the following table:
Noon.
Noon.
I
I.
D.
365
I
ம்
5.
/ 365
Sunſetting. I♪
2.
3.
D.
4.
D.
I
365
365
D.
365*
But as the annual periods of the moon are as diftinct in nature as the annual
periods of the fun, and their quantity is as determinate, it is obvious to perceive,
that thoſe kalendars must be greatly wanting in perfection, in which thefe two
incommenfurate years are not carried on in a conftant and juſt connection
with each other; and a ſmall degree of confideration will lead us to infer, that
the annual feparate quadrants were originally appointed by the Creator himfelf
as the mediums or bonds of this connection, fince they fpontaneouſly terminate
in the four cardinal points of the day in every fucceffive quadriennium. As
a proof of this, here follows
A TABLE of the patriarchal folar and lunar tetraeteris; or, the firſt quadrien-
nium of the world's age.
A. M. o.
A. M. I.
A. M. 2.
F. M. lunar years
N. M. lunar years 15
(15
Noon.
Sunfetting.
343 22
354 O II
339
264354
Midnight.
A. M. 3.
A. M. 4.
8 355 0 2
348
17
Sunrifing.
O
352 O 14
12 € 354
Noon.
This table will merit fome remarks. And, firſt, it contains four folar years
in fucceffion; theſe four folar years include, 1. Four lunar years, three of
which confift of 354 and one of 355 days, whofe fum is 1417. 2. They
include four lunar epacts, three of which confift of II days; and one of 10
days, whoſe fum is 43, which being added to 1417 make 1460. 3. They
include four quadrants, which make one day; to 1460 add 1, and the whole
amount will be 1461 days.
From hence it appears, that take any four years of the world, the lunar
computation is not only included in the folar, but.is equal to it, without any
excurrent
The Chronology of the World.
523
excurrent days; as to the original epact 15, it is chaotic and imaginary, al-
though it was neceffary to fet it down for the fake of connection.
Secondly, We have a double feries of lunar years; theſe in the uppermoſt
line begin and end with a full moon, and thofe in the lowermoft line begin
and end with a new moon, or with the evening of apparition.
Thirdly, The fymbol of the autumnal equinox, is placed at the end of
A. M. o. In A. M. 1 it makes no appearance at all. In A. M. 2 and A. M. 3
it occurs once. In A. M. 4 it occurs twice, in the beginning and in the end
of the year. For theſe different fituations aftronomical reaſons may be affigned.
Fourthly, In this quadriennium, the ſeparate quadrants are annually meaſured,
and annually computed. They are annually meaſured in the fucceffions of folar
revolutions, which commence at one cardinal point of the day, and end in the
next that follows it; they are annually computed in the days of the lunar year,
without giving any diſturbance to the political reckoning by integral days. So that
in this primæval form of year, which was both folar and lunar, there feems,
in the courſe of a quadriennium, to have been no intercalary day. But if
there was no intercalary day, then the queſtion is, by what law or principle
of aſtronomy could it be avoided? On the other hand, if there was an inter-
calary day, then how was it introduced, or where was it inferted ?
Should it be ſaid, that it was inferted in the fourth year, becauſe if to 352
days we add 14, or if to 12 days, we add 354, the fum, in both cafes, will
be 366; but to this we reply, that the fourth year, as the table fhews, begins
at fun-riſing, and ends at the next cardinal point noon; the interval is I quad-
rant; and confequently the fourth year, like the preceeding three, confifts of
365 days and. We fay farther, that in a common lunar year of 354 days,
there can be no intercalary day; and if to 12, the firft number, we add the
epact 17, the fum will be 29; but there can no more be an intercalary day in
a lunar month of 29 days, then there can be an intercalary day in a common
lunar year of 354 days; there was therefore no intercalary day at all.
Our prefent argument required us to fhew, and we have clearly fhewn,
that Noah, and the reſt of the primitive patriarchs, might have been directed,
by their knowledge of original principles, or by an uninterrupted practical
ufage, to annex the quadrant at the end of 365 days, for the more full com-
pletion of the folar year.
Having now advanced one confiderable ſtep farther, we may venture to fet
down the primitive folar year in the following form and quantity :
D.
D.
I
The primitive folar year 360+ 5+ 4.
But the greateſt nicety, as well as the greatest difficulty, ftill remains to be
accounted for, and that is, the aftronomical correction of the quadrant. By
X X X 2
what
524
The Chronology of the World.
what means could Noah, and the reft of the primitive patriarchs, attain to this
perfection of aftronomy?
I anſwer, by only taking a view of the frame and ftructure of their folar
year, were the number 360 would immediately meet the eye. But is not
the number 360 evidently compounded of 6 times 60? Is it not naturally
refolvible into 60. 60. 60. 60. 60. 60?
I
2
3
4
5
6
Here I beg to afk, Who firſt introduced the aſtronomer and the mathematician
into fuch a familiar acquaintance with this primæval, ante-diluvian, and pa-
triarchal number 360? Who firft difcovered to them its fecret treaſures ?
Who firſt inſtructed them to diſcern its inherent properties and powers? From
whence, but from this number 360, fo pliable to computation, did they derive
the neceffary doctrine of fexagefimal parts, which they have infenfibly adopted
unto this day?
The aftronomer reckons 60 minutes to an hour; 30 minutes to half an
hour; and 15 minutes to a quarter of an hour.
The mathematician reckons 60 minutes to a degree; 30 minutes to half a
degree; and 15 minutes to a quarter of a degree.
The aftronomer divides the earth's annual orbit into 360 degrees; and the
mathematician divides the equator, and all concentric circles, into the ſame
number.
We do not fay, that theſe divifions and computations are arbitrary; we only
fay, that they are traditional; and yet feemingly without any direction from
nature; nay, with reſpect to the annual orbit, in no agreement with it,
If we enquire into the grounds of thefe proceedings, the account is, that
this number 360 is found, by long experience, to be extremely apt for com-
putation; as it abounds with aliquot parts, and admits of a multiplicity of
divifors.
All this is very true; but ftill the queftion recurs, from whom did they
receive it? Can they fix the date of its high antiquity? Can they trace it back
to its author and its origin?
Ptolemy availed himſelf of this number 360, and its conftituent parts, be-
fore any perſon of the prefent age was born, fifteen or fixteen hundred years
ago; and fo did Hipparchus before Ptolemy; the fame may be faid of old
Chiron, many hundred years before the times of Hipparchus.
The ancient Egyptians, Chaldeans, Affyrians, and Phoenicians, and many
other Eaſtern nations, had no other number to compute their years by.
We have found it in the 600th year of Noah's life, at the diftance of more
than
4000 years from the preſent times; and whilſt the aftronomers and the
mathematicians can only plead immemorial tradition and the right of prefcription.,
we can plead patriarchal authority for its uſe and application.
For
The Chronology of the World.
525
For my own part, when I attentively confider this ancienr number 360,
and its unparalleld aptitude for computation, I am enclined to think, that it was
originally Swgov O, the gift of God to mankind; that it was coæval with the
creation; that it was practically underſtood by Adam, Seth, and Enofh, &c.
and by all the people of God down to the conclufion of the ſcripture times;
and let it be remarked, that the 1080 parts, which are now made uſe of by
the modern Jews, is but a decompound of 360; for if we divide 1080 by 3,
the quotient will give 360. But be this as it will, I find the ante-diluvian
and poſt-diluvian patriarch in poffeffion of it, and together with it of all the
neceffary means of aſtronomical computation, as will appear by the ſeveral
fubdivifions annexed:
Days.
360, twelve equal months.
60, two equal months.
30, a political month.
15, half a month, or lunation.
II, the lunar epact.
4, difference between 15 and 11 d,
I, diurnal rotation.
Sexagefimal parts.
360', a quarter of a day.
60', an hour; a degree.
30', half an hour; half a degree.
15', of an hour; of a degree.
4
II', the meridian epact.
4
4', difference between 15' and 117.
I', the aſtronomical unit.
We cannot explain theſe feveral fubdivifions by a more important query
than this, namely, By what means might Noah, and the rest of the primitive
patriarchs, be enabled to afcertain the exact quantity of the folar tropical year ?
We need not heſitate for an anſwer; Noah, and the reft of the primitive
patriarchs, might be enabled to afcertain the quantity of the folar tropical
year, with great facility and certainty, by the help of this number 360, and
its conſtituents; as will appear by the ſeveral ſteps of the following
I
CALCULATION.
1. Multiply 365 days and into 4, and the product will give 1461 quadrants.
2. Multiply 1461 quadrants into 360 fexagefimal parts, and the produc
will give 525960'.
3. This laft product terminates with the number 60, which bring down, and
fet the preceeding fubdivifions under it, in the following manner:
60'.
30'. 30'.
15.' 15'. 15'. 15'.
4'. 11'. 4'. 11'. 4'. 11'. 4'. ..
Now,
526
The Chronology of the World.
Now, 4 and 11' make 15', to theſe add the next 4', and they will make
19'; to theſe add the next 11', and they will make 30'; to theſe add the next 47,
and they will make 34'; to theſe add the next II', and they will make 45';
to theſe add the next 4', and the fum will be 49'. From 60' fubftract 49',
and there will remain II', or the meridian epact.
From the product
Subſtract the meridian epact
And there will remain
525960'
II'
525949'
4. Multiply 360' into 4', and the product will be 1440'.
D. H. M.
5. Divide by 1440') 525949′ (365 5 49, the patriarchal meaſure of the
[folar tropical year.
Thus Noah, by the affiftance of original and given numbers, might have
been able to determine, with precifion, the quantity of the fun's annual period;
which the aſtronomers, with all their obſervations, have never been able to
do, with any uniform exactnefs or confiftency, in the long ſpace of near two
thousand years,
One would be apt to conclude, from theſe mechanical calculations, (which
produce conclufions exactly true) that the quantity of the folar tropical year
was a mechanical conftruction, and that, inſtead of ſtudying motion and its
laws, we need only acquaint ourſelves with the mechaniſm of a kalendar
number.
What is here faid may be confidered, perhaps, only as a roving of the
fancy; but we ſhall not fcruple to advance it for a matter of fact, and as a certain
truth, that if it was required to afcertain by calculation the anniverſary return
of a feſtival, in a given month and day of the lunar year, and in an appointed
ſeaſon of the folar, we fhould not need any other directory, any other aids or
affiſtances, than what the political, and, let me add, the mechanical conftruction
of the patriarchal folar and lunar year, will of itſelf, by bare intuition, furniſh
us with; and yet the conclufion will be aftronomically true; and that too, with
fuch an exactneſs in integral days, as no aftronomical tables will be able to
exceed, I might rather fay, will be able, in an interval of more than 4000
years, to come up to.
We ſhall here give a ſcheme of what we have called, and ſhall
an aſtronomical directory,
The patriarchal folar year
The lunar year in its twofold quantity 354 + II
prove
to be,
D.
D.
360 + 51
11.
35510
We
The Chronology of the World.
527
We do not preſume to offer the following calculations as patriarchal; nor
do we undertake to difcover and explain how they adjuſted tecuphath hashanah,
the revolution of the year, and the aftronomical returns of the feaſt day;
which we ſuppoſe to have been conftantly obferved from the firft ages of the
world; but we do undertake to diſcover and explain how they might have
done it, with all imaginable eaſe, and with exactneſs too, from the very frame
and ftructure of their year.
We call thefe calculations mechanical; and we call them fo, becauſe in
them no regard at all is had to the motions of the moon, or any known prin-
ciples of fcience, excepting only the created diftinctions between the two
incommenfurate years, and the natural quantities of both; with which, in
the primitive ages, they were undoubtedly well acquainted; of this we are
certified from Noah's journal and computations.
The more plain and fimple any principles are, the more likely to be original;
and if plainneſs and fimplicity are any recommendation of aſtronomical calcu-
lations, we ſhall find them here in an eminent degree.
It intuitively appears, from the preceeding ſcheme of the primitive twofold
year, that one folar year includes (1ft,) one lunar year, whether it conſiſts of
354 or 355 days; (2dly,) one lunar epact, whether it confifts of II or IQ
days; (3dly,) one feparate quadrant; (4thly,) one meridian epact of 11 mi-
nutes to be ſubſtracted.
Now let it be required to find by calculation, At what diſtance after the
autumnal equinox, the original feast of in-gathering was obferved? Or, if that
hypothefis be not admitted, At what diftance, after the autumnal equinox,
the fifteenth day of the first month of the patriarchal lunar year fell in the
beginning of the 601ft folar tropical year of Noah's life, A. M. 1657?
Here are given 1656 compleat folar tropical years, which muſt, by the
preceeding ſcheme, include,
ft, 1656 lunar years, confifting of 354, or of 355 integral days;
2dly, 1656 lunar epacts, confifting of 11 or 10 integral days;
3dly, 1656 annual feparate quadrants, each confifting of 360 fexagefimal parts;
4thly, 1656 meridian epacts, confifting of 11 fexagefimal parts, to be ſubſtracted.
QUERY I. In 1656 lunar years, how many are there of 354, and how many
Divide by 30)
Remain
of 355 days?
The CALCULATION.
Lunar yrs.
1656 (55 periods of
1656 (55 periods of 30 lunar years.
6 years of the 56th period.
1
}
In
528
The Chronology of the World.
In
30 lunar
years there are 19 of 354, and 11 of 355 days.
If we take, from the tables, thoſe lunar years, in which, over and above
compleat days, there fhall remain a few hours, then the lunar
years of
days will follow one another, in the triacontaeteris, in this order, namely:
I
2
3
4.
5
6
7
8
9
I O
I I
3. 6. 9. 11. 14. 17. 20. 22. 25. 28, 30.
355
But, if we take thoſe lunar years, in which the remaining hours amount
to 7%, or 18, and more, we may confider theſe as compleat days, and then
the lunar years of 355 days will be fituated in the triacontaeteris, as follows:
I
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
ΤΟ
1 I
2. 5. 8. 11. 13. 16. 19. 22. 24. 27. 30.
Multiply 55 periods of 30 lunar years into II, and to the product 605
add 2, for 6 remaining years, then the whole amount of lunar years, con-
fifting of 355 days, will be 607.
From 1656 fubftract 607, and there will remain 1049 lunar years, con-
fifting of 354 days.
If from 360 we fubftract 354, the remainder will be 6; and if from 360.
we ſubſtract 355, the remainder will be 5.
1049 lunar years of 354 days,
Multiply
into
6
The product is
6294
607 lunar years of 355 days,
5
3035
Multiply
into
The product is
To the product 6294 add the product 3035, and the fum will be 9329 days.
QUERY II. In 1656 lunar years, how many days are contained?
Multiply the given number of
into
The CALCULATION,
1656 folar years,
360 days.
From the product
596160
Subſtract the ſum of the two products
9329
The number of days in 1656 lunar years
586831
QUERY
The Chronology of the World.
529
QUERY III. In 1656 lunar epacts, how many days are contained?
The CALCULATION.
If from 365 days we ſubſtract 360, there will remain 5.
Multiply
into the remaining
1656 folar years,
5 days.
To the product
8280
Add the fum of the two former products
9329
The number of days in 1656 epacts
17609
Another Method.
Multiply
into
1656 folar years,
II the lunar epact.
From the product
18216
Subftract for lunar years
of 355 days
607
17609
Sum total of days, as before,
PROOF.
In the given number of lunar years, there muſt be as many epacts of 11
days, as there are lunar years of 354 days, that is, 1049: and there muſt be
as many epacts of 10 days, as there are lunar years of 355 days, that is, 607.
If, therefore, we multiply
into
The products will be
11539
1049 and
I I and
and 6070
607 lunar years,
ΙΟ
The fum of theſe products 17609, gives, as before, the fum total of days
in the epacts.
QUERY IV. In 1656 annual Separate quadrants, how many days are contained?
The CALCULATION.
Quadrants.
Divide by 4) 1656 (414, the number of days fought.
QUERY V. In 1656 meridian epacts, how many fexagefimal parts, but we will
Say in our ftyle, how many days, hours, and minutes, are to be fubftracted, for
the aftronomical correction of the quadrants?
Yyy
The
530
The Chronology of the World.
a
Multiply
into
M.
The CALCULATION.
1656 folar years,
II minutes.
D. H. M.
?
Divide the product by 1440) 18216 (12 15 36, the fum of the merid.epacts.
From the ſum of the quadrants
Subſtract the fum of the meridian epacts
Remain the quadrants corrected
D. H. M.
414 00 00
12 15 36
401
8 24
It
H. M.
1ſt, 1656 lunar years
2dly, 1656 lunar epacts
3dly, 1656 corrected quadrants
}
contain
{
586831 00 00
17609 00 00
8 24
appears, by theſe calculations, taken together, that,
D.
401
The fum total is the true folar tropical reduction 604841 8 24
Proved by the tables of the folar tropical years.
1000 years contain
600
50
6
D.
H. M.
365242 8 40
219145 10 oo
18262 2 50
•
2191 10 54
}
The folar tropical reduction, as before,
604841 8 24
In the next place, let it be required to aſcertain the integral new moon epact,
in the end of the 600th year of Noah's life, A. M. 1656; from the calculated
number of folar days.
years there are 10631 folar days.
In 30
lunar years
D. Solar days.
}
Divide by 10631) 604841 (56 periods of 30 lunar yrs. thrown
Divide the remainder by 354)
From the remainder
[off.
9505 (26 lunar years thrown off.
301
Subſt. for 26 lunar years of 355 days
9
From the remainder
Subſtract for 9 lunar months
From the full moon epact
Subſtract for half a lunation
New moon epact ſought
(11
292
266
O 26
15
11, A. M. 1656 ending.
Another
The Chronology of the World.
531
Multiply 56 periods of
Another Method.
30 lunar years into II, and to the product 616,
add 9 for 26 remaining lunar years, then the whole amount of lunar
confifting of 355 days, will be 625.
From the number of folar days 604841
years,
Subſtract for lunar years of 355 days
625
Divide the remainder by 354) 604216 (1706 lunar years thrown off.
From the remainder
Subſtract for 9 lunar months
292
266
From the full moon epact
O 26
Subftract for half a lunation
15
11
O, A.M.1656, year of Noah 600.
Remains the new moon epact fought
Half a lunation contains 15 days; from 15 fubftract the new moon epact II,
and the remainder 4 will exprefs the diftance of the full moon day, or the
15th day of the first month of the lunar year, on which day, the feaſt of
in-gathering and the feaſt of tabernacles was commanded to be obſerved.
The fituation of this feaft-day, with reſpect to the autumnal equinox, may
be expreffed by ſymbols in the following manner:
A. M. 1656.
« II
A.M. 1657.
O 4 0
We will now make a tranfition from the 600th year of Noah's life, A. M.
1656, to the 33d year of the reign of George II. king of Great Britain,
A.M. 5767, which was a fimilar year, and we will make the calculation by
the fame ſteps, and under the ſame patriarchal directory as before. And here
let it be required,
To find, by calculation, at what diftance, after the autumnal equinox, the 15th
day of the first month of the lunar year (on which the feast of tabernacles
was commanded to be obferved) happened, in the beginning of the first year
of the reign of George III. king of Great Britain, A. M. 5768.
D.
The patriarchal directory.
D.
360 + 5
354 + II
355 + 10
+
I
II.
Y y y 2
The
532
The Chronology of the World.
ift,
The given number of compleat folar years are 5767, which include,
5767 lunar years, confifting of 354 or 355 integral days;
2dly, 5767 lunar epacts, confifting of 11 or 10 integral days;
3dly, 5767 annual feparate quadrants, each confifting of 360 fexagefimal parts;
4thly, 5767 meridian epacts, each of them confifting of 11 fexagefimal parts, to
be fubftracted.
QUERY I. In 5767 lunar years, how many are there of 354, and how many of
器
​Divide by 30)
Remain
3.55 days?
The CALCULATION.
Lunar years.
5767 (192 periods of 30 lunar years.
7 years of the 193d period.
7
Multiply 192 periods into 11, and to the product 2112, add 2 for the
remaining years, then the whole amount of lunar years, confiſting of 355 days,
will be 2114.
From 5767 lunar years fubftract 2114, and there will remain 3653 lunar
years confifting of 354 days.
If from 360 we fubftract 354, there will remain 6; and if from 360 we
fubftract 355, there will remain 5.
3653 lunar years of 354 days,
6
21918
Multiply
into
3653
The product
Multiply
2114 lunar years of 355 days,
into
5
The product
10570
To the product 21918 add the product 10570, and the fum will be 32488
days.
QUERY II. In 5767 lunar years how many days are contained?
The CALCULATION.
Multiply
into
1
From the product
Subftract the fum of the two products
The number of days in 5767 lunar years
5767 folar years,
360 days.
2076120
32488
2043632
The
The Chronology of the World.
533
C
Multiply
into
The PROOF.
To the product
5767 lunar years,
354 days.
2041518
Add, for lunar years of 355 days,
2114
2043632
Sum of the days, as before,
QUERY III. In 5767 lunar epacts, how many days are contained
The CALCULATION.
If from 365 we ſubſtract 360, there will remain 5 days.
Multiply
into
5767 folar years,
5 days.
To the product
28835
Add the fum of the two products
32488
The number of days in 5767 epacts
61323
Another Method.
Multiply
into
5767 folar years,
I I
From the product
63437
Subſtract for lunar years of 355 days
2114
The number of days, as before, 61323
The PROOF.
Multiply
into
3653 lunar years of 354 days, and 2114 lunar years of 355 days,
JO
I I
The products 40183.
21140
To the product 40183, add the product 21140, and the fum will be, as
before, 61323 days.
QUERY IV. In 5767 annual Separate quadrants, how many days are con-
tained?
The
1
534
The Chronology of the World.
The CALCULATION.
Years.
D. H. M.
Divide by 4) 5767 (1441-18 00, the number of days fought.
QUERY V. In 5767 meridian epacts, how many days, hours, and minutes,
are to be fubftracted, for the correction of the quadrants?
Multiply
into
M.
The CALCULATION.
5767 years of 365 days, 6 hours,
II minutes.
D. H. M.
Divide the product by 1440) 63437 (44 1 17, fum of the merid. epact.
From the fum of the quadrants
Subftract the fum of the-meridian epacts.
Remain the quadrants corrected
It appears, by theſe calculations, "taken together,
D. H. M.
1441 18 00
44 I 17
1397 16 43
that,
D.
H. M.
Ift, 5767 lunar years
2dly, 5767 lunar epacts
3dly, 5767 corrected quadrants
contain
The fum total is the true folar tropical reduction
2043632 00 00
61323 00 00
43
1397 16
2106352 16 43
Proved by the tables of folar tropical years.
5000 years contain
700
60
7
D.
H. M.
1826211 19 20
255669 15 40
21914 13 90
2556 16 43
The folar tropical reduction, as before, 2106352 16 43
Now let it be required to determine, from this folar tropical reduction, the
integral new moon epact, at the end of the 33d year of the reign of George II.
king of Great Britain, A. M. 5767.
The CALCULATION.
D.
H. M.
The days of the folar tropical reduction are 2106352 16 43
Add, for the meridian of Greenwich,
10 24
The fum is
2106353 3 7
From
The Chronology of the World.
535
From the folar tropical reduction
D.
Subſtract for 49680 lunations
Remainder
2106353
I
2106352
In 30 lunar years there are 10631 days.
Divide by 10631) 2106352 (198 periods of 30 lunar yrs.thrown
Divide the remainder by 354)
From the remainder
Subſtract for 1 year of 355 days
I
From the remainder
Subftract for II lunar months
From the full moon epact
Subſtract for half a lunation
1413 (3 lunar years thrown off.
352
I
351
325
O 26
15
The integral new moon epact fought ( 11
こ
​II O A. M. 5767, A. D. 1760.
Another Method.
[off.
Multiply 198 periods of 30 lunar years, (thrown off by the first divifion)
into II, and to the product 2178 add 1 for the 3 lunar years, thrown off by
the ſecond divifion; then the whole amount of lunar years confifting of 355
days will be 2179.
From the folar tropical reduction
Subſtract for lunar years of 355 days
Divide the remainder by 354)
From the remainder
Subſtract for II lunar months
D.
2106352
2179
2104173 (5943 lunar years.
351
325
O 26
15
From the full moon epact
Subftract for half a lunation
Remains the integral new moon epact, as before, « II
31
A. D. 1760.
Half a lunation contains 15 days; from 15 fubftract the new moon epact
11, and the remainder 4 will exprefs the diſtance of the full moon day, or the
1 5th
536
The Chronology of the World.
15th day of the firſt month of the lunar year, on which day the feaſt of
in-gathering and the feaft of tabernacles was commanded to be obferved.
The fame fymbols will exprefs the fituation of this feaſt day, with refpect
to the cardinal point.
A. M. 5767. | A. M. 5768.
« II
0 4 0
Here are two calculations performed without an apparent connection with
any radix, and without the affiſtance of any known principles of fcience, any
farther than integral lunar years, integral lunar epacts, and corrected annual
quadrants, can be called fo, and yet the conclufions will be found aftronomically
true.
Before we examine the ſeveral remarkable particulars which diſcover them-
ſelves in theſe calculations, we fhall firft prove the truth of them by an
agreement with the ephemeris.
A.D. 1760 the fun came to the autumnal equinox on the 22d day of
September; the mean full moon day began on the 24th day of September,
and it ended on the 25th; from September 25 fubftract September 21, and
there will remain 4, as by calculation. And as the preceeding folar year
ended on a Sunday, the number 4 itſelf expreſſes the day of the week, and
informs us, that it was the fourth day after Sunday exclufive, which we call
Thurſday.
We will now confider fome remarkable particulars which occur in the
foregoing calculations.
1. It appears that 5767 folar tropical years include 5943 vague and erratic
lunar years, II lunar months, and 26 days; to thefe 26 days add 4, for the
diſtance of the mean full moon day after the autumnal equinox, and the fum
30 will make 1 lunation, which being added to 11, will make 12 lunations,
or I compleat lunar year; to 5943 add 1, and the fum total of compleat
lunar years will be 5944.
Theſe 5944 lunar years preciſely meaſure the interval from the full moon
day at the creation, in coincidence with the autumnal equinox exclufive, to
the full moon day inclufive, at the diſtance of 4 days after the autumnal equi-
nox A. M. 5767, A.D. 1760.
And becauſe both the firft and the laft full moon day happened upon the
fourth day of the week, which we call Thurfday; it follows, that if to the
days of the folar tropical reduction 2106352 we add 4, for the diſtance of
the full moon day after the equinox, and divide the fum by 7, the remain-
der will be o.
The
The Chronology of the World.
537
To
Add
}
D.
The PROOF.
2106352
4
Divide by 7) 2106356 (300918 compleat weeks.
Remainder
o | index 4 | Thurſday.
Can a more fatisfactory proof be required, or given, that the four first days
of the firſt Moſaic week fall not within the limits of computed time? For to
the remainder o we are obliged to add 4, and this additional number is of
itſelf the day of the week.
2. All the days in the folar tropical reduction, as they are applied to the
lunar computation, terminate in a cardinal point, and that cardinal point is
the time of fun-ſetting at the equinox, fo that they are mathematically exact,
confiſting each of them of 24 hours, or 1440 minutes, never more and
never lefs.
3.
Theſe lunar computations are carried on by integral days, and they
terminate on that evening which follows either after the completion of the
mean full moon day, or after a great part of it is compleated; and there are
no more variations.
4. No one can collect from theſe integral calculations the precife quantity of
a mean lunation, and yet this method of calculating imperceptibly throws off
the redundancy of tabular meaſures, be it greater or lefs; but by what ſecret
means it is not eafy to diſcover.
5. In theſe calculations, neither the earth's diurnal progreffions, nor the
moon's motions in her orbit, are ever once mentioned, or fo much as referred
to; fo that they may or may not have a real exiſtence, for any thing that is
here faid about them, or for any ufe that is made of them.
6. In the end of A. M. 5767, the full moon epact was, by calculation,
0 26. ỗ 4. 0.
• 4.0.
And becauſe the full moon day was the fourth after the
autumnal equinox, the proportional divifions of theſe 30 days are theſe, namely,
D. D. D. D.
II. 4. II. 4.
In order to underſtand rightly the aſtronomical ſenſe of theſe proportional
divifions, we muſt be rightly informed of the fituation of the (fuppofed)
original new moon and full moon, with refpect to each other, and to the
cardinal point. A fcheme of which we ſhall here fet down:
D. x D.
0 15. 15. O
Zzz
In
1
The Chronology of the World.
538
In this ſcheme, x muſt be read the epoch of the lunar computation, and
this fymbol muſt be read the epoch of the folar computation.
The whole taken together may be expreffed in words at length, as follows:
At the creation, a full moon day may be fuppofed to have happened 15 days
before x, the epoch of the lunar computation, in coincidence with a new
moon; and a new moon may be fuppofed to have happened 15 days before
the epoch of the folar computation, in coincidence with a full moon day.
We will now prefix the ſymbols to the proportional divifions at the laſt
autumnal equinox A. D. 1760, and then fhew how to read them in words at
length.
O II. * 4. II. 4. 0
x « «
O
(1.) At the autumnal equinox A. D. 1760, a full moon day happened 11
days before x, the epoch of the lunar computation, or the 15th day before the
autumnal equinox.
(2.) x was 4 days before the new, moon evening.
(3.) The new moon evening was II days before the autumnal equinox.
(4.) The autumnal equinox was 4 days before the full moon day.
We will now expreſs theſe diſtances in the following terms:
The full moon day came as many days before the epoch of the lunar
computation, as the new moon did before the epoch of the folar; and,
The epoch of the lunar computation x came as many days before the new
moon, as the epoch of the folar computation came before the full moon.
obfervable in theſe calculations,
7. The moſt remarkable particular of all,
is that which follows:
.
The given number of folar tropical years are 5767, which include, as may
be ſeen above, an equal number, ift, Of kalendar lunar years; 2dly, Of lunar
epacts; 3dly, Of annual feparate quadrants; 4thly, Of meridian epacts to
be fubftracted. Theſe being diftinctly reduced to days, and collected into a
fum, produced the exact number of days, &c. in 5767 folar tropical years;
but then from the fum total of 2106353 days, we extracted, (as appears by
the quotient arifing from the divifion by 354) no lefs than 5943 vague and
erratic lunar years. If from 5943 vague and erratic lunar years, we fubftract
5767 kalendar lunar years, there will remain 176, which being multiplied by
12, will give 2112 lunations, or aftronomical lunar months, every one of which
ends with a full moon day.
Here are then 176 lunar years, over and above the given number of folar,
in contradiction to equality; and here are likewife 21 12 lunar months, although
no more than I lunation was calculated, at the end of the 5944th lunar year,
whoſe proportional divifions were, 11. 4. II.
II. 4.
It
The Chronology of the World.
539
It is intuitively evident, that theſe 2112 lunations, or lunar months, are
compounded of 5767 lunar epacts, and of 5767 corrected quadrants; a doctrine
which no philoſophy can explain, nor can any known principles of aſtronomy
diſcover; for what is a lunar epact, but part of a lunar year? And what is a
quadrant, but an appendant of the folar year? And is it not unaccountable,
that a ſeries of lunar months, every one of which terminates aftronomically
with a full moon day, fhould be an aggregate of fuch diffimilar or heterogeneous
quantities? whilſt the motions of the moon, feem to claim no place in the
compofition, or, we may rather fay, in the mechanical formation.
We may perhaps be gradually led into a diſcovery of the grounds and reaſons
of this, by a clofe examination of original principles, and fcriptural data.
Firſt, With reſpect to fcriptural data, it has been clearly made to appear, in
the preceeding pages, that two fcriptural epacts are recorded; the one confifting
of 15 integral days, the other of II: the epact 15 is fixed at the head of the
old world, and the epact 11, at the head of the new. If from 15 days we
ſubſtract 11, it will leave in remainder 4 days; and we ſhall ſhew, as we
proceed, what a great variety of aſtronomical conclufions may be immediately
derived from theſe two recorded epacts, and their differential number 4, without
the help of any known principles of aftronomy, excepting the quantities of
the folar and lunar years. Here it will be neceffary to give the following tables:
TABLE I.
Repreſents to the view the original epact 15, and its true fituation in the head or
beginning of the first folar tropical year of the world.
C 158 1
A.M. I.
A.M. 2.
I
A.M. 3.
O
A.M. 4.
TABLE II.
Repreſents to the view the recorded epact 11, and its true fituation in the end of
the old world, or beginning of the new.
Years of Noah's life
597. 598.
| 599.000110
600.
TABLE III.
Repreſents to the view the integral epact 11, and its true fituation in the end of
the 33d year of the reign of George II. king of Great Britain, which was
fimilar to the booth year of Noah's life.
Years of the reign
of George II.
30.
31.
32.
33.
O
( 110
Zzzz
In
540
The Chronology of the World.
In theſe tables there are given, rft, Either a year of the world, or a year
of the life of an ante-diluvian patriarch, or a year of the reign of a king of
Great Britain. 2dly, The fymbol of the fun's entry into libra, which indicates
the cardinal point from which the years are computed. 3dly, The two ſcriptural
epacts, 15 and 11.
As the fcriptural epact 1 5 is the aftronomical bafis of this fyftem of chronology,
it will be quite neceffary to afcertain its reality, by making it clearly appear
that it is not a mere creature of the imagination; and the prefent method
which we propofe is, firſt, To make deductions from it; ſecondly, To ſupport
the truth of thofe deductions by calculation.
And, firft, With refpect to deductions, we may obferve, that whatever
cardinal point of the year be given, a new moon or a full moon day, fometimes
the one and ſometimes the other, muft immediately precede it at limited diſtances
and the following table contains the whole variety of thoſe limited diſtances
conjointly, beginning with the original new moon epact 15, and the original
full moon epact o; fo that whatever year of the world be given, ſome one of
theſe diſtances will be found by calculation, although we do not fay that they
follow one another exactly in the fame order in which they are fet down.
A TABLE of the new moon and full moon epacts at the autumnal equinox, beginning
with the original new moon epact 15, and the original full moon epact 0:
Quadrien- Single N.M. Epacts. F.M. Epacts. || Quadrien- Single N.M.Epacts. F. M. Epacts.
niums. years.
100
이
​15
niums. years.
3
15
15
4
I
1234
I
26
II
2
7
22
3
18
3
4
29
14
of Nm+
16
II
26
I
17
22
7
2
18
3
18
3
19
14
29
4 20
25
IO/
I
5
10
25
I
21
6
2
6
2r
6
2
22
17
оло
21
2
3
7
2
17
3
23
28
1.3.
4
8
13
28
4
24
9
24.
I
9
24
9
I
2
ΙΟ
5
20
2
2 2
25.
26
3
I I
16
I
3. 27
4
I2
27
12
4
28
Bo Não
20
5
I
16
1.2
27
23.
no Não
8
I
13
8
23
I
29
4
19
2
14
19
4
2
30
1.5
O
The
The Chronology of the World.
541
The preceeding table contains 30 years, which we have divided into qua-
drienniums, in order to point out a very peculiar law, which runs through the
whole; and it is this; if we compute from the top of the table downwards,
we ſhall find that at the end of every fourth year, the epacts decreaſe by 1;
to make this evident, we need only fet down the fucceffions of the epacts every
fourth year, as in the following table:
Quadrienniums. N. M. Epacts. F. M. Epacts.
Quadrienniums. N. M. Epacts. F. M. Epacts.
15
310
I
26
I I
+∞
4
29
14
5
ro
25
8
13
28
9
24
9
12
27
12
13
8
23
16
I I
26
17
22
7
2 2
20
24
28
2
25
ΙΟ
2 I
6
2I
9
24.
23
+∞
25
2Q
5
8
2.9
7
22
18
+∞
4
19
3
3
*
6
21
6
7
2
17
10
5
20
I I
16
I
14
19
4
15
15
18
3
1.8
19
14
29
22
1.7
2
23
28
13
26
I
16
27
12
27
39
15
310
From this law and principle of aſtronomy it follows, that if at the autumnal
equinox in any year, either the new moon, or the full moon epact be known,
in the end of the fourth year before it, and of the fourth year after it, the
epact may be alſo known, by only adding or fubftracting 1, according as we
compute backwards or forwards from the given year. As for example; the
new moon epact II is given, in the end of the 600th year of Noah's life,
and likewiſe in the end of the 33d year of the reign of George II. king of
Great Britain, table II. and table III. In the table of epacts the number 11
ftands over-againſt 16 years, and in the oppofite column the correſponding
full moon epact is 26; to 11 and 26 add 1, for the day of the autumnal
equinox, and the fums 12 and 27 will be found over-againſt 27 years; from
27 ſubſtract 4, and the remainder 23 will give 28 for the new moon epact,
and 13 for the full moon epact, in the end of the 596th year of Noah's life,
and alſo in the end of the 29th year of the reign of George H. including the
day of the equinox; but 28 exceeds 27, and 13 exceeds 12 by 1, in agreement
with the rule mentioned above.
By
542
The Chronology of the World.
By this computation, table II. and table III. will ſtand in the following
manner :
(I.)
Years of Noah's life 596
597
598
599
600
New moon epacts
28
- 12
Full moon epacts
O 13
O 27
(II.)
Years of the reign of George II.
29
30
31
32
33
Ο ΙΣ
New moon epacts
28
1
1
Full moon epacts
013
«
I 2
0 27
Here we may obferve, that if no epact had been given, neither theſe nor
any other deductions could have been made from it; and if the epact, which
is ſaid to be given, be fictitious, the deductions made from it muſt be fictitious
too; but if we can fupport by calculation the truth of the deductions, we
ſhall at the fame time eſtabliſh the reality of the given epact, and undeniably
aſcertain a ſcriptural aſtronomical datum.
Now then we are to prove by calculation, that at the end of the 596th
year of Noah's life, and alfo at the end of the 29th year of the reign of
George II. the fun came to the autumnal equinox on the 28th day of the
moon's age, computed from a new moon evening, and alfo on the 13th day of
the moon's age, computed from a full moon evening; but in what limited
aftronomical fenfe, calculation muft determine; for the table of epacts does
not inform us whether the firſt of the 28 days includes, or whether it excludes,
the day of the conjunction, and upon the account of this uncertainty we have
prefixed no ſymbol to it.
We will begin with the 29th year of the reign of George II. becauſe it is
near the preſent times, and we ſhall have the opportunity of comparing the
conclufion with a common almanac, or with the tables of mean lunations ;
and from the truth or error of the one epact, we fhall be able to form a
judgment of the truth or error of the other, which lies at the diſtance of more
than 4000 years higher up in time; which remote age no tables extant can
reach with any degree of exactneſs that can be depended upon. Here follows
༢
The
The Chronology of the World.
543
The CALCULATION.
The 29th year of the reign of George II. falls in with A. D. 1756, to
which if we add A. M. 4007, it will bring it down to A. M. 5763.
Multiply
into
M.
5763 folar years of 365 days, 6 hours,
II minutes.
D. H. M.
Divide the product by 1440) 63393 (44 00 33 Julian exceſs.
Multiply
into
5763 folar years, &c.
1461 quadrants.
H. M.
D.
Divide the product by 4) 8419743 (2104935 18 00 Julian reduction.
Subftract the Julian excefs
To the folar tropical reduction
Add, for the meridian of Greenwich,
To the fum
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min,
From the fum
Subft. the Jul. biff. reduct. of 5763 yrs.
44 00 33
2104891 17 27 © in, firſt meridian,
IO 24
2104892 3 51 O in, Greenw. A.D.1756,
298
2105190 3 51
2104936
254 3 51 p. m. O. S.
September 11
Add, to bring it to N. S.
I I
I I
o in, A.D. 1756, September 22, F.
265 3 51 p. m. N. S.
It appears,
from this calculation, that the fun came to the autumnal equinox,
A. D. 1756, in the meridan of the Greenwich obfervatory, on the 22d day of
September, new ftyle, 51 minutes past three o'clock in the afternoon.
The LUNAR COMPUTATION.
A. M.
Divide by 19) 5763 (303 decennoval cycles.
Remain
6 years of the 304th cycle.
Multiply 303 cycles into 235 lunations, and to the product 71205, add
72 for the 6 remaining years, and the fum will be 71277; to which add for
intercalary months 1, and the whole amount of the lunations will be 71278,
which begin and end with a full moon; and therefore to carry it back to a
new
544
The Chronology of the World.
new moon, fubftract half a lunation, and there will remain 71277 lunations
and a half, which we must reduce to days,
70,000 lunations produce
1,000.
200
79
7
From the fum
Subſtract for 49680 lunations
To the remainder
Add, for the meridian of Greenwich,
To the fum
Add, for October 24 d. 00 h. oo min,
From the fum
יייי
Subſtract the Julian biffextile reduction,
having firſt ſubſtracted 11, for N. S.
Aug. 25,
D. H. M. S. Th.
2067140 7 21 40 00
29530 13 49 10 00
5906 2 45 50 00
2067 3 22
3 22 2 30
206 17 8 12 15
4 18 22 0 90
2104865 14 48 54 45
I
2104864 14 48
IO 24
2104865
297
I 12
2105162 I 12
2104925
237 I 12 p.m.
Theſe calculations inform us, that the mean new moon or conjunction
neareſt to the autumnal equinox A. D. 1756, happened on the 25th day of
Auguſt, new ſtyle, 12 or 13 minutes after one in the afternoon at Greenwich,
which was fix hours before the true time.
Almanac. A.D. 1756, Aug. 25, new moon at 7 after noon.
Auguſt 25 is the 237th day after the kalends of January, and September
22, the day of the autumnal equinox, is the 265th; from 265 fubftract 237,
and there will remain the tabular epact 28, the firſt day of which includes,
we fee, the day of the conjunction, and is exactly true according to the
computation of the Jews, who begin their months on the evening next after
the moon's mean conjunction; but it is not true, if refpect be had to the
computations of the primitive patriarchs and the ancient Ifraelites, who began
their first month on the evening the next but one after the mean new moon,
when the moon is generally viſible.
The epact then is twofold; it may be confidered as patriarchal and Ifraelitic
or Jewiſh; as the Jews begin the first month one day fooner than the ancient
Ifraelites
The Chronology of the World.
545
Ifraelites did, the one includes, and the other excluded the day of the con-
junction; and therefore,
To find the patriarchal or Ifraelitic epact.
From the days of the folar tropical reduction 2104892
Subſtract the days of the lunar
2104865
Remains the patriarchal epact 8 27
Thefe 27 days commence on the evening the next but one after the conjunction;
in proof of this, to September 22 add the 31 days of Auguft, then from the
fum 43, fubftract 27, and it will carry us back to the end of Auguft 26, on
the evening of which day the moon was viſible.
But if we would calculate the Jewiſh epact, from the days of the lunar
reduction, we muſt ſubſtract 1, which will carry it back from the end to the
beginning of the new moon day; the reaſons of which muſt be fought for in
the circumſtances that attend the original pofition of the fun and moon, which
have been explained already.
From the days of the folar tropical reduction
2104892
Subſtract the days of the lunar reduction, lefs by 1, 2104864
Remains the Jewish epact
28
To find the day of the patriarchal week, correfponding aftronomically with the day
of the autumnal equinox A. D. 1756, A. M. 5763.
It has been already fhewn, that the 33d year of the reign of George II.
ended on the 7th day of the patriarchal week, which we call Sunday; if 365
days be divided by 7, it will leave in remainder 1; for 4 years fubftract 4 days
from 7, and the remainder 3 will be the day of the patriarchal week ſought.
The calculation from the original radix.
Divide the days of the folar trop. reduct. by 7) 2104892 (300698 weeks.
6 | index 3 | Wedneſday.
Remainder
The PROOF.
C was the dominical letter for the month of September A. D. 1756. The
literal character of September 22 is F, which that year denoted Wedneſday,
and it is the third day after Sunday excluſive.
Aaaa
It
•
The Chronology of the World.
546
It appears, from theſe calculations, that A. D. 1756, A.M. 5763, the fun
came to the autumnal equinox, on the 28th day of the moon's age, computed
from the evening next after the mean new moon or conjunction.; and on the
27th day, computed from the evening of the moon's viſibility, upon the third
day of the patriarchal week, which we call Wedneſday, in a biffextile year,
which anſwers to the third year of a quadriennium; for if we divide A. M.
5763 by 4, the remainder will be 3.
We may venture to call thefe appropriated characters, fince it may be
queftioned, whether they are to be found in union, in any two years fince
the creation.
By the fame kind of calculations we fhall prove, that in the end of the
596th year of Noah's life, A.M. 1652, the fun came to the autumnal equinox
on the fame day of the moon's age, as it did in the end of the 29th year of
the reign of George II. A. M. 5763, although not on the fame day of the
patriarchal week, nor in the fame year of a quadriennium.
Multiply
into
The CALCULATION.
M.
Divide the product by 1440)
Multiply
into
1652 folar years of 365 days, 6 hours,
II minutes.
D. H. M.
18172 (12 14 52 the Julian excefs.
1652 folar years,
1461 quadrants.
D.
H. M.
Divide the product by 4) 2413572 (603393 00 00 Julian reduction.
Subſtract the Julian excefs
To the folar tropical reduction
Add, for the meridian of Greenwich,
The fum
Reduce the hours to midnight
To the fum
oo
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
Subſtract the Julian reduction of 1652 years
Julian M. D. H. and M. of o in ~, Octob. 13, F.
12 14 52
603380 9 8 in, ift meri.
10 24
603380 19 32 p. m.
+1-12
603381 7 32 p. m. o in,
298
603679 7 32
603393
p.m.
286 7 32 A.M. 1652.
The concluſion is, that in the end of the 596th year of Noah's life, which
runs parallel with the folar tropical year of the world 1652, the fun came to
the
The Chronology of the World.
547
the autumnal equinox on the 13th day of October, 32 minutes paſt ſeven
o'clock in the morning at Greenwich.
The LUNAR COMPUTATION.
Divide by 19)
Remain
A. M.
1652 (86 decennoval cycles.
18
years of the 87th cycle.
Multiply 86 cycles into 235 lunations, and to the product 20210, add for
the remaining 18 years 216, the fum will be 20426; to which add 6 for
intercalary months, and the fum total of lunations will be 20432, which begin
and end with a full moon; and therefore to carry it back to a new moon
ſubſtract half a lunation, and there will remain 20431 lunations and a half,
which we muſt reduce to days.
20000 lunations produce
400
30
I
I
2
To the fum
Add, for the meridian of Greenwich,
To the fum
Add, for October 24 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
Subſtract the Julian reduction of 1652 years
{
Jul. M. D. H. and M. of the mean N.M. Sept. 15, F.
D. H. M. S. Th.
590611 12 23 20 00
11812 5 31 40 00
885 22 00 52 30
29 12 44 I 45
14 18 22
18 22 0 00
603353 28
I 54 15
IO 24
603354 9 26
297
603651 9 26
603393
258 9 26 p.m.
To October 13, the day of the autumnal equinox, add the 30 days of
September, then from the fum 43, fubftract September 15, and the remainder
will give the tabular epact 28, which was to be proved.
To find the patriarchal epact, computed from the evening of the moon's vifibility.
From the days of the folar tropical reduction
Subſtract the days of the lunar
The patriarchal epact fought
603381
603354
8 27
To
Aaaa 2
548
The Chronology of the World.
To find the Jewish epact, computed from the evening next after the mean new
moon, or conjunction.
From the days of the folar reduction
Subſtract the days of the lunar, leſs by 1,
Remains the Jewish epact fought
603381
603353
28
To find the day of the patriarchal week correfponding aftronomically with the day
of the autumnal equinox, in the end of the 596th year of Noah's life, A.M. 1652.
It has been proved, in the preceeding pages, that the 600th year of Noah's
life ended on the 3d day of the patriarchal week, which we call Wedneſday;
to 3 add 7,
and the fum will be 10; from 10 fubftract 4 days for 4 years,
and the remainder 6 will give the day of the patriarchal week fought, which
we call Saturday.
The calculation from the original radix.
Divide the days of the folar reduction by 7) 603381 (86197 weeks.
Remainder
2 | index 6 | Saturday.
From the whole it appears, that in the end of the 596th year of Noah's
life, which runs parallel with the folar tropical year of the world 1652, the
fun entered libra on the 28th day of the moon's age, reckoned from the
evening next after the mean conjunction; on the 27th day, reckoned from
the evening of apparition; on the 6th day of the patriarchal week, which we
call Saturday; and in the fourth year of a quadriennium, which anſwers to the
firft after biffextile.
Here we ſhall fubjoin the following remark. If the correfponding year of
the Julian period be given, neither the cycle of the moon, nor the cycle of the
indiction, can be known, without dividing the year of the period by 19 and
15 refpectively; but the cycle of the fun, or rather of the Sunday letter, may
be known a priori, without dividing by 28; for if we look into the Julian
kalendar for October 13, on which day the fun entered libra, we ſhall find
the letter F over-againſt it, which by the preceeding calculation denoted
Saturday, and confequently G muſt have been the dominical letter for that
year; and becauſe it was the firſt after biffextile, as it has been ſhewn, if the
correfponding year of the Julian period be divided by 28, the remainder will
be 6, which gives G for the dominical letter.
The
The Chronology of the World.
549
3P
The PROOF.
To A. M. 1652 add 706, and it will give the year of the Julian period
2358.
Divide by 28) 2358 (84 cycles.
Remainder 6 D. L. G. which was to be proved.
This calculation diſcovers to us, what a great advantage accrues to chronology,
from the being able to determine the day of the week upon fcriptural principles.
Thus having afcertained the authenticity of Noah's new moon epact 11,
we call it Noah's epact becauſe it is recorded in his journal) we ſhall, in the
next place, fhew how to fill up the vacant places in table II. and in table III.
page 539. by ſupplying the intermediate epacts, and the refpective pofitions of the
lunar years to the folar, without calculating either lunar years, or lunar months,
or the lunar motions; and becauſe table II. and table III. contain fimilar years,
one computation will ferve for both; and perhaps the novelty and fingularity of
the medium may excite fome degree of attention.
From the original new moon epact 15, fubftract the epact 11, and there
will remain 4. Now then,
Ift, To the new moon epact 11, in the end of the 600th year of Noah's life,
and alſo in the end of the 33d year of the reign of George II. add 4, and
the fum 15 will be the full moon epact in the end of the year 599, and alſo
in the end of the year 32.
2dly, To the full moon epact 15, add 4, and the fum 19 will be the new
moon epact in the end of the year 598, and alfo in the end of the year 31.
3dly, To the new moon epact 19, add 4, and the fum 23 will be the full
moon epact in the end of the year 597, and alfo in the end of the year 30.
4thly, To the full moon epact 23, add 4, and the fum 27 will be the new
moon epact, exclufive of the day of the autumnal equinox, in the end of
the year 596, and alfo in the end of the year 29.
5thly, To the full moon epact 26, in the end of the 600th year of Noah's
life, and alſo in the end of the 33d year of the reign of George II. add 4,
and the fum 30 will be the new moon epact in the end of the year 599,
and alſo in the end of the year 32.
6thly, To the new moon epact o, add 4, and the fum will be the full moon
epact in the end of the year 598, and alſo in the end of the year 31.
7thly, To the full moon epact 4, add 4, and the fum 8 will be the new
moon epact at the end of the year 597, and alfo at the end of the year 30.
8thly, To the new moon epact 8, add 4, and the fum 12 will be the full
moon epact, exclufive of the autumnal equinoctial day, in the end of the
year 596, and alio in the end of the year 29.
Now
550
The Chronology of the World.
Now the vacant places of table II. and table III. may be filled up in the
following manner :
TABLE I.
Years of Noah's life
596
597
598
599
600
New moon lunar years
Full moon lunar years
28 | 2 « 355 8 346 19 11 354 | 354 12
| (
013342 0 2317035404 350 0 15|339027
TABLE II.
Yrs. of the reign of George II. 29 30
31
32
33
O
New moon lunar years
Full moon lunar years
O
28 23558 346 19 11 ( 354 C 354 (12
( |
0 13 342 0 23 170354041 350 0 15 | 339 027
The connection of the lunar years with the folar, is an extreme nice and
difficult undertaking; it is a doctrine that has not been taught, and conſequently
is not underſtood; and although it is the perfection of kalendar aſtronomy, yet
in order to attain this perfection, it is neceffary to know, (if we would begin
the lunar months by one uniform law) Ift, When a lunar year conſiſts of
354,
and when of 355 days. 2dly, When a lunar month confifts of 30, and when
of 29 days. 3dly, When we muft add 14 days for half a lunation, and when
we must add 15; that is, it is neceffary to know, in what exact order theſe
unequal quantities follow one another, which the table of epacts does not
diſcover to us, and theſe particulars can only be determined by calculation, fo
far as it appears to us.
We will now return back (to table I. page 539.) from the new moon epact
II, at the head of the new world, to the new moon epact 15, and the full
moon epact o, at the head of the old world.
This integral epact 15 is the prime aſtronomical datum of the Pentateuch,
and it is inveſted with this diftinguiſhed prerogative; namely, no other can be
collected from the table of epacts which will enable us to calculate, with a
never-failing certainty and exactneſs, the true diſtances of the moon from the
fun, at the autumnal equinox, in every fucceffive year, by a computation
downwards from the year of the creation to the preſent times.
It may be worth our while to try, whether what we have offered as a
fundamental fcriptural datum, can, by any means whatever, be made to give
way to fome other epact, or determinate pofition of the fun and moon at the
head of this interval, which will as effectually ferve the purpoſes of chronology
chronology
by
The Chronology of the World.
551
by a downward computation; if this can be done, then our ſyſtem, inſtead of
being ſuperſtructed upon a rock, will be found to have little more ſtability than
a caſtle in the air.
In order to make the experiment, we will for a while abſtract our thoughts
from the year of the creation, and inſtead of the years of the world, we will
fet down the fix following years of the Julian period in fucceffion, namely,
I
2
3
5
705. 706. 707. 708. 709. 710.
Here we ſhall obferve, Ift, That as thefe are all of them Julian years, they
begin on the kalends of January, and end on the 31st of December.
2dly, They, like all other Julian years, include two equinoxes, and two
folftices.
3dly, Thefe equinoxes and folftices have a new moon or a full moon
immediately preceeding them, at limited diſtances.
4thly, Theſe limited diſtances of the new moons and full moons, before the
cardinal points, conftitute what we call the luni-ſolar characters.
5thly, Thefe luni-ſolar characters are ſo changeable, as to lie out of the reach
of conjecture; and they muſt be known either by obfervation, or by tabular
calculation, or they muſt be given independant of both.
6
Archbiſhop Uſher, as it is well known, dates his chronology from the
autumnal equinox, in the year of the Julian period 710, and his hypotheſis
concerning original characters may be fully feen in the following table:
A. J. P. 710.
1
*
October 23. B. Sunday,
ПpwrоNTISи иμepa, the firft created day.
24. C. Monday,
C:
the fecond day.
25. D.
Tueſday,
the third day.
26. E. Wedneſday,
the fourth day.
27. F.
Thurſday,
the fifth day.
28. G.
Friday,
the fixth day.
29. A. Saturday,
the Seventh day.
This table is evidently defective and unaftronomical; it is defective,
becauſe it gives no intimation on which of theſe ſeven days the fun entered the
cardinal point, nor at what diſtance after a new moon or full moor; and it is
unaſtronomical, becauſe it makes the Jews Saturday, to be the original Sabbath
which hypothefis no true aftronomical calculation downwards from the year of
the creation, will, in one fingle inftance, confirm. From thefe contents, it
is eaſy to perceive, that the prelate made but a flight application to the tables
;
of
552
The Chronology of the World.
笛
​of the aſtronomers, which ſtrongly implies, that he had no high opinion of their
veracity; and it is no improbable fuppofition that this omiffion of the luni-folar
characters, this profound filence concerning the diftance of the moon from the
fun, is owing to this caufe, and perhaps the great author gave no ſmall proof
of his judgment in declining the attempt.
Having long fince had a full conviction, from repeated experiments, of the
imperfection of aftronomical tables, I took an occafion to afk a good practical
aftronomer, what would be the diftance of the moon from the fun, if a
calculation was made backwards, through 5765 years, from the autumnal
equinox A.D. 1758, which is in connection with the year of the Julian period
6471 ? To which queſtion I was favoured with the following anſwer in writing,
with leave to publiſh it.
“
"In the year of the Julian period 706, the mean time of full moon in
"October was the 22d day at 8 h. 3 min. in the evening. But the autumnal
equinox was on the 26th day, which being four days after the full moon,
"the moon was then 48 degrees paſt her oppofition to the fun."
It is not material to know whether this calculation was made by the moſt
correct tables; the neceffary point of enquiry is, whether we are furniſhed
with the means of diſcovering and eftimating the error, if there be any;
eſpecially fince in fo remote an age we can make no appeal to obfervation,
the allowed teft of the truth.
The rule by which the truth or falfity of fuch calculations can be tried,
has been already given, and we fhall here repeat it.
Whatever quantity of error any tables fhall carry along with them in a
computation backwards, the fame quantity of error they will bring along with
them in a computation downwards to a given year; and as it is not difficult
to difcever the error of the latter, by this means we ſhall be able to diſcover
and eſtimate the error of the former.
To prove this, let two years of the Julian period be given at a confiderable
diſtance from each other, as in the table fubjoined:
A. J. P.
706
Interval
5765 years
I
A. J. P.
6471.
Theſe two years of the Julian period include the four cardinal points of
the folar year, with their reſpective luni-ſolar characters, or diſtances of the
new moons and full moons, either before or after them, which are the proper
fubject of the aftronomical tables; and, becaufe, as far as can be judged from
appearances, here is nothing given, excepting an interval of 5765 years, it
may perhaps be thought a matter of indifference, whether we compute the
firft year of the interval from the vernal equinox in the year of the Julian
period
The Chronology of the World.
553
period 706, or from the fummer folftice, or from the autumnal equinox, or from
the winter folftice; and that it is equally indifferent, whether the included
lunar computation be made to commence from a new moon or from a full
moon; this is certainly the cafe, with respect to the aftronomers, in their
computations backwards from a given year.
In anſwer to fuch furmifes, we ſay, calculation will clearly prove to us, that
we are not left to our liberty in theſe points, but are confined by the author
of nature's own eſtabliſhments, to the autumnal equinox, that being the original
cardinal point of the year, and to a full moon, that being the original phafis.
This will hold fo univerfally true, that whatever year of the world be propofed,
the folar tropical reduction will fpontaneoufly give, independant of every
hypothefis, the hour and minute of the autumnal equinox; and the lunar
reduction will as fpontaneouſly give the hour and minute of the mean full
moon, in the firſt meridian; whilft their difference will conftantly exprefs the
diſtance either before or after that cardinal point, and no other. Hence it
comes, that we cannot immediately and directly calculate, either the vernal
equinox, or the fummer folftice, or the winter folftice, without adding the
obferved diſtances from each other; nor can we immediately and directly
calculate a new moon, without adding half a lunation to bring us to it.
Theſe particulars, and their proof, will merit confideration.
•
In confirmation of what is here faid, we will now make it appear by cal-
culation, iſt, That the given year of the world 5765, will terminate at the
autumnal equinox A. D. 1758, which may be known by ſubſtracting A. M.
4007 from A. M. 5765. 2dly, That the lunar reduction will end with a full
moon, either before or after the fame cardinal point. 3dly, That we muſt
add half a lunation to bring it to a new moon.
Firſt, We are to make it appear by calculation, that the given year of the
world 5765 will end at the autumnal equinox A. D. 1758. Here follows
Multiply
into
M.
The CALCULATION.
5765 years of 365 days, 6 hours,
II minutes.
D. H. M.
Divide the product by 1440) 63415 (44 00 55 Julian exceſs.
Multiply
into
5765 folar years,
1461 quadrants.
H. M.
D.
Divide the product by 4) 8422665 (2105666 6 00 Julian reduction.
Subſtract the Julian excefs
Bbbb
44 • 55
The folar tropical reduction 2105622 5
5 5 0 in, Ift merid.
By
554
The Chronology of the World.
By the direction of original principles we argue in this manner: becauſe the
firſt year of the interval muft in nature be computed from the autumnal
equinox, and, by ratiocination, from noon, it follows, with the certainty of
an axiom, that the laſt muſt end at the fame cardinal point, and that the odd
hours and minutes muft rightly exprefs the diftance after noon in the firſt
meridian, upon fuppofition that 365 d. 5 h. 49 min. conftitute the true quantity
of the folar tropical year; and to know whether they do or not, we muft
examine how far the calculated times will be found to agree or diſagree, with
the obſerved times, or whether they are in any true connection with them;
but this examination will create very little difficulty; for A.D. 1758 was the
fecond year after biffextile, ſo alſo was A.D. 1754, when the fun was obſerved
to enter libra at Greenwich September 22 d. 16h. 13 min. p. m. the interval
is four years, whofe retroceffion is 44 minutes, which being fubftracted from
September 22 d. 16 h. 13 min. will give September 22 d. 15 h. 29 min. for
the Julian month, day, hour, and minute, of the autumnal equinox A.D. 1758.
The fun finiſhed its fourth period at the autumnal equinox A. D. 1753, by
obſervation at Greenwich, September 22 d. 10 h. 24 min. p. m. By the prin-
ciples of commenfuration theſe 10 h. 24 min. are a meridian diftance; and
to prove that they are,
From September 22 15 29 at Greenw.A.D.1758.
Subft. for the merid. diftance of Greenwich
IO 24
Remains the calculated time, September 22 5 5 firft meridian.
From hence we infer, that 365 d. 5 h. 49 min. is the exact quantity of
the folar tropical year, and that no other quantity can be affigned, which will
produce conclufions either in agreement or in connection with the obferved
times of an equinox or a folftice; to evince this, we will give the following
example:
Let 5765 years be reduced to days by thofe tables which affign 365 d. 5 h.
48 min. 57 fec. for the quantity of the folar tropical year.
5000 years produce
700
60
5
'The reduction is
·D.
H. M. S.
1826211 15 10 00
255669 15 5 00
21914 12 57 00
1826 5 4 45
2105622 00 16 45
L
From
The Chronology of the World.
555
From
Subſtract
Sum of the defect
D.
H. M. S.
2105622 5 5 00
2105622 0 16 45
D. H. M. S.
Quantity 365 5 49 00
Quantity 365 5 48 57
4 48 15
Annual difference
3
To render theſe conclufions intelligible, it will be neceffary to reduce them
to the Julian kalendar; but for this we muſt borrow affiſtance from the tables
of obſervation; for without obfervation, the cardinal points of the folar tropical
year cannot be adjuſted aftronomically to the months and days of the Julian.
Now obſervation difcovers to us, that the fun enters libra in this age, new ſtyle,
on the 22d day of September, reckoning the hours from noon; and fometimes
on the 23d day of September, if we reckon the hours from midnight.
The following table fets forth the obſerved Julian ſtations of the autumnal
equinox for eight years fucceffively in three meridians, beginning at A.D. 1753,
and ending at A.D. 1760.
O in
O in
Greenwich.
O in
8° weftward of Greenw.
D. H. M.
Firſt meridian.
D. H. M.
D. H. M.
A.D. 1753,
Sept. 22 00 00
|
Sept. 22 10 24
Sept. 22
Sept. 22 9 52
A.D. 1754,
Sept. 22 5 49
Sept. 22 16 13
Sept. 22 15 41
A.D. 1755,
Sept. 22 11 38
Sept. 22 22
2
2
Sept. 22 21 30
A.D. 1756,
Sept. 21 17 27
|
Sept. 22
3 51
Sept. 22 3 19
A.D. 1757,
A.D. 1758,
A.D. 1759,
Sept. 21 23 16
Sept. 22
| 9 40
9 40
Sept. 22 9. 8
Sept. 22
Sept. 22
5 5 5
10 54
|
Sept. 22 15 29
Sept. 22 21
Sept. 22 14 57
18
Sept. 22 20 46
A.D. 1760, Sept. 21 16 43 Sept. 22
|
3 7
Sept. 22
Sept. 22 2 35
We are now poffeffed of two radix's, or fixed points, the one for a computation
downwards, which is given; the other for a computation backwards, which is
founded upon the numbers of obſervation; by this means we ſhall be able to
try the folar tables, and to eſtimate every deviation from the truth.
Secondly, We are to make it appear by calculation, that as every folar tropical
reduction conſtantly terminates at the autumnal equinox, that being the original
cardinal point of the folar year, fo will every lunar reduction as conſtantly
terminate with a full moon, that being the original lunar phaſis; and we may,
with equal hopes of fuccefs, attempt to change the courfes of the luminaries,
as to make a true calculation downwards from any other principles.
Let the preſent ſubject of our enquiry be, whether a new moon or a full
moon immediately preceeded the autumnal equinox A.D. 1758, A.M. 5765,
and at what limited diſtance in days, hours, and minutes, according to mean
Bbbb 2
time
556
The Chronology of the World.
time in a given meridian; and let the given meridian be 8° to the weſtward of
Greenwich, which is 32 minutes in time. From 10 h. 24 min. fubftract
32 minutes, and there will remain 9 h. 52 min. for the meridian, diſtance
to be added to the hour and minute of the mean full moon in the firft me-
ridian. The fun came to the autumnal equinox A. D. 1758, in this me-
ridian, September 22 d. 14 h. 57 min. as may be feen in the third column
of the table, page 555.
Here follows
The LUNAR CALCULATION.
A. M.
{
Divide by 19) 5765 (303 decennoval cycles.
Remain
8
years
of the 304th cycle.
Multiply
into
303 cycles,
235 lunations.
To the product
Add, for 8 years,
Add, for intercalary months,
Sum total of lunations
71205
96
2
71303
Reduce 71303 lunations to days, by thoſe tables which affign 29 d. 12 h.
44 min. 1 fec. 45 thirds, for the quantity of a mean lunation.
70,000 lunations produce
1,000
300
3
From the fum
Subſtract for 49680 lunations
To the remainder
Add, for the meridian diftance
Time of the mean full moon
D.
H. M. S. Th.
2067140 7 21 40 00
29530 13 49 10 00
8859 4 8 45 00
88 14 12 5. 15
2105618 15 31 40 15
'I
2105617 15 31
9 52
2105618 1 23
To find the Julian month and day, correfponding with the mean full moon.
The
The Chronology of the World.
557
The CALCULATION.
To the fum total of days
Add, for October 24 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
2105618
D.
H. M.
I 23
297
2105915 1 23
Subſtract the Julian reduction of 5765 years, 11 d. 2105655
Remains the Julian M. D. H. and M. September 17,
of the mean full moon, A.D. 1758,
260 I 23 p.m.
Proved by the tables of mean lunations. (Ferguſon's Aftronomy, 2d edit.)
Tab. IV. To the mean full moon in March, A. D. 1758,
Add for 6 lunations, to bring it to September,
The days in table VII. anſwer to September 17,
D. H. M.
23 20 59
177 4 24
201 1 23
D. H. M.
From the tabular time, Sept.
Subft. the calculated time, Sept.
17
I 23 p.m.2
mean time of F. M. 1758,
17
I 23
Difference
To find the limited distance of the mean full moon from the autumnal equinox in
V
2
days, hours, and minutes.
Calculated from the tables of mean lunations.
D. H. M.
From the time of the equinox A. D. 1758, Sept. 22 14 57
Subſtract the tabular mean time of the full moon, Sept. 17 I 23
Diſtance from the autumnal equinox fought
Calculated from the original radix.
From the days of the folar tropical reduction
Subſtract the days of the lunar, leſs by 1,
Remains the fame diſtance, as before,
5 13 34
D.
H. M.
2105622 14 57
2105617 1 23
5 13 34
Theſe calculations clearly prove, that if any number of lunations be given,
the laſt of them will not only end with a full moon, but alſo on that evening
which
558
The Chronology of the World.
which either follows after the completion of the mean full moon day, or after
a great part of it is compleated; and the reaſon is, becauſe time is computed
from the autumnal equinox in connection with the extreme point of a full
moon day; which original full moon day falls not within the limits of meaſured
time; in confequence of theſe original principles, we muft, whenever we
would obtain the firſt point of a mean full moon or new moon day, ſubſtract 1
from the fum total of days, as may be ſeen in the laſt calculation. It remains
to prove,
}
Thirdly, That in every lunar computation downwards to a given year, if
we would determine the diſtance of a mean new moon, either before or after
the autumnal equinox, we muft, in confequence of original principles, add
half a lunation to bring us to it.
Let it be required to aſcertain the limited diſtance of the mean new moon
after the autumnal equinox A. D. 1758, in days, hours, and minutes.
Calculated from the table of mean lunations.
D. H. M.
14 18 22
To the tabular time of the mean full moon, Sept. 17 I 23 p.m.
Add, for half a lunation,
Time of the mean new moon fought, October 1 19 45
p. m. A. D. 1758.
D. H. M.
From the Jul. M. D. H. and M. of the mean N.M. O&. 1 19 45
Subſtract the time of the equinox in the fame merid. Sept. 22
14 57
Remains the limited diſtance fought
9
4 48
Calculated from the original radix.
D.
H. M.
To the days of the lunar reduction for a full moon
Add, to bring it to a new moon,
From the fum, lefs by I,
Subſtract the days of the folar tropical reduction
Remains the limited diftance, as before,
I
2105618 1 23
14 18 22
2105632 19 45
2105622 14 57
9 4 48
If the diſtance of the mean full moon before the autumnal equinox, and
of the mean new moon after it be ſet down together, they will diſcover to us
the aftronomical interfection of the laft half mean lunation by the moment
of the fun's entry into that cardinal point, provided the time of the equinox
and
The Chronology of the World.
559
and of the mean full moon and new moon be adjuſted to the fame meridian
a circumſtance which, perhaps, has not been duly confidered.
D. H. M.
F. M. O 5 13 34
M. H. D.
48 4 9 N.M. «.
;
This aftronomical interſection of the laſt half lunation depends not ſo much
upon original principles, for it may be calculated by the tables from the neareſt
radix, as upon the exact quantity of a mean lunation; but we may appeal to
it as a proper teft, by which to try the truth of every quantity of a lunation
which ſhall differ from that which we have affigned and have made uſe of in
the calculations.
To this end, let 71303 lunations and a half, be reduced by thoſe tables of
lunations from 1 to 100,000, which we find in Ferguſon's Aftronomy, 2d edit.
page 229.
D.
H. M. S.
70,000 lunations produce, by this table, 2067141 10 35 00
1,000
300
3-la
To the fum
Add, for the meridian diſtance
To the fum
Add, for October 24 d. oo h. oo min.
From the fum
29530 14 12 30
8859 4 15 45
88 14 12 9
14 18 22 00
2105633 13 37 24
9 52
2105633 23 29 24
297
2105930 23 29 24
Subſtract for the Jul. reduction of 5765 years, N. S. 2105655
Mean time of new moon,
October 2,
275 23 29 24
D. H. M.
From the calculated mean time,
Subſtract the tabular mean time,
October
October
October
2 23 29 new moon.
1 19 45
Remains the excefs of the tabular meaſure 1 3 44
The multiplied exceſs of the tabular meaſure of a mean lunation, may be
calculated from the folar tropical and the lunar reductions.
From
560
The Chronology of the World.
From the days of the lunar reduction, -1,
Subftract the days of the tropical folar
From the remainder
Subftract our calculated diftance
Remains the fame excefs, as before,
D.
H. M.
2105632 23 29
2105622 14 57
ΙΟ
8
32
9 448
I 3 44
It is very evident, that the error of every aftronomical calculation muſt ariſe
either from the want of exactneſs in the tabular meafures, or in the radix's;
but becauſe the radical numbers of the tables are fixed by obſervation, we ſhall
poftulate their truth, and confine ourſelves to the examination of the tabular
meaſures. But it will be impoffible to eſtimate the error of any calculation made
by the tables, unless we are firft able to aſcertain the quantity of the folar
tropical year and of a mean lunation: the termination of the folar tropical year is
limited to 5 h. 49 min. and we propofe the following method to limit the
quantity of a mean lunation.
in
The tabular diſtance of the mean new moon after the autumnal equinox
A. D. 1758, was found (page 558.) to be 9 d. 4 h. 48 min. Now, we ſay,
that this determinate diſtance, in days, hours, and minutes, cannot be found
any folar tropical year of the world but the 5765th; nor by any quantity
of the folar tropical year which is greater or less than 365 d. 5 h. 49 min. nor
by any quantity of a mean lunation that is greater or leſs than 29 d. 12h.
44 min. I fee. 45 thirds..
5765 folar tropical years include 71303 lunations, to which if we add half
a lunation, it will bring it to a new moon next after the autumnal equinox
A.D. 1758. This fum total of lunations being reduced by the true quantity
of a lunation produced (page 558.) 2105632 d. 19 h. 45 min. in this reduction
the terminating hours and minutes exprefs the time of the mean new moon
in a meridian which lies -8° or 32 minutes in time to the weftward of the
Greenwich obſervatory, in agreement with the tables.
Now it is faid, (page 552.) that in the year of the Julian period 706,
"the mean time of the full moon in October was 22 d. 8 h. 3 min. in the
" evening."
By the help of the preceeding reduction we will fhew how to eſtimate the
error of this tabular calculation; only obferving first that October 22 is the
295th day from the kalends of January.
ב
The
The Chronology of the World.
561
The CALCULATION.
To the days of the preceeding reduction
Add, for October 22, &c.
From the fum
Subft. the Jul. reduction of 5765 yrs. for N. S.
Remains the time of the mean N. M. Sept. 30,
From the tabular time,
Subſtract this calculated time,
D.
H. M.
2105632 19 45 p.m.
295 8 3
2105928 3 48
2105655
273 3 48 A.D.1758.
D. H. M.
I 19 45 p.m.
October
September
30
3 48
I 15 57
The quantity of the error is
Here the error, in the computation downwards, amounts to 1 d. 15 h
57 min. or near 40 hours, and fo much error we ſhall find in the computation
backwards, which we thus prove:
It appears by calculation, page 170. that the fun came to the autumnal
equinox, in the year of the Julian period 706, on the 25th day of October at
noon, in the firſt meridian, at the end of a full moon day; from which fubſtract
I, and it will carry it back to October 24 noon, and to the firſt point of the
full moon day.
From October
Subſt. for the quantity of the tabul. error
It will give the tabular time, October
D. H. M.
24 00 00
i 15 57
22 8 3 p.m.which was to be proved.
But this redundancy of 39 h. 57 min. is fo grofs a deviation from the truth,
that it will not eaſily be credited, and therefore to remove all doubt concerning
it, we will reſolve the ſum of the error into the feveral parts of which it conſiſts;
and this may be readily done, as the calculation was made by thofe tables
which give 29 d. 12 h. 44 min. 3 fec. for the quantity of a mean lunation
from which if we fubftra&t 29 d. 12 h. 44 min. 1 fec. 45 thirds, it will leave
a difference of 1" 15".
Ift, If 1" be multiplied into 71303 lunations, it will produce 19 h. 48 min.
23 fec. which being fubftracted from 39 h. 57 min. will reduce the fum of
the exceſs to 20 h. 8 min. 37 fec.
2dly, If 15″ be multiplied into the fame number of lunations, it will produce
4h. 57 min. 5 fec. which being fubftracted from 20 h. 8 min. 37 fec. will
leave in remainder 15 h. 11 min. 32 fec.
Cccc
3dly,
562
The Chronology of the World.
3dly, From 15 h. 11 min. 32 fec. fubftract 2 h. 58 min. 15 fec. 45 thirds,
for the addition of the thirds in the collection of the feconds, and there will
remain 12 h. 13 min. 16 fec. 15 thirds.
4thly, From 12 h. 13 min. 16 fec. 15 thirds, fubftract 9 h. 52 min. for the
meridian diſtance, and there will remain 2 h. 21 min. 16 fec. 15 thirds, for the
error of the tabular radical numbers multiplied into the fum total of lunations.
If we have rightly explained theſe two laft particulars, (and if we have
not we cannot account for them at all) it is evident, that the tabular radical
numbers are very near approximations to the truth.
D. H. M.
To October 22 8 3 tabul. time of the mean F. M.
I 15 57
Add the error of the tabular calculation
It will give for the corrected time, October 24 00 00 firſt meridian, A. J. P. 706.
It is faid (page 552.) "that the autumnal equinox was on the 26th day of
"October, which being four days after the full moon, the moon was 48
degrees paſt her oppofition to the fun."
To October 22 d. 8 h. 3 min. add four days, and it will give October 26 d.
8 h. 3 min. p.m. for the time of the autumnal equinox, and under no other
circumſtances could the moon be 48 degrees paſt her oppofition to the fun.
Now according to the foregoing calculations, the autumnal equinox was
on the 25th day 10 h. 24 min. after noon, at Greenwich; which being
fubftracted from October 26 d. 8 h. 3 min. throws off an error of 21 h.
39 min. which being added to 39 h. 57 min. make 2 d. 13h. 36 min. to
this fum add 10 h. 24 min. for the meridian diſtance of Greenwich, and it will
make 3 days; from 4 fubftract 3, and the remainder will fhew, that at the
autumnal equinox at noon, in the year of the Julian period 706, the moon
was one whole day paſt her oppofition to the fun.
''
The inference from hence is, that the luni-folar characters at the autumnal
equinox in the year of the Julian period 706 (coincident with the beginning
of A. M. 1) are given; for if theſe characters are not given, if the integral
new moon epact 15, (terminating on the evening of the fourth day of the
firft week, juft fix hours after the commencement of the annual motion, and
the completion of a full moon day) had not been recorded in the writings of
Mofes, we could not have had any knowledge of them, as the beſt tables extant
cannot aſcertain them.
In this uncertain ftate of aftronomy, and imperfection of the tables, the fſyſtem
of chronology muſt ſtill have remainded a body without a head; we ſhould
have had no definitive æra of the creation; no original both folar and lunar
radix; no aſtrononomical bafis for a calculation downwards to the preſent
times, in a conſtant agreement or connection with the obferved hour and minute
of the autumnal equinox, and with the tabular times of the neareſt mean full
moon, in a given meridian.
Such
The Chronology of the World.
563
Such mathematical exactneffes are of too great importance in practical aftrono-
my to be hoped for or expected by any ordinary means, nor can backward calcu-
lations either confirm or confute them.
But the deductions which may be made from theſe original characters,
theſe ſcriptural data, are as extraordinary as the data themſelves; for by the
fole affiſtance of the recorded new moon epact 15, we may readily determine
the autumnal equinoctial epacts in thoſe fix years of the Julian period page 551;
the firſt of which comes immediately before, and the four laſt follows imme-
diately after the year 706.
Here the rule is, if the computation be made backwards we muſt add 4,
and if it be made downwards we muſt fubftract 4 from the given epact.
Now then,
year of
Ift, To the recorded new moon epact 15 add 4, and the fum 19 will be the
full moon epact at the autumnal equinox in the year of the Julian period 705.
2dly, From the recorded new moon epact 15 ſubſtract 4, and the remainder
II will be the full moon epact at the autumnal equinox in the
the Julian period 707.
3dly, From the full moon epact II fubftract 4, and the remainder 7 will be
the new moon epact at the autumnal equinox in the year of the Julian
period 708.
4thly, From the new moon epact 7 ſubſtract 4, and the remainder 3 will be
the full moon epact at the autumnal equinox in the year of the Julian period
709; but whether the first day of this integral epact commences on the
evening next after the mean oppofition, or on the evening the next But
one after it, muſt be determined by calculation
5thly, To the full moon epact 3 add 30, then from the fum 33 ſubſtract 4,
and the remainder 29 will be the new moon epact at the autumnal equinox
in the year of the Julian period 710. But becauſe this lunar month of 29
days compleats the folar year, it follows, that in the year of the Julian period
710, the moon was viſible on the evening of that day on which the fun
came to the autumnal equinox.
6thly, To the recorded full moon epact 30, i. e. o, add 4, and it will give
the new moon epact at the autumnal equinox in the year of the Julian
period 705.
7thly, From the recorded full moon epact o, i. e. 30, fubftract 4, and the
remainder 26 will be the new moon epact at the autumnal equinox in the
year of the Julian period 707.
8thly, From the new moon epact 26 ſubſtract 4, and the remainder 22 will
be the full moon epact at the autumnal equinox, in the year of the Julian
period 708.
C c c c 2
9thly,
564
The Chronology of the World.
9thly, From the full moon epact 22 fubftract 4, and the remainder 18 will
be the new moon epact at the autumnal equinox, in the year of the Julian
period 709. But whether the firſt day of this integral epact commences
on the evening next after the conjunction, or on the evening the next but
one after it, muſt be determined by calculation.
Jothly, From the full moon epact 18 fubftract 4, and the remainder 14 will
be the full moon epact at the autumnal equinox, in the year of the Julian
period 710.
Here follows
A TABLE of the full moon and new moon epacts at the autumnal equinox in the
chaotic year, or in the year immediately preceeding the creation, and alfo at the
fame cardinal point, in the first four years of the world; to which we have
annexed the correfponding years of the Julian period.
J
A. J. P. A. J. P. | A. J. P. | A. J. P. | A. J. P. | A. J. P.
705.
706.
707. 708.
709.
710.
A.M. o. A. M. o. |A. M. 1. A. M. 2. A. M. 3. |A. M. 4.
Full moon epacts O19 1103540
[ O
O II
O 22
O 3- Ο 14
-
New moon epacts 4350 15 0- ‹ 26- « 71-
( 18- - со
This table includes fix epacts and fix quadrants, and we will fhew how
they form themſelves into two unequal lunar months, confifting of 30
29 days.
and
Epacts.
Quadrants.
In the beginning of A. M. o.
At the end of
3 days.
3
4
A. M. o.
I I
4
A. M. I.
II
A. M. 2.
I
I I
A. M. 3.
IO
A. M. 4.
I I
I
4
The fum total
59
Q.
Thefe 59 days refolve themſelves into 30 and 29, that is, into two unequal
lunar months, which was to be proved.
By the help of this table of epacts we may eaſily ſupply the defects of
archbiſhop Ufher's computations; for it appears, by infpection, that the full
moon happened 14 days before the autumnal equinox, in the year of the
Julian
,
The Chronology of the World.
565
Julian period 710. From October 25, the day of the equinox, fubftract 14,
and it will leave October 11 for the full moon day.
Without the trouble of any farther calculation, we ſhall now give
A TABLE of thofe luni-folar characters which archbishop Ufher has omitted.
D.
A. J. P. 710, October 10, C.
Full moon day begins.
Full moon day ends.
I
11, D.
12, E.
13, F.
2
14, G.
3
15, A.
4
· 16,
B.
5
17,
C.
6
18, D.
7
19, E.
8
20, F.
9
21, G.
IO
22, A.
I I
23, B.
I2
24, C.
O 25, D.
13
14
conjunction.
moon vifible.
Tueſday, third day.
Days of the Jewiſh week.
Sunday, firſt day.
Monday, fecond day.
But we might, without any calculation at all, have argued in this manner;
becauſe, in the year of the Julian period 706, the 15th day computed from
the evening of the moon's vifibility, was coincident with the day of the autumnal
equinox, therefore in the end of the fourth year after, by the law of the
epacts, the 14th day computed from a full moon evening, would be coincident
with the fame cardinal point.
--
To find the day of the week correfponding with the day of the autumnal equinox,
on the evening of which the moon was visible, A. J. P. 710, and whether
Sunday or Saturday was the feventh day of the patriarchal week.
The CALCULATION.
From the year of the Julian period 706, to the year of the Julian period
710, there paffed four years, which contain 1461 days.
D.
Divide by 7) 1461 (208 weeks.
Remainder
5 | index 2 | day of the week, Tueſday.
Or,
ነ
The Chronology of the World.
566
Or, To
Add
Divide by 7)
Remainder
1461 days,
4
1465 (209 weeks.
2 | Tueſday, which is the ſecond day after Sunday exclufive.
We ſay then, that Sunday, and not Saturday, was the original feventh day,
nor can we calculate the Jewiſh Sabbath without adding 5 to the fum total of
days, in contradiction to Mofes's account, whoſe words are, the evening and
the morning was the fourth day.
The calculation of the day of the week according to the computation of the Jews,
To the fum total of days
Add
Divide by 7)
Remainder
1461
5
1466 (208 weeks.
3 | Tueſday, the third day after Saturday excl.
From the
year of the Julian period 710, we will go back to the year of the
Julian period 705. By the table of epacts, the fun entered libra this year,
on the fourth day computed from the evening of the moon's vifibility.
From hence it appears, that although the number 4, was not the original
epact, yet it is the bafis or foundation of all, and it diſcovers to us, how it
comes to paſs, if, in any given year, we fubftract the number 4 from the
autumnal equinoctial new moon or full moon epact, it will give the epacts
refpectively in the following year.
E. g. In the beginning of the chaotic year, the full moon epact, by the
table, was 19; fubftract 4, and the remainder 15 will give the new moon
epact at the autumnal equinox in the year of the Julian period 706, or in the
end of the chaotic year.
Again, The new moon epact was 4; ſubſtract 4 from 4, and the remainder o
will give the full moon epact at the fame cardinal point, in the ſame year.
To find the Julian month, and day of the month, in which the moon was in
conjunction with the fun, nearest to the autumnal equinox, in the year of
the Julian period 705,
In the
The CALCULATION.
year of the Julian period 706, the day of the full moon was October
24; ſubſtract 4 from 24, and it will leave October 20, for the day of the
new
The Chronology of the World.
567
9
new moon, or conjunction, A. J. P. 705; fo that the moon was viſible on the
evening of October 21, four days before the autumnal equinox.
To find the day of the week, corresponding aftronomically with the 21st day of
October, on the evening of which the moon was vifible four days before the
autumnal equinox, in the year of the Julian period 705.
The CALCULATION.
In the year of the Julian period 706, the autumnal equinoctial new moɔn
epact was 15, which terminated on the fourth day of the patriarchal week,
which we call Thurſday. From 15 fubftract 4 and there will remain 11;
from 11 ſubſtract 7 and there will remain 4. If therefore reſpect be had to
the days of the week, the original new moon epact 15, refolves itſelf into
theſe three numbers, 4. 7. 4. Throw off the two laſt and there will remain 4;
but becauſe the calculation is made backwards, this number 4 terminates on a
feventh day.
In the years of the Julian period 705 and 706, the pofition of the lunar
year to the folar is expreffed, in the table, by theſe numbers and ſymbols,
O
8 | (
4 350
15
From the new moon epact 15, fubftract 11, i. e. 4 days and 7 days, and
it will leave
8 41 350
| €
4..
Divide 350 by 7, and it will leave in remainder o; if, therefore, we throw off
theſe
350 days, there will remain
$10
«
4
D.
· 4 ·
To 4 add 4, and the fum will be 8; from 8 fubftract 7 and there will remain
1; but becauſe the calculation is made backwards, this remainder 1, will be a
feventh day; from 7 fubftract 1, and the remainder will fhew, that the 21st
of October in the year of the Julian period 705, happened on the 6th day
of the patriarchal week, which we call Saturday; and that the firſt day of
the new moon epact 4, happened upon the feventh day of the patriarchal
week, which we call Sunday.
If theſe conclufions can be convicted of error, then the refolution of the
new moon epact 15, into theſe numbers, 4. 7. 4, as expreffing aſtronomically
the days of the week, muſt be deemed the fport of fancy; but in proof of
their real truth we refer to the kalendar of the chaotic year, whofe luni-folar
charac-
568
The Chronology of the World.
1
characters in the beginning of it, were obtained by the fole affiftance of the
original fcriptural epact 15, independent of obfervation, and all tabular cal-
culation.
We are now nearly ſupplied with materials which may enable us to compleat
the original kalendar, or patriarchal twofold year, in, all its minuteſt circum-
ſtances; but yet, before we attempt its conftruction, we must endeavour to
account for one very confiderable difficulty, which has never yet been accounted
for; and which, for want of exprefs fcriptural data, may be thought inexplicable,
by any other means but conjecture. This difficulty may be ſtated in a very
few words.
The learned fir John Marſham, has long fince remarked, and there are
good grounds for it, Quod nullum intercalationis veftigium in S. S. literis extat ;
i.e. that no trace or footſtep of any intercalation appears throughout the
fcriptures; this is plain matter of fact which cannot be denied; and yet the
moon as certainly finiſhes her circulation, together with the earth, round the
fun in the 13th lunation, as the earth does its annual period on the 366th day;
and as every fourth folar year, when abftracted from the lunar, muft needs
confift of 366 entire days; fo in the courfe of 19 folar years, there muſt
occur 7 fupernumerary lunations, and in every triacontaeterid II, over and above
an equal number of twelve-month lunar years; and altho' they may be variouſly
computed, yet they cannot be avoided. The filence of the facred writers
concerning this Jewiſh and Talmudical law of computing intercalary months,
and embolimæan years, (i. e. years confifting of 13 months) has led fome
perfons of eminent note, to conclude, that the fcriptural year was folar
only, and that before the giving of the law, and during its continuance,
there was no lunar computation at all. And, therefore, the ſubject of our
prefent enquiry must be, not how the primitive patriarchs, the ancient Hebrews
and Ifraelites, evaded thefe 30 intervening days, for that was impoffible in
nature, but how they computed and adjufted them? or, more properly
fpeaking, under the direction of what law or principle, they diſpoſed of them?
for they had no room to infert them in their twelve-month folar and lunar
kalendar, under the numeral denomination of a thirteenth month.
Without offering to lay down rules for thefe computations, which
may be
thought ambiguous and uncertain ; or advancing hypothefes, which may,
perhaps, be rejected as fanciful; we fhall, without any farther defcant, bring
down to the prefent times four of theſe primæval kalendars, drawn out at large
in their twofold form, and in their original ftate of perfection; and if the
reader will give himſelf the trouble to perufe our explanations of thoſe particulars
which are marked with numeral figures, he may perhaps find reaſon to believe,
that if all practical knowledge of our Julian kalendar, had, by a long difufe
for
The Chronology of the World.
569
for more than 2000 years, been quite buried in oblivion, it would have been much
more difficult to have recovered its epoch, its unequal months, their names, order,
and quantity; its biffextile day, and the place of its intercalation, &c. according
to Julius Cæfar's firft inftitution, than it would have been to recover the patriar-
chal folar and lunar year; and the reaſon of this greater difficulty is very plain;
becauſe the reſtoration of the former depends more upon the evidences of hiſtory,
than the unerring principles of a plain and fimple aftronomy.
In the conftruction of a patriarchal and Ifraelitic kalendar, the first point to
be fettled is the diftance of the new moon evening from the autumnal equinox ;
or of the aftronomical epoch of the lunar year from the aftronomical epoch of
the folar; for the lunar year begins fometimes a limited number of days be-
fore the folar; fometimes it begins a limited number of days after the folar;
and fometimes they begin together. Upon the account of this variety we
muſt neceffarily have recourfe to calculation. And here let it be noted, that
we ſhall determine this diftance aftronomically, without calculating lunar years,
lunar months, or the lunar motions; nay, without being required to confider,
whether the moon has any proper motions at all; in fo wonderful a manner
is the lunar computation included in the folar!
The firſt of theſe four primitive kalendars commences at the autumnal
equinox A. D. 1757, and the laft of them ends at the fame cardinal point A. D.
1761; and we are to find the autumnal equinoctial new moon epact, or the
diſtance of the new moon evening from the patriarchal cardinal point, A. D.
1757. And we ſhall fhew how the epact fought may be deduced from the
days of the folar tropical reduction only, in the fame manner here, as we pro-
ceeded page 535. Here follows
The CALCULATION.
According to the aſtronomical law of our canon of kings, who have reigned
ince the conqueft, George I. ended his reign at the autumnal equinox A. D.
1727, which being fubftracted from A. D. 1757, gives the 30th year of the
reign of George II. which, in the tables of fingle years, runs parallel with
the folar tropical year of the world 5764; this number of years produces
2105256 d. 23 h. 16 min. add, for the meridian diftance, 10 h. 24 min. and
the fum will be 2105257 d. 9 h. 40 min. From this laſt ſum ſubſtract 1 for
49680 lupations, and it will leave in remainder 2105256 days.
In 30 lunar years there are 10631 days.
D.
Divide by 10631) 2105256 (198 periods of 30 lunar years thrown off.
From the remainder
I
Subſtract for 11 lunations
318
310
t
Remains the N. M. epact fought
8, A. D, 1757.
__8
Dddd
Another
570
The Chronology of the World.
Another Method.
Multiply the quotient 198 into II, and the product 2178 will be the whole
amount of lunar years confifting of 355 days.
From the days of the folar tropical reduction, −1 d. 2105256
Subſtract for lunar years of 355 days
2178
Divide the remainder by 354) 2103078 (5940 lunar years.
From the remainder
Subftract, as above,
New moon epact fought
318
310
8
ΙΣ
A. D. 1757.
To find the distance of the feftival full moon after the autumnal equinox A.D.
1757.
The CALCULATION.
After the divifion by 10631 there remained 318 days, from which ſubſtract
8, for the new moon epact, and to the remainder 310 add for half a lunation
15, then from the fum 325 fubftract the remainder 318, and this laſt
remainder will inform us, that the feaft of tabernacles fell that
7th day after the autumnal equinoctial day incluſive.
year on the
To find the day of the week, correfponding aftronomically with the day of the
autumnal equinox A. D. 1757.
A.D.
The CALCULATION.
The days of the folar tropical reduction are 2105257, to which add 1 for
the day of the equinox, and the fum will be 2105258.
D.
Divide by 7) 2105258 (300751 weeks.
Remainder
1 | index 5 | Friday.
We need not carry on theſe calculations a ſtep farther; for if in the beginning
of any year, the luni-folar characters, and the correfponding day of the week,
are known, we may, by their help alone, draw out at large as many of theſe
ancient kalendars, as we pleaſe; and we ſhall now give four of them in fuc-
ceffion; the firſt and laſt of which a Talmudical Jew would call embolimæan
years, i. e. years of 13 months; whilſt a primitive patriarch, or an ancient
Hebrew
The Chronology of the World.
571
Hebrew and Ifraelite would not reckon theſe 30 intervening days, which fall
in two folar years, amongst the number of the kalendar months, which are
never more nor lefs than twelve; they would confider them only as the aftro-
nomical regulators of the annual feſtival, in conformity to the original law.
Here it may be objected, that if this be a true reprefentation of the inter-
calary or embolimaan month, then it follows, that the ftated computation by
the months and days of the lunar year muft fo far fuffer an interruption; fince
ſhould any remarkable event happen on any one of thofe 29 or 30 days, which
intervene between the end of the preceeding twelve-month lunar year, and
the beginning of the next, the times of that event could not be recorded in
the ufual chronological ſtyle.
This is very true; and it is very obfervable, that no event is recorded to have
happened on any one of theſe days, throughout the facred hiftory; and what-
ever events might fall out on thefe days, which admitted of no feftival, the
times muſt have been noted, not in the chronological, but in the indefinite
ſtyle; as, after theſe things, in those days, about this time, after fo many days, &c.
many examples of this kind might be produced from facred hiftory.
Before we enter upon a more particular explanation of theſe nice and difficult
points, it may be neceffary for the reader to examine, with fome attention, the
kalendars, inferted at the end of this work, which, in their plain and ſimple
ftructure, moſt effectually anſwer all the purpoſes of a national kalendar, both
civil and religious, which can be deviſed or required.
Theſe are genuine ante-diluvian kalendars, every one of which repreſents to
our view that very form of year which was in vulgar ufe, we may, with certainty,
fay, more than 4000 years ago, as high up in time as the 600th year of Noah's
life; nor could we be charged with an abfurdity, fhould we offer theſe kalendars
as primæval; fince it may be alledged, in fupport of the very fingular, and
what fome, no doubt, will think an incredible hypothefis, that the conſtruction
of
any one of them, feparately taken, requires fuch principles, as muſt have
been given; they muft neceffarily be known a priori, i. e. independent of all
obſervation. This being true in fact, it follows, that this patriarchal kalendar,
could not, in its original formation, have been the mere device or invention of
man; it muſt have been the immediate communication of the deity, in the
beginning, for the univerfal benefit of man, with respect to his civil and
religious affairs, which are here computed in fuch a preſcribed form, as will
require no correction, throughout all ages of the world. And yet it has
undergone two different alterations; firft, The epoch of the facred lunar year
was tranferred, by the command of God himself, from the autumnal to the
vernal equinox; and it is fo computed by the Jews to this day; as it has been
already obferved. Secondly, The equal thirty-day months of the political
D d d d 2
lunar
572
The Chronology of the World.
lunar year, have been made to give way to the unequal aftronomical lunar
months, confifting alternately of 30 and 29 days. The firft we date from the
year of the Exodus; the latter from the times which followed the conqueſts
of Alexander; but the precife epoch, and the author, is uncertain.
The equal thirty-day months, both of the folar and of the lunar year, as
far as their reſpective quantities will admit of, may be confidered as a fignal
inftance of original plainneſs and fimplicity; but its peculiar excellency and
perfection muſt be fought for in the extremely curious and moſt artful adjuſtment
of the lunar year to the folar, and this many ages before we have
any hiſtorical
account of the cultivations of ſcience. By the latter, they reckoned the ages
of the patriarchs, and the reigns of their kings, &c. whilft they recorded the
times of hiftorical tranfactions, and obferved the annual returns of their ap-
pointed feaſts, in the months and days of the former.
But as an explication of its threefold fcriptural ufe, is the propereft recom-
mendation which can be given of this primitive form of year, let us ſuppoſe
fome very remarkable event to have happened in the 30th year of the reign of
George II. on the 29th day of the XIIth month of the folar year, and that
we were required to record the times, in the patriarchal chronological ſtyle.
It would be neceffary, upon this occafion, to be rightly informed, that the
XIIth month of the primitive folar year was of 35 days, and every fourth year
of 36, from which fubftracting 8, for the calculated new moon epact, it will
give the 28th day for the termination of the preceeding lunar year; fo that
the firſt day of the first month of the next lunar year in fucceffion, muft
neceffarily fall on the 29th.
·
This being premiſed, the queſtion is, whether we ſhould ſay,
ift, And it came to paſs, in the 30th year of the reign of George II. king
of Great Britain, in the twelfth month, on the 29th day of the month.
Or, 2dly, In the 30th year of the reign of George II. in the firſt month, on
the firſt day of the month.
Or, 3dly, In the 31ft year of the reign of George II. in the first month, on
the first day of the month.
Or, 4thly, In the 31ft year, (dropping theſe terms, of the reign of George II.)
in the firſt month, on the first day of the month.
Here are four diſtinct methods of computation, the firſt of which is purely
folar, whilſt the three laſt are folar and lunar; and if we were to take the
contents of the ante-diluvian record, (Gen. vii. viii.) for our directory, we
ſhould adopt the laft of all. To be convinced of this, we need only take a
view of the fubjoined tables:
Year
The Chronology of the World.
573
Year of Noah's life
600.
D.
Year of Noah's life
601.
D.
New moon lunar years ol 354
© €
111
1 343 22
Year of the reign of George II. Year of the reign of George III.
33.
D.
{{ ©
I.
D.
ગ્
New moon lunar years o☎ 354 | | 344 22
II
It is an invariable law, in every inftance of fcriptural computation, firft to
give the year of the life of a patriarch, or of the reign of a king, and then
the month and day of the month; in the former, we have the folar tropical
reckoning, in the latter, the lunar. From theſe principles we conclude, that
if Noah had entered into the ark, and the diluvian rains had fallen in the
beginning of the year, inſtead of the fecond month, and the feventeenth day
of the month, the time would have been noted in the following terms:
In the fix hundredth year of Noah's life, in the first month, on the first day of
the month. And there would have been a great propriety in this ftyle; becauſe
as the moon was viſible on the evening which immediately preceeded tecuphath
hafshanah, the revolution of the year, or the fun's ingrefs into the patriarchal
cardinal point, Noah, by the aftronomical law of the Mofaic canon, entered
into his fix hundredth year, on the first day of the firſt month of the lunar
year, in coincidence with the firſt day of the firſt month of the folar; and
whenever this happens, the folar tropical reckoning keeps even pace with the
lunar, to the laft day of its twelfth month, as it appears by the table. But
when that lunar year was ended, and Noah is repreſented (Gen. viii.) in the
beginning of the next, as removing the covering of the ark, in order to be
informed, by the evidence of his fenfes, whether he might fafely quit his
confinement in the ark, then we may obſerve a fenfible change in the ſtyle;
now it is faid, In the fix hundredth and first year, in the first month, on the firſt
day of the month. Should it be aſked, why theſe words, of Noah's life, are
omitted? the anſwer is, becauſe Noah did not enter into the fix hundredth and
firſt, as he did into his fix hundredth folar tropical year of his life, on the firſt
day of the firſt month of the lunar year, but on the twelfth; and the number
601 is given as the next folar tropical year in fucceffion; for Mofes carries on
the years of the world, by the fucceffive years of the lives of the patriarchs;
fo that by this remarkable change of the terms, we are given to underſtand,
that that lunar year, which was in connection with the fix hundredth folar
tropical
574
The Chronology of the World.
tropical year of Noah's life, was compleated, and that the next lunar
year which
was in connection with the 601ft year of his life was began. The lunar year
is generally concurrent with two diftinct folar years; it generally begins in a
preceeding folar year, and ends in that which follows; but that folar
year in
which a lunar year ends, we confider as the year of connection. To conclude
this argument, if the ftyle had been, in the fix hundredth and first year of
Noah's life, thefe terms, of Noah's life, would have fo perplexed the aſtrono-
mical law of the patriarchal canon, that we could never have aſcertained its
determinate fenfe.
The lowermoſt of the two preceeding tables includes the 33d year of the
reign of his late majefty George II. and the firft year of the reign of his preſent
majefty George III. According to the patriarchal form of year, and the aftro-
nomical law of the canon, king George II. died in the 34th year of his reign,
in the ſecond month, on the third day of the month; and if in the clofe of
the 33d year fome national affair of extraordinary concernment had happened,
and worthy of the facred folemnity of the fcriptural chronological ſtyle, (which
calls in both the luminaries jointly to atteft the truth of the times) it would
have been regiſtered in the following terms: In the thirty-fourth year, in the first
month, on the first, fecond, or third, &c. day of the month. And in this cafe,.
we ſhould have fet down in our annals thirty-four compleat years for the reign
of George II. and the fucceeding reign would not have commenced until the
next autumnal equinox. But as things did not fo fall out, nor do we compute
the times of events in the patriarchal ftyle, we have inſerted in the chronolo-
gical canon thirty-three compleat years for the reign of his late majeſty
George II. and the fucceeding reign is computed from the autumnal equinox
of that year, in which the preceeding king died; fo that in this firft year,
the odd month and days of the laft current year are included.
Juft in this manner it happened, according to the fcriptural accounts, with
refpect to the reigns of David and Solomon. We read 2 Sam. v. 5. that
David reigned in Hebron ſeven years and fix months, and that he reigned
in Jerufalem thirty-three years, which added together make forty years and fix
months; fo David died in the forty and firft current year of his reign. And
yet it appears from 1 Kings, chap. ii. ver. 11. that no more than forty com-
pleat years were inferted in the chronological canon; and the reign of his fon
and fucceffor king Solomon, is dated from the vernal equinox of that year in
which his father king David died; and the firſt year of his reign includes the
odd months of the laſt current year of his father's reign.
It might be proved by a variety of examples, which occur in the facred
hiftory, that the laft current year of the life of a patriarch, or of a king of
Judah or Ifrael, is either compleated, or the odd months and days are thrown
off;
*
The Chronology of the World.
575
off; but when we fay thrown off, we do not mean fo as to be entirely dropp'd;
for although they are not diftinctly computed, yet they are carried forward,
and included in the first year of the next fucceeding reign; and fometimes a
fhort reign, as of Jehoahaz, and of Jehoiakin, is included in the laſt year of
the preceeding reign. Examples of both kinds are fo obvious to be diſcovered,
that we need not be at the trouble to point them out.
Mofes, in his genealogical tables, generally, if not conftantly, compleats
the laſt current year of the lives of the patriarchs. We fhall take, for exam-
ples, Adam and Methufalah.
appears
All the days that Adam lived (fays Mofes, Gen. v. 5.) were 930 years; that
is, according to the aftronomical law of the canon of patriarchs; for it
by Mofes's own account, that the firft year of Adam's life did not run parallel
with the firſt ſolar tropical year of the world. We read that Adam was formed
out of the duft of the ground, on the fixth day of the firft week, not on
the fourth, when time began at the autumnal equinox. Here is plainly a
difference of two days between the commencement of the first year of Adam's
natural life, and of the firft folar tropical year of the world. Nor have we
any expreſs authority to infer, that the laſt year of Adam's life runs parallel
with the 930th folar tropical year of the world; it is much more probable to
believe that Mofes compleats the laft current year. We cannot collect from
the writings of Mofes, in any one inftance, the month and day of the month
on which an ante-diluvian or a poſt-diluvian patriarch was either born or died.
The years of their lives are reduced, by a uniform aftronomical law, to begin
and end at the autumnal equinox, and fo to run parallel with their correſponding
years of the world.
It is indifputably certain, that Mofes compleats the laft current year of the
long-lived Methufalah; for as he neither perished in the flood, nor was he
amongſt the number of thoſe who were preſerved alive in the ark; had he
died the very day before the flood came, the term of his life could not have
exceeded 568 years, one month, and fixteen days; and yet it is expreſsly ſaid,
Gen. v. 27. All the days that Metbufalah lived were 969 (compleat) years.
Every attentive reader will find reaſon to acknowledge, becauſe he can ſcarcely
avoid perceiving, that the fcriptural is a moft incomparable canon; that it is
truly aſtronomical as well as a moft ingenious contexture; the odd months and
days of the current years being ſo ſkilfully difpofed, as in great part to preſerve
hiftorical verity, without giving at the fame time any difturbance or interruption
to the chronological feries of compleat years; they neither diminiſh nor en-
creaſe their juft number.
Thoſe who are defirous to underſtand the Roman kalendar, muſt firſt
acquaint themſelves with the meaning of kalendar terms, fuch as kalends,
nones,
576
The Chronology of the World.
nones, and ides; biffextile day, July, Auguft, &c. They muft, we fay,
first acquaint themſelves with theſe terms, becauſe they help to explain the
conſtruction of the kalendar, and the meaning of its feveral parts.
In like manner, thofe who would acquire a perfect knowledge of the
patriarchal form of year, muſt firſt underſtand the patriarchal terms; ſuch are,
Risbon, Chodesh, fom, and Jamim.
The firſt of theſe terms is ufed in an appropriated and unchangeable ſenſe;
the fecond with latitude, or in a variety of fenfes; the third has two diftinct
fignifications. And although the fourth is in appearance indefinite, yet it is
ufed in a precife determinate fenſe; and we fhall make it appear by examples,
that it fometimes denotes the quantity both of the folar and of the lunar year.
The firſt term is Rifhon, which literally fignifies firft; and we ſhall ſhew,
that whether it be applied to days or months, it has an appropriated ſenſe.
There are ſeven days in a week, the firft of which is called Gen. i. 5. Jom
echad. There are alſo feven days in the feaſt of unleavened bread; but the firſt
of theſe ſeven days was not called Jom echad, but Jom barishon. Exod. xii. 1 5.
Seven days ye shall eat unleavened bread, even the first day (baijom hariſhon) ye
ball put away leaven.
It may be worth the while to examine, whether, in the five books of Mofes,
the firſt day of the week is ever called Jom hariſhon; and whether the firſt
day of the feaſt of unleavened bread is ever called Jom echad.
Again, There are twelve months in the fcriptural folar year, and there are
twelve months in the fcriptural lunar year; and ſhould we have occaſion to
mention the first month of either year, the Hebrew phrafe would not be
Chodesh echad, but riſhon.
EXAMPLE I. Gen. viii. 13. And it came to pass, in the fix hundredth and firft
year, in the first month, (be harifhon) on the first day (be Jom echad)
of the month, (le chodeſh.)
EXAMPLE II. Exod. xii. 2. This month fhall be unto you the beginning of
months; it ſhall be the first month, Rifhon, of the facred lunar year, com-
puted from the vernal equinox.
EXAMPLE III. 1 Chron. xxvii. 2. For the first month (le Chodeſh hariſhon)
was Jaskobeam.
Here the enquiry muſt be, whether the first month either of the folar or
of the lunar year, is ever expreffed, throughout the fcriptures, by this Hebrew
phrafe, Chodesh echad.
44
The fecond term is Chodek, which is tranflated month, but it fignifies, in
its etymological fenfe, renewal, or renovation, from the root chiddefb*, conjug.
Chodesh. Menfis, Novilunium, quæ ab innovatione lunæ. Buxt. Lexicon,
Piel,
The Chronology of the World.
577
Piel, renovare. Thus, Chodesh, we fee, has a kalendar, and an aſtronomical
fenfe. But it will appear, from the fcriptural uſe of it, that the primitive pa-
triarchs, the ancient Hebrews and Ifraelites, underſtood and applied it in four
diſtinct ſenſes, which we ſhall ſeverally explain.
Firſt, When Chodesh is in connection with Rishon at the autumnal equinox,
(as Gen. viii. 13.) it may be interpreted to mean, in a ſtrict aſtronomical ſenſe,
the renovation of the moon's light, becauſe it then commences in the evening of
the moon's vifibility, and its laft day terminates with the fame phafis. But,
on the other hand, we muſt obſerve, that when Chode is in connection with
Rishon, at the vernal equinox, (Exod. xii. 2.) it then lofes its aſtronomical
fignification, nor can it be referred to the renovation of the moon's light, be-
cauſe it commences on the fourth day after the evening of the moon's vifibility,
and on the fifth after the conjunction. For when Rishon was transferred from
the autumnal to the vernal equinox, the fix firft months of the current political
lunar year, which contained 180 days, were compleated; and the command
for the alteration was given on the first day of the feventh; by which means
the Ifraelites celebrated their firft paffover on the 14th day of the political
month, which was the 17th day after the evening of the moon's vifibility, and
the 18th after the conjunction. We fhall reprefent the political computation
of the firſt paſſover in the fubjoined table:
1
Months. Days.
Rifbon. O
I.
30
30
II.
30.
60
III.
30
90
IV.
30 120
V.
30 150
Rifbon.
O
0 3
VI.
30 180
VII. I.
I
6
1 2 3 4 5 7∞
8
9
10
I I
12
13
Exodus xii. 1, 2.
14 Paffover.
Eeee
This
578
The Chronology of the World.
This table will help us to explain the following paffage in the fcriptures ;-
2 Kings, chap. xxv. ver. 27. And it came to pass, in the thirty-feventh year of
the captivity of Jehoiachin, king of Judah, in the twelfth month, the twenty
Seventh day of the month, (reckoned from the vernal equinox) that Evilmerodach,
king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, did lift up the head of Jehoiachin,
king of Judah, out of prison.
Now it is certain, that the twelfth month of the primitive lunar year, could
not, by its frame and ftructure, confift of more than 24 or 25 days; for 11
thirty-day months give 330 days, which being fubftracted from 354, leaves in
remainder 24; but in the above cited text we have the 27th day of the twelfth
month; the days therefore of the twelfth month, fome may fay, could not be
limited to 24; but this may be eaſily reconciled; for as by the alteration of
the beginning of the year, that which was originally the feventh month, now
became the firft, and that which was the fixth, now became the twelfth; if
we look into the table for the fixth month, we ſhall find it to contain 30 days;
which muſt neceffarily include 27.
From hence we infer, that the epoch of the altered lunar year was not
aftronomical but political; and that the luni-folar characters remained fixed
to the beginning of the unaltered folar year.
To return to Chodesh, and its various fenfes; we fay, Secondly, When it
is put abfolutely, or without any ordinal number annexed, it must then be
rendered, not month, but month-day; a Roman would fay, the kalends.
EXAMPLE I. Numbers xxviii. 14. (Zath gnolath Chodeſh) this is the burnt-
offering of the month-day; then it follows, (bechodího) in its month, i. e
in every fucceffive month, (lechodfhei haſhanah) throughout all the months
of the
year.
Here is a plain indication of a ſtated form of year, whether it be allowed
that we have given a juſt account of it or not.
EXAMPLE II. I Sam xx. 5. And David faid unto Jonathan, Behold to mor-
row is (Chodesh) the month-day; and I ſhould not fail to fit with the king
at meat.
EXAMPLE III. 2 Kings iv. 23. And be (the hufband) faid unto the Shunamite
bis wife, Wherefore wilt thou go unto the man of God to day, (loa Chodesh)
it is not the month-day.
Thirdly, Whenever an oridinal number, as the fecond, the third, the tenth,
&c. is annexed to Chodesh, for in the Hebrew they generally follow after the
noun,
The Chronology of the World.
579
noun, it then denotes one of the twelve months, and the ordinal number
expreffes the diſtance from the epoch, before the Exodus, at the autumnal
equinox; and after the Exodus, at the vernal.
EXAMPLE. Gen. viii. 4. And the ark rested in the Seventh month, (reckoned
from the autumnal equinox) on the Seventeenth day of the month, upon the
mountains of Ararat.
Levit. xxiii. 24. Speak unto the children of Ifrael, faying, the fifteenth day of
the feventh month (reckoned from the vernal equinox) fhall be the feast of
tabernacles.
Fourthly, When Chodesh occurs with the article he prefixed, and without
the ordinal number, it then indicates the vernal equinoctial month, which
Mofes calls Abib.
EXAMPLE. Pfal. lxxxi. 3. Blow up the trumpet, (be ha Chodeſh) in the month
Abib, in the appointed day of our feaſt. i. e. On the fifteenth day of the
month, and on the firſt day of the feaſt of unleavened bread.
ver. 4. For this (month and day of the month) was made a ftatute for Ifrael,
and a law of the God of Jacob.
Exod. xiii. 3. And Mofes faid unto the people, (Zacor haijom hazzeh) Re-
member this day in which ye came from Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
ver. 4. This day came ye out, in the month Abib.
ver. 5. And it ſhall be, when the Lord fhall bring thee into the land of the
Canaanites-which he fware unto thy fathers to give thee, that thou
Shalt keep this fervice, (be ha Chodeſh hazzeh) i. e. in this very month,
emphatically alluding to Exod. xii. 2. (ha Chodeſh hazzeh) This very
month fhall be unto you the beginning of months.
Thus we have illuftrated by examples the four diftinct fenfes of Chodeſh,
in the fcriptural uſe of it. But before it can be faid, that we have given a
full explication of this term, there ſtill remains a very confiderable difficulty
which we muſt endeavour to account for.
Our hypothefis is, that the fcriptural year is both folar and lunar; and that
each year is diftinctly compounded of twelve chodaſhim, or kalendar months.
If this hypothefis can maintain its ground againſt oppofition, then it will
appear, from exprefs teftimonies of fcripture, that the ordinal numbers are as
regularly annexed to Chodesh, in every fucceffive month of the folar year, as
they are in every fucceffive month of the lunar year.
According to our interpretation, David's twelve military officers (who ferved
the king in the matter of the courfes) came in and went out before him, each man
Eeee 2
bi's
580
The Chronology of the World.
his month, throughout all the twelve months, not of the lunar, but of the folar
year; and every month has its ordinal number annexed to it, 1 Chron. xxvii.
In confirmation of the fame doctrine, we fhall now cite Solomon's twelve
civil officers who were appointed to make proviſion for the king's table; the
fcripture account of them is as follows; only we have transferred the ordinal
numbers from 1 Chron. ch. xxvii. as they are undoubtedly underſtood of So-
lomon's twelve civil officers.
1 Kings iv. 7. And Solomon had twelve officers over all Ifrael, which provided
victuals for the king and his household; each man his month in the year
made provifion. And theſe are their names,
1. The fon of Hur,
3.
2. The Son of Dekar,
The ſon of Hefed,
4. The Son of Abinadab,
5. Baana the fon of Abilud,
6. The Son of Geber,
7. Abinadab the fon of Iddo,
8. Abimaaz,
9, Baanah the fon of Hufbai,
10. Jehoshaphat the Jon of Paruah,
11. Shimei the fon of Elah,
12. Geber the fon of Uri,
for the first month;
for the ſecond month;
for the third month;
for the fourth month;
for the fifth month;
for the fixth month;
for the ſeventh month;
for the eighth month;
for the ninth month;
for the tenth month;
for the eleventh month;
for the twelfth month;
1 Chron. xxvii.
chodesh harifhon.
chodeſh haſheni.
chodeſh baſhelishi.
chodeſh barebigni.
chodesh bachamifhi.
chodeſh baſhiſhi.
chodeſh haſhebigni.
chodefb hafhemoni.
chodesh hattefhigni.
chodesh bagnafiri.
chodeſh gnashte gnafar.
chodeſh ſhenem gnafar.
Here the difficulty to be folved is this; namely, with what propriety can
Chodesh be applied, in its etymological and aftronomical fenfe, to the folar
months, which have no immediate connection with the lunar phaſis?
In anſwer to this queſtion, we ſay, that in a year of coincidence, when the
epact is o, then, in this cafe, Chodesh barishan, as it denotes the firſt month of
the folar year, commences in the evening of the moon's vifibility, in the ſame
manner as the firſt month of the lunar year does; fo that from the aftronomical
quality of the firſt ſolar month, in a year of coincidence, all the reſt of the
months may receive their denomination; nor have we any other argument to
offer, fhould this be rejected as unfatisfactory.
The third kalendar term is the noun fom, day, in the fingular number,
which has two diftinct fignifications; fométimes it denotes the twelve-hours
day, or the time which paffes from fun-rifing to fun-fetting at the equinoxes.
EXAMPLE I. Gen i. 5. God called the light (Jom) day, and the darkness be
called (laijelah) night.
EXAMPLE
The Chronology of the World.
581
EXAMPLE II. Gen. viii. 12. And the rain was upon the earth forty (Jom)
days, and forty (laijelah) nights.
As in theſe two examples night is oppofed to the day, they may each of
them be ſuppoſed to confift of twelve hours.
Sometimes fom denotes the natural day of twenty-four hours.
EXAMPLE I. Gen. i. And the evening and the morning were (Jom echad) the
first day.
EXAMPLE II. Gen. vii. 17. And the flood was forty (Jom) days upon the earth.
In theſe examples the night is included in the day, and they make in the
whole twenty-four hours, by the ſtated method of computation.
The fourth kalendar term, which we have fet down, is the plural noun
Jamim, days.
When this term occurs, without any explanatory adjuncts, it ſeems to be
quite indefinite, and to carry along with it no determinate fignification at all.
Several inftances might be given which would ftrongly encline us to form
this judgment of it. And as there are (1ft,) 7 days in a week, (2dly,) 30 days
in a month, (3dly,) 365 days in a common folar year, and (4thly,) 354 days
in a common lunar year; it is not intuitively evident from the term itſelf,
abſtracted from every other affiſtance, to which of theſe limited numbers it
muft refer, or whether we may refer it to any one of them, in the ſame
limited fenfe.
The following citations will diſcover to us with what an uncommon peculi-
arity it is uſed in the writings of Moſes, and in fuch an idiomatic ſtyle as we
are utter ftrangers to.
1. Gen iv. 3. And in procefs of time it came to pass that Cain brought of
the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.
ver. 4. And Abel he also brought of the firſtlings of his flock, and of the fat
thereof.
In the beginning of the third verſe, the Engliſh verfion implies, that Cain
and Abel, in fome one year of their lives, and in fome one year of the world,
found themſelves diſpoſed to make an (euchariſtical) offering unto the Lord,
which phraſeology conveys no very exalted fentiments of patriarchal practical
religion. In the mean while, it will appear as we proceed in our enquiries,
that the Hebrew phraſe mikketz famim, at the end of days, may be underſtood
to mean an annual offering in a ftated feafon.
2. Gen. xxix. 14. And Jacob abode with Laban (Chodeſh Jamim) a month
of days.
Here
582
The Chronology of the World.
Here the noun prefixed limits the fenfe to a compleat month confiſting of
30 days.
3. Gen. xxiv 5. And her brother and her mother faid, let the damfel abide with
us a few days, at the leaft ten, (Famim o gnafor, i. e. days, or a decad)
which phrafe is rightly rendered in the margin, a full year or ten months.
Levit. xxv. 29. If a man fell a dwelling-boufe in a walled city, then be
may
redeem it within a whole year, (gnad tom ſhenath) within a full year may
be redeem it. (Jamim tijeh geullatto) i. e. days fhall be the pace of time
for its redemption,
ver. 30. And if it be not redeemed within the space of a full year, then
By comparing theſe Hebrew phraſes together, their fenfe may be expreffed
in this manner; If a man fell a dwelling-houſe in a walled city, he may plead
the equity of redemption for the ſpace of 365 days, or a full folar year; fo
that in Mofes's ſtyle, days and a full year (whether it be folar or lunar, as it
will appear from the next citation) are fynonymous terms.
4, Exod. xiii. 10. Thou shalt obferve this ordinance (of the paffover) in its appointed
Seafon from year to year; Heb. mijamim jemimah, i. e. from days to days.
From this Hebrew idiom, which Moſes himſelf has interpreted in a limited and
determinate fenfe, we learn, that the Ifraelites were directed, or we may rather
fay, enjoined to compute 354 or 355 days, for the invariable diftance between
the feaſt of the paffover in one year, and the fame feaſt in the next. The
words of the injunction are, Thou shalt obferve this ordinance, in its appointed
ſeaſon of the folar year, from the end of one lunar year to the end of the next.
What is here faid of the feaft of unleavened bread holds as true of the feaſt
of tabernacles; which was conftantly celebrated at the end of a full lunar year.
And yet, notwithſtanding this pofitive law, it is certain, from the principles of
aftronomy, that 384 days, or 13 lunar months, fometimes meaſure the interval
between one feaft day and the next. e.g,
In the beginning of the 31ft year of the reign of George II. the feaſt of
tabernacles fell, as it may be feen in kalendar I, on the feventh day after
the cardinal point; and in the beginning of the 32d year on the 26th day
after it. To 26 add 365, then from the fum 391 fubftract 7, and there will
remain 384 days; from which fubftract 354 and this remainder will give 30
days over and above the 12 months of the kalendar lunar year. Now as
thefe 30 days were not to be reckoned amongst the number of the kalendar
months, although they could not be excluded from the feries of lunations,
we are to enquire, in what manner, and under the direction of what principle,
they were regularly difpofed of; this article of primitive computation has never
yet been explained, nor does the Jewish ve Adar reprefent it in its proper
light, as it will appear in the fequel,
We
The Chronology of the World.
583
We have brought down to the prefent times four patriarchal and Ifraelitic
kalendars, in their true fcriptural form; and they who except againſt the
appellation, muft firft find out arguments to prove, that their conftruction is
unfupported by any fcriptural authorities.
Thefe kalendars comprehend four feafts of tabernacles, and four paffovers;
and becauſe the aſtronomical lunar months are ever included in the political,
we may readily aſcertain the paffover-day according to either computation, as
foon as it is known that the Ifraelites obferved that feaft three or four days later
than it would have been obferved, if computed either from the evening of
the moon's viſibility, or from the evening next after the mean conjunction,
after the manner of the Jews.
In the end of the 30th year of the reign of George II. the autumnal equi-
noctial new moon epact was 8, which being taken from 15, leaves the 7th
day of the firſt month of the folar year, for the fituation of the feaſt; but
before we proceed farther, it may be neceffary to give the following luni-ſolar
table.
Years of the reign of George II. 30.
New moon lunar year
Full moon lunar year
31.
32.
8 346 19
0237035404
If, in theſe latter ages, we were under the obligation of a divine law, to
celebrate annually the feaft of in-gathering, as an inftituted memorial of the
creation, we ſhould undoubtedly take the precepts of Mofes's law for our di-
rectory, from which the three following rules are derived.
1. Exod. xiii. 10. Thou shalt obferve this ordinance in its appointed ſeaſon, from
days to days, i. e. from the end of one full lunar year to the end of the
next.
ye
2. Levit. xxiii. 39. In the 15th day of the feventh month, when have ga-
thered in the fruit of the land, ye fhall keep a feast unto the Lord.
3. Exod. xxiii. 16. xxxiv. 22. In the end, going out, or revolution of the folar
year.
The numbers in the lowermoft line of the above luni-folar table, will be
found to accord, in fome meaſure, with the firſt and the fecond rules, but
not all with the third.
Ift, It appears by infpection, that two full moons (the former of which is
the feſtival full moon) are fet down at the diſtance of a compleat lunar year
from each other; which is the firſt requifite.
2dly, To 354 add 8 days and 7 days, which taken together make 15,
the fum will be 369.
and
The
584
The Chronology of the World.
The autumnal equinoctial new moon always happens 6 lunar months, or
177 days, before that new moon which is neareſt to the next vernal equinox.
From 369 fubftract 177, and it will leave in remainder 192 days.
Again, The vernal equinoctial new moon always happens 6 lunar months, or
177 days, before that new moon which is neareſt to the next autumnal equinox.
From 192 fubftract 177, and there will remain the 15th day of the 7th
lunar month, reckoned from the vernal equinox, which was to be proved.
But, 3dly, It remains to fhew, that the numbers of the luni-folar table do not
reach fo far as to include the third rule, it being very evident that the laſt full
moon falls four days fhort of the cardinal point; but by the original law and
exprefs terms of the command, the feaft was to be obferved, either on the
day of the autumnal equinox, or it muſt follow after it, but it never could
come before it.
If from 30 we fubftract the full moon epact 4, the remainder 26 will be
the day of the first month of the folar year which will be found in connection
with the 15th day of the feventh month of the kalendar lunar year, although
it was the eighth lunation, reckoned from the vernal equinox.
But although in the beginning of the 32d year of the reign of George II.
the annual feaſt did actually fall aftronomically on the 15th day of the eighth.
lunation, in the feries of lunations, yet one of them, which confifted of 30
days, and intervened between the laft day of the preceeding lunar year and
the firſt of the following one, was not confidered as a kalendar month, but
only as the aftronomical regulator of the feſtival full moon, which by this
means was fo reftrained within its appointed limits, that it could never run
back through all the ſeaſons of the folar year in direct contradiction to the
primary law.
The manner of computing and adjufting thefe occafional days may be ſeen
in the end of the fecond and of the fourth kalendars, and likewife in the fol
lowing tables:
EL
Years of the reign of George II,
31.
32.
‹ 8 17 0 339 [ 30 ] 15 0
Proportional divifions. Vide Tab. p. 394.
« 4 x II U 4 。 II «
0
Thefe divifions of the 30 days are truly aſtronomical; fo that if the Julian
ſtation of any one of them be known, all the reft may be immediately known
by ſimple addition or ſubſtraction,
(1.) If
The Chronology of the World.
585
(1.) If we look into an almanac for A.D. 1758, we fhall find the moon to
be in conjunction with the fun on the 2d day of October; it might therefore
be viſible on the evening of the 3d. To October 3 add the 30 days of Sep-
tember, and from the fum 33 fubftract 11, which is the fourth term, and it
will carry it back to September 22, on which day the preceeding folar year
ended.
(2.) From September 22 fubftract 4, which is the third term, and it will
carry it back to September 18, which was the day after the full moon.
(3.) From September 18 fubftract II, which is the ſecond term, and it will
carry it back to September 7, which is the 15th day before the autumnal
equinox, denoted by x.
(4.) From September 7 fubftract 4, which is the firſt term, and it will
carry it back to September 3, on the evening of which the moon might be
viſible, it being the day after the conjunction, and ſo ſays the almanac.
Years of the reign of George III.
1.
O
2.
1140 340 [30] 150
Proportional divifions.
6 7 x 8 0 7 6 8
The fourth kalendar ends at the next autumnal equinox, in this current
year of our Lord 1761. Here we may take occafion to remark, that on that
very day which was appointed, by proclamation, for his Majefty's coronation,
the fun will compleat its 5768th revolution; fo that the firſt year of the reign
of George III. will run parallel with the folar tropical year of the world 5768,
and the ſecond, with the folar tropical year of the world 5769; and if we
would record in our annals the reigns of the Britiſh kings fince the conqueft,
by the ſame law as Mofes records the ages of the primitive patriarchs at the
birth of a ſon, we ſhould, by this means, carry on an aſtronomical canon to
all future ages.
If we divide A. M. 5768 by 4, the quotient will give 1442 compleat
quadrienniums without any remainder. Every diſtinct quadriennium con-
tains 1461 days; theſe include, as it has been already obferved, 4 lunar
years, 4 epacts, and 4 quadrants; 3 of theſe lunar years are of 354 days, and
I is of 355, which give 1417 days; if from 1461 we fubftract 1417, the
remainder 44 will be the fum of the four epacts and of the four quadrants;
for 3 of theſe epacts have 11 days, whilſt i has no more than 10; multi-
Ffff
ply
*
586
The Chronology of the World.
ply 11 into 3, then to the product 33 add 10, and the fum will be 43; 4 qua-
drants make a day; to 43 add 1, and the whole amount will be 44; i. e. one
lunation and a half.
Although this general account will hold univerfally true, in every diftinct
quadriennium, yet becauſe the quantity of the epacts is continually varying,
nor can they happen alike two years together, it may require fome ſkill to af-
certain the individual epacts which are appropriated to the given quadriennium,
From 1442 ſubſtract I, and it will leave in remainder 1441; if we multiply
1441 into 4, it will give A. M. 5764: we have now therefore two folar
tropical years of the world at the diftance of a compleat quadriennium from
each other, as may be ſeen in the table annexed:
Quadriennium
1442d.
1
ΙΣ
A.M.
5764 0
Years
4
A.M.
5768
Now, from theſe data, let it be required to aſcertain the true connection of
the four included lunar years with their correfponding folar; which connec-
tion cannot be known but by the epacts.
Although the folution of this problem does not require any great depth of
ſcience, or ſuperior ſkill in aftronomy, yet it would be but loft labour to attempt
it, without a previous knowledge of original and fcriptural principles. For
fuppofe we ſhould have recourfe to our ecclefiaftical table of golden numbers,
they limit the epacts to 19; whereas it is certain that there are 30 days in a
lunar month, and in a courfe of years, the new moons and full moons muſt
fall interchangeably upon every one of them, and confequently there muſt in
nature be as many epacts, or diftances from a fixed point, whether it be an
equinox or a folftice, or the kalends of January, or of March, &c. as there
are days in a lunar month. According to this doctrine, there is a deficiency
of II epacts in our ecclefiaftical table; and the epacts which are omitted are
theſe, namely,
123456
I IO
21
2∞
7
16
8
27
27
2
9
8
1.3
IO 19
24
5
I. I
1
3
If we divide A. M. 5764 by 19, the quotient will give 303 cycles with 7.
Now then we are to find out what was the epact in the end of
years over.
the
The Chronology of the World.
587
1
the 7th year of the 304th decennoval cycle; but the golden numbers can be of
no avail upon this occafion; it being impoffible that they ſhould point out an epact
which falls not within their limits; as that which we are in ſearch of does not.
Here we are quite at a ſtand; and we ſhould have continued in the uncer-
tainty, if the original ſcriptural epact 15 had not ſtept in to our affiſtance; for
from this datum we may eafily derive the following
TABLE exhibiting the luni-folar characters of the chaotic year.
A.M. o.
Full moon epact
New moon epact
O 19
II 0 354 O
4
350 15
In theſe characters of the chaotic year lies the true bafis of the lunar epacts,
nor has the ſeries of epacts any other firſt point in nature.
If any decennoval cycle, or any year of that cycle be given, ſuppoſe the 7th
year of the 304th cycle, by the help of this table, and the doctrine of the
moon's departure from the fun, in ſtated proportions by a progreffion eaſtwards,
we can eafily diſcover the leading epact in the current cycle.
It appears, by a preceeding calculation, that 303 cycles bring the chronology
down to the autumnal equinox A. M. 5757, A. D. 1750. In that ſpace of
time the moon had departed from the cardinal point 24 days; from 30 fubftract
24, and the remainder 6 will be the full moon epact at the autumnal equinox
A.D. 1750; to 6 add 15, and the fum 21 will be the new moon epact anſwer-
ing to it. And therefore theſe numbers 21. 6. will be placed at the head of
the ſeries in the current cycle.
Indices.
4
23+5O Z∞
The 304th decennoval cycle.
New moon epacts.
21
2
13
24
Full moon epacts.
6
A. D.
1750.
17
1751.
28
1752.
9
1753.
5
20
1754.
16
I
1755.
12
1756.
8
23
15
26
IT
6
76
9
I I
27
19
I I
4567
7
22
Ffff 2
1757.
1758.
1759:
1760.
1761.
We
588
The Chronology of the World.
We need only look into this table to be informed,
ift, That the new moon epacts fought, are, 8. 19. o. 11. 22.
2dly, That the correfponding full moon epacts, are, 23. 4. 15. 26. 7.
3dly, That the diſtances of the feaſt day after the cardinal point, are, 7.
26. 15. 4. 23. And therefore,
4thly, In a full ſolution of the problem propoſed, here follows
A luni-fölar TABLE, adjusted to the 1442d quadriennium.
Years of the reign of George II.
George III.-
30.
31.
32.
33.
I.
O
O
110
Full moon epacts 23
○
7035404
350 0 15
339026 40355 07
8
346 (19
II (354 °
354 II 344 22
New moon epacts
It is not an eafy matter to fet down a feries of epacts for feveral years together
with a true aftronomical exactnefs, as their quantity is fo changeable; for
fometimes the epact is 10, fometimes II, and fometimes 12.
ift, When the folar year is of 365 days, and the lunar of 354, then the
epact is II.
2dly, When the folar year is of 365 days, and the lunar of 355, then the
epact is 10.
3dly, When the folar year is of 366 days, as it is every fourth
the lunar year of 354, then the epact will be 12.
year, and
4thly, When the folar year is of 366 days, and the lunar of 355, then the
epact is 11.
Here it will be neceffary to remember, that the ancient Ifraelites as conftantly
obſerved the feaſt of the paffover, or of unleavened bread, on the 15th day of
the firſt month, at the vernal equinox, as they did the feaſt of tabernacles on
the 15th day of the ſeventh month at the autumnal equinox.
According to the preſent practice of the Jews, theſe two annual feaſts are
regulated by the fame law, for neither of them is permitted to fall before the
cardinal point; they muſt either fall upon it, or come after it at a limited diſtance.
This invariable law renders it as neceffary to know, at leaft, the day of the
vernal equinox, for a due celebration of the latter, as it is neceffary to know,
at leaft, the day of the autumnal equinox, for a due celebration of the former.
Whether the ancient Hebrews and Ifraelites were able to aſcertain the day of the
fun's ingreffes into the four cardinal points, it has not lain in our way to diſcover.
We read, 2 Chron. xxxvi. 10. That Nebuchadnezzar fent and brought to Babylon
the captive king Jehoiakin (bitſhubath haſhanah) in the return of the year; from
this
The Chronology of the World.
589
this phraſe it appears, they knew when one year ended, at the vernal equinoctial
ſeaſon, and when another year began; but whether they knew it politically or
aſtronomically does not appear; and there is a fenfible difference between the
Hebrew term Shubah, return, and Tecupha, revolution, or cardinal point.
Leaving therefore this article in a ſtate of uncertainty, with reſpect to the
ancient Hebrews and Ifraelites, we will undertake to fhew what are the fixed
ſtations of the equinoxes and folftices in the fcriptural kalendar, from which
they never yet have, nor ever will be able to depart a whole day, to the end
of time.
Firſt, then, we ſay, that in the given quadriennium, the fun comes to the
winter folftice, in our meridian, either on the 30th day of the third month of
the unaltered folar year, or on the firſt day of the fourth. Secondly, To the
vernal equinox on the 29th or on the 30th day of the fixth month. Thirdly,
To the ſummer folftice on the ſecond or on the third day of the tenth month,
reckoning the hours from midnight. Fourthly, To the autumnal equinox on
the 36th day of the twelfth month; but for three years together no more than
35 days are computed.
The kalendar ſtations of the four cardinal points of the folar year being known,
it will be eaſy to find at what diſtance after the vernal equinox the 15th of
Nifan will fall in a given year; for as the firſt day of the feaſt of unleavened
bread always comes fix months after the feaſt of tabernacles, whether it be cal-
culated politically or aftronomically, the fituation of either of them being
known; the other may be immediately known by fimple addition, or fub-
ftraction.
E.g. At the autumnal equinox A.D. 1757, the Ifraelitic epact was 8, which
being ſubſtracted from 15, leaves the 7th day after the cardinal point for the
fituation of the feaſt of tabernacles.
To 7
add 180, the number of days in fix months of the political lunar
and the fum will be 187.
year,
A. D. 1758 the fun came to the vernal equinox on the 29th day of the fixth
month of the folar year; to 29 add 150 for 5 compleat months, and the fum
179 will be the diſtance from the autumnal equinox.
From 187 fubftract 179, and the remainder 8 will be the diftance after the
vernal equinox; but if from 187 we fubftract 180, for fix compleat months,
it will leave the 7th day of the ſeventh folar month, in connection with the 15th
day of the vernal equinoctial month, or Abib; and on this 15th day of the
political month of 30 days, an ancient Hebrew and Ifraelite would have cele-
brated the first day of the feaft of unleavened bread.
In fix aftronomical lunar months there are 177 days, which being fubftracted
from 180, leave in remainder 3.
From
590
The Chronology of the World.
From the 7th day of the folar month ſubſtract 3, and it will carry it back
to the 4th day of the folar month, in connection with the 15th day of Nifan
computed aftronomically, or from the evening of the moon's vifibility.
From the 7th day of the ſeventh ſolar month fubftract 4, and it will carry
it back to the 3d day of the folar month, in connection with the 15th of Niſan,
reckoned from the evening next after the mean conjunction, according to the
ufage of the Jews.
We fhall confirm the truth of thefe deductions by a calculation from the
feaſt of tabernacles downwards, and, to this end, to the 7th day of the firſt
month of the folar year, add 177 for fix lunar months, then from the fum
184 ſubſtract 179, and it will leave in remainder 5 for the diſtance after the
vernal equinox; but from 184 fubftract 180, and it will give the 4th day of
the feventh folar month in connection, &c. as above.
At the autumnal equinox A. D. 1757 the Jewiſh epact was 9, which being
fubftracted from 15, leaves in remainder 6 for the Jewiſh fituation of the feaſt
of tabernacles; to 6 add 177, and from the fum 183 fubftract 179, and it
will give the 4th day after the vernal equinox; but from 183 fubftra& 180,
and it will give the 3d day of the ſeventh folar month in connection, &c. as
above.
This laft was our pafchal full moon, and by it our Eafter-Sunday was fixed;
and as it happened upon a Friday, which was the 5th day of the week as it
was computed by the primitive patriarchs, and the 6th as it is computed by
the Jews, (this appears from the numbers 5. 6. in the outermoft column of
kalendar I. on the left hand) Eafter-day was the 2d day after; where the
numbers in the outermoft column are 7. 1. for the 7th day of the week to a
Chriſtian, is the ift day of the week to a Jew.
If we look into kalendar 1 for the 5th day of the feventh folar month, we
ſhall find over againſt it Eaſter-Sunday, and on the other fide the ſymbol of
the fun in aries, which denotes Tecupha Nifan, or the ecclefiaftical equinox of
the Jews; and becauſe the 15th of Nifan computed judaically came that
two days before their Tecupha, it was not reckoned by the Jews to be their
pafchal full moon; and it is certain that A. D. 1758, upon that very account
they kept the paffover a month later than we did our feftival of Eafter.
year
As theſe calculations are extremely eafy, when the reſpective diſtances of the
feaſt of tabernacles after the cardinal point are known, we need not repeat
them in the remaining years of the given quadriennium; it will, we preſume,
be thought fufficient, if we note fucceffively, Ift, the day of the mean con-
junction neareſt to the vernal equinox, either before it or after it, whofe fym-
bol is.
2dly, The day after the conjunction, whoſe ſymbol is «.
3dly,
The Chronology of the World.
591
3dly, The day of the vernal equinox, reckoning the hours from midnight,
whofe fymbol is o in v.
4thly, Tecupha Nifan, or the ecclefiaftical equinox of the Jews, which is
the fixth day after the ingrefs, whofe fymbol is, as before, o in v.
5thly, The 15th day of Nifan computed from the evening next after the
mean conjunction, which is the computation of the Jews.
f
6thly, The 15th day of Nifan computed from the evening the next but one
after the conjunction, on which the moon is generally vifible; and fo it happened
in the year of our Saviour's paffion,
7thly, The diſtance of Eaſter-Sunday after the 15th of Nifan, as computed
by the Jews.
Here it may be noted, that if our annual feaſt of Eafter had depended upon
the latter method of calculating the 15th of Nifan, it would have fallen, in
this current year of our Lord 1761, a week later than it did; for it would
have been obſerved on the 29th of March inftead of the 22d.
Notwithſtanding we have not, as yet, been able to diſcover, whether the
ancient Hebrews and Ifraelites were inftructed to aſcertain the annual returns of
their feaſt of the paffover aftronomically, with reſpect to the fun's ingrefs into
the vernal equinoctial point, either in the days of Mofes, or in the reigns of
David and Solomon, or to come lower down, in the times of Ezra and Ñehe-
miah; nor is it certainly known, when unequal lunar months were introduced
into common uſe, and firſt formed the Jewish kalendar, yet if we go back
more than 4000 years from the preſent age, to the time of the deluge, we
can clearly prove that the patriarchs could aſcertain, to the preciſion of a day at
leaft, tecuphath hafhanah, the revolution of the year; it being evident from
Noah's computations, and the aſtronomical law of their canon, that the 600th
year of his life commenced with the fun's ingrefs into the autumnal equinoctial
point, on the firſt day of the first month of the lunar year, and the third day
of the patriarchal week; and it is equally evident, that the 601ft year of his
life commenced with the fun's entry into the fame cardinal point, on the 12th
day of the firſt month of the following lunar year, and on the 4th day of the
patriarchal week.
It is plain from hence, that the ante-diluvian patriarch was no ftranger to the
quantity either of the folar or of the lunar year, nor to the appointed medium
of their connection with each other; and we may add further, that he was as
well acquainted with the uninterrupted fucceffions of weeks as we are.
In a due conformity to this primitive and patriarchal law of computation,
we have conſtructed theſe four fcriptural kalendars; and from a curſory exa-
mination of them it will appear,
Ift,
592
The Chronology of the World.
ift, That the 31st year of the reign of his late Majefty George II. com-
menced, according to the aftronomical law of our canon of Britiſh kings
fince the conqueft, with the fun's entry into the autumnal equinox, on the
ninth day of the firſt month of the lunar year, and on the fifth day of the
patriarchal week, which was the fixth day of the Jewiſh, i. e. upon a Friday.
2dly, The 32d year commenced at the fame cardinal point, on the 20th
day of a lunar, but not of a kalendar month, and on the fixth day of the
triarchal week, which was the feventh of the Jewiſh, i. e. upon a Saturday.
pa-
3dly, The 33d year commenced at the fame cardinal point, on the firſt day
of the first month of a lunar year, and on the feventh day of the patriarchal
week, which was the firſt of the Jewish, i. e. upon a Sunday.
4thly, The first year of the reign of his prefent Majefty George III. com-
menced at the ſame cardinal point, on the twelfth day of the firſt month of
the lunar year, and upon the first day of the patriarchal week, which was the
fecond of the Jewiſh, i. e. upon a Monday. But, becauſe it is the fourth of
a quadriennium, it will end in the 22d day of a lunar, but not of a kalen-
dar month, and upon the fecond day of the patriarchal week, which will be
the third of the Jewiſh, i. e. upon a Tueſday.
To render theſe primitive kalendars as intelligible as we poffibly can, we will
now collect into one view thofe feveral particulars which conſtitute its form,
ift, We will fet down, in order, the years of our Lord, which, computed
from the autumnal equinox, run parallel with the years of the quadriennium;
2dly, Under them, the ſymbol of the cardinal point; 3dly, The days of the
moon's age; and, 4thly, The correfponding days of the week, on which the
folar tropical years commenced,
O.
A. D.
I,
A. D.
2.
3.
A. D.
A. D.
4.
A.D.
1757.
1758.
1759.
1760.
1761.
D.
D.
D.
<1 op
D.
Moon's age
29
20
II
I 2
22
Day of the week, Friday.
Saturday.
Sunday.
Monday. Tueſday.
|
Year ends. begins.
begins.
begins. ends.
To theſe we ſhall fubjoin,
iſt, An enumeration of the days of the twelfth month of the folar
which the included lunar years ended:
year, in
Month Month Month
Month
Month
XII.
XII.
XII.
XII.
XII.
D.
D.
D.
D.
D.
28
16
5
24
14
2dly,
The Chronology of the World.
593
2dly, An enumeration of the diftances of the feaft of tabernacles, after the
autumnal equinox, as calculated by the Jews:
3dly,
Jews:
D.
6
D.
25
I
D.
D.
14
3
I
D.
22
Of the vernal equinoctial new moon epacts, as calculated by the
D.
D.
D.
D.
I I
22
3
14
4thly,
Of the diftances of the 15th of Nifan, as computed by the Jews,
after the vernal equinox, calculated aftronomically:
D.
D.
I
1 2 1 2 1 1/2 | D
D.
4
D.
23
5thly,
Of the diſtances of Eafter-Sunday, after the 15th of Nifan, as cal-
culated by the Jews:
D.
D.
D.
2
I
3
1 % 1
6
D.
I
We do not prefume to fay, that theſe calculations and adjuſtments are liable
to no exceptions, or that they will admit of no corrections: we have already
obſerved, and we ſhall here repeat it, that the perfection of kalendar aftronomy
confiſts in the being able to determine, 1ft, When a lunar year confifts of
354, and when of 355 days. 2dly, When a lunar month confifts of 30, and
when of 29 days. 3dly, When half a lunation confifts of 14, and when of
15 days. Theſe particulars being known with certainty, the confequence
will be, that although the quantity of the epacts may vary, yet the months
will begin by one uniform law; whereas when the given feries of epacts is
uniform, the beginnings of the months are not.
We ſhall cloſe our account of the primitive and fcriptural form of year
with a table of epacts, derived from the luni-ſolar characters of the chaotic
year, which we may fuppofe to have immediately preceeded the year of the
creation.
This table conſiſts of five columns; the numbers at the head of the reſpective
columns are, 4. 5. 9. 20. 15. which will require an explanation.
Ift, In the beginning of the chaotic year (vide page 562) had the luminaries
exiſted, the fun would have entered the original cardinal point on the fourth
day after the moon's viſibility; fo that the number 4 is the baſis of the epacts,
Gggg
and
594
The Chronology of the World.
and if to 4 we add 11, the difference between the folar year and the lunar,
the fum 15 will be the original new moon epact.
2dly, The fecond number is 5, which imports that the firſt day of the firſt
month of the folar year, would have fallen upon the fifth day of the firſt
month of the lunar.
3dly, The third number is 9 and the fourth 20, which added together make
29, the number of days in the twelfth month of the aftronomical lunar year.
4thly, The fifth number is 15, which added to 20 will make 35, the number
of days in the twelfth month of the folar year.
From 29 ſubſtract 9, or from 35 fubftract 15, and the remainder will ſhew,
that the lunar year ended, and that the moon was vifible on the evening of
the 20th day of the twelfth month of the folar year, juſt 15 days before the
original cardinal point incluſive.
If from theſe numbers we proceed by the continual addition of 11, until
they return back again to themſelves, the feries will be compleated.
Here follows
The
The Chronology of the World.
595
3
The TABLE.
Indices. (1.)
(2.)
(3.) | (4.)
(5.)
4
I
15
16
26
27
3
7
78
äfer
9
20
I
20 C
15
28
12
17
960 7
26
7
18
18
4
18
19
23
6
29
29.
4.
25
IO
IO
I I
15.
14
21
21
22
26
3
(30) 2
2
3
7
22
13
9
13'
14
18
II
24
ΙΟ
24.
25
II
5
12
16
17
13
27
28
ino noo
29
(30) 5
IQ
16
21.
27
2
27
8
14
8
9
13
16
19
15
19
20
24
5
(3) 0
16
O
I
17
II
I 2
16
18
22
23
27
597
24
I I
13
2.24
2
(30) 3
19
3
4
8
21
14
20
14
15
21
25
26
22
23
17
18
So Na
19
IO
25
29
7
II
18
17
22
7
28
no No
6
24
28
29
3
26
9
25
26
27
28
SO NO
9
IO 14 15
20
21
25
I
2
12
29
23
24
13 17
28
+MO NOO
20
4
(3) I
23
12
I 2
23
I
4
30
4
5
9
20
I 4
To this we ſhall fubjoin
Gggg 2
A TABLE,
596
t
The 1
Chronology of the World.
A TABLE, fhewing how to reduce the autumnal equinoctial new moon and full
moon epacts, to their correfponding months and days of the Julian kalendar, in
any given folar tropical year of the world.
September.
Auguft.
· D.
October.
D.
D.
I
55
Nm+ mo noo as
2
54
2
3
53
3
4
52
4
5
51
50
49
7
48
8.
Hamtino Nóo
I 25
24
23
22
5
2I
20
19
18
47
9
17
200 N
46
IO.
16
II
45
I I
15
12
44
I2
14
L
13.
43
13'
13
14
42
14
I2
15
4I
15
L. I
16
40
16
IO
17
39.
17
18
38
18
19
37
19.
20
36
20
22
65
21 35
21
23
64
22 34
22
24
63
23 33
23
25
62 24
32
24
0∞ No 4+32
23
9
7
6
5
222
26
61 25
3 I
25
I
27
60
26
30
28
59 27
29
58.
28
2 2
29
28
30
57
29
27
31
56
30
26
f
As this table of reduction arifes from an accidental concurrence of the num-
bers in the table of epacts, we ſhall fhew how it comes to paſs, and it will
require but a very few words.
When
The Chronology of the World.
597
When we computed backwards 5760 years from the autumnal equinox A.D.
1753, we found the calculation to terminate on the 25th day of October:
now the twelfth month of the patriarchal folar year is of 35 days, the differ-
ence is 10 days; and by this difference of ten days the tranfition is immediately
made from the patriarchal kalendar to the Julian.
Suppoſe we wanted to know from what Julian month and day the autumnal
equinoctial new moon epact is computed in this current year of our Lord 1761,
we look for the number 17 in the index, and over-againſt it in the 5th column
we find the epact 22, and in the 4th column of the fame parallel line the I
13th
day of the twelfth month; from 13 fubftract 10, and it will give the 3d day
of October; to October 3 add the 30 days of September and the 31 days of
Auguſt, and they will make in the whole 64 days, which referve. A. D. 1761
is in connection with A. M. 5768, whoſe Julian exceſs amounts to 44 days;
throw off II for new ſtyle, and there will remain 33. From the reſerved fum
64 ſubſtract 33, and the remainder will give the 31ft of Auguft for the Julian
month and day fought; although an accurate aftronomer might perhaps object
againſt it, as it includes but a ſmall part of the new moon day.
But the Julian month and day might be more readily found by the num-
bers in the table of reduction; for to the new moon epact 22, add for the
Julian exceſs 33, and to the fum 55 add 1, to include the day fought, then
the fum 56 will be found in the table over-againſt Auguft 31, as before.
We need not multiply examples; this one is fufficient to fhew the uſe of
the table, and to explain the cauſe of the tranfition from the primitive to the
Julian kalendar.
As it will be neceffary to give the Julian kalendar at large, we ſhall take
occafion to do it by an aftronomical connection with the chaotic year, fet down
in the primitive and patriarchal form, with the months and days of the Julian.
I do not know whether this aftronomical connection may not be reckoned
amongſt the incontrovertible proofs of the truth of original principles; by which
means the calculation is rendered extremely eafy and concife, confifting only of
theſe few particulars enfuing:
1. By a calculation backwards to the year of the Julian period 706, the
25th of October, in the Julian ftyle, was found to correſpond with the fourth
day of the firſt Mofaic week, in connection with the autumnal equinox, and
the day of the full moon; if therefore,
2. From October 25, the day of the full moon, we fubftract 4, it will
give October 21 for the Julian month and day, on the evening of which the
moon was viſible, nearest to the autumnal equinox, in the year of the Julian
period 705.
3. From
598
The Chronology of the World.
3. From October 25, in the year of the Julian period 705, ſubſtract O&ober
21, and the remainder 4 will be the new moon epact.
4. To find the day of the week, correfponding with the 21ft day of October, in
the year of the Julian period 705.
The CALCULATION.
That folar year ended on the fourth day of the week; to 365 add 4 for
the new moon epact, then divide the fum 369 by 7, and it will leave in re-
mainder 6 for the day of the patriarchal week fought, i. e. Saturday; fo that
the autumnal equinox happened upon the third day of the week, i. e. upon a
Wedneſday.
This is the whole of the calculation which is neceffary to effect the reduction,
Theſe two kalendars in connection form 10 diſtinct columns.
The Ift, contains the days of the patriarchal week.
The 2d, the months and days of the primitive folar year.
The 3d, the collected days of the ſolar
year.
The 4th, the months and days of the primitive lunar year in its ancient
political form.
The 5th, the collected days of the primitive lunar year.
.
The 6th, the months and days of the aftronomical lunar year, confifting of
12 unequal months; in the end of which the ſymbol (<) of the moon's
vifibility is annexed.
The four remaining columns have reſpect to the Julian kalendar.
The 1ft, contains the feven firft letters of the alphabet to denote the days
of the week.
The 2d, the months and days of the Julian kalendar, beginning with
October.
The 3d, the collected days in a common lunar year.
The 4th, the collected days in a Julian biffextile year.
In this kalendar the four cardinal points of the folar year are placed at their
proper diſtances, and marked with their ſymbols,
DISSER-
The Chronology of the World.
599
DISSERTATION
V.
Of the Chronology of the Exodus, in a perpetual Memorial of which
the Feast of the Paffover was inftituted; and alfo, of the
Chronology of that Year in which Chrift fuffered on the
Paffover-day.
TH
HE departure of the children of Ifrael out of Egypt, and the origin of
the Ifraelitic polity, may be juſtly reckoned amongſt the remarkable
æras of facred hiftory: and as both the Jews and the Chriftians are intereſted
(the former immediately, and the latter more remotely) in the events and
tranſactions related by Moſes in the xiith chapter of Exodus, &c. they demand
our attention: they are not the mere entertainments of an hiſtorical narration,
they are ſhadows and prefigurations of good things to come; they are fenfible
proofs of the miraculous interpofitions of the Deity.
What are the prophane æras of the Olympiads, of Nabonaffar, and of the
building of Rome, when compared with the fcriptural and divine æra of the
Ifraelitic polity?
It merits our beſt endeavours to aſcertain, by a combination of indubitable
characters, by internal characters expreffed in the Hebrew text, that ever
memorable year when all the hoſts of the Lord went out of the land of Egypt;
when the beginning of the facred and ecclefiaftical lunar year was transferred
from one cardinal point to another, from the autumnal to the vernal equinox,
by the explicit authority and command of the fupreme Legiflator.
It equally merits our endeavours to afcertain, by the help of fcriptural data,
and to confirm, by aftronomical calculation from the original radix, that emi-
nently diſtinguiſhed week of the then inftituted feaft of unleavened bread; in
the night preceeding whofe feventh day, the Egyptian Pharaoh, tyrant and
oppreffor, with his chofen chariots, his horfemen and his horſes, were all
overwhelmed in the Red Sea, by the mighty hand and the out-ftretched arm
of the God of Ifrael.
In this week the original feventh day was ordered to become the firſt of
the new inftituted week; and that which was originally the fixth was ordered
to become the feventh. And in this ftate we ſhall find it to this day, if the
Jewish and the Chriftian computations be compared together.
years
After a continued ufe of this new inftituted Sabbath for fifteen hundred
and more, the original Sabbath was revived by our Lord's refurrection from
the
600
The Chronology of the World.
the dead. Our Lord rofe from the dead mimmochorat haſſabat, on the mor-
row after the Jewiſh Sabbath, as it was foretold and predetermined by Mofes,
Levit. xxiii. 10. II. And we ſhall prove, by aſtronomical calculation from
the original radix, that the morrow after the Jewiſh Sabbath, in the year of
Chriſt's crucifixion, was the feventh day of the week, in the interrupted feries
of weeks from the creation.
There is fuch a cloſe and indiffoluble connection between the Law and the
Goſpel, between the Mofaic and the Evangelical diſpenſations, that the latter
is but a counterpart of the former.
Without a competent knowledge of Mofes's hiſtory of the Exodus, and of
his circumftantial relation of the firſt paffover, the moment when it was to
be killed, the moment when it was to be eaten as a facrifice to the Lord,
Deut. xvi. (for now the verb is zabach not fhachat) — the firſt day (Jom ha-
rishon) of unleavened bread; the firſt day (fom hariſhon) of the feaft of
unleavened bread; the holy convocation on the firſt day of the ſeven ; the
holy convocation on the laſt day of the ſeven; the prieſts being ordered to
wave a fheaf of the firft fruits (Heb. reefhit, Gr. ежаржи, I Cor. xv. xx.) of the
barley harveſt, on the morrow after the Sabbath in the paffover week; — the
feaſt of weeks, and their expiration on the morrow after the feventh Sabbath,
i.e. upon a Sunday: without a competent knowledge, we ſay, of all theſe
particulars, and more, we ſhall never be able to underſtand, much leſs to ex-
plain rightly, thoſe accounts which the Evangelifts have given of the laſt Jewiſh
paffover, at which Jefus Chrift, by wicked hands, was crucified and flain, ac-
cording to the determinate counſel and foreknowledge of God.
Without a ſerious attention to the letter of Mofes's law, we fhall never be
able to ſhew the accompliſhment of the pafchal lamb, in its prefigured anti-
type the Meffiah, the Lamb of God, expiring upon the altar of the cross, on
the predicted month, day, and hour, nay, on the predicted moment.
The Evangelifts were undoubtedly what we may call latter Jews, and yet,
without ever mentioning the Jewiſh month of Nifan, or the 14th day of the
month according to the moon, as Jofephus does, who was himſelf a latter
Jew, they one and all, by a ſtudied periphrafis, refer the reader to the Mofaic
pafchal canon, and to the letter of Mofes's law.
Here let the reader himſelf ſearch the fcriptures, as the noble minded Berean's
did, and ſee, whether theſe things are ſo.
The year of the Exodus, fo called from the miraculous going forth of the
people of God from a ftate of oppreffion and fervitude, has never yet been
fettled, under the immediate direction of exprefs fcriptural data; and they who
have never attempted to fettle it, under fuch direction, will not readily form
a true judgment of the many and great difficulties which will occur to ob-
Bruct it.
The
The Chronology of the World.
6o r
The precife time of this wonderful event is ftated by Mofes according to
the literal tranſlation of the Hebrew text, which we ſhall fet down without any
interpolation or comment, in a very unuſual and ſeemingly defective ſtyle.
Exod. xii. 40. Umofhab benei Ifrael (afher jafhebu bemitzraim) -fhelofhim
fhanah, vearbagnab mecot fhanah.
Literal tranſlation :
Now the dwelling of the children of Ifrael (who dwelt in Egypt)
year and four hundred year.
thirty
Here is evidently in ver. 40 an omiffion of the verb; nor can the verb
fubftantive, was, as it is read in our Engliſh verfion, and is generally under-
ſtood where a verb after a noun is wanting, be inferted here, without a manifeſt
contradiction to the hiftory.
We are not among the number of thoſe, who are apt to cry out, a corrup-
tion! a corruption! upon every appearance of difficulty, in the moſt ancient
book in the world, although we cannot perhaps immediately account for it;
but here it ſeems to us that Mofes has defignedly left the verb to be fupplied
by the judgment of the reader, from the circumſtances of the foregoing hiſtory;
and moſt certain it is, that the Septuagint Greek verfion, and the Samaritan
Pentateuch, have attempted to compenfate the fuppofed defect, by a paraphra-
ftical comment founded (according to our hypothefis above) on the preceeding
hiſtory. They jointly infert, which they and their fathers fojourned in the land
of Canaan and in the land of Egypt; but we reject the injudicious interpolation,
which bears not the genuine marks of the Moſaic ſtyle, whoſe characteriſtic
is brevity without obfcurity.
In ſupport of this characteriſtic we will venture to affirm, that whoever has
peruſed, with care and attention, Mofes's accounts of the anceſtors of the
Ifraelites in the book of Genefis, and has, by that means, rightly informed
himſelf, that Abraham fojourned in the land of Canaan 25 years before the
birth of Ifaac; and that Ifaac fojourned in the ſame land 60 years before the
birth of Jacob; and that Jacob fojourned, in the fame land, full 129 years
before his deſcent into Egypt, with his whole houſehold, in the ſecond year of
famine, would be fufficiently inftructed to read currently Exod. xii. 40. in the
following terms, without any fufpicion of corruption or perplexing defect.
Now the dwelling of the children of Ifrael, who dwelt in Egypt, (compleated,
or made up) four hundred and thirty years.
The fortieth verſe of the twelfth chapter of Exodus, is, perhaps, the only
one, in the five books of Mofes, in which the verb is defignedly omitted; and
for this defigned omiffion, we may affign two caufes.
Hhhh
ift,
4
602
The Chronology of the World.
Ift, To avoid a needlefs repetition; for whatever verb or comment the
reader may think proper to infert, the full ſenſe of it will be found in Moſes's
hiſtory of the patriarchs and their deſcendants.
2dly, To induce the reader to recollect every the minuteſt circumſtance of a
moft extraordinary hiſtory, was it only to diſcover the true grounds and reaſons
of fuch an unuſual and ſeemingly defective ſtyle.
The chronological numeral 430, undoubtedly comprehends the times in
which the patriarchs fojourned in Canaan, and their defcendants in Egypt;
but Mofes, without defining theſe times diftinctly, or taking any notice of them,
ftops ſhort all at once, and gives the whole interval from the call of Abram
out of Ur, to the going out of Egypt. Here let it be particularly noted, (for
it will prove, in the fequel, a uſeful chronological directory) that he fets it
down in this form, thirty year and four hundred year; and by his not defining
the diſtinct times of perigrination, he more ftrongly fixes the attention of the
reader upon theſe laſt terms.
There furely muſt be ſome ſpecial reafons for fuch an unexpected me-
thod of proceeding, and we will try, if, by gradual fteps, we cannot trace
them out.
Ift, We ſhall obferve, that whilft Mofes carries on his chronology by the
ages of the patriarchs, at the birth of their recorded fons, we collect the
intervals without any difficulty or interruption; and, by this means, we can
eafily determine that Jofeph died A. M. 2369. At his death the chronology,
by the ages of the patriarchs, ceaſes; for although we are certified, Gen. xli. 50.
that Jofeph had two fons by Afenath, the daughter of Potipherah, prieſt of Ŏn,
before the ſeven years of the famine came, yet we know not in which of the
feven years of plenty, or in what year, of Jofeph's life, either Manaffeh or
Ephraim was born.
2dly, Mofes is exact in recording (Exod. vi. 16, 18,, 20.) the ages of his
ancestors at their deaths; the years of the life of Levi were 137; of Kohath,
133; of Amram, 137, when he died. But as it is no where ſaid, in what
year of the life of Jacob, Levi was born; nor in what year of the life of
Levi, Kohath was born; nor in what year of the life of Kohath, Amram was
born; nor in what year of the life of Amram, Mofes was born; it follows,
that neither does Mofes continue the chronology in his own line. And yet the
80 years of the age of Mofes, when he ftood before Pharaoh, make a propor-
tionable part of the chronological canon.
3dly, The chronology of the Pentateuch being thus circumftantiated, it
became quite neceffary to give a period, which might include all the intermediate
intervals; and if fuch a period had not been given, an interruption in the
fcriptural feries of years muft unavoiably have happened. But,
4thly,
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603
4thly, Although fuch a period be given, yet as foon as we attempt to
refolve it into the feveral diftinct parts of which it confifts, new difficulties.
immediately ariſe, and we are furpriſed to find a deficiency of two intervals,
without the appearance of any exprefs hiftorical data to direct our enquiries;
which feems again to threaten a diſcontinuation of the chronology.
They who require a proof, that two intervals are wanting, to make up the
fum total of 430 years, need only peruſe the annexed
TABLE.
1. From the departure of Abram out of Ur?
to his departure out of Haran
00
Years.
Collected fum.
00
2. From thence to the birth of Ifaac
25
25
3. To the birth of Jacob
60
85
4. To the birth of Jofeph
91
176
5. To the defcent of Jacob into Egypt
39
215
6. To the death of Jacob
17
232
7. To the death of Jofeph
54
286
8. To the birth of Mofes
OO
Ooo
9. To the Exodus
80
366
From 430 fubftract 366, and it will leave in remainder 64 years, which
are compounded of the two intervals that are wanting, and the table informs
us, that they are the ift and the 8th.
The difficulty which occurs here is, how to fubdivide theſe 64 years into
two fuch numbers as fhall exactly fill up the refpective intervals, without the
direction of hiſtorical data; and undoubtedly it is a difficulty; fince it would
be highly derogatory to the writer of the Pentateuch, to undertake to fettle
any one article of his chronology by the precariouſneſs of conjecture.
We read Gen. xii. 4. that Abram was 75 years old when he departed out
of Haran. But Mofes no where determines, as it is generally thought, the
age of Abram when he departed out of Ur. The paffing over in filence this
important article, has ever been, and ftill is, a ſtone of ftumbling to the chro-
nologiſts; for from hence it has come to pafs, that, for want of hiſtorical
data, or rather, chronological numerals, they have thought themſelves un-
avoidably obliged to fix the epoch of this momentous interval, to the 75th
year of Abram's life, and to the year of the world 2083. As this is a capital
error, we ſhall exert our endeavours to rectify it; and more efpecially, as
we are fo plainly directed, by the exprefs teftimony of fcripture, to compute
the beginning of theſe 430 years from the divine vocation of Abram out of
Hhhh 2
Ur,
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}
Ur, and not from his departure out of Haran, which was but a continua-
tion of his journey towards Canaan, in the profecution of which he was
detained for a while at Haran, by the age, infirmity, and death of his
father Terah.
1
The divine vocation of Abram, and his migration from Ur, under the
conduct of his aged father Terah, and, upon the death of his father, from
Haran, is circumftantially related Gen. xv. 7. and Gen. xi. 27. to Gen. xii. 5.
But as a wrong divifion of chap. xi. renders part of the narration obfcure,
and may miſlead the conceptions of the reader, we have corrected the wrong
divifion, and fecured the fenfe by a parentheſis [ver. 33. &c.] in the tranſcript
on the right hand.
Gen. xv. 7. I am the Lord thy God that brought thee (Heb. hotzeeticha,
cauſed thee to go forth) out of Ur of the Chaldees.
Gen. xi.
ver. 27. Now thefe are the genera-
tions of Terab: Terah begat Abram,
Nabor, and Haran; and Haran begat
Lot.
ver. 28. And Haron died before his
father Terah, in the land of his nativi-
ty, in Ur of the Chaldees.
ver. 29. And Abram and Nahor took
them wives: the name of Abram's wife
was Sarai; and the name of Nahor's
wife, Milchah, the daughter of Haran,
the father of Milchah, and the father
of Ifchab.
ver. 30. But Sarai was barren, fhe
had no child.
ver. 31. And Terah took Abram bis
fon, and Lot the fon of Haran, his fon's
fon, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his
Jon Abram's wife; and they went forth
with them (him) from Ur of the Chaldees,
to go into the land of Canaan; and they
came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
ver. 32. And the days of Terah were
two hundred and five years; and Terak
died in Haran.
Gen. xi.
27. Now thefe are the generations
of Terah, &c.
28.
29.
30.
31.
1
1
{
י!}
4.
32.
Gen.
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605
Gen. xii.
yer. 1. Now the Lord had faid unto
Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and
from thy kindred, and from thy father's
boufe, unto a land that I shall fhew
thee.
ver. 2. And I will make of thee a
great nation, and I will bless thee, and
make thy name great; and thou shalt
be a bleſſing.
ver. 3. And I will bless them that
bless thee, and curfe him that curfeth
thee: and in thee fhall all the families
of the earth be bleffed.
ver. 4. So Abram departed, as the
Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went
with him: and Abram was feventy and
five years old when he departed out of
Haran.
ver. 5. And Abram took Sarai his
wife, and Lot his brother's fon, and all
the fubftance that they had gathered, and
the fouls that they had gotten in Ha-
and they went forth to go into the
land of Canaan, and into the land of
Canaan they caте.
ran;
Gen. xi.
[33. Now the Lord had faid unto
Abram, (in Ur) Get thee out of thy
country, and from thy kindred, and from
thy father's houſe, unto a land that I
fall fhew thee.
34. And I will make of thee a great
nation, and I will bless thee, and make
thy name great; and thou shalt be a
bleffing.
35. And I will bless them that bless
thee, and curfe him that curseth thee:
and in thee ſhall all the families of the
earth be bleſſed.]
36. Then Abram (upon the death
of his father) departed, as the Lord
had spoken unto him (in Ur), and Lot
went with him: and Abram was feven-
ty and five years old when he departed
out of Haran.
37. And Abram took Sarai his
wife, and Lot his brother's fon, and all
the fubftance that they had gathered, and
the fouls that they had gotten in Haran;
and they went forth to go into the land
of Canaan, and into the land of Canaan
they came.
Gen. xii.
ver. 1. And Abram paffed through the
land unto the place of Sichem.
Although it be not exprefsly faid, that Abram left Haran immediately upon
the death of his father, (much leſs is it faid that he left it 60 years before the
death of Terah, according to the corrupted reading of the Samaritan Pentateuch)
yet the proto-martyr St. Stephen interprets the words of Mofes in fuch ftrict
literal fenfe. And indeed, we cannot but wonder, that fuch a plain hiſtorical
narration could ever have been miſunderſtood*; that by the death of Terah
* Jackſon's Chronological Antiquities, Vol. I. p. 101.
fhould
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The Chronology of the World.
ſhould be meant his ſpiritual death; that he ſhould have died ſpiritually, as an
idolator, feveral years before he died naturally, as a mortal man.
Acts vii. 2. The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was
in Mefopotamia, (i. e. in Ur of the Chaldees) before he dwelt in Haran.
ver. 3. And faid unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred,
and come into the land which I fall fhew thee.
yer. 4. Then came be out of the land of the Chaldeans, and dwelt in Haran;
and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land
wherein ye now dwell.
St. Paul computes the interval of 430 years from the promiſe of God to
Abraham, that in his feed all the families of the earth fhould be bleſſed.
Galat. iii. 16. Now to Abraham and his feed were the promises made; he faith
not, and to feeds, as of many, but as of one, and to thy feed, which is Christ.
ver. 17. And this I fay, that the covenant which was confirmed before of God
in Chriſt, the Law, which was 430 years after, cannot diſannul, that it ſhould
make the promiſe of none effect.
The deſign of thefe citations is to prove, that Abram was called by God
out of Ur, and not out of Haran.
Our next enquiry muſt be the year of Abram's life in which he departed,
by the divine vocation, out of Ur. But as this material article is no where
explicitly related, we muſt fearch for data, (as for a hidden treaſure) which may
lead us to its diſcovery, if haply we can find them.
We may juſtly reckon it amongſt the intellectual entertainments of the
Pentateuch, to obferve in what a peculiar and unaffected manner, Mofes takes
occafion to drop before his reader (in the courſe of his narration) ſeveral mi-
nute particulars, cafually, as it might feem, or without any remote view and
yet afterwards, upon recollection, they are found to be neceflary mediums of
proof in the chronological computations. But furely we may fay, if the writer
of the Pentateuch had not planned in his mind a regular and uniform ſcheme of
things, theſe hiſtorical minutiæ could not have been made to anſwer, or have
been at all applied with fuccefs, to chronological purpofes. No parallel can
be found in any ancient prophane hiſtory.
Jofeph, for example, in a friendly conference with his brethren, to whom
he had juſt before made himſelf known, fays,
Gen, xlv. 6. For theſe two years the famine hath been in the land.
ver. 9. Hafle you, and go up to my father, and fay unto him, thus faith thy fon´
Jofeph, come down unto me, and tarry not.
ver.
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607
ver. 10. And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, there will I nouriſh
thee, — for there are five years of famine.
All is here ſpoken with hiſtorical verity; but fuppofing that inſtead of there
are five years of famine, Jofeph had faid, there are feveral years of famine,
without any mention of the ſecond year that was current, would not his invi-
tation to quit the diftreffes of Canaan, and to partake of the plenty of Egypt,
have been equally benevolent? Would his filial piety, or his fraternal ten-
dernefs, have been lefs eminent and confpicuous? And yet by this flight
change in the narration, by only leaving out a fingle numeral, all the art of
man could not have continued the feries of years, from the creation to the
death of Jofeph, for the want of a chronological medium.
The overlooking this peculiarity in the Mofaic writings, has occafioned very
confiderable miſtakes, and it may be affigned as the reaſon why fome points
in the chronology of the Pentateuch have been left undetermined. They, who
fhall attempt fuch inveſtigations, and fucceed in it, will be agreeably convinced,
by their own experience, that Mofaic hiftorical data, where numerals are in-
termixed, are the appropriated beauties of the Pentateuch; the like to which
are not to be found in any other hiftory. We fhall confirm the truth of this
remark by examples.
EXAMPLE I.
Of the age of Noah at the birth of Shem.
Gen. v. 32. And Noah was 500 years old: and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and
Japhet.
Noah was the tenth in defcent from Adam inclufive; from Adam to Noah
exclufive, Mofes computes the world's paft duration by the ages of the nine
intervening patriarchs, at the births of their recorded fons. But as the hiſtory
of the new world required him to introduce the three fons of Noah, Shem,
Ham, and Japhet, of whom the whole earth was overfpread, he alters his
ſtyle. And although, at the firft view, we are led to conclude, that Shem
was born when Noah was 500 years old, and was his eldeſt fon; yet when we
recollect, that Mofes continues the genealogies and the chronology in the line
of Shem, and not in the line of Japhet or Ham, we cannot certainly infer
primogeniture from priority of order; for it is poffible that Shem might be
placed the firſt in order, propter dignitatem, as one of the progenitors of the
promiſed feed according to the fleſh. We must therefore for a while fufpend
our judgment concerning primogeniture, until we have laid together and con-
fidered
The
608
The Chronology of the World.
The MOSAIC HISTORICAL Data.
Gen. vii. 6. And Noah was 600 years old when the flood of waters was upon
the earth.
Gen. xi. 10. Theſe are the generations of Shem: Shem was 100 years old, and
begat Arphaxad two years after the flood.
From hence we are certified, that Shem was not the eldeſt of the three fons of
Noah, and that he was not born when Noah was 500 years old. For if
Noah was 600 years old in the end of the year of the flood, he muſt have
been 602 in the end of two years after the flood.
If therefore from 602, the age of Noah two years after the flood, we ſubſtract
the 100 cotemporary years of Shem's life, the remainder 502 will give the
age
of Noah at the birth of Shem; which was the point of enquiry.
EXAMPLE II.
Of the age of Terah at the birth of Abram,
Gen. xi. 26. Terah lived 70 years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.
Here we muſt argue in the fame manner, as in the preceeding cafe of Shem.
It is evident, at the firft view, that the eldeft fon of Terah was born when
Terah was 70 years old; yet we cannot certainly infer primogeniture from
priority of order; becauſe fince Mofes continues the genealogies and the
chronology in the line of Abram, and not in the line of Nahor or Haran, it
is poffible, that Abram might be placed the firft in order, as Shem was, propter
dignitatem, as he was eminently one of the progenitors of the promiſed feed
according to the flesh. And, therefore, we muſt again fufpend our judgment
concerning primogeniture, until we have laid together and examined
The MOSAIC HISTORICAL DATA,
Gen. xi. 32. And the days of Terah were 205 years: and Terah died in Haran.
Gen. xii. 4. Abram was 75 years old when (upon the death of his father
Terah) be departed from Haran.
We need feek no farther; for from hence we are inftructed to infer, that
Abram was not the eldeft of the three fons of Terah, and that he was not born
when Terah was 70 years old. The deduction is fo obvious, that it could not
(one would think) be miſtaken, and yet it has been grofsly miſtaken.
From
The Chronology of the World.
609
From 205, the age
of Terah at his death, fubftract the 75 cotemporary years
of Abram's life, and the remainder 130 will give the age of Terah at the
birth of Abram; and this age of Terah, at the birth of Abram, makes a part
of the facred aftronomical canon; nor can a fingle link be omitted, or altered,
without diſordering the whole chain, and fenfibly difconcerting the eſtabliſhed
uniformity.
Again, If from 205 we ſubſtract 70 years, the age of Terah when his eldeſt
fon Haran was born, the remainder 135 would have been the age of Haran
at the death of Terah, if he had not died in the prefence of his father, in the
land of his nativity, Ur of the Chaldees.
Again, If from 135 we ſubſtract 75, the age of Abram at the death of
Terah, the remainder 60 will exprefs the difference between the ages of Haran
and Abram; fo that Haran was born 60 years before Abram.
But we ſtand not in need of numerical deductions, to prove that Haran was
the eldeſt ſon of Terah; it may be inferred from Mofes's hiftorical account of
Terah's family.
Gen. xi. 29. Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife
was Sarai; and the name of Nahor's wife, Milchah, the daughter of Haran,
the father of Milchah, and the father of Ifcah.
Gen. xx. 2. And Abraham faid of Sarah his wife, She is my fifter.
ver. 10. And Abimelech faid unto Abraham, What faweft thou, that thou hast
done this thing?
ver. 11. And Abraham faid, Because I thought furely, the fear of God is not in
this place, and they will flay me for my wife's fake.
ver. 12, And yet indeed fhe is my fifter; fhe is the daughter (Heb. bath) of my
father, but not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife.
In this plea of Abraham's with Abimelech, it is obvious to perceive, that he
makes ufe of a circumlocution to exprefs that relationſhip which we call
grand-daughter.
As if he had faid, and yet truly, fhe is my niece, my elder brother Haran's
daughter; ſhe was not indeed born of my mother, but ſhe is my father Terah's
grand-daughter.
Abram then married Iſchah the daughter of Haran, and called her name
Sarai, i. e. my princeſs. And afterwards, God himſelf ordered that her name
fhould be called Sarah, i. e. a princeſs.
Now, when Abraham was 100 years old, Sarah his wife was 90, Gen.
xviii. 17. fo that when Sarah was born, Abram was but ten years old, and
he muft, therefore, have been many years younger than Haran; which was
to be fhewn.
Iiii
That
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The Chronology of the World.
That the Hebrew word bath, which is here tranſlated daughter, is made
uſe of in the ſcriptures, to fignify grand-daughter, may be remarkably proved
from Gen. xxxvi. 2.
Efau took his wives of the daughters of Canaan; Adah the daughter of Elon the
Hittite; and Abolibamah the daughter (bath) of Anah, the daughter (bath)
of Zibeon the Hivite.
Now, Anah was the fon of Zibeon, and Aholibamah was the daughter of
Anah; ſo that this verſe ought to have been tranflated in the following manner:
Efau took to wife Abolibamah, who was the daughter of Anab, and the grand-
daughter of Zibeon the Hivite.
EXAMPLE III.
Of the age of fofeph when he introduced his father Jacob into the prefence of
Pharaoh, king of Egypt.
The HISTORICAL DATA.
Gen. xli. 46. And Jofeph was 30 years old when he stood before Pharaoh king
of Egypt.
ver. 29. Behold! there come feven years of great plenty throughout all the land
of Egypt.
Gen. xliv. 6. For these two years has the famine been in the land.
Now 30 years,
30 years, and
7 years, and 2 years, make 39 years; and as Jacob
defcended into Egypt in the 2d year of famine, they give the age of Joſeph at
his father's defcent.
EXAMPLE IV.
Of the age of Jacob at the birth of Joseph.
The HISTORICAL DATA.
Jacob was born when his father Ifaac was 60 years old, Gen. xxv. 26.
We have no account of the age of Jacob until his introduction into the
preſence of Pharaoh, by his fon Joſeph.
Gen. xlvi. 8. And Pharaoh faid unto Jacob, How old art thou?
ver. 9. And Facob faid unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage
are 130 years; few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and
have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers, in the
days of their pilgrimage.
ver. 10. And Jacob bleſſed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh.
If
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611
If from 130, the age of Jacob when he ftood before Pharaoh, we ſubſtract
the 39 cotemporary years of Jofeph's life, the remainder 91 will give the
age of Jacob at the birth of Jofeph; which was the point of enquiry.
EXAMPLE V.
Of the year of the life of Abram in which he was called by God out of Ur of
the Chaldees.
We have been clearly informed, by the preceeding examples, what uſeful
and neceffary indices the chronological numerals are, although the judgment
of the reader muſt apply them, when intermixed with Mofaic hiftorical data.
But with respect to the prefent article, there feems to be no chronological
notations at all; for if we look into the table of the 430 years, (p. 603.) inſtead
of numerals to compute by, we only read years oo. Here is undeniably a
chaẩm in the chronology; the ſeries of years is interrupted; but if a fingle
link of the chain be diffolved, the whole fyftem muft fall to the ground.
That the reader may be fenfible both of the motives and neceffity of our
preſent enquiry, we will lay before him the following texts, which are the
foundations of it.
Gen. xv. 7. And he ſaid, I am the Lord that brought thee out of Ur of the
Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.
Gen. xii. 4. And Abram was 75 years old when he departed out of Haran.
Upon comparing theſe two texts together, any one would naturally aſk,
why the age of Abram is fo punctually determined at his going out of Haran,
which was but a profecution of his journey towards Canaan, whilſt no mention
is made of his age when he went out of Ur, where he received the divine
command? And we may the more wonder at this, becauſe a fpecification of
the latter is more immediately neceffary for the continuation of the chronology
than the former, which will bring it down no lower than the death of Jofeph.
To extricate ourſelves out of this perplexity, we muſt have recourſe to the
prophetic chapter Gen. xv. and perhaps that may help us to a folution of the
difficulty.
Gen. xv. 7. And he faid unto him, I am the Lord that brought thee out of Ur
of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.
ver. 8. And he faid, Lord God, whereby fhall I know that I fhall inherit it?
ver. 9. And he faid unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a fhe-
goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, a turtle-dove, and a
young pidgeon.
Iiii 2
ver.
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The Chronology of the World.
ver. 10. And he took to him all theſe, and divided them in the midft, and laid
each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.
ver. 11. And when the fowls came down upon the carcafes, Abram drove them
away.
ver. 12. And when the fun was going down, a deep ſleep fell upon Abram ; and
lo! a horror of great darkneſs fell upon him.
ver. 13. And he Jaid unto Abram, Know of a furety, that thy feed ſhall be a
franger in a land that is not theirs, and ſhall ferve them, and they shall
afflict them four hundred years.
ver. 14. And alſo that nation whom they fhall ferve, will I judge: and after-
ward fhall they come out with great fubftance.
ver. 15. And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a
good old age.
ver. 16. But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the
iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
ver. 17. And it came to pass, that when the fun went down, and it was dark,
behold, a fmoaking furnace, and a burning lamp, that paſſed between thoſe
pieces.
ver. 18. In that fame day, the Lord made a covenant with Abram, faying,
Unto thy feed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt, unto the great
river, the river Euphrates.
We have cited this prophecy at large, and fhall attempt to fhew, as we pro-
ceed, that Mofes, in his hiftory of the Exodus, has recorded the literal
accompliſhment of its various predicted events.
We will take ver. 13. for our firft directory :
Know for a furety, that thy feed ſhall be a ſtranger in a land that is not
theirs, and ſhall ſerve them, and they shall afflict them ・four hundred
years.
We have in this verfe a chronological notation expreffed in theſe terms,
four hundred years.
But here it muſt be carefully obferved, that theſe numerals are not to be
read in connection with the words immediately preceeding them, hall ferve
them, and they shall afflict them. It being no more true, in point of hiſtory,
that the poſterity of Abraham was in a ſtate of fervitude and affliction, either
in Egypt, or in any other ftrange land, during a courſe of 400 years; than it
is true, in point of hiſtory, that the children of Ifrael dwelt in Egypt during
the courſe of 430 years.
Since
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Since then, ver. 13. confifts of parts quite diftinct in their nature, we fhall fet
them down diſtinctly and feparately, which will render them quite clear and
intelligible.
Hiſtorical narration in the prophetic
ftyle.
Gen. xv. 13. Know of a furety, that thy feed ſhall be a
Stranger in a land that is not theirs, and
fhall ferve them, and they shall afflict them.
Chronological
notation.
Four hundred years.
Now, every fcriptural chronological notation has an aſtronomical terminus
à quo, and an aſtronomical terminus ad quem; i. e. it has two fixed points,
from the one of which it is computed, in the other it terminates aftro-
nomically.
The given interval of 430 years, for example, terminates at the vernal
equinox of that year in which the children of Ifrael went out of Egypt; and
it commences at the vernal equinox of that year in which Abram was called
out of Ur.
From 430 fubftract the prophetic datum 400, and it will carry it back to
the vernal equinox of the 30th year after Abram's departure out of Ur.
Thefe 30 years include three diftinct intervals; but before we ſpeak to
them, we must take for a directory the following
HISTORICAL DATA.
Gen. xxi. 7. And ſhe ſaid, Who would have faid unto Abraham, that Sarah
fhould give children fuck? For I have born him a fon in his old age.
ver. 8. And the child grew, and was weaned. And Abraham made a great
feaft the fame day that the child was weaned.
Now then, we ſay, that the three intervals which make up thefe 30 years,
are, ift, That ſpace of time which intervened between Abram's departure
out of Ur, and his departure out of Haran; 2dly, between his departure
out of Haran, and the birth of Ifaac; 3dly, - between the birth of Iſaac,
and the magnificent feaſt which Abraham made when this fon of the promiſe
was weaned.
;
Abram fojourned in the land of Canaan 25 years before the birth of Iſaac
from 30 fubftract 25, and the remainder will reduce the compounded num-
ber 64, (p. 603.) to the compounded number 5.
1
We
614
The Chronology of the World.
We are now drawing towards a point; and for a true chronological fub-
divifion of theſe remaining 5 years, we muſt look for our fcriptural directory,
in the contents of the prophetic chapter.
Gen. xv. 8. And he ſaid, Lord God, whereby ſhall I know that I shall inherit
the land of Canaan ?
ver. 9. And be faid unto him, Take unto me an heifer of three years old, and
a fhe-goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old
ver. 10. And he took unto him all thefe.
Now, can it be reaſonably fuppofed, that theſe enjoined particulars have no
pertinency at all to the prefent occafion? Ift, The animals, which Abraham
was commanded to take, were in number 3; and, in after-times, the pa-
triarchs, Abraham, Ifaac, and Jacob, were in number 3. 2dly, The animals
were to be three years old refpectively; and why may not the specified age of
the animals be underſtood to exprefs the age of Ifaac at Abram's feaſt when
he was weaned* ?
It does not appear to us, that any part of this prophecy, or its accompliſhment,
immediately and perfonally concerns Abraham, beſides God's gracious promiſe
in theſe words:
ver. 15. Thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good
old age.
Nor does any part of this prophecy immediately and perfonally concern Iſaac,
if we except the number of the animals and their determinate age.
Various are the fentiments of commentators concerning the fymbols which
occur in the facrifice and vifion of Abraham; and various it is probable they
will continue to be. Whether any of them have inferred the age of Ifaac
at Abraham's feaft, from the enjoined age of the animals, we cannot fay. But
if ſuch interpretation, however fingular it may be thought to be, fhall lead us
to a diſcovery of the true chronological divifion of the compounded number 5,
and, in confequence of that, of the year of Abram's life, when he was called
by God out of Ur; fuch effect may be reaſonably pleaded as an argument in
its favour, nor will it, under this view, be faftidioufly rejected by a critical
examiner.
We fhall affign two reafons for not proceeding any farther, at prefent, in our
attempts to explain the feveral fymbolical reprefentations in Abram's facrifice
and vifion, in their true prophetic fenfe.
* The young Maccabee's mother thus addreffes herſelf to him: "My fon, remember that I
ce fuckled thee three years." 2 Macc. vii. 27.
First,
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615
Firſt, Becauſe we are here only in fearch after chronological numerals, and
having found them, as we fhall prove in the ſequel, the prefent enquiry is
fatisfied.
Secondly, Becauſe, the accompliſhment of a prophecy, is the beſt comment,
and the fureft guide to the right underſtanding of the terms, in which the
prophecy is delivered. Who, for inftance, could have explained theſe terms,
From the going forth of a decree, in Daniel's prophecy of the 70 weeks, if a
decree, in favour of the Jews, had never gone forth? When the accompliſhment,
in all, or moſt of the particulars, fhall clearly appear, from Mofes's circumftan-
tial hiſtory of the Exodus, the prophetic fymbols, fome of them at leaſt, will
readily interpret themfelves.
Thirdly, We fhall juſt obſerve in general, that after the fun was fet, when
it was dark, God exhibited to Abraham's mental view, in a vifion of the night,
the future difpenfations of his providence towards his remote defcendants; the
images and ideas were fo ftrongly impreffed upon his mind, that he ſaw things
to come, at the diſtance of fome hundreds of years, as clearly, as if he had
been actually preſent, and had himſelf been a living witneſs of their truth.
According to our interpretation of the fymbolical age of the animals, in the
prophetic chapter, Ifaac was three years old compleat, when this revelation was
made to Abraham, whom Mofes, in chap. xv. calls Abram, as he had not as
yet given an account of the change of his name, by the immediate direction
of God himſelf, chap xvii. 5. from Abram to Abraham; and this prophecy,
for plain reaſons, is here fet down anachronically.
The number, whofe chronological divifion is required, is 5; but we muſt
carefully remember, that we are at prefent concerned with two epochs of the
year; the autumnal and the vernal equinox.
The ages of the patriarchs are ſtill computed to begin and end at the au-
tumnal equinox; whilft the 430 years, and their intermediate intervals, begin
and end at the vernal equinox. And becauſe the years are tropical folar,
which compute not months and days, we must fet down either compleat years,
or fix compleat months; whether the weaned child had turned his third year,
a month, a week, or a day, it matters not.
Now, then, if from 5 we fubftract 3 years and 6 months, for the 4th
current year of Ifaac, it will leave in remainder 1 year and 6 months for the
firſt interval of the period, whofe character in the table is years oo.
Again, From 75 years fubftract 1 year and 6 months, and it will give 73
years and 6 months for the age of Abram at his going out of Ur; not hiftori-
cally, but aftronomically; for we know not the month and day of the patriarch's
migration.
We
616
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We conclude then, that as Abram was 75 years old, i. e. was in the 75th
current year of his life, when, upon the death of his father Terah at Haran,
he profecuted his journey into Canaan; fo was he 74 years old, i. e. was in
the 74th current year of his life, when, in company with his father, he de-
parted, by the command of God, out of the land of his nativity, Ur of the
Chaldees.
Thus we have, at length, afcertained the grand defideratum in the chronology
of the Pentateuch; the overlooking of which has hitherto occafioned an in-
terruption, and put out of due courfe its ſeries of years.
In the following chronological table, the given interval of 430 years is
compleated in all its parts; and an attentive perufal of it will afford a con-
vincing proof, how extremely curious the chronology of the Pentateuch is,
when it is rightly underſtood, and rightly determined in all its particulars.
A CHRONO™
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617
A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE,
In which the given interval of 430 years is refolved, hiftorically and aftronomi-
cally, into its feveral particulars.
Hiftorical events.
1. From the divine vocation of
Abram out of Ur, to his de-
parture out of Haran
2. To the birth of Ifaac
3. To the weaning of Ifaac
4. To the birth of Jacob
5. To the birth of Joſeph
6. To the deſcent of Jofeph's
brethren into Egypt, to buy
corn, in the firſt year of fa-
mine *
1. From the deſcent of the ten
brethren of Joſeph into E-
gypt, in the firſt year of fa-
mine, Gen. xlii. 3, 5. to the
defcent of Jacob into Egypt,
in the fecond year of fa-
mine
Divifion of the Collected years Hiftorical,
Diftinct in- 430 years into of the whole chronological,
tervals.
interval. and prophetic
halves.
Years. Months. Years. Months. Years. Months.
६०
I 6
I
6
I
6
25
O
26
26
6
30
30
56
91
6
86
6
86
6
177
177
536
37 6
215
O
215 0
I 6
6
I
1 6
216 6
Egypt
17
O
18
O
233
O
3. To the death of Jofeph in
Egypt
54
O
72
O
287
4. To the birth of Mofes in
Egypt
62
6
135
350
5. To the going out of E-
gypt
80
O
215
о
430
2. To the death of Jacob in
numbers.
Shelofhim ſhanah,
Thirty
ve
arbagnab
meeot Shanab.
year,
and
four
hundred year.
* At the vernal equinox of this year, the chronology of the fojourning of the patriarchs,
in the land of Canaan, ends; and the chronology of the fojourning of the children of
Ifrael, in the land of Egypt, begins.
Kkkk
In
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The Chronology of the World.
In order to underſtand rightly the above table, and the true grounds of its
hiſtorical (and let me add aſtronomical) ſubdiviſions, we muſt take along with
us this remark, that Mofes's hiftory of the Exodus, or of the children of Ifrael's
going out of Egypt, is but a hiftory of the accompliſhment of God's revelations
to Abraham, in the end of the 30th year after he was called out of Ur, when
Ifaac was three years old compleat, and in his fourth current year.
The data of this revelation, and the precife time in which the things here
foreſhewn ſhould moft furely be brought to pafs, is fixed and predetermined,
by God himſelf, in this chronological numeral, 400 years.
God did not only at this time reveal to Abraham the future difpenfations of
his providence towards his pofterity, the defcendants of Ifaac, now an infant,.
as limited in time by the prophetic number of 400 years, but, moreover, he
cauſed him to know and understand, by fenfible and fignificant fymbols, that by
his divine fuperintendancy, and uncontroulable direction of contingencies and
events, the whole interval of 430 years ſhould be divided into two equal parts.
The TERMS of the PROPHECY.
Gen. xv. 9. And God faid, Take unto me, i. e. in a ready compliance with
my pofitive commands, an heifer of three years old; a fhe-goat of three
years old; and a ram of three years old.
ver. 19. And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midſt, and
laid each piece one againſt another.
All this was done, undoubtedly, by God's fpecial order and direction.
Now, although Mofes, with great plainnefs and fimplicity, relates facts and
events according to hiftorical verity; and although he notes the very times in.
which they happened, according to the regular courfe of things; yet does he
hiſtorically relate thoſe very facts and events, and under thoſe very circumftances,
which God had, many ages. before, revealed to Abraham, and which, by the
heavenly illuminations of his mind, he was empowered to behold and under-
ftand.
We read in the hiftory of the patriarchs, that ſeven years of famine fucceeded.
to ſeven years of plenty in the land of Canaan and in the land of Egypt. This,
fome, perhaps, may call a contingency; and yet, who but God can give or
withhold fruitful ſeaſons? Who but God can cauſe it to rain upon one city and
not upon another? Can make the earth iron, and the heavens brafs?
Little did the patriarch Jacob think, that he was going to be an inftrument
in the hands of divine providence, to fulfill that branch of the prophecy, which
was long before fymbolically repreſented to Abraham's view, when he thus
addreſſed himſelf to his fons`in Canaan :
Gen..
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619
Gen. xlii. 1. Why do ye look one upon another?
ver. 2. And he ſaid, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you
down thither, and buy us from thence; that we may live and not die.
ver. 3. And Jofeph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt.
ver. 5. And the fons of Ifrael (benei Ifrael) came to buy corn among thofe that
came, for the famine was in the land of Canaan.
It is very obfervable, that within the compaſs of the firſt five verſes of this
42d chapter, we have theſe three denominations, namely, ift, The fons of
Jacob; 2dly, The ten brethren of Jofeph; 3dly, The children of Ifrael.
The fifth verfe of this chapter, in our English tranflation, runs thus:
And the fons of Ifrael came to buy corn among those that came.
It might, with more propriety, perhaps, have been tranflated thus:
« And
"the fons of Ifrael went (from Canaan into Egypt) to buy corn amongſt
"thofe that went."
No fooner had the fons of Jacob, or the ten brethren of Joſeph, began their
journey from Canaan, and fet their faces towards Egypt, but they were called
the fons or children of Ifrael; not by chance, or inadvertency, but to let
us know, that from that point of time, from the vernal equinox of this
firſt year of famine, from this firſt deſcent, moſkab benei Ifrael, afher jaſhebu
bemiztraim, Exod. xii. 40. the fojourning of the children of Ifrael, who ſo-
journed in Egypt, took its date.
This firft defcent of the children of Ifrael, in the first year of famine, not
only divides the 430 years into two equal parts, into 215 years on the one fide,
and into 215 years on the other, (as Abraham fymbolically divided the carcaſes
of the flain animals in the midſt) but alſo this point of divifion falls in with the
aftronomical epoch of the prophetic number, and with the aſtronomical epoch
of Abram's divine vocation from Ur.
The TABLE.
The fojourning of the three patriarchs, | The fojourning of the children
Abraham, Ifaac, and Jacob, in the of Ifrael, who fojourned in
land of Canaan,
Years.
was 215.
Egypt,
Gen. xv. 10.
Ꮴ aijebatter happegarim battavech, I
Years.
was 215.
* It is fometimes neceffary, it is quite neceffary in reading the Goſpel hiftory, to preferve the
diftinction between come and go, when the Greek verb exμa occurs; and the fame may be faid
of the Hebrew verb ba, in the Old Teftament.
Kkkk 2
When
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The Chronology of the World.
When we compare this table with the terms of the prophecy, and theſe
with the hiſtory of their accompliſhment, how low and mean, how jejune
and uninſtructive, does the interpolation of the Septuagint Greek verfion, and of
the Samaritan Pentateuch, then appear? "Which they and their fathers fojour-
ned, in the land of Canaan, and in the land of Egypt." This fuperficial
comment ſmothers one of the moſt ſtriking incidents in the hiſtory of the
patriarchs and their deſcendants.
(C
Jofephus, in his hiftory of the Jewiſh antiquities, fuppofes thefe 430 years
to be divided into two equal parts by Jacob's defcent into Egypt, dating the
first part of the divifion from Abram's going out of Haran; and archbi-
ſhop Ufher gives his fuffrage to the hypothefis: but it may be justly objected
againft, as it over paffes the first interval of the period, or that ſpace of time
which intervened between Abram's going out of Ur, and his going out of
Haran.
For my own part, I do not fee what could induce any one to look for an
equal divifion of this period, abſtracted from the ſignificant ſymbols of Abraham's
facrifice, except an accidental calculation; for if, without due confideration,`
we ſhould begin to count from the 75th year of Abram's life, when he departed
out of Haran, and continue the reckoning down to Jacob's deſcent into Egypt,
when he was 130 years old, then cafting up the 3 numbers, 25. 60. 130.
which meaſure the interval, they will amount to juſt 215 years, which are,
undeniably, the half of 430. But as thefe 215 years, whilft they are computed
in this manner, not only drop the first interval of the period, but alſo begin
and end at the autumnal, instead of the vernal equinox; they are but a mere
numerical, and not the true chronological and prophetical divifion.
When we ſeriouſly re-confider this article, and Mofes's chronological com-
putations, we may readily perceive, that as foon as an equal divifion of the 430
years is fuggefted, the year of Abram's life, in which he was called out of Ur,
may be eaſily aſcertained, without having recourſe to fymbolical repreſentations,
or attempting to underſtand their prophetic ſenſe; for we need only argue in
the following manner:
The feven years of famine, and the ſeven years of plenty, began and ended
at the autumnal equinox. At the end of the ſecond year of famine, Jacob
ftood before Pharaoh, when he was 130 years old, and Jofeph 39.
The ten brethren of Jofeph went from Canaan into Egypt at the vernal
equinox, in the first year of famine, 1 year and 6 months before Jacob ſtood
before Pharaoh. From 39 years fubftract 1 year and 6 months, and the re-
mainder 37 years and 6 months, will give the age of Jofeph at the vernal
equinox in the first year of famine.
To
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621
To 37 years and 6 months add 91 years, the age of Jacob when Jofeph was
born, and the fum will be 128 years and 6 months. To theſe add 60 years,
for the age of Ifaac when Jacob was born, and the fum will be 188 years and
6 months. To theſe add 25 years, for the time that Abram fojourned in the
land of Canaan, before Ifaac was born, and the fum will be 113 years and
6 months.
Laſtly, From 215 years, the half of 430, ſubſtract 113 years and 6 months,
and there will remain 1 year and 6 months for the firſt interval of the period.
From 75 years, the age of Abram at his going out of Haran, fubftract 1
year and 6 months, and there will remain, as above, 73 years and 6 months,
for the current year of Abram's life when he was called out of Ur; which was
to be ſhewn.
The TERMS of the PROPHECY.
Gen. xv. 13. And God faid unto Abraham, Know of a furety, that thy
Seed ſhall be a ſtranger in a land that is not theirs, and ſhall ſerve them,
and they shall afflict them.
The feed of Abraham, we fee, was not only to be reduced, in after times,
to a ſtate of fervitude, but this fervitude was to be embittered with acts of ty-
rannical cruelty and grievous oppreffions, expreffed by the Hebrew verb
vegninnu.
The HISTORY of the ACCOMPLISHMENT.
you unto
your
Exod. v. 4. And the king of Egypt faid unto them, Why do ye, Mofes and
Aaron, let the people from their works? Get
burdens.
ver 5. And Pharaoh faid, Behold! the people of the land now are many, and
make them reft from their burdens.
you
ver. 6. And Pharaoh commanded the fame day the taſk-mafters of the people,
and their officers, Saying,
ver. 7. Ye shall no more give the people ftraw, to make brick, as heretofore; let
them go and gather fraw for themselves.
ver. 8. But the tale of the bricks which they did make heretofore, you shall lay
upon them; you ſhall not diminiſh ought thereof; for they be idle, therefore
they cry, faying, Let us go and facrifice to our God.
ver. 9. Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein;
and let them not regard vain words.
ver. 10. And the taſk-mafiers of the people went out, and their officers, and they
Spake to the people, faying; Thus faith Pharaoh, I will not give you ftraw.
yer.
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The Chronology of the World.
ver. 11. Go ye, get you ftraw where you can find it; yet not ought of your
work fhall be diminished.
ver. 12. So the people were ſcattered abroad throughout the land of Egypt, to
gather stubble instead of straw.
ver. 13. And the taſk-mafters hafted them, faying, Fulfill your works, your daily
taſks, as when there was ftraw.
ver. 14. And the officers of the children of Ifrael, which Pharaoh's task-mafters
had fet over them were beaten, and demanded, faying, Wherefore have ye
not fulfilled your task in making brick, both yesterday and to day, as
heretofore?
ver. 15. Then the officers of the children of Ifrael, came and cried unto Pha-
raoh, faying, Wherefore dealeft thou thus with thy fervants?
ver. 16. There is no ftraw given unto thy fervants, yet they fay to us, make
brick; and behold! thy fervants are beaten, but the fault is in thine own
people.
ver. 17. But he faid, ye are idle, ye are idle; therefore ye fay, let us go, and
do facrifice unto the Lord.
ver. 18. Go therefore now and work, for there fhall be no ftraw given you, yet
Shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.
ver. 19. And the officers of the children of Ifrael did fee that they were in evil
cafe, after it was faid, Ye shall not miniſh ought from your bricks, your
daily task.
Exod. vi. 9. And Mofes fpake fo unto the children of Ifrael; but they hearkened
not unto Mofes, for anguish of fpirit, and cruel bondage.
In this hiſtorical narration we have the literal accompliſhment of theſe terms
of the prophecy, ferve, and afflict.
The TERMS of the PROPHECY.
Gen. xv. 17. And it came to pass, that when the fun went down, and it was
dark, behold, a ſmoaking furnace.
Now, although every fmoaking furnace may not be a brick-kiln; yet every
brick-kiln is, in a ftrict literal fenfe, a fmoaking furnace.
In this fymbol, was reprefented to Abraham's mental view, the very nature
of that fervitude to which, in after times, his feed ſhould be ſubjected; he
plainly forefaw that they ſhould be compelled by a tyrant to make bricks.
The
The Chronology of
623
of the World.
The TERMS of the PROPHECY.
Gen. xv. 16. But in the fourth generation they fhall come hither again.
Heb. Vedor rebigni jaſhebu hennah: In the fourth deſcent they ſhall return,
hither again.
The impreffions of the divinity, upon this branch of the revelation made
to Abraham, are fo ftrong, fo clear, and fo legible, that, methinks, every de-
fcendant of Abraham, every individual Jew (wherefoever diftreffed or diſperſed
towards the four winds of heaven) ſhould daily read it with the following
words of Mofes prefixed to it:
Deut. vi. 7. Thou shalt diligently teach it unto thy children; thou shalt talk
of it when thou fittest in thine houfe, and when thou walkeft by the way;
and when thou lieft down, and when thou riſeſt up.
ver. 8. Thou shalt bind it for a fign upon thine hand, and it shall be as a frontlet
between thine eyes.
ver. 9. Thou shalt write it upon the posts of thy houfe, and upon thy gates.
ver. 10. And it shall be, when the Lord thy God fhall have brought thee into
the land which he fware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Ifaac, and to
Jacob, to give thee.
ver. 20. And when thy fon afketh thee in time to come, faying, what meaneth-
this prophetic declaration? (Vedor rebigni jaſhubu hennah)
ver. 21. Then thou shalt fay unto thy son, we were Pharaoh's bond-men in Egypt.
ver, 23. And the Lord brought us out from thence, (in the fourth deſcent
from Jacob exclufive) and caufed us, by a mighty hand, to return from the
land of Egypt into Canaan, which be fware unto our fathers.
This is a very remarkable prophecy, but before we cite the hiftory of its
literal accompliſhment, it may be neceffary to lay before the reader the fol-
lowing
a
GENEALO
624
The Chronology of the World.
GENEALOGICAL TABLE.
ADAM and E V E.
CAIN, ABEL, SETH.
NOAH.
JAPHET, HAM, SHEM.
TERAH.
HARAN, NAHOR, A BRAM.
ISHMAEL, IS A AC.
JACOB.
·
REUBEN, SIMEON, LEVI I. JUDAH, ISSACHAR, GAD, ASHER,
DAN, ZEBULON, NAPHTHALI,
JOSEPH, BENJAMIN.
KOHATH 2.
人
​AMRAM
3.
MOSES 4.
The firft term of the Pentateuch is Bereshit, which our Engliſh verfion
renders, in the beginning. But does not this tranflation naturally fuggeft to us
this perplexing queftion, in the beginning of what? And yet it is a juft tranf-
lation; fo that it is not fo much a new tranflation, as the true genuine fenfe
of the old one, that we are to ſearch for.
Now we do not underſtand this word, Bereshit, which is placed in the
front of the Pentateuch, in an abfolute, but in a relative fenfe; we confider it
in connection with the times in which Mofes wrote.
Mofes wrote his Pentateuch in the wilderneſs, at the head of the twelve
tribes of Ifrael. To the Ifraelites it was primarily addreffed; and to this day,
it belongs primarily to the Jews; from them it was derived to us.
Mofes as a faithfull, wife, and well inftructed hiſtorian, informs his chofen
people (now committed to his teaching, guidance, and conduct) of their di-
ftinction into tribes, of the origin of that diftinction, of their families and
genealo-
·
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625
genealogies, and their reſpective lineal defcent, from our common progenitor.
And I ſhould exprefs my fenfe of Bereshit, in the following terms, In the head
of that account, which I am going to give, of the defcendants of Abraham,
Iſaac, and Jacob, at the head of this account, I fay, God created the heavens
and the earth, and our firſt parents Adam and Eve.
Whether this novel interpretation of Bereshit, the first word of the Penta-
teuch, be admitted or not, we thought it neceffary to give a table of Mofes's
lineal deſcent from Adam, not only as it would fet the hiftory in a more confpi-
cuous light, and give it the greater dignity, but chiefly for the fake of the
conclufion; for from hence we are informed, by intuitive evidence, that this
branch of the prophecy was punctually fulfilled, not only in the family, but in
the perſon of Mofes; and with the greateft propriety; fince he was himfelf
employed as an agent, delegated by God, to negotiate with Pharaoh, the terms
and conditions of its completion; and by this means he could, not only as an
hiſtorian relate, but as an eye witneſs atteft its truth.
As this genealogical table exhibits to our view the four generations or deſcents
mentioned in this remarkable branch of the prophecy, we ſhall minutely
examine particulars.
If then, looking into the table, we count backwards, from Mofes to Amram ;
from Amram to Kohath; from Kohath to Levi; then one ſtep more will carry
it back to the times of Jacob. If it be aſked to what times? the anſwer is,
to that very point of time, when Jacob faid to his fons, in the land of Canaan,
Get
you
down into Egypt, and buy corn for us, that we may live and not die.
Now, was not Levi one of the fons of Jacob, one of the ten brethren of
Jofeph, or of the children of Ifrael, who, at that time, went from Canaan
into Egypt upon that providential emergency?
Levi therefore is the firſt generation or deſcent in the prophecy; Kohath is
the fecond; Amram is the third; and Mofes is the fourth. And the words
of the prophecy are, dor rebigni, in the fourth deſcent they ſhall return hither
again.
This revelation was made to Abraham in the land of Canaan, (and it is this
which gives the emphaſis to the adverb hennah, hither) when Ifaac was but
of the age of a weaned child; Jacob, the fon of Ifaac, was not born untill
56 years and 6 months after Abraham's feaft, Levi, the fon of Jacob, went
not from Canaan into Egypt, until 128 years and 6 months after Jacob was
born. Mofes, the great grand-fon of Levi, as may be feen in the table, was
not commiffioned to be the leader and conductor of the children of Ifrael in
their return from Egypt into Canaan, until 215 years after Levi's deſcent into
Egypt, and yet it was moft punctually foretold, that this return fhould fall out
in the fourth deſcent.
L111
Let
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The Chronology of the World.
Let any one compare this branch of the prophecy with its completion, and
try if he can frame any idea of diasa, diftance, or interval, between a fingle
moment and 400 years, when Omniſcience ſpeaks: obferve the language of
prophecy, the voice of God.
Gen. xv. 14. Alfo that nation whom they shall ferve, (anochi dan, ego fum
judicans, ego judico) I judge, fays God, in my determinate counſel, and fore-
fight. Here God fpeaks of things future as if they were prefent.
What an amazing diſplay of divine preſcience does this prophetic chapter
afford us!
Surely, the Inſpirer of the Pentateuch is, and muſt be the true God. The
Creator of heaven and earth; the Holy One who inhabiteth Eternity; in whoſe
fight a thouſand years are but as one day, and one day as a thouſand years;
who ſeeth that is paſt as a watch in the night, and that which is to come as
a watch in the morning; who calleth things that are not, as if they were.
Known unto God are all his works from the beginning.
The moſt glorious and the moſt fublime truths employed the pen of the
Jewiſh legiflator. Truths, whofe gracious influence and effects reach down to
us, in theſe latter ages, and call aloud upon us all to blefs God for his gift
of the Pentateuch.
By the affiſtance of Mofaic data, and chronological numerals, we have been
able to determine the year of Abram's life in which he was called out of Ur;
that individual year in which God faid to man, In thy feed (i. e. in Chrift) ſhall
all the families of the earth be blefed.
Let the Jew read, and believe; let the argumentative Deiſt read, and be
filent.
Adonai Jehovah! O Lord Jehovah! the God of Abraham, the God of
Ifaac, and the God of Jacob, open my eyes, that I may fee (Pfal. xix. 18.)
niphleot toratecha, the wonderfull things of thy law.
The TERMS of the PROPHECY.
Gen. xv. 14. Alſo that nation whom they ſhall ferve I will judge.
The HISTORY of the ACCOMPLISHMENT.
Exod. xii. 12. I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and I will
Smite all the first-born of the land of Egypt, both man and beast: and
against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment; I am the Lord.
ver. 33. And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people that they might fend
them out of the land in hafte; for they faid, we be all dead men.
The
The Chronology of the World.
627
The TERMS of the PROPHECY.
Gen xv. 14. And afterward they shall come out with
great ſubſtance.
The hiſtorical accompliſhment of this branch of the prophecy is related
Exod. xii. 35. and it is mentioned proleptically Exod. xi. 2, 3.
Here we muft obferve, that the divifion of the fcriptures into chapters and
verſes, is fometimes made fo injudicioufly as to caft an obfcurity upon the
narration. In the xth and xith chapters of Exodus another wrong divifion
occurs, exactly of the fame nature with that which we took notice of above
in Gen. xi. xii. This wrong divifion we have attempted to rectify in the
tranſcript on the right hand, and again to ſecure the fenfe, by a parentheſis,
which begins ver. 4. according to our divifion, and ends ver. 7.
Exodus, chap. x.
ver. 27. But the Lord hardened Pha-
raoh's heart, and he would not let them go.
ver. 28. And Pharaoh faid unto him,
Get thee from me, take heed to thyself,
fee my face no more; for in that day
thou feeft my face, thou shalt die.
ver. 29. And Mofes faid, Thou haft
Spoken well, I will fee thy face again
no more.
Chap. xi.
ver. 1. And the Lord faid unto Mo-
fes, Yet will I bring one plague more
upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; after-
wards he will let you go bence: when
he ſhall let you go, he ſhall furely thrust
you out hence altogether.
ver. 2. Speak now in the ears of the
people, and let every man borrow of his
neighbour, and every woman of her
neighbour, jewels of filver, and jewels
of gold.
ver. 3. And the Lord gave the people
favour in the fight of the Egyptians.
Moreover, the man Mofes was very
great in the land of Egypt, in the fight
of
Exodus, chap. xi.
1. But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's
heart, and he would not let them go.
2. And Pharaoh faid unto him, Get
thee from me, take heed to thyself, fee
my face no more; for in that day thou
Seeft my face, thou shalt die.
3. And Mofes faid, Thou haft spoken
well, I will fee thy face again no
more.
4. [Now the Lord had faid unto Mo-
fes, Yet will I bring one plague more
upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; after-
wards he will let you go hence: when
he shall let you go, he ſhall furely thruſt
you out hence altogether.
5. Speak now (this very day) in the
ears of the people, and let every man
demand (jiſhalu) of his neighbour, and
every woman of her neighbour, veffels of
filver, and veffels of gold.
6. And (in that very night) did
the Lord give the people favour in the
fight of the Egyptians.
7. Moreover, (in that very night)
LIII 2
the
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The Chronology
of Pharaoh's fervants, and in the fight
of the people.
ver. 4. And Mofes faid, Thus faith
the Lord, About midnight will I go out
into the midst of Egypt.
ver. 5. And all the firſt-born in the
land of Egypt fhall die, from the firſt-
born of Pharaoh, that fitteth upon his
throne, even unto the first-born of the
maid-ſervant, that is behind the mill;
and all the first-born of beafts.
ver. 6. And there shall be a great
cry throughout the land of Egypt, fuch
as there was none like it, nor shall be
like it any more.
ver. 7. But against any of the children
of Ifrael fhall not a dog move his tongue,
against man or beaft: that ye may know
how that the Lord doth put a difference
between the Egyptians and Ifrael.
ver. 8. And all these thy fervants
fhall come down unto me, and bow down
themſelves unto me, faying, Get thee out,
and all the people that follow thee; and
after that I will go out: And he went
out from Pharaoh in a great anger.
ver. 9. And the Lord faid unto Mo-
fes, Pharaoh fhall not hearken unto you,
that my wonders may be multiplied in the
land of Egypt.
This change in the divifion of the
require fome remarks.
the man Mofes was highly magnified in
the land of Egypt, in the fight of Pha-
raoh's fervants, and in the fight of the
people.]
8. Then Mofes (finally) faid to Pha-
rab, Thus faith the Lord, About mid-
night will I go out into the midst of
Egypt.
9.
IO.
II.
I2.
13. And Mofes went out from Pha-
raoh in a great anger.
14. ¶ Now the Lord had faid unto
Mofes, Pharaoh will not hearken unto
you, that my wonders may be multiplied
in the land of Egypt.
chapters, and in the tranſlation, will
1. We read in the Engliſh verfion, chap. xi. 1. And the Lord faid unto
Mofes, Yet will I bring one plague more. But the context requires that the
Hebrew phraſe, vaijomer Jehovah el moshe, fhould be rendered as Gen. xii. 1.
Now the Lord had faid unto Mofes, Yet will I bring one plague more.
This
The Chronology of the World.
629
This verſe, and the three following ones, we have included in a parentheſis,
they being a ſhort interruption of the narration, in which Moſes takes occafion
to inform the reader, that he delivered the final denunciations of vengeance,
in the deſtruction of the firſt-born, by God's authority and command; and
although he does not expreſsly relate the point of time, when he received it,
yet we may ſuppoſe it to have been in the morning of this very day, before
he went to Pharaoh, to remove the plague of palpable darkneſs, and to make
the peremptory demand of difmiffion.
$/
2. If, in our divifion of the chapters, we compare ver. 1. with ver. 14.
we may perceive, that God's prediction to Mofes concerning Pharaoh's obſti-
nacy, was verified in the event.
3. The 2d and 3d verfes of chap. xi. in the Engliſh verſion, (which are
the 5th, 6th, and 7th, in our divifion) contain God's fpecial direction to the
Ifraelites, by the hand of Mofes, how to behave towards the Egyptians, on the
night of that very day, with the actual effects of it; and the hiftorian has
anticipated the actual effects of it, in order to pre-engage the reader's moſt
ſerious attention to the extraordinary event, when it ſhould come to be related
in the true order of time.
It has been objected: "It is not likely that God, in addreffing himſelf to
"Mofes, ſhould ſpeak of Moſes in the third perſon, and the man Mofes."
But if this be not an addrefs of God to Mofes, and moft undoubtedly it is
not, might not Moſes ſpeak of himſelf, with the ſtrain of humility, in the
third perfon?
<<
It has been faid farther, "That as to verfe the 3d, the giving that by way
" of hiſtorical narration, as in the preſent Hebrew text, not only breaks the
confiftency of this with the preceeding chapter, and deſtroys the regularity of
"its own ſeveral parts, but alſo introduces a great impropriety, or anachronism,
"into this particular verfe, fo that it is more than probable, that theſe words,
"And God gave the people favour in the fight of the Egyptians, could not be
an obſervation, or article of narration, made by the infpired hiftorian.'
(C
>>
To which we anfwer, There are feveral fhort articles of narration inferted in
the Pentateuch, which, at the firſt view, we are not able to form any judgment
of, and are apt to wonder for what end or purpoſe they were offered to the
confideration of the reader.
*Mr. Kennicot, in his differtation upon the ftate of the prefent Hebrew text, part. II. p. 390.
tranflates the Hebrew words, Parho lo jiſhmang, Pharaoh does not hearken unto you.
But the Hebrew words, lo jiſhmang, cannot be tranflated, does not hearken, in the preſent tenſe ;
they muft, as they are a prediction, be rendered, will not hearken, in the future tenfe.
Gen.
630
The Chronology of the World.
Gen. xi. 29. Mofes relates, that Abram took him a wife, that the name of
Abram's wife was Sarai; and then immediately adds, ver. 30. But Sarai was
barren, ſhe had no child.
This, abſtractedly and in itſelf confidered, without any reafon affigned or
note of explanation, might feem a very trivial article of narration, and below
the pen of any common hiſtorian. But when we proceed in the hiſtory, and
come to underſtand, that of Abram's barren wife, when fhe was 90 years
old, (Gen. xvii. 17.) when it ceaſed to be with Sarah after the manner of women,
beyond all hope in the natural courſe of things, Ifaac, the fon of the promiſe,
was miraculouſly born, we at once perceive, that this article of barrenness was
judiciouſly connected with theſe words, now Abram took him a wife, and was
laid before the reader in this place, that he might take ſpecial notice of it.
But ſtill it may be aſked, what rational account can be given of this anachro-
niſm, chap. xi. 3. And the Lord gave the people favour in the fight of the
Egyptians, as in the prefent Hebrew text?
The only rational explication of this difficult paſſage is, it has been ſaid,
"to fuppofe it to be a part or continuation of God's fpeech to Mofes," and
to take it for granted that the Jews have changed the original form of the words
into a narration. But as there are no evidences of this manual operation of the
Jews, we think ourſelves obliged to look out for fome other folution.
It is very obfervable, that theſe words, And God gave the people favour, &c.
are mentioned twice, Exod. xi. 3. and Exod. xii. 35. And as a repetition of
the fame words is not ufual with Mofes, who ftudies brevity, this ferves to
heighten our regard, and to enforce our attention.
Had it been written, ver. 3. I will give the people favour, we muſt have
underſtood the words as a divine prediction, and in this ſenſe they occur
Exod. iii. 21. But as they are expreffed in the prefent Hebrew text in the
form of a narration, we are inftructed to confider them as a prophecy fulfilled;
and of what prophecy, or to whom it was in the days of old revealed, we are
to enquire.
Exod. xii. 35. It is faid, And the children of Ifrael did according to the word
of Mofes, and they demanded, &c. from whence it appears, that Mofes faithfully
delivered the order which God had (that morning before he went to Pharaoh)
enjoined him to deliver, and that the people obeyed it.
But as it is not mentioned in what manner Mofes addreffed himſelf to the
Ifraelites, upon this extraordinary occafion, I hope it will not be thought
preſumptuous, if I attempt a paraphrafe upon theſe words of God to Mofes,
Exod. xi. 3. Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man demand of
his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, veſſels of filver and veffels
of gold.
I the
The Chronology of the World.
631
I the more readily offer the following paraphrafe, as I can plead ſcriptural
authority for every part of it.
We may imagine then, that Mofes might have addreffed himſelf to the Ifrae-
lites in fome fuch manner as this:
<c
"Jehovah is going to accompliſh his own predictions; he foretold our
"great anceſtor Abraham, four hundred years ago, (Gen. xv. 13, 14.) that
"he would judge that nation to whom his pofterity fhould be in bondage;
"that after a ftate of fervitude and fevere affliction, they fhould come out
"from a land that was not theirs with great fubftance. What Jehovah has
promiſed, he will perform; what he has forefhewn, he will moft furely
bring to pafs, in the appointed time. This night ye shall be delivered
"from Egyptian bondage; This night ye fhall go forth with an high hand.
"Even the ftubborn and inflexible Pharaoh, fhall himſelf give the word
"of command: the Egyptians fhall follicit and importune you; they fhall
"be urgent with you to be gone: therefore demand of them whatever
"fhall think commodious for you; make your own terms and conditions;
"for Jehovah himſelf ſhall difpofe them (Exod. iii. 21.) to redeem their
"lives at the expence of their fortunes. The Egyptians have enslaved,
you
oppreffed, and defrauded you; but the time of reftitution is now come,
"when ye fhall be amply recompenfed for your drudgery in the brick-kilns,
"and your fervile tasks; for all the treaſures of Egypt fhall devolve upon
"the pofterity of Abraham: ye ſhall ſpoil your oppreſſors; ye fhall go forth
"from a land that is not yours with great fubftance, for the mouth of the
"Lord has ſpoken it.
When we confider theſe words, And God gave the people favour in the fight
of the Egyptians, as referring us to, and in clofe connection with, an ancient
prophecy; when we perceive them to exprefs the divine means of its accom-
pliſhment, (for it never could have been brought to paſs by a mere human
power) they approve themſelves to be a moft ftriking article of narration,
(although the event be proleptically related Exod. xi. 3.) highly worthy the pen
of an infpired hiftorian; and it is plain, that the interpolator of the Samaritan
Pentateuch did not underſtand it.
God fpake unto Moſes familiarly, face to face, as a man ſpeaketh unto his
friend, (Exod. xxiii. 11.) And can any thing be imagined more abfurd, than
to reprefent God faying to Mofes, in the palace and preſence of Pharaoh,
Exod xi. 1. Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt.
ver. 2, Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man demand of his
(Egyptian) neighbour, and every woman of her (Egyptian) neighbour, veffels
veſſels
of filver, and veffels of gold.
The
632
The Chronology of the World.
The Maforete Hebrew text is the fureft directory, becauſe it does not abound
with paraphraſtical comment, and bold interpolations *.
The TERMS of the PROPHECY.
Gen. xv. 7. And behold! a fmoaking furnace, and a burning lamp (lappir
eeſh, a lamp of fire) that paſſed between the pieces.
We have joyned theſe two ſymbols together, becaufe we apprehend that
Abram, in his vifion, faw both of them to paſs between the pieces, or equal
divifions of the carcafes.
Now, as by the fymbol of the fmoaking furnace, Abraham faw the nature
of that fervitude to which his feed fhould, in after times, be fubjected; ſo in
the ſymbol of the lamp of fire, he faw the moſt fignal circumftance of their
divine deliverance from it.
The HISTORY of the ACCOMPLISHMENT.
Exod. xiv. 19. The angel of the Lord which went before the camp of Ifrael,
removed, and went behind them: and the pillar of the cloud went from before
their face, and ftood behind them.
ver. 20. And it came between the camp of the Egyptians, and the camp of
Ifrael; and it was a cloud of darkneſs to them, but it gave light by night
to theſe.
This providential and miraculous duyeus was, we fee, a cloud of darkneſs
to the Egyptians, but it gave light to the Ifraelites. It was to the Ifraelites
a light unto their feet, and lappir eefb, a lamp of fire to direct their paths.
As Abram ſaw theſe fymbols to pafs between the pieces, or equal divifions,
he was plainly given to underſtand, that neither the predicted fervitude and
affliction, nor this wonderful deliverance from it, did at all appertain to the
A
* It is an inexpreffible difadvantage to the difciples, of F. Houbigant, that their leading idea,
the prevailing notion of their minds, is the corruption of the Maforete Hebrew text.
Sic melius,
is their conftant language; and as the jaundic'd eye fees every object tinged with yellow; if any
change in a letter, fyllable, or word, if any paraphraftical comment, any unwarrantable inter-
polation occurs, either in the Septuagint Greek verfion, or in the Samaritan Pentateuch, they
immediately adopt it as the genuine reading, and the Maforete Hebrew text is charged with
want of integrity.
Proh! Deum atque hominum fidem! adeone Mofen ex Anti-Maforeticis immutarier, ut vix,
ah ne vix quidem, eundem effe cognofceres.
three
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633
three patriarchs, Abraham, Ifaac, and Jacob, they being reprefented by the
former divifion, and ſeparated from the latter.
And although the three patriarchs, Abraham, Ifaac, and Jacob, were gerim
and zarim, pilgrims and ftrangers, during their abode in the land of Canaan;
although they had their family afflictions, and were frequently called to the
exercife of the paffive virtues, like other frail and mortal men, yet were they
never in a ſtate of fubjection. And when, in their fojourning ſtate, Pfal. 105.
ver. 13. They went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people;
God fuffered no man to do them wrong, but reproved even kings for their fakes; ftill
the voice from heaven was, ver. 15. Touch not mine anointed, do my prophets no
barm.
Thus, by the terms of an ancient prophecy, we have brought the feed of
Abraham from their Egyptian bondage, to their triumphant paffage over the
Red Sea, and to the full poffeffion of all the riches of Egypt.
But notwithſtanding our chronological table, (page 624.) deductions, and
interpretation of fymbols, the truth of the whole muft ftill depend upon the
certainty of the proof; after an impartial examination of the proof, a peremptory
judgment may be paffed upon our fingular interpretations, but not before.
It muſt ſeem to every reader, a juft matter of furpriſe, that Moſes ſhould
be fo defective in his chronological notations, as to fix no date at all to that year,
(the year of Abram's life in which he was called by God out of Ur) which
was fo indifpenfably neceffary for a continuation of the ſeries; for, by this
means, the chronology of the Pentateuch has never been rightly determined;
nor do we certainly know, to this day, in what folar tropical year of the
world the Ifraelites departed out of Egypt; nor in what folar tropical year of
the world Mofes died, and the feed of Abraham, by another miraculous
paffage, entered into the promiſed land.
It muſt be acknowledged, that this omiffion has the appearance of a difficulty;
but if we proceed in our enquiry by the fame fteps as Mofes proceeds in his
hiftory, we fhall diſcover the reaſons of the omiflion, and ſhall find it to be a
matter of judgment.
Mofes proceeds in his hiſtory and chronology by the following ſteps.-
1. In his relation of Abram's migration from Ur, he takes no notice of
Abram's age, nor of the time that he dwelt at Haran.
Gen. xi. 31. And they went forth from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the
land of Canaan, and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
ver. 32. And Terah died in Haran.
Chap. xii. Then Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's fon, and
all the fubftance that they had gathered, and the fouls that they had gotten
in Haran, and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan.
Mmmm
This
034
The Chronology of the World.
This encreaſe of Abram's fubftance, and the acquifition of fouls, or menial
fervants, implies fome continuance in Haran; but the precife length of time
cannot be gathered from the circumftances of the narration.
2. It has been already obferved, that Mofes carries on an uninterrupted feries
of years, from Adam to Jofeph inclufive, by the ages of the patriarchs at the
birth of a recorded fon; and we can with certainty fay, that Joſeph died
A. M. 2369. But at the death of Jofeph, he diverts his chronology into
another channel; and to prove that he does fo, he leaves the age of Jofeph
at the birth of his two fons, Manaffeh and Ephraim, undetermined.
Juft in like manner, when Mofes had ſtated the ages of his anceſtors, Levi,
Kohath, and Amram, at their deaths, he leaves them without any connection
with one another; and thereby indicates that we muſt not look for a continuation
of the chronology in their ages.
3. But that the reader might have no cauſe to complain of any chafm or
interruption in the chronological feries, he lays before him, at once, a period of
430 years, whofe hiſtorical and aſtronomical epoch is the year fought.
Thefe 430 years have, by the circumſtances of the hiftory, a twofold divifion,
by a twofold deſcent into Egypt. Ift, By the defcent of Jofeph's ten brethren,
in the firſt year of famine; 2dly, By the deſcent of Jacob and his whole
family, in the fecond year of famine.
If from the end of the fecond year of famine, when Jacob was 130 years
old, we count upwards 215 years, the computation will terminate at the au-
tumnal equinox of that year, in which Abram was 75 years old compleat.
If from the end of the first year of famine, when Jacob was 129 years old,
we count upwards 215 years, the computation will terminate at the autumnal
equinox of that year, in which Abram was 74 years old compleat. And as
one entire year intervened between the firſt and ſecond defcent into Egypt; fo
alſo one entire year intervened between Abram's migration from Ur, and his
migration from Haran.
Mofes, therefore, as a judicious hiftorian, and moſt accurate chronologiſt,
has clearly informed every attentive reader, that as Abram was 75 years old,
when, upon
the death of his father Terah, he quitted Haran, in profecution
of his journey into Canaan; fo was he 74 years old, when he was called by
God out of Ur; which was the point of enquiry.
4. Abram was born A. M. 2008; to which if we add 74, the ſum 2082
will be the folar tropical year of the world, in connection with the
promife.
year of
To A. M. 2082 add 430, and the fum 2512, will be the folar tropical year
of the world in which the Ifraelites departed out of Egypt; according to our
fyftem of chronology.
On
The Chronology of the World.
635
On the other hand; if to A. M. 2008 we add 75, the fum 2083 will be
the
year of the world in connection with the year of promife. And if to A.M.
2083 we add 430, the fum 2513, will give the year of the world in which the
Ifraelites went out of Egypt, according to archbishop Ufher's fyftem.
The whole difficulty, therefore, is reduced to this fingle chronological query,
namely,
Whether the Ifraelites went out of Egypt A. M. 2512, or A. M. 2513?
This concife query compriſes theſe feveral particulars, namely, Ift, The
ſeaſon of the year; 2dly, The month; 3dly, The day of the month; 4thly,
The day of the patriarchal week, in which this remarkable event happened.
But before we undertake to aſcertain the month, day of the month, and
day of the week, it will be neceffary, Ift, To evince the feafon of the year;
2dly, That Mofes, in his hiftory of the Exodus, changes the original epoch
of his chronological computations.
ift, As to the ſeafon of the year, it is expreffed in the Hebrew word Abib.
Deut. xvi. 1. Obferve the month of Abib - in the month of Abib the Lord thy
God brought thee forth out of Egypt.
As if it had been ſaid, Obferve the month, in which the barley is ripe for
the harveſt — in which ye begin to put the fickle to the corn.
Ev xpic T8 1718 xαDESWT, the fun being in aries, fays Jofephus.
Εν κριω TY MANY
We ſay then, in anſwer to the firſt article of enquiry, that the Ifraelites
went out of Egypt, not at the autumnal, but at the vernal equinoctial feaſon.
2dly, It will be previouſly neceffary to fhew, that Mofes, in his hiſtory of
the Exodus, changes the original epoch of his chronological computations.
Had the writer of the Pentateuch been actuated by the frailties of human
ambition, he would undoubtedly have enrolled his anceſtors, Levi, Kohath,
and Amram, in the lift of the primitive patriarchs; he would have recorded
their ages, as he had thofe of the patriarchs, at the birth of a ſon, that they
might have been numbered, with equal honour, amongst the links of the
facred aſtronomical chain. But being obliged, as a faithful hiſtorian, to re-
late the extraordinary events of Divine Providence, juſt as they happened, and
the very times in which they happened, he found himſelf directed, not only
by the ſubject matter of his hiftory, but alfo by the exprefs authority of God,
(Exod. xii. 1, 2, 3.), to change his epoch. And he begins with computing
the years of his own life (Exod. vii. 7.), not from the autumnal, but from
the vernal equinox; from that feafon of the year, in which God called
Abram out of Ur, in which God revealed to Abraham the future ftate and
Mmmm 2
condition
636
The Chronology of the World.
condition of his pofterity, and at which the things revealed received their
completion.
Exod. vii. 7. And Mofes was 80 years old, and Aaron 83 years old, when
they spake unto Pharaoh.
It is certain, that theſe 80 years of Mofes's life were compleated at the
fame vernal equinox with the 430. For if he was 120 years old at his
death, a little after which the Ifraelites paffed over Jordan into Canaan, he
muſt have been 80 years old when they paffed the Red Sea 40 years before,
for fo many years (Numb. xiv. 33.) did they wander in the wilderneſs, as
the Lord had faid.
From hence it follows, that if from the vernal equinox, in the year of
the Exodus A. M. 2512, we ſubſtract 80, it will carry it back to the vernal
equinox A. M. 2432, from which Mofes computes the years of his life.
Now, we are to prove, that the departure of the Ifraelites out of Egypt
did actually happen A. M. 2512, and not A. M. 2513.
But here it muſt be faid, if Mofes, under the cover of his narration, has
not clearly recorded fuch characters as may diſcriminate the year of the world
2512, from the year of the world 2513, (for we know of no other that can
be ſet up in a competition with, it, we mean amongſt thoſe who adopt the
Hebrew chronology) then this memorable year muſt ftill remain in a ſtate
of uncertainty.
Now, the difcriminations which we have to offer, are the aſtronomical
coincidence of the recorded day of the patriarchal week, with the recorded
day of the month, on which the journeyings of the children of Ifrael com-
menced.
Firſt, we are to determine, on what month of the current year the Ifraelites
went out of Egypt.
Exod. xii. 1. And the Lord fpake unto Mofes and Aaron in the land of Egypt,
Saying,
ver. 2. This month ſhall be unto you the beginning of months; it shall be the
first month of the year to you.
It is not at all to be doubted, but that Mofes and Aaron well knew, on
what month of the then current year God, by his legiſlative authority, ordered
this change of its ancient epoch. But as there are twelve months in the fcrip-
tural year, both as it is folar and lunar, it may be a proper queftion for us,
who live at the diſtance of more than 3200 years from the Exodus, in which
of
The Chronology of the World.
637
of theſe twelve months, God, in this remarkable manner, altered the be-
ginning of the year? And if Mofes had not with the emphaſis of repetition
related, (Exod. xii. 4. Deut. xvi. 1.) that the Exodus happened, be chodeſh
Abib, in the vernal equinoctial month, we might, to this day, have been
perplexed with uncertainty, with the odds of 12 to 1 againſt us; whereas
now, we need only to look back to the ſcheme of the altered lunar year,
(p. 469.) and we ſhall find the Ift month over-againſt the VIIth, and the
fymbol of the vernal equinox prefixed to the VIth.
We ſay then, that God fpake thus to Mofes and Aaron, and that the
Ifraelites went out of Egypt, in the VIIth month of the patriarchal lunar
year, which was now ordered to become the Ift.
Secondly, Our next enquiry muft be, on what day of the VIIth month,
God ſpake unto Mofes, in the year of the Exodus ?
Exod. xii. 3. God faid unto Mofes and Aaron, Speak ye unto all the congrega-
tion of Ifrael, faying, In the tenth day of this month, they shall take to them
every man a lamb.
ver. 6. And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the ſame month.
It is plain that God delivered theſe commands before the tenth day of the
then current month, and therefore, undeniably, before the fourteenth day of
the fame month.
Here we offer this rule. If, in the fcriptural computation, a month be given,
and the day of the month be not mentioned, on which fomething is faid to
have been tranfacted; and if ſome one day or days of that month be afterwards
expreffed, as in the prefent cafe, then we muſt compute the time of the
tranſaction related, from the beginning of the month.
We fay, then, in anſwer to the preſent article of enquiry, that God ſpake
unto Mofes and Aaron, in the year of the Exodus, on the firſt day of the
VIIth month, of the patriarchal lunar year.
Thirdly, We are to enquire, what day of the patriarchal week correfponds
aſtronomically with the firſt day of the VIIth month, of the patriarchal lunar
year, in the year of the Exodus?
Here the argument will be very ſhort; for from this ftyle alone, God Spake
unto Mofes and Aaron, faying, we at once infer, that it was the feventh day of
the patriarchal week.
The following deduction, from this fcriptural principle, we ſhall undertake
to confirm, by calculation from the original radix.
To
638
The Chronology of the World.
To find, from Mofaic historical data, the day of the patriarchal week, on which
the lunar year, which preceeded the year of the Exodus, ended, and on the
evening of which the moon was visible at its fetting.
VI months of the political lunar year, which contain 180 days, had paffed
before God fpake unto Mofes and Aaron on the firſt day of the ſeventh month.
Divide 181 days by 7, and it will leave in remainder 6. This remainder carries
it back to the 6th day after the autumnal equinox, in the beginning of the
year of the Exodus A. M. 2512. And becauſe we computed backwards
from a feventh day, it will be itſelf a feventh day.
From 7
ſubſtract the remainder 6, and it will leave 1.
We fay then, in anfwer to this article of enquiry, that that lunar year,
which was concurrent with the year of the Exodus, on the firſt day of whoſe
VIIth month God fpake unto Mofes and Aaron, commenced on the evening
of the firſt day of the patriarchal week, which we call Monday,
Confirmed by calculation from the original radix.
The SOLAR TROPICAL RECKONING.
From A. M. 2512 ſubſtract 1, and it will give A. M. 2511.
Multiply
into
M.
Divide the product by 1440)
Multiply
into
2511 years of 365 days, 6 hours,
II minutes.
D. H. M.
27621 (19 4 21 Julian exceſs.
2511 years,
1461 quadrants.
H. M.
D.
Divide the product by 4) 3668571 (917142 18 oo Jul. reduct.
Subſtract for the Julian exceſs
To the folar tropical reduction
Add, for the meridian of Alexandria in Egypt,
19 4 21
917123 13 39
12 25
31
To the fum
Add, for October 25 d. 90 h. oo min.
ọo
917124
298
2 4 0, p.m.
From the fum
917422
2 4
Subſtract the Julian biffextile reduction
917143
Remains the Jul. M.D. H. and M. of o in, Oct. 6,
279
2 4 p.m.
It
·
639
The Chronology of the World.
It appears, by theſe calculations, that in the beginning of A.,M. 2512,
which was the year in which the children of Ifrael went out of Egypt, the
fun came to the autumnal equinox, in the meridian of Alexandria in Egypt,
on the 6th day of October, if the Julian ſtyle be extended fo far back.
The LUNAR COMPUTATION.
A. M.
Divide by 19) 2511 (132 decennoval cycles.
Remainder
3 years of the 133d.
Multiply 132 cycles into 235 lunations, and to the product 31020 add 36,
for the three remaining years, then the whole amount of lunations will be
31056.
Lunations.
Divide by 12) 31056 (2588 lunar years.
Remainder
Lunar yrs.
Divide by 30)
2588 (86 periods of
30 lunar years.
8 years of the 87th.
Remain
Multiply 86 periods into II, then to the product 946 add 3, for the remain-
ing eight years, and the whole amount of lunar years, confifting of 355 days,
will be 949.
Multiply
into
Add, for lunar
To the product
years of
355 days
To the fum
Add for half a lunation, to bring it to a new moon,
The lunar reduction
D.
2588 lunar years,
354 days.
916152
949
917101 O full moon,
15
917116 new moon.
Divide by 7) 917116 (131016 weeks.
Remainder
4
| index | Monday.
We
640
The Chronology of the World.
We fay then, that that lunar year, which was concurrent with A. M. 2512,
(the year of the Exodus) commenced on the evening of the first day of the
patriarchal week, which we call Monday; which was to be proved.
From this calculated day of the week, we may readily aſcertain every day of
the week, anſwering to every month, and day of the month, throughout the
then current year.
We will take for examples, the firft, the tenth, the fourteenth, and the
fifteenth days of the VIIth month, which now, by legiſlative authority, was
appointed to be Rifhon, the first month of the year.
On the firſt of theſe four days, the alteration was made in the beginning of
the year; on the ſecond, the paſchal lamb was to be taken up; on the third,
it was ordered to be flain; on the fourth, the children of Ifrael began their
journey from Rameffes, the place of rendez-vous.
Now fuppofing, that we had no means of diſcovering on what day of the
patriarchal week God fpake unto Mofes and Aaron, (as it is related Exod. xii.
1, 2, 3.) we might find it by a very eafy calculation; e. g.
Divide 181 days by 7, then to the remainder 6 add the calculated number
1, and the fum 7, will be the day of the week fought.
Proved by calculation from the original radix.
To the fum total of days in the lunar reduction 917116 new moon evening.
Add, for VI months and I day,
181
Divide by 7) 917297 (131042 weeks.
Remainder
3 | index 7 | Sunday.
To find the day of the patriarchal week, anfwering to the tenth day of the VIIth
month, in the year of the Exodus.
To 180, the number of days in VI political months, add 10, then dividing
the fum 190 by 7, it will leave in remainder 1. To I add I, and the fum
will be 2; which is the day of the week fought.
Proved by calculation from the original radix.
To the fum total of days in the lunar reduction 917116
Add, for VI months and to days,
Divide by 7)
Remainder
4
190
917306 (131043 weeks.
5 | index 2 | Tueſday.
To
The Chronology of the World.
641
To find the day of the patriarchal week, answering to the fourteenth day of
the VIIth month, in the year of the going out of Egypt, when the pafchal
lamb was ordered to be flain.
To 180, the number of days in VI political months, add 14; then dividing
the fum 194 by 7, it will leave in remainder 5; to 5 add 1, and the fum 6
will exprefs the day of the patriarchal week fought.
Proved by calculation from the original radix.
To the fum total of days in the lunar reduction 917116
Add, for VI months and 14 days,
194
Divide by 7)
Remainder
917310 (131044 weeks.
2 | index 6 | Saturday.
To find the day of the patriarchal week, anfwering to the fifteenth day of the
VIIth month of the primitive lunar year; on which month and day the
Ifraelites began their journey from Rameffes.
To 180, the number of days in VI political months, add 15; then dividing
the fum 195 by 7, it will leave in remainder 6; to 6 add 1, and the fum
7
will exprefs the day of the patriarchal week fought.
Proved by calculation from the original radix.
To the days of the lunar reduction 917116
Add, for VI months and 15 days
195
Divide by 7)
Remainder
917311 (131044 weeks.
3 | index 7 | Sunday.
In this manner every day of the week, throughout the primitive lunar year,
might be determined aftronomically.
It muſt be allowed, that the year of the Exodus, may, for many reafons, be
reckoned amongſt the number of thoſe which are fignalized in facred hiſtory;
a year, in which God fo vifibly interpofed in the behalf of his chofen people; a
year, in which ſo many ftupendous miracles were wrought; and to paſs over
a variety of particulars, in which the ancient epoch of the patriarchal lunar
Nnnn
year,
642
The Chronology of the World.
year, and the day of the patriarchal Sabbath, was changed. For as God, by
his legiſlative authority, ordained, that the feventh month of the current lunar
year hould become the firft; fo did he alſo ordain, by the fame legiſlative
authority, that the current feventh day of the patriarchal week, fhould become
the first day of the feaſt of unleavened bread.
The feaſt of unleavened bread was to be kept ſeven days; and theſe ſeven
days of the feaft, were themſelves the feven days of the new inftituted week.
And let it be noted, that a ſpecial and ſtanding miracle was wrought, (Exod.
xvi. 26, to 30.) to give this new Sabbath the ſanction of divine authority,
and to fecure its obfervance.
Thefe, and many other remarkable incidents, have induced me to give a
compleat kalendar of that year, in its true fcriptural form.
In order to this, we muſt firſt determine the autumnal equinoctial new
moon epact, in the beginning of the year; but this may be eafily done, by
the following ſhort calculation.
From the days of the folar trop. reduct. 917123 excluding the day of the equinox,
Subſtract the days of the lunar
917116
The new moon epact fought
¿
From hence we may infer, that in the beginning of A. M. 2512, the fun
came to the autumnal equinox, on the 8th day of the firft month of the
lunar year, and on the 2d day of the patriarchal week, which we call Tueſday;
for the patriarchal Sabbath had not as yet given way to the Ifraelitic.
As there is no neceffity for making any more calculations, the reader will
find, at the end of this work, a kalendar of that year, in which the Ifraelites
went out of Egypt, A. M. 2512.
By looking into this kalendar, we may perceive, that, in agreement with
the preceeding calculations,
1. The first day of the feventh month, falls regularly in with the ſeventh
day of the patriarchal week, denoted by the numeral 7, in the outermoft
column on the left hand.
2. The tenth day of the month, with the ſecond day of the patriarchal
week, denoted by the numeral 2.
3. The fourteenth day of the month, with the fixth day of the patriarchal
week, denoted by the numeral 6.
4. The fifteenth day of the month, with the feventh day of the patriarchal
week, and the first day of the feaſt of unleavened bread, denoted by
the numerals 7. I.
1
7
5. The
The Chronology of the World.
643
ம்
5.
The
twenty-firſt day of the month, with the fixth day of the patriarchal
week, and the feventh day of the feaſt of unleavened bread, which was
the new inftituted Sabbath.
But as the change of the Sabbath is an important fcriptural truth, and a
demonftrable matter of fact, we fhall extract fo much from the kalendar of
the year of the Exodus, as will be fufficient for a full explanation of the
manner in which it was effected.
Patriarchal [Ifraelitic
week. week.
Sunday 7
I
Month VII. I.
Days
of the month.
1 Rifon. Exod. xii. 1.
2
3
456 7∞
4
6
9
10
7
I
2
3
I I
4
I 24
13
14 Paffover.
15
Firſt day of the feaſt.
2
16 Second day.
17 Third day.
4
I
~ 3+5O 7
3
4
5
23+no ^ my ~ mtno 7- 2 Mtho
I
7
18 Fourth day.
19 Fifth day.
20 Sixth day.
21 Seventh day, firft Saturday Sabbath.
I 22 Morrow after the Sabbath.
1.) The Ifraelites went out of Egypt on the 15th day of the month Abib,
which fell on the ſeventh day of the patriarchal week, and on the first day
of the feaſt of unleavened bread.
Nnnn 2
But
644
The Chronology of the World.
But the feventh day of the patriarchal week, was, by the law of the original
Sabbath, (Gen. ii. 2, 3.) appointed to be a day of reft. And is it credible,
that the whole affembly of the congregation of Ifrael, with Mofes and Aaron
at the head of them, fhould defecrate the Sabbath by making it a day of
travel? Yes, they did, and by God's own direction too; and has not every le-
giflator a power to fufpend the force of any law in being, upon wife and
weighty motives?
(2.) The Ifraelites paffed the Red Sea on the evening preceeding the 21ft day
of the month, which fell on the 6th day of the patriarchal week, and on
the 7th day of the feaſt of unleavened bread, which was itſelf the new
inſtituted Sabbath.
This was the firſt time this new Sabbath was, in great part, obſerved. It
was celebrated by the Ifraelites in giving praiſes and thankſgivings to God, upon
ſeeing their enemies dead on the fea fhore, and themſelves in a ſtate of mira-
culous fafety. For this purpoſe Moſes ſeems to have compoſed that euchariſtical
hymn, (Exod. xv.) which was fung in chorus, and alternately by more,
perhaps, than two millions of people.
(3.) This paffage of the Ifraelites over the Red Sea, and the completion of
their deliverance from Egyptian bondage, on the 7th day of the new inſtituted
week, helps us to underſtand rightly the following text:
Deut. v. 15. And remember that thou waft a fervant in the land of Egypt,
and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence, through a mighty hand,
and by a stretched out arm; therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to
keep the Sabbath day, as a perpetual memorial of it.
There is no one point in all the Pentateuch, which Mofes labours more
earneſtly to imprefs upon the minds of the Ifraelites, than a conftant remem-
brance of the month, and day of the month, in which they came out of Egypt,
and the religious obfervance of the feaſt of unleavened bread, which was
connected with it. This will be evident from the following texts :
Levit. xxiii. 5. In the fourteenth day of the month, at even, is the Lord's
paffover.
ver. 6. And on the fifteenth day of the fame month, is the feaft of unleavened
bread unto the Lord.
Exod. xiii. 3. And Mofes faid unto the people, Remember this day, in which
ye came out of Egypt, out of the houſe of bondage; for by ftrength of hand the
Lord brought you out from this place; there fhall no leavened bread be eaten.
Exod.
1
8
The Chronology of the World.
645
Exod. xii. 14. This day fhall be unto you for a memorial; and ye fhall keep
it a feaft unto the Lord, throughout your generations: you shall keep it a
feaft by an ordinance for ever.
Exod. xii. 41. And it came to pass, at the end of the 430 years, even the
Self fame day it came to pass, that all the hofts of the Lord went out from
the land of Egypt.
ver. 42. It is a night to be much obferved unto the Lord, for bringing them out
of the land of Egypt; this is that night of the Lord to be obferved of all
the children of Ifrael, in their generations.
Exod. xiii. 10. Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in its feafon from year
to year.
Exod. xii. 15. Seven days fhall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye
Shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread
from the first day untill the feventh day, that foul fhall be cut off from Ifrael.
ver. 16. And on the first day there fhall be an holy convocation; and on
the ſeventh day there Jhall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of
work ſhall be done in them, fave that which every one must eat, that only
be done of you.
may
ver. 18. In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at even, ye
Shall eat unleavened bread, untill the one and twentieth day of the month, at
even.
ver. 19. Seven days there fhall be no leaven found in your boufes.
Deut. xvi. 1. Obſerve the month of Abib; and keep the paſſover unto the Lord
thy God; for in the month of Abib, the Lord thy God brought thee forth
out of Egypt by night.
ver. 3. Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; feven days thou shalt eat
unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; (for thou cameſt out
of the land of Egypt in hafte) that thou mayeft remember the day, when
thou cameft forth out of the land of Egypt, all the days of thy life.
(4.) There are no poſitive ſcriptural evidences to prove that the Ifraelites had
any apprehenfion that they were folemnizing the new inſtituted Sabbath, in
the celebration of the feventh day of the feaſt of unleavened bread, after
they had paffed the Red Sea.
It may, with great probability, be fuppofed, from Mofes's account, Exod.
xv. xvi. that the command for obferving the new Sabbath, was delivered at
Marah, before their arrival at Mount Sinai; and, not many days after, God
gave it the fanction of his divine authority and enforced obedience to it by
a double miracle, Exod. xv. 19, 20, 24, 25, 27.
(5.) God
646
The Chronology of the World.
(5.) God did not permit the Ifraelites entirely to forget the memorial of creation,'
in the memorial of temporal redemption; we find appointed remembrancers
of it in the Pentateuch.
Exod. xii. 16. In the first day (of the feaſt of unleavened bread) there ſhall
be a holy convocation.
This command ſeems to have been given in honour to the original Sabbath,
becauſe, in the year of the Exodus, the feventh day of the patriarchal week,
was in aſtronomical coincidence with the first day of the feaſt.
And it may be worthy our notice, that the religious folemnity which had
hitherto been paid to the feventh day of the patriarchal week, was transferred
authoritatively to the first day of the feaſt of unleavened bread, on what day
of the week foever, by the changeable courſe of the moon, it might happen
to fall.
(6.) The original Sabbath was republiſhed from Mount Sinai, Exod. xx,
This folemn republication of the original Sabbath from Mount Sinai, is a
clear proof, that it was not abrogated, but only fufpended for an appointed
time; untill prefiguration ſhould give way to reality, ſhadow to ſubſtance, and
type to anti-type.
It is certain that our Lord roſe from the dead on the morrow after the Jewiſh
Sabbath, or upon a Sunday; but we fhall go farther, and in a proper place,
make it inconteftibly appear, that Chrift rofe from the dead on the ſeventh day
of the patriarchal week, regularly brought down from the creation; then the
Ifraelitic temporary Sabbath died and was buried in the fepulchre of Chriſt, for
on that whole day he refted in the grave, and, in this, its typical ſenſe was
accompliſhed. At this time, the primitive Sabbath moſt gloriouſly and trium-
phantly re-affumed its original ſtation; and its ancient obfervance was revived in
the practice of the apoſtles, and the whole body of Chriſtians.
(7.) It is much more to be wondered at, that the change of the Sabbath, at
the going out of Egypt, fhould have been generally overlooked, than that it
fhould be diſcovered, explained, and proved.
If we fet before us the fourth commandment, as it is recited Exod. xx. and
Deut. v. and compare together the conclufions, and the reaſons which are
diſtinctly affigned for the obfervance of the Sabbath, the difference between
the memorials is fo difcernible, as will amount to an explicit declaration, that a
change has been made.
We
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647
We read, Exod. xx. 9, 10. Six days fhalt thou labour, and do all thy work :
but the ſeventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do
any work.
Deut. xvi. 8. The ftyle is: Six days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and on•
the ſeventh day ſhall be an holy aſſembly unto the Lord thy God; thou ſhalt do
no work therein.
This command feems to have been given in honour to the new, Sabbath ;
becauſe, in the year of the Exodus, it was in aftronomical coincidence with the
feventh day of the feaſt; and on what day of the week foever the feventh day
of the feaſt ſhould happen to fall, there was to be an holy affembly.
It is written, Gen. ii. 3. God bleſſed the ſeventh day, and fanctified it.
But Exod. xx. II. we read, God bleſſed the fabbath day, and hallowed it.
The reaſons for fubftituting Sabbath day inſtead of feventh day, may be
accounted for it being evident, that the patriarchal Sabbath was not the
Seventh day of the week to an Ifraelite, but the firſt; nor was the Ifraelitic
Sabbath the feventh day of the week to a patriarch, but the fixth.
And ſo it is to this day; the Chriftian Sabbath is not the feventh day of the
week to a Jew, but the firft. Nor is the Jewish Sabbath the feventh day of the
week to a Chriftian, but the fixth.
(8.) There only remains to prove, that the firſt day of the feventh month, on
which God fpake unto Mofes and Aaron in the land of Egypt, A.M. 2512,
was that day of the week which we call Sunday, and is denoted in the
aſtronomical kalendar by the numeral 7.
Here it will be neceffary to determine the Julian month, and day of the
month, correfponding aftronomically with the first day of the feventh month,
in the form of the primitive year.
The CALCULATION.
To the days of the lunar reduction
Add, for VI political lunar months and 1 day,
917116
181
To the fum
917297
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
298
From the fum
917595
Subſtract the Julian reduction of 2512 years
917508
Julian month and day fought, March 28,
87
The
648
The Chronology of the World.
The literal character of March 28 is C; and in confidence of the truth of
the above mentioned fcriptural principle, (which will hold generally true, and
when it does not, a reafon may be affigned for it) we infer, that C was the
dominical letter for that year. Nay, we will venture to determine a priori,
that as A. M. 2512 falls in with the ſecond year after biffextile, if the corre-
fponding year of the Julian period be divided by 28, it will leave in remainder
26, whofe dominical letter is C.
The CALCULATION.
To A. M. 2512 add 706, and the fum 3218, will be the year
period fought.-
of the Julian
A. J. P.
Divide by 28)
3218 (114 cycles.
Remainder
26 D. L. C. which was to be proved.
We ſay, then, that God ſpake unto Mofes and Aaron (Exod. xii. 1.) on the
first day of the VIIth month of the primitive lunar year, on the feventh day
of the patriarchal week, and, in our ſtyle, upon a Sunday.
I thought this calculation the more neceffary, becauſe I find that the moſt
judicious enquirers of the age*, are enclined to call in queftion the truth of
our doctrine, that the primitive Sabbath was kept on the fame day of the week
with the Chriftian Sabbath.
We ſhall juſt remark further, that the Pentateuch was finiſhed, and Mofes
died, about the vernal equinox A. M. 2552. And we have now the fatisfaction
to find, that the valuable chronology of the five books of Mofes, is not only
fet forth and compleated in all its diftinct parts; but, what is more, effectually
ſecured by aſtronomical calculation founded upon Mofaic data, from all future
attempts to unſettle it,
* "But what is more extraordinary, they pretend to tell us the very day of the week on
"which the antediluvian Sabbath was kept, and that it was the fame with the Chriftian Sabbath,
❝or Sunday; which notion we fhall fhew to be very groundlefs and precarious." Univerfal
Hiſtory, Vol. I.
From
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649
From Mofes's Hiftory of the Exodus, and of the divine Inftitution
of the firſt Paſſover, we shall proceed to ascertain the Year of
Chrift's Crucifixion, and to examine the Evangelifts' Accounts of
that Paſſover at which Chrift died.
Th
HIS tranfition from one very important fcriptural year to another, which
is in cloſe connection with it, and of much greater concernment, in
its events and tranfactions, to the whole race of mankind, will give us an op-
portunity to explain the chronology of the Goſpel, and the very peculiar com-
putations of the four Evangelifts.
SECT. I.
The Evangelifts do not mention the month, or day of the month; nor do they
openly and explicitly denominate the day of the week on which our Saviour
was crucified.
In reading the four Gofpels, inſtead of the month and day of the month,
the following periphrafes and circumlocutions occur:
Matth. xxvi. 17. In de wwтy Twv aluμwr: Now on the firſt day of unleavened
bread, the difciples came to Jeſus..
Mark xiv. 12. Και τη πρώτη ημέρα των αζύμων, ότι το πασχα εθνον: And on the firft day
of unleavened bread, when they killed the paffover, his difciples faid unto
him
Luke xxii. 7. Ηλθε δε η ημέρα των αζύμων, εν η εδει θυεσθαι το πασχα : Then came the
day of unleavened bread, when the paffover must be killed.
John xiii. 1. Пpo THE COplys To Tαoxα: Now before the feast of the paffover, when
Про тив εορτής το πασχα
Jefus knew that his hour was come.
John xii. 1. Then Jeſus, we̱o ež nμegwv të tαoxα, fix days before the paſſover, came
to Bethany.
In like manner, inftead of an expreſs declaration of the day of the week,
we again meet with circumlocutions.
Mark xv. 42. And now when even was come, (or when it was late in the
day) becauſe it was the preparation, that is, praßbalǝr, the day before the
Sabbath,
ver.
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The
ver. 43. Joſeph of Arimathea came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and begged
the body of Fefus.
Luke xxiii. 54. That day was the preparation, and the Sabbath drew on.
ver. 56. They reſted the Sabbath day, according to the commandment; namely,
Deut. v. 15.
John xix. 31. The Jews therefore because it was the preparation, that the bodies
fhould not remain on the cross the Sabbath day, (for that Sabbath day was an
high day) befought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they
might be taken away.
St. Matthew, to avoid mentioning the Jewish Sabbath, (it being the laſt Jewiſh
Sabbath that was ever obferved by the difciples of Jeſus) expreffes himſelf in
a very diſtant manner.
+
Matt. xxvii. 62. Now the next day that followed the day of the preparation,
the chief priests and Pharifees came unto Pilate.
Although it is certain, from the Goſpel hiftory, that the refurrection happened
on the morrow after the Jewiſh Sabbath, yet fo very peculiar are the terms
and phrafes in which this event is related by the Evangelifts, that we cannot,
by a literal tranflation, determine the day of the week.
We will firft confider St. Matthew's account.
Matth. xxviii. I. Οψε δε σαββαλων, τη επιφωσχέση εις μιαν σαββάτων.
Engliſh verſion:
At the end of the Sabbath, when it began to dawn towards the first day
of the week.
Literal tranflation :
Now after* (the) Sabbaths, when it began to dawn towards the firſt (day)
of (the) Sabbaths.
We do not undertake to explain critically, much leſs do we preſume to give
a definitive ſenſe of the Greek phraſes here made uſe of by St. Matthew. The
difficulty is obvious; and what we ſhall have occafion to ſay hereafter upon
them, we offer only as a conjecture, which we readily fubmit to the judgment
of the reader.
}
* The adverb oe may be rendered after as well as late; as, Oye Twv Ipwinwr, after the times of the
Trijan war; Oye Tus nμepus, after the day was ended. Scap. Lexicon.
Accord-
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65
According to our English verfion, the plural noun aßßala fignifies the
Jewiſh Sabbath, in the former part of the verſe, and week, in the latter part
of the fame verſe. But it may be queftioned, whether the plural noun caßßala
is uſed in either of theſe fenfes in the four Goſpels.
'દ
By of caßßalwr, we underſtand the completion of the whole feries or aggre-
gate of the Jewiſh Sabbaths; and thus much is certain, that the Jewiſh
Sabbath expired on that very day, and on the day following the primitive
Sabbath revived.
The terms, ove raßßalar, are St. Matthew's fingularity, but the latter occurs
in the Goſpels of St. Mark, St. Luke, and St. John.
Mark xvi. 2. And very early, Tus μas caßbalov, (Engliſh verfion, On the first
day of the week) they go unto the fepulchre, (and arrive there) at the rifing
of the fun.
Luke xxiv. 1. Tņ de pig Twv cußbalar, (Engliſh verfion, Now on the first day of
the week) very early in the morning they went unto the fepulchre.
John xx. 1. Tỵ de μig var caßßalai, (Engliſh verfion, Now on the first day of the
week) Mary Magdalene goeth early, when it was yet dark, unto the fepulchre.
1 Cor. xvi. 2. Kala μav caßßalwv, (Engliſh verfion, Upon the first day of the
week) let every one of you lay by him in ſtore, as God hath profpered him.
We are very well affured, that the day after the Jewiſh Sabbath, or that day
which we call Sunday, is meant in all theſe examples; but will any one contend,
that either the Evangelifts, or the Apoſtle St. Paul, exprefsly call it the firſt
day of the week?
The plural noun caßßala literally fignifies Sabbaths; but did any week ſince
the creation confift of an aggregate of Sabbaths?
In St. Mark's Gofpel, the day of the refurrection is defined by three different
expreffions, which we ſhall here ſet down together.
(1.) Mark xvi. 1. Diagevoμevy ty oußßal, When the Sabbath was paſt.
(2.) ver. 2. Ins μas raßßalov, (Engliſh verfion, On the first day of the week.)
(3.) ver. 9. Avasas de #pws Twin To caßBals*, When he (Jeſus) was riſen early on
δε πρωι πρωτη το
the first day of the week.
In this phraſe of St. Mark's, τ р To caßßals, we have the true Jewiſh ſtyle;
and we are clearly informed by it, that the Jews, in that age, computed the
* The word caßßalor occurs in the fame fenfe, Luke xviii. 12. NuSEUW Sis To CaßBars, I faft, fays
the proud Pharifee, not twice on the Sabbath day, but twice a week; where the moſt eminent and the mott
diftinguiſhed day is put for the whole week.
00002
days
652
The Chronology of the World.
days of the week in this manner; namely, The first of the Sabbath ; The
fecond of the Sabbath; The third of the Sabbath; The fourth of the Sabbath
The fifth of the Sabbath; The fixth of the Sabbath; The Sabbath.
Let us now ſubſtitute St. Mark's terms inftead of St. Matthew's, chap.
xxviii. 1. and fee if they do not exactly anſwer the Engliſh verfion.
Διαγενομενο το σαββαλε, τη επιφωσκηση εις πρώτην το σαββαλς:
;
When the Sabbath was paft, and it began to dawn towards the first day of
the week.
L
Should it appear to a critical judgment, that dayevouers te caßßals, and ove
σαββαλων; and alfo, that πρωτη το σαββαλα, and μια των σαββατων, are undeniably fyno-
nymous terms, then the ſuppoſed difficulty, in St. Matthew's phraſes, is cleared
up at once.
SECT. II.
The Evangelifts have referred their readers to Mofes's law, and to the divine
inftitution of the first paffover, for the month and day of the month of
Chrift's paffion.
St. Matthew, St. Mark, and St. Luke, call the day on which Chriſt ſuffered,
the first day of unleavened bread; and St. John calls it, the day before the feast of
the pallover.
To this appellation of the first day of unleavened bread, St. Mark adds this
farther characteriſtic, when they killed the paffover; which St. Luke ftrengthens,
by ſaying, when the paffover must be killed. Now St. Luke's additional term,
de, muft, implies an obligation; and obligation implies a law; and the law, to
which theſe terms plainly refer, is recorded in the xiith chapter of Exodus.
Exod. xii. 1. And the Lord spake unto Mofes and Aaron in the land of
Egypt, faying,
ver. 3. Speak ye unto all the congregation of Ifrael, ſaying, In the tenth day of
this month, they shall take to them every man a lamb.
ver. 6. And they shall keep it up untill the fourteenth day of the fame month;
and the whole aſſembly of the congregation of Ifrael ſhall kill it (ben hag-
nárbajim.)
The point of time here enjoined, we have already interpreted to mean, the
middle diſtance between noon and fun-fetting at the equinox. We fhall now
obferve, that the feventy interpreters have rendered it aveμeσov Tepar.
But it
feems
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653
feems as difficult to underſtand the appropriated fenfe of the Greek verfion, as
of the Hebrew idiom.
We will try if we cannot aſcertain the fenfe of the Greek tranflation, by the
help of a phraſe which has affinity with it in St. Luke's gofpel.
Luke xxiv. 29. But they constrained him, faying, Abide with us, oh wрos caπeрav
esi, xù xexxixer u uμepo, i. e. the day is declined, or the fun is paſt the meridian, and
is tending towards its fetting. The whole amounts to faying, it was paft
noon, or dinner time; for the two difciples did not fup at Émaus, they dined
there, and after dinner returned back again to Jerufalem, the diſtance being
fixty furlongs, or ſeven miles and a half.
It appears from this text, that the Greek word α, as ufed by St. Luke,
does not preciſely fignify fix o'clock in the evening, nor is it rightly rendered
by Beza, advefperafcit, for it denotes the whole ſpace of time between the
fun's first declining from the meridian, and its ſetting at the equinox. So
that vμ жрav exactly answers to the Hebrew idiom, ben hagnarbaim; they,
with equal propriety, expreſs the middle diſtance between the two cardinal
points of the day.
SECT. III.
The Evangelifts borrow their terms from Mofes's hiftory of the first pallover,
and they have his immediate direction and authority for the ufe of every one
of them.
The reaſons why St. Matthew, St. Mark, and St. Luke, call the paffover
day, the first day of unleavened bread, (and here let the term, first day, Gr.
μρa, Heb. Jom harisbon, be particularly noted,) may be easily under-
ftood from the following texts :
Η πρώτη ημέρα,
4
Levit. xxiii. 5. In the fourteenth day of the first month, at even, is the Lord's
paſſover.
Exod. xii. 8. With unleavened bread, and with bitter herbs, (for it is the
bread of affliction, Deut. xvi. 3.) they shall eat it.
Deut. xvi. 4. There shall be no leavened bread feen with thee in all thy coafts
ſeven days; neither fhall any thing of the flesh which thou facrificed the
firſt day, (Jom hariſhon) at even, remain all night untill the morning.
ver. 6. Thou shalt facrifice the paffover, at even, at the going down of the fun,
at the feafon that thou cameft forth out of Egypt.
St. John (xiii. 1.) calls the paffover-day, the day before the feaft, and the
reaſon is evident from the following texts :
Levit.
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The Chronology of the World.
Levit. xxiii. 5. In the fourteenth day of the first month, at even, is the Lord's
pallover.
ver. 6. And on the fifteenth day of the fame month, is the feast of unleavened
bread unto the Lord.
Now if the first day of the feaſt was the 15th day of the month, it is certain,
that the day before the feast, muſt be the 14th. So that all the four Evangeliſts
deſcribe by a periphrafis, to be explained by Moſes's law, the 14th day of the
month; although St. John's ftyle is fomewhat different from the reſt.
SECT. IV.
In what diftinct and limited fenfe the fourteenth day of the month is called
Jom hariſhon, the firft day of unleavened bread.
Mofes expreſsly ſays, Exod. xii. 15. Seven days fhall ye eat unleavened bread ;
even the firſt day ye shall put away leaven out of your houſes.
ver. 16. And in the first day (of the feaſt) there ſhall be an holy convocation.
One would be apt to conclude, by comparing Mofes's accounts together,
that there was the fame difference between the first day of unleavened bread,
and the first day of the feaſt of unleavened bread, as there was between the 14th
and the 15th day of the month; but upon a cloſer examination we ſhall find
it to be otherwife.
St. Mark writes thus, (chap. xiv. 1.) Ην δε το πασχα ή το άζυμα μελα δύο ημέρας,
After two days was the paffover and unleavened bread.
Now the paffover-day included, like all other days, what we call 24 hours;
whilſt a?vμa, or unleavened bread, is applied by Mofes to the cloſe or laft point
of it: this is evident from Exod. xii. 18. In the fourteenth day of the month, at
even, ye shall eat the paſſover.
Month VII. I.
14th day ends.
Begnereb.
15th day begins. Beboa fhemesh.
At fix o'clock in the evening. I Jom harisbon.
At the going down of the fun. Jom barishon.
There is ſomething fo extremely accurate, and fo truly aftronomical, in theſe
definitions and computations of Mofes, that we fhall endeavour to illuftrate
them by an example taken from the folar tropical year.
illuftration,
And thus we ſtate the
At
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655
At the autumnal equinox A.D. 1760, the fun finifhed its 5767th annual
revolution, 7 minutes paſt three o'clock in the afternoon, in the meridian of
the Greenwich obfervatory; and at that hour and minute the 5768th revolution,
which is now current, began at the fame place.
What we mean will be clearly understood, if we fet down theſe two years
together, in the following manner:
A. D. 1760.
H. M.
A.M. 5767 ends, 3 7 p. m. A. M. 5768 begins.
Now as one folar tropical year begins where the preceeding year ends to a
moment, it is plain that the diftinction between the two years is preferved by
the terms end and beginning.
Juſt in like manner, as the 15th day of the month begins at the fame point
on which the 14th day ends, and as the Ifraelites were commanded to eat
unleavened bread juſt ſeven days, from the 14th day of the month at even, (at
the going down of the fun) to the one and twentieth day of the month at even,
it is plain that there could be but the difference of a moment, between the firſt
day of unleavened bread, and the first day of the feast of unleavened bread; and
yet three of the Evangelifts defcribe the 14th day of the month by theſe
terms, и πри иμерa тav auμav, becaufe they began to eat the pafchal lamb with
unleavened bread at the end of that day.
It was quite neceffary to underſtand rightly this nice diftinction, that we
might be the better able to form a true judgment of the following accounts
and explanations.
SECT. V.
Jefus, the night in which he was betrayed, did not eat the legal paffover with his
difciples.
1. When the firſt day of unleavened bread was come; (in other words, at
fix o'clock in the evening, or in the beginning of the 14th day of the month,
full one and twenty hours before the pafchal lamb was flain) Jefus fent two of
his diſciples, Peter and John, to Jerufalem.
2. When theſe two difciples were fent away, Jefus himſelf, with the other
diſciples, left Bethany, and entered the upper room, in which they fupped
together, is evoμerus, when it was paft fix, but how much before or after
feven o'clock in the evening, we cannot determine.
3. When
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The Chronology of the World.
3. When Judas went out of the gueſt-chamber, with a full purpoſe to betray
Jefus, ruž uv, it was night, fays St. John, xiii. 30. that is, it was paſt nine o'clock
at night, and before midnight.
4. After Judas was gone out, Jefus continued fometime in the gueſt-chamber,
and held a diſcourſe with his eleven diſciples, (John xiv.) at the cloſe of which,
he ſaid, ver. 31. Arife, let us go bence.
5. Jefus having finiſhed his diſcourſe, in the ſame room in which he had
fupped, he and his eleven difciples, having fung a hymn, went out together to
the mount of Olives, (Matt. xxvi. 30.) and paffing over the brook Cedron,
they came unto a place called Gethsemane, (Matt. xxvi. 30.) where was a
garden, (John xviii. 1.) into which he entered with his difciples.
6. In the way to Gethsemane, Jefus fpake to his diſciples of many things,
of their forfaking him, of his going before them into Galilee after he was
rifen, of Peter's denial, which he had foretold for the first time in the gueſt-
chamber, (John xiii. 38.) and of all thofe particulars, which are the fubject
of the xvth, xvith, and xviith chapters of St. John's goſpel, which muſt take
up fome time; and whether he entered the garden before, at, or after
midnight; or how long he continued in his agony and his prayers, is not
certain.
7. In the third watch of the night, fometime after midnight and before
the cock-crowing, or three o'clock in the morning, cometh Judas into the
garden with a band of foldiers and officers of the Chief Priefts and Pharifees,
Who apprehend, bind, and carry away Jefus, to Annas's houſe firſt, to be
examined concerning his doctrine and his diſciples, John xviii, 19.
8. In the fourth watch of the night, or between three and four o'clock in
the morning, the fanhedrim met; and the queſtion being put, what think
they all condemned him to be guilty of death, Mark xiv. 64.
ye?
9. At fix o'clock in the morning, when it was pα, John xviii. 28, led
they Jefus from Caiphas to Pilate the Roman governor, into the judgment-
hall, where St. John obſerves, that the Jews, his accufers, went not into the
judgment-hall, left they ſhould be defiled, axx' wa pay to maza, but that they
might eat the paffover.
We are now advanced twelve hours in the paffover-day, and we are here
certified that the paffover was not eaten yet; it was ftillagdoxen Toya, the
preparation of the paffover, John xix. 14.
10. About the third hour of the day, or nine o'clock in the morning, Jefus,
bearing his crofs, was led away to mount Calvary, and was crucified before
twelve o'clock at noon, as appears by their being able to read the fuperfcription,
which Pilate had ordered to be wrote in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, on the
top of the croſs, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
11. From
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657
II. From the fixth hour to the ninth, or from noon to three o'clock, there
was darkneſs over all the land; at the ninth hour, or at three o'clock in the
afternoon, Jefus, having cried with a loud voice, gave up the ghoft.
Thus was the paffover accompliſhed, compleated, or fulfilled in the death of
Chrift; for he died on the month, day, hour, and minute, in which, by the
law of Mofes, the paſchal lamb was ordered to be flain; and with great pro-
priety did Jefus call it his hour, (John xiii. 1.) and his appointed feafon, (Matth.
xxvi. 18.) Chrift died for the ungodly, (fays St. Paul, Rom. v. 6.) to raison, in
the appointed feaſon.
12. That the body of Jeſus, and of the two malefactors, which were crucified
with him, might not remain on the croſs on the Sabbath day, Joſeph of
Arimathea, having begged of Pilate the body of Jefus, took it down, wrapped
it in fine linnen, and laid it in his own new tomb when the Sabbath drew on,
a little before fix o'clock in the evening, at which time, the paffover, by the
law of Mofes, was to be eaten.
Therefore, unleſs we can fuppofe, that Jefus eat the paffover contrary to
the Law, or three hours after he was dead, we muſt conclude that he did not
eat that paffover at all: nor can it be proved, that the difciples, who were now
ſcattered and diſperſed upon the condemnation and death of their Lord and
Maſter, recovered themſelves fo far, as to meet together in that upper room,
which he had provided for them, and eat it at the legal time, i. e. in the
evening, at the going down of the fun, a little after Jefus was laid in the
grave.
SECT. VI.
The Evangelifts defcribe the laſt fupper which Jefus eat with his difciples, in
terms, which cannot, with any propriety, be applied to the eating of the legal
pallover.
Matth. xxvi. 20. Οψίας δε γενομένης ανέκειτο μελος των δώδεκα.
Engliſh verfion:
Now when the even was come, he fat down with the twelve.
Mark xiv. 17. Και οψίας γενομενης ερχεται μετα των δώδεκα.
ver. 18. Και ανακειμένων, η εσθιόντων, είπεν ο Ιησες. Αμην λέγω υμιν, ότι εις εξυμων παραδώσει με
ο εσθίων μετ' εμβο
English verfion:
ver. 17. And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.
ver. 18. And as they fat and did eat, Jefus faid, Verily I say unto you, one
of you, which eateth with me, ſhall betray me.
PPPP
Luke
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Luke xxii. 14. Και στε εγενετο η ώρα, ανέπεσε, και οι δωδεκα αποςολοι συν αυτώ.
English verfion:
And when the bour was come, he fat down, and the twelve apoſtles with him.
(1.) In the difcuffion of this nice and difficult queftion, we muſt carefully
remember theſe two particulars, namely, ift, That Chrift fuffered on the first
day of unleavened bread, when the paffover must be killed. 2dly, That the day
on which Chriſt ſuffered was the fourteenth day of the month, on the evening
of which, at the going down of the fun, the paffover was to be eaten as a
facrifice to the Lord, full three hours after it was killed.
And, therefore, although the two difciples, Peter and John, when they
went to Jerufalem in the beginning of that day, might prepare the paffover
fo far as to beſpeak a lamb, (and likewife bitter herbs and unleavened bread
yet they could not procure it, until it ſhould be killed, by the prieſts in the
temple, above twenty hours after.
(2.) St. Matthew and St. Mark, both of them make uſe of this phraſe,
alias gevoμerus, which our Engliſh verfion renders, when the evening was come,
and, in the evening. But the Goſpel term, a, denotes the first watch of the
night, and extends from fix o'clock to nine. So that whether Jefus and his
ten diſciples came to Jerufalem after fix and before ſeven, or after ſeven and
before eight at night, ftill it was in the beginning of the paffover-day; in
other words, it was wea Sev, Luke xiv. 17. fupper time, and not the hour
of eating the paffover preſcribed by the law.
(3.) When Jefus and his twelve apoſtles were affembled together in the
gueſt-chamber, St. Matthew fays, chap. xxvi. 20. avexe70, St. Luke xxii. 14.
VETEGEV, which literally fignifies, reclinavit fe, recubuit, accubuit, i. e. he laid
himſelf all along upon a triclinium, after the manner of the Romans when
they eat.
But to eat the paffover in a reclining or recumbent pofture is no precept of
Mofes's law, but the contrary.
Exod. xii. 11. Thus fhall ye eat it, fays God, with your loins girded, your
Shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; ye shall eat it in haſte, it
is the Lord's paffover.
Deut. xvi. 3. Thou shalt eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of
affliction, for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haſte.
By theſe rites and ceremonies, by theſe acts and gestures, thou art inftructed
to remember the day thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of
thy life.
Now
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Now what aptitude is there in a reclining or recumbent poſture, to exprefs
or commemorate the nature and circumftances of fuch a wonderful deli-
verance?
(4.) St. Mark writes thus, (ch. xiv. 18.) avaxμevov autor i esdiovlar, whilft
ανακειμένων αυτων ή εσθιονίων,
they were reclined and eating, namely, their fupper; ſhould it be ſuppoſed,
that mara, (pallover) not Servor, (Supper) must be underſtood? The answer is,
that the participle Solov is itſelf a proof of the contrary.
To eat bread is expreffed in the Goſpel fometimes by the verb toe, (Matt.
xv. 2.) and ſometimes by the verb gayev, (Mark iii. 20.) promifcuoufly and
indifferently. But a Toxa is an appropriated phrafe; ev is never ap-
plied to x; it is not Goſpel language; it never once occurs, where either
the evangelical or the legal paffover is fpoken of, as it will appear by examin-
ing the following texts, Matth. xxvi. 17, 26. Mark xiv. 12, 14, 22. Luke
xxii. 8, 11, 15, 16. 1 Cor. xi. 20, 24.
(5.) Luke xxii. 14. we read, Kas ole eyevelo wpa (fubintellige, Sev) that is,
when the hour (of Supper), or Supper time was come.
That the word Servo, fupper, muſt be here underſtood, is evident, becauſe
the paffover was to be eaten in the end of the 14th, and in the beginning of
the 15th day of the month; but Jefus eat his laft fupper with his difciples,
or twelve apoſtles, in the end of the 13th, and in the beginning of the 14th
day of the month.
(6.) Our argument will be ftrengthened by the following paffage in St.
Luke's Goſpel.
Luke xxii. 20. Ωσαύτως και το ποίηριον, μετα το δειπνήσει, Likewife after fupper, he
took the cup.
Here let it be obferved, St. Luke fays, Mel To Savиo, after fupper, not,
Melo parew to maga, after they had eaten the pallover.
(7.) St. John, in his fupplemental Gofpel, relates feveral circumſtances which
are omitted by the other three Evangelifts, and which happened tus explus to
roxa, the day before the feast of the pallover.
πασχα,
In the beginning of the 14th day of the month, when Jefus knew, (John
xiii. 1.) that his hour was come, and that he ſhould, that very day, paſs (Gr.
μεταβη, a verb borrowed from the feaft, and which the Jews call μεταβητήριο»
from out of this world unto the father, having loved his own which were in the
world, he loved them unto the end. He laboured, by precept and by example,
to advance and perfect their happineſs.
We read, Luke xxii. 24. that there was a ftrife among the apoftles, which
of them ſhould be accounted the greateft.
Pppp 2
This
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This contention aroſe deve evoμeve, John xiii. 12. (not, fupper being ended,
as in the Engliſh verfion, but) whilst they were at fupper; or in the words of
St. Mark, v avlar, whilft they were eating.
The meek and humble Jefus, not only to reprove, but in order to put a
ftop to fuch an ambitious ftrife, rifeth from fupper (ver. 4.) and laying afide his
garments, poureth water into a bafon, and began to wash his difciples feet, and to
wipe them with the towel with which he was girded.
After he had done this, and refumed his place, he faith unto them,
I have given you an example, that as I have done, ye may do alfo.
ver. 18. I speak not of you all as clean; I know whom I have chofen; but that
the fcripture may be fulfilled, (Pfal. xli. 9.) O swwv μet er for aslov Exuper E’
τρωγων μετ' εμε τον αρ7ον επηρεν επ'
εμε την περναν αυτό. He that eateth bread with me bath lift up his heel
against me.
ver. 21. When Jefus had thus faid, he was troubled in fpirit, and teftified, and
faid, Verily, verily, I fay unto you, one of you, that dippeth his hand with
me in the dish, (Matt. xxvi. 23.) ſhall betray me.
ver. 25. Then John, at the request of Peter, afked, Lord, who is it?
ver. 26. Jefus anfwered, be it is to whom I fhall give a fop when I have
dipped it; and when he had dipped the fop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the
Jon of Simon.
ver. 30. Then (Judas) having received the fop, went out immediately, to perform
his agreement with the Chief Prieſts and Pharifees; and he executed his
treachery that very night.
Now the pafchal lamb, by the law of Mofes, (Exod. xii. 9.) was not to be
eaten raw, nor fodden at all with water, but roast with fire; and it was to be
roafted whole, his head, with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.
But do any of thefe phrafes and terms, or do all of them taken together,
diſcover to us the eating of a roafted lamb? They ſeem to have no reference
to it, or to give the leaft hint or intimation of it.
We fay, then, that the Evangeliſts in defcribing our Saviour's laft fupper,
which he eat with his twelve apoftles in the night before he ſuffered, make uſe
of no paſchal terms, which can afford us any grounds to believe that they then
eat the legal paffover.
SECT. VII.
The two difciples, Peter and John, when they were fent by Jefus from Bethany to
Jerufalem, in the beginning of the first day of unleavened bread, av To
qa, made preparation for eating the legal paffover, according to the ac-
cuſtomed manner.
паха,
The
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661
L
The twelve apoſtles were all of them Jews, and zealous for the law of
Mofes; they had been inftructed from their youth, that all the males of Ifrael
(Deut. xvi. 16.) where to appear three times a year before the Lord their God,
in that place which he ſhould chufe to place his name there, (1.) In the feaft
of unleavened bread. (2.) In the feaft of weeks. (3.) In the feaft of ta-
bernacles.
They knew, by their own experience, that their Lord and Mafter Jefus,
was himſelf a ſtrict obferver of the law, under which he was born; (Gal. iv.
14.) that he conſtantly attended the public worſhip in the Jewiſh fynagogue
every Sabbath day, and the Jewiſh feſtivals at their appointed feafons: they
took it for granted, that they fhonld eat this very paffover together as uſual;
nor do they ſeem to have had any doubt or fufpicion of the contrary; and in
this full perfuafion, a to ga, they made the accuſtomed preparations
for it.
And yet, all this while, they either did not underſtand, or they had quite
let flip out of their minds and memories, Jefus's repeated predictions concerning,
not only the manner of his death, but alſo the very day on which he ſhould
die. Theſe predictions we ſhall ſet down in order as they occur in the Goſpel
of St. Matthew.
Jefus foreſheweth his death the firſt time.
Matth. xvi. 21. From that time forth
began fefus to ſhew unto his difciples,
how that he must go unto Jerufalem, and
Suffer many things of the Elders, and
Chief Priefts, and Scribes; and be killed,
and be raiſed again the third day.
ver. 22. Then Peter took him, and
began to rebuke him, faying, Be it far
from thee, Lord: this shall not be done
unto thee.
Jeſus foreſheweth his death the ſecond time.
Matth. xvii. 22. And while they
abode in Galilee, Jefus faid unto them,
The Son of man fhall be betrayed into
the hands of men.
ver.
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*
ver. 23. And they fhall kill him, and
the third day he shall be raiſed again;
and they were exceeding forry.
Jefus foreſheweth his
Matth. xx. 17. And Jefus going up
to Jerufalem, took the twelve apoftles
apart in the way, and faid unto them,
ver, 18. Behold, we go up to feru-
falem, and the Son of man fhall be be-
trayed unto the Chief Priests, and unto
the Scribes, and they shall condemn him
to death,
ver. 19. And ſhall deliver him to the
Gentiles, to mock, and to scourge, and
to crucify him, and the third day he
fball rife again.
Mark ix. 32. But they understood
not that faying, and were afraid to
afk him.
death the third time.
Luke xviii. 34. And they understood
none of theſe things, and this faying
was bid from them, neither knew they
the things which were ſpoken.
Jefus foreſheweth his death the fourth time, and the very day on which
he ſhould die,
Matth. xxvi. 1. And it came to paſs,
when Jefus had finished all theſe fayings,
be faid unto his difciples, (Mark xiii. 3.)
Peter, and James, and John, and An-
drew,
ver. 2. Ye know, that after two
days is the paffover, when (on which
day) the Son of man is betrayed to be
crucified.
It plainly appears, from St. Matthew's account, compared with the parallel
places in the Goſpels of St. Mark and St. Luke, that if the difciples (eſpecially
Peter and John, who were two of the four to whom but two days before
(Matt. xxvi. 2.) it had been openly declared that the Son of man fhould be
betrayed to be crucified on the paffover day) had either underſtood, or called
to mind the things which Jefus had faid; or if, as he himſelf had admoniſhed,
(Luke ix. 24.) the predictions had funk into their ears, they would not
have
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663
have addreffed their mafter in the manner as is related by St. Matthew,
chap. xxvi. 17.
Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee that thou mayeft eat the paſſover?
They would not, we fay, have addreffed him in this manner, becauſe, from
his repeated predictions they might have been affured, he would not live to
eat it with them at the fet time.
It is very obfervable, that Jefus does not, upon this occafion, apply himſelf
to the diſciples, but the diſciples to him; they come to him of their own accord,
and ſay unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee? Nor is it at all
certain, from the narrations of the Evangelifts, when rightly harmonized, that
he gave any exprefs orders to Peter and John concerning the paffover.
I have inferted theſe words, when rightly harmonized, with refpect to St. Luke's
relation; whoſe words at the firſt view, and as they are rendered in the Engliſh
verfion, may induce the reader to conclude, that Jefus firft addrefied himſelf
to his diſciples, and not they to him, as we have ſtated it above, from the ſtyle
of St. Matthew and St. Mark.
St. Luke's words in the original are theſe,
Luke xxii. 7. Ηλθε δε η ημερα των αζύμων, εν η εδει θύεσθαι το πάσχα.
ver. 8. Και απέςειλε Πετρον η Ιωαννην, ειπων Πορευθεν ες ετοιμαζετε ημιν το πασχα, ινα φαγωμεν.
ver. 9. (Οι δε είπον αυτω Πε θελεις ετοιμασωμεν; )
ver. 7. Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the paſſover muſt
be killed.
ver. 8. And he fent Peter and John, ſaying, Go and prepare us the paſſover
that we may eat it ;
ver. 9. (Now they were faying unto him, where wilt thou that we prepare?)
The joint relations of St. Matthew and St. Mark require us to render theſe
words, OF SE ESTOY OUTY, Now they were faying unto him, and to include them in a
parenthefis; this reconciles and brings to an agreement the narrations of the
three Evangelifts, with this difference only, that St. Luke makes the difciples
address their mafter in the plural number, including themſelves; whilft
St Matthew and St. Mark exprefs themſelves in the fingular number; but this
makes no difference in the fenfe. And, we may add, that Luke's words, or
manner of expreffion, plainly diſcover to us, the fentiments, expectations, and
fettled perfuafion of the difciples, that they ſhould as certainly eat that paffover
together, as they had formerly done, during Jefus's public miniftry, although
it be not explicitly recorded.
Thus
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Thus then ftand the relations of the three Evangeliſts:
St. Matth. xxvi. 17.
St. Mark xiv. 12.
П SEXES ETOIμaowμEV σOL pazaly To παoxα;
Πε θέλεις απελθοντες ετοιμάσωμεν ινκ φαγης το πασχα;
St. Luke xxii. 8, 9. Πε θελεις πορευθέντες ετοιμασωμεν ημιν το πασχα να φαγωμεν ;
{
Matth. Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the paſſover?
Mark. Where will thou that we go and prepare the paſſover that thou mayſt
eat it?
Luke. Where wilt thou that we go and prepare for us the paſſover that we may
eat it?
St. Mark thus continues the narration:
Mark xiv. 3. And he fendeth forth two of his difciples, and faith unto them,
into the city, and there ſhall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water,
follow him.
go
ver. 14. And wherefover he shall go in, fay ye to the good man of the houſe,
where is the guest-chamber, one garu, where I may eat the paſſover with
difciples?
my
This interrogatory does not include any pofitive orders or directions about the
paffover; it evidently relates to the largeneſs and capacity of the room, where
Jefus might either dine or fup, or eat the paffover, (had he lived to eat it) or
conveniently perform any other act of the like nature, when he and his twelve
difciples fhould be affembled together. And probably Jefus might confider
this room as a fafe retreat for his friends after his death, which was now
approaching, from the rage, malice, and perfecution of the Jews.
ver. 15. And he will ſhew a large upper room furniſhed and prepared, - there
make ready for us (a fupper.)
Matt. xxvi. 19. And the difciples did as Jefus had appointed them, (they
made ready a fupper, and) they (alfo) made preparation for eating the
paflover in its feafon.
The order here given by Jefus, cannot be underſtood to mean, as if he had
faid, Έχει ετοιμαετε ημιν το πασχα να φαγωμεν, There make ready the pafchal lamb for
us, that we may eat it, becauſe the time for killing the pafchal lamb was
not yet come,
They killed the pafchal lamb, ſays Jofephus, από εννάτης ώρας έως ενδέκατης, from
the ninth hour until the eleventh, that is, from three o'clock in the afternoon
until
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665
until five; in the remaining hour of the day they roaſted it; at the fetting of
the fun they were to eat it. At this time Jefus was refting in the grave; and
when the ſhepherd was fmitten, the fheep were ſcattered.
It does not appear, indeed, that Jefus interpofed fo far as to prevent, much
lefs did he forbid his difciples, Tara To Taya, to make preparation for eating the
paffover. He rather feems, by theſe words, or gay, where I may eat the
paffover, tacitly to have permitted it. And had he only faid, where I may eat
my last fupper with my difciples, which was the real truth and matter of fact,
he might have alarmed their apprehenfions, and have been reduced to the
neceflity of explaining himſelf more fully to them all, than would have been
proper or convenient at that critical and momentous feafon. He knew what
he would do, and the difciples earneftnefs and zeal to eat the paffover in
obedience to the Law, as it was praife-worthy, fo it did not at all interfere
with his preſent purpoſe. And the event manifefted, that his preſent purpoſe
was, to introduce and eſtabliſh, after fupper, the evangelical paffover, for a
perpetual memorial of our ſpiritual redemption, from the bondage of fin, fatan,
and death, by the blood of the cross; as the legal paffover was an inſtituted
memorial of the Ifraelites temporal redemption from the bondage of Egypt,
and of the deſtroying angel's paffing over their houſes, upon the account of
their being ſprinkled with the blood of the pafchal lamb.
We muſt not omit to remark, that Jefus, at this new inftitution, declared,
in the prefence of his difciples, faying,
Luke xxii. 16. From henceforth I will eat no more of it, (the legal paffover)
until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
Which was as much as to fay, he would never eat of it more; and the
declaration was verified by his death.
SECT. VIII.
St. Matthew and St. Luke apply the term, narxa, in an evangelical and ſpi-
ritual fenfe.
St. Paul explains what we mean by the evangelical and ſpiritual ſenſe of the
term α-xα, when he ſays,
TO
1 Cor. v. 7. For Chrift, To wαoxɑ nμw, our paffover was flain for us.
ver. 8. Therefore, soraμer, let us keep the feast, not with the old leaven,
neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, (as the Jews did, who
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at
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at this very feaft crucified their Meffiah) but with the unleavened bread
of fincerity and truth.
There are many intereſting doctrines and faving truths delivered and incul-
cated in the Goſpel, which it would be abfurd to underſtand in a literal ſenſe.
We ſhall give the following examples:
(1.) Jefus, in his conference with Nicodemus, fays,
John iii. 3. Except a man be born again, (or from above) he cannot ſee the
kingdom of God.
Nicodemus, taking the words in a literal fenfe, abfurdly afks, How can a
man be born when he is old? Can be enter the fecond time into his mother's womb,
and be born?
ver. 6. Jefus answered, That which is born of the flesh, is flesh; and that
which is born of the fpirit, is fpirit.
Jefus, in theſe laft words, lets the mafter of Ifrael know, that as there was
a natural, fo was there alfo a fpiritual birth; but he comprehended it not.
(2.) John vi. 48. I am the bread of life.
ver. 51. I am the living bread, which came down from heaven;- the bread
that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
ver. 52. The Jews therefore ftrove amongst themselves, faying, How will this
man give us his flesh to eat? in a literal fenfe.
(3.) Luke xxii. 15. And he faid unto them, With defire I have defired to eat
TYTO To Tax, this paffover with you, before I fuffer.
το πασχα,
Jefus here ſpeaks in terms borrowed from the legal paffover, but in direct
contradiſtinction to it; nor can the expreffions be underſtood literally, becauſe
he neither eat the paſchal lamb, nor did he taſte the bread or wine.
If Jeſus, when he spake theſe words, TYTO To Tax, this paffover, had not
the facramental bread in his hands, yet the elements of bread and wine were
before him, and he was juſt going to diftribute them amongſt his diſciples, and
to appoint them, by confecration, to be the future fymbols of his body broken,
and of his blood fhed for us, for the remiffion of fins.
We are not here to confider the difciples as commemorating the death of
Chrift, for he was at that time corporally prefent with them; but we have
here the original inſtitution of that moſt holy rite.
Jefus
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Jefus defcribes the ſpiritual union and communion between him and his
diſciples, in facramental terms.
John vi. 56. He that eateth my fleſh, and drinketh my blood, abideth in me,
and I in him.
Matt. xxvi. 29. But I fay unto you, I will not drink benceforth of the fruit of
the vine, until I drink it new with you in my father's kingdom when
the facrament of Chrift's body and blood, ſhall be regularly adminiftred in
the Chriſtian church.
Matth. xxvi. 18. And he faid, Go into the city to fuch a man, and fay unto
him, The Mafter fays, μ egyos öst.
As if he had faid, the appointed feafon of my being offered up as the true
pafchal lamb, as the Lamb of God that taketh away the fins of the world, is at
hand; the predicted month, and day of the month, is come; the predicted
hour and minute is coming: I fhall not live to eat the legal paffover in its fet
time; and, therefore, gose To Tαoxα, i. e. I ordain, or appoint, the (evan-
gelical) paffover at thy houſe with my diſciples.
For this fenſe of T we appeal to the following texts :
Mark iii. 14. Kai eroinge Sw♪exa, And he ordained twelve.
Acts ii. 36. Therefore let all the house of Ifrael know affuredly, that God,
STOISEY, hath ordained, or appointed, that fame Jefus, whom ye have crucified,
to be both Lord and Chrift.
εποίησεν,
From all theſe arguments taken together, the reader is to judge, whether
our Saviour, in the night before he fuffered, eat the legal paffover with his
diſciples, or only a common fupper, which has been called xupiaxov Savor, the
Lord's Supper, ever fince.
:
SECT. IX.
The Meffiah was cut off, (Dan. ix. 26.) or Chrift died the death of the cross, on
the 14th day of a lunar month, computed from the evening of apparition.
The death of Chrift, the Prince of life, and the Lord of glory, is an event
the moſt intereſting to the whole world of all others fince the beginning of it;
and as the year, month, and day, in which the things relating to our falvation
and redemption were finiſhed, (Texeneav, John xix. 30.) must be afcertained
upon fcriptural evidences; facred chronology, if in this article, it fully anſwers
the end propofed, will fhine in a more confpicuous and in a more advantageous
light,
Qqqq 2
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light, than upon all other accounts taken together; fince the birth of Chriſt,
ftrictly speaking, was but as a means to this falutary end, John xviii. 37.
The fcriptural computation is both folar and lunar, and, therefore, order
requires that we fhould firft fettle the folar tropical reckoning, and then the
lunar, which is included in it. To this end, here follows
QUERY I. In what folar tropical year of the world was the Meffiab cut off,
or did Chrift die the death of the cross?
For a folution of this query, we are neceffitated to have recourſe to the
prophecy of Daniel's LXX weeks; there being no other part or parts of ſcripture
which point out, or can immediately direct us to the year, month, and day,
of Chrift's death.
This prophecy was given to Daniel in the beginning of the firſt
year of the
reign of Darius the Mede, or of Cyaxeres the fon of Aftyges, at Babylon,
and in the beginning of the 69th year of the Babyloniſh captivity, A. M.
juſt two years before the Jews were releaſed, by virtue of Cyrus's decree, in
the firſt year of his reign, Ezra i. 1.
3471,
Here follows the prophecy, as it is read in our Engliſh verfion, to which
we have annexed, in the right hand column, a few corrections, and fome
neceffary explanations.
Daniel ix.
ver. 24. Seventy weeks are deter-
mined upon thy people, and upon thy
holy city; to finish the tranfgreffion;
and to make an end of fin; and to
make reconciliation for iniquity; and
to bring in everlasting righteousness;
and to feal up the vifion and prophecy;
and to anoint the Most Holy.
ver. 25. Know, therefore,' and un-
derſtand, that, from the going forth
of the commandment to restore and to
build Jerufalem, unto the Meffiah the
prince, fhall be feven weeks, and three-
Score and two weeks,
The
Daniel ix.
ver. 24. Seventy weeks are deter-
mined upon thy people, and upon thy
holy city; (1.) To reftrain the [original]
tranfgreffion; (2.) To perfect the fin-
offering; (3.) To make expiation for
iniquity; (4.) To bring in the ever-
lafting righteoufnefs of the Gospel, in-
ftead of the temporary law of Moſes
(5.) To feal up, compleat, or fulfil the
prophetic vifion; (6.) To anoint the
Most Holy.
肉
​&
;
ver. 25. Know, therefore, and un-
derftand, that, from the going forth
of a commandment, decree, licence,
or permiflion, from a future king of
Perfia to reftore; and moreover, from
the going forth of a decree, licence,
+
or
The Chronology of the World.
6691
Daniel ix..
The ſtreet ſhall be built again and
the wall, even in troublous times.
ver. 26. And after threescore and
two weeks ſhall Meffiah be cut off; but
not for himſelf, and the people of the
prince that shall come, fhall deftroy the
city and the fanctuary; and the end
thereof shall be with a flood, and unto,
the end of the war defolations are de
termined.
{
ver. 27. And he shall confirm the
covenant with many for one week, and
in the midst of the week he shall caufe
the facrifice and oblation to cease, and
for the overspreading of abominations,
he hall make it defolate, even until
the confummation, and that determined,
Shall be poured upon the defolate.
Daniel ix.
or permiffion, from the fame king of
Perfia, [full fourteen years after] to
build Jerufalem, its streets and wall,
unto Meffiah Nagid, fhall be VII weeks,
and LXII weeks.
The polity ſhall be restored, and the
Streets and wall of the city of Jerufalem
fhall be built in the ftrait of times; or
in the leffer of the two periods.
ver. 26. And after [VII weeks, and]
LXII weeks, i. e. after LXIX weeks,
fhall Meffiah be cut off; and they, the
Jews, who rejected and killed him,
fhall be no more his people. And the
future people of Meffiah Nagid, i. e. the
Romans, fhall deftroy the city and the
fanctuary; and the end thereof ſhall
be with an overflowing inundation,
and unto the end of the war defola-
tions are determined.
ver. 27. And, in the one remaining
week, he [the Meffiab] fhall make a
firm covenant [of grace] with many
of the Jews who fhall believe in him
upon the preaching of the Goſpel;
and in the half of the remaining pro-
phetic week, i. e. in the end of three
years and a half, [for fo long fhall he
himſelf preach the Gofpel to them]
he fhall [by his death upon the cross]
cauſe the Levitical facrifices and obla-
tions [virtually] to ceaſe.
And, moreover, in the one remain-
ing week, [with refpect to the latter
decree] he, the Roman emperor Nero,
or the future people of Meffiah Nagid,
i. e. the Romans, fhall make a firm
covenant of peace with many neigh-
bouring nations; and in the half of
the
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The Chronology of the World.
>
Daniel ix.
the remaining prophetic week, i. e. in
the end of three years and a half [for
fo long ſhall the Romans carry on the
war againſt the Jews] he, the then
Roman emperor Vefpafian, by his fon
Titus, fhall cauſe the facrifice and obla-
tion [finally] to ceaſe.
Then the defolating abominations
[i. e. the idolatrical enfigns of the
Romans, having the images of their
falfe gods painted on them, and were
therefore detefted by the Jews] fhall
ftand gnal kenaph, upon the battlements
of the temple, and in the holy place;
and in this defolation Jerufalem ſhall
continue, even until the conſumma-
tion of God's determined vengeance;
and then ſhall wrath be poured out
upon the [Gentile] defolator,
The two grand events referred to in this prophecy, are, firft, The cutting
off the Meffiah; and, in confequence of that, the rejection of the Jews,
that they should be no more God's peculiar people. And, fecondly, The
deftruction of Jeruſalem, that it ſhould be no more the holy city, where God
was to be worſhipped, as under the Mofaic œconomy, by facrifice and oblation.
And reckoning from certain fixed dates, which dates are given by the angel,
LXX weeks, (or 490 folar tropical and alfo 490 Chaldee years) were determined,
in the divine counſel and foreknowledge, for the continuance of both.
Daniel ix. 23. At the beginning of thy fupplications, fays the angel Gabriel
to the prophet Daniel, the commandment from the throne of God came forth to me,
to inform thee, for thou art greatly beloved, concerning thy people and thy holy
city, for whom in prayer thou art fo follicitous. And then, to excite the greater
attention, he adds, bin baddabar, intellige de verbo, take ſpecial notice of what
I ſhall ſay concerning a commandment or decree; for from the going forth of
a commandment, (from a future king of Perfia) firſt, to restore, and after-,
wards, to build Jerufalem, you are to look for the date of the prophecy which
I am going to deliver to you,
That branch of the prophecy, whofe chronological computation we are at
preſent more immediately concerned with, is contained in verfes 25 and 26.
Know,
The
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Chronology of the World.
Know, therefore, and underſtand, that from the going forth of a commandment
(lehaſhib) to reſtore Jerufalem, (its ecclefiaftical and political ſtate) unto
Meffiah Nagid, are VII weeks and LXII weeks.
And after (VII weeks and) LXII weeks, i. e. after LXIX weeks, in a con-
tinued reckoning, ſhall Meffiah be cut off; and they, the Jews who cut him
off, fhall, for this bafe and ungrateful act, be no more his people.
Now, as four commandments went forth, in favour of the Jews, from
three feveral kings of Perfia, the first, from Cyrus, the fecond, from Darius
Hyftafpes, the third and fourth, from Artaxerxes Longimanus; the fureft way
to diſcover, which of the four exactly anfwer the exprefs character, lehashib,
to reſtore, will be to tranſcribe them in their order, as they are recorded in
the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, and then to examine the contents and
immediate purport of each.
I.
The first commandment or decree, in favour of the Jews, went forth in
the first year of the reign of Cyrus, and is recited by Ezra in the following
terms:
Ezra i. 1. In the first year of Cyrus king of Perfia, (that the word of the
Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled) the Lord stirred up the
Spirit of Cyrus king of Perfia, that he made a proclamation throughout
all his kingdom, and put it alfo in writing.
ver. 2. Thus faith Cyrus king of Perfia, The Lord God of heaven hath given
me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he hath charged me (Iſaiah xliv. 28.)
to build him an houſe at Jerufalem which is in Judah.
ver. 3. Who is there among you of all his people? The Lord be with him,
and let him go up to Jerufalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of
the Lord God of Ifrael.
Cyrus, in this decree, takes nothing more to himſelf than what immediately
and only regards the temple; fo ver. 2. The Lord hath charged me to build him
a houſe at Jerufalem.
II.
The fecond commandment or decree, in favour of the Jews, went forth
in the third year of the reign of Darius Hyftafpes, and it was but a renewal
or confirmation of Cyrus's decree, as will appear by the contents of it.
Ezra
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The Chronology of the World.
Ezra vi. 1. Then Darius the king made a decree
ver. 6. Now therefore Tatnai, governor beyond the river, and Shethar-boznai,
and your companions the Apharfachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far
from hence.
ver. 7. Let the work of this houfe of God alone; let the governour of the Jews,
and the elders of the Jews, build this houſe of God in his place.
ver. 8. Moreover I make a decree, what ye shall do to the elders of thefe Jews,
for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, even of·
the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expences be given unto theſe men, that
they be not hindred.
ver. 9. Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let
timber be pulled down from his houſe, and being fet up, let him be hanged
thereon, and let his houſe be made a dunghill for this.
ver 12. And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there, destroy all kings
and people that ſhall put to their hand, to alter and deftroy this house of God
which is at Ferufalem; I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with
Speed.
III.
The third commandment or decree, in favour of the Jews, went forth in
the latter end of the fixth, or in the beginning of the feyenth year of the reign
of Artaxerxes Longimanus king of Perfia, and the contents of it are contained
in the ſeventh chapter of the book of Ezra,
Ezra vii. 11. Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave
unto Ezra the prieſt.
ver. 12. Artaxerxes king of kings, unto Ezra the prieſt, a ſcribe of the law
of the God of heaven.
ver. 13. I make a decree, that all they of the people of Ifrael, and of his priests
and Levites in my realm, which are minded of their own free will to go
up to Jerufalem, go with thee.
ver. 14. Forafmuch as thou art fent of the king, and of his feven counsellors,
to enquire concerning Judah and Jerufalem, according to the law of thy God,
which is in thine hand.
ver. 21. And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree, to all the
treaſurers which are beyond the river, that whatſoever Ezra the priest, the
fcribe of the law of the God of heaven, ſhall require of you, it be done fpeedily.
ver. 23. Whatſoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently
done, for the houſe of the God of heaven; for why should there be wrath
against the king and his fons?
ver.
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673
ver. 24. Alſo we certifie you, that touching any of the priests and Levites,
fingers, porters, nethinims, or minifters of this houfe of God, it shall not be
lawful to impofe toll, tribute, or cuſtom upon them.
ver. 25. And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand,
Set magiftrates and judges, which may judge all the people which are beyond
the river; all fuch as know the laws of thy God, and teach ye them that know
them not.
ver. 26. And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king,
let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to
baniſhment, or to confifcation of goods, or impriſonment.
IV.
A commiffion was granted to Nehemiah the Tirſhatha, or governor, in the
latter end of the twentieth year of Artaxerxes Longimanus king of Perſia, to
build the wall and ſtreets of Jerufalem.
Nehemiah's account of his petition, and of the king's grant, is as followeth :
Nehem. i. 1. The words of Nehemiah the fon of Hachaliah. And it came
to paſs, in the month Chifleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shufan the
palace.
ver. 2. That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah,
and I aſked them concerning Jerufalem.
ver. 3. And they faid unto me, The wall of Jerufalem is (still) broken down,
and the gates thereof are (in the fame ftate they were left in, when) burnt
with fire by the Chaldeans.
year of
Chap. ii. 1. And it came to pass, in the month Nifan, in the twentieth
Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him, and I took up the wine and
gave it unto the king.
ver. 2. Wherefore the king ſaid unto me, Why is thy countenance fad?
ver. 3. And I ſaid unto the king, Why should not my countenance be fad, when
the city, the place of my fathers fepulchres, lieth waste.
ver. 4. Then the king ſaid unto me, For what doeft thou make request?
ver. 5. And I faid unto the king, If it pleafe the king that thou wouldst fend me
unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers fepulchres, that I may build it.
ver. 6. So it pleafed the king to fend me.
ver. 7. Moreover, I faid unto the king, If it pleafe the king, let a letter be
given unto me (ver. 8.) unto Afaph the keeper of the king's forreft, that he
may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace, which
Rrrr
(apper-
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The Chronology of the World.
(appertained) to the houſe, and for the wall of the city, and for the houſe
that I fhall enter into.
And the king granted me according to the good hand of my God upon me.
Upon comparing Ezra's and Nehemiah's accounts together, we plainly perceive,
that the prophetic characters lehashib velibnoth, to restore and build Jerufalem, are
to be taken in a diftinct and literal fenfe; the former character literally exprefling
the purport of the commiffion granted to Ezra the prieſt, in the latter end of
the fixth, or in the beginning of the ſeventh year of the reign of Artaxerxes
king of Perfia; whilft the latter character as literally expreffes the purport of
that commiffion, with which Nehemiah the Tirfhatha was delegated, in the
end of the twentieth year of the fame king of Perſia.
Here we ſhall obſerve, that as the ſeventh year of the reign of Artaxerxes
Longimanus, (which, in our canon, begins and ends aftronomically at the
vernal equinox) is the firft of the 490 (for fo many years are contained, as we
fhall fhew, in 70 weeks) in the folar tropical reckoning, where each
year confiſts
of 365 d. 5 h. 49 min. So likewife, the twenty-firft year of the reign of the
fame king of Perfia, is the firſt of the 490 years, in the Chaldee computation,
where each year confifts of 360 days, as it will clearly appear in the calcu-
lations.
Firſt, I am to fhew, that the former prophetic character, to restore Jeruſalem,
its ecclefiaftical and political fate, literally expreffes the purport of that com-
miffion which was granted to Ezra the prieſt, a fcribe of the law of the God
of heaven, in the beginning of the feventh year of the reign of Artaxerxes
Longimanus king of Perfia, and is the angelic date of the firſt branch of the
prophecy.
<<
"What is more common in fcripture, fays the learned Dr. Prideaux, (Hiftor.
"Connect. 1. v. p. 266.) than by Jerufalem to mean the whole political and
"ecclefiaftical ſtate of that people? And for the re-eftabliſhing of both theſe,
"and the ſettling them again upon the former baſis, from whence they had
"been overthrown by the Babylonians, and were not as yet but very imper-
fectly restored, the commiffion granted to Ezra was very full. For it gave
thorough power to restore the law of Mofes, and fully re-eſtabliſh the obfer-
"vance of it, both in church and ftate, and to appoint magiftrates and judges
"to govern
the people according to it, and to puniſh all fuch as ſhould be
"difobedient thereto, either with death, baniſhment, impriſonment, or con-
"fiſcation of goods, according as their crimes fhould be found to deſerve.
"And all this Ezra executed accordingly.
"Before his coming to Jerufalem with this commiffion, the fcriptures were
“in a manner loft, the people in a profound ignorance of the Law, and the
worſhip
"
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675
cr
ડ
"worſhip of God neglected, and every thing elſe, both in church and ſtate,
"in great diforder and confufion. But on his coming, he restored the
ſcriptures, inſtructed the people in the Law, brought the worſhip of God
"into due order, and proceeded, as long as his commiffion lafted, to work a full
"reformation in all things elfe. And after his commiffion was at an end, he
gave not over his endeavours herein, but as a prieſt, as a ſkilful fcribe in the
"Law of God, and as prefident of the fanhedrim, he ftill carried on the
"ſame work; and having a fucceffor equally zealous in the fame deſign, he
"did as much in it under his authority, as formerly he did by his own. So
"that he has been eſteemed another Moſes, and deſervedly reckoned as the
"fecond founder of the Jewish church and ſtate. And therefore the beginning
"of this work is a noble epocha from whence to begin the calculation of
"theſe weeks, and doth moſt agreeably accord with the intent and purpoſe of
"this prophecy, in which they are predicted. For the whole intent and
purpoſe of it, is to foreſhew and fet forth the age of the reſtored church
"of the Jews, how long it was to continue, and when to ceaſe and be abo-
"liſhed. And from whence is it more proper to reckon this, than from the
"time when the thorough reformation of it began? And this was then only
began, when Ezra, by virtue of the commiffion granted to him by Ar-
taxerxes Longimanus king of Perfia, in the ſeventh year of his reign, did ſet
"about this work; and therefore from hence the computation of theſe weeks,
"according to the prophecy that predicts them, muft begin."
"C
•
Thus far we have Dr. Prideaux's adjuſtment of this noble epocha, as he
rightly calls it, of the LXX weeks; in tranſcribing of which, we have purpoſely
omitted his figurative interpretation of the prophetic terms, reftore and build;
being confidently affured, that fuch figurative interpretation may be reckoned
one of the principal reafons, why the chronology of this eminent and twofold
prophecy (as, in the one part, it foreſhews the rejection of the Jews, and, in
the other, the deſtruction of Jerufalem by the Romans *) has never yet been
ſtated and explained in a fatisfactory manner.
The time fet by the angel for the accompliſhment of the predicted events,
is delivered in general terms, without any fubdivifion into leffer periods.
Dan. ix. 24. Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people, and upon thy
boly city.
* Jofephus, in his Hiftory of the Jewiſh Antiquities, (lib. X. c. 12.) fays, that Daniel did not
only foretell things to come, which was common to him with other prophets, but alſo fet a time
for their coming to paſs. He did not only foretell the calamity that befell our nation from An-
tiochus before it happened; but he alfo wrote of the dominion of the Romans, and of the great defo-
lation they ſhould hereafter bring upon our people.
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We
t
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We read in the law of Mofes (Levit. xxiii. 15, 16.) of Sabbaths, or weeks
of days; and alfo Levit. xxv. 4, 8.) of Sabbaths, or weeks of years. As
every ſeventh day was fabbatical, in which they refted from fervile work; fo
every ſeventh year was fabbatical, in which the land refted from tillage.
Therefore, the weeks of this prophecy being neceffarily weeks of years, every
one of the feventy weeks contains feven years; and fo the whole number of
years, contained in the ſaid number of weeks, muſt amount to 490 years;
to ſo many, and no more.
Thefe 490 years are tropical folar, and they aftronomically meaſure the in-
terval from the commiffion granted to Ezra to reſtore Jerufalem, to the year
of Chrift's crucifixion.
}
If we look into the chronological table for the 6th year of the reign of
Artaxerxes I. king of Perfia, we ſhall find it in connection with A. M.
3550,
to which if we add 490, it will bring it down to A. M. 4040. So that the
aſtronomical terminus à quo, or the fixed point from whence theſe feventy
angelic weeks are to be computed, is the vernal equinox in the folar tropical
year of the world 3550, at which the fixth year of the reign of Artaxerxes
Longimanus, king of Perfia, ends, and the feventh year of his reign begins,
according to the conftruction of our chronological tables.
On the other hand, the aſtronomical terminus ad quem, or the fixed point
in which they terminate, is the vernal equinox in the folar tropical year of
the world 4040.
We ſay then, in anſwer to query 1, that the Meffiah was cut off, or Chriſt
died the death of the croſs, (as we are to prove) about the vernal equinox
A.M. 4040.
QUERY II. In what Julian month, day of the month, and in what hour and
minute, did the fun come to the vernal equinox, in the meridian of Jeruſalem,
A. M. 3550, about which time Ezra received his commiffion to restore Jeru-
falem, the angelic date of the prophecy?
The
The Chronology of the World.
677
1
The CALCULATION.
From A. M. 3550 ſubſtract 1, and there.will remain A. M. 3549.
Multiply
into
M.
3549 years of 365 days, 6 hours,
ii minutes.
D. H. M.
Divide the product by 1440) 39039 (27 2 39 Julian exceſs.
Multiply
into
3549 years,
1461. quadrants.
D.
H. M.
Divide the product by 4) 5185089 (1296272 6 00 Julian reduction.
Subſtract for the Julian exceſs
To the folar tropical reduction
Add, to bring it to the vern. equin. A.M.3550,
To the fum
Add, for the merid. of the Greenw. obfervat.
To the fum
Add, for the meridian of Jerufal. longit. E.
To the fum
oo
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
Subftract the Jul. reduction of 3550 years
Jul. M. D. H. and M. of o in Y, March 26,
27 239
1296245 3 21
178 17 58
1296423 21 19
IO 24
o
1296424 7 43 in v,
2 21
1296424 10 24 O in V, Jeruf. p.m.
298
1296722 10 24
1296637
85 10 24 p.m. A. M. 3550.
We fay then, in anſwer to query 2, that A. M. 3550, the fun came to the
vernal equinox at Jerufalem, on the 26th day of March, if the Julian ftyle be
extended fo far back, 24 minutes paft ten o'clock at night.
QUERY III. On what day of the patriarchal or Chriftian week did the vernal
equinox fall A. M. 3550?
The
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The Chronology of the World.
The CALCULATION.
To the days of the ſolar tropical reduction 1296424
Add, for extra days,
4
Divide by 7)
1296428 (185204 weeks.
Remainder
。 | Sunday.
The literal character of March 26 is A. We fay then, as it was the 3d
after biffextile, that if the correſponding year of the Julian period be divided
by 28, the remainder will be o, and the dominical letter A.
The PROOF.
To A. M. 3550, add 706, and the fum 4256 will be the correſponding
year of the Julian period.
4256 (152 cycles.
Divide by 28)
A. J. P.
4256
Remainder
o
D.L.A. which was to be proved.
QUERY IV. In what Julian year before Chrift, did Ezra go up from Babylon
to Ferufalem?
The CALCULATION,
Chriſt was born, according to the vulgar computation, A. M. 4007; to
which add 1, and the fum will be the Julian year of the world 4008; from
which ſubſtract A. M. 3550, and the remainder will fhew, that Ezra went up
from Babylon to Jerufalem, in the Julian year before Chriſt 458.
QUERY V. In what year of the Nabonafarean ara, was a commiſſion granted
to Ezra?
The CALCULATION.
The era of Nabonaffar commenced A.M. 3261; from A.M. 3550 fubſtract
A. M. 3260, and the remainder will fhew, that the LXX weeks are dated
from the year of the Nabonafarean æra 290.
QUERY
The Chronology of the World.
679
QUERY VI. In what Olympiad, and in what year of that Olympiad, did Ezra
go up from Babylon to Jerufalem?
The CALCULATION.
The æra of the Olympiads began at the fummer folftice A. M. 3232;
from A. M. 3550 ſubſtract A. M. 3232, and there will remain 318, which
being divided by 4, will give 79 compleat Olympiads, and two years over.
We fay then, in anfwer to query 6, that Ezra went up from Babylon to
Jeruſalem in the 2d year of the 80th Olympiad.
Ezra vii. 6. Ezra went up from Babylon, and he was a ready fcribe in the
law of Mofes, which the Lord God of Ifrael had given; and the king
granted him all his request, according to the hand of the Lord his God upon
bim.
ver. 8. And he came to Jerufalem in the Vth month, which was in the feventh
year of the king Artaxarxes Longimanus.
ver. 9. For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon,
and on the first day of the Vth month came he to Jerufalem.
It appears, from theſe citations, that Ezra went up from Babylon, to
execute his commiffion at Jerufalem, on the firſt day of the firſt month of the
then current lunar year; which first month, as taught by the Chaldeans, the
Jews called Nifan: and we ſhall undertake to prove, that as the vernal
equinoctial day A. M. 3550, is the fixed date of the beginning of the LXX
weeks, in the reckoning by folar tropical years; fo the first day of the firſt
month of the then current lunar year, on which Ezra fet out upon his journey,
is the fixed date of the beginning of the LXX weeks, in the fcriptural reckoning
by lunar years, which are included in the folar.
Here we muſt not omit to remark, that fince there are no evidences to
prove, that in the times of Ezra and Nehemiah, they had introduced into
common uſe, unequal lunar months, we may conclude that Ezra began his
journey on the firſt day of the firſt month of the then current political lunar
year, which generally commenced three days after the new moon evening:
but yet, as the aſtronomical lunar months are ever included in the political,
we fhall make it appear by calculation, that if we compute aftronomically the
firſt of thoſe lunar years which are contained in the 490 tropical folar, from
the firſt day of the Jewiſh month of Nifan, A. M. 3550; the laſt of them
will terminate aftronomically on the first day of the Jewish month of Nifan
A. M. 4040.
Again,
680
The Chronology of the World.
Again, If we compute aftronomically the firſt of the aforementioned lunar
years, from the fourteenth day of the month of Nifan, A. M. 3550, the laſt
of them will terminate aftronomically on the fourteenth day of the Jewiſh
month of Niſan, A. M. 4040, on which day the Meffiah was (judicially) cut
off, as it was foretold by the angel.
Having premiſed this, here follows
QUERY VII. On what Julian month, and day of the month, did the first of Nifan
fall, A. M. 3550, computed aftronomically and politically?
The CALCULATION.
From A. M. 3550 ſubſtract 1, and there will remain A. M. 3549.
Divide by 19)
Remain
A. M,
3549 (186 cycles.
15 years of the 187th cycle.
Multiply 186 cycles into 235 lunations, and referve the product 43710;
add 180, for the remaining 15 years multiplied into 12, and the fum will be
43890; to thefe add 5, for intercalary months, and the whole amount of
lunations will be 43895.
Lunations.
Divide by 12) 43895 (3657 lunar years.
Remain
II months of the 3658th lunar
Lunar years.
year.
Divide by 30) 3657 (121 periods of
3657 (121 periods of 30 lunar years.
Remain
27 years of the 122d period.
100 periods
The Chronology of the World.
681
100 periods contain
20
I
D.
H. M. S.
1063100 17 30 00
212620 3 30 00
10631 0 10 30
To the fum
Add, for 27 lunar years,
Add, for II lunar months,
From the fum
Subftract for 21 hours in 121 periods
To the remainder
Add for 6 months, to bring it to the?
vernal equinox A. M. 3550,
the}
To the ſum
Add for a lunation, to bring it to a N.M.
2
To the fum
Add, for the meridian of Jerufalem,
To the fum
oo
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h.`oo min.
From the fum
Subſtract the Jul. reduction of 3550 yrs.
Jul. M. and D. of N.M. evening, Apr. 7,
1286351 21 10 30
9567 21 45 27
324 20 4 19
1296244 15 00 16
I
1296243 15 00 16
177 4 24 10
1296420 19 24 26
14 18 22 00
1296435 13 46 26
12 45
1296436 2 31 p.m.
298
1296734 2 31 p.m.
1296637
97 2 31 p.m. A. M. 3550.
We ſay then, in anfwer to query 7, that in the folar tropical year of the
world 3550, the new moon evening, next after the vernal equinox, fell on
the 7th day of April; and the firft of Nifan, calculated aftronomically, upon
the 8th, if the Julian ftyle be extended fo far back. And we may ſuppoſe
that Ezra began his journey three days after, or upon the 11th day of April,
that being the firſt of Nifan, computed politically.
QUERY VIII. At what distance after the vernal equinox, did the firft of Nifan
fall, A. M. 3550, computed both aftronomically and politically?
The CALCULATION.
In this year the fun entered the firſt point of aries on the 26th day of March;
the firſt of Niſan fell aftronomically on the 8th day of April; to April 8 add
Ssss
the
682
The Chronology of the
of the World.
the 31 days of March, then from the ſum 39 ſubſtract 26, and the remainder
13 will be the diſtance after the cardinal point; and we may ſuppoſe that Ezra
began his journey on the fixteenth day after it.
QUERY IX. On what day of the patriarchal and of the Ifraelitic week, did the
firft of Nifan fall, A. M. 3550, computed both aftronomically and politically?
The CALCULATION.
To the days of the lunar reduction 1296436
Add, for extra days
4
Divide by 7) 1296440 (185205 weeks.
Remainder
5 | Friday.
Now if the new moon evening happened upon a Friday, the firft of Nifan,
which was the day after, muft have fallen upon a Saturday. But is it
reaſonable to fuppofe, that Ezra, who had the Law of God in his heart,
would begin his journey upon the Sabbath day? It ſeems much more likely,
that he went up from Babylon, three days after, upon the firſt of Nifan com-
puted politically, which happened that year upon a Tueſday, which is the
fecond day of the patriarchal week, and the third of the Ifraelitic.
We will now collect into one view the variety of fynchroniſms which
characterize and afcertain the epocha of the feventy weeks, fo far as the date
of Ezra's commiffion is concerned.
We ſay then, that Ezra a prieſt, and a fcribe of the Law of the God of heaven,
was delegated, by the then reigning king of Perfia, to go up from Babylon to
Jerufalem, and there to restore its ecclefiaftical and political ſtate,
Ift, In the folar tropical year of the world 3550.
2dly, In the end of the fixth, or in the beginning of the feventh year of
the reign of Artaxerxes Longimanus king of Perfia.
3dly, In the 290th year of the Nabonafarean æra.
4thly, Olympiad LXXX. 2.
5thly, In the 458th Julian year before the vulgar Chriſtian æra.
6thly, On the firft of Nifan, computed politically.
7thly, On the 16th day after the vernal equinox.
8thly, Upon a Tueſday.
Thus far we have circumftantially fettled the epocha of the LXX weeks,
and the date of Ezra's commiffion; in the next place, we muſt look for the
ending
The Chronology of the World.
683
ending of them in that year in which the Meffiah was cut off, as it was fore-
ſhewn by the angel 570 years before it came to paſs, and full 80 years before
ſecond cauſes began to operate towards the accompliſhment of the ſeveral
predicted events.
3550,
LXX weeks, or 490 years, reckoned from the vernal equinox A. M.
will bring it down to the vernal equinox A. M. 4040. Here follows
QUERY I.
In what Julian month, and day of the month, in what hour and
minute, did the fun come to the vernal equinox, in the meridian of Ferufalem,
A. M. 4040?
The CALCULATION.
From A. M. 4040 ſubſtract 1, and there will remain A. M. 4039.
Multiply
into
M.
Divide the product by 1440)
4039 years of 365 days, 6 hours,
II minutes..
D. H. M.
44429 (30 20 29 Julian exceſs.
Multiply
into
4039 years,
1461 quadrants.
H. M.
D.
Divide the product by 4) 5900979 (1475244 18 00 Julian reduction.
Subſtract for the Julian exceſs
To the fum
Add, for the meridian of Jerufalem,
30 20 29
To the folar tropical reduction
1475213 21 31
Add, to bring it to the vern. equin. A.M.4040,
178 17 58
1475392 15 29
12 45
475393 4 14
298
From the fum
1475691 4 14
1475610
To the fum
oo
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
Subftract the Julian reduction of 4040 years
Jul. M. D. H. and M. fought, March 22,
81 4 14, A. M. 4040.
We ſay then, in anſwer to query I, that the fun came to the vernal equinox
A. M. 4040, in the meridian of Jerufalem, on the 22d day of March, 14
minutes paft four o'clock in the afternoon.
Ssss 2
From
684
The Chronology of the World.
1
From March
Subſtract March
D. H. M.
26 10
4 p.m. the time of the equinox A. M. 3550.
22 4 14
Difference of the times
4
6 50
To find, from the difference of the times, the number of folar tropical years that
paffed between the two equinoxes.
If we divide A. M. 3550 by 4, the remainder 2 will fhew, that it was the
fecond year of a quadriennium; but if we divide A. M. 4040 by 4, it will
appear from the remainder o, that it was the fourth year of a quadriennium;
for this difference of two years throw off twelve hours, and there will remain
3 d. 17 h. 50 min. theſe will give 5390 minutes.
Divide by 11') 5390' (490 folar tropical years; which was to be proved.
QUERY II. On what day of the patriarchal week, did the fun come to the
vernal equinox A.M. 4040?
The CALCULATION.
Divide the days of the folar trop. reduction by 7) 1475393.(210770 weeks.
Remainder
3 | index 7 | Sunday.
The literal character of March 22 is D; we fay then, that as A. M. 4040
was the firſt year after biffextile, if the correfponding year of the Julian period
be divided by 28, the remainder will be 14, which gives D for the dominical
letter.
The PROO F.
To A. M. 4040 add 706, and the fum 4746 will be the correfponding
year of the Julian period.
A. J. P.
Divide by 28) 4746 (169 cycles.
Remainder
14 D. L. D. which was to be proved.
QUERY III. In what year of the Nabonafarean ara was Chrift crucified?
The CALCULATION.
From A.M. 4040 fubftract A.M. 3260, and the remainder 780 will be the
year of the Nabonaſarean æra fought.
1
QUERY
The Chronology of the World.
685
QUERY IV. In what Olympiad, and in what year of that Olympiad, was Chrift
crucified?
The CALCULATION.
From A. M. 4040 fubftract A. M. 3232, and it will leave 408, which being
divided by 4, will give the 4th year of the 202d Olympiad.
Here we muſt not omit to mention the teſtimony of Phlegon Trallianus,
(and a moft remarkable teftimony it is in prophane hiſtory) of the extraordinary
eclipſe of our Saviour's paffion, which we have in Origen, Eufebius, and the
Chronicon Alexandrinum. His words are theſe, " In the fourth year of the
"In
"202d Olympiad, there happened an eclipſe of the fun, the greateſt that ever
"was known; fo that at the fixth hour of the day it was fo dark, that the
ſtars were viſible; and an earthquake withal at the fame time, which threw
"down the greateſt part of the city Nicea in Bythinia."
Although this teſtimony of Phlegon does not amount to a demonftration,
nor is it offered as fuch, yet is it a ftrong collateral proof, from prophane
authority, that we have rightly determined the year of our Saviour's crucifixion.
QUERY V. In the reign of what Roman emperor, and in what year of his reign,
was the Meffiah judicially cut off, by the fentence of Pontius Pilate the
The CALCULATION.
governor ?
According to the canon of Ptolemy, Auguftus Cæfar ended his reign in the
year of the Nabonafarean æra 761, which being fubftracted from the year of
the Nabonafarean æra 780, leaves the 19th year of the reign of Tiberius,
which is the year fought.
But the year of the reign of Tiberius Cæfar, in which our Saviour was
crucified, may be known from the hiftory of the Gospel, without having
recourſe to the canon of Ptolemy.
We read, (Luke iii. 2.) That the word of God came unto John the fon of
Zacharias in the wilderneſs, (ver. 1.) in the 15th year of Tiberius.
St. John limits the time between our Saviour's firft public appearance at
Jerufalem, and his death, to four paffovers which happened therein; the firſt
paffover is mentioned John ii. 13. The fecond, John v. 1. The third, John
vi. 4.
The fourth, John xiii. 1. Thefe four paffovers include three years;
to which if we add 1, in which John the Baptiſt, as the forerunner and har-
binger of the Meffiah, began to proclaim his advent, the fum will expreſs the
four evangelical years, which comprehend the whole preaching of the Baptift
and of the Meffiah taken together, as will clearly appear, when we come to
confider the angelic divifion of the prophetic weeks into three diſtinct periods.
To
686
The Chronology of the World.
To the 15th year of Tiberius add the 4 years which comprehend the whole
times of the Goſpel, and it will bring it down to the 19th, reckoned, not
from his being taken into copartnerſhip of command and fovereignty, but from
the death of his predeceffor Auguftus, in agreement with the canon of Ptolemy.
But although we are able to collect, from the hiftory of the Goſpel alone,
that our Saviour ſuffered in the 19th year of the reign of Tiberius, reckoned
from the death of Auguftus, yet it muſt be acknowledged, that without the
help of the canon of Ptolemy, we cannot, from the fcriptural accounts, fill up
the prophetic interval, with the fucceffions of the refpective reigns of the kings,
during the Perfian, the Grecian, and part of the Roman empire. And to the
canon of Ptolemy we are indepted for the following
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
Years of
After the commiffion granted to Ezra.
the Kings'
Collect. fumi
of the pro-
A. M.
reigns.
phetic years.
1. Artaxerxes Longimanus reigned
2. Darius Nothus
3. Artaxerxes Mnemon
35
35
3585
{
19
54
3604
46
4. Artaxerxes Ochus
21
5. Arogus
6. Darius Codomannus
7. Alexander
8. Philip, firnamed Aridæus
42
1 2 +∞ 7
ΙΟΟ
3650
121
3671
123
3673
4
127
3677
8
135
3685
142
3692
9. Alexander Ægus
12
154
3704
10. Ptolemy the fon of Lagus
20
174
3724
11. Ptolemy Philadelphus
38
212
3762
12. Ptolemy Evergetes I.
25
237
3787
13. Ptolemy Philopator
17
254
3804
14. Ptolemy Epiphanes
15. Ptolemy Philometor
16. Ptolemy Evergetes II.
17. Ptolemy Soter
18. Dionyfius
19. Cleopatra
20. Auguftus
1
24
278
3828
35
313
3863
29
342
3892
36
378
3928
29
407
3957
22
429
3979
43
472
4022
21. Tiberius
18/19
*
490
4040
* Theſe numbers 18/19 indicate, that the 18th year of the reign of Tiberius ends at the vernal equinox
A.M. 4040, and that the 19th year begins at the fame cardinal point; and fo of the reft. And as our
Saviour's crucifixion happened after the vernal equinox, it fell in the 19th year by our chronological
tables, as well as by Ptolemy's canon, and the annals of the Roman history.
QUERY
The Chronology of the World.
687
QUERY VI. What year of the vulgar Chriftian era falls in with the 19th year
of the reign of Tiberius?
The CALCULATION.
Chriſt was born, according to the vulgar reckoning, A. M. 4007, which
being fubftracted from A. M. 4040, will leave in remainder 33, for the year
fought; and fo the beſt chronologers have ftated it.
QUERY VII. In what Julian month, and on what day of the month, did the
firſt of Nifan fall, as it was computed by the Jews A. D, 33, æra V. A.M.
4040?
The CALCULATION.
Multiply 70 weeks into 7, and they will produce 490 folar tropical years,
computed aftronomically from the date of Ezra's commiffion, at the vernal
equinox A. M. 3550.
(
Years.
Divide by 19) 490 (25 cycles.
Remain
15 years of the 26th cycle.
Multiply 25 cycles into 235 lunations, and to the product 5875, add 180
for the 15 remaining years multiplied into 12, and they will give 6055 lunations;
add 5 for intercalary months, and the whole amount of lunations will be
6060, which being divided by 12, will give in the quotient 505 lunar years,
without any odd months.
Reduce 505 lunar
500 lunar years contain
5
The fum
Now, we fay, that if this reduction of
years to days.
D. H. M. S.
177183 10 55 00
1771 20 I 45
178955 6 56 45
505 lunar years, which are included
in 490 tropical folar, be applied to the firft of Nifan computed aftronomically
A. M. 3550, the laſt of them will terminate on the firſt of Niſan aſtronomically
A. D.
33, A. M. 4040.
The
688
The Chronology of the World.
The PROOF.
From the creation of the world to the vernal equinox A. M. 3550, we
computed 3549 ſolar tropical years and 6 months; theſe were found to include
3658 lunar years, 5 lunations and a half, which being reduced to days, and
adjuſted to the meridian of Jerufalem, produced 1296436 d. 2 h. 21 min.
To the days of this lunar reduction
Add, for the reduction of 505 lunar years
To the fum
oo
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
Subſtract the Jul. reduction of 4040 years
Jul. M.D. H. and M. of new moon evening, March 20,
D.
H. M.
1296436 2 21
178955 6 57
1475391
298
9 28
1475689 9 28
1475610
79 9 28
It appears, from this calculation, that A. D. 33, æra V. A. M. 4040, the
paſchal new moon was vifible on the evening of the 20th day of March; and
that the paffover month of Nifan began on the 21ft of March, in the year of
our Saviour's paffion.
To find the day of the week, correfponding aftronomically with the 20th day of
March, on the evening of which the moon was vifible, A.D. 33, A.M. 4040.
The CALCULATION.
Divide the days of the lunar reduction by 7) 1475391 (210770 weeks.
1 | index 5 | Friday.
Remainder
We fay then, that in the given year, the Jewiſh month of Nifan began,
in the Julian kalendar, on the 21ft day of March, and upon a Saturday, as the
moon was viſible on the preceeding evening upon a Friday, if we reckon the
hours from midnight,
QUERY VIII. On what Julian month, and on what day of the month, did the
14th day of Nifan fall, as it was computed by the Jews, in the year of our
Saviour's paffion, A. D. 33, A. M. 4040?
A.D.
The
The Chronology of the World.
689
The CALCULATION.
Now we fay, as above, that if the reduction of 505 lunar years, which
are included in 490. tropical folar, be applied to the 14th day of Nifan,
computed aſtronomically A. M. 3550; the laſt of them will terminate aftro-
nomically on the 14th day of Nifan, as it was calculated by the Jews, A.D. 33,
A. M. 4040.
The PROOF.
D.
H. M.
To the days of the lunar reduction (p. 688.) 1296436 2 21
Add, to bring it to the paffover-day
To the fum
Add, for the reduction of 505 lunar years
To the fum'
oo
oo
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. 00 min.
From the fum
14
1296450 2 21 A.M. 3550.
178955 6 57
1475405 9 18
298
1475703 9 18
Subſtract the Julian reduction of 4040 years 1475610
} April 3,
93*
Julian month and day on which
the Jewiſh paffover fell,
To April 3, add the 31 days of March, and from the fum fubftract
March 20, and the remainder 14 will be the day of the month of Nifan,
which all the Evangeliſts deſcribe by a periphrafis.
34,
To find the day of the week, correfponding aftronomically with the 3d day of April,
or the 14th day of the month of Nifan, A.D. 33, A. M. 4040.
t
The CALCULATION.
Divide the days of the lunar reduction by 7) 1475405 (210772 weeks.
Remainder
We ſay then, in full anſwer to the prefent enquiry,
1 | index 5 | Friday.
that A. D. 33, A.M.
4040, the 14th day of the Jewish month of Nifan, fell, in the Julian kalendar,
Tttt
on
690
The Chronology of the World.
on the 3d day of April, and upon a Friday, which is the 5th day of the
patriarchal week, and the 6th of the Ifraelitic or Jewiſh; in which month,
day of the month, and day of the week, the Meffiah was cut off, or our
Lord Chrift died for us the death of the croſs, in the end of the LXXth week,
dated from the going forth of a decree to restore Jerufalem, in precife literal
accompliſhment of the angelic prophecy, without any figurative, or allegorical
interpretation.
To find the day of the week, correfponding aftronomically with the 15th day of
the Jewish month of Nifan, in the whole of which our Saviour refted in the
grave, A.D. 33, A. M. 4040..
The CALCULATION.
To the days of the lunar reduction (p.689.) 1475391
Add, to bring it to the day after the paffover, 15
Divide by 7) 1475406 (210772 weeks.
2 | index 6 | Saturday.
Remainder
To find the day of the week, corresponding aftronomically with the 16th day of
the Jewish month of Nifan, on which day our Saviour rofe from the dead,
A.Ď. 33, A. M. 4040.
The CALCULATION.
To the days of the lunar reduction
Add, to bring it to the day of the refurrection,
1475391
16
Divide by 7) 1475407 (210772 weeks.
3 | index 7 | Sunday.
Remainder
We ſhall here fubjoin
A TABLE,
The Chronology of the World.
691
A TABLE,
Expreffing the month, day of the month, and day of the week, both patriarchal and
Jewish, on which Chrift died, lay in the grave, and rofe from the dead.
Month Abib, or Nifan.
Patriarchal
week.
Jewish
week.
Days of the
month.
7
I
4567
67Ê2 3 4 50
I
2
2
3
3
4
John xii. I.
Six days before paffover 6
Five days
7
I
Four days
I
2
3
4
Three days
Two days
One day
Paffover
The feaft
23456
Morrow after the Sabbath 7
5
6
I
7 2
I 3
5
6
[day.
Jefus comes to Bethany, in the clofe of this
9 Stays at Bethany. Jews come to fee Lazarus.
IO
{ Enters Jerufalem, riding upon a colt,
the foal of an aſs.
11 Goes to Jerufalem, and returns to Bethany.
12 Goes to Jerufalem, and returns to Bethany.
13 Stays all day at Bethany.
14 Dies on the croſs, at the ninth hour.
15 Refts all day in the grave.
16 Rifes the third day.
Although the Evangelifts were plain, fimple, illiterate men, and feem to
have no acquaintance with technical terms, (it is certain they have introduced
none into their narrations) yet have they in their fimplicity of ſtyle, ſo
characterized the year of our Saviour's paffion, that by the affiſtance of Mofes's
law, and the prophecy of Daniel's LXX weeks, we may demonftrably aſcer-
tain it.
The above table gives us a compendious view of their feveral accounts
relative to the grand predicted event, the cutting off the Meffiah; from hence
we learn, in what fcriptural fenſe we are to underſtand this article of our creed,
he rofe from the dead the third day, a form of expreffion which our Saviour
conſtantly makes ufe of where he forefheweth his death to his diſciples; and
after his body was laid in the grave, the Chief Prieſts and the Pharifees came
unto Pilate, faying,
Matth. xxvii. 63. Sir, we remember that that deceiver faid, while he was
yet alive, After three days I will riſe again.
ver. 64. Command therefore that the fepulchre be made fure until the third day.
Tttt2
For
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1
"
For a full explanation of this article, it will be but a ſmall part of the truth
to ſay, that Chriſt was crucified upon a Friday, refted in the grave all Saturday,
and rofe again early on Sunday morning; for although theſe particulars may
be hiſtorically true, yet is it not the ftyle of the Evangelifts; for according to
their joint relations, as it has been already fhewn, the firft of theſe three
typical days, is called,
Ift, The first day of unleavened bread, when the paffover muft be killed.
2dly, The day before the feast; which by the original divine appointment
was the 14th day of the month.
3dly, It is called, the preparation of the paffover; and,
4thly, The preparation, or, the day before the Sabbath.
Thus is this day of Chrift's paffion diſcriminated in the Gospel, and
explained by the Law.
The ſecond of thefe typical days, was the Jewish Sabbath; St. John fays,
that that Sabbath day was a high day; it is called a high day, becauſe it was
folemnized with a double feftival; as it was the feventh day of the Jewish
week, it was Haffabbat, the Sabbath; and as it was the first day of the feaſt,
it was Sabbat, a Sabbath; there was to be a holy convocation ; no fervile work
was to be done therein.
The third typical day is thus prefigured in the Law;
Levit. xxiii. 9. And the Lord fpake unto Mofes, faying,
ver. 10. Speak unto the children of Ifrael, and fay unto them, when ye be come
into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then
ye fhall bring a sheaf of the first fruits of your harveft unto the prieſt.
ver. II. And he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted for you;
on the morrow after the Sabbath (in the paffover week) the priest hall
wave it.
And did not Chriſt, in fact, riſe from the dead, as it was forefhewn by the
ceremonies of the wave fheaf, the firſt fruits of the harveſt, on the morrow
after the Sabbath, in the paffover week?
St. Matthew expreffes it by one caßßatav, i. e. after the fucceffions of Jewish
Sabbaths, reckoned from their first inftitution at the going out of Egypt, were
fully compleated.
The particulars contained in the above table, plainly point out to us the
connection of the Law with the Goſpel; the former being the only true com-
ment upon the latter; they clearly explain to us how and in what manner the
law
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693
law prophecies; and the hiftory of the Gofpel informs us, how the prophecies
of the Law were literally accompliſhed in the perfon of Chrift.
Did not the paſchal lamb prophecy of the month, day, hour, and minute,
on which Chrift was to be flain, and actually was flain?
The correſpondency, fimilitude, and agreement between the pafchal lamb
and Christ crucified, is verified in feveral particulars; not to mention over
again the time in which it was to be flain, we may obſerve,
Ist,
That as the pafchal lamb was to be taken up on the 10th day of the
month, and kept until the 14th; fo, in like manner, Chrift made his
entry into Jerufalem, on the 10th day of Nifan, and kept himſelf
Bethany, until the 14th, on which day, like the paſchal lamb, he must be
killed.
up at
2dly, As the pafchal lamb was to be without blemiſh, fo was Chrift, as a lamb
without blemiſh and without fpot, 1 Peter i. 19.
3dly, John xix. 32. Then came the foldiers and brake the legs of the first (male-
factor) and of the other which was crucified with him.
ver 33. But when they came to Jefus, and faw that he was dead already, they
brake not his legs.
ver. 36. Theſe things were done that the feripture ſhould be fulfilled, (Exod.
xii. 46.) A bone of it (i. e. of the pafchal lamb; or, of Him, i.e. of
Chriſt, the true pafchal lamb) shall not be broken.
Luke xxii. 37. The things concerning me have an end, fays Chrift, in the
night before he ſuffered.
After his refurrection, in his conference with his two difciples going to Emaus,
he ſaid unto them.
Luke xxiv. 25. O fools and flow of heart to believe all that the prophets have
Spoken!
ver. 26. Ought not Chrift to have fuffered these things, and to enter into his
glory?
ver. 27. Then beginning at Mofes, and all the prophets, he expounded unto
be
them, in all the fcriptures, the things concerning himſelf.
Here it is very remarkable, that as in the year of the going out of Egypt,
the 15th day of the month, or the first day of the feaſt of unleavened bread,
happened regularly upon the feventh day of the patriarchal week, in the
political conftruction of the ancient Hebrew kalendar; fo, in the year of our
Saviour's crucifixion, the 15th of Nifan, or the first day of the feaſt of
unleavened bread, was, by the regular and natural courfe of the moon, brought
to
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;
to a coincidence with the feventh day of the Ifraelitic or Jewiſh Sabbath
and by means of this aftronomical and rare coincidence, theſe two typical
days received their accompliſhment together; for as Chrift, by his death,
cauſed the Jewiſh facrifice and oblation to cease; in like manner did he
cauſe, by his death and burial, the Jewiſh Sabbath, and feaſt of unleavened
bread, to ceaſe. From that day to this, no Jewiſh Sabbath, no feaſt of un-
leavened bread, has ever been kept by any of the difciples of Jeſus. And
we may obſerve farther, that as the patriarchal ſeventh day of the week was
fufpended at the going of the Ifraelites out of Egypt; fo, by the refurrection of
Chrift from the dead on that day, it was again restored; and it is demonftrably
evident, from the preceeding calculations, that the Chriſtian church has all a
long, even from the day of our Lord's refurrection, adhered, not only to the
morality, but to the letter of the fourth commandment, which exprefsly fays,
Exod. xx. 9, 10. Six days fhalt thou labour and do all thy work; but the
feventh day (regularly brought down from its original inſtitution) is the
Sabbath of the Lord thy God.
Whether our interpretation of the phrafe, e caßßatar, (Matth. xxviii. 1.)
after the whole aggregate of the Jewish Sabbaths was compleated, be admitted or
rejected, yet thus much may be faid in defence of it, namely, that it is literally
and fcripturally true; and we ſhall now proceed to fhew, that our interpretation
of St Matthew's fingularity, will be fet in a very intelligible light by the
following precept of the law.
Levit. xxiii. 15. Ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the Sabbath,
(in the paffover week) from the day (inclufive) that ye brought the ſheaf
of the wave-offering: feven Sabbaths fhall be compleat.
yer. 16, Even unto the morrow after the feventh Sabbath ſhall ye number
fifty days.
The fifty days here mentioned, began and ended on the morrow after the
Ifraelitic Sabbath, or on that day of the week which we call Sunday; and if
we make a table of them, we ſhall foon perceive, that they include a fuc-
ceffion, not only of Ifraelitic, but alfo of patriarchal Sabbaths, as they have
gone regularly on, the one from the creation, the other from the year of the
Exodus.
1. A
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695
I.
II.
A TABLE of the fucceffions of Ifraelitic | A TABLE of the fucceffions of patriar-
Sabbaths.
I. I. I. I. I. I. I.
2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2.
3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3.
4. 4. 4. 4. 4. 4. 4.
5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5.
6. 6. 6. 6. 6. 6. 6.
Saturday 7.7.7.7.7. 7. 7.
Οψε Σαββατων Ο. Ο. Ο. Ο. Ο. Ο. Ο.
chal Sabbaths, going on together with
the Ifraelitic.
Εις μιαν Σαββάτων.
7.7.7.7.7. 7. 7. Sunday.
I. I. I. I. I. I. I.
2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2.
3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3.
4. 4. 4. 4. 4. 4. 4.
5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5.
6. 6. 6. 6. 6.-6. 6.
7. 7. 7. 7. 7. 7. 7. Sunday.
It appears by table II. that the morrow after the feventh Ifraelitic Sabbath
is itſelf a feventh day; and as Chriſt roſe from the dead on the morrow after
the Jewiſh Sabbath, he muſt riſe on the ſeventh day of the patriarchal week,
i. e. on the original Sabbath day.
From the creation of the world (including the firft Mofaic week) to the
day of Chriſt's refurrection we compute 1475411 days, the laft of which
terminates on a Sunday; and from the firſt day of the creation, to the day
of the Exodus, which was alſo upon a Sunday, we compute 917315 days;
the difference is 558906 days.
Days.
Divide by 7) 558906 (79728 compleat weeks.
Remainder
Now, although the fame determinate number of Ifraelitic or Jewiſh Sabbaths,
intervened between the Exodus and Chrift's refurrection, as there did of
patriarchal, yet, it may be worth remarking, that the day of the week, in
which Chrift refted in the grave, cannot be calculated without ſubſtraction;
and the impoffibility of doing it without fubftraction, will diſcover to thofe
who ſhall attempt it, that the Jewiſh or Saturday Sabbath cannot be carried
back to the creation, and that it commenced at the going out of Egypt.
We will now recapitulate the feveral fynchroniſms which characterize the
year
of our Saviour's crucifixion.
We
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We ſay then, that the Meffiah was judicially cut off,
Ift, In the folar tropical year of the world 4040.
2dly, At the end of LXX weeks, or 490 folar tropical years, dated from the
commiffion granted to Ezra the prieſt, to restore Jerufalem, its ecclefiaftical
and political ſtate, A.M. 3550.
3dly, Olympiad CCII. 4.
4thly, In the 780th year of the Nabonaſarean æra.
5thly, In the 19th year of the reign of the Roman emperor Tiberius, reckoned
from the death of his predeceffor Auguftus, according to the canon of
Ptolemy.
6thly, When Pontius Pilate was procurator of Judea, and Annas and Caiphas
were high priests.
7thly, In the 33d year of the vulgar Chriſtian æra.
8thly, On the 3d day of April, in the Julian kalendar.
9thly, On the 14th day of the Jewiſh month of Nifan, which commenced
that year in the evening of the moon's vifibility.
10thly, The Jewiſh Sabbath was coincident with the firſt day of the feaſt of
unleavened bread.
+
The death of Chriſt happened, not only as it was typified and prefigured
by the pafchal lamb, but alſo as it was explicitly foretold and predetermined
by the angel; and it may, upon good grounds, be made a queſtion, whether
any article of facred chronology, can be afcertained with a more abfolute
certainty, than the prophecy of Daniel's weeks, in all its parts and branches.
In full proof of the truth of what is here fuggefted, we ſhall return back
to, and confider the contents of, ver. 25.
Dan. ix. 25. Know therefore, and underſtand, that from the going forth of
a commandment to reſtore and build Jerufalem, unto Meffiah Nagid, ſhall be
VII weeks and LXII weeks. Tafub i. e. the polity of Jerufalem, both
ecclefiaftical and civil, fhall be restored; venibnetah rechob ve charutz, i. e.
the wall and ſtreets of the now ruinous city ſhall be built, in the leffer of
the two periods.
The first divifion of the LXX weeks, is expreffed, we fee, in the form of a
Jubilæan period *, which, with great aptnefs and propriety, denotes the extraor-
* Levit. xxv. 8. And thou shalt number feven Sabbaths of years unto thee, ſeven times ſeven years,
and the space of the feven Sabbaths of years fhall be unto thee forty and nine years.
ver. 1c. And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land, unto all the
inhabitants thereof; it shall be a Jubilee unto you, and ye shall return every man unto his poffeffion,
and ye fhall return every man unto his family
dinary
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697
dinary joy which muft neceffarily accrue to the people of the Jews, then in
captivity at Babylon, to be certified by an angel from heaven, that they ſhould,
in a ſet time, return again into their own land, and there inhabit their cities and
enjoy their poffeffions, as in the year of Jubilee; and that all this ſhould come
to paſs in the ſpace of about half a century, from a fixed date.
ver. 26. After LXII weeks (following in a continued reckoning upon the
foregoing VII weeks, i. e. after LXIX weeks) ſhall Meffiah be cut off.
The word after is uſed in fcripture in two fenfes, fometimes it is exclufive,
and fometimes it is inclufive; we will give an example of each.
Matth. xxvi. 2. After two days is the paſſover; here it is exclufive, the
paffover being the third day after.
Matth. xxvii. 63. After three days I will rife again; here it is inclufive, for
Chriſt roſe from the dead on the third day.
In this prophecy the word after is to be taken in both fenſes; ſo far as the
date of Ezra's commiffion is concerned, it is to be interpreted exclufively.
ver. 26. After VII weeks, and LXII weeks, (following in a continued
reckoning, i. e. in the LXXth week) fhall Meffiab be cut off.
The 19th year of the reign of Tiberius is one of the fynchroniſms of the
year of our Saviour's crucifixion; from which ſubſtract 7, the number of years
in the laſt, or LXXth week, and it will carry it back to the 12th
year of
Tiberius, in agreement with the canon of Ptolemy.
At the vernal equinox of this year, the LXIXth week muſt be found, by
calculation, to end, and the laſt, or LXXth week, to begin.
The CALCULATION,
Multiply 69 weeks into 7, and the product will give 483 folar tropical years;
to A. M. 3550, and to the vernal equinox of that year, add 483, and it will
bring it down to the vernal equinox A. M. 4033.
From A. M. 4033
fubftract A. M. 3260, and we fhall have the year of the Nabonafarean æra
773, from which ſubſtract 761, for the year in which Auguftus died, and it
will leave in remainder the 12th year of the reign of Tiberius; which was to
be proved.
As the first year of the laft, or LXXth week, began at the vernal equinox,
in the 12th year of the reign of Tiberius, A. M. 4033, we may here expect
Uuuu
to
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to meet with ſomething relative to the Goſpel times; and accordingly we are
informed by Jofephus, (Antiq. lib. xviii. chap. 3.) that in this
year Valerius
Gratus made Jofeph, firnamed Caiphas, high priest, and that being recalled,
Pontius Pilate was fent by Tiberius to be Procurator of Judæa in his ſtead.
It has been already obferved, that the minifterial acts of John the Baptift,
and of the Meffiah, fill up four years; but the exact ſeaſon of the firſt of theſe
four, in which they entered publicly upon their refpective offices, and at what
precife diftance of time the former preceeded the latter, cannot be collected
and ſtated from the Goſpel hiſtory. This will appear from the undeterminate
accounts of the Evangelifts.
Matth. iii. 1. In thoſe days came John the Baptift, preaching in the wilderness
of Judæa.
ver. 13. Then cometh Jefus from Galilee to Jordan, unto John, to be baptized
of him.
Mark i. 1. The beginning of the Gospel of Jefus Chrift the Son of God.
ver. 4. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptiſm of repentance,
for the remiffion of fins.
ver. 9. And it came to pass in thoſe days, that Jefus came from Nazareth of
Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
Luke iii. 1. Now in the 15th year of the reign of Tiberius
ver. 2. The word of God came unto John the Jon of Zacharias in the wilderneſs,
ver. 3. And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptifm
of repentance, for the remiffion of fins.
ver. 21. Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jefus
alfo being baptized, and praying, the heavens were opened —
ver. 23. And Jefus himself was about thirty years of age, when he began his
public miniftry.
John i. 25. And they asked him, and faid unto him, Why baptizeft thou then?
ver. 26. John answered them, faying, I baptize with water; but there ftandeth
one among you, whom ye know not.
ver. 27. He it is, who coming after me, is preferred before me.
St. Luke expreſsly fays, The word of God came unto John, in the 15th year
of the reign of Tiberius; but the 15th year of the reign of Tiberius began,
according to the canon of Ptolemy, on the 19th of Auguft A. D. 28, æræ V;
and it ended on the 18th of Auguſt A. D. 29. So that here is the latitude of
a whole year for the epocha of the Gofpel, which commenced, by the exprefs
teftimony of St. Mark, (chap. i. 1.) with the preaching of John the Baptift.
Mr.
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699
Mr. Whifton, in his fhort view of the harmony of the four Goſpels,
(page 135.) lays down the following propofition.
"VIII. The beginning of our Saviour's miniftry, both as to his preaching,
"baptizing, and miracles, commenced foon after that of John the Baptift,
"towards the beginning of the famous fifteenth year of Tiberius Cæfar, long
"before his own baptifm."
In anſwer to this propofition, we may venture to fay, that if we read the
four Goſpel's quite through, we fhall not find the leaft foundation for the
hypothefis, that our Saviour exerciſed any act of his public miniſtry, before
he was baptized of John in Jordan, or that they jointly entered upon their
reſpective offices in the beginning of the fifteenth year of Tiberius. Theſe
particulars, like the Jewish month Nifan, and day of the month, in which
our Saviour ſuffered, are paffed over in filence by the Evangelifts, and can only
be known with certainty from Daniel's prophetic weeks; as will
appear from
the following
CALCULATION.
From the 7 years of the laft, or LXXth prophetic week, fubftract the four
evangelical years, and it will leave in remainder 3; thefe being added to 483,
the number of years in LXIX weeks, will make 486.
To A. M. 3550, and to the vernal equinox of that year add 486, and it
will bring it down to the vernal equinox A. M. 4036.
From A. M. 4036, fubftract, as above, A. M. 3260, and it will leave in
remainder the year of the Nabonafarean æra 776.
From 776 fubſtract 761, for the laſt year of the reign of Auguftus, and it
will give the 15th year of Tiberius, and the vernal equinox of that year.
It appears, by theſe calculations, that the Goſpel began with the preaching
of John the Baptift, about the vernal equinox, or at the feaft of unleavened
bread, in the fifteenth year of Tiberius Cæfar, reckoned from the death of
Auguftus.
Dan. ix. 27.
"And in the one remaining week, he (the Meffiah) ſhall
"make a firm covenant (of grace) with many of the Jews, who ſhall believe
"in him upon the preaching of the Gofpel. And in the half of the remaining
"prophetic week, i. e. in the end of three years and a half, (for fo long fhall
"he himſelf preach the Goſpel to them) he fhall (by his death upon the
"crofs) cauſe the Levitical facrifices (virtually) to ceaſe."
Now, if from the 4 evangelical years we fubftract 6 months, there will
remain chatzi ſhabuang, half a prophetic week, or 3 years and 6 months, for
the whole duration of Chrift's public miniftry, from his baptifm to his death,
including
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including part of John the Baptift's, for he was not caft into prifon, until after
the firft paffover, in the fixteenth year of Tiberius, A. D. 30. V. Æ.
Thefe 6 months, which we fubftracted from the 4 evangelical years, are
the complement of the former half of the LXXth prophetic week; and they
inform us what preciſe ſpace of time John the Baptift, as the fore-runner of
the Meffiah, exercifed his office alone.
Theſe 6 months likewife exprefs the aſtronomical difference (Luke i. 36.)
between the age of the Baptiſt, and the age of the Meffiah: for as the Meffiah
was about thirty years of age when he was baptized in Jordan; fo was his
fore-runner about thirty years of age, when the word of God came to him in the
wilderness of Judea.
Nor is it extremely difficult to prove, that Jefus was thirty-two years old
compleat, at the feaft of tabernacles, in the beginning of the fixteenth year
of Tiberius, when he was baptized in Jordan; and that John the Baptift was
thirty-two years old compleat, when he began to preach the doctrine of re-
pentance for the remiffion of fins, at the feaft of unleavened bread, in the fif
teenth year.
St. John records four paffovers during our Saviour's public miniſtry.
The firſt was obſerved in the 16th year of Tiberius, A. D. 30.
The ſecond, in the 17th year, A. D.
year, A. D.
31.
A. D. 32.
The third, in the 18th
The fourth, in the 19th year, A. D. 33.
Thus far we have explained the firft branch of the prophecy, and its three
divifions into VII weeks, LXII weeks, and I week; all which relate to the
commiffion granted to Ezra, which is dated from the end of the fixth, or
the beginning of the feventh year of Artaxerxes Longimanus king of Perfia,
A. M. 3550; and whofe chronological computation terminates in the death of
Chrift, in the end of the LXXth week, A. M. 4040.
But we are to confider farther, that the angel did not only foretel the cutting
off the Meffiah, at a ſet time, in confequence whereof the Jews fhould be
no more his people; but alſo the deftruction of the city of Jerufalem, in con-
ſequence whereof they ſhould be no more a people.
Dan. ix. 24. Seventy weeks are determined upon thy holy city.
ver. 25. Know, therefore, and underſtand, that from the going forth of a
commandment, decree, licence, or permiffion, to build Jerufalem, unto
Meffiah Nagid, are VII weeks, and LXII weeks, i. e. LXIX weeks.
ver. 26. And after (VII weeks, and) LXII weeks, i. e. after LXIX weeks,
(for we have now no occafion to confider diftinctly the VII weeks) fhall
Meffiab be cut off.
Here
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Here the prophetic term after is to be underſtood inclufively; as if it had
been ſaid, at the end of LXIX weeks, or 483 Chaidee years, reckoned from
the going forth of a decree, to build Jerufalem, the predicted event ſhall be
accompliſhed.
That we are now to compute (not 483 folar tropical years, each confifting
of 365 d. 5 h. 49 min. but) 483 Chaldee years, each confifting of 360 days,
may be proved from the date of Nehemiah's commiffion.
Nehemiah's requeſt was, (chap. ii. 5.) that king Artaxerxes would fend him
unto Judah, unto the city of his fathers fepulchres, that he might build it;
and the king granted him, according to the good hand of his God upon him.
A commiffion to build Jerufalem was granted to Nehemiah the Tirthatha, or
governor, by Artaxerxes Longimanus king of Perfia, in the end of the 20th
year of his reign, or towards the beginning of his 21ft; juft 14 years after
the commiffion granted to Ezra the prieſt, by the fame king, to restore Jeru-
falem, in the latter end of the 6th, or in the beginning of the 7th year.
That Nehemiah was fent to build Jerufalem (not in the beginning, but) in
the end of the 20th year of the king, appears, in great meaſure, from his
own account, (chap. i. 1. compared with chap. ii. 1.) and it will be clearly
proved in the calculations.
We ſhall now, therefore, proceed to aſcertain the times, by reducing the
feveral particulars, as we did before, to diſtinct chronological queries; the fo-
lution of which will, we hope, give full fatisfaction to the enquirer.
QUERY I. In what folar tropical year of the world was Nehemiah fent by Ar-
taxerxes Longimanus, king of Perfia, to build Jerufalem? the expreſs cha-
racter of the prophecy.
The CALCULATION.
From the 20th year of the reign of Artaxarxes Longimanus, fubſtract the
6th, and it will leave in remainder 14 compleat years, for the diſtance between
the two decrees.
To A. M. 3550, and to the vernal equinox of that year, (the folar tropical
date of Ezra's commiffion to reſtore, &c.) add 14, and it will bring it down
to the vernal equinox A. M. 3564, the folar tropical date of Nehemiah's
commiffion to build, &c.
We ſay then, in anfwer to query I, that Nehemiah went up from Shuſhan
to Jerufalem, A. M. 3564, and about the vernal equinox of that year.
A
QUERY
702
The Chronology of the World.
QUERY II. In what Julian month, on what day of the month, and in what hour,
and minute, did the fun come to the vernal equinox, in the meridian of
Jerufalem, A. M. 3564?
The CALCULATION.
From A. M. 3564 ſubſtract 1, and there will remain A. M. 3563.
Multiply
into
M.
3563 years of 365 days, 6 hours,
II minutes.
D. H. M.
Divide the product by 1440) 39193 (27 5 13 Julian excefs.
Multiply
into
3563 years,
1461 quadrants.
D.
H. M.
Divide the product by 4) 5205543 (1301385 18 00 Julian reduction.
Subſtract for the Julian excefs
To the folar tropical reduction
Add, to bring it to the ver.equin. A.M.3564,
To the ſum
Add, for the meridian of Jerufalem,
་་
To the fum
oo
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min,
From the fum
27 5 13
1301358 12 47
178 17 58
1301537
6 45
12 45
1301537 19 30
298
1301835 19 30
Subſtract the Jul. reduction of 3.564 years 1301751
Jul.M.D.H.and M. of the ver.equin.Mar.25,
84 19 30 p.m. A. M. 3564.
We ſay then, in anſwer to query 2, that the fun came to the vernal equinox,
at Jerufalem, A. M. 3564, on the 25th day of March, in the Julian kalendar
extended fo far backwards, 19 h. 30 min. after noon; or, if we reckon
the hours from midnight, on the 26th day of March, 30 minutes paſt ſeven
o'clock in the morning,
1
To find the day of the week, correfponding aftronomically with the day of the vernal
equinox, A. M. 3564, reckoning the hours from midnight.
The
The Chronology of the World.
703
The CALCULATION.
Divide the days of the folar trop. reduct. by 7) 1301538 (185934 weeks.
Remainder
o | index 4 | Thurſday.
The literal character of March 26 is A; we ſay then, that as A. M.
3564
anſwers to the firft after biffextile, if the correfponding year of the Julian
period be divided by 28, the remainder will be 14, and the dominical letter D.
The PROOF.
To A. M. 3564 add 706, and the fum 4270 will be the correſponding
year of the Julian period.
A. J. P.
Divide by 28) 4270
Remainder
(152 cycles.
14 D.L. D. which was to be proved.
QUERY III. In what year of the Nabonafarean era, did Nehemiah go up from
Shushan to Jerufalem with a commiffion to build it?
The CALCULATION.
From A. M. 3564 ſubſtract A. M. 3260, and the remainder 304 will be
the correſponding year of the Nabonafarean æra.
QUERY IV. In what Olympiad, and in what year of that Olympiad, &c.?
The CALCULATION.
From A. M. 3564 ſubſtract A. M. 3232, then divide the remainder 332
by 4, and it will give the fourth year of the 83d Olympiad.
QUERY V. In what Julian year before Chrift, &c.?
The CALCULATION.
From the Julian year of the world 4008, fubftract A. M. 3564, and the
remainder 444 will be the correſponding year before Chriſt.
QUERY VI. In what Julian month, and on what day of the month, did the firſt
of Nifan fall aftronomically A. M. 3564?
The
704
The Chronology of the World.
The CALCULATION.
From A. M. 3564 fubftract 1, and there will remain A. M. 3563.
Divide by 19)
Remain
A. M.
3563 (187 cycles.
10 years of the 188th cycle.
Multiply 187 cycles into 235 lunations, and to the product 43945, add
120, for the 10 remaining years multiplied into 12, and they will make
44065; to this fum add 3 for intercalary months, and the whole amount of
lunations will be 44068; theſe being divided by 12, will give 3672 çompleat
lunar years, and 4 lunar months over,
Reduce 3672 lunar years to days.
3000 lunar years contain
600
D.
H. M. S.
1063100 17 30 00
212620 3 30 00
70
2
To the fum
Add, for 4 lunar months,
To the fum
the}
Add for 6 months, to bring it to the
vernal equinox A. M. 3564,
To the fum
Add, for half a lunat. to bring it to a N. M.
To the fum
Add, for the meridian of Jerufalem,
The fum
Reduce the hours to midnight
To the fum
oo
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
Subſtract the Jul. reduction of 3564 years
Jul. month and day of new moon, April
24805 16 24 30
708 17 36 42
1301234 7 I 12
118 2 56 7
1301352 9 57 19
177 4 24 10
1301529 14 21 29
14 18 22 00
+1-12
1301544
8 43 29
12 45
1301544 21 28 29
1301545 9 28
298
1301843 9 28
1301751
2,
92
9 28 p.m.n. A.M.3564.
We
The Chronology of the World.
705
We fay then, in anſwer to query 6, that in the end of the 20th, or in the
beginning of the 21ft year of the reign of Artaxerxes Longimanus, king of
Perfia, A. M. 3564, the firft of Nifan, computed from the moon's viſibility,
fell upon the third day of April, in the Julian kalendar extended ſo far
fo
backwards.
To find the day of the week correfponding aftronomically with the third day of
April, or the first of Nifan, A. M. 3564.
The CALCULATION,
To the days of the lunar reduction 1301545
Add, for the firſt of Niſan,
I
Divide by 7)
1301546 (185935 weeks.
Remainder
1 | index 5 | Friday *.
QUERY VII. How many folar tropical years intervene, between the moment of
the vernal equinox, in the 20th year of the reign of Artaxarxes Longimanus,
and the moment of the vernal equinox, in the 19th year of the reign of Tiberius?
The CALCULATION.
From the moment of the equinox March
Subſtract the moment of the equinox March
Difference of the times
D. H. M.
25 19 30
Artaxerxes 20
22
4 14
Tiberius
19
3 15 16
This difference of the times will produce 5236 minutes.
Divide by 11') 5236 (476 folar tropical years.
Remainder
But this query might have been folved by fimple ſubſtraction; for if from
490 we ſubſtract 14, or if from A. M. 4040 we fubftract A. M. 3564,
there will ſtill be found an interval of 476 folar tropical years.
*It is fomewhat remarkable, although we draw no inference from it, that the firft of Nifan,
the date of Nehemiah's commiffion, in the lunar computation, falls, by calculation, in the fame
Julian month, on the fame day of the month, and on the fame day of the week, in the 20th
year of the reign of Artaxerxes Longimanus, king of Perfia, as the fourteenth of Nifan did (on
which the Meffiah was cut off) in the 19th year of the reign of Tiberius Cæfar.
X X X X
QUERY
1
706
The Chronology of the World.
1
QUERY VHI. How many lunar years are included in 476 tropical ſolar?
The CALCULATION.
Years.
Divide by 19) 476 (25 cycles.
Remains
I year of the 26th cycle.
25 cycles multiplied into 235 lunations, produce 5875; to which add 12
for the remaining year, and the whole amount of lunations will be 5887.
I
Lunations.
Divide by 12)
Remain
5887
(490 lunar
(490 lunar years.
7 lunar months.
Before we proceed further, we ſhall prove, 1ft, That theſe 476 folar tropical
years are the aftronomical meaſure of the interval, between the vernal equinox
in the end of the 20th year of Artaxerxes Longimanus, (the folar tropical
date of Nehemiah's commiffion) and the vernal equinox, in the 19th of
Tiberius, the year of our Saviour's paffion.
The CALCULATION.
From the creation of the world to the vernal equinox, in the end of the
20th year of Artaxerxes Longimanus king of Perfia, we computed 3563 folar
tropical years and 6 months, which being reduced to days, and adjuſted to the
meridian of Jerufalem, produced 1301537 d. 19h. 30 min. p. m.
To this folar tropical reduction
Add, for the reduction of 476 years
To the ſum
Add, for October 25 d. oo h. oo min.
From the fum
Subſtract the Jul. reduction of 4040 years
Remains the fame M. D. H. and M. as above, March 22,
D.
H. M.
1301537 19 30 p.m.
173855 8 44
1475393 4 14
298
1475691 4 14
1475610
81 4 14 p.m.
2dly, We fhall prove, that if the included 490 lunar
years and
and 7 lunations,
be reduced to days, and applied to the first and fourteenth days of Niſan,
computed
·
The Chronology of the World.
7.07
(
computed aftronomically, in the end of the 20th, or in the beginning of the
21ft year of the reign of Artaxerxes Longimanus king of Perfia, they will
terminate reſpectively on the firſt and the fourteenth days of Nifan, computed
aftronomically, in the 19th year of the reign of Tiberius Cæfar; and by the
affiſtance of the lunar computation we fhall again aſcertain the angelic prediction,
concerning the cutting off the Meffiah, to a day.
The CALCULATION.
Reduce 499
lunar years to days.
D.
H. M. S.
400 lunar years contain
141746 18 20 00
90
31893 00 31 30
To the fum
Add, for 7 lunations
173639 18 51 30
206 17
8 12
The fum
173846 11 59 42
From the creation of the world to the pafchal new moon evening A. M.
3564, we computed 3672 lunar years, and 10 lunations and a half; which
being reduced to days, and adjuſted to the meridian of Jerufalem, produced
1301544 d. 21 h. 28 min.
To this lunar reduction
Add, for 490 lunar years, and 7 lunations,
To the fum
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
Subſtract the Jul. reduction of 4040 years
Remains the fame Jul. month March 20,
and day, as above,
D. H. M.
1301544 21 28
173846 11 59
1475391 9 27
298
1475689 9 27
1475610
79 9 27 p.m. Tiberius
19.
X X X X 2
Again,
708
The Chronology of the World.
D.
H. M.
Again, To the fame lunar reduction
Add, to bring it to the paffover day,
1301544 21 28
14
To the fum
Add, for 490 lunar years, and 7 lunations,
To the fum
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
Subſtract the Julian reduction of 4040 years
Remains the fame Jul. M. and D. as above, April 3,
1301558 21 28
173846 11 59
1475405 9 27
298
1475703
1475610
93 Tiberius 19.
In the ſeventh chapter of St. John's Goſpel, we have an explicit account of
that feaſt of tabernacles which immediately preceeded the paffover at which
our Saviour fuffered.
John vii. 2. Now the Jews feast of tabernacles was at hand.
ver. 10. When his brethren were gone up, then went he up alfo unto the feast.
ver. 14. Now about the midst of the feaft, Jefus went up into the temple, and
taught.
ver. 37. In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jefus ftood and cried,
Saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.
As Jefus honoured this feaſt with his preſence,
Let it be required to determine, from the 490 prophetic lunar years, and
7
lunations, the Julian month, day of the month, and day of the week, on
which it was celebrated, in the beginning of the 19th year of the reign of
Tiberius Cæfar, and of the folar tropical year of the world 4040.
The CALCULATION.
From the creation of the world, to the 15th of Nifan, calculated aftrono-
mically, in the end of the 20th year of Artaxerxes Longimanus, A. M. 3564,
we computed 3672 lunar years, and II lunar months.
Months.
Lunar years.
To
Add
3572 + 11
490 + 7
Sum total of lunar years 4163 +
6
We
The Chronology of the World.
709
We have here 4163 lunar years, and 6 months over.
Theſe lunar years
not only begin and end at the autumnal equinox, but alſo on a feſtival full
moon day; they begin on the 15th day of the first month of the firft lunar
year at the creation, and they end on the feaſt of tabernacles, at which,
according to the exprefs account of St. John, our Saviour was preſent.
The 6 remaining lunar months include,
ift,
All the minifterial acts and diſcourſes of our Saviour, from the 2d verſe
of the viith chapter, to his death and refurrection as recorded by St. John.
2dly, They terminate on that Jewish Sabbath which was coincident with the
first day of the feaft of unleavened bread, on which our Saviour reſted in
the grave, the day after his paffion.
3dly, They compleat the LXXth week (of folar tropical years) dated from
the commiffion granted to Ezra to restore Jerufalem in the 7th year of the
king.
4thly, They compleat the LXIXth week (of Chaldee years, each confifting
of 360 days) dated from that commiffion which was granted to Nehemiah,
14 years after, to build Jerufalem, in the the 20th year of the king.
To find the folar tropical year of the world corresponding with the 4163d lunar
year.
The CALCULATION.
Multiply 4163 lunar years into 12, and the product will give 49956 luna-
tions, the laſt of which terminates with the feſtival full moon.
In 19 folar years there are 235
there are 235 lunations.
Lunations.
Divide by 235) 49956 (212 decennoval cycles.
Divide by 12) 146 (12 years.
Multiply 212 cycles into 19, and to the product 4028 add the 12 years in
the quotient, then the fum 4040 will be the folar tropical year of the world
required; fo that this feaft of tabernacles was celebrated by the Jews, in the
beginning of the 19th year of Tiberius.
To find the Julian month, day of the month, and day of the week, on which
the feast of tabernacles was kept by the Jews, in the beginning of the 19th
year of the reign of Tiberius Cæfar A. M. 4040, antecedent to the reduction
of years to days.
The
710
The Chronology of the World.
The CALCULATION.
The 6 remaining lunar months contain 177 days; thefe 177 days meaſure
the diſtance between the firſt day of the feaft of tabernacles exclufive, and the
firſt day of the feaſt of unleavened bread inclufive.
It appears, by the preceeding calculations, that the Meffiah was cut off on
the 14th of Nifan, in connection with the 3d day of April A. D. 33; and that
his body reſted in the grave on the day of the Jewish Sabbath, in connection
with the 4th day of April, which is the 94th from the kalends of January.
To 94 add 365, then from the fum 459 fubftract 177, and it will carry
it back to the 282d day after the kalends of January, that is, to October 9
A. D. 32, whoſe dominical letters were F E.
We ſay then, that this feaſt of tabernacles was obſerved by the Jews, A.D.
32, on the 9th day of October.
To find the day of the patriarchal and of the Jewish week, correfponding aftro-
nomically with the 9th day of October A. D. 32.
The CALCULATION.
The 4th of April A. D. 33, fell upon a Saturday, which is the 6th day of the
patriarchal week, and the 7th of the Jewiſh.
2; from 7 fubftract 2,
Divide 177 days by 7, and it will leave in remainder
and it will leave 5 for the day of the Jewiſh week; then from 6 ſubſtract 2,
and it will leave 4 for the day of the patriarchal week ſought.
We fay then, that A. D. 32, the feaft of tabernacles fell on the 9th of
October, and on that day of the week which we call Thurſday.
To find the distance of the feast day after the autumnal equinox A. D. 32.
The CALCULATION,
A.D.
It appears, by the preceeding calculations, that A. D. 33, the pafchal new
moon was viſible on the evening of the 20th day of March, 2 days before
the vernal equinox, which was March 22. From 15 fubftract the new moon
epact 2, and the remainder 13 will be the aftronomical diftance of the firſt
day of the feaſt of unleavened bread after the cardinal point A. D. 33.
179 days meaſure the diſtance between the autumnal and vernal equinox.
From 179 fubftract 177, and it will leave in remainder 2. To 13 add 2, and
the fum 15 will be the aftronomical diſtance of the feaft of tabernacles after
the autumnal equinox A. D. 32; fo that the moon muſt have been viſible on
the evening which preceeded the fun's entry into the cardinal point, or in the
evening of the fame day.
Proved
The Chronology of the "
711
World.
Proved by calculation from the original radix.
From A.M. 4040 fubftract 1, and it will leave A.M. 4039.
4039 folar tropical years produce (p. 683.)
Add, for the meridian of Jerufalem,
To the ſum
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
Subſtract the Jul. biffext. reduct. for 4039 yrs.
Jul M. D. H. and M. of o in, Sept. 24,
D.
H. M.
1475213 21 31
12 45
1475214 10 16
298
1475512 10 16
1475245
267 10 16 p.m.A.M.4039.
The LUNAR COMPUTATION.
Reduce 4163 lunar years to days.
4000 lunar years contain
100
60
D.
H. M. S.
1417467 15 20 00
35436 16 35 00
3
To the fum
Add, for the meridian of Jerufalem,
The fum
Reduce the hours to midnight
To the fum
oo
21262 00 21 00
1063 2 25 3
1475228 10 41 3
12 45
+1-12
1475228 23 26
1475229 11 26
298
From the fum
1475527
Subſtract the Jul. biffextile reduction of 4039 years
1475245
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
The Jul. M. and D. of the feaft, October 9,
282 as by deduction.
D.
From the lunar reduction
•
1475229
Suftract the tropical ſolar
1475214
The diſtance of the feaft after the autumn. equin.
15 which was to be proved.
Divide
712
The Chronology of the World.
Divide the days of the lunar reduction by 7) 1475229 (210747 weeks.
Remainder
o | index 4 | Thurſday.
By theſe calculations, from the original radix, the truth of every particular
in the preceeding deductions is confirmed.
Again, From the days of the lunar reduction, -15 d. 1475214
Subſtract the days of the tropical folar
Difference
1475214
From this calculation it appears, that in the end of the 18th year of the
reign of Tiberius, if we fuppoſe theſe years to begin and end at the autumnal
equinox, or A.D. 32, the moon was vifible on the evening of that day in
which the fun finiſhed its 4039th revolution; and fo it was ſtated above,
antecedent to the calculation.
The deſign of theſe calculations is to prove, that Daniel's prophetic numbers,
in the lunar computation, bring it down to the feaſt of tabernacles in the end
of the third year of our Saviour's public miniſtry, juſt 6 lunar months before
the paffover at which he fuffered; and likewife juft 6 months, as we ſhall
now proceed to fhew, before the completion of the LXIXth week, reckoned
by Chaldee years of 360 days each.
It has been already obferved, (p. 701.) that, in this branch of the prophecy,
we are inſtructed from the date of Nehemiah's commiffion, to compute by
Chaldee years of 360 days each.
For if we divide 476 folar tropical years by 7, the quotient will give no
more than 68 weeks, which fall 1 week fhort of 69.
Again, If we divide
give 70 compleat weeks and 7 lunations over; which exceed 69, by 1 week
and 7 lunations. So that neither of them agree with the angel's prediction.
490 lunar years and 7 lunations by 7, the quotient will
But we are not only directed by the date of Nehemiah's commiflion, to
compute now by Chaldee years, but alfo by the very terms of the prophecy,
and the proportions which they bear to one another.
The terms of the prophecy are 70 weeks, 69 weeks, and 1 week.
Now as 1460 Julian years of 365 days and 6 hours, contain 1461 Nabo-
nafatean years of 365 d. 00 h. fo, in like manner, and almoſt with the fame
exactneſs, 69 folar tropical years of 365 d. 5 h. 49 min. include
70 Chaldee
years of 360 days; the difference between the two reductions being no more
than 1 whole day and odd hours.
Say
The Chronology of the World.
713
Solar trop. yrs.
Say then, as
69
Chaldee.
70
Solar trop. yrs.
Chaldee.
476
483
Divide 483 by 7, and the quotient 69 will be the number affigned by the
angel.
Now although folar tropical years, lunar years, and Chaldee
years, when
compared together, will be found incommenfurate in their quantities, yet if
their feveral prophetic fums be reduced to days, there will be found
more than the difference of a 30-day month between them.
very little
There is ſomething fo very extraordinary in theſe angelic numbers, and their
chronological properties, that they cannot fail to engage our utmoſt attention,
whether we confider,
ift, The aftronomical meaſure of the limited interval by folar tropical
years. Or,
2dly, The exact accompliſhment of the grand predicted event to a day, by the
lunar computation. Or,
3dly, The being able to aſcertain the angelic number and divifion of the
weeks, firſt by folar tropical, and then by Chaldee years.
St. Peter ſays, 1 Epift. chap. i. 10, 11. Of which falvation the prophets have
enquired and fearched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that ſhould
come unto you.
ver. 11. Searching,
II. Searching, τινα η ποιον καιρόν,
Tiva & Tower Hαigor, what, and what manner of time, the Spirit
of Chrift which was in them did fignify, when it teftified before hand (Dan. ix.
24, 25, 26.) of the fufferings of Chrift.
Now if the prophets themſelves, if the inſpired perfons diligently fearched
and enquired, what number of years, and what forms of year, were neceffary
for the full explication of the feveral parts of this prophecy, undoubtedly the
events muſt become to us the fureft comment, nor have we any other directory.
We ſhall again recapitulate, under this article of enquiry, the ſeveral ſyn-
chroniſms which have been calculated,
We ſay then, that Nehemiah went up from Shushan to Jerufalem, with a
commiffion to build it,
ift, In the folar tropical year of the world 3564.
2dly, In the latter end of the 20th, and towards the beginning of the 21ft
year of Artaxerxes Longimanus king of Perfia.
3dly, In the 304th year of the Nabonafarean æra.
4thly, Olympiad LXXXIII. 4.
5thly, In the Julian year before Chrift 444.
Y y y y
ууу
6thly,
714
The Chronology of the World.
6thly, The commiffion was dated on the firſt of Niſan, eight days after the
vernal equinox.
7thly, On the 3d day of April, upon a Friday, if the Julian ftyle be extended
fo far backwards.
8thly, 476 folar tropical years,
9thly, 490 lunar years, +7 lunations,
Iothly, 483 Chaldee years,
before the cutting off the Meffiah.
In this latter branch of the prophecy, reckoned from the going forth of a
decree to build Jerufalem, we have hitherto confidered no more than 69 weeks,
or 483 Chaldee years, at the end of which Chrift died the death of the croſs,
and by fuch a death, punctually verified the angelic prediction. But the words
of the prophecy in general are, Seventy weeks are determined upon thy holy city.
If, therefore, from 70 weeks we fubſtract 69, or if from 490 years we
fubftract 483, there will ftill remain 7 years, or 1 whole week, to be accounted
for and explained.
In the former branch of the prophecy, reckoned from the going forth of a
decree to reſtore Jerufalem, the 70th week followed immediately after the 69th,
and was in a conjoined reckoning with it; but here we fhall find the 70th
week detached from the 69th, and to be fet at a diſtance from it; fince, by
our Saviour's expreſs declaration, (Matth. xxiv. 14.) the Goſpel of the king-
dom muſt be preached (after the death of Chrift) in all the world, (i.e. in
all the provinces of the Roman empire) for a witneſs to all nations, of the
unreaſonable obſtinacy of the Jews, before the end of the Jewish polity ſhould
come. But at what preciſe diſtance of time, we are to look for the be-
ginning and ending of this one remaining week, which is now diſcontinued
from the 69th, we are to enquire.
F
That part of the prophecy, whofe exprefs characters received their literal
and exact completion in the one remaining week, is contained in the fol-
lowing texts:
Dan. ix. 26.
The future people of Meffiah Nagid, i.e. the Romans,
fhall destroy the city and the fanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with an
overflowing inundation, and unto the end of the war defolations are de-
termined.
ver. 27. And in the beginning of the one remaining week, he [the Ro-
man emperor Nero] hall make a firm covenant [of Peace] with many
neighbouring nations, [the Parthians, Medes, and Armenians. Tacitus's
Annal. 1. xv. c. 28.] And in the half of a week, i. e. in the end of
three years and fix months, [for fo long fhall the Romans carry on the
war
The Chronology of the World.
7 15
war againſt the Jews] he, the then Roman emperor Vefpafian, hall, by
his fon Titus, caufe the facrifice and oblation finally to ceafe. Then the
defolating abominations [i. e. the ſtandards of the Roman legions, having
the images of their falfe gods painted on them, and were therefore de-
tefted by the Jews] fhall ftand, gnal kenaph, upon the battlements of the
temple, [Matth. iv. 5. ET TO lepurior Ty gy] and in the holy place. And in
this defolation Jerufalem fhall continue [as it is this day] until the confum-
mation of God's determined vengeance.
T
Our Saviour, towards the cloſe of his public miniftry, in his parables and
diſcourſes, plainly alludes to thefe predictions of the angel concerning the
deſtruction of the temple and city of Jerufalem; and he exprefsly cites this
prophecy of Daniel (Matth. xxiv. 15. Mark xiii. 14.) for that fure fign con-
comitant of the final fubverfion of the Jewish church and ftate, when they
ſhould ſee the abomination of defolation ſtanding in the holy place, and where it
ought not.
The following citations from the Goſpel hiftory, are fo clear a comment
upon this latter part of the prophecy, that a very little more will be wanting
towards a general and hiftorical explanation, befides a chronological table,
denoting and ſpecifying the times, when the 70th, or feparate one week, be-
gan and ended, and when its three exprefs prophetic characters were ac-
compliſhed.
The three exprefs characters here referred to, are,
(1.) He fall make a firm covenant with many.
He hall cause the facrifice and oblation to cease.
(3.) The abomination of defolation ſhall ftand in the holy place.
Here the events are a comment upon the text.
Thoſe diſcourſes and parables of our Saviour, in which he either has an eye
to, or exprefsly cites, this latter part of Daniel's prophecy, are theſe following:
Matth. xvi. 3. O ye hypocrites, ye can difcern the face of the fky, but can xe
not difcern the figns of the times? fpoken of by the prophet Daniel, and
which are very near to their being fulfilled.
Luke xix. 41. And when he was near (to Jerufalem) he beheld the city, and
wept over it.
ver. 42. Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least, in this thy day, the
things which belong unto thy peace, but now they are hid from thine eyes.
ver. 43. For the days fhall come upon thee, that thine enemies fhall caft a trench
about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every fide.
Yyyy 2
ver.
716
The Chronology of the World.
ver. 44. And lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee, and
they shall not leave in thee one ſtone upon another, becauſe thou kneweſt not the
time of thy vifitation.
Luke xx. 9. Then began he to speak to the people this parable. A certain man
planted a vineyard, and let it forth to huſbandmen, and went into a far
country for a long time.
ver. 10. And at the feafon, be fent a fervant to the husbandmen, that they ſhould
give him of the fruit of the vineyard; but the huſbandmen beat him, and ſent
him away empty.
ver. 11. And again be fent another fervant, and they beat him alfo, and
entreated him ſhamefully, and fent him away empty,
ver. 12. And again he fent, the third, and they wounded him alfo, and caft
him out.
ver. 13. Then faid the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will ſend my
beloved fon, it may be they will reverence him, when they fee him.
ver. 14. But when the husbandmen faw him, they reafoned among themſelves,
faying, This is the heir, come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may
be ours.
ver. 15. So they caft him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore
Shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?
ver. 16. He fhall come, (with his army of Roman legions) and (miferably)
deftroy thofe husbandmen, and fhall give the vineyard to others. And when
they heard it, they faid, God forbid.
ver. 19. And the chief priests and the fcribes the fame hour fought to lay hands
upon him, but they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken
this parable againſt them.
ye
Matth. xxiii. 34. Wherefore, behold, I fend unto you prophets, and wife men,
and fcribes; and fome of them ye shall kill and crucify, and ſome of them
fball Scourge in your fynagogues, and perfecute them from city to city.
ver. 35. That upon you may come all the righteous blood fhed upon the earth, from
the blood of righteous Abel, unto the blood of Zacharias the fon of Barachias,
whom ye flew between the temple and the altar.
ver. 36. Verily I say unto you, All theſe things shall come upon this ge-
neration.
ye
ver. 37. O Jeruſalem, Jerufalem, thou that killeft the prophets, and stoneft them
which are fent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together,
even as a ben gathereth her chickens under her wings, and would not.
ver. 38. Behold your houfe is left unto you defolate.
Matth. xxiv. 1. And fefus went out and departed from the temple; and his
difciples came to him to fhew him the buildings of the temple, faying, (Mark
xiii.) Maſter, fee what manner of stones, and what buildings are here?
Luke
The Chronology of the World.
717
Luke xxi. 6. And Jefus faid, As for thefe things which ye behold, the days will
come, in which there ſhall not be left one ftone upon another, that ſhall not be
thrown down.
Mark xiii. 3. And as he fat upon the mount of Olives, over-againſt the temple,
Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, afked him privately,
ver. 4. Tell us when ſhall these things be? And what shall be the fign, when
all theſe things ſhall be fulfilled?
ver. 10. And he ſaid unto them, The Gospel muſt firſt be published (Matth. xxiv.
14. in all the world) for a witneſs unto all nations, and then ſhall the end (of
the Jewish church and ftate) come.
Luke xxi. 10. Then faid he unto them, Nation fhall riſe againſt nation, and
kingdom against kingdom.
ver. 11. And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and
peftilences, and fearful fights, and great figns, fhall there be from heaven.
ver. 12. But before all theſe, they shall lay their hands on you and perfecute you,
delivering you up to the fynagogues, and into prifons, "being brought before
kings and rulers for my name's fake.
ver. 20. When ye shall fee Jerufalem compaſſed with armies; and when (Matth.
xxiv. 15.) ye shall fee the abomination of defolation, Spoken of by Daniel
the prophet, ftand in the holy place, (whofe readeth let him underſtand)
then know that the defolation thereof is nigh.
ver. 21. Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them
which are in the midst of it depart out of it; and let not them which are in
the countries enter thereinto.
ver. 22. For theſe be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written
may be fulfilled.
ver. 23. But wo unto them which are with child, and to them that give fuck
in those days: for there ſhall be great diftrefs in the land, and wrath upon
this people.
ver. 24. And they shall fall by the edge of the fword, (in number 1 100000, fays
Jofephus) and they fhall be led captive (in number 97000) into all nations,
and Ferufalem fhall be trodden (or inhabited by the Gentiles) until the
times of the Gentiles fall be fulfilled.
ver. 32. Verily I fay unto you, This generation fhall not pass until all be
fulfilled.
ver. 33. Heaven and earth fhall pass away, but my words fhall not pass away.
Our Saviour, in anſwer to the queſtion propoſed to him by his diſciples,
(Mark xiii. 4.) When ſhall theſe things be? gives us two general and unde-
terminate directions, where to look for the end of this one feparate week.
Firft
718
The Chronology of the World.
Firft direction: Mark xiii. 10. The Gospel must first be preached for a witneſs to
all nations, and then ſhall the end (of the Jewish polity) come.
Second direction: Luke xxi. 32. Verily I fay unto you, This generation hall
not pass, until all (thefe predicted events, namely, the deftruction of the
city and the temple of Jerufalem, together with the miſerable ſlaughter
and captivity of the Jews) be fulfilled,
I call them undeterminate directions, with reſpect to the precife time of
their completion, becauſe, although St. Luke's hiftory of the acts of the apoftles,
commences with the relation of our Saviour's afcenfion into heaven, in the
view of his diſciples, and ends with the account of St. Paul's impriſonment at
Rome, yet is not this hiftory regularly digefted into annals, nor is there one
reference to any known æra, or any certain characters of time, to aſcertain the
interval.
St. Paul, in his epistle to the Coloffians, (chap. i. 23.) declares, that the
Goſpel had then been preached to every creature under heaven, or throughout
the Roman empire, which is called on, the habitable world; and it is
fuppofed, that this epiftle was wrote when he was in bonds at Rome A.D. 62,
but with what certainty we know not, as no dates of time are fixed to any of
St. Paul's epiſtles; and what has been offered upon this head, can amount to
little more than probability, or conjecture; but as no chronological compu-
tations can be founded upon mere probability, we muſt look for fcriptural
arguments.
We read in the fourth chapter of Ezekiel and the fixth verfe, of God's
forty years forbearance of the iniquity of the houſe of Judah, which commenced
with the prophet Jeremiah's miffion to preach repentance and reformation, at
the vernal equinox, in the 13th year of the reign of Jofiah king of Judah ;
and they ended at the vernal equinox, in the tenth year of the reign of Zede-
kiah, and in the following year the city and temple were deftroyed by fire,
the first time, by the Babylonians.
Now although we have no exprefs authority, either from the declarations of
our Saviour, or his apoſtles, to argue in this manner, yet it will be found, upon
examination, to be true in fact, that the laft forty years of God's forbearance
of the iniquity of the whole people of the Jews, commenced at the vernal
equinox, or at the first paffover in our Saviour's public miniſtry, and they ended
at the vernal equinox, and at that paffover in which Titus laid fiege to Jerufalem,
and a few months after the fecond temple was burnt, and the city was defolated
by the Romans,
Our
The Chronology of the World.
719
'
Our Saviour in perfon preached repentance and reformation to the Jews three
whole years, as may be inferred from the parable of the fruitlefs fig-tree.
Luke xiii. 6. He spake alfo this parable. A certain man had a fig-tree planted
in his vineyard, and he came and fought figs thereon, and found none.
ver. 7. Then faid he to the dreffer of his vineyard, Behold, thefe three years I
come ſeeking fruit on this fig-tree, and find none; cut it down, why cumbereth
it the ground?
ver. 8. And be anfwering, faid unto him, Lord, let it alone this year alſo, till
I fhall dig about it and dung it.
ver. 9. And if it bear fruit, well; and if not, then after that thou shalt cut
it down.
After our Saviour's afcenfion into heaven, when the apoſtles were endued
with power from on high, they preached the word of falvation to the Jews
firft; but when the Jews (Acts xiii. 45.) ſpake against those things which were
Spoken by Paul, contradicting and blafpheming,
ver. 46. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and faid, It was neceffary that
the word of God fhould first have been spoken to you, but feeing ye put it
from you, and judge yourſelves unworthy of everlasting life, lo! we turn to
the Gentiles.
Now from 40 years fubftract 3, for our Saviour's public miniſtry, and his
preaching the Goſpel in perfon to the Jews, and there will remain 37 years;
from 37 years fubftract 30, for the publication of the Goſpel by the apoſtles as
a witneſs to all nations, and it will leave 7 years for the one remaining week,
and its determinate diſtance after the 69th.
That thirty years intervened between the afcenfion of our Saviour, and the
full publication of the Gofpel, as a witneſs to all nations, may be confirmed
from Echard's Ecclefiaftical Hiftory, book II. c. 6.
A. D. 63. Æ. V. Nero.
About
"After the apostle Paul had been four years a priſoner to the Roman
power, of which two were ſpent at the city of Rome, he was then freed
" from all confinement, being found not guilty of any Roman law.
Roman law.
"which time the evangelift Luke wrote his fecond hiftory, called the Acts
" of the Apoſtles, which he dedicated to the fame Theophilus to whom he
"had dedicated his Gofpel; the one containing the miracles of Jefus Chrift,
"and
720
The Chronology of the World.
(f.
and the other thoſe of the Holy Ghoſt. In the firſt he wrote fuch things
as he had from the relations of others; in the ſecond, thofe of which he
"had been in part an eye-witneſs. It is entitled, Acts, πpažus, of the Apoſtles,
"becauſe it contains the hiftory of what the apoftles did at Jerufalem and in
"Judea, for about twelve years after the afcenfion of our Saviour. After
"which he continues his hiſtory with the travels, actions, and fermons of
"St. Paul, till the end of his two years confinement at Rome. So that it is a
hiftory of thirty years tranfactions; the former principally containing the
"acts of the two apoftles of the circumcifion, Peter and John, with the
"preaching of the Goſpel to the Jews; and the latter, thofe of the two
apoftles of the uncircumcifion, Paul and Barnabas, with the planting and
progrefs of the Goſpel among the Gentiles."
"C
"C
Now let us try, if we cannot, from theſe laſt forty years of God's for-
bearance of the iniquity of the whole people of the Jews, as ſtated above, re-
turn a fatisfactory anfwer to the feveral chronological queries, relating to the
expreſs characters of the 70th week, which, in this branch of the prophecy,
is fet at the diſtance of thirty years from the 69th, after which (incluſive) the
Meffiah was cut off.
QUERY. (1.) In what folar tropical year of the world, (2.) In the reign of
what Roman emperor, and in what year of his reign, (3.) In what year of the
vulgar Chriftian ara, did the 70th week (of Chaldee years), and the most
diftinguished half thereof, begin?
of
A folution of theſe chronological queries may be read, without the trouble
any further calculation, in the annexed table:
Roman
The Chronology of the World.
721.
E. V.
nal equinox
Tiberius.
1516
16
29 X 30
Years of their
[Threefold divi-|
Roman reigns, comput-Years of Chrift, fion of the forty Solar tropical years
Empe- led from the ver-
rors.
years of God's
forbearance.
of the world.
4037
17
30 31
17
18
31
32
18
19
32
33
19
20
33 34
20 21
34 35
21
22
35 36
Caligula.
22
I
1 2
I
36 37
37 38
2
3
'38
39
3
4
I
8
+123 +46 7∞
+1 2 3 4+46 7∞
4
39 40
I
40 41
~ ♡ had a 3 +66 2∞
4039
3
4040
I
4038) The Meffiah preaches re-
pentance to the Jews,
40417
in perſon.
2
4042
4043
4
4044
5
4045
4046
7
4047
8
4048.
41 42
9
4049
42 43
10
4050
43
44
II
4051
44
45
12
4052
45
46
13
4053
46
47
14
4054
8
47 48
15
9
48
49
16
56
4055
4056
9 IO
49 50
17
4057
IO II
50 51
18
4058
II 12
51 52
19
4059
12 13
52 53
20
4060
Nero. Otho. Galba. Vitellius. Vefpafian.
13
14
53 54
21
4061
14
I
54 55
22
3
ON QUAW NA
23 +46 7∞
55 56
23
4062
4063
56 57
57 58
58 59
59 60
60 61
45678
2 2 2 2 2 2
24
4064
7
8
61 62
8
9
62 63
30
9
10
63 64
I.
4071 The 70th week begins.
IO II
64 65
II.
4072
II 12 65 66
III.
4073
[the Jewiſh war.
12 13
66 67
IV.
4074 The Romans enter upon
13 14
67 68
V.
4075
14
I
1 2
I
68 69
VI.
4076
[ſtroyed.
69 70
VII.
4077 The city and fanctuary de-
Zzzz
For
25
26
27
28
29
4066
4067
4068
4069
4070J
4065
The Goſpel is preached by the Apoſtles as a witneſs to all nations.
722
The Chronology of the World.
For a right underſtanding of this chronological table, it will be neceffary to
inform the reader, that it is conſtructed by an aſtronomical law; in conſequence
whereof, the years of the reigns of the Roman emperors, and the years of
our Lord, are made to begin and end at the vernal equinox, without any
regard had to their true epocha; and, by this means, they are refpectively
concurrent with two diſtinct years of the world, which begin and end at the
autumnal equinox.
But notwithſtanding there is a difference of feveral months between the
aſtronomical and the true epocha of the abovementioned years, yet ftill the
LXXth prophetic week will be found to expire, as appears by the table, not
only in the folar tropical year of the world 4077, and in the 70th year of
the vulgar Chriftian æra; but alſo in the fecond year of the reign of the
Roman emperor Vefpafian, as it is punctually related by Jofephus, in his hiftory
of the Jewiſh wars, lib. vi. chap. 47.
Jofephus was an eye-witnefs of the miferable defolations of his country by
the Romans, and of the accompliſhment of every the minuteſt circumſtance of
our Lord's predictions. He preciſely mentions, (1.) the month and day of the
month, when Titus laid fiege to the city; when ferufalem was encompaſſed with
the (Roman) armies; when they caft a trench about it, and enclosed it on every fide.
(2.) The month, and day of the month, when they caufed the daily facrifices
and oblations to cease. (3.) The month, and day of the month, when Titus's
foldiers, in ſpite of all his endeavours to prevent it, fet the temple on fire; nor
does he omit to remark, that whilft it was in flames, (xapers de AUTY TY var)
καιόμενο δε αυτό το να
they fet up the ſtandards of the legions, on the eaſtern porch, and there they
facrificed before them after their idolatrous manner. (4.) The month, and day
of the month, in which the city was taken, plundered, and deftroyed. (5.)
He emphatically remarks, that the fecond temple was burnt by the Romans,
the fame month, and day of the month, on which the first temple was burnt
by the Babylonians. Lib. vii. chap. 9, 10.
The deftruction of the city and temple of Jerufalem, firft by the Babylo-
nians, and afterwards by the Romans, are very remarkable events both in
facred and prophane hiftory. The former of theſe happened in the 11th
year of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, (which was the 19th, in the
fcriptural account, of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon) and (Jerem. lii. 12.)
in the Vth month, on the tenth day of the month, A. M. 3419.
The latter,
in the ſecond year of the reign of the Roman emperor Vefpafian, and (as
Jofephus relates, lib. vii. chap. 9, 10. Jewish wars) on the tenth day of the
Macedonian month Lous, A. M. 4077, 658 years after; whilſt the Jews, in
their defective chronology, as we before obferved, reckon no more than 420
years between the deſtruction of the first and of the fecond temple.
The
The Chronology of the World.
723
Solomom's Temple
The TABLE.
was burnt by the Babylonians,
in the 11th year of the reign
of Zedekiah king of Judah,
A. M. 3419.
Month
V.
Tenth day.
Interval
Zorobabel's Temple
was burnt by the Romans,
in the 2d year of the reign
of Vefpafian the Roman emperor,
A. M. 4077.
658 years.
Macedonian month
Lous,
Tenth day.
To this we ſhall ſubjoin a table, ift, Of the fcriptural and political lunar
year, each month, except the twelfth, confifting of 30 days; 2dly, Of the
Jewiſh; 3dly, Of the Macedonian aſtronomical lunar year, which differs from
the Jewiſh only in the names of the months.
Months of the
Celeſtial facred political
figns.
lunar year.
Number of
days in a
month.
Months of the
Jewiſh lunar
year.
Months of the Ma-
cedonian lunar
year.
Number of
days in a
month.
I.
- PP 1 l = $
30 30
30
Nifan
Xanticus
30 30
II.
30 60
Jyar
Artemifius
29 59
III.
30 90
Sivan
Dæfius
30 89
IV.
30 120
Tamuz
Panemus
29 118
ી.
V.
30 150
Ab
Lous
m
VI.
30 180 Elul
30 148
Gorpiæus
29 177
VII.
VIII.
IX.
30 210 Tifri
Hyperberetæus 30 207
30 240
Marchefvan
Dius
29 236
30 270
Chifleu
Apellæus
30 266
X.
30 300
Tebet
Audynæus
29 295
XI.
30 330
Shebet
Peritius
30 325
*
XII.
24 354
Adar
Dyftrus
29 354
Should it be made a queftion, although we fee no manner of ground for it,
whether Jofephus, in his hiftory, applies the Macedonian months to the
Jewish lunar year, or to the Macedonio-Julian folar, that paffage which we
had occafion to cite from Jofephus, and to which we refer the reader, p. 365,
is of itſelf a fatisfactory anfwer. For if the 14th day of the Macedonian
month Xanticus, was the 14th day натα σεиvиv, according to the moon, it would
be abfurd to enquire, whether the computation was folar or lunar.
Zzzz 2
But
724
The Chronology of the World.
But notwithſtanding this convincing teftimony and clear proof, the following
citation from Strauchius will evince, that it is amongſt the points which are
controverted by the learned.
"It is a very difficult taſk, (fays Strauchius, book xiv. chap. 42. Salt's tranſl.)
to explain the foreign names of the months mentioned by Jofephus in his
"relation of the deftruction of Jerufalem. For (lib. vi. chap. 4. de Bell. Jud.)
" he ſays, the fiege began on the 14th day of the month Xanticus; and ibid,
"chap. 8. he fays, the Romans made themſelves mafters of the firſt wall,
on the 5th day of the month Artemifius. In like manner, he frequently
"makes mention of the month Lous, and refers the total defolation of the
city to the 8th day of the month Gorpiæus. It is beyond all difpute, that
Jofephus borrowed theſe names from the Macedonians, who being fubdued
by the Romans, were forced to change their ancient lunar kalendar for the
"folar of the Romans.
"Now the Macedonian months do thus correfpond with the Julian :
"1. Audynæus, January.
<<
7. Panemus,
"2. Peritius,
February.
r
8. Lous,
cc
3. Dyftrus,
March.
<<
9. Gorpiæus.
July.
Auguſt.
September.
4. Xanticus,
April.
66
10. Hyperberetaus,October.
<<
5. Artemifius,
May.
(c
11. Dius.
November.
“ 6. Dæfius,
June.
CC
12. Apellæus,
December.
"But whether Jofephus did, by the names of theſe Macedonian months,
"underſtand them according to the Julian months, is a great question:
"Ruffinus, Jofeph. Scaliger, Calvifius, archbiſhop Ufher, and many others,
"C
are of opinion he did. But, for my part, I am rather enclined to believe,
"that by theſe Macedonian months, Jofephus underſtood the Jewish months.
"For it is exprefsly faid by Jofephus, that his countrymen went out of Egypt
on the fame 14th day of the month Xanticus, on which Titus began to
inveft the city of Jerufalem; and it being unquestionable, that this was the
14th of the month Nifan, there is but little probability that Jofephus
"intended to make this day of the month Nifan, correfpondent with a
"certain day of the Julian kalendar.
<<
<<
«Ε
Secondly, It is not very probable, that the Jews fhould refer the time of
"the first deftruction of their temple, to any certain day of the Julian kalen-
"dar, which was not fo much as thought of at that time.
"It being mentioned likewife by Jofephus, that on the tenth day of the
"month Lous, the firſt temple was deftroyed by fire; I fee no reaſon why
by the month Lous, ſhould not be underſtood the month Ab, by the ancient
"Jews.
The Chronology of the World.
725
Jews. For thus the words of the prophet Jeremiah (ch. lii. 12.) may be
"reconciled with the relation of Jofephus. On the tenth day of the Vth month,
(Ab) fays the prophet, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, who ferved
"the king of Babylon, to Jerufalem, and burned the houfe of the Lord.
CC
"}
It is plain from theſe citations, that both Jofephus and Strauchius took it
for granted, that the fcriptural year was luni-folar, and that, like the year in
ufe amongſt the Jews, it confifted fometimes of 12, and fometimes of 13
unequal lunar months. Upon no other hypothefis can the tenth day of the
Vth month of the fcriptural lunar year be brought to a coincidence with the
tenth day of the Jewish month Ab, or with the tenth day of the Macedonian
month Lous. But we need not give ourſelves the trouble of a calculation to
confute the hypothefis, fince the impoffibility of fuch aſtronomical coincidence
may be inferred at once from the different quantities of equal and unequal
months.
In the chronological table of 40 years, p. 721, the firft of the laft prophetic
7 years falls regularly in the fame parallel line with A. D. 63, which, in the
Julian form, begins on the kalends of January, and ends on the 31st of
December.
Now if to the vernal equinox A. D. 63, we add 7 folar tropical years, (for
the 7 Chaldee years are hiftorical, not aftronomical) it will bring it down to
the vernal equinox A. D. 70; and if to the autumnal equinox A.D. 63, we
add 7 folar tropical years, it will bring it down to the autumnal equinox A. D.
70.
And within the limits of theſe 6 months, which intervene between theſe
two equinoxes, the two laſt prophetic characters of the more diſtinguiſhed half
of the one remaining week, muſt receive their accompliſhment. Accordingly,
Jofephus relates,
(1.) That Titus began the fiege on the 14th day of the month Xanticus,
which was the first day of unleavened bread.
(2.) That the daily facrifice and oblation was made to cease on the 17th
day of the month Panemus.
(3.) That the temple was fet on fire on the tenth day of the month Lous;
and then the defolating abominations was made to ftand in the holy place.
(4.) That the city was taken, plundered, and deſtroyed, on the eighth day
of the month Gorpiæus.
To find the Julian month, and day of the month, correfponding aftronomically,
ift, With the 14th day of the Macedonian (lunar) month Xanticus; 2dly,
With the 17th of Panemus; 3dly, With the tenth of Lous; 4thly, With the
eighth of Gorpiæus.
We
726
The Chronology of the World.
We will begin with the folar tropical computation.
The CALCULATION.
From A. M. 4077, fubftract 1, and there will remain A. M. 4076.
Multiply
into
M.
Divide the product by 1440)
4076 years of 365 days, 6 hours,
II minutes.
D. H. M.
44836 (31 3 16 Julian exceſs.
Multiply
into
4076 years,
1461 quadrants.
H. M.
D.
Divide the product by 4) 5955036 (1488759 00 00 Jul.reduction.
Subſtract for the Julian excefs
To the folar tropical reduction
Add, to bring it to the vern. equinox, A.M. 4077,
To the fum
Add, for the meridian of Jeruſalem,
To the fum
Add, for October 25 d. 00 h. oo min.
From the fum
Subſtract the Jul. reduction of 4077 years
Jul. M. and D. of the vern. equinox, March 22,
Add, to bring it to the fummer folſtice,
Jul. M. and D. of the ſummer ſolſtice, June 23,
Add, to bring it to the autumnal equinox,
Julian M. and D. of o in, September 24,
31 3
316
1488727 20 44
178 17 58
1488906 14 42
12 45
1488907 3 27 p.m.
298
1489205 3 27
1489124
81
3 27 Jerufalem,
92 22 42
174 2 9 p.m.
93 13 9
267 15 18 A.M. 4077.
It appears, from theſe calculations, that in the folar tropical year of the
world 4077, and in the year of our Lord 70, the fun came to the vernal
equinox, in the meridian of Jerufalem, on the 22d day of March. To the
fummer folftice, on the 23d day of June; and to the autumnal equinox, on
the 24th day of September, reckoning the hours from noon.
The
The Chronology of the World.
727
•The LUNAR COMPUTATION.
Divide by 19):
A. M.
4076 (214 cycles.
Remain 10 years of the 25th cycle.
Multiply 214 cycles into 235 lunations, and to the product 50290, add 120
for the 10 remaining years multiplied into 12, and they will make 50410. Add 3
for intercalary months, and the whole amount of lunations will be 50413.
Reduce 50413 funations' to days.
50,000 lunations contain
400
10
3
From the fum
Subſtract for 49680 lunations
To the remainder
Add, for the meridian of Jeruſalem,
To; the fum:
Add, for half a lunat, to bring it to a N. M.
To the fum
Add, for October 24 d. oo h. oo min.
1
D. H. M. S.
1476528 18 58 20
11812 5 31 40
295 7 20 17.
pt 88 14 12 -5-
1488724 22 2 22
I
1488723 22 2 22
12 45
1488724 40 47 2.2.
14 18 22
✓
1488739 5. D
297
From the fum-1489836 59
Subftract the Julian reduction of 4046 years. 14897 59…….i sl.
Jul. M. D. H. and M. of mean N. M. O&. 4,
}
277 5 9 p. m. A. M. 4076.
It appears, by theſe calculations, that A. D. 69 the autumnal equinoctial
mean new moon happened, in the meridian of Jerufalem, on the 4th day of
October, 9 minutes past five o'clock in the evening a
On this evening, the Macedonian month Hyperberetæus, which anſwers
to the Jewiſh month Tifri, commenced.
To October 4. a kalend. Jan.
277
Add for 6 lunations, to bring it to the paſchal N. M. A. D. 70, 177
From the fum
Subftract
454
365
Dyftrus ends, March 30,
Add, for the paffover-day,
89
14
April 13,
103
Without
728
The Chronology of the World.
Without making any more calculations, here follows
*
A TABLE of the Julian months, correfponding with the Macedonian months,
mentioned by Jofephus, in his hiftory of the Jewish wars.
Macedonian
Months. Days.
Julian
Months., Days.
Xanticus 14
April
13
Titus begins the fiege.
Artemifius 5
May
4
The outermoft wall broken down.
Panemus 17
July
14
Lous
IO
Auguft
5
Gorpiæus 8 September 2
The daily facrifices ceafed.
The temple fet on fire, and the idols of the de-
folator fet up in the holy place.
The city taken and deſtroyed.
Thus have I endeavoured to free religion and hiſtory from the darkneſs
and difficulties of a diſputed and uncertain chronology; from difficulties which
have appeared infuperable, and darkneſs which no luminary of learning
has hitherto been able to diffipate. I have eſtabliſhed the truth of the
Mofaical account, by evidence which no tranfcription can corrupt, no
negligence can loſe, and no intereft can pervert. I have fhewn, that the
univerſe bears witnefs to the infpiration of its hiftorian, by the revolution
of its orbs, and the fucceffion of its feafons; that the stars in their courfes
fight against incredulity, that the works of God give hourly confirmation to
the law, the prophets, and the gospel, of which one day telleth another, and one
night certifieth another; and that the validity of the facred writings never can
be denied, while the moon fhall encreaſe and wane, and the fun fhall know
his going down.
L
A ON A ΜΟΝΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΘΕΩΝ
SOLI DEO GLORIA.
110
Days of the
Week.
(i)
A
SOLAR and LUNAR KALENDAR
OF THE
CHAOTIC
O`R,
YEAR;
Of the Year which may be imagined to precede the Year of
the Creation, with the correſpondent Days of the Week.
TO WHICH IS ANNEXED,
An Aftronomical Reduction to the Months and Days of the
YEAR.
JULIAN
N. B. For Brevity's Sake I have expreſſed only the first and the two laft Months.
JULIAN KALENDAR.
Primitive
Solar Year.
Collected
Days.
Primitive
Lunar Year.
Collected
Days.
Jewiſh
Lunar Year.
XII.
XII.
이
​6
3 I
361
24354
29
I.
I.
I.
7
32 362
I
I
A
I
33
363
2
2
2
B
2
34 364
3
3
3
3
35
365
4
4
4
XII.
G 21294
21 294 295
22 295 296
23 296 297
C 24 297 298
D 25 298 299
(†)
October.
Collected Days
in a common
Julian Year.
Collected Days
in a Biffextile
Year.
Month
I.
Month
I.
Days of the
Week.
Primitive
Solar Year.
Collected
Days.
Primitive
Lunar Year.
Collected
Days.
༣
Jewish
Lunar Year.
(ii)
JULIAN KALENdar.
October.
November.
Common
Year.
f
Biffextile
4
6
7.
I
4
6
I
2
4
6
சுமம்
23+5O NAN 3+50
3+no N∞
+23+ So Noo
+50
I
I
5
2
6
4
4
8
ino noo.
5
56 7
E
8
8
5
9.
9
9
B
6
6
IO
IÓ
IO
7
I I
II
II
8
8
12
12
12
9
9
13
13
13
ΙΟ
IO
14
14
14
HFCARCAFFG
2 2
26°
27
299
300
300
301
28
301 302
29
302
3031
30
303 304
31
304
305
D
E
1 2
I
305 306
306
307
3
307
308
4
I I
II
15
15
15
A
I 2
12
16
16
16
B
13
13
17
17
17
C
14
14
18
18
18
D
456 7OO
308
309
309
310
310
311
311
312
8
312
313
15
15
19
19
19
E
9
313
314
16
16
20
20
20
F
IO 314 315
17
177
2I
2I
21
G
Ï I
7
18
18
22
22
22
A
12
I
19
19
23 23
2
20
20 24
24
3
222
450
2I
24
4
7
I
2
3
4 29
5
30
2 2 2 2
25
26
27
28
∞v au AWN
22
23
21 25
22 26
2 2
2'5.
26
23
27 27
~ ~ ~ ~ 2
23
B
13
24
C
14
315
316 317
317 318
318 319
316
25
D
15
319
319 320
26
E
16
320 321
27.
F..
17
321 322
24
28
28
28
GA
Ꮐ
18 322
323
22
25
29
29
29
A.
19
323 324
26
B
30
30
30
20
324 325
27
I
I
1
C
2I
325 326
28
$
2
29
30
~ 3.4
2
2
D
22
326
327
E
3
3
23
4
4
F
24
327 328
328 329
Year.
(iii. )
iii.
Month
XI.
Month
XI.
Days of the
Week.
Primitive
Solar Year,
Collected
Days.
Primitive
Lunar Year.
Collected
Days.
Jewiſh
Lunar Year.
JULIAN KALENdar.
Auguft.
September.
Common
Year.
Biffextile
Year.
3
I
I ♡ ♡ +56 7∞
4567 - 2
301
2
302
3
303
56 NO
305
10
D
22
234 235
306
I I
E
23
7
307
I 2
F
24
4
304
8
308
13
G
305
9
309
14
A
306
IO
310
15
B
456
2 2 2
25
26
235
236 237
237 238
238 239
236
27
239 240
307
I I
3!I
16
C
28
240
241
3
8
308
12
312
17
D
29
241 242
4
9
309
13 313
18
E
30
242 243
10 310
14
314
19
F
3 I
243
244.
I I
31 1
15
7
I 2
312
16
I
13
313
17
2
14.
314
18
56 N∞
315
20
G
I
244 245:
316
317
318
2I
22
23
3
15* 315
19
319
t
4
16
316.
20
320
17 317 21 321
6
18
318
22
322
7
19.
319 23
323
24
25
26
27
28
450
~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A
2
245 246
B
3
C
D
E
F
G
m+mo N∞
246
247
4 247
248
5 248
249
6
249
250
7 250
251
251 252
A
9
252 253
I
20
320
24
2
21
321
25
22
24
2 2 2
25
26
27
3
4.
7
I
23 323
322
26
27
324 28
2 2 2
~ ~ ~ ~
+36700
324
29
B
ΙΟ
253
254
325
30 «
C
I I
254
255
326
327
I
D
I2
255 256
328
325 29 329
326
30
330
327
I
331
2
28
328
2
332
3
29 329
3
333
~ 3+ 3O NOO
2
E
13
256 257
F
14
257 258
4
G
15
258
258 259
A
16
259
260
6
B
17
260
261
7
C
18
261
262
D
19
262
263
4
༣༠ 330
4
334
9
E
20
263
264
( iv.)
Month
XII.
Month
XII.
Days of the
Week.
Primitive
Solar Year.
Collected
Days.
Primitive
Lunar Year.
Collected
Days.
Jewish
LunarYear.
JULIAN KALEndar.
September.
October.
Common
Year.'
´Biffextile
Year.
56
I
331
2
332
7
3
333
I
5
6
7 IO
I
2
4
7
I
2
3
4
7
I
2
3
4
6
7
+56 NOO
2 2 2 2 2
1234 SO NA NON-Ņ mt Loo~-~ mtno^
4
334
335
SO N∞ ∞
5
335
ΙΟ
F
6
336
II
G
337
12
A
8
238
13
B
339
14
C
336
ΙΟ
340
15
D
7
337
I I
8
341
16
E
338
12
342
17
F
9
339
13
343
18
G
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
450 Noo
26
27
28
2I
264 265
{
22 265 266
23 266 267
267 268
268 269
24
25
269 270
270 27I
271
272
29
272 273
340 14
344
19
A
30
273 274
I I
341
15
345
20
B
I
274 275
I2
342
16
346
21
C
2
275 276
3 13 343
17
347
22
D
3
276
276 277
14
344 18
348
23
E
4
277 278
16
17
56 N
345 19
349
24
346
20
350
18
347 21 3-51
348 22
352
19 349 243 353
2 N
28
+56 N∞
2 2
F
5
278
279
25
26
27
G
6
279
280
A
7
280
281
B
8
281
282
9 282 283
20
350
24
354 29
a
D
« IO
283 284
21 351
I
22.
352 2
23 353
3
24
354 4
25
26
27
28
∞v air
355
356
357
358
m~♡t 5O N∞0
E
I I
284 285
F
12
285 286
G
13
286 287
A
14 287 288
B
6
C
15 288 289
16 289 290
7
D
17 290 291
8
E
18
291 292
29
359
9
F
19
292 293
30
360
ΙΟ
G
20
293 294
31 361
II
А
2I
294 295
I 32 362
12
B
22
2
33 363
13
3
34 364
14
C
D
4
35 365
E
110
295 296
23 296 297
0 24
25
297
298 299
298
о
( v..)
A TABLE fhewing how to adjust the Solar Tropical Year to civil Ufe, witho
giving any Disturbance to the civil Computation by entire Days.
6.
I.
2.
3.
Years
Biffex-
of our
Lord.
tile
Years.
Sol. trop. Years
Yrs.of the
4. 5.
Coll¹. Julian
7.
8.
9.
O in VS-11°
World.
{10
Com-
of the puta-
5th fol.
Period
The
The
The
tion.
D.
1
The
Kalends of January.
weftward;
D. H. M.
H. M.
1754 2
5761 I
365 Jan.
I
60
1755 3 5762 2
365 Jan.
I 12 O
0 22
1756 Biff 5763
3
365 Jan.
1
18 0
Retroceffion Progreffion Æquator.
eaftward.
H. M. Deg.,
O II + O II
Ο ΙΙ
- 0 33 + 0 33
245
Ó 22
5 30
8 15
1757 I 5764
4
366 Prid. kal. Jan.
o o`
0 44
Ο 44
ΙΙ ο
1758 2 5765
5
365 Jan.
T
60
- o 55 + 0 55
13 45
1759 3 5766
6 365 Jan.
I 12 O
I 6
6+ I I 6
16 30
1760 Biff. 5767
365 Jan.
I
18 O
1761
I -5768 8
366 Prid. kal. Jan.
ọ ọ
I 17
I 28
I 17
19 15
I 28
22 O
ト
​2 5769
9
365 Jan.
6 0.
I
- 1 39+ I 39
I 39
24 45
IQ
365 Jan.
I
12
12
O
I 50 + I 50
27 30
I I 365 Jan.
I
18 O
2 I
2 I
30 15
12
366 Prid. kal. Jan.
o o
2 12 + 2 12
33 Q
13
I
6 o
I 12 O
I 18 O
2 23
-2 342 34
2 23
35 45
38 30
I
41 15
44 Q
1762
1763 3 5770
1764 Biff 5771
1765 I 5772
1766 2 5773
1767 3 5774 14
1768 Biff 5775 15
1769 I 5776 16
1770 2 5777 17
1771 3.5778 18
1772 Biff. 5779 19
1773 I 5780
1774 2
1775 3
1776 Biff 5783
365 Jan.
365 Jan.
365 Jan.
366 Prid. kal. Jan. o o
- 2 452 45
- 2 562 56
3 7+ 3 7
3 183 18
46 45
3 18 49 30
365 Jan.
365 Jan.
365 Jan.
I
60
I
I 12 O
18 0
20
366 Prid. kal. Jan. o o
3 293 29
3 29
3 403 40
52 15
55 O
5781
5782
2 I 365 Jan.
22 365 Jan.
I
23
I
1777
60
I 12 O
18 0
o o
- 3 513 51
57 45
4 2
60 30
1778
2
1779 3
1
27
1781
I
28
5786|26|365| Jan. I 12 O
1780 Biff. 5787
5788
366 Prid. kal. Jan. o o
5785 25
25 365 Jan.
I 60
365 Jan.
4 244 24
66
4 35
4 35
68 45
- 4 46
+ 4 46
71 30
1 18 0
- 4 57
+4 57
4 57
74 15
5
8
+ 5
8
77
o &c. &c.
5784
I
23 365 Jan.
24 366 Prid.kal. Jan.
4 2
- 4 134 13
4 13 63 15
(ተተ)
( vi. )
A TABLE of 6000 Solar Tropical Years,
Quantity 365 d. 5 b. 49 min.
A TABLE of 6000 Jul. Years,
Quantity 365 d. 6 b.
Years.
D.
H.
M.
Years.
D.
H.
123+ SO 7∞
I
*
365
730
5
49
I
I I
38
1095
17
27
4
1460
23
16
1826
5
5
!
2191
ΙΟ
54
2556
16
43
123456 Noo
365
6
730
I2
1095
18
1461
O
1826
6
2191
12
7
2556
18
8
2921
22
32
2922
9
3287
4
21
9.
3287
6
IO
3652
ΙΟ
IO
ΙΟ
3652
12
20
7304
20
20
20
7305
O
30
10957
6
30
30
10957
12
40
14609
16
40
40
14610
O
50
18362
2
50
50
18262
I 2
60
21914
13
60
21915
70
25566
23
10
70
25567
12
80
29219
9
20
80
29220
90
32871
19
30
90
32872
12
100
36524
5
40
100
36525
200
73048
II
20
200
73050
300
109572
17
300
109575
400
146096
22
40
400
146100
500
182621
4
20
500
182625
600
219145
IO
600
219150
700
255669 15
40
700
255675
800
292193
2I
900
1000
328718
365242
2000
730484 17
1 3∞ 7
20
800
292200
900
328725
8
40
1000
365250
20
2000
730500
3000
1095727
2
3000
1095750
4000
1460969
IO
40
4000
1461000
5000
1826211
19
20
5000
1826250
6000
2191454
4
Oo
6000
2191500
(vii.)
A TABLE of 6000 Luuar Years,
Quantity 354 d. 8 h. 48 min. 21 fec.
Years.
D.
H. M. S.
Years.
D.
H. M. S.
I
354
8 48 21
27
9567 21 45 27
I.
II.
6
~ 345 N∞
2
708 17 36 42
X.
28
9922 6334
1063 2 25
3
29
10276 15 22 9
II
1417 11 13 24
XI.
30
10631 00 10 30
1771 20 I 45
40
14174 16 14 00
2126 450 6
50
17718 8 17 30
2480 13 38 27
60
21262 00 21 00
2834 22 26 48
70
III.
9
3189 715 9
888
24805 16 24 30
80
28349 8 28 00
IO
3543 16
330
90
31893 0031 30
IV.
II
3898 00 5151
100
35436 16 35 00
12
4252 940 12
200
70873 9 10 00
13
4606 18 28 33
300
106310 I 45 00
V.
14
15
16
VI.
17
18
450 NOO
4961 3 1654
400
141746 18 20
5315
¡
2 5 5
500
177183 10 55
5669 20 53 36
600
212620 339
6024 5 41 57
700
248056 20 5
6378 14 30 18,
800
283493 12 40
19
6732 23 18 39
900
318930 515
VII.
20
7087 8
700
1000
354366 21 50
21
7441 16 55 21
2000
708733 19 40
VIII.
22
7796 I 43 42
3000 1063100 17 30
23
8150 10 32
3
24
8504 19 20 24
IX.
25
88594
8859 4
8 45
IO
4000 1417467 15 20
5000 1771834 13 10
6000 2126201 II 00
261
92131257
6
(viii);
A TABLE of 70000 Lunations,
Quantity 29 d. 12 b. 44' 1" 45".
t
Lunations.
D.
H.
Min.
Sec.
Thirds.
I
29
I 2
44
.I
45
2
59
I
28
-3
88
14
12
4
118
2
56
5
147
15
40
IO
295
7
20
8 45
17
28.40
357∞
30
15
30
20
590
14
40
35
30
885
22
00
52
30
40
1181
5
21
50
1476
I2
4I
60
1771
20
I
70.
2067
3
22
8.0
2362
ΙΟ
42
99
2657
18
100
2953
I
200
5906
2
300
8859
4
2 2 LOOo
2 +
22
45
8
400
11812
5
31
500
14765
6
54
600
17718
8
17
700
20671
9
40
800
23624
II.
900
26577
12
26
1000
29530
13
49
2000
59061
3
38
3000
88591
17
27
4000
118122
7
16
OK NOKK 0 in 0 in 0 io mo
2 2
36 a∞ NO
IO
27
Oo
30
45
0.0
2
30
20
37
55
50
30
4.5
40
35
30.
25
20
15
20
30
40
5000
147652
21
5
-
50
6000
177183
IO
55
Oo
7000
206714
Oo
44
IO
8000
236244
14
33
20
9000
265775
I 0000
295305
18
+∞
4
22
30
I I
40
20000
590611
I 2
23
20
30000
885917
6
40000
1181223
34
35
00
46
40
50000
1476528
18
58
20
60000
1771834
13
IO
Oo
70000
2067140
7
21
40
Page viii
line
xi
118
120
124
ibid.
36
paffes
hath
127
3
in the time
ibid.
21 36 39
in his
128
3
129
of
139
148
159
ibid.
16
207
3
ibid.
23
212
216
II
217
1
223
15
235
I
239
20
268
23
275
23 24
288
2
294
297
309
30
363
3
394
24 39
395
I
397
14
409
21
ERRAT A.
13 for and the inequality of equations read the inequality and the equations
I
8
Swamin
3
give
to far as fo
33 min.
3 after LXXII
5 for Septimus
I
20
I
p. 8.
10 h.
folitarime
2105621 d.
poffitive
3 min. 58 fec.
24 h. 9 min.
calcules
was
A
product
1200375
5760
haurs
A. D. 1753
4628
momentuous
0. 15. 0. 15. 0.
propriety
vernal
ve chodeſh
gives
fo far as to
35 min.
paſs meridian
had
or in the time
in the meridian
in the circumference
infert A. M. 2262
read Septimius Severus
p. 120.
18 h.
folar time
2105622 d.
pofitive
3 min. 48 fec.
[24 h.] 9 min.
calculus
will be
H
quotient
1200357
5460
hours
A. D. 1453
5628
momentous
15. 0. 15. 0.
property
autumnal equinox
be chodeſh
575
27
528
7
7 1/1/10
17/1/
3
568
968
576
in the note
quæ
quafi
578
35
oridinal
598
27
common lunar year
600
5
interrupted
ordinal number
common Julian year
uninterrupted
618
7
data
date
648
fecond
firft
5
year
after biffextile
685
4
408
808
a
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