YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY Gift at

George H. Nett let on

Ki&B

*-.:%-''

AN
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY
or
THE HOLT BIBLE:
BEING A CONNECTED ACCOUNT OF THE
EEMAEKABLE EVENTS AND DISTINGUISHED CHAEACTEES

CONTAINED IN THE

OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS,
AND IN
Jewish History during the Four Hundred Years
INTERVENING BETWEEN THE
TIME OF MALACHI AND THE BIKTH OF CHEIST,
INCLUDING ALSO THE
LIFE OF CHEIST AND HIS APOSTLES:
THE WHOLE EMBRACING A
PERIOD OF FOUR THOUSAND YEARS,
WITH NOTES CRITICAL, TOPOGRAPHICAL AND EXPLANATORY, TOGETHER WITH
CHRONOLOGICAL AND OTHER VALUABLE TABLES.

BY

JOHN KITTO, D.D., F.S.A.,
OR OF "CYCLOPEDIA OF BIBLICAL LITEB ATUEE, " "HISTOEY OF PALESTINE,"
EDITED BT
ALVAN BOND, D.D.,

Formerly Professor of Biblical Literature in the Theological Seminary at Bangor, Me., and for
more than twenty years Pastor ofthe Second Congregational Church, Norwich, Conn.

EMBELLISHED AND ILLUSTEATED BY OVER 100 FULL-PAGE ENGRAVINGS AND MAPS.
NORWICH, CONN.
PUBLISHED BY HENRY BILL.
1868.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1S67.
By HENRY BILL,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for tho
District of Connecticut,

Printed by Geo. C. Rand & Avery, Boston.

P E E F A C E.
" Bible History," says Dr. Lange, " differs from the general history of the
kingdom of God, in that it delineates only the foundation of this kingdom by
means of and during the course of revelation: It traces, in historical succession,
the narrative contained in the Scriptures in all its essential features. In the Old
Testament it shows us all the elements of the life of faith, and sets before us
many a precious example of faith and patience for our imitation ; while in the
New Testament it exhibits the history of faith and salvation ' made perfect,' both
in the miracles and triumphs ofthe Lord, and in the deeds of His apostles. Thus
Bible history forms the basis of Church history."
As a department of useful knowledge, it possesses an intrinsic value and in
terest, surpassing whatever can be claimed for any other history. It covers a1
long period in the age of human society, whose chronicles, in an authentic form,
have been nowhere else preserved. It runs back to the eventful epoch whence
the creation of the world, in its present organic state, dates its existence ; and
furnishes the only reliable record of the origin of man, of his primitive condi
tion, his fall, his subsequent development, and the fortunes of his family.
Biblical history is the source of all we know of the antediluvian period, and
subsequent ages of the world down to the time of Herodotus, the father of his
tory. It contains the only truthful account of the ancient and long since vanished
civilizations. Herodotus was a contemporary of Ezra and Nehemiah, the last
of the Old Testament historians. The antediluvian period, and that intervening
between the Noachian deluge and the times of Nehemiah, embrace an era 01
about three thousand five hundred years, the history of which is nowhere found
but in the Old Testament. True, there are fabulous legends and cosmogonies
in which may be found a confused intermingling of traditional lore and the in
ventions of the imagination, but they are wanting in all the essential elements
of authentic history.
It has been said by Dr. Kitto, that " Amidst the various profane authors who
have written more or less in detail on Egypt, the Bible remains our best and
fullest authority for the early history of this country. * * * * The Bible
supplies, either by express statement or obvious implication, facts and principles
which constitute genuine history, and go far to give the past all the value which
it can possess for the men of these times.
The history of the pre-Christian era embraces, 1. The primeval ages till the
deluge, and the re-settlement of Noah aud his family in Armenia. . 2. The dis
persion of the posterity of Noah's three sons till the calling of Abraham. 3. The
origin and establishment of the Hebrew Theocracy, and its relations to the
ancient empires of the world, comprising the period from Moses to David — the
period of the kings from David to the Babylonian exile— the period of sacer
dotal rule under the Maccabeean administration, or what is called the middle
period. 4. Primitive Christianity to the close of the first century.
Thus surveyed, it appears that Biblical history covers a period of four thou
sand years — from the morning of creation. to the establishment of Christianity in
all parts of the Roman empire. When considered in respect to the infallible
sources whence it is derived, and the long flight of ages which it embraces, it ¦
must be regarded as possessing the highest claims to our careful study.

v PREFACE.
" Viewed merely as a literary production, the Bible," says the able and learned
editor of Dr. Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures, " is a marvellous
book, and without a rival. All the libraries of theology, philosophy, history,
antiquities, poetry, law, and policy would not furnish material enough for so
rich a treasure of the choicest gems of human genius, wisdom, and experience.
It embraces works of about forty authors, representing the extremes of society,
from the throne of the king to the boat of the fisherman ; it was written during
a long period of sixteen centuries, on the banks of the Nile, in the desert of
Arabia, in the land of promise, in Asia Minor, in classical Greece, and in im
perial Rome ; it commences with the creation, and ends with the final glorifica
tion, after describing all the intervening stages in the revelation of God and the
spiritual development of man ; it uses all forms of literary composition ; it rises
to the highest heights, and descends to the lowest depths of humanity ; it
measures all states and conditions of life ; it is acquainted with every grief and
every woe; it touches every chord of sympathy; it contains the spiritual
biography of every human heart ; it is suited to every class oi society, and can
be read with the same interest and profit by the king and the beggar, by the
philosopher and the child ; it is as universal as the race, and reaches beyond
the limits of time into the boundless regions of eternity."
* The Illustrated History of the Bible is to be accredited to the labors of Kitto,
who has contributed several valuable and voluminous works to the cause of
biblical learning. For the numerous notes introduced, recourse has been had
to the most reliable authors, and especially to the later researches in the depart
ment of sacred literature.
As some readers may be interested in a brief biographical notice of the
distinguished Christian scholar referred to above, the following is here inserted.
John Kitto was born in Plymouth, England, Dec. 4, 1804. His father was
a common laborer, in humble circumstances. Being addicted to intemperance,
he squandered his earnings in ale-houses, and his family was subjected to
poverty and mortification. His son, John, was consequently removed to the
home of his maternal grandmother, where he was tenderly cared for and
instructed. Very early he manifested a strong desire for knowledge, and sought
the society of those who would entertain him with stories or loan him books.
In his grandmother's library he found a family Bible, containing many
pictorial illustrations of scenes in sacred history, which afforded him much
pleasure, and induced him to read the Scriptures. The course of an eventftC
life is not unfrequently shaped by some single incident in the experience of
childhood. In the case of Kitto, it is very evident that there was a connection
between his interest in the old family Bible, with its pictures, and his subse
quent fondness for Biblical studies.
When he was ten years old, he was brought back to the parental home ;
his father, a journeyman mason, required John to assist him. In the mean time,
he improved every leisure day and hour in reading such hooks as he could find
or borrow. While other boys were at play, he was reading.
In the year 1817, the thirteenth of his age, young Ki$to suffered an injury
which cast a disheartening cloud over his future prospects. He was employed
iu carrying slates to the roof of a house which his father was repairing when
stepping from the ladder to the roof, his foot slipped, and he fell to the pave
ment below. He was conveyed in a senseless state to his home, and for two
•weeks there seemed to be but little hope of his recovery. At the expiration

PREFACE. *
of this time he opened his eyes and consciousness returned. His first thoughts
were directed to his books, his mind reverting to the subject with which it was
occupied at the time of the casualty. He seemed greatly surprised to find him
self weak and helpless. As yet he was not aware that, in consequence of the
injury he had received, he had become entirely deaf. On inquiring for a book
which he was reading just before he fell, he heard no answer. "Why do you
not speak?" he asked with some impatience. The painful information was
given to him, in writing, that he was deaf.
The fact of his deafness, depressing as it was, and unfitting him as it did
for most kinds of business, did not extinguish his thirst for knowledge. He
resorted to a variety of resources and expedients for earning small sums of
money, which he expended in the purchase of cheap books. But his scanty
earnings were not sufficient for the purchase of such books as he now craved,
and for procuring food and clothing, which his parents in their poverty could
no longer provide for him. Consequently, in the fifteenth year of his age, the
poor deaf boy was sent to the poor-house. This stern, humiliating necessity
seemed intolerable to his noble and sensitive spirit. After a while, however, he
became resigned to this hard lot, and conducted himself in a manner that won
the sympathy and kindness of the overseer.
In the latter part of the year 1821, John Kitto was apprenticed to a shoe
maker, who proved to be an unreasonable and cruel master. But in these
circumstances, trying as they were, and though required to work sixteen or
eighteen hours a day, he redeemed time from sleep for the pursuit of knowledge.
His was a mind that rose above the pressure of the most depressing adversity.
The promising abilities of this unfortunate youth were at last brought to
the notice of several gentlemen in Plymouth. Measures were proposed by
them in 1823, with a view to procuring for him a situation favorable to the
attainment of that knowledge and culture on which ho was so intent. As the
result of these humane efforts, he was removed from the work-house to the
position of sub-librarian in the Plymouth Public Library. Having triumphed
over discouragements and difficulties which would have utterly disheartened a
less brave and resolute spirit, he found himself on the upward career of success
ful literary culture and achievement.
Two grand ideas now impressed and affected his mind, viz.: that he must
make himself, and that usefulness should be the ruling purpose in the prosecu
tion of his literary labors and attainments. The eventful history of his life
affords abundant evidence that these noble ideas were not theoretical elements,
but practical forces, the influence of which was signally manifested in the
strength and affluence of a cultivated intellect, and in the widely appreciated
usefulness resulting from his manifold and elaborate contributions to the
department of Biblical learning. There were other elements of character which
contributed to his masterly activity and signal success. These were singleness
of aim, thoroughness of execution, rigid system, personal independence, and
strong faith in God.
The friends of Kitto advised him to engage in the work of a printing-office,
for the purpose of qualifying himself to superintend a mission press. He did
so, and in 1827 he received from the Church Missionary Society the appoint
ment of lay missionary. In this capacity he sailed for the Island of Malta.
where he engaged in the department of labor for which he had been set apart.

vi PREFACE.
On finding that his work was less favorable to intellectual and spiritual growth
than he had expected, he resigned the situation.
As a missionary company was about to be sent to Bagdad, he readily
accepted an invitation to join the same. The voyage to that oriental city
occupied six months, which time he improved in careful observations on men,
customs, aud places. While residing in that city, it was visited by the plague,
the terrific ravages of which swept off more than one-half the inhabitants in
two months. Amidst this fearful desolation he remained calm and active at
his post. His connection with this mission continued about three and a half
years. On returning to England, he settled near London, and engaged in literary
pursuits. About this time he was married to a very excellent woman, who
aided him in his labors. His first work was a book of travels in the East.
Soon he commenced his great work, the "Pictorial Bible," in three volumes.
His "Pictorial History of Palestine and the Holy Land" followed. Then
another great work, the " The Cyclopaedia of Biblical Literature," was published
in two very large volumes. Another work was the "Gallery of Scripture
Engravings and Landscape," in three volumes. Among his last productions
may be mentioned the " Daily Bible Illustrations," in two series of four volumes
each, designed for morning and evening reading. Other works, besides numer
ous contributions to magazines, were among his literary productions. They
have, as a whole, greatly enriched the department of Biblical Literature, and
been regarded as valuable helps in the explanation and illustration of the
Sacred Scriptures. Their acknowledged value has secured for them a wide
circulation among Bible students in England and in our own country.
The religious change in the experience of Dr. Kitto, which occurred at the
age of twenty-two, is referred to by him in a manner showing that it was deep
and thorough. He speaks of it as the rising of "the day-spring from on high"
upon his soul, through the grace of God.
His intense and unremitting application to literary labors impaired his
health, so that, when fifty years of age, he was compelled to suspend his labors,
and resort to measures for recruiting his overtasked constitution. He visited
Germany for this purpose, but without any benefit. He rapidly declined, and
died at Caanstadt, near Stuttgardt. His wife, who was with him, has furnished
a beautiful record of his last days, which shows that his end was peace.
It has been the special care of the editor, in preparing this work, to verify
references, to review, and, in some instances, revise the marginal notes, and to
eliminate doubtful and irrelevant matter. As an humble contribution to the
department of Bible history, this work is offered to Christian readers, and espe-
sially to the young, with the prayer and the hope that it may not only contrib
ute something towards a popular and attractive illustration of the Historical
Scriptures, but create an increased interest in the sacred book given of God for
the edification, enlightenment, and spiritual benefit of all nations and all ages.
Nokwich. Conn., May, 1866. A._ B_

SfOTE BY THE PUBLISHER.
In order to prevent any misapprehension which may arise, from finding in the community an occasional
copy of a book similar to this it is due to the public to Btate, that an edition of Dr. Kitto's work with
some alterations and additions, has been issued by an American publisher, as his own, omitting the ordinal
author's name entirely. Not having, however, a literary reputation sufficient to give it character ft did
not attain that wide circulation which its intrinsic value warrants.
The present publisher has, therefore, restored Dr. Kitto's name, and offers the work in a much more
attractive form. HENKY HILL.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

*• » ¦»

HISTORIC AND LITERARY INTRODUCTION
Authorship of the Bible. The several books. Their divisions. Hebrew manuscripts. The Hebrew
language. Integrity of the text. Various readings. Ancient versions. Schism between the Jews
ana Samaritans. The Septuagint The Septuagint and Vulgate. Modern foreign versions. Eng
lish versions. The Apocrypha.

HISTORY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT.

CHAPTER I.
,The Creation. The Bible account consistent
with Geology. Opinions of distinguished
writers. The Firmament Orde*. -«f Crea
tion. Adam. Eve. The Seventh "Day.
bite of the Garden of Eden. The Tempta
tion, The Full, Expulsion from Eden.
CHAPTEE II.
Birth of Cain and Abel. Their Sacrifices.
Murder of Abel. Genealogy of Cain. Birth
of Seth. His Posterity. Great depravity
of the race. Noah ordered to build the
ark. Description of it. The Deluge.
Mount Ararat. Noah's intoxication. Ca
naan's curse. CHAPTEE III.
The Tower of BabeL, Description of Babylon.
Language. Its origin. Different dialects.
Genealogy of Noah s sons. Countries pos
sessed by their descendants. Description
of Nineveh. Modern discoveries of its
ruins by Botta and Layard. They con
firm the prophecies. Important results to
Biblical history. The posterity of Shem.
Terah, the father of Abraham. His re
moval from Ur to Haran, in Mesopotamia.
His death. CHAPTEE IV.
The call of Abram. Description of Ur. Abram
removes, with Lot and Sarai, to the land
of Canaan. Description of Canaan. Fam
ine. Abram's removal to Egypt He calls
his wife his sister. Abram's return to Ca
naan. Friendly separation of Abram and
Lot. Lot chooses the plain of Sodom and
Gomorrah. The Jordan. Abram settles
in tbe plain of Mamre. He rescues Lot.
Melchiaedek. God's promise to Abram of
a numerous posterity. Hagar. Ishmael.
Change of name to Abraham. Promise of
a son to Sarah. Circumcision.
CHAPTEE V.
6odom and Gomorrah. Abraham warned of
their destruction. His petitions for their
salvation. Lot warned to flee. Lot's wife.
Description of the Dead Sea. Destruction
of the cities of the plain. "Wickedness of
Lot's daughters. Abraham's removal to
Gi*rar. His second equivocation in regard
to his wife. The TalmuUical story of it
Primitive longevity and vigor. Birth of
Isaac. Hagar and Ishmael banished. A-
nalogy of Hebrew and Dreidical worship.
Abraham commanded to sacrifice Isaac.
His rescue. Death of Sarah. Her burial

45

in the cave of Machpelah. Marriage of
Isaac and Rebecca. Eastern customs,
Death of Abraham. Account of the Ish-
maelites. 7d
CHAPTER VL
Birth of Esau and Jacob. Esau sells his birth
right. Explanation of the birthright Isaac
removes from Beersheba to Gerar. His
prosperity. Enmity of the Philistines.
Wells. Isaac returns to Beersheba. He
calls his wife his sister. Description of
Beersheba. Stratagem of Eebecca to ob
tain the parental "benediction for Jacob.
The EdomiteB. Jacob's departure to find
a wife. His dream. Bethel. He meets
BO Rachel at the well. He marries Leah and
Rachel. Leah's sons. Birth of Joseph.
Jacob's prosperity. His flight from La-
ban. Labnn's pursuit. Treaty of alliance.
Images. List of idols mentioned In Scrip
ture. Meeting of Esau and Jacob. Tents-
Dinah's disgrace. The revenge of her bro
thers. Slaughter of the Shechemites.
Jacob's return to Bethel Birth of Benja
min, and death of Rachel. Jacob visits his
father at Mamre. Death of Isaac. 00
CHAPTER VII.
Joseph. Hib parti-colored coat. Eastern fab
rics. Jealousy of Joseph's brethren. His
two dreams. He is sent to Shechem. De
scription of Dothan. Ishmaelites. Midian-
ites. Caravans. Account of the com
merce of Eastern nations. Joseph sold to
the Ishmaelites. The plot to deceive his
father. Joseph sold to Potiphar. He is
made ehief manager of his master's affairs.
His temptation and triumph. His false
accusation and imprisonment. His inter
pretation of the dreams of the cup-bearer
and baker. Pharaoh's dreams. Joseph's
interpretation, and his wise advice. His
deliverance from prison. He is appointed
chief deputy of the king. The Nile.
Famine. Visit of Joseph's brethren to
E|rypt Joseph discovers himself to them.
His father removes to Eeypt Jacob's
dying words. His death. He is buried in
the cavft of Machpelah. Joseph's death.
His character. Ill
CHAPTER VIII.
Oppression of the Hebrews. Pharaoh's order
to drown all their male children. Birth of
Moses. He is hiddon in the ark of rushes. t
Found, adopted, and educated by the
King's daughter. He avenges his breth
ren. He flees to Midian— helps the women
at the well— is invited to the house of

V1U

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Jethro — marrieB his daughter, and becomes
his shepherd. The Lord appears to him in
the burning bush. Commissions him to
deliver his people. Aaron accompanies
him to Pharaoh. Pharaoh refuses to let
the people go. Moses performs a miracle
before Pharaoh. The ten plagues. The
borrowed jewels. The departure from
Egypt The column of fire and cloud.
Pursuit of the Egyptians. The Israelites
pass the Red Sea. The Egyptians over
whelmed. The song of triumph. Egypt-
its learning, language, religion, and idola
try. CHAPTER IX.
Journey of the Israelites. They are miracu
lously supplied with quails and manna.
The palm-tree. Smiting ofthe rock. De
feat of the Amalekites. Mount Sinai.'
Giving of the Decalogue. Description of
the Tabernacle. The golden calf. Pun
ishment of the idolaters. Table of Hebrew
months and sacred festivals. The sacri
fices explained. Aaron constituted High
Priest CHAPTEE X.
Census of the people. Plan of the Israelitish
encampment - Mode of marching. Mur-
murings of the people. Jealousy of Aaron
and Miriam against Moses. Miriam pun
ished with leprosy. God pardonB and
heals her upon the prayer of Moses. Spies
are sent to Canaan. The people desire to
return to Egypt. Rebellion of Korab,
Dathan, and Abiram. They are swallowed
up by a miraculous opening of the earth.
Death of Miriam at Kadesh. Second smi
ting of the rock for water. Death of Aaron.
Eleazer, his son, succeeds him in the
priesthood. CHAPTER XI.
Mount Hor. Murmurings of the people. Pun
ishment by fiery serpents. The brazen
serpent. Victories over the Ammonites.
Balaam is called to curse Israel. He is met
in the way by an angel. His ass speaks to
him in reproof. Balaam pronounces a bless
ing instead of a curse. Israel's idolatry
and punishment Successful expedition
against the Midianites. Slaughter of five
kings. Balaam iB slain. The Israelites
draw near to Canaan. The tribes of Reu
ben and Gad settle upon the east of Jordan,
with the half tribe of Manasseh. Moses
appoints the division of Canaan by lot
Cities of refuge. Farewelladdress of Moses
to the tribes. ITrim and Thummim. Death
of Moses. Mount Pisgah,
CHAPTEE XII.
The Conquest Joshua succeeds Moses. Spies
sent' to Jericho. Rahab conceals them.
Crossing of the Jordan. Joshua is informed
in a vision how to take Jericho. The walls
of the city fall down. Description of Jeri
cho. Achan's theft. Its consequences.
Achan stoned. Capture of Al. Sacrifices
and reading of the law upon Mount Ebal,
Treaty with the Gideonites. Joshua routs
and slays the confederate kings. The sun
stands still. The whole country subdued.
Dea.u of Joshua and Eleazer. Burial of
the bones of Joseph at Shechem. i
CHAPTEE XIII.
The Hebrews become corrupted by their idola
trous neighbors. Idolatry prevails. They
are subdued and become tribntary to the
king of Mesopotamia. Othniel delivers

130

them. Again subdued by the Moabites.
Ehud is their deliverer. Eighty years of
rest, e. c. 1426. Story of Ruth. "War with
the Canaanites. The great victory of Deb
orah and Barak over Sisera. Sisera slain
by Ja'el, the wife of Heber. Song of Debo
rah. Incursions of the Midianites. Gideon,
the deliverer. His great victory with three
hundred men. The Israelites offer to make
him king. He refuses. His death. 217
CHAPTEE XIV.
Abimelech, spurious son of Gideon, murders
all his brothers except Jotham. He takes
the government He oppresses the people.
They expel him. He is killed by a woman.
Tola and Jair govern Israel. .Tephtha de
feats the Ammonites. Jephtha's vow. He
judges Israel sis years, 1247 u. o. Idolatry
and subjection of the Israelites. Birth of
Samson. His strength. His capture by
the Philistines. He carries off the gates
of Gaza. He pulls down the temple, and
kills great numbers of his enemies, with
166 himself, 1222 b. c. 234
CHAPTEE XV. ,
Eli. His neglect of family government Pun
ishment denounced upon him. The Israel
ites defeated by the Philistines. The Ark
taken. Death of Eli. Samuel judges Is
rael. Israel renounces idolatry. Great
victory over the Philistines. Wickedness
of Samuel's sons. The people demand a
king. Jahn'B estimate of the causes that
led the .nation to this demand. Samuel
endeavors to dissuade them. Saul the first
king. Chosen by lot, 1110 e. o. Jahn's
account of the times and the office ofthe
judges. 246
CHAPTEE XVI.
Saul's reign. His victory over the Ammonites
at Jabesh Gilead. He conquers the Ama
lekites. His sinful neglect to destroy
King Agag and the booty. The prophet
Samuel's rebuke of Saul. Samuel anoints
David to be king. Saul's mental malady.
He is soothed Dy David's harp. "War
with the Philistines. Story of David and
Goliah. Glory of David. Jealousy of Saul.
His efforts to kill David. Friendship of
David and Jonathan. Death of Samuel.
Saul's continued hostility. David's gener
ous forbearance. Saul consults the witch
of Endor, and hears his doom. Israel is
overcome by the Philistines. Death of
Saul's three sons. Saul's suicide. 261
CHAPTEE XVII.
David reigns at Hebron. His lamentation over
the death of Saul. Wars between the
houses of David and Saul. Description of
Hebron. Death of Abner. The inaugura
tion of David. He takes possession of
Mount Zion. He prepares to build a tem
ple to Jehovah. His victories over East
ern nations. His fall, and his murder of
Uriah. The reproof of Nathan, the prophet-
The rebellion of Absalom. Battle in the
forest of Ephraim. Absalom slain. Absa
lom's sepulchre. The famine. Revolt of
Adonijah. The anointing of Solomon.
David's last counsel to Solomon. Death
of David. His burial on Mount Zion. 284
CHAPTEE XVIII.
Solomon comes to the throne, 1030 b. o. HIb
great wealth and power. Plot of Adonijah
to gain the kingdom. Adonijah and Joab
are put to death. Solomon marries the
daughter of Pharaoh. Building of the

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

IX

Temple on Mount Mortah. Description of
it. Solomon's pools. His splendid palaces.
Account of the commerce and revenues of
his kingdom. Solomon reigns forty years.
His death. 817
CHAPTER XIX.
Rehoboam succeeds Solomon. Eevolt of the
ten tribes under Jeroboam. Judah and
Benjamin adhere to Rehoboam. Jeroboam
establishes other places of worship besides
Jerusalem, aud a new priesthood. Jero
boam's death, 96S b. o. He is followed by
Nadab, Baasha, Zimri, and Omri. Omri
builds Samaria. He dies. 931 b. 0. De
scription of Samaria.
Judah, from b. c.990 to b. o. 929.
Rehoboam soon falls into idolatry. He is con
quered, and Jerusalem plundered by Shi-
shak, king of Egypt. Rehoboam dies, 973
b. c. Abiiah succeeds him. Asa follows,
a pious ami prosperous king.
Israel, from b. c. 931 to b.o. 895.
Ahab succeeds Omri. Evil influence of Je-
zabel. Idolatry becomes prevalent. Eli
jah announces famine. He confounds the
prophets of Baal, whom the people slay, and
acknowledge Jehovah. Great victory of
Israel over Ben Hadad. Doom of Ahab
pronounced by Elijah. Ahab slain, 909 b. o.
Ahaziah. Jehoram. Elisha raises the
Shunamite's son. Story of Naaman. Fam
ine. Panic and flight of the Syrian host
Jehu anointed king by Elisha. Jehoram,
Ahaziah, and Jezabel slain. Destruction
of the family of Ahab. Jehu destroys the
temple of Baal, and roots out idolatry. 337
CHAPTEE XX.
>udah, from b. c. 929 to b. o. 725r
Jehoshaphat begins to reign, 929 b. a— one of
the best of the Hebrew kings. He contin
ues to root out idolatry. One million one
hundred and sixty thousand men enrolled
to bear arms. Judges are placed in all the
principal cities. Jehoshaphafs admirable
charge to them. Death of Jehoshaphat
Jehoranj cmies to the throne, 904 it. o.
His wife was Athaliah, daughter of Jezebel.
Jehoram murders his six brothers. Idol
atry again established. Judgi  .*its de
nounced by Elisha. Death and disgrace of
the king. Ahaziah succeeds to the throne.
A bad man. Reigns one year. Athaliah
slays all her grandsons except Joash.
Joash hidden in the temple. The people
rise and slay Athaliah, and make Joash
king. Jehoiada, the chief priest, is regent
Juash repairs the temple. His apostacy
and murder. Amaziah reigns. Victory
over the tidomites. He is killed by con
spirators, r..c. 809. Uzziah succeeds. He
is struck with leprosy. Jotham, his son,
administers the government Death of
Uzziah. Death of Jotham. Ahaz on the
throne. A corrupt, idolatrous monarch.
Dies, 725 b. o. He is not allowed a place
In the sepulchre of the kings.
CHAPTER XXI.
Israel, from b. o. 895 to b. c. 719.
Jehu comes to the throne, b. o. 895. The coun
try east of the , Jordan seized by Hazael,
king of Syria. Death of Jehu. Death of
Elisha. Jonah's mission. Conquest of
Samaria and the whole country by Shalma-
neser, king of Assyria. The principal in
habitants carried away captive.
Judah, from b. c. 725 to b. o. 586.
Hezekiah, a pious prince. Description of tho
sepulchre of the kings. Hezekiah restores
the true worship. The passover revived.
Hezekiah subject, for a time, to Sennache

rib, the Assyrian king. Destruction of the
Assyrian host bya "blast" from the Lord.
Sickness of Hezekiah. His life prolonged
in answer to prayer. His death. Manas
seh succeeds, at twelve years of a<;e. lie
becomes corrupt Defeated by Esarhad-
don, taken captive, and sent to Babylon.
He repents and is released. Josiah, a good
king. He overturns idolatry. Killed in
battle against Necho, king of Egypt. Jo-
hoiakim. Warning by Jeremiah. IDs
Imprisonment by Jehoiakim. Jehoiakim
SLUlued by Nebuchadnezzar. Forty thou
sand of the people sent into captivity.
Zedekiah made king. He revolts. Nebu
chadnezzar burns the temple and city, de
molishes the walls, carries off all tho
sacred vessels and treasure. Zedekiah is
taken, and carried in fetters to Babylon.
The country depopulated. 875
CHAPTER XXII.
The seventy years' captivity. Discussion of
the causes of the downfall of the Hebrew
nation. The divine Intention in its estab
lishment not frustrated. Media the scene
of the captivity. Tho captivity a coloniza
tion rather than a slavery. Tobit Daniel
and his three friends. Their Chaldean
names. Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the
image. Daniel's interpretation. Nebuch
adnezzar acknowledges God. Daniel and
his friends promoted. They refuse to wor
ship the image. The fiery furnace. Other
dreams. Their interpretation and accom
plishment Nebuchadnezzar again honors .
Jehovah. Ho dies, 561 b. o. Succeeded ,
by Evil Merodach, who Is slain in battle
with Cyrus. Belshazzar comes to the
throne. He profanes the sacred vessels.
The handwriting upon the wall. Daniel's
interpretation. Belbhazzar's death, 553 b. o.
Darius tikes the kingdom. Daniel exalted.
Jealousy. He is thrown to lions for pray
ing to the Almighty. His deliverance.
Jehovah honored. Death of Darius, 551
b. o. Cyrus succeeds. Defection of Na-
bonadius. Babylon taken by Cyrus. Pro
phecy of Isaiah. Cyrus acknowledges the
supremacy of Jehovah. He allows the
captives to return to the Holy Land. 892
CHAPTER XXIII.
The Restoration. The honor of Jehovah main- ¦
tained and extended by the Captivity.
Why was Judah allowed to return, and not
Israel? Remarks of Professor Jahn. What
became of the Ten TribeB? Remarks of
Eabbi Benjamin — of Major Eawlinson. Ze-
rubbabel and Joshua, with Ifty thousand of
the people, return to Palestine. Daniel
remains at the Court of Cyrus. Zerubba-
bol is appointed Governor of Judea. He
receives from Cyrus the sacred vessels of
the Temple. 3? east of Tabernacles cele
brated at Jerusalem. An altar is built on
the ruins of the Temple. The people as
semble to rebuild the Temple. Death of
Cyrus. Darius Hystaspes elected King.
The Temple completed, 516 b. o. The dedi
cation. The temple service re-established.
Battle of Marathon, b. c. 490. Darius dies,
485 b. o. Succeeded by Xerxes, the Ahasu-
erus of Ezra. Artaxerxes. The rebuilding
of Jerusalem stopped. Queen Vashti de
posed. EBther promoted. Ezra commis
sioned to go to Jerusalem and beautify the
Tflmple. The plot of Haman. The Jews
saved by Esther'. Nehemiah gains permis
sion to rebuild the walls. Jeremiah ap
pointed Governor of Judea. Collection
and revisal of the sacred books of the Old
Testament The Chaldee dialect displaces

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

the old Hebrew. A temple built on Mount
Gerizim. End of the Old Testament Can
on. CHAPTEE XXIV.
(From b. 0. 420 to b. o. 163.)
Inspired History is discontinued from 420 b. o.
to His birth. Hebrew history derived from
Josephus and others. Artaxerxes succeed
ed by Xerxes on the Persian throne. Wars
of the Persians with the Egyptians. The
Jews faithful to the Persians. Destruction
of Sidon. Overthrow of E^rypt by the Per
sian King, 850 b. o. Invasion of Persia by
Alexander, 334 b. c. Fulfilment of the
prophecy of Zechariah. Alexander invades
Syria. He is met in his march against
Jerusalem by a procession of priests. He
is shown the prophecy of Daniel. Offers
sacrifices. Grants the Jews free enjoy
ment of their national laws. Exemption
from tribute every seventh year. Alexan
der dies at Babylon. Ptolemy. He favors
the Jews. Depopulation of Babylon. The
High Priest, Simon, repairs the temple and
city of Jerusalem. He completes the Canon
of the Old Testament. Simon dies, 291 b. o.
Ptolemy Philadelphus executes the transla
tion of the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek,
called the Septuagint, b. o. 278. Influence
of the Greeks. Origin of the Sadducees.
Persecution of the Jews by Ptolemy Philo-
{ later. Destruction of the temple by Appo-
onius, 167 b. c. Idolatry established.
Judas Maccabeus desires to maintain the
true worship. He gains the mastery of
Judea. Attempts to rebuild the temple.
Wars of the Maccabees. 422
CHAPTER XXV.
Death of Judas Maccabeus. Jonathan suc

ceeds him. His treaty with the Syrian
king. Siege of the citadel of Jerusalem.
Jonathan taken and murdered. Simon,
his brother, succeeds him as leader of the
Maccabees. Simon gains possession ofthe
country. Alliance with the Romans. Cleo
patra becomes'mistress of Syria. Pompey
en.ters Syria, 65 n. o. The country becomes
a Eoman province. The temple taken and
complete establishment of the Roman pow
er, b. o. 63. Cicero and Antonius, Eoman
Consuls. The Jews obliged to pay large trib
ute. Hyrcanus appointed High Priest
CHAPTEE XXVI.
Antipater, governor of Judea. The Sanhedrim
suppressed. The government changed to
an aristocracy. Hyrcanus and the Jewish
government restored, b. o. 44,.. by Julius
Caesar. The temple plundered by Crassus.
Liberty given to rebuild the walls of Jeru
salem. Herod made king, 40 b. c. His
cruelty. He builds cities and splendid
palaces. He builds heathen temples. He also
rebuilds the temple of Jehovah at Jerusa
lem, b. o. 17. Birth of John the Baptist,
b. o. 5. Birth of Jesus Christ Slaughter
of the infants of Bethlehem. Account of
Herod's ten wives. His death. Archelaus,
his son, succeeds him. Account of the
Herods.
1 CHAPTEE XXVII.
Prophecies concerning Christ, and the Chris
tian religion. The time of His appearance.
The place of His birth. The family from
which He was to come. His life and char
acter. His sufferings and death. The
nature of His doctrine. The extent of His
Kingdom. The value of the Bible.

15ft

474

NEW TESTAMENT.

CHAPTEE L
The New Testament the best commentary on
the Old. The promise of the Angel Ga
briel to Zacharias an Elizabeth. The an
nouncement by Gabriel to the Virgin
Mary. Birth of John. Bethlehem. Birth
of Christ The joy of the aged Simeon
and Anui. The wise men. The Star.
Herod's bloody purpose. Flight of Joseph
to Egypt. Death of Herod. Eeturn of
Joseph and Mary. Nazareth. John the
Baptist. Baptism of Christ. His fast of
forty days. His temptation. Testimony
of John. Christ's miracle at Cana. De
scription of Cana. Cleansing the Temple.
Nicodemus. Death of John. Christ in
Galilee. Attempt of the people to kill
him. Call of Simon and Andrew, James
and John. The great draught of fishes.
Healing of the demoniac, and of Peter's
wife's mother. Sermon on the Mount
Mimcies. Pool of Bethesda. The man
with the withered hand. The twelve
Apostles. Their commission.
CHAPTEE II.
Raising the widow's son at Nain. Christ is
anointed from the alsbaster box of precious
ointment. Description of Tiberias. The
stilling of the tempest. Casting out of
devils. Eaising ofthe daughter of Jairus.
Feeding of the multitude. The storm upon
the lake. Peter's attempt to walk upon the

499

water. Second miraculous supply of food
to the multitude. Christ's transfiguration.
Healing of the lunatic. - Paying * tribute.
Teaching in the Temple. Discussions with <
the Scribes. Jericho. The Holy Land in
the time of Christ, with map. Parable of
the Prodigal. The rich man and Lazarus.
Restoring sight to the blind. Christ blesses
little children. Mary and Martha. Raising
of Lazarus. CHAPTEE III.

510

The Passover at Jerusalem. Description of
Jerusalem, with a plan. Plan of the
Temple. Blind Bartimeus. -Bethany. The
anointing by Mary. Triumphal entry into
Jerusalem. .Expulsion of the money
changers from the Temple. Treachery of
Judas. The Last Supper. Gethsemane.
The olive-trees. Peter's zeal. The agony. -
Peter's fall. His repentance. ' Remorse of
Judas. His suicide. 520
CHAPTER IV
Jesus at the bar of Pilate. His condemnation.
Mocking. Scourging. Crowning with
thorns. Crucifixion. The two thieves.
Description of the cross, and the mode of
execution. Christ's filial affection. The
darkness. Rending of the veil of the
Temple. Rending of the rocks. Opening
&Jf? g/a^e8. Piercing of the body.
Christ's bunal by Joseph. Closing the

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

XI

tomb. The guard. The constancy of the
women. The Eesurrection. Absurd false
hood of the chief priests. ChriBt's appear
ance to Mary — to Thomas— to the two dis
ciples on the way to Emmaus— to the dis
ciples at tho Sea of Tiberias. His final
instructions to the Apostles. His ascen
sion from the Mount of Olives. The char
acter of Christ. The Christian religion.
Contrast with heathenism. List of Christ's
Miracles, Parables, and Discourses. 524
CHAPTER V.
From the Ascension to the full establishment
of Christianity. Choice of Matthias as
successor to Judas. Pentecost. The gift
of tongues. Preaching of Peter. Conver
sion of three thousand people. Healing of
the cripple at the beautiful gate. Peter
and John thrown into prison. Peter's ad
dress to the Council. They are released.
The gift of the Holy Ghost Charity of
the believers. Ananias and Sapphira. Cures
wrought by the Apostles. They are again
cast into prison. Miraculous deliverance.
They are scourged. Choice of seven dea
cons to care for the poor. Stephen. His
arrest. His address to the Council. HIb
martyrdom. Dispersion of the Christians
from Jerusalem. 540
CHAPTEE VI.
Philip flees from Jerusalem. His successful
preaching in Samaria. Philip and the
Eunuch. Saul's persecution of Christians.
His miraculous conversion. Cesarea.
Damascus. His powerful preaching. De
scription of Joppa. Peter raises Tabitha,
His vision and commission to the Gentiles.
Cornelius. Peter's discourse. Descent of
the Holy Ghost Conversion and baptism
of many. CHAPTEE VIL
Persecutions under Herod Agrippa. He kills
James. Peter imprisoned. He is deliver
ed by an'angel in answer to prayer. Death
of Herod. Barnabas and Saul journey to
Cyprus, Paphos, Perga, and Antioch,
preaching. Paul's discourse in the syna
gogue in Pisidia. He is invited to preach
again. He proclaims the doctrine that
salvation is for the Gentiles as well as the
Jews. He is driven out of the city. He
heals the cripple at Lystra. The people
wish to offer sacrifice to him and Barna
bas. They forbid it. Paul stoned. 557
CHAPTEE VIII.
Paul and Silas make an extensive tour to
preach. The cure of the demoniac. Paul
and Silas are taken before the magistrates.
Imprisoned, with their feet in the stocks.
They pray and sing. The prison doors
opened by an earthquake. Conversion
and baptism of the jailer and his family.
Paul at Athens. Idolatry of the city.
Paul brought before the Areopagus. His
discourse to the judges. Conversion of
some persons of rank. Paul at Corinth.
Description of the city. Paul writes his
second letter to the Thessalonians. Paul's
success at Ephesus. Geographical no
tices. 564
CHAPTER IX
description of Ephesus. Disorderly conduct
of some Christians at Corinth. Paul writes
them a letter. He also writes to the Gala
tians. Jealousy of Demetrius, the silver

smith. Paul's deliverance from the fury
of the people. He leaves Timothy in care
of the Church at Ephesus. He travels
through Macedonia and Achaia. He
preaches at Troas. The death of Eu-
tychus. Paul restores him to life. Geo
graphical notices. Paul's farewell dis
course to the Ephesian Christians. He
visits Tyre. Hero he is advised not to go
to Jerusalem. Paul at Jerusalem. He is
falsely accused and dragged from the Tem
ple: He is allowed by tho Roman com
mandor to speak. He gives a detailed ac
count Of his conversion. They dare not
scourge him, because he is a Roman citi
zen. The plot to kill him. It is frus
trated. He is Bent under guard to Cesarea
to Felix, the Eoman governor. 576
CHAPTEE X.
Paul brought before Felix. Tertullus speaks
against Mm. Paul's defence. Paul speaks
again before Felix and his wife, Drusilla,
upon the doctrines of Christianity. Paul
Is kept in prison two years. He is
brought before the new governor, Festus.
Paul's defence and appeal to Csesar. His
speech before Agrippa. He is Bent to
Rome. The shipwreck. Paul's vision.
He foretells the safety of all. They land
on the island of Malta. Account of Malta.
Paul heals the governor's father. Per
forms many other cures. They remain
three months on the island. Arrival at
Rome. Paul assembles the rulers and ex
plains the doctrines of the Gospel. He
preaches two years at Rome. Description
of the city. Colossal Paul writes his let
ter to Philemon — also an epistle to the
Ephesians— also to the Colossians. James
writes his epistle. Martyrdom of James.
His character. 535
CHAPTEE XL
After two vears Paul is set at liberty. He
writes nis epistle to the Hebrews. He,
with Timothy, travels into Spain. Visits
Sicily and Greece. Peter also set at lib
erty. He visits Africa, Sicily, Italy, and
Britain, preaching the Christian faith. Ho
returns to Eome. Nero orders the perse
cution of the Jews. Burning of Rome by
Nero. Paul returns to Rome. Paul and
Peter instruct the Jews in the synagogues.
They are thrown into prison. Here Peter
writes his second epistle, and Paul his sec
ond letter to Timothy. They are con
demned to death, Peter is crucified.
Paul beheaded. Sketch of their charac
ters. 596

CHAPTER XII.
St. Andrew. He was crucified. He taught the
people while hanging upon the cross. St.
James the Great Beheaded. St John the
Evangelist. Thrown into a caldron of boil
ing oil, Miraculously saved. Banished to
Patmos, where he wrote the Revelation.
Account of Patmos. St John, the only
Apostle who escaped a violent death. St.
Philip, crucified. St Bartholomew, beaten
and crucified. St Matthew. Thought to
have been slain with a halberd. St.
Thomas. Pierced with a lance. St Simon
the Zealot. Crucified. St Jude. Cruelly
Sut to death. St. Matthias. Stoned. St.
lark. Bound and dragged through rough
places till he died. St. Luke. Hung on an
olive-tree. St. Barnabas. Stoned. Timo
thy. Beaten to death. Titus— died a
natural death. John Mark— died at Ephe
sus. Clement— death unknown.

604

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTEE XIII.
The seven churches of Asia. Ephesus. Smyrna,
Pergamos. Thyatira. Sardis. Philadel
phia. Laodicea. CHAPTER XIV.
Account of the final destruction of Jerusalem
by the Eomans, a. d. 70, as foretold by our
Saviour. Josephus an eye-witness. Pro
phecies in regard to it. Their agreement
with fac& Prodigies that preceded the
destruction of the city. Eevolt under
Eleazer. Massacre of Jews at Cesarea.

Siege of Jerusalem by CeBtius. His re
pulse. Vespasian assumes command o.
the Roman army. Great slaughter of the
Jews. Siege of Jotapata. Its reduction.
Capture of Joseph, the Jewish general.
He foretells the elevation of VeBpasian
to the Empire. Death of Nero. Civil war
at Rome. Vespasian proclaimed Emperor
by the army. He sets Joseph at liberty.
He commits the war against the Jews to
his son Titus. Titus lays siege to Jerusa
lem. Joseph in vain entreats the Jews to
surrendor. Famine in the city. Plunder
and burning of the temple. Conquest of
the city, and its complete destruction. 681

AN ILLUSTEATED
HISTORY OF THE HOLY BIBLE.

HISTORIC AND LITERARY INTRODUCTION.

The Bible of the Christians is, without exception, the most remarkable work now
in existence. In the libraries of the learned, there are frequently seen books of an
extraoidmary antiquity, and curious and interesting from the nature of their contents ;
but none approach the Bible, taken in its complete sense, in point of age, while cer
tainly no production whatever has any pretension to rival it in the dignity of compo
sition, or the important nature of the subjects treated of in its pages. The word
Bible is of Greek origin, and, in signifying simply The Book, is expressive of its su
periority over all other literary productions. The origin and nature of this every
way singular work, how it was preserved during the most remote ages, and how it
became known to the modern world in its present shape, form a highly interesting
chapter of literary history.
The Bible comprehends the entire foundation of the religious belief of the .Tews
and Christians, and is divided into two distinct portions, entitled the Old and New
Testaments, the former being that which is esteemed by the Jewish nation, but both
neing essential in forming the faith of the Christian. The Old Testament is the
largest department of the work, and appears a collection of detached histories,
moral essays, and pious poetical effusions, all placed together in the order of time,
or, as they may serve, for the purpose of mutual illustration. On taking a glance at
the contents, the principal subject of narration seems the history of the Jews, com
mencing with an account of the creation of the world, and tracing their history gen
ealogically, through a series of striking vicissitudes and changes of situation. But
when we examine the narrative minutely, it is found that there is another meaning
than that of mere historical elucidation. It is perceived that the whole train of
events recorded, the whole of those lofty, impassioned strains of poetry which dis
tinguish the volume, are precursory and prophetic of a great change, which, at a fu
ture period, was to be wrought on the moral properties and fate of mankind, by the-
coming to the earth of a Messiah.
The authorship of the Old Testament has been universally ascribed, by both Jews-
and Christians, to God himself, though not by direct composition, but by spiritually
influencing the minds of certain sages to accomplish the work, or, in ordinary phrase
ology, by inspiring or endowing them with a perfect knowledge of the transactions-
to be recorded and predicted, in a way suitable to the great end in view. The Bible
is hence usually termed the Sacred Scriptures. The periods when the act of writing
all or most part of the Scriptures took place, as well as most of the names of those-
who were instrumental in forming the work, have been ascertained with surprising.
accuracy, both from written evidence in the narratives themselves, and from the well-
preserved traditions of the Jews. At whatever time the different books were writ
ten, they were not collected and put into a connected form till long after their im
mediate authors were deceased ; and their present arrangement, as we shall after
ward fully explain, is of comparatively modern date.
According to the order in which the books of the Old Testament now stand, those-
of an historical nature are appropriately placed at the beginning. The first five books,.
paving a chain of connexion throughout, are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,,
md Deuteronomy. These are styled the Pentateuch, such being the Greek com-

6 INTRODUCTION TO THE
pound for five books. They are likewise entitled the Books of Moses, from the
belief that that enlightened Jewish leader composed them.
The Jews, or Hebrews, take the name of the sacred books from the first word
with which each begins ; but the Greeks, whom our translators generally foll°w'
take the names from the subject-matter of them. Thus, the first book is called by
the Hebrews, Bereshith, which signifies " In the beginning," these being the first
words : but the Greeks call it Genesis* which signifies " production," because the cre
ation of the world is the first thing of which it gives an account. It likewise con
tains an account of the increase of mankind ; of their corruption of manners, and its
cause; of their punishment by the deluge (an event which, by scientific investigation
and historical research, is placed beyond a doubt) ; of the origin of the Jewish peo
ple from Abraham ; of the manner in which God was pleased to have them gov
erned ; and, particularly, of the nature of the special superintendence vouchsafed to
the Jewish nation by the Creator. This comprehensive narrative reaches from the
creation of the world till the death of Joseph, or a period of 2,369 years. In another
part of the Scriptures, reference is made to the Book . of Jasher, and it is believed
that Genesis is there meant ; for Jasher signifies " the Just," and, according to St. Je
rome, a learned Christian writer, the name of the Book of the Just, or the Authen
tic Book, was applied to it from its containing the history of Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob. Exodus, the title of the second book of Moses, signifies in the Greek," The going
out," and was applied from the account which it gives of the Israelites going out of
Egypt. In it are related the cruel Egyptian slavery under which .the Jews groaned ;
their delivery by flight and passage through the Red sea;. the history of the estab
lishment of their very peculiar law, and many, remarkable transactions ; concluding
with the building of the tabernacle, or place appropriated to the service of the Di
vinity. This book comprises the history of 145 years, from the .death of Joseph till
the building of the tabernacle. The Hebrews call it VelleShemoth, that is, in En
glish, " These are the names," which are the words with which it begins.
The third book of Moses is called Leviticus, because it contains the laws which God
commanded should be observed by those of the' tribe of Levi who ministered at the al
tar. It treats at large of all the functions of the Levites ; of the ceremonial of religion ;
of the different sorts of sacrifices ; of the distinction of clean and unclean beasts ;
of the different festivals ; and of the year of jubilee, or continued holyday. It like
wise presents us with an account of what happened to the Jews during the space of
one month and a half; that is, from the time the tabernacle was erected, which was
the first day of. the first month of the second year after the Israelites came out of
Egypt, till the second month of the same year, when God commanded the people to
be numbered. The Hebrews called this book Vayicre, that is, " And he called,"
these being the first, words ; they call it also The Law of the Priests.
In the fourth book, which we. call Numbers, Moses numbers the Israelites, and
that, too, in the beginning of the booK, which shows whence it had its name. The
Hebrews call it Vayedavber, that is, " And he spake." This book contains the history
of all that passed from the second month of the second year after the Israelites
came out of Egypt, till the beginning of the eleventh month of the fortieth year ;
that is, it contains the history of thirty-nine years, or thereabouts. In it we have also
the history of the prophet Balaam, whom the king of the Midianites brought to
curse the people of God, and who, on the contrary, heaped blessings upon the Israel
ites, and foretold the coming of the Messiah. It particularly mentions, also, the
two-and-forty encampments of the Israelites in the wilderness.
The fifth book is called Deuteronomy, a Greek term which signifies, " The second
law," or, rather, " The repetition of the law," because it does not contain a law dif
ferent from that which was given on Mount Sinai ; but it repeats the same law, for
the sake of the children of those who had received it there, and were since dead it.
the wilderness. The Hebrews call it Elle-haddebarim, that is, "These are the
words." Deuteronomy begins with a short account of what had passed in the wil
derness, and then Moses repeats what he had before commanded in Exodus, Leviti
cus, and Numbers, and admonishes the people to be faithful in. keeping the com
mandments of God. After this, he relates what, had happened from. the, beginning of
the eleventh month, to the seventh day of the twelfth month of the same year, which
was the fortieth after their leaving Egypt. The discourse which is at the begin-

HISTORY OP THE BIBLE. 7
ning of this book was made to the people by Moses, on the first day of the eleventh
month. According to Josephus, he died on the first day of the twelfth ; and the
Israelites, as the Scriptures say, mourned for him in the plains of Moab thirty days,
and, consequently, during the whole of the twelfth month.
The Jews called the Pentateuch " The Law," without doubt because the law of
God which Moses received on Mount Sinai is the principal part of it ; and it is as
little to' be doubted whether that great man was the writer of the Pentateuch. This
is expressly declared both in Exodus and Deuteronomy. But as an account of the
death of Moses is given in the last eight verses of this book, it is therefore thought
that these verses were added either by Joshua or Ezra. The opinion of Josephus
concerning them is very singular ; he pretends that Moses, finding his death approach
ing, and being willing to prevent an error into which the veneration the people had
for him might cause the Jews to fall, wrote this account himself, without which
the Jews would probably have supposed that God had taken him away, like Enoch.
After the death of Moses, Joshua, by the order of the Divine Being, took upon
himself the conducting of the Hebrew people, and succeeded Moses, to whom he
had been a faithful servant, and by whom he had been instructed in what he ought
to do. It is uncertain whether the book which contains the history of this successor
of Moses be called Joshua, from the subject of it, or from his having been the wri
ter of it. But it is certain that it contains an account of what passed from the
death of Moses to that of Joshua. Nevertheless, there are several things in it which
did not come to pass till after the death of this great man, and which, consequently,
could not have been written by him. The common opinion as to the length of time
it contains is, that Joshua discharged his office only for seventeen years, and that,
therefore, this book contains no more than the history of that number of years.
After the death of Joshua, the Israelites were governed by magistrates, who ruled
under the general designation of Judges; and the book which contains the history of
these rulers is called, The Book of Judges. This history begins with the .death of
Joshua, and reaches to that of Samson. We here see the people of God often en
slaved in punishment of their crimes, and often wonderfully delivered from slavery.
Toward the end of it, we have some instances of this people's inclination to idolatry,
and of the corruption of their manners, even before they had been brought into
slavery. Such are the histories of Micah, and of the Benjamites who abused the
Levite's wife. This book contains the history of three hundred and seventy years.
During the time of the government of the Judges, there was a great famine m
the land of Israel, which forced Elimelech, a native of Bethlehem, to retire into the
land of Moab, with his wife Naomi, and two children. Elimelech died there, as also
his two sons, who had married two Moabitish women, one of whom was named
Ruth. Naomi, after the death of her husband and her children, returned to Bethle
hem, accompanied by Ruth, her daughter-in-law, who was there married to Boaz,
Elimelech's near relation, and the heir to his estate. The book which contains this
history, is called, The Book of Ruth. The beginning of it shows that it happened
in the time of the Judges, but under which of them is not certainly known; some
place it in the time of Shamgar, or of Deborah. As to the writer of this book, some
think that the books of Judges and Ruth were both written by Samuel; others at
tribute them to Hezekiah, and others to Ezra. The Jews place the boob of Ruth
among the five books which they usually read on all the festivals in the year. These
five books are, the Song of Songs, Ruth, the Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes,
and the book of Esther. In the Hebrew bibles they are printed or written apart by
themselves, and are bound lip together.
The four books following Ruth are called by the Greeks, and also in some Latin
bibles, The History of the Reigns. Others call them all, The Books of Kings,
because they give an account of the establishment of the monarchy, and of the suc
cession of the kings, who reigned over the whole kingdom at first, and over the king
doms of Judah and Israel after its division. At the beginning of these books is given
the history of the prophet Samuel, which gives light to that of The Kings. The
Jews call the first two of these books, The Books of Samuel : perhaps because they
contain the history of the two kings, who were both anointed by Samuel ; and be
cause what is said of Saul in the first, and of David in the second, proves the truth
of Samuel's prophecies. They give the name of The Books of Kings only to the other

6 INTRODUCTION TO THE
two, which, in the Latin and French bibles, are called the Third and Fourth Boobs
of Kings.
The First Book of Kings, or the First of Samuel, contains the history of the high-
priest Eli, of Samuel, and of Saul. As the first year of Eli's high-priesthood falls
on the year of the world 2848, and the death of Saul in 2949, the history of this book
must comprehend the space of one hundred and one years.
The Second contains the reign of David, which is the history of about forty years.
It is commonly believed that Samuel, Nathan, and Gad, were the writers of these
two books, and, indeed, they are called, in the end of the first book of Chronicles,
David's historians.
The Third, or, according to the Hebrews, the First Book of Kings, begins with a
relation of the manner in which Solomon came to the throne, and contains the whole
of his reign. After that, an account follows of the division of the kingdom, and the
history of four kings of Judah and eight kings of Israel. All these reigns, including
that of Solomon, which occupies the first forty years, comprise the space of one hun
dred and twenty-six years.
The Fourth of these books contains the history of sixteen kings of Judah, and
twelve kings of Israel. It likewise gives an account of the prophets who lived dur
ing this time. It is quite uncertain who were the writers of the last two mentioned
books. They are by some attributed to Jeremiah or Ezra, but no very convincing
proofs have been adduced in support of this opinion. It is evident, indeed, that these
books form a varied collection of several particular histories.
The name of Paralipomena, which in Greek signifies the " history of things omit
ted," is given to the two books which follow those of The Kings. These form, in
fact, a supplement, containing what had been omitted in the Pentateuch, and the
books of Joshua, Judges, and Kings, or rather they contain a fuller description of
some things which had been therein only briefly related. Some give them the name
of Chronicles, because they are very exact in mentioning the time when every trans
action happened. We divide them into two books, as do also the Jews, who call
them Dibere Hayanim, that is, an " historical journal," the matters of which they
treat having been taken from the journals of the kings. In the original language,
however, the word days often signifies the year ;¦ and, in this sense, we may under
stand the term to signify properly "annals." The generally-received opinion is, that
Ezra was the writer of these. In the first book, he begins with a succinct historical
abridgment, from the creation of Adam to the return of the Jews from their cap
tivity ; and then he resumes the history of David, and carries it on to the consecra
tion of Solomon, that is, down to the year before Christ 1015. The history contained
in the second book reaches down to the year before Christ 536, when, upon the expi
ration of the seventy years of captivity, Cyrus gave the Jews leave to return to then-
own country.
Ezra wrote the history of the return of the Jews from the captivity of Babylon into
Judea. It is the history of about eighty-two years, from the year of the world 3468,
when Cyrus became master of the eastern empire, by the death of his father, Cam-
byses, in Persia, and his father-in:law, Cyaxares, in Media, to the year 3550, which
was the twentieth year of the reign of Artaxerxes, suruamed Longimanus. This
book bears the name of Ezra, who was the writer of it.
The next book is a continuation of that of Ezra, and therefore it is by some called
the Second Book of Ezra. It was Nehemiah, however, whose name it also bears.
who wrote it, as is said, by the advice of Ezra. It contains the account of the re-
establishment of Jerusalem, and the temple, and the worship of God. It is the his
tory of about thirty-one years; that is to say, from the twentieth year of the reign
of Artaxerxes Longimanus, to the reign of Darius Nothus, his son, which began, in
the year of the world 3581.
After this general history of the Jews, follow two histories of particular persons,
viz., Esther and Job. The first contains the account of a miraculous deliverance of
the Jews, which was accomplished by means of the heroine named Esther. The Scrip
ture says it happened under the reign of Ahasuerus, king of Persia ; but as there have
been several Persian kings of that name, it is not exactly known in which reio-n it
is to be dated. Dr. Lightfoot thinks it was that Artaxerxes who hindered the build
ing of the temple, and who, in the book of Ezra, is called also Ahasuerus, after his
great grandfather *he king of the Medes.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 9
The history of Job, which is next in order, is not only a narration of his actions, but
contains also the entire discourses which this pious man had with his wife and his
friends, and is, indeed, one of the most eloquent books in the Holy Scriptures. It is
generally conjectured that Moses was the writer or compiler of this book ; but this
in very uncertain.
Next lo the historical books of Scripture follow those of a moral nature. The first
of these is the Book of Psalms, which is likewise in some measure historicai ; for
they recite, the miracles which God had wrought, and contain, as it were, an abridg
ment of all that had been done for the Israelites, and that had happened to them.
The Hebrews call them " the Book of Praises," by which they mean, " of the Praises
of God." The word psalm is Greek, and properly signifies the sound of a stringed
instrument of music. The Hebrews sung the Psalms with different instruments.
We make but one book of them all, but the Hebrews divide them into five parts,
which all end with the words Amen, Amen. Though the Psalms bear the name of
David, yet they were not all composed by him ; some of them are more ancient, and
others are of a later date than his time; some of them being ascribed to Moses,
Samuel, and Ezra. Speaking of the dedication of the second temple, Prideaux says,
" In this dedication, the 146th, the 147th, and the 148th psalms seem to have been
sung ; for in tlie Septuagint versions they are styled the Psalms of Haggai and
Zechariah, as if they had been composed by them for this occasion ; and this, no
doubt, was from some ancient tradition : but, in the original Hebrew, these Psalms
have no such title prefixed to them, neither have they any other to contradict it." It
i<5 not probable, however, that all those whose names they bear were the true authors
of them ; it is more likely that these are only the names of those to whom they were
first given to sing.
After the Psalms are the Proverbs, which are a collection of moral sentences, of
which Solomon was the writer. This name is given them by the Greeks, but the
Hebrews call them Myste, that is, parables, or comparisons ; and the word may also
signify sentences, or maxims. It is a collection of divine precepts, proper for every
age, and every condition of life.
The book which follows is also a moral one, and was likewise composed by Solo
mon. The Greeks call it Ecclesiastes, which answers to the name of Koheleth,
which it bears in the Hebrew. Both these words signify, in our language, a preacher,
or one who speaks in an assembly. In this book is given an admirable picture of the
vanity ofthe world.
Among the moral books is also reckoned the Song of Songs ; that is to say, accord
ing to the Hebrew manner of speaking, a most excellent song. This book has noth
ing of morality in it, and therefore, it is thought the only reason of its being placed
here is because it was a third work of Solomon ; for there is not one moral or religious
maxim in it, and the name of God is not so much as mentioned in it, except once
in the original Hebrew, where it is used adjectively. It is an Epithalamium, or nup
tial song, wherein, by the expressions of love between a bridegroom and his bride,
are set forth and illustrated the mutual affections that pass between Ged and a dis
tinguished remnant of mankind. It is a sort of dramatic poem or pastoral : the bride
and bridegroom, for the more lively representation of humility and innocence, are
brought in as a shepb'.J and shepherdess. We learn from St. Jerome, that the Jews
were not permitted to read this song, or the chapters at the beginning of the book of
Genesis, till they were thirty years old.
In regard to the prophets, it may be observed, that all the Old Testament is con
sidered to be in substance one continued prophecy of the coming of Jesus Christ ; so
that all the books of which it consists are understood to be in some sense prophetical.
But this name is more especially given to those books which were written by persons
who had a clearer knowledge of futurity, who forewarned both kings and people of
what would happen to them, and who at the same time pointed out what the Mes
siah was to do, whom they who are acknowledged to have been prophets had always
in view : and this is what ought most especially to be taken notice of in their writings.
The prophecies bear the name of those to whom they belong. Some learned men
are of opinion that the prophets made abridgments of the discourses which they had
written, and fixed them up at the gates ofthe temple, that all the people might read
them ; and that after this ihe ministers of the temple might take them away, and
place them among the archives, which is the reason why we have not the prophecies

10 INTRODUCTION TO THE
in the order in which they were written. But the interpreters of Scripture have long
since labored to restore that order, according to the course of their history.
The works of the prophets are divided into two parts, the first of which contains
the greater, and the second, the lesser prophets. This distinction, of course, does not
apply at all to the persons of the prophets, but only to the bulk of their works. The
greater prophets are Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Jeremiah. The Lamentations of
Jeremiah make a separate book by themselves, containing that prophet's descriptions,
of the destruction of the city of Jerusalem, and of the captivity of the people. The
lesser prophets are Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micai, Nahum, Habakkuk,
Zephaniah, Ha'ggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. They were formerly contained in one
single volume, which the Hebrews call Thereaser, which means twelve, or the book
of the twelve.
The dates of many of the prophecies are uncertain, but the earliest of them was
in the days of Uzziah, king of Judah, and Jeroboam the Second, his contemporary,
king of Israel, about 200 years before the captivity, and not long after Joash had slain
Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, in the court of the temple. Hosea was the first of
the writing prophets, and Joel, Amos, and Obadiah, published their prophecies about
the same time.
Isaiah began his remarkable prophecies a short time afterward, but his book is
placed first, because it is the largest of them all, and is more explicit relative to the
advent of Christ than any of the others. The language of this eminent writer is ex
ceedingly sublime and affecting ; so much so, that it has never been equalled by any
profane poet either in ancient or modern .times. It is impossible to read some of the
chapters without being struck by the force of the prophetic allusions to the character
and sufferings of the Messiah ; and in consequence of these prevailing characteristics,
the author is ordinarily styled the evangelical prophet, and by some of the ancients,
a fifth evangelist. The Jews say that the spirit of prophecy continued forty years
during the second temple ; and Malachi they call the seal of prophecy, because in him
the succession or series of prophets broke off, and came to a period. The book of
Malachi, therefore, appropriately closes the sacred record of the Old Testament.
The second and lesser division of the Bible relates entirely to the Christian re
ligion, or the fulfilment of that which was predicted in the preceding and more
ancient department ofthe work. This division of the sacred Scriptures is generally
styled the New Testament; and that portion of it which relates to the history of the
life of Christ is called the Gospel, and by some the Evangel, both these words having
the same meaning, and implying good news, or glad tidings, from the circumstance
that the narratives contain an account of things which are to benefit mankind.
The New Testament, like the Old, is a compilation of books written by different in
spired individuals, and all put together in a manner so as to exhibit a regular account of
the birth, actions, and death of Christ — the doctrines he promulgated — and the prophe
cies regarding the future state of the church which he founded. The hisiorical books
are the four gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, all these being of the character of
narratives of events; the doctrinal are the Epistles of St. Paul, and some others; the
prophetic book is the last, and this is called the Revelation or Apocalypse of St. John,
having been written by that aposlle while he was in the island of Patmos.
The writers of the books of the New Testament are gent. -illy well known, each
having the name of the author affixed to it, with the exception of the Acts of the
Apostles, which, it is presumed, was compiled by St. Luke. It was long disputed
whether St. Paul was the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews ; Tertullian, an an
cient Christian writer, and some others, attribute it to St. Barnabas ; others to St
Luke ; and others to St. Clement ; while some think, with greater probability, that
St. Paul dictated it, and St. Luke acted as the writer ; and that the reason why the
name of the true author was not affixed to it, was because he was disliked by the
Jews. The four evangelists, or writers of the leading narratives, are St. Matthew,
St. Mark, St. Luke, and St. John ; these having been companions to Christ during
his ministrations, and, therefore, personally acquainted with his life and character
Each of the four books is principally a repetition of the history of Christ, yet they
ali possess a difference of style,,and each mentions some circumstances omitted by the
others, so that the whole is essential in making up a complete life of the Messiah.
These distinctions in the tone of the narratives and other peculiarities, are always
considered as strong circumstantial evidence in proof of their authenticity and ni

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 11
ihwe having been no collusion on the part of the writers. But, indeed, the events
they record are detailed in so exceedingly simple and unaffected a manner, that it is
impossible to suppose that they were written with a view to impose on the credulity
of mankind. The veracity and actual belief of the evangelists themselves are placed
beyond a doubt.
The first book is written by Matthew, who was by birth a Jew, and exercised the
profession of a publican — that is, a collector of the public tax or assessment imposed
upon the Jewish people by their conquerors, the Romans. Matthew, who was also
called by the name of Levi, was one ofthe twelve apostles of Christ, and he is said
to have written his narrative about eight years after the departure of his Master
from the earth. Many of the ancients say "that he wrote it in the Hebrew or Syriac
language; but Dr. Whitby is clearly of opinion that this tradition is entirely void of
foundation, and that it was doubtless written in Greek, as the other parts of the New
Testament were. Yet it is probable that there might be an edition of it in Hebrew,
published by St. Matthew himself, at the same time that he wrote it in Greek ; the
former for the Jews, the latter for the Gentiles, when he left Judea to preach among
the heathen.
In regard to Mark, the writer of the second Gospel, it may be observed, that
although Mark, or Marcus, was a Roman name, and a very common one, yet we
have no reason to think but that he was by birth a Jew ; but as Saul, when he went
among the Gentiles, took the Roman name of Paul, so did this evangelist take that
of Mark, his Jewish name, perhaps, being Mardacai, as Grotius observes. Jerome
and Tertullian say that he was a disciple of the Apostle Peter, and his interpreter or
amanuensis. We have every reason to believe that both he and Luke were of the
number of the seventy disciples who companied all along with the apostles, and who
had a commission like to theirs: so that it is no diminution at all to the validity or
value of this Gospel that Mark was not one of the twelve, as Matthew and John
were. Jerome says, that after the writing of this Gospel he went into Egypt, and
was the first that preached the gospel at Alexandria, where he founded a church, to
which he was a great example of holy living.
The Gospel of St. Mark is much shorter than that of Matthew, not giving so full
an account of Christ's sermons as that did, but insisting chiefly on his miracles ; and
in regard to these, also, it is very much a repetition of what we have in Matthew,
many remarkable circumstances being added to the stories there related, but not
many new matters. There is a tradition that it was first written in Latin, because
it was written at Rome ; but this is generally thought to be without foundation, and
that it was written in Greek, as was St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans, the Greek
being the more universal language.
Luke, the name of the third evangelist, is considered by some to be a contraction
of Lucilius, and it is said by St. Jerome to have been borne at Antioch. Some think
that he was the only one of all the penmen of the Scriptures that was not of the
Israelites ; that he was a Jewish proselyte, and was converted to Christianity by the
ministry of St. Paul at Antioch, and after his coming into Macedonia he was his con
stant companion. He had employed himself in the study and practice of physic, and
hence Paul calls him "Luke, the beloved physician." It is more than probable,
however, as is testified both by Origen and Epiphanius, that he was one of the
seventy disciples, and a follower of Christ when he was upon earth ; and if so, he
was most likely to be a native Israelite. Luke most probably wrote his Gospel at
Rome, a little before he wrote his history of the " Acts of the Apostles," which is a
continuation, of the former, when he was there with Paul, while he was a prisoner,
and " preaching in his own hired house," with which the history of the Acts con
cludes. In this case, it must have been written about twenty-seven years after
Christ's departure, and about the fourth year ofthe reign of Nero. Jerome says thai
St. Luke died when he was eighty-four years of age, and that he was never married.
Dr. Cave observes that " his way and manner of writing are accurate and exact, his
style polite and elegant, sublime and lofty, yet perspicuous; and that he expresses
himself in a vein of purer Greek than is to be found in the other writers of this holy
history." Thus he relates several things more copiously than the other evangelist*.
and thus he especially treats of those things which relate to the priestly office of
Christ. The fourth evangelist, John, was one of the sons of Zebedee, a fisherman of Gali-

.2 INTRODUCTION TO THE
tee, the brother of James, one of the twelve apostles, and distinguished by tne
honorable appellation, " that disciple whom Jesus loved." The ancients tell us thai
John lived the longest of all the apostles, and was the only one of them that died a
natural death, all the rest suffering martyrdom ; and some of them say that he wrote
this Gospel " Ephesus, at the request of the ministers of the several churches of
Asia, in order to combat certain heresies. It seems most probable that he composed
it before his banishment into the isle of Patmos, for there he wrote his Revelation,
the close of which seems designed for the closing up of the canon of scripture; in
which case this Gospel could not have been written after. It is clear that ne wrote
the last of the four Evangelists, and, comparing his Gospel with theirs, we may
observe that he relates what they had omitted, and thus gleans up what they had
passed by.
These four Gospels were early and constantly received by the primitive church,
and read in Christian assemblies, as appears by the writings of Justin Martyr and
Irenxus, who lived little more than one hundred years after the origin of Christianity.;
they declared that neither more nor fewer than four were received by the church.
A Harmony of these four Evangelists was compiled by Tatian about that time, which
he called " The Gospel out of the four." In the third and fourth centuries there
were gospels forged by divers sects, and published, one under the name of St. Peter,
another of St. Thomas, another of St. Philip, &c. But they were never owned by
the church, nor was any credit given to them, as the learned Dr. Whitby shows.
And he gives this good reason why we should adhere to these written records : " be
cause," says he, " whatever the pretences of tradition may be, it is not sufficient to
preserve things with any certainty, as appears by experience. For whereas Christ
said and did many memorable things which were not written, tradition has not pre
served any one of them to us, but all is lost except what was written ; and that, there
fore, is what we must abide by."
After the Gospel, or history of Jesus Christ, follows the history of what passed
after his ascension, and was transacted by the apostles. The book, therefore, which
contains this history is called " The Acts of the Apostles." It is a history of the
rising church for about the space of thirty years. It was written, as has been
already observed, by St. Luke the Evangelist, when he was with St. Paul at Rome,
during his imprisonment there. In the end of the book he mentions particularly his
being with Paul in his dangerous voyage to Rome, when he was carried thither a
prisoner; and it is'evident that he was with him when, from his prison there, Paul
wrote his epistles to the Colossians and Philemon ; for in bolh of these he is named
by him.
Next to this come the Epistles of St. Paul, which are fourteen in number : one to
the Romans, two to the Corinthians, one to the Galatians, one to the Ephesians, one
to the Philippians, one to the Colossians, two to the Thessalonians, two to Timothy,
one to Titus, one to Philemon, and one to the Hebrews. They contain that part of
ecclesiastical history which immediately follows after what is. related in the Acts.
The principal matter contained in them is the establishment or confirmation of the
doctrine which Jesus Christ taught his disciples. According as the difficulties which
raised disputes among the Christians, or the heresies which sprung up in the church
from the first age of it, required, St. Paul in these epistles clears up and proves all
matters of faith, and gives excellent rules for morality. His epistles may be con
sidered as a commentary on, or an interpretation of, the four books of the Gospel.*
The chronological succession ofthe Epistles, according to Prof. Lange, is as follows:
1. To the Thessalonians. 2. To the Galatians. 3. To the Corinthians. 4. To the
* In respect to the leading design of the apostolical epistles, Dr. Bloomfield remarks : " That though
the essential doctrines and precepts of Christianity are to be found in the ( lospels, yet a fuller and clearer
statement of them was necessary, considering the altered state of things to that which existed during our ¦
Saviour's life-time ; and especially afner the uprise of serious corruptions and dangerouB errors, originating
partly in misconception, but which required to be checked by a more explicit, aud yet equally authoritative
revelation. Now this was done by St. Paul and the other writers of the Epistles. Consequently, though
thi'y were written for the immediate purpose of refuting heresies, arising from a mixture of Christianity
witli Judaism or Gentilism, of repressing corruptions, reforming abuses, and composing schisms and differ
ences, yet, in point of fact, they became, and were avowedly, commentaries on the doctrines of Christ as
delivered in the Gospels ; and though originally intended for particular Christian societies, yet are adapted
to the instruction of Christians in all ages." Principles are involved, which are our surest guides on all
points relating to church liberty, especially as to abstaining from things innocent in themselves if likely tc
give offence to scrupulous brethren. — Ed.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. J3
Romans. 5. The epistle of James. 6. To the Ephesians. 7. To the Philippians. 8.
To the Hebrews. 9. The first epistle of Peter. 10. The first to Timothy. 11. To
Titus. 12. The second to Timothy. 13. The second of Peter, 14. The epistle of
Jude. 15. The three epistles of John. . As it respects the date of these apostolic
epistles, it is very generally agreed that they were written between the years A. D.
54 and 68, excepting those of John, written probably between the years 96 and 100.*
It has sometimes occurred to the minds of many well-disposed persons, that it
would have been better for Christianity had there never been any other record of its
origin and doctrines than the writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. But,
however plain and satisfactory the histories of these evangelists may be, and how-
evei little they admit of controversy, it has to be remembered that it required the
strong arguments and illustrations brought forward in the epistles, by Paul and
others, to combat the sophistry of the Greeks, and the self-sufficient philosophies of
other races of man. Paul, the chief of the epistle writers, who became a Christian
by conversion after Christ had departed from the earth, is the great champion of the
faith, and exposes, in strong and dauntless language, the hidden depravities of the
human heart ; so that where the affecting discourses and sufferings of the Messiah
fail to convert and convince, the reasoning of this great writer is calculated to silence
and subdue those who stubbornly resist the benignant influence of the Christian faith.
The first division of the Scriptures, as already mentioned, is into the Old and New
Testaments. The New belongs to the Christians, but the Old was received from the
Tews ; and it is from them, therefore, that we must learn what the number of the
books of it originally was, and everything else relating to this most ancient and in
teresting production.
The celebrated Jewish writers, Josephus and Philo, reckon two and twenty canoni
cal books in the Old Testament, which is the number of the letters in the Hebrew
alphabet: and to make out this, they join the book of Ruth to that of Judges, and
the Lamentations of Jeremiah to the book of his Prophecies. But other Jewish doc
tors divide the book of Ruth from that of Judges, and, making likewise a separate
Book of the Lamentations of Jeremiah, they reckon four and twenty books in all. In
order to accommodate this number to that of the letters of the alphabet, they repeat
the letter yod three times, as they say, in honor to the great name of God Jehovah,
of which yod is the first letter; and in Chaldee, three yods together were used to
express this adorable name : but as the modern Jews thought this savored too much
of what Christians call the Trinity, they use only two yods for this purpose. St.
Jerome is of opinion that St. John had this division of the Hebrew scriptures in
view, when in his Revelation he speaks of the four and twenty elders who paid
adoration to the Lamb of God.
The Jews divide the whole of these books into three classes, namely, the Law, the
Prophets, and the Hagiographa or Holy Writings, which last division includes more
particularly the poetical parts; and some are of opinion that Jesus Christ alludes to
this division of the Scriptures, when he says that " all things must be fulfilled that
were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning"
him. For the book of Psalms, they understand all the books of the third class. The
Law comprehends the Pentateuch; that is, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,
and Deuteronomy. The Prophetical books are eight, viz: (1) Joshua, (2) Judges,
with Ruth, (3) Samuel, (4) Kings, (5) Isaiah, (6) Jeremiah, (7) Ezekiel, and (8)
the twelve Lesser Prophets. The first four books of this division are called the For
mer Prophets, and the last four the Latter Prophets. The Hagiographa, or Holy
Writings, are nine, viz: (1) Job, (2) the Psalms, (3) Proverbs, (4) Ecelesiastes, (5)
The Song of Songs, (6) Daniel, (7) Chronicles, (8) Ezra, with Nehemiah, and (9)
Esther. The Jews do not put Daniel in the rank of a prophet, although they ac
knowledge him to have been a man inspired by God, and whose writings are full of the
clearest prophecies concerning the time of the Messiah's coming, and what should
* The apostolic epistles are didactic or catholic. The didactic epistles are those addressed to particular
churches ; the catholic or general are addressed to the whole church, or to a larger section of it. The
writings of Paul, for the most part, belong to the former class. They are analyzed or classified by Lange, as
MIOwb: 1. Eschatological epistles, which treat of the last things. 2. Ecclesiastic epistles, which treat of
-the discipline of the church. 3. Soteriological epistles, which treat of redemption and righteousneRs by
faith. 4. Christological epistles, which treat of the person of Christ. 5. Pastoral epistles. The Epistle to
the Hebrews, that of James, and the three of John, and those of Peter and Jude, arc classed as catholu
epistles.— Ed.

14 INTRODUCTION TO THK
happen lo their nation. Jesus Christ, therefore, gives him the name of a Prophet,
and the Jewish doctors are much puzzled to find out a proper reason for their no<
doing the same. " It is," says Maimonides, " because everything that Daniel wrote
was not revealed to him when he was awake and had the use of his reason, but in
the night, and in obscure dreams." But this is a very unsatisfactory account of the
matter; and others are of opinion that the name of a Prophet was commonly given
to those only who were of a certain college, and whose business it was to write the
annals ; and that, therefore, their works were ranked among the prophetical books,
though they did not contain a single prediction of anything to come, as the books of
Joshua and Judges ; while, on the contrary, the works of those who were not of
these colleges of the prophets were not ranked, among the prophetical books, although
they contained true prophecies.
The Latins agree with the Jews as to the number of the Psalms, which is a hun
dred and fifty ; but both they and the Greeks divide them differently from the He
brews. In the Greek Bible and the Vulgate, or common Latin version, the. ninth
and tenth, according to the Hebrew, make but one psalm ; and therefore, in order to
make up the number of a hundred and fifty, they divide the hundred and forty-sev
enth into two.
This is the general division of the sacred books among the Jews. But they divide
the Pentateuch, in particular, into certain paragraphs or sections, which they call
Parashiuih, and which they subdivide into the Great and Little. A Great section
contains as much as is to be read in the synagogue in a week. There are in all fifty-
four of these, inasmuch as there may be so many weeks in a year ; for the Jews are
obliged to read- all the Pentateuch over once every year, finishing it on the feast of
tabernacles, and beginning, it again on the next sabbath day. In the time of the
persecution by Antiochus Epiphanes, they also selected fifty-four sections to be read
out of the Prophets, which have ever since constituted the second lessons in the
Jewish synagogue-service. The Little sections, which are subdivisions of the
Greater, are made according to the subjects they treat of; and these Great and Little
sections are again of two sorts, one of which is called Petuchoth, that is, open sec
tions ; and the other Sethumoth, that is, close sections. The former commences in
the Hebrew Bibles always at the beginning of lines, and are marked with three P's if
it be a great section, and with only one if it be a little section ; because P is the first
letter of the word Petuchoth. Every open section takes its name from its first word ;
and thus the first section in the whole Bible is called Bereshith, which is the first
word of the Book of Genesis in Hebrew. The close sections begin the middle of a
line, and are marked with the letter Samech, which is the first letter of the word
Sethumoth ; if it be a great section it has three Samechs ; if a little section, only
one. Every great section is also divided again into seven parts, which are read in
the synagogue by so many different persons. If any priest be present, he begins, and
a Levite reads after him ; and in the choice of the rest, regard is had to their dignity
and condition. The divisions of the prophetical books already mentioned are read
jointly with those of Moses, in the same manner. These latter divisions they- call
Haphleroth, a term which signifies, in Hebrew, dismissions ; because after this read
ing is over they dismiss the people.
The Jews call the division of the Holy Scriptures into chapters, Perakim, which
signifies fragments ; and the division into verses they call Pesukim, a word of nearly
the same signification as the former. These last are marked out in the Hebrew
Bibles by two great points at the end of them, called hence Soph-Pasuk, that is, the end
of the verse. But the division of the Scriptures into chapters and verses, as we now
have them, is of a much later date. The Psalms, indeed, were always. divided as at
present ; for St. Paul, in his sermon at Antioch in Pisidia, quotes the second Psalm
But as to the rest of the Holy Scriptures, the division of them into such cnapters as
it present, is what the ancients knew nothing of. Some attribute it to Stephen
Langton, who was archbishop of Canterbury in the reigns of King John and his son
Henry the Third. But the true author of this invention, as is shown by Dean Piv
deaux at great length, was Hugo de Sancto Caro, who, being from a Dominican monk
advanced to the dignity of a cardinal, and the first of tha order that was so is com
monly called Hugo Cardinalis. '
This Cardinal Hugo, who flourished about the year ,e?40, and died in 1262 had
labored much in the study of the Holy Scriptures, anu iiade a comment upon the

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 15
whole of them. The carrying-on o'f tnis work gave him the occasion of invent
ing the first concordance that was made of the Scriptures — that is, of the vulgar
Latin Bible; for, conceiving that such an index of all the words and phrases in the
Bible would be of great use for the attaining of a better understanding of it, he pro
jected a scheme for the making of such an index, and forthwith set a great number
of the monks of his order on the collecting of the words under their proper classes
in every letter of the alphabet, in order to this design ; and, by the help of so many
hands, he soon brought it to what he intended. This work was afterward much
improved by those who followed him, especially by Arlottus Thuseus, and Conradus
Halberstadius, the firmer a Franc:scan and the other a Dominican friar, who both
lived about the end of the same century. But the whole intention of tne work being
for the easier finding of any word or passage in the Scriptures, to make it answer this
purpose the cardinal found it necessary, in the first place, to divide the book into sec
tions, and the sections into other divisions, that by these he might the better make
the references, and the more exactly point out in the index where any word or pas
sage might ,be found in the text ; and these sections are the chapters into which the
Bible has ever since been divided. For, on the publishing of this concordance, the
usefulness of it being immediately discerned, all were desirous to have it; and, for
the sake of the use of it, they all divided their bibles as Hugo had done; for the
references in the concordance being made by these chapters and the subdivisions of
them, unless their bibles were so divided too, the concordance would be of no use to
them. And thus this division of the several books of the Bible into chapters had its
original, which has ever since been made use of in all places and among all people,
wherever the Bible itself is used in these western parts of the world ; for before this
there was no division of the books in the vulgar Latin bibles at all.
But the subdivisions of the chapters were not then by verses as now. Hugo's way
of subdividing them was by the letters A, B, C, D, E, F, G, placed in the margin at
equal distances from one another, according as the chapters were longer or shorter.
In long chapters all these seven letters were used, in others fewer, as the length of
the chapters required ; for the subdivision of the chapters by verses, which is now in
all our bibles, was not introduced into them till some ages after ; and then it was
from the Jews that the use of it, as we now have it, took its original on the follow
ing occasion.
About the year 1430, there lived here among the western Jews a famous rabbi,
called by some Rabbi Mordecai Nathan, by others Rabbi Isaac Nathan, and by many
by both these names, as if he were first called by one of them, and then, by a change
of it, by the other. This rabbi being much conversant with the Christians, and
having frequent disputes with their learned men about religion, he thereby came to
the knowledge of the great use which they made of the Latin concordance composed
by Cardinal Hugo, and the benefit which they had from it, in the ready finding of
any place in the Scriptures which they had occasion to consult ; which he was so
much taken with,' that he immediately set about making such a concordance to
the Hebrew Bible for the use of the Jews. He began this work in the year 1438,
and finished it in 1445, being seven years in composing it; and the first publishing of
it happening about the time when printing was invented, it has since undergone sev
eral "editions from the press. The Buxtorrs, father and son, bestowed much pains on
this work; and the edition of it published by them at Basil in 1632 is by far the most
complete, and has deservedly the reputation of being the best book of the kind that
is extant. Indeed, it is so useful for the understanding ofthe Hebrew scriptures, that
no one who employs his studies in this way can have a better companion; it being
the best dictionary, as well as the best concordance to them.
In the composing of this book, Rabbi Nathan finding it necessary to follow the same
division of the Scriptures into chapters which Hugo had made in them, it had the like
effect as to the Hebrew bibles that Hugo's had as to the Latin, causing the same di
visions to be made in all the Hebrew bibles which were afterward either written out
or printed for common use ; and hence the division into chapters first came into the
Hebrew bibles. But Nathan, though he followed Hugo in the division into chapters,
yet did not do so in the division of the chapters by the letters A, B, C, &c, in the
margin, but introduced a better usage by employing the division that was made by
verse. This division, as already mentioned, was very ancient ; but it was till now
,without and numbers put to the verses. The numbering, therefore, of the verses in

x6 INTRODUCTION TO THE
the chapters, and the quoting of the passages in every chapter by the verses, were
Rabbi Nathan's invention ; in everything else he followed the pattern which Cardinal
Hugo had set him. But it is to be observed, that he did not number the verses any
otherwise than by affixing the numerical Hebrew letters in the margin at every fifth
verse ; and this has been the usage of the Jews in all their Hebrew bibles ever since,
except that latterly they have also introduced the common figures for numbering the
intermediate verses between every fifth. Vatalibius soon after published a Latin
Bible according to this pattern, with the chapters divided into verses, and the verses
so numbered ; and this example has been followed in all other editions that have
been since put forth. So that, as the Jews borrowed the division of the books of the
Holy Scriptures into chapters from the Christians, in like manner the Christians bor
rowed that of the chapters into verses from the Jews. But to this day the book of
the law, which is read by the Jews in their synagogues every sabbath day, has none
of these distinctions, that is, is not divided into verses as the Bible is.
The division of the books of Scripture into great and little sections, does, without
doiibt, contribute much to the clearing up of their contents; and for this reason, as
well as because they found it practised in the synagogues, the Christians also divided
the books of the New Testament into what the Greeks call pericopes, that is, sec
tions, that they might be read in their order. Each of these sections contained,
under the same title, all the matters that had any relation to one another, and were
solemnly read in the churches by the public readers, after the deacons had admon
ished the faithful to be attentive to it, crying with a loud voice, "Attendance, Let us
attend." The name of titles was given to these sections, because each of them had
its own title. Robert Stephens, the famous printer, who died at Geneva in 1559,
gets the credit of being the first who made the division of the chapters of the New
Testament into verses, and for the same reason as Rabbi Nathan had done before
him as to the Old Testament ; that is, for the sake of a concordance which he was
then composing for the Greek Testament, and which was afterward printed by Henry
Stephens, his son, who gives this account of the matter in his preface to the concord
ance. Since that time, this division of the whole Bible by chapters and verses, and
the quoting of all passages in them by the numbers of both, has grown into use
everywhere among us in these western parts ; so that not only all Latin bibles, but
all Greek ones also, as well as every other that has been printed in any of the mod
ern languages, have followed this division. They who most approve of this division
of the Bible into chapters and verses, as at present used, agree that a much more
convenient one might be made; since it often happens that things which ought to be
separated are joined together, and many things which ought to be joined together
are divided.
The respect which the Jews have for the sacred books, and which even degener
ates into superstition, is one of the principal of their religious practices. Nothing
can be added to the care they take in writing them. The books of the ancients were
of a different form from ours ; they did not consist of several leaves, but of one or
more skins or parchments sewn together, and fastened at the ends to rollers of wood,
upon which they were rolled up ; so that a book when thus shut up might easily be
sealed in several places. And such was the book mentioned in the Revelations,
which St. John says " was sealed with seven seals," and which no one but " the
Lion of the tribe of Judah could open and explain."
The Hebrew manuscripts of the Bible are of two kinds — the rolled ones, or those
used in the synagogues, and the square ones, or those which are to be found in pri •
vate collections. The rules laid down by the Jews with respect to their manuscripts
have undoubtedly tended much to preserve the integrity of the text. They are di
rected to be written upon parchment, made from the skm of a clean animal, and to
be tied together with strings of similar substance, or sewn with goat's-hair, which
has been spun and prepared by a Jewess. It must be likewise a Jew that writes the
law, and they are extremely diligent and exact in it, because the least fault in the
world profanes the book. Every skin of parchment is to contain a certain number
of columns, which are to be of a precise length and breadth, and to contain a certain
number of words. They are to be written with the purest ink, and no word is to be
written by heart or with the points ; it must be first orally pronounced by the copyist.
The name of God is directed to be written with the utmost attention and devotion.
and the transcriber is to wash his pen before he inscribes it on the parchment. If

HISTORY- OF THE BIBLE. 17
ihere should chance to be a word with either a deficient or a redundant letter, oi
should any of the prosaic part of the Old Testament be written as verse, or vice
versa, the manuscript is vitiated. No Hebrew manuscript with any illumination is,
on any account, admitted into a synagogue, although privaie individuals are permit
ted to have them ornamented for their own use ; but in the illustrations, the resem
blance of any animal denounced by the Jews as unclean can not be admitted.
Among the modern Jews, the book of Esther, in particular, is frequently decorated
with rude figures of various kinds ; but with respect to this book, it must be ohsei ved
that, owing to its wanting the sacred name of God, it is not held in such repute for
holiness as the other books are. The manuscripts for private use may be either upon
parchment, vellum, or paper, and of various sizes. " There is," says Prideaux, " in
the church of St. Dominic, in Bononia, a copy of the Hebrew Scriptures, kept with
a great deal of care, which they pretend to be the original copy written by Ezra him
self; and therefore it is there valued at so high a rate, that great sums of money
have been borrowed by the Bononians upon the pawn of it, and again repaid for its
redemption. It is written in a very fair character upon a sort of leather, and made
up in a roll according to the ancient manner; hut it having the vowel-points an
nexed, and the writing being fresh and fair, without any decay, both these particu
lars prove the novelty of that copy. But such forgeries are no uncommon things
among the papistical sect."
To open and shut up the roll or book ofthe law, to hold it, and to raise and show
it to the people, are three offices, which are sold, and bring in a great deal of
money. The skins on wnich the law is written are fastened to two rollers,
whose ends jut out at the sides, beyond the skins, and are usually adorned with
silver ; and it is by them that they hold the book when they lift it up, and ex
hibit it to the congregation ; because they are forbidden to touch the book itself
with their hands. All who are in the synagogue kiss it, and they who are not
near enough to reach it with their mouths, touch the silken cover of it, and then
kiss their hands, and put the two fingers with which they touched if upon theit
eyes, which they think preserves the sight. They keep it in a cupboard, which
supplies the place of the ark of the covenant, and they therefore call this cupboard
Aaron, which is the Hebrew name for the ark ; and this is always placed in the
east end of the synagogue. He who presides chooses any one whom he pleases
to read and explain the scripture, which was a mark of distinction; as we see in
the thirteenth chapter of the Acts, where we find the rulers of the synagogue de
siring the apostles, when they were in the synagogue, to make a discourse to the
people. Ordinarily speaking, a priest began, a Levite read on, and at last one of
tne people, whom the president chose, concluded. He who reads stands upright,
and is not suffered so much as to lean against a wall. Before he begins, he says
with a loud voice, "Bless ye God ;" and the congregation answer, "Blessed be thou,
0 my God, blessed be thou for ever;" and when the lesson is ended, the book is
rolled up, and wrapped in a piece of silk.
The Jews still retain so great a veneration for the Hebrew tongue, that they do not
think it lawful to use any other bibles in the synagogues but such as are written in
that language. This was what enraged them so much against the Hellenistic or
Grsecising Jews, who read the Septuagint Greek version in their synagogues ; and so
much were they grieved that this version was ever made,'that they instituted a fast,
in which they annually lament this as a misfortune. But because the Hebrew was,
after the captivity, no longer the vulgar tongue, there was an interpreter in the syna
gogues, who explained to the people in the Chaldee, or common tongue, what was
read to them in the Hebrew. The use thev made of the Scriptures, however, gave the
people at least an imperfect knowledge if the Hebrew language. And thus we see
the eunuch who is mentioned in the Acts, could read Isaiah, and understand enoup Ii
of it to form the question which he put to Philip, concerning the passage in the
prophecy relating to Jesus Christ.
After having spoken of the books contained in the Bible, and of the divisions of
those books which have been used by the Jews and the Christians, both in ancient
ar.d modern times, it may now be necessary to examine a little into the language in
which they were written. The Old Testament was originally written in the Hebrew
tongue; and this language is generally considered as having the best claims to be
considered the most ancient at present existing in the world, and, perhaps, as the
2

18 INTRODUCTION TO THE
prinlc/al tongue of the human race. By the Hebrew language, therefore, is meff.nl
that which was spoken by Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the twelve patriarchs, which
was afterward preserved among their posterity, and in which Moses wrote, it being
improbable that he would employ any other language than that which was in use
among the Jews.
This language is supposed by some to derive its name from Heber, great-grand
son to Shem, whose posterity were denominated Hebrews; but it is much more
likely that it received its name from its being the mother-tongue of the descendants
of Abraham, who were called Hebrews, not because they were descended from He
ber, but because Abraham, having received a command from God to leave the coun
try where he lived, which was beyond the Euphrates, passea hat river, and came
into the land of Canaan, where the inhabitants ofthe country gave htm the name of
the Hebrew, that is, one that has passed over ; in the same manner as the French
call all those that live beyond the mountains, Ultramontanes.
The reasons that demonstrate the antiquity of the Hebrew tongue are many. In
the first place, the names which the Scripture explains are therein drawn from He
brew roots. It was thus that the first man was called Adam, because he had been
formed out of the ground, which in Hebrew is called Adamah. The first woman
was called Eve, because she was the origin of life to all, evach in Hebrew signifying
to live. The name of Cain, which comes from Canah, signifying to acquire, or gel,
alludes to .what Eve said when he was born: "I have got a man from the Lord."
The explanation of these names is not to be found in any language but the Hebrew ,'
and as this relation between names and things does not occur in any other language,
it is in it alone that we can see the reasons why the first human beings were so called.
The names of an immense number of people, also, who are descended from the
Hebrews, show the antiquity both of the nation and the language. The Assurians,"'
for instance, derive their name from Ashur, the Elamites from Elam, the Arameans from
Aram, the Lydians from Lud, the Medes from Madai, and the Ionians from Javan,
who are all traced in the Hebrew bible to Shem, Ham, and Japhet. These names'
have no signification in any language but the Hebrew, which shows that they are
derived thence, as are also the ancient names of the pagan deities ; to which we must
add the remark which several learned men have made, namely, that there is no
language in which some remains of the Hebrew are not to be found.
A very apposite example, in allusion to the meaning of proper names in Hebrew,
is to be found in the Book of Ruth, toward the end of the first chapter, where it is
said, "And the whole town was in commotion about them; and the women said, Is
this Naomi ? And she said, Call me not Naomi (which means Delightful) ; call me
Marah (which means Bitter) ; for the Almighty (Emer) hath caused bitterness ex
ceedingly to me. I went away full, and Jehovah hath caused me to return empty;
wherefore then do ye call me Naomi, since Jehovah hath brought affliction on me,
and the Almighty hath caused evil to befall me?"
Thus we see that in Hebrew, as well as in most of the oriental languages, ail
proper names are significant words ; and this is found to be the case also among
many of the nations of Afnca. This circumstance has a great effect in increasing the
energy ofthe diction in ihese tongues; for it not unfrequently happens, as in the case
of Naomi, that the speaker or writer, in addressing a person by his name, makes use
of it at the same time as a word of ordinary signification, to express something
in the inward disposition or the outward circumstances of the possessor. Instances
of this occur in almost every page of the Hebrew scriptures ; and, as may readily be
supposed, it is impossible in such cases, for any common translation to do justice to
the energy of the original. We have a very remarkable example of this in the
twenty-fifth chapter of 1 Samuel, at the twenty-fifth verse, in which Abigail,
speaking of her husband Nabal, says to David : " Let not my lord set his mind al
all now toward the man of Belial (that is, worthless), mis same person, Nabal
(which means a scoundrel) ; for like his name so is he; Nabal is his name, and Ne-
belah (that is, vileness) is with him."
In speaking ofthe meaning of proper names, however, the most extraordinary ex
ample, perhaps, that can be produced from any book, either ancient or modern, is the
following, which is to be found in the fifth chapter of Genesis : the names of the ten
antediluvian patriarchs, from Adam to Noah inclusive, are there given ; and when
these ten names are 1 orally translated, and placed in the order in which'thev occur-

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 19
they form altogether the following very remarkable sentence in English: man, ap
pointed, miserable, lamenting, the God of glory, shall descend, to instruct, his death
sends to the afflicted, consolation !
We need not be surprised, therefore, at what is mentioned in the Spectator (No.
221), of a certain rabbinical divine having taken the first three of these names as the
subjeet of his discourse, forming thus the text of a regular sermon. " We had a
rabbinical divine in England," says Addison, " who was chaplain to the earl of Essex
in Queen Elizabeth's time, that had an admirable head for secrets of this nature.
Upon his taking the doctor of divinity's degree, he preached before the university of
Cambridge upon the first verse of the first chapter of the First Book of Chronicles,
'in which,' says he, 'you have the three following words: 'Adam, Sheth, Enosh.'
"He divided this short text into many parts, and by discovering several mysteries
in each word, made a most learned and elaborate discourse. The name of this pro
found preacher was Dr. Alabaster, of whom the reader may find a more particular
account in Dr. Fuller's Book of English Worthies."
It is evident, that although this matter appeared ridiculous enough in Addison's
eyes, so as to furnish him with a theme for a very amusing paper, yet, on considering
attentively the meaning of the original words here used as proper names, a great deal
of very sound doctrine might be elicited by a subtile divine, even from such an ap
parently insignificant text.
In the same way the names of animals in Hebrew are found to be words expressive
of their qualities, which gives support to the idea that this was the language which
Adam used when he gave them their names ; as we find recorded in the second
chapter of Genesis, at the 19th verse: "And Jehovah God formed out ofthe ground
every beast of the field, and he formed also every lowl of the heavens ; and he broughl
them unto Adam to see what he would call them, and whatever Adam called it —
the living creature — it is its name."
Some ofthe names of animals in Hebrew are still found to be clearly descriptive
of their qualities, and therefore in regard to what animal is intended there can in
such cases be no dispute. But with respect to some others the matter is not so plain,
as, from the root not being now found in the language, the ideal meaning of the
name can not be so readily ascertained : and hence the eleventh chapter of Leviticus,
in which the names of certain clean and unclean animals are enumerated, presents
difficulties to a translator of no ordinary description.
There is, perhaps, no language in the world so easily reduced to its original ele
ments as the Hebrew. As Wilson has well expressed it, " We descend from words
to their element; and the accurate knowledge of letters is the principal part of He
brew grammar. Its flexion nearly approaches (hat of the modern languages, par
ticularly the English. The relations and dependan es of nouns are not distinguished
by terminations, or cases, but by particles or prepositions prefixed. The persons,
moods, or tenses, of verbs are not marked by the changes of their last syllables, bui
by means of letters of a particular order, which sometimes appear in the middle,
sometimes in the beginning, and sometimes in the end of the original word." In
fact the structure of the Hebrew language is peculiarly favorable for the expression
of energy and sublimity. The words, as is well known, are remarkable for short
ness, the greater part consisting of not more than two, three, or four letters ; few
words have more than ten letters, and those that consist of that number are not
many. The sentences are also for the most part short, and are quite free from that
complexity which is apt to embarrass the reader when perusing even the best authors
of Greece and Rome. The idiom of any language consists in the order of the words ;
but it is well known that, in this respect, the Greek and Latin tongues are extremely
capricious, the words being arranged in them not in the order of the understanding,
but ofthe ear, according to the sound rather than the sense. The Greek and Roman
writers place the emphatic words in whatever order the sentence can be made to run
most musically, though the sense be suspended till the speaker or reader come to
fhf and; and hence the need of so many flexions and syntax-rules for a learner to
arrange them to find out 1ne meaning. Yet even for this purpose more declensions
than one were not necessary ; nor more tenses than three, a past, a present, and a
future. From this mass of perplexity the Hebrew language is entirely free. Its original
Words, called roots consist of a proper tiuro^er of letters, commonly three, the fewest

20 INTRODUCTION TO THE
that make a perfect number ; and they express an action finished or expressed by a
sinsae aeeni. It has a proper number of voices, that is, active, passive, and medial — and
only the tenses that are in nature. Its primitive words are more sentimental and
st ientific than sonorous ; aud they express original ideas, being definitions of things
descriptive of their natures.
The Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, and such as are immediately derived from them,
or constructed on their model, are the only languages that are formed on a regular
artificial plan ; and all other tongues of which we know anything, except perhaps the
Persian and the Sanscrit, must be considered in comparison as mere gibberish, being
quite rude in their original formation; nor is it possible to reduce them to another
state, without wholly metamorphosing them. That which was never the language
of a cultivated, learned people, and in which there are no literary works of taste, can
not be a polished language, although it may have been the language of a civilized
nation, or of a court, if they were only an illiterate people. In a word, all languages
that have a concourse of consonants, or silent letters, are rude in their writing or
pronunciation, whatever their structure may be. The Greek and Latin are free from
the latter fault, and the Hebrew from both. "As Solomon possessed the most wis
dom and knowledge," says Mr. Ray, "and treated all subjects of natural philosophy,
Sfc, and his court being the most splendid and elegant, as people came to it from all
nations, and greatly admired it, the Hebrew must be a copious, elegant language ; and
its structure is invariable, being the same in Moses and Malachi, at a thousand years'
distance." In speaking ofthe genius of a language, indeed, which is its force, vigor,
or energy, the Hebrew, may, without doubt, be said to excel all.
It is evident therefore that if, as Longinus observes. " saying the greatest things in
the fewest words" he essential to simplicity and energy in discourse, the Hebrew is
the best language in the world for the purpose. In it we have no superfluous parts
of a sentence in words, or even in letters. A Hebrew writer conveys his meaning
without circumlocution; for, although he were inclined, he would be unable to ac
complish il, because the language is quite unsuitable in its nature for being employed
in ^ny such way; and therefore if an author's subject be good, even although he
should possess but little genius, he will find no great difficulty to clothe his ideas in
sublime and energetic language, if he write in Hebrew.*
Such is the simple nature of the formation of this primitive language, and which
seems, at the same time, to entitle it more to the claim of being a philosophical
tongue than, perhaps, any other in the world. It is remarkable that the structure
of this very ancient language approaches closely to that of the English, and other
modern tongues, as the relations and dependances of nouns, according to what has
been already remarked, are not distinguished by terminations, or cases, as in Greek
and Latin, but by particles or prepositions (or little words) prefixed, and which are,
at the same time, conjoined with the noun, as if they were a part of it.
The advantages which the Hebrew language possesses, above all others, in the
simplicity of its formation — its remarkable originality, in that it borrows from no
language, while almost all others borrow from it — as also the ideality which is found
10 pervade its roots or primitive words — have all been considered as entitling it to
higher claims in the consideration of philosophers, than any other language in the
world, either ancient or modern. These notions have been carried to such a length,
indeed, by some learned men, that they gave rise to an entirelv new school of
philosophy, generally known by t.he designation of the Hutchinson'ian ; the disciples
of which are remarkable as beino; opposed in many things to the Newtonian system,
and as being possessed with the belief that in the Hebrew language, and in it alone,
are to be found the germes of all true philosophy.

INTEGRITY OF THE TEXT.
The sacred books which were written, as we have seen, in Hebrew, ihe langunge
ofthe patriarchs, have been preserved down to our days without any corruption ; and
* Tlie Bible was composed, says Prof. Lange, in the two leading Ianeua?ea of Rntfnnit*. «.^:„*. - a ... «.„
;ra«est contrast in the intellectual world. The Hebrew tongue m - bf ch ^acLrizX^T <*«'*«' «»
aud child-like, as the deepest, purest, and most direct language of ^rituaUxTer\ences rtSS.'SS*^
Hi most ou tivated, renued, aud philosophical expression of intellectual life.— Eii, ' e """=*

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 21
he same judgment may also be formed of those other books of Scripture which have
been since written in Greek. But before proving the purity and integrity of these
original texts, it may be necessary to remove a prejudice which may arise from the
variety of different readings that are found in the manuscript and printed copies of
the Bible.
The different manner in which some passages are expressed in different manu
scripts, together with the omission or insertion of a word, or of a clause, constitute
what are called various readings. This was occasioned by the oversights or mistakes
of transcribers, who deviated from the copy before them, these persons not being, as
some have supposed, supernaturally guarded against the possibility of error ; and a
mistake in one copy would, of course, be propagated through all that were taken
from it, each of which copies might likewise have peculiar faults of its own, so thai
various readings would thus be increased in proportion to the number of transcripts
that were made. Besides actual oversights, transcribers might have occasioned
various readings by substituting, through ignorance, one word, or even letter, in place
of another; they might have mistaken the line on which the copy before them was
written, for part of a letter, or they might have mistaken the lower stroke of a letter
for the line, and thus have altered the reading; at the same time they were unwilling
to correct such mistakes as they delected, lest their pages should appear blotted or
defaced ; and thus they sacrificed the correctness of their copy to its fair appearance.
Copyers, seem not unfrequently, to have added letters to the last word in their lines,
in order to preserve them even, and marginal notes have been sometimes introduced
into the text. These different circumstances, as well as others with which we may
not be acquainted, did no doubt contribute very much to produce and multiply mis
takes and variations in the manuscripts of the Hebrew scriptures. This language is
more susceptible of corruption, and any alteration would be more detrimental in ii
than in others. In English, if a letter be omitted, or altered, the mistake can be
easily corrected, because the word thus corrupted may have no meaning ; but in He
brew, almost every combination of the letters forms a new word, so that an alteration
of even one letter of any description is likely to produce a new word and a new mean
ing. Thus putting all alterations made knowingly — for the purpose of corrupting the
text, out of the question — we must allow that from these circumstances connected
with the transcribing, some errata may have found their way into it, and that the
sacred Scriptures have in this case suffered the fate of other productions of antiquity.
When we have collected all the differences that are found in manuscripts of the
original text, and have selected from them what are really various readings, we are
able to determine, from the number and authority of the manuscripts, with tolerable
correctness, what is the genuine reading. Beside the authority of the manuscript, we
must also be guided in determining the true reading by the scope of the passage, by
the interpretations and quotations of ancient writers, by the old versions, and not un
frequently by Scripture itself; for similar or parallel passages will often be found
useful for this purpose. When all these things are considered, it. will seldom happen
that the true reading of a passage will be doubtful ; yet should it continue so, either
reading may contain a truih, though certainly both can not be authentic, and in a
theological point of view, either of them may be followed without involving a doc
trinal error; and in such a case, the common reading should not be relinquished.
To a person who has not considered the subject closely, it may appear sufficient to
overthrow the authority of the text, that no less than thirty thousand various readings
of the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments have been discovered. But when
these are examined closely, and all that are not properly various readings are rejected,
the number will be considerably diminished; from these again let all be deductel
which make no alteration in the several passages to which they refer, and the reduc
tion will be much greater ; and out of the remainder there are none found that can
invalidate the authority of those doctrines that have been esteemed fundamental, or
that can shake a single portion of that internal evidence whereby the divine origin of
the Scriptures is supported ; so that the friends of revelation had no grounds for the
alarm they felt at the time when the subject of various readings began to be discussed.
These observations apply strongly to the New Testament, which, as it ha« been
transcribed more frequently, and probably by less skilful transcribers than the Old,
lias, in proportion, many more various readings. Respecting these, however, it has
Oeen said, that " all the omissions ofthe ancient manuscripis put together, would not

22 INTRODUCTION TO THE
countenance the omission of any essential doctrine of the gospel, relative to faith or
morals ; and all the additions countenanced by the whole mass of manuscripts already
collated,, do not introduce a single point essential either to faith or morals, beyond
what may be found in ihe Complutensian or Elzevir editions.*
The manner in which the original text of the Scriptures, particularly the He;
brew, has been preserved free from all material corruption, and handed down pure
through such a long succession of ages, may now form the subject of our especial, con
sideration. It has been supposed by many that the Christian fathers accused the Jews of cor
rupting the text ;, bill from an examination of such passages as seem to imply this, it
appears that they spoke not of corrupting the text,, but of adopting unfaithful transta
tions. Justin Martyr, one of the most celebrated of the Christian fathers, defends the
Itws very well as to this point, and proves that they have not corrupted the Scrip-
lures : and it is past doubt they have not ; for, as St. Jerome observes, before the
birth of Jesus Christ they had certainly made no malicious alterations in them. If
they had done so, our Saviour and his apostles, who cast so many reproaches upon
the scribes and Pharisees, would not have passed over in silence so great a crime.
To suppose such a thing, indeed, were to know little of the attachment of the Jews
tor the Scriptures. Josephus and Philo assure us that they would have undergone all
sorts of torments rather than have taken a letter from the Scripture, or altered a word,
in it. A copy which had only one fault in it was by them thought polluted,, and was
not suffered to be kept above thirty days; and one thauhad four faults, was ordered
to be hid in the earth. In the Babylonian Talmud it is laid down as a regulation,
that " the books of the law which have beeu written by a heretic, a traitor, one who
is a stranger to the Jewish religion, an idolatrous minister — by which they mean
a monk— a slave, a woman, one under age, a Cuthsean, or Christian, or an apostate
Israelite, are unlawful."
" This," says St. Augustine, " is a most visible effect of the providence of God over
Lis church. It pleased him that the Jews should be our librarians; that, when the
Pagans jeject the oracles of the ancient prophets concerning Jesus Christ, which we
quote against them as being invented by us, we might refer them to the enemies of,
)ur religion, whp will show them in their books the same prophecies, which we quote
against them."
The class of Jewish doctors called Massorites were grammarians, who engaged
with peculiar ardor in the revisal of the Hebrew scriptures. The Massoritic, notes
and criticisms relate to the verses, words, letters, vowel-points, and accents. , All the
verses -of each book and of each section are numbered, and the amount placed at the
end of each in numerical letters, or in some symbolical word formed out of them ; the
middle verse of each book is also marked, and even the very ietters are numbered;
and all this is done to preserve the text from any alteration, by either fraud or neg
ligence. For instance, Bereshith, or Genesis, is marked as containing 1,534 verses,
and the middle one is, at — " And by thy sword thou shalt live" (xxvii. 40). The lines
ire 4,395 ; its columns are 43, and its chapters 50. The number of its words is 27,713,
and its letters are 78,100. The Massoritic notes, or Massorah, as the work is called,
contain also observations on the words and letters of the verses ; for instance, how
many verses end with the letter samech; how many there are in which the same
word is repeated twice or thrice ; and other remarks of a similar nature.
It SPtms now generally agreed upon that the Massorites of Tiberias, during the,
fourth century of the Christian era, were the inventors of the system of the vowel-
points and accents in the Hebrew Bible ; and although they multiply them very un
necessarily, it must be allowed that this is the most useful of their works. From the
points we learn how the text was read in their time, as we know they were guided
inj,afhxing them by the mode of reading which then prevailed, and which they sup
posed .to have been traditionally, conveyed down from the sacred writers.
The Massoritic notes were at first written in separate rolls, but they are now
usually placed, in the margin, or at the top and bottom of the page in printed copies.
Many opinions are entertained about the authors of them ; some think they were be
gun by Moses : others regard them as the work of Ezra and the members of the "real
synagogue, among whom were the later prophets ; while others refer them entirely
.o the rabbins of Tiberias, who are usually styled the Massorites, and suppose thai
' Vide Dr. Adam Clarke's Tract on the Editions of the New Testament, and also the Critical FillrlniM of
the New Testament, by Tichendorf, Ur. iieury Alford, and Dr. S. P. TregeUes.-J&L "*' tll'Uo"" "*

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 23
they commenced this system, which was augmented and continued at diffc rent times
by various authors, so that it was not the work of one man, nor of one age. It is not
improbable that these notes were begun about the time of the Maccabees, when the
Pharisees, who were called the masters of tradition, first began to make their obser
vations on the letter of the law though they were regardless of its spirit. They might
have commenced by numbering first the verses, next the words and letters; and then,
when the vowel-points were added, others continued the system by making observa
tions on them. On the whole, then it appears that what is called the Massorah
is entitled to no greater reverence or attention than may be claimed by any other
human compilation ; but, at the same time, it must be allowed that it has preserved
the Hebrew text from the time it was formed, and conveyed it to us as perfect as
any ancient work could be given.
¦ The various readings given in the Hebrew Bibles, and which are technically de
nominated by the Jews the Keri and Cetib, are not to be ascribed to Moses or the
prophets, for it can not be supposed that inspired writers were ignorant of what was
the true reading of the scripture text. One principal occasion of the notes of the
Keri and Cetib is, that there are several words which the Jews, either from super
stitious reverence or from contempt, are never allowed to pronounce. When they
meet with them in the text, instead of pronouncing them, they pronounce others that
are marked by certain vowels or consonants in the margin. The chief of these is the
great name of God Jehovah, instead of which they always read Adonai, Lord, or
Elohtm, God. This is the word called Tetragrammalon, or the ineffable name of
God, consisting of the four letters, Yod, He, Wau, He. The people were not suffered
to pronounce it ; the high-priest alone had that privilege, and that only in the temple
once a year, when he blessed the people on the great day of atonement ; and hence il
is; that, as this holy name has not been pronounced since the destruction of the tem
ple, its true pronunciation i<s now lost Galatinu=, in the sixteenth century, was the
first who thought fit to say, that it ought to be pronounced Jehovah; " which did not
happen," says Pere l'Amy, " without a very particular providence of God, who was
pleased, that when the Jews lost the temple in which the true God was worshipped,
they should at the same time lose the true pronunciation of his august name. It hap
pened, I say, because, being no longer willing to be their God (for the destruction of
the temple was an authentic testimony of the divorce which he gave them), he would
not leave them the power of so much as pronouncing his name."*
Josephus, himself a priest, says it was unlawful for him to speak of the name
whereby God was made known to Moses; and if it be true that the pronunciation of
it was connected wilh the temple service, it is not surprising that all trace of it should
be lost when the temple was destroyed, and when the Jews grew every day more
supirstitiously afraid of pronouncing it. Leusden, the great orientalist, is said to
have offered a Jew at Amsterdam a considerable sum of money if he would pronounce
it only once, but in vain.
. Besides the various readings called the Keri and Cetib, which the Jews admit to
be the oldest, there are two other kinds of various readings which deserve our notice,
because they are given in some printed bibles. The first are those of the eastern and
western Jews; the second, those between the manuscripts of Ben Asher and Ben
Naphtali. By the eastern Jews we are to understand those of Babylon; by the west
ern, those of Palestine. At Babylon and in Palesline, after the destruction of the city
and temple, there were famous schools for many ages, and between the learned men
of these places much rivalship existed; so that each party, by following their own
copies, gave rise to a collection of various readings, or corrections of the text, whose
antiquity is acknowledged, though it does not appear exactly at what time it was
made. The other collection is called after the heads of two celebrated schools — Ben Asher,
at Tiberias, and Ben Naphtali, at Babylon, who were two famous Massorites, thai
lived about the year 1,030, and were the last of them. Both of these rabbies la
bored to produce a correct copy of the Scriptures, and the followers of each corrected
theirs by that of their master. The variations between them relate to the points, and
in but one instance is there any difference in the writing of a word ; so that they do ¦
not affect the integrity of the text.
What has been said of the integrity of the text ofthe Old Testament, may be ap
* Vide " Apparatus Biblicus, or an Introduction to the Study of the Holy Scriptures."

2-1 INTRODUCTION TO THE
plied also to the New, in so far as it may be charged with corruptions, in conse
quence of the negligence of transcribers, as also in consequence of the attempt of
heretics to make it conform to their erroneous sentiments. Though it must be
admitted that the New Testament text, by being more frequently transcribed than
that of 'he Old, became liable to a greater proportion of various readings, originating
from the mistakes of the transcribers, yet this very circumstance was likewise a sure
protection against wilful perversion or corruption ; for in proportion as copies were
multiplied, the difficulty of effecting a general corruption was increased. No such
m stem as that of the Massorites was ever adopted to preserve the purity of the New
Testament text ; but we have it in our power to use various means for ascertaining
what is the true reading of the text, without having recourse to such a plan as that
of the Masso-ah ; and concordances, which are now brought to an uncommon degree
of perfection, are of great use in preserving it from corruption ; in fact, the single one
of Buxtorf has done more toward fixing the genuine reading, and pointing out the
true meaning of Scripture, than the entire body of the Massoritic notes. We have
the consent of the church, in all ages and countries, lo prove our copies of the New
Testament scriptures authentic, and the authenticity ofthe Hebrew text is confirmed
by Christ and his apostles ; and, in concluding this part of the subject, it may be re
marked, that the general integrity of the Hebrew text receives additional confirma
tion from the ancient versions, as will more fully appear hereafter.

ANCIENT VERSIONS.
Originally there was but one version ofthe Scriptures ; but a schism of a remark
able nature which broke out between the Jews and the Samaritans, was the cause
of producing another version; and of this, and those which followed, we are now
about to speak. The Second Book of Kings furnishes us with the history of this
schism, which, it will be recollected, was caused by the setting up of certain golden
calves to be worshipped at Dan, in Bethel, by Jeroboam. Omri hence built Samaria,
and made it the capital of his kingdom, aud thus was the separation between Judah
and Israel rendered complete. Samaria was, at first, only the name of a city, but
afterward it became that of a province. It contained the tribe of Ephraim, and the
half-tribe of Manasseh, which was on this side Jordan ; so that it was to the north
of Judea, and between the Great sea, Galilee, and Jordan ; and there was, therefore,
no going from Galilee to Jerusalem without passing through this province. The cap
ital of the district, subsequent to the captivity, was Sichem, afterward called Neapo
lis, or Naplous, which was situated between the mountains Gerizim and Ebal.
In the reign of Hezekiah, king of Judah, Samaria was taken by Shalmanezer, and
the ten tribes were carried into captivity. Some years after, Esarhaddon sent the
Cutheans to supply the place of the Jews, and to inhabit Samaria ; and these people,
who knew not the true God, but continued their idolatrous practices, and burnt their
children in the fire to Moloch, were punished for their idolatry with lions, which
made great havoc among them. For- this reason, at their request, Esarhaddon sent
some of those priests who had been carried into captivity, to instruct them, and teach
them the worship of the true God. They did not embrace it with purity, however,
but mixed the remains of paganism with their religion ; for which reason, in the
writings of the Jewish rabbies, they are denominated, in scorn, " The proselytes of
the lions;" because it was through fear of them that they mixed the worship of the •
Creator wi:h thai of their idyls. Nevertheless, wheo Mauasses, the bon of Jaddus,
the high-priest of the Jews, had built the temple on Mount Gerizim, the Samaritans.
then retained their old superstitions no longer, but always contended that their tem
ple was more holy than that of Jerusalem; inferring from the ark's havino- been a
long time at Shiloh, near Ephraim, that the worship of God had rather legun in
their country than in Jerusalem. According to Josephus, they claip-,e(' kindred with
the Jews in their prosperity, but renounced all connexion with thera when they .veie
-under persecution. From John's gospel we learn, that when the Messiah was on
the earth, the Samaritans, who received no part of the Old Testament except tbi."
Pentateuch, had lost all tradition of the revolt and subsequent captivity of the ten
trilie!; : thev considered themselves descended from thf stock ol Israel, claimed Jacob

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 25
for their father, and contended that the " holy mountain" was in the portion assigned
to them by Joshua.
There was no particular enmity between the two nations until the time of Ezra.
Incensed by the opposition they gave to the building of the temple, from the time
their assistance was refused, he is said to have solemnly excommunicated them ; and
hence arose that enmity, which was carried to such a height that " the Jews had no
dealings with the Samaritans ;" and, from Ezra's time, Samaria became a refuge for
the malcontent Jews. Ptolemy Lagos carried numbers, both of the Samaritans and
of the Jews, into Egypt, where a fierce contest took place between them respecting
the sanctity of their temples, each party insisting that iheirs stood on the holy mount.
The point was discussed publicly in presence of the king, and the Samaritan advo
cates, failing in their proof, were put to death. In the year 109 before Christ, John
Hyrcanus destroyed the city and temple of the Samaritans, and, though afterward,
viz., in the year 25 before Christ, K'ng Herod built them a city and temple, they still
continued to worship on Mount Gerizim. In the twelfth century, Benjamin of Tu-
dela found some remains of these people in that country, where they are still to be
found. During the revolt of the Jews, the Samaritans continued in their subjection
to the Romans ; and since that period they have always remained subject to the dif
ferent powers who have been in possession of that and the neighboring countries.
It is supposed that (he present Hebrew character was first adopted from the Chal
deans by Ezra, at the time when, after the return of the Jews from Babylon, he col
lected the Scriptures, and formed the entire canon. As the people were' familiarized
with the Chaldee, he used that character in transcribing the Old Testament. What
is now called the Samaritan, was the character used by Moses and the prophets ;
and Ezra relinquished it to the Samaritans, it is said, in order to render the separation
between them and the Jews more complete. Since that time, the Jews have used
the character we call the Hebrew, and the Samaritans have retained the others.
The value of the Samaritan Pentateuch is very great ; for, where its text accords
with the Hebrew text, it confirms it most decidedly ; because, as the Jews and Sa
maritans were such inveterate enemies, there never could have been any designed
corruption effected by them both. It frequently confirms, and sometimes corrects,
the reading of the Hebrew in important places ; and it overturns all that system of
rabbinical trifling, by which mysterious knowledge is said to be communicated
through the shape and positions of certain letters, or certain words, which they pre
tend Moses learned from God, because such things can not be applied to its characters.
As the Samaritans do not understand the Hebrew text, although in the character
of their own language, they have found it necessary to translate it for common use.
For, as the Jews, after the Babylonish captivity, degenerated in their language from
the Hebrew to the Babylonish dialect, so the Samaritans did the same, most proba
bly, by bringing this dialect out of Assyria with them, when they first came to plant
in Samaria. Therefore, as the Jews, for the sake of the vulgar among them who
understood only the common language, were forced to make Chaldee versions of the
Scriptures, which they called Targums, so the Samaritans, for the same reason, were
obliged to do the same thing, and to make a version of their Pentateuch into the vul
gar Sama-itan, which is, most probably, the most ancient translation of the Bible in
existence. This Samaritan version is not made, like the Chaldee versions among the
Jews, by way of paraphrase, but by an exact rendering of the text word for word,
for the most part without any variation. Being perfectly literal, the same Latin
translation answers both to it and the Samaritan Pentateuch ; and all the three are
published in the Paris and London polyglots.
There were two causes which chiefly conduced lo render the Greek language, at
one time, of almost universal use in the world. The first cause was the conquests
of Alexander the Great, who was, by nation, a Grecian, king of Macedon, and after
ward ru.er of the greater part of the then known world. His vast empire, although
divided, yet subsisted for a great length of time, as his office's divided it among
themselves, and reigned in different countries, so that the Greeks still continued to
have dominion in the world, particularly the Seleucida?, in Syria, and the Ptolomies,
in Egypt, by which means the Greek language became known and in use, both in Ju
dea and Egypt. The other cause of the extent of this language, was the high rep
utation the Greeks had acquired for learning and wisdom, which made many people
desirous of knowing their language, who were not subject to their dominion.

26 INTRODUCTION TO THE
Tnis. then, was the language which was made use of to give the Gentiles the first
knowledge of the Messiah. The Greek version of the Old Testament prepared the
way for the gospel. The Gentiles read in these books the prophecies which the
apostles showed had been accomplished in Jesus Christ: and they found, also, thai
the obstinate incredulity of the Jews had been foretold in them. They could not
suspect the fidelity of the apostles, because this version of the Scriptures had not
been made by them ; nor could they accuse the Jews of having altered these books,
because, as they were, the Jews were condemned in them. Besides, the time at
which it was made, gave this translation of the Bible a prodigious deal of weight;
because, from its having appeared before the birth of Jesus Christ, neither Pagans
nor Jews could say that the ancient prophecies therein contained had been adapted
lo the circumstances of his life.
Whoever were the authors of this the first translation of the Scriptures into Greek,
commonly known by the name of the Seventy, or the Septuagint, and of which the
Jewish historians, Philo and Josephus, have spoken much, no one doubts that it was,
made long before the time of Jesus Christ ; and it is of great authority. Several
passages of the Old Testament, which are quoted in the New, are taken thence;
and, being thus noticed by the writers of the New Testament, from their mode of
using it, we may infer that it was in general circulation , among the apostolic churches.
All the other ancient versions, likewise, which were publicly read in the different
churches of the world, the Arabic, the Ethiopic, the Armenian, the Gothic, the Illyr-
ican, and the ancient Latin, which was in use before St. Jerome's time, were made
from it; and, in short, every one of them, except the Syriac, were made from
that of the Seventy, and to this day the Greek church, and the churches of \he,
east, have no other. It is this version that the fathers and doctors of the church
have, explained and commented upon. It was from this version that they drew their
decisions in matters of faith, and their precepts of morality. It was by this that they,
confuted heresies, and both general and particular councils explained themselves by
it. Thus, whoever the authors of it were, its authority is great ; and that upon this.
account only, if no other, that it was made at a time when the Hebrew was a living
language, and, consequently, more easy to be understood than it is now, when it is
almost impossible to come at the true understanding of it, otherwise than by the as
sistance of the ancient versions. For these reasons, we shall turn our attention,,
somewhat particularly, to the history of this celebrated version.
Alexander the Great, on his building of the city of Alexandria, in Egypt, brought,
a great many Jews thither to help to plant, the new city; and Ptolemy Soter, after
his death, having fixed the seat of his government there, and set his heart much,
upon the enlarging and adorning of it, brought i hither many more of this nation.
for the same purpose; where, having granted to them the same privileges, with thei
Macedonians and other Greeks, they soon grew to be a great part of the inhabitants
of that city. Their continual intercourse with the other citizens, among whom they
were there mingled, having ohliged them to learn and constantly use tile Greek lan-;
guage, the same happened to them here, as had happened to, them before at Baby
lon; that is, by accustoming themselves to a foreign language, they forgot their own.
Hence, from their no longer understanding the Hebrew language, in which the Scrip
tures had been hitherto first read, nor the Chaldee, in which they were after that in.- ,
tetpreted in every synagogue, they got them translated into Greek for their own use,
that this version might serve for the same purpose in Alexandria and Egypt, as the
Chaldee paraphrases afterward did in Jerusalem and Judea.
After the time of Ezra, the Scriptures were read to the Jews in Hebrew, and inr
terpreted into the Chaldee language ; but at Alexandria, after the writing of this
version, it was interpreted to them in Greek, which was afterward done also in all
other Grecian cities where the Jews became dispersed.
There are several opinions which modern writers have entertained respecting the
origin of the septuagint version, but the commonly-received opinion is that enter
tained by Bishop Walton, the author of the London polyglot, and is the same which
is given in an historical account of the transaction, as related by a Hellenistic Jew,
who flourished in the time of Ptolemy Philadelphus, king of Egypt. The accounl
of the affair, as contained in a book written by the person above mentioned, whose
name was Aristeas, is as follows :

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 27
King Ptolemy Philadelphus, having, b/ the advice of Demetrius Phalerius, caused
a magnificent library to be erected at Alexandria, and given him the direction i'f it,
this philosopher spoke to him of the sacred books of the Jews, as of a work which
would do honor to his library. The prince; therefore, resolved to have a copy of the
Jewish law translated into Greek, his own language, and that which was then uni
versally understood. For this purpose he sent ambassadors to Jerusalem, to Elea
zer, the, high-priest, with magnificent presents for the temple. Their instructions
were, to desire him to give the king a copy of the sacred books, and to send him
some persons of distinction and learning, who might translate them into Greek.
Aristeas, who was a chief officer in the king's guards, and a chief man in the king
dom of Egypt, was of this embassy ; and .Eleazer, who received him with honor,
was, according to Josephus, the son of Onias the First, the brother of Simon the
Just, who is mentioned in the apocryphal book called Ecclesiasticus, and grandson to
Jaddus, who went to meet Alexander the Great, and made him confer favorable terms
upon the Jews.
The high-priest consulted with the great council of the nation, called the sanhe
drim, in regard to Ptolemy's request, and afterward chose six men out of each tribe —
seventy^two in all — gave them a copy of the law, written in letters of gold, upon
skins curiously fastened together, and sent them into Egypt. The king received them
favorably, and showed a great deal of respect for the divine books ; he then assigned
them a residence in the isle of Pharos, about seven furlongs distant from Alexan
dria, where they completed the version in seventy-two days. Demetrius caused
it to be read publicly in the presence of the priests, great men, and all the Jews,
who were then very numerous at Alexandria, and it was universally applauded ; they
cried out, with one voice, that the translation was just and faithful; and, in order to
render it not only authentic, but also unalterable, they made imprecations against those
who should attempt to make any alteration in it. When it was read to the king, he
admired the wisdom of the lawgiver, and commanded the books to be deposited in his
.ibrary, allowing copies to be taken for the use of the Jews ; he then sent back the
seveniy-two elders, after- having made them some rich presents. The most magnifij
cent of these presents was the freeing of one hundred and twenty thousand Jewish
captives, whose ransom he paid, and gave them liberty to return into Judea., This
version soon became common among all the Jews who spoke the Greek language^
and was read publicly in their synagogues. It is not accurately ascertained in what
year all this took. place; Walton thinks the opinion which fixes it in the 7th of Ptol
emy, and the 278th before Christ, the most probable.

THE SEPTUAGINT AND VULGATE.
It has generally been admitted that the septuagint, which, as has been explained,
s so called from the number seventy, or, more properly, seventy-two interpreters, who
were said lo be employed in (he formation of it, was the first Greek version of the
Old Testament.. No mention has been made of any that preceded it, and it can not
be deemed probable that Piolemy would have taken so much pains to procure a ver
sion of the Jewish law, had any other previously existed ; and it is equally improb
able he should have been unacquainted with it, had it existed at a time when, with
the assistance of Demetrius, he was procuring Greek books from every part of the
world. It is plainly affirmed by Philo, that before his time the law was not known
in any language but the. original. The acquaintance with Jewish customs and Jew
ish history, which many heathen' writers, before the reign of Ptolemy, have mani
fested,, has led many persons to conclude that they must have derived their knowl
edge from a Greek version of at least pa'ts of the Old Testament. Yet we may
account for the knowledge of Jewish cus .oms, &c, which these writers display, with
out, supposing, that they obtained it from any Greek version ; for we have-direct evi
dence that Aristotle, at, least, had intercourse with (he Jews, for the. purpose- of
gaining information respecting their law ; and as the philosophers were certainly ac
quainted with the doctrine of the Gymnosophists and the Druids, who had not any
written law, so we may suppose they obtained their knowledge of the Jewish reli
gion from personal intercourse with individuals of that cation.

28 INTRODUCTION TO THE
At first, it is probable, the law only was translated, for there was no need of the
other books in the public worship; no other part of the Scriptures but the law hav
ing been in early times read in the synagogues. But afterward, when the reading
of the prophets also came into use in the synagogues of Judea, in the time of the
persecution under Antiochus Epiphanes, and the Jews of Alexandria, who in those
times conformed themselves to the usages of Judea and Jerusalem in all matters of
religion, were induced hereby to do the same ; this caused a translation of the proph
ets also to be there made into the Greek language, in like manner as the lawhad
been before. After this, other persons translated the rest for the private use of the
same people; and so that whole version was completed which we now call the sep
tuagint ; and after it was thus made, it became of common use among all the
churches of the Hellenistical Jews, wherever they were dispersed among the Gre
cian cities.
When the Hebrew language had ceased to be the vulgar tongue, the version of
the seventy was read in the synagogues, even in Judea itself, lt is true, this was
nol universally done ; there was a sort of division among the Jews about it ; some
were for having the Scripture read only in Hebrew, and were therefore called He
brews, or Hebraizers ; while others read it in Greek, and were called Hellenists, thai
is, Grecians, or Grecizers, as has been already observed. As the number of the lat
ter was greater than that of the Hebrew-Jews, and the apostles preached most fre
quently to them, it is not to be wondered at, as St. Jerome observes, that the passages
of the Old Testament which are quoted in the New, are sometimes borrowed thence.
It is thus seen that this version preceded the publication of the gospel; and it has
been authorized by the use which the apostles made of it, as well as the whole
church. It seems very evident however, from various passages, -as Parkhursi has
remarked, that the writers of the New Testament, in their citations of the Old, did
not intend either literally to translate the Hebrew, or to stamp their authority on
the seventy translation, but only to refer us to the original Scriptures.
The septuagint version was continued in public use among the Jews for more than
three hundred years; but as it grew into use among the Christians, it went out of
credit with the Jews. In the twelfth year of the emperor Adrian, A. D, 128, Aquila,
a native of Sinope, a city of Pontus, published a new Greek version of the Old Tes
tament. This man, who had been a Christian, and afterward became a Jew, is
supposed to have undertaken this work in opposition to the Christians, not only that
the seventy might be superseded, but that a new version might be given of those
fiassages on which they relied most in their controversies with the Jews. The Hel-
enistic Jews received this version, and afterward used it everywhere instead of the
septuagint; and, therefore, this Greek translation is often made mention of in the
Talmud, or Compendium of Jewish Doctrines, but the septuagint never. The em
peror Justinian published a decree, which is still extant among his institutions,
whereby he ordained that the Jews might read the Scriptures in their synagogues
either in the Greek version of the seventy, or in that of Aquila, or in any other lan
guage, according to the country in which they should dwell. But the Jewish doc
tors having determined against this, their decrees prevailed against that of the empe
ror, and, within a little while after, both the septuagint and the version of Aquila
was rejected by them ; and ever since, the solemn reading of the Scriptures among
them, in their public assemblies, has been in the Hebrew, and Chaldee languages.
'• The Chaldee," says Prideaux, " is used in some of their synagogues even to this
day, and particularly at Frankfort, in Germany."
Not long after the time of Aquila, there were two other Greek versions of the Old
Testament scriptures made; the first by Theodotion, who lived in the time of Com-
modus, the Roman emperor, and the other by Symttiachus, who flourished a little
after him, in the reigns of Severus and Caracalla. The former is supposed to have
belonged to Ephesus, and fell into the heretical errors of Ebion and Marcion, to
which sect Svmmachus also belonged, beng by birth a Samaritan, and by profession
first a Jew, then a Christian, and, lastly, an Ebionite heretic. They both .f them
undertook the making their versions with the same design as Aquila did,'thou<rh
not entirely for the same end ; for they all three entered on this work for the per
verting of the Old Testament scriptures. Aquila, however, did it for the serving of
tne interest of the Jewish religion, the other two for promoting the interest of the
heretical sect to which they belonged ; and all of them wrested the orio-inal Scriptures

HISTORY CF THE BIBLE. -Z9
in their versions of them, as much as they could, to make them speak for the differ
ent ends which they proposed. From the circumstances, therefore, under which
these versions were made, it may be inferred that their authority can not be very
great, though from the fragments of them wliich have been collected, we may derive
considerable assistance in understanding particular portions of the Old Testament.
In speaking of the ancient versions of the Bible, it must be observed, that there
are two in the Syriac language : the Old, which is a translation of the Old Testa
ment from the Hebrew, and the New, which is a translation of the New Testament
from the Greek. This last is, beyond contradiction, the most ancient that ever was
formed in the Christian church. It is that which the Christians in the east, called
Maronites, make use of in their worship: and they, as well as the other Syrian Chris
tians, boast very much of its antiquity ; for they allege that one portion of it was
made by the command of Solomon, for the use of Hiram, king of Tyre, and the
D'her part by the command of Abgarus, king of Edessa. It is certain this version
was of considerable antiquity, and was in all likelihood made within the first cen
tury after Christ, and had for its author some Christian of the Jewish nation that
was thoroughly skilled in both the Hebrew and Syriac languages ; and as it is among
the oldest translations that we have of any part of the Scriptures, so it is the best,
without any exception, that has been made of them by the ancients into anv lan
guage whaisoever. This last character belongs to it in respect of the New Testa
ment, as well as of the Old ; and therefore, of all the ancient versions which are
now consulted by Christians for the better understanding of the Holy Scriptures, as
well of the New Testament as of the Old, none can better serve this end than this
old Syriac version, -when carefully consulted and well understood. To this purpose
the very nature of the language gives much assistance ; for, it having been the
mother-tongue of those who wrote the New Testament, and a dialect of that in
which the Old was first given, many things of both are more happily expressed in
it through this whole version than can well be done in any other language.
The languages of princes generally become, in time, the common language of their
subjects. The conquests of Alexander made the Greek tongue universal ; and by
the same means the Latin tongue extended itself, with the Roman empire, all over
the world ; so that, at length, there was scarce a nation where, by the help of this
language, you might not make yourself understood.
It is not known who was the author of the first Latin version of the Scriptures ;
but St. Augustine, a celebrated bishop of the Latin church, about A. D. 400, tells us
that there soon appeared a great number of them. " We know them who translated
the Scriptures into Greek," says he, "and the number of them is not great ; but the
number of the Latin translators is infinite. When the faith came to be established,
the first man who found a Greek copy, notwithstanding the little knowledge he had
of the two languages, boldly undertook a translation of it." From another passage
of his writings, it has been generally concluded that there was one particular version.
called " the Italian," in higher estimation than the rest, and which was the author
ized version of the Roman churches. However this may be, it is certain the Latin
church was in want of a version of the Scriptures formed directly from the Hebrew,
as all the Latin translations in existence at that time had been taken from the sev
enty. St. Jerome, who was contemporary with St. Augustine, was in every respect
best suited, of any of the learned men of that time, to the task of making a new
translation, which he a-cordingly undertook. He began by correcting some books of
the Old Testament in the Latin bible, particularly the version of the Psalms, and
marked those passages wherein any difference existed between the Latin version, the
Greek nf the seventy, and the Hebrew original. He had early applied himself to
the study of the Hebrew language, and at different periods had the assistance of five
Jewish teachers ; he had access also to the works of Origen, who published what is
called the Hexapla, that is, the Bible in six different languages. From these he must
have derived considerable assistance in the work he undertook: that of translating
into Latin all the books of the Old Testament, to which he added a corrected edition
of the common version of the new.
This work of St. Jerome is still used in the Roman Catholic church, and is
known by the name of the Vulgate ; for which some have gone so far as to claim
the authority and infallibility of an inspired production. At first, however, his ver
sion was not generally received ; for although many were pleased with it because il

30 INTRODUCTION TO THE
was more consonant to the original, and a more literal translation than that of the
seventy, yet others, and among the rest Augustine, considered it a rash attempt,
and calculated to dimmish the authority of the Greek version. It was approved of
by the Jews as conformable to their text, and was received into the church gradu
ally and by tacit consent, rather than by the sanction of public authority.
Nevertheless, the Vulgate which we have at present, and which the celebrated
council of Trent declared to be authentic, is not the pure version of St. Jerome ; il
has in it a great deal of the ancient Italian ; but it can not now be discovered by
whom, or at what time, this mixture was made. Some ' think that St. Jerome has
no part at all in the present Vulgate; and it is certain that the Psalms in it are no*
his. Nevertheless, the Latin version comes nearer to the Hebrew, and is more per
spicuous, than the Septuagint. Since the time of the council of Trent, namely, in
1589 and 1592, corrected editions of the Vulgate have been published under tne au
thority of the popes Sixtus the Fifth and Clement the Eighth.

MODERN FOREIGN VERSIONS.
We have seen, by the preceding remarks on this subject, that, at some period prior
to the promulgation of Christianity, there existed a valuable translation of the Strips
tures into Greek, entitled the Septuagint, or the Seventy, from the number of in
dividuals engaged in its arrangement. It has also been shown, that at an early
period in the history of the Christian church, a Latin translation of the Scriptures was
found called the Vulgate. These Greek and Latin versions of the Bible did not
supersede the use of the original Hebrew Scriptures, such being ever preserved by
the Jews with the most extraordinary care, and generally made1 use of by them in'
their synagogues, while the Septuagint and Vulgate, from being in more modern lan
guages, were in more extensive use among churchmen and the people. The exist
ence of these early versions is therefore an incontestable evidence that the Scriptures
as now found in the original tongues, have not been impaired, interpolated, or abused,
during the lapse of at least two thousand years.
Almost all the modern nations of Europe, and part of Asia, have had versions of
the Scriptures, in whole or in part, taken from other versions, or from the originals..
Arabic having become the vulgar ianguage of almost all the east, there are severai
versions of the Bible in Arabic, which, besides the Syriac version (which is Under
stood by the learned alone), are not only used by the Maronites and other Christians
in Asia, but also by the Jews and Samaritans. About the year 900, Rabbi Saadias
Gaon, an Arabian Jew, translated the' Old Testament, or, at least, the Pentateuch,
nto Arabic. Another Jew of Mauritania translated the Pentateuch, and Erpenius
printed his work. Risius, a monk of Damascus, translated the New Testament.
The greater part of these versions were from the Septuagint.*
The Persians have some manuscript versions of the Bible. Rabbi Jacob Favos, a
Jew, translated the Pentateuch into Persian, and the Jews printed it at Constan
tinople in 1546. This, with the gospels translated by one Simon, a Christian, are
inserted in the London polyglot ; but these gospels are far from being correctly
done. There have been several other Persian versions of the Psalms and the New
Testament executed in modern times, particularly the New Testament by Henry
Martyn, the celebrated English missionary, translated by him in the city of Shiraz in
Persia, and printed at Petersburgh in 1815.
The Turks have likewise some translations in manuscript of the Bible in their
language. In 1666, a Turkish New Testament was printed at London, for the pur
pose of being dispersed in the east. It is mentioned, that, in 1721, the Grand Signor
ordered an 'impression of bibles to be produced at Constantinople, that they might be
confronted with the Koran, or Bible of the Mohammedans. In the Report of the British
and Foreign Bible Society for 1815, it is mentioned, that a Turkish translation' in
manuscript ofthe whole Bible had been discovered in the repositories of the Univer
sity of Leyden, where it had remained' for a century and a half. The author of this
translation was by birth a Pole, of the name of Albertus Bobopsky, and born in the
• The Arabic Bible, translated by Dr. Ely Smithy and continued after his death by Dr. Van Dvek both of
the Syrian Mission, a mission ofthe A. B. C. P. M., is now in course of publication by the American Bible
Society. This is pronounced by the best critics superior to any other Arabic version extant JBa

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 31
beginning of the seventeenth century. While a youth, he was stolen by the Tartars,
and, being sold to the Turks in Constantinople, he was by them educated in the
Mohammedan faith. His name was changed to Hali Bey, and when he grew up, he
was constituted the chief dragoman or translator to Mohammed the Fourth. The
learning of Half Bey was considerable. He understood seventeen languages, and he
is said to have spoken in French, German, and English, like a native. He was par
ticularly fond of the English language, and, at the request of the Hon. R. Boyle,
translated the Church of England Catechism into Turkish. He also composed dif
ferent works himself, several of which have been published. His chief work* how
ever, is his translation of the whole Bible into the Turkish language, which was
undertaken at the instigation and under the direction of the famous Levin Warner,
Dulch ambassador at the court of the sultan at that period ; and the translation
appears to have been completed about the year 1666, the same year in which Sea
man's translation ofthe New Testament into Turkish was published at Oxford.
The Armenians have a translation of the Old Testament, done from the Septuagint,
by Moses Grammaticus, arid two others, about 1400 years ago. In 1666, under the
direction of an Armenian bishop, it was printed at Amsterdam, corrected or corrupted
from the Vulgate. Theodorus Patreus procured an impression of an Armenian New
Testament at Antwerp in 1668, and of the whole Bible in 1690. In 1815, the Ar
menian Bible, in quarto, for the accommodation of the Armenian inhabitants of
Russia, who subscribed liberally for the undertaking, was printed at St. Petersburgh.
The Armenians are scattered all over Asia.
The Georgians have the Bible in their ancient language ; but that being now
almost obsolete, and themselves, in general, brutishly ignorant, few of them can
either read or understand it. There has never been, till lately, but one edition of the
Georgian Bible; it was printed at Moscow in 1743 in a large folio volume.
The modern Greeks have recently received the New Testament in their proper
tongue, which is considerably different from that in which the sacred work was
originally written. The edition is in the Hellenestic and Romaic dialects, and was
printed in England under the direction of a society. It has been approved of by the
the patriarch of the Greek church.
The Russians have the Bible in their Sclavonic tongue, done from the Greek by
Cyril, their apostle. It was published in 1581, but being too obscure, Ernest Gluk,
a Swedish captive, above one hundred years ago, began to form another. He died
before he finished it. Peter the Great ordered a number of his most learned clergy
to complete the work ; and it is supposed that the bibles distributed by imperial
authority about 1722 were of this translation. In the course of two hundred and
sixty years, from the time when printing was first introduced into Russia, no more
than twenty-two editions of the Sclavonian Bible had appeared, prior to the year
1815, consisting of about fifty thousand copies only.
The most ancient German translation is that of Ulphilas, bishop of the Goths,
about A. D. 360; but he left out the Books of Kings, lest they should have excited
his savage countrymen to war. Toward the end of the 16th century, Junius pro
fessed to publish an edition of it, from a manuscript found in the abbey of Verden,
written in letters of silver. An anonymous version was printed at Nuremberg in
1477. Between 1521 and 1532, Luther composed his translation, but Michaelis,
La Croze, and Bayer, think this was not from the Gothic version of Ulphilas, but one
about 200 years later ; he published it in seven parts, as it was ready. Some persons
of quality, masters of the German language, revised it. Two catholic versions, the
one of Eckius on the Old, and Emzer on the New Testament, and another of Uleni-
bergius, were published to depress the credit of Luther's ; but the protestants of Ger
many and Switzerland still use it, a little corrected. About 1604, Piscator turned
the Latin translation of Junius and Tremellius into a kind of German, but too much
Latinized. About 1 380, Athias published a Hebrew-German translation of the Old
Testament, for the sake of his Jewish brethren, aud Jekuthiel another ; but both,
especially the latter, distorted several texts relative to the Messiah, &c.
The first Polish version of the Scriptures is ascribed to Hadewich, the wife of
Jagellon, Duke of Lithuania, who embraced Christianity A. D. 1390. In 1596, th.-
protestants published another, formed on Luther's translation. There were three
other versions, one by James Wick, a Jesuit, and the other two by Socinians, pn\«
fished in the end ofthe 16th century.

32 INTRODUCTION TO THE
About 1 506, the Bohemian Taborites published a Bible in their language, done
from the Vulgate. In the end of the 16th century, eight Bohemian divines, after a
careful study of the original languages at Wirtemberg and Basil, published a versiop
from the original text.
In 1534, Olaus and Laurence published a Swedish Bible, done from Luther's,
German translation. About 1617, Gustavus Adolphus ordered some learned men to
revise it ; and it has been, since, almost universally followed in that kingdom. The
translation into the language of Finland is thought to have been done from it. In
1550, Peter Palladius, and three others, published a Danish version, done from the
German of Luther ; and there are one or two others, as also a version in the Icelandic
tongue. The Flemish or Dutch Bibles, composed by Roman Catholics, are very numerous;
but the names of the translators are scarcely known, except that of Nicolas Vink, in
1548. The Calvinists of the Low Countries long used a version done from Luther's;
but the synod of Dort appointed some learned men to form a new one from the
originals. It was published in 1637, and is considered very exact.
Since the Reformation, a vast number of Latin versions of the Bible have been
made by members ofthe Romish church. Pagnin the Dominican was the first after
St. Jerome ivho translated the Old Testament into Latin from the Hebrew. His
version was printed at Lyons in 1528. It is very literal, and generally exact. Aras
Montanus retouched it, and made it yet more literal. After Pagnin came a crowd of
interpreters, since the Hebrew language has been more studied. Leo of Judah, who,
though not a Jew, understood Hebrew extremely well, began one, which has since
been printed at Zurich ; but death having prevented him from finishing his work.
Theodorus Bibliander completed it. This is the version which Robert Stephens
printed with the Vulgate and Vatablus's Notes, without naming the authors of it. Of,
Protestants, Emmanuel Tremillius, who of a Jew became a Christian, and Francis
Junius, have also given a Latin translation, as also Castalio and Beza. These are
considered tolerably exact, and have been frequently reprinted. Sebastian Munster
also published a literal but judicious translation.
In 1471, an Italian Bible, done from the Vulgate by Nicolas Malerme, a Benedic
tine monk, was published at Venice. Anthony Bruccioli published another iu 1530
but the council of Trent prohibited it. The Protestants have two Italian versions—
the one, which is rather a paraphrase than a translation, by the celebrated Diodati,
published in 1607, and with corrections in 1641 — the other by Maximus Theophilus,
and dedicated to the Duke of Tuscany, about 1551. By an order of King James of
Arragon to burn them, we find there were a number of bibles in Spanish about the
year 1270, probably the work of the Waldenses. About 1500, a Spanish version
was published, but the translator's name is unknown. In 1543, Driander published
his version of the New Testament, and dedicated it to the Emperor Charles the Fifth.
In 1553, the Jews published their Spanish version of the Old Testament, afte/
having long used it in private. Cassiodore, a learned Calvinist, published his Bible
in 1569, which Cyprian de Valera corrected and republished in 1602.
Peter de Vaux, chief of the Waldenses, published the first translation of the Bible
in French about A. D. 1160. Two others were published about the years 1290 and
1380 ; and in 1550, by order of the Emperor Charles the Fifth, the doctors of Lou
vain published another. There are various other French versions, particularly of the
New Testament; that of Mons, done from the Vulgate, and published in 1665. with
the king of Spain and archbishop of Cambray's license, is in a most clear and agree-
able style. In 1702, F. Simon published his New Testament, with some literal
and criiical notes, which the bishops of Paris and Meaux quickly condemned.
There are many French versions of the Bible done by Protestants. Faber's trans
lation of the New Testament was printed for those of Piedmont, in 1534. Next year,
Peter Olivetan's Bible was published at Geneva, and, having been reprinted witn the
corrections of Calvin and others, it is now a work of considerable exactness. After
seme struggling with the French Protestant clergy, Diodati published his in 1644;,
out, like his Italian and Latin versions, the translation is too free and paraphrastic.
Le Clerc published his New Testament at Amsterdam in 1703, with notes mostly
borrowed from Grotius and Hammond. The states-general prohibited it, as inclining
to the Sabellian and Socinian heresies. La Cene published another, which sharer)
much the same fate, on account of its fancies and errors.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 33
The Bible, or at least portions of it, principally by the labors ofthe .missionaries at
Serampore, are now printed in nearly forty Indian languages, and are also to be found
in Tartar, in Calmuc, and in Chinese. Upon the whole, out of the 3,064 languages
which are said to exist in the world, the Bible is now to be found in more than two
hundred languages. ENGLISH VERSIONS.
It is probable that the inhabitants of Britain, who were first converted to Christi
anity by St. Augustine, about the beginning of the seventh century, had some ofthe
scripture in their own language. About A. D. 709, Adelm translated the Psalms
into English Saxon, and other parts of scripture were translated by Eadfrid, a Saxon,
about the same time. Bede, the first ecclesiastical English historian, who was born
at Jarrow, on the banks of the Tyne, in 673, commonly denominated the Vener
able Bede, made a translation of the Gospels, if not the whole Bible, into his native
tongue. The whole Bible was translated into the Anglo-Saxon by order of King
Alfred; and he himself, about A. D. 890, undertook a version of the Psalms, but died
before it was completed. The next complete translation of the whole Bible, including
the apocryphal books, was made by John Wickliffe into English from the Latin, and
appeared between 1360 and 1380. This translation was written, but not printed ;
and great objections were made to it by the clergy; so that, in consequence of a de
cree of Arundel, archbishop of Canterbury, many persons were committed to the flames
for reading Wickliffe's translation of the Old and New Testament. The only portion
of Wickliffe's version ofthe Scriptures which has ever appeared in print, is the New
Testament, published in 1731, by the Rev. John Lewis, minister of Margate, in Kent.
This was reprinted several years ago, with a life of this earliest of English reformers,
by the Rev. H. Baber, A. M., assistant librarian at the British museum. For the
gratification of our young readers, we shall transcribe the Lord's prayer in Wickliffe's
language, as a curious specimen of the orthography of the times in which this great
reformer lived : —
" Our Fadir that art in hevenys ; halewid be thi name. Thi kyngdom come to,
be thi will done in erthe as in hevene. Give to us this day our breede ouir other sub-
staunce. And forgiue to us our dettis as we forgiven to our dettouris. And lede us
not into temptacioun, but delyvere us from yvel. Amen."
In the .reign of Henry VIII., William Tyndale made one of the best English trans
lations of the New Testament. It appeared in 1 526, being the first that ever was
printed in the English language. It was published at Hamburgh or Antwerp, and
was dispersed at London and Oxford. Tonstal, bishop of London, and Sir Thomas
More, bought up almost the whole impression, and burnt it at St. Paul's Cross. The
venders were condemned by the star-chamber to ride with their faces to the horses'
tails, with papers on their heads, and with the copies they had dispersed tied about
them, to the standard at Cheapside, where they were compelled to throw them in
the fire. The price, however, enabled Tyndale to proceed, and, undismayed, he be
gan to translate the Old Testament ; for which he was at length seized in Flanders,
and, having been strangled by the common hangman, his body was consumed tc
ashes. Previous to the Reformation, in the time of Henry VIII., people were so little ac
quainted with the Scriptures, and so ignorant even in regard to the languages in which
they were originally written, that the strangest assertions were made. Upon the ap
pearance of the Scriptures in the Hebrew and Greek originals, some individuals ex
claimed that " there was now a hew language discovered called Greek of which
people should beware, since it was that which produced all heresies; that in this
language was come forth a book called the New Testament, which was now in every
body's hands, and was full of briars and thorns. And there had also another language
now started up, which they called Hebrew, and that they who learnt it were termed
Hebrews ."'
When the Eeformation in England first took place, efforts were made to promote
ihe reading of the Scriptures among the common people. Among other devices for
the purpose, the following curious one was adopted. Bonner, bishop of London,
caused six bibles to be chained to certain convenient places in St. Paul's church, for
3

34 INTRODUCTION TO THE
all that were so well inclined to resort thither, together with a certain admonition tt.
the readers, fastened upon the pillars to which the bibles were chained, to this tener .
"That whosoever came there to read should prepare himself to be edified, and made
the better thereby ; that he should bring with him discretion, honest intent, charity,
reverence, and quiet behavior ; that there should no number meet together there
as to make a multitude; that no such exposition be made thereupon but what is de
clared in the book itself; that it be not read with noise in time of divine service, or
that any disputation or contention be used about it ; that in case they continued their
former misbehavior, and refuse to comply with these directions, the king would be
forced, against his will, to remove the occasion, and take the bibles out of the church."
Soon after the death of Tyndale, John Rogers, afterward martyr, finished the cor
rection of Tyndale's translation of the Old Testament, and printed it at Hamburgh,
under the name of Thomas Matthews. Archbishop Cranmer and Miles Coverdale
further corrected it. Cranmer got it printed by public authority in England, and
King Henry ordered a copy of it to be set up in every church, to be read by every
one that pleased ; but, by advice of the Romish bishops, he soon after revoked this
order, and prohibited the Bible. When Coverdale, Knox, Samson, Goodman, Gilby,
Cole, and Whittingham, were exiles during the persecution in the reign of Mary,
they framed another translation, with short notes, and got it printed at Geneva It
was much valued by the Puritans, and in about thirty years had is many ediums.
The bishops being displeased with it, made a new one of their own, w'lich was read
in the churches, while the Geneva translation was generally read in families. About
1583 Laurenee Thompson published an English version of the New Testament, from
the Latin translation, and annotations ofthe learned Genevan divine Theodore Beza.
In the end of the sixteenth and beginning of the seventeenth century, the English
catholics at Rheims published a version of the whole Bible, crowded with barbarous
terms, and accompanied with notes calculated to support the doctrines of their church.
Of those who translated the Geneva bible, as it is called, in the reign of Mary,
besides Coverdale, we have their own and contemporary testimony, that they well
understood the grace and propriety both of the Hebrew and Greek tongue. Among
the good Hebrew scholars of this period, also, must be reckoned Bishop Alley, after
ward one ofthe translators of the Bishops' Bible, who was the author of a Hebrew
grammar, and a person universally learned, especially in divinity and languages ; as
well as his fellow-laborer, Bishop Benthan, who, about the beginning ofthe reign of
Edward VI., is said to have addicted his mind entirely to the study of theology and
the learning of the Hebrew language. To these may be added Bishop Davies,. another
of the translators of the Bishops' Bible, who, in the time of Mary, fled from this
country, and, after his return in the following reign, served Wales, as well as Eng-1
land, with his assistance in translations of the Bible from the original into the lan
guages of both countries.
The knowledge of Hebrew seems sometimes to have formed m those days a
part even of female education for ladies of superior rank ; and, accordingly, Paschali,
in his translation of the Psalms from the Hebrew into Italian verse, dedicated it to
Queen Elizabeth, as one who was well acquainted with the eastern tongues.
" Having entered upon the reign of Elizabeth, we soon behold," says Todd, in his
Memoirs of Biyan Walton, " with grateful admiration, the goodly company of those
who made the present version of our Bible in the reign of her successor. Of these,
several, if they have been equalled, have not yet been excelled by any of their coun
trymen in oriental learning. With men of similar studies the kingdom then
abounded. Nor could it well be otherwise, attention having been paid to the culti
vation of such learning in public schools (particularly Merchant-Tailors school),
founded soon after the accession of Elizabeth, and the pursuit beino- greatly encour
aged at both universities."
At the conference which was held at Hampton Court, soon after the accession of
James, for the settling of an ecclesiastical uniformity between the two countries ol
England and Scotland, the Puritans suggested unanswerable objections to the Bish
ops' Bible ; and the king similarly objected to the Genevan translation. He therefore
appointed fifty-four learned persons to translate the Scriptures anew into English, or,
at least, compose a better translation, out of many. Seven of the fifty-four eithei
died or declined the assigned task. Fony-seven, who remained, were ranged into
six divisions, every individual of each division translating the portion assigned to the

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 35
division, all of which translations were collected togetner; and when each company
nad determined on the construction of their part, it was proposed to the other divis
ions for general approbation. When they met together, one read the new version,
while all the rest held in their hands either copies of the original, or some valuable
version : when they observed any objectionable passage, the reader paused till they
considered and agreed on it. They met at Oxford, Cambridge, and Westminster,
beginning the work in 1607, and after the expiration of three years it was finished,
and published in 1611. This Bible, which is now in use, must be pronounced an
excellent work, remarkable for the general fidelity of its construction, as well as for
the simplicity of its language. Dr. Adam Clarke remarks, that " those who have
compared most of the European translations with the original, have not scrupled to
say, that the English translation of the Bible, made under the direction of King
James the First, is the most accurate and faithful of the whole. Nor is this its only
praise : the translators have seized the very spirit and soul of the original, and have
expressed this almost everywhere with pathos and energy." It is still of public au
thority in the British dominions ; and, next to the Dutch, is perhaps the best transla
tion of the Bible extant.
It has been asserted by Mr. Bellamy, and some others, that the authors of our au
thorized translation confined themselves to the Septuagint and the Vulgate, and did
not translate from the Hebrew. This assertion, however, can be at once overthrown,
tv bringing forward the authority of the fifty-four, or rather, as seven of them died
before the translation was finished, of the forty-seven learned men, as may be seen
by their no less modest than dignitie'' preface, or address to the reader, inserted in
the edition. of the Bible published in the year 1630, which has this satisfactory pas
sage among many others : " If you ask what they had before them, truly it was the
Hebrew text of tne Old Testament — the Greek of the New."
Among these translators, two of the most noted for Hebrew erudition were Dr.
Adrian Saravia, and Dr. Richard Clarke. Dr. Saravia, well known as a Hebrew
critic, " was educated," says Mr. Todd in his life of Bryan Walton, " in all kinds of
literature in his younger days, especially in several languages. He was the master
of the celebrated oriental scholar, Nicholas Fuller, who gratefully mentions him in
the preface to his Miscellanea Theologica; and he was one of those who had suc
cessfully answered an objection of the Puritans, which they revived in the conference
at Hampton Court, in regard to a verse in the old English version of the Psalms.
Next to him in rank is Dr. Richard Clarke, who thoroughly understood three lan
guages, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. Christ college, in Cambridge, of which he was
a fellow, ' had a testimony of his learning in his Hebrew lectures ; so had the uni
versity, in his disputations and sermons ; so had the church, when his majesty (James
the First) called many to the work of the last translation of the English bible ; in
which number he was, like one of the chief of David's worthies, not among the
thirty, but among the first three.' To him and to Dr. Saravia, it appears that the
portion assigned was from the Pentateuch lo the book of Chronicles."
One of the best Hebrew scholars of that time was the celebrated English divine
and theological writer, Hugh Broughton, who corresponded with a learned rabbi at
Constantinople, and used great exertions for the conversion of the Jews there to
Christianity. Mr. Broughton was in continual and most bitter controversy with the
bishops, and was not employed, as he thought he should have been, in' the transla
tion of the Bible. At the time when our present version was made, he communica
ted many interpretations to the translators, which, as he afterward complains, they
" thrust into the margent ;" and whoever compares the text of our version with the
marginal readings, will be led to regret that our translators did not associate him
with them ; though, it must be confessed, he would not have proved a very agreeable
fellow-laborer. It must be observed, that in rendering the original text into English, there are cer
tain words necessarily supplied by the translators, in order to make out the meaning,
These supplementary words are printed in our Bible in italic letters, to show that
they are not in the original. The greatest of these supplements occurs in the 23d
verse of the second chapter of the First Epistle of John, where the translators have
supplied no fewer than ten words, in order to make out what they thought to be the
proper meaning
" From the mutability of language," says Evans, " the variation ot customs, and

36 INTRODUCTION TO THE
the progress of Knowledge, several passages in the Bible require to be newly transla
ted, or materially corrected. Hence, in the present age, when biblical literature has
been assiduously cultivated, different parts of the sacred volume have been transla
ted by able hands. The substituting a new translation of the Bible in the room of
the one now in common use, has been much debated. Dr. Knox, in his ingenious
essays, together with others, argues against it ; while Dr. Newcome, the late Lord
Primate of Ireland, the late Dr. Geddes, of the Catholic persuasion, and the late
Rev. Gilbert Wakefield, contended strenuously for it. Bishop Lowth and Professor
Marsh have pointedly shown the necessity of bringing the text of the Scriptures, by
the aid of ancient manuscripts and versions, as near as may be to perfection."
Ainsworth, Doddridge, Macknight, Lowth, Blaney, and others, have published new
translations of parts of the sacred books in English; and there is no doubt that many
"'mprovements might be made upon the present authorized version, particularly in the
Old Testament. Dr. Alexander Geddes, above mentioned, at his decease, had pro
ceeded as far as the Psalms in the Translation of the Old Testament ; but many of
his variations from the common version are extremely injudicious. Archbishop New-
come and Mr. Wakefield published entire translations of the New Testament ; and
an improved version of the New Testament, founded on Newcome, has been pub
lished by the Unitarians, accompanied with notes and an excellent introduction.
With the professed object of defeating the attacks on Christianity, a new transla
tion of the Bible was given to the world, some years ago, by Mr. J. Bellamy, of Gray's-
Inn lane, London. This version is in many places so very literal in its translation as
to be unintelligible, and, therefore, unfit for any good purpose. The writer's forced
and erroneous interpretations, as well as his unjustifiable attacks upon other versions
and translators, were so far from tending to the accomplishment of his professed ob
ject, that they seemed rather calculated to produce the opposite effect ; and, con
sequently, his new translation, which made some noise in its day, was soon judi
ciously consigned to oblivion. And, upon the whole, it may be observed, that,
although it is generally acknowledged that after the lapse of two hundred and twenty
years, the improvements in critical learning, and the discoveries in the pursuits of,
knowledge, together with hundreds of manuscripts that have since emerged into
light, call for a revision of the present authorized version ; yet such an attempt should
not be rashly ventured upon, and it should not lake place until the necessity of il
lecomes rauch more apparent to common apprehension than it is at present.

THE APOCRYPHA.
Having given an account of the origin and literary characteristics of the accredited
and usually accepted books composing the Old and New Testaments, we now pro
ceed to offer a few details relative to those books styled the Apocrypha, a branch of
the subject possessed of considerable interest, and which we shall treat in the same
measure of impartiality.*
The term apocrypha is Greek, signifying hidden or concealed, and is used to desig
nate a number of books, often placed between the Old and New Testaments, or
otherwise bound up with them. Some writers divide the sacred books into three
classes, viz., the canonical, the ecclesiastical, and the apocryphal. In the first they
place those whose authority has never been questioned in the catholic or universal
church; in the second, those which were not received at first, but which were never
theless read in the public assemblies as books that were useful, though they never,
placed them upon the same footing of authority as the former ; and in the third they
placed the books which were of no authority, which could not be made to appear in
public, 'out were kept hidden, and were therefore called apocryphal, that is, concealed
or such as could not be used in public.t
* The relationship between the canonical and the apocryphal books was correctly defined by the ancient
Jewish synagogue, and, after it, by the ancient Greek and the modern Protestant churches, in opposition to
the Roman Catholic theory. The Apocrypha serve, 1. As a kind of historical supplement, being a narrative
of the kingdom of God during the period intervening between the Old and New Testaments. 2. As a record
of popular piety, forming a distinct period between the age of the prophets and that of the New Testament
3. To exhibit the character of Alexandrian Judaism, though only a part of them is derived from that source
a As a background to the canon itself. 6. For private instruction and edification. — Dr. Lange's (lenerai
Introduction to the Scriptures.— Ed. t Lange. etc., on Matth p. 14

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 37
The Apocrypha consists of fourteen books, viz . First and Second Esdras, Tobit,
Judith, the rest of the chapters of the Book of Esther, the Wisdom of Solomon,
Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, the Song of the Three Holy Children, the History of Susanna,
the Story of Bel and the Dragon, the Prayer of Manasses, and the First and Second
Book of the Maccabees. Every attentive reader must perceive that these books
want the majesty of inspired scripture; and that there are in them a variety of things
wicked, false, and disagreeing with the oracles of God. None of them were ever
found in the proper Hebrew tongue ; and they were never received into the canon ot
scripture by the Jews, to whom the oracles of God were originally committed. They
were partly read in private by the ancient Christians as useful, but they did not admit
them into the canon of scripture. None of them are found in the catalogue of the
canonical books by Melita, bishop of Sardis, in the second century; nor does Origen
in the third, or Epiphanius in the fourth, in the least acknowledge their authenticity.
One or two of the writers of them also ask pardon if they have said anything amiss ;
which clearly shows that they were not inspired, or at least did not consider them
selves to be so ; and therefore these books can by no means be considered as having
a title to form part of the word of God. A very simple analysis of the books them
selves will be sufficient to demonstrate this to every attentive mind.
I. It is not known at what time the First Book of Esdras was written, neither is
it known who was the author of it ; but Prideaux considers it certain that he wrote
before the time of Josephus. It was originally to be found only in Greek ; and in
the Alexandrian manuscript it is placed before the canonical Book of Ezra, and is
there called the First Book of Ezra, because the events related in it occurred prior to
the return from the Babylonish captivity. In some editions of the Septuagint it is
called the First Book of the Priest (meaning Ezra), the authentic book of Ezra being
called the second book. In the editions of the Latin Vulgate previous to the Coun
cil of Trent, this and the following book are styled the Third and Fourth Books of
Esdras, those of Ezra and Nehemiah being entitled the first and second books. This
book is chiefly historical, giving an account of the return of the Jews from the Baby
lonish captivity, the building of the temple, and the re-establishment of divine wor
ship. Tt is, in fact, nothing but a bad extract of the last two chapters of Chronicles,
and the Book of Ezra; and in a great many instances it even contradicts these. The
author falsely makes Zorobabel a young man in the days of Darius Hystaspes, and
Joakim lo be his son ; whereas he was the son of Joshua, the high-priest. He calls
Darius king of Assyria, long after that empire was utterly dissolved; and makes
some things to be done under Darius which were done under Cyrus.
II. The luthor ofthe Second Book of Esdras is likewise unknown. It is supposed
to have been originally written in Greek, though the original of it has never been
found but in Latin; and there is an Arabic version, differing very materially from it,
and having many interpolations. Although the writer personates Ezra, it is manifest
from the style and contents of his book, that he lived long after that celebrated Jewish
reformer. He pretends to visions and revelations ; but they are so fanciful, indi
gested, ridiculous, and absurd, that it is clear the Holy Spirit could have no concern in
the dictating of them. He believed that the day of judgment was at hand, and tha.'
the souls of good and wicked men would all be then delivered out of hell. A grea.
many rabbinical fables occur in this book, particularly the account of the six days'
creation, and the story of Behemoth (or Enoch, as it is here called) and Leviathan —
two monstrous creatures that are designed as a feast for the elect after the day of
resurrection, &c. He says that the ten tribes are gone away into a country, which
he calls Arsareth, and that Ezra restored the whole body of the Scriptures, which
had been entirely lost. He also speaks of Jesus Christ and his apostles in so clear a
manner, that the gospel itself is scarcely more explicit. On these accounts, and
from the numerous traces of the language of the New Testament, and especially of
the Revelation of St. John, which are discoverable in this book, several critics have
concluded that it was written about the close of the first century, by some converted
Jew, who assumed the name of Esdras or Ezra.
III. The Book of Tobit, from the simplicity of the narrative, and the lessons of
piety and meekness which it contains, has been always one of the most popular of
the apocryphal writings. It was first written in Chaldee by some Babylonian Jew ;
but there is no authentic information as to his name, or the time when he flourished.
•t professes to relate the history of Tobit and his family, who were carried into cap-

38 INTRODUCTION TO THE
tivity to Nineveh by Shalmanezer, being first begun by Tobit, then contmued by his
son Tobias, and, lastly, finished by some other of the family, and afterward digested
by the Chaldee author into that form in wliich we now have it. The time of this
history ends with the destruction of Nineveh, about six hundred and twelve years
before Christ ; but most commentators and critics agree in thinking that the book
itself was not written till about one hundred and fifty or two hundred years before
Christ. It has been generally looked upon, both by Jews and Christians, as a genu
ine and true history ; but it contains so many rabbinical fictions, and allusions to the
Babylonian demonology, that it is much more rational to suppose the whole book an
entire fable. It is not probable that, in the time of Sennacherib and Esarhaddon, the
father should live, as is here said, one hundred and fifty-eight years, and the son one
hundred and twenty-seven. It is certain no angel of God could falsely call himself
" Azarias the son of Ananias," as this writer affirms. The story of Sarah's seven
husbands being successively killed on their marriage-night by an evil spirit, and ot
that spirit's being driven away by :he smell and smoke of the roasted heart and liver
of a fish, and bound in the uttermost parts of Egypt; or of the angel Raphael's pre
senting to God the prayers of the saints, with other matters evidently fabulous, are
quite sufficient to justify the rejecting of this book entirely from the sacred canon,
upon the score of internal evidence alone.
IV. The Book of Judith professes to relate the defeat ofthe Assyrians by the Jews,
through the instrumentality of their countrywoman of this name, who craftily cut
off the head of Holofernes, the Assyrian general. This book was originally written
m Chaldee by some Jew of Babylon, and was thence translated by St. Jerome into
the Latin tongue. Dr. Prideaux refers this history to the time of Manasseh, king of
Judah ; Jahn assigns it to the age of the Maccabees, and thinks it was written to
animate the Jews against the Syrians ; but so many geographical, historical, and
chronological difficulties attend this book, that Luther, Grotius, and other eminent
critics, have considered it rather as a drama or parable than a real history. It has
been received into the canon of scripture by some as being all true; but, on the other
hand, it is the opinion of Grotius that it is entirely a parabolical fiction, written in
the time of Antiochus Epiphanes, when he came into Judea to raise a persecution
against the Jewish church, and that the design of it was lo confirm the Jews, under
that persecution, in their hope that God would send a deliverer. According to him,
by Judith is meant Judea, which, at the time of this persecution, was like a desolate
widow: that her sword means the prayers ofthe saints: that by Bethulia, the name
of the town which was attacked, is meant the temple, or the house of the Lord,
which is called in Hebrew Bethel. Nabuchodonosor denotes the devil, and the king
dom of Assyria the devil's kingdom, pride. Holofernes, whose name signifies a min
ister of the serpent, means Antiochus Epiphanes, who was the devil's instrument in
that persecution, &c, &c It is plain that in this way, by means of a little ingenuity,
anything may be made of anything ; and such conjectures as these, as an able com
mentator remarks, however ingenious, are better calculated to exhibit the powers of
fancy and the abuse of learning, than to investigate truth, or throw light on what is
uncertain and obscure. The noted deliverance mentioned in this book is there said
to have happened after the Jews had returned from their captivity, and had rebuil<
the temple, and yet it is said to have been in the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar,
which is absurd ; and it is said that they had no trouble for eighty years or more
after this deliverance, which is equally absurd, as the Jews during any period of their
history, or indeed any other nation, never enjoyed a peace of such long continuance.
It is quite improbable that a small town, as Bethulia is here represented to be, should
stand out against so powerful an army, or that the death of the general should have
made all the troops betake themselves to a shameful flight. It is certainly wrong, as
is done in the case of Judith, to commend a woman as a devout fearer of the Lord"
who was guilty of notorious lying, of acting the part of a bawd, of profane swearing'
of murder, and of speaking in praise of that committed by the patriarch Simeon'
whom she claims as her ancestor.
V. " The rest of the chapters of the Book of Esther,, which are found neither in
the Hebrew nor in the Chaldee," were originally written in Greek, whence they were
translated into Latin, and formed part of the Italic or old Latin version in use before
the time of Jerome. Being there annexed to the canonical Book of Esther they
oassed withoi t censure, but were rejected by Jerome in his version, because he con-

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 39
fined himself to the Hebrew Scriptures, and these chapters never were- extant in the
Hebrew language. They are evidently the production of a Hellenistic Jew, but are
considered both by Jerome and Grotius as a work of pure fiction, which was annexed
to the canonical book by way of embellishment. From the coincidence between
some of these apocryphal chapters and Josephus, it has been supposed that they are
a compilation from the Jewish historian ; and this conjecture is further confirmed by
the mention of Ptolemy and Cleopatra, who lived but a short time before Josephus.
These additions to the Book of Esther are often cited by the father of the church;
and the Council of Trent has assigned them a place among the canonical books.*
The author of these apocryphal chapters says many things that' are in direct contra
diction to the inspired historian ; as when he affirms that the attempt made by the
eunuchs to take away the life of Ahasuerus was in the second year of his reign; that
Mordecai was at the very time rewarded for his discovery ; that Haman had been
advanced before this event, and was provoked with Mordecai for his discovery of the
eunuchs , .nat Haman was a Macedonian, and intended to transfer the government
of Persia to the Macedonians. He very stupidly, also, represents Ahasuerus looking
upon Esther, " as a fierce lion," and yet " with a countenance full of grace !" and as
calling the Jews " the children of the most high and most mighty living God;" and
as ordering the heathens to keep the feast of Purim.
VI. The book of " The Wisdom of Solomon" was never written by that monarch
as its author falsely pretends ; for it was never extant in Hebrew, nor received into
the Jewish canon of scripture, nor is the style like that of Solomon. It consists of
two parts : the first, which is written in the name of Solomon, contains a description
or encomium of wisdom, by which comprehensive term the ancient Jews understood
prudence and foresight, knowledge and understanding, and especially the duties of
religion and morality. This division includes the first ten chapters. The second
part, comprising the rest of the book, treats on a variety of topics widely differing
from the subject of the first, viz., reflections on the history and conduct of the Israel
ites during tneir joumeyings in the wilderness, and their subsequent proneness lo
idolatry. Hence the author takes occasion to inveigh against idolatry, the origin of
which he investigates, and concludes with reflections on the history of the people of
God. His allegorical interpretations of the Pentateuch, and the precept which he
gives to worship God before the rising of the sun, have induced some critics to think
thai ihe author was of the Jewish sect called Essenes.
Although the fathers ofthe church, and particularly Jerome, uniformly considered
this book as apocryphal, yet they recommended the perusal of it, in consideration of
the excellence of its style. The third Council of Carthage, held in the year 397,
pronounced it to be a canonical book, under the name of " the Fourth Book of Solo
mon," and the famous Council of Trent confirmed this decision. Jerome informs us
that several writers of the first three centuries ascribed the authorship of it to Philo
the Jew, a native of Alexandria who flourished in the first century ; and this opinion
is generally adopted by the moderns, on account of the Platonic notions that are dis
coverable in it, as well as from its general style, which evidently shows that it was
the production of a Hellenistic Jew of Alexandria. Drusius, indeed, attributes it to
another Philo, more ancient than the person just mentioned, and who is cited by
Josephus ; but this hypothesis is untenable, because the author of the Book of Wis
dom was confessedly either a Jew or a heretical Christian, whereas the Philo men
tioned by Drusius was a heathen.
It is quite evident that this author had read Plato and the Greek poets ; and he
employs a great many expressions taken from them, such as Ambrosia, the river of
forgetfulness ; the kingdom of Pluto, &c. ; as also several words borrowed from the
Grecian games, which were not in use till long after the time of Solomon, whose
name he assumes. A great many of his phrases seem to be taken out of the Proph
ets, and even from the New Testament. There are numerous passages in the book
evidently borrowed from the Prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah; particularly in the
thirteenth chapter, where there are no less than nine verses plainly copied from the
forty-fourth chapter of Isaiah.
This author brings forward many things that are contrary both to the words of in
spiration and to common sense. He condemns the marrkge-bed as sinful, and i\so
excludes bas'ards from the hopes of salvation : he talks as if souls were lodged in
* Vide Home's Introduction to the Scripture, vo' iv p 229.

40 INTRODUCTION TO THE
bodies according to their former merits; makes the murder of Abel the cause of the
flood ; represents the Egyptians as being plagued entirely by their own idols, that is
to say, by the beasts which thev worshipped, though it is certain they never wor
shipped frogs, locusts, or lice. He also calls the divine Logos, or second person of
the Trinity, a vapor or steam, with many other things that are evidently absurd.
The seventh book of the Apocrypha, is entitled " The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of
Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus," which, like the preceding, has sometimes been considered
as the production of King Solomon ; whence the council of Carthage deemed it
canonical, under the title of the Fifth Book of Solomon, £fnd their decision was
adopted by the council of Trent. It is, however, manifest, (hat it was not, and could
not be written by Solomon, because in it allusion is made to the captivity ; although
it is not improbable that the author collected some scattered sentiments ascribed to
Solomon, which he arranged with the other materials he had selected for his work.
Sonntag is of opinion that this book is a collection of fragments, or miscellaneous
hints for a large work, planned out and begun, but not completed. From the book
itself it appears that it was written by a person of the name of Jesus the Son of
Sirach, who had travelled in pursuit of knowledge. By reading the Scriptures, and
other good books, he attained a considerable share of wisdom; and by collecting the
grave and short sentences of such as went before him, and adding sundry of his own,
he endeavored to produce a work of instruction that might be useful to his country
men. This book was originally written in Hebrew, or rather the Syro-Chaldaic dialect
then in use in Judea about the year 232 before Christ, when the author was probably
about seventy years of age. Jesus, his grandson, who is also called The Son of
Sirach, translated it into Greek during the reign of Ptolemy Evergetes, king of Egypt,
about 140 years before Christ, for the use of the Hellenistical Jews, among whom he
had settled in Alexandria. The Hebrew original is now lost; but it was extant in
the time of Jerome, for he tells us that he had seen it under the title of The Parables;
but he says that the common name of it in Greek was The Wisdom of Jesus the Son
of Sirach. The Latin version of this book has more in it than the Greek, several
particulars being inserted which are not in the other. These seem to have been in
terpolated by the first author of that version ; but now the Hebrew being lost, the
Greek, which has been made from ii by the grandson of the author, must stand for
the original, and from that the English' translation has been made. From the sup
posed resemblance of this hook to that of Ecclesiasticus, it has received from the
La'in translator the title of Ecclesiasticus, by which name it is most generally known
and referred to.
Ecclesiasticus is considered by far the best of all the apocryphal books. The
ancients called it Panareton, that is, The Treasury of Virtue, as supposing it to con
tain maxims leading to every virtue. It has met with general esteem, also, in most
ofthe western churches, and was introduced into the public service of the Church of
England by the compilers of its Liturgy. It was frequently cited by the fathers of
the church under the titles of" The Wisdom of Jesus," " Wisdom," " The Treasures
of all the Virtues," or "Logos, the Discourse;" and in those times it was put into the
hands of catechumens, or young Christians under examination, on account ofthe edi
fying nature of its instruction.
VIII. The Book of " Baruch" is not extant in Hebrew, and only in Greek and
Syriac ; but in what language it was originally written it is now impossible to ascer
tain. Grotius is of opinion that it is an entire fiction, and that it was composed 1 f
some Hellenistical Jew, under the name of Baruch. The principal subject of the
book is an epistle, pretended to be sent by Jehoiakim and the captive Jews in Baby
lon, to their brethren in Judah and Jerusalem ; and the last chapter contains an epistle
which falsely bears the name of Jeremiah. This has never been considered as a
canonical book, either by the Jews or the Christians ; and, indeed, it is little else
than an arrant romance. It absurdly pretends to have been written by Baruch at
Babylon, when it is probable he never went thither : lhat it was read to Jechoniah
at the river Sud, which is nowhere else mentioned ; nor could Jeconiah hear i» there,
when he was confined in prison. It mentions a collection to buy sacrifices, fathered
by the captives in Babylon, and sent to Joakim the priest, along with the sacred ves
sels which Zci jkiah had made ; but how could the captives newly enslaved in Baby
lon be able to r.,ake collections ? How could thev send it to a high-priest that did no
then .-xist ? How could the sacred vessels which Zedekiah made be returned frooi

HISTORY OF THE BIBLli. 41
Babylon, when it does not appear that he made any? Or how could they be re
turned before they were carried away, along with himself? The author borrows a
variety of expressions from Daniel, and must therefore have lived after Baruch was
dead. The epistle ascribed to Jeremiah is neither written in his style, nor at all in
the style of the Scriptures ; and it ridiculously turns the seventy years of the captivity
into seven generations.*
IX. ",The Song of the Three Children in the Furnace" is placed in the Greek
version of Daniel, and also in the Vulgate Latin version, between the twenty-third
and twenty-fourth verses" of the third chapter. It is partly a poor imitation of tho
148th Psalm, and partly deprecatory, not at all suited to such a deliverance. It does
not appear to have ever been extant in Hebrew ; and although it has met with a good
deal of approbation for the piety of its sentiments, it was never admitted to be canon
ical, until ii was recognised by the council of Trent. The account of the flame
s' reaming above the furnace " forly-and-nine cubits," and ofthe angel's "smiling the
flame out of the oven, and making a moist whistling wind in it," seems entirely fab
ulous and romantic ; nor is it very consistent with the account of the fire's loosening
their hands. The fifteenth verse contains a direct falsehood ; for it asserts that there
was no prophet at that time, when it is well known that Daniel and Ezekiel both
exercised the prophetic ministry then in Babylon. This apocryphal fragment is,
therefore, most probably the production of some Hellenistic Jew. The hymn resem
bling the hundred and forty-eighth Psalm, which commences at the 29th verse, was
so approved of by the compilers of the Liturgy of the Church of England, that thev
appointed it to be used instead of the Te Deum during Lent.
X. " The History of Susanna,". has always been treated with some respect, but
has never been considered as canonical, though the council of Trent admitted it into
the number of the sacred books. It is evidently, like the rest, the work of" some
Hellenistic Jew, and in the Vulgate version it forms the thirteenth chapter of the
Book of Daniel. In the Septuagint version it is placed at the beginning of that book.
Lamy, and some other modern critics after Julius Africanus and Origen, consider it
to be both spurious and fabulous. That it was originally written in Greek, is mani
fest in the punishment pronounced on the elders, from the play which is made upon
the Greek names of the mastic and holm trees, under which they said they found
Susanna and the young man together. It is evidently absurd to affirm, that in the
beginning ofthe captivity, Joachim, the husband of Susanna, was become exceedingly
rich ; that there were Jewish judges with the power of life and death in Chaldea ;
that Daniel, who was bred in the court, had leisure, or being so young, was admitted
to be a judge ; that Susanna went into her garden to wash at noonday, and did it
without searching if anybody was there; or that the elders attempted to force her,
when they could not but every moment expect the return of her maids.
XI. " The History of the Destruction of Bel and the Dragon" is a still more
romantic story. It is not extant in either the Hebrew or the Chaldee language, and il
was always rejected by the Jewish church. Jerome gives it no better title than that
of The Fable of Bel and the Dragon ; nor has it obtained more credit with posterity,
except with the fatheis ofthe couno-l of Trent, who determined it to be a part ofthe
canonical scriptures. It forms the fourteenth chapter of Daniel in the Latin Vulgate ;
in the Greek it was called the Prophecy of Habakkuk, the son of Jesus, of the tribe
of Levi; br this is evidently false, for that prophet lived before the time of Nebu
chadnezzar, and the events pretended to have taken place in this fable are assigned
to the time of Cyrus. There are two Greek texts of this fragment, that of the Sep
tuagint, and that found in Theodotian's Greek version of Daniel.
The design of l his fiction is to render idolatry ridiculous, and to exalt the true God ;
but the author has destroyed the illusion of his fiction, by transporting to Babylon tho
worship of animals, which was never practised in that country. It is also quite im
probable that Cyrus, a Persian, would worship a Babylonian idol ; nay, an idol that
was broken to pieces at the taking of the city ! It is absurd to imagine that a man
of his sense could believe an image of brass and clay did really eat and drink ! How
pitiful, for Daniel to discover the coming of the priests to devour the provisions, by
making the king's servants strew ashes on the floor, when the priest might so easily
perceive them, or the servants so readily inform concerning them ! It is absurd to
suppose that the newly-conquered Babylonians should, by menaces, oblige Cyrus to
deliver up his beloved Daniel to them, to be cast into the den of lions; or that
« Brown's Dictionary of tlie Bible.— Art. Apocrypha.

42 INTRODUCTION TO THE
Habakkuk should be then alive to bring him food; or that Cyrus should be seven
days before he went to the den, to see what was become of his favorite minion.
XII. " The Prayer of Mauasses," king of Judah, when he was holden captive in
Babylon, never appeared in the Hebrew language, and seems to be the product of
some Pharisaical spirit. It was never recognised as canonical, and is rejected as
spurious even by the Church of Rome. It can not be traced to a higher source than
the Vulgate Latin version ; and, therefore, it has no claim to be considered as the
original prayer which, in the Book of Chronicles, Manasseh is mentioned to have
made, and which it pretends to be. The author speaks of just persons, such as Abra
ham, Isaac, and Jacob, as being without sin, and not called lo repent.
XIII. The Books of the " Maccabees" are thus denominated, because they rela'.e
the patriotic and gallant exploits of Judas Maccabeus and his brethren. The Macca
bees arose in defence of their brethren the Jews, during the dreadful persecutions to
which they were subjected, on account of their religion, under Antiochus Epiphanes,
king of Syria, about 100 years before Christ. The most likely derivation of the title
Maccabees, is that which takes it from the motto put by Judas in his standard, being
this Hebrew sentence, taken out of Exodus xvi. 11, Mi Camo-ka Baelim Jehovah,
that is, " Who is like unto thee among the gods, 0 Jehovah ?" which being written
like the S. P. Q. R., Senatus Populusque Romanus, on the Roman standards, by an
abbreviation formed by the initial letters of these words put together, made the arti
ficial word Maccabi; and hence all who fought under that standard were called
Maccabees or Maccabeans.
The First Book of Maccabees is a very valuable historical monument, written with
great accuracy and fidelity, on which even more reliance may be placed than on the
writings of Josephus, who has borrowed some of his materials from it, and has fre
quently mistaken its meaning. It is, indeed, an excellent history, and comes the
nearest to the style and manner of the sacred historical writings of any extant. It
was written originally in the Chaldee language of the Jerusalem dialect, which was
the language spoken in Judea, from the return of the Jews thither from the Baby
lonish captivity ; and it was extant in this Syro-Chaldaic language in the time of
Jerome, for he tells us that he had seen it. The title which it then bore was, The
Sceptre of the Prince of the Sons of God: a title which is certainly suitable to the
character of Judas, who was a valiant commander of the persecuted Israelites. It
contains the history of the Jews under the government of the priest Matthias and his
sons, from the beginning of the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes to the death of Simon
Maccabeus, a period of about thirty-four years. The author of this book is not cer
tainly known: some conjecture that it was written by John Hyrcanus, the son of
Simon, who was prince and high-priest of the Jews for nearly thirty years, and who
commenced his government at the time when this history ends : by others it is
ascribed to one of the Maccabees, and many are of opinion that it was compiled by
the men of the great synagogue. It is, however, most probable that it was com
posed in the time of John Hyrcanus, when the wars of the Maccabees are terminated,
either by Hyrcanus himself, or by some persons employed by him. There is both a
Greek and a Latin translation of it, from the Syro-Chaldaic ; and our English version
is made from the Greek.
There are many things in this book which show that it was not written by inspi
ration. The writer often observes, that there was no prophet in his times ; and, in
deed, he has blundered into several mistakes ; as, that Alexander the Great parted
his kingdom among his honorable servants while he was yet alive ; that Antiochus
the Great was taken alive by the Romans ; that they gave India and Media, parts ol
his kingdom, to Eumenes, king of Pergamus; that the Roman senate consisted ot
320 persons; that Alexander Balas was the son of Antiochus Epiphanes ; and several
others which are palpably absurd.
XIV. The " Second Book of Maccabees" is a history of fifteen years, from the
execution of the commission of Heliodorus, who was sent by Seleucus to bring away
the treasures of the temple, to the victory obtained by Judas Maccabeus over Nica-
nor, that is, from the year of the world 3828 to 3843. It commences with two epis
tles sent from the Jews of Jerusalem to those of Alexandria and throughout Egypt,
exhorting them to observe the feast of the dedication of the new altar, erected by
Judas Maccabeas on his purifying the temple. The second of these epistles is nol
only written in the name of Judas Maccabeus, who was slain thirty-six years before,
but also contains such fabulous and absurd stuff, as could never have been written by

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 43
the great council of the Jews assembled at Jerusalem for the whole nation, as this
pretends to be. The epistles, which are confessedly spurious, are followed by the
author's preface to his history, which is an abridgment of a larger work, compiled
by one Jason, a Hellenistic Jew of Cyrene, who wrote in Greek the history of Judas
Maccabeus and his brethren, and an account of the wars against Antiochus Epipha
nes, ano his son Eupator, in five books. The entire work of Jason has long since
perished ; and Dr. Prideaux is of opinion that the author of this second book of
Maccabees was a Hellenistic Jew of Alexandria, because he makes a distinction be
tween the temple in Egypt and that at Jerusalem, calling the latter " the Great
Temple." The compilation of this unknown author is by no means equal in accuracy to the
First Book of the Maccabees, which it contradicts in several instances; it is not ar
ranged in chronological order, and sometimes also it is at variance with the inspired
writings. The author concludes it, begging excuse if he had said anything unbe
coming the story ; and, indeed, he had reason to do so, considering what a number
of false and wicked things he retails: as, that Judas Maccabeus was alive in the
188th year of the Seleucidse, when he died in the 152d ; that Antiochus Epiphanes
was killed at the temple of Nanea, in Persia, whereas he died on the frontiers of
Babylon, of a terrible disease ; that Nehemiah built the second temple and altar,
whereas they were built sixty years before he came from Persia ; that Jeremiah hid
the tabernacle, ark, and altar of incense, in a cave ; that Persepolis was in being one
hundred years after Alexander had burnt it to ashes ; that Judas did well in offering
prayers and sacrifices to make reconciliation for the dead ; and that Rasis did well in
murdering himself to escape the fury of the Syrians.
The name of Maccabees was first given to Judas, the son of Matthias, the priest
of Modin, and his brethren, for the reason which has been already mentioned ; and,
therefore, the two books just spoken of, which give us an account of their actions,
are called the First and the Second Book of the Maccabees. But because they were
sufferers in the cause of their religion, others who were like sufferers in the same
cause, and by their sufferings bore witness to the truth, were in after times called
also Maccabees by the Jews. For this reason, other two books, giving an account
of other persecutions endured by the Jews, are found under the title of the Third
and Fourth Books of the Maccabees. The Third Book contains the history of a per
secution intended against the Jews in Egypt by Ptolemy Philopator, but which was
miraculously prevented. From its style, this book appears to have been written by
some Alexandrian Jew ; it abounds with absurd fables. With regard to its subject,
it ought in strictness to be called the First Book of Maccabees, as the event it pro
fesses to relate occurred before the achievements of that heroic family ; but as it is
of less authority and repute than the other two, it is reckoned after them. It is found
in most ancient manuscripts of the Greek Septuagint, particularly in the Alexandrian
and Vatican manuscripts ; but it was never inserted in the Latin Vulgate, nor in our
English bibles.
Of the Fourth Book of the Maccabees very little is known. It is destitute of ev
ery internal mark of credibility, and is supposed to be the same as the book " con
cerning the government or empire of reason," ascribed to Josephus by Philostratus,
Eusebius, and Jerome. It is extant in some Greek manuscripts, in which it is placed
after the three books of Maccabees. Dr. Lardner thinks it is the work of some un
known Christian writer. The history contained in it extends to about 160 years :
beginning at Seleucus's attempt to pillage the temple, and ending just before the
birth of Jesus Christ.
Upon the whole, in resard to these apocryphal books, it is to be observed, they ap
pear lo have been entirefy the work of Hellenistic Jews, and quite destitute of any
proper claim to the authority of inspiration. The Jews, after their return from the
Babylonish captivity to the time of our Saviour, were much given to religious ro
mances ; and of this sort the greater part, if not all, of these books are to be ac
counted. They were never extant in Hebrew, neither are they quoted in the New
Testament, or by the Jewish writers, Philo and Josephus ; on the contrary, thei'
contain many things which are fabulous, false, and contradictory to the canonica.
' scriptures. They are nevertheless possessed of some value as ancient writings,
which throw considerable light upon the phraseology of Scripture, and upon the his
tory and manners of the east.

Eng: by Geo.E.Sli<ji

AN ILLUSTRATED
HISTORY OF THE BIBLE

HISTORY OP THE OLD TESTAMENT.

CHAPTER I
THE CREATION — PALL OF MAN.

THE first transaction recorded in history is the creation of the world. " In the
beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Gen. i. 1. This work is
worthy the amazing power of that Supreme Being by whom it was executed. The
idea of creation is truly sublime. It is, indeed, so vast that ancient as well as some
modern philosophers have denied the possibility of creation, and hence have invested
matter with the attribute of eternity, making it coeval with God.
From the infallible testimony of God, we infer that the material elements, of which
organic forms and worlds are composed, were the product of the same creative power,
so clearly seen and understood by the things that are made. So reasons the apostle,
Heb. ii. 3.
In the book of Genesis, the " beginning" of everything is ascribed to the creative
power of God ; and we are informed that over the formless and chaotic earth, dark
ness reigned, and " that the Spirit of God moved" or brooded " upon the face of the
waters," bringing order out of confusion, light out of darkness, and this beauteous earth
into a fit condition for the residence of man, and the subsistence of animal and vege
table life.* The Almighty architect said, "Let there be Light, and there was
Light." With respect to this expression, Longinus, that great judge of the beautiful
and sublime, says, "It is the most noble and lofty example of sublimity that imagi
nation can conceive; it commands things into existence, speaks with the voice of
supernatural authority, and is the language of God." "And God saw the light that
it was good, and he divided the light from the darkness, calling the fight day, and
the darkness night ; and the evening and the morning were the first day." Surpri
sing display of Omnipotence to illuminate a whole system in so short a time, and ap
point the proper portions of light and darkness to every part of the universe I
Who, with an intelligent mind and a sensitive heart, can look upon the glorious

* Between the creative act, described by the words, '* In the beginning God created the heaven and the
earth," and the organizing work, commenced on the first of the six days, an indefinitely protracted interval
of time set-ms evidently to have elapsed. The facts of geology, so far as they seem at variance with the
sacred record, belong to what has been denominated a pre-adarnic earth, the time-periods of which were
long enough for the development and growth of those gigantic species of animal and vegetable formations,
found la the subterranean cabinets of fossil remains. The learned Prof. Moses Stuart, though an anti-geo
logist, in commenting on the first verse in Genesis, remarks ; " All order and arrangement plainly seem to bo
considered by the writer of Gen. i. as having been effected after the original act of creation. * * * The
original act of creation, as understood by the sacred writers, appears plainly to have been the calling of
matter into being, tho causing of it to exist; and out of this the heayens and the earth were afterwards
formed, i. e., reduced to their present order and arrangement." The Rev. John Harris, D. D., as the result
of a very elaborate investigation, says : " On the whole, then, my firm persuasion is, that the first verse in
Genesis was designed, by the Divine Spirit, to announce the absolute origination of the material universe
by the Almighty Creator ; and that it is so understood in other parts of Holy Writ ; that, passing by an
Indefinite interval, the second verse describes the state of our planet immediately prior to the Adamic crea
tion ; and that the third verse begins the account of the six days' work." These views are not new — they
were adopted by some of the most learned of the early fathers of the Christian Church, long before the
science of geology was known. Gregory Nazianzen and Justin Martyr suppose an indefinite period between
the creation and the first ordering of things. Basil and Origen are still more explicit. To these might tie added
Augustine, Theodoret, Episcopius, and others, whose interpretations imply the existence of an indefinite
interval between the creation, as narrated in the first verse of Genesis, and that of which an account is
given in the following verses. (See Wiseman's Lectures, and Buckland's Bridgewater Treatise.)
During this indefinite interval between the primordial creation and the Adamic creation, millions of ages
might have intervened, thus affording ample time for the productions, growths, formations, deposits, and
transitions which the modern science of geology has brought to light. As Dr. Kitto remarks in his Bible
Illustrations : " Whatever facts are recorded in the Book of God, the volume of earth confirms ; and for
other facts unrecorded in Scripture, which are written in his stony volume, a sufficient interval of silence
and time is afforded."
Thus it appears that the phenomena, developed by prying open the long-sealed, stony pages of Gods
ancient book of nature, are found, iu their ultimate results, to be in accordance with His inspired volume.— it*.

•16 AN ILLUSTRATED
scenes and objects around him, without emotion; and, if piety be an inmate of his
bosom, without adoring reverence and filial love to Him who made them all ? And
vet it is most true that the beauties and sublimities of the natural world are exhibited
in vain to the generality of mankind. Engaged in other pursuits, or degraded by evil
passions, or besotted by self-indulgence, the most magnificent, and the most soothing
scenes which mark the power or the goodness of God, are equally unnoticed and
ilespised by many who ought to feel most interested in them.
Wandering oft, with brute unconscious gaze
Man marks not", Him,—" marks not the mighty hand,
That, ever busy, wheels the silent spheres, —
And as, on earth, this grateful change revolves,
With transport touches all the springs of life."
The waters being still dispersed over the face of chaos, the Almighty was pleased
to separate them from each other, and restrain their current within proper bounds.
He divided those above the firmament from those beneath, and parted the waters of
the earth from the watery atmospheres. The firmament* formed on this occasion was
called heaven, and, with the separation of the waters, completed the second day of
the creation. Light being formed, and the waters separated from each other, the
Almighty, on the third day, commanded that the waters beneath the firmament should
be gathered together, and dry land appear. The waters, accordingly, fled into deep
valleys, and recesses of the earth, the lofty mountains raised their towering heads,
and the lesser hills displayed their pleasing summits. As the great Creator designed
the earth for the future habitation of man and beast, it was no sooner separated from
the waters, than he gave it a prolific virtue, and endowed it with the power of vege
tation. The surface was immediately covered with grass for cattle, which was suc
ceeded by herbs, plants, and fruit-trees, proper for the nourishment of man. All
those were instantly in a state of perfection, that they might be ready for the use of
those inhabitants for whom they were designed.!
The Almighty Creator, having prepared such necessaries as he thought proper on
earth, for the use of its intended inhabitants, on the fourth day formed those two
great luminaries of heaven called the Sun and Moon! the former of which he ap
pointed to rule the day, and the latter the night. He likewise formed the planets,
fixed their gravitation and vicissitudes, and appointed their regular courses, that they
might divide time and distinguish the seasons. By means of these luminaries the
atmosphere was rarified, and by their influence on the planets, was promoted the
office of vegetation.
The creation of the first four days consisting of things inanimate, on the fifth God
pronounced his omnipotent fiat, for the production of living creatures, saying, "Let
the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowls:): that
they may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven." He was pleased to
form these creatures of different shapes and sizes; some very large,|| to show the
wonders of his creating power, and others exceeding small, to display the goodness of
his indulgent providence. After he had created them, he gave them his blessing, by
bidding them, be fruitful and multiply ; enduing them, at the same time, with a
power to propagate, in a prolific manner, their respective species. And thus were
completed the works ofthe fifth day.
In the beginning of the sixth day God created the terrestrial animals, whieh the
sacred historian has divided into three classes, namely,
* The Hebrew word which we translate firmament, signifies a curtain, or anything stretched out and
extended. The term is not only applied to the sky, but to the atmosphere, and in this place seems particu
larly to refer to that extent of airy matter which encompasses the earth, and separates the clouds om the
waters on the earth.
t Though the first fruits of the earth were all produced without any seeds, by the bare command of God
yet, to perpetuate the same, each kind contained its own seed, which being sown in the earth, or falling,
when ripe, from the plants themselves, should continue in succession to the end of the world.
t From this expression, some are of opinion that fowls derive their origin from the water as well as the
fishes ; while others, with equal reason, suppose them to have been made out of the earth, agreeably to
the following passage in Gen. ii. 19: "Out of the ground God formed every beast of the field, and every
fowl of the air." But these two texts are easily reconciled, when we consider that neither denies what
the other asserts. It is to be observed, that some fowls live mostly in the water, others partly on land and
partly on water, while a third sort live altogether on land. This diversity countenances the opinion of
many of the ancients, that they were made partly out of the water, or of both mixed together.
II The words in the text are, And God created great whales. But this expression must not be confineii to
Die while alone ; lt undoubtedly implies fish of an enormous size, of which there are various species, tint
differ ooth in their fomi and magnitude

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 4,
1. Beasts, or wild creatures, such as lions, tigers, bears, wolves, &c.
2. Cattle, or djmestic animals, for the use of men, such as bulls and cows, sheep,
hogs, horses, asses, &c.
3. Creeping things, such as serpents, worms, and various kinds of insects.
The omnipotent Creator having made these abundant preparations, crowned his
work with the formation of the grand object, man, for whose use they were designed.
He said, Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness.* And, to show that
the creature he was now about to form should be the master-piece of the creation,
and (under his auspices) have supremacy over the whole, he further says, and let him
have dominion over the fish ofthe sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle,
and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. In
the formation of man's body, God made choice of the dust of the earth, after which,
having infused into him an immortal spirit, or, as the text says, breathed into his nos
trils the breath of life, he became a living soul\
As soon as Adam began to experience the consciousness of his existence and intel
lectual endowments, he would very naturally direct attention to the animals around
him, desirous of knowing whether his relation to them was one of security and peace.
To relieve his mind of any disquieting apprehensions, he was assured by the Creator
that they all were to be subject to his authority. As a pledge of such authority, they
were moved to appear before him, that he might give them such names as would dis
tinguish their species and indicate their natures.J
On perceiving that all these animals appeared in pairs, Adam would, as may be
supposed, desire and expect to find a companion kindred to himself, and fitted to be a
partner and help-meet. To meet this want God took one of his ribs, and created a
woman, whom the man named, and gladly recognized as one with himself. " This,"
said he, " is now bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh," language which referred to
the nearness of the conjugal relation, as a partnership of love. It thus was intimated
that the marriage bond was to be regarded as indissoluble.!
This was certainly the last act? of the whole creation, which, by the almighty
power of God, was made perfect in the space of six days ; at the close of which the
great Creator took a survey of the whole, and pronounced it good, or properly adapt
ed to the uses for which it was intended. The next day (which was the seventh
from the beginning of the creationl!) God set apart as a time of solemn rest from his
labors. He blessed and sanctified it ; and to impress mankind with a just sense of
his infinite wisdom, power, and goodness, ordered it ever after to be kept sacred.**
* What a noble and majestic expression was this, and how consistent with the nature of that Almighty
Being by whom it was spoken '. In the formation of other creatures, God says, Let the earth or the waters
bring them forth ; but here (as if man was to be made only a little lower than the angels) he says, Let us
make him in our image- that is, let us make him like ourself ; let us endue him with all those noble faculties
that will raise him above the animal creation, and make him not only to bear our image in the lower world,
¦but also qualify him for the enjoyment of those blessings that are to* be found at our right hand, to the full
extent of eternity.
t'.iosephus says, that after God had created man, he called him Adam, which in the Hebrew signifies red
from the earth with which he was made being of that color.
t The great poet, Milton, on this occasion, expresses himself as follows :
" As thus he spake, each bird and beast, behold
Approaching, two and two ; these cowering low
With blandisnment ; each bird stooped on his wing
I named them as they passed, and understood
Their nature, with such knowledge God endued
My sudden apprehension !"
II The general name for woman, in the Hebrew tongue, is Issa ; but this woman, being the first, was
(after the fall) called Eve, which signifies the mother of human kind.
6 Though the sacred historian does not, in a particular manner, mention the formation of Eve till some
time after that of Adam, yet it is not in the least to be doubted but they were both created on the saint
day. Tliis, indeed, evidently appears from the relation of the works of the sixth day, Gen. ii. 27, where,
after ths words, God created man in his own image, are added, male and female created he them.
If lt is not directly ascertained at what time or season of the year the world was made ; but, from the
trees being laden with fruit (of which history informs us our first parents did eat), it is most reasonable to
suppose that it was at or near the autumnal equinox.
** Thus was the seventh day appointed by God, from the very beginning of the world, to be observed as a
day of rest by mankind, in memory of the great benefits received in the formation of the universe, lt has
been a question, among the learned, whether any sabbath was observed before the promulgation of the law
by Moses ; but the most judicious commentators agree that Adam and Eve constantly observed the seventh
day, and dedicated it in a peculiar manner to the service of the Almighty ; and that the first Sabbath, which
Philo (one of tne most ancient writers) calls, the birth-day of the world, was celebrated in Paradise itself
which pious custom, being- transmitted from our first parents to their posterity, became in time so general,
that the same Philo calls It the universal festival of mankind.

48 AN ILLUSTRATED
When Adam first beheld the fair partner of his life, who was presented to hini ly
her Almighty Creator, he was struck with a secret sympathy, and, finding her of his
own likeness and complexion, he exclaimed with rapture,* This is now hone of my
bone, and flesh of my flesh. He easily foresaw that the love and union which were
now to take place between them were to be lasting. The Divine Hand which con
ducted the woman to Adam did it in the light of a matrimonial father; and having
joined them together, he pronounced this benediction, Be fruitful and multiply, and
replenish the earth ; intimating, that, as he had given them dominion over every part
of the creation, they, by being themselves fruitful in the procreation of children, might
live to see the earth replenished with a numerous progeny.
To facilitate the intended happiness of our first parents, the Almighty Creator had
provided for their residence a most delightful spot called Eden,t which was watered
by an extensive river divided into four streams. It was furnished with all kinds of
vegetables, among which were two remarkable trees, one called the Tree of Life,]
* The joy and transport of Adam, on his first sight of Eve, is thus beautifully expressed by Milton :

-On she came,

Led by her heavenly Maker (though unseen)
And guided by his voice ; not uninformed
Of. nuptial sanctity and marriage rites.
Grace was in all, her steps, heaven in her eye,
In every gesture dignity and love.
I, overjoved. could not forbear aloud :
' Tb's turn Uath made amends : thou hast fulfilled
T«y words, Creator bounteous and benign !
Giver of all thinsrs fair, Dut fairest this
Of all thv gifts !"
f There is probably no subject on which such a diversity of opinions has been entertained as concerning
the site of the Paradise in which the progenitors of mankind were placed. Mohammedans even believe
that it was in one of the seven heavens from which Adam was cast down upon the earth after the fall,
" Some," says l)r. Clarke, "place it in the third heaven, others in the fourth ; some within the orbit of tho
moon, others in the moon itself; some in the middle regions of the air, or beyond the earth's attraction
some on the earth, others under the earth, and others within the earth." Every section of the earth's sm-
face has also, in its turn, had its claim to this distinction advocated. From this mass of conflicting opinions
we shall select tlie two which have been supported by the most eminent authorities, and which seem to
have the strongest probabilities in their favor.
It has been assumed that in whatever situation, otherwise probable, the marks by which Moses charac
terizes the spot are to be found, there we may suppose that we have discovered the site of Paradise. In
fixing the first probability, the all but unquestionable fact that the known rivers Euphrates and Tigris are
mentioned as two of the four rivers of Eden, is of the greatest importance ; and therefore the most exact
inquirers have not sought for the spot at any point distant from those rivers. The Euphrates and Tigris
being thus identified with two of the rivers of Eden, there has remained a great latitude in the choice of
a site for the garden, some looking for it near the source of those rivere, and others seeking it in the low
and flat plains through which they flow in the lower part of their course.
The first position places Eden in Armenia, near the sources of the four great rivers Euphrates, Tigris
(Hiddekel), Phasis (Pison), and the Araxes (Gihon). The similarity of sound between Phasis and Pison is
considered to strengthen this opinion, as does also the similarity of meaning between tlie Hebrew name
Gihon and the Greek Araxes, both words denoting swiftness.
One consideration that induced a preference for this site is, that the advocates of this opinion considered
" heads," as applied to the rivers which went forth from the garden, to mean " sources," which would there
fore render it natural to look for the terrestrial paradise in a mountainous or hilly country, which only
could supply the water necessary to form four heads of rivers. But others, those who would fix the site
toward the other extremity of the two known rivers, reckon it sufficient, and indeed more accordant with,
the text, to consider the " four heads" not as sources, but as channels— that is, that the Euphrates and
Tigris united before they entered the garden, and after leaving it divided again," and entered the Persian
gulf by two mouths ; thus forming four channels, two above and two below the garden, each called by a
different name. "The river or channel," says Dr. Wells, "must be looked upon as a highway crossing
over a forest and which may be said to divide itself into four ways, whether the division be made above 01
oelow the forest." With this view, some writers are content to take the present Shat-ul-Arab (the single
stream which is formed by the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates, and which afterward divides to
enter the gulf) as the river that went through the garden ; but as Major Rennell has shown that the two
great rivers kept distinct courses to the sea until the time of Alexander, although at no great distance of
time afterward they became united, other writers are contented to believe that such a junction and sub
sequent divergence did, either in the time of Moses or before the deluge, exist in or near the place indi
cated. The deluge must have made great changes in the beds of these and many other rivers, and inferior
agencies have alone been sufficient greatly to alter the ancient channels of the Tigris and Euphrates,
This is not only rendered obvious by an inspection of the face of the country, but the memory of such
events is preserved by local traditions, and they are even specified in the writings of the Arabian geogra
pliers and historians. Thus, then, of the two most probable conjectures, one fixes the terrestrial Paradise
in Armenia, between the sources ofthe Euphrates, Tigris, Phasis,, and Araxes ; and the other identifies the
land of Eden with the country between Bagdad and Bussorah ; and, in that land, some fix the garden near
the latter city, while others, more prudently, only contend that it stood in some part of this territory where
an ancient junction and subsequent separation of the Euphrates and Tigris took place.
X This tree is supposed to have been so called from its having in it a virtue not only to repair the animal
spirits, as other nourishment does, but likewise to preserve and maintain them in the same equal tenipei
and state wherein they were created; that is to say, without affecting the party who used it with pain,
liseas>e, *r.d decay.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 49
and the other the Tree of Knowledge,* by the latter of whu h Good and Evil were
lo be distinguished. Into this earthly paradise did the Almighty conduct Adam and
Eve, giving them orders to lake care of the garden, and superintend the plants. He
granted them permission to eat of the fruit of every tree, except that of the Tree of
Knowledge of Good and Evil. This he strictly charged them not even to touch, on
the penalty of incurring his displeasure, and triereby entailing upon themselves and
their descendants, mortality, diseases, and death. With this small restraint God left
them in the garden of Eden, where everything was pleasing to the sight, and ac
commodated to their mutual enjoyment.
Thus fixed in the most beautiful situation, possessed of innocence, devoid of guilt.
and free from care, the happiness of our first parents appeared complete :
" Perfection crowned with wondrous frame,
And peace and plenty smiled around ;
They felt no grief, they knew no shame,
But tasted heaven on earthly ground."
But, alas ! their bliss was transient, their innocence fleeting, and their exemption
from care very short.
All animals at this time were social in their tempers, except the serpent,t who
was equally subtle and envious. This malignant creature, viewing the felicity of the
first pair with- those painful sensations which are natural to depravity of heart, de
termined to allure them from their innocence, and stimulate them to the crime of
disobedience. In consequence of this infernal design, he began by persuadiug Eve to
taste the prohibited Tree of Knowledge, telling her4 that, by so doing, both herself
and her husband would immediately be sensible of the difference between Good and
Evil, acquire much additional happiness, and even not be inferior, in point of wis
dom, to God himself, t
Unhappily the artifices of the serpent prevailed. Eve gazed on the tempting fruit
till her appetite was inflamed ; its beautiful hue made her fancy it a most delicious
food; and she at length sacrificed her duty to gratify her curiosity. She stretched
forth her presumptuous hand, took of the baneful fruit, and ate her own destruction.
¦ She plucked, she ate ;

Earth felt the wound, and nature from her seat,
Sighing through all her works, gave sign of wo
That all was lost."

Pleased with the taste of the fruit, and fancying herself already in possession of that
additional happiness the serpent had promised her, she flew to Adam, and enticed
bim to participate in her crime.

¦ He scrupled not to eat

Against his better knowledge-
Earth trembled from her entrails, as again
In pangs, and Nature gave a second groan :
Sky lowered, and muttering thunder, some sad drops
Wept, at completing of the mortal sin."
Remorse, the natural consequence of guilt, now opened their eyes to each other's
nakedness. No longer shielded by innocence from shame, they were mutually shock
ed at the reciprocal indecency of their appearance; and they sewed fig-leaves together
and made themselves aprons. That is, they tied or twisted together the broad leaves
of the fig-tree, so as to form a girdle for the loins, being prompted by the impulse of
shame to the expedient of an artificial covering for their persons.
While they were in a state of innocence, they no sooner heard the voice of God ap-
* There are various opinions concerning the nature and properties of the Tree of Knowledge, which was
forbidden to our first parents. Some think it had a baneful quality, directly opposite to that of the Tree of
Life ; while others imagine it is thus called by the sacred historian, because, directly after Adam and Eve
had eaten of it, they became sensible of the good they had lost, and the evil they had incurred, by their
disobedience. t It is geneially thought that this was the work of Satan, who, to effect his purposes, assumed the figurt-
of a serpent.
X The narrative of the temptation has been regarded by some interpreters as allegorical, because the
power of speech and the faculty of reason are ascribed to the serpent- But the whole narrative, of which
this is a part, is clearly historic ; and as the sacred writer would not be likely to mix the allegorical and the
historical in his record, the conclusion is very evident that the literal interpretation of the narrative is the
true one, and that the presence and the agency of a real serpent must be considered as a matter of fact. Of
course it will be conceded that the utterance of words was supernatural. There is clear evidence, however,
of the agency of a higher power concealed under the serpent's form — a malignant spirit of evil — that used
'he serpent in executing his malevolent design. — Ed.

60 AN ILLUSTRATED
nroach them, than thev ran with ecstasy to meet him, and with humble joy welcomed
his gracious visits ; bufnow. their Maker was become a terror to them, and they a terrot
to each other. Their consciences painted their transgression in the blackest colors,
ill hope was banished, and nothing remained but horror and despair.
When, therefore, after their transgression, they heard the voice of the Lord in tin-
garden, instead of running lo meet him as before with cheerfulness and joy, they flew
iu the most retired part of it, in order to conceal themselves from his sight.* But tin
Almighty soon called them from their dark retreat; and, after a short examination,
they both acknowledged their guilt. The man attempted to excuse himself by laying
the blame on the woman, and pleaded her persuasions as the cause of his criminality-
The woman endeavored to remove the crime from herself to the serpent; but tHe
Almighty thought proper to make all three the objects of his distributive justice. A*
• he serpent had been the origma1 "ause of this evil, God first passes sentence on him,
which was, that (instead of going erect as he did before the fact) he should ever after
creep on his belly, and thereupon become incapable of eating, any food, excepi what
was mingled with dust. The woman was given to understand that she had entailed
upon herself sorrow from conception, pain in childbirth, and subjection to her hus?
band. The punishment of Adam consisted in a life of perpetual toil and care,f. in
order to keep in due subjection those passions and appetites, to gratify which he had
transgressed the divine command.
The awful decree being thus solemnly pronounced, as well on the author of the
offence, as the offenders themselves, the Almighty, to enhance their sense ofthe crime,
and the tokens of his resentment, expelled the guilty pair from the blissful regions
of paradise, after which he placed at the easi end ofthe garden a guard of angels,, in
order not only to prevent their re-entrance, but to secure the forbidden fruit from the
unhallowed hands of polluted mankind.
Thus, by this original pollution, fell our first parents, who, from the happiest con
dition that can be Conceived, plunged themselves into a state of wretchedness, and
iherebv entailed misery on their descendants.

CHAPTER II.
FAMILY OF ADAM — UNIVERSAL DEPRAVITY— TH2 FLOOD.
In the space ol two years after the expulsion of our first parents from Paradise, the
human race was increased by Eve's being delivered of two sons, the first of whom she
called Cain.t and the latter Abel.H As these two brothers were of different disposi
tions, so, when they grew up to years of maturity, they followed different employ
ments. Abel, the younger was just in his dealings, and amiable in his temper.
Firmly believing that God saw all his actions, and knew their motives, he carefully
avoided offending his beneficent Maker, and, in the. simplicity of a shepherd's life,
took a pleasure in practising all the social virtues. On the contrary, Cain was per
versely wicked, and avariciously craving. His attention was principally directed lo
* Milton makes Adam, on this occasion, express himself as follows :
"  How shall 1 behold the face
Henceforth of God or angel, erst with joy
And raptures oft beheld .'— O ! might I here
In solitude live savage, in some glade
Obscured, where lughesl woods (impenetrable
To star or sunlight) spread their umbrage broad,
And brown as evening ; cover me, ye pines !
Ye cedars, with innumerable boughs,
Hide me, where 1 never may see them more '."
t The words in the text are. in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread ; which implies that laboi aioue
should produce what, if he had not transgressed, nature would have spontaneously bestowed.
t As soon as Eve was delivered of her first child, she cried out, in a transport of joy, / have gotten, a mon
from the Lord: being persuaded that this son was the promised seed mentioned by the Almighty in, tlie sen-
tence he passed on the serpent ; / will put enmity betwen thee and the woman, and between thy seed and hP
seed: il shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heet. 'in consequence of this persuasion', Eve called
her tir.sl, son Cain, which signifies possession or acquisition.
il The word Abel, in the Hebrew language, signifies vanity, ana, according to some, was given him aaan
rntiiiiaimn of the little esteem his mother had for him in comparison of ner hrsl-born

HISTORV OF THE BIBLE. 5!
husbandry ; but with all the benefits ansmg from cultivation, he was perpetually
dissatisfied at what the earth produced, and, from his natural vile disposition, was
guilty ofthe first murder ever committed.
It was customary, even in the infancy of the world, to make acknowledgments to
God by way of oblation. This being agreed on by these two brothers, Cain offered
the produce of his husbandry, and such fruits as nature bestowed by the assistance
of art. Abel's oblation consisted of the milk of his herds, and the firstlings of his
Hocks. The Almighty was pleased to prefer the latter, being the simple productions
of nature, to the former, which, no doubt, he considered as the interested offerings of
laborious avarice.* This preference raised the resentment of Cain, whose soul was
so impressed with hatred toward his brother, that he even showed it in his coun
tenance. The Almighty, knowing the secrets of Cain's heart, condescended, in his great
goodness, to expostulate with him to the following effect: " That his respect to true
goodness was impartial, wherever he found it ; and that, therefore, it was purely his
own fault that his offering was not equally accepteu. that piety was the proper dis
position for a sacrificer, and that if herein he would emulate his brother, the same
tokens of divine approbation should attend his oblations : that it was madness in him
to harbor any revengeful thought against his brother, because, if he proceeded to put
them into execution, a dreadful punishment would immediately follow."
This kind admonition from the Almighty had so little effect upon Cain, that, in
stead of being sensible of his faul t, and endeavoring to amend, he grew more and more
incensed against his brother, and at length formed the resolution of gratifying his re
venge by depriving him of his existence.
But it was not long before Cam was ca/led to an account for this horrid deed. The
all-seeing God, from whom no secrets can be hid, appeared before him, and demanded
the reason of his brother's absence. Sensible of the enormity of his crime, Cain at
tempted to reply ; but guilt, for a time, tied his tongue. At length, in faltering ac
cents, he tried to evade what he did not dare positively to answer. He pretended to
be surprised at not having seen his brother for some time ; and likewise observed,
that he was neither the guardian of Abel, nor empowered to watch his motions.
On this the Almighty charged Cain, in direct terms, with the murder of his broth
er ; and, after expressing to him the atrociousness of the crime, and how much it
cried to heaven for Vengeance, proceeded to pass sentence on him. " Now," says he,
" art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's
blood from thy hand. When thou tillest the ground it shall not henceforth yield unto
ihee her strength ; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth."
The wretched criminal, struck with the severity of this denunciation, convinced of
the atrocious nature of his offence, and deploring the misery of his situation, ex
claimed, " My punishment is greater than I can bear." He was apprehensive of
meeting with worse evils than his sentence ,really imported ; and that he should not
only feel the miseries of banishment, but likewise be subjected to the loss of his life
by the hands of his fellow-creatures. But, to ease his mind in this last respect, the
Almighty was pleased to declare to him, that whoever should slay him, vengeance
should be taken on them seven fold. He likewise set a particular mark on him,
whereby he might escape his supposed danger ; for it was the divine intent to punish
nim by the prolongation of his life, during the remainder of which h ; should be
loaded with infamy, and under all the horrors of a guilty conscience.
In consequence of the divine sentence, Cain left his parents and relations, and
went into a strange country. He was banished from that sacred spot where the
Almighty had given frequent manifestations of his glorious presence ; and though by
the divine decree no person was permitted to hurt him, yet the consciousness of his
own guilt made him fearful of everything he saw or heard. After wandering about
* The reason why the offering of Abel was preferred to that of Cain, is given In the Epistle to the Heb.
11 : 4: "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain." It was faith that made his
offering more acceptable. As Abp. Magee has remarked, " His faith was especially superior, as being not
directed to God alone, but also to the great Redeemer, promised immediately after the fall, whose expiatory
death was typified by animal sacrifice ; by offering which Abel evinced his faith in the great sacrifice 01 tht
Redeemer prefigured by it. Such faith was what Cain wanted. His offering was a mere recognition of
God as a Creator and Benefactor, such as any unrighteous man might offer. — Ed.

52 AN ILLUSTRATED
a considerable time through different countries, he at length settled with nis family
in the land of Nod. Here he lived for a course of years, in which time his descend
ants being greatly increased, in order to keep them together, he built a city, and
called it after the name of his son Enoch, which, in the Hebrew tongue, signifies a
dedication. From the loins of Cain, in regular succession, came Lamech, the son of Methu+
selah, who introduced polygamy by marrying two wives, the one named Adah, and
the other Zillah. Among the. children by the former of these wives he had two
sons, namely, Jabal and Jubal, the first of whom made great improvements in the
management of cattle, and the other invented the psaltery, and first gave melody to
music. By Zillah he had Tubal-Cain, who was celebrated for his great strength,
excelled in martial exercises, and first discovered the art of forging and polishing
metals. Lamech had likewise a daughter called Naamah (which denotes fair and
beautiful), who is supposed to have been the first person that found out the art of
spinning and weaving.
Having said thus much of Cain and his posterity, we must now return to our
primitive parents, Adam and Eve. The death of the. righteous Abel and the banish?
ment of Cain afflicted them to the heart ; and they continued some time in the
deepest lamentation. At length the Almighty was pleased to alleviate their afflic
tion by a promise that they should have another son, who should be a comfort and
consolation to them in their old age. Accordingly, in the proper course of time, Eve
was delivered of another boy, whom they called Seth, which signifies substitute, or
appointed, because God was pleased to send him instead of " Abel, whom Cain slew."
At this time Adam was one hundred and thirty years old, after which he lived eight
hundred years, and begat several other children, both sons and daughters.
The male posterity of Adam, in the line of Seth, was as follows: —
When Seth was one hundred and five years old, he had a son named Enos, in
whose days the sacred historian informs us that men began to institute stated- forms
and ceremonies in the worship of Almighty God. After the birth of Enos, Seth lived
eight hundred and seven years, so that the whole of his life was nine hundred and
twelve years.
Enos, at the age of ninety, had a son, whom he named Cainan ; after which he
lived eight hundred and fifteen years; in the whole nine hundred and five. ¦
Cainan, when seventy, had a son named ¦ Mahalaleel ; after which he lived eight
hundred and forty years ; in all nine hundred and ten.
Mahalaleel, when sixty-five^ had a son named Jared ; after which he lived eighi
hundred years ; in all eight hundred and sixty-five.
Jared, when one hundred and sixty-two, had a son named Enoeh;* after which he
lived eight hundred years ; in all nine hundred and sixty-two.
Enoch, when sixty- five, had a son named Methuselah ; after which he lived- three
hundred years; in all three hundred and sixty-five.
Methuselah, when one hundred and eighty-seven, had a son named Lamech ; after
which he lived seven hundred and eighty-two years; in all nine hundred and sixty-
nine. Lamech, when one hundred and eighty-two, had a son named Noah ; after which
he lived five hundred and ninety-five years ; in all seven hundred and seventy-seven.
And Noun, when five hundred years old, had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japhet;,
from whom the world was replenished after the general deluge. ''
This is the genealogy which Moses gives us of the posterity of Adam, in the line
of Seth ; and if we consider the prodigious length of men's lives in this age, the
strength of their constitutions from a temperate life, and the advanced years inwhieh
ihey begat children, the number of inhabitants previous to the flood must have been
very immense.
The descendants of Seth, and those of Cain, lived separate for a considerable time,
the former despising the latter on account of their natural cruelty. The Sethites,
who adhered to the service pf God, and- diligently attended to their religious duties,
were styled the " Sons of God ;" in distinction to which the descendants of Cain,
who led profligate and impious lives, were termed the " sons and daughters of men."
-,* Of all the posterity of Adam, the most remarkable is Enoch, who, for his distinguished piety and vir
tue, was exempted from mortality, being immediately, that is, without passing through the valley of the
shadow of death, translated to the heavenly mansions D '

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 53
After the death of Adam,* the Sethites retired from the piam where they had
hitherto resided, to the mountains opposite paradise ; and, for some time, continued
to live in the fear of God, and to preserve the strictest rules of piety and virtue. In
the course of time, the descendants of Cain, who were now become very numerous,
spread themselves over all that part of the country which had been left by the Seth
ites, even to the confines of the mountains where Seth had fixed his abode'; and here
they continued that abandoned course of life they had followed before their removal.
By this close connexion, the Sethites had frequent opportunities of seeing the
daughters of Cain, who being exceeding beautiful, they were so captivated with
their charms, that they entered into nuptial alliances with them ; and from this
intercourse were born men of a very gigantic size, who were no less remarkable for
their daring wickedness, than for their bold and adventurous undertakings. Thus
did the example of the wicked family of Cain prevail, and, by degrees, destroy all
the remains of religious duties in the posterity of Seth. The righteous Noah used
his utmost efforts to convince them of the enormity of their conduct ; but all his
admonitions were in vain : the bent of their thoughts had taken another turn, and
their whole study and contrivance was, how to gratify their inordinate passions.
This universal depravity of mankind so offended the Almighty, that, as the sacred
historian informs us, he " repented that he had made man on the earth "t and, as
a proper punishment for their offences, thought of destroying not only the whole of
the human race (Noah and his family excepted), but also the brute creation, which
he had formed for the use of ungrateful man. But before the Almighty fixed the
resolution of executing his design, he thought proper to give one chance to the prin
cipal objects of his resentment, which was, that if, in the space of one hundred and
twenty years, they should forsake their evil ways, repent, and reform, his mercy
should be at liberty to interpose and reverse their doom. This he communicated to
his servant Noah, who, for his great justice and piety, had found favor in his sight ;
and for which his family (consisting only of eight persons) were to be exempted from
the general destruction.
Notwithstanding the merciful and beneficent promises of the Almighty, yet such
was the corrupt state of mankind at this time, and so .lost were they to every sense
of virtue, that they still prosecuted their vicious courses, and subjected themselves to
the consequences of the divine displeasure. Finding, therefore, that all lenity and
forbearance tended to no purpose, except to make them more bold and licentious,
God at length made known to his servant Noah his awful determination of involving
them, and the earth they inhabited, in one general destruction, by a flood of water.
He likewise assured him that as he had, in a particular manner, testified his fidelity
to his Maker, he would take care to preserve him and his family, together with such
other creatures as were necessary for the restoration of their species from the general
calamity. To effect this, he gave him orders to make an ark, or large vessel of
gopher-wood,:): and, that it might be secured from the violence of the waves, to pitch
it both within and without. The form and dimensions of this building are thus
described by the sacred historian : " And this is the form which thou shalt make it
of: the length of the work shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty
cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. A window shalt thou make to the ark,
* The sacred historian does not inform us at what exact period Adam paid the debt of nature, nor in what
place his remains were deposited: The ancient Arabians tell us that he was buried at Hebron, in the cave
of Machpelah, which Abraham, many ages after, bought for a burying-p lace for himself and family. They
likewise say that when Adam found his .^nd approaching, he called his son Seth, and the other branches ol
his numerous family, to whom he gave a strict charge that they should always live separate, and have no
manner of intercourse with the impious family of the murderer Cain.
t This expression must not be taken In the literal sense ofthe words, for God is not the son of man thai he
should repent '; but it is a figurative expression, and adapted to our apprehensions. The meaning, therefore,
is, that as WI men were corrupt, and turning a deaf ear to his preacher Noah, the Almighty was determined
lo destroy man whom he had created.
t When we consider that 1C: and Kvnapiaoos have the same radical consonants, we are at once led to
select a species of cypress as the " gopher-wood," or rather the gopher-tree in question. The wood of the
cypress possesses an unrivalled fame for its durability, and its resistance, to those injuries which are inci
dent to other kinds of wood. The divine appointment had doubtless a reason founded in the nature of
tilings, and no better reason can be found than the matchless excellence of the wood recommended. The
rompact and durable nature of the cypress rendered it peculiarly eligible for sacred purposes : hence we
find it was employed in the construction of coffins among the Athenians, and mummy-cases among the
Egyptians. The cupressus sempervirens, a straight and elegant tree of the cone-bearing family, seems there
fore to have the best title to the credit of having furnished the material for the most important vesse' that
was ever constructed.

54 AN ILLUSTRATED
and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above ; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in
the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it."*
Having received these instructions from God, Noah,' in obedience to the divinBj
command, immediately set about the arduous work, which he finished, according tgl
God's direction, seven days before the rain began to fall, having been encouraged so
to do by an assurance from his Maker, that though he meant to destroy the world in
general, yet he would establish his covenant with him.
The ark being finished, the Almighty commanded Noah to take into it •• every
living thing of all flesh," both cattle and beasts of the field," birds and fowls of the«
air, and reptiles of all kinds ; of the unclean only one pair each, but of the cleanf**
seven pair. That he should likewise make a proper provision of food for the differ
ent animals ; and, having placed them in their respective apartments, should then
enter the ark himself, taking with him his wife, together with his sons and their
wives. All things being adjusted agreeably to the divine direction, Noah entered the ark,i
with his family, in the six hundredth year of nis age ; and on the seventeenth day of
the .second month (which was seven days after his entrance) the whole face of nature
began to wear » gloomy aspect, and to appear as if the earth was to be finally dis
solved, and <ui tnings return to their primitive chaos. The windows or cataracts of
heaven were opened, and the earth was overspread with a dreadful inundation. ' In;
vain did sinful mortals seek for prelection, or endeavor to shelter themselves from
the common destruction ; for mountains and valleys were soon alike, and every refuge
was banished their sight. For forty days and nights did the rain continue to fall,:
without the least intermission ; when at length the ark began to float, and, in pia >
cess of time, was elevated above the highest mountains. A dismal scene now pre ¦
sented itself! the earth, with all its beautiful variety of nature and art, was no
more ! nothing appeared to the sight but a watery desert, abounding with wrecks of{
the once lovely creation.!
The Almighty having thus avenged himself of a sinful world, and reflecting upon
Noah, and the poor remains of his creatures in the ark, caused a drying north wind
to arise, the flood-gates of hea-ven to be stopped, and the falling of the waters to
cease ; by which means the deluge began to abate, and the waters gradually sub
siding, in process of time the earth again appeared.
The first discovery Noah made of the cessation of the flood was, from the ark
* There is much difference of opinion about the form of the ark. The common figures are given under
the impression that it was intended to be adapted 'to progressive motion; whereas no other object was
sought than to construct a vessel which should float for a given time .upon the water. For this purpose it
was not necessary to place the ark in a sort of boat, as in the common figures , and we may be content
with the simple idea which the text gives, which is that of an enormous oblong box, or wooden house,.;
divided into three stories, and apparently with a sloping roof. The most moderate statement ^.f its d imen-
eions makes the ark by far the largest of vessels ever made to Moat upon the water. As the measurements '
are given, the only doubt is as to which of the cubit measures used by the Hebrews is here intended. It
beema that the standard of the original cubit was the length of a man' s arm from the elbow to the end of,
the middle finger, or about eighteen inches. This was the common, cubit ; but there was also a sacred cubit,.
which some call a hand's breadth (three inches) larger than the common one; while others make tho;
sacred cubit twice the length of the common The probability is, that there were two cubit measures be-.
side the common; one, being of twenty-one inches, and. the other, of three feet. Some writers add the
geometrical cubit of nine feet. Shuckford says we must take the common or shortest cubit as that for the'
nrk ; and Dr. Hales, taking this advice, obtained the following result: " It must have been ofthe burden
of 42,413 tons. A first>rate man-of-war is between 2,200 and 2.300 tons ; and,' consequently, the capacity or '
stowage of eighteen such ships, the largest in present use, and might carry 20,000 men, with provisions for.
six months, besides the weight of 1,800 cannon and all military stores. It was then by much the largest ship!
ever built" '
t The Deluge.— Prom the Original by Nicholas Ponssin..— Several great masters have treated this subject^
hut none of their productions have acquired the .celebrity of our engraving by Poussin. All others havnl
chosen but partial scenes or episodes— either the beginning or the end— ot this terrible infliction.,;
Poussin alone has ventured to embody , the whole of this all-engulfing cataclysm, and show its frightful^
catastrophe ; he alone has dared to render that tremendous sentence : " All flesh died that, moved upoll^
the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the ¦!
earth, and every man." The air is laboring with the full-swollen clouds; the raiu descends in torrent*,'
the sun. obscured, throws but a dim and feeble light ; the overwhelming floods have long confounded tho >
hills with the plains, and already reached the summits of the highest mountains. The foaming waves ffi\
tin) centre of the awful scene, rolling in irresistible volumes, dash against the rock the frail bark of ami
who had vainly leaped thereon to And a refuge, and now raises his Imploring hands to inexorable Heaven.
In front a family are still struggling to escape their fate-; while the ark floats away in the distance. Never,
was execution more adapted to its subject— abounding in gloomy and terrific images presented with appal
ling truth. This chef d'oeuvre was the last labor of Poussin : he finished it in 1664," at the age of 70 and died
In the following year. 6 '

66 AN ILLUSTRATED
resting on the mountains of Ararat.* This was about the beginning of May, and
about the middle of the following month the tops of the mountains appeared. But
Noah (who, no doubt, was glad to see the appearance of anything .ubstantial after
so long a confinement), wisely considering, that though the mountains were visible,
the valleys might be yet overflowed, waited forty days longer before he attempted
any further discovery. At the expiration of that time, opening the window of tht
ark, he let go a raven, supposing that the scent of dead bodies would allure him to
fly a considerable distance. Encouraged by the absence of the raven for seven days,
he let fly a dove, which, finding no resting-place, returned to its old habitation.
Seven days after he sent out ilie same bird, which then returned with an olive-branch
in its mouth, a happy certainty that the waters were removed from the place where
the olive-tree stood. Still, however, determined not to be too hasty, he remained in
the ark seven days more, when sending out the dove a third time, and she not return
ing, he concluded that the waters were entirely withdrawn. In consequence of this
he made the necessary preparations for leaving the ark ; but, mindful of God's
directions, ventured not forth till fifty-five days after, in order that the earth might
be properly dry for his reception. Having, at the expiration of that period, received
God's positive command to leave the ark, he accordingly came out of it on the
twenty-seventh day of the second month, bringing with him every creature that had
been retained for replenishing the earth. Thus ended Noah's long and melancholy
confinement, which, from the time of his entering the ark to that of his leaving it,
amounted exactly to one solar year.
The first thing Noah did, after quitting the ark, was to erect an altar, on which he
offered sacrifices to God, for his great goodness in preserving him and his family
from the general destruction. The Almighty, knowing the purity of Noah's inten
tions, was so well pleased with his conduct, that he gave him his, divine assurance
that he would never more "curse the ground for man's sake," nor should the earth
ever be again destroyed by a general deluge. In confirmation of this, he appointed
a bowl to appear in the heavens as a token, and which was now to be the ratifica
tion of the truth of his promise.
Having, by this divine promise, eased the mind of Noah, who was fearful of a
second deiuge, the Almighty, after blessing him and his sons, granted them many
singular privileges, such as far exceeded, thosi ne had bestowed on our primitive
parents. Before the flood, mankind had no other food than vegetables; but now the
Almighty, after giving Noah and his sons the same dominion over the creation as
he had done Adam, permitted them to kill any creatures they thought proper for
food, only with this restriction, that they should not eat " the blood thereof." This
restraint was certainly laid by God to prevent the shedding of human blood, against
which he denounces the following sentence: "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by
• It is generally admitted that the mountain on which the ark rested lies in Armenia ; although there are
some who contend that it must be sought in Cashgar, on the extension eastward of the great Caucasian
chain. The investigations of recent Biblical critics have, however, tended to strengthen the original con
viction in favor of the Armenian mountain. The particular mountain to-which people of different nations
and religions concur in awarding this distinction is situated in N. lat. 39° 30', and E. long. 44° 30', in the
vast chain of Taurus, and nearly in the centre between the southern extremities of the Black and the
Caspian seas. Its summit is elevated 17,260 feet aboye the level of the sea, and is always covered with
"now, as indeed is the whole mountain, for three or four months in the year. It is a very grand object,
oeing not merely a high summit in a chain of elevated mountains, but standing as it were apart and alone ,
the minor mountains, which seern to branch out from it and decline away in the distance, being so per
fectly insignificant in comparison, that the sublime effect of, this most magnificent mountain is not at all
impaired, or its proportions hidden by them. This great mountain is separated into two heads, distin
finished as the Great and Little Ararat, which perhaps accounts for the plural expression, " mountains,1 -
of the text. The heads form distinct cones, separated by a wide chasm or glen, which renders the distance
between the two peaks 12,000 yards. One of them is much smaller than tire other, and Conns a more
regular and pointed cone : it is also much lower, and its summit is clear of snow in summer. The Arme
nians, wlio have many religious establishments in its vicinity, regard the mountain with intense veiibiation,
and aie firmly persuaded that the 'ark is still preserved on its summit
t " / do ret my bow in the cloud."— The rather equivocal sense of the woid " set" in English has occa
sioned a very mistaken impression, which has led to some cavils, which the use of the more proper won)
" appoint" would have prevented. As it stands.it has been understood to say that the rainhcv was at this
lime first produced: whereas, as its appearance is occasioned by the immutable laws of refraction and
reflection, as applied to the rays of the sun striking on drops of falling rain, we know that the phenomenon
must have been occasionally exhibited Irom the beginning of the world, as at present constituted. Accord
ingly, the text says no more than that the rainbow was then appointed to be a token of the covenant
r.etween God and man. Our engraving is a view of Mount Ararat, from tht. hills above; Er-ivan, drawn
by A' W Ca'catt 'rorn a ske'.ch made on the spot by J. Morier, Esq

HISTORY OP THE BIBLE.

57

liiiliyMiiiiiiiiH

58 AN ILLUSTRATED
man shall his bKod be shed." With these grants and promises, God gave the same
encouragement to Noah and his family that he did to our first progenitors, by telling
them to " be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth."
Though the deluge had destroyed all the inhabitants of the earth (except what
were retained in the ark for forming the new world), yet the vegetable part of the
creation still existed, and, in a short time, by the genial warmth of the sun, again
appeared in all its glory.
Previous to the flood, Noah had directed his attention to husbandry,* and the
earth having now resumed its former appearance, he betook himself to the same
employment. Among other improvements, he planted a vineyard, and, prompted
by natural curiosity to taste the fruit of his own labor, invented a machine for ex
tracting the juice from the grape. Pleased with the taste of the liquor, and being
unacquainted with the strength of it, he unwisely gave a loose to indulgence, and,
by diinking too freely, became quite intoxicated. In consequence of this, he laid
himself down to sleep in his tent, where, either from the rustling ofthe wind, or the
discomposure of his body, he was uncovered on thai, part which natural modesty-
teaches us to conceal.
This circumstance produced the first instance of human degeneracy after the flood.
The old world was destroyed for the wickedness of its inhabitants, and therefore il
might have been expected that the new world would have been filled with people
of a better disposition : but, as in the ark there were unclean as well as clean beasts,
so in the family of Noah there were two good sons and one naturally wicked, the
two former being Shem and Japhet, and the latter Ham.
The unseemly situation of Noah, from his istoxication, was first discovered by
this wicked son, who, instead of covering his. father's nakedness and concealing his
shame, exposed his weakness, and made him the subject of his scorn and derision.
But his brothers were far from being pleased with his conduct : possessed of filial
piety, and moved at the indecent posture of their aged parent, they ho sooner saw
him than they ran and fetched a garment, and immediately covered that nakedness
wrhich their pious modesty would not permit them to behold.
When Noah recovered from the stupefaction into which the wine had thrown
him, and was informed of the unworthy manner in which his son Ham had treated
him, he cursed his race, in the person of Canaan, his grandson : " Cursed," said he,
"be Canaan: a servant of servants shall he be to his brethren." On the contrary,
reflecting how respectfully his other two sons behaved, he rewarded their pious care
with giving each his blessing; all which, in process of time, was fulfilled in their
posterity. These are all the particulars given us by the sacred historian relative to Noah,
except that he lived three hundred and fifty years after the deluge, and paid the
debt of nature at the age of nine hundred and fifty. At what exact period he died
we are not informed, neither the place of his interment; but,- according to oriental
tradition, his remains were deposited in some part of Mesopotamia.

CHAPTER III.
SETTLEMENT AND GENEALOGY OF NOAH'S DESCENDANTS.
It is not in the least to be doubted but that Noah and his family, for some years
after the flood, continued to reside in the neighborhood of the mountains of Armenia,
where the ark had rested. But his descendants, in the course of time, having a nu
merous progeny, the greater part of them quitted their primitive spot, and directing
their course eastward, came at length to the plain of Shinar, on the banks of the
river Euphrates. Attracted by the beauty of the place, the convenience of its situa
tion, and the naiural fertility of the soil, they resolved not to proceed any further
but to make this their fixed place of residence.
Having formed this resolution, in order to render themselves conspicuous to future
• It is conceived that Noah considerably advanced agriculture by inventing more suitable implements
than had previously been in use. We find no grounds for this conjecture in the text ¦ but it is bv no means
unlikely that the demand upon his mechanic ingenuity in the construction of the ark had qualified him foi
improving tho agricultural implements previously in use.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

50

tii^ii:

If'il,

II

1

fffiP1

60 AN ILLUSTRATED
generations, they determined to erect a city,* and in it a building of such stupendous
height as should be the wonder of the world. Their principal motives in doing this
were, to keep themselves together in one body, that by their united strength and
counsels, as the world increased, they might bring others under their subjection,
and thereby become masters ofthe universe.
The idea of the intended tower gave them the most singular satisfaction, and the
novelty of the design induced them to enter upon its construction with the greatest
alacrity. One inconvenience, however, arose, of which they were not apprized,
namely, there being no stone in the country wherewith to build it. But this defect
was soon supplied by the nature of the soil, .which being clayey, they soon converted
into bricks, and cemented them together with a pitchy substance, called bitumen,
the country producing that article in great abundance.
As the artificers were numerous, the work was carried on with great expedition,
and in a short time the walls were raised to a great height. But the Almighty,
being dissatisfied with their proceedings, thought proper to interpose, and totally
put an end to their ambitious project; so that this first attempt of their vanity be
came only a monument of their folly and weakness.
Though the descendants of Noah were at this time exceedingly numerous, yet
they all spoke one language.! In order, therefore, to render their undertaking inef
fectual, and to lessen the towering hopes of these aspiring mortals, the Almighty
formed the resolution of confounding their language. In consequence of this, a uni
versal jargon suddenly took place, and the different dialects caused such a distraction
* Babylon.— This city arose from the building of Babel, and became the famous capital of Chaldea. This
most celebrated metropolis of the East, enlarged by Belus, and further extended by Queen Semiramis,
about the year 1200 B. C., reached lis summit of magnificence under Nebuchadnezzar, about the year 570
B C, or when further embellished by his daughter-in-law Nitocris. Its magnitude was 480 furlongs, or 60
miles in compass, being an exact square of 15 miles on each side. It's walls were built of brick laid in
bitumen, 87 feet thick, and 350 feet high, on which were 250 towers, or, according to some, 316. The
materials for building the wall were dug from a vast ditch or moat, which was lined with brick-work, and,
being filled with water from the river Euphrates, surrounded the city as a defence. The city had-100 gates
of solid brass, one at each end of its 50 streets, 150 feet wide : these crossed the city ; so that the whole
was divided into 676 squares, four and a half furlongs on each side, around which were houses, the inner
parts being reserved for gardens, pleasure-grounds, and fields. Facing the wall, on every side, was a row
of houses, with a street between, of 200 feet wide ; and the city was divided into equal parts by 'the river
Euphrates, over which was a bridge, and at each end of it a palace, communicating wun each other under
the river by a subterraneous passage. Near to the old palace stood the tower Of Babel: this prodigious
pile, being completed, consisted of eight towers, each 75 feet high, rising o'ne upon another, witji an out
side winding staircase, to its summit, which, with its chapel on the top, reached an elevation of 660 feet,
In this chapel was a golden image 40 feet high, valued at $17,500,000,r&nd the wiiole;of the sacred utensils
were reckoned worth $200,000,000 ! Besides these wonders; were ' the hanging gardens, ou a series of
elevated terraces, the tpperrnost equalling the height of the city walls, and having a reservoir, supplied
by a machine witli water from the river. This great work was designed by Nebuchadnezzar to represent
a hilly country, for' the gratification of his wife Amytis, a native of Media. Babylon liouris'hed for nearly
200 years in this scale of grandeur ; during which idolatry, pride, cruelty, and every abomination, prevailed
among all ranks of the people ; when God, by his prophets, denounced its utter ruin, and which was
accordingly accomplished, commencing with Cyrus taking the city, alter a siege of two years, in the yeai
538 B. C, to emancipate the Jews, as foretold by the prophets. By successive' overthrows, tllis once
" glory of the Chaldees' excellency," this " lady of kingdoms," has become a " desolation," " without an
inhabitant," a*nd its temple a vast heap of rubbish ! Daniel ii. vi., Isaiah xiii. xiv., Jeremiah 1. Ii. " Birs
Nemroud," as the ancient tower of Babel is called, Mr. Rich says, " is a mound of an oblong form, the
total circumference of which is 762 yards. At the eastern side it is cloven by a deep furrow, and is not
more than 50 or 60 feet high ; hut on the western side it rises in a conicai figure to the elevation of 196
feet, and on its summit is a soliu pile of brick, 37 feet high by 28 in breadth, diminishing in thickness to the
top, which is broken and irregular, and rent by a large fissure extending through a third of its height. It
is perforated by small holes, disposed in rhomboids. The fire-burnt bricks of whicli it is built have inscrip
tions on them ; and so excellent is the cement, which appears to be lime-mortar, that lt is nearly impossible
to extract one whole. The other parts of the summit of tllis hill are occupied by immense fragments of
brick-work, of no determinate figure, tumbled together, and converted into solid .vitrified masses, as if
they had undergone the action of the fiercest fire, or had been blown up with gunpowder, the layers of
brick being perfectly discernible.'' These ruins proclaim the divinity of the Holy Scriptures !
t Language, or human speech, Genesis xi. 1 : this most certainly was originally given to our first
parents by the inspiration of God, who, therefore, exercised Adam in giving names to the creatures, Oen.
.i. J9, 20. Learned men call the most ancient language the " Shernitish," as spoken by the descendants
of Shem, the son of Noah. This, however, was soon divided into tliree dialects : many other languages
are now found to exist, Daniel iii. 4 ; of which the origin is declared in the Bible to have been effected by
trie Divine interposition at Babel, Genesis xi. 7. The Shernitish dialects were : 1. Aramaean, spoken in
Syria, Mesopotamia, and Chaldea, subdivided into the Syriac and Chaldee dialects. 2. Hebrew or Canaan
itish dialect, spoken in Phenicia and its colonies. 3. Arabic, spoken with variations in Arabia and Ethiopia.
Hebrew bears marks of being the most ancient of the oriental languages ; and in it the Old Testament,
which contains the most ancient records in existence, was written, except Daniel, ii. 4, vii. 28, Ezra iv. 8.
vi. 18, vii. 12-26. The New Testament was written in the Greek language. Seventy-two distinguished
languages are spoken of; but five which are the chief, viz. Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Germanic, and Sclavonic.
The English is a compound of all these, and, with the French, is most esteemed. Ours, it seems probable,
is destined by Divine Providence to become the universal language of mankind, through the intelligence.
Influence, and Christian missions of Great Britian and *rnerica.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 61
of tl ought, that, incapable of understanding or making known to each other their
respective ideas, they were thrown into the utmost disorder. By this awful stroke
of divine justice they were not only deprived of prosecuting their intended plan, but
of the greatest pleasure a social being can enjoy, namely, mutual converse and
atrreeable intercourse. We are not, however, to suppose that each individual had a
peculiar dialect or language to himself, but only the several tribes or families, which
are supposed to have Been about seventy in number. These, detaching themselves
according to their respective dialects, left the spot, which, before the consequences
of their presumption, they had considered as the most delightful on earth, and took
up their temporary icsidences in such places as they either pitched on by choice, or
were directed to by chance.
Thus did the Almighty not only defeat the designs of those ambitious people, but
likewise accomplished his own, by having the world more generally inhabited than
it otherwise would have been. The spot on which- they had begun to erect their
tower was, from the judgment that attended so rash an undertaking, called Babel.*
, The confusion of tongues, and dispersion of the family of Noah, happened one
hundred and one years after the flood, as is evident from the birth of Peleg, the son
of Eber, who was the great-grandson of Shem, and born in the one hundred and first
year after that memorable period. He received his name from this singular circum
stance, the word Peleg, in the Hebrew language, signifying partition or dispersion.
The descendants of Noah being now dispersed, in process of time, from their great
increase, they scattered themselves to distant parts of the earth, and, according to
their respective families, settled in different parts of the world. Some took up their
residence in Asia, some in Africa, and others in Europe. But by what means they
obtained possession of the several countries they inhabited, the sacred historian has
tiot informed us. It is, however, natural to suppose, that their respective situations
did not take place from chance, but mature deliberation ; and that a proper assign
ment was made of such and such places, according to the divisions and subdivisions
of the different families.
In order to ascertain a proper idea of the manner in which the world was popu<-
lated after the flood, and confusion of tongues, we shall give the genealogy of Noah's
three sons, and describe the respective parts of the earth possessed by their descend-
ants ; in doing which, we shall, agreeably to the manner of Moses, begin with those
of Japhelh, who, though usually mentioned last, was the eldest son of Noah.
It is to be observed that the grand-children of Noah made it an invariable rule to
give their own names to the countries of which they became possessed, and where
they settled, in order to perpetuate their memories to future posterity.
The sons of Japheth were seven in number, who spread themselves over Asia,
from the mountains Taurus and Auranus to the river Tanais, and then entering
Europe, penetrated as far as Spain, distinguishing the countries, as they proceeded,
by their own proper appellations, viz. :f Gomer gave title to the Gomorites, now
called Galatians, or Gauls, by the Greeks. Magog founded the Magogites, since
styled Scythians, or Tartars. From Media originated the Medeans or Medes. Ja-
van was the founder of the Ionians and Greeks in general. Tubal, of the Iberians,
or Spaniards : and Mashech, of the Meschinians or Cappadocians : and Tiras, of the
Thiraeans or Thracians.
Gomer had three sons, the eldest of whom, Ashkanaz, took possession of Ascania
(which is part of the Lesser Phrygia). The second son, named Riphah, possessed
* Babel (confusion or mixture), a tower commenced, as is generally supposed, during the life of Noah,
under the direction of Nimrod, a grandson of Ham, and about A. M. 1770, or 113 years after the
deluge, though some place this work two or three hundred years later, Genesis x. 10, xi. 1-9. Nimrod is
.believed to have formed a system of .idolatry for his adherents, designing, by this means, to establish a
national union under his government, thereby frustrating the Divine designs, which required their disper
sion, to repeople the earth. This impious attempt occasioned their miraculous confusion of speech, on
which account the building ceased, and the purpose of God was accomplished in the replenishing of the
world by the scattered people. How far the work had proceeded we are not informed ; but it is believed
that, besides three vears in preparing materials, twenty-two had been expended in the undertaking, and
that the tower had been carried up several stories, laying the foundation for the city of Babylon.
+ Several of these nations stil! retain the names given them by their founder ; others have lost their
original appellations : and some are distinguished by terms corruptee from the primitive denominations.
The Greeks principally occasioned these innovations ; for, when power gave them importance, they arro
gated to themselves the glory of antiquity ; corrupted the names of other nations to give them a muie
modem appearance ; and pretended that, from the emigrations ol their predecessors, the surrourdinj
realms were peopled, for which reason they took the liberty iu prescribe laws for their observance, as thej
had invented appellations for then distinction.

62 AN ILLUSTRATED
himself of the Riphaan mountains; and Togarmah, the third son, took Galatia and
part of Cappadocia.
Javan had four sons, namely, Elishah, who seated himself in Peloponnesus ; Tar-
shish, in part of Spain; Kittim, in Italy; and Dodanim, in France.
By these, and the colonies which, in process of time, proceeded from them, nol
only a considerable part of Asia, but all Europe, with the adjacent islands, were
well stocked with inhabitants descended from Japheth, who, though thus dispersed
spoke the same language, and, for a time at least, preserved a correspondence with
the respective tribes or families to which they originally belonged.
The descendants of Shem, the second son of Noah (from whom originated the
Hebrew nation), were five sons, who possessed themselves of those parts of Asia
which extend from the Euphrates to the Indian ocean. Elam, the eldest, took pos
session of a country in Persia, at first called after himself, but, in the time of Daniel,
it obtained the name of Susiana-. Ashur founded the Assyrian empire, in which he
buih several cities, particularly one called Nineveh;* Arphaxad founded Chaldea;
* Ninevkh. Nineveh was the capital of the ancient kingdom and empire of Assyria. It is first mentioned
in the O. T. in connexion with the primitive dispersion of the human race. Ashur, or according to the
opinion of some, Nimrod, migrating from the land of Shinar, founded this city, which is supposed to have
heen first peopled by a colony from. Babylon. It was built on the east bank of the Tigris, nearly opposite
Mosul, in N. Lat. 36° 20'; E. Lon. 43° 10'.
This once splendid and populous city, the first notice of which is found in Genesis, B, C. 2218 years, is not
mentioned again until the time of the book of Jonah, the eighth century B. C. The prophet Nahum, B. C.
645, directs his prophecies against Nineveh. Sennacherib waa slain there, when worshipping in the temple
of Nisroeh, his god. Zephaniah, B. G. 630, speaks of the city in connexion with Assyria (2 : 13) ; and thie is
the last mention of Nineveh as an existing city. Its destruction took place, as appears from the concurrence
of Biblical and classical history, about 600 years B. C. It was then laid waste, its monuments destroyed,
and its inhabitants dispersed. It never recovered from its ruins.
Previous tp modern researches and excavations, the ruins, which occupied the supposed site of Nineveh,
consisted apparently in irregular mounds of earth and' rubbish, with traces of dilapidated walls and sun-
dried bricks. Some of these mounds were of enormous dimensions, varying from 50 to 150 feet in height.
Tlie discoveries made by recent explorers are of very great historic value, more especially as they stand
related to the Bible history and prophecy. The first traveller who explored the ruins which marked the
site of ancient Nineveh was Mr. Rich, political resident of the British government in Bagdad, in 1820. No
attempt at a thorough and systematic exploration was made till M. Botta, French consul at Mosul, was
commissioned by his government to explore those ruins more fully, which he did in 1843. His discoveries
were followed, between the years 1845 and 1850, by Mr. Layard, who found the 'ruins of several edifices^
consisting of a number of halls, chambers, and galleries, panelled with sculptured and inscribed alabaster
Blabs, and opening iuto each other by doorways, formed by pairs of colossal, human-headed, winged bulls or
lions. By the aid ofthe inscriptions, which have been decyphered, there have been recognized' the names
of Sardanapalus, Shalmanezer, Essarhaddon, and Sennacherib, builders of these magnificent palaces, now
exhumed after having been buried for centuries.
The palaces, sculptures, inscriptions, paintings, and other relics discovered, are, in a most striking man
ner, illustrative and confirmatory of the prophecies contained in the books of Nahum and Zephaniah. Nahum
threatens the utter destruction of the city : " With an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the
place thereof." " He will make an utter end; affliction, shall riot rise up the second time." (1 : 8, 9.) "Thy
people is scattered upon the mountains, and no one gathereth them. There is no healing of thy bruise," (3:
18, 1S>.) The overrunning flood," and the allusion to the overflow of the river, contained in 2: 6, "The
gates of the rivers shall be opened," is believed by some commentators to have been fulfilled, when (he
Medo-Baby Ionian army captured the city, the walla having been partly undermined by an extraordinary
overflow of the Tigris. The city was to be iu part destroyed by Are. " The fire shall devour thy bars,
"then shall the fire devour thee." (3: 13, 15.) It has been found that some of the palaces had been
destroyed by fire. The population was to be surprised when unprepared ; — " while they are drunk as drunk
ards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry." (1 ; 10.) Diodortis states that the last and fatal assault
was made when they were overcome with wine. Nineveh, after its fall, was to be " empty, and void, and
waste" (2: 10); "it shall come to pass, that all they that look upon thee, shall flee from thee, and say,
Nineveh is laid waste.1' (3 : 7.) This language describes the present state of the site of the city. Many
allusions in the O. T. to the dress, arms, modes of warfare, and customs of the people of Nineveh, as well as
of the Jews, are explained by the Nineveh monuments. Thus (2: 3) "the shield of his mighty men is
made red, the valiant men are in scarlet." The shields and the dresses of the warriors are generally painted
red in the Scriptures. The glowing description of the assault upon the city (3 : 1, 2, 3) is illustrated in
almost every particular. The mounds,' the battering-ram, the various kinds of armor, helmets, shields,
spears, and swords used in battle during a siege, and chariots and horses, are all seen in various bas-reliefs.
The interior decoration, of Assyrian palaces is described by Ezekiel, himself a captive in Assyria, and an
eye-witness of their magnificence (28 ; 14, 15); a description strikingly illustrated by the sculptured like
nesses of Assyrian kings and warriors.
The Assyrian inscriptions, discovered on the exhumed monuments and palace walls of Nineveh, usually
contain brief chronicles of the king who built or restored the edifice in which they are found, records of hie
wars and expeditions and conquests. The most important inscription hitherto discovered in connection
with Biblical history, is that upon a pair of colossal human-headed bulls, now in the British Museum, con
taining the records of Sennacherib, and describing his wars with Hezekiah. Many Biblical names have
been found in the Assyrian inscriptions. Among these names are found those of three Jewish kings, viz.,
Jehu, Menahem, and Hezekiah.
Important results in relation to Biblical^ history have been already realized from the discoveries made
among the long-buried ruins of ancient Niueveh, and important additional results may be anticipated from
future researches. As appears from au article in Dr. Smith's Dictionary o- the Bible, from which many of
the above facts are derived, " a list of nineteen or twenty kings can already be compiled, and the annals of
the greater number of them will probably be restored to the history of one of the most powerful empires
vf i he ancient world, and which appears to have exercised perhaps greater influomx than any othet apou

HISTORY OF THE BIRLE.

63

::wir:*

64 AN ILLUSTRATED
Lud, Lydia ; and Aram that part of Syria which extends itself to the Mediterrai eau
seas. Aram had four sons, namely, Uz, who seated himself in the country called Da
mascus ; Hul took possession of Armenia ; Mash, of the mountain Masius ; Gether,
of a part of Mesopotamia.
Arphaxad was the father of Salah, whose son Eber gave name to the Hebrew
nation. Joctan, the nrst-born of Eber, had thirteen children, all of whom settled
themselves in that part of the world which is situated between Syria and the river
Cophene in Judea. The youngest son of Eber was Peleg, who, as we have before
observed, was so called because, at the time of his birth, the dispersion of the people
took place.
The descendants of Ham (the youngest son of Noah) were four sons, namely,
Cush, who took up his residence in that part of Armenia lying towards Egypt;
Mizraim,* in both Upper and Lower Egypt ; Phutt, in part of Lybia ; and Canaan,
in that part of the country which was afterward called by his name.
Cush, the eldest son of Ham, had several children, namely, Seba, who settled on
the southwest of Arabia; Havilah fixed himself in that part ofthe country situated
on the river Pison, where it leaves the Euphrates, and runs into the Arabian Gulf;
Saptah took up his residence on the same shore, a little to the north of his brother
Havilah ; Raamah and Rabtecha, together with the two sons of the former (namely,
Sheba and Dedan), settled themselves on the same coast, farther to the east; and
Nimrod, the last son of Cush, was founder of the Babylonish empire.
Besides the three sons of Mizraim (who, after the death of their father, divided
nis ierritory into three parts), he had three others, namely, Ludim and Lehabim,
who peopled Lybia; and Caslubim, who seated himself at Castisots, near the en
trance of Egypt from Palestine. Caslubim had two sons, namely, Philistim and
Caphthorim, the former of whom established the country of the Philistines, between
the borders of Canaan and the Mediterranean sea ; and the latter, after his father's
death, took possession of his territories.
The sons of Canaan were, Sidon, the founder of the Sidonians, who lived in Phoe
nicia; Heth, the founder ofthe Hittites, who lived near Hebron; Emor, the founder
ofthe Amorites, who lived in the mountains of Judea; and Arva, the founder ofthe
Arvadites.t who resided near Sidon. But whether the other sons of Canaan settled
ji this country 01 not, can not be ascertained with any certainty ; only this we know,
that they must have taken up their residence somewhere between Sidon and Gerar,
md Adman and Zoboim ; those places being the boundaries of the land they pos
sessed. Thus we find that, in the first dispersion of the people over the world, the de
scendants of Japheth not only possessed all Europe, but also a considerable portion
)f Asia. The posterity of Shem had in their possession part of the Greater and
Lesser Asia, and probably all the countries to the east, as far as China. The de
scendants of Ham possessed all Africa, with a great part of Asia.
the subsequent condition and development of civilized man. The only race now found near the ruins of
Nineveh or in Assyria, which may have any claim to be considered descendants from the ancient inhabitants
ofthe country are the so-called Chaldean or Nestorian tribes, inhabiting , the mountains of Koordistan, the
plains round the lake Ooroomiyah, in Persia, and a few villages in the neighborhood of Mosul." — Ed.
* After the death of Mizraim (who was king of Egypt), the country he possessed was, by three of his
sons, divided into as many kingdoms, viz : Ananim was king of Tanis, or lower Egypt, called afterward
Delta ; yapthulim, of Naph, or Memphis, in Upper Egypt ; and Pathrvstm founded the kingdom of Pathros
or Thebes in Thebais.
t The Arvadites are said by Josephus to have occupied and given their name to the small island of
Aradus, called Arvad and Arphad in the Scriptures 12 Kings xix. 13 ; Ezekiel xxvii. 8); and the inhabitants
of which are by Ezekiel mentioned along with the Sidonians, as taking an active part in the maritime
commerce of Tjre. This island, which is about one league from the shore, and not above a mile in
circumference. Ultimately became the port and chief town of this enterprising and prosperous section of
the Phoenician people ; and there was a time when even Romans regarded with admiration its lofty houses,
built with more stories than those of Rome, and its cisterns hewn in therock. All this, except the cisterns
and some fragments ol wall, has passed away ; but Arvad is still the seat of a town, and, being a mart of
transit, Its inhabitants are still engaged in commerce. Though the island was the favorite seal of the
people, as their wealth and peace were there safe from the wars and troubles of the continent, and their
ahipping needed not to hazard the dangers of the coast, they were by no means without possessions on the
mam land ; for their dominion along the shore extended from Tortosa [also Tartous, anciently Antaradnsi
which lay opposite their island, northward to Jebilee. They were, therefore, the most northerly of tlif
Phoenician people. See Joseph. Antiq. 1. 6 8; Strabo, Geog. v. 15, Pococke, ii. 27. Voine», ii. 14f
Buckingham's Arab Tribes. 523

HISTORY OE THE BIBLE.

65

66 AN ILLUSTRATED
But before we quit the genealogy of Noah's descendants, it will be necessary to
mention some further particulars relative to the posterity of his second son Shem,
from whom the Hebrews took their rise, and who will be found the principal objects
of the succeeding history.
About two years after the flood, at which time Shem was one hundred years old,
he had a son named Arphaxad ; after which time he lived five hundred years ; so
that the whole of his life was exactly six hundred years.
Arphaxad, when thirty-five, had a son named Salah ; after which he lived four
hundred and three years ; in all four hundred and thirty-eight.
Salah, when thirty, had a son named Eber (from whom his descendants were
called Hebrews), after which he lived four hundred aud three years ; in all four hun
dred and thirty-three.
I Eber, when thirty-four, had a son named Peleg, in whose time the earth came to
i be divided; after which he lived four hundred and thirty years; in all four hundred
and sixty-four.
Peleg, when thirty, had a son named Ren, after which he lived two hundred and
nine years ; in all two hundred and thirty-nine.
Reu, when thirty- two, had a son named Serug; after which he lived two hundred
and seven years ; in all two hundred and thirty-nine.
Serug, when thirty, had a son named Nahor ; after which he lived two hundred
years ; in all two hundred and thirty.
Nahor, when twenty-nine, had a son named Terah; after which he lived one
hundred and nineteen years ; in all one hundred and forty-eight.
Terah was the father of the first great patriarch after Noah, namely, Abraham.
He had likewise two other sons, the one called Nahor, and the other Haran. The
last of these, who was the eldest of the three, died before his father, at Ur,* in
Chaldea, the place of his nativity. He left behind him a son named Lot, and two
daughters, the elder of whom, called Milchah, was espoused to her uncle Nahor,
and the younger, named Sarai, was married to her uncle Abram.
A universal depravity of human nature now displayed itself in all parts of the
world, but more particularly in the city of Ur, where the practice of idolatry was
carried to its utmost height. In consequence of this, Terah resolved to leave his
abode, that he might no longer be an eye-witness of the iniquity of the people.
Having formed this resolution, he quitted Ur, and taking with him his son Abram
and his wife, together with his grandson Lot, set out with an intent of visiting the
land of Canaan. In his journey he stopped at a place called Haran (or Charran), a
city of Mesopotamia, where, being seized with a violent illness, he was compelled
to make it the place of his residence. The violence of the disorder prevailing over
the power of medicine, nature at length gave way, and Terah died at Haran, in the
two hundred and fifth year of his age.

CHAPTER IV.
CALL OP ABRAHAM — MIGRATION — BIRTH OF ISHMAEL.
At the close of the preceding chapter, we observed that Terah, the father ol
Abram, left his native place, in order to go into the land of Canaan. It is here to
be observed, that his conduct in this respect, certainly arose from divine direction,
» Ur of the Chaldees. — The birthplace of Abraham has been generally regarded as a town ; but such
j.i?ntalists as have of late years had occasion to express an opinion on the subject, have been rather
disposed to regard it as the name of a district. As such, there is little reason to question that it is that
which the sacred text indicates, as it comprehends both the towns in which the names mentioned in this
part of the history have been sought. Of these, one is the town called by the Syrians Urhoi, and by tho
Arabians Orfah, or Urfah, which the Moslems firmly believe to be the Ur of the text ; and the Jews aroi
Christians of the country acquiesce in this conclusion. This town is situated at the foot of the mount
ains of Osroene, at the head of the great plain which was formerly so called, and is still a place of some
consideration. Cartwright says : " The air of this city is very healthful, and the country fruitful It i»
built nearly four-square, the west side standing on the side of a rocky mountain, and the east part trendetn
into a spacious valley, replenished with vineyards, orchards, and gardens. The walls are very strong,
furnished with great store of artillery, and contain in circuit three English miles ; and for the gallantness
of its sight it was once reckoned the metropolitical seat of Mesopotamia." This traveller, as well as one
who preceded him, Rauwoltf heedless of the analogy ol name, regards Urfah rather as representing Harm)
than tlr

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 67
the A.mighty having thought proper to select this family out of the rest of mankind,
by making Abram "Father ofthe faithful," or worshippers ofthe true God.
It is evident that God had revealed himself to Abram, previous to his remov-J
from Ur, as appears from the account ofthe inspired penman: "The Lord had said
unto Abram,"* &c, Gen. xii. 1. He had commanded him to leave the country in
which he resided, and to travel into another he should point out to him. He like
wise promised to make him father of a mighty people, and in him to bless all the
families on the earth.
Abram, fully persuaded, in his own mind, of the truth of the divine promise
(though he knew not the difficulties that might attend his removal, nor even the
country in which he was to settle), immediately after the decease of his father, pre
pared himself to go to the land which God should appoint, and, by a strict attention
to the divine commands, prove at once his faith and obedience.
Accordingly, taking with him his nephew Lot, his wife Sarai, and the rest of his
family, together with all his effects, he set out on his journey, which he prosecuted
with all convenient expedition, till he came (by the divine guidance) into the land
of Canaan, t Desirous of making some survey of the country, he stopped in the
plain:): of Moreh, not far from the city of Sichem, || then inhabited by the Canaanites.
Here he erected an altar, in order to pay his devotions to God, who was so well
pleased with his conduct, that he gave him fresh assurances of his favor and protec
tion, and that, in process of time, the whole land in which he then dwelt should be
possessed by his descendants.
After staying some time in the plains of Moreh, Abram removed with his family
into the more mountainous part of the country, situated between Bethel and Hai.
Here he likewise erected an altar, that he might not be deficient in the discharge
of that duty which he was conscious of owing to his great and omnipotent benefactor.
From Bethel he proceeded farther to the south ; but was interrupted in his progress
by a dreadful famine, which raged with great violence throughout the whole coun
try. In consequence of this, he formed the resolution of going to Egypt, that being
the only place where relief could be obtained under such calamities.^
Being apprized of the natural libertinism of the Egyptians, Abram was exceeding
anxious concerning his wife Sarai, fearing lest her extraordinary beauty might pro
voke their lascivious attention. Though she was at this time in the sixty-sixth year
of her age, IT yet she still retained those personal charms which, in that country,
* In what manner God revealed himself to Abram, the sacred historian has not told us. It was probably
by a voice from the Shechinah, or symbol of the Divine presence ; for St. Stephen expressly says : " The
God of Glory appeared unto him before he dwelt in Charran." Acts vii. 2.
t This country fell to the lot of Canaan, the son of Ham, to which he gave his own name. Canaan was
about 200 miles long, and nearly 80 broad, lying along the eastern border of the Mediterranean sea. David
and Solomon governed several provinces beyond the limits of Canaan, which enlarged their kingdom,
1 Kings, iv. 21-24. Canaan was bounded on the north by the mountains of Lebanon in Syria, on the east
by Arabia Deserta, on the south by the wilderness of Arabia Petrea and Idumea, and on the west by the
land of the Philistines and the Mediterranean sea. Besides the name of its first possessor, Canaan has
been variously denominated as the Land of the Hebrews, Genesis xl. 15 ; Palestine, Exodus xv. 14 , the
Land of Promise, Hebrews xi. 9; the Land of Israel, Judah, Judea, the Holy Land, Zechariah ii. 12.
Canaan has been the theatre of the most extraordinary trai.oactions which have ever taken place under
the Divine government upon earth. This is the country where the chief patriarchs walked with God-
where the theocracy of Israel was established — where the prophets received most of their divine inspira
tions — where the temple of Jehovah was erected under his special direction — where the incarnate Son of
God accomplished the work of human redemption — and where the apostles were miraculously endowed
with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, to fulfil their commission as ambassadors for Christ to invite sinners of
all nations into the kingdom of Messiah for the blessings of pardon, purity, and immortality, in the eternal
glory of God. Canaan, in the times of David and Solomon, contained a population of about 5,000,000 ; bul
now it has only about 1,500,000 inhabitants. Since the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, it has
been the scene of strange revolutions, especially during the crusades, profanely called holy wars : it nov,-
forms two wretched provinces, Acre and Damascus, under the miserable government of pachas, subject
or tributary to the sultan of Turkey. The population consists of Turks, Syrians, Bedouin Arabs, Copts,
Druses of Lebanon, Roman, Armenian, and Greek Christians, and Jews.
t The Septuagint and most other versions call it the Oali of Moreh, from a large oak that grew on it ; but
our translation renders it plain.
II THj city, after the ruin of Samaria by Salmanesar, was the capital of the Samaritans ; and Josephus
says 'I was still so in the time of Alexander the Great. It was situated ten miles from Shiloh, forty from
Jerusalem, and fifty-two from Jerichp.
t It appears from this circumstance, that Egypt had been soon formed into a kingdom after mankind
were dispersed by the confusion of languages. Its first name was Mizraim, which signifies straightness ,
it being closed on the north by the Mediterranean sea, on the west and south by mountains, and on the east
ly the Red sea, or Indian gulf. Nicolaus Damascus, a heathen author, says, that Abram went out of
Chaldea into Canaan, now called Judea, but, in consequence of a great famine raging there, he removed to
Egypt, in which were abundance of all kinds of provisions.
11 It may appear somewhat strange that Sarai should have such personal charms at so advanced an age .¦
but it must be remembered that as in those days they were longer lived than at present so their charms
were proportionally durable

68 AN ILLUSTRATED
might endanger the life of him who should pass tor her husband. After some delib
eration, Abram concluded that the safest way would be for her to conceal her mar
riage ; upon which, communicating his fears to Sarai, and she approving of his plan,
it was mutually agreed between them, that wherever they took up their residence,
instead of his wife, she should pass for his sister.
The apprehensions that Abram had formed were soon verified, after his arrival in
Egypt. The distinguished charms of his wife attracted the notice of several princi
pal Egyptians, and she soon became the subject of popular conversation. The king,
being informed of her beauty; was excited to gratify his curiosity by the sight of so
amiable a stranger. Accordingly, Sarai was, by his order, conducted to court, and
placed in the apartments allotted for his concubines. Here she remained several
days, during which Abram (her supposed brother) was treated with great civility,
and on her account (though the king had not yet seen her) complimented with many
valuable presents.
A feeling mind may, in some degree, conceive the distress each party must natu
rally be susceptible of on this trying occasion. Sarai was a beautiful woman, hi the
power of a loose and vicious monarch, and destitute of all protection but from the
hands of the Almighty. While her husband, who should be the only guardian of
tier person, dare not own her as his wife, lest the rage of lust and strength of power
should deprive him of his existence.
To relieve them from! this distressed situation, the Almighty was pleased to inter-
Eose in their behalf: and, in order to deter Pharaoh* and liis nobles from any dis-
onorab'p attempts on Sarai, he suddenly afflicted them with various diseases and
bodily infirmities. Not being able to account for this singular circumstance, they at
length suspected that it was occasioned by the confinement of Sarai, who, instead of
being the sister of Abram, must certainly be his wife. In consequence of these sus-
fiicions, the king sent for Abram, and expostulated with him on his misconduct, in
laving spread a false report, which might have, been attended with a breach on his
wife's chastity. After saying this he ordered him immediately to' quit his kingdom,
permitting him to take not only his own effects, but the presents that had been made
him in consequence of his supposed sister.
The famine in Canaan, which had occasioned Abram to go into Egypt, was hap
pily ceased ; so that his leaving the place was not only in conformity to the king's
command, but agreeable to his own inclinations. Abram directed his course the
same way he had come, and on his arrival at Bethel, where he had erected an altar,
he offered on it a sacrifice of thanks to God for his happy escape from Egypt, and
safe return into the land of Canaan.
Abram and his nephew Lot had hitherto lived with great unanimity on the same
spot ; but their families and possessions being now greatly increased, inconveniences
took place. They found themselves particularly distressed for want of provision for
their cattle, which, probably, arose partly from the late famine, and partly from the
great number of Canaanites, who possessed the most fertile parts of the land. This
want of pasture-ground occasioned frequent disputes between the herdsmen of Abram
and those of Lot ; so that the former, fearing lest the contention which prevailed
among the servants might end in a rupture between themselves, resolved, in a
friendly manner, to propose a separation from Lot. In doing this, such was his great
prudence and condescension, that, though superior in every respect to his nephew,
he gave him his choice of settlement in that part <¦'. the country he should best ap
prove. " If," says he, " thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right ;
or, if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left."
This generous and friendly proposition was readily agreed to by Lot, who, after
taking a view of the country, chose the plains near Sodom and Gomorrah, which,
being watered by the streams of Jordan,! was not only pleasant, but exceedingly
fertile. » What this king's name was, or indeed any of the Egyptian monarchs, can not be ascertained. The
name Pharaoh was a, title of dignity common to all, in the same manner as that or Caesar assumed by the
Roman Emperors.
t This river, being the principal stream of Palestine, has acquired a distinction much greater than iu
geographical importance could have given. It is sometimes cal'ed " the rver," bj way of fminence being
in fact almost the only stream ofthe country which continues to flow in summer. The river rises about an
hour and a quarter's journey (say three or three miles and a quarter) northeast from Banias, the ancienl
Caesarea Philippi, in a plain near a hill called Tel-el-kadi. Here there are two springs near each other, one
•mailer than the other whose waters very soon unite, forming a rapid river, from twelve to fifteen yard*

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

1 Ifl

70 AN ILLUSTRATED
These matters oein<,' adjusted, Abram and Lot parted, the former continuing at
Bethel, and the latter retiring to the spot he had chosen for his future residence.
Some time after Lot's departure, the Almighty, ever mindful of his faithful ser
vant Abram, again appeared to him in a vision, and not only renewed the promise
he had before made, of enlarging his posterity, but, bidding him cast his eyes round
the kingdom, confirmed the gift of all the land which he beheld, to him and his
descendants. These divine assurances were acceptably received by Abram, who, desirous of
seeing the different parts of the country promised to his posterity, removed from
Bethel, and took up his residence in the plain of Mamre, at a small distance from
Hebron. Here (as was his usual custom, wherever he pitched his tent) he erected
an altar, in order to discharge his religious duties, by offering sacrifices to the Lord
In a short time after Abram had settled himself at Mamre, by the natural affa
bility of his temper, and the respect shown him on that account, he acquired the
intimacy and friendship of some of the most considerable Canaanites, particularly
three, named Mamre, Aner, and Eschol ; the former of whom was of such importance
as to give name to the country in which he lived.
This alliance was not only agreeable to Abram, but, in the course of time, proved
infinitely serviceable, as will appear from the following circumstances. Chederlao-
mer, king of Elam, had for some years held five petty princes (of which number the
king of Sodom was one) in a tributary subjection to him. Weary with this subjec
tion, they at length determined to shake off the yoke they had so long borne ; to
effect which they confederated together, and, joining their respective forces, prepared
themselves to march against their oppressor.
The king of Elam, being informed of their intentions, resolved, if possible, to frus
trate their designs. He accordingly raised a powerful army, and, in conjunction with
three other kings, his allies, immediately advanced to meet the enemy. The revolted
kings, seeing him at a distance, took the field, with a firm resolution of trying the
fate of a pitched battle. The place allotted for determining the dispute was the
valley of Siddim, which was full of pits of bitumen, or soil of a clayey nature. For
some time the victory appeared doubtful ; but at length the five tributary kings were
put to the route : one part of their army was entirely cut to pieces, and the other
fled to the neighboring mountains, leaving their cities a prey to the conquerors. Lot,
who happened at this time ..o reside in Sodom, was involved in the calamity of the
city, being not only plundered of all his possessions, but carried away among the
rest of the captives. One of the soldiers belonging to the vanquished, happening to
make his escape, immediately hastened to Abram, to whom he related the particu
lars of the battle, and the hapless fate of his nephew. The faithful patriarch, anx
ious for Lot, determined to pursue the victors, and, if possible, not only rescue him,
but the whole of the captives. He accordingly armed all his own servants, the
number of whom amounted to three hundred and eighteen, and, accompanied by his
three friends and associates, Mamre, Eschol, and Aner, set out in pursuit of the vic
tors, whom, after a march of about seventy leagues, he overtook near Dan. Availing
himself of the covert of the night, he put his forces into proper disposition, and im
mediately charged the enemy on all quarters. So sudden and vigorous an attack on
an army fatigued with a late engagement, and revelling in the spoils of conquest,
had the desired effect, for Abram, in a short time, obtained a complete victory. Che-
derlaomer, the king of Elam, was, among many others, slain,. and his whole army
being routed, Abram's victorious party pursued them as far as Hobah, a small place
situated near Damascus. The enemy, from the great consternation into which they
had been thrown, by the suddenness of the attack, fled so precipitately, that they
left behind them not only the captives, but likewise the booty of which they had
across, which rushes over a stony bed into the lower plain, where it is joined by a river which rises to the
northeast of Baruas. A few miles below their junction the now considerable river enters the small lake ol
iloule, or Semechomtis (called " the waters of Merom" in the Old Testament). This lake receives several
other mountain-streams, some of which seem to have as good claim to be regarded as forming the Jordan
with that to which it is given in the previous statement ; and it would perhaps be safest to consider the
lake formed by their 'union as the real source of the Jordan. After leaving the lake, tho river proceeds
about twelve miles to the larger lake, called by various names, but best known as the Sea of Galilee • after
leaving which, it flows about seventy miles farther, until it is finally lost in the Dead or Salt sea It dis
charges into that sea a turbid, deep, and rapid stream, the breadth of which is from two to three hundred
feet. The whole course of the rive, is about one hundred miles in a straight line, from north to sou'h ¦ belt,
with its windings, it urobably does not describe a course of less than one hundred and fiftv miles

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 71
possessed themselves. The whole of these fell into the hands of Abram, and among
them his nephew Lot, who, being thus happily recoveretl, returned, with all his
substance, to his former habitation.
Abram having, by this conquest, signalized both his valor and fidelity, was highly
caressed by those whose cause he had so galla ltly espoused. The first person who
came to congratulate him on the occasion was ,.he king of Sodom, who, m thankful
acknowledgment of the benefits received from his important services, offered him all
his booty which he had retaken belonging to him, desiring only the restoration of
those prisoners who were his subjects. But Abram's righteous soul disdained to take
advantage of the unfortunate ; and therefore, after reserving to his associates that
part of the plunder to which their services entitled them, he restored to the king
both his subjects and property, evincing, through the whole of his conduct, the most
distinguished fidelity, intrepid courage, and inflexible justice.
The next person who congratulated Abram on his success was Melchisedek,* king
of Salem, who, on his return from the battle, accommodated both him and his men
with a refreshment of bread and wine which he had provided on the occasion. Being
a priest as well as king, he first blessed Abram for being the instrument of so public
a deliverance, and then the Almighty, for having given him such uncommon suc
cess ; in return for which, the victorious patriarch presented him with the tenth part
of the spoils he had taken from the enemy.
As Abram had now acted in the public capacity of a warrior, and might reasonably
expect that the kings whom he had routed ivould recruit their scattered forces, and
prepare for a second attack, he was fearful of the consequences. But the Almighty,
in order to fortify his mind against all disagreeable apprehensions, even from the
most potent princes of the earth, appeared to him in a vision, and informed him that
he had undertaken his defence, and would ever reward his faithfulness. " Fear not,"
says he, "Abram, I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward."
Hitherto the pious patriarch had listened to God's promises without the least
shadow of tiistrust ; but on this fresh assurance he ventured, for the first time, to
expostulate With his great protector, not knowing how these things could possibly
be accomplished, while himself continued without an heir to his body, and that, to
all appearance, he must be obliged to leave his substance to Eliezer his steward.
The troubles of Abram on this head were soon removed by the beneficence of the
Almighty, who told him that not his servant, but a son of his own, begotten of his
body, should be his heir, and that from him should descend a race as " innumerable
as the stars in heaven."
Abram was so encouraged by this joyful intelligence, that he ventured to beg of
God that he would.be pleased to give him some sensible token whereby he might be
assured of so distinguished a blessing. The Almighty thought proper to comply
with his request, and that they might enter into a formal covenant on the occasion,
ordered him to take a heifer, a goat, and a ram, each of three years old, together
with a pigeon and a turtle-dove, and offer them up as a sacrifice.
The pious patriarch readily obeyed the divine command, and, having killed the
beasts, cut them in halves, laying each opposite to the other ; but the fowls he left
whole. After doing this, he walked between the dissected bodies, making his sol
emn vows to God of perpetual obedience to his will ; and then sat himself down to
prevent birds of prey from injuring the sacrifice.
About the time of sunset Abram fell into a deep sleep, during which it was revealed
to him that he was not to expect an immediate accomplishment of the divine promise ;
for though himself was to die in peace, and at a good old age, yet his posterity were,
after that, to sojourn and be afflicted in a strange country, for the space of four hun
dred years ; after which the Almighty would not only punish their oppressors, but
would likewise safely establish them in the land he had promised.
After this revelation Abram soon awoke, and while he was reflecting on what he
had heard, the Almighty, in confirmation of the assurances he had given him, and as
a ratification of his part ofthe covenant, caused- the symbol of his divine presence tc
appear before him. It consisted of a smoking furnace and a burning lamp, which
passed between the divided pieces of the victims, and totally consumed them.
* Who this extraordinary person was, has been a subject of great dispute ; but the most rational opinion
b, that he was one of the princes of Canaan, who on account of his great piety and goodness, was calleo
Helrhizedek, which,' in the Hebrew language, signifies King of Righteousness.

72 AN ILLUSTRATED
Sarai, the wife of Abram, desired a son no less fervently than her husband. But
she had been considered barren before she left Mesopotamia ; she was now seventy-
five years of age; and she had waited ten years since their hearts were first glad
dened by the promise of an heir. She therefore thought the case was hopeless as
regarded herself; and began to reflect that, although a son had been promised to
Abram, it had not been said, and did not necessarily follow, that this -son should be
the fruit of her own womb. Explaining these views to the patriarch, she prevailed
upon him to resort to a custom of the time, of which there are still some traces in
the East, undei which the man takes a secondary wife, whose cliildren become his
undoubted heirs, equally with any other children he may have ; and if the woman is
the slave or attendant ofthe chief wife, or is provided by the chief wife, the children
are, in a legal point of view, considered hers: and, in the same point of view, the
condition of the actual mother remains unchanged, though in practice it necessarily
sustains some modification from the operation of the feelings arising from the connex
ions which are formed, especially when her children are grown up. The female
whom Sarai proposed to Abram as her substitute was her own handmaid, a woman
of Egypt, named Hagar, who may be supposed to have been one of the female slaves
whom the king of Egypt gave to the patriarch.*
In dae time it was known that Hagar had conceived, and the prospect of becoming
the mother of Abram's long-promised heir had a mischievous effect upon her mind,
leading her to tieat her mistress with disrespect. Sarai, through whose preference
and management all this had been bro. tght about, was stung to the quick by this
treatment, and complained of it. to Abram with some sharpness, insinuating that,
without some encouragement from him, Hagar durst not be so impertinent to her.
The patriarch himself, respecting the rights of his wife, and displeased at Hagar's
presumption (which those who know anything of Oriental women of her class, will
believe to have been very coarsely and offensively manifested), reminded . Sarai that
the Egyptian was still her, bond-servant, and that her authority was sufficient to pre
vent or punish the treatment of which she complained. Being thus assured that he
would not interfere, Sarai proceeded to a more unsparing exercise of the powers with
which she was invested, than the raised spirits of the Egyptian bondmaid could
brook ; and she therefore fled, directing her course towards her own country. It is a
terrible and perilous thing for a woman, alone and on foot, to pass the desert which
lies between the land of Canaan and Egypt ; and we know not how one might do it
and live. Nor did Hagar accomplish this enterprise ; for she was as yet but upon
the borders ofthe desert, and was tarrying for refreshment and rest by a well of wa
ter, whenan angel of God appeared to her, and: persuaded her to return and submit
herself to her mistress ; encouraging her to obedience by the assurance that the child
she then bore in her womb would prove a son, whom she was directed to name Ish
mael (God attendeth), because the Lord had attended to her affliction. She was
also assured that this son should be the parent of a numerous race ; and that while
in his character, as typifying that also of his descendants, he should be wild and fierce
as the desert ass — his hand against every man, and every man's hand against him —
he should never be expelled or rooted out from the domain which God would give to
him. I Thus instructed and encouraged, Hagar returned to her master's camp in the
valley of Mamre; and "in due season brought forth a son, to whom, in obedience to
the angel's direction, Abram gave the name of Ishmael.
At this time Abram was eighty-six years of age ; and kst, in the excess of his joy,
he should mistake this child for the heir of the promises which had been made him,
about thirteen years after, the Almighty again appeared to him in a vision, and re
newed his former covenant; to ratify which he was pleased to institute the rite of
circumcision, by commanding that every male child, of eight days old, whether bom
in the house or bought with money, should be circumcised, on the penalty of being
cut off from the benefits of the covenant. As a further mark of his divine respect,
he changed our patriarch's name from Abram to Abraham, and his wife's from Sarai
to Sarah ;i. and to complete his happiness, again promised that he should yet have
a son by her.
? It is not unlikely that Hagar had been given to Sarai as hei personal attendant while she was in Pha-
iso i's harem, and that she was allowed to retain her as such when she departed.
t This is the best interpretation we can give to the expression, " and in the face of all his brethren shall he
dw II."
J The difference iu the sound of these words is very trilling , but in the sense, it is considerable The

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

73

74 AN ILLUSTRATED
Though this promise gave great satisfaction to Abraham, yet his mind was agi
tated on account of Ishmael, his first-born, for whom he had a most pater lal affection.".
He was suspicious that, on the birth of a child by the free woman, he might be de
prived of that descended from the bond-woman ; and therefore, falling prostrate on
the ground, he began to intercede with God in behalf of Ishmael: "0," says he,
" that Ishmael might live before thee !" But the Almighty thought proper to remove
his fears, by assuring him that the great blessings in the covenant were not designed
for Ishmael, but for a son to be born of Sarah, which should happen within the course
of the year, and that his name should be called Isaac. That he might not, however,
seem wholly to neglect his request for Ishmael, he promised to " make him a great
nation," and the father of twelve princes ; but at the same time told him, that the
covenant made should only be established in the son begotten of Sarah.
This was the whole substance of the vision ; and as soon as it was ended, Abra
ham delayed not (according to the divine command) to circumcise himself, his son
Ishmael, and all the males in his family. And this ordinance the Hebrews have
ever since very religiously observed.*

CHAPTER V.
DESTRUCTION OP SODOM — BIRTH OP ISAAC — HIS MJRRIAGE.
The great wealth of the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah had introduced lux
ury, which, as usual, soon produced licentiousness. The fatal consequences of this
were, irreverence to God, inhospitality to strangers, and the indulgence Of the most
abominable vices. These enormities highly offended the Almighty, who, in order to
punish the people, denounced his vengeance both against them and their country.
But, previous to the execution of the fatal sentence, lie thought proper to intimate
his intentions to his faithful servant Abraham.
At this time the pious patriarch resided at Mamre ; and as he was sitting one day
at the coor of his tent, he saw at a distance three persons, whom he took for travel
lers. Being naturally of a hospitable disposition, when they came up to him he
arose from his seat, and, in a polite manner, asked them to partake of such refresh
ment as his habitation afforded. His civility being accepted, an entertainment was
immediately prepared for the unknown guests, which bemg set before them, they, to
all appearance, seemed to eat. While they were at table, one of them inquired after
Sarah, and being told she was in the tent, he then addressed himself to Abraham,
and assured him that he had still in remembrance the case of his wife Sarah, who,
before the end of the year, should certainly be delivered of a son. From this circum
stance Abraham was convinced that these three visiters were messengers from
heaven, and that one of them was the peculiar representative of the Almighty.
Sarah had listened attentively to the discourse that had passed between her hus
band and his guests ; but, considering the advanced age both of herself and him, she
regarded not their prediction, and even laughed within herself at the improbability
of such an event. This disrespectful behavior being observed by the stranger, he, in
an angry tone, asked her the reason of it. Struck with terror, she attempted to deny
it ; udop which he dismissed her with this gentle reproof: that it was exceedingly
wrong in her to mistrust what he had said, since "nothing was impossible with God."
This finished the conversation, immediately after which the three guests prepared
themselves to depart, and Abraham, understanding they were going towards Sodom,
word Abram, signifies high father ; but Abraham implies the father of a great multitude, as he certainly was,
according to the Divine promise, " a father of many nations have I made thee," Gen. xvii. 5.
The word Sarai signifies, my princess, or chief of my family only ; but Sarah implies, Princess or chief ej
multitudes, according to the words in the text, " She shall be a mother of nations, kings of people shall be
of her," Gen. xvii. 16.
* Circumcisiov— the cutting off tlie small skin of the prepuce, as the rite was enjoined upon Abraham with
the male part of his family, to be the sign of the covenant of Gon with the patriarch, when he renewed to
him the promise of the Messiah (Gen. xvii. 10-20). Physicians have regarded circumcision as medically
beneficial ; and it was practised by the Arabians, Israelites, and Saracens, the descendants of Abraham i
but especially by tho Israelites, to whom it was ordained as the initiatory ordinance of the Hebrew church,
This, however, with all the Levitical ceremonies, was abolished by the perfect mediation of Chkist (Acts
xv. 1-24 : Col. iii. 11). The Israelites are called the circumcision, and the Gentiles the uncircumcision.
Rom. iv. 9. ¦'*•
Cikcumcision ofthe heart : this is the thing signified by the original cer emony, the cutting off of evert
evil affection by the renewal of the soul in holiness to secure devotedness of heart in the true service of
Bod up promised by Moses, Phil iii. 3 ; Col. ii. 11 ; Deut. x. 16

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. '75
courteously offered to attend them some part of the way. As they journeyed together
God was pleased to manifest his peculiar regard to Abraham, in foretelling the dread
ful judgment he intended to inflict on Csodom and the neighboring cities, wliich in
stance of his kindness was founded upon an assurance that he would command not
only his children, but his household also, to persevere in the true fear and worship
of their divine Creator.
This intelligence was communicated to Abraham by one ofthe angels (the imme
diate representative of God), the other two having gone before with great haste, to
reach, as soon as possible, the place of their destiny. So melancholy a piece of news
greatly afflicted Abraham, who, from an assurance of the divine favor, ventured to
intercede in behalf of those wicked people. Not doubting but the supreme and equi
table Judge of the earth would listen to mercy, he begged of him not to punish the
innocent with the guilty. He made five petitionary propositions, lessening the sup
posed number of pious inhabitants in Sodom from fifty to ten, earnestly beseeching
of God that, could even so small a number be found, he would, on their account,
withdraw his avenging rod, and avert the impending danger. This request being
granted, the angel departed, and Abraham returned home, happy in the thought of
having received such peculiar manifestations of the divine love.
In the mean time, the two other guests, who went before (and were, indeed, the
ministering angels whom God had appointed to execute his judgment on the Sodom
ites), pursued their journey towards the city, whither they arrived in the evening.
Lot happened at this time to be sitting at the gate ofthe city; as soon, therefore, as
he saw the angels, he arose, and, after proper salutations, invited them to his house,
in order to refresh themselves. For some time the divine messengers declined the
offer ; but at length, from the strength of Lot's importunities, they w«e prevailed
on to accept the invitation.
It being soon rumored about the city that Lot had strangers with him, great num
bers of the vile inhabitants assembled together, and, surrounding the house, com
manded him, in a peremptory manner, to deliver them up. Lot thought at first to
appease them by mild and soft words ; and, therefore, stepping out of the house, and
shutting the door after him, he begged of them not to offer any insult to his guests,
who had committed themselves to his care and protection. This not having the
desired effect, in order to appease their rage, and, if possible, to preserve the laws of
hospitality inviolate, he offered to give up his two virgin daughters to their discre
tion. But so abandoned were these wretches to wickedness, and so deaf to every
remonstrance, that they even refused this offer, and threatened Lot with very severe
treatment, if he did not immediately comply with their request.
Finding Lot was resolute, and totally disregarded their threats, they determined
to effect that by force which they could not obtain by any other means. Accordingly,
pressing forward, they attempted to break open the door; but the divine messengers
prevented their design. By an exertion of supernatural power, they forced their way
out of the house, took in their host, and then, shutting the door, struck the rioters
with a temporary blindness ; so that, not being able to find the house, they were
obliged to desist from their diabolical intentions.
All' things being now quiet, the two angels acquainted Lot with the purport of
their embassy. They told him they were come to execute the divine vengeance on
that execrable place and its neighborhood ; and therefore, if he had any friends for
whose safety he was concerned, to acquaint them of their danger, that thereby thev
might escape the general destruction.
In the city were two young men, who had been betrothed to Lot's daughters, to
whom he immediately repaired, and informed them of the approaching event, at the
same 'ime advising them, for their safety, to leave the place and go with him; but,
instea 1 of listening to his advice, they totally despised it, and profanely ridiculed the
idea f the threatened destruction.
In the morning, soon after daylight, one of the angels, observmg Lot not to pre
pare for his departure with that expedition he knew to be necessary, rather chastised
him for his conduct. The cause of this delay certainly arose from hopes that the
dreadful sentence against those wretched people might be reversed ; but his hopes
were in vain, for, instead of ten righteous persons, that Abraham had capitulated for
no more than four, and all those of Lot's family (himself included), were appointed
to escape the dreadful judgment. Knowing, therefore, the necessity ot immediate

76 AN ILLUSTRATED
departure, the angel took Lot, his wife, and his two daughters by the nai. _s, and
conducted them out ofthe city. The divine messenger told him to make all the ex
pedition possible, and, to avoid the common ruin, pursue his course to the neighbor
ing mountains.
Lot, observing the mountains to which he was directed were at a considerable
distance, began to despair of reaching them in a proper time, and therefore entreated
the angel that he might be permitted to escape to a small city, not far from ISodom,
then called Bela, but afterward Zoar. This request was granted, and that city, on
their account, escaped the general destruction. Before the angel left them, he urged
them to make all possible haste, as the divine commission could not be put in exe
cution till they were safely arrived at the place of their destination. He likewise
enjoined them not, upon any account whatever, to look behind them, but to keep
their eves fixed on the place allotted for their refuge.
Having said this the angel departed, and Lot, with his family, pursued their jour
ney toward Zoar. After travelling some way, Lot's wife, either from forgetfulhess
ofthe prohibition, or out of respect to the place of her habitation, indiscreetly looked
back. This misconduct was attended with the most fatal consequences: she was
immediately turned into a pillar of salt,* and became a standing monument of the
vengeance of the Almighty on disobedient and obstinate offenders.
Lot and his daughters, strictly observing the divine injunction, hastened toward
Zoar, whither they had no sooner arrived, than the vengeance of the Almighty began
to appear in all its horrors. The angry heavens poured down showers of liquid firef
* She was overwhelmed and smothered in the spray of the igneous and saline matters which filled the
air ; and which, gathering and hardening around her, left her incrusted body with some resemblanre to a
mass of rock salt.
- t The examination of the agencies which it pleased God to employ in effecting this great overthrow is a
subject which need not interrupt the present narrative. It suffices now to mention, that the destruction
was sudden and overwhelming, and not only did it overthrow and devour the cities of the plain, and all the
inhabitants, and all the growth ofthe ground, and every living thing, but it cut off the Jordan in its course,
and absorbed tlie very plain itself: the surface of which, once blooming like another Eden, no man has be
held since that day ; but, instead thereof, a bitter, sulphureous and fetid lake, the Lake of Death, which lias
from that hour to this, remained one of the wonders of tlie earth. The following brief description of the
Dead sea (see engraving), will, we hope, be read with interest :—
The celebrated lake, which occupies the site of Sodom ana Gomorrah, is variously called in Scripture the
Sea of the Plain (Deut. iii. 17, iv. 49), being situated in a valley with a plain lying to the south of it, where
those cities once flourished, with the other cities of the plain ; the Salt sea (Deut. iii. 17, Josh. xv. 5), from
the extremely saline and bitter taste of its waters ; the Salt sea eastward (Num. xxxiv. 3), and the East sea
(Ezek. xlvii. 18 ; Joel ii.,20), from its situation relatively to Judaea. At present it is called Bahiet-Lout, or
the sea of Lot. By Josephus and other writers, it was called the Lake Asphaltites, from the abundance ol
bitumen found in it. The most familiar name, the Dead sea, is in allusion to the ancient tradition, errone
ously but generally received, thai no animal can exist in its stagnant and hydro-sulphuretted waters, which,1
though they look remarkably clear and pure, are nauseous in the extreme. A chymical analysis of one
hundred grains of the water gave the following results as to the substances, and proportions of them, wind.
it holds in solution:—
Muriate of lime 3.920 I Soda - 10.360
Magnesia 10.246 I Sub-hite of lime .054
Fron tnis analysis it will readily be concluded that such a liquid must be equally salt and fitter. The acrid
saltness of its waters, indeed, is much greater than that of the sea: and the land which surrounds this
lake, being equally impregnated with that saltness, refuses to produce any plants, except a few stunted
thorns, which wear the brown garb ofthe desert. Bodies sink or float upon it in proportion to their specific
gravity: and although the water is so dense as to be favorable to swimmers, no security is found againrt
the common accident of drowning. This sea, when viewed from the spot where the rapid Jordan daily dis
charges into it 6,090,000 tons of muddy water, takes a southeasterly direction visible for ten or fifteen
miles, when it disappears in a curve toward the east. The expanse of the Dead sea, at the embouchure ol
the Jordan, has been supposed not to exceed five or six miles : though the mountains, which skirt each side
of the valley of the Dead sea, are apparently separated by a distance of eight miles. The mountains on the
Judaean side are lower than the mountains of Moab, on the Arabian side. The latter chain at its southern
extremity is said to consist of dark granite, and of various colors. The shores at the northern extremity
are remarkably Hat, and strewed with vast quantities of driftwood, white and bleached by the sun, which
is brought down by the swelling of Jordan'. It is not certainly known whether there has been any visible
increase or decrease in the waters of the Dead sea. Some have imagined that it finds a subterraneous pas- '
sage to the Mediterranean, or that there is a considerable suction in the plain which forms its western
boundary ; but Dr. Shaw has long since accounted for it, by the quantity which is daily evaporated.
As the Dead sea advances toward the south, it evidently increases in breadth. Its dimensions have been
variously estimated by different travellers. Pliny states its total length to be one hundred miles, and its
greatost breadth twenty-five : the Jewish historian Josephus, who measured this lake, found that in length
it extended about five hundred and eighty stadia, and in breadth one hundred and fifty ; according to our
standard, somewhat more ihan seventy miles by nineteen. With this measurement nearly coincides the
estimate of Dr. Shaw, who appears to have ascertained its dimensions with accuracy, and whi computes
its length to be about seventy-two English miles, and its greatest breadth about nineteen. Whoever has
once seen the Dead sea, will ever after have its aspect impressed upon his memory : it is in truth a gloomy
and fearful spectacle. The precipices, in general, descend abruptly into the lake, the surface of witch is
generally unruffled, from the hollow of the basin 'in which it lies) scarcely admitting the free passige ne
cessary for a strong breeze. It is, however, for the same reason, subject to whirlwinds or squalls or short
duration A profound silence, awful as death, hangs over fce lake : its shores are rarely visited by an"

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

77'

78 -AN ILLUSTRATED
on Silom and Gomorrah, and the other wicked cities of the plain; and in a slio't
time the whole was reduced to a state of irreparable destruction.
When Lot beheld the dreadful calamity that had befallen the cities of Sodom ami
Gomorrah, he began to think himself not safe in Zoar ; he therefore withdrew to the
mountains to which he was first directed, and, for want of a proper habitation, lived
for some time with his daughters in a cave. In his caverned retreat a new and un
expected evil befell Lot. His daughters, like all eastern women, and especially al'
women of Bedouin parentage, looked upon the possession of children as the best anil
brightest hope of their existence ; but they saw none on earth whom they might ex
pect to marry. They knew not that any of their father's family and. connexions
existed, to become their husbands ; and the example of their sisters, who had perished
in Sodom with their husbands, made them afraid, if willing, to entertain the notion
of a marriage with Canaanitish husbands. They therefore most wickedly managed,
on two successive nights, to intoxicate their father with wine, and in that condition,
and without his clear knowledge of what was done, to procure issue by him. A son
to each daughter was the result of this transaction. The eldest daughter gave tp her
son the name of Moab ("from a father"), and the younger called hers Ben-Ammi
i" son of my people"), which latter name, intimating the mother's satisfaction in the
act that the child was a son of her own race, corroborates the view we have taken
of the motives by which the women were influenced, and which seems to us far
preferable to the notion that they supposed that all the inhabitants of the earth, ex
cept their father and themselves, were destroyed in the overthrow of Sodom. We
do not see how it is possible that they could have entertained any such impression..
Be this as it may, the sons which were born to them were the. progenitors of the
Moabifes and Ammonites, — nations well known in a later age for their enmity to the
house of Israel. Thus much of Lot, of whom the sacred history takes no further
notice. We now proceed to consider the peculiar dispensation of Providence with
respect to his faithful servant Abraham.
At the time of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the pious patriarch re
sided at Mamre ; but as soon as he beheld that fatal catastrophe, struck with a proper
sense of the Divine vengeance, and the^. great power he had over his creatures, he
removed thence to the southward, and 'took up his residence in Gerar, one of the
principal cities in Palestine.
On his first entering this place, he had recourse to the same policy he had before
practised when in Egypt, and an agreement was made between him and his wife
that they should pass for brother and sister. Abimelech,* the king of Gerar, sup
posing this to be their real affinity,, and being captivated with the person of Sarah,
who, though far advanced in years, possessed some distinguished charms, ordered her
to be brought to his palace, with an intent of making her his concubine. But the
Almighty warned him in a dream from committing the iniquitous act, by assuring
him, that if he took to his bed a woman, whose husband was a prophet, his conduct
should be punished with immediate death.
In consequence of this, Abimelech sent for Abraham, whom he severely repri
manded for having endeavored to impose on him, by calling her his sister whom it
footstep, save that ofthe wild Arab'; and its desolate but majestic features are well suited to the tales re
lated concerning it by the inhabitants of the country, who hold it in superstitious driad, and soeak of il
with terror. ' r
We can not forbear subjoining the lively account which Mr. Stephens gives of the "water of the Dean
" From my own experience I can almost corroborate the most extravagant accounts of the ancients. 1
Know, in reference to my own specific gravity, that in the Atlantic and Mediterranean I can not float with-.
out some little movement of the hands, and even then my body is almost totally submerged: but here, -
SrAItKrTTrySellUpon,mybacJ'my,5?udy^ashal,foutofthewater- Itw*s an exertion even for my
lank Arabs to keep themselves under. When I struck out in swimming it was extremely awkward/for mi
legs were continually rising to the surface, and even above the water. I could have lain and read ther
witti perfect ease. In fact I could have slept ; and it would have been a much easier bed than the bushes
at Jericho It was ludicrous to see one of the horses : as soon as his body touched the water, lie was
afloat, and turned over on his side: he struggled with all his force to preserve his equilibrium ; buUhenio-
ment he ceased moving, he turned over onTus side again, and almost on his back, kicking his <eet out ol
water and snorting with terror. The worst of my bath was, after it was over, my skin wis covered with »
thick glutinous substance, which it required another ablution to get rid of- and after I had wiripd mvwll
dry, my tody burnt and smarted as if it had been turned round before a roasting fire. M- face and ears
were incrusteu with salt ; my hairs stood out, 'each particular hair on end.' and mv eves weri irritated and
inflamed so that I felt the effects of it for several days. In spite of all this lE^Ertrffa^SEl
by my br.th, I mounted my horse a new man." ' "",i»"ibu«iuihi»«.
^w,»°^^^iKl^^d^^tttorfAUM,«!1,'ta th0 8amo ma™raa *™°{ .

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 79
knew to be his wife.* In excuse for the fiction Abraham alleged he did it for his
own safety, being apprehensive that, had it been known she was his wife, he might,
m order to possess her, have robbed him of his existence. He farther said, that the
report he had given of her being his sister was not, in fact, a falsity, for though she
was not born of the same woman, yet she was begot by the same man.
This apology pacified the king, who not only restored Abraham his wife, but also
gave him many valuable presents, with full permission to settle himself in any part
of his dominions.
The Almighty had not only threatened the king with death should he violate the
chastity of Sarah, but also afflicted him and all the women belonging to him with a
kind of impotence. Abraham, therefore, in return for Abimelech's civility, prayed
to God to remove these imperfections, which he being pleased to grant, the king's
disability left him, and the queen, with the rest of the women belonging to him
were restored to their natural fertility.
Soon after this the Divine promise (made by the Almighty to Abraham) was ful
filled. The time appointed was now elapsed, and Sarah Drought forth a son, whom
Abraham, agreeably to the sacred injunction, called Isaac ;t and on the eighth day he
was circumcised.
Sarah having long considered Ishmael as the presumptive heir of her family, had
reared and continued to treat him with the most affectionate tenderness. But on the
birth of Isaac she became apprehensive with respect to his inheritance, imagining,
that in case of Abraham's death, Ishmael's superiority of years would give him every
advantage over her own son. Stimulated by such fears, she resolved to get rid of
Ishmael, and it was not long before an opportunity offered for accomplishing her de
sign. Though Sarah was far advanced in life (being now upward of ninety years old)
yet, by the Divine power, nature was completely perfect.^ She was boi".itifully sup-
* Abraham's Equivocation. — This was not a subject which the fertile fancies of Abraham's rabbinical
descendants were likely to leave unimproved. Accordingly, we have a Talmudical story, which tells ua
that, on approaching Egypt, the patriarch put Sarah in a chest, which he locked up, that none might behold
her dangerous beauty. " But when he was come to the place of paying custom, the collectors said, ' Pay
us the custom.' And he said, ' I will pay the custom.' They said to him, ' Thou earnest clothes.' And
he said, ' I will pay for the clothes.' Then they said to him, ' Thou earnest gold ;' and he answered them,
' 1 will pay for my gold.' On this they said to 'him further, ( Surely thou bearest the finest silk ;' and then
he replied, ' I will pay custom for the finest silk.' Then said they, ' Certainly it must be pearls that thou
takest with thee ;* and he only answered, ' I will pay for pearls.' Seeing that they could name nothing of
value for which the patriarch was not willing to pay custum, they said ' It can not be but that thou open
the box, and let us see what is within.' So they opened the box, and the whole land of Egypt was brightly
illumined by the lustre of Sarah's beauty."
t The word Isaac implies laughter, and alludes to the smile of disbelief which appeared in Sarah's coun
tenance when the angel informed her that she should become pregnant.
t Primitive Longevity.— We need not remind the reader that the age of man before the deluge made
a near approach to a thousand years, but, after that event, rapidly declined to the present standard (which it
had certainly reached before the time of David), at which it has remained, unaffected but by local influences
Many reasons have been given for the antediluvian longevity, and for the subsequent abridgment of human
life ; but they all fail in some point or other, excepting that which, proceeding on the observation that air
is the agent by which, under all circumstances, the duration of life is most affected, infers that the superior
purity of the air before the deluge — or, more properly, its superior fitness for the conservation ofthe living
principle in man — was the operating cause of the long duration of antediluvian life ; and that the gradual
but quick contraction of man's life, which afterward took place, was probably owing to some signal dete
rioration, caused by the deluge, in the wholesome properties of the primitive air. How the deluge may
have produced such a change is another question, into which we need not enter.
At the time this history opens, the duration of life was about threefold that to which it ultimately fell ;
and, notwithstanding the gradual abridgment which took place, it remained twofold till about the time
of the departure of the Israelites from Egypt. Terah himself died at the age of 205, which must have
seemed but a reasonable old age, as it is considerably within the age attained by any of his ancestors,
except his own father Nahor, who died prematurely at 148 years of age.
But the operation of the abridging influence is best shown by figures, thus : Noah lived 950 years ; Shem,
600 ; Arphaxad, 438; Salah, 433 ; Ehor. 464; Peleg, 230; Reu, 239; Serug, 230; Nahor, 148; Terah, 205.
Here we see that Noah, nearlv two lllirds of whose life had passed before the deluge, lived as long as an
antediluvian ; whereas his son Shorn, most of whose life passed after the deluge, has one third of the
average duration of antediluvian life struck off from his. His son Arphaxad was born two years after the
flood, and therefore may be taken to represent the first generation of entire postdiluvians, whose term of
life is made one third shorter than that of the semi-antediluvians, and (in two generations) is reduced tc
one half that of the pure antediluvians. A rest at this point of reduction was allowed for three genera
tions, after which the existing term of life was again halved, reducing it to a quarter of the antediluvian
term. After three more generations, another reducing process commenced, not, as before, by abrupt
halving of the previous term of life, but by a gradual reduction, which in about 500 years reduced the pre
vious term of 230-'40 years to about one half, or 120 years ; and in about 500 years more, we find that this
term also haa been nearly halved and brought down to the present standard ; or at that lime it is that
David said: "The days of our years are threescore years and ten: and if by reason of strength they be
fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow." Psalm xc. 10. The progress of the abridgment
m v be illustrated by a few more figures. Abraham died at the age of 175, being 40 years les» than 1-is
fa.ne.'s age ; and yet he is said to have died " in a good old age ; an old man and full ol vears ¦ 'n use

. 80 AN ILLUSTRATED
plied with food for her infant son, whom she suckled herself, and a the usual time
weaned him. On this joyful occasion Abraham made a great feast, in the height uf
which Sarah observed that Ishmael treated her son with derision and contempt. En
raged at this circumstance, as soon as the guests were gone, she communicated the
particulars to her husband, and importuned him to turn both Ishmael and his mother
from their habitation, intimating, that the son of a bond-woman had no title to that
heirship which solely belonged to her son Isaac.
The good old patriarch now found himself in a very intricate situation. He lovej
Ishmael, and was loth to part with him. Not knowmg, therefore, in what manner
to proceed on so trying an occasion, he applied himself to God, who was pleased to
confirm what Sarah had requested. Al the same time the Almighty promised Abra
ham that he would make Ishmael (because he was his son) a populous nation, though
his portion and inheritance was not to be in that land which was all along designed
for the descendants of Isaac.
Thus was it determined, by the Divine appointment, that Hagar should once more
become a wanderer; nor could the fondness of Abraham for his son Ishmael prevent
her fate: it was the Lord's command, nor durst the patriarch refuse to obey.
Early in the morning, therefore, Abraham, calling Hagar to him, told her she must
leave his house, and that her son must be the partner of her banishment. Hagar
was of course greatly surprised at this sudden command, but finding her master ab
solute, she was obliged to submit. That she might not be distressed for want of
proper re'reshment, he supplied her with a quantity of provisions, together with a
large bottle of water, having done which he gave her a final dismission.
After travelling some days in the dreary wilderness of Beersheba, her provisions
grew short, and her bottle of water was quite exhausted. It unfortunately happened
that Ishmael was at this time in a high fever, and Hagar not being able to get water
to quench his thirst, there was little hope of his existing much longer. Thus dis
tressed, she knew not what to do, but at length, to shelter her son in some degree
from the violent heat of the weather, she placed him under a tree, and retired al
some distance, that she might not be a spectator of the dying pangs of her beloved
Tshmael. A melancholy scene now took place : the feeble tongue of the child begged relief
from its tender parent, whose woes were doubled by her inability to give it the least
assistance ; his pressing demands could only be answered by a flow of tears, and the
only prospect before them was despair and death. But the ears of boundless mercy
ire ever open to the cries of distress, and the Lord of Omnipotence is ever ready to
relieve the indigent.
While Hagar was lamenting her direful situation, a Divine agent appeared before
her, and, for her present relief, directed her to a well of water which she had not
manner, Isaac, who lived to 180, is said to have been " old and full of days." And if these expressions do
not imbody the ideas of a writer who, from living in a later day, when the term of man's life was much
shortened, naturally considered these as extreme old ages, we should be entitled from them to conclude-
as was probably true after all— that a man was in those days called old wjth reference to the age at which
his contemporaries, rather than his predecessors, died. The patriarchs were very sensible that the term of '
life was undergoing abridgment. Thus, when Jacob stood before the Egyptian king, and was asked his age,
he replied : " The days of the years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty years : few and full of 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." He lived to 147 years. His son Levi lived to 137 years ; and
another of his sons, Joseph, only to 110 years. Amram, the son of Levi, lived to exactly the same age as
his father ; and Moses and Aaron, the two sons of Amram, both lived to 120. Our information of the steps
by which life declined to " threescore years and ten" before the time of David, is less distinct.
But we principally wish to remind the reader of the probability— or rather the moral certainty— that the
seasons of life, its childhood, youth, maturity, and age, were distributed over the whole period of life,
¦lowever long, in much the same proportions as at present ; so that the prime and old age commenced
later and ended later than under a more abridged term of life. Thus, we should not suppose, that when
the term of life was 140 years, a man of seventy was constitutionally older than one of thirty-five is now
This seems so obvious as to require little argument ; and we are not disposed to discuss the question even
wore argument needed. But we may just observe that there is not wanting much positive proof in favor
ol this view. Thus we see those whose ages when their eldest son was born is recorded, are only in one
instance under thi-ty— and that one instance is in the case of a mar. (Terah's father) whose whole age
l.ttle excei-.ded hal the aven ge of his time. We see, also, that none of the Hebrew patriarchs had a son
before he was forty. And when we take into account the general disposition to early marriages In the
East, this may show that the age of manhood was reached much later than it lias been since ; and tho
activity and vigor, mental and bodily, which these same persons evince at an age far passing the present
extreme term of life, show's that constitutional old age began late in proportion. The admiration which the
beauty of Sarah excited when she was nearly seventy years of age, also affords a strong corroborative
Illustration. The subject is one of considerable interest and deserves a more attentive consideration than
It can here obtain.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 81
before perceived. Having filled the bottle, she gave some of the water to Ishmael,
who was greatly refreshed with it, and, in a few days, so far recovered from his ill
ness as to be able, with his mother, to pursue their journey. Hagar's intentions were,
at first, to have gone into Egypt, but she now altered her mind, and fixed her abode
in the wilderness of Paran, where Ishmael (whose health and strength were now
greatly increased) in a short time became so expert an archer, that he was able to
obtain a sufficiency of provisions both for himself and mother.
When Ishmael grew up to the years of maturity, his mother, who was an Egyp
tian, married him to a woman of her own country. By this woman he had twelve
sons,* whose descendants dispersed themselves in that part of the country situated
between Havilah and Shur, that is, in several parts of Arabia Petraja, the western
part whereof, toward Egypt, is, in scripture, called Shur, and the eastern part, tow
ard the Persian gulf, Havilah.
In the meantime, Abraham continued to reside in the land of Palestine ; and as his
riches and power every day increased, Abimelech grew jealous of him, being fearful
that he might, some time or other, endeavor to supplant him m the government. To
prevent this, by the advice of his general Phicol, he formed a solemn league of friend
ship with Abraham, and thereby removed those fears which, for some time, had given
him great uneasiness. A dispute had arisen between the servants of Abimelech and
those of Abraham, relative to a well, which the latter had dug; but after a proper
explanation, the matter was adjusted to the satisfaction of all parties, the well being
declared the property of Abraham.!
The place where Abimelech and Abraham entered into this solemn covenant was,
thenceforth, called Beersheba4 Here Abraham intending to end his days, should
it be the will of Providence for him so to do, planted a grove|| for a place of worship,
* The names of these sons were as follow : Ncbajoth, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa,
Hadar, Tema, Jetur, Napliish, and Kedemah : " twelve princes according to their nations." Gen. xxv. 13, &c.
t It may perhaps, at first view, appear strange that a dispute of any consequence should have arisen on
account of a well of water- but it must be remembered, that, in those hot and dry countries, a well of
water was an inestimable treasure, and the digging it a work of prodigious labor, which arose from the
rockiness of the soil, and the great depth it was necessary to dig before they could find a spring.
t The word Beer, in the Hebrew language, signifies a well, and Sheba an oath, so that the Jews called it
ne Well of the Oath; because of the oath that Abraham and Abimelech had made at that place.
II Worship in Groves (.See Engraving).- The use of groves as places of primitive worship is natural and
easily understood, though it could only have arisen in an early state of society, or be preserved where
society remained in a primitive condition. It was tlie thought of a people who had not made any advances
in architecture— who dwelt in tents or in huts— and who, while they did not feel that these dwellings were
unsuitable or inadequate for themselves, could not but be sensihle that they were so unimpressive, that it
seemed revolting to associate with them, in any more formal service of worship, the idea of that God who
fills all nature, and of whose grandeur they had no unworthy notions. They therefore preferred to seek
intercourse with him, and to render him their service amid the vastness of his own creation, and under tlie
shadow of those ancient woods, which insensibly inspire us with awe, and fill us with reverential feelings,
Which turn and vent themselves upon whatever has been customarily before the mind as the proper object
of its reverence. Happy when that object is God ! — as it was to the patriarchs. There is no doubt that
men had this use for groves, almost universally, before any temples existed ; but it is not so clear to us
thai, as some suppose, groves were used for religious purposes, before even altars were known. But
Noah constructed an altar as soon as he left the ark ; and Litis use of groves must, therefore, have been
antediluvian, if it existed before altars : and this is certainly more than we know. It is certain, however,
that, under the operation of the ideas we are tracing, altars were placed in the groves ; and the next stop
was probably to build a hut near at hand to contain the implements of sacrifice ; and when men had begun
to build in their groves, the idea of a chapel or oratory for use in inclement weather, and when the trees
were, in winter, bare of foliage, would naturally have been suggested. When, at last, the increased
resources of constructive art, coupled with a weaker and more humanized idea of God, led men to enter
tain the bold idea of rearing fabrics—" temples made with hands" — which might make impressions on the
mind worthy of his worship and service, the influence of old habits and old associations still operated
Most nations took care, when in their power, to plant groves around these buildings, for the most part
v/ith an enclosing ditch, hedge, or wall ; and these groves were not only consecrated to the gods in whose
honor the temples in the midst of them had been built, but were themselves places of sanctuary foi
criminals who fled to them for refuge.
As to the corruptions which became, in the end, associated with groves, and which led Moses to prohibit
them very strictly, and to command that the groves which were found, in the land of Canaan, consecrated
to idols, should be cut down, another opportunity will be afforded us of considering this part of the sub-
|ect. Meanwhile, we only wish to call attention to the point alluded to in the text, respecting some points
of analogy in this matter between the practices and the ideas of the patriarchs and those of the Celtic
Druids Among them we seem to find preserved, down to a late date, many of the ideas and practices
which equally belong to the patriarchal ages, and which are doubtless to be regarded as relics of tlie
religion which was common to all men in the first ages, and which they carried with them to the several
places of their dispersion. In process of time these primitive institutions were in almost every country
wofully corrupted, or, indeed lost, in various modifications of ceremony, idolatry, and unbelief. The
Hebrew Datriarchs doubtless exhibit in purity the religion of anterior ages, and what had been the sole
religion if mankind; and thus he who studies the history of religious notions and practices is supplied
with a test which enables him to ascertain the traces of this primitive religion, which may have been
preserved in different and distant nations. Now, we know not of any people who preserved, mixed with
many and awful corruptions, so many traces of this ancient religion as existed in the Druidin. institutions
6

,82 -AN ILLUSTRATED
and in it erected an altar, that 1 e might not be anywise deficient in the discharge of
his religious duties.
The Almighty, in his wise Providence, had, in divers instances, and on many occa
sions, put Abraham's faith and obedience to the test ; but now he resolved to try him
in the tenderest point, in which every tie of parental affection bound him, and togivb
up which required a degree of resignation uncommon to the best of men. He is re
quired, by his God, to sacrifice his son — to embrue his hands in the blood of his dar
ling offspring.
Ishmael was now no more to him ; he had parted with him at the divine command,
and had transferred his affections solely on Isaac ; and this son, this only son, who
had been given him by Divine promise, and in whom all his future expectations of
happiness centred, must fall a victim by the unalterable de . ee of Heaven. Hard task
to flesh and blood ! Severe trial to human nature ! But if the flesh shuddered, the
spirit was absolute : God commands — the patriarch obeys.
Earlv therefore, the next morning, Abraham arose, and, without giving any notice
to hi? iamily, prepared himself for the appointed business. He sat out, accompanied
only by his son Isaac, and attended by two servants, who led an ass laden with pro
visions, together with the wood, instruments, and other things necessary for the sac
rifice. After travelling three days he came within sight of the spot God had ap
pointed for the dreadful scene, which was a particular mountain in the land of Mo-
riah. Here he ordered his servants to stop with the ass, while he and his son went
to a spot at some distance to perform their religious duties.
Abraham having laden his son with the wood and other materials for a burnt-offer
ing, they proceeded on their journey. The harmless Isaac, ignorant of the design of
his pious and affectionate parent, went cheerfully on with him, and the good old pau
triarch, relying on the faithfulness of the Divine promise, overcame the strugglings
of a natural affection, which might have retarded his compliance with the will of
God, and proceeded with a resolution worthy the father of the faithful.
As they approached near the appointed place for executing the awful injunction,
Isaac, recollecting that a proper victim (the most essential requisite for the sacrifice)
was wanting, innocently asked his father, where was the lamb for the burnt-offering?
Such a question, at. such a time, was enough to have startled any heart less firm than
Abraham's ; but, fixed in the resolution to obey the divine command, he coolly replied,
"My son, God will provide one himself.''
Being now arrived at the spot which the Almighty had directed, the first thing
Abraham did was to erect an altar ; after which, having prepared the instruments,
and laid the wood in order, he embraced his son, and then bound him. Here the sa
cred historian, like a great painter, hath drawn a veil over the sorrow of Abraham,
and the resignation of Isaac, that the imagination of the reader might paint to him
more forcibly the struggles of the parent, and the agonies of the son, than words can
possibly express.
Every preparation being now made, Abraham, taking up the knife, stretched forth
his hand to give the finishing stroke tp the life of his son ; when, behold ! God is
satisfied with the faith and obedience of the father, and the piety and resignation of
the son. The voice of a heavenly messenger is suddenly heard, saying unto Abra
ham, " Lay not thy hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him." The
uplifted arm was now withheld, and the fatal blow happily averted. The divine
sound intimated, that ,the Almighty neither delighted in human sacrifices, nor wished
to make a father the murderer of a son whom he had bestowed on him as a peculiar
favor; but that the command had been given to try if his obedience, to God exceeded
his feelings as a man, and if his natural affections could submit to his religious duties.
and religion of the Celtes. It is true they had idols, and that many wild notions were entertained, and
many horrid rites practised by them; but, amid all, they believed in one Supreme Being, to whom all
other gods were far inferior. His symbol was the oak, and him, exclusively, they worshipped amid tho
groves. They never had images of him, or erected temples to him ; and Tacitus, speaking of the Senones,
who were a branch of the Celtes, and had the same religion, tells us that its principle consisted in the
acknowledgment that the Deity whom they worshipped in the gloves, the God without name, was he who
governed all things, on whom all tilings depended, and whom all beings were bound to obey.
There are other resemblances wliich would render our position more clear if we could bring them intc
one view. But the purpose of the present note does not require this ; and we need only now observe, thai
these remarkable analogies between the patriarchal ,or say the Hebrew) and Druidical religions are late
discoveries of our own day; but the antiquity and wisdom of the Druidical religion, and its contoimities
with that of the Jews, were adduced so long ago as the time of Celsus, in opposition to what that w-iter
was pleased to consider the novelties of the gospel. ™.™.u..»...

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

83

Cromlech at Plas Newydd.

Druidical Circle. — Jersey.

84 AN ILLUSTRATED
When the divine voice ceased, the pious patriarch, turning his eyes from the deal
though intended victim, beheld a ram fastened by his horns in a thicket. Convincea
in his mind that this was the gracious substitute of Providence, he immediately flew
to it with raptures, and having slain it with that knife which was intended for the
destruction of his son, brought it to the altar and presented it (instead of the before-
destined Isaac) as a burnt-offering, to his great and benevolent benefactor.
This infallible token of Abraham's obedience was so satisfactory to the Almighty,
that he was pleased to renew his gracious promise to him with enlarged abundance;
and even to confirm the same by a solemn oath. " By myself have I sworn, for
because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son,
from me."
Having thus complied with the will of God, and received a most convincing testi
mony of the divine approbation, Abraham and Isaac returned to the servants, and
they all went joyfully together to Beersheba, at that time the place of Abrahams
residence. In memory of this singular transaction, the pious patriarch called the
place where it happened, " Jehovah-jirali," in allusion to the answer he gave to his
son's question, " God will provide himself a lamb."
When Abraham returned home, he received the agreeable intelligence of the in
crease of his family, namely, that Milcah, his brother Nahor's wife, had brought
him a numerous issue.* But the joy he received on this account was soon damped
by a circumstance which happened in his own family, namely, the loss of his wife
Sarah, who died at Kirjath-arba (afterward called Hebron), in the one hundred and
twenty-seventh year of her age.
At the time of Sarah's death, Abraham was at Beersheba ; but he no sooner heard
of the melancholy event than he immediately repaired to Hebron, in order to perform
the last offices due to his departed wife. As he was a stranger in the country, and
had no land there of his own, he could not give her honorable interment without first
obtaining the consent of the people. He therefore addressed himself to a general
assembly of the principal inhabitants, entreating them to allow him the liberty of
burying his wife in their country. This request being readily granted, Abraham
bowed to the assembly in acknowledgment for the favor ; after which he told them
he should be glad to purchase a piece of ground as a sepulchre for himself and family,
and begged of them to entreat Ephron, the prince of the country, to sell him the cave
of Machpelah.
This request being likewise granted, and application made to Ephron, he gener
ously offered the patriarch not only the cave, but also the whole field in which it
stood, as a burying-place. Abraham acknowledged the bounty of the offer ; but as
he had ever acted on a principle of strict justice, he desired the prince to fix a price
on the field ; and that, on such condition, he would take possession of it for the pur
poses intended.
The prince, finding the patriarch resolute, asked four hundred shekels (a sum
greatly beneath its real value). The purchase was made, before all the people of
Hebron, and the field, together with the cave, was formally assigned over to Abra
ham and his heirs for ever.
This matter being adjusted, Abraham, after the usual ceremonies of mourning
were over, buried his wife in the cave he had then purchased, and in which his own
remains were afterward deposited.
Abraham, being now far advanced in years, and apprehending he had not much
longer to live, was desirous of seeing his own son Isaac married, and settled in the
world, before his departure out of this transitory life. He therefore called to him his
household steward, an old and trusty servant, to whom he related his intention of
marrying his son; and obtained from him an oath,t that (in case he died first) he
* The names of the children of Nahor, by Milcah, were as follows : Huz, Buz, Kemuel, Cheshed, Hajo,
Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel. The last of these begat Rebecca, who was afterward the wife of Isaac. '
t The great anxiety of the patriarchs to secure the marriage of their sons to women of their own clan m
family appears everywhere, and is even indicated in the precise mention which is made of marriages whirl
took place against this regulation— as in the cases of Ishmael and Esau. Such a desire has always pre
vailed wherever the distinction of clans or tribes has been strongly marked, for the sake of koeping up its
property, blood, and peculiar feelings, and of compacting its union and influence ; and these ordinary mo
tives acquired increased intensity in the instance of the Hebrew patriarchs in consequence of the general
Idolatry or superstition into wliich all the surrounding nations had fallen, aiid which alone would hai e sot
fired to preclude intermarriages with them. This consideration, separately from any other has always pre*
vpnted the .lews from forming- matrimonial connexions with any but the daughters of Israel. Their law
forbade such ma— 'ages in tl e strictest manner , and we shall find instances of their bc.ng severely punish

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 85
should procure a wife for him among his own kindred, and not from the daughters
ofthe Canaanites. Having obtained this solemn oath, Abraham told his servant lo
go into Mesopotamia, which was the place of his nativity, and there choose a wife,
out of his own kindred, for his son Isaac. On receiving these orders, the servant
asked him this question : " If," says he, " the woman refuse to follow me into the
land of Canaan, must I return and fetch thy son to her ?" The patriarch immedi
ately answered in the negative, as no consideration could prevail on him to suffei
his son to return to a land which he himself had left on account of the inhumanity
and idolatry of its inhabitants. To encourage the servant in the prosecution of his
intended expedition, Abraham assured him that a heavenly messenger would conduct
him to the place whence he should bring a wife unto his son ; and that if the woman
pitched on should refuse to follow him, he should be free from the oath he had taken,
and be considered as having properly discharged the business with which he was
intrusted. These matters being settled, Ehezer (for that was the name of this trusty servant)
set out on his embassy, attended by a number of servants and camels, agreeably to
the importance of his business, and the dignity of the person by whom he was
employed. After undergoing great fatigue, both from the badness of the roads and the want
of water, this trusty servant, with his attendants, reached Mesopotamia, and repaired
to Haran,* a city belonging to his master's brother Nahor. When he had arrived
near the entrance of the city, he stopped at the public well (whither it was custom
ary for the young women of the place to come every morning and evening for water),
in order to refresh the camels, t
ed, and of the deep disgust which they inspired. They were neither to take the females of other nations.
nor givo their own females to them (Deut. vii. 3, 4) ; and ;he reason was, " For they will turn away thy
sons from following me." While this principle inhibited marriages with other nations, there was another
law which preserved the integrity of property in the respective tribes, by directing- that daughters having
any inheritance should not marry out of the tribe of their father, (Num. xxxvi). " So shall not the inherit
ance of the children of Israel remove from tribe to tribe." These principles, taken from the subsequent
laws of the Hebrews, afford the best explanation of the conduct of the patriarchs with regard to the mar
riages of their sons. Among the Bedouin Arabs there is no regulation precluding the intermarriages of dif
ferent tribes ; but in practice a man seldom takes a wife from any other tribe than his own ; and still more
rarely, although there is no national or religious difference, will a Bedouin give his daughter in marriage to
the inhabitant of a town, or to a cultivator or artisan. Some tribes never do so ; but others are rather less
strict. So, as Ward informs us, among the Hindoos, the parents who find employment at a. distance from
their original homes, always marry their children in their own country and among their old acquaintance.
* " Phaiiran," as given by St. Stephen, is the proper reading of this name, and is, therefore, different
from the name if Abram's brother, which is truly spelt Haran. The site of this place is very questionable.
Meet writers on scriptural geography identify it with the place called Charrse by the Greeks and Romans,
and renowned in history for the defeat of Crassus. But we are inclined to think that this identification is
scarcely compatible with that which finds Ur in Urfah , for not only is this Charran in the same plain with
Urfah, but is actually, at almost all times, visible from it, being distant not above eight hours' ride to the
south ; so that a removal to this distance hardly corresponds with the historical intimations which refer to
it. There are three other sites to which diiferent writers refer the Charran of our history. One is Oruros,
on the Euphrates, about fifty miles below the embouchure of the Chaboras ; the second is Harce, about
twenty miles to the east-northeast of Palmyra ; and the third, Carrae, about thirty-eight miles northeast
from Damascus. All these places would, however, be out of the way in proceeding from Urfah to the land
of Canaan, excepting the one near Damascus, which, on many grounds, we should hold to offer the prefer
able claim, were it not that the account of Jacob's journey to the same place expressly informs us that
Haran was in Mesopotamia, on wliich ground the site, with the mention of which we commenced this note,
must still be held to have a little the preference, notwithstanding the objections which apply to it, as none
¦)f the others answer to this condition. We think it very likely that the site of Ur, and more than likely
that the site of Haran, are yet to ba found.
t Water is usually drawn in the evening, and frequentlyin the cool ofthe morning also. Fetching water
is one of the heaviest of the many heavy duties which devolve upon the females in the East, and one which
the most sensibly impresses us with a sense of their degraded condition. The usage varies in different
countries. Among the Arabs and other nomades, and also in many parts of India, it is the exclusive em
ployment of the women, without distinction of rank. But in Turkey and Persia the poorer women only are
subject to tliis servile employment, respectable families being supplied daily by men who make the supply
ing of wa*;cr a distinct business. The tents ofthe Bedouins are seldom pitched quite near to the well from
which they obtain their water; and if the distance is not more than a mile, the men do not think is neces
sary that the water should be brought upon the camels : and, unless there are asses to be employed on this
service, the women must go every evening, sometimes twice, and bring home at their backs lon^ and heavy
leathern bags full of water. The wells are the property of tribes or individuals, who are not always will
ing that caravans should take water from them ; and in that case, a girl is sometimes posted at the well to
exact presents from those who wish to have water. It is not likely that Abraham's servanttravelled with
out a leathern bucket to draw water, and it is therefore probable that he abstained from watering his ten
camels until he should have obtained permission. The women, when they are at the wells in the evening,
are generally obliging to travellers, and ready to supply such water as they may require for themselves
or- their beasts. The women of towns in Turkey and Persia have seldom far to go, except under peculiai
circumstances in the situation or soil of the place, or quality of its water. Their water-vessel depends
much upon the distance ; if rather far, a skin will probably be prefeired as most convenient for carrying a
food quantity • but if near, an earthern jar will often be chosen. The present well seems to have -been
quite near the town, and we concur in the translation which renders Rebecca's vessel " a pitcher » the

86 AN ILLUSTRATED
Having been pruperly instructed by his master in the fear of God, and being sen
sible of the importance of the business, as well as fearful of not executing it to his
master's satisfaction, he made a mental prayer to God, beseeching him to direct him,
by a certain sign, to a proper object of choice for his young master. He had no
sooner solicited this divine assistance than his request was immediately complied
with, and the sign given was, that she who, at his desire, permitted him to drink of
ner water, would be the person appointed by God for the' wife of his servant Isaac.
Soon after this, Rebecca, the daughter of Bethuel, came to the well, with her
pitcher, for water; after she had filled it, the servant (having taken notice that she
was exceedingly beautiful) accosted her m a very humble manner, begging that she
would give him a draught of the water, he being exceedingly thirsty. Rebecca
readily consented, and not only gave him to drink, but also went several times to the
well to fetch water for the refreshment of his camels.*
This propitious occurrence highly delighted Abraham's servant, who, after paying
some general compliments to her 'beauty and benevolence, made inquiry concerning
her family and relations. To which the lovely virgin replied, that she was the
daughter of Bethuel, the son of Nahor, and kinswoman to Abraham.
This intelligence gave fresh spirits to the faithful messenger, who was now con
vinced that God approved ofthe alliance between Rebecca and Isaac. He therefore
presented to her a pair of gold ear-rings, and some other female ornaments, request
ing her to accept them as a token of his esteem for her virtues, and a grateful return
word (kad) is different from that (chemitz) rendered "bottle" in the narrative of Hagar's expulsion; and 1b
the same word used to describe the vessels in which Gideon's soldiers concealed their torches, and whir.li
they broke to produce a crashing and alarming noise. The women contrive to draw an enjoyment even
out of this irksome duty, as it affords the best opportunity they haye of meeting and talking together, and
of displaying their finery to each other. They by no means appear to the worst advantage, as to dress, at
the wells ; and this circumstance shows that Abraham's servant might there, without any incongruity, in
vest Rebecca with the ornaments he had brought. To a traveller in the East, the best opportunities of
making his observations on the females will occur in the evening at the wells. Eliezer was aware of this
and regarded the opportunity as favorable for his purpose. It appears that the unmarried females even of
towns went unveiled, or only partially veiled, on ordinary occasions, in these early times. Now ail go veil
ed ; and the more extended use of the veil in modern times has, probably, in one respect, operated favora
bly for the women, by exonerating those in families decently circumstanced from the very heavy duty of
fetching water, the proper management of the veil being scarcely compatible with the performance of this
laborious office. Accordingly we find that this duty devolves more exclusively on the females, without
distinction of rank, in those Asiatic countries or tribes where the women are not obliged to veil their faces,
as in India, and among the Arabian and other nomade tribes. We have already noticed the Arabian usage,
In consequence of the modifications which we venture to think that the extended use of the veil has pro
duced among the inhabitants of towns west of the Indus, it is perhaps in India we are to look for the most
precise parallels to the patriarchal customs. Accordingly we find, that in many parts of India, women of tlie
lirst distinction draw water daily from the public wells. They always fetch it in earthern jars carried upon
their heads. Sometimes two or tliree jars are carried at once, one upon the other, forming a pillar upon
the bearer's head. As this necessarily requires the most perfect steadiness, the habit gives to the females
a remarkably erect and stately air. It seems that it is a distinction to carry the jar on the shoulder; and
Forbes, in his " Oriental Memoirs," relates an anecdote of an intelligent native who, when this highly in
teresting passage was read to him, inferred that Rebecca was of " high caste," from her carrying the pit
cher on her shoulder. The text, however, does not necessarily imply that she carried the jar erect upon her
shoulder, but quite as probably means that it was carried at the back, the handle being held over the shoulder
by the hand or leathern strap.
* The pastoral poetry of classical antiquity, which has been imitated more or less in all nations, has ren
dered us familiar with the idea of females of birth and attractions acting as sheperdesses long after the
practice itself has been discontinued, and the employment has sunk into contempt. When nations origin;
ally pastoral settled in towns, and adopted the refinements of life, the care of the sheep ceased to be a
principal consideration, and gradually devolved upon servants or slaves, coming to be considered a mean
employment, to which the proprietor or his household only gave a general and superintending attention
The respectability of the employment in these patriarchal times is not evinced by our finding the daughter
of so considerable a person as LabaJt engaged in tending the flocks, for in the East all drudgery devolves
upon the females ; but by our finding the sons of such persons similarly engaged iu pastoral duties, which
in Homer also appears to have been considered a fitting employment for the sons of kings and powerful
chiefs. We are not aware that at present, in the East, the actual care of i flock or herd is considered a
dignified employment. Forbes, in his " Oriental Memoirs," mentions, that in the Bramin villages of the
Concan, women of the first distinction draw the water from wells, and tend the cattle to pasture, "like'
Rebecca a'ld Rachel." But in this instance it can not be because such employments have any dignity in
them, but because the women are obliged to perform every servile office. So, among the Bedouin Arabs,
and other nomade nations, the immediate care of the flocks devolves either upon the women or the ser
vants ; but most generally the latter, as the women have enough to occupy them in their multifarious do
mestic duties. However, among some tribes, it is the exclusive business of the young unmarried women
to drive the cattle to pasture. " Among the Sinai Arabs," says Burckhardt, " a boy would feel himself in-
suited were any one to say, ' Go and drive your father's sheep to pasture ;' these words, in his opinion,
would signify, ( You are no better than a girl.' " These young women set out before sunrise, three or foui
„ogether, carrying some water and victuals with them, and they do not return until late in the evening
Throughout the day they continue exposed to the sun, watching the sheep with great care, for they are
sure of being severely beaten by their father should any be lost. These young women are in general civil
to persons who pass by, and ready enough to share with them their victuals and milk. They aru l'ullyable
to protect their flocks against any ordinary depredation or danger, for their way of life makes them as
hardy and vigorous as the men.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLF..

87

SS AN ILLUSTRATED
for her distinguished condescension. As it grew late, and he had valuable property
about him, he entreated permission, for that night, to reside at the house of her rela-
tions. Rebecca, in a most engaging manner, permitted him this convenience, but
begged that she might previously apprize the family of so unexpected a visiter. Ac
cordingly, having accepted the presents, she immediately hastened home, leaving
Eliezer full of contemplation and acknowledgments to the divine favor for the happy
iacident. As soon as Rebecca entered the house, her brother Laban, observing the bracelets
on her arms, asked her by what means she had obtained such costly ornaments. Re
becca acquainted him with every particular that had happened, from her going out till.
her return ; upon which Laban immediately went to the well, where finding Eliezer
and his attendants, he brought them home with him, and ordered proper provision to
be made both for him and his retinue.
As soon as Eliezer had paid the necessary compliments to Rebecca's family, he in
formed them of the nature of his embassy, the great success that had attended him in
his journey, and the fortunate incident of his meeting Rebecca without the city. He
dkewise gave them an ample account of the state of his master's family ; of the wealth
and prosperity wherewith God had blessed him; ofthe son and heir which he had
given him in his old age; and of the large expectances which this heir had, not only
from the prerogative of his birth, but frorn the donation and entail of all his father's
possessions. Having thus minutely related every particular relative to his embassy
he demanded an immediate answer, saying, till that was obtained, he could not, with
any satisfaction, take the least refreshment.
From the very singular circumstances that had occurred in the course of Eliezer's
journey, Laban and Bethuel* were of opinion that Divine Providence was materially
concerned in the whole affair. Concluding, therefore, that it would be exceedingly
wrong to refuse Eliezer's request, they readily consented, and told him he might take
Rebecca to her intended husband as soon as he thought proper.
This business being settled, the trusty servant presented Rebecca with jewels of sil
ver and gold, and fine raiment, which he had brought with him for the purpose.
He likewise gave some considerable presents! to her mother and the rest of the
family ; and the remainder of the evening was dedicated to mirth and festivity.
Early in the morning, Eliezer, being impatient to acquaint his master with the suc
cess of his embassy, desired to be dismissed. This request greatly surprised the family,
who, influenced by natural affection, desired that Rebecca might be permitted to tarry
with them a few days, to take, perhaps, a last farewell. But the diligent and faithful
steward would admit of no delay ; upon which, the matter being referred to Rebecca
herself, she agreed to go with him whenever he thought proper. Accordingly, the
necessary preparations being made, and the bridal blessing bestowed, she took her
leave, attended by her nurse (whose name was Deborah). and other servants appointed
on the occasion.
When Eliezer came within some distance of his master's house, it happened that
Isaac was then walking in the fields, meditating on the beauties of nature, and the
beneficence of that Being who formed the creation. Seeing at a distance his servants
and camels on the road, he hastened to meet them, anxious to know the result of
Eliezer's embassy. As he approached near, Rebecca asked who he was ; and being
informed, she immediately alighted from her camel, threw a veil$ over her face, and
waited to receive the first compliments of her intended husband.
» This Bethuel could not be the father of Rebecca, because, had that been the case, it would have been
improper to have had Laban either named before him, or to have given answer to Abraham's messengei
when his father was by ; and, therefore, since Josephus makes the damsel tell Eliezer that her father had
been dead long ago, and that she was left to the care of her brother Laban, this Bethuel (who is here
named after Laban, and never more taken any notice of during the whole transaction) must have been
some younger brother of the family.
t Dr. Shaw, who resided many years in the East, tells us, that among the Arabians, the person who settles
a marriage contract, first adorns the espoused person with jewels, and then makes presents to her relations,
according to their rank. He adds, that, on such occasions, it is expressly stipulated what sum of money
the husband shall settle on the wife ; what jewels she shall wear; how many suits of raiment she shall
have ; and, lastly, how many slaves shall be allowed to attend her.
t Whether veiled before or not, she now " covered herself-her whole person-with the ample envel
oping veil with which brides are still conducted to the bridegroom. Rosenmuller, in illustration of this
passage, quotes an ancient father (Tertullian), who, with an express reference to the same text observes,
as a custom still existing in his time, that the heathen brides were also conducted to their husbands
covered with a veil. It is still all but universal in the East, and it will be observed that it is used not onlj
bv the females whose faces are always concealed both before and after marriage, but by those who display

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 89
When Isaac came up to Rebecca, he addressed her with great respect, and imme
diately conducted her to his mother'? tent, which had been previously fitted up foi
her reception, and designed for her luiure habitation. A few days after they were
joined in wedlock, and Isaac grew so fond of her, that his mind was greatly relieved
from that perturbation with which, for three years, it had been loaded, for the loss
of his affectionate mother. Such was the pious regard children had for their parents
in those days ; and such was the amiable example set by Isaac for all who should
follow !
Some time after Isaac's marriage, his father, though far advanced in life, yet still
possessing great strength of constitution, made an addition to his family, by taking
another wife, whose name was Keturah, and by whom he had six sons. But, lest
they should interfere with Isaac in his inheritance of Canaan, as they grew up he
portioned them off, and sent them towards the east, where, settling in Arabia and
Syria, they became, in time, the rulers of different nations.
These are the last circumstances mentioned by the saered historian, relative to the
great patriarch Abraham, who at length, worn out with bodily infirmities, quietly
gave up the ghost, in the one hundred and seventy-fifth year of Ms age, leaving be
hind him a name famous to all posterity. He was buried by his two sons, Ishmael
and Isaac, in the cave of Machpelah, where, about forty years before, he had depos
ited the remains of his beloved Sarah.
Ishmael, the eldest son of Abraham, though not his heir, lived many years after
his father. He died at the age of one hundred and seven, leaving behind him twelve

part or the, whole of their faces on ordinary occasions. It is in fact, the indispensable costume for the oc
casion. "Whether the bridal veil was distinguished from other veils does not appear ; but we observe that
one of red silk or muslin is affected by the Persians on such an occasion, although the ordinary veils are
white or blue ; and Dr. Russell, iu his account of a Maronite marriage, observes that the bride's veil was
of the same color. Thus we see that Rebecca, by enveloping her person in a veil, put herself into the cos-
tnme usual for a bride when conducted to the tent or house of her husband.
* The Ishmaelites. — We know not whence the strange opinion arose that the whole Arabian nation is
descended from Ishmael, and that, consequently, the names of the Ishmaelites and Arabs are co-extensive,
nnless from the Chaldee and Arabic paraphrasts, and from other Jewish writers, whose historical authority,
at all times of the least possible value, becomes a perfect nullity when open to any obvious influence, such
as the wish to represent Abraham as the father or so great and wide-spread a nation as the Arabians. The
whole testimony of the oriental writers, and all the inferences deducible from the sacred narrative, are
opposed to this conclusion. The Arabians have a history anterior to Ishmael ; and it would be preposter
ous to suppose, that Arabia, even to its deserts, was not occupied before his time.
According to the Arabian writers, Arabia was occupied afew generations after the flood by the successive
settlement within it of variously descended tribes, all of whom ultimately gave way to the races from,
which the present Arabs claim to be descended, either from being destroyed by them or lost in them.
These latter proceed from two stocks, of which the most ancient is that of Kahtan, the same who in the
Bible is called Joktan, a son of Eber ; and the other that of Adnan, who descended in a direct line from
Ishmael. To the posterity ofthe former Ib given the distinguishing title of eminence, al Arab al Araba,
(epuvalent to " a Hebrew of the Hebrews" among the Jewsi, tnat la, the genuine or pure Arabs : while
those of Ishmael receive that of al Arab al Mostiireba, meaning naturalized or mixed Arabs. But some
writers, who wish to be more precise, apply the first and rnos.t honorable title to the most ancient and lost
tribes to which we have alluded, while the descendants of Kahtan obtained the name of Motdreba, which
likewise signifies mixed Arabs, though in a nearer degree than Mostdreba ; those who acknowledged
Ishmael for their ancestor (through Adnan) being the more distant graft. Considering the origin of
Ishmael, it is no wonder that those supposed to be descended from him should have no claim to be admit
ted as pure Arabs ; but as he is alleged to have contracted an alliance with the Jorhamites (descended
from Jorham, a son of Kahtan), who possessed Hejaz, by marrying the daughter of their emir Modad,
whence, and by subsequent intermarriages his descendants became blended with them into one nation,
their claim to be regarded as Mostareba is beyond dispute.
There is considerable uncertainty in the descents from Ishmael to Adnan, which is the reason why the
Arabs have seldom attempted to trace their genealogies higher than the latter, whom they therefore look
upon as the founder of their tribes. The account'of this" Adnan does not commence, however, till 123
B. C. ; so that the uncertainties extend over a period of about 1800 years. This is a very awful circum
stance at the first view, but the line of descent is not compromised by -it, notwithstanding. The uncer
tainties refer merely to the numbers and names of the generations which fill the interval, and arise from
the contracted manner in which genealogies, extending over a long series of ages, were necessarily kept
Thus they do not specify all the generations from A to Z, in this way:— "Z, the son of Y ; Y, the son of
X ; X, the son of W," and so on up to A : but knowing it to be a matter of perfect notoriety and unques
tionable truth that Z is descended from some eminent ancestor, say S, and that it is equally notorious and
unquestionable that the remote ancestor of this S was M, and that M was descended from G, and G from
A,— they may omit the intermediate ancejtors, through whom Z descended from S, and S from M, and M
from G, and G from A, and state the matter thus : " Z, the son of S, the son of M, the son of G, the son
of A ;" and thus it mav occur that not only the names but even the numbers of the generations between A
and Z may, in the course of time, become involved in great uncertainty through their not being given in
detail in the genealogies, while the truth yet remains certain and unquestionable that Z is descended irom
A through G, M, and S. Hence, it is not questioned that Adnan is descended from Ishmael, and a certain
number, eight or ten, of illustrious names are mentioned to mark out the hne of descent, while the names
of the mass of intermediate ancestors is lost, and even the numbers of their generations may be a subject
of fair dispute without the main question being touched. It is, therefore, surprising to see some able
writers so much in the dark as to imagine, that, because the Arabian writers give us only some eight ol

90 AN ILLUSTRATED
CHAPTER VI.
LIFE OF ISAAC — FORTUNES OF HIS FAMILY.
When Isaac married Rebecca, he was forty years old, and lived with her nearly
twenty years before she had issue. He had been so long uneasy on this account, thai
he at length prayed to God to grant him an heir, who being pleased to listen to hia
request, bestowed that blessing he had so earnestly wished for, and the long barren
Rebecca now conceived, to the great satisfaction both of herself and husband.
After Rebecca had been pregnant some months, the struggles of the children (for
she had twins within her) gave her such pain and uneasiness, that she began, in a
manner, to wish herself not with child. Unable to account for the cause of her ex
treme pains, she went to consult the divine oracle, and received for answer, that the
two children, which she then bore, should be the heads of two different nations, and
that they would long contest for superiority ; but that, in process of time, the glories
acquired by the elder would be eclipsed by the more resplendent transactions of the
younger. When the time of Rebecca's delivery arrived, the child that first entered the world
was covered all over with red hair,* for which reason his parents called him Esau ;
and the other came so close after him, that he took hold of his heel with his hand,
and was therefore called Jacob, to denote (what he afterward proved) the supplantet
of his brother.
As these two children grew up, they became very different in their tempers, and
when they arrived at the age of maturity, followed different employments. Esau,
the elder, being strong and active, delighted in the chase, and thereby frequently
supplying his father with venison, obtained his particular affection; while Jacob,
who was of a more courteous disposition, by staying at home in the tent, and em
ploying himself in family offices, became the favorite of his mother.
Esau having one day greatly fatigued himself with hunting, returned home just at
the time his brother Jacob had prepared a mess of pottaget for his own refreshment,
ten names to mark the line of descent, they were absurd enough to suppose that that eight or ten genera
tions sufficed to cover the long interval between Ishmael and Adnan. We have dwelt on this subject the
rather because this Arabian manner of proceeding suffices to clear up some difficulties wliich the Hebrew
genealogies offer.
It must not be inferred that the Arabs undervalue the descent from Ishmael in comparison with thai
from Kahtan, on account of their applying to it a less honorable designation. This is by no means tho
case ; for, on the contrary, they set a high value, like the Jews, on the privilege of being descended from
Abraham ; and this distinction is, in the eyes of the modern Arabs, greatly enhanced by the circumstance
that Mohammed belonged to this race, and gloried in being descended from Ishmael and Abraham.
Of the personal history of Ishmael the Arabians give a highly embellished account, which it is not neces
sary in this place to repeat. In those circumstances which seem most entitled to consideration, as not
incompatible with his scriptural history, we are somewhat inclined to suspect that they apply to him
actions and events which really belong, if they are at all real, to some of his descendants. For instance,
that Ishmael ever was in Hejaz, or formed any important connexions there, seems to us very doubtful ;
but there is nothing in this that might not be very probably true of one of his descendants, after the tribo
had increased, and had formed alliances among the Arabs of the Kahtan races. We therefore attach little
weight to the statement of his marriage to the daughter of the king of the Jorhamites, though we should
not be prepared to doubt it merely on the ground that the scripture tells us that he married an Egyptian
woman, since his Arabian wife might have been the second. In fact, much that the Arabians tell us about
Ishmael proceeds on the grievous misconception that Abraham himself lived in Hejaz, and that there all
the events of his later history took place.
The account of the descent of numerous Arabian tribes from Ishmael is not open to the same doubts 01
difficulty, and is, indeed, so clear in itself, and so universally acknowledged, that the object of the present
note has not been to prove this, but to indicate the historical certainty that all the Arabians could not,
and did not, claim to be descended from him.
* This expression, according to some commentators, is taken two ways, namely, either that Esau was,
at his birth, covered with red hair, or that the color of his skin was red, like a coat of red hair. He was
called Esau, from the word Esckau, wliich in the Hebrew language, signifies a hair-cloth ; as Jacob wa$
named from Hekel, the heel, and signifies a supplanter, or one that taketh hold of, or trippeth up another's
heels. t The edom, or red pottage, was prepared, we learn from this chapter, by seething lentils (adashim) in
water ; and subsequently, as we may guess from a practice which prevails in many countries, adding a
little manteca, or suet, to give them a flavor. The writer of these observations has often partaken of this
self-same " red pottage," served up in the manner just described, and found it better food than a stranger
would be apt to imagine. The mess had the redness which gained for it the name of edom ; and which,
through the singular circumstance of a son selling his birthright to satisfy the cravings of a pressing appe
tite, it imparted to the posterity of Esau in the people of Edom. The lentil (or Lens esculenta of some wri
ters, and the Ervum lens of Lmnasus) belongs to the leguminous or podded family. The stem is branched,
and the leaves consist of about eight pairs of smaller leaflets. The flowers are small, and with the uppei
division of the flower prettily veined. The pods contain about two seeds, which vary from a tawny red to a
black lt delights in a dry, warm sandy soil.. Three varieties are cultivated in France—" small brown,"
" yellowish," and the " lentil of Provence." In the former country they are dressed and eaten during Lent
as a haricot ; in Syria they are used as food after they have undergone the simple process of being parched
in a pan over the fire.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 91
Esau, being almost spent with hunger, was so struck with the looks of tne pottage.
that he anxiously begged of his brother to let him participate of the repast. But
Jacob (who was probably so instructed by his mother) refused to comply with his re
quest, unless on the following conditions ; namely, that he would immediately makt
over to him his birth-right. Esau reflecting on the danger to which he was daily
subject, from the nature of his employment, set no great value on what Jacob re
quired; and the latter, perceiving his disposition to comply (that he might have the
right more firmly conveyed to him), proposed his doing it by way of oath. Notwith
standing the singularity of the request, Esau complied with it, and the bargain being
made, he ate very greedily of the food prepared by his brother. Thus did the un-
ihinkino; Esau dispose of his birth-right, with all the privileges* belonging to it, fov
so simple a thing as a mess of pottage.
Isaac, at this time, lived at Beersheba, but a dreadful famine happening in the land
of Canaan, he resolved (as his father Abraham had done on a similar occasion) to
avoid its consequences by retiring to Egypt. He accordingly proceeded as far as Ge
rar, a city belonging to the Philistines. But here he was interrupted m his mtended
journey by the interposition of the Almighty, who, in a dream, charged him not to
go into Egypt, but to tarry in the country where he then was ; and at the same time
assured him, that he would not only secure him from the danger of the famine, but,
in performance of the oath which he had sworn to his father Abraham, would cause
his descendants (to whom he would give the whole land of Canaan in possession) to
multiply exceedingly.
In conformity to the divine command, Isaac determined to fix his residence at Ge
rar, where he made use of the same stratagem his father had formerly done in the
same place, and from the same motive. Fearful lest the charms of his wife Rebecca
might attract the particular notice of some of the city, and thereby endanger his own
safety, it was agreed between them, that, instead of his wife, she should pass for his
sister. This deception succeeded for a time, but at length was discovered by Abime-
lecht the king, who, from a window, observed such familiarities pass between them,
as convinced him they were man and wife.
In consequence of this discovery, Abimelech sent for Isaac, whom he accused ot
dissimulation, telling him, that from the freedom he had observed between him and
Rebecca, he was sure she was his wife ; and that the imposition he had endeavored
to lay on the peoplo might have been attended with consequences disgraceful to
himself. Isaac, conscious of the justness of the accusation, did not attempt to disprove the
charge, but urged, in vindication of his conduct, that he did it to preserve that life,
which, otherwise, he thought in the most imminent danger. This apology was ad
mitted by Abimelech, who not only forgave him the offence, but immediately issued
an edict, that whoever should presume to offer any injury either to him or his wife,
should be punished with death.
Having received these tokens of friendship from Abimelech, Isaac thought himself
happy under his protection, and, intending to make Gerar his fixed place of residence,
employed himself in husbandry, and the rearing of flocks, for the future support of him
self and family. The great success that attended his endeavors, by means of his bene
ficent Creator, soon raised the envy and indignation of the Philistines. In the space
of one year only, during his residence at Gerar, so prolific was the land he sowed
that, to the great astonishment of his neighbors, it yielded him a hundred fold.
» It should be understood, that previously to the establishment of a priesthood under the Law of Moses,
the first-born had not only a preference in the secular inheritance, but succeeded exclusively to the priestly
functions which had belonged to his father, in leading the religious observances of the family, and perform
ing the simple religious rites of these patriarchal times. The secular part of the birthright entitled the first
born to a " double portion" of the inheritance ; but writers are divided in opinion as to the proportion of this
double share. Some think that he had one half, and that the rest was equally divided among the other sons j
but a careful consideration of Gen. xlvii. 5-22, in which we see that Jacob transfers the privilege of the
first-born to Joseph, and that tllis privilege consisted in his having one share more than any of his brethren,
in( lines us to the opinion of the Rabbins, that the first-born had merely twice as much as any other of his
brethren. It is certainly possible, but not very likely, that in the emergency, Esau bartered all his birth-
right for a mess of pottage ; but it seems more probable that Esau did not properly appreciate the value of
the sacerdotal part of his birthright, and therefore readily transferred it to Jacob for a trifling present ad
vantage. This view of the matter seems to be confirmed by St. Paul, who calls Esau a profane person,
for his conduct on this occasion ; and it is rather for despising his spiritual than his temporal privileges,
that he seems to be liable to such an imputation. , , „ , „ .,.. „  „„„? t.
t This Abimelech was probably the son of him with whom Abraham had formerly made a =oyenant. It
is reasonable to suppose that Abimelech was only a title commonly used for the kings of the Philistines, m
Hie same manner as Cssar was by the Roman emperors, and Pharaoh fol the kings ot figypr.

92 AN ILLUSTRATED
This so irritated the Philistines, that, in order to oblige him to leave the country,
they filled up the wells which had been formerly dug by his father's servants ; and
Abimelech himself, to satisfy the resentment of the people, ordered him to quit Ge
rar. telling him, that as he had sufficiently improved his fortune under his protection,
he might now give the like opportunity to others, by leaving the place, and retiring
to a more distant part of the country.
Finding to what a degree the people were incensed against him, Isaac, to preserve
his property, as well as secure his person, left the place, and retired to the valley of
Gerar, which was at some distance from the city, and where Abraham had formerly
fed his cattle. Having settled himself here, he opened the wells (which had been
lug by his father and filled up by the Philistines) and called them by their ancient
names In the course of their labors, Isaac's servants discovered a new well of fine
pringing water ;• but a dispute arising between them and some neighboring herdsmen,
the latter claiming the well as found upon their ground, Isaac resolved to leave the
place ; and by way of perpetuating the circumstance called it Esek, which, in the
Hebrew language, signifies contention. Removing some way farther, Isaac's servants
dug another well, which being likewise claimed by the Philistines, he was obliged to
relinquish it, and therefore, called the place Sitnah, which signifies enmity.*
Being quite tired out with repeated insults from the Philistines, in order to prevent
the like in future, he removed to the most distant part of their country. Here he
dug another well ; and not meeting with any opposition, he called it Rehobolh, which
signifies enlargement, because his flocks had now room to feed and range the country
in search of fresh pasturage : " for now," said he, " the Lord hath made room for us,
and we shall be fruitful in the land."
After residing a short time on this spot Isaac returned to Beersheba,t where, on the
very night of his arrival, the Almighty was pleased to appear to him in a vision,
promising him his favor and protection, and that he would bless him, and multiply
* The cause of these differences seems to have been, that a question arose whether wells dug by Abra
ham's and Isaac's people within the territories of Gerar belonged to the people who digged them, or to those
who enjoyed the territorial right. The real motive of tlie opposition of the people of Gerar, and their
stopping up the wells made by Abraham, seems to have been to discourage the visits of such powerful per
sons to their territory ; for otherwise the wells would have been suffered to remain on account of their
utility to the nation. Stopping up the wells is still an act of hostility in the East. Mr. Roberts says that it
is so in India, where one person who hates another will sometimes send his slaves in the night to fill up the
well of the latter, or else to pollute it by throwing in the carcases of unclean animals. The Bedouin tribes
in the country traversed by the great pilgrim-caravan which goes annually from Damascus to Mecca, receive
presents of money and vestments to prevent them from inj uring the wells upon the line of march, and which
are essential to the very existence of the multitudes who then traverse this desert region. However, of all
people in the world, none know so well as the Arabs the value of water, and the importance of wells, and
hence they never wantonly do them harm. They think it an act of great merit in the sight of God to dig a
well ; and culpable in an equal degree to destroy one. The wells in the deserts are in general the exclu
sive property either of a whole tribe, or of individuals whose ancestors dug them. The possession of a well
is never alienated ; perhaps because the Arabs are firmly permaded that the owner of a well is sure to
prosper in all his undertakings, since the blessings of all who drink his water fall upon him. The stopping
of Abraham's wells by the Philistines, the re-opening of them by Isaac, and the restoration of their formei
names— the commemorative names given to ;he new wells, and the strifes about them between those who
had sunk them and the people of the land— are all circumstances highly characteristic of those countries in
which the want of rivers and brooks during summer renders the tribes dependant upon the wells for the very
existence of the flocks and herds which form their wealth. It would seem that the Philistines did not again
stop the wells while Isaac was in their country, lt is probable that the wells successfully sunk by Isaac
did not furnish water sufficient for both his own herds and those of Gerar, and thus the question became
one of exclusive right. Such questions often lead to bitter and bloody quarrels in the East ; and it was
probably to avoid the last result of an appeal to arms that Isaac withdrew out of the more settled country
toward the desert, where he might enjoy the use of his wells in peace.
t Beehsheba.— In the Biblical Repository for April, 1839, we have a very valuable and interesting " Re
port of Travels in Palestine and the Adjacent Regions, in 1838; undertaken for the illustration of Biblical
Geography by the Rev. Prof. E. Robinson and Rev. E. Smith ;" in which we find a notice of the discovery o(
the site of Beersheba, about thirty miles to the south of Hebron. Our readers will not fail to be gratified
at being enabled to obtain the view, conveyed in the following description, of a place of such great interest
in the history of the patriarchs :—
" After crossing another elevated plateau, the character of the surface was again changed We came
upon an open rolling country ; all around were swelling hills, covered in ordinary seasons with grass and
ricli pasturage, though now arid and parched with drought. We now came to Wady Lebu • and on the
north side of its water-course we had the satisfaction of discovering the site of ancient Beersheba the
celebrated border city of Palestine, still bearing in Arabic the name of Bir Seba. Near the waW-course
are two circular wells of excellent water, nearly forty feet deep. They are both surrounded with'drinking
troughs of stone, for the use of eimels and flocks ; such as doubtless were used of old for the flocks that
then fed on the adjacent hills. Ascending the low hills north of the wells, we found them strewed with
the ruins of former habitations-the foundations of wliich are distinctly to be traced These ruins extend
over a space of half a mile long by a quarter of a mile broad. Here, then, is the place where Abraham and
Isaac and Jacob often lived ! Here Samuel made his three sons judges ; and from here Eiijah wandered out
into the southern desert, and sat down under the rethem, or shrub of broom, just as our Arabs sat down undei
it every day and every night. Over these swelling hills the flocks of the patriarchs roved' by thousands
we now only found a few camels, asses, and goats " '

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

93

*4 AN ILLUSTRATED
his seed, for the sake of his faithful servant Abraham. In grateful acknowledgment
of this repeated instance of the divine goodness, Isaac, intending to continue here
first built an altar for religious worship, and then ordered his servants to clear out thi.
well which had been formerly dug by his father.
Isaac had not long returned to Beersheba, when Abimelech, touched with a sensr
of the unworthy treatment he had received, both from him and his subjects, as well
as fearing his just resentment, should he become powerful hereafter, thought it most
prudent to avoid future trouble, by endeavoring either to renew the old league which
had been formerly made with his father Abraham, or to enter into a new one. Ac
cordingly, taking with him the chief of his nobility, together with the captain-general
of his forces, he went, in great pomp, to Beersheba, in order to pay honor and respect
to Isaac. At the first interview Isaac, to show that he still retained a sense of the
injuries he had formerly done him, received his visit very coolly, and, with apparent
surprise, asked, how he came to offer respect to a person, for whom, by his conduct
and behavior, he had long discovered an utter aversion ? Abimelech, conscious of
his error, made the best excuse the nature of the case would admit. He told him he
had long been convinced that the divine favor attended him in all his undertakings,
and that he might not be thought to oppose God, he was come to renew the covenant
between his people and Abraham's posterity, and was ready to engage in the same
conditions and obligations. "
Isaac, being naturally of a quiet and easy disposition, readily admitted this apology
from Abimelech, whom, with his attendants, he entertained with great liberality.
The articles for a treaty of friendship were agreed on that same evening, and the next
morning confirmed by a solemn and mutual oath ; after which Abimelech took his
leave, and returned home.
Soon after the departure of Abimelech, the servants of Isaac informed him, that,
in the well they had been clearing out, and which formerly belonged to Abraham, they
had found a spring of most excellent water. This event happening on the same day
that the league of friendship had been confirmed between Isaac and Abimelech, he called
it (as his father had done before on a similar occasion) Beersheba, the well of the oath,
" i. e. the well wherein water was delivered, on the day that Abimelech and 1 entered
into a treaty of peace, and ratified the same with the solemnity of an oatV
A circumstance now occurred, which gave great uneasiness both to Isaac and his
wife. Their two sons were arrived at the age of forty, and Esau had taken two wives
from among the Hittites, one of whom was Judith, the daughter of Beeri, and the
other Bashemath, the daughter of Elon, both women of respectable families in Ca
naan. These marriages he had contracted without his parents' privity, knowing that
his father had determined not to form any alliance with the idolatrous Canaanitei.
Rebecca was so incensed at Esau's conduct, that the little affection she before had for
him, was now entirely alienated ; but such was the power of natural affection in Isaac,
and such his over-fondness for an obdurate and perverse son, that knowing the errot
past repair, he made a virtue of necessity, and forgave what he could not remedy.
Isaac, becoming very old,* imperfect in his eyesight, and apprehensive that his dis
solution was near at hand, resolved to bestow that parental benediction on his son
Esau, which he had long intended. Accordingly, calling him one day to his private
apartment, he first related the occasion of his sending for him, and then desired him to
take his hunting instruments, to go into the fields, kill some venison,! and dress it to
his palate, that his spirits might be refreshed, and his mind properly disposed, forgiv
ing him that solemn blessing which should crown his future prosperity.
While Isaac was relating his intentions to Esau, Rebecca had so planted herself as
to hear all that passed. She, therefore, determined, if possible, to deprive him of the
intended blessing, and, by stratagem, get it conferred on her favorite son Jacob. As
soon, therefore, as Esau was well gone, Rebecca, calling her son Jacob, told him what
she had heard, namely, that his father was going to bestow a benediction, which was
final and irrevocable, on his brother ; but that, if he would listen to, and follow her
directions, she doubted not of getting the honor bestowed on him.
* Isaac was at this time 137 years old, so that there is no wonder he should be imperfect in his sight. It
appears that lie was still ignorant of Esau having sold his birth-right ; for he loved him as his first-born son,
and designed to bestow on him the blessing.
t Venison was the principal article of food, in these early ages, next to vegetables, and it is very likely
the aged patriarch longed for some. According to all tho accounts we have of the people in tlie Eastern
countries, they had always a feast prepared before tney bestowed their blessing on their first-born son.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 95
Jacob promising to pay a stnct obedience to whatever his mother should command,
she ordered him to go immediately to the flocks, and bring two kids, with which, she
said, she would make savory meat, such as should resemble venison, and be agreeable
to the palate of his father. Jacob made some hesitation at complying with this in
junction, intimating, that if his father should discover the deception, instead of a
blessing, he would pronounce on him a curse. As a farther ground of objection, he
observed, that, as Esau was remarkably hairy, and he naturally smooth, his father, to
supply the defect of sight, might handle him, in which case a discovery must una
voidably follow. But these objections bore no weight with Rebecca, who, determined
to put her design into execution, told him, whatever bad consequences ensued, she
would take all upon herself: " Upon me," said she, " be thy curse, my son ; only obey
my voice."*
Jacob, being thus encouraged by his mother, threw off his diffidence, and going to
the fold, brought with him, as he was directed, two fat kids. Rebecca immediately
killed them, and taking the choicest parts, dressed them in such manner, by the as
sistance of savory sauce, as to make the whole strongly resemble venison. Having
thus prepared the food, she dressed Jacob in his brother's best attire, and covering his
hands and neck with the skins of the kids, gave him the dish, ordering him immedi
ately to take it to his father.
Jacob, agreeably to his mother's directions, went with the food to Isaac's apartment,
which he had no sooner entered, than the good old man (not being able to distinguish
objects from the imperfection of his sight) with surprise asked, who he was. To
which Jacob replied, " I am Esau, thy first-born : I have punctually obeyed thy com
mand; arise, therefore, and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me." Isaac,
astonished at the haste with which his desire was executed, inquired of him how it
happened that he had so quickly got the venison ? To this he answered, " Because
the Lord thy God brought it to me." Being, however, still diffident as to his person,
Isaac ordered him to approach near, that, by feeling him, he might be convinced
whether or not it was really and verily his son Esau. Jacob accordingly went close
to his aged father, who, feeling the hairy skin ou his hands and neck, exclaimed, with
great surprise, " The hands are the hands of Esau, but the voice is the voice of Jacob."
He then put the question to him forcibly, saying, " Art thou my very son Esau ?" To
which Jacob, without the least hesitation, answered, "I am."
The good old man, being now satisfied, arose from his couch, ate of his son's pre
tended venison, and drank a cup or two of wine; after which he bid him come near
that he might bestow on him the promised blessing. The scent arising from Jacob's
garments gave great satisfaction to Isaac. He smelt, and praised them : "The smell
of my son," said he, "is as the smell of a field, which the Lord hath blessed. "t He
then, in a kind of ecstacy of pleasure, embraced and kissed his pretended first-born ;
and, after w'fhing him all heavenly and earthly blessings,!; at length dismissed him.
* From a circumspect view of Rebecca's conduct throughout the whole of this affair, it appears evident
that she had been made acquainted with the Divine will concerning the channel in which the grand promise
;was to pass. She theiefore resolved to do her part toward preventing the ill effects of Isaac's partial
fondness for his eldest son Esau, who had already indicated so unworthy a disposition. To this end she
'Incites her son Jacob (as it appears) to an act of deceit, and, being confident of the propriety of her con
duct, absolves him from all guilt or blame. The expression, " Upon me be thy curse, my son," is as much
as to say, I will win-rant thee success ; I am so fully persuaded of the rectitude of the proceeding, that I
fear no evil from it, but will readily bear it all if any happens. A stronger proof than this can not be given
'of Rebecca's full confidence in the propriety of her proceeding. Indeed, it does not appear that the least
blame is iaid upon Rebecca for her conduct : on the contrary, Isaac himself confirms the blessing which
Jacob had by her means acquired ; whence we must necessarily conclude that she acted upon right
motives, and with -i full persuasion of the Divine pre-appointment and approbation- Many particular
circumstances, if we were fully informed of the state of the family, might possibly be urged in her behalf ,
but this alone is sufficient to vindicate her from all blame. She had certainly been pre-informed that Jacob
should have the pre-eminence, and therefore she acted religiously in preventing her husband from any
endeavor to counteract the Divine will. Let it, however, be observed, that her case is so peculiar that it
can not be drawn into example ; and, detached from that important and discriminating circumstance of
God's will revealed to her, her conduct would, unquestionably, be deemed blameable.
t It is evident, from mention being here made of the smell of Jacob's garments, that the people in the
most early times perfumed their clothes, especially when they approached a person of superior rank ; and
this custom is still preserved in most parts of Asia. The comparison between the smell of the garments
and that of the field is very just ; for in the Eastern countries, where they have a long continuance of
flrought, nothing can be more sweet and delightful than the scent arising from a field after a refreshing
shower ; The prayei which Josephus makes Isaac offer up to God on this occasion is to the following effect :—
"Eiernal and Supreme Being! Creator of all things! thou hast already showered down innumerable
favors on my family and promised still greater blessings in future. Ratify, O Lord, those gracious
assurances, and despise not the prayers of infirm age. Protect this child from all calamities ; grant iuw

96 AN ILLUSTRATED
A short time after Jacob had left his father's tent, Esau entered it, and, bringing
with him the venison he had been directed to prepare, invited his aged parent, in th«
same dutiful manner his brother had previously done, to arise, and eat of it. Isaac,
suiprised at this address, hastily asked, " Who art thou ?" On being answered tha*
it was his elder son Esau, he appeared, for some time, thunderstruck ; but at length
recovering himself, he asked, who, and where, that person was, who had been with
him before, and taken away the blessing, which he neither could nor would revoke.
When the disappointed Esau heard these words from his father, he exclaimed, in
the bitterness of his soul, "Bless me, even me also, O my father." Isaac then toll?
him that his brother Jacob had, by stratagem, obtained that blessing he had designed
for him; upon which Esau complained of his double perfidy, first, in artfully obtaining
his birth-right, and then in robbing him of his father's benediction. He wept bitterly
for some time, and then pathetically asked his father if he had not in reserve a blessing
for him, repeating the importunate request, " Bless me, even me also, O my father."
Isaac, no doubt, was greatly grieved to hear the lamentations of Esau for so great
a loss; but what could he do! he had already bestowed the choicest of his blessings
on Jacob, and as they were gone he could npt recall them. At length, however, in
order to pacify the afflicted Esau, he told him that his posterity should become a grea'
people, and live by dint of the sword; and that though they might become subject to
the descendants of Jacob, yet in process of time they would shake off their yoke, and
erect a dominion of their own.*
When Esau came coolly to reflect on the loss he had sustained by the artifices of
his brother, he resolved, as soon as a proper opportunity should offer, to be revenged
on him. The respect he had for his father laid a restraint on the execution of his
design. As Isaac was far advanced in years, and exceedingly infirm, Esau imagined
his existence was of short duration, and therefore determined to wait till his father's
death, immediately after which he resolved to put a period to the life of his brother.
Esau having accidentally dropped some hints of his design, they soon came to the
ears of his mother, who, anxious lor ihc future welfare of her favorite Jacob, ac
quainted him with the horrid intentions of his brother. She told him that the most
prudent method he could take would be to absent himself till his brother's anger was
in some degree abated, and that the most proper place for him to fly to was the house
of his uncle Laban in Mesopotamia : that thither he might retire for a time, and as
soon as she found his brother's resentment was assuaged, she would not fail to recall
him. She said the thoughts of separating gave her great affliction, though nothing
in comparison with the misery she must feel, should she in one day be robbed of them
both — of him, by the hands of his brother ; and of his brother, by the hand of justice.
Jacob, who ever listened to and obeyed the counsel of his mother, was very ready
iO comply with her proposal ; but at the same time was unwilling to depart without
the consent of his father, which, in this case, he was fearful of obtaining. Rebecca
soon hit upon a stratagem to remove this seeming difficulty. She immediately re
paired to Isaac, to whom she complained of the great concern under which she
labored on account of Esau having taken wives from among the daughters of the
Hittites. She then intimated her fears lest Jacob should follow his example ; to pre
vent which she earnestly recommended that he might be sent to Mesopotamia, and
there choose a wife from among her own kindred.
Though Isaac was unacquainted with the drift of his wife's complaint, yet, being
a pious man, and knowing that the promise made to Abraham, and renewed in him,
was to be completed in the issue of Jacob, he readily assented to Rebecca's proposal.
length of days, peace of mind, and as much wealth as may appear consistent with his happiness here. In
fine, render him, O Lord, the dread of his enemies, and the glory of his family and friends."
« The Edomites, 01 Idumaeans (the descendants of Esau), were, for a considerable time, much more
powe-ful than the Israelites, who were descended from Jacob, till, in the days of David, they were entirely
conquered. See a Samuel viii. 14. After this they were governed by deputies, of viceroys, appointed by
the kings of Judah, and for a long time were kept in total subjection to the Jews. In the days of Jehoram,
the son of Jehoshaphat, they expelled their viceroy, and set up a king of their own (see 2 Kings viii. 90),
which fulfilled the latter part of Isaac's prophecy. For some generations after this they lived independent
of the Jews ; and, when the Babylonians invaded Judea, they not only took part with them, but greatly
oppressed the inhabitants after their departure. Their .animosity against the descendants of Jacob evi
dently appears, indeed, to have been hereditary ; nor did they ever cease, for any considerable time, from
broils and contentions, till, at length, they were conquered by Hyrcanus, and reduced to the necessity
either of embracing the Jewish religion or quitting their country. Preferring the former, they were inter
mixed with the Jews, and became one nation, so that in the first century after the birth of Christ the naim
of ldumajan was totally annihilated.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 97
Calling, therefore, his son Jacob, he first bestowed on him his blessing, and then
strictly enjoined him never to marry a Canaanitish woman. To prevent so improper
an alliance, he ordered him to go to his uncle Laban, in Mesopotamia, and provide
l 'mself with a wife from his family. Jacob promised to obey his father's orders,
upon which the good old mau, after repeating his blessing, dismissed him.
When Esau understood that his father had again blessed Jacob, and sent him into
Mesopotamia to avoid marrying any of the daughters of Canaan, he began seriously
to reflect on his own misconduct, and to lament having, by the indiscreet alliances he
had formed, incurred the displeasure of his aged parents. To reinstate himself,
therefore, if possible, in his father's esteem, he took a third wife, whose name was
Mahalath, the daughter of his uncle Ishmael. This marriage certainly took place
both from duty and affection; but, unfortunately for Esau, it was not attended with
the wished-for consequences.
Early the next morning, after Jacob received his father's charge aud blessing, he
left Beersheba, and proceeded on his journey toward Haran. Determined strictly to
obey his father's commands, he travelled the most private ways he could find, shun
ned the houses of the Canaanites, and, when night came on, took up his lodging in
the open air, near a place called Luz, having only the spangled sky for his canopy,
and a hard stone for his pillow. Notwithstanding the uneasiness of his situation, he
slept soundly, during which he dreamed that he saw a ladder set upon the earth,
the top of which reached to heaven, and on the rounds of it were a number of an
gels, some ascending and others descending. On the summit of the ladder appeared
the Almighty, who promised him all those privileges he had before done to Abra
ham and his father Isaac; and that, wherever he went, he might be assured of the
divine protection. " Behold I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither
thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land : for I will not leave thee until 1
have done that which I have spoken to thee of."*
This dream made such an impression on Jacob's mind, that, as soon as he awoke,
he paid an awful reverence to the place, and after a short contemplation of what had
passed, thus exclaimed : " This is none other than the house of God, and this is the
gate of heaven !" Having said this, he arose, and taking the stone which had been
substituted for a pillow, he set it upright, poured oil on it, and, in pious commemo
ration of the vision, called tlie place "Bethel," which, in the Hebrew language,
signifies " the house of God. "t
* There Is something very noble and sublime in the representation of this vision. The ladder which
reached from earth to heaven is a proper image of the providence of God, whose care extends to all things
In heaven and on earth. The angels are represented ascending and descending on this mysterious ladder,
because these ministering spirits are always active in the execution of the wise designs of Providence,
end appointed the special guardians of the just : they ascend to receive, and descend to execute, the com
mands of God. And, lastly, by the representation of the Divine Majesty appearing above the ladder, is
meant, fhat though the conduct of Providence is often above the reach of human comprehension, yet the
whole is directed by infinite wisdom and goodness ; and though in this vale of misery we can see only a
few lower steps of the ladder, nearest to the earth, yet it hath a top that reacheth unto heaven : and were
it possible for us to trace the chain of causes and effects to their source, we should see them gradually
ascend higher and higher, till they terminate at length in the Supreme Being, the first and proper cause ol
all, who presides over and directs the complicated scheme of Providence, from the creation of the world to
the consummation of all things. Certainly nothing could have been a more seasonable relief to Jacob, 01
llled 1.1s heart with greater joy, than the pleasing assurance, that though he was an exile from his native
country, and wandering alone over the solitary wastes, yet he was still in the. presence of his Maker
whose powerful arm would constantly protect him from all dangers, and under whose wings he shou Id be
absolutely sfife.
t Nothing can be more natural than this act of Jacob, for the purpose of marking the site and makin" a
memorial of an occurrence of such great interest and importance to him. The true design of this humble
monument seems to have been, however, to set this anointed pillar as an evidence of the solemn vow
which be made on that occasion. This use of a stone, or stones, is definitely expressed in Gen. xxxi. 48
ind 59 "Mr. Morier, in his " Second Journey through Persia," notices a custom which seems to illustrate
tlvs act of Jacob. In tra/elling through Persia, he observed that the guide occasionally placed a stone on
a conspicuous piece of rock, or two stones one upon another, at the same time uttering some words which
Ne*-? understood to be a prayer for the safe return of the party. This explained to Mr. Morier what ne had
f"' 1'ieutly observed before in the East, and particularly on high roads leading to great towns, at a point
v here the towns are first seen, and where the oriental traveller sets up his stone, accompanied by a devout
e.vi lamation in token of his safe arrival. Mr. Morier adds : " Nothing is so natural, in a journey over a
dreary country, as for a solitary traveller to set himself down fatigued, and to make the vow that Jacob
did . ' If God will be with me, and keep me in the way that I go,<and will give me bread to eat, and raiment
1" put on, so that I may reach my father's house in peace,' <tec, then will I give so much in charity ; or,
igain, that, on first seeing the place which he has so long toiled to reach, the traveller should sit down and
make a thanksgiving, in both cases setting up a stone as' a memorial." The writer of this note has himself
¦iften observed such stones without being aware of their object, until happening one day to overturn one
that had been set upon another, a man hastened to replace it, at the same time informing him that to dis
Place such stones was an act unfortunate for the person so displacing it, and unpleasant to others. Tin
writer a.'terward observed, that the natives studiously avoided displacing any of these stones, '• set up ' i.

98 AN ILLUSTRATED
Previuu* to his departure from this memorable spot, in order to bind himself mi"
strongly to the service of God, he made a most solemn vow to the following effect .
" That if he would protect and prosper him in his journey, provide him with common
necessaries in his absence, and grant him a happy return to his father's house, .10
him alone would he direct his religious worship; in that very place where the pillar
stood, on his return, would he make his devout acknowledgments, and offei uuiu
him the tenth* of whatever he should gain in the land of Mesopotamia."
After making this solemn vow, the pious traveller proceeded on his journey, and,
at length arrived at Haran. As he came near the town he saw some shepherds wilh
their flocks not far from a well, which was covered with a large stone. Of these
shepherds he made inquiry concerning Laban and his family, and was informed ihxt
they were all well, and that it would not be long before Rachel, his daughter, woulu
be there with her flock. Scarce had he received this intelligence when the damsel
arrived with her fleecy care, immediately on which Jacob, as a token of respect,
rolled away the stone from the mouth of the well,t and watered the sheep in het
stead ; which done, he saluted her, wept for joy, and told her to whom he belonged.
Elated at this incident, Rachel, leaving Jacob at the well, immediately hastened
home, and acquainted her father with what . had happened. Laban was so trans
ported at the arrival of his sister's son, that he fled with all expedition to the spot,
and, after cordially embracing him, conducted him to his house.
Jacob, after receiving some refreshment, told his uncle the occasion of his leaving
home, and related the most material incidents that had happened in the course of.
his journey. Laban was sufficiently satisfied of the truth of his nephew's relation,
and, from the singular circumstances that attended his excursion, was convinced thal;
he was under the immediate care and protection of Divine Providence.
After being a few days with his uncle, Jacob, detesting an inactive life, applied
himself to business* by assisting Laban in the care of his nocks, and such other mat
ters as pertained to his interest. ' Having thus employed him, with great diligence,
for the space of a month, his uncle one day entered into private conversation with
him, and, among other things, told him he neither expected nor thought it reason
able that he should have his labor for nothing, and therefore, as he intended staying
with him for some time, desired him to name such wages as would satisfy him for
his services.
Jacob hesitated for some time what answer to give to this request, but at lengtn,
thinking on the charms and graces of the beautiful Rachel, who had already capti
vated his heart, he proposed serving him seven years, on condition of having, at the
expiration of that time, Rachel for his wife.
Laban readily consented to this proposal, and Jacob as readily entered on his ser
vice. The flattering prospect of possessing so amiable a partner, after the seven
years, and the endearments of her pleasing company during the time, rendered thai
interval of waiting apparently short and light.
W hen the time of Jacob's servitude had expired, he required Laban to fulfil his
contract, by giving him his daughter Rachel in marriage. Laban seemingly assent-
a pillar," by the way-side. The place now pointed out as Bethel contains no indication of Jacob's pillar.
The Jews believe that it was placed in the sanctuary of the second temple, and that the ark of the cove
nant rested upon It ; and they add, that after the destruction of that temple, and the desolation of Judrca,
their fathers were accustomed to lament the calamities that had befallen them over the stone on which
Jacob's head rested at Bethel. The Mohammedans are persuaded that their famous temple at Mecca is
built over the same stone.
« This is the second place in which we find mention of tlie tenth, or tythes, solemnly consecrated to God.
Jacob promises to give them in return for his prosperous journey, as his grandfather Abraham had given
them in return for his victory over the confederate princes.
t Welis are still sometimes covered with a stone or otherwise, to protect them from being choked up by
the drifted sand ; and it was probably to prevent the exposure of the well by too frequently removing tn»
stone, that the shepherds did not water their flocks until the whole were assembled together ; for it is not io
be supposed that they waited because the united strength of all the shepherds was requisite to roll away ttiii
stone, when Jacob was able singly to do so. When the well is private property, in a neighborhood where
water is scarce, the well is sometimes kept locked, to prevent the neighboring slier herds 'join v aterii'g
their flocks fraudulently from it; and even when left unlocked, some person is I'reqi ently so far 'tie pr"
prietor that the well may hot be opened unless in the presence of himself or 01 some one belonging to lui
household. Chardin, whose manuscripts furnished Harmer with an illustration of this text, conjectures.
with great reason, that the present well belonged to Laban's family, and that the shepherds dared not open
the well until Laban's daughter came with her father's flocks. Jacob, therefore, is not to be supposed to have
oroken the standing rule, or to liave done anything out of tlie ordinarv course i for the oriental sheplierds
are not at all persons likely to submit to the interference or dictation of a stranger. He however rendered
a kind ssrvice to Rachel, as the business of watering cattle at a well is very tiresome and laborious

I

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 9&
ed, and, on the occasion, invited all his friends and neighbors to the solemnization of
the nuptials. But Laban, desirous of retaining Jacob longer in his service, had pro
jected a scheme for that purpose, the execution of which gave great uneasiness to
his nephew. After the entertainment was over, and the company retired, Laban
caused Leah, his eldest daughter, to be conducted to Jacob's bed, instead of the beau
tiful Racnel, to whom he was contracted. When daylight appeared in the morning,
and Jacob discovered the deception,* he immediately arose, and going to Laban, ex
postulated with him on the impropriety of his conduct. Laban, who had prepared
an answer for the occasion, told him, in a magisterial tone, that it was an unprece
dented thing in that country (and would have been deemed an injury to her sister) to
marry the younger before the elder; "but" (continued he, in a milder tone), "if you
will fulfil the nuptial week with your wife, and consent to serve another seven years
for her sister, I am content to take your word for it, and to give Rachel to you as
soon as the seven days" (or nuptial week for Leah) "have expired."
This unfair treatment greatly perplexed Jacob, but his distinguished affection for
Rachel made him resolve to obtain her, however dear the purchase. He therefore
readily consented to his uncle's secondary terms, and when the nuptial ceremonies
for Leah were over, he likewise took Rachel in marriage.
The distinguished charms of Rachel, in preference to those of Leah, made Jacob
ay the greatest respect to the former ; but his happiness was greatly curtailed by
*eah's having four sonsf even before Rachel had conceived. This circumstance par
ticularly affected Rachel, who, in a fit of melancholy, one day told her husband that
unless he gave her children she should certainly die with grief. " Give me," said
she, "children, or else I die."}:
Jacob was greatly vexed at this speech of his beloved wife, who seemed to lay the
whole fault of her sterility to him. He therefore sharply rebuked her in words to
the following effect: "That it was not in his power to work miracles; that the
want of children was agreeable to the divine will ; and that such uneasy and discon
tented behavior was the way to prevent, rather than obtain, such a favor."||
This answer greatly mortifying Rachel, she resolved to supply the defect of her
self by the same means that had been practised by her grandmother Sarah. She
accordingly made a proposition to Jacob that he should take her handmaiden Billiah
as a concubinary wife, and that if she should bear children they should be accounted
hers. Jacob assented to this proposal, and, in the proper course of time, Bilhah was
delivered of a son, whom Rachel named Dan, which, in the Hebrew language, sig
nifies "judging." Within a twelvemonth after this Bilhah bore another son, whom
Rachel called Naphtali.
By this time Leah imagined she had done bearing children, and, therefore, to imi
tate her sister's policy, she gave her maid (named Zilpah) to Jacob, by whom she had
likewise two sons, the one named Gad, and the other Ashur.
Reuben, the eldest son of Jacob, was now arrived at years sufficient to be trusted
by himself, and wandering one day in the fields, about the time of wheat harvest, he
happened to meet with some mandrakes,^ which he brought home and presented to
* As all marriages in the East were solemnized in the evening, or rather at midnight, and as the bride
was veiled, so it was no difficult matter to impose on Jacob, who did not expect any such deceit. Dr.
Shaw tells us, that in the Levant the bride is brought home in the dark to her husband, and being intro
duced to the harem, or apartment for the women, her mother goes and conducts the bridegroom to her;
out he does not see her till the next morning.
t The names of these sons were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah. Reuben signifies a son given by
Divine regard; Simeon implies, God hath heard or considered me ; Levi signifies joined ; and Judah, praise 01
thanksgiving. i This expression furnishes us with a lively picture of human folly in general. If children are to parents
like a flowery chaplet, whose beauties blossom with ornament, and whose odors breathe delight, death or
some unforeseen misfortune may find means to entwine themselves with the lovely wreath. Whenever
our souls eagerly long after some inferior acquisition, it may be truly said, in the words of our Divine
master, " Ye know not what ye ask." Does Providence withhold the thing we long for 1 It denies in
Mercy, and only withholds the occasion of our misery, if not the instrument of our ruin. With a sickly
appetite we often loathe what is wholesome, and hanker after our bane. Where the imagination dreams
of uniningled sweets, there experience frequently nnds the bitterness of wo.
II It is not to be wondered at mat such a man as Jacob snould oe offended at an expression made jse of
by his beloved wife, which, in its own nature, was little better than blasphemy. To say, " Give me
children," was certainly a high indignity offered to tlie majesty of Heaven, as none but God can give being
to any c-eature whatever.
,4 The Hebrew woid dudaim, here rendered " mandrakes," has occasioned so much discussion as to evince
dearly enough mat we know nothing about it. Calme't has an exceedingly long note on this word In his
" Coinrnentaire Litte'ial sur la Genese," in which he states the different opinions which had in his tirne been
ei.terta'ned as to thr plant really intended by the dudaim. Some think that " flowers," or " fine flowers..

100 AN ILLUSTRATED
his mother Leah. Pleased with the sight of what the boy had brought, Rachel de
sired Leah to give her a part; but instead of complying with her request, she gave
her this forbidding answer : " That having robbed her of her husband's affections, she
could not expect to have any part of her son's present." Notwithstanding this con
temptuous answer, Rachel was determined, if possible, to obtain some of the man
drakes, to do which she thought of inducing Leah to comply with her request by a
method, which above all others, was most likely to prove effectual. It happened to
be her turn that night to enjoy the company of her husband ; and, therefore, in order
to obtain her ends, she told Leah, if she would oblige her with some of her son's
mandrakes, she would waive her pretensions for that night, and resign the right of
her husband's bed to her. This proposition being approved of by Leah, the agreement
was accordingly made ; and as soon as Jacob came home she related what had passed,
and asked him to confirm the bargain. Jacob readily assented, and Leah enjoyed his
company that night, the consequence of which was that she conceived again, and had
a fifth son, whom she called Issachar, which signifies hire or reward. After this she
had another son, whom she named Zebulon; and the last of all, a daughter, called
Dinah. Rachel had long lamented not having issue of her own body; but at length it
pleased God to remove her troubles on that head by giving her a son. As soon as she
found she had conceived, she exclaimed, with the most expressive joy, " God hath
taken away my reproach ;"* and when the child was born she called his name Joseph,
which, in the Hebrew language, signifies increase.
Soon after the birth of Joseph the appointed time of Jacob's last servitude being
expired, he began to entertain thoughts of returning to his own country, and accord
ingly begged his uncle to dismiss him and his family. But Laban, who had found by
experience no small advantage from his services, entreated him to stay a little longer,
promising, at the same time, that if he would comply with his request, he would give
him whatever wages he should think proper to ask. In answer to this, Jacob re
minded him of the great increase of his substance since it had been under his care,
and that he now thought it high time to make some provision for himself and family;
so that therefore he was resolved to return to Canaan, unless he could point out to
him some method whereby he might improve his fortune, and not longer waste his
time in humble servitude.
Laban could not bear the thoughts of parting with Jacob, and therefore again pressed
him hard to stay, at the same time offering him his own terms. After some farther
controversy, Jacob at length consented to stay with his uncle, on the following condi
tions : that they should pass through the whole flock both of sheep and goats, and
having separated all the speckled cattle from the white, the former should be com
mitted to the care of Laban's sons, and the latter to the care of Jacob ; and that
whatsoever spotted or brown sheep or goats should, from that time forward, be pro
duced out of the white flock (which he was to keep) should be accounted his hire.
Laban readily consenting to this proposal, the flocks were accordingly separated^
The spotted cattle were delivered into the custody of Laban, while the rest were
committed to the care of Jacob; and to prevent any intercourse between them, thev
were placed three days journey apart.
Whether it was from his own observation on the power of fancy in the time of
conception, or (What seems much more likely) from the interposition of divine wisdom
in furnishing him with the idea ; but so it was that he pursued a very extraordinary
method to improve his own stock, and at the same time lessen that of Laban. He
in general, are intended ; while others fix the sense more definitely to " lilies," " violets," or " jessamines."
Others reject flowers, and find that figs, mushrooms, citrons, tlie fruit ofthe plantain or banana, or a small
and peculiarly delicious kind of melon, are intended. A great number adhere to the " mandrake," which'
has the sanction of the Septuagint, tlie Chaldee, the Vulgate, and of many learned commentators. Hassel-
quist, the naturalist, who travelled in the Holy Land to make discoveries in natural history, seems to con
cur in this opinion. Calmet, however, is disposed to contend, that the citron is intended ; and his arguments
deserve the attention of those who are interested in the question. The. claims of the plantain, and of the
dt.icate species of melon to which we have alluded, have been strongly advocated since Calmet's time.
* Many reasons concur to render the possession of sons an object of great anxiety to women in the
East. The text expresses one of these reasons. Sons being no less earnestly desired by the husband than
by the wife, a woman who has given birth to sons acquires an influence and respectability, which strengthen
with tlie number to which ?he is mother. To be without sons is not only a misfortune, but a disgrace to a
woman ; and her hold on tlie affections of her husband, and on her standing as his wife, is ot a very feeble
Je.srripc.ion. Divorces are easily effected in the East. An Arab has only to enunciate the simple wordsi
mt inlthu— " thou art divorced"— which, in whatever heal or anger spoteo. mnntitute a legal dr-orce.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 101
'ook rods or twigs of the green poplar, hazel and chestnut trees, and stripping off part
jf the rinds in streaks, caused some of the white to appear on the twigs. These
twigs he placed in the watering troughs when the cattle came to drink, at the time
in which they usually engender; so that by seeing the speckled twigs they might
conceive and bring forth speckled cattle. He also took particular care to place the
twigs before the fattest and most healthy, and to avoid putting any before those that
were weak and sickly; by which means he might not only obtain for himself the
greater number, but also the choicest aud most valuable.
This scheme succeeded to his utmost wishes, and in a short time he became ex
ceeding rich and powerful. But the extraordinary increase of his property exposed
him to the envy, not only of Laban, but also his sons, the former of whom treated
him with great coolness, and the latter frequently acpused him of having procured to
himself a good estate out of their fortunes.
Jacob, finding himself envied by his uncle and kinsmen, had some thoughts of
leaving them, and retiring, with his family and effects, into his own country. This
design was, in a short time, ultimately resolved on, in consequence of ihe Almighty
appearing to him in a vision, and ordering him to return to the land of Canaan.
' Though Jacob was fully resolved to obey the divine command, yet he thought it
most prudent, previous to his departure, to hold a consullation with his two principal
wives, namely, Leah and Rachel, in order to obtain their consent. Accordingly,
sending for them into the field (wliich, from its privacy he thought the most proper
place for the business) he told them, that for some time past he had observed their
father had treated him with great coolness and indifference, and even sometimes with
marks of displeasure, though he was not sensible of any just cause for such behavior.
He appealed to them concerning his industry and fidelity, and the injustice of their
father toward him, first, in having deceived him, and afterward in having so often
changed his wages.* He observed, that God had turned all their father's devices to
his advantage, had taken away his cattle, and given them to him. He then told
them, that the Lord appeared to him in a drrim, reminding him of the solemn vow
he had made at Bethel, in his journey to Mesopotamia, and that he had commanded
him to return to the land of Canaan.
Leah and Rachel, having listened with great attention to what Jacob had said,
readily agreed to go with him ; and by all means recommended his paying a strict
obedience to the divine command.
In consequence of this, Jacob, having made the necessary preparations for his de
parture, set his wives and children upon camels, taking the advantage of his father-
in-law's absence (who was gone to shear his sheep, and which likewise gave Rachel
the opportunity of stealing away his imagest) he set out upon his journey, taking
with him all his cattle, and other property, he had acquired during his stay at Haran.
Jacob had proceeded on his journey three days before Laban received intelligence
of his flight, in which time he passed the Euphrates, and having gained the moun
tains of Gilead, he there stopped, in Order to refresh himself and attendants, who by
this time were become greatly fatigued with travelling.
Laban no sooner heard that his nephew had absconded, than he immediately pur
sued him with a mind fully bent on revenge. But in this he was checked by the in
terposition of the Almighty, who, appearing to him the same night in a vision,
* It is to be observed, that when Laban found Jacob so successful in the produce of his flocks, lie repented
of his bargain, and several times altered the agreement; which God, as many times, turned to Jacob's
advantage.; t The Hebrew word which we render images is teraphim, a kind of penates, or household-gods which they
worshipped as symbols of the Deity and consulted as oracles — hence Laban calls them his gods. These
teraphims were afterward known by the name of talismen, as they are to this day in most parts of India.
Some think those of Laban represented angels, who were supposed to declare the mind of God. Rachel
might steal them either for their curiosity or worth ; but it is most probable she still retained a tincture of
her father's superstiticn, and designed to make them the objects of her worship in Canaan ; for it appears
(Gen. xxxv. 4) that Jacob, when he made a thorough reformation in his house, caused them to be taken
from her, and buried them under the oak which was by Shechem.
The following is a list of the idols mentioned in scripture : Adram-melech, Isaiah xxxvii. 38 ;
Anarnelech, 2 Kings xvii. 31 ; Ashtaroth. Judges ii, 13 ; Baal, Numbers xxii. 4 ; Baalim, 1 Samuel vii. 4
iplural of Baal) ; Baal-berith, Judges viii. 33 ; Baal-peor, Numbers xxv. 3; Beelzebub, 2 Kings, i, 2 : Bel,
Ixaiah xlvi. 1 ; Calf, Exodus xxxii. i ; Castor. Acts xxviii. 11 ; Chemosh, 1 Kings xi. 7 ; Dagon, Judges xvi,
23; Diana. Acts xix. 24, 35; Jupiter, Acts xiv. 12; Milcorn or Molech, 1 Kings xi. 5-7; Moloch, Leviticus
xviii. 2! ; Nebo, Isaiah xv. 2 : Nergal, 2 Kinirs xvii. 30 ; Nibhaz, 2 Kings xvii. 31 ; Nisroch, 2 Kings xix. 37 .
Pollux. Acts xxviii. 11 ; Rernphan, Acts vii. "43 ; Rimrnon, 2 Kings v. 18 , Sheshach. Jeremiah Ii. 41 ; Sur-
eoth-beiioth. 2 Kings xvii. 30 , Tainmuz, Ezekiel viii. 14 ; Tartak. 2 Kings xvii. 31 : Teraphim Judges xvii 5

102 AN ILLUSTRATED
threatened him severely ii* he committed any hostility or violence against his servant
Jacob. In consequence of this when Laban came up with his nephew at Mount Gil ead, he
only expostulated with him on his want of respect in stealing away his daughters,
and therely preventing them from taking their leave as became his children, or de
parting in a manner consistent with their rank and dignity. He added that such con
duct might have exposed him to his most severe resentment, and that he might have
sustained much injury from him who was by far the most powerful. That, indeed,
he would have pursued measures of revenge, had he not been diverted therefrom by
the immediate prohibition of God himself.
Iu answer to this Jacob reminded his uncle of the cheat he had put upon him, in
man ing him serve so long for a woman he did not love ; the altering of the agreement
so many times made between them relative to the sheep ; and, lastly, his late strange
behavior to him and his family. All these, and many more, he said, were but ill re
quitals for his care and diligence, as well as the blessings which God had heaped on
him for his sake.
LdDan had still another thing to lay to Jacob's charge, namely, the stealing of his
gods. Fired with resentment at this accusation, Jacob (who knew nothing of Rachel's
having taken them) desired him to make the most diligent search for them throughout
his family, assuring him, at the same time, that on whomsoever they should be found,
that person should immediately be put to death.
In consequence of this Laban proceeded to search the different tents, and having
examined those of Jacob, Leah, and her handmaids, without effect, he went to the
tent of Rachel, who, conscious of her crime, and fearful of the consequences should
she be detected, had just concealed the images in the camel's furniture, on which she
sat herself down to rest.
Having taken this precaution, she pleaded as an excuse for not arising to salute him,
that she was exceedingly ill, and that to move then might greatly increase her com
plaint. This excuse was readily admitted by her father, who. after searching every
other part of the tent without effect, departed. 1
When Laban acquainted Jacob with his bad success, the latter upbraided him, in
very severe terms, for his unjust suspicions. He then recounted the great services lie
had done him during a number of years, and concluded with these words, " Except
the God of my father had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away empty."
Laban, conscious that Jacob's charge was most justly founded, made not the least
attempt to vindicate his conduct ; but, waiving the argument, assumed an air of re
spect for Jacob, and a fondness for his wives and children ; and, in order to remove all
further animosity, proposed a treaty of alliance between them, and to erect a monu-
nent which should be a standing witness of the same to future ages.
This proposition being agreed to, and the covenant Sighed, they accordingly raised
a pillar or heap of stones,* as a memento of the circumstance ; and then took mutual
oaths that neither should invade the property of the other. A particular injunction
was likewise laid on Jacob, that he should use his wives and children with all be
coming tenderness and affection.
The covenant being thus ratified, and sacrifices offered up on the occasion, Jacob
entertained his brethren that night in as magnificent manner as the nature of his situ
ation would admit. The next morning Laban took leave of Jacob and his family,
and each departed for their respective habitations.
Jacob bad been favored with a heavenly vision in his way from Canian to Meso
potamia ; and the Almighty was pleased to favor him again with the like token of
his protection on his return. As he was proceeding on his journey, there appeared
before him a body of heavenly messengers, which he no sooner saw than he broke
out into the following exclamation : " This is God's host ;" from which additional
mark of divine protection, he called the place Mahanaim.t
* The heap of stones raised by Laban and Jacob in memory of this covenant was called Gilead. which, in
the Hebrew language, signifies a heap of witnesses. This circumstance, in after ages, gave name to
the whole country thereabout, which lies on the east of the Sea of Galilee, being part of that ridge of
mountains which ran from Mount Lebanon southward on the east of the Holy Land, and included tlie
mountainous region called, in the New Testament, Trachonitis.
t The Hebrew word Malianaim signifies two hosts or camps, because the angels appeared like two armies
drawn up on either side for his protection, according to that beautiful expression of the Psalmist, "The
angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, arid dellvereth them." Psalm xxxiv. 7
Tlie place called Mahanaim was situated between Mount Gilead and the brook Jabbok. It was after
ward one of the residences of the Levites, and one of the strong places belonging- to David.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

10S

:$?*'-• w

104 AN ILLUSTRATED
Thougn Jacob had the greatest reason to rely on the protection of the Almighty,
yet, as he drew near the confines of Edom, and within the reach of his incensed
brother Esau (whom he had highly provoked, aud concerning the abatement of whose
resentment he had received no account from his mother, though so long absent), he
thought it most prudent to send a message to him, in order to allay his anger, and,
if possible, regain his fraternal affection.
He accordingly sent messengers to Esau, whose residence was at Mount Seir,»
otherwise called the country of Edom, whither he had settled himself soon after his
marriage with the daughter of Ishmael.
•The message Jacob sent to his brother was to the following effect : that during his
residence in Mesopotamia he had acquired prodigious wealth, and that as he was
now on his return to his native country, he thought proper to notify his arrival lo
him, and at the same time to implore his favor and friendship.
Tlie messengers, having discharged their embasby, returned, and gave Jacob such
an account as greatly alarmed him. They brought no diiect answer from Esau, and
only told their master that his brother was coming to meet him at the head of four
hundred men.
Jacob, concluding that the design of this mighty retinue was to act against him in
a hostile manner, was greatly perplexed, and at a loss in what manner to proceed.
He knew, on the one hand, that the number of his people was too small to engage
with that of his brother; and, on the other hand, that his baggage was too heavy for
flight. At length he came to this conclusion : to divide his company into two bands,
so that, if Esau should fall upon one, he might have the chance of escaping with the
other. Such was the plan laid down by Jacob ; but as he well knew, from former experi
ence, that his safely depended upon the divine protection, independent of all human
creatures, he, in this critical juncture, addressed himself to God in a very humble
and submissive prayer, the substance of which was to the following effect: "0 thou
eternal Majesty of heaven, whom my father worshipped, and who alone art the ob
ject of my prayer, permit an unworthy creature to repeat thy own promise to thee.
When my family began to increase, thou wast graciously pleased to order me to re
turn to my native country ; and, to encourage me, thou promisedst that thou wouldst
protect me. What an infinite condescension, 0 my God, to a poor unworthy creature !
The least of all thy mercies is too good for me ; and y et thou hast been pleased to
?how me the greatest. When I crossed Jordan, 1 had nothing besides my staff; but
in thy goodness thou hast caused my family and substance to increase so fast, that I
am now possessed of great riches. 0 God, thou promisedst to make my seed a great
nation ; and although I know thou couldst suffer them to be killed, and raise thein,
up from the dead, yet, 0 most merciful Father, be pleased still to preserve them, and
* The term "Mount Seir," or rather the mountains of Seir, must be understood with considerable lati
tude. It was applied indefinitely to that range of mountains which, under the modern names of Djebal,
Shera, and llasma, extends from the southern extremity of the Dead sea to the gulf of Akaba. The
reader will recollect the " Ghor," or valley, extending in the same direction, which we have had frequent
occasion to mention, and which is supposed to have formed the continued channel of the Jordan before its
waters were lost in the Dead sea. Now the mountains of Seir rise abruptly from this valley, and form a
natural division of the country, which appears to have been well known to the ancients. The plain to the
east of the hilly region which these mountains form, is much more elevated than the level of the Ghor, on
the west of the same mountains ; in consequence of which, the hills appear with diminished importance
as viewed from the eastern or upper plain. This plain terminates to the south by a steep rocky descent,
at the base of which begins the desert of Nedjed. It is to a part of this upper plain, and to the mountains
which constitute its western limit, that, as Burckhardt thinks, the name of Arabia Petrasa, or the Stony,
was given by the ancients; the denomination being, however, extended northward, so as to include the
eastern plain with the mountains which form the eastern boundary of Palestine so far north as the river
Jabbok. Speaking of this region, Burckhardt says : " It might well be called Petrasa, not only on account
of its rocky mountains, but also of the elevated plain, which is so covered with stones, especially flints,
that it may with great propriety be called a stony desert, although susceptible of cu'ture. In many places
it is overgrown with iierbs, and must once have been thickly inhabited, for the traces of many ruiried towns
and villages are met with on hotli sides of tlie Hadj route between Maan and Akaba, as well as betwneu
Maan and the plains of the Haouran, in wliich direction there are many springs. At present, all this
country is desert, and Maan is the only inhabited place in it."— (" Travels in Syria ;" different parts of which
have been analysed to furnish this geographical statement.) The mountains themselves are described by
tlie same traveller as chiefly calcareous, with an occasional mixture of basalt, The mountainous rtirioii
which they form, of course, differs from the plain which skirts it on the east. The climate is very pleasant.
The air is pure ; and although the heat is very great in summer, the refreshing breezes which then prevail
pi event the temperature from becoming suffocating. The winter, on the other hand, is very cold ; deep
-riow falls, and the frosts sometimes continue to the end of March. This mountainous country is ade-
liialely '<;rtiic. producing firrs, pomegranates, apples, peaches, olives, apricots, and most European f.-uit*
The reg'jn has been in all times rioted lor the salubrity of its air ; and Burckhardt observes, theie was it'
£art of 'syria in wliich he saw so few invalid*.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 105
suffer not my enraged brother to destroy them ; I know that thy promise is truth
itself, and I will cheerfully trust in thee."
After having thus humbly and earnestly implored the guidance and protection of
the Almighty, Jacob determined to pursue another measure in order to appease the
anger of his brother, which he imagined to be no less severe than when he lefl Ca
naan. Imagining that Esau might consider his first message as an empty piece of
formality, he resolved, as he had already informed him of the great wealth of which
he was possessed, to send him a very liberal present. He accordingly selected from
his stock the following articles, namely ; two hundred she-goats and twenty he-goats ;
two hundred ewes and twenty rams; thirty milch camels with their colts; forty
swine and ten bulls; twenty she-asses and ten foals. These being divided into sep
arate droves, he ordered the servants to keep a proper space between them, and
strictly charged them, whenever they should meet his brother, to present each to him
separately, and to tell him that they were presents sent by Jacob to his lord Esau.
Jacob, having dismissed his servants with this present to his brother, arose early
next morning, and, before daylight, sent his wives and children, together with ail
his substance, forward on their journey, staying himself for some time behind. A
short time after the departure of his family and children, being alone, he was accosted
by an angel, who, appearing in the shape of a man, began to wrestle with him,
which exercise they contmued till break of day. The contest was certainly unequal,
notwithstanding which, the angel permitted Jacob to prevail; but, to convince him
that he did not obtain the victory by means of his own strength, and how easily him
self could have made a conquest, he touched the sinews* or hollow of his thigh,
which was immediately put out of joint.
The angel then asked Jacob his name, and on being answered, he told him he
should hereafter be called Israel,! which signifies " a man that has prevailed with
God." After saying this, the angel blessed Jacob, and then departed. In conse
quence of so singular a circumstance, Jacob called the place where it happened Pe-
niel, which signifies the "face of God," being confident that it must have been a
divine agent with whom he had been contending.
Soon after the angel disappeared, Jacob, though lame, made what haste he could
to join the company. Having come up with them, they proceeded with great ex
pedition on their journey ; but they had not travelled, far before Jacob discovered his
brother Esau, attended by a considerable body of men, coming toward him. Alarmed
at the sight of so powerful a retinue, Jacob immediately divided his family into three
companies, placing them at equal distances from each other. The two maid-servants
and their sons went first ; Leah and her children next; and Rachel and Joseph (the
latter of whom was now about six years old) in the rear, while himself led the van-
As soon as Jacob approached his brother, he showed his respect to him by bowing
seven times to the ground. Esau, filled with the tenderest sense of fraternal affec
tion, at once removed his brother's fears and compliments by running to him with
eager joy, falling on his neck, and most cordially embracing him. He wept over
him for some time ; after which, seeing his wives and children prostrate themselves
before him in the order Jacob had placed them, he returned their civilities with the
like tenderness he had done his brother's. Thus was revenge turned into love a-id
pity; and Esau, who once thirsted for his brother's blood, dissolves into tears of joy,
and melts with the softest endearments of love and friendship.
Thus transported with this happy interview, Esau surveyed his brother's posses
sions with pleasure, and expressed his satisfaction at the great success he had met
with during his residence in Mesopotamia. He kindly acknowledged the presents
Jjcob had sent him, but begged he would excuse his accepting them, because they
would be superfluous to him, who had already great abundance. Jacob, however,
pressed him so earnestly, that he at length agreed to accept them ; to make some
* This was the sinew or tendon that keeps the thigh-bone in the socket, not only in the human species,
but also in the brute creation ; and from this circumstance, even to the present time, the Jews will not eat
that part. In the Misnah, one of their books of directions concerning religious ceremonies, they nave a
whole chapter prescribing the manner in which it is to be cut out of the beast when killed; and lt is rur-
ther enjoined that they shall not eat the smews of the hips of any animal whatever. „„„„,„;„„
t The words in the text are-" Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel. This expression
clearly evinces the mis-translation of some passages in the scriptures, it being certain th. 1 he pa . arch
was frequently after called Jacob. But this seeming contradiction wil be easily adjusted, by submit itmij
the words not only for "no more:" in which case the sense will read thus : Thou shall mil only he .ailed
Jacob, but also I«*ael— the latter of which names was at length established in Jacob s descendants.

106 -ft-N ILLUSTRATED
recompense for which, Esau invited him to Seir, and offered to accompany him the
remaining part of the journey. Though Jacob had no design of accepting this offer,
yet he did not choose to make a direct refusal. He therefore represented to Esau
the tenderness of his children and flocks, and that they could not travel with such
expedition as would be agreeable to him. He begged they might not confine hira
to their slow movements, but that he would return home his own pace, and he would
follow with as much expedition as possible. Esau then offered lo leave him a num
ber of men to guard and conduct him into his territories ; but this compliment Jacob
likewise thought proper to decline, upon which, after saluting each other, they parted.
Esau returned immediately to Seir, and expected that his brother would follow
him ; but Jacob turned another way, and coming to a spot which struck his fancy,
he resolved (at least for a time) to settle in it; in consequence of which he built a
house for his family, as also proper conveniences for the reception of his cattle.
After staying here some time, Jacob removed to Shechem, and having purchased
a piece of ground of Hamor, the prince of the country, he there pitched his tents,*
intending to make it his fixed place of residence. He also erected an altar, and called
it El-alohe-Israel, which signifies " the great or mighty God of Israel."
Jacob might probably have lived at this place a considerable time, had it not been
for an occurrence of a very singular nature. His daughter Dinah, who was at this
time about sixteen years of age, and very beautiful in person, being desirous of see
ing the dresses and ornaments of the women of that country, rambled abroad from
her mother's tent, in order to gratify her curiosity. Young Shechem, the son of
Hamor (the king ofthe country), happening to see her, was so captivated with her
charms, that, unable to restrain the force of his passion, he determined, if possible,
to possess her. He diligently watched her for some time, till at length, taking the
* The use of tents probably arose at first out of the exigencies of pastoral life, which rendered it. neces
sary that men removing from one place to another in search of pasture should have a portable habitation.
Accordingly, we find that the first mention of tents is connected with the keeping of cattle (Gen. iv. 20),
and to tllis day tents remain tlie exclusive residence of only pastoral people. Portability is not the only
recommendation of tents to tlie nomade tribes of the East: the shelter whicli they offer in the warm
but delicious climates of Western Asia is positive enjoyment. Shelter from the sun is all that is needful,
and this a tent sufficiently affords, without excluding the balmy and delicate external air, the comparative
exclusion of which renders the finest house detestable to one accustomed to a residence in tents. Tlie
advantage of tents in this respect is so well understood, even by the inhabitants of towns, that, in many
places, those whose circumstances admit it endeavor, so far as possible, to occupy tents during the sum
mer months. This was the constant dractice ot the late king of Persia, who every year left his capital
with all the nobles, and more than half the inhabitants, to encamp in the plain of Sultanieh. Many of the
princes, his sons, did the same in their several provinces, and the practice is an old one in Persia, lt is
true that tents would seern to be rather cheerless abodes in the winter ; but it is to be recollected that the
nomades have generally the power of changing the climate with the season. In winter the Bedouins
plunge into the heart of the desert, and others descend, in the same season, from tlie mountainous and
nigh lands, where they had enjoyed comparative coolness in summer, to the genial winter climate of tlio
low valleys and plains, which in tlie summer had been too warm.
It is impossible to ascertain with precision the construction and appearance ofthe patriarchal tents; but
we shall not probat>ly be far from the truth, if we consider the present Arab tent as affording the nearest
existing approximations to the ancient model. The common Arab tent is generally of an oblong figure,
varying in size according to the wants or rank of the owner, and in its general shape not unaptly comparer)
by Sallust, and after him Dr. Shaw, to the hull of a ship turned upside down. A length ol from twenty-live
to thirty feet, by a depth or breadth not exceeding ten feet, form the dimensions of a rather large family
tent ; but there are many larger. The extreme height— that is, the height of tbe poles which are made
higher than the others in order to give a slope to throw off the rain from tlie roof— varies from seven to ten
feet ; but the height of tlie side parts seldom exceeds five or six feet. The most usual-sized tent has nine
poles, three in the middle, and three on each side. The covering of the tent among the Arabs is usually
black goat's-hair, so compactly woven as to be impervious to the heaviest rain ; but the side coverings are
often ol coarse wool. These tent-coverings are spun and woven al home by tlie women, unless the tribe
has not goats enough to supply its own demand for goat o-liair, when the stuff is bought from those better
furnished. The front of the tent is usually kept open, except in winter, and the back and side hangings
or coverings are so managed that the air can be admitted in any direction, or excluded at pleasure. Tlie
tents are kept stretched in the usual way by cords, fastened at one end to the poles, and at the other to
pins driven into the ground at tlie distance of three or four paces from the tent. The interior is divided into
two apartments, by a curtain hung up against tlie middle poles of the tent. This partition is usually of
white woollen stuff, sometimes interwoven with patterns of flowers. One of these is for the men, and the
other for tne women. In the former, the ground is usually covered with carpets or mats, and the wheat-
sacks and camel-bags are heaped up in it, around the middle post, like a pyramid, at the base of which, ot
toward the bank of the tent, are arranged the camels' pack-saddles, against which the men recline as thev
sit on the ground. Tlie women's apartment is less neat, being encumbered with all the lumber of the tent,
the water and butter, skins, the culinary utensils, &c. Some tents of great people are square, perhaps
thirty feet square, with a proportionate increase in the number of poles ; while others are so small as U)
equire but one pole to support the centre. The principal differences are in the slope of the toof, and in
the part for entrance. When the tent is oblong, the front is sometimes one of the broad, and at othci
times one of the narrow, sides of the tent. We suspect this difference depends on the season of the yeai
or the character of the locality ; but we can not speak with certainty on this point. It will be observed that
the tent covering among the Arabs is usually black ; but it seems that they are sometimes brown, and
occasionally stiiped white and black. Black tents seem to have prevailed among the Arabs from tin
earliest times.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

107

lv>3 AN ILLUfJTRAI'M>
opportunity of her being alone, he suddenly seized on her, and, by mere dint of vio
lence, obtained his wishes.
But notwithstanding this dishonorable act, Shechem was still so enamored with
Dinah's charms, that he most earnestly wished to marry her ; and strongly solicited
his father to intercede with her friends in his behalf, and to form a treaty with them
for that purpose.
Jacob was soon hiformed of the depredation made on his daughter's chastity, anc
though greatly incensed at so unjustifiable a proceeding, he resolved not to take any
notice of it till his sons (who were theri abroad) came home. Accordingly, on their
arrival, he told them the injury their sister had sustained, and by whom; upon
which their resentment was raised to the greatest height, and they vowed severely
to revenge the dishonor thus thrown upon their family.
In the mean time, Shechem having prevailed with his father to use his interest in
obtaining for him the beautiful Dinah, they both went together to make1 the proposal
to Jacob, whose sons were with him at the time of their arrival. After the first salu
tations were over, Hamor, addressing himself to Jacob, told him the great affection
his son had for his daughter Dinah, and earnestly entreated him that he would give
her to him in marriage. He at the same time proposed that Jacob's family should
intermarry with his people, and offered them the privilege of settling and trading in
any part of his dominions they thought proper. To strengthen this proposal, young
Shechem promised to give Dinah as large a dowry, and her relations as costly pres
ents, as they should desire. In short, he offered them whatever advantages they
should please to nominate, bidding them onlv name their terms, and they should be
granted to the uttermost, provided they would but give him Dinah in marriage.
These were certainly very fair offers, and such as evinced that Shechem was de
sirous of making some recompense for the injury he had done his beloved Dinah.
But, instead of accepting these proposals, the treacherous sons of Jacob, who only
meditated the most bloody revenge, made the following reply : " That it was not
lawful for them to contract an affinity with an uncircumcised nation, but that, if they
and their people would consent to be circumcised (as they were), they would then
agree to the terms proposed."
Shechem was so enamored with Dinah, and Hamor so fond of his son, that; not
withstanding the singularity of this proposal, they readily agreed to it. Accordingly
leaving Jacob and his son, they immediately repaired to the city, and having convened
a general assembly of the inhabitants, they told them "that the Israelites were a
wealthy, peaceable, and good-natured people ; that they might reap many great ad
vantages from them, and, in process of time, by intermarrying with them, mighl
make all their substance (which was very considerable) their own; but that this
could not be done without a general consent to be circumcised."
Captivated with the prospect of great wealth, and influenced by the powerful
interest both Hamor and his son had among them, they unanimously assented to the
proposal ; and on that very day every male of them was circumcised.
This circumstance furnished Simeon and Levi (the sons of Jacob, and brother to
Dinah, by the same mother) with an opportunity of wreaking that revenge on the
Shechemite? which they had privately resolved on for the violation of their sister's
chastity. Sensibie of the great pain the Shechemites felt in consequence of circum
cision, they determined to take advantage of it, by attacking them at a time when
they knew they must be totally incapable of making the least resistance. Accord
ingly, on the third day* after the operation (having properly armed themselves for
the purpose), they went (unknown to their father) into the city, and suddenly falling
on the inhabitants, put every male to the sword, Hamor and his son not excepted.
They then searched the king's palace, where, finding their sister Dinah, they imme
diately brought her away ; after which they plundered the houses of the city, took
both women and children captive, and possessed themselves of what property they
could, as well in cattle as in other articles ; and such things as they could not take
with them, they totally destroyed.!
* This was the time, according to most physicians, when fevers generally attended circumcision, bci*
sioned by the violent inflammation of the wound. The Jews themselves observe, that the pain was mm*
more severe on the third day than at any other time after the operation.
t Though the sacred historian only mentions Simeon and Levi to have been the perpetrators bf this lior- ¦
rid act of cruelty, yet there is not the least doubt but they had considerable assistance. They, indeed, are

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 109
When Jacob (who was totally unacquainted with these unjustifiable proceedings
lill after they had taken place) first heard of them, he was greatly incensed against
his sons, and very severely reprimanded them for committing so treacherous and
barbarous an action. But Simeon and Levi paid little attention to their father's re-
nuke ; on the contrary, such were their ideas of the crime committed in the violation
of their sister's chastity, that they intimated to him the resentment they had shown
was but just for so base an injury.
It is not to be wondered at that this violent outrage, committed in the capital of
the Shechemites, should exasperate the whole people of the country against the Is
raelites. This seems to have been the reason why the Almighty, soon after the
transaction happened, commanded the patriarch to remove to Bethel, the place which
he had dedicated to his immediate service. Though the sons of Jacob had wholly
destroyed one colony of the Canaanites, yet there were great numbers bordering on
the spot, who, either in their own defence, or in revenge for the cruel and unjust
treatment of their countrymen, might give the good patriarch much disquiet, if not
totally destroy him and his family. His omnipotent Creator, therefore, in order to
secure him from danger, ordered him to go to Bethel,* there to fix his residence,
and erect an altar to the same God who appeared to him when he fled from the
presence of his brother Esau.
The obedient and pious Jacob hesitated not to comply with the divine command ,
but, previous to his setting about the business, he thought it necessary to make a
reformation in his family, and cleanse it from the pollutions that might be offensive
in so sacred a place. To effect this, he strictly charged not only his own family, but
all that belonged to him, to bring out their idols, or strange gods, then clean them
selves,! and change their garments, telling them they must go with all expedition to
Bethel, the house of their God.
They readily obeyed the patriarch's orders, and delivered up to him not only their
idols,! but also their ear-rings,|| all of which Jacob buried in a deep hole under an
oak§ near Shechem.
Jacob, having thus cleansed his family from impurities, set out with them on his
only mentioned because, being own brothers to Dinah both by father and mother, and consequently more
concerned to resent the injury done to her honor, they are made the chief contrivers and conductors of it.
It iS; however, reasonable to imagine, that the rest of Jacob's sons, who were old enough to bear arms, as
well as the greatest part of his domestics, were engaged in the execution of tins wicked exploit ; because
it is scarcely conceivable how two men alone should be able to master a whole city, to slay all the men in
it, and take all the women captives, who, on this occasion, may be supposed more than sufficient to have
overpowered them.
* Bkthel.— The following brief but interesting notice of the site of Bethel has lately been afforded by
Piofessor Robinson. After telling us that the site now bears the name of Beit-in, he proceeds to state that,— ¦
" It lies just east of the Nablous road, forty-five minutes northeast of Bireh. Here are ruins of very con
slderable extent, and among them the foundations of several churches, lying on the point of a low hill be
tween two shallow wadys, which unite below, and run off southeast into a deep and rugged valley. This
was evidently a place of note in the early Christian ages, and apparently also in the days of the Crusades.
It is now entirely uninhabited ; except that a few Arabs, probably from some neighboring village, had pitched
their tents here for a time. In the western valley we spread our carpets, and breakfasted on the grass
within the limits of what was once an immense reservoir. We obtained here from the Arabs butter of ex
cellent quality, wliich might have done honor to the days when the flocks of Abraham and Jacob were pas
tured on these hills."— BiliUcal Repository, April, 1839, p. 420.
t The Hebrew word, which we translate clean, properly signifies, the washing of the body with water. As
there is some analogy between external cleanliness and purity of mind, it may denote the cleansing of the
soul by repentance from all those impurities whereby a man becomes morally polluted in the sight of God.
In which view, this rite of washing the body with water was used as a sign of inward purification, not only
among the idolatrous heathens, but also by the worshippers of the true God, both before and under the law.
" Wash ye, make ye clean, put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes, Isaiah i. 16. And as
men should at all times have their souls adorned with this inward purity, so especially when they approach
their Maker in the duties of his immediate worship. It was, therefore, highly commendable in Jacob, on
this solemn occasion, to enjoin all under his care to cleanse and purify themselves particularly from idola
try, and from those guilty stains lately contracted by shedding innocent blood, as they would otherwise be
•unfit to hold an intercourse with their God ; as if he had said, " Put off your sordid apparel, especially those
garments in which you were so lately defiled with blood, and put on your cleanest raiment, as an emblem
of your being divested of all impure affections, and clothed with those' internal graces and pious dispositions,
which are the ornament of the soul, and render it comely in the sight of God.
t Tlie greater part of these idols belonged to the Shechemites ; but among them were those which Rachel
nad stole from her father Laban, and which she had probably worshipped (unknown to her father) during
her stay at Shechem. ,
II The ear-rings and other jewels worn by these people were consecrated to the honor of that idol whom
they worshipped ; and on them were engraven some figures. The reason of their wearing them was, to
preserve Uern (as they thought) from any danger or misfortune ; and from this act of idolatry we may sup
pose arose the custom among the papists of wearing tlie relics and images of their saints.
4 The oak here mentioned seems to have been the place where these servants of Jacob, who had stranire
gods, used to' meet; and certainlv no place could be more proper for burying their »ini. ""•» 'be spot oo
whleh they had worshipped them.

110 AN ILLUSTRATED
journey to Bethel. In order to ensure their safety, the Almighty, ever mindful of his
promise to his chosen people, struck such a terror into the people belonging to the
country through which they passed, that, notwithstanding the provocation given by
the massacre at Shechem, not a single person presumed to interrupt them, and the)
travelled to their destined place without the least molestation.
No sooner did Jacob arrive at Bethel,* than, agreeably to the divine command, he
erected an altar, which he called El-beth-el ; and on which he performed the very
vow he had before made when on his journey from Canaan to Mesopotamia.
A short time after Jacob had performed this act of worship, the Almighty was
pleased to appear to him again, and to give him fresh assurances of his design to
multiply his posterity, and to bestow on him the inheritance of the land of Canaan.
As a lasting monument of this additional mark of the divine favor, Jacob erected a
pillar of stone, which he consecrated with the usual form, by pouring on it wine
and oil.
After being some time at Bethel, Jacob, urged, by filial affection, resolved to leave
it, in order to pay a visit to his ancient father at Mamre. Accordingly, taking with
nim his family, they set out on their journey, intending to stop that night at Ephrath
(afterward called Bethlehem), a small place not far distant from Bethel. But before
they could reach the intended spot Rachel fell suddenly in labor, and having very
severe pangs, the midwife, in order to encourage her, bid her not fear, for she would
have another son. She was indeed delivered of a boy, but expired immediately after,
having but just a moment's space of time to give him the name of Benoni, which
signifies " the son of my sorrow." But Jacob, unwilling to increase the remem
brance of so melancholy a circumstance, called him Benjamin, that is, " the son of
my right hand," or " my strength ;" intimating thereby his peculiar affection for tllis
last pledge of his beloved wife.
The remains of Rachel were deposited at the place where she died, and in order
to perpetuate her memory, Jacob erected a monument of stonet over her grave,
which the sacred historian tells us was extant in his days.
But this was not the only misfortune that attended Jacob on his journey to Mamre.
After travelling some way farther, in order to refresh himself and family, he stopped
and pitched his tents on a pleasant spot, at some distance from the tower of Edar.J
During his stay here his eldest son Reuben, having taken a liking to Bilhah (the
coucubinary wife which Rachel had given to Jacob), made no scruple of defiling her.
Though Jacob took no notice of this disagreeable circumstance at the time it oc
curred, yet he was greatly afflicted in his mind, and retained a painful sense of it
even to his dying day, as is evident from a reproachful hint he gave him a short time
before his death. II
Though these aggravated griefs sat heavy on Jacob's mind, yet he continued his
resolution of visiting his aged parent. He accordingly pursued his journey, and al
length came to Mamre, the place of his father's abode. It is not to be doubted but,
at their first meeting, a reciprocal affection displayed itself, as each must be happy
in the sight of the other after so long an absence.
With this circumstance the sacred historian concludes the life of Isaac, wh as
* According to the sacred historian (though he does not mention any time) it appears that soon aftei a-
cob's arrival at Bethel, Deborah (Rebecca's nurse) died there. What age she was we are not informttl:
but it is certain she must have been very old, as she came with Rebecca from Mesopotamia, when she was
married to Isaac. Her remains were deposited beneath an oak (as was the custom in those days) called
Allon-bachuth, from which the Jews have a tradition that Rebecca died on the same day with her nursf! ,
that word, in the Hebrew language, signifying mourning.
t We have no doubt that the original erection by Jacob was merely the most tall and shapely stone which
could be found in the neighborhood. The site seems always since to have been marked by some sepulchral
erection or other. That which now exists is such as those with which sheikhs and other personn of note
are honored. Its date we can not find, but it is certainly modern. The structure which the travellers of
the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries figure and describe, had the same general shape, but it was open,
in arches, on all sides. The best figure of it is in " Amico's Trattato delle Piante e lmmagini di Saer.
Edifizi di Terra Santa." 1620. And this was not very ancient ; for the travellers of the tiiirteenth centun
(as Brocard) describe Rachel's sepulchre is apyramidut monument.
I Some commentators are of opinion, that by the tower of Edar is meant the field near Bethlehem
where those shepherds were keeping their flock to whom the angels appeared, and gave information of the
birth of our Saviour. Among others, one reason which induces them to think so is because the word
Edar, in the Hebrew tongue, signifies a flock: so that what is here called the tower of Edar should be ren
dered the tower of the flocks. Others are of opinion that by the lower of Edar is to be understood some place
near Jerusalem; il being spoken of by the prophet Micah as the place or stronghold of the daurrhters 01
Sm,,. Se Micah iv. 8.
II See Genesis xlix. 4

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. II j
he informs us, paid the debt of nature in the one hundred and eightieth year of his
age, being five years older than his father Abraham. He had been very infirm, and
almost blind, for a considerable time ; but was always respectable for his piety, tran
quillity, and submission to the will of Heaven. He was buried by his two sons,
Esau and Jacob, in the cave of Machpelah, which Abraham purchased of Ephron as
a burying-place for his family. It is to be observed that the death of Isaac is here
mentioned by way of anticipation, it being certain that he lived some years after
Jacob's return from Mesopotamia.

CHAPTER VII.
HISTORY OP JOSEPH— JACOB AND FAMILY REMOVED TO EOYPT.
The pious Jacob had not long enjoyed the company of his aged father, after his
return from Mesopotamia, before a circumstance occurred which gave him great un-
happiness. Joseph was his beloved child, as being the son of his dear departed
Rachel, besides which, he particularly attracted the attention of his father from his
very extraordinary genius. In consequence of these circumstances, Jacob, as a token
of his peculiar love to his favorite Joseph, gave him clothes much richer than he did
the rest; and, among others, one coat which was made of a changeable or party-
colored stuff.* This naturally raised the envy of his brothers; besides which, they
had for some time considered him as a spy, because he had told his father of some
indiscretions committed by the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, with whom he was most
conversant, bv frequently assisting them in the care of their flocks. From these cir
cumstances they treated Joseph with contempt, withheld from him the common
offices of civility, and made it their constant study to perplex and torment him.
But what completed the envy and resentment of Joseph's brethren, or, rather, pro
duced an irreconcileable hatred, was his innocently relating to them two dreams, the
explanations of which seemed to portend his own future greatness. The substance
of the first of these dreams was, that " as he was binding sheaves with his brethren
in the field, his sheaf arose and stood upright, while their sheaves round about fell
down, and, as it were, made obeisance to his." This dream being considered by his
brethren as an indication of his pride and ambition, their malice was greatly in
creased, but still more so when they heard the substance of the second dream.
" Behold," says he, " the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to
me." When Joseph related this last dream his father was present, on which the
good old man, either to appease the anger of his other sons, or check that presump
tion which in young minds so naturally arises from good omens, reprimanded him in
these words : " Shall 1 aiid thy brethren come to bow down ourselves to thee to the
earth?" But though Jacob thought proper to reprimand his son Joseph, for the
reason here assigned, yet, in his own mind, he thought there was something very
ominous in the dreams, and that they were predictions of events that would some
time or other come to pass.
After Joseph had related these dreams to his brethren (notwithstanding the repri
mand given him by his father), instead of their hatred being abated, they grew every
* This party-colored tunic of Josepu has occasioned some speculation; but it would seem that the real
point of interest has not buen noticed. It would be desirable to know whether the art of interweaving a
piece in various colors was at tins time discovered or not. Judging from the information which this text
gives, it would seem not . fur the word which is constantly rendered " colors" may, as in the marginal
reading, with more than equal propriety be rendered *' pieces ;" which makes it probable that the agreeable
effect resulting from a combination of colors was obtained by patchwork in the first instance, and in after
times by being wrought with a needle. The value and distinction attached to surh variegated dresses show
that they were not common, and were worked by some elaborate process. This continued long alter. In
the time of David, such a dress was a distinction for a king's daughter (2 Samuel xiii. 18) , and in Judges
v. 30. we see ladies antiripatinrr the return of a victorious general with " a p<-ey of live*-* colors, of divers
colors of needlework on both sides." We may, therefore, infer that In these timn pe p.e generally did
not wear variegated dresses, tne common use of which must have been consequent on trie discovery of
the art of interweaving a variegated pattern in the original texture, or of printing it subsequently. Except
in Persia, where a robe is usually of one color, most Asiatic people are partial to dresses in which various
patterns are interwoven in stripes or flowers ; and party-'colored dresses have necessarily ceased to form i
istlnctlon. The most remarkable illustration of this' text which we have seen is given by Mr Roberts,
vho states that in India it is customary to invest a beautiful or favorite child with " a coat of many
colors," consisting of crimson, purple, and other colors, which are often tastefully sewed togetk". He
»dds : " A child being clothed in a garment of many colors, it is believed that neither tongues nor evil
spirits will ini ure him, because the attention is taken from the beautv of the person to that of the garment.

112 AN ILLUSTRATED
du/ more and more exasperated ; so that they resolved at length to cut him off, and
only waited for a convenient opportunity for effecting their purposes.
Some time after this, Jacob, having purchased some land near Shechem, sent all
nis sons (Joseph excepted) to keep their flocks there. After being absent a long
time, and no intelligence received of them by Jacob, he was very anxious for their
welfare, fearing lest the inhabitants of the land should revenge on them the loss of
their countrymen, who had been put to death by Jacob's sons. To remove these
disagreeable apprehensions, he ordered Joseph to go to Shechem, and inquire after
the health and welfare of his brethren, and return with all convenient expedition.
Joseph, ill obedience to his father's commands, set out for Shechem, which was
about sixty miles distant from the place where his father now dwelt. When he
came within some distance of Shechem, he happened to meet a stranger, of whom
he made inquiry after his brethren. The stranger told him they had removed from
Shechem some time, and were gone to a place called Dothan.* Joseph accordingly
hastened to Dothan ; and no sooner did his brethren see him approaching than their
old malice revived, and they determined to embrace this opportunity of destroying
him. " Behold" (says one of them to the rest), " this dreamer Cometh. Come now,
therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say some evil
beast has devoured him; and we shall see what will become of his dreams."
This horrid design would certainly have been carried into execution had it not
been for the interposition of Reuben, who used the most forcible arguments to dis
suade them from embruing their hands in the blood of their brother. As they were,
however, determined to show some instance of their resentment, Reuben proposed
that they should cast Joseph into the next pit, with a design, no doubt, of taking
him out privately and conveying him safe to his father. This proposition being ap
proved of by the rest of the brethren, as soon as Joseph came up to them they im-
meaiately seized him, and, after taking off his party-colored garment, threw him
into a pit, which at that time happened to be dry. As soon as this was done Reu
ben withdrew, in order to contrive some means for rescuing his brother, while the
rest, insensible of remorse for the deed they had committed, sat down and regaled
ihemselves with such provisions as the place afforded. They were satisfied in their
minds that their base ends would soon be answered, and that Joseph must inevitably
perish in the pit for the want of food. But the eye of Omnipotence beheld his dis
tress, and interposed in his behalf; for as Reuben had already been the means of
preventing his immediate death, so Judah now became the means of delivering him
out of the pit.
It happened that while they were regaling themselves they espied at a distance a
caravan of Ishmaelites, who were travelling from Mount Gilead into Egypt with
spices and other merchandise.! The sight of these furnished Judah with a thought
* This place is mentioned as a " city" in 2 Kings vi. 13-15. Eusebius says it was twelve miles south of
Samaria. That it was somewhere north of Shechem would appear from the present .text. What is meant
by the " pit" into which Joseph was cast is an exhausted cistern, or reservoir, in which the rain-water is
collected, and of which there are many in Palestine. Many of them are found to be empty in summer, the
supply of watei they contain being often soon exhausted. Dr. Richardson thus mentions the place which
is pointed out as the scene of the affair recorded in tllis chapter ; " Having cleared the intricate defiles of
this part of the country, we got upon an extensive open field which bore an abundant crop of thistles, and
on which several herds of black* cattje were feeding. This, by some, is supposed to be the scent of the ¦
infamous conspiracy of which the liberty of Joseph was the temporary victim. A little farther on ve ar
rived at Gib Youssouff, or the pit into which Joseph was cast by his brethren, being a ride of three hours
and forty minutes from Mensura. Here there is a large Khan for the accommodation of travellers, and a
well of very excellent water, and a very comfortable oratory for a Mussulman to pray in." This place is
about two and a half or three days' journey from Shechem, which is nearly equal to the distance between
Hebron and Shechem ; so that the distance from Hebron to Dothan, if tllis be Dothan, was about five or six
days' journey, which, as Dr. Richardson observes, " is a long way for the sons of Jacob to go to feed their
herds, and a still farther way for a solitary youtli like Joseph to be sent in quest of them." But we do not
consider this distance too great, particularly as we know the place was somewhere beyond Shechem. In
deed the doctor himself admits that it is a very likely place, particularly as it lies in what is still one of thfc
principal roads from the Haouran and Mount Gilead to Egypt. Speaking of the same neighborhood (Nab
lous or Shechem), Dr. Clarke says : '• Along the valley we beheld a company of Ishmaelites coming fron.
Gilead, as in the days of Reuueu and Judah, ' with their camels, bearing spicery, and balm, and myrrh,'
who would gladly have purchased another Joseph of his brethren, and conveyed him as a slave to somt
Potipharin Egypt. Upon tlie hills around, dorks and herds were feeding as of old; nor, in the simplogarb
ot the shepherds of Samaria, wa3 there anything to contradict the notions we may entertain of the appear
ance formerly exhibited by the sons of Jacob." He adds, that the morning after his arrival at Nablous,,hc
3net caravans coming from Grand Cairo, and noticed others reposing in the large olive plantations near the
gates. t Midianites being also mentioned as denominating this company, we may infer thai it was a mixed car
ftvan, and principally composed of Ishmaelites and Midianites. We might call them generally "Arabians,"
as the Chaldee does. " Here." savs Dr Vincent, " upon opening the oldest history in the wrld. we rind

HIS1 JRY OF THE BIBLE. 113
in whal manner he mignt secure his brother Joseph from certain death, aiid at the
same time answer their ends by getting him totally removed. As the caravan ap
proached, he urged the iniquity of being instrumental to the destruction of their own
the Ishmaelites from Gilead conducting- a caravan loaded with the spices of India, the balsam and myrrh
of Hadramaut ; and in the regular course of their traffic proceeding to Egypt for a market. The dale of
this transaction is more than seventeen centuries before the Christian era, and notwithstanding its anti
quity, it has all the genuine features of a caravan crossing the Desert at tho present hour." (Commerce
and Navigation of the Ancients, vol. ii., p. 262.) We can not at this moment enter into the question, whicr
Dr. Vincent assumes, that the Arabians had already become the medium of communication between India
and Egypt. As the subject divides itself into two parts, the commerce of the Arabians and that of tlie
Egyptians, we postpone the former, and confine ourselves to a few remarks on the latter. Dr. Vincent
ca'ls the Egyptians, with g^eat propriety, the Chinese of antiquity ; and the analogy between the two peo
ple might form a subject for very interesting discussion. In the present text we see a caravan of foreign
ers 01 iceeding to Egypt, their camels laden with articles of luxury ; whence it is an obvious inference that
Egypt had then become what it is always recorded to have been, the centre ol a most extensive land com
merce :— the great emporium to which the merchants brought gold, ivory, and slaves from Ethiopia, incense
from Arabia, spices from India, and wine from Phoenicia and Greece : for which Egypt gave in exchange its
com, its manufactures of fine linen, its robes, and its carpets. In after-times, the merchants of the west,
of Greece and Rome, resorted to Egypt for its own products, and for the goods brought thither by the ori
ental merchants. But none of this was done by Egyptians themselves. We never, either in ancient or
modern times, read of Egyptian caravans. This doubtless arose in a great degree from the aversion which
(in common with all people who observe a certain diet and mode of life prescribed by religion) they enter
tained to any intercourse with strangers, and which reminds us continually of the restrictive policy of the
Japanese in some respects, and of the religious prejudices of Hindoos and strict Mohammedans. Thus, it
was a maxim among the Egyptians not to leave their own country, and we have ample evidence that they
rarely did so, except in attendance upon the wars and expeditions of their sovereigns, even when theirre-
strictive policy and peculiar customs became relaxed under the Greek and Roman rulers of the country.
"They waited," says Goguet, after Strabo, "till other nations brought them the things they stood in need
of, and they did this with the more tranquillity, as the great fertility of their country in those times left
them few thingsHo desire. It is not at all surprising that a people of such principles did not apply them
selves to navigation until very late." Besides, the Egyptians had a religious aversion to the sea, and con
sidered all those as impious and degraded who embarked upon it. The sea was, in their view, an emblem
of the evil being (Typhon), the implacable enemy of Osiris ; and the aversion of the priests in particular
was so strong, that they carefully kept mariners at a distance, even when the rest of the nation began to
pay some attention to sea-affairs. But besides their religious hatred to the sea, and political aversion to
strangers, other causes concurred in preventing the cultivation of maritime commerce by the Egyptians
The country produces no wood suitable for the construction of vessels. Therefore, when the later Egyp
tians and the Greek sovereigns began to attend to navigation, they could not fit out a fleet till they had ob
tained a command over the forests of Phoenicia, which gave occasion to bloody wars between the Ptolemies
and the Seleucidae for the possession of those countries. The unhealthiness of the Egyptian coast, and
the paucity of good harbors, may also be numbered among the circumstances which operated, with others,
in preventing attention to maritime affairs. Moreover, all the nations who in those times traded in the
Mediterranean were also pirates, who made it a particular branch of their business to kidnap men from tne
coasts ; and it was therefore natural that a people who had no vessels with which to oppose them or re
taliate upon them, should allow them no pretence to land upon their shores.
The indifference of the Egyptians to foreign commerce is demonstrated by the fact that they abandoned
the navigation of the Red sea to whatever people cared to exercise it. They allowed the Phoenicians, the
Edornites, the Jews, The Syrians, successively, to have fleets there and maritime stations un its shores. It
was not until toward the termination of the national independence that the sovereigns of Egypt began to
turn their attention to such matters. The parts of Lower Egypt were ultimately opened to the Phoenicians
and Greeks, by Psammeticus, about 658 years B. C. His son, Necho, for the purpose of facilitating com
merce, attempted to unite the Mediterranean and Red sea, by means of a canal from the Nile ; but desisted
after having lost 100,000 workmen. This work was completed by the Persians, but turned out to be of little
practical benefit, either from the failure of the eastern channel of the Nile, or from being choked by the
sands drifted from the desert. Failing in this project, Necho contrived to pay great attention to navigation.
He caused ships to be built both on the Mediterranean and Red sea, and interested himself in maritime
discovery, with a view to the extension of the commercial relations of Egypt. He sent on a voyage of
discovery those Phoenician mariners who effected the famous circumnavigation of Africa,, sailing from the
Red sea, and, after doubling the Cape of Good Hope, returning by the Mediterranean. The maritime powei
of Egypt increased thenceforward, the clearest proof of which may be found in the fact, that in the reigri,
of Necho's grandson, Apries, the Egyptian fleet ventured to give battle, and actually defeased so experi
enced a naval power as that of the Phoenicians. The race of sailors which arose were, however, consid
ered as the lowest and most impure of the castes into which the Egyptian people were divided, In the
nextreign, that of Amasis, the sacred Nile was at last opened to the foreign merchants. Naucratis, a city
of Lower Egypt, on the Canopean arm of the Nile, near the site afterward occupied by Alexandria, was
assigned to such Greek traders as chose to settle in Egypt. The commercial states of Greece were also
"ermitted to found temples or sanctuaries, in certain places, for the accommodation of their travelling
merchants, and which might also serve as staples and marts for the merchandise which they should send
into Egypt. This concession was found to have a most favorable operation upon the prosperity of Egypt,
and in its ultimate consequences combined with other causes in working a great change in the character
and habits of the population, which thenceforward became progressively modified Iv an infusion of Greek
manners and Ideas. Such concessions were not in the first instance made without limitations. The Greeks
were obliged to enter the Canopean branch of the Nile, and were required to land at Naucratis. If by any
accident a ship entered at any other mouth- of the river it was detained, and the captain was obliged to
swear that he had been compelled to enter against his will. He was then compelled to sail back for Nau-,
cratis; and if this was prevented by the winds, he was required to discharge his cargo, and to send it
round the Delta (more inland) in ttfe small vessels in which the Egyptians navigated the Nile This re
striction must have ceased soon after, when the country was subdued by the Persians, and all the mouths
of the Nile were -equally thrown open. Its subjection to the Persians does not seem to have materially in-
terfered with the growing maritime commeice of Egypt. But Herodotus, who was there in this period,
remarks on the characteristic singularity which the Egyptians had carried into their marine and trade
Their ships were built and armed after a fashion quite different from that observed by other nations antf
their rigging and cordage were arranged in a manner that appeared very singular and fantastic to the fcreeka
8

114 AN ILLUSTRATED
brother, by which they would contract an eternal stain of guilt. He therefore ad
vised them to sell him to the Ishmaelites, by which means they would not only save
his life, but likewise promote their own interest. This proposal being universally
approved of, Joseph was taken out of the pit, and sold to the'merchants for twenty
pieces of silver ; and the merchants, on their arrival in Egypt, sold him again tu
Potiphar, one ofthe king's chief officers, and captain of his guards.
Reuben, who was absent while this circumstance happened, came soon after to the
pit, in order to assist his brother in making his escape ; but, astonished at not finding
him there, he ran hastily to his brethren, rent his clothes, and upbraided himself as
the cause of his being lost : " The child," said he, " is not, and whither shall I go ?"
In short, he bewailed himself to such a degree, that his brethren, in order to mitigate
his grief, told him in what manner they had disposed of him; upon which Reuben,
finding it impossible now to recover him, joined with the rest, in forming a tale for
their father which might take from them all suspicion of their being instrumental to
the loss of his beloved Joseph.
To effect this purpose, they killed a kid, and dipping Joseph's coat into the blood,
took it to their father, telling him they had found it in the field, and were fearful it
was their brother's. " This," said they, " have we found ; know now whether it be
thy son's coat, or no."
The good old patriarch no sooner saw the coat, than he was convinced to whom it
belonged, and not suspecting that any human hand could be guilty of such an unnat
ural cruelty as to murder him, concluded that he had been unhappily devoured by
some wild beast. This loss was the most severe he had ever sustained. When his
beloved Rachel died, it was in a natural way ; but Joseph (according to his present
apprehension) is, by a savage animal, barbarously torn in pieces before his time. His
grief, therefore, knew no bounds; he rent his clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourned
for his beloved son many days : nay, so excessive was his affliction, that when his
children in general endeavored to comfort him, it availed nothing, and all the answer
he made them was, that he could only cease to mourn when he-should follow him in
the path of mortality.*
In conformity to the sacred historian, we must here make a short digression from
the iarther transactions of Joseph, in order to admit some occurrences which are ma
terially connected with the history, and, therefore, must not be suffered to pass un-
noticed.f Some time before Joseph was sold into Egypt, Judah (his father's son by Leah),
who had been the means of saving his brother's life; married a Canaanitish woman,
named Shuah, by whom he had three sons, viz., Er, Onan, and Shelah.
In process of time, when Er, his eldest son,*grew up to years of maturity, he took
him a wife whose name was Tamar ; but Er, being naturally of a very wicked dis
position, the Almighty was pleased to cut him off before he had any children by his
wife. In consequence of this Judah (agreeably to the oustom of the country) advised
Onan, his second son, to marry his brother's widow in order to preserve the succession
of his family. Onan seemingly obeyed his father's orders, but not brooking the
thoughts that any of his children should inherit his brother's name (which must have
been the case had Tamar borne him any) he took a very wicked method of avoiding
After all, the Egyptians were not themselves a people addicted to maritime commerce. The Greek rulers
of Egypt indeed changed the entire system of Egyptian trade, and the new capital, Alexandria, became the
first mart of the world, while the ancient inland capitals, which had arisen under the former system, sunk
into insignificance. But it was the Greeks of Egypt, not the Egyptians, who did this. " They became,'
says Dr. Vincent, " the carriers of the Mediterranean, as well as the agents, factors, and importers of ori
ental produce : and so wise was the new policy, and so deep had it taken root, that the Romans, upon the
subjection of Egypt, found it more expedient to leave Alexandria in possession of its privileges, than to
alter the course of trade, or occupy it themselves." (The facts combined in this sketch of Egyptian trade,
&c , have been drawn from the works' of Vincent, Heeren, Reynier, Goguet, Rennel, and Hales.) *
* What an affecting idea is here conveyed to the mind of the reader 1 The hoary patriarch rends hia
clothes, covers nis aged body with sackcloth, and refuses to be comforted. Thus Achilles in Homer ex
presses his grief, on receiving the news of Patroclus''death.

—With furious hands he spread

The scorching ashes on his graceful head ;
His purple garments, and his golden hairs,
Those he deforms with dust, and these with tears."— Pope
^ Though the past and following events seem to be connected by the sacred writer, yet the marriage of
tudah certainly took place long before Joseph was sold into Egypt ; and, in all probability, a short time afto
fob's return from nis uncle Laban.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 115
it for which offence he was (as his brother had been before him) punished with sudden
death. Shelah, the third son, b«ing as yet too young for marriage, Judah desired his
daughter-in-law Tamar to retire to her father's house, and there remain a widow, till
his son became a proper age, at which time he would make him her husband.
Tamar obeyed her father-in-law's commands, and waited till Shelah was come to
man's estate; but finding no signs of his intending to fulfil his promise, she deter
mined on revenge for her disappointment, which she effected by the following strat
agem. Shuah, Judah's wife, had been some time dead, and as soon as the usual time of
mourning was expired, he went, accompanied by a particular friend, to Timnath, in
order to participate of the accustomed amusements of sheep-shearing.
Tamar, having received previous intelligence of his intended excursion, and the
time of his going, threw off her widow's habit ; and dressing herself like a courtesan,
she threw a veil* over her face, and then placed herself between two ways through
one of which she knew Judah must necessarily pass in his road to Timnath.
As soon as Judah saw her he took her to be what she appeared, and accordingly
in a very familiar manner, paid his addresses to her. Previous, however, to any far
ther intimacy, she insisted upon having some reward for her compliance, which he
readily agreed to, and promised to send her a kid ; but she having a farther design
upon him, demanded a pledge for the performance of his promise, which was, his
signet,! his bracelet, and his staff. Judah readily complying with this request, they
retired together, the consequence of which was that Tamar soon after proved with
child. Agreeably to the promise made by Jttdah to Tamar, previous to their intercourse,.
the former sent his friend Hirah (for that was his name) with a kid to redeem his
pledge; but when he came to the place the woman was gone, nor could he, upon the
strictest inquiry, learn that any such person as he described had been ever there.
This circumstance greatly perplexed Judah, who, upon cool reflection, thought it
most prudent to let her go with the pledges, fearing, if he should make farther search
after her, it might injure his reputation.
About three months after this Judah received intelligence that his daughter-in-law
had played the harlot, and that she was certainly with child. Enraged at her incon
tinence, he ordered her to be brought forth, and, according to the laws ofthe country,
publicly burnt.J
Tamar, instead of being alarmed at this dreadful sentence pronounced against her,
only sent the pledges to Judah, and with them this message : " That the man to
whom those belonged was the very person by whom she was wilh child."
Judah, struck with confusion at the sight of the pledge he so well knew, and re
flecting on the injury he had done Tamar in not fulfilling the promise of giving her
his son in marriage, he acknowledged her to be less culpable in the whole affair than
himself. " She hath," said he, " been more righteous than I."|| Tamar's ends were
answered in this stratagem, for Judah immediately took her home to his house, but
never after had any intercourse with her.
When the time of Tamar's delivery came, she was brought to bed of twins, whose
Dirths were attended with these singular circumstances. One of then'., having put
* That veils were nor peculiar to harlots, DUt worn by the most modest women in those times, there is.
not the least doubt : yet as harlots were not then allowed to enter into cities, they usually sat in the
lublic ways, and covered their faces with a veil, in order to conceal their infamy ; and some assert that the
veils they wore differed from those used bymodest women. Tamar assumed that character, most probably,
to engage Shelah, who was her betrothed husband, and who she might expect would come with his father ;
but, being disappointed of him, she gratified Judah, in order to be again taken into the family.
t The word here translated a signet should have been a ring, which ornaments were then worn according
to their different ranks. At that time there could be no occasion for signets, it being most probable that
writiag was not then known. By the word braceUts is generally understood a girdle of twisted silk, wmen
either hung from the neck,.or was fastened round the waist somewjiat in the form of a child s sash.
t It may appear strange that Judah should have such authority as to order this punishment to be innictea
on his daughter-in-law Tamar. But it is to be observed that the ancients supposed every man to be judge or
-.hief magistrate in his own family ; so that, though Tamar was a Canaanite, yet, as she married into ^ ju
dah's family, and brought disgrace upon it, she necessarily lay under the cognizance of him, who may ne
supposed, from what followed, to have suspended the sentence, till he had made farther inquiry into the
nature of her offence. . , , +, „. iB ...i-v, nn, i..M.
II He does not say Tamar was more holy or chaste, but more righteous or just ; that is, .Judah, not keep
ing his promise in niarrying her to Shelah, provoked her to lay this trap for him, r^°^Jin^i,'!dw°"~
not let her have children by Shelah, she would have them by him. Thus, though she may be deemed more
wickei in the sight of God, she appeareth more just in the opinion of Judah.

116 AN ILLUSTRATED
forth his hand, the midwife immediately tied around it a scarlet thread, in order to
distinguish him as the first-born; but the child having withdrawn its hand, the other
made its way, and came first into the world. This occasioned his name to be called
Pharez, which signifies "breaking forth:" the other was called Zarah which, im
plies " he ariseth," alluding to the sign he gave of his coming, by putting forth his
hand. What farther circumstances occurred, after this, relative to Tamar, we are not in
formed ; but it is reasonable to suppose that she continued the remainder of her life
in the house of Judah, and that she lived the whole time in a state of widowhood.
Having, with the sacred historian, mentioned the before-mentioned particulars
relative to Judah. and his family, we shall, in like manner, now resume the history
of Joseph, and relate the various adventures and enterprises that befell him during his
residence in Egypt.
From the time that Joseph had first admission into Potiphar's family, he conducted;
himself with the greatest diligence and fidelity. By his faithful services he so o!>
tained the favor of his master, that, after some time, he not only dismissed him from
every laborious employment, but made him superintendent of his whole property
and committed the charge of his house solely to his care and direction.
Joseph being then appointed principal manager of his master's affairs, both within
doors and without, the Lord was pleased to bestow a blessing on the house of the
Egyptian ; who, by means of Joseph, flourished exceedingly, and being sensible of
the cause of his very singular success, daily increased in liis good offices toward his
faithful servant.
Thus circumstanced, Joseph had reason to hope for a comfortable life,, though sold
to slavery ; and to expect, in time, his liberty, as a reward for his truth and fidelity.
But it pleased the Almighty farther to exercise his faith and patience, in order to
prepare him for a still brighter display of his grace and goodness toward his chosen
people. Joseph was now about twenty-seven years of age, of a comely form, beautiful com
plexion, and winning deportment. These united charms not only engaged the atten
tion, but also excited the love of his master's wife, who, when all tacit tokens to draw
the youth into an indulgence of her unlawful flame failed, was so fired by her eager
passion, that she broke through every rule of decency, and, in plain terms, courted
him to her bed. But how great was her surprise when, instead of a ready compli
ance, as she probably expected, she found herself not only denied, but likewise
severely reprimanded for her dissolute and illegal passion ! " Behold," said he, "my
master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that
he hath to my hand. There is none greater in this house than I ; neither hath he
kept back anything from me, but thee, because thou art his wife : how then can I
do this great wickedness, and sin against God ?"*
But this repulse, sufficient to have filled with shame a mind not entirely lost to
honor and virtue, had no effect on this lewd woman, who determined still, if possible,
to obtain her ends. After making several other fruitless attempts, at length a favorable
opportunity offered for accomplishing her wishes. It happened one day that Poti-
phar was engaged abroad on some particular business, and all the servants, except
loseph, were employed about their work in the adjoining fields. In the course of
the day (having properly prepared herself for the purpose) Joseph's mistress called
him to her apartment, which he had no sooner entered than she addressed herself to
him in a language calculated to steal the soul from virtue, and melt the coldest con
tinence into the warmest desires. But Joseph's integrity was not to be shaken.
Though her arguments were enforced with all the blandishments of art, they made
* This answer was truly noble, and is highly worthy of imitation : it speaks a mind whose passions arc in
subjection to the ruling principle of reason and conscience ; a mind that had the most delicate sentiments
of honor, and the most lively impressions of religion. His honest heart startles at the thought of commit
ting so foul a crime as adultery ; and the ingratitude and breach of trust with which it would have. been
accompanied in him, present it to his mind in the blackest colors ; so that these virtuous sentiments con
curring with his awful reverence of the Supreme Being, who beholds and judges all the actions of the sons
of men, enabled him to repel this violent assault with the utmost horror and indignation. This is an el-
ample of the greatest probity and inflexible integrity ; an example worthy of the highest commendation.
Joseph was then a servant in a strange country : he was tempted by an imperious woman : if he complied,
ne would be sure of concealment and rewards ; he would be sure to enjoy his place, and be advanced; if
>ie resisted, he must expect to be accused and treated as a criminal, be deprived of his place, of his liberty,
*' his fame, and perhaps of his life too. These are weighty considerations ; but he prefers chains, ignominy
r.d even death itself, to the crime of committing so heinous an action, and sinning against God.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

117

118 AN ILLUSTRATED
not the least impression on him. On the contrary, he again expostulated with her
on the heinousuess of the crime, begging her not to desire him to commit an act
which must be destructive to him and disgraceful to her. But all his reasonings were
of none effect: instead of her passion being allayed it was farther inflamed, and at
length, breaking through all decency, she caught him by his cloak, and attempted to
compel him to compliance. He struggled with his mistress for some time, and find
ing he had no other way of escaping, he slipped himself from his garment, which he
left in her hand, and precipitately fled.
Fired with resentment at the supposed indignity, and fearful of the disgrace that
would attend the discovery of her shameful passion, she resolved to shield herself by
laying a malicious accusation against Joseph. Accordingly, she began by making a
most horrid outcry, which immediately brought in all the servants who were within
hearing to her assistance. As soon as they entered the roorr. sne showed them Jo
seph's cloak, and at the same time thus vehemently exclaimed : " See," said she,
" he hath brought in a Hebrew unto us to mock us : he came in unto me to lie with
rie." And farther to engage them in her cause when the affair should come to ex
amination, she craftily added : " And I cried with a loud voice, and when he heard
it, he left his garment with me and fled." Having then prepared the servants to
confirm her declaration, she laid the cloak by her, in order to produce it as an evi
dence against Joseph when his master should return.
By the time Potiphar came home she had dressed up the story so well, and ex
pressed the pretended indignity put up«n her by the Hebrew* servant (as she called
him) with such an air of resentment, that he made no doubt ofthe truth of her tale.
The credulous husband, little suspecting his wife's treachery, was particularly pre-
fiossessed with the circumstance of the cloak, and therefore, without making the
east inquiry into the merits of the cause, immediately committed Joseph to the
king's prison.
Though the innocent Joseph was thus persecuted, in consequence of his base and
treacherous mistress, and was thereby bereft both of friends and relations, yet he was
not without that divine Friend who had hitherto protected him. He had not been
long in prison before his virtuous and obliging deportment gained him the peculiar
favor of the keeper, insomuch that he not only intrusted him with the management
of the affairs belonging to the prison, but also with the custody of the prisoners
themselves. Some time after Joseph's confinement, it happened that two persons of note (name
ly, the king's cup-bearer and his chief baker) were, for some offence or other,t com
mitted to the same prison, and being delivered to the care of Joseph, he attended
them in person, and by that means an intimacy between them was soon established.
Joseph, going one morning to their apartment, as he was accustomed to do, found
them both in a very pensive and melancholy situation. On inquiring the cause of
this sudden change, they told him that each had (the preceding night) a very extra
ordinary dream ; and that they were uneasy on account of being in a place where
they could not have a person to interpret them. To allay their superstitious humor
in trusting to diviners and soothsayers, Joseph told them that the interpretation of
dreams did not depend upon rules of art ; but, if there was any certainty in them, it
must proceed from a divme inspiration. Having said this, he desired that each would
relate the particulars of what he had dreamed, and he would give them his opinion
with respect to the interpretation.
The cup-bearer told his dream first, the substance of which was as follows : " Thai
in his sleep he fancied he saw a vine with three branches, which, all on a sudden,
budded, then blossomed, and at length brought forth ripe grapes: that he held
Pharaoh's cup in his hand, pressed the juice into the same, and gave it to the kins;.
who, as usual, took it and drank." This dream Joseph interpreted thus: "The
ihree branches," said he, " denote three days, within which Pharaoh will restore thee
to thy place, and thou shalt, as usual, give him to drink, according to the duties of
* She did not call Joseph by his own name, but that of the people to whom he belonged. This she did in
order to increase her husband's rage against him, the Egyptians and Hebrews being, at this time, inveterate
enemies to each other.
t Some authors are of opinion, that the crime of which these men were accused was that of having em
bezzled tne king's treasure ; but the Targum says, they had attempted to poison him. Whatever were Iheir
crimes, they must have been very great persons with respect to their birth ; for, according to DioHorus Sto-
nlus, none but the sons of th<* chief priests were admitted into those offices.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. liy
thy office." He then told the cup-bearer that, if his interpretation proved true, he
hoped he would, in his prosperity, remember him, and recommend his case to the
king, since the_ truth was, he nad been fraudulently taken from his own country, and
thrown into prison, without having been guilty of the least offence.
The baker, hearingso happy an interpretation of the cup-bearer's dream, was the
more ready to relate nis, which was to this effect : " That while, as he thought, he
had on his head three wicker baskets, in the uppermost of which were several kinds
of baked meats for the king's table, the birds came, and ate them out of the basket."
The interpretation Joseph gave of this dream was, " that the three baskets (even as
the three branches had done) signified three days ; but that, in the space of that
time, the king, having inquired into his conduct, and found him guilty, would order
him to be first beheaded, and afterward his body to be hanged on a gibbet, for the
fowls of the air to devour his flesh."*
As Joseph had foretold, so it came to pass; for, three days after this, the cup
bearer was restored and the baker hanged. The cup-bearer, however, proved very
ungrateful to Joseph, in not using the least endeavors to get his releasement, and he
might probably "have continued in prison the remainder of his life, had it not been
for the following incident.
When Joseph had been more than two years in prison, it happened that Pharaoh
the king had in one night two very portentous dreams, which gave him the more
uneasiness, because none of the Egyptian Magif (whom he consulted the next morn
ing) could give him the least explanation of their meaning. While the king was in
this state of perplexity on account of his dreams, he received some agreeable intelli
gence from his cup-bearer, who, recollecting Joseph, told him that while he and the
chief baker were under his majesty's displeasure in prison, i each of them, in the
same night, had a dream, which a young man, a Hebrew, then in prison with them,
interpreted exactly, and as the events happened ; and that, in his opinion, he had a
talent that way much superior to any that had been hitherto consulted.
Pharaoh was so pleased with this intelligence, and so anxious to have his dreams
explained, that he immediately despatched a messenger to the prison, with orders
to bring Joseph before him. Accordingly, after having shaved himself, and put on
his best attire, he left the prison, and being conducted to the palace, was immediately
introduced to the king, who, after a short time, related to him his dreams as follows ¦
" That, as he was walking on the banks of the river,:): he saw seven fat kine come
out of it, and feed on the meadow; after which seven others, exceeding lean, and
frightful to behold, came also to the river, and devoured the seven fat kine. That
after this he dreamed again, and fancied he saw seven full ears of corn, proceeding
all from the same stalk, which were, in like manner with the kine, devoured by
seven others that were blasted and withered."
When the king had finished relating his dreams, Joseph (after giving him to un
derstand that it was by the assistance!! of God alone he was enabled to be an inter
preter of dreams) told him " that the seven kine and seven ears of corn signified the
* It may appear strange that the sacred historian should mention the baker's being first beheaded, and af
terward hanged. But it is to be observed that this practice was common at that time. Hence Jeremiah
says, " princes were hanged up by their hands," intimating that their heads had been previously cut off.
See Lamentation v. 13. Also 1 Sam. xxxi. 9, 10.
t The magicians, or interpreters of dreams, were, at that time, a regular body of people in Egypt, and
always consulted with respect to their pretended knowledge of future events. Their method of interpre
tation was from an attentive consideration of the symbols or images that appeared in the dream. Thus,
the best they could pretend was no more than conjecture ; but they always gave their answers to whatever
questions they were asked in such ambiguous words that they could hardly be detected.
t The river here mentioned was the Nile, so much celebrated in ancient history. This river has its rise
in Numidia, and after running many miles northward through a country scorched with the violent heat of
the sun, it' enters Upper Egypt with great force, and passes over a cataract or broken rock. Hence ii
continues its course still north, and receiving the addition of many other rivers, it falls over another cat
aract, and then continues its course to the Lower Egypt as far as Grand Cairo, afterwhich it divides itself
into three branches, in the form of the Greek letter A, and then empties itself into the Mediterranean sea.
Once every year it overflows the greater part of Lower Egypt, and from that proceeds either scarcity or
plenty. If the water rises too high, scarcity ensues, because it lies too long on the ground ; and if too low,
then there is not a sufficiency to fertilize the soil.
II The answer Joseph gave the king when he first asked him to interpret his dreams was exceeding mod
est, and much of the same nature with that given by Daniel to King Neouchadnezzar. See Daniel u. 28,
29. He elevates the monarch's mind to tlie first cause of the dreams which so troubled him, and engages
his attention by making him hope he should give him an answer, of which God himself was the author:
."It-is not," says he, "in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace." Which was as much as to say,
" I have no more skill than those already consulted ; from God alone the interpretation musi proceed j -ind
he, I trust, will give a favorable one to your dreams."

120 AN ILLUSTRATED
same thing, and the repetition of the dream only denoted the certainly of the event ;
that, therefore, as the lean kine seemed to eat up the fat, and the withered ears of
corn to consume the full and flourishing ; so, after seven years of great plenty, other
seven years of extreme famine would succeed, insomuch that the remembrance of
plenty would be lost throughout the land of Egypt."
After Joseph had thus interpreted the king's dreams, he advised him to improve
the hints given in them, by appointing some wise and prudent person over his whole
kingdom, who should take care to build granaries and appoint officers under him in
every province, and that these officers should collect and lay up a fifth part of each
plentiful year's produce, that a proper supply might be had during the succeeding
years of famine.
This careful and prudent advice was highly approved of by the king, who, struck
with the extraordinary foresight and sagacity of Joseph, did not long hesitate in fix
ing on the person thus recommended ; for, turning first to his subjects, and then to
Joseph, he thus respectively addressed them : " Can we," says he, " find such a one
as this is? a man in whom the Spirit "of God is. Forasmuch as God has showed
thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art : thou shalt be over my
house ; and according to thy word shall all my people be ruled : only in the throne,
will I be greater than thou."
Having said this, Pharaoh appointed Joseph his deputy over the land of Egypt,
and immediately invested him with the ensigns of that high station. He took the
ring from his own finger, and put it on Joseph's ; caused him to be clothed in a robe
of fine linen, and put a golden chain about his neck. He ordered him to ride in the
chariot next to his ; and that wherever he went heralds should- go before, to give
notice of his coming to the people, who should show their subjection to him try bend-,
ing the knee as he passed.
Pharaoh having thus bestowed on Joseph the greatest power and highest honors,
in order to attach him more strongly to his interest, and make him forget the very
thoughts of ever returning to his own country, changed his name from Joseph to
Zaphnath-paaneah ;* soon after which he procured him an honorable alliance, by
marriage, with Asenath, the daughter of Potipherah, priest, or prince of On.f
Joseph's prediction began now to be fulfilled; and the plenteous years having
commenced, he entered upon the duties of the high office with which he had been
invested. He made a progress throughout the whole kingdom, built granaries in all
the principal places, and appointed proper officers to collect, and lay up the stipulated
quantity of provisions. The same method he invariably pursued every season ofthe
fruitful years, till at length he had amassed such quantitiesof corn as even to exceed
computation. During the seven years of plenty, Joseph had two sons by his wife Asenath, the
first of whom he called Manasseh, intimating that God had made him forget all his
toils; and the other he called Ephraim, because he had made him fruitful in the
land of his affliction.
The seven years of plenty being expired, those of dearth commenced, according to
Joseph's prediction, and the famine was not only spread throughout the land of
Egypt, but also the neighboring countries. But, through Joseph's provident care,
under the blessing of Divine Providence, Egypt was so well furnished with provisions,
as not only to supply its own inhabitants, but also foreigners, with bread and other
necessaries of life. The king referred all who applied to him for these articles, to
Joseph, who opened the storehouses, and sold to the Egyptians and others, in such
quantities, and at such rates, as seemed to him most just and equitable.
The famine having penetrated as far as the land of Canaan, and particularly affected
that part of the country where Jacob resided, he, hearing there was corn to be bought
in Egypt, sent ten of his sons thither for that purpose. On their arrival they were
* The generality of interpreters are of opinion, that this is a Coptic word, and implies a revealer of secrets,
alluding to Joseph's having interpreted Pharaoh's dreams. It was customary, at this time, for princes to
give foreigners a new name, to denote their naturalization, to take away aU invidious distinction, and do
clare them worthy of their most intimate favor and protection.
T On was a famous city in Egypt, situated between the Nile and the Arabian gulf, about twenty miles
from Memphis, the metropolis of the kingdom. Here was celeb-ated an annual festival, in honor of tho
:mn, from which it was afterward called £M -opolis. The word we translate priest may signify one who
ministers at the altar, or one who governs in civil affairs : priests we-e ancient.y the ch'Of men ol tho
kingdom - for kings themselves were priest*

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 121
lirected to apply to Joseph for an order, whom they no sooner approached, than
they oowed themselves before him,* as a token of reverence to his dignified office.
Joseph, at first sight, knew his brethren, but did not choose, at present, to make
himself known to them, intending to take this opportunity of punishing them for the
ill-treatment he had received at their hands. The better to effect his purpose, in
stead of speaking to them himself, he appointed an interpreter, who, by his directions,
with a severe look and angry tone of voice, asked them, whence they came.
They answered, " From the land of Canaan to buy provisions ;" upon which he
charged them with being spies, who came thither for no other purpose but to dis
cover the weakness of the country. They replied, that they came with no other
intent than purely to buy corn for their numerous family ; and that they were all the
sons of one man.t who once, indeed, had twelve, but that the youngest was left at
home, and the next to him was dead.
But Joseph still insisted they were spies, and, to put their honesty to the test,
made this proposition : " That, since, as they said, they had a younger brother at
home, some one of them should be despatched to bring him, while the rest should
be kept in confinement till his arrival ; and if they did not assent to this he should
consider them in no other light than that of spies and enemies." Having said this,
he ordered them all to prison, there to remain till they should give a proper answer
to the matter proposed.
On the third day of their confinement, Joseph sent for them again, and, showing a
more pleasant countenance than he had yet done, told them, by means of his inter
preter, that as himself feared God, and was desirous of acting justly by them, he was
unwilling that their family should want provision, or that they themselves should
suffer, if innocent. He therefore proposed, "That one of them should be confined
as a hostage for the rest, while they returned with corn for the family; and that,
when they came again, and brought their youngest brother with them, the one con
fined should be immediately released, and all of them considered as men of honesty
and integrity."
Being reduced to a stale of extremity, and knowing it was in vain to remonstrate
with one, under whose immediate power they were, they unanimously, though no
doubt with reluctance, agreed to this proposal. The interpreter was at this time
absent, and, supposing no one else understood their language, they, imagining their
present distressed situation was a punishment for their cruel treatment of their
brother, began, in Joseph's presence, to condemn each other for their barbarous con
duct. " Justly," said they, " do we now suffer for our cruelty to our brother, to
whom we refused mercy, though he begged it in the anguish of his soul ; therefore
God is just in sending upon us this distress." Reuben, who was not so culpable as
the rest, told them, that all this mischief might have been prevented had they
listened to his counsel, and not acted so inhumanly to their innocent brother, for
whose sake it was no more than what they might expect, that vengeance, at one
time or other, would certainly overtake them.
Though Joseph could counterfeit the stranger in hts looks, hismein, and his voice,
yet he still retained the brother in his heart. The confusion and distress of his
brethren awakened all his fraternal tenderness, and he was obliged to withdraw from
their presence to give a vent to his passions. In a short time, however, he returned,
and, after commanding Simeon^ to be bound in their presence, he sent him to prison.
Having done this, he set all the rest at liberty, and ordered the officer who distributed
the com, to supply them with what they wanted, and, at the same time, unknown to
them, to put each man's money into the mouth of his sack.
« This manner of salutation was common in their own country, but not in use among the Egyptians ¦ a
sufficient proof that Jacob's family had little or no acquaintance with the inhabitants of the neighboring
kingdoms. But by using the customary form of their family, they fulfilled the dreams of Joseph (as far >.i
they had any relation to themselves) and no doubt brought those dreams to Joseph's remembrance.
t This part of their answer was certainly very pertinent, as it was not probable that a father would have
sent his sons, and much less all of them, in one company, upon so dangerous an expedition : nor, that one
particular person, or family, would have formed a design against so capital a kingdom as that of Egypt.
J The Jewish Rahbies say, that Joseph determined to retain Simeon ratner than any other, because it was
he who threw him into the pit. This tradition is far from being improbable. It is certain that Reuben was
desirous of saving Joseph, and Judah inclined to favor him ; so that L Simeon had joined with them, then
authority might have prevailed over the rest to save him. We may add to this, that Simeon was a violent
man, as is evident from his barbarous treatment of the Shecheimites ; and that Joseph might think propel
to detain him, as it would least afflict his father.

122 AN ILLUSTRATED
These orders being punctually obeyed, they set out for Canaan, and at the close of
tneir first day's journey, met with a circumstance they little expected. One of them
opening his sack to give his ass provender, observed his money in the mouth of it,
which, on examination, appeared to be the case with all the rest. This unexpected
event gave them great uneasiness, and, looking confusedly at each other, they ex
claimed, " What is this God hath done unto us ?" They imagined it to be a plot con-
jerted by the viceroy of Egypt, and that he intended, on their return, to make them
slaves, by accusing them of theft.
Prosecuting their journey, they at length arrived at the habitation of their vene
rable parent, to whom they related all the particulars of their journey into the land
of Egypt. They informed him of the treatment they had received from the viceroy .
that he had accused them of being spies, and that they had no method of clearing
themselves, but by leaving Simeon bound in prison, as a pledge, till they should
return with Benjamin, on which terms alone their innocence could be justified.
The good old patriarch was sensibly affected at these melancholy tidings, and, in
the affliction of his soul, thus complained : " That one way or other, he had been
deprived of his children; that Joseph was dead, Simeon was left in Egypt, and now
they were going to take Benjamin from him likewise, which were things too heavy
for him to bear."
Reuben, finding his father thus unnappily circumstanced, in order to mitigate his
affliction, told him he need not be apprehensive of any danger from the absence of
Benjamin. He begged that he would put him under his protection, and at the same
time assured him, that if he did not bring him safe back, he would readily agree to
the loss of his own two sons for such defect.
But this proposal had little weight with Jacob, and, instead of assuaging his grief,
only contributed to augment it. Resolved, therefore^ not to trust Benjamin with
them, he answered Reuben as follows : " My son," said he, " shall not go down with
you, for his brother is dead, and he is left alone ; if mischief befall him by the way in
the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave."*
In this state of doubt and perplexity did they spend their time, till the famine
every day increasing, and their stock of provisions being nearly consumed, Jacob told
his sons to go again into Egypt for a fresh supply ; but at ,the same time took no
notice of their obligation to "the viceroy to bring with them their youngest brother.
Jacob's sons, knowing their departure without Benjamin would not only argue in
them the greatest folly and rashness, but also expose them to the resentment of the
viceroy, and, at the same time, thinking it impossible to obtain their father's consent,
were reduced to the utmost dilemma. Reuben had already tried his efforts in vain ;
Judah, therefore, now addressed him in more positive terms, urging at once the ab
solute and indispensable necessity of taking Benjamin with them, " as the viceroy
had most solemnly declared they should not so much as see his face, if, on their re
turn, he was not with them."
Jacob, being now put to his last shifts for the preservation of his favorite son Benja;
min, knew not how to act, and, in the fulness of his soul, reproved his sons for having
informed the viceroy they had a brother. In answer to this Judah told him, that
what was said upon that head proceeded from the simplicity of their hearts ; that
he inquired so minutely into their circumstances and family, that they could not
possibly avoid giving the information he required; and added, that they, had little
suspicion of his making so singular a demand.
Judah, finding his father waver a little in his resolution, repeated the necessity of
th iir going again into Egypt, and pressed him to consent to give up their brother
B'.-njamin, solemnly promising that, at the hazard of his own life, he would take care,
and return him safe into his hands. " Send the lad," said he, "with me, and we will
arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and those, and also our little
ones: I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him
not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever."
From the strong importunities of Judah, and a proper reflection on the necessity of
* Nothing can be more tenderand picturesque than these words of the venerable patriarch. Still affected
with the remembrance of liis beloved Rachel, he can not think of parting with Benjamin, the only remaining
p.edge 01 that love, now Joseph, as he supposes, is no more ; for, by her, he had only these two sons. Wc
here seem, as it were, to behold the gray-headed venerable parent pleading with his sons ; the beloved
lenjamin standing by irs side ; impatient sorrow in their countenances, and, in his, all the feeling anxiety
•jf paternal love.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 123
affairs, Jacob was at length induced to comply, and therefore delivered up to ihem
his son Benjamin. But before their departure he advised them, since it must be so,
to take a double quantify of money with them, lest there should have been some
mistake made in the other that was returned, and the price of what they had already
bought demanded. He likewise told them to take some such presents as the country
afforded, and what they imagined would be most acceptable to the viceroy. Having
said this, he entreated Heaven for their safety, and then dismissed them with an
aching heart, though fully resolved to acquiesce in God's good Providence, whatever
might be the event.
On their arrival in Egypt, they immediately went to the king's principal granaries,
and presented themselves before Joseph, who, seeing their brother Benjamin with
them, gave orders to his steward to conduct them to his house, where he designed
hey should that day dine with him. They now began to have disagreeable appre
hensions, fearing this might be a contrivance against them on account of the money
which was returned in their sacks. They, therefore, before they entered the house,
acquainted the steward with the whole affair; and, to demonstrate their honesty,
told him, that besides the money which they found returned, they had brought more
with them to buy a fresh quantity of provision. The steward, having been let into
the secret, and perceiving the concern they were in, desired them not to make them
selves in the least uneasy. He told them, that what they found in their sacks they
ought to look upon as a treasure sent from Heaven: he owned that he himself had
fairly received their money, and gave them assurance that they would never bear
more of it. To convince them that they might rely on what he said, he left them a
short time, and then returned with their brother Simeon unbound: after which he
acquainted them that they were that day to dine with his master; and, in the mean
time, showed them all the tokens of civility due to welcome guests.
As the time was near at hand that Joseph was to come home to dinner, his
brethren took care to have their present ready ; and, on his entering the apartment,
they gave it him in the most humble and submissive manner. He saluted them
with the greatest cordiality, and made anxious inquiry concerning the health and
welfare of their aged father. To which they submissively replied :" Thy servant,
our father, is in good health ; he is yet alive."
Though Joseph addressed his brethren in general terms, his attention was prin
cipally fixed on his brother Benjamin, who was most near and dear to him. After
inquiring of the rest if he was the youngest brother whom they had mentioned,
without waiting for an answer, he saluted him in these words, "God be gracious
unto thee, my son."* His passions were now raised to such a pitch, that, unable to
contain the flood of tears that was ready to flow from bis eyes, and fearing lest lie
should discover himself too soon, he retired into an adjoining apartment, and there
gave a loose to his fraternal emotions. After a short time, having dried up his tears,
and washed his face, that it might not appear he had wept, he returned to the com
pany, and gave immediate orders for the provision to be served up.
In the room where the entertainment was provided were three tables ; one for
Joseph alone, on account of his dignity ; another for his Egyptian guests, who would
never eat with the Hebrews,! and a third for his brethren.
These last were all placed in exact order according to their seniority, a circum
stance which greatly surprised them, for, not knowing their brother Joseph, they
could not conceive by what means he had obtained so perfect a knowledge of their
respective ages.
During the entertainment Joseph behaved in the most courteous manner, not only
to his brethren, but to the whole company. He sent from his own table! messes to
each of his brothers; but with this difference, that the one sent to Benjamin was hve
times larger than any of the rest.|| This was another mystery they could not account
* Joseph was the only brother of Benjamin by his mother Rachel. His calling him ion, therefore, was on ly
an appellation of courtesy used by superiors in saluting their inferiors, whom they styled sons, with respect
to themselves, as fathers of the country. . , , , , ,
t The dislike which the Egyptians took to the Hebrews did not arise, as some have imagined, from tlie
¦atter eating animal food, but from their low degree in life, being shepherds, an employment, which, lliougii
esteemed by the Hebrews, was despised by tlie Egyptians. _
1 II was the custom among the ancients for all the provision to be placed on one table, and the master of
the feast to distribute to very one his portion. .„„h.„„,„ .,, „,,,
,1 Joseph certainly did tnis not only to show his particular regard to Benjarnin.hnt also to observe wl.ethei
the lest would look upon their younger brother witli the same envious eye as tiiey had lunneil) done upon

124 AN ILLUSTRATED
tor ; however, they made themselves easy for the present, and enjoyed the repast
wliich had been so bountifully prepared for them.
The entertainment being over, Joseph's brethren took their leave, and made the
necessary preparations for setting off, the next morning, to the land of Canaan, pleased
with the thoughts of what had passed, and the satisfaction their aged parent would
receive on their safe arrival. But Joseph had one more fright for them still in re
serve. He ordered his steward, when he filled their sacks with corn, to return their
money (as he had done before) but into Benjamin's sack not only to put his money,
but the silver cup likewise, out of which himself was accustomed to drink.*
This being done, early the next morning they proceeded on their journey toward
Canaan ; but they had not got far when Joseph ordered his steward to pursue them,
and upbraid them with ingratitude in having so basely requited his master's civility,
as to steal away his cup.
The steward did as he was commanded, and having overtaken them, accused them
pf theft. Conscious of their innocence, they were not in the least affected at the
charge. As a test of their integrity they reminded the steward of their bringing back
the money which they found in their sacks in their former journey ; and to obviate
every suspicion of their being guilty of the accusation laid against them, they offered
to stand search under the severest penalties : " With whomsoever of thy servants,"
said they, " it may be found, let him die, and we also will be my lord's bondmen.
The steward took them at their word, but softened the penalty, by fixing it, thai
the person on whom the cup should be found should be his servant, and the rest con
sidered as blameless.
Impatient to prove their innocence, every one hastily unloaded his beast, and, as
they opened their sacks, the steward searched them ; when behold, to their great as
tonishment and surprise, the cup was found in the sack belonging to Benjamin, ft
was to no purpose for the poor youth to say anything in his defence : upon such a dem
onstration none would believe him. As they were all concerned in the disgrace,
they rent their clothes, and, without attempting even to palliate the fact, loaded their
asses, and, in a mournful manner, returned to the city.
Joseph had remained at home in expectation of their return, and no sooner did thev
approach his presence than they immediately prostrated themselves before him. Jo
seph, without giving them time to speak a word in their defence, charged them with
the fact, and reprimanded them for their folly in committing a theft, which it was
totally out of their power to conceal. " What deed," says he, " is this ye have done ?
Wot ye not, that such a man as I can certainly divine.' t
In the midst of a general horror, Judah, in a very humble tone, addressed himself
to Joseph in words to this effect: "We have nothing to offer in our defence; God
hath detected our iniquity, and we must remain slaves with him in whose sack the
cup was found." But Joseph interrupted him by declaring, that he could by no means
do such injustice ; for that he only who stole the cup should be bis slave, while the
rest, whenever they pleased, were at full liberty to return to their father.
Judah, encouraged by finding the viceroy somewhat softened, presumed farther to
address him, which he did in the most submissive and pathetic terms. He acquainted
him with the whole case between them and their father, in relation to their bringing
Benjamin into Egypt, to take away the suspicion of their being spies. He very feel
ingly described their father's melancholy situation for the loss of his son Joseph ; the
extreme fondness he had for his son Benjamin ; the difficulty they were under to pre
vail with him to trust him with them, insomuch that himself was forced to become
himself. The custom of allotting the largest portion at the banquets of the ancients to any particular per
son, by way of preference, was practised in Homer's days, as appears from Agamemnon's speech to Ido-
meneus : " For this in banquets when the generous bowls
Restore our blood, and raise the warrior's souls,
Though all the rest with stated rules are bound,
Unmixed, unmeasured, are thy goblets crowned."
* Joseph ordered this cup to be privately put into Benjamin's sack, in order to make a farther trial of his
brethren's temper, and to see whether, moved with envy, they would give up Benjamin, or endeavor to
assist him in his danger. It is not likely (as some have thought) that he really designed to have made a
pretence for detaining Benjamin j or that he could be ignorant of his father's warm affection to hil
youngest son.
+ This was as much as to say, " You see by my office that I am one of the great ministers of state , whils
,he other diviners are preferred only from the college of priests. As I am, therefore, so superior to them
could you be insensible that it wis in my power to divine, or detect your robbery I"

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 125
security for his safe return ; and that, if he should go home without him, his father's
life was so wrapped up in the child, that he would certainly die with grief. To pre
sent, therefore, so melancholy a scene, he offered himself as an equivalent for his
brother. " I pray thee," said he, " let thy servant abide, instead of the lad, a bond
man to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brethren ; for how shall I go up to my
father, and the lad be not with me ?"
This moving speech, and generous offer, so operated on the passions of Joseph, that
he could no longer contain himself: the force of nature shook his frame, and obliged
him to throw off all disguise. Ordering, therefore, the rest of the company to de
part, that he might discover himself with more affectionate freedom, they were no
sooner gone, than he burst into a flood of tears, and, looking earnestly at his brethren,
pathetically exclaimed, " I am Joseph ; doth my father yet live ?"*
Conscious guilt, at the very name of that Joseph whom they had so unnaturally
treated, struck them dumb, as they now dreaded the power he had of resenting the
injuries they had done him. But brotherly love overcame resentment, and banished
every desire of revenge. Joseph, observing their confusion, bid them, in the most
endearing manner, approach nearer to him, when he assured them, that he was the
very brother they had sold into Egypt, and though he had assumed the dignity be
coming his office, he still retained the tenderness of a brother. To remove all fur
ther apprehensions of danger, he told them, that their selling him into Egypt, was
directed by an unforeseen Providence ; and that they had no reason to be angry with
themselves for doing it, since they were no more than the instruments in God's hand
to bring about what his wise purpose had determined. That himself had no reason
to resent it, since, by that means, he had been advanced to the honor and dignity of
being governer of all Egypt. And, lastly, that neither his father, nor any of hip fam
ily, ought to murmur at it, since God appointed this method for the preservation of
their lives, t
Having said this, he told them that there were yet five years of the famine to come,
and therefore he would advise them to hasten home, and, as soon as possible; bring
their father, together with all the family, into Egypt. As an inducement for them to
leave their own country, he desired them, from him, to address their father to this
effect : " that God had made him lord of all Egypt, and that therefore he must hot
defer coming ; for he would provide Goshen| for the place of his habitation, and there
would he carefully nourish not only him but all his family." He acknowledged that
this relation must, of course, appear strange to his father ; but that he certainly would
not doubt the testimony of so many eyewitnesses; and above all, that he would not
fail to believe what was told him by his favorite son Benjamin. He then threw him
self upon Benjamin's neck, kissed him, and wept for joy ; and having a little recov
ered himself, he treated all the rest with like tenderness. His brethren being thus
convinced that a perfect reconciliation had taken place between them, took courage,
and conversed with him in a manner very different to what they had done previous
to this happy discovery.
The rumor had reached the king that Joseph's brethren were come ; and it is a
pleasing evidence of the esteem in which he was held, and the regard which he had
conciliated, that a domestic incident which was calculated to be a satisfaction to him,
was highly agreeable to Pharaoh and all his court. The monarch sent for him, and
authorized him to express the kindest attentions toward them, and the utmost anxiety
for their welfare. He, as well as Joseph, saw that it would be best for them to come
* There is certainly a distinguished beauty in tills interrogation ; and the transition is finely wrought.
The soul of Joseph was so full of filial affection for his father, that, before he had finished his sentence, he
inquired after him, though but a short time before, they had told him he was alive. And how must such an
abrupt declaration affect his brothers ! No wonder they were dumb for some time with astonishment, and
'anable to answer the question asked. '. *,,
+ These passages point out to us the very noble and just ideas which Joseph entertained concerning the
providence of God: but, besides this, we may observe a peculiar generosity and tenderness of temper in
this apology to his brethren, wherein he endeavors to remove every uneasy apprehension from their minds.
Good hearts are always averse to giving pain; the same benevolence of disposition which makes
them zealous to diffuse happiness, makes them tender of inflicting a momentary smart. Joseph was
unwiUing that his brethren should feel any alloy to their satisfaction which the present event aitorded ;
and therefore he turned, as it were, from their view the very thought and remembrance of their tormei
unnatural behavior to him, and directed their attention to reflections which were equally comfortable and
TrhhTwas the most fruitful Dart of all Lower Egypt, especially for pasturage ; and therefore the most
commodious for those who were" brought up shepherds and accustomed to a pastoral lile. Besides tins, u
was very oonveniently situated, being but a small distance from the city where Pharaoh kept his court.

126 AN ILLUSTRATED
to Egypt, and ne nad tne consideration to direct that they should be werl supplier;
with provisions on the way, and that they should be furnished with carts,* in which
the aged Jacob, with the women and young children, might pass from Canaan in
Egypt with more comfort, than by the more ordinary means of conveyance.
It is little to be wondered at that Joseph should very readily obey the king's com
mands. Accordingly, he furnished them with a proper number of carts for bringing
their family and substance, together with a sufficient quantity of provision for theii
journey as well home as back again. He sent his father a present, consisting of ten
asses laden with the choicest dainties Egypt afforded. To his brethren he gave each
3hanges of raiment, but to Benjamin he gave five changes, together with three hun
dred pieces of silver. Having done this, Joseph dismissed his brethren, giving them,
at the same time, a strict charge that they should not fall out by the wayj
Thus supplied, and thus circumstanced, the sons of Jacob, with hearts full of joy,
prosecuted their journey to Canaan. As soon as their aged/ father saw them, his
drooping spirits revived, more especially when he beheld his sons Benjamin and Sim
eon, whose return he had little expected. But when they informed him that his son
Josepn was likewise alive, and described the great pomp and splendor in which he
lived, the good old patriarch was affected indeed ; and, unable to bear so much good
news at once, fainted in their arms.
When Jacob came again to himself, his sons showed him the presents sent by Jo
seph, together with the carts that were to carry him and his family into Egypt. The
sight of these, with many particulars they related of their brother Joseph, revived
his spirits ; his doubts and fears vanished, and, in an ecstacy of joy, he exclaimed,
" It is enough ! Joseph, my son, is yet alive : I will go and see him before I die."
The necessary preparations being made, Jacob and his family left Hebron, and pro
ceeded on their journey toward Egypt. It might be supposed that the old man's
anxiety to see so dear a son, and for whom he had so long mourned, would have made
him proceed with the greatest expedition ; but parental affection gave way to religious
duties. Being desirous of making proper acknowledgments to God for the benefits
already received, as well as to implore his farther protection, he stopped at Beersheba,
and there offered up sacrifices to the Lord. The reasons of his choosing this spot on
the present occasion were, Because it was the place where Abraham and Isaac had
lived so long : and at the same time it was in the way to Egypt, bemg the utmost
boundary of Canaan toward the south.
On the evening of the same day that Jacob had performed his religious duties at
Beersheba, the Almighty appeared to him in a vision, bidding him not fear to go down
into Egypt, since he would be with him and protect him, and in due time,-, bring his
posterity out of it to take possession of the promised land. That as to himself, he
should live near his beloved Joseph, die in his arms, and have his eyes closed hy his
hand4 * Carts.— The Egyptians had no chariots, except perhaps war chariots, suited to oeai such a journey as
this, and they would have been most unsuitable for the present purpose. Besides, the word for a chariot is
different from that which is here employed; although a wheel-carriage of some kind or other is certainly
indicated. To indicate that carriage, we have taken the word " cart," as preferable, upon the whole, to
that of " wagon"— partly as being less definite. But it does not appear that the Egyptians had any carts,
or any wheeled carriages save chariots of war, and light curricles for civil use. The Nile and the nume
rous canals offered such facilities for carriage and conveyance bywater, that the use of carts and wagons
does not appear to have been thought of. Carts are indeed represented in the paintings and sculptures of
that ancient country ; but not as being in use among the Egyptians themselves, but by a people with
whom they are at war, apparently a nomade people of Asia, and who are represented as escaping in their
carts. Now, we infer, that as the Egyptians had no carts of their own, those which were sent for Jacob
were such as they had either taken in war from a people by lvhom they were used, or had been left behind
r.y the intrusive shepherd-race. As having been used by a pastoral people, they would seem to the king
particularly suitable for the removal of a pastoral family. In connexion with preceding statements, arid
with the conjecture just offered, it deserves to be noticed that the next instance of carts which occurs in
the scriptural history is found among tluTPhilistines. 1 Samuel Vi. 7. The first of our engravings repre
sents the only kind of wheel-carnage now used in Syria;, and that chiefly for agricultural purposes. The
second represents the carts of the Tartar nomades of Central Asia, whose usages oiler many remarkablo
r— semblances to those of the patriarchs and the early pastoral races with wliich early Bible history makos
us acquainted. -
t Joseph was ho stranger to the tempers of his brethren, and therefore thought- pi oper to reprove them
m this gentle manner. Probably he suspected they might accuse each other with the cruelty they had
exercised toward him, or throw envious reflections on Benjamin, because he had been eminently dis
tinguished above the rest J
t It must certainly have given great consolation to good old Jacob to rind, fidm the promise of God that
Joseph was to attend him on his death-bed, and to close those eyes thai had often assisted him in contem
plating the beauties ol nature. The custom of closing the cyes-of peisons departed is very ancitn* aiiJ
they were usually the nearest and dearest friends who periorrned nis last office

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

127

Modern Syrian Carts, of ancient form.

Carts of the Tartar Nomades.

128 AN ILLUSTRATED
Encouraged by this divine promise, Jacob left Beersheba, and cheerfully pursued
his journey toward Egvpt, his sons taking with them their children and wives in the
carts which Joseph had sent for the purpose. They likewise took with them all their
cattle and goods ; and the whole number of souls descended from Jacob's loins
amounted to three score and ten.
As soon as they came to the borders of Egypt (and not far from the land of Go
shen) Jacob despatched his son Judah before them, in order to acquaint Joseph with
their arrival. This intelligence was very agreeable to Joseph, who immediately or
dered his chariot to be got ready, and, with a retinue suitable to his high station,
hastened to meet his father, whom he congratulated on his safe arrival at a place
where it was in his power to make him happy and comfortable during the remaindei
of his life. Words can not describe the expressions of filial duty and paternal affection
that took place on this occasion. Tears of joy plentifully flowed on both sides.
While the son was contemplating the goodness of God in bringing him to the sight
of his aged parent, the father, on the other hand, thought all his happiness on earth
completed in this interview ; and, therefore, in the fulness of his soul, he exclaimed,
" Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive."
These mutual endearments being over, and Joseph having paid his respects to the
whole family, he told his father and brethren that hewould go before and acquaint
the king with their arrival. As he imagined Pharaoh would be desirous of seeing
some of them, he gave them this caution: that in case he should ask of what occu
pation they were, their answer should be, that they were shepherds, as their ances
tors, for many generations, had been before them. By these means, he told them, he
might secure the land of Goshen for their residence, which was not only one of the
most pleasant parts of Egypt, but the best calculated for feeding their flocks and herds.
Besides this, he said, there would be another material advantage, namely, that it
would be a happy retreat from the insults of the Egyptians, who were known to have
an utter detestation to those who followed a shepherd's life.
Having given this caution, Joseph took with him five of his brothers, and after pre
viously informing Pharaoh that his father and family were arrived at Goshen, pre
sented them beforp the king. Pharaoh received them with great courtesy, out of re
spect to Joseph, and, among other questions, asked them of what occupation they
were. They answered (agreeably to the directions given them by Joseph) that they
were shepherds, as their ancestors, for many generations before, had been : that wanl
of pasturage for their cattle, and sustenance for themselves, had made them leave
Canaan, and they humbly beseeched his majesty that they might be permitted to set
tle in the land of Goshen, that part of the country being best adapted for the purposes
of their employment. Pharaoh readily granted their request, and moreover told Jo
seph, that if any of his brethren were remarkable for their activity and knowledge, he
might, if he thought proper, appoint them as superintendents over the royal shepherds.
Joseph's project having so far happily succeeded, he, soon after, introduced his aged
parent to Pharaoh, who after receiving him in a very courteous manner, among other
questions, asked him his age. Jacob answered, he was a hundred and thirty ; upon
which the king expressing some surprise from his appearing so strong and healthy,
Jacob farther told him, that his life was uot, as yet, near so long as some of his an
cestors, nor did he look so well" as those who were much farther advanced in life,
which was owing to the great troubles and perplexities under which he had long la
bored. Some other questions being asked, and the answers given, Jacob, after wish
ing the king health and prosperity, took his leave, and returned to Goshen, where Jo
seph took care to supply him and his family with such an abundance of necessaries
as made them insensible of the general calamity.
While Jacob and his family were thus happily circumstanced, by means of the
power and affection of Joseph, the Egyptians were in the utmost distress. The
dreadful effects of the famine appeared more and more every day, and Joseph keeping
ap the corn at a very high price, in a short time all the money was brought into the
King's coffers. When their money was gone, they were all (except the priests whu
were furnished from the king's stores) obliged to part with their cattle, their houses,
iheir lands, and, at length, even their liberty, for provision.*
» Whatever those may think who have endeavored to depreciate the conduct of Joseph, it Is certain tnai
here was no injustice in Joseph's making the Egyptians pay for the com which he had bought with
Pharaoh's money, an! laid up with great care and expense In demanding their cattle, he had mos*

si— i
fa

O«O
H

The Sultan on his throne.

1 .30 AN ILLUSTRATED
All these Joseph purchased of the people in the king's name, and for the king s use
and. to let them see that the purchase was m earnest, and that their liberties and
properties were now become the king's, he removed them, from their former places
jf abode, \lo different, and very distant parts of the kingdom.
In any other person such conduct might have been considered as arising from an
'mmoderate zeal for absolute power in the king, and an advantage unjustly taken ¦/
the necessities of the people ; but so Joseph managed the matter as to gain the appro
bation both of prince and people. When the seventh and last year ofthe famine was
come, he told them they might expect to have a crop the ensuing year; for that the
Nile would overflow its banks, and the earth bring forth her fruits as usual. Having
made this known, he distributed fresh lands, cattle, and corn to the people, that they
might return to their.tillage as before; but this he did on the following condition:
that thenceforth the fifth part of all the produce of their lands should become the
property ofthe king. " Behold," says he, "I have bought you this day and your
land for Pharaoh. Lo, here is seed for you, and ye shall sow the land. And it shall
come to pass in the increase, that you shall give the fifth part unto Phar loh, and four
parts shall be your own for seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your
household, and for food for your little ones."
To these conditions the people willingly consented, imputing the preservation ot
their lives to Joseph's care : "Thou hast saved," said they, "our lives; let us find
grace in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh's servants." From this time
it passed into a law, that the fifth part of the produce of the land of Egypt (excepl
what belonged to the priests) should become the propenv ofthe crown.
While Joseph was enjoying the fruits of his great succtss and policy, his family at
Goshen (whom be failed not frequently to visit) became not only numerous, but ex
ceeding wealthy. The seven years of famine were succeeded by great plenty, the
earth resuming its former fertility, and the whole land abounding in all the' usual
productions of nature. Seventeen of these years of plenty did Jacob live to see, al
the expiration of which nature's lamp grew dim, and life was nearly exhausted; his
decayed spirits warn him of his approaching faie, and each drooping' faculty beats an
alarm lo death.
When Jacob found himself thus circumstanced, he sent for his son Joseph, whom
he addressed in words to the following effect : " Though the desire of seeing a son
so dear to me as you are raised to the heighl of Egyptian glory, joined to the raging
famine which then visited our land, made me willingly come down into this strange
country ; yet Canaan being the inheritance wliich God promised to Abraham and his
posterity, and where he lies interred with my father Isaac, and some other of our
family, in the ground which he purchased of the inhabitants for that purpose ; my
last and dying request to you is, that you will not suffer me to be buried here, but
swear to see me carried to Machpelah, and there deposited with my ancestors. Your
irreat power with the king will easily obtain that favor, which is the last I have to ask."
Joseph not only promised, but likewise swore, strictly to fulfil his father's request;
upon which the good old man was so perfectly satisfied, that, after thanking his son
for these fresh assurances of his fidelity, he bowed himself in acknowledgment to
Gud, who, besides all his other mercies, had given him this last token of his protec
tion, in assuring him, by Joseph's promise and oath, that he should be removed from
Egypt inn the promised land.
Joseph, having thus satisfied his father in this particular, took his leave, but nol
without giving a strict charge to those who attended him, that, upon the very first
appearance of danger, they should immediately send for him. He had been but .1
short time at court, before a messenger arrived with the dismal intelligence that his
father was near expiring ; upon which, taking with him his two sons, Manasseh and
Ephraim, he hastened with all expedition to visit him.
As soon as the feeble patriarch understood that his son Joseph had arrived, it ini-
mediately raised his sinking spirits, and he became so far revived as to be able to sil
upright in his bed Desiring his favorite Joseph to approach near him, he began
probably a view to save them ; for, as they had not con, for themselves, they could much less have II lo
their cattle ; and, therefore, this was the only way to preserve the Uvea of both, and to prevent that wast*
of the corn which must have been made if they had had the keeping and feeding of the cattle themselves
md it is hiehly probabie that he returned them the'r cattle after the famine, when they were fixed again m
•M:* «-veral habitations— otherwise 11 would hav» been hardly possible lor thein to support then familin
and .\irry on their business

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 1,31
with recapitulating all the glorious promises which God had formerly made hirr
concerning his posterity possessing the land of Canaan ; and after mentioning the
death of Rachel, together with the place where her remains were deposited,* he
spoke to the following efiect : " How tenderly I loved my dear Rachel, all my family
can testify ; but this farther proof I now give you of my affection to her. You have
two sons torn in a foreign country and who, according to the usual order of inherit
ance, should have only the portion of grandchildren in the division of the promised
land ; but, from this day forward, they shall be esteemed my sons, and, as heads of
two distinct tribes (for they shall not be called the tribe of Joseph, but the tribes of
Ephraim and Manasseh), receive a double portion in that allotment. But it must not
be so with the other sons which you may beget after these : they must come in only
for the portion of grandchildren. And to you in particular I bequeath that tract of
land which, by the force of arms, I took from the Amorites."t
During the time Jacob was thus talking with Joseph concerning himself and
children, he had not observed that Joseph's sons were with him, but spoke of them
as if they had been absent. At length, turning to Joseph, and observing (as he
thought) somebody with him (though he could not discern who it was, on account
of his eyes being dim with age), he asked who he had with him. To which Joseph
replied, his sons Ephraim and Manasseh, and at the same time, with great reverence,
bowed himself to the ground.
Jacob was greatly rejoiced at this intelligence, and immediately ordered them to
be brought near, that he might bestow on them his blessing. Joseph obeyed his
father's commands, and placed the children according to the order of their age, that
is, Manasseh, as being the first-born, on the right, and Ephraim on the left: but Ja
cob, crossing his hands, laid his right (which carried with it the preference) upon
the younger, and his left upon the elder of them. Joseph, observing this, and sup
posing it to proceed from a mistake, was going to rectify it ; but his father told him
that what he did was by divine direction, and therefore made Ephraim not only the
first in nomination, but gave him a blessing much more extensive than that conferred
on his elder brother.
This conversation was hitherto private, being only between Jacob and his favorite
son Joseph. But the good old patriarch, finding his dissolution near at hand, ordered
all his sons to be brought before him, that, while he had strength to speak, he might
take his last farewell, and not only distribute his blessing among them, but likewise
foretell what should happen to them and their posterity in future times.
Accordingly, all Jacob's sons being brought before him, he addressed them sep
arately, beginning with Reuben, the eldest. «
" Reuben," says he, " thou art my first-born, and, by right of primogeniture, enti
tled to many privileges and prerogatives in superiority over thy brethren ; but, for
the crime of incest in polluting thy father's bed, Doth thou and thy tribe are totally
degraded from the privileges of birthright."
Having said this to Reuben, he next addressed himself to Simeon and Levi con
junctively ; telling them, that for their impious massacre of Hamor and his people,
their tribes should be ever separate, and dispersed among the rest. " I will divide
them," says he, "in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel. "i.
Jacob, then turning to Judah, prophesied of him to this effect: That to his tribe
should the sovereignty belong, and they should be situated in a very fruitful country :
that from his name should the whole nation of the Jews derive their appellation ;
and that the form of government which he then instituted should remain among them
until the coming of the Messiah. ||
• It is probable that Jacob here mentioned to Joseph tho place of Rachpl'a interment, in hopes that he
might, at some convenient opportunity, remove her ashes to the cave of Machpelah.
t There are many particulars in the lives of the patriarchs, and of other*, which are not at all mentioned
In scripture; and there are some instances of a transient reference to facts of this kind, to things which
have been said and done, but are never related. Of this kind, it is -"asonable to suppose, is the passage in
Juestinn; Rt least, we have no mention in scripture of any portion of land taken from the _Amorir.es by
acob, All, therefore, which can bu said upon the subject must be mpr-; conjecture; of which the most
probable is, that the parcel of ground near Shechem, which Jacnb purchased of Hamor, is here meant, and
which, probably, he took or recovered, by force of arms, from the Arr writes, who, it seems, had seized on
it after his removal to another pai t of Canaan.
fTh'is prophecy was literally fulfilled ; for the Levites were scattered throughout all the other tribes, and
Simpnn had dnly a part of the land of Judah for his residence.
|| The words in the text run thuB: — Judah, "thou art he whom thy brethrpn shall praise; thy father's
".hildrrn shall bcw drwn before thee. The sceptie shall nut depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from

132 AN ILLUSTRATED
Of Zebulun, Jacob prophesied that his tribe should be planted near the seacoasts,
and have harbors convenient for shipping;* and of Issachar, that his should prove a
pusillanimous people, and be lovers of inglorious ease more than of liberty and
renown.f Jacob, having predicted the fate of, and bestowed his blessings on, the children
descended from Leah, proceeds next to those of his two concubinary wives. He be
gan with Dan, the son of Bilhah, whose posterity, he foretold (though descended
From a handmaid) should have the same privileges with the other tribes, become a
politic people, and greatly versed in the stratagems of war.| Of Gad's posterity he
between his feet, until Shiloh come ; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be." Many commenta
tors have written largely on this remarkable prophecy related by Jacob to his son Judah.
From the time that our first parents ate of the forbidden fruit, we have seen that the promised seed was,
one age after another, more and more circumscribed, although He salutary effects were to be the same. It
is first called the seed of the woman ; it is next consigned over to Seth ; Shem, the younger son of Noahj
gets the preference ; afterward Abraham is made choice of; from Isaac, the son of Abraham, it goes to
his second son Jacob ; and here Jacob, by the spirit of prophec), conveys it to the posterity of Judah.
There are several things to be attended to in this remarkable prophecy, and such as are of the utmost
importance for us to know. First, we are told that Judah's brethren should praise him, and that his hand
should be m the neck of his enemies. This was remarkably fulfilled in the local situation of the tribe of
Judah ; for their being so near the Arabians, obliged them to be continually on their guard ; and as they
were for the most part successful, so it may be justly said that the hand ot Judah was in the neck of his
enemies, and that his brethren praised him for standing up in their defence. Secondly, it is here said that
his father's children should bow down before him, and certainly nothing was ever more literally fulfilled.
David, in whose family the royal sovereignty was placed, was of the tribe of Judah, and to him all the
other tribes bowed down. But the prophecy conveys a further idea, namely, that from Judah, according to
the flesh, the Messiah should come, to whom all nations should bow down ; and in the book of Revelations
he is called the lion of the tribe of Judah. Thirdly, " the sceptre shall not depart from Judah," <fec. ; bj
which we are to understand that there should never be one wanting to sway the regal scoptre, or exercise
sovereign authority in the tribe of Judah, till that glorious and Divine Person came, whose kingdom was
to have no end, and to whom the people were to be gathered ; for the Messiah is, in many places of,
scripture, called the "desire of all nations." Such is the natiiie of this remarkable prophecy; and now, in
order to prove the concurring authenticity of the Mosaic and Gospel history, let us see in what manner it
has been fulfilled.
During the time of Joshua's wars with the Canaanites, the .tribe of Judah was more distinguished for its
valor than the others ; and it appears, from the book of Judges, that they were always the most forward to
engage with the common enemy. When it is said that " the sceptre shall not depart from Judah," it implies
that it should depart from all those of the other tribes who should enjoy it. Thus it departed from the tribe
of Benjamin on the death of Saul ; and it is well known that the ten tribes were carried away captive, and
incorporated with other nations, while that of Benjamin put itself under the protection of Judah
From the time of David till the taking of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, Judah exercised the regal
authority ; and although ten of the tribes, who followed the idolatry of Jeroboam, had kings, yet they were
for the most part subject to those of Judah. It is true, the Jews "ere also carried captive to Babylon; but
during the seventy years they were in that country, they were so far from being treated as slaves, that
they were allowed to build houses, and lived in such affluence, that many of them refused to return *.o theii
own country when permission was granted them. When Cyrus, the emperor, issued his orders for them
to return to the land of Judea, they had rulers among them, for they were expressly mentioned in the royal
proclamation. It is certain, that after returning from their captivity they were not so free as before,
because they were frequently oppressed by the Persians, Greeks, and Romans ; but, for all that, they lived
as a distinct people, under their own laws and government. It continued to be the same under the
Asmodean princes , and it is well known that Herod the Great married Mariamne, the last female of that
line; and in the lat'er end of his reign the Messiah was born. It is true, the Romans, in some cases,
deprived them oi th power of judging in cases of treason ; but, notwithstanding, we find, in the cases of
our Saviour and the apostle Paul, that the Roman prators or governors never proceeded to judge a criminal
till he was condemned by the rulers of the people.
The learned Dr. Snaw says, the blessings given to Judah were very different from all those bestowed on
the other tribes. The mountains in Judea abound with so much wine, oil, and milk, that one is surprised
at the fertility of a place which, at a distance, has the appearance of barrenness. Grapes and raisins are
sent annually in great quantities front Hebron to Egypt, besides several other sorts of fruit.
From these observations, will not the impartial reader declare that tins prophecy has been literally
fulfilled? and is not the present melancholy state of the Jews a striking proof of its authenticity? Till
the Messiah came, they had a regal government; but, because they rejected him, they are now scattered
up and down through all nations, without being permitted to enjoy the privileges of any nation whatever.
Surely this should convince us that no human testimony can overthrow the evidence Drought in support of
the Mosaic and Gospel histories.
• It is remarkable that Zebulun is mentioned by Jacob before Issachar, who was the eldest ; but this
distinction, it is probable, arose from his great superiority and merit. Zebulun's' portion of the country was
likewise very preferable to Issachar's ; for, besides the advantage he had in common with him, and that
our Lord chiefly resided in his tribe, and was thence called a Galilean, he is here promised a seacoast, with
harbors commodious for ships. If Jacob had been present at the division of the promised land, he could
hardly have given a more exact description of Zebulun's lot ; for it extended from the Mediterranean sea
-#n the west to the lake of Tiberias, or sea of Galilee, on the east.
+ Of all the tribes of Israel, that of Issachar was distinguished for being the most indolent. That part of
the country which fell to their share was exceeding fertile ; but that fertility only served to enervate the
people, so that when they were invaded by foreign enemies, they soon became an easy prey to them, and
were often obliged to pay tribute.
t The words in the text are, " Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path ; that bitcth the
horse's heels so that his rider shall fall backward." It is to be observed, that the part of Canaan which the
descendants of Dan inhabited was noted for serpents of a particular species, who were so cunning that
thev used to lie in wait to bite the feet of passengers. This very justly alluded to the disposition of 'Dan's
descendants, who, when engaged in war, frequently did more execution by craft and stratagem than by
force of arms. It is the opinion ofthe Jews that the prophecy of Dan's destroying his enemies by cunning
was more particularly fulfilled, when Sampson, who was of that tribe, pulled down the temple, whicl"
trushed himself and the Philistines to death. See Judges xvi. 30

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 13.->
foretold, that they should be frequently infested with robbers, but should overcome
at last.* Of Asher's, that they should Le situated in a pleasant and fruitful country -,
and of Naphtah's, that they should spread their branches like an oak, and multiply
exceedingly.:): Jacob, having now done with those children begotten on Leah and his concubinary
wives, next directs his attention to the sons of his beloved Rachel. Turning himself
to Joseph, he first took some notice of his past troubles, and then set forth the future
greatness of his descendants ; after which he bestowed his benediction on him in
words to the following effect : " The Lord," says he, " even the God of thy fathers,
shall bless thee with the dew of heaven and with the fatness of the earth, with the
fruit of the womb," that is, with a numerous posterity, " and with plenty of all sorts of
cattle. May all the blessings promised to me and my forefathers be doubled upon
Joseph's head ; may they outtop and outstretch the highest mountains ; and prove to
him more fruitful and more lasting than they."||
The only one now remaining to receive Jacob's blessing was his youngest son
Benjamin, who, no doubt, from having been a great favorite with his father, expected
a suitable distinction from the rest of his brethren ; but, whether Jacob foresaw that
no extraordinary merit or happiness would attend this tribe, or that it should after
ward be blended with that of Judah, and consequently share the blessing of that
tribe, so it was that he only prophesied of him that his descendants should be of a
fierce and warlike disposition ; and, " like a ravenous wolf, should shed the blood of
their enemies, and in the evening divide the spoil. "$
The good old patriarch having thus (by divine direction) foretold the fate of his
descendants, he bestowed his blessing on each of his sons separately ; after which
he reminded them all (but more especially Joseph), that it was his most earnest re
quest they would bury him among his ancestors, in the cave of Machpelah, which
had been purchased by Abraham, and where not only the remains of him and his
wife Sarah were deposited, but likewise those of Isaac and Rebecca, and where he
had also buried his wife Leah.
Having given this last charge, the pious Jacob laid himself gently down in his
bed, a short time after which he calmly resigned his soul into the hands of Him who
gave it. He died in the one hundred and forty-seventh year of his age, during the
last seventeen of which he resided in Egypt.
The loss of so good a father must undoubtedly be very afflicting to the whole
family, but none of them expressed their grief with such filial affection as the pious
Joseph, who could not behold his aged parent's face, though dead, without kissing
and bathing it with his tears. Having thus given vent to his passions, and some
what recovered himself, he ordered the physicians (according to the custom of the
country) to embalm his father's body, and then set about making the necessary
preparations for his funeral.
The time that Jacob's family mourned for their father was seventy days, during
* Tlie tribe of Gad had their portion of land on the fronciers of the Jewish territories, so thai they weie
continually exposed to the incursions of the bordering Arabs ; but, in the course of time, they became so
sxpert in war, that they always repulsed them.
t The tribe of Asher possessed that part of the country which reached from Zidon to Mount Carrnel : it
was so beautiful and fertile a spot, that it not only abounded with all kinds of provisions, but also with the
choicest fruits, and most luxuriant productions of the earth.
t In the territories allotted to the tribe of Naphtali was the country of Genesarat ; which (Josephus says!
was looked upon as the utmost effort of nature in point of beauty. It was also remarkable for producing
some of the best wines In all Palestine. In one part of the prophecy, as related by Moses, it is said, " Naph
tali is a hind let loose ;" the meaning of which is, that the peopie should be exceeding swift in the pursuit
3f their enemies, which, indeed, was the case, in a very peculiar manner, with this tribe.
II The fruitfulness promised to Joseph in the great increase of his posterity was exemplified in the pro
digious number of his two-fold tnbe, Ephraim and Manasseh. At the first nuinhering of the tribes, these
produced 72,700 men capable of bearing arms. (See Numb. i. 33-35.) And at the second numbering, 85 200
;Numb. xxvi. 34-37), which by far exceeded the number of either of the other tribes.
$ History sufficiently justifies the truth of this prediction relative to the tribe of Benjamin, for they alone
maintained a war with, all the other tribes, and overcame them in two battles, though they had sixteen to
one. It must, however, beobserved, that the comparison does not on!) respect mere valor and fortitude
in defending themselves, but also fierceness in making wars and depredations upon others. Bu. what is
chiefly to he regarded in this prophecy is, that the tribe of Benjamin should continue till the final destruc
lion ofthe Jewish polity. For since the natural morning and evening can not with the least propriety be
"lere understood, and as the Jewish state is the subject of all Jacob's prophecy, we must consider the morn
ing and the night as the beginning and final period ol that state ; and, consequently, that the tribe of Benjamin
would exisl till Sh loh carne. And this prophecy was fully accomplished , for, upon the division ol tl.e
kingdom after Solomon's death, the tribe of Benjamin adhered to that of Judah. and formed one people with
It . roritinueiUo share the same fortune, and by that means existed till the destruction of Jerusalem by th*
Aomaiis. wliir.li- happened many years after the other ten tribes were no, longer a people

134 AM ILLUSTRATED
which Joseph never appeared at court, it being improper for him so to do on «ucn
an occasion. In consequence of this, he requested some of the officers about tlie
king to acquaint him that his father, previous to his death, had enjoined him, upon
oath, to bury him in a sepulchre belonging to their family, in the land of Canaan
and that therefore he begged permission that he might go and fulfil his last com
mands ; after which he would return to court with all convenient expedition.
Pharaoh not only complied with Joseph's request, but (in compliment to him and
his family) gave orders tnat the chief officers of his household, together with some
of the principal nobility of the kingdom, should attend the funeral ; who, joined with
his own, and his father's whole family, some in chariots and others on horseback,
formed one of the most pompous precessions ever seen on a similar occasion-
On their arrival in the land of Canaan they halted at a place called " the thresh
ing-floor of Atad,"* where they continued seven days mourning for the deceased.
The Canaanites, who inhabited that part of the country, observing the Egyptians
mixing themselves in these obsequies, were astonished, and imagining them to be
the principals concerned in the funeral lamentation, could not forbear exclaiming,
" This is a grievous mourning to the Egyptians !" whence they called the name of
the place Abel-Mizraim, which signifies " the mourning of tlie Egyptians."
This solemnity being ended, they proceeded on their journey, and at length, arriv
ing at the field of Machpelah, they deposited the remains of Jacob in the cave with
his ancestors, after which the whole company returned in solemn procession to Egypt.
During the life of Jacob, Joseph's brethren thought themselves secure ; but now
their aged father was no more, their former fears returned, and suggested to thtin
the just revenge Joseph might yet take for the great injuries he had received from
their hands. In consequence of this, they held a consultation together in what man
ner to proceed for their own security ; the result of which was to form a message
(purporting to have been delivered by Jacob), and send it to their brother. This was
accordingly done, and the substance of the message was to the following effect:
" Thy father commanded, before he died, saying, Thus shall ye say to Joseph: For
give, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren and their sin ; for they did evil
unto thee ; but pardon them, not only for my sake, but because they are the servants
ofthe God of thy father."
When Joseph read this message, such was his compassionate and forgiving tem
per, that he could not refrain from weeping. To remove, therefore, the fears and
apprehensions of his brethren, he immediately sent for them, and, receiving them
with the same kind affection as when their father was alive, excused the "actions
they had formerly committed to his prejudice in the most obliging manner ; and. in
order fully to remove their ill-founded fears, dismissed them with the assurance that
they should always find in him a constant friend and an affectionate brother.
Though Joseph lived fifty-four years after his father's death, yet the sacred histo
rian does not mention any farther particulars of him except the following ; namely,
that he lived to see himself the happy parent of a numerous offspring in his two
sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, even to the third generation; during which time, it is
reasonable to suppose, he continued in high favor with his prince, and in a consiuer-
able employment under him.
When Joseph grew old, and found his death approaching, he sent for his brethren,
and, with the like prophetic spirit that his father Jacob had done, told them that
(rod, according to his promise, would not fail bringing their posterity out of Egypt
mto the land of Canaan. At the same time he made them swear, that when il
should please God thus to visit them, they should not forset to carry his remains
with them, that they might be deposited in the burial-placeV his ancestors.
The pious Joseph, having thus bound his brethren by oath to convey his remains
to his native land, soon after departed this life, in the one hundred and tenth year
01 his age. In compliance with the iujunciioii laid, his brethren hud the body im-
mediaiely embalmed, put into a coffin, and carefully secured, till the time should
"ome when the prediction was to be fulfilled of their'leaving Egypt, and possessino
the land of Canaan.
Thus have we finished the life of the great patriarch Joseph, who is certainly one
of the most distinguished characters to be met with either iu sacred or profane his-
"Tins place is supposed to have been situated about two leagues from Jericho, on the other side jf tn«
Jordan, and about fifty miles from Hebron

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

135

138 AN ILLUSTRATED
tory. To enliven what has already been said of him, we shall conclude tnis chapter
with some general reflections and observations on the whole of his conduct ; and like
wise point out some of the most distinguished writers, whose accounts of him justly
corroborate that given by the sacred historian.
It is observable that Moses is more diffuse on the history of Joseph, than on that
of any other ofthe patriarchs: indeed, the whole is a master-piece of history: there
is not only in the manner throughout such a happy, though uncommon mixture o;"
simplicity and grandeur (which is a double character so hard to be united as is sel
dom met with in compositions merely human), but it is likewise related with the
greatest variety of tender and affecting circumstances, which would afford matter foi
reflections useful for the conduct of almost every part and stage of the life of man.
Consider him in whatever point of view or in whatever light you will, he must
appear amiable and excellent, worthy of imitation, and claiming the highest applause.
You see him spoken of in the sacred books with the highest honor; as a person
greatly in the favor of God, and protected by him wherever he went, even in so ex
traordinary a manner as to become the observation of others, — as one of the strictest
fidelity in every trust committed to him, — of the most exemplary chastity and honor,
that no solicitations could overcome, — of the most fixed reverence for God, in the
midst of all the corruptions of an idolatrous court and kingdom, — of the noblest reso
lution and fortitude, that the strongest temptations could never subdue, — of such ad
mirable sagacity, wisdom, and prudence, that made even a prince and his nobles
consider him as under divine inspiration, — of that indefatigable industry and diligence
which made him successful in the most arduous attempts, — of the most generous
compassion and forgiveness of spirit, that the most malicious and cruel injuries could
never weaken or destroy, — as the preserver of Egypt and the neighboring nations,
and as the stay and support of his own father and family, — as one patient and hum
ble in adversity, — moderate in the use of power and the height of prosperity, — faith
ful as a servant, dutiful as a son, affectionate as a brother, and just and generous as
a ruler over the people ; — in a word, as one of the best and most finished characters,
and as an instance of the most exemplary piety and strictest virtue.

CHAPTER VIII.
LIFE AND MISSION OP MOSES — DEPARTURE FROM EGYPT.
The distinguished happiness which the descendant' of Jacob had possessed during
the power invested in their great protector Joseph, was, after his death, materially
interrupted by the accession of a new king to the throne of Egypt. This monarch
beheld, with a jealous eye, nol only the prosperity, but also the great increase, ofthe
Israelites, and began to fear that, in case of an invasion, they might possibly take pari
with the enemy, and thereby divest him of his regal dignity.
In consequence of these conjectures Pharaoh summoned a council of his principal
nobility, to whom he staled the absolute necessity of taking some measures to lessen
not only the power, but also the great increase of the Israelites, who wre to be con
sidered as strangers in the land where they now dwelt, and, in time, might be preju
dicial to the public weal.
The council agreed in opinion with the king; upon which it was resolved not only
to impose heavy taxes on them, but to confine them likewise to the hard labor of
bearing burdens, digging clay, making bricks, and building strong fortresses in differ
ent parts of the kingdom ; by means of which their spirits would be sunk, their bodies
empoyerished, and the great increase that had for some time taken place among
them in a great measure stopped.*
No sooner was this resolution formed than it was carried into execution. The
wretched Israelites were set about the laborious employ to which they were assigned,
and that they might not be negligent in the execution" of their business, taskmasters
were set over them, whose natural dispositions were so cruel, that they did all in
their power to make their lives truly miserable.
* In our engraving on the previous page the woman in the foreground is employed in baking bread at the
very usual kind of oven— a hole in the ground. The other women are weaving. Both arc "the principal
employments of women among the pastoral tribes, and were such anion? the Hebrews. It will be remem
*)trcd that the hangings for the tabernacle were woven by ihe women, in the wilderness.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 137
But such was the goodness of God in behalf of the poor Israelites, that Pharaoh's
project was far from succeeding to his wishes ; for the more they were oppressed,
the more they multiplied. This so aggravated the king, and increased his jealousy
to such a degree, that, in order to obtain his purposes, he hit upon another expedient.
He sent for two of the most eminent of the Egyptian midwives (whose names were
Shiprah and Puah), to whom he gave a strict charge, that whenever they were called
to do their office to any Hebrew woman, if the child were a male they should pri
vately strangle it, but if a female, they might let it live.
The midwives, touched with the cruelty of this injunction, and fully satisfied in
their minds that it was better to obey God than man, paid no regard to Pharaoh's
orders, but saved both male and female alike. Irritated at their disobedience, the
king sent for them, and reprimanded them for their conduct in very severe terms ;
but they excused themselves by telling him that the Hebrew women were so much
stronger in tueir constitutions than the Egyptians, and so lively, that they were gen
erally delivTed before they could reach them.
The judicious as well as humane conduct of the Egyptian midwives was very ac
ceptable to God ; but Pharaoh was highly incensed against them, considering the
excuse they made as a mere evasion. He therefore determined not to trust them
any longer, but to try another expedient, which might more effectively answer the
intended purposes, and totally extirpate the whole male race of the Hebrews. To
accomplish this end, he issued out an edict,* commanding that every male born
among the Israelites should be thrown into the river and drowned, but that all the
females should be saved.
It is not to be wondered at that so barbarous an edict should greatly afflict the
already distressed Israelites, and that they should concert various methods whereby
they might secure their offspring from the consequences of so inhuman a decree.
That methods of this nature were used, will appear from the following circum
stances. Some years before this cruel edict was published, one Amram, of the house of
Levi, married a woman named Jochebed, of the same tribe. The first child they
had was a daughter, whom they called Miriam, and about four years after she was
delivered of a son, whom they named Aaron. In the time of this cruel persecution
jnchebed was delivered of another son, who being a child of most exquisite beauty,
she was particularly anxious for the preservation of its life.
In hopes of accomplishing her wishes, she concealed the child in her house for
ihrse months ;t but, not being able to secrete him any longer, and fearful that he
would fall into the hands of those appointed to drown the male children, she at length
resolved to commit him to the Providence of God. Accordingly, having made a little
irk or boat of rushes,:): and well plastered it, both within and without, with pitch ot
bitumen, she put the child into it, and going privately down the river, left it among
the flags by the bank, placing his sister Miriam at a proper distance to observe the
event. But the Providence of God soon interposed in behalf of the helpless infant. A sh<>ri
rime after the mother had left it, Pharaoh's daughter,|| attended by the maids 01
* it is the opinion of most commentators, and the learned in general, that this inhuman edict was so ab
horred by the Egyptians, that they scarce ever put it in execution ; and that it was recalled immediately
afttir the death of the king who enacted it ; which time Eusebius and others place in the fourth year after
the birth of Moses.
t Josephus, in speaking of this circumstance, relates the following story : " That Amram, finding his wife
with child, and fearing the consequences of the king's edict, prayed earnestly to God to put an end to that
dreadful persecution ; and that God appeared to him and told him, that he would, in due time, free his peo
ple from it, and that the son, who shortly would be born unto him, should prove the happy instrument of
their glorious deliverance, and thereby eternise his own name." That this made him conceal him as long
as he could, hut fearing a discovery, he resolved to trust him to the care of Providence, arguing to this ef
fect: that if the child could be concealed (as it was very difficult to do and hazardous to attempt) they
must bt in danger every moment, but as to the power and veracity of God, he did not doubt of it, but w;ts
assured, that whatever he had promised he would certainly make good ; and with this trust and persuasion
he was resolved to expose him.
t Though his ark, or boat, is said to have been made with rushes, it is most probable that it was formed
with Mags of the tree papyrus, of which the Egyptians made their paper, and which grew particularly on the
banks ofthe Nile. Clemens Alexandnnu.s expiessly says, that the vessel was made of papyrus, the product
ofthe country: and his assertion is confirmed by several other profane writers.
ll Josephus calls this princess Tliurmutlus , and from lum Philo, who adds, that she was the king's only
daughter and heir ; and that being some time married without having is.sue, she pretended to be big wnn
child, and to be delivered of Moses, whom she owned as her natural son. That he was esteemed so is
evident, from what the Apostle to the Hebrews says, namely, "That when Moses was grownup, he scoin-
d to be tlnuirht the son of Pharaoh's daughter." See Heb. xi. 34.

138 AN ILLUSTRATED
honor, came to the river to bathe herself, and seeing the basket at some distance,
she ordered one of her attendants to go and bring it out of the flags. Her orders
were immediately obeyed, upon which, no sooner did she uncover the child than il
made its mourning complaint to her in a flood of tears. This circumstance, joined
to the extraordinary beauty of the infant, so moved her heart with compassion, that
(notwithstanding she perceived it was one of those children whom her father, in his
edict, had ordered to be drowned) she determined to preserve it, and declared her
intention of having it brought up under her direction.
By this time Miriam, the child's sister, had mixed herself with the attendants of
'he princess, and observing with what tenderness she looked upon her brother, ar.d
at the same time hearing her intimate her desire of procuring a proper nurse for it,
she very officiously offered her service to procure one. 1'he princess accepted this
offer, and ordered her to go immediately and bring the person with her, and she
would wail her return. Accordingly, the girl hastened with all expedition to the
mother, and soon bringing her to the place, the princess delivered the child into her
hands, ordering her to take the utmost 3are of it, and at the same time told her, that
whatever expenses attended the rearing of it, she would defray. This, no doubt, was
a welcome bargain to the mother, who, taking the child home with her, nursed it
openly, her fears being removed by having a royal protection for its security.
When the child was of a proper age, his mother took him to court, in order to >
show him to the princess. The graces of his person, joined to the beautiful yet noble
simplicity of his countenance, so engaged her attention, that she adopted him as her
own son, and gave him the name of Moses.11 That he might be perfectly accom
plished, she kept him constantly at court, where he was instructed in all the learning
and discipline, both civil and military, used among the Egyptians, and in every other
respect treated in a manner becoming the dignity of a prince ofthe blood, t
Moses continued to live in Pharaoh's court till he arrived at the age of maturity,
when he resolved to leave it, and associate himself with his persecuted brethren the
Israelites. Observing their wretched state of servility, and the cruel manner in
which they were treated by their merciless taskmasters, he was greatly affected;
and to such a degree was his indignation raised, that, seeing one day an Egyptim
treat a Hebrew in a very cruel manner, he immediately stepped up to his assistance,
and, not perceiving any person near, slew him, and buried his body in the sand.J:
As he was walking out the next day he met with two Hebrews, in strong contest
with each other; upon which he admonished them to consider that they were breth
ren, and endeavored to decide the quarrel between them. But he who was the ag
gressor, instead of listening to his advice, treated it with contempt, and upbraided
him with having been guilty of murder in killing an Egyptian.
Moses (little suspecting that any one had seen the transactions of the preceding
day) was greatly alarmed at this circumstance, being apprehensive as it was known
by one, it would circulate from him among the multitude, and that it could not be
long before it reached the ears of Pharaoh, in which case it might be attended with
the most fatal consequences. To remove, therefore, these disagreeable apprehen
sions, and secure himself from all danger, he resolved to leave Egypt, which he ac
cordingly did, and fled into the land of Midian,|| a beautiful and fertile country situ
ated to the east of the Red sea.
* The word Mo, in the Egyptian language signifies water, and yses. saved ; so that the name Moses wis
very suitable to the circumstance of his being saved from perishing in the water.
t It is uncertain at what age Moses was delivered to the princess. It is, however, reasonable lo suppose
that his parents had so well instructed liim in their religion, and taken such care to let him know both what
relation they bore to him, and what hope they had conceived of his being designed by Heaven to be the de
liverer of his nation ; that he had made no other use of his education, which the princess gave him, than to
confirm himself more and more against the superstitions and idolatrv of the Egyptians ; and to make him-
solf lit to answer those ends, for which, by Providence, he seemed designed.
t We may reasonably suppose that the Egyptian whom Moses slew, through indignation at his brethren's
wrongs, was one of the task-masters. It has been questioned how far this action of Moses was justifiable.
Le Clerc observes, that, as the Egyptian king authorized the oppression of the Israelites, it was fruitless tc
app'.y to hirn for redress of their grievances. The civil magistrate, who ought to have protected injured
innocence, was himself become the oppressor; and, consequently, the society, being degenerated into a
confederacy, in oppression and Injustice, it was as lawful to use private force and resistance, as against a
band of robbers and cut-throats. However, we are to remember, that the Divine hand was m all this : and
that thus the way was preparing for the grand deliverance of Israel from Egyptian oppression
II Midlan is supposed to be that part of Arabia Petrfea, which bordered on the land of Goshen, and whose
metropolis (called Petrea) was situated not far from Mount Horeb. It is generally agreed that the people
of this country originated from Midian, the fourth son of Abraham by Keturah, from wnom they were railed
ididian-'tes

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 139
This was the happy spot where majesty, guarded only by rural innocence, submit
ted to the humble office of a shepherd, and a crook, instead of a sceptre, graced the
hand of the peaceful monarch. Here Jethro (the principal man of the country), in
quality both of prince and priest, enjoyed the blessings of a quiet reign, and whose
(laughters (laying aside the distinction of their birth) took more delight in the inno
cent employment of tending theii father's flocks, than in all the gayeties of a luxuri
ous court.
In the plains of Midian was a well to which it was common for all the neighboring
people to drive their flocks to water. Moses, having reached this spot, and being
greatly fatigued, after quenching his thirst with the water, sat himself down to rest.
He had not been lon^ hero before the seven daughters of Jethro came to draw water
for their flocks; but they had no sooner filled their vessels than some rude shep
herds, who came on the like errand, being resolved to have their turn first served.
violently seized on the water drawn by the damsels, and thereby greatly frightened
them. Moses, disapproving of such ill conduct in the men, interposed in behalf of
.he women, and, obliging the shepherds to retire, drew more water for them, and
gave it to their flocks. The damsels, in the most engaging manner, made theii
Acknowledgments to him for his services, after which they took leave and hastened
home. Jethro expressed great surprise at the quickness of his daughters' return ; upon
which they informed him that they had met with a stranger at the well, who not
only assisted them, but likewise protected them from the insults of several rustics,
who had forcibly taken from them the water they had drawn for their cattle. After
hearing this story, and not seeing the person who had thus gallantly defended them,
Jethro reprehended his daughters for being guilty of ingratitude and incivility, and
asked what had become of the generous stranger. They answered they had left
aim at the well, upon which he ordered them immediately to return, and invite him
home. The daughters obeyed their father's command, and Moses being introduced into
the house of Jethro, he treated him with every mark of the most distinguished re
spect. And so pleased was Moses with the courteous reception he met with, that,
after a short time, he expressed his willingness to take up his abode with him and
become his shepherd. Jethro very readily accepted this proposal, and, to attach
Moses the more strongly to his interest, gave him his daughter Zipporah in mar
riage. By this wife he had two sons, the eldest of whom he called Gershom,
which signifies a "stranger," alluding to his own condition in that country. The
younger he. called Eliezar, which signifies " God is my help," in grateful acknowledg
ment of God's having delivered him from the hands of Pharaoh.
After Moses had been some few years in Jethro's family, the king of Egypt, who
was upon the throne at the time he left the country, died ; but this was not produc
tive of the least benefit to the persecuted Israelites; his successor was no less a
tyrant than himself, and their miseries, instead of being mitigated, were daily in
creased. At length their complaints reached heaven; the Almighty, remembering
the covenant which he had made with their forefathers, looked upon them with an
eye of compassion ; and having resolved, in his secret providence, to make Moses
the principal instrument in bringing about their deliverance, he began to prepare
him for so distinguished an undertaking.
As Moses was one dav attending his father-in-law's sheep, they happened to stray
much farther thin usual, upon which he followed them as far into the desert as
Mount Horeb. He had no sooner arrived here than the angel of the Lord appeared
to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. So uncommon a sight greatly
startled Moses, but what increased his astonishment was the continuance of the bush
unconsumed, notwithstanding it appeared to be wholly encompassed with flames.
After reflecting some time on this extraordinary circumstance, Moses resolved to
approach nearer the bush, in order, if possible, to discover the cause of its seeming ta
burn, and yet appearing not to be in the least damaged. But the Almighty, to pre
vent his irreverent approaches, and to strike the greater awe and sense of the divine
presence into him, called out of the bush, and forbade him drawing near; and, lo
make him still more sensible of the sacredness of the place, commanded him to take
oThis sandals, because the ground on which he stood was holy.
Moses immediate'y obeyed the divine order, upon which the Almighty discovered

140 AN ILLUSTRATED
hin.self to him m these words: "J am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham.
the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." The frightened Moses was struck with
such reverence of the divine Majesty, and fear of the effects of his presumption, thai
he immediately fell on the ground and covered his face, being unable to sustain the
refulgency of the divine presence.
When Moses had a little recovered himself, the Almighty, in words to this effect,
addressed him : " I have seen," said he, " the affliction of my people which are in
Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters : for I know their
sorrows. And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of their oppressors,
and to conduct them to the promised land, a land flowing with milk and honey. Thee
have I chosen to be the instrument in this great work : therefore be of good courage,
for I will send thee to Pharaoh, to demand liberty of him for my people the children .
of Israel."
Moses had long laid aside all thoughts of attempting to rescue his brethren, the
Israelites, from their thraldom ; nor had he any opinion of his own abilities, should
he make the attempt, to succeed in so difficult an undertaking. Wherefore, when
the Almighty proposed the thing to him, he endeavored to excuse himself, by urging
his meanness and insufficiency to take upon him the character of a divine ambassa
dor. " Who am I," said he, " that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should
bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?" But this difficulty the Almighty
removed, by assuring him that he would be with him, and assist him in every step
he took ; that he would enable him, however perplexed and arduous the task, to
accomplish it ; and for a token of his veracity herein, told him that within a small
compass of time he should see those very people, who were now in slavery, set free
and worshipping him on that very mountain.
Still unwilling to undertake the task, Moses desired to know what he should say
to the people, and by what name he was to call the person who sent him on the
message. To which the Almighty replied, that he should tell him it was an eternal,
independent, self-existing Being, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, by which
name he had ever gone, and by which he would continue to go, to all eternity. He
then ordered him to go into Egypt, where, on his arrival, he should first assemhle
together the chief of the Israelites, and acquaint them with his business ; after which
he should go directly to the king, and demand of him their liberty, at least for three
days, that they might retire into the wilderness, in order to sacrifice to their God.
This request, he told Moses, the king would not at first grant, but in the end he
would be glad to consent, when he should see the divine power displayed in a vari
ety of miracles which would lake place on sundry occasions. " I will exert myself.'
said he, " in many miraculous operations on him and his subjects, and al last he
shall permit you to depart; but you shall not go away empty, for ye shall be loaded
with the spoils of the Egyptians."
It might be thought that such solemn assurances, even from the mouth of God
himself, would have been sufficient to have gained a ready compliance; but Moses,
either from the ideas he entertained of the difficulty of the enterprise, or from diffi
dence of his own abilities, was still desirous of declining the task, and objected, that
when he came into Egypt the people would probably doubt his word, and consider
him as an impostor.
This objection God immediately removed by showing him a miracle. Asking him
what he had in his hand, he replied, a rod ; upon which the Almighty ordered him
to throw it on the ground, which he had no sooner done than it wis immediately
turned into a serpent. Moses, frightened at this sudden change of his rod, attempted
to run away ; but God, to encourage him, bid him take it up by the tail, which he
had no sooner done than it resumed its former shape ; and to convince him, at the
same time, that he should not want credit with the Israelites, he gave him a com
mission to perform the same miracle before them when he should get into Egypt.
Still farther to remove Moses's scruples, the Almighty was pleased to give him
another instance of his great and distinguished power. "He ordered him to put his
hand into his bosom, which he accordingly did, and on pulling it out, it was covered
all over with leprosy. He then told him to put his hand into his bosom again, whitb
he likewise did, and on taking it out the leprosy was gone, and it became as clean
as at first. This miracle he likewise commissioned Moses to show the Israelites
and moreover, to arm him sufficiently beyond all doubt, he was pleassd to empowei

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. i41
him with a third miracle. " If," says he, " they will not believe these two former,
thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon dry land, and the water
shall become blood."
Notwithsianding these solemn and repeated assurances of the Divine aid, favor,
and protection, Moses still endeavored to waive the important office, urging as a
farther plea that he wanted eloquence, the great qualification of an ambassador; and
that since God had coildescended to talk to him, he was much more deficient in his
speech than before. But this obstacle the Almighty was likewise pleased to remove,
by putting Moses in mind of his omnipotence. " Who," said he, "hath made man's
mouth ? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind ? have not I
the Lord ? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what
thou shalt say."
Hitherto Moses had some shadow of pretence for his unwillingness to go into
Egypt ; bui now, all his objections being answered, he, in very plain terms desired
to be excused from the enterprise, and begged of God that he would be pleased lo
appoint some other person in his stead.
So long as Moses had anything to plead in excuse for not going, God heard him
patiently, and graciously condescended to remove his doubts ; but, when all this was
done, and he at length gave an absolute refusal, the Almighty was greatly displeased,
though at the same time he did not display any instance of his resentment. On the
contrary, he resumed Moses's last objection (which he had already answered in
general), and showed him, in a more particular manner, how he should supply that
defect: "Is not," said he, "Aaron, the Levite, thy brother? He is eloquent,* and
I will appoint him to meet thee. Tell him what I have said; and be assured that
I will always assist you both, and direct you what to say. He shall be the orator,
and thou shalt be to him instead of God. And to strengthen thy commission, and
give thee credit among thy people, ta ke this rod in thy hand, for with it shalt thou
be enabled to perform many miracles."
Every obstacle being removed, and the most evincing demonstrations of a miracu
lous power, tugether with the protection of Divine Providence, given to Moses, he
was al length prevailed on to accept the commission. He accordingly went first to
his father-in-law, Jethro, and, without telling him the occasion, requested permission
to go and visit his brethren, who were then in the land of Egy pt,
Jethro readily consented to Moses's request ; upon which, taking his wife and
children with him, he proceeded on his journey. He had not, however, gone tar,
when an angel appeared to him, and with a stern countenance, and flaming sword in
his hand, threatened to kill him, because, either from the persuasions of his wife or
from his own neglect, he had not yet circumcised his younger son Eliezar. As soon
as Zipporah understood the cause ofthe Divine displeasure, she immediately took an
instrument made of a sharp flint, and with it circumcised the child ; which being
done, the angry vision, after giving signs that God was appeased, disappeared.!
While Moses was on his journey to Egypt, Aaron, by a Divine revelation, was
informed thereof, and ordered to go and meet him in the wilderness. Aaron obeyed
the Divine command, and met' his brother at a small distance from Mount Horeb.
After mutual embraces and endearments, Moses opened to him the purport of his
commission, the instructions he had received from God, and the miraculous works
he was empowered to perform.
* Moses excelled in wisdom and conduct ; Aaron, his brother, in eloquence. Such is the wise order of
Providence, which has dispensed different gifts to different persons, that they may each be assisting to one
another, and knit more firmly the bund of society I Thus Polydamus in Homer, Iliad 13, tells Hector, God
gives to different men different accomplishments :
" To some the powers of bloody war belong,
To some sweet music, and the chHrm of sunrr;
To few, and wondrous few, has God assigned
A wise, extensive, all-considering mind." — Popb.
t The best interpretation that can be given of this extraordinary circumstance is. that Moses having deferred
the circumcision of his youngest son (perhaps in compliance to his wife), God was peculiarly offended with
him for such neglect; not only because Moses knew that no child could bo admitted a member of the Jewish
community, nor be entitled to the blessings of God's covenant with those people, without circumcision ; but
nl"0 because his example whs of the greatest consequence : for who would have regarded the law, if the law
giver himself had neglected it! Zipporah, therefore, conscious of her husband's danger, as well as of her owo
negligence, immediarely performed the office herself ; in consequence of which the cause being removed,
Rod's anger also ceased ; mid he suffered Moses to pursue his journey. Zipporah is supposed to have per
formed the office, because Muses was in too greHt a consternation to do it himsulf

142 AN ILLUSTRATED
The two brothers, being thus joined in the same commission (though Moses was
the sovereign), repaired with all expedition to Egypt. Immediately on their arrival
they called an assembly of the chief elders of the Israelites, to whom Aaron declared
the message which God had sent by Moses; while the latter, to confirm the truth of
his divine mission, wrought the several miracles which God had appointed in the
presence of the whole assembly. In consequence of this, they all appeared fully
convinced that he was a true prophet come from the God of their fathers, who had at
length commiserated their afflictions, and sent him now to deliver them from their
bondage ; and, with this persuasion, they all knelt down and worshipped God.
A fev days after this, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh's court, and, having
obtains admission to the king, requested of him that he would permit the Israelites
to go three days' journey into the wilderness, in order to perform a solemn service to
the Lord their God. But the haughty tyrant not only refused complying with their
request, but most impiously arraigned the divine prerogative, and called in question
the existence of the only wise and true God in these presumptuous words : " Who is
the Lord, tha 1 1 should obey his voice to let Israel go ? I know not the uord, neither
wul I let Israel go."
Pharaoh suspected that the Israelites had a design of revolting from nis service,
and that they had been laying schemes to get out of his dominions. This to him
was an argument that they had too much leisure time from business, and that the
most effectual way to check their contrivances would be to curtail their vacant hours;
he therefore ordered greater tasks and more work to be laid on them. He repri
manded Moses and Aaron for going among the people and interrupting them in their
employments; and strictly charged the task-masters not to allow them any more
straw, and yet to exact the same tale of bricks from them without abatement.
The task-masters acquainted their under-officers with this severe injunction, who
immediately communicated it to the people, and they were accordingly forced to
wander about the country to seek for straw, the task-masters, at the same time,
exacting from them their usual number of bricks; and when they were unable to
perform their task, the under-officers, who were Israelites, and whom 'he task-mas
ters had set over them, were called to account and punished.
Not knowing whence this unreasonable severity proceeded, whether from the
royal edict or the rigor of the task-masters, the under-officers addressed the king
himself, and, in the most humble manner, laid their grievances before him. But so
far were they from receiving any redress, that the answer returned them was—
that ' the king would have his edict fully executed, and insisted on having their full
number of bricks, though he was resolved not to allow them any straw."
This answer greatly afflicted the poor Israelites, insomuch that they were almost
driven to despair. On their return from the king they happened to meet Moses and
Aaron, and supposing them to be the cause of the additional burden laid on them,
expressed their grief and resentment in words to this effect: "That they had taken
care to infuse an odium into the king against them, and given him a plausible handle
ro destroy them, which they wished to God might fall on their own heads."
These bitter expressions greatly afflicted Moses, who, retiring to a private place,
addressed himself to God in this humble expostulation : " Why," said he, " 0 Lord,
nast thou thus afflicted the people ? For since I spoke to Pharaoh in thy name, he
hath treated them with more severity than before, and they are more unlikely to be
delivered than ever."
The great concern Moses had for the oppression of the Israelites was certainly thi
cause of his forgetting the promise which God had given him, as also what he had
foretold relative to the perverseness of Pharaoh. But, notwithstanding this, the
Almighty was pleased to give him fresh assurances of his divine intentions of
removing the Israelites from the state of bondage : " I am the Lord," said he, " the
Almighty God, that appeared unto Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Was I not known to
them by my name Jehovah ? Be assured that I the Lord, who made a covenant
with them to give their posterity the land of Canaan, have heard their complaints
and remembered my promise. Therefore, say thus to the children of Israel, I am
Jehovah, who exist only of myself, and give' existence to all beiugs. Tell them I will
deliver them from the Egyptian slavery, with the power of my Almighty arm, and
inflict heavy judgments on them that oppress them. Nor will I only deliver ynu all
from this bondage, but I will take you under my immediate protection : ye shall be

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 143
my people, and I will be your God. I am Jehovah, the Lord, that promiseth this,
and that can and will do it."
Encouraged by this gracious and divine declaration, Moses immediately repaired to
the Israelites, to whom he delivered his message as God had commanded. But such
was their affliction of mind, in conseouence of the increase of their servitude, and
which they attributed to have arisen from him, that they paid no attention to what
he said. They were prejudiced against him, and rather looked upon him as an
enemy ibr>vi as one who was desirous of procuring their enlargement.
The Almighty, fully resolved to pursue the ends of his Providence, again com
manded Moses to go to the king of Egypt and demand the liberty of the Israelites
Having been so roughly bUsmissed from Pharaoh's presence before, and so unkindly
rejected by the Israelites, Moses endeavored to decline the errand by drawing an
argument from each circumstance : " Since," says he, " the cliildren of Israel, thine
own people, would not hear me, though what I offered was so much to their advan
tage, how can I expect that so wicked a prince as Pharaoh is should pay any atten
tion to so insignificant a person* as I am, and in a matter so much to his loss ?"
To remove this objection, the Almighty was pleased to address himself to Moses in
words to this effect: "Consider," said he, "I have made thee as a Godt to Pharaoh
and Aaron, thy brother, shall be thy interpreter, or orator. Thou shalt tell him all
that I have commanded thee, and ye shall demand of Pharaoh the deliverance of my
people. And that thou mayest not be discouraged by a repulse, as before, take notice
that Pharaoh shall give no credit to what thou sayest, that I may thereby show my
power and wonders to him and his people, and deliver the children of Israel by the
strength of my hand. For since Pharaoh has begun to harden his heart in con
temptuously treating me and abusing my people, I will now permit him to go on in
his obstinate humor, that I may exert my power in miraculous operations in the
land of Egypt Therefore, when ye come into Pharaoh's presence, and he shall
demand a miracle of you, to convince him of the truth of your mission, thou shalt
direct Aaron to cast his rod on the ground before Pharaoh, and it shall be turned into
a serpent." In consequence of these instructions, Moses and Aaron went again to the king, and
repeated their demand of his dismissing the Israelites. Pharaoh desired them to
show him some miracle, whereby he might be induced to believe, that the God, of
whom they had so much spoken, had really sent for them. Upon this Aaron threw
down his rod, which had no sooner touched the ground, than it was changed into a
living serpent.
Though Pharaoh was somewhat surprised at this incident, yet he was determined,
if possible, to make it appear of no great importance. To effect this, he sent for his
principal magicians, whom he ordered to try, if, by their magical arts, they couid
cause the like transmigration. They obeyed the king's commands, and, to his greal
satisfaction, their attempts succeeded.. They threw down their rods, which were im
mediately changed into serpents, only with this remarkable circumstance, that Aaron's
rod swallowed up (while in the figure of a serpent) all those of the magicians, after
which it resumed its accustomed form. It might have been supposed, that this would
have been sufficient to have convinced the proud monarch of the superior power of
the God of Israel; but his heart was so averse to the thoughts of parting with the
Hebrews, that it did not in the least affect him.
As this miracle made no impression on the obstinate tyrant, the Almighty resolved
to make use of more forcible scourges, and to afflict the Egyptians with such a suc-
* It is remarkable, that in the text Moses here calls himself an uncircumcised person, or rather a man
whose lips had not been circumcised. See Exod. vi. 12. By this we are to understand, that he meant no
more than that he was not possessed of that fluency of speech which was necessary on so important an oc
casion. The word circumcised is phraseological ly used by the Hebrews on several occasions, as when they
call any one uncircumcised in heart, mind, or tongue, they mean no more than that the person spoken of is
not so perfect in these particulars as might be wished. Besides, as circumcision was the first and greatest
sacrament among them, so uncircumclsion was esteemed the greatest scandal and disgrace. The phrase
therefore, naturally and clearly expresses the humble opinion Moses had for himself, his unfitness for such
an office, and his inability to persuade or prevail with so haughty a monarch as Pharaoh.
t The word here translated a God, signifies a prince, a counsellor, or governor ; and as Moses was to
work many wonders in the land of Egypt, so there is no doubt but Pharaoh would look upon him as a person
endued with supernatural power. It was then beginning to grow common with the heathen nations, particu
larly the Egyptians, to rank their great men among the number of their gods ; and, thereiore, when the Lord
here speaks to Moses, he does not say that he made him an object of worship, but only that he v. ould endUH
him witii so much power, that the Egyptians would look upon him as a God.

.44 AN ILLUSTRATED
cession of plagues as should compel them to dismiss the long-enslaved Israelites.
Having observed to Moses, that Pharaoh's heart was hardened, he ordered him to take
the rod, which had been turned into a serpent, and (in company with his brother
Aaron) to throw himself in the way of Pharaoh, at his usual time of coming to the
banks of the river Nile. That as soon as he saw the king, he should again demand
of him the liberty of the Israelites ; and that if he still continued obstinate, as a far
ther sign that they were messengers from God, he should give the rod to Aaron, who,
by striking it on the water, should immediately change it into blood.
In obedience to the divine command, Moses, at the time appointed, went to the
bank of the river, soon after which the king arriving, he accosted him in words to
this effect: " That he was sent from, the Almighty God of the Hebrews, to demand
the release of the Israelites, and that if he did not comply with his request, but still
remained obstinate, his God. should not only afflict him for his perverseness, but
bring down the most heavy judgments on his people."
The infidel prince, regardless of the order of God, by these two appointed mission
aries, still persisted in his resolution (so little did the first miracle operate on his
mind) of detaining the Israelites, and continuing them in their. wretched state of
bondage. Finding all remonstrances in vain, Moses delivered his rod to Aaron, who,
striking the water with it, as God had commanded him, it changed into blood, and so
continued for the space of seven days, by means of which the fish were suffocated,
and the inhabitants compelled to dig for water to allay their thirst. As it was known
that Moses received his education among the Egyptians, Pharaoh concluded, that all
this was performed by magic skill. Wherefore, calling for his magicians, he put them
upon the like trial ; who, taking some water out of the wells they had dug, so artfully
changed its color, as to make it appear like blood. Though this was but a delusion,
yet Pharaoh was satisfied in his own mind that what Moses and Aaron had done was
not the effect of any supernatural power, but a mere trick of art; and therefore still
resolved not to permit the departure of the Israelites.
But the Almighty was pleased to display still farther miracles before this impious
and obstinate tyrant. When the seven days were expired, and the waters had re
sumed their natural qualities, Moses, at the command of God, accosted Pharaoh again,
aud renewed his solicitations for the delivery of the Israelites, threatening, on his re-i
fusal, to bring upon the land such prodigious numbers of frogs, as should visit him
and his subjects in their most private recesses.
Pharaoh, regardless of these threats, defied him ; upon which Moses ordered 4aron
to take his rod, and stretch forth his hand with it over the rivers, which in an instant
affected all the waters of Egypt, that, not waiting for the slow, productions of nature,
the animated streams unburdened themselves upon the land in shoals of frogs, which
immediately invaded all parts of the country, and infested even the royal palace itself.*
The obstinate and perverse king had again recourse to his magicians, who, by their
mimic power, so deluded Pharaoh as to make him believe they had wrought tne like
miracle. This hardened his heart for a time; but the loathsome plague continuing,
and pursuing his people wherever they went, he was at length forced to apply to
Moses and Aaron, to whom he promised that the Israelites should have their liberty,
provided their God would remove so infestuous a plague. " Entreat the Lord," said
he, " that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people ; and I will lei
the people go that they may do sacrifice unto the Lord."
Moses demanded the time when this should be put to an issue, upon which the nexl
day was conjunctively agreed on. Accordingly, Moses, in order to fulfil his part of
the contract, after leaving Pharaoh, retired to a private place, and, addressing himself
to God, humbly besought him to remove the plague of the frogs from the land uf
Egypt. The Almighty was pleased to listen to Moses's solicitations: the frogs soon
died, which the people gathered together in heaps ; but they were so numerous, that
before they could be removed, the scent, which was exceeding obnoxious, spread it
self throughout the whole country.
* This plague ofthe frogs, as well as that ofthe water being changed into blood, was excellently adapter)
to subvert the superstitions of Egypt, and to demonstrate the over-ruling power of the Almighty , for as tlie
aank ofthe river Nile was the grand scene ofthe magical operations of the Egyptians, in which blood and
frogs made a principal part of the apparatus ; so, by commanding that rlvts. to produce such an infinite mul
titude of these creatures to annoy them, God, with wonderful propriety, aaapted their chastisement to tli€
nature of their crimes : for frogs were not only the instruments of their abominations, but likewise the em
blem? i ' those impure demons whom they invoked by their incantations

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

145

10

146 AN ILLUSTRATED
As Moses had now fulfilled his part of the contract, he naturally expected that
Pharaoh would have performed his ; but the impious monarch, vainly imagining thai
the artillery of divine vengeance was now exhausted, unfaithfully broke his word,
and still refused to let the Israelites depart.
This breach of promise so offended the Almighty, that he resolved to treat the
naughty tyrant in a more severe manner than he had hitherto done. As yet God had
given him previous notice of the judgments he intended to denounce, that he mighl
have the opportunity of escaping them ; but now, without giving him the least inti
mation of his design, he commanded Moses to direct Aaron to stretch out his rod, and
strike the dust with it, that it might become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
Aaron had no sooner obeyed the divine command, than the animated dust was imme
diately turned into swarms of vermin, which not only infested the human species, but
also the beasts of the field. Pharaoh again had recourse to his magicians, who (though
they had faintly imitated the former plagues) now attempted this in vain ; they owned
their art outdone, and acknowledged this to be the inimitable work of a divine hand.
But notwithstanding this, Pharaorl's heart was so hardened, that he would not pay
the least attention to the solicitations of Moses ; upon which the Almighty was pleased
to give him another summons, in words to this effect : " Rise up," says he to Moses,
" early in the morning, and meet Pharaoh as he comes to the river : tell him, Thus
saith the Lord : let my people go, that they may serve me, or I will send swarms of
flies upon thee and thy people, which shall fill their houses, and cover the face of the
earth. And that thou mayest know, that this is brought as a judgment upon thee and
thy subjects, for oppressing my people, I will, on that day, separate the land of Go
shen, in which my servants dwell, from the rest of Egypt, that the flies shall not mo
lest them."
Moses, in conformity to the divine command, delivered this message to Pharaoh,
whose obstinacy and perverseness were so great, that he still refused the Israelites to
depart. In consequence of this, the next day, clouds of swarming insects filled the
air, which in numberless troops descended to the earth, and, with their unusual noise,
surprised and affrighted the wretched inhabitants. All attempts to remove this dread
ful calamity proved vain and fruitless ; their most private recesses could not secure
them from the poisonous stings of these obnoxious animals, and a succession of pain
ful misery invaded them on all sides. The magicians beheld, with confusion, this
direful plague, and no more attempted to offer any imitation. A general horror was
spread throughout the whole country, and every part echoed with the cries of tortured
men and cattle.
Not being able longer to endure this dreadful calamity, and finding no likelihood of
its being removed, the obstinate Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron, and, in a s'lllen
dissatisfied tone, bade them go and sacrifice to their God ; but with this injunction,
that they should not pass beyond the bounds of Egypt. He was desirous of obtaining
relief, but, at the same time, was unwilling to part with a people, from whose slavery
he had reaped such great advantage. Being a stranger to the true God, he did. not
conceive that the Israelites could not acceptably sacrifice to their God while under
Egyptian bondage.
Moses, desirous of convincing rather than inflaming, the infidel prince, prudently
answered : "We can not sacrifice to our God in this land, for that would be ah affront
to the Egyptians,* and they will be revenged on us. Permit us, therefore, to avoid
their resentment, by going three days' journey into the wilderness, where we can sac
rifice to our God in the manner he hath commanded."
In reply to this, the haughty monarch said, " If nothing else will serve you but to
go into the desert, I will let you go ; but remember, it must not be far. And in re
turn for this concession, I desire you will entreat your God to remove the plague."
Moses promised to intercede for him, but at the same time cautioned him to be sin
cere in what he said, and not violate his engagements as he had before done. Leav
ing Pharaoh, Moses retired to a proper place, where he addressed himself to God, be-
» The meaning of this expression is, that the animals which they were to sacrifice to the Lord, being
those which were worshipped by the Egyptians, it would be such an affront and abomination to them, as
would endanger the lives of the Israelites. Herodotus tells us, that the Egyptians esteemed it a profana
tion to sacrifice any kind of cattle except swine, bulls, calves, and geese ; and that heifers, rams, and goats
(the usual sacrifices of the Israelites), were, by them, held sacred. It is, therefore, no wonder that the
Israelites should wish to offei up their sacrifices in a place detached from the sight of the Egyptians, iustly
suspecting that had they not, it might have been attended with fatal consequences

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 147
seecning him to remove the plague of the flies. His prayers were accordingly heard,
and the insects soon took their flight. But this obstacle was no sooner removed, than
tne haughty tyrant reassumed his former obstinacy, and peremptorily forbid the Is-
caelites worshipping their God in the way and manner he had directed.
This additional provocation so incensed the Almighty against Pharaoh, that he again
sent Moses to him with this message : " Tell him," said he, " Thus saith the God of
.he Hebrews, let my people go, that they may serve me, or be assured I will visit all
'hy cattle that are in the field with a grievous murrain ; and to make thee still more
sensible of my Omnipotence, I will, by a wonderful distinction, preserve the cattle of
my people, while I destroy those of the Egyptians."
Pharaoh paid no more attention to this message than he had done to the former, in
consequence of which, the very next day, this awful threat was most severely exe
cuted. The generous horse loathed1 his full manger and loved pastures, and sunk be
neath his rider ; the ass and camel could no longer support their burdens, or bear their
own weight ; the laboring ox fell dead before the plough ; the harmless sheep died
bleating, and the faithful dogs lay gasping by them.
Though this was certainly a most horrid spectacle, yet it made not the least im
pression on the hardened Pharaoh, who still resolved to brave Heaven with his impi
ous perverseness. Remembering what Moses had said of the preservation of the Is
raelites' cattle, he sent to Goshen to learn how it had fared with them, and was assured
that not one of their cattle had died, or received the least infection. This circumstance
was certainly sufficient to have convinced him that it was no casualty, but a direct
Judgment upon him, seeing that it exactly answered the divine prediction. But not
withstanding this, his heart was so callous, that he still preserved the resolution of
not suffering the Israelites to depart.
These means proving ineffectual, the Almighty, in order to make some impression
nn the mind of this impious monarch, determined to afflict him and his people with
a plague, and that without giving him the least notice of his intentions. He accord
ingly commanded Moses and Aaron to take ashes of the furnace, and throw them into
¦'he air in the presence of Pharaoh. This was accordingly done, upon which the ashes
soon spread the dire contagion, and the tainted air infected the Egyptian blood with
'ts pernicious influence. The most inveterate biles and ulcers appeared on their flesh,
.ind their whole constitution became a noisome spring of sores. So universal was
this plague, that even the magicians (who, it is probable, would willingly have once
more tried their skill) were affected, and that in such manner, that they dared not
appear in public.
Pharaoh's obstinacy, which before proceeded from an implacable hatred to the
chosen people of God, now arose from the mere hardness of his heart, and notwith
standing he must be sensible that the present plague was the immediate effect of a
divine and supernatural direction, yet he continued firm in his resolution of detaining
'he Israelites. But the Almighty, determined to make some impression on him, ren
dered the very powers of Heaven subservient to his divine purpose, giving this charge
to his servant Moses : " Go," says he, " early in the morning, to the king of Egypt,
*nd tell him, that I, the God of the Hebrews, demand the liberty of my people, that
'hey may worship me ; which, if he refuse, he may be assured that I will shower
uiy plagues upon him and his people ; and I will make him know that I am the only
God on earth. Say farther to him : If, when lately I smote the cattle with a murrain,
[ had smitten thee and thy people with pestilence, -thou hadst been cut off from the
earth. But I have reserved thee to show my power, and by the judgments I shall in
dict will I make known my name to all the world. Oppress not, nor detain my peo
ple ; for if thou dost, to-morrow, by this time, unless thou submitteth thyself, I will
send such a storm of hail from heaven upon Egypt as never was known oince it has
been a nation. And that thou mayest not lose what cattle the murrain left, which
being not in the field escaped that plague, send thy servants, and let them drive them
under shelter ; for upon every man and beast, which shall be found in the field, the
storm shall fall, and they shall surely die."
So careless, as well as impious, was Pharaoh, that even this declaration would not
make him submit, though his own life, as well as those of his people, was in immi
nent danger. But some of them, who had been witnesses of the dreadful wrath of
God, made a prudent use of the divine caution, and, housing their cattle in time, the)
were preserved from the general destruction.

148 AN ILLUSTRATED
The appointed time bemgcome, Moses, in obedience to the divine command, waved
his rod m the air, which soon begaa to murmur in imperfect sounds, till the full
charged clouds, with impetuous force, burst and discharged themselves in such horrid
peals of thunder, as to shake the whole frame of nature. This was succeeded by a
stormy shower of hail, which covered the ground with the scattered remains of trees
and houses, and the dead bodies of men and beasts. Nor did the divine vengeance
stop here : the heavens discharged a body of liquid fire, which, darting on the ground,
glided over the waters, and filled every place with the most dreadful horror.
The haughty tyrant began now to be impressed with those sensations to which lie
had hitherto been a stranger. Seeing all nature,- as he imagined, ready to dissolve,
he melted into penitence, and, sending for Moses and Aaron, confessed himself gn'lty.
" I have sinned this time," said he ; " the Lord is righteous, and I and my people are
wicked. Entreat the Lord that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail ; and
I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer." Moses promised to comply with this
request, but at the same time assured him, he knew there was no sincerity in his
heart ; and that his seeming repentance was only the effect of his fright.
Moses, however, in conformity to his promise, addressed himself to the Almighty
beseeching him to remove the plague ; which was no sooner done, than his prediction
was verified : for, when Pharaoh found the storm was ceased, and all was calm and
serene, his fears totally vanished, his perverseness returned, and he resolved still to
keep the Israelites in a state of bondage.
The Almighty was now pleased to make another trial, and to send his servant Mo
ses to apprize the haughty and perfidious tyrant of his intentions. The message he
delivered to Moses was prefaced by his reasons (as, indeed, he had done before) why
he permitted Pharaoh to continue m his obstinacy ; the substance of which, togethei
with the message itself, was to this effect : " I have," says he, " hardened Pharaoh's
heart, and the hearts of his servants, that I may show these my wonders before them,
and that thou mayest tell, in the hearing of thy sons, and the Israelites to succeeding
generations, what prodigies I have wrought in Egypt, that ye may all know that I am
the Lord, the Almighty Jehovah. Wherefore, go to Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith
the Lord God of the Hebrews, Why tibst thou persist in thy obstinacy ? Let my peo
ple go, that they may serve me, or I will bring the locusts into thy land to-morrow,
which shall come in such swarms, as to cover the surface of the earth, and devour all
tne products of il that have escaped the former plagues. And this shall prove such a
plague as none of thy predecessors ever saw."
This message Moses carefully delivered to Pharaoh in the presence of his nobles,
and, not receiving any answer to it, he retired. As soon as he was gone, Pharaoh's
courtiers, still sensibly impressed with the late calamities, and fearful that he was
about to call down more plagues upon them, very roughly accosted their king, desiring
him to let the Israelites go and serve their God, lest, for his obstinacy, not only him-
rielf, but also the whole people of his kingdom, should be totally destroyed.
The importunity of Pharaoh's courtiers prevailed more than God's thi eats and judg
ments. He immediately despatched a messenger after Moses and Aaron, who ac
cordingly returning, he told them they might go and serve their God; but under this
limitation, that it should only be the men, for that all the women and children should
be left behind. This, however, would not do for Moses : he insisted that all the Is
raelites should go, both old and young, sons and daughters ; nay, and their flocks and
herds ; " for," said he, " we must hold a feast to the Lord, and all must be at it."
Pharaoh considered this demand as not only peremptory, but insolent : he therefore
bade them look to it, and consider well what they insisted on ; after which, in a very
threatening manner, he dismissed them.
This repulse occasioned another judgment to be inflicted on the miserable subjects
of an infidel king ; for Moses, by the divine command, stretched out his hand, with
the rod in it, and immediately a scorching wind blew all that day and the succeeding
night ; the consequence of which was, the next morning there appeared endless le
gions of locusts, which, in a short time, so devoured the fruits of the earth, that it
became, as it were, quite naked : the happy productions arising from the fertile Nile,
and all that bountiful nature afforded, were carried off by these airy pillagers, and
nothing appeared but horror and desolation throughout the land of Egypt.
The hardened Pharaoh was more sensibly affected at this plague, than he had been
at any of the former. He plainly saw that the destruction of the fruits of the earth

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 149
must be succeeded by the destruction of man and -beast. Wherefore, sending for
Moses and Aaron, he, in a more suppliant manner, addressed them in words to this
effect : " I have, indeed, offended Jehovah your God, in refusing to obey his command,
and you, in so often breaking my word with you : forgive me this offence, and entreat
vour God to avert this judgment, that I and my people perish not by devouring
famine." Moses, once more compassionating the case of the justly afflicted king, addressed
himself to the Almighty in his behalf, and the locusts, by the force of a strong
westerly wind, were driven into the Red sea. But this plague was no sooner
removed than Pharaoh's obstinacy and contempt of God's commands returned, and
he again refused the departure of the Israelites.
All these methods to reduce Pharaoh to an obedience of the Divine command
proving ineffectual, the Almighty commanded Moses to stretch forth his hand toward
heaven, that there might be a universal darkness, such as before had never been
known, throughout the land of Egypt.
Moses obeyed the Divine command, immediately on which such solid and thick
clouds of darkness invaded the sky, that nature seemed at once to be involved in one
dreadful eclipse : the sun no longer enlightened the lower world with his cheerful
beams ; the moon, with the stars, no more illuminated the air ; and so dismal was
the aspect of all things, that nature appeared as if about to return to her original
chaos. This dreadful scene of horror lasted three days, and the haughty Pharaoh was so
affected at it, that though he had long stood immoveable against the threats and
judgments of God, yet he now, fearing a universal dissolution, and frightened at the
continual terror of this long night, began seriously to relent, and sending for Moses,
thus addressed him: — "Ye may go," said he, "with your little ones, and serve the
Lord ; but, for my security, I would have you leave your flocks and herds behind."
But this not being absolutely consistent with the Divine command, Moses would
not accept it. He told Pharaoh that it was the express command of their God to
remove with all their substance ; and that they knew not in what manner they were
to offer sacrifice to their God, nor should they till they came into the wilderness.
The haughty tyrant, incensed at the non-compliance of Moses to what he esteemed
a distinguished indulgence, commanded him to be gone, and, with great austerity, told
him if he ever appeared before him again, it should cost him his life.
Moses promised Pharaoh he should never again see his face; but, by the Divine
command, he once more visited him, and that with a message more severe than any
he had yet delivered. "Tell him," says the Almighty to Moses, "in the hearing of
his people, Thus saith the Lord, About midnight will I go out into the midst of
Egypt. And all the first-born in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first-born of
Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the first-born of the female servant
that is behind the mill ;* and all the first-born of beasts. And there shall be a great
cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as was never before, nor shall be again.
But the children of Israel shall not be in the least affected, that ye may know the
distinction made by the Lord between you and them. And all thy servants shall
come down unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee ; and
after that will I go out myself."
Moses delivered this message to Pharaoh in the manner he had been commanded.
But the haughty tyrant defied his threats, and still persisted in his obstinacy that the
Israelites should not depart from Egypt ; upon which Moses, finding him inflexible,
turned away and left him.
Previous to the carrying of this last sentence into execution, the Almighty instructed
Moses and Aaron in what manner to direct the people to prepare the passover, which
• It was usual for the lowest slaves to be employed in the drudgery ol the mill ; and therefore the prophei
Isaiah uses this idea, to express the abject state of slavery to which Babylon should be reduced : " Come
down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon : sit on the ground, take the mill-stones and grind
meal." Isaiah lvii. 1,2. Dr. Shaw observes, that most families in those countries still grind their wheat
and barley at heme, having two portable mill-stones for that pjrpose ; the uppermost whereoi is turned
round by a small handle of wood, or iron, which is placed in the nm. When the stone is large, or expedi
tion is required, then a second person is called in to assist ; and, it is usual for the women alone to be con
cerned in this employment, who seat themselves over against each other, with the mill-stones between
¦them. We may see not only the propriety of the expression in this verse, of sitting behind the mill, but tut
force of another, Matt. xxiv. 41, that "Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken
tuid the other left."

150 AN ILLUSTRATED
was to be a feast in commemoration of their departure out of Egypt, and was to be
held, on the day preceding that event.* The directions which, by the Divine com
mand, Moses gave to the people on this occasion, were to the following effect: that
every family of Israel (or, if the family was too small, two neighboring families
joining together) should, on the tenthf day of the month, take a lamb, or kid, and
having shut it up till he fourteenth day, then kill it. That the lamb, or kid, should
be a male not above a year old, and without any manner of blemish : that, when
they killed it, they should catch the blood in a vessel, and, with a bunch of hyssop
dipped in it, sprinkle the side posts of the outer door, after which they should not
stir out of the house till the next morning. In the meantime, they were to eat the
lamb, or kid (dressed whole and without breaking a bone of it), neither raw nor
.odden, but roasted, with unleavened bread and bitter herbs ; that if there was more
than they could dispense with, they were to bury it ; and, lastly, that the posture in
which they were to eat it was to be in a hurry, with their clothes}: on their shoulders
and their staves in their hands, as if they were just upon the point of going to depa't.
The tremendous night was not long delayed. While the Jews were celebrating
this newly instituted feast — at midnight — the destroying angel went forth in a pesti
lence, and smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt,— " from the first-born of Phar
aoh, that sat on his throne, to the first-born of the captive that lay in the dungeon ;
and all the first-born of cattle." And there was a great cry in Egypt — lamentation
and bitter weeping — for there was not a house in which there was not one dead.
The effect of this dreadful blow was exactly such as Moses had foretold. The king,
his nobles, and the Egyptian people, rose in sorrow from their beds that night. The
shrieks of the living, with the groans of those about to die, breaking in upon the still
ness of the night — the darkness of which must greatly have aggravated the horror
and confusion of that hour— made the people fancy they were all doomed to destruc
tion, and that the work of death would not cease till they had all perished. The king
himself was filled with horror and alarm. Without truly repenting his obduracy, he
bitterly lamented its effects. It appeared to him that the only method of arresting the
progress of the destruction was to send the Hebrews instantly away — in the fear that
every moment they tarried would prove the loss of a thousand lives to Egypt. He
therefore sent to Moses and Aaron by that very night---that hour — to tell them, " Get
you forth from among my people, both- ye and the children of Israel ; and go and serve
the Lord as ye said ; take also your flocks and herds, and begone ; and bless me also."
And the Egyptian people also, says the scriptural narrative, were urgent upon them,
to send them away in haste ; for they said, " We are all dead men." In their anxiety
to get them off, lest every moment of their stay should prove the last to themselves
or those dear to them, the Egyptians would have done anything to satisfy and oblige
them. This favorable disposition had been foreseen from the beginning, and the He
brews had been instructed by Moses to take advantage of it, by borrowing ornaments
of precious metal— " Jewels of gold and jewels of silver," with rich dresses, from the
Egyptians. On the principle that, " all that a man hath he will give for his life,"
there can be no doubt but that, under circumstances which made them consider their
own lives in jeopardy, and when the losses they had sustained were calculated to make
their finery seem of small value in their sight, the Egyptians were quite as ready to
* These directions given by the Almighty to Moses are introduced by the following passage : " This month
shall be unto you the beginning of months ; it shall be the first day of the first month of the year to you."
The Jews, like most other nations, began their year, before this event, about the autumnal equinox, in the
month Tifri after their harvest and vintage : but that which was their first month, now became theii
seventh ; as the month of Abib, which answers principally to our March, was, by God's appointment, and
in commemoration of this their deliverance, constituted the first month of their sacred year. Abib signi
fies the green com; and the month was so named, because, about this time, the corn in those countries be
gan to ripen.
t The p^ssover, or feast was to be celebrated on the fourteenth day of the month, so that four days were
allowed previous to its being held. In after-times the Jews did not begin their preparations till the thir
teenth, or the day preceding the passovor : but here, they are ordered to prepare on the tenth day of the
month, not only because this being the first time of the celebration of the passover, they might require
more time to prepare for a ceremony entirely new, but because, being to depart from Egypt suddenly, and
in great haste, they might be perfectly ready, and have no hinderance to make them neglect any part of the
duty enjoined.
t These clothes were slight thin garments, resembling those which the Arabs now wear, and which they
call hykes. " These hykes," says Dr. Shaw, " are of various sizes, and of different qualities and fineness
The usual size of them is six yards long and two broad. It serves them for a complete dress in the day:
and, as they sleep in their raiments, as the Israelites did of old (Deut. xxiv. 13) it serves likewise for Ihoil
bed and covering at night."

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

161

152 AN ILLUSTRATED
.end as the Hebrews to borrow. The women also were authorized to borrow from
'he Egyptian females : and we may easily believe that their exertions added much to
the large amount of valuable property which was extracted from the fears ol* the
Egyptians. With whatever understanding these valuable articles were given and re-
ceived, the ultimate effect is, that in this final settlement, the Hebrews received some
thing like wages — though, as such, inadequate — for the long services they had ren
dered to the Egyptians.*
So eager were the Egyptians to get them off, that, between persuasions, bribery,
and gentle compulsion, the whole body had commenced its march before daybreak,
although it was not till midnight that the first-born had been slain. They had no time
even to bake the bread for which the dough was ready; and they were, therefore,
obliged to leave it in their dough bags, which they carried away, wrapped up in their
clothes, with the view of preparing their bread when an opportunity might be offered
by their first halt. Hurried as they were, they forgot not the bones of Joseph, which
they had kept at hand, and now bore away with tbem. On they marched, driving
before them their cattle and their beasts of burden, laden with their moveables and
tents ; and themselves, some,- doubtless, riding on camels, some on asses ; but, from
the great number of these required for the women and the children, most of the men
doubtless marched on foot. Thus, laden with the spoils of Egypt, they went on theii
way rejoicing, leaving the Egyptians to the things which belong to mourning and the
grave. We are told that the number of the Israelites who on this eventful night com
menced their march was " about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women
and children." The description of " men on foot" denotes, as elsewhere appears, men
fit to bear arms, excluding therefore not only those who are too young, but those who
are too old for such service. As this prime class of the community is usually in the
proportion of one fourth of the whole population, the result would give nearly two
millions and a half as the number of the posterity of Jacob. This number is so very
high, that it has seemed incredible to ma.iy. We must confess, that it is difficult, to
realize the presence of so vast a host, with their flocks and herds, and to form an idea
of the immense area they would cover, were only standing-room given to them, much
more where encamped under tents ; — and when we further consider the length and
breadih of their moving body on a march, as well as the quantities of water they
would require, we may be tempted to conclude that a much smaller number would
amply justify the promises of God, and would render many circumstances in the en
suing portion of their history more easy to be understood. Besides this, the ancient
manner of notation afforded temptations and facilities for the corruption of numbers,
whence it happens that the most disputed texts of Scripture, and those in which, as
the copies now stand, there are palpable contradictions, are those which contain nu
merical statements. We are not insensible to these considerations, and have endeav
ored to assign them all the weight which they are entitled to hear. But seeing that
the present number, high as it is, has some support from collateral evidence, and from
* The "Borroweu" Jewels. — Much learning and labor have been bestowed on explanations of this
transaction. The most general improvement which has been suggested is, that we should assign the seuue
of "ask," or "demand," to the word which most versions translate into "borrow:" and the meaning will
then be, that the Hebrews availed themselves of the consternation in which they saw the Egyptians, to de
mand these valuable articles, in compensation for the long service they had rendered. In this explanation
one little circumstance is forgotten, which is, the probability that these precious articles were obtained
from persons who had never any direct benefit from, or interest in, their services. It seems to us that not
so much as is commonly supposed is gained by this alteration. We prefer to adhere to the more received
view of the case ; because that seems more in agreement with all the circumstances which surround the
transaction. The explanation proceeds on the notion that the Israelites had avowed their intention to es
cape ; for, had it been presumed that they intended to return, it would have been a piece of the grossest and
most fatai madness in them to " demand" this valuable property from the Egyptians in a compulsory man
ner. But their intention to withdraw altogether was never avowed while they were in Egypt. Most s
never avowed it. Even when rather closely pressed on the subject, he persisted, at least by implication,
that there was no other object than that of holding a feast to Jehovah at the distance of three days' journey
into the wilderness, and the ulterior intention was not distinctly avowed by the move which was made
from " Etham on the edge of the wilderness." This, therefore, only being the avowed object of the israe.-
ites, it must have seemed perfectly natural to the Egyptians that they should wish to appear as richly attired
as possible at the great feast they were about to celebrate ; and as natural, that they should borrow suck
articles as they, in their state of bondage and poverty, did not possess. The consternation they were in al
the death of their first-born, and their haste to get the Hebrews away, precluded much deliberation. Bui
oy the time the Israelites moved from Etham there had been leisure for reflection, and they manifested theii
sense that the substance with which they parted on that occasion had only been lent, ly the haste whici
thev made to recover it, as soon as they became assured that the Hebrews intended to escape.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

153

Departure from Egypt.
the considerations to which we have already
adverted, and. above all, reflecting that the
present number is a positive circumstance,
whereas all alteration could only be conjec
tural,* we deem it the best and safest course
to take the number as we (ind it in the pres
ent copies of the Pentateuch. But besides
the descendants of Jacob, there was a large
" mixed multitude," wliich went out of Egypt
on this occasion. Who they were is not
clearly stated ; but it would appear that the
mass was formed of foreign slaves, belong
ing to the principal persons among the He
brews, with a good number, probably, be
longing to the Egyptians, who were glad to
take the opportunity of escaping with the
Israelites. Besides -this, there were mani
festly a considerable number of Egyptians of
the poorer class, who perhaps expected to
better their condition in some way, or had
other very good reasons for leaving Egypt :
indeed, as it did not turn oat that the Israel
ites were anything the better for their pres
ence, we are free to confess that we think it
likely they were chiefly such thieves, vaga
bonds, adventurers, and debtors, as could no
longer stay safely in Egypt.
The- circumstance that Moses was so well
acquainted with the number of the Israelites
before they left Egypt, intimates that an ac
count of their numbers had not long before
been taken by the Egyptians. That ingeni-
* So conjectural that while some strike off one cipher.
reducing 600,000 to 60,000, others are not content
without taking off two, thus reaching the certainty to
the very convenient and manageable number of 6.000
another conjecture has been that the 600,(100 includes
all the population, and not merely the men fit to boar
arms; but this is lrccluded bv the terms of the text,
" besides women and children"

154 AN ILLUSTRATED
ous people einpioyed very early, if they did not mvent, the practice jf taking a eia^us
of what is called the effective part of the population ; and from them, unquestionably,
the Israelites, under the direction of Moses, adopted this useful custom. In all such
enumerations, in ancient times, the women and children were not included, and theii
number is never stated. But probably they were able to form an estimate of the pro
portion which the numbered part of the population bore to the whole ; although their
conclusions in this matter must have been more uncertain than our own, which have
been found on repeated actual enumerations of portions of the entire population which
were never included in the ancient enumerations.
The point from which the Hebrew host started on their march was Rameses, one
of the " treasure cities" which they had built for Pharaoh in the land of Goshen, and
which seems to have become the chief place in the territory they occupied. The
difficulties in tracing their march begin at the very first stage.
There are two preliminary questions, satisfactory information on which would
much assist us in understanding the early part of their journey. The first is, the
situation of Rameses, from which they started ; and the second, the point to which
their journey was, in the first instance, directed. On the first point no very satisfac
tory information can be obtained. It is, indeed, not quite clear that any particular
locality is intended, or whether the land of Goshen, in the large indefinite sense, may
not he denoted by " the land of Rameses." But some information is reflected upon
the first by the answer to the second of these questions, which answer is, that the
destination which was in the first instance contemplated, was doubtless the wilder
ness of Sinai. The land of Goshen appears most evidently to have bordered on, if it
did not include, part of the tract over which the nearest and most convenient road to
the peninsula of Sinai from the banks of the Nile has always passed. This is nearly
the line in which, in after ages, a canal was made connecting, the Nile with the Gulf
of Suez ; and that, while it is the nearest route, it is the only one which offers a sup
ply of water, is a consideration which doubtless as much recommended it in ancient
times to those going from Egypt to Sinai or Arabia, as it does now recommend it to
the great caravan of pilgrimage which yearly journeys from Cairo to Mecca. The
route of this caravan is the same, as far as the head of the Gulf of Suez, as one would
take which proceeds to the Desert of Sinai. We shall therefore presume that this
was the route taken.
If the Hebrews were to have gone direct to take possession of the Promised Land,
their nearest road would have been " by the way of .the Philistines ;" that is, by the
usual route from Egypt to Gaza. But the Philistines were unquestionably the most
powerful and warlike people then in Palestine, and there was already some ill blood
between them and the Israelites, and would be likely to offer a most formidable op
position to them at the v-ry first step of their progress. The Hebrews were in fact
altogether unfit to face such enemies, or any enemies whatever: they were not yet
even fit to be a nation; and therefore, instead of being at once led to their promised
heritage, it was the divine will that they should be conducted into the desert, there
to be trained, disciplined, and instructed, so as to fit them for their future destinies
Moses knew that their first destination was the wilderness of Sinai ; for when the
Lord appeared to him in Horeb, it was announced that the bondaged children of
Abraham should be brought to worship God in that very mountain.
The Hebrews left Rameses and proceeded on their way. And now it appeared
that the Lord provided against their going astray, by placing a miraculous column
of cloud to go before them by day and mark out their road ; while by night it became
a column of fire, and gave light to all the camp. This was important, also, as evin
cing that Moses was not acting by his own authority, and that, however highly he
was entitled to their confidence and respect, they had a more unerring Guide and a
more 'exalted Protector.
Their first day's journey brought them to Succoth. We relinquish the notion
which we once entertained that Succoth may have been at or near the place (Birket
el Hadj, or Pilgrim's Pool) where the great pilgrim caravan encamps and makes its
final arrangements for its journey. We think it, upon the whole, more likely that
the point from which the Hebrews departed in the first instance may have been ir
that neighborhood. Succoth, therefore, must be sought somewhere about a day's
journey in the direction toward Suez. The name denotes tents or booths, and it is

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I

156 A N ILLUSTRATED
useless to seek its site, as the name appears only to denote a place A'here caiavans
passing that way usually encamped.
Their next resting-place of which we are told was "Etham, on the edge of the
wilderness." But in this, as in other cases, we are not to suppose that the places
which are named are the only places at which they rested ; and in the present in
stance the distance may suggest that this Etham was the third rather than the second
encampment. The halting-places of caravans are in these desert regions so much
determined by the presence of wells, that, in connexion with the circumstance of its
being situated " on the edge of the wilderness," there is not much difficulty in con
cluding that Etham is represented by the modern Adjeroud, which forms the third
stage ofthe pilgrim's caravan, and where there is an old fortress, a small village, and
copious well of indifferent water. This place is about eleven miles to the norlhwesl
of Suez. The neighborhood seems indeed to be on the edge of the wilderness: for
what M. du Bois-Ayme says of Bir-Suez (which he identifies with Etham) is true
also of Adjeroud, that, in effect, it appears to be toward the extremity ofthe desert:
for hence the sea is seen to make a bend to the west, and by joining the high chain
of Mount Attaka to terminate the desert to the south. The journey to this point had
been for the most part over a desert, the surface of which is composed of hard giavel,
often strewed with pebbles.
They had now arrived near the head of the Red sea, and also, as we suppose, ai
the limit of the three days' journey into the wilderness for which they had applied.
It is therefore evident that their next move must decide their future course, and con
vey to the Egyptians a clear and decisive intimation of their intentions. If they
designed to do as they had all along declared to be their only wish, they would stay
at this place, and proceed to celebrate the feast to' Jehovah, of which so much had
been said : but, if they intended to escape altogether, they would resume their jour
ney, and, passing by the head of the Red sea, strike 'off into the desert. And here
God, who knew that the king of Egypt had so far recovered his consternation that
he was determined to pursue and drive them back, if they made any move indicating
an intention to escape, directed a move which must have been most unexpected to
all parties, and which could not to any indifferent spectator have seemed tne result
of the most gross and fatal infatuation.
About the head ofthe Gulf of Suez a desert plain extends for ten or twelve miles
to the west and north of the city of that name. On the west this plain is bounded
by the chain of Attaka, which comes down toward the sea in a northeasterly direc
tion. Opposite Suez this chain is seen at a considerable distance, but, as we advance
southward, the mountains rapidly approach the sea, and proportionately contract the
breadth of the valley ; and the chain terminates at the sea, and seems, in the distant
view, to shut up the valley at Ras-el-Attaka, or Cape Attaka, twelve miles below
Suez. But, on approaching this point, ample room is found to pass beyond ; and on
passing beyond we find ourselves m a broad alluvial plain, forming the mouth of the
valley of Bedea. This plain is on the other or southern side nearly shut up by the
termination of another chain of these mountains, which extend between the Nile
and the western shore of the Red sea. Any further progress in this direction would
be impossible to a large army, especially when encumbered with flocks and herds,
and with women, children, and baggage ; and this from the manner in which the
rocks, the promontories, and the cliffs advance on the western shore. And, besides,
any advance in this direction would be suicidal to a body desiring to escape from
Egypt, as they would have the Red sea between them and Arabia Proper, and could
only get involved among the plains and valleys which separate the mountain chains
of Egyptian Arabia.
The valley of Bedea, which opens to the Red sea in the broad plain to which we have
brought the reader, narrows as it proceeds westward toward the Nile. It forms a fine
roadway between the valley of the Nile and the Red sea, and, as such, has in all
ages been one of the most frequented routes in all the country, being traversed by
all parties and caravans which desire to proceed from the neighborhood of Cairo, or
places to the south of Cairo, to Suez, or to places lying beyond the head of the gulf.
Now, the Hebrew host being at Etham, and their next step thence being of the
utmost importance they were directed, not — as might obviously have been expected
—to pass round the head of the gulf into the Sinai peninsula, but to proceed south
ward, between the mountains of Attaka and the western shore of the gulf, and, aftei

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158 AN ILLUSTRATED
passing the Ras-cl-Attaka, to encamp m the plain into wliich the valley of Bedea
opens. The more thoroughly any one makes himself acquainted with the topogra
phy of this region, the more obvious and reasonable, we are persuaded, will seem to
him this explanation of the text — '• Turn and encamp before Pi-ha-hiroth [the mouth
of the ridge], between Migdol and the sea, over against Baal-zephon : before it ye
shall encamp by the sea." As the names Migdol and Baal-zephon are not now
recognisable anywhere about the head of the gulf,* no facts or inferences can be de
duced from them ; but an important confirmation is derived from the circumstance
that we are told that, in consequence of the move which was made, the Hebrew host
were shut uts between the sea and the mountains, without any means of escape,
unless through the sea, when the retreat in the rear was cut off.
Many have thought they found cause to wonder at this extraordinary movement,
which placed the Hebrews m a position of such inextricable difficulty, forgetting that
this was the very purpose of God, that the prospect of an extraordinary advantage
might tempt the Egyptians on to their own destruction, and bring them within the
reach of those agencies by which God intended to act against t them. The wonder
which the reader may feel is exactly the wonder which the' king of Egypt felt, and
by which he was led on to his ruin.
The movement was made ; and the thousands of Israel encamped in the plain of
Bedea. The days which had passed had given the Egyptians time to recover from some
portion of their panic ; and their first feeling of unmixed horror and alarm gave place
to considerable resentment and regret, on the king's part, that he had so suddenly
conceded all the points which had been contested between him and Moses, and had
allowed them all to depart ; and as for his subjects, such of them as had a profitable
interest in the labors of the Israelites would, to some extent, join in the king's feel
ings, as soon as their bondsmen took any course to intimate that they intended to
escape ; and the same intimation would not fail to alarm those who had " lent" to
the Hebrews their "jewels of silver and jewels of gold," and who by this time had
found leisure to think that they had too easily parted with their wealth. Thus it
seems that the course which the Israelites might take after their arrival at Etham
was regarded with much anxiety by the Egyptians, who took care to be informed of
all their movements.
When, therefore, the king heard not only that they had taken a decisive move
from Etham, but, through some astonishing infatuation, had so moved as to become
" entangled in the land," and " shut in by the wilderness," he hastened to avail him
self of the extraordinary advantage which they had placed in his hands. " He made
ready his chariot, and took his people with him." He mustered not less than six
hundred chariots, which are said to be "all the [war] chariots of Egypt." This is
in correspondence with the sculptures, which show that the Egyptians made great
use in war of such chariots as our engraving exhibits. A large body of infantryt was
also assembled, and the pursuit commenced. Their light, unencumbered mEi'ch was
no doubt much more quickly performed than that of the Israelites to the same place.
One of the citations in Eusebius from the lost history of Manetho, the Egyptian
priest, says : " The Heliopolitans relate thai the king with a great army, accompanied
by the sacred animals, pursued after the Jews, who had carried off with them the sub-
ttance of the Egyptians."\ This takes notice of two facts not mentioned by Moses,
sut not at all disagreeing with his statement, namely, that, for their protection against
the God of Israel, the Egyptians took with them their sacred animals, by which
means the Lord executed judgment upon the [bestial] gods of Egypt, as had been
foretold (Exod. xii. 12) ; and then that to recover the substance which the Hebrews
nad "borrowed" was one of the objects of the pursuit.
We do not agree with those who think that the king of Egypt came upon the
* Migdol was probably a tower, as the name imports, and may seem to have been on the mountains wliicl.
hem in the valley. Baalrzephon, meaning the Northern Baal or Lord, would seem to have been a town 01
temple situated somewhere in the plain of Medea, or over against it on the eastern shore of the sea.
t These must be intended by " his army," as distinguished from his " chariots and horsemen " Our engra
ving, (p. 161) composed from Egyptian sculptures and paintings, shows Egyptian soldiers with the equipments
and arms of different corps. 'Jhe man in the foreground with the round studded shield is, however, not an
Egyptian, but belongs to a nation, the soldiers of which are often seen fighting as auxiliaries along with
those of Egypt. A native Egyptian soldier, if he has any shield, has it round at the upper end and squaH
at tne lower. The charioteer in the background is known to be a king by his head dress.
t ' P:aep. Evang." lib x. cap. 27.

w
a
***
(n
fcno
OSr~<
CO

Ancient Egyptian War Chanot.

160 AN ILLUSTRATED
encamped Hebrews through the valley of Bedea, in the plain al the mouth of which
they were encamped. As he was so glad to find how they had " entangled them
selves in the land," he was not likely to take a course which would deprive him of
all the advantages derivable from their apparent oversight. This he would do by
coming upon them through the valley of Bedea; for this would have left open tc
them the alternative of escaping from their position by the way they entered:
whereas, by coming the same way they had come, he shut up that door of escape,
and, if they fled before him, left them no other visible resource but to march up the
valley of Bedea, back to Egypt, before the Egyptian troops. That this was really
the advantage to himself which the king saw in their position, and that it was his
object to drive them before him back to Egypt through this valley, or to destroy them
if they offered to resist, we have not the least doubt ; and it is unlikely that he would
lake any road but that which would enable -him tp secure these benefits.
The Egyptians, being satisfied that they had secured their prey, and that it wa«
impossible for their fugitive bondsmen to escape but by returning to Egypt, were in
no haste to assail them. They were also, themselves, probably wearied by their
rapid march. They therefore encamped for the night — for it was toward evening
when they arrived — intending, probably, to give effect to their intentions in the
morning. As for the Israelites, the sight of their old oppressors struck them with terror.
There was no faith or spirit in them. They knew not how to value their newly-
found liberty. They deplored the rash adventure in which they had engaged ; and
their servile minds looked back with regret and envy upon the enslaved condition
which they had so lately deplored. Moses knew them well enough not to be sur
prised that they assailed him as the author of all the calamities to which they were
now exposed. " Is it because there were no graves in Egypt," said they* " that thou
hast taken us away to die in the wilderness ? Is not this the word that we did te!!
thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians ? For it had
oeen better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness." This is one
specimen of a mode of feeling and character among this spiritless and perverse
people of which Moses had seen something already, and of which he had soon occa
sion to see much more. One might be disposed to judge of their feelings the more
leniently, attributing them to the essential operation of personal slavery in enslaving
the mind, by debasing its higher tones of feeling and character, did we not know that
the same characteristics of mind and temper constantly broke out among this remark
able people very long after the generation which knew the slavery of Egypt had
passed away.
Moses did not deign to remonstrate with them or to vindicate himself. It seems
that the Divine intention had been previously intimated to him; for he answered,
with that usual emphasis of expression which makes it a pleasure to transcribe his
words : " Fear ye not : stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will
show to you this day : for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to-day ye shall see no
more again for ever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace."
They were pacified by this for the present ; but there is good reason to suspect, that
if measures of relief had long been delayed, they would have given up Moses and
Aaron to the Egyptians, and have placed themselves at their disposal. But measures
3f relief were not long delayed. When the night was fully come, the Lord directed
Moses to order the people to march forward to the sea ; on their arriving at which,
the prophet lifted up his rod upon the waters, over which instantly blew a powerful
east wind, by which they were divided from shore to shore, so that the firm bottom
of hard sand appeared; offering a dry road in the midst of the sea, by which they
might pas= to the eastern shore. At that instant, also, the pillar of fire which had
gone before the Hebrews to guide them on their way 'was removed to their rear, and,
being thus between them and the Egyptians, it gave light to thp former in their
passage, while it concealed their proceedings and persons from the latter.*
It thus happened that some time passed before the Egyptians discovered thit the
Israelites were in motion. When they made this discovery, the king determined to
* According to a well-known optical effect, by which we can see by night all that stands between us and
he light, but nothing that lies beyond the light. No doubt the pillar gave good light to the Egyptians them
selves, but did not enable them to see the Israelites. In like manner the Israelites, doubtless, could inn
see the Egyptians. A little attention to a matter so perfectly obvious would have spared us some specula
tions, such as tbat which gives the pillar a cloudv side and a flaming side. 4c.

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n

162 AN ILLUSTRATED
follow. It is by no means clear that they knew or thougnt that they werp following
them into the bed of the sea. Considering the darkness of the night, except from
the light of the pillar, with the confusion of ideas and indistinct perceptions of a
peophf who had not been on the spot long enough to make particular observations,
and most of them probably roused from sleep to join in the pursuit, it seems likely
that they felt uncertain about the direction, and supposed that they were followino
some accustomed route by which the Israelites were either endeavoring to escape or
to return to Egypt. They may even have thought they were going up the valley of
Bedea, although that actually lay in an opposite direction. Anything, howevel
improbable, seems more likely to have occurred to them than that they were passing
through the divided sea.
By the time the day broke and the Egyptians became aware of their condition, all
the Hebrews had safely reached 'he other side and all or nearly all the Egyptians
were in the bed of the gulf; the van approaching the eastern shore, and the rear
having left the western. The moment of vengeance was come. They found them
selves in the midst of the sea, with the waters on their right hand and on their left,
and only restrained f.om overwhelming them by some power they knew not, but
which they must have suspected to have been that of the God of the Hebrews.
The marine road, ploughed by the multitudes which went before them, became
distressing to them; their chariot-wheels dragged heavily along, and very many of
them came off from the cars which they supported. The Lord also began to trouble
them with a furious warfare of the elements. The Psalmist more than once alludes
to this. He exclaims: " The waters saw thee, 0 God,, the waters saw thee, and
were afraid :" and then speaks as if every element had spent its fury upon the
devoted heads of the Egyptians. The earth shook; the thunders rolled; and most
appalling lightnings — the arrows of God— shot along the firmament ; while the clouds
poured down heavy rains, "hailstones, and coals of fire."* It deserves to be men
tioned that this strife is also recorded by the Egyptian chronologer, who reports, " ft
is said that fire flashed against them in front."
By this time the pursuers were thorougly alarmed. " Let us flee," said they,
from the face of Israel, for Jehovah fighteth for them against the Egyptians." But a'
that instant the Lord gave the word, Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea,
and the restrained waters returned and ingulfed them all.
This stupendous event made a profound impression upon the Hebrew mind at
large. From that day to the end of the Hebrew polity, it supplied a subject to which
the sacred poets and prophets make constant allusions in language the most sublime
Its effect upon the generation more immediately concerned was very strong, and
although they were but too prone to forget it, was more abiding and operative than
any which had yet been made upon them. When they witnessed all these things,
and soon after saw the carcases of those who had so lately been the objects of such
intense dread to them, ij'ng by thousands on the beach, " they feared the Lord, and
believed the Lord and his servant Moses."
In the sublime song which Moses composed and sang with the sons of Israel in
commemoration of this great event — their marvellous deliverance and the overthrow
of their enemies — he, with his usual wisdom, looks forward to important ulterior
effects, to secure to the Hebrews the benefit of which may not improbably have
formed one of the principal reasons for this remarkable exhibition of the power of
Jehovah, and his determination to- protect the chosen race. These anticipations,
which were abundantly fulfilled, are contained in the following verses :
" The nations shall hear this and tremble ;
. Anguish shall seize the inhabitants of Palestine.
Then shall the princes of Edom be amazed :
And dismay shall possess the mighty ones of Moab.
All the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away ;
Fear and terror shall fall upon them :
Through the greatness of thine arm
They shall become stil as a stone,
Until thy people pass over Uordan], O Jehovah,
Until thy people pass over whom thou hast redeemed."
On this occasion tlie first instance is offered of a custom, learned most probably it
Egypf, and ever retained by the Hebrew women, of celebrating with dances and
* Psalm xviii. 13-15; lxxvii. 16. 17

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164 AN ILLUSTRATED
timbrels every remarkable event of joy or triumph. They were now led by Miriam
the sister of Moses and Aaron ; and they seem to have taken part as a chorus in the
song of the men, by answering : —
"Let us sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously,
The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea "
As the timbrels of the women were doubtless Egyptian, and the dresses of those
of superior rank were probably Egyptian also, we have considered that a similar
dance of females, from Egyptian sources, would form a satisfactory illustration.
It will appear, from the opinion we have been induced to entertain respecting the
place in which the Israelites encamped, and from which they departed, on the west
ern shore of the gulf, that we concur with those who regard Ain Mousa* as the place,
on the eastern shore, where they came up from the bed of the sea, and where they
witnessed the overthrow of their oppressors. That the site is thus distinguished in
the local traditions of the inhabitants of Sinai, the name alone suffices to indicate;
and, although undue weight should not be attached to such traditions, it would be
wrong entirely to disregard them when they support or illustrate conclusions other
wise probable. We shall, however, content ourselves with adding, descriptively, that
a number of green shrubs, springing from numerous hillocks, mark the landward ap
proach to this place. Here are also a number of neglected palm-trees grown thick
and bushy for want of pruning. The springs which here rise out of the ground in
various places, and give name to the spot, are soon lost in the sands. The water is
of a brackish quality, in consequence, probably, of the springs being so near the sea;
but it is, nevertheless, cool and refreshing, and in these waterless deserts affords a
desirable resting-place. The view from this place^ looking westward, is very beau
tiful, and most interesting from its association with the wonderful events which it
has been our duty to relate. The mountain chains of Attaka, each running into a
long promontory, stretch along the shore of Africa ; and nearly opposite our station
we view the opening — the Pi-ha-hiroth— the " mouth of the ridge," formed by the
valley in the mouth of which the Hebrews were encamped before they crossed the
sea. On the side where we stand, the access to the shore from the bed of the gulf
would have been easy. And it deserves to be mentioned, that not only do the springs
near the name of Moses, but the projecting head-land below them, toward the sea,
Dears the name of Ras Mousa. Thus do the Cape of Moses and the Cape of Deliv
erance look toward each other from the opposite shores of the Arabian gulf, and unite
their abiding and unshaken testimony to the judgments and wonders of that day in
which the right hand of Jehovah was so abundantly " glorified in mightn't
* The Fountains of Moses.
t As Egypt has been the grand scene of the very important transactions related in this chapter, it -nay
not be improper to close it with a few observations on its learning, language, religion, idolatry, &c. Egypt
(that binds or troubles), an ancient country of Africa, peopled by Mizraim, a son of .Ham, the son of Noah,
from whom it received its name : and the Arabs still call it Mesr. Egypt is about six hundred miles long,
and from one hundred to three hundred broad : it lies at the northeast corner of Africa, bounded on the
north by the Mediterranean sea, on the east by the isthmus of Suez and the Red sea, which divide it from
Asia, on the south by Abyssinia, and on the west by Libya. Egypt was divided into two districts, Upper
Egypt, or Thebias, and Lower Egypt, or the Delta. The river Nile, running through the whole length of
the land, from north to south, abounds with fish, crocodiles, and hippopotami ; and, by its annual overflow
ing, the country became one ofthe most fruitful in the world, so that its majestic waters formed the glory
ofthe king of Egypt, Ezek. xxix. 3-5. Egypt was, at an early period, famous above every other country,
for its progress in the arts and sciences, Acts vii. 22 : 1 Kings iv. 29, 30, attracting thither the most cele
brated philosophers and historians of Greece, to complete their studes. Pythagoras, Herodotus, Plato, and
many others, sought instruction in Egypt, among its celebrated sages ; yet idolatry was carried to such a
height, by the wisest instructors of that country, that the Egyptians made gods for "their religious worship,
not only ofthe sun and moon, but of their various beasts, oxen, sheep, goats, and cats, and even of leeks,
onions, and diseases, and of monsters having no existence, except in their own disordered imaginations
Divine prophecy has been strikingly illustrated in the history of Egypt, Ezek. xxix. 8-15, xxx. 10-13. Neb
uchadnezzar conquered it, as foretold by the prophet ; then it became subject to Persia ; and in succession
to the Greeks, Romans, Saracens, Mamaluke-slaves, and Turks. Napoleon Bonaparte conquered it in 1798,
in the hope of acquiring India ; but the French were expelled by the British, who delivered it up to the
Turks, ' * * * * It has, therefore, had no prince of its own ; and it
has been " the basest of kingdoms :" the decrees of Heaven have been accomplished, and they will yet be
lulfilled, in the triumphs of Christianity, Isa. xi. 9-16. Egypt still abounds with vast monuments of its
former grandeur : the ruins of it ancient cities and temples attest its magnificence, riches, and populous-
ness. The tombs of its kings, the stupendous pyramids alone, evince these things : the largest of tliree of
them, situated a few leagues from Cairo, the site of the celebrated Memphis, according to the recent meas-
in ement of a French engineer, forms a square, each side of whose base is seven hundred and forty-sil
feet, covering more than thirteen acres of land : the perpendicular height of it is five hundred and forty-sij
feet ; and it contains 6,000,000 of tons of stone, sufficient to build a wall ten feet high, and one foot thici,
eighteen hundred miles in length ! These prodigious monuments of the ancient glory of Egypt, at one*
confirm and illustrate the truth and divinity of the Holy Scriptures.

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16(5 AN ILLUSTRATED
CHAPTER IX.
ISRAELITES IN THE WILDERNESS — SINAI — TABERNACLE — SACRIFICES.
The Israelites, having acknowledged their thankfulness to God for his beneficent
protection in delivering them out of Egyptian bondage, Moses conducted them from
the Red sea into the desert of Shur or Etham. Here they travelled three days with
out finding any water, which, to so great a number of people, and in so hot a country,
must have been very afflicting. At length, they came to a place called Marah, where
they found some water; but, on tasting it, they could not drink it, on account of its
being so exceeding bitter. This disappointment inflamed their thirst, and increased
their dissatisfaction, insomuch that they began to murmur against Moses, asking him
what they should drink ? Moses was sensible of the calamity under which they la
bored ; and, fearful lest they should, by their future murmurings, provoke the Al
mighty to punish them, he addressed himself to God in their behalf, who no sooner
heard the complaint, than he was pleased to remove it. He ordered Moses to make
use of the wood of a certain tree, which, as soon as it was thrown mto the water,
changed its offensive quality and became sweet.
From Marah the Israelites proceeded to Elim, where they found not only plenty of
water, but also great numbers of palm or date trees,* the fruit of which being ripe
supplied them with food. Here it may be supposed they made some stay ; for when
they left the place it was the fifteenth day of the second month, which was just a
month from the day of their departure from Egypt.
On their removal from Elim they proceeded to the wildemesst of Sm, situated be
tween Elim and Mount Sinai. Here again they fell mto a general murmur agamsl
Moses and Aaron, on account of the barrenness ol the place, and the scarcity of pro
visions. " Would to God," cried they, " we had died by the hand of the Lord'in the
land of Egypt, where we had plenty of bread and meat ; for now ye have brought us
into this desert, where we must perish with famine."
The Almighty, to convince these murmuring people of his divine power and pro-
lection, was pleased to inform them by the mouth of Moses, that he would take care
to supply them with food liom heaven, and it was not long before his beneficent prom
ise was fulfilled. On that very evening he caused such a number of quails to fall
among them, as almost covered their camp, by which they were plentifully supplied
with the article of flesh. The next morning, as soon as the dew was gone, they
found the surface of the earth covered with little white round things, resembling, in
shape, the coriander seed. The Israelites, astonished at so singular a circumstance,
said one to another, " What is this ?" Upon which Moses answered, " It is the
bread which the Lord hath given you to eat." And thence they gave il the name of
ManTf a.
As this was the bread designed by the Almighty for the Israelites during their stay
in the wilderness, and as they were strangers to its qualities, he was pleased to give
them the following directions in what manner they were to manage ii for the intended
purposes. That it was to be gathered by measure, an omer for every head, according to the
number of each family ; but this direction some persons slighting, and gathering above
the portion allowed, found their quantity miraculously lessened, while the more mod
erate had theirs increased.
That it was to be gathered fresh every morning, all of which should be consumed
the same day. This precept was likewise not observed by some, who, keeping a pari
till the next morning, found, upon examination, that it stunk, and was so putrefied as
to be totally useless.
* Palm-tree (see Engraving); a tall, fruit-bearing, shadowy tree, whose fruit is the date: it arrives at
perfection in about thirty years, and thus continues about seventy years, bearing fifteen or twenty clusters
of dates, each cluster weighing from fifteen to twenty pounds. Exod. xv. 27. The palm-tree is held in great
estimation by the inhabitants of Arabia, Egypt, and Persia, on account of its adaptation to various valuable
purposes. The Arabs celebrate its three hundred and sixty uses to which the different parts may be applied :
they used the leaves for making ropes, sacks, mats, hats, sandals, and other things ; and many people sub
sist almost entirely on its fruit. Palm-branches wt re carried as tokens of victory or joy (Lev. xxiii. 40.
John xii. 13) ; and the beauty of this tree is made an emblem of the active virtues of a Christian. Ps. xcii. IS.
t WixnEKNEss, a desert, or uncultivated tract of land. Exod. xiv. 3, 1 Kings xix. 15, Acts xxi. 38. Tne
northwestern part of Arabia was almost wholly uncultivated ; and hence Moses calls it " a terrible and a
waste-howling wilderness." Deut. i. 19, xxxii. 10. Paran, Sin, and Sinai, were deserts in that dangerous
country. Several wildernesses or small deserts existed in Canaan ; as "the wilderness of Judea," famnu?
for tho ministry of John the Baptist. Matt m 1.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

107

Palm-Tree in the Sinai Mountains.

168 AN ILLUSTRATED
That, on the seventh day (which was the Sabbath) there could not be any found ;
and therefore, on the sixth, they should gather a double portion, which being laid up
against the ensuing day, should be perfectly sweet and wholesome.
Such were the directions given by God to the Israelites for the use of this miracu
lous bread, on which they were chiefly supported for forty years. And in order to
perpetuate the remembrance of it, and that their posterity m'ght see on what God
had fed them while in the wilderness, he appointed an omer of it to be put into a
pot, and to be carefully preserved for that purpose.
Thus did the Almighty supply the wants of the discontented Israelites in the most
ample manner; and farther to convince them of his peculiar favor and regard, directed
t'leir marches from place to place, and appointed their respective encampments.
Leaving the desert of Sin, and proceeding on their journey, they came to a place
called Rephidim, where they struck their tents and encamped. Here they were again
distressed for water, upon which they fell into their old way otdistrusting God's
providence, and murmuring against Moses ; but on this occasion they were much more
mutinous and desperate than ever. It was in vain for Moses to endeavor to persuade
them to be patient, and wait the will of God : this only inflamed them the more, and
at length their rage arose to such a height, that they threatened to stone him.
Moses, not knowing what to do in order to appease the rage of the people, addressed
himself to God, who was pleased to dissipate his fear, by promising to signalize that
place by a miraculous supply of water, as he had lately done another by a miraculous
supply of food. " Go," said he, " on before the people, and take with thee of the el
ders of Israel : and thy rod wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand and
go. Behold I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb ; and thou shall
smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, and the people shall drink."
Moses did as he was commanded, and no sooner had he smitten the rock with his
rod, than water in abundance gushed out from several places at the same time, wliich
joining in one common stream ran down to the camp at Rephidim, by which the peo
ple were immediately supplied, and their thirst being quenched, their rage against
Moses instantly ceased.1* This station, however, on account of the infamous mutiny
of the people, and their distrust of God, Moses (as a caution and remembrance to
them in future) called Massah and Meribah, which in the Hebrew language, signifies
temptation and contention.
A short time after this singular circumstance happened, and while the Israelites
were yet encamped at Rephidim, they were one day suddenly alarmed at the approach
of an army of the Amalekites. Moses reflecting a little on this unexpected circum
stance, ordered Joshuaf (a valiant young man who was always about him) to draw
out a party of the choicest men in the camp, and early the next morning, to give the
enemy battle.
Joshua obeyed the command of Moses, who the next morning, accompanied by
Aaron and Hur, went to the top of an eminence, whence they might have a
view of the engagement. Moses took with him his rod, and while he held it up
during the battle, the Israelites prevailed ; but when, through weariness, his hand
began to drop, the Amalekites had the better. Aaron and Hur, observing this, took
a stone, on which they sat Moses, and, placing themselves on each side, supported
his hands, in one of which was the rod, and the other uplifted to God. This they
continued to do till the going down of the sun, in which time the Amalekites were
routed, and every man put to the sword.
* Pretended Rock of Moses.— We are indebted to Professor Robinson's invaluable work (" Biblical
Researches in Palestine") for the following interesting extract : " We came to the rock which they say
Moses smote, and the water gushed out. As to this rock, one is at a loss whether most to admire the
credulity of the monks or the legendary and discrepant reports' ol travellers. It is hardly necessary to
remark, that 'here is not the slightest ground for assuming any connexion uetween this narrow valley and
Rephidim ; but on the contrary, there is everything against it. The rock itself is a large isolated cube of
coarse red granite, which has fallen from the eastern mountain. Down its front, in an oblique hne from
top to bottom, runs a seam of a finer texture, from twelve to fifteen inches broad, having in it several ir
regular horizontal crevices, somewhat resembling the human mouth, one above another. These are said
to be twelve in number j but I could make out only ten. The seam extends quite through the rock, and is
visible on the opposite or back side ; where also are similar crevices, though not so large. The holes did
pot appear to us to be artificial, as is usually reported, although we examined them particularly. The7 be
long rather to the nature ofthe seam; yet it is possible that some of them may have been enlarged by ar
tificial means. The rock is a singular one ; and doubtless was selected, on account of this verv singularity
as the scene of the miracle." ' "
1 This is the first m( nt'on made of Joshua, who makes so distinguished a figure in the subsequent part
of the sacred history ; in which he is frequently styled the servant of Moses

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

160

170 AN ILLUSTRATED
This distinguished success, in their first martial enterprise, gave great encourage
ment to the Israelites ; and that so remarkable an action might be transmitted tc
posterity, God commanded Moses to record it in a book, that Joshua, the general
might thereby be animated to future services ; " for," said he, " I will utterly put
out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven."* As a memorial of this vic
tory, Moses erected an altar on the spot, and offer<", sacrifice to the Lord. The name
he gave it was Jehovah-M'ssi, which signifies " the Lord is my banner."
Soon after the defeat of the Amalekites, Moses left Rephidim, and proceeded with
all his people toward Mount Sinai, \ where God at first appeared to him in the burning
bush, and not far whence dwelt Jethro, his father-in-law.
Jethro having heard of all that God had done for Moses and his people, and under
standing they were now near him, he took his daughter Zipporah (Moses's wife)
with their two sons, Gershom and Eliezar, and went to the Israelites' camp, where,
after mutual salutations and embraces, Moses entertained his father-in-law with a
particular account of everything that had happened to him during his absence. In
return, Jethri offered up solemn praises to God, and joined with Moses and the res'
of the elders of Israel in sacrifices, and such other rejoicings as were thought propel
on the occasion.
During Jethro's stay m the camp, he took notice of the great weight of business
under which Moses labored, in hearing the complaints, and determining the differ
ences, of so great a body of people ; and therefore, being a wise and experienced man
himself, he advised bis son-in-law to appoint certain subordinate officers, properly
qualified, men of sincerity and abilities, such as feared God and hated covetousness,
fo be rulers ; some over thousands, some over hundreds, some over fifties, and some
over tens, who should hear and determine all trifling disputes among the people, and
refer the greater and more weighty causes only to him ; assuring him that if, with
God's approbation, he followed this advice, it would prove advantageous both to him
and the people.
Moses, highly approving of this salutary advice from his father-in-law, immediately
put it in practice, soon after which Jethro took his leave, and returned to his own
habitation. It was three months after the departure of the Israelites from Egypt, when they
encamped in the wilderness of Sinai, near the mount of God. They nad not been
long here before the Almightv summoned Moses to come up to him on the mount.
Moses readily obeying the Divine command, the Almighty charged him to remind
the Israelites of the many wonders he had wrought in their favor, and to assure
them that (notwithstanding their frequent murmurings and distrust of his providence)
if, for the future, they would become obedient to his laws, he would still look upon
them as his peculiar people, a favorite nation, and a royal priesthood.
Moses having communicated this gracious message from the Almighty to the
elders, and they to the people, they unanimously answered, that whatsoever the
Lord had commanded, or should afterward command, they would strictly and
obediently perform. ,
With this answer Moses ascended the mount, and after making' it known to the
Almighty, he commanded him to direct the people to cleanse and purify themselves
two days, for that on the third he should come down upon the mountain and make a
covenant with them. He likewise gave him a strict charge to set boundaries about
the foot of the mount, which none should attempt to pass under the severest penalties.
These orders were strictly obeyed, and every preparation made conformable to the
Divine injunctions. On the third day, early in the morning, the people saw the
* Amalek, or Amalekites, a very ancient people, supposed to have descended from Ham, Gen. xiv. "i
Num. xxiv. 20; but especially the posterity of Esau's grandson: they were powerful in Arabia, and cherish
ing the hatred of Esau against Jacob, they endeavored to cut off Israel in the desert, but they were defeated
oy Joshua, Exod. xvii. 8-16. For this wickedness God doomed them to be extirpated. Num. xxiv. 50 : 1
Sam. xv. 1-33 ; xxx. 1-18.
I Mount Sinai. There are several peaks, each of which has been claimed by different travellers as the
memorable mount on which the Ten Commandments were delivered to Moses from God. Prof. Robinson,
assigns very satisfactory reasons for the conclusion, that the modern Horeb of the monks, viz., the N. W.
and lower face of the Jebel Mousa, crowned with a range of magnificent cliffs, the highest point called
Sufsafeh, overlooking the plain er llahah, is the scene of the giving of the Law, and that peak the moun
tain into which Moses ascended. Here is found such a conjunction of mountain and plain, as meets the
requirements of the Sinaitic narrative. The plain here referred to, according to Robinson, was two miles in
length, and nearly two-thirds of a mile broad. *'I know not," he remarks, "when I have felt a thrill ol
strouger emotion than when in first crossing the plain, the dark precipices ol Horeb rising in solitary gran
deur before us, I became aware of the entire adaptedness of the scene to the purposes for which it was
choseD by the great Hebrew legislator." Vide Smith's Bible Dictionary. — Ed.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 171
mountain surrounded with a thick cloud, out of which proceeded such dreadful peals
of thunder and flashes of lightning, as filled them with horror and amazement.
The first sounding of the trumpet was the signal for the people to approach the
mountain; upon which, as soon as it began, Moses brought them out of the camp,
and conducted them as near to the mount as the barrier would permit. Here they
beheld an alarming sight indeed : the whole surface of the mount was covered with
tire and smoke, while the foundation of it seemed to tremble and shake under them.
(n the midst of this dreadful scene the trumpet was heard to sound louder and louder,
and the claps of thunder and flashes of fire were more frequent and violent. A'
l»ngth, on a sudden, the most solemn silence took place; and, after a short pause,
me Almighty was heard (from the midst of the fire and smoke which yet continued;
to pronounce the Law of the Decalogue, or Ten Commandments ;* which is, indeed,
a complete system of the moral part of the Jewish institutes, and, in few but very
significant words, comprehends the duty of mankind to God, themselves, and their
neighbor. When the Divine voice ceased, the people, astonished at what they saw and
beard, removed farther from the camp : and, in the height of their fear and surprise,
addressed themselves to Moses, beseeching him that, for the future, he would speak
to them in God's stead, and whatever he enjoined they would obey, because, were
they again to hear the dreadful voice of Gcd, they should certainly die with horror
and astonishment.
Moses was far from being displeased at this request, as it evinced the reverence
and respect they entertained, first, to the Divine Being, and next to himself. To
ease their minds from the great terror they had felt, he assured them that aU this
wonderful scene was not exhibited to them with a design to create in them any
slavish fear, but a filial confidence and submission to such laws as the Divine wisdom
should hereafter think fit to enjoin.
Having said this to the people, Moses again ascended the mountain, where (in
addition to the Decalogue) he received from God several other laws, both ceremonial
and political; the whole of which were calculated with a wise design to preserve
the people in their obedience to God ; to prevent their intermixture with other
nations, and to advance the welfare of their commonwealth, by securing to all the
members of it a quiet enjoyment of their lives and properties.!
When Moses had received these additional laws, he returned from the mount, and
immediately erected an altar to God, on which he offered up burnt and peace offer
ings. Having written down the last laws delivered to him by God, he caused them
to be read to all the people, and exacted a solemn promise from them that they
would keep them faithfully. He then confirmed the covenant, by sprinkling the
altar, the book, and the people, with the blood' of the victims slaughtered on the
occasion; and, to perpetuate the remembrance of this alliance between God and his
people, he ordered twelve pillars to be raised near the altar, according to the number
of the twelve tribes.
Having delivered these laws to the people, and offered sacrifices to God, Moses
took Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, some part of the way toward
* The Ten Commandments. — Though the ten commandments were given to the Jews particularly, yet
the things contained in them are such as all mankind from the beginning were bound to observe ; and
therefore under the Mosaic dispensation they, and the tables on which they were engraven, and the ark in
which they were put, were distinguished from the rest of God's ordinances by a peculiar regard, as con
taining the covenant of the Lord. And though the Mosaic dispensation be now at an end, yet concerning
these moral precepts of it, our Saviour declares, that " one jot or tittle shall in nowise pass from the law
till all be fulfilled." To comprehend the full extent of these commandments it will be requisite to observe
the following rules. Where any sin is forbidden in them, the opposite duty is implicitly enjoined : and
where any duty is enjoined, the opposite sin is implicitly forbidden. Where the highest degree of any evil
is prohibited, whatever is faulty in the same kind, though in a lower degree, is by consequence prohibited.
And where one instance of virtuous behavior is commanded, every other, that hath the same nature, and
the same reason for it, is understood to be commanded too. What we are expected to abstain from, we
are expected to avoid, as far we can, all temptations to it, and occasions of it ,- and what we are expected
to practise, we are expected to use all fit means that may better enable us to practise it. All that we are
bound to do ourselves, we are bound on fitting occasions to exhort and assist others to do when it belongs
to. them ; and all that we are bound not to do, we are to tempt nobody else to do, but keep them back from
it as much as we have opportunity. The ten commandments, excepting two that required enlargement,
are delivered in a few words : which brief manner of speaking hath great majesty in it. But -explaining
'hem according to these rules,— which are natural and rational in themselves, favored by ancient Jewish
writers, authorized by our blessed Saviour,— we shall find that there is no part of the moral law but may
e fitly ranked under them.
t These laws the reader will find in the Book of Exodus beginning at the twenty-first chapter, and ending
at the twenty-third, both inclusive

172 AN ILLUSTRATED
the mountain, where, without incurrmg the least hurt, they- were vouchsafed a pro*
pect of the divine presence. Here Moses, having committed the care of the people
to these elders, left them, and taking only Joshua with him, proceeded toward the
mount, on arriving at which he left Joshua, and ascended it alone.
No sooner had Moses reached the summit of the mount, than the whole was cov
ered with a thick cloud, and the glory of the Lord appeared upon it, like a devouring
fire, in the sight of the children of Israel. On the seventh day God called to Moses,
upon which he entered the midst of the cloud, and there continued for the space of
forty days and forty nights.
During this long stay of Moses in the mount, he received instructions from God in
what manner the tabernacle should be made, wherein he intended to be worshipped.
He described to him the form ofthe sanctuary, the table of the show-bread, the altar
of frankincense, the altar of burnt-offerings, the court of the tabernacle, the basin to
wash in, the ark, the candlestick, and all the other sacred utensils. He gave him
the form of the sacerdotal vestments, and taught him how the priests were to be
consecrated; what part of the oblation they were to take, and in what manner the
perpetual sacrifice was to be offered. He appointed the two chief men who were to
be the builders of the tabernacle, namely, Bezaleel, of the tribe of Judah, and Aho-
liab, ofthe tribe of Dan. Having done this, and recommended a strict observation
of the sabbath, the Almighty gave Moses the two tables of stone, on which were
written, with his own hand (at least by his own direction), the ten great Command
ments, which were 'the sum and substance of their moral law.
The long absence of Moses during his stay in the mount occasioned great mur-
murisgs among the people in the camp, who, giving their ruler over for lost, assem
bled themselves in a riotous manner about Aaron's tent, demanding him to make
some gods to go before them. Astonishing as this demand was, yet such was the
weakness of Aaron, and such his want of courage, that, instead of expostulating the
matter with them, he not only tamely submitted to their request, but even contributed
to their idolatry. He ordered them to take the golden ear-rings from their wives
and children and bring them to him : having done this, he converted them into the
figure of a molten calf,* with which the people were so well pleased that they
unanimously exclaimed, " This is thy God, O Israel, that brought thee out of the
land of Egypt."
When Aaron saw with what satisfaction the people received their golden god (as
if possessed with the same idolatrous spirit), he built an altar before it, and proclaimed
a solemn feast to be held the succeeding day. But it proved rather a feast of revel
ling and luxury, than one arising from religious motives ; for after they had made
their oblations and peace-offerings, they sat down to eat and drink, and spent the
whole day in feasting, dancing, and other imprudent amusements.
While the wanton Israelites were thus idolatrously revelling in the camp, Moses
was in conversation with God on the mount, little suspecting so sudden a change in
a people, who had so lately and solemnly entered into a covenant of obedience to all
that God should command. But he from whom no secrets can be hid was instantly
apprized of this sudden revolt: "Go, get thee down," said he: "for thy people,
whom thou broughtest out of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. I know them to
be an obstinate people, therefore intercede not for them, but see me express my re
sentment in their destruction ; and to thee will I transfer the blessings I intended for
them, and of thee will I make a great nation."
But so far was Moses from seeking his own interest in the destruction of the people,
that he threw himself at the feet of the Lord, and interceded for their pardon with
so much importunity, that the Almighty was at length, in some measure, appeased,
and Moses had reason to imagine that he would not inflict on them the punishment
he had intended.
Happy in having obtained this pardon for the Israelites, Moses, taking with him
the two tables on which wei e written the laws, hastened from the mount, and at the
bottom of it found Joshua, who had been waiting his return. As they proceeded on
* it is he opinion of most commentators, that the reason why they worshipped the figure of a calf rathei
than any other creature was, from the corruptions they had learned among the Egyptians. These people
worshipped their idol Apis, or Serapis, in a living bull, as likewise an image made in the form and similitude
r»f a but. with a bushel on his head, in memory as some say, of Pharaoh's dreams, and Joseph's wise man
agement in measuring out the corn to the people during the seven years' famine

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 173
toward the camp, Joshua, hearing the noise of people shouting, observed to Moses
that there was the sound of war in the camp. But Moses, who knew the cause of
it, told him that the noise was not like that which was either common to victory, 01
those who cried for. quarters; but like the noise of those who rejoiced on some othei
occasion. As soon as they approached the camp Moses saw the golden calf, and the people
dancing before it ; at which he was so incensed, that, in the violence of his rage, he
threw ihe tables on which the law was written against a stone on the ground, and
they were broken to pieces. He then took the idol calf and melted it, after which,
grinding it into a powder, and mixing it with water (in order to make them more
sensible of their folly in worshipping that for a god which was to pass through their
bodies), he obliged them to drink it.*
Having inflicted this punishment on the people, Moses proceeded to chastise Aaron
for having suffered such idolatrous acts to be practised. But all the excuse he could
make was, that the people became so turbulent that, for his own safety, he was com
pelled to comply with their demand.
But Moses's business was to take vengeance on the idolaters; and, therefore,
leaving his bro:her Aaron, he went into the midst of the camp, and called such to his
assistance as had not been concerned hi the late rebellion: " Let those," said he,
"who are for the Lord, join themselves with me." In consequence of this, all the
sons of Levi (who were totally exempt from the general guilt) immediately repaired
to Moses, who ordered them to take their swords, go through the camp, and kill all
the ringleaders of this idolatrous defection, together with their adherents, without
paying any respect to age or quality, friendship or consanguinity. The Levites
strictly obeyed the orders of Moses, and the number slain on that day was about
three thousand men. For this laudable zeal and ready obedience Moses blessed the
family of Levi, assuring them that by thus, shedding the blood of their idolatrous
brethren, without favor or distinction, they had obtained the approbation of the Lord,
who would certainly not fail of rewarding them for it hereafter.!
This severe punishment inflicted on the idolatrous delinquents struck a terror
throughout the whole camp. The next day Moses, in a very solemn manner, re
proved them for their ingratitude and folly ; but at the same time promised them
ihat he would go again up to the mount, and try how far his prayers would prevail
with the divine mercy to avert the punishment which they had so justly deserved.
Moses, agreeably to his promise, returned to the mount, and acknowledged to the
Lord the great sin committed by his people. At the same time he besought forgive
ness for them with that earnestness and concern, that he prayed God to blot him out
of his book rather than not pardon them. But this was inconsistent with the divine
justice, and therefore God gave him this short answer : " Whosoever hath sinned
against me, him will I blot out of my book."
The divine wrath being in a great measure appeased at the intercession of Moses,
the Lord commanded him to lead the people to the place he had appointed ; but at
the same time let him know he was not willing to go with them, because, being a
stiff-necked people, they might provoke him to consume them on the way. To show,
* Destbuction of the Golden Calf. — As there is not the least question but that all which was known
to the Hebrews ofthe metallurgic arts at this early time, had been acquired in Egypt, the making of the
golden calf may be taken in evidence, amply confirmed by their existing monuments, of the very great skill
in those arts which the Egyptians had attained. But the destruction of the same image, in the manner de
scribed, is a still more striking evidence of this. The art of thus treating gold was a secret, probably but
known to Moses, in virtue of his perfect acquaintance with all the sciences which tne Egyptians cultivated.
Goguet, remarking on the subject, observes that those who work in metal know that this is an exceedingly
difficult operation. " Commentators have been much perplexed to explain how Moses burnt the golden
image, and reduced it to powder. Most of them offer only vain and improbable conjectures. But an able
chymist has removed every difficulty on the subject, and has suggested this simple process as that which
Moses employed. Instead of tartaric acid, which we employ for a similar purpose, the Hebrew legislator usee'
natron, which is very common in the East. (Stahll. Vitull. aureus, in Opusc. Chym., Phys., Medic , p.
585.) The Scripture in informing us that Moses made the Israelites drink this powder, shows that he was
perfectly acquainted with all the effect of his operation. He wished to aggravate the punishment of theii
disobedience ; and for this purpose no means could have been more suitable : for gold, rendered poUble by
the process of which I have spoken, is of a most detestable taste." (" Origine des Lois," epoq. ii. liv. ii.
chap 14.)
To this, from Goguet, it may be well to add that the operation of the acid, which acts upon gold is much
assisted by the metal being previously heated. In this we see the reason why Moses cast the golden image
into the fire In the first instance.
+ Tliis prediction was afterward fulfilled : for, on the institution of the priesthood, the Levites were
appointed to the honor and emoluments of that office, though in subordination .o that * Aaron and his
posterity

174 AN ILLUSTRATED
however,_ thai he had not quite forsaken them, he told Moses that he would send his
angel before tnem to drive out the inhabitants of the promised land, that he might
perform the oath which he had made to their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob. This was very afflicting news to the Israelites, who now plainly perceived thai
God's withdrawing his immediate presence from them was the consequence of theii
rebellion; upon which they very grievously mourned, and, to show their humilia
tion, laid aside the ornaments they were accustomed to wear.
But Moses, still to humble them the more, and to show them how highly they
had offended God by their wicked apostacy, took a tent, and pitching it at some dis
tance without the camp, called it " the tabernacle of the congregation," intimating
that the Lord was so highly offended with them for their idolatry that Le had re
moved from them, and would no longer dwell among them, as he had hitherto done
Sooa after Moses repaired to the tabernacle, which he had no sooner entered than il
was surrounded by the cloudy pillar, which had so much assisted the Israelites hi
heir departure from Egypt.
This additional token of the divine wrath made the people particularly attentive
to the motions of Moses; and therefore when he went out of the camp to the taber
nacle they rose up, and stood every man at his tent door, looking after him till he
had got in. And when they saw the cloudy pillar, which they knew was a token
of God's presence, they all fell down and worshipped.
While Moses was in the tabernacle he was visited by God, who permitted him,
in a very familiar manner, to converse with him ; which favor Moses improved tc
the advantage of the people, endeavoring, with the greatest importunity, to obtain a
reconciliation between them and their justly offended God.
A short time after this the Almighty commanded Moses to prepare two new tables
of stone, like the former which he had broken, and to come up alone with them in
the morning to Mount Sinai ; " and I," said he, " will write in those tables the word?
that were in the first."
Moses strictly obeyed this command, and, early in the morning, repaired to Mount
Sinai with the two tables, where, prostrating himself before the divine Majesty, he
with the greatest fervency besought him to pardon the sins of the people. The Al
mighty was pleased to listen to his request, at the same time promising that he
would make a covenant with his people on these conditions : That they should keep
his commandments; that they should not worship the gods of the Canaanites; thai
they should make no alliances with the people of that country ; that they should
have no strange gods ; and that they should strictly keep the sabbath,' the passover
and other festivals ordained by the la w.
For forty days and nights did Moses at this time contmue (as he had done before)
on Mount Sinai, without either eating or drinking, at the expiifation of which he re
turned to the people, bringing with him the two tables of the law. By the long
converse he had held with God, his face had contracted such a lustre that the people
were not able to approach him ; and therefore whenever he talked with them he
covered his face with a veil, but took it off when he went into the tabernacle to
receive the divine commands.'
Agreeably to the instructions Moses had received from God during his last stay on
the mount, he called the people together, and informed them that it was the Lord's
will to have a tabernacle built for the performance of religious worship ; and that he
had commanded him to speak to them to bring in their offerings, which were to con
sist of such articles as were necessary for accomplishing the work.* These offerings
were not to be exacted, but the people were to present them voluntarily ; and so
desirous were they of making some atonement for their past sins, that they soon
brought in more than was requisite, so that Moses was obliged to cause proclamation
to be made to restrain their liberality.
Having thus obtained a sufficient collection of all kinds of materials, Moses placed
them in the hands of Bezaleel and Aholiab, the two great artists in building, whom
God had before made choice of; and so expeditious were they in executing the work
* Tho diiections given at this time were the same with those which Moses received on his first going uj
to the mount ; but, by reason of the people's transgression in idolizing the calf, they were nut then delivered
to them

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

175

176 AN ILLUSTRATED
that, in less tnan six months, the tabernacle, with all its rich furniture, was entirely
completed ; and of which the following is an accurate description :
The tabernacle was formed somewhat like a tent, though much larger, and the
whole was covered with curtains and skins. It was divided into two parts — the one
covered, and properly called the tabernacle ; and the other open, called the court.
The covered part was again divided into two other parts, one of which was called
the " holy of holies," and the curtains belonging to it were made of embroidered
linen of several colors. There were ten curtains, twenty-eight cubits long and four
broad : five curtains together made the two coverings, and the other five, being
joined to these, covered the whole tabernacle. Above the rest were two other cover
ings, the one of goat's hair, the other of sheep-skins. These veils or coverings were
laid on a square frame of planks resting on basesA There were forty-eight large
planks,' each a cubit and a half wide and ten cubits high, twenty of them on each
side, and six at one. end to the westward, and one on each corner: each plank was
borne on two silver bases ; they were let into one another, and held by bars running
the length of the planks. The east end was open, and only covered with a curtain.
The holy of holies was parted from the rest of the tabernacle by a curtain made fast
to four pillars, standing ten cubits from the end. The whole length ofthe tabernacle
was thirty-two cubits ; the upper curtain which hung on the north and south sides
was eight cubits in length, and that on the east and west four cubits.
The court was a spot of ground a hundred cubits long and fifty in breadth, enclosed
by twenty columns, each of them twenty cubits high and ten in breadth, covered
with silver, and standing on copper bases five cubits distant from each other, between
which there were curtains drawn and fastened with hooks. At the east end was an
entrance twenty cubits wide, covered with a curtain hanging loose.
The ark was in the sanctuary ; it was a square chest made of shittim-wood, two
cubits and a half long, and one cubit and a half wide and deep. It was covered with
gold plates, and had a gold cornice which bore the lid. On the sides of it were rings,
to put poles through to carry it. The covering was all of gold, and called the pro
pitiatory or mercy-seat. There were two cherubims on it, which covered it with
their wings ; the tables of the law were in the ark, which was therefore called the
ark of the testimony, or of the covenant.
The table was made of cedar covered with gold, two cubits long, one in breadth,
and one and a half in height. About the edge of it was an ornament ; it stood on
four feet, and had wooden bars plated with gold to carry it on. On it was laid the
offering or show-bread (which was changed every day), six loaves at each end, with
incense over them. It waS not lawful for any but the priests to eat of that bread.
The candlestick was of pure gold, had seven branches, three on each side and one
in the middle : each branch had three knobs like apples, and three sockets in the
shape of half almond-shells : that in the middle had four. On each branch was a
gold lamp, and there were gold snuffers and nippers to dress them.
There were two altars : one for the burnt-offerings, five cubits long and wide, and
three in height, with the figure of a seraphim at each corner. It was hollow, cov
ered both within and without with brass plate, and open both at top and bottom. In
the midst of it was a copper grate, standing on four feet, a cubit and a half high, and
fastened with hooks and rings. On this grate were bound the offerings, for the per
formance of which there was every necessary article, such as kettles, ladles, tongs,
hooks, &c.
The altar for incense was but one cubit in length and breadth, and two cubits high.
It was plated with gold, and over it was a crown of the same metal. This altar was
in the sanctuary with the ark, but that for burnt-offerings was placed on the north
side of the tabernacle. On a pillar in the court was a large copper basin, with sev
eral cocks for the water to run out, that those who ministered might conveniently
wash their hands previous to the discharge of their priestly function.
The vestments of the high-priest were, the breast-plate, the ephod, the robe, the
close coat, the mitre, and the girdle. The ephod, the robe, and the close coat, were
of fine linen, and covered the whole body from the neck to the heels. Over all was
a purple tuniu, a vestment larger and finer wrought, but not reaching so low, the
bottom of which was ornamented with the representation of pomegranates and tells
The ephod consisted of two bands made of gold thread, and fastened to a kind of
collar which hung down both before and behind from each shoulder, and, meeting

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

177

12

1 7b

AN ILLUSTRATED

served as a girdle to the tunic or vestment. On the shoulders were two large pi-e-
uirus stones, which joined the front and hind parts of the ephod, und on them were
marked the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, six on each. The breastplate wn =
made of the same materials as the ephod, to which it was fastened with gold chains.
ft was a square ornament, very thick, and covered the whole oreast. The girdle
was likewise made of the same materials with the ephod. The mitre was made of
^ne flax, and covered the head; and in the front was a gold plate, on which were
sarved these words: HOLINESS TO THE LORD. These were the solemn orna
ments belonging to the high-priest : the others were only a simple tunic or vestment,
a linen mitre, and a girdle. They had all garments made of linen and cotton, which
were fastened at the waist, whence they reached down lo about the middle of the legs.
Such was the form of the tabernacle, and such the vestments appointed for the
high-priest ; the whole of which, as soon as completed, was presented to Moses for
his inspection and approbation. Having viewed them attentively, and found ihat all
was done as the Lord had commanded, he first praised God, and then bestowed his
benediction on the people, for having so diligently attended to the divine injunction.
All things being now ready, on the first day of the first month,* in the second yeai
* Month, a space of foui weeks, or the period of the revolution of the moon. Gen. xxix. 14. The Israel.
itcs reckoned their time by months, of which they had two series: one for civil purposes, commencing the
year in their month Ethanim, the seventh of the sacred year (1 Kings viii. 2), computing from the creat' nn
of the world, and answering to our September; the other for their sacred purposes in their festivals, o>i..
mencing the year in their month Abib, the seventh of the civil year, computing from tlie redemption from
Egypt (Exod. xii. 2-18, xiii. 4), and answering to our March. The following table exhibits the order of the
Jewish months, with the principal religious festivals of the Israelites and Jews :

¦HEBREW MONTHS.

Vearly correspond
ing with our
months of

Months of the

w
CO3
W

SACRED FESTIVALS
and Memorable Days..

Sacred Year.

Civil
Year.

Abib, or Nisan,
Exod. xii. 2-18, xiii. 4,
Esth. iii. 7.

March.

1st.

7th.

> <
CDtil
I! i a o
. °>
f «s o9
1-
Is 11 t **-
f »
J ?

14. Paschal Lamb killed.
15. Passovek.
16. First-fruits of barley harvest
presented to the LORD.
21 . Last day of tlie Passover.

Zif, or Iyar,
1 Kings vi. 1,

April.

2d.

Sth.

Sivan,
Est. viii. 9.

May.

3d.

9th.

6. Pentecost.
First-fruits of wheat offered to
the LORD.

Tammuz,
Ezek. viii. 14.

June.

4th.

10th.

Ab.

July.

Sth.

nth.

' '1

EIul.
Neh. vi. 15.

August.

6th.

1 2th.

9. Solomon's Temple taken by
the Clm Means, and the sec
ond Temple afterward by the
Romans.

Ethanim, or Tisri,
1 Kings viii. 2.

September.

7th.

1st.

1. Feast of Trumpets,
10. Day of Atonement.
15. Feast of Tabernacles
22. Last day of the feast

Marchesvan, or Bui,
1 1 Kings vi. 38.

October.

8th.

2d.

Chisleu,
Zech. vii. 1,

November.

9th.

3d.

25. Feast of the Dedication of the
second Temple.

Tebeth,
Est. ii. 16.

December.

10th.

4th.

| Sebat,
Zech. i. 7.
January.
11th.
5th
i Adar,
j Est. iii. 7. Ve-Adar,
1 or Second Adar, is
here added when
necessary
February
12th.
6th.
14 and 15. Feast of Furim, Eat.
ix. 16-31.
HISTORY OF THE BIBLE

179

Costume of the High Priest

180 AN ILLUSTRATED
after the departure of the Israelites from Egypt, the tabernacle was, by God's imme
diate command, set up, and all its rich furniture disposed in the proper places that had
been appointed. But no sooner was this done, than the pillar of the cloud (which i^
called the Glory of the Lord) covered the whole, so that Moses himself, foi some time,
was not able to en'er it.
The Almighty, at length, promising Moses to enter the tabernacle, gave him in
structions (which he communicated to the people) in what manner (according to tins
new institution) he was to be worshipped by sacrifices and oblations ; what fesiivals
ivere to be observed, and how celebrated; what meats were foroidden ; whal the in
stances ol uneieanness were; and what the degrees of consanguinity prohibited in
marriage. The creatures appointed to be offered in sacrifice were of five sorts, namely, oxen,
lambs, goats, doves, and young pigeons, all of which were to be males and withoui
blemish. The person who presented the offering was to do it at the altar, laying his
two hands on the head of the creature, and then cutting its throat. The blood was
to be received in a basin, and with it the priest was to sprinkle the vessels and cor
ners of the altar, throwing the principal part at the foot of it. The victim was to he
flayed, cut in pieces, and laid on the altar, where, either the whole, or some part of il
(according to the several sorts of sacrifice), was to be burnt.
Libations were likewise added to the sacrifices. All the wine, or flour, offered with
the victims, was called effusion, or pouring out. There was to be also a separate
offering of fine flour and oil, baked on an iron, or in a pan, and sprinkled with oil and
frankincense. The saerifices were of four sorts, namely,
1. The burnt-offering, every part of which was to tie consumed by fire on the altar,
after washing the feet and entrails.
2. The peace-offering, of which only the inward fat or tallow was to be burnt on
the altar, made up with the liver and kidneys, and the tails of the lambs. The breast
and the right shoulder belonged to the priests, the. rest to him who offered the sacrifice,,
3. The sacrifice of sin, committed either wilfully or ignorantly. In this the priest
was to take some of the blood of the victim, dip his finger in it, and sprinkle seven
times toward the veil of the sanctuary. The same parts of the victim were to be
burnt on the altar in this as in the former sacrifice ; the rest, if the sacrifice was of
fered for the sin of the high-priest, or for the people, was to be carried without the
camp to be burnt there, with the skin, the head, the feet, and the bowels. If it was
for a private person, the victim was to be divided, one half to the priest, and the other
to him who offered the sacrifice.
4. The sacrifice of oblation was to consist either of fine flour, or incense, or cakes
of fine flour and oil baked, or the first-fruits of new corn. With the things offered
were always to be oil, salt, wine, and frankincense, the latter of which was to be
ihrown into the fire. Of the other things offered the priest was to lake the whole. <
one part of which he was to burn; and the other to convert to his own use.
With respect to their festivals, the first and grand one to be observed was the Sab- :
bath, which they were to keep in the strictest manner, dedicating it wholly to rest,
and not doing any kind of business whatever.
The passover was likewise to be observed with great solemnity. It was to begintl
on the fourteenth day of the March moon ; and for the seven days it lasted they were
to eat only bread unleavened. The first day after the passover they were to offer new
ears of corn ; and on the fifteenth day was to be held another feast, called the harvesi
festival, on which they were to offer in thanksgiving two loaves made of new wheat,
as the first-fruits of the harvest. The first day of the seventh month (which' was the
first of the civil year) was also to be held as a very solemn festival, in remembrance
of the departure of the Israelites from Egypt. On the tenth of the same month was
to be kepi the feast of expiation, on which day the priests were to go into the sanc
tuary, and offer two goats, one of which was to be there given up as a solemn sacri
fice for sin; but the other was to be carried, not only out ofthe tabernacle, but with
out the camp, also, and was therefore to be called the. scape-goat. On the fifteenth
of the same month was to begin the feast of tabernacles, which was to last eigln
days, being kept as a memorial that the Israelites had been accustomed to live in
tents. The whole time was to be spent in mirth, and each day the people were W
walk r^nnd ihe altar with boughs in their han.ls.

HISfORY OF THE BIBLE.

181

The High Priest on the Day of Atonement, and a Levite.

182 AN ILLUSTRATED
With respect to animal food they were to be very careful in making a proper dis
tinction between beasts that were clean, and those that were otherwise, it being law
ful for them to eat the first, but not the last. Two qualifications were required for
reckoning a beast clean, which were, that it should have a cloven foot, and that it
should chew the cud ; so that it was unlawful for them to eat swine's flesh, or rabbi t;-
and hares, the former not chewing the cud, and the latter not having cloven feet. Al)
birds of prey were forbidden ; and it was unlawful for them to eal blood, or the flesh
of beasts strangled.
Among the laws relative to uncleanness, leprosy was to be reckoned the greatest,
of the nature and quality of which the priest was to judge, and to dispose of the party
as he should think proper. Some uncleannesses were to be removed by washing theii
garments and bodies, and others by offering up sacrifices.
The laws relating to matrimony were principally these. They were forbidden to marry
sttange women. One man might have several wives ; but the persons with whom it
was not allowed to contract matrimony were, the father, molher, mother-in-law, sis
ter by the father or mother's side, son's or daughter's daughter, father's wife's daugh
ter, father or mother's sister, uncle, daughter-in-law, brother's wife, wife's sister or
daughter, or grandson or granddaughter. It was, however, not only lawful, but a
command enjoined, that the brother should marry the brother's widow, provided he
died without issue.
Moses, having communicated these, and some other ordinances, to the people, pro
ceeded next, agreeably to the divine command, to constiu iiis brother Aaron high-
priest, and to fix the order ol' priesthood in his son and their posterity, in the exe
cution of this ceremony Moses robed them, anointed their heads with oil, and made
them offer sacrifices for sin. The function of the priests in general, was, to offer sac
rifice to the Lord, but ' the high-priest's was of a particular nature. He was to go
once a year, on the day of expiation, into the sanctuary, clad in his priestly garments,
there to burn incense before the ark, and sprinkle the blood of the offering seven times
with his finger. All the tribe of Levi were appointed to assist the priests in the ser
vices of the tabernacle; and to the whole were appoinied particular allowances for
their subsistence. But if any, either of the priests or Levites, had any bodily .imper
fection, they were to be excluded from the! function, but, at the same time, permitted
to enjoy the rights and privileges of their birth. The obligations they lay under were
these: they were not to drink any wine, or any other intoxicating liquors, when they
were to officiate in the tabernacle : they were not to marry a woman who had been
jivorced or prostituted ; and lastly, they were not to attend funerals, unless those of
their own fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, brothers, or maiden sisters.
On the eighth day after Aaron had been appointed to the office of high-priest, he
offered his first burnt-offering for himself and the people. This was very acceptable
10 i he Almighty, who was pleased to testify his approbation by sending fire upon the
aliar, which consumed the offering in the sight of the people, who, with loud shouts
and acclamations, expressed their joy for so singular a circumstance, and prostrated
themselves on the ground in humble adoration before the Divine Majesty.
The fire thus miraculously kindled was, by the divine command, to be kept perpet
ually burning, and no oiher to be used in all the oblations to be made to God. Bui
Nadab and Abihu, two of Aaron's sons, forgetful of their duty, took their censers, and
putting common fire in them; laid incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the
Lord. For this flagrant violation of the divine command, the Almighty was so of
fended, that, as a just punishment, he immediately struck them dead with lightning.
To strike a terror into the rest of the priestly order, and deter them from disobedience
to the commands of God, Moses ordered the people to take their dead bodies from the
sanctuary, and carry them out of the camp m the same condition they found thf m.
He likewise charged Aaron and the rest of his sons, not to mourn for Nadab and Abi-
nu, in shaving their heads, or rending their clothes; but that they should leave those
marks of mourning to the rest of the people, from whom they ought to distinguish
themselves in this, as well as in other points, in reverence to that holy anointing,
whereby they had been consecrated to the Lord, and thereby separated *Vom their
brethren. A short time after the melancholy circumstance last related, another awful prooi
was given of the danger ot' incurring the displeasure of the Almighty. This was
exemplified in the case of me. whose mother's name was Shelomilh, an Israelitish

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

183

134 AN ILLUSTRATED
woman of the tribe of Dan, but whose husband was an Egyptian, but supposed to
have become a proselyte to the house of Israel. This young man quarreled with
another, and a battle ensuing, Shelomith was worsted. Fired with resentment at
being conquered, he in the height of his passion, cursed and blasphemed the name of
the Lord ; upon which being apprehended and brought before Moses, he ordered him
into custody till he should know from the Lord what punishment to inflict on him for
his transgression. Though the third command in the decalogue forbade the taking
of God's name in vain, yet this blasphemous cursing being an offence ot a higher na
ture ao-ainst which no positive law was yet provided, Moses had recourse to the
Lord, who was pleased to tell him thus : " Bring forth," says he, " him that cursed
without the camp, and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head,* and lei
all the congregation stone him."
In obedience to the divine command, Moses ordered the sentence to be immediately
put in execution; and a law was thereon made, that whosoever should, from that
time, blaspheme the name of the Lord, whether he was an Israelite, or a, stranger,
should be stoned to death.

CHAPTER X.
ENCAMPMENT OP ISRAELITES — MURMURIN8S — KOBAH'B SIN.
While the Israelites lay encamped in the wilderness of Sinai, the Almighty or
dered Moses, assisted by Aaron, and the heads of the respective tribes, to make a
general muster of the people, in order to ascertain the number of those who were
able to carry arms. This was accordingly done, when the number of true born Is-
.-i elites appeared to be 603,550 men,t exclusive of the tribp of Levi. These were,
bj the express command of the Almighty, exempted, being designed for the peculia/
serv.ce of the tabernacle, not only to take charge thereof, and of all the vessels be-
longuig to it, but likewise to take it down upon every remove, to guard it safe on the
way, and to put it up again a I such places as should be appointed for encampment.
The Israelites being thus mustered, Moses and Aaron, by the express command of
God, appointed the manner of their encampment, which was not only to take place
now, but to be continued ever after, as follows :
The whole body was divided into four grand camps, each consisting of three tribes,
under one standard, and so placed as entirely to enclose the' 'tabernacle;
The standard of the camp of Judah was first. It consisted of the tribes of Judah,
Issachar, and Zebulon, (the sons of Leah), and was pitched on the east side of the
tabernacle, toward the rising of the sun.
On the south side was the standard of the camp of Reuben, under which were the
tribes of Reuben and Simeon (the sons of Leah likewise), and of Gad, the son of Zil-
pah, Leah's maid.
On the west side was the standard of the camp of Ephraim, under which were the
tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin.
On the north side was the standard of the camp of Dan, under which were the
tribes of Dan and Naphtali (the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's maid), and of Asher (the
son of Zilpah).
Between the four great camps and the tabernacle were four lesser camps, consist
ing of the priests and Levites, under whose immediate care and protection the tab
ernacle was placed.
On the east side were encamped Moses and Aaron, with Aaron's sons, who had the
charge of the sanctuary.
• This way of laying hands on the heads of criminals may seem to arise from several causes. 1. That
Lney were witnesses of the fact, and that the person condemned suffered justly ; protesting, that if he were
innocent they desired that his blood might fall on their own heads. 2. They put their hands on the head o
the criminal in token of an expiatory sacrifice j for idolatry, blasphemy, and sucn grievous crimes, if thev
were not punished, they expected would attract a guilt, not only on the witness, but the whole natiori
wliich by the death of the criminal, as by a victim, might be expiated. 3. That the criminal was the just
cause of his own death.
t The ages of these men were, from twenty years old to fifty ; and the exact numDer in each tribe was
s follows :
III the tribe of Keuber, 411.500; Simeon, 59.300 : Gad, 45,650 ; Judah, 74,600 ; Issachar, 54,400 ; Zebulon,
J7.-HI0, Ephraim. 40,500; Mantsseh, 32,200; Benjamin, 35,400; Dan, 62,700; Asher, 41,500 ¦ Naphtaii. 53 •
tOO . total 002.550.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

185

186

AN ILLUSTRATED

On the south side were the Kohathites, a part of the Levites, descended from Ko-
liath, the second son of Levi.
On the west side were the Gershonites, another part of the Levites, descended from
Gershon, Levi's eldest son.
On the north side were planted the Merarites, the remaining part of the Levites
who descended from Merari, Levi's youngest son.
Such was the manner of the encampment of the Israelites, being the only regular
description of one which the Bible contains ; but, from incidental allusions, we may
gather that the camps which the Hebrews in after-times formed in their military op
erations, differed in several respects from the present, the admirable arrangement of
.vhich is easily perceived, although some difference of opinion exists as to a few of
he details.

EAST

.—FIRST DIVISION— CAMP OF JUDAH: 186,400.

03

©
JUDAH,
o
©CO
74,600.
l^
m
>o
SSACHAR, AND ZEBULUN,
54,400. 57,400.
1
.03
£
•w
<p
Q
o
fn
3 -4
h2
HOSES. AARON,
O
AND THE PRIESTS.
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o1— 1
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The diagram above will exhibit the apparent order better than a verbal descrip
tion, however minute. It is thus seen that the camp was formed in a quadrangle,
having on each side three tribes under one general standard. How these tribes
were placed with regard to each other is not very clear; some fix the leading tribe in
the centre, and the two others on each side ; but the description seems rather to indi
cate that the leading tribe extended along the whole exterior line, and tnai the two
other tribes pitched beside each other, within. The only other alternative seems tc
be, to suppose that the two minor tribes also extended in full line, the last tribe men
tioned in each division, being the innerrrost. The collective encampment enclosed a
HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

187

188 AN ILLUSTRATED
large open square, in the centre of which stood the tabernacle. The position which
the tabernacle thus occupied still remains the place of honor in grand oriental f.ainps
and is usually occupied by the tent of the king or general. The distance between it
and the common camp was indicative of respect ; what the distance was we are not
told, except by the Rabbins, who say that it was two thousand cubits, and apparentlj
ground this statement upon Josh. iii. 4. The interval was not however wholly va
cant, being occupied by the small camps of the Levites, who had the charge and cus
tody of the tabernacle, and pitched their tents around it ; the tents of Moses, Aaron
and the priests, occupying the most honorable place, fronting the entrance to the taL
ernacle, or rather to the court which contained it. The Jewish writers say that the
circumference of the entire encampment was about twelve miles ; a statement whicl
would seem sufficiently moderate when we recollect the hollow square in the centre
and consider the vast extent of ground required for the tents of two millions of peo
ple. This regular and admirable arrangement of so vast a host, under their ensigns,
around the tabernacle, must have given a most striking and impressive appearance tc
the camp, as viewed from the hills. We know the effect wliich the view of it pro
duced upon one person, who did view it from the hills, and then broke forth in rap
ture, exclaiming, " How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob ! and thy tabernacles, 0 Israel !
As the valleys are they spread forth, as the trees of lign-aloes which the Lord hath
planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters." (Num. xxiv. 5, 6.)
The encampment being thus formed, the next consideration was, to regulate the
mode of marching, which was accordingly done as follows :
Whenever they were to decamp (which was always to take place as soon as the
pillar of the cloud left the tabernacle) the trumpet was to be immediately sounded,
and, upon the first alarm, the standard of Judah being raised, the three tribes which
belonged to it were to set forward. On the movement of these the tabernacle was to
be taken down with all convenient expedition, and the Gershonites and Merarite9
were to attend the wagons with the boards and staves belonging to it. This being
done, a second alarm was to be given by the trumpet, on which the standard of Reu
ben's camp was to advance with the three tribes belonging to it. After these were to
follow the Kohathiles, bearing the sanctuary, which, because it was more holy, and
not so cumbersome, as the pillars and boards of the tabernacle, was not to be put into
a wagon, but carried on their shoulders. Next was to follow the standard of Ephraim's
camp, with the tribes belonging to it ; and, last of all, the other three tribes, under
the standard of Dan, were to bring up the rear.
A short dme after these matters were adjusted, the pillar of the cloud gave the Is
raelites a signal to decamp. On their beginning to move, agreeably to the order pre
scribed, Moses addressed himself to God. " Rise," said he, " Lord, and let thine en
emies be scattered ; and let them that hate4hee flee before thee. And when the ark
af the covenant (by wbich they were directed when to stop) rested, he added "Re
turn, 0 Lord, unto the many thousands of Israel."
After marching for three days in the wilderness of Sinai, the Israelites began to
complain of the fatigues of their journey, and to relate their grievances, with great
asperity, to Moses. This so offended the Almighty, that he sent down fire from
heaven, which destroyed all those who were situated in the extreme parts of the
camp. The rest were so terrified at this circumstance, that they immediately applied
to Moses, at whose intercession the fire ceased, but, in remembrance of the incident,
he called the place Taberah, which, in the Hebrew language, signifies burning.
But this instance of the divine power had little effect on the dissatisfied Israelites.
They made heavy complaints for want of flesh for food ; and intimated to Moses how
much happier thev were when in the land of Egypt, where, though in a state of
bondage, they could possess a variety of articles necessary for the preservation of life.
Moses had often heard them murmur, and patiently borne with it, but now thai
they were grown so numerous, and the greatness of their numbers demanding still
more care and vigilance to govern them than what came from the assistance of the
magistrates appointed by the advice of his father-in-law Jethro, he became exceedingly
uneasy, and, in an address to God, represented the great and heavy burdens undei
which he labored, in having the management of so numerous and dissatisfied a people.
No sooner did the Almighty hear the complaints of his faithful servant, than he
immediately gave him relief, by ordering him to choose seventy men from among the
elders of Israel, and to bring them with him to the tabernacle of the congregation

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 189
"There," said he, "I will come down and talk with thee, and I will give them a
portion of the same spirit with which I have inspired thee ; and they shall bear the
burden of the people with thee."
In conformity to the divine command, Moses selected seventy of the elders, sixty-
eight of whom he conducted to the tabernacle, whither they had no sooner arrived,
than the Almighty was pleased to fulfil his promise, by inspiring them with the like
kind of1 spirit he had given to Moses, and by which they were enabled to prophesy.
Nay, so extensive was this inspiration, that though the other two came not out with
the rest to the tabernacle, but remained in the camp, yet they received the same im
pression of the spirit with the rest, and, in like manner, prophesied. This circum
stance so surprised a certain young man in the camp, that he immediately hastened
to the tabernacle, to acquaint Moses that Edad and Medad (which were the names
of the two elders left behind) were prophesying in the camp. Joshua (who was to
tally unacquainted with the operations of the Lord by his spirit) was likewise greatly
surprised, and, thinking it a derogation of his master, likewise ran to the tabernacle,
and advised Moses to restrain them from that power which only belonged to himself.
But Moses reproved him for his conduct in these words: " Dost thou," said he, " en
vy them on my account ? Would to God that all the Lord's people were inspired,
and that they might be endued with the spirit of prophecy !"
The murmurings of the people for want of flesh, still continued, and to such a
neight did their fury arise, that they beset Moses's tent on all sides, and, in the m'osi
tumultuous manner, demanded of him to relieve their necessities. Thus circumstanced
Moses applied himself to God, to whom he intimated the little probability there was?
of supplying so numerous a body of people with the article requested. The Almighty
was pleased to promise that he would remove this evil ; and at the same time gently
rebuked Moses in these words : " Is the Lord's hand," said he, "waxed short ? thou
shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not."
lt was not long before this divine promise was fulfilled ; for the Almighty causing
a south wind to arise, it drove prodigious quantities of quails from the seacoast to
within a mile of the camp, which being taken by the people, they feasted on them in
the most greedy manner.
But God soon called them to a dreadful account for their insolent demand of flesh,
and their distrust of his providence: for while they were regaling themselves with
these dainties, he visited them with a severe plague, of which great numbers died,
and were buried on the spot where they fell. In consequence of this circumstance
the place was called Kibroth-Hattaavah, which signifies, the graves or sepulchres of
lust and concupiscence.
From this place the Israelites marched to Hazeroth, where they had not been long
before another circumstance occurred of a very disagreeable nature. Aaron and bis
sister Miriam, observing the great power their brother Moses had over the people, and
that God .chiefly made use of him in the delivery of his sacred oracles, began to look
upon him with an eye of envy. To give some folor to their conduct, they pretended
to fall out with him, on account of his having married a foreigner, whom they con
temptuously called an Ethiopian ; and, to lessen his importance, and at the same time
enlarge their own, they added, " What, hath the Lord spoken only to Moses ? hath
he not spoken also by us ?"
Moses saw the discontent of his brother and sister; but considering it only as a
personal pique, took no notice of it. The Almighty, however, being greatly offended
at their conduct, thought proper to interpose, and convince them that such behavior
to his faithful servant was of the most heinous nature, and should not pass unnoticed.
Ordering, therefore, Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, to attend at the door of the tabernacle,
he sharply rebuked the two latter for their insolence, asking them, how they dursi
speak against his servant Moses ? " You," said he to Miriam, "have shared in the
prophetic office, and to you have I declared my will in dreams and visions ; but with
Moses I have conversed more familiarly, and I will speak face to face with him, and
show him as much of my glory as he is capable of seeing." .
Thus Moses had the secret satisfaction of finding himself justified by his divine
protector ; but Aaron, to his great confusion, beheld his sisier Miriam made a dreadful
example of God's anger. She was suddenly afflicted with a most dreadful ana in
veterate leprosy ; upon which Aaron, uddressing himself to Moses, acknowledged the

190 AN ILLUSTRATED
sin they had committed, begged pardon, and solicited him to intercede with God in
behalf of his sister, that the leprosy might be removed, and her former health restored.
Moses, who was naturally of a meek disposition, and ever ready to pardon an in
jury offered to himself, made no hesitation at complying with Aaron's request. Hh
intercession had the desired effect : the Almighty was pleased to promise that the evil
should be removed ; but as the offence was of a public nature, he ordered her to be
turned out of the camp for seven days, in the manner of a common leper, in ordei to
deter others from committing the like seditious practices.
Soon after Miriam's return to the camp, the Israelites removed to the desert of Pa-
ran ; whence, after several encampments, they reached Kadesh-Barnea, situated on
the frontiers of the land of Canaan.
On their arrival at this place, Moses, by the divine command, selected twelve men,
one from each tribe, whom he ordered to go as spies into the promised land, to take
a view of the country. He charged them to malce a diligent examination into the
strength of its cities and inhabitants, the nature and fertility of its soil, and the prin
cipal articles it produced, some of the latter of which he told them to bring with
them on their return.
With these instructions the twelve spies set forward on their journey, and proceeded
from the entrance of the country on the north, to its extremity on the south. In their
way back they passed through a valley remarkable for its fertility in vines, and there
fore called the valley of Eschol, which signifies a cluster of grapes. Attracted by the
beauty of the fruit, they determined to preserve some and carry it to the camp. They
cut down a branch, on which was only one cluster of grapes, but of such an immod
erate size, that thev were obliged to lay it on a pole, and carry it between two of
hem. Nor was this the only product of this happy soil : the golden fig and beauti
ful pomegranate adorned the trees, and a variety of other fruits (of which they took
samples with them) loaded the luxuriant branches.
The spies having, in the compass of forty days, taken a view of the whole country
of Canaan, returned to the camp of the Israelites ; and, after showing them the fruits
of the land, gave them an account of the observations they had made in the course of
their journey. " We have been," said they, " in the country tp which you sent us.
Il is a fertile and plentiful land ; but the inhabitants of it are powerful. There are
great cities with strong walls. We have seen those men of the race of Anak, war
like men, and of a gigantic stature. The Amalekiti « inhabit the south part of the
land ; the Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites, the mountains ; and the Canaanites, the
banks of the river Jordan."
The people were highly pleased with that part of the account relative to the fer
tility of the country ; but when they reflected on its strength, with the size and num
ber of its inhabitants, they were greatly alarmed, and expressed their fears at being
brought to a place where they were in the most imminent danger. But Caleb and
Joshua (two of the twelve who were sent to view the country) endeavored to remove
their fears, by saying, " Let us make ourselves masters of the country, for we are
strong enough to conquer the inhabitants."
This had the desired effect, and might have produced happy consequences, had it
not been for the cowardly disposition of the other ten, who, perceiving that the ac
count given by Caleb and Joshua had fired the people with a design of becoming
the possessors of the country by a speedy conquest, began to retiact from their formei
accounts, to paint matters in the worst light, and to represent it as a thing impossi
ble, both by reason of the strength of its fortified towns, and the valor and gigantic
stature of the inhabitants.
This cowardly representation defeated all the arguments used by Caleb aud Joshua
in favor of the enterprise. The Israelites, one and all, cried out they cculd never
hope to overcome such powerful nations, in comparison of which they looked on
themselves as mere grasshoppers and reptiles. In short, their murmurings grew tc
such a height by the next morning, that a return to Egypt was thought more advisa
ble than to face such an enemy; and they went so far as to deliberate on a propel
person who should reconduct them into the land of their former thraldom..
This perverseness of the people greatly afflicted Moses, who, finding them bent or
their own ruin, and fearful that some dreadful consequence would follow, prostralec
himself on the ground (as did also his brother Aaron) in the presence of the wholi

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GOs

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Bedouins collecting Fruits in Palestine.

192, AN ILLUSTRATED
assembly, and besought of God that he would be merciful in his judgments on the
people for their sin and ingratitude.
Caleb and Joshua expressed their grief by rending their clothes ; and endeavored,
in the most forcible manner, to convince the people that their fears were ill founded,
and that they might, by putting their trust in God, overpower their enemies, and
make themselves masters of the promised land. " The land" (said they) " that we
pass through is indeed a rich and fertile land, abounding with all things necessary
for life. If we please the Lord he will bring us into this land, and give it us. Do
not, therefore, by rebelling against him, forfeit his promise and protection. Nor be
afraid of the people of the land, whom we shall as surely conquer as we eat our food,
and with as much ease. The Lord is with us, and we have nothing to fear."
But so far was this speech from making any impression on the perverse and obsti
nate Israelites, that, in a tumultuous manner, they called out to stone Caleb and
Joshua; and which they would certainly have done, had not the glory of God at thai
instant visibly appeared before all the people, in the tabernacle of the congregation.
As soon as Moses saw this he prostrated himself before the Lord, who, being
highly incensed against the Israelites for their perverse conduct, threatened to send a
pestilence that should totally extirpate them, and at the same tinie told Moses that
he would make him a prince of a more numerous and powerful nation.
The pious Moses (as he had several times done before) became again an interces
sor for the people. He in the most earnest manner solicited the Almighty to pardun
their offences, and represented the consequences that might follow should he totally
destroy them: the substance of his solicitations and observations was in words lo this
effect: "0 thou everlasting Jehovah, who appearedst to Abraham, to Isaac, and Ja
cob, and who wast graciously pleased to promise that their children should in.ierii
the land of Canaan, look in mercy on this people, whom neither promises will en
courage, nor threatenings deter from disobeying thee. 0 Lord, turn away thy fierce
anger, for thou art a God of mercy, and I will trust in thee to spare this wicked, this
rebellious people."
These arguments and expostulations in some measure averted the divine vengeance,
the Almighty promising Moses not to put his first design into execution. But as the
ingratitude and infidelity of the people had become intolerable (notwithstanding God's
constant care in providing against their wants, screening them from their enemies,
and preserving them from all dangers), he declared that not one of those wh r had
murmured, from twenty years old and upward, should ever enter the promised land ;
out that they should wander with their children about the wilderness for thi space
of forty years, in which time they should all pay the debt of nature, and thai their
children should have those possessions which, had they not been so disobedient, they
might have enjoyed themselves.
As for the ten false spies, who were the immediate authois of this defection, they
were all destroyed by a sudden death, and became the first instances of the punish
ment denounced against the body ofthe people.
Caleb and Joshua, who had not only done their duty in giving a faithful .iccouni
of their observations, but also endeavored to remove the ill-concerted intentions of
the people, were preserved. For this their conduct they received the divine appro
bation, as also a promise that they should live to enter and inherit the promised land.
When Moses related these particulars to the people their tempers were greatly
altered, and they expressed their uneasiness for the offence they had committed by
putting on the deepest mourning. Supposing thai their forwardness now would
make some atonement for their former cowardice, they assembled themselves togethei
the next morning, and offered to go on the conquest. " We are ready," said they,
" to go to the place whereof the Lord has spoken to us.''
But this offer, instead of arising from any natural courage, took place only from a
presumptuous rashness. This Moses well knew, and therefore endeavored all he
could to dissuade them from so ill judged an enterprise. He told them il was con
trary to God's express command, and therefore could not prosper ; that by their late
undutiful behavior they had forfeited his assistance and protection, without which it
was impossible for them to succeed; and that, as the Amalekites and Canaanitet
had gained the passes of the mountains before them, every attempt must provt
abortive. But all this adnmnition had no weiffht with the obstinate Israelites. Noiwith

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 193
standino- the ark of the covenant was not with them ; notwithstanding Moses, their
general?. was not at the head of them; yet out they marched to the top of the moun
tains, where, the enemy surprising them, they were immediately thrown into the
o-reatest disorde-, prodigious numbers were slain, and the rest obliged to save them
selves by flight", nor did they stop till they came to a place called Hormah. Though
it was but eleven days' journey hence to Kadesh-barnea, yet, for their disobedience,
they were so interrupted as to be nearly two years in getting to the place whence they
came. Many remarkable circumstances occurred during the stay of the Israelites in the
wilderness. The first recorded by the sacred historian is an instance of the divine
severity on a man who, by a post-fact law, was adjudged to be stoned to death for
violating the sabbath, by gathering sticks on that day. Though a particular injunc
tion had been laid on the people to keep this commandment in the strictest manner,
vet no penalty had been annexed to the violation of it. The people, therefore, who
brought the offender before Moses, were ordered to keep him in custody till he should
know the divine pleasure concerning sabbath-breakers. The Almighty was pleased
to return for answer, that such transgressors should be stoned to death ; upon which
the offender was immediately conducted out ofthe camp, and the sentence executed.
The next material circumstance that occurred was a violent rebellion raised by
Korah, great-grandson of Levi, and consequently one of the heads of that tribe. This
ambitious person, having long envied Aaron, on account of him and his family being
raised to the highest office in the priesthood, and to which he thought himself had
au equal title, was always caballing against him, till at length he bad brought over
two hundred and fifty eminent persons to his interest, among whom were Dathan
and Abiram, two of the chiefs of the tribe of Reuben.
As soon as Korah thought matters properly ripe for an open rupture, he appeared
at the head of the faction, and publicly upbraided Moses and Aaron with an unjust
amuuion, in usurping that power to themselves of which he thought himself entitled
to a part ; and that the arbitrary measures they pursued were injurious to the people,
by depriving them of their just and natural liberties.
This strange and unexpected address so surprised Moses, that he immediately pros
trated himself on the ground, in which situation he lay for some time.* At length
he arose, and, with great steadiness and magnanimity, informed them that the next
day the Lord would decide the controversy, and would make it appear who were his
servants, who were holy, and who the proper persons to be admitted into his divine
presence. He then, with his usual calmness and serenity of mind, argued the matter
with them, and, in the most mild manner, rebuked them for the impropriety of their
conduct. He was rather more severe on Korah (who was the author of the defec
tion) than the rest ; and concluded with addressing them conjunctively in words to
this effect: " Hear me" (says he), " ye sons of Levi. Is it a matter of so light con
cern, that the God of Israel hath distinguished you from the rest of Israel, to admit
you to the more immediate service of the tabernacle, and to stand before the congre
gation and ministerto them ? Is not this an honor sufficient to satisfy yonr ambitious
spirit, but that ye must aim at the priesthood too ? This is the cause of your clam
ors; and for this ye have moved the people to sedition. But, be assured, whatever
ye may pretend against Aaron, this insult is against the Lord, as it is against his dis
pensations that ye murmur and conspire."
Dathan and Abiram were at some distance when Moses thus talked with the rest
of the conspirators ; and therefore, supposing they had been drawn into the plot at
the instigation of Korah, he sent for them privately, with a design of arguing the
matter with them in the mildest terms. But instead of a civil answer, he received
the following haughty message : " Is it " (said they) " a matter of so small momen t,
that thou hast brought us out of a land which flowed with plenty, to kill us in the
desert? Thou affectest dominion, and wouldst make thyself prince over us also.
Notwithstanding thy fair promises, thou hast not brought us into a land that flows
with milk and honey, nor given us any inheritance of fields and vineyards ; but when
* It is vory reasonable to imagine, that Moses (who was well acquainted with the gracious and ready
ussistame of God in time of need) was, during the time of his being on the ground, applying himself to the
Lord for protection against this mutinous body of people, And it is likewise reasonable to imagine, that
while he lay in this humble posture God appeared to him, and gave him comfortable advice in what manner
he should conduct himself; as he soon alter spoke to them with great courage, and to vindicate bimselx,
»rrt the matter between him and them upon trial the next day.
13

194 AN ILLUSTRATED
we were ready to take possession of the promised land, thou didst turn us back into
this barren desert, to repeat the fatigues and hardships we had before undergone.
We will not come."
These unjust reproaches highly provoked Moses, but, instead of returning any ill
language to them, he addressed himself to God, saying: "Respect not thou then
offering . I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them." He
then summoned Korah and all his companions to meet him and Aaron the next day
at the tabernacle, and to bring with them their censers ready prepared with incense
to appear before the Lord.
Accordingly, early the next morning, Moses and Aaron went to the tabernacle,
whither Korah also repaired at the head of his party, with each man a censer in his
hand, and attended by a prodigious multitude of people, who, in all probability, wen]
as spectators of this singular contest.
Tne first thing that attracted their attention was the amazing splendor that issued
from the cloud over the tabernacle, from which God called to Moses and Aaron,
ordering them to withdraw, that he might inflict that punishment on the rebellious
crew they justly deserved.
Moses and Aaron, knowing that the multitude who attended on this occasion did
it only to gratify their curiosity, and at the same time lamenting that they should
equally suffer with the wicked Korah and his party, prostrated themselves before
God, and interceded for their protection. " O God" (said they), " thou God of the
spirit of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be angry-witn all ?" Their prayers
were no sooner offered than heard ; and the Almighty, being pleased to listen to theii
¦ solicitation, commanded them to tell the people to withdraw. Frightened at the
amazing splendor that issued from the cloud, they readily obeyed this order, and
retired at some distance from the tents of Korah and his two principal associates,
Dathan and Abiram, -who stood in a daring manner near their own tents, attended
by their wives and families.
As soon as the multitude had retired to a proper distance, Moses addressed them
in words to this effect : " By this" (said he) " you shall know that the Lord has
commissior.ed me to do what I have done, and that I have undertaken nothing of my
own head. If these men" (meaning Korah and his party) " die the common way Of
nature, or be visited as other men, then take it for granted the Lord hath not sent
me; but if he deal with them after a strange and unusual manner, and the earth,
opening her mouth, swallow them up alive, then shall ye understand that ihese
men have provoked the Lord."
No sooner had Moses spoken these words than the earth was suddenly convulsed,
and the surface of it opening, Korah and his two adherents, Dathan and Abirain, to
gether with their families and substance, were all swallowed up alive, and, the
ground closing on them, they perished. When the people who stood round them
saw their dismal fate they were greatly frightened, and cried out, "Let us fly, lest
the earth swallow us up also."
In the mean time God, to punish the rest of these rebellious people, who had pro
fanely attempted to offer incense contrary to the law, sent down fire from heaven
aud destroyed the whole two hundred and fifty men that had joined with Korah.
To perpetuate the memory of this judgment, as well as to deter, for the future,
any but the sons of Aaron from presuming to burn incense before ihe Lord, Mcses,
by the divine command, ordered Eleazar, Aaron's son, to gather up the censers of 'he
dead, and to have them beat into broad plates as a covering for the altar, assigning
this as a reason : " That it might be for a memorial to the children of Israel, that no
stranger, or any that was not of Aaron's family, should presume to offer incense be
fore the Lord, lest he died the death of Korah and his company."
It mighl have been supposed that so dreadful a punishment would, at least foi
ime time, have kept the Israelites within the bounds of their obedience; but no
, -.ooner were they recovered from ineir fright than they again began to murmur, and
to accuse Moses and Aaron with having (as they called the late mutineers) murdered
people of the Lord."
Moses and Aaron, well knowing the turbulent temper of the people, and fearing
they might proceed to some violent outrage, took sanctuary' in the tabernacle, which
they had no sooner entered than the Almighty commanded them to withdraw, from
tlie rest of the congregation, for that in a short time he would destroy them.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 195
In consequence of this, Moses and Aaron immediately prostrated themselves on
.he ground, and earnestly implored of God to spare the people ; but, early as they
were in their supplication, the divine vengeance was before them, for the Almighty,
provoked by the repeated rebellions of the people, had already sent a pestilence
among them.
As soon as Moses observed this, he ordered Aaron to take a censer, put fire and
incense in it from the altar, and hasten to the congregation to make atonement for
the sins of the people. Aaron did as Moses commanded, and standing between the
dead and the living, he prayed for some time, and the plague ceased. But notwith
standing the very short time this calamity lasted, yet with such violence did it rage,
that the number carried off by it amounted to fourteen thousand and seven hundred
persons. Though God had thus in two instances punished the people for their wickedness,
yet, knowing that the minds of many of them were, by the insinuations of Korah
and his accomplices, still prejudiced against Aaron and his family, on account of their
being invested with the priesthood, he was pleased to put an end to all controversy
on this head by the following miracle. He commanded Moses to take a rod from
each tribe, and to write upon it the name of the prince of that tribe to whom it be
longed, and to write Aaron's name on that of the tribe of Levi ; that, when this was
done, he should lay up the twelve rods in the tabernacle, before the ark of the testi
mony, until the next morning, when some miraculous change should be seen thai
would determine in whose family the priesthood should be established.
Moses, who never failed paying an immediate obedience to the divine command, didi
as he was ordered ; and going next morning to the tabernacle, brought out the twelve
rods in the presence of all the people. Eleven of the rods were in the same state as
when he put them into the tabernacle, but the twelfth (which belonged to Aaron) had*
a very different appearance, for it had not only budded, but likewise blossomed, audi
bore ripe almonds. A convincing proof to the people that God had singled out Aaron
and his family to the priestly office.
In memory of this remarkable decision, God ordered Aaron's rod to be laid up in
the ark of the covenant, that, by the people's seeing it, they might not again rebel,
but remain satisfied with those whom he had been pleased, in so distinguished a
manner, to appoint to the priestly office.
After the establishment of the high-priest's office in Aaron and his family, the Is
raelites moved about, from one place to another, in the wilderness, but chiefly about
the mountains of Idumaea, until God, by shortening the period of human life, had'
taken away almost all that generation, "of whom he had sworn in his wrath," as the
Psalmist expresses it, xcv. 2., " that they should not enter into his rest." And, in
deed, great reason had he to be angry with them, since, during the remainder of their
peregrination, they were guilty of many more murmurings than Moses has though!
proper to record, which, nevertheless, are mentioned, with no small severity, by other
nspired writers. See Amos v. 26 ; Acts vii. 43.
As the time, however, of their entrance into the land of Canaan drew near, they
advanced into the wilderness of Sin, and pitched their camp at Kadesh,* where Mir-
iam,t sister to Moses and Aaron, died, and was buried.
The Israelites had not been long at Kadesh, before they were greatly distressed for
water, upon which (as they had before done on similar occasions) they exclaimed,.
with great vehemen e, against Moses and Aaron, saying, "Why have ye brought the
Lord's people into the wilderness to kill them and their cattle ? Why did you per
suade us to leave the fertile land of Egypt to bring us into this barren place, which,
affords neither water to quench our thirst, nor fruits to satisfy our hunger ? Would
to God we had perished with our brethren before the Lord."
The impatience and dissatisfaction of the Israelites greatly perplexed Moses and:
Aaron, who, as was their usual custom on such occasions, addressed themselves to
God, beseeching him to remove the present distresses of the people. The Almighr
•This «iS not Kadesh-Barnea, the station or encampment of the Israelites on the confines of the
northern part of Canaan ; but another Kadesh, situated on the confines of Idumaea and not far from the?
Red sea.
t Miriam was the eldest of the three, and was nearly a hundred and thirty years old. Eusebius assures us-,
that in his time her tomb was found at Kadesh, a small distance from Petrea, the capital of Arabia Petrea.
Several of the ancients are of opinion that she died a virgin, and that she was the legislatrix and governess*
->f the lsraelitish Women, as Moses was the legislator ofthe men.

196 AN ILLUSTRATED
was pleased to listen to their request : he ordered Moses to take his rod, and, with
the assistance of Aaron, assemble the people together ; which having done, he should
speak to the rock in their sight, and it should immediately produce abundance ol
water. Agreeably to these orders, Moses and Aaron assembled the people before the rock,
who, no doubt, readily attended in expectation of having those grievances removed of
which they had so greatly complained. Hitherto Moses had paid an exact and abso
lute obedience to all the commands God had enjoined him ; but now (however it hap
pened) he made some deviation from his instructions, and thereby committed the
greatest miscarriage of his whole life. He was ordered to speak to the rock before
the people ; but, instead of so doing, he spoke to the people, saying, " Hear now, ye
rebels ; must we fetch you water out Of this rock ?" In doing this, he expressed im
patience and heat of spirit, which were in direct opposition to that humility he had
hitherto possessed.
This conduct of Moses was highly offensive to God, as appeared from his firsi
striking the rock without its having the least effect. However, on striking it a second
time, the water issued from it in great abundance, and not only the people, but like
wise the cattle, were plentifully supplied with that necessary article they had so
much wanted.
Though this was the first time that Moses had made the least deviation from the
divine injunctions, yet it pleased the Almighty to make him sensible of his fault, and
to inflict a punishment on him for his disobedience. Considering Aaron also as con
cerned with him in the transgression, he denounced this sentence against them con
junctively. " Because," said he, " ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of
the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land,
which I have given them." From this unhappy accident, the place was called Meri-
bah, which, in the Hebrew language, signifies, chiding or strife.
Though Moses had committed this offence, and received tne divine chastisement,
yet he still preserved the command and government of the people. Intending to de
camp from Kadesh, as a necessary precaution in order to secure the safety of the peo
ple, he sent messengers to the king of Edom (upon whose borders they then were)
requesting permission to pass through his territories, assuring him that they would
not commit any hostilities, nor give the least molestation to any of his subjects. But
the haughty Edomite was so far from granting his request, that he came out with a
powerful army to oppose him ; upon which Moses, after decamping from Kadesh,
look another way, and marched to Mount Hor, near the borders of Edom, where rhey
pitched their tents, and for some time encamped.
The time now drawing near, that the Israelites were to penetrate the promised
land 'into which the Lord had told Aaron he should not enter because of his trans
gression at Meribah), God gave Aaron notice that his dissolution was near at hand,
i hat ne might the more properly prepare himself for so awful an event. As a neces
sary introduction, the Almighty commanded Moses to take Aaron, and Eleazar his
son (who was to succeed him in the office of high-priest), and conduct them to the
mp of the mount, where he should strip Aaron of his priestly garments, and put them
upon Eleazar his son.
Moses having obeyed these commands, Aaron, in a very short time after, gave up
Hie ghost ;* and when the people heard that he was dead, they mourned for him thirty
da vs.

CHAPTER XI.
FIERY SERPENTS — BALAAM — APPROACH TO CANAAN — DEATH OP MOSES.
While the Israelites lay encamped near Mount Hor,t Arad, one of the kings of
Canaan, who dwelt in the south, being informed of their situation, and that they iu-
* He was buried on the spot where he died, it being the ancient custom to bury persons of emintve in
.nnrli places. See Josl ua xxiv. 30 ; Judges ii. 9. This event happened in the fortieth year after the b> ael-
ites left Egypt, on the first day of the fifth month, which answers to our July, at which time Aaron was one
¦liuinlred and twenty-three years of age. See Numb, xxxiii. 38, 39.
t This name seems to have been anciently borne by the whole range of Mount Seir, and, when super-
vded by the latter denomination, continued to be preserved In the name of the particular summit on
wincli Aaron died. Topographical orobabilities concur with local traditions in identifying this Mount Hor

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

197

198 AN ILLUSTRATED .;
tended visiting his dominions, went out with a considerable army to interrupt their
progress. Accordingly, coming up wilh them, an engagement took place, in which
the Israelites were worsted, and some of them made prisoners.
In consequence of this repulse, the Israelites made a vow to God, promising, if he
would deliver these people into their hands, they would utterly destroy their cities.
Their divine protector was pleased to listen to their request ; for, upon their engaging
the Canaanites a second time, they obtained a complete victory, took possession of
their cities, and put all the inhabitants to the sword.
Elated with this success the Israelites decamped from Mount Hor, and took then
route by the Red sea, marching round Edom, through which they had been refused a
passage by the king of the country. As the way was long, the passes difficult, and
the country barren, they, forgetting their late success, and reflecting only on the pres
ent inconveniences, relapsed into their old humor of murmuring, and heavily com
plained both against God and Moses. " Wherefore," said they, " have ye brought us
up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness ? for there is no bready neither is there any
water, and our soul loatheth this light bread."
As a punishment to the Israelites for this fresh instance of their impiety and dis
trust, God sent among them prodigious numbers of fiery serpents, whose stings were
so venomous, that those who were bit by them died ; and by this plague, great num
bers of the Israelites, in a very short space of time, were carried off.
This dreadful calamity so alarmed the people, that they flew to Moses for protec
tion, acknowledging the offence they had committed, and beseeching him to intercede
with God in their behalf. Moses, pitying their distress, readily complied with their
request ; upon which the Almighty was pleased to order him to make a serpent of
brass resembling those by which they were afflicted, and to set it up on a high pole ;
telling him, at the same time, that such as were bitten, if they looked up to this ser
pent, should be healed.
Moses obeyed the divine command, and though the serpents did not cease biting,
that the people might be more sensible of their transgression, yet, on looking up to
the brazen serpent, the force of the sting lost its effect, and the persen afflicted soon
recovered. The Israelites, after making various marches and encampments, between the coun
tries of Moab and Ammon, without committing the least hostility, at length came to
the borders of that part of the country inhabited by the Amorites. ; Hence Moses sent
ambassadors to Sihon their king, requesting permission to pass through his country,
and promising, at the same time, not to commit any depredation, or give him the least
disturbance. The Amorite prince, fearful of admitting so formidable a body into the heart of his
with the high mountain which rises conspicuously above the surrounding rocks in the vicinity of Petrea,
the ancient capital of the Edomites or Nabathrcans, which is in a valley (Wady-Mousa) that cuts the
range 01 Seir about halfway between the Gulf of Akaba and the Dead sea, but rather nearer to the formei
than to the latter. This mountain, whose rugged pinnacle forms a very striking feature in one ofthe most
interesting scenes in the world, is of very difficult and steep ascent, which is partly artificial, rude steps
or niches being in some places formed in the rock. Dr Macmichael, who visited tlie spot in 1818, in com
pany with Mr. Bankes and Captains Irby and Mangles, says that it took his party one hour and a half to
ascend its almost perpendicular sides. If this were really Mount Hor, as there seems little reason to
doubt, the high-priest, before he lay down and died on that mountain, must have been able to mark
out with his eye much of that wild region in which the Israelites had, for so many long years, wandered lo
and fro. From its summit, Mount Sinai might clearly be distinguished in the south ; while the boundless
desert, marked by so many wonderful transactions, in which he had borne a conspicuous part, spread its
wide expanse before him on the west. The supposed tomb of Aaron is enclosed by a small modern build
ing, crowned with a cupola, such as usually cover the remains of Moslem saints. At the time of tlie above
visit, this spot formed the residence of an old Arab hermit, eighty years of age, the one half of which lie
had lived upon the mountain, from which he seldom descended, and where he chiefly subsisted through
the charity of the native shepherds. He conducted the travellers into the building, and showed them the
tomb, which lay at the further end of the building, behind two folding leaves of an iron grating. This
monument, which is about three feet high, is patched together with fragments of stone and uarble. arid
covered with a ragged pall. On the walls near the tomb are suspended beads, bits of cloth, leather, and
yarn, with paras and similar articles, left as votive offerings by the Arabs. The old Arab lighted a lamp of
butter, and conducted the travellers to a grotto or vault underneath, which is excavated in the rock, out
contains nothing remarkable. The Arabs are in the habit of offering sacrifices to Haroun (Aaron), gener
ally of a goat. When, however, they make a vow to slaughter a victim to him, they do not go to tlie
top of the mountain, but think it sufficient to complete their sacrifice at a spot from which the cupola
of the tomb is visible in the distance , where, after killing the animal, they throw a heap of stones over
the blood that flows to the ground, and then feast on the carcase. The services thus rendered to the tornt
of Aaron afford a striking picture ofthe debasing superstitions into which the Arabs have fallen. Burck
hardt, who, in his Mosiem character, sacrificed a goat, says, that while he did so his guide gave utterance
to such exclamations as the following : " O, Haroun ; look upon us ! it is for you we slaughter this victim.
O, Haroun, protect us and forgive us ! O, Haroun, be content with our good intentions, lor it is but a lean
goat ' O, Hare uu, smooth our paths : and praise be to the Lord of all creatures '"

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 199
Kingdom, positively denied the Israelites a passage ; and thinking it better policy to
attack than be attacked, gathered what force he could, and marched out to give them
hattie. They met near a place called Jahaz, when a desperate engagement ensued,
in which the Amorites were totally defeated, and the whole body put to tlie sword.
The Israelites pursuing their conquests made themselves masters of the most consid
erable places belonging to the Amorites, particularly Heshbon, which, with the vil
lages about it, Sihon had before taken from the Moabites.
From Heshbon the Israelites marched toward Bashan (taking several other places
in their way belonging to the Amorites, particularly a large city called Jaazer) where
the giant Og, another king of the Amorites, resided, and who, on the approach of the
Israelites, drew out his gigantic troops in order, to give them battle. Fearful lest tht
Israelites should be discouraged at tne sight of this formidable army, Moses, by the
command of God, bads them be of good spirits, and not entertain the least apprehen
sions of danger, for that God would deliver them into their hands, and they should
make as easy a conquest over them as they had done over King Sihon.
Animated at this intelligence, the Israelites marched with all expedition against the
Amorites, whom they attacked with such success as to obtain a complete victory, and
not only the whole of the people, but likewise King Og and his sons, were put to the
sword. They then seized on the principal parts of the country, and utterly destroyed
the inhabitants, reserving only the cattle and spoil of the cities, as they had done be
fore in the case of Sihon.
Encouraged by these successes, the Israelites marched to the plains of Moab, and
encamped on the bank of the river Jordan, nearly opposite to Jericho. The approach
of these victorious strangers struck a terror among the people wherever they went,
and the fame of their late success against the Amorites threw Balak, the king of Mo
ab, and all his people, into the most dreadful consternation.
Balak, knowing himself too weak to engage the mighty force of Israel himself,
formed a strong alliance with his neighbors the Midianites, and a consultation was
held between the heads of each, what steps should be taken to avoid the common
danger, and to secure themselves against these bold invaders.
The result of this consultation was, that messengers should be sent to Balaam, a
noted magician, who lived at Pethor, a city of Mesopotamia, to invite him by bribes
to come to Moab, and, by cursing the Israelites, prevent their proving successful in
that part of the country. In consequence of this determination, a select number of
the principal people, both of Moab and Midian, were despatched to Balaam with
many valuable presents, and with orders that they should, if possible, bring him with
them to Moab, that, by his enchantments and curses, he might destroy the power of
the Israelites, and thereby secure them from every kind of danger.
As soon as these deputies arrived at Pethor they delivered their message to Ba
laam, who desired them to tarry with him that night, for that he could not give
them any answer till he had consulted the Lord. The Almighty, knowing the se
crets of Balaam's heart, asked what men they were that were with him. To which
he replied, " They are some whom the king of Moab hath sent to me, to let me
know that there is a people come out of Egypt which cover the face of the earth ;
and to desire me to come to him and curse them, in hopes that he may then be able
to overcome them and drive them away." To this God made answer, " Thou shalt
net go with them ; thou shalt not curse the people, for they are blessed."
Not daring to disobey the divine command, Balaam arose early in the meting,
and going to the deputies, dismissed them, saying, " Be gone to your own country,
for the Lord refuseth to give me leave to go with you."
The deputies, on tlieir return to Moab, misrepresented Balaam's answer to the
king; for, instead of telling him that God had refused to let him come, they told hiui
that Balaam himself had refused to come. In consequence of this, Balak, suggesting
that either the number and quality of his messengers did not answer Balaam's ambi
tion, or the value of the presents his covetousness, resolved, if possible, to remove
this obstacle by gratifying both. He accordingly despatched the chiefs of his nobility
to Balaam, sending by them much more considerable presents than before, and at the
same time this message : " Let nothing," said he, " hinder thee from coming to me .
for 1 will promote thee to very great honor, and give thee whatsoever thou shalt ask,
if thou wilt but come and curse this people."
Balaam, being naturallv of a very avaricious disposition, accepted the presents

200 AN ILLUSTRATED
from tne deputies, but evaded complying with their request, by assuring them that
he durst not, on any account whatever, counteract the divine will. However, in order
to amuse and flatter them with expectations, he desired them to tarry a little while
he made farther inquiries of the Lord, and, if he thought proper to admit his going,
he would readily attend them.
The Almighty had at first given Balaam a positive answer, and it was certainly
the highest disobedience and presumption to attempt the reversing it by a farther
application. Howevei, blinded by covetousness and ambition, he again addressed
himself to God, who (provoked at his obstinacy and presumption) was pleased to give
him this answer: " If the men," said he, "come to call thee, rise up and go with
them ; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do."
With this permission Balaam arose in the morning, and, saddling his ass, set for
ward with the messengers on their journey to Moab. On the road he was met by
an aDgel with a drawn sword in his hand, whom, though he perceived not, his ass
plainly saw, and being startled, turned aside in order to avoid him. With some dif
ficulty Balaam beat his ass into the road again, soon after which the angel placed
himself in a narrow passage between two walls which enclosed a vineyard. The
ass, who was equally startled as before, not knowing how to avoid the angel, ran
against one of the walls and crushed Balaam's fool, upon which he was so provoked
that he beat him with great severity.. At length the angel removed, and fixed him
self in a place so very narrow that there was no possibility of passing him; upon
which the ass made a full stop and fell beneath his rider. This enraged Balaam
still more; and as he was beating the poor animal in/the most unmerciful manner,
God waB pleased to gtve the ass the faculty of speech, who expostulated with his
master on his severe treatment in words to this effect : " What," said he, " have I
done to thee, that thou shouldst beat me these three times?" — "Because," said Ba
laam, "thou hast deserved it in mocking me: had I a sword in my hand I would
kill thee." The ass replied, " Am I not thine ass, upon which thou hast been ac
customed to ride ever since I was thine ; did I ever serve thee so before ?"
While Balaam was thus conversing with his ass, God was pleased to open his
eyes, and let him see the angel standing in the way, with a naked sword in his hand.
Terrified at so unexpected a sight, Balaam fell on his face, acknowledged his offence,
asked pardon for it, and offered, if his journey was displeasing to God, immediately
to return.
That his journey was displeasing to the Almighty he certainly, could not be igno
rant, because, in his first address, God had expressly interdicted his going. He was
pleased, however, to suffer him to proceed, that some kind of advantage might be
raised out of this man's wickedness, and to make him, who was hired to curse, the
instrument of pronouncing a blessing on his people.
When Balak heard that Balaam was on the road, he went himself to receive him
on the confines of his dominions. As soon as Balak saw him, he in a friendly man
ner blamed him for not coming at his first sending, which Balaam excused on ac
count of the restraint that had been laid upon him by the Almighty. Balak then
conducted him to his capital, where he that day publicly entertained him in the most
sumptuous manner ; and the next morning conducted him to the high places conse
crated »o the idol Baal, whence he might take an advantageous view of the camp of
the Israelites.
After being here some short time, Balaam ordered seven altars to be erected, and
seven oxen, together with the like number of rams, lo be prepared for sacrifice. Ba
laam, having offered an ox and a ram on each altar, left Balak to stand by the sacri
fices, while himself withdrew at some distance to consult the Lord. On his return
he addressed the king, in the presence of the whole company, in words to this effect :
•' Thou hast caused me, 0 king," said he, " to come from out of the mountains of the
cast to curse the family o£ Jacob, and bid defiance to Israel. But how shall I curse
those whom God hath not cursed ? and how shall I defy those whom the Lord hath
not defied ? From the tops of the rocks I see their protector, and from the hills I
behold him. Behold, this people shall be separated to God, and distinguished from
all other people in religion, laws, and course of life : they shall not be reckoned
among the nations." He then set forth the great prosperity and increase of the Isra
elites, and concluded by wishing that his lot, both in life and in death, might be lute

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

201

202 AN ILLUSTRATED
unto theirs. " Let me die," said he, ' the death of the righteous, and let my last
end be like his."
Balak, alarmed as well as incensed at these words, which were quite contrary to
what he had expected, passionately said to Balaam, " What hast thou done ? I sent
for thee to curse mine enemies ; but, instead thereof, thou hast blessed them." Ba
laam excused himself by urging the necessity of his instructions, from which, he said,
it was not in his power at that time to make the least deviation.
Not discouraged at this rebuff, Balak, thinking that a change of place might pro
duce a change of fortune, or better success, conducted Balaam to the top of Mount
Pisgah, in order to try whether he could thence fulfil his wishes by cursing the
Israelites. Balaam, willing to please the king, had seven other altars erected here, and a bul
lock and ram offered on each. As soon as the sacrifices were ready he withdrew, as
before, to consult the Lord, from whom he received fresh instructions. On his return
to Balak and his attendants, the king, big with expectation of the result, asked whal
the Lord had spoken. Balaam, with the most serious countenance and solemn tone
of voice, answered as follows : " Consider," said he, " 0 Balak, thou son of Zippor,
consider that God, who hath already blessed Israel, and forbidden me tp curse them,
is not like a man that he should renounce his promise, or repent of what he does.
Hath he promised, and shall he not perform? or hath he spoken, and shall he not
make it good? Behold, I have received commission to bless, and he hath blessed,
and I can not reverse it. He does not approve of afflictions or outrages against the
posterity of Jacob, nor of vexation or trouble against the posterity of Israel. The
Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a king is in him. God hath brought
them out of Egypt ; he hath, as it were, the strength of a unicorn. Surely no en
chantment can prevail against Jacob, nor any divination against Israel. So that,
considering what God will work this time for the deliverance of his people, all the
world shall wonder and say, What hath God wrought, who hath put his people out
of the reach of fraud or force, and turned the intended curse into a blessing ! Aud to
show their future strength and success, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and
lift themselves up as a young lion. They shall not lie down until they eat of the
prey, and drink of the blood of the slain."
Balak was so mortified at this speech that, in the height of his passion, he forbar1"
Balaam either to bless or curse ; but after his indignation was somewhat abated he
changed his mind, and desired him to make a farther trial at another place. Ac
cordingly, Balaam was conducted to the top of Mount Peor, where fresh altars were
raised and fresh sacrifices offered ; but all to no purpose. Balaam well knew the
positive will of God in this case was to bless, and not to curse. He did not there
fore, as before, retire for farther instructions, but, casting his eyes on the tents ofthe
Israelites, thus exclaimed: "How goodly are thy tents, 0 Jacob, and thy taberna
cles, 0 Israel !" He then, in proper and significant metaphors, foretold their extent,
fertility, and strength, and that " those that blessed them should be blessed, and
those that cursed tnem should be cursed."
Balak, enraged to hear Balaam, whom he had sent for to curse the Israelites, thus
three times successively bless them, could no longer contain himself, but, clasping
nis hands together, bade him haste and be gone, since, by his folly, he had both
abused God and defrauded himself. " I thought," said he, " to have promoted thee
to great honor, if thou hadst answered my design in cursing Israel ; but the Lord
hath hindered thy preferment."
Balaam, in excuse, made use of the same arguments he had done before, namely,
that he could not run counter to the divine commands, but must speak what the
Lord had put into his mouth. He then, in expectation of obtaining some reward
from the king, notwithstanding he had not answered the purposes for which he was
sent, offered to advertise him of what the Israelites would do to his people in subse
quent ages ; which being accepted by Balak, he prophesied as follows : " That a star
should come forth from Jacob, and a rod from Israel ; that it should smite the chiefs
of Moab, and destroy the children of Seth ; that Edom should fall under its power ;
that the Amalekites should be totally destroyed, and the Kenites made captives."
Having said this Balaam left the king, but without receiving any reward, as he
had expected, for his predictions. Vexed at this disappointment, and considering the
Israelites as the occasion of it, he determined to wreak his vengeance on them, He

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 203
knew that their prosperity depended on their strict observance of the divine laws,
and that there was no way to bring a curse on them but by seducing them from theii
duty. To accomplish, therefore, his wicked design, he advised both the Moabites
and Midianites to send their daughters into the camp of the Israelites, that they
might first entice the people into lewdness, and then into idolatry ; by doing of which
they would infallibly be deprived of that divine assistance that had hitherto protected
them. This wicked stratagem, being highly approved of by the Moabites and Midianites,
was immediately put into execution, and in some measure attended with the wished-
for success. Many of the Israelites were deluded by these strange women, not only
to commit whoredom with them, but also idolatry, by assisting at their sacrifices,
and worshipping their gods, even their god Baal-peor.
These offences were highly displeasing to God, who, as a punishment on the peo
ple, "commanded Moses to take the chiefs of those who had worshipped Baal-peor,
and hang them up in the sight of the people, without paying respect either to friend
ship or kindred. This was accordmgly done, and the number that suffered was
about one thousand. But the -divine justice did not stop here, for those who had
sommitted whoredom were visited with a dreadful plague, which in a short time
carried off no less than twenty-four thousand persons.
These severe punishments opened the eyes ofthe sinful Israelites, who assembled
at the door of the tabernacle, and, with the most expressive sense of affliction, be
wailed their folly and wickedness in suffering themselves to have been deluded by a
strange people who were their mortal enemies.
While the whole congregation were thus situated at the door of the tabernacle,
they were surprised with an instance of the most unparalleled boldness and depravity
in one of the chiefs of the tribe of Simeon, named Zimri, who, in the sight of Moses
and all the people, brought with him a young Midianitish princess, named Cozbi,
into the camp, and, with all the actions of gallantry, conducted her to his tent.
This impious as well as insolent behavior particularly engaged the attention of
Phineas, the son of Eleazer the high-priest, who, fired with a just indignation, sud
denly arose, and taking a javelin in his hand, ran to Zimri's tent, and put a period to
their lives, by running them both through the body at the same instant.
After this zealous act of Phineas, the plague, which God had sent among the peo
ple for their lewdness and impiety, ceased. And Phineas not only received the high
est commendation for his conduct among the people, but also from God, who was
pleased to appoint a perpetual settlement of the priesthood on him and his posterity.
The disorders among the Israelites being thoroughly quelled, and the offenders pun
ished, Moses by the direction of God, proceeded to take vengeance on the Midianites,
who, by their conduct, had been the authors of the late calamities among the people.
He ordered a detachment to be made out of 12,000 choice men, a thousand out of each
tribe, whom he sent against the Midianites. Among them was the zealous Phineas,
who took with him the ark, together with the sacred trumpets, the latter of which
were to be blown, during the time of action, to animate the people.
The army of the Israelites was but small compared with the great numbers they
had to oppose ; but God, who put them on the expedition, was pleased to crown their
attempts with such success, that conquest look place wherever they went. They
vanquished five kings, whom, with their men, they put all to the sword. Among the
slain was the wijked prophet Balaam,* who, though he had before escaped the sword
of the angel, could not now avoid the common danger, but fell a victim to his own
baseness. In every city where the Israelites made a conquest, they destroyed not only the for
tified places but likewise all the buildings, took all the women and children prisoners.
and seized on their cattle, flocks, and goods.
The Israelites, having thus vanquished their enemies, and loaded themselves with
the spoils of conquest, returned in triumph to the camp, where they were met by
Moses, Eleazer the high-priest, and all the elders of the different tribes, who con
gratulated them on the occasion, and the people testified their joy by the loudest ac
clamations. * It is evident, from this circumstance, that if Balaam did return to his own country when he left Balak,
he dia not continue long there ; but it is lurch more probable that he never did return, but dwelt with the
winces ol Midian, in order to give them counsel.

204 AN ILLUSTRATED
But when Moses saw the women captives, remembering what damage they had
done by alluring the Israelites into idolatry, he thought it unsafe that their lives should
be spared. He therefore ordered that all those who had ever known man, together
with all the male children, should be put to the sword, and none but virgins be saved
alive. These orders were accordingly executed, and (as a proof of the importance of
the victory) the number of virgin captives amounted to two and thirty thousand.
After this Moses gave orders that the conquerors should abide seven days without
the camp, and that both the soldiers and spoils should pass through the ceremonies
of a legal purification.
When the time of purification was expired, Moses, by the command of God, tork
an account of the whole booty that had been taken from the Midianites. This lie di
vided into two equal parts, one of which he gave to the soldiers who had taken it,
and the other half to the rest of the people who stayed at home. Out of the division
given to the soldiers he ordered. a five hundredth part to be paid as a tribute to Elea
zer the high-priest, as a heave-offering to the Lord ; and out of ihe other part allotted
to the people, a fiftieth, both of persons and beasts, to be given to the Leviies.
The plunder of cattle and flocks consisted of 670,500 sheep, 72,000 oxen, and SI ,000
asses, besides a great quantity of rich goods and ornaments. And, what makts the
victory still more miraculous is, that not one man among the Israelites was slain in
the battle, as appeared from the report afterward made on a general muster of the
whole that went out to war.
The officers of the army were sensible that, in saving the Midianitish women, they
had committed a great transgression. They therefore presented a prodigious quantity
of jewels, and other rich spoils, both as an expiatory offering to atone for their offence,
and in gratitude to God's goodness for having given them so great and signal a victory.
The Israelites were now in possession of all thai part of the country which lay on
the east side of the river Jordan. It was a very fertile spot, and stored with good
pasturage, in consequence of which the tribes of Reuben and Gad, together with the
half-tribe of Manasseh, requested of Moses that they might be permitted to settle
there, it being particularly commodious for the feeding of their flocks and cattle.
Moses, thinking this request arose from their pusillanimity, and that they were de-
cirous of continuing in a country ready gained, and thereby avoid giving their assist
ance in farther conquests, was exceeding angry, and blamed them for offering a pro
posal eo discouraging to the rest of the tribes. They told him they had no other rea
son for wishing to continue where they were than what they had already advanced;
and that though they were desirous of settling there with their families, yet they
wished not to decline the fatigues of war. They promised, in the most solemn man
ner, that a quota should go with the army into the land of Canaan, and contribute all
the assistance they were able in reducing that country which had been so long prom
ised, and that when these matters were accomplished, and not till then, would they
desire to return to their families in the plains of Moab. On this reason, and on these
promises, Moses told them their request should be granted.
As the Israelites were now in the neighborhood of Canaan, and the time very near
of their entering that country to take possession of it, Moses called a general assem
bly of the people, to whom he enumerated the several stations and removes they had
made from the time of their leaving the land of Goshen in Egypt, till their arrival in
the plains of Moab. He then, by the direction of God, pointed out the limits of what
they were to conquer, and appointed the distribution of the whole among the different
tribes to be by lot, assigning the chief management of it to Eleazer the high-priest,
and Joshua, the general of his army.
In the division of the country Moses assigned forty-eight cities, together with their
suburbs, to be inhabited by the Levites, and withal ordered, that six of them should
be made cities of refuge, whither the innocent manslaver. who had killed his neigh
bor by chance, might betake himself, and where he should remain in safety till th*
death of the high-priest, when he was at full liberty to go where he pleased with
equal safety as when in the city of refuge. At the same time Moses made all proper
provision that the wilful murderer should certainly be put to death. "But in this, and
all other capital cases, he made it a law that none should be convicted upon the evi
dence of any single person. A law was likewise made, that every daughter who
should possess an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel should be married
to one of the tribes of his father, that so the Israelites might every one enjoy the iii-

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

205

206 AN ILLUSTRATED
heritance of nis lather , and the inheritance not to be transferred to another tribe.
Tnis was grounded on a law made before, which empowered daughters to inherit land
where the heirs male should be deficient ; and was the case of the daughters of Ze-
lophehad (a descendant of Manasseh, the son of Joseph), who, by this additional law,
were required to marry within the family of their father's tribe.
The forty years' travels of the Israelites being now nearly expired, Moses, consider
ing that the then generation were either sprung up since the law was given at Mount
Sinai, or too young to remember and understand it, thought proper to repeat the whole
to them, that they might not be deficient in performing those duties so religiously en-
joi'-ed. Accordingly, on the first day of the eleventh month, and in the fortieth year
fr jm their departure out of Egypt (being then encamped on the plains of Moab, by
the banks of the river Jordan) Moses called all the people together, to whom he briefly
related all that had befallen their fathers since the time of their leaving Egypt ; tht
gracious dealings of God with them ; their continual murmurings and rebellions against
him ; and the many severe judgments that followed thereupon, even to his own ex
clusion from the promised land. He then gave them a summary of all the laws which
the divine goodness had calculated for their happiness; and, after repeating the deca
logue almost word for word, he reminded them of the solemn and dreadful manner in
which it was delivered from Mount Sinai, and of the manifold obligations they lay
under to a strict observance of it. He encouraged them to be faithful to God, by as
suring them, that, if they kept his commandments, they should not fail of having in
numerable blessings heaped on them ; but at the same time he threatened them with
all manner of calamities if they departed from them. He then, in the name of the
Lord, renewed the covenant which their fathers had made with God at Mount Horeb ;
commanded them to proclaim, on the mountains of Gerizim and Ebal,* beyond Jor
dan, blessings on such as observed the covenant, and curses on those who broke it:
and to erect an altar there, on which should be written, in legible characters, the terms
and conditions of the covenant.
These, and several other directions relative to their future conduct in the land of
Canaan, did Moses not only deliver to the people by word of mouth, but likewise or
dered them to be written in a book, which he committed to the care and custody of
the Levites, who, by God's appointment, laid it up on the side of the ark, there tu
remain a witness against the people should they afterward rebel.
Such was the care and concern of Moses for the future welfare of the people : and
that they might never want a proper fund of devotion, he composed a song, or poem,
which he not only repeated lo them, but likewise gave orders that they should all
learn by heart. In this song he expressed, in a very elegant manner, the many ben
efits wliich God had bestowed on his people ; their ingratitude and forgelfulness of
him, the punishment wherewith he had afflicted them; and the threats of greater
judgments, if they persisted in provoking him by a repetition of their follies. The
whole of this beautiful song runs from the first verse of the thirty-second chapter of
Deuteronomy to the forty-third.
The time was now near at hand when a period was to be put to Moses's earthly
peregrinations. The Almighty had before told him, that he should not conduct the
people into the promised land because of his error at the waters of Meribah : he
therefore now commanded him to go up to the mountains of Abarim.t and there take
a view of the land of Canaan, which he had promised to his forefathers, Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob ; and farther told 1 m, that after he had so done, he should die there,
as his brother Aaron had done on Miunt Hor.
Moses humbly submitted to the will of the Almighty, and, as a necessary prepara-
* These two mountains (of which we give a beautiful and correct representation, p.205), are so near each
o'.her.that they are only separated by a valley of about two hundred paces wide, in which is situated the town
of shecliem. They are much alike in length, height, and form : their figure is semicircular, and on the side of
Shechem they are so steep that there is not the least shelving! tliey are at most about half a league in
length. But notwithstanding they are so much alike in the particulars mentioned, they are ve.y different
in one instance ; namely, Ebal is desolate and barren, whereas Gerizim is beautiful and fruitful
t These mountains were situated in the country ofthe Moabites, between the two rivers Arnon and Jor
dan, and commanded a most extensive prospect of the land of Canaan One part of these mountains was
distinguished by the name of Nebo, as appears from Dout. xxxh. 49, but if we compare this with Deut
xxxiv 1, we shall find that Nebo and Pisgah were one, and the same mountain. Iff therefore, there was
any distinction between the names it was probably this, that the top ofthe mcuntain was more peculiar >
called Pisgah, which signifies to elevate or raise up, and, therefore, may very properly denote the tov or sum
mit, of any mountain. Not far from Nebo was Beth-peor, wliich was probably so called from some deity ol
that nime worshipped bv the Moabites. J

55

m ca

w ter>fa. o
>.en oH03i— i
a

Ancient Syrian Chief addressing the People.

5:08 AN ILLUSTRATED i>
tion to the execution of this last command, took a solemn farewell of the people, be
stowing a prophetic blessing on each tribe, in like manner as Jacob had done a short
time previous to his death.
The Almighty had before appointed Joshua to succeed Moses in his commission ;
and to prevent any disputes after his death, Moses first laid his own hands upon Joshua,
and then presented him to Eleazer the high-priest, who, in a solemn form of admis
sion, and in the presence of all the people, accepted him as leader and general of the
Israelites ; after which Moses gave Joshua some instructions relative to his office, and
one more especially which concerned his consulting God, by way of Urim and Thum-
miin,* on matters of emergency.
Having adjusted these matters, Moses, in conformity to the, divine command, retired
to Pisgah, the most elevated situation on Mount Nebo, directly opposite to Jericho,
whence he might take a full view of the country, which God had promised to Abra
ham's posterity. At this time he was a hundred and twenty years of age, notwith
standing which, his natural strength and vigor were not abated, nor had his eyesight
in the least failed him. He was, therefore, able to survey the beauteous prospect
which the delightful plains of Jericho, and the fair cliffs and lofty cedars of Lebanon,
afforded him ; and having done this for some time, he at length resigned his soul into
the hands of seraphim, who were waiting to convey it to a more happy Canaan than
that which he had been surveying.
The Almighty was pleased to pay the funeral honors to the remains of this greal
prophet himself, by burying him in a valley hi the land of Moab opposite to Befh-Peor,
and that in so secret a manner, that the place of his interment was never yet discovered.
Thus died the illustrious and pious Moses, the most eminent servant of God, ami
the great conductor of his chosen people, who, as soon as they knew of his death, la
mented the loss of him with the greatest solemnity, weeping and mourning for him
in the plains of Moab for thirty days.

CHAPTER XII.
JOSHUA BECOMES LEADER — CONQUEST OF CANAAN.
On the death of Moses, Joshua, being appointed to succeed him in the government
of the Israelites, •vras installed into the kingly office by Eleazer, the high-priest, and
with the universal approbation of the people. To encourage him in the great work
he had to undertake, the Almighty expressly commanded him (as he had done his
servant Moses) to lead the people over the Jordan, telling him that every place on
which they should tread should be their own, and that no man should be able tc
stand against him : that in like manner as he had been with Moses, so he would be
with him, and that he might be assured he would never forsake him.
Encouraged by these divine assurances, Joshua ordered the officers to proclaim
throughout the camp, that within a few days they should pass the Jordan, in ordei
to possess the land which the Almighty had promised them, and that therefore they
should provide themselves with proper necessaries on the occasion. He then called
together the leaders of the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half- tribe of Manasseh,
* Urim and Thummim, signifying lights and perfections, formed the oracle of God put into the sacred
breastplate of judgment of Aaron, by which the Divine will was to be sought on solemn occasions: bu
while learned men have offered many and various conjectures, it is not agreed what they were; as it is no.
fully declared by Moses, Exod. xxviii. 30, Lev. viii. 8. Josephus supposes that they were the twelve pre
cious stones ofthe breastplate, on which were engraven the names of several tribes of Israel, Exod. xxviii
15-21 ; and that God gave answers to the high-priest inquiring before the most holy place, by an extraordi
nary glory illustrating the letters : but others are of opinion that they were given by an audible voice from
the Shekinah, in the cloud of glory over the mercy-seat, Psal. Ixxx. 1, xcix. 1. This oracle, it is believed,
was not used during the life of Moses, as God spake to him directly, Exod. xxxiii. 11, Num. vii. 89 ; and
afterward only in national difficulties, by the high-priest only, and not for any private person, Num. xxvii
21. Josh, vii. 6-15. This sacred instrument is supposed to have been destroyed with the temple of Soloiunn
ff not before ; as the Jews acknowledge that it did not exist in the second temple, Ezra ii. 13, Neh. vii. 115
The rabbins indeed say, that it continued in use only under the tabernacle, I Sam. xxviii. 6: they have a
maxim that tlie Holy Ghost spoke to Israel under the tabernacle by Urim and Thummim ¦' under the first
temple by prophets ; and after the captivity of Babylon, by the Dath-kol, or Daughter of the'voice ¦ meaning
w \ nice from heaven, as at the baptism, and transfiguration of Christ, Matt. iii. 17 xvii 5 ¦ 2 Pet 'i 17
i sec Engraving (p. 207).— The costume is Egypto-Syrian—that is Egyptian, with sucli modifications as it*
Syrians appear to have giver, it in adopting it from the Egyptians It has been very carefully studied

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 209
whom he reminded of the promises they had made to Moses, and entreated them,
not only for his sake, but also their own, to fulfil their engagements. They faithfully
promised to comply with his request, and that they would be equally obedient to
him as they had been to his predecessor.
Opposite to Joshua's camp stood the city of Jericho, which of course must be the
first place he would have to attack after passing the river Jordan. As a necessary
precaution, he sent two spies to take a view of the strength and situation of that
city-j and to learn the disposition of the inhabitants. They accordingly entered
Jericho, and being considered as strangers come thither to gratify their curiosity,
were permitted to perambulate the streets without the least molestation. On the
close of the day they took up their residence in the house of a woman named Rahab,
where, after refreshing themselves, they retired to rest.
In the meantime, information had been given the king that there were two spies
in the city, and that they had concealed themselves in the house of Rahab. On this
the king immediately despatched proper officers to seize them ; but Rahab (who had
been previously informed of it), before their arrival, had secreted the two spies under
some stalks of flax on the roof of the house.
When the messengers arrived and related their business, Rahab told them there
had been such people at her house, but she knew not who they were, nor
whence they came ; that a short time after dark, and before the gates of the city
were shut, they departed ; and, as they could not be got far, it would be no difficult
matter to overtake them. The messengers, believing Rahab's story, left her, and
immediately set out in pursuit of the spies.
As soon as they were gone, Rahab uncovered her guests, told them what had
passed, and pointed out the great danger to which she had exposed herself and
family for their protection. In return for this kindness, she exacted from them an
oath, that when the city should be invested by the Hebrews, they should preserve
her and her relations from the general destruction. To effect this, they told her that
when shp found the city attacked, to shut herself up with her family in her house,
and that, in order to distinguish it from the rest, she must hang a scarlet thread
to the door, which signal should be communicated to the general, who would, no
doubt, give such directions as to secure her from all danger. This being
agreed on, Rahab, for the better security of her guests, let them down into the
street by a rope fastened to the window, so that thev made their escape unper-
ceived. She advised them immediately to fly to the mountains, and there conceal
themselves for three days, in which time the messengers, finding their endeavors
ineffectual, would relinquish the pursuit.
The two spies took Rahab's advice, and the consequences turned out as she had
predicted; for, after two days' search, the messengers, despairing of success, gave
over the pursuit and returned to Jericho. At the close of the third day the two
spies left the mountains, crossed the Jordan, and arriving safe at the camp of Joshua,
gave him a faithful account of their expedition ; adding, that for certain the Lord
had delivered the country into their hands, for the people were quite dispirited at
the name of the Israelites.
Pleased with this intelligence, Joshua, early the next morning, left Shittim, and
conducted his army within a small distance of the place where it was intended they
should cross ihe river Jordan. Here he communicated to every tribe the order to be
observed in their march. He told them that when they saw the ark of the Lord
carried by the priests, the whole army should then move and follow it, that they
might know the way by which they were to go ; and that they should leave a space
of two thousand cubits between them and the ark. That when the priests were got
into the middle of the channel, they should there stand still till the whole multitude
were got safe on the opposite shore ; and, to prepare themselves properly for this
remarkable passage, they were all enjoined to sanctify themselves, by washing their
clothes, avoiding all impurities, and abstaining from matrimonial intercourse the
preceding night. He also, by the direction of the Almighty, appointed twelve men
(one out of each tribe) to choose twelve stones from the middle of the river where
the priests were to stand with the ark, and there to set them up (that they mighl be
seen from each side of the r>er when the waters were abated) as a monument of
this great miracle; and to take twelve others with them to be erected on the land
for the like purpose. 14

210 AN ILLUSTRATED
Having given these necessary orders, early the next morning, which was the tenth
day of the first month, the whole army proceeded on their march. The priests with
the ark went first ; and as soon as they touched the river with their feet, the rapidity
of the stream abated; the waters above went back, and rose on heaps for a consider
able distance, while those below continued their course the contrary way, so that
there was a passage opened of about sixteen miles for the Israelites to pass. The
priests stood with the ark in the middle of the channel till the whole multitude had
got on the other side, when, having raised the twelve stones as Joshua had com
manded, they left the bed of the river, on which the waters immediately returned,
and resumed their natural course.
The Israelites, having by this miraculous passage gained the plains of Jericho,
encamped in a place afterward called Gilgal,* where Joshua erected the twelve
stones, which had been brought from the Jordan, as a monument to posterity of the
Almighty's interposition in assisting them to pass that river.
This extraordinary event being soon circulated through the adjacent parts of the
country, the people were filled with the greatest amazement ; and when the kings
of the Amorites (who were on the west side of the Jordan) and the kings of the
Canaanites (who inhabited those parts next the sea) heard of it, their hearts sunk
for fear, and their courage failed them.
Soon after Joshua had encamped his army, God commanded the rite of circum
cision (which had been neglected for almost forty years) to be renewed, that thi
people might be properly qualified to partake of the ensuing passover.t This order
being obeyed, the Lord said unto Joshua, " This day have I rolled away the reproach
of Egypt [i. e. uncircumcision] from off you, wherefore the name of tne place is'
called Gilgal [i. e. rolling] unto this day."
As the Israelites were now arrived in a country where there was a sufficiency of
corn for unleavened bread, God insisted upon the observance of his ordinances, and
resolved that all things should now go in a regular way. He therefore ceased to sup
ply them any longer with manna, but left them for the future to enjoy the products
of the promised inheritance.
Joshua, previous to his marching his army against Jericho, went from the camp
alone, in order to reconnoitre the city, and to discover which would be the most
advantageous way of approaching it. While he was making his observations, on a
sudden there appeared before him a person resembling a man, but with a lustre in
his face that indicated he was more than mortal. In his hand he held a flaming
sword, and his whole appearance far surpassed anything of human nature. Un
daunted at this unusual sight, Joshua advanced toward him, and demanding of what
party he was, the vision replied, of the host of the Lord,:): of which he was captain
and guardian. On this answer, Joshua immediately threw himself prostrate on the
ground, when the vision, after ordering him to loose the sandals from his feet, pro
ceeded to instruct him in what manner he would have the siege carried on, that the
Canaanites might see it was not the arm of flesh alone by which they would be defeated.
The instructions Joshua received were these : that for six successive days the whole
army should march round the city, with seven priests before the ark, having in their
hands trumpets made of rams' horns. That on the seventh day, after the army had
gone round the city seven times, upon signal given, the priests were to blow their
trumpets as loud as possible, and the people, on a. sudden, to set up a great shout; at
which instant the walls of the city should fall to the ground, and they might walk
mto it without the least obstruction.
Having received these Orders from the Divine messenger, Joshua returned to the
camp, and early the next morning marched with his whole army against Jericho.ll
* This place received its name from the rite of circumcision, which had been long disused, being here re
newed. It lay about two miles to the northeast of Jericho, and St. Jerome tells us, that in his time it was
greatly venerated by the inhabitants.
t This was the third time of their celebrating that festival. Thefirst was at their departure out of Egypt*
and the second at their erecting the tabernacle at the foot of Mount Sinai.
$ It is the opinion of the best commentators, both ancient and modern, that the perso. here called the
captain ofthe Lord's host, was no other than an angel, or messenger from God, who was pleased in 1111?
manner to appear to Joshua, both to encourage and direct ll'lm.
il Jkricho, •' the city of paim trees" (Deut xxxi/. 3), derhes ali i*is importance lrom history. Though
now only a miserable village, containing about thirty wretched cottages, which are inhabited, by half-naked
Arabs, it was one of the oldest cities in Palestine, and was the first place reduced by the Israelites on en
tering the Holy Land, lt was rased to the giound by Joshua, who denounced a curse on the person who
should rebuild it, Josh. vi. 20-26. Five hundred and thirty years afterward this malediction was litcrallj

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

211

212 AN ILLUSTRATED
The place was strong, well provided, and full of inhabitants, who had retired into it,
and seemed resolved to make a vigorous defence.
But Joshua had an irresistible force on his side. He strictly obeyed the orders he
had received, and the promises made him were amply fulfilled; for, on the seventh
day, as soon as the people shouted, after going round the city seven times, the walls
suddenly fell to the ground. In consequence of this, the Israelites immediately
entered the place, and pui every living creature to the sword, except Rahab and her
relations, who, being preserved as had been directed by Joshua, agreeably to the
promise made by the spies, were placed without the camp of the army.
In the city were found great quantities of gold, .silver, and brass, the whole. of
which was of immense value, and being gathered together as Joshua had ordered,
he presented it to the priests, to be deposited in the sacred treasury.
Having destroyed all the inhabitants, Joshua ordered the city to be set on fire,
which was accordingly done, and the whole reduced to a heap of ashes. He like
wise denounced a heavy curse on any person who should ever after attempt to
rebuild it. That whoever should take upon him to lay the first stone might be
punished by the loss of his eldest son ; and whoever should finish the work, his
youngest. Notwithstanding Joshua had taken the ,greatest precaution to prevent private
plunder in the taking of Jericho, yet one Achan, of the tribe of Judah, committed a
violent depredation, by taking to himself the rich cloak of the king of the Canaan
ites, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels. He secreted
these treasures in a pit he had dug in his tent, foolishly supposing the fact would be
no more noticed by God than it was known by his companions. But in this he soon
found himself mistaken.
About twelve miles from Jericho (to the east of Bethel) was a small city called Ai,
which Joshua knowing to be neither populous nor well defended, he detached a small
body of men to take it. Bnt they did not find the conquest so easy as they had
imagined ; for no sooner did they approach the place than the inhabitants imme
diately sallied out upon them, and having slain some, the rest were so frightened
that they betook themselves to flight, and were pursued by the enemy within a small
distance of their own camp.
This defeat, though small, struck a universal damp on the spirits of the people:
and Joshua, in particular, was so afflicted that he had recourse to the Almighty, who
told him there was a latent cause of his displeasure among the people: that some of
them had laken of the accursed thing, and also of those things which were devoied
to the Lord, and, instead of bringing them to the treasury of God, had concealed
fulfilled upon Hiel of Bethel I Kings xvi. 34, who rebuilt the city, which suon appears to have attained it
considerable degree of importance. There was a school of the prophets here in the days of Kigali and Eli
sha. both of whom seeme'1 to have resided much here. In the vicinity of Jericho there was a large but un
wholesome spring. wh.cn rendered tlie soil unfruitful, until it was cured by the prophet Elisha, Si Kinss, ii.
21. In Ezra ii " , and Neh. vii. 36, we read, that three hundred and forty-five of the inhabitants' pf Jericho,
who had b«" carried into captivity, returned to.Judea with Zeruhbabel, and in Nell. hi. 2, we find them at
work up .i. the walls of Jerusalem.
Jenctlo appears to have continued in a flourishing condition during several centuries. In the time of ou
Saviour it was inferior only to Jerusalem in the number and splendor of its public edifices, and was' one o
the royal residences of Herod misnamed the Great, who died there. It was situated in the hollow or bot
tom of the extensive plain cr.lled the " Great Plain," (which circumstance marks the propriety of the ex
pression "going down to Jerusalem," in Luke x. 30), and is about nineteen miles distant from the capital
of Judea. In the last war of the Romans with tlie Jews, Jericho was sacked by Vespasian, and its inhab
itants were put to the sword. Subsequently re-established by the emperor Hadrian, A. D. 138, lt waa
doomed at no very distant period to experience new disasters : again it was repaired by the christians, who
made it an eoiscopal see ; but in the twelfth century it was captured by the Mohammedans, and has not
since emerged from its ruins. Of all its magnificent buildings there remains part of only one tower, the
dwelling ofthe governor ofthe district, whicli is seen in the middle of our engraving, and which is tradi
tionally said to have been the dwelling of Zaccheus the publican, who dwelt at Jericho (Luke xix. 1, 2).
The steep mountainous ridge in the background of our engraving is called the mountain of Quarantania,
and is supposed to have been the scene of our Saviour's temptation. Matt. fv. 1-10. Here Dr. Shaw is of
opinion that tin' two spies of Joshua concealed themselves, Josh. ii. 16. Tllis mountain commands a dis
tinct and deligntful view of the mountains of Arabia, and ofthe Dead sea, and of the extensive and fertile
plain of Jericho. According to Mr. lViaundrell, CJuarantania is a most miserable, dry, and barren place, con.
sisting of rocky mountains so torn and disordered, as if the earth had here suffered some great convulsion.
On the left hand, looking down a steep valley, as he passed along, he saw ruins of small cells and cottages,
tho former habitations of hermits who had retired thither for penance arid mortification ; for which purpose
a more comfortless arid abandoned place could not be found in the whole, earth. The particular mountain
ous precipice, whence " all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them" were shown tu Jesus Christ,
is. as Ihe evangelist describes it, ¦¦ an exceeding high mountain" Matt. iv. 8, and in its ascent not only dilii-
suit but dangerous ¦ it has a small ciiapel al the top, and another about half way down, founded on a pro
jecting part of the rock. Near the latter are several caves and holes, excavated by the hermits, ill which
they kept their fasl of Lent in luiitaiion of that of Jesus Chits!,.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 213
them for their own use. He likewise told Joshua that no succt ss could attend th«
house of Israel lill the accursed thing was removed ; and discovered to him ihe
means whereby the offender might be discovered and properly punished.
•Agreeably to the Divine instructions, Joshua, early the next morning, set about the
business of discovering the thief, who had brought so great an evil on the people.
For this purpose, he ordered all the tribes to assemble before the altar, where, first
casting lots among the tribes, it appeared the thief belonged to that of Judah. They
then proceeded from tribe to family, from family to household, and from household to
particular persons; when the criminal was at length discovered to be Achan, who,
on Joshua's admonition, made an ample confession ofthe whole. "I have," says he,
" sinned against the Lord God of Israel ; for when I saw among the spoil a royal gar
ment and two hundred shekels of silver, with a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight,
my covetousness prompted me to take them ; which I did, and hid them in the earth
in the midst of my tent."
On this frank confession, Joshua sent messengers to examine Achan's tent, who,
finding the treasures, brought them away, and laid them before the people. The
offender being thus fully convicted, they took him, together with his family (whom
they considered as accomplices in his crime), his cattle, tent, and all his moveables,
and conducted them to a neighboring valley (called from that time, in allusion to this
man's name, the valley of Achor), where they were first stoned to death, and theii
bodies afterward reduced to ashes. They likewise burnt all their goods and utensils,
and erected over the whole a pile of stones, to perpetuate the memory of the crime.
and to deter others from committing the like offence.
The Divine vengeance being appeased by the sentence executed upon Achan, God
commanded Joshua to make another attempt on the city of Ai, assuring him that he
should lie no less successful than he had been in the attack on Jericho. As an
encouragement to the soldiers, he allowed them the plunder of the city and cattle,
and, in order the more easily to facilitate the conquest, particularly enjoined Joshua
to place a party of men in ambuscade near the city.
Agreeably to these instructions, Joshua selected thirty thousand men, out of which
lie sent away by night five thousand to conceal themselves between Bethel and Ai,
who, on a signal given by him (which was to be the holding up of a spear with a
banner upon it), were immediately to enter the city and set it on fire. Early the
next morning, Joshua marched with his army before the north part of the city. As
soon as the king of Ai perceived him, he immediately sallied out of the town with
his troops, followed by the greater part of the inhabitants, all of whom had been so
elated with their former success, that they did not doubt of soon making an easy con
quest. They accordingly fell on the Israelites with great fury, who at the first onset
save way, and retreated a considerable distance from the city. But this was only a
feint to draw the enemy into the plain ; and therefore, as soon as Joshua saw that by
this stratagem the city was pretty well emptied, he gave the signal to the ambuscade;
who, finding it defenceless, immediately entered and set it on fire. The ascent of the
smoke convinced Joshua that his men had got possession of the place ; upon which
he suddenly turned about and faced the enemy, who, little expecting the Israelites-
would rally, were so surprised that they began to think of retreating to the city.
But when they saw it all in flames, and the party who had set it on fire just going, to
fall upon their rear, they were so dispirited that they could neither fight nor fly; in
consequence of which they were all cut to pieces by the Israelites, who, immediately
marching to the city, put all they found in it to the sword : the whole number, men,
women, and children, slain that day, amounted to twelve thousand. The king ol Ai
being taken prisoner, was ordered to be hung on a gibbet till sunset ; after which his
body was taken down and buried under a great heap of stones near the entrance of
the city. The cattle and spoil taken from the enemv were (according to the Divine
appointment) divided among the soldiers, who so effectually destroyed the city as to
leave it a mere heap of rubbish.
As Joshua was now but a small distance from the mountains of Gerizim and Ebal,
he bethought himself of the command, which had been given him by Moses, relative
to the reading of the law (with' the blessings and curses thereunto annexed), from
those two mountains. He accordingly went to Mount Ebal, where he erected an al
tar, on which he offered up sacrifices to God for his late victories. He likewise caused
in abridgment of the law or some of the most remarkable parts of it, to be engraver

214 AN ILLUSTRATED
on stones ; anj afterward read the whole of.it to the people, as had been commanded
by Moses.
The great success of Joshua against the cities of Jericho and Ai, and the dreadful
slnughter made among the inhabitants, had so alarmed the kings of the respective
provinces' on that side the river Jordan, that they confederated together, and entered
inio a league for their mutual defence. But the Gibeonites, foreseeing the destruction
that awaited them, and being apprehensive that all resistance would be hi vain, re
solved to make a peace with the Israelites, which they effected by the following stral-
agem : They selected a certain number of artful men, who were instructed to feign
themselves ambassadors come from a very distant country, in order to obtain a league
with the people of Israel. To make this story appear plausible, they were dressed
in tattered garments, with old clouted shoes on their feet ; and their provision consisted
of dry musty bread, which they carried in old sacks, with some wine in bottles, all
tarnished and torn. In this woful-appearing plight they arrived at Gilgal, the place
where the army of the Israelites was at this time encamped.
•Being introduced to Joshua, they told him, that from the many miracles which God
had wrought for the Israelites in the land of Egypt, and the wonderful successes
wherewith he had blessed their arms against every power that had opposed them in
coming to that place, their states and rulers had sent them, from a very remote coun
try, to form a league of friendship with them, and that on such conditions as were
customary with their forefathers. They then pointed to their garments, which they
solemnly assured Joshua were quite new when they sat out on their journey, but that
the length of it had reduced them to the state in which they then appeared.
This stratagem had the desired effect : The plausible story of these feigned ambas
sadors gained such credit with the Israelites, that they entered into an amicable alli
ance with them ; and Eleazer, the high-priest, with the princes of the respective
tribes, solemnly ratified the treaty, the whole multitude assenting to the oaths made
by their leaders. When the business was over, the Gibeonites took their leave, and
hasted home with the glad tidings of their successful expedition.
Three days after the departure of these ambassadors, the whole plot was discovered,
when it appeared that the Gibeonites were inhabitants of Canaan, and that they re
sided at a small distance from Jerusalem. This discovery greatly alarmed Joshua,
who immediately sent for their governors, and reproached them for having practised
such a deception ; to which they replied, that they were compelled to do it in their
own defence, as they knew they should otherwise share a similar fate with the in
habitants of Jericho and Ai. Joshua was desirous of having the league cancelled ;
but as it was confirmed by a solemn oath, this could not be done, without incurring
the divine displeasure. It was therefore resolved, in order to appease the people, that.
as a punishment for the imposition, the Gibeonites should ever after be kept in a stale
of bondage, by being made hewers of wood and drawers of water. This sentence
they received without the least murmur, humbly acquiescing in whatever was thought
proper to be imposed upon them by the Israelites.
When the confederate princes (who were five in number, the principal of whom
was Adonizedek, king of Jerusalem) heard of the separate treaty made by the Gib
eonites, and ihe artful manner in which it was obtained, they resolved to be revenged
on them for their desertion of the common cause. Accordingly they joined all their
forces, and marched toward the city of Gibeon, with a firm resolution of totally de
stroying it. ' When they came within a small distance of the place, they pitched theii
tents, intending to begin the attack early the next morning. In the meantime the
Gibeonites (not daring to trust to their own strength) despatched a messenger to Joshua,
imploring his immediate assistance, as they must otherwise inevitably fall into the
hands of the Canaanites.
Joshua losl no time in complying with their request. He immediately set out wi'h
his army, and after marching the whole night, arrived, the next morning, at the spot
where the enemy were encamped. The appearance oif so formidable an army, and
so unexpected, had such an efiect on the Canaanites, that on Joshua's making an at
tack they immediately gave way, and were entirely routed, many being killed, and
the rest betaking themselves to a precipitate flight. God had all along encouraged
Joshua by .promising him success; and therefore, as the confederate forces were en
deavoring to escape, there fell a most violent storm of hail, the stones of which were
so large that more people were destroyed by them than what fell by the sw.rd

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 215
joshua was so desirous of totally extirpating the Canaanites, and so elevated with the
manifest interposition of the Almighty, that while he was in chase of them, he begged
in the most fervent manner, that the sun and moon might stand still till he had ac
complished his wishes. Notwithstanding the singularity of this request, God was
pleased to grant it ; so that this was the most memorable day that ever happened, the
Almighty condescending to alter the course of nature to answer the purposes of man.
The confederate kings, finding themselves closely pursued, and likely to be either
slam, or made captives, concealed themselves in a cave, near Makkedah, a city be
longing to the tribe of Judah ; intelligence of which being given to Joshua, he ordered
the mouth of the cave to be blocked up, and a guard placed over it, to prevent their
escape. In this situation they remained till Joshua returned from pursuing the fugi
tives, when he ordered the cave to be opened, and the kings to be brought forth, and
nung upon trees till the evening. This was accordingly done, when their bodies were
taken down, an* thrown into the cave ; so that the place they had chosen for their
sanctuary became their sepulchre.
After this signal victory, Joshua proceeded to the southern parts of Canaan ; in
which, having soon reduced the most considerable places, and put the inhabitants to
the sword, he returned, with his victorious army, to the camp at Gilgal.
The great fame of Joshua being now spread throughout Canaan, several princes of
the northern parts, at the instigation of Jabin, king of Hazor, confederated together,
and raised a great army to engage the Israelites, which they encamped at Berotha, a
city of the Upper Galilee, not far from the waters of Merom. This, however, did noi
in the least intimidate Joshua, who, in pursuance of the instructions which God had
given him (namely, that he should not only destroy them, but also their horses and
chariots), immediately took the field, marched toward the enemy, and fell so suddenly
on them, that they were totally routed, and, except some few who escaped into the
country, were all put to the sword ; after which he ham-strung their horses and burnt
their chariots. Jabin, king of Hazor, who had been at the head of the confederacy,
and was taken prisoner, he put to death, and ordered his city to be burnt to the ground ;
but the other cities whose inhabitants were slain in the action, he left standing, and
gave the cattle and plunder to the soldiers.
After-defeating this powerful army, Joshua pursued his route to the most distant
parts of Canaan ; and, by degrees, subdued all tne inhabitants of the coutitry. He
slew all their kings, who were thirty-one in number, together with the Anakims, or
giants, of whom he left none remaining, except in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod.
Joshua, having now extended his conquests- as far as he thought necessary at pres
ent, resolved to divide the country he had taken among the nine tribes and a half who
were yet unprovided for, and to dismiss the two tribes and a half (namely, those of
Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh) who had assisted him in the wars, and
whose habitations had been settled by Moses on the east side of the river Jordan.
In consequence of this resolution, Joshua appointed commissioners to take a survey
of the captured land, and ordered them to report the state of it with all expedition.
These messengers having executed their commission, returned, at the expiration ol
seven months, to Joshua, to whom, having delivered their report, he, assisted by Ele
azer the high-priest, the elders, and the princes of the respective tribes, divided the
whole country into equal portions, for which (according to God's direction) each tribe
cast lots; but as some of the tribes were larger, and some territories richer than others,
he took care to adjust the proportion of land to the largeness of the tribe, and the
number of families in each ; so that, notwithstanding they cast lots, the divisions
were all made as equal as possible.
As soon as Joshua had thus divided the country on the west side of the Jordan, he
took up his residence at a small place near Shiloh, where after the wars the tabernacle
was set up, that he might have the opportunity, as occasion should offer, of consulting
the divine oracle.
After being here a few days, Joshua assembled together the auxiliaries (namely,
the tribes of Reuben and Gad, with the half-tribe of Manasseh), and gave them an
honorable dismission. " He acknowledged the great services they had done him in
nis wars with the Canaanites, and highly applauded their courage and fidelity. He
exhorted them, as they were now going to be separated from the tabernacle, to be
diligent in their duty to God, and to bear always m mind those laws which he had
given them by his servant Moses. He advised them to distribute a share of thr rich

216 AN ILLUSTRATED
booty they had got among their brethren on the other side the Jordan ; because, though*
they did not partake of the troubles of the war, they had nevertheless been of infinite
service in protecting their families during their absence." With these acknowledg-
mentsand exhortations, together with many sincere wishes for their prosperity, Joshua
dismissed them, and they immediately departed for their own country.
As soon as these two tribes and a half arrived on the opposite side of the river Jor
dan, they erected an altar near the place where they and their brethren had miracu
lously passed over, not for any religious use, but as a memorial to succeeding genera
tions, that though they were parted by the river, they were of the same descent and
religion, and held an equal right to .the tabernacle at Shiloh, and to the worship of
God performed there, as their brethren on the other side the Jordan. This had like
to have proved of fatal consequences, for the latter, either from being misinformed,
or misapprehending the intent of the altar being erected, fell into a violent rage, con
sidering them as apostates from the true religion ; and, in order to punish them, as-
semo.ed their forces at Shiloh, with a resolution of immediately declaring war against
them. But before they proceeded to these extremities, their rulers advised them to
suspend the execution of their wrath till they had sent a deputation in order to know
their reason for building such an altar. This" being agreed to, they sent Phineas, the
son of Eleazer, with ten princes, one out of each tribe, to expostulate with them on
their conduct. On their arrival Phineas accosted them in very severe terms, charging
them with idolatry and rebellion against the Lord.
He reminded them of the calamities which God had formerly sent upon them for
their worship of Baal-peor; and that, if he had been so severe upon them for the of
fence of one man (namely, Achan only) what might they not expect, when two tribes
and a half were going to make a general revolt V He then concluded by saying, "If
ye have done this from any apprehension that the land ye possess on this side the
Jordan is unclean, or less holy than ours, because the tabernacle is on our side, return
and settle among us where the tabernacle resteth ; but by no means rebel against the
Lord, nor us, in building you an altar, besides the altar of the Lord."
The Reubenites, Gadites, and Manassites, concerned to hear the ill opinion which
their brethren had conceived of them, protested their innocence of any idolatrous in
tention, and made a solemn appeal to God, that so far were they from setting up ai
altar in opposition to his, that the only design of the structure they had raised was,
to perpetuate their right to the service of the tabernacle, and to secure it to their latest
posterity. From this answer the deputies were folly convinced that the accusation laid against
their brethren was totally groundless, and instead of having committed a crime, that
they had only given an instance of their sincere attachment to their religious duties.
The deputies, therefore, after taking a friendly leave, returned to Shiloh, and having
communicated the particulars of all that had passed to the people, they expressed the
irreatest satisfaction at the result of the embassy ; and the angry thoughts of war
were immediately changed into peace and brotherly affection. On the other hand,
the Reubenites and their brethren, to prevent any future jealousy, or suspicion, called
the altar they had erected Ed, intending it as a standing witness (for so the word sig
nifies) that though they lived at a distance from the rest of their brethren, yet they
had all but one origin, and one God, who was the common God and father of all Israel.
This matter being adjusted, and the Israelites quietly settled in the possession of
their conquests on both sides the river Jordan, Joshua disbanded his forces, and retired
to Shechem.
No particular occurrence took place from this period till the death of Joshua, which
happened about twenty years after. He was at this time far advanced in years, and
finding his dissolution near at hand, lie convened a general assembly of the princes
and magistrates, with as many of the common people as could be gathered together.
As soon as they were met, he harangued them in a very pertinent discourse on the
great benefits and protection they had received from the hand of Providence. He
pointed out to them in what manner he had preserved them, even in the midst of
dangers ; and that he had not only relieved them in all their wants and distresses, but
hud removed them from the most abject, to the most prosperous situation in life. In
gratitude to so great a protector and benefactor, he exhorted them to a faithful observ
mice of his laws, and invited them to renew their covenant with God, which their
forefathers had made. This being done in very ample and significant terms, he re

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 217
eorded the covenant in the book of the law, and set up a great stone under an oak,
near a place of religious worship, as a testimony against them, should they ever after
deny God's service.
A short time after this Joshua paid the debt of nature, in the one hundred and tenth
vear of his age. He was buried at Timnathserah, in Mount Ephraim, which city, on
the division of the land among the tribes, was given to him by the Israelites, as an
icknowledgment for the great services they had received from his administration.
Much about the same time died Eleazer, the high-priest, who was likewise buried
in one of the hills of Ephraim, which had been given him bythe Israelites, and which
afterward descended to Phineas, his son, and successor in the priesthood.
These two funerals, so near the same time and place, reminded the Israelites of the
bones of Joseph, which, at his request, had been brought out of Egypt, but not yet
interred. They therefore took this opportunity of performing the funeral obsequies
of their great progenitor in Shechem, where Jacob had purchased a piece of ground
of the sons of Hamor, and wliich afterward became the inheritance of Joseph's pos
terity.

CHAPTER XIII.
WARS — IDOLATRY — STORY OF RUTH — DEBORAH'S HEROISM — GIDEON.
From Joshua to Samuel (a period of about four hundred and seventy-four years)
the condition of the Israelites varied according as the fundamental law of the state
was observed or transgressed, exactly as Moses had predicted, and as the sanction!;
ofthe law had determined.
The last admonitions of Joshua, and the solemn renewal of the covenant with Je
hovah, failed to produce all ihe effect intended. That generation, indeed, never suf
fered idolatry to become predominant, but still they were very negligent with respect
to the expulsion of the Canaanites. Only a few tribes made war upon them, and
even they were soon weary of the contest. They spared their dangerous and cor-
rypting.neighbors, and; contrary to express statute, were satisfied with making them
tributary. They even became connected with them by unlawful marriages, and then
it was no 'onger easy for them to exterminate or banish the near relatives of their
own families. The Hebrews thus rendered the execution of so severe a law in a
manner impossible, and wove for themselves the web in which they were afterward
entangled. Their Canaanitish relatives invited them to their festivals, where not
only lascivious songs were sung in honor of the gods, but fornication and unnatural
lusts were indulged in as part of the divine service. These debaucheries, then con
secrated by the religious customs of all nations, were gratifying to the sensual appe
tites ; and the subject of Jehovah too readily submitted himself to such deities, so
highly honored by his connexions, and worshipped in all the neighboring nations. At
first, probably, a symbolical representation of Jehovah was set up, but this was soon
transferred to an idol, or was invoked as an idol by others. Idolatrous images were
afterward set up, together with the image of Jehovah, and the Israelites fondly
imagined that they should be the more prosperous if they rendered homage to the
ancient gods ofthe land. The propensitv to idolatry, which was predominant in all
the rest of the world, thus spread itself among the chosen people like a plague.
From time to time idolatry was publicly professed, and this national treachery to
their king, Jehovah, always brought with it national misfortunes.
However, it does not appear that any form of idolatry was openly tolerated until
that generation was extinct, which, under Joshua, had sworn anew to the covenant
with Jehovah. After that the rulers were unable or unwilling any longer to prevent
the public worship of pagan deities. But the Hebrews, rendered effeminate by this
voluptuous religion, and forsaken by their king, Jehovah, were no longer able to con
tend with their foes, and were forced to bend their necks under a foreign yoke. In
this humiliating and painful subjection to a conquering people, they called to mind
their deliverance from Egypt, the ancient kindnesses of Jehovah, the promises and
threatenings of the law : then they forsook their idols, who could afford them no
help, — they returned to the sacred tabernacle, and then found a deliverer who treed
them from' their bondage. The reformation was generally of no longer duration than
the life ofthe deliverer. As soon as that generation was extinct, idolatry agarn crepi

218 AN ILLUSTRATED
iu hy the same way, and soon became predominant. Then followed subjection and
oppression under the yoke of some neighboring people, until a second reformation
prepared them for a new deliverance. Between these extremes of prosperity and
adversity, the consequences of their fidelity or treachery to their divine king, the He
brew nation was continually fluctuatmg until the time of Samuel. Such were the
anangements of Providence, that as soon as idolatry gained the ascendency, some
one ofthe neighboring nations grew powerful, acquired the preponderance, and sub
jected the Hebrews. Jehovah always permitted their oppressions to become suffi
ciently severe to arouse them from their slumbers, to remhid them of the sanctions
of the law, and to turn them again to their God and king. Then a hero arose, who
inspired the people with courage, defeated their enemies, abolished idolatry, and re
established the authority of Jehovah. As the Hebrews, in the course of time, became
more obstinate in their idolatry, so each subsequent oppression of the nation was al
ways more severe than the preceding. So difficult was it, as mankind were then
situated, to preserve a knowledge of the true God in the world, although so repeat
edly and so expressly revealed, and in so high a degree made manifest to the senses.*,
After this general view of the whole period above referred to, we may proceed to
the historical details from which that view is collected.
Soon after the death of Joshua, and while the contemporary elders still lived, the
Israelites made some vigorous and successful exertions to extend their territory. The
most remarkable of these exertions was that made by the tribe of Judah, assisted by
that of Simeon. They slew ten thousand Canaanites and Perizzites in the territory
of Bezek, the king of which, Adoni-bezek (literally, " my lord of Bezek"), contrived
to make his escape ; but he was pursued and taken, when the conquerors cut off his
thumbs aud great toes. Now this, at the first view, was a barbarous act. It was
not a mode in which the Hebrews were wont to treat their captives ; and the reason
for it — that it was intended as an act of just retaliation, or, as we should say, of po
etic justice — appears from the bitter remark of Adoni-bezek himself: — " Three score
and ten kings, having their thumbs and great toes cut off, gathered their meat under
my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me." This proves that, as we have
already on more than one occasion intimated, the war practices of the Israelites —
especially in the treatment of their captives — were not more barbarous, and, in many
respects, less barbarous, than those of their contemporaries ; and that even their pol
ished neighbors, the Egyptians, were not in this respect above them. A'foni-bezek
died soon after at Jerusalem, to which place he was taken by the conquerors. They
at this time had possession of the lower part of that town, and soon after succeeded
in taking the upper city, upon Mount Zion, which the Jebusites had hitherto retained.
They sacked it and burned it with fire. But as we afterward again find it in the
occupation of the Jebusites, down to the time of David, it seems they took advantage
of some one of the subsequent oppressions of Israel to recover the site and rebuild the
upper city.
Eleazer the high-priest, as we have seen, did not long survive Joshua ; and the
remnant of the seventy eiders, originally appointed by Moses to assist him in the
government of the nation, soon followed them to the tomb. While these venerable
persons lived, the Israelites remained faithful to their divine King and to his laws.
But soon after their death the beginnings of corruption appeared. A timely attempi
was made to check its progress by the remonstrances and threatenings of a prophet
from Gilgal. But although they quailed under the rebuke which was there admin
istered, the effect was but temporary. The downward course which the nation had
taken was speedily resumed ; and it is strikingly illustrated by some circumstances
which the author of the book of Judges has given in an appendix contained in the
last five chapters of that book, but which we shall find it more convenient to intro
duce here in their proper chronological place.
The history of Micah furnishes a very interesting example of the extent to which
even Israelites, well disposed in the main, had become familiarized with superstitious
and idolatrous practices, and the curious manner in which they managed to make a
monstrous and mos unseemly alliance between the true doctrine in which they had
oeen brought up, and the erroneous notions which they had imbibed.
A woman of Ephraim had, through a mistaken zeal, dedicated a large quantity ot
' Jahn, b. iii. sect SO

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 219
silver (about five hundred and fifty ounces) to the Lord, intending that her son should
make therew.m a teraph, in the hope that by this means she might procure 10 her
house the blessings of One who had absolutely forbidden all worship by images.
Her son Micah knew not of this sacred appropriation of the money, and took it for
the use of the house. But on learning its destination, and hearing his mother lay
her curse upon the sacrilegious person by whom she supposed it had been stolen, he
became alarmed, and restored her the silver ; and received it again from her with
directions to give effect to her intention. This he did. He provided a teraph, and
all things necessary lo the performance of religious services before it, including vest
ments for a priest. He set apart one of his own sons as priest, until he should be
able to procure a Levite to take that character. He had not long to wait. It would
seem that the dues of the Levites were not pToperly paid at this time; for a young
Levite, who had lived at Bethlehem, felt himself obliged to leave that place and
seek elsewhere a subsistence. Happening to call at Micah 's house, he gladly ac
cepted that person's offer to remain and act as priest for the recompense of his
victuals, with two suits of clothes (one probably sacerdotal), and eleven shekels of
silver. Micah was delighted at this completion of his establishment, and, with most
marvellous infatuation, cried, "Mow I know Jehovah will bless me, seeing I have a
Levite to be my priest." Things went on tranquilly for a time. But it happened
that the tribe of I)an could not get possession of more than the hilly part of its terri
tory, as the Amorites retained the plain, which was the most rich and valuable part.
They therefore sought elsewhere an equivalent territory which might be more easily
acquired. Having ascertained that this might be found in the remote but wealthy
and peaceable town and district of Laish, near the sources of the Jordan, a body of
six hundred men was sent to get possession of it. From the persons they had previ
ously sent to explore the country, they had heard of Micah's establishment; and so
far from manifesting any surprise or indignation, they viewed the matter much in the
same light as Micah did himself. They envied him his idol and his priest, and re
solved to deprive him of both, aud take them to their new settlement. They did so,
notwithstanding the protests and outcries of the owner : and as for the Levite, he waa
easily persuaded to prefer the priesthood of a clan to that of a single family. His
descendants continued long after to exercise the priestly office, in connexion with this
idol, at Dan, which was the name the conquerors gave to the town of Laish : and it
is lamentable to have to add, that there is good reason to suspect that this Levite
was no other than a grandson of Moses.
It would seem lhat the tribe of Benjamin had much the start ofthe other tribes in
the moral corruption, in the infamous vices, which resulted from the looseness of their
religious notions, and from the contaminating example of the heathen, with whom
they were surrounded and intermixed.
A Levite of Mount Ephraim was on his way home with his wife, whom he was
bringing back from her father's house in Bethlehem; and, on the approach of night,
he entered the town of Gibeah, in Benjamin, to tarry till the next morning. As the
custom of the travellers was, he remained in the street till some one should invite
them to his house. But in that wicked place no hospitable notice was taken of them
until an old man, himself from Mount Ephraim, hut living there, invited them to his
home. In the night lhat house was besieged by the men of the place, after the same
fashion and for the same purpose as that of Lot had been, when he entertained the
angels in Sodom. The efforts of the aged host to turn them from their purpose were
unavailing ; and, as a last resource, the Levite, in the hope of diverting them from.
their abominable purpose, put forth his wife into the street. She was grievously
maltreated by these vile people until the morning, when they left her. She then
went and lay down at the door of the house in which. her lord lay; and when he
afterward opened it — »ne was dead. The Levite laid the corpse upon his beast and
hastened to his home.
There was a rather mysterious custom, in calling an assembly, by sending to the
different bodies or persons which were to compose it a portion of a divided beast
(see 1 Sam. xi. 7) ; and it then became awfully imperative upon the party which re
ceived the bloody missive to obey the call which it mtimated. To give a horrible
intensity to the custom in this case, the Levite — a man of obviously peculiar charac
ter — divided his wife's body into twelve parts, and sent one portion to each of the
tribes of Israel. The horror-struck tribes, on receiving their portion of the body, and'

220 AN ILLUSTRATED
"learing the statement which the messengers delivered, agreed that such a thing
had not before been heard of in Israel, and hastened to the place of meeting, which
was Mizpeh.
In the great audience there assembled, the Levite declared his wrongs; which
when they had heard, the thousands of Israel vowed not to return to their homes
until they had brought the offenders to condign punishment. And to express the
earnestness of their purpose, they appointed one tenth of their whole number to bring
in provisions for the rest, that the want of victuals might not, as often happens in
Oriental warfare, oblige them to disperse before their object was accomplished. But, '
in the first instance, they sent messengers throughout the tribe of Benjamin, explain
ing the occasion of their assembling, and demanding that the offenders should be
delivered up to justice. This th e Benjamites were so far from granting that the
whole tribe made common cause with the people of Gibeah, and all its force was
called out to repel any attempt which the oiher tribes might make against them,
Considering that the force of the eleven tribes amounted to four hundred thousand
able men, whereas the Benjamites could bring together no more than twenty-six
thousand, the hardihood of this resistance is well worthy of remark, if it does not
make out the claim of the Benjamites to that character ibr indomitable courage which
they appear to have acquired. Probably the influence of that acknowledged charac
ter upon their opponents, together with their own peculiar skill in the use of the
sling, formed their main reliance. Among them were seven hundred left-handed
men who could sling stones to a hair's breadth and not miss.
The Israelites committed one fatal oversight in this undertaking. Although the
affair was of such grave importance, they neglected to consult their divine King,
without whose permission they ought not to have supposed themselves authorized
to act as they did. They first decided on war, and then only consulted him as tc
the manner it should be conducted. The consequence was that they were twice
defeated by the Benjamites, who sallied from the town of Gibeah against them.
Corrected by this experience, they applied in a proper manner to learn the will of
their King; and then the victory was promised 10 them.
In their next attempt the Israelites resorted to the same familiar stratagem of am
buscade and of pretended flight, when the besieged sallied forth against them, as
mat whereby the town of Ai had been taken by Joshua, and with precisely the same
result. Eighteen thousand Benjamites, " men of valor," were " trodden down with
ease" by the vast host which now enclosed them. The rest endeavored to escape to
ihe wilderness, but were all overtaken and destroyed, with the exception of six hun
dred who found shelter among the rocks of Rimmon. The conquerors then went
through the land, subjecting it to military execution. They set on fire all the towns
to which they came, and put to the sword the men, the cattle, and all that came
lo hand.
But when the heat of the conflict and execution had subsided, the national and
clannish feelings of the Israelites were shocked at the reflection that they had extin
guished a tribe in Israel. It was true that six hundred men remained alive among
the rocks of Rimmon; but it was not clear how the race of Benjamin could be con
tinued through them, as, at the very commencement of the undertaking, the Israel
ites had solemnly sworn that they would not give their daughters in marriage to the
Benjamites. They had now leisure to repent of this vow ; although, with reference
to the vile propensities exhibited by the people of Gibeah, it was quite natural that
in tht first excitement such a vow should have been taken.
But now they were sincerely anxious to find means of. repairing their error, and to
provide the survivors with wives, that the house of Benjamin might not be wholly
lost. It was found that the summons whereby the tribes had been assembled had
been unheeded by the men of Jabesh-Gilead, whereby they had exposed themselves
to the terrible doom which the very act of summons'denounced against the disobe
dient. That doom was inflicted, save that all the virgins were spared to be wives for
the Benjamites. But as these were still insufficient, the unprovided Benjamites were
secretly advised to lie in wait in the vineyards near Shiloh, when they attended the
next annual festival at the tabernacle ; and when the young women of the place
came oul in dances, as at such times they were wont, they might seize and carry off
the number they required. The men followed this advice. And when the fathers
and brothers of the stolen maidens began to raise an outcry, the elders, by whom the

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 221
measure had been counselled, interposed to pacify them, and persuaded them to over
look the matter, in consideration of the difficulties by which the case was surrounded
The Benjamites then returned to their desolated cities, and rebuilt and re-occupied
them as they were able. But from this time Benjamin was the least, although not
the least distinguished, of all the tribes.
At length (§. C. 1572) the idolatries and demoralization of the Israelites had
become so rank, that a fiery trial was judged necessary for their correction. A king
named Cushan-rishathaim, reigning in Mesopotamia, had extended his power far on
this side the Euphrates. He now advanced into Canaan, and, either by victory or
menace, rendered the Hebrews tributary. They remained under severe bondage for
eight years. At the end of that time, Othniel — that relative of Caleb who has
already been mentioned — was incited to put himself at the head of the people and
attempt their deliverance. The garrisons which the Mesopotamians had left in the
country were suddenly surprised and slain ; the armies of Israel again appeared in
the field, and, although at first few in number, they fought at every point the troops
opposed to them ; and when their numbers were increased by the reinforcements
wliich poured in from all quarters on the first news of probable success, they hazarded
a general action, in which they 'obtained a complete victory over the MesopotamianSj
and drove them beyond the Euphrates:*
Othniel remained the acknowledged judge, or regent, of the divine king for forty
years. During his administration, the people remained faithful to their God and
king, and consequently prospered. But when the beneficial control which Othniel
exercised was withdrawn by his death, they fell again into idolatry and crime, and
new afflictions became needful to them.
The instruments of their punishment, this time, were the Moabites. Bv a long
peace, this nation had recovered from the defeats which they had suffered from the
4morites before the time of Moses ; and, perceiving that the Israelites were not invin
cible, Eglon, the king of Moab, formed a confederacy with the Ammonites and
Amalekites, and, with this help, made an attack upon them — probably under the
same pretences which we shall find to have been employed on a subsequent occasion.
He defeated the idolatrous Hebrews in battle, subdued the tribes beyond Jordan, and
the southern tribes on this side the river, and established himself in Jericho, which
he must have found a convenient post for intercepting, or at least checking, the com
munications between the eastern and western tribes. At that place the conquered
tribes were obliged to bring him presents, or, in other words, to pay a periodical
tribute. This subjection to a king who resided among them was still more oppres
sive than that from which they had been delivered by Othniel ; and it continued more
than twice as long — that is, for eighteen years. This oppression must have been par
ticularly heavy upon the tribe of Benjamin, as it was their territory to which Jericho
belonged, and which was therefore encumbered by the presence of the court of the
conqueror. It was natural that those whose necks were the most galled by the yoke,
should make the first effort to shake it off. Accordingly, the next deliverer was of
the tribe of Benjamin. His name was Ehud, one Of those left-handed men — or
rather, perhaps, men who could use the left hand with as much ease and power as
the right — for which this tribe seems to have been remarkable. He conducted a
deputation which bore from the Israelites the customary tributes to the king. It
seemed that men with weapons were not admitted to the king's presence: but Ehud
had a two-edged dagger under his garment ; but as he wore it on the right side,
where it is worn by no right-handed man. its presence was not suspected. When he
had left the presence and dismissed his people, Ehud went on as far as the carved
images which had been placed at Gilgal. The sight of these images, which the
Moabites had probably set up by the sacred monument of stones which the Israelite*
had there set up, seems to have revived the perhaps faltering' zeal. of the Benjamite,
and he. returned to Jericho and to the presence ofthe king, and intimated that he had
a secret message to deliver. The king then withdrew with him to his " summer-
parlor," which seems to have been such a detached or otherwise pleasantly-situated
apartment as are still usually found in the mansions and gardens of the East, and to
which the master retires to enjoy a freer air, and more open prospects, than any
other part of his dwelling conimands, and where also he usually withdraws tu enjoy
•This paragraph is partly from Josephus, whose account is here in, agreement with, wlnlr il fills up, thi
brief notice which the Book of Judges oilers '

222 AN ILLUSTRATED
his siesta during the heat of the day. It is strictly a private apartment, which no
one enters without being specially invited ; and accordingly it is said of this, that it
was an apartment " which he had for himself alone." As the king sat in this parlor,
Ehud approached him, saying, " I have a message from God to thee." Ou hearing
lhat sacred name, the king rose from his seat, and Ehud availed himself of the oppor
tunity of burying his dagger in his bowels. The Benjamite then withdrew quietly,
bolting after him the door of the summer-parlor ; and as such parlors usually com-
municate by a private stair with the porch, without the necessity of passing into or
through the interior parts of the mansion, there was nothing to impede his egress,
unless the porters at the outer gate had seen cause for suspicion.
The scripture, as is frequently the case, mentions this as an historical fact, without
commendatory or reprehensive remark ; and we have np right to infer the approba
tion which is not expressed. No doubt Ehud's deed was a murder ; and the only
excuse for it is to be found in its public object, and in the fact that the notions of the
East have always been, and. are now far more lax on this point than those which
Christian civilization has produced in Europe. There all means of getting rid of a
public enemy, whom the arm ofthe law can not reach, are considered just and proper.
No one can read a few pages of any oriental history without being fully aware of this ;
and it is by oriental notions, rather than by our own, that the act of Ehud must, to a
certain extent, be judged.
The servants of Eglon supposed that their lord was taking his afternoon sleep ie
his summer-parlor, and hence a considerable time elapsed before his assassination
was discovered.
In the meantime, Ehud was able to make known the death of the king, and to
collect a body of men, with whom he went down to seize the fords of the Jordan,
that the Moabites in Canaan might neither receive reinforcements from their own
country nor escape to it. Confounded by the death of their king, they were easily
overcome. All who were on this side the Jordan, ten thousand in number, were
destroyed — not one escaped. This deliverance secured for Israel a repose of eighty
years, terminating in the year B. C. 1426, being 182 years after the passage ofthe
Jordan. At or toward the end of this period of eighty years, a first attempt was made by
ihe Philistines to bring the southern tribes under their yoke. But they were unable
to accomplish their design, having been repulsed on their first advance, with ihe loss
of six hundred men, by Shamgar and other husbandmen, who fought with ox-goads,*
being then employed m the cultivation of the fields.

It is about this time that the story of Ruth, which occupies a separate book in the
Hebrew scriptures, is placed by Usher and other chronologers. Being episodical, and
only slightly connected with the historical narrative, we can not follow the. details of
this beautiful story; but the intimations of the state of society, and of the manners
and ideas of the times, which it contains, are, even historically, of too much import
ance to be overlooked.
The scene of the principal part of the story is in Bethlehem of Judah.
A famiue in the land drives an inhabitant of this iown, with his wife and two sons,
to the land of Moab, which, in consequence of the victories under Ehud, seems to
have been at this time in some sort of subjection to the Israelites. The man's name
was Elimelech, his wife's Naomi, and the sons were called Mahlon and Chilion.
The woman lost her husband and two sons in the land of Moab, but the childless
wives of her sons, who had married in that land, remained with her. One was called
* " At Khan Leban the country people were now everywhere at plougn in the fields in order to so» cotton
Twas observable that in ploughing they used goads of an extraordinary size ; upon measuring of scleral,
I found them to be about eight feet long, and, at the bigger end, six inches in circumference. They are
armed at the lesser end with a sharp prickle for driving the oxen ; and at the other end with a small spade
r>r paddle of iron, strong and massy, to clear the plough from the clay that encumbers it in working. May
K-e not hence conjecture that it was with such a goad as one of these that Shamgar made that pro
digious slaughter? I am confident that whoever should see one of these implements will judge it to be a
weapon not less lit, perhaps filter, than a sword for such an execution. Goads of this sort I always saw
used hereabouts, and also in Syria : and the reason is because the same single person both drives the oxen
and also holds and manages the plough, which makes it necessary to use such a goad as is described abovr
to avoid the incumbrance of two instruments." — Maundrell, 110

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

223

S:H AN ILLUSTRATED ¦' =
Orpah, and the other Ruth. At the end of ten years, Naomi determined to return
home, but, with beautiful disinterestedness, exhorted the widows of her two sons te
remain in their own land with their well-provided friends, and not go to be partakers
of her destitution. Orpah accordingly remained : but nothing could overcome the de
voted attachment of Ruth to the mother of her lost husband. To the really touching
representations of Naomi, her still more touching reply was, " Entreat me not to leave
thee, or to return from following thee : for whither thou goest, I will go ; and where
thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God-
where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried ; the Lord do so to me, and
more also, if aught but death part thee and me." This strong and unmistakable ex-
pression of most beautiful and true affections, could not be repelled by Naomi. They
took their homeward way together.
It was barley harvest when Naomi and Ruth arrived at Bethlehem. Ruth, anxious
to provide in any little way for their joint subsistence, soon bethought herself of going
forth to seek permission to glean in some harvest field. It happened that the field
where she asked and obi ain ed this permission, from the overseer of the reapers, be
longed to Boaz, a person of large possessions in these parts. Boaz himself came in
the course of the day, to view the progress of the harvest. He greeted his reapers,
"Jehovah be with you ;" and they answered him, "Jehovah bless thee." His attention
was attracted toward Ruth, and he inquired concerning her of his overseer, who told
him that this was " The Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the land
of Moab," and related how she had applied for leave toglean after the reapers. Boaz
then himself accosted her, and kindly charged her not to go elsewhere, but to remain
in his fields, and keep company with his maidens till the harvest was over. He had
enjoined his young men not to molest her. If she were athirst she might go and drink
freely from the vessels of water provided for the use of the reapers. Ruth was aston
ished at all this kindness, and fell at his feet, expressing her thanks and her surprise
that he should take such kind notice of a stranger. But he said, "It has been fully
shown me, all that thou hast done to thy mother-in-law, since the death of thy hus
band ; and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity,
and art come unto a people which thou knowest not heretofore. Jehovah recompense
thy deed : and a full recompense be given to thee from Jehovah, the God of Israel,
under whose. wings thou art come to trust." She answered, "Let me find favor in
thy sight, my lord, for that thou hast comforted me, and for that ihou hast spoken
friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like one of thine handmaidens."
When the meal-time of the harvest people came round, Boaz invited her to draw
near and eat of the bread, and dip her morsel in the vinegar with them. He also'
handed her some new corn parched, which was considered rather a luxury, and there
fore Ruth reserved part of it for Naomi.
All these little incidents, beautifully descriptive of the innocent old customs of har
vest time, bring strongly before the mind of one who has studied the antiquities of
Egypt, the agricultural scenes depicted in the grottoes of Eleithuias, in which so many
of the usages of Egyptian agriculture are represented. There we see' the different
processes of cutting with the reaping hook, and of plucking up the stalks ; gleaners ;
water refrigerating in porous jars (placed on stands) for the refreshment of the reapers ;
the reapers quenching their thirst; and women bearing away the vessels in which
drink has been brought to them at their labor.
When Ruth returned home in the evening with the result of her day's gleaning—
an ephah of barley— Naomi was anxious to know how it happened that her labors
had been so prosperous :" and when she heard the name of Boaz, she remarked that
he was a near kinsman of the family-; and advised that, according to his wish, Ruth
should confine her gleaning to his fields. So Ruth gleaned in the fields of Boaz, until
the end not only of the barley, but of the wheat harvest.
When the harvest was over, Naomi, who was anxious for the rest and welfare of
the good and devoted creature who had been more than a daughter to her, acquainted
her with what had lately engaged her thoughts. She said that Boaz was so near of
kin that he came under the operation of the levirate law, which required that when
a man died childless, his next of kin should marry the widow, in order that the first
child born from this union should be counted as the son of the deceased, and inherit
as his heir. It was, therefore, no less her duty than a circumstance highly calculated
in promote her welfare, that Boaz should be reminded of the obligation which devol veil

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

Mo

wx Ly^'iii1 ,! l'-'<i''« i'i ! '

15

<SLH AN ILLUSTRATED
upon him. But as v. was not wished to press the matter upon him, if he were averse
to it, it was necessary that the claim should, in the first instance, be privately made.
In such a case, Ruth, a stranger very imperfectly acquainted with the laws and habits
of the Israelites, could only submit herself to Naomi's guidance. She told Ruth that
Boaz was engaged in winnowing his barley in the thrashing-floor ; which, of course,
was nothing more than a properly levelled place in the open air. Naomi conjectured
he would rest there at night, and told Ruth to mark the spot to which he withdrew,
and advance to claim the protection he was bound to render. All happened as Naomi
had foreseen. Boaz, after he had supped, withdrew to sleep at the end of the heap
of corn ; and after he had lain down, Ruth advanced and placed herself at his feet :
and when he awoke at midnight, and with much astonishment, asked who she was,-
she answered, " I am Ruth, thy handmaid : take therefore thy handmaid under thy
protection, for thou art a near kinsman." Those who, measuring all things by their
own small arid current standards, regard as improper or indelicate this procedure of
one ,
" Who feared no evil, for she knew no sin,"
need only hear the answer of Boaz to be satisfied. " Blessed be thou, of Jehovah, my
daughter .... And now, my daughter, fear not: for all my fellow-citizens do know
lhat thou art a virtuous woman." He added, howevei, that there was aperson in the
town more nearly related to her deceased husband; and on him properly the levirate
duly devolved : but if he declined it, then it fell to himself, and he would certainly
undertake it. It being too late for Ruth to return home, Eoaz desired her to remain
in the thrashing-floor for the night. Early in the morning he dismissed her, after
having filled her veil with com to take to Naomi.
In those times, and long after, it was customary to transact all business of a public
nature and to administer justice in the gates. When there was little use of written
documents, this gave to every transaction the binding obligation which the presence
of many witnesses involved ; and thus also justice was easily and speedily adminis
tered among the people, at the hours when they passed to and fro between the fields
and the city. And such hours were, for this reason, those at which the judges and
elders gave their attendance in the gates. — (See engraving, p. 225.)
Boaz therefore went up to the gate ; and requested ten of the elders, there present,
to sit down with him as witnesses of what was to take place. When the " near kins
man" passed by, he called him to sit down with them. He then questioned him as
to his willingness " to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance." This he
was not willing to do, " lest he should mar his own inheritance ;" and therefore he
was glad to relinquish his prior claim to Boaz, which he did by the significant action
of drawing off his own shoe and giving it to him. This action was usual in al! trans
actions of this nature, and it may well be interpreted by the familiar idiom which
would express Boaz as being made, by this act and with reference to this particular
question, to stand in the shoes of the person who had transferred to him his rights and
duties. Boaz then declared all the people there present at the gate to be witnesses
of this transfer, and they responded, " We are witnesses." After this Boaz took Ruth
to be his wife ; and the fruit of this union was Obed, the grandfather of David, of
whom, according to the flesh, came the Saviour of the world.
From the repose which this narrative offers, one turns reluctantly to renewed scenes
of war, oppression, and wrong.
It may be doubted that the authority — such as it was — of any of the judges ex
tended over all the tribes. Hardly any of the oppressions to which the Israelites were
subject appear to have been general, and in most cases the authority of the judge ap
pears to have been confined to the tribes he had been instrumental in delivering from
their oppressors. There is, for instance, not the least reason to suppose that the au
thority of Ehud extended over the northern tribes, which had not been effected by
the oppression of the Moabites, from which he delivered the south and east. The
eighty years of good conduct which followed this deliverance, is therefore only to be
understood as exhibited by the tribes which were then delivered. The northern tribes,
and in some degree those of the centre and the west, were meanwhile falling into
those evil practices, from which it was necessary that distress and sorrow should bring
tliem back. And therefore they were distressed.
The northern Canaanites had, in the course of time, recovered from the effects ol
thai grpfti overthrow which they sustained in the tinv* of Joshua. A new Jabin

IHSTORY OF THE BIBLE. 227
reigning like his predecessor in Hazor, by the lake Merom, rose into great power.
His general, Sisera, was an able and successful warrior ; and his powerful military
force contained not fewer than nine hundred of those iron-armed chariots of wai
which the Israelites regarded with so much dread. With such a force he was ena
bled, for the punishment of their sins, to reduce the northern tribes to subjection, and
hold them tributary. Considering the character of the power which now prevailed
i-ver them, there is reason to conclude that this was the severest of all the oppressions
to which Israel had hitherto been subject. The song of Deborah conveys some inti
mations of their miseiable condition. The villages and open homesteads, which were
continually liable to be pillaged, and the inhabitants insulted and wronged by the Ca
naanites, were deserted throughout the land, and the people found it necessary to con
gregate in the walled towns. Travelling was unsafe ; in consequence of which the
high-ways were deserted, and those who wete oblige J to go from one place to another,
found il necessary to journey in bye roads and unfrequented paths. At the places to
which it was necessary to resort for water, they were waylaid and robbed, wounded,
or slain: and, to crown all, they were disarmed; among forty thousand in Israel, a
shield or spear was not to be found. The details of this picture are exaclly such as
are offered by the condition of any oppressed or subjugated population, at this day, in
the east. The government itself may be content with its tribute ; but it will be obliged
to wink at, because unable to prevent, the far greater grievances, the exactions, rob
beries, insults, woundings, dealhs, to which the people are subjected by the inferior
officers of government, by bands of licentious soldiers, and by an adverse and trium
phant populace,- -all of whom look upon them as their prey and spoil, as things made
only to be trampled on. Such oppression the Israelites endured for twenty years.
They then remembered that, to them, trouble was the punishment of sin ; and that
there was one able and willing lo deliver them, if they would but turn; themselves
unto him. They did turn, s.nd their deliverance was certain from that hour.
In those da\s a pious ano able woman, well acquainted with the divine law, became
an imporiant person in Israel. Her name was Deborah, and she abode under a palm-
tree in the southern part of Ephraim. Her high character for piety and wisdom oc
casioned the Israelites to resort to her for counsel and for justice ; and it is not unlikely
that her salutary influence rontributed to move the people to that repentance which
prepared the way for their deliverance. When their punishment had thus wrought
its intended object . the divine king made known to the prophetess his intention to de
liver ti«- house of lbiae1 ftuin its bondage ; but seeing that she, as a woman, could
not personally lead the Israelites to battle, she sent to a person of the tribe of Naph-
lali, named Barak, and communicated to him the instructions she had receiver1. . These
were, lhat he should bring together, at Mount Tabor, ten thousand men ± the tribes
of Naphtali and Zebulun, and with them give battle to the forces of King Jabin,
Barak, being fully aware of the difficulty of assembhng and arming a respectable force,
and recollecting the greatness of thai power he was to oppose, rather shrunk from the
enterprise. He, however, offered to undertake it, if Deborah would afford him the
iienefit of her influential presence, h'jt not else. Sh.' consented; but, to rebuke the
weakness of his faith, she prophesied that Sisera — the redoubted captain of King Ja-
bin's host — should nol be slain in fight with him, or be taken captive by him, but
should fall by a woman's hand.
They went into the north together, and the required number of men from Naphtali
and Zebulun readily obeyed their call and marched to Mount Tabor. These two
tribes had probably been selected on the ground lhat they were likely to engage
more readily in this service, in consequence of their vicinity to the metropolitan seat
ofthe oppressing power having rendered the yoke of servitude more galling and irri
tating to them than to the other tribes.
As soon as Jabin's general, Sisera, heard ofthe Hebrew force assembled on Mount
Tabor, he brought forth his nine hundred chariots, and assembled his whole army,
not doubting to surround and cut in pieces a body of men so comparatively small.
The Hebrews were in general much afraid of war-chariots, to drawn battles in open
plains they were unaccustomed, and the disparity of numbers was in this instance
very great. Yet, encouraged by the assurances of victory which Deborah conveyed,
Barak did not await the assault of Sisera, but marched his men down from the moun
tain into the open plain, and fell impetuously upon the adverse host. In Oriental
warfare the result of the first shock usually decides the battle, and the army is lost

228 AN ILLUSTRATED
which then gives way or has its ranks broken. So it was now. At the first shock
the vast army of Sisera was seized with a panic terror. The soldiers threw away
their arms, and sought only how they might escape ; while the chariots, drawn by
terrified horses, impeded the retreat of the fugitives, and added to the confusion and
the loss. The carnage among the Canaanites was horrible ; and, besides those who
Serished by the sword, vast numbers of them were swept away by the sudden over-
ow of the river Kishon. Sisera himself fled in his chariot across the plain of Esdra-
elon ; but, fearing that his chariot rendered him too conspicuous, he dismounted and
continued his flight on foot. At last he came to a nomade encampment, belonging
to Heber the Kenite, one of the descendants of those ofthe family and clan of Jethro,
who, with the brother-in-law of Moses, entered the land of Canaan with the Israel
ites, and enjoyed the privilege of pasturing their flocks in its plains. Heber was
from home, "but his wife knew the illustrious fugitive, and offered him the protection
of her tent. This, as the Kenites had been neutral in the war, Sisera did not hesi
tate to accept. He knew that the tent of a Bedouin, and especially the woman's
portion of it, was a sanctuary, which the owner would sooner perish than allow to
be violated, and that infamy worse than death awaited him who allowed injury to
befall the guest or fugitive who was admitted to its shelter. Being athirst, Sisera
asked for water; but instead of this she gave him sour milk — the best beverage an
Arab tent contains, and the refreshing qualities of which are well known to those
who have travelled in the East. This, with his fatigue, disposed Sisera to sleep.
As he slept, the thought occurred to Jael (that was the woman's name) that the
greatest enemy of the now victorious Israelites lay helpless before her ; and that it
was in her power to win great favor from the victors, by anticipating the almost cer
tain death which awaited the chief captain of Jabin's host. Having no weapon, she
took a mallet and one of the long nails by which the tent cords are fastened to the
ground, and stealing softly to the place where he lay, she smote the nail into his
temple, pinning his head to the ground. Barak, passing that way soon after, in pur
suit, was called in by Jael, and he beheld the redoubted Sisera dead at his feet —
slain ignominiously by a woman's hand. He might then have pondered whether,
had Sisera been the victor and himself the fugitive, the same fate might not have
been his own. When we reflect that " there was peace between Jabin, king of Ha
zor, and the house of Heber the Kenite," and that it was in the knowledge that he
deserved no wrong at their hands, that Sisera accepted the shelter which Jael offered ;
and when, moreover, we consider that the emir, Jael's husband, had no interest in
the result, save that of standing well with the victorious party, it will be difficult to
find any other motive than that which we have assigned — the desire to win the favor
ofthe views — for an act so grossly opposed to all those notions of honor among tent-
dwellers on which Sisera had relied for his safety. It was a most treacherous and
cruel murder, wanting all those extenuations which were applicable to the assassina
tion of King Eglon by Ehud.
The time is gone by when commentators or historians mighl venture to justify
this deed. Our extended acquaintance with the East enables us to know that those
Orientals whose principles would allow them to applaud the act of Ehud, would re
gard with horror the murder, in his sleep, of a confiding and friendly guest, to whom
the sacred shelter ofthe tent had been offered. That Deborah, as a prophetess, was
enabled to foretell the fall of Sisera by a woman's hand, does not convey the divine
sanction of this deed, but only manifests the divine foreknowledge ; and that the
same Deborah, in her triumphant song, blesses Jael for this act, only indicates the
feeling, in the first excitement of victory, of one who had far more cause to rejoice at
the death of Sisera than Jael had to inflict it.
The triumphant song of Deborah has attracted great and deserved attention as a
noble " specimen of the perfectly sublime ode." The design of this ode seems to be
twofold, religious and political : first, to thank God for the recent deliverance of Is
rael from Canaanitish bondaye and oppression; and, next, to celebrate the zeal and
alacrity with which some of the tribes volunteered their services against the common
enemy; and to censure the lukewarmness and apathy of others who stayed at home.
and thus betrayed the public cause ; and, by this contrast and exposure.'to heal those
fatal divisions among the tribes which were so injurious to the public weal. It con
sists of three parts: — first, ihe exordium, containing an appeal to past times, where
Israel was undei tne special protection of Jehovah, as compared with their lale dis-

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 229
astrous condition ; next, a recital of the circumstances which preceded and those that
accompanied the victory; lastly, a fuller description of the concluding event, the death
of Sisera, and the disappointed hopes of his mother for his triumphant return. The
admired conclusion is thus : —
" The mother of Sisera gazed through thi WU.—..W,
Through the lattice she, lamenting, cried,
' Why is lus .chariot so long in coming I*
Wherefore linger the steps of his steeds V
Her wise ladies answered their mistress,
Yea, she returned answer to herself, —
' Have they not sped, and are dividing the spoil ?
To every chief man a damsel or two ?
To Sisera a spoil of various colors,
A spoil of various-colored embroidery,
A spoil of various-colored embroideries for the neck.'-
So let thine enemies perish, O Jehovah !
But let they who love thee become
As the sun going forth in his strength."-!-
From the animadversions which this ode contains, it is easy to collect that only
those tribes which were actually subject to the oppression, and even only those on
which the oppression the most heavily fell, were willing to disturb themselves by
engaging iu warlike operations against the oppressor. It does not appear that the
southern tribes and the tribes beyond Jordan were directly affected by the subjugation
of the northern tribes ; and even of those under tribute, the tribes more remote from
the seat of King Jabin seem to have been more at ease than the others. All these
were loath to come forward on this occasion ; and, in general, we find that, among
the Hebrews of this early period, there was little if any of that high-spirited and hon
orable abhorrence of a foreign yoke, which is, under God, the surest safeguard of a
nation's independence. It was not the yoke itself they hated, but its physical weight
upon their shoulders; and that weight must be very heavy before they could be
roused to any great effort to shake it from them. The iron which entered their souls
in Egypt still rusted there.
These sectional divisions — or rather this want of a general and sympathizing union
among the several members of the house of Israel — were the obvious secondary
cause of the miseries and oppressions under which different portions of that great
body did from time to time fall ; and this disunion itself was the natural and inevita
ble result of the neglect of the law, as a whole, and especially of those provisions which
were, in their proper operation, admirably calculated to keep the tribes united together
as one nation. It would be ridicuious to say that the theocratic policy was a failure.
That which was not fairly and fully tried can not be said to fail. Ruin to the people
did not come from the system itself: and that ruin did come from the neglect of its
conditions, rather shows how well that system was calculated to form a happy and
united people.
The victory of Deborah and Barak over Sisera gave to Israel a long repose from
the aggressions of the nations west of the Jordan ; for although their peace began
again to be disturbed after forty years (in 1336 B. C), the invasion was then from-
the east.
At the latter end of the forty years which followed the victory over Sisera, tho
* The original is highly figurative ; " Why is his chariot ashamed to come I"
t " The first sentences exhibit a striking picture of maternal solicitude, and of a mind suspended and agi
rated between hope and fear. Immediately, impatient of delay, she anticipates the consolations of he-
friends ; and, her mind being somewhat elevated, she boasts with all the levity of a fond female, —
' Vast in her hopes and giddy with success.'
Let us here observe how well adapted every sentiment, every word, is to the character of the speaker. She-
makes no account of the slaughter ofthe enemy, of the valor and conduct of the conqueror, of the multibudt-
of the captives, but ' Bums with a female thirst of prey and spoils.'
Nothing is omitted which is calculated to attract and engage the passions of a vain and trifling woman-,
•laves, gold, and rich apparel. Nor is she satisfied with the bare enumeration of them, she repeats, she-
amplifies, she heightens every circumstance ; she seems to have the very plunder in her immedr.r-e pos
session ; she pauses and contemplates every particular. To add to the beauty of this passage, there isarsi,
an uncommon neatness in the versification ; great force, accuracy, and perspicuity in the dicti'-n ; and'th*
utmost elegance in the repetitions, which, notwithstanding therr apparent redundancy, are conducted' with
the most perfect brevity. In the end, the fatal disappointment of female hope and credulity, tacitly msin.
uated by the unexpected apostrophe, — '
' So let thine enemies perish, O Jehovah 1'
is expressed more forcibly by this very silence of the person who was -ust speaking, thai it could possibly
hint been by all the powers of language." — Lowth.

230 AN ILLUSTRATED
Israelites, had again relapsed into their evil and idolatrous habits. This was par
ticularly the case of the tribes beyond Jordan, whose repose had been of longer dura
tion than that of the western tribes, for it does not appear that the oppressions of King
Jabin had extended to them.
Their punishment was this time particularly heavy, and came from an unexpected
quarter. The pastoral tribes dwelling on the borders of the land and in the eastern
deserts — the Midianites, Amalekites, with other tribes of Arabia — came swarming
into the land " like locusts," with countless flocks and herds, and pitching their tentp
in the plains and valleys. Arriving by the time the products of the soil began to be
gathered in, they remained until the final ingatherings ofthe year, when the advance
of winter warned them to withdraw into their deserts. Thus their cattle grew fht
upon the rich pastures of the land, while those of Israel were starved ; and the men
themselves lived merrily upon the grain which the Hebrews had sowed, and upon
the fruits which they had cultivated : and as, besides this deprivation of the suste
nance for which they had labored, such lawless crews are always ready for any kind
of great or small robbery and exaction, the Israelites were obliged to abandon the
open country, and to resort to the walled towns, to intrench themselves in strongholds,
and even to seek the shelter of the caves among the mountains. Even those who
ventured to remain in occupation of their own allotments, were afraid to have it known
that they had in their possession any of the produce of their own fields. All this
while it does not appear that there was any open war, or any military operations.
The invaders bore all before them, and had entirely their own way,, by the mere
force of the intimidating impressions which their numbers created. Countries or dis
tricts bordering on the desert are still subject to similar visitations, where the local
government is not strong enough to prevent them, or where the preoccupation ofthe
border soil by Arabs in the state of semi-cultivators, does not form an obstacle (as il
does not so always) to the incursions of pure Bedouins. Down to a very recent date
the very country east of the Jordan, which suffered the most on the present occasion,
suffered much from the periodical sojourn and severe exactions ofthe Bedouin tribes,
These incursions of the Midianites were repeated for seven years. By this time
the oppression had become so heavy that the Israelites, finding by bitter experience
the insufficiency of all other help, cried to Him who had delivered them of old : their
cry was heard. A prophet was commissioned to point out to them that their diso
bedience had been the cause of their sufferings, and to give to them the promise of a
new deli rerance.
The hero this time appointed to act for the deliverance of Israel, was Gideon of
Manasseh. His family was exposed to the general suffering occasioned by the pres
ence of the Bedouin tribes, — so much so, that having retained possession of some
corn, they dared not thrash it out for use in the ordinary thrashing-floor, but, to con
ceal it from the knowledge or suspicion ofthe invaders, were obliged to perform this
operation silently and secretly, in so unusual a place as the vineyard, near the wine
press. The thrashing-floors were watched by the Midianites at this time, when the
harvests had been gathered in ; but no regard was paid to the vineyards, as the sea
son of ripe grapes was far off. Gideon was engaged in this service when " the angel
of Jehovah" appeared to him standing under an oak which grew there. When ap
prized of his vocation to deliver Israel, the modest husbandman would have excused
himself on the ground of his wanting that eminence of station which so importanr a
service appeared to demand ; and when silenced by the emphatic " I will be wilh
thee" from his heavenly visitant, he still sought to have some certain tokens whereby
he might feel assured, and be enabled to convey the assurance to others, that his call
was indeed from God. Accordingly, a succession of signal miracles were wrought to
satisfy his mind and to confirm his faith. The refection of kid's-flesh and bread,
which the hospitable Gideon quickly got ready for the stranger, was, as he directed,
iail upon a rock before him, and when he touched it with the end of his staff, a
spontaneous fire arose by which it was consumed, as a sacrifice, and at the same time
the srrai.rrer disappeared. After this, at the special desire of Gideon, " a sign" of his
own choosing was granted to him. A fleece which he laid upon the thrashing-flooi
(in the open air) was saturated with dew, while the soil around was all dry ; and
again, condescending to his prayer, the Lord was pleased to reverse this miracle, by
exemp'.mg the fl»ece alone from the dewy moisture which bespread the ground
Gideon was satisfied.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 231
Yet the family from which the deliverer was chosen was not less tainted by tne
sins than visited by the punishments of Israel ; for Joash, the father of Gideon, had
erected an altar to Baal, at Ophrah^ the tOwn of his residence, at which the people
of that place rendered their idolatrous services to thai idol. This altar Gideon was
directed to destroy, and in its place to erect, over the rock on which his offering had
been consumed, an altar to JehOvah. It would seem that Joash himself was brought
back to his fealty to Jehovah by the first of the miracles we have related, of which,
probably, Gideon was not the sole witness : for when the men of Ophrah, early in
the following morning, arose to render their worship to Baal, and, finding his altar
overthrown, demanded the death of Gideon, his father stood forward to vindicate his
conduct. _ He undauntedly retorted the sentence of death against the idolaters them
selves, for their apostacy from Jehovah. By demanding the punishment of Gideon
for his act against Baal, they recognised in fact the fairness of the punishments de
nounced by the law against those individuals o.' cities which turned away from Jeho
vah to serve other gods ; and this, coupled with the derision of Joash at the impotency
of Baal to vindicate or avenge his own cause, so wrought upon the people of that
place, that they were among the foremost to gather to him when he sounded the
trumpet of war. He then sent messengers throughout his own tribe of Manasseh (on
both sides the Jordan), as well as through those of Asher, Naphtali, and Zebulon.
And so cheerfully was the call obeyed, that Gideon soon found himself at the head
of thirty-two thousand men. With this force Gideon marched to the mountains of
Gilboa, where he found vast multitudes of the enemy encamped before him in the
plain of Esdraelon. This fine plain had probably been before their favorite resort;
but they seem to have congregated there in unusual numbers as soon as they heard
of Gideon's preparations. And now that the people might have no cause to attribute
their deliverance to their own numbers and prowess, it pleased the divine King of
Israel to reduce this important army to a mere handful of spirited men. In the first
place, Gideon was directed to proclaim liberty for all who now, in sight ofthe enemy,
were fearful and faint-hearted, to return to their own homes. This proclamation,
according to the law (Deut. xx. 8), ought in all cases to have been made ; but it seems
that from some reason or other (perhaps either from ignorance of the law, or from
supposing that it was net intended to apply to such a case as the present), it would
not have been made by Gideon without the special command which he received.
Such a law, or practice, however inapplicable, or even ruinous, it might prove under
the military systems and tactics of modern Europe, was well calculated to act bene
ficially in the warfare of those early times ; for as everything then depended on the
individual courage and prowess of those engaged, " the faint-hearted" were more
likely to damage than assist those on whose side they appeared ; as their conduct
was tolerably certain to bring about results fatal to themselves, and discouraging to
their more valorous companions. In the present instance the result was, that al
though the men composmg the army of Gideon had come forward voluntarily, above
two thirds of them were so intimidated in the actual presence of danger, that they
took advantage of this permission to depart to their own homes. Of the thirty-two
thousand, only ten thousand remained with Gideon. Yet as these were men of
valor, as evinced by their determination to remain, room for vain-glorious boastings
was still left, and therefore Gideon was informed that the number was still too large,
and that a further reduction must be made. The process of this second selection
was very curious. All those were dismissed who, in drinking at the watering-place,
stooped down to drink in large draughts of water at the surface ; but those who
merely " lapped" the water, or took it up in the hollow of their hands to drink, w«re
retained. The different methods of drinking have been supposed to have distin
guished the self-indulgent from the more manly and active men. The latter — those
who took up the water in their hollowed hands — were but three hundred out of the
ten thousand ; and these were declared sufficient for the enterprise.
The night after this, Gideon, with his faithful follower Phurah, went down to the
camp ofthe enemy, in consequence of an intimation that he would there hear matter
for his encouragement. What he heard was one soldier, just awakened, telling a
dream to his companions. He had dreamed that he saw a barley-cake roll down
from the hills to the Midianitish camp, where it overthrew the first tent to which ii
came. The interpretation which 'the other gave was — '• This is none other than the

232 AN ILLUSTRATED
sword of Gideon, the son of Joash, a man of Israel, into whose hand God delivereth
Midian and the whole camp."
Several facts are indicated by this incident; such as the stress generally laid upon
dreams in that age, as indicative of contingent results, — the honor attached to the
office of spy, as one of danger, and which was therefore, as in the Mosaic age, as
signed to, or undertaken by, the very chief persons in the army, — and the truly Ori
ental want of sentinels and pickets, even in the face of the enemy. This indeed may
have been noticed on many former occasions; and to this astonishing neglect of a
precaution which seems to us so obvious and so simple, may be attributed the facility
and success of those sudden surprises of which we so often read in the military his-
ory of those early ages.
Gideon no sooner heard the dream and its interpretation than he understood and
accepted the sign. He returned to his own small band, and proceeded to carry into
immediate execution a remarkable stratagem which had already been suggested to
him. He divided his three hundred men into three companies. Every man was pro
vided with a trumpet in one hand, and in the other a pitcher containing a lighted
lamp. They were then stationed in silence and darkness at different points on the
( utside of the enemy's camp. Then, on a signal given by Gideon, all the three com
panies, at the same instant, blew their trumpets, exposed their lamps, broke the
pitchers which had concealed them, and then continued shouting, " The sword of
Jehovah and of Gideon !"* The terrible din and crash which thus suddenly broke in
upon the stillness of midnight, with the equally sudden blaze of light from three hun
dred lamps, which illumined its darkness, struck an instant panic into the vast host
of Midian, suggesting to them that the lamp-bearing trumpeters (whose numbers
must have been greatly magnified in the confused apprehension of men just awaken
ed) were but ihe advanced guard of the Hebrew host whom they were lighting to
the attack on the camp. They therefore fled in all directions, ihrough the openings
between the three companies. In their midnight flight, not doubting that the He
brews had fallen upon them, they mistook friends for foes, and vast multitudes ot
them perished by each other'i swords. The survivers, in their further flight, came
up with the several parties which had been dismissed by Gideon to their homes, and
these committed a terrible slaughter among the fugitives. Gideon also sent messen
gers desiring the Ephraimites to seize the various fords of the Jordan, between the
two lakes, and thereby prevent the escape of any of the fugitives eastward, which
was the direction they would naturally lake. In this terrible overthrow no less than
one hundred and twenty thousand of the various tribes of " the children of the east"
perished; and so completely were the Midianites subdued, that from that time they
were never ible " to lift up their heads any more."
A remnant of fifteen thousand, headed by their emirs, Zebah and Zalmunna, man
aged to escape across the river (probably before the Ephraimites had seized the fords),
and having reached a distance where they deemed themselves safe from further pur
suit, they ventured to encamp. But Gideon himself, with his faithful three hundred,
continued the pursuit even to that distance — even into the land of the tent-dwellers
— and falling suddenly upon the camp, which lay carelessly secure, the already scared
Midianites were completely overthrown. The two emirs themselves were taken
alive and brought before Gideon. He had formed, for those times, the singularly
generous intention to spare their lives ; but when he gathered, from their own lips,
that they had created a case of blood-revenge between himself and them, by putting
to death, near Mount Tabor, his brethren, " the sons of his own mother,"! he, as the
legal avenger of their blood, slew these emirs with his own hand.
Gideon seems to have been a man eminently qualified for the high and difficult
station to which he was called. Firm even to sternness, where the exhibition of the
stronger qualities seemed necessary, and in war " a mighty man of valor/' we are
called upon in his case, more frequently than in any other which has occurred, to
admire his truly courteous and self-retreating character, and that nice and difficult
tact — difficult, because spontaneously natural — in the management of men, which is
a rarer and finer species of judgment, and by which he was intuitively taught to say
* The hint of this watchword was taken from the interpretation of the Midianitish soldier's dream, ' Hie
sword of Gideon," to which Gideon, with equal piety and modesty, prefixed, " the sword of Jehovah."
t The emphasis lies in the probability that ids father had children by other wives than Gideon's mother.
To be her children, therefore, constituted a far dearer tie than to be his father's children in the general

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 233
the properest word, and do the properest deed at the most proper time. This is the
true secret of his ultimate popularity and influence, which much exceeded that
enjoyed by any judge before him. Some instances of the qualities which we have
indicated have already appeared, and others will presently occur.
The Ephraimites who had guarded the Jordan, having performed all that their
duty required, hastened to join Gideon in the pursuit of ihe Midianites. They met
him on his return, and laid before him the heads of Oreb and Zeeb,* two emirs of
Midian, whom they had taken and slain. This tribe of Ephraim, which was, after
that of Judah, the most important in Israel, was exceedingly jealous of its superiority ,
and was, therefore, not a little annoyed that an obscure Abiezrile should have under
taken so great an enterprise as that now happily completed, without consulting them.
They now took occasion to remonstrate with him sharply on the subject, but were
soon pacified by his modest and good-tempered answer. " How little have I done now
in comparison with you," he said. " Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim
better than the vintage of Abiezer ? God hath delivered up the princes of Midian,
Oreb and Zeeb ; and what have I been able to do in comparison with you V Gideon
knew what Solomon taught long after, " A soft answer turneth away wrath."
When he had crossed the Jordan in pursuit of the fugitives, he was anxious to
obtain for his small band — " faint, yet pursuing" — refreshments from the town of
Succoth, which he passed, and afterward from that of Peniel ; but he was in both
cases refused. The inhabitants seem to have been fearful of bringing upon them
selves the vengeance of the Midianites, to whom they had for seven years been sub
ject, and against whom they held it to be very unlikely that he would succeed with
so small a force. They not only refused, but added insult to injury. Instead of
chastising them on the spot, he coolly told both that he would do so on his return ;
and he now kept his promise. Coming upon Succoth by surprise, befoie ihe sun was
up, he took the chief persons of Succoth, and, as he had threatened, scourged them
to death with thorns and briars. Of Peniel he made a still severer example, for he
beat down the fortress-tower of that city, and put to death the men belonging to it.
The Israelites, in the warmth of their gratitude, offered to make Gideon their king,
and to continue the crown to his descendants. This proposal, which clearly shows
how unmindful the Israelites had become of the great political principle of the the
ocracy with which they were so unwarrantably ready to dispense, was nobly rejected
by Gideon, who replied to it in the true spirit of the theocracy . "I will not reign
over you, neither shall my son reign over you ; Jehovah, he shall reign over you.'-
But while thus alive to the true political character of the Mosaic institutions, he was
not equally cognizant of the religious obligations of that system. When he was
called to His great work al Ophrah, he had been instructed to build an altar on the
rock on which his offering had been accepted, and himself to offer sacrifices there.
This probably led him to conclude that it would be right to form a religious estab-
ment at that spot, for the worship of God by sacrifice. A more perfect acquaintance
with the principles of the law would have taught him otherwise. However, to this
object he applied the produce of the golden ear-rings of the Midianites, which, at
his special request (not unlike that of Aaron, Exod. xxxii. 2), were cheerfully granted
to him by the army as his share of the spoil. The weight being one thousand seven
hundred shekels, the gold thus obtained must have been worth upward of fifteen
thousand dollars of our money,; and the " ephod" which he is described as having
made with it, probably included not only " the priests' dress," as the word signifies,
but a regular sacerdotal establishment in his own town, where sacrifices might be
constantly offered. For this purpose such a sum as he applied to it must have been
fully requisite. It has been disputed whether Gideon himself officiated as priest, or,
like Micah, engaged a Levite for that purpose. The latter st ems the more likely
supposition, unless from having been once directed to offer sacrifice, Gideon concluded
he had a superior claim to discharge that office.
However well intended this establishment may have been in the first instance, this
was a most mistaken and dangerous step, resembling, in its principle, the establish
ment which the Danites had formed in the north. It infringed upon the peculiar
claims of Shiloh, the seat of the Divine Presence ; and the result of these and all
attempts to form separate establishments affords ample illustration of the design with
' The names mean crow and wolf. It would seem tnat the chiefs of the Midianites (like the North
American Indian*) took the names of animals, as significant of qualities to winch the> aspired.

234 AN ILLUSTRATED
which the formal worship of God by sacrifice was confined to one particular locality,
It proved " a snare to Gideon and his family," in worshipping the true ' God in an
improper manner. It became popular to " all Israel," who resorted to Ophrah to
render that worship aud service which was due only at the sacred tabernacle ; and,
with the predisposition to idolatry, it is not wonderful that, free at this place from
the restraint and supervision which the worship at Shiloh imposed, the service at
this place soon became associated with idolatrous ideas and objects, until at last it
degenerated into rank idolatry after the death of Gideon. He survived and ruled
Israel forty years after his victory over the Midianites, and during all this time the
tranquillity of Israel appears to have been undisturbed.

CHAPTER XIV.
MURDER OP GIDEON'S SONS — JEPTHA'S VICTORY — SAMSON.
Gideon left no less than seventy sons by his numerous wives, besides one spunous
son called Abimelech, by a concubine (whom Josephus calls Drumah) who belonged
to Shechem. A bastard among seventy legitimate sons was not likely to be pleasantl;-
circumstanced when his father was dead, and it is not surprising that he soon with
drew from among them to his mother's relations at Shechem. They seem to have
been persons of some consideration in that place.
After the death of Gideon, the history, without stating the fact, seems to require
us to suppose that his sons had been invited to take the government, or to share it
among them; and that they, actuated by the same noble, because disinterested
regard for the principles of the theocracy which had influenced their , father, had
declined the offer. But Abimelech, " a bold, bad man," was of a different spirit.
He soon saw the advantage which he might take of the existing posture of affairs.
Prompted by him, his uncles and other maternal connexions suggested to the chief
people of Shechem his willingness to undertake the charge which the people gener
ally were anxious to see in the hands of a son, or some of the sons, of Gideon.
They suggested whether it were not much better that one man should reign over
them, than that they should be subject to all the sons of Gideon, seventy persons in
number; and if the government of one man was to be desired, who had so strong a
claim to their preference and attachment as one so closely connected with them as
Abimelech? These suggestions had their weight upon the leading men of Shechem,
particularly the consideration that he was " their brother." They supplied him with
money out of the treasury of Baal-berith, whose worship seems to have been that to
which the Israelites were at this time the most inclined. The sum was not large,*
but it served him to hire a set of unprincipled men, prepared for any undertaking he
might propose. And, with the usual short-sighledness of wicked men, thinking to
concentrate in his own person the attachment of the Israelites to the house of Gideon,
as v ell as to extinguish that which was likely to be the most active opposition he
would have to encounter, Abimelech marched his troop to Ophrah, where he put to
death all his brethren, the sons of Gideon, with the exception ofthe youngest, named
Jotham, who managed to escape. This is the first example of a stroke of barbarous
policy which has since been very common in the history of the East. In the firs'
instance it had the effect he intended; for on his return to Shechem, the people ol
that place assembled and anointed Abimelech king, close to a pillar of stone that
stood near that town — perhaps the same which Joshua had set up there as a memo
rial of the covenant with God.
When Jotham was made acquainted with this, he repaired secretly to the neigh
borhood of Shechem ; and, taking advantage of some festival which brought the
inhabitants together outside the town, he appeared suddenly on a cliff overlooking
* Seventy shekels of silver, about equal to forty dollars of our money. But proper allowance must be
made for a great difference in the real value of money, although the precise amount of that difference can
not be stated.
t Gaza, a principal city of the Philistines, given to Judah by Joshua, Josh. xv. 47, Judg. i. 18 : it lay about
sixty miles southwest of Jerusalem, three miles from the Mediterranean sea, and near to the confines of
Egypt, Gen. x. 19. Gaza is famous for some of the exploits and the death of Samson, while in possession of
the Philistines, Judg. xvi. 1-21. Being a border town, its changes were many in the course of ages. Alex
ander the Great made it desolate, as predicted ; but it was rebuilt nearer to the sea ; and in its vicinity, the
Ethiopian noblemen was baptized by Philip, Acts viii. 26. Gaza as a sea-port, has been called the " If ev
it Syria :" it is now called Rassa.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

235

E36 AN ILLUSTRATED
the yalley in which they were assembled, and, in a loud voice, called their attention
to his words. He then delivered that earliest and very fine parable which represents
the trees as making choice of a king : The olive refused to leave its oil, the fig-tree
its sweetness, and the, vine-tree its wine, to reign over the trees (thus intimating the
refusal of Gideon's sons) ; but the upstart bramble (representing Abimelech) accepts,
with great dignity, the offered honor, and even proposes the conditions of its accept
ance. These are exquisitely satirical, both in their terms and in their application; —
" If ye truly intend to anoint me king over you, come, take shelter under my shadow ;
and if not, let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon."
That they might be at no loss to understand his meaning, Jotham gave the obvious
moral," in which he included a bitter rebuke of the ingratitude of the people to
their deliverer, all whose sons, save himself, they had slain ; together with an inti
mation, which proved prophetic, of the probable result. He then fled with all haste,
in fear of Abimelech ; and ultimately settled beyond his reach, at Beer, in the tribe of
Benjamin. Abimelech reigned three years in Shechem, during which he so disgusted the men
by whom he had been raised to that bad eminence on which he stood, that they ex
pelled him from their city. In return, he, with the aid of the desperate fellows who
remained with him, did his utmost to distress the inhabitants, so that al the season
of vintage they were afraid to go out into their vineyards to collect their fruits.
Hearing of these transactions, one Gaal went over to Shechem with his armed fol
lowers and kinsmen, to see how they might be turned to his advantage. We know
not precisely who this person was, or whence he came ; but there are circumstances
in the original narrative which would suggest that he was a Canaanite, descended
from the former rulers of Shechem, and that his people also were a remnant of tlie
original Shechemites. He came so opportunely, that the people very gladly accepted
his protection during the vintage. In the feats which followed the joyful labors of
that season, Gaal, who seems to have been a cowardly, boasting fellow, spoke con
temptuously of Abimelech, and talked largely of what he could and would do, if
authority were vested in him. This was heard with much indignation by Zebul, one
a( the principal magistrates of the city, who lost no time in secretly sending to
apprize Abimelech how matters stood, and advised him to show himself suddenly
before the city, when he would undertake to induce Gaal to march out against hi? a.
Accordingly, one morning, when Zebul and other principal persons were with Gaal it
the gate of the city, armed men were seen descending the hills. Zebul amused Gaal
till they came nearer, and then, by reminding him of his recent boastings, compelled
him to draw out his men to repel the advance of Abimelech. They met, and no
sooner did Gaal see a few of his men fall, than, with the rest, he fled hastily into the
city. Zebul availed himself of this palpable exhibition of impotence, if not cow
ardice, to induce the people of Shechem to expel Gaal and his troop from the town.
Abimelech, who was staying at Arumah, a place not far off, was informed of this the
next morning, as well as that the inhabitants, although no longer guarded by Gaal,
went out daily to the labors of the field. He therefore laid ambushes in the neigh
borhood; and when the men were come forth to their work in the vineyards, two of
the ambushed parties rose to destroy them, while a third hastened to the gates to
prevent their return to the town. The city itself was then taken, and Abimelech
caused all the buildings to be destroyed, and the ground to be strewn with salt, as a
symbol of the desolation to which his intention consigned it. The fortress, however,
still remained, and a thousand men were in it. But they, fancying that it was not
tenable, withdrew to " the strong-hold of the temple of Baal-berith," which had the
advantage ol standing in a more elevated and commanding position. This, it will be
noted, is the first temple which we read of in scripture. On perceiving this, Abime
lech cut down the bough of a tree with his battle-axe, and bore it upon his shoulder,
directing all his men to do the same. The wood was deposited against the entrance
and walls of the strong-hold, and, when kindled, made a tremendous fire, in which
the building and the thousand men it contained were destroyed. •
To follow up this victory, Abimelech marched against Thebez, another revolted
town. As before, he took the town itself with little difficulty, but all the people had
shut themselves up in the tower or fortress, which offered a more serious obstacle.
However, Abimelech advanced to the door with the intention of burning it down,
when a woman threw a large stone from the battlements above. It fell upon him,

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 237
»nd broke his scull ; and mindful, even in that bitter moment, of that principle of
military honor which counts death from a woman's hands disgraceful, he hastily
called to his armor-bearer to thrust him through with his sword, that it might not
be said a woman slew him. But the disgrace which he desired to avoid attached
for ever to his name ; for it was always remembered to his dishonor that a woman
slew him.
After Abimelech, Tola, of the tribe of Issachar, but dwelling in Mount Ephraim,
governed the people for twenty-three years.
He was succeeded by Jair, a Gileadite (of eastern Manasseh), who judged Israel
twenty-two years. His opulence is indicated by his being the owner of thirty vil
lages, which collectively bore the name of Havoth-Jair (Jair's villages), and that he
had thirty sons, all of whom he could afford to mount on young asses. In those days
horses and mules were not in use among the Hebrews. Their place was not
unworthily substituted by the fine breed of asses which the country afforded ; and to
possess as many as thirty of these, young and vigorous, and fit for the saddle (implying
the possession of many more, older and of inferior condition), was no questionable
sign of wealth.
As the administration of these two judges was peaceable, the notice of them is
confined to a few lines ; the chief design of the sacred historian being to record the
calamities which the Israelites drew upon themselves by their apostacies to the
idolatries of the surrounding nations, and their providential deliverances upon their
repentance and return to their God and king. After the calm of these administrations,
they multiplied their idolatries ; and in punishment for this, they were brought under a
servitude to the Ammoniles, which continued for eighteen years, and was particularly
severe upon the tribes beyond Jordan, although the southern and central tribes on this
side the river — Judah, Benjamin, and Ephraim — were also subdued.
Corrected by calamity, the Israelites put away their idols, and cried to God for
pardon and deliverance. In reply to their suit, they were reminded of the deliver
ances which they had already experienced, notwithstanding which they had repeatedly
turned to serve other gods. Their prayer was therefore refused, and they were told,
" Go and cry to the gods that ye have chosen ; let them deliver you in the time of
your tribulation." Their reply to this was very proper: " We have sinned: do thou
to us whatever seemeth good unto thee ; only deliver us, we pray thee, this time."
And forthwith they rooted out the remains of idolatry from among them, and wor
shipped Jehovah with such singleness and zeal that " his soul was grieved for the
misery of Israel."
There was a man called Jephthah, who was, like Abimelech. the spurious son of
a man who had a large family of legitimate children. When the father died, the
other sons expelled Jephthah from among them, saying, " Thou shalt not inherit in
our father's house, for thou art the son of a strange woman." As this last phrase
generally denotes a foreigner, or one not of Israel, this treatment, although very-
harsh, was less unjust, under the peculiar circumstances of the Hebrew constitution,
than might at the first view appear ; for it was a strong point of the Mosaic policy
to discourage all connexion with foreigners (necessarily idolaters) ; and nothing was
better calculated to this end, for a people like the Hebrews, than the disqualification
of the progeny of such connexions from receiving a share in the inheritance.
On this Jephthah withdrew into " the land of Tob," toward the borders of the des
ert : and as he had before this found opportunities of establishing a character for spirit
and courage, he was soon joined by a number of destitute and idle young men, who
were led by inclination, or more imperative inducements, to prefer the free life he led
to the sober habits which a settling community requires. Besides, from pastoral so
cieties, such as those beyond Jordan, the step into the free life of the desert is much
shorter than it would be among a more agricultural people. It is really useless to at
tempt to consider Jephthah's troop otherwise than as a set of daring, careless fellows,
acting is men do at the present day act in the east under similar circumstances, and
similarly brought together. Being without any other means of subsistence, they un
questionably lived by a sort of robbery, as we should call it now, examples of which
are found in all rude states of society, and to which, in such states of society, no one
dreams of attaching disgrace. They lived doubtless by raids, or plundering excur
sions, into the neighboring small states, driving off the cattle, and taking whate er
(anie to their hands ; and we may from analogy conclude that they wav laid and lev <d

238 AN ILLUSTRATED
black-mail upon caravans, when composed of parties which they had no reason to
treat with favor. Their point of honor probably was, to abstain from any acts against
their own countrymen ; and this exception existing, the body of the Israelites mU3t
have regarded the performances of Jephthah and his troop with favor, especially if,
as is likely, they were thorns iu the sides of the Ammonites, and took pleasure to an
noy, in their own quarters, the enemies of Israel. However this may be, the courage
and conduct of Jephthah became so well known by his successful enterprises, that
when, after their repentance, the tribes beyond Jordan determined to make a stand
against the Ammonites, but felt the want of a leader, they agreed that there was no
known person so fit as Jephthah to lead them to battle. The chiefs of Gilead, his
native district, therefore went in person to the land of 'fob, lo solicit this already cel
ebrated person to undertake the conduct of the expedition. They were rather harshly
received. " Did ye not hate me," said the hero, " and expel me from my father's
house ? and why do ye come to me now, when ye are in distress ?" They, however,
continued to press him, and intimated that, as had been usual in such cases, the gov
ernment of, at least, the land of Gilead, would be the reward of his success. This
was very agreeable to Jephthah, who forthwith accompanied them to Mizpeh, where
this agreement was solemnly ratified, and all things necessary for conducting the war
were regulated.
By the time Jephthah had organized his forces in Mizpeh, the Ammonites, taking
alarm, had assembled a numerous army in Gilead. Although, from his previous hab-:
its of life, we should hardly have expected it from him, we find the Hebrew general,
commencing the war with much more than usual attention to those formalities which
are judged necessary to render the grounds of quarrel manifest. He sent ambassa
dors to the king of the Ammonites, requiring to know why he had come to fight
against the Hebrews in their own land. The king, in reply, alleged that he came to
Tecover the land taken from his ancestors by the Israelites, on their way from Egypt,
and of which he, therefore, required peaceable restitution. Jephthah in his reply -
gave a fair and clear recital of the whole transaction which had put these lands into i
the possession of the Hebrews, and he refused to surrender them on the following
grounds : 1. He denied that the Ammonites had any existing title to the lands, for ¦
theyhad been driven but of these lands by the Amorites before the Hebrews appeared;
and that they (the Hebrews) in overcoming and driving oat the Amorites, without :
any assistance from or friendly understanding with, the Ammonites, became entitled
to the territory which the conquered people occupied ; 2, that the title of the Is
raelites was confirmed by a prescription of above three hundred years, during which ,
none of Ammon or of Moab had ever reclaimed these lands; and, — 3, as an argu-
mentum ad hominem, he alleged that the God of Israel was as well entitled to grant
his people the lands which they held as was their own god Chemosh, according to
their opinion, to grant to the Ammonites the lands which they now occupied. This
admirable and well-reasoned statement concluded with an appeal to Heaven to decide
the justice of the cause by the event of the battle which was now inevitable.
The result was such as might be expected. Jephthah defeated the Ammonites
with great slaughter, and reduced the nation to subjection.
But not joy to exalt and gladden his heart, but a bitter grief to rend it deeply,
awaited the victor on his return to Mizpeh. Feeling, perhaps, that he had not, like.
former deliverers, been expressly and publicly called and appointed by God to the
work he had undertaken, he had sought to propitiate Heaven by a vow, that if al
lowed to return to his home in peace, whatsoever first came forth to meet him should
be offered as a burnt-offering to Jehovah.
Jephthah had no child, save one daughter, a virgin, beautiful and young. And she
when the news came of his great victory, and of his return in triumph and peace
went forth at the head of her fair companions to meet her glorious father, dancing
ioyously to their timbrels as he drew nigh. Here, then, was the object of his vow-
is cherished daughter — the only object in the world which coul.l call forth those
kindly sympathies and tendernesses which lurk deep within even those natures which
have been the most scarred and roughened in the storms of life. The desolated fathei
rent his clothes, crying, " Alas ! my daughter, thou hast brought me low indeed ! . .
for I have opened my mouth to Jehovah and I can not reverse it." Th m, understand
ing the nature of his vow, that noble maiden, mindful only that Israel was delivered,
and impressed with the solemn obligation which lhat vow impose j sought not to

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

239

t ^ i Mi i Jr""^"S'\rr \

mm

The Victor greeted.
turn her father from his purpose, or en
couraged him to seek those evasions which
others have since discovered for him.
With unexampled magnanimity she cried,
" My father, if thou hast opened thy mouth
to Jehovah, do with me according to that
which thou hast spoken for as much as
Jehovah hath taken vengeance for thee
upon ihine enemies, upon the Ammonites."
All she desired was that she might be al
lowed for two months to wander among
the mountains, with her companions, to
bewail that it was not her lot to be a bride
and mother in Israel. At the end of that
time Jephthah " did with her according
to his vow."
It is much to be regretted that the re
luctance of the sacred writer to express in
plain terms the dreadful immolation which
we believe to be thus indicated, has left
the whole matter open as a subject of dis
pute. The early Jewish and Christian
writers (including Josephus) made no
question that Jephthah, under a most mis
taken notion of duty, did, after the manner
of the heathen, really offer his daughter
in sacrifice ; but the ingenuity of modern
criticism has discovered the alternative
that she was not immolated on the altar,
but was devoted to perpetual virginity in
the service ofthe tabernacle. It must be
confessed that the subject is one of such
difficulty, as to render it hard to reach a
positive conclusion. But on anxiously con
sidering the question, we are sorry to feel
constrained to adhere to the harsher al
ternative.

240 AN ILLUSTRAfED-
There was no institution among the Jews under which practical i fleet could be
given to the alternative which modern interpretation has provided ; and even had aot
this been the case, there was, at the time that this devotement to the tabernacle must
have taken place, no access to the tabernacle from the east ; for Jephthah was aboul
that time waging a bitter war with the tribe of Ephraim, in whose territory, al Shi
loh, the ark was situated. This posture of affairs would preclude him from receiv ing
from the priests those instructions and remonstrances which would have prevented
that piteous immolation which he deemed his vow to require. We are persuaded
that the more thoroughly any one makes himself acquainted with the spirit of the
time, the state of religion, the nature of the ideas which then prevailed, the peculi
arities of the ecclesiastical polity among the Hebrews, and the character of Jephthah
himself, — the more strong will be his conviction that the infatuated hero really did
offer his daughter m sacrifice, and the greater will the difficulty seem of providing
any other alternative. The opinion of the Jews themselves is also entitled to some
weight ; and at a time when they abhorred the idea of human sacrifices, they not
only state it as an unquestionable fact that this sacrifice did take place, but ascribe
the deposition of the Hne of Eleazer from the high-priesthood, and the substitution
of that of Ithamar, to the circumstance that the existing pontiff did not take meas
ures to prevent this stain upon the annals of Israel.
We must consider how long the minds of the Israelites had been saturated with
notions imbibed from the surrounding heathen, which implies the neglect, and conse
quent ignorance, of the divine law ; and that among those ideas and practices that of
the superior efficacy of human sacrifices occupied a prominent place. We may also
reflect that a rough military adventurer, like Jephthah, had been even more than
usually exposed to contaminating influences : such persons are also usually found to
be superstitious, and are seldom capable of apprehending more than certain broad and
hard features of such higher matters as are presented to their notice. Jephthah knew
that human victims were generally regarded as in a peculiar degree acceptable to the
gods ; and as historical facts are in general more familiarly known than dogmas, it
was probably unknown to him that human sacrifices were abhorrent to Jehovah, while
he was certain to know that Abraham had been expressly commanded by God him
self to offer his beloved Isaac upon the altar; and although the completion of this
act was prevented, it would be remembered that the patriarch obtained high praise
because he had not withheld even his only and well-loved son from God. That Jeph
thah made such a vow at all, corroborates the view we take of his character. It was
superstitious ; and it implies his imperfect knowledge of the law, which would have
apprized him of various alternatives which would render the fulfilment of his vow
incompatible with obedience to the law. But to such a mind the literal accomplish
ment of a vow — whatever its purport — will appear the first of duties ; and in the ful
filment of such a vow as this, it would seem that the greater his own anguish, the
more deeply the iron entered into his own soul, the more meritorious, and the more
acceptable to God, the act of the offerer was deemed.
The virgins of Israel instituted an anniversary commemoration of four days, which
they spent in celebrating the praises and bewailing the fate of Jephthah's daughter.
The misunderstanding with Ephraim, to which we have incidentally alluded, was
similar to that which the tact of Gideon had averted on a former occasion. That
haughty and overbearing tribe had been called to the war in the first instance, but re
fused to take part in the enterprise : but when that enterprise proved successful, they
were astonished and mortified that Israel had been delivered by the Gileadites with
out their assistance. They then assembled tumultuously, and with many contempt
uous and abusive expressions toward the Gileadites in general, and toward Jephthah
in particular, they threatened to burn his house over his head, because he had not
called them to the last decisive action. The conqueror stated the matter as it actu
ally happened ; for his rough nature would not permit him to smooth down theii
ruffled plumes, as Gideon had done on a similar occasion. And then, finding that they
were still bent on mischief, he called out the Gileadites, who were highly exasperated
at the reflections which had been cast upon them as " fugitives of Ephraim," — " a
base breed between Ephraim and Manasseh." A battle took place, in which the
Ephraimites were signally defeated. They had crossed over to the eastern side of the
Jordan, and, after the victory, the Gileadites hastened to seize the fords of that river,
to intercept those of the fugitives who attempted to return to their homes. But as

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 241
Israelites of all the tribes were constantly passing the river, a test w&s necessary to
distinguish the Ephraimites from the others. It is remarkable that the test chosen
was that of pronunciation. When any man approached to cross the river, he was
asked, "Art thou an Ephraimite?" If he answered " No," they said, " Then, say
SAibboleth" (water-brooks) ; but if he were really an Ephraimite, he could not pro-
qounce the sh, but gave the word as " Sibboleth ;" and was slain on the spot. This
incident is curious, as showing that lingual differences had already arisen by which
particular tribes could be distinguished. In like manner a Galilean was, in the time
of Christ, known at Jerusalem by his speech.
In this disastrous affair the loss of the Ephraimites amounted to forty-two thousand
men. Such a success could be no matter of triumph to the unhappy Jephthah. His
troubled life was not long protracted. He died after he Jiad judged Israel six years.
B. C. 1247.
After Jephthah follow the names of three judges, the silence of the record concern
ing whose actions may be understood to indicate a period of tranquillity and ease.
These were Ibzan, of Bethlehem in Ephraim, for seven years ; Elon, a Zebulonite,
for ten years ; and Abdon, an Ephraimite, for eight years. Under the repose of these
administrations, however, the Hebrews again insensibly relapsed into idolatry. For
this they were brought under a rigorous servitude to their western foes, the Philis
tines, which (in its full rigor) lasted for forty years. This people had so recruited
their strength since the days of Shamgar, that they now take a very conspicuous place
in the Hebrew history, forming by far the most powerful and inveterate enemies ihe
Israelites had yet encountered. They contir. ued much longer than any other power
had done to wield the weapon by which tht iniquities of Israel were chastised ; for
it was not until the time of David that the deliverance was completed.
When we read of the corrupt state of the nation at large, it would be a grievous
error to infer that all had departed from God. There are various intimations that,
in the worst times, not a few families were to be found religious and well regulated,
and which maintained among themselves the faith of the one only God, and followed
with exactitude all the requirements of the law. Thus, at a later day, when the
prophet deemed that he was himself the only one by whom Jehovah was acknowl
edged, God himself knew that there were in Israel seven thousand persons whose
knees had not been bowed to Baal. (1 Kings, xix. 18.) But although these were the
salt of Israel, they could not preserve the mass from such putrefaction as required
that it should be cast forth and trodden under foot.
And now, about the same time that the Israelites were cast forth to be trodder
under foot by the Philistines, it pleased their offended King, while with the one hand
he punished his revolted subjects, to provide with the other for the beginnings of
their deliverance at a future day. For about that time the angel of Jehovah appeared
to the wife of Manoah, a Danite, who had been barren, and promised her a son, who
was to be a Nazarite (a person consecrated to God) from the womb, and that in time
he should begin to deliver Israel from the yoke of the Philistines.
Accordingly, the woman gave birth in due season to a son, on whom the name of
Samson was bestowed. As the child grew, it became manifest that the most extra
ordinary bodily powers had been given to him : while, to prevent undue exaltation
<?f spirit from the consciousness of superior powers, it was known to him that his
gifts had no necessary dependance on the physical complication of his thews and
sinews, but on his condition as a Nazarite, and on the unshorn hair which formed
the sign and symbol of that condition.
It is from the twentieth year of his age, which was also the twentieth of the
bondage to the Philistines, that we are to date the commencement of Samson's vin
dictive administration. He proved to be a man of ungovernable passions; but,
through the influence of his destiny to begin the deliverance of Israel, it was so
ordered that even his worst passions, and even the sorrows and calamities which
these passions wrought upon himself, were made the instruments of distress and ruiu
to the Philistines.
The fact that the territory occupied by the tribe of Dan, towhich Samson belon<red,
immediately adjoined the country of the Philistines, in consequence of which he be
came well acquainted with that people, ministered occasion for most of his opera
tions against them. And first— in the Philistine town of Timnath, Samson had seen
a young woman with whom he was so well pleased that he resolved to obtain hei
1G

242 AN ILLUSTRATED
for his wife. But as such matters were always adjusted between the parents of the
respective parties, he went home and desired his father and mother to secure this
woman for him. His parents would much have preferred that his choice had fallen
on one of the daughters of his own people ; but, seeing his determination was fixed,
they yielded, and went back with him to Timnath. It was on this journey that
Samson gave the first recorded indication of the prodigious strength with which he
was endowed, by slaying, without any weapon in his hands, a young and fierce lioD
bv which he was assailed.
4.t Timnath the proposals of his parents were favorably received by the parents
of the damsel Samson sought in marriage. It was necessary, by the customs of the
time and country, that at least a month should pass between such a proposal and the
celebration of the marriage. At the expiration of this time, Samson, again accom
panied by his parents, went down to Timnath to claim his bride. On the way he
turned aside to see what had become of the carcass of the lion he had slain on the
former journey. In that climate the carcasses of animals left dead upon the ground
are speedily devoured by jackals and vultures, and other beasts and birds which feed
on carrion. Even insects contribute largely to this service. Accordingly, Samson
found only the clean skeleton of the lion, partially covered with the undevoured hide.
In the cavity thus formed a swarm of bees had lodged and deposited their honey. At
wedding-feasts it was at that time usual for the young men then assembled together
lo amuse themselves by proposing riddles — those who were unable to solve the rid
dle incurring a forfeiture to him by whom it was proposed, who himself was liable
to a similar forfeiture if his riddle were found out. The adventure with the lion
suggested to Samson the riddle which he proposed — " Out of the eater came forth
food, and out of the fierce came forth sweetness." For three days they vainly tried
to discover the meaning of this riddle ; and at last, rather than incur the heavy for
feiture of " thirty shirts and thirty suits of raiment," they applied to the bride, and
threatened destruction to her family if she did not extract from her husband the re
quired solution, and make it known to them. He was very unwilling to tell her,
declaring that even his father and mother were ignorant of it. But she put in prac
tice all the little arts by which women have ever carried their points with men usu
ally weak — as Samson was, with all his corporal strength — and by her tears, and
reproaches of his want of love and confidence, she so wearied him that he at length
gave her the information she desired. The guests were consequently enabled, within
Ihe given time, to answer—" What is sweeter than honey ? What is fiercer than a
lion?" But Samson was well convinced that the wit of man could never have dis-
coveied the true solution without a knowledge of the circumstances, which they could
Only have obtained by tampering with his wife. He exclaimed indignantly — "If ye
•had not ploughed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle !" He did not,
however, as he might have done, refuse the payment of the forfeiture he had thus-
unexpectedly incurred; but to obtain it he went and slew thirty of the Philistines
near Ascalon, and gave their raiment to the persons who had expounded his riddle
He then returned to his own home, without again seeing his wife, with whose con
duct he was deeply disgusted.
But after some time bis resentment subsided, and he went down to Timnath to
revisit his wife, with a present of a kid. But he found that in the mean time she
had been given in marriage to a man among the Philistines, who in former times had
been his most dear and familiar friend, and whom, in that character, he had chosen
to act as his paranymph, or brideman, at the wedding. The incensed hero rejected
with indignation the offer of the father to give him his youngest daughter in lieu of
the woman he had married ; and regarding, probably, the treatment he had received
as in some degree resulting from the insolence of superiority, and from the contempt
in which the Philistines held the people they had so long held in subjection, he con
sidered himself justified in avenging his own injuries upon the Philistine nation, as
part and parcel of the wrongs his nation suffered. This mode of taking his revenge
was no less remarkable than effective. He obtained three hundred jackals, and tying
them together, with a firebrand between their tails, let them loose. The affrighted
animals, being so bound as to be obliged to run side by side, hastened for shelter to
the fields of standing and ripened corn, which, at that dry season, when the corn was
ripe, was easily kindled into a blaze. As the tortured jackals took different directions
the conflagration was very extensive ; nor was it confined to the standing corn, but

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 243
wrought much damage among the olive-grounds and vineyards, and consumed the
corn which had been cut down and heaped for the thrashing-floor.
When the Philistines understood the immediate cause of this act of hostility on the
part of Samson, they went and burned his wife and her father's house with fire ; thus
punishing them for that breach of faith to which they were first led by the fear of
this very punishment. If this act was intended to appease Samson, it had not that
effect ; for it did not prevent him from taking an opportunity which offered of dis
comfiting, with much slaughter, a considerable number of men belonging to that
nation. He then withdrew to a strong rock called Etam, in the tribe of Judah. To
that place he was pursued by a large body of Philistines, whose presence occasioned
great alarm to the Judaites. But when they understood that Samson individually
was the sole object of this incursion, they most shamefully undertook of themselves
to deliver him up to his enemies. Accordingly, three thousand of them went up to
him, feeling assured that he would not act against his own people. They told him
they were come to bind him, and to put him into the hands of the Philistines. It
strikingly illustrates the opinion Samson had of his own countrymen — an opinion
which the circumstances justified — that before he consented to be bound, he obliged
them to swear that they would not kill him themselves. He then allowed them to bind
him securely with two new ropes, and to take him down to the Philistines. When
he was led to their camp they raised a triumphant shoufagainst him. As he heard
that shout, " the Spirit of Jehovah came mightily upon him ;" he burst his strong
bands asunder as easily as if they had been tow burnt with fire, and seizing the jaw
bone of an ass which lay at hand, he flew upon the Philistines, and, with no other
weapon, routed the whole thousands which had come against him, slaying many of
their number. They only lived who fled. As Milton makes the hero observe —
" Had Judah that day join'd, or one whole tribe,
They had by this possess'd the towers of Gath,
And lorded over them whom now they serve
But what more oft, in nations grown corrupt,
And by their vices brought to servitude,
Than to love bondage more than liberty,
Bondage with ease than strenuous liberty ;
And to despise, or envy, or suspect,
Whom God hath of his special favor raised
As their deliverer I If he aught begin,
How frequent to desert him, and at last
To heap ingratitude on worthiest deeds." — Samson Aqonistes
Proudly confident in his strength, Samson was not deterred from going again among
the Philistines, as soon as a motive occurred in the indulgence of that blind passion-
which had already brought him into much trouble, and which was destined to be his
ruin. He went to Gaza, to visit a harlot of that place. His arrival was soon known ,
and although this was a different state from that which had been the scene of his
former exploits, the authorities of the place were too sensible of the importance of
destroying this implacable enemy of their nation, to neglect the advantage which his
folly had placed in their hands. The city gates were closed to prevent his escape;
and a strong guard was placed there to surprise and kill him in the morning. Sam
son, however, anticipated their plan; and, rising at midnight, he went boldly to the
gate, forced it from its place, and, by way of bravado, carried it off entire, posts, bars,
and all, to the top of a hill on the way to Hebron. The guards were too much'
astonished and terrified to molest or pursue him.
After this Samson did not again venture into the territory of the Philistines, but
sought at home the indulgence of those blinding passions which make the strongest
weak. " He loved a woman in the vale of Serek," so celebrated for its vines. Her
name was Delilah, and she was probably of Israel, although Josephus, to save the
credit of his countrywomen, makes her a Philistine. The Philistines themselves took
an anxious interest in all the movements of Samson, and were soon acquainted with
.this new besotment, of which they prepared to take advantage. A deputation, con
sisting of a principal person from each ofthe five Philistine states, went up the valley-
to the place where he was. And now, we observe, it was not their object to get
possession of his person while he retained all his strength, but to ascertain how that.
strength might be taken from him. They were well persuaded that a strength so-
greatly exceeding all they knew or had ever heard of, and to which that possessed
by the few descendants of Anak who lived among them could not for an instani bt

244 AN ILLUSTRATED
compared, must be supernatural — the result of some condition which might be neu
tralized, or of some charm which might be broken. They therefore offered Delilah
ihe heavy bribe of eleven hundred shekels of silver from each of their number
(amounting altogether to 687/.) to discover the secret of his great strength, and tc
betray him into their hands, that they might bind and afflict him. Samson amused
her by telling her of certain processes whereby the weakness of other men would be
brought upon him; but each time the imposition was detected, by her putting the
process to the proof. Then she continued to worry him by such trite but always
effective reproaches as, " How canst thou say ' I love thee, when thy heart is not
svith me ? for thou hast deceived me these three times, and hast not told me wherein
thy great strength lieth." Thus day by day she pressed him and urged him, until
" his soul was vexed unto death," and at last he told the whole truth to her — that
he was a Nazarite from his birth, and that if he left that state by cutting off his hair,
which had never yet been shorn or shaven, his extraordinary strength would depart
from him. Delilah saw by his earnestness that he had this time told her the truth.
Accordingly, she sent for a man, who, while the hero slept with his head upon her
lap, shaved off the luxuriant tresses of his hair. His strength departed from him : but
he. knew it not ; and when aroused from his sleep by the approach of the Philistines
to seize him, he thought to put forth his wonted power and destroy them all ; but his
listless arms refused to render him their wonted service, and he knew, too late, that
"Jehovah had departed from him."
The Philistines took and bound him; and, to complete his disablement, put out
both his eyes — a mode of rendering a public enemy or offender incapable of further
jffence, of which this is the first historical instance, but which has ever since been
much resorted to in the kingdoms of the East.* They then took him down to Gath,
und binding him with fetters of brass, employed him to grind in the prison-house.
Nothing could more clearly than this deprivation evince the miraculous nature of
the superhuman strength with which Samson had been for special purposes invested.
Samson himself had known this before; but now, weak, blind, bound, " disglorified,"
and degraded to a woman's service,! he had occasion and leisure to feel it ; and in his
" prison-house" he probably learned more of himself than he had known in all his
previous life. Nor was this knowledge unprofitable. He felt that although he had
begun to deliver Israel, this employment ot the gifts confided to him had rather been
the incidental effect of his own insensate passions, than the result of those stern and
steady purposes which became one who had so solemnly been set apart, even before
his birth, to the salvation of his country. Such thoughts as these brought repentance
to his soul ; and as by this repentance his condition of Nazariteship was in some sort
renewed, it pleased God that, along with the growth of his hair, his strength should
gradually return to him.
Fatally for the Philistines, they took the view that, since the strength of Samson
had been the gift of the God of Israel, their triumph over him evinced lhat their own
god, Dagon, was more powerful than Jehovah. This raised the matter from being a
case between Samson and the Philistines, to one between Jehovah and Dagon ; and it
thus became necessary that the divine honor should be vindicated. An occasion for
this was soon offered under aggravated circumstances.
The Philistines held a feast to Dagon, their god, who, as they supposed, had de
livered their enemy into their hands. Iu the height of their festivity they thought
of ordering Samson himself to be produced, lhat the people might feed their eyes
with the sight of the degraded condition oi one who had not long since boon their
dread. The assembled multitude greeted his appearance with shouts of triumph,
and praised their god who had reduced " the destroyer of their country" to be theii
bond-slave. After having been for some time exposed to their mockeries and insults.
the blind hero desired the lad who led and held him by the hand, to let him rest
himself against the pillars which sustained the chief weight of the roof of the tem
ple, upon which no less than three thousand persons had assembled to view the spec
tacle, and celebrate Dagon's sacrifices. Thus placed, Samson breathed the prayer—
* This barbarous infliction is, however, now— under the operation of those humanizing infl fences which
are insensibly pervading the East — in the course of being discontinued. It was formerly more common in
Persia than in any other country ; but it became comparatively rare under the late king : and we believe
that no instance has yet occurred in which the present monarch has resorted to it.
t Grinding Is almost invariably performed by women in the East

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

24L

246 AN ILLUSTRATED
" 0 Lord Jehovah, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, o? g
this once, 0 God, that I may at once be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes '
Saying this, he grasped the pillars with his mighty arms, and crying, " Let me die
with the Philistines !" he bowed himself with such prodigious force that the pillars,
gave way, and then the roof fell in, destroying with one tremendous crash all who
were above it and below it. Thus those whom Samson slew at his death were more
in number than those he slew in his life.
"It is remarkable that the exploits of Samson against the Philistines were per
formed singly, and without any co-operation from his countrymen to vindicate their
liberties : whether it was that the arm of the Lord might be the more visibly revealed
in him, or that his countrymen were too much depressed by the severity of their ser
vitude to be animated by his example. They seem also to have feared him almost
as much as they did the Philistines. Else why should three thousand armed men
of Judah have gone to persuade him to surrender himself to the Philistines, when,
with such a leader, they might naturally expect to have been invincible ? or why,
when he destroyed [routed?] a thousand Philistines with so simple a weapon, did he
not join in pursuit of the rest ? So true was the prediction of the angel to his mother,
hat he should only begin to deliver Israel."*
It scarcely appears that Samson exercised any authority in the tribes ; but to carry
hi the historical time, he is counted as one of the judges, and his administration is
inmpuied at forty years, ending by his death, in the year 1222 B. C.

CHAPTER XV.
EM — DEFEAT OP ISRAEL — ADMINISTRATION OF SAMUEL.
Samson was the last of the military heroes stirred up to deliver Israel from its
oppressors. The two that followed, Eli and Samuel, were men of peace — the one a
priest, and the other a Levite.
In the absence of a person specially called and appointed to deliver and judge the
people, the civil government, by the principles of the theocracy, devolved on the
high-priest, as the vizier of the great king, having access to his presence, and being
the interpreter of his will. It is not easy to see that Samson exercised the civil
government over any of the tribes. And although, therefore, in order to carry on
the succession of times, it is convenient to say that at his death the government
devolved on the high-priest, yet, in fact, there is little reason to question that the
high-priest exercised as much authority before as after. But, in such times as these,
that authority was but small, and chiefly, as it would appear, judicial, particularly in
adjusting disputes between persons of different tribes. The heads of the several
tribes seem to have considered themselves fully competent to manage their internal
affairs; and their divided allegiance to Jehovah involved the political evil, that the
authority of the general government was proportionably weakened, and the cohesion
of the tribes in the same degree relaxed. Subject to this preliminary observation,
the high-priest may, for historical convenience, be considered the successor of Samson.
It is remarkable that functionaries so important, in the theory of the Hebrew con
stitution, as the high-priests, are scarcely noticed in the history of the Judges. From
Phineas, the grandson of Aaron, to Eli, a high-priest is not mentioned on any occa
sion, nor would even their names be known but for the list in Chronicles (1 Chron.
vi. 4-16, 50-52), where the order is thus given : — Abishua, Bukki, Uzzi, Zerahiah,
Meraioth. In the person of Eli, a change in the line of succession to this high office took
place, as he was the first of the race of Ithamar, the second son of Aaron. But as
the line of his elder son Eleazer was not extinct, and as the cause of the change is
not assigned, some difficulty has been experienced in accounting for it. The Jews,
as we have seen, suppose that it was because the existing pontiff had not taken
measures sufficiently active to prevent Jephthah from sacrificing his daughter. But
if, in the absence oi all positive information, a conjecture might be hazarded, we
would suggest the probability that the last pontiff of Eleazer's line died leaving no
son old enough to take the office, and that it then (as afterward in the succession lo
• Hales ii 108.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 247
the kingdom) devolved on his adult uncle or cousin of the line of Ithamar Such a
course resorted to in temporal successions, to avoid the evils of a minority and
regency, must have been much more necessary in the case of the high-priesthood. That
the change took place in some such natural and quiet way, seems to afford the most
satisfactory explanation of the silence of the record of a matter of such importance.
Eli was a good and pious man, estimable in private life for his many virtues and
the mildness of his character ; but he was greatly wanting in those sterner virtues
which became his public station, and which were indeed necessary for the repression
of wickedness, and the punishment ofthe wrong doer. As he grew old, he devolved
much of his public duty upon his sons Hophni and Phineas, two evil-disposed men,
who possessed the energy their father lacked, without any of his virtues. Even in
their sacred ministrations at the tabernacle, their conduct was so shamefully signal
ised by rapacity and licentiousness, that the people, through their misconduct, were
led to abhor the offering of Jehovah. All this became known to Eli ; but, instead of
taking the immediate and decisive measures which became his station, he contented
himself with a mild and ineffective remonstrance. This weakness of Eli was justly
counted a sin in that venerable person ; and a prophet was commissioned to warn
him of the evil consequences, which were no less than the exclusion of his race from
the pontificate to which he had been advanced. But even this could not rouse the
old man to the exertion which became his station ; but he seems rather to have
acquiesced in this judgment as a thing not to be averted.
The next reproof which ihis remiss judge received was through an unexpected
channel. At the tabernacle, in personal attendance upon the high-priest, was a boy, a Levite,
who having been the child signally granted in answer to the many prayers of
Hannah, his previously barren mother, was by her consecrated from the womb, as a
Nazarite, to Jehovah. In consequence of this, combined with his Levitical charac
ter, he had been left at the tabernacle as early as he could be separated from his
mother's care, to render such services there as his tender years allowed. His name
was Samuel : and as his pious mother came to Shiloh yearly with her husband to
celebrate the passover (bringing with her a dress for her son), she had the delight of
perceiving that he, growing up under the shadow of the altar, conducted himself
with such propriety and discretion, that he stood very high in the favor of God and
man. That he was thus, from his very infancy, constantly before the eyes of the
people when they attended at the tabernacle, doubtless went far to prepare the way
"or that influence and station which he ultimately attained.
It was the thirty-first year of Eli's administration, when Samuel, then twelve years
of age, lay on his bed at night, that he heard a voice calling him by his name. He
supposed that it was Eli who had called ; he hastened to him, but found that it was
not so. This was repeated three times ; and at the third time, Eli, concluding that it
was the Lord who had called the lad, instructed him to answer, " Speak, Lord, for
thy servant heareth." Samuel obeyed ; aud the Voice then delivered to him, as an
irrevocable doom, the former denunciations against Eli's house, " because his sons
had made themselves vile, and he restrained them not ;" declaring that he would
" do a thing in Israel at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle."
In the morning, the lad, being pressed by Eli, delivered to him the message he had
received. But even this only gave occasion for the further manifestation of the
passive virtues of his character. " It is Jehovah," he said ; "let him do what seem-
eth to him good."
After this, matters went on for some time much as they had done. Eli's sons pur
sued their old courses, making themselves still more vile ; and their father, though
now well aware of the doom which hung over himself and them, took no measures
m the hope to avert it. But as Samuel grew , the word of the Lord again came to
him from time to time, and all Israel knew that he was established to be a prophet
jf Jehovah.
Thus passed ten years, at the end of which the threatened judgments began to be
inflicted upon the house of Eli. At that time the Israelites rashly, and without con
sulting their Divine King, embarked in a war with the Philistines. In the forty
years since the death of Samson, this people hai recruited their strength, and recov
ered the courage of which they appear to have been for a season deprived by the
astounding calamity which swept away so many of their chiefs and nobles. In the

fc

248 AN ILLUSTRATED
first engagement the Israelites were defeated, with the loss of four thousand men
On this they sent to Shiloh for the ark of the covenant, not doubting of victory undei
its protection. The two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phineas, attended it to the camp.
On its arrival there, " all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang
again." On hearing this, and being apprized of its cause, the Philistines were filled
with consternation; and the manner m which their alarm was expressed affords a
very clear intimation of the effect which had been produced on their minds, by the
wonders which Jehovah had wrought for the deliverance and protection of Israel.
" Wo unto us !" they cried ; " who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty
gods ? These are the gods' that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues if the
wilderness." The procedure itself did not strike them as strange, for it was not
unusual among ancient nations to take their gods to their wars ; and the ark, with
its cherubim, the Philistines supposed to be the god of the Hebrews. They did not
question the existence of that God, or his special care for his people; neither did they
deny his power, of which, indeed, they were afraid. They allowed Jehovah to be
the god of the Hebrews, in the same sense in which they regarded Dagon to be their
own god. It was his universal and exclusive power that they denied, or rather did
not recognise.
Notwithstanding their alarm, the Philistines did not give way to despair ; hut like
a brave people, which they were always, the imminence of the danger only stimu
lated them to the more strenuous exertions for victory. They cried to one another:
" Be strong, and quil vourselves like men, 0 ye Philistines, that ye become not ser
vants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you ! Quit yourselves like men, and
fight !"
They fought : and the victory was given to them, to punish the Hebrews for their
misdoings, and for having engaged in this war without consulting their King, as well
as to teach them that undue confidence in the ark itself was a superstition, if not an
idolatry, apart from a due reliance on God himself, whose footstool only the ark was.
Thirty thousand men of Israel fell in the battle and pursuit; the guilty sons of Eli
were among the slain, and the ark itself was taken.
Eli, blind and old, remained at Shiloh, anxiously expecting news from the camp ;
" for his heart trembled for the ark of God ;" and that he might be in the way of receiving
the earnest rumors from the war, he sat watching by the wayside. One day he heard
an outcry in the town, which had been occasioned by the news brought by one ofthe
fugitives from the battle. This man, with his clothes rent and dust upon his head,
soon came before the high-priest and gave to him the tidings, that Israel fled before tlie
Philistines — that there had been a great slaughter — that his two sons, Hophni and
Phineas, were slain — and that the ark of God was taken ! No sooner had the last
words passed the lips of the messenger, than the high-priest fell backward from off
his seat ; and being old and heavy, his neck was broken in the fall. Soon after the
news of all these calamities was carried to the wife of Phineas ; on hearing which
she was taken with the pains of labor, and died, after she. had looked upon the son
to whom she gave birth, and given him the sad name of Ichabod {Inglorious)', for
she said, " The glory is departed from Israel ; for the ark of Jehovah, the God. of
Israel, is taken." These incidents serve to evince the depth of that astonishment
and grief with which the loss of the ark was regarded.
The Philistines soon found that they had small cause to rejoice in the glorious trophy
they had won; and most onvincingly was it made known to ihem that the Israelites
had been defeated for the punishment of their sins, which rendered them unworthy
of their God's protection, and not through his want of power to save. The
Philistines certainly considered that they had taken captive the god of the Hebrews,
and could, on the principles of pagan idolatry, hardly fail lo attribute it to the supe^
rior power of Dagon, their own god. Yet they still must have had a very salutary
dread of the God of Israel ; and whil e they could not but regard the ark as the
proudest of their trophies, it was prooably more with the view of propitiating him,
by associating him with their own god, than by way of insult, that they deposited
the conquered ark in the temple of their Dagon at Azotus. But God disdained this
dishonoring alliance; and twice the Philistines found their idol overthrown, and the
second time broken to pieces, befor i the ark of God. And further to demonstrate
his power in such a way as might nclude a. punishment for their idolatry and for the
abominations connected with it, the Lord smote the people of the place with

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

249

Ethiopian Car drawn by Oxen.

Indian Car Drawn hy Oxen,

MO AN ILLUSTRATED
hemorrhoids, or the piles, with a mortal destruction. The land also swarmed with
jerboas, whereby the products of the fields were consumed. Attributing these
jalamities to the presence of the ark, they sent it to Gath, where it remained until
the pressure of the same inflictions compelled them to send it from them. It was
taken to Ekron, another of the five metropolitan cities of Philistia. The Ekronites
received it with terror, crying, " They have brought round to us the ark of the God
of Israel to slay us and our people." They therefore, in an assembly of " the lords
of the Philistines," proposed that the ark should be si nt back to its own place in the
land of Israel. This was determined ; nor was the determination too soon, for
already the hand of God was so heavy upon Ekron, that " the cry of the city went
up to the heavens." And that it might be sent away with all honor, the diviners,
who were consulted as to the best means of giving effect to the intention which had
been formed, counselled that five golden hemorrhoids, and five golden mice, one from
each of the Philistine states, should be deposited in a coffer beside the ark, as a tres
pass-offering: for even thus early the custom had come into use of making votive
offerings representing the instruments of affliction, or of the parts afflicted, to the
god to whom the infliction or the cure was attributed. That they might give the
glory to the God of Israel, and not harden their hearts as did the Egyptians, and
thereby bring upon themselves the punishments of that people, were the reasons by
which this course of conduct was enforced. And they are remarkable as showing
the effect, even at this remote date, upon the neighboring nations, of the wonders of
judgment and deliverance which had been wrought in the land of Egypt.
To testify all possible respect, the ark was placed in a new car,* to which were yoked
two kine, whose necks had never before been subjected to the yoke. Their calyes were
tied up at home ; and, by the advice of the priests, it was concluded to leave the cows
free to take their own course : if the animals went away from their calves to the land
of Israel, it was to be inferred that a right judgment had been formed of the cause
from which their calamities proceeded ; but if not, they might conclude that it had
been the result of natural causes. From such incidents the heathen were even thus'
early accustomed to conjecture the will of their gods. In this case, no sooner were
the kine set free than they turned their backs upon their young, and took the road
toward the town of Bethshemesh in Judah, being the nearest city of the Levites
toward the Philistine frontier. It was the time of the wheat-harvest, when the
people of the town were abroad in the valley reaping the fruits of their fields. They
beheld the ark advancing with great gladness ; and when the kine stopped of their
own accord, near a great stone, in a field belonging to one Joshua, the Levites who
were present detached them from the car, and offered them up in sacrifice upon that
stone before the ark. And the stone being thus consecrated by sacrifice, the ark was
removed from the car and deposited thereon. The five lords of the Philistines, who
* Cars drawn by Oxen. — That the Philistines thought of placing the ark on a car, to be drawn by oxen,
shows that vehicles drawn by such animals were in use among them, at least in their sacred processions.
There is -tothing ofthe kind am'.ng the Egypti-ms. Their religious processions were walking processions,
and by water : that is to say. as all their towns were along the Nile, their religious progresses from one
place to another were by that river, the short distances to and from which they walked, beanng their arks,
their idols, and their implements of religious service. The Jews had no religious processions after they
became a settled people — unless it were in the removals of the ark ; which removals resulted from cir
cumstances, for it was intended to be stationary. It was indeed not unlawful to take the ark to the wars ,
but the only instance in which this is recorded to have been done, was when it was taken by the Philistines.
In the wilderness the ark was carried on the shoulders of the Levites, as were the other more sacred uten
sils of the tabernacle ; but the fabric itself, and its heavier furniture, were placed on cars or wagons drawn by
oxen. The ark itself was never thus conveyed, except on the various stages of its return from the Philistines.
For the Israelites, observing that those people had in this manner transported it safely, continued its
removal in the same manner, until the consequences that ultimately ensued, reminded them of the moro
proper method.
Among the Egyptians, horses appear to have been invariably employed for draught, whether in chariots
of war or peace. But, although they had not themselves the custom, their sculptures coincide with tho
scriptures in manifesting the use of oxen or kine for draught by other nations. All our examples adduced
to illustrate the subjects of carts, apply to the present, since all the carts there represented, from ancient
and modem sources, are drawn by oxen, equally with the more elegant class of vehicles represented in the
present instance ; and, taken together, they demonstrate the extensive use of oxen for dranght in both the
ancient and modem East. After Solomon, the Hebrews learned from the Egyptians and their nearer
neighbors to have chariots of war drawn by horses ; and kings and high military commanders appear to
have had their private chariots also drawn by horses. To these and agricultural purposes, wheel-carriages
seem to have been very much confined ; but, as far as they were used, they appear, except in the cases
specified, to have been drawn by oxen. The use of war-chariots has now nearly disappeared in the East,
• and with it the employment of horses for draught. Oxen are employed everywhere, from the Yellow sea
to the Mediterranean. And in our present engravings, the elegance of the vehicles, and the cost and
finish of the equipments, show that to ride in a car drawn by oxen is not, nor was, considered a mode of
conveyance hy any means so rude or ignoble as the illustrations at first sight might hare suggested

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

2S1

252 AN ILLUSTRATED
had followed the car to the borders of Be thshemesh (which was twelve miles dis
tant from Ekron), and who had stood witnessing these proceedings, now returned
home, well convinced that it was the hand of the God of Israel by which they had
been smitten. The ark had been in their hands seven months.
The adventures of the ark, and its constant exposure to their sight, begat in the
Bethshemites a familiarity toward it, inconsistent with the respect due to Jehovah,
and which it was highly necessary to repress. When therefore their familiarity went
so far that they ventured to raise the cover of the ark, to gratify their curiosity with
a view of its contents, sixty of their number — principal persons of the place — were
smitten with death. On this the people cried, with great consternation, " Who is
able to stand before this holy God, Jehovah ? and to whom shall he go from us ?"
They decided to invite the people of Kirjath-jearim to take the ark away. They did
so, and deposited it in the house of Abinadab " upon the hill." This person set apart
his son Eleazer to take the charge of it — to preserve it from pollution, and to keep all
things clean and orderly about it. Thus it remained about eighty-two years. Why
it was not returned to Shiloh does not very clearly appear. Probably no command
on the subject was given ; and from the experience which the Israelites now had of
the jealousy with which its sanctity was guarded, they were afraid to remove it with
out express orders. Besides, at this time the people were again far gone into idola
trous practices, which made them comparatively indifferent about the ark ; and it is
not unlikely that the reaction of the sentiment of astonishment and grief with which
its loss had been regarded, did much to impair that veneration of which it had been
the object. Add to this that they had been without the ark for seven months, in the
course of which they had accustomed their minds to the want of it, and had iearned
to regard it as less essential to them than it had before seemed. The tabernacle still
remained at Shiloh, which continued to be the seat of the appointed ministrations,
until it was removed, in the reign of Saul, to Nob, probably in consequence of the
destruction of Shiloh in the Philistine war (1 Sam. xiv. 3 ; Jer. vii. 12-14, xxvi. 6-9).
For their idolatries and alienation, the Hebrews were punished by twenty years
continuance (including the seven months of the ark's absence) of their subjection to
the Philistines.
It is usually stated that Samuel succeeded Eli. He was then little more than twenty
years of age ; and although, as his years advanced, he doubtless acquired much au
thority among the people from the influence of his character and position, there is nc
evidence that it was any other than that which prophets usually exercised. It rather
appears from the text that it was after the twenty years of further servitude to the
Philistines, that Samuel was publicly called to assume the civil government.
At the end of these twenty years the people " lamented after the Lord," or repented
of the sins by which they had alienated themselves from him, and were disposed tc
return to their allegiance. Samuel then came forward in his prophetic character, and
promised them deliverance from the Philistines, if they would put away the strange
gods — the Baals and Ashtaroths (representing the sun and moon), and devote them
selves to the exclusive service of Jehovah. His directions were followed ; and he
then convened an assembly of all Israel at Mizpeh, where they held a solemn fast and
humiliation for their sins, and poured out water before Jehovah, as expressive of their
despondency or grief. And to testify their good intentions for the future, the prophel
himself was there invested by them with the authority of a "judge."
The Philistines took umbrage at this great assembly in Mizpeh, which, they rightly
judged, boded no good to the continuance of their dominion. They assembled their
forces and marched to that place, to disperse the congregation. The people, not being
prepared for war, were filled with alarm on the approach of their enemies, and be
sought Samuel to cry to Jehovah for them, that he might save them from the hand of
the Philistines. Samuel did so with great earnestness ; and he was in the act of of
fering up a lamb as a burnt-offering, when the Philistines drew near to battle. The
prayers of the prophet were then answered by a terrible storm of thunder and light
ning, by which the enemy were alarmed and confounded, while the Israelites, recog
nising the sign, were inspired with sudden and indomitable courage. They fell im
petuously upon the force they had so lately dreaded, and slew vast numbers of them,
chasing the remainder as far as Betchcar. In memory of this great victory, Samuel
set up a memorial-stone, and gave it the name of Ebenezer (the help-stone), saying,
' Hitherto Jehovah hath helped us "

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 253
This very brilliant victory broke the spirit of the Philistines for many years. They
were obliged to restore all their conquests from the Israelites; and, for many years to
come, they kept carefully within their own territories, and abstained from any hostile
acts against the Hebrews. Their example was followed by the other neighbors ol
Israel, which hence enjoyed the felicity of a profound peace during the entire period
of Samuel's sole administration.
This excellent judge administered justice regularly to the tribes in his annual cir
cuit, which he took to the places of sacred stones at Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and
constantly at his own place of abode at Ramah, where he built an altar to Jehovah.
This was probably by the divine permission or direction, at least for the present, as
God had not yet given any declaration where the ark was to be fixed.
The sole administration of Samuel lasted twelve years, dating it, as we do, from
the end of the Philistine servitude, and not from the death of Eh. Near the close of
this period, when the prophet was " growing old and gray-headed," being sixty-four
years of age, he appointed his sons, Joel and Abiah, to act for him at Bethel and Beer
sheba. But they walked not in the steps of their father. " They turned aside aftei
lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment."
This misconduct of his sons, with his own advancing age, and the seemingly un
settled state in which the government would be left at his death, were among the
causes which at this time induced the elders of Israel to resort to Samuel at Ramah,
and to demand of him that a king should be appointed to reign over them, as in other
nations. The causes which we have just stated, together with the regular administration of
justice to which Samuel had accustomed them, occasioned the demand, it would seem,
at this particular time ; but there were deeper causes which would unquestionably
have brought them to this point ere long, if it had not now. These causes have been
well discriminated by Jahn.
This able writer justly refers the frequent interruptions to the welfare of the He
brew state under the judges to — " 1. The effeminacy and cowardice of the people ;
and, 2, to the disunion and jealousy of the tribes, who never assisted each other with
the requisite zeal and alacrity. But as this effeminacy arose from the vices of idola
try, and their cowardice from a want of confidence in Jehovah ; so the disunion and
¦ealousy of the tribes, though selfishness was the immediate cause, arose from a dis
position to neglect their divine king, and not to consider themselves as the united and
only people of Jehovah. This disposition, if it did not originate from, was at least
very much heightened by the multiplication of deities. Thus both these causes of
their misfortunes owed their origin to idolatry, that great cause of all their calami
ties, so often mentioned in the sanctions of the law. Thus the people, by increasing
their gods, enervated themselves, and prepared for themselves those sufferings and
chastisements by which they were again to be brought back to their King, Jehovah."
He proceeds to observe that " These causes of national misfortune were all in op
eration at the time of Samuel, and threatened to produce after his death still greater
calamities. The tribes beyond the Jordan had formidable enemies in the Ammonites
and the southern tribes in the Philistines, while the northern tribes stood aloof from
the dangers of their more exposed countrymen. The latter seems to have been the
principal reason why the rulers in general assembly requested a king. The tribes in
southern Palestine and beyond the Jordan were the most earnest for this change in the
government ; they feared that the death of Samuel would leave them without a su
preme magistrate, and that the nation being again disunited, they should be left to
their fate. The degeneracy of Samuel's sons, who had been appointed subordinate
judges, or deputies, increased their apprehensions. They, therefore, strenuously in
sisted on their demand, " Nay, bui we will have a king over us, that we also may be
like all the nations." They nad reason to hope that a king invested with supreme
authority might be able to unite the power of the whole nation and protect each tribe
with the collected strength of all ; that under him the affairs of government would
be more promptly administered and necessary aid more readily afforded ; that if he
were a man devoted to Jehovah, he could more effectually repress or prevent idolatry,
and thus place the welfare of the state on a more solid foundation. They might im
agine themselves justified in this request as Moses had taken it for granted that the
nation would eventually have a king, and the same thing had been promised to their
great progenitor Abraham. It conduces greatly to the honor of ihe Hebrews that

254 AN ILLUSTRATED
they attempted this change in their constitution, not by their own power, but in ac
cordance with the principles of the theocracy; they requested it of their king, Jeho
vah, by the intervention of a prophet, and they effected it without bloodshed, — a
manifest proof that the time of the judges was neither what is usually understood by
a ' barbarous' nor an ' heroic age.' "
But as all the objects which they desired to realise were attainable under the the
ocracy, were they but faithful to its principles and engagements ; and as the unseen
king, Jehovah, would necessarily be obscured by a subordinate, visible monarch, he,
by means of Samuel, gave the rulers to understand his disapprobation of their request ;
and at the same time represented to them the burdens they would have tobearundei
a kin<?. especially how easily he might be led to imitate other oriental monarchs, and
to disregard the law of Jehovah.
The picture which was then drawn by Samuel exhibits in a lively manner tht
character of the monarchies which at that time existed in the east, and enables us to
ascertain that, whatever changes may have taken place in particular states, the mo
narchical principle as it then existed has been preserved to this day in its full vigor in
the east. This is so true, that there is no royal usage mentioned by Samuel which
may not be illustrated and explained from the modern sovereignties of that part of
the world. The statement must have seemed the more effective from the implied
contrast to the mild and gentle character of that service which the Lord, as king of
Israel, had required. Samuel reminded them that their kings would soon fall into the
state of oiiier monarchs, to support which the heaviest exactions upon their persons
and estates would become necessary. He Would take their young men and employ
them as charioteers and horsemen, and even (according to the Egyptian custom) as
runners before and about his chariot.* A standing army would deprive them of the
valuable services of their young men ; and if this were not enough, the king of a fu
ture day would " take them to till his ground and to make his instruments of war and
the furniture of his chariots. In like manner the daughters of Israel, who should
marry and bring up children, would be largely taken to minister to the luxury of the
court as " confectioners and bakers." Nor would he much scruple to take the chosen
and best of their male and female slaves, as well as their laboring cattle, and " put
them to his own work." And then to support his expenses, the heaviest exactions
would be necessary ; and although the kingly tenth were already appropriated to Je
hovah, the divine king, not the less would their human king exact his kingly dues;
thus, in fact, rendering their burdens greater than those of any other nation. A clear
intimation was also given them of the danger to which their landed possessions would
be ultimately exposed under the form of government which they so much desired.
For the expression, " He will take the best of your fields, and of your vineyards, and
of your olive-yards, and give them to his servants," manifestly refers to the fact that,
inasmuch as their true king, Jehovah, was the sovereign proprietor of the soil, and
as such had long before distributed the whole in inalienable estates among the people,
whatever human king they might have, would necessarily stand in the, then and there,
peculiar position, being only a civil governor, and not, like the neighboring king, also
the territorial sovereign ; and that hence, wanting the means of providing for his family
and servants which other kings possessed, he would be tempted to avail himself of
all kinds of pretences to dispossess them of the lands which they held from their di
vine king. "His servants ye will become," concludes the prophet. " And ye shall
cry out in that day because of the king lhat ye have chosen : but Jehovah will not
hear you in that day."
The purpose of the people was, however, too firmly fixed to be shaken even by this
discouraging representation. An acquiescence in their demand was therefore reluc
tantly conceded, probably, as Jahn conjectures, "because the desired change was
requested of the invisible King in a lawful manner, through the mediation of hit
prophet, and because, in the present disposition of the nation, it might be effected
without bloodshed. If the remark of Polybius be in all cases true, that ' all aristoc
racies and democracies terminate at last in monarchy, 't this change must have takers
place in some future time, and perhaps might have been attended with civil war.
" By this alteration of the constitution the theocracy was indeed thrown somewhai
mto the shade, as it was no longer so manifest that God was the king of the He
brews. Still however, as the principles of the theocracy were interwoven with the
- Soe engraving, page 255. t Hist lib. « 8, '

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

251

256 AN ILLUSTRATED
fundamental and unchangeable laws of the state, their influence did not entirely
cease, but the elected king was to act as the viceroy and vassal of Jehovah. On this
account Moses had already established the following regulations (Deut. xvii. 14-20)
" 1. That the Hebrews, whenever they adopted the monarchical form of govern
ment, should raise only those to the throne who were chosen by Jehovah himself.
As monarchs (called kings of kings) were accustomed to appoint sub-kings, or vice
roys, in the several provinces of their dominions, so was the king of the Hebrews tc
be called to the throne by Jehovah, to receive the kingdom from him, and in all re
spects to consider himself as his representative, viceroy, and vassal. On this occa
sion the will of Jehovah was to be made known by a prophet, or by means of Urim
and Thummim, and the viceroy elect was to prove himself an instrument of God by
protecting the commonwealth against its foes. The succession of the royal house
was to depend on the will of God, to be made known by his prophets.
" 2. Bloses had likewise ordained that the new king should be a native Israelite.
Thus foreigners were excluded from the throne, even though they should be proposed
by false prophets; for, being heathens, they might transgress the fundamental law
ofthe state by the introduction of idolatry; or, at least, it might be difficult for them
to rule in all lespects as the vassals of Jehovah. This regulation had reference
merely to free elections, and was by no means to be understood, as it was explained
by Judas of Galilee (Acts v. 37) and the Zealots during the last war with the Ro
mans, that the Hebrews were not to submit to these foreign powers, under whose
dominion they were brought by an all-directing Providence. On the contrary, Moses
himself had predicted such events, and Jeremiah and Ezekiel earnestly exhorted
their countrymen to surrender quietly to the Chaldeans."
Upon such conditions the choice of a king was permitted, according to law ; and in
the year 1110 B. C, 538 years after the exode, the first election took place.
Saul, the son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, went forth about this time with a
servant to seek some strayed asses belonging to his father. For three days the
search was fruitless ; and then finding himself near Ramah, the stated residence of
Samuel, he resolved to go and consult him ; for it was known to all Israel that noth
ing was hidden from tho man of God. According to the still subsisting custom ofthe
East, no one could, with the least propriety, present himself before a man in author
ity, and still less before a person of so sacred a character as Samuel bore, without
some present, however small, in token of his respect and homage. But although the
toil and travel-stained stranger who appeared before the prophet could only lay before
him the worth of seven-pence halfpenny in silver, he was received with particular
notice and honor ; for it had been specially revealed to Samuel that on that day and
at that hour the destined king of Israel would present himself before him. The
prophet assured Saul that his father had found the asses, and began now to be anx
ious about his son. Nevertheless, he urged him to stay with him over the night,
and partake of a feast which he had provided ; at the same time conveying to him a
slight intimation of the splendid fortunes which were in store for him ; to which,
with modest self-withdrawment, Saul replied, " Am not I a Benjamite, of the small
est of the tribes of Israel ? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of
Benjamin ? Wherefore then speakest thou so to me ?" Part of this must be attrib
uted to the Oriental forms of self-detraction ; for although Benjamin was certainly
the smallest of the tribes — as it had not recovered the serious blow inflicted by all
the other tribes — it appears from the history that the family of Kish was of some
consideration in Benjamin.
In consequence of the intimation he had previously received, Samuel had against
this time prepared an entertainment, to which thirty principal persons of the place
nad been invited. Samuel conducted the stranger to the room in which these guests
were assembled, and led him to the corner-seat of honor; and when the meat was
served, directed the most honorable joint — the shoulder — to be set before him.
Being summer, the bed for Saul was made on the house-top; and before he lai
down, Samuel communed with him there, probably to ascertain his sentiments and
character, and to acquaint him with the true nature of that form of kingly govern
ment which he was destined to establish. Early in the morning the prophet called
Saul to depart, and walked forth with him. After a time Samuel directed the ser
vant to pass on before ; and then the prophet, desiring Saul to stand still, that he
aiighi show him the purposes of God, produced a vial of oil, and poured it upon his

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

257

17

258 AN ILLUSTRATED
head, ihiis anointing him " captain over the Lord'1! inheritance.' He then kissed him,
and to confirm his faith, proceeded to tell him all the incidents that would occur to
him during his journey home, and to encourage him, under the sense he entertained
of his own inferior claims to such a distinction, assured him that on the way, and
through the divine influence, the needful qualifications should grow upon him, so that
he should seem to receive another* heart and to become another man.
On his way home all happened to Saul which the prophet had foreshown ; and
some of the incidents are too illustrative of the manners of the time to pass unnoticed.
In the plain of Tabor he was met by three men who were proceeding to the place of
sacred stones in Bethel, to worship God there. One of them carried three kids, in
tended as a sacrifice for each of their number ; another had three loaves of bread ;
and the third a leather bottle of wine, all evidently intended to be used with the
flesh of the kids in an offering-feast. They gave Saul the salutation of peace — such
as travellers give each other by the way — probably the usual " Peace be unto thee!"
which is no other than the common Salam aleikoom of the modern East ; and they
gave him two of ihe three loaves of bread which they had with them.
As Saul went on to Gibeah in Benjamin, which seems to have been called "the
hill of God," either because there was here a " high-place" consecrated to the wor
ship of God, or because it was the seat of a " school of the prophets," or a kind of
college where young men were instructed in the duties of religion, in the knowledge
ofthe law, in psalmody, and other religious exercises. Or it may have been so called
for both these reasr .is, for both existed. As Saul drew nigh he perceived a company
of these prophets returning from the high-place where they had been to worship ;
and as they went they sang the praises of God to the sound of the psaltery, the tabret,
the pipe, and the harp. As they drew nigh the Spirit of God came upon him, as
Samuel had predicted, and he became as another man. He joined the prophets, and
sang the praises of God with them. And when those to whom he was known (for
this was in his own tribe and neighborhood) witnessed this sudden endowment of the
untaught husbandman they were much astonished, and said one to another, " What
is this that is come unto the son of Kish ? Is Saul also among ihe prophets ?" Whence
this last expression passed into a proverb, applied to one found in society with which
his previous habits had not prepared him to mingle. It may be seen, however, that
this incident would serve in a very conspicuous manner to direct attention to the per
son and character of Saul.
Samuel, in parting from. Saul, had appointed a future meeting at Gilgal, to which
place of sacred stones he convoked all Israel for the election of a king. As on other
occasions, the choice of God was to be manifested by lot, which would also tend to
prevent jealousies and the suspicion of partiality on the part of Samuel. In ihe usual
manner of successive indications, the tribe of Benjamin was taken by the lot from the
several tribes ; then the family of Matri from the families of that tribe ; then the
house of Kish from the family of Matri ;, and, lastly, Saul from the household of
Kish. But Saul was not to be found. Well assured of the result, he had not formed
one in the assembly, but had, from modestv, kept himself apart among the baggage.
When his retreat was discovered, he was led forward into the midst of the congrega
tion ; and the mass of the people observed with complacency that the elected king
was of most noble presence, in the full prime of life, comely and tall, being higher by
the head and shoulders than any of those among whom he stood. On such a man, in
a rude age, when personal qualities are the most valued, the suffrages of all men
would have centred, regarding him as pointed out by nature for rule and dominion.
And so far did this feeling operate even on Samuel, that with evident pride that,
since there must be a king, the divine choice had fallen on one who must seem in
the eyes of all men so well qualified to dignify his high office, he thus proclaimed
him to the people: " See ye him whom Jehovah hath chosen, lhat there is none like
him among all the people." And the people, responding to lhat feeling, raised at once
the shout of recognition, " Long live the king!"
In concluding the present chapter, we are reluctant to withhold from the readei
the very interesting survey which Jahn has taken of the office of the judges, and of
* Another, not new ; a distinction wliich. from the Scriptural acceptation of the word new, together with
¦the alter conduct of Saul, it mav be important to note.
t In this engraving (page 259) ancient iiius"--»' lv •.¦Tninierits have been introduced (from Egyptian sources)
for tbo sake of more effective Illustration

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

259

260 AN ILLUSTRATED
the condition of Israel under their administration. This survey is imhodied in the
ensuing paragraphs, but having modified several passages to suit them to the views
which we have ourselves developed, we abstain from giving them the form of a direct
quotation. From what has been already said respecting the judges and their achievements,
we can ascertain, with a tolerable degree of certainty, the nature of their office. Most
of them, indeed, had been at the head of armies, and delivered their country from
foreign oppression : Eli and Samuel, however, were not military men. Deborah was
judge before she planned the war against Jabin ; and of Jair, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon,
it is at least uncertain whether they ever held any military command. Judges are
mentioned in the Mosaic law, in connexion with the high-priest, as arbiters of civil
controversies, without any allusion to war. (Deut. xvii. 9.) In like manner, the
judges who were appointed over Tyre after King Baal were certainly not military
officers, for the city was at that time tributary to Babylon. The command of the
army can therefore be scarcely considered as the peculiar distinction of these magis
trates. But as in ancient times the duties of a judge were reckoned among the first
and most important duties of a ruler, so the Hebrew judges appear to have been ap
pointed for the general administration of public affairs, and the command of the army
fell to them as the supreme executive officers. In many cases, it is true, military
achievements were the means whereby men elevated themselves to the rank of
judges; but our inquiry is, not how the office was obtained, but for what purposes
it was instituted. It may, however, be proper to recollect that Jephthah and Sam
uel, and, for aught that appears, Jair, Elon, Ibzan, and Abdon, were raised to this
office by the free, unsolicited voice of the people.
The office of these judges or regents was held during life, but it was not hereditary,
neither could they appoint their successors. This arrangement might seem to be at
tended with the disadvantage that at the death of a judge the supreme executive
authority ceased ; but on consideration it will appear that these civil functions de
volved on the high-priest, or rather were inherent to his high office, and were called
into operation in the absence of any person more especially appointed to exercise
them. And, without this, the apparent disadvantage would be more than counter
balanced by its preventing a degenerate heir or successor from giving to idolatry the
support of his influence. This authority was limited by the law alone ; and in doubt
ful cases they were directed by the sacred Oracle. (Num. xxvii. 21.) They were not
obliged in common cases to ask advice of the ordinary rulers ; it was sufficient that
they did not . .--nonstrate against the measures of the judge. In important emergen
cies, however, they convoked a general assembly of the rulers, over which they pre
sided and exerted a powerful influence. They could issue orders, but not enact laws;
they could neither levy taxes nor appoint officers, except perhaps in the army. Their
authority extended only over those tribes by whom they had been elected or acknowl
edged ; for, as has been before remarked, several of the judges presided over separate
tribes. There was no salary attached to their office, nor was there any income appro
priated to them, unless it might be a larger share of the spoils, and those presents
which were made to them as testimonials of respect. (Judges viii. 24.) They had
no external marks of dignity, and maintained no retinue of courtiers, though some of
them were very opulent. They were not only simple in their manners, moderate in
their desires, and free from avarice and ambition, but noble and magnanimous men,
who felt that whatever they did for their country was above all reward, and could
not be recompensed ; who desired merely to promote the public good, and chose
rather to deserve well of their country than to be enriched by its wealth. This ex
alted patriotism, like everything else connected with politics m the theocratical state
of the Hebrews, was partly of a religious character; and those regents always con
ducted themselves as the officers of God ; in all their enterprises they relied upon
him, and their only care was that their countrymen should acknowledge the authority
of Jehovah, their invisible King. (Judg. viii. 22, et seq.; comp. Heb. xi.) Still they
were not without faults, neither are they so represented by their historians; they re
late, on the contrary, with the utmost frankness, the great sins of which some of
them were guilty. They were not merely deliverers of the state from a foreign yoke,
but destroyers of idolatry, foes of pagan vices, promoters of the knowledge of God, of
religion, and of morality ; restorers of theocracy in the minds of the Hebrews, and
powerful instruments of divine Providence in the promotion of the great design of

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 261
preserving the Hebrew constitution, and by that means of rescuing the true religion
from destruction.
By comparing the periods during which the Hebrews were oppressed by their ene
mies witn those in which they were independent and governed by their own consti
tution, it is apparent that the nation in general experienced much more prosperity
than adversity in the time of the judges : their dominion contmued four hundred and
seventy-two years ; but the whole period of foreign oppression amounts only to one
hundred and thirty-one years, scarcely a fourth part of that period. Even during
these years of bondage the whole nation was seldom under the yoke at the same time,
but, for the most part, separate tribes only were held in servitude; nor were their
oppressions always very severe ; and all the calamities terminated in the advantage
and glory of the people, as soon as they abolished idolatry and returned to their king,
Jehovah. Neither was the nation in such a state of anarchy at this time as has gen
erally been supposed. There were regular judicial tribunals at which justice could
be obtained; and when there was no supreme regent, the public welfare was pro
vided for by the high-priest and the ordinary rulers of the tribes. (Ruth iv. 1-11 •
Judg. viii. 22, xi. 1-1 1 ; 1 Sam. iv. 1, vii. 1, 2.) These rulers, it is true, were jealous
of each other, and their jealousies not unfrequently broke out into civil war ; but the
union of the state was never entirely destroyed. They were not always provided
with arms (2 Judg. v. 8 ; 1 Sam. xiii. 19) ; but yet, when united under their king
Jehovah, they gamed splendid victories. They were not sufficiently careful to re-
press idolatry, but they never suffered it to hecome universally predominant. The
sacred tabernacle was never entirely deserted and shut up, nor was it ever polluted
by the rites of heathen superstition.
These times would certainly not be considered so turbulent as barbarous much
less would they be taken, contrary to the clearest evidence and to the analogy of all
history, for an "heroic age,"* if they were viewed without the prejudices of precon
ceived hypothesis. It must never be forgotten that the book of Judges is by no means
a complete history. It is, in a manner, a mere register of diseases, from which, how
ever, we have no right to conclude that there were no healthy men, much les« hat
there were no healthy seasons; when the book itself, for the most part, mentions
only a few tribes in which the epidemic prevailed, and notices long periods durino
which it had entnely ceased. Whatever may be the result of more accurate invest?
gation, it remains undeniable that the history of the Hebrews during this period per
fectly corresponds throughout to the sanctions of the law; and they were always
prosperous when they complied with the conditions on which prosperity was prom
ised to them; it remains undeniable that the government of God was clearly mani
fested, not only to the Hebrews, but to their heathen neighbors, that the fulfilling of
the promises and threatenings of the law were so many sensible proofs of the uni
versal dominion of the divine King of the Hebrews; and, consequently, that all the
various fortunes of that nation were so many means of preserving the knowledge of
God on the earth. The Hebrews had no sufficient reason to desire a change in their
constitution, since all that was necessary was that they should observe the conditions
on which national prosperity had been promised to them.
CHAPTER XVI.
SAUL'S REIGN — HIS WARS — DAVID ANOINTED KING
The election of Saul, though generally approved, did not meet with universal ac
ceptance. In one point of view, the choice of a person belonging to a neutral and
powerless tribe was calculated to obviate the rivalries of the two great tribes of
Ephraim and Judah, who probably both thought that they had the better right to the
distinction, but neither of whom were likely to agree that the other should have had
il But, on the other hand, Saul himself was not likely to derive the more respecl
from this neutral and politically insignificant position which prevented the mutual
jealousies of these great rivals. But seeing that the tribe of Benjamin was, from its
geographical position, closely connected with, and in some degree dependant on that
of Judah, it is more probable that the dissentients, " the children of Belial," who de
spised Saul, and said, " How shall this man save us ?" were of the haughty and tur
* It is thus characterized by Heeren and other wirters.

262 AN ILLUSTRATED
bulent tribe of Ephraim. Samuel left it to the people themselves to settle the money.
price they were to pay for their new luxury; and, although he had foreshown the ex
actions which the regal state would in the end render necessary, it was not his object
to give his sanction to that which he had announced as a contingent evil. Besides
the external organization of the new government was left to be developed by circum
stances, the prophet having only cared to secure the principles. Saul was left to grow
mto his position and its privileges, while Samuel continued to administer the civil
government : for it is to be borne in mind that Samuel continued to judge Israel all
the days of his life, which did not terminate until thirty-eight years after the election
of Saul, who himself outlived the prophet but two years. The position of Saul was,
therefore, for the greater part of his reign, chiefly that of a military leader, while
Samuel continued to discharge the civil part of the regal office, to which it was prob
ably obvious that Saul was not competent. The kingdom, properly speaking, was
not established, not developed under Saul, but only begun with him. And this it is
necessary to understand, if we would clearly apprehend the growth of that monarchi
cal principle which was only planted with Saul.
After his election at Gilgal, the king returned to his own home at Gibeah, where
such " presents" were brought him by the people as oriental kings usually receive,
and which form no inconsiderable portion of their ordinary revenue. As the product
of these offerings was probably more than adequate to the present wants and expecta
tions of the king, who as yet assumed no regal state, the question as to the permanent
support ofthe kingly government was not yet pressed upon the attention of either the
people or the king. The discontented parties, however, " brought him no presents."
Saul took no notice of their insults, but wisely " held his peace."
Very soon after Saul's election, the Ammonites, under their king Nahash, marched
into the old disputed territory beyond Jordan, and laid siege to the important city of
Jabesh Gilead. The inhabitants, avowing their impotence, offered to submit to the
condition of paying tribute to the Ammonites ; but the insulting and barbarous king
refused to receive their submission on any other terms than that the right eye of every
one of them should be extinguished, that they might remain as so many living mon
uments of his victory. ' Here again was a barbarity of which the Israelites were never
guilty, even in thought. The people of Jabesh Gilead were so distressed that they
dared not absolutely refuse even these merciless conditions, but besought a grace of
seven days for deliberation. This they did with the hope that the tribes on the other
side the river might, in the interval, be roused by the news to appear for their deliv
erance. Nor was their hope in vain. Saul no sooner received the intelligence than
he at once and decidedly stood up in his position of a hero and a king, claiming the
obedience of the people, whom he summoned to follow him to the deliverance of Ja
besh Gilead. This call was readily obeyed ; for it ran in the names of Saul and
Samuel, and was conveyed in that imperative and compulsory form, which it was not,
under any circumstances, judged safe to disobey. For he hewed a yoke of oxen in
pieces, and sent the pieces by the hands of swift messengers to all Israel, calling them,
by all the penalties of that well-known and dreaded sign, to follow him. All Israel
obeyed with one consent. All the men, of age to bear arms, quitted their several la
bors, and hastened from all parts to the plain of Bezek, where Saul numbering his
army, found it to consist of three hundred and thirty thousand men, of whom thirty
thousand were of Judah, which seems rather an inadequate proportion for so large a
tribe. It being already the sixth day, Saul sent to apprize the citizens of Jabesh Gil
ead of the help which was preparing for them, and which they might expect to re
ceive on the morrow, being the very day they were to surrender their eyes to . the
Ammonites. Accordingly, in the morning, the king, having marched all night, appeared before
Jabesh, at the head of his army, invested the camp of the Ammonites, and falling
upon them on three different sides, overthrew them with a great slaughter. So com
plete was the rout, that those who escaped were so broken and dispersed, lhat no two
could be found together.
Saul in this action displayed a large measure of those heroic qualities which the
ancient nations, most desired their monarchs to possess. Considering all the circum
stances, the promptitude and energy of his decision, the speed with which he collected
an immense army and brought it into action, and the skill and good military conduct
of the whole transaction, there are probably few operations of the Hebrew history

H1STURY OF THE BIBLE. 203
which more recommend themselves to the respect and admiration of a modern sol
dier. Its effect was not lost upon the people, who joyfully recognised in their king
the qualities which have generally been held most worthy of rule ; and so much was
their enthusiasm excited, that they began to talk of putting to death the small mi
nority who had refused to recognise his sovereignty. But Samuel interposed to pre
vent an act unbecoming a day in which " God had wrought salvation in Israel." So
harsh a proceeding would also have been rather likely to provoke than allay the dis
affection of the leading tribes.
Samuel then invited the army, which comprehended in fact the effective body of
the Hebrew people, to proceed to Gilgal, there solemnly to confirm the kingdom to
Saul, seeing that now his claims were undisputed by any portion of the people. This
was done with great solemnity, and with abundant sacrifices of peace and joy.
But lest this solemnity, which was obviously designed to remind the people of their
continued dependance on Jehovah, should be construed into an approbation and sanc
tion of all their proceedings, the prophet took this public occasion of reminding them
that their proceeding had been most unpleasing to their Divine King ; although, if
they maintained their fidelity to him and to the principles of the theocracy, some of
the evil consequences might be averted. He also neglected not the opportunity of
justifying his own conduct and the purity of his administration. He challenged as
sembled Israel to produce one instance of oppression, fraud, or corruption, on his part,
while he had been their sole judge; and in that vast multitude not one voice was
raised to impugn his integrity and uprightness. He then proceeded to remind them
of their past transgressions, in forgetting or turning astray from their God, with the
punishments which had invariably followed, and the deliverances which their repent
ance had procured ; showing them, by these instances, the sufficiency of their Divine
Sovereign to rule them, and to save them from their enemies, without the intervention
of an earthly king, whom they had persisted in demanding. And he assured them
that, under their regal government, public sins would not come to be visited with pub
lic calamities. To add the greater weight to his words, and to evince the divine dis
pleasure, the commissioned prophet called down thunder and rain from heaven, then
at the usual season of wheat harvest, when the air is usually, in that country, serene
and cloudless. On this the people were greatly alarmed at the possible consequences
of the displeasure they had provoked, and besought Samuel to intercede for them.
The prophet kindly encouraged them to hope that if they continued to trust faithfully
in God, all would yet be well ; and he assured them of continued intercession- on their
behalf, and of his services as a civil judge or teacher, — for that the omission would
be a sin on his own part.
Saul, now fully established as king, dismissed his numerous army ; but he retained
three thousand of their number, two thousand of which he stationed at Michmash
and Bethel, under his own immediate orders, while the other thousand were at Gib
eah of Benjamin, under his eldest son Jonathan. Josephus says that these formed the
body-guard of himself and his son. If so, he began very soon to act " like the kings
of the nations," and to fulfil one part of the predictions of Samuel as to the course
which the kingdom was likely to take. Even supposing (as we rather do) that he re
tained this force to be in readiness for the smaller military operations which he had in
view, it is evident that he had already taken the idea of a standing army, the nucleus
of which this body of three thousand men may be deemed to have formed. At ail
events, it may seem as an early indication of Saul's subsequently besetting public sin,
of forgetting his properly vice-regal character, and his subordination to the Divine
King. It was assuredly a new thing in Israel, and does savor somewhat of a distrust
of God's providence, by which the peculiar people had hitherto been protected and
delivered in every time of need ; as well as of an affectation of that independent au
thority which " the kings of the nations" took to themselves. However, as the char
acter of Saul seems to be held generally in more disesteem than the writers of his-
history intended, we shall not impute blame to him where the Scripture does not ; but
are ready to allow that, under all the circumstances, the measure was prudent and
proper ; for it appears that an enemy was then actually present in the country, whose
expulsion the king had then in view. There were garrisons of the Philistines in the
land. How this came to pass is not very clear. It would seem, however, that in re
signing their conquests after their last defeat, they had retained some hill fortresses,
from which they knew the Hebrews would find it difficult to dislodge them ; and that

264 AN ILLUSTRATED
when they recovered from the blow which was then inflicted upon their power, they
contrived, by the help of this hold which they had in the country, to bring the south
ern tribes (at least those of Judah and Benjamin) under a sort of subjection. Thus
when Saul was returning home after having been privately anointed by Samuel at
Ramah, and met the sons of the prophets at Gibeah, we learn that at that place was
" a garrison of the Philistines." And now we further learn that the Hebrews had in
fact been disarmed by that people. According to that jealous policy of which other
examples will ultimately be offered, they had even removed all the smiths of Israel.
lest they should make weapons of war; in consequence of which the Hebrews were
obliged to resort to the Philistines whenever their agricultural implements needed any
other sharpening than that which a grindstone could give ; and as this was an un
pleasant alternative, even these important instruments had been suffered to become
blunt at the time to which we are now come ; and so strict had been the deprivation
of arms that, in the military operations which soon after followed, no one of the Is
raelites, save Saul and his eldest son, was' possessed of a spear or sword.
This was the state of southern Palestine, where Jonathan, acting doubtless by the
orders of his father, attacked and overcame with his thousand men the Philistine
garrison in Gibeah. Encouraged by this success, Saul caused open war to be pro
claimed, by sound of trumpet, against the Philistines, and to assert his authority over
the tribes beyond Jordan, who were but too apt to regard their interests as separate
from those of the other tribes, and who might think themselves exempt from taking
part in a war against a people whose oppressions had not extended to themselves, —
Saul directed the proclamation to be made not only " throughout all the land," but in
a special manner it included " those beyond Jordan." They did not disobey ; but
came with other Israelites, from all quarters, to the standard of the king at Gilgal.
The people generally, though destitute of proper military weapons, were much in
spirited by the success of Jonathan, and by their confidence in the now tried valor and
military conduct of the king.
Meanwhile the Philistines were not heedless of this movement among the Israelites.
No sooner did they hear of ihe defeat of their garrison in Gibeah than they assembled
a formidable force, which seemed sufficient to overwhelm all opposition. It was com
posed of three thousand chariots of war, six thousand horsemen, and " people as the
sand upon the seashore for multitude." The enthusiasm of the disarmed Israelites
evaporated in the presence of this powerful force ; and the army of Saul diminished
every day, as great numbers of the men stole away to seek refuge in caves, in woods,
in rocks, in towers, and in pits.
Saul had exhibited his inability of understanding his true position, or his disposition
to regard himself as an independent sovereign, by entering upon or provokmg this
war without consulting, through Samuel or the priest, the divine will. Although not
formally so declared, it was the well-understood practice of the Hebrew constitution
that no war against any other than the doomed nations of Canaan would be undertaken
without the previous consent and promised a distance of the Great King. Yet Saul,
without any such authority, had taken measures which Were certain to produce a war
with the Philistines. He probably thought that the aggressions of the Philistines, and
their existing position as the oppressors of Israel, and their intrusion into the Hebrew
territory, made his undertaking so obviously just and patriotic as to render a direct
authorization superfluous, as its refusal could not be supposed : nor are we quite sure
that in this he was mistaken. Be this as it may, Samuel was not willing that such
a precedent should be established ; and therefore he had appointed to meet Saul on a
particular day at Gilgal, " to offer burnt-offerings and peace-offerings, and to show him
what he should do," that is, both to propitiate the Lord, as on other occasions, and to
advise Saul how to act in carrying on the war. On the appointed day Samuel did noi
arrive as soon as the king expected. The prophet probably delayed his coming on
purpose to test his fidelity and obedience. Saiu failed in this test. Seeing his force
hourly diminishing by desertions ; and in the pride of his fancied independence, con
sidering that he had as much right as the Egyptian and other kings to perform the
priestly functions, he ordered the victims to be brought, and offered them himself upon
the altar. This usurpation of the priestly office by one who had no natural authority
as an Aaronite, nor any special authorization as a prophet, was decisive of the char
acter and the fate of Saul. If the principles of the theocracy were to be preserved,
and if the political supremacy of Jebovah was at all to be maintained, it was indis

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

2G5

piuM'ylu  i  f

266 AN ILLUSTRATED
pensably necessary that the first manifestation by the kings of autocratic dispositions
and of self-willed assumption of superiority to the law, should be visited by severe
examples of punishment ; for if not checked in the beginnings, the growth would
have been fatal to the constitution. It will hence appear that the punishments which
Saul incurred for this and other acts manifesting the same class of dispositions, were
not so disproportioned lo his offences, or so uncalled for by the occasions of the state,
as some persons have been led to imagine.
Saul had scarcely made an end of offering his sacrifices before he was apprized of
tlie approach of Samuel, and went forth to meet him. The apology he made to the
prophet for what he had done, — th%t his force was diminishing, and that he was afraid
that if he delayed any longer the Philistines would fall upon him before sacrifices had
been offered to Jehovah — showed little of that reliance upon the Divine King, which
every Hebrew general was expected to manifest ; and but little anxiety to receive
these prophetic cpunsels which Samuel had promised to deliver. Under nearly simi
lar circumstances, how different was the conduct of Gideon, who gained immortal
honor by these theocratic sentiments which enabled him to leave to his successors a
memorable example of confidence in God ! Samuel saw through the hollowness of
Saul's apology, and warned him that by such sentiments as he entertained, and such
conduct as he manifested, he was rendering himself unworthy to be the founder of a
royal house, inasmuch as he could not become a pattern to his successors ; and that
by persevering in such a course he would compel the appointment of one more worthy
than himself to reign over Israel, and to be the father of a kingly race. Samuel then
retired from Gilgal, leaving Saul to carry on, as he saw best, the war he had under
taken. On numbering his remaining force, Saul found that but six hundred men remained
with him. With a less force than this, enemies as formidable as the Philistines had
in former times been defeated. But Saul, entirely overlooking, or distrusting, that
divine assistance which every Hebrew leader in a just war was entitled to expect,
and regarding only the disparity of his force, felt that it would be imprudent to engage
or oppose so vast an army with a mere handful of disheartened men. He therefore
retired from the field, and threw himself into the reconquered fortress of Gibeah.
On discovering his retreat, the Philistines sent three powerful detachments in different
directions to ravage the country, while the main body of their army still remained
encamped near Michmash.
In this extremity, an entire change was wrought in the aspect of affairs through
the daring valor of Jonathan. Accompanied only by his armor-bearer, he withdrew
secretly from the camp, and, by climbing, opened "himself a passage to one of the
outposts of the Philistines, upon the summit of a cliff, deemed inaccessible, and
therefore not very strongly guarded ; and penetrating to the enemy by so new and
unexpected a path, he killed the advanced piquets, and, supported by his follower,
slew all whom his hand encountered, and bore disorder and alarm into the camp of
the Philistines, then much weakened by the detachments we have mentioned. The
cries which arose from this part of the camp confounded and terrified the more dis
tant parts ; so that, aware of the presence of an enemy, which yet did not appear to
them, they turned their arms against one another, and destroyed themselves with the
blind fury of despairing men. The clamor which arose in the Philistine camp was
heard by the Israelites. Saul at first was willing to go through the form of consult
ing the Lord by urim; but the confusion increasing in the Philistine camp, he deemed
it a time for action rather than counsel; and directing the priest to forbear, he
hastened to join his valiant son, whose absence was now known, and to whom this
disorder was rightly attributed. The enemy were already flying in all directions, and
Saul, with his small band, committed terrible havoc upon the fugitives. While thus
engaged, his force increased with still greater rapidity than it had previously dimin
ished : for not only did the Hebrew captives take the opportunity of making their
escape and joining their king, but great numbers came forth from their lurking places
to join in the pursuit ; so that Saul soon found himself at the head of six thousand
men. The rash and inconsiderate king, in his determination to make the most of his
advantage, laid an interdictive curse upon any ot his people who should taste food
until the evening. Not only were the pursuers weakened and exhausted by the
strict abstinence thus enjoined, but Jonathan, unaware of this interdict, unwittingly
transgressed it by tasting a little wild honey which he met with in his way through
a forest.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. ^67
In the evening, the famished people, being then released from the mterdict, flew
ravenously upon the prey of cattle, and, in their impatience, began to devour the raw
and living flesh. This being a transgression of the law which forbade meat not
properly exsanguinated to be eaten, Saul, who was really rather zealous to observe
the law when it did not interfere with his own objects, interposed, and ordered the
meat to be properly and legally slaughtered and prepared for food.
The people being now refreshed, Saul proposed to continue the pursuit during the
night, but deemed it prudent first to consult the Lord through the priest. No answer
was given. This Saul interpreted to intimate that his solemn interdict had been
transgressed; and,' again unreasoning and rash, he swore that even were the trans
gressor his own son Jonathan, he should surely be put to death. It was Jonathan :
the lot determined this. His father told him he must die ; but the people, full of
admiration of the young prince, protested that not a hair of his head should suffer
damage, and thus saved his life.
This campaign, although concluded without a battle, was not the less productive
of durable advantage. The glory which Saul acquired by it strengthened his au
thority among his own people, and henceforth no enemy to which he could be opposed
seemed invincible to him. We see him, indeed, waging war, in turn, against Moab,
Ammon, and Edom, and against the Amalekites and the Philistines ; and in whatever
direction he turned his arms, he obtained the victory and honor. Valiant himself, he
esteemed valor in others ; and whenever he discovered a man of ability and courage,
he endeavored to draw him near to himself, and to attach him to his person. The
qualities most prized by Saul were eminently possessed by his own cousin Abner,
and he became " captain of the host," or generalissimo of the army of Israel.
The several expeditious of Saul against the enemies of Israel took up, at inter
vals, the space of five or six years. During these years, Samuel, without further
interference in political affairs, continued to watch the civil interests of the people,
and to administer justice between them. The authority which he still preserved in
Israel was very great, and probably not considerably less than it had been at any
former time.
About the tenth or eleventh year of Saul's reign, God made known to the prophet
that the iniquity ofthe Amalekiteshad now reached its height, and that the time was
fully come when the old sentence of utter extermination should be executed. Saul
was charged with its execution ; and his commission, as delivered to him by Samuel,'
was expressed in the most absolute terms, and left trie king no option to spare aught
that breathed. Under this supreme order, the king made a general call upon all the
tribes, which brought together an army of two hundred thousand men, among whom
there were but ten thousand men of Judah. The deficiency of that tribe in supplying
its due proportion is probably not noticed by the historian on this and on a former oc
casion, without some object ; and that object probably was to convey the intimation
that since the sceptre had been of old promised to that tribe, it was discontented at
the government of Saul, and less hearty than the other tribes in its obedience.
The king led his army into the territory of Ajnalek. There he made the most able
disposition of his forces, seized the most favorable positions, and then turned his ad
vantages against the enemy. A general action followed, in which the Israelites were
victorious, and they pursued the Amalekites to their most distant and last retreats.
Agag, the king, was taken alive with all his riches. Blinded by his ambition and his
avarice to the danger of acting in defiance of a most positive and public command
from God himself, Saul determined to spare the life of Agag, and to preserve the more
valuable parts of all the booty from destruction ; but with a most insulting or weak
mockery of obedience, " all that was vile and refuse they utterly destroyed." He then
led home his triumphant army, and paused in the land of Eastern Carmel,* where he
erected a monument of the most important and distant expedition in which he had
hitherto been engaged. He then passed on to Gilgal. Samuel came to him there
soon after his arrival, and at once charged him with his disobedience. Saul behaved
with a degree of confusion and meanness which we should scarcely have expected
from him, and which the consciousness of wrong-doing only can explain. He affirmed
and persisted that he had obeyed the Divine command, when everything before and
around him evinced that he had not. In the end he confessed that he had acted
» On the southwestern borders of the Dead sea, and which we call " Eastern Carmel" to distinguish it
from " Mourn Carmel," which lies westward, on the Mediterranean.

2C8 AN ILLUSTRATED
wrong ; but then excused himself by laying one part of it on the zeal of the people
to sacrifice the best of the cattle to Jehovah, and part to his own fear of restraining
them from it. It was a great grief to Samuel to hear the king of Israel betray such
meanness of soul, in palliating an unjustifiable action; and, conceding the truth of the
latter statement, he asked with severity, " Hath Jehovah as much delight in burnt-
offerings and in sacrifices as in obedience to his voice ? Behold, to obey is better than
sacrifice; and to hearken than the fat of rams." He then continued authoritatively,
as a prophet, to announce his rejection from being the founder of a royal house, as
the fixed purpose of the Divine King whose imperative commands he had publicly
disobeyed, or assumed a power of dispensing with, to such an extent as suited his
convenience. It would be wrong to consider this as the sole act or omission for which
this rejection was incurred. It was but one of many acts by which he indicated an
utter incapability of apprehending his true position, and in consequence manifested
dispositions and conduct utterly at variance with the principles of government which
the welfare of the state, and, indeed, the very objects of its foundation, made it most
essential to maintain. Unless the attempts at absolute independence made by Saul
were checked, or visited with some signal mark of the divine displeasure, the prece
dents established by the first king were likely to become the rule to future sovereigns.
And hence the necessity, now at the beginning, of peculiar strictness, or even of se
verity, for preventing the establishment of bad rules and precedents for future reigns.
Saul at first betrayed more anxiety about present appearances than ultimate results;
and he entreated Samuel to remain, and honor him in the sight of the people, by
joining with him in an act of worship to Jehovah. Samuel refused ; and as he turned
to go away, the king caught hold of the skirt of his robe to detain him, with such
force, that the skirt was rent off. " So hath God," said the prophet, " rent from thee,
this day, the kingdom of Israel, and given it to thy neighbor who is better than thee.
Nor will he who gives victory to Israel lie or repent ; for he is not a man, that he
should repent." The expression which we have here particularly indicated was prob
ably intended and understood as a further rebuke for the triumphal monument which
Saul had erected in Carmel, and whereby he seemed to claim to himself that honor;
for the recent victory which, under the principles of the theocracy, was due to God
only. Samuel, however, complied with the earnest wish of the king, and returned
with him to the camp. There acting on the stern injunction which Saul had neglected,
the prophet commanded the king of the Amalekites, by whose sword many mothers
in Israel had been made childless, to be put to death. When the prophet and the
king separated, the former proceedeii to his usual residence at Ramah, and went no
more to see Saul to the day of his death. Yet as he had a great regard for a man
who, with all his faults, had many good natural qualities which would well have fit-:
ted him for rule in a simple human monarchy, and who, moreover, was faithful and
even zealous for Jehovah, as his God, however deficient in obedience to him as his
king, the prophet continued long to mourn greatly for him, and to bewail the doom
which it had been his painful duty to declare.
After fifteen years, the Lord rebuked Samuel for this useless repining, and com
manded him to proceed to Bethlehem, there to anoint the man worthier than Saul,
whom he had chosen to fill his forfeited place, and to become the founder of a royal
house. This was a delicate mission ; for Samuel knew enough of Saul to fear that
he would not scruple to put even himself to death if the fact came to his knowledge.
He therefore veiled his real object under the form of a public sacrifice, which, in his
prophetic character, he had a right to enjoin. That he still retained his authority as
civil judge is evinced by the alarm which his unexpected visit occasioned to the elders
of Bethlehem, who " trembled" at his coming, for fear it should be not " peaceably,"
but in judgment.
The family to which Samuel was sent was that of Jesse, the grandson of Boaz and
Ruth, and, as such, a person of consideration in that place. Jesse was the father of
eight sons, all of whom were present in Bethlehem, save the youngest, David by
name, who was abroad with his father's flock. The whole family was invited by the
prophet to be present at his sacrifice. Samuel knew that the destined king was to be
found among Jesse's sons, but knew not as yet for which of them that distinction was
intended. Still influenced by those general prepossessions in favor of such personal
qualities as he had formerly beheld in Saul with complacency and admiration, Samuel
no sooner beheld the commanding and stately figure of Jesse's eldest son, Eliab, than

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 269
he concluded that " the Lord's anointed was before him." For this he received the
striking rebuke, " Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature ; be
cause I have refused him : for Jehovah seeth not as man seeth ; for man looketh on
the outward appearance, but Jehovah looketh on the heart." It further appeared that
no one of the other sons of Jesse then present was the object of the divine choice.
On this, Samuel, with some surprise, asked Jesse whether he had other sons ; and
learning that the youngest, a mere youth of fifteen years old, was abroad in the fields,
he caused him to De sent for. When he arrived, Samuel was struck by his uncom
monly handsome appearance, especially by a freshness of complexion unusual in that
country, and by the singular fire and beauty of his eyes. The divine choice was at
once intimated to him, " Arise, anoint him, for this is he !" As in the case of Saul
himself, this precious anointing was significant only of the divine intention and choice.
As Saul had returned to his fields, so David returned to his flock. The path to the
throne was to be opened by circumstances which did not yet appear. The anointing
was the sign and seal of an ultimate intention. For the present David was not more
a king, nor 3aul less one, than before.
The doom of exclusion had been pronounced upon Saul at a time when he was daily
strengthening himself on the throne, and increasing in power, popularity, and fame ;
and when his eldest son, Jonathan, stood, and deserved to stand, so high in the favor
of all the people, that no man could, according to human probabilities, look upon any
one else as likely to succeed him in the throne. But when the excitement of war and
victory had subsided, and the king had leisure to consider and brood over the solemn
and declaredly irrevocable sentence which the prophet had pronounced, a very serious
effect was gradually produced upon his mind and character; for he was no longer
prospered and directed by God, but left a prey to his own gloomy mind. The con
sciousness that he had not met the requirements of the high vocation to which,
" when he was little in his own sight," he had been called, together with the threat
ened loss of his dominion and the possible destruction of his house, made him jealous,
sanguinary, and irritable, and occasionally threw him into fits of the most profound
and morbid melancholy. This is what, in the language of scripture, is called " the
evil spirit that troubled him." That it was not a case of demoniacal possession, as
some have been led by this form of expression to suppose, is obvious from the effects
to which we shall presently advert. Nor was it needful ; for, as acting upon ihe char
acter of man, earth contains not a more evil spirit than the guilty or troubled mind
abandoned to its own impulses.
Not long after David had been anointed by Samuel, the mental malady of Saul gath
ered such strength — the fits of his mad melancholy became so long and frequent, that
some remedial measures appeared necessary. Remembering that Saul had always
been remarkably sensible to the influence of sweet sounds, it occurred to his friends
that it might be attended with good effects, were an able musician retained at court,
to play before the king, when his fits of gloom and horror came upon him. Saul him
self approved of this advice, and directed that a person with the suitable qualifications
should be sought. This reminded one of the courtiers how skilfully and sweetly he
had heard the youngest son of Jesse play upon the harp ; and in mentioning this to
the king he also took occasion to commend David as a young man of known valor,
prudent in conduct, and very comely in his person. From this and oilier corroborative
circumstances, it is easy to perceive that music was now, and much earlier, cultivated
by the Hebrews as a private accomplishment and solace. It formed their most usual
relaxation, and divided their time with the labors of agriculture and the care of flocks.
The report which he had heard engaged Saul to send to Jesse, demanding his son
David. The old man accordingly sent him to court, together with such a present to
the king as the customs ofthe age — and of the east in all ages, required as a homage.
It consisted of a quantity of bread, a skin bottle of wine, and a kid.
Thus, in the providence of God, an opening was made for David, whereby he might
become acquainted with the manners of the court, the business of government, and
the affairs and interests of the several tribes, and was put in the way of securing the
equally important advantage of becoming extensively known to the people. These
were training circumstances for the high destinies which awaited him. Suul himself,
ignorant that in him he beheld the " man worthier than himself," on whom the in
heritance of his throne was to devolve, contributed to these preparations. He received
the youthful minstrel with fervor ; and, won by his engaging disposition and the beau-

270 AN ILLUSTRATED
ties of his mind and person, not less than by the melody of his harp, became much
attached to him. The personal bravery of David, also, did not long remain unnoticed
by the veteran hero, who soon elevated him to the honorable and confidential station
of his armor-bearer — having obtained Jesse's consent to allow his son to remain in at
tendance upon him. His presence was a great solace and relief to Saul ; for whenever
he fell into his fits of melancholy, David played on his harp before him ; and its soft
and soothing strains soon calmed his troubled spirit, and brought peace to his soul.
In the twenty-six years which had passed since the signal overthrow of the Phil
istines at Michmash, that people had recruited their strength, and at last* deemed
themselves able to wipe out the disgrace they then incurred, and to recover their pre
vious superiority over the Israelites. They recommenced the war by invading the ter
ritory of Judah : Saul marched against them ; and the two armies encamped in the
face of each other, on the sides of opposite mountains which a valley separated.
While thus stationed the Hebrews were astonished and terrified to behold a man of
enormous stature, between nine and ten feet high, advance from the camp of the Phil
istines attended by his armor-bearer. His name was Goliah. He was arrayed ir
complete mail, and armed with weapons proportioned to his bulk. He stood forth
between the hosts, and, as authorized by the Philistines, who were confident that his
match could not be found, proposed, with great arrogance of language, that the ques
tion of tribute and servitude should be determined by the result of a single combat
between himself and any champion which might be opposed to him. The Israelites
were quite as much dismayed at the appearance of Goliah, and at the proposal which
he made, as the Philistines could have expected, or as the Philistines themselves
would have been under the same circumstances. No heart in Israel was found stout
enough to dare the encounter with this dreadful Philistine ; nor was any man then
present willing to take on his single arm the serious consequences of the possible re
sult. Then finding that no one of riper years or higher pretensions offered himself to
the combat, David presented himself before Saul, whom he attended as his armor-
bearer, and said, " Let no man's heart fail because of him ; thy servant will go and
fight with this Philistine." But Saul told him that he was unequal to such a contest,
"For thou art but a youth, but he a man of war from his youth." The reply of Da
vid was equally forcible and modest: — "Thy servant tended his father's flock; and
when there came a lion or a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock, then I pursued
him and smote him, and snatched it from his mouth ; and if he rose against me, I
caught him by the beard, and smote him, and slew him. Both lions and bears hath
thy servant smitten, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them. Lei
me go and smite him, and take away the reproach from Israel ; for who is this uncir
cumcised Philistine that he should defy the hosts of the living God ?" He added,
" Jehovah who delivered me from the power of lions and bears will deliver me from
the hand of this Philistine." Saul had been too little accustomed to this mode of
speaking and feeling not to be struck by it. Although he had himself not been prone
to exhibit military confidence in God, he perceived that such a confidence now sup
plied the only prospect of success ; he therefore said, " Go ; and may Jehovah be with
thee !" He would fain have arrayed him in his own complete armor; but David re
jected this as an incumbrance, and stepped lightly forward in his ordinary dress, and
without sword or shield, or spear, having only in his right hand a sling — with the use
of which early pastoral habits had made him familiar — and in his left a little bag,
containing five smooth pebbles picked up from the small brook that then meandered
and still meanders through the valley of Elah.f The giant was astonished, and felt
insulted that a mere youth should be sent forth to contend with so redoubted a cham
pion as himself; and availing himself of the pause which the ancient champions were
wont to take to abuse, threaten, and provoke each other, he cried, " Am I a dog, that
thou comest against me with staves ?" He then cursed him by his god, and, like the
old Homeric heroes, threatened to give his flesh to the fowls of the air and to the
beasts of the field. David's reply, conceived in the finest and truest spirit of the the-
* B. C. 1080, five years after the anointing of David.
t " We entered the famous Terebinthine vale, renowned for centuries as the field of the victory gained
by David ovei the uncircumcised Philistine. Nothing has occurred to alter the face of the country. The
very brook out of which David chose the five smooth stones has been noticed by many a thirsty pilgrim
journeying from Jaffa to Jerusalem, all of whom must pass it in their way. The ruins of goodly edifices,
indeed, attest the religious veneration entertained in later periods for this hallowed spot ; but even theso
are now become so insignificant that they are scarcely discernible, and nothing can be said to intrTuyt the
native dignity of this memorable scene.?' — Clarke.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 271
ncracy, at once satisfies us that we behold in him the man fit to reign over the pecu
liar people. " Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield ;
but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the hosts of Israel,
whom thon hast defied. This day will Jehovah deliver thee into my hand ; and I
will take thy head from thee, and I will give thy carcass, and the carcasses of the
host of the Philistines, this day to the fowls of the air and to the wild beasts of the
earth, that the whole earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this as
sembly shall know that Jehovah can save without sword or spear ; for the battle is
Jehovah's, and he will deliver you into our hands." On this the enraged giant strode
forward ; and David hastened to fit a stone to his sling ; and he flung it with so true
an aim that it smote the Philistine in the only vulnerable part that was not cased in
armor, his forehead, and buried itself deep in his brain. He then ran and cut off the
monster's head with his own sword, thus fulfilling the prediction he had just uttered.
A few minutes after he had gone forth, he returned, and laid the head and sword of
the giant at the feet of Saul.
The overthrow of their champion struck a panic into the Philistines. They fled,
and were pursued, with great slaughter, even to their own country, by the Israelites,
who then returned and plundered their camp.
The honor which David won by this splendid achievement was too great for his
safety. Saul could not but feel that the sort of spirit by which the youthful hero had
been actuated was precisely that which on many preceding occasions he himself ought
to have manifested, and for not doing which the doom of exclusion had been pro
nounced against him. The feeling that David was really the hero of the recent fight,
was also not pleasant to one so jealous of his military glory. And when the women
came forth from their towns to greet the returning conquerors with their instruments
of music, and sang responsively to their tabrets and their viols, —
" Saul has smitten his thousands,
But David has his ten thousands slain,"
the indignation of the king was provoked to the utmost. " To me," he said, " they
have ascribed but thousands, and to David tens of thousands : what more can he have
but the kingdom ?" It would therefore seem that this preference of David to him by
the women in their songs first suggested to him the possibility that he was the man,
worthier than himself, who was destined to succeed him and to supersede his de
scendants : and the notion having once occurred, he probably made such inquiries as
enabled him to conclude or to discover lhat such was the fact. His knowledge of it
appears soon after ; and we know that from this time forward David became the ob
ject, not merely of his envy and jealousy, but of his hatred and dislike. Yet he was
afraid, if he as yet wished, to do him any open injury ; but as he could not bear him
any longer in his former close attendance about his person, he threw him more into
the public service, intrusting to him the command of a thousand men. From his sub
sequent expressions and conduct, it seems likely that the king expected that the
inexperience of youth might lead David into such errors in this responsible public
station as would either give him occasion to act against him, or would seriously
damage his character with the people. But if such were his views, they were
grievously disappointed. In his public station " David behaved himself wisely in all
his ways, for Jehovah was with him;" and the opportunity which was given him
only served to evince his talents for business and his attention to it ; and, conse
quently, to increase and establish that popularity among the people which his char
acter and exploits had already won. And so it was, that the dislike and apprehen
sions of Saul increased in proportion to the abilities and discretion which David
evinced, and to the popularity which he acquired.
The king was under the full operation of those feelings, which as yet he durst not
avow, when he happened to lpirn that his dausfhter Michal had become attached to
David. This was far from displeasing him, as he thought it gave him an opportunity
of entrapping the son of Jesse to his own destruction. He promised her to him; but
on the condition of so difficult an enterprise against the Philistines, as he fully ex
pected would ensure his death. But David, always victorious, returned in a few days
with more numerous pledges of his valor than the'kiiig had ventured to demand ; and
he was then married to Michal, who could not with any decency be refused to him
In some subsequent actions against the Philistines, with whom a desultory warlart
vas still carried on, David displayed such courage and military skill as greath in-

272 a AN ILLUSTRATED
creased his renown in Israel, and increased in the same proportion the animosity of
Saul. His hate became' at last so ungovernable, that he could no longer confine the
dark secret to his own bosom, or limit himself to underhand attempts against the
fife of Jesse's son. He avowed it to his son Jonathan and to his courtiers, charging
them to take any favorable opportunity of putting him to death. He knew not yet
of the strong attachment which subsisted between Jonathan and David, — that his
noble son, rising far above all selfishness, pride, or envy, loved the son of Jesse even
"as his own soul." He heard the command with horror, and apprized David of it,
counselling him to hide himself until he should have an opportunity of remonstrating
on the subject privately with the king. This he did with such effect, displaying the
services and fidelity of David with such force, that the better reason of Saul prevailed
for the time, and he solemnly swore to make no further attempt against his life.
But not long after, all the evil passions of Saul were again roused by the increased
renown which David obtained, by a splendid victory over the Philistines. He had
scarce returned to court before he had a narrow escape Of being pinned to the wall
by a javelin which the king threw at him in one of those fits of phrensied melancholy
which the son of Jesse was at that moment endeavoring to sooth by playing on his
harp. David then withdrew to his own house. But the king had now committed him
self, and henceforth threw aside all disguise or restraint. He sent some of his attend
ants to watch the house ; and David would undoubtedly have been murdered the next
morning, had not his faithful wife managed his escape during the night, by letting
him down in a basket through one ofthe windows. In tne morning, when the man
demanded admittance with the intention of slaying her husband, Michal told them
he was very ill and confined to his bed ; and in proof of it showed them the bed, in
which she had placed a figure made up so as to present the appearance of a body
covered with the bedclothes. This news they carried to the king, who sent them
back with orders to bring him alive in his bed. By this means Michal's artifice was
discovered, and her father was so enraged, that, for her own safety, she made him
believe that it was to save her own life she had consented to it.
As the only revenge then in his power, Saul took away Michal, and gave her in
marriage to another ; and the story which she had made up, that David had put her
in fear of her life, probably precluded her from making that strenuous opposition
which she might otherwise have done.
David himself escaped to Ramah, where he acquainted Samuel with all the king's'
behavior to him. Samuel took him to Naioth, which seems to have been a kind of
school or college of the prophets, in the neighborhood of Ramah, over which Samuel
presided. Saul soon heard where he was; and so reckless was he now become, and
so madly bent on his murderous object, that he would not respect even this asylum,
but sent messengers to bring David to him. These, when they beheld the company
of prophets, with Samuel at their head, "prophesying," or singing hymns, fell into
an ecstasy, and " prophesied" in like manner. The same happened to a second and
a third party. At last Saul determined to go himself; and in his rage he probably
intended to slay Samuel also for sheltering David. Indeed, that the youth had gone
to Samuel, and was sheltered by him, must have confirmed his conviction that David
was his appointed successor, if he did not yet know, as he probably did, that the son
of Jesse had actually been anointed by the prophet. But no sooner had the king be
held what had so strongly affected his messengers, than he also, as had happened v >
him in his happier days, " prophesied," and lay in an ecstatic trance, divested of his
outer garment, all that day and night.
This gave David an opportunity to leave the neighborhood ; and he repaired to
Gibeah, where the king resided, and where Jonathan then was, to seek a private in
terview with that valuable friend. Jonathan thought himself fully acquainted with
nil the intentions of his father, and would not believe that he really designed the
death of David. But the latter was well assured of it ; and thought that Saul, having
become acquainted with their friendship, had concealed his full purpose from Jona
than. It was, however, agreed between them, that the conduct of (he king on an
approaching occasion should be deemed to determine his ultimate intentions; and
thai meanwhile David should keep himself concealed. The two friends then walked
forth into the fields, Jonathan then avowed to David his conviction that he, and not
himself was the destined successor of Saul ; and, with rare generosity of spirit and

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

273

Throwinir a Javelin.

JEscape from a Window.
18

274 AN ILLUSTRATED
abandonment, of self, he expressed his cheerful assent to this, and only desired to re
ceive the pledge of David that, if. himself alive when he became king, protection
should be granted to him from the designs which evil men might entertam ; and that
if not himself living, kindness should be extended to his family for his sake. This
was a matter in which he might be allowed at this time to feel more than usual
anxiety, as it appears, from a comparison of dates, that a son, Mephibosheth, had
lately been born to him. Reciprocally, he would pledge himself to protect the life
of David, to the extent of his power, from the designs of Saul and his other enemies.
These things they swore before God to each other, and entered together into a cove
nant of peace and love.
It seems that .by this time Saul lived in considerable state. At the recurrence of
the new moons, he was accustomed to entertain his principal officers at meat. Such
a feast was now near ai hand ; and it appears that Saul, who knew that David had
returned to Gibeah, expected that, notwithstanding what had passed, he would make
his appearance at this feast, as it would seem that non-attendance was regarded as
an offensive neglect. Most probably the king thought that David might regard the
attempt which had been made upon his life as mere phrenetic impulse, not indicative
of any deliberate intention against him. The first day of the feast, the place which
belonged to David af the king's table was vacant ; but Saul then made no remark,
thinking the absence might be accidental. But when the son of Jesse made no ap
pearance on the second day, the king put some questions to Jonathan, who excused
David's absence, alleging that it was by his permission and consent. On this Saul
broke forth into the grossest abuse of Jonathan, and assuring him that his succession
to the throne could never be secure while David lived, concluded with, " Wherefore
now send for him; for he shall surely die." And when Jonathan ventured to remon
strate, " Wherefore shall he be slain ? What hath he done ?" the maddened king
threw his javelin to smite him. That he could thus treat his own son, on whom, in
fact, all the hopes that remained to him were centred, lessens our wonder at his be
havior to David, and at the other acts of madness of which he was guilty By this
Jonathan «cnew that the king really intended to destroy his friend. He therefore
took his bow and went forth, attended by a lad, as if to shoot in the field where Da
vid lay hid ; for it had been agreed upon between them that the manner in which the
arrows were shot, and the expressions used by the archer to the lad who collected
the arrows after they had been discharged, was to be a sign intimating to David the
course he was to take ; thus preventing the danger which might accrue to both from
another interview. But when the unfavorable sign had been given, which he knew
would render his friend a fugitive, Jonathan could not resist the desire again to com
mune with him before he departed. He therefore sent away the lad, and as soon as
he was gone " David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face toward
the ground, and three times did obeisance ; and they kissed each other, and wept one
with another, with great lamentation."
After taking leave of Jonathan, David took his journey westward, with the inten-
lion of putting himself beyond the reach of Saul, by going to the land of the Philis
tines, who were not at that time in actual hostilities with the Israelites, and with
whom alone the enmity of Saul was not likely to operate to his disadvantage. In his
way, attended by a few young men who were attached to him, he came to the town
of Nob, belonging to the priests, about, twelve miles from Gibeah, and in the neigh
borhood of Jerusalem and Anathoth. To this place the tabernacle had at this time
been removed. We are not made acquainted with the precise occasion of its removal
from Shiloh ; but it was probably consequent upon the destruction of that town in
the war with the Philistines. At this place he was received, as his rank and renown
demanded, by the high-priest Ahimelech, whose surprise at seeing him he thought
himself obliged to dispel, by the false and unseemly pretence that he had been sent
by the king on private business of importance. But taking notice of the presence of
one Doeg, an Edomite, the chief of Saul's shepherds, by whom he doubted not that
he should be betrayed, he represented to Ahimelech that his business was urgent,
and begged that he would supply some refreshment to himself and his men, after
which he would continue his journey. The high-priest had nothing to offer but
bread which had lain a week on the table of showbread in the sanctuary; and al
though by the priests only this might lawfully be eaten, he was induced by the
alleged urgency of the occasion to give it to David and his men. David afterward

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

976

276 AN ILLUSTRATED
inquired for weapons ; and was told there were none but the sword of Goliah, which
as a pious memorial of the victory over that proud blasphemer, had been deposited
;n the tabernacle. This, at his desire, was brought to him, and having girded it on,
he took leave of Ahimelech, and continued his journey till he reached the Philistine
city of Gath, where he presented himself or was brought before Achish, the king of
that place, or rather of the state of which that place was the denominating metrop
olis. It does not appear that David intended himself to be known ; or if so, antici
pated a more favorable reception : for when he found that he was recognised, and
that the courtiers ominously represented him as that David to whom the maidens of
Israel had in their songs ascribed the slaughter of tens of thqusands of Philistines,
and thousands only to Saul, dreading the result of such recollections, David feigned
himself mad, with such success that Achish exclaimed, " Lo, ye see the man is mad ;
why have ye brought him to me ? Have I need of madmen, that ye have brought
this one to play the madman in my presence ? Shall such a one come into my house ?"
He was therefore allowed to go where he pleased. He delayed not to avail himself
of this advantage, and hastened into the territory of his own tribe of Judah, where
he found shelter in the cave of Adullam. He was here joined by his parents and
family, who probably deemed themselves unsafe in Bethlehem; and as soon as his
retreat became known in the neighborhood, his reputation attracted to him a consid
erable number of men hanging loose upon society, as in the somewhat analogous case
of Jephthah. To understand some of their future operations under David, it is quite
necessary to give them just that character, and no other, which they bear in the
Scriptural record, which states that " Every one in distress, every one in debt, and
every one discontented, flocked to him ; and he became chief over them, and there
were with him about four hundred men."
From Adullam David took an opposite direction to that which he had first followed,
and went into the land of Moab. Here he was well received ; for the king consented to
take the parents of the outcast under his protection, until the dawning of better days.
They therefore remained among the Moabites until the troubles of their son ended
with the life of Saul. But, although he might himself have found greater safety in
that land, it was important to his future interests that he should return to his own
country, that his conduct, adventures, and persecutions, there might keep him aliv
in the minds of the people. He did not himself plan anything with reference to the
destination intended for him ultimately ; but God, who best knew by what agencies
to effect his purpose, sent the prophet Gad to command him to return into the land
of Judah. He obeyed, and found shelter in the forest of Hareth.
Saul soon heard of David's return and the place of his retreat, and was greatly
troubled ; for, as his safety could not be the object of this move from the security
which Moab afforded, he inferred that he had returned with the intention of acting
offensively and vindictively against him when occasion or advantage offered. He
therefore called together the officers of his court ; and as there was not, as yet, any
building or palace in which such assemblies could be held, the king sat upon a bank,
under a tamarisk tree, with a spear in his hand.* It seems that the persons presenl
were chiefly Benjamites ; and Saul, speaking as one distrustful of their fidelity,
appealed to their selfish interests, asking on what grounds they, as Benjamites, could
hope to be bettered by the son of Jesse ; and complained that there were plots be
tween him and his own son Jonathan, of which they knew, but that they were not'
sorry for him, nor would give any information to him. On this Doeg, the Edomite,
informed him of the assistance which David had received at Nob from the high-
priest ; but omitted to state, if he knew, the certainly false grounds on which that
assistance had been claimed by David and given by the priest ; and added (which
was not true) that Ahimelech had " inquired of God" for him. On hearing this,
Saul was highly enraged, and immediately sent for Ahimelech and all the priests of
his family that were at Nob. When they arrived, the king fiercely charged him
with his participation in what his jealous imagination tortured mto a conspiracy of
David against him. Ahimelech declared that he had entertained him merely as the
king's son-in-law, and one employed on the king's business, and denied that he had
consulted the sacred oracle on his behalf; but Saul, without listening to his state
ment, commanded his followers to slay them all. A dead stillness followed this
* The spear v, as obviously used by him not more as a weapon than as a sceptre. As such it is several
timos mentioned The earliest sceptres were, in fact, spears in many ancient nations.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 277
order ; and, finding that no one moved to obey it, the frantic king turned to Doeg and
commanded him to fall upon them. The unscrupulous Edomite was ready In his
obedience ; and although the Israelites then present had refused to stain their own
hands with the blood of the most sacred persons in the land, they had not sufficient
spirit or principle to interpose in their behalf, but stood by and saw them slaughtered
by Doeg and his myrmidons. Not fewer than eighty-five priests fell in this horrid
massacre ; and immediately after, Doeg, by Saul's order, of course, proceeded to Nob,
and slew all that lived hi it — man, woman, child, and beast. This was a further
development of that judgment upon the house of Eli which had been pronounced of
old ; this was that deed in Israel of which it had been predicted that " both the ears
of every one that heareth it shall tingle." The only individual of the family of the
high-priest who escaped was Abiathar, one of his sons. This person repaired to
David, who was deeply afflicted at the intelligence which he brought, and desired
him to remain with him.
Soon after this, David heard that a party of Philistines had come up against the
border-town of Keilah, with the view of taking away the produce of the harvest
which the people of that town had lately gathered in. He greatly desired to march
his troop to the relief of that place ; but his men, who, as might be expected from their
character, were by no means distinguished for their courage or subordination, declined
so bold an enterprise. At last, a distinct promise of victory from the sacred oracle,
consulted by Abiathar, who acted as priest, encouraged their obedience. They went
and obtained a complete victory over the Philistines, delivering Keilah from the
danger by which it was threatened. This and other instances of David's readiness,
in his own precarious situation, to employ his resources against the enemies of his
country, must have tended much to raise his character among the people, and to
keep him before the public eye.
He now entered and remained in the town he had relieved, which Saul no sooner
understood than he exclaimed, " God hath delivered him into my hand ; for he is
shut in by entering into a town that hath gates and bars ;" and he delayed not to call
together a powerful force, which he marched to besiege that place. But David, being
apprized by the oracle that the people of Keilah, unmindful of their obligation to
him, would deliver him up to the king if he remained there until his arrival, with
drew from the place at the head of a force now increased to six hundred men. When-
Saul heard this, he discontinued his march against Keilah.
David now sought shelter in the eastern part of Judea, toward the Dead sea.
T,' ere were strong posts and obscure retreats in that quarter, among the mountains
and the woods, to which he successively removed, as the motions of Saul dictated ;
for the king, now openly bent on his destruction, hastened to every place to which he
heard that the son of Jesse had retreated, hunting him " like a partridge in the
mountains." He was for some time in different parts of the wilderness of Ziph.
He was sheltered by a wood in that wilderness., when Jonathan, becoming acquainted
with his place of retreat, went to him, "to encourage him to trust in God." He
said to him, " Fear not, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee ; and thou.
shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next thee ; and that also Saul my father
knowelh." Again the friends renewed their covenant before Jehovah, and parted — to
meet no more. There is really nothing in all history finer than this love of Jonathan.
to David ; it was, as the latter himself found occasion to describe it, " Wonderful,
passing the love of women !" It was a noble spirit with which the son of the king:
held close to his heart, and admitted the superior claims of, the man destined to-
supersede him and his in the most splendid object of human ambition, which, on,
ordinary principles, he might have considered his just inheritance. But his were not
ordinary principles, such as swayed the mind and determined the conduct of his father.
His were the true principles of the theocracy, whereby he knew that Jehovah was
the true king of Israel, and cheerfully submitted to his undoubted right to appoint
whom he would as his regent, even to his own exclusion ; and, with generous hu
mility, was the first to recognise and admire the superior qualities of the man on whom.
it was known that his forfeited destinies had fallen. Yet lest, iii our admiration of
Jonathan's conduct, human virtue should seem too highly exalted, il may be well to-
femember that the hereditary principle in civil government was as yet without pre
cedent among the Hebrews, with whom sons had not yet learned to look to succeed!
their fathers in their public offices. None of the judges had transmitted their authority

278 AN ILLUSTRATED
to their sons or relatives: and the only instance in which an attempt had been made
(by Abimelech) to establish this hereditary principle had most miserably failed. But
the friendship of Jonathan and David is a passage in the history of the Hebrew king
dom from which the mind reluctantly withdraws. If it occurred in a fiction, it would
be, pointed out as an example of most refined and consummate art, that the author
represents to us in such colors of beauty and truth the person he intends to set aside,
and allows him so largely to share our sympathies and admiration with the hero of
his tale.
Not long after this, some inhabitants of Ziph went to Gibeah and acquainted the
king with the quarter in which David lay hid. Saul was so transported with joy at
the news, that he heartily blessed them as the only people who had compassion upon
him in his trouble ; for by this time, if not before, it seems that his morbid fancy had
fully persuaded him that David was really engaged in a conspiracy to take his life,
and place the crown upon his own head. But David had timely intelligence that his
retreat was betrayed, and withdrew southward into the wilderness of Moan. But
Saul pursued him thither, and, with the design to surromid him, was already on one
side of the mountain, on the other side of which David lay, when he was providen
tially called off by intelligence of a sudden incursion into the country by the Philis
tines. He went and repulsed them ; and then, at the head of three thousand men,
returned to follow upon the tracks of Jesse's son — so inveterately was he now benl
upon his fell purpose.
Meanwhile David had removed to the district of Engedi, toward the southwestern
extremity of the Dead sea, the caverns and rocky fastnesses of which offered many
secure retreats. Saul pursued him into this region, and one day entered a large cave,
to repose himself during the heat of the day. Now it happened that David and his
men were already in this cave ; but, being in the remote and dark inner extremity,
were unperceived by the king ; but he, being between them and the light which entered
at the cave's mouth, was seen and recognised by them. As he lay asleep, David's
men joyfully congratulated him that his enemy was now completely in his power,
But they knew not what manner of spirit was in the son of Jesse. " Jehovah forbid,"
he said to them, " that I should do this thing to my master, the anointed of Jehovah,
to stretch forth my hand against him ; for the anointed of Jehovah is he ;" and the
men were with difficulty restrained by these words from putting the king to death.
But that he might know how completely his life had been in the hands of the man
whose life he sought, David went and cut off the skirt of his mantle. Saul at length
arose, and left the cave, and went his way. David went out and called after him,
"My lord, the king!" When Saul turned, David bowed himself reverently toward
the earth, and proceeded in the most respectful terms to remonstrate against the
injustice with which he had been treated, and the inveteracy with which he was
pursued. He charitably imputed the designs laid to his charge to the suggestions of
evil-minded men; and, in proof of their utter groundlessness, related what had hap
pened in the cave, and produced the skirt to show how entirely the king's life had
been in his power. Saul's naturally good feelings were touched by this generous for
bearance from one who knew that his own life was then sought by him. " Is that
thy voice, my son David !" he cried, and his softened heart yielded refreshing tears,
such as he had not lately been wont to shed. That which had been in David a for
bearance resulting from the natural and spontaneous impulse of his own feelings,
seemed to the king an act of superhuman virtue, which forced upon him the recog
nition that he was indeed that " worthier" man to whom the inheritance of his crown
had been prophesied. Rendering good for evil was a new thing to him ; and now, in
the regard and admiration which it excited, he freely acknowledged the conviction he
entertained, — " And now, behold, I know well that thou wik surely be king, and that
the kingdom of Israel will be established in thy hand. Swear now, therefore, to me,
by Jehovah, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt noi
destroy my name out of my father's house." The anxiety of the king, and even of
Jonathan, on this point, seems to show (what has already appeared in the case of
Abimelech) that it was even then, as it ever has been until lately, usual for oriental
kings to remove by death all those whose claims to the throne might seem superior
or equal to their own, or whose presence might offer an alternative to the discon
tented: the intense horror with which the Hebrews regarded the prospect or fear of
¦genealogical extinction, also contributes. to explain the anxiety which both Saul and

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 279
Jonathan felt on this point more than on any other. David took the oath required
from him; Saul then returned to Gibeah, and David, who had little confidence in the
permanency of the impression he had made, remained in his strongholds.
Very soon after this, Samuel died, at the advanced age of ninety-two years (B. C.
1072), after he1 had judged Israel fifty years, that is, twelve years alone, and thiity-
eight years jointly with Saul ; for there is no doubt that he retained his authority as
civil judge to the end of his life. The death of this good man was lamented as a
common calamity by all true Israelites, who assembled in great numbers lo honor hi&
funeral. He was buried in the garden of his own house at Ramah.
As David immediately after removed much further southward, even " into the
wilderness of Paran," it would seem that, having no confidence in Saul's fits of right
feeling, he was fearful of the consequences of the absence of that degree of moral
restraint upon him which had existed while the prophet lived. The southern coun
try offers, in the proper season, excellent pastures, away to which those of Judah,
who had " large possessions of cattle," were wont to send their flocks during a part
of the year. The advantage offered by the free use of these open pastures was,
however, in some degree counterbalanced by the danger from the prowling Arab
tribes with which they' sometimes came in contact. David probably supported his
men during the eight months of his stay in this region by acting against those tribes,
and making spoil of their cattle. And as their hand was against every man, it was
natural that every man's hand should be against them ; the rather, as we may be
sure, from their general conduct, that they lost no occasions of oppressing or plun
dering the people inhabiting, or pasturing their flocks, along or near the southern
Icontier. Thus the presence of David's troop was, for that reason, a great advantage
to the shepherds, as he had by this time secured sufficient control over his men tc
oblige them to respect the properly of the Israelites. And this was, at least in the
feelings of the people, no small thing in a body of men living abroad with swords in
their hands, and obliged, as they were, to collect their subsistence in the best way
they could. Among those who were advantaged by this, none were more so than the
shepherds of Nabal, a man of large possessions in Carmel. When David returned
ni'thward, he heard that Nabal was making great preparations for the entertainment
of his people during the shearing of his three thousand sheep; and being then
greatly pressed for provisions, he sent some of his young men to this person to salute
him respectfully in his name, and to request some small supply out of the abundance
he had provided. Now in point of fact, according to all usage, Nabal ought to have
anticipated this request, as soon as he learned that one who had protected his property
in the wilderness was then in his neighborhood. But Nabal was "churlish and evil
in all his manners, and irritable as a dog." This character, his insulting answer to
the message fully supported : — " Who is David ? and who is the son of Jesse ?
There be many servants now-a-days that break away, every man from his master.
Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh, which I have killed foi my
shearers, and giv? it to men whom I know not whence they be ?" When this answer
was brought back ;o David, he was highly enraged, and ordered his men to gird on
their swords ; and, with four hundred of them (leaving two hundred to protect the
baggage), he set forth with the rash and cruel purpose of destroying the churl and
all that belonged to him. The provocation, although very great, and not likely to be
overlooked by a military man, was certainly not such as to justify this barbarous
design. Its execution was, however, averted by Abigail, the wife of Nabal, who is
described as " a woman of good understanding, and beautiful in form." Those
shepherds who had been in the wilderness with the flocks, and were sensible of the
value of that protection which David's troop had rendered, greatly disapproved of
their master's conduct. They therefore reported the whole matter to their mistress,
who appears to have had that real authority in the household which a woman of
sense always has had in the house of even a brutal fool. She concurred in their
apprehensions as to the probable consequences, and with a promptitude which bears
out the character given to her, decided on the proper steps to avert them. While
Nabal was eating and drinking, even to drunkenness, at the feast, she made up an
elegant and liberal present, consistirig of two hundred loaves of bread, two skin-
bottles of wine, five measures of parched corn, five sheep ready dressed, two hundred
clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs ; and, having placed all this on asses,
«he set forth with suitable attendance to meet the "enraged hero She soon met him

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Presents to a Rodouin. Chief.
and his men, on full march to Carmel ;
and after rendering him her most respect
ful homage, she spoke to him with such
hne tact and prudence, that his passion
grew calm under her hand ; and she con
vinced him that the deed which he con
templated would cause the weight of in
nocent blood to lie heavy on his conscience
in after days. Being thus made to feel
that he had allowed the bitterness of "a
blockhead's insult"* to sink too deeply in
his soul, he felt really thankful that his fell
purpose had been interrupted : — " Blessed
be Jehovah, the God of Israel," he said,
" who sent thee this day to meet me ; and
blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou,
who hast kept me this day from coming
to shed blood, and from avenging myself
with mine own hand."
Abigail returned to her husband, and
the next day acquainted him with the
steps she had taken, and the imminent
danger into which his churlishness had
brought him and his. The view which
was presented to his mind of the evil
which had hung over his head struck him
with such intense dread and horror, that
in a few days he died of a broken heart.
When this came to the ears of David,
who had been much charmed by the good
sense and beauty of Abigail, he sent to
her, and she consented to become his wife.
He had previously married Ahinoam of
Jezreel, after Saul had given Michal to
* " Fate never wounds more deop the gon'rous heart,
Than whon a blockhead's insult points the dart "
Johnson.

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HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 281
another. Polygamy was not expressly forbidden by tne law; neither did it receive
any sanction therefrom. It was a matter of existing usage with which the law did
dot interfere; although it discouraged the formation, by the kings, of such extensive
harems as the kings of the East have been wont to possess: and both David and his
son Solomon had ample occasion to lament those besotting passions which led them
to neglect this injunction, as well as to learn that there is in this matter an obvious
social law which can not with impunity be transgressed.
Soon after this David removed to his former place of shelter, in the wilderness of
Ziph. While he remamed there, Saul justified the doubts which the son of Jesse,
who well knew his character, entertained ofthe continuance of his good resolutions;
for he again came to seek him at the head of three thousand men. But this only
.gave David another opportunity of evincing the true and generous loyalty of his own
character. . For one night, while the king lay asleep in the midst of his men, with
his spear stuck in the ground at his head, to mark the station of the chief, David en
tered his camp, attended by Abishai (brother to the subsequently celebrated Joab),
and, without being noticed, penetrated to the very spot where the king lay. Abishai
thought this a fine opportunity of ending all their troubles with the life of their per
secutor ; and begged David to permit him to transfix the sleeping king with his spear.
But, to the pious hero, " a divinely appointed king, although his enemy, was a sacred
person. To lay violent hands on him, and' to open a way to the throne by regicide,
was a crime which he justly abhorred. What God had promised him he was willing
to wait for, till He who had promised should deliver it to him in the ordinary course
of his providence."* He therefore checked the misdirected zeal of Abishai, and
withdrew with him, taking away the- spear which was planted at Saul's head, and
the vessel of water which stood there for his use. David then went and stationed
himself at the edge of an opposite cliff overlooking the camp of Saul, and calling by
name to Abner, the cousin and chief commander of the king, told him he was worthy
of death for the careless manner in which he guarded the royal person. As he went
on reproaching Abner, Saul, as he expected, recognised his voice, and guessing that
he had again been spared when in his power, called out, " Is thai thy voice, my son
David?" and was answered, "It is my voice, my lord, 0 king!" David then pro
ceeded with- much energy, but in the most respectful language, to remonstrate against
the treatment he received, and produced the evidence of the spear and water-jug, as
evincing the value of the king's life in his eyes. The result was the same as it had
been on a similar occasion before: Saul's heart was touched. He acknowledged that
he had " acted foolishly, and erred exceedingly ;" and after blessing David, returned
to Gibeah.
David had before this formed the intention of again withdrawing to the Philistines;
for in his remonstrance with Saul he had laid the responsibility of this measure upon
his persecutors : — " ][ Jehovah hath stirred thee up against me, let him accept an
offering; but if they be the children of men, accursed be they before Jehovah, for
they now drive me out from abiding in the inheritance of Jehovah." He must not
tbe allowed, however, thus easily to rid himself of the responsibility of so ill-advised
and desperate an expedient, in which he neglected to ask counsel of God, but followed
the impulse of his own apprehensions ; and from the natural and obvious consequences
of which he could onlv escape by acts of equivocation, hypocrisy, and ingratitude,
which do no honor to his name. However, we are to regard David, in all this por
tion of his life, as a learner, as one who was in the course of being trained to rule
wisely, by various disciplines, distresses, and errors ; — for even the errors of conduct
into which men fall, by having placed themselves in a false position through too con
fident a reliance on their own judgment, are not among the least profitable experi
ences which they obtain, and which go toward the ripening of their minds. But,
undoubtedly, it had been better for David, and more becoming, had he remained in
his own country, relying, upon, the protection of that good Providence by which he
had hitherto been preserved.
On reaching Gath, with his six hundred men, David was well received by the
king, who appears to have been the same Achish in whose presence he had formerly
played the madman. The Hebrew chief soon took occasion to request the Philistine
king to assign him some town in which he might reside apart with his people ; i nd
the king, with generous and unsuspecting confidence, made over to him, to his full
* Jahn. i. 103

282 AN ILLUSTRATED
and exclusive possession, the small border town of Ziklag, which was situated noi
far from the brook Besor. Here he resided one year and four months, or until the
death of Saul. From this place he undertook excursions against the ancient predatory
enemies of Israel, the Amalekites, the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, who roved about
in Arabia Petraea, on the seacoast as far as Pelusium, and on the southern frontier of
the tribe of Judah. In all these excursions he utterly destroyed man, woman, and
child, and took possession of the cattle and apparel, of which their wealth consisted;
The exterminating character which he gave to this warfare was to prevent the Phi
listines from learning that he had been acting against their allies and friends ; and
he always pretended to Achish that his expedition had been against the Israelites
and their allies, by which he established himself firmly in the confidence of thai
king. For the cool manner in which the son of Jesse poured out innocent blood to
cover a deliberate and designing falsehood, we have no excuse to offer. He must
bear the blame for ever.
In those days the Philistine states joined their forces for war against Israel; and
David, having by his pretences impressed upon Achish the conviction that he now
detested his own people, and was detested by them, was driven to the dreadful alter
native of either taking the field with the Philistines and fighting against his brethren,
or else of appearing ungrateful to Achish, and perhaps of occasioning the destruction
of his family and himself. But from this difficulty he was extricated by the not un
reasonable jealousy of the other Philistine princes, who expected he might turn
against them in the battle in order to reconcile himself to his master. Achish was
much hurt at such suspicions against one on whom he so perfectly relied, but was
reluctantly obliged to dismiss him from the expedition.
On returning to Ziklag, David found the city pillaged and reduced to ashes. The
Amalekites, Geshurites, and Gezrites, had taken the opportunity of his absence in
another direction thus to avenge themselves for his former inroads upon them. They
did not, however, retaliate to the full extent ; for although " they took the men and
women who were in it captive, they slew not any, either great or small, but carried
them away." David's two wives were among the captives. His men were frantic
at the loss of their families and substance, and at first talked of stoning their leader
whom they regarded as at least the remote cause of this calamity. But they were
at last appeased, and set out in pursuit of the spoilers, notwithstanding the fatigue
occasioned by their previous march. Two hundred of the men were unable to pro
ceed farther than the brook Besor; and David, leaving them there, continued the
pursuit with the remaining four hundred. On their way they fell in with a man
half dead with illness, hunger, and thirst. Having refreshed him with food and
drink, they learned that he was an Egyptian, a slave to one of the party they pur
sued ; but that having fallen ill three days before, his master had left him — to live
or die, as might happen — and that since then no bread or water had passed his lips.
He gave an account of the operations of the horde; and, when pressed, agreed to
conduct the Hebrew party to the spot at which he knew that they intended to repose.
When that spot was reached, the nomades were enjoying themselves in full security,
as they supposed themselves beyond the reach of pursuit, and could not know that
David would have returned to Ziklag so soon. They were thus easily overthrown ;
and not only did the Hebrews recapture all that they had taken, but gained besides
so considerable a booty, that David was enabled to send presents to all the rulers in
Judah who were favorable to his cause.
The four hundred men who had continued the pursuit were unwilling to share the
additional spoil with the two hundred who had tarried by the brook Besor, although
willing to restore their own property to, them. But David took the opportunity of
establishing the useful principle that all the persons engaged in an expedition should
share equally, whatever part they took in it ; or, in other words, that those whpse
presence protected the baggage should be equally benefited by a victory with those
who went to the fight.
The present campaign of the Philistines against the Israelites was one of those
large operations which nations can in general only undertake after long intervals of
rest. There seems, indeed, during the reign of Saul, to have been always a sort of
desultory and partial warfare between the two nations; but it had produced no meas
ure comparable to this, which was intended to be decisive, and was calculated to tax
to the utmost thp resources of the belligerents. When Saul surveyed, from the

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

283

Bedouins with Captives and Spoil

heights of Gilboa, the formidable army
which the Philistine had brought into the
plain of Esdraelon— that great battle-field
of nations— his heart failed him. Presenti
ments of coming events cast deep shadows
over his troubled mind. He sought coun
sel of God. But God had forsaken him—
left him to his own devices— and answered
him not, " either by dreams, or by urim,
or by prophets."
The crimes of Saul arose from his dis
loyalty to Jehovah, in his reluctance to
acknowledge him as the true king of Isra
el. But as his God he worshipped him,
and had no tendency toward those idola
tries by which so many subsequent kings
were disgraced. All idolatry and idolatrous
acts were discouraged and punished by
him. In obedience to the law (Deut. xviii.
10, 11), he banished from the land all the
diviners and wizards he could find. But
aow, in his dismay, he directed his attend
ants to find out a woman skilful in necro
mancy, that he might seek through her the
information which the Lord refused to
give. One was found at Endor, a town not
far from the camp in Gilboa; and to her
he repaired by night, disguised, with two
attendants, and desired her to evoke the
spirit of Samuel, that, in this dread emer
gency, he might ask counsel of him. What
ever might be the nature of the womans
art, and her design in undertaking to fulfil
his wish— whether she meant to impose
on Saul by getting'some accomplice to per
sonate Samuel, who had only been dead
two years, and whose person must have
become well known to the Israelites during

284 AN ILLUSTRATED.
his long administration — or whether she expected a demoniacal spirit to give him an
answer , it appears from a close examination of the text, that, to the great astonish
ment of the woman herself, and before she had time to utter any of her incantations,
the spirit of Samuel was permitted to appear, in a glorified form, and ominously clad
in that mantle in which was the rent that signified the rending of the kingdom from
the family of Saul. When the figure appeared, the king knew that it was Samuel,
and bowed himself to the ground before him. From that awful and passionless form
he heard that the doom declared long since was now to be accomplished ; — to-morrow
Israel should be given up to the sword of the Philistines — to-morrow Saul and his
sons should be numbered with- the dead. At these heavy tidings the king fell down
as one dead, for he had touched no food that night or the preceding day, and was
with difficulty restored to his senses, and refreshed by the woman and his at
tendants. The next day all that had been foretold was accomplished. Israel fled before the
Philistine archers ; and Saul and his sons, unable to stem the retrtuting torrent, fled
also. The three sons of the king, Jonathan, Abinadab, and Melchi-shua, were
slain. Saul himself was grievously wounded by the archers; and that he might noi
fall alive into the hands of the Philistines, and be subjected to their insults, he desired
his armor-bearer to strike him through with his sword ; and when that faithful fol
lower refused, he fell upon his own sword : and the example was followed by the
armor-bearer, when he beheld his lord lying dead before him. " So Saul died, and
his three sons, and his armor-bearer, and all his men, that same day together."
The next day, when the Philistines came to collect the spoils of the slain, they
found the bodies of Saul and his three sons. The indignity with which they treated
the remains of these brave men has no previous example. They cut off their heads,
and hung their bodies to the wall of the town of Bethshan, near the Jordan. Their
heads and armor they sent into Philistia, as trophies of their triumph, by the hand
of the messengers who were" despatched to publish it in their temples and their
towns. The bodies of Saul and his sons were soon stolen away by night from the
wall of Bethshan, by some valiant men of Jabesh, on the opposite side of the river,
where a grateful remembrance was cherished of the king's first military exploit,
whereby the people of that town were delivered from the loss of their liberty and
their eyes. To preclude any attempt at the recovery and continued insult of the
bodies, the people burnt them, and buried the collected bones and ashes under a
tamarisk-tree.

CHAPTER XVII.
DAVID'S BEIGN — HIS CONQUESTS — PURPOSE TO BUILD A TEMPLE.
On the third day of David's return to Ziklag a man arrived in haste, with his clothes
rent, and earth upon his head, and laid at the feet of David the crown and armlet
which Saul had worn. He told, truly, that Israel had fled before the Philistines, and
that Saul and his sons were slain ; but thinking to win royal rewards from the son of
Jesse, he boasted that he had slain Saul with his own hand. The truth was probably
that he had found the body of Saul in the night after the battle, and had taken from
it the royal insignia which he brought to David. His expectations were grievously
disappointed ; for David, believing his statement, caused him to be put to death, as
one who had not feared to slay the Lord's anointed. The man was an Amalekite.
David mourned and fasted for the desolation of Israel, and he lamented the death of
his beloved Jonathan, and even of Saul, in a most affecting and beautiful elegy, which
we may here introduce as a specimen of the poetical compositions of one whose rank
among the poets of the Hebrews is fully equal to that which he occupies among theit
kiugs : — * "O, antelope of Israel ! pierced on thy high place '
How are the mighty fallen '
Tell it not in Oath ,
Publish it not in the streets of Askelon ,
Lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice,
Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumpn.
* The version now given is that of Boothroyd, altered in some of the linen.

HTSTORY OF THE BIBLE. 285
Ye mountains of Gilboa, on you be no dew,
Nor rain, nor fields of first-fruits ;
Since there hath been vilely cast away,
The Bhield of the mighty, the shield of Saul,
The armor of him anointed wiLh oil.
From the blood of the slain,
From the fat of the mighty.
The bow of Jonathan was not held back,
Nnr did the sword of Saul return in vain.
Saul and Jonathan I
In mutual love were they in life united,
And in their death they were not separated,
Swifter than eagles, stronger than lionB were they I
Ye dnughters of Israel weep over Saul,
Who clothed you pleasnntly in scarlet,
And put golden ornaments upon your robes.
H.iw are the mighty fallen in the midst of battle I
O Jonathan, slain on thy own mountains I
I am grieved for thee, O Jonathan, my brother I
Vi-ry dear to me wnst thou :
Wonderful was thy love to me,
Surpassing the love of women
How are the mighty fallen 1
And the weapons of war perished I
That he mourned even for Saul, will only be attributed to hypocrisy by those who
are themselves incapable of such magnanimity, and are determined to forget that Da
vid, during the life of his persecutor, always respected him as a king appointed by
God, and twice spared him when he had his life completely in |iis power.
With the approbation ofthe Lord, whom he consulted, David now removed, with
his family and friends, to Hebron, where the rulers of the tribe of Judah, with views
altogether theocratical, awarded the sceptre to him, as one whom God had already
designated as king. David was at this time thirty years of age.
But no other tribe concurred with Judah in this important step. On the contrary,
all the other tribes elected Saul's only surviving son, Eshbaal, as he was originally
named (1 Chron. xiii. 33, ix. 39), but nicknamed Ishbosheth (a man of shame) from
his weakness and incapacity, which, it would appear, saved his life, by precluding him
from being present at the battle in which his brothers perished. This measure was
probably promoted by that radical jealousy between the tribes of Judah and Ephraim,
which prevented the latter (wliich took the lead among the other tribes) from con
curring in the appointing a king of the rival tribe, or indeed from heartily sympathizing
in any measure which that tribe originated. But the prime agent in this schism was
Abner, the commander ofthe army, who had drawn off the remnant of the defeated
army to the other side the Jordan, and there, at Mahanaim, proclaimed Ishbosheth
king. Abner was a bold and able, but unorincipled man ; and doubtless expected to
govern in the name of his feeble nephew. And he did so.
For two years no hostile acts between the two kingdoms took place. But war was
at length provoked by Abner, who crossed the Jordan with the intention to subdue the
tribe of Judah to the authority of Ishbosheth. David sent Joab to meet him ; and the
opposing forces met near the pool of Gibeon. But the men on each side felt that they
were all Israelites, and were reluctant to fight against each other. The two generals,
therefore, thought of a device which has often been employed in the east, and else
where, to excite tribes or nations to battle, when relationship or other causes made
them reluctant or wanting in zeal. Twelve men on each side were matched to fight
against each other between the two armies ; and so well were they matched that they
no sooner came within reach of one another, than each man seized his antagonist by
the head and sheathed his sword in his body, so that they were all killed upon the
spot. This kindled the opposing forces, and a desperate and most sanguinary battle
followed. It ended in the defeat of Abner, who was himself obliged to flee for his
life. As he fled he was singled out by Joab's brother Asahel, " who was as swift of
foot as any antelope of the field ;" and he pursued him, without allowing himself to
be drawn aside by other objects. He was close at the heels of Abner, when the lat
ter looked back, and finding who it was, he became most anxious to avoid such a
blood-feud as would arise between him and loab, in case he slew his brother, even in
his own defence. He therefore entreated Asahel to turn back that he might not be
compelled to smite him to the ground. But finding that he was still pursued, and that
it was impossible to outstrip his pursuer, he struck at him with the hinder point of

286

AN ILLUSTRATED

niSTORY OF THE BIBLE.

287

^e^l s- fr>*

*S

M

The Pursuer slain.
his spear,* and with such force that the
weapon passed through him and came out
behind. The pursuit of Abner and the
other fugitives was continued by Joab and
his other brother Abishai until sunset, by
which time they were got as far as the
hill of Ammah. Here the Benjamites
(always valiant, and jealously attached to
the house of Saul) rallied again under
Abner, and posting themselves on the
rising of the hili, stood prepared to make
a stout defence; but their general, who
was weary of fighting, called to Joab, and
begged him to put a stop to the slaughter
of his brethren, whose destruction could
not but cause bitterness in the end. Al
though Joab had determined to continue
the pursuit all night, he had the sense to
hearken to his advice, and caused the
trumpet to sound a retreat. After this,
Abner and his men took the way to Ma-
hanaim, and Joab returned to Hebron.
Abner lost three hundred and sixty men
in this action, while on David's side only
nineteen were killed. The war having
thus commenced was continued for several
years ; but it appears to have been a small
irritating warfare, which never came to
any important or decisive engagement
between the opposing parties. It was,
however, attended with this result, that
the cause if David was gathering strength
every day, while the house of Saul daily
" The spear Is armed at the lower end with a
pointed iron, whereby it is stuck into the ground
whon tho owner is in repose.

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became weaker and weaker. Indeed, it seems to have required all the great talents
of Abner to keep the kingdom of Ishbosheth together.
Meanwhile David reigned prosperously in Hebron.* He increased the number of
his wives to six, by all of whom sons were born to him in that place. In this small
kingdom his good and prosperous government, together with the knowledge that he
had been divinely appointed to reign over all Israel, appears insensibly to have in
clined the other tribes toward him, by which, more even than by war, his cause
gathered that strength which that of Ishbosheth lost. Abner was fully sensible that
without himself the kingdom of his nephew would fall to pieces, or rather pass
quietly into tb'3 hands of David. He rated his services at their full value ; and
although we do not ourselves see cause to suspect, as some have done, that he con
templated taking the crown to himself, it is certain that he was not disposed to con
sider himself responsible to the king for his conduct, or to allow any of his proceed
ings to be questioned by him. Now Ishbosheth had heard that Abner carried on a
criminal intercourse with one of Saul's concubines, named Rizpah : and as, according
to the usages of the East, the concubines of a deceased sovereign became the property
of the successor in so strong and peculiar a sense, that such an act as that' imputed
to Abner might be interpreted into a design upon the crown,t or at least was an
insulting encroachment upon the peculiar rights of royalty, even the timid Ishbosheth
was roused to question Abner on the subject. It is not very clear whether the charge
was true or false; but«t is clear that this overbearing personage was astonished and
disgusted that the king should dare to question any part of his conduct. He rose
mto a towering passion : " Am I, who, against Judah, have to this day shown kind
ness to the house of Saul, thy father, and to his brethren and to his friends, and have
not delivered thee into the hands of David, such a dog's head that thou chargest me
to-day with a fault concerning this woman ? God do so to Abner, and more also, if,
as Jehovah hath sworn to David, I do not so to him, by transferring the dominion of
the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel aud over Judah, from
Dan even to Beersheba." From this it seems that even Abner knew that he had
acted against a higher duty, in setting up Ishbosheth in opposition to David ; but this
can not justify the grounds on which he now declared his intention to act against him.
* Hebron is an ancient cify of Palestine, situated in the heart of the hill-country of Judea, about twenty-
seven miles southwest from Jerusalem. Originally it was called Kirjath-Arba, or the city of Arbo, " which
Arba was a great man among the Anakims." (Josh. xiv. 15.) In the vicinity of this place Abraham abode,
after he parted with Lot (Gen. xiii. 18), and bought a field with a cave in which lo bury his dead. (Gen.
xxiii. 3-20.) Besides Abraham and Sarah, his son Isaac, his grandson Jacob, with their wives Rebekah and
Leah, and his great grandson Joseph, were severally interred here. (Gen. xxiii. 19, xxv. 10, xlix. 29-311, l.
12, 13.) When the Hebrews invaded Palestine, Hebron was the residence of a king (Josh. xii. 10) named
Hoham, who confederated with four other Canaanitish kings against Israel ; but they were all discomfited
and destroyed by Joshua. (Josh. x. 3, 4, 22-27.) After which the city, being taken, was assigned to Caleb
(Josh. xix. 6-11) agreeably to a promise given him by Moses. (Numb. xiii. 30-33, xix. 5, 24.) Subsequently
it was made a city of refuge, and given to the priests. (Josh. xxi. 11, xx. 7.) Afterward, when David suc
ceeded Saul on the throne of Israel, he selected Hebron for his royal residence, and continued there until
Jerusalem was captured from the Jebusites. (2 Sam. ii. 1, v. 4-9. ; I Chron. xii. xiii.) On the division of the
kingdom under Rehoboam, Hebron fell to the share of the king of Judah. (2 Chron. xi. 10.)
Hebrew, Habroun, or, according to the Arabic orthography followed by the moderns, El Hha'il, is a
flourishing town, the fiat-roofed houses of which are closely jammed together. It contains about foir
hundred families of Arabs. The hill above it is composed of limestone rock, partially covered with vines;
and its end is clothed with a wood of olives. The hiil beyond the mosque (whicli edifice forms a prominent
object in our view) is more barren ; and in the fore-ground there are masses of buildings thrown down and
scattered in every direction, this portion of the town having been destroyed a few years since. The
inhabitants are engaged in perpetual hostilities with those of Bethlehem, on which account it is less
freqi jntly visited by pilgrims. A splendid church was erected over the graves of the patriarchs by the
emperess Helena : it has long been converted into a Turkish mosque. According to Ali Bey, who visited it
in 1807, the ascent to it is by a large and fine ftaircase leading to a long gallery, the entrance to which is
by a small court. Toward the left is a portico, resting upon square pillars. The vestibule of the temple
contains two rooms, one of which is called the tomb of Abraham, the other that of Sarah. In the body of
the church, hetween two large pillars on the right, is seen a small recess, in which is the sepulchre of
Isaac, and in a similar one upon the left is that of his wife. On the opposite side of the court is another
vestibule, which has also two rooms, respectively called the tombs of Jacob and his wife. At the
extremity of the portico, on the right hand, is a door leading to a sort of long gallery, which still serves for
a mosque ; and passing thence, is observed another room, said to contain the ashes of Joseph. All the
sepulchres of the patriarchs are covered with rich carpets of green silk, magnificently embroidered with
gold ; those of their wives are red, embroidered in like manner. The sultans of Constantinople furnish
these carpets, which are renewed from time to time. Ali Bey counted nine, one over the other, upon the
sepulchre of Abraham. The rooms also which contain the tombs are covered with ricli carpets: the
entrance to them is guarded by iron gates, and wooden doors plated with silver, having bolts and padlocks
of the same metal. More than a hundred persons are employed in the service of this Mohammedan temple
Tlie population of Hebron is considerable : the inhabitants manufacture glass lamps, which are exported
to Egypt. Provisions are abundant, and there is a considerable number of shops.
t See instances of this in the case of Absalom (2 Sam xx 23) and Adonijah, 1 Kings, ii. 13-25

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 280
What he had said was no vain threat, although he was probably willing afterward
lhat the son of Saul should take it for an unmeaning outbreak of passion. He sent
messengers to David to enter into a treaty with him, under which he would engage
to use his great influence in bringing all Israel to acknowledge him as king ; and
after this he found a pretence for going himself unsuspeciedly to Hebron to complete
the agreement and arrange the steps to be taken. David had sent to Ishbosheth to
desire him to restore to him his wife Michal, whom Saul had given to another. He
had a perfect right to make this demand, if so inclined, — the rather as she had thus
been disposed of against her own wish ; but we may suppose that he was particularly
induced to reclaim her at this juncture, in consideration of the satisfaction the measure
was likely to give to those attached to the family cf Saul. As this claim was doubt
less supported by Abner, it was granted ; and having obtained an order to demand
her from her present husband, that personage himself undertook to escort her to
David. From this transaction it would seem that the war had latterly been allowed
to die away, although without any concession or treaty having been made on either
side. That he was escorting the. daughter of Saul to David, proved to Abner a favor
able opportunity, on his way, of explaining his present sentiments to the elders of the
tribes through which he passed ; especially to those of Benjamin, which was natu
rally the most attached to the house of Saul, while his own influence in it was the
greatest. He dwelt strongly on the public benefits which might be expected from
the government of one who had been expressly nominated by Jehovah to the king
dom ; and such a presentation, coming from such a quarter, coupled with the favor
able dispositions toward David which had grown up during his reign in Hebron, was
attended with such effect, that Abner was authorized to make overtures to him in
behalf of the tribes which had hitherto adhered to the house of Saul.
Abner was received with great distinction and royally feasted by David ; and after
the business on which he really came had been settled to his satisfaction, he departed
with the intention of inducing the tribes to concur in giving David a public invitation
to take the crown of Israel.
Joab had been absent from Hebron during this visit of Abner; but he returned im
mediately after Abner had departed, and was deeply displeased when he learned
what had occurred. Through the energy of his character, his abilities and experience
in the affairs of peace and war, his influence and popularity with the army which
was under his command, and his unquestioned devotion to the interests of David, this
man had great authority with the king. His standing, indeed, in the kingdom of
Judah, had much resemblance to that of Abner in the other kingdom ; nor were their
characters altogether unlike. In the points of difference, the advantage was on the
side of Abner ; for his experience in military and public affairs was larger, from
which, together with his near relationship to Saul and his son, and the high stations
he had occupied under them, his influence with the people was far greater than that
which Joab or any other man in Israel could pretend to; and hence his greater power
at this time of rendering essential services to the king of Judah. Abner and Joab
also served very different masters ; and thus it happened that while Abner was, in
the public eye, the greatest man in the kingdom of Israel, Joab was in that of Judah
only the greatest man next to David. Upon the whole, Abner was the only man in
the country of whom Joab had cause to be afraid, and by whom it was likely that
his own influence would be superseded in case the two kingdoms were united through
his instrumentality. It was probably more from such considerations than any other
that his displeasure at the intercourse between David and Abner arose. He went
instantly to the king, and reproached him for allowing himself to be imposed upon
by the able uncle of Ishbosheth, declaring his belief that the true object of his visit
was to obtain such information concerning his state and resources as he might after
ward employ against him. He then went out and sent a messenger after Abner to
call him back in the name of the king. As he returned, Joab took care to meet him
near the gate, and drew him aside as if to speak to him privately, and while he was
entirely unguarded and unsuspicious, gave him a treacherous stab, of which he
instantly died. The history describes this as an act of blood-revenge for the death
of his brother Asahel by the hand of Abner; and while allowing him the full benefit
Df this motive, it is hard to believe that envy and jtalousy sharpened not the dagger
ofthe avenger. It must be conceded, nevertheless, lhat the existence of a blood-feut
oetween them extenuated if it did not justify the act of Joab in the eyes of all Israel

2D0 AN ILLUSTRATED
It was, in fact, according to the strict ideas of that barbarous institution, the impera
tive duty of Joab to shed the blood of Abner, who had slain his brother ; and thai
Abner himself knew that the death of Asahel would be attended with this result, is
evinced by his anxiety to avoid the fatal necessity of slaying his pursuer ; ibr if the
man-slayer is known, the avenger is not bound to make any distinction as to the cir
cumstances under which his relative is slain : and at the present day, the one who
slays another in battle is pursued by the avenger equally with the murderer. The
extent to which the. law of Moses had interfered with this custom only provided foi
the safety of the man-slayer while in a city of refuge. Hebron was a city of refuge ;
and if Joab had slain Abner within that city, the law would have allowed David to
ireat him as a murderer. This Joab knew ; and hence his meeting Abner at the
gate, and drawing him aside before he entered the city. These details we judge
necessary, to show that those who most suffered from the death of Abner, and ab
horred the manner in which it was inflicted, knew that his offence was not punish
able by the king or by the law ; and hence that it was not merely the rank and
influence of Joab which prevented David from calling him to account for this barbarous
deed. Perhaps he could not have punished Joab in any case; but it is important to
kn-iw, that in the present case the law, custom, and public opinion, did not require or
pernJt him to do so.
The .-esentment of David was nevertheless very great. Like other eastern sover
eigns, he must have been impressed with the evils of this custom of blood-revenge,
and the extent to which it interfered with good government ; nor was he insensible
to the insult offered to himself, in the present and other instances, by " the sons of
Zeruiah," Joab and Abishai, and the high hand with which they wrought their owii
will. " I am this day weak," he said, " though an anointed king; and these men,
the sons of Zeruiah, are too stubborn for me. Jehovah will reward the evil-doer
according to his evil deeds." As it was of the highest importance to him that he
should be clear of any suspicion of having had any part in the death of Abner, he
publicly, " before Jehovah," declared himself guiltless of the blood which had been
shed, and invoked the full burden of that blood on Joab and on his house. He
ordered a public act of solemn mourning, in which he himself took a prominent part:
and at the funeral he followed the body, as chief mourner, to the grave, where he
stood weeping, and where he lamented, in elegiac verse, over the prince and great
man who had that day fallen in Israel.
This conduct of David tended still further to satisfy and conciliate the tribes at
tached to the house of Saul ; and by them the murder of Abner was never imputed
to him. Indeed, the event must, at the time, have seemed to himself and others
anything but advantageous for his cause. But we, who have his whole history be
fore us, can see that the manner in which he ultimately became king over all Israel,
by the free and unsolicited choice ofthe tribes, was more honorable and safe to him,
and more becoming his divine appointment, than the same result brought about
through the exertions of Abner, whose conduct, as between David and Ishbosheth,
must have seemed very equivocal, and could, at the best, have been but " traitorously
honest."* When Ishbosheth heard of Abner's death (without being aware of the plot in
which he was engaged), he felt that the right arm of his kingdom's strength was
broken. Others felt this also : and the conviction that the son of Saul could not gov
ern the troubled kingdom without Abner, grew stronger every day among the tribes,
and directed their eyes to David as the only person under whom they could expect
to realize the benefits the nation had expected to enjoy under a regal government.
This feeling, this tendency of the nation toward David, was perceived, even in the
court of Ishbosheth; and two of his officers, brothers, determined to anticipate the
course which events were taking, by the assassination of their master, expecting by
this act to deserve high rewards and honors from the king of Judah. Accordingly.
they stole into his chamber, while, according to the universal custom of the East, he
slept there during the mid-day heat. They pierced him as he slept, and then took
off his head, with which they escaped unperceived, as at that time of the day most
of the people were asleep. The murderers sped to Hebron, and laid the head of
Saul's son at the feet of David, with the words, " Behold the head of Ishbosheth. ihe
son of Saul thine enemy, who sought thy life. Jehovah hath this day avenged my
* Bishop Hall.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 291
.ord the king of Saul and of his seed." Astounding to them was the answer — " As
Jehovah liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of every distress ! if, when one told
me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking that he brought good tidings, I took hold
sf hiin and slew him at Ziklag, when he expected that I should have given him o
reward for his tidings; — how much more when wicked men have slain a just person
in his" own house, upon his own bed, shall I not now require his blood from your
hand, and destroy you from the earth ?" And with these words he commanded his
attendants to remove them to an ignominious death. The head of Ishbosheth he
ordered to be deposited in the sepulchre of Abner.
The kingdom of Israel was now without even the appearance of a head, nor was
there any remaining member of the family of Saul whom the most zealous adherents
of that fallen house could dream of supporting in opposition to David. Saul had in
deed left some sons by concubines, but they were living in obscurity, and even theii
existence was scarcely known to the people. Jonathan also had left one son, but he
was a mere bov and lame. He was five years old when Saul and his sons perished
in the battle of' Gilboa, and he became lame from a fall which he received when his
lurse fled with him, as soon as the tidings of that overthrow were brought to the
house of Saul and Jonathan. His name was Mephibosheth.
David had reigned seven years and a half in Hebron, when, after the deaths of
Abner and Ishbosheth, the crown of all Israel seemed to devolve upon him, as natu
rally as by an act of succession. It was probably the result of a unanimous decision
in a great council of the eleven tribes, that those tribes sent an embassy to David in
Hebron to invite him to assume the general government of the nation. This they
did on the grounds of, 1, his military claim, as one who had often led them to victory
in the days of Saul ; and, 2, of his theocralical claim, as one who had been expressly
nominated by God to govern Israel. By this we see that the people were on this oc
casion careful to recognise the theocracy, since they rested their preference of him on
his having been nominated to the kingdom by Jehovah, and having proved himself
worthy of it during the reign of Saul. The studious avoidance of all notice of the
seven years in which the tribes had been separately ruled seems to intimate a desire
that this measure should be formally regarded as following the death of Saul. David
intimated his readiness to receive the honor designed for him, and to accede to the
tonditions on which the crown was to be held. The rulers of the eleven tribes, there
fore, at the head of large bodies of the best trained men in the several tribes, described
as " men that could keep rank," who were chosen to represent the whole of their
several tribes in the great national act of inauguration, repaired to Hebron to make
David king. The number amounted to not less than three hundred and forty thou
sand, and the enumeration in the book of Chronicles (1 Chron. xii. 23, ad fin.) is ac
companied with several remarks, which the scantiness of our information concerning
the distinctive character of the tribes makes interesting. It appears that many mem
bers of the tribe of Judah had adhered to the house of Saul, and abode within its do
minions ; for, on the present occasion, six thousand eight hundred men of that tribe,
armed with shield and spear, came with the others to submit lo David. There were
seven thousand one hundred Simeonites of valor. The Levites sent four thousand
six hundred; and there were three thousand seven hundred priests, headed by Je-
hoiada, the son of Benaiah; besides whom came Zadok at the head of twenty-two
chiefs of his father's house. This Zadok, of the old pontifical line of Eleazer, is the
same who was long after made sole high-priest by Solomon, to the final exclusion of
the house of En ; but, on the present occasion, he is particularly noticed as " a young
man, mighty in valor," wliich shows — as indeed appears in the history — that the
pursuits of the Levites, and even of the Aaronites, were not exclusively of an eccle
siastical and civil nature. From Benjamin came three thousand men ; but the greater
part of this tribe held back, still cherishing a lingering and futile attachment to the
house of Saul, the rule of which had given to the tribe a flattering pre-eminence,
which it was unwilling to relinquish. The half-tribe of Manasseh on this side the
Jordan sent eighteen thousand men ; and the proud tribe of Ephraim testified its
concurrence by sending twenty-eight thousand. From Issachar came only two hun
dred men ; but these were the chief persons in the tribe, the whole of which was at
their beck, and would have been in attendance if required. To them is given the
marked character of being men of political prudence and sagacity, who knew better
than mos* men how Israel ought to act under the present and other circumstances,

292 AN ILLUSTRATED
and whose support was therefore of great value to David. From Zebulon came not
fewer than fifty thousand men, skilled in the use of all warlike weapons, and "noi
double-hearted," with respect to the object for which they came. Naphtali furnished
one thousand captains, and with them thirty-seven thousand men, armed with shield
and spear. Dan Supplied twenty-eight thousand six hundred able warriors, and
Asher forty thousand. The tribes beyond Jordan, Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe
of Manasseh, sent, collectively, one hundred and twenty thousand warlike men. One
obvious remark, arising from the survey of these numbers, is the comparative large
ness of the proportions furnished by the remoter tribes, to the north and beyond Jor
dan This is, perhaps, explained by the absence in those tribes of any pretensions
for themselves, and of any strong attachment for the house of Saul, which could in
terfere with the heartiness of their recognition ofthe claims of David; together with
the operation of the principles which gives to a prophet and great man the least de
gree of honor in and near his own home.*
With this vast body, the flower of the Hebrew nation, and representing the whole
of it, " David made a league before the Lord," which can be construed to have no
other meaning than that which has already been indicated in the case of Saul, that
he bound himself by oath to observe the conditions on which he received the sceptre,
which are now unknown. He was then anointed king, and received the homage of
his new subjects ; and the whole was terminated by a feast to all the multitude as
sembled at Hebron, supplies for which were liberally sent in by all the neighboring
tribes, " on asses, on camels, on mules, and on oxen," and consisted of meat, meal,
ligs, raisins, wine, oil, oxen, and sheep, in great abundance. " For there was great
joy in Israel."
The first act of David's reign was to undertake the reduction of the fortress of Je-
bus, on Mount Zion, which had remained in the hands of the natives ever since the
days of Joshua, and which, as Josephus reports,! had been, from its situation and its
fortifications, hitherto deemed impregnable. The Jebusites, therefore, ridiculed the
attempt, and appear to have placed the lame and the blind on the walls, in derision,
as fully sufficient to keep him out. But from the lower city, which was already in
the possession of the Israelites, there was "a gutter," or subterraneous communica
tion, with the fortress, by which David introduced a party of men and took " the
stronghold of Zion." In the operations of this seige such ability and conduct were
displayed by Joab, that he was appointed to the same chief command of the armies
of Israel which he had previously held in the separate kingdom of Judah. The fact
that his rule was likely, under all circumstances, to find the most zealous supporters
in his own tribe of Judah, probably disinclined him to remove from its borders ; and
he determined to make his new conquest the metropolis of his empire. A more cen
trical situation, with respect to all the tribes, would have placed him in the hands of
the Ephraimites, whose cordiality toward a Judahite king might well be suspected,
and in whom little confidence could be placed in times of danger and difficulty. Sim
ilar considerations have dictated the choice of a very inconveniently situated capital
to the reigning dynasty of Persia. But although better sites for a metropolitan city
might have been found in the largest extent of Palestine, there were not better within
the limits to which, for the reasons indicated, the choice of David was confined.
That the site is overlooked from the Mount of Olives, although a great disadvantage
in the eyes of modern military engineers, was of little consequence under the ancient
systems of warfare, and could not countervail the peculiar advantages which it offered
in being enclosed on three sides by a natural fosse of ravines and deep valleys, and
terminating in an eminence, which, while strong in its defences from without, com
manded the town within, and was capable of being strongly fortified. The united in
fluence of all these considerations appears to have determined the preference of David
* Of this Fuller seems to have given a satisfactory explanation. "How this comes to pass let others
largely dispute. We may, in brief, conclude, it is partly because their cradles can be remembered, and
those swaddling-clothes once used about them, to strengthen them while infants, are afterward abused
against them, to disgrace them when men, and all the passages of their youth repeated to their disparage
ment ; partly because all the faults of their family (which must be many in a numerous alliance) are charged
on the prophet's account. Wherefore that prophet who comes at the first in his full growth from a far for
eign place (not improving himself among them from a small spark lo a fire, to aflame, but, sun-like, arising
in perfect lustre), gains the greatest reputation among the people. Because, in some respects, he is like
Melchisedek. 'without father, without mother, without descent,' while the admiring vulgar, transported
with his preaching, and ignorant of his extraction on earth, will charitably presume his pedigree Iron!
heaven, and his breeding as well as calling to be divine."
* Antiq. - 2 Josh. xv. 63.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 293
for a site which was open to the serious objection, among others, of being so remote
from the northern tribes as to render the legal obligation of resort to it three limes
every year a more burdensome matter to them than it need have been had a more
centrical situation been chosen.
It is supposed that David first gave the name of Jerusalem (" the possession ot
peaGe") to the city, but this is not quite certain. On Mount Zion he fixed his resi
dence, and erected a palace and other buildings, and it was on this account called
•'the city of David." This strong part of the whole metropolis ever after remained
what may be called the royal quarter ofthe town.
The Philistines had good reason to dread the consequences of the consolidation of
all the power of the Hebrew tribes in hands of such tried vigor as those of David,
and they deemed it prudent to set upon him before he had time to establish himself
firmly in his kingdom. Their measures were so well planned, and so secretly exe
cuted, that they appeared suddenly, in great_ force, in the heart of Judea, and took
the king's native town of Bethlehem before lie was able to make any resistance. In
deed, the danger of his position was so urgent, that he was obliged to withdraw, for
present safety, with some attached followers, to his old retreat in the cave of Adul
lam. It was here that he happened to express a longing desire for a drink of water
from that well of his native town at which the thirst of his younger days had often
been assuaged. Hearing this, three of his most valiant and devoted men, Joab,
Jashobeam, and Eleazer, secretly departed, and, breaking through the host of the
Philistines, which was encamped along the valley of Rephaim, brought him the
precious fluid for which they had perilled their lives. But when the king received
it he would not drink, but poured it out as a libation to Jehovah.
Soon after this, David, encouraged by a favorable answer from God, fell upon the
Philistines, and so effectually discomfited them in two different onsets, that they
were never after able to make head against him or any of his successors. Thus was
one ofthe most irritating thorns in the side of Israel most effectually removed.
And now, when David had a respite from war, about the tenth year of his reign,*
he thought ofthe ark of God, which had so long remained in the house of Abinadab,
at Kirjath-jearim, and contemplated its removal to Jerusalem, that the place which
had now become the capital of the human kingdom, might also become the capital
of the invisible King. The design being received with approbation by the elders and
chiefs of Israel whom he consulted, the king prepared for its execution, by despatch
ing messengers throughout all Israel, to summon all the priests and Levites, and to
invite as many of the people as were so disposed to attend the solemnity. He also
prepared a tabernaclet to receive the ark on its arrival. Accordingly, at the appointed
time, the ark was removed from the house of Abinadab, upon a new cart, attended
by David and his court, by a large body of priests and Levites, who sang and played
on various instruments of music, and by a numerous concourse of people from all
parts of the kingdom. On the irregularity of removing it on a cart, we have already
had occasion to remark. This irregularity gave occasion to an accident, attended
with such fatal consequences as threw an effectual damp upon the joy of the solem
nity: for the cart being at one place much shaken by the osen, the officious Uzzah,
the son or grandson of Abinadab, was struck dead upon the spot for putting forth his
hand to stay the ark, none but the priests being warranted to touch it under pain of
death. (Num. iv. 15.) This event struck David and the people with such consterna
tion, that the intention of taking the ark to Jerusalem was relinquished, and it was
.eft in the house of a Levite named Obed-edom, near which the circumstance occurred.
But about three months after, hearing that the blessing of Jehovah had very evidently
rested on the house in which the ark lay, the king hastened to complete his design.
He perceived the former improprieties, and directed that the priests should now bear
the ark upon their shoulders; and the whole solemnity was placed under the direc
tion of Chenaniah, the chief of the Levites, who was found to be best acquainted
with the proper observances. This was a great day in Israel. Nothing was omitted
by which the occasion could be honored. In the presence of that sacred symbol of
* Counting from his first'becoming king over Judah only.
t The old tabernacle, made in the wilderness, with the altar, and all the sacred utensils, were, as it ap-
oears, at Gibeon ; why David erected a new tabernacle, instead of removing the former, does not cleaily
ippear ; but it is probable that it was too large for the place within his new palace, which, for the presenr
ne intended it to occupy.

294 AN ILLUSTRATED
the Divine King, David laid aside his royal mantle, and appeared in such a garb as
the Levites wore, with and before whom he went, as one of them; and as they sang
and played the triumphant song which he had composed for the occasion, he accom
panied them with his renowned harp, and danced to the joyful sounds it gave forth.
Michal, the daughter of Saul, beheld this from a window, when the procession was
approaching its destination ; and she, imbued with some of the royal notions which
had been fatal to her father and his house, despised him in heart for acting so far
beneath what she conceived to be the dignity of the king of Israel : and when he
came home, she could not refrain from allowing vent to this feeling. The reply of
David was spirited and proper, declaring that it was before Jehovah, the true king
of Israel, that he had laid aside the king, and made himself one with the people.
And if this were to be vile, as she deemed, " I will yet be more vile than thus, and
will be base in mine own sight."
David now instituted a regular and orderly attendance upon the ark and its taber
nacle. But the regular services of religion were still performed at Gibeon, where
the old tabernacle and altar remained, and which was still therefore the place of
concourse to the nation at their great festivals. Here the priests rendered their ser
vices, under Zadok. The solemn removal of the ark, and its dignified repose in the
city of David, were well calculated to make an impression upon the multitudes who
were present on that occasion, and awaken their slumbering zeal for Jehovah. These
favorable and becoming dispositions the king wished to confirm and strengthen, and
for that end made suitable regulations in the services of the priests and Levites, and
this especially by animating and instructive psalms, which were composed partly by
himself, and partly by other gifted persons. They were sung not only by the Levites
at all the sacrifices, but also by the people while on their way to the national altar,
to attend the feasts. A very precious collection of these compositions has been pre
served to our own day in the book of Psalms, which has in all subsequent ages min
istered much edification and comfort to a large portion of mankind. By such instruc
tive means David, without coercive measures, brought the whole nation to forget
their idols, and to worship Jehovah alone ; and thus also their religion became hon
orable, even in the eyes of foreigners, and acceptable to many of them. The above
is the first occasion on which Zadok is mentioned as high-priest. But after this,
throughout the reign of David, he and Abiathar are often named separately or to
gether, as both bearing that character— a singular innovation, resulting probably from
zircumstances over which the king had little control. It seems likely that after Saul
had slain the priests of Ithamar's line at Nob he restored the pontificate to the line
of Eleazer, in the person of Zadok ; while David and his people, during his wander
ing and his reign in Judah, had been accustomed to look to Abiathar, the escaped son
of Ahimelech, as the high-priest; and that, on his accession to the throne of Israel;
he found the people so accustomed to regard Zadok as high-priest, that he thought it
proper and prudent to recognise him in that character, without depriving Abiathar
of the consideration he had previously enjoyed. If this explanation be correct, Zadok
would have had this advantage over Abiathar, thai he had actually discharged the
regular functions of the high-priesthood at the tabernacle, which the other had never
an opportunity of doing. It is probably on this account, that wherever the twt> names
occur together, that of Zadok is placed first.
About five years after this, and the fifteenth of David's reign, when the king had
finished and inhabited his palace of cedar, "and God had given him rest from his
enemies round about," he meditated a design of building a temple to Jehovah, in
place of the temporary tabernacle which he had provided. This design he mentioned
to the prophet Nathan, to whom it seemed so obviously proper, that he gave it much
commendation and encouragement. But the night following, a message from God to
David was delivered to him. This message declared it seemly that the temple of
God should be built by a man of peace ; but his life had been spent in warfare, am
he had shed much blood. He was therefore directed to leave the accomplishment ol
his plan to his son and successor, whose reign should be one of peace. Nevertheless
it was well for David ihat this intention had been formed ; for the Lord, to testify his
a [(probation of this and other evidences of his zeal, and of his attachment to the prin
triples of the theocracy, promised to make his name " as great as the names of the
¦rreat ones who are on the earth;" and, far beyond this, the Lord promised " to build
'fom a house," by establishing the succession in his house, and by granting to his pos-'

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 295
erity an eternal kingdom. The gratitude with which this promise was received by
David seems to show he had some conception of its extensive import. He went, and
seating himself most reverently on the ground before the ark, poured forth the strong
expression of his gratitude.
As the Israelites were always victorious in war while they were faithful to then
God and to the principles of the theocracy, so now the arms of David prospered in
whatever direction they were turned. Indeed, it is scarcely until his reign that the
national character of the Hebrews can be deemed to have recovered of the wounds
which il had received in Egypt ; and we find among them little military skill, and as
little valor or fortitude. But from this time forward, trained to war and victory by
David, they may be recognised as a truly courageous people, possessing among them
as much military skill, science, and discipline, as any other nation of the same rank
and age could claim.
The neighboring and rival nations had soon cause to learn that a new king reigned
in Israel. Tne time was come for the old enemies, who had so often inspired the
Israelites with dread, to be afraid in their turn; and even the more distant foreign
princes, whose assistance they procured, had cause to repent of provoking an enemy
more puissant than then.selves. It was now the turn ui the Philistines to receive
the yoke to which they had accustomed Israel. Attacked in their own country, and
beaten on all hands, they were brought under tribute and subjection. The Moabites
were more heavily dealt with: to secure his conquest, David thought it necessary to
act with a severity not usual with him ; for he put to death one half of those who
were taken with arms in their hands: and although it was then, or had been not long
previously, usual for the nations to put all the armed men to death, this deed strikes
us as harsh, from comparison with the milder general character of David's own war
fare, and can only be explained by reference to some peculiar circumstances with
which we are unacquainted.
In the ancient promises to the Hebrews, the limit to which, in their palmy state,
their victorious arms should extend, had been as clearly defined as the limit of their
own proper territory. And the distinction here incidentally mentioned, between the
limit of the proper country destined for their own occupation, and that of the subject
territory which should be acquired, is of considerable importance, and should not be
overlooked or confounded as it often has been. The limit of conquest was fully reached
by David.
Eastward this lilBh was to extend to the Euphrates. Of the kings who reigned in
the intermediate country, one of the most powerful was Hadadezer, king of Zobah.
This sovereign, whose dominion extended eastward to the Euphrates, was defeated
by David in the first battle, and lost twenty thousand infantry, seven thousand horse
men with their horses, and one thousand chariots of war. Of the chariots, the king
of Israel preserved a hundred, with horses for them ; but, mindful that the law of the
kingdom forbade the accumulation of horses, all the others were destroyed. The
Syrians of Damascus, who were allies (perhaps tributaries) of Hadadezer, and came
to his assistance, shared his fate. Hadad, their king, was vanquished, with the loss
of twenty-two thousand men, and David brought his territory under subjection to his
sceptre. . These two victories carried the eastern limit of his conquests to the Eu
phrates. Josephus adduces the testimony of a native historian, Nicolaus of Damas
cus, in confirmation of the testimony which the Hebrew writers have left. From this
it seems that the kingdom, of whicli Damascus was the capital, had grown very pow
erful under this Hadad, who might, indeed, be considered as its actual founder ;
but after various engagements with King David, was finally overthrown in a great
battle near the Euphrates, in which he performed deeds worthy of his high name.
Josephus himself, in conformity with the Scriptural account, relates that after Davii
had reduced to his obedience Damascus and all Syria, having strong garrisons in
every place where they seemed necessary, he returned in triumph to Jerusalem,
where he consecrated to God the golden shields which had been borne by the royal
guard of Hadadezer, from whose cities he also brought much spoil of brass for the
service of the future temple.
While David was engaged in these victories, the southern frontier of his conquests
was, according to ancient promises, extended southward to the Red sea. This was
the work of Joab's valiant brother, Abishai, who defeated the Edomites m " the
valley of Salt," at the southern extremity of the Dead sea, and then carried his vie-

296 AN ILLUSTRATED
torious arms into the mountains, the enclosed valleys, and the rocky wildernesses of
Mount Seir, leaving garrisons to secure the advantages he had gained.
David was too well acquainted with the law, to attempt to incorporate any of these
conquests as integral parts of the Hebrew territory. He appears in most cases to
have left the internal government of the conquered states in the hands of the native
princes, who were required to render annually a certain amount of tribute, consisting,"
for the most part, of such articles as their country afforded in the most abundance, or
which they had the best means of procuring or producing. The delivery of such
tribute from subject siates, under the name of presents, was anciently, as it is now,
an occasion of great pomp and ceremony, which, on another occasion, we shall more
particularly notice. The obedience of the more distant conquests was secured by
garrisons, which do not seem to have been judged necessary in those nearer countries
which the mere vicinity of the conquering power might sufficiently control.
Thus David literally became a "king of kings," and his fame extended into far
countries. Some slates which had been at hostilities with the states conquered bv
him sent splendid embassies, with valuable gifts, to congratulate him on his successes.
Among these, Toi, the kir™ of Hamah, upon the Orontes, who had been at war with
Hadadezer, is particularly mentioned. He sent his own son Joram " to salute and
bless" King David, and to deliver costly gifis, such as vessels and utensil* of gold,
silver, and fine brass. All ihe surplus wealth thus acquired from the states he con
quered, or from those which sought his friendship and alliance, was treasured up by
him for the great work which he had so much at heart, and which his son was
destined to execute.
But of all David's foreign alliances, the earliest and most valuable was that with
Hiram, king of Tyre. This had been formed very soon after David had taken Jeru
salem and defeated the Philistines, and seems to have been sought by Hiram; for it
will be remembered that David was famous in the closely neighboring states before
he became king ; and no doubt not only his eminent public qualities, but his remark
able personal history, was familiar not less to the Phoenicians than to the Philistines.
And although an enterprising commercial and skilful manufacturing nation, like
them, would be disposed to look down upon a people so inferior to themselves as the
Hebrews in the finer and larger arts of social life, military talents and success, and
such heroic qualities as the character of David offered, have never yet failed to be
appreciated, wherever found. Hiram "was ever a lover of David," and the offered
alliance must have been the more gratifying to him as it carr^fcefore " David ac
quired a name, and [before] his fame went out into all lands, and the Lord brought
the fear of him upon all nations." This alliance was one of mutual advantage.
Tyre possessed but a narrow strip of maritime territory, the produce of which, if sed
ulously cultivated, would have been very inadequate to the supply of its teeming
population and numerous fleets. But, besides this, the absorbing devotion of the
Phoenicians to commerce and the arts rendered them averse to the slow pursuits of
agriculture, the products pf which they could so much more easily obtain by exchange
against the products of their foreign traffic and their skill. To them therefore it was
a most invaluable circumstance, that behind them lay a country in the hands of a
people who had none of the advantages which were so much prized by themselves,
but who had abundance of corn, wine, oil, and cattle, to barter for them. An alliance
cemented by such reciprocal benefits, and undisturbed by territorial designs or jeal
ousies, was likely to be permanent; and we know that it tended much to advance
the Hebrews in the arts which belong to civilized life, and to promote the external
splendor of this and the ensuing reign. In the present instance Hiram supplied the
architects and mechanics, as well as the timber (hewn in Lebanon), whereby David
was enabled to build his palace of cedar, and to undertake the other works which
united the upper and lower cities, and rendered Jerusalem a strong and comely
metropolis. In the midst of his success and glory, the memory of Jonathan was still very dear
to David. He caused inquiry to be made whether any of his family remained, " to
whom he might show kindness;" he then first heard of his lame son Mephibosheth,
and caused him to be oonducted to Jerusalem. The afflicted young man was received
with great kindness by the king ; who restored to him the lands which had belonged
iu Saul for the support of his household, but desired that he would himself be a. con
stant guest at the royal table, even as one of the king's own son* This generous

w Jcoi— <

o >" Pi GH CO

Rock valley in Mount Se,r ThT^ntrance to a Tomb is shown on the .eh. and tbe Remains o, an Amp.thea.re ,„ .be oTsranc,

298 AN ILLUSTRATED
treatment, with the continued kindness which he afterward received, won entirely
the open heart of Jonathan's son. He became strongly attached to the person and
interests of David, whose higher qualities he regarded with admiration and reverence.
It was probably in the period of peace and glory which followed the victories of
David over all the enemies of Israel, that he employed himself in he organization of
the government. The very important part which he took in giving to all the depart
ments of the government the form and character which he desired it to bear in future
times, has, it seems to us, been rather overlooked and undervalued. For, in truth,
David was the real founder of the Hebrew monarchy ; and in that character his great
abilities appear not less prominently than in the various other endowments by which
he was so eminently distinguished from the mass of mankind.
During the days of his adversity, when persecuted by Saul, David had been treated
by Nahash the king of Ammon with some kindness, of which he cherished a very
grateful remembrance. When, therefore, he heard of his death, he sent an embassy
to condole with the new king, Hanun, upon the loss of his father, and to congratulate
him upon his peaceable succession. But this prince was led by his courtiers to re
gard the ambassadors as spies, and dared to give them such treatment as was then.
and would be at this day in the East, regarded as the most ignominious which any
men could receive. He caused their beards to be shaved, and their long garments to
be cut short at their buttocks, and in this condition sent them away. When David
heard of this grievous insult to him through his ambassadors, he was filled with in
dignation. He sent messengers to meet these personages, and to relieve them from
the necessity of appearing at his court in their present degraded condition, by direct
ing them to remain at Jericho until the renewed growth of their beards might enable
them to appear without shame. As the insult was too gross to be allowed to pass
unpunished, David ordered Joab to march with an imposing force against the Am
monites. Meanwhile that people had not been idle ; but, fully aware ofthe probable
effect of their ungenerous conduct, and not confiding in their own strength, they en
gaged the assistance of some of the neighboring princes of Syria — in fact, " hired"
them as mercenaries, being the first example of the kind which history offers. The
force thus obtained from four Syrian princes amounted to thirty-three thousand men,
who came and encamped before Medeba in the land of Ammon. The force of the
Ammonites themselves marched out of the town when the army of Israel appeared.
Joab with his usual address hastened to prevent the junction of the two armies, and
himself turned against the Syrians, while his brother Abishai kept the Ammonites
in check. The Syrians were speedily put to flight by Joab ; and when the Ammon
ites saw this, they also fled before Abishai, and hastened into the city.
In a second campaign, David himself marched against a powerful army, composed
not only of the Syrians, but of Assyrians from beyond the Euphrates, whose assist
ance had been procured by Hadadezer, who seems now to have determined on a last
and grand effort to recover and secure his independence. This formidable army was
under the command of Shobach, the general of Hadadezer, and were encamped at
Helam, near the Euphrates, where David found them. In the terrible battle which
ensued the Israelites were victorious ; and that day they destroyed 700 chariots, 7,000
horse, and 40,000 foot, being about half the force which the Syrians on both sides the
river had been able to bring into the field. By this decisive victory the Syrian na
tions were completely subdued, and the Ammonites were henceforth left to their
own resources
The next campaign against that nation David left to the conduct of Joab, remain
ing himself at Jerusalem. Joab marched into the land of Ammon, and, after rava
ging the country, laid siege to the metropolitan city of Rabbah, or Rabbath- Ammon,*
which for some time held out against him.
* The site of the ancient capital of the Ammonites was first indicated by Seetzen, and has since been
visited by various travellers. The original names of this town, which existed in the time of Moses, Am
mon, and Rabbath-Ammon, was for a time observed by that of Philadelphia, which it took from Ptolemy
Philadelphus, by whom- it was rebuilt. That any portions of the ruins are of earlier date than this rebuild
ing by him, it would be absurd to expect ; and most of them are obviously of later date, and may, for the
most part, be referred to the period of the Roman domination in Syria. The present natives of the coun
try r ow know nothing of the name ot Philadelphia, but give to the site its original name of Ammon.
The very precise manner in which the prophecies applicable to the city have been fulfilled, gives to the
place more interest than it could historically claim, although even that is not inconsiderable. The de
scription which is the most available for our purposes is that which Lord Lindsay has given. In transcri
bing it, however, we omit the account of the ruins, which, although of high interest in themselves, are
'lot such as the purpose of the present work requires us to describe :

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE

299

300 AN" ILLUSTEATED
There was little in this war to occasion much anxiety in the king, who remained
quiet at Jerusalem, where, in an evil and unguarded hour, his inordinate desires
brought him very low, and entailed much anguish and sorrow on his future reign.
One afternoon the king arose from his mid-day sleep, and walked on the terraced
roof of his palace,* from the commanding height of which he unhappily caught a
view of a woman bathing. This was the beautiful Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the
Hittite, who was then serving under Joab at the siege of Rabbah. The king sent for
her, and she became with child by him. Afflicted at this event, which was so calcu
lated, by betraying the adulterous connexion, to bring upon the woman the ignomini
ous death which the law demanded, if the husband should think proper to demand
her punishment, David sent to desire Joab to send him to Jerusalem, as if with news
nf the war, hoping that his presence about this time would screen, or at least render
doubtful, the effects of his own crime. But Uriah, either, as he professed, thinking
tie gratifications of home inconsistent with the obligations of his military service, or
suspecting the fidelity of his wife, avoided her during his stay, and remained pub
licly among the king's attendants. Disappointed in this device by the proud honor
or caution of Uriah, the king concluded that the life of Bathsheba and his own char-
" The scenery waxed drearier and drearier, as, at ten hours and a half from Jerash, we descended a pre
cipitous stony slope into the valley of Ammon, and crossed a beautiful stream called Moiet Amnion, It
has its source in a pond a few hundred paces from the southwest end of the town, and, after passing undei
ground several times, empties itself into the Zerka (Jabbok). The valley is bordered at intervals by strips
of stunted grass, often interrupted ; no oleanders cheered the eye with their rich blossoms ; the hills on
both sides were rocky and bare, and pierced with excavations and natural caves. Here, at a turning in
the narrow valley, commences the antiquities of Ammon. It was situated on both sides the stream. The
dreariness of its present aspect is quite indescribable. It looks like the abode of death. The valley stinks
with dead camels. One of them was rotting in the stream, and, although we saw none among the ruins,
they were absolutely covered in every direction with their dung. That morning's ride would have con
vinced a skeptic. How runs the prophecy? ' I will make Rabbah a stable for camels, and the Ammonites
for flocks ; and ye shall know that I am the Lord !'
" Nothing but the croaking of frogs and screams of wild birds broke the silence, as we advanced up this
valley of desolation. Passing on the left an unopened tomb (for the singularity in these regions is where
the tomb has not been violated), several broken sarcophagi, and an aqueduct, in one spot full of human
sculls, a bridge on the right, a ruin on the left, apparently the southern gate of the town, a high wall and
tofty terrace, with one pillar still standing, the remains probably of a portico, we halted under the square
building -supposed by Seetzen to have been a mausoleum, and, after a hasty glance at it, hurried up the
glen in search of the principal ruins, which we found much more extensive and interesting than we ex
pected, not certainly in such good preservation as those of Jerash, but designed on a much grander scale.
Storks were perched in every direction on the tops of the different buildings ; others soared at an immense
Height above us "
Then follows a more detailed account of the ruins, the predominant architectural character of which is
indicated by the very fine specimen inserted in our text. By far the best and most ample description ofthe
whole is that which has been given by Buckingham, in his "Travels among the Arab Tribes," 67-81. After
his description, Lord Lindsay resumes :
" Such are the relics of the ancient Ammon, or rather of Philadelphia, for no building there can boast
of a prior date J;6 that of the change of name. It was a bright cheerful morning, but still the valley is a
very dreary spot, even when the sun shines brightest. Vultures were garbaging on a camel, as we slowly
rode back through the glen, and reascended the akiba by which we entered it. Ammon is now quite de
serted, except by tlie Bedouins who water their flocks at its little river. We met sheep and gOLts by thou
sands, and camels by hundreds, coming down to drink, all in beautiful condition, How— let me again cite
the prophecy — how runs it? 'Ammon shall be a desolation !— Rabbah of the Ammonites . . . shall be a
desolate heap ! — I will make Rabbah a stable for camels, and the Ammonites a couching place for flocks ;
and ye shall know that I am the Lord !' "
* There have been many grave remarks and sermons upon the consequences of idleness, as exemplified
in this instance, and so forth. Now there is no idleness in the case, or anything Lo blame David for, but
the sin into which he fell. It is quite true that, if ho had not been at Jerusalem, and if he had not walked
on the roof of his palace after sleep, this thing would not have happened to him ; but this is no more than
the obvious truth that if a man were doing one thing another thing would not have been done, which is
as applicable to every human act as to that of David. We are told that he ought not to have been at Jerusa
lem, but at the head of his army. Now this is more than we know. It is, perhaps, rather creditable to Da
vid that he knew that a king had more important duties than to lead forth his armies in person on every
occasion. He was doubtless ready, if there had been adequate occasion; but the 'result proved that Joao
was fully equal to the service on which he was engaged ; and the king could probably more easily find one
to command the army, than to conduct the civil government in his own absence, according to Jus own
plans and designs. Those must have singular notions of an oriental monarchy who suppose that David
had grown indolent because he remained in his metropolis ; for there are few men whose ordinary home ¦
dutios are more arduous and laborious than those of most eastern kings ; and we know, from a subsequent
event, that David actually undertook in his own person more labor than lie was able adequately to sus
tain. Then, as to his afternoon sleep and subsequent walk : the idleness of this has seemed unquestionable.
But this is the ignorant inference of people who sleep outright by night for eight or nine hours, and then
marvel to see others sleepful while they are wakeful, without considering that these others have slept but
five hours at night, rose at daybreak, and have discharged half the duties of the day before they com
mence their own. In warm climates the cool morning hours are highly favorable to exertion, and there
fore the orientals rise early to employ them , to compensate for which, and to obtain the total quantity of
sleep which nature requires, they lie down again during the heat of the day, when, if they were awake,
the relaxing warmth would make exertion difficult. Taken in all, the orientals do not sleep more, if as
much, as we do ; but they find it convenient and suitable to have two short sleeps instead of a single long
om> -.nd for this they do not deserve to be consider indolent. Joab doubtless slept as soundly in hia
camp this afternoon, as David in his DaJace.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 301
acter could only be secured by his death. This therefore he contrived, in concert
with the unprincipled Joab, in such a manner as to make him perish by the sword
of the Ammonites, although this could not be effected without involving several other
men in the slaughter. David concluded his complicated crime by sending back to
Joab, through the messengers who brought this intelligence, a hypocritical message
of condolence : " Let not this trouble thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as an
other." And then, to fill up the measure of his successful guilt, he openly took
Bathsheba to wife, after the days of her mourning were expired; and she bore him
a son. But the deed which David had done with so much privacy, thinking to escape hu
man detection, " displeased Jehovah ; and he sent Nathan the prophet to seprove
him." This he did with much tact, in a well-known and beautiful tale of oppression
and distress,* so framed that the king did not at the first perceive its application to
himself, and which worked so powerfully upon his feelings that his anger was kin
dled against the man " who had no pity," and he declared not only that he should, as
the law required, make a fourfold restitution, but, with a severity beyond the law
of the case, pronounced a sentence of death upon him. Instantly the prophet re
torted, " Thou art the man !" In the name of the Lord, he authoritatively upbraided
him with his ingratitude and transgression, and threatened him that the sword which
he had privily employed to cut off Uriah should never depart from his own house,
and that his own wives should be publicly dishonored by his neighbor.
Convicted and confounded, David instantly confessed his guilt — " I have sinned
against Jehovah !" and for this speedy humiliation, without attempting to dissemble
or cloak his guilt, the Lord was pleased to remit the sentence of death which he had
pronounced on himself, and to transfer it to the fruit of his crime. The child died;
and the Rabbins remark that three more of David's sons were cut off by violent
deaths, thus completing as it were the fourfold retaliation for the murder of Uriah,
which he had himself denounced.
" The fall of David is one of the most instructive and alarming recorded in that
most faithful and impartial of all histories, ihe Holy Bible. And the transgression
of one idle and unguarded moment pierced him through with many sorrows and em
bittered the remainder of his life, and gave occasion for the enemies of the Lord to
blaspheme on account of this crying offence of " the man after God's own heart."
When he only cut off the skirt of Saul's robe, his heart smote him for the indignity
thus offered to his master; but when he treacherously cut off a faithful and gallant
soldier, who was fighting his battles, after having defiled his bed, his heart smote
him not — at least we read not of any compunction or remorse of conscience till
Nathan was sent to reprove him. Then, indeed, his sorrow was extreme ; and his
Psalms, composed on this occasion, express in the most pathetic strains the anguish
of a wounded spirit, and the bitterness of his penitence. (See Ps. xxxt,., Ii., ciii.)
Still the rising again of David holds forth no encouragement to sinners who may wish
to shelter themselves under his example, or flatter themselves with the hope of ob
taining his forgiveness ; for though his life was spared, yet God inflicted upon him
those temporal punishments which the prophet had denounced. The remainder of
his days were as disastrous as the beginning had been prosperous.!
These things happened about the eighteenth year of David's reign, and the forty-
eighth of his age.
Soon after this, Joab, always zealous for the honor and credit of his master, though
not himself an unambitious man, sent to acquaint David that he had taken the royal
quarter of the city of Rabbah ; and as this contained the sources from which
the rest was supplied with water, it was not possible that it could much longer hold
out. He therefore desired that the king would come with a suitable reinforce
ment and carry the town, that his might be the glory of bringing the war to a con
clusion. David did so. The spoil taken in this metropolis was immense ; and among
it was the crown of the king, of gold set round with jewels, and worth a talent of
* " There were two men in one city ; the one rich, and the other poor. The rich man had exceeding
many flocks and herds : but the poor man had nothing but one Utile ewe lamb, which he had bought and
nourished up ; and it grew up together with him and with his children ; and it ate of his own morsel, and
drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him like a daughter. Now a traveller c ime tu
the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd to dress for the traveller that
had come to him ; but took the poor man's laml and i! essod it for the rr-"i that had come to him." -
S Sam. xii. 2-4.
t Hales ii. 341-313

302 AN ILLUSTRATED
gold, which may be reckoned at nearly thirty thousand dollars. This was " set upor
David's head ;" but whether as appropriating it to his own future use as king of
Israel, or as the act of a conqueror to denote the transference to himself of that
sovereignty over Ammon which the native princes had hitherto enjoyed, is not quite
evident. It is certain that such of this cruel and arrogant people as were taken in
Rabbah were treated with unusual severity — not, indeed, by their being put to tor
turing deaths, as the ambiguous terms of the text have suggested, but by their being
reduced to personal servitude, and devoted to the most laborious employments which
existed among the Hebrews, being such as those of sawing and cleaving wood, of
harrowing the ground, and of laboring in the brick-fields.
This was prosperity ; as was, not long after, the birth of another son from Bath
sheba. This son was Solomon, who, long before his birth, and long before his mother
was known to David, had been pointed out by name as " the man of peace," who
was to succeed him in the throne, and through whom his dynasty was to reign in
Israel. But the commencement of the evils threatened upon the house of David was not
long withheld. Amnon, the eldest of his sons, conceived a violent passion for his
half-sister, Tamar, the full sister of Absalom. By a feigned sickness, he procured
her presence in his house, and delayed not to declare to her his criminal desires; and
finding that he could not persuade her to compliance, he by force effected her dis
honor. Then, passing suddenly from a criminal excess of love to an equal excess of
hate, he expelled her iguominiously from his house. Tamar, in her grief, rent her
virginal robe and threw dust upon her head, and sought the asylum of her brother
Absalom's house ; for, according to the ideas of the East, the son of the same mother
is, more than even the father, the proper person to protect a female and to redress
her wrongs. No man could be more haughty and implacable than Absalom ; but he
was also deeply politic ; and while he received the unhappy Tamar with tenderness,
he desired her to conceal her grief, seeing that a brother was the cause of it, and to
spend her remaining days in retirement in his house. He made no complaint on the
subject, aud, young as he was, so well concealed his deep resentment, that even
Amnon had not the least suspicion of it. When the news of this villanous fact carne
to the ears of David, it troubled him greatly ; but being greatly attached to Amnon,
as being -lis eldest son and probable successor in the throne, he neglected to call him
to account or to punish him for his transgression. This, we may be sure, increased
.he resentment of Absalom, and perhaps laid the foundation of his subsequent aliena
tion from, and dislike to, his father.
Absalom waited two years before he found an opportunity of giving effect to his
long and deeply-cherished purposes of vengeance. It seems that David allowed
separate establishments to his sons very early. We find before that both Amnon and
Absalom had separate houses, and now we learn that Absalom (and doubtless his
brothers) had a distinct property to support his expenses. For at this time he was
about to hold a grand sheep-shearing feast in Baal-hazor, to which he invited the
king and all his sons. As Absalom had hoped, David declined, on the ground of the
expense which his presence would occasion to his son ; but all the princes went, and
among them, and the chief of them, was the eldest, Amnon. Now Absalom felt
that the day of his vengeance was come ; and while he received his company with
distinction, and royally entertained them, he gave secret orders to his servants to fall
upon Amnon, and slay him, even at the table, on a given signal from himself. This
was done. Amnon was slain while his heart was warm with wine ; ou which the
other princes, expecting perhaps the same fate, made all haste to get to their mules,
and fled to Jerusalem. Their arrival relieved the king from the horror into which
he had been plunged by a rumor that all his sons had been slain ; but still his indig
nation, and grief were very great. Absalom himself fled the country, and found
refuge with his maternal grandfather, Talmai, the king of Geshur, with whom he
remained for three years.
During this time the grief of David for the murder of Amnon was gradually
assuaged, and his heart insensibly turned with kindness toward Absalom, to whom
he always had been much attached, and who was now his eldest son, and who might
seem to have the more claim on his indulgence and sympathy on account of his
exclusion from the succession to the throne, to which by birth he deemed himself
entitled. Joab was not shw to perceive the turn which the kino-'s feelings were

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

303

taking, and was desirous of bringing about a
reconciliation between David and Absalom ;
but not daring to speak openly to the king
himself, in the first instance, he engaged a
shrewd woman of Tekoah to come before
the king with a fictitious tale of distress,
which, as in the case of. Nathan's story,
might be made instructively applicable to
the circumstances. The woman played her
part to admiration ; but when she began to
make her application, the king at once
guessed that she had been prompted by
Joab ; and this being admitted by the
woman, the king turned to that personage,
who was present all the time; and, glad
that what was secretly his own desire was
thus made to appear a concession to the ur

[Flight of the kings sons.]

gent request of that powerful servant, he said, "Behold, now, I grant this request; go,
then, and bring back the young man Absalom." He accordingly came back to Jerusalem ,
but his father declined to see him on his return; and he remained two years in Jerusa-
. Iem without appearing before the king.
At the end of that time, Absalom was again, through the interference of Joab, admit
ted to the presence of his father, who embraced him and was reconciled to him.
It would seem that during his retirement Absalom had formed those designs, for the
ultimate execution of which he soon after began to prepare the way : this was no less
tnan to deprive his father of his crown. As David was already old, Absalom would
probably have been content to await his death, but for peculiar circumstances. If David
properly discharged his duty, he must have led his sons to understand, that although the
succession- to the throne had been assured to his family, the ordinary rules of succession
were not to be considered obligatory or binding, inasmuch as the Supreme King pos
sessed and would exercise the right of appointing the particular person who might be
acceptable to him. In the absence of any contrary intimation, the ordinary rules might
be observed ; but, according to the principles ofthe theocratical government, no such rules
could be of force when a special appointment intervened. It was already known to David,
and could not but be known or suspected by Absalom, that not only he but some other
ofthe king's sons were 10 be passed over by such an appointment, in favor of Solomon, to

304 AN ILLUSTRATED
whom, by this time, the king probably began to pay attention as his successor. The
fact that even the ordinary law of primogeniture, as applied to the government, had
not yet been exemplified "among the Hebrews, must have tended to increase Absa
lom's uncertainty of his own succession to his father. Besides, in contending for the
crown while his father lived, he had but one competitor, and that one fondly attached
to him ; whereas, if he waited until his father's death, he might have many vigorous
competitors in his brothers. These, or some of them, were probably the considera
tions in which the designs of Absalom originated. But these designs were not
merely culpable as against his own father, but as an act of rebellion against the
ordinations of the theocracy, since they involved an attempt to appropriate by force
that which God had otherwise destinated, or which at least was to be left for his
free appointment. The ultimate success of Absalom would, therefore, have utterly
subverted the theocratical principle which still remained in the constitution of thi
Ht Tew state.
At the first view, such an enterprise, against such a man as David, and by his own
son, must have seemed wild and hopeless. But in the contest between youth and
age — between novelty and habit — between the dignity and authority of an old king,
and the ease and freedom of one who has only popularity to seek, the advantages are
not all in favor of the old governor. Besides, it seems that there was much latent dis
content among the people, arising in a considerable degree from that very confidence
in the justice and wisdom of the king by which his throne ousdit to have been secured.
It is the duty of an oriental king to administer justice in his own person, and that
duty is not seldom among the heaviest of those which devolve upon him. This
grew in time to be so sensibly felt, that ultimately among the Hebrews, as in some
oriental and more European states, the king only undertook to attend to appeals from
the ordinary tribunals. But under the former state of things, the people will rather
bring their causes before a just and popular king than to the ordinary judges ; and he
in consequence is so overwhelmed with judicial business, that there remain only two
alternatives — either to give up all his time to these matters, to the neglect of the
general affairs of the nation, or else to risk his popularity by fixing a certain time
every day for the hearing of causes, whereby some of the suiters must often wait
many days before their causes can be brought under his notice. This hinderance to
bringing a case immediately before the king is calculated to relieve him by inducing
the people to resort to the inferior judges, from whom prompt justice might be ob
tained ; but, on the other hand, it is well calculated to endanger his popularity with
the unthinking multitude, who deem their own affairs of the highest importance,
and attribute to his neglect or indolence the delay and difficulty which they expe
rience. David made choice of the latter alternative, and suffered the inevitable
consequences. Absalom was not slow to perceive the advantage this was to him, or to neglect the
use which might be made of it. He had other advantages : he was an exceedingly
fine young man, admired by all Israel for his beauty, and particularly celebrated for
the richness and luxuriance of his hair. This was no small matter among a people
so open as were the Hebrews to receive impressions from the beauty, or tallness, or
strength of their public men. lt was also, probably, a great advantage to Absalom,
as against David, and which would have availed him against any , of his brothers, had
any of them been older tnan himself, that he was maternally descended from a race
of kings. When, even in our own day, we see the conventional rights of primogeni-
.ture set aside, in the East, in favor of the son of a nobly-descended mother,* we can
not suppose this consideration without weight among the Israelites in the time of
David. Soon after the reconciliation with his father, Absalom began to live with great
ostentation, taking upon him much more state than his station as the eldest son of
the crown required, and more probably than his father exhibited as king. He had
chariots, and a guard of horsemen, and never appeared in public but attended by fifty
men. This, by contrast, the more enhanced the condescension and affability wliich
his purposes required him to exemplify. It was his wont to make his appearance
very early in the morning, in the way that led to the palace gate; and when any
* In Persia, Abbas Meerza, the father of the king, was, on account of the noble descent of his mother,
nominated by his father to succeed him in the throne, in preference to an elder son whose mptl'ei was ft
merchant's daughter.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 305
man who had a lawsuit came to the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him
aiid inquire with much apparent interest from what town he came, and the nature ol
his suit before the king ; he would then condole with him on the state of affairs
wliich made it so difficult to obtain redress and justice, and would wind up with the
passionate exclamation, " Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man
who hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice !" And
then when any man passing by came to make his obeisance to the king's son, Absalom
would put forth his arms, and take hold of him, and embrace him like a brother.
"And after this manner," says the narrative, "did Absalom to all Israel who came
to the king for judgment: thus Absalom stole away the hearts of the men of Israel."
And it is important to note, that the men whose hearts he thus " stole away," were
inhabitants of all the different parts of the land, who would afterward carry to their
several homes the impressions they had received.
At last, four years after his reconciliation to his father, Absalom judged his plans
ripe for execution ; he therefore obtained the king's permission to go to Hebron, under
the pretence of offering there a sacrifice which he had vowed during his residence at
Geshur. At this place he had appointed the chiefs of his party to meet him, while
others, who were dispersed through all the tribes, were ordered to proclaim him
king, as soon as they heard the signal given by the sound of the trumpet. At his
arrival in Hebron, he sent for Ahithophel,* who readily came; and the defection of
that great politician, who had been the chief of David's counsellors, and whose repu
tation for wisdom was so great thai his opinion on most, subjects was respected as
that of an oracle, gave much strength to the cause of Absalom, and attracted to
Hebron numbers of influential men from all quarters of the land.
Alarmed al this formidable rebellion so close to him, David hastily took flight with
his family and servants, leaving ten of his concubine-wives in charge of the palace.
He paused outside the town to survey the faithful few who were prepared to follow
his fortunes. Among them were the high-priests, Zadok and Abiathar, with the
priests and Levites bearing the ark. These David directed to return with the ark
into the city : " If I shall find favor in the eyes of Jehovah, he will bring me back,
and show me both it and his habitation. But if he thus say, ' I have no delight in
thee,' behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him." From this
and other expressions, similarly humbled and resigned to the dispensations of Provi
dence, it appears that he recognised in this unnatural conspiracy against him a por
tion of the judgments which the prophet had been authorized to denounce against
him for his iniquities in the matter of Uriah and Bathsheba. David also pointed out
to the high-priests that they might render him much service by remaining in the
city, from which they might secretly transmit intelligence and advice to him through
their sons, Ahimaaz and Jonathan.
The whole of the two corps of body-guards (the Cherethites and Pelethites), as
well as the six hundred Gathites, were ready to attend the king. The last-named
body appear to have been native Philistines of Gath, whom David had attached to
his service after the conquest of their country, and who had perhaps become
proselytes, f
The king attempted to dissuade Ittai, their leader, from attending him with his
men, apparently feeling that, as foreigners and mercenaries, they might be rather
expected to attach themselves to the rising fortunes of Absalom. But the answei
of Ittai was decisive : " As Jehovah liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in
what place my lord shall be, whether in death or life, there also will thy servant be."
Having taken this melancholy review of his followers, the king went on, " by the
ascent of Mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, barefoot, and with his head covered ;
and all the people that were with him covered every man his head, weeping as they
went up," in token of extreme sorrow and humiliation. They had scarcely reached
the summit before David was joined by an old and attached friend named Hushai,
» The Jews suppose that Ahithophel was the grandfather of Bathsheba, and that he had been alienated
from David by his cotrduct toward her, and by the murder of her husband. But this is doubtful.
+ Some, however, think it was a band of native Israelites, called Gathites in memory of the six hundred
men who composed the band of followers who accompanied him when he sought refuge the second time
iu Gath and In which indeed the members of that body had been incorporated, and were replaced as thej
died off. But there is no good reason why such a body should be named from Gath rather than from other
places or circumstance in which their history connected them with David. Besides, he obvious * »Pe**«
to Ittai, their leader, as to a foreigner, who, with "his brethren," could hardly be expected to incui distress
lor his sake. 20

$06 AN ILLUSTRATED
who had been one of his council, and who came with his clothes lent and dust upon
his head, resolved to share in the misfortunes of his king. But David, well con
vinced of his attachment, did not think it fit to take him with his train, hut rathei
begged him to go and join himself to Absalom, where lie might render much better
service by thwarting the counsels of Ahithophel (of whose defection he had just
heard), and by conveying to him, through the two nigh-priests, information of what
ever resolutions the revolters might take. Hushai readily accepted this office, and
acquitted himself in it with such consummate tact and zeal, as not a little contrib
uted to the final overthrow of Absalom and his party.
In his further progress David was joined by Ziba, the steward of Mephibosheth,
who brought with him some necessary refreshments, and falsely and treacherously
reported that his master remained behind, in the expectation that the turn which
affairs were taking might result in the restoration of the house of Saul in his person.
David, sensibly hurt at this treatment from one who owed so much to his kindness
and gratitude, hastily told Ziba henceforth to regard as his own property the lands he
had hitherto managed fpr Mephibosheth. Immediately after, an incident occurred
to confirm the impression he had thus received ; for near Bahurim, a village not far
on the eastern side of Olivet, he was encountered by one of Saul's family, named
Shimei, who dared to throw at him and his people volleys of stones, accompanied by
the grossest abuse and bitterest imprecations against David as the author of all the
wrongs and misfortunes of the house of Saul, which he said were now in the course
of being avenged. All this unexpected insult David bore with meekness and
patience ;. for when Abishai desired permission to punish the man on the spot, the
king refused: " Behold," he said, " my sun, that came forth out of mine own bow
els, seeketh my life, how much more now this Benjamite ? Let him alone, and let
him curse ; for Jehovah hath bidden him It may be that Jehovah will look upon
mine affliction, and requite me good for his cursing this day."
Absalom delayed not to march to Jerusalem. He was surprised and gratified to
find there Hushai, the old friend of his father, and gave him a place in his council.
In that council the voice of Ahithophel was still paramount and decisive. Perceiving
that many held back or wavered from the apprehension that Absalom would hardly
go to the last extremities against his father, and that possibly they might become the
victims of another reconciliation between David and his son, this wily and unprin
cipled statesman advised that Absalom should not delay to remove this apprehension
by such an act as would, in the sight of all the people, commit him beyond all hope
of a pardon or reconciliation to the bad cause in which he was engaged. This was,
that he should rear a pavilion on the top of the palace (to render it conspicuous from
afar), into which he should, "in the sight of ali Israel," enter to the concubine- wives
whom David had left in 'charge of the palace. This atrocious counsel was followed
by Absalom, who thus unintentionally accomplished Nathan's prophecy.
The next advice of Ahithophel was that not a moment should be lost in crowning
the success of the rebellion by the death of the king, without allowing him time to
bring his resources into action. To this end he offered himself to pursue him at the
head of twelve thousand men : " And I shall come upon him while he is weary and
weak-handed, and terrify him ; and while all the people who are with him flee, I
will smite the king only- And I will bring back all the people unto thee, as a bride
is brought to her husband (for only one man's life thou seekest) ; and the whole
people shall have peace." This really sagacious advice was much approved by
Absalom, who perhaps considered that the guilt would rest upon Ahithophel; and to
the other counsellors it also seemed good. Hushai was absent : and as a high opinion
of his prudence was entertained, Absalom sent for him, and then told him what
Ahithophel had advised, and asked whether he thought that advice good. Hushai
at once saw lhat David was lost, if this plan were not frustrated. He therefore,
with great presence of mind, adduced several specious arguments against it, and in
favor of delay ; dwelling upon the known valor of David and his friends, and the
serious consequence of any check or failure in the first attack. The least repulse at
such a juncture might be fatal to the cause of Absalom. The awe in which they all
stood of the military talents and courage of the old king gave such effect to these
suggestions, that the counsel of Hushai was preferred to that of Ahithophel. Of all
this Hushai apprized the high-priests, and desired them to convey the information tc
David through their sons, together with his advice that not a moment should be lotit

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

305

Absalom's Sepulchre.

308 AN ILLUSTRATED
in passing to the country beyond Jordan. This message was conveyed to David with
some danger and difficulty by Jonathan and Ahimaaz, who had remained in conceal
ment at Ain Rogel, outside "the city. Neither the information nor advice was lost
upon the king, who instantly marched to the Jordan, and passed over with all his
people, so that by the morning light not one was left in the plain of Jericho.
The far-seeing Ahithophel deemed the cause of Absalom to be lost, when he knew
that the counsel of Hushai was to be followed. His pride also could little brook tha
neglect of the advice which he had given, and which he had been used to see so
reverently regarded. On both accounts, he abandoned the cause. He went to his
own home; and while he was still wise enough to set his affairs in order, was mad
enough to hang himself.
J">avid established himself at the town of Mahanaim, which, it will be remember
ed, had been the royal seat of Ishbosheth, and which appears to have been chosen by
him, and now by David, on account of the strength of its fortifications. To that place
several principal persons of the country, who were well affected to the cause of Da
vid, brought a timely supply of provisions for himself and his men, together with
tents, beds, and other necessary utensils. An aged person of Gilead, named Barzillai,
particularly distinguished himself by his liberality on this occasion to the exiled king.
When Absalom heard that his father was at Mahanaim, he crossed the Jordan with
an army, and encamped in the land of Gilead. His army was under the command
of Amasa, his cousin.*
David, on his part, reviewed his force, which was but a handful of men as compared
with the large host which Absalom brought into the field. He divided it into three
battalions, the command of which he gave to Joab, Abishai, and Ittai the Gathile, in
tending himself to command the whole in person. But his people, aware that his
valued life was principally sought, would not hear of it, but insisted on his remaining
behind at Mahanaim, with a small reserved force. As* the rest of his adherents
marched out at the gate, David, who stood there, failed not to charge the command
ers, in the hearing of the men, for his sake to respect the life of Absalom.
A most sanguinary action was soon after fought in the forest of Ephraim, wherein
the rebel army was defeated, with the loss of twenty thousand men, slain in the bat
tle-field, besides a great number of others who perished in the wood and in their flight.
Absalom himself, mounted upon a mule,t was obliged to flee from a party of David's
men. toward the wood, where the boughs of a thick oak having talcen hold of his
bushy hair, in which he took so much pride, the mule continuing Its speed, left him
suspended in the air. The pursuing soldiers, seeing him in this state, respected the
order of the king, and forbore to smite him ; but Joab, who happened to learn what
had occurred, ran and struck three darts through his body. " Whatever were Joab's
crimes, among them disloyalty was not to be reckoned. And now he gave the most
unequivocal proof of his unshaken fidelity, in knowingly incurring the king's displeas
ure, to rid him of an obstinate rebel against his own father, whom no forgiveness
could soften and no favors could bind, for whom Joab himself had so successfully in
terceded, and was likely therefore to have been otherwise well disposed toward Ab
salom from the mere circumstance of having served him.":):
As the death of Absalom ended the cause of war, Joab caused the trumpet to sound
a retreat, to stop the carnage. The body of Absalom was taken down, and cast intc
a large pit, and covered with a heap of stones. This was not the end or the sepul
chre expected by this ambitious man, when he reared for himself a fair monument
" in the king's dale," supposed the valley of Jehoshaphat, to keep his name in re
membrance, because ' he had no sons, and therefore called it by his own name. In
what manner we may venture to connect with Absalom the monument which now
appears in the valley of Jehoshaphat Searing his name, is a matter on which a few
words may be said in a note to this page.||
* Zeruiah, the mother of Joab and Abishai, was a sister of David ; Abigail, the mother of Amasa, was
another sister. Whence Joab, Abishai, and Amasa, were all nephews of David, and cousins of Absalom ¦
ivhence also it happened tlrat commanders of the opposite armies were sisters' sons. See 1 Chron. ii. 10,
17. But 2 Sam. xvii. 25, makes Abigail the grandmother of Amasa.
t As he had for civil state pletty of horses and chariots, this shows that the Hebrews had not yet come
to use either in war.
: Hales, ii. 349.
II Absalom's Sepulchre, see p. P07.— Of the monument represented in the engraving, a very good and
satisfactory account has been given ny Mr. Wilde, whose description we shall here transcribe :-
" Descending to riethsemane. we continued our course thronsrli tin v-illey of Jehnshaphal by those re
markable monuments denominated the sepu.chres of the patriarchs, which have oeen described, as well as.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

309

31 0 AN ILLUSTRATED
The partisans of Absalom were no sooner acquainted with the death of their pop
ular chief than they fled, every man to his own home.
Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok the high-priest, besought Joab to be allowed to bear
the tidings of the victory to the king. But as Joab knew that David would regard as
evil any tidings that included the death of his son, he, out of regard to Ahimaaz, re
fused his permission, but sent Cushi with the news. The other, afterward persisting
in his request, was allowed to go also ; and he went with such speed that he outran
Cushi, and was first to appear before the king, who sat at the gate of Mahanaim,
anxiously awaiting tidings from the battle. The king and the father had struggled
hard within him ; the father conquered ; and now his absorbing desire was to know
that Absalom was safe. Aware of this feeling, Ahimaaz contented himself with re
porting the victory, leaving to Cushi the less pleasant news; and he, when plainly
asked, " Is the young man Absalom safe ?" answered, with much discretion, " The
enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee evil, be as that
young man is." On hearing this, " the king was much moved, and went up to the
chamber over the gate ; and as he went, thus he said, ' 0 my son Absalom ! my son,
my son Absalom ! would to God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son !' '
And thus he remained in the chamber over the gate, with his head covered like a
mourner, wailing for his son, and oblivious to all things else.
His faithful adherents, who, by venturing their lives foi him against fearful odds,
had that day restored him to his throne, returning weary to the city, where they de
served to be greeted with thanks and praises, and triumphal son^s, were quite con
founded to learn this conduct of the king, and slunk into the town like guilty people-
even like defeated men rather than conquerors. As very serious consequences might
arise from this state of feeling, Joab went in to the king, and reproved him very
sharply for his unkingly conduct and untimely wailing, so calculated to discourage his
truest friends, and insisted that he should go forth and show himself to the people,
and speak kindly to them; " For," said he, " if thou go not forth, not a man will re
main with thee this night ; and this will be worse to thee than any evil that hath be
fallen thee from thy youth until now." The king could see the prudence of this
counsel ; and, therefore, curbing his strong emotion, he went down to the gate and
sat there ; on hearing which the people hastened to present themselves before him,
and all was well.
It might seem the obvious consequence of his victory, that David should repass the
drawn with great accuracy by most writers on Palestine. They are placed on the eastern side of Kedron,
nearly opposite the southern angle of the present wall, and are some of the rarest and most extraordinary
specimens of sepulchral architecture in existence. They are hewn out of the solid rock, with temple-like
fronts. Some of them are enormous masses separated from the rest of the rock, and left standing like so
many monolithic temples — monuments that record as well (if not more so) the labor and ingenuity of their
constructors as those to whose memory they have been erected. The names assigned to these tombs are
Jehoshaphat, James, Zechariah, and Absalom. This latter is the most elegant and tasteful piece of archi
tecture in Judea, indeed, I might almost add, in the East, and viewed from the valley beneath, it is one of
the most beautiful tombs that I have ever seen in any country. It consists of a mass of rock twentyrfour
feet square, separated from the rest, and standing in a small enclosure that surrounds three of its sides
it has four pilasters with Ionic capitals on each front, the two outer ones being flat, while those in the cen
tre are semicircular ; the frieze is ornamented with triglyphs. The upper part is composed of several pieces,
and surmounted by a small spire terminating in a bunch of leaves. There is a hole in the back immedi
ately beneath the architrave through which I was enabled to climb into its interior. As the door by which
it was entered was concealed, this opening was formed, in ail probability, fqr the purpose .of rifling the sep
ulchre of its contents. Within, it presents the usual form of eastern tombs, having niches at the sides
for bodies. The general opinion of antiquaries is, that the Grecian architecture exhibited on the exterior
of this rock is no test of the date of its construction ; and, that it was added in later times, and a similar
workmanship is visible in the other neighboring tombs. To it may be referred that rebuke of our Lord to
the Pharisees, regarding their garnishing the sepulchres of the prophets. The tradition is, that this pillar,
of which we have an account in the book of Samuel, was erected by Absalom. ' Now Absalom in his life
time had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's dale ; for he said, I have no son lo
keep my name in remembrance ; and he called the pillar after his own name ; and it is called unto this day
Absalom's Place.' Josephus also informs us that ' Absalom had erected for himself a stone marble pilla-
:n the king's dale, two furlongs distant from Jerusalem, which he named Absalom's Stand, saying, that il
nis children were killed, his name would remain by that pillar.' I see no reason to doubt the tradition re
garding this monument, although the historian has stated it to be a greater distance from the city tiian we
now find it ; but this is an error into which he often falls. In confirmation of its supposed origin I may add
that it has ever been a place of detestation to the Hebrews ; and every Jew who passes it by throw? a
stone at it to this day, so that a large cairn has formed round its base.
" The style of the whole of these four sepulchres, but especially the two I have more particularly noticed,
is very peculiar, and is totally different from other tombs in this neighborhood. An inspection ol them
would lead us to believe that, at the time of erection, the Hebrews had not quite forgot the lessons on
architecture which their forefathers had learned in Egypt. Around these mausolei upon the sides of tlie
rocks, and the slopes of Mount Olivet, there are hundreds of plain flat gravestones belonging' to the Jews.
'ill these have Hebrew inscriptions, some of which a Hebrew scholar resident in the city informed m«
wen. dined a short time subsequent to the Christian era."— Wilde's " Narrative of a Voyage." p. 32o-'27.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 311
Jordan at the head of his conquering army, and resume his throne at Jerusalem. But
the mass of the people had chosen another for their king, and by that act had virtu
ally, to the extent of their power, deposed himself; and in such a case it would ap
pear lhat the civil principles of the constitution required that he should, in a certain
sense, be re-elected to the crown by the people, before he was entitled to regard him
self as king over any but such as had continued to recognise him in that character.
He therefore remained beyond Jordan until the tribes should decide lo recall him. It
seems there was a general disposition among the people to do this ; they blamed one
another for their rebellion against the king, and their remissness in recalling him ; but
all seemed to shrink from taking the first step in the matter. Judah, from its more
intimate relations with David, might be expected to give the example; but Judah had
oeen the headquarters of the rebellion ; and it appears that Jerusalem was in the oc
cupation of Amasa, who, from the extent to which he had committed himself in Ab
salom's rebellion, might judge his case desperate, and hence use all his influence to
prevent the king's return. This state of affairs being understood by David, he sent
to the high-priests, who were still in Jerusalem, charging them to remind the elders
of Judah of the obligation which seemed peculiarly to devolve upon them, and also
to gain over Amasa by the offer to make him captain of the host in the place of Joab.
This was attended with the desired result ; and the elders of Judah sent back the an
swer, "Return thou, and all thy servants." On receiving this invitation, the king
marched to the Jordan ; and the men of Judah, on their part, assembled at Gilgal, to
assist him over the river, and to receive him on his arrival. Among these, and fore
most among them, were a thousand men of Benjamin, headed by Shimei, and including
Ziba with his fifteen sons and twenty servants. No sooner had the king passed the
river in a ferry-boat,* than Shimei threw himself at his feet, acknowledged his former
crime, but trusted that it would be forgiven in consideration of his being the first in
all Israel (except Judah) to come forward with a powerful party, to promote his resto
ration. In consideration of this circumstance, and, what was a greater merit and ben
efit — that his party was from the tribe of Benjamin — it would have been a most un
gracious act had the king been inexorable. He therefore pardoned him freely, although
some of his officers were for putting him to death. For the like reason, probably, —
that is, for fear of disgusting the valuable party to which he belonged, and in which
he had much influence,— the king dared not entirely recall from Ziba the grant of
Mephibosheth's lands which he had hastily made to him. When the son of Jonathan
came to the Jordan to meet the king, he made it clear to him that he had been slan
dered by his steward, who had purposely neglected to provide him with the means of
escape from Jerusalem when he purposed to join the king in his exile; so that, incon
sequence of his lameness, he had been obliged to remain behind ; but, during his stay,
nad remained in retirement, and, as a mourner, had neither dressed his feet, trimmed
his beard, nor changed his clothes. Under the circumstances, the king could only say,
" Thou and Ziba divide the land ;" to which the reply of Mephibosheth was worthy
of the son of the generous Jonathan, " Yea, let him take all, since my lord the king
is come again to his own house in peace."
The rich old man of Gilead, Barzillai, who had so liberally ministered to the wants
of David during his exile, came down to the Jordan to see him over. The king would
fain have persuaded him to accompany him to Jerusalem, that he might have an op
portunity of rewarding his services ; but Barzillai returned the touching reply, " How
long have I to live that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem ? I am this day
eighty years old, and can I discern between good and evil • Can thy servant taste
what I eat, or what I drink ? Can I hear any more the voice of singing-men and
singing-women ? Why then should thy servant be yet a burden to my lord the king?
Let thy servant just go over Jordan with the king ; and then let thy servant, I pray
thee, return, that I may die in my own city, near the grave of my father and my mo
ther." He, however, recommended the fortunes of his son Chimham to the care of
the king, who accordingly took that person with him to Jerusalem.
From the result, we may doubt the wisdom of the separate appeal which David
* The first and only time we ever read of a ferry-boat on the Jordan. The interpretation is, however,
rather doubtful. Some make it a bridge of boats. Many interpreters prefer the sense of the Septuagint and
Syriac, which, instead of, "And there went over a ferry-boat to carry over the king's household, and to do
what he thought good," read, "And these (the men of Judah and Benjamin) went over the Jordan before
*he king, and performed the service of bringing over the king's household, and in doing what he thought
rood.

312 AN ILLUSTRATED
had made to his own tribe of Judah, inasmuch as his more intimate connexion with
that tribe, by birth and by having reigned over it separately for seven years, required
the most cautious policy on his side, to prevent his appearing to the other tribes as the
king of a party. Now, when he had crossed the Jordan, people from all the tribes
flocked to him to join in the act of recall and restoration. But when they came to
consider of it, the other tribes were not willing to forgive Judah for having been be
forehand with them ; or, in other words, that, instead of inviting them to join with
themselves in the act of recall, the elders of Judah, by acting independently had en
abled themselves to exhibit the appearance of more alacrity and zeal in the king's be
half, putting the other tribes in an unfavorable position by comparison. They alleged
also their claim to be considered, on the ground that the ten tribes had tenfold the in
terest in the kingdom to that which the single tribe of Judah could claim. The an
swer of that tribe was the most impolitic and provoking that could be made. They
alleged that seeing the king was of their own tribe, " their bone and their flesh," they
had a right to take a peculiar and exclusive interest in his recall. This quarrel grew
so hot, as to strengthen the natural disposition of the tribes to regard David as the
king of the Judahites; and but a slight impulse was wanting to induce them to leave
him to his own party. This impulse was supplied by one Sheba, of the discontented
tribe of Benjamin, who, perceiving the state of feeling, blew the trumpet, and gave
forth the Hebrew watchword of revolt, " To your tents, O Israel !" and, in the name
of the tribes, disclaimed all further interest in David, aud bade defiance to his adhe
rents. The effect of this move, perhaps, exceeded his expectation. On a sudden he
saw himself at the head of all the tribes, except that of Judah, which had occasioned
this defection, and which was left almost alone to conduct the king from the Jordan
to Jerusalem.
This circumstance, perhaps, supplied to David an additional motive for performing
his secret promise of making Amasa captain of the host ; as that person appears to
have. been high in favor with the tribes. But most readers will feel displeased that
Joab should at this juncture — after the brilliant displays which he had so lately af
forded of his loyalty, courage, and prudence — be displaced in favor of the rebel leader ;
and even if judged by the principles of the East, that every stroke of policy by which
something may be gained, is a good stroke, whatever interests or honor it sacrifices, —
even judged by this rule, the policy of this operation may very much be doubted, as,
indeed, David himself had soon occasion to suspect. In fact, we agree with Hales,
that in this David " seems to have acted rather ungratefully and unwisely, justifying
Joab's reproach (on a former occasion), ' thou lovest thine enemies and hatest thy
friends.' But the old grudge and jealousy which he entertained against ' the sons of
Zeruiah,' who were above his control, and too powerful to be punished, as in Abner 's
case, combined with Joab's disobedience of orders in killing Absalom, which he could
never forget, nor forgive, to the day of his death, seem to have got the- better of his
usual temporizing caution and political prudence."
Amasa, the new captain of the host, failed to assemble the forces of Judah, to act
against Sheba, within the time which the king had appointed. Whether this arose
from want of zeal or ability in him, or from the disgust of the Judahites at the re
moval of Joab from an office which he had filled with great distinction for tT. enty-
seven years, we know not. The king was in consequence obliged to order Joab's
brother, Abishai, to take the command of the royal guards, and pursue Sheba without
delay, before he could get into the fenced cities ; for that otherwise he mighl raise a
rebellion more dangerous than Absalom's. On this occasion Joab went with Abishai
as a volunteer, followed by the company which formed his private command, for his
zeal for his king and country rose paramount above his sense of the disgrace which
had recently been inflicted on him. But when Amasa, with the force he had collected,
joined them at Gibeon to take the command, Joab, under the pretext of saluting him
as his "brother," slew him, just as in a former time he had slain Abner. He then
took the command himself, causing proclamation to be made,—" He that favoreth
Joab, and he that is for David, let him follow Joab." He then pursued Sheba, be
sieged him in a town to which he had fled, demanded his head from the inhabitants,
and crushed the rebellion. He then returned triumphant to Jerusalem, self-reinstated
in his former station, of which David dared no more to deprive him.
About the thirty-fourth year of David's reign* commenced a grievous famine, which
* So Hales ; but some think that although the history relates the event in this place, it actually occurred
hi the early part of David's reign. And there are some very probable reasons for this conclusion.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 313
contmued for three successive years. When the sacred oracle was consulted, it de
clared that this was on account of the unatoned blood of the Gibeonites, whom Saul,
in despite of the ancient treaty between that people and the Israelites, had cut off.
This circumstance is not mentioned in the history of Saul ; but, from the circum
stances, it may perhaps be collected that Saul, finding the difficulty, to which we have
adverted more than once, of forming a landed property for his family, where the land
was already inalienably parcelled out among the people, had, under pretence of zeal
for the interests of his own people, formed the design of utterly destroying the Gib
eonites, and, as far as he was able, executed that design, giving their lands and wealth
to his relatives, by the survivors of whom they were still possessed. As it therefore
appeared that the calamity which punished this breach of national faith could only
be averted through satisfaction being rendered to the remnant of the Gibeonites, Da
vid sent to learn what satisfaction they required. They, actuated by the powerful
principles of revenge for blood, to which we had such frequent occasion to advert, re
fused to take " silver or gold," that is, a blood-fine, from the house of Saul, but de
manded that execution should be performed upon seven members of that house.
Seven members of Saul's family were accordingly sought out and given up to them.
These were, two sons of Saul by his concubine Rizpah, and five grandsons by his eld
est daughter Merab ; Mephibosheth (who appears to have been the only other mem
ber of the family) was held back by David, on account of the covenant between him
and Jonathan. The Gibeonites took these persons, and, after having slain them,
hanged up their bodies upon a hill. This was against the law, which forbids that a
body should be kept hanging after the going down of the sun on the first day. How
long they thus remained, is not stated ; but the famine had been occasioned by drought,
and they hung there until the rains of heaven fell upon them. It was then made
known to David that Rizpah, the mother of two of them, had spread sackcloth for
herself upon the rock, and had there remained to protect the bodies from the birds of
the air and the beasts of the field. Touched by this striking instance of the tender
ness of maternal affection, David not only directed the bodies of these persons to be
taken down, but he went (or sent) to Jabesh Gilead, to remove from under the oak in
that place, the bones of Saul and Jonathan, and deposite them, with all respect, in the
family sepulchre at Kelah in Benjamin, together with the remains of these unhappy
members of their house.
David has been censured by some writers for consenting to the demand of the
Gibeonites ; but the reader must perceive that the demand of the Gibeonites was
one which the king could not refuse. They might have accepted the blood-fine ; but
this was optional with them, and they were perfectly entitled to refuse it, and to de
mand blood for blood. That the persons who were slain had themselves no hand in
the crime for which lliey were punished, is more than we know; it is most likely
that they were active parties in it, and still more that they reaped the profits of it.
But even were this not the case, it is a well-known principle of blood-avengement
that the heirs and relatives of ihe blood-shedder are responsible for the blood in their
own persons, in case the avenger is nol able to reach the actual perpetrator. That
David had any interest in getting rid of these persons is equally absurd and untrue,
for they made no pretensions to the crown themselves, nor did others make such
pretensions for them. Even when the cause of Saul's house was most in want of a
head, none of these persons appeared to advance their claims, nor did the warmest
partisans of the cause dream of producing any of them in opposition to David.
Now that the Israeli*es had been weakened by two rebellions and three years of
famine, the Philistines deemed the oppor' unity favorable for an attempt to shake off
their yoke. They therefore rpnewcJ the war about the thirty-seventh year of Da
vid's reign, but were defeated in ibur engagements, and finally subdued. In all these
engagements the Philistines exhibited their old passion for bringing gigantic cham
pions into the field. . In the first of these engagements, David himself, notwithstand
ing his years, shrunk not from the combat with the gian' Izbi-benob ; but he waxed
faint, and was in danger of being slain, had not the brave and trusty Abishai hastened
to his relief, and killed the gigantic Philistine. After this the people would no more
allow David to go forth in person to battle, "lest he should quench the light of Is
rael." 'This war completely extinguished the gigantic race to which Goliah had
belonged. . ," ,
The numbering of the people was one of the last and most reprehensible acts of the

314 AN ILLUSTRATED
reign of David. In itself, an enumeration of the population might be not only inno
cent but useful ; it was the motive by which the deed was rendered evil. This mo
tive, so offensive to God, was obviously supplied by the design of forcing all the Is
raelites into military service, with a view to foreign conquests ; a design not only
pitiable in so old a man, but in every way repugnant to both the internal and exter
na! polity of the theocratical government. That the census was not, as in formei
times, taken through the priests and magistrates, but by Joab, as commander-in-chief,
assisted by the other military chiefs, sufficiently indicates the military object of the
census ; and if they were accompanied by the regular troops under their command,
as the mention of their " encamping" leads one to suspect, it may seem that the ob
ject was known to and disliked by the people, and that the census could only be taken
in the presence of a military force. Indeed the measure was repugnant to the wishes
cf the military commanders themselves, and was in a peculiar degree abhorrent to
Joab, who saw the danger to the liberties of the people, and gave it all the opposition
in his power, and undertook it reluctantly, when he found the king adhered to his
purpose with the obstinacy of age.
At the end of nine months and twenty days, Joab brought to the king the return
of the adult male population, which was 900,000 men in the ten tribes of Israel, and
400,000, in round numbers, in the tribe of Judah alone ; being, together, 1,300,000.
But the tribes of Levi and Benjamin were not included in this account ; for Joab did
not finish the enumeration, probably in consequence of some indications of the Divine
displeasure in the course of it. According to usual proportions, the entire population
of Israel at this time (without including these two tribes) could not well have been
less than 5,200J000. The same marks of the Divine displeasure which prevented the
completion of the census were probably those which awakened the slumbering con
science of David when the return was presented to him. He confessed before God
that he had sinned, and prayed to be forgiven. The next morning it was made
known to him, through the prophet Gad, that he had sinned indeed, and that his sin
was not of such a nature as, with a due regard to the public principles of the govern
ment, could be allowed to pass without signal punishment. The choice of punish
ment was offered to him : seven years of famine, three months to be pursued by his
enemies, or three days of pestilence. The humbled monarch confessed the choice to
be hard, but fixed on the latter alternative, as the more equal punishment, and such
as seemed more immediately under the direction of Heaven. Accordingly, Jehovah
sent a pestilence, which in the course of two days destroyed 70,000 men, from Dan
to Beersheba. It was then beginning to visit Jerusalem, when God was pleased to
put a stop to it, at the earnest prayer of David. He beheld the commissioned angel
stand in the thrashing-floor of Araunah, a chief person among the Jebusites, as one
preparing to destroy. And then he and the elders of Israel, all clad in sackcloth, fell
upon their faces, and the king cried — " Is it not I that commanded the people to be
numbered ? Even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed ; but as for these
sheep, what have they done ? Let thy hand, I pray thee, O Jehovah, my God, be on
me, and on my father's house ; but not on thy people that they should be plagued."
This noble prayer was granted as soon as uttered. Through the prophet Gad, he
was commanded to erect an altar, and offer sacrifices on that spot of ground where he
had seen the destroying angel stand. The king accordingly bought the thrashing-
floor from Araunah (who would willingly have given it free of cost) for fifty shekels
of silver.* He then hastened to erect an altar, and to offer thereon burnt-offerings,
and peace-offerings ; and a miraculous fire which descended from the heavens and
consumed the victims gave manifest proof of the Divine complacency, and so sanc
tified the spot as to point it out for the site of the future temple. The plague was
stayed. David was now advancing toward seventy years of age, and it appeared, from the
declining state of his health, that his latter end could not be far off. This made
? As this was little more than thirty dollars of our money, and paid not only for the thrashing-floor, but
for all that was upon it— cattle and implements— it seems to show that the value of the precious metals
among the Hebrews at this time was much higher than it is now with us. It is, however, possible that
Araunah merely set a nominal price to satisfy the delicacy of the king, who would not sacrifice to God at
the cost cf other people. Tliere is an apparent contradiction between the account in 2 Sam. xxiv. 24, and
1 Chron xni. 25, which says that David gave Araunah 600 shekels of gold by weight (which would be no
less than $6,000 of our money) ; but this may be removed by the very probable supposition that after Da
vid knew, by the acceptance of the altar erected on, the spot, that the temple was to be bui't in this place
lie made a further purchase of a sufficient site for the additional and much larger sum just named

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 31E
Adonijah, his eldest surviving son, determine to take measures to secure the throne,
which, had it been hereditary, would naturally have devolved to him. He doubtless
knew that the crown had been assigned to his younger brother Solomon, and felt that
this was perhaps his only opportunity of asserting what he conceived to be his natu
ral rights. Adonijah was a very handsome man, and he had not at any time been
balked or contradicted by his father, many of whose sorrows arose from his exces
sive indulgence of his children. He now, in apparent imitation of Absalom, set up
a splendid retinue, and courted popularity among the people ; and he succeeded in
drawing over to his party Joab, who now at last forsook his old master, and Abiathar
the high-priest, who had shared all his fortunes. One day, when matters seemed
ripe for the further development of his designs, he made a grand entertainment at
Ain Rogel, the fountain in the king's garden, to which he invited all the king's sons,
with the significant exception of Solomon, and the principal persons in the state,
with the exception of those who were known to be in Solomon's interest. There he
was proclaimed king in the usual form — " Long live the king Adonijah !" — by the
powerful party assembled.
In this important emergency, Nathan the prophet sent Bathsheba to inform the
king of these proceedings, and afterward came in himself and confirmed her account.
By both he was reminded of his previous declarations that Solomon was to be his
successor in the throne. The old king was roused to his wonted energy by this in
telligence. He instantly appointed Nathan the prophet, Zadok the priest, Benaiah,
and his own guards the Cherithites and Pelethites, who continued faithful, to take
Solomon, and conduct him, mounted on the king's own mule, to the fountain of Gi
hon, and there to anoint and proclaim him king. The ceremony was thus attended
with every circumstance which could give it authority in the eyes of the people, as
, indicating the intention of the king, which, it was now well known, was according to
the will of God. There was the mule, which none but David had ever been seen to
ride, and which, he having habitually ridden, none but a king might ride ; there was
the prophet who could only sanction that which he knew to be the will of God ; there
was Zadok, with the holy anointing oil from the tabernacle; and there were the
guards, whom the people had been accustomed to see in attendance only on the king.
The whole ceremony was also directed to take place on one of the most public and
frequented roads leading from Jerusalem. The people were adequately impressed
by all these considerations and circumstances; they heartily shouted, "Long live
King Solomon !" The earth was, as it were, rent with the rejoicing clamor, mixed
with the sounds of trumpets and of pipes. The party of Adonijah heard the noise;
and when informed of the cause, they were all so struck with consternation at the
promptitude and effect of this counter-move, that they dispersed immediately, and
slunk away every man to his own house. Adonijah, seeing himself thus forsaken,
and dreading nothing less than immediate death, fled to the refuge of the altar
(erected on the tharshing-floor of Araunah). Solomon, being informed of this, sent
to tell him that, if by his future conduct he proved himself a worthy man, he would
not hurt a hair of his head, but at the same time assured him that any future instance
of a disloyal intention would be fatal to him. On leaving the altar, Adonijah went
and rendered his homage to the new king ; after which he was ordered to retire to
his own house.
The waning spark of David's life gleamed up once again before it finally expired.
He availed himself of this to call a general assembly of the nation to ratify the coro
nation of Solomon, and to receive the declaration of his views and designs. The
aged king was able to stand up on his feet as he addressed the assembly at consider
able length. Perceiving from the revolts of Absalom and Adonijah, into which last
some of his own stanchest friends" had been drawn, that the principle of primogeni
ture was likely to interfere very seriously with the true doctrine of the theocracy, he
was careful to point out how the sceptre had been assigned to Judah, not the first
born of Jacob ; and in the tribe of Judah, to the family of Jesse, not the first or mosi
powerful of that tribe; and of the eight sons of Jesse, to David the youngest; and
of the sons of David, to Solomon, at a time when there were living three (if not
four*) older than he. He then proceeded to state the reasons which had prevented
him from building to the Lord that temple which he had designed ; and since this
great work had been reserved for the peaceable reign of his son, he solemnly ev
* Chilean, the son of Abigail, is not historically named. The probability is that he died early.

316 AN ILLUSTRATED
horted him and the nation to erect that temple according to the model whicn lie had
' himself supplied, and to contribute liberally themselves toward it, iu addilion to the
ample stores and materials which in the course of his reign he had been enabled tc
provide. He concluded with a most noble and devout thanksgiving to the Lord for
all the mercies which he had shown to himself and to his people:, and this, with the
rest of his conduct on this occasion, shows that, whatever were now the bodily infir
mities of the aged king, his better faculties were still in their prime.
Solomon was now again anointed king in the presence, and with the sanction of
the assembly, by Zadok, who himself was now declared and recognised as sole high-
priest, Abiathar being deposed from his participation in that dignity on account of his
having gone over to Adonijah. It is impossible not to see in all this a strenuous as
sertion by David of the theocratical principles of the constitution, which rendered
conclusive and final anv appointment which the Divine King had made, or might
make ; and for this he deserves the more honor, as there is good reason to think that,
for himself merely as a father, he would quite as soon have seen Absalom or Adoni
jah on the throne as Solomon. Of Abiathar it was quite necessary to make an ex
ample; for, as high-priest, he of all men ought to have been sensible of the obligation
of the divine appointment, the maintenance of which had now become one of the
most rrarked and grand prerogatives of Jehovah as king ofthe Hebrews, and the one
which was calculated to keep his superiority present to the minds of the people. 11
this prerogative were allowed to be contemned by the high-priest, who should be
its most strenuous supporter, the people would not be likely to hold it in much
respect. The enthusiasm manifested by the king for the object which for many years pasi
he had so much at heart, kindled a corresponding zeal in the people, who presented
liberal offerings for the great work which Solomon was destined to execute.
The following day was spent as a high festival. Holocausts of numerous steers,
and rams, and lambs, were offered to Jehovah, and also abundant peace-offerings, on
which the people feasted with great gladness, before they departed to their homes.
This was, in fact, the coronation-feast of Solomon. He, being now twice anointed,
and formally recognised by the people, mounted the throne of his father, and admin
istered the government while David still lived.
It was not, however, long before David felt that his last hour approached. He then
sent for his son, to give to him his last counsels. He firsl of all recapitulated the gra
cious promises which God had made to him and his posterity, and then reminded
Solomon that these promises were only, in their first and obvious sense, to be under
stood as conditional, and depending upon their observance ofthe divine law; so that
they might expect their prosperity to rise and fall in proportion to their obedience.
He then proceeded to advise him as to the course he should take with reference tc
certain persons whom his own history has brought conspicuously under the notice of
the reader. The predominating influence ofthe sons of Zeruiali had, throughout his
reign, been very galling to himself, and he advised his son not to incur the same
grievance, or to submit to it. As to Joab, he had, through policy, been pardoned for
his part in Adonijah's rebellion, as David himself had, from like reasons, been com
pelled to overlook the crimes of which he had been guilty — such as the murders of
Abner and Amasa; yet, should he again offend, Solomon was advised to bring him
to condign punishment, by which he would strike terror into evil doers, and, more
than by any other act, evince the strength and firmness of his government.
The pardon which Shimei had asked, beside the Jordan, with a thousand men al
his back, could not well have been refused, and David had no wish to annul it; but.
aware of the character of this disaffected and dangerous Benjamite, he cautioned
Solomon against him, and advised to keep him under his eye in Jerusalem, and watch
him well that he might have no opportunity of stirring up seditions among the
tribes ; and should his conduct again oner occasion, David counselled the young king
not to spare him, but at once rid his kingdom of so suspicious and malevolent a char
acter. David appears to have survived the coronation of Solomon about six months ; for,
although he reigned seven years and six months over Judah, and thirty-three years
over all Israel, yet the whole duration is reckoned only forty years in 2 Sam. v. 4, 5 ;
1 Chron. xxix. 27. The interval he seems to have employed in the development, for
the benefit of his son, of those" plans and regulations which had lone before been

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 317
formed and considered in his own mind, and to which the due effect was afterward
given by his son. These are fully stated in the first •five chapters of the second book
)i Chronicles.
David was seventy years of age when " he slept with his fathers." At that time
certainly the period of human life was reduced to the present standard ; for, in re
cording his death at this age, the historian says, " He died in a good old age, full of
days, riches, and honor." He was buried in a stately tomb, which, according to a
touching custom, still prevalent in the East, he had prepared for himself, in that
part of the city (on Mount Zion) which he had covered with buildings, and which
was called after him, " the city of David."

CHAPTER XVIII.
SOLOMON'S ACCESSION — BUILDS THE TEMPLE — HIS COMMERCE.
On the death of David, his son Solomon, who had been declared by him king of
Israel, with the divine approbation, succeeded to the throne, to the universal satis
faction of the people. This event took place when he was about twenty years of
age, and in the year 1030 B. C. Never monarch ascended the throne with greater
advantages, or knew better how to secure and improve them. Under David the
kingdom had been much extended, and brought under good regulations. The arms
at the Hebrews had for so many years been feared by all the neighboring nations, so
thai the habit of respect and obedience on their part offered to the new king the
reasonable prospect, confirmed by a divine promise, that his reign should be one of
peace. Now, the predominant tribe of Judah lay as a lion and as a lioness, which no
nation ventured to rouse up. (Gen. xlix. 9; Num. xxiii. 24, xxiv. 9.) The Hebrews
were the ruling people, and their empire the principal monarchy of Western Asia.
From the Mediterranean sea and the Phoenicians to the Euphrates, in its nearer and
remoter bounds — from the river of Egypt and the Elanilic gulf to Berytus, Hamath,
and Thapsacus, all were subject to the dominion of Solomon ; nor were the tribes
which wander in northern Arabia, eastward to the Persian gulf, unconscious of his
rule. At home the Canaanites had not, as we have seen, been either entirely ex
pelled or annihilated; but they had become obedient and peaceable subjects, and,
which was of importance to an eastern king, liable to services which no king dared
to impose upjn the Israelites themselves. Jahn calculates that their whole number
may have been about four or five hundred thousand, since ultimately one hundred
fifty-three thousand were able to render soccage to the king. The warlike and civ
ilized Philistines, the Edomites, Moabites, and Ammonites, the Syrians of Damascus,
and some tribes of the nomadic Arabians of the desert, were all tributary to him.
The revenues derived from the subject states were large ; and the wealth in the royal
treasures great beyond calculation: and the king had the enterprise and talent to
open new sources through which riches were poured mto the country from distant
lands. Nor were the prospects and promises with which this reign opened frustrated
in its continuance. "Peace gave to all his subjects prosperity; the trade which he
introduced brought wealth into the country, and promoted the sciences and arts,
which there found an active protector in the king, who was himself distinguished for
his learning. The building of the temple and of several palaces mtroouced foreign
artists, by whom the Hebrews were instructed. Many foreigners, aim even sovereign
princes, were attracted to Jerusalem, in order to see and converse with the prosperous
royal sage. The regular progress of all business, the arrangements for security from
foreign and domestic enemies, the army, the cavalry, the armories, the chariots, th*
palaces, the royal household, the good order in the administration, and in the servict
of the court, excited as much admiration as the wisdom and learning of the vicerov
of Jehovah. So much was effected by the single influence of David, because he scru
pulously conformed himself to the theocracy of the Hebrew state."* ....
Such is the argument to the history of Solomon's reign, to the details ol which we
"Tltlmugh Solomon was not the first-born, nor even the eldest living son of David,
but succeeded to the throne through the special appointment of the Supreme Kmg
* Jahn, b. iv. sect. 33.

318 AN ILLUSTRATED
Jehovah, there was one circumstance which, from the usual notions of the Orientals,
;ould not but be highly favorable to him, even had all his elder brothers been alive.
Amnon had been born before his father became king, and Absalom and Adonijah
while he was king of Judah only ; while Solomon was born when his father was
king over all Israel, and lord over many neighboring states. And in the East there
i.- a strong prejudice in favor of him who is the son of the king and of the kingdom,
fhit is, who is born while his father actually reigns over the states which he leaves
at his death. Thus, therefore, if at the death of David, Amnon and Absalom had
been alive, as well as Adonijah and Solomon, there might have been a contest among
them on these grounds : — Amnon would have claimed as the eldest son of David ;
Absalom would probably have disputed this claim on the ground, first, that he was
the first-born after David became a king; and, secondly, on the ground that his mother
was of a royal house : this claim could not have been disputed by Adonijah ; but he
would have considered his own claim goqd as against Amnon, on the one hand, and
as against Solomon on the other. But Solomon might have, claimed on the same
ground as the others against Amnon; and against Absalom and Adonijah, on the
ground that their father was only king of. Judah when fh'ey were born, but king of
all Israel at the time of his own birth. And this claim would, in fact, have been but
a carrying out of ihe principle on which Absalom and Adonijah are supposed to op
pose Amnon; and in this claim there would have seemed so much reason to an Ori
ental, that, apart from all other considerations, we doubt not it would have found
many adherents in Israel ; and we have no doubt that it did operate in producing a
more cheerful acquiescence in the preference given to Solomon.
Soon after the death of his father, Solomon discovered a new plot of Adonijah's, so
deeply laid and carefully veiled, that he even ventured to make the king's own
mother, Bathsheba, an acting though unconscious party in it. And here it may be
proper to observe, that in eastern countries, where polygamy is allowed, or not for
bidden, by the law, and where the kings have numerous wives and concubines, there
is no dignity analogous to that which the sole wife of a sovereign occupies in Europe.
In fact, there is no queen, in the proper sense of the word, as applied to the consort
of a king. But the mother of the king (and, next to her, or instead of her, the mother
of the heir apparent) is the woman of the greatest influence and highest station in
the state, and the one whose condition is the most queenly of any which the East
affords. According to this view, Bathsheba — during the latter part of David's reign,
as mother of the heir apparent, and during at least the early portion of Solomon's
reign, as mother of the king — was, in fact, queen of Israel ; whence in both periods
we find her taking a part in public affairs, which, however slight, is such as none
but a woman so placed could have taken.
The first manifestation of Adonijah's design was to endeavor to procure permission
to espouse Abishag, one of the wives of. his father, whom he had taken in his last
days and had left a virgin. He had the address to interest Bathsheba in his object,
and to get her to propose ihe subject to the king, although part of what he said to
her as an inducement was well calculated to awaken her suspicions: "Thou know-
est," said he, " that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel set their faces on me,
that I should reign; howbeit, the kingdom is turned about, and is become my
brother's, for it was his from the, Lord."
The king was seated on his, throne when Bathsheba appeared before him to urge
the suit of Adonijah. He rose when he beheld her, and bowed to her; after which
he caused a seat to be brought and placed at his right hand for her, She then made
" the one small petition" with which she was charged. The king instantly saw
through the whole ; and knew enough of the several parties to feel assured (or actu
ally knew) that the measure had been prompted by Joab and Abialhar, or that at
least they were parties to the ulterior design. According to what we have already
stated respecting the widows of a deceased king, it is obvious that Solomon recog
nised in this insidious- demand a plan formed to accredit the former pretensions of
A.aonijah. He therefore answered warmly, "And why dost thou ask Abishag,
the Shunammite, for Adonijah ? Ask for him the kingdom also ; for he is mine
elder brother, even for him, and for Abiathar the ] riest, and for Joab the son of Ze
ruiah." By this he clearly intimated that he considered Joab and Abiathar as par
lies in this new plot, and, as such, liable to the punishments which he proceeded to
inflict. Adonijah he ordered to be put to death, as one whom it was no longer safe

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

318

Great Mogul on his Throne.

Howdah of an Indian Prince.

820 AN ILLUSTRATED
to pardon. On receiving this news, Joab justified the suspicions (il not more) ofthe
king, by fleeing for refuge to the sanctuary of the altar — a plain act of a guilty con
science. When this was told to Solomon, he ordered Benaiah to go and put him to
death. Benaiah went, and ordered him, in the king's name, to come forth. This he
refused, saying, " Nay, but I will die here !" either in the hope that Solomon would
so far regard the altar as not to slay him, or that he would die there in the hope that
God, whose altar it was, would be gracious to him. This being a new case, in
which Benaiah liked not to act on his own responsibility, he returned to report the
matter to the king, who, with great firmness, and with a freedom from superstition
which shows how well he understood the letter and spirit of the law, said, " Do as
he hath said, and slay him there, and bury him, that thou mayest take away the in
nocent blood, which Joab shed, from me and from the house of my father." So Joab
was slain at the altar, and buried in the garden of his own house in the wilderness.
Benaiah, who had been his executioner, was made commander-in-chief in his room.
It appears that in the Hebrew kingdom, as in some other ancient and in some modern
states., it was the duty of the king's chief officer to execute his sentence upon high
offenders. As to Abiathar, who had before joined Adonijah, and was no stranger to the more
recent intrigue, he had shared the fate of Joab, if the king had not been mindful of
his early and long-continued attachment to David, and respected the sacred character
he bore." He was commanded to withdraw to his estate in Anathoth, and no longer
presume to exercise his sacerdotal functions. Thus was the house of Eli finally de
graded in the person of Abiathar, and the house of Eleazer completely restored in the
person of Zadok.
This affair reminded Solomon of the necessity of keeping watch over another dis
affected person, Shimei, as counselled by David. He therefore ordered him to fix his
residence in Jerusalem, which he engaged him by oath not to leave, forewarning him
that the breach of this engagement would be at the expense of his life. Of this
Shimei was properly mindful for two years; but then he was induced to leave the
city, and went as far as Gath (a suspicious quarter) in pursuit of two runaway slaves.
He was therefore, on his return, consigned to the sword of Benaiah.
By the removal of these dangerous persons, Solomon felt his throne secured to
him. He then sought an alliance worthy of the rank to wliich his kingdom had at
tained. The nearest power, from an alliance with which even he might derive
honor, was that of Egypt. He therefore demanded and received the daughter of the
reigning Pharaoh in marriage. His new spouse was received by the king of Israel
with great magnificence, and was lodged in " the city of David," until the new and
splendid palace, which he had already commenced, should be completed. That Sol
omon should thus contract an alliance, on equal terms, with the reigning family of
that great nation which had formerly held the Israelites in bondage, was, in the or
dinary point of view, a great thing for him, and shows the relative importance into
which the Hebrew kingdom had now risen. The king is in no part of Scripture
blamed for this alliance, even in places where it seems unlikely that blame would
nave been spared had he been considered blameworthy ; and as we know that the
Egyptians were idolaters, this absence of blame may intimate that Solomon stipulated
that the Egyptian princess should abandon the worship of her own gods, and conform
to the Jewish law. This at least was what would be required by the law of Moses,
which the king was not likely (at least, at this time of his life) to neglect. Nor need
we suppose that the royal family of Egypt would make much difficulty in this; for,
except among the Israelites, the religion of a woman has never in the East been con
sidered of much consequence.
Solomon, soon after, sought by his example to restore the proper order of public
worship. At Gibeon was the tabernacle and altar of Moses, and there, notwithstand
ing the absence of the ark, the symbol of the divine presence, the Shechinah, still
abode. This therefore was, according to the law, the only proper seat of public
worship, and the place to which the tribes should resort to render homage to the
Great King. Therefore, at one of the religious festivals, the king repaired to Gibeon,
accompanied by all his court, the officers of his army, and the chiefs and elders of
his people, with a vast multitude of the people. There, in the midst of all the state
and ceremony of the holy solemnities, the king presented, to be offered on the brazen
altar, a thousand beasts, as a holocaust. This solemn act of homage from the youna

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

321

21

J22 AN ILLOSTflATKJD
king was acceptable to God, who in the following night manifested himself to him
in a dream, and promised to satisfy whatever wish he might then form. Instead of
expressing the usual desires which animate kings, as well as others, for wealth, and
glory, and length of days, Solomon expressed his sense of the difficulties, to one so
young, of the high station to which he had been called; and, humbly conscious of
his lack of the experience required to conduct well the affairs of his large empire
and numerous people, he prayed for wisdom— nothing but wisdom: "I am but a
youth : I know not how to go or to come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy
people, whom thou hast chosen, a great people, that can not be numbered nor counted
for multitude. Give, therefore, thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy peo
ple, that I may discern between good and evil : for who is able to judge this thy so
great a people"?" This request which Solomon had made was highly pleasing to
God. That which he had asked was promised to him in abounding measure T wis
dom such as none before him had ever possessed, or should possess in future times :
and since he had made so excellent a choice, that which he had not asked should
also be given to him — riches and honors beyond all the kings of his time, aud, beside
this, length of days, if he continued in obedience. Solomon awoke ; and feeling
within himself that illumination of mind and spirit which assured him that his
dream had indeed been oracular and divine, he returned with great joy to Jeru
salem. Soon after this, the discharge of those judicial duties which engage so much of the
attention of eastern kings, gave him an opportunity of displaying so much discern
ment as satisfied the people of his uncommon endowments, and his eminent qualifi
cations for his high place. This was his celebrated judgment between the two har
lots who both claimed a living child, and both disclaimed one that had died ; in which
he discovered the rightful owner of the living child by calling forth that self-denying
tenderness which always reigns in a mother's heart.* This produced the very best
effect among all the people ; for, generally, nothing is better understood and appre
ciated, popularly, than an acute and able judicial decision of some difficult point in a
case easily understood, and by which the sympathies are much engaged.
The preparations for the temple had from the first engaged the attention of Solo
mon. Among the first who sent to congratulate him on his succession was Hiram,
king of Tyre, who has already been named as an attached friend and ally of David.
The value of the friendship offered by this monarch was fully appreciated by Solo
mon, who returned the embassy with a letter, in which he opened the noble design
he entertained, and solicited the same sort of assistance in the furtherance of it, as
the same king had rendered to his father David, when building his palace. Hiram
assented with great willingness, and performed the required services with such fidel
ity and zeal, as laid the foundation of a lasting friendship between the kings, and to
the formation of other mutually beneficial connexions between them. The foreste
of the Lebanon mountains only could supply the timber required for this great work.
Such of these forests as lay nearest the sea were in the possession of the Phoenicians;
among whom timber was in such constant demand that they had acquired great and
acknowledged skill in the felling and transportation thereof, and hence il was of much
importance that Hiram consented to employ large bodies of men in Lebanon to hew
timber, as well as others to perform the service of bringing it down to the seaside,
whence it was to be taken along the coast in floats to the port of Joppa, from which
nlace it could be easily taken across the country to Jerusalem. This portion ofthe
assistance rendered by Hiram was of the utmost value and importance. If he had
declined Solomon's proposals, all else that he wanted might have been obtained from
Egypt. But that country was so far from being able to supply timber, that it wanted
it more than almost any nation.
Solomon also desired that Phoenician artificers of all descriptions should be sent to
Jerusalem, particularly such as excelled in the arts of design, and in the working of
gold, silver, and other metals, as well as precious stones; nor was b" insensible of
the value and beauty of those scarlet, purple, and other fine dyes, in the preparation
•md application of which the Tyrians excelled. Men skilled in all these branches of
art were largely supplied by Hiram. He sent also a person of his own name, a Tyr-
ian by birth, who seems to have been a second Bezaleel ; for his abilities were" so
jrfejit, and his attainments so extensive and yarious, that he was skilled not only in
* See the original naue.tr.-e in 1 Kings iii. 16-28

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 323
the working of metals, but in all kinds of works in wood and stone, and even in em
broidery, in tapestry, in dyes, and the manufacture of all sorts of fine cloth. And not
only this, but his general attainments in art, and his inventive powers, enabled him
to devise the means of executing, and to execute, whatever work in art might be
proposed to him. This man was a treasure to Solomon, who made him overseer not
only of the men whom the king of Tyre now sent, but of his own workmen, and
those whom David had formerly engaged and retained in his employment.
In return for all these advantages, Solomon engaged on his part to furnish the king
of Tyre yearly with 2,500 quarters of wheat, and 150,000 gallons of pure olive oil,
for his own use, beside furnishing the men employed in Lebanon with the same corn
quantities, respectively, of wheat and barley, and the same liquid quantities of wine
and oil.
Josephus informs us that the correspondence on this subject between Solomon and
Hiram, copies of which are given by him as well as in the books of Kings and Chron
icles, were in his time still preserved in the archives of Tyre.
Throe years were spent in preparation; but at last all was ready, and the founda
tion of this famous temple was laid in the fourth year of Solomon's reign (1027 B. C),
in the second month, and finished in the eleventh year and eighth month; being a
space of seven years and six months.
Many elaborate treatises have been written on this magnificent structure, but no
satisfactory result has been obtained therefrom. This may arise from a mistaken
reference to classical ideas and models, and from the scanty knowledge we possess
of ancient and modern oriental architecture. Hence it is that modern commentators
and illustrators of Scripture have generally shrunk from the subject; and hence the
many conjectural plans which have been exhibited as illustrative of this far-famed
building, must be looked upon as inconclusive. The only safe ground we have to go
upon is Scripture, whence our account shall be derived, and, for the most part, in the
sacred historian's own language.
We learn, from the history of David, that when he was raised to the throne of
Israel, he piously resolved to erect a temple to the honor of Jehovah. Thus, in one
of his beautiful psalms, he says: "Lord, remember David, and all his afflictions •
how he sware unto the Lord, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob ; surely I will
not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed ; I will not give
sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, until I find out a place for the Lord,
a habitation for the mighty God of Jacob," Psa. cxxxii. 1-5. Because, however, Da
vid was a man of war, God, by his prophet Nathan, intimated to him that while he
approved of his design, he nevertheless should not be permitted to build him a house;
but, at the same time, he gave him a promise that his son and successor should fulfil
his pious intention : see 1 Chron. xvii.
The good monarch acquiesced in the Divine will ; and, to enable his son lo perform
so glorious a work, he himself commenced preparations, and we find him, in his last
moments, instructing Solomon in God's promises, and in his duty in building the
temple, at the conclusion of which he states what material he had prepared for the
undertaking : " Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the Lord
a hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and
of brass and iron without weight, for it is in abundance : timber also and stone have
I prepared ; and thou mayest add thereto. Moreover there are workmen with thee
in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber, and all manner of cunning
men for every manner of work. Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron,
there is no number. Arise, therefore, and be doing, and the Lord be with thee." —
1 Chron. xxii. 14-16. David, moreover, gave to Solomon " the pattern of the
porch, and of the houses -thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper
ihambers thereof, and of the inner parlors thereof, and of the place of the mercy-
seat, and the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house
-jf the Lord, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house
af God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things; also for tne courses of the
priests and the Levites, and for ail the work of the service of the house of the
Lord, and for all the vessels of service in the house of the Lord. He gave of gold bv
weight for things of gold, for all instruments of all manner of service ; silver also foi
nil instruments of silver by weight, for all instruments of every kind of service : even
the weight for ihe candlesticks of gold, and for their lamps of gold, by weight foi

324 AN ILLUSTRATED
every candlestick, and for the lamps thereof: and for the candlesticks of silver by
weight, both for the candlestick, and also for the lamps thereof, according to the list
of every candlestick. And by weight he gave gold for the tables of showbread, foi
every table ; and likewise silver for the tables of silver : also pure gold for the flesh-
hooks, and the Dowls, and the cups ; and for the golden basins he gave gold by weight
for every basin; and likewise silver by weight for every basin of silver: and for the
altar of incense refined gold by weight ; and gold for the pattern ofthe chariot of the
cherubim, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the
Lord. All this, said David, the Lord made me to understand in writing by his hand
upon me, even all the works of this pattern. And David said to Solomon his son,* Be
strong and of good courage, and do it : fear not, nor be dismayed, for the Lord God,
even my God, will be with thee ; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou
hast finished all the work for the service ofthe house ofthe Lord. And, behold, the
courses of the priests and the Levites, even they shall be with thee for all the ser
vice of the house of God : and there shall be with thee for all manner of workman
ship every willing skilful man, for any manner cf service : also the princes and all
the people will be wholly at thy commandment." 1 Chron. xxviii. 11—21.
The youthful monarch was not unmindful of his royal parent's charge. No sooner
was he sealed peaceably on his throne, than we find him addressing Hiram king of
Tyre in these words : " Thou knowest how that David my father could not build a
house unto the name of the Lord his God for the wars which were about him on ev
ery side, until the Lord put them under the soles of his feet. But now the Lord my
God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil
occurrent. And, behold, I purpose to build a house unto the name of the Lord my
God, as the Lord spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son whom I will set upon
thy throne in thy room, he shall build a house unto my name. Now therefore com
mand thou that they hew me cedar-trees out of Lebanon ; and my servants shall be
with thy servants : and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all
that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can
skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians." 1 Kings v. 3-6.
In this request, as we have already stated, Hiram, who was the friend of Solomon,
complied, and the building was commenced, in the four hundred and eighteenth year
after the. children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt. There were em
ployed, in the construction of this building, one hundred and eighty-three thousand
men, including Hebrews and Canaanites ; and though everything was made rea ly
ere it came to the spot, so that, in the language of Holy Writ, " there was neither
hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building ."
1 Kings vi. 7.
The site on which the temple was built was Mount Moriah, " where the Lord ap
peared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshinr-
floor of Oman the Jebusite." 2 Chron. ii. 1.
The description which the sacred historian gives of the building is as follows :
" And the house which King Solomon built for the Lord, the length thereof was
threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits, and the height thereof thirty
cubits. And the porch before the temple of the house, twenty cubits was the length
thereof, according to the breadth ofthe house ; and ten cubits was the breadth there
of before the house. And for the house he made windows of narrow lights" (or
windows broad within and narrow without). " And against the wall of the house
he built chambers round about, against the walls of the house round about, both of
the temple and of the oracle : and he made chambers round about : the nethermost
chamber was five cubits broad, and the middle was six cubits broad, and the third
was seven cubits broad : for without in the wall of the house he made narrowed
rests round about, that the beams should not be fastened in the walls of the house.
The door for the middle chamber was in the right side of the house : and they went
up with winding stairs into the middle chamber, and out ofthe middle into the third.
So he built the hjuse and finished it ; and covered the house with beams and boards
of cedar. And then he built chambers against all the house, five cubits high : and
they rested on the house with timber of cedar. And he built the walls ofthe house
within with boards of cedar, both the floor ofthe house, and the walls ofthe ceiling:
and he covered them on the inside with wood, and covered the floor of the house with
planks of fir. And he built twenty cubits on the sides of the house, both the flooi

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 325
and the walls with boards of cedar : he even built them for it within, even for the
oracle, even for the most holy place. And the house, that is the temple before it,
was forty cubits long. And the cedar of the house within was carved with knops
[gourds] and open flowers : all was cedar ; there was no stone seen. And the oracle
he prepared in 'the house within, to set there the ark of the covenant of the Lord.
And the oracle in the forepart was twenty cubits in length, and twenty cubits in
breadth, and twenty cubits in the height thereof: and he overlaid it with pure gold,
and so covered the altar which was of cedar. So Solomon overlaid the house within
with pure gold : and he made a partition by the chains of gold before the oracle;
and he overlaid it with gold. And the whole house he overlaid with gold, until he
had finished all the house ; also the whole altar that was by the oracle he overlaid
with gold. And within the oracle he made two cherubim of olive-tree, each ten
cubits high. And five cubits was the one wing of the cherub, and five cubits the
other wing of the cherub : from the uttermost part of the one wing unto the utter
most part of the other were ten cubits. And the other cherub was ten cubits : both
th" cherubim were of one measure and one size. The height ofthe one cherub was
ten cubits, and so was it of the other cherub. And he set the cherubim within the
inner house : and they stretched forth the wings of the cherubim, so that the wing
ofthe one touched the one wall, and the wing ofthe other cherub touched the other
wall ; and their wings touched one another in the midst of the house. And he over
laid the cherubim with gold. And he carved all the walls ofthe house round about
with carved figures of cherubim and palm-trees and open flowers within and without.
A.nd the floor of the house he overlaid with gold, within and without. And for the
entering of the oracle he made doors of olive-tree : the lintel and side-posts were a
fifth part of the wall. The two doors also were of olive-tree ; and he carved upon
them carvings of cherubim and palm-trees and open flowers, and overlaid them with
gold, and spread gold upon the cherubim, and upon the palm-trees. So also made
he for the door of the temple-posts of olive-tree, a fourth part of the wall. And the
two doors were of fir-tree : the two leaves of the one door were folding, and the two
leaves of the other door were folding. And he carved thereon cherubim and
palm-trees, and open flowers : and covered them with gold fitted upon the carved
work. And he built the inner court with three rows of hewed stone, and a row of
cedar-beams." 1 Kings vi.
In the next chapter we read of two remarkable pillars connected with the porch.
Speaking of Hiram, whom Solomon had caused to be fetched from Tyre, to aid in
the erection ofthe temple, the sacred historian says : " He was a widow's son ofthe
tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass; and he was
filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning, to work all works in brass.
And he came to King Solomon, and wrought all his work. For he cast two pillars
of brass, of eighteen cubits high apiece ; and a line of twelve cubits did compass
either of them about. And he made two chapiters of molten brass, to set upon the
tops of the pillars : the height ofthe one chapiter was five cubits, and the height of
the other chapiter was five cubits : and nets of checkerwork and wreaths of chain-
work, for the chapiters which were upon the top of the pillars ; seven for the one
chapiter, and seven for the other chapiter. And he made the pillars, and two rows
round about upon the one network, to cover the chapiters that were upon the top,
with pomegranates : and so did he for the other chapiter. And the chapiters that
were upon the top ofthe pillars were of lily-work in the porch four cubits. And the
chapiters upon the two pillars had pomegranates also above, over against the belly
which was by the network : and the pomegranates were two hundred in rows round
about upon the other chapiter. And he set up the pillars in the porch of the tem
ple: and he set up the right pillar, and called the name thereof Jachin" (which may
be read, "it shall stand") ; "and he set up the left pillar, and called the name there
of Boaz" (which may be read, "in strength," thus forming a kind of sentence, "It
shall stand in strength"). 1 Kings vii. 14-21. The reader will find other interesting
details concerning the temple in the concluding verses of this chapter, and in the
parallel chapters, 2 Chron. iii.-vi. ; 1 Chron. xxii. -xxix. ; and 1 Kings vii., viii.
The temple, with all things destined for its service, and every arrangement con
nected with it, being completed, its dedication was celebrated the year after, with a
magnificence worthy of the object and the occasion. All the chief men in IsiaeJ
were present — the heads of tribes, and paternal chiefs, together with multitudes of

826 AN ILLUSTRATED
people from all parts of the land. The priests, if not the Levites. ilso attended in
full force, the succession of the courses being afterward to commence. God him
self was pleased to manifest his presence and his complacency by two striking
miracles : —
At the moment when the ark of the covenant, having been brought in high pro
cession from its former place in " the city of David," was deposited in the holy of
holies, the numerous Levitical choirs thundered forth their well-known song, — sent
to the heavens by their united voices, and by the harmonious concord of a thousand
instruments, — "Praise Jehovah! for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever!"
Suddi nly, as at the consecration of the first tabernacle, the house of God was covered
with a thick cloud, which filled it, and which enveloped all the assistants in such
profound obscurity that the priests were unable to continue their services. This
was a manifest symbol that God had accepted this as his house, his palace ; and that
his Presence had entered to inhabit there. It was so understood by Solomon, whose
voice rose amidst the silence which ensued. " Jehovah said that he would dwell in
the thick darkness. I have assuredly built for thee a house to dwell in, a settled
place for thee to abide in for ever !" The king stood on a brazen platform which had
been erected in front of the altar; and now, turning to the people, he explained the
origin and object of this building. After which "he spread forth his hands toward
the heavens" to address himself to God. The prayer he offered on this occasion is
one of the noblest and most sublime compositions in the Bible. It exhibits the most
exalted conceptions of the omnipresence of God, and of his superintending provi
dence; and dwells more especially on his peculiar protection of the Hebrew nation,
from the time of its departure from Egypt, and imploring pardon and forgiveness for
all their sins and transgressions in the land, and during those ensuing captivities
which, in the same prophetic spirit that animated the last address of Moses, he
appears to have foreseen. Nothing can be finer than that part of his long and
beautiful address, in which, recurring to the idea of inhabitance which had been so
forcibly brought before his mind, he cries, " But will God indeed dwell on the earth ?
Behold the heaven, and the heaven of heavens can not contain thee; how much less
this house that I have builded !"
The king had no sooner concluded his prayer than a fire from the heavens
descended upon the altar and consumed the burnt-offerings. All the Israelites beheld
this prodigy, and bent their faces toward the earth in adoration, and repeated with
one voice the praise which was the most acceptable to him: " He is good ; his mercy
endureth for ever !"
By these two signs the sanctuary and the altar received the same acceptance and
consecration which had been granted in the wilderness to the tabernacle and the
altar there.
After this the sacrifices were resumed, and countless victims were offered. During
two consecutive weeks the people celebrated this great solemnity with unabated
zeal. It was the year of jubilee, which had probably been chosen as a season of
general joy and leisure ; and hence the unusually great concourse to Jerusalem. In
this year the jubilee feast was followed by that of tabernacles, which explains the
duration of this great festival beyond the seven days in which public festivals usually
terminated. On the last day of the second feast, the king blessed the people, and
dismissed them to their homes, to which they repaired, "joyful and glad of heart
for all the good which Jehovah had done for David his servant, and for Israel his
people." Solomon having thus worthily accomplished the obligation imposed upon him by
his father, felt himself at liberty to build various sumptuous structures, and under
take various works suited to the honor of his crown and the dignity of his great
kingdom. All that can be said with reference to these will be little more than an
amplification of his own statement on the subject : " I raised magnificent works ; I
built for myself houses; I planted for myself vineyards; I made for myself gardens
and groves, and planted in them fruit-trees of every kind ; I made also pools of
water,* to water therewith the growing plantations. I bought men-servants and
* Solomon's Pools [see Engraving, p. 827).— The pools of Solomon are situated about one hour's distance
.o the south of Bethlehem : and to them the king of Israel is supposed to refer in Eccles. ii. 4-6, where,
¦among other magnificent works executed by liirri, he enumerates vineyards, gardens, orchards, and p-iols
These pools are three in number, of an oblong iiuadrangular form, cut out of tho native rock, and are
¦eovered Arlth a thick coat of plaster in tlie inside, and supported by abutments the workmanship, through ,

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

3OT

32S AN ILLUSTRATED
women-servants, and had servants bom in my house; I possessed also herds and
flocks in abundance, more than any had before me in Jerusalem ; I collected also sil
ver and gold, and precious treasure from kings and provinces; I procured men-singeu
and women-singers, and the sweetest instruments of music, the delight of the cliil
dren of men. Thus I became great, and possessed more than any who had been
before me in Jerusalem." (Eccles. ii. 3-9.)
Of the royal buildings to which allusion has been made, our more particular infor
mation is respecting the palace which the king built for himself, another for
" Pharaoh's daughter," and " the house of the forest of Lebanon." It is difficult,
from the brief intimations which the scriptural history offers, to form a clear or con
nected idea of these buildings. The description of Josephus, although more precise,
does not supply this deficiency ; but by its assistance we may make out that the two
palaces, for himself and the princess of Egypt, were not separate buildings, but, as
the existing arrangements in oriental palaces would suggest, a distinct part, or wing,
of the same building. It may assist the matter to understand that an oriental palace
consists, for the most part, of a series of open quadrangles, with distinct appropria
tions, and each surrounded with buildings suitable to its appropriation. In fact, they
are distinct buildings, connected only by communicating doors, similar in their general
plan to each other, but differing much in size and workmanship. The quadrangle
into which the gate of entrance opens usually contains the state apartments and
offices, principally the hall in which the sovereign gives audience, sits in judgment,
and transacts all public business. Hence the court is very often called " the gate,"
of which we have a familiar instance in the Ottoman Porte, and of which examples
are found in scripture with reference to the courts of the Hebrew, Babylonian, and
Persian ki.igs.* Now, from the description of Josephus, it would appear that the
palace, as a whole, consisted of three quadrangles, of which that in the centre con-r"
tamed the hall of audience and justice, and other state apartments, while that on the
right hand formed the king's palace of residence, and that on the left was the palace
of the Egyptian princess. The only point on which we are in doubt, is, whether the
three quadrangles were on a line with each other, or that the one which, contained
the public halls was in advance of the others ; for in this way, equally with the
other, the palaces of the king and queen might be respectively described as to the
right and left of the public building. There are some who think that " the house
of the forest of Lebanon" was the same as this front or public portion of the whole
out, like everything Jewish, is more remarkable for strength than beauty. They are situated in a most
secluded situation, at the south end of a small valley, in the midst of mountains ; and are so disposed on
the sloping hill, that the water in the uppermost pool flows into the second, and thence into the third.
That on the west is nearest to the source of the spring which supplies it with water, and is stated by Dr.
Richardson to be 480 feet long ; the second is about 600 feet, aud the third about 660 feet in length. The
breadth of them all is nearly the same ; but no traveller, ancient or modern, has ascertained their depth.
The pools communicate freely with each other, and are capable of containing a great quantity of water,
which they discharge into a small aqueduct that conveys it to Jerusalem. This aqueduct was constructed
ail along on the surface of the ground, and framed of perforated stones let one into another, with a fillet
round the cavity, so framed as to prevent leakage, and united to each other with so firm a cement that
they will sometimes sooner break than endure a separation. These pipes were covered, for greater secu
rity, with a case or layer of smaller stones, which were laid over them in a very strong mortar. " The
whole work," says Maundrell, " seems to be endued with such absolute firmness, as if it had been designed
for eternity. But the Turks have demonstrated, in this instance, that nothing can be so well wrought but
they are able to destroy it. For of this strong aqueduct, which was carried formerly five or six leagues
with so vast expense and labor, you now see only here and there a fragment remaining."
The fountain whence these pools principally derive their waters is at the distance of about one hundred
and forty paces from them. This, the friars of Bethlehem are fully persuaded, is the "sealed fountain" to
which Solomon compares his bride. (Sol. Song, iv. 12.) In confirmation of their opinion, they pretend a
tradition, that King Solomon shut up these springs, and kept the door of them sealed with his signet, in
order that he might preserve the waters for his drinking in their natural freshness and purity. Nor was it
difficult thus to secure them, as they rise under ground, and there is no avenue to them but by a little hole,
.ike the mouth of a narrow- well. Through this hole you descend directly, though not without some
difficulty, for about four yards, when you arrive in a vaulted room, forty-five feet in length and twentv-four
in breadth, adjoining to which there is another room of the same kind, but somewhat less. Both 'these
rooms are covered with handsome stone arches, of great antiquity, which Maundrell thinks may be the
work of Solomon.
Below these pools, at the distance of more than half a mile, is a deep valley, enclosed on each side by
lofty mountains, which the monks of Bethlehem affirm to be the " enclosed garden" alluded to in Sol.
Song, iv. 12. Whether tins conjecture (for it is no more than a conjecture) be well founded or not.
Maundrell thinks it probable enough that the pools may be the same with Solomon's, there not being the
like supply of excellent spring water to be met with anywhere else throughout Palestine. But if Solomon
made the gardens in the rocky ground now assigned for them, it may be safely affirmed, that he demon
strated greater power and wealth in finishing his design than he did wisdom in selecting the place for it.
»2Sam.xv.2; EH. ii 19,21; Hi. 2,3; Dan. ii. 49. Compare Matt. xvi. 18; see also Xenop Cyrop 1.
i ; viii. 3.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 329
pile; nor should we like absolutely to deny this, although it seems more probable
that it was a royal vesidence in the neighbhorhood of Jerusalem, deriving its name
either from the number of cedar pillars which supported its galleries and halls, of
from the plantations by which it was surrounded. These structures were, for the
most part, built with immense blocks of squared stones, and the whole was fitted up
with cedar; while the nobler rooms and galleries were lined with slabs of costly
polished marble to the floor, and were above enriched with sculptures (on the wall),
and apparently with paintings (on the plaster), especially toward the ceiling, all of
which we may conclude to have been very much in the style of similar things among
the Egyptians, whose palaces were decorated after the same style. And if we have
rightly interpreted Josephus to intimate that there were three ranges of ornaments in
the principal rooms — polished slabs at the bottom, sculpture above, and painting
toward the top, it would be very easy to show how the same ideas and distributions
are retained in the palaces of the modern East, where, above basement slabs of
looking-glass, are wrought recesses, and carvings, and arabesques, and ornaments of
stucco (sculpture being interdicted) ; while toward the ceiling much highly-colored
painting is displayed. If we may credit Josephus, " barbaric pearl and gold" were
not wanting among the materials which contributed to the decoration of the more
splendid apartments. The historian is at a loss for words to express the lull concep
tion, which the traditions of his fathers had conveyed to his mind, of the splendors
of Solomon's palatial buildings : " It would be an endless task," he says, " to give a
particular survey of this mighty mass of building; so many courts and other con
trivances ; such a variety of chambers and offices, great and small ; long and large
galleries ; vast rooms of state, and others for feasting and entertainment, set out as
richly as could be with costly furniture and gildings ; besides, that all the service for
the king's table were of pure gold. In a word, the whole palace was in a manner
made up, from the base to the coping, of white marble, cedar, gold and silver, with
precious stones here and there intermingled upon the walls and ceilings."
The descriptions in the Greek writers of the Persian courts in Susa and Ecbatana;
the tales of the early travellers in the East about the kings of Samarcand or Cathay ;
and even the imagination of the oriental romancers and poets, have scarcely conceived
a more splendid pageant than Solomon, seated on bis throne of ivory, receiving the
homage of distant princes who came to admire his magnificence, and put to the test
his noted wisdom. This throne was of pure ivory, covered with gold ; six steps led
up to the seat, and on each side of the steps were twelve lions carved. All the ves
sels of his palace' were of pure gold — silver was thought too mean : his armory was
urnished with gold ; two hundred targets and three hundred shields of beaten gold
were suspended in the house of Lebanon. Josephus mentions a body of archers who
escorted him from the city to his country palace, clad in dresses of Tyrian purple,
and their hair powdeied with gold dust. But, enormous as this wealth appears, the
statement of his expenditure on the temple, and of his annual revenue, so passes all
credibility, that any attempt at forming a calculation on the uncertain data we pos
sess, may at once be abandoned as a hopeless task. No better proof can be given of
the uncertainty of our authorities, of our imperfect knowledge of the Hebrew weights
of money, and, above all, of our total ignorance of the relative value which the
precious metals bore to the commodities of life, than the estimate, made by Dr.
Prideaux, of the treasures left by David, amounting to eight hundred millions —
nearly the capital of the national debt of England.
Our inquiry into the sources of the vast wealth which Solomon undoubtedly pos
sessed, may lead to more satisfactory, though still imperfect, results. The treasures
of David were accumulated rather by conquest than by traffic. Some of the nations
he subdued, particularly the Edomites, were wealthy. All the tribes seem to have
worn a great deal of gold and silver in their ornaments and their armor ; their idols
were often of gold, and the treasuries of their temples perhaps contained consider
able wealth. But during the reign of Solomon, almost the whole commerce of the
world passed into his territories. The treaty with Tyre was of the utmost impor
tance ; nor is there any instance in which two neighboring nations so clearly saw,
ind so steadily pursued, without jealousy or mistrust, their mutual and inseparable
interests. On one occasion only, when Solomon presented to Hiram twenty inland
::ties which he had conquered, Hiram expressed great dissatisfaction, and called the
territory by the opprobrious name of Cabul. The Tyrian had perhaps cast a wstful eye

330 AN ILLUSTRATED
on the noble bay and harbor of Acco, or Ptolemais, which the prudent Hebrew either
would not or could not — since it was part of the promised land— dissevel from his
dominions. So strict was the confederacy, that Tyre may be considered the port of
Palestine, Palestine the granary of Tyre. Tyre furnished the ship-builders and
mariners ; the fruitful plains of Palestine victualled the fleets, and supplied the
manufacturers and merchants of the Phoenician league with all the necessaries of life.
This league comprehended Tyre, Aradus, Sidon, perhaps Tripolis, Byblus and Be-
rytus ; the narrow slip of territory which belonged to these states was barren, rocky,
and unproductive. The first branch of commerce, into which this enterprising people
either admitted the Jews as regular partners, or at least permitted them to share it?
advantages, was the traffic of the Mediterranean. To every part of that sea the Phoe
nicians had pursued their discoveries ; they had planted colonies, and worked the
mines. This was the trade to Tarshish, so celebrated, that ships of Tarshish seem
to have become the common name for large merchant vessels. Tarshish was proba
bly a name as indefinite, as the West Indies in early European navigation ; properly
speaking, it was the south of Spain, then rich in mines of gold and silver, the Peru
of Tyrian adventure. Whether or not as early as the days of Solomon, — without
doubt in the more flourishing period of Phoenicia ; before the city on the mainland
was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, and insular Tyre became the emporium — the Phoe
nician navies extended their voyages beyond the pillars of Hercules, where they
founded Cadiz. Northward they sailed along the coast of France to the British isles:
southward along the African shore ; where the boundaries of their navigation are
quite uncertain, yet probably extended to the gold coast. The second branch of com
merce was the inland trade with Egypt. This was carried on entirely by the Jews.
Egypt supplied horses in vast numbers, and linen yam. The valleys of the Nile pro
duced flax in abundance; and the yarn, according to the description of the prudent
housewife in the Proverbs, was spun and woven by the females in Palestine. The
third, and more important branch, was the maritime trade by the Red sea. The con
quests of David had already made the Jews masters of the eastern branch of this
gulf. Solomon built or improved the towns and ports of Elath and Ezion-geber.
Hence a fleet, manned by Tyrians, sailed lor Ophir, their East Indies, as Tarshish was
their \V est. They sailed along the eastern coast of Africa, in some part of which the
real Ophir was probably situated. When the Egyptians under Necho, after the de
clension of the Israelitish kingdom, took possession of this branch of commerce, there
seems little reason to doubt the plain and consistent account of H.erodotus, that the
Tyrians sailed round the continent of Africa. The whole maritime commerce, with
eastern Asia, the southern shores of the Arabian peninsula, the coasts of the Persian
gulf, and without doubt some parts of India, entered, in the same manner, the Red
sea, and was brought to Elath and Ezion-geber.
Besides this maritime traffic the caravan trade by land engaged a full share of Sol
omon's attention. By the possession of a southern frontier stretching across from the
Elanitic gulf to the Mediterranean, the land traffic between Egypt and Syria lay com
pletely at his mercy. He felt this, and through some arrangement with his father-
in-law the king of Egypt, he contrived to monopolize it entirely in his own hands
It appears that what Syria chiefly required from Egypt were linen fabrics and yarn,
for the manufacture of which that country had long been celebrated ; also chariots,
the extensive use of which in Egypt has already been pointed out; and horsts, of
which that country possessed a very excellent and superior breed, if we may judge
from the numerous fine examples which the paintings and sculptures offer. Ail this
trade Solomon appears to have intercepted and monopolized. He was supplied by
contract, at a fixed price, with certain quantities adequate to the supply of the Syrian
market, which, after retaining what he required for himself, his factors sold, doubtless
at a high profit, to the different kings of Syria. The price was doubtless arbitrary,
and dependant on times and circumstances ; but the contract price at which the char
iots and horses were supplied by the Egyptians to the Hebrew factors happens to be
named, — six hundred silver shekels for a chariot, and one fourth of that sum, or one
Hundred and fifty shekels, for a horse.
This was not the only land traffic which engaged the notice of Solomon. His at
tention was attracted to the extensive and valuable caravan trade which, from very
remote ages, coming from the farther east, and the Persian gulf, proceeded to Egypt,
Tyre, and other points on the Mediterranean, by the Euphrates and across the grea

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

331

m,

332 AN ILLUSTRATED
Syrian desert. The habitable points of that desert, even 10 the great river, were now
under the dominion of the Hebrew king, and even the Bedouin tribes by whom it was
chiefly inhabited were brought under tribute to him, and were kept in order by the
dread of his great name. Under these circumstances, Solomon was in nearly as fa
vorable a position for taking a part in this trade as in the land trafiic between Egypt
and Syria. But the measures which he took were different, and more specially adapt
ed to the circumstances of the case. They were less coercive, and dealt more in the
offer of inducements and advantages. And the reason is obvious ; for although the
ordinary track of the great caravans lay through his territories, it was in the power
of its conductors to alter that track so as to pass northward beyond the limits of his
dominion; but this would have produced such expense, trouble and delay, that it
would have been preferable to maintain the old route even at the expense of some
check and inconvenience. Whether the* measures of Solomon were felt to be such,
we do not know ; they were possibly deemed by the caravan merchants and by the
Hebrews, as mutually advantageous, although the ultimate purchasers, who could be
no parties in this arrangement, possibly regarded them in a different light. The plan
of Solomon was to erect in the very heart of the desert an emporium for this import
ant trade. The route of a caravan is so directed as to include as many as possible of
the places at which water may be found. At the most important of these stations,
where water, and by consequence palm-trees, was found in the most abundance, the
Hebrew king built a city and called it Tadmor* (a palm-tree), whence its Greek name
of Palmyra. But Greek and Roman names never fixed themselves in the soil of
Syria, and the ruins of the city bear, to this day, among the natives, the primitive
name of Tadmor. Here the caravans not only found water as before, but every ad
vantage of shelter and rest, while by this establishment Solomon was enabled more
effectively to overawe the tribes, and to afford protection to the caravans from the pred
atory attempts and exactions of the Bedouins. Here the caravan merchants would
soon find it convenient to dispose of their commodities, and -leave the further distribu
tion of them, to the nations west of the desert, either to the factors of Solomon, or to
private merchants, — for we do not know to what extent the king found it advisable to
have this trade free to his own subjects. It may be thai private persons among his
subjects, or even foreigners from the west, were not prevented from here meeting and
dealing with the eastern merchants ; but from the general — and with our present lights,
we must say short-sighted — policy of Solomon's commercial doings, it may be inferred
that he monopolized such advantages in this trade as he deemed safe or prudent. At
the least, it must be presumed that he derived a considerable revenue, in the way of
customs, from such merchandise as did not pass into the hands of his own factors ;
and this, however advantageous to the king, may have been felt by the caravan mer
chants but as a reasonable equivalent for the protection they enjoyed, and their free-
lom from the exactions of the Bedouins. Much of this, which we have stated as
probably connected with the foundation of this city of the desert, is not stated in scrip
ture : but it is deducible from the improbability that without strong inducements a
city would have been founded in such a situation, and from the detection of these in
ducements in the commercial enterprises of Solomon, with ••'.<, ^lustration applied to
the particular instance, which is derivable from the fact that the wealth and glory in
which the Palmyra of a later day appears, was due entirely to the circumstance that
its position made it an emporium for the caravan trade of the desert. In fact, that it
was such at a long subsequent date, and that its very existence depended on its being
such, illustrates and justifies that intention in its foundation which, on the strongest
circumstantial evidence, we have ventured to ascribe to Solomon.
Besides these branches of commerce, " the traffic of the spice merchants" is men
tioned among the sources from which wealth accrued to Solomon. In what form this
profit was derived is not distinctly intimated. From the analogy of his other opera
tions, we might conclude that he bought up the costly spices and aromatics brought
by the spice caravans of southernmost Arabia, which must needs pass through his
territories; and that after deducting what sufficed for the large consumption of his
own nation, he sold the residue at an enhanced price to the neighboring nations. As
it is certain that, from his own wants merely, an act of trade must have taker, place
between him and these caravans, this seems the more obvious conclusion, although,
• n tire Ketib of 1 Kings ix. 18 it is put Tamar, the proper word for a palm-tree, showing that TadmM
has the same meaning, and probably that the d is merely introduced for euphony.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 333
without this, he may have derived an important item of profit from this trade by
levying customs upon it in its passage through his dominions.
Such, as far as they can be traced, were the commercial operations of Solomon. It
is quite easy now, and in a commercial country like our own, to see that these opera
tions were, for the most part, based on wrong views and principles, inasmuch as how
ever they might tend to the aggrandizement of the king, they could confer little solid
and enduring benefit on the nation. But in the East, where the king is the state, and
becomes himself the centre of most public acts, he is seldom found to take interest in
commerce, but from regarding it as a source of emolument to the state, by his direct
and personal concern therein. The king himself is a trader, with such advantages
resulting from his position, as inevitably exclude the private merchant from the field
in which he appears. He is inevitably a monopolist ; and a sovereign monopoly. is,
if not an evil, at least not a benefit to the people, whatever wealth it may seem to
bring into the country. The river, however noble, gives fertility only to the banks
which hem it in ; and it is only when its waters are drawn off in their course, and
exhausted into a thousand channels, that they bless and glorify the wide country
around. Solomon, in his book of Ecclesiastes, acquaints us with many " vanities"
and " sore evils" which he saw " under the sun ;" but from this statement we do not
learn that he ever becniue conscious of the very great vanity and most sore evil of a
rich king over a poor people, or of the system wliich makes the king rich while the
people remain comparatively poor.
Large revenues were derived from the annual tributes of the foreign states, which
were now subject to the Hebrew sceptre, or over which it exercised a more or less
stringent influence. The kings and princes of such states appear to have sent their
tribute in the form of quantities of the principal articles which their country produced,
or was able to procure ; as did also the governors of the provinces not left under the
native princes. Besides the regular tax or tribute derived from countries more or less
closely annexed to the Hebrew kingdom, tliere were more distant states which found
it good policy to conciliate the favor of Solomon, or to avert his hostility by annual
offerings, which, under ihe soft name of "presents," formed no contemptible item of
the royal revenue. Of that revenue one item is mentioned in rather singular terms:
" All the earlh s,nig;ht to Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put into his
heart. And they Krought every man his present, utensils of silver, and utensils of
gold, and garment, and armor, and spires, horses and mules, a rate year by year."
Here the terms " presents," and " a rate year by year," have a degree of opposition
at the first view, which seems to require us to suppose either that those great men
who had once resorted to Jerusalem to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and to behold
the manifestation of it in the ordering of his court and kingdom, not only brought with
them the presents which the usages of the East rendered the necessary accompani
ments of such visits, but that they continued to send from their several lands yearly
gifts of compliment to him. Or else, that the desire of thus complimenting the mon
arch whom God had so eminently gifted, furnished a decent pretence to those who
had other reasons for rendering a real tribute to him. The latter interpretation is lhat
which we prefer. And it is certain that in the case of the only royal visit which is
particularly described — that of the queen of Sheba — only such presents as she brought
with her are named, and no " rate year by year" is intimated. Ethiopia was too re
mote to be within reach of the influences which may have determined the monarchs
of nearer nations to make their " presents" to Solomon a yearly payment.
The articles mentioned in the extract just given, together with those named in other
places, enable us to form some idea of the display which these annual or occasional
renderings of tributes and of traffics must have offered. It has been the fashion of
the East to make a show of such offerings by their being taken in procession to tne
palace of the king by the persons, arrayed in their varied costumes, by whom they
were brought to the country. To this custom we have more than once had occasion
to allude in the course of the present work. Many were the spectacles of this sort
which must have delighted the eyes of the Israelites during the splendid reign of Sol
omon. There are paintings of Egypt, and sculptures of Persia, which enable us to
lorm some idea of these imposing exhibitions, which indeed are in strict correspond
ence with those which the courts of the East have still preserved. Of the represent
ations to which we allude, the former is no less interesting and instructive from the
details which it offers, than venerable from *s high antiquity. It is at Thebes ; and

334

AN ILLUSTRATED

¦<mmr

WISW

'III" li»lw-

?#1

^.H.^^#*rr^(ii' ,

represents the ambassadors of foui nations
bringing their tributes to Tholhmes III.,
whose reign Sir J. G. Wilkinson ascribes
to the time of the departure of the Israel
ites from Egypt. The general eflect of
this curious scene may be estimated from
the annexed engraving, although in this
attempt to imbody the ideas which it of
fers, it has been necessary to omit many of
the details which are included in the ex
tensive original subject. It is remarkable
that the classes of articles brought by the
foreigners are all such as would be included
in the classes of '. products rendered to Sol
omon. The articles vary with the country
and costume of the nation by. which they
are brought. We see principally gold and
silver money in rings; vases and other
utensils of the same metal, of very various
and often truly elegant shapes; baskets
containing sealed bags, probably of jewels ;
baskets of fruits, carefully packed and cov
ered with leaves to preserve their fresh
ness ; growing plants, — in one instance we
see a shrub transported in a growing state:
it is enclosed with the mould in wliich it
grows, in a kind of open case, which is
carried between two men suspended from
a pole, the ends of which rest on their
shoulders. Then there are elephants' teeth,
and beams of ebony and other valuable
woods ; and, besides the skins of various
animals, particularly leopards, there is a
most interesting exhibition of various liv
ing animals conducted to the king. Among
these are giraffes, various well-distinguish
ed species of apes and monkeys, leopards,

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

335

3ri6 AN ILLUSTRATRD
and even bears. There were also oxen, of a different breed to that common iu the
country, as were probably the horses, which also figure in the procession, and which,
with chariots, form perhaps the most remarkable objects ofthe whole, as being brought
to a country which itself abounded in horses and chariots ; but the horses were prob
ably desirable to the Egyptians as of a foreign breed, and the chariots as a curious for
eign manufacture. Upon the whole, a more striking and appropriate illustration of
this part of Solomon's glory can not well be imagined.
The wealth which flowed into the royal treasury from these various sources appears
to have been freely disbursed by Solomon in enriching his buildings, in extending their
number, and in the ordering of his court and kingdom. Besides the buildings which
have already been pointed out, various public structures were built by him in Jerusa
lem, which city he also enclosed by new walls, fortified with strong towers. Other
important towns (as Gaza) were fortified, and new ones built in different parts of the
country. Besides Tadmor, which has already engaged our notice, Baalath is named
among the towns built by him; and this is supposed by many to be no other than tb«"
afterward celebrated city of Baalbee, in the great valley of Coele-Syria.
Tt was from these various sources of wealth, that the precious metals and all othei
valuable commodities were in such abundance — that, in the figurative language ofthe
sacred historian, silver was in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar-trees as sycamores.
Solomon was not less celebrated for his wisdom than his magnificence. The. visits
of the neighboring prfnees, particularly that of the queen of Sheba (a part of Arabia
Felix), were to admire the one, as much as the other. Hebrew tradition, perhaps
the superstitious wonder of his own age, ascribed to Solomon the highest skill in
migical arts, and even unbounded dominion over all the invisible world. More sober
history recognises in Solomon the great poet,, naturalist, and moral philosopher of his
time. His poetry, consisting of one thousand and five songs, except his epithalamium,
and perhaps some of the Psalms, has entirely perished. His natural history of plants
and animals has suffered the same fate. But the great part of the book of Proverbs
and Ecclesiastes (perhaps more properly reckoned as a poem) have preserved the
conclusions of his moral wisdom.
The latter book, or poem, derives new interest, when considered as coming from
the most voluptuous, magnificent, and instructed of monarchs, who sums up the esti
mate of human life in the melancholy sentence — Vanity of vanities .' vanity of vani
ties ! It is a sad commentary on the termination of the splendid life and reign of the
great Hebrew sovereign. For even had not this desponding confession been extorted
by the satiety of passion, and the weariness of a spirit, over-excited by all the grati
fications this world can bestow — had no higher wisdom suggested this humiliating
conclusion — the state of his own powerful kingdom, during his declining years, might
have furnished a melancholy lesson on the instability of human grandeur. Solomon,
in his old age, was about to uequeath to his heir, an insecure throne, a discontented
people, formidable enemies on the frontiers, and perhaps a contested succession. He
;ould not even take refuge in the sanctuary of conscious innocence, and assume the
aignity of suffering unmerited degradation; for he had set at defiance every principle
of the Hebrew constitution. He had formed a connexion with Egypt — he had mufti-
plied a great force of cavalry — he had accumulated gold and silver — he had married
many foreign wives. His seraglio was on as vast a scale as the rest of his expendi
ture — he had seven hundred wives, and three hundred concubines. The influeni e of
these women, not merely led him to permit an idolatrous worship within his do.nin-
ions, but even Solomon had been so infatuated, as to consecrate to the obscene and
barbarous deities of the neighboring nations, a part of one of the hills, which over
looked Jerusalem — a spot almost fronting the splendid temple, which he himself had
built to the one Almighty God of the universe. Hence clouds on all sides gathered
about his declining day. Hadad, one of the blood-royal ofthe Edomite princes, began
to organize a revolt in that province, on which so much of the Jewish commerce °de
pended. An adventurer seized on Damascus, and set up an independent sovereignty,
thus endangering the communicat'on from Tadmor. A domestic enemy, still more
dangerous, appeared in the person of Jeroboam, a man of great valor, supported bv
the prophet Ahijah, who foretold his future rule over the ten tribes. Though force3
to fly, Jeroboam found an asylum with Shishak, or Sesac, the Sesonchosis of Mane-
tho, who was raising the kingdom of Egypt to its former alarming grandeur ; and,
not withstanding his alliance with Solomon, made noscruDle against harboring his «•¦

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE 337
bellious subject. Above all, the people were oppressed and dissatisfied ; either be
cause the enormous revenues of the kingdom were more than absorbed by the vast
expenditure of the sovereign ; or because the more productive branches of commerce
vyere interrupted by the rebellions of the Edomiles and Damascenes. At this period
likewise, Solomon departed from the national, though iniquitous policy of his earlier
reign, during which he had laid all the burdens of labor and taxation on the strangers,
and exempted the Israelites from every claim but that of military service. The lan
guage held to Rehoboam, on his accession, shows that the people had suffered deeply
from the arbitrary exactions of the king, who, with the state and splendor, had as
sumed the despotism of an oriental monarch. Hence the decline of the Jewish king
dom, supported rather by the fame of its sovereign, than by its inherent strength, was
as rapid as its rise. Solomon died after a reign of forty years, and with him expired
the glory and the power of the Jewish empire.

CHAPTER XIX.
REVOLT OP TEN TRIBES — JEROBOAM — REHOBOAM — AHAB.
The effects ofthe arbitrary policy and inordinate expense which had prevailed in
the court of Solomon during the last years of his reign, began to appear as soon as
his death was announced. The rulers of the tribes assembled at the city of Shechem,
in the tribe of Ephraim, — which tribe, it will be remembered, was always disposed
to regard with strong jealousy the superiority of Judah. Here they wished to enter
into a new stipulation with the heir to the throne — a precaution which had been
neglected under the excitement and extraordinary circumstances which attended the
accession of Solomon. If Rehoboam had been wise, the place which had been chosen
for this congress, and the presence of Jeroboam, — who had hastened from Egypt
when he heard of Solomon's death, and took a prominent part in the present matter —
were circumstances, wliich among others, mighl have apprized him that the occasion
was one of no ordinary moment, and required the most careful and skilful manage
ment. Rehoboam was not equal to this crisis ; for when the rulers demanded, as the
condition of their submission, that he should abrogate a portion ofthe burdens which
his father had imposed upon them, he failed to discern what might be gained by a
ready and cheerful concession, and required three days on which to deliberate on
their demand. In this time he decided to reject the counsel of the older and more
prudent counsellers, who enforced the necessity of compliance with this demand, and
chose rather to adopt the advice ofthe young and headstrong courtiers — warm advo
cates ofthe royal prerogative, — who exhorted him to overawe the remonstrants by
his majesty, and to drive them back like yelping dOgs to their kennels. Accordingly
when the three days had expired, his fatal and foolish answer was, that his little
finger should be heavier upon the nation than his father's loins; and that whereas
his father had only chastised them with whips, he would chastise them with scor
pions. Nothing could more clearly than this answer evince the unfitness of Rehoboam
for the crisis which had now occurred, and his utter ignorance ofthe spirit which was
in Israel ; while it at the same time indicates the arbitrary notions of the royal pre
rogative which he found occasion to imbibe during the later years of his father's
reign. On receiving this answer ten of the tribes instantly renounced their allegiance to
the house of David, and chose Jeroboam for their king. Two of the tribes, Judah
and Benjamin, alone adhered to Rehoboam, — Judah had the good reason that the
family of David was of their tribe ; and both these tribes were advantaged by the
presence of the metropolis on their respective borders, and had necessarily derived
peculiar benefits from that profuse expenditure of the late king of which ihe other
tribes had cause to complain.
Thus was the great and powerful empire which David had erected', and which
Solomon had ruled, already divided into two very uneflual parts. Jeroboam had ten
of the tribes, and his dominion extended over the tributary nations eastward, toward
the Euphrates; while Rehoboam only retained the tribes of Judah and Benjamin,
which are henceforth, from their strict identity of interest to be regarded as one
tribe, under the name of Judah. To this division belonged also the subject territories
of Philistia and Edom. But notwithstanding the more than equal figure wliich this
22

338 AN ILLUSTRATED
kingdom makes in the further history of the Hebrew nation, it may be well to bear
in mind that what is henceforth to be called the kingdom of Judah, ruled by the
house of David, formed not above a fourth part of the dominions of Solomon.
Rehoboam was not disposed to submit quietly to this proceeding. At first, affecting
to suppose that his authority over the ten tribes would still be recognised, he sent, at
the usual season, the officer who was " over the tribute" to collect the taxes which
had been exacted in the last years of his father's reign. But the people rose, and
testified their indignation and defiance by stoning this obnoxious personage to death.
On this Rehoboam resolved to attempt to reduce the revolted tribes to his obedience
by force of arms, and collected a large armv for that purpose. But when the prophet
Shemaiah announced to him the Lord's command to relinquish this enterprise, he
manifested some sense of his true position by disbanding his army. This, it must be
allowed, was a signal example of submission, and may intimate that when thus re
minded of it he became sensible of the propriety of the requisition. No definite treaty
of peace was, however, concluded, and the frontiers of the two kingdoms continued to
present a hostile aspect.
In the preceding history we have seen that Jehovah, from the time of Moses to
the death of Solomon, always governed the Hebrews according to the promises and
threatenings which he delivered from Mount Horeb. If they deviated from the prin
ciple of worshipping Jehovah as the only true God, that is, if they revolted from theii
lawful king, he brought them by suitable chastisements, to reflect on their obligations,
to return to Jehovah, and again to keep sacred the fundamental law of their church
and state. The same course we shall find pursued in the government of the two
kingdoms. If the monarchs of both had viewed the late great revolution, the sunder
ing ofthe empire, as a consequence ofthe idolatrous and unlawful practices of Solo
mon's court, as a warning (for such it really was) to them not to break the funda
mental law of the state, but to govern their subjects according to the law, and to treat
them as the subjects of Jehovah ; then both kingdoms might have enjoyed uninter
rupted prosperity. Even Jeroboam, though he had received no promise of an eternal
kingdom, as David had, yet the assurance was given him that if he obeyed the law
as David did, the throne should long continue in his family. (1 Kings xi. 37, 38, xii.
21-24: 2 Chron. xi. 1-4, xii. 15.) But as the kings of both kingdoms often disre
garded the fundamental laws of the commonwealth — by idolatry rebelled against their ¦
divine sovereign, carried their disorders so far, and treated their subjects in such a
manner, that they are aptly described by Isaiah and Ezekiel (Isa. lvi. 9; Ezek. xxxiv.)
under the image of wicked shepherds — there arose a succession of prophets, who, by
impressive declarations and symbolic actions, reminded both rulers and subjects of
their duties to Jehovah, and threatened them with punishment in case of disobedience.
Even the rebellious backslidings from God which more particularly distinguished
the kingdom of Israel, did not prevent Jehovah from governing the kingdom according
to his law. We shall see in the sequel how he exterminated, one after another,
those royal families who not only retained the arbitrary institutions of Jeroboam, and
tolerated and patronised idolatry* with its concomitant vices, but even introduced and
protected it by their royal authority. The extermination of the reigning family he
announced beforehand by a prophet, and appointed his successor. We shall see that
the higher their corruptions rose, so much the more decisive and striking were the
declarations and signs made to show the Israelites that the Lord of the universe was
their Lord and King, and that all idols were as nothing when opposed to him. Even
, Naaman, the Syrian, acknowledged, and the Syrians generally found to their sorrow,
that the God of the Hebrews was not a mere national god, but that his power ex
tended over all nations. The history represents a contest between Jehovah, who
ought to be acknowledged as God, and the idolatrous Israelites ; and everything is
ordered to preserve the authority of Jehovah in their minds. At last, after all milder
punishments had proved fruitless, these rebellions were followed by the destruction
of the kingdom, and the captivity of the people, which had been predicted by Moses,
and afterward by Ahijah, Hosea, Amos, and other prophets. (Deut. xxviii. 36 ; 1
Kings xiv. 15 ; Hosea ix ; Amos v.)
We shall also find that the divine Providence was favorable or adverse to the king
dom of Judah, according as the people obeyed or transgressed the law ; only here the
royal family remained unchanged, according to the promise given to David. We
shall here meet indeed with many idolatrous and lebellious kings, but they were al-

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S40 AN ILLUSTRATED
ways succeeded by those of purer mind, who put a stop to idolatry, re-established
theocracy in the hearts of their subjects, and, by the aid of prophets, priests, and
Levites, and the services ofthe temple, restored the knowledge and worship of God.
Judah, therefore, although much smaller than Israel, continued her national existence
one hundred and thirty-four years longer; but at last, as no durable reformation was
produced, she experienced the same fate as her sister kingdom, in fulfilment of the
predictions of Moses and several other prophets.
The following account of the two kingdoms, therefore, should be viewed as that
of a real theocracy; and thus, as a continued execution of the determination of God,
that the true religion should be preserved on the earth. In this view it certainly
deserves our most attentive study.*
Shechem being one of the most important towns in his own tribe of Ephraim, was
made by Jeroboam the metropolis of the new kingdom. He had also a summer
residence at Tirzah,t in the tribe of Manasseh, which, therefore, seems in the history
to share the metropolitan dignity with Shechem.
The new king, little regarding the unconditional promises which had been made
to him, applied himself to such operations of human policy as might tend to estab
lish his kingdom, and confirm its separation from that of Judah. Viewing them as
measures of policy in the abstract, the praise of much political sagacity and foresight
need not be denied to their author; and it is certain that they were successful in pro
moting the object he had in view. But they were, in his peculiar position, as a king
in Israel — that is, a vicegerent of Jehovah, not only improper, but in the highest de
gree criminal ; for they involved an interference with matters far above the preroga
tive of Jehovah's vassal, and the abrogation of institutions which the Supreme King
had established as essential to the good government and subordination of his king
dom, with the introduction of other institutions of a nature abhorrent to the Mosaic
law, and of a tendency against which that law had most jealously guarded the people.
Jeroboam is therefore to be regarded, not as gratuitously and from abstract preference
of evil, leading the people into wrong courses ; but as being careless whether the
course he took were good or evil, so that it tended, in his judgment, to the security
of his kingdom ; for he had failed to learn that hard truth — that implicit obedience
to the behests of his Almighty superior, not tortuous courses of political expediency,
offered the true security ofhis peculiar kingdom.
Jeroboam was much annoyed at the obligation which the law imposed, ofthe re
sort of all the Israelites three times a year to Jerusalem. He clearly perceived that
this concourse and frequent meeting of all the tribes to the same place, and for the
same object, was a strong uniting circumstance among them ; and he feared that the
continuance of this usage might ultimately tend to the reunion of the several king
doms under the house of David. Undoubtedly it was an awkward circumstance that
the subjects of one king should be obliged thus often to resort to the metropolis of a
neighboring and unfriendly monarch ; and still more, that his own kingdom should
be drained of a considerable portion of its wealth for the support of a service which
was exclusively confined to the now adverse metropolis, and for the maintenance of
priests and Levites whose services were rendered at Jerusalem, in the presence and
under the authority ofthe rival sovereign. This was a state of things for which, il
must be allowed, Jeroboam was under strong and natural inducements to seek a
remedy. His duty was to have trusted that God, who had promised to continue his
kingdom if he were obedient, and who had, indeed, already interposed his authority
to prevent Rehoboam from warring against him, would provide a remedy for these
difficulties, or take measures to prevent the consequences which he apprehended.
But Jeroboam wanted that trust in God which it behooved the vassal of' Jehovah tc
exhibit ; and he applied himself to devise measures of his own to meet these exi
gencies. The measures which he look were so bold and decisive, that they at once
took root, and became in their development so interwoven with the political constitu
tion ofthe country, that even the more pious successors of this king in the throne of
Israel did not venture to abolish them, or re-establish the authority of the funda
mental law.
' The above, is adopted, with some abridgment, from Jahn, book v. sect. 35.
' From the manner in which it is mentioned, Tirzah must have enjoyed a very fine situation, and have
made a fair appearance ; but even its site is not now known, and that it was in Manasseh is little more
than a. conjecture. It had been one uf the royal cities of the Canaanites (Josh. xii. 241.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 341
' Under the pretence that Jerusalem was too distant for the resort of his subjects, he
established two places of resort at the opposite extremities of his kingdom, the one
in the north, at Dan, and the other in the south, at Bethel. Both of these places, it
will be remembered, had been previously places of public resort, — Bethel as a place
of sacred stones, and Dan on account ofthe ephod and teraphim which the Danites
had reft from Micah and established at that place. Then, to give this resort an ob
ject, he established at these places golden or gilded calves, in unquestionable imita
tion of the Apis and Mnevis of the Egyptians, among whom he had spent the years
of his exile. We are not at all to suppose that he intended to introduce the worship
of other gods. These images were doubtless intended as symbols of Jehovah ; and
the worship rendered before them was held to be in his honor. But on account ofthe
danger of idolatry, the use of all such symbols had been interdicted by the funda
mental law of the state ; and the use in particular of this very symbol of a golden
calf, to which, from Egyptian contaminations, the Israelites were (as Jeroboam must
have known) more attached than to any other, had in former times brought signal
punishment upon the Hebrews in the wilderness. It was, then, not the worship of
other gods, but the worship of the true God in an irregular, dangerous, and inter
dicted manner, which constituted the crime of Jeroboam, who " sinned and made
Israel to sin."
Nor did the irregularities end here. Jeroboam made his system a complete one.
He not only changed the place of concourse to the people, but also altered the time,
directing that all the festivals should be observed a month later than the law com
manded, an alteration by which considerable confusion must have been at first pro
duced, as the law had appointed these festivals with a reference to the seasons of
the year. For this new worship, temples and altars were erected at Dan and Bethel,
and to its support the tithes and other sacerdotal dues accruing within the ten tribes
were directed ; thus at once cutting off the greater part of the income of the establish
ment of Jerusalem. It is probable that this wealth might still have been retained'
by the Levites whose cities were within the limits of the kingdom, and by such of
the Aaronic priests as might have chosen to conform to the new order of things. But
to the eternal honor of this much-calumniated body, they all refused to sanction these
proceedings, or to take any part in such violation of the Divine law ; in consequence-
of which they not only forfeited the dues which had afforded them subsistence in the
ten tribes, but found it prudent and necessary to abandon also the cities which be
longed to them in those tribes, and withdraw into the kingdom of Judah. There
they were cheerfully received, although the two tribes forming that kingdom, thus
became burdened with the whole charge which had hitherto been shared among
twelve tribes. This fact is very valuable, as showing that the Levitical tribe had
conciliated, and was entitled to, the esteem and respect ofthe people. In the end'
many persons belonging to the other tribes, who disapproved of Jeroboam's innova
tions, and were disposed to maintain their own fidelity to the spirit of the Mosaical
institutions, followed the example of the Levites, and withdrew into the kingdom of
Judah. It is not necessary to point out how seriously these migrations lessened the-
true strength of Jeroboam's kingdom, and increased that of his rival.
Jeroboam was thus left to establish a new priesthood for his new worship. Priests.
were accordingly appointed from all the tribes indiscriminately ; but as to the impor
tant office of high-priest, his prudence and ambition suggested its annexation to the-
crown, as was the case in Egypt and some other heathen countries.
Jehovah was not slow in manifesting his displeasure at these proceedings. At one-
of the periodical feasts (that of tabernacles) the time for which had been altered by
him, Jeroboam was discharging the priestly act of offering incense on the altar at
Bethel, when a prophet of God from Judah appeared on the spot, aud denounced
destruction upon this altar, to be executed by a future king of Judah, Josiah by name :
aud, in proof of his mission, announced that it should even now receive such a crack
that its ashes should be scattered abroad. Hearing this, the king stretched forth
his hand to seize the prophet, when his arm stiffened in the act, and could not be
again drawn back, until the prophet himself interceded with God for him. An
the same time the altar was rem, and the ashes strewed abroad, as the prophet;
had said.
This message seems to have produced no good effect either on the king or the-
people ; and this may have been partly owing to the misconduct of the prophet him-

342 AN ILLUSTRATED
self; for after having publicly declared that he was forbidden to eat or drink in
Bethel, or to make any slay there, he allowed himself, after having departed, to be
imposed upon and brought back, and to be feasted in Bethel, by a sort of Balaamite
prophet ; for which he was slain by a lion on his return home, and his body was
brought back and buried in Bethel. As the prophet had thus acted against his own
avowed orders, and had in consequence been destroyed with manifest marks of the
Divine displeasure, the occasion was doubtless taken to diminish the credit and effect
of the mission with which he had been charged.
Jeroboam lived to see three kings upon the throne of Judah. There arose a skir
mishing warfare between the two kingdoms in the latter years of Rehoboam; and in
the reign of his successor the war was brought to a great pitched battle, the result of
which was adverse to Jeroboam. In the latter years of his reign, the prophet Ahijah,
who had originally communicated the Divine appointment to him, was commis
sioned to denounce the death of his most hopeful son, Abijah, about whose sickness
the wife of Jeroboam went to consult him in disguise. The prophet, though blind
with age, knew her by the prophetic impulse which came upon him ; and he not
only told her this, but declared the approaching destruction of Jeroboam's race by a
succeeding king of Israel, and also announced the ultimate captivity of the tribes of
Israel beyond the Euphrates for their manifold iniquities.
Jeroboam himself died in the year 968, B. C.,. after a reign of twenty-two years.
His son Nadab ascended the throne in the second year of Asa, king of Judah. He
reigned two years, during which he adhered to the system of his father, and at the
end of which an intimate of his own, named Baasha, of the tribe of Issachar, con
spired against him and slew him as he was laying siege to Gibbethon, a fortress
which the Philistines retained in their possession. According to the policy of the
East, Baasha having slain the head of the house of Jeroboam, hastened to destroy
all its other members, who might prove disturbers of his safety in the throne. Thus
was the denunciation of the prophet Ahijah against the house of Jeroboam speedily
accomplished. The government of Baasha proved not only offensive to God, but oppressive to the
people, on both which grounds great numbers of the subjects of this kingdom sought
repose in that of Judah. It was probably partly in consequence of the alarm which
this constant migration of his people produced, that Baasha entered into a skirmish
ing warfare with Asa, king of Judah, and ultimately laid siege to, and took the town
of Ramah, seven miles to the north of Jerusalem, which he began to rebuild and
fortify, with the view of leaving a garrison in it to check the communication with
Jerusalem, and to become a point from which excursions might be made into the
kingdom of Judah. This bold proceeding occasioned much alarm in Judah ; but
instead of opposing it by force of arms, King Asa collected all the gold he could find
in his own treasury, and that of the temple, and sent it to Ben-Hadad, the king of
Syria, to induce him to make a diversion in his favor. Accordingly the Syrians fell
upon the north of Israel, and took all the fenced cities of Naphtali; which obliged
Baasha to relinquish his enterprise in the south, and march to the defence of his own
territories. Time only confirmed Baasha in the evil courses which had proved the ruin of the
house of Jeroboam ; in consequence of which a prophet, named Jehu, the son of
another prophet called Hanani, was sent to declare for his house the same doom
which he had himself been ihe agent of inflicting upon that of Jeroboam.
Baasha died in 966, B. C, after a reign of twenty-three years.
After the death of Baasha, Israel became the prey of a series of sanguinary revo
lutions. His son Elah remained only two years on the throne, at the expiration of
which he was assassinated during a feast by one of his generals, of the name of
Zimri, who then assumed the crown. Zimri, during the few days of his reign,
found time to extirpate the whole family of his predecessor, thus accomplishing upon
the house of Baasha the doom which the prophet had declared.
The army, which was engaged against the Philistines, no sooner heard of the mur
der of their king than they declared in favor of Omri, their own commander, and
proclaimed him king. This new king immediately marched with all his forces
against his rival, and used such diligence that he shut him up in the summer capital
of Tirzah. Zimri made no resistance, but fled to his harem, which he set on fire, and
peri=hed in the flames. Ye. had reigned only seven days ; and this signal and speedy

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i44 AN ILLUSTRATED
end gave occasion to the proverb in Israel, " Had Zimri peace, who slew his master V'
Omri had another competitor: for while the army had elected him, a portion of
the people, equally disgusted at the deed of Zimri, had made Tibni king. The king
dom was thus split into factions, and it was only after a civil war of six years that
the faction of Omri prevailed, and Tibni was put to death. Omri reigned above five
years after this. He was more guilty before God than any of his predecessors, for he
appears to have taken measures to turn into actual idolatry that which under the
former kings had only been an irregular and interdicted form of worship and service.
Finding some disadvantages in the situation of Tirzah, however pleasant, for a me
tropolis, Omri purchased a hill of a person called Samar for two talents of silver
($3,750), and built thereon a city, which, after the name ofthe previous owner of the
site, he called Samaria,* and made it the capital of his dominion. So well was the
situation chosen, that the city remained the metropolis of the kingdom while the
kingdom endured, and was still a place of importance when the Hebrews ceased the
second time to be a nation. There are some respects in which itssite is deemed by
travellers preferable to that of Jerusalem.
After his reign of eleven completed years, counted as twelve in the Scriptures,
because he had entered on the twelfth, Omri died in the year 931 B. C, being the
thirty-ninth year of Asa king of Judah.
JUDAH, from e. c. 990 to b. c. 929.
Except in its first act, the commencement of Rehoboam's reign was not blame
worthy, nor, as it .respects his separate kingdom, unprosperous. In those days the
wealth and welfare of a state were deemed to consist in a numerous population ; and
of this kind of strength the kingdom of Judah received large additions by migration
from that of Israel, through the defection of the Levitical body, and the discontent with
which a large and valuable portion of the population regarded, the arbitrary innova
tions of Jeroboam. It may indeed be, in a great degree, imputed to this cause, that,
although so much inferior in territorial extent, the kingdom of Judah appears
throughout the history of the two kingdoms to be at least equal to that of Israel.
Rehoboam, seeing that he had an adverse kingdom so near at hand, employed the
first years of his reign in putting his dominions in a condition of defence. He built and
fortified a considerable number of places in Judah and Benjamin, which he stored
well with arms and victuals, and in which he placed strong garrisons. For three
years he remained faithful to the principles of the theocracy, and received a full
measure of the prosperity which had been promised to such obedience. But when
he beheld himself, as he deemed, secure and prosperous in his kingdom, his rectitude,
* Samaria. — The text to which this note is appended sufficiently indicates the origin of Samaria. It
remained the capital of Israel until tho ruin of that kingdom by the Assyrians, after which it became the
chief seat of the people whom the king of Assyria planted in the desolated country, and who are hence, in
the subsequent history, known by the name of Samaritans. Between them and the restored Jews there
was alwavs a bitter and not always bloodless enmity, which subsisted down to the extinction of the
Hebiew con.monwealth. The town was utterly destroyed by Hyrcanus, the king-priest of the Jews, in the
year 129 B. C. ; and in this state it remained until the time of Herod the Great, who, being much pleased
with its situation, rebuilt it in a very beautiful manner, and gave it the name of Sebastc, a Greek word
equivalent to the Latin Augusta, in honor of the Emperor Augustus. Under this name it continued to
flourish until the Jews were finally expelled from Palestine by the Emperor Adrian, after wliich the place
went gradually to decay ; and at present the inhabited part of the site forms a mean and miserably poor
village, named Subusta, containing not more than thirty dwellings.
" The situation," says Dr. Richardson, " is exceedingly beautiful, and strong by-nature— more so, I think,
than Jerusalem. It stands on a fine large insulated lull, compassed all round by a broad deep valley ; and
when fortified, as it is stated to have been, by Herod, one would have imagined that in the ancient system
of warfare nothing but famine could have reduced such a place. The valley is surrounded by four hills,
one on each side, which are cultivated in terraces to the top, sown with grain, and planted with fig and
olive trees, as is also the valley. The hill of Samaria itself, likewise, rises in terraces to a height equal to
any of the adjoining mountains."
The But view of the place, even in its present state, is highly imposing. And there are sufficient remains
of Herod's city to enforce the impressions which the history of the site has prepared tlie mind to receive.
These, however, consist chiefly of numerous limestone columns, still standing, on the upper part of the
hill, but without their capitals. Hardy counted eighty that were standing, besides many that lay prostrate.
There are also some remains of fortifications ; but the most conspicuous ruin is that which appears in the
cut on page 315. This was a large church, attributed to the Emperess Helena, and said to have been built
over the dungeon in which John the Baptist was confined and afterward beheaded by order of Herod.
This cave or dungeon is still pointed out : besides which there are under the church several vaults, which
probably opened into the sides of the hill. The building itself is in a very elaborate but fantastic style of
arcnitecture ; the columns used in which are of no known order, although the capitals approach nearer to
the Corinthian than to any other. The east end, with its pentagonal projection, is nearly perfect, con
firming a remark of Maundrell, that if any portion of a church is leil standing in these parts it is sure to be
the eastern end

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

345

3^6 AN ILLUSTRATED v
which ap] ears never to have been founded on very strong principles, gave way. It
w?s not long before the acts which stained the later years of his father were more
than equalled by him. Not only was idolatry openly tolerated and practised, but also
the abominable acts, outrageous even to the mere instincts of morality, which some
of these idolatries sanctioned or required. Thus the abominations of Judah very
soon exceeded those of Israel. And we shall, throughout the historical period en
which we have entered, observe one very important distinction in the religious
(which, according to the spirit of the Hebrew institutions, means also the political)
condition of the two kingdoms. Israel rested with tolerable uniformity in a sort of
intermediate system between the true religion and idolatry, with enough of elementary
truth to preserve some show of fidelity to the system, and enough of idolatry and
human invention to satisfy the corrupt tendencies of the age and country. Hence,
while on the one hand it never, under its best kings, reached that purity of adherence
to the Mosaical system which was sometimes exemplified in the sister kingdom, so,
on the other, it never, or very rarely, fell to those depths of iniquity to which Judah
sometimes sunk under its more wicked and weak kings. For Judah, resting on no
such intermediate point as had been found in Israel, was in a state of constant oscil
lation between the extremes of good and evil.
In the case of Rehoboam, the loose principles which prevailed at the latter end of
his father's reign, together with the fact that the mother, from whom his first ideas
had been imbibed, was an Ammonitess, may partly account for the extreme facility
of his fall. Indeed, with reference to the latter fact, it may be observed that among
the kings there is scarcely one known to be the son of a foreign and consequently
idolatrous mother, who did not fall into idolatry ; a circumstance which is sufficient
alone to explain and justify the policy by which such connexions were forbidden.
The chastisement of Rehoboam and his people was not long delayed. It was
inflicted by the Egyptians, who, in the fifth year of Rehoboam, invaded the land
under Shishak their king, in such strong force as intimated the expectation of a more
formidable resistance than was encountered ; or rather, perhaps, was designed to
shorten the war by overawing opposition. There were twelve hundred chariots,
sixty thousand horsemen, and a vast body of infantry, the latter composed chiefly
from the subject nations of Lybia and Ethiopia. Shishak took with ease the fenced
cities on which Rehoboam had placed so much reliance ; and when he appeared
before Jerusalem, that city appears to have opened its gates to him. Here he reaped
the first-fruits of that rich spoil, from the gold ofthe temple and of the palace, which
supplied so many subsequent demands. In the extremity of distress, while the city
was in the hands of an insulting conqueror, who stripped the most sacred places of
their costly ornaments and wealth, the king of Judah and his people turned repent-
ingly to God, and implored deliverance from his hand. He heard them, and inclined
Shishak to withdraw with the rich spoil he had gained, without attempting to retain
permanent possession of his conquest. Astonished himself at the facility with which
that conquest had been made, this king despised the people who had submitted so
unresistingly to his arms, and, according to the testimony of Herodotus,* cited by
Josephus himself, he erected, at different points on his march home, triumphal
columns, charged with emblems very little to the honor of the nation which had not
opposed him.
Although it is difficult to assign a specific reason, beyond a conqueror's thirst for
spoil, for this invasion of the dominions of the son by a power which had been so
friendly to the father, it does not strike us, as it does some writers, that the difficulty
is increased by the fact of the matrimonial alliance which Solomon had formed with
the royal family of Egypt. Rehoboam was bom before that alliance was contracted,
and he and his mother were not likely to be regarded with much favor by the Egyp
tian princess or her family. Indeed it would seem that she had died, or her influeno:
had declined, or her friends deemed her wrong, before the latter end of Solomon's
reign ; for it h evident that the king of Egypt, this very Shishak, was not on the
most friendly lerms with Solomon, since he granted his favor and protection to the
fugitive Jeroboam, whose prospective pretensions to divide the kingdom with the son
ofSolomon forms the only apparent ground of the distinction with which he wa«
treated. This circumstance may direct attention to what appears to us the greatoi
> Her- dolus, I. 105.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 347
probability, that the expedition was undertaken at the suggestion of Jeroboam, who
had much cause to be alarmed at the defection of his subjects to Rehoboam, and at
the diligence which that king employed in strengthening his kingdom. The rich
plunder which was to be obtained would, when pointed out, be an adequate induce
ment to the enterprise.
The severe lesson administered by this invasion to Rehoboam and his people was
not in vain, for we read no more of idolatrous abominations during the eleven remain
ing years of this reign. In consequence, these were rather prosperous years for the
kingdom ; and, save a few skirmishes with the king of Israel, we learn of no troubles
by which it was, during these years, disturbed. But, like his father, Rehoboam " de
sired many wives." His harem contained eighteen wives and sixty concubines,- a
number which, we can not doubt, was much opposed to the notions of the Hebrew
people, although it seems rather moderate as compared with the establishment ol
Solomon, or those which we still find among the kings of the East. Of all his wives,
the one Rehoboam loved the most was Maachah, a daughter (or grand-daughter*) of
Absalom. Her son, Abijah, he designed for his successor in the throne : to ensure
wliich object, he made adequate provision for his other sons while he lived, and pru
dently separated them from each other, by dispersing them through his dominions as
governors of the principal towns. This policy was successful ; for although this king
Had twenty-eight sons, besides three-score daughters, his settlement of the crown was
not disputed at his death. This event took place in the year 973 B. C, in the eigh
teenth year of his reign.
Abijah, otherwise called Abijam, succeeded his father, and the first public act of his
short reign appears to justify the preference which had been given to him. Jeroboam,
whose policy it was to harass and weaken the house of David, and to render the two
kingdoms as inimical to each other as possible, thought the succession of the new king,
young and mexperienced, a favorable opportunity for an aggressive movement. He
seems therefore to have made a general military levy, which amounted to the pro
digious number of eight hundred thousand men. Abijah when he heard of this for
midable muster was not discouraged, but, although he could raise only half the number
of men, took the field against his opponent. They met near Mount Zemarim, on the
borders of Ephraim. The armies were drawn out in battle array, when Abijah, who
was posted on an elevated spot, finding the opportunity favorable, beckoned with his
hand, and began to harangue Jeroboam and the hostile army. His speech was good,
and to the purpose, ; hut it does not seem to us entitled to the unqualified praise which
it has generally received. He began with affirming the divine right of the house of
David to reign over all Israel, by virtue of the immutable covenant by which Jehovah
had promised to David that his posterity should reign for ever. Consequently he
treated the secession of the ten tribes as an unprincipled act of rebellion against the
royal dynasty of David, and against God — an act whereby the crafty Jeroboam, with
a number of vain and lawless associates, had availed themselves of the weakness and
inexperience of Rehoboam to deprive the chosen house of its just rights. This state
ment doubtless imbodies the view which the house of David, and the party attached
to its interests, took of the recent event. They regarded as a rebellion what was truly
a revolution ; and which, although, like other revolutions, it had its secret springs (as
in the jealousy between the tribes of Ephraim and Judah), was not only justifiable in
its abstract principles, but on the peculiar theory of the Hebrew constitution : for it
had the previous sanction and appointment of Jehovah, as declared to both parties ;
and, in its immediate cause, sprung from a most insulting refusal ofthe representative
of the dynasty to concede that redress of grievances which ten twelfths of the whole
nation demanded, and which it had a right to demand and obtain before it recognised
him as king. However, a king of Judah could not well be expected to take any other
than a dynastic and party view of this great question : and that such, necessarily, was
the view of Abijah is what we have desired to explain, as the generally good spirit
* This lady is mentioned in three places, and in all of them the name of her father Is differently given-
In 1 Kings xv. 2, it is " Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom ;" in 2 Chron. xi. 20, " Maachah, the daughter
of Absalom ;" and in 2 Chron. xiii., " Michaiah, the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah." The Jews believe that
Absalom the son of David is intended. This does not appear quite certain ; but if so. we may take their
explanation that Maachah was the daughter of Tamar, the daughter of Absalom; in which case, the com
panson of texts will intimate that Uriel married Tamar, and Maachah was their daughter, which conse
quently makes her the grand-daughter of Absalom and daughter of Uriel. This, upon the whole, seems
more probable than that the several names, Abishalom, Absalom, and Uriel, all point to the same person as
the father of Maachah.

343 AN ILLUSTRATED
of his harangue has disposed hasty thinkers to take the impression which he intended'
to convey.
With more justice, Abijah proceeded to animadvert on the measures — the corrup
tions and arbitrary changes — by which Jeroboam had endeavored to secure his king
dom ; and, with becoming pride, contrasted this with the beautiful order in which.
according, to the law of Moses, and the institutions of David and Solomon, the worship
of Jehovah was conducted by the Levitical priesthood in that " holy and beautiful
house" which the Great King honored with the visible symbol of his inhabitance.
He concluded : " We keep the charge of Jehovah our God ; but ye have forsaken him.
And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding
trumpets to cry alarm against you. 0 children of Israel, fight not against Jehovah the
God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper." (2 Chron. xiii. 11, 12.)
By Jeroboam this harangue was only viewed as an opportunity for executing a really
clever military operation. He secretly ordered a body of men to file round the hill,
and attack the Judahites in the rear, while he assailed them in front. This manoeuvre
was so well executed, that Abijah, by the time he had finished his speech, perceived
that he was surrounded by the enemy. The army of Judah raised a cry of astonish
ment and alarm, and a universal panic would in all likelihood have ensued. But the
priests at that instant sounded their silver trumpets, at which well-known and inspir
iting signal the more stout-hearted raised a cry for help to Jehovah, and rushed upon
the enemy ; and their spirited example raised the courage and faith of the more timid
and wavering. The host of Israel could not withstand the force which this divine
impulse gave to the arm of Judah. Their dense mass was broken and fled, and of
tlie whole number it is said not fewer than five hundred thousand were slain, — a
slaughter, as Josephus (Antiq. viii. 2, 3) remarks, such as never occurred in any other
war, whether it were of the Greeks or the barbarians.* This would still be true it
the number had been much smaller. " In numbers so large," Jahn (book v., sect. 36)
remarks, " there may be some error of the transcribers ; but it is certain that after this
defeat the kingdom. of Israel was considerably weakened, while that of Judah made
constant progress in power and importance. We must here mention, once'for all, that,
owing to the mistakes of transcribers in copying numerals, we can not answer for the
correctness of the great numbers of men which are mentioned here and in the sequel
When there are no means of rectifying these numbers, ive set them down as they occur
in ihe books." Such also. is our own practice.
This great victory was pursued by Abijah, in the re-taking and annexation to his
dominion of some border towns and districts, some of which had originally belonged
to Judah and Benjamin, but which the Israelites had found means to include in their
portion of the divided kingdom. Among these towns was Bethel; and this being the
seat of one of the golden calves, the loss of it must have been a matter of peculiar
mortification to Jeroboam, and of triumph to Abijah.
The reign of Abijah was not by any means answerable to the expectations which
his speech and his victory are calculated to excite. We are told that " he walked in
all the sins of his father," and that " his heart was not perfect with Jehovah his God ;"
by which it would appear that he did not take sufficient heed to avoid and remove the
idolatries and abominations which Solomon and Rehoboam had introduced or tolerated.
He died in 970 B. C, after a reign of three years, leaving behind him twenty-two sons
and sixteen daughters, whom he had by fourteen wives.
The son who succeeded him was named Asa. He was still very young, and the
affairs of the kingdom appear for sometime to have been administered by nis grand
mother, Maachah, -whose name has already been mentioned. Asa, for his virtues,
his fidelity to the principles of the theocracy, and the prosperity and victory with
which he "was in consequence favored, takes place in the first rank of the kings of
Judah. He enjoys the high character that " his heart was perfect with Jehovah all
his (lays : and he did that which was right wilh Jehovah, as did his father David.'
His first cares were directed toward the utter uprooting of the idolatries and abomina-
* With reference to the high numbers which occur here, Dr. Hales observes : " The numbers in this won
derful battle are probably corrupt,and should be reduced to forty thousand, eighty thousand, and fifty thou
sand (slain), as in the Latin Vulgate of Sixtus Quintus, and many earlier editions, and in the old Latin
translation of Josephus ; and that such were the readings in the Greek text of that author originally, Vig-
noles judiciously collects from Abarbanel's charge against Josephus of having made Jeroboam's loss no
more than fifty thousand men. contrary to the Hebrew text." See Kennicott's " Dissertations," vol. i., p. 533
and vol. ii., p. 201, &c, 564. To this we may add the remark of Jahn, in which we more entirely concur

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 349
lions which had been suffered to creep in during the preceding reigns. He drove from
his states the corrupters of youth, and with an unsparing hand he purged Jerusalem
of the infamies which had long harbored there. The idols were overthrown and
broken in pieces, and the groves which had sheltered the dark abominations of idol
atry were cut down: even his grandmother, Maachah, he deprived of the authority —
removing her from being queen — which she had abused to the encouragement of idol
atry; and the idols which she had set up he utterly destroyed. By thus clearing them
from defiling admixtures, the pure and grand doctrines and practices of the Mosaical
system shone forth with a lustre that seemed new in that corrupt age. Again the
firiests of Jehovah were held in honor by the people ; and again the temple, its pasl
osses being in part repaired by the royal munificence, was provided with all that
suited the dignity of the splendid ritual service there rendered to God ; for Asa was
enabled to replace with silver and gold a portion of the precious things which Shishak
had taken from the temple, and which Rehoboam had supplied with brass.
Ten years of prosperity and peace rewarded the pious zeal of the king of Judah.
In these years much was done by him to strengthen and improve his kingdom, espe
cially in repairing and strengthening the fortified towns, and in surrounding with strong
walls and towers many which had not previously been fortified. We are also informed
lhat " Asa had an army of three hundred thousand out of Judah, who bore shields
and spears; and of two hundred and eighty thousand out of Benjamin, who bore
shields and spears : all these were men of valor." This and other passages of tht
same nature, describing the immense military force of the small kingdoms of Judah
and Israel (even setting aside those which labor under the suspicion of having been
altered by the copyists), appear to intimate that the general enrolment for military
service which David contemplated, but was prevented from completely executing, was
accomplished by later kings. It. is always important to remember, however, that the
modern European sense of the word army, as applied to a body of men exclusively
devoted to a military profession, is unknown to the history of this period ; and in thf
statement before us we are to see no more than that the men thus numbered wert
provided with weapons (or that the king had weapons to arm them), and were, the
whole or any part of them, bound to obey any call from the king into actual service.
An occasion for such a call occurred to Asa after ten years of prosperity and peace.
His dominions were then exposed to a most formidable invasion from " Zerah the
Cushite," with a million of men and three hundred chariots.* It is beyond the range
of probability, from the state of Egypt at this time, in the reign of Osorkon i.,t who
succeeded Sheshonk (or Shishak), that an army under Zerah should have marched
through Egypt from the Ethiopia south of the cataracts of the Nile. It must there
fore be concluded that the army was composed of the Cushites (or Ethiopians) of
Arabia, the original seat of all the Cushites ; and as the army was partly composed
of Lybians, who, if this supposition be correct, could not well have passed from Africa
through the breadth of Egypt on this occasion, it may, with very sufficient probability,
be conjectured that they formed a portion of the Libyan auxiliaries in the army with
which Shishak invaded Palestine, twenty-five years before, and who, instead of re
turning to their own deserts, deemed it quite as well to remain in those of Arabia
Petrsea, and in the country between Egypt and Palestine. And this explanation seems
to be confirmed by the fact, which appears in the sequel, that they held some border
towns (such as Gerar) in this district. The flocks and herds, and the tents of the in
vading host, sufficiently intimate the nomade character of the invasion.
This emergency was met by Asa in the true spirit of the theocracy. Fully con
scious of the physical inadequacy of his force to meet the enemy, he nevertheless
went forth boldly to give them battle, trusting in Jehovah, who had so often given hi -
* Josephus gives nine hundred thousand infantry and one hundred thousand cavalry, which some wou. .
reduce by striking off a cipher from each number. A merely conjectural emendation is, however, so dilli-
cult and hazardous, that it is better to retain the original numbers, even when doubtful. In the presen
instance we mayreferto what has just been said as to the distinction between the armies of that time and
our own. And if Asa in his contracted territory was able to call out above five hundred thousand men,
there is no solid reason why it should be impossible to the Cushite nomades, among whom every man was
able to use arms, to bring double that number together. There must always be a vast difference in num
bers belween the army that must be kept and paid permanently, and that which maybe raised by a general
call upon the adult male population to a warlike enterprise, and only for the time of that enterprise. The
army of Tamerlane (as we call him) is said to have amounted to one million six hundred thousand men.
and that of his antagonist Bajazet to one million four hundred thousand. Laonic. Ck icocond. de rebus Ture
Liii. p. 98, 102.
t His name is so given in the monuments, but in ancient writers it is Osorthon

350 AN ILLUSTRATED
people the victory against far greater odds, and to whom he made the public and be
coming appeal : — " 0 Jehovah, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many
or with them that have no power : Help us, O Jehovah, our God ; for we rest on thee,
and in thy name we go against this multitude. 0 Jehovah, thou art our God ; let not
man prevail against thee." The consequence of this proper manifestation of reliance
upon their Omnipotent King was a very splendid victory over the Cushites. They
were defeated in the great battle of Mareshah,* in the valley of Zephathah, and fled
before the army of Judah, which commenced a vigorous pursuit, attended with great
slaughter. The Ethiopians and Lybians fled toward their tents and to Gerar and other
towns, which some of them (we have supposed the Lybians) occupied on the border
land toward Philistia. Here the conquerors found a rich spoil of cattle from the camps
of the nomades, and of goods from the towns. On their triumphal return, they were
met by the prophet Obed, who excited the piety and gratitude of the king and his army
by reminding them to whom the victory was really due, even to Jehovah ; and he
called to their remembrance the privilege they enjoyed, as contrasted with the kingdom
of Israel, in the marked and beneficent protection and care of their Great King, and
hinted at the duties which resulted from the enjoyment of such privileges. This was
attended with very good effects ; and in the warmth of his gratitude for the deliver
ance with which he had been favored, Asa prosecuted his reforms with new vigor.
He rooted oiu every remnant of idolatry, and engaged the whole people to renew their
covenant with Jehovah.
It appears lhat the effect of the manifest tokens of the divine favor which Asa re
ceived, especially in the great, victory over Zerah, was felt in the neighboring kingdom,
and induced large numbers of the subjects of Baasha to migrate into his dominions.
A constant and large accession of men, induced by such considerations, and by revived
attachment to the theocracy, was calculated to give, and did give, a vast superiority
of moral character to the kingdom of Judah. It was probably, as intimated in the
last chapter, this tendency of his most valuable subjects to migrate into Judah, which
induced Baasha to take the town of Ramah, and fortify it for a frontier barrier. The
measure which Asa took on this occasion, of hiring the king of Syria to forego his
previous alliance with Baasha, and cause a diversion in his own favor by invading the
kingdom of Israel, was effectual as to the recovery of Ramah ; for the death of Baasha,
the following year, prevented him from resuming his designs. Asa availed himself
of the materials which Baasha had brought together for the fortification of Ramah,
to fortify the towns of Geba and Mizpeh. This advantage was, however, dearly pur
chased by the treasure of, the temple and the palace which he was obliged to squan
der, to secure the assistance of the Syrians ; and still more, by the displeasure of God,
who denounced this proceeding as not only wrong in itself, but as indicating a want
of that confidence in him through which he had been enabled to overthrow the vast
host which the Cushites brought against him. This intimation of the Divine dis
pleasure was conveyed to the king by the prophet Hanani, and was received by Asa
with such resentment that he put the messenger in prison. Indeed, he appears lo
have grown increasingly irritable in the later years of his reign, in consequence of
which he was led to commit many acts of severity and injustice. But for this some
allowance may be made in consideration of his sufferings from a disease in his feet,
which appears to have been the gout. With reference to this disease, Asa incurs
some blame in the Scriptural narrative for his resort to " the physicians instead of
relying upon God ;" the cause of which rather extraordinary censure is probably to
be found in the fact that those physicians who were not priests or Levites (in whose
hands the medical science of the Hebrews chiefly rested) were foreigners and idola
ters, who trusted more to superstitious rites and incantations than to the simple
remedies which nature offered. With all these defects, for which much allowance
maybe made, Asa bears a good character in the Scriptural narrative, on account of
the general rectitude of his conduct, and of his zealous services in upholding the great
principles of the theocracy.
Asa died in the year 929 B. C, in the second year of Ahab, king of Israel, and after
% long and, upon the whole, prosperous reign of forty-one years. He was sincerely
lamented by all his subjects, who, according to their mode of testifying their final
approbation, honored his remains with a magnificent funeral. His body, laid on a
bed of state, was burned with vast quantities of aromatic substances : and the ashes,
¦ This was a town fortified by Rehoboam (2 Chron. xi. 13). It was tue birthplace of the prophet Micah.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 351
collected with care, were afterward deposited in the sepulchre which he had pre
pared for himself on Mount Zion. The burning of the dead, as a rite of sepulture,
had originally been regarded with dislike by the Hebrews. But a change ot feeling
in this matter had by this time taken place ; for the practice is not now mentioned as
a new thing, and had probably been some time previously introduced. Afterward
burning was considered the most distinguished honor which could be rendered to the
dead, and the omission of it, in the case of royal personages, a disgrace. (See 2
Chron. xvi. 14, xxi. 19; Jer. xxxiv. 5; Amos vi. 10.) But in later days the Jews
conceived a dislike to this rite ; and their doctors endeavored, in consequence, to per
vert the passages of Scripture which refer to it, so as to induce a belief that the
aromatic substances alone, and not the body, were burnt.
ISRAEL, from b. c. 931 to b. c. 895.
Ahab, the son of Omri, mounted the throne of Israel in the year 931 B. C, being
the thirty-eighth year of Asa, king of Judah. This king was, throughout his reign
of twenty-two years, entirely under the influence of his idolatrous and unprincipled
wife, Jezebel, a daughter of Ethbaal, or Ithobalus, king of Tyre. Hitherto the irreg
ularities connected with the service before the golden calves, as symbols of Jehovah,
had formed the chief offence of Israel. But now Ahab and Jezebel united their
authority to introduce the gods of other nations. The king built a temple in Samaria,
erected an image, and consecrated a grove to Baal, the god of the Sidonians. Jeze
bel, earnest in promoting the worship of her own god, maintained a multitude of
priests and prophets of Baal. In a few years idolatry became the predominant re
ligion of the land ; and Jehovah, and the golden calves as representations of him,
were viewed with no more reverence than Baal and his image. It now appeared as
if the knowledge of the true God was for ever lost to the Israelites ; but Elijah the
prophet boldly stood up, and opposed himself to the authority of the king, and suc
ceeded in retaining many of his countrymen in the worship of Jehovah. The greater
the power was which supported idolatry, so much the more striking were the prophe
cies and miracles which directed the attention of the Israelites to Jehovah, and
brought disgrace upon the idols, and confusion on their worshippers. The history of
this great and memorable struggle gives to the narrative of Ahab's reign an unusual
prominence and extent in the Hebrew annals ; and although a writer studious of
brevity might at the first view be disposed to omit, as episodical, much of the history
of Elijah the, Tishbite,* a little reflection will render it manifest that the prominence
given to the history of this illustrious champion for the truth, was a designed and
necessary result from the fact that the history of the Hebrew nation is the history of
a church ; and that although the history of this great controversy might be omitted
or overlooked by those who erroneously regard the history of the Hebrews merely
as a political history, in the other point of view it becomes of the most vital im
portance. The first appearance of Elijah is with great abruptness to announce a drought, and
consequent famine, for the punishment of the idolatry into which the nation had
fallen; and that this calamity should only be removed at his own intercession. He
apprehended that the iniquities of the land would bring down upon it destruction
from God ; and he therefore prayed for this lesser visitation, which might possibly
bring the king and people to repentance.
After such a denunciation, it was necessary that the prophet should withdraw
Himself from the presence and solicitations of the king, when the drought should
commence, which it did, probably about the sixth year of Ahab. Accordingly,
obeying the directions of the divine oracle, he withdrew to his native district beyond
Jordan, and hid himself in a cave by the brook Cherith ; where the providence of
God secured his support by putting it into the hearts of the Arabs encamped in the
neighborhood, to send him bread and meat every morning and evening; and the
brook furnished him with drink, until "the end ofthe year," or beginning of spring,
when it was dried up from the continued drought.
It was probably under the irritation produced by the first pressure of the calamity,
that Jezebel induced the king to issue orders for the destruction of all the prophets
* He is introduced as " Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead." It is probable therefore that
the designation of " Tishbite" is from some town in Gilead, which can not now be e'ear'y ascertained.

352 AN ILLUSTRATED
of Jehovah. Many of them perished : but a good and devout man, even in the
palace of Ahab, — Obadiah, the steward of his household, — managed to save a hundred
of the number by sheltering them in caverns, where he provided for their maintenance
until, probably, an opportunity was found for their escape into the kingdom of Judah.
When the brook of Cherith was dried up, the prophet was then directed by the
Divine Voice to proceed westward to Sarepta, a town of Sidon, under the dominion
of Jezebel's father; where he lodged with a poor widow, and was miraculously sup
ported with her and her family for a considerable time, according to his own predic
tion—" that her single barrel of meal should not waste, nor her single cruse of oil
fail, until that day when Jehovah should send rain "upon the earth." While he re
mained at this place, the prophet, by his prayers to God, restored to life the son of
the widow with whom he lodged. Here he stayed until the end of three years from
the commencement of the drought, when he was commanded to go and show him
self to Ahab. That king had meanwhile caused the most diligent search to be made
for him in every quarter, doubtless with the view of inducing him to offer up those
intercessions through which alone the present grievous calamity could terminate.
But at this time, having probably relinquished this search as hopeless, the attention
of the king was directed to the discovery of any remaining supplies of water which
might still exist in the land. He had, therefore, for the purposes of this exploration,
divided the country between himself and Obadiah ; and both proceeded personally to
visit all the brooks and fountains of the land. Obadiah was journeying on this mis
sion, when Elijah, who was returning from Sarepta, met him, and commissioned him
to announce his arrival to Ahab. The king, when he saw the prophet, reproached
him as the cause of the national calamities — " Art thou he that troubleth Israel ?"
But the prophet boldly retorted the charge upon himself and his father's house, be
cause they had forsaken Jehovah and followed Baal. He then secured the attention
of the king by intimating an intention of interceding for rain ; and required him to
call a general assembly of all the people at Mount Carmel, and also to bring all the
prophets or priests of Baal* and of the groves.
There, in the audience of that vast assembly, Elijah reproached the people with
the destruction of the prophets of Jehovah, of whom, he alleged, that he alone re
mained, while the prophets of Baal alone were four hundred and fifty, fed at the ta-
i. le of Jezebel ; and then he called them to account for their divided worship — " How
lojg halt ye between two opinions ? If Jehovah be the God, follow him ; but if
Baal, then follow him." The people intimated their uncertainty by their silence to
this appeal ; on which the prophet, fully conscious of his unlimited commission, pro
posed a solemn sacrifice to each, and " the God that answereth by fire (to consume
his sacrifice) let him be the God." As this was a fair trial of Baal's supposed power
in his own element, the most zealous of his worshippers could make no objection to
it, and the proposal was approved by all the people. Accordingly, when Baal an
swered not the earnest and ultimately maddened invocations of his prophets — but
Jehovah instantly answered the prayer of Elijah, by sending fire (as on former occa
sions) to consume the victim on the altar, although it had previously been inundated
with water by the direction of the prophet — then the people, yielding to one mighty
impulse of conviction, fell upon their faces, and cried, " Jehovah, he is the God !
Jehovah, he is the God !" — thus also expressing that Baal was not ihe God, and re
jecting him. To ratify this abjuration of Baal, Elijah commanded them to destroy
his priests; and this, in the enthusiasm of their re-kindled zeal for Jehovah, they im
mediately did, at the brook Kishon, which had been the scene of Barak's victory over
the Canaanites.
Immediately after this sublime national act of acknowledgment of Jehovah and re
jection of Baal, the prophet went up to the top of Carmel, and prayed fervently foi
rain seven times ; the promise of which (speedily followed by fulfilment) at last ap
peared in the form of " a little cloud like a man's hand," rising out of the Mediter-
tanean sea — a phenomenon which, in warm maritime climates, is not the unusual
harbinger Of rain.
This remarkable transaction may be ascribed to the tenth year of Ahab's reign.
Elijah was now compelled to fly for his life, to avoid the threatened vengeance of
Jezebel for the destruction of her prophets. He fled southward, and when he had
* Baal was the supreme male divinity of the Phoenician and Canaanitish nations. The plural, Baalim,
is frequently found in the Old Testament. The word in Hebrew means Master, Owner, Possessor. The
' worship of this idol was practiced from a very remote antiquity among the Moabites and Midianites, anil
through the influence of these nations the Israelites were seduced to the worship of this god, which became
extensively prevalent in the times of the kings. — Ed.

I

HiSTOR* 0* THE BIBLE. 353
travelled nearly 100 miles, from Samaria to Beersheba, he left his servant and went
alone a day's journey into the wilderness. There he sat, for rest and shelter, under
the scanty shade which a broom-tree offered, the mighty spirit by which he had
hitherto been sustained, gave way, and he prayed for death to end his troubles. " It
is enough :" he cried, " now, 0 Jehovah, take away my life ; for I am not better than
my fathers !" To strengthen his now sinking faith, and reward his sufferings in the
cause of the God of Israel, whose honor he had so zealously vindicated, the. prophet
was encouraged by an angel to undertake a long journey to " the mount of God,"
Horeb, where the Divine presence had been manifested to Moses, the founder of the
law ; and of which a further manifestation was now probably promised to this great
champion and restorer of the same law. On this mysterious occasion the angel
touched him twice, to rouse him from his sleep, and twice made him eat of food
which he found prepared for him. In the strength which that food gave, the prophet
journeyed (doubtless by a circuitous route) forty days, until he came, it is supposed,
to the cave where Moses was stationed, when he saw the glory of Jehovah in " the
cleft of the rock."
There he heard the voice of Jehovah calling to him, " What doest thou here, Eli
jah ?" The prophet, evidently recognising that voice, said, " I have been very zealous
for Jehovah, the God of Hosts ; for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant,
thrown down thy altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword, and I only am left ;
and they seek my life to take it away." Then the voice commanded him to go forth,
for Jehovah was about to pass by. The first harbinger of the Divine presence was
a great and strong wind, which rent the mountain and brake the rock in pieces ; but J e-
hovah was not in that wind. Then followed an earthquake ; but Jehovah was not
in the earthquake. This was succeeded by a fire ; but Jehovah was not in the fire.
After this, came " a still, small Voice ;" and when the prophet heard it, he knew the
Voice of God, and, reverently hiding his face in his mantle, he stood forth in the
entrance of the cave. The Voice repeated the former question, " What doesl thou
here, Elijah ?" to which the same answer as before was returned. The Voice, in re
ply, gently rebuked the prophet for his crimination of the whole people of Israel,
and his discouraging representation of himself as the only prophet left. " I have yet
left to me seven thousand men, in Israel, who have not bowed the knee to Baal." He
was further instructed to return by a different route, by the way of Damascus ; and,
oy the way to anoint or appoint Elisha to be his own successor, and (either by him
self or Elisha), Hazael to be king of Damascene-Syria, and Jehu to be king of Israel
— as the chosen ministers of Divine vengeance upon the house and people of Ahab.
Of the three, Elisha was the only one to whom Elijah himself made known this
appointment. Elisha was the son of Shaphat, an opulent man of Abel-maholah, in
the half-tribe of Manasseh, west of the Jordan. The prophet found him ploughing
with twelve yoke of oxen, when, by a significant action, still well understood in the
East, that of throwing his own mantle upon him, he conveyed the intimation of his
prophetic call. That call was understood and obeyed by Elisha ; and after having,
with the prophet's permission, taken leave of his parents, he hastened to follow Eli
jah, to whom he ever after remained attached.
It is singular that the first formal alliance between the kingdoms of Israel and
Judah took place during the reigns of two princes of such opposite characters as
Ahab in Israel, and Jehoshaphat in Judah. But it was so : and m forming it, and in
cementing it by the marriage of his eldest son Jehoram to Athaliah the daughter of
Ahab and Jezebel, he doubtless acted from very ill-considered policy, and laid in a
great store of disasters for himself and his house. It is unfortunate that we are un
acquainted with the motives which led to this most unhappy connexion. A close
and intimate union between the two -kingdoms could not but be, in itself, a political
{rood ; and the error of Jehoshaphat probably lay in considering this fact by itself,
without taking due account of that evil character of Ahab and his house, and that
alienation of his people from God, which were calculated to neutralize, and actually
did far more than neutralize, the natural advantages of such alliance. The marriage
look place in the fifteenth year of Ahab's, and the thirteenth of Jehoshaphat's reign.
Not long after this, Ahab had cause to be alarmed at the designs of Ben-hadad, the
ling of Damascene-Syria, which kingdom had been gathering such strength, while
lhat of the Hebrews had been weakened by divisions and by misconduct, that even
the subjugation of Israel did not seem to Ben-hadad an enterprise to which his am
23

354 AN ILLUSTRATED •
bition might not aspire. To this end he made immense preparations : he claimed
the united aid of all his tributary princes, thirty-two in number, and ultimately ap
peared with all his forces before Samaria, to which he laid seige. He first summon
ed Ahab to deliver up all his most precious things ; and, compelled by dire necessity,
the king of Israel consented. But Ben-hadad was only induced by tnis readiness of
yielding, to enhance his terms, and sent further demands, which were so very hard
and insulting, that the spirit of Ahab was at last roused, and, supported by the advict
of his council, he determined to act on the defensive. Soon after a prophet came with
the promise of victory over the vast host of the Syrians, by means of a mere hand
ful of spirited young men who were particularly indicated.
The confidence of the Syrians was so great that they led a careless and jovial life,
thinking of little but of indulgence in wine and good cheer, of which the king him
self set the example. In the midst of these feasts, a body of two hundred and thirty-
two men was seen to leave the city, and advance toward the camp. Ben-hadad,
when he heard of it, quietly ordered them to be taken alive, whether they came for
peace or for war. But suddenly these men fell upon the advanced sentinels, and upon
all who were near them ; and the cries and confusion of so many persons, taken as
it were by surprise, were instrumental in creating a general panic among the vast
Syrian host. Drawn himself by the irresistible movement, Ben-hadad fled on horse
back, with all his army ; and the troops of Israel (7,000 in number), which attended
the motions and watched the effect of the sally of the brave two hundred and thirty-
two, closely pursued the flying Syrians, and rendered the victory complete.
The prophet who foretold this victory now apprized Ahab that Ben-hadad would
renew his attempt the ensuing year. This took place accordingly. The Syrians
came in equal force as before, and, as they thought, wjlh wiser counsels. The king
dom of Damascene-Syria was mostly a plain ; whereas the kingdom of Israel, and
the site of Samaria, in particular, was mountainous. Rightly attributing their defeat
to the God (or, as they chose in their idolatrous ignorance, to say the gods) of Israel,
they reasoned that he was a god of the hills, and therefore among the hills more
powerful than their gods, who were gods of the valleys and the plains. Instead
therefore of going among the, hills as before, they would now fight in the plains,
where they could not doubt of success. This reasoning, however absurd it now seems
to us and did then seem (such were their privileges) to all enlightened Israelites, was
in strict and philosophical accordance with the first principles of idolatry and the
general system of national and local deities. But such a view being taken by them
il became necessary to Jehovah to vindicate his own honor and assert his omnipo
tence by their overthrow. For this reason he delivered this vast host that covered
the land into the hands of the comparatively small and feeble host of Israel. The
Syrians were cut in pieces; 100,000 of their number were left dead upon the field of
battle, and the rest were entirely dispersed. Ben-hadad, with a large number of the
fugitives, sought refuge in Aphek ; but by the sudden fall of the wall of that fortified
town, 27,000 of his men were crushed to death, and the place was rendered defence
less. Nothing was now left to him but to yield himself up to Ahab. That monarch,
weak and criminal by turns, received the Syrian king into his friendship, and formed
an impious alliance with him, regardless not only of the law, but of the honor of
God, who had given him the victory, and had delivered for punishment into his hands
this blasphemer and enemy of his Great Name. For this he wa.=, in the name of Je
hovah, severely rebuked and threatened by one of " the sons of the prophets," by
the way-side ; in consequence he withdrew to his palace " heavy and displeased."
The history of Ahab affords one more, and the last, interview between him and
Elijah. This was about nine years after the grand solemnity at Mount Carmel, and
the nineteenth of Ahab's reign.
At that time the king took a fancy to enlarge his own garden by taking into it an
adjoining vineyard which formed part of the patrimonial estate of a person named
Naboth. He made him the fair offer of its value in money, or to give him some
other piece of land of equal value. But Naboth, considering it a religious duty to
preserve " the inheritance of his fathers," declined on any terms to alienate it. The
reason was good, and ought to have satisfied the king. t?at he received the refusal
like a spoiled child ; he lay down upon his bed, and turned away his face to the wall,
and refused to take his food. When his wife heard this she came to him, and hav-
¦ ing learned the cause of his grief, she said indignantly, " Dost thou not now govern the-

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

355

356 AN ILLUSTRATED
Kingdom of Israel ; Arise, eat food, and let thine heart be cheerful ; the vineyard ol
Naboth, the Jezreelite, I will give to thee." Accordingly, she procured Naboth to be
put to death under the form of law. At a public feast he was accused by suborned
witnesses of blasphemy, for which he was stoned to death, and his estates confisca
ted to the king. Jezebel then went to Ahab, apprized him of what had happened,
and told him to go down and take possession of the vineyard. It is clear lhat if he
did not suggest, he approved of the crime, and proceeded with joy to reap the fruits
of it. But in the vineyard of Naboth, the unexpected and unwelcome sight of Eli
jah the prophet met his view. Struck by his own conscience, he cried, "Hast thou
found me, 0 mine enemy?" To which Elijah replied, "I have found thee, because
thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the eyes of Jehovah." He then proceeded to
denounce the doom of utter extermination upon himself and his house for his mani
fold iniquities ; and then, with reference to the immediate offence, he said, " Hast
thou slain and also taken possession ? Thus saith Jehovah, In whatsoever place
ihe dogs licked up the blood of Naboth, shall dogs lick up thy blood, even thine.
And concerning Jezebel, Jehovah hath also spoken, saying, The dogs shall eat Jeze
bel under the wall of Jezreel. Him who dieth of Ahab in the city shall the dogs
eat ; and him that dieth in the fields shall the fowls of the air eat." We are imme
diately reminded, however, that this terrible doom, although now denounced, as fol
lowing this crowning deed of guilt, was really a consequence of this and all the other
iniquities of Ahab's reign ; for it is added, " Now there had been none like to Ahab,
who, stirred up by Jezebel his wife, sold himself to work wickedness in the eyes of
Jehovah. And he committed great abominations by going after vile idols, according
to all that the Amorites did, whom Jehovah cast out before the Israelites."
When Ahab heard the heavy doom pronounced against him by the prophet, " he
rent his clothes (in token of extreme grief), and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and
fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went mournfully." This conduct found some accept
ance with God, who said to Elijan, Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before
me ? Because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days,
but in his son's days will I bring this evil upon his house." From the judicial sen
tence specially applicable to the case of Naboth, there was, however, no dispensa
tion ; as it behooved the Divine king to demonstrate that he still possessed and exer
cised the authority of supreme civil governor, and that the kings were responsible to
him and punishable by him. This was signally shown in the sequel.
Israel was now at peace with Syria, but it had not recovered possession of all the
places which had at different times been lost to that power. Of these, Ramoth Gilead,
beyond Jordan, was one which, from its proximity and importance, Ahab was partic
ularly anxious to regain possession. He therefore resolved to expel the Syrian gar
rison from that place ; and as he was aware that the attempt would be opposed by
the whole power of the Syrian kingdom, he claimed the assistance of Jehoshaphat,
the king of Judah, which that prince, with the facility of disposition which formed
the chief defect of his excellent character, very readily granted. Nevertheless, when
the preparations were completed, Jehoshaphat, unsatisfied by the assurances of suc
cess which Ahab's own " prophets" had given, desired that some other prophet of
Jehovah should be consulted. This request was more distasteful to Ahab than he '
liked to avow. " There is yet one man," he said, " Micaiah,* the son of Imlah, but
him I hate, because he prophesieth not good concerning me, but evil." He was,
however, sent for ; and although the messenger had strongly inculcated upon him the
necessity of making his counsel conformable to the wishes of the kino- and the pre
dictions of his own prophets, the undaunted Micaiah boldly foretold tne fatal result
of the expedition. At this the king was so much enraged, that he ordered him to be
kept in confinement, and fed with the bread and the water of affliction until he re
turned in peace. " If thou return at all in peace," rejoined the faithful prophet,
" then Jehovah hath not spoken by me."
Ben-hadad, the king of Syria, repaid the misplaced kindness of Ahab by the most
bitter enmity against his person; and he gave strict orders to his troops that their
principal object should be his destruction. Ahab seems to have had some private in
formation of this ; for he went, himself, disguised to the battle, and treacherously
persuaded Jehoshaphat to appear in all the ensigns of his high rank.f In consequence ol
• Josephus and other ancient Jews understood that this Micaiah was the same prophet who had rehukod
Ahab for his alliance with Ben-hadad.
t Josephus, supported by the Septuagint. says he wore the royal robes of Ahab.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 357
.nis the king of Judah was nearly slam, being surrounded by the Syrians, who press
ed toward the point in which one royally arrayed appeared. But they discovered
their mistake in time, and turned their attention in another direction. Ahab, with all
his contrivance, could not avoid his doom. A Syrian archer* sent forth from his bow
an arrow at random. Guided by the unseen Power which had numbered the days of
Ahab, that arrow found the.disguised king, penetrated between the joints of his strong
armor, and gave him his death-wound. He directed his charioteer to drive him out
of the battle ; but perceiving that a general action was coming on, he remained, and
was held up in his chariot until the evening, animating his friends by his voice and
presence. After the fall of night had terminated the combat, the king died, and the
army was directed to disperse. The body of Ahab was taken to Samaria, to be de
posited in the family sepulchre ; and to mark the literal fulfilment of Elijah's prophecy,
the historian acquaints us that his chariot was washed, and his armor rinsed in the
pool of Samaria, where the dogs licked up the blood that he had lost. Thus signal
ly, in the mysterious dispensations of Divine providence, were reconciled the seem
ingly discordant declarations of the two prophets, one of whom had foretold his death
at Ramoth Gilead, and the other that dogs should claim his blood in Samaria.
The history of Ahab is almost exclusively occupied with the record of his guilt,
and we are referred for information concerning his other public acts to a chronicle
which no longer exists. But it transpires that ne built several cities in Israel, and
also a palace, which, from the quantities of ivory with which it was ornamented,
was distinguished as " the ivory palace."
Ahab's death took place in the year 909 B. C, after a reign of twenty-two years.
He was succeeded in his throne and in his sin by his son Ahaziah. The chief
event of his short reign was the revolt of the Moabites, who, since their subjection
by David, had continued to supply Israel with a rich tribute of flocks and fleeces.f
Ahaziah himself having received serious injuries by a fall through a lattice in an up
per chamber of his palace,, sent messengers into the land of the Philistines, to con
sult Baal-zebub, the fly-god of Ekron, whether he should recover. But they were
met on the way by the prophet Elijah, who sent them back to the king with a de
nunciation of death, for his impiety in forsaking the God of Israel and resorting to
strange gods. The messengers knew not the prophet ; but when they described him
to the king as a man clad with a hairy garment, and with a leathern girdle about his
loins, he recognised Elijah, and sent an officer with fifty men to apprehend him. But
the prophet, whom they found sitting upon a hill, called down fire from heaven,
wjiicn consumed this party, and also a second ; but he went voluntarily with the
third, the officer in command of which humbled himself before him, and besought
him. The prophet confirmed to the king himself his former denunciation of speedy
death ; and, accordingly, Ahaziah died, after a short reign of two years, leaving no
son, to succeed him. This king maintained the alliance which his father had estab
lished with King Jehoshaphat, and even persuaded that monarch to admit him to
share in his contemplated maritime expedition to the regions of Ophir, of which
there will be occasion to speak in the next chapter.
Ahaziah was succeeded by his brother Jehoram. This king, like his predecessors,
" did evil in the sight of Jehovah," yet not to the same extent of enormity as they ;
for although the loose and irregular service of the golden calves was maintained by
him, he overthrew the images of Baal, and discouraged the grosser idolatries which
his father and brother had introduced.
The first and most urgent care of the new king was to reduce to obedience the
Moabites, who, as just mentioned, had revolted on the death of Ahab. As the king
of Judah had himself been troubled by the Moabites, he readily undertook to take a
very prominent part in this enterprise, to which he also brought the support of his
own tributary, the king of Edom. The plan of the campaign was, that the allied
army should invade the land of Moab in its least defensible quarter, by going round
by " the wilderness of Edom," southward of the Dead sea; which also offered the
advantage that the forces of the king of Israel could be successively joined by those
of the kings of 'Judah and Edom on the march. This circuitous march occupied
seven days ; and toward the end of it the army and the horses suffered greatly from
* Josephus says this was Naaman, who will soon come again before us.
t The auiual tribute rendered by the Moabites had been 100,000 lambs and 100,000 wethers, with their
ffool

358 AN ILLUSTRATED
thirst, probably occasioned by the failure of the wells and brooks, from which an
adequate supply of water had been expected. Much loss had already been incuried
through this unexpected drought, and nothing less than utter ruin seemed to impend
over the allies when they lay on the borders of Moab, within view of the enemy,
which had advanced to meet them. In this emergency the very proper course oc
curred to Jehoshaphat of consulting a prophet of Jehovah. On inquiry it was discovered
that Elisha, " who had poured water on the hands of Elijah" — a proverbial expression
from the most conspicuous act of service in a personal attendant — was the only prophet
to be found in that neighborhood. Full of the faith of his illustrious master, this
faithful disciple of Elijah had beheld the Jordan divide before that prophet, and had
been with him when, upborne by the whirlwind, he was taken gloriously away from
the earth, in the chariot and horses which glowed like fire, and who had substituted
himself in his mission to work marvels and reprove kings in the name of Jehovah.
Already had the " spirit and power of Elias," which abode in him, been manifested
to all Israel by the prodigies he had wrought. The waters of the Jordan had di
vided before him, the second time, when smote by the fallen mantle of Elijah ; — the
bad waters of Jericho had become permanently wholesome at his word; — and to
evince the power of his curse, bears from the woods had destroyed forty-two young
men belonging to idolatrous Bethel, who, joining unbelief to insult, had bade him, in
terms of mockery and derision, — " Go up, thou bald head ! Go up, thou bald head !"
— ascend after his master.
The prophet, thus already distinguished, was sought in his retreat by the three
kings. His greeting of Jehoram was severe, " What have / to do with thee ? Get
thee to the prophets of thy father and to the prophets of thy mother." Nevertheless,
but avowedly on the sole account of the good Jehoshaphat, he interested himself for
the salvation of the army, which was in such imminent danger : and, having con
sulted the Lord, he promised that on the moirow there should be such an abundance
of water, that the bed ofthe torrent, near which the army was encamped, should not
be able to contain it ; and, more than this, he also indicated that this should be but
the prelude of a signal victory over and complete ruin of the enemy.
All things happened as he had said. In the morning, at the time of offering
sacrifice, the waters descended in such full-flood from the heights of Edom, that the
camp would have been submerged, had not the army, by the direction ofthe prophet,
previously dug large ditches to receive the redundant waters. All this was unknown
to ihe Moabites, who, when they arose in the morning, and, on looking toward the
camp of the allies, beheld the lurid rays of the rising sun reflected from the water*
which now covered the arid sands of yesterday, doubted not that it was blood which
they saw, and formed the not by any means improbable conclusion that the armies
of Israel and Judah had quarrelled with and destroyed each other. They therefore
rushed without the least care or order to the pillage of the camp; but so far from
finding it deserted, they were surrounded and cut in pieces by the armed and now
invigorated allies. The remnant of the army was pursued into the interior of the
country by the conquerors, whose course was blackened by the fire and crimsoned
by the sword. Ultimately they invested the metropolitan city of Kir-haraseth,*
in which the king, Mesha, had taken refuge. One part of the walls had already
been destroyed, and the king, seeing he could no longer defend the place, attempted
to break through the besieging host at the head of seven hundred swordsmen. But
tailing in this desperate effort, he sought to propitiate his cruel gods by offering up
the frightful sacrifice of his eldest son, the heir of his throne, in the breach. Seized
with horror at this spectacle, the conquering kings abandoned the siege, withdrew
from the country, and returned to their own states. In taking this step they did not
consider, or, perhaps, not care, that they gave to the horrible act of the Moabite the
very effect which he desired, and enabled him to delude himself with the persuasion
that his sacrifice had been successful, and well-pleasing to the powers of Heaven.
In the remaining history of Jehoram's reign, the prophet Elisha occupies nearly
as conspicuous a place as Elijah did in that of Ahab. The wonders wrought by his
ha ids were numerous; but they were less signal, and less attende'd with public and
important results— less designed to effect public objects, than those of his master.
Indeed his national acts were less considerable than those of Elijah ; and although
he possessed great influence, and was undoubtedly the foremost man of his age, fie
* The same place which is otherwise called Rabbath-Moab, and, classically, AreovQlis

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 359
ivauited those energies of character, and that consuming zeal which his predecessor
manifested; or, perhaps more correctly, the exigencies of the times were not such as
to call for the exercise of such endowments as had been possessed by Elijah. But
although those of his successor were different in their kind, we know not that, wilh
regard to the differing time, the/ were less useful or eminent. In this, and in a
thousand other historical examples,— more especially in the history of the Hebrews, —
we see men raised up for, and proportioned to, the times in which they live, and ihe
occasions which call for them. The most eminent of the prophets, since Moses, was
given to the most corrupt time ; in which only a man of his indomitable, ardent, and
almost fierce spirit, could have been equal to the fiery and almost single-handed
struggle for God against principalities aud powers. Elisha fell in milder times, and
was correspondingly of a milder character, although he was not found unequal to
any of the more trying circumstances which arose during the period of his prophetic
administration. Indee'd his conduct on such occasions was such as to suggest that it
was only the milder spirit of the time on which he, fell, precluding occasion for their
exercise, that prevented the manifestation in him of that grander class of endowments
which his predecessor displayed. As it was, Elisha, instead of being like his naster,
driven by persecution from the haunts of men to the deserts and the mountains, and
reduced to a state of dependance on the special providence of God, for the bread he
ate, and the water he drank, — enjoyed a sufficiency of all things, and lived in honor
and esteem among his countrymen ; and even among the purple and fine linen of
king's courts, the rough mantle of the prophet was regarded with respect.
In such a history as the present it is only necessary to report those of his acts which
were connected with, or bore upon, the public history of the nation ; yet his more
private acts may be also briefly indicated for the sake of the illustration which they
afford of the spirit and manners of the time.
The first of his operations which we read of, after that which connected him with
the deliverance of Israel and the defeat of the Moabites, was an act of benevolence
toward the widow of one of those " sons of the prophets" who had now come under
his supervision. He had died without having the means of satisfying a debt he had
incurred,* in consequence of which the creditor was disposed to indemnify himself by
making bondsmen of her two sons ; but on her complaint to Elisha, he multiplied a
small quantity of oil which she possessed, until the price il brought more than suf
ficed to pay the implacable creditor.
The occasions of the prophet frequently led him to visit the city of Shunem, which
being observed by a benevolent woman, she suggested lo her husband that they should'
prepare a small separate apartment,! and furnish it with a bed, a table, a seat, and a
lamp; and that this should be reserved for his use when he visited Shunem. This-
was accordingly done, and the prophet accepted ihe hospitalities of these good Shu-
nemites. Elisha was very sensible of their kind attention, and wished to repay it by
some substantial uenefit. He sent for the woman, and offered to speak to the king or
to the captain of the host on her behalf. This she declined; and the prophet felt at
a loss what to do for them, until it was suggested by his servant Gehazi that the wo
man had long been childless, on which Elisha again sent for her, and as she stood re
spectfully at the door, he conveyed to her the astonishing intimation that, nine
months thence, her arms should embrace a son. Accordingly, the child was born, and
had grown up, when one day he received a stroke of the sun on his head, and died
very soon. The mother laid him on the prophet's bed, and actuated by an undefinable,
but intelligible impulse, sought and obtained the permission of her husband to go to
Elisha, who was known to be then at Carmel. Accordingly an ass was saddled, on
which, driven by a servant on foot,}: she sped to that place., Elisha saw her afar off,
ind said to Gehazi, " Behold, yonder is the Shunamite ! Run now, I pray thee, and
say to her, — Is it well with thee ? well with thy husband ? well with the child ?"
The bereaved mother answered, " Well," but pressed on toward the man of God. Ou
approaching him she alighted from her beast, and threw herself at his feet, on which
* The Jews think the person was Obadiah, and that his debt was contracted on account of the expense
of maintaining the hundred prophets whom he concealed in caverns.
+ Called in our version " a little chamber in the wall." It denotes doubtless what the Arabs still call by
she same name (Oleah), which is a small building, generally at some distance from the house, like a suui-
.iier-house in our gardens.
tit is still the usual practice in the East for a man on foot to read or drive the ass on which a woman
rides

SfiO AN ILLUSTRATED
she laid hold. The officious Gehazi drew nigh to thrust her away, but Elisha checked
him, — " Lei her alone ; for her soul is troubled within her : although Jehovah hath
hidden from me the cause, and hath not told me of it." When, in a few broken ex
clamations, she had made known the cause of her grief, the prophet gave his staff to
Gehazi, with instructions to go and lay it on the face of the child. But the mother
refused to leave the prophet, and he was induced to rise and return with her. They
met Gehazi on his way back, who told them, " The child is not awaked !" They
hasted on, and the prophet shut himself up with the child. It was not long before he
directed the mother to be called, and. presented to her the living boy.
Another time, when there was a dearth in the land, Elisha was at the school of the
prophets at Gilgal ; and at the proper time, gave the order to the servants, " Set on
the great pot, and seeth pottage for the sons of the prophets." When this was
dressed, it was found that a wild and bitter gourd had Deen gathered and shred into
the pot by mistake. " 0 man of God ! there is death in the pot !" cried the sons of
the prophets, when they began to eat. But Elisha directed a handful of meal to be
cast into the pot, and it was found that all the poisonous qualities of the pottage had
disappeared. In the kingdom of Damascene-Syria, the chief captain of the host, high in the fa
vor and confidence of the king, was a person called Naaman, who had the misfortune
of being a leper. This, which would have been a disqualification for all employment
and society in Israel, could not but be a great annoyance and distress to a public man
in Syria. When therefore a little Hebrew girl, who in a former war had been taken
captive, and was now a slave in the household of this personage, was heard to say,
" Would to God my lord were with the prophet, that is in Samaria, for he would re
cover him of his leprosy !" she was eagerly questioned on the matter, and the result
was that the king of Syria sent Naaman, with a splendid retinue and camels laden
with presents* to Samaria, with a sufficiently laconic letter to the King Jehoram.
" When this letter cometh to thee, thou must recover from his leprosy Naaman, my
servant. Behold, I have sent him with it." The king of Israel was utterly con
founded when he read this epistle. He rent his clothes, and cried, " Am I a god, to
kill and to make alive, that this man sendeth to me to recover a man of his leprosy 1
Consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh an occasion of quarrelling with me."
Intelligence of this affair, and of the king's vexation, was brought to Elisha, who de
sired that the Syrian stranger might be sent to him. Accordingly Naaman came with
his chariot and horses and imposing retinue, and stood before the door of Elisha's
house. The prophet did not make his appearance ; but sent out a message directing
him to go and bathe seven times hi the river Jordan. The self-esteem of the distin
guished leper was much hurt at this treatment. He expected that Elisha would have
paid him personal attention and respect, and would have healed him by an appeal to
his God, Jehovah, and by the stroking of his hand. He therefore turned and went
away in a rage, exclaiming, " Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better
than all the waters of Israel ? May I not wash in them and be clean ?" His attend
ants, however, succeeded in soothing him, and persuaded him to follow the prophet's
directions ; and when he rose, perfectly cleansed, from the Jordan, his feelings turned
to conviction and gratitude ; he returned to Samaria, and presented himself to the
prophet, declaring his belief that Jehovah was the true and only God, and that hence
forth he would offer burnt-offerings and sacrifices to no other. He would also have
pressed upon his acceptance a valuable present, but this was firmly declined by Elisha;
and when his covetous servant Gehazi, compromised the honor of God and of his own
master, by following the Syrian, to ask a gift in the name of the prophet, the leprosy
from which Naaman had been cleansed was declared by the prophet to be the abiding
portion of him and of his race.
These and other miracles wrought by this prophet, fixed upon him personally the
regard and veneration of the people ; and while there is reason to think that the stale
of manners and of religion was not altogether so bad as it had been under Anab, the
practices and ideas of their corrupt system of religion was now too closely interwover
with their habits of life and mind to be easily shaken off. They rested on their inter
mediate system. Habit had reconciled even their consciences to it; and in general, o
fall back upon it, after having strayed into foreign idolatries, was in their sight a coru-
* The presents included ten talents of silver, equal to fifteen thousand dollars, six thousand sneke s oi
gold, eau.- to sixty thousand dollars, and ten dresses of honor.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 361
plete and perfect reformation. And as to the race of Ahab, that was hastening wilh
rapid strides to its doom. The famine which about this time desolated the land, am?
the new war with the Syrians, which was carried on under the very walls of the cap
ital, was met by the king without any fixed faith, or any determinate rule of conduct ;
sometimes he attributed his calamities to Elisha, and vowed his destruction ; and at
others he resorted to that same prophet as to his only friend and deliverer.
In this war the Syrians had laid an ambuscade, in which the king would undoubt
edly have perished had not Elisha ensured his safety by discovering the plan of the
enemy to him. This happened more than once ; and the Syrian king at first suspected
treachery in his own camp ; but being assured that it was owing to Elisha, " who
could tell the king of Israel the words he spoke in his bed-chamber," he was much
irritated, and, with singular infatuation, despatched a column of his best troops to in
vest the town of Dothan, where the prophet then abode, in such a manner that his
escape seemed impossible to his own terrified servant. "Fear not," said Elisha, "for
they that are with us are more than they that are with them ;" and then, praying
that his eyes might be opened to the view of " things invisible to mortal sight," he
beheld the mountain full of chariots and horses, glowing like fire, round about the
prophet. At his request, the Syrian troop was then smitten with blindness, and in
that condition he went among them, and conducted them to the very gates of the
hostile metropolis, Samaria, where their eyes were opened, and he dismissed them in
peace, after inducing Jehoram to give them refreshment, instead of slaying them, a3
was his own wish. This generous conduct seems to have had such good effect that
the Syrian hordes for the present abandoned their enterprise, and returned to their
own country.
After this came on a severe famine, of seven years' continuance, and the evils of it
were aggravated by war, for the Syrian king deemed this season of weakness and ex
haustion too favorable for his designs to be neglected. He marched directly to Sa
maria, and formally invested that strong place, which, seemingly, he hoped less to
gain by force of arms than by so blockading it as ultimately to starve it into a surren
der ; which work, he knew, was already more than half accomplished to his hands.
The siege was protracted until the inhabitants were driven to the most horrible shifts
to prolong their miserable existence. We are told that au ass's head was sold foi
eighty silver shekels, equal to thirty dollars of our money, and the fourth part of a
cab* of vetches for five shekels, equal to three dollars of our money. In this case the
extremity of the famine is shown not merely by the cost of the articles, but by the
fact that the flesh of an ass, for which' such an enormous price was now paid, was
forbidden by the law,f and could not be touched by a Hebrew under ordinary circum
stances. One day as the king was passing along the ramparts, two women importunately
demanded justice at his hands. They had between them slain, boiled, and eaten the
son of one of them, with the understanding that the son of the other was next to be
sacrificed to satisfy their wants. But the mother of the living son relented, and re
fused to yield him to so horrible a fate. This was the injustice of which the mother
of the slaughtered child complained, and for which she clamored for redress. When
the king heard this shocking case, he rent his clothes, which gave the people present
occasion to observe that his inner dress was the sackcloth of a mourner. He mighl
have remembered that such calamities had been threatened, ages back, by Moses, as
the suitable punishment of such iniquities as those into which Israel had actually fallen
(Deut. xxviii. 52-57). His indignation, however, turned against Elisha (who had,
perhaps, encouraged him to hold out by promises of deliverance], and he swore thai
he should lose his head that day, and instantly despatched an officer to execute an in
tention so worthy of the son of Jezebel. But the messenger was no sooner gone than
he relented, and went hastily after him, to revoke the order, and to excuse himself to
Elisha. This moment of right feeling was the moment in which deliverance was an
nounced. " Thus saith Jehovah," said the prophet, when the king stood in his pres
ence, " to-morrow about this time shall a seah} of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and
two seahs of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria." This appeared so utterly
* The fourth part of a cab was less than a pint of our measure.
r No animal food was allowed but that of animals which ruminate and divide the hoof. The ass does
neither ; and was therefore for food more unclean than even the hog, which does divide th< hoof although
it does not ruminate.
t Somewhat, more than a peck.

3R2 AN ILLUSTRATED
incrediile to the courtier "on whose arm the king leaned," that he said, "Behold,
Were Jehovah to open wmdows in heaven* then this thing might be." To which the
prophet severely retorted, " Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat
thereof." In fact, during the following night, Jehovah caused the Syrians to hear a great
noise of chariots and horses, which led them to conclude that Jehoram had contrived
to obtain assistance from the king of Egypt and other neighboring princes ; and this
infused into ihem such a panic terror, that they precipitately raised the siege; and,
in the belief that they were pursued by a puissant army come to the relief of Israel,
they abandoned the camp with all their baggage and provisions. Toward the
morning, some lepers, who, as such, abode without the town, made up their minds to
go to the camp of the Syrians seeking food; for they concluded that it was better to
risk death by the Syrian sword than to die of famine where they were. On reaching
the camp they found it deserted ; and after satisfying their present wants, and appro
priating to their own use some good things from the spoil, they proceeded to bear
their glad tidings to the city. The king was slow to believe* them, and suspected the
whole to be a stratagem of the Syrians. Men were therefore mounted on two of the
five only horses now remaining, and sent to make observations. The report with
which they returned was quite conformable to that of the lepers. The people then
left the city, and hastened to pillage the camp of the Syrians, in which provisions
were found in such abundance that a market was established at the gate of Samaria,*
where, as the prophet had predicted, a seah of wheat was sold for a shekel, and two
seahs of barley for the same. The officer who refused to believe this prediction was
placed by the king to preserve order at the gate ; but so great was the press of the
famishing multitude to obtain corn, that he was thrown down and trodden to death.
Thus was accomplished the other prediction, that he should see the truth of the first
prophecy without enjoying its benefits.
We know not precisely how long after this the seven years of famine terminated.
Of these years the hospitable Shunemite had been warned by Elisha, and had with
drawn to a neighboring country ; on which the state assumed the possession of her
lands. After the famine was over, she returned, and came before the king to petition
for the restoration of the property. At that time the servant of Elisha was engaged
in giving the king an account of the various miracles wrought by his master, and
when the woman appeared, he was relating how her son had been restored to life.
The relater then said, " My lord, this is the woman, and this is her son whom Elisha
restored to life." The king was struck by this coincidence, and proceeded to ques
tion her on the subject, and ended with directing that not only should the lands be
restored to her, but the value of their produce during the years of her absence. This
was a very becoming act. and, like several other recorded 'acts of Jehoram, worthy
of commendation ; but it is not by particular acts, however laudable, that the sins of
a criminal life can be covered : and the fulfilment of the doom pronounced upon the
house of Ahab was now near at hand.
Jehoram was desirous of pursuing his recent advantage over the Syrians to the
extent of taking from them the city of Ramoth in Gilead, which still remained in
their possession. Fortified by an alliance with his nephew Ahaziah, king of Judah,
he therefore declared war against Hazael, whom a revolution, predicted by Elisha,
had placed upon the throne of Damascene-Syria, in the room of Ben-hadad. Ramoth
was invested by the two kings ; and before that place, where Ahab had received his
death-wound,' Jehoram was also wounded by an arrow — not mortally, but so seriously
that he withdrew to Jezreel to be healed, leaving the conduct of the siege to Jehu,
the son of Nimshi. The king of Judah also returned to Jerusalem, but afterward
proceeded to Jezreel to visit his wounded relative.
At this juncture Elisha sent one of the sons of the prophet to execute the com
mission, long since intrusted to Elijah, of anointing Jehu as king of Israel. He
arrived at the time when the chief officers of'the army besieging Ramoth were
together. He called out Jehu, and anointed him in an inner chamber, delivering at
ihe same time the announcement of his call to the throne of Israel, and to be Jeho
vah's avenger upon the house of Ahab. No sooner had he done this than he opened
* It is still not unusual in the East for the wholesale market for country produce and cattle to be hen)
'for a short time in the early morning) at the gates of towns. Manufactured goods are sold and fruits
retailed in the bazars within the towns

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 363
the door and fled. Jehu returned to his companions, as if nothing hail happened.
But they had noticed the prophetic garb of the person who had called him out, and
it being the fashion of those days to speak contemptuously of the prophetic calling
they asked, "On what business came this mad fellow to thee?" Jehu affected
some reluctance to tell them; but this made them the more urgent; and when lie
made the fact known to them, it was so agreeable to their own w'oVie=, that they
instantly tendered him their homage, and proclaimed him king by sound of trumpet,
and with cries of "Jehu is king!" At his desire, measures were taken to prevent
this intelligence from spreading for the present ; in consequence of which, King
lehorani and King Ahaziah remained at Jezreel, quite unsuspicious of what had
occurred. But one day the watchman announced the distant approach of a large
party; and the king of Israel sent, successively, two messengers to ascertain whether
it came with peaceable designs or not. But as they did not return, and the watch
man having in the meantinie ascertained, from his manner of driving his chariot, that
the principal person was Jehu, the two kings went forth themselves to meet him
They met in the fatal field of Naboth. " Is it peace, Jehu ?" the king inquired of
the general; who answered, "What peace as long as the idolatries of thy mothei
lezebel and her sorceries are so many ?" On hearing which, Jehoram cried to the
king of Judah, " There is treachery, 0 Ahaziah !" and turned his chariot to escape.
But Jehu drew his bow with all his force, and the arrow which he discharged smote
the king between the shoulders, and went through his heart. Jehu directed the
body to be taken from the chariot and left on that ground, reminding Bidkar, his cap
tain, to whom he gave this order, that they were together in attendance upon Ahab
in that very place, when the prophet Elijah appeared and denounced that doom upon
his house, and the bloody requital in that spot, which was now being accomplished.
Ahaziah also attempted to escape ; but Jehu directed some of his followers to pur
sue and smite him in his chariot. They did so, and wounded him : but he continued
his flight till he reached Megiddo, where he died of his w^'mds. His body was
removed to Jerusalem for sepulture.*
Jehu entered Jezreel. The news of what had happened preceded him: and
Jezebel tired her head and painted her eyes, and looked out of a window ; and this
she did, we should imagine, not with any view of trying the power of her allure
ments upon Jehu — for she was by this time an aged woman — but for state, and to
manifest to the last the pride and royalty of her spirit. As Jehu drew nigh, she
called to him, "Had Zimri peace, who slew his master?" But this was the day of
vengeance and of punishment, and not of relentings ; and Jehu looked up and cried,
" Who is on my side, who ?" On which two or three eunuchs of the harem looked
out to him. " Throw her down !" was the unflinching command of Jehu. So they
threw her down, and some of her blood was sprinkled upon the wall, and upon the
horses that trod upon her. After this, Jehu went into the palace, and ate and dranir, ;
and he then said, " Go, look after this accursed woman, and bury her; for she was
a king's daughter." But it was then found that all the body, except the scull, the feet,
and the palms of her hands, had been devoured by such ravenous dogs as those by
which eastern cities are still infested. " This," said Jehu, " is the word of Jehovah,
which he spake by the mouth of Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the district of
Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel ; and the carcass of Jezebel- shall be as
dung upon the face of the field in the district of Jezreel ; so that they shall not say,
This is Jezebel."
Ahab had left not fewer than seventy sons, and these were all in Samaria, f which
was not only the metropolis but one of the strongest places in the kingdom ; and
Jehu, reflecting, probably, on what happened after the death of Zimri. — when two
kings reigned, one like himself, a military leader upheld by the arm, whom a
* This is tlie account given in the Book of Kings (2 Kings ix. 27-29) ; but another account (2 Chrjn. xxii.
9) says he hid himself in Samaria, where he was discovered and put to death. From this difference it
may seem that some circumstances are omitted, by which the two accounts might be reconciled. But as
we do not know with certainty how to reconcile them, we have given one of the accounts only in the
text, and have preferred that in Kings, solely because it is that which Josephus has followed.
t From the expression that the> were " with the great men of the city, who brought them up," we infei
that, as is still usual in some eastern countries, the king lelieved himself from the charge of their main
tenance, by consigning one young prince to tllis great peison, and another to another, to be maintained
and educated as became their station. This charge is to be received as an honor and distinction, and is
sometimes of ultimate benefit ; but on account of the great expense and inconvenience, it is often
eceived with dissatisfaction, and manv would decline it if thev dared.

364 AN ILLUSTRATED
portion of the nation refused to acknowledge, and adhered to another, — appre
hended that something similar might again occur. He therefore wrote to the chief
persons of Samaria, and to those who had the charge of Ahab's children, to sound
iheir intentions. He told them that they were in a well-fortified city, with troops,
ihariots, and arms ; and that, being thus circumstanced, they had better set up one
of Ahab's son= for king, and fight for him, letting the crown be the prize of the
conqueror. And this, really, was the only course which men faithful and attached lo
the dynasty of Omri could have taken. This the chief persons and guardians of the
princes in Samaria were not, — or not to the extent of risking the consequences of civil
war, and of opposition to Jehu. In fact, they were intimidated by his promptitude
in action, and at the manner in which the two kings and Jezebel had been disposed
of; and there was something calculated to damp their spirits (if they had any) in a
message which showed that Jehu was prepared for the most resolute course they
could take. They replied, " We are thy servants, and will do all that thou shalt bid
us; we will not make any man king: do thou what is goodjn thine eyes." Jehu's
reply was prompt and horribly decisive : " If ye be for me, and will hearken to my
voice, take off the heads of your master's sens, and come to me to Jezreel by this
time to-morrow." When this letter arrived, the seventy princes were instantly
decapitated, and their heads sent in baskets to Jezreel. When Jehu heard of their
arrival, he, according to a barbarous eastern custom not yet extinct, directed them to
be piled up in two heaps at the entrance of the city-gate until the morning. In the
morning he went out to the assembled people, and with the evident design of point
ing out the extent to which the house of Ahab wanted any hearty adherents, even
among those who might be supposed most attached to its interests, he said, " Ye are
righteous. Behold, I conspired against my master, and slew him: but who hath
slain all these ? Now know, that nothing of the word of Jehovah, which he spoke
concerning the house of Ahab, shall fall to the ground ; for Jehovah will do what
he spoke by his servant Elijah."
Jehu delayed not to go to Samaria, and in his way encountered some ofthe brothers
of Ahaziah, the king .of Judah, who, ignorant of the late occurrences, were on their
• way to visit the sons of Ahab. Regarding their connexion by blood and friendship
with the house of Ahab, Jehu considered them included in his commission to exter
minate that house root and branch. He therefore commanded them to be arrested
and slain. Their number was forty-fwo.
In his further progress, Jehu met with Jonadab, the son of Rechab, a pastoral
religionist held in high esteem by the people, and whose influence with them was-
very great. Jehu, with his usual tact, at once felt the advantage which the counte
nance of this person might be to his cause. He therefore accosted him : " Is thy
heart as right with my heart, as my heart is with thine ?" Jonadab answered, " It
is." — " If it be," said Jehu, " give to me thy hand." And he gave him his hand,
and Jehu took him up into his chariot, saying, " Come and see my zeal for Jehovah !"
They thus en'ered Samaria together, where Jehu completed the destruction of the
house of Ahab by cutting off all its remaining members.
In Samaria Ahab had erected a celebrated temple to the idol Baal. On entering
the town Jehu declared an intention to aggrandize the -worship of that god, and ren
der to him higher honors than he had yet received in Israel. He was iherefore
determined to celebrate a great feast in honor of Baal, to which he convoked all the
priests, prophets, and votaries of that idol. The concourse was so great that the
temple was filled from one end to another ; and while they were in the midst of their
idolatrous worship, Jehu sent in a body of armed men who put them all to the sword.
The idols, and the implements and ornaments of idol worship, were then over
thrown, broken, or reduced to ashes ; and the temple itself was demolished and
turned into a common jakes. But the worship of Baal was far from being confined
to Samaria, and Jehu sought for it in all quarters of the land, and rooted it out
wherever it was found. His conduct in this matter was so well pleasing to God, thai
the throne of Israel was, by a special promise, assured to his posterity unto tht
fourth generation.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

305

Defile in Idumea (Mount Seir), in the road from Palestine to Egypt

366 - AN ILLUSTRATED
CHAPTER XX.
KINGDOM OP JUDAH FROM B. 0. 929 TO B. 0. 726.
Jehoshaphat, the son of Asa, began to reign over Judah in the year 929 B.C., being
the second year of Ahab in Israel. The alliance which he formed with Ahab has
brought him forward, in the preceding chapter, sufficiently to intimate to the reader
the excellent character which he bore. He indeed takes rank among the most faith
ful, and therefore most illustrious and wise of the Hebrew kings. Direct idolatry had
been put down by his father, and the first acts of his own reign were to root otil
the remoter incentives thereto and instruments thereof. He destroyed the high
places and the groves which his father had spared. Other kings before him had
been satisfied with external operations ; but to his enlightened mind it appeared that
effects more deep and permanent might be secured by acting upon the inner sense of
the people, by instructing them fully in the principles and distinguishing privileges
of their theocratical system, and by rendering those principles operative, as the stand
ards of public and judicial action, throughout the land. The land had already been
purged, as by fire, from the noxious weeds by which it had been overgrown ; and
now the king made it his business to occupy the cleared soil with corn — the staff of
life — and with fruits " pleasant to the eye, and good for food."
To these ends the king sent out a number of " princes," whose rank and influence
secured attention and respect to the priests and Levites who were with them to in
struct the people. They had with them copies of the law : and, in their several
bands, visited all the towns of the country — thus bearing instruction to the very
doors of a people who had become too indolent or too indifferent themselves to seek
for it. So earnest was the king in this object, that he went himself throughout the
land to see that his orders were duly executed.
The attention of this able king was also directed to the reform of abuses in othei
departments of the state, and to the cultivation of the financial and military resour
ces of his kingdom. The people, rendered happy by his cares, grew prosperous, and
increased in numbers; in the same degree the real power of the government was
strengthened, and was such as inspired the people with confidence, and their ene
mies with fear. Edom continued firm in its obedience, Philistia regularly remitted
its presents and tribute-silver, and several of the Arabian tribes sought his favor, or
acknowledged his power, by large yearly tributes of sheep and goats from their flocks.
The men enrolled as fit to bear arms, and liable to be called into action, was not less
than 1,160,000, which is not far short of the number in the united kingdom in the
time of David. Of these a certain proportion were kept in service. The best of
the troops were stationed at Jerusalem, and the remainder distributed mto the for
tress and walled towns ; and a strong force was concentrated on the northern frontier,
especially in those lands of Ephraim which Asa had taken from Baasha. New for
tresses were constructed in different parts of the country, and were well garrisoned
and supplied with all the munitions of war.
The capital error of this monarch, the alliance he contracted with Ahab in the
thirteenth year of his reign, has already been noticed in the preceding chapter, as well
as the part he took in the battle of Ramoth Gilead, in which Ahab was slain, but his
own life was preserved, notwithstanding the very imminent danger into which he had
fallen. On his return to Jerusalem after this escape, the Divine dissatisfaction at his
conduct was announced to him by the prophet Jehu.
After this he engaged himself in his former peaceful and honorable undertakings
¦ and gave particular attention to the administration of justice in his dominions. He
established a supreme tribunal: (of appeal probably) at Jerusalem, and placed judges
in all the principal cities of the country. This great improvement relieved the king
from the fatigue and great attention which the exercise of the judicial functions of
royalty had exacted from the earlier kings, while it secured to the suiters more prompt
attention than they could by any other means receive. The king was very sensible
of the importance of this step ; and, in his anxiety that it should work well, gave an
admirable charge to the judges; the force of which can only be well appreciated by
those who perceive that the counteracting evils which he feared were precisely those

HiSTORY OF THE BIBLE. 367'
oy which the administration of justice in the East is at this day corrupted and dis
graced. " Take heed what ye do : for ye judge not for man, but for Jehovah, who is
with you in the judgment. "Wherefore'now, let the fear of Jehovah be upon you;
take heed and act uprightly; for with Jehovah our God there is no injustice, no re
spect of persons, no taking of bribes.' This was addressed to the julges appointed
to the cities. In the address to the judges of the supreme tribunal at Jerusalem, ii
is not supposed, by any implication, that ihey could be partial or corrupt ; and they
are only reminded ofthe duty of judging according to the Divine law, the causes
that came before them. This tribunal was composed of the most distinguished men
among the priests, the Levites, and the family chiefs. In matters pertaining to reli
gion, this tribunal was presided over by the high-priest Amariah, but in civil matters,
or those in which the crown was interested, by Zebadiah, " the ruler," or herednary
chief, of the tribe of Judah — an interesting indication that the forms of the patriar
chal were not, even yet, entirely lost in those of the regal government.
About the same time the king made another tour through his dominions, from
Beersheba in the south, to Mount Ephraim in the north, seeking to bring back the
people more entirely " to Jehovah the God of their fathers." In the northern districts
which had been recovered or taken from Israel, the high places of the Ephraimites
were not taken away, because they had not as yet "prepared their hearts unto the
God of their fathers," as had the Judahites, whose high places had been taken away
at the beginning of this reign.
The unfortunate expedition with Ahab against Ramoth Gilead being unsuccessful,
(ended much to lower Jehoshaphat in the estimation of the neighboring nations; and
ihus the alliance with the king of Israel brought its own punishment. The Ammon
ites and Moabites, who had been brought into a state of subjection by David, now
began to conceive hopes of deliverance from the yoke under which they lay. It was
iheir policy, however, not in the first instance to revolt from the kingdom to which
they were immediately subject — that of Israel, but first to try their strength againsl
the lesser kingdom of Judah. They therefore invaded that countr, from the soul h,
by the way of Edom, supported by some Arabian hordes, which they had enjraged in
their cause, and who indeed are seldom loath to engage in any cause by which good
prospects of spoil are offered. The expedition assumed the character of an Arabian
invasion, and, as such, was so expeditious that the invaders had rounded the southern
extremity ofthe Dead sea, and came to a halt in the famous valley of Engedi, before
Jehoshaphat had the least intimation of their design. Taken thus by surprise, he
was much alarmed in the first instance ; but by throwing himself unreservedly upon
-he protection and help of the Divine King, he ensured the safety of his kingdom,
and took the most becoming step which it was possible that a king of the chosen
nation could take. He proclaimed a general fast throughout Judah, and the people
gathered together from all quarters to Jerusalem, and stood there in and around ihe
temple, to cry to God for help. And he heard them : for (he spirit of prophecy fell
upon one of the Levites, named Jahaziel, and in the name of Jehovah he directed
that they should march to meet the enemy, whose station he indicated, not to fight,
but to witness their extirpation and to seize the spoil. As they went forth early in
the morning toward the wilderness of Tekoah, Jehoshaphat exerted himself to keep
up the confidence of the people in the sufficiency of the Divine protection ; and as
they proceeded, he directed that the Levitical singers should march in front, and " in
the beauty of holiness" (or in the same habits, and after the same manner as in the
temple-service), should sing the praises of God, saying, " Praise Jehovah ! for he is
good ; for his mercy endureth for ever." Surely never, from the beginning of tin-
world, was there such a march as this against an army of hostile invaders. The
event was such as the prophet had foreshown. It seems that the children of Loi
had quarrelled and fought with their Arabian allies; and when they had succeeded
m destroying them, they turned their arms against each other, and fought with un
extinguishable fury until none remained alive on the battle-field. So that when the
Hebrews arrived at the place which the prophet had indicated, many a beating heari
among them was relieved, and all were inconceivably astonished, to see the wilder
ness covered with the bodies of the slain — not one had escaped. The Judahites were
three days in collecting an immense spoil of precious metals and stones, and valuable
arms and raiment; and in the end it was found that more was collected tnan could
be taken away. On the fourth day they returned home to Jerusalem, before erering

368 AN ILLUSTRATED
which they held a solemn thanksgiving in the valley of Shaveh, or the King's dale,
hence called the valley of Berachah (blessing), and also the valley of Jehoshaphat.
After this ihey entered the city in triumphal procession, with music and with singing.
Tho neighboring nations rightly ascribed this signal deliverance to the God of the
Hebrews ; and were for some time inspired with a salutary fear of molesting a peo
ple so highly favored.
The next undertaking of Jehoshaphat was an attempt to revive the ancient traffic
of Solomon, by the Red sea, to the region of gold. For this purpose he built a navy
at his port of Ezion-geber, at the head of the Elanitic gulf. But, in an evil day, he
consented to allow Ahaziah, the king of Israel, to take part in the enterprise, in con
sequence of which, as a prophet forewarned him, his ships were wrecked soon after
they left the port. Another expedition was proposed by the king of Israel: but Je
hoshaphat declined, and appears lo have relinquished all further designs of this nature.
Josephus informs us that the ships which had been built were too large and un
wieldy ; and we may infer that Jehoshaphat discovered that he could not accom
plish au enterprise of this nature in the want of such skilful shipwrights and able
mariners as those with which the Phoenicians had constructed and manned the ships
of Solomon..
One of the last public acts of Jehoshaphat's reign was that of taking part with Je
horam, king of Israel, in an expedition against the Moabites, who had revolted after
the death of Ahab. Jehoshaphat was probably the more induced to lend his as
sistance by the consideration of the recent invasion of his own dominions by the same
people. The circumstances and result of this expedition have been related in tht
preceding chapter. The success which was granted to it is entirely ascribed to the
Divine favor toward the king of Judah.
Soon after this Jehoshaphat " slept with bis fathers," after he had lived sixty years,
and reigned twenty-five.
His eldest son, Jehoram, ascended the throne of Judah in the year 904 B. C in the
thirty-second yea.- of his own age, and in the third year of the reign of his namesake
and relative, Jehoram, the son of Ahab, in Israel. This, it will be remembered, was
the prince who was married to Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. The
evil effects of this connexion began now very manifestly to appear, and preponder
ated over the good example which the reign of Jehoshaphat had offered. In fact,
Athaliah proved her descent by rivalling her mother, Jezebel, in idolatry, in pride,
and in the part she took in public affairs after the death of Jehoshaphat. And, to
complete th" resemblance, she appears to have rendered her husband, as the mere
instrument of her will and purposes, quite as effectual as Jezebel rendered Ahab.
It was undoubtedly through her influence that the first act of Jehoram's reign was
to destroy his six brothers, whom Jehoshaphat had amply provided for, and stationed
(as governors, probably) in as many fenced cities of Judah. With them perished
several of the first persons in the state, who had enjoyed the confidence of the late
king, and had been active in promoting his laudable designs. This evidence of her
power redoubled the audacity of the proud queen ; and soon after, idolatry, which had
been banished from Judah during the two preceding reigns, was restored, by pablic
authority, to honor; and the sedulous endeavors made in the two former reigns tore-
form the religion and morals of the people gave place to the efforts of new men to
corrupt and ruin all. High places, similar to those in Israel, again appeared upon the
hills of Judah ; and the people were seduced and urged into idolatry and its concomi
tant abominations.
For these things heavy calamities were denounced against Jehoram, early in his
reign, by the prophet Elisha* in a letter : and thus did that great prophet take cogni
zance of the affairs of Judah also. The evils that he threatened followed soon.
The king of Edom, who assisted the kings of Judah and Israel in the war against
IVIoab, nad, according to Josephus, been slain by his revolted subjects, and the new
sovereign desired to signalize his accession, and to propitiate his subjects, by freeing
them from the tribute to which his father had submitted. This essay was not at firs*
successful ; but although once defeated by Jehoram, who still had his father's army
under his command, the Edomites succeeded in throwing the yoke of Judah from off
• The Masorete text here reads Elijah (2 Chron. xxi. 12) instead of Elisha : for Elijah had been translated
In die lirne of Jehoshaphat. 2 Kings ill II.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 369
their necks, according to the prophecy of Isaac to the founder of that nation.* Em
boldened by this, the Philistines also rebelled, and, assisted by the Arabs who bor
dered on the Cushites, they invaded Judah, plundered and ravaged the whole country,
and even Jerusalem and the royal palace. They led away into slavery all the women
of the king's harem, except Athaliah, who was spared in anger, and made captive all
/he royal princes, except Ahaziah, otherwise called Jehoahaz, the youngest of them
all. To consummate all, the king himself was smitten with an incurable disease in
the bowels, from which he suffered for two years the most horrible torments, and at
last, after a reign of eight years, died without being regretted. The voice of the
people denied to his remains the honors of a royal burial, and a place in the sepulchre
of the kings.
Ahaziah, his youngest son, was twenty-two years old when he succeeded his father.
He reigned only one year ; for following the evil counsels of his mother and the house
of Ahab, he foolishly joined Jehoram of Israel in the war against Hazael king of
Syria, the result of which, with his death, inflicted by Jehu, has been recorded in the
preceding chapter.
Not Jehu in Israel thirsted more after the blood of Ahab's house, than did Athaliah,
in Judah, for the blood of her own children. She had long been the virtual possessor
of the supreme power in Judah ; but now she disdained an authority so precarious
and indirect, and would reign alone. As even the most wicked persons seldom shed
blood from absolute wantonness of cruelty, it may be considered that her spirit may
have been rendered unusually savage at this time by the sanguinary proceedings of
Jehu in Israel against the house to which she herself belonged, and in which she had
lost, at one fell swoop, a mother, a brother, and a son, with many other of her near
relatives. It must also have appeared to her that the sort of authority she had hith
erto exercised, first as queen-consort and then as queen-mother, was now in very great
danger; as it might be expected that whichever of her grandsons succeeded to the
throne, he would prefer the counsels and guidance of his mother to her own. Here
then were two powerful motives, — dread of losing her power, and jealousy of being
superseded by anoiher woman, — bringing her to the atrocious resolution of destroying
all the children of her own son Ahaziah. She little considered that by this she was
fulfilling a part of the mission against the house of Ahab which Jehu himself could
not execute ; for through herself the taint of Ahab's blood had been given to the house
of David. Her fell purpose was promptly executed. All her grandsons were slain
in one day, with the exception of Joash, an infant, who was stolen away by his aunt
Jehoshebacl, the wife of the high-priest Jehoiada and daughter of the late king Aha
ziah, and hidden with his nurse in one of the chambers of the temple. Thus, in the
providence of God, the royal line of the house of David was preserved from utter ex
tinction. No retreat could have been more secure than that which was chosen for the
infant prince ; for not only were the apartments of the temple under the sole direction
of the priests, and to the innermost of which no others had access ; but Athaliah had
put herself out of the way of obtaining information of the fact by her entire neglect
of the temple and the institutions connected with it. And although she did not, in
deed could not, actually put down the temple-worship, her preference and favor was
given to the temple of Baal, and his high-priest, Mattan, was upheld by her as of
equal rank and importance with the high-priest of Jehovah.
Now although the Judahites were but too prone to fall into idolatry, the good effects
of the reforms of Asa and Jehoshaphat, and of the principles which the latter had
been so careful to inculcate, did not so soon evaporate as to dispose the people gener
ally to approve or concur in the rapid and decisive measures which Athaliah had taken
in establishing the worship of Baal ; and when to this was added their natural ab
horrence of the barbarous massacre wliich rooted her throne in blood, and their dis
like, in common with all orientals, at the public rule of a woman, we have a sufficient
explanation of the fact that the public feeling was not with queen Athaliah, and that,
indeed, her rule was regarded with such disgust as disposed the people to hail with
joy the advent of their hidden king.
Joash remained six years concealed in the secret chambers of the temple, his ex
istence even, much more his presence there, being unknown and unsuspected by Atha
liah and others, as it was supposed he had perished in the slaughter of his father's
* To Esau Isaac said,—" Thou shalt serve thy brother ; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have
the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck." Gen xxvii 40
24

370 AN ILLUSTRATED
sons. In the seventh year the high-priest Jehoiada judged that the fit time had ar
rived for the disclosure. He therefore made known the secret to some of the chiefs
and military commanders on whom he could depend, and received from them the
promise to concur in the bold act of proclaiming and crowning the rightful king. Jo
ash was now only seven years of age ; but good reason was seen to prefer the regency
of such a man as Jehoiada to the reign of such a woman as Athaliah. The personr-
whom Jehoiada had admitted to his confidence went about the country gaining over
the paternal chiefs, and inducing them, as well as the Levites not on duty, to repair
to Jerusalem. When all the adherents thus acquired had come to the metropolis, the
high-priest concerted with them the plan of operations. According to this it was de
termined that the partisans of the young prince should be divided into three bodies,
one of which was to guard the prince in the temple, the second to keep all the ave
nues, and the third was placed at the gate leading to the royal palace. The people
were to be admitted as usual to the outer courts. Then the armories of the temple
were opened, and the spears, bucklers, and shields of King David were distributed to
these parties, as well as to the Levites, who were to form an impenetrable barrier
around the king oaring the ceremony. When all was disposed in this order, the high-
priest appeared, leading by the hand the last scion of the royal house of David. He
placed him by the pillar where the kings were usually stationed, and having anointed
him with the sacred oil, he placed the crown upon his head, arrayed him in royal
robes, and gave into his hands the book of the law, on which the usual oaths were
administered to him. He was then seated on a throne which had been provided, in
doing which he was hailed and recognised by the acclamations of " Long live the
king." By this time Athaliah had observed some indications of an extraordinary movement
in the temple; and when these rejoicing clamors broke upon her ear, she hastened
thither, and penetrated even to the court of the priests, where the sight met her view
of the enthroned boy, crowned, and royally arrayed, while the hereditary chiefs, the
military commanders and the Levites, stood at their several stations as in attendance
on their king, — the latter, as was their wont in the temple, blowing their trumpets,
and playing on their various instruments of music. No sooner did Athaliah behold
this, than she rent her clothes, crying, " Treason ! treason !" Jehoiada fearing that
the guards would kill her on the spot, and thus pollute the holy place with human
blood, which was most abhorrent to God, directed them to take her outside the tem
ple courts, and there she was put to death. The king was then conducted with great
pomp to the palace, escorted by all his guard, and there took possession of the throne
of his fathers.
Jehoiada, without any formal appointment, appears to have been recognised, with
one consent, as the guardian of the king and regent of the kingdom. He availed
himself of the favorable dispositions which now existed, to induce the people to re
new their ancient covenant with Jehovah. This precaution had become necessary
from the long continuance of an idolatrous government. Actuated by the impulse
thus received and the enthusiasm thus excited, and led by the priests and Levites of
Jehovah, the people proceeded once more to extirpate the idolatries of Baal. They
hastened to his temple, where they slew the high-priest Mattan before the altars,
and then pulled the whole fabric to the ground. And not only at Jerusalem, but
everywhere throughout the land, the temples, altars, and monuments of Baal were
utterly destroyed.
Jehoiada, being now at the head of affairs, both religious and civil, applied him
self with great diligence in bringing into an orderly and efficient condition the
administrations of both the court and temple, Those who had signalized their zea.
in the restoration of the king, or were otherwise distinguished for their abilities,
were appointed to high posts in the state, while the services of the temple were
brought back to the models of David and Solomon. The glory of restoring the fabric
ol the temple he reserved for the king, who accordingly, in the twenty-third year
of his reign, thoroughly repaired that famous structure, after it had been built nearly
one hundred and sixty years ; and made numerous vessels of gold and silver for the
sacred services, and presented burni-oflerings continually during the lifetime ot
Jehoiada, who died at the great age of one hundred and thirty-seven years. He was
honored with a sepulchre among the kings of the family of David, " because he had
done good in Israel."

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 371
We may estimate the merits of Jehoiada's administration from the evil conse
quences that followed his death. It then appeared that the good qualities which the
king had seemed to manifest were the effects rather of the right counsels under
which he had acted, than of any solid principles of good. As we have before seen
stronger and older men than Joash yielding to the witcheries of idolatry, which seem
so strange to us, we are the less surprised at the fall of this king. It now appeared
what deep root idolatry had taken in the land during the years of its predominance
under Jehoram, Ahaziah, and Athaliah: and the men of station who had imbibed or
had been brought up in its principles, now reared themselves on high, as soon as the
repressive power of God's high-priest was withdrawn. They repaired to the royal
court, and by their attentions and flatteries so won upon the king that he was ai
length induced to give first his tolerance, and then his sanction, to the rank idolatries
by which the two kingdoms had often been brought very low. Against this, Zecha
riah, the son of the late high-priest and a near relation to tne king, raised his voice,
and predicted the national calamities which would too surely follow ; on which the
people rose upon him, and, having received a consenting intimation from the king,
stoned him to death in the very court of the temple. Thus did Joash repay the deep
obligations, for his life and throne, which he owed to the house of Jehoiada. " The
Lord look uponit and require it !"* was the prayer of the dying martyr. And He
did require it. That very year, Hazael of Syria, who was then in possession of
Gilead, advanced against Jerusalem, and, although his force was but small, defeated
a large army which opposed him, and entered the city, from which he returned with
abundant plunder to his own country. The chiefs who had seduced Joash were
slain in the battle; and the king himself, who had been grievously wounded, was
soon after murdered by his own servants, and the public voice refused the honors of
a royal burial to his remains. He reigned forty years.
Joash was succeeded on the throne by his son Amaziah, then twenty-five years of
age. The first act of his reign was to punish the murderers of his father : but it is
mentioned that he respected the law of Moses by not including their children in their
doom ; and this seems to show that a contrary practice had previously prevailed.
About the twelfth year of his reign, Amaziah took measures for reducing to their
former subjection the Edomites, who had revolted in the time of Jehoram. Noi
satisfied with the strength he could raise in his own kingdom, the king of Judah
hired a hundred thousand auxiliaries out of Israel for a hundred talents of silver.
But these were tainted with idolatry : on which account a prophet was commissioned
to exhort Amaziah to forego their assistance, and dismiss them. By a memorable
act of faith, the king at once yielded to this hard demand, and sent home the Israel
ites, for whose services he had already paid. He then gained a decisive victory over
the Edomites in the Salt valley, at the southern extremity of the Dead sea. Ten
thousand of the Edomites fell ; and ten thousand more were cast down from the
cliffs of their native mountains, and dashed in pieces.!
This victory was the ruin of Amaziah, whose conduct had been hitherto praise
worthy. The idols of Edom, which he brought home among the spoil, proved a
snare to him ; and, in the end, he fell to the worship of " the gods who could not
deliver their own people :" for which he was, without effect, upbraided by a prophet.
and threatened with destructions from God.
The Israelites whom the king of Judah had dismissed from his army were filled
with resentment at the indignity cast upon them, and probably disappointed in theii
hope of a share in the spoils of Edom. To testify their resentment, and to obtain
compensation, they smote and plundered several of the towns of Judah, on theii
homeward march, and destroyed many of the inhabitants. It was probably on this
account that Amaziah, elated by his victory over the Edomites, determined to make
war upon Israel. It is singular that, instead of commencing, as usual, by some
aggressive movement or overt act of warfare, Amaziah sent a formal challenge to
the king of Israel, inviting a pitched battle, in the phrase, " Come, and let us look
one another in the face." The truly oriental answer of Joash seemed designed to
dissuade him from this undertaking, but was conceived in terms not well calculated
* May not one of the essentiial differences of the Jewish and Christian dispensations be illustrated by
Hie last words of two men respectively eminent in each, and dying under very similar circumstances I
* Lord, l«iy not this sin to their charge !" was the last cry of the dying Stephen
' t This was pr obably at or in the neighborhood of Petra, of Mount Seir.

372 AN ILLUSTRATED
to accomplish the object: "A thistle that was in Lebanon, sent to the cedar of
Lebanon, saying, ' Give thy daughter to my son to wife:' and a wild beast of Leba
non passed by and trod down the thislle. Thou sayest, 'Lo! I have smitten the
Edomites,' and thy heart is lifted up. Abide now at home: why shouldst thuii
Aieddle to thy hurt, so that thou shouldst fall, and Judah with thee ?"
But Amaziah was not to be thus deterred. The two kings met in battle. Ama
ziah was defeated and taken prisoner, and his army routed at Beth-shemesh. Joash
then pursued his triumphant march to Jerusalem, which he plundered, and sjiareii
not to lay his hands upon the sacred things of the temple. He also broke down foui
hundred cubits of the city wall. He however restored Amaziah to his throne, but
took hostages with him on his return to Samaria.
The life of Amaziah ended in a conspiracy, which may have been induced by the
disgrace which he had brought upon the nation. This conspiracy was discovered by
him, and he hastened to the fortified town of Lachish. But he was pursued ani
slain by the conspirators, who brought back his body " upon horses to Jerusalem,"
where a place in the sepulchres of his fathers was not denied him. He reigned
twenty-nine years. — B. C. 809.
Uzziah, otherwise called Azariah, was only five years old when his father was
slain. The Judahites were in no haste to tender their allegiance to an infant. They
waited until he was sixteen years of age, and he was then formally called to the
throne.* Much favorable influence upon the character of Uzziah is attributed to the
early instruction and subsequent influence of the wise and holy Zeehariah.f His
adhesion to the principles of the theocracy secured him prosperity and honor. He
paid equal attention to the arts of peace and of war ; and he throve in all the under
takings, whether of war or peace, to which he put his hand. In the arts which
belong to both, he encouraged and promoted various improvements ; and it may be
pardoned in an oriental king, if, in his improvements and undertakings, his own
interest and glory was the inciting motive. It is rare, and in fact difficult, for an
oriental monarch (considering the institutions by which he is surrounded, and the
ideas which press upon him) to contemplate the interests of his people otherwise
than as a contingent effect of undertakings in which his own interests and glory are
the primary motives. So Uzziah performed the good deed of building towers and
digging wells in the desert; but the reason immediately follows: "For he had
many cattle both in the valleys and in ihe plains." He also "loved husbandry," and
planted vineyards ; and, accordingly, " he had ground-tillers and vine-dressersf in the
mountains and in Carmel." These were laudable things; for the people could not
but be benefited by them, even though their benefit were less the immediate inten
tion than the indirect effect.
The same may even less doubtfully be said of this king's military organizations and
improvements. New fortifications were built and the old repaired. At Jerusalem
not only were the injuries which the walls had sustained repaired, but the gates and
angles were strengthened with towers; and on these were mounted engines invented
. by skilful men, and made under the king's encouragement and direction, for the pur
pose of discharging arrows and great stones. It may be doubtful whether these
. engines were invented by Hebrew engineers, or successfully copied by them from
foreigners. We have certainly no opinion that the Hebrews had much genius for
mechanical invention ; but we are bound to say the antiquities of Egypt, in the nu
merous warlike scenes which they represent, do not, as far as we know, contain any
examples of projectile engines : and it must be admitted that in the art of war many
ingenious devices originate with nations not otherwise distinguished for their inven
tive faculties.
Uzziah provided ample stores of weapons and armor — spears, shields, helmets,
breastplates, bows, and stone-slings— for the numerous body which he enrolled as
ready to be called into action, and which consisted of not less than 307,500 men un-
•"This naturally accounts for the length of the interregnum. (2 Kings xv. 1, 2; 2 Chron. xxvi 1.)
Amaziah was slain fifteen years current after the death of Jehoash, king of Israel (2 Kings xiv. 17) or
fourteen years complete from the accession of Jeroboam II., his son : and Azariah, or Uzziah did not begin
lo reign till the twenty-fifth of Jeroboam (according to the foregoing correction, instead of the twenty-
se/enth year, 2 Kings xv. i.), which gives the length of the interregnum eleven years complete "—Hales
t No one will, of course, confound this person with the prophet of the same name, who lived long after
It is not, in fact, known who he was. Some conjecture that he was the son of the Zechariah who was
slain in the time of Joash. - But we know of no other foundation for this but the name The distance of
time does not favor the conjecture which identifies him with the Zechariah of Isaiah viii 2
* See page 8T8

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

373

Egyptian Vintage and "-ne-dressers.
rler 2,600 paternal chiefs. This form
ed a sort of militia, divided into bands,
liable to be called into actual service
by rotation, according to the number
required. With this force, and under these
- arrangements, Uzziah was enabled to I
establish and extend his power. He
reuovered possession of the port of
Elath on the Red sea ; he got posses
sion of the principal Philistine towns,
Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod. The Arab
hordes on the borders were subdued ;
and the Ammonites were reduced to
tribute. Elated by all this prosperity, the I
king of Judah saw not why he should
be precluded from a distinction which
other monarchs enjoyed, and which
his neighbor of Israel probably exer
cised — that of officiating on particular
occasions at the incense-altar, as high- 1
priest. He made the attempt. He
went into the holy place, which none
but the priests might lawfully enter,!
to offer incense on the altar there ; but I
was followed by the high-priest, Aza- 1
riah, and by eighty other priests, who I
opposed his design, and warned him
of his trespass. The king, made I
wrathful by this opposition, seized
the censer to offer incense ; but in that I
moment he was smitten with leprosy, I
the marks of which appeared visibly I
on his forehead. On perceiving this, I
he priests thrust him forth as u pol- 1

374 ' AN ILLUSTRATED
lution ; nay, confounded and conscience-smitten, he hastened to leave the place.*
From that day he was obliged to live apart as a leper, and his son Jotham administered
( he affairs of the government in his father's name. The year in which this happened
i s not well determined ; but the whole duration of his reign was fifty-two years. This
i; the longest reign of any king of Judah, with the sole exception of Manasseh. Isaiah
i eceived his appointment to the prophetic office in the year that King Uzziah died
(B.C. 757) ; and Amos, Hoshea, and probably Joel, began to prophecy in his reign.
The death of Uzziah left the kingdom under the same actual ruler, but exchanged
his regency for the sovereignty. Jotham was twenty-five years old when he began
lo reign. He was a good and prosperous prince, and during the sixteen years of his
separate reign continued the improvements and plans of his father. He built seve
ral fortresses, and confirmed the subjection of the Ammonites to his sceptre. It was
in this reignf that the city of Rome was founded, with the destinies of which the
Hebrews were in the end to be so intimately connected. Jotham died in the yeai
B. C. 741.
Ahaz succeeded Jotham when he was twenty years of age. He proved the most
corrupt monarch that the house of David had as yet produced. He respected neither
Jehovah, the law, nor the prophets.; he broke through all the salutary restraints
which law and usage imposed upon the Hebrew kings, and regarded nothing but his
own depraved inclinations. He introduced the Syrian idolatry into Jerusalem, erect
ed altars to the Syrian gods, altered the temple in many respects, according to the
Syrian model, and finally caused it to be entirely shut up. For these things, adver
sities and punishments came soon upon him.
Pekah king of Israel, and Rezin king of Syria, had formed an alliance against Ju
dah in the last year of Jotham, which began to take effect as soon as Ahaz had
evinced the unworthiness of his character. The object of this alliance appears to
have been no less than to dethrone the house of David, and to make " the son of
Tabeal" king in the room of Ahaz.J
In this war Elath was taken from Judah by the king of Syria, who restored it to
the Edomites. He also defeated Ahaz in battle and carried away large numbers of
his subjects as captives to Damascus. Pekah on his part was equally successful. He
slew ia one day 120,000 men of Judah, and carried away captives not fewer than
200,0(0 women and children, together with much spoil, to Samaria. But on his
arrival there he was met by the prophet Obed, and by some of the chiefs of Ephraim.
The former awakened the king's apprehensions for the consequences of the Divine
anger on account of the evil already committed against the house of Judah, and ex
horted him not to add to this evil and to their danger, by reducing the women and
children of that kindred state to bondage. The prophet was vigorously seconded by
the chiefs, who positively declared to the troops, " Ye shall not bring in hither these
captives to increase our guilt before Jehovah. Intend ye to add to our sin and to our
trespass ? for our trespass is great, and fierce is the wrath of Jehovah against Israel."
On hearing ihis ihe warriors abandoned their captives, and left them in the hands of
ihe chiefs, who, with the concurrence and help of the people, " took the captives, and
from the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed and shod them, and
gave them to eat and drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon
asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm-trees, to their brethren." This
beautiful incident comes over our sense as might some strain of soft and happy music
amid the bray of trumpets and the the alarms of war. It also proves that, even in
the worst of times, a righteous few were found, even in Israel, who honored the God
of their fathers and stood in dread of his judgments.
The narrative in Isaiah records an unsuccessful attempt of the confederates against
Jerusalem, the proper place of which in the history is not easily found, but which
may appear to have been posterior to the occurrences which have" been related. At
the same time, the Edomites and Philistines invaded the south of Judah, and took
possession of several cities of the low country, with their villages, and occupied
« To this proaigy Josephus adds an earthquake, which, he says, shook the earth with such violence that
the roof of the temple was rent ; and one half of a mountair on the west of Jerusalem fell or rather
slipped, into the valley below, covering the royal gardens.
f B.C. 748, or according to others, 750 or 752, all which dates fell in this reign.
t Isa. vii. 5, 6. Of this " son of Tabeal" nothing is known although much has been conjectured Some
make it lo be Pekah himself, bul the interpretation on which it is founded is not very sound althoueh the
hii'g itself might not be unlikely. ' ' *

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 375
them. Thus harassed on every hand, the besotted king rejected a token of deliver
ance which Isaiah was commissioned to offer him from God, under the pretext thai
he " would not tempt Jehovah," but in reality, because he had already chosen another
alternative. This was to induce Tiglath-Pileser, the king of Assyria, to make a di
version in his favor by invading the kingdoms of Syria and Israel.
Pul, the father of this king, was the first Assyrian monarch who took part in the
affairs of the West. By invading Israel, he had made known the power of that mon
archy to Syria and Palestine. Tiglath-Pileser, for his own objects, lent a willing
ear to the suit of Ahaz, who professed himself his vassal, and sent him a subsidy
of all the sacred and royal treasures. He marched an armv westward, defeated and
slew Rezin the king of Syria, took Damascus, and sent tne inhabitants away into
Assyria — thus putting an end to that monarchy of Damascene-Syria, which has so
often come under our notice. At the same time he carried away the tribes beyond
Jordan — Reuben, Gad, and half Manasseh— captives to Media, where they were
planted in Halah, Habor, and on the River Gozan; and to them he added the other
half of the tribe of Manasseh which was seated in Galilee.
Syria, with the coimtries of Gilead and Bashan, were thus annexed to the dominions
of the Assyrian king, who remained some time at Damascus, settling his conquests.
Ahaz had small cause to rejoice in this alteration, for although he was delivered from
his immediate fears, the formidable Assyrian had now become his near neighbor, and
was not likely to treat him with much consideration; and in fact the result was that
"he distressed Ahaz, and strengthened him not." The king of Judah, however,
found it prudent to visit Tiglath-Pileser at Damascus, to congratulate him on bis vic
tories, and to tender his homage. This visit only taught him new fashions of idolatry
and sin ; which on his return home he continued lo practise apparently until his death',
which took place in B.C. 725, after a disgraceful reign of sixteen years. He, was
allowed a grave in Jerusalem ; but no place in the sepulchre of the kings was grant
ed to him.

CHAPTER XXI.
ISRAEL FROM B. 0 895 TO B. 0. 1"19 — HEZEKIAH — JERUSALEM BURNT.
Jehu, having executed his avenging mission upon the house of Ahab, and over
thrown the idolatries of Baal, ascended the throne of Israel in the year B. C. 895.
There was a point beyond which Jehu was not prepared to go in his boasted zeal
for Jehovah. He was ready to punish and discountenance all foreign worship ; but il
was no part of his policy to heal the schism between Judah and Israel, by abolishing
the separate and highly irregular establishment, for the worship of Jehovah, before
the symbolic golden calves, which Jeroboam had established, and which all his suc
cessors had maintained. The vital root therefore remained in the ground, although
the branches had been lopped off. It also appeared, ere long, that the foreign idola
tries of Ahab and Jezebel had acquired too much prevalence to be entirely extirpated
by any coercive reformation. As soon as the heat of that reformation had cooled, such
idolatries agaii. gradually stole into use, although no longer with the sanction or fa
vor of the government.
For these things the kingdom of Israel was in the latter days of Jehu allowed to
be shorn of the provinces beyond Jordan. That fair country was ravaged, and its
fortresses seized by Hazael, king of Syria, who, without any recorded opposition from
the king of Israel, appears to have annexed it to his own dominions.
Jehu died in B. C. 867, after a reign of twenty-eight years.
He was succeeded by his son Jehoahaz, who reigned seventeen inglorious years. He
followed the latter course of his father, and the people followed their own course. The
same kind of punishment was therefore continued. The Syrians were still permitted,'
to prevail over Israel, until, at length, Jehoahaz had only left, of all his forces, ten
chariots, fifty horsemen, and ten thousand infantry ; for " the king of Syria had de
stroyed the rest, and trampled on them like dust." By these calamities the king was
at last awakened to a sense of his position and his danger : he made supplication tcr

376 AN ILLUSTRATED
Jehovah with tears ; and therefore his latter days were favored with peace. He died
in 850 B. C.
Joash, his son, began to reign in the thirty-seventh year of his namesake, Joash king
of Judah. Josephus gives this king a good character, which the sacred historian does
not confirm. From looking at the few incidents of his life which it has been deemed
worth while to preserve, we may reconcile these statements by discovering that ht
was in his private character a well-disposed; although weak man ; while as a king
he made no efforts to discourage idolatry or heal the schism which the establishment
of the golden calves had produced. In his days Elisha the prophet fell sick of that
illness of which he died. When the king heard of his danger, he went to visit his
dying bed, and wept over him, crying, " O my father ! my father ! — the chariot of Is
rael, and the horsemen thereof!" As the idolatrous generation was now becoming
extinct, and the good dispositions of Joash himself were recognised, the dying prophet
was enabled to assure him, by a significant symbol, of three victories over the Syrians.
Accordingly, Joash was enabled to keep them in check, and in the end to gain the as
cendency over them, so as to recover from Ben-hadad the possessions of which his
own father had been deprived by the father of that Syrian king.
Joash reigned seventeen years.
In the year 834 B. C, Jeroboam II. succeeded his father, whom he appears to have
much resembled in character and proceedings. He began badly ; and Josephus says
that he engaged in various absurd foreign undertakings which proved very injurious
to the nation. He was probably improved by ripening years ; for the prophet Jonah
was commissioned to promise him the complete recovery of the former dominions of
the state. A great victory over the Syrians accordingly restored to him all the ancient
divisions of Israel, from Hamath to the borders of the Dead sea. His signal success
over Amaziah the king of Judah has been recorded in the preceding chapter. Upon
the whole, the reign of Jeroboam II. may be regarded as a brilliant one, considering
the evil days on which the history has now fallen. In fact, it would not be easy to
point to any king of the separate kingdom of Israel whose reign was more prosperous.
The prophet Jonah, named in the preceding paragraph, is the same whose reluctant
mission to Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian empire, is related in the book which
bears his name. " The king of Nineveh," whose humiliation with lhat of his people
averted the doom impending over " that exceeding great city," is supposed to have
been the predecessor of Pul, whom the history will speedily bring before us. Jonah's
remarkable mission appears to have taken place about the year 800 B. C, at the latter
end of the reign of Jeroboam, who died in 793 B. C, after a reign of forty-one years.
There was a delay in calling his son Zechariah to the throne. Jeroboam II. began
to reign in the fifteenth year of Amaziah king of Judah, and reigned forty-one years
(2 Kings xiv. 43) ; he died, therefore, in the sixteenth year of Uzziah king of Judah ;
but his son Zechariah did not succeed him until the thirty-eighth of Uzziah (2 Kings
xv. 8), which produces an interregnum of not less than twenty-two years. During
this period great internal commotions prevailed, Which more than compensated the
absence of foreign war. Kings were suddenly raised to the throne, and as suddenly
removed, agreeably to the representation which the prophet Hoshea gives of the state
of the kingdom. The same representation also proves that at this period very gross
corruptions of religion and of morals prevailed. Even the ultimate call of Zechariah
to the throne had scarcely any effect in allaying these disturbances, an I he was him
self slain by Shalium in the sixth month of his reign. He was the last king of the
house of Jehu : and thus was fulfilled the prediction that the family of Jehu should
only retain the throne to the fourth generation.
Shalium, whose deed in slaying Zechariah was performed with the sanction and in
the presence of the people, ascended the vacant throne in the year 771 B. C. But on
receiving intelligence of this event, Menahem, the general of the army, marched
against the new king, and having defeated and slain him in battle, after a reign of but
thirty days, mounted the throne himself: and through his influence with the army,
he was enabled not only to retain his post, but to subdue the disturbances by which
the country had of late years been distracted. In doing this he proceeded with a de
gree of barbarity which would have been scarcely excusable in even a foreign con
queror (Joseph. Antiq. ix. 11, sec. 1).
It was in the time of Menahem that the Assyrians under Pul made their first ap
pearance in Syria. Their formidable force precluded even the show of opposition from

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 377
the king of Israel, who deemed it the wiser course to purchase peace from the As
syrian king at the price of a thousand talents cf silver.* This sum he raised by the
unpopular measure of a poll tax of fifty shekels each upon sixty thousand of his
wealthiest subjects. This is the first instance in either kingdom of money raised by
taxation for a public object. In the kingdom of Judah such exigencies were met from
the treasury of the temple, or of the crown ; and probably there were, in ordinary
times, analogous resources in Israel, but which we may readily conclude to have been
exhausted in the recent troubles and confusions in that kingdom. Professor Jahn con
siders that the government of Israel had by this time become wholly military, in
which conclusion we are disposed to acquiesce, although from other intimations than
those to which he adverts.
After a reign of ten years Menahem died in 760 B. C, and was succeeded by his
son Pekahiah, who, after a short and undistinguished reign of two years, was slain
by Pekah, the commander of the forces, who placed himself on the throne.
The alliance of Pekah with Rezin the king of Syria, against the house of David,
has been recorded in the preceding chapter, as well as the consequences which resulted
from the resort of Ahaz king of Judah to the protection of Tiglath-pileser, the new
king of Assyria, who overran Gilead and Galilee, and removed the inhabitants to As
syria and Media. After a reign of twenty years, Pekah received from Hoshea the
same doom which he had himself inflicted upon his predecessor. This was in 738
B. C, being in tlie third year of the reign of Ahaz in Judah.
It appears that although Hoshea is counted as the next king, he was not immedi
ately able to establish himself on the throne, but that an interregnum, or period of
anarchy, of ten years' duration, followed the murder of Pekah. t Thus, although the
kingdom of Israel was now enclosed within very narrow boundaries, and surrounded
on the. north and east by the powerful Assyrians, it could not remain quiet, but was
continually exhausting its strength in domestic conspiracies and broils.
From this struggle the regicide Hoshea emerged as king. He proved a better ruler
than most of his predecessors. He allowed the king ol Judah (Hezekiah) to send
messengers through the country inviting the people to a great passover which he in
tended to celebrate at Jerusalem, nor did he throw any obstacles in the way of the
persons disposed to accept the invitation. He had a spirit which might have enabled
him to advance the power and interests of the country under ordinary circumstances;
but now, doomed of God, the kingdom was too much weakened to make the least ef
fort against the Assyrian power. When therefore Shalmaneser, the new Assyrian
king, invaded the country, he bowed his neck to receive the yoke of a tributary. This
yoke, however, he found so galling that ere long he took measures for shaking it oft.
He made a treaty with " So," or Sabaco| king of Egypt, and on the strength of it ven
tured to seize and imprison the Assyrian officer appointed to collect the tribute. Upon
this, Shalmaneser laid siege to Samaria, and after three years gained possession of
that city and destroyed it. During all this time the king of Egypt made no attempt
to come to the assistance of Israel, as Isaiah had from the beginning predicted, in lan
guage of strong reprehension against this alliance (Isaiah xxx. 1-7). The fall of Sa
maria consummated the conquest of the country by the Assyrians. Hoshea was him
self among the captives, and was sent in chains to Nineveh ; but what afterward be
came of him is not known. Considerable numbers of the principal Israelites, during
the war, and at its disastrous conclusion, fled the country, some to Egypt, but more
into Judea, where they settled down as subjects of Hezekiah, whose kingdom must
have been considerably strengthened by this means.
According to a piece of oriental policy of which modem examples have been
offered, Shalmaneser removed from the land the principal inhabitants, the soldiers,
and the artisans to Halab, to the river Habor (Chebar in Ezekiel), to Gozan, and to
* Almost one million eight hundred thousand dollars, by the present value of this quantity of silver
t "Pekah, king of Israel, began to reign in the fifty-second year of Uzziah (2 Kings xv. 27 ; 2 Chron-
xxvi. 3) ; and in the twentieth year of his reign was slain by Hoshea (xv. 30) in the third year of the reign
of Ahaz king of Judah (2 Kings xvi. 1) ; but Hoshea did not begin to reign until the twelfth year of Ahaz
(xvii. 1), or the thirteenth current (2 Kings xvi. 10) ; consequently the second interregnum in Israel lasted
13— 3=10 years."— Hales.
t This So, or Sabaco of profane authors,— Sabakoph on the monuments,— was an Ethiopian who ruled in
Egypt, and whose right to the crown of which may have Deen (in part, at least) derived liiirn marriage, al
though Herodotus represents him solely as an intrusive conqueror, lli.s name occurs at Abydns ; and ihe
respect paid to his monuments by his successors may be considered to imply that his reign was nol a wrong
ful usurpation.

378 AN ILLUSTRATED
the cities of the Medes. On the other hand, colonists were brought from babylon
Cuthah, Ava, Hamath, and Sepharvaim, and seated in Samaria. It appears also that
other colonists were afterward sent into the country by Esarhaddon. These people
mingled with the Israelites, who still abode in the land, and were all comprehended
under the general name of Samaritans, which was derived from the city of Samaria.
At first all of them were worshippers of idols ; but as wild beasts increased in their
depopulated country, they were much disturbed by lions. According to the notions
respecting national and local gods which then prevailed in the world, it is not strange
that they attributed this calamity to the anger of the god of the country on account
of their neglect of his worship. Accordingly, an Israelitish priest was recalled from
exile, in order to instruct these idolaters in the worship of Jehovah as a national
Deity. He settled at Bethel, where one ofthe golden calves had formerly stood; and
afterward the Samaritans united the worship of Jehovah with the worship of their
own gods.
We will follow the expatriated Israelites into the places of their captivity ; but,
first, it is necessary that our attention should be turned to the affairs of Judah, which
the mercy and long-suffering of God still continue to spare.
JUDAH, from b. c 725, to b. c. 586.
Hezekiah was twenty-five years of age when he succeeded his father, Ahaz, in the
kingdom of Judah. He was a most pious prince, and thoroughly imbued with the
principles of the theocracy. He testified the most lively zeal for the service and
honor of Jehovah ; while, as a king, he was disposed to manifest the most unre
served reliance on him, and subservience to him, as Sovereign Lord of the Hebrew
people. He therefore won the high eulogium that " there was none like him among
all the kings of Judah after him, nor any that were before him."*
* 2 Kings xviii. 1-5. Such, however, must be understood as popular forms of describing superior charac
ter ; for the same is said, in the same terms, of his own great grandson, Josiah.
t The Sepulchre of the Kings. — It would be rather difficult to prove that the ancient sepulchre which
now bears this name is really that to which there are such frequent allusions in the history of the king
dom of Judah. But it would be equally difficult to disprove it. The situation is not unsuitable, nor the
internal arrangements unbecoming such a distinction. And if any difficulty were to be started with refer-
ance to the architectural character of the sculptured exterior, it might very easily be answered that this was
added at a period long subsequent to the original construction of the tornb. It might also be added, that
if this be not the Sepulchre of the Kings, no other sepulchre now existing near Jerusalem is entitled to
compete that distinction with it. Upon tlie whole, this is a matter on which one would not like to give a
decided opinion ; but apart from this matter, the sepulchre in question is of great interest from the very
complete example which it offers of the ancient sepulchres.
The Sepulchre of the Kings, so called, is situated nearly a mile to the north of the northwestern gate
(Damascus-gate) of the present city, but appears to have been only just outside the northwestern angle
of the ancient wall.
These splendid remains differ from most other rock-carved sepulchres in not being cut in the side of a
hill, but beneath a level spot of ground approached by a narrow path, which leads to a square enclosure,
hewn out of the limestone stratum, of about fifteen or twenty feet deep. ,A wall of the natural rock
separates this from an inner square court, which opens into it by a round arch. On the southern side of
this court (which is covered with rubbish and brambles) is a very handsome square portico, with a beauti
fully-carved architrave — forming probably the most complete specimen of Hebrew sculpture that now
exists. Tlie frieze is adorned with a regulus, trigliphs, vine-leaves, and other rioral embellishments, while
the centre is charged with an immense cluster of grapes. A pilaster at either end still remains, and in all
probability there were anciently two columns in the centre, now destroyed. The face of the rock within
the portico is smooth, and presents no appearance of openings, but a low doorway on the left hand leads
into a large square antechamber, hewn out of the soild rock. There are rio niches, or places for sarco
phagi in this apartment, but a series of small chambers branch off on each of its three sides. These are
for the most part, oblong crypts, with ledges on either side for holding the bodies or coffins.
The doors of those chambers have attracted much and deserved attention • they are made of single
stones or slabs, seven inches thick, sculptured in panels, so as exactly to resemble doors made by a carpen
ter at the present day, the whole being completely smoothed and polished, and of the most accurate propor
tions. These doors turned on pivots, ofthe same' stone, which were inserted in sockets above and below-
There are no troughs or soroi in any of the chambers, but simply ledges on the sides, for bodies or coffins
A low door and a flight of steps lead down into another suite of chambers, of similar form and construe.
tion. In these are found some fine sarcophagi of unsurpassed elegance in (orm and ornament. Each of
them consists of two half cylinders of white marble, excavated within, and which, when placed togethei
resemble the shaft of a beautiful pillar. The bottom part is comparatively plain ; but the lid or upper
part, is covered with the most elaborately carved foliage in )rmo relievo, traced in vines roses' and lily
work. The groove, or cavity, for the body, which is principally hollowed out from the bottom Dart is
about two feet broad, and a foot deep— a sufficiently large space to contain the body of an ordinary-sized
person. The ends also of these sarcophagi are carved; and the general form and appearance might
suggest a resemblance to the large carnage-trunks of former days. The niches for the sarcophagi form
the segment or a dome, being somewhat differently shaped from some of those in the upper chambers
Above the place of each coffin is a small niche, apparently designed to contain a lamp
This account of the Royal Sepulchres is abridged and slightly altered from a longer description in Ur
Wilde's "Narrative," ii. 298-301. The Rev. J. D. Paxton is another recent traveller, who has given a
very clear description of these sepulchres, the exterior of which is represented in our enrrrav'nrr at narm
851. from a drawing by Mr. Arundale. h " " a

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

379

Sepulchre of the Kings, t

380 AN ILLUSTRATED
He began his reign by the restoration of the true religion and the abolishment of
idolatry throughout his dominions. In the very first month he opened the doors of
the temple, which his father had closed, and restored the worship and service of Goi!
in proper order and beauty. In extirpating idolatry he was not content, with the ab
olition of its grosser forms, but sought out the more native and intimate superstitions
wliich were incentives thereto. The altars illegally erected to Jehovah, which former
kings had spared, were by him overthrown. The brazen serpent, which Moses had
made in the wilderness, and which was preserved in the temple, came in time to be
regarded as a holy relic, to which at last a sort of superstitious worship was paid, and
incense burned before it. This was not unnatural, considering the history of this relic,
combined with the fact that ophiolatry was then, and before and after, a very common
superstition in Egypt and other countries. It nobly illustrates the vigor of Hezekiah's
character, and of an enure freedom from superstition, of which it is difficult now lo
appreciate the full merit, that he spared not even this certainly interesting relic, but
broke it in pieces, and instead of nahash, " a serpent," called it contemptuously nc-
hushtan, " a brazen bauble."
Much attention was also paid by Hezekiah to the dignified and orderly celebration
of the festivals, which formed so conspicuous a feature in the ritual system of the He
brews. The passover in particular, which had fallen into neglect, was revived with
great splendor, and, as noticed in the last chapter, Hezekiah sent couriers through the
kingdom of Israel to invite the attendance of the Israelites. His object was so obvi
ously religious only, without any political motives, that the last king of Israel offered
no opposition : and indeed a kingdom so nearly on the point of being absorbed into the
great Assyrian empire, had small occasion to concern itself respecting any possible de
signs of Hezekiah. The Israelites were therefore left to act as their own disposilions
might determine. The couriers went on from city to city proclaiming the message,
and delivering the letters with which they were charged. In these the king of Judah
manifested great anxiety to induce the Israelites — " the remnant who had escaped oul
of the hands of the kings of Assyria" — to return to Jehovah, and by that return avert
that utter destruction which seemed to impend over them. The great body of the
Israelites received the invitation with laughter and derision ; but in Zebulon and Asher
some were found "who humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem."
Like David, his great model, Hezekiah made provision for the instruction and moral
improvement of the people, by the public singing of the Psalms in the temple, and by
a new collection of the moral maxims of Solomon.
For his righteous doings the Lord was with Hezekiah, and prospered him in all his
reasonable undertakings. He extended the fortifications aud magazines throughout
the country ; he supplied Jerusalem more plentifully with water by means of a new
aqueduct ; and the Philistines, who had penetrated into the southern parts of Judea
in the reign of his father, were conquered by his arms.
The possession of the kingdom of Damascene-Syria, and the entire conquest of Is
rael, rendered the kings of Assyria all-powerful in those countries. Phoenicia was the
next to experience the force of their arms. The Tyrians only (according to the cita
tion which Josephus adduces from their own historian Menander) refused to receive
the Assyrian yoke. They fought and dispersed the fleet which the subjugated Phoe
nicians had furnished for the ulterior objects and remoter enterprises of Shalmaneser.
To avenge this act, the Assyrian king left his troops for five years in the Tyrian ter-
itory, where they grievously distressed the citizens of Tyre, by cutting off all access
to the river and aqueduct from which the town obtained its water. It was the death
of Shalmaneser, apparently, which induced the Assyrians to abandon the sie°-e.
It was probably the same occasion, together with an undue reliance upon his forti
fications, and too much confidence derived from the success which had attended the
small wars in which he had been engaged, which led Hezekiah into the same temerity
which had been the ruin of Hoshea. He discontinued the tribute to the Assyrians
which had been imposed upon his father, and by that act threw off the yoke which
Ahaz had voluntarily taken on himself.
In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah, the new king of Assyria, named Sennacherib,
came a large army to reduce the kingdom of Judah to obedience, as well as to invade
Egypt, on account of ihe encouragement which " So," the king of that country, had
given to Hoshea to revolt, by promises of assistance, which he proved unable to' ren
der. Such promises appear to have been renewed to Hezekiah, to induce him to "ive

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 381
trouble and employment to a power of which the Egyptians had good cause to be
jealous. But the new king Sethos (Se-pthah, priest of Pthah), who had been a priest,
considering the services of the soldiers unnecessary to the security of a kingdom in
trusted to the protection of the gods, treated the military caste with much indignity,
mid much abridged their privileges, in consequence of which they refused, when re
quired, to march against the Assyrians.
Hezekiah, disappointed of the assistance which he had expected from Egypt,* and
observing the overwhelming nature of the force put in action, delayed not to make his
submissions to Sennacherib, humbly acknowledging his offence, and offering to sub
mit to any tribute which the king might impose upon him. The desire of the As
syrian not to delay his more important operations against Egypt, seems to have in
clined him to listen favorably to this overture. He demanded three hundred talents
of silver, and thirty talents of gold ; and this was paid by Hezekiah, although to raise
it he was compelled to exhaust the royal and sacred treasures, and even to strip off
the gold with which the doors and pillars of the temple were overlaid.
Sennacherib received the silver and gold ; but after he had taken Ashdod, one of the
keys of Egypt, he began to think it would be unsafe in his invasion of that country to
leave the kingdom of Judah unsubdued in his rear. He therefore determined to com
plete the subjugation of Judah in the first place, — the rather as his recent observa
tions, and the humble submission of Hezekiah, left him little reas6n to expect much
delay or difficulty in this enterprise. He soon reduced all the cities to his power ex
cept Libnah and Lachish, to which he laid siege, and Jerusalem, to which he sent his
general Rabshakeh with a very haughty summons to surrender. Many blasphemous
and disparaging expressions were applied to Jehovah by the heathen general. By this
he was, as it were, bound to vindicate his own honor and power; and, accordingly,
the prophet Isaiah was commissioned to promise the king deliverance, and to forelell
the destruction of the Assyrian host : " Lo ! I will send a blast upon him, and he shall
hear a rumor, and shall return to his own land, and I will cause him to fall by the
sword in his own land." 2 Kings xix. 7.
The rumor by which Sennacherib was alarmed and interrupted, was no other than
the report which was spread abroad that Tirhakah the Ethiopian, king of Uppei
Egypt, was marching with an immense army to cut off his retreat. He then deter
mined to withdraw ; but first sent a boasting letter to Hezekiah, defying the God of
Israel, and threatening what destructions he would execute upon the nation on his
return. But that very night an immense proportion of the Assyrian host, even one
hundred and eighty thousand men, were struck dead by " the blast" which the
prophet had predicted, and which has, with great probability, been ascribed to the
agency of the simoom, or hot pestilential south wind, which we may have anothei
occasion to notice.
Sennacherib returned to Nineveh, and in the exasperation of defeat he behaved
with great severity to the captive Israelites. But his career was soon closed. Fifty-
two days after his return he was slain, while worshipping m the temple of the god
Nisroc, by his two eldest sons. Thus the prophecy of Isaiah was in every point
accomplished. The parricides fled into Armenia, leaving the steps of the throne
clear for the ascent of the third son, whose name was Esarhaddon. This great
blow so weakened the Assyrian monarchy as not only to free the king of Judah
from his apprehensions, but enabled the Medes and Babylonians to assert their
independence. The same year Hezekiah fell sick — apparently of the plague, — and he was warned
by the prophet Isaiah to prepare for death. The king was afflicted at these tidings;
and turning his face to the wall (as he lay in his bed), to be unnoticed by his atten
dants, he besought the Lord, with tears, to remember him with favor. His prayer
was heard ; and the prophet, who had not yet left the palace, was charged to return and
acqua nt Hezekiah that, on the third following day, he should resume his customary
attendance at the temple; and not only that, but that fifteen years should be added
to his life. In confirmation of this extraordinary communication, the king desired
some miraculous sign ; and accordingly the shadow of the style upon the dial of
Ahaz went backward ten degrees. The event corresponded to these intimations.
* That he had expectations from that quarter, and that such expectations were known to the Syrians, ap
pears from Rabshakeh's advice to him, — "Not to trust upon the staff of that bruised reed, Egypt (lipon
*lncn if a man lean lt will break and pierce his hand) ;" 2 Kings xviii. 17-35.

382 AN ILLUSTRATED
The prolongation of life was the more important and desirable to Hezekiah, as at
that time there was no direct heir to the crown. These circumstances, together with
the signal deliverance from Sennacherib, not only cured the people of the idolatry
which Ahaz had introduced, and retained them for some time in their fidelity to
Jehovah, but excited the curiosity and admiration of the neighboring nations. Mero-
dach-Baladan, the king of Babylon, sent an embassy to congratulate the king on his
deliverance from the Assyrians (through which Merodach himself had been enabled
to establish his independence in Babylon), and upon his recovery from his illness, as
well as to make particular inquiries respecting the miracle by which it was accom
panied, and which must have been of peculiar interest to a scientific people like the
Babylonians. Hezekiah appears to have been highly flattered by this embassy from
so distant a quarter. The embassadors were treated with much attention and
respect, and the king himself took pleasure in showing them the curiosities and
treasures of his kingdom. That he had treasures to show, seems to signify that he
had recovered his wealth from the Assyrians, or had enriched himself by their spoil.
The sacred historian attributes Hezekiah's conduct on this occasion to " his pride
of heart," involving an appropriation to himself of that glory which belonged only
to Jehovah. Although, therefore, his conduct did not occasion the doom, it gave the
prophet Isaiah occasion to make known to him that the treasures of his kingdom
were the destined spoil, and his posterity the destined captives of the very nation
whose present embassage had produced in him so much unseemly pride. This was
in every way a most remarkable prediction ; for Babylon was then an inconsiderable
kingdom, and the people almost unknown by whom the prediction was to be fulfilled.
Hezekiah received this announcement with true oriental submission— satisfied, he
said, if there were but peace and truth in his own days.
The remainder of Hezekiah's reign, through the years of prolonged life which had
been granted to him, appears to have been prosperous and happy. To no other man
was it ever granted to view the approach of death with certain knowledge, through
the long, but constantly shortening, vista of years that lay before him. At the time
long before appointed, Hezekiah died, after a reign of twenty-nine years, B. C. 725.
Manasseh was but twelve years of age when he lost his father, and began to
reign. The temptations which surrounded him, and the evil counsels which were
pressed upon him, were too strong for his youth. He was corrupted ; and it seemed
the special object of his reign to overthrow all the good his father had wrought in
Judah. The crimes of all former kings seem light in comparison with those which
disgraced his reign. He upheld idolatry with all the influence of the regal power,
and that with such inconceivable boldness, that the pure and holy ceremonies of the
temple service were superseded by obscene rites of an idol image set up in the very
sanctuary ; while the courts of God's house were occupied by altars to " the host of
heaven," or the heavenly bodies. He maintained herds of necromancers, astrologers,
and soothsayers of various kinds. The practice which was, of all others, the most
abhorrent to Jehovah, the king sanctioned by his own atrocious example , for he de
voted his own children, by fire, to strange gods, in the blood-stained valley of Ben-
Hinnom. Wickedness now reigned on high, and as usual persecuted righteousness
and truth ; so that, by a strong but significant hyperbole, we are told that innocent
blood flowed in the streets of Jerusalem like water.
While these things were transacting in Judah, Esarhaddon, the king of Assyria,
was consolidating his power, and endeavoring to reunite the broken fragments of his
father's empire. It was not until the thirtieth year of his reign that he recovered
Babylon, the affairs of which appear to have fallen into great disorder after the
death of Merodach-Baladan, if we may judge from the occurrence of five reigns and
two interregnums of ten years, all in the course of the twenty-nine years which pre
ceded its reduction again under the Assyrian yoke.
When Esarhaddon had sufficiently re-established his authority, and settled his
affairs in the east, he turned his attention westward, and determined to restore his
authority in that quarter, and to avenge the disgrace and loss which the Assyrians
had sustained in Palestine. This intention constituted him Jehovah's avenger upon
the king and nation of Judah, for the manifold iniquities into which they had by this
time fallen.
Esarhaddon entered Judah in great force, defeated Manasseh in battle, took him
alive, and sent him in chains to Babylon, together with many of his noblos and

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 383
of the people. They were sent to Babylon probably because Esarhaddon, to prevent
another defection, made that city his chief residence during the last thirteen years of
his reign. It was probably on the same occasion that he removed the principal
remaining inhabitants of Israel, and replaced them by more colonists from the East.
In the solitude of his prison at Babylon, Manasseh became an altered and a better
man. The sins of his past life, and the grievous errors of his government were
brought vividly before him; and humbling himself before the God of his fathers, he
cried earnestly for pardon, and besought an opportunity of evincing the sincerity ot
his repentance. The history makes mention of his prayer, as having been preserved ;
and the Apocrypha contains a prayer which purports to be that which he used on this
occasion. This it would be difficult to prove ; but the prayer itself is a good one,
and suitable to the occasion.
His prayer was heard, and the opportunity which he sought was granted to him.
Esarhaddon gave way to the suggestions of a more generous policy than that by which
he had been at first actuated. He released the captive from his prison, and after
having, we may presume, won him over to the interests of Assyria, and weaned from
the national bias in favor of an Egyptian alliance, sent him home with honor. Un
questionably, he remained tributary to the Assyrian monarch, and his territory was
probably considered as forming a useful barrier between the territories of Assyria and
of Egypt. On his return, Manasseh applied himslf with great diligence to the cor
rection of the abuses of his former reign. He also fortified the city of Zion on the
west side by a second high wall (or, perhaps, he only rebuilt and carried to a greater
height the wall which the Assyrians had thrown down), and endeavored as far as
possible to restore the weakened kingdom to a better state. He died in B. C. 696,
after a protracted reign of fifty-five years ; and, mindful of the first iniquities of his
reign, a place in the Sepulchre of the Kings was denied him, but he was buried in his
own garden.
Amon the son of Manasseh was twenty-five years of age when he ascended the
throne of Judah. He had been born after the repentance and restoration of his father ,
yet the first ways of Manasseh, and not the last, were those which he chose to follow.
He revived the idolatries which had been suppressed ; but the full development of his
plans and character was interrupted by a conspiracy, in which he perished after a
short reign of two years. B. C. 639.
Josiah was but eight years old at the death of his father ; and during his minority
the affairs of the government were administered by the high-priest Joachim and a
council of elders at Jerusalem. The young king profiled well by the excellent educa
tion he received under the tutelage of the high-priest. After a minority of eight years
he assumed the government, and proceeded to act with far greater vigor against the
idolatries of the land than the regent had ventured to exercise. He not only destroy
ed every form of idolatry which he was able to detect, but overthrew the altars ille
gally erected to Jehovah, and corrected the other irregularities which had in previous
times been tolerated. In the course of these purgations, which were conducted by
the king in person, he came to Bethel, and there (according to the prediction made
nearly four centuries before, which had mentioned him by name) he defiled the altar
which Jeroboam had erected before the golden calf in that place, by burning thereon
the disinterred bones of dead men — the bones of the worshippers. And it was thus
that the idolatrous altars were defiled by him throughout the land.
The zeal of the king took him beyond the limits of his own kingdom into the land
of Israel, which he traversed even to its remoter parts, uprooting idolatry and all its
adjuncts, wherever he came. For this rather remarkable proceeding out of his own
kingdom there are different ways of accounting. The most probable seems. to be that
in restoring Manasseh to his throne, the king of Assyria had extended his authority
(for the purpose of internal government) over the neighboring territory. His favor
and confidence, continued to Josiah, agrees with and helps to explain some other cir
cumstances. When these operations were completed, measures were taken for a thorough repair
of the temple. While this was in progress, the high-priest, Hilkiah, discovered the
autograph copy of the Law, written by the hand of Moses, which had been deposit
ed in or beside the ark of the covenant in the sanctuary. By his direction Shaphan,
the chief scribe, read therefrom m the audience of the king, who no sooner heard
that part which contains the prophecies of Moses against the nation, foretelling the

384 AN ILLUSTRATED
captivities and destructions which should befall it for its iniquities, than Josiah knew
by signs not to be mistaken, that the predicted calamities were imminent, for the in
iquities had been rife, and the doom could not but soon follow ; already, indeed, by
the captivity of Israel, it had been half accomplished. It was for this that the king
rent his garments.* He delayed not to send to Huldah the prophetess, " who dwelt
in the college at Jerusalem," to learn from her the real intentions of Jehovah, aud the
sense in which these alarming denunciations were to be understood. She confirmed
the obvious interpretation — that the unquenchable wrath of God would ere long be
poured out upon Judah and Jerusalem, consuming, or bringing into bondage, the land,
the city, the temple, the people, the king : — but adding, for the king himself, that be
cause of the righteousness which had been found in him, he should be gathered to
bis grave before those evil days arrived.
By these disclosures new zeal for the Law was kindled in the heart of Josiah.
The very same year, he caused the passover to be celebrated with great solemnity, in
which not only the people of Judah, but the remnant of the Hebrew race which the
Assyrians had left in the land of Israel, joined. There had been no such passover
since the foundation of the kingdom.
To understand the circumstances which led to the death of King Josiah, it is ne
cessary to view correctly the position of his kingdom, as a frontier barrier between
the two great kingdoms of Assyria and Egypt, whose borders, by the conquests of the
former power were, and had for some time been, in close and dangerous approxima
tion. It is obvious that, from the first, the political game of Western Asia in that
age lay between Egypt and Assyria, the former power being the only power west of
the Euphrates which could for an instant be expected to resist or retaliate the aggres
sive movements of the latter. There was little question that the rich and fertile val
ley of the Nile might tempt the cupidity or the ambition of the Assyrians. It was
therefore the obvious policy of the kings of Egypt to maintain the kingdoms of Israel
and Judah, as a barrier between their country and the Assyrians, and it was the
equally obvious policy of the latter to break that barrier down. Hence Hoshea in
Israel had been encouraged by Sabaco to assert his independence, with a promise of
support, which there is reason to believe that the Egyptian king was less unwilling
than unable to render. The fall of Israel, as it weakened the barrier, could not but
be a matter of regret to the Egyptians, and it would still be their desire to strengthen
the hands of the kings of Judah. In this position it became a question at Jerusalem,
as it had been in Samaria, whether the forbearance of the Assyrians should be pur
chased by submission, or that reliance should be reposed on the support of Egypt in
opposition to that great power. The kings and people seem to have been generally
well disposed " to lean upon Egypt," not more from habit and ancient intercourse,
than from the perception that it was clearly the interest of that country to support
them against the Assyrians. But when it had happened more than once that Egypt,
after having encouraged them to shake off the Assyrian yoke, was unable (we can
not believe unwilling) to render the stipulated assistance at the time it was most
needed, and left them exposed to the tender mercies of the provoked Assyrians, the
prophets raised their voice against a confidence and an alliance by which nothing but
calamity had been produced, and encouraged unreserved and quiet submission to the
Assyrian yoke. Even Hezekiah however, as we have seen, was induced by the pros
pect of support from Egypt, to throw off his dependance on Assyria. The conse
quent invasion of Judah by Sennacherib was so obviously threatening to Egypt, that
Sethos (the king who then reigned in Lower Egypt) could only have been prevented
by the state of affairs in his own dominion from rendering the assistance which he
had led the king of Judah to expect. But, as already stated, this very unwarlike
person — a' priest by education and habit— had so offended the powerful military caste
by abridgments of their privileges, that they refused to act, even in defence of the
country. But when Tirhakah, the Ethiopian, who ruled in Upper Eg fpt, heard of
* It is quite evident that the king had never before read or heard these denunciations of the law, which
seems hard to account for, when we consider that copies of the law do not appear to have been scarce,
;he rather as, no great while before, many copies had been made under the direction of Hezekiah. It has
been suggested that the book in common use, and even that used by kings and priests, was some abstract,
like our abridgment of the statutes, which contained only matters of positive law, omitting the promises
and threatenings. The king being impatient to know the contents, the scribe begins to read lmmediatriy ,
ind as the hooks of the times were written upon long scrolls, and rolled upon a stick, the latter part of
Deuteronomy would come first in course ; and there the scribe would find those terrible threatenings
whereby the king was so strongly affected. See Deut. xxviii.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 335
the threatened invasion by Sennacherib, he marched against him ; and the Scriptural
account would imply that the mere rumor of his approach sufficed lo induce the
Assyrians to contemplate a retreat, which was hastened by the singular destruction
in his army by the pestilential simoom.* This solitary example of assistance from
Egypt, although from an unexpected quarter, may be supposed to have strengthened
the predilection of the king and people of Judah toward the Egyptian alliance;
and it was almost certainly with the concurrence of Egypt that Manasseh allowed
himself to incur the wrath of the Assyrians. But during his imprisonment at Babylon
he would seem to have acquired the conviction that it was his best policy to adhere
to his Assyrian vassalage ; and we may conclude he was not released without such
oaths and covenants as his awakened conscience bound him to observe. He was
probably restored to his throne as a sworn tributary, or as being bound to keep the
country as a frontier against Egypt. The conduct of Josiah renders this the most
probable conclusion.
The Assyrian power got involved in wars with the Medes and Chaldeans, by
which its attention was fully engaged and its energies weakened. Egypt, on the
other hand, united under one king, had been consolidatkig its strength. Pharaoh-
Necho, the king of that country, thought the opportunity favorable to act aggressively
against the Assyrians, and tn that end resolved to march and attack this old enemy
on his old frontier., Carchemish, an important post on the Euphrates, and the key of
Assyria on the western side, was the point to which his march was directed. He
passed along the seacoast of Palestine, northward, the route usually followed by the
Egyptian kings when they entered Asia. Josiah being apprized of this, and mindful
of his relation to Assyria, and of his obligation to defend the frontier against the
Egyptians, assembled his forces and determined to impede, if he could not prevent,
the march of Necho through his territories. When the Egyptian king heard that
Josiah had posted himself on the skirts of the plain of Esdraelon — that great battle-
i field of nations — to oppose his progress, he sent messengers to engage him to desist
from his interference, alleging that he had no hostile intentions against Judah, but
against an enemy with whom he was at war, and warning Josiah that his imprudent
interference might prove fatal to himself and his people. But these considerations
had no weight with Josiah, against what appeared to him a clear case of duty. He
resisted the progress of the Egyptian army with great spirit, considering the dispro
portion of numbers. He himself fought in disguise ; but a commissioned arrow found
him out, and inflicted a mortal wound in the neck. He directed his attendants to re
move him from the battle-field. Escaping from the heavy shower of arrows with
which their broken ranks were overwhelmed, they removed him from the chariot in
which he was wounded, and placing him in " a second one that he had," they con
veyed him to Jerusalem, where he died. Thus prematurely perished, at the age of
thirty-nine, one of the best and most zealous kings who ever sat upon the throne of
David. His zeal in his vocation, as the overturner of idolatry, must have been much
stimulated by the knowledge that he had been pre-ordained, by name, to this service,
many centuries before his birth. We know not why the last act of his life should be
deemed blameworthy by many who in other respects think highly of his character
and reign. Was it not rather noble and heroic in him to oppose the vast host of
Necho, in obedience to the obligation which his family had incurred to the Assyrian
kings, and in consideration of which his grandfather, his father, and himself, had'
* Sir J. G Wilkinson alleges, we know not on what authority, that Sennacherib was fought and beaten by
Tirhakah, and attributes to the jealousy of the Memphites the version ofthe affair given to Herodotus, by
which he considers the truth to be disguised and the glory of Tirhakah obscured. This version is, that the
Assyrians actually invaded Egypt ; and Sethos being unsupported by the military, was induced by a dream
to march against the enemy at the head of an undisciplined rabble of artisans and laborers. While the two
parties were encamped opposite each other, near Pelusium, a piodigious number of field mice visited the
Assyrian camp by night and gnawed to pieces their quivers and bows, as well as the handles of their shields ,
so that, in the morning, finding themselves without arms, they fled in confusion, losing great numbers of
their men. This is tlie story which Sir J. G. Wilkinson regards as invented by the Memphites to withdraw
from Tirhakah the credit of tile Assyrian overthrow, which was really his work. But from the cast given
to the story, we are very much more disposed to believe that it, is rather a version of the extraordinary
overtlirpw which the Assyrians sustained by night in Palestine, and which the Egyptians desired, to appro
priate to their own country and their own gods. Or may it not be that, seeing the Hebrews alleged their
God to be the Crea'or of the world, the Egyptians considered him the same as Phtah, the creator in
their mythology, and whose priest Sethos had been I This seems to us very likely, the rather as it is dif
ficult without this supposed identity to account for a circumstance in a following reign, when Necho
expected to influence tne pious Josiah by telling that God had sent him (Necho) to war against tlie
Assyrians. 25

386 AN ILLUSTRATED
been permitted to exercise the sovereign authority in the land ? The death of Josia'i
was lamented by the prophet Jeremiah in an elegiac ode, which has noi been pre
served. Intent upon his original design, Necho paused not to avenge himself upon the Ju
dahites for the opposition he had encountered, but contmued his march lo the
Euphrates. Three months had scarcely elapsed, when, returning victorious from the capture of
Carchemish and the defeat of the Assyrians, he learned that the people had called a
younger son of Josiah, named Jehoahaz or Shalium, twenty-three years old, to the
throne, overlooking his elder brother. Displeased that such a step had been .aken
without any reference to the will of their now paramount lord and conqueror, he sent
and summoned Jehoahaz to attend on him at Riblah, in the land of Hamath , anu
having deposed him and condemned the land to pay in tribute a hundred talents of
silver and a talent of gold, he took him as a prisoner to Jerusalem. On arriving
there, Necho made Eliakim, the eldest son of Josiah, king in the room of his father,
changing his name to Jehoiakim, according to a custom frequently practised by lords
paramount and masters toward subject princes and slaves. The altered name was
a mark of subjection. Then taking the silver and gold which he had levied upon
the people, Necho departed for Egypt, taking with him the captive Jehoahaz, whe
there terminated his short and inglorious career, according to the prophecy of Jere
miah. — Jer. xxii. 10-12.
Jehoiakim, the eldest son of Josiah, was twenty-five years old when he began to
reign. He reigned eleven years, and by his idolatries and misgovernment proved him
self worthy of the throne of Ahaz and Manasseh. Early in his reign he was called
to repentance by the prophet Jeremiah, who publicly, at the feast of tabernacles, in
the ears of the assembled nation, denounced, in the name of Jehovah, the severest
judgments against king and people, including the destruction of the city and the tem
ple. For this he was seized as a seditious person, worthy of death ; but he was
acquitted by the nobles, and on this and other occasions screened by some persons of
influence, who had been in power in the good times of Josiah.
Meanwhile the war in the east approached its termination. The allied Medes and
Babylonians — the former under Cyaxares, and the latter under Nabopolassar — be
sieged the last Assyrian king in Nineveh. The siege was turned into a blockade '
and Nabopolassar, already assuming the government ofthe empire which had fallen
from the enfeebled hands of the Assyrians, despatched his son Nebuchadnezzar west
ward, with an adequate force, to chastise the Egyptians for their late proceedings,
and to restore the revolted Syrians and Phoenicians to their obedience. In these dif
ferent objects he completely succeeded.* Carchemish (Jer. xlvii. 2) he recovered
from the Egyptians, and Jehoiakim was compelled to transfer his allegiance from
Necho to the Babylonian. This was in the first year of his reign ; in the second Nin
eveh was taken and destroyed by the allies. The conquering Medes were content tc
have secured their independence and avenged their wrongs, and left to the conquering
Chaldeans the lion's share of the spoil. Babylon now became the imperial capital ;
Dut Nabopolassar himself, the founder of the great Chaldse-Babylonian empire, died
almost immediately after tht fall of Nineveh, and the young hero in the west was
called to fill the glorious throne which his father had set up.
The absence of Nebuchadnezzar in another quarter, seemed to the king of Egypt
a favorable opportunity of recovering his foreign conquests. He therefore undertook
another expedition against Carchemish (Jer. xlvi. 2) ; and as Jehoiakim, in Judea,
renounced, about the same time, his sworn allegiance to Nebuchadnezzar, there is
much reason to conclude lhat he was encouraged to this step by the Egyptian king.
This measure was earnestly but ineffectually reprobated by the prophet Jeremiah,
who foretold the consequences which actually followed.
Nebuchadnezzar, who was certainly the greatest general of that age, did not allow
the Egyptian king to surprise him. He met and defeated him at Carchemish, and
then, pursuing his victory, stripped the Egyptian of all his northern possessions, from
the river Euphrates to the Nile, and this by so strong an act of repression that he
dared " come no more out of his own land."
The king of Judah now lay at ihe mercy of the hero whose anger he had so unad
visedly provoked. Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem, and took it. He com
* Berosus in E :yi't ' Antiq.' x. 11, 1

HISTORY OF THE BIB^E. 387
mitted no destructions but such as were the direct effect of his military operations ,
and, with a leniency very rare in those days, he refrained from displacing Jekoiakim
from his throne. He was content to indemnify himself by the spoils of the temple,
part of the golden ornaments and vessels of which he took away ; and with removing
to Babylon some members of the royal family, and sons of the principal nobles.
These would serve as hostages, and at the same time help to swell the pomp and
ostentation of the Babylonian court. Among the persons thus removed was Daniel
and his three friends, whose condition and conduct will soon engage our notice, as
part of the history of the captivity. It must be evident that the leniency exhibited
on this occasion by Nebuchadnezzar, may be ascribed to his desire to maintain the
kingdom of Judah as a barrier between his Syrian dominions and Egypt ; foi since
Egypt had become aggressive, it was no longer his interest that this barrier should
be destroyed.
The court at Jerusalem soon again fell into much disorder. The king turned a
deaf ear to all wise counsel and all truth, as delivered by the prophet Jeremiah, and
listened only to the false prophets, who won his favor by the flattering prospects
which they drew, and by the chimerical hopes which they created. The final resul-
was, that this prince again had the temerity to renounce his allegiance to the Baby
lonian, to whose clemency he owed his life and throne.
This occurred in the fourth year of Jehoiakim, B. C. 604, which it is important to
note, as it is from this date that the " seventy years" of the Babylonish captivity is
with the greatest apparent propriety dated. (Jer. xxv. 11 ; 2 Chron. xxxvi. 21-23.)
This period of seventy years of exile was foretold by Jeremiah ; * and it is most
remarkable, that, from whichever of the more marked points these seventy years be
commenced, we are brought at the termination to some one equally marked point in
the history of the restoration and re-settlement of the nation.
Jehoiakim wap not at all reformed by the calamity which had' befallen his house
and country. It only served to increase the ferocity of his spirit. This reign, there
fore, continued to be cruel, tyrannical, and oppressive, and, still more and more, " his
eyes and his heart were intent on covetousness, oppression, and the shedding of inno
cent blood." Of this an instance is found in the case of the prophet Urijah, " whom
he slew with the sword, and cast his dead body into the graves of the common
people," because he prophesied of the impending calamities of Judah and Jerusalem.
(Jer. xxii. 13-16, xxvi. 20-23.) For these things the personal doom of Jehoiakim
was thus pronounced by Jeremiah : —
"  Thus saith Jehovah,
Concerning Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, king of Israel, — *
They shall not lament for him, saying,
Ah, my brother ! nor l for the queen], Ah, sister !
They shall not lament for him, saying,
Ah, Xord ! nor [for her}, Ah, her glory I
With the burial of an ass shall he be buried,
Drawn forth and cast beyond the gates of Jerusalem." — (Jer. xx.i 18, 19.)
For this prophecy the prophet was cast into prison, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim.
The following year, acted upon by that strong constraint to deliver the word
intrusted to him, which he. himself so forcibly describes,! Jeremiah dictated to
¦* Dated from this point, the seventy years expired in B. C. 536, the year that Cyrus took Babylon, and
issued a decree for the return of such of the Jews as chose, throughout his dominions, to their own land
(Ezra iii. 1, v. 13) ; and this agrees with Ihe account of Josephus, "in the first year of Cyrus, which was
the seventieth (ro e^SouoKoaroi') from the day of the removal of our people from their native land to
Babylon," &c. (Ant. xi. 1, 1) ; for from B. C. 605 to B. C. 536 was sixty-nine years complete, or severity
years current. Hales, to whom we are indebted for this conclusion, thinks that it affords a satisfactory
adjustment of the chronology of this most intricate and disputed period of the captivity, and that in it
" all the varying reports of sacred and profane chronology are reconciled and brought into harmony with
?ach other ' t " Thou didst persuade me, Jehovah, and I was persuaded ;
Thou wast stronger than I, and didst prevail.
I am every day the object of laughter ;
Every one of them holdeth me in derision.
For whensoever I speak, —
If I cry out of violence, and proclaim devastation, <
The word of Jehovah is turned against me,
Into reproach and disgrace continually.
But when 1 say, I will not make mention of it,
Neither will I speak any more in his name ;
Then it becomes in my heart as a burning fire,
Being pent up in my bones
I urn wear\ w ltli refraining, and can not [be silent}." — Jer. xx. 7-9.

388 AN ILLUSTRATED
his friend and follower, the scribe Baruch, another prophecy, to the same effect as
the former, but couched in stronger language, declaring the ruin which impended,
through the Babylonian king, unless speedy and strong repentance intervened to avert
the doom. The roll, thus written, Baruch was sent to read publicly to the people
assembled from all the country on account of a solemn fast for which pubho opinion
had called. Baruch accordingly read it in the court of the temple, in the audience
of all the people assembled there. He afterward, at their request, read it more pri
vately to the princes. They heard it with consternation, and determined to make its
contents known to the king. Baruch was directed to go and conceal himself, and tlie
roll was taken and read to the king, who was then sitting in his winter apartment,
with a brazier of burning charcoal before him. When he had heard tliree or four
sections, the king kindled into rage, and taking the roll from the reader, he cut it
with the scribe's knife, and threw it into the fire, where it was consumed. He also
ordered the prophet and his friend to be put to death ; but this was averted by the
kind providence of the Almighty Master whom they served.
The undaunted prophet directed Baruch to rewrite the prophecy which had been
burnt, with additional matter of the same purport; while to Jehoiakim himself the
terrible message was sent • " Thus saith Jehovah,
Concerning Jehoiakim, king of Judah, —
He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David ;
And his dead body shall be cast out,
In the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost." — Jer. xxxvi. 30.
The end of this miserable man doubtless corresponded with these predictions,
although the historical narrative of that event is involved in some obscurity and
apparent contradiction. The statement we shall now give appears to be the only
one by which, as il appears to us, all these difficulties can be reconciled. It is evi
dent that if Jehoiakim did not again revolt, his conduct was at least so unsatisfactory
to the king of Babylon, that he sent an army against Jerusalem, containing some
Chaldean troops, but composed chiefly from the surrounding subject nations, as the
Syrians, Moabites, and Ammonites. In what manner they performed their mission
we know not, but according to the figurative description which Ezekiel (ix. 5V9)
•gives of Jehoiakim as a rapacious " lion's whelp," we learn that " the nations' from
the provinces set about him on every side, and spread their net over him, and he
was taken in their pit; and they secured him with chains, and brought him to the
king of Babylon." Nebuchadnezzar was then probably at Riblah, at which place
the eastern conquerors appear to have usually held their court when in Syria. He
bound the captive king " with fetters [intending] to carry him to Babylon" (2 Chron.
xxxvi. 6) ; but took him first to Jerusalem, where he appears to have died before
this intention could be executed ; and the prophecies require us to conclude that his
body was cast forth with indignity, and lay exposed to the elements and beasts of
prey, which is what is intended by " the burial of an ass."
The preceding invaders appear to have been contented with securing the person ol
Jehoiakim, and taking him to Nebuchadnezzar ; for when they had departed with
their royal captive, the people made his son Jeconiah (otherwise Jehbiachim and
Coniah) king in the room of his father. He was then (B. C. 597) eighteen years of
age, and had barely time to manifest his bad disposition, when Nebuchadnezzer him
self, who was displeased at this appointment, appeared before Jerusalem. It would
seem that he was admitted without opposition ; but Jeconiah was, nevertheless, held
.a close prisoner. The money which remained in the royal treasury, and the o-olden
utensils of the temple, were collected and sent as spoil to Babylon ; and the deposed
king, and his whole court, seven thousand soldiers, one thousand artisans, and two
thousand nobles and men of wealth, altogether, with wives and children, amounting
probably to 40,000 persons, were sent away into captivity to the river Chebar (Cha-
boras) in Mesopotamia. Thus only the lower class of citizens and peasantry were
left behind. The future prophet, Ezekiel, was among the captives ; and Mattaniah,
the remaining son of Josiah, and brother of Jehoiakim, was made kino- of the empov-
erished land by Nebuchadnezzar, who, according to the custom in such" cases, chan°-ed
his name to Zedekiah, and bound him by strong and solemn oaths of allegiance.
The Hebrews who remained in Judah continued however to cherish dreams of in
dependence from the Chaldeans— impossible under the circumstances in which West

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

389

Remains of the Ancient Port of Sidon,

390 AN ILLUSTRATED
era Asia was tnen placed, or possible only through sui.n special interventions of
Providence as had glorified their early history, but all further claim to which they
had long since forfeited. Even the captives in Mesopotamia and Chaldea were look
ing forward to a speedy return to their own land. These extravagant expectations
were strongly discouraged by Jeremiah in Jerusalem, and by Ezekiel in Mesopotamia ;
but their reproofs were not heeded, nor their prophecies believed. Accordingly, Zede
kiah, who seems not to have been ill-disposed, otherwise than as influenced by evil
counsellors, was led openly to renounce his allegiance, in the ninth year of his reign.
The temerity of this act would be astonishing and unaccountable, were it not that, as
usual, the renunciation was attended by an alliance with the king of Egypt, Pharaoh-
Hophra — the Apries and Vaphres of profane authors — who indeed had acquired a
prominence in this quarter which might make the preference of his alliance seem a
comparatively safe speculation. Apries, in the early part of his reign, was a very
prosperous king. He sent an expedition against the Isle of Cyprus ; besieged and
took Gaza (Jer. xlvii. 1) and the city of Sidon; engaged and vanquished the king of
Tyre ; and, being uniformly successful, he made himself master of Phoenicia, and
part of Palestine ; thus recovering much of that influence in Syria which had been
taken from Egypt by the Assyrians and Babylonians.
From the result it is evident that, on receiving the news of this revolt of one who
owed his throne to him, and whose fidelity to him had been pledged by the most
solemn vows, Nebuchadnezzar resolved no longer to attempt to maintain the separate
existence of Judah as a royal state, but to incorporate it absolutely, as a province, with
his empire. An army was, with little delay, marched into Judea, and laid immediate
siege to Jerusalem. Jeremiah continued to counsel the king to save the city and
temple by unreserved submission to the Chaldeans, and abandonment ofthe Egyptian
alliance ; but his auditors, trusting that the Egyptians would march to the relief of
the place, determined to protract the defence of the city to the utmost. The Egypt
ians did, in fact, march to their assistance ; but when Nebuchadnezzar raised tne
siege of Jerusalem and advanced to meet them, they retreated before him into Egypt,
without hazarding a battle.
The withdrawl of the Chaldean forces from Jerusalem, with the confident expecta
tion that they would be defeated by the Egyptians, filled the inhabitants with the
most extravagant joy, and quite reversed — and so evinced the hollowness of— the
slight acts of repentance and reformation which the apparent urgency of danger had
produoed. Their short-lived joy was terminated by the reappearance of the Chal
deans before the city. They prepared, however, to make a vigorous, or at least a pro
tracted defence, for they well knew that, after so many provocations, little mercy was
to be expected from Nebuchadnezzar, and they were probably acquainted with the fell
purpose which that great monarch appears to have formed.
In the account of this siege much notice is taken of the respective works, the forts,
the towers, &c, ofthe besiegers and the besieged. This may throw some light on
the state to which the art of attacking and defending towns had then attained.
The siege was continued until the eleventh year of Zedekiah (B. C. 586), eighteen
months from the beginning, when the Chaldeans stormed the city about midnight,
and put the inhabitants to the sword, young and old, many of them in the very courts
of the temple. The king himself, with his sons, his officers, and the remnant of the
army, escaped from the city, but were pursued by the Chaldeans, and overtaken in
the plain of Jericho, and carried as prisoners to Nebuchadnezzar, who was then at
Riblah in the province of Hamah. The Babylonian king upbraided Zedekiah for his
ingratitude and breach of faith, and ordered a terrible punishment to be inflicted on
him. To cut off all future hope of reigning in his race, he ordered his sons to be slain
before his eyes ; and then, to exclude him from all hope of ever again reigning in his
own person, he ordered that the last throes of his murdered children should be his last
sight in this world. His eyes were put out — a barbarous mode of disqualifying a man
for political good or evil, with which the governments of the East still continue to
visit those whose offences excite displeasure, or whose pretensions create fear. The
blind king was then led in fetters of brass to Babylon, where he died. Thus were
fulfilled two prophecies, by different and distant prophets, which by their apparent
diss mance had created mirth and derision in Jerusalem. Jeremiah had told the king,
after the return of the Chaldean arr.:y to the siege, that he should surely be taken
prisoner ; that his eyes should see th? ring of Babylon, and that he should be carried

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 391
captive to Babylon, and that he should die there, not by the sword, but in peace, and
with the same honorable " burnings" with which his fathers had been interred ;*
while Ezekiel had predicted that he should be brought captive to Babylon, yet should
never see that city, although he should die therein. t
Nebuchadnezzar appears to have been dissatisfied at the only partial manner in
which his purposes against Judah had been executed. He therefoie sent Nebuzar-
adan, the captain of his guard, with an army of Chaldeans to Jerusalem. The tem
ple and the city were then burnt to the ground, and all the walls demolished, while
all the vessels of brass, silver, and gold, which had been left before, and all trie trea
sure of the temple, the palace, and the houses of the nobles, were taken for spoil ;
and of the people none were left but the poor of the land to be vine-dressers and hus
bandmen. This was about a month after the city was first taken.
Thus was the land made desolate, that t' she might enjoy her sabbaths," or tht ar
rearage of sabbatic years, of which she had been defrauded by the avarice and diso
bedience of the people. That these sabbatic years, being the celebration of every
seventh year as a season of rest, even to the soil which then lay fallow, amounted to
not less than seventy, shows how soon, and how long, that important and faith-testing
institution had been neglected by the nation. The early predictions of Moses,! and
the later one of Jeremiah,§ that the land should enjoy the rest of which it had been
defrauded, is very remarkable, when we consider that, as exemplified in Israel, it was
not the general policy of the conquerors to leave the conquered country in desolation,
but to replenish it by foreign colonists, by whom it might be cultivated.
Nebuchadnezzar made Gedaliah, a Hebrew of distinction, governor of the poor
remnant which was left in the land. Gedaliah was a well-disposed man, of a gene
rous and unsuspecting nature, who was anxious to promote the well-being of the people
by reconciling them to the Babylonian government. In this design he was assisted
by Jeremiah, who had been released from prison when the city was taken, and was
treated with much consideration by the Babylonian general, to whose care he had
been recommended by Nebuchadnezzar himself. Nebuzaradan indeed offered to take
him to Babylon and provide for him there ; but the prophet chose rather to remain
with his friend Gedaliah, who fixed his residence at Mizpeh beyond Jordan.
As soon as the Babylonian army had withdrawn, those nobles and warriors returned
who had saved themselves by flight in the first instance. Among these was Ishmael,
a prince of the royal family, who, jealous of the possession by Gedaliah of the gov
ernment to which he considered that his birth gave him the best right, formed a con
spiracy to take away his life. This was intimated to the governor, but he treated il
as an infamous calumny upon Ishmael, which generous confidence was rewarded by
his being murdered, with all the Hebrews and Chaldeans at Mizpeh who were attach
ed to him, by that bad man and his dependants. The vengeance of the Chaldeans
was now to be dreaded, and therefore Ishmael and all his followers fled toward the
country of the Ammonites (who had promoted the designs of Ishmael). They at
tempted to take with them the king's daughter and the residue of the people ; but
these were recovered by Johanan and other officers, who pursued them, so that Ish
mael escaped with only eight men to the Ammonites. Johanan and the others were
fearful of the effects of the resentment of the Chaldeans for the massacre of which
Ishmael had been guilty. They therefore determined to take refuge in Egypt with all
the people. This intention was earnestly opposed by Jeremiah, who, in the name of]
Jehovah, promised them peace and safety if they remained ; but threatened death by
pestilence, famine, and sword, if they went down to Egypt. They went, however,
and compelled Jeremiah himself to go with them ; and it is alleged by tradition thai
they put him to death in that country for the ominous prophecies he continued to ut
ter there.
Nebuzaradan soon after arrived in the country with the view of avenging the mui-
der of Gedaliah and the massacre of the Chaldeans who were with him: but the
country was so thin of inhabitants, in consequence of the secession to Egypt, that he
could find no more than seven hundred and forty-five persons in the land, whom he
sent into captivity beyond the Euphrates. Thus signally was the long predicted de
population of the land completed; and although nomadic tribes wandered through ihe
30untry, and the Edomites settled in some of its southern parts, yet the land remained,
* Jer. xxxi' 4 . S xxxiv 3,5. t Ezek. xii. 13. t Lev. xxvi. 34. (> 2 Chron xxxvi. 21.

392 AN ILLUSTRATED
on the whole, uninhabited, and ready for the Hebrews, whose return hau as much
been the subject of prophecy as their captivity had been.
For the clearer apprehension of the facts which have been stated, it will be desi
rable to trace the further operations of the Babylonians in those quarters.
The year after the conquest of Judea, Nebuchadnezzar resolved to take a severe
revenge upon all the surrounding nations which had solicited the Judahites to a con
federacy against him, or had encouraged them to rebel, although they now, for the
most part, rejoiced in their destruction. These were the Ammonites, Moabites, Edom
ites, Arabians, the Sidonians, Tyrians, and Philistines ; nor did he forget the Egyp
tians, who had taken a foremost part in action or intrigue against him. This had been
foretold by the prophets. It had been foretold that all these nations were to be sub
due I by Nebuchadnezzar, and were assigned to share with the Hebrews the bondage
of st venty years to that power. Some of them were conquered sooner and some later ;
but the end of this period was the common term for the deliverance of them all from
their bondage to Babylon.
After Nebuchadnezzar had subdued the eastern and western states in his first cam
paign, he commenced the siege of the strong city of old Tyre, on the continent, in the
year B. C. 584, being two years after the destruction of Jerusalem. This siege occu
pied thirteen years, a fact which illustrates, perhaps, not so much the strength of the
place as the vitality of a commercial state. This is, however, only to intimate that
during this period the city was invested by a Chaldean army; for many other impor
tant enterprises were undertaken and accomplished during the same period. It was
during the siege that Nebuzaradan marched into Judea to avenge the murder of Ge
daliah and the Chaldeans, as was just related.
Before Tyre was taken, the inhabitants, having the command of the sea, fled with
all their effects to the insular Tyre in its neighborhood ; so that the Chaldean army
found but little spoil to reward their long toil and patience in the siege. This had
been foretold by the prophet Ezekiel (Ezek. xxix. 18-20), but although Nebuchad
nezzar and his army were to obtain "no wages for the great service they had served
against Tyre," in the long course of which " every head was made bald and every
shoulder peeled," yet as a compensation they were promised the plunder of " the land
of Egypt, her multitude, her spoil, and her prey." Accordingly, in the spring of the
year B. C. 570, after the war with Tyre was finished, Nebuchadnezzar invaded Egypt,
and, from a concunence of weakening circumstances in lhat country, was enabled to
overrun the whole country from Migdol, its northern extremity, near the Red sea, to
Syene, the southern, bordering upon Ethiopia. This he also subdued, together with
the other auxiliaries of the Egyptians. The reigning king was ihe same Pharaoh-
Hophra, or Apries, who was on the throne at the time Jerusalem was besieged, and
whose faint and abortive motion to relieve his allies has been recorded. This proud
and haughty tyrant was reduced to vassalage; and so wasted and depopulated was
the land by the invaders, that it lay comparatively desolate for forty years. The king
was himself soon after defeated and captured by his discontented and revolted sub
jects, under Amasis, who was made king, and who was reluctantly compelled by the
clamors of the soldiers lo inflict death upon his predecessor. Amasis was confirmed
in the throne by the Assyrian king.

CHAPTER XXII.
THE OAPTIVITr— DANIEL — BELSHAZZAR — DARIUS.
Before we enter upon the historical details of the period which now opens, it is
proper to take a rapid survey of the principles developed in the history through which
we have passed, and to indicate the consequences which are exhibited in the portion
that lies before us.
In the commencement of the work, we have stated, in general terms, the leading
design of the selection of the Hebrew race, and of their settlement in the land of Ca°
naan as a distinct and peculiar people, and separated from all other nations by the pe
culiar institutions which were given to them. That they were appointed to be "stew
ards of the mysteries of God," is the substance of the considerations stated there and

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

393

394 AN ILLUSTRATED
enforced in subsequent passages. The history itself shows under what forms and ob
ligations the stewardship was imposed, and how unfaithfully its duties were dis
charged ; and we are come to the punishments which that unfaithfulness incurred.
And did that unfaithfulness render the promises and designs of God of no effect?
Nay, much otherwise ; but rather tended to illustrate the more strongly his Almighti-
ness, by the accomplishment of all his designs, in spite of, and even through, the re
luctance, the improbity, and the treachery of the instruments he employed. They
might have worked his high will with great happiness and honor to themselves; but
since they did not choose this, they were compelled to work that will even by theii
misery and dishonor. It was not in the power of the instruments to frustrate the in>
tentions of Jehovah ; they only had power to determine whether that will should be
accomplished with happiness or with misery to themselves, and, in consequence,
somewhat to vary the mode in which those designs were exhibited and fulfilled.
The main cause of the personal and national failure of the Israelites, as instru
ments of a design which was accomplished notwithstanding their misdoings, is by
no means of difficult detection. Politically considered, it may be resolved into what
has been in all ages and countries the leading cause of calamity and miscarriage — a
reliance upon men and upon individual character, which at best is but temporary and
fluctuating, rather than upon institutions which are permanent and unchanging. In
these, every needful amelioration is an abiding good ; whereas the existence of a good
king, or judge, or priest, is at the most but " a fortunate accident," contingent on that
most feeble thing, the breath of man. Nothing had been wanting to fortify their pe
culiar position by institutions admirably suited to their destined object, and made more
impregnable by numerous sanctions and obligations than any other institutions ever
were, or ever can, indeed, with any propriety, be made, by any authority short of that
infinite wisdom by which the Hebrew institutions were established. Thus the nation
was placed in the peculiarly advantageous position — which many enlightened nations
have struggled for and sought after in vain;— that their happiness, their prosperity,
their liberties, were not dependant on the will of any men or set of men, but rested
on firm institutions which were as obligatory upon the chiefs of the land as upon the
meanest of the people.
But this was a new thing on the earth, and the Hebrew nation seemed utterly in
capable of appreciating its value ; and, indeed, what oriental nation is there, at this
advanced day, by which the value of so precious a gift would be duly appreciated ?
They rested always on men ; they always wanted leaders. And as they were led
they followed: if their leaders were good and just men, they did well; if evil men,
not well. They turned their back upon institutions, and threw themselves upon the
accidents of human character : — and they fared accordingly. This preference occurs
everywhere in the history of this people, and is with peculiar prominence evinced in
their determination to have " a king to rule them like the nations ;" in the ease with
which Jeroboam was enabled to establish a schismatical worship in ten of the tribes ;
and in the facility with which, even in Judah, the people followed the examples of
fered by their kings.
With reference to this point, the character so frequently given to Jeroboam when
the sacred writers have occasion to mention his name, as "Jeroboam, the son of Ne-
bat, who sinned, and made Israel to sin," has always seemed to us frio-htfully em
phatic and significant.
Had the ancient Hebrews adhered to their institutions, it was impossible for them,
as a political body, not to have fulfilled their special vocation in the world. But hav
ing, by the neglect of those institutions (which, among other benefits, secured the ab
sence of idolatry and its concomitant vices), done all that in them lay to frustrate the
very objects for the promotion of which existence had been given to them, they made
it necessary that God should accomplish his own objects, not, as desired, by their wel
fare and by the confusion of their enemies, but by their misery and destitution. It
was left him to demonstrate his almightiness — his supreme power over all the " gods"
which swarmed the world, not by overthrowing with his strong hand all tlie enemies
who rose against them, and by maintaining them in the land he had given them,
against the old conquerors by whom great empires were thrown down, but by making
these very nations the instruments of his punishments upon the chosen people. And
this was accomplished under such peculiar circumstances of manifest intention and in
strumentality, that the conquerors themselves were brought to acknowledge the su

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 395
premacy of Jehovah, and that they had been but the blind agents of his will. The
strong and marked interference to prevent " the great kings" from engrossing to them
selves the merit or glory of their victories, and from despising the God of the people
who, for their sins, had been abased at their footstool, even extorted from these proud
monarchs the avowal that they had received all their crowns and all their kingdjms
from " the most high God," whom the Hebrews worshipped. Now this and other
results of the destitution of the Hebrews as strongly, and perhaps more strikingly,
subserved the great object of keeping alive in the world the knowledge of a supreme
and universal governor and creator, as by maintaining the Hebrews in Palestine. In
deed, that this great truth was diffused among, and impressed upon, the conquering
nations by the captivity of the Hebrews, — that " the Lord's song" was not sung ut
terly in vain in a strange land, by the captives who wept when they remembered Zion
under the willows and beside the waters of Babylon, — in short, that they received
some salt which kept them from utter putrefaction, some leaven which wrought vi
tally in them and prepared them for the revelations which the " fulness of times" pro
duced — is evinced by the history of Daniel, by the edicts of Nebuchadnezzar, of Da
rius, and, above all, of Cyrus, and may even be traced in the tradition which ascribes
the doctrines and important reforms of Zoroaster to his intercourse with the Jewish
captives and prophets at Babylon.
Thus, although they had forfeited the high destiny of preserving and propagating
certain truths as an independent and sovereign people, the forfeiture extended only to
their own position, for the truths intrusted to them were still preserved and diffused
through the instrumentality of their bondage and punishment. This was true even
in the times posterior to their restoration to their own land.
We have been anxious to make these remarks, lest the facts of the history should
seem to intimate that the divine intention in the establishment of the Hebrew com
monwealth was frustrated by the perversity of the people which rendered the sub
version of that commonwealth necessary. Having, as we trust, shown that there is
no room for this conclusion, it may seem better to reserve such further remarks as may
tend to develop the spirit of the ensuing history, for the natural connexion with the
record of the circumstances in which they are involved. We now therefore proceed
t» record the captivities of Israel and of Judah.
When Jerusalem was destroyed, one hundred and ninety-four years had elapsed
since the Israelites of Galilee and Gilead had been led away captive into Assyria ;
one hundred and thirty-three years since Shalmaneser had removed the ten tribes to
Halah, and Habor by the river Gozan, and to Hara and other cities of Media ; and ten
years since Nebuchadnezzar had banished some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem to the
river of Chebar. The determination of the sites to which the Israelites were removed
is a matter of some interest, but'one which, in a work like the present, does not re
quire any large investigation. The interesl lies in the means thus given of determining
the disirict to which the Israelites were expatriated ; and it is sufficient for us to state
that all the investigations which have yet been instituted, and all the information
which has yet been acquired, concur in referring all these names (excepting, of course,
the river Chebar) to that nor'hwesiern part of the present Persian empire which
formed the ancient Media. It is, indeed, remarkable that the only other cities whose
names occur in the history of the captivity ofthe ten tribes, are Rhages and Ecbatana.
which we know to have'been important cities of Media, in both of which it appears
that Ihe expatriated Israelites were settled in considerable numbers.
Even this much it is important to learn; because of itself n throws much light
upon the policy of the Assyrian conquerors, and upon the position which the removed
Israelites ultimately occupied. Media was then subject to the Assyrian empire, al
though still chiefly occupied by the native Medes; it seems, therefore, to have been
the policy of the Medes to remove the inhabitants of one Conquered country to an
other conquered country with the view of weakening the separate interest or nation
ality of both, and of promoting such a fusion of races and nations as might tend tc
realize tranquillity and permanence to the general empire. From this allocation of
the expatriated Israelites in Media results the important fact that, whereas Judah was
always subject to the conquering nation, Israel was only so for a short time, as the
Medes, among whom they were placed, were not long in asserting their independence
of Assyria, which empire they (with the Babylonians) ultimately subverted, and conT
Unued independent of the great Babylonian empire which succeeded, and to which

396 AN ILLUSTRATED
the captives of Judah were subject. So, then, the relations of the ten tribes were
with the Medes, not with the Assyrians or Babylonians; and their relations with the
Medes were not, and were necessarily far better than, those between captives and
conquerors. It does not appear how the Medes could regard them, or that they did
regard them, otherwise than as useful and respectable colonists whom the common
oppressor had placed among them, and whose continued presence it was desirable to
solicit and retain. It is hard to call this a captivity ; but since it is usually so de
scribed, it is important to remark that the captivity of the ten tribes and that of Ju
dah was under different, and independent, and not always friendly, states. There is
a vague notion that since the Babylonians subverted and succeeded the Assyrians, the
Israelites, who had been captives to the Assyrians, became such to the Babylonians,
and were afterward joined in that captivity by their brethren of Judah ; but this, as
we have seen, was by no means the case.
The information we possess respecting the condition of the ten tribes, before and
after the fall of Jerusalem, is exceedingly scanty. It is certain that during the long
years which passed before Judah also was carried into captivity, the expatriated
Israelites fully participated in all the extravagant hopes of their brethren in Judah,
and were looking with sanguine expectations for a speedy restoration to their own
land ; and the adverse prophecies and declarations of Ezekiel were as little heeded
by them as those of Jeremiah were at Jerusalem.
The apocryphal book of Tobit is the only source from which any information can
be obtained as to the social position of the expatriated Israelites. We are certainly
not among those who would like to repose much belief in " the stupid story of Tobias
and his dog;" yet ihe framework of that story is so much in agreement with what
we do know, and is so probable and natural in itself, that it would seem to have been
" founded on facts," and to have been concocted by one who was intimately acquaint
ed with the condition and affairs of the Israelites under the Assyrians.
From this it would appear, that many of the captives were stationed at Nineveh
itself, where they would seem to have lived much like other citizens, and were allow
ed to possess or acquire considerable wealth. Among these was Tobit, of the town
and city of Naphtali, a man who feared God, as doubtless many other of the captives
did, and who, as far as in his power, squared his conduct by the rules and observances
of the Mosaical law, and acquired such a character for probity, that the conqueror
himself, Shalmaneser, took notice of him, and appointed him his purveyor. This
promotion of one of the expatriated Hebrews is significant in its indications, as it
shows that, as afterward with their brethren in Babylon, offices of importance and
profit were, under the Assyrians, open to the ambition, or rewarded the good conduct
of the Israelites. Tobit availed himself of his position to visit his brother Israelites
in other cities, to cheer them and to encourage their-reasonable hopes and enterprises.
He must have acquired considerable wealth, as he was enabled to deposite ten talents
of silver in the hands of Gabel of Rhages, in Media. That he did this may seem to
imply that the captives stationed in Media were considered more securely circum
stanced than those directly under the eye of the Assyrians. When Sennacherib re
lumed from his signal overthrow in Palestine, he vented his ill-humor upon the He
brew captives, and caused many of them to be put to death, and their bodies were cast
forth to remain unburied beyond the walls of Nineveh. This was very shocking to
the pious Tobit, who made it a practice to inter by night the bodies of his brethren
whom he found unburied. The absence of the bodies occasioned inquiry, and the
truth came to the knowledge of the tyrant, who would have put him to death ; but
the good man received timely warning, and made his escape from Nineveh. The
tyrant himself was soon slain by his own sons ; and (another marked instance of pro
motion) his successor, Esarhaddon, appointed Achiacharus, Tobit's nephew, to be his
" cupbearer, and keeper of the signet, and overseer of the accounts." Through this
person Tobit received permission to return to Nineveh. But he was reduced to com
parative poverty, and total blindness was soon after added to his misfortunes. His
nephew, Achiacharus, was kind to the family under these circumstances, until Tobit
thought proper to remove intoElymais. There poverty was still their lot; and they
were supported chiefly by the wife, Anna, who took in " woman's work," and some
times obtained presents from her employers above her actual earnings.
At last Tobit, who had returned to Nineveh, bethought him of the valuable prop -
erty he had left with Gabel at Rhages, and he sent his son to reclaim it, after giving-

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 397
him such instructions as shows that travelling was then, as almost ever since, dan
gerous in those countries. The romantic adventures of young Tobias on the journey
form the most suspicious part of the book — perhaps the only suspicious part ; foi
which reason, as well as because it affords none of the illustration we require, we
willingly pass it by. It may suffice to state that Tobias prospered in his journey.
Tobit lived in Nineveh lo the good old age of 158 years, and before his death foretold
the approaching troubles of Assyria and the destruction of Nineveh, and that " for a
time peace should rather be in Media," to which country he advised his son to with
draw. Tobias was mindful of his counsel, and withdrew to Ecbatana, where, in due
time, he heard of the destruction of Nineveh by the combined forces of the Medes
and Babylonians.
We have already stated the inferences, as to the condition of the expatriated Israel
ites, which this narrative opens, although we have no information as to their condi
tion after the fall of Nineveh and during the contemporary captivity of Judah. But
there is every reason to conclude that their position under the Medes, when Media
became an independent and well-governed state, was even less disadvantageous and
unequal than it had been when that country was part of the Assyrian empire.
We have brought the history of the kingdom of Judah down to the destruction of
Jerusalem and the desolation of the country. But the history of the captivity must
take us back to an earlier date, even to the time when Nebuchadnezzar spoiled the
temple of its costly utensils, and sent away to Babylon a number of young princes
and nobles as hostages for the fidelity of the people and their new king. This was
eleven years before the fall of Jerusalem.
Among these captives were Daniel, and his three friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and
Azariah. These, as tokens of their enslaved condition, received Chaldean names,
more familiar than their own to the organs of the conquering people. Daniel was
called Belte>.iazzar; Hananiah, Shadrach; Mishael, Meshach; and Azariah, Abed-
nego. These were, among others of the most promising of the youths, selected to
be educated in the palace for three years, under the charge of the chief of the eunuchs,
in the learning andlanguage ofthe Chaldeans, to qualify them for holding offices about
the court and in the state. At the end of that time they were brought before the
king to be examined as to their proficiency, when the young persons named were
" found to be ten times belter informed in all matters of wisdom and understanding
than all the magi or astrologers that were in the whole realm." They were accord
ingly admitted to a place in that learned body.
Seventeen years after the destruction of Jerusalem, and the second year after the
devastation of Egypt, when all his enemies were subdued on every side, and when hi
rule extended over many nations, Nebuchadnezzar had a dream, which left a profound
impression upon his mind, but the details of which he was unable to recover when he
awoke. He therefore sent for all the magi and astrologers, requiring that by their occult
skill and pretended influence with the gods, they should not only interpret but recover
ihe dream he had lost. This they avowed themselves unable to do ; whereupon the
enraged and disappointed king commanded them to be massacred. Daniel and his
friends were sought for, to be included in this doom ; but Daniel, being informed of
the cause, repaired to the royal presence, and promised that if further time were
allowed, he would undertake that the dream and an interpretation should be found.
To this the king willingly agreed ; and the pious youths betook themselves to fasting
and prayer, in the hope that God would enable them to satisfy the king's demand.
Nor was their expectation disappointed. The matter was made known to Daniel in
a vision. He was then enabled to remind the king that he had seen in his dream a
compound image, and to inform him that this image represented " the things that
should come to pass thereafter." In this compound image, the head of pure gold
denoted Nebuchadnezzar himself, and the succeeding kings of the Babylonian dynasty ;
the breast and arms of silver, indicated the succeeding but inferior empire of the
Medes and Persians; the belly and thighs of brass, the next following empire of the
Macedonians and the Greeks, whose arms were brass; the legs of iron, and the toes
partly iron and partly clay, refer to the Roman empire, which should be strong as
iron, but the kingdoms into which it would ultimately subdivide, composed of hetero
geneous materials, which should be partly strong and partly weak ; and, lastly, tht
stone smiting the image and filling the whole earth, denoted the kingdom of Christ,
which was to be set up upon the ruins of these temporal kingdoms and empires, anc

398 AN ILLUSTRATED
was destined to fill the whole earth, and to stand or continue for ever. " Thou art
this head of gold," said the prophet to the king ; but he did not indicate the names
and sources of the succeeding and then non-existing empires with equal distinctness.
But we know them, not only from the order in which they succeed, and from tht
characters ascribed to them; but from the subsequent visions of Daniel himself, in
which these empires are distinctly named, and by which the meaning of this prima
ry vision is gradually unfolded, and which form, together, one grand chain of prophecy,
extending to the end of time, and so clear and distinct, that as much of them (nearly
the whole) as is already fulfilled, and which was once a shadowing forth of the future,
reads like- a condensed history of past ages.
From the first, Daniel had disclaimed any peculiar pretensions to wisdom
" There is," he said, " a God in heaven who revealeth secrets ;" and to him he not
only referred all the credit of the interpretation, but plainly told the king that it was
to the appointments of this " God in heaven," who had the supreme disposal of all
events, that he owed all the kingdoms which he ruled. Here was a grand instance
of that testimony for Jehovah to which, when introducing this chapter, we had occa
sion to advert. The king was much struck by it, so that, while he prostrated him
self before Daniel as before a superior, he acknowledged that the God who could
enable him to reveal this great secret was indeed the God of gods and Lord of kings.
Who does not see that it was for the purpose of impressing this conviction that the
dream was given to him, the forgetfulness inflicted, and the interpretation bestowed
on Daniel ?
Nebuchadnezzar was not slow in rewarding the distinguished qualities which the
prophet exhibited. He appointed him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and,
at tne same time, " chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon" (Rab-Mag, or
Archimagus, Jer. xxxii. 3), two of the highest civil and scientific offices in the state.
At his request, also, his three friends were appointed to conduct under him in the
affairs of his provincial government, while he himself took a high place, if not the
first place, in the civil councils of the king.
The services of Daniel and his friends proved too valuable to be dispensed
with ; but mature deliberation disgusted the king at his dream and its interpretation ,
and his pride disposed him to retract the acknowledgment he had made of the
supremacy of the God of a conquered people. It was, as we apprehend, under this
influence that he erected a great image, of which not the head only, but the whole
figure was of gold,* to denote the continuance of his empire, in opposition to. his
dream ; and it was dedicated to the tutelary god Bel, or Belus, whose power he now
considered superior to that of the God of the Hebrews; whereby, in the most offen
sive manner, he revoked his former concession. All men were commanded to worship
this, and no other god, on pain of death : in consequence of which, the tliree friends
of Daniel, who continued their worship of Jehovah, with their faces turned toward
Jerusalem, and took no notice of the golden image, were seized, and cast into an
intensely heated furnace. But by the special and manifest interposition of the God
ihey served, they were delivered without a hair of their heads being injured : by
which fact the king, who was present, was constrained to confess that the God of
the Hebrews, who could after this sort deliver his people, was unquestionably supe
rior to all others.
Nebuchadnezzar manifestly was endowed with many great and generous qualities ¦
but he was spoiled by prosperity, while, by the very aggrandizement which exalted
his pride, he had been fixed into a position which made it necessary to. the Divine
glory that he should be brought to, and kept in, the acknowledgment that in all his
acts he had been but an instrument in the hands of the God worshipped by one of
the nations which had received his yoke, and whose superiority at least, if not his
unity, he was required to acknowledge.
In another dream he was forewarned of the consequences of his excessive pride.
This dream Daniel unflinchingly interpreted ; but whatever effect it might produce
was of no long duration. Twelve months after, while contemplating his extensive
dominion and the splendor to which he had raised the great city of Babylon, his
* This was probably the statue of solid gold, twelve cubits high', which, according to Herodotus, stood
in the temple of Belus, until it was taken away by Xerxes. The height mentioned by Daniel, sixty cumrs,
probably included the pedestal or pillars on which it stood, as otherwise its height would have been dis
proportionate to its breadth, six cubits.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 399
heart swelled with kmgly pride, and he exclaimed, " Is not this great Babylon,
which I have built for the capital of the kingdom, by the might of my power; and
for the honor of my majesty ?" While these words were in his mouth, there fell
a voice from heaven, saying, " 0 king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken : The
kingdom is departed from thee. And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwell
ing shall be with the beasts of the field ; they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen,
and seven times [years] shall pass over thee, until thou know that the Most High
ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will." The thing
was accomplished that very hour ; and in this state he remained until " his hairs
were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws." The meaning of
which seems to be lhat his proud mind was in that instant shattered, and fell into a
kind of monomania, which made him fancy himself some animal ; in consequence
of which it was judged necessary by his physicians to humor his fancy by treating
him as such, and by allowing him within certain limits to act as such. The sequel
can not be more emphatically told than in his own words, as found in an edict,
recounting these circumstances, which he issued on his recovery. " At the end of
the days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understand
ing returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him
that liveth for ever and ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his
kingdom from generation to generation. And all the inhabitants of the earth are
reputed as nothing ; and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and
among the inhabitants of the earth ; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him,
What doest thou ? At the same time my reason returned ; and for the glory of my
kingdom, mine honor and brightness returned unto me ; and my counsellors and
lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty
was added unto me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, and extol, and honor the King
of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment ; and those that walk
in pride he is able to abase." This noble acknowledgment demonstrates our former
argument, that care was taken by Jehovah to maintain his own honor, and to secure
his own great objects, notwithstanding, and indeed through, that bondage to which
sin had reduced his people.
After a long rtign of forty-three years, Nebuchadnezzar died in 561, and was suc
ceeded by his son, Evil-Merodach. A Jewish tradition* reports that this prince
behaved so ill, by provoking a rupture with the Medes, during the distraction of his
father, that Nebuchadnezzar, on his recovery, threw him into prison; and that he
there became acquainted with, and interested in, Jehoiachim, the imprisoned king
of Judah. However this may be, it is certain that one of the first acts of his reign
was to release Jehoiachim from his long imprisonment of thirty-seven years ; and
during the remainder of his life he treated him with much distinction and kindness,
giving- him a place at his court and table above all the other captive kings then in
Babylon. A«. however, the text implies that he died before his benefactor, who
himself survived but three years, the Hebrew king could not long have outlived his
release. Evil-Merodach was slain in a battle against the united Medes and Persians,
who by this time had become very powerful by their junction and intermarriages.
The combined force was on this occasion commanded by young Cyrus, who had
already begun to distinguish himself, and who had been appointed to this command
by his uncle and father-in-law, Cvaxares — " Darius the Mede" of scripture — king
of. the Medes. This was iu ,B. C. 558.
Evil-Merodach was succeeded by his son Belshazzar. The end only of this
monarch's reign is noticed in scripture ; but Xenophonf gives instances of his'earliei
conduct in the throne, of which only a barbarous and jealous tyrant could have been
capable. His last and most heinous offence was the profanation of the sacred vessels
belonging to the Jerusalem temple, which his illustrious grandfather, and even his
incapable father, had respected. Having made a great feast " to a thousand of his
lords," he ordered the sacred vessels to be brought, that he and his wassailers might
drink wine from them. That there was an intentional insult to the Most High in this
act transpires in the narrative : " They praised the gods of gold, silver, brass, iron, and
stone ; but the God in whose hand was their breath, and whose were all their ways,
they praised or glorified not." Indeed, to appreciate fully this act and its conse-
* Noticed by Jerome on isaiah xiv t Cvrop. 1. 1.

400 AN ILLUSTRATED
quences, it is indispensaoiy necessary that the mind should revert to the operations
by which the supremacy of Jehovah was impressed upon Nebuchadnezzar — opera
tions not hid in a cornel , and which, together with the public confessions and decla
rations of this conviction which were extorted from that magnanimous king, musi
have diffused much formal acquaintance with the name and claims of Jehovah
among the Babylonians, with which also the royal family must have been in a pecu
liar degree familiar, not only through these circumstances, but through Daniel, who
had occupied high rank at court in the still recent reign of Nebuchadnezzar, and
whose mere presence must constantly have suggested the means to which his
advancement was owing. From this it will be seen, that, on the principle of opera
tion which we have indicated in the early part of this chapter, the time was now
come for another act whereby Jehovah might vindicate the honor of his own great
Name, and enforce his peculiar and exclusive claims to the homage of mankind.
Suddenly a mysterious hand appeared, writing conspicuously upon the wall words
of ominous import, but which no one could understand ; for, although they were in
the vernacular Chaldean language, the character in which they were written was the
primitive old Hebrew, wliich differed totally from the Chaldee, and was the original
from which that which is called the Samaritan character was formed. The king him
self was greatly agitated, and commanded the instant attendance of the magi and as
trologers. They came, but were utterly unable to divine the meaning of the portentous
words upon the wall. This increased the terror of the impious king, which was at
its height when the queen-mother, or rather grandmother* made her appearance. She
soothed the troubled monarch, and reminded him of the services and character of
Daniel ; indicating him as one " in whom is the spirit of the holy God ; and in the
days of thy grandfather lighf, and understanding, and wisdom, like the wisdom of the
gods was found in him ;" and therefore one who was likely to afford Belshazzar the
satisfaction which he sought. It was probably the custom at Babylon (as with re
spect to the corresponding officer in other oriental courts) for the archimagus to lose
his office on the death of the king to whose court he was attached ; arid that, conse
quently, Daniel had withdrawn into private life on the death of Nebuchadnezzar.
This will explain how the king needed to be reminded of him, and how the prophet
was in the first instance absent from among those who were called to interpret the
writing on the wall.
Daniel was sent for: and when he appeared, the king repeated what he had heard
of him; stated the inability of the magicians to interpret the portentous words; and
promised him as the reward of interpretation, that he should be clad in scarlet,t with
a chain of gold about his neck, and that he should rank as the third person in the
kingdom. The venerable prophet modestly waived the proffered honors and rewards,
as having no weight to induce his compliance : — " Thy gifts be to thyself, and give
thy rewards to another ; nevertheless I will read the writing to the king." But, first,
he undauntedly reminded the king of the experience, and resulting convictions of his
renowned grandfather— adding, with emphasis, " And thou, his grandson, 0 Belshaz
zar, hast not humbled thy heart, although thou knewest all this." He then read the
inscription : —
"MENE, MENE, TEKEL, [PERES], UPHARSIN."
Number, Number, Weight, [Division] and Divisions,
and proceeded to give the interpretation : —
" Mene, God hath numbered thy reign, and
" [Mene], hath finished it 1.
" Tekel, Thou art weighed in the balance and found wanting.
" Peres, Thy kingdom is divided.
" Upharsin, And given to the Mede and the Persian [Darius and Cyrusl."
The king heard this terrible sentence: but made no remark further than to com
mand that Daniel should be invested with the promised scarlet robe and golden chain,
and that the third rank in the kingdom should be assigned to him.
The sacred historian adds, with great conciseness, " That same night was Belshaz.
* So she is called by Josephus, fl uauur, avrov; indeed, the part she took on this occasion is so probable
of no one as of the widow of Nebuchadnezzar.
f It is singular that in Persia scarlet is at this day the distinctive color of nobility. A khan or noble lt
known by the scarlet mantle which he wears on occasions of ceremony. '
t The repetition merely giving emphasis to the signification, indicating its certainty and speedy accom
plishment.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 401
zar, king of the Chaldeans, slain." How, we are not told : but we may collect from
Xenophon (Cyrop. lib. vii.) that he was slain through the conspiracy of two nobles,
on whom he had inflicted the greatest indignities which men could receive. This was
in 553 B. C, in the fifth year of his reign.
He was succeeded by his son, a boy, named Laborosoarchod (Joseph, cont. Apion,
i. 20) ; but as he was put out of the way in less than a year, he is passed over in
Piolemy's Canon, as well as in the sacred history, which relates that, as following the
death of Belshazzar, " Darius the Mcde took the kingdom." In fact, the family of
Nebuchadnezzar being extinct, Cyaxares, or (to give him his scriptural name) Darius,
who was brother to the queen-mother, and the next of kin by her side to the crown,
had the most obvious right to the vacant throne; and while his power was so great
as to overawe all competition, the express indication of him by the prophet in his in
terpretation of the inscription was calculated to have much weight with all concerned,
and indeed with the whole nation.
Daniel, naturally, came into high favor with Darius, to whose accession he had so
materially contributed. On making out new appointments of the governors of prov
inces, the prophet was set over them all : and the king contemplated a still further
elevation for him. This excited the dislike and jealousy of the native princes and
presidents, who determined to work his ruin. In his administration, his hands were
?o pure, that no ground of accusation could be found against him. They therefore
devised a plan by which Daniel's known and tried fidelity to his religion should work
h s destruction. They procured from the careless and vain king a decree, that no one
should for thirty days offer any prayer or petition to any god or man save the king
himself, under pain of being cast into the lion's den. The king at once became pain
fully conscious of his weak and criminal conduct, when his most trusted servant, Dan
iel, was accused before him as an open rransgrsssor of this decree, and his punishment
demanded. Among the Medes and Persians there was a singular restraint upon des
potism—which while at the first view it seemed to give intensity to the exercise of
despotic power, really tended to deter the kings from hasty and ill-considered decisions,
by compelling them to feel the evil consequences with' which they were attended.
The king's word was irrevocable law. He could not himself dispense with the con
sequences of his own acts. Of this Darius was reminded : and he saw at once thai
he was precluded from interfering in behalf of his friend. Itis abeautiful illustration.
of the great truth, which appears as the main argument of this chapter, namely, that
the glory of God was promtted among the heathen by the captivity of his people,—
that the king himself was already so well acquainted with the character and power
of Jehovah, that he spontaneously rested himself, upon the hope, that, although una
ble himself to deliver him from this well-laid snare, the God whom Daniel served
would certainly not suffer him to perish. The prophet was cast into the lion's den :
and the mouth thereof was closed with a sealed stone. The king spent the night
sleepless and in sorrow. Impelled by his vague hopes, he hastened early in the morn
ing to the cavern, and cried in a doleful voice, " O Daniel, servant of the living God.
hath thy God, whom thou servest continually, been able to deliver thee from the li
ons?" To the unutterable joy and astonishment of the king, the quiet voice of Dan
iel returned an affirmative answer, assuring the king of his perfect safety. Instantly
the cavern was opened, the servant of God drawn forth ; and his accusers were cast
in, and immediately destroyed by the savage inmates of the den. This striking in
terposition induced the king to issue a proclamation, to the same ultimate effect as
that which Nebuchadnezzar had issued in a former time. He wrote unto " all peo
ples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth," charging them to " tremble
and fear before the God of Daniel; for he is the God that liveth, and is steadfast for
evei, aud his kingdom shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the
end." It would not be easy to overrate the importance of the diffusion of such truths
as these through the length and breadth of the Median empire.
lt was the established policy of tjie Medes and Persians to conciliate the good will
of the subject states, by leaving the practical government in the hands of native prin
ces. Darius, therefore, as we may collect from Berosus, appointed Nabonadius, a
Babylonian noble, unconnected with the royal family, to be viceroy, or king under
him. This appointment was confirmed or continued by Cyrus, when he succeeded to
the general empire on the death of his uncle, in B. C. 551.
During the first years of his reign, Cyrus was too much occupied in foreign wars
26

402 AN ILLUSTRATED
to pay much attention to Babylon ; and this gave Nabouadius an opportunity to assert
his independence, and to maintain it until the hero was at leisure to call him to ac
count. This was noi until B. C. 53S, when this great prince marched against Baby
lon, with the determination to crown his many victories by its reduction. Nabona-
dius, on his part, seems to have been encouraged by his diviners (Isa. xliv. 25), to repose
much confidence in his own resources, and in the stability of the kingdom he had
established. He ventured to meet the Persian army on its advance toward the city;
but was defeated in a pitched battle, and driven back to abide a siege within the walls
of Babylon. Still all was not lost ; for not only was the city strongly fortified, but a
siege by blockage was likely to be indefinitely protracted, as the town not only pos
sessed immense stores of provisions, but the consumption of them would be greatly
lessened by means of the large open spaces within the city, in which all kinds of prod
uce could be raised to a considerable extent. In fact, the siege continued for two
years, and Babylon was then only taken by a remarkable stratagem. Cyrus observed
that the town lay the most exposed on the side ofthe river, and therefore he caused
a new bed to be dug for its waters; and at an appointed time, by night, the dikes
were cut, and the Euphrates rolled its humbled stream into this new channel ; and the
old one, left dry, offered a free passage to the exulting Persians. Even yet, however,
their condition, in the bed of the river, might have been perilous, and a vigilant enemv
might have surprised them as in a net ; but that night a public festival was celebra
ted in Babylon, and all there was confusion and drunkenness. From this, as well as
from the little reason to apprehend danger on that side, the gates leading from the
quays into the city were that night left open, so that an easy and unopposed access was
offered to the army of Cyrus, and the king was horror-struck and paralyzed, as suc
cessive messengers arrived in haste from the various distant quarters of the city, tc
inform him that the Persians had entered there, and thus to learn, that, at both ex
tiemities at once, great Babylon was taKen, h. C. 536.
Daniel was still alive, and there is evidence that Cyrus knew and valued his char
acter. The apocryphal history of Bel and Dragon says that Cyrus conversed much with
him, and honored him above all his friends. But we have better evidence in effects
which, seeing Daniel still lived, may very safely be, in some degree, referred to the
instruction and counsel which the now very aged prophet was able to give.
There is an important and most striking prophecy by Isaiah (xliv. 24, to xiv. 6)
in which Cyrus is mentioned by name, and his exploits predicted, more than a century
before his birth. To him it is expressly addressed, and in terms of tenderness and
respect, which was never, in any other instance, applied to a heathen — if it be just
lo apply that name to Cyrus. In this splendid prophecy Jehovah calls Cyrus " my
shepherd, who shall perform all my pleasure ;" and, " mine ar ointed." His victories
are foretold, and ascribed to Jehovah; and, in a particular manner, the taking of
Babylon by him is foreshown, even to the indication of the very peculiar manner ia
which that conquest was achieved.* And the object of all this — of his existence, of
* " Thus saith Jehovah of his anointed,
Of Cyrus, whose right hand I hold fast,
That I may subdue nations before him,
And ungird the loins of kings ;
That I may open before him the valves.
And the gates shall not be shut ;
I myself will march on before thee,
And will make the crooked places straight,
The valves of brass will I break asunder,
And the bars of iron will I hew down.
And I will give to thee the treasures of darkness.
And stores deeply hid in secret places ;
That thou mayest know that I, Jehovah,
That call thee by name, am the God of Israel
For the sake of Jacob my servant,
And of Israel my chosen one,
I have even called thee by name :
I have surnamed thee, yet Mathou knowest not
I am Jehovah, and there is norie else ;
There is no God besides me.
I girded thee though thou hast not known me ;
That they may know, from the rising of the sun,
And from the west, that there is none beside me.
1 am Jehovah, and there is none else :
I form the light, and create darkness,
I make peace, and create evil
I. Jehovah, do all these things."

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 403
his acts, and even of this prophecy concerning him and them — is declared, with mark
ed emphasis, to be, that he may be in a condition to restore the captivity of Judah,
and that such convictions might be wrought in him as might incline to fulfil this his
vocation, and to become acquainted with the supreme and sole power of Jehovah.
And the careful reader will not fail to note in this sublime address to one destined le
live in a future generation, not only a clear assertion of the unity of God, and his uni
versal power and providence, but a distinct blow at the peculiar superstition of Cyrus
and his people — which consisted in the adoration of two principles- the good and evil,
represented by light and darkness. Hence the emphasis of—
" I form the light, and create darkness ;
I make peace, and create evil."
We can easily imagine the impression which the perusal of these prophecies would
make upon the ingenuous mind of this great man, accompanied by the explanations
which Daniel could pour into his willing ears, and with the further intimation, col
lected from the prophecies of Jeremiah respecting the seventy years of the captivity,
.hat the time of the restoration was then arrived, and himself the long pre-determin-
ed instrument of giving effect to the Divine intention. His consciousness of all tins
is evinced in the proclamation, which he issued the same year that Babylon was taken.
This proclamation is to be regarded as the final acknowledgment from the conquering
foreign kings ofthe supremacy of Jehovah, and it was most interesting from the distinct
ness with which this acknowledgment is^conveyed — " Thus saith Cyrus king of Per
sia— Jehovah, the God of the heavens, hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth ;
and he hath charged me to build for himself a temple in Jerusalem, which is in
Tudah." In this he manifestly alludes to the charge conveyed in the prophecy —
' Who [Jehovah] saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd :
And he shall perform all my pleasures ;
Even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built ;
To the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid."
Accordingly, the proclamation proceeded not only to grant free permission for such
of the seed of Abraham as thought proper to return to their own land, but also com
manded the authorities of the places in which they lived to afford every facility to
their remigration.
Before accompanying them on their return, it may be well to contemplate the re
sults of the circumstances which have been related, as affecting the position of the
captive Jews during the period through which we have passed.
There is certainly nothing to suggest that their condition was one of abject wretch
edness. This is in some degree shown by the high offices enjoyed by Daniel and his
three friends; and by the distinction conferred upon King Jehoiachin by Evil-Mero
dach. He not only enjoyed the first rank over all the kings then at Babylon, but ate
at the table of the monarch, and received allowances corresponding to his rank.
While these circumstances of honor must have reflected a degree of dignity on the
exiles, sufficient to protect them from being ill-treated or despised ; we see that there
was always some person of their nation high in favor and influence at court, able to
protect them from wrong, and probably to secure for them important and peculiar
privileges. They, most likely, came to be considered as respectable colonists, enjoy
ing the peculiar protection of the sovereign. Although Jehoiachin did not long sur
vive his release from prison, his son Salathiel, and his grandson Zerubbabel undoubted
ly partook in and succeeded to the respect which he received. If the story in the
apocryphal book of Esdras (1 Esd. iii., iv.) of the discussion before Darius, in which
Zerubbabel won the prize, be a mere fiction, it is still at least probable that the young
prince, although he held no office, had free access to the court ; which privilege musi
have afforded him many opportunities of alleviating the condition of his countrymen.
It is even not improbable that (as is implied in the apocryphal story of Susannah,
and as the tradition of the Jews affirm) the exiles had magistrates and a prince from
their own number. Jehi .achin, and after him Salathiel and Zerubbabel, might have
been regarded as their princes, in the same manner as Jozadak and Jeshua were as
their high-priests.
At the same time it can not be denied that their humiliation, as a people punished
by their God, was alwiys extremely painful, and frequently drew on them expressions

404 AN ILLUSTRATED
of contempt. The peculiarities of their religion afforded many opportunities for the
ridicule and scorn of the Babylonia is and Chaldeans, — a striking example of which
is given in the profanation of the sacred vessels by Belshazzar. By such insults they
were made to feel so much the more sensibly the loss of their houses, their gardens,
and fruitful fields ; the leaving of their capital and temple, and the cessation of the
public solemnities of their religion. (See Jahn, theii ii. band 1, sect. 45, ' Zustapr'
der Hebraer in dem Exilium.)

CHAPTER XXITI.
THE RESTORATION — ARTAXERXES — EZRA — NEHEMIAH.
We consider the great argument of the preceding chapter to have been, that the
nonor of Jehovah was as adequately maintained, and that the knowledge of his claim
to be the supreme and only God, to have been even more tlrffused by the destitution
of the Hebrews, than it would even have been by their continuance in their own land.
It also appears very clearly to us, that by a succession of such operations as those
which elicited the public acknowledgments of Nebuchadnezzar, Darius and Cyrus,
and by acts which could not but be known to many nations, these objects might have
been promoted as well without as by the restoration of the Hebrew people to their
own land, and the re-establishment of the temple service. It may then be asked,
why it was expedient that Judah should be at all restored ; and, being restored, why
Israel — the ten tribes — were not ? These interesting questions we can not discuss in
the extent which they deserve ; but we may suggest, that since, by immutable prom
ises, the privilege had been secured to the seed of Abraham of upholding the standard
of divine truth in the world, until " the fulness of times," and since the nationality of
Judah, until then, had been anciently secured by the guarantee of the Lord's promise, —
it was necessary that a restricied restoration, after punishment and correction, should
for these purposes take place. This was all the more necessary, as it was from Judah
and from the royal house of David that, as was well known, he was to spring who was
to enlighten and redeem tlie world, and to bring in that new creation for which the
moral universe groaned as the times advanced to their completion. For his identity,
as the ransomer promised of old, it was necessary thai the dying struggles of the He
brew nationality should not be yet permitted to terminate. And further, inasmuch as
the bondage of the Hebrews east of the Euphrates, had tended in no small degree to
advance in that quarter the knowledge of the great preparatory principles of which
the Jews were the commissioned conservators, it remained for the west to be in like
manner allowed to catch such glimmerings of light, as might make the nations impa
tient of their blindness, and prepare them to hail with gladness the future ' day-spring
from on high." And this was, in fact, accomplished by the intercourse of the He
brews with the western nations — Egypt, Syria, Asia-Minor, Greece, Rome — in sub
jection, in conflicts, or in commerce.
That Judah was preferred to this vocation, and that the ten tribes were not nation
ally or formally restored, must be accounted for by the further development of a con
sideration to which the reader's attention was called in the preceding chapter. The
political sins of Judah were there traced to the disposition to lean rather upon men
than upon institutions. The sin of Israel was even greater, and merited greater se
verity of punishment. There, not only was the same disposition exhibited, but the
institutions themselves were corrupted, alienated, tortured from the objects for which
they were expressly framed, and, with most culpable ingenuity, made subservient to
the very circumstances against which they were designed to operate. In Judah, the
riuilding of God was indeed often neglected, often allowed to run to ruin ; but it was
not, as in Israel, made the abiding habitation of unclean and evil things. In Judah,
a good king could purge out abuses and correct evils ; but in Israel the tampering with
institutions was so effective, that the best kings were unable to lay an improving fin
ger on them. For these things Israel was thrown loose from the mercies of God,
much sooner than Judah ; and the evil had been so heinous and deeply rooted, that no
promise or hope of restoration was held forth, nor did any take place.
By the attention which, through the captivity and consequent dispersion of tho Jews

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 405
among what was then (if we except Egypt) the most civilized nation of the world,
had been directed to the majesty and providence of Jehovah, we consider that a very
important part of the mission confided to the Hebrews was accomplished ; for an im
pression was made, the effects of which may without difficulty be traced to the time
of Christ, and, therefore, we are thus brought to a sort of end in the national history
of the Hebrew people. Undoubtedly, the real fall of Jerusalem was that which was
wrought by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar; the real destruction was that which the
Assyrians worked in the north, and the Babylonians in the south ; and the real dis
persion of the race was that which took place in consequence of the Assyrian and
Babylonian captivities. A remnant only was preserved, as necessary for the remaining
objects which have just been indicated ; and it is the history of that remnant which
forms the subject of the present chapters.
It is unquestionable that this remnant wau highly fitted for its vocation. The large
mass of the Israelites were natives of the land of their exile, in which they were for
the most part so comfortably situated that only those whose religious zeal and senti
ments were above the average warmth, would be likely, or did, encounter the dan
gers of the desert and the inconveniences and anxieties of an unsettled country. The
circumstances of the remigration were in fact such as to attract only those who were
in the soundest state of moral health. They were also cured of all danger of idola
try, and of all disposition to make light of their own institutions. That the Hebrews
as a body profited largely by the correction which they had received, is unquestiona-
ole — so largely indeed that under temptations as great as any to which they had in
former times yielded, idolatry was ever after their abhorrence. And indeed if, during
the period of the captivity, the proudest heathen were made so seriously attentive to
the God of Israel, much more were the Hebrews likely to be awakened by the same
events to be true to their own God. On this point we copy the remarks of Professor
Jahn : —
" Among the Hebrews who, agreeably to the sanctions of the law, were punished
tor idolatry by total banishment from their native land, there were certainly many who
did not worship idols ; and probably not a few, in consequence of this national judg
ment, so often predicted, were brought to reflect on and to abhor the superstition which
had been the cause of so great a calamity. Others, not wholly relinquishing idolatry,
itill retained a reverence for Jehovah. They never, like other transplanted nations,
intermingled with the people among whom they were settled, but continued a pecu
liar race. There were doubtless individual exceptions; but the nation as such re
mained distinct. The intermingling with pagans, and that entire extinction of the
Hebrews as a peculiar people which must have resulted from it, was promoted by
the rite of circumcision, by the prohibition of many kinds of food allowed among other
nations, by ceremonial impurities, and by various other institutions, designed to seg
regate and consequently to preserve the nation. These usages had by time become
a second nature, so that any intimate connexion with Gentiles was a matter of con
siderable difficulty. The ancient favors of Jehovah, the miraculous deliverances which
he had vouchsafed exclusively to them, and the promises he had given them for fu
turity, were not easily forgotten. The fulfilment of so many prophecies resptcting
the fall of the Assyrian empire and of the city of Nineveh, respecting the Babylonian
captivity and the destruction of Jerusalem, must have raised Jehovah in their eyes far
above all idols ; and the very punishment they were then suffering was well calcu
lated to awaken reflection, and thus become a bitter but powerful antidote to their
propensity to idolatry. Many Israelites, therefore, in Assyria and Media (as the book
of Tobit testifies) persisted in the sincere worship of Jehovah ; neither could the Jews
in Babylon, and those by the river Chebar, fall easily into idolatry, while such men as
Ezekiel and Daniel were constantly and earnestly reminding them of the God whom
they were bound to serve.
" The prophecies of Ezekiel, relating for the most part to events near at hand, were -
accomplished before the eyes of the unbelieving exiles; and every fulfilment was a
aew proof that Jehovah, the author of these predictions, was the God and ruler of
the world. Thus there were repeated opportunities to remind this superstitious peo
pie of Jehovah their God. The remarkable prophecy respecting the conquest and de
struction of the powerful city Tyre, which was so speedily accomplished, is particu
larly worthy of notice. By such striking accomplishments of the prophecies respecting
occurrences near at hand, the belief of predictions of more distant events was strenght-
ened, and the eyes of the Hebrews were eagerly directed toward the future "

406 AN ILLUSTRATED
Thus, and through the deliverance which Jehovah wrought in behalf of his uerse
cuted servants, — and through the acknowledgments which were extoiied from the
pagan monarchs under whose yoke the necks of Israel and Judah were placed, — " God
pursued them (so to speak) with the efficacious dealings of his providence, with mir
acles and prophecies, in order to compel them to preserve the true religion, and to
place them in a situation in which it would hardly be possible for them to exchange
the worship of the creator and governor of the world for the worship of idols. By
the prophet Ezekiel (Ezek. xx. 32-44), Jehovah declares in so many words that even
if the Hebrews desired to become united with the heathen, it should not be done ; and
that he would himself find means effectually to prevent the execution of such a de
sign" (Jahn, ii. 1 , sect. 53, Ruckker der zehen Stamme).
That the restoration to Palestine, which now took place, is, at least primarily, that
of which the prophets delivered such glowing predictions, very few who carefully ex
amine the subject will find reason to doubt. The more closely the matter is examined,
the more clearly the details of the prophecy will be found to agree with this fulfilment.
We are quite aware that the large terms and forcible expressions employed by the
prophets have Jed all the Jews and many Christians into the expectation of a more
brilliant and complete restoration than on this occasion took place. Our undertaking
is however to record past events rather than to undertake the development of proph
ecies which may be deemed unfulfilled. That these prophecies have a further
meaning beyond the literal and primary purport, we take to be evinced not only by the
glowing language employed, but by the present condition of the Hebrew nation, " like
a column left standing amid the wreck of worlds and the ruins of nature" (' Trans, of
the Parisian Sanhedrim,' p. 68, 1807), in which they manifestly remain awaiting des
tinies yet to come ; but that these destinies include the restoration and independent
and happy settlement of the nation in Palestine, we hold to be considerably less cer
tain and less important than has of late years been made to appear.
Now, by the decree of Cyrus, the mountains were made low and the valleys filled
for the return of the Hebrews to their own land. But seeing that only the two tribes
of Judah and Benjamin — conventionally regarded as one tribe— formally returned to
Palestine, it becomes an interesting question, What became of the other ten tribes ?
As the invitation of Cyrus was directed to all the people of Jehovah, and pro
claimed throughout his empire, there is every reason to conclude that not a few of
the ten tribes returned to Palestine. Those who supposed they could improve their
condition by removing, would attach themselves here and there to a caravan of mer
chants, and proceed to the land of their fathers. But as they arrived one after another,
and in small companies, their return is not particularly noticed in a history so con
cise. There might even have been many Israelites in the first great caravan under
Zerubbabel ; but, however this may be, it is highly probable that the Israelites re
turned in considerable numbers, as soon as they heard of the settlement of the pros
perity of their brethren in Palestine. Most of these arrivals were probably subset
quent to the close of the Old Testament canonical history, and when the restored
nation had acquired a somewhat settled form. But whether their return were early
or late, it is certain that at least a portion of them did return, for the history of later
periods mentions Israelites as -settled in Galilee and Peraea (1 Mac. v. 9-24) long
before the time of Christ. But connecting themselves with the tribe of Judah, they
finally lost the name of Israelites, and all Hebrews were indiscriminately designated
as Jews.
But since many ofthe tribe of Judah chose to remain in the land of their exile, it
is reasonable to suppose that still greater numbers of the Israelites who had lived in
those countries 200 years longer, would feel little inclination to exchange the comforts
they there enjoyed for the uncertain advantages of Palestine. But as the jealousy
between Judah and Israel had now ceased, according lo the predictions of the proph
ets, those Israelites also who remained in exile joined themselves to the tribe of
Judah, which was in the possession of the temple, and, consequently, they too re
ceived the denomination of Jews.
On these grounds Professor Jahn conceives that all questions and investigations for
the purpose of ascertaining what has become of the ten tribes, and whether it is
likely they will ever be discovered, are superfluous and idle. We are not ourselves
juite so clear that this is the case. We grant indeed that there is no good reason
for expecting to find the remnant of the ten tribes as distinct from the remnant of

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 407
Judah ; but tnat traces of the Hebrews of both captivities, without distinction of
tribes, may be found in the countries in which they were so long located, there is
much reason to conclude. We say in those countries, for the reasons which pre
vented them from returning to Palestine were as operative in preventing their migra
tion in any other direction. Indeed, while the second temple stood, one would expect
that such of them as were disposed to migrate at all, would i eturn to the land of their
fathers, as many of them, no doubt, did. But, apart from this preference, there was
much reason for their remaining in Media ; for the empire which comprehended that
country, continued long to be possessed by a nation which was quite able to protect
them and make their homes secure ; while the religion which it professed was more
m agreement with that of Moses, and less revolting to the peculiar notions of the
Hebrews, than any other they could find in the world. It is certain also, that
for a long course of ages a large remnant of the captivity of Judah remained in
Babylonia, and this so much composed of the elite of the nation, as to secure the
respect of the Jews who returned to Palestine and multiplied there — all traces of
which estimation of the Babylonian Jews is not even at this day wholly obliterated ;
and this fact would suggest the probability of a similar local fixity of the ten tribes
in Media and Assyria. Indeed the probability is the greater, from the fact that in
those countries, as history proves, they would be much less liable to be disturbed by
wars and troubles than the Jews of Babylonia. It is probably under such a class of
impressions, that the Jews themselves have generally been disposed to look for traces
of the ten tribes in that direction. Nor, as it would appear, has the search been quite
abortive. In the twelfth century of Christ, the district referred to at page 367 was visited by
the Spanish Jew, Benjamin of Tudela. After speaking of large congregations of Jews
in this quarter, he comes to Amaria [which Major Rawlinson regards as the same
as Halah, now Holwan], where he found 25,000 Jews. " This congregation forms
part of those," says Rabbi Benjamin, " who live in the mountains of Chaphton, which
amount to more than 100, extending to the frontiers of Media. These Jews are de
scendants of those who were originally led into captivity by King Shalmaneser.
They speak the Syriac language, and among them are many excellent talmudic
scholars."* Benjamin then gives the history of the false Messiah, David El Roy, who
sprang from the city of Amaria, and whose romantic history has lately been made
familiar to the English public.
Recently, the Rabbi David D'Beth Hillel has much obscure and dispersed talk
about the fragments of the tribes which he found in the same quarter. But the fol
lowing statement by Major Rawlinson will give more satisfaction to the reader: —
" If the Samaritan captives can be supposed to have retained to the present day
any distinct individuality of character, perhaps the Kalhurs, who are believed to have
inhabited from the remotest antiquity those regions around Mount Zagros, preserve
in their name the title of Calah [Halah]. They state themselves to be descended
from Roham, or Nebuchadnezzar, the conqueror of the Jews,— perhaps an obscure
tradition of their real origin. They have many Jewish names among them, and,
above all, their general physiognomy is strongly indicative of an Israelitish descent.
The Iliyat of this tribe now mostly profess Mohammedanism ; but a part of them,
together with the Gurans, who acknowledge themselves to be an offset of the Kal
hurs, and most of the other tribes of the neighborhood, are still of the 'Ali-Ilahi per
suasion—a faith which bears evident marks of Judaism, singularly amalgamated with
Sabsan, Christian, and Mohammedan legends. The tomb of Baba Yadgar, in the
pass of Zardah, is regarded as their holy place ; and this, at the time ofthe Arab in
vasion of Persia, was regarded as the abode of Elias. The 'Ali-Ilahis believe in a
series of successive incarnations of the godhead, amounting to a thousand and one,
Benjamin, Moses, Elias, David, Jesus Christ, Ali, and his tutor Salman, a joint de
velopment, the Imam Husein, and the Haf-tan (the seven bodies), are considered the
chief of these incarnations. The Haf-tan were seven Pirs, or spiritual guides, who
lived in the early ages of Islam, and each, worshipped as the Deity, is an object of
adoration in some particular part of Kurdistan — Baba Yadgar was one of these. The
whole of the incarnations were thus regarded as one and the same person, the
bodily form of the Divine manifestation being alone changed ; but the most perfec
development is supposed to have taken place m the persons of Benjamin, David, and
* The Itinerary of Rabbi Benjamin of Tudela. Translated and edited by A. Asher Berlin. 1610.

40S AN ILLUSTRATED
Ali." Referring to the passage already adduced from Rabbi Benjamin, the major
notices that he appears to have considered the whole of these 'Ali-Ilahis as Jews, and
remarks, " It is possible that in his time their religion was less corrupted."*
Abandoning this subject for the present, we may now be allowed to return to the
historical narrative.
All obstacles being removed, and every facility afforded, Zerubbabel, the grandson
of King Jehoiachim, and Jeshua, a grandson of the high-priest Jozadak, with ten of
the principal elders, prepared themselves for the journey home. The number of the
remnant who joined these heads of the nation was, in round numbers, 50,000, inclu
ding 7,337 male and female servants.! This large body was composed chiefly, it would
seem, of members of the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi, although the com
paratively high number of the remigrants supports the probability that a consider
able proportion were of the ten tribes. The prophet Daniel, who must at this time
nave been about ninety years old, remained at the court of Cyrus, where he could
probably render much more service to his nation than by returning to Palestine.
Those who were to return assembled from all quarters at an appointed place,
according to the usual method of collecting a caravan, furnished with provisions and
other things necessary for the journey. Their camels, horses, and beasts of burden,
amounted to eight tho.isand one hundred and thirty-six. Zerubbabel, on whom
devolved the serious responsibility of directing this immense caravan, received from
Cyrus the sacred vessels of the temple, and was intrusted with the very large con
tributions toward the rebuilding of the sacred edifice made by those of the Hebrew
race who chose to remain behind. Zerubbabel was not only appointed leader or
sheikh of the caravan, but the office of governor of Judea was intrusted to him.
This appointment may probably be attributed not more to the circumstance which
inclined Cyrus to show peculiar favor to the nation, than to the general policy of the
Persian kings in leaving the governments of conquered provinces to native governors,
whenever this could be done with safety. Several months were consumed in prepa
rations for the journey ; and encumbered as they were with baggage and young
children, and therefore obliged to travel slowly, the journey itself occupied four
months. The " seventy years" of the captivity were completed by the time they arrived ;
and they were now to settle in their own land, governed by their own laws, and
forming a distinct commonwealth. The Persian sovereignty was not a calamity, but
a benefit, from the protection and security which it gave to a colony as yet too weak
for independence.
The people dispersed themselves on their arrival in search of their native cities
and of necessaries for their families. But in the following month, being the seventh
of the Jewish year, they all assembled at Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of taber
nacles. On this occasion an altar was reared upon the ruins of the temple, and the
customary sacrifices were offered ; and on this altar the daily morning and evening
sacrifices were afterward continued.
In the second month of the second year of their return, the people again assembled
at Jerusalem, to lay the foundation of the temple, the preparations for which, through
the voluntary contributions of the people and the elders, were now completed. This
was a most joyful occasion to all but the old people ; and very loud were the shouts
of gladness which were raised : but, loud as were the sounds of rejoicing, they were
neutralized by the wailings of the old people, who had seen " the holy and beautiful
house" in which their fathers praised Jehovah ; and who wept bitterly and loudly at
the comparison : for they could perceive that the edifice would neither be so large, so
magnificent, nor so richly ornamented as the lemple of Solomon. It is true, as ap
pears from the record found at Ecbatana in the time of Darius Hystaspes, that Cyius
had directed that the temple should be twice as large as that of Solomon, and that
the expense should be defrayed from the royal treasury. But either the proper
officers had neglected to give effect to these orders, or the Jews were backward to
avail themselves of the full extent of the monarch's bounty, lest they should awaken-
the envy of the worshippers of Ormuzd, and expose themselves to their persecutions.
From whatever cause, it is certain that they did not build the temple so larn-e as the
decree of Cyrus allowed. (Ezra iv. 1-5.)
* ' Geographies. Journal,' vol. ix. part 1, p. 36.
t The number of the congregation was 42,620, which, with 7,337 servants, makes 49,697

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE 409
The Persian governors of Syria and Palestine offered no opposition to the settle
ment of the Jews in their own country or to their proceedings there. No doubt,
therefore, orders corresponding to the tenor of the decree under which the restora
tion took place, had been forwarded to them. This indeed is stated by Josephus ,
although such orders, being sent direct to the Persian magistrates, are not noticed by
Ezra. But opposition, persevering and venomous, came from another and probably
unexpected quarter. This was, from the colonists whom the Assyrian kings hud
planted in the land of Israel, and who had intermarried with the remaining Israelites,
and now formed one people with them under the name of Samaritans. It does nol
appear that the Samaritans were, at this time, completely purged of the idolatries
which their fathers had brought from foreign lands; yet the measures employed tc
enlighten them with the knowledge of the true God seem gradually to have produced
a considerable effect. The return of the Jews from their seventy years' captivity
so clearly evinced the over-ruling providence of Jehovah, that the Samaritans were
extremely desirous to join in rebuilding his temple and celebrating his worship :
" They said unto the chief of the fathers, ' Let us build with you ; for we seek your
God, as ye do; and we have done sacrifice to him since the days of Esarhaddon, king
of Assyria, who brought us up hither.' " This proposal was steadily rejected by
the Jews : and, whatever their motives may have been, it is easy to discern importani
reasons in consequence of which this rejection appears to have been subservient to
the purposes of the Divine economy.*
Finding they could not prevail, the Samaritans used every means in their power to
thwart the enterprise. Their influence at the Persian court appears to have been
considerable, owing perhaps, as Josephus suggests, to their claiming to be of Median
and Persian origin. Through this influence they managed, during the latter days of
Cyrus, who was either absent in foreign wars or not at leisure to attend to such pro
vincial matters, to oppose such obstacles to the progress of the work that the people
got disheartened, and discontinued the building. This discouragement continued
during the succeeding reigns of Cambyses and of Smerdis the magian; nor was the
work resumed until the second year of Darius Hystaspes.
The proceedings of the Samaritans in this matter naturally excited the enmity of
the Jews; and thus was laid the foundation of the hatred between the two nations,
which new provocations continually increased, until, at last, all friendly intercourse
between them was entirely discontinued.
Cyrus died seven years after the restoration of the Jews. The reigns of Cam
byses his son, and ofthe usurping magian Smerdis (seven months), occupied togetner
eight years. Darius Hystaspes, one of the seven nobles who slew the intrusive
magian, was elected king, B. C. 521.
At Jerusalem, the people had by this time lost their zeal in a work which had been
so much obstructed, and, counting from the destruction of the former temple instead
of from the commencement of the captivity, they argued that the time for the rebuild
ing of the sacred edifice had not yet arrived. But while they erected fine buildings
for their own use, and bestowed much expense and labor on the mere ornamental
parts of their own dwellings, this was obviously a mere pretence, and provoked the
severe reproaches of the prophet Haggai, who attributed to this neglect the drought,
and consequent failure of crops, which had then occurred ; and was authorized to
promise the blessings of plenty from the time they should recommence the building
of the temple. And, to neutralize the discouragements arising from the detractive
or sorrowful comparisons of the old men who had seen the temple of Solomon, he
was commissioned to deliver the celebrated prophecy : —
" Thus saith the Lord of hosts :
Yet once more, and in a little while,
And I will shake the heavens and the earth,
And the sea and the dry land ;
« "The intermixture of the Samaritans with the Jews might have rendered the accomplishment of tlie
prophecies concerning the family and birth of the Messiah less clear — might have reintroduced idolatry
among the restored Jews, now completely abhorrent from it, and in various ways defeated the grana
objects of Providence in selectrng and preserving a peculiar people. In consequence of this rejection and
tlie alienation it produced, ihe Jews probably became more vigilant iu preserving the strictness, and the
Samaritans more jealous in emulating the purity, of the Mosaic ritual. They became hostile, and there
fore unsuspected guardians and vouchers of the integrity of the sacred text, particularly of the Penta
teuch. And while the Jews in general, blinded by their national prejudices, could see in the promised
Messrah only a national and temporal deliverer, the Samaritans appear to have judged of his pretensionj
with more justice and success." — (Dean Graves's -' Lectures on the Pentateuch." p. 347 5th Ed. 1839.

410 AN ILLUSTRATED
And I will shake all the nations,
And the Desire of all nations shall come,
And I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts.
The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts.
The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts
And in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts."-— Hag. ii. 6-9.
The prophecies of Zechariah tended to the same objects as those of Haggai ; and
in consequence of their forcible representations, the building of the temple was
resumed with rekindled zeal. To this resumption of the work, after so long a sus
pension, the Samaritans succeeded in drawing the attention of Tatnai, the Persian
general-governor of Syria, who, being a man of impartial justice, determined to go
himself to Jerusalem to investigate the matter. He there demanded the authority
of the Jewish chiefs for their operations, and was referred by them to the edict of
Cyrus. Tatnai sent a clear and rigidly unbiased report of the matter to the king,
and did not deem it necessary to direct the present suspension of the work. The
reference to the Persian court could not have been made under more favorable cir
cumstances; for Darius was of a mild and just character; and, still more, was a
devoted admirer of Cyrus, and disposed to pay the highest respect to his acts and
intentions.* The king, on receiving the report of Tatnai, directed a search to be
made among the archives of the kingdom. It was naturally sought at first among
the records kept in the treasure house at Babylon. It was not found there ; but a roll
containing the edict was ultimately discovered in the record chamber of the palace
at Achmetha (Ecbatana). It directed not only that the temple should be rebuilt, and
of larger dimensions than before, but that the expenses should be defrayed out of the
royal treasury. The king directed a copy of thin edict to be forwarded to Tatnai,
together with a letter, in which he was enjoined not to obstruct the building, but
zealously to forward it, to defray the expenses out of the royal revenues accruing
within his government, and also to furnish the priests with such animals as were
necessary for the sacrifices, with wheat, salt, wine, and oil, from day to day, for the
divine service. " That they may offer sacrifices of a sweet savor to the God of
heaven, and pray for the life ofthe king and of his sons." The letter concluded with
an order (apparently levelled at the Samaritans), that whosoever obstructed the exe
cution of the decree should be hanged, and their houses demolished: and an impre
cation was added on all kings and people who should attempt to destroy the house
of God.
This transaction gives a very favorable idea of the good order and efficient adminis
tration of the Persian government; while the concluding direction affords another an
very important illustration of the honor which Jehovah had obtained for his name
among the heathen through the eastward dispersion of the Hebrews. Indeed, the
edict of Cyrus, which was oil this occasion brought to light, contained such a decla
ration of reverence for, and dependance on, Jehovah, as alone could not but have had
great weight upon the mind of Darius. It may be remarked, indeed, that Darius
himself was a disciple and supporter of Zoroaster, the reformer of the magian reli
gion, who is supposed to have profited largely by his intercourse with the Hebrew
captives and prophets in Babylon.
Under these favoring auspices, the work proceeded with renewed spirit; and foui
years after, being the sixth of Darius (B. C. 516), the temple was completed. It was
dedicated with great solemnity, of which there has ever since been an annual com
memoration in "The Feast of Dedication." In the following month the Passovei
was celebrated in a regular and solemn manner, for the first time since the restoration.
The temple service was then re-established as before the Captivity ; Jeshua, the high-
priest, encouraging the other priests and the Levites by his example to attend to theii
peculiar duties.
The Jews appear to have been undisturbed during the remainder of ihe thirty-six
years in which Darius reigned. It is possible, indeed, that some difficulty arose in
* Hystaspes, the father of Darius, was high in the confidence and favor of Cyrus, and he (and very
probably his son) could not but have known so eminent a person as Daniel when at the court of Susa.
Indeed, the wisdom of Daniel appears to have been a proverb (Ezekiel xxviii. 3). It is remarkable tha:
Hystaspes ultimately succeeded (under his son) to the very office of archimagus, or master of the magians.
which Daniel had formerly occupied.
t The cut (page 411) actually represents the library at Constantinople, but it is applicable to the present
rrubjects, as showing the manner in which records, books, &c, are (and probably were anciently) kept by
the orientals.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

411

412 AN ILLUSTRATED
the latter years of that reign from their relation to the Persian empire. Darius, whose
whole reign was occupied in foreign and generally successful war, had then extended
his operations westward. After the Persians had lost the battle of Marathon in B. C.
490, Darius made immense preparations for renewing the war, which kept all Asia in
a ferment for three years : in the fourth Egypt revolted, which occasioned the division
of the army into two, one to act against Greece and the other against Egypt. But
just as all preparations were completed, Darius died, B. C. 485. Now, as the rendez
vous of the army in this expedition against Egypt was in the neighborhood of the
Hebrew territory, it is in every way likely that the Jews were obliged to participate
in its operations ; or it is possible that they obtained an exemption from personal ser
vice on condition of supplying the army with provisions.
Xerxes completed the intentions of nis father as to Egypt, which he succeeded in
again bringing under the Persian yoke. His subsequent gigantic plans and operations
against Greece, however important, claim no notice in this place. As the resources
of the empire were on this occasion taxed to the uttermost, there is no reason to sup
pose that the Jews were able to avoid contributing toward this vast undertaking, either
by their property or personal service, or by both. At the commencement of his reign
the Samaritans made some attempt to prejudice him against the inhabitants of Judah
and Jerusalem. But the king confirmed in every particular the grants made by his
father. Xerxes is the Ahasuerus of Ezra iv. 6. (See also Joseph. Autiq., xi. 4, 8 ;
xi. 5. 1.)
He was succeeded in B. C. 464 by his son Artaxerxes Longimanus, whose protract
ed reign was replete with incidents most important and interesting to the Jews. At
the beginning of it they began regularly to rebuild Jerusalem, and to surround it by
a wall. But they were stopped in their work by an order from the king, in conse
quence of a letter of complaint from the principal Samaritan officers, who described
Jerusalem, truly enough, as " a rebellious and bad city ;" and warned him that if the
city were rebuilt and fortified, the inhabitants were sure to prove seditious as in for
mer times, and would be likely to raise up troubles, and endanger the Persian do
minion in that quarter. They appealed to the archives of the empire to prove that
the town had been demolished and dismantled on account of its rebellion and sedi
tions. The records were accordingly consulted, and the fact being found as thus
stated, the king delayed not to send a letter authorizing the Samaritan chiefs to stop
the work until further orders. This they forthwith did, and with no gentle hand.*
This opposition of the Samaritans was remarkably well-timed, and hence, in all prob
ability, its success. Immediately on the death of Xerxes, Egypt had again revolted
from the Persian yoke (Diod. lib. iii.) ; the Samaritans therefore could not have chosen
a filter opportunity to carry their point, or a stronger argument to work upon the
king's fears, than the danger that might result from allowing the Jews to fortify their
city. For, strengthened and increased as they were in the seventy-two years since their
return, it might be apprehended that, as in former times, they would not only them
selves follow the example of Egypt by refusing to pay tribute, but that they might
offer serious obstruction to the Persian army to be employed in the reduction of
Egypt, in going or returning through Palestine.
After he had subdued all his domestic foes and competitors for the crown, Artax
erxes, in the third year of his reign, celebrated at Susa the general and protracted re-
loicing which usually attended the settlement of a new king on the throne. At a
public banquet, the king, in his cups probably, had the folly to send for the queen,
Vashti, that the banqueters might be witnesses of her extreme beauty. All order so
repugnant to the customs of women, the queen was under the necessity of disobey
ing, and disobedience, whatever were the cause, could not be allowed to pass un
punished. All the sages of Persia held that, to prevent the evil effects of this exam
ple, it was necessary that the queen should be deposed, and that the act of deposi
tion should be accompanied by a decree that every man should bear rule in his own
house ! So Vashti was deposed ; and, ultimately, a beautiful Jewish damsel named
Esther was promoted to her place, in the fourth year of Artaxerxes.
The king had now leisure to turn his attention to Egypt, and in the course of the
expedition lo bring that country back to its subjection, which was happily concluded
* Ezra iv. 6-23. The whole passage is referred to this reign in the text (after Howe and Hales), undei
the impression that where it stands in ihe orig'' nai narrat're it is an histoiical anticipation, and not in iu
propei chronological place

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

413

An Encampment.

<cv%r?^?

r,-v->

Tartar or Turkish Courier.

414 AN ILLUSTRATED
i
in tl.e sixih year of his reign. He had probably sufficient opportunity to become ac
quainted with the present character and position of the Jews, and with the claims to
his favor which they derived from the edicts of Cyrus and Darius. At all events, in
the seventh year of his reign, he indicated his knowledge of those edicts and his wil
lingness to enforce them, by authorizing " Ezra the priest, and a scribe of the Law
of the God of Heaven" to proceed to Jerusalem " to beautify the house of Jehovah,"
and to establish the ecclesiastical and civil institutions with greater firmness and order
than they had yet acquired. His powers were very large. He was commissioned
to appoint judges, superior and inferior, to rectify abuses, to enforce the observance
of the law, to punish the refractory with fines, imprisonment, banishment, or even
with death, according to the degree of their offences. He was also permitted to make
a collection for the service of the temple among those Hebrews who chose to remain
in the land of their exile; and the king and his council not only largely contributed
toward the same object, but the ministers of the royal revenues west of the Euphrates
were charged to furnish Ezra with whatever (within certain limits) of silver, corn,
wine, oil and salt (without limit) which he might require for the service of the tem
ple. Such persons ofthe Hebrew race as thought proper to return with Ezra to their
own land, were permitted and invited to do so. From the whole tenor of this com
mission it is evident that the God of the Hebrews was still held in high respect at
the Persian court; and, by a new concession, all his ministers, even to the lowest
nethinim, were exempted from tribute, and thus put on an equality with the Persians
and the Medes. For these favors some writers would assign " the solicitations of
Esther" as the motive. But it is not clear that the king knew she was a Jewess. It
was certainly perfectly competent for Esther to make the king better acquainted with
the claims of the God she served and of the people to whom she belonged ; nor should
she be blamed for employing, or the king for receiving, such influence. But there
were other and adequate means through which " the great king" might acquire this
knowledge, at which he certainly arrived. To the series of splendid acknowledg
ments extracted from these illustrious monarchs through the captivity and vassalage
of the Jews, let us add that of Artaxerxes, whose commission to Ezra orders : " What
soever is commanded by the God of Heaven let it be diligently done for the house
of the God or Heaven ; lest there be wrath [from Him] against the realm of the king
and his sons."
It is worthy of remark however, that the decree of Artaxerxes was limited to the
same object — the temple — as the edicts of former kings ; and that no mention is
made of the walls, from which it appears that the king was not yet prepared to con
cede that Jerusalem should be fortified.
The rendezvous of the party gathering for this second caravan was by the river
Ahava, where -the number assembled was found to consist of sixty " houses," con
taining one thousand seven hundred and fifty-four (adult ?) males, so that, with women
and children, there were probably not less than six thousand persons. When Ezra
surveyed this party it was with much chagrin that he found not one of the tribe of
Levi among them, notwithstanding the exemption from tribute ; and it was not with
out difficulty that two families of priests were induced to join the emigrants.
Considering the treasure with which they were charged, and the number of help
less women and children of the party, there was much ground to apprehend dangei
from the Arabs infesting the desert over which the caravan must pass, and who then,
as now, were wont to assault, or at least to levy large contributions on caravans too
weak or too timid to resist them. Ezra therefore appointed a special season for fast
ing and prayer beside the river, that they might; as it were, throw themselves upon
the special protection and guidance of Jehovah : for, as Ezra ingenuously confesses,
" I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to defend
us against the enemy by the way ; because we had spoken unto the king, saying,
The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him, but his power and
his wrath is against all that forsake him.' "
Their confidence was not in vain, for they all arrived safely at Jerusalem after a
journey of four months. They set out on the first month of the seventh year of the
king's reign, and reached their destination on the first day of the fifth month,
B. C. 457.
Of al! the improvements and regulations which Ezra introduced into Judea, the
book which bears his name only records his exertions in removing the heathen women

i— i
M
i

O
«o
a
w

Ancient Persian Cupbearers.

416 AN ILLUSTRATED
with whom matrimonial connexions had very generally been formed by the Jews—
to such an extent indeed that even the sons of the high-priest Jeshua, and many of
the other priests, had fallen into this grievous error. To annul these marriages, was
a measure, however harsh to the natural affections, indispensably necessary as a se
curity against a relapse into idolatry.
While Ezra was thus, and by other means, laboring to raise the character and im
prove the condition of the Hebrews in Judea, all the Jews in the Persian dominions
were suddenly threatened with entire extermination. Haman, an Amalekite, and as
such, an inveterate foe of the Hebrew nation, occupied the chief place in the confi
dence and service of the Persian king. His paltry pride being irritated by the appa
rent disrespect of a Jewish officer, named Mordecai (the uncle of Queen Esther, but
not known as such), he laid a plot for the massacre of the whole nation and the spo
liation of their goods. The book of Esther, to which we must refer the reader, re
lates at large the particulars of the plot; and shows how the machinations of the
Amalekite were defeated by the address and piety of Queen Esther, and turned upon
the unprincipled contriver himself, who was destroyed with all his family, and Mnr.
decai (by virtue of an old and neglected service) promoted to his place.
In the narrative of this transaction, the attention is arrested by the further illustra
tion, offered in the case of Haman and afterward of Mordecai, of the distinction and
wealth which foreigners and captives — or, at least, persons of foreign and captive
origin — were enabled to attain. The rank is obvious ; and as to the wealth they were
allowed to acquire, no more striking illustration can be afforded than by the fact that
Haman, to gratify his barbarous.whim, was in a condition to offer the king a gratuity
of ten thousand talents of silver, to defray the probable deficiency of the royal revenue
by the proscription of the Jews throughout the empire. This the king declined ac
cepting. The amount, computed by the Babylonish talent, would be upward of two
millions sterling ; and this, it appears, was considerably short of the full amount of
the Jewish tribute.
On this occasion, we also have another example of the mischievous consequences
which might result from the king being unmindful ofthe heavy responsibility of cau
tion, which was designed to be imposed by the well-meant law which precluded his
decrees from being changed or repealed. For when Artaxerxes became convinced of
the grievous wrong into which he had been led in decreeing the massacre of the
Jews, it was beyond his power to recall the order he had issued. All he could do
was to despatch swift couriers with a counter decree, empowering the Jews to stand
upon their defence when assaulted, with the aid of whatever moral advantage they
might derive from this indication of the present intentions of the king. On the ap
pointed day, which had been destined to sweep the race of Israel from the face of the
earth, the Jews were by no means wanting to themselves. They repelled their
assailants by force of arms, and that with such effect, that in Susa itself eight hun
dred men fell by their hands, and in the different provinces seventy-five thousand.
The slaughter among the Jews themselves is not stated, but must have been con
siderable. This great deliverance has ever since been commemorated by the annual feast of
Purim, or of Lots,— so called from the lots which were superstitiously cast by Haman
to find a propitious day for the massacre.
It was not until the twentieth year of his reign that Artaxerxes granted the long-
delayed permission to build the walls of Jerusalem. It was then obtained at the in
stance of a Jew named Nehemiah, who held at the Persian court the high and confi
dential office of cup-bearer, or butler. He had become acquainted with the mortifica
tions and insults to wliich the inhabitants of Jerusalem were exposed through the
defenceless condition of their city ; and the depression of his spirits, in consequence,
was too strongly marked on his countenance to pass unnoticed by the king, who de
manded the cause of his sadness. As it was no ordinary misdemeanor to exhibit sad
ness in the presence of "the king of kings," Nehemiah was much alarmed, l.ut
answered, " Let the king live for ever : why should not my countenance be sad when
the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are
consumed with fire ?" The king encouraged him to declare his wishes freelv, and
the result was that Artaxerxes consented to dispense with his services at court for a
few years, and gave him the appointment of tirshata, or civil governor, of Judea, in
succession to Zerubbabel, whose death about this time might furnish an additional

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE

417

Modern Oriental Gate.

27

418 AN ILLUSTRATED
reason for the appointment (Neh. xii. 47). This would not interfere with the com
mission of Ezra, which was chiefly of an ecclesiastical nature, and who, by the dis
charge of his proper function of teaching the law to the people, would give the new
governor important co-operation.
Nehemiah was commissioned to build walls and gates to the town, to erect a
palace for himself and future governors, and afterward to rebuild the city. All this
he accomplished with singular zeal, ability, and disinterestedness, in the course of his
administration of twelve years, to which his leave of absence from the Persian court
extended. He had to encounter much opposition and many threats from the chiefs
of the surrounding nations, — Sanballat the Samaritan,' Tobiah the Ammonite, the
Arabians, and the remnant ofthe Philistines. But Nehemiah piously encouraged the
people to rely on Jehovah, and " to fight for their brethren, their sons and their
?iughters, their wives and their homes." And he divided them into two parts, one
lo fight and the other to labor and build ; and even the builders " with one hand
wrought in the work, and with the other held a weapon." Thus, by the most noble
exertions, the whole wall, which was distributed in lots among the priests and chiefs
of the people, was finished, with all the towers and gates, in the short space of fifty-
two days.
On the commission of Nehemiah, Hales, following the acute observations of Howes,
remarks : —
" This change in the conduct of Artaxerxes, respecting the Jews, may be accountec
for upon sound political principles, and not merely from regard to the solicitations of
his cup-bearer or the influence of his queen.
" Four years before, in the sixteenth year of his reign, Artaxerxes, who, after the
reduction of Egypt, had prosecuted the war against their auxiliaries, the Athenians,
suffered a signal defeat of his forces by sea and land, from Cimon the Athenian gen
eral, which compelled him to make an inglorious peace with them, upon the hu
miliating conditions, 1, that the Greek cities throughout Asia should be free and
enjoy their own laws; 2, that no Persian governor should come within three days'
journey of any part of the sea with an army ; and 3, that no Persian ships of war should
sail between the northern extremity of Asia Minor and the boundary of Palestine,
according to Diodorus Siculus (lib. xii). Thus excluded from the whole line of sea
coast, and precluded from keeping garrisons in any of the maritime towns, it became
not only a matter of prudence but of necessity to conciliate the Jews ; to attach them
to the Persian interest, and detach them from the Grecians by further privileges ;
that the Persians might have the benefit of a friendly fortified town like Jerusalem,
within three days' journey of the sea, and a most important pass to keep up the com
munication between Persia and Egypt; and, to confirm this conjecture, we may re
mark that in all the ensuing Egyptian wars, the Jews remained faithful to the Per
sians ; and even after the Macedonian invasion : — and surely some such powerful
motive must have been opposed in the king's mind to the jealousy and displeasure
this measure must unavoidably excite in the neighboring provinces hostile to the
Jews, whose remonstrances had so much weight with him formerly. It was neces
sary, therefore, to intrust the important mission to an officer high in former trust and
confidence, such as Nehemiah, whose services at court Artaxerxes reluctantly dis
pensed with, as appears from his appointing a set time for Nehemiah's return, and
afterward, from his return again to Persia in the thirty-second year of his reign."
While the city remained unwalled the mass of the people had chosen rather to
dwell in the country than in a place so conspicuous and yet so insecure. The walls
were built on the old foundations.; and Nehemiah found that although as enclosed
within the walls " the city was large and great," yet " the people were few therein,
and the houses were not builded." He therefore caused the people to be registered,
and required that one family in ten (to be chosen by lot) should come to reside in
Jerusalem. Those who, without waiting the decision of the lot, voluntarily offered
themselves to dwell in Jerusalem, were received with peculiar favor. The city waa
thus replenished with inhabitants, and the walls with defenders. The walls were
dedicated with great solemnity and joy. And while the governor was thus heedful
ofthe stone-and-mortar framework ofthe social system which he desired to establish
he was > y no means negligent of the inhabiting and animating spirit. He applied
mself diligently 'assisted by Ezra) to the organization ofthe temple-service, and ot
e civf government ; while various abuses, which the unsettled condition of affairs

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 413
had engendered, were corrected by him with a firm and unsparing hand. And to
strengthen his authority and influence, and that he and his government might not be
burdensome to the people, this fine-spirited man declined to receive the usual dues
of a governor ; but while he travelled with a great retinue, maintained a large num
ber of servants, and kept open table at Jerusalem, the heavy charges were entirely
borne from his own private fortune, which must have been very considerable. That
he, a foreigner and a captive, was enabled to accumulate such a fortune, affords
another illustration of the liberality of the Persian government ; which also was un
questionably, as far as the Hebrews at least were concerned, the best and most gen
erous of the foreign governments, to which they were at any time subjected.
It was during the government of Nehemiah that Ezra, his ecclesiastical coadjutor,
completed his collection and revisal of the sacred books. Traces of his careful hand
may still be detected throughout the historical books of scripture ; and the settlement
of the Old Testament canon in nearly its present shape, may be ascribed to him.
Among his labors was the exchange of the old Hebrew character of writing — with
which the people had now become unacquainted— for the more shapely and generally
known Chaldean character, with which alone the people were now familiar. The
difference thus created is not so great as that which would take place were the Ger
mans to exchange their peculiar (and not very elegant) character of print for that (the
Roman) which prevails among nearly all other European nations. The Samaritans
did not adopt or need this change in their copies of the Pentateuch ; they retained the
original character, which, therefore, has since been known as the Samaritan character.
It was not alone the old Hebrew character of writing, but the language itself, which
had become unintelligible to the mass of the people, who had been born beyond the
Euphrates, and had imbibed the East- Aramaean or Chaldee dialect as a mother tongue.
The old Hebrew was still well known to, and spoken by, educated persons in their
intercourse with each other ; but the Chaldee was used in all the common intercourse
of life, since that only was understood by all. It was not, however, until the time of
the Maccabees, that the old Hebrew was completely displaced by the Chaldee. This
last language is but a dialect of the Hebrew, which fact accounts for the ease with ,
wliich the Jews fell into the use of it during the captivity. It however assigned to
words essentially the same such additional or new meanings, and such differing ter
minations and pronunciation, that the old Hebrew could be but imperfectly intelligible
to those who understood only the Chaldee.
Accordingly, when Ezra had finished his revision of the sacred books, and the peo
ple thronged to Jerusalem to hear the authentic law from his lips, it was necessary
that some of the Levites should interpret to the multitude what this excellent person
read in Hebrew from the book. This was a very solemn and interesting occasion.
The people assembled in the open street ; and Ezra, raised above the people on a kind
of pulpit made for the occasion, read from the book of the law to an immense audi
ence, who listened with most rapt attention to the interpretations which the sur
rounding Levites gave. It is manifest that the copies of the law had been scarce, and
that it had not been publicly read to the people, for it is manifest that they heard
much on this occasion with which they were not previously acquainted ; and the con
sciousness of the extent to which the injunctions which they heard had been neglected
by them, filled them with grief, and occasioned much and loud lamentation, which
the Levites allayed with difficulty. Among other things, they heard of the feast of
tabernacles, and found that the time of its celebration was close at hand. They there
fore proceeded forthwith to manifest their obedience to this law, and they celebrated
the feast in a manner so distinguished that nothing like it had been known since the
time of Joshua.
Nehemiah and Ezra availed themselves of the favorable disposition which at this
time existed to induce the people to enter into one of those solemn covenants which
we have had frequent occasion to notice in the past history. This was, however.
more specific in its obligations; forthe people pledged themselves- 1, to walk in
God's law as given to Moses ; 2, not to intermarry with the people of the land ; 3, to
observe the sabbath day, and not to buy or to sell goods thereon ; 4, to keep the sab
batical year, and to remit all debts therein ; 5, to pay a tax of a third o.'' a shekel
yearly for the service of the temple; 6, and to render their first-fruits and tithes as
required by the law.

420 AN ILLUSTRATED
At the expiration of his twelfth year of office, when his leave of absence expired,
Nehemiah returned to resume his station at the Persian court.
When he departed, no person with adequate authority appears to have been left to
carry on or complete his measures. His salutary regulations, and even the solemn
covenant into which the people had entered, were gradually infringed and violated.
The general laxity of principle and conduct may be estimated from the proceedings
of the persons who might have been expected to offer the brightest examples of
knowledge and faithfulness. Thus the high-priest himself, Eliashib, gave Tobiah the
Ammonite (the grand opponent of Nehemiah) for lodging, even in the temple itself,
a large chamber, which had been used as a store room for the tithes and offerings.
This Tobiah, as well as his son Johanan, had married Jewish women and became al
lied to the high-priest. One of the grandsons of Eliashib was also son-in-law to San-
ballat the Horonite, another of Nehemiah's great adversaries. The temple service
was neglected ; the tithes, appointed for the support of the Levites and the singers,
were abstracted by the high-pjiest and his agents, or withheld by the people ; the
sabbath was profaned in every possible way ;* and marriages with strange women
were frequent among the people. In accounting for the demoralization of this period,
it may not be improper to connect it with th >¦ frequent march of Persian troops through
the territory in passing to and from Egypi ,vliich was frequently in a state of revolt.
By this Judea was made to share in the evils of war, than which nothing is more re-
axing of the bonds by which the order of civil society is maintained.
The tidings of this relapse occasioned much grief to Nehemiah at the Persian court,
and he ultimately succeeded in obtaining permission to return to Judea. He returned
in his former capacity as governor, and applied himself most vigorously to the correc
tion of the evils which had gained ground during his absence.! His exertions appear
to have been continued for four years, or until the third year of Darius Nothus, whom
Nehemiah designates as Darius the Persian. The end, therefore, of this eminent per
son's second reform, which may be taken as the final act in the restoration and settle
ment of the Jews in their own land, may be ascribed to the year B. C. 420. With
.this year, therefore, the canon of the Old Testament concludes ; for Malachi, the last
of the prophets, is alleged by tradition, supported by every probability of internal ev
idence, to have prophesied during this later administration of Nehemiah. Malachi is
supposed by many to be the same as Ezra.
One of the measures of Nehemiah was to expel the grandson of the high-priest,
who had wedded the daughter of Sanballat, from whom he declined to separate.
This act was attended with important consequences. Josephus informs us thai this
person's name was Manasseh ; and that, on being expelled from Jerusalem, he went
to his father-in-law Sanballat, who, by his interest with the Persian king, obtained
permission to build a temple upon Mount Gerizim like that at Jerusalem, and in which
Jehovah was to be worshipped with similar services. Of this establishment he made
Manasseh the high-priest. This, in future, attracted numbers of Jews who had mar
ried strange wives from whom they could not bring themselves to part, or who had
rendered themselves amenable to punishment by other transgressions of the law. And
this, while it tended in a very serious degree to aggravate the enmity between the
two nations, served ere long to correct the remaining idolatrous practices, and tenden
cies to idolatryamong the Samaritans. Receiving the account of these matters through
Josephus, and other prejudiced writers, it behooves us to be cautious of receiving all
the impressions they intend to convey. The temple of Gerizim was undoubtedly a
schismatical establishment. But seeing that, on the one hand, the Samaritans were
anxious to worship Jehovah according to the regulations of Moses, while, on the other,
the Jews, whether right or wrong, pertinaciously refused to receive their adhesion to
the temple of Jerusalem, it is difficult to see what other course was left them than to
build a temple for themselves. Besides, the obligation of adhesion to one temple was
imposed only on the seed of Abraham ; and the law made no provision for the case of
a people who desired to worship Jehovah, but were repelled by the Jews. And this
very fact may suggest that this repulsion was in itself not legal, whatever good effects
may ultimately have resulted from it.
* One of the profanations consisted in the pract.ee of the Tyrians bringing fish to the city for sale on the
-sabbath day. A curious fact.
t The time is uncertain and conjectures vary. Hales makes it B. C. 424, six years after his return u
Persia.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

421

422 AN ILLUSTRATED
CHAPTER XXIV.
END OF INSPIRED HISTOEY. 420 B. 0. — JEWISH HISTORY TO B. 0. 163.
After Nehemiah, no more separate governors of Judea were sent from Persia. Tlie
territory was annexed to the province of Coele-Syria, and the administration of Jewish
affairs was left to the high-priests, subject to the control of the provincial governors
This raised the high-priesthood to a degree of temporal dignity and power, which
very soon made it such an object of worldly ambition, as occasioned many violent and
disgraceful contests among persons who had had ihe least possible regard for the re
ligious character and obligations of the sacerdotal office.
The history of this period is obscure and intricate.* Facts are few, and some of
those which we possess are hard to reconcile. But there is enough to acquaint us
with the unholy violence and unprincipled conduct of the competitors for the priest
hood, and the sufferings arising from this, as well as from the arbitrary proceedings
of those who succeeded in obtaining that high office.
Jeshua, the high-priest who returned with Zerubbabel, was succeeded by his son
Joachim, and he by his son Eliashib, who obtains unfavorable notice in the history of
Nehemiah's second administration. He was then old, and died in B. C. 413. He was
succeeded by his son Joiada or Judas, who held the office for forty years, B. C. 413-373.
Artaxerxes, who died in 423 B. O, left one son by his queen, and seventeen sons
by his concubines. The first was named Xerxes, and, among the latter, history only
knows Sogdianus, Ochus, and Arsites. Xerxes, the only legitimate son, succeeded ;
but, after forty-five days, he was slain by Sogdianus, who mounted the throne. On
this, Ochus, who was governor of Hyrcania, marched thence with a powerful army to
avenge the deed. Sogdianus submitted, and was put to death. Oclius, in ascending
the vacant throne, took the name of Darius, and was surnamed Nothus, or " bastard,"
to distinguish him from others of the name.
Ofthe events of this troubled reign, it is perhaps only necessary to notice that the
Egyptians again shook off the Persian yoke, anil made Amyrtseus of Sais their king,
413 B. C. With the aid of the Arabians, they drove the Persians out of Egypt, pur
sued them as far as Phoenicia, and maintained their independence sixty-four years.
Ochus sent an army against them without success. The Persian forces marched to
Egypt along the coast, through Judea. This event could not fail to act to the serious
detriment and disquiet of the Jews ; but we possess no precise information on the
subject. The Persian army while on its march mi .rht have laid waste Idumea, be
cause the Idumeans had perhaps taken part with those Arabs, who, in conjunction
with the Egyptians, had pursued the Persians into Phoenicia, while the Jews con
tinued faithful to the Persian government, with wnich they certainly had no reason
to be dissatisfied. The prophet Malachi appears to allude to these circumstanoes.
(Mai. i. 2-5.)
Darius Nothus died in 404 B. C, and was succeeded by his eldest son Arsaces,
who, on his accession, took the name of Artaxerxes, and was surnamed Memnon, on
account of his astonishing " memory." The long reign of this monarch was full of
striking and important events ; but our notice must be confined to the circumstances
connected with Egypt and Phoenicia, with which the Jews could not but be in some
way involved.
Artaxerxes determined to make a vigorous effort to restore the Persian power in
Egypt, and to this end made most extensive preparation, continued for three years,
At last, in 373 B. C, he had equipped a most formidable expedition by land and sea,
wliich, he confidently expected, would speedily reduce the strongholds, and firmly
establish his authority throughout the country. But the jealousy between the com
manders ofthe land and sea forces, prevented that union of purpose and action which
was essential to success. Pelusium was found to be impregnable, and all the fortified
towns were placed in a state of defence. The Persian general, Pharnabazus, there
fore, despaired of making any impression upon them, and advanced into the interior ,
but being opposed by the Egyptian king (Nectanebo) with a considerable force, and
in consequence of the want of boats, being constantly impeded in his movements by
* Prom B. C. 420 to his advent, the thread of inspired history is discontinued. The historic narrative of
the Hebrew Commonwealth during this intermediate period is derived mainly from Josephus, Diodoms'
Biculus, Polybius, the Maccabees, and fragments of other ancient writers.— Sd.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 423
the various channels of the rising Nile, he was obliged to retreat and relinquish the
hope of subjecting Egypt to the Persian yoke.
The Egyptian king, by whom the Persians were thus repelled, was succeeded in
369 B. C. by Teos or Tachos, who formed large designs, and made extensive prepa
rations for acting offensively against the Persian power. He made an alliance with
the Lacedaemonians, and received from them 10,000 auxiliaries under the command
of Agesilaus their king. Both the person and counsels of this consummate general
were treated with considerable disrespect ; and the king persisted in leading his army
in person into Phoenicia against the Persians. But his absence was immediately fol
lowed by a powerful conspiracy in favor of his relative Nectanebo, for whom the
army also declared, so that the infatuated Tacho had no resource but to flee from his
own people and throw himself under the protection of the great and generous king of
Persia, whose dominions he had invaded.
The Idumeans again suffered much from being mixed up in the contest between
the Persians and Egyptians. Nor can it be supposed that the Jews escaped without
much moral, if not physical injury. It will be considered that they were exposed to
the burdens of a military rendezvous from 377 to 374 B. C. ; for at that time there
were assembled in their vicinity 200,000 barbarian soldiers, besides 20,000 Greeks ;
and 300 ships of war, 200 galleys of thirty rowers, and a great number of store-ships
were collected at Acco (Acre). The invading army of Persia, bcth in going and re
turning, took its route along their coasts, as did afterward the Egyptian army in its
invasion of Phoenicia. These circumstances could not but be attended with very in
jurious effects ; but upon the whole the Jews may be considered to have enjoyed
peace and comfort during most of the reign of Artaxerxes Memnon, who was a prince
of mild and humane character, and governed with much moderation and prudence,
and with considerable political wisdom. However, in all the provinces, much de
pended on the character of the governor or satrap, whose powers, within his province,
were almost regal. Artaxerxes died in 358 B. C, after a long reign of forty-six years.
The pen of Xenophon has immortalized the revolt of his younger brother Cyrus, by
which the early part of his reign was much troubled. The retreat of the 10,000
Greeks — who had fought for Cyrus and survived his overthrow and death — under the
conduct of the historian himself, has been more admired and celebrated than rn.os.'
ancient or modern victories.
It was between the periods of disturbance which have been indicated, namely, in
373 B. C, that the high-priest Joiada died, and was succeeded by his son Jonathan
or Jochanan (John). About the time of the Egyptian invasion, this person occasioned
much trouble to his nation. His brother Jesus had become so great a favorite with
the Persian governor Bagoses, tha't he nominated him to the priesthood. When
Jesus came to Jerusalem in that capacity, he was slain by Jonathan in the very tem
ple. Bagoses no sooner heard of this outrage than he hastened to Jerusalem ; and
when an attempt was made to exclude him from the temple as a gentile, and conse
quently unclean, he replied with vehemence, "What ! am not I as clean as the dead
carcase that lies in your temple ?" The punishment which Bagoses imposed for the
murder of Jesus was a heavy tax upon the lambs offered in sacrifice. This onerous
impost was not remitted until the succeeding reign; and it must have been the
more sensibly felt, as the priests had for many years been accustomed to receive
large contributions from the Persian kings toward defraying the expense of the
sacrifices. Artaxerxes Memnon was succeeded in the throne of Persia by his son Ochus. In
his reign, among many other disturbances which we need not mention, the Sidonians,
Phoenicians, and Cyprians revolted, and made common cause with the Egyptians,
who still maintained their independence. After repeated failures of his generals to
reduce them, Ochus himself took the command of the expedition against them. He
besieged Sidon, which was betrayed to him by the king Tennes ; on which the Sido
nians in despair set fire to the city, and burned themselves with all their treasures.
Terrified by this catastrophe of Sidon, the other Phoenicians submitted on the best
terms they could obtain ; and among them we may include the Jews, who seem to
have joined the common cause. Being anxious to invade Egypt, Ochus was not un
reasonable in his demands. After having also received the submission of Cyprus, the
king marched into Egypt 350 B. C, and completely reduced it, chiefly by the assist
ance of Mentor the Rhodian, and 10,000 mercenary Greeks whom he had drawn

424 AN ILLUSTRATED
into his service. The Egyptians were treated with a severity more congenial to the
savage disposition of Ochus than was the moderation to which policy had constrained
him in Phoenicia : — he dismantled the towns ; he plundered the temples of their
treasures and public records; and the ox-god Apis he sacrificed to an ass — a severe
practical satire upon the animal-worship of Egypt, and not less significant as an act of
revenge upon the Egyptians for their having nicknamed himself The Ass, on account
of his apparent inactivit\ and sluggishness. Ochus returned in triumph to Babylon,
laden with spoil of gold and silver, and other precious things from the kingdoms and
provinces he had conquered. From this decisive war the humiliation of Egypt may
be dated. Nectanebo II., the last of her native kings, now fled with all the treasures
he could collect into Ethiopia. Thenceforth, even to this day, it has been the des
tiny of Egypt only to change masters, as Ezekiel the prophet had foretold (Ezek.
xxix. 13-16).
That the Jews were involved in the revolt of the Phoenicians has been already in
timated. This appears from the fact that Ochus went from Phoenicia to Jericho, sub
dued that city, took some of the inhabitants with him into Egypt, and sent others into
Hyrcania to people that province. But that the disaffection of the Jews was not
general, or that, at least, it was not shared by the inhabiiants of Jerusalem, may be
inferred from the fact that this city was not disturbed. Indeed, the Jews owed some
gratitude to Ochus for remitting at his accession the heavy tax* which Bagoses had
in the preceding reign imposed.
It was in the eighteenth year of Ochus (B. C. 341) that the high-priest Jonathan,
whose murder of his brother Jesus had given occasion for the imposition of this tax,
died, and was succeeded by Jaddua or Jaddus.
Ochus, after having re-established his dominion over all the provinces which had
newly or in former times revolted, abandoned himself to luxurious repose, leaving the
government in the hands of Bagoas, an Egyptian eunuch, and of his general Memnon,
from both of whom he had received important services during the Egyptian war.
But Bagoas could not forgive the ruin of his country, although that had been the
basis of his own fortunes. He poisoned Ochus and destroyed all his sons, except
Arses the youngest. This horrid act was followed by his sending back to Egypt
such of the plundered archives as he could collect. Arses, whom he had spared, he
placed on the throne, expecting to reign in his name. But finding that the young king
contemplated the punishment of the murderer of his father and his brothers, Bagoas
anticipated his intention, and in the third year of his reign destroyed him and all the
remaining members of his family. The eunuch, whose soul was now hardened to
iron by the concurrent and repeated action of grief and crime,' tendered the sceptre
to Codomanus, the governor of Armenia, a descendant of Darius Nothus,t and who
on his accession assumed the name of Darius, and is known in history as Darius
Codomanus, B. C. 335. Bagoas soon repented of his choice, and plotted the death of
this king also ; but Darius, having discovered his design, returned to his own lips the
poisoned chalice which he had prepared for the king.
Few kings ever enjoyed greater advantages than Darius at their accession. He
had no competitors or opponents ; his treasures, increased under Ochus by the plun
der of many lands, seemed exhaustless ; his dominion appeared well established ovei
all the nations which abode from the Indus to the isles of Greece, and from the
cataracts of the Nile to the Caucasian mountains; and with all this, the personal
bravery of Darius and his acknowledged merits made him universally respected and
admired throughout his empire. But bright as appeared his star, another had risen
before which his own grew pale and became extinct.
Alexander, the son of Philip king of Macedon, ascended the throne when he was
only twenty years of age, in B. C. 335, being the very same year that Darius Codo
manus became king of Persia. It is not necessary in a work of this nature lo record
the exploits of this celebrated hero, unless as far as necessary to carry on the history
of Palestine and the Jews.
* Jnhn estimates that it must have produeed 50,0001., perhaps rather too high an estimate.
t His grandfather was the brother of Darius Nothus, and his father- wns the only one of the family n;lm
rscarped the massacre with which Ochus commenced his reign. He nftf-rwai-d married end had a son, who
was this Codomanus. The young man lived in obscuiity during most of the r*'i»u of Ochus, supporting him-
sulfas an astanda, or- courier, by carrying the royal despatches. Ih- at lapt had an opportunity '.f ilictingni^rr-
in» tai» valor by slaying a Cailu-ian champion, who, lilc Hiiurh-r n Mali, d fli-d tin- wlioli- IVr-ian army. For
this gallant exploit he was rewarded by O.-hus with thi- iu.uoitaiit »ovi-i uniriit ol Arini-iiiu.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 425
In the spring of B. C. 334, Alexander arrived at Sestos on the Hellespont, at the
head of little more than thirty thousand foot and five thousand horse, and had them
conveyed to Asia by his fleet of one hundred and sixty galleys, besides transports,
without any opposition from the enemy on their landing. He had with him only
seventy talents, or a month's pay for his army, and before he left home he disposed
of almost all the revenues of the crown among his friends. When asked "what
he left for himself ? " he answered, " Hope." Such was the spirit with which
Alexander invaded Asia.
On the fifth day after the passage of the Hellespont, Alexander met the Persians
at the river Granicus in the Lesser Phrygia, where the governor of the western prov
inces had assembled an army of one hundred thousand foot and twenty thousand
horse to oppose his passage. By defeating this great army, Alexander gained posses
sion of the Persian treasury at Sardis, the capital of the western division of the
Persian empire ; several provinces of Asia Minor then voluntarily submitted to him,
and in the course of the summer others were subjugated. In the campaign of the
following year (B. C. 333) Alexander subdued Phrygia, Paphlagonia, Pisidia, Cappa-
docia, and Cilicia.
Darius, meanwhile, was not remiss in making preparations for a vigorous resistance
to the most formidable enemy the empire had ever seen. His admiral, whom he
had sent with a fleet to make a diversion by a descent upon Macedonia, died in the
midst of the enterprise ; and, in an age where so much depended upon individuals,
his death spoiled the undertaking. Darius then assembled a vast army, which some
accounts make four hundred thousand, others six hundred thousand men, in Babylo
nia, and led them in person toward Cilicia to meet Alexander. That hero, on hearing
of this movement, hastened forward to seize the passes of Cilicia. In this he suc
ceeded, and stationed himself at Issus, where not more than thirty thousand men
could march up to the attack. In this position his flanks were protected, and he
could bring his whole arm)- into action, while the Persians could only bring a num
ber of men equal to his own into conflict. Darius saw too late how much wiser it
had been for him to await the Greeks in the plains of Damascus. He lost the battle.
The vast number of his soldiers was worse than useless ; for the retreat was thus so
obstructed, that more were crushed to death in the eagerness of flight than had been
slain by the weapons of the Greeks. Darius himself escaped with difficulty, leaving
his whole camp, with his own rich baggage, and his mother, wife, and sons, in the
hands of the victor. These last were treated with tenderness and respect by the
generous conqueror. To him this victory opened Syria, Phoenicia, and Egypt. Im
mediately after the battle he sent to Damascus, and took all the heavy baggage,
equipage, and treasures of the Persian army, with their wives and children, which
had been left behind in the disastrous expedition to the Syrian straits.
For the present, Alexander did not follow Darius, who withdrew beyond the
Euphrates; but, according to his original plan of reducing first all the maritime
provinces of the empire, he marched in the spring of B. C. 332 into Phenicia. All
the states of that country tendered their submission to him, except Tyre, which,
however, was willing to render him barren testimonials of respect, had he been con
tent with these. The siege of this place was one ofthe most splendid of Alexander's
operations, and is even at this day regarded with admiration by military men. Tyre,
which since the destruction of the ancient city by Nebuchadnezzar had been rebuill
upon an island about four hundred fathoms from the shore, relied upon the aid of
Carthage (which was promised by the Carthaginian ambassadors there present in the
city) and still more upon its situation, Alexander being destitute of shipping,* and
on its walls, which were high and strong, and which were now additionally strength
ened. The city was plentifully supplied with provisions, and fresh supplies could be
brought by sea without any difficulty. But Alexander, with the rubbish of the
ancient city, constructed a causeway from the shore to the island, and in seven months
took the place by storm, although the Tyrians defended themselves bravely. Many
of them fled to Carthage by sea ; but of those who remained, eight thousand were
* Alexander, after the battle of the Granicus, had discharged and dismissed his fleet, which was too
small to cope with that of the Persians (collected from Egypt and Phoenicia), and yet too large for his
slender treasury to maintain. He declared that he would render himself master of the sea by conquering
on land— that is, by getting the ports and harbors of the enemy into his possession. It was in consequenco
of tllis large idea that he persevered ur reducing Phoenicia and Egypt beiore he advanced into the interior.

426 AN ILLUSTRATED
put to the sword, thirty thousand were sold into slavery, and two thousand were cru
cified, while the city was plundered and laid in ashes. These barbarities were
committed under the policy of deterring other places from offering resistance to the
conqueror. Thus the prophecy of Zechariah respecting new Tyre was literally
accomplished, as the previous prophecy of Ezekiel against the old city had been ful
filled in the time of Nebuchadnezzar. Alexander had, however, enlarged views of
commercial policy, which induced him to re-people Tyre from the neighboring coun
tries; and, improved in its harbors and basins by the very isthmus which he had
made, and by which, consolidated by time, the island has ever since been connected
with the shore, this maritime city was noi long in recovering much of its formei
greatness. There is every reason to conclude that Alexander, when he invaded Syria, sum
moned all the cities to surrender, to pay to him their customary tribute, and to furnish
his army with provisions. Josephus affirms that during the siege of Tyre, a written
order of this description came to Jerusalem, addressed to Jaddua, the high-priest, as
the chief magistrate of the nation. Jaddua replied that he had sworn fealty to Da
rius, and could not violate his oath as long as that monarch was living. Alexander,
naturally of a furious and impetuous temper, was highly irritated by this reply, and
threatened that as soon as he had completed the conquest of Tyre, he would, by the
punishment of the Jewish high-priest, teach all others to whom they were to Keep
their oaths.
Accordingly, on his progress to Egypt, after the destruction of Tyre (B. C. 332) he
turned aside from Gaza, which he reduced, to chastise Jerusalem. But he was met
at Sapha — an eminence near Jerusalem, which commanded a view of the city and
temple — by a solemn procession, consisting of the high-priest arrayed in his pontifi
cal robes, attended by the priests in their proper habits, and by a number of the citi
zens in white raiment. This course Jaddua had been commanded to take, in a vision,'
the preceding night. When Alexander beheld the high-priest he instantly advanced
to meet him, adored the sacred Name inscribed on his mitre, and saluted him first.
This singular conduct the hero accounted for by observing to those around him-
" I adore not the high-priest, but the God with whose priesthood he is honored.
When I was at Dios in Macedonia, and considering in myself how to subdue Asia, I
saw in a dream such a person, in his present dress, who encouraged me not to delay,
but to pass over with confidence, for that himself would lead my army and give me
the Persian empire. Since therefore I have seen no other person in such a dress as 1
now see, and recollect the vision and the exhortation in my dream, I think that hav
ing undertaken this expedition by a Divine mission, I shall conquer Darius, overtnrow
the Persian empire, and succeed in all my designs." Having thus spoken (toParme-
nio) he gave his right hand to the high-priest, and going into the temple, he offered
sacrifice according to the high-priest's directions, and treated the pontiff and the priests
with distinguished honors. The book of Daniel was then shown to him, in which it
was foretold that one of the Greeks should overthrow the Persian empire, pleased at
which, and believing himself to be the person intended, he dismissed the multitude.
The day after, he caused the people to be assembled, and desired them to ask what
favors they desired ; on which, at the suggestion of the high-priest, they asked and
obtained the free enjoyment of their national laws, and an exemption from tribute
every seventh year. He also, by a bold anticipation of his fortunes, promised that
me Jews in Babylon and Media should enjoy their own laws ; and he offered to take
with him in his expedition any of the people who chose to share his prospects. (Jo
seph. Antiq. xi. 8, 4, 5.)
This story has been much questioned by many writers, as they were at perfect
liberty to do. Nevertheless, as these questioners are of the same class as those whc
doubt on the unusual or supernatural details of the sacred history itself, it is impos
sible not to see that the animus of objection is essentially the same. We are there
fore disposed to declare our belief in this statement, 1. Because Alexander had been
a clear and conspicuous object of prophecy ; and that an operation upon his mind by
dream or vision, was as natural and necessary as in the cases of Nebuchadnezzar
and Belshazzar. 2. Because it was as necessary that the God of the Hebrews should
be made known to him as the bestower of empires, as to the other great conquerors-
all of whom had been brought to avow it. 3. Because an operation upon the mind
of Alexander was a natural and necessary sequel to the operations upon the minds of

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

427

a

428 AN ILLUSTRATED
those former conquerors. 4. Because the impression described as being made by this
dream upon Alexander, and the conduct which resulted from it, are perfectly in unison
with his character and conduct as described by other historians. 5. Because the Jews
actually did enjoy the privileges which are described as the result of this transaction,
and which it would not otherwise be easy to account for, or to refer to any other
origin. The Samaritans had early submitted to Alexander, and sent him auxiliaries at the
siege of Tyre ; and now seeing the favor with which the Jews had been treated, they
were not at all backward to claim the same privileges which had been conceded to
them ; for, as Josephus (with some asperity) remarks, the Samaritans were always
ready lo profess themselves to be Jews, when the sons of Abraham were in prosper
ous circumstances, and equally ready to disavow the connexion when the Jews were
in distress or difficulty. They also met Alexander in solemn procession, and as they
were graciously received, they also requested exemption from tribute on the sabbati
cal year, since they, as well as the Jews, then left their lands uncultivated. But as,
when pressed, they could not give a direct and satisfactory answer to the question
whether they were Jews, Alexander told them he would take time to consider the
matter, and let them know his decision when he returned from Egypt. It was not
his policy to encourage such applications, as others, under the same or other preten
ces, might make similar claims of exemption, to the great injury of the public reve
nues. The eight thousand Samaritans who had assisted him at the siege of Tyre he
took with him to Egypt, and assigned them lands in the Thebaid.
When Alexander reached Egypt, he met with no opposition. The Persian garri
sons were too weak to resist him, and the natives everywhere hailed him as their de
liverer from the Persian bondage. In fact the Egyptians abhorred the Persians, and
liked the Greeks as much as any foreigners could be liked by them. And the rea
son is very obvious. The Persians hated and despised image and animal worship as
thoroughly as it was possible for' the Jews to do, arid the power of their arms gave
them much opportunity for the exercise of the iconoclastic zeal by which they were
actuated. They lost no opportunity of throwing contempt and ignominy upon the
idols and idolaters of Egypt. But the pliable Greek regarded the same objects with
reverence, and had no difficulty of so adopting them into his own system, or of identi
fying them with his own idols, as it enabled him to participate in the worship which
the Egyptians rendered to them.
From Egypt Alexander went to visit the temple of Ammon, in an oasis of the
western desert ; and at this celebrated temple got himself recognized as the son of
the god (commonly known as Jupiter Ammon) worshipped there.* It is better (with
Plutarch) to attribute this to political motives, than to admit that impression of Alex
ander's understanding which the affair is calculated to convey. Alexander had much
good sense, as yet uncorrupted by the extraordinary prosperity which had attended
his undertakings ; but he knew that there were millions in tho world who would re
ceive the belief of his heavenly origin as a discouragement to resistance, and as a con
solation in defeat.
After his return from Libya, Alexander wmtered at Memphis, and appointed sepa
rate and independent governors of the several garrisoned towns, in order to prevent
the mischief so often experienced by the Persians in intrusting too much power to a
single hand. He prudently separated the financial, judicial, and military functions,
to prevent the oppression of the people by their union ; and his enlightened and com
prehensive policy chose the site of a new city, Alexandria, to be the emporium of
commerce for the eastern and western worlds by its two adjacent seas, the Red sea and
the Mediterranean. The great prosperity wliich the city ultimately reached, and a
considerable share of which it has ever since retained, affords the best illustration of
'.he large and sagacious views with which it was founded.
Early in the spring of B. C. 331 Alexander prepared to seek Darius beyond the Eu
phrates. The rendezvous of his army was appointed at Tyre ; in advancing to which
Alexander once more passed through Palestine. During his absence in Eoypt, some
Samaritans (perhaps enraged that they had not obtained the same privileges as .the
Jews) set fire to the house of Andromachus, whom Alexander had appofnted their
governor, and he perished in the flames. The other Samaritans delivered up the cul-
• This god was worshipped under the form of a ram : hence the ram's horns which appeal on the head
of Alexander in many figures of him.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 429
prits to Alexander, now on his return from Egypt ; but they could hardly dare at this
time to remind him of their previous claim (respecting the sabbatic year), which he
had promised to consider, as the conqueror was so highly enraged that, not satisfied
with the punishment of the actual culprits, he removed the Samaritans from their city,
and transferred thither a Macedonian colony. (Curtius, iv. 21. Comp. Euseb. Chron.)
The Samaritans, thus excluded from Samaria, thenceforth made Shechem their me
tropolis. This, it will be remembered, was at the foot of Mount Gerizim, on which
the Samaritan temple stood.
The operations and victories of Alexander beyond the Euphrates are not so con
nected with the history of Palestine as lo require to be traced in this work. We
therefore abstain from particular notice of the battle of Arbela, in Assyria (fought
Oct. 1,B. C. 331), which gave Alexander possession of the Persian throne ; the flight
of Darius into Media, with the view of raising new levies there ; the prevention of
this intention by the speedy pursuit of Alexander; the further flight of Darius, and
his murder by the conspirators, into whose hands he had fallen, and whom Alexander
ultimately overtook and punished. As little need our attention be detained by his
northern and Indian expeditions, full as they are of interesting circumstances on which
it might be pleasant to expatiate.
He returned to Persia in B. C. 324, with a character still great, and adequate to
great occasions ; but, upon the whole, very much damaged in its finer traits, by the
intoxication of mind which, but too naturally, his inordinate successes produced. On
his return he inquired into and punished the mal-administrations of his generals and
governors of provinces during his long absence eastward. The last year of his life
he spent in a circuit through the imperial cities of Persepolis, Susa, Ecbatana, and
Babylon, and in forming the noblest plans for the consolidation and improvement of
his mighty empire. These plans we can not recapitulate; but they are well worth
the most attentive study of those who would realize a just impression respecting one
of the most remarkable men the world has produced. The grasp of his mind was
perhaps as large as that of his ambition : and while we regard his plans of universal
conquest, and the sacrifice of human life and happiness wliich his causeless- wars in
volved, with the most intense dislike, we have no desire to conceal our admiration of
the many illustrious qualities which his mind exhibited.
Alexander arrived at Babylon in B. C. 324, intending to make that city his future
residence, and the capital of his gigantic empire. Hence he was full of projects for
restoring that city to its ancient beauty and magnificence. This included the rebuild
ing of the temple of Belus, which the Jewish prophecies had devoted to destruction,
never to be rebuilt. Alexander, nevertheless, actually commenced this work. The
soldiers were employed in turn to remove the rubbish. The Jews alone refused to
render any assistance, and suffered many stripes for their refusal, and paid heavy fines,
until the king, astonished at their firmness, pardoned and excused them. " They al
so," adds their historian (Hecataeus, in Joseph, contra Apion, i. 22), " on their return
home, pulled down' the temples and altars which had been erected by the colonists in
their land, and paid a fine for some to the satraps, or governors, and received a pardon
for others."
The death of Alexander at Babylon, — in the midst of his prosperity, his excesses,
his large plans, and also during his ominous attempt to rebuild the temple of Belus,
and at the early age of thirty-two years, — was calamitous to the Jewish nation. For
amid the contests that prevailed among Alexander's successors, — each striving for
the mastery, and celebrating his death, as he himself foretold, with funeral games the
most bloody, — " evils were multiplied in the earth" (1 Mace. i. 19], and the Jews,
from their intermediate situation, lying between the two powerful kingdoms (as they
speedily became) of Syria northward, and of Egypt southward, were alternately har
assed by both. According to the imagery of Josephus, " They resembled a ship
tossed by a hurricane, and buffeted on both sides by the waves, while they lay in the
midst of contending seas." (Antiq. xii. 3, 3. See Hales, ii. 537.)
Every one is acquainted with the scramble for empire which took place among the
generals and principal officers of Alexander upon his death. It is useless to enter into
Jie details and trace the results of this struggle in the present work. It is only ne
cessary that we should disentangle from the comnlicated web which nistory'hf>:e
weaves, such thisads as may be found useful in leading on the history of the Jews
and Palestine.

430 AN ILLUSTRATED
It was determined that Aridaeus, an illegitimate brother of Alexander, a man of no
capacity, should be made king under the name of Philip, and that a posthumous son
of Alexander's, called Alexander -Slgus, should be joined to him, Perdiccas being re
gent and guardian of the two kings, who were both incapable of reigning. After
some deliberation Perdiccas distributed the governments among the generals and min
isters. Some who had been appointed by Alexander were confirmed in their prov
inces. The rest are named below.*
It was scarcely possible that the authority of two such kings, vested in a regent,
should hold in check the powerful and ambitious governors of the provinces. Indeed
th.- latter paid them the least possible regard and attention, and immediately after the
assignment of the provinces, wars broke out not only between the governors them
selves, but between them and the regent.
Our plan of confining our notices to the circumstances which more immediately af
fected Palestine, leads us first to notice the combination against the regent Perdiccas,
which was formed in B. C. 322 by Antigonus, Antipater, Leonatus, and Ptolemy, on
account of the design which Perdiccas betrayed of appropriating the crown of Mace
donia, of which Antigonus was himself desirous. Perdiccas, who- kept the young
kings constantly with him, was then in Cappadocia. The next spring he, accompa
nied by the two kings, marched a large army through Syria into Egypt, to subdue
Ptolemy in the first place, while Eumenes was left in Asia Minor to prosecute the war
against Antipater and his allies. The result of this expedition was, that Perdiccas
was slain by his own soldiers, who went over to Ptolemy, who was a very able and:
popular man, and natural brother to Alexander. Eumenes was proclaimed an outlaw,
and, ultimately, the regency was undertaken by Antipater, who made some changes
in the governments, appointing Seleucus governor of Babylonia; Antigonus to be gen
eral of Asia, to prosecute ihe war against the outlawed Eumenes; and the command
of the cavalry he gave to his own son Cassander, who was then with Antigonus.
The passage of a part of the royal army, through Judea, in going to and from
Egypt, as just related, could not fail to involve the Jews in some of the miseries of
war. But when the same royal army, under Antigonous, was otherwise employed
against Eumenes, Ptolemy, who had become very powerful, embraced the opportunity
to take possession of Judea, Samaria, Phoenicia and Coele-Syria, which were all easily,
subjugated by Nicanor his general. Laomedon the governor was taken prisoner, but
contrived to make his escape. Thus Palestine was partly the theatre of this short
*rar; but as Laomedon could make but a faint resistance, little injury was probably
sustained by the inhabitants; and, since it was their destiny to be a subject people,:
the inhabitants were well rewarded for what they then suffered, by passing under the
dominion of so benevolent a prince as Ptolemy Lagus. He went himself to Jerusa
lem, as Josephus says, for the purpose of sacrifice in the temple after the example of
Alexander, and on this occasion declared himself master of the country. To secure
his dominions he took a number of the people with him to Egypt. Among these
were several of the Samaritans and several thousand Jews; but their condition could
not be very calamitous, as many of their countrymen soon followed them of their own
accord. Ptolemy was soon made acquainted with the fidelity with which the Jews had
maintained their allegiance to the Persian kings. This was a rare quality in those
times :_and wishing lo attach such a people to himself, he restored the privileges they
had enjoyed under Alexander ; he employed a part of them to garrison his fortresses;,
others he sent to Cyrene, lhat he might have some faithful subjects in that newly-ac
quired territory ; and many more were assigned a residence in Alexandria, with the
grant of the same privileges as Alexander had bestowed on the Macedonian inhabit
ants of lhat city.
In 316 the puppet-king Aridaeus was privately put to death, by Olympias, the mo
ther of Alexander the Great, and in the same year Alexander .rEgeus was imprisoned
with his mother Roxana, by Cassander, governor of Caria ; and he also was murdered
* Poms and Taxiles had India ; Sebyrrius, Arachosia and Gedrosia ; Tleopolemus, Caramania ; Peuces
tes, Persia ; Python, Media ; Phrataphernes, Parthia and Hyrcania ; Stanasor, Aria and Drangiana ; Philip,
Bactria and Sogdiana; Arcesilaus, Mesopotamia ; Archon, Babylonia: Ptolemy Lagus, Egypt; Laomedon,
Syria and Palestine ; Philotas, Silicia ; Eumenes, Paphlagonia and Cappadocia; Antigonius, Pamphylia, Ly-
zia, and Greater Phrygia : Cassander, Caria ; Meleager, Lydia ; Leonatus, Lesser Phrygia, and the country
around the Hellespont ; Lysimachus, Thrace ; Antipater, Macedonia : Seleucus, afterward destined to be the
greatest of these names, received the important orlice of commander of the cavalry.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 431
in B. C. 310. Even this, however, did not quite put an end to the mockery of de-
pendance and deference ; for it was not until the death of Hercules, the remaining son
of Alexander the Great, by his wife Barsine, that the satraps put on crowns and took
the name of kings.
By the year B. C. 315 the turbulent and ambitious Antigonus had acquired such
power as excited the alarm of Seleucus, Ptolemy, Lysimachus, and Cassander (then
governor of Macedonia), who entered into an allegiance against him. Antigonus him
self was not idle, for the year following he wrested from the grasp of Ptolemy, Pal
estine, Phoenicia, and Coele-Syria. In consequence of this Palestine and its vicinity
became for tliree years the theatre of war between Ptolemy and Antigonus, and du
ring that time the Jews must have suffered much, as their country frequently changed
masters. The consequence was, that many jf the inhabitants voluntarily withdrew
to Egypt, where, aud particularly at Alexancria, they could enjoy freedom and peace
under a mild government. During these wars Jerusalem does not, however, appear
to have been molested, and was spared when Ptolemy gave up Samaria, Acco (Acre),
Joppa, and Gaza, to pillage.
It was at the last-mentioned city, Gaza, that the great battle was fought between
Ptolemy and Demetrius (B. C. 312), which, by the defeat of the latter, threw the
country again into the hands of the satrap of Egypt. In this battle Demetrius had a
large force of elephants, mounted by native Indian riders. But notwithstanding the
alarm which they inspired, tbey contributed to his defeat through the confusion they
produced, when annoyed and harassed by the prudent measures which Ptolemy took
against them. They were all taken, and most of the Indians slain.
Seleucus had a joint command in this action. He was soon after furnished by Ptol
emy with an inconsiderable force of two hundred horse and eight hundred foot, with
which he might prosecute his own interests, and at the same time annoy Antigonus
in the east. With this handful of men he crossed the desert and the Euphrates, and
paused at Haran tc increase his army in Mesopotamia. His entrance into Babylonia
was like a triumphal procession, for the people, mindful of the justice of his previous
administration, and the great qualities of character and conduct which he had dis
played, flocked to his standard in crowds, and he recovered with the utmost ease not
only the city and province of Babylon, but the whole of Media and Susiana ; and he
was enabled to establish his interest in this quarter upon so solid a foundation that it
could no more be shaken, notwithstanding the momentary appearance of success which
next year attended an attempt made by Demetrius to recover Babylon for his father
Antigonus. It is from this recovery of Babylon by Demetrius in October B. C. 312,
twelve years after the death of Alexander, that the celebrated " Era of the Seleucidae"
commences. It is also called the "Greek" and the "Alexandrian Era;" while the
Jews, because obliged to employ it in all their civil contracts, called it the " Era of
Contracts." Some nations compute from the spring of the ensuing year : but that, as
some suppose, this arose from the fact that Seleucus was not fully established until
then in the possession of Babylon (after the attempt of Demetrius) may very well be
doubted. It is more natural lo resolve the difference into an adjustment of the era to
the different times at which the year was commenced by different nations — some at
the autumnal, and others at the vernal equinox.*
Meanwhile Demetrius gained an important advantage over the general (Cilles)
whom Ptolemy had despatched to drive him out of Upper Syria, where he remained
with the remnant of his army ; and on this occasion the victor, following the exam
ple which had lately been set by Ptolemy, directed the prisoners which were taken
to be restored. It is interesting to note the introduction of such civilized amenities
into transactions so essentially savage, and so humiliating to the just pride of reason,
as those which warfare involve and produce. When the news of this success reached
Antigonus (then in Phrygia) he hastened to join his son; and the aspect of their joint
forces was so formidable, that Ptolemy judged it prudent to evacuate his recent con-
* lt may be doubted whether the Era in its origin had any real reference to the taking of Babylon, although
that even happened to occur in the year to which its commencement is referred. This Era long continued
in general use in Western Asia. The Arabians, who called it the '-• Era of the two-horned" (Dilkarnaim),
meaning Alexander, did not relinquish it till long afler the Era of the Ilegira had been adopted. It is still
retained by the Syrian Christians under the name of the Eraof Alexander. Even the Jews, who in the lirst
instance had been obliged to adopt it from its general use in civil contracts, employed no other epoch until
A. D. 1040, when, being expelled from Asia by the califs, and scattered about in Spain, England, Germany,
Poland, and other western countries, they began to date from the creation, although still without entirely
dropping the Era of the Seleucidre.

432 AN ILLUSTRATED
quests in Syria. Having therefore caused most of the fortifications of the places he
relinquished to be demolished, he withdrew into Egypt, laden with spoil, and attended
by great numbers of Jews, who were weary of continuing in what seemed likely to
become the troubled battle-ground between the great ruling powers of Egypt and
Syria, and chose rather to avail themselves of the security and ample privileges by
which the wise policy of Ptolemy invited them to settle in Egypt.
Elated by his successes, Antigonus conceived the design of reducing to his yoke the
Nabathaean Arabs, who at this time inhabited the mountains of Seir. Availing him
self of the absence of the active population of Petra at a great and distant fair in the
desert, the general Athenseus sacked that remarkable metropolis, and departed with
immense booty. But overcome with fatigue, the army halted on the way, and lay
earelessly at rest, when it was surrounded and cut in pieces by the hosts of the re
turning Nabathseans. Sixty only escaped. Antigonus afterward sent Demetrius to
avenge this loss. But he, advancing to Petra, and perceiving the hazard and delay
of the enterprise, was glad to compound with the people on terms which bore a show
of honor to his father, without being disgraceful to them. Petra, which was the chief
scene of these enterprises, was doubtless the city, in a valley of Mount Seir, which,
after the oblivion of ages, has been brought to our knowledge and abundantly de
scribed by Burkhardt, Mangles, Laborde, and other travellers. We notice this expe
dition chiefly for the sake of recording, that Demetrius on his return by way of the
Dead sea, took notice of the asphaltos of that lake, and gave such an account of it
to Antigonus as led him to desire to render it a source of profit to his treasury. He
therefore despatched the aged historian Hieronymus, with men to collect the asphaltos
for the benefit of the government. The Arabs looked on quietly, and offered no in
terruption until a large quantity had been collected and preparations were made for
carrying it away ; then they came down with six thousand men, and surrounding
those who were employed in this business, cut them in pieces. Hieronymus escaped.
Thus we perceive that the Asphaltic lake, otherwise useless, had become a source
of wealth and object of contention on account of its bitumen,
We need not enter into the treaties and wars between the satraps, during the suc
ceeding years. Antigonus remained in possession of Syria. In 306 B. C* Demetrius,
who had been highly successful in Greece, invaded the island of Cyprus, and made
the conquest of it after repelling Ptolemy, who came with a fleet to the assistance of
his allies. This conquest was so pleasing to Antigonus that ne thereupon assumed
the title of king, and had such confidence in the duty and affection of his excellent
son, that he saluted him (by letter) with the same title, thus making him the asso
ciate of his government. When this was heard in Egypt, the people, out of their
attachment to Ptolemy, saluted him also as king, whereupon Lysimachus in Thrace.
Seleucus in Babylon, and even Cassander in Macedonia, were hailed by the regal
title, by the nations under their rule. This none of them strenuously forbade or op
posed; and although they did not immediately call themselves kings on their coins
and in their edicts, they all did so ere long, with more or less show of decent reluct
ance and delay. In those times, however, the kingly title was very common, and
much less of special significance was connected with it than it has since acquired.
Elated by this and his other great successes, Antigonus cast his eyes upon Egypt. In
305 B. C. he collected in Syria an army of eighty thousand foot, eight thousand horse,
and eighty-three elephants, and marched along the coast of Palestine to Gaza ; to which
point Demetrius also repaired by sea, with a fleet of one hundred and fifty ships of '
war, and one hundred storeships. This formidable expedition failed through mis
management on their side, met by excellent management and preparation on the part
of Ptolemy. Antigonus retired from the Egyptian frontier in disgrace, not a little
heightened by the avidity with which his own soldiers embraced the opportunity
of escaping from his austere rule to the mild and paternal sway of the Egyptian
king. Meanwhile Seleucus had been consolidating in the east that power which ulti
mately made him the greatest of the successors of Alexander. By 303 B. C. he had
established his dominion over all the eastern provinces to the borders of Indiai and in
that year was preparing for the invasion of that country, when affairs called his
attention to the west, and he concluded a treaty with the Indian king, from whom
he received five hundred elephants, — a fact which we particularly notice as explain
ing the frequent presence of that noble beast in the subsequent warfares in Syria and

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

4Ji3

Palestine. Subsequent supplies were after- 1
ward obtained from the same source, in
order to keep up this favorite force in thei
armies ofthe Syrian kings.*
At last the several kings, wearied out with
troubles and conflicts which the insatiable I
and turbulent ambition of Antigonus occa-l
sioned, made common cause against him, I
Seleucus taking the lead, and bringing thei
largest force into the field. The belligerantsl
met and fought a battle, intended by all to be I
decisive, at Ipsus in Phrygia, in the year I
B. C. 301. Antigonus brought into the field I
between seventy and eighty thousand foot, I
ten thousand horse, and seventy elephants ; I
and Seleucus and his confederates had sixty- 1
four thousand infantry, ten thousand five bun- 1
dred cavalry, above one hundred chariots
armed with scythes, and four hundred ele
phants. The courageous old man, Antigonus, now fourscore and upward, behaved
with his usual valor and conduct, but not with his usual spirit. Seleucus, by an
adroit interposition of his elephants, managed to prevent Demetrius from properly
supporting his father with the cavalry, which he commanded ; and the final re
sult was, that Antigonus fell on the field of battle pierced by many arrows, while
Demetrius managed with a poor remnant of the army to escape to Ephesus. He sur-
" The ancient Egyptians do not appear to have known the elephant, although quantities of the tooth
were brought to the country and to Palestine. We do not remember to have met with a single Instancu
In which this animal is described as being figured on the old monuments of that country.
28

(Use of Elephants in War.J

434 AN ILLUSTRATED
vived seventeen years, and took an active part in the affairs of that lime, but not
so as to bring him under our future notice.
This great victory was followed by a treaty between the four potentates who had
weathered the storm which had raged since the death of Alexander, being Seleucus,
Ptolemy, Lysimachus, and Cassander. Each was formally to assume the royal dig
nity, and to govern his provinces with imperial power. The distribution was made
on the principle of each retaining what he already had, and taking his due share of
the empire which Antigonus had lost with life. To Cassander was allotted Macedonia
and Greece ; to Lysimachus Thrace, Bithynia, and some of the adjacent provinces ;
to Ptolemy, Libya, Egypt, Arabia Petraea, Palestine, and Coele-Syria ; to Seleucus,
all the rest, being in fact the lion's share — including many provinces in Syria, Asia-
Minor, Mesopotamia, Babylonia, and the East as far as the frontiers of India.
This settlement must have been highly satisfactory to the Jews, whom it restored
to the dominion of Ptolemy, with whose generally beneficent government, and par
ticular favor to themselves, they had every reason to be satisfied. The prospects of
durable peace, under the shadow of so great a king, must also have been contempla
ted with peculiar satisfaction by a people who suffered so much of the horrors and
penalties, without sharing in the contingent honors and benefits of war.
They were not disappomted. Ptolemy, now relieved from his long conflict, and
settled firmly upon his throne, applied himself with great and laudable diligence to
the improvement of his dominions. One great point of his policy was really to attach
to his rule the several nations which had become subject to it. From this policy
sprang the favors which he showered upon the Jews, and the indulgence with which,
notwithstanding their peculiarities, they were on all occasions treated. The most
perfect religious toleration was established by this eminent monarch, whose interest
it was to harmonize the differences of religious practice and opinion which existed
between his Greek and Egyptian subjects : the religion of the Jews was comprehend
ed in this indulgence ; and their synagogue was as much tolerated and respected as
the temples of Isis and of Jupiter. Ptolemy made Alexandria the metropolis of his
empire, and gave full effect to the intention of its great founder by taking such meas
ures as ere Tong rendered it the first commercial city in the world. — This, among
others, was a circumstance calculated to attract the Jews to that city; as, first their
long absence from their native land — during the captivity, and then the troubles of
war in that land — troubles peculiarly unfavorable to the peaceful pursuits and hopes
of agriculture — had already turned their attention toward commerce.
Seleucus, between whose terriloriesand those ofPtolemy, Palestine wasnow situated;
saw the wisdom of the policy followed by the king of Egypt, and applied himself with
great vigor to work it out in his own dominions. In those dominions many fine cities had
been entirely destroyed, and others greatly injured by the ravages of war. To repair
these losses, Seleucus built many new cities, among which are reckoned sixteen which
he, from his fathei, called Antiochia or Antioch ; nine to which he gave his own name ;
six on which he bestowed that of his mother Laodicea; six which he called Apamea
after his first wife, and one after his last wife Stratonice. Of all these towns the
most celebrated was the city of Antioch. on the Orontes in Syria, which became the
metropolitan residence of all the succeeding kings, and m a later day, of the Roman
governors; and which has ever since survived, and which still exists, and retains
some relative consequence by virtue of the corresponding decline of all prosperity
and population in the country in which it is found. Its name will occur very often
in the remainder of our narrative. Next to Antioch in importance was Seleucus on
the Tigris, which may in fact be considered the capital of the eastern portion of the
empire. It was situated about fifty miles north-by-east of Babylon, twenty-lhret
miles below the site of the present city of Bagdad, and just opposite to the ancient
city of Ctesipbon. This city (founded in B. C. 293) tended much to the final ruin
and desolation of Babylon. Great privileges were granted to the citizens ; and on thi?
account many of the inhabitants of Babylon removed thither; and after the transfet
of the trade to Seleucia, these removals became still more. frequent. It was in this
manner that Babylon was gradually depopulated ; but the precise period when it
became entirely deserted can not now be ascertained. It may be interesting to note
this, as many of the eastern Jews were involved in whatever transactions took place
in ibis quarter, which, from the time of the captivity to this day, has never been
desliiuie of a large aiid often influential Jewish population. But now Babylon itself

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

43E

436 AN ILLUSTRATED
is not more desolate — is even less desolate — has more to mark it as the site of a great
city of old times, than the superseding Selucia, wnich only received existence in the
last days of Babylon. " I have," says a late traveller, " walked over the ground it
occupied, and found the site of the royal city only marked by the parallel embank
ments of ancient aqueducts, and by the consolidated grit and debris which devote to
utter barrenness, in this primeval country, the spots which towns once occupied, as
if man had branded the ground by the treading of his feet."
In his newly-founded towns, it was the policy of Seleucus to induce as many as
possible of the Jews to settle by important privileges and immunities, such as those
which Ptolemy had extended to them. The consequence was that the Jews were at
tracted to these spots in such numbers, and especially to Antioch, that in them they
formed nearly as large a proportion of the inhabitants as at Alexandria itself.
In an this, we think it is not difficult to perceive a further development of the di
vine plan, which now, as the times advanced, dictated the dispersion of numerous
bodies of Jews among the Gentile nations, — whilethe nation still maintained in its
own land the standards of ceremonial worship and of doctrine— with the view of
making the nations acquainted with certain truths and great principles, which should
work in their minds as leaven until the times of quickening arrived.
During the time of Ptolemy Soter, the prosperity of the Jews was much strength
ened by the internal administration of the excellent high-priest Simon the just. In
300 he succeeded Onias I., who had in 321 succeeded Jaddua, the high-priest in the
time of Alexander the Great. Simon repaired and fortified the city and temple of
Jerusalem, with strong and lofty walls ; and made a spacious cistern, or reservoir of
water, " iu compass as a sea."* He is reported to have completed the canon of the
Old Testament by the addition of the books of Ezra, Haggai, Zechariah, Nehemiah,
Esther, and Malachi. This is not unlikely, as also that the book of Chronicles was
completed in its present state ; for the genealogy of David in the first book comes
down to about the year B. C. 300 ; and it may also be remarked that in the catalogue
of high-priests as given in Nehemiah, Jaddua is mentioned in such a manner as to in
timate that he had been for some time dead. The Jews also affirm that Simon was
" the last of the great synagogue :" which some ingeniously paraphrase into " the last
president of the great council, or Sanhedrim, among the high-priests" (Hales, ii. 538) ;
whereas it seems clear that no Sanhedrim at or before this time existed. And from
the fact that this " great synagogue" is not (like the Sanhedrim) described as being
composed of seventy members, but of one hundred and twenty, among whom were
Ezra, Haggai, Zechariah, Nehemiah, and Malachi — it would appear that it rather de
noted the succession of devout and patriotic men who distinguished themselves after
the captivity, by their labors toward the collection and revision of the sacred books,
and the settlement and improvement of the civil and religious institutions of theii
country ; and of whom Simon, by completing the sacred canon, became the last. Si
mon died in B. C. 291, and was succeeded by his son Eleazer.
Not long after this (B. C. 285), the king of Egypt, having conceived just cause of
displeasure against his eldest son Ptolemy Keraunus, took measures to secure the suc
cession to his youngest son Ptolemy Philadelphus. His advanced age warned him
that he had no time to lose ; he therefore resigned the diadem to Philadelphus (" the
orother-loving"), and enrolled himself among the royal life-guards. He died two years
after (B. C. 283) at the age of eighty-four, forty years after the death of Alexander^
As for Ptolemy Keraunus, he ultimately sought refuge at the court of Seleucus, by
whom he was most kindly received and entertained: b, t he justified the ill opinion
of him on which his own father had acted by destroying his benefactor. This was in
B. C. 280, only seven months after Seleucus had consummated the greatness of his
empire by the overthrow of Lysimachus, who had himself previously added the king
dom of Macedonia to his own of Thrace. Thus Seleucus became the possessor of
three out of the four kingdoms into which the empire of Alexander had, in the defeat
of Antigonus, been divided. After his death, Ptolemy Keraunus managed to seat him
self on the Macedonian throne ; but the very next year he was taken prisoner and cut
in pieces by the Gauls, who had invaded Macedonia.
Seleucus was succeeded in what may be called the throne of Asia by his son Anti
ochus Soter. This prince, after he had secured the eastern provinces of the empire,
* Eccius. i. 1-3. The whole chapter, entitled " The Praise of Simon the Son of Onias," is devoted hi a
jplendid eulogrum on his deeds and character.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 437
erfdeavored to reduce the western, but his general Patrocles was defeated in Bithynia,
and the loss of his army disabled him from immediately prosecuting the claims upon
Macedonia and Thrace. Meanwhile the sceptre of Macedonia was seized by the vig
orous hands of Alexander Gonatus, a son of Demetrius Poliorcetes, and consequently
a grandson of Antigonus, and to him Antiochus at length felt himself constrained to
cede that country ; and the family of Antigonus reigned there until the time of Per
seus, the last king, who was conquered by the Romans. Antiochus Soter died in B,
C. 261 after nominating as his successor his second son Antiochus Theos (" the God").
This prince was his son by his mother-in-law Stratonice, whom his too indulgent fa
ther had divorced to please him.
The accession of Antiochus II. took place about the middle of the reign of Ptolemy
Philadelphus in Egypt. This last-named monarch was quite as tolerant and as friendly
to the Jews as his father had been. He was a great encourager of learning and pa
tron of learned men. Under his auspices was executed that valuable translation of the
Hebrew scriptures into Greek, called the Septuagint, from the seventy, or seventy-two,
translators said to have been employed thereon. Eleazer was still the high-priest,
and appears to have interested himself much in this undertaking, and was careful to
furnish for the purpose correct copies of the sacred books. The date of B. C. 278 is
usually assigned to this translation. Thus the Jewish scriptures were made accessi
ble to the heathen. It is unquestionable that copies of this version, or extracts from
it, found their way in process of time into the libraries of the learned and curious of
Greece and Rome ; and there is no means of calculating the full extent of its opera-
lion in opening the minds of the more educated and thoughtful class among the hea
then to the perception of some of the great truths which they could learn only from
that book, and which it was now becoming important that they should know. It was
even a great matter that they should have the means of knowing clearly what the
Jews believed, whatever they may themselves have thought of that belief. This ver
sion soon came into common use among the Jews themselves everywhere, even in
Palestine, the original Hebrew having become a learned language. Indeed, the quo
tations from the Old Testament made by the evangelists and apostles, and even by
Christ himself, are generally, if not always from this version
In the third year of Antiochus a long and bloody war broke out between him and
Ptolemy Philadelphus. The latter king, bending under the weight of years, com
manded by his generals, while Antiochus, in the vigor of youth, led his armies in
person. Neither monarch appears to have gained any very decided advantages over
*.hj other; while we know that much was lost by Antiochus; for while his attention
was engaged by wars hi the west the eastern provinces of his vast empire — Parthia,
Bactria, and other provinces beyond the Tigris — revolted from his dominion ; this was
in B. C. 250, from which the foundation of the Parthian empire may be dated ; but it
is perhaps better, with the Parthians themselves, to date it from the ensuing reign,
when they completely established their independence. It is here however we are to
seek the real beginning of the Parthian empire, which was ultimately destined to set
bounds to the conquests ofthe Romans, and to vanquish the vanquishers of the world.
The immediate result was that Antiochus was obliged, in the year B. C. 249, to make
peace with Philadelphus on such terms as he could obtain. These were, that he
should repudiate his beloved queen, who was his half-sister, and marry Berenice, a
daughter of Philadelphus, and that the first male issue of the marriage should succeed
to the throne.
As Philadelphus on his part gave for the dower of his daughter half the revenues
of Palestine, Phoenicia and Coele-Syria, the Jews may seem to have come partly un
der the dominion of Antiochus. But as the king retained the other half in his own
hands, and as the revenues of Judea were always farmed by the high-priest, the cir
cumstance made no change in their condition. Besides, the arrangement was too
soon broken up to produce any marked effect. These were the important nuptials
between " the king of the north," and " the daughter of the king of the south," which
ihe prophet Daniel had long before predicted (Dan. xi. 6). It was only two years
after this (B. C. 247) that Philadelphus died; immediately on which he put away
Beienice and restored his beloved Laodicea; but she, fearing his fickleness, poisoned
him, and set her son Seleucus Callinicus (" illustrious conqueror''^ 'ipon the throne
(B. C. 246). On this Berenice sought shelter with her son (the hiir by treaty) in

438 AN ILLUSTRATED
the sacred groves of Daphne (near Antioch) ; but at the instigation of his mother ,
Callinicus tore her from that sanctuary, and slew her, with her infant son.
Now Berenice was full sister to the new king of Egypt, Ptolemy III., surnamed
Euergetes,* who immediately placed himself at the head of his army to avenge her
wiongs. He was eminently successful. He entered Syria, slew the queen Laodicea,
and overran the whole empire, as far as the Tigris on the east and Babylon on the
south.f On he marched, from province to province, levying heavy contributions,
until commotions in Egypt obliged him to abandon his enterprise and return home.
On his way he called at Jerusalem, where he offered many sacrifices, and made large
presents to the temple. There is little doubt but that the high-priest took the oppor
tunity of pointing out to him those prophecies of Daniel (xi. 6—8) which had
been accomplished in the late events and his recent achievements; and this may prob
ably have been the cause of his presents and offerings.
The high-priest of the Jews was then Onias n. Eleazer, the high-priest at the
time the Greek translation of the Scriptures was made, died in B. C. 276, and was
succeeded, not by his own son Onias, but by Manasses, a son of Jaddua. He died in
B. C. 250, and Onias III. then became high-priest. As usual, Onias farmed the trib
ute exacted from Judea by the Egyptians. But growing covetous as he advanced
in years, he withheld, under one pretence or another, the twenty talents which his
predecessors had been accustomed to pay every year to the king of Egypt as a tribute
for the whole people. This went on for twenty-four years, and, the arrears then
amounting to four hundred and eighty talents, the king deemed it full time to take
energetic measures to secure the payment of this portion of the royal revenues. He
sent an officer named Athenion to demand the payment of what was already due,
and to require a more punctual payment in future, with the threat that unless meas
ures of compliance were taken, he would confiscate all the lands of Judea, and send
a colony of soldiers to occupy them. The infatuated priest was disposed to neglect
the warning and brave the danger, which filled all the people with consternation.
But the evils which might have been apprehended were averted through the policy
and address of Joseph, the high-priest's nephew, who generously borrowed the
money upon his own credit, paid the tribute, and so ingratiated himself at the
Egyptian court that he obtained the lucrative privilege of farming the king's
revenues not only in Judea and Samaria, but in Phoenicia and Coele-Syria.
Seleucus Callinicus, in his emergencies, had promised to his younger brother Anti
ochus Hierax, who was governor of Asia Minor, the independent possession of seve
ral cities in that province, for his assistance in the war with P. Euergetesr. But when
he had (B. 0. 243) obtained a truce of ten years from the Egyptian king, he refused
to fulfil this engagement. This led to a bloody war between the two brothers, in
which Seleucus was so generally unsuccessful that it would appear as if the title of
Callinicus (illustrious conquerer) had been bestowed upon him in derision. He was
however ultimately successful through-the losses and weakness which other enemies
brought upon Antiochus Hierax ("the Hawk" — from his rapacity), who was in the
end obliged to take refuge in Egypt, where he was put to death in B. 0. 240. Tow
ard the end of this war, Mesopotamia appears to have been the scene of action; for
in that- quarter occurred the battle in which eight thousand Babylonian Jews (sub
jects of Seleucus) and four thousand Macedonians defeated one hundred and twenty
thousand Gauls whom Antiochus had in his pay (Mace. viii. 20).
S. Callinicus being now relieved from the western war, turned his attention to the
recovery of the eastern provinces which had revolted in the time of his father. Re
newed troubles in Syria prevented any result from his first attempt in B. C. 236; and
in his second, in 230, he was defeated and taken prisoner by the Parthians, whose
king, Arsaces, treated the royal captive with the respect becoming his rank, but never
set him at liberty. He died in B. C. 226 by a fall from his horse. On this event Se
leucus III. inherited the remains of his father's kingdom. This prince was equally
* We may add in a note that this title (the Benefactor) was conferred on Ptolemy by his Egyptian subjects
on his return from his eastern expedition. He recovered and brought back, with other bootyto an immense
amount, 2,500 idolatrous images, chiefly those which Cambyses had taken away from the- Egyptians. When
he restored the idols to their temples, the Egyptians manifested their gratitude by saluting with this title
They were less prone than the Greeks of Asia to deify their kings.
t The inscription found at Adule by Cosmas gives a more extensive range to his operations, affirming
that after having subdued the west of Asia, ultimately crossed the Euphrates, and brought under his do
minion, not only Mesopotamia and Babylonia, but Media, Persia, and the whole country as far as Bactria,
As this needs more collateral support than it has received, we adopt a more limited statement in the text.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 439
weak in body and mind, and therefore most unaptly surnamed Keraunus (' thunder').
When a war broke out in B. C. 223, his imbecile conduct so provoked his generals,
that he was poisoned by their contrivance.
Of these troubles and dissensions in Syria, Ptolemy Euergetes, in Egypt, took due
advantage in strengthening and extending his own empire. In B. C. 222, the year
after the murder of Seleucus III., his reign was terminated through his murder by
his own son Ptolemy, who succeeded him, and who, on account of this horrid deed,
was ironically surnamed Philopatok (" father-loving"). P. Euergetes is popularly
considered the last good king of Egypt, which is true in the sense that the succeed
ing Ptolemies governed far worse than the first three of that name — all of whom
were just and humane men, and whose reigns were glorious and beneficent. If Euer
getes was inferior in some respects -to Lagus and Philadelphus, he was more than in
the same degree superior to his own successors.
At this time the Jews had for about sixty years enjoyed almost uninterrupted tran
quillity under the shadow of the Egyptian throne. During this period circumstances
led them into much intercourse with the Greeks, who were their masters and the
ruling people in Egypt, Syria, Asia Minor — and, in fact, in all the country west of the
Tigris. A predominance of Greeks and of Grecian ideas, which has dotted the sur
face of westernmost Asia with frequent monuments of Grecian art, was not without
much effect upon the Jews in this period. Among other indications, the increasing
prevalence, in and after this period, of Greek proper names among the Jews, may be
taken. There is ample evidence that the more opulent classes cultivated the lan
guage, and imbibed some of the manners of the Greeks. It is also apparent that some
acquaintance with the Greek philosophers was obtained, and made wild work in
Jewish minds. Nothing manifests this more clearly than the rise of the Sadducees,
whose system was nothmg more than a very awkward attempt to graft the negations
of Greek philosophy upon the Hebrew creed. It confirms this view, that the sect
of the Sadducees was never popular with the mass of the nation — but was always
confined to those whose condition in life brought them the most into contact with the
notions of the Greeks — the wealthy, noble, and ruling classes. Priests — even high-
priests — sometimes adopted the views of this sect.
It has already been stated that the high-priest Simon the Just was counted as the
last of " the great synagogue," who had applied themselves to the great work of col
lecting, revising, and completing the canon of the Old Testament. To this followed
"a new synagogue," which applied itself diligently to the work of expounding and
commenting upon the completed canon. This school lasted until the time of Judah
Hakkadosh, who to prevent these comments or " traditions" (which were deemed of
equal authority with the text) from being lost, after the dispersion, committed them
to writing, in the Mishna — which, with its comments, has since constituted the area;
law-book of the Jews, from wnich, even more than from the Scriptures, they have
deduced their religious and civil obligations. The founder and first president of this
school, or synagogue, was Antigonus Socho, or Sochaeus. He (or, according to some
accounts, his successor Joseph) was fond of teaching that God was to be served
wholly from disinterested motives, of pure love and reverence, founded on the con
templation of his infinite -perfections, without regard to the prospects of future reward,
or to the dread of future punishment. This was either misunderstood or wilfully per
verted by some of his scholars, and in particular by Sadoc and Baithos, who declared
their disbelief that there was any future state of reward or punishment. Perhaps
they stopped at this; but the views ultimately imbodied in the. creed of the sect
which took its name from the first of these persons, inculcated that the soul was mor
tal like the body, and perished with it, and consequently that there was not, nor could
be, any resurrection. They also held that there was no spiritual being, good or bad.
(Matt." xxii. 23; Acts xxiii. 8.) They rejected the doctrine of an overruling Provi
dence, and maintained that all events resulted from the free and unconstrained actions
of men. That, like the Samaritans, they rejected all the sacred books save the Pen
tateuch, is inferred from the unsupported authority of a passage of doubtful interpre
tation in Josephus.* And as there is some evidence to the contrary, it is safer to
conclude that they admitted the authority ofthe other books, but ascribed to them an
inferior value and importance than to the Pentateuch. But it is certain that they re
jected absolutely the 'traditions," to which such supreme importance was attached
* Antiq. xiii ID, G

440 AN ILLUSTRATED
by the mass of the nation. This was a good thing in them ; and in this they agreed
with Jesus Christ and his apostles, who were opposed to them and by them on every
other point. In fact, it would seem as if this sect in its beginning was intended
merely as an opposition to the tradition party, which was likely to be regarded with
apprehension by the more open and thinking minds. The doctrinal errors had no
necessary connexion with the anti- tradition zeal of the party, and were probably
grafted on it through the speculative tendencies of some of its original leaders.
After the murder of Seleucus Keraunus, who left no son, the kingdom of Syria fell
to his brother Antiochus III., who had been brought up at Seleucia on the Tigris.
He came to Antioch ; and his reign was so productive in great events that he ulti
mately acquired the surname of " the Great." He carried on the wars against the
revoked provinces with such success that he soon recovered almost all Asia-Minor,
Media, Persia, and Babylonia. The effeminate character of Ptolemy Philopator —
who was a mean voluptuary, abandoned to the most shameful vices, and entire'-;
governed by the creatures and instruments of his pleasures— led Antiochus to contem
plate the feasibility of obtaining possession of the valuable provinces of Coele-Syria,
Phoenicia, and Palestine. Great part of the first of these provinces, with the city of
Damascus, he easily acquired, through the defection of Theodotian the governor — a
orave man rendered a traitor by the desire of revenge, and by contempt for the char
acter of his master. The campaign was terminated by a truce for four months, which
circumstances made desirable for both parties before prosecuting the war. Negotia
tions for a peace were indeed entered into ; but as both parties claimed Ccele-Syria
and Palestine in virtue of the treaty by which the empire of Alexander was divided
after the fall of Antigonus, the truce expired without anything having been concluded.
The war was therefore resumed in 218 B. C. Antiochus marched into the disputed
territory and carried all things before him :— forcing the passer of Lebanon, he pene
trated into Phoenicia, and after securing the coast, marched -into the interior, and
brought under his power all the cities of Galilee; after which he passed beyond Jor
dan, and won the ancient territory of the tribes beyond that river, with the metropolis
Rabbath-Ammon, which Ptolemy Philadelphus had fortified, and named after him
self Philadelphia. At the same time, Antiochus subjugated some of the neighboring
Arabs ; and on his return threw garrisons into Samaria and some of the adjacent
towns ; and at the close of this brilliant campaign, he took up his winter quarters in
Ptolemais (afterward Caesarea).
These large and repeated losses at length roused all the energies which Ptolemy
was capable of exerting. He forsook his drunken revels, and placing himself at the
head of an army of seventy thousand infantry, five thousand cavalry, and seventy-
three elephants, he marched from Pelusium through the desert, and encamped at
Raphia, a place between Rhinoculura (El Arish) and Gaza. Antiochus, with the
.confidence of victory which his recent successes inspired, advanced to meet him at
that place, with an army of sixty-two thousand infantry, six thousand cavalry, and
one hundred and twenty elephants. He was totally defeated, with such loss that he
made no attempt to repair it, but abandoned all his conquests and withdrew to An
tioch. By a peace, concluded soon after, he relinquished all pretension to the dis
puted territories. Philopator now recovered all the former possessions of his crown
without striking a blow ; for the cities hastened to emulate each other in renewing
their homage to him' by their ambassadors. Among these the Jews, always partial
to the Egyptian rule, were the most forward : and the king was induced to pay a
visit to Jerusalem, as well as to the other principal cities. There he offered sacrifices
according to the Jewish law, and presented gifts to the temple. But, unhappily, the
beauty of the building, and the peculiar order and solemnity of the worship, excited
the curiosity of the king to see the interior. Simon IL, who had but lately succeeded
Onias II. in the high-priesthood, remonstrated against this intention, intimating thai
it was unlawful even for the priests to enter the inner sanctuary. Philopater answered
haughtily, that although they were deprived of that honor, he ought not ; and pressed
forward to enter the sacred place. But while he was passing through the inner
court for that purpose, he was " shaken like a reed, and fell speechless to the
ground," overcome either by his own superstitious fears, or, as the historian seems
to intimate, by a supernatural dread and horror cast on him from above. He was
curried out half dead, and speedily departed from the city full of displeasure againsl
the Jewish people. Ho therefore commenced a most barbarous persecution against

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

441

442 AN ILLUSTRATED
the Jews in Egypt on his return home. In the first place he caused a decree to be
inscribed on brazen pillars at the palace-gate, that none should enter there who did
not sacrifice to the gods he worshipped — which effectually excluded the Jews from
all access to his person. Then he deprived the Jews in Alexandria of the high civil
privileges they had enjoyed, degrading them from the first to the third or last class of
inhabitants. He also ordered them to be formally enrolled, and that at the time of
their enrolment, the mark of an ivy-leaf (one of the insignia of his god, Bacchus)
should be impressed upon them with a hot iron : if any refused this mark they were
to be made slaves ; and whoever opposed the decree was to be put to death. Again,
they were tempted to apostacy by the promise of restoration to the rank of citizens of
the first class ; but of the many thousands of Jews then at Alexandria, only three
hundred appear to have submitted to the humiliating condition, and these were held
in such abhorrence try the majority of their countrymen, and were so pointedly
shunned, and excluded from the society of their old associates, that the king, when
acquainted with it, was highly enraged, and regarded this as an opposition to his
authority; he vowed to extirpate the whole nation. To begin with the Jews in
Egypt, he ordered them all to be brought in chains to Alexandria. Having thus
brought them all together, they were shut up in the hippodrome, which was a large
enclosure outside the city, built for the purpose of horse-racing and other public
amusements, where he intended to expose them as a spectacle, to be destroyed by
elephants. At the appointed time, the people assembled in crowds, and the elephants
were on the spot ; but the effects of a drunken bout, the preceding night, prevented
the attendance of the king, and caused the postponement of the show. The next day,
a similar disappointment proceeded from the same unseemly cause. But on the third,
the king managed to be present, and the elephants were brought out after they had
been intoxicated with wine and frankincense to render them more ferocious. But they
spent their fury, not on the unhappy Jews, but turned upon the spectators, of whom
they destroyed great numbers. This, connected with some unusual appearances in
the air, appeared to the king and his attendants so manifest an interposition of a
Divine Power in behalf of the Jews, lhat he instantly ordered them to be set at lib
erty ; and fearful of having provoked the vengeance of Heaven, he hastened to restore
the Jews to their former privileges by rescinding all the decrees he had issued against
them. Now also, his better reason gaining.sway, considering lhat those who had so
signally evinced their fidelity to their God were not likely to be unfaithful to their
king, he bestowed upon them many marks of his munificence and confidence. Among
other things, he abandoned to their disposal the three hundred apostates, who were
speedily put to death by their offended brethren.*
Ptolemy Philopator died in B. C. 205, leaving his crown to Ptolemy EpifHANES,
then a childfive years of age. Meanwhile Antiochus III. had won the surname of Great,
by his eminent successes in the East, where he restored the ancient supremacy of the
Seleucidae. At the death of Philopator, he had but recently returned from his eastern
wars. He was not slow in perceiving the advantage which he might take ofthe in
fancy of the new king m accomplishing what had been one of the first objects of his
reign. This design again exposed unhappy Palestine to all the horrors of war. The
first campaign put Antiochus in possession ofthe standing bone of contention, Coele-
Syria and Palestine. It is remarkable that on this occasion the Jews relinquished
their usual attachment to the Egyptian yoke, and took a very decided part with
Antiochus. For this many reasons may be conceived, but none are distinctly known ;
we have however no doubt that one of them may be found in the indulgent consider
ation with which ihe Jews of Babylonia and other eastern provinces had been treated
* It is right to apprize the reader that the whole of this account of the visit of Philopator to Jerusalem
and its consequences, down to this point, is not in Josephus, but is given on the sole authority of the author
of the r/HrrZbook of Maccabees. In all, there are ./rue books of Maccabees, of which two only are included in our
Apocrypha. The third, which relates solely to this persecution of tlie Jews by Ptolemy Philopator, exists
in Greek, and is found in some ancient manuscripts of the Greek Septuagint, particularly in the Alexandrian
and Vatican manuscripts. There is also a Syriac version of it from the Greek ; but it has never been in
serted in the Vulgate, or in our English Bibles, but English translations of it exist. It appears to have
been the work of an Alexandrian Jew ; and while we admit that the book is full of absurdities, and that
the authority is of very little value in itself, yet we think that in the outline facts, as related in the text,
there is so much appearance of probability, and so many small agreements with the accounts which history
has preserved ofthe manners and ideas and circumstances of the times, as well as with the character of
the king, that we are disposed to regard it as substantially true. The silence of Josephus is indeed a sus
picious circumstance to which we are willing that due weiglit should be given ; but it will be noticed bs
every reader that the history of Josephus is remarkablv brief at this perod

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 443
by Antiochus — a fact which could not fail to be known in Palestine and at Jerusalem.
The next year, however, Antiochus having been called away into Asia Minor, Pal
estine was speedily recovered by Scopas, the Egyptian general, who did not fail to
make the Jews aware of his consciousness of the favor to Antiochus which they had
manifested. The Egyptians were, however, soon again driven out of the country by
Antiochus, and on this occasion such important services were rendered him by the
Jews, and when he came to Jerusalem (B. C. 198), so lively were their demonstra
tions of joy, that the king, to confirm their attachment to his government, and to re
ward their services, granted them many important favors; and aware that there were
no points on which they were more anxious than in what concerned their city and
lemple, he declared his intention to restore the city to its ancient" splendor and dig
nity, and thoroughly to repair the temple at his own cost; he' guarantied the in
violability of the sacred place from the intrusion of strangers ; and by liberal grants,
he made ample provision for the due and orderly performance of the sacred services.
Antiochus also expressed his confidence in the attachment of the Jews by establishing
colonies of them, on very advantageous terms, in Phrygia, Lydia, and other districts
of doubtful fidelity — a circumstance whioh accounts for the great number of Jews
scattered through those countries at the preaching of the gospel. (1 Pet. i. 1 ; James i.
I.) But it was the destiny of Antiochus to come into contact with the iron power
which was ere long to break in pieces all the kingdoms of the earth, and to make
their glory a vain thing. The Romans had already become great, and began to inter
fere with their usual haughtiness in the affairs of the East. The successful termina
tion of the second Punic war had covered them with renown, and spread their fame
far and wide ; and already they had indicated to sagacious persons, by the reduction
of Macedonia to the state of a subject kingdom, the ultimate tendencies of their great
and still increasing power. Antiochus regarded this phenomenon with some appre
hension, and perceiving, at the same time, what appeared advantageous opportunities
of recovering in the north all that had belonged to the first Seleucus, he felt disposed
to bring his southern contest to a conclusion. He therefore temporized with the
Egyptians, whose power he had greatly underrated, and made an offer of his beauti
ful daughter Cleopatra in marriage with the young king of Egypt, as soon as he
should become of age ; promising, as her dower, to restore the provinces of Ccele-
Syria and Palestine, which he had wrested from Egypt. The princess was accordingly
betrothed to P. Epiphanes ; but the marriage did not actually take place until B. C.
192, when the young monarch reached the eighteenth year of his age.
Antiochus availed himself of this settlement of affairs to prosecute his other plans.
He reduced the maritime ureek cities of Asia Minor, and crossing tne Hellespont,
wrested the Chersonese from the weakened hands of the Macedonian king. This
brought him into direct and fatal collision with the Romans. And here it may be
observed that long before this the political sagacity of Ptolemy Philadelphus had de
tected the nascent greatness of the Roman state, and had anxiously cultivated its
friendship. This also had been the policy of his successors; and the guardians of
the young king, when apprehensive of the danger of Antiochus, had placed him under
the guardianship of the republic.
When Antiochus had passed into Europe and taken possession of Thrace, the
Romans sent an embassy to require restitution not only of all he had taken from
Philip of Macedon, but of all that he had taken from their ward the king of Egypt
The Syrian king answered the requisition as haughtily as it was made ; and it was
manifest that an appeal to arms could not be far distant. What brought on the
actual conflict was the passage of Antiochus into Greece, at the invitation ofthe
-rEtolians, who made him their commander-in-chief. In Greece his proceedings weie
not taken with that ability which distinguished the earlier part of his career, and in
191 B. C, he was utterly routed at Thermopylae, and compelled to withdraw from
Europe, by the consul Acilius Glabrio. The marriage of his daughter with Ptolemy
had been completed the year before this at Raphia,but he still retained possession of
the provinces to be ceded,* and endeavored to corrupt his daughter to betray the
interests of her husband. • But he was disappointed. She was more attached to
, "Jerome and Appian say thit Antiochus did surrender these provinces ; and Josephus appears to concur
with them, intimating that the revenues were paid to the Egvptian king. (Ant. xii. 4, 1.) But Polybius
Sanies it ; and this denial is confirmed bj the fact that they still remained in the possession of the sons
v»d Kin-cessors tf Antiochus.

444 AN ILLUSTRATED
Ptolemy than to her father ; and, being probably dissatisfied at his breach of promise, ,
she joined her husband, in an embassy to Rome in 191 B. C, to congratulate the'
Romans on driving Antiochus out of Greece, and to assure the senate of the readiness
of the king and queen to conform themselves to its directions.
Antiochus was now driven to seek peace with Rome ; but the terms which they
offered v/ere so hard, that he could not bring himself to accept them. In all human
probability he had brought himself into this condition by his inability to appreciate
the value of the advice tendered to him by Hannibal, who, expelled from Carthage,
had in 195 B. C, sought refuge at his court ; and who, while he encouraged his
enmity to the Romans, had exhorted him to make Italy the seat ofthe war. In 190
B. C, Cornelius Scipio (consul), assisted by his brother Africanus, passed over into
Asia to conduct the war against Antiochus. Under their able management, it was
soon brought to a conclusion, and the Syrian king was compelled from his capital of
Antioch to sue for peace, which he obtained on very humiliating terms, but nol
essentially harder than those which he had at first refused. He relinquished all Asia
Minor west of the Taurus: he agreed to pay all the expenses ofthe war, estimated
at eighteen thousand Euobic talents, by regulated. instalments; he was to deliver up
his elephants and his ships-of-war (excepting twelve) to the Romans ; and he was to
give into their hands Hannibal and other eminent foreigners, who had sought protec
tion at his court. The aged Carthaginian and another contrived to make their escape ;
but the rest were given up, together with the twelve hostages, for the observance of
the treaty, among whom the king's younger son, Antiochus, surnamed Epiphanes
was one. After this Antiochus withdrew to the eastern provinces of his empire,
where he endeavored to collect the arrears of tribute due to him, to defray his heavy
engagements to the Romans. There he was slain, two years after, by the natives of
Elymais in Persia, when he attempted to seize the treasures contained in their rich
temple. This was in B. C. 187, in the fifty-second year of his age, and tlie thirty-
seventh of his reign. The leading events of his reign had been foreshown by Daniel
(xi. 13-19).
Simon II., who was high-priest of the Jews at the time of the unhappy visit of
Ptolemy IV. to Jerusalem, died in B. C. 195, after an administration of twenty-two
years. He was succeeded by his son Onias III. Onias was a person of great piety,
and of mild and amiable disposition — and well worthy of better times than those in
which he lived, and of a better end than it was his lot to experience. During the
first years of his administration, when his excellent intentions received full effect under
the favorable auspices of Antiochus and his successor, " the holy city was inhabited
in all peace, and the laws were kept very well." The nation was also at this time
held in such high estimation that the sovereigns of the neighboring countries courted
its friendship, and made magnificent offerings to the temple. And we are persuaded
that this was not merely on account of the Jews, but with the design of honoring and
with the hope of propitiating their God, Jehovah, whose fame was by this time widely
extended among the nations, and his power acknowledged and feared by many of
them. Seleucus IV., surnamed Philopator, the eldest son of Antiochus the Great, suc
ceeded to the throne of his father, and to the heavy obligations under which he lay
to the Romans. He was as well disposed toward the Jews as his father had been;
and notwithstanding his embarrassments, gave orders that the charges of the public
worship should continue to be defrayed out of his own treasury. But subsequently, i
upon the information of Simon — a Benjamite, who was made governor of the temple,
and had quarrelled with Onias — that the treasury of the Jerusalem temple was very
rich, and abundantly more than sufficient to supply the sacrifices and oblations, — the
king, who was greatly straitened for money, to raise the money required by the Romans,
sent his treasurer Heliodorus to seize and bring him the reported treasure. Heliod-
orus concealed the object of his journey until he reached Jerusalem, when he made
it known to the high-priest, and demanded the quiet surrender of the money. Onias
informed him in reply, that there was indeed considerable treasure in the temple; but
by no means of such large amount as had been reported. Great part of it consisted
of holy gifts, and offerings consecrated to God, and the appropriation of which could
not be disturbed without sacrilege. The rest had been placed there by way of se
curity, for the relief of widows and orphans, who claimed it as their property ; and a
considerable sum had been deposited there by Hyrcanus (the son of that Joseph whc

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 44f>
obtained ihe farming of the revenues from Ptolemy Euergetes, as before related), a
person of great opulence and high rank. He added, that being by virtue of his office
the guardian of this wealth, he could not consent to its being taken from the right
owners, and thereby disgrace his office and profane the sanctity of that holy place
which was held in reverence by all the world. Determined to fulfil his mission,
whatever impression this statement may have made upon his mind, Heliodorus
marched directly to the temple, and was there vainly opposed by the high-priest and
the other ministers of the sacred services. The outer gates were ordered to be de
molished ; and the whole city was in the utmost agonies of apprehension. But when
Heliodorus was about to enter, at the head of his Syrians, he was struck with a panic
terror, similar to that which Ptolemy Philopator had before experienced, and, falling
to the ground, speechless, he was carried off for dead by his guard. Onias prayed
for him and he recovered, and made all haste to quit the city. His plan being thus
frustrated, the guilty Simon had the effrontery to charge Onias himself with having
procured this visit from Heliodorus: some believed it; and in consequence there aro«e
hostile conflicts between the paities of Onias and Simon, in which many lives were
lost. At last, Onias resolved to proceed himself to Antioch and lay the whole matter
before Seleucus. He was favorably received by the king, who heard and credited
his statements, and, in consequence, decreed the banishment of Simon from his native
-ntry. This was in B. C. 176. In the year following, Seleucus was induced to
se..d his son Demetrius as a hostage to Rome, to relieve his own brother Antiochus,
who had now been twelve years in that city. Demetrius had departed, and Antiochus
was not come ; and the absence of the two who stood next the throne afforded Heli
odorus an opportunity of conspiring against his master, whom he removed by poison,
and himself assumed the government. Antiochus was visiting Athens, on his way
home, when he heard of this. He immediately applied himself to the old enemy of
his father, Eumenes, king of Pergamos* (to whom the Romans had consigned the
greater part of tht- territory in Asia Minor, which they compelled Antiochus the
Great to cede) who, with his brother Attalus, was easily induced to assist him against
the usurper. They succeeded, and their success placed the brother instead of the
son of Seleucus upon the throne of Syria, with the concurrence of the Romans.
Antiochus IV. was scarcely settled on the throne before Jesus, or, by his Greek
name, Jason,t repaired to Antioch, and, availing himself of the penury of the royal
treasury, tempted the new king by the offer of four hundred and forty talents of silver
to depose the excellent Onias III. from the high-priesthood, and to appoint himself
in his place. He also obtained an order that Onias should be summoned to Antioch,
and commanded to dwell there. Finding how acceptable money was to the king,
Jason offered one hundred and fifty talents more for, and obtained, the privilege of
erecting at Jerusalem a gymnasium, or place for such public sports and exercises as
were usual among the Greeks, as well as for permission to establish an academy in
which Jewish youth might be brought up after the manner of the Greeks ; and also
the important privilege of making what Jews he pleased free of the city of Antioch.
The obvious object of all this was as opposite as possible to that of the Mosaic insti
tutions. It was intended to facilitate the commixture of the Jews with foreigners,
and to lessen the dislike with which the Greeks were disposed to regard a people so
peculiar and so exclusive. This might have been a good design under general con
siderations of human policy, but was calculated to be most injurious and fatal as
respected the Jews, whose institutions designedly made them a peculiar people, and
whatever tended to make them otherwise must needs have been in counteraction of
the great principle of their establishment. The effects which resulted from the
exertions of Jason, after he had established himself in the high-priesthood, were such
as might have been foreseen. The example of a person in his commanding position
drew forth and gave full scope to the more lax dispositions which existed among the
people, especially among the younger class, who were enchanted with the eas^ and
freedom of the Grecian customs, and weary of the restraints and limitations of iheir
own. Such as these abandoned themselves with all the phrensy of a new excitement,
from which all restraint had been withdrawn, to the license which was offered to
* The founder of the celebrated library at Pergamos, and the reputed inventor of parchment.
t Most persons of consequence had now two names ; one native Hebrew name, used among their own
countrymen, and another Greek (as much as possible like the other in sound or meaning), used in their
Intercourse with the heathen '

446 AN ILLUSTRATED
them. The exercises of the gymnasium seem to have taken their minds with the
force of a fascination. The priests neglected their service in the temple to be present
ai these spectacles. It is well known that some of these exercises were performed
naked ; and it is related that many of the Jewish competitors found means to efface
the marks of circumcision, that they might not be distinguished from other people.
In the Greek cities of Asia, in which Jews were settled, this became a common prac
tice among those young men who wished to distinguish themselves m the sports of
the gymnasium.* We allude to this as a striking illustration of the extent in which
this rite operated in fulfilling its design of separating the Jews from other people.
The year after his promotion, Jason sent some young men, on whom he had conferred
the citizenship of Antioch, to assist at the games which were celebrated at Tyre (in
the presence of Antiochus) in honor of Hercules. They were intrusted with a large
sum of money, to be expended in sacrifices to that god. But even the least scrupu
lous of the high-priest's followers were not prepared to go to tnis extent wtth him,
and instead of obeying their instructions, they presented the money to the Tyrians
as a contribution toward the repair of their fleet.
Jason only enjoyed his ill-gotten dignity for three years. His younger brother
Onias, or, by his Greek name, Menelaus, having been sent to Antioch with tribute,
took advantage of the opportunity to ingratiate himself with Antiochus, and by offer
ing three hundred talents more than Jason had paid, succeeded in getting himself
appointed to the high-priesthood in his room. But he was repulsed in his attempt 10
assume that high office, and returned to Antioch, where he induced the king to
establish him by force, by professing for himself and his associates an entire con
formity to the religion of the Greeks. Jason was in consequence expelled by an
armed force, and compelled to retire to the land of the Ammonites, leaving the pon
tificate to his still less scrupulous brother.
Menelaus found that he had over-taxed his resouri.es in the payment he had agreed
to make for his promotion, and in consequence of the non-payment he was summoned
to Antioch by the king. Antiochus was absenc when he arrived, and he soon learned
that there was no hope of his retaining the favor ofthe king unless the payment was
completed. Having exhausted his own coffers as well as credit, he privately sent 10
his brother Lysimachus (whom he had left as his representative at Jerusalem) to
withdraw some of the sacred vessels of gold from the temple, to sell them at Tyre
and the neighbormg cities, and send him the amount. This disgraceful affair was
not managed with such secrecy but that it came to the knowledge of his elder brother,
the deposed high-priest, Onias III., who was still residing at Antioch, much respected
by the numerous Jews of that city, before whom he spoke of this sacrilege in such
strong language as threw them into such a state of ferment and displeasure as was
likely to prove dangerous to Menelaus. He therefore, by bribery, prevailed on An-
dromcus, the king's deputy at Antioch, to put him to death. Onias, apprized of these
intrigues, had taken refuge in the sanctuary of Daphne ;t but was induced to quit il
by the assurances and promises he received from Andronicus, and was barbarously
murdered as soon as he had passed the sacred bounds. This atrocious deed raised a
terrible outcry among the Jews at Antioch, who hastened to make their complaints
to the king on his return to lhat city. Antiochus, to do him justice, was much
affected, and shed tears, when he heard them. He promised justice, and performed
it ; for, after proper investigation, Andronicus was stripped of his purple, and put to
death on the very spot where Onias had been murdered. Menelaus, the more guilty
of the two, found means to escape the storm which destroyed the agent of his crime
But the sums of money which were necessary to enable him to maintain his credit,
obliged his brother Lysimachus to resort to such repeated and unheard-of exactions,
violence, and sacrilege, that the people of Jerusalem rose against him, scattered lilie
chaff the three thousand men he had got to defend him, and, when he himself fled
ro the treasury of the temple, pursued and slew him there.
Antiochus having soon after come to Tyre, the Jewish elders sent three venerable
deputies thither to justify this act, and to accuse Menelaus as the author of all the
tioubles which had happened in Judea and Antioch. The case which they made oui
was so strong, and was heard with so much attention by the king, that Menelaus
* To this practice allusions are made by St. Paul : Rom. ii. 25 ; 1 Cor. vii. 18.
! Tlris was a grovt about Ihree miles. from Antioch, which had been maae a sanctuary for criminals and
a place of pleasure h* the end the place became so infamous that no man of character could visit it

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 447
felt greatly alarmed for the result. He therefore applied himself to the king's
favorite, Ptolemy Macron, and promised him so large a sura that he was induced to
watch the inconstant temper of the king, and availed himself of an opportunity of
getting him not only to absolve Menelaus, but to condemn the three Jewish deputies
to death. This most unjust and horrid sentence was immediately executed. This
terrible crime shocked the whole nation, and was abhorrent even to foreigners, for
tlie Tyrians ventured to express their sense of the wrong, by giving an honorable
burial to the murdered men. The ultimate effect was to make Antiochus himself a
sharer in the aversion with which Menelaus was regarded by the nation : but, at the
same time, the paramount influence of that guilty person with the king seemed to be
so clearly manifested, that all further notion of resisting his authority was abandoned,
and he was enabled to resume his station at Jerusalem. This was greatly facilitated
by the presence of the king himself with a powerful army in the country, for which
circumstance we must now proceed to account.
It will be remembered that the king of Egypt, Ptolemy Epiphanes, had been mar
ried to Cleopatra, daughter of Antiochus the Great, and sister of the present Antio
chus. Ptolemy was taken off by poison iu B. C. 181, after a profligate and troubled
reign of twenty-four years. He left three children: Ptolemy Philometor, Ptolemy
Physcon, and Cleopatra, who was successively married to her two brothers.
Ptolemy VI., surnamed Philometor (" mother-loving"), was but a child at the death
of his father, and the government was conducted with ability by his mother Cleopatra.
But she died in B. C. 173, on which the regency devolved on Eulseus the eunuch, and
Lennreus, the prime minister — the tutors of the young prince. They immediately
advanced a claim to the possession of Coele-Syria and Palestine, on the ground that
they had been secured to Ptolemy Lagus by the partition-treaty of B. C. 301 ; and that
they had again been given by Antiochus the Great in dowry with his daughter Cleo
patra on her becoming queen of Egypt. Antiochus refused to listen to such demands;
and both parties sent deputies to Rome to argue their respective claims before the
senate. When Philometor had completed his fourteenth year, he was solemnly invested
with the government, on which occasion embassies of congratulation were sent from
all the neighboring nations. Apollonius, the ambassador of Antiochus, was instructed
to take the opportunity of sounding the dispositions ofthe Egyptian court; and when
this person informed Antiochus that he was viewed as an enemy by the Egyptians, he
immediately proceeded to Joppa, to survey his frontiers toward Egypt, and to put them
in a state of defence. On this occasion he paid a visit to Jerusalem. The city was
illuminated, and the king was received by Jason (who was then high-priest) with ev
ery demonstration of respect. Afterward he returned to Antioch through Phoenicia.
Having completed his preparations for war, Antiochus, in B. C. 171, led his army
along the coast of Palestine, and gave the Egyptians a signal overthrow at Pelusium.
He then left garrisons on the frontier and withdrew into winter-quarters at Tyre. It
was during his stay there that the deputies arrived to complain of Menelaus, and
were put to death, as just related. In the spring of the next year (B. C. 170) Antio
chus undertook a second expedition against the Egyptians, and attacked them by sea
and land. He defeated them on the frontiers and took Pelusium. After his victory
he might have cut the Egyptian army in pieces, but he behaved with such humanity
as gained him great favor with the Egyptians. At length all surrendered to him vol
untarily ; and with a small body of troops he overran all the country except Alexan
dria, and obtained possession of the person of the young king, whom he treated with
apparent consideration and regard.
While Antiochus was thus employed, a rumor of his death before Alexandria reached
Palestine, on which the deposed high-priest, Jason, quitted the land of the Ammon-
iles, and with a party, assisted by friends within, surprised Jerusalem, massacred the
citizens, drove his brother Menelaus into the castle, and possessed himself of the prin
cipality. But he was speedily compelled to quit the city and country, at the news
that Antiochus was alive, and marching with a powerful army against Jerusalem.
After wandering from one place to another, a fugitive and a vagabond, Jason at lasi
perished miserably, a refugee in the strange land of Lacedaemonia. The news of
this movement had been reported to Antiochus with such exaggeration as led him tc
conclude that Judea had revolted; anu being furthei provoked by hearing that the
Jews had made public rejoicings at the news of his death, he marched in great wrath

448 AN ILLUSTRATED
from Egypt, took Jerusalem by assault, destroyed eighty thousana persons, plundered
the temple of all its treasures, vessels, and golden ornaments, aud carried away one
thousand eight hundred talents to Antioch.
Ptolemy Philometer being now actually under the power of Antiochus, the people
of Alexandria proclaimed his brother king under the name of Ptolemy Euergetes II. ;
but who was afterward nick-named Physcon ("big-belly") on account of his corpu
lency. This afforded Antiochus a pretext for returning the next year (B. C. 169) to
Egypt with tne declared intention of supporting Ptolemy Philometor in the throne,
but with the real purpose of bringhig the whole country under his power. At the
end, however, perceiving that the conquest of Alexandria would be an undertaking
of great difficulty, he withdrew to Memphis, and affected to deliver up the kingdom
to Philometor, and returned to Antioch. But as he retained in his own hands Pelusi
um, the key of the kingdom on the side of Syria, his ulterior designs were transpa
rent to Philometor, who therefore made an agreement with Physcon that they should
shaie the government between them and resist Antiochus with their united power;
and also that a joint embassy should be sent to Rome to implore the protection of the
republic against their uncle.
This brought on a fourth invasion of Egypt by Antiochus (B. C. 168), who now
threw off the mask he had hitherto chosen to wear, and declared himself the enemy
of both the brother kings. He took possession of all the country as far as Alexandria,
and then advanced toward that city. He was within four miles thereof, when he was
met at Eleusis, by the ambassadors which the Roman republic had sent to adjust these
differences. And this they did in the usual summary manner of that arrogant people.
At the head of the ambassadors was Popilius Lsenas, whom Antiochus had known
during his thirteen years' residence at Rome. Rejoiced to see him, Antiochus stretched
forth his arms to embrace him. But the Roman sternly repelled the salute, demand
ing first to receive an answer to the written orders of the senate, which he delivered.
The king intimated that he would confer on the matter with his friends, and acquaint
the ambassadors with the result : on which Popilius drew with his staff a circle around
the king on the sand, and said, " 1 require your answer before you quit this circle."
The king was confounded ; but after a moment of rapid and condensed deliberation,
he bowed his proud head, and said, falteringly, " I will obey the senate !" On which
Popilius, who had hitherto seen only the king of Syria, recognised the friend, and ex
tended to him his hand. Perhaps this conduct in either party would not have occurred
the year, or even the month before; but the Romans had just concluded their war
with Perseus, and made Macedonia a Roman province, and the ambassadors had
waited at Delos to learn the issue of this war before they sailed for Egypt.
Antiochus obeyed the senate, by immediately withdrawing his forces from Egypt.
On his -way homeward, he marched along the coast of Palestine ; and he despatched
Apollonius, his general, with twenty-two thousand men to vent his mortification and
fury upon ihe inhabitants of Jerusalem, which, as well as the rest of the .province,
had for two years been groaning under the tyranny and rapacity of Philip, the Phry
gian governor, " more barbarous than his master ;"and of Menelaus the apostate high-
priest, " worse than all the rest." Apollonius came to Jerusalem, and as his men re
mained quiet, and he was himself known as the collector of the tribute in Palestine,
and as such usually attended by an armed force, his hostile intentions were not sus
pected by the Jews. All things remained quiet until the sabbath, on which day, it
was known, the Jews of that age would not fight even in self-defence. The soldiers
were then let loose, and scoured the streets, slaughtering all they met — who suffered
themselves meekly to be slain, none being found who attempted to stand on iheir de
fence. The women and children were spared, to be sold for slaves. All the street-
of Jerusalem, and the courts of the temple flowed with blood ; the houses were pil
laged and the city wall thrown down. Apollonius then demolished all the buildings
near Mount Zion, and with the materials strengthened the fortifications of the citadel,
which he furnished with a garrison and held under his own command. This castlt
was so situated as to give the garrison complete command of the temple, and the re
mains of the people would no longer visit the sanctuary, or the priests perform the
public services of religion. Accordingly, in the month of June, B. C. 167 the daily
sacrifice ceased, and Jerusalem was soon completely deserted, as the surviving inhab
itants fled to the cities of the neighboring Gentiles.
An edict was now issued at Antioch, and proclaimed in all the provinces of Syria,

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 449
commanding the inhabitants of the whole empire to worship the gods of the king,
and to acknowledge no religion but his — with the declared object " that all should
become one people." Antiochus was unquestionably a madman. This is not doubted
by any one who has studied the whole of his Hstory, which it has been no part of
our duty to relate : and it is surely not very necessary to analyse the interior motives
of a madman's acts. Hales fancies that " this general persecution seems to have been
raised by Antiochus, not from any regard to his own religion, but from a regular plan
and deep-laid scheme of plundering the temples throughout his dominions, after he
had suppressed their worship. For the temples were not only enriched by the offer
ings of the votaries, but from their sanctity were the great banks of deposite, and the
grand magazines of commerce." But there was no general persecution, although the
edict was general in its terms. The cities containing the wealthiest temples already
woishipped the gods of Greece ; and it must have been known, as proved the fact,
that none of the other pagan nations would make much difficulty in complying with
the royal edict. It must have been known, in fact, that none but the Jews were
likely to oppose themselves to the operation of this decree ; and we are therefore not
disposed to look for any deeper cause than the insane abhorrence which Antiochus had
conceived against that people, and which he could not safely manifest without bring
ing them into a condition of apparent contumacy, which might, in some degree, ex
cuse, in the eyes of the heathen, his contemplated severities against them.
The pagan generally, as we have intimated, found no difficulty in complying with
the royal edict. The Samaritans, who were anxious to claim a Jewish origin in the
time of Alexander, now wrote to Antiochus to inform him that they were Sidonians,
and offered to dedicate their temple on Mount Gerizim to Jupiter Xenius, " the de
fender of strangers." Even many Jews submitted to the edict for fear of punish
ment, and a still greater number, long attached to the customs of the Greeks, were
glad to avail themselves of the apparent compulsions under which they were now
placed. But the better part of 'he people fled, and kept themselves concealed. An
old man of the name of Athetweus was sent to Jerusalem to instruct the Jews in the
Greek religion, and to compel the observance of its rites. He dedicated the temple
to Jupiter Olympius, and on the altar of Jehovah he placed a smaller altar to be used
in sacrificing to the heathen god. This new altar, built by order of the desolater An
tiochus, is what Daniel alludes to when he speaks of the " abomination that maketh
desolate," or " abomination of desolation."* This altar was set up on the fifteenth day
of the month Cisleu (November — December), and the heathen sacrifices were com
menced on the twenty-fifth of the same month. Circumcision, the keeping of the
sabbath, and every peculiar observance of the law was made a capital offence ; and
all the copies of the law which could be found were taken away, defaced, torn in
pieces, burned. The reading of it was forbidden; and it is said' to have been at this
time that the Jews first took to the public reading in the synagogues, of the other
books of Scripture, as substitutes for the interdicted Pentateuch, which usage they
afterward retained, when the reading of the law was restored. Groves were conse
crated, and idolatrous altars erected in every city, and the citizens were required to
offer sacrifices to the gods, and to eat swine's flesh every month on the birth-day of
the king ; and on the feast of Bacchus, the Jev/s were compelled to join in the cele
bration, and to walk in procession crowned with ivy. Instant death was the penalty
of refusal. Among other instances of cruel punishment at Jerusalem, two women,
with their infant children, whom they had circumcised with their own hands, were
thrown from the battlements on the south side of the temple, into the deep vale be
low. Officers were sent into all the towns, attended by bands of soldiers, to enforce
obedience to the royal edict.
It seems that ultimately Antiochus came into Palestine to observe that his orders
had been duly executed ; and the history relates that he commanded and superintend
ed the most horrible tortures of the recusants : — particular mention is made of the
martyrdom of Eleazer, in his ninetieth year, for refusing to eat swine's flesh (2 Mace.
yi. 18-31); and of the heroic matron and her seven sons, who nobly set the royal
* This is from Jahn, who remarks further, " This interpretation agrees much better with the literal mean
ing of the words than that adopted by those who apply this expression to the erecting of an image to Ju-
S iter Olympius ; a mode of explanation which is at variance with the authority of Josephus and the first
ook of Maccabees. Undoubtedly there was an image erected to Jupiter Olympius, for the pagan religion
required it ; but this is not the circumstance referred to by the prophet, in the words which have been
quoted " 29

450 AN ILLUSTRATED
madman at defiance and professed their belief '.hat " The King of the World would
raise up to everlasting life those who died for his laws ;" and threatening their tor
mentor that " he should have no resurrection to life, but receive tho just punishment
of his pride through the judgment of God." Never before were the Jews exposed to
so furious a persecution — indeed it is the first time in which they can be said to have
been persecuted on account of their religion. It was undoubtedly made instrumental
in the then great mission of the Jews in calling the attention of the heathen lo the
great principles of doctrine of which they had been the special conservators. The
mere fact of this conspicuous persecution for opinion, which was a new thing to the
heathen, and still more the historical results of this persecution, were calculated to
draw the attention of every reflecting mind among the heathen to those religious pe
culiarities on behalf of which such numbers of the Jewish people were willing to
peril their lives.
The persecution had lasted about six months, when God raised up a deliverer for
a people whom he had not yet abandoned, in the noble family of the Asamoneans.
Mattathias was the son of John, the son of Simon, the son of Asamonias, from whom
the family took its name. He was a priest of the course of Joarib, the first of the
twenty-four courses appointed by David (1 Chron. xxiv. 7), descended from Phineas,
the son of Eleazer, the elder branch of the family of Aaron (1 Mace. ii. 55). He had
five sons, whose names were Johanan (John), Simon, Judas, Eleazer, and Jonathan.
He was one of the principal inhabitants of Modin, a town near the seashore, about a
mile from Joppa (Jaffa), and four miles from Lydcla or Diospolis. To this city a royal
officer named Appellcs was sent to enforce the edict. With many fair promises, he
endeavored to induce Mattathias, as a leading man in the place, to set the example
of sacrificing to the idol. But the undaunted priest repelled his offers with indigna
tion and abhorrence, and with a loud voice, in the hearing of the whole assembly,
proclaimed his refusal to sacrifice. At this juncture a certain Jew passed toward the
altar with the intention of sacrificing, when Mattathias, in obedience to the law,
struck him down with his own hand, as a rebel against Jehovah. This was the
earnest-blood ofthe great war which followed. Kindled by his own act, the zealous
priest and his sons, assisted by the citizens, whom their daring act emboldened,
rushed upon the commissioner and his retinue, slew them on the spot, and tore town
the idolatrous altar. Alive to the consequences of this deed, Mattathias proclaimed
through the city, " Whosoever is zealous for the law, and a maintainer of the cove
nant, let him follow me I" Thus he and his sons fled to the mountains of Judea.
They were only ten in number at first, but were soon joined by many Jews who were
determined to maintain the religion of their fathers.
These conscientious persons were disposed to construe the obligations of the 1 iw
all ihe more rigidly and literally, out of opposition to the loose principles of those who
had joined the Greeks — it being the tendency of all great struggles- to produce ex
treme parties. They hence held it to be imperative to abstain from the use of arms
on the sabbath day. In consequence ol this a thousand persons, who had taken
refuge in a large cave not far from Jerusalem, allowed themselves to be slaughtered
on that day without the least resistance. This event opened the eyes of Mattathias
and his adherents ; who, after mature deliberation, determined that it was not only
lawful, but their duty, to stand on their defence on the sabbath day ; although they
still thought themselves bound from voluntarily becoming on that day the assailants.
They took every means of making this resolution known throughout the country, so
that from that time no scruples on the subject were entertained.
Meanwhile the party of Mattathias went on steadily increasing, until it amounted
to a considerable body of men, who were prepared to hazard everything in defence of
their religion. This ardor corild not long be restrnined, and MaUathirs, emerging from
his concealment, went with them throughout the Jewish cities, and everywhere de
molished the idolatrous altars, circumcised the children, slew the apostate Jews and
the officers appointed to execute the decree of Antiochus, recovered many of the
copies of the law which the oppressors had taken away, and gained several important
advantages over the enemy. While engaged in these expeditions the heroic priest
died, in the year B. C. 167. Before his death he appointed his third and bravest son,
Judas, to be military leader ; associating with him Simon, his second and most pru
dent son, as counsellor. Judas is supposed to have derived his celebrated surname ol
Maccabeus from a cabalistic word formed of M. C. B. I., the initial letters of the He-

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

451

452 ,AN ILLUSTRATED
brew text Mi Chamoka Baalim Jehovah, " Who is like unto thee among the gods, O
Jehovah !" (Exod. vi. 11), wliich letters might have been displayed on his sacred
standard : like the S. P. Q. R. for Senatus populus que Romanus on the Roman en
signs. The noble war for the rights of opinion commenced by Mattathias was carried on
for twenty-six years by his illustrious sons — counting from the first stroke at Modin—
with five successive kings of Syria. Within this period Judas and his brothers es
tablished the independence of their country and the aggrandizement of their family,
after destroying above two hundred thousand of the best troops of the Syrian kings.
" Such a triumph of a petty province over a great empire is hardly to be paralleled
in the annals of history." (Hales ii. 551.)
The first enterprise of Judas, and his comparatively small but resolute band, was
against Apollonius, whose barbarous exploits at Jerusalem have lately been recorded.
He was at the head of a large army, but was defeated and slain by Judas, who took
his sword, with which he afterward fought all his life long.
The next exploit of Judas was the defeat of Seron, a Syrian general, with a large
host of Grsecising Jews and apostate Samaritans. The small force with which he
achieved this victory was encouraged by the hero in the words of Jonathan, the son
of Saul, " With the God of Heaven it is all one to deliver with a great multitude or
a small company :" adding the emphatic words, " We fight for our lives and our laws."
This battle was fought near Betheron.
Antiochus was filled with rage and indignation at these successes of an adversary
which seemed so contemptible, but whose fame had now spread into all the neigh
boring nations. He formed large plans of vengeance, but finding these checked by
the exhausted state of his treasury — for he had squandered wealth like a madman.
as he was — he resolved to proceed into the eastern provinces to recruit his finances,
His son, the heir of his crown, then about seven years old, he committed to the care
of Lysias, "a nobleman, and one ofthe blood royal," and appointed him regent of all
the western provinces, from the Euphrates to Egypt, and commissioned him to raise
and march an army to extirpate the Jews, and to plant a foreign colony in their room,
B. C. 166.
The next year Lysias was able to send a large army of forty thousand foot and seven
thousand horse into Judea, under the command of Nicanor and Gorgias. So confident
were they of victory that Nicanor proclaimed a sale of the captive Jews beforehand,
at the rate of ninety for a talent, or about two pounds sterling a head. This diew a
crowd of merchants from the coast to the Syrian camp at Emmaus, near Jerusalem,
to make a cheap purchase of slaves. This was not a peculiar circumstance ; for it
was then usual (according to Poly bius) for. the march of armies to be attended by
slave-dealers. Under these alarming circumstances Judas and his party assembled at
Mizpeh — that ancient place of concourse — where they fasted and prayed; after which
Judas- ;n obedience to the law, dismissed all such of his men as had in the course of
the preceding year bunt houses, betrothed wives,, or were planting vineyards, or were
fearful ; and this strong act of faith reduced his small army from six thousand to three
thousand men.
The Syrian generals deemed it superfluous to employ their large force against su
small a body. Gorgias, therefore, with a chosen army of five thousand foot and one
thousand horse, marched by night to surprise the army of Judas. But that vigilant
commander was apprized of the design, and determined to take advantage of the sep
aration of the two generals. He marched therefore early in the evening, and fell by
night upon the camp of Nicanor. Not the least expectation of an attack being enter-
tamed, the whole camp was thrown into confusion, and the soldiers fled. Three
thousand Syrians were slain, and many soldiers and slave-dealers made prisoners.
Early in the morning Gorgias, returning from his abortive march to Mizpeh, beheld
the Syrian camp in names, which threw his soldiers into such a panic that they be
took themselves to instant flight ; but were pressed upon so vigorously by the con
quering Jews, that m all they destroyed that day nine thousand of their enemies, and
wounded many more. Nicanor escaped in the disguise of a slave to Antioch, de
claring his conviction that a mighty God fought for the Jews. In the camp of the
Syrians the latter found great quantities of gold and silver, including the money which
the slave-dealers had brought to purchase their persons. This victory was celebrated
by a feast of thanksgr'ving.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 453
On the news of this defeat, the regent Lysias assembled a larger army of sixty
housand choice infantry, and five thousand horse, and marched himself at their head,
to invade Judea in the south. He entered Idumea, which name must be understood
as distinguishing the more modern territory of the Edomites, from their older and
more southern territory of Edom, in Mount Seir, which the Nabathaeans now occu
pied. Idumea was now, then, confined to the region west and southwest of the
Asphaltic lake, which had in former times belonged to the tribes of Simeon and Judah.
But after the Captivity it had been occupied by Edomites from Arabia Petraa, the
ancient Edom, who made Hebron their capital, and rebuilt, on their northern frontier,
the strong fortress of Bethsur, or Bethsura, which had been originally built by Reho
boam. (2 Chron. xi. 7.) At this last-named very advantageous post, Lysias encamped,
and was there set upon by the dauntless Judas, who, with only ten thousand men, gained
a most important victory, slaying five thousand men on the spot, and putting the rest to
flight. Observing that the Jews fought like men who were determined to conquer
or die, Lysias did not venture to renew the engagement, and indeed his soldiers
were so disheartened that he was soon obliged to return to Antioch, and there
issue orders that recruits for a new expedition should be raised in distant coumries,
B. C. 165.
This victory made Judas master of Judea ; and he determined to return to Jeru
salem, to repair and beautify the temple, which was then deserted and dilapidated.
In the neglected courts of the Lord's house shrubs were growing " as in the forest
or on the mountain." The whole host cast ashes on their heads, and cried toward
heaven, when they beheld the desolation of that holy place. The work of restoration
was commenced with ardor ; new utensils were provided for the sacred services ; the
old altar, having been defiled by idolatrous sacrifices, was taken away, and a new one
erected in its place ; and the sacrifices were recommenced precisely three years after
the temple had been dedicated to Jupiter Olympius. A feast of eight days celebrated
this new dedication, and an annual festival was instituted in honor of the event.
The castle on Mount Zion soon, however, proved a serious annoyance to the people,
as it was still in the hands of the Syrians, who lost no opportunity of disturbing the
services of the temple. The army of Judas was too small to allow him to blockade
the castle, but he fortified the temple-mount against their aggressions with high walls
and towers. He also strengthened the important fortress of Bethsura, to protect the
frontier toward Idumea, as it lay about mid-way between Jerusalem and Hebron.
When Antiochus Epiphanes received intelligence of the success of the Jewish arms,
and the defeat of the Syrian hosts, he was at Elymias in Persia, detained by an insur
rection occasioned by his plundering the celebrated temple in which his father Antio
chus the Great had lost his life. Transported with ungovernable passion at the news,
he hastened his homeward march to Antioch, devoting the Jewish nation to utter
destruction. But while his mouth uttered the deep curses and fell purposes of his
heart, he was smitten with sore and remediless torments in his inner parts. Yet on
he went, until he fell from his chariot, and suffered much from the fall. He was
then carried on a litter, but his disease acquired such a loathsome character that his
person became an abhorrence to himself and to all who had occasion to be near him.
In a disease so timed and so peculiar, the proud monarch was led to perceive the
hand of God, and to acknowledge that his barbarities and sacrileges were justly pun
ished by the torments which he endured and by the death which lay before him. He
died early in the year 164 B. C, and in him perished a man whose wild extravagances
dissolute and undignified character, savage cruelties, and capricious alternations of
temper, abundantly justified the nickname of Epimanes, "madman" by which in his
later years his assumed title of Epiphanes " illustrious" was ridiculed.
Antiochus V., surnamed Eupator " well-fathered", then a child nine years of age,
was set up for king by his guardian Lysias, and his succession received the important
sanction of the Romans ; for although Demetrius (the son of Seleucus Philopator),
still a hostage at Rome, and then twenty-three years of age, failed not to urge, his
claims upon the attention of the senate, that sage body decided that it was more for
the'interests of Rome that a minor should occupy the throne of Syria, than the ardent
and able Demetrius.
In the year 164 B. C-., the war against the Maccabees was renewed by the regent
Lysias. He invaded Judea with an army of eighty thousand foot, eighty elephants,
am? a large body of cavalry. He laid siege to Bethsura, but was repulsed by Judas-

454 AN ILLUSTRATED
with the loss of eleven thousand foot, and one thousand six hundred horse, and his
whole army was broken up. This defeat convinced Lysias that the Jews could not
be overcome, because ofthe almightiness of the God by whom they were helped.
He therefore offered them peace, on the condition of their being loyal to the state ;
on their acceptance of which, he issued a decree in the name' of the king, which
allowed them the free exercise of their own customs and worship, and permitted
them to live according to their own laws. The apostate high-priest Menelais,
who had been all this while with the Syrians, and had exerted himself in pro
moting this peace, was now sent back to the Jews to be reinstated in his pontificate.
It is of some importance to note that the Roman ambassadors at the Syrian court used
their efficient aid in obtaining this treaty for the Jews.
The peace thus afforded was of no long continuance : for although, formally, the
war with the kingdom had ceased, the governors of the Syrian provinces were not
backward in giving the Jews all the molestation in their power, and in encouraging
such of the neighboring nations as were, from old or new enmities, disposed to dis
turb them — such as the Joppites, the Jamnites, the Arabians, and the Idumeans,
all of whom were successively reduced by Judas, after a bloody warfare, the particu
lars of which are recorded in 2 Mace. x. 14-38; xi. 1-38.
All this time the citadel on Mount Zion, garrisoned by Syrians and renegade Jews,
continued to prove a great annoyance to the temple worship, which at last proved so
intolerable, that Judas was induced to lay siege to it, after his return from the defeat of
Gorgias the governor of Idumea. But some of the besieged, forcing their way through
in a sally, hastened to the court at Antioch, and complained of the continued hostility
ofthe Jews to the Syrian government, as evinced by this attempt upon the Syrian
garrison ; and by dwelling on this and other matters, contrived to stir up Lysias to
undertake a new war against them. The Syrian army which was raised for this war
in B. C. 163, consisted of one hundred thousand foot, twenty thousand horse, thirty-
two elephants, and three hundred chariots armed with scythes — a prodigious force in
that age, when, on account of the extravagant wages which soldiers received, it was
difficult to keep more than eighty thousand men in the field. The young king was
present in the camp, but of course Lysias was the actual commander. The Jews
did not venture to attack the royal army in the open field. But while the Syrians
laid seige to Bethsura, Judas fell upon them in the night, slew four thousand of them
before they well knew who was among them, and drew off safely by break of day.
The day after, a battle took place, in which the Syrians lost six hundred men ; but
Judas, fearing to be surrounded by the numbers of the enemy, thought proper to
retire to Jerusalem, the fortifications of which he now strengthened and put in a
state of defence. In this battle Judas lost his brother Eleazer. That valiant man
perceiving one of the elephants more splendidly caparisoned than the others, mis
takenly supposed it to be that of the king, and fought his way to it, got under it,
stabbed it in the belly, and was crushed to death by the fall of the huge beast upon
/im. It being a sabbatic year of rest to the land, Bethsura soon after surrendered for lack
of provisions ; and Jerusalem, which was next besieged, must have shared the same
fate, and all the advantages which had been gained appeared now to be on the point
of being lost for ever ; when providentially the young king and his guardian were re
called by a civil war at home, commenced by Philip, who had been appointed regent
by Antiochus Epiphanes before his death, to the exclusion of Lysias, whose ill success
in the former war with the Jews had been highly displeasing to him. When this in
telligence reached the camp, the king and council hastily concluded a peace with the
Jews on the former terms — that they should be allowed to live according to their own
laws. The siege was then broken up, but the treaty was violated by the Syrians in
the demolition of the strong walls of the mount on which the temple stood. The
royal army was then marched against Philip, who had gotten possession of Antioch,
the metropolis, but who was defeated and slain.
Now at last the traitor and apostate Menelaus met the fate he had long deserved.
At tho approach of the Syrian army he had abandoned his countrymen, and had
stimulated the operations against them by his advice and counsel, in the secret hope
of being made governor of the province, if Judas and his party were destroyed. Bui
the intended mischief recoiled on his own wicked head. Oh the conclusion ofthe
peace, he was viewed by the king and regent as the author of all these unhappy wars.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 455
and was sentenced to be suffocated in the ash- tower at Berea ;* while the office to
which he aspired was given to Judas himself, who was appointed to be chief governor
" from Ptolemais unto the Gerrhenians."
In the room of Menelaus, Jachimus, or Alcimus, was nominated to the high-priest
hood, to the exclusion of the rightful claimant, Onias, the son of that Onias who had
been slain at Antioch at the instigation of Menelaus. Upon this disappointment,
Onias retired in disgust to Egypt, where his military and political talents procured
him high favor from Ptolemy Philometor, and he was ultimately empowered to build
a temple and establish a priesthood, for the numerous Jews of Egypt and Cyrene, at
Heliopolis ; and which subsisted nearly as loug as that of Jerusalem, both beins
destroyed in the reign of Vespasian. There can be no question ofthe irregularity of
this establishment ; and although Onias justified it to the Jews by reference to the
text Isa. xix. 18, 19, the temple at Jerusalem was always held in much superior
estimation by the Jews even of Egypt, who frequently repaired thither to worship.

CHAPTER XXV.
• MACCABEAN RULE — POMPEY'S INVASION— ROMAN POWER.
With the promotion of Judas Maccabeus to be chief governor of Judea, the rule ol
the Asamonian dynasty may be conveniently taken to commence, and the period
which that rule embraces may be suitably introduced in a new chapter.
Alcimus, the new high-priest, did not long enjoy his dignity, for nis profligacy, and
his attempts to revive the heathenish rites, so offended the Jews, that they expelled
him. We have already noticed the refusal of the Roman senate to support the claim of
Demetrius to the crown of Syria, or to allow him to depart for that country. Subse
quently, acting by the advice of his friend Polybius, the historian, he made his
escape from Rome, and landed with a few men, only eight friends and their servants,
at Tripolis in Phoenicia. Here he had the art to make it believed that his wild enter
prise was sanctioned by the Romans; under which persuasion he was joined by
several of his adherents, with whom he advanced toward Antioch. Here the army
declared for him, and secured the persons of Antiochus Eupator and Lysias, and, in
proof of their sincerity, brought them to Demetrius; but he said, "Let me not see
their face !" on which hint they were slain by the soldiers, B. C. 162.
In the preceding year one of the Roman ambassadors at the court of A. Eupatoi
had been slain, while enforcing the treaty with Antiochus the Great, by destroying
all the elephants, and all but twelve of the ships-of-war. Demetrius, anxious to
nave his claims recognised by Rome, sent the murderer thither, together with a pres
ent of a crown of gold. The present was accepted by the senate ; but they dis
missed the murderer, resolving to take some future occasion of making the whole
Syrian empire responsible for the act.
When Demetrius was established on the throne of Syria, the apostate Jews, with
Alcimus at their head, gathered around him, and filled his ears with reports and in
sinuations injurious to Judas and the party of which he was the leader. As people
naturally listen with pleasure to those who express conformity of views, it is not
wonderful that these traitors gained the attention of the king, who could as yet know
but little of the real state of affairs in his kingdom. He reappointed Alcimus as high-
priest, and sent a considerable military force, under the command of Bacchides, gov
ernor of Mesopotamia, to reinstate him, and to take vengeance upon those whom he
had represented as equally the enemies of himself and the king. As Bacchides, ac
companied by the high-priest, entered the country with professions of peace, many
Jews, relying thereon, put themselves in his power, and were treacherously slain.
After this Bacchides reinstated Alcimus ; and intrusting the province to his charge,
and leaving a force that seemed sufficient to support him, he returned to the king.
Judas, who had not appeared in the field against Bacchides, came forward after he
withdrew; and Alcimus, unable to offer any effectual resistance, again repaired with
* This punishment was borrowed by the Syrian-Greeks from the Persians. A place was enclosed with
high walls and filled with ashes. A piece of timber was made to project over the ashes, and on this the
criminal was placed. He was liberally supplied with mefet and drink, until overcome with sleep, he fell
into the deceitful heap, and died an easy death Only criminals of high rank were thus punished, it being
considered a sort of privileged death.

456 AN ILLUSTRATED
his complaints to the king. On this Demetrius, resolving on the utter destruction of
the Maccabees, sent a large army into Judea, under the command of the same Nicanor
whom Judas had defeated five years before. At first he endeavored to entrap the
Jewish chief with friendly professions, but finding Judas too wary to be thus caught,
hostilities commenced, and in a battle fought at Capharsalama, Nicanor was defeated
with the loss of fifty thousand men. He was then forced to seek refuge in the castle
cf Mount Zion, until the reinforcements, for which he sent, should arrive from Syria.
These were promptly supplied, and then he hazarded another battle, in which he war
himself slain, and his army cut in pieces. B. C. 160.
Now Judas, having heard of the already extensive conquests of the Romans, and
having become sensible of the great controlling power which they exercised in the
affairs of Western Asia and of Egypt, took the opportunity of the respite which this
victory procured, to send an embassy to Rome, to solicit an alliance with" that great
people, and therewith protection from the Syrian government. It was part of the
systematic plan of subjugation practised by that most politic body, the Roman senate,
to grant liberty to those who were under foreign dominion, that they might detach
them from their rulers, and afterward enslave then! when fit opportunity offered.*
The Jewish ambassadors were therefore very graciously received ; an offensive and
defensive alliance was readily concluded with the Jews ; and a letter was immediate
ly after written to Demetrius, commanding him to desist from persecuting them, and
threatening him with war if he persisted. But before the ambassadors returned, or
this letter had been received, Judas had fallen in a furious conflict with Bacchides,
whom (with Alcimus) the king had sent to avenge the defeat of Nicanor ajid his host.
With only eight hundred men, the rest having deserted him, Judas charged the
Syrians, defeated their right \ ring and pursued them to Azotus : but the left wing,
being unbroken, pursued him closely in turn; and after a most obstinate engagement
the greatest of the later Jewish heroes lay dead upon the field. This was not far
from Modin, his native town; and his brothers Simon and Jonathan, having conclud
ed a truce, were enabled to deposite his remains in the family sepulchre at that place.
The death of Judas restored the ascendency to the apostate Jews, and was follow
ed by a merciless persecution of his adherents. They were thus made strongly
sensible of the want of a head, and therefore they elected Jonathan, the valiant
younger brother of Judas, to be their chief and leader. He led them into the wilder
ness of Tekoah, and encamped at. the cistern of Aspher. After some skirmishes with
the Arabs in that quarter, Jonathan deemed it advisable to send the wives and chil
dren, and the most valuable property of his party, to the safe keeping of the friendly
Nabathaeans of Mount Seir, under a convoy commanded by his brother John. This
party was attacked on the way and plundered by the Arabs, and John himself was
killed. For this, Jonathan soon after took a severe revenge upon the bridal proces
sion at the marriage of one of the princesses of this same tribe, which he attacked,
and slew the greater part, and took their spoils.
After this, Jonathan, the more effectually to secure to himself from his enemies,
withdrew into the marshes formed by the overflowings of the Jordan, access to which
was very difficult. Bacchides, however, made an attack on the sabbath-day upon
the pass leading to the camp, and carried it by storm. The Jews defended themselves
with great valor; but being oppressedby numbers, they leaped into the overflowing
Jordan and swam to the other side, whither the enemy did not venture to pursue
them. It was not without difficulty that Jonathan roused his adherents to the exertions
which they made on this occasion. In fact there are several indications, at and be
fore this time, that the people were becoming tired of this long struggle for their re
ligion and liberties, and disposed to submit to circumstances, for the sake of the quiet
of which they had been so many years deprived. Besides, by this time the original
character of the war, as one of resistance against religious persecution, had some
what changed. There was more of politics mixed in it ; and with that change, the
ardor of the orthodox Jews appears to have abated. The Syrian government had
also become much more mild since the time of Antiochus Epiphanes, and under favor
ing circumstances, it might have been expected that the Jews would without diflicul-
* This is the drift of Justin's remark with reference to this very transaction : " A Demetrio cum defe
cissent Judrei, amicitia Romnrorum petita, pnrii omnium ex Onenlalibus libertatem receperunt ¦ facile
tunc Rumania de alieuo largieutibus " Lib xxxvi. cap. 3

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

457

468 AN ILLUSTRATED
ty have obtained what they sought. It was probably the knowledge of this, as well
as from the consciousness that the breach was not likely to be healed by continued
warfare, that latterly produced so great a reluctance to support the Maccabees, and
so strong a disposition to submit to the Syrians. We may thus account not only foi
the circumstance which occasions this remark, but for the readiness of some of the
best supporters of the Maccabees to listen to the fair promises ofthe Syrian generals,
for the desertion of Judas, before his last action, by the great body of his adherents .
and for his comparative inaction on several recent occasions. To the operation of
these circumstances we are also disposed to refer the anxiety of Judas to conclude a
treaty with the Romans. For this step he has been blamed by some persons, who
¦ appear to have inadequately considered the circumstances. It is not clear to us that
if Judas had been aware that the step he took was likely to lead to the future subjec
tion of the country to the Romans, he would have been deterred from seeking their
alliance. He did not fight for national independence, which was a moral impossi
bility, but for the liberty of conscience. If that had been conceded by the Syrian
kings, the Jews would readily have returned to their political subjection, and were
indeed anxious to do so. If therefore Judas had known the ultimate contingency of
subjection to the Romans instead of the Syrians, there was nothing in that to deter
him, if he felt that the Romans were likely to be more tolerant of the religious pe
culiarities of his nation. It is quite true that by the skilful use of circumstances
which ultimately arose, the Jews were enabled to establish a modified independence
-—which independence the Romans destroyed. But these circumstances were not
foreseen in the time of Judas, and independence was not among the objects originally
contemplated. It is only in forgetfulness of those facts that any one can impute Dlame
to Judas for the measure which he took — which measure, indeed, we can not trace
to have had any grave effect upon ultimate results. Whether the Jews had offered
themselves to the notice of the Romans at this time or not, they certainly could not
ong have escaped the attention of that people, nor, unless events had taken an entire-
y different course to that which they actually took, could their subjection to the Ro
man yoke have been long postponed.
From the Jordan, Bacchides returned to Jerusalem, and was employed for some
time in strengthening the fortresses of Judea, particularly the citadel at Jerusalem
and the important fortresses of Gazara.* The sons of some of the principal persons
among the Jews he took and detained in the citadel as hostages for the good conduct
of their friends. But in the same year Alcimus was seized with a kind of cramp,
and died in much agony, while giving orders for the demolition of the wall which
separated the court of the Gentiles from that of the Israelites, so as to give the for
mer free access to the privileged part of the temple ; and Bacchides, having nothing
to detain him in Judea after the death of the man on whose account the war was
undertaken, withdrew from the country, and allowed the Jews two years of repose.
To what extent this may have been due to the interposition of the Romans, we have
no means of knowing ; but the results of the application to the senate must by this
time have been known both at Antioch and in Judea. Probably the death of Judas,
before the return of his ambassadors, went far to neutralize the immediate effects
which might have been expected from this treaty.
This tranquillity was not favorable to the designs of the Grsecising Jews, who laid
a plot to surprise and seize Jonathan and his adherents, all in one night, throughout the
land, and prevailed on Bacchides to return with the force under his command to give
effect to their design (B. C. 158). A timely discovery of the plot enabled Jonathan
to damp the ardor of the conspirators by putting to death fifty of the principal of them.
Not, however, feeling himself in a condition to oppose Bacchides in the field, Jonathan,
with his friends and his brother Simon, withdrew to the wilderness, where they so strong
ly repaired the dilapidated fortress of Bethbasi, that they were enabled to maintain a
* There is some doubt respecting this place, which is so often named in the history of the Maccabees.
Some think it the same as Gaza, which indeed is still called Gazara, and that is certainly a strong circum
stance in its favor. _ Upon the whole, however, tliere are several passages in which the place is-named
which seem to refer it to the neighborhood of Joppa, and others which can not without much straining and
difficulty be made to apply to Gaza. In one of a set of unpublished maps by Professor Robinsor (for which
we are indebted to his kindness) we find that a site named Yii*tir occurred in his line of route, three miles
and a half to the east of Jaffa, and we much more than suspect that this n ia- ks the site not only of the Ga
zara in question, but also (believing the names identical) of the Gazer which was one of the royal cities of
the old Canaanites, and the same which the king of Egypt took from the Canaanites, and gave, for a dnwor
with his daughter, to Solomon. All circumstances appear to agree with tiiis allocation.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 459
long siege against Bacchides, and at length to defeat him. This affair wonderfully
enlightened the Syrian general, who now perceived that he had been but the tool of a
faction ; and, in his resentment, he put to death several of the persons who had the
most actively stimulated his enterprise. . At this juncture, Jonathan sent to him a
deputation with proposals of peace, and Bacchides readily acceded to the terms wliich
were offered. The treaty being concluded and sworn to by both parties, an exchange
of prisoners took place, and Bacchides withdrew from the land, B. C. I06. Peace
being thus happily restored, Jonathan fixed his residence at the strong post of Mich-
mash, six miles north-by-east from Jerusalem, where he governed according to the
laws of Moses, and to the extent of his power reformed the public abuses which had
sprung up during the past troubles.
About the year B. C. 154, Demetrius Soter retired to a new palace which he had
built near Antioch, and there abandoned himself entirely to luxury and pleasure. All
business and all care was refused admission, and consequently all the responsibilities
and duties of his high office were utterly neglected. Hence arose great administrative
abuses, and these led to discontents, and discontents to conspiracies, which were
eagerly fostered by different neighboring kings, especially by Ptolemy Philometor,
king of Egypt,* from whom the island of Cyprus had been taken by Demetrius.
They availed themselves of the services of Heraclides, who had been banished by
Demetrius, and who had since lived at Rhodes ; and now, at the instigation of these
kings, he persuaded a young man of obscure birth, named Balas, to announce himself
as the son of Antiochus Epiphanes, and as such lay claim to the throne of Syria. As
soon as he had been sufficiently tutored in the part he was to act, he publicly advanced
his pretensions, wliich were acknowledged at once by Ptolemy Philometor, by Ariar-
athes, king of Cappadocia, and by Attalus, king of Pergamus (B. 0. 153). He was
then sent to Rome, together with a true daughter of Antiochus ; and although the
senate soon detected the imposture, their old grudge against Demetrius, for having
taken the throne of Syria without their consent, led them to recognise him, and em
power him to raise forces for the recovery of a kingdom in which he could have had
no just pretensions to supersede Demetrius (the son of the elder brother), even had his
alleged birth been true. Balas now assumed the name of Alexander, and the title of
king of Syria. He delayed not to levy troops, and sailed to Ptolemais (previously
Accho), now Acre, in Palestine, where he was joined by numbers who had become
disaffected to Demetrius. That infatuated person was now fairly roused from his
lethargy, and came forth from his disgraceful retreat — but it was too late.
This conjuncture of affairs was highly favorable to the interests of the Jews, as, from
the high military character they had now acquired, the rivals vied with each other in
the honors and immunities which they offered for the assistance of Jonathan and the
Jews. First, Demetrius sent a letter appointing Jonathan his general in Judea, em
powering him to levy forces, and promising to release the hostages. When the con
tents of this letter were made known, the hostages were restored by the garrison of
the citadel, and the fortresses throughout the country were given up to him by the
Syrian garrisons which Bacchides had left in them. The citadel and Bethsura indeed
still held out, as they were garrisoned by apostate Jews who had no other resource.
Jonathan now removed from Michmash and fixed his residence at Jerusalem, which
he occupied himself in repairing, and in rebuilding those walls of the temple-mount
which Antiochus Eupator had cast down.
On the other hand, Balas, acting probably by the advice of Ptolemy Philometor
(who was well acquainted with the affairs and interests of the Jewsl, sent also a let
ter to Jonathan, in the very commencement of which he styled him " Brother," gave
him the title and rank of " Friend of the King," appointed him to the high-priesthood,
and sent him a purple robe and diadem, thereby creating him Ethnarch, or Prince of
Judea. It was in the seventh month of ihis same year (B. C. ] 53) that Jonathan pu
* As the transactions in Egypt, since they were last noticed, have not, up to this point, been necessarily
Involved in the current of our history, we have not allowed them to engage our notice. It may howevei
be brrefly mdicated in a note, that, after their junction against Antiochus Epiphanes, quarrels arose be-
;w.ee,n the two brother kings, Philometor and Physcon, which the Romans endeavored to adjust in B. C
16a,-by arranging that Philometor should retain Egypt and Cyprus, and that Physcon should reign in Libya
and Cyrene. But they soon again were at variance respecting Cyprus, which Physcon wanted, but which
rlulometor resolved to .retain according to the terms of the agreement. Meanwhile, as often happens in
such cases, a third party (Demetrius) stepped ir and appropriated to himself the disputed island Hence
Ihe enmity of Philometor to the king of Syria.

460 AN ILLUSTRATED
on the holy robe of the high-priest, after that high office had been vacant for seven
years. Demetrius did not yet despair of outbidding Balas in this struggle to gam the favor
and assistance of Jonathan. The list of the exemptions, immunities, and privileges
which he offered is exceedingly curious, as showing the extent and minute ramifica
tions of the previous exactions of the Syrian government ; and we have therefore in
troduced* it entire in a note below.* The extravagant generosity of these offers made
Jonathan and the patriots suspicious of their sincerity, and, mindful of the past suf
ferings they had experienced through Demetrius, they agreed to espouse the cause of
Alexander. Next year (B. C. 152) both the kings took the field with their armies, and Deme
trius, who, when sober, wanted neither courage nor conduct, defeated his rival in the
first battle ; but Alexander Balas, being reinforced by the kings who had put him for
ward, was more successful in a great battle fought the year after, in which Demetrius
himself was slain.
The successful impostor now mounted the throne of Syria, and married Cleopatra,
a daughter of his great friend Ptolemy Philometor -of Egypt, who himself conducted
the bride to Ptolemais in Palestine, where the nuptials were celebrated with great
magnificence (B. C. 150). Jonathan was present on this occasion, and, mindful ofthe
services he had rendered during the war, both Ptolemy and Alexander treated him
with distinguished honors. He was again presented with a purple robe, and appointed
commander or Meridarch of Judea.
Alexander Balas, who had manifested considerable ability during this contest, was
no sooner firmly settled on the throne, than he lapsed into the same errors which had
been fatal to his predecessor. He abandoned the cares of government to his favorite
Ammonius, that he might enjoy a luxurious life undisturbed. This minister put to
death all the members of the royal family he could get into his power. But there
still lived in Cnidus two sons of Demetrius, the elder of whom, Demetrius IL, sur
named Nicator, landed at Cilicia in B. C. 148, and soon collected a great army with
which to assert his right to the crown. He also gained over to his interest Apollo
nius the governor of Coele-Syria, whose first proof of attachment to his new master
was to invade Judea, which still adhered to the cause of Alexander. Jonathan came
down from the mountains into the plain of the coast, and after taking Joppa, before
his eyes, defeated Apollonius with terrible loss. Ashdod he then subdued, and As-
calon opened wide her gates to receive the conqueror. For this essential service he
received from Alexander a golden clasp or buckle, such as only members ofthe royal
family might wear ; and the town and territory of Ekron, near the coast, was also
* " King Demetrius unto the people of the Jews sendeth greeting. Whereas ye have kept covenant with
us, and continued in our friendship, not joining yourselves with our enemies, we have heard thereof, and
are glad. Wherefore now continue ye still to be faithful unto us, and we will well recompense you for the
things ye do in our behalf, and will grant you many immunities, and give you rewards. And now do I free
you, and for your sake I release all the Jews from tributes, and from the customs of salt, and from crown
taxes. And from that which appertaineth unto me to receive for the third part of the seed, and the hall
of the fruit-trees, I release it from this day forth, so that they shall not be taken of the land of Judea, noi
of the three governments which are added thereunto out of the country of Samaria and Galilee, from this
day forth for ever more. Let Jerusalem also be holy and free, with the borders thereof, both from tenths
and tributes. And as for the tower which is at Jerusalem, I yield up my authority over it, and give it to the
high-priest, that he may set in it such men as he shall choose to keep it. Moreover, I freely set at liberty
every one of the Jews that were carried captives out of the land of Judea into any part of my kingdom, and
I will that all my officers remit the tributes even of their cattle. Furthermore, I will that all the feasts,
and sabbaths, and new moons, and solemn days, and the three days before the feast, and the three days af
ter the feast, shall be all days of immunity and freedom for all the Jews of my realm. Also no man shall
have authority to meddle with them, or to molest any of them in any matter. I will further, that there be
enrolled among the king's forces about thirty thousand men of the Jews, unto whom pay shall be given, aa
belongeth to all the king's forces. And of them shall be placed in the king's strongholds, of whom also
some shall be set over the affairs of the kingdom, which are of trust ; and I will that their overseers and
governors be of themselves, and that they live after their own laws, even as the king hath commanded in
the land of Judea. And concerning the three governments that are added to Judea from tlie country of
Samaria, let them be joined with Judea, that they may be reckoned to be under one, nor bound to obey other
authority than the high-priest's. As for Ptolemais, and the land pertaining thereto, I give it as a free gift
to the sanctuary. Moreover, I give every yearfifteen thousand shekels of silver out ni the king's accounts
to the places appertaining. And all the overplus, which the officers payed not in as in former time, hence
forth shall be given toward the use of the temple. And beside this, the five thou.Mind shekels of silver.
which they took from the uses of the temple out of the accounts year by year, even those things shall be
released, because they appertain to the priests that minister. And whosoever they be that flee unto the
temple at Jerusalem, or be within the liberties thereof, being indebted unto the king, or for any other mat
ter, let them be at liberty, and all that they have in my realm. For the building also and the repairing ol
the works of the sanctuary expenses shall be given out of the king's account. Yea, and for the building
of thi' walls of Jerusalem, and the fortifying thereof round about, expenses shall be given out of the king'l
account, as a'so for the building of the walls of Judea."

HISTORY OF THE RIBLE.

461

IBS

462 AN ILLUSTRATED
bestowed upon him. The king himself remained shut up in Antioch, awaiting the
succors which he expected from his father-m-law of Egypt. Philometor came in
deed ; but having discovered a plot formed against his life by1 the favorite Ammonius,
and the infatuated Balas refusing to deliver up that guilty minister, Ptolemy testified
his resentment by taking away his daughter, and bestowing her on Demetrius, whose
eause he thenceforth espoused. This decided the contest. Ammonius was slain by
the citizens, and A. Balas only avoided a similar fate by flight. The character which
Ptolemy Philometor bore among the Syrians for justice and clemency was so high,
that they pressed him to accept the vacant crown. But this he prudently declined,
and recommended the rightful heir to their choice. The next year Alexander ap
peared again, in a condition to make one more struggle for the crown. He was de
feated, and fled into Arabia, where an emir, with whom he sought shelter, rendered
his name, Zabdiel, infamous by the murder of his guest, whose head he sent to the
king of Egypt. That monarch himself died the same year (B. C. 146). He left one
son, a child, who was put to death by Physcon, who now reigned sole king of Egypt.
In Judea, Jonathan now employed himself in besieging the citadel of Jerusalem,
which still remained in the hands of the apostate Jews and the Syrians, and which had
so long proved a serious annoyance to the inhabitants of the city. Complaint of this
operation having reached Demetrius, he cited Jonathan to Ptolemais to answer for his
conduct. He went ; but left orders that the siege should be vigorously prosecuted in
his absence. He took with him valuable presents for the king, by which and other
means he so won his favor, that he not only confirmed him in the high-priesthood and
all his other honors, but also ratified the offers of his father, which Jonathan had
once declined for the friendship of Balas. As the citadel still held out, Jonathan
urged the king to withdraw the garrisons from it and from Bethsura ; which Deme
trius promised to do, provided the Jews would send a reinforcement to put down a
dangerous disturbance which had broken out at Antioch; for the new king had al
ready managed, by his gross misconduct and cruelty, to alienate the affections of both
his Syrian subjects and Egyptian allies. The Jews rendered the required service.
But when Demetrius deemed himself secure, and without further need of them, he
behaved with great ingratitude. He demanded all the taxes, tolls, and tributes which
he had promised to remit, and thus succeeded in alienating the Jews as much as his
other subjects.
Alexander Balas left a son called Antiochus, whom the Arabian emir Zabdiel had
retained in his hands when he slew the father; and he was persuaded by Tryphon
(the former governor of Antioch under A. Balas) to send the young prince with him
to lay claim to the throne of Syria. Antiochus was joyfully received by the male-
contents, and by the numerous soldiers whom the false economy of Demetrius had
disbanded. In a pitched battle, Demetrius was defeated, his elephants were taken,
and Antioch was lost, B. C. 144.
As soon as Antiochus VI., surnamed Theos, had been crowned, his guardian Try
phon (for Antiochus was but a child) wrote in his name to invite the adhesion of
Jonathan ; and offered in return to observe faithfully all the promises which Deme
trius had broken, and to appoint his brother Simon the royal governor of the district
extending from the mountains between Tyre and Ptolemais to the borders of Egypt.
These conditions were accepted by Jonathan, who, with the assistance of the Syrian
forces, expelled the hostile garrison from Gaza, Bethsura, and Joppa ; but the citadel
of Jerusalem still held out for Demetrius.
With due regard to the past and the future, Jonathan deemed it advisable at this
time to seek a renewal of the alliance with the Romans. The ambassadors were
received at Rome with favor, and dismissed with assurances of friendship. On their
leturn they (as the ambassadors of Judas had formerly oone) visited the Spartans, and
concluded a league with them, under some notion which the Jews entertained that
the Spartans were of the stock of Abraham.
Trj phon had contemplated the advancement of the son of Alexander Balas, mere-
y as a means of intruding himself into the throne of Syria. Things were now, in
his judgment, ripe for the removal of the young king, and for his own intrusion, when
he found that Jonathan was likely to prove an obstacle to the execution of his design.
He therefore invaded Palestine, and had advanced as far as Bethshan, when, being
intimidated by the appearance of Jonathan with forty thousand men, he pretended
thai his mission was entirely of a friendly nature — and that he had entered tne

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 463
sountry to put him in possession of Ptolemais. He played this part so naturally that
the Jewish hero was deceived, and dismissed his army, saving three thousand men,
two thousand of whom he left in Galilee, and advanced with the other thousand to
take possession of Ptolemais. He had no sooner entered that city than the gates were
shut, his men cut in pieces, and himself laden with chains. Not long after he was
put to death by the perfidious Tryphon, who next slew his young master and set ou
his brows the Syrian crown.
The Jews, whose prospects had lately been so fair, were filled with consternation
when they heard of the captivity and subsequent murder of Jonathan. But Simon,
the brother of Jonathan, who had already been enabled to prove himself a true Mac-
cabee, called them together in the temple, encouraged them to make a vigorous de
fence, and offered to become their high-priest and leader in the room of his brother.
He said : — " Since all my brethren are slain for Israel's sake, and I alone am left, far
be it from me to spare my own life in any time of trouble." The offer was gladly
accepted by the people, and he was unanimously elected to succeed Jonathan : and,
seeing he had sons of high promise, it was decided that the honors to which Simon
was called should be inherited by his descendants. The form of expression is howevei
remarkable, as showing that some doubts were entertained as to the strict legality of
this procedure. It is said, " The Jews and the priests were well pleased that Simon
should be their governor and priest [he and his sons] for ever, until there should arise
a faithful prophet to show them what they should do."
We are free to express our own opinion that the three brothers, Judas, Jonathan,
and Simon, were men of great ability and unquestionable courage; and we believe
they sincerely desired ihe welfare of their country, and to preserve the purity of re
ligious worship, to promote which objects they would at any lime have shed their last
blood. But we think also that Judas is the only one of the brothers of whose high
moral principle or disinterestedness much can be said. From the time that Jonathan
accepted the high-priesthood, and various personal honors, from Alexander Balas, it is
easy to detect in most ofthe alternations of policy a leaning to that course which included
the aggrandizement of the family and the promotion of its chiefs. We do not say or
think that they would knowingly have sacrificed any public object to their own ag
grandizement. But the disposition to seek or prefer that particular good to our coun
try which comprehends honor or power to ourselves, belongs to a lower class of minds
and principles than that which refuses wealth or power in connexion with any public
service, lest the motive of that service might be suspected. It must also be said, that
the disposition of the later Maccabees to play fast and loose between the competitors
for the Syrian crown, and equally to accept the favors which rival kings offered, when
it was impossible to perform equally to both the conditions which were expected in
return, is not entitled to much praise.
Had Jonathan and Simon been perfectly disinterested men, the obvious duty imposed
upon them by the Law would have been to direct the attention of the Jews and
of the Syrian king to Onias, then in Egypt, as the rightful high-priest, of the elder
branch of the family of Aaron, who was unsuspected of any idolatrous taint, and
whose abilities were of no common order : and the promises of the continuance of
the sceptre of Judah to the house of David, should have induced Simon, at least,
when affairs were taking a turn favorable to the independence of the nation, to
direct the hopes of Israel toward some able member of that illustrious house. But
it is time to return to follow the course of our narrative.
Simon removed the corpse of his illustrious brother from Boscana, in Gilead, where
he was slain, to the family sepulchre at Modin, where he subsequently erected a
noble mausoleum, which was still standing in the time of Eusebius and Jerome.
At the firtt opportunity, Simon seijt an embassy to Rome aod Laceda;mon to an
nounce to the senate the death of his brother, and his own succession to his dignities,
and to seek a renewal of the alliance. Both nations received the ambassadors with
honor, expressed the usual regret, and the usual congratulations, and readily renewed
the treaty, with the terms of which graven on brass the deputation returned.
The first care of Simon was to put the country in a state of defence, by repairing
the fortresses and furnishing them with provisions. As the conflict between Tryphon
and Demetrius still continued, and it was the unhappiness of the Jews that their po
sition did not allow them to remain neutral, there were many sufficient qauses to in
duce them to prefer the side of Demetrius, notwithstan^ng the ill-treatment they had

464 AN ILLUSTRATED
formerly received from him. This personage, although nearly the whole of Syria
was lost to him, remained in luxurious repose at Laodicea, whither Simon sent am
bassadors to him, with a crown of gold, to treat about the renewal of the formei
terms of accommodation. To this Demetrius, in his fallen estate, most gladly agreed,
confirming solemnly all the immunities and privileges specified in his father's lettei
to Jonathan, with an act of amnesty for all past offences. These privileges were so
great that they may be said to have raised the nation to a state of independence.
The Jews themselves certainly considered that they were by this act delivered from
the Syrian yoke ; and therefore this first year of Simon's reign (B. C. 143), as high-
priest and ethnarch, or, in short, as Prince of the Jews, they signalized by making it
an epoch from which to compute their times. This era is used on the coins of Simon,
as well as by Josephus and the author of the first book of Maccabees.
The next care of Simon was to reduce the strong fortresses that still held out.
Gaza he took, and expelled the idolatrous inhabitants; and the citadel of Jerusalem,
which had so long been a thorn in the sides of the Maccabees, was compelled by the
famine which a rigorous blockade produced, to surrender in B. C. 142. Aware ofthe
valor of his son John, Simon made him captain-general of his forces, and sent him to
reside in Gazara on the sea-coast ; while he made the temple-mount at Jerusalem
his own residence. This he strongly fortified ; and his palace probably stood on the
site which the castle of Antonia afterward occupied.
Having thus gained complete possession of the country, and the rights and liberties
ofthe nation being established, a great council of the nation was held at Jerusalem,
which testified its gratitude by confirming to Simon all his honors, and, in more dis
tinct terms than before, entailed them on his descendants. This decree of the as
sembly was graven on brass, and fixed to a monument wliich was erected in the
temple-court. . Anxious to have the independence conceded by Demetrius recognised by the
Romans, another embassy was sent to the senate, with a present of a shield of gold*
weighing one thousand minae, equal, at the lowest computation, to fifty thousand
pounds sterling. The deputation was well received, and the present graciously ac
cepted. Their suit was granted, and missions were sent by the senate to the kings
of Egypt, Pergamus, Cappadocia, Syria (Demetrius), and Parthia, and to all the
cities and states of Greece, Asia Minor, and ofthe isles in alliance with the Romans,
to engage them to treat the Jews as their friends and allies, B. C. 141 .
In the same year Demetrius, whose cause appeared to be lost in the west, was in
vited to the east by large promises of support in any attempt he might make to bring
back the Parthians to their allegiance. He was at first successful, but was in the
end surprised and made prisoner by the Parthians. In this war he was assisted by a
body ofJews under the command of John the son of Simon, whose exploits in Hyr-
cania procured him the honorary surname of Hyrcanus. As for Demetrius, he was
well treated by the Parthian king, Arsaces V., otherwise called Mithridates ; who in
deed first took care to exhibit him in different parts of his empire, but afterward sent
him into Hyrcania, where he treated him with the respect due to his rank, and even
gave him his daughter Rhodoguna in marriage. Meanwhile his cause in Syria was
maintained against Tryphon by his wife Cleopatra, who had shut herself up, with
her children, in Seleucia on the Orontes ; and a powerful force, composed of persons
discontented with the government of Tryphon, was gathering around her, when she
heard that her captive nusband had married Rhodoguna.. This offended her pride,
and was also calculated to weaken her party. Therefoie, from both policy and re
venge, she sent to Antiochus, the brother of Demetrius, who was then at Rhodes.
and made him the offer of her hand and ofthe kingdom. Antiochus VII., who, from
his passion for hunting, received the surname of Sidetes (" the hunter"), eagerly ac
cepted the proposal, and delayed not to assume the title of king of Syria, although at
yet unable to proceed to the continent, B. C. 141.
, The next year (B. C. 140) Antiochus wrote "from the isles of the sea," being still
at Rhodes, " to Simon the high-priest and ethnarch, and to the people of the Jews,"
announcing his intention of coming speedily to recover the dominions of his fathei
from the usurper Tryphon ; and, to secure their assistance, confirming all the privi
leges granted by former kings, together with the royal privilege of coining money,
which seems the only one which former kings had withheld, or which seemed want

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 465
mg to complete the sort of secondary independence which they had by this time ac
quired. The year after (B. C. 139) Antiochus landed in Syria to attack Tryphon, with
whose tyrannies the people and even the soldiers had become completely weary. On
the appearance of Sidetes he was deserted by most of his forces, and he therefore
fled to Dora (south of Carmel) on the coast of Palestine. Antiochus pursued and be
sieged him there ; but he fled by ship to Orthosia, a maritime town of Phoenicia
and, again, thence to Apamea, where he was taken and put to death.
Finding with how much more facility than he had been prepared to expect, the
kingdom fell to him, Antiochus, very soon afier his landing, formed the intention of
reducing to their former complete subjection to the Syrian crown, the provinces and
cities which had availed themselves of the troubled reigns of his predecessors to ac
quire such independence as the Jews had established. This was an intention which
any king in those times was likely to have formed with reference lo privileges so
recent, and so much extorted by temporary emergencies, and by which the power
and dignity of the crown were so seriously impaired. Antio".iuis probably considered
his own acts more binding than the treaties obtained from tli? usurper Balas, or from
the distressed Demetrius ; yet even his own letter, written iu the expectation of need
ing the aid which the event proved that he did not requii u, was not likely to be con
sidered by him any strong bar to the execution of his design.
His intentions were indicated on his first arrival in Palestine, to besiege Tryphon
in Dora. Simon then sent two thousand men to assist him in the siege, with a good
supply of warlike stores and engines, but the king declined to receive them, and sent
over to Jerusalem one of his generals, named Athenobius, with a requisition for the
surrender of Joppa, Gazara, and the citadel of Jerusalem, which belonged to the
Syrian crown, or else to pay five hundred talents for each of the former, and five
hundred more for the arrears of tribute from those cities beyond the limits of Judea,
of which the Jews had gained possession, and on account of ravages which they had
committed in his dominions. This demand was skilfully framed to steer clear of any
points comprehended in the treaties or in the letter of Antiochus himself, and the de
mand seems upon the whole as moderate as could be framed consistently with the
intention of retaining some hold upon the country. Writers call the answer of Simon
"wise." It appears to us rather feeble. He denied that the Jews held any posses
sions but what belonged to their fathers, and which they had found opportunity to
recover. With regard to the fortified towns of Joppa and Gazara, he called attention
to the injuries which the people had been continually receiving from those places, as
justifying the measures he had taken; but he was willing to give the king one hun
dred talents for the right of possession. Athenobius returned with this answer to the
king, to whom also he gave a very flaming account of the state and splendor in which
Simon lived, and of the large quantities of gold and silver plate which appeared in
his house and at his table. At this the king was so moved, that lie sent an army
under Cendebeus to invade Judea : but he was met and defeated by John Hyrcanus
and Judas, the two sons of Simon ; and the Syrians were expelled the country.
The peace purchased by this victory was not of long duration. Simon availed him
self of it to make a tour of inspection through the country, in the course of which he
arrived at Jericho, where he took up his abode in the castle of his son-in-law Ptolemy,
who was governor there. This Ptolemy, desiring to secure the government to him
self, caused the old man and his two sons, Mattathias and Judas, to be treacherously
murdered at an entertainment. He also sent a party to destroy John Hyrcanus at
Gazara; but John had timely warning, and fled to Jerusalem, where he was readily
recognised by the people as the successor of his father in the high-priesthood, and in
the principality of Judea. Then Ptolemy, against whom the people of Jerusalem
shut their gates, fled to a fortress near Jericho,, and thence to Zeno, the prince
of Philadelphia (Rabbath-Aromon), probably to await there the arrival of Antiochus,
to whom he had sent, desiring the assistance of an army to reduce Judea again to the
Syrian yoke. But his name occurs in history no more; whence it is probable lhat
although Antiochus may have liked the crime, he hated the criminal, and would af
ford him no countenance. However, the king marched a large army into Judea in
R. C. 135, and having ravaged the country, advanced to besiege Hyrcanus in Jeru
salem, which was soon reduced to great extremities for want of provisions, which had
been scarce that yeai. On the approach of the feast of Tabernacles in autumn, Hvr-
30

466 AN ILLUSTRATED
canus besought a week's truce for the celebration of the feast ; and this was not only
granted by Antiochus, but he furnished the victims required for sacrifice, whicn could
not be procured within the city. Finally, he concluded a peace with the Jews, when
it was in his power to extirpate them from the country, and he was exhorted by many
10 do so, but generously refused. He was content to dismantle Jerusalem, and to bind
them to pay tribute (not for their proper country, but) for Joppa and other towns be
yond the limits of Judea, which they had either taken by arms, or held by the grants
of his predecessors.
Four years after (B. C. 131), Antiochus Sidetes marched with a. great army against
t'ie Parthians, under the pretence of delivering his brother Demetrius. Hyrcanus ac
companied him in this expedition, and left him victorious in three" battles over the
Parthian king Phraates, wliich put A. Sidetes in possession of Babylonia, Media, and
the other revolted provinces, and confined the Parthians within the original limits of
their own kingdom. But while the Syrian army was dispersed in winter quarters, the
Parthians, assisted by the natives, conspired against them, and slew them all in one
whole day ; Antiochus himself perished in the massacre, and scarcely a man remained
to bear back to Syria the report of the catastrophe.
Upon this Phia.ites sent to re-take Demetrius, whom, after having been vanquished
in the for^ier carrKaign, he had liberated, and sent back to Syria, to create such a di-
vtrsion there as might induce Antiochus to relinquish his enterprise. But Demetrius
made such speed that he escaped the pursuit, and, on his re-appearance in Syria,
coupled with the news of the death of his brother, he was enabled to recover his
throne without much difficulty.
Hyrcanus neglected not to avail himself of the confusion into which the Syrian
empire fell, and ".he loss of strength which it sustained after the downfall of A. Side
tes. He got possession of several towns on the sea-coast, and beyond Jordan, and an
nexed them to his territories. He also rendered himself more completely inde
pendent; for after this neither he nor his descendants paid any more tribui.ej service,
or homage to the kings of Syria. Next Hyrcanus invaded Samaria. He took She
chem, the chief seat of the Samaritans, and demolished the temple which they had
built on mount Gerizim. However, they continued to have an altar on the spot, on
which they have offered sacrifices, according to the Levitical law, even to this day.
After this, Hyrcanus invaded and subdued the Idumeans, to whom he offered the al
ternative of either relinquishing their idolatries and embracing the Jewish religion,
or else of leaving the country into which they had intruded, and seeking a settlement
elsewhere. They preferred the former alternatives, and as proselytes, gradually be
came so incorporated with the Jews as to be counted one people with them ; and at
engih the name itself was lost, or absorbed in that of the Jews.*
The course of events now again calls our attention to Egypt. That country was
still ruled by Ptolemy Physcon, whose gross and beast-like person bore the very im
press of that cruel and voluptuous character which belonged to him. We gladly hurry
over the revolting theme which his character and conduct offer, merely to mention
that Cleopatra, the sister of the late Philometor and himself, became the wife ofthe
former, by whom he had a son, and two daughters, both of the name of Cleopatra.
After the death of Philometor, his young son was slain by Physcon, who also married
the widow, his own sister. Of the two daughters, one was that Cleopatra who was
married to Alexander Balas, king of Syria, then to Demetrius Nicator, then to Antio
chus Sidetes, and after the return of Demetrius became his wife again. Her sister,
the other Cleopatra, was defiled by her uncle Physcon, who afterward repudiated his
wife (her mother and his own sister), and married this young princess. His oppres
sions and cruelties toward his subjects were so severe, that at last they could bear
them no longer, but rose against him, and compelled him to flee to Cyprus. The
people then intrusted the government to his sister and divorced wife, the elder Cleo
patra. Her son by him was with his father at Cyprus, and Physcon, fearing that the
son's name might be used to strengthen Cleopatra on the throne, slew him, and sent
his head, feet, and hands to her, directing that they should be given her in the midst
of an entertainment. In the war which followed, Physcon was victorious, and Cleo-
* The rabbins indeed have long spoken and still speak of Edom and the Edomites as existing. But these
are merely feigned and well understood names for denoting, not Edom, but Rome and Christendom, and
not the Edomites, but the Christians of the Roman ernni'-r, nml "' ''if -inti--; nil,, w lucu that empire broke
up, for fear of incurring the displeasure of the nations among v. li.ch mey du ell, ii iney said of thorn, with
iu'. disguise, all they wished to say.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. ,467
patra in her despair sent to Demetrius of Syria, the husband of her eldest daughter,
offering him the crown of Egypt if he would come with an army to her aid. Allured
by the splendid bribe, Demetrius immediately marched an army through Palestine
into Egypt. But, while he was engaged in the siege of Pelusium, Anlioch and
several otner of his own cities revolted from him, and he was obliged to abandon the
prospect before him and return the way he came. Cleopatra then fled to seek pro
tection with her daughter the queen of Syria, who then resided at Ptolemais in Pal
estine. Physcon then regained possession of his throne, which he retained until his
death in B. C. 117.
The passage and return of the Syrian through Palestine could not but be attended
with much annoyance to the Jews, and it may be proper to regard it as in some
measure the cause of the embassy which Hyrcanus sent to Rome the same year (B.
C. 128), to solicit the renewal of the treaties into which the senate had entered with
his predecessors, and to complain of the small attention which Antiochus and Deme
trius had paid to its former mandates. The ambassadors were received with the
usual favor by the senate, which readily consented to renew the treaty which had
been concluded with Simon, and which moreover took upon itself to abrogate the dis
advantageous treaty which the Jews had been compelled to make with A. Sidetes.
It also decreed that Hyrcanus should hold the towns of Joppa, Gazara, and others be
yond the limits of Judea, without paying tribute for them to the Syrian kings; and
that the latter should not presume to march armies through Palestine without per
mission. This last clause was doubtless intended to check the enterprises of the kings
of Syria against Egypt. Ambassadors were appointed to see all this executed ; and the
Jewish deputation were furnished with money to bear their expenses home. Hyrca
nus was too sensible of the importance of these favors to neglect the expression of his
gratitude; and the next year another embassy was sent to Rome with a present of a
cup and shield of gold, which the senate accepted, and passed another decree con
firming the former. By these treaties, as well as by the unquiet slate of the Syrian
kingdom, Hyrcanus was much sirengthened in what we may now call his dominions.
Demetrius was one of those men whom even adversity could not improve. After
his restoration, he fell into the same misconduct which had before occasioned him the
loss of his kingdom. His subjects again were alienated from him ; and readily joined
a competitor who was brought forward and supported by P. Physcon, in revenge for
the recent attempt of Demetrius to take possession of his kingdom. The young man
put forward on this occasion was the son of a merchant of Alexandria, and claimed
to be the adopted son of Antiochus Sidetes, or (according to some) of Alexander
Balas. He assumed the name of Alexander, but was nicknamed in derision, Zebinas
(" the bought one"). Notwithstanding the weakness of his pretensions, he easily
succeeded in depriving the universally disliked Demetrius of his kingdom and life,
B. C. 126.
Zebinas was an equitable and popular ruler; but he did not obtain the whole of
the kingdom, as part was retained by Cleopatra — that wife of many husbands who
has so often been named. To strengthen her cause, she caused Seleucus, her son by
Demetrius, to be proclaimed king of Syria, but retained all power in her own hands ;
and when in the twentieth year of his age (B. C. 124) he manifested a desire really to
reign, she slew him by a javeiin with her own hands. A. Zebinas, on the other hand,
strengthened his cause by an alliance with John Hyrcanus, who skilfully availed him
self of allthese troubles to confirm his independence, and to enlarge his dominion.
Zebinas could not, however, long maintain his position. A very proper and spirited
refusal to do homage to P. Physcon for the crown of Syria, lost him the support and pro
cured him the enmity of'.hat monarch, who immediaielycame to terms with Cleopatra,
and furnished her with an army whereby Zebinas was defeated, and ultimately fell into
the hands of Ptolemy, who put him to death. Thus Cleopatra became mistress of all
Syria, her yoaager son by Demetrius, Antiochus VIII., surnamed Gryphus ("hook
nosed," from ypiii//, a vulture), being seated on the throne. Soon after (B. C. 120), finding
that Grypaus was also disposed to claim the power as well as name of king, she pre
pared poi'on for him; but she was detected, and the king compelled his murderous
mother to drink the poisoned cup herself.
Ptolemy Physcon died in B. C. 117, twenty-nine years after his brother Philometor.
He left all power in the hands of Cleopatra, his wife and daughter-in-law — sister ol,
the Syrian queen whose doom concluded the last paragraph. Physcon had by hei

468 AN ILLUSTRATED
i
two sons, Lathyrus and Alexander, and left to Cleopatra the choice of a king from
them. She would have preferred the youngest, Alexander ; but the voice of the peo
ple compelled her to appoint Ptolemy Lathyrus.
Antiochus Gryphus had a half-brother, whom his mother Cleopatra had be me tc
Antiochus Sidetes. This young prince was sent by his mother to be brought up at
Cyzicus on the Propontis, and hence his name of Antiochus Cyzicenus. He soon ap
peared as a competitor for the Syrian throne, and after various conflicts the brothers
agreed in B. C. 112 to divide the empire between them. A. Cyzicenus obtaind Coele-
Syria and Phoenicia, and fixed his residence at Damascus. Both the kings were
heartless libertines; and their relatively uneasy position gave them too much employ
ment, in watching and annoying each other, to permit them to interfere much with
the Jews, whose princes well knew how to avail themselves of such opportunities to
aggrandize the power of the nation.
There is one exception. In B. C. 110 Hyrcanus ventured to besiege Samaria, the
inhabitants of which were not Samaritans, properly so called, but were descended
from the Syro-Macedonian colony, which Alexander planted there when he rooted
out the former inhabitants. The siege was conducted by Hyrcanus himself, with his
two sons Aristobulus and Antigonus. They enclosed the city by a wall and a ditch,
and all supplies being thus completely cut off, the place was soon reduced to the last
extremity from scarcity of food. In this emergency, the besieged sent to A. Cyzice
nus, supplicating his aid. He marched himself to afford it ; but was met on the way
by a detachment of the Jewish army under the command of Aristobulus. In a bloody
engagement the Syrians were totally routed, and A. Cyzicenus himself escaped with
difficulty. In the next year (B. C. 109) Samaria was taken and totally demolished.
This victory, with its results, made Hyrcanus master of all Judea, Samaria, and Gali
lee, and of several places beyond iheir limits ; and raised the glory of the Asamonean
princes to its height. Hyrcanus spent the rest of his reign without foreign wars, and
respected by all the neighboring potentates. He died in B. C. 106, after a reign of
thirty years.
Hyrcanus left the principality to his wife ; but Aristobulus, his eldest son, soon pos
sessed himself of the government ; and as his mother refused to lay down her author
ity, he committed her to prison, where she perished of hunger. Having established
himself in the principality and high-priesthood, Aristobulus ventured on the very
questionable step of assuming the diadem and regal title. And thus (as seems to
have been predicted by Zechariah, vi. 9 — 15) was brought about that state of things,
which early existed in Egypt and other countries, in which the offices of the king
and high-priest were united in the same person. Aristobulus availed himself of the
disagreements between the two kings of Syria to extend his dominions. He subdued
Iturea beyond Jordan, and offered the inhabitants the alternative of circumcision or
expatriation. They preferred the former, and accordingly became Jews, and were
incorporated with the Jewish nation. Aristobulus fell sick during this campaign,
leaving his brother Antigonus to complete the subjection of the country, and the set
tlement of its affairs. On the return of the latter to Jerusalem, the king was taught
to regard him as one who aimed at his life and kingdom, and under that mistaken im
pression, ordered his death. Discovering his error, he fell sick and died after a reign
of only one year, B. C. 105.
He was succeeded by his brother, the third son of Hyrcanus, Alexander Janna?us,
whose Hebrew name was probably Jonathan; as the name of " Jonathan". or "King
Jonathan," occurs on some coins in the Hebrew, while the reverse has the legend
' King Alexander" in Greek. He had been brought up in Galilee, and from early
childhood he had not been admitted to the presence of his father. Alexander pur
sued the policy of his predecessors, of turning to nis own advantage the divisions in
the Syrian empire. Nor was he singular in this, for many cities (Tyre, Ptolemais,
Gaza, Dora, and others) had contrived to make themselves independent. The three
last of the cities we have named, A. Jannseus desired to subdue to his own powet ;
which seems to us a very unprincipled design ; but it is difficult to find anything like
principle in any public transactions of any parties in this most unprincipled age. In
B. C. 104 he took the field against Ptolemais, and detached a part of his army against
Dora and Gaza. Before this time (namely, in B. C. 107), Ptolemy Lathyrus had been
expelled from Egypt by his mother, and withdrew to Cyprus, where he reigned up to
the dale to which we' have now come. To him the beleaguered cities now applied

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. . 469
for aid. This he readily granted, and landed in Palestine with an army of 30,000
men. He was very successful, defeating Alexander in a pitched battle on the banks
of the Jordan, in which the Jews lost 30,000 men, and then overrunning and furiously
ravaging the country, so that the Asamonean cause seemed on the brink of utter
ruin, when Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt, fearing that the conquest of Palestine by
Lathyrus would be but a step toward the invasion of Egypt, sent an army to the assist
ance of Alexander. By this means he recovered his footing, and Lathyrus was com
pelled to withdraw to Cyprus, B. C. 101 . Alexander had gained none of the original
objects of the war he had so unjustly commenced, and the nation had suffered greatly.
The king soon after paid a visit to the Egyptian queen, to whom he had been so
much indebted. This visit had nearly proved fatal to him. This ambitious and un
scrupulous woman was advised to put him to death and unite Judea to Egypt : and
she was inclining to such suggestions, when the interposition of Ananias, the Jewish
commander of her forces, inclined her to a more just and generous policy, and she
concluded an alliance with Jannaeus at Bethshan (Scythopolis).
After Cleopatra had returned to her own country, Alexander began to resume his
former projects of reducing to his yoke the towns and fortresses on his borders — pur
suing, in short, the same needlessly aggressive policy which had well nigh been his
ruin. Gadara he took after a ten months' siege. He also took the strong fortress of
Amathus beyond Jordan; but on his return he was surprised and defeated with the
loss of ten thousand men, by the prince of Philadelphia, whose treasures had been de
posited there, and returned with disgrace to Jerusalem. He was a Sadducee : this,
and his other humiliations, were therefore matters of high satisfaction to the Phari
sees, who had great influence with the mass of the people, which they employed with
much success, to alienate their affections from Alexander. The king, nothing dis
couraged, turned his attention to the towns on his southern border. Raphia and An-
thedon he took: the conquest of Gaza was more difficult; but at last he won it by
treachery, burned it, and massacred the inhabitants, but with so much loss to his own
troops, that he returned with little honor and less spoil to Jerusalem.
The long cherishtd hatred of the Pharisees, and dislike of the people toward the
king, broke out openly in the year B. C. 95. He was officiating as high-priest at the
feast of tabernacles, and was offering sacrifice upon the great altar, when the people
began to pelt him furiously with the citrons which they bore in their hands at that
celebration, at the same time assailing him with the most opprobrious expressions.
In accordance with the severe principles of the Sadducees, which he had on so many
occasions exemplified, he let loose his guard upon the insurgents, by whom six thou
sand of them were cut down, and thus the disturbance was, for the time, allayed with
blood. To prevent such insults in future, he enclosed the priests' court, which con
tained the altar and sanctuary, by a wooden partition, which excluded the approach
ofthe people, and for his greater security, he took into his pay a body of six thousand
foreign mercenaries, who soon became almost his only support.
After this, A. Jannseus turned his attention to the countries beyond_ Jordan. In B.
C. 94 he made the Arabs of Gilead, and the inhabitants of Moab, tributary. In B.
C. 93 he destroyed the strong fortress of Amathus, his former enterprise against which
had been followed by his defeat, as lately mentioned. In the next year, while in a
campaign against Obodas, the Emir of the Arabs of Gaulonitis, he fell into an ambush
in the mountains near Gadara, where his army was driven over the precipices and ut
terly destroyed, and he himself escaped with difficulty. This disaster imbittered the
feelings of the already discontented Pharisees, who were at all limes jealous even to
madness of the national honor. A successful and glorious Sadducee they might have
borne; but an unsuccessful one was intolerable. They took up arms, supported by
-he masses, and broke out into open rebellion, which they maintained for six years,
ind in wliich, although repeatedly defeated, their refractory spirit remained unsub
dued. At last, after fifty thousand of the malecontents had been destroyed, besides-
the loss on the other side, the king, although successful, became weary of slaughter
and intestine turmoil, and made every effort and declared his readiness to make any
sacrifice for the sake of peace. He sent some of his friends to the assembled people,
to know what he could do to satisfy them — " Die !" was the answer, given with such
vehemence and fury as showed him that there was no hope of accommodation. The
malecontents, on their part, sought the help of the Moabites and the Arabians of Gil
ead1, whom Alexander had made tributary, and whose tribute he was now obliged It

470 AN ILLUSTRATED
remit, to prevent their hostilities. The invitation was then sent to Demetrius Euce-
rus, king of Damascus. He gladly accepted the call, and entered Judea with an army
of forty thousand foot and three thousand horse, with which he overthrew Alexander
with the loss of all his Greek mercenaries to a man, B. C. 89. His utter ruin was
mevitable, had it not been that six thousand of the Jews themselves, taking compas
sion upon his distress, deserted from the Syrians, and joined him. This so much
alarmed Demetrius, fearing lest the defection should extend, that he withdrew his
forces from the country to employ them against his brother Philip. The indomitable
spirit of Alexander Jannaeus, and the large resources which he found in himself, now
very conspicuously appeared ; for no sooner had the Syrians departed, than he again
got together his broken army, and recommenced operations with increased vigor and
success against his own discontented subjects. In one great action, fought in B. C
37, he utterly cut off the greater part of the insurgent army, and shut up the remairi-
ier in Bethone, which he besieged and took the year after. On this occasion he was
guilty of a most barbarous act, for which the nickname of " Thracian" was justly
given to him. He sent eight hundred of the principal captives to Jerusalem, and
there crucified them all in one day and in one place, and put their wives and children
to death before their eyes, as they hung dying on the crosses; while he sat, feasting
with his wives and concubines, within view of the horrid scene, to glut his eyes with
their torments. Certainly, the existence of a man who could do this was an evil up
on the earth ; and it seems alone sufficient to induce a suspicion that there was good
cause for the intense dislike with wliich he was regarded by the people.
After this Alexander had no more disturbance, and he was enabled to spend three
years in recovering the fortresses which had revolted, and in reducing the provinces
beyond Jordan which had got loose from his dominion, during the civil war. Return
ing victorious to Jerusalem in B. C. 82, he abandoned himself to luxury and revelling,
which speedily brought on a quartan ague, under which he languished for three years,
and of which he died in B. C. 78, at the siege of Ragaba beyond Jordan, in the coun
try of the Gergesenes, in the forty-ninth year of his age, and the twenty-seventh of his
eventful reign. That reign might be deemed successful in its ultimate results, if
judged only by the enlarged dominion which he left to his successors; for at his death
the Jewish kingdom included Mount Carmel and all the coast as far as Rhinocoluraj
it embraced on the south all Idumea; northward it extended to Scythopolis (Beth
shan) and Mount Tabor; and beyond Jordan it comprehended Gaulonitis, and all the
territory of Gadara, including the land of the Moabites on the south, and extending
as far as Pella on the east.
Alexander Jannaeus left the government in the hands of his Queen Alexandra, in
fluenced doubtless by the recent example of the female reigns in Egypt and Syria.
She was to enjoy the government while she lived, and was to determine which other
two sons, Hyrcanus and Aristobulus, should succeed her. On the approach of death,
Alexander gave her such counsels as he judged best calculated to insure her a peace
able reign. Sensible that most of his own troubles had been produced through the
agency of the great control which the Pharisees had acquired over public opinion, he
exhorted her above all things to cultivate their favor, and to attempt no public meas
ure without their approval. This advice may have been good ; but the motive claims
no high commendation. He wished his wife to reign after him ; and to secure that
private object he was willing that all the energies of the government should be sac
rificed, and that all the powers of the state should be thrown into the hands of men
whom, whether justly or not, he despised and hated. He also instructed the queen
what course to take in throwing herself into the hands of the Pharisees. He coun
selled her to conceal his death until the capture of the fortress, and then, on the tri
umphant return to Jerusalem, she was to convene the heads of the Pharisees, and of
fer to be guided entirely by their counsels in the administration of the government ;
she was also to lay his dead body before them, and leave it wholly to their discretion
whether to treat it with ignominy or honor. " If thou dost but this," concluded the
king, " I shall be sure of a glorious funeral, and thou wilt rule in safety." Alexandra
followed all his directions to a letter ; and the event answered to his prediction. The
Pharisees were suddenly appeased, as by a miracle ; they spoke with profound reve
rence of the king, whose death they had so often invoked ; they lauded to the skies
his heroic achievements ; and none of all his predecessors had a funeral nearly as
magnificent as that of Alexander Jannaeus.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 47)
The Pharisees, having now the upper hand in the state, proceeded to do what any
successful party would have done in the same circumstances. They released all the
prisoners and recalled all the exiles of their own party ; and being thus strengthened
by the recovery of the ablest nien of their body, they delayed not to demand justice
against the advisers of the crucifixion of the eight hundred ; and certainly, if therp
were any persons active in advising that dreadful enormity, they richly deserved pun
ishment. Diogenes, the chief confidant of the late king, was the first to feel the
wrath and vengeance of the Pharisees, and after he had been cut off, they proceeded
10 the more obnoxious of Alexander's advisers. The queen, sore against her will.
submitted to all their demands, to avoid the worse evils of a civil war.
Queen Alexandra appointed to the high-priesthood her eldest son Hyrcanus, a per
son of mild and inactive disposition, ill qualified to take part in the turmoils of the
troubled days in which he was cast. The other son, Aristobulus, was of a different
spirit — with the same impulsive energies of character, and nearly as unscrupulous, as
his father. He burned with indignation at the degraded, although safe, position which
his mother occupied ; and in the seventh year of her reign (B. C. 72) he appeared be
fore her at the head of a large party of friends of congenial sentiments, and solicited
permission either to leave the country, or to be permitted to retire to the frontier gar
rison towns, where they might be secure from the malice of the Pharisees. The
queen agreed to the latter proposal, and put them in possession of all the fortresses,
except Hyrcania, Alexandrium, and Machterus, where she kept her treasures. Next
year Aristobulus was intrusted with the command of an army sent against Damascus,
but he returned without doing anything memorable, although he was mindful not to
neglect the opportunity of ingratiating himself with the troops.
In the year B. C. (59 some attempts made by Selene (reigning in Ptolemais) to ex
tend her dominions in Coele-Syria, drew the attention of Tigranes, the Armenian king
whom, as already related, the Syrians had called to reign over them. He came against
her with a large army, subdued Ptolemais, took Selene prisoner, and ultimately or
dered her to be put to death at Seleucia on the Tigris. Her sons were at Rome.
While Tigranes was engaged before Ptolemais, Alexandra sent an embassy with val-
aa'ule presents, to obtain his friendship. The rapid progress which the Romans were
at this time making in Asia Minor so strongly called his attention to that quarter, that
he returned a more favorable answer than might have been expected, and hastened
back to his own country. Queen Alexandra died in the same year.
On the death of his mother, the mild and feeble Hyrcanus took possession of the
throne. He reigned only three months. His more enterprising and able brother,
Aristobulus, had obtained possession of most of the fortresses in the kingdom during
the sickness of his mother : the people, also, had by tins time grown weary of the
tyranny of the Pharisees, and greatly fearing the possible results of their ascendency
over such a person as Hyrcanus, readily declared themselves in favor of his brother :
and as the soldiers also deserted to him, Hyrcanus had no alternative but to resign
his crown and mitre to Aristobulus; and he agreed, with little reluctance, to lead a
private life under his protection. " So," as Josephus expresses it, " Aristobulus went
to tne palace, and Hyrcanus to the house of Aristobulus."
An Idumean originally called Antipas, but better known by the name of Antipater,
had by this time become a great man in Judea. He was high in the confidence of
Alexander Jannaeus, and of Queen Alexandra, who had intrusted him with the gov
ernment of his native province of Idumea. He had amassed considerable wealth, and
formed connexions with the Arabs in the east, and with the Gazites and Ascalonites
in the west. Such a man might expect, under a weak ruler like Hyrcanus, to benefit
largely by the distractions of the country ; whereas the firm rule ot a man like Aris
tobulus was calculated to nip all his budding hopes. This consideration decided him
to take up the cause of the deposed Hyrcanus, whom he gradually drew into the be
lief that his brother had designs against his life, and after much solicitation persuaded
him to flee to Petra, and claim the protection of the Arabian king Aretas. That prince
readily espoused his cause, and brought him back to Judea, with an army of fifty
thousand men : and being there joined by such of the Jews as favored the cause of
the elder brother, he gave battle to Aristobulus, defeated him, and compelled him
with the heads of his party, to take refuge in the temple-mount, and besieged him
there, B. C. 66.
So great was the hatred of the besiegers against Aristobulus and his party, that at

472 AN ILLUSTRATED
•he feast of the passover, tney would allow no animals for sacrifices to be earned mtc
the temple, although Aristobulus bad given to them over the walls the full sum they
demanded for such, permission.
The great war of the Romans in Asia Minor against Mithridates, king of Pontus,
is of importance from its result of bringing all Western Asia under the power of the
Romans ; but the circumstances of that war have no such connexion with our history
as to require their exhibition in this place. Tigranes was soon involved in this war;
and in B. C. 69 he was obliged to withdraw his forces from Syria to make head
against the Romans nearer home.
This gave an opportunity to Antiochus Asiaticus, the son of Selene and A. Eusebes,
to seize the government ; and, having contracted an alliance with the Roman general,
Lucullus, he contrived to retain a part of the empire, until the arrival of Pompey in
tlie East. He arrived to take the command of the Roman armies in the year B. C.
36. While himself employed in the north against Mithridates and Tigranes, Pompey
sent Scaurus into Syria. While that general was at Damascus, he received from
Aristobulus (then besieged in the temple) an application, with the offer of four hun
dred talents if he would come to his aid. The offer of a similar sum soon after came
from Hyrcanus ; but the Roman, considering that it would be easier to frighten away
the besieging Nabathaeans for Aristobulus than to take so strong a fortress for Hyr
canus, determined to accept the offer of the former. He accordingly received the
money ; and three hundred talents were also given to Gabinius. Scaurus then com
manded Aretas to abandon the siege and quit the country, or expect that the Roman
arms would be turned against him. Awed by this threat, the Arabian king imme
diately obeyed; but he was pursued and overtaken in his homeward march by the
active Aristobulus, and defeated with great slaughter.
In B. C. 65, Pompey came into Syria, all the princes of which were prepared to
fook to him as the arbiter of their fate. Antiochus Asiaticus humbly sued to be con
firmed in his kingdom ; but he was refused, on the pretext that he was too weak to
defend the country against the Jews and Arabs ; and that the Romans having over
come Tigranes, Syria became theirs by right of conquest, and they were not disposed
to forego the rewards of their toils. In the . person of Antiochus XI. was deposed
the last of a regal dynasty, descended from Seleucus, which had ruled Syria for two
hundred and forty-seven years. His dominions, together with Phoenicia, then passed
into the condition of a Roman province.
Twelve kings and many ambassadors repaired to Damascus to render their homage
to the illustrious Roman, or to receive from him the award of their fate. Aristobulus,
to whom the recognition of his title by the Romans was at this time of great impor
tance, sent an embassy with the present of a golden vine, valued at five hundred
talents. But as those who saw this vine subsequently in the capitol at Rome declare
that it bore the name of Alexander Jannaeus, it would seem that he was not success
ful in his application, unless, as some imagine, the vine had been made by Alexander
Jannaeus and placed in the temple, from which it was taken by his son to be pre
sented to the Romans.
The next year, B. C. 64, Pompey again returned to Damascus from Asia Minor,
with large designs for the southward extension of the Roman power, which had
already been established as far as the Caspian in the north. At that place, the com
peting Jewish princes produced their cause before him : Hyrcanus through Antipater
and Aristobulus through Nicodemus. The delegates were hsard, and dismissed in a
friendly manner, with orders that the two brothers should appear in person. Unfor
tunately for Aristobulus, his cause was much prejudiced by the allusion of Nicodemus
to the bribes which Scaurus and Gabinius had received, whereby he provoked the
resentment of two persons whose influence with Pompey was very great. As
ordered, Hyrcanus and Aristobulus appeared at Damascus in the spring of B. C. 63, to
plead their own cause before Pompey, and each attended by multitudes of witnesses
to prove the justice of their respective claims. A third Jewish party, uninvited and
undesired by either of the others, also appeared, in the persons of many Jews of high
consideration, who were prepared to plead, and did plead, against both the brother*.
that in order to enslave a free people they had changed the form of government from
pontifical to regal, "ontrary to established usage and precedent. Hyrcanus, on his
Dart, rested on his n.-hts as the elder brother, and complained of the usurpation of
Aristobulus : the latter oleaded the necessity which the imbecile character of Hyr-

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 473
canus had imposed upon him. This was precisely the worst plea he could have
made ; for imbecility of character was, for their own selfish ends, far from 1-eing
esteemed a disqualification by the Romans, in the princes under their control. How
ever, Pompey did not openly declare his sentiments, but left the matter undecided,
until he should have leisure to come in person to Jerusalem and settle it there. But
Aristobulus, perceiving clearly that the decision would not be in his favor, withdrew
without taking leave, in order to make the requisite preparations, and he thus ren
dered his case still more desperate.
Pompey was occupied for a time in reducing Aretas and his Nabathseans to subjec
tion. This being effected, he marched against Aristobulus, of whose hostile prepara
tions he was well apprized. He found nun in the frontier fortress of Alexandrium
(wliich was situated upon the top of a high rock), and well prepared for an attack.
On his arrival, Pompey summoned the Jewish prince to his presence ; and Aristobulus,
afraid of irritating him by a refusal, and relying on his honor, came down and had
several interviews with the Roman general, who, in the end, refused to let him go
until he had signed an order for the surrender of all the fortresses to the T mans.
But, resenting deeply this imposition, Aristobulus was no sooner dismissed than ne
fled to Jerusalem, and tliere prepared for a siege. But, when Pompey approached
with his army, his resolution forsook him, as well it might ; and he went forth to
meet the Roman, to whom he tendered his submission, and offered a sum of money
to prevent a war. His proposal was accepted ; and Gabinius, one of Pompey's lieu
tenants, whom there has been previous occasion to name, was sent with a body of
troops to recover the city and receive the money. But when Aristobulus returned
with the Romans, his own party shut the gates against him and them ; on which the
captive prince was put in chains. Pompey then himself married to Jerusalem, and
the party of Hyrcanus, being the most numerous in the city, and well aware of his
favorable dispositions toward them, opened the gates to him. The party of Aris
tobulus now withdrew into the temple, which was by this time a strong fortress,
fully resolved to abide the result of a siege. They held out for three months, and
might have done so much longer, but for the remaining superstition respecting the
Sabbath. Pornpey being apprized that, although on that as on any other day they
would stand on their defence if actually attacked, they would not on that day act on
the offensive, or disturb any operations short of actual assault, he sagaciously made
use of every Sabbath in filling up the ditch and planting his engines, in which he
experienced not the least opposition, and this enabled him to make his attacks with
more effect on the other days of the week. At last the temple was taken by assault
in the first year of the 179th Olympiad, ending in B. C. 63, the same year in which
C. Antonius and M. Tullius Cicero were consuls, and on the very day observed with
fasting and humiliation on the conquest of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. These
dates fix the year from which the direct rule ofthe Romans over Judea may be dated.
Pompey violated the sanctity ofthe temple, by intruding with his principal officers
into the holy of holies. He was not stricken as Ptolemy Philopator and Heliodorus
had been, but it has been remarked by some that he never prospered in any of his
subsequent undertakings. By the Jews, of course, this act was deeply resented.
Pompey, however, spared the sacred treasury, although it contained two thousand
talents ; and the sacred utensils, and other articles of great value, were left for the
sacred uses to which they had been devoted. But he ordered the walls of Jerusalem
to be demolished. Hyrcanus he appointed to be high-priest and prince of the coun
try, on condition that he should submit to the Romans, pay tribute, not assume the
crown, nor seek to extend his territory beyond the ancient limits of Judea. All the
places beyond those limits which the jews had conquered were also restored to Syria,
which was made a Roman province, and left under ihe rule of Scaurus as prefect,
with two legions to preserve tranquillity. Thus the Jews, from being old allies of the
Romans, were at once reduced to the condition of a subordinate principality, and
were compelled to pay large tribute to the conquerors.
Pompey returned to Rome laden with the spoils of conquered nations, and with a
long train of royal and illustrious captives to grace his triumph. Among them were
Aristobulus, his two daughters, and his two sons, Alexander and Antigonus. Alex
ander escaped by the way, and returned to Judea. The rest were among the three
hundred and twenty-four noble prisoners who graced the triumph of Pompey in
B. C. 61. Pompey was the first to discontinue the barbarous custom of putting the

174 AN ILLUSTRATED
captives to death in the capitol after this public exhibition. They were all liberated
ind sent home at the public expense, with the exception of Tigranes and Aristobulus,
who were detained lest they should excite disturbances in their respective countries

CHAPTER XXVI.
ANTTPATER GOVERNOR OP JUDEA — HEROD— BIRTH OP OnRIST.
Although Hyrcanus II. had again become the nominal head of the reduced and
dependant princedom of Judea, Antipater was the actual governor, and managed all
things as he would.
In the year 57 B. C, Alexander, the eldest son of Aristobdur, who had escaped on
the way to Rome, reappeared in Judea, and soon succeeded in collecting an army of
ten thousand foot and fifteen hundred horse. He seized and garrisoned the strong
fortresses of Alexandrium, Macharus, Hyrcania, and several others, and thence rav
aged the whole country. Hyrcanus was not in a condition to make head against
him: but for the protection of Jerusalem he was desirous of rebuilding the walls of
that city; but this was forbidden by the jealousy of the Romans, and the prince was
then obliged to apply to them for assistance. Gabinius (the same who had before
been in the country with Pompey), who had lately become proconsul of Syria, sent
some troops mto Judea under the command of Mark Anthony, the commander of the
cavalry — who afterward took so conspicuous a part in the affairs of Rome, while he
prepared to follow himself with a larger army. The Roman general, being joined
by Antipater with the forces of Hyrcanus, defeated Alexander near Jerusalem, with
the loss of three thousand men, and compelled him to seek refuge in Alexandrium, to
which siege was immediately laid. Gabinius, who had now arrived, perceiving that
the reduction of so strong a place would require time, left a sufficient force to invest
it, and with the rest made a progress through the country. Many cities which he
found in ruins, he directed to be rebuilt, according to the intentions of Pompey:*
among these was Samaria, which, after his own name, he called Gabiana, which was
not long after changed by Herod to Sebaste. When he returned to the camp at
Alexandrium he was visited by the mother of the besieged Alexander, who had
already offered to capitulate, and now, by her address and mediation, was allowed to
depart on condition that the fortresses which he held in his power should be demol
ished, that they might give no occasion for future revolts.
Gabinius then went to Jerusalem, and confirmed Hyrcanus in the high-priesthood;
but he took upon him to change the government to an aristocracy, undoubtedly at the
request of the Jews themselves, who had formerly much desired such a change from
Pompey. Hitherto the administration of public affairs had been managed, under the
prince, by two councils, or courts of justice ; the lesser, consisting of twenty-three
persons, was instituted in every city, and each of these lesser councils was subject to
the control of the great council, or Sanhedrim,! of seventy-two members, sitting at
* Those were — Scythopolis (Bethshan), Samaria, Dora, Azotus or Ashdod, Jamnia, Gaza, Anthedon, Ra-
phia, Gamala, Apollonia, Marissa, and some others.
f This is the first historical notice of such a council. The Jews deem lhat the council of seventy elders
appointed to assist Moses was afterward constantly maintained, and that with it we are to identify the
Sanhedrim of their later history. But if such a body had existed, it is impossible but that its presence
must have been indicated, in the long intervening period, on some of the many occasions wliich would have '
called for the exercise of its functions. That the Sanhedrim was intended as an imitation of the council
of the seventy elders, is very possible and likely ; but scarcely any one who has examined the matter
closely imagines that it had any earlier existence than the time ofthe Maccabees.
The high-priest was usually the president of this tribunal , and there were two vice-presidents who sat the
jne on his right hand and the other on his left. The members were — 1. Those who were called " chief
priests" in the Gospels. These were partly priests, who had previously exercised the office of high-priests,
and partly of the heads of the twenty-four classes of priests, who were called honorarily, high or chief-
priests. 2. Elders, being the heads of tubes and of large groups of allied families. 3. The scribes, or men of
learning. It is to be understood, however, that although all the chief priests had a seat in the Sanhedrim,
only those of the elders and scribes sat there who were elected tc fill up vacancies.
There is no reason to doubt the assertion of the Talmudists, that the Sanhedrim had secretaries and
apparitors. The place in which this great council sat in Jerusalem can not with any certainty be deter
mined. The Talmudists inform us that the council sat so as to form a semi-circle, of which the president
and two vice-presidents occupied the centre. We learn from other sources that they either sat upon the
floor, carpets being spread under them, or upon cushions slightly elevated, with their knees bent and Ugfl
crossed, as is still the fashion in the East.
Appeals from the municipal councils and other matters of importance, were brought before this high
council. Its powers were much limited by the Romans ; but in the time of Christ it still possessed the .

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

475

476 AN ILLUSTRATED
Jerusaleii Both were suppressed by Gabinius, who divided the country into five
districts, appointing in each an executive council for its government. These districts
will be sufficiently indicated by the names of the cities in which the respective coun
cils sat: — Jerusalem, Jericho, Gadara, Amathus, and Sepphoris. This, in fact,
changed the government into an aristocracy, for all real power rested in the hands of
the several councils, composed ofthe principal persons of each district, and the power
of the prince was completely nullified. This form of government continued to the
vear 44 B. C, when Hyrcanus was restored to his former power by Julius Csesar.
About this time Aristobulus contrived to escape from his captivity at Rome, with
his younger son Aniigonus, and returned to Judea, where his presence excited a re
volt. But he was ere long defeated, taken captive with his son, and sent back to his
former prison. The report which Gabinius sent, however, of the services which the
wife of Aristobulus had rendered in suppressing her son Alexander's insurrection,
procured the release of all the family except Aristobulus himself.
In 56 B. C. Gabinius undertook to restore Ptolemy Auletes to the throne of Egypt.
He and Mark Anthony succeeded in this object, in which they received no slight
assistance from Hyrcanus, or rather from Antipater, who eagerly laid hold of every
opportunity of serving and ingratiating himself with the Romans, through whose
favor alone could he hope that his ambitious designs would ever be realized. By his
means the Roman army was most bountifully lurnished with provisions, arms, aid
money ; and measures were taken to dispose the Jews of Egypt to forward their
cause, which they had large means of doing. While the substantial force of the
Romans was absent on this expedition, Alexander, the son of Aristobulus, got together
a large army, with which he contrived to make himself master of Judea, and massa
cred all the Romans who had the misfortune to fall in his way. Several fled to Mount
Gerizim, and were there besieged by Alexander, when Gabinius returned victorious
from Egypt. The proconsul endeavored, through Antipater, to make peace with
him ; but as, although many had abandoned him on the approach of the Romans, he
was still at the head of thirty thousand men, he refused to listen to any terms of ac
commodation. In a battle, which soon followed, near Mount Tabor, ten thousand of
his men were slain, and the rest dispersed. Gabinius then went to Jerusalem, and
settled affairs there according to the views of Antipater, who had much influence
both with him and Anthony.
In the yar 55 the proconsul Gabinius was recalled, to answer for the venality and
extortion of his government. Yet he is regretted by Josephus as one who was
friendly to the Jews ; who, however, had to pay a high price for his friendship. They
certainly gained nothing by the exchange for the new proconsul, who was no other
than the wealthy and avaricious Crassus (the colleague of Pompey and Julius Caesar
in the triumvirate), who procured himself to be invested with unusually large powers,
and who, being consul for that year, embarked for Syria before his consulship expired.
Crassus was bent on an expedition against the Parthians ; and he failed not, before
liis departure, to plunder the temple at Jerusalem of all the treasures which Pompey
had spared. He took everything that he deemed worth taking, and the value of his
plunder is estimated at ten thousand talents. In the war against the Parthians,
which was entirely unexpected and unprovoked, Crassus was at first successful; but
in the end, he and his son were slain, and the Roman army disgraced, B. C. 53.
Cassius, who had commanded a wing of the Roman army in the battle, conducted
a body of five hundred horse safely back to Syria, the government of which devolved
on him until a successor to Crassus should be appointed. Having, with much abil
ity, so organized the bioken resources of the province as to defend it successfully
against the Parthian invasion of 52 B. C, he afterward marched into Judea, and
forced Alexander, who began raising fresh disturbances as soon as the news of the
defeat of Crassus arrived in Syria, to terms of peace.
In the civil war which broke out between Pompey and Caesar, Syria and Palestine
were variously involved. When Caesar passed the Rubicon in 49 B. C, and made
hirnsel." master of Rome, he thought tha' Aristobulus might be useful tc his cause
against that of Pompey, which was strong in the east; and therefore sent him
into Palestine, with two legions under his command, to keep Syria in awe. Bui
power of trying offenders and of passing sentence ; although when the penalty was high or capital, it wa«
necessary that it should be confirmed by the Roman governor, who also assumed the right of -jxecutmg as
his own the sentence which he had confirmed.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 477
Pompey's party contrived to poison him on the way, and thus frustrated the design.
His always-active son, Alexander, had raised forces in expectation of his father's arri
val ; but Pompey sent orders to his son-in-law, Q. Metellus Scipio, whom he had pro
moted to the government of Syria, to put him to death. He was accordingly taken,
brought to Antioch, tried, and beheaded.
In the midst of all the causes of agitation in Judea — from the contests of the Asa-
monean princes— from the different characters of the governors of Syria — from the
march of armies — from the intrigues which divided courts and people in the quarrel
between Pompey and Caesar — Antipater never slept, was never found wanting to
himself. He had availed himself of his power over the feeble Hyrcanus to make foi
himself a personal influence and reputation, through the services he was thereby able
to render to the various parties and persons whose friendship might be useful to him.
He was moreover the father of four sons, who understood and concurred in his views
— all of them brave, ambitious, magnificent, full of spirit and high hopes. One of
them, Phasael, was already governor of Jerusalem, and another, Herod, was governor
of Galilee. These, it will be perceived, were two of the five districts into which the
country had been divided by Gabinius. Thus the family went on gathering strength
from day to day, while the Asamonean family — through the imbecility of Hyrcanus,
and the reverses of Aristobulus and his sons — sustained a daily loss of power and in
fluence. In the contest between Pompey and Csesar, Antipater, who was under obli
gations to the former, was in a critical and difficult position. But such men as he are
never wrong. Their felicitous instincts enable them to discover the falling cause in
sufficient time to make the abandonment of it a merit with him whose star is rising.
Thus Antipater turned in good time to the side of the new master; and in the Egyp
tian campaign rendered important services to Caesar by bringing to his aid the forces
concentrated in Judea, Idumea, and part of Arabia ; while in action he displayed great
abilities and courage, which no one knew better than Caesar how to appreciate and
respect. On his return from Egypt, the crown of which he had fixed on the head of
the too-celebrated Cleopatra, the eldest daughter of Ptolemy Auletes, he went to Je
rusalem, and there employed the absolute power he possessed quite in subservience
to the views and wishes of Antipater. In vain did Antigonus, the surviving son of
Aristobulus, appear, and plead that the lives of his father and brother had been lost
in his cause : he was heard coldly, and dismissed as a troublesome person. Caesar
abrogated the aristocratical government which Gabinius had established ten years be
fore, and confirmed Hyrcanus in his full powers as high-priest and ethnarch. He
ordered the remission every sabbatic year of the annual tribute payable to the Ro
mans : he further conceded that the Jews should not, as formerly, be obliged to pro
vide winter quarters for the Roman troops, or to pay an equivalent in money ; and he
granted such further privileges and immunities to the Jews throughout the empire,
that the Roman yoke became very light upon them for a time. Antipater himself
was appointed procurator of Judea for the Romans. The decree in which these
privileges were imbodied was engraved on brass, and laid up in the capitol at Rome.
and in the temples of Zidon, Tyre, and Ascalon. Hyrcanus afterward ventured, by
ambassadors sent to Rome, to solicit permission to fortify Jerusalem, and to rebuild
the walls which Pompey had thrown down. This was granted by Caesar, and im
mediately executed by Antipater.
Julius Csesar left the government of Syria in the hands of Sextus Caesar, his rela
tive, who was also well disposed toward the family of Antipater. The promotion of
his son Herod to be governor of Galilee has already been noticed. He displayed greal
activity and daring in clearing his province of the robbers by which it had been in
fested. But having put the leader of these banditti, with several of his associates to
death, by his own mere authority, without any form of trial, the jealousy of several
ofthe leading Jews was awakened, and they obliged Hyrcanus to cite him to Jerusa
lem to answer for his conduct before the Sanhedrim. He came arrayed in purple,
with a numerous retinue, and presented to Hyrcanus a letter from Sextus Caesar, com
manding him to acquit Herod under pain of his highest displeasure. The prince.
who liked Herod, was well enough inclined to this before, and the accusers were so
damped by the young man's audacity, as well as by the letter, which also intimidated
the Sanhedrim, that they all sat in awkward silence until one firm and honest voice
that of Sameas, was heard rebuking the members of the council for their cowardice
and predicting that the day would come when Herod would refuse them the pardot

478 AN ILLUSTRATED
which they were then all too ready to extend to him. This was verified in the end.
When Sameas had spoken, the Sanhedrim exhibited some inclination to act ; but Hyr
canus adjourned the sitting, and gave Herod a hint to quit Jerusalem. He repaired to
Sextus Caesar at Damascus, and not only obtained his protection, but received from
him the government of all Coele-Syria, on condition of paying a stipulated tribute.
On this Herod collected a small army, and -was with difficulty persuaded by his
father and his brother Phasael from marching to Jerusalem, to avenge himself for the
insult he considered he had received in being summoned before the Sanhedrim.
The assassination of Sextus Caesar in Syria, by Bassus, and of Caesar himself at
Rome, by Brutus, Cassius, and their confederates, rekindled the flames of civil war,
and might have prostrated the hopes of one less ductile than Antipater. Cassius
passed over into Syria to secure that important province for the republic, and was
compelled to exact heavy contributions to maintain the large army he had raised.
Judea was assessed at seven hundred talents, one half of which Antipater commis
sioned his sons Phasael and Herod to raise, and intrusted the collectipn of the other
half to Malichus, a Jew, one of the chief supporters of Hyrcanus. Herod won the
favor of Cassius by the promptitude with which he produced his quota ; but Malichus,
being more dilatory, would have been put to death, had not Hyrcanus redeemed him
by paying one hundred talents out of his own coffers. There was something in this
affair to kindle the smouldering jealousy with which Malichus and the heads of the
Jewish nation were disposed to regard the concentration of all the real power of the
government in the hands of an Idumean and foreigner, as they regarded Antipater ;
and they plotted to destroy him and all his family. Antipater was poisoned by a
glass of wine given to him at the very table of Hyrcanus : in revenge for which
Phasael and Herod procured Malichus to be put to death by the Roman garrison at
Tyre, in obedience to an order which they obtained from Cassius.
The influence of Antipater over Hyrcanus being now withdrawn, the adverse party
soon succeeded in bringing him over to their views, by direcling his fears toward the
overgrown and increasing power of the sons of Antipater. Felix, the commander of
the Roman forces at Jerusalem, was a^so led into the same views; for by this time
(42 B. C.) Cassius and Brutus had been defeated and slain at Philippi by Anthony and
Octavius. This party was, however, soon mastered by the brothers, who recovered
Massada and all the fortresses of which it had obtained possession, and even dared
to expel Felix from Jerusalem, as the change of affairs produced by the battle of
Philippi, rendered it unlikely that the now dominant avengers of Caesar would resent
the insult offered to one employed by his slayers. They upbraided Hyrcanus for
favoring a party which had always sought to curb his power, which had been on all
occasions supported by the sagacious and firm counsels of Antipater. A reconciliation
was, however, soon effected, as Herod greatly wished to strengthen his pretensions
by a marriage with Miriam or Miriamne, the beautiful granddaughter of the high-
priest, to whom he was accordingly espoused.
But although the adverse party had been repressed, it was not extinguished ; and
it soon found a new head in the person of Antigonus, the surviving son of Aristobulus,
whose unsuccessful application to Caesar has lately been noticed. Nothing less was
now professed than an intention to restore him to the throne of his father, his claims
to which were strongly supported by some neighboring princes, and even by the Ro
man governor of Damascus, who had been won by a sum of money. But when he
arrived in Judea with his army, he was totally defeated by Herod, and compelled for
the present to relinquish his purpose.
This was the state of affairs (B. C. 41) when, after the battle of Philippi, Mark
Anthony passed into Syria, to secure that important province for the conquerors. The
discontented party sent a deputation to him soon after his arrival, to complain of the
sons of Antipater. But Anthony who had been already joined by Herod, and had
accepted presents from him, was indisposed toward them, especially when Herod re
minded him of the services, well known to himself, which Antipater had rendered
to Gabinius in the expedition to Egypt. About the same time Anthony received an
embassy from Hyrcanus, touching the ransom of the inhabitants of Gophna, Emmaus,
Lydda, Thamma, and some other places, whom Cassius had sold for slaves because
they refused to pay their portion of the seven hundred talents which he exacted.
Anthony granted the application, and notified his determination to the Tyrians, whc
had probably Purchased most of these persons, Tyre being a great mart for slaves.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 479
Nothing discouraged by the former neglect, one hundred Jews of the first conside
ration repaired to Anthony at Daphne near Antioch, to renew their complaints against
Herod and Phasael. Anthony gave them an audience, and then turning to Hyrcanus,
who was present, asked him, in their hearing, whom he esteemed most able to con
duct the affairs of the government, under himself. Influenced, probably, by the re
cent contract of marriage between his grand-daughter and Herod, he named the two
brothers, on which Anthony conferred upon them the rank and power of Tetrarchs,
committed the affairs of Judea to their management, imprisoned fifteen of the depu
ties, and would have put them to death, had not Herod interceded for them. So
things were managed in those times. With the usual pertinency of the nation, the
discontented Jews renewed the complaint at Tyre in a body of a thousand deputies ;
but Anthony thought proper to treat this as a tumultuous assembly, and ordered his
soldiers to disperse it, which was not done without bloodshed. Anthony was then
jn his way to Egypt. Summoned, on his first arrival in Syria, to appear before him
to account for the part she was alleged to have taken in assisting Cassius, Cleopatra
had not in vain exercised upon him the fascinations by which Caesar had before been
subdued. The story of Anthony's thraldrom to this charming but most unprincipled
woman, is too familiar lo need more than the slight allusions which the connexion of
this history requires. Lost in luxurious ease and dalliance, Anthony wasted much
time at Alexandria, leaving the affairs of Syria and Asia Minor to get into a state of
confusion, satisfying himself that by-and-by he would rouse himself to some great
effort which would set all right.
In the spring of the year S. C. 40 the news from both Syria and Italy compelled
thj warrior to break oft the enchantment by which he was bound, and to look closely
to his affairs. In Syria, the people disgusted and exhausted by the successive ex
actions of Cassius and Anthony, refused to bear uiem any longer. The people of
Aradus kindled the flame of opposition, by openly resisting the collectors of tribute,
which example was soon followed by others. They united themselves with the Pal-
myrenes, and the princes whom Anthony had deposed, and called to the Parthians
for aid. They gladly responded to the call, and entered the country in great numbers
under the command of their king's son Pacorus, and of a Roman general (Labienus)
who had belonged to the party cf Pompey. The king with one division of the army
took possession of Syria, while Labienus with another performed the same service in
Syria. Anthony was made perfectly acquainted with this when he reached Tyre ;
but the news which he also received from Italy so much more nearly concerned his
personal prosperity, that he immediately embarked for that country. On his arrival,
affairs between him and Octavius wore, for a time, a threatening aspect. But the
opportune death of Anthony's wife Fulvia allowed an opening for intermarriages be
tween Anthony, Octavius, and Lepidtis, and peace between the triumvirs was for a
time restored. They then divided the Roman empire among themselves. Anthony
received Syria and the East, Lepidus obtained Africa, and Octavius all the West.
B. C.40.
Meanwhile the Parthians, having made themselves masters of Syria, as related,
began to take part in the affairs of Palestine. Pacorus was induced by the offer of one
thousand talents in money, and five hundred women, to undertake to place Antigonus
on the throne of Judea. To put this contract in execution he furnished a body of
soldiers, under the command of his cup-bearer, who also bore the name of Pacorus,
to assist the operations of Antigonus. The united force found no effectual resistance
until it reached Jerusalem, where the struggle was protracted without any decisive
results. But at length it was agreed between the real belligerants to admit the Par
thian commander within the city, to act as umpire between them. Phasael (the
governor of Jerusalem) invited him to his own house, and allowed himself to be
persuaded that the best course that could be taken would be for him and Hyrcanus to
go and submit the matter in dispute to the arbitration of Barzapharnes, the Parthian
governor of Syria. They went notwithstanding the dissuasions of the less confiding
Herod. Barzapharnes treated them with great attention and respect, until he suppos
ed that sufficient time had elapsed to enable Pacorus to secure Herod at Jerusalem,
when he immediately put them in chains, and shut them up in prison. But Herod,
suspecting the treachery of the Parthians, withdrew with his family by night from
erusalem, and repaired to the strong fortress of Massada, situated upon a high moun
tain west of the Dead sea. On finding that Herod had escaped, the Parthians plun-

480 AN ILLUSTRATED
dered the country, made Antigonus king according to their contract, and departed,
leaving Hyrcanus and Phasael in his hands. Phasael, feeling assured that he was
doomed to death, dashed out his brains against his prison walls. The life of his
aged uncle was spared by the nephew ; but he cut off his ears to disqualify him from
ever again acting as high-priest, and thus mutilated, sent him back tp the safe keep
ing of the Parthians, who sent him to Seleucia on the Tigris.
In this seemingly desperate state of his affairs, for to the great body of the Jews
themselves Antigonus appears to have been more acceptable than he, Herod repaired
to Egypt, and took ship at Alexandria for Rome. He was warmly welcomed by
Anthony, by whom he was introduced to Octavius,, who was induced to notice him
favorably by the report of the very great services which Antipater had rendered to
his grand-uncle (and adoptive father) Caesar, in the Egyptian expedition. The object
of Herod's journey was to induce the Romans to raise to the throne of Judea Aristo
bulus, the brother of his espoused Miriamne. This Aristobulus was the son of
Alexandra, the daughter of Hyrcanus, by Alexander the eldest son of Aristobulus, so
that he seemed to unite in his person the claims of both branches of the Asamonean
family. For himself, Herod proposed to govern the country under Aristobulus, as
his father had governed it under Hyrcanus. But Anthony suggested the startling idea
of making Herod himself king of Judea ; and noticing the eagerness with which he
grasped at the glittering bait, he undertook, on the promise of a sum of money, to
secure this object for him. He easily induced Octavius to concur with him ; and their
joint representations secured the appointment from the senate. Accordingly, during
the consulship of Demetrius Calvinus and Asinius Pollio, in the one hundred and
eighty-fourth Olympiad, in the year B. 0. 40, the man who had a few weeks bei'ora
been on the point of destroying himself from sheer despair of his fortunes, was con
ducted to the Capitol between the two foremost men in the world, Anthony and Oc
tavius, and there consecrated king, with idolatrous sacrifices. All this was so soon
accomplished, that Herod departed from Rome seven days after his arrival, and laud
ed at Ptolemais only three months after his flight from Jerusalem. If the Parthians
had still been in possession of Syria, it would have availed him little to have been
made a king at Rome ; but by the time of his return they had already been driven
out of Syria by the Romans, and had withdrawn beyond the Euphrates.
Herod diligently applied himself to the collecting such a force as might enable him
to relieve the friends he had left in Massada, who had all the while been closely be
sieged by Antigonus, and were at one time reduced to such extremities for want of
water, that they had fully intended to surrender the next day, when an abundant fall
of rain during the intervening night filled all the cisterns and enabled them to hold
out until Herod came to their relief.
Three years elapsed before Herod can be said to have obtained possession of the
throne which the Romans had given to him. The assistance which the Romans
themselves rendered is of questionable value, as at first the generals appointed to as
sist him would only act just as money induced them; and under pretence that the
forces wanted provisions, ravaged the country in such a manner as was well calcu
lated to render his cause odious to the Jews. One good service to the land was per
formed in the extirpation of the numerous bands of robbers which infested Galilee,
dwelling chiefly in the caverns of the hill country, and which were so numerous as
sometimes to give battle to the troops in the open field. They were, however, pur
sued with fire and sword, in all their difficult retreats, and after great numbers had
been slain, the rest sought refuge beyond Jordan.
The arrival of Anthony in Syria enabled Herod to obtain more efficient assistance
than before ; and, after having subdued the open country, he, with his Roman aux
iliaries, sat down before Jerusalem. During this siege he consummated his marriage
with Miriamne, to whom he had four years before been betrothed. He was not only
passionately attached to this lady, but he hoped that the affinity thus contracted with
the Asamonean family, which was still very popular among the Jews, would con
ciliate the people to his government. The city held out for six months, whereby the
Romans were so greatly exasperated that when at last (B. C. 27) they took it by
storm, they, plundered the town and massacred the inhabitants without mercy.
Herod complained that they were going to make him king of a desert ; and paid down
a large sum of money to induce them to desist. Antigonus surrendered himself in
rather a cowardly manner to the Roman general 'Sosius). and, throwing himself at

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 481
his leet, besought his clemency with so much abjectness, that the Roman repelled
him with contempt, addressing him by the name of Antigona, as if unworthy a man's
name. He sent* him to Anthony, who at first intended to reserve him for his triumph;
nut, being assured by Herod that while Antigonus lived the Jews generally would
not acknowledge himself as king, or cease to raise disturbances on his behalf and
this representation being backed by a sum of money, Anthony put him to death al
Antioch, by the rods and the axe of the lictor — an indignity which the Romans had
never before inflicted upon a crowned head. Thus ignominiously ended the dynasty
ofthe Asamoneans, one hundred and twenty-six years afterits glorious commencement.
Herod commenced his reign by cutting off all the heads of the Asamonean party,
not only to secure himself in the throne, but, by the confiscation of their property, to
enrich his coffers, which were well exhausted by his profuse expenditure, and by the
rapacity ofthe Romans. In this process all the members ofthe Sanhedrim perished,
except Pollio and Sameas, which last, it will be remembered, had predicted this re
sult. The ground on which they were spared was, that they alone had counselled
submission to the course of events, by surrendering the city to Herod ; whereas the
others were constantly encouraging each other and the citizens in the now vain ex
pectation that Jehovah would, as of old, interpose for the deliverance of his temple.*
Herod, sensible that the Jews would not tolerate his own assumption of the high-
priesthood in the room of Antigonus, designed to render that office politically insigni
ficant, and therefore appointed it to Ananel of Babylon, an obscure priest, although
descended from the ancient high-priests, and who was entirely without influence or
connexions to render him dangerous (B. C. 36). This appointment occasioned con
fusion in his own family ; for Miriamne his wife, and Alexandra her mother, took
umbrage at the exclusion of her brother Aristobulus — the same youth for whose brows
he had originally designed the diadem which he had himself been induced to assume.
Miriamne was constantly harassing him on the subject; and her mother Alexandra,
a woman of great spirit, went much further, for she com planed to Cleopatra, queen
of Egypt, by letter, and had begun to engage the interest of Anthony himself in the
matter, when Herod saw that it was necessary to his domestic peace and puulic safety
that he should depose Ananel and promote Aristobulus to his office, who was then
but seventeen years of age. He was, however, so seriously displeased at the bold
step which Alexandra had taken, that he ordered her to be confined in her own
palace, and placed around her some of his confidential servants to watch all her
movements. She wrote to Cleopatra, complaining of this treatment, and in reply was
advised to make her escape to Egypt. Accordingly she arranged that herself and
Aristobulus should be placed in two coffins, and carried by attached servants to the
seacoast, where a ship was waiting to receive them. But their flight was intercept
ed by Herod, whom, however, the fear of Cleopatra prevented from treating them
with harshness. He, however, secretly resolved to put Aristobulus out of the way.
is a person whose influence he had great reason to dread.
This intention was strengthened when he perceived how dangerously the discharge
of his functions brought under the admiring notice of the Jews this beautiful fragmeni
of the Maccabean race, in which they were delighted to trace out the noble qualities
* This Pollio and Sameas of Josephus are the famous Hillel and Shammai of the Rabbinical writers —
two of the most eminent of the ancient doctors of the nation. Hillel was of the royal line of David, being
lescended from Shephatiah, David's son by Abital (1 Chron. iii. 2). He was born in Babylonia, and came
to Jerusalem in the fortieth year of his age ; and for his eminence in tho study of the law, he was ap
pointed president of the Sanhedrim, forty years after, in the eightieth year of his age, and held that high
station for forty years more ; and it continued in his family to the tenth generation. He was succeeded
by Simeon, supposed to be the same who took Christ in his arms when he was presented in the ternplo
(Luke ii. 23-35). His son Gamaliel was president of the Sanhedrim when Peter and the apostles were
summoned before them (Acts v. 34) ; " at whose feet" the Apostle Paul was " brought up," or educated, ir.
the sect and discipline of the Pharisees (Acts xxiii. 3). He lived until within eighteen years of the destruc
tion of Jerusalem, and in the Jewish writings is distinguished by the title of Gamaliel the Old. He was
succeeded by Simeon II. , who perished in the destruction of Jerusalem. His son was Gamaliel II., and hit
again Simeon III. He was1 succeeded by his son, the celebrated R. Judah Hakkadosh, or "the holy," whc
committed the traditional law to writing, in the Mishna. ' His son and successor was Gamaliel III. ; after
him Judah Gemaricus ; after him Hillel II., the ingenious compiler of the present Jewish Calendar, A. D. 358.
Shammai had beer' a disciple of Hillel, and approached the nearest to him in learning and eminence ol all
the Mishnical doctors. He was vice-president of the Sanhedrim, and disagreed in several points with his
master Hillel was of a mild and conciliatory temper; but Shammai of an angry and fierce spirit. Hencr
proceeded violenr disputes and contests between the two schools, which at length ended in bloodshed. Al
last they were allayed by a fictitious Bath Col, or voice from heaven, deciding in favor of Hillel, to which
the school of Shammai submitted. See Hales, ii. 593. Persons acquainted with the matters in controversj
between the schools of Hillel and Shammai will find various marked allusions to them in the Gospels, and
although loss frequently, in the Epistles. 31

482 AN ILLUSTRATED ,
and lineaments by which that race had been distinguished. At the feast of tahe/
nacles Aristobulus officiated at the altar in the splendid robes of the high-priest, which
set off to such advantage the angelic grace and beauty of his youthful person, thai
the Jews could not contain themselves, but gave vent to the most liveiy demonstra
tions of their admiration and love. This sealed his doom. Soon after, Herod engaged
Aristobulus, with suitable companions of his own age, in a variety of sports and en
tertainments at Jericho. Among other things they bathed in a lake, where the young
men kept immersing Aristobulus, as if in sport, until he was drowned. Loud were
the lamentations of Herod at this most unhappy " accident." By these, and by the
grand funeral with which he honored the remains of Aristobulus, and by the trophies
with which he surcharged his tomb, he sought to disguise from the people the real
Character of this transaction. But they were not deceived. The deed inspired the
whole nation with hatred and horror, "which even his own family shared. As to
Alexandra, her emotions were so overpowering that only the hope of vengeance
enabled her to live.
Old Hyrcanus was at this time in Jerusalem. He had been, and might have re
mained, very happily situated at Seleucia, where he was treated by the Jews in that
quarter, who were more numerous and more wealthy than those of Judea, as their
king and high-priest ; in which point of view he was also considered and respected
by the Parthian king. But when tbe fears and suspicions of Herod extended even
'.o him, and, desiring to get him into his power, he sent, and invited him to come
and spend the evening of his days in his own land, and with his own family, and en
gaged tlie Parthian king to permit him to do so, — Hyrcanus, who liked Herod, and
had great confidence in his gratitude, could not be dissuaded by the earnest remon
strances and entreaties of his eastern friends; but returned to Jerusalem, where he
was well received, and until a more convenient season, treated by Herod with atten
tion and respect.
Anthony was now again in Syria, and on his arrival had invited Cleopatra to join
him at Laodicea. Alexandra again applied to Cleopatra ; and she took much interest
in the matter — not from any strong natural feelings — for she had herself committed
crimes as great, but in the hope of inducing Anthony to add Judea to her dominions
if Herod were disgraced. She therefore brought the affair under the notice of An
thony ; and as he -ould not but remember that Herod had originally sought for the
murdered youth the crown he now wore himself, he was induced to summon him to
Laodicea to answer for his conduct. Herod was obliged to obey, and was not without
anxiety for the result. He however took care so to propitiate Anthony beforehand,
by the profusion of his gifts, that on his arrival he was immediately acquitted, and
the avarice of Cleopatra was in some degree appeased by the assignment of Coele-
Syria to her, in lieu of Judea, of which she had always been, and soon again became
covetous, B. C. 34.
Before his departure from Jerusalem, Herod, uncertain of the result, had left private
instructions with his uncle Joseph (who had married his sister Salome) to put Miri
amne to death in case he was condemned, for he knew that Anthony had heard much
of her extreme beauty, and feared that he might take her to himself, after his death.
Joseph had the great imprudence to divulge this secret to Mariamne herself, repre
senting it, however, as resulting from the excess of her husband's love to her. But
«he rather regarded it as a proof of so savage a nature, that she conceived an uncon
querable repugnance toward him. Soon after a rumor came that he had been put to
death by Anthony; on which Alexandra, who was now also acquainted with the
barbarous orders left with Joseph, was preparing to seek protection with the Roman
legion stationed in the city, when letters from Herod himself, announcing his acquit
tal and speedy return, induced them to relinquish their design. The firebrand ofthe
family was Salome, the sister of Herod, and she failed not to apprize her brother of
ihis intention, as well as to insinuate that too close an intimacy had subsisted between
Mariamne and Joseph. Salome had been, it seems, provoked to hatred of this hign-
born lady, by the hauteur with which she had been looked down upon and treated
as an inferior by her. Although struck with jealousy, the king allowed his deep
love foi Mariamne to subdue him, when all her beauty shone once more upon him.
He could only bring himself to question her gently, and was satisfied from her
xnswers, and from the conscious innocence of her manner, that she had been maligned.
Afterward, while assuring her of the sincerity and ardor of his love toward her. she

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 483
tauntingly reminded him of the proof of that which he had given in his orders to
Joseph. This most imprudent disclosure rekindled all the jealousy of Herod. Con
vinced that the charge which he had heard was true, he flung her from his arms ;
Joseph he ordered to be put to death, without admitting him to his presence ; and
although his love for Mariamne at this time restrained his rage against her, he put
her mother Alexandra into custody, as the cause of all these evils.
The disgraceful history of Anthony in Egypt is familiar to the reader; and it is only
needful to advert to one or two points in which Herod and Palestine were more 01
less involved.
In B. C. 33 Jerusalem was "honored" with a visit from Cleopatra, on her return
from the banks of the Euphrates, whither she had accompanied Anthony on his
Armenian expedition. Before this she had succeeded in persuading Anthony — al
though he steadily refused wholly to sacrifice Herod to her ambition — to give her the
fertile territories around Jericho, the celebrated balsam afforded by which, together
with the palm-trees in which it abounded, furnished a considerable revenue, the de
privation of which could not but have given great offence to Herod. The means
which ihis abandoned woman- used, during her stay at Jerusalem, to bring the king
under the spell of those fascinations for which, more than for her beauty, she was
celebrated, added, in his mind, disgust and con empt to the sense of wrong; and
although he received and entertained her with ine most sedulous attention and ap
parent respect, he had it seriously in consideration whether, seeing she was wholly
in his power, he could safely compass the death of one who had more than once en
deavored to accomplish his own. The dread of Anthony's vengeance deterred him,
and he conducted the queen with honor to the frontiers of her own kingdom, after
having endeavored to propitiate her cupidity by ample gifts. But nothing could sa
tiate her thirst for gain and aggrandizement, and her plots to gain possession of Ju
dea were continued, and could hardly have been defeated by a less accomplished
master in her own arts than Herod " the Great." One time she engaged Anthony to
commit to him a hazardous war on her account with the Arabian king reigning in
Petra, calculating that the death of either of them would enable her to appropriate
his dominions. Herod gained one battle ; but he lost another through the defection
of the Egyptian general at a critical moment of the conflict. Herod was, however,
ultimately successful, and won great honor by a signal and effective victory, which
brought the Arabians of Seir under his dominion.
The same year (B. C. 31) had opened with an earthquake so tremendous as had
never before been known in Judea: it is said lhat not fewer than thirty thousand
persons were either swallowed up in the chasms which opened in the earth, or de
stroyed by the fall of their houses. The confusion and loss which this calamity oc
casioned greatly troubled the king, and not long after he found (as far as his own in
terests were concerned) a more serious matter of anxiety in the result of the battle
of'Actium (Sept. 2d., B. C. 31), when Octavius obtained a decided victory over An
thony, who fled to Egypt, as his last retreat. Herod did not exhibit any blameworthy
alacrity in abandoning the patron of his fortunes. He sent by a special messenger
to exhort him to put to immediate death the woman who had been his ruin, seize
her treasures and kingdom, and thus obtain means of raising another army, with
which either once more to contend for empire, or at least to secure a more advan
tageous peace than he could otherwise expect. But finding that Anthony paid no
heed to this proposal, and neglected his own offers of service, he thought it was high
time to take care of himself, by detaching his fortunes from one whose utter ruin he
saw to be inevitable. Therefore when Octavius, early in B. C. 30, had come to
Rhodes, on his way to Egypt, he went thither to him.
But before his departure he made such arrangements as showed, after his own pe
culiar manner, the sense he entertained of the serious importance of the present con
tingencies. He placed his mother, sister, wives, and children, in the strong fortress
of Massada, under the care of his brother Pheroras. But seeing that Mariamne and
her mother Alexandra could not agree with his mother and sister, he placed them
separately in the fortress of Alexandrium, under the care of a trusty Idumean named
Sohemus, with secret orders to put them both to death, if Octavius should treai him
harshly; and that, in concurrence with Pheroras, he should endeavor to secure the
crown for his children. And, fearful that the existence and presence of Hyrcanus
might suggest the obvious course of deposing himself and restoring the original oc

484 AN ILLUSTRATED
cupant of the throne, he was glad of the opportunity of puttmg him to death, with
the faint show of justice which might be derived from the detected design of tho old
man (instigated by his daughter Alexandra) to make his escape to the Arabian king
Malchus, the most active of Herod's foreign enemies, and the son of that king Aretas
who had formerly invaded Judea for the purpose of restoring Hyrcanus to the thront
which his brother had usurped. Hyrcanus was eighty years of age when he was
thus made to experience the heartless ingratitude of the man who owed life aud all
things to his favor.
On his arrival at Rhodes, Herod conducted himself with the tact of no common
man. When admitted to an audience he frankly acknowledged all he had done for
Anthony, and all he would still have done had his services been accepted. He even
stated the last counsel which he had given to that infatuated man ; and having thus
enabled Octavius to judge how faithful he was to his friends, he offered him that
friendship which the conduct of Anthony left him free to offer. Octavius was charmed
by this manly frankness; and, mindful of Antipater's servicesto Julius Caesar, and of
the part which he had himself taken in placing Herod on the throne, his overtures
were received with pleasure, and he was directed again to take up and wear on his
head the diadem which he had laid aside when he entered the presence. By this
significant intimation he was confirr ed in his kingdom; and then and after he was
treated with a degree of consideratioL not usually paid to tributary kings.
Meanwhile Mariamne had, by her address, managed to extract from Sohemus the
acknowledgment of the last directions concerning her which he had received from
Herod. The consequence was that although she concealed her knowledge of the fact,
she received him on his return with coldness and dislike, which offended Jiim highly;
and, presuming on the depth of his affection for her, she continued long to maintain
a degree of haughtiness and reserve which greatly aggravated his displeasure. After
Herod had been fluctuating for a whole year between love and resentment, Mariamne
one day brought matters to a crisis by her pointed refusal to receive his love, and by
her upbraiding him with the murder of her grandfather and brother. Enraged beyond
further endurance, Herod immediately ordered her confidential eunuch lobe put to the
torture, that he might discover the cause of her altered conduct ; but the tortured
wretch could only say that it probably arose from some communication which Sohe
mus had made to her. This hint sufficed; as he concluded that Sohemus must have
been too intimate with her, or that he would not have revealed the secret with which
he had been intrusted. Sohemus was immediately seized and put to death ; Mari
amne herself was then accused by Herod of adultery before judges of his own selec
tion, by whom she was condemned, but with a conviction that their sentence of death
would not be executed. Neither would it, probably, but for the intervention of Cypros
the mother of Herod, and Salome his sister, who, fearing he might relent, suggested
that by delay occasion for a popular commotion in her favor might be given. She was
therefore led to immediate execution, and met her death with the firmness which be
came her race, although assailed on the way by the violent and indecent reproaches
of her own mother Alexandra, who now began to be seriously alarmed for her own
safety. She, however, did not long escape ; for when Herod fell sick the next year
(B. C. 28), from the poignancy of his remorse and anguish at the loss of Mariamne,
she laid a plot for seizing the government ; but it wat disclosed to Herod by the offi
cers whose fidelity she endeavored to corrupt, and he intta illy ordered her to be put
to death.
. We must return to an earlier year, to notice that Octavius passed through Syria on
his way to Egypt, and that Herod went to meet him at Ptolemais, where he enler-
tained him and his army with the most profuse magnificence. Besides this he pre
sented the emperor with eight hundred talents, and furnished large supplies of bread,
-wine, and other provisions, for the march through the desert, where the army mighl
have been much distressed for the want of such necessaries. He accompanied the
army himself through the desert to Pelusium. On the return of Octavius the same
way, after the death of Anthony and Cleopatra, and the reduction of Egypt to the
condition of a Roman province, he was received and entertained with the same truly
royal liberality and magnificence, by which he was so, gratified that, in return, he
presented Herod with the four thousand Gauls who had formed the body-guard of
Cleopatra, and also restored to him the districts and towns of which the principality
had been livested by Pompey and Anthony,

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 485
In B. C. 27, four years after the battle of Actium, Octavius received from the flat
tery of the senate the name— or rather the title which became a name — of Augustus,
and with it all the powers of the state. That he might not, however, seem to assume
all the authority to himself, he divided the empire into two parts, the quiet and peace
able portions he assigned to the senate, to be governed by consular and praetorian of
ficers; these were called senatorial ; but the turbulent and insecure provinces which
iay on the outskirts of the empire, he reserved for himself; these were called impe
rial, and were governed by presidents and procurators. This was one of the strokes
of deep statesmanship which distinguish the history of Augustus Caesar, for under the
appearance of leaving to the senate the most settled and easily governed provinces,
he secured in his own hands the whole military power of the empire, which was ne
cessarily stationed in the comparatively unsettled imperial provinces to retain them in
subjection — such as Egypt, Syria, Phoenicia, Silicia, and Cyprus, in the east, and
Spain in the west.
In the year B. C. 25, Herod found an opportunity of cutting off the last branch of
the Asamonean race. His turbulent sister Salome, having fallen out with her second
husband Costabarus, the governor of Idumea and Gaza, she took the liberty of send
ing him a bill of divorce, in conformity with the Roman customs, but contrary to the
Mosaical law and usage, which confined that privilege to her husband (Deut. xxiv..
1, 2, &c. ; Mat. v. 31 ; xix. 7) ; and she then returned to her brother, before whom she
cunningly ascribed her conduct to the fact that Costabarus, in conjunction with some
chiefs of the Asamonean party, had entered into a conspiracy against him. In proof
of this, she stated that he kept in concealment the sons of Babas, whom Herod had,
at the taking of Jerusalem, intrusted to him to be destroyed. The sons of Babas
were found in the retreat indicated by Salome, and put to death ; and, taking all the
rest for granted, the king ordered Costabarus and his alleged associates to be imme
diately executed.
The Asamonean family being now extirpated, root and branch, and no person being
in existence whose chums to the throne could be considered superior to his own, Herod
ventured to manifest a greater disregard for the law of Moses, and more attachment
lo heathenish customs than he had previously deemed safe. He began by abolishing
some of the ceremonies which the former required, and by introducing not a few of
the latter. He then proceeded to build a magnificent theatre in the city, and a spa
cious amphitheatre in the suburbs, where he instituted public games, which were
celebrated every fifth year in honor of Augustus. In order to draw the larger con
course on these occasions, proclamation of the approaching games were made, not
only in his own dominions, but in neighboring provinces and distant kingdoms. Glad
iators, wrestlers, and musicians, were invited from all parts of the world, and prizes
of great value were proposed to the victors. These games, and more especially the
combats between men and wild beasts, were highly displeasing to the Jews ; who
also viewed with a jealous eye the trophies with which the places of public enter
tainment were adorned, regarding them as coming within the interdiction of idola
trous images by the Mosaical law. In vain did Herod endeavor to overcome their dis
like. Connected with other causes of discontent, old and new, it increased daily, and
at last grew to such a height that ten of the most zealous malecontents, including one'
blind man, formed a conspiracy, and assembled, with daggers concealed under their
garments, for the purpose of assassinating Herod when he entered the theatre. They
had brought their minds to a state of indifference to the result ; for they were per
suaded that if they failed, their death could not but render the tyrant more odious to
the people, and thus equally work out the object they sought. Nor were they quite
mistaken. Their design was discovered ; and they were put to death with the most
cruel tortures. But when the mob indicated their view of the matter — their hatred
-of himself, and sympathy with the intended assassins — by literally tearing the in
former in pieces, and throwing his flesh to the dogs, Herod was exasperated to the
uttermost. By torture, he compelled some women to name the principal persons who
were concerned in this transaction, all of whom were hurried off to instant death to
gether with their innocent families. This crowning act of savageness rendered the
tyrant so perfectly detestable to his subjects, that he began very seriously to contem
plate the possibility of a general revolt, and to take his measures accordingly. He
built new fortresses and fortified towns throughout the land, and strengthened those
that previously existed. In this he did more than the original inducement required

486 AN ILLUSTRATED
tor Herod was a rnviL of taste, and had quite a passion for building and improvements,
so lhat in the course of his long reign the country assumed a greatly improved appear
ance, through the number of fine towns and magnificent public works and buildings
which he erected. In this respect there had been no king like him since Solomon ;
and if he could have reigned in peace, if domestic troubles, opposition from his sub
jects, and the connexion with the Romans, had not called into active operation all the
darker features of his character, it is easy to conceive that his reign might have been
very happy and glorious.
He rebuilt Samaria, or rather completed the rebuilding of it wliich Gabinius had
begun. His attention seems to have been drawn to its excellent site, and strong
military position; and, from the magnificent scale on which it was restored, we con
ceive that he contemplated the possibility of withdrawing his court to it, in the very
likely contingency of being unable to maintain himself at Jerusalem. He gave the
completed city the name of Sebaste — the name, in Greek, of his great patron Augus
tus. He also built Gaba in Galilee, and Heshbon in Perea ; besides many others
which he called by the names of the different members of his own family — as, Anti-
patris, from the name of his father Antipater ; Cypron, near Jericho, after his mother
Cypros (who was descended from an Arabian family, although born at Ascalon in
Palestine) ; and Phasaelis, in the plains of Jericho, after his brother Phasael. In
most of these cities he planted colonies of his foreign soldiers, to hold the country iu
subjection. To extend his fame, Herod even built numerous splendid edifices, and made large
improvements in cities beyond the limits of his own dominion — such as gymnasiums
at Ptolemais, Tripolis, and Damascus ; the city walls at Bibulus ; porticoes, or covered
walls, at Tyre, Beyrutus, and Antioch; bazars and theatres at Zidon and Damascus;
an aqueduct at Laodicea on the sea; and baths, reservoirs, and porticoes, at Ascalon.
He also made groves in several cities; to others he made rich presents, or furnished
endowments for the support of their games; and by such means his fame was widely
spread in the Roman empire.
At Jerusalem Herod built himself a splendid palace, on Mount Zion, the site of the
original fortress of Jebus, and of the citadel which had so much annoyed the Jews
during the Maccabean wars. It was in the Grecian style of architecture, and two
large and sumptuous apartments in it Herod named Caesareum, in honor of the em
peror, and Agrippeum, after his favorite Agrippa.
We receive a better idea of the largeness of Herod's views, however, by his build
ing the town and forming the harbor at what he named Caesarea. The site had
formerly been marked by a castle called Strato's tower, on the coast between Dora
and Joppa. Here he made the most convenient and safest port to be found on all the
coast of Phoenicia and Palestine, by running out a vast semi-circular mole or break
water, of great depth and extent, into the sea, so as to form a spacious and secure
harbor against the stormy winds from the south and west, leaving only an entrance
into it from the north. This soon became a noted point of departure from, and
entrance into, Palestine ; and, as such, is often mentioned in the Acts ofthe Apostles.
It also acquired a new importance as the seat of government after Judea became an
imperial province ; Csesarea being then the usual residence of the procurator.
In the year B. C. 22, the want of the usual rains in Syria and Palestine produced a
severe famine, which was followed by a pestilence that carried off great multitudes
of the people. Herod behaved nobly on this occasion. He exhausted his treasury
and even the silver plate of his table in purchasing provisions from Egypt, and in
buying wool for clothing, as most of the sheep of the country had been slaughtered
in the dearth. This bounty was not confined to his own dominions, but extended to
the neighboring Syrians. By this conduct so much of gratitude and kind feeling
towaid him was produced, as only the continued and growing tyranny of his subse
quent reign could obliterate.
The next year Herod contracted a marriage with another Mariamne, the daughter
of the priest Simon. To pave the way for this alliance, the king removed the exist
ing high-priest, Jesus the son of Phabet, and invested the father of Mariamne with
that once high office. Herod next began to build a castle, which he called Herodium,
on a small round hill, near the place where he repulsed the Parthians, under the
cupbearer Pacorus, when they pursued him on his flight from Jerusalem. The situ
ation and the protection which the castle offered were so inviting, that numbers of

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

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opulent people began to build themselves houses around, so that in a shoit time the
spot was occupied by a fair city.
About this time Herod might be deemed to have attained the summit of all his
wishes. Strong in the favor of the emperor, he was feared, if not loved, by the
people under his rule, and respected by the Roman governors and by the neighboring
princes and kings. Of the favor and confidence of Augustus he received proofs
which were of high value to him. As a reward for his services in clearing the
country of robbers, the valuable districts of Trachonitis, Auranitis, and Batanea,
beyond Jordan, were added to his dominion ; and, what was perhaps more for his
personal influence and honor, he was soon after named the emperor's procurator in
t~yria, and orders were given to the governor of that great province to undertake
nothing of importance without his knowledge and advice. Herod also procured from
the emperor the dignity of a tetrarch for his only surviving brother, Pheroras ; for
Herod himself had given him a territory in Perea beyond Jordan, with a revenue of
one hundred talents, in order that he might live in a style suitable to his birth, with
out being dependant on the king's successor. As some acknowledgment for ali these
favors, Herod built a temple of white marble at Paneas (Banias, the sources of the
Jordan), and dedicated it to Augustus. But this act, and others of a similar chara-
fer, were so highly offensive to the Jews, that, to pacify them, Herod was obliged to
remit a portion of their tribute.
It seems likely that the reflections made upon his conduct in building heathen
temples first drew his attention to the condition of Jehovah's temple at Jerusalem,
which in the lapse of time had gone much out of repair, and had sustained great
damage during the civil wars. He was then led to form the bold design of pulling it
down and rebuilding it entirely on a more magnificent scale. To this he was induced
not only from the magnificence of his ideas, his love of building, and the desire of
fame, but also to conciliate the good opinion of his discontented subjects, and create
a new interest in the continuance of his life and welfare.
Herod made his proposal in a general assembly of the people at Jerusalem, proba
bly at the passover, in the year B. C. 19, the eighteenth of his reign. The people
were much startled by the offer. They recognised the grandeur of the undertaking,
and the need and benefit of it ; but they were fearful that, after he had taken down
the old building, he might be unable or unwilling to build the new. To meet this
objection, Herod undertook not to demolish the old temple until all the materials
required for the' new one were collected on the spot; and on these terms his offer was
accepted with as much satisfaction as the Jews were capable of deriving from any
of his acts. Herod kept his word. A thousand carls were speedily at work in drawing
stones and materials; ten thousand of the most skilful workmen were brought to
gether ; and a thousand priests were so far instructed in masonry and carpentry as
might enable them to expedite and superintend the work. After two years had been
spent in these preparations, the old temple was pulled down, and the new one com
menced in the year B. C. 17. And with such vigor was the work carried on, that the
sanctuary, or, m effect, the proper temple, was finished in a year and a half, and the
rest of the temple, containing the outer buildings, colonnades, and porticoes, in eight
years more, so as to be then fit for divine service, according to the king's intention,
B. C. 7. But the expense of finishing and adorning the whole continued to be long
after carried on from the sacred treasury, until the fatal government of Gessius Flo-
rus, in the year A. D. 62. Hence, during, the ministry of Christ (A. D. 28), the Ji'ws
said to him, " Forty and six years hath this temple been in building, and wilt thou
erect it in three days?" (John ii. 20.)
By the first Mariamne, Herod had two sons, Alexander and Aristobulus, whom he
sent to be educated at Rome, where they remained three years, under the immediate
inspection of Augustus, who had kindly lodged them in his own palace. Two years
after the foundation of the temple, Herod went to Rome himself, to pay his respects
to the emperor, and take back to Judea his sons, whose education was now complete.
He was received with unusual friendliness by Augustus, and was entertained with
much distinction during his stay. Soon after his return he married the elder of the
brothers to Glaphyra, the daughter ofvArchelaus, king of Cappadocia, and the younger
to Berenice, the daughter of his own notorious sister Salome. Now it happened that
i>oth the young men inherited a full share of the pride and hauteur of their mother
Mariamne, and were disposed to look down upon all the connexions of their father.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 489
That they ever entertained any designs against him is not probable, but it is very
probable, from their conduct, that apart from their respect for him, they deemed then
right to the crown irrefragable, derived from their mother rather than from him, and,
in point of fact, much greater than his own. By corrupting her own daughter, whc
was married to one of the brothers, Salome made herself acquainted with their more
private sentiments, and learned that their sympathies leaned all to the side of theii
murdered mother, and thai in their own domestic circles they spoke with strong ab
horrence of the authors of her undeserved and untimely death, and lamented *he va
rious acts of cruelty of which their father had been guilty. This was enough to de
termine Salome to accomplish their ruin, as she saw clearly that if ever they possess
ed power, she was likely to suffer for the part she had taken in compassing the death
of Mariamne. She was also envious of their popularity; for the very same feeling
which inclined them to rest upon their connexion with the Asamonean dynasty, in
clined the Jews to regard them with peculiar interest and favor as the last relics of
lhat illustrious house. Salome therefore took every occasion of prejudicing Herod
against his sons, and of turning his paternal love and pride into jealousy and dislike.
To this end indeed, little more was needed than to make known to him, with some
exaggeration, the true state of their feelings.
The first measure which Herod took to check the pride of the two brothers was,
three years after his return (B. C. 13), to bring to court his eldest s,on Antipater,
whom he had by his first wife Doris, while he was in a private station, and whom
he had divorced on his marriage with Mariamne. But this measure, intended to
teach them wholesome caution, only operated in provoking Alexander and Aristobu
lus to greater discontent and more intemperate language than before. In fact, they
had almost insensibly become the heads of the Asamonean party, still very powerful
in the country, and were urged on by the necessities of that position, and by the con
viction that the popular feeling was entirely on their side. As to Antipater, he had
all the ambition of his father with all the artfulness of his aunt. Openly, he seemed
to advocate the cause of the brothers, and to extenuate their indiscretions, while he
took care to surround the king with persons who reported to him all their sayings
with the most invidious aggravations. By this means the affection with which Herod
had regarded the brothers, not only for their own noble qualities, but for iheir mother's
sake, was alienated from them, and fixed upon Antipater. Him, the father at length
recommended to Augustus as his successor, and obtained from him authority to ieav
the crown to him in the first instance, and afterward to the sons of Mariamne,
B. C. 11.
The curious reader will find in Josephus a full account of all the various plots
which were laid by Antipater, assisted by his aunt Salome and his uncle Pheroras,
to bring about the destruction of the young princes. This they at last effected by a
false charge that they designed to poison their father. On this, he brought them to
trial before a council held at Beyrutus, at which the Roman governors Saturnius and
Volumuius presided, and where Herod pleaded in person against his sons with such
vehemence that he, with some difficulty, procured their condemnation, although
nothing could be clearly proved against them but an intention to withdraw to some
foreign country, where they might live in peace. The time and the mode of putting
the sentence into execution were left to the king's own discretion. This was not until
he came to Sebaste, where, in a fit of rage, produced in the same manner, and through
the same agencies as his previous treatment of these unfortunate young men, he
ordered ihem to be strangled, B. C. 6. In these two unfortunate brothers the noble
family of the Asamoneans may be said to have become utterly extinct.
It was somewhat before this time that Herod, being greatly in want of money, be
thought himself of opening the tomb of David, having probably heard the story of
the treasure which the first Hyrcanus was reported to have found there. As might
be expected, he discovered nothing but the royal ornaments with which the king had
been, buried.
In the spring of the year B. C. 5 the birth ofthe great harbinger, John the Baptist,
announced the approach of One greater than he, whose sandal-thong he, thereafter,
declared himself unworthy to loose.
At and for some time before the date to wliich we are now arrived, the relations of
Herod with Rome had become more unpleasant than at any former period. Not long
before he put Alexander and Aristobulus to death Herod had a quarrel with Cbadas

490 AN ILLUSTRATED
king of Arabia, which led him to march some troops into that country, and to tht
defeat of the banded robbers, against whom chiefly he acted, and of a party of Arabs
who came to their relief. This affair was reported to Augustus in such a mamier as
raised his wrath against Herod ; and attending only to the fact that Herod had march
ed a military force into Arabia, which Herod's friends could not deny, he, without
inquiring into the provocation and circumstances, wrote to Herod a very severe letter,
the substance of which was, that he had hitherto treated him as a friend, but should
henceforth treat him as a subject. Herod sent an embassy to clear himself; bui
Augustus repeatedly refused to listen to them ; and so the king was obliged for a
time to submit to all the injurious treatment which the emperor thought proper to
inflict. The chief of these was the degrading his kingdom to a Roman province.
For soon after, Josephus incidentally mentions, that " the whole nation took an oath
of fidelity to Caesar and to the king jointly, except six thousand of the Pharisees, who,
through their hostility to the regal government, refused to take it, and were fined for
their refusal by the king ; but the wife of his brother Pheroras paid the fine for them."
As this was shortly before the death of Pheroras himself, it coincides with the time
of this decree for" the enrolment of which St. Luke (ii. 1) makes mention; and we
may therefore certainly infer that the oath was administered at the same time, ac:
cording to the usage of the Roman census, in which a return of persons' ages and
properties was required to be made upon oath, under penalty of the confiscation of
the goods of the delinquents. And the reason for registering ages was, that among
the Syrians, males from fourteen years of age and females from twelve, until theii
sixty-fifih year, were subject to a capitation or poll-tax, by the Roman law. This
tax was two drachma a head, or half a stater, equal to thirty cents of our money.*
Cyrenius, a Roman senator and procurator, or collector of the emperor's revenue,
was employed to make the enrolment. This person, whom Tacitus calls Quirinus,
and describes as " an active soldier and rigid commissioner,"! was well qualified for
an employment so odious to Herod and to his subjects, and probably came to execute
the decree with an armed force. By the wary policy of the Romans, to prevent in
surrection as well as to expedite business, all were required to repair to their own
cities. Even in Italy the consular edict commanded the Latin citizens not to be
enrolled at Rome, but all in their own cities. And this precaution was of course
more necessary in such turbulent provinces as Judea and Galilee4
The decree was peremptory, and admitted of no delay : therefore, in the autumn
of the year 5 of the popular era Before Christ.y a carpenter of Nazareth in Gali
lee, by name Joseph, journeyed with his wife Mary, although she was then large with
child, to Bethlehem in Judea, that being their paternal city, as they were both " of
the race and lineage of David." They were not among the first comers, and the
place was so thronged that they could not find room even in the lodging-rooms of
the caravanserai of Bethlehem, but were obliged to seek shelter in the stables of the
same. Here the woman was taken in labor, and gave birth to a male child. That
sliild, thus humbly born, was the long-promised " Desire of Nations," the " Saviour
of the World"— JESUS CHRIST. Nor did he come sooner than he was expected.
The Jews expected anxiously, and from day to day, the Great Deliverer of whom
their prophets had spoken; and the precise fore-calculations of the prophet Daniel
had given them to know that the time of his' coming was near. This indeed partly ex-
* See the case of Christ, and Peter afterward, where " a stater," the amount for both, was procured by
miracle. Matt. xvii. 24-27.
t Impiger militia: et acribus ministeriis.
t For this clear view of the somewhat perplexed subject of the Census alluded to by St. Luke, we are In
debted to Dr. Hales, from whose excellent " Analysis of Chronology" we have, indeed, obtained much and
various aid in the present history.
Q That the birth of Christ is thus given to the autumn of the year five before Christ, is an apparent anom
aly, which may require a few words of explanation. The Era of the Birth of Christ was not in use until
A. D. 532 in the time of Justinian, when it was introduced by Dionysius Exiguus, a Scythian by birth, and
a Roman abbot ; and which only began to prevail in the West about the time of Charles Martel and Pope
Gregory II. , A. D. 730. It has long been agreed by all chronologers that Dionysius made a mistake in pla
cing the birth of Christ some years too late ; but the amount of the difference has been variously estimated,
at two, three, four, five, or even eight years. The most general conclusion is that which is adopted in our
Bibles, and which places the birth of Christ four years before the common era, or rrjre probably a few
months more, according to the conclusion of Hales, which we have deemed it proper to adopt. The grounds
of this conclusion are largely and ably stated in the " Analysis," vol. i., p. 83-93. As to the day — it appears
that the 25th of December was not fixed upon till the time of Constantine, in the fourth century, although
there was an early tradition in its favor. It is probable that it really took place about or at the Feast of
Tal,ernacles (say the autumnal equinox) of B. C. 5, or at the Passover (say the vernal equinox) of B 0. 4
The 'ormer is the opinion of Hales and others, and the latter of A rchbishop Usher and our Bibles.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 491
filains the uneasy relations between Herod and his subjects; and the aistaste of th«
alter to the kingship which he had taken. For they wanted no king, until theii
king Messiah should come to take the throne of his father David, and lead them forth,
conquering and to conquer, breaking the nations in pieces as an iron rod breaks the
vessels of the potter, and bringing all the Gentiles to their feet. Full of these mag
nificent ideas of their king Messiah, they failed to recognise the promised Deliverer,
in One who came to deliver them, not from the Romans — but from their sins ; whose
kingdom was not to be of this world — and whose reign, not over lands and territories,
ut in the hearts of men.
Nor was he expected only by the Jews. He was the " Desire of Nations." There
were strong pulsations of the universal heart, in expectation of some great change,
of the advent of some distinguished personage who should bring in a new order of
things, of some kind or other, and who should work such deeds and establish such
dominion as never before existed. It was even expected that this great personage
should issue from Judea ; an expectation which was probably derived from the more
distinct anticipations of the Jews, if not partly from a remote glimpse at the mean
ing of those prophecies which referred to Messiah, and which many educated per
sons must have read in the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures. But the
expectations which the nations entertained were, like those of the Jews, connected
with dreams of a universal temporal empire, which the expected Messiah was to es
tablish. As, however, they had not the strong national interest in the expectation of
a conquering king, they clung with less tenacity than the Jews to this notion of his
functions, although, blinded by it, they were for a while as unable as the Hebrews to
recognise the Anointed of God in the infant of Bethlehem.
The prevalence and character of this expectation account for the watchfulness of
Herod, and for the horrible promptitude with which he ordered the massacre of all
the infants of Bethlehem as soon as the inquiries of the Parthian magi gave him
cause to suspect that the King of the Jews had been born tliere.
The census, which was begun by Cyrenius, was not completed to the extent
originally contemplated, for Herod found means to disabuse Augustus of the impres
sion under which he had acted, and was restored to the imperial favor and confidence.
To make him some amends the emperor was disposed to have consigned to him the
forfeited kingdom of the Nabathaeans ; but the painful disagreements and atrocities
in the family of Herod were about the same time brought so conspicuously under his
notice, that, with his usual sagacity, he doubted the wisdom of committing the con
quest and government of a new kingdom to an old man who had proved himself in
capable of ruling his own house.
We have before incidentally mentioned the part which was taken by the wife of
Pheroras, in paying the fines of the Pharisees, who refused to take the oath required
of all the people. In consequence of this, many of that powerful body began to
whisper that God would give the kingdom to Pheroras; on which account Herod
caused several Pharisees and some members of his own family to be executed. Fur
ther, regarding the wife of Pheroras as the cause of all this trouble, he very peremp
torily required him to divorce her. His brother replied that nothing but death should
separate him from his wife, and retired in disgust to Perea, in his own territory be
yond Jordan. Thus was quite destroyed the good understanding which had for so
many years subsisted between the two brothers. Blinded by resentment, Pheroras
readily came into the plans of Antipater : and between them it was settled thai
Herod should be taken off by poison ; that Antipater should sit on his throne ; and
that meanwhile he should contrive to be sent to Rome, to preclude any suspicion of
his part in the transaction. This plot would probably have succeeded but for ihe
death of Pheroras himself, which led to the discovery of the whole, and even 'nade
known to Herod the part which Antipater had taken in compassing the death of the
two sons of the first Mariamne. It appeared also that the second Mariamne was a
party in this conspiracy, in consequence of which she was divorced, the name of her
son was struck out of the king's will, and her father, the high-priest Simon, was de
posed from his office, which was given to Matthias the son of Theophilus. On these
disclosures, Herod managed to get Antipater back from Rome, without allowing him to
become acquainted with what had transpired. On his arrival he was formally accused
before Quintilius Varus, the prefect of Syria, who was then at Jerusalem, and was
imprisoned until the affair should have been submitted to the judgment of Augustus.

492 AN ILLUSTRATED
Meanwhile Herod, then in the sixty-ninth year of his age, fell ill of that grievous
disease of which he died, and which, by some singular dispensation of Providence,
appears to have been the peculiar lot of tyrannous and proud sovereigns, and which
rendered him wretched in himself and a terror to all around him. A report got into
circulation that his disease afforded no chance of his recovery, in consequence of which
u dangerous tumult was excited by two celebrated doctors, named Judas and Matthias,
who instigated their disciples to pull down and destroy a golden eaglo of large size
and exquisite workmanship, which had been placed over one ofthe gates of the tem
ple. Scarcely had this rash act been completed, when the royal guards appeared and
seized the two leaders and forty of their most zealous disciples. Some of them were
burnt, and others executed in various ways by Herod's order. Being suspected of
having privately encouraged the tumult, Matthias was deprived of his high-priest
hood, and the office given to Joazar, the brother of his wife.
In the meantime the disease of Herod became more loathsome and intolerable. It
appears to have been an erosion of the bowels and other viscera by worms, which
occasioned violent spasms and the most exquisite tortures, until he at length became
a mass of putrefaction. Experiencing no benefit from the warm baths of Calirrhoe
beyond Jordan, he gave up all hopes of recovery, and after having distributed presents
among his attendants and soldiers, he returned to Jericho. His sufferings were not
likely to humanize his naturally savage disposition. He was convinced, by the recent
outbreak, that his death would occasion no sorrow in Israel, and therefore, to oblige
the nation to mourn at his death, he sent for the heads of the most eminent families
in Judea, and confined them in prison, leaving orders with his sister Salome and her
husband Alexas to put them all to death as soon as he should have breathed his last.
This sanguinary design was, however, not executed by them.
At length Herod received full powers from Rome to proceed against his son An
tipater. At this intelligence, the dying tyrant appeared to revive ; but he soon after
attempted suicide, and although prevented, the wailing cries, usual in such cases.
were raised throughout the palace for him, as if he were actually dead. When An
tipater, in his confinement heard these well-known lamentations, he attempted by
large bribes to induce his guard to permit his escape; but he was so universally
hated for procuring the death ofthe sons of Mariamne, that the guard made his offers
known, and Herod ordered his immediate execution. On the fifth day after, Herod
himself died, shortly before the Passover, in the seventieth year of his age, and the
thirty-seventh from his appointment to the throne. Before his death was announced,
Salome, as if by his order, liberated the nobles confined in the hippodrome, whose
death she had been charged to execute, but dared not, had she been so inclined. His
corpse, under the escort of his life-guard, composed of Thracians, Germans, and Gauls,
was carried with great pomp to Herodium, and there buried.
Herod had ten wives, two of whom bore him no children, and whose names history
has not preserved. As it is of some importance to understand clearly the combina
tions of relationship among his descendants by these different wives, the details in the
note below will not be unacceptable to the reader.*
" The wives of Herod " the Great" were : —
I. Doris, the mother of Antipater.
II. Mariamne, the daughter of Alexandra. She had —
1. Alexander, who married Glaphyra, the daughter ofthe king of Cappadocia, by whom he had— Tigranes,
king of Armenia, and Alexander, who married a daughter of Antiochus king of Comagene.
2. Aristobulus, who married Berenice the daughter of Salome, the sister of Herod, by whom he had—
Herod, king of Chalcis, who married, first, Mariamne. the daughter of Olympias (sister of Archelaus the
ethnarch) ; and afterward his niece Berenice, by whom he had Aristobulus, Berenicicus, and Hyrcanus.
The eldest of these, Aristobulus, married Salome (she whose dancing cost John the Baptist his head),
then the widow of the tetrarch Philip, by whom he had Agrippa, Herod, and Aristobulus. Agrippa I., king
of the Jews, who married Cypros the daughter of (Mariamne's daughter) Salampso, by whom he had Dru
sius ; Agrippa II., who was at first king of Chalcis, and afterward tetrarch of Trachonitis ; Berenice, whose
second husband was her uncle Herod, king of Chalcis ; Mariamne, marriod first to Archelaus son of Chel-
cias, and afterward to Demetrius, alabarch of the Jews at Alexandria, by whom she had Berenice and
Agrippa ; Drusilla, who was first married to Aziz, king of Emesa, and afterward to Felix the Roman pro
curator of Judea, by whom she had a son named Agrippa, who, with his wife, perished in the flames of
Vesuvius. The third son of Aristobulus the son of Mariamne, was Aristobulus, who married Jotape,
daughter to the king of Emesa : and there were two daughters. Herodias, who married, first, Herod (called
Philip in the Gospels), son of Herod the Great by the second Mariamne, by whom she had Salome (the
dancer), and afterward to his half-brother Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee,— both her uncles. Mari
amne, who married her uncle Antipater.
3. The third son of Mariamne was Herod, who died young while at his studies in Romp.
Mariamne had also two daughters :—
4 Salampso, who married her cousin Phasael, after having been promised to Pheroras

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 493
- Herod was succeeded in the kingdom of Judea by his son Archelaus, whose evil
conduct so displeased the Romans, that they reduced Judea to the form of a Roman
province, ruling it by procurators or governors, sen. and recalled at 'heir pleasure
the power of life and death was taken out of the hands of the Jews, and vested in
P oman governor; and the taxes being gathered by the publicans, were paid more
directly to the emperor.
As there are several Herods mentioned in the New Testament, it may not be aimss
here to distinguish them, according to the best authority w.nch can be obtained.
1. Herod the king of Judea (already noticed), who died while Christ was an infant.
(See Matt. ii. 19.) 2. His son, Herod Antipas, the tetrarch* of Galilee, who took away his
brother Philip's wife, and beheaded John the Baptist. (See Matt. xiv. 3-10.) 3. That
Herod who put the Apostle James to death, and was afterward smitten by the angel of
theLord with a strange and sudden death. (See Acts xii. 2, and ver. 20-23.) Histo
rians consider him the grandson of the first Herod, and the father of King Agrippa,
before whom Paul made his defence. The almighty Disposer of all events, at wi.ose
nod empires rise and fall, and nations flourish or decay, marks with undeviating at
tention, and a retributive hand, not only the sins ol a people, but the turpitude of
those who profess to govern.

CHAPTER XXVII.
PROPHECIES CONCERNING CHRIST — THEIR FULFILLMENT.
Having, in the preceding pages, given an accurate account of every material occui-
rence related in the sacred Scriptures, from the creation of the world to the death
the prophet Nehemiah, and thence to the rebuilding of the temple of Jerusalem
by Herod, we shall conclude the Old Testament History by devoting a few pages
here to the prophecies concerning Christ and the Christian Religion.
The coming of a Saviour, which was the hope of Israel and the expectation of the
Jews in every age, is frequently foretold throughout the Old Testament scriptures.
They represent it as announced by the voice of God to the first human pair, and as
forming, from the first to the last, the theme of all the prophets. And, however im
perfect a summary view of such numerous prophecies must necessarily be, a few re
marks respecting them shall be prefixed to the more direct and immediate proofs of
the inspiration of scripture, derived from existing facts, in order that the reader may
be rather induced to search the scriptures to see how clearly they testify of Jesus.
than contented to rest satisfied with the mere opening of the subject.
A few of ihe leading features of the prophecies concerning Christ, and their fulfil
ment, shall be traced as they mark the time of his appearance, the place of his birth,
and the family out of which he was to arise, his life and character, his sufferings and
his death, the nature of his doctrine, and the extent of his kingdom.
5. Cypros, who married Antipater, the son of Salome, sister of Herod the Great.
HI. Ileiod's third wife was Pallas, by whom he had a son, Phasael.
IV. Phredra, who had a daughter called Roxana, married to a son of Pheroras.
V. Mariamne, daughter of the high-priest Simon. Herod had by her— Herod-Philip, the first husband ot
Herodias, by whom he had Salome (the dancing lady), whose first husband was Philip, and her second
Aristobulus. the son of Herod king of Chalcis.
VI. Malthace, a Samaritan woman, who was mother to Archelaus the ethnarch of Judea, and Herod An
tipas, the tetrarch of Galilee, who married first a daughter of the Arabian king Aretas, whom he put away,
and took Herodias, the wife of his brother Herod- Philip, who was still living. Malthace had also a daughter,
Olyrnpias, who married Joseph, a nephew to Herod the Great.
VII. Cleopatra, who was the mother of Herod and Philip, tetrarch of Trachonitis, which last married tho
noted Salome, daughter of Herod-Philip and Herodias.
VIII. Elphis had a daughter called Salome, married to a son of Pheroras.
* The title and office of tetrarch had its origin from the Gauls, who having made an incursion into Asia
Minor, succeeded in taking from the king of Bithynia that part of it which from them took the name of Ga
i'-itia. The Gauls who made this invasion consisted of three tribes ; and each tribe was divided into foui
parts, or tetrarchates, each of which obeyed its own tetrarch. The tetrarch was of course subordinate
to the king. The appellation of tetrarch, which was thus originally applied to the chief magistrate
of the fourth part of a tribe, subject to the authority of the king, was afterward extended in its application,
and given to any governors, subject to some king or emperor, without regard to the proportion of the people
or tribe which they governed. Thus Herod Antipas and Fhilip were denominated tetrarchs, although the)
did not rule as much as the fourth part of the whole territory. Although these rulers were dependant upon
the Roman emperor, they nevertheless governed the people within their jurisdiction according to their own
choice and authority. They were, however, inferior in point of rank to the ethnarchs, who, although they
did not publicly assumo the name of king, were addressed with that title by their subjects, as was tho
case, for instance, with respect to Archelaus. (Matt. ii. 22 ; Jos. Antiq. xvii. 11, 4.)

494 AN ILLUSTRATED
The time of the Messiah's appearance in the world, as predicted in the Old Tes
tament, is defined by a number of concurring circumstances that fix it to the very date
of the advent of Christ. The sceptre was not to depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver
to cease from among his descendants, till Shiloh should come. (Gen. xlix. 10.) The de
sire of all nations, the messenger of the covenant, the Lord whom they sought, was
to come to the second temple, and to impart to it, from his presence, a greater glory
than that of the former. (Hag. ii. 7-9; Mai. hi. 1.) A messenger was lo appear hefore
him, the voice of one ciying in the wilderness, to prepare his way. (Isa. xl. 3 ; Mai.
iii. 1 ; iv. 5.) A specified period, — marked, according to similar computations in the
Jewish scriptures, by weeks of years, each day for a year, — was set, from the going
forth of the command to restore and to build Jerusalem, after the Babylonish captivity,
unto Messiah the prince. (Dan. ix. 25.) A period somewhat longer was determined
upon the people and upon the holy city. (Isa. ix. 24.) After the Messiah was to be cut
off, the people of the prince that should come were to destroy the city and the sanc
tuary ; desolations, even to the consummation, were determined, and the sacrifice and
oblation were to cease. (Dan. ix. 26, 27.) A king did reign over the Jews in their own
land, though the ten tribes had long ceased to be a kingdom; their national council,
the members of which, as Jews, were lineally descended from Judah, exercised its
authority and power — the temple was standing — the oblation and sacrifice, according
to the law of Moses, were there duly and daily offered up— and the time prescribed
for the coming of the Messiah had drawn to its close — at the commencement of the
Christian era. Before the public ministry of Jesus, a messenger appeared to prepare
his way ; and Josephus, in the history of that time, speaks of the blameless life and
cruel death of " John that was called the Baptist," and describes his preaching and
baptism. (Josephus's Antiquities, b. 18, c. 5, sec. 2.) But every mark that denoted the
fulness of the time, and of its signs, when the Messiah was to appear, was erased soon
after the death of Christ, and being fixed to that single period, those marks could no
more be restored again than time past could return. The time determined on the
people and on the holy city, seventy weeks or four hundred and ninety years, passed
away. The tribe of Judah were no longer united under a king. Banished from their
own land, and subjected to every oppression, there was no more a lawgiver of the
tribe of Judah, though Judah was he whom his brethren were to serve. Of the tem
ple one stone was not left upon another. The sacrifice and oblation, which none but
priests could offer, altogether ceased when the genealogies of the tribe of Levi were
lost, and when the Jews had no temple, nor country, nor priest, nor altar. Ere Jeru
salem was destroyed, or desolation had passed over the land of Judea, the expectation
was universal among the Jews that their Messiah was then to appear ; and heathen
as well as Jewish historians testify of the belief then prevalent over the whole East
that the ancient prophecies bore a direct and express reference to that period. And
the question might now go to the heart of a Jew, however loth to abandon the long-
cherished hope of his race, how can these prophecies be true, if the Messiah be not
come ? or where, from the first words of Moses to the last of Malachi, can there be
found such marks of the time when Shiloh was to come, or Messiah the prince to be
cut off, as pertained to the period when their forefathers crucified Jesus — a period
which closed over the glory of Judah, and which, in the continued unbelief of the
Jews, has not heretofore left, for nearly eighteen centuries, a bright page in their his
tory beyond it ?
Though the countrymen of Christ when he came would not receive him, yet it was
of the Jews that Jesus was to come ; and the human lineage of the Messiah is as
clearly marked in the prophecies as the time of his appearance. The divinity ofthe
person of the Messiah, and his taking upon himself the likeness of sinful flesh, is
declared in the Old Testament as well as in the new. He whose name was to be
called the wonderful, the counsellor, the mighty God, was to become a child that was
to bp oorn, a son that was to be given. (Isa. ix. 6.) It was the seed of the woman
that was to bruise the serpent's head. (Gen. iii. 15.) The line of his descent, accord
ing to the flesh, and the place of his birth, were expressly foretold. It was in the seed
of Abraham that all the nations of the earth were to be blessed. (Gen. xxii. 18.) It
was from the midst of the Israelites, of their brethren, that a prophet like unto Mo
ses was to arise. (Deut. xviii. 15.) And he was to be not only of the tribe of Judah,
(Gen. xlix. 8, &c), but also ofthe house or family of David. From the root of Jesse
a branch was to grow up, on which the spirit of the Lord was to rest, and to which

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 495
the Gentiles would seek. (Isa. xi. 1-10.) It was unto David that a righteous branch
was to arise, a kihg, whose name was to be called the Lord our righteousness. (Jer.
xxiii. 5, 6.) And it was in Bethlehem Ephratah, in the land of Judah, little as it was
among the thousands of Israel, that he was to come, whose goings forth had been of
old, from everlasting. iMicah, v. 2.) And Jesus is he alone of the seed of the woman,
of the descendants of Abraham, of the tribe of Judah, of the house of David, in
whom all the families of the earth can be blessed; to whom the Gentiles seek, and
who, ere the family genealogies of the Jews were lost, was shown by them to be born
of the lineage of David, and in the town of Bethlehem.
The history of the life of Christ bv the four evangelists is simply a record of what
he said and did, and his character is illustrated by his words and actions alone. Chris
tians have often tried to delineate it ; and if in the attempt their thoughts have har
monized with the divine records, their hearts may well have then felt as it were the
impression of that divine image after which man was at first created. Even some
who never sought to be the champions of the Christian faith, have been struck with
irresistible admiration of the life of its author. Rousseau acknowledges that it would
have been nothing less than a miracle that such a character, if not real, could ever
have been thought of by fishermen of Galilee. And Lord Byron not only called Christ
diviner than Socrates, but he he has no less truly than nobly said, that " if ever God
was man, or man God, he was both." But the divine character is such that none but
a divine hand could draw ; and seeking in the prophecies what the Messiah was to
be, we read what Jesus was while he dwelt among men.
" Thou art fairer than the children of men ; grace is poured into thy lips, therefore
God hath blessed thee for ever. The sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre — thou
lovest righteousness and hatest iniquity. (Psalm xiv. 2, 6, 7.) The spirit ofthe Lord
shall rest upon him, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. He shall
not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears.
But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek
of the earth. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the
girdle of his reins. (Isa. xi. 2-5.) He shall feed his flock like a shepherd, he shall
gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom. (Isa. xl. 1 1.) He shall
not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the streets. A bruised reed shall
he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench. (Isa. xiii. 2, 3.) Thy king
cometh unto thee : he is just, and having salvation, lowly, and riding upon an ass.
(Zech. ix. 9.) He hath done no violence, neither was there any deceit in his lips. (Isa.
liii. 9.) He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth ; he was brought
as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened
not his mouth. (Isa. liii. 7.) I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheek to them
that plucked off the hair ; I hid not my face from shame and spitting. (Isa. 1. 6.) He
shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth. (Isa. xiii. 4.)
I have set my face as a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. 'Isa. 1. 7.) He
shall deliver the needy when he crieth, the poor also, and him that hath no helper.
He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence, and precious shall their blood be
in his sight. Men shall be blessed in him — all nations shall call him blessed." Psalm
lxxii. 12, 14, 17.
The death of Christ was as unparalleled as his life, and the pfr^phecies are as mi
nutely descriptive of his sufferings as of his virtues. His growing up as a tender
plant (Isa. liii. 2) ; his riding in humble triumph into Jerusalem; his being betrayed
for thirty pieces of silver'(Zech. xi. 12), and scourged, and buffeted, and spit upon ; the
piercing -of his hands and of his feet, and yet every bone of him remaining unbroken ;
the last offered draught of vinegar and gall ; the parting of his raiment, and casting
lots upon his vesture (Psalm xxii. 69) ; the manner of his death and of his burial (Isa.
liii. 9), and his rising again without seeing corruption (Psalm xvi. 10), were ail as
minutely predicted as literally fulfilled. The last three verses of the fifty-second and
th » « hole of the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah, — written above seven hundred years
before the Christian era, and forming, word for word, a part of the Jewish as well as
of the Christian scriptures, — prophetically describe, like a very history of the facts,
the sufferings and the death of Christ ; his rejection by the Jews ; his humility, his
nieekness, his affliction, and his agony ; how his words were disbelieved ; how his
state was lowly; how his sorrow was severe; how his visage and his form were
marred more than the sons of men ; and how he opened not his mouth but to make

496 AN ILLUSTRATED
intercession for the transgressors. In direct opposition to every dispensation of Prov
idence which is registered in the records of the Jews, this prophecy represents spot
less innocence suffering by the appointment of Heaven — death as the issue of perfect
obedience— God's righteous servant as forsaken by him — and one who was perfectly
immaculate bearing the chastisement of many guilty, sprinkling many nations from
their iniquity by virtue of his sacrifice; justifying many by his knowledge, and dividing
a portion with the great, and the spoil with the strong, because he had poured out his
soul unto death.
The prophecies concerning the humiliation, the sufferings, and the cutting off of
the Messiah, need only to be read from the Jewish scriptures, to show that the very
unbelief of the Jews is an evidence against them, and the very scandal of the cross
a strong testimony to Jesus. For thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suf
fer, according to the scriptures. And those things which God before had showed by
the mouth of all his prophets that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
That the Jews still retain these prophecies, and are the means of preserving them
and communicating them throughout the world, while they bear so strongly against
themselves, and testify so clearly of a Saviour that was first to suffer and then to be
exalted, are facts which give a confirmation to the truth of Christianity, than which
it is difficult to conceive any stronger. The prophecies that testify of the sufferings
of the Messiah need no forced interpretation, but apply, in a plain and literal manner,
to the history of the sufferings and of the death of Christ. In the testimony of the
Jews to the existence of these prophecies, long prior to the Christian era ; in their re
maining unaltered to this hour ; in the accounts given by the evangelists of the life
and death of Christ; in the testimony of heathen authors, and in the arguments of
the first opposers of Christianity, from the mean condition of its author and the man
ner of his death, — we have now more ample evidence of the fulfilment of all these
prophecies than could have been conceived possible at so great a distance of time.
But if there be any truth, the perception and acknowledgment of which should lead
to a sense of its importance, or a feeling of its power, it is surely that of the cutting
oft of the Messiah, as making reconciliation for iniquity, or the death of Christ as a
sacrifice for the sins of men. It is not merely the knowledge of his righteous life,
and of his ignominious death, in confirmation of the word of prophecy, but an inte
rest also in them that every sinner needs. There exists not the man, except he be
alike ignorant of the spirit within him and of the father of spirits, who could think
of standing for himself, to answer for his sins, in the immediate presence of an all-
holy God, and to abide the scrutiny of omniscience, and the awards of strict unmiti
gated justice enforced by almighty power. Nor could man of himself, in whom sin
has once dwelt, be ever meet, whatever his thoughts of immortality might b< , for
participating in the holiness or partaking of the happiness of Heaven. And who is
there that, even in the search after divine truth, can pass by Calvary, or cast but a
glance toward it, and there behold in the sufferings of Christ a clear prophetic mark
of his messiahship, withoufpondering deeply on the guiltiness of sin, which nothing
less than the voluntary death of the Son of God could expiate, and on that infinite
goodness and love wliich found and gave the ransom, whereby, though guilt could not
be unpunished, the guilty might be saved. And if he reflect upon the manner in
which this vision and prophecy were sealed up, who that has a heart within him, or
that can be drawn with those cords of love which are the bands of a man, can refrain
from feeling the personal application to himself of the words of Jesus — " I, if I be
lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me ?"
But the prophecies further present us with the character of the Gospel as well as
of its author, and with a description of the extent of his kingdom as well as of his
sufferings. That he was to make a full and clear revelation of the will of God, and
establish a new and perfect religion, was frequently and explicitly foretold. (Deut.
xviii. 18, 19. Isa. ix. 6, 7 ; xiii. 6 ; xi. 1-5 ; ly. 3, 4. Jer. xxxi. 31-34. Ezek. xxxiv.
23, '24.) The words of God were to be put into his mouth, and whoever would not
hearken unto him, God would require it of them. He was to be given for a covenant
of the people, for a light of the Gentiles, to open the blind eyes. His law was to be
put in the inward parts, or to be written not in tables of stone, but in the heart. And
ihe religion of Jesus is pure, spiritual, perfect, and adapted alike to all. It is a reve
lation of the whole counsel of God ; it is a law which has to be written on the heart
a kingdom which is established within. The doctrine of the gospel is altogether a

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 497
doctrine according to godliness. This its enemies will not deny, for it is the cause
why ihey hate it. Its very excellence and perfection is a stumbling-block to them.
There is not a sin which it does not reprobate, nor a virtue which it does not inculcate.
And too pure and perfect it would indeed be for man, were not reconciliation made foi
iniquity, and redemption to be found from its bondage.
But the complete revelation of the will of God, which of itself would have pointed
out a highway of holiness that men could never have reached, was to be accompanied
with a revelation also of the grace and mercy of God, which might well suffice to
show that the light was indeed light from Heaven. And while Jesus gave new com
mandments unto men, he announced tidings of great joy, which it never entered into
the heart of man to conceive. In fulfilment of the prophetic character and office of
the Messiah, he published salvation. Never was any anointed like Christ to preach
good tidings to the meek ; to bind up the broken-hearted ; to proclaim liberty to ihe
captive, the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to comfort them that
mourn in Zion; to give to those who mourn for sin, or who seek for true consolation
amid the bereavements or any of the evils of life, beauty for ashes, the oil of joy For
mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. And none like him
ever proclaimed either the acceptable year of the Lord, or the day of judgment of our
God. (Isa. Ixi. 1-3.) What many wise men of old sought to know, Jesus taught.
What they desired to see, he hath revealed. All that he taught, as well as all that
he did and suffered, bore witness of him as the promised Messiah ; and that kingdom.
has now come nigh which the prophets saw afar off.
That the gospel emanated from Judea — that it was rejected by a great proportion
ofthe Jews — that it was opposed at first by human power — that kings have acknowl
edged and supported it — lhat it has already continued for many ages— and that it has
been propagated throughout many countries— are facts that were clearly foretold, and
have been literally fulfilled. " Out of Zion shall go forth the law; and the word of
the Lord from Jerusalem. (Isa. ii. 3, 4. Micah, iv. 2.) He shall be for a sanctuary,
but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel ; for
a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Who hath believed our report,
and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed ? (Isa. viii. 14; liii. I.) Thekingsof
ihe earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord ai.d
against his anointed. (Psalm ii. 2. Matt. x. 17; xvi. 18 ; xxiv. 9-14.) To a servant
of rulers, kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship. The Gentiles shall
come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. (Isa. xlix. 7-23.) The
Gentiles shall see thy righteousness; a people that know me not shall be called af'.er
my name. Behold thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations tnat
Know not thee shall run unto thee." (Isa. xi. 10 ; 1 v. 5.) No one is now ignorant of
the facts,, that a system of religion which inculcates piety, and purity, and love,-
which releases man from every burdensome rite and from every barbarous institution,
and proffers the greatest of blessings, — arose from the land of Judea, was rejected by
the Jews, persecuted by Jews and Gentiles, and yet has subsisted for many ages, and
has been spread into many countries, and is outwardly owned by kings and by people
as the faith of the civilized world.
The final extension of the gospel over all the earth is the theme of many prophe
cies (Isa. xxv. 7; ii. 2; xxxv. 1 ; xl. 5; xiii. 4; Iii. 10; liv. 1-5; Ix. 5; Ixv. L
Psalm lxxii. 8-17; ii. 8; xxii. 27, 28. Hosea, 1. 10. Micah, iv. 1), while it is also
clearly implied in others, that a long period was to elapse before the reign of darkness
was to cease, or the veil to be taken off all nations. After the Messiah was to be cut
off, and the city of Jerusalem and the sanctuary to be destroyed, desolations, even to
the consummation, and until judgment should come upon the desolator, were deter
mined ; the children of Israel were to abius many days without a king, or ephod, or
sacrifice ; desolations of many generations were to pass over the land of Judea ; Je
rusalem was to be trodden down of the Gentiles, and blindness in part vas to happen
to Israel, till the times of the Gentiles should be fulfilled ; and a great apostacy was
to arise, and to prevail for a long, but limited period, before the stone that was to be
cut out without hands was to become a great kingdom and fill the whole earth, or the
last days should arrive, wherein the mountain of the Lord's house would be finally
established and exalted above all, and all nations flow into it. (Dan. ix. 27. Hosea,
iii. 4. Isa. Ixi. 4. Luke, xxi. 21. Rom. xi. 25. 2 Thess. ii. 1-12. Dan. ii. 45
Isa. ii. 2. Micah, iv. 1.) But already, far beyond the conception of man to have har-
32

498 AN ILLUSTRATED
bored the thought, hath the light which has come out of Judea enlightened the na
tions ; already have the scriptures been made known in a tenfold degree more than
any other book ; long has he been a light to the Gentiles, and long have kings seen
and arisen, and princes rendered worship to him whom man despised, and whom the
Jewish nation abhorred. The Christian faith made at first its bloodless way through
out the world. And though many a conspiracy has been formed, and many a bloody
warfare waged against it, it not only stands unsubdued and unshaken after every as
sault, but the vain rage of its adversaries has been subservient to its extension and its
triumphs. As a matter of history, the progress of Christianity is at least astonishing ;
as the fulfilment of many prophecies, it is evidently miraculous.
In closing even this brief and very imperfect summary ofthe prophecies relative to
the Christian faith and to its author, are we not authorized to consider ancient proph
ecy, as bearing testimony to Jesus as the Saviour ; the time and the place of the birth
of Christ ; the tribe and family from which he was descended ; his life, his character,
his sufferings, and his death ; the nature of his doctrine, and the fate of his religion ; —
that it was to proceed from Jerusalem; that the Jews would reject it; that it would
be opposed ana persecuted at first ; that kings would nevertheless acknowledge its
divine authority ; and that it would spread throughout many a nation, even to the ut
termost parts of the earth.
Why, then, were so many prophecies delivered ? Why, from the calling of Abra
ham to the present time, have the Jews been separated, as a peculiar people, from all
the nations of the earth ? Why, from the age of Moses to that of Malachi, during
the space of a thousand years, did a succession of prophets arise, all testifying of a
Saviour that was to come ? Why was the book of prophecy sealed for nearly four
hundred years before the coming of Christ? Why is there still, to this day, undis
puted, if not miraculous evidence of the antiquity of all these prophecies, by their
being sacredly preserved, in every age, in the custody and guardianship of the enemies
of Christianity ? Why was such a multitude of facts foretold that are applicable to
Christ and to him alone ? Why ? — but that all this mighty preparation might usher
in the gospel of righteousness, and prepare the way for the kingdom of God ; and that
Christians also, in every age, might add to their " peace and joy in believing" the per
fect trust, that however great the promises of God may be, they still are sure ; and
that he who spared not his own Son, but gave him up for us all, will with him also,
if his we be, freely give us all things. And if we ever read a book for any object,
ought we not diligently to search the scriptures, to see how clearly they testify of
Christ ? And ought not every word of such testimony to be, like all scripture be
sides, profitable for doctrine and for instruction in righteousness ? And may it not be
profitable " for reproof and for correction" to all who mind only earthly things — who
are eager to seek after unprofitable knowledge — who could talk, with all volubility,
of the temporal concerns of others or their own — who could expatiate freely, perhaps,
un the properties of a beast, the quality of their food, or the beauty of a garment—
and who, although they have had the Bible constantly beside them, have, for many
a year, remained ignorant of the value of the treasure it contains, or ofthe fulness of
the testimony which God has given of his son ? None surely would any longer wil
fully refrain from searching the scriptures to see how they testify of Jesus, or from
seeking the words of eternal life which may be found in them, were they to lay to
heart the thought that the second coming of Christ to judge the quick and the dead,
is as certain as that the prophetic tidings of his first advent — once heard afar off-
have already proved true.

AND II E BEARING HIS CROSS WENT FORTH, John xix. IT.

AN ILLUSTRATED
HISTORY OE THE BIBLE

THE NEW TESTAMENT.

CHAPTER I.
BIRTH OP CHRIST — TEMPTATION — ENTERS ON HIS MIKISTRT.
The historical part of the New Testament is contained in the four Gospels of
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John ; and, in a very particular manner, claims the most
serious attention of every person, as it conveys to us the blessed tidings of our re
covering that happy state which our first parents forfeited in paradise. Indeed, the
New Testament is the best commentary on the Old. By a diligent comparison of
both together, with all tho parallel passages marked only in the margin of our com-
monbibles, an infinitely greater knowledge of Scripture will generally be acquired
than is commonly either thought of or believed. The truth is, there is so great a
unity in all the parts of the Bible — such an intimate connexion in its matter, phrase
ology, doctrines, facts, and the like— so many allusions made from one passage to
another, that there is scarcely a question connected with biblical interpretation that
may not, by this means only, be very safely and satisfactorily determined.
In passing from the contemplation of Jewish affairs to the glorious objects presented
to our notice in the New Testament, we seem to emerge from dreary and uncomfort
able shades, into the cheerful light of day; and leave, without regret, a road ren
dered tedious by Jewish ceremonies, crowded with human traditions, and encumbered
with heathen altars, to pursue the open path marked out by the reforming hand of
the Son op God.
From an early period after the fall of man, a gracious intimation had been given of
God's intention to visit the world by a Divine Person, who should restore sinners from
their ruined condition, destroy the power of death and hell, and lead his followers to
eternal felicity. Promises to this effect were, from season to season, given to God's
chosen people; this great' object held a place in all the predictions of the prophets,
and was shadowed forth in all the types and ceremonies of the Jewish law. The
Character of this sacred Messenger was drawn with sufficient clearness, to render him
desirable with all the truly pious, and to distinguish him, when come, to the view of
every humble and earnest inquirer.
It was about four thousand years after the creation of the world, and when the
Roman empire having gained the ascendency over all nations, a unive sal peace had
taken place ; while Augustus Caesar was emperor at Rome, and Herod, by Caesar's
authority, had been made king of Judea; that the period arrived for the fulfilment of!
these gracious promises, in the birth of " the Prince of Peace." A general expecta
tion seems to have prevailed among the Jews, that about this time the great De
liverer was to make his appearance ; nor are there wanting evidences, that such an
event was looked for, even in the gentile or heathen world.
But though the train of divine providence had all along tended to this object, the
appearance' of the expected Redeemer, as we shall see, was not to be marked by
earthly pomp. On the contrary, as if God would show his utter disregard of what
poor depraved mortals so highly esteem, " the King of glory" was to be ushered into

500 AN ILLUSTRATED
the woild in the most obscure condition ; while divine honor and heavenly attention
were to supply the place of vain and empty worldly grandeur : the carnal and the
high-minded were to be disappointed in their calculations, while humble, pious souls
were to rejoice in his salvation.
As an introduction to the event about to take place, an angel appeared to a priest
named Zacharias (while offering incense in the temple), informing him that he
should have a son, who was lo be called John: that this child should be filled with
the Holy Ghost from his birth; and that he should be th" -orerunner of the Lord
from heaven, in order to prepare his way. Zacharias, though a righteous man, being,
with his wife Elisabeth, far advanced in years, seemed to hesitate ihrough unbelief;
whereupon the angel, declaring his name to be Gabriel, assured the priest that he
should be "dumb, and not able to speak," till the fulfilment of this prediction; thus
at once confirming the truth, of the message, and chastizing the unbelief of Zacharias.
In the sixth month from this period of time, the angel Gabriel was sent to a virgin
of the house of David, whose name was Mary ; a poor young woman, promised in
marriage to Joseph, a carpenter, who was likewise of the house of David ; that royal
family being, at this time, reduced to a low condition. Saluting the highly-favored
virgin, the angel made known to her that she should bear a son, whose name should
be called Jesus ;* that God would give him ihe throne of David, and a kingdom
Without end ; and that this holy child should be produced by the power of the Divine
.Spirit; on account of which he should be called " the Son of God."
Shortly after this wonderful occurrence, Elisabeth was honored by a visit from
Mary, who was her near relation, and both of them, in a divine rapture, rejoiced and
praised God, on account ofthe approaching visitation of mercy and grace toward his
people. Nor was it long before Zacharias witnessed, in the birth of John, the fulfil-;
ment of the angel's prediction ; and having his tongue loosed, he straightway employed
it in divine praises, and in prophesying the dawn of the gospel-day.
In the meantime the angel of the Lord appearing to Joseph in a dream, removed
from his mind all suspicion with respect to the character of Mary his espoused wife ;
shortly after which, in consequence of a decree from the Roman emperor, for tho
taxing (or enrolling) of all his subjects, in the several cities of their respective families,
Joseph and Mary repaired together to Bethlehem,! the city of David, to whose family
they both belonged. The inn at this place being crowded with strangers, there was
found no other accommodation for this humble pair, than a stable; and here the long-
promised infant was born, and, being wrapped in swaddling clothes, was laid in a
manger4 *
"The name Jesus, in Greek, corresponds with Joshua, in Hebrew ; both of them signifying a Saviour'
and Christ is the same in Greek, with Messiah in Hebrew, i. e. the anointed. This title is given to our Sav
iour, in allusion to the custom of anointing kings, priests, and sometimes prophets, with oil; Jesus being
anointed to the great office of Redeemer, by the holy Spirit, which was given him without measure.
' tAcityoi Judah, situated on an eminence overlooking Tekoah, at the distance of nine miles south,
and about six miles southwest of Jerusalem, lt was also called Ephrath (Gen. xxxv. 16-19), and Ephralan,
Ruth iv. 11. Though a city of no great note, it was celebrated as the birth-place of David (1 Sam. xvi. 1) ,
and it became famous as the birth-place of the Messiah (Mic. v. 2, Matt. ii. 5-8). The village of Bethlehem,
in 1784, was supposed to contain six hundred men capable, of bearing arms ; but war and tyrannical gov
ernment have reduced it to a miserable condition. Mr. Whiting, an American missionary, visited it in
1834, when ithadjust suffered severely from oppressive despotism ; and lie passed over the ruins of houses
and fields that had just then been demolished, and parks of olive and fig-trees wliich had been cut down by
order of the pacha, for alleged rebellion and (light, lt is now called Beet-la-hm, and contains about 8,000
professing Christians.
t There has been much misconception both as regards, the " inn" and the " manger :" for although it has
been rightly apprehended by some recent writers, that the inn must be understood to answer to the still
existing " caravansary" of the East, they have wanted that practical acquaintance witli details, wliich
could alone enable them to apply their general information effectively to the illustration of the present pas
sage. In the East the i is not, and we have no information or probability that there ever were, such places of
entertainment as v ° understand when we speak of " inns." A person who comes to a town, where he,
has no friends to receive him into their houses, seeks accommodation at the caravansary or khan, where
he may stay as long as he pleases, generally without payment : but is only provided with lodging for him
self and beast, if he has any, and with water from a well on the premises. The room or cell which he ob
tains is perfectly bare. He may procure a mat, perhaps, but nothing more : and hence every one who
travels, provided he has a beast, takes with him a rug, a piece of carpet, or even a mattress (that is, a thick
rruilt, padded with wool or cotton), or something of the sort, to form his bed wherever he rests, whether in a
town or country caravansary : but one who travels on foot can not thus encumber himself, and is well content
to make the cloak he had worn by day serve for bed and bedding at night. It is the same with respect to food :
he purchases what he needs from the town or village in or near which the khan may be situated ; and if he-
requires a cooked rneai, he dresses it himself, for which purpose a traveller's baggage also contains one or
more pots and dishes, with a vessel for water. A foot traveller dispenses with warm meals ; unless ho
¦may sometimes be enabled to procure someth ng ready dressed, in the markets of the more considerable
towns to which he comes. In those parts where towns are widely asunder, khans are more or less d»«

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

501

WW AN ILLUSTRATED
Such were the lowly circumstances under which the divine Saviour made h,s ap
pearance in our world ! But though disregarded by men, his birth passed not unno
ticed nor unsung by angels. The event was made known to a company of shepherds,
by one of these celestial messengers, who was suddenly joined by a multitude of the
heavenly hosts, praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in ^he highest, and on earth
peace, good will toward men." This intelligence, thus wonderfully communicated,
carried the shepherds in haste to view the infant, and produced a report which struck
with astonishment all who heard it.
In conformity with the Jewish law, the child Jesus was circumcised, at eight days
old, and, some time afterward, presented before the Lord, in the temple at Jerusa
lem. On this occasion two memorable testimonies were borne to his character, as
the Messiah. Old Simeon, a devout man, who waited for the consolation of Israel.
took the holy infant in his arms, and blessing God, said, " Lord, now lettest thou thy
servant depart in peace, according to thy word ; for mine eyes have seen thy salva
tion !" — while Anna, an aged widow of great piety, coming into the temple at the
same time, " gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that
looked for redemption in Jerusalem."
persed over the open country ; and. in these, or wherever they are not, the traveller lives upon the victual*
which lie has brought with him from the last inhabited town, in tlie knowledge that these remote khans
offer nothing but shelter, and that no provisions can be obtained in their neighborhood. These facts may
be found usefully to illustrate those passages of Scripture which allude to travelling, and to the accom
modation of travellers.
As to the khans themselves, they vary considerably in their arrangements and importance ; and it would
here answer no illustrative purpose to particularize them all. We shall therefore merely mention the plan
and arrangement which most generally prevail in such establishments, and of which the others are merely
variations : the rather, as it so happens, that it is from these that we are ourselves best able to collect what
seerns a clear understanding of the present text.
A khan,. then, usually presents, externally, the appearance of a square, formed by strong and lofty walls
with a high, and often handsome gateway, which offers an entrance, to the interior. On passing through
this, the traveller finds himself in a large open quadrangle, surrounded on all sides by a number of distinct
recesses, the back walls of which contain doors leading to the small cells or rooms which afford to travel
Lcrs the accommodation they require. Every apartment is thus perfectly detached, consisting of the room
and the recess in front. In the latter the occupant usually sits till the day has declined, and there he often
prefers to sleep at night. Besides these private apartments, tliere is usually in the centre of one or more
of these sides of the quadrangle, a large and lofty hall, where the principal persons may meet for conver
sation or entertainment. The floor of all these apartments — the recesses, rooms, and halls, are raised Iwc
or three feet above the level of the court which they surround, upon a platform or bank of earth faced
with masonry. In the centre of the court is a well or cistern, offering to the travellers that most essential
of conveniences in a warm climate— pure water.
Many caravansaries are without stables ; the cattle being accommodated in the open area. But the
most complete establishments have very excellent stables, in covered avenues wliich extend behind the
ranges of apartments — that is, between the back walls of these ranges of building, and the external wall
of the khan ; and the entrance to it is by a covered passage at one of the corners of the quadrangle. The
stable is on a level with the court, and consequently below the level of the buildings, by the height of the
platform on which they stand. Nevertheless, this platform is allowed to project behind into the stable, so
as to form a bench, to which the horses' heads are turned, and on which they can, if they like, rest the
nose-bags, of hair-cloth, from which they eat, to enable them to reach the bottom, when its contents gel
low. It also often happens that not only this bench exists in the stable, but also recesses corresponding to
those in front of the apartments, and formed by the side walls, which divide the rooms, being allowed to
project behind into the stable, just as the projection of the same walls into the great area forms the re
cesses in front. These recesses in the stable, or the bench, if there are none, furnish accommodation to
the servants or others who have charge of the beasts : and when persons find on their arrival that tho
apartments usually appropriated to travellers are already occupied, they are glad to find accommodation in
the stable, particularly when the nights are cold or the season inclement.
Now, in our opinion, the ancient 01 the existing usages of the East supply no greater probability than
that the Saviour of the world was born in such a stable as this. Not knowing that there were stables to
oriental caravansaries, some recent writers of great information and ability have concluded that our Lord
was born in a place distinct from and unconnected in any way with the " inn"— probably in a shed or out
house — perhaps in a cave.
The word rendered " manger" has given occasion to some discussion. The most eminent scholars, since
Salmasius, have held that it means a stable or stall for cattle. The same thing is implied, if it be under
stood to mean a manger. This being the case, it is evident from our description, that the part ofthe stable
could not reasonably have been other than one of those recesses, or at least a portion of the bench, wnich
we have mentioned as affording accommodation to travellers under certain circumstances. If we will
have the word to mean " a manger," with Campbell and others, then we are to consider that the Orientals
have no mangers, but feed their cattle from hair-bags ; a fact which led Bishop Pearce to entertain the
strange idea that the infant Jesus was cradled in such a bag. . It can not even be shown that the classical
ancients, although they fed their horses differently from the Orientals, had any such mangers as ours ; but
either nose-bags or vessels of stone or metal. Therefore, if we would retain the word " manger," wo must
needs understand it in the large sense of an eating place, not an eating thing— that is, the place to which
the horses' heads were turned when they ate, or on which the thing from which they ate rested while they
did eat. And this brings us to the same conclusion as before ; for. in the above description, we have shown
that, in the stable, their heads are turned toward the same bench or recesses. We therefore think that we
ire fairly entitled to the conclusion which we have stated. The explanation here given was strongly sug
gested to the present writer's mind while himself finding accommodation in a recess of such stables,
when there was " no room" for him in the proper lodging apartments of caravansaries : and he is disposed
to hope that it may be found to obviate the difficulties which have been discovered in the case before ub.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 503
In the meantime a new and uncommon star had appeared in the heavens, which
served as a signal that the star of Jacob had arisen upon the world, and as a guide to
certain persons called " wise men," who came from the east to Jerusalem, to inquire
after him who was " born king of the Jews." When Herod the king had received
information of these things, he determined, if possible, to crush at once the child whom
he considered as the rival of his family. Accordingly, he requested of the wise men,
that when they had found the object of their search, they should bring him word,
that he also might join in paying him adoration.
On leaving Jerusalem, the eastern sages found, to their joy, that the star which
they had seen before they set out on their journey, had again appeared ! It now be
came their guide to Bethlehem, and stood over the house where the holy family ai
this time resided, Having worshipped the wonderful babe, and, according to the
eastern custom, made an offering of gold, frankincense, and myrrh ; and being warned
in a dream of Herod's bloody intention, " they departed into their own country another
way." The tyrant, thus baffled in his purpose, caused all the children to be destroyed
in Bethlehem and the neighboring country, "from two years old and under ;" but
Joseph had received timely notice by an angel, and the heaven-protected infant was
now in Egypt.
The death of Herod (who was succeeded by his son Archelaus) being made known
to Joseph, by an angel, he returned with Mary and the young child, and dwelt in
Nazareth, a city of Galilee, where '¦ the child grew and waxed strong in spirit, filled
with wisdom ; and the grace of God was upon him." From this place Joseph, the
supposed father, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, went yearly to Jerusalem, to the
feast of the passover. On one of these occasions, when he was twelve years old,
having accompanied them to the feast, he was left behind, on the return of his
parents, who travelled a day's journey under the supposition lhat Jesus was in com
pany with some of their relations.
When, however, after discovering their mistake, they returned to the city to make
inquiry, he was found in the temple, " sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing
them, and asking them questions," while the uncommon wisdom .of his youthful mind
astonished all who heard him. " Wist ye not,'.' said he to his parents, when they
had thus found him, " that I must be about my father's business?" He then went
down with them to Nazareth, and was subject to them ; " hicreasing in wisdom and
stature, and in favor with God and man."
While thus the early part of the life of Jesus was spent at Nazareth in Galilei,
John, who was designed as his forerunner in the ministry, was raised to maturity in
that part of Judea which was called the desert, or the wilderness. In this retired
situation, in the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea,
Herod, tetrarch of Galilee, and Annas and Caiaphas being high-priests, John received
a divine commission ; in consequence of which, he went forth into the country aboul
Jordan, preaching the necessity of repentance for the remission of sins ; exhorting the
people to the practice of righteousness ; directing their attention to the Messiah, who
was shortly to follow him ; and baptizing all who gave evidence of the power of his
doctrine on their hearts ; hence he was called " John the Baptist."
The appearance of this preacher, who was clothed in raiment of camel's hair, with
a leathern girdle about his loins ; the doctrines which he so earnestly inculcated ; and
the strict sanctity and self-denial of his life, excited great attention among the people,
and drew crowds to his baptism. In the meantime, to the multitudes who attended
his ministry, he failed not to declare the superiority of the approaching Messiah ; in
forming the people, that while he himself baptized with water only, a mightier One
would come after him, who should baptize with the Holy Ghost.
While John was thus employed, Jesus, who had hitherto lived in retirement, being
now about thirty years of age, made his appearance at the river Jordan, and claimed
the ordinance of baptism at the hands of his servant. On this occasion God was
pleased to introduce his Son to the world ; for upon his being baptized, and going up
out ofthe water, the heavens were opened, the Holy Ghost descended upon him like
a dove, and the voice of the eternal Father proclaimed, " This is my beloved Son, in
whom I am well pleased."
Immediately after this solemnity, Jesus was conducted, by an impulse of the Holy
Spirit, into the wilderness, where, in a state of seclusion from the world, he spent
forty days in fasting and communion with God, as a preparation for the great work
f the ministry, which he was about to undertake. Here he was assaulted witb

504 AN ILLUSTRATED .
three powerful temptations from the devil, each of which was repelled by an appeal
o the written word of God.
First, he was tempted to turn stones into bread, that he might thus at once prove
liis power, as the Son of God, and allay his hunger. But he answered, " It is written,
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the
mouth of God." Secondly, the devil requested that he would prove himself to be
under the protection of Heaven, by casting himself down from the pinnacle (or battle
ments) of the temple ; but Christ showed the wickedness of tempting, or rashly pre
suming on divine providence, by answering, " It is written, Thou shalt not tempt the
Lord thy God." Thirdly, he was promised, by this impudent tempter, all the king
doms of the world, if he would fall down and worship him to which, with holy in
dignation, Jesus answered, "Get thee hence, Satan; for it is written, Thou shall
worship the Lord ihy God, and him only shalt thou serve."
The infernal enemy, thus baffled in all his attempts, was compelled to leave the
conqueror; angels came and ministered to his wants; and Jesus went forth from bis
retirement, to enter on the glorious work of blessing, reforming, and redeeming lost
man. While the Redeemer was thus secluded from the world, the report of John's min
istry and baptism having excited the notice of the Jewish council, messengers were
sent from that body to learn who this strange character might be. To their inquiry
on this point, John answered, that he was not the Christ, nor the prophet Elijah
(who in their opinion was to revisit the earth); but that he was come as " the voice
of one crying in the wilderness; make straight the way of the Lord" — according to
ihe prophecy of Isaiah ; declaring, at the same time, that there was one who had
appeared among the people, the latchet of whose shoes he was not worthy to loose.
On the next day, Jesus having now returned from the desert, John saw him ap
proaching, and took occasion to point him out to the people, under the character of
" the Lamb of God, which takelh away the sin of the world ;" announcing him as
ihe person of whose coming he had before given notice, and testifying, in plain and
positive terms, that he was the Son of God. Again, on the following day, looking on
i lie divine Saviour as he was walking at some little distance, he repeated his former
expression, " Behold ihe Lamb of God !" in consequence of which, two of John's
disciples attached themselves to Christ, and became his followers.
One of these disciples was Andrew ; the other, though not. named, was probably
John, who afterward wrote one of the gospels, and is distinguished by the title of
" the beloved disciple." Shortly afterward they were joined by three others, viz.,
Simon Peter (who is called Cephas) ; Philip, of Bethsaida; and Nathanael, of whom
Fesus tesiified that he was an Israelite indeed, in whom was no guile. With these
'lisciples our Lord attended a marriage in Cana* of Galilee, where he wrought his
* Cana of Galilee (see engraving, page 481), is a village, consisting of a few miserahle huts. The ground
rises gently toward the village ; it is stony, and partially cove-red with short grass : olive trees grow here.
The hills in the distance are gray and barren. The ruins of a church are sfiown to the traveller : it is said
to have been erected by the Emperess Helena on the spot where the nuptial feast was celebrated, of which
we have an account in John, ii. 1-10 ; and there is also exhibited a stone vessel, which is gravely said to
nave been one of those usod on that occasion. When Dr. Clarke .visited Cana, in walking among the ruins,
he observed large massy pots of stone, answering to the description given by the evangelist. They were
not preserved or exhibited as relics, but were lying about, disregarded by the modern inhabitants, as anti
quities with the use of which they were unacquainted. From their appearance, and the' rrumber of tliern,
it is quite evident that the practice of keeping water in large stone pots, each holding from eighteen to
twenty-seven gallons, was once common in this country.
About a quarter of a mile from the village is a spring of delicious water, close to the road, whence all
ihe' water is taken for the supply of the inhabitants. Here pilgrims usually' halt, as the source ofthe water
which our Saviour, by his first -miracle, converted into wine. At such places it is usual to meet, either
shepherds reposing witli their flocks, or caravans halting to drink. There being a few olive trees near the
Bpot, travellers alight, spread their carpets, and, having filled their pipes, generally smoke tobacco and
take coffee ; always preferring repose in those places to the accommodations which are offered in the villages.
While Mr Rae Wilson was sitting upon the shattered wall which enclosed " the well of Cana, six females,
having their faces veiled, came down to the well, each carrying on her head a pot for the purpose of being
filled with water." " These vessels are formed of clay, hardened by the heat of the sun, and a,e of a
globular shape and large at the mouth, not unlike the bottles used in our country for holding vitriol, bul
not so large. Many of them have handles attached to the sides : and it was a wonderful coincidence
with Scripture, that the vessels appeared to contain much about the same quantitv as those which, the
evangelist informs us, were employed on occasion of the celebration of the marriage which was honor
ed by the Saviour's presence ; viz., tliree firkins, of about twelve gallons, each. It is a further re
markable circumstance, that, in the Holy Land, it rarely happens that men are employed for the purpose o»
drawing water : but it is a duty entirely devolving on the females, and shows strongly that such a prartice
nas been continued from the earliest ages." (Gen. xxi. 31, xxiv. 11-30. Exod. ii. 16.) The female figures
seen in the foreground of our engraving were barefooted, and very miserable They were all veiled with
a large calico sheet which they wrapped in folds around them.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

505

.506 AN ILLUSTRATED
first public miracle, by turning water into wine ; thus supplying the need of the
guests, and confirming the faith of his disciples.
From Cana, Jesus went to Capernaum, a city of Galilee; and thence, after a
short stay, to Jerusalem, where he attended the feast of the passover, for the first
time after his entrance into the ministry. On this occasion he found the temple oc
cupied as a place of traffic by some who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, for the sacrifices,
and by others who accommodated the traders by changing money. Filled with holy
indignation to see the house of God thus profaned, he drove them forth from the
temple with a scourge of small cords, pouring out the money of the exchangers, and
overturning the tables at which they were sitting.
The miracles which were performed by our Lord, during this feast of the passover,
induced numbers to believe in him, and excited the attention of many others. Among
these was Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, who made a visit to Jesus by night, in
order to have a private conference with him on the subject of his doctrines and the
nature of that kingdom which had been lately spoken of.
In answer, therefore, to his first address, the great Teacher assured him that it was
absolutely necessary, in order to the enjoyment of the kingdom of God, that a man
should be " born again ;" or that such a renewal of the heart should be experienced
as might be termed " a new birth." Having further informed him that this divine
change was to be effected by the influence of the Holy Spirit, our Lord went on to
instruct him in the doctrine of salvation, by faith in the Son of God ; and closed his
discourse by showing the difference between the follower of evil and the follower of
truth — a discourse which, eventually, appears to have made a salutary impression on
the mind of Nicodemus.
The passover being ended, Jesus left Jerusalem and went into other parts of Judea,
where he employed his disciples in baptizing, and was followed by great numbers of
people ; and when an account of this was brought to John the Baptist,' that faithful
herald, so far from being displeased at. the rising glory of his Master, rejoiced in the
prospect, and again took the occasion to set forth the superior excellence of the per
son and ministry of the Son of God.
The course of John was now near its close ; for about this time, having reproved
Herod for taking away his brother Philip's wife, he was imprisoned by the tetrarch,
and not long after was, by his order, put to death. A more particular account of this
event will be given hereafter. In the meantime, Jesus departed from Judea on a
journey to Galilee ; and passing in his way through the country of Samaria, he held
a conversation with a woman of that country, which produced a happy change in
her character, and through her means many of the Samaritans were brought to hear
his word, and to believe in him as the promised Messiah.
Arriving in Galilee, he proclaimed " the gospel of the kingdom of God" to the
people, many of whom were disposed to receive the heavenly message ; and being
numbly and earnestly applied to by a nobleman in behalf of his son, who was sick
at Capernaum, the compassionate Saviour gave the healing word, and the young man
was restored.
While in the country of Galilee (where, we are told, he had come " in the power
of the spirit"), Jesus enterrd into a synagogue at Nazareth, and stood up to read.
The book of the prophecy of Isaiah was delivered to him, and he opened to a predic
tion which pointed immediately to himself. This passage, he declared to the congre
gation, was that day fulfilled. But some of his remarks gave such offence to the
Nazarenes, that they violently thrust him out, and led him to the brow of the moun
tain on which the city stood, designing to cast him down headlong from the precipice.
This, however, he miraculously avoided, by passing through the midst of them and ,
going his way.
Leaving Nazareth* after this outrage, Jesus took up his abode in Capernaum, where
he went on to preach the necessity of repentance as a preparation for that divine
kingdom which was now at hand. Here, as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw
Simon Peter, and Andrew his brother, who were fishermen, and who it seems had
* A city of Zebulon in Galilee, about seventy miles north of Jerusalem : it stood low in public estimation
for the character of its inhabitants (John i. 46), yet it became famous as the residence of Jesus until he
entered on his ministry (Matt. i. 23, Luke ii. 51, iv. 16). Nazareth still exists with apopulation of from 8,000
to 4,000, some of whom are Mohammedans, but mostly of several sects of ignorant and superstitious pio-
fessors of Christianity. The Roman Catholics have a church here, called the " Church of the Annuncia
tion," the most magnificent of any in the land, except that at Jerusalem.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

50?

508 AN ILLUSTRATED
returned for awhile to their former employment. These, he now called to oecomc
nis constant attendants, as well as James and John, the sons of Zebedee, whom he
found engaged in the same occupation.
These fishermen (who were henceforward to be employed in catching men) let
down their nets at the direction of Christ, and enclosed sueh a multitude of fish as
struck them with astonishment and awe ; and having brought their vessels to the
.and, they forsook all and followed iheir Master.
The ministry of our Lord at Capernaum was marked with signal and wonderful
instances of his power and goodness. While he was in the synagogue, there ap
peared a man in the congregation possessed with ihe spirit of a demon, who cried
out in a fearful manner, and acknowledged him to be " the Holy One of God." At
the word of Jesus the man was straightway released from the fury of this foul spirit.
Coming from the synagogue into the house of Simon Peter, he found the mother of
Peter's wife lying ill of a fever, and taking her by the hand " he rebuked the fever,"
which immediately left her, and she arose restored to health.
The fame of these miracles drew together in the evening great numbers of people,
who thronged the house where Jesus had taken up his lodging, bringing with, them
those that " were sick with divers diseases," and " many that were possessed with
devils," toward all of whom the gracious Saviour manifested the kindness of his
heart by delivering them from their various maladies. The voice of fame, however,
did not occasion our Lord to forget the exercises of devotion, nor did his labors cause
him to neglect them ; for we , are told that, rising up early the next morning, " he
departed into a solitary place, and there prayed."
The blessings of the ministry and miracles of Christ were not confined to Ca
pernaum. " He went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preach
ing the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner
of disease anions the people." His fame also went throughout the country of
Syria, whence they brought the afflicted to experience the effects of his heal
ing power. "And there followed him," we are told, " great multitudes of people,
from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from
beyond Jordan."
But though our Redeemer was thus compassionate to the bodies of men, to heal
their snuls and to reform their conduct was his great object. He availed himself,
therefore, of the opportunity which the vast crowd collected together now afforded to
deliver a discourse, which is generally termed " the sermon on the mount," — a dis
course replete with those heavenly doctrines and precepts which form so distinguish
ing a character of his holy religion.
On coming down from the mountain, he was addressed by a man afflicted with the
leprosy, in compliance with whose humble petition Jesus put forth his hand and
healed him. Afterward he entered again into Capernaum, where he was attended
by crowds, who came to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. Among others,
a man sick of the palsy was brought forward, but because of the multitude about
the door he was let down on his bed through ihe roof of the house. This remarkable
instance of faith met the approbation of our Lord, who pronounced the cure of the
sick man by saying, " Son, be of good cheer ; thy sins be forgiven thee."
Some of the scribes and Pharisees who were present on this occasion considered
this declaration as blasphemy; but, to show them that he had indeed the power to
forgive sins, Jesus addressed the paralytic man, saying, " Arise, and take up thy bed,
and go thy way into thine house." The word of Christ was immediately obeyed,
and " he departed to his own house, glorifying God." Shortly after this wonderful
event, Matthew (otherwise called Levi), a publican, or fax-gatherer, was called by
Christ to become his disciple and attendant; aud such was the influence of this call
that he immediately left his employment and followed Jesus.
The time of the passover* being now again near at hand, Jesus went up to Jeru
salem, in order to be present at the feast. Here he performed a remarkable cure on
a poor afflicted man, who had labored under an infirmity for thirty-eight years. This
helpless creature was lying near a pool, called Bethesda,t to which numbers of dis-
« This is simply called, by the evangelist, " a feast of the Jews ;" though it seems probable that it was the
feast of the passover.
I No pool named IJethesda is noticed by the Jewish writers ; but it is thought by some that it may have
been tho great pool of which they say, that, between Hebron and Jerusalem was the fountain EthsW
Irom wliich the waters were conducted in pipes to to thegieat poolin Jerusalem Benjamin of Tudel" • .-*t

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 500
eased persons resorted, on account of a supernatural virtue produced in the water by
the going down of an angel, at certain seasons, into the, pool. The first who stepped
in after the stirring ofthe water was healed of his disorder : but this poor man,
having no one to assist him at such seasons, still missed the opportunity of a cure^
The compassionate Jesus, however, fo"nd him, and administered to him that relief
whicn he sought in vain at the pool of Jethesda.
It was the sabbath-day when this a*:t of mercy was performed ; and as the Jews
saw the man who had been healed carrying his bed, they took occasion to find fault,
and to persecute Jesus as a breaker of tne Sabbath. This produced a defence on the
part of Christ, in which we find him declaring- himself the Son of God — asserting
his authority over the living and the dead — and appealing to undeniable evidences to
prove and establish the divine character to which he laid claim.
Not long after this, our Lord again incurred the censure of the Pharisees for heal
ing on the Sabbath. In a synagogue in Galilee, he found a man whose right hand
was withered: he restored the hand to soundness, and defended his conduct; but his
arguments, though they confounded his adversaries, served to incense them the more,
and they communed together and took counsel how they might destroy him.
In consequence of these malicious designs, Jesus retired to the sea of Tiberias,*
where he continued to teach the multitudes that resorted to him, and to heal all who
were diseased. Here too, after having spent a whole night in prayer on a mountain,
he called together his disciples, from among whom* he chose twelve, ordaiuing them
as apostles, or special messengers, who were to hold the highest offices in the
of a pool, as existing in his time, at which the ancients were supposed to have slain their sacrifices ; and
lie very probably had in view the pool which is at present considered to represent the "pool of Bethesda"
of our text. Many, from the mention of sheep in connexion with the pool, surmise that here the sheep
destined for sacrifice were washed. If so, tlie washing was either before or after the victims were slaugh
tered: hut it was not required that they should be washed before being slaughtered : and for the washing
of the victims after they had been slain, there was in the temple a chamber with a proper supply of water
It is perhaps best, therefore, to take the word Ko\\^>Pn&pa, rendered " pool," in its more definite acceptation
pf " bath," and understand that the pool was a bath for unclean persons, for whose accommodation the
"five porches" or cloistered walks were erected.
Bethesda means "house of mercy, grace, or goodness;" doubtless because many miserable objects there
received mercy and healing. Athanasius speaks of the pool itself as still existing in his time, although the
surrounding buildings were, as we might expect, in ruin. The place to which the name of the pool of
Bethesda is now given, is very possibly the Same .thus mentioned. Chateaubriand thinks it offers the only
example now left of the primitive architecture of the Jews at Jerusalem. In conformity with other fravel-
lers, lie states that it is still to be seen near St. Stephen's gate. It was situated near the temple, on the
north ; and is a reservoir one hundred and fifty feet long, and forty wide. The sides are walled, aud these
walls are composed of abed of large stones, joined together by iron cramps; a wall of mixed materials runs
upon these large stones ; a layer of flints is stuck upon the surface of this wall : and a coating laid over
these flints. The four beds are perpendicular to the bottom, and not horizontal ; the costing was on the
side next to the water, and the large stones rested, as they still do, against the ground. The pool is now
dry and filled up. Here grow some pomegranate-trees and a species of wild tamarind of a bluish color;
^he western angle is quite full of nopals. On the west side may also be seen two arches, which probably
led to an aqueduct that carried the water into the interior of the temple. Chauteaubriand considers thai
this pool is at the same time the Bethesda of Scripture and the Stagnum Salomonis of Josephus • and pre
sumes that it offers all which now remains of the Jerusalem of David and Solomon.
* Reflections at Tiberias.— The composure which came over my feverish spirits at this hour was inex
pressibly refreshing : I laid myself down upon the ground, and, resting my head upon a stone near me,
drew a little coolness from the soil : while the simple train of reflections which naturally sprung up from
the scene around me added much to my enjoyment. At a great distance to the nonli was the mountainous
horizon, on the summit of which stands Safet, glistening with its noble castle. It is not improbably sup
posed that our Saviour had this spot in his eye, and directed the attention of his disciples to it, when he
said, " A city that is set on a hill can not be hid ;" for it is in full view from the Mount of Beatitudes as
well as from this place ; and, indeed, seems to command all the country round to a great extent. Tracing,
at a glance, the margin of this simple lake, on the opposite or eastern side, tlie eye rests on the inhospi
table country of the Gadarenes— inhospitable to this day. But that which awakens the tenderest emo
tions in viewing a scene like this, is the remembrance of One who, formerly, so often passed this way ; and
never passed without leaving, by his words and actions, some memorial of his divino wisdom and lave.
Here, or in this neighborhood, most of his mighty works were done : and in our daily religious services, we
have read, with the most intense interest,' those passages ofthe gospel which refer to these regions.
However uncertain qther traditional geographical notices may be, here no doubt interrupts our enjoyment
in tracing the Redeemer's footsteps. Here Jesus called the sons of Zebedee, from mending their nets, tc
become "fishers of men." Here he preached to the multitudes crowding to the water's edge, himself
putting off a little from the shore in Simon Peter's boat. But there is not now a single boat upon the lakt
to remind us of its former use. Yonder, on the right must have been the very spot where, in the middle
of their passage from this side toward Bethsaida and Capernaum, the disciples we, s affrighted at seeing
Jesus upon the water— when he gently upbraided the sinking faith of Peter— when he said to the winds
and waves, " Be still !"— and the sweet serenity which now rest upon the surface is the very same still
ness which then succeeded. Here, finally, it was that Jesus appeared, the third time after his resurrection,
to his disciples (John xxi.), and put that question to the zealous, backslidden, but repentant Peter, " Simon,
»on of Jonas, lovest thou me ?"— one question thrice repeated ; plainly denoting what the Saviour requires
of all who profess to be his ; and followed -ip by that solemn charge, " Feed my lambs— feed my sheep,"

610 AN ILLUSTRATED
church, and to whom he gave authority not only to preach in his name, but to hea.
diseases and to cast out devils.
The names of these twelve apostles were Simon, surnamed Peter, and Andrew his
brother ; James and John, the sons of Zebedee ; Philip and Bartholomew : Matthew
the publican, and Thomas, surnamed Didvmus ; James, the son of Alpheus, and
Judas (or Jude) his brother;* Simon the Canaanite, surnamed Ze'otes; and Judas
Iscariot, who proved the betrayer of his Master.

CHAPTER II.
MIRACLES — TRANSFIGURATION — BLESSES LITTLE CHILDREN.
Having appointed the twelve apostles to their high office, our Lord, attended by
the whole company of his disciples and a great multitude from different parts, stood
in a plain, and repeated, in substance, a considerable part of his sermon on the mount,
after which he entered into Capernaum, where he restored to health the servant of a
Roman centurion,! and then, leaving Capernaum, he entered into the city of Nain.
Hitherto we have seen the great Saviour of men displaying his power in healing
diseases and expelling demons : we are now to behold him exercising his authority
over death ! At the gate of the- city of Nain he met a train of mourners, attending
the corpse of a young man, who was the only son of his mother, and she a widow.
Jesus had compassion on the disconsolate parent : he spoke to her a word of encour
agement ; and, addressing the corpse as it lay on the bier, commanded the young man
to arise. His word was attended with life : " he that was dead sat up and began to
speak, and he delivered him to his mother."
This astonishing miracle struck the multitude with awe, and a rumor concerning
this great prophet " went forth throughout all Judea, and throughout all the region
round about." In the meantime, the disciples of John resorting to their master in
prison and giving him an account of these miracles, he sent two of his disciples to
Jesus, with an inquiry whether he was indeed the expected Messiah. It does not
seem probable that this step was taken in consequence of any doubt in the mind
of John ; but, for whatever purpose it might have been intended, our Lord returned
an appiopriate answer, and then bore his testimony to the character of this faithful
and eminent servant of God.
After an awful warning to the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum —
where most o' his mighty works had been done — and a gracious invitation to labor
ing and heavy-laden sinners, to come and find rest in his service, our Lord entered
into the house of Simon, a Pharisee, being invited by the owner to eat with him ;
and here an occurrence took place, which served further to manifest the abundant
grace of the Redeemer's heart.
A woman who had been a notorious sinner, but who was now a real penitent,
humbly approached with an alabaster-box of ointment, stooped, weeping, at the feet
of Jesus, and, washing them with her tears, wiped them with the hairs of her head,
iind anointed them with the ointment. The condescension of Christ in suffering this
freedom from a person of her character, met the disapprobation of the Pharisee ; but
Jesus showed him by a striking parable, the impropriety of his censure, and pro
nounced the sins of the penitent woman forgiven.
After this, accompanied by his twelve apostles, " he went throughout every city
and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God." Certain
women also, " who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities," attended him, and
assisted in supplying his wants. Among these was Mary Magdalene, out of whom,
we are told, he had cast seven devils.
Having healed a poor creature who was blind and dumb, and possessed by a demon,
Jesus was accused by the Pharisees, of casting out devils through Beelzebub, the
prince of devils. This wicked and absurd charge he clearly confuted ; and warned
them that their sinful malice in thus sinning against the Holy Ghost, would never be:
forgiven. Some of the scribes and Pharisees then required of him a sign fromi
heaven ; but he refused to gratify their vain curiosity ; and having delivered many
solemn admonitions, and much divine instruction, he departed to the seaside, where'
* Called als-t Lebbeus, whose surname was Thaddeus.
> A captain over a hur dred soldiers.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

511

If*

512 AN ILLUSTRATED
he taught the people in a series of parables, which he afterward expounded more
fully to his disciples.
lie who had power over demons, diseases, and death, could also control the winds
and the seas. An instance of this occurred, when going on board a vessel with his
disciples, in order to pass over the lake of Tiberias,* there arose a great tempes-t, and
the ship was. covered with the waves. In the midst of the storm, Jesus was asleep
in the hinder part of the vessel ; but the disciples, overwhelmed with fear, broke in
upon his slumber, crying out, " Master, master, we perish !" He arose from his pil-
* Tiberias, one of the principal cities of Galilee, was erected by the tetrarch Herod Antipas, who gave it
this appellation in honor of 1;he emperor Tiberius. It was this Herod who beheaded John the Baptist (Matt
xiv. 3-11), and who sought the life of Christ himself (Luke xiii. 31). He probably resided in Tiberias ,
which may be the reason why the Saviour never visited this place. It was situated near the sea of Gali
lee, on a plain of singular fertility, which was greatly increased by assiduous cultivation. Josephus de
scribes this region as a perfect paradise, blessed with a delicious temperature, and producing the fruits oi
every climate under heaven, not at stated periods merely, but in endless succession throughout the year
The neglect of agriculture in modern times has, of course, made it less productive ; but the mildness of
the climate, and the richness of the soil, are still extolled by travellers. When the Romans made wai
upon the Jews, Tiberias surrendered without waiting for <\ siege : on this account the Jews remained un
molested ; and after the destruction of Jerusalem, this cicy became eminent fo~r its academy, over which a
succession of Jewish doctors presided until the fourth century. In the early ages of Christianity, Tiberias
was an episcopal see ; in the seventh century it was taken by the Saracens under the calif 0.nar ; and
though it passed into the hands of the Christians during the crusades, the Mahometans regained the pos-
sess'on of it toward the close of the fourteenth century. Widely scattered ruins of walls and other build
ings, as well as fragments of columns, indicate the ancient extent of Tiberias The stone of these
ruins is described by the Rev. William Jowett as being " very black, so that there is nothing about them of
the splendor of antiquity— nothing but an air of mourning and desolation. In this circumstance they dif
fer so greatly from the magnificent antiquities of Egypt and Greece, as to leave the most sombre impres
sion on the fancy: they are perfectly funereal."
The modern town of Tiberias, which is delineated in our engraving, is, by the natives, called Tabaria, or
Tabbareeah ; it occupies part of the site of the -ancient city, and is situated at a short distance to the east
from the sea of Galilee. It is surrounded with walls and towers, which at first view are very imposing:
on a nearer approach, however, their insignificance is apparent. A few cannon would put them down in
an instant, though to an assault from the natives they would present, probably, a very long and effectual
resistance. One fourth of the space within the walls is stated by Dr. Richardson to be unoccupied by
house or building, and many parts of the town are in a ruined and filthy condition. The population has
bepn computed at one thousand five hundred or two thousand persons ; eighty houses are occupied by
Christians, and one hundred and fifty by Turks, but the largest portion (amounting to two hundred) is
tenanted by Jews of all nations, who come here to spend the rest of their days. On the north side of the
town, not far from the lake, there is a Greek church, the architecture of which exhibits much of the
character of those sacred edifices which were erected by the Emperess Helena: it is said to occupy tlie
identical spot on which stood the house of the apostle Peter, who, previously to his becoming a disciple ot
Jesus Christ, had been a fisherman on the lake.
To the south of Tiberias lie the celebrated hot baths, the water of which contains a strong solution of
muriate of soda (common salt), with a considerable intermixture of iron and sulphur; it emits a powerful
sulphurous smell. A thermometer placed in different spots where the water gushes out, rose to the various
heights of 131, 132, 138, and 139 degrees of Fahrenheit; in the bath, where it cools after standing some
time, its temperature was 110. An humble building is erected over the bath, containing mean apartments,
on one side for men, on the other for women : it is much frequented, as a cure for almost every complaint,
particularly by the Jews, who have a great veneration for a Roman sepulchre excavated in a cliff near the
spot, which they imagine to be the tomb of Jacob. About a mile from the town, and exactlyin front of the
lake, is a chain of rocks, in which are distinctly seen cavities or grottoes that have resisted the ravages ol
time. These are uniformly represented to travellers as the places referred to in the gospel history, which
were the resort of miserable and fierce demoniacs, upon one of whom Jesus Christ wrought a miraculous
and instantaneous cure (Matt. viii. 26 ; Markov. 2, 3 ; Luke viii. 37).
The sea of Galilee, which is seen in the back ground of our engraving, derives its name from .ts situa
tion on the eastern borders of the province of Galilee ; it was anciently called the sea of Chinnereth, »r
Chinneroth (Numb, xxxiv. 11 ; Josh. xii. 3), from its vicinity to a town of that name. In 1 Mac. xi. 67, it Is
called the water of Gennesar, and in Luke v. 1, the lake of Gennesaret, from the neighboring land of th it
name. Its most common appellation is the sea of Tiberias, from the contiguous town of Tiberia, which has
been described in the preceding paragraphs.
This capacious lake is from twelve to fifteen miles in length, and from six to nine in breadth ; along the
shore its depth varies, and in some parts it may be sixty feet. The water is perfectly fresh, and is used by
the inhabitants of Tiberias to drink, and for every culinary purpose. The waters of the northern part of
this lake abound with delicious fish. It is remarkable that there is not a single boat of any description on
the sea of Tiberias at present, although it is evident from the gospel history that it was much navigated in
the time of Jesus Christ. The fish are caught partly by the fishermen going into the water up to theii
waists, and throwing in a hand-net, and partly with casting-nets from the beach ; the consequence is that
a very small quantity only is taken, in comparison of what might be obtained if boats were employed. This
accounts for the circumstance of fish being so dear at Tiberias, as to be sold at the same price per pound
as meat. Viewed from a height, the water looks, amid the surrounding mountains, like an immense res
ervoir j and from the northern part being covered with volcanic remains, it has been conjectured-that this
lake was at one period the crater of a volcano. It has been compared by travellers to Loch Lomond in
Scotland ; and, like the lake of Windermere in Westmoreland, it is often greatly agitated by winds. A
strong current marks the passage of the Jordan through this lake ; and when this is opposed by contrary
winds, which blow here with the force of a hurricane from the southeast, sweeping into the lake from tho
mountains, a boisterous sea is instantly raised, which the small vessels of the country (such as were
anciently in use) were ill qualifiedto resist Such a tempest is described in Matt. viii. 24-26, which W3»
miraculously calmed by Jesus Christ with a word. The broad and extended surface of this lake, " cover
ing the bottom of a profound valley, surrounded by lofty and precipitous eminences, when added to the iin
pressioi under which every Christian pilgrim approaches, gives to it a character of unparalleled dignity.'

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 512
ow, and gently reproving their want of faith, " rebuked the winds and the sea, and
there was a great calm !"
Arriving in the country of the Gadarenes (or Gergesenes), on the other side of the
lake, he was met by two men, coming out from among the tombs, who, though pos
sessed with devils, and raging with madness, cried out, acknowledging Jesus to bt-
the Son of God. From these unhappy creatures he expelled the infernal spirits, suf
fering them, at their own request, to take possession of a herd of swine, which were
feeding near the seaside; whereupon the whole herd ran violently down into the
sea, and perished.
The loss of the swine, and probably the fear of some other calamity, induced the
wicked Gadarenes earnestly to request that Jesus would leave their country ; and
thus they lost the benefits and blessings of his ministry; for he accordingly departed
from the coast of Gadara, aud returned to the city of Capernaum.
While in the house of Matthew, who had made an entertainment for his master,
he received an application from the ruler of the synagogue, by the name of Jairus,
who fell at his feet, begging that he would come and heal his little daughter, then
lying at the point of death. Before he arrived at the ruler's house, the spirit of the
damsel had fled ; but Jesus, taking her by the hand, awoke her from the sleep of
death, and restored her to the astonished and rejoicing parpins.
After several other miracles of mercy and goodness, and a considerable time speni
in proclaiming the good news of salvation, in different parts ofthe country, where he
observed the multitudes as sheep without a shepherd, Jesus determined that the
gospel should be more diffusively published. Accordingly, having called together his
twelve apostles, and addressed them with a discourse filled with suitable instruction,
advice, and encouragement, he sent them forth, by two and two, to preach the king
dom of God among " the lost sheep ofthe house of Israel," and to work miracles
through his power.
Thus commissioned, the apostles went forward into the work; nor did their master
remain inactive: "He departed thence, to teach aod to preach" in the different cities
of the Jews.
In the meantime John the Baptist had ended his mortal race, having fallen a sac
rifice to the pride of Herod, and the cruelty of his unlawful wife Herodias. At
Herod's birth-night feast, the daughter of this Herodias so pleased the king, by her
expertness in dancing, that he promised, with an oath, to give her whatsoever she
might ask. The occasion was seized by the wicked Herodias, who instructed her
daughter to ask the head of John the Baptist. This was accordingly done ; and the
bloody gift was presented to the damsel in a charger.
On the return of the twelve apostles, and their report to Christ, he took them with
him to a desert place, there to spend some little time in retirement. Thither, how
ever, the people quickly followed him ; and in this wilderness, the situation of the
multitude drew forth a new instance of the Redeemer's power and goodness. They
were without food, and likely to suffer for the want of it. But a lad present having
five barley loaves and two small fishes, these were so increased, under the wonder
working hands of Christ, that five thousand men, besides a number of women and
cliildren, were amply supplied, and twelve baskets were filled with the fragments
which remained.
This miracle, so pleasing to the multitude, produced a determination, on their part,
to make Christ a temporal king ; but, far from acceding to these views, he dismissed
the crowd, and sending his disciples on before him, in a vessel, he retired to a mount
ain, and spent the evening in prayer.
While Jesus was thus engaged in secret devotion, the disciples were tossed on the
water by a tempestuous windf But about the fourth watch of the night (or three
o'clock in the morning), they saw him approaching the vessel, walking on the waves.
Struck with the sight of what appeared to them to be a si/irit, " they cried oat foi
fear." But Jesus quickly removed their apprehensions; ard Peter, if: the forward
ness of his heart, obtained leave to meet him on the water. Soon, however, his fear
overpowered his faith, and, beginning to sink, he was dependant on the hand of hib
master for deliverance from death.
Landing on the coast of Gennesareth, Jesus was, in a little time, surrounded by
numbers bringing the sick in beds, to be healed. In the meantime, many of the
people who had been miraculously fed by Christ, followed him to the city of Capcr-
33

514 AN ILLUSTRATED
naum. But Jesus taking occasion to reprove their selfish motives, directed their at
lention to that food which would nourish the soul; declaring himself to be the bread
of God which came down from heaven, to give life to the world. The heavenly dis
course which he delivered, gave offence to some of his carnal followers, while it ex
hibited the only means of restoring lost sinners to spiritual life and eternal felicity. .
After reproving the Pharisees for their hypocritical attention to mere external
ceremonies, while they overlooked inward purity and a righteous conduct, we find
our Lord departing into the borders of Tyre and Sidon. Here, at the humble entreaty
tf a Syrophenician woman, in behalf of her daughter, who was grievously distressed
by a demon, he delivered the afflicted creature from her calamity ; and then, leaving
these coasts, came near to the sea of Galilee, where, for a while, he rested himself
on a mountain.
To this place the multitudes quickly resorted, bringing with them the lame, the
blind, the dumb, the maimed, and many others, and laying them at the feet of Jesus
to be healed. Here, too, his power and compassion were again manifested, in a
miraculous supply of food; the fainting multitude, to the number of four thousand,
beside women and children, being fed from seven loaves and a few small fishes ; and
seven baskets^full of the fragments being afterward gathered up.
From the place above mentioned, Jesus passed over to Dalmanutha, in the coasts
of Magdala, where he was beset by the Pharisees and Sadducees, who demanded of
him a sign from heaven, but met as they deserved, with a refusal and reproof.
Going thence to the city of Bethsaida, he restored a blind man to sight; after
which, we find him visiting the towns of Cesarea Philippi. In this journey our Lord
entered into a piivate conversation with his disciples, on the, subject of his own person
and character; and from that time began to give them some intimation concerning
his approaching sufferings, and his resurrection from the dead.
The disciples had heretofore seen their Lord, great indeed in power, but lowly in
appearance. It remained for some of them to witness a. splendor in his person, in-
firiitely transcending the pomp of the greatest earthly king. Taking with him three
of his chosen followers, Peter, James, and John, and ascending a high mountain, for.
the purpose of private devotion, it came to ;pass, while engaged, in prayer, that he
was suddenly, and in a glorious manner, transfigured in their presence. His face
shone as the sun,- and his raiment became white and dazzling. At the same time
also, appeared two glorified saints, Moses and Elijah, who entered into a conversa
tion with Jesus, concerning his approaching death, which was to be accomplished al
Jerusalem. It seems to have been the night-season when this wonderful event tool;, place. The
three disciples, fatigued with the labors of the day, had sunk down to, sleep, but
awakened with the splendor of the light, they beheld the glorious scene ; while, as
it passed off, a bright cloud' overshadowed them, and a voice from the .cloud pro
claimed, " This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased ; hear ye him !"
On coming down from the mountain, the next day after the transfiguration, we find
Jesus healing a youth, who from his childhood had been afflicted with lunacy and a
dumb spirit ; and some time afterward, at Capernaum, directing Peter to go to the
sea, and take, from the mouth ofthe first fish which should come to his hook, a piece
of money, for the purpose of paying tribute to the tax-gatherers.
In the way to Capernaum, the disciples, not yet fully acquainted with the spiritual
na ure of their Master's kingdom, had held some dispute among themselves, who
should be the greatest. ; Jesus, therefore, knowing what had passed/ took occasion to
warn them against a vain ambition ; inculcating on their minds a spirit of genuine
humility, as the proper temper to be possessed by his servants, and pointing out the
necessity of renouncing all oojects which might be inconsistent with the service of
God, though dear to the feelings, as the hand, the foot, or the eye, to the body.
After discourse of this sort, and much more, in which our Lord instructed his dis
ciples in the proper manner of dealing with each other, as members of his church,
and pressed on them a ready disposition toward the forgiveness of injuries; we find
him appointing, in addition to the twelve apostles, seventy disciples, whom " he sent
two and two before his face, into every city and place, whither he himself would
come." In the meantime, going up to Jerusalem, to the feast of tabernacles, Jesus entered
into the temple and taught. On this occasion much division and contention ensued

BISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

515

Defile between Jerusalem and Jericho.

516 AN ILLUSTRATED
among the people. Some, offended at his faithful dealing, " sought to take him ;" " but
his hour was not yet come." Some believed in him, as the promised Messiah, and
others rejected him. At length the Pharisees sent chief-priests and officers to appre
hend him ; but, overpowered with the force of his words, they returned without him,
declaring, " Never man spake like this man."
After another instructive lecture, on the following day, and a disputation with the
Jews, we have an account of the return of the seventy disciples to their master, with
the report of their success. While engaged in discourse with these disciples, a cer
tain lawyer (or expounder of the Jewish laws), came forward, and with much self-
consequence and secret contempt of Jesus, proposed a plausible question, but with a
design to involve him in a difficulty. He begged to be informed what he must do, for
the attainment of eternal life. Had the question been proposed with an humble and
teachable disposition, our Lord would doubtless have given a direct and explicit an
swer; but knowing the proud and captious temper of the scribe, he replied in a way
which might tend to humble or silence him. He therefore referred him to the de
mands of the law, upon obedience to which the scribe placed his dependance, assuring
him a complete compliance with those claims, of perfect love to God and man, would
secure to him the blessing desired. " This do, and thou shalt live ;" as if he had said
" Perform, punctually and perpetually, without interruption or imperfection, all the
injunctions of the holy and spiritual law of God, and eternal life shall be thine ; but,
remember, that the least deviation or defect will ruin thee for ever."*
The scribe, willing to stand on his own defence, and to evade conviction, proposeu
another question — " Who is my neighbor ?" It should seem that he, like all others
who seek salvation by their own doings, was desirous of narrowing the demands ot
the law as much as possible, and reducing the number of those to whom the duties
of love were owing. Our Lord wisely took this occasion of confuting the prevalent
notion that neighbors were only such persons as lived near each other, or were con
nected by the ties of blood or religion. He therefore showed, by a parable, that we
ought to extend our kindness to all our fellow-creatures in distress, of whatever nation
or profession, even to those who have been separated from us by party quarrels and
distinctions. " A certain traveller," said our Lord, " going from Jerusalem to Jericho.t was set
* In this manner, St. Paul speaks (Gal. iii. 10), " For as many as are of the works of the law," that is,
who seek justification by it, " are under the curse ;" for it is written, " Cursed is every one that continueth
not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them."
t Jericho was at this time a very important city ; indeed, it would seem from Josephus to have been next
m consequence to Jerusalem itself. At this place also twelve thousand priests and Levites were stationed,
with a view to the rotation of service at Jerusalem. Hence the peculiar propriety with which our Lord in
troduces the priest and Levite as passing this way. The road to Perea, beyond Jordan, also passed tlris
way, whence it was one of the most frequented roads of Palestine. How fitly the road from Jerusalem to
lericho was made the scene of this interesting story, will appear when it is understood that this road has
always been infested by numerous daring and desperate robbers ; and its character is so notorious, even at
the present day, in this respect, that travellers are rarely allowed by the governor of Jerusalem to proceed
to Jericho and the Dead sea without an escort. Josephus intimates, and Jerome says, that the savage
mountainous wilderness through which this road passed had acquired the name of the bloody way. The
monks however have restricted this name, or rather that of the " Valley of Abdonim" (blood), to a small
round, grassy valley, which they have fixed upon as the place where the supposed facts of this parable look
place. That the region is well, suited for a scene of robbery and murder will appear by the following, from
Mr, Buckingham:
" The whole of this road from Jerusalem to Jericho is held to be the most dangerous about Palestine ,
and, indeed, in this portion of it, the very aspect of the scenery is sufficient, on the one hand, to tempt to
robbery and murder, and, on the other, to occasion a dread of it in those who pass that way. It was partly
to prevent any accident happening to us at tllis early stage of our journey, and partly perhaps to calm our
(ears on that score, that a messenger had been despatched by our guides to an encampment of their tube
near, desiring them to send an escort to meet us at this place. We were met here accordingly by a band
of about twenty persons, on foot, all armed with matchlocks, and presenting the most ferocious and robber-
like appearance that could be imagined. The effect of this was heightened by the shouts which they sent
forth Iron hill to hill, and which were re-echoed thiough all the valleys ; while the bold projecting crags of
rock, and the dark shadows in which everything was buried below, the towering height of the cliffs aoo\e,
and the forbidding desolation which everywhere reigned around, presented a picture that was quite in har
mony throughout all its parts. It made us feel most forcibly the propriety of its being chosen as the scene
ol the delightful tale of compassion which we had before so often admired for its doctrine, independently
of its local beauty. In these gloomy solitudes, pillage, wounds, and death, would be accompanied with
double terror fronr the frightful aspect of everything around. Here the unfeeling act of passing by a fellow-
creature in distress, as the priest and Levite are said to have done, strikes one with horror, as an act al-
most more than inhuman. -And here, too, the compassion of the Good Samaritan is doubly virtuous, fronr
the purity of the motive which must have led to it, in a spot where no eyes were fi .ed on him to draw forth
the performance of any duty, and from the courage which was necessary to admit of a man's exposing him
Bull, by such delay, to the risk of a similar fate to that from which he was endeavoring to rescue a fellow-
creature." If space allowed, we should also be glad to transcribe the accoun wliich Sir F Hennike' gives of ma

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HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 517
upon by thieves, who not only rifled him of his clothes and money, but so dangerously
wounded him, that they left him almost expiring on the ground. By chance a priesi
same that way, and saw the poor wretch weltering in his blood : but the sight die!
not affect him, he passed along unconcerned. Next came a Levite, as void of tender
ness and humanity as the priest. At last the groans of the poor wretch stirred up
the curiosity of a Samaritan to see the cause, which he no sooner discovered, but,
moved with compassion, he went to him, raised his head, recalled his fainting spirits.
and closed his gaping wounds with healing balsams ; then mounting him on his own
beast he gently conveyed the man to the first inn, where at his own cost he entertained
him while he stayed with him, and at his departure promised the host to be at what
ever further expense should be incurred." Our blessed Saviour applying this parable
to the lawyer, asked him which he thought was neighbor to the poor traveller. The
lawyer replied, " Undoubtedly he that was kind, and careful of him." Then says he
(o the lawyer, " Go thou and do likewise." Hereby plainly intimating, that no dis
tance of country or religion destroyed the true notion of neighborhood, but every per
son with whom we converse in peace and charity is that neighbor, whom we are to
love as ourselves.
Two sisters, Martha and Mary, who make a considerable figure in the sacred his
tory, now present themselves to our notice. While, at a certain time, Jesus was en
tertained at the house of these pious women, Mary took her seat at the feet of the
divine teacher, in order to receive instruction ; while Martha, suffering herself to be
over-anxious in making provision, complained of her sister's neglect, in not rendering
her assistance. It was on this occasion that Christ gave to Martha that memorable
admonition, so worthy of attention from the human family in general: "Martha,
Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things. But one thing is needful.
Ai;-' Mary hath chosen that good part which shall not be taken away from her."
A great part of the gospel records, which yet remain to be noticed, consist in a de
tail of the discourses delivered by Christ to his disciples, together with reproofs tc
the hypocritical scribes and Pharisees, and a number of interesting parables. A brief
notice of the most remarkable of these objecis, as we pass on, is all that the limits-
of our history will allow.
In answer to the request of his disciples, we find our Lord giving them instructions-
on the subject of prayer, and encouraging them to the exercise of this sacred privi
lege. When a certain Pharisee, with whom Jesus dined, found fault because he did
•lot use the ceremony of the elders, by first washing, he took occasion to expose the
v.iin pretences and hypocrisy of these people, who, while they were superstitiously
nice in small matters, passed over judgment and the love of God: and warning his-
disciples against such principles, he exhorted them not to fear the displeasure of man,
but to stand in awe of him who has power to cast into hell, as well as to kill the body.
Occurrences which, in a religious light, might appear unimportant, afforded occa
sion to this heavenly teacher, for the most important religious instruction. Thus,
when one of the company desired him to interfere in the settlement of an inheritance,
Jesus cautioned him, as well as the congregation in general, to " beware of covetous
ness;" and, in an impressive parable, represented the folly and final wretchedness of
those who feel secure of happiness in the possession of earthly plenty, and are dis
posed to " eat, drink, and be merry," while they are "not rich toward God."
Our Lord was now, it seems, on another circuit through Galilee ; where, in one of
the synagogues, he released from her affliction, a woman who had been bowed to
gether with her infirmity for eighteen years; after which, we are informed of his re
turning toward Jerusalem, teaching in the different cities and villages on the way.
Being at the table of one of the Pharisees, in the course of this journey, Jesus im
proved the season by the parable of the Wedding Supper ; setting forih, under fig
ures, the rich provision of the gospel, and representing the various success of his min
isters in delivering the gracious invitation to sinners. On leaving the house, multi
tudes followed him; and the publicans and sinners drawing near to hear him, lin.'
self-righteous scribes and Pharisees murmured at his condescension to these people.
Our Lord defended his conduct on this occasion, in three parables, the last of which.
being stripped naked by the irabs, and left severely wounded, on this road, in the year 1820. As this travel
ler states, a similar circumstance happened to the monk Brocard (not indeed two hundred years ago, as he
suys, but), toward the end of the thirteenth century. Many other testimonies might be collected ofthe
dangerous character of the road from Jerusalem to Jericho.

518 AN ILLUSTRATED
called the parable of the Prodigal Son, is so very interesting and important, that we
must not omit a brief sketch of its contents.
A certain man is represented as having two sons ; the younger of whom, having
received his portion, went into a distant country, where he " wasted his substance
with riotous living." Reduced by poverty and famine to a state of wretchedness, he
became a keeper of swine, to a citizen of that country ; but happily, in this situation,
' he came to himself," and took the resolution to try once more the kindness of a fa
ther. Accordingly, he returned, with an humble and penitent confession, to his injured
parent, who received him with joy and feasting, while the elder brother, murmuring
at his reception, refused to unite in the pleasure and festivity of the day.
This parable, which seems evidently to represent, in the person of the younger
brother, the publicans and sinners, and in that of the elder, the scribes and Pharisees,
contains also important instruction for us. In the younger brother we may see the
sad fruits of sin and dissipation, both in a temporal and spiritual point of view, as
well as the happy result of a return to God; while the disposition and conduct of the
elder, still serve to mark the character of the self-righteous, wherever they are found.
The parable of the unjust steward, which follows that of the prodigal, is intended
to admonish us, so to use the possessions of this world (called " the mammon of un
righteousness") as to secure the friendship of the distressed, especially among the
friends of Christ ; in other words, to use these worldly things to the glory of God and
the good of men. And in the next parable which comes under our notice, two char
acters are represented, in their different states, both in this world and in that beyond
the grave.
This is the parable of the rich man and Lazarus the beggar : the former living in
splendor and plenty, but forgetful of God and religion ; the latter lying, an afflicted
outcast, at the rich man's gate, but blessed with the favor of Heaven. Such was the
state of things in this world ; but greatly was it reversed in the other ! The beggar
dying, " was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom," while, in hell, the rich
man lifting up his eyes in torment, saw the blessedness of the once-afflicted Lazarus.
After just mentioning the healing ofthe ten men who were diseased with leprosy;
the parable of the importunate widow, which was designed to encourage us to perse
verance in prayer ; and lhat of the Pharisee and publican, showing the contrast be
tween proud self-righteousness and humble penitence, — we hasten on to the feast of
the dedication, at Jerusalem, where we find our Lord restoring to sight a man whc
had been blind from his birth.
This miracle, though attested in the clearest manner, had no effect toward re
moving the prejudice and enmity of the Pharisees. It was wrought on the sabbath
day, and this, in their esteem, afforded some pretext for opposition. They accused
Jesus of profaning the sabbath, and cast the man (who had now become his disciple)
out of the synagogue. This opposition became still more violent, when Christ, in a
discourse held with the Jews, in the porch ofthe temple, declared, " I and my Father
are one." They even took up stones to stone him ; " but he escaped out of theii
nands, and went again beyond Jordan," where many resorted to him, and believed on
him. We must not omit to mention here, among other instances of his goodness, the
gracious regard shown to helpless infancy, by the Redeemer ; who, when some per
sons present brought young children to him, that they might share in his favor,
" took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them." Then,
ieparting thence, he went on to some other place which he had designed to visit.
In the way, he was accosted by a young ruler, who, in an earnest manner, desired
to know what he should do to inherit eternal life. The result of the conversation
showed, that this amiable youth, with all his morality, was incapable of renouncing
the world for Christ, and Jesus improved the serious occasion, by delivering a general
caution against setting the heart on the perishing riches of this world; assuring his
disciples, that those who had forsaken all for him, should, in some sense, be great
gainers, even in this life ; and that in the world to come, they should have life ever
lasting. The next event to which we shall here pay attention, is the resurrection of Laz
arus. This man was the brother of Martha and Mary, who have been already intro
duced to our notice. Of this little family (who resided in the town of Bethany), it is
testified, that they were all beloved of Jesus. Yet Lazarus, though loved of his

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

51'J

£20 AN ILLUSTRATED
Lord, was sick, and eventually died of his illness. In the meantime a message from
the two sisters had reached the Saviour, mentioning the sickness of his friend ; but
continuing some time where he was, he did not reach the house of mourning till four
days after the death and burial of Lazarus.
This circumstance, however, offered no difficulty to him who was " the Resurrec
tion and the Life." Accompanied by a train of mourners, and the sisters of the
deceased, with whom he wept on this occasion, he came to the sepulchre; and the
stone which covered the mouth being removed, Jesus, after addressing his heavenly
Father, " cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth !" His word was attended
with life-giving power : the grave resigned its prisoner ; " and he that was dead came
forth," bound with grave-clothes, and his head wrapt with a napkin. " Loose him,"
said Christ, " and let him go." , ...
From that day forth, the Jews, convinced of his miraculous power, but still cherish
ing their enmity against him, " took counsel together to put him to death." On this
account " Jesus walked no more openly among the Jews," till the time appointed for
his suffering ; but went, with his disciples, into the country near the wilderness, to a
city called Ephraim.

CHAPTER III.
LAST PASSOVER — ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM — THE AGONY — THE TRIAL.
The passover, which now drew near, was the season appointed in the divine pur
pose for the death of Jesus Christ — himself the great passover, the atoning sacrifice
for the sins of men. He departed, therefore, from the place of his retreat, in order to
meet the fate which he well knew awaited him, and of which he informed his disci
ples in the journey to Jerusalem.*
* Jerusalem (Northwest View).—" Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, was mount Zion."
to the heart of every devout Israelite : for thither " the tribes of the Lord went up to give thanks unto the
name of the Lord ;" and ** there" also were " set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David."
(Psalm xlviii. 2, cxxii. 4, 5.) Jerusalem is situated near the centre of Palestine, among the mountains,
about thirty-se /en miles from the Mediterranean sea, and twenty-three from the river Jordan. The most
ancient name of this city was Salem (Gen. xiv. 18) ; and it was afterward called Jebus, from one of the
sons of Canaan (Josh, xviii. 28). Being a very strong position, it resisted many attempts of the Israelites
to subdue it, until at length (t was reduced by David (2 Sam. v. 6-9), after which it received its present name,
and was also called the city of David.
After its destruction by the Chaldreans, Jerusalem was rebuilt by the Jews on their return irom the Baby
lonish captivity, about the year B. C. 536. They exerted themselves much, in order to restore its former
splendor; and Herod tlie Great expended vast sums in its embellishment. At length it was taken, A. D.
72, by the Romans under Titus, who ineffectually endeavored to save its celebrated temple ; tne founda
tions of which were ploughed up ov the Roman sohimrs. Thus, agreeably to the predictions of thi prophet*.
" Zion was pioughett as a neld, and Jerusalem oecame heans" (Jer. xxvi 18, iVIic. m. J2) ; and, coniorrnably
to me prophecy of Jesus Crinst, not one stone was ieit upoi. another which was nui thrown down (Matt,
xxiv. 2). As, however, the Jews continued to return, the emperor Hadrian planted a Roman colony tliere,
and erected a city on part of the former site of Jerusalem, which he called JEMa. Capitolina, and exerted
himself to obliterate all traces both of Judaism and Christianity. But in the reign of Constantine, the first
Christian emperor, it resumed its ancient name, which it has retained to the present day. Julian the apos
tate, who, after his father, succeeded to the throne of his uncle Constantine, endeavored to rebuild the
temple ; but his design (and that of the Jews whom he patronised) was frustrated, A. D. 363. An earth
quake, a whirlwind, and a fiery eruption, compelled the workmen to abandon their design.
The subsequent history of Jerusalem may be narrated in few words. In A. D. 613 it was taken by
Cosrhoes, king of Persia, who slew ninety thousand of the inhabitants ; and, to the utmost of his power,
demolished whatever the Cliristians had venerated. In A. D. 627 the emperor Heraclius defeated Cosrhoes ,
ind Jerusalem was recovered by the Greeks. The. calif Omar, the third in succession from Mohammed,
was its next conqueror ; A. D. 636 he captured it from the Christians after a siege of four months ; and it
continued under the califs of Uagdad until A. D. 868, when it was taken by Ahmed, a Turkish sover
eign of Egypt. During the space of 220 years it was subject to several masters, Turkish arid Sara
renic ; and in 1099 it was taken by the crusaders under Godfrey of Bouillon, when the standard of the cross
was triumphantly displayed upon its walls, and it again became the capital of a kingdom. The Christian
monarchy of Jerusalem was of short duration.
Godfrey was succeeded by his brother Baldwin, who died in 1118. In the year 1188 Saladin, sultan of the
East, captured the city, which was restored to the Latin princes by Saleh Ismael, emir of Damascus, and
fifty years afterward they lost it to the sultans of Egypt, who held it until 1382. Selim the Turkish sultan,
reduced Egypt and Syria, including Jerusalem, in 1517 ; and it still continues under the Turkish dominion,
'* trodden down of the Gentiles," in literal fulfilment of our Lord's prediction.
Our engraving (page 519), exhibits a general view of Jerusalem with the walls. This city occupies an
Irregular square between two miles and a half and tliree miles in Circumference. The walls by which it is
surrounded are flanked, at irregular distances, by square towers, and have battlements all around on theii
summits, with loop-holes for arrows or musketry close to the top. The walls appear to be about fifty feet
in height, but are not surrounded by a ditch : within them are seen crowded dwellings, remarkable in no
respect, except being terraced by flat roofs, and generally built of stone. The large building, with a cupola
toward tiie left, is the mosque of Omar, the most elegant edifice of the Turks in Jerusalem. It occupies
the site of the great temple of Solomon, and is held in such profound veneration by the Mussulmans as

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HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 6'J1
On leaving Jericho, where they called on the way, Jesus was addressed by two
blind men (one of whom was known by the name of Bartimeus, the son of Tinieus),
who cried out to him, "Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on us !" The com
passionate Saviour restored their sight, and they followed him with thankful hearts,
glorying God.
In the crowd which gathered around Jesus, in passing through Jericho, was a man
by the name of Zaccheus, a chief man among the publicans, and rich. Being low of
stature, he ran before the multitude, and climbed a sycamore-tree, in order to have a
sight of this great prophet. He was not, however, concealed from the eye of Christ,
who called him down from the tree, and graciously declared, that salvation had come
to his house ; while Zaccheus, under a divine influence, professed his intention to give
half his goods lo the poor, and his readiness to restore fourfold to any person who
might have been defrauded by his dealings.
Six days before the jnssover, Jesus came to Bethany,* where, being at supper in
the house of Martha, with his disciples and Lazarus, Mary expressed her holy affec
tion by pouring on his head an alabaster-box of precious ointment, anointing his feet
also, and wiping them with her hair; and this act Jesus declared, was the anointing
of his body to his approaching burial.
Having come to the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples to procure a colt
(the foal of an ass) on which, though never before ridden by man, he made his entry
into the city of Jerusalem ; thus fulfilling a prophecy respecting the Messiah, in Zech.
ix. 9. In the meantime, the multitude that surrounded him spread their garments in
the way, and cutting branches from the trees, strewed them in the road, according to
the usual custom of expressing joy, on the arrival of a great prince. Many also from
Jerusalem met him with branches of palm-trees ; while all his disciples and followers
united in crying, " Hosanna to the Son of David !"
The heart of Jesus, however, was far from being elated with this triumph. " When
he was come near, he beheld the city, a.id wept over it !" He saw the approaching
doom of this devoted place, when God, in righteous indignation, would give it up to
the power of the Roman armies ; and, in a prophecy directed to the city, he foretold
that doom.
Having entered into the temple, and again expelled the profane rabble of trader*
and money-changers, who, it seems, had resumed their seats,t he healed the blind
to have become forbidden ground to any Jew or Christian, who, if detected entering its precincts, musi
either adopt the Mussulman faith or forfeit his life. Two modern travellers, however (the late Mr. Burck
hardt, and M. Badhia under the assumed name of Ali Bey), succeeded in obtaining a view of the interior of
this building, in the garb of Moslems : and subsequently it was visited and examined in detail, four several
times, by Dr. Richardson, whose skrll as a physician had procured for him that extraordinary privilege. The
elevated platform or terrace upon which it stands is bounded by embankment-walls, and others of ancient
construction, forming a level area of 795 feet in length by 750 fret m breath The two low cupolas tow
ard the right of our plate indicate the church of the Holy Sepulchre, of the interior of which a view lias
been giver, at page 503. It is erected on the site of the magnificent ancient church which was destroyed by
lire some years ago : it has been rebuilt by various sects of Christians, who have separate portions of the
building allotted to them for the performance of their respective services. The general plan of tlie former
building is stated to have been preserved with such exactness, that the descriptions of it given by former
i.ravellers are equally applicable to the modern edifice. The Greek, Armenian, and Latin Christians, sev
erally have their convents : the principal is that of Saint Salvador, which is occupied by monks of the
Franciscan order, who hospitably entertain pilgrims of all Christian nations. It will accommodate about two
hundred pe -sons, and is so completely enclosed by lofty walls as to resemble a fortress.
The population, ordinarily resident in Jerusalem, may be stated at 12,000 ; but it is considerably increas
ed by the pilgrims who flock thither at certain seasons of the year, particularly at Easter, when they are
crowded into the several convents.
'Bethany, as we are informed (John xi. 18), was "nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off."
The place is not mentioned, at least under this name, in the Old Testament ; but it occurs several times in
the Talmudical writings. It is situated to the east of the Mount of Olives, on the road to Jericho. Its situ
ation is pleasant and somewhat romantic, being sheltered by the Mount of Olives on the north, and abound
ing with trees and long grass. It is now a poor village, inhabited by Arabs : and the cultivation of the ad
jacent soil is much neglected. It seems, however, about our Saviour's time to have enjoyed some kind of
trade (perhaps in olives, figs, and dates, which abounded in this neighborhood), as the Jewish writers men
tion " the shops of Bethany," which were, as they inform us, destroyed tliree years before Jerusalem.
Bethany is at present chiefly noticed on account of its mention in the gospels : and in consequence oi
which, it contains a full proportion of the sort of objects to which the attention of pilgrims is usually direct
ed : these are the tomb of Lazarus, with the ruins of the house he is supposed to have occupied, and iiImj
the houses of his sisters, and of Simon the leper. That which is shown as the bouse of Lazarus is a ruin, the
stones of which are very "large, and of a solid and sombre cast of architecture , and which the Rev. V. Mon
roe ("Summer's Ramble in Svna," vol. i., p. 189) conjectures to have formed part of the convent bull' bj
Fulco, king of Jerusalem. Near these ruins is the alleged tomb of Lazarus, thus noticed by the san it
writer : " The exterior doorway of the tomb of Lazarus is formed artificially cf stone-work ; but the sleep,
narrow, and winding staircase which leads below, is cut in the living rock, as well as the grave itself."
t It does not appear probable, that this transaction, recorded so late in two of the evangelists, is rlio sunn,
with that mentioned by John, so early in the public mmistry of Christ

b22 AN ILLUSTRATED
and ihe lame, who came to him there ; though his wonderful works, and the shout
ings of the children in the temple, crying, " Hosanna to the Son of David," sorely dis
pleased the chief priests and scribes, who " sought to destroy him, and could not find
what they might do ; for all the people were very attentive to hear him.".
In the course of his public exercises, Jesus having addressed his heavenly Father
praying that God would glorify his own name, a voice from heaven declared, " I have
both glorified it, and will glorify it again." This voice was mistaken by some for
thunder; others said an angel -had spoken to him; but Jesus assured them that this
voice had come, not on his account, but for their sakes, that they might profit by this
divine testimony.
After many discourses and admonitions delivered to the scribes and Pharisees, who
endeavored, but in vain, " to entangle him in his talk," as well as several parables,
which we here pass over, we find our Lord, in a prophetic way, informing his disci
ples on the subject of the destruction of Jerusalem ; the certainty of that calamitous
event, and the circumstances which would attend it. He foretels also the spread of
the gospel ; represents, in the parable of the five talents, and in that of the ten
virgins, the state of the visible church on earth ; and closes his discourse with an ac
count of th« great day of judgment ; when he, as the king, will sit upon the throne
of his glory and pass on the righteous and the wicked their final sentence.
We next ..ake a view of our divine Saviour, preparing to eat the last passover with
his disciples; while Judas Iscariot, one ofthe twelve apostles, makes a bargain with
the chief priests and captains, to betray him into their hands. Thirty pieces of silver
were the price of his master's blood ; and from that time " he sought opportunity tn
betray him in the absence ofthe multitude."
At the supper of the passover, which Jesus informed his disciples was the last he
should eat with them on earth, he made a declaration that one of them would betraj
him; and intimating to Judas that he was acquainted with his design, the traitor
went out, in order to accomplish his purpose. On this memorable night, Jesus insti
tuted what is termed the Lord's Supper ; giving to his disciples the bread, in token
of his body, broken for his people ; and then the wine, representing his blood, shed
for the remission of sins. At this passover too, our Lord gave a notable example of
humble condescension, by girding himself with a towel, and washing the feet of his
disciples. Judas being now gone, Jesus entered on a long discourse fitly adapted to the situa
tion of his disciples under the melancholy prospect of parting with their Lord. This
was closed by a fervent prayer in their behalf; and then he went out with his disci
ples, and, crossing the Brook Kedron, entered into a garden called Gethsemane,* where
* Olive trees now standino in the Gauden of Gethsemane (see engraving, p. 628).— The Garden ol
Gethsemane rs one of those sacred places in the vicinity of Jerusalem, whrch is visited by every Christian
pilgrim. This deeply interesting spot is situated between the foot of the Mount of Olives and the brook
Kedro -v : it was a place frequently resorted to by Jesus Christ and his Apostles. Thither Judas proceeded,
accompanied by a number of officers, to betray him ; and here the Saviour endured his " agony and bloody
sweat." (Luke, xxii. 39-49. Matt. xxvi. 36-56. Mark, xiv. 32-46. John, xviii. 1-12.) This garden is sur
rounded by a coarse low wall, of a few feet in height, and about the third part of an acre in extent. When
Mr. Catherwood was here in 1834, taking the drawings for his beautiful panorama of Jerusalem, it was plant
ed with olive, almond, and fig trees. Eight of the olive trees are so large, that they are said to have been
tn existence ever since the time of Jesus Christ. Although we are informed by Josephus that Titus cut
down all the trees within one hundred furlongs of the city ; yet it is not improbable that these trees (wliich
are unquestionably of very remote antiquity) may have arisen from the roots of the ancient trees ; because
the olive is very long-lived, and possesses the peculiar property of shooting up again, however frequently
it may be cut down. The trees, now standing in the Garden of Gethsemane, are of the species known to
botanists as the Olea Europx : they are wild olives, and appear pollarded from extreme age, and their sterns
are very rough and knarled : they are highly venerated by the members of the Roman communion here.
who consider any attempt to cut or injure them as an act of profanation. Should any one of them.
indeed, be known to pluck any of the leaves, he would incur a sentence of excommunication. Of the'
stones of the olives, beads are made, which the monks of the Latin convent regard as one of the most
sacred objects that can be presented to a Christian traveller.
Al the upper end of the garden is a naked ledge of rock, where Peter, James, and John, are said to have
sleDt during the Redeemer's agony ; and a few paces thence a grotto is shown, in which it is reported that
he underwent the bitterest part of his agony, and "his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling
down to the ground." (Luke, xxii. 44.) A small plot of ground, twelve yards long, is separated as accurs
ed ground, being the reputed spot where Judas betrayed his master with a kiss.
The ridiculous gravity witlr which the precise places are shown, where the most affecting and important
Incidents in our Saviour's history occurred, can not entirely destroy the interest we feel, when we imagine
ourselves to be near the spot where the disciples and their Lord so often met to converse about the things
pertaining to his kingdom, and to receive instruction in the mysterious plan of redemption which was then
open). lg so gloriously upon a ruined world.
riie prospect from the Garden of Gethsemane is one of the most pleasing in the vicinity of Jerusalem
The walls of the city are very distinctly seen hence, at the extreme edge of a precipitous bank.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

523

624 AN ILLUSTRATED
he had often before retired. Here he gave his disciples notice of his being about to
be taken, even on that night, when they would all be scattered from him, as sheep
when the shepherd is smitten (Zech. xiii. 7).
This declaration roused the zeal of Peter, who, too full of confidence, avowed his
determination never to forsake hif master ; but Christ assured him, that before thp
sock should crow twice on that night, Peter would thrice deny that he knew him.
The event, as we shall see, proved the knowledge which Jesus had of Peter's weak
ness, and served as a warning to him ever afterward.
And now, taking with him three of his disciples, Peter, James, and John, and re
tiring from the rest, Jesus began to feel that severe anguish of mind, which was the
consequence of his taking our sins, and standing in the place of transgressors. Nor
was this all. Having withdrawn a small distance from the three disciples, he fell on
his face in prayer, and being in an agony, " his sweat was as it were great drops of
blood falling down to the ground." In this conflict of soul, there appeared an angel
from heaven, strengthening him; after which he returned and joined the company of
his disciples.
In the meantime, Judas, with a band of armed men, approached, with lanterns
and torches ; and giving them the appointed token, by kissing his master, they took
hold on the unresisting Jesus, and having bound him, they led him away to Caiaphas,
the high-priest. After a mock trial before the Jewish council — where he suffered
the most shameful treatment — he was pronounced worthy of death ; but, as the Jews
had not now the power of life and death in their hands, he was sent to Pontius
Pilate, the Roman governor, in order that this sentence might be confirmed.
We must not, however, omit to take notice of Peter, while his master stood ar
raigned before the council. While all the other disciples, except John, had fled,
Peter, following at a distance, obtained admittance into the palace of the high-priest.
Here he was three times charged, by some present, with being a disciple of Jesus, and
three times he denied the charge. But when, on the third denial, the cock crew a
second time, "Jesus turned and looked on Peter." His heart was immediately smit
ten; he remembered his Lord's prediction, and "he went out and wept bitterly."
In the case of Peter there was hope ; but in that of Judas there was none. When
the traitor saw that his master was condemned, his guilty soul was stung with re
morse ; " he brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,"
and declaring that he had "betrayed the innocent blood," he cast them down in the
temple, and departing in despair, went and hanged himself.

CHAPTER IV-
CHEIST'S CONDEMNATION— CRUCIFIXION — RESURRECTION — ASCENSION.
From the bar of Pilate, Jesus was passed to Herod, the tetrarch of Galilee — who
nappened at that time to be in Jerusalem — and from Herod he was returned to Piiaie.
His trial then proceeded; and, notwithstanding the persuasion of the governor thai
fesus was innocent, the voice ofthe multitude and ofthe chief priests prevailed; and
Pilate, having scourged him, delivered him up to their fury. The most cruel indig
nities followed. They crowned him with thorns, mocked him, spit upon him, smote
him on the head, and ultimately led him away to be crucified.
Pilate had, indeed, shown a desire to deliver Christ from the sentence of condem
nation, and, as it was the custom at the passover, to release a prisoner, he proposed
him as the object of favor on this occasion ; but such was the malice of his enemies,
that they cried out for the death of Jesus, and for the release of Barabbas, who was
a murderer and a robber; and such was the time-serving spirit of Pilate, that he
could not resist the wishes ofthe multitude.
The place of execution was called Calvary, a little without the city of Jerusalem ¦
ind thither Jesus was conducted, bearing his cross. It was the third hour of the
day (or nine o'clock in the morning) when, arriving at the place, they crucified Jesur
Christ, nailing his hands and feet to the cross, and raising him up between the heavens
and the earth ; while, full of divine compassion on his murderers, he prayed, " Father
Through the trees, the bridge over the Kedron is clearly perceptible ; and the Turkish burial-ground ts o
marked point, from the tombs being mostly white, with turbans on the top, to indicate the Moslem faith ol
the individuals whose remains are there interred.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 525
forgive them, for they know not what they do !" At the same time, also, they cruci
fied two thieves — who had been brought along with Jesus —the one on his right
hand, and the other on his left.
The cross of Christ is one of the most interesting objects which can be presented
to the Christian reader. An eminent divine says of it: "Let it be to the Jews a
scandal, or offensive to their fancy, prepossessed with expectations of a Messiah
nourishing in secular pomp and prosperity; let it be folly to the Greeks, or seem ab
surd to men puffed up and corrupted in mind, with fleshly notions and maxims of
worldly craft, disposing them to value nothing which is not grateful to present sense
or fancy, that God should put his own beloved Son into so very sad and despicable a
condition ; that salvation from death and misery should be procured by so miserable a
death ; that eiernal joy, glory, and happiness, should issue from these fountains of
sorrow and shame; that a person in external semblance devoted to so opprobrious
usage should be the Lord and Redeemer of mankind, the King and Judge of all the
world; let, I say, this doctrine be scandalous and disdainful to some persons tainted
with prejudice; let it be strange and incredible to others blinded with self-conceit ;
let all the inconsiderate, ali the proud, all the profane part of mankind, openly with
their mouth, or closely in heart, slight and reject it: yet to us it must appear grateful
and joyous; to us it is a faithful and most credible proposition, worthy of all accepta
tion, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, in this way of suffering
for them." In such a light as this must every true Christian look upon the cross of
ti is blessed Redeemer.
The cruel mode of punishment by crucifixion appears to have been in use from tlie
earliest recorded period of history. Possibly it was the invention of some barbarous
tribe to prevent the escape of a captive, by fastening him to a tree; or used to inflict
death on an enemy, by leaving him exposed upon a tree, to be a prey to birds and
beasts, or to die of hunger. In time, however, it was adopted by the most civilized
nations of antiquity. Among the Carthaginians, persons of all ranks, even com
manders of armies, were subject to it : among the Romans, however, it was considered
as the punishment of slaves, and inflicted on that class only. With reference to the
Hebrews, it seems doubtful whether crucifixion was a mode of punishment practiced
by them in ancient times. The putting the sons of Saul to death, as recorded 2 Sam.
xxi., has been adduced as an argument that it was; and the term " hanged on a tree,'
which is used, Acts x. 39, to describe crucifixion, seems to favor such a view.
Whatever the original form of crosses may have been, we can not tell; but in tlie
course of time they were made of two pieces of wood, and they have been divided by
antiquaries into three kinds: 1, the crux decussata, or cross divided like the letter X,
and usual! v called St. Andrew's cross ; 2, the crux commissa, or joined cross, consisting
of an upright piece of timber, with a transverse piece on the extreme top, at right
angles with the first, like the letter T; and 3, the crux immissa, or let-in cross, in
which the transverse piece of timber is let into the upright, but placed somewhat be
low the top of the upright, in this form t- It is the latter cross on which our Saviour
is usually represented to have suffered, and though there may not be any absolute
authority for ascertaining the precise form ofthe cross used on this occasion, yet the
circumstance of an inscription being placed over his sacred head renders the con
jecture probable.
lt is said by St. John, (xix. 17), that Jesus went forth "bearing his cross." Ac
cordingly, we find painters representing our Saviour bearing the entire cross on which
he suffered. This, however, if we take into consideration the great weight the cross
is thought to have been, from its size, and from its being made of the hardest wood,
generally of oak, could scarcely be possible; and painters themselves have also been
practically sensible of this; for the same painter who represents Christ bearing his
cross, gives a representation of one shorter and more portable, than that which he ex
hibits in a painting of the crucifixion. But this, some imagine, may be correct.
They think that the cross which our Saviour carried was a representation of the cross
of actual crucifixion; and that it was usual for prisoners to bear such, to suggest to
the people in the streets through which they were conducted the kind of punishment
they were about to undergo. Lipsius, on the contrary, explains that the heaviest
part of the cross, the perpendicular beam, was either fixed in the ground before, or
was ready to be set up when the condemned person arrived; and he contends, that the

526 AN ILLUSTRATED
part which the prisoner carried was the large cross-beam to which the arms of tht
crucified were fastened. There are others, again, who think that the crosses ofthe
ancients were not so lofty, large, and massive, as those depicted by painters; and
certainly instruments of such dimensions would be unnecessary for the purpose.
Pone crucem servo, " Put the cross to the slave," is an expression used by Juvenal.
It is probable, therefore, that it was the real cross which our Saviour carried, and that
he was nailed to it before it was raised and fixed in the ground ; which is in accord
ance with the general opinion.
The manner in which this was done has been thus graphically described : " When
the "lalefactor had carried his cross to the place of execution, a hole was dug in the
earth n which it was to be fixed ; the criminal was stripped ; a stupefying potion
was given him; the cross was laid on the ground; he was distended upon it, and
four soldiers, two on each side, at the same time were employed in driving four large
nails through his hands and feet. After they had deeply fixed and riveted these nails
in the wood, they elevated the cross with the sufferer upon it ; and in order to infix it
the more firmly and securely in the earth, they let it violently fall into the cavity
they had prepared to receive it. This vehement precipitation ofthe cross must have
occasioned a most dreadful convulsive shock, and agitated the whole frame of the
malefactor in a dire and most excruciating manner. These several particulars were
observed in the crucifixion of our Lord. Upon his arrival at Calvary, he was strip
ped; the medicated cup was offered to him; he was fastened to the cross; and while
they were employed in piercing his hands and his feet, it is probable that he offered
to Heaven that most benevolent and affecting prayer for his murderers, ' Father, for
give them, for they know not what they do.' "
Of whatever size the cross on which our Redeemer paid the penalty of our trans
gressions might have been, we learn from St. Mark that it was of great weight. He
intimates to us, in a parallel passage to that of St. John, that the soldiers, finding that
Jesus, exhausted by his sufferings, was no longer able to bear his cross, laid hold of
one Simon, a Cyrenian, who happened to be passing, and compelled him to bear it
for the sufferer (Mark xv. 21). The practice of a prisoner bearing his own cross, at
least among the Romans, very probably arose from the deep disgust and horror with
which they looked upon this instrument of punishment ; the prisoner, accordingly,
was condemned to bear his own instrument of torture.
Previous to crucifixion, it was the custom to scourge the sufferer, after which he
was stripped naked ; and it is probable, as we have seen, that he was laid down on
the cross for the purpose of having the nails driven into his hands and feet ; or, as
was sometimes the case, of being fastened to the cross with ropes. The cross was
then elevated, and afterward the legs were broken, and wounds were inflicted with a
spear or other sharp instrument, to hasten death. But this was not invariably done;
and as, in the case of its omission, death would not ensue for a length of time, guards
were placed to prevent the relations and friends from giving them any relief, taking
them away while alive, or removing their bodies after they were dead. Sometimes
crucifixion took place with the head downward ; and St. Peter is said to have suf
fered death in this way, at his own express desire, deeming himself unworthy to
suffer in the same position with his beloved master.
In leading to his death a person condemned to crucifixion, it was usua. to carry
an inscription before him, stating the crime for which he suffered. To the charge
of Jesus, no crime could' be laid ; but to his cross they fastened this inscription :
" This is the King of the Jews," Luke xxiii. 38. This was written in three differ
ent languages, and the reason which has been given for this is, that none might be
unapprized of its contents. It was written in Greek, which was the general lano-uao-e
of commerce in western Asia, and which would be familiar to many Jews from Eu
rope, Egypt, and elsewhere; it also was written in the Syriac, called " Hebrew," the
vernacular language of Palestine; and it was written in Latin, probably for the use
of the Romans, many of whom would assemble at Jerusalem during the paschal
week. To advert to the many passages of holy writ which point to the cross of Christ as
the foundation of a sinner's hope, would extend our work beyond the assigned limits.
rt must suffice, therefore, to say, that it is the sum and substance of the Bible, and
that, if we would be saved by it, we must look to it with an eye of faith, as eagerly

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

527

Interior of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, at Jerusalem.

528 AN ILLUSTRATED
and fixedly as the Israelites of old, when bitten by the fiery serpents, looked to the
brazen serpent — which prefigured the cross — erected by Moses to effect their cure-
There alone is our hope of redemption.
The punishment of crucifixion, it has been said, was so common among the Romans,
mat, by a very usual figure, pains, afflictions, troubles, &c, were called crosses.
Hence, our Saviour says, that his disciples must take up their cross, and follow him
(Matt. xvi. 24). The cross, therefore, is the sign of ignominy and suffering, yet it is
the badge and glory ofthe Christian. Christ is the way we are to follow; and
there is no way of attaining that glory and happiness which are promised in th
gospel, but by the cross of Christ.
While under the agonies of the cross, the Redeemer manifested his filial affection
by committing his mother to the care ofthe beloved John; and in the same situation,
he gave a signal instance of the power and freeness of his grace, toward one of the
thieves, who hung beside him. The heart of this poor creature was smitten with
conviction and repentance, and, addressing a prayer to the dying Saviour, he received
he soul-cheering answer, " To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise."
Aboul the sixth hour (or middle of the day) a supernatural darkness covered the
whole land, which continued till the ninth hour (or three o'clock in the afternoon),
when Jesus cried with a loud voice, " Eloi, Eloi, lama, sabachthani !" — that is, " My
God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me !" — thus showing that his soul was in
pangs, as well as his body. After a little space, he cried again with a loud voice,
and commending his spirit into the hands of his Father, " he bowed his head, and
gave up the ghost."
At this awful event, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to tho
bottom; the earth quaked, and the rocks were torn asunder; the graves, too, of many
of the saints were opened, and the dead, arising, appeared to many in the city of
Jerusalem. These fearful tokens gave a solemn check to the feelings of the multi
tude that attended, and produced on the minds of several a conviction that Jesus was
the Son of God.
Thus expired this wonderful Sufferer ! — a ransom for sinners, a Saviour to all whc
truly believe in his name. And now, as the next day was the sabbath of the Jews
as the bodies were not to remain on the cross en that day, and as they were making
preparation for its approach, they petitioned Pilate that the legs of the crucified migh
be broken, and that they might be taken away. The soldiers, therefore, having
broken the legs of the two malefactors, when they came to Jesus and found that he
was already dead, forebore to perform the operation on him ; but one of them, to in
sure his death, pierced his side with a spear, whence there issued blood and water.
When the evening was come, Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man and a counsellor,
and one who "waited for the kingdom of God," having begged of Pilate the body of
Jesus, took it down from the cross, and, assisted by Nicodemus, wrapped it in fine
linen, with a quantity of spices, after the Jewish mode of burying. Thus prepared,
they laid the sacred body in Joseph's own new tomb, which was hewn out of a rock,
in a garden near at hand, and rolling a large stone to the door of the sepulchre, they
departed. At the same time, several pious women who followed Jesus from Galilee, and
who from a distance had beheld the mournful scene of his sufferings, being 'present
at his burial, and seeing how the body was deposited, "returned and prepared spices
and ointments," intending after the Sabbath to visit the sepulchre for the purpose of
embalming the body of their Lord. The chief priests and Pharisees, on their part,
took a different course. By the authority of Pilate, they sealed the stone at the
mouth of the tomb, setting around it a guard of soldiers, to prevent any attempt by
the disciples of Jesus to steal him away, and thus pretend that their Master was
risen. Such was the state of things, till the commencement of the third day, being the
first day of the week. Early in the morning of that day, Mary Magdalene, with
Salome, and another female disciple by the name of Mary, coming to the sepulchre
for the purpose (as before mentioned) of embalming the body of Christ, found the
stone removed from the door. Scenes the most awful and glorious had just before
been exhibited. A great earthquake shook the place ; the angel of the Lord descend-
ing from heaven, rolled away the stone and sat upon it ; aud while the keepers, struck

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. b29
with terror, became as dead men, Jesus, awaking from the sleep of death, arose and
left the toinn.*
His first appearance after this great event was to Mary Magdalene, who stood
weeping at the sepulchre when Peter and John, who had made a visit to the place,
had departed. Afterward he appeared to a company of women on their return from
the sepulchre ; then to two of the disciples on their way to a village called Emmaus,
a few miles from Jerusalem. The reports, however, of these witnesses of the resur
rection met with but little credit with the rest ofthe disciples, till Jesus, on the even
ing of the same day, presented himself among them, and confirmed their faith by
appealing to his lately wounded hands and feet.
In the meantime, the affrighted guards had fled from the sepulchre ana related
their tale of wonder to the chief priests, who, alarmed at the consequences that
might follow, hired these wretched creatures to say that the disciples came by night,
and stole away the body of Jesus while they were asleep. This absurd report was
accordingly propagated, and prevailed among the Jews as a fact.
It is proper we should here take notice of the case of Thomas, called Didymus,
who, not being with the disciples when Jesus made his appearance among them as
above mentioned, declared that he would not believe in the reality of his resurrection
unless he should see and feel the print of the nails in his hands, and the effect of the
wound in his side. Accordingly about eight days after, when the disciples were all
together, Jesus again appearing among them presented his hands and his side to
Thomas, with a reproof for his unbelief; while the astonished disciple, overpowered
with conviction, exclaimed, "My Lord and my God."
"After these things, Jesus snowed himself again to his disciples at the sea of
Tiberias," where several of them were employed in fishing, and then, by appoint
ment, he met the eleven apostles on a mountain in Galilee, where he delivered to
them the great gospel commission, to go forth and " teach all nations, baptizing them
m the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost ;" pronouncing at
the same time, " He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved ; but he that be-
lieveth not shall be damned."
Forty days was the time pre-ordained for our Lord's continuance upon earth after
his resurrection. These days being now almost expired, the apostles, according as
they had been ordered, with some of their select friends, returned to Jerusalem, and
there assembled themselves in a private place, as they had always done after the
crucifixion of their Master. Here our blessed Lord appeared to them for the last
time ; and after instructing them in many particulars concerning the kingdom of
God, and the manner in which they were to behave themselves in propagating the
doctrine ofthe gospel, he put them in mind that, during his abode with them in Gali
lee, he had often told them that all things written in the law, the prophets, and the
Psalms, concerning him were to be exactly accomplished. At the same time " he
opened their understandings ;" that is, he removed their prejudices by the operation
of his Spirit, cleared their doubts, improved their memories, strengthened their judg
ments, and enabled them to discern the true meaning of the Scriptures. He then
reminded them that both Moses and the prophets had foretold that the Messiah was
to suffer in the very same manner he had suffered ; that he was to rise from the dead
on the third day as he had done ; and that repentance and remission of sins was to
* The Resurrection. — Twice had the sun gone down on the earth, and all as yet was quiet at the sepul
chre : Death held his sceptre o'er the Son of God ; still and silent the hours passed on ; the guards stood by
their posts ; the rays of midnight moon gleamed on their helmets and on their spears ; the enemies of Christ
exulted in their success ; the hearts of his friends were sunk in despondency and sorrow ; while the spirits
of glory waited with anxious suspense to behold the event— wondering at the depth of the ways of God.
At length, the morning star, arising in the east, announced the approach of light ; the third day began to
dawn on the world, when on a sudden the earth trembled to its centre, and the powers of Heaven were
shaken ; an angel of God descended ; the guards shrunk back from the terror of his presence, and fell pros
trate on the ground. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment was white as snow ; he rolled
away the stone from the door of the sepulchre, and sat on it.
But who is this that Cometh from the tomb, with dyed garments from the l<ed of death? He that is glo
rious in his appearance, walking in the greatness of his strength? lt is thy Prince, O Zion ! Christian, it
is your Lord ! He hath trodden the winepress alone ; he hath stained his raiment with blood ; but now, as
the firstborn from the womb of nature, he meets the morning of his resurrection. He arises, a conqueror
from the grave ; he returns with blessings from the world of spirits ; he brings salvation to the sons of
men. Never did tlie returning sun usher in a day so glorious ! It was the jubilee of the universe ! The
morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted aloud for ioy ! The Father of Mercies looked
down from his throne in the heavens with complacency ; he beheld his world restored— he saw his woik
that it was good1. Then did the desert rejoice ; the face of nature was gladdened before him, when [in
blessings of the Eternal descended, as the dews of heaven, for the ref-eshing of the nations
34

530 AN ILLUSTRATED
De preached in the Messiah's name among all nations, beginning with tht Jews. He
told tnem that they were to testify unto the world the exact accomplishment in him
of all things foretold concerning the Messiah ; and closed his instructions to them by
giving them a particular charge, that they should not depart from Jerusalem until
they had received that miraculous effusion of the Holy Ghost which he had promised
and would shortly send down upon them. He likewise gave them to understand,
that after the descent of the Holy Ghost upon them they would have juster notions
of those matters, and be sufficiently enabled to be the authentic witnesses of his life
and actions throughout the world.
After our blessed Lord had thus fortified his apostles for the important work they were
going to undertake, he led them out of the city to that part of the mount of Ulives
which was nearest to Bethany. On their arrival there, he gave them some farther
instructions relative to the measures they were to follow in order to propagate his
gospel, after which he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was doing
this, and his apostles were placed in an adoring posture, he was parted from them in
the midst of the day, being gradually taken up in a shining cloud, and triumphantly
carried into heaven, where he now sitteth at the right hand of God his Father, " to
whom be honor, glory, and power, for ever and ever. Amen."
In this illustrious manner did the Great Redeemer of mankind depart, after
having finished the grand work about which he was sent into the world ; a work
which angels with joy described was to happen, and which through all eternity to
come, at periods the most immensely distant from the time of its execution, will he
looked back upon with inexpressible delight by every inhabitant of heaven ; fur
though the minute affairs of time may vanish together and be lost when they aie
removed far back by the endless progression of duration, yet this object is such that
no distance, however great, can lessen it. The kingdom of heaven is erected on the
incarnation and sufferings of the Son of God, and therefore no mortal whatever can
forget the foundation on which his happiness stands established ; nor will any fail of
obtaining a seat in those mansions, provided he preserves a proper subjection to Him
who reigneth for ever and ever, and whose favor is better than life itself.
It may not be improper, in this place, to admit a few reflections on the life ol the
blessed Jesus — a life the greatest and best that was ever led by man, or was ever the
subject of any history, since the universe was called from its original chaos by the
powerful word of the Almighty.
The human character of the blessed Jesus is entirely different from that of all
other men whatever ; for whereas they have selfish passions deeply rooted in theii
breasts, and are influenced by them in almost everything they do, Jesus was so en-
tirelv free from them, that the most severe scrutiny can not furnish one single action,
in the whole course of his life, wherein he consulted his own interest only. No; he
was influenced by very different motives : the happiness and eternal welfare of sin
ners regulated his conduct ; and while others followed their respective occupations,
Jesus had no other business than that of promoting the happiness of the sons of men.
Nor did he wait till he was solicited to extend his benevolent hand to the distressed :
' he went about doing good," and always accounted it " more blessed to give than
to receive ;" resembling God rather than man. He went about doing good ; benevo
lence was the very life of his soul : he not only did good to objects presented to him
for relief, but he industriously sought them out, in order to extend his compassion
ate assistance.
It is common for persons of the most exalted faculties to be elated with success
and applause, or dejected by censure and disappointments ; but the blessed Jesus was
not elated by the one nor depressed by the other. He was never more courageous
than when he met with the greatest opposition and cruel treatment ; nor more hum
ble than when the sons of men worshipped at his feet.
He came into the world inspired with the grandest purpose that ever was formed,
that of saving from eternal perdition, not a single nation, but the whole world ; and
in the execution of it, went through the longest and heaviest train of labors that ever
was sustained, with a constancy and resolution, on which no disadvantageous impres
sion could be made by any accident whatever. Calumny, threatenings, bad success,
with many other evils constantly attending him, served only to quicken his endeavors
in this glorious enterprise, -which he unweariedly pursued even till he finished it by
his death-

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 531
The generality of mankind are prone to retaliate injuries received, and all seem to
take a satisfaction in complaining ofthe cruelties of those who oppress them ; where
as the w hole of Christ's labors breathed nothing but meekness, patience, and forgive
ness, even to his bitterest enemies, and in the midst of the most excruciating torments.
The words, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do," uttered by him
when his enemies were nailing him to the cross, fitly express the temper which he
maintained through the whole course of his life, even when assaulted by the heaviest
provocations. He was destined lo sufferings here below, in order that he might raise
his people to honor, glory, and immortality, in the realms of bliss above ; and there
fore patiently, yea joyfully, submitted to all that the malice of earth and hell could
inflict. He was vilified, that we might be honored; he died, that we might live for
ever and ever.
To conclude : the greatest and best men have discovered the degeneracy and cor
ruption of human nature, and shown themselves to have been nothing more than men;
but it was otherwise with Jesus. He was superior to all the men that ever lived, both
with regard to the purity of his manners, and the perfection of his virtues. He was
holy, harmless, undefiled, and separated from sinners.
Whether we consider him as a teacher, or as a man, " he did no sin ; neither was
guile found in his mouth." His whole life was perfectly free from spot or weakness ;
at the same time it was remarkable for the greatest and extensive exercises of virtue.
But never to have committed the least sin, in word or in deed, never to have uttered
any sentiment that could be censured, upon the various topics of religion and morali
ty, which were the daily subjects of his discourses, and that through the course of a
life filled with action, and led under the observation of many enemies, who had al
ways access to converse with him, and who often came to find fault, is a pitch of per
fection evidently above the reach of human nature; and consequently he who pos
sessed it must have been divine.
Such was the person who is the subject of the evangelical history. If the reader,
by reviewing his life, doctrine, and miracles, as they are here represented to him, united
in one series, has a clearer idea of these things than before, or observes a beauty in
his actions thus linked together, which taken separately do not appear so fully ; if he
feels himself touched by the character of Jesus in general, or with any of his sermons
and actions in particular, thus simply delineated in writing, whose principal charms
are the beauties of truth : above all, if his dying so generously for men strikes him
with admiration, or fills him with joy in the prospect of that pardon which is thereby
purchased for the world: let him seriously consider with himself what improvement
lie ought to make of the divine goodness.
Jesus, by his death, hath set open the gates of immortality to the sons of men; and
by his word, spirit, and example, graciously offers to make ihem meet for the glorious
rewards in the kingdom of the heavenly Canaan, and to conduct them into the inher
itance of the saints in light. Let us, therefore, remember, that being born under the
dispensation of his gospel, we have, from our earliest years, enjoyed the best means
of securing to ourselves an interest in that favor of God, which is life; and tha,
loving-kindness, which is better than life.
We have been called to aspire after an exaltation to &e felicity of the heaven/y
mansions exhibited to mortal eyes in the man Jesus Christ, to fire us with the noblest
ambition. His gospel teaches us that we are made for eternity ; and that our present
life is to our future existence, as infancy is to manhood. But as in the former, many
tilings are to be learned, many hardships to be endured, many habits to be acquired,
and that by a course of exercises, which m themselves though painful, and possibly
useless to the child, yet are necessary to fit him for the business and enjoyments of
manhood. So while we remain in this infancy of human life, things are to be learn
ed, hardships to be endured, and habits to be acquired, by a laborious discipline, which,
however painful, must be undergone, because necessary to fit us lor the employments
and pleasures of our riper existence, in the realms above, always remembering that
whatever our trials may be, in this world, if we ask for God's assistance, he has prom
ised to give it. Inflamed, therefore, with the love of immortality and its joys, let us
submit ourselves to our heavenly teacher, and learn of him those graces, which almc
can render life pleasant, death desirable, and fill eternity with ecstatic joys.
We can not close the solemn scene of the life of our dear Lord and Saviour with
greater propriety than by rnaVing a few observations on the nature of his religion, and

532 AN ILLUSTRATED
considering the gieat benefits which will infallibly result to all, who shall, by faith,
receive and embrace his holy doctrine.
The religion of Christ is the perfection of human nature, and the foundation of
uniform, exalted pleasure : of public order, and private happiness. Christianity is the
most excellent and the most useful institution, having " the promise of the life that
now is, and of that which is to come." It is the voice of reason ; it is also the Ian
guage of scripture : " the ways of wisdom are ways of pleasantness, and all her pathii
are peace." And our blessed Saviour himself assures us, that his precepts are easy,
and the burden of his religion light.
The Christian religion comprehends all we ought to believe, and all we ought to
practise: its positive rights are few, and perfectly intelligible to every capacity; and
the whole is manifestly adapted to establish in us a proper sense of the great obliga
tions we lay under both to God and Christ.
The gospel places religion not in abtruse speculation, and metaphysical subtleties ;
not in outward show, and tedious ceremony ; not in superstitious austerities and en.
thusiastic visions ; but in purity of heart and holiness of life. The sum of our duty
(according to our great master himself) consists in the love of God, and of our neigh
bor. According to St. Paul, in denying ungodliness, and worldly lusts ; and in living
soberly, righteously and godly in this present world. According to St. James, in vis
iting the fatherless and widow in affliction, and in keeping ourselves unspotted from
the world. This is the constant strain and tenor of the gospel. This it inculcates
most earnestly, ai.d on this it lays the greatest stress.
It may be asked if the Christian religion is only a view of the law of nature, or
mereiy a refined system of morality ? To which we answer, that it is a great deal
irri -han either. It is an act of grace, a stupendous plan of Providence, for the re-
"'¦very of mankind fiorp a state of degradation and ruin, to the favor ofthe Almighty,
ana tc ihe hopes of a happy immortality through a mediatoi.
Under this dispensation, true religion consists in a repentance toward God, and in
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, as the person appointed by the supreme Authority of
heaven and earth, to reconcile apostate man to his offended Creator. And what hard
ship is there in all this ? Surely none. Nay, tho practice of religion is much easier
than the servitude of sin.
It certainly must be allowed by all that our rational powers are impaired, and the
soul weakened by sin. The animal passions are strong, and apt to oppose the dictates
of the spirit of God : objects of sense make powerful impressions op the m.nd. We
are, in every situation, surrounded with many snares and temptations. In such a dis
ordered state of things, fo maintain an undeviating path of duty, can not be effected
by poor weak man. There are, however, generous aids afforded us to persevere in
the ways of the Lord.
The gracious author of nature has planted in the human breast a quick sense ol
good and evil ; a faculty which strongly dictates right and wrong ; and though by the
strength of appetite and warmth of passion, men are often hurried into immoral prac
tices, yet in the beginning, especially when there has been the advantage of a good
education, it is usually with reluctance and opposition of mind. What inward strug
gles precede ! What bitter pangs attend their sinful excesses ! What guilty blushes
and uneasy fears ! What frightful prospects and pale reviews ! " Terrors are upon
them, and a fire not blown consumeth them." To make a mock at sin, and to com
mit iniquity without remorse, requires great length of time, and much painful labor;
more labor than is requisite to attain that habitual goodness which is the glory of the
man, the ornament of the Christian, and the chief of his happiness.
The soul can no more be reconciled to acts of wickedness and injustice, than the
Body to excess, but by suffering many bitter pains, and cruel attacks.
The mouth of conscience may, indeed, be stopped for a time, by false principles :
Us secret whispers may be drowned by the noise of company, and stifled hy the en
tertainments of sense ; but this principle of conscience is so deeply rooted in human
nature, and, at the same time, her voice is so clear and strong, that the sinner's arts
will be unable to lull her into a lasting security.
When the hour of calamity arrives, when sickness seizeth, and death approaches
the sinner, conscience now constrains him to listen to her accusations, and will not
Buffer the temples of his head to take any rest. " There is no peace to the wicked j'

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. • 533
the foundations ot peace are subverted, they are at utter enmity with their reason,
with their conscience, and with their God.
. Not so is the case of true religion. For when religion, pure and genuine, forms the
tempers, and governs the life, conscience applauds, and peace takes its residence in
the breast. The Soul is in its proper state. There is order and regularity both in the
faculties and actions. Conscious of its own integrity, and secure of divine approba
tion, the soul enjoys a calmness not to be described. But why do we call this happy
frame calmness only ? It is far more than mere calmness. The air may be calm, arid
the day overcast with thick mists and clouds. The pious and virtuous mind resem
bles a serene day, enlightened and enlivened with the brightest rays of the sun.
Though all without may be clouds and darkness, there is light in the heart of a pious
man. " He is satisfied from himself, and is filled with peace and joy in believing."
In the concluding scene (the awful moment of dissolution) all is peaceful and serene.
The immortal part quits its tenement of clay, with the well-grounded hopes of as
cending to happiness and glory. -
Nor does the gospel enjoin any duty but what is fit and reasonable. It calls upon
all its professors to practise reverence, submission, and gratitude to God ; justice,
truth, and universal benevolence to men : and to maintain the government of our own
minds. And what has any one to object against this ? From the least to the great
est commandment of our dear Redeemer, there is not one which impartial reason can
find fault with. " His law is perfect ; his precepts are true and righteous, altogether."
Not even those excepted, which require us to love our enemies, to deny ourselves, and
to take up our cross. To forgive an injury is more generous and manly than to re
venge it; to control a licentious appetite than to indulge it; to suffer poverty, re
proach, and even death itself, in the sacred cause of truth and integrity, is much
wiser and better, than, by base compliances, to make shipwreck of faith and a good
conscience. Thus in a storm at sea, or a conflagration on the land, a man with pleasure aban
dons his lumber to secure his jewels. Piety and virtue are the wisest and most rea
sonable things in the world ; vice and wickedness the most irrational and absurd.
The all-wise Author of our being hath so framed our natures, and placed us in such
relations, that there is nothing vicious but what is injurious ; nothing virtuous but
what is advantageous to our present interest, both with respect to body and mind.
Meekness and humility, patience and universal charity, and grace, give a joy un
known to transgressors.
The divine virtues of truth and equity are the only bands of friendship, the only
supports of society. Temperance and sobriety are the best preservatives of health
and strength ; but sin and debauchery impair the body, consume the substance, re
duce us to poverty, and form the direct path to an immature and untimely death.
To render our duty easy, we have the example, as well as the commands, of the
blessed Jesus. The masters of morality among the heathens gave excellent rules
for the regulation of men's manners; but they wanted- either the honesty, or the
courage to try their own arguments upon themselves. It was a strong presumption
that the yoke of the scribes and Pharisees was grievous, when they laid " heavy
ourdens upon men's shoulders," which they themselves refused to touch with one of
their fingers. Not thus our great law-giver, Jesus Christ the righteous. His be
havior was in all respects conformable lo his doctrine. His devotion toward God,
how sublime and ardent ! — benevolence toward men, how great and diffusive ! He
was in his life an exact pattern of innocence ; for he " did no sin ; neither was guile
found in his mouth " In the Son of God incarnate is exhibited the brightest, the
fairest resemblance of the Father, that heaven and earth ever beheld, an example
peculiarly persuasive, calculated to inspire resolution, and to animate us to use our
utmost endeavors to imitate the divine pattern, the example of " the Author and
Finisher of our faith," of him " who loved us and gave himself for us." Our profes
sion and character as Christians oblige us to make this example the model of our
lives. Every motive of decency, gratitude, and interest, constrain us to tread the
paths he trod before us.
We should also remember that our burden is easy ; because God, who " knoweth,
whereof we are made, who considereth that we are but dust," is ever ready to assist
•is. The heathens themselves had some notion of this assistance, though guided!
inly bv the glimmering lamp of reason. But what they looked upon as probable,

534 AN ILLUSTRATED
the gospel clearly and strongly asserts. We there hear the apostle exhorting, " I et
us tome boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to
help in time of need." We there hear the blessed Jesus himself arguing in this con
vincing manner : " If ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children,
how much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy spirit to them that ask
him?" We would not here be understood to mean, that the agency of the spirit is irresist
ible, and lays a necessitating bias on all the faculties and affections. Were this the
case, precepts and prohibitions, promises and threatenings, would signify nothing ;
and duty and obligation would be words without a meaning. The spirit assisteth in
a manner agreeable to the frame of human nature ; not controlling the free use of
reason, but by assisting the understanding, influencing the will, and moderating the
affections. But though we may not be able to explain the mode of his operations,
the Scriptures warrant us to assert, that when men are renewed and prepared for
heaven, it is "through sanctification of the spirit," and "belief of the truth." How
enlivening the thought ! — how encouraging the motive ! We are not left to struggle
alone with the difficulties which attend the practice of virtue, in the present imper
feet state. The merciful Father of our spirit is ever near to help our infirmities, to
enlighten the understanding, to strengthen good resolutions, and, in concurrence with
our own endeavors, to make us conquerors over all opposition. Faithful is he to his
promises, and will not suffer the sincere and well disposed to be tempted above what
they are able to bear. What can be desired more than this ? To promote the hap
piness of his people, everything is done that is requisite, his grace is all-sufficient, his
spirit is able to conduct us through this vale of tears, to never-fading bliss.
We should also remember, that the great doctrine of the gospel, concerning the
propitious mercy of God to all penitents, through Christ Jesus, greatly contributes to
the consolation of Christians. Let it be granted, that the hope of pardon is essential
to the religion of fallen creatures, and one of its first principles, yet, considering the
doubts and suspicions which are apt to arise in a mind conscious of guilt, it is un-
Jountedly a great and inestimable favor, to be relieved in this respect, by the inter
position of Divine assistance. This is our happiness. We are fully assured, that
upon our true repentance, we shall, " through the mediation of Christ," receive the
" full remission of sins," and be restored to the same state and favor with our
Maker, as if we had never transgressed his laws. Here the gospel triumphs. With
ihese assurances it abounds. Upon this head the declaration of our blessed Saviour
and his apostles are so express and full, that every one who believes them, and knows
himself to be a true penitent, must banish every doubt and fear, and rejoice with joy
unspeakable. " Come unto me all ye that labor, and are heavy-laden, and I will
give you rest" (Matt. xi. 28). " All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven
unto men" (Matt. xii. 31). "Be it known unto you therefore men and brethren,
that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins ; and by him all
that believe are justified from all things, from which we could not be justified by
the law of Moses." (Acts xiii. 38, 39.) What grace and favor is this! Who can
dwell upon the transporting theme too long ! Now our way is plain before us, and
the burden we are to bear is made comfortably easy. No sins are unpardonable, if
repented and forsaken.
Consider this, all ye who have never yet regarded religion, but pursued a course
of vice and sensuality all your lives long. Though your conduct has been base to
the last degree, your case is not desperate. Far from it. The God whom you have
so highly offended commiserates your errors, is ever ready to extend his pardoning
mercy to his most degenerate creatures, upon their faith and repentance, and " is
in Christ Jesus reconciling the world to himself, not imputing unto [penitent] sin
ners their trespasses. Let the wicked [therefore] forsake nis way, and the unright
eous man his thoughts ; and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy
upon him ; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah Iv. 7.)
Another particular, which renders the Christian religion delightful is, its leading
us to the perfect, eternal life of heaven. It can not be denied but that we may draw
from the light of nature strong presumptions of a future state. The present existence
does not look like an entire scene, but rather like the infancy of human nature, which
is capable of arriving at a much higher degree of maturity; but whatever solid
foundation the doctrine of a future state may have had, in nature and reason, cer

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 535
tain it is, through the habitual neglect of reflection, and the force of irregular passions,
this doctrine was, before the coming of our blessed Saviour, very much disfigured,
and in a great measure lost, among the sons of men.
In the heathen world, a future state of rewards and punishments was a mattei
of mere speculation and uncertainty, sometimes hoped for, sometimes doubted of,
and sometimes absolutely denied. The law of Moses, though of divine original, is
chiefly enforced by promises of temporal blessings ; and, even in the writings of
the prophets, a future immortality is very sparingly mentioned, and obscurely rep
resented, but the doctrine of our Saviour hath " brought life and immortality to
light." In the gospel we have a distinct account of another world, attended with
many engaging circumstances; about which the decisions of reason were dark and
confused. We have the testimony of the Author of our religion, who was raised
from the dead, and who afterward, in the presence of his disciples, ascended into
heaven. In the New Testament it is expressly declared, that good men, " when
absent from the body, are present with the Lord." Here we are assured of the
resurrection of the body in a glorious form, clothed with immortal vigor, suited to
the active nature of the animating spirit, and assisting its most enlarged operations
and incessant progress toward perfection. Here we are assured that " the righte
ous shall go into life everlasting," that they shall enter into the heavenly Canaan,
where no ignorance shall cloud the understanding, no vice disturb the will. In
these regions of perfection, nothing but love shall possess the soul; nothing but
gratitude employ the tongue; there the righteous shall be united to an innumer
able company of angels, and to the general assembly and church of the first-born.
There they shall see their exalted Redeemer, at the right-hand of Omnipotence,
and sit down with him on his throne ; there they shall be admitted into the im
mediate presence of the supreme Fountain of life and happiness, and, beholding his
face, be changed into the same image, from glory to glory.
Here language — here imagination fails us ! It requires the genius, the knowl
edge, the pen of an angel, to paint the happiness, the blissful scene of the New
Jerusalem, which human eyes can not behold, till this mortal body shall be puri
fied from its corruption, and dressed in the robes of immortality : " Eye hath not
seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart to conceive, tbe joys
which God hath prepared for them that love him."
What is the heaven of the heathens when compared with the heaven of the
Christians ? The hope, the prospect of this, is sufficient to reconcile us to all the
difficulties that may attend our progress, sweeten all our labors, alleviate every
grief, and silence every murmur.
But why, says the libertine in the gayety of his heart, should there be any diffi-
eulties, or restraint, at ail ? God hath made nothing in vain. The appetites he
nath planted in the human breast are to be gratified. To deny or restrain them,
is ignominious bondage ; but to give full scope to every desire and passion of the
heart, without check or control, is true manly freedom.
In opposition to this loose and careless way of reasoning, let it be considered,
that the liberty of a rational creature doth not consist in an entire exemption from
all control, but In following the dictates of reason, as the governing principle, and
in keeping the various passions in due subordination. To follow the regular notion
of those affections which the wise Creator hath implanted within us, is our duty ;
but as our natural desires, in this state of trial, are often irregular, we are bound
to restrain their excesses, and not indulge them, but in a strict subserViency to the
integrity and peace of our minds, and to the order and happiness of human society
established in the world. Those who allow the supreme command to be usurped
by sensual and brutal appetites, may "promise themselves liberties," but are truly
and absolutely the " servants of corruption." To be vicious, is to be enslaved.
We behold with pity those miserable objects that are chained iu the galleys, or
confined in dark prisons and loathsome dungeons ; but how much more abject
and vile is the slavery of the sinner ! No slavery of the body is equal to the bond
age of the mind ; no chains press so closely, or gall so cruelly, as the fetters of
sin, which corrode the very substance of the soul, and fret every faculty.
It must, indeed, be confessed, that there are some profligates, so hardened by
customs, as to be past all feeling ; and, because insensible of their bondage, boast
of this insensibility as a mark of their native freedom, and of their happiness.

o36 AN ILLUSTRATED
Vain men ! They might extol with equal propriety the peculiar happiness of an
apoplexy, or the profound tranquillity of a lethargy.
Thus have we endeavored to place, in a plain and conspicuous light, some of
the peculiar excellences of the Christian religion; and hence many useful reflec
tions will naturally arise in the mind of every attentive reader. It is the religion of
Jesus that hath removed idolatry and superstition, arid brought immortality to light,
when concealed under a veil of darkness almost impenetrable. This hath set the
great truths of religion in a clear and conspicuous point of view, and proposed new
and powerful motives to influence our minds, and to determine our conduct. Noth
ing is enjoined to be believed but what is worthy of God, nothing to be practised
but what is friendly to man. An the doctrines of the gospel are rational and con
sistent; all its precepts are truly wise, just, and good. The gospel contains noth
ing grievous to an ingenuous mind ; it debars us from nothing but doing harm to
ourselves, or to our fellow-creatures ; and permits us to range anywhere but in the
paths of danger and destruction. It only requires us to act up to its excellent com
mands, and to prefer to the vanishing pleasure of sin, the smiles of a reconciled
God, and "an eternal weight of glory."
Surely no man who is a real friend to the cause of virtue, and to the interest
of mankind, can ever be an enemy to Christianity, if he truly understands it, and
seriously reflects on its wise and useful tendency. It conducteth us to our journey's
end, by the plainest and securest path ; where the " steps are not straitened, and
where he that runneth slumbleth not."
We ought daily to adore the God of nature for lighting up the sun, that glorious,
though imperfect image of his own unapproachable lustre ; and appointing it to gild
the earth with its various rays, to cheer us with its benign influence, and to guide
and direct us in our journeys and our labors. But how incomparably more valuable
is that " day-spring from on high which hath visited us, to give Hght to them that sit
in darkness, and in the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace ?"
Oh Christians, whose eyes are so happy to see, and your ears to hear, what abundant
reason have you to give daily and hourly praise to your beneficent Creator ! When,
therefore, your minds are delighted with contemplating the riches of the gospel
when you reflect (as you certainly must do) with wonder and joy on the happy means
of your redemption ; when you feel the burden of your guilt removed, the freedom
of your address to the throne of grace encouraged, and see the prospect of a fair in
heritance of eternal glory opening upon you; then, in the pleasing transports of your
souls, borrow the joyful anthem of the psalmist, and say, with the humblest gratitude
anil self-resignation, " God is the Lord who showeth us light ; bind the sacrifice with
cords, even to the horns of the altar." Adore " God, who first commanded the light
to shine out of darkness," that by the discoveries of his word, and the operations ot
his spirit, he hath "shined in your hearts, to give you the knowledge of his glory, as
reflected from the face of his Son."
Let us, therefore, who live under the gospel, the most gracious dispensation be
stowed by God to mankind, " count all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowl
edge of Christ Jesus our Lord ;" and not suffer ourselves, by the slight cavils ol
unbelievers, to be " moved away from the hope of the gospel." Let us demonstrate
that we believe the superior excellency of the Christian dispensation, by conforming
to its precepts. Let us show that we are Christians in deed and in truth ; not by
endless disputes about trifles, and the transports of a blind zeal, but by abounding in
those " fruits of righteousness, which are, through Christ, to the praise and slorv of
God." ~ v * J
From what has been said, we may clearly perceive how groundless all those pre
judices are which some conceive against religion, as if it were a peevish, morost
thing, burdensome to human nature, and inconsistent with the true enjoyment of life,
Such sentiments are too apt to prevail in the heat of youth, when the spirits are brisk
and lively, and the passions warm and impetuous ; but it is wholly a mistake, and a
mistake of the most dangerous tendency. The truth is, there is no pleasure like that
of a good conscience ; no real peace but what results from a sense of the Divine favor.
This enables the mind, and can alone support it under all the various and unequal
scenes of the present state of trial. This lays a sure foundation of an easy, comfort
able life, of a serene, peaceful death, and of eternal joy and happiness hereafter:
whereas vice is ruinous to all our most valuable interests; spoils the native beautv

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

537

and subverts the order ofthe soul ; renders us the scorn of man, the rejected of God,
and, without timely repentance, will rob us of a happy eternity. Religion is the
health, the liberty, and the happiness of the soul ; sin is the disease, the servitude,
and destruction of it. — It will perhaps be said, that the sons of vice and not have
pleasure in sensual indulgences. This we allow; but must observe, that it is alto
gether of the lowest kind — empty, fleeting, and transient ; " like the crackling of thorns
under a pot, so is the mirth of the wicked." It makes a noise and a blaze for the
present, but soon vanishes away into smoke and vapor.
On the other hand, the pleasure of religion is solid and lasting, and will attend us
through all, even the last stages of life. When we have passed the levity of youth,
and have lost all relish for gay entertainments ; when old age steals upon us, and
fe.oops toward the grave, this will cleave fast to us, and give us relief.
Clad in this immortal robe, we need not fear the awful summons of the king of
terrors, nor regret our retiring into the chambers of the dust. Our immortal part will
wing its way to the arms of its Redeemer, and find rest in the heavenly mansions.
And though our earthly part, this tabernacle of clay, returns to its original dust, and
is dissolved,— our joy, our consolation, our confidence is, that " we have a building
of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
Such will be the happy consequences attendant on all those who strictly adhere to
the Christian religion, and diligently, through the course of their lives, follow the
precepts laid down by their divine Master, the great Saviour and Redeemer of the
world.

MIRACLES, PARABLES, AND DISCOURSES Of JESTJS.
Otm Saviour's miracles were exceedingly numerous, various, and benevolent, in
their character, but only a very small number of them are specifically mentioned.
The following is, therefore, only a list of those more particularly noled of the mira
cles of Christ : —

MIRACLES.

PLACES.

RECORD.

Water turned into wine

Cana.

John ii. 1-11.

The Capernaum nobleman's son cured

Cana ....

John iv. 46-54.

Surprising draught of fishes

Sea of Galilee.

Luke v. 1-11.

Demoniac cured

Capernaum .

Mark i- 22-28.

Peter's mother-in-law healed

Capernaum. .

Mark i. 30, 31

Leper healed . (

Capernaum .

Mark i. 40-45.

Centurion's servant healed

Capernaum.

Matt. viii. 5-13.

Widow's son raised from the dead.

Nain . .

Luke vii. 11-17.

Tempest calmed

Sea of Galilee.

Matt. viii. 23-27.

Demoniacs of Gadara cured

Gadara

Matt. viii. 2H-34.

Man sick of the palsy cured

Capernaum.

Matt. ix. 1-8.

Jarius's daughter raised to life

Capernaum

Matt. ix. 18-2fi.

Sight restored to two blind men

Capernaum.Capernaum

Matt. ix. 27-31.

Dumb demoniac cured

Matt. ix. 32, 33.

Woman diseased with issue of blood healed

Capernaum.

Luke viii. 43-46.

Diseased cripple at Bethesda cured

Jerusalem

John v. 1-9.

Man with a withered hand cured

Judea .

Matt. xii. 10-13.

Demoniac cured

Capernaum

Matt. xii. 22, 23.

Five thousand fed

Decapolis

Matt xiv. 15.-21.

Canaanite woman's daughter cured

Near Tyre

Matt. xv. 23-28.

Man deaf and dumb cured

Decapolis

Mark vii. 31-37.

Four thousand fed

Decapolis .

Matt xv 32-39.

Blind man restored tu sight .

Bethsaida

Mark viii 22-26

Boy possessed of a devil cured

Tabor . .

Matt. xvii. 14-21

Man born blind restored to sight .

Jerusalem

John ix.

Woman of eighteen years' infirmity cured

Galilee

Luke xiii. 11-17

Dropsical man cured

Galilee

Luke xiv. J-o

Ten lepers cleansed

Samaria

Luke xvii 11-19

Lazarus raised from the grave to life

Bethany ,

John xi.

Two blind men restored to sight

Jericho

Matt xx. 30-34

Fig-tree blasted

Olivet . .

Matt xxi. 18-21.

Tlie ear of Malchus healed

Gethsemane

Luke xxn. 59-51.

Wondrous draught of fishes

Sea of Galilee.

John xxi. 1-14.

Parable, a comparison or similitude, ingeniously and impressively representing
moral or religious truth (Matt. xiii. 3, 10, 18, 23). Jotham's parable is the most an
cient on record (Judg. ix. 7-15). Our Saviour's parables are most instructive (MaiL
xiii 53, 54); and the following are the principal recorded- —

b38

AN ILLUSTRATED

SUBJECT OF PARABLE.

PLACE.

RECORD.

1. Building on rock and sand . .

Galilee . . .

Matt. vii. 24.

2. Blind leading the blind • ¦

Galilee ....

Luke vi. 39.

3. Two debtors ... . .

Galilee . . .

— vii. 41.

4. Evil spirit returning ,

Galilee . . . .

Matt. xii. 43

5. Sower ind the seed . 

Galilee . • .

— xiii. 3.

6. Tares In the field . . 

Galilee . . . .

— — 25

7. Growth of seed .  i ¦

Galilee . ¦ .

Mark iv. 26.

8. Grain cf mustard-seed . . • •

Galilee . . . .

Matt. xiii. 31.

9. Leaven in meal ...

Galilee . . .

— — 33.

10. Treasure hid in the field

Gaillee ....

— — 44.

11. Pearl of great price

Galilee . . .

— — 45.

12. Net cast into the sea • •
13. Goqd householder . .

Galilee . . . .

— — 47.

Galilee . . .

— — 52.

14. Who need a physician . .

Galilee . . . .

— ix. 12.

15. Bridegroom's attendants . *

Galilee . . .

— — 15.

16. New cloth on an old garment . . ¦ •

Galilee . .

— — 16.

17. New wine in old bottles . •

Galilee . . ¦

— — 17.

18. Bread of life . .

Galilee . . . .

John vi. 32.

19. What*""" , a man . .

Galilee . . .

Matt. xv. 11.

20. Lost a,.„op . .... • •

Galilee . . . .

— xviii. 12.

21 The lord and unmerciful servant .

Galilee . . .

— — 23

Jerusalem . .

Luke x. 30.

23. Rich fool . ....

Galilee . .

— xii 16.

24 Lord and his servants

Galilee . .

— — 36.

25. Barren fig-tree

Galilee . . .

— xiii. 6.

26. Ambitious guests

Galilee . . . .

— xiv. 7.

27. Great supper .... •

Galilee . . .

— " ~— 16.

28. Hating father and mother . • •

Galilee . . . .

— — 26.

29. Building a tower . ....

Galilee . . .

— — 28.

30. King going to war . ...

Galilee . . .

— — 31.

31. Lost sheep, with additions

Galilee .

— xv. 3.

Galilee . . . .

— — 8.

33. Prodigal son . 

Galilee . . •

— — 11.

Galilee . . . .

— xvi. 1.

35. Rich man and Lazarus . ....

Galilee . . .

— — 19.

Galilee . . . .
— xvii. 7.
37. Unjust judge and widow . .
Jerusalem . .
— xviii. 1.
Jerusalem . .
— — 9.
39. Sheepfold . . ....
Jerusalem . .
John x. 1.
40. Good shepherd . . .
Jerusalem . .
— —11
41. Laborers in the vineyard . 
Beyond Jordan.
Matt. xx. 1
42. Ten pounds for trading . . .
Jericho . . .
Luke xix. 11.
43. Two sons .... 
Jerusalem . .
Matt. xxi. 28.
44. Husbandmen and vineyard .... ...
Jerusalem . .
— — 33.
45. Haughty builders ... 
Jerusalem
— — 42
46 Marriage feast . . . .
Jerusalem
— xxii. 1.
47 Wedding garment . 
Jerusalem . .
— — 11.
46. Budding of trees ... . .
Jerusalem
— — 29.
49. Wicked servant ... 
Jerusalem
— xxiv. 44.
50. Ten virgins . .... . . .
Jerusalem
— xxv. 1.
51. Talents for trading . . .
Jerusalem
— - 14.
Jerusalem . .
— — 31.
53. True vine  .
Jerusalem . .
John xv. I. ,
The following list of the remarkable discourses of Christ will illustrate his wisdom
and his doctrine : —
DISCOURSES.
Conversation with Nicodemus
the Samaritan woman
Discourse in the synagogue
Sermon on the mount 
Ordination charge to the apostles ....
Denunciations against Chorazin 
Discourse concerning healing the infirm man at Bethesda
 on his disciples plucking ears of corn on the sabbath .
Refutation of charge of working miracles by agency of Beelzebub
Discourse on the bread of life . .... ,
 concerning internal purity . ....
 against giving or taking offence and forgiving of injuries
-at the feast of tabernacles ,
-on occasion of the adulteress
-concerning the sheep .
Denunciation against the scribes and Pharisees
Discourse on humility and prudence
Directions how to attain heaven .
Discourse on the sufferings of Christ
Denunciations against the Pharisees
Predictions of the ruin of Jerusalem .
Discourse of consolation .
¦on the way to Gethsemane.
-with Peter after his resurrection .
-with his disciples before his ascension .
PLACE.
JerusalemSychar . . .
Nazareth . .
Near Nazareth
Galilee . . .
Galilee . . .
Jerusalem . .
Judea ....
Capemaum . .
Capernaum .
Capernaum . .
Capernaum
Jerusalem , .
Jerusalem . .
Jerusalem . .
Persa . . .
Galilee . .
Perasa . . .
Jerusalem . .
Jerusalem . .
Jerusalem . .
Jerusalem . .
Jerusalem . .
Galilee . .
Mount Olivet .
RECORD.
John iii. 1-21.
John iv. 1-42.
Luke iv. 16-31.
Matt, v., vi., vii
Matt. x.
Matt. xi. 20-24
John v.
Matt. xii. 1-8.
Matt. xii. 22-37.
John vi.
Matt. xv. 1-20.
Matt, xviii.
John vii.
John viii. 1-11.
John x.
Luke xi. 37-45.
Luke xiv. 7-14.
Matt. xix. 16-30
Matt. xx. 17-19.
Matt, xxiii.
Matt. xxiv.
John xiv-xvi. .
Matt, xxvi. 31-36.
John xxi. 5-32.
Luke xxiv. 50-53
HISTORY OF THE BT3LE.

539

540 AN ILLUSTRATED
CHAPTER V.
FROM THE ASCENSION TO THE MARTYRDOM OP STEPHEN.
The blepsed Saviour ofthe world having fulfilled all things prophesied of his mis
sion here on earth, and having, in a most solemn manner, taken leave of his disciples,
visibly retired before their eyes to eternal rest in his Father's kingdom. With hearts
full of grief and admiration they deplored the loss of the presence of their dear-loved
Lord , and, with longing eyes, paid their last attendance till he disappeared. They
continued, for some time, fondly looking toward the place where their Lord was
gone, till at length two angels in the shape of men, and gloriously apparelled, ap
peared before them, and delivered a message of consolation to this effect: " Forbear,
0 Galileans, your further admiration: your gracious Lord, whom even now you be
held ascending to heaven, shall one day come to judge the world in as glorious a
manner as he now departed from you. He hath not absolutely left you, but is gone
to take possession of that kingdom which he will continue to govern to the end of
the world."
The apostles and disciples of our Lord (among whom was Mary the mother of
Jesus, and some other pious women who had attended him in his ministry) being
greatly comforted by this divine message, immediately returned to Jerusalem, where
they spent their time in acts of religious worship, assembling daily in a certain upper
room, which they had made choice of for that purpose.
Peter had thought it necessary that a proper person should be chosen to supply the
place of the perfidious Judas, that the number of the apostles mighl be twelve, as
was originally appointed by their MasteE. To effect this, iu one of their assemblies
(which consisted of one hundred and twenty) Peter addressed himself to his fellow-
apostles in a speech which he had made for the purpose, the substance of which was
to this effect : "Ye know, brethren, what the royal prophet David (Psal. xii. 9) fore
told, and which has been punctually fulfilled, concerning Judas, who was of our
society, a fellow-disciple, and an apostle chosen with us. For a sum of money he
betrayed his Master to his enemies, after which, being troubled for what he had
done, he returned the money to the priest, who, not daring to put it into the treasury,
bought a field with it for the interment of strangers. This fact, and the fate of Judas,
were universally known to all that dwelt in Jerusalem, and therefore the field that
was bought with that money was vulgarly known by the name of the Field of Blood.
To Judas, therefore, belongs that which is mentioned by the holy psalmist (Psal.
Ixix. 25, and cix. 8), not by way of execration, but of prediction : that, as he should come
to a desperate miserable end, so the office which he had held with the rest of the twelve,
should be bestowed on another. It is then our duty, according to this prophecy, to
make choice of some one of these persons that are present (an^ — '"¦ 'lave continued
with us ever since our Lord undertook the charge and care of us, till his ascension
into heaven) that he may succeed Judas in the apostleship."
The proposition made by Peter was unanimously approved of by the assembly;
upon which two candidates were immediately nominated, namely, Jonas, surnamed
Barnabas, and Matthias, one of the seventy disciples. The choice of one of these
two was to be determined by lot, previous to which the apostles solemnly invoked
the divine direction in the following words : " Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts
of all men, show whether of those two thou hast chosen, that he may take part of
this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas, by transgression, fell" (Acts i. 24,
25). Having said this, they proceeded to draw lots, which happening to fall on
Matthias, he was accordingly elected into the number ofthe twelve apostles.
The number of the apostles being now complete, on the day of Pentecost,* they
» This word is derived from the Creek, and signifies the fiftieth, because the feast of Pentecost was
celebrated the fiftieth day after the sixteenth of the month Nisan, which was the second day of the feast
of the Passover (Levit. xxiii. 15, 16). And for the same reason it is called the feast of Weeks, because it
was observed seven weeks after the Passover (Deut. xvi. 9). It was at first instituted in order to oblige
the Jews to repair to the temple of the Lord, there to acknowledge his dominion and sovereignty over all
theii labors, and there to render thanks to him for the law, which he gave them on the fiftieth day afte:
their departure out of Egypt. In like manner, the Christian Church celebrates the feast of Pentecost fifty
days, or seven weeks, after the Passover, or resurrection of our blessed Saviour, to put us in remembrance
that the Gifts of the Spirit were then poured out in a plentiful manner, as the first-fruits of our Saviour'i
ascension into heaven, and that the Gospel began to be published by the apostles on the like day that th
ancient Law was given to the Hebrews.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 541
all assembled together at their accustomed place, in order to perform their religious
duties. While they were thus employed, a prodigious noise (much like the rushing
of a loud impetuous wind) suddenly filled all the house in which they were, and a
kind of fiery vapor, or exhalation, formed in the figure of a man's tongue, but divided
a little at the tip, sat on the head of each ; whereupon they were all immediately
filled with the Holy Ghost, and, by its divine inspiration, were enabled to speak in
several different languages.
At this time there were at Jerusalem many Jews and proselytes, who had come
thither from different parts of the world, to the celebration of the feast. When these,
therefore, were informed of the great miracle which had taken place with the apos
tles, and were convinced of the truth of it by hearing them speak the languages of
their respective countries, they were greatly astonished, and knew not what to make
of so singular an event. Some of them argued among themselves to this effect :
" How have these men, who are natives of Galilee, and have continued all their lives
there, acquired this knowledge? For in our respective languages we hear them
preaching the doctrine of Christ, and the wonderful things God hath wrought by
him. This certainly must imply something of very great moment." But others
were of a different opinion, and, in a scoffing manner, ridiculed the miracle, attribut
ing the powers possessed by the apostles to arise from inebriation : " These men,"
said they, " are full of new wine."
To destroy this calumny, and to open the eyes of the yet-deluded and perverse
Jews, Peter, in the name of the rest, addressed the multitude in a most admirable
speech, the substance of which was to the following effect : " Ye men of Judea, and
all that at this time see and hear what the Lord halh done, be assured these things
are not the effect of wine : ye know in your consciences it can not be so, since it is
but the third hour of the day.* But this is the completion of a famous prophecy of
Joel, who saith, In the last days I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh ; your sons
and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, and your old
men shall dream dreams. (See Joel ii. 28.) All ranks and qualities of men shall re
ceive the effusion of the Spirit of God, and those who were never brought up in the
schools of the prophets, shall be enabled to preach the gospel of Christ wherever they
go. And after that there shall be fearful and astonishing sights and prodigies, and
many great slaughters in Judea, as forerunners and prognostics of the destruction
which shall befall this people for their crucifying Christ, and from which the only way
to rescue yourselves is, to repent and acknowledge him, which is the design of this
miraculous descent of the Holy Ghost. Observe and attend, ye men of Israel, for
you are chiefly concerned in this great affair. This Jesus of Nazareth being demon
strated to be sent from God by the mighty works he did among you, all which you
know to be true ; him, I say, being permitted to fall into your hands, you apprehended
and barbarously crucified ; him, whom God, by his determinate council, had given to
retrieve you from your lost condition, ye, with profane hands, have slain. This same
Jesus, whom ye thus treated, hath God raised again, delivering him from the power
of death ; and, besides many other things, the prophecies concerning him required
that he should not long lie under death. Hear what David the royal psalmist says :
1 have set the Lord always before me ; because he is at my right hand, I shall not
be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth; my flesh also shall
rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave mv soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine
holy one to see corruption. Thou wilt snow me the path of life ; in thy presence is
fulness of joy, at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Give me leave,
brethren, to speak freely concerning David, who thus prophesied. He died like other
men, had a solemn interment, and we have his monument this day to show, and
whence he never arose. Therefore, he spake not of himself, but by way of prediction
pf the Messiah, whom he knew would infallibly spring from his loins, and be a prince
md ruler of his church. These words of his were prophetic, and literally verified in
he resurrection of Jesus, whose soul did not continue so long in a state of separation
as that his body should be corrupted ; and accordingly God raised him up in three
days, of which all we apostles were eye-witnesses. He having, therefore, assumed
his regal state and office in heaven, and God having given him power to send the
Holy Ghost, he hath now punctually fulfilled his promise in sending it on us in the
* That is, nine o'clock, the time of morning prayers, to which tho Jews generally went fasting.

542 AN ILLUSTRATED
most extensive manner ; one great effect of which yourselves can testify, by having
heard us speak languages which, a short time before, we did not understand. This
great and important truth, therefore, I now proclaim to you, that God the Father hath
raised up that Christ, whom ye Jews have crucified, and that he now sits on the right
hand of him in the kingdom of heaven."
This speech, or rather sermon, of Peter's, so wrought upon the minas of the people,
that they called out most passionately to him, and the rest of the apostles, request
ing their advice what measures they should pursue, in order to shake off that guilt
with which they had been so long loaded. Peter readily complied with their request,
and in a most tender and affectionate address, told them, that in order to lay aside
their infidelity, they must, with true contrition, acknowledge their sins, enter upon
the Christian profession with a firm resolution of never falling from it; and that they
must receive baptism from the apostles, who were thereby empowered to convey re
mission of sins to all true penitents. "Repent and be baptized every one of you in
the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the
Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you and "to your children, and to all that are
afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." (Acts ii. 38, 39.)
In consequence of this affectionate address, those who were really touched with
what Peter had said immediately renounced their former course of life, and proved
the sincerity of their hearts by receiving baptism. On that day about three thousand
people were converted to the faith of Christ, who continued assiduous iu hearing the
apostles teach, and in bringing their goods liberally for the relief of the distressed.
Nor were the converts only impressed with fear and reverence, but a general surprise
took place among all that saw these strange and early operations of the Holy Ghost*
which were still farther confirmed by several miracles performed by the apostles.
The gospel thus gaining ground, those that received it assembled togetner for the
service of God, constantly observing the times of public prayers, and receiving the
sacrament of the Lord's supper ; they distributed to the necessities of the poorer sort
as freely as God had given them ability, spending their time in acts of devotion and
charity, and exercising works of mercy to all. By the pious examples of these many
others were induced to join them, which gave the apostles a fruitful harvest of their
ministry, and by their repeated exhortations, others were daily rescued from the
wicked and dangerous converse of the perverse Jews, and heartily embraced the doc
trine of Christ.
After this wonderful reformation among the people in consequence of Peter's dis
courses, that apostle, accompanied by John, went one day to the temple about three
o'clock in the afternoon, which was one of the times generally set apart for prayer.
As they entered in at the gate of the temple toward the east in Solomon's porch,
which was called the beautiful gate, they saw a poor cripple, who had been lame from
his birth, lying there, and begging alms of those who passed him. As soon as the
cripple saw Peter and John, he looked up in their faces and earnestly begged charity
of them ; upon which Peter, looking steadfastly at him, said, " Silver and gold have
I none, but such as I have give I thee; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise
up and walk." No sooner were these words spoken than the poor cripple was made
whole. His joints became straight and his nerves strong, so that he went with the
apostles into the temple, " walking, and leaping, and praising God."
The poor man, who had sat daily, for a long time, asking alms at the door of the
temple, was universally known by the people, who seeing him walking and praising
God, were amazed at the greatness of the cure ; they therefore flocked in great num
bers round the apostles, by whom the poor man kept close, being unwilling to part
with those from whom he had received so distinguished a benefit. Peter, observing
the astonishment of the multitude, and thinking it a convenient opportunity of in
creasing the number of his followers, addressed himself to them in a long and very
pertinent harangue, the substance of which was to this effect : " Ye men of Israel,
why do you look upon this cure as a thing strange ? Or why do you attribute any
thing to us in this matter, as if it were in our power to perform so great a miracle ?
The God of our fathers gave this power to Jesus, whom you delivered to Pilate to be
crucified, releasing a known murderer and a thief, and putting to death him, who
came to give life to the world ; whom God hath been pleased to raise from the dead,
and make us witnesses thereof. Be assured, it is by belief in him that this man hath
been recovered from his lameness The man vou all well know, having, for many

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 543
years, seen him a begging cripple ; and the faith we have in the power of him on
whom we believe, hath wrought the remarkable cure at which you all so greatly
wonder. I do imagine, brethren, that such among you who rejected Christ did it
through ignorance, not knowing him to be the Messiah ; and that the like was the
case with your rulers. But by these means the many prophecies in the scriptures,
that the Messiah should be put to death, have been fulfilled. Do you, therefore,
amend your lives, that your past offences may be pardoned, and that, at the second
coming of Christ for the delivery and rescue of the faithful, you may, by repentance,
be admitted into the number of the elect. The Christ you have persecuted, and of
whose resurrection we have been eye-witnesses, hath now entered upon his sovereignty
in Heaven, whereby hath been fulfilled all the prophecies concerning him, particularly
lhat of Moses, who truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God
raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me, and him shall ye hear in all things
whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul which
shall not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. And not
only Moses, but all the prophets, from Samuel, as many as have spoken,* have fore
told the coming of the Messiah, with the destruction of those who should reject, and
the especial mercies to them that should believe in him. Ye are the particular per
sons of whom the prophets foretold, and to whom the promise and covenant which
God made with Abraham (that in his seed all the nations of the earth should be
blessed) did primarily belong. Ye are the heirs of this covenant, and God hath been
pleased to make the first overtures of mercy to you, that ye might receive the gospel
of his beloved Son, and repent of the iniquities which ye have done unto him." This
was the purport of St. Peter's speech on this occasion; and such was its efficacy, that
it converted so many of his hearers, as to make the whole number amount to no less
than five thousand.
While Peter was instructing the people, " the captain of the temple," at the insti
gation of the priests and Sadducees, came with an armed force, suddenly seized the
two apostles, and conducted them to prison. The next morning the great sanhedrim
met, and having ordered the apostles to be brought before them, demanded by what
power they had wrought that miracle upon the lame man, and who it was that gave
them authority to preach to the people ? In answer to these questions, Peter, being
endued with an extraordinary presence of mind and elocution of tongue, spoke to this
effect : " Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, we are this day examined be
fore you concerning an action, which is so far from being criminal, that it is an act of
special mercy. Be assured, that the miraculous cure performed on the lame man
.vas wrought by no other means than by invoking the name of Jesus of Nazareth,
whom ye crucified, and God most miraculously raised again. This is he that was
prophecied of under the title of a refuse stone, rejected by you, the chief of the Jews,
and treated with contempt ; but is now, by his resurrection, enthroned in power, and
is indeed become the ruler and king of the church, the prime foundation-stone of the
whole fabric. In him alone must salvation now be hoped for by all; nor can ye
expect to be saved unless you readily receive and heartily embrace his doctrine."
The council, seeing with what courage and freedom of speech the apostles behaved
themselves, and withal considering that their education alone could not have raised
them above the capacity of other men (being neither skilled in the learning of the
Jews, nor, as men of distinction, instructed in their laws), they were greatly aston
ished ; and still more so when they recollected that the two apostles were of those
who had attended Jesus in his lifetime, and saw the man on whom they had wrought
the miraculous cure stand by them ready to attest the truth of it. From these con
siderations, they knew not for some time how to act, till at length they resolved to
hold a private conference among themselves, and for that purpose ordered the apos
tles to withdraw. As soon as they were gone, the council entered into debate on the
cubject, arguing with one another to this effect : " As to the men, we have nothing
to accuse them of; for that they have performed a great miracle is apparent to many,
and the man that was healed is a living witness of the truth of it. Since, therefore,
* The account of the prophets is here begun from Samuel, because the schools of the prophets were first
instituted and erected by him ; and not that there was no prophet before him._ The sons of the prophets
spent the greater part of their time in studying the law, and praising and serving God, and some were sent
on messages to the people (for all wer8 not called to the prophetic office) and therefore it is added, asma%y
is have spoken ; that is, as many out ot the schools of the prophets as were Divinely called to the prophetic
office.

544 AN ILLUSTRATED
they have not been guilty of any breach of our laws, to prevent their further seducing
the people (who are too apt to be led away by them) we will call them in and forbid
them, upon severe penalties, to preach Christ and his gospel any more." In conse
quence of this resolution, the two apostles were called in, and commanded not to lalk
privately or teach publicly anything concerning the faith of Christ. But the Chris
tian heroes, whose commission was from a higher power than any on earth, slighting
this interdict and all their threats, made answer, " That since they had received a
command from Heaven to declare to all nations what they had heard or seen, it was
certainly their duty to obey God rather than them." This was a fair appeal to the
consciences of their very judges ; but their judges, instead of being satisfied with it,
would probably have proceeded to some greater violence, had not the people's venera
tion for the apostles put a restraint upon their malice. All, therefore, that they dared
to do was to repeat and enforce their menaces ; having done which, they ordered
them to be discharged.
As soon as the two apostles were dismissed, they returned with great joy to their
brethren, who with infinite satisfaction heard the report of all that had passed. They
then unanimously glorified God, who by his holy prophet David had foretold what was
now come to pass : that the Jews should oppose Christ, say false things of him, deny
and crucify him first, and, when God had raised him from the dead, oppose the preach
ing of him ; that the princes and governors, Herod and Pontius Pilate, should combine
against him, and the rulers should, in council, endeavor to suppress the propagation
of his doctrine. " And now, Lord," said they, " behold their threatenings, and grant
unto thy servants that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth
thy hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy
child Jesus." No sooner had they concluded their prayer than the house in which
they were was shaken with a mighty wind, in like manner as it had been before on
the day of Pentecost ; whereupon they were instantly replenished with fresh measures
of the Holy Ghost, and, notwithstanding all the threats of the Jewish rulers, found
themselves invigorated to preach the gospel of Christ with more boldness and reso
lution than ever.
The charity at this time among believers was very large and extensive. Such as
had houses, or possessions of any kind, sold them, and deposited the money in the
hands of the apostles, to be by them distributed in due proportions according to the
necessities of their brethren. This a certain Levite (a native of Cyprus, called Joses,
but by the apostles surnamed Barnabas, or " the Son of Consolation") did with great
reidiness and singleness of heart, selling the estate of which he was possessed, and
giving the whole produce to the apostles. In imitation of this good man, one Ana
nias, with his wife Sapphira, resolved to devote all they had to ihe service of the
church ; in consequence of which they sold their estate : but afterward altering their
minds, jointly agreed to keep some part of the money, intending thereby to impose upoi
the apostles. Ananias going first into the presence of the apostles, with great assurance
and seeming cheerfulness, produced the money and laid it at their feet. But Peter,
who by Divine inspiration knew the cheat, in a holy indignation and abhorrence of
so vile an act of sacrilege, reprehended him in words to this effect : " How, 0 Ananias,
hath Satan persuaded thee thus to attempt to deceive the Holy Ghost, in purloining
part of that which thou hadst consecrated to God's service and the use of his church ?
Before thy land was sold, was it not wholly thine ? And when it was sold, didst
thou not receive the full price for it ? Was it not then in thy full power to perform
thy vow ? Thy iniquitous conduct in concealing a part of the money is not only an
injury to the church, but to God, who knew thy private vow, that it was consecrating
of all, and not this part only which thou hast brought to us." These piercing words,
togetner with the horrors of conscious guilt, so impressed the mind and heart of
Ananias, that he fell down dead on the spot, to the great astonishment and terror ol
all present, and his body was immediately taken away for interment. About three
hours after, his wife Sapphira went to the assembly, not in the least suspecting whal
had happened to her sacrilegious consort. Peter asked her whether the sum which
her husband had brought was the whole for which their estate was sold. To this
she answered in the affirmative ; upon which Peter reprehended her in words to this
effect: "How durst you both combine to provoke God, to try whether he will punish
this your impious fraud or not? That you may see how highly God resents yout
(sacrilegious intentions, behold the men are coming in who have buried your dead

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 545
husband, and now they shall do as much for you." No sooner had he spoken these
words than Sapphira fell dead at his feet, and the same persons that had buried Ana-
mas carried her out from the assembly, and laid her by him. These remarkable
instances of the Divine wrath filled all the converts with fear and trembling, and
prevented, in a great measure, that hypocrisy and dissimulation by which others
might have flattered themselves with deceiving the church.
Miracles of severity were not, however, much practised by the apostles. Acts of
mercy were their proper province, and heating the diseased and freeing the possessed,
a great part of their employment. In the execution of this business the divine power
so far attended them, that even the shadow of Peter passing by cured the sick, who,
in the open streets, were laid on beds and couches, on purpose to receive the benefit
of his salutary influence. Nor were these marvellous cures confined to the inhabit
ants of Jerusalem only, but the people of several neighboring towns and villages
brought thither their sick, their lame, and possessed, all of whom were, by the
apostles, relieved from th^ir respective infirmities.
The fame of these cures, and the great success which Christianity gained by the
miracles and preaching of the apostles, reaching the ears of the high-priest, and some
others of the Sanhedrim (who were of the sect of the Sadducees), they were highly
incensed against the apostles, and therefore caused them to be apprehended, and
thrown into the common prison. But that very night they were released from their
confinement. The prison-doors, though fastened with the utmost caution, opened ot
themselves at the approach of a messenger from the courts of heaven, who com
manded the apostles to leave the dungeon, repair to the temple, and preach the glad
tidings of the gospel to the people.
Early the next morning the council again assembled, and, thinking the apostles
were in safe custody, despatched their officers to the prison, with orders to bring them
immediately before them. The officers accordingly went to obey their orders, but,
behold, when they came to the prison, they could not find the apostles. In conse
quence of this they returned to the council, telling them, that the doors of the prison
were shut, indeed, and the keepers all upon their guard, but as for the persons whom
they were sent for, there was not one of them to be found. This intelligence greatly
surprised the council, who wondered how it could be, that, the prison being shut,
and the guard at the doors, the prisone' s should escape. But, while they were in
this state of perplexity, a messenger ar ived with news, that the men, whom they
had the night before committed to pris'/n, were then in the temple, preaching and in
structing the people. In consequence of this, the captain of the guard, with some
other officers, immediately went to the temple, and entreated the apostles to go be
fore the council, not daring to offer iny violence to them, for fear of being stoned by
the people.
As soon as the apostles appe?red before their judges, the high-priest demanded
how they durst presume to pre?.ch a doctrine, which so lately had been interdicted
ihem. To which Peter, in the name of the rest, returned them an answer to this
effect : " We certainly ought to obey God rather than man. And though you have
so barbarously and contumeliously treated the blessed Jesus, yet God hath raised him
up to be a prince and Saviour, to give both repentance and remission of sins. And
of these things both we, and the miraculous power which the Holy Ghost hath con
ferred on all Christians, are witnesses."
This answer greatly exasperated the council, and they began to consult among
themselves in what manner they should punish them. Their first resolution was, to
put them to death, but this was over-ruled by the wise advice of a certain Pharisee,
named Gamaliel, a man of the most distinguished reputation, and universally respect
ed. After ordering the apostles to withdraw, he advised the council to proceed in
Ihe affair with great caution, lest bad consequences might attend their resolutions. He
[old them that several persons had formerly raised parties, and drawn great numbers
of people after them; but that all their schemes had miscarried, and their designs
rendered abortive, without the interposition of that court. That they would, there
fore, do well to let the apostles alone ; for, if their doctrines and designs were of
human invention, they would come to nothing; but if they were of God, all their
powers and policies would be of none effect, and sad experience would too soon con-
wnce them that they had themselves opposed the counsels of the Most High.
This speech so far diverted the indignation of the council, that they changed ihe
35

546 AN ILLUSTRATED
sentence (at first designed against the apostles' lives) mto a corporal punishment
They therefore, after remanding them into court, ordered them to be immediately
scourgea, which being done, they strictly charged them not to preach any more in
the name of Jesus, and, with this charge, gave them their liberty.
, But this punishment and injunction had little effect on the disciples of the blessed
Jesus. They returned home in triumph, rejoicing that they were thought worthy to
suffer in so righteous a cause, and to undergo shame and reproach for so kind and
powerful a Master. Nor could all the opposition of man, blended with the malice
of the power of darkness, discourage them from performing their duty to God, or
lessen their zeal for preaching, both in public and private, the doctrine of the gospel.
The great increase of believers, and the ready access to the common fund for the
celief of the poor, made the institution of another order of men in the Christian church
highly necessary. Among the great number of converts were some Jews, who, by
having been long in foreign countries, had disused the Hebrew, and spoke only
the Grecian tongue, so that they were considered by the common Jews as if they
had been foreigners. These people complained to the apostles, that, in the dis
tribution ofthe charity-money, an undue preference was given to the Hebrew widows,
while theirs were too frequently neglected. In consequence of this complaint the
apostles assembled together the whole multitude of their disciples, when Peter, in
the name of the rest, addressed them in words to this effect : " It is not reasonable
that we should neglect the preaching of the gospel, by undertaking the care of look
ing after the poor. Therefore, brethren, do you nominate to us seven men, who
have shown themselves to be faithful, trusty persons, eminent among you for wis
dom, and other good gifts, that we may appoint (that is, consecrate, or ordain) to the
office of deacons in the church, and intrust them with the care of distributing to those
who want out of the public stock. In the choice of these, let it be observed, that
they be person well versed in the knowledge of divine matters, that they may give
assistance to us occasionally in preaching the word, and receiving proselytes to the
faith, by baptism. And by these means we shall be less interrupted in our daily em
ployment of praying, and preaching the gospel."
This proposal was highly satisfactory to the whole assembly, who immediately
nominated seven persons, namely, Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Phar-
menas, and Nicolas. These seven they presented to the twelve apostles, who, by
prayer, and laying their hands on them, ordained them to the office of deacons.* Of
these seven, trie most eminent for the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit was Stephen.
He preached the gospel with a noble courage and resolution, and confirmed it with
many public and unquestionable miracles among the people, insomuch, that by his
means the Christian religion gained ground abundantly. Converts came in apace ;
and great numbers of the priests themselves laid aside their prejudices and embraced
the gospel.
The great zeal of Stephen for propagating the gospel, and the success that attended
his endeavors, soon awakened the malice of his adversaries, who procured some
members! of the most learned synagogues, then in Jerusalem, to dispute with him.
* The names of these seven deacons are all of Greek extract, whence we may infer, that, very prolr rbly,
they were all natives of Greece, and that, consequently, by their designation, the church was desirous to
give full satisfaction to the complaint of those, whose widows had been before neglected. Of the first two
of these, viz., Stephen and Philip, the sacred history has given us a sufficient account, but of the ' rest we
have nothing certain, except we will admit of what the Latins tell us of Prochorus, viz., that on the 9th of
August he suffered martyrdom at Antioch* after having made himself famous for his miracles : of Nicanor,
that on the 10th of January he suffered in the Isle of Cyprus, after having given great demonstrations ol
his faith and virtue : of Timon, that on the 19th of April, he was first thrown into the fire, and, when lie
had miraculously escaped thence, he was fixed upon a cross at Corinth : of Parmenas, that on the 23d
of January he suffered at Philippi, in Macedonia: and of Nicolas, that, either by design or indiscretion,
he gave rise to the infamous sect of Nicolaitans, and therefore no Christian church has ever yet paid any
honor to his memory.
tAs there were people of all nations, proselytes to the Jewish religion, dwelling at Jerusalem, it is
reasonable to imagine, that they had synagogues, or places appointed for prayer, for hearing the law, and
pious exhortations in their own languages. The Jews tell us, that there were no less than four hundred
and eighty of these in Jerusalem, which were so many inferior churches, and subordinate to the temple,
as their cathedral. These synagogues very probably were built, and maintained by the several nations, or
degrees of people that resorted to them, and from these they had their names, as the synagogue of Liber
tines, that is, of such as were denizens of Rome, of the Cyrenians, the Alexandrians, <fcc. But it is to be ob
served of these synagogues, that they were not only places of religious worship, but a sort of colleges oi
schools likewise, where persons were instructed in the law and traditions of the Jews. The Jews at this
time were dispersed in several foreign parts, and Irom these they sent their youth to Jerusalem to be edu
cated in tlie synagogue, or college, peculiar to their respective countries. St, Paul was of the province of
niicra. and, as it is reasonable to think that lie studied in a college, either belonging to the country where

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 547
But when they found their disputants baffled, and unable to withstand the force of those
arguments with which the divine wisdom had inspired Stephen, they betook them
selves to vile practices. Having procured some profligate men to accuse him of blas
phemy, they caused him to be apprehended, and, in a tumultuous manner, took him
before the Sanhedrim, in order to obtain a formal sentence against him.
While Stephen stood before the council, the judges, and all the people then present,
beheld a lustre and radiancy in his countenance, not unlike the appearance of an
angel. This, however, did not so far intimidate the Sanhedrim as to prevent them
from listening to the accusation of the false-witnesses, who charged him with blas
phemy, in foretelling the destruction of the temple, and the change of the Mosaic
rites and ceremonies. " This man," said they, " ceaseth not to speak blasphemous
words against this holy place and the law. For we have heard him say, Jesus of
Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses deliver
ed us.
The high-priest, having heard the accusation against Stephen, asked him, whether
or not he was guilty of thus prophesying the destruction of the temple, and change
of the Jewish religion ? In answer to this question, Stephen made a very grave and
severe oration, the substance of which was to the following effect:
"Hearken unto me, ye descendants of Jacob; the Almighty, whose glory is from
everlasting, appeared to our father Abraham, before he sojourned in Charran, even
while he dwelt in Mesopotamia, commanding him to leave his country and relations,
and retire into a land which he would show him.
"Abraham obeyed the divine mandate; he left the land ofthe Chaldeans and
pitched his tent in Charran; whence, after his father was dead, he removed into
Canaan, even the land you now inhabit ; but he gave him no inheritance in this
country, not even so much as to set his foot upon. He promised, indeed, he would
give it him for a possession, which should descend to his posterity, though at this
time he had no child.
" God also indicated to him that his seed should sojourn in a strange land ; the
people of which should make them bondmen, and treat them cruelly four hundred'
years. After which, he would judge that nation, bring out his people, who should
serve him in this place, as an earnest of which he gave him the covenant of circum
cision ; and afterward a son, whom Abraham circumcised the eighth day, calling his
name Isaac, who begat Jacob, and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.
" But these, moved with envy, sold their brother Joseph into Egypt, where the
Almighty protected him, delivered him from all his afflictions, endued him with wis
dom, and gave him favor in the sight of Pharaoh, the monarch of Egypt, who made
him governor both of his house and kingdom.
" Soon after this exaltation of Joseph, the countries of Egypt and Canaan were
afflicted with a terrible famine, and our fathers found no sustenance, either for them
selves or flocks. But as soon as Jacob heard the welcome tidings that there was
corn in Egypt, he sent our fathers thither to purchase bread for the people of his
household. And in their second journey thither, Joseph made himself known to his
brethren, and also informed Pharaoh of his country and relations. After which
Joseph's falhei, with his whole house, consisting of threescore and fifteen souls,
went down into Egypt, where both Jacob and our fathers died, and were carried
to Sychem, and deposited in the sepulchre purchased of the sons of Emmor. the
father of Sychem.
" But as the time for fulfilling the promise made to Abraham approached, the peo
ple multiplied m Egypt, till another king arose, who was not acquainted with the
merits of Joseph, and the great things he had done for that country. T'>is prince
used our fathers with cruelty, and artfully attempted to destroy all the male cnildren.
At this time Moses was born, and being exceeding fair, was nourished three months
in his father's house ; but as it was dangerous to conceal him there any longer, he
was hid among the flags on the bank of the river ; when the daughter of Pharaon
found him, and educated him as her own son.
" Thus Moses became acquainted with all the learning of Egypt, and was mighty
both in word and deed ; but when he was forty years old he thought proper to visit
he was born, or proper to his quality, as a freeman of Rome ; there seems to be no incongruity in suppos
. mg tl-at he miglit possibly be one, either of those Libertine or Cilician disputants, who entered the lists
with St. Stepher

548 AN ILLUSTRATED
his brethren, the children of Israel ; and seeing an Egyptian smite a Hebrew, ne as
sisted the suffering person, and slew the Egyptian ; supposing that his brethren
would have been persuaded that from his hand, with the assistance of the Almighty,
they might expect deliverance ; but they conceived no hopes of this kind.
" The next day he again visited them, and seeing two of them strivir g together,
he endeavored to make them friends : ' Ye are brethren,' said he to iheui, 'why do
ye injure one another V But he who did his neighbor wrong, instead of listening to
his advice, thrust him away, saying, ' By what authority art thou a judge of our
actions ? Wilt thou kill me as thou didsl the Egyptian yesterday ?'
" Moses, at this answer, fled from Egypt, and sojourned in the land of Media,
where he begat two sons. And at the end of forty years, the angel of the Lord ap
peared unto him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, out of the middle of a bush burning
with fire : this was a sight which surprised Moses ; and as he drew near to view
more attentively so uncommon a thing, God called unto him, saying, ' I am the God
of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' At
which Moses trembled, and turned aside his face. But the Lord said to him, 'Put
off thy shoes from thy feet, for the place where thou standest is holy ground. I
have long seen the afflictions of my people, which are in Egypt; I have heard
their cries, and am now descended from heaven to deliver them. Come, there
fore, I will send thee into Egypt.'
" Thus was that Moses whom they refused sent by God to be ruler and deliverer,
by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. Accordingly he brought
them out after he had showed signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, in the Red
sea, and in the wilderness, forty years. It is this Moses that told our fathers, ' A
prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, and your brethren, like unto me.
Him shall ye hear.'
" And this prophet is the same who was in the church m the wilderness, with the
angel which spake unto Moses in Mount Sinai, and with our fathers ; the same who
received the lively oracles to give unto us; he whom our fathers would not obey, but
thrust him from them, and were desirous of returning to their state of bondage—
commanding Aaron to make them gods to go before them, and pretending that they
knew not what was become of Moses, who delivered them from the slavery of Egypt.
They now made a calf, offered sacrifices to it, and rejoiced in the work of their own
hands. From these idolatrous proceedings they lost that divine protection which had
hitherto attended them as the prophets have recorded. ' O ye houses of Israel ! have
you offered unto me slain beasts and sacrifices, by the space of forty years in the wil
derness ? Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Rem-
phan: figures which ye made to worship them: I will carry you away beyond
Babylon.' " Our fathers were possessed of the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, being
made according to the pattern Moses had seen in the mount. This tabernacle our
fathers brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, who were driven
out by the Almighty, till the days of David, a favorite of the Most High, and who was
desirous of finding a tabernacle for the God of Jacob ; but Solomon built him a house.
" We must not, however, think that the Almighty will reside in temples made
with hands, as the prophet beautifully observed : ' Heaven is my throne and earth is
my footstool : what house will ye build me, saith the Lord, or where is the place of
my rest ? Hath not my hand made all these things ?'
"Ye stiff-necked, ye uncircumcised in heart and ears, will ye for ever resist the
Holy Ghost ? Ye tread in the paths of your fathers ; as they did, so do you still con
tinue to H- Did not your fathers persecute every one of the prophets? did not they
slay them who showed the coming of the Holy One, whom ye yourselves have be
trayed and murdered? Ye have received the law by the disposition of angels, but
never kept it."
This speech, but particularly the conclusive part of it, incensed the council to such
a degree against Stephen, that they made use of the most bitter invectives, and
resolved to chastise him by no less a punishment than death. But Stephen was to
tally regardless of what they said or did, having his mind employed in the delightful
prospect of heaven, and the appearance of the blessed Jesus standing at the right
hand of God. The visionary prospect of this heavenly scene so enraptured his jouI,
that he couri not help communicating it to the council. " Behold," said he, ' I see

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 549
the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." On saying
these words, the resentment of the council against him was so ungovernably increased
that raising a loud clamor, and stopping their ears against all cries for mercy, thev
immediately dragged him away without the city, and stoned him to death. Whil
Stephen was undergoing this punishment, he first devoutly recommended his soul -.«.
God, and then earnestly prayed for his murderers, that the sin they were committing
" might not be laid to their charge ;" having done which, he quietly resigned his
soul into the hands of Him who gave it. His remains were decently interred by
devout men (proselytes to the Christian faith) who made great lamentation over him.
Among the many that were enraged against Stephen, one particular person who
had but too great a hand in his death, was a young man of Cilicia, named Saul.
This person, out of his great officiousness to have Stephen executed, undertook to
look to the clothes of the witnesses, who usually stripped themselves to throw the
first stones (as the law directed) at the person who was to suffer by their evidence.
Not satisfied with this, Saul, out of his passionate concern for the traditions of the
ancients, and his natural inveteracy on that account, against the advocates of" the
gospel, resolved to persecute all he could who professed the new religion. He accord
ingly applied to the sanhedrim for a commission for this purpose, which was no sooner
granted than he immediately proceeded to carry it into execution. Having proper
assistance, he broke open houses, seized upon all who looked like the disciples of
Jesus, and unmercifully dragged them to prison, where he caused them to be
scourged and otherwise ignominiously punished. These acts of cruelty he exercised
wherever he went ; so that most of the believers, except the apostles, were forced
to leave Jerusalem, and disperse themselves in the regions of Judea and Samaria,
Syria and Phoenicia, Cyrus and Antioch, &c.
In consequence of this, the glad tidings of the gospel (which had till now been
confined to Judea, and many professors of it obliged to hide themselves in secret
places) was preached to the Gentile world, and an ancient prophecy was fulfilled
which says, " Out of Sion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from
Jerusalem." Thus did the Almighty bring good out of evil, and cause the malicious
intentions of the wicked to redound to his honor and praise.

CHAPTER VI.
PHILIP THE EVANGELIST — CONVERSION OF SAUL.
Among those who fled from Jerusalem in consequence of the violent persecution by
Saul, was Philip the deacon, the next in order after Stephen. He directed his course
toward Samaria, preaching the gospel at various places in his way, and at length
took up his residence in that city. His labors here were crowned with success ; he
confirmed the doctrine he preached by the performance of many distinguished
miracles, and in a short time was attended by a prodigious number of converts. In
the city lived a person named Simon, who, by his sorcery and magical arts, had so
strangely gained the veneration of the people, that they considered his diabolical
illus'.ins as real operations of the power of God. Simon, seeing great numbers of
his admirers fall off from him, and embrace the doctrine preached by Philip, pre
tended to be a convert likewise, and (in hopes of obtaining some share of the miracu
lous gifts, which he could not but admire in Philip) was baptized by him with some
others who had embraced the doctrine of Christ.
The great success which attended Philip at Samaria being made known to the apos
tles at Jerusalem, they sent Peter and John to confer the gifts of the Holy Ghost on
the new converts. Simon, the magician, perceiving that a power of working miracles
was consequent to all those on whom the apostles laid their hands, offered to give
them money if they would invest him with a like power. But Peter, knowing the
insincerity of his heart,, rejected his offer with scorn and detestation; and severely re
buked him in words 00 this effect : " Thy money (said the great apostle) perish with
thee. As thy heart is full of hypocrisy and deceit, thou shalt never be invested with
any part of this divine privilege, for thy design in desiring these gifts is to advance
thy own credit and esteem among men, and not to enlarge the kingdom of Christ.
Repent, therefore, and humble thyself before God for this wicked and impious pro
posal, that the thoughts of thy heart may be forgiven thee ; for I Derceive that thy

550 • AN ILLUSTRATED
temper and disposition of mind is still vicious and corrupt ; that thou art yet bound
by the chains of iniquity, and in a state displeasing to God, and dangerous to thyself."
This severe rebuke from Peter greatly affected the mind of Simon; his conscience
(lew in his face, and he earnestly entreated the apostles to make intercession for him
¦'o the throne of grace, that the Almighty might pardon his sins, and not inflict on him
those heavy judgments which Peter had intimated were likely to fall on him for his
enormous transgressions.
The two apostles, having confirmed the doctrine preached by Philip in Samaria,
left that city and returned to Jerusalem, in their way to which they expounded the
doctrine of Christ in several considerable villages, and were so successful, as to bring
over a prodigious number of sincere proselytes.
Soon after Peter and John left Samaria, Philip received orders from a heavenly
mes senger to quit that city, and go southward into the road which led from Jerusalem
to Gaza. Philip immediately obeyed the divine mandate ; but he had not travelled
far before he espied a chariot with a splendid retinue, which, on inquiry, he found be
longed to a eunuch, the treasurer of Candace, queen of Ethiopia; who being a pros
elyte to the Jewish religion had been to pay his devotions at Jerusalem, and was then
upon his journey home. When Philip approached the chariot he was directed by the
spirit of God to stop and speak to the person within it. This he accordingly did, and
found the treasurer commendably employed in reading a passage of the prophet Isaiah.
Philip, after apologizing for interrupting him, asked if he clearly understood what he
was reading ; upon which the treasurer candidly acknowledged he did not, and be
sought him to get into the chariot and instruct him. Philip readily obeyed, and when
he came to examine the passage which had so much perplexed, and engaged the at
tention of the treasurer, he found it to be the following : " He was led as a lamb to
the slaughter, and like a sheep dumb before the shearer he opened not his mouth ; in
his humiliation his judgment was taken away, and who shall declare his generation?
For his life was taken from the earth." This text the treasurer desired Philip to ex
plain, asking him whether the prophet spoke this of himself, or of some other person ?
Philip took this opportunity of preaching to him the gospel of Jesus Christ, and clear
ly pointed out to him that not only the sense of the passage in question, but likewise
several others in the ancient prophets, was fully accomplished in his person, and the
transactions that had taken p1 ice during his stay on earth.
While Philip was expou ..ling the doctrine of Christ to the Ethiopian, they hap
pened to come unto a certai.i water ; and the eunuch said, " See, here is water ; what
doth hinder me to be baptized ?" And Philip said, " If thou believest with all thy
. heart, thou mayest." And he answered and said, " I believe that Jesus Christ is the
Son of God." And he commanded the chariot to stand still, and they went down
into the waler, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. ''And when
they were come up out of the water, the spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that
the eunuch saw him no more, and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was
found at Azotus ; and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to
Cesarea."* (Acts viii. 36-40.)
In the meantime Saul was very active in persecuting the believers of Christ in Je
rusalem and its neighborhood ; but such was his fiery zeal against the faithful, that
he resolved to carry his cruelty and resentment still farther. He therefore applied to
the sanhedrim, and obtained a commission from that court to extend his persecution
to Damascus, and to bring such believers as he might find in that city bound to Jeru-
salem.t Saul, pleased with the horrid power with which he was invested by the sanhedrim,
left Jerusalem, and prosecuted his journey toward Damascus,! being fully resolved to
• A city and port of Palestine, on the Mediterranean sea, seventy-five miles northwest from Jerusalem.
The tower of Strato was erected here for the defence of the harbor ; but Herod the Great improved the
' ¦ port by a breakwater, and built the city, which he called Cesarea, in honor of his patron Augustus, to whom
uso he erected a superb temple, adorned with the statue of that emperor. It soon rose to an extraordina
ry height of magnificence, and became the residence of the Roman proconsul ; hence the fact of Paul be-
.ng kept a prisoner for two years at Cesarea, and that so many tlrings are mentioned as having occurred in
¦ relation to Christians in this great city. (Acts viii. 40 ; x. 1 ; xii. 19 ; xxiii. ; xxiv. ; xxv. 4-14.) Our engraving
represents the present condition, merely ruins of Cesarea.
t The ancient capital of Syria, supposed to be the oldest city existing in the world : it is situated on the
river Barrady, and iies about 160 miles northeast of Jerusalem. (Gen, xv. 2 ; 1 Kingfl vi, 24 ; xv. 18.) Tra
dition says that Alel was murdered here ¦ and that Abraham was king of Damascus it is, however, cele
brated in the apostolic liistory for the co,. . crsion of the apostle Paul. (Acts ix. 1-22.) Tliis city ir ,iow fait

HISTORY OF THE BJBIX

551

Ruins of Cesarea.

View of the present City of Damascus.

552 AN ILLUSTRATED
execute his commission with the strictest severity. But it was the divine will, in
mercy to him as well as those he went to persecute, to frustrate his intentions.
When he came near Damascus, a refulgent light, far exceeding the brightness of the
sun, darted upon him, at which he was greatly amazed and confounded, falling, to
gether with his horse, prostrate on the ground. This light was accompanied with a
voice, in the Hebrew language, saying, " Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me ?'
To which Saul replied, " Who art thou, Lord ?" He was immediately answered,
" I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.''
As if he had said, " All thy attempts to extirpate the faith in me will prove abortive
and, like kicking against the spikes, wound and torment thyself."
Saul was now sufficiently convinced of his folly in acting against Jesus, whom he
was now assured to be the true Messiah. He therefore, trembling with fear, said,
" Lord, what wilt thou have me to do ?" On which a voice replied, " Arise, and go
into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do." Those who accompanied
Saul were struck with fear and amazement, wondering that they should hear a voice,
and yet see no man speak, while Saul himself was so dazzled and overpowered by
the light, that he quite lost his eyesight. His companions, therefore, led him by the
hand into the city of Damascus, where he continued three days totally blind, nor did
he, in the whole time, take the least refreshment.
« At this time there dwelt in the city a certain disciple, named Ananias, whom the
Lord, in a vision, commanded to go and find out one Saul of Tarsus (then lodging al
the house of one Judas, a Jew), and, by laying his hands on him, to remove his blind
ness. Ananias was startled at the name of the man, and, to excuse himself, alleged
his violent persecutions of the church, and with what a wicked intent he was then
come to Damascus. But to inis the vision told him, lhat he was appointed, by the
Divine Being, to be a powerful instrument in the propagation of the gospel, both
among the Jews and Gentiles, and that, how much soever he had persecuted Christi
anity heretofore, he was now to become a zealous defender of it, and even to die in
testimony of its truth.
Encouraged with this assurance, Ananias repaired to the nouse where Saul was,
and, laying his hands on him, delivered a message to this effect : " That the Lord
Jesus, who had appeared to him in his journey, had sent him not only to restore his
eyesight, but likewise to bestow upon him the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit,
such as might qualify him for the ministry to which he was then appointed." No
sooner had Ananias finished his speech, than thick films, like scales, fell from Saul's
eyes, and he received his sight ; immediately after which he was baptized, and con
tinued some days with the disciples at Damascus, preaching in the synagogues, and
proving that Jesus was the Messiah.
After staying some time at Damascus, Saul retired into the neighboring parts of
Arabia Petrea, where he first planted the gospel ; and, in the beginning of the next
year, returned to Damascus. Here he applied, with the utmost assiduity, to the great
work of the ministry, preaching Christ daily in the synagogues, and" confuting all
those who argued against his doctrine. He was, indeed, remarkably zealous in his
preaching, and blessed with a very extraordinary method of reasoning wherebv he
undeniably proved the fundamental points of Christianity. This irritated the Jews
to the highest degree ; and at length, after about three years' continuance in the city,
they found means to prevail on the governor of Damascus to have him apprehended,
and confined. But they knew it would be difficult to take him, as he had so many
friends in the city ; they therefore kept themselves in continual watch, searching all
the houses where they thought he might conceal himself, and likewise obtained a
guard from the governor, to attend the different gates of the city, in order to prevent
his escape. In this distress his Christian friends were far from deserting him ; they
tried every method that offered to procure his escape ; but finding it impossible for him
to pass through either of the gates of the city, they let him down from one of their
houses in a basket over the wall, by which means the cruel designs of his enemies
were rendered abortive.
ed Demesek, and contains a population of about 80,000, or, as some reckon, 150,000, mostly Mohammedans •
but about 3,000 are Jews, and about 10,000 are of several denominations of professing Christians Damas'
cus is a city of great trade, and therefore important as a missionary station, especially for the circulation
of the Scriptures through a vast district of Asia. Seventy or eighty minarets, rising above the houses rivt
•a r easing appearance to the city of Damascus, as represented in our second engraving on pa»e '527

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 653
Saul having thus escaped from his malicious persecutors in Damascus, repaired
to Jerusalem, where, at first, he was but coolly received among many of the dis
ciples. They were not insensible of his former conduct, and were therefore doubt-
mi of the sincerity of his heart, till at length Barnabas, who was privy to the cir
cumstances that had attended him both before and after his conversion, introduced
him to the apostles, and, having clearly related to them every particular that had
passed, they admitted him into their communion. He continued some time at Je
rusalem, during which he preached with great boldness to the people; and his
sermons were so powerful, and disputations with his opponents so unanswerable,
that they, like the Jews at Damascus, formed designs against his life. But as soon
as this was known to the brethren, they conducted him to Cesarea, whence he
set sail to his own city, Tarsus, and continued, for some years, preaching the gos
pel with great success in various parts of Cilicia and Syria.
The church, at this time, was free from persecution, and flourished exceedingly,
upon which Peter took the opportunity of making a general visitation to all the
reformed places in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria. In nis progress he arrived at a
town called Lydda, where he cured one iEneas of a paralytic disorder, which had
confined him to his bed for eight years; and from this miracle all the inhabitants
of Lydda, as well as a neighboring town called Saron, were prevailed on to em
brace the doctrine of Christ. From Lydda he was entreated by two messengers
to go over to Joppa,* on account of one Tabitha, a Christian woman, venerable
* This place occurs, under the name of Japho, in Josh. xix. 46 ; and which is still preserved in the pres
ent name of Jaffa, or Yaffa. It is situated about forty miles west of Jerusalem, on the shore of the Medi
terranean. Its fame, as a seaport, ascends to the remotest times in history, sacred and profane. In the
former we find ic the principal port of Palestine, and the peculiar port of Jerusalem ; being, in fact, the only
port in Judea. Hence we find that the materials obtained from Tyre, for the building; of Solomon's temple,
were brought to this port, to be conveyed thence by land to Jerusalem. But although Joppa was long the
port of Judea— as its distance afforded an easy communication with the capital, while its geographical posi
tion opened an extensive trade to all the coasts and islands of the Mediterranean — it was never a safe oi
.commodious harbur ; and those travellers are mistaken who attribute its present condition to the neglect
of ages. Josephus repeatedly explains its natural unfitness for a good haven, in nearly the same terms
which are employed by modern travellers in describing its present condition (" Antiq." xv. 9,6; " De Bello
Jud." iii. 9, 3). Tliis similarity is noticed by Mr, Buckingham, who himself says : " The port is formed by a
ledge of rocks, running north and south before the promontory, leaving a confined and narrow space be
tween the rocks and tlie town. Here the small trading-vessels of the country find shelter from the south
and west winds, and land their cargoes on narrow wharfs, running along before the magazines. When the
wind blows strong from the northward, they are obliged to warp out, and seek shelter in the small bay to
the northeast of the town, as the sea breaks in here with great violence j and there is not more than tliree
fathoms of water in the deepest part of the harbor: so accurately do the local features of the place cor
respond with those given of it by Josephus." Clarke also describes the harbor as one of the worst in the
Mediterranean ; so that ships generally anchor about a mile from the town, to avoid the rocks and shoals
of the place. From this account it will appear that Joppa afforded the only port, though a bad one, for the
important district behind it, inland. The bad state of the ancient roads, or rather perhaps the absence of
any roads, made a near harbor, however incommodious, of more immediate consequence than a good one
at any greater distance.
The coast of Joppa is low ; but the town itself is seated on a conical promontory, jutting out into the sea,
and rising to the height of about one hundred and fifty feet above its level ; having a desert coast to the
north and south, tlie Mediterranean on the west, and fertile plains and gardens belli nd it, on the east. The
base of the hill is surrounded by a wall, which begins and ends at the sea, and is fourteen or fifteen feet
high, and two or three feet thick ; with towers at certain distances, alternately round and square: being
of stone, it was of sufficient strength to oblige the French army under Bonaparte, to break ground and erect
batteries against it, before a breach could be made. At present it is in a bad condition, many parts having
given way from tlie violent rains of about seven years since ; so that, if Ibrahim Pacha had been obliged to
besiege it, he would have found the walls ready breached to his hands.
On the land side the town is approached through extensive and richly productive gardens, bv which it is
surrounded ; the light, sandy soil being very favorable to the production of various kinds of fruits. These
gardens are fenced with hedges of tlie prickly-pear, and are abundantly stocked with orange, lemon, pome
granate, and fig-trees, and with water-melons. The oranges and lemons grow to a prodigious size ; the
pomegranate have also a great reputation ; and the water-melons are celebrated over all the Levant for
their delicious flavor. The town itself is thus noticed by Buckingham :—
" The town, seated on a promontory, and facing chiefly to the northward, looks like a heap of buildings
crowded as closely as possible into a given space ; and, from the steepness of its site, these buildings ap
pear in some places to stand one on the other. The most prominent features of the architecture from with*
out, are the flattened domes, by which most of the buildings were crowned, and the appearance of arched
vaults. There are no light and elegant edifices, no towering minarets, no imposing fortifications, but all
is mean and gloomy aspect. . . The walls and fortifications have a weak and contemptible ap
pearance, compared even with those of Accho (Acre) ; and, as at that place, the entrance is preposses
sing, but its interior disappoints the expectations raised. After passing a gate crowned with three small
cupolas, the,e is seen, on the right, a gaudy fountain, faced with marble slabs, and decorated with painted
devices, and Arabic sentences in characters of gold. Passing within, however, the town has all the appear
ance of a poor village, and every part of it that we saw was of corresponding meanness." Many of the
streets are connected by flights of steps. The Mussulman part of the town is very much dilapidated, but
the street by the sea-wall is clean and regular.
Beside the citadel on the top of the hill, there is a small fort, near the sea, on the west, another on tho
north, and a third near the eastern gate of entrance ; mounting, in all, from fifty to sixty pieces of cannon
The religious structures are, three mosques, and the Latin, Greek, and Armenian convents. The popula

554 AN ILLUSTRATED
for her piety and diffusive charity, who was lately dead. Peter complied with the
reqeust of the messengers, and immediately accompanied them to Joppa. On his
arrival at the house he found the body in an upper chamber ready prepared for
interment, and surrounded by a number of mournful widows, who showed him
the coats and garments wherewith she had clothed them, the monuments of her
liberality. They durst not, however, request him to raise her from the dead, but by
their tears, and great commendations of her charity, sufficiently testified their wishes
that he would do it. Peter was not insensible of their meaning, and was willing
to grant what he knew would give them general satisfaction. Having, therefore,
ordered them to withdraw, he first knelt down, and prayed for some time, with
great fervency ; after which, turning himself to the body, he said, " Tabitha, arise."
Upon this, the good woman instantly opened her eye3, and Peter, taking her by the
hand, raised her up, and presented her alive to her friends and relations. This
miracle gained Peter a prodigious number of converts, and encouraged him, for a
considerable time, to continue his abode at Joppa, during which he resided in the
house of one Simon, a tanner.
During his stay at Joppa, he one day retired to the top of the house, aboul
noon, tc pray. After he had finished his devotions he found himself hungry, and
called for meat; but, while the people were preparing his dinner, he fell asleep,
and beheld, in a vision, a large sheet, or table-cloth, let down, as it were, by the
four corners from heaven, wherein were creatures of all kinds, clean and unclean;
and, at the same time a voice said to him, "Arise, Peter, kill and eat." But the
apostle, being tenacious of the rites and institutions of the Mosaic law, declared his
aversion to such a proceeding; upon which the voice rejoined, that what God had
pronounced clean, he ought by no means to account common or unclean. This
representation was made to him three several times, after which the sheet was taken
up, and the vision disappeared.
When Peter awoke he could not help seriously reflecting on the vision he had be
held; and while he' was woudering within himself what might be the event, he was
interrupted by three messengers, who, knocking at the gate, desired to speak with
him. They were accordingly admitted, and as soon as they saw Peter they ac
quainted him with their business, which was to the following purport : that " Cor
nelius, a Roman, captain of a company in the Italian legion,* then at Cesarea, a
person of eminent virtue, piety, and charity, had, by an immediate command from
God, sent to him, begging that he would return with them to give him some instruc
tions on so important and singular an occasion." Peter detained the messengers that
night ; but the next day he set out with them accompanied by some of his brethren,
md the day following arrived at Cesarea.
Cornelius, being in expectation of his coming, had invited his friends and relations
to his house, and as soon as Peter entered, he fell down at his feet to worship him ;
but the apostle, rejecting that honor as being due to God alone, raised him up, and
then told the company that, " though they must know it was not lawful for a Jew to
converse (more especially on the duties of religion) with those of another nation; yet
since God had taught him to make no distinction, he very readily attended their
pleasure, and desired to know the occasion of their sending for him."
The reply Cornelius made in answer to this was to the following eflect: "Fou.-
days ago, being fervently employed in the duties of fasting and prayer, an angel from
tion now must be fifteen thousand, mostly Turks and Arabs ; the Christians not being estimated at
more than six hundred. Joppa still enjoys a traffic, which, considering tlie state of the country, may be
called considerable, with the neighboring coasts. In the way of manufacture it is chiefly noted for its
soap, which is an article of export to Damascus and Cairo, and is used in all the baths of the principal
cities. The delicious fruits of the vicinity are also largely exported, particularly the melons. There are
no antiquities at Joppa, nor can any be expected in a town which has been so often sacked and destroyed—
five times by the Assyrians and Egyptians, in their wars with the Jews ; three times by the Romans : and
twice by the Saracens, in the wars of the Crusades. See the Land and the Book by Thompson.
* The cohort of the Romans, which we call band, was a body of infantry, consisting of five hundred men
ien of which bands made a legion : and the manner in which the Romans distinguished and denominated
their bands and legions was very various. Sometimes it was from the order of places, and so they were
called the first or second band, according to their rank and precedency ; Sometimes from the commanders
they were under, as the Augustan and Claudian band, <fec, because persons of that name did lead them ,
Sometimes from their own behavior, as the Victrix, the Ferrea, the conquering, the iron band, &c, by rea
son of the great valor, which, in some sharp engagements, these had shown ; Sometimes from the countries
they were chiefly quartered in, as the German and Fannonian band, &c, and sometimes from the parts
whence they were gathered, as this of Cornelius, is called the Italian band, because it was raised out of
that country, and was a body of forces well known for their gallantry and great exploits, among the write™
¦of the Roman history

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

555

556 AN ILLUSTRATED
the courts of heaven appeared to me, declaring that my prayers and alms were come
up as a memorial before the throne of the Most High ; and at the same time ordered
me to send to Joppa for one Simon Peter, who lodged in the house of a tanner near
the seaside, and would give me further information in the mysteries of salvation,
Accordingly I made no hesitation to obey the heavenly messenger ; I sent immediate
ly for thee, and now thou art come, and we are met together, I desire to hear wha»
instructions thou hast to communicate."
From this relation of the Roman officer Peter delivered a discourse to the assembly,
which he began by declaring that he perceived plainly God had made no distinction
of persons and people, but that the pious and godly of all nations were to meet with
acceptance. He Wd them, that peace and reconciliation between God and man waa
a doctrine published by the prophets of old, and of late, since the time of John the
Baptist, preached through Ga-lilee and Judea; that of this peace Jesus of Nazareth
was the only Mediator between God aud man, as appeared by the divine powers and
graces wherewith he was invested, and which he constantly exercised in doing good
to mankind; that of his life and actions, more especially of his crucifixion by the
JevC s. ¦ind resurrection from the dead, of his appearing to his disciples, and even
eating aim drinking with them after his resurrection, he and the rest of the apostles
were chosen witnesses ; that from him they had received, before his ascension, a
command and commission to publish to all nations, that, he was the person, whom
Gor! had ordained to be the great Judge of the world ; lhat all the prophets, with one
consent, bore witness of him; and that whoever believed in his nan.c would certain
ly receive the remission of sins.
While Peter was thus speaking, the Holy Ghost came down upon the whole
audience, and inspired them with gifts and graces, fitting them for several conditions
in the church. The Jews who accompanied Peter, were greatly astonished to see
that the gifts of the Holy Ghost were poured upon the Gentiles; which being ob
served by Peter, he told tnem he knew no reason why those persons should not be
baptized (having received the Holy Ghost) as well as they. He accordingly gave
orders that they should be baptized, which being done, he stayed with them several
days, in order to confirm them in the holy faith they had so happily and earnestly
embraced. The conduct of Peter on this occasion was considered in various lights by the
brethren at Jerusalem, who being but lately converted to the Christian faith, were
zealously attached to the religious ceremonies of the Mosaic institution, and therefore
most of "them severely charged Peter, on his return to Jerusalem, as being too familiar
with the Gentiles. How powerful is the Drejudice of education ! The Jews had,
for many ages, conceived an inveterate hatred to the Gentiles, considering them as
persons not approved of by the Almighty, who had chosen the Jews for his peculiar
people. The law of Moses, indeed, enjoined them to be kind to their own nation, in
preference to all others; and the rites and institutions of their religion, and the pe
culiar form of their commonwealth rendered them very different from the inhabitants
of other countries ; a separation which in after ages they contracted into a much nar
rower compass. They were also tenaciously proud of their external privileges in
being the descendants of Abraham ; and therefore looked upon the rest of the world
as reprobates, refusing to hold any conversation with them, or even to treat them
with common civility.
It is therefore no wonder that they were highly displeased with Peter ; nor would
he, in all probability, have been able to defend his conduct in a satisfactory manner,
had he not been charged with a peculiar commission from God for extending thn
privileges of the gospel to the Gentile world. To satisfy them, however, of the
propriety of his conduct, he first gave them a plain and minute narrative of the wh'le
affair, together with the occasion of it ; and then took occasion from the whole, to
draw this inference : that, " since God had been pleased to bestow on these Gen
tiles the same privileges, and marks of conversion, that he had done on his select
disciples, it would have been direct disobedience in him to the divine will, had he
ien ied them admission into the church, or refused them his instructions and conver
sation." From this representation the whole audience were perfectly satisfied ; and their
displeasure against Peter was turned into praise and thanksgiving to God, for having
communicated the same mercy to the Gentiles as he had done to the Jews ; namely
" repentance unto life eternal."

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 557
CHAPTER VII.
PERSECUTION BT HEROD — LABORS OP BARNABAS AND SAUL.
After the general dispersion which took place in consequence of the martydoni of
Stephen, and the persecutions that followed, some disciples, who were born in Cypius
and Cyrene,* having travelled through several countries, and hitherto preached to
the Jews only, at length came to Antioch,! where, hearing of the conversion of Cor
nelius and others, they applied themselves to the Greeks who lived in that city, and,
oy the blessing of God, daily made great numbers of converts. Intimation of this
being given to the apostles at Jerusalem, they despatched one Barnabas, a pious
man, and endued with many excellent gifts, to assist the disciples, and confirm the
believers in that city.
The success of the gospel in so large a place as Antioch, gave great satisfaction to
Barnabas, who, after continuing there some time, and exhorting the people to hold
fast the possession of that faith they had newly embraced, departed thence to Tarsus,
in order to find out Saul, whom he considered, from the fame he had heard of him
as a necessary person to assist him in facilitating the further promulgation of the
gospel. Having found out Saul, he returned with him, in a short time, to Antioch,
where, for the space of a whole year, they daily resorted to the most public places,
preaching and expounding the doctrine of their great Master ; by means of which
they soon gained over such a prodigious number of converts, that in this city the dis
ciples of Jesus were first distinguished by the honorable name of Christians.};
The extensive circulation ofthe gospel at Antioch opened an intercourse between
the Christians of that city and those of Jerusalem. Many people resorted from the
latter place to the former, and among them was one person named Agabus, who
foretold, that there would shortly be a great famine in many parts of the Roman
empire, which accordingly happened in the fourth year of the reign ofthe emperor
Claudius. In consequence of this prophecy, the Christians of Antioch determined to
make a collection for their brethren in Judea, which, on the approach of the dearth,
they accordingly did, and sent it to the elders at Jerusalem by the hands of Barnabas
and Saul.
About this time Herod Agrippa, the grandson of Herod the Great, in order to in
gratiate himself with the heads of the obstinate Jews, raised a most violent persecu
tion agahist the Christians, in the commencement of which he ordered James, the son
of Zebedee, and brother of John, commonly called "the Great,"|| to be put to death.
Finding this cruel act was acceptable to the chief-priests and rulers, he resolved to
extend his cruelty to Peter. He accordingly caused him to be apprehended and put
into prison, designing, immediately after the feast of the passover, to bring him forth
to the Jews, and, if they desired it, to have him executed. But the Christians were
incessant in their prayers to God for his safety ; nor were their prayers and solicita
tions in vain. Herod was persuaded in his own mind, that he should soon accom
* This was a city of great note, and once of such power, as to contend with Carthage for some pre-eml
nences. It stood on the western parts of Lybia (properly so called), and, as it was the principal city, it
sometimes gave the name of Cyronaica to the whole country, which by the sacred writer is paraphrastical-
ly called Lybia about Cyrene (Acts ii. 10). The city itself is famous in Holy Writ for being the birthplace
of that Simon, whom the Jews compelled to bear our Saviour's Cross.
+ This Antioch (to distinguish it from sixteen other cities, which, in Syria, and other countries, bore that
name) was frequently called Antiochia Epidaphne, from its neighborhood to Daphne, a village where the
Temple of Daphne stood. It was built, as some say, by Antiochus Epiphanes ; as others, by Seleucus Ni
canor, the first king of Syria after Alexander the Great, in memory of his father AntiochuB, and was, after
that, the royal seat of the kings of Syria. In the flourishing times of the Roman empire it was the ordina
ry residence of the prefect, or governor of the eastern provinces, and was also honored with the residence
of many of the Roman emperors, especially of Verus and Valens, who spent here the greatest part of their
lime. As to its situation, it lay on both sides the river Orontes, about twelve miles distant from the Medi
terranean sea ; was, in former times, adomed with many sumptuous palaces and stately temples, and both
by Nature and Art fortified even to admiration ; but. being taken by the Saracens, and afterward by the.
Turks, it began to grow into decay, and has ever since been in a desolate and ruinous condition.
? Before this they were called among themselves brethren, saints, disciples, believers, and those that callea.
on the name of Christ : and among their enemies, Galileans, Nazarenes, and men of the sect : but now by the
conversion of so many heathens, both in Cesarea and Antioch, the believing Jews and Gentiles, being al'
made one church, this new name was given them, as being more expressive of theii common relation fcr
Christ, their great Lord and Master
II He is commonly called the Great to distinguish him from another of the same name, who was bishop o
Jerusalem, and called the Less. He had his first instruction, together with John, from the Baptist ; but how
lie disposed of himself after our Lord's ascension does not appear. That he was very zealous and indus
trious in propagating the gospel, appears evident from Herod's making choice of birr, for the first sacniinu
(after the death of Stephen) to the fury of the people.

55S AN ILLUSTRATED
plish his design, and sacrifice Peter to the insatiable cruelty of the Jews. But the
night before this intended execution, a messenger from the courts of Heaven visited
the gloomy horrors of the dungeon, where he found Peter asleep between two of his
keepers. The angel raised him up, and taking off his chains, ordered him to gird on
nis garments, and follow him. Peter obeyed, and having passeu through thefirst and
seco i.l 'vitch, they came to the iron gate leading to the city, which opened to them of
its ov. i iccord. The angel also accompanied him through one of the streets, and then
depar eJ. On this Peter, who had hitherto been confused, thinking all that had
passed was no more than a dream, came to himself, and perceived that it was no
vision, but that his great and beloved Master had really sent a messenger from above,
and released him from prison. He therefore repaired to the house of Mary, the
mothei ">f John, surnamed Mark, where several disciples were met together, and
sending up their prayers to Heaven for his deliverance. As he stood knocking with
out, a maid-servant of the house, named Rhoda, knowing his voice, ran in, and ac
quainted the company that Peter was at the door. At first they would not pay any
attention to what she said; but on her persisting in the truth of what she asserted,
they concluded that it must have been his angel. Their doubts, however, were soon
removed by the entrance of Peter, at the sight of whom they were all greatly
astonished. Peter beckoning them to hold their peace, related the whole particulars
of his miraculous escape from prison, and, after ordering them to acquaint James,
and the other brethren, with this good news, withdrew himself to a place of more
retirement and security.
Early the next morning the officers went from Herod to the prison, with orders to
bring Peter out to the people, who were gathered together to behold his execution.
But when they came to the prison, they were informed by the keepers that Peter
had made his escape. The officers immediately returned with this intelligence to
Herod, who was so irritated at his being disappointed in his wicked design, that he
commanded the keepers to be put to death, as supposing them accessary to his es
cape ; after which he leti Jerusalem, and retired to Cesarea.
While Herod was in Cesarea, a misunderstanding took place between him and the
jinabitants of Tyre and Sidon, against whom he was about to declare war. But
hey, dreading his power (and knowing that in this time of scarcity their country
was in a great measure dependant on Herod's dominions for its support), sent ambas
sadors to Blastus, Herod's chamberlain, requesting him to intercede in their behalf,
and, if possible, to bring about an accommodation. Though Herod was highly dis
pleased with them, yet he so far listened to his chamberlain as to appoint a day for
holding a public conference with the ambassadors ; at which time, being dressed
in his royal robes, and seated on a throne, he made a long harangue on the occasion.
The fawning multitude, thinking to ingratiate themselves in his favor, and please the
tyrant's pride with flattering applause, shouted out, " It is the voice of a god, and not
of a man." This gratified the pride of Herod, who, assuming to himself that praise
which belonged only to God, was instantly struck by an angel with a mortification in
his bowels, which, in a short time, put a period to his existence.
The tyrant Herod being thus removed, the gospel greatly flourished and increased,
new converts daily thronging to be admitted to the faith.
About this time Barnabas and Saul, having discharged their trust in disposing of
the contributions raised in Antioch for the benefit of the Christians in Jerusalem and
Judea, returned to that city, taking with them John, surnamed Mark,* a person well
calculated to assise them in the propagation of the gospel.
Barnabas and Saul had not been long returned to Antioch, when God, by sor„ie par
ticular inspiration, gave them to understand, that he had appointed them to carry his
word into other places. This was likewise revealed to the members of the church
then at Antioch, who, in consequence thereof, betook themselves to fasting and
prayer , and Simeon, Lucius, and Manaen (all of whom were endued with the spirit
of prophecy), having laid their hands on them, sent them away to preach the gospel
wherever they might be directed by divine inspiration.
On their departure from Antioch they went first to Seleucia,t whence they took
* This person, who is sometimes called John-Mark, and at other times simply Mark, or John, is very fre
quently confounded with the Evangelist St. Mark. He was a cousin and disciple of Bamabas, and the son
of a Christian w jman called Mary, at whose house in Jerusalem the apostles and disciples often assembled!
t This city lay on the west, or rather a little northwest of the city of Antioch, upon the Mediternriean
sea. and was so called from Seleucus its founder.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLK 509
Shipping for Cyprus, and began their ministerial office in the city of SalamiS,* where
they preached in the synagogues, and employed Mark, who was of their company,
m several offices ofthe church which they could not conveniently attend themselves.
From Salamis they proceeded to Paphos.t the residence of Sergius Paulus, the pro
consul, or governor ofthe island, a man of great wisdom and prudence, but unhappily
seduced by the wicked artifices of Bar-Jesus, an impostor, who styled himself Elyma:;,
or the magician. The governor being informed of the doctrine preached by Saul and
Barnabas, was desirous of hearing it, and therefore sent to them for that purpose.
They accordingly attended, but wliile Saul was delivering a discourse to him and
the company present, the sorcerer (who stood by the pro-consul) used all the argu
ments he could to prevent his being converted to the faith. This being observed
by Saul, he turned himself to the.sorcerer, and severely chastised him in words
to this effect: ' O thou vile sorcerer ! Like the devil, by whom thou workest, thou
art an enemy to all goodness. Wilt ihou persist in sorcery, in defiance of the
faith of Christ, which comes armed with a much greater power of miracles lhan
those to which thou falsely pretendest ? Thou shalt soon feel the vengeance of
Heaven ; for thou that perversely holdest out against the light of the gospel, shalt
lose ihy sight, which, by the power of God, shall, for a time be taken from thee."
No sooner had Saul uttered these words than the sorcerer was struck blind, and im
plored some of the company to conduct him to his habitation. This miracle con
vinced the proconsul of the truth of the doctrine he had heard, and he immediately
became a convert fo the faith. And from this event it is supposed, by some, that
Saul changed his name to that of Paul,} which he ever after retained.
After staying some time in the island of Cyprus, Paul and his companions went to
Perga in Pamphylia,|| where Mark (not choosing any longer to prosecute so wandering
a course of life) took his leave, and returned to Jerusalem.
From Perga they went to Antioch in Pisidia,^ where, going into the synagogue on
the sabbath-day, they sat themselves down to hear the performance of divine wor
ship. After the lessons, one out of the law, and the other out of the prophets (it
being the custom for the Jewish doctors to expound some part of the scripture for the
instruction ofthe people) the chief persons ofthe assembly sent to Paul and his com
panions, to know whether either of them would preach a sermon of exhortation to
the audience. This was an offer highly satisfactory to Paul, who, after intimating
hi* acceptance of it, arose, and delivered a discourse to the people in words to this
effect : —
' " Hearken, all ye descendants of Jacob, and ye that fear the Almighty, to the
words of my mouth. The God of Israel made choice of our fathers, and loved them,
when they had no city of their own to dwell in, but were strangers and slaves in
Egypt, bringing them thence with a mighty hand, and a stretched-out arm ; fed
them in the wilderness forty years, and would not suffer his anger to rise againsl
them, though they often provoked him in the desert. On their arrival in the land he
promised their fathers, he destroyed the nations that inhabited it, and placed them in
that fruitful country, dividing it to them by lot.
"When they were settled in the land, he gave them judges during four hundred
•This was once a famous city in the isle of Cyprus, opposite to Seleucia, on the Syrian coast ; and, as il
was the first place in these parts where the gospel was preached, it was, in the primitive times, made the
see of the primate, or metropolitan of the whole island. In the reign of the emperor Trajan, it was destroy
ed by the Jews, and rebuilt, but, after that, being in the time of Herodius, sacked, and razed to the ground
by the Saracens, it never recovered its former splendor, though out of its ruins is said to have arisen Fama-
gusta, which was the chief place of the isle, when the Turks took it from the Venetians, in the year 1570.
tPaphos was another city of Cyprus, lying on the western (as Salamis did on the eastern) track of the
island. It was once famous for having in it a celebrated temple dedicated to Venus, who, thence, is called,
by ancient writers, the Paphian Queen
t It is very observable, that all along, before this circumstance of the apostle's life, St. Luke calls him
tpy the name of Saul, but ever after by that of Paul. Hence some imagine, that he assumed that name to
oimseir, in memory of his converting Sergius Paulus ; just as the ancient Roman generals were accus
tomed to adopt the names of the provinces which they conquered. St. Austin more than once asserts,
that he took it from a principle of humility, by a small variation changing his former name (whereby a proud
haughty king of Israel was called) into that of Paulus, which signifies little ; and that, in conformity to
this, ho calls himself " less than the least of the apostles." But the most rational account of the matte:
seems to be that of Origen, namely, that he, being of Jewish parentage, and born in Torsus, a Romar
citv, had, at his circumcision, two names given him, Saul, a Jewish, and Paul, a Roman name, and th t
when he preached to the Jews, he was called by his Jewish, and when to the Gentiles (as he did chieflj
liter this time) by his Roman name.
I l'amphylia was a provincr ofthe lesser Asia, not far from Cyprus.
1 * This lav a little to the north of Pamphylia.

560 AN ILLUSTRATED
and 'fifty years, till Samuel the prophet. But on their desiring a king, he placed over
them Saul the son of Cis, a Benjamite, who reigned about forty years. After his
death he placed David on the throne of Israel, giving him this testimonv : I have
found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my
will. And according to his promise the Almighty hath raised up to the sons of David
a Saviour Jesus, which is Christ the Lord ; the baptism of repentance having been
preached before his coming by John. And as his forerunner executed his office, he
aski>d his followers, Whom think ye that I am ? You must not mistake me for the
Mes iah ; he will soon follow me ; but I am not worthy to perform the meanest office
for him.
" To you, therefore, ye descendants of Abraham, and all others who fear the Al
mighty, is this word of salvation sent. For the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and rulers
"f Israel, being ignorant of him, and the voices of the prophets, (hough read every
sabbath in their synagogues, fulfilled their predictions by condemning the immaculate
Son of the Most High. They found, indeed, no fault in him, though they earnestly
desired Pilate that he might be slain. ,
" When everything that had been written by the prophets concerning him was ful
filled, they took him from the tree, and deposited his body in the chambers of the
grave. But death had no power to detain him ; his almighty Father raised him from
the habitations of the dead. After which he was seen during many days by his dis
ciples who attended him from Galilee, and were the witnesses chosen by Omnipo
tence, of these great and miraculous works. And we now declare unto you glad
tidings, namely, that the promise ma'de by the Almighty to our forefathers, he hath
performed to us their children, by raising Jesus from the dead. The prophet David
also said, Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee. He also foretold that he
should return from the chambers ofthe dust, and no more be subject to corruption:
I will give you (said he) the sure mercies of David. And again, Thou shalt not suffer
thine holy one to see corruption. Now this prophecy must relate to the Messiah, for
David himself, after he had swayed the sceptre of Israel a certain time, died, was
deposited in the chamber of the grave, and his flesh saw corruption ; but the great
Son of David, whom the Almighty raised from the dead, never saw corruption.
" Be it therefore known unto you, men and brethren, that through this Saviour is
preached unto you the forgiveness of sins. It is by his merits we are justified from
all things, which was impossible by the law of Moses. Be careful, therefore, lest
what was foretold by the prophets come upon you: ' Behold, ye despisers, and won
der and perish ; for I work a work in your days, a work which you shall in no wise
believe, though a man declare it unto you.' "
This discourse was so well received by great numbers of the people, that when
:hey got out of the synagogue, they besought Paul that he would deliver it again on
the next Sabbath. Paul promised to comply with their request, which he accordingly
did, and on that day almost all the inhabitants of the city flocked to hear him. This
irritated such of the Jews as were strong enemies to tht gospel; nor could they
refrain from showing their malice on the occasion. They several times not only in
terrupted, but peremptorily contradicted Paul while he was preaching, and at length
uttered many blasphemous expressions against the name of Jesus of Nazareth. But
their opposition could not daunt the apostles, who boldly answered them as follows :
" It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you ; but
seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we
turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee
to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldst be for salvation unto the ends of the
earth." When the Gentiles heard this, they were greatly rejoiceu, and glorified the name
of God for his beneficent mercy revealed in the gospel ; and all who had any care or
thought of the life to come immediately embraced the doctrine of Christ. This
increased the malice and fury of the Jews, who, by false and artful insinuations, pre
vailed on some of the more bigoted and honorable women to bring over their hus
bands to their party : the consequence of this was, that Paul and Bamabas were
driven out of the city, on leaving which they shook the dust off their feet, in testi
mony of the sense they had of the ingratitude and infidelity of their oppressors.
From Antioch Paul and Barnabas went to Iconium, where they entered into the
synagogue of the Jews, and, according to their usual custom, preached to the

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 561
people; tbe consequence of which was that many, both Jews and Greeks, became
proselytes to the Christian religion. From this success the two apostles continued
some time at Iconium, during which the number of converts daily increased, and,
to confirm them in the faith, God added his testimony to their preaching, by enabling
them to work miracles. But though they had gained a considerable number of
tnhaoitants to the faith, yet there were many who continued in their infidelity.
the whole leaven of Jewish malice began again to show itself, and the unbelieving
Jews, having stirred up the Gentiles against the apostles, at length prevailed on the
multitude to stone them. But the apostles, having timely notice of their designs,
fled froi the city to Lystra and Derbe (two other cities in the province of Lycaonia),
where uiey preached the gospel to the inhabitants, as also to those who dwelt in
the countries adjoining.
While they were at Lystra, a happy circumstance occurred both for the promulga
tion of the gospel, and the conversion of a people who had greatly been devoted to
paganism. As Paul was one day preaching to the multitude, he saw among them a
man who had been lame from his mother's womb, and had never walked. From the
earnest attention which the cripple gave to the discourse, Paul (who had for some
time taken particular notice of him) perceived that he had faith, and therefore though'
proper to add the cure of his body to that of his soul, knowing that it would not only
be beneficial to him, but would likewise confirm the faith of all who should believe in
his doctrine. And that the miracle might be wrought in the most conspicuous man
ner, Paul, 'n the midst of the congregation, said in an audible voice to the man,
" Stand uprght on thy feet;" which words were no sooner pronounced than he arose,
" and leay ed and walked."
The people who beheld this miracle well knew that it could not be wrought by
any human power; but having been initiated in the superstitious customs of the
heathens, they cried out, " The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men."
Accordingly they called Barnabas Jupiter, on account of his venerable gravity, and
Paul they named Mercurius, " because he was the chief speaker."
It was not long before the fame of this miracle was spread throughout the city ; in
consequence of which almost all the inhabitants gathered themselves together, and
preceded by the priest of Jupiter, and oxen dressed in garlands, went to the house
where the apostles resided, intending to offer sacrifice before them. But as soon as
Paul and Barnabas understood their intentions, they were greatly affected at their
superstitious design ; and rending their clothes to express their grief and abhorrence
of the action, ran out to the multitude, whom Paul addressed in words to this effect:
" Ye men of Lystra, ye are mistaken in the object of your worship; for though we
have done many miracles in the name and by the power of Christ, yet we are no
more than men, and subject to the same passions with yourselves, and preach unto
you the glad tidings of salvation, that ye may forsake the vanities of this world, and
return to the living God, who created the heaven and the earth, the sea, and all the
creatures they contain. This Omnipotent Being suffered all nations formerly to walk
in their own ways, though he never left himself without witness, doing the greatest
good to the children of men ; it is he that sendeth rain from heaven, and crowneth
the year with fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with joy and gladness."
This argument had the desired effect, the people, though with some difficulty,
being persuaded to lay aside their idolatrous intentions. And surely no argument
could be more properly adapted to answer the wishes of the inspired preacher. Is
it possible that any human being can survey the several parts of the creation, and
not discover in every place evident traces of an Infinite wisdom, power, and good
ness ? Who can survey universal nature, and not at once see and admire its great
Author, who has disposed of all created things with such order and regulai ity as to
display in the clearest manner his own power and glory 2 Behold the sun ! how
justly is that source of light and heat placed in the centre of the planetary choir,
that each may enjoy its destined share of its prolific beams ; so that_ the earth is not
burnt by a too near approach, nor chilled by the northern blasts from too great a
recess, but impregnated with fruits and flowers by the happy influence of a vital
heat, and crowned with luxuriant plenty by the benign influences of the season.
Who can contemplate the wonderful properties of the air, and not reflect on the
Divine wisdom that formed it ? If we survey the earth, we there discover the foot
steps of an Almighty Being, who hath filled it with a great variety of admirable ac j
36

562 AN ILLUSTRATED
useful creatures, all of which are maintained by the bounty of his hand. It is hfl
lhat ciothes the grass with a delightful verdure, that crowns the year with nis loving
kindness, and causes the valleys to stand thick with corn. It is he- that maketn the
grass to grow upon the mountains, and herbs for the service of man. He adorns the
lilies of the field, that neither toil nor spin, with a glory that excels the pomp and
grandeur of Solomon's court. He " shut up the sea with doors," and said, " Hitherto
sihalt Ihou come and no farther, and here shall thy proud waves be stayed." It is
the Almighty Being that arrests the storm, and smooths the tempestuous billows oi
the deep ; that delivereth the mariner from all his troubles, and bringeth his ship
into the desired haven of safety. How reasonable, therefore, is it that we should
worship and adore this Omnipotent, this kind Creator, and not transfer the honors
ilue to him alone to frail mortals, much less to dumb idols, the work of men's hands !
After Paul had performed the miracle on the lame man, he and Barnabas continued
to persevere in the execution of their important commission, declaring, wherever they
went, the glad tidings of salvation to all who believed in the doctrine of Christ. But
the malice of their enemies still pursued them: some inveterate Jews, who had
lome from Antioch and Iconium, so exasperated and stirred up the multitude against
them, that they took Paul, whom, just before, they would have adored, and stoned
him; after which they dragged him out ofthe city, supposing him to be dead. But
when the disciples went to the place where he was (probably to inter his body) he
rose up, and went into the city for that night, and the next day departed, with Bar
nabas, to Derbe, where they preached the gospel, and converted many to the failh.
They did not, however, continue long at Derbe, but returned to Lystra, Iconium,
and Antioch, confirming the Christians of those places in ihe faith, earnestly per
suading them to persevere, and not to be discouraged at those troubles and persecu
tions which they must expect would attend the profession ofthe gospel. And thai
the affairs of the church might be conducted with more regularity, they ordained
eldei s and pastors, to teach, instruct, and watch over them ; having done which,
they left them to the protection of the Almighty, to whose care they recommended
them by prayer and fasting.
From Antioch they passed through Pisidia, and thence went to Pamphylia ; and,
having preached to the people at Perga, they went down to Attalia, and returned, by
sea, to Antioch in Syria, whence they had set out on this holy expedition. On their
arrival here, they immediately assembled the church together, and, having given an
account of their success, what miracles God had wrought by their hands, and a large
" door of faith," he, by their ministry, had opened to the Gentiles, they suspended
their farther travels for the present, and for a considerable time, took up their abode
with the disciples in that city.
During their stay here, the church was greatly disturbed by means of some persons
coming from Judea, who taught the people that there was no salvation without cir
cumcision, and the observance of other legal ceremonies. This doctrine was strongly
opposed by Paul and Barnabas; in consequence of which, after many conferences and
disputations, it was at length proposed, that the decision of the matter should be re
ferred to the general assembly of the apostles at Jerusalem. This the whole church
readily agreed to; and having deputed Barnabas and Paul, together with some
others, to go with the message, they conducted them part of the way, and the two
apostles, in passing through Phoenicia and Samaria, took care to elate what success
they had met with in the conversion of the Gentiles, to the great joy and comfort of
all the brethren in those pans.
On their arrival at Jerusalem they were kindly received by the aj c sties and elders
ofthe church, to whom, after reciting the great success they had met with in the
propagation of the gospel, they delivered the message on which they were sent
They told them, that when the Gentile proselytes, or others uncircumcised, came in
lo the faith, some Jewish converts, of the sect of the Pharisees, said that such could
not be admitted into the church of Christ without circumcision ; that great disputes
had arisen on this head, and that the matter was referred to the church at Jerusa
salem. In consequence of this intelligence a council was immediately summoned to de
liberate on the matter, and great disputes took place on the occasion. At length
Peter, rising from his seat, addressed the audience in words to this effect : " It if
well known to you all, that some time since God made choice of me first to preach

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 563
Ihe gospel to the Gentiles; and God, who knew the sincerity of their hearts, testified
that ihey were acceptable to him and fit to be baptized, bestowing on them the gift
of the Holy Ghost, as he had before upon us, making no difference between us and
them. By this one act the matter is already sufficiently determined. Why then do
ye press this thing so contrary to the will of God? And why would ye wish to
impose on the Gentile converts the performance of the Mosaic law, which belonged
not to them, and which we Jews were so far from being able to perform, that our
conduct could not be justified 1 It is from the gospel that we expect salvation and
justification, through faith and obedience to Christ, and not by an observation of the
Mosaic law: whence it is plain, that if the Gentiles believe, they have the same
way to salvation as ourselves."
When Peter had concluded his observations, Paul and Barnabas, in confirmation of
what he had said, declared what miracles God had done by them in the conversion
of the Geniiles, which they said was another argument and testimony from heaven,
that no difference ought to be made between them and the Jews.
Upon this James stood up, and spoke to this effect : " Men and brethren, Peter
hath sufficiently demonstrated that it was the will of God the Gentiles should, with
out scruple, have the gospel preached to them, and be baptized. And this is agree
able to what hath been foretold by the old prophets, particularly Amos : ' In the
later days I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David which is fallen
down ; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: that the residue
of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles upon whom my name is
called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.' Wherefore it is my conclusion
and determination, that we should not compel those to be circumcised, who from
Gentiles turn Christians, but content ourselves if they believe. We who are Jews
need not fear that this will bring a contempt upon Moses or the laws of the Jews,
since the contrary appears by the Christian practice; for even where those proselytes
ofthe Gentiles are, the books of Moses are continued among them, being read in
the sj nagogues every sabbath-day, to signify their respect to the law."
This determination being unanimously agreed to, it was next resolved to send
some proper persons with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch, in order that they, having
been present, might give a satisfactory account of the result ofthe apostles' embassy.
They accordingly made choice of two, namely, Judas, surnamed Barsabas, and Silas,
men of distinguished reputation, and well respected by all Christians. These, ac
companied by Paul and Barnabas, proceeded to Antioch, taking with them a decree
drawn up by the council, which was to this effect: "Forasmuch as we have heard,
that certain which went out from us, have troubled you with words, subverting your
souls, saying ye must be circumcised and keep the law ; to whom we gave no such
commandment : it seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send
chosen men unto you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul : men that have hazarded
their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas
and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good
to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these neces
sary things ; that ye abstain from meats oflered to idols, and from blood, and from
things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do
well. Fare ye well." (Acts xv. 24-29.)
With this decree they immediately repaired to Antioch, whither they they had no
sooner arrived, than the Christian converts, both Jews and Gentiles, assembled to
gether in order to know the issue of their embassy. As soon as they were met, Paul
and Barnabas presented to them the decretal epistle, which they caused to be read in
the hearing of the whole congregation. The contents of the decree, which were
ultimate, gave the highest satisfaction to the Gentile converts, who greatly rejoiced
n t finding themselves discharged from the burden of the law, and confirmed in their
Christian liberty.
While Judas and Silas were at Antioch (being both men of i scellent gifts in the
interpretation ofthe Scriptures), they employed iheir time in con irming believers ic
ihe truth of Christianity, and, after a short stay, were, with all kii.dness and civility,
dismissed by the church, in order to return to Jerusalem. But Silas, for some
reasons, was unwilling to depart so soon, cnoosing rather to tarry with Paul and
Barnabas This he accordingly did, and those three, together wilh several others of

564 AN ILLUSTRATED
the brethren, employed tnemselves in instructing such as had already received the
Christian faith, and in preaching to others who had not yet embraced it.
Soon after the determination of the council at Jerusalem, Peter went thence tc
Antioch, where, using the liberty which the gospel had given him, he for some time
conversed familiarly with the Gentile converts, eating with them, and living with
them in the same manner they did. This he had been taught to do by the vision of
the sheet let down from heaven; this had been lately decreed at Jerusalem ; this he
had before practised with regard to Cornelius and his family, and justified the action
to the satisfaction of his brethren ; this he had likewise done after his arrival at
Antioch, till some Jewish Christians (still tenacious of the ceremonial law) coming
thither from Jerusalem, Peter, fearful of offending or displeasing them, withdrew
himself from the Gentiles, as if it had been unlawful for him to hold conversation
with uncircumcised persons ; notwithstanding he knew, and was fully satisfied that
our blessed Saviour nad broken down the wall of partition between the Jew and
Gentile. Peter, by thus acting against the light of his own mind and judgment, condemned
what he had approved, and destroyed the superstructure he had before erected : at
the same time he confirmed the Jewish zealots in their gross errors, filled the minds
of the Gentiles with scruples, and their consciences with fears.
Paul, who was not ignorant of what pernicious influence the example of so great
an apostle might be, especially when he saw Barnabas carried away with the stream
of his indiscretion, was greatly irritated at his conduct, and, in the presence ofthe
whole church, severely rebuked him, for endeavoring to impose that yoke on the
Gentiles, which-he, though a Jew, thought himself at liberty to shake off.
A few days after this Paul and Barnabas resolved to leave Antioch, and visit those
places in which they had some time before planted Christianity among the Gentiles.
In this intended excursion Barnabas proposed taking with them John Mark; but the
proposition was highly disapproved by Paul, on account of Mark's having deserted
them at Pamphylia. In consequence of this, a warm dispute took place between
them, the issue of which was, that they determined to separate.* Accordingly Bar
nabas, accompanied by Mark, went to Cyprus, which was his native country ; and
soon after Paul, having chosen Silas for his companion, set out on his intended visita
tion of the several places in which he had before propagated Christianity .

CHAPTER VIII.
PAUL AND SILAS VISIT CHURCHES — PAUL AT ATHENS — IN EPHESUS
When Paul left Antioch, after his separation from Barnabas, he and his companion
Silas travelled over the provinces of Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches, and
leaving with each a copy ofthe decree, which a short time before had been passed
by the council at Jerusalem. From these parts they sailed to Crete,} where Paul
propagated the gospel, and constituted Titus pastor of the island, leaving him to
settle those affairs of the church, which time would not permit the apostle to do.
From Crete Paul and Silas returned to Cilicia, and thence went to Lystra. Here
they met with a young man named Timothy, whose father was a Greek, but his
mother a Jewish convert, by whom he had been brought up under all the advan
tages of a pious and religious education, especially with regard lo the holy Scriptures,
which he had studied with the greatest assiduity and success. This person Paul de
signed as a companion of his travels, and a special instrument in the ministry of the
* Hence we may learn not only that these great lights in the Christian church were men of the like
passions with us, but that God, upon this occasion, did most eminently illustrate the wisdom of his provi
dence, by rendering the frailties of two such eminent servants instrumental to the benefit of his church,
since bot.i of them thenceforward employed their extraordinary industry and zeal, singly and apart, which
till then had been united, and confined to the same places.
t This was one of the richest and best islands in the whole Mediterranean sea. It is said at one time to
have contained no less than a hundred considerable towns or cities, whence it had the name of Hecatom-
folis. From the goodness of the soil, and temperature of the air, it was likewise styled Macorios, or the
lappy island. At present it is commonly called Candia, from its principal town, wliich bears that name.
it is situated opposite the mouth ofthe JEgean sea, or Archipelago ; and while it continued in the hands ol
the Venetians was an archbishop's see ; great, rich, and populous : but since it came into the poss6Sslo
of the Turks (which was in the year 1669) it has lost all marks of its former grandeur

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

565

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566 A^ ILLUSTRATED
gospel. But knowing that his being uncircumcised would piove a stumbling-block
to the Jews, he caused him to be circumcised ; being willing, in lawful and indifferen'
matters, to conform himself to the tempers and dispositions of all, that he miglit
thereby further succeed in his ministry, and the sooner establish that doctrine he was
sent to propagate.
After staying a short time at Lystra, they passed through Phrygia* and Galatia,}
where the apostle Paul was entertained with the greatest kindness and veneration by
the people, who looked upon him as anangel sent immediately from heaven. Hence
he intended to have continued his progress through the proconsular Asia, but was
prohibited from so doing by a particular revelation. In consequence of this he went
to Mysia,} and after attempting in vain to go into Bithynia,|| proceeded to Troas,$
where," soon after his arrival, he had a vision, commanding him to direct his course
for Macedonia. If Paul made immediate preparations for obeying these orders, being
fully assured it was the Lord who had called him to preach the gospel in that
country. Paul and his companions, having embarked at Troas, sailed to the island of Samo-
thracia,** and, the next day, landed at Neapolis,}} a port in Macedonia, whence they
travelled to Philippi,}} a Roman colony; where ihey-coniinued some days.
At a small distance from Philippi the Jews had a proseuche, or place of devotion,
which was much frequented by the devout women of their religion, who met there
to pray and hear the law. In this place Paul and his companions preached the glad
tidings of the gospel, and, by the influence of the Holy Spirit, made many converts.
Among these was a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple in Philippi, but a
native of Thyatira,|||| whom they baptized, with her household; in return for which
she invited them to lodge in her house during their abode in that city.
As Paul and his companions were one day going, as usual, to the before-mentioned
place of devotion, they were met by a certain damsel, who was possessed with a
spirit of divination, by means of which her masters acquired considerable advantage.
* Phrygia is a province of Asia Minor, having Bithynia to the north, Galatia to the east, Lycia to the
smith, and Mysia to the west. The inhabitants of this country, who are said to have been the inventors ol
augury, and other kinds of divination, were anciently more superstitious than the other Asiatics, as appears
from the rites which they used in the sacrifice of Cybele, and other heathen goddesses.
t Galatia is a province of Asia Minor, bounded on the west by Phrygia, on the east by the river Halys, or
the north by Paphlagonia, and on the south by Lyaconia.
t Mysia is another small province of Asia Minor, bounded on the east by Phrygia, on the west by Troas,
on the north by Bithynia, and on the south by the river Ilermus.
H Bithynia is likewise a region of Asia Minor, and received its name from one of its kings, named Bythi
ous ; but in what age he reigned we are not informed.
fy Troas was a small country belonging to Phrygia Minor, and situated to the west of Mysia, upon lire
Hellespont. It took its name from its principal city, which was a seaport, and situated about four miles
from old Troy.
IF Tllis is a large province in Greece, and was anciently called Emmalhia, but, from the kings of twace-
don, it was afterward called Macedonia, which name ll lias ever since retained
** Samothracia is a small island in the -Egean sea. lying to the west of Troas, opposite the coasi o.
Thrace, whence it received its name.
tt Neapolis was a seaport, and stood very near to Thrace. At first it belonged to that province, but v»a&
afterward taken into Macedonia.
It Philippi was nne ofthe chief cities of Macedonia, lying to the west of Neapolis. It was originally
called Dathos, but afterward took its name from Philip, the famous king of Macedon, who repairc i and
beautified it. In process of time it became a Roman colony, and the inhabitants enjoyed the privile, is of
Roman citizens, and were governed by the Roman laws. These indulgences were conferred on then- both
by Julrus and Augustus Cresa-, very probably, in memory of the two great battles that were fought in the
plains adjacent, the first between Julius and Pompey tho Great, and the second between Augustus and
Mark Antony on the one side, and Cassius and Brutus on the other.
lill This ancient city still survives as an inhabited site, under the Turkish name of Ark-hissar, or tlie
White castle. It can not however compare with the two other inhabited sites, being greatly inferior to Per
^arnos, and immeasurably so to Smyrna. In ancient remains it is poorer than any of the seven. It is situ
ated about twenty-seven miles to the north of Sardis, and is thus noticed by Pliny Fisk, the American
missionary : " Thyatira is situated near a small river, a branch of the Caicus, in the centre of ap extensive
plain. At the distance of three or four miles it is almost completely surrounded by mountains. The houses
are low ; many of them of mud or earth. Excepting the rrrotsellim's palace, there is scarcely a decent
house in the place. The streets are narrow and dirty, and ever/thing indicates poverty and degradation
We had a letter of introduction to Economo. the bishop's procurator, and a principal man among the Greeks,
oftlustown. . . . He says the Turkshave destroyed all remnants of the ancient church': and even the
'ace where it stood is now unknown. At present there are in the town one thousand houses for which
<.„'es are paid to the government." (Memoir ofthe Rev. P. Fisk. Boston, Mass. 1828.) lt appears, Irom
Hirtloy, that the Greeks occupy tliree hundred houses, the Armenians thirty. Each of them has a church.
The town is embosomed in poplars and cypresses. The traveller last named observes : " The sacred
writerof the Acts of the Apostles informs us that Lydia was a seller of purple in the city of Thyatira : and
Ihe discovery of an inscription here, which makes mention ofthe dyers,' has been considered important in
connexion with this passage. 1 know not if other travellers have remarked, that even at the present time.
Thyatira is famous for dying. In answer to inquiries on the subject, I was informed that the cloths
which are dyed scarlet here, are considered superior to any others furnished by Asia Minor ; and that large
Viantities are sent weekly to Smyrna, for the purposes of commerce "

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 567
This woman followed Paul and his companion, crying out, " These men are the
servants ofthe Most High God, which show us the way of salvation." Paul, at first
took no notice of her, not being willing to multiply miracles without necessity. But
when he saw her following them several days together, he began to be troubled ;
and therefore, in imitation of his great Master (who would not suffer the devil to ac
knowledge him, lest his false and lying tongue should prejudice the truth in the
minds of men), commanded the spirit, in the name of Jesus, to come out of her. Ac
cordingly the evil spirit obeyed, and at that instant left the damsel.
This miraculous cure proving a great loss to her masters, who had acquired large
sums from her soothsaying, they were vehemently incensed against the apostles.
They therefore caused Paul and Silas to be apprehended and carried before the
magistrates ofthe city, to whom they accused them of introducing many innovations,
which were prejudicial to the state, and unlawful for them to comply with, as being
Romans. The magistrates, being concerned for the tranquillity ofthe state, and fearful of all
disturbances, were very forward to punish the offenders, against whom the multitude
testified ; and therefore they commanded the officers to strip them, and scourge theru
severely as seditious persons. This was accordingly done, after which they were
committed to close custody, and the jailer, having received a strict charge to keep
them in the utmost security, not only thrust them into the inner prison, but likewise
made their feet fast to the stocks.
But neither the obscure dungeon, nor the pitchy mantle of the night, can intercept
the beams of divine joy and comfort from the souls of pious men. Their minds wert
all serenity; and at midnight they prayed, and sung praises to God so loud, that they
were heard in every part of the prison. Nor were their prayers offered to the throne
of grace in vain : an earthquake shook the foundations of the prison, opened the doors,
loosed the chains, and set the prisoners at liberty.
This convulsion of nature roused the jailer from his sleep ; and concluding, from
what he saw, that all his prisoners were escaped, he was going to put a period to his
life, which being observed by Paul, he hastily called out, " Do thyself no harm, for
we are all here." The keeper was as much surprised at this as he had been before
terrified at the thoughts of their escape ; and calling for a light, he went immediately
info the presence of Paul and Silas, fell down at their feet, took them from the dun
geon, brought them to his own house, washed their stripes, and then besought them
to instruct him in the knowledge of that God who was so mighty to save. Paul
readily granted his request, telling him, that if he believed in Jesus Christ, he and
his whole house might be saved. Accordingly the jailer, with all his family, were,
after a competent instruction, baptized, and received as members of the Christian
church. — How happy a change does the doctrine of the gospel make in the minds of
men ! How does it smooth the roughest tempers, and instil in their minds the sweet
est, principles of civility and good-nature ! He, who put a few moments before tyran
nized over Paul and Silas with the most cruel usage, now treated them with the
greatest respect, and showed them the highest marks of kindness.
Early the next morning the magistrates (either having heard what had happened.
or reflecting on what they had done as too harsh and unjustifiable) sent their sergeant
to the jailer, with orders immediately to discharge Paul and Silas. The jailer joy
fully delivered the message, and bade them depart in peace; but Paul, in order 10
make the magistrates sensible what injury they had done them, and how unjustly
they had punished them without examination or trial, refused to accept of their dis
charge, alleging, " that they were not only innocent persons, bui denizens of Rome ;
that, as they had been illegally scourged and committed to prison, their delivery
snould be as public as was the injury, and attended with a solemn retraction of wli.ii
thev had done."
The magistrates were greatly terrified at this message, well knowing how danger
ous it was to provoke the formidable power of the Romans, who never suffered any
freeman to be beaten uncondemned. They therefore went to the prison, and very
submissively entreated them to depart without any further disturbance. This small
recompense for the cruel usage they had received was accepted by the meek followers
ofthe blessed Jesus, they accordingly left the prison, and retired to the house of
Lydia, in which were a great number of converts. To those they related all that hnu
passed and after some conference with them, they took their leave and departed.

563 AN ILLUSTRATED
From Philippi Paul and his companions travelled toward the west, till ihey arrived
at Thessalonica,* the metropolis of Macedonia. Here Paul preached in the syna
gogues of the Jews three sabbath-days successively, proving, from the predictions of
the Old Testament, that the Messiah was to suffer, and to rise again ; and that the
blessed Jesus was the Messiah spoken of by the prophets. Some of his hearers,
among whom were several women of rank and quality, believed, and were converted
to the. faith, but the greater part ofthe Jews disapproved of his doctrine.
During their stay at Thessalonica, they lodged in the house of a certain Christiau
named Jason, who entertained them very courteously. But the Jews, in general,
were so incensed against them, that they would not suffer them to continue at rest.
They refused to embrace the gospel themselves, and therefore envied its success, and
determined to oppose its progress. Accordingly they gathered together a great num
ber of lewd and wicked people, who beset the house of Jason, intending to take Paul,
and deliver him up to an incensed multitude. But in this they were disappointed, he
with his companions being removed thence by the Christians, and concealed in some
other part of the city. This disappointment increased their rage, and they determined
to be revenged on Jason, who had concealed them. Accordingly they seized him,
with some others of the brethren, and carried them before the magistrates of the city,
accused them with disturbing the peace of the empire, and setting up Jesus as a king,
in derogation of the emperor's dignity and authority. In consequence of this accusa
tion, both the people and magistrates became their enemies ; and though Jason was
only accused of harboring Paul and his companions, yet the magistrates could not be
prevailed on to dismiss Jason and his brethren till they had given security for their
future appearance.
As soon as the tumult was over, those Thessalonians who had been converted sent
away Paul and his companions, by night, to Beraea, a city about fifty miles to the
south of Thessalonica. Here also Paul's great love for his countrymen the Jews, and
his earnest wishes for their salvation, excited him to preach to them in particular.
Accordingiyj he entered into their synagogue, and explained the gospel to them, prov
ing, from the scriptures ofthe Old Testament, the truth of the doctrine he advanced.
The Jews here were of a more ingenuous and candid temper than those of Thessa
lonica; and as they heard him, with great reverence and attention, expound the
Scriptures, so they searched diligently, whether his proofs were proper and pertinent,
and consonant to the sense of the text to which he referred. Having done this, and
found everything agreeable to what Paul had advanced, many of them believed ; and
some Gentiles (among whom were several women of quality) following their example,
became obedient to the faith. The news of this remarkable success being carried
to Thessalonica, the Jews of that place were so incensed, that great numbers of
them went to Beraea, and raised tumults in that city; in consequence of which Paul,
to avoid their fury, was obliged to leave the place, but Silas and Timothy, who, per
haps; were either less known, or less envied, remained behind.
Paul, leaving Beraea under the conduct of certain guides, it was imagined that he
iesigned to retire by sea out of Greece, that his restless enemies might cease their
persecution; hut the guides, in conformity to Paul's direction, conducted them to
Athens,} where they left him, after receiving orders to tell Silas and Timothy to repair
to him as soon as possible.
While Paul continued at Athens, expecting the arrival of his companions, he
walked up aud down to take an accurate survey of the city, which he found wretch
edly overrun with superstition and idolatry. The inhabitants were remarkably re
ligious and devout, they had a great number of gods whom they adored; false,
indeed, they were, but such as they, being destitute of revelation, accounted true ,
and so very careful were they that no deity should want due honor from them, that
they had an altar inscribed, "to the unknown God."}
* Thessalonica was anciently called Thesma, from the sea to whichit adjoins. It is the opinion of some
that it received the latter name in memory of the victory which Philip king of Macedon obtained over the
Thessalonians ; but others think it took its name from Thessalonica, the wife of Cassander, and daughter
of Philip. It is at present called Salonichi, has a safe harbor for the benefit of commerce, and is an arch
bishop's see of the Grecian church.
t Athens was once the most celebrated city for learning of any in the world. It was situated on a gull
of the Mgean sea, which comes up to the isthmus of the Peloponnese, or Morea, in that district of Greeco
railed Attica, and was the parent of that dialect which was esteemed the purest and finest Greek. Cicero
calls it the fountain whence civility, learning, and laws, were derived to other nations.
J That the Athenians had altars in their public places, without names on them, and others to unknown
gods, is evident from Ihe testimony of Laerrius, who inlorms us, that when a great plague raged at Athens

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

569

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570 AN ILLUSTRATED
These superstitious practices greatly afflicted Paul, in consequence of which he
exerted all his endeavors to convert the people. He disputed on the sabbath-day in
the synagogues of the Jews ; and, at other times, took all opportunities of preaching
to the Athenians the coming of the Messiah to save the world.
This doctrine was equally new and strange to the Athenians ; and though they did
not persecute Paul as the Jews had done, yet his preaching Jesus was considered, by
the Epicurean* and Stoic philosophers, as a fabulous legend. The generality of the
people, however, considered it as a discovery of some new gods, which they had not
yet placed in their temples ; and though they were not unwilling to receive any new
deities, yet, as the Areopagus} was to judge of all gods, to whom public worship
might be allowed, they took him before the members of that court to give an account
of his doctrine.
Paul, being placed before the judges of this high assembly, explained the nature
of the doctrine he taught in a very grave and elegant speech, the substance of which
was to this effect : " Ye men of Athens, I am here brought as a prisoner into your
supreme tribunal, as one who sets forth strange doctrines; and yet, from the observa
tions I have made since I arrived in your city, I find you so much attached to super
stition, that you know not what you worship, nay, that you even have such a number
of idols, that you can not find names for them ; for one of your altars has upon it an
inscription to the unknown God. That the true God of heaven and earth is, in a
great measure unknown to you is very evident, and that is the Being whose works I
now publish to you. By him was all nature created ; and as he fills immensity
with his presence, so he can not be circumscribed by temples made with hands. Our
worship, as men, can add nothing to his perfections ; for all we have, and all we en
joy, is the unmerited gift of his inexhaustible bounty. When he created us out of
nothing, he appointed that we should consider ourselves as children of the same com
mon parent ; and in the course of his providence he has so ordered it, that either by
nature or revelation we should use such means as may, in the end, lead us to the
knowledge of himself, and promote our eternal happiness, for he is everywhere pres
ent, and none of our thoughts can be hidden from him. Nay, be not surprised, for
one of your own poets has expressly declared, that we are the offspring of the Su
preme Being, and therefore, we are not to form carnal notions of his perfections, as if
he could be represented in a human shape. It is true, God, in his infinite mercy,
drew a veil over those ages of ignorance; but now he hath made nis will known
and, therefore, those who have been long slaves to their lusts and passions, are com
manded to turn from the evil of their ways, in order to obtain the divine favor. And
this is the more necessary, because he hath fixed, by an unalterable decree, that when
the universal frame of nature shall be dissolved, he will raise mankind from the
grave, and reward or punish them according to their works here below. As a proof
of this he has already raised up Christ from the dead, and, as he has become the first
fruits of those who still sleep, so he has ordered that bv him all mankind shall be
judged. Such is the doctrine I deliver unto you, and I leave you to judge whether
or not I have acted as an impostor."
That part of Paul's discourse in which he mentioned the resurrection, gave greal
offence to some cif the philosophers, who mocked and derided him ; while others,
more modest, but not satisfied with the proofs he had given, gravely said, " We
would hear thee again of this matter." After this Paul left the court, but not without
some success, for a few of his auditors (among whom were Dionysius, one of the
senators, and Damaris, a lady of considerable rank) believed his doctrine, and attended
his instructions. Thus boldly did this intrepid servant and soldier of Jesus Christ
assert the cause of his divine Master among the great, the wise, and the learned ;
and thus did he reason, with the most distinguished strength and eloquence,' on the
and several means had been attempted for the removal of it, they were advised by Epimedies, the philoso
pher, to build an altar, and dedicate it to the proper and peculiar god to whom sacrifices were due ; and the
Athenians, not knowing by what name to call him, erected an altar with this inscription : " To the gods ol
Asia. Europe, and Africa, to the strange and unknown god ;" by which, as some imagine, they intended i.lie
God of the Jews, who had given such wonderful deliverances to his own people.
* The Epicureans among the Greeks and Romans were much the same as the Sadducees among the
lews ; for both denied a divine providence and a future state.
t The A reopagus was a celebrated court or senate, where justice was administered to all ranks of peopie
r. y judges learned in the law. lt was situated on Mars' hill, an eminence without the city, and many of th-
inhabitan's of Athens spent much of their time in it, disputing with each other on speculative points anr*
a*k. air in w s concerning tire progress of the Roman arms in different parts of the world.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

671

I

Corinth.— View of the Acropolis.

572 AN ILLUSTRATED
nature of God, and the n.anner in which he has commanded his creatures to worship
him e/en in spirit and in truth.
During Paul's stay at Athens, Timothy and Silas (according to the orders they had
received) came to him from Thessalonica, with an account that the Christians there
had been under persecution from their fellow-citizens ever since his departure. This
gave great uneasiness to Paul, and at first inclined him to visit them in person, in
order to confirm them in the faith they had embraced. But reflecting on tne conse
quences that might ensue if he went himself, he sent Timothy and Silas to comfort
them, and put them in mind of what he had before told ihem, namely, that persecu
tion would be the constant attendant on their profession.
Aiier the departure of Timothy and Silas, Paul, left Athens, and went to Corinth,*
where he met with a certain Jew, named Aquila, lately come from Italy, with Pris
cilla his wife, because Claudius had made an edict for banishing all the Jews from
Rome. Paul having instructed these two in the Christian faith, took up his lodgings
with them (and made their house his principal plac* of residence) during his stay at
Corinth. Every sabbath-day he preached in the synagogues, laboring to convince
both Jews and Greeks, that Jesus was the true Messiah.
A short time after Paul had been at Corinth, Timothy and Silas arrived thither
from Thessalonica, with the joyful news of the steadfast adherence of the Christians
in that city to the truth of the gospel. This was a matter of great consolation to .
Paul, who thereupon wrote his first epistle to the Thessalonians. In this epistle " he
highly applauds their courage and zeal in the belief of the Christian religion, and ex
horts them to a noble constancy and perseverance amidst their afflictions : he com
mends them for their charity to the believers in Macedonia, and gives them many
instructions concerning conversation, and leading a good life : he exhorts them to the
practice of all purity and holiness ; to avoid idleness ; to be diligent in their callings,
and not immoderate in their grief for the dead ; and concludes with instructions to
them concerning the doctrine of the resurrection, the manner of Christ's coming to
judge the world, and the obligation all were under to make a timely preparation for
so solemn an event."
After the arrival of Timothy and Silas at Corinth,.Paul preached the doctrine of
Christ with fresh ardor to the Jews ; but they, instead of attending to what he said,
opposed him, and what they could not conquer by fair argument, and force of reason,
they endeavored to carry by noise and clamor, blended with blasphemous and oppro
brious language. In consequence of this, Paul, to testify his abhorrence of their be-
*The large and wealthy city of Corinth was the metropolis of Achaia, arid situated upon the isthmus ofthe
same name, which joins the Peloponnesus to the continent. Its situation was highly favorable for that
commerce which ultimately rendered it one of the most wealthy and luxurious cities of the world. For,
being between two ports, tlie one of which was open to the eastern and the other to tlie western navigator,
while its geographical situation placed it, as it were, in the centre of the civilized world, it became the
point where the merchants from the three quarters of the globe met and exchanged their treasures. It was
also celebrated for the Isthmian games, to which the apostle makes some striking and remarkably appropri
ate allusions, in his Epistles to the Corinthians. Nor should it be unnoticed that in the centre of the city
there stood a famous temple of Venus in which a thousand priestesses ot the guddess ministered to licen
tiousness, under the patronage of religion. From such various causes Corinth had an influx of foreigners
of all descriptions, who carried the riches and the vices of all nations into a city, in which the merchant,
the warrior, and the seaman, could enjoy them for his money. Devoted to traffic, ai d to the enjoyment of
the wealth which that traffic secured, the Corinthians were exempt from the influence of that thirst for
conquest and military glory by which their neighbors were actuated ; hence they were seldom engaged in
any war, except for the defence of their country, or in behalf of the liberties of Greece : yet Corinth furnished
many brave and experienced commanders to other Grecian states, among whom it was common to prefer a
Corinthian general to one of their own or any other state. As might be expected, Corinth was not remark
ably distinguished for philosophy or science ; but its wealth attracted to it the arts, which assisted to enrich
and aggrandize it, till it became one of the very finest cities in all Greece. The Corinthian order of archi
tecture took its name from that rich and flowery styie which prevailed in its sumptuous edifices— its temples,
palaces, theatres, and porticoes.
The Corinthians having ill-treated the Roman ambassadors, their city fell a prey to the Romans, with all
its treasures and works of art, and was totally destroyed by Mummius. It lay a long while desolate, till it
was rebuilt by Julius Caesar, by whom it was peopled with a colony of Romans ; and, favored by its admir
able situation, it was soon restored to a most flourishing condition. " The ancient manners," says Hug,
" abundantly returned : Aero-Corinth was again the Isthmian Dione, and an intemperate life was commonly
called the Corinthian mode of life. Among all the cities that ever existed tliis was accounted the most
voluptuous ; and the satirist could only jocularly seem to be at a loss whether, in this respect, he should
give the preference to Corinth or to Athens."
Corinth still exists as an inhabited town, under the name of Corantho. It is a long straggling place,
which is well paved, and can boast of some tolerably goad buildings, witli a castle of some strength, which
s kept in a good state of defence. There are still some considerable ruins, to attest the ancient consequence
of Corinth, and the taste and elegance of its public buildings. The extensive view from the summit of the
high mountain which commands the town, and which was the Acropolis (Aero-Corinth) of the ancient city
is pronounced by travellers to be one of the finest in the world

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

573

Euins of the Temple of Diana, at Ephesus.

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The modern City of Corinth, viewed from the Bay.

674 AN ILLUSTRATED
havior, shook his garments, and told them, that since they were determined to draw
down the vengeance of Heaven upon their own heads, be was absolutely guiltles?
and innocent, and would thenceforth address himself to the Gentiles. Accordingly he
left them, and repaired to the house of one Justus, a religious proselyte, where, by
his preaching and miracles, he converted great numbers to the faith, among whom
were some few Jews, particularly Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and two
others of considerable distinction, who, with their families, were baptized, and ad
mitted members of the Christian church.
Paul was greatly perplexed in his mind on account of the perverseness and ob
stinacy of the Jews, and began to despair of being able to convince them of the impro
priety of their behavior, or to bring them to an effectual discernment of the truth of
his doctrine. But he was encouraged to persevere in the attempt by a heavenly
vision, in which he was told, that notwithstanding the bad success he had hitherto
met with, there was a large harvest to be gathered in that place : that therefore he
should not be afraid of his enemies, but preach the gospel boldly, for that he migh
be assured of the divine protection in all his undertakings. In consequence of this,
and in certain hopes of success, Paul continued at Corinlh for the space of one year
and six months, teaching the word of God with various success to the people.
Some time after Paul had received encouragement from the heavenly vision, the
Jews made a general insurrection against him, and having taken him into custody,
carried him before Gallio, who at that time was pro-consul of Achaia. The accusa
tion they laid against him was, that he had attempted to introduce a new religion
contrary to what was established by the Jewish law, and permitted by the Romar
powers. But, as Gallio apprehended that this was a controversy which did not fal
under the cognizance of the civil judicature, he would not have any concern in it,
and therefore ordered his officers to drive them out of the court. Upon this the Gen
tiles took Sosthenes, a ruler of the synagogue, and one of Paul's chief accusers, and
beat him publicly before the tribunal ; but this did not give the pro-consul the least
disturbance. Paul continued at Corinth some time after this incident, and before his departure
thence, wrote his second epistle to the Thessalonians. In this epistle " he endeavors
to confirm their minds in the faith, and to animate them courageously to endure per
secution from the unbelieving Jews, a lost and undone race of men, whom the divine
vengeance was ready to overtake: he rectifies the misinterpretation which false
teachers had made of some passages in his former epistle, relative to the day of judg
ment, as if it was just at hand, and shows what events (especially that ofthe coming
and destruction of the man of sin) must precede the approach of that day. Having
craved their prayers in his behalf, and made his request to God in theirs, he concludes
with divers precepts, especially to shun idleness and ill company, and not to be weary
in well doing."
After Paul had planted the church of Corinth, he left that city, and taking with
him Aquila and Priscilla, embarked at Cenchrea, whence they sailed to Ephesus.
Here he preached some time in the synagogue of the Jews; but being resolved to
attend the celebration of the passover at Jerusalem, he set sail for Cesarea, leaving
behind him Aquila and Priscilla, to whom he promised to return (if God would per
mit) as soon as possible. From Cesarea Paul proceeded to Jerusalem, and after
having visited the church there, and kept the feast of the passover, went to Antioch
Here he stayed some time, and then traversed the countries of Galatia and Phrygia,
taking his course toward Ephesus, and confirming the new-converted Christians in
every place through which he passed.
During the time Paul Spent in this large circuit, Providence took care of the churches
of Ephesus and Corinth by means of one Apollos, an eloquent Jew of Alexandria, and
well acquainted with the law and writings of the prophets. This man, going to
Ephesus,. though he was only instructed in the rudiments of Christianity, and John's
baptism, yet taught with great courage, and a most powerful zeal. After being fully
instructed in the faith by Aquila and Priscilla, he passed over into Achaia, being fur
nished with recommendatory letters by the churches of Ephesus and Corinth., He
was of great service in Achaia, by watering what Paul had planted, confirming the
disciples, and powerfully convincing many others of the Jews that Jesus was the true
and only Messiah promised in the sacred writings.
" While Apollos was thus-employed, Paul returned to Ephesus, wnere ne took up

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 575
his abode for a considerable time. The first thing he did after his return was, to ex
amine certain disciples (in number about twelve) whether they had received tne
Holy Ghost since they believed ? And they said unto him, We have not so much as
heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto whal then
were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, Jonn
verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they
should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When
they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." (Acts xix. 3-6.
After the apostle had prayed and laid his hands on them, they received the gift of
tongues and other miraculous powers.
After this Paul entered into the Jewish synagogues, in which (for the first three
months) he daily contended and disputed with the Jews, endeavoring, with great
earnestness and resolution, to convince them of the truth of the Christian religion.
But when, instead of meeting with success, he found they were inflexible in their
obstinacy and infidelity, he left the synagogue, and taking those with him whom he
had converted, instructed them, and others who resorted to him, in the school of one
Tyrannus. Here he continued to preach the gospel two years, by wliich means the
Jews and proselytes had an opportunity of hearing the glad tidings of salvation ; and
as miracles were the clearest evidence of a divine commission, God was pleased to
testify the truth of the doctrine Paul preached, by a variety of miraculous operations,
many of which were ofthe most peculiar and extraordinary nature; for he not only
healed those diseased persons that came to him, but if handkerchiefs or aprons were
only touched by him, and applied to the sick, or those possessed with evil spirits,
ihey were instantly cured.
In the city of Ephesus and its neighborhood were many vagabond Jews, who went
about from one place to the other, pretending to cure diseases, and cast out devils by
their exorcisms. Among these were seven brothers (the sons of one Sceva, a Jewish
priest) who observing with what facility Paul effected his miraculous cures and dis
possessions of evil spirits, attempted themselves to do the like ; and, to add greatel
force to their proceedings, instead of the usual form of incantation (which was in the
name-of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), they invoked the name of Jesus over
a demoniac. But here it pleased God to make a most distinguished and visible dif
ference between those who applied this powerful name regularly and with commis
sion, and others, who, of. their own heads, and for ill designs, dared to usurp it; for
the demoniac, falling upon the exorcists, tore off their clothes, wounded their bodies,
and scarce suffered them to escape with their lives.
When this singular event came to be known among the Jews and Gentiles in
Ephesus, they were filled with such a reverential fear, that none dared to mention
the name of Jesus, but with the most profound respect ; and many, who had addicted
themselves to the study of magic, acknowledged their sins, and publicly burnt their
books, the value of which was estimated at no less than fifty thousand pieces of sil
ver. So efficacious was the gospel of Christ in these parts !
While Paul was diligently pursuing his ministry at Ephesus, Peter was preaching
the gospel to the Jews in several provinces of the lesser Asia ; whence, travelling
eastward, he at length came to the ancient city of Babylon in Chaldea. Here he
stayed some time, and hence wrote his first epistle (which is called a catholic or
general epistle) to the converted Jews who were dispersed in various parts of Chal
dea. Peter introduces this admirable epistle with a solemn thanksgiving to God for
their call to Christianity, whereby they had obtained a lively hope of an eterna.
inheritance in heaven; after which he recommends them to the practice of sev
eral virtues, as a means to make their calling and election sure, namely, " that they
should live in a constant worship and fear of God, and imitate their master Jesus
Christ, in holiness and purity ; that they should be diligent hearers of the gospel, and
grow up to perfection by it; that they should lead exemplary lives among the Gen
tiles, abstaining from carnal lusts, and behaving themselves with modesty, thereby to
convince their enemies that calumnies would be unreasonable; that they should be
have themselves well under their respective relations, submitting themselves to their
governors, whether superior or inferior to themselves in point of circumstances ; that
servants should obey their masters, wives be subject to their husbands, ai,d husbands
tanor their wives ; that they should all love one another fervently and unfeignedly, bear
iflnclions patiently, live in union, and sympathize with each other in their afflictions.

676 AN ILLUSTRATED
And lastly, that the ministers and pastors ofthe several churches should taKe specia
care of the flocks committed to their charge; teach them diligently, and govern them
gently not seeking their own gain and profit, but the salvation ofthe souls of th
people. —This is the purport of Peter's epistie to the converted Jews ; and the whoU
is written with a fervor and zeal truly consistent with the sentiments and abilities of
so great an apostle. The language is simple, and every expression so formed, as tc
convey a thorough idea of his meaning to the weakest capacity. All the arguments
he makes use of to teach them patience are drawn from the sacred writin°-s, and are
consistent with the doctrines of true religion.

CHAPTER IX.
PAUL LEAVES EPHESUS — RETURNS TO JERUSALEM — IS ARRESTED.
Paul, havmg been at Ephesus* about two years, resolved to return into Mace
donia, and after going thence to Jerusalem, in order to celebrate the feast of pente-
cost, to proceed in his journey, which he had long intended, to Rome. In consequence
of these resolutions, and as a necessary preparation to carry them into execution, he
sent Timothy and Erastus before him into Macedonia, while himself stayed behind at
Ephesus, in order to settle some matters that were necessary to be adjusted previous
to his departure.
Soon after Timothy and Erastus had left Ephesus, Paul received information o'
some disturbances at Corinth, hatched and fomented by a number of false teachers
crept in among the converts of that city, who endeavored to draw them into parties
and factions, by persuading some to be for Paul, and others for Apollos, the different
persons from whom they had received instructions relative to the Christian faith. In
consequence of these disturbances they committed great disorders, and celebrated the
holy sacrament very irreverently. They were addicted to fornication, and one in par
ticular, had run into incest, by marrying his father's wife. They were unjust and
fraudulent in their dealings ; they went to law at heathen tribunals, and among them
were found some, who were bold and profligate enough to deny the resurrection.
* Ephesus. — Ruins of the temple of Diana (see Engraving).— Ephesus was a celebrated city on the
coast of Asia Minor, situated between Smyrna and Miletus, on the sides and at the foot of a range of mount
ains which overlooked a fine plain watered and fertilized by the river Cayster. Among other splendid edi
fices which adorned this metropolis of Ionia, was the magnificent temple of Diana, which was two hundred
and twenty years in building ; and was reckoned one ofthe seven wonders of the world. This edifice having
been burnt by the incendiary Herostratus, B. C. 356, in the foolish hope of immortalizing his name, it was
afterward rebuilt with increased splendor at the common expense of the Grecian states of Asia Minor. The
remains of ancient Ephesus have been discovered by learned modern travellers, at the Turkish village ol
Ayasaluk. The ruins delineated in our engraving comprise all that is supposed now to exist of this far-
famed structure, which in the time of St. Paul had lost nothing of its magnificence. Here was preserved a
wooden statue of Diana, which the credulous Ephesians were taught to believe had fallen from hearen
(Acts xix. 35), and of this temple small silver models were made, and sold to devotees. (Acts xix. 24.)
Nero is said to have plundered this temple of many votive images, aid great sums of gold and silver.
This edifice appears to nave remained entire in the second century ; though the worship of Diana diminished
and sunk into insignificance, in proportion to the extension of Christianity. At a later period " the temple
of the great goddess Diana, whom Asia and all the world" worshipped (Acts xix. 27), was again destroyed
Dy the Goths and other barbarians ; and time has so completed the havoc made by the hand of man, that this
mighty fabric has almost entirely disappeared.
During three years' residence in this city (Acts xx. 31), the great apostle of the Gentiles was enabled,
with divine assistance, to establish the faith of Christ, and to found a flourishing Christian church. Of his
great care ofthe Ephesian community strong proof is extant in the affecting charge which he gave to the
elders, whom he had convened at Miletus on his return from Mact-ionia (Acts xx. 16-38; : and still more in
the epistle which he addressed to them from Rome. Ecclesiastical history represents Timothy to have
been the first bishop of Ephesus, but there is greater evidence that the apostle John resided here toward
tlie close of his life ; here also he is supposed to have written his Gospel, and to have finally ended his life.
The Ephesian church is the first of the " apocalyptic churches" addressed by the apostle John in the name
of Jesus Christ. " His charge against her is declension in religious fervor (Rev. ii. 4) ; and his threat in
consequence (ii. 5), is a total extinction of her ecclesiastical brightness. After a protracted struggle with
the sword of Rome, and the sophisms of the Gnostics, Ephesus at last gave way. The incipient indiffer
ence censured by the warning voice of the prophet, increased to a total forgetfulness ; till at length the
threatenings of the Apocalypse were fulfilled ; and Ephesus sunk with the general overthrow of the Greek
empire, in the fourteenth century." The plough has passed over this once celebrated city : and, in March
18'26, when it was visited bythe Rev. Messrs. Arundell and Hartley, green corn was growing in all direc
tions amid the forsaken ruins ; and one solitary individual only was found, who bore the name of Christ,
instead of its once flourishing church. Where assembled thousands once exclaimed " Great is Diana o
the Ephesians !" the eagle now yells, aud the jackal moans. The sea having retired from the scene of des
olation, a pestilential morass, covered with mud and rushes, has succeeded to the waters, which brought
up the ships laden with merchandise from every country. The surrounding country, however, is both fer
tile and healthy : and me adjacent hills would furnish many delightful situations for villages, if the diffi
culties were removed which are thrown in the way of the industrious cultivator by a despotic government
oppressive agas. and wandering banditti.

HISTORY OF THE BIBr,E.

677

37

578 AJS ILLUSTRATED
To quell these schisms and factions which had taken p4a:e, and to chastise them
in a proper manner for their misconduct, Paul wrote his first Epistle to the Corin
thians, in which he " shows the inequality of Christ's ministers, and their insuf
ficiency for the work to which they are ordained, without the Divine .assistance ;
orders the incestuous person to be excommunicated, lest his example should infecl
others ; blames their litigious law-suits, as thinking it much better to refer their dif
ferences to some of their own body; propounds the first institution of the sacrament,
and a previous examination of their lives to bring them to a right use of it ; and
having added several things concerning a decent behavior both of men and women in
their churches — concerning the gifts of the Holy Ghost, the excellence of charity, the
gift of longues, and prayer in an unknown language, he proves the truth of the gos
pel, and the certainty of a future resurrection, almost to a demonstration.
It was about this time also that Paul wrote his Epistle to the Galatians. He had
received information that, since his departure thence, several impostors had crept
in among them, who strongly insisted on the necessity of circumcision and other
Mosaic rites, and greatly disparaged his authority. Paul therefore, in this epistle,
reproves them with some necessary warmth and severity for suffering themselves
so easily to be imposed upon by the crafty artifices of seducers. He largely refutes
these judaical opinions wherewith they were infected, and, by several arguments,
proves that the slavery of the law brought a curse with it ; was destructive of theii
Christian liberty, and incapable of procuring their justification in the sight of God.
Among these reproofs and arguments, however, he intermixes several exhortations
full of paternal and apostolic charity ; and, toward the conclusion, gives them many
excellent rules and directions for the conduct of their lives and conversations.
A short time before Paul left Ephesus, a circumstance occurred which occasioned
a general disturbance thoughout the city, and had nearly proved fatal to him and his
adherents. In the celebrated temple of Diana was an image of that goddess, which
the idolatrous priests persuaded the people was made by Jupiter himself, and dropped
down from heaven ; for which reason it was held in great veneration, not only at
Ephesus, but throughout all Asia. In consequence of this, the people procured silver
shrines, or figures of ihe temple and Diana, of such a size as to carry in their pocket"
either for curiosity or to stir them up to devotion. This proved the source of a great
deal of business to the silversmiths of Ephesus, of whom one Demetrius was the
chief. This man plainly perceiving that Christianity tended to the subversion of
idolatry, and consequently to the ruin of their gainful employment, called all the,
artists together, and pathetically represented to them how inevitably they must be
reduced to a state of poverty, if they suffered Paul to bring their temple aud goddess
into contempt by persuading people, as he did, that they were no gods which were
made with hands.
This speech of Demetrius fired them with a zeal which they could no longer con
tain ; so that they cried out with one voice, " Great is Diana of the Ephesians:."
They should, indeed, have considered that if their goddess was able to defend herself
against the doctrines preached by Paul, neither she nor the temple was in any
danger ; whereas if Paul was able to destroy their gods, it was in vain for them to
resist him. But interest and superstition, meeting in the minds of a bigoted multi
tude, admitted of no reason. They were all fired with a zeal for their goddess, and
determined, if they could find Paul, to expose him to the beasts in the theatre, it
being customary in those days, at the celebration of their public games and festivals,
to expose such as they deemed criminals to the ravage of wild beasts for the diver
sion of the spectators. The whole city was filled with the tumult ; and the crowd,
missing Paul, laid hold on Gaius and Aristarchus, two Macedonians of Paul's com
pany, and hurried them into the theatre, with a design to throw them to the wild
beasts. Paul, who was at this time in a place of security, hearing of the danger to
which his brethren were exposed, was very desirous of venturing after them, in order.
to speak in their behalf; but he was at last dissuaded from it not only by the Chris
tians, but also by the Gentile governors ofthe theatrical games, who were his friends,
and who assured him that he would only endanger himself without rescuing his
friends. The noise and confusion of the multitude was now prodigious, most of them nol
knowing the reason for which they were come together; and therefore some said one
thing, and some another. In this distraction, Alexander, a Jewish convert, waf

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 579
singled out by the multitude, and by the instigation of the Jews was going to make
his defence, in which doubtless he would have laid the whole blame upon Paul bui
the multitude perceiving him to be a Jew, and therefore suspecting he was one of
Paul's associates, raised another outcry for near two hours together, wherein nothing
could be lizard but " Great is Diana of the Ephesians." This confusion brought the
town-clerk, or recorder of the city, who kept the register of the games, into the the
atre, to suppress, if possible, so uncommon a tumult. Having with great difficulty
obtained silence, he calmly and discreetly told them, " that it was sufficiently known
to all the world what a mighty veneration the inhabitants of Ephesus had for their
great goddess Diana, and the famous image which fell down from Jupiter, so thai
there needed not any disturbance to vindicate and assert it ; that they had seized on
persons who were not guilty either of sacrilege or blasphemy against their goddess;
that if Demetrius and his company had any just charge against them, the courts were
sitting, and they might enter their accusation ; or if the controversy was about any
other matter, there were proper judicatures to determine it in ; that therefore they
would do well to be pacified, having done more already than they could answer, and
being in danger of incurring a severe punishment, if they should be called to an ac
count (as very likely they might be) for that day's riotous assembly."
This speech had the desired effect: the multitude were convinced that they had
acted very improperly, and therefore repaired to their respective habitations ; and
Gaius, Aristarchus, and Alexander, were released without any hurt. But the escape
of Paul was so remarkable that he mentions it as a remarkable deliverance. " We
had," says he, " the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in our
selves, but in God, who raised the dead, who delivered us from so great a death."
And in another place he tells us, " he fought with beasts at Ephesus ;" alluding
either to the design of the enraged multitude of throwing him to the wild beasts in
the theatre, though their intention was not executed, or to the manners ofthe people,
who justly deserved the character of being savage and brutal to the highest degree.
Soon after the tumult was suppressed at Ephesus, Paul, having called the church
together, and constituted Timothy bishop of the place, took his leave, and departed
by Troas to Macedonia, where, having instructed some and confirmed others in the
principles of a sound faith and holy life, he continued his preaching all over the
country, even as far as Illyricum.* During this journey Paul met with many
troubles and dangers; "without were fightings, and within fears:" but God, who
comforteth those that are cast down, revived his spirits by the arrival of Titus,
who gave him a pleasing account of the good effects his epistle had produced at
Corinth, and what great reformation it had wrought among the converts of that city.
But, as several vain-glorious teachers still persisted in their contumacy, vilifying his
authority, and misrepresenting his words and actions ; charging him particularly with
levity, in not going there according to his promise ; with severity in his dealings with
the incestuous person ; with imperiousness in his writings, abjectness in his person.
and some small tincture of irreligion in overthrowing the Mosaic law (all which he
understood from Titus), he thought it necessary to write a second epistle to the
Corinthians. In this epistle " he excuses his not going d'rectly to Corinth, for fear
of occasioning them sorrow, and giving himself uneasiness, in being obliged to treat
with severity those who had not yet amended their faults. He commends their zeal
against the incestuous person, but now that he had suffered enough for his transgres
sion, allowed them to be reconciled to him. He justifies his own conduct, vindicates
the dignity and ministry of the gospel, and proves its great excellence above the law.
He declaims against those false teachers who made it their business to traduce and
vilify him, and threatens them with his apostolic authority whenever he shall arrive
among them. He then speaks of himself with some advantage, and though he men
tions his supernatural gifts and revelations, yet seems to glory most in his extraordinary
laborings and sufferings for the gospel. And lastly, he exhorts them all to the works
* This is a province of Europe, lying to the north or northwest ot Macedonia, along the Adriatic sea, now
called the gulf of Venice. It was commonly distinguished into two parts ; Lyburnia to the north, where
now lies Croatia : and Dalmatia to the south, which still retains its name. St. Paul tells us, that " from
Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, he had fully preached the gospel of Christ. (Rom. xv. 19.; So
that he must have travelled into Syria, Phrenicia, Arabia, Cilicia, Pamphylia, Pisidia, Lyaconia, Galatia,
Pontus, Paphlagonia, Phrygia, Troas, Asia, Caria, Lysia, Ionia, Lydia, the isles of Cyprus and Crete, Thracia,
Macedonia, Thessalia, and Achaia. So, justly and without ostentation might he say, that in relation to the
other apostles, " he labored more abundantly than them all." (1 Cor. xv. 10.)

580 AN ILLUSTRATED
of ppnance and mortification, lest when he arrived thither he should be obliged tc
exert his authority against offenders ; and particularly cautions them to have theii
alms in readiness, that they may not be a hinderance to him when he shall arrive a l
Corinth." After Paul had travelled through the principal places in Macedonia and Achaia,
confirming those who had been converted, and bringing over others to the faith, he
proceeded to Corinth, where he took up his residence for the space of three month?-
During his abode here he wrote his famous Epistle to the Romans, which he sent by
I'hebe, a deaconess of the church of Cenchrea, near Corinth. In this epistle " he
states and determines the great controversy between the Jews and the Gentiles, rela
tive to the obligation of the rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic law, and those main
and material doctrines of Christianity which depend on it, such as thatof Christian
liberty, the use of different things, &c. He also points out the effects of original sin,
and the power it has even among the regenerate ; and, through the whole of the
epistle, intermixes many admirable instructions and exhortations to the duties of a
holy and religious life such as ihe Christian doctrine doth naturally tend to produce.'
Paul, having gathered considerable alms both in Macedonia and Achaia, resolved
'to leave Corinth, in order to carry them into Judea for the relief of the Christians in
those parts. His first intention was to go through Syria, as being by far the nearest
way ; but having received information that the Jews of that country had formed a
conspiracy against his life, he altered his course, and determined to go through
Macedonia. Accordingly, leaving Corinth, he proceeded to Philippi, where he stayed
some time, in order to celebrate the feast of the passover. Hence he took ship
ping, and in five days landed at Troas, where he continued a week. On the sabbath,
which was the last day of his staying .there, he preached to the Christians of the
place, who had assembled together in order to receive the sacrament ; and, as he
intended leaving them ihe next morning, he continued his harangue till midnight.
The length of his discourse, and the time of night, caused some of his hearers to be
so fatigued as to fall asleep. Among these was a young man named Eutychus, who,
silting in a higher window, so forgot himself that he fell thence to the ground,
and was taken up dead. This circumstance being made known to the apostle, he
stopped his discourse, and going to the young man, by prayers to the throne of grace,
restored him to life and health. How indefatigable was this great apostle in doing
good ! how closely did he tread in the steps of his great Master, who " went about
doing good !" He preached and wrought miracles wherever he went. Like a mas
ter-builder, he either laid a foundation or raised the superstructure. He was "instant,
in season and out of season," and spared no pains in endeavoring to secure the eter
nal welfare of his fellow-creatures.
After performing this miracle, Paul resumed his discourse, and, having spent the
whole night in these holy exercises, early the next-morning he took his leave, and
travelled on foot to Assos,* whiiher he had before sent his companions (among whom
was Luke) by sea. From Assos they sailed to Mitylene ;t then, passing by Chios,}
arrived at Samos,^ and proceeded to Trogyllium,|| whence, after staying one day,
* Assos is a seaport-town, situate on the southwest part of tlie province of Troas, and over against th"
Island Lesbos. By land it is a great deal nearer Troas than it is by sea, because of a promontory that runs
a great way into the ocean, and must- be doubled before we can come to Assos, which was the reason thai
the apostle chose rather to walk it.
t Mitylene was one of the principal cities of the isle of Lesbos, seated in a peninsula, with a commodious
iiaven on each side, and soon became so considerable, as to give name to the whole island (at present called
-Wetelin) many years ago. The island (winch is one of the largest in the Archipelago) was, in former times,
renowned for the many eminent persons it had produced ; such as Sappho, theinventress or Sapphic verses ;
Alcreus, a famous lyric poet ; Pittacus, one of the seven wise men of Greece ; Theophrastus, the noble
'physician and philosopher ; and Arion, the celebrated musician ; and the Turks, who have it now in posses
sion, think it still a place of consequence enough to deserve a fortress and garrison to defend it.
% Chios, modern Scio, is an island in the Archipelago. It lies over against Smyrna, and is not above four
leagues distant from the Asiatic continent. It waB celebrated by Horace for the wine and figs that came
-thence. It is referred to by St. Paul in .the account of his return voyage from TroaB to Csesarea. (Acts,
xx. 21.) At that time Chios enjoyed the privilege of freedom. Its length is about 32 miles, and in breadth
it varies from 8 to 18 miles. It has always been celebrated for its beauty and fruitfulness. In modern times
it has been painfully known for the dreadful suffering of its inhabitants in tire Greek war of independence,
in 1822. Before this desolating calamity, it contained one of the best colleges iu the Turkish empire, with
professorships in chemistry, rhetoric, mathematics, geometry, theology, the Turkish, Latin, French, and
ancient and modern Greek languages. — Ed.
II Trogyllium is a cape, or promontory, on the Asiatic coast, opposite to Samos, and much below Ephesus,
having a town of the same name.
(j Samos is another isle in the Archipelago, lying southeast of Chios, and about five miles from the
Asiatic con*.' lent, it is famous among the heathen writers for the worship of Juno ; for one of the sybils,

HISTORS" OF THE BIBLE. 581
they went to Miletus,* not putting in at Ephesus, because the apostle was resolved,
if possible, to be at Jerusalem at the feast of Pentecost.
Soon after Paul arrived at Miletus he sent to Ephesus, to assemble together the
pastors and elders of the churches in that city. On their arrival, he delivered to
them a very long and pathetic discourse, wherein he reminded them with what up
rightness and integrity, with what affection and humility, and with what great dan
ger and trouble, he had been conversant among them, and preached the gospel to
them, ever since his coming into those parts : that he had not failed to acquaint them
both publicly and privately, with whatsoever might be profitable to their souls, urging
both Jews and Gentiles to repentance and reformation, and a hearty reception of the
faith of Christ: that now he was determined to go to Jerusalem, where he did not
know what particular sufferings would befall him, only that he had been foretold by
those who were endued with prophetic gifts of the Holy Ghost, that in every city
bonds and afflictions would attend him ; but that he was not concerned at this, being
willing to lay down his life whenever the gospel required it, and fully determined to
serve, with the strictest fidelity, his great Lord and Master. Here he made a short
pause, and then resumed his discourse in words to this effect : " I well know that you
will see my face no more; but for my encouragement, and satisfaction, ye yourselves
can bear me witness, that I have not, by concealing any part ofthe Christian doctrine,
betrayed your souls. And as for yourselves, whom God hath made bishops ana
pastors of his church, you should be careful to feed, guide, and direct those Christians
under your inspection, and be infinitely tender of the welfare of souls, for whose re
demption the blessed Jesus laid down his own life. All the care, therefore, possible
for you to use is no more than necessary ; for after my departure heretical teachers
will appear in the church, to the great danger of the souls of men, seeking, by every
crafty method and pernicious doctrine, to gain proselytes to their party, and, by those
means, fill the church of Christ with schisms and factions. Watch ye, therefore,
and remember with what tears and sorrow I have, during three years, warned you
of these things. And now I recommend you to the Divine favor and protection, and
to the rules and instructions of the gospel, which, if properly adhered to, will un
doubtedly dispose and perfect you for that state of happiness which the Almighty
hath prepared for good men in Ihe mansions of eternity. Ye well know that I have
from the beginning dealt faithfully and uprightly with you ; that I have not had any
covetous designs, or ever desired the riches of other men ; nay, I have labored with
mine own hands, to support myself and my companions : you ought, therefore, to
support the weak and relieve the poor, rather than be yourselves chargeable to others,
according to that incomparable saying ofthe great Redeemer of mankind, 'It is
more blessed to give than to receive.' " If we minutely attend to the whole of this
apostle's preaching and writing, we shall find that he strenuously inculcates not only
points of faith, but also practical duties, without which our faith would be in vain.
After Paul had finished his farewell discourse to the bishops and pastors of Ephe
sus, he knelt down, and, by way of a final conclusion, joined with them fervently in
prayer ; which being over they all melted into tears, and wilh the greatest expression
of sorrow attended him to the ship, grieving in the most 'passionate manner on ac
count of his having told them that they should tree his face no more.
After Paul had taken this affecting farewell of the pastors and elders of Ephesus,
he with his attendants left Miletus, and going on board a ship sailed with a fair wind
to Coos.t The day after their arrival here, they proceeded to Rhodes, and from
called Sybilla Samia: for Pherecydes, who foretold an earthquake that happened there, by drinking of the
waters ; and, more especially, for the birth of Pythagoras, who excelled all the seven wise men, so renowned
among the Greeks. It was formerly a free commonwealth, and the inhabitants were so powerful, that they
managed many prosperous wars against their neighbors : but at present the Turks have reduced it to such
a mean and depopulated condition, that a few pirates dare land and plunder as they please ; so that ever
since the year 1676. no Turk has ventured to live upon it, for fear of being carried into captivity by those
rovers. * Miletus was a port-town on the continent of Asia Minor, and in the province of Caria, memorable for
being the birthplace of Thales, one of the seven wise men in Greece, and father of the Ionic philosopher j
of Anaximenes, the scholar ; Tirnotheus the musician, and Anaximenius the philosopher. At present it is
called, by the Turks. Melas : and not far distant from it is the true Meander, wliich, though it encirc.es all
the plain it runs through with many pleasing mazes and innumerable windings, yet, in some places, it goes
with such a current as stirs up the earth and gravel from the bottom, which makes its water not so clear
and crystalline as might be expected.
t This was an island in the Archipelago, lying near the soutt-west point of Asia Minor, and having a oly
of the same name. It was formerly celebrated for the birth of Hippocrates the famous physician, and
Apelles the famous painter; for a stately temple dedicated to A olio, and another to Juno; forthe richness
»i its wines, and for the fineness of a -itufrmade here, which as perfectly transparent, and called ses
taenia coa.

582 AN ILLUSTRATED
Rhodes* to Paiara,t where meeting with a ship bound for Phoenicia they went on
board, and, passing Cyprus, sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre, the place where the
ship was to unlade her burden.
Paul stayed at Tyre seven days, in the course of which he was advised by some
Christians of the place not to go up to Jerusalem. But this advice Paul would by no
means take ; upon which the disciples, accompanied by their wives and children,
attended him out of the city, and when they came to the seashore Paul knelt down
and prayed for them in the same manner he had done before at Miletus.
From Tyre Paul and his companions sailed to Ptolemais,t where they stayed one
day, spending their time in conversation with the disciples of that place. The next
day they went to Cesarea, and visited Philip, one of the seven deacons, who had
been sent by the apostles to preach the gospel in Samaria and other places. This
Philip had four virgin daughters, all of whom were endued with the gift of prophecy;
and on this account, together with Paul's great regard for Philip, he resided at his
house during his stay at Cesarea.
While Paul was at Philip's house, there came thither a prophet, named Agatus,
from Judea. This person, after the manner of the old prophets (who often prophe
sied by symbols or significant expressions), took Paul's girdle, and binding it about
his own hands and feet, said, in the presence and hearing of the whole company,
" Thus saith the Holy Ghost, so shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who
owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles." On the
prophet's saying these words, not only the companions of Paul, but likewise all the
Christians present, were greatly troubled, and earnestly besought him that he would
not go up to Jerusalem. To which Paul replied, " What mean ye to weep, and to
break mine heart ? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem
for the name of the Lord Jesus."
When the disciples found that Paul's resolution was not to be shaken, they did not
importune him any farther ; in consequence of which he and his companions left
Cesarea, and prosecuting their journey arrived safe at Jerusalem, where they were
kindly and joyfully received by the Christians of that city.
- The day after Paul and his companions arrived at Jerusalem, they went to the
house of James the apostle, where the rest of the bishops and governors of the church
were assembled together. After mutual salutations, Paul gave them a particular ac
count of the success with which God had blessed his endeavors in propagating Chris
tianity among the Gentiles, for which they all joined in glorifying God. Having
done this, they told Paul that he was now come to a place in which there were many
thousands of Jewish converts, who were all zealous for the law of Moses, and who
had been informed that he taught the Jews whom he converted to renounce circum
cision and the ceremonies of the law: that as soon as the multitude heard of his
arrival, they would all assemble together to see how he behaved himself in this mat
ter; and therefore, to prevent any disturbance, they thought it advisable for him to
join himself with four men who were then going to discharge a vow ; to perform the
usual rites and ceremonies with them; to be at the charge of having their heads
sht.ved ; and to provide such sacrifices as the law directed : whereby it would appear
that the reports spread of him were groundless, and that himself was an observer of
the Mosaic institutions.
Paul readily agreed to follow the advice given him by his brethren ; in consequence
of which, taking with him the four persons who were to discharge their vows, he
went into the temple, and told the priests, that, as the time of their vow was now
expired and their purification regularly performed, they, were come to make theii
oblation according to law.
The time of offering these oblations was seven days, near the close of which certain
Jews from Asia (who had there been strong opposers to Paul's doctrine), finding him
* Rhodes lies south of the province of Caria in lesser Asia; and, among the Asiatic isles, was accounted
for dignity next to Cyprus and Lesbos. It was remarkable among the ancients for the expertness of its in
habitants in the art of navigation ; for a college, in which the students were eminent for eloquence and
mathematics : for the clearness of its air ; for its pleasant and healthy climate, which induced the Roman
nobility to make it a place of their recess ; and, more especially, for its prodigious statue of brass conse
crated to Apollo, or the sun, and called his Colossus. This statue was seventy cubits high and stood
astride over the mouth of the harbor, so that the ships sailed between its legs.
t This is a seaport of Lycia, formerly beautified with a good harbor, and many temples, whereof one was
dedicated to Apollo.
l A seaport of Syria, between Tyre and Cesarea.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 583
m the temple, began to raise a tumult, and, seizing on him, cailed to their brethren
the Jews to assist them, declaring that he was the person who had preached doctrines
derogatory to the Jewish nation, and destructive to the institutions of the law of
Moses. This accusation, though absolutely false, occasioned such a universal disgust
among the people to Paul, that they immediately fell on him and dragged him out
of the temple, shutting the doors to prevent his returning into that holy place. After
they had got him out of the temple they treated him with great indignity, and would
certainly have killed him, had not Claudius Lysias, the commander of the Roman
garrison in the castle of Antonia, come with a considerable force to his assistance.
Lysias conducted him to the castle, in the way to which Paul begged permission to
speak to him ; but the governor (supposing him to be an Egyptian, who not many
years before had raised a sedition in Judea, and headed a party of four thousand
profligate wretches) seemed to refuse him that favor, until Paul informed him that
he was a Jew of Tarsus, and a freeman of a rich and honorable city, and therefore
humbly hoped that he would not deny him the privilege of vindicating himself. The
governor consenting to this request, Paul, standing upon the stairs that led into the
castle, after making signs for ihe multitude to be silent, made a speech to them in
the Hebrew language, the substance of which was to the following effect :
" Listen, ye descendants of Jacob, to a person of your own religion, and like your
selves a child of Abraham ; born in Tarsus, and brought up m this city, at the feet of
Gamaliel, and fully instructed in the law delivered by Moses to our forefathers, and
formerly as zealous for the temple worship as ye are at present.
" Nay, I persecuted unto death all who believed in Jesus, seizing on all I could
find, both men and women, and casting them into prison.
" But as I was pursuing my journey to execute this commission, and was arrived
near Damascus, there appeared, about midday, a light from heaven shining round
about me.
" Terrified at so awful an appearance, I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying
unto me, 'Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?' To which I answered, ' Who art
thou, Lord V And the voice replied, ' I am Jesus of Nazareth whom thou perse
cutest.' " After recovering from the terror with which my mind was filled, I answered,
' What shall I do, Lord V And the Lord said unto me, 'Arise, and go into Damas
cus, and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.'
" The brilliancy of the glory deprived me of sight ; so that my companions led me
by the hand to Damascus, where one Ananias, a person well respected by all the
Jews of that city, visited me, and said, ' Brother Saul, receive thy sight.' And. in a
moment my eyes were opened, and I saw him standing before me. When he saw
that my sight was restored, he said to me, ' The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
hath appointed (hee to know his will, to see the great Messiah, the Holy One of God,
and hear the voice of his mouth ; for thou art chosen to be a witness to all the na
tions of the'earth for those surprising things thou hast seen and heard. Why, there
fore, tarriest thou here any longer ? ' Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy
sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'
"After this glorious vision and miraculous power of the Most High, when I was
returned from Damascus to Jerusalem and offering up my prayers in the temple, I
fell into a trance, and again saw the Great Son of David, who said unto me, ' Depart
quickly from Jerusalem, for the descendants of Jacob will refuse to believe thy testi
mony concerning me.' And I answered, ' Lord, they know how cruelly I used thy
saints and followers ; that I imprisoned and beat them in every synagogue whither I
went. Nay, when they shed the blood of thy holy martyr Stephen, I was also one
of the spectators; I consented to his death; I even kept the raiment of those lhat
slew him.' But the Lord replied, ' Depart, for I will send thee far hence unto the
Gentiles.' "
The Jews had been very quiet, and paid great attention to Paul's speech till he
same to this part of it: his mentioning the commission he had received to preach the
gospel to the Gentiles, threw them into the most violent outrage, and they cried out
with one voice, " Away with such a fellow from the eartn ; for it is not fit that he
should live." And, the more to express their indignation, they threw off their clothes
and cast dust into the air, as though they intended that moment to stone him.
When Lysias, the r.-aptain ofthe guard, found to what a violent degree the people

584 AN ILLUSTRATED
were incensed against Paul, he ordered him to be taken within the castle, and thai
he should be examined by scourging till he confessed the reason of the uncommon
rage shown against him by the people.* Accordingly the lictor bound him, and was
, going to put the orders he had received into execution, when Paul asked the centu
rion who stood by whether or not it was lawful to scourge a citizen of Rome before
any sentence had been passed upon him. But the centurion, instead of answering
his question, immediately repaired to Lysias, beseeching him to be careful how ha
proceeded against the prisoner, because he was a Roman. On this information Ly
sias went immediately into the prison, and asked Paul whether he was really a free
citizen of Rome. Being answered in the affirmative, Lysias said he had himself
procured that great privilege by a large sum of money; upon which Paul answered,
" But I was freeborn."t On receiving this account, Lysias commanded the centu
rion not to scourge him, being terrified at what he had already done, namely, hia
causing to be bound with chains a free denizen of the Roman empire. The next day
he ordered his chains to be taken off; and that he might thoroughly satisfy himself
of the cause of so unusual a tumult, convened the members of the sanhedrim, before
whom he conducted Paul in order to undergo an examination by that tribunal.
Paul was not in the least terrified at the sight of so considerable and powerful an
assembly. Without waiting for any questions being asked him, looking earnestly at
the council, he coolly said, " Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience
before God until this day. "J But, however this expression might tend to show the
true state of his mind, Ananias the high-nriest was so offended at it that he com
manded those who stood next him to strike him on the face; at which Paul replied,
" God shall smite thee, thou whited wall."|| On this, some of the spectators, look
ing sternly at Paul, cried out, " Revilest thou God's high-priest ?" In answer to this,
Paul told them he did not know that Ananias was high-priest, not supposing it pos
sible that a person who can give such unjust orders could be invested with so sacred
a character. But, since it was so, he confessed it was very wrong to revile him, God
himself having commanded that " no man should speak evil of the rulers of the
people." Paul, perceiving that the council consisted partly of Sadducees and partly of Phari
sees (in order to elude the malice of his enemies), made open declaration that he
was a Pharisee, even as his father was before him, and that the great offence taken
against him was his belief of a future resurrection. This declaration threw the
whole court in confusion, by exciting the regard of the Pharisees, who favored the
doctrine of 'he resurrection, and incurring the resentment of the Sadducees, who
strongly opposed it.
The dissensions between these two sects on this occasion arose to such a violent
degree, that Lysias, fearing lest Paul should be torn in pieces between them, com-
* As Lysias did not understand Hebrew, he could not tell what the purport of St. Paul's speech to the
people was ; but, by their mad and outrageous behavior, he guessed that he must have said something very
provoking, either against the law or the dignity of their nation, and therefore was willing to know the truth
of it from himself. Scourging was a method of examination used by the Romans, and other nations, to
force such as were supposed guilty to confess what they had done, what were their motives, and who were
accessaries to the fact.
t It is probable that Paul's father might have been rewarded with the freedom of the city for his fidelity
and bravery in some military service, emoluments being then conferred, not on those who had most interest
with men in power, but on those who had most merit from their actions.
t The apostie, by here using the words " a good conscience," does not mean a conscience void of all
error and offence, because he owns himself to have been guilty of a great sin in persecuting the church of
Christ. (1 Tim. i. 13.) His meaning, therefore, is such a conscience as was consistent with the ideas he
entertained at different periods of his life, namely, before and after his conversion. The sense, therefore,
of this passage may be thus explained: "While I was persuaded that the Christian religion was false, I
persecuted it with the utmost vigor ; but, as soon as I came to perceive its divine institution, I declared for
it, and have ever since maintained it, even to the hazard of my life. The religion of the Jews I did not
forsake out of any hardships that it required, or any prejudice I had conceived against its precepts ; nor did
I embrace that ofthe Christians upon any other account, than a full conviction of its truth and veracity. I
was a good Jew, in short, as long as I thought it my duly to be so ; and when I thought it my duty to be
otherwise, I became a zealous Christian ; in all which God knows the sincerity of my heart, and is witness
of my uprightness."
II " A whited wall" was a proverbial expression denoting a hypocrite of any kind, and the propriety of it
appears in this : that as the wall had a fair outside, but nothing but dirt, or sticks and stones, within, so the
nigh-priest had the outward appearance of a righteous judge, sitting as one that would pass sentence ac
wording to law, and yet commanding him to be punished for speaking' the truth, and so condemning tre
innoc nt, contrary to the law of nature, as well as that of Moses. Our blessed Saviour makes use of a
comparison of the same nature, when he calls the scribes and Pharisees "whited sepulchres." It should
be observed, in vindication of St. Paul, that Ins words. " God shall smite thee," are a prediction, not an lm-
.precation ; and a prediction which Josephus tells us was fulfilled in a short time ; foi he was murdered in
mutiny

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 585
manded the soldiers to take him from the bar, and re-conduct him to the castle.
This was accordingly done, and to comfort him after all his frights and fears, God was
pleased to appear to him that night in a vision, encouraging him to constancy and
resolution, and assuring him that, as he had borne testimony to his cause at Jerusa
lem, so, in despite of all his enemies, he should live to do the like at Rome. " Be of
good cheer, Paul : for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear
witness also at Rome."
The next morning the Jews, whose envy and malice were increased against Paul
by the dilatory proceedings ofthe sanhedrim, determined to use a quicker method of
putting a period to his life. In order to this, about forty of the most turbulent
among them entered into a wicked conspiracy, which they ratified with an impreca
tion never to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. Having formed this inhuman
resolution, they went to the sanhedrim and acquainted them with their design, to
effect which they advised, that some of the members should solicit Lysias to Dring
Paul again before them, under pretence of inquiring more accurately into his case,
and that, before he reached the court, they would not fail to waylay and despatch
him. This wicked plot was readily approved of by the sanhedrim, but its execution was
happily frustrated by Paul's nephew, who, having discovered their intentions, went
immediately to his uncle, to whom he related the whole affair. Paul communicated
the intelligence to Lysias, who immediately commanded two parties of foot and one
of horse, to be ready by nine o'clock, in order to conduct him to Cesarea, where Felix,
the Roman governor, then resided. At the same time Lysias despatched a letter to
Felix, the substance of which was, " that the person whom he had sent to him was
a freeman of Rome ; that the Jews had ill treated him, and conspired against his
life : that the measures he had taken were designed to secure him from the violence
of the multitude ; and that he had ordered his enemies to appear before him at
Cesarea, that he might judge what was the cause of their being so incensed against
the person whom he had sent to him under military protection."
The guards, having received these orders from Lysias, conducted Paul the same
night to Antipatris,* and the next morning to Cesarea. On their arrival there, they
immediately gave Lysias's letter to Felix, who, after having read the contents, asked
Paul some questions relative to the place of his birth, and the manner of his life.
Finding, by his answers, that Paul was a native of Cilicia, Felix told him that as
soon as his accusers came thither from Jerusalem, he would give him a fair and can
did hearing; and in the meantime gave orders that he should be secured in that part
of his palace called Herod's hall,t where he should be supplied with every article
that was necessary during his confinement.

CHAPTER X.
Paul's defense — is sent to home — his shipwreck.
After Paul had been, confined five days at Cesarea, by order of Felix, there came
thither Ananias the high-priest, and several other members of the sanhedrim, to
gether with Tertullus, a man of great elocution, and an inveterate enemy to Paul.
Being all assembled before Felix, Tertullus made a long speech, in which he made
use of all the insinuating arts that could arise from human invention to prepossess the
governor in his own favor ; having done which he accused Paul " of being a seditious
person, and a disturber of the public peace, who had set himself at the head of the
sect of Nazarenes, and made no manner of scruple to profane even the temple itself."
This accusation was allogether false, notwithstanding which it was confirmed by all
he members ofthe sanhedrim, who had come from Jerusalem on this occasion.
Tertullus having finished his accusation against Paul, Felix told him that he was
now at liberty to make his defence ; upon which Paul addressed himself to ihe court
in words to this effect: —
" I answer this charge of the Jews with the greater satisfaction before thee, because
» Antipatris was a city on the borders of Samaria, near the Mediterranean sea ; and situated about thirty-
eight rrrifes from Jerusalem. , , , ,
t This was a magnificent palace built by Herod the Great for hrs own habitation whenever he went to
Pesarta: and was afterward used by the Roman governors for the place of their residence, and lui tne con.
finemtsnt of sonre partlcu iar persons.

h:

5S6 AN ILLUSTRATED
thou hast for many years been a judge of this nation. About twelve days since, I
repaired to Jerusalem to worship the God of Jacob. But I neither disputed with any
man, or endeavored to stir the people in the synagogues or the city. Nor can they
prove the charge they have brought against me.
" This, however, I readily confess, that after the way which they call heresy, so
worship I the God of my fathers ; and according to this faith, I am careful to main
tain a clear and quiet conscience, both toward God and man.
" After I had spent some years in distant countries, I repaired to Jerusalem, witn
the alms I had collected in other provinces, for the poor of mine own nation, and
offerings to the God of Jacob. And while I was performing the duties of religion,
certain Asiatic Jews found me in the temple, purified according to law ; but neither
attended with a multitude of followers, or the least tumultuous assembly. It was
therefore necessary that these Jews should have been here, if they had anything to
allege against me. Nay, I appeal to those of the sanhedrim here present, if anything
has been laid to my charge, except the objections ofthe Sadducees, who violently op
posed me for asserting the doctrine of the resurrection."
Felix, having thus heard both parties, refused to make any final determination till
he had more fully advised about it, and consulted Lysias, the governor of the castle,
who was the most proper person to give an account of the cause of the controversy.
In the meantime Felix gave orders that, though Paul should' be kept under a guard,
et his confinement should be so free and easy, that none of his friends should be
cindered from visiting, or doing him any offices of kindness.
A few days after this, Felix, being desirous that his wife Drusilla (who had been
a Jewess) should hear Paul, he ordered him to be brought before them, and gave
him permission to speak freely concerning the doctrines of Christianity. In his dis
course he particularly pointed out the great obligation which the laws of Christ laid
on mankind to preserve justice and righteousness, sobriety and chastity, both toward
themselves and others, more especially from this consideration, namely, the strict
and impartial account that must be given, in the day of judgment, of all the actions
of their past lives, and the consequences that would inevitably follow, either to be
rewarded or eternally punished.
This discourse had such an effect on Felix, that he could not help trembling as he
sat on his throne ; and as soon as he had a little recovered his spirits, he abruptly
interrupted Paul, by saying, " Go thy way for this time ; when I have a convenient
season, I will call for thee."
Felix, no doubt, had sufficient reason to tremble, and his conscience to be sensibly
alarmed at Paul's discourse ; for he was a man notoriously infamous for rapine and
violence. He made his own will the law of his government, practising all manner
of cruelty and injustice. To these bad qualities he added bribery and covetousness ;
and therefore often sent, for Paul to discourse with him, expecting he would have
given him a considerable sum for his release, having, in all probability, heard that
Paul had taken with him a large quantity of money to Jerusalem. But finding that
no offers were made him, either by the apostle or his friends, he kept him prisoner
two years ; when himself being discharged from his office by Nero, he left Paul in
prison, in order to gratify the malice of the Jews,* and engage them to speak the
oetter of him, after his departure from Judea.
On the deposition of Felix the government of Judea was invested in Portius Festus,
who, after staying three days at Cesarea, went to Jerusalem. On his arrival thither,
the high-priest, and other members of the sanhedrim, exhibited fresh accusations
against Paul, and, in order to his trial, desired that he might be sent for up to Jeru
salem, intending to have him assassinated in the way. But Festus, being unwilling
to grant their request, told them, that he was shortly going himself to Cesarea, and
that if they had any complaint against Paul, they must come thither and accuse him,
when he would not fail to do. them justice.
In consequence of this the Jews followed Festus to Cesarea, and when he was
*. Felix had greatly exasperated the Jews by his unjust and violent proceedings while he continued in
thegovemment ; and therefore, upon his dismission, he thought to have pacified them in some measure, by
leaving Paul (whom he might have discharged long before) still in custody, and consequently still liable to
become aprey to their greedy malice. But herein he found himself greatly mistaken ; for no sooner was he
removed from his office, than several ol the principal Jews of Cesarea took a journey to Rome en purpose
tn accuse him, and would certainly have wrought his ruin, had not his brother Pallas (who was in very dis
tinguished favor with Nero) interceded for his pardon

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 587
seated on his throne, they renewed their charge, and produced their articles against
Pa,ul, which were much the same as wha? they had accused him of before Felix.
But Paul defended himself so well, by making it appear that he had neither offended
against the Jewish laws, nor against the temple, nor against the emperor, that their
charge, tor want of sufficient proof, fell to the ground. Festus, however, being will
ing to procure the favor of the Jews at his entrance on the government, asked Paul
if he would go and be tried before him at Jerusalem ? But the apostle, well knowing
the malice of his enemies, and being unwilling to trust himself in their power, boldly
declared, " as he then stood at the emperor's judgment-seat, when he ought to have
a final trial, if he had done anything worthy of death, he did not wish to avoid pun
ishment; but that, as he had not injured any of the Jews, and they could not prove
anything against him, he ought not to be made a victim to their fury ; and therefore,
as he was a Roman, he appealed to the emperor himself."* Festus, finding Paul
resolute in maintaining his privilege, conferred for some time with his council, and
then, with some seeming emotion, told him that since he " had appealed unto Caesar,
unto Caesar he should go."
A few days after this, King Agrippa (who succeeded Herod in the tetrarchate of
Galilee), with his sister Bernice, went to Cesarea, in order to pay a visit to the new
governor. Festus took this opportunity of mentioning Paul's case to Agrippa, with
the remarkable tumult that had been occasioned by him among the Jews, and the
appeal he had made to Caesar, the whole of which he related in words to this effect :
" That Felix, upon his parting with the government of Judea, had left a certain pris
oner, against whom some of the chief of the Jews had brought an information, and
immediately demanded judgment, which, according to the Roman law, could not be
done without first hearing the case and bringing ihe parlies together. That to this
purpose he had ordered his accusers to come to Cesarea, but, upon the result, found
that the dispute between them was about matters of religion, and whether a person
called Jesus was really dead or alive. That being himself unacquainted with such
kind of controversies, he had referred the prisoner to the Jewish sanhedrim, but that
he, declining their judgment, had appealed to Caesar : and that therefore he kept
him still in prison, until he could meet with a convenient opportunity to send him to
Rome." This account given of Paul by Festus greatly excited the curiosity of King Agrippa,
who intimated his desire of hearing himself what Paul had to say in his own defence
Accordingly the next day the king and his sister, accompanied by Festus the gov
ernor, and several other persons of distinction, went into the couit with a pompous
and splendid retinue, where the prisoner was brought before them. As soon as Paul
appeared, Festus informed the court " how greatly he had been importuned by the
Jews, both at Cesarea and Jerusalem, to put the prisoner to death as a malefactor ;
but having, on examination, found him guilty of no capital crime, and the prisoner
himself having appealed unto Caesar, he was determined to send him to Rome. That
he was willing, however, to have his cause again discussed before so judicious a yer-
s as Agrippa, that he might be furnished with some material particulars to send
¦tti.uhim, as it would be highly absurd to send a prisoner without signifying the
crimes alleged against him."
Festus having finished his speech, King Agrippa told Paul he was at full liberty to
make his own defence ; upon which, after silence being called, Paul, chiefly address
ing himself to Agrippa, spoke to this effect: —
" I consider it as a peculiar happiness, King Agrippa, that I am to make my de
fence against the accusations of the Jews, before thee, because thou art well ac
quainted with their customs, and the questions commonly debated among them : I
therefore beseech thee to hear me patiently. All the Jews are well acquainted with
my manner of life, from my youth, the greatest part of it having been spent with
mine own countrymen at Jerusalem. They also know that I was educated under the
institutions of the Pharisees, the strictest sect of our religion, and am now arraign ad
for a tenet believed by all their fathers ; a tenet sufficiently credible in itself, and
plainly revealed in the Scriptures, I mean the resurrection of the dead. Why should
* This manner of appealing was very common among the Romans, and introduced to secure the lives and
fortunes of the people from the unjust encroachments and over-rigorous severities of the magistrates. Paul
well knew he slrould not have fair and equitable dealings from the governor, when swayed by the Jews, -his
fiworn and inveterate enemies, and therefore appealed from him to the emperor ; nor could Festus deny his
demand.

588 AN ILLUSTRATED
any mortal think it either incredible or impossible, that God should raise the
dead ?
" I indeed thought myself indispensably obliged to oppose the religion of Jesus of
Nazareth. Nor was I satisfied with imprisoning and punishing wilh death itself, the
saints I found at Jerusalem ; I even persecuted them in strange cities, whither my
implacable zeal pursued them, having procured authority for that purpose from the
chief priests and elders.
" Accordingly, I departed for Damascus with a commission from the sanhedrim ;
but as I was travelling toward that city, I saw at midday, 0 king, a light from
heaven, far exceeding the brightness of the sun, encompassing me and my com
panions. On seeing this awful appearance, we all fell to the earth ; and I heard a
voice, which said to me, in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou
me ? It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. To which I answered, Who art
thou, Lord ? And he replied, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But be not terri
fied, arise from the earth ; for I have appeared unto thee, that thou mightest be both
a witness ofthe things thou hast seen, and also of others which I will hereafter re
veal unto thee; my power, delivering thee from the Jews and Gentiles, to whom
now I send thee to preach the gospel; to withdraw the veil of darkness and ignor
ance; to turn them from falsehood unto truth, and from the power of Satan unto
God. " Accordingly, King Agrippa, I readily obeyed the heavenly vision ; I preached the
gospel first to the inhabitants of Damascus, then to those of Jerusalem and Judea, and
afterward to the Gentiles ; persuading them to forsake their iniquities, and, by sin
cere repentance, turn to the living God.
" These endeavors to save the souls of sinful mortals exasperated the Jews, who
caught me in the temple, and entered into a conspiracy to destroy me. But by the
help of Omnipotence, I still remain a witness to all the human race, preaching noth
ing but what Moses and all the prophets foretold, namely, that the Messiah should
suffer, be the first that should rise from the chambers of the grave, and publish the
plad tidings of salvation, both to the Jews and Gentiles."
This discourse was conceived in such a light by Festus, that he thought Paul was
delirious, and therefore abruptly told him, that his too much learning had made him
mad. The reply Paul made to this was to the following purport : " I am far, most
noble Festus, from being transported with idle and distracted ideas ; the words I
speak are dictated by truth and sobriety ; and I am persuaded that King Agrippa
himself is not ignorant of those things ; for they were transacted openly before ihe
world. I am confident, King Agrippa, that thou believest the prophets ; and there
fore must know that all their predictions were fulfilled in Christ." To this Agrippa
answered, " Thou hast almost persuaded me to become a Christian." Paul replied,
' I sincerely wish, that not only thou, but also all that hear me, were not almost, but
altogether, the same as myself, except being 'prisoners." Upon this the assembly
brok.1 up ; and when Agrippa and Festus had conferred together about Paul's case.
they freely owned that the accusation laid against him amounted neither to a capital
offence, nor anything deserving imprisonment ; and That, had he not appealed unto
Csesar, he might have been legally discharged.*
It being now finally determined that Paul should be sent to Rome, he, and some
other prisoners of note, were committed to the charge of one Julius, a centurion, or cap
tain of a legion called Augustus's band. Accordingly they went on board a ship of
Adramyttium,t and coasting along Asia, arrived at Sidon, where Julius (who all
along treated Paul with great civility) gave him leave to go ashore and refresh him
self. From Sidon they set sail, and came within sight of Cyprus, and having passed
over the seas of Cilicia and Pamphylia, landed at Myra, a port in Lycia, where the
ship finished its voyage. Hence they embarked on board a ship of Alexandria bound
for Italy ; and having passed by Cnidus4 with some difficulty made for Salome,
a promontory on the eastern shore of Crete, whence, after many days slow sailing.
* It was the custom of the Romans that, after a prisoner had appealed unto the emperor, no inferior
judge could either condemn or acquit him.
t Adramyttium was a seaport in Mysia, a province of Asia Minor, lying opposite to the isle of Lesbos,
and not far'from Troas.
t Cnidus was a city which stood on a promontory, or foreland of the same name, in that part of the
province of Caria which was more particularly called Doris. This city was remarkable for the worship of
Venus, and for the celebrated statue of that goddess made by the famous artificer Praxiteles

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 589
they arrived -\t a place called the Fair Havens, on the coast of the same island. As
the season ofthe year was far advanced, and sailing in those seas exceedingly danger
ous, Paul advised the centurion to put in here, and winter. But Julius, preferring
the judgment of the master ofthe ship, and the wind, at that time blowing gently at
south, they put again to sea, in hopes of reaching Phenice, another harbor of Crete,
where there was safe riding, and there to winter. It was not long, however, before
they found themselves disappointed; for the calm southerly gale which blew before,
suddenly changed to a stormy and tempestuous northeast wind, which bore down all
before it, so that they were forced to let the ship drive ; but, to secure it from split
ting, they undergirt it, and to prevent its running aground on the shallows, threw out
a great part of its lading and tackle.
In this wretched and dangerous situation did they continue for the space of four
teen days, during which they saw neither sun nor stars, so that the whole company
(except Paul) began to give themselves up as lost. This being observed by the
apostle, he addressed himself to them in words to this effect : " Had you taken my
advice, and stayed at Crete, you would not have been in this danger ; but take com
fort, for we shall suffer no loss but that of the ship. This I can assure you has been
made known to me by a divine messenger, who, appearing to me in the night, said,
Fear not, Paul, for thou must be brought before Caesar, and God hath, for thy sake,
granted life and safety to all them that are with thee in the ship. Wherefore be of
good cheer, for I am confident this vision will be made good, coming from God, as it
certainly doth. But one passage more I received in this vision, namely, that after
shipwreck we shall be cast on a certain island."
On the fourteenth night, the sailors, thinking they were near land, sounded, and
found themselves in twenty fathoms water, soon after which they were convinced,
by a second sounding, that they were near some coast. But apprehending that
they might strike upon some shelves in the dark, they thought proper to come to
an anchor, till the morning might give them better information. In the meantime
the weather continuing exceedingly boisterous, they altered their intentions, and not
staying for daylight, attempted to save themselves by getting into the boat. On this
Paul told Julius, " that though he had said no person in the ship should perish, it
was upon condition lhat they believed and trusted in God for their preservation : that
therefore the seamen should continue in the ship and do their duty, and not endeavor
to effect their escape by the boat ; which if they did, they would be all in danger of
their lives." Upon this the soldiers, to prevent the seamen's design, cut the ropes
that fastened the boat, which was soon driven away by the impetuosity of the waves.
A little before daybreak Paul advised all the people on board the ship to take
some refreshment, because, during the time of their danger, which had been fourteen
days, they had taken but very little sustenance ; and to encourage them to do this,
he assured them again, that " not a hair of their heads should perish." Having said
this, Paul " took bread, and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all ; and
when he had broken it, he began to eat. Then were they all of good cheer, and
they also took some meat."
In the morning they discovered hind, and discerning a creek which seemed to make
a kind of haven, they resolved, if possible, to put in there ; but in their passage un
expectedly fell into a place where two seas met, and where the forepart of the ship
striking upon a neck of land that ran out into the sea, the hinder part was soon beaten
in pieces by the violence of the waves. When the soldiers saw what was likely tc
be their fate, they proposed putting all the prisoners to the sword, lest any of them
should swim to land, and make their escape; but the centurion, who was willing to
save Paul, not approving of this design, gave orders that every one should shift foi
himself; the issue of which was, that some by swimming, others fastening to planks,
and others on pieces of the broken ship (to the number of 276 persons) all got safe
on shore.
The country on which they were cast was (as Paul had foretold) an island called
Melita,* now called Malta, situated on the Lybian sea, between Syracuse and Africa.
* II is well known that the ancient name of Malta was Melita. This island, being situated midway, as it
weie, between the continents of Europe and Africa, has been reckoned sometimes as belonging to the one,
and sometimes to the other. It is, however, rather nearer to Europe than to Africa, being one hundred and
ninety miles from Cape Spartivento, in Calabria, the nearest point on the continent of Europe ; and two
hundred miles from Calipia, tho nearest pail of Africa ; it is, however, only sixty miles from Cape Passaro,
In Sicily. The island is sixty miles in circumference, twenty long, and twelve broad. Near it, on the west.

590 A2T ILLUSTRATED
The natives of the place received them with great civility and kindness, made fires to
dry their wet clothes, and entertained them with every necessary that was requisite
for their distressed situation.
As Paul was laying a few sticks upon the fire, a viper, enlivened by the heat, came
out of the bundle of wood from which he had taken them, and fastened upon his
hand. "When the natives saw this, they concluded that he must certainly be some
notorious murderer, who, though Providence had suffered to escape the dangers of the
sea, had been reserved for a more public and solemn execution. But when they saw
him shake off the venomous creature into the fire, and no harm ensue, they changed
their sentiments, and cried out that " he was a god."*
At a small distance from that part of the island on which Paul and his company
were shipwrecked, lived Publius the governor, who received and entertained them
with great civility and hospitality for three days. During this time, Paul, being in
formed that the governor's father lay dangerously ill of a fever and bloody flux, in
acknowledgment for the favors received from Publius, went to his apartment, and,
after praying some time, laid his hands upon him and healed him. The news ot
this miraculous cure was soon spread throughout the island, in consequence of which
such as were afflicted with any disease were brought to Paul, who restored them to
their former health and strength. This increased Paul's fame, and was of consider
able advantage to his companions and fellow-sufferers, who on his account were
highly caressed and entertained; and when they left the island they received many
marks of esteem from the inhabitants, who furnished them with all necessaries proper
for their voyage.
After staying three months at Miletus, they embarked on board the Castor and I ?1-
is another and smaller island, called Goza, about thirty miles in circumference. Malta has no mountai is,
nor any very high hills ; and it therefore makes no very conspicuous figure from the sea. There are no
ports or bays on the African side of the island : but several very deep ones on the coast facing Sicily. 1 he
most important of these are the Calle della Melleha, the Porto di S. Paolo, and the two which aro sepa
rated by the tongue of land on which stands the modern capital, Citta Valetta. The more ancient capital,
in which, as appears from his intercourse with the governor, St. Paul remained during his stay, is situated '
about the centre of the island, upon a hill of moderate elevation, between which' and the bay of St. Paul
the ground is more low and level than in most other parts ofthe island. The cathedral church ol St. Paul,
upon the top of the hill, is supposed by the inhabitants, from old traditions, to occupy the site on which the
palace of Publius, the governor, stood at the time of St. Paul's visit. There are in this city numerous
alleged memorials of the apostle's sojourn ; the process of identifying the spots where St. Paul lodged, and
where he did this and this, being pushed to an extreme, is calculated to annoy even those who are disposed
to acquiesce in the conclusion that the town was really visited by the apostle of the Gentiles.
Malta is naturally a barren rock ; but where some soil has been found, or has been artificially laid, the pro
ductive power is very great, and the produce of a very superior description. Tlie island does not, however,
produce nearly sufficient corn for the sustenance of its inhabitants, who are obliged to import from abroad
the greater part of that which they consume. But this is partly owing to the extreme populousness ofthe
island, which, in proportion to its extent, contains more inhabitants than any other country of Europe.
The island was originally colonized by the Phoenicians, from whom it was taken, about 736 years B. C,
by the Greek colonists in Sicily, to whom the island owed the name of Melita, perhaps on account of the
excellent honey for which it has been at all times noted.' An island of So much importance as a maritime and
commercial station, was not overlooked by the Carthaginians, who, about 528 B. C, began to dispute its
possession with the Greeks, and after for a time dividing it with them, made themselves entire masters of
it. The inhabitants of Greek descent, however, remained, and the Punic, or Phoenician, an"d the Greek
languages were equally spoken. Malta flourished greatly under the dominion of Carthage ; but ultimately
partook of the disasters which befell that power. In the first Punic war it was ravaged and seized bythe
Romans, who however lost it again, and only became masters of it under the treaty which placed in their
hands (B. C. 242) all the islands between Italy and Africa. The Romans treated the inhabitants well.
They made Melita a municipium, allowing the people to.be governed by their own laws. The government
was administered by a pro-praetor, who depended on the praetor of Sicily, and' this office appears to have
been held by Publius at the time of the shipwreck. When the Roman empire was divided, Malta fell to the
lot of Constantine. About the middle 'of the fifth century it was seized by the Vandals, and ten years aftei
by the Goths, who had obtained possossion of Sicily. But about a century later '(A. D. 553) the island was
united to the lowei empire by Belisarius, when sent to wrest Africa from the Vandals. The inhabitants
were not allowed to enjoy the same privileges they had possessedunder the Roman emperor, nor was the
Greek government popular; hence the inhabitants willingly received the Arabs, who about the end ofthe
ninth century, took the island from the Greeks, and established in it a government dependant on the emir
Df Sicily The Arabs must have become largely mi»ed with the population to impress upon it, to the ex
tent they did. their own language and customs. The present inhabitants have an Arabian aspect, and theii
language is an Arabian dialect, easily understood by the native Arabians, and by the Moors of Africa. Malta
was taken from the Arabs by the Normans, in the year 1090. Its subsequent changes of masters need not
here be stated, till 1530, when the emperor Charles V., who had annexed it to his empire, transferred it to the
knights of St. John of Jerusalem, whom the Turks had recently dispossessed of Rhodes. The glory which
Malta acquired in 1563, by the defeat of thirty thousand invading Turks— the continued distinction which it
enjoyed, as a sovereign state, under the knights — the attention which it engaged, at the commencement of
this century, from its surrender to Bonaparte on his way to Egypt — from its recovery by the English— and
from its being the alleged ground of the memorable war which terminated at Waterloo ; all these are en
cumstances, in the history of this celebrated island, too notorious to require more than this brief indication
* Hercules was one of the gods whom the people of this island worshipped ; and to him they oscribed
the power of curing the bite of serpents

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

691

592 AN ILLUSTRATED :
lux, a ship of Alexandria bound for Italy. On their arrival at Syracuse,* they r&st
anchor, and went on shore to refresh themselves. Here they stopped three days,
when they again embarked and sailed for Rhegium,t and thence to Pu eoli,| where
they landed. Finding in this place some Christians, at their earnest solicitation they
continued with them a week, and then set forward on their journey to Rome.
When the Christians of Rome|| heard that Paul was on his journey to that city,
great numbers of them went to meet him, some as far as Apiiforum, and others as
far as a place called the Three Taverns. As soon as Paul saw them he was greatly
rejoiced, and thanked God and took courage. They all conducted him in a kind of
triumph to the city, on their arrival at which Julius delivered the rest of his prison
ers over to the captain ofthe guard; but Paul was permitted to take up his residence
in a private house, with only one soldier to guard him.
After Paul had been al Rome three days, he sent for the heads or rulers of the
Jews in that city, who being assembled, he addressed himself to them in words to
this effect: "Men and brethren, though I have done nothing contrary to the laws
and customs of the Jews, yet was I by them apprehended and accused before the
Roman governor, who, when he had examined me and found no capital accusation
laid by my enemies, would have discharged me. But the Jews opposing it, 1 was
forced to appeal to Csesar to get out of their hands, not that I had any complaint to
make to him against my countrymen. And this is the cause pf my desiring to speak
with you; for I am imprisoned, as you see, for teaching the belief and expectation
of a future resurrection, which is the result of all the promises of God to the Jews,
and that on which every true Israelite depends." The answer the rulers made to
this was to the following purport : " We have no letters from Judea that mention
* This was a city of Sicily, seated on the east side ofthe island, with a fine prospect from every entrance,
both by sea and land. Its port, which had the sea on both sides of it, was almost all of it environed with
beautiful buildings, and all that part of it which was without the city, was on both sides banked up, and
sustained with very fair, walls ol marble. The city itself, while in its splendor, was trie largest and richest
that the Greeks possessed in any part of the world ; for, according to Strabo, it was twenty-two miles in
circumference ; and both Livy and Plutarch inform us, that the spoil of it was equal to that of Carthage. It
was called quadruplex, as being divided into four parts, Acradino, Tyche, Neapolis, and the island of Ortygia.
The first of these contained in it the famous temple of Jupiter ; the second, the temple of Fortune ; the
third, a large amphitheatre, and a wonderful statue of Apollo, in the midst of a spacious square ; and the
fourth, the two temples of Diana and Minerva, and the renowned fountain of Arethusa. About two hundred
and ten years before the birth of Christ, this city was taken and sacked by Marcellus, the Roman general,
and, in storming the place, Archimedes, the great mathematician, who is esteemed the first inventor of the
sphere, and who. during the siege, had sorely galled the Romans with his military engines, was slain by a
common soldier, while he was intent upon his studies. After it was thus destroyed by Marcellus, Augustus
rebuilt that part of it which stood upon the island, and, in time, it so far recovered itself, as to have three
walls, three castles, and a marble gate, and to be able to send out twelve thousand horse, and four hundred
ships. But it was totally destroyed by the Saracens, in 684, and scarcely any vestiges of it are now to be
seen. t Rhegium, now called Reggio, was a port-town in Italy, opposite to Messina in the island of Sicily ; it is
thought to have this name given it by the Greeks, who suppose that about this place Sicily was broken t ff
from the continent of Italy by the sea.
$ Ptiteoli was a noted town for trade, which lay not far from Naples ; it was famous for its hot baths ;
and from these baths, or pits of water, called in Latin putei, the town is said to have taken its name.
il A city of Italy, the most ^celebrated upon earth, and for several centuries the mistress ofthe world : it
had been a station of the Etrurians, but it was founded by Romulus, at the liead of a banditti, in the reign oi
King Hezekiah, about A. M. 3251, and B. C. 753. It gradually increased until it extended over seven hills,
and ultimately to cover thirteen ; and at the advent of Christ, its inhabitants were supposed to amount to
about two millions. Christianity triumphed at Rome in the apostolic age, when a flourishing church was
formed in that city, whose pastor was regarded with great respect by other churches, on account of the im
portance of his station, the metropolis of the world, and so near to the palace ofthe Caesars. And such was
the enmity of the idolatrous priests agair i, the gospel; that many of the early pastors of the Christian
I'huccli at Rome suffered martyrdom for the faith of Christ. Constantine, the emperor, about A. D. 313, pro
fessed his belief in Christianity, and afterward showed his zeal by building many churches, granting large
honors to their ministers, especially dignifying th& senior pastor at Rome. Multitudes now embraced the
religion of the emperor ; and ungodly men, for the sake of emolument, aspired to be its ministers : cere
monies were multiplied, to be performed by prayerless ministers, who thus daily corrupted its doctrines
Constantine removing the seat of his government to his new city Constantinople, a path was opened foi
the ambition of the Roman bishop, who, by progressive steps, advanced to the predicted elevation, on which
he claimed to be the head of a hierarchy, as popej or father of the church on earth, and vicar of Christ — but
in the expressive language of apostolic prophecy, the "man of sin," the "mystery of iniquity," and " a
ueast." (2 Thess. ii. 3-8; Rev. xiii. 1-18.) Rome has greatly declined from its former glory, having now
only about a hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants ; but it abounds with vast monuments of. its former
grandeur. St. Peter's cathedral, far larger than St. Paul's cathedral, London, is believed to be the most
magnificent place of worship In the world ; and the Vatican, or winter-palace of the pope, »s reckoned fco
contain twelve thousand five hundred chambers, halls, and closets. Roman catholics regard the pope, or
bishop of Rome, as the visible head of the whole Christian church, and his decisions in religion as infallible •
out every succeeding pope has been an enemy to the circulation of the Bible. Scarcely anything of pure
scriptuia.1 Christianity car. be discovered among the mass of superstitions observed in public worship al
Home and, as the consequence, the morals of the people are the grosses* ^porobrium to the name of
Canst*

HISTORY OF THE BIB I.E.

5!i3

Colossse. The Houses of the modern Village of Khonis.

Roman Officers.

38

594 AIT ILLUSTRATED
thee, neither have the converted Jews made any complaint against thee. But we
desire to hear thy opinion more at large ; for as concerning this profession and doe-
trine of Christianity, we know it is generally opposed by our brethren the Jews."
Paul readily complied with this request, and a day being appointed, not only the
rulers, but many others of the Jews assembled at his house, to whom he preached
from morning till night, explaining the doctrine of the gospel, and proving, from the
promises ana predictions of the Old Testament, that Jesus was the true Messiah.
But his discourse was attended with different success, some of his hearers being con
vinced of the truth of what he asserted, while others persisted in their infidelity. In
consequence of this, warm disputes took place between them; upon which, as they
were about, to depart, Paul, addressing himself to those who opposed his doctrine,
told them that, their unbelief was a strict fulfilment of what had been predicted by
the prophet Laiah: " Well," said he, "spake the Holy Ghost by Isaiah the prophet
unto our fathers, spying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and
shall not understand ; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive. For the heart of this
people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they
closed; lest they should see with their eyes,and near with their ears, aud understand
with their hearts, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Be it known,
therefore, unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they
will hear it." After Paul had said this, the whole company departed, disagreeing
among themselves on the subject which had been propounded to them.
Paul continued to reside in the house he had hired ' for the space of two years,
during which he employed himself in expounding the doctrine of the gospel to all
who came to him. He preached daily without the least molestation, and with such
success that many people of distinction, some of whom were of the emperor's court,
were converted, and became his constant disciples.
Among others of. the apostle's converts at Rome was one Onesimus, who some
time before had been servant to Philemon, a person of distinction at Colossse.* Onesi
mus, having committed some indiscretion, left his master, and rambled as far as
Rome, where, hearing Paul preach, he conceived such an idea of the truth of his
doctrine that he became a most serious convert. Paul, however, understanding that
he was another man's servant, advised him to return to his master, which he readily
agreeing to, Paul sent an epistle by him to Philemon, in which he " earnestly requests
that he will pardon him, and, notwithstanding his former faults, treat him as a brother;
promising withal, that if he had wronged or owed him anything, he himself would
not fail to repay it." This epistle may be considered as a masterpiece of eloquence
in the persuasive way ; for the apostle has therein had recourse to all the considera
tions whic.i friendship, religion, piety, and tenderness, can inspire, to reconcile an
incensed master to an indiscreet servant.
The Christians, of Philippi having heard. of Paul's imprisonment at Rome, and nol
knowing to what distress he might be reduced, raised a contribution for him, and sent
it by Epaphroditus their bishop. .This gave great satisfaction to Paul, not so much on
itccount of the money they had sent, but from its being a proof lhat they still retained
Christian principles. To encourage them, therefore, to persevere in the faith of
Christ, and to withstand all opposition that might be made against them by the ene
mies of the gospel, he returned them an epistle, "wherein he gives some account of
the state of his affairs at Rome; gratefully acknowledges their kindness to him; and
warns them against the dangerous opinions which the Judaising teachers might vent
against them. He likewise advises them to live in continual obedience to Christ; to
* Colossre was situated in the southern part of Phrygia. Though a town of considerable note, it was by
no means the principal one of Phrygia ; for when that great province was ultimately divided into Phrygia
Pacatiana and Phrygia Salutaris, it ranked but as ' the sixth city of the former division. The town was
seated on an eminence to the south of the Meander, at a place where the river Lycus began to run under
ground, as it did for five furlongs, after which it again rose and flowed into the Meander. This valuable in
dication of the site of Colossre, furnished by Herodotus (lib. vii. cap. 30) establishes the truth ofthe received
conclusion, that the ancient city is represented by the modem village of Khonas. This village is described
by Mr. Arundell as being situated most picturesquely under the immense range of Mount Cadmus, which
rises to a very lofty and perpendicular heirrl.b behind the village, in some parts clothed with pines, in others
bare of soil, with vast chasms and caverns. The immense perpendicular chasm, seen in the view, aifords
an outlet to a wide rnountain-torrent, the bed of which is dry in summer. Tlie approach to Khonas, as well
as the village itself, is beautiful, abounding in tall trees, from' which vines of rrrost luxuriant growth art
suspended. In the immediate neighborhood of'the villageare several vestiges of an ancient city, consisting
of arches, vaults, squared stones, while the ground is strewed with broken pottery, which so generally and
so remarkably indicates the sites of ancient towns in the east. That these ruins are all that now remain oi
Colossre, there seems no just reason to doubt.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 595
avoid disputations, delight in prayer, be courageous under affliction, united in love
and clothed in humility, in imitation of the blessed Jesus, who so far humbled him
self as to ' become obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.' "
Paul had lived three years at Ephesus, preaching the gospel to the numerous in
habitants of that city, and was therefore well acquainted with the state and condition
of the place ; so that taking the opportunity of Tychicus's going thither from Rome,
he wrote his Epistle to the Ephesians, wherein " he endeavors to countermine the
principles and practices both of the Jews and Gentiles; to confirm them in the be
lief and practices of the Christian doctrine ; and to instruct them fully in the great
mysteries of the gospel ; their redemption and justification by the death of Christ ;
their gratuitous election ; their union with the Jews in one body, of which Christ is'
the head, and the glorious exaltation of that head above all with creatures both
spiritual and temporal ; together with many excellent precepts, both as to the general
duties of religion and the duties of their particular relations."
Paul himself had never been at Colossse ; but one Epaphras, who was at that time a
prisoner with him at Rome, had preached the gospel there with good success ; and
from him he learned that certain false teachers had endeavored to corrupt the minds
Of the Christians in that city. In opposition to this, and to secure the converts in
their faith, he wrote his Epistle to the Colossians, wherein he beautifully sets forth
the Messiah, and all the benefits that will be bestowed on such as believe in him, as
being the image of his Father, the Redeemer of all mankind, the reconciler of all
things to God, and the Head of the Church, which gives life and vigor to all its mem
bers. He commends the doctrine preached to them by Epaphras, and exhorts them
not to be led away by the reasonings of human philosophy ; and concludes with
giving them a list of many chief and principal duties of a Christian life, especially
such as respect the relations of husbands and wives, parents and children, masters and
servants. During the time Paul was thus laudably employed at Rome, James the apostle,
and bishop of Jerusalem, was dedicating his time, as much as in him lay, to the
propagation of the gospel within his provinces. Considering within himself that it
belonged to him to take care of ail the converted among the twelve tribes of Israel,
wherever dispersed, he wrote an epistle to them, the design of which was, " to con
fute and suppress, a dangerous error then growing" up in the church, viz., that a bare
'naked faith' was sufficient to secure men's salvation, without any attention to good
works; to comfort Christians under the persecutions which were going to be raised
against them by worldly powers ; and to awaken them out of their stupidity when
judgments were ready to overtake them." To this purpose he inserts in his epistle
many excellent exhortations, such as, to bear afflictions, to hear the word of God, to
mortify their passions, to bridle their tongues, to avoid cursing and swearing, and to
adorn their Christian profession with a good conversation, with meekness, peaceable-
ness, and charity."
It was not long after James had written this epistle, before a period was put to
all his labors. The governing part of the Jews, being highly enraged at the disap
pointment they had met with in Paul's appealing to Caesar, were now resolved to re
venge it upon James ; accordingly, taking the opportunity of the death of Festus
(before the arrival of Albinus his successor) Ananias the high-priest summoned James,
and some others, before the sanhedrim, .who required them to renounce their Chris
tian faith. Their desire more especially was, that James should make his renuncia
tion in the most public manner, and therefore they carried him up to the battlements
of the temple, and threatened to throw him down thence in case he refused comply
ing with their request. But James, instead of gratifying their desires, began himself
to confess, and to exhort others to confess, ihe faith of Christ, in the presence of those
who came to hear his recantation; upon which lire members of die sanhedrim were
so incensed that they ordered him lo be thrown down headlong from ihe place where
Qe stood. By this fall he was greatly bruised, but not quite killed; and therefore
having recovered himself so far as to be able to rise on his knees, he prayed fervently
to Heaven for his persecutors, in the manner of the protomartyr Stephen. But malice
is too diabolical to be pacified with kindness, or satisfied with cruelty. Accordingly,
his enemies, vexed lhat they had not fully accomplished their work, poured a shower
of stones upon him while he was imploring their forgiveness at the throne of grace.

696 AN ILLUSTRATED
and one of them, more cruel and inveterate than the rest, put an end to his misery,
by dashing out his brains with a fuller's club.*
Thus did this great and good man finish his course in the 96th year of his age,
and about twenty-four years after our blessed Saviour's ascension into heaven. His
remains were deposited in a tomb which he had caused to be made on the Mount of
Olives; and his brother Simon was, by the general voice of the Christians, appointed
his successor in the bishopric of Jerusalem.
The apostle James was a man of exemplary piety and devotion. Prayer was his
daily business and delight : so constant was he at his devotions that his knees became
hard and callous; and so prevalent in his petitions to Heaven, that, in a time of great
drought, he prayed for rain and obtained it. Nor was his charity to his fellow-crea
tures less than his piety toward God; he did good to all, watched over the souls of
men, and made their eternal w el fare his constant study. He was of a remarkably
meek and humble temper, honoring what was excellent in others, but concealing
what was valuable in himself. The dignity of the place he so worthily filled, could
not induce him to entertain lofty thoughts of himself above his brethren: on the con
trary, he strove to conceal whatever might place him in a higher rank than the other
disciples of the Lord of Glory. He was the delight of all good men, and so much in
the favor and estimation of the people, that they used to flock aftei him, and strive
who should touch even but the hem of his* garment. In short, he was a man of so
amiable a temper, as to be the wonder of the age in which he lived ; and from the
reputation of his holy and religious life, was styled James the Just.

CHAPTER XI.
Paul's travels — imprisoned at rome — is beheaded.
After Paul had continued at Rome upward of two years in a state of confinement,
he obtained his liberty, but by what means we have not any account in history.f It
may be presumed, that the Jews not having sufficient proof of the accusation they
had laid against him, or being informed that, what they alleged was no violation of
any Roman law, they durst not implead him. before the emperor ; and therefore, of
course, he was permitted to go at large.
Paul, having obtained his liberty, left Rome, and travelled into various parts of
Italy, preaching the gospel with different success. In some places he made many
converts, but in others he met with great opposition. Before he left Italy, he wrote
* The perpetrators of this barbarous act were considered in the most detestable light by. the sober ar.d
just persons among the Jews themselves. Even their own historian Josephus could not but condemn it,
and, as himself testifies, all the honest and conscientious people of the city remonstrated against it, both to
their king Agrippa, and to tire Roman governor Albinus ; insomuch that the high-priest by whose authority
it was committed was, in a few months after; degraded, and another placed injiis stead.
r In consequence of Paul' s appeal unto Ciesar, he was conveyed to Rome, there to await his trial. On his
arrival, A. D. 61, he was. delivered to the praetorian prefect, whose official business was to keep in custody
all accused persons who were to be tried before the emperor. By special Indulgence he was permitted, to
remain in "his own hired house," irjstead of being' confined within the walls of 'the prsetorian barracks.
Still he was a prisoner under military custody — chained by the arm, both night and day, to One of the im
perial body-guard — and subjected to the caprice, of Roman soldiery. He was, however, permitted to receive
all who came to him, and, without hindrance, to preach boldly the gospel of Christ.
For reasons unknown to us his trial was delayed at least two years. During this time he enjoyed free
intercourse with his friends, and was allowed to occupy a house large enough to accommodate the congrega
tion which came together to hear his teaching. Nor were his labors fruitless ; for many were converted to
tiro faith through his earnest ministrations. At the same time he wrote several of his epistles. At length
his appeal came on for hearing before the; emperor, Nero, and the trial resulted in his acquittal. He was
pronounced guiltless of the charges brought against him, and set at liberty.
Being again at liberty to prosecute his missionary labors, he immediately left Rome, first visiting the
churches in Asia Minor, aud then extended his labors to other fields. It was not long before the first Impe
rial persecution of Chrrstianity broke out with cruel violence, iu consequence of the great fire which burnt
down almost half of the city. Nero, who was accused of causing this fire, in order to avert the rage of the
populace from himself, charged the crime on the hated Christians, who had become numerous.
But a few years passed before Paul was again arrested at Nicopolis, as a leader of the despised sect It
is not known what charges were" made against him. He was hurried to Rome in the winter season, and Suf
fered an imprisonment far more severe than was his first, four or five years before. He was rrow not only
chained, but treated as a felon. According to the legends of the mediaeval Church, Paul was imprisoned in
the Mamertine prison, one of the most revolting prisons of Rome. It seems more probable, as we learn
from 2 Tim. i. 18, that he was again under military custody, though of a severer nature than that of his
former imprisonment.
It was not long probably before his trial came on. He made his defence unassisted by friends. He says:
" When I was first heard irr my defence, no man stood by rue, but all forsook me." He anticipated that the
issue of his trial would be Mb condem.ratbn to death, Being a Romair citizen, he was exempted from tlie
ignominious death inflicted on his martyred brethren, beirrg executed by decapitation by the sword on tho
road to Ostia, the port of Rome, iu M^y or June, A. D. 69. — Ed.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

597

596 AN ILLUSTRATED
his famous and most elaborate epistle to the Hebrews, that is, to the converted Jews
who dwell in Jerusalem and its neighborhood. His main design in this epistle is, " to
magnify Christ and the religion of the gospel above Moses and the Jewish economy,
that, by this means, he may the better establish the converted Jews in the belief and
profession of Christianity. To this purpose he represents our Saviour, in his divine na
ture, far superior to all angels, and all created beings ; and in his mediatorial capacity,
a greater lawgiver than Moses, a greater priest than Aaron, and a greater king and
priest than Melchizedec. He informs them, that the ceremonies, thf sacrifices, and
the observances of the law, could have no virtue in themselves, but only as they
were types of Jesus Christ; and being now accomplished in his person, and by his
ministry, were finally and totally abolished. He insists upon the necessity of faith,
and, by the examples of the patriarchs and prophets, proves that justification is to be
had no other way, than by the merits of a dying Saviour. And lastly, he lays before
them many excellent precepts for the regulation of .their lives; exhortations to trust
and confidence in Christ, in all their sufferings; and strict cautions against apostacy
from his religion, even in the hottest persecutions."
A short time after Paul had written this epistle to the Hebrews, he left Italy, and,
accompanied by Timothy, prosecuted his long-intended journey into Spain ; and, ac
cording to the testimony of several writers, crossed the sea, and preached the gospel
in Britain.* What success he had in these western parts is not known ; however
after going from one place to another for the space of eight or nine months, he re
turned again eastward, visited Sicily, Greece, and Crete (at the latter of which places
he constituted Titus bishop of the island), and then went into Judea, where we shall
for the present leave him, in order to take some notice of Peter, his fellow-laborer in
the cause of Christ.
In what manner Peter employed his time after his escape out of prison, we have
not any certain account. It is, however, generally agreed, that about the second
year of the emperor .Claudius, he went to Rome, and there continued for some time,
till at length that emperor, taking advantage of some seditions and tumults raised by
the Jews, published an edict for banishing all the Jews from that city ; in consequence
if which Peter returned to Jerusalem. After staying some time in the capital of
Judea, he visited the several churches which he had planted in the east, and carried
the glad tidings of the gospel into Africa, Sicily, Italy, and even as far as Britain,
in all which places he brought over great numbers to the Christian faith.
Having thus propagated the gospel in the western, as well as the eastern parts of
the world, Peter, toward the latter end of the reign of Nero, returned to Rome, the
jews, after the death of Claudius, being permitted to reside in that city with the
same freedom as before that emperor issued his edict for their banishment. On Pe
ter's arrival at Rome, he met with his fellow-laborer Paul, who had just returned
thither from Judea. The two'apostles found the minds of the people strangely be
witched, and hardened against the doctrines of the gospel, by the subtleties and
magical arts of Simon Magus, whom Peter had severely chastised for his wickedness
at Samaria. This monster of impiety not only opposed the preaching of the apostles,
but likewise did all in his power to render them and their doctrine odious to the em
peror. Peter, foreseeing that the calumnies of Simon and his adherents would dp
injurious to the cause of his great Master, thought himself obliged to oppose him
with all his might ; and having discovered the vanity of his impostures in several re-
rmr'cable instances, he at length worked him up to such a pilch of madness and des
peration, that to give the people an evident demonstration of his having those super
natural powers he had pretended, he promised that, on such a day, he would ascend
visibly up into heaven. Accordingly, at the time appointed, when prodigious num
bers of people were assembled to behold so extraordinary a sight, he went up to the
summit of a mount,' whence he raised himself, and, by the assistance of some magic
arts, seemed as if he was flying toward the regions of heaven. Peter and Paul, Be
holding the delusion, had recourse to prayers, and obtained their petitions of the Al
mighty, namely, that the imposter should be soon discovered, for the honor of the
* Clements, in his famous epistle to the Corinthians, expressly tells us, that being a preacher both to the
anst and west, he tHUght rinhteousnes* ro the whole world, and went to the utmost bounds of the west :
and Theodoret and others inform us, that he preached not only in Spain, but went to other nations, end
brought the gospel into the isles of the sea, by which he undoubtedly means Britain, and therefore he else
where reckons the Gauls and Britons among the people whom the apostles, and particularly Paul, persuaded
to embraco the doctrine of Christ

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 599
blessed Jesus. Accordingly, he fell headlong to the ground, and was so bruised by
the fall, that in a short time he expired.
The emperor Nero was a professed patron of magicians, and therefore, when he
heard of this event, he was greatly irritated. He had a particular dislike to the doc
trine of Christianity, as being totally repugnant to the lusts and passions which he
indulged; and was highly offended at Peter for having made so many converts,
among whom were several persons of distinction. In consequence of this, he ordered
him and Paul to be apprehended and cast into prison, soon after which an event* oc
curred, whence he took the opportunity of showing his reseniment to the Jews, and
that in the most severe manner. He issued out an edict, ordering Christian Jews
to be persecuted in every part of his empire ; in consequence of which, all orders and
degrees of that people were treated with the greatest contempt and cruelly that could
be invented.
But before the burning ofthe city, and the persecution commenced against the
Christians, in consequence of Nero's edict, both Peter and Paul made their escape
from confinement. Peter continued at Rome, but Paul left it, and went into Judea,
where he stayed some time, after which he went into Asia, and met Timothy al
Ephesus. Hence he paid a visit to the Colossians, whom he had never before Seen,
and after staying with them some time, returned to Ephesus, and excommunicated
Hymeneus and Alexander, for denying the resurrection ofthe dead, and other articles
ofthe Christian faith. From Ephesus he went into Macedonia, but previous to his
departure, enjoined Timothy, whom he had constituted bishop of Ephesus (see 1 Tim.
i. 3), constantly to reside in that city, and to take the charge of all the pro-consulai
Asia. After Paul had visited several places in Macedonia, he went to Philippi (see Philip.
i. 25, 26), where he stayed some time, during which he daily preached to the people,
made many new converts, and farther established those who had before embraced
the faith in the principles of Christianity. Before he left Macedonia, he wrote his
first epistle to Timothy, in which " he lays down the duties and qualifications of a
bishop, as well in respect of his ministry, as of his private conversation, and instructs
him in the office of a true Christian pastor."
Leaving Macedonia, Paul directed his course to Nicopolis, a populous city situated
on a peninsula to the west of the bay of Actium in Epirus. During his stay
here he wrote his epistle to Titus at Crete, wherein "he describes to him (as he
had done to Timothy) the qualifications which a bishop ought to have, and more es
pecially a bishop of Crete, where some sharpness and severity were necessary amidst
a people of their perverse and obstinate tempers. He admonishes him not to suffer
the flock, committed to his charge, to be led away by the delusions of Judaism; and
lastly, lays down precepts for people in all conditions of life, even not forgetting
servants, because ;ur blessed Saviour has poured out his grace upon all men."
In the beginning of' the spring Paul left Nicopolis, and Went to Corinth. After
staying a short time here, he crossed the sea into Asia, and went to Ephesus, and
thence proceeded to Miletum. From Miletum he travelled northward to Troas, and
lodged with Carpus, one of his disciples, where he left his cloak (see 2 Tim. iv. 13),
some books, and other articles. From Troas he went to Antioch, Iconium, and Lys-
* The emperor Nerc, in the former part of his reign, governed wrth tuierable credit to himself; but in the
latter part he gave way to the greatest extravagance of temper, and to the most atrocious barbarities. The
event above alluded to is this. Among other diabolical whims he took it into his head to order that the city
of Rome should be set on tire, which was done by his officers, guards, and. servants, accordingly. While
the imperial city was in flames, he went up to the tower of Macenas, played upon his harp, sung the song
ofthe burning of Troy, and openly declared that he'wished the ruin of all things before his death. Among
the noble buildings bunrt was the Circus, or place appropriated to horse-races : il was half a mile m length,
of an oval form, with rows of, seats rising above each other.and capable of receiving, with ease, upward oi
a hundred thousand spectators. Beside tliis noble pile, many other palaces and houses were consumed:
several thousands perished in the flames, were smothered with the' smoke, or buried beneath the ruins. '
This dreadful conflagration continued nine days ; when Nero, finding that his conduct was greatly blamed,
and a severe odium cast upon him, determined to lay the whole upon the Christians, at once to excuse
himself, and have an opportunity of glutting his sight with new cruelties. This was the occasion of tho
first persecution ; and the barbarities exercised upon the Christians were such as even excited the com
miseration of the Romans themselves. Nero even refined upon cruelty, and contrived all manner of pun
ishments for the Christians that the most infernal imagination could design. In particular, he had some
sewed up in the skins of wild beasts, and then worried by dogs till they expired ; and others dressed in shirts
made.stiff with wax, fixed to axle-trees, and set on fire in his gardens in order to illuminate them. This
persecution was general throughout the whole ofthe Roman empire ; but it rather increased than diminish
ed the spirit of Christianity.

COO AN ILLUSTRATED
tra, where he suffered those persecutions and afflictions, of which hfe makes mention
to Timothy, and thanks God for his deliverance from them (2 Tim. iii. 4).
After visiting these and many other places, Paul went again to Rome, knowing
that the persecution which had taken place in that city, in consequence of the edicl
issued by Nero, was somewhat abated. Meeting with Peter, they conjunctively used
their utmost endeavors to instruct the Jews in iheir synagogues, and to convert the
Gentiles in all public places and assemblies. This, however, soon raised the malice
and indignation ofthe magistrates, who were still inflamed against the Jews. Norc
was at that time in Greece, and had left Helius to supply his place during his ab
sence, investing him with exorbitant powers, which he exercised with the most un
bounded rigor. It was a crime sufficient for these two apqslles (in the eyes of Helius)
that they were Christians. The particular prejudice he took against Peter was, his
having defeated Simon Magus; and that against Paul, his having converted one
ofthe emperor's concubines. He therefore ordered them both to be apprehended and
committed to prison, where they spent their time in the most solemn acts of devo
tion, and, as opportunity offered, preached the gospel to their, guards and fellow-
prisoners, among whom it is said they converted Processus and Martinian, two prin
cipal officers ofthe army.
While they were in prison, Peter wrote his second general epistle to the converted
Jews, who were dispersed in the several provinces of Asia. In this epistle " he en
deavors, by earnest exhortations, to prevail with them to persevere in the doctrine
which they had received, and to testify 'the soundness and sincerity of their faith
by a Christian life. He forewarns them of the false teachers that would shortly
spring up among them, foretells their sad and miserable destruction, and describes
them by their odious characters, that they may avoid them. He vindicates the doc-
uine of Christ's coming to judgment, which the heretics of those times denied, that
thereby they might encourage men the more securely to pursue their lewd courses.
And lastly, he describes the great and terrible day of the Lord, when the elements
shall melt, and the whole frame of nature be dissolved, thereby to excite them to be
come, circumspect and diligent, in order to be found of him in peace, without spot,
ai d blameless."
Much about the same time that Peter wrote this epistle to the converted Jews in
Asia, Paul wrote his second epistle to Timothy, wherein " he . informs him ofthe
near approach of his death, and desires him to come to him before winter, because
most of his companions, upon one affair or other, were departed from him. He
exhorts him to discharge all the duties of a bishop and pastor, suitable to those ex
cellent gifts he had received, and with a generous contempt of the world, and worldly
things. He admonishes him not to forget the doctrine which he had taught.him, not
to be surprised or disturbed at the apostacy of some from the faith, but to preach the
more zealously against such opposers as placed their confidence in those teachers
who left the truth to turn unto fables. And lastly, he informs., him, how, at his first
appearing before Helius, all his companions, for fear of being involved in his punish
ment, forsook him, but that the Lord stood by him and strengthened him, to make
his preaching more conspicuous and effectual to the Gentiles."
When the two apostles had been in confinement several months, the cruel
Nero returned from Greece, and entered his palace at Rome in great triumph *
Soon after his return it was ultimately resolved, that the two apostles should be
put to death. Peter, as a Jew and foreigner, was sentenced to be crucified ; and
Paul, as a Roman citizen, to be beheaded. Ou the 29th of June (as it is generally
supposed) these sentences were put in execution. Peter, after being first scourged,
according to the Roman custom, was taken from the prison, and led to the top ofthe <
Vatican mount, near the Tiber, where he was sentenced to surrender up his life on
the cross. On his arrival at the place of execution, he begged the favor of the officers
lhat he might not be crucified in the common manner, but with his head downward,
* Subsequently to the burning of Rome, Nero built himself a glorious palace on M junt Palatine, which-
wss named the Golden Palace. When the emperor saw it finished, he said, " Now I am going to be lodged
like a man "' Tins splendid fabric was burnt and rebuilt in the reign of Commodus ; and of the palace so
rebuilt, irr its present ruined condition, fringingr. the mount with its broken arches, a representation is given
n. our present engraving, on page 1101. It still bears the name of Nero's Palace : and although of some-
.vtial later origin than the time ot St. 1'aul, il will be considered interesting Irorn its approximation to his.
t'me and from it* l'urrnshrng the only idea attainable from actual remains ol the palaces in wliich the Roman
emperors abode.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

G01

602 AN ILLUSTRATED
thinking himself unworthy to suffer in the same posture in which his Lord and Master
had suffered before him. This request was accordingly complied with ; and in this
manner did the great apostle Peter resign his soul into the hands of Him who came
down from heaven to ransom mankind from destruction, and open for them the gates
of the heavenly Canaan.
While Peter was suffering on the top of the Vatican mount, his fellow-apostle Paul
was conducted to a place on the road to Ostia, about three miles from Rome, in ordei
to undergo the punishment denounced against him by the cruel Nero. In his way
he converted three of the soldiers who were sent to guard him to his execution, and
who, within a few days after, died martyrs themselves. As soon as Paul arrived at the
place of execution, he knelt down, and after praying for some time with the greatest
fervency, cheerfully gave up his neck to the fatal stroke ; quitting this vale of misery
in hopes of passing to the blissful regions of immortality, to the kingdom of his be
loved Master, the great Redeemer of the human race.
Thus died these two most eminent apostles of Jesus Christ, after they had, with
indefatigable labor, reaped a glorious harvest of infinite numbers of souls, and tri
umphantly propagated salvation through the then most considerable parts of the
world. The body of Peter, being taken from the cross, was embalmed after the Jewish
manner by Marcellinus the presbyter, and buried in the Vatican near the Triumphal
way. Over his grave a small church was afterward erected, which being in the
course of time destroyed, his body was removed to the cemetery in the Appian way,
two miles distant from Rome. Here it continued till the time of Pope Cornelius,
when it was reconveyed to the Vatican, where it abode in some obscurity till Con
stantine the Great, from the profound reverence he had for the Christian religion,
having rebuilt and enlarged the Vatican to the honor of St. Peter, enriched it with
gifts and ornaments, which in every age increased in splendor and beauty, till it be
came one of the wonders of the world, and in that light was considered for many
years after.
The remains of Paul were deposited in the Via Ostiensis, about two miles from
Rome. Constantine the Great, at the instance of Pope Sylvester, built a stately
church over his grave, which he adorned with a hundred marble columns, and beau
tified with the most exquisite workmanship.
In addition to what has been narrated respecting these two great apostles, some
particulars may be mentioned illustrative of their respective characters. So far as
their personal appearance is concerned, we are left .in ignorance. The creative genius
ofthe artist has attempted an ideal of their forms and features, but without the aid
of historic data. We have, however, data for sketching moral portraits of these
remarkable men.
First of St. Peter. — With respect to his disposition, if we consider him as a man,
there seems to have been a natural eagerness predominant in his temper, which ani
mated his soul to the most bold and sometimes rash undertakings. It was this, in a great
measure, that prompted him to be so very forward to speak, and to return answers
sometimes before he had well considered them. It was this that made him expose
his person to the most imminent dangers, promise those great things in behalf of his
master, resolutely draw his sword in his quarrel against a whole band of soldiers,
and wound a servant of the high-priest ; nay, he had in all probability attempted
greater things, had not his Lord restrained his impetuosity, and given a reasonable
check to his fury.
If we consider him as a disciple of the blessed Jesus, we shall find him exemplary
in the great duties of religion. His humility and lowliness of mind were remarkable.
With what a passionate earnestness on the conviction of a miracle, did he beg of our
blessed Saviour to depart from him, thinking it unworthy the Son of God to come
near so vile a sinner !
When the great Redeemer of mankind, by that amazing condescension, stooped so
low as to wash the feet of his disciples, Peter could not Be persuaded to admit his
performing it, thinking it highly improper that so great a person should submit to
such a servile office toward a person so mean as himself; nor could he be induced tu
admit of it till his great Master threatened to deprive him of his favor.
When Cornelius the Roman centurion would have treated him with more than
ordinary marks of esteem and veneration, he was so far from complying with it, that
he declared he was nothing more than a mortal like himself.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 603
His love and zeal for his master were remarkable ; he thought he could never ex
press either at too high a rate ; venturing on the greatest perils, and exposing his life
to the most imminent dangers. His forwardness to own his great Master for the
Messiah and Son ofthe Most High, was remarkably great; and it was this that drew
from his Lord that honorable encomium, "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona.'
But his distinguished courage and constancy in confessing Christ, even before his
most inveterate enemies, was still greater after he had recovered himself from his
fall. How plainly does he tell the Jews that they were the murderers and crucifiers
of the Lord of Glory ? Nay, with what an undiunted courage, with what a heroic
greatness of soul, did he tell the very sanhedrim, who had sentenced and condemned
him, that they were guilty' of his death, and that they had no other way of escaping
the vengeance of the Almighty, but by the merits of that very Jesus whom they had
crucified and put to death.
Lastly, if we consider him as an apostle, as a pastor, or shepherd of the souls of
men, we shall find him faithful and diligent in his office, zealously endeavoring to in
struct the ignorant, reduce the erroneous, strengthen the weak, confirm the strong,
reclaim the vicious, and turn the children of men into the paths of righteousness. He
never omitted any opportunity of preaching to the people, and spreading the glad
tidings of the gospel among the human race ; and so powerful were his discourses,
that he brought over many thousands of converts. How many painful journeys
and dangerous voyages did he undertake ! With what unconquerable patience did
he endure the greatest trials, surmount every difficulty, and remove every disposition,
that he might circulate and establish the gospel of his beloved Master ! never refu
sing even to lay down his life to promote it. Nor was he assiduous only to perform
these duties himself; hut was also careful to animate others to do the like, earnestly
pressing and persuading the pastors and governors of the church " to feed the flock of
God," to labor freely for the good of the souls of men, and not to undertake those offices
to acquire advantages to themselves ; beseeching them to treat the flock committed to
their care with lenity and gentleness, and to be themselves shining examples of piety
and religion, the surest method of rendering their ministry successful. And because
it was impossible for him to be always present, to teach and warn the children of men,
he endeavored, by letters, to imprint in their minds the practice of what they had been
taught — a method he tells us he was resolved to pursue as long as he continued, an
inhabitant of this world ; " thinking it meet, while he was in this tabernacle, to stir
up, by putting them in mind of these things, that so they might be able, after his
decease, to have them always in remembrance."
Thus lived, thus died Simon Peter, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, and at
length to offer up his life in ratification of the doctrine he delivered and the faith he
maintained and propagated.
In respect to the personal appearance "of St. Paul, a hint is furnished in 2 Cor. x.
10, from which it may be inferred that in form he might have been diminutive and
ungraceful, of which notice has been taken in ancient records. His constitu
tion was weak, and he was often subject to infirmities; but his mind was strong
and he possessed a solid judgment, quicit discernment, and prompt memory, all which
were improved by the advantages of a liberal education. His humility and self-
abasement were wonderful ; his sobriety and temperance singularly strict ; and his
contempt for the world great and generous. His kindness and charity were remark
able: he had a quick sense of the wants of others, and a most compassionate ten
derness for all who were in distress. To what place soever he went, it was always
one of his first cares to make provision for the poor, and to stir up the bounty of the
rich and wealthy in their behalf. But his charity to the souls of men was infinitely
greater, fearing no dangers, refusing no labors, going through good and evil report,
that he might gain men over to the knowledge of the truth, take them out of the
crooked paths, and place them in the straight way that leadeth to life eternal.
Nor was his charity to men greater than his zeal to God, laboring, with all his
might, to promote the honor of his Master. When he was at Athens, and saw the
people of that city involved in the grossest superstition and idolatry, and giving that
honor which was due to God alone, to statues and images, his zeal was fired, and
he could not help letting them know the resentment of his mind, and how greatly
they dishonored God, the great Maker and Preserver ofthe world.
Throueh the course of an extensive ministry, he never suffered himself to be inter-

604 AN ILLUSTRATED
rupted in his endeavors for propagating the gospel by the dangers and difficulties he
met with, or the troubles and oppositions that were raised against him. This will
evidently appear if we take a survey of the trials and sufferings he underwent ; some
part whereof are thus briefly summed up by himself: " In labors abundant, in stripes
above measure, in death oft; thrice beaten with rods, once stoned, thrice suffered
shipwreck, a night and a day in the deep. In journeying often, in perils of water, in
perils by his countrymen, in perils by ihe heathens, in perils in the city, in perils in
tte wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren ; in weariness and
painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst ; in fastings often ; in cold and
nakedness, and besides those things that were without, which daily came upon him,
the care of all the churches." (2 Cor. xi. 23, &c.) An account, though very great, yet
far short of what he endured. He did not want for solicitations both from Jews and
Gentiles; and might, doubtless, in some measure, have made his own terms, would
he have been false to his trust, and quitted that way which was then everywhere
spoken against. But alas ! those things weighed little with our apostle, who " counted
not his life dear unto him, so that he might finish his course with joy, and the min
istry which he had received of the Lord Jesus." And therefore, when he found him
self under the sentence of death, he could triumphantly say, "I have fought a good
fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."
CHAPTER XII.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF THE APOSTLES.
In the preceding chapters we have given a minute detail of the transactions o
those two great apostles, Peter and Paul, as related by the evangelist St. Luke,
together with an account of the persecutions and sufferings of St. Stephen, and St.
James the Less, bishop of Jerusalem. We shall therefore in this chapter proceed ta
relate the particulars concerning their fellow-laborers in the cause of Christ ; in doing
which we shall begin with the Apostle*
ST. ANDREW.
After the ascension of our blessed Lord into heaven, and the descent of the Holy
Ghost on the apostles, to qualify them for the great business they were about to un
dertake, St. Andrew was appointed to preach the gospel in Scythia and the neighbor
ing countries. Accordingly, he departed from Jerusalem, and first travelled through
Cappadocia, Galatia, and Bithynia, instructing the inhabitants iu ihe faith of Christ,
and continued his journey along the Euxine sea, into ihe deserts of Scythia. On his arri
val at a place called Amynsus, he was received with great civility by a distinguished
Jew of that town ; upon which he went into the synagogue, preached to them con
cerning Jesus, and, from the prophecies of ihe Old Testament, proved him to be the
Messiah and Saviour of the world. During his stay here he converted many to the
true faith, having done which, previous to his departure, he ordained them priests,
and settled the times of their public meetings for the performance of divine worship.
Leaving Amynsus, he proceeded to Trapezium, a maritime cily on the Euxine sea,
whence, after visiting many other places, he went to Nice, where he stayed two
* With the exception of Peter and Paul, the notices of the lives and labors of the apostles, as contained in
the sacred narrative, are very meagre. They were alike commissioned to go into all the world and preach
the gospel to every creature ; and they were all endued with power from on high, when they received the
baptism of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost The centre of their first field of missionary labor was
Jerusalem, when Peter was the prominent character in the apostolic circle. Thence their mission extended
to Samaria, and the centre of their second field of activity was Antioch, in which Paul was the principal
actor to the time of his martyrdom at Rome. From this time the third period of apostolic missionary agency
begins. From this period, during which the apostles and fellow-laborers were actively employed in various
and distant fields in the Gentile world, very little is found recorded in the sacred narrative concerning their
lives and labors, and other historic sources are incomplete, and not in all respects reliable.
The historic sketches given in the following chapter are derived, with the exception of a very few Scrip
ture notices, from the early ecclesiastical writers, as Nicephorus, Tertullian, Eusebius, and others. Though
the verity of some of their statements lacks authentic confirmation, yet the current traditions, generally
received at the tinre, doubtless had a basis of historic facts, and may, therefore, be accepted in the main as
credible. It is not incredible that miraculous incidents are contained among these traditionary records, for the
age of miracles continued during the life-time of the apostles. Supernatural protection and power were prom
ised them by the Saviour, as may be seen, Luke, x. 19, Mark, xvi. 17, IS. It is evident that they regarded
the whole world as embraced in their great commission; and by a mutual arrangement designating theii
respective portions of the field, they went forth to their missionary labors. Such was their zeal and success,
that at the close of the first century Christianity had been preached and embraced in most or all the prov
inces of the Roman empire. — Ed.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 005
years, preaching and working miracles with great success. From Nice he proceeded
to Nicomedia, and thence to Chalcedon, where he took shipping, and sailing through
the Propontis, passed the Euxine sea to Heraclea, and afterward to Amastris ; in all
which places he met with very great difficulties, but overcame them by an invincible
patience and resolution.
From Amastris, Andrew went to Sinope, a city situated on the Euxine sea, and
famous both for the birth and burial of King Mithridates. The inhabitants of this
city were chiefly Jews, who, partly from a zeal for their religion, and partly from
their barbarous manners, were, exasperated against Andrew, and entered into a con
federacy to hum the house in which he lodged. But being disappointed in their de
sign, they treated him with the most savage cruelty, throwing him on the ground,
stamping upon him with their feet, pulling and dragging him from place to place :
some beating him with clubs, and others pelting him with stones, till at length, ap
prehending they had entirely deprived him of life, they cast him out into the fields.
But he miraculously recovered, and returned publicly into the city ; by which, and
other miracles he wrought among them, he converted many from the errors of their
ways, and induced them to become disciples ofthe blessed Jesus.
Departing from Sinope, he returned to Jerusalem, aud after staying a short time in
his own country, went again into the province allotted for the service of his ministry,
which greatly flourished through the power of the Divine grace that attended it.
He travelled over Thrace, Macedonia, Thessaly, Achaia, and Epirus,* preaching the
gospel, propagating Christianity, and confirming the doctrine he taught with signs
and miracles. At length he arrived at Patrea.f a city of Achaia, where he gave his
last and greatest testimony 10 the gospel of his Divine Master, by cheerfully spaling
it with his blood.
It happened that iEgenas, the pro-consul of Achaia, came at this time to Patrea,
where, knowing lhat many of the people had abandoned the heathen religion and
embraced the gospel of Christ, he had recourse to every method, both of favor and
cruelty, to reduce the people to their old idolatry. The apostle, whom no difficulties
or dangers could deter from performing the duties of his ministry, addressed hims°lf
to the pro-consul, calmly putting him in. mind that, being only a judge of men, he
ought to revere Him who was the supreme and impartial Judge of all, pay him the
divine honors due to his exalted majesty, and abandon the impieties of his idolatrous
worship; observing to him, that if he would renounce his idolatries, and heartily
embrace the Christian faith, he might, with him and the members who had believed
in the Son of God, receive eternal happiness in the Messiah's kingdom.
The pro-consul told St. Andrew he would never embrace the religion he had men
tioned, and thai if he did not sacrifice to the gods (in order that ali those whom he
had seduced might, by his example, be brought back to the ancient religion they had
forsaken) he would cause him to be immediately put to death. The apostle replied,
that he saw it was in vain to endeavor to persuade a person incapable of sober coun
sels, and hardened in his own blindness and folly, tu forsake his evil ways; and that,
with respect to himself, he might act as he pleased, and if he had any torment
greater than another, he might inflict it upon him; as the stricter constancy he
showed in his sufferings for Christ, the more acceptable he should be to his Lord and
Master after his departure from this wicked world.
This so irritated iEgenas, that he immediately condemned him to death. Accord
ingly, after being scourged in the most unmerciful manner by seven lictors, he was
led away to be crucified. As soon a* lie approached the cross, he knelt down and
saluted it in words to this effect: " I have long desired and expected this happy hour.
The cross has been consecrated by the body of Christ hanging on it, and adorned
with his members as with so many inestimable jewels. I therefore come joyfully
and triumphantly to it, that it may receive me as a disciple and follower of him whc
once hung upon it, and be the means of carrying me safe to my Master, being tha
instrument on which he redeemed me."
After offering up his prayers to the throne of grace, and exhorting the people to
* Epirus was a province of Greece, lying along the coast of the Ionian sea, and having for its bounds, Al
bania on the north, Thessaly on the south, Achaia on the southeast, and the ocean on the west.
, t Patrea was situated on a hill near the sea, about ten miles from the mouth of the gulf Lepanto. The
goddess Diana was worshipped here in the most diaboUcal manner, having a most beautiful young man and
"maid, every year, sacrificed to her, till, by the preaching of St. Androw, one Eurypilus, a great man ofthe
place, being converted tb Christianity, occasioned that barbarous custom to be totally laid aside.

606 AN ILLUSTRATED
constancy and perseverance in the faith he had delivered to them, he was fastened to
the' cross, on wnich he hung two whole days, teaching and instructing the people.
In the meantime, great interest was made with the pro-consul to save his life ; but
the apostle earnestly begged of God that he might then depart, and seal the truth of
his religion with his blood. His prayers were heard, and he soon after expired on
ihe last day of November, but in what year is not certain.
The cross on which he was fixed was made of two pieces of timber, crossing each
other in the middle, in the shape of the letter X (which has ever since been known
by the name of " St. Andrew's Cross"), and to this he was fastened, not with nails,
but cords, to make his death more painful and lingering.
His body being taken down from the cross, was decently and honorably interred by
Maximilla, a lady of great quality and estate, and whom Nicephorus tells us waa
wife to the pro-consul. Constantine the Great afterward removed his body id Con
st intinople, and buried it in the great church he had built to the honor of the apos
tles. This structure being taken down some hundred years after by the emperol
Justinian, in order to be rebuilt, the body of St. Andrew was found in a wooden coffin,
and again deposited in the same place it had been before, which was afterward
reverenced by all true professors of the Christian religion.
ST. JAMES, the Great.
This apostle was surnamed the Great, to distinguish him from that James (another
jf the apostles) who was bishop of Jerusalem. After the ascension of the blessed
Jesus he preached to the dispersed Jews; that is, to those converts who were dis
persed after the death of Stephen. He first preached the gospel in several parts of
ludea and Samaria, after which he visited Spain, where he planted Christianity, and
appqinted some select disciples to perfect what he had, begun.
After this he returned to Judea, where he. continued preaching in different parts
for some time, with great success; till at length Herod (who was a bigot to the Jew
ish religion, and desirous of acquiring the favor of the Jews) began a violent perse
cution against the Christians, and to such a degree did his zeal animate him, that,
after a short trial, he ordered James to be put to death.
As he was led to the place of execution, the officer that guarded him to the tri
bunal, or rather his accuser, having been converted by that remarkable courage and
constancy shown by the apostle at the time of his trial, repented of what he had done,
came and fell down at the apostle's feet, and heartily begged pardon for what he had
said against him. The holy man, after recovering from his surprise, tenderly em
braced him. " Peace," said he, " my son, peace be to thee and the pardon of thy
faults." Upon which the officer publicly declared himself a Christian, and both were
beheaded at the same time.
Thus fell the great apostle St. James, taking cheerfully that cup of which he had
long before told his Lord and Master he was both ready and willing to drink.
ST. JOHN, the Evangelist.
Though this apostle was by much the youngest of the whole, yet he was admitted
into as great a share of his Master's confidence as any. He was one of those to whom
our Lord communicated the most private passages of his life ; one of those whom he
took with him when he raised the daughter of Jairus from the dead; one of those to
whom he gave a specimen of his divinity in his transfiguration on the mount ; one of
those who were present at his conference with Moses and Elijah, and heard that
voice which declared him " the beloved Son of God ;" and one of those who were
companions in his solitude, most retired devotions, and bitter agonies in the garden.
These instances of particular favor our apostle endeavored in some measure to
answer, by returns of particular kindness and constancy ; for though he at first de
serted his Master on his apprehension, yet he soon discovered the impropriety of his
conduct: he therefore went back to seek his Saviour; confidently entered the high-
priest's hall; followed our Lord through the several particulars of his trial; and at
last waited on him at his execution, owning him, as well as being owned by him, in
the midst of armed soldiers, and in the thickest crowds of his inveterate enemies.
Here it was that our Great Redeemer committed to his care his sorrowful and discon
solate mother with his dying breath. And certainly our blessed Lord could not have

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

607

608 AN ILLUSTRATED
given a more honorable testimony of his particular kindness and respect to John,
than by leaving his own mother to his trust and care, and substituting him to supply
that duty he himself paid her while he resided m this vale of sorrow.
When the apostles made a division of the provinces among them after our
Saviour's ascension into heaven, in order to circulate the doctrine of their Lord and
Master, that of Asia fell to the share of St. John, though he did not immediately
enter upon his charge, but continued at Jerusalem till the death of the blessed Virgin,
which happened about fifteen years after our Lord's ascension.
After being thus released from the trust committed to his care by his dying Master,
he went into Asia, and industriously applied himself to the propagation of Chris
tianity, preaching where the gospel had not then been known, and confirming it
where it was already planted. Many churches of note and eminence were founded
by him, particularly those of Smyrna,* Philadelphia, Laodicea, and others ; but his
chief place of residence was at Ephesus, where St. Paul had founded a church, and
constituted Timothy its pastor.
After John had spent several years at Ephesus, an accusation was laid against him
before the emperor Domitian (who had then begun a persecution against the Chris
tians) as being an asserter of false doctrine and impiety, and a public subverter ofthe
religion of the empire. In consequence of this, and in conformity to the orders of
Domitian, the pro-consul of Ephesus sent him bound to Rome, where he met with thai
treatment which might have been expected from so barbarous a prince, being thrown
into a caldron of boiling oil. But the Almighty, who reserved him for farther ser
vice in the vineyard of his Son, restrained the heat, as he did in the fiery furnace of
old, and delivered him from this seemingly unavoidable destruction. And surely one
would have thought that so miraculous a deliverance might have him sufficient to
have persuaded any rational man that the religion he taught was from God, and that
he was protected from danger by the hand of Omnipotence. But miracles them
selves were not sufficient to convince this cruel emperor, or abate his fury. He
ordered St. John to be transported to a desolate island in the archipelago, called
Patmos,t where he continued several years, instructing the poor inhabitants in the
knowledge of the Christian faith ; and here, about the end of Domitian's reign, he
wrote his book of Revelation, exhibiting; by visions and prophetical representations,
the state and condition of Christianity that would take place in the future periods
and ages of the church.
On the death of Domitian, and the succession of Narva (who repealed all the
odious acts of his predecessors, and by public edicts recalled those whom the fury of
Domitian had banished), St. John returned to Asia, and again ixed his residence at
Ephesus, on account of Timothy, their pastor, having some tin- ; before been put to
death by the people of that city. Here, with the assistance of seven other bishops
or pastors, he took upon himself the large diocess of Asia Minor, spending his time
in an indefatigable execution of his charge, travelling from one part to another, and
* A city of Asia Minor, about forty miles south of Ephesus, famous for its having been thought the birth
place of Homer, but more so as having contained one of the seven churches of Asia specially addressed
by Jesus Christ. (Rev. i. II ; ii. 8.) Polycarp is supposed by some to have been the angel or bishop of this
Christian congregation addressed by John, as he sustained that office some years afterward, and was mar
tyred here, A. D. 160, at the age' of ninety-five. Srnyrrra Is now the principal emporium of trade in tho
Levant ; it is called by the Turks Ismir, and the population is estimated to include 80,000 Turks, 40,000
Greeks, 15,000 Armenians, 10,000 Jews, 5,000 Franks, &c.
t This is a small island in the Icarian sea, about thirty miles from the nearest point on the western coast
of Asia Minor, being the Posidium promontoryin Caria. The island does not exceed fifteen miles in circum
ference, and is nothing but a continued rock, very mountainous, and very barren The only spot in it which
lips now any cultivation, or is indeed worth any, is a small valley on thewest, where the richer inhabitants
have a few gardens. Its coast is high, and consists of a collection of capes, which form so many ports,
some of which are excellent. The only one in use, however, is a deep gulf on the northeast ofthe island,
sheltered by high mountains on every side but one, where it is protected by a projecting cape. Tho island
produces almost nothing, being furnished from abroad with nearly every article of subsistence. The town
s situated upon a high rocky mountain, rising immediately from the sea. It contains about four hundred
nouses, which, with fifty more at the Scala, form an the habitations in the island. In the middle of the
town, near the top of the mountain; is the large and strong monastery of St. John the Evangelist, built by
Alexius Comrnenes, About half-way down the mountain from the town to the Scala, there is a natural
grotto in the rock1^- which it is believed by the natives that St. John abode and wrote the Apocalypse.
They have built a smaH church over it, decked out in the usual tawdry style ol the Greek churches.
The island is now cabled rjfee Patino. On account of its stem and desolate character, the Roman ernper
ors thought it a suitable spot to which criminals might be confined. To this island, accordingly, the apostle
John was banished by the emperor Domitian, toward the end of his reign, or about tlie year 95 or vG. It is
usually stated, after Tertullian, that his banishment took place after the apostle had been miraculously de
livered, unhurt, from a vessel of flaming oil. into which he had been cant.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

60S

39

610 AN ILLUSTRATED
instructing the people in the principles of that holy religion he was sent to propagate
In this mamier did John continue to spend his time, till death put a period to his
labors, which happened in the beginning of the reign of the emperor Trajan. His
remains were deposited in the city of Ephesus, where several of the fathers observe
that his tomb, in their time, was remaining in a church, which was builtto his hono-
and called by his name. He was the only apostle who escaped a violent death ; not
withstanding which he is deemed a martyr on account of his having undergone the.
mode of an execution, though it did not take effect. He lived the longest of any of
the apostles, being nearly a hundred years of age at the time of his death.
St. John, having been brought up to the business of a fisherman, never received a
liberal education ; but what was wanting from human art was abundantly supplied
by the excellent constitution of his mind, and that fulness of Divine grace with
which he was adorned. His humility was admirable, always studiously concealing
whatever tended to his own honor. In his epistles he never styles himself either
apostle or evangelist ; the title of " presbyter," or " elder," is all he assumes,' and
probably as much in regard to his age as his office. In his Gospel, when he speaks
of " the disciple whom Jesus loved," he conceals his own name, leaving the reader to
discover whom he meant. He practised charity to the utmost extent, and affection
ately recommended it to all mankind. This, and the love of ouir neighbor, is the
great vein that runs through all his writings, more especially his epistles, wherein he
urges it as the great and peculiar law of Christianity, and without which all preten
sions to our blessed Saviour are vain and frivolous, useless and insignificant. When '
age and the infirmities of nature had rendered him so weak that he was unable to
preach to the people any longer, he was led, at every public meeting, to the church
at Ephesus, where he generally addressed himself to the people in these words :
" Little children, love one another." When his hearers, tired with the constant repe
tition of the same thing, asked him the reason of it, he told them that to love one
another was the command of" our blessed Saviour.
The greatest instance of our apostle's care for the souls of men is displayed in the
inimitable writings he .left to posterity ; the first of which in point of time, though
placed last in the sacred canon, is his Apocalypse, or book of Revelation, which he
wrote during his banishment in the island of Patmos.
Next to the Apocalypse, in order of time, are his three epistles, the first of which
is catholic, calculated for all times and places, containing the most excellent rules for
the conduct of a Christian life, pressing to holiness and pureness of manners, and not
to be satisfied with a naked and empty profession of religion — not to be led away with
the crafty insinuation of seducers ; and cautioning them against the poisonous prin
ciples and practices of the Gnostics. The apostle here, according to his usual mod
esty, conceals his name, it being of more consequence to a wise man what is said
than wno says il. It appears from St. Augustine that this epistle was anciently
ascribed to tne Parthians, because in all probability St. John preached the gospel
in Parthia. The other two epistles are but short, and directed to particular per
sons ; the one to a woman of honorable quality, encouraging her and her children to
charity, to perseverance in good works, and to show no countenance to false teachers
and deceivers. The other epistle is directed to the charitable and hospitable Gaius,
the kindest friend and the most courteous entertainer of all indigent Christians.
Before he undertook the task of writing his gospel, he caused a general fast to be
Kept in all the churches throughout Asia, to implore the blessing of Heaven on so
great and momentous an undertaking. When this was done, he set to work and com
pleted it in so excellent and sublime a manner, that the ancients generally compared
him to an eagle soaring aiott among the clouds, whither the meek eye of man waa
not able to follow him.
In respect to the writings of this apostle, it may be said, " Among all the evan
gelical writers, none are like St. John for the sublimity of his speech, and the height
of his discourses, which are beyond any man's capacity fully to reach and compre
hend." This is corroborated by Epiphanius, who says, " St. John, by a loftiness and
speech peculiar to himself, acquaints us, as it were out of the clouds and dark re
cesses of wisdom, with the divine doctrine of the Son of God."
Such is the character given of the writings of this great apostle ana evangelist,
who was honored with the endearing title of being the beloved disciple of the Son or

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 611
God ; a writer so profound as to deserve, by way of eminence, tne character cf St
John the Divine. ST. PHILIP.
In the distribution made by the apostles of the several regions ofthe world in which
ihey were to preach the gospel after our Lord's ascension, the upper Asia fell to
Philip, where he labored with the most indefatigable diligence to propagate the doc
trine of his Master in those parts. From the constancy and power of his preaching,
and the efficacy of his miracles, he gained numerous converts, whom he baptized in
the Christian faith, curing at once their bodies of infirmities and distempers, and their
souls of errors and idolatry. Here he continued a considerable time, and, before he
left the place, settled the churches and appointed Christian pastors over those whom
he had converted.
After Philip had for several years successfully exercised his apostolic office in upper
Asia, he went to Hierapolis in Phrygia, a city remarkably rich and populous, but at
the same time overrun with the most enormous idolatry. Philip was greatly grieved
to see the people so wretchedly enslaved by error and superstition ; he, therefore re
peatedly offered up his prayers to Heaven in their behalf, till, by his prayers, and
often calling on the name of Christ, he procured the death, or at least the vanishing
of a dragon, or enormous serpent, to which they paid adoration.
Having thus demolished iheir deity, Philip clearly demonstrated to them how
ridiculous and unjust it was to pay divine honors to such odious creatures : he told
them that God alone was to be worshipped as the great parent of an the world, who,
in the beginning made men after his glorious image, and when fallen from that inno
cent and happy state, sent his own Son into the world to redeem them. That, in
order to perform this glorious work, he died on the cross, and rose again from the
dead, and at the end of the world would come again to raise all the sons of men from
the chambers of the dust, and either sentence them to everlasting punishment, or re
ward them with everlasting felicity.
This discourse roused them from their lethargy, insomuch that great numbers,
being ashamed of their idolatry, immediately forsook it, and embraced the doctrine
of the gospel. But the success attending Philip's endeavors proved fatal to him. The
magistrates were so incensed at his having obtained such a number of converts, that
they resolved to put an effectual stop to his proceedings. They accordingly ordered
him to be seized, and thrown into prison, whence, after being severely scourged, he
was led to execution, and put to death, the manner of which, according to some, was
by. being hanged against a pillar, and, according to others, by crucifixion.
As «oon as he was dead, his body was taken down by Bartholemew, his fellow-
laborer in the gospel, and Mariamne his sister, the constant companion of his travels,
andidecently interred in a private place near the city, both of whom, for performing
thisfriendly office, barely escaped with their lives.
The martyrdom of St. Philip happened about eight years after that of St. James
the Great.
ST. BARTHOLEMEW.
This apostle is mentioned among the immediate disciples of our Lord, under the
.appellation of Bartholemew, though it is evident,, from divers passages in Scripture,
that he was also called Nathaniel.*
After our Lord's ascension into heaven, Bartholemew visited different parts of the
world, in order to propagate the gospel of his Master, and at length penetrated as far
• That Nathaniel and Bartholomew were only two names for one and the same person, the one his proper
and the other his relative name, is beyond all doubt ; bnt then the question is, upon what account it was
that he had his relative name conferred on him, That . several sects in the Jewish church denominated
themselves from some lamous person of that nation (as the Essenes did from Enoch, and the Sadducees
from Sadoc), can not be denied ; and therefore, if we may suppose that there were others who called them
selves Tholmaeans, from Tholmai, scholar to Heber, the ancient master ofthe Hebrews, who flourished in
Debir and Hebron, it will be no hard matter to make Nathaniel of this order and institution, ap.d thereupon
to give him the name of Bartholomew, i. e., a scholar ofthe Tholmaeans, and so create him, as he is said to
nave been, a doctor of the Jewish law. But an easier explanation of this matter will appear from the
following observations That, as the first syllable of his name signifies a son, the word Bar-tholomew wil]
import no more than the son of Tholomew, or Tholmai, which was no uncommon name among the Jews,
And, that it was a usual thing among them-for the son thus to derive his name, is evident from the instance
of Bar-timaeus, which is interpreted the son of Timaeus (Mark x. 46), and that of Bsr-jona (Matt. xvi. 17)
>v> ich St. John makes the same with Simon, son of Jonas. (John xxi,.15 i

612 AN ILLUSTRATED
as the Hither India. Here ne remained a considerable time, and then went to Hfera-
polis in Phrygia, where he labored (in conjunction with Philip) to plant Christianity
in those parts; and to convince the blind idolaters ofthe evil of their ways, and direct
them in the paths which lead to eternal salvation. This enraging the bigoted magis>
trates, they sentenced Bartholemew to death, and he was accordingly fastened to a
cross ; but their consciences staring them in their faces for the iniquity they were
about to commit, they ordered him to be taken down and set at liberty.
In consequence !of this our apostle left Hierapolis, and went to Lycaonia, where he
obtained a great number of converts, whom he instructed and trained up in the prin
ciples of the Christian religion. From Lycaonia he went to Albania, a city on the
Caspian sea, a place miserably overrun with idolatry, from which he labored hard to
reclaim the people. But his endeavors to " turn them from darkness unto light, and
from the power of Satan unto God," instead of proving effectual, only procured his
destruction. The magistrates were so incensed against him, that they prevailed on
the governor to order him to be put \o death, which was accordingly done with the
most distinguished cruelty. It is the general opinion of most writers, that he was
first severely beaten with sticks, then crucified, afterward flayed while still alive, and
lastly, that his head was severed from his body.
ST. MATTHEW.
During the first eight years after our blessed Lord's ascension into heaven, Matthew
continued to preach the gospel with great assiduity in different parts of Judea ; after
which he left the country of Palestine in order to convert the Gentile world. Bui
before his departure, at the earnest solicitation of the Jewish converts in Judea,
he wrote the history of the life and actions of the blessed Jesus, which he left among
them as a standing monument of what he had so often delivered to them in his
sermons. After Matthew left Judea, he travelled into various parts, but the particular places
he visited are not certainly known. However, after laboring indefatigably in the
vineyard of his Master, he suffered martyrdom at a city called Nadabar in Ethiopia;
but the particular manner of his death is not certainly known, though it is the gen
eral conceived opinion that he was slain with a halberd. His martyrdom is com
memorated by the church on the 21st day of September.
St. Matthew was a remarkable instance of the power of religion, in bringing men
to a proper temper of mind. If we reflect upon his circumstances while he continued
a stranger to the great Redeemer of mankind, we shall find that the love of the world
had possessed his heart. But notwithstanding this, no sooner did Christ call him,
than he abandoned, without the least scruple or hesitation, all his riches ; nay, he
not only renounced his lucrative trade, but ran the greatest hazards of displeasing *the
masters who employed him, for quitting their service without giving them the least
notice, and leaving his accounts in confusion. Had our blessed Saviour appeared as
a secular prince, clothed with temporal power and authority, it would have been no
wonder for him to hav.e gone over to his service ; but when he appeared under all
the circumstances of poverty, when he seemed to promise his followers nothing but
misery and sufferings in this life, and to propose no other rewards than the invisible
encouragements of another world, his change appears truly wonderful and surprising.
But divine grace can subdue all opposition.
His contempt of the world was fully manifested in his exemplary temperance and
abstemiousness from all delights and pleasures ; insomuch that he even refused the
ordinary conveniences and accommodations of life. He was remarkably modest in
the opinion he entertained of himself, always giving the preference lo others, even
though their abilities were not so conspicuous as his own. The rest of the evangel
ists are careful to mention the honor of his apostleship, but speak of his former sor
did, dishonest, and disgraceful course of life, only under the name of Levi ; while
he himself sets it down with all its circumstances, under his own proper and common
name ; a conduct which at once commends the prudence and candor of the apostle.
and suggests to us this useful reflection, that the greatest sinners are not excluded
from divine grace ; nor can any, if penitent, have just reason to despair, when publi-
caD» and sinners find mercy at the throne of grace.
The Gospel which St. Ma thew wrote at the entreaty of the Jewish converts

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 613
before he left Judea, was pennedin the Hebrew language, but soon after translated
into Greek by one of his disciples. After the Greek translation was admitted, 'he
Hebrew copy was chiefly owned and used by the Nazaraei, a middle sect between
Jews and Christians ; with the former, they adhered to the rites and ceremonies of
the Mosaic law, and with the latter, they believed in Christ, and embraced his reli
gion ; and hence this Gospel has been styled, " The Gospel according to the He
brews," and " The Gospel of the Nazarenes." t
ST. THOMAS.
The apostle Thomas, after our Lord's ascension, continued to preach the gospel in
various parts of Judea; till at length, being interrupted by the dispersion of ihe
Christian church in Jerusalem, he repaired into Parthia, the province assigned him
for his ministry. He afterward preached the gospel to the Medes, Persians, Car-
mans, Hyrcani, Bractarians, and the neighboring nations. During his preaching in
Persia, he is said to have met with the magi, or wise men, who had taken that long
journey at our Saviour's birth to worship him, whom he baptized, and took with
him, as his companions and assistants in propagating the Gospel-
Leaving Persia, he travelled into Ethiopia, preaching the glad tidings of the gos
pel, healing the sick, and working other miracles, to prove he had his commission
from on high.
After travelling through these countries, he entered India, and went first to Soco-
tora, an island in the Arabian sea, and then to Cranganor, whence, having con
verted many from the error of their ways, he travelled farther into the east. Hav
ing successfully preached the gospel here, he returned back to the kingdom of Coro-
mandel, where, at Malipur, the metropolis of the kingdom, not far from the mouth
of the Ganges, he began to erect a place for divine worship, but was interrupted by
the idolatrous priests, and Sagamo, prince of the country. However, after he had
performed several miracles, he was suffered to proceed in the work, and Sagamo
himself embraced the Christian faith, whose example was soon followed by great
numbers of his friends and subjects.
This remarkable success alarmed the Brachmans, who plainly perceived that their
religion would be soon extirpated unless some method could be found of putting a
a stop to the progress of Christianity ; they therefore resolved to put the apostle to
death. At a small distance from the city was a tomb, whither St. Thomas often re
tired for private devotion. Hither the Brachmans and their armed followers pursued
him ; and while he wss at prayer, they first threw at him a shower of dans, after
which one of the priests ran him through the body with a lance. His corpse was
taken up by his disciples, and buried in the church he had caused to be erected, and
which was afterward improved into a fabric of very great magnificence.
St. Chrysostom says, that St. Thomas, who at first was the weakest and most in
credulous of all the apostles, became, through Christ's condescension lo satisfy his
scruples, and the power of the divine grace, the most active and invincible of them
all ; travelling over most parts of the world, and living without fear in the midst of
barbarous nations, through the efficacy of that Almighty power, which can make
the weakest vessels to perform acts of the greatest difficulty and moment.
ST. SIMON, COMMONLY CALLED THE ZEALOT.
This apostle, in the catalogue of our Lord's chosen disciples, is styled "Simon the
Canaanite,'' whence some are of opinion that he was born at Cana, in Galilee ,
and it is generally thought that he was the bridegroom mentioned by St. John, at
whose marriage our blessed Saviour turned the water into wine.
The name of this apostle is derived from the Hebrew word knah, which signifies
zeal, and denotes a warm and sprightly disposition. He did not, however, acquire
this name from his ardent affection to his Master, and the desire of advancing his re
ligion in the world, but from his zealous attachment to a particular sect of religion
before he became acquainted with his great Lord and Master.
In order to explain this matter more clearly to the understanding of our readers, it is
necessary to observe, that as there were several sects and parties among the Jews, so
there was one, either a distinct sect, or at least a branch of the Pharisees, called the
sect of the Zealots. This sect took upon them to inflict punishments in extraordinary

614 AN ILLUSTRATED
cases ; and that not only by the connivance, but with the leave both of the rulers and
people, till, in process of time, their zeal degenerated into all kinds of licentiousness
and wild extravagance ; and they not only became the pests of the commonwealth
in thei own territories, but were likewise hated by the people of those parts which
belonged to the Romans. They were continually urging the people to shake off the
Roman yoke and assert their natural liberty, taking care, when they had thrown all
things into confusion, to make their own advantage of the consequences arising there
from. Josephus gives a very long and particular account of them, throughout the
whole of which he repeatedly represents them as the great plague of the Jewish
nation. Various attempts were made, especially by Ananias, the high-priest, to re
duce them to order, and oblige them to observe the rules of sobriety ; but all endeav
ors proved ineffectual. They continued their violent proceedings, and, joining with
the Idumeans, committed every kind of, outrage. They broke into the sanctuary,
slew the priests themselves before the altar, and filled the streets of Jerusalem with
tumults, rapine, and blood. Nay, when Jerusalem was closely besieged by the Ro
man army, they continued their detestable proceedings, creating fresh tumults and
factions, and were indeed the principal cause of the ill success of the Jews in that
fatal war.
This is a true account of the sect of the Zealots ; though, whatever St. Simon
was before, we have no reason to suspect but that after his conversion he was very
zealous for the honor of his Master, and considered all those who were enemies to
Christ as enemies to himself, however near they might be to him in any natural rela
tion. As he was very exact in all the practical duties of the Christian religion, so
he showed a very serious and pious indignation toward those who professed religion,
and a faith in Christ, with their mouths, but dishonored their sacred profession by
their irregular and vicious lives, as many of the first professing Christians really did.
St. Simon continued in communion with the rest of the apostles and disciples at
Jerusalem, and at the feast of Pentecost received the same miraculous gifts of the
Holy Ghost ; so that he was qualified with the rest of his brethren for the apostolic
office. In propagating the gospel of the Son of God, we can not doubt of his exer
cising his gifts with the same zeal and fidelity as his fellow-apostles, though in
what part of the world is uncertain. Some say he went into Egypt, Cyrene, and
Africa, preaching the gospel to the inhabitants of those remote and barbarous coun
tries; and others add, that after he had passed through those burning wastes, he
preached the gospel to the inhabitants of the western parts, and even in Britain,
where, having converted great multitudes, and sustained the greatest hardships and
persecutions, he was at last crucified, and buried in some part of that island, but the
exact place where is unknown. ST. JUDE.
It is very observable of this apostle that the evangelists commonly call him, no.
Jude, but either Thaddaeus or Labbaeus ; the reason of which, in all human proba
bility, is from the particular dislike they had to the name, which was so nearly simi
lar to that of the base and perfidious Judas Iscariot, who treacherously sold anc
betrayed his Master.
Jude was brother to James the Less, afterward bishop of Jerusalem, being the sor,
of Joseph by a former wife. It is not known when or by what means he becar.e
a disciple of our blessed Saviour, there not being anything said of him till we find
him in the catalogue of the twelve apostles ; nor afterward till Christ's Last Supper,
when discoursing with them about his departure, and comforting them with a promise
that he would return to them again, meaning after his resurrection from the dead.
The sacred records are so very short in their accounts of this apostle, that we must
be beholden to other ecclesiastical writers for information relative to his conduct after
the ascension of our blessed Lord into heaven. Paulinus tells us that the part which
fell to his share in the apostolic division of the provinces was Lybia; but he does not
tell us whether it was the Cyrenian Lybia which is thought to have received the
gospel from St. Mark, or the more southern parts of Africa. But, however that be,
in his first setting out to preach the gospel, he travelled up and down Judea and
Galilee; then through Samaria into Idumea, and to the cities of Arabia and the
neighboring countries, and afterward to Syria and Mesopotamia. Nicephorus adds,

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 615
that he came at last to Edessa, where Agabarus governed, and where Thaddeus, one
of the seventy, had already sown the seeds of the gospel. Here he perfected what
the other had begun ; and having by his sermons and miracles established the religion
of Jesus, he died in peace: but others say that he was slain at Berites, and honorably
buried there. The writers of the Latin church are unanimous in declaring that he
travelled into Persia, where, after great success in his apostolical ministry for many
years, he was at last, for his freely and openly reproving the superstitious rites and
customs of the Magi, cruelly put to death.
St. Jude wrote only one epistle, which is placed the last of those seven styled
catholic in the sacred canon. It has no particular inscription, as the other six have,
but is thought to have been primarily intended for the Christian Jews in their several
dispersions, as were the epistles of the apostle Peter. In it he informs them that he
at first intended to have wrote to them concerning the " common salvation," in order
to confirm them in their belief; but, finding the doctrine of Christ attacked on all
sides by heretics, he thought it more necessary to exhort them to stand up manfully
in defence of the " faith once delivered to the saints," and to oppose those false
teachers who so earnestly labored to corrupt them ; and that they might know these
the better, he describes them in their proper colors, and foretells their future if not
impending danger ; but, at the same time, he endeavors to exhort them, by all gentle
methods to save them, and to take them " out of the fire" into which their own folly
had cast them.
It was some time before this epistle was generally received in the church. The
author indeed, like St. James, St. John, and sometimes St. Paul, does not call him
self an apostle, but only " the servant of Christ." But he has added what is equiv
alent, Jude " the brother of James," a character which can only belong to himself
and surely the humility of a follower of Christ should be no objection to his writings,
ST. MATTHIAS.
Matthias was one of the seventy disciples whom our blessed Lord made choice of
to assist him in the discharge of his public ministry. After his death, Matthias was
elected into the apostleship, to supply the place of Judas, who was so struck with
remorse at having betrayed his Master, as to put a period to his existence.
After our Lord's ascension into heaven, Matthias spent the first year of his minis
try in Judea, where he was so successful as to bring over a prodigious number of
people to the Christian faith. From Judea he travelled into other countries, and,
proceeding eastward, came at length to Ethiopia. Here he likewise made many
converts, but the inhabitants in general being of a fierce and untractable temper,
resolved to take away his life, which they effected by first stoning him, and then
severing his head from his body.
ST. MARK.
In the dispersion ofthe apostles for propagating the gospel in different parts of the
world, after our Lord's ascension into heaven, St. Mark was by Peter sent into Egypt,
where he soon planted a church in Alexandria, the metropolis ; and such was his
success, that he converted prodigious multitudes of people, both men and women, to
the Christian religion.
St. Mark did not confine himself to Alexandria and the oriental parts of Egypt, but
removed westward to Lybia, passing through the countries of Marmarcia, Pentapo-
lis, and others adjacent, where, though the people were both barbarous in their man
ners and idolatrous in their worship, yet by his preaching and miraclps he prevailed
on them to embrace the tenets of the gospel ; nor did he leave them till he had con
firmed them in the faiin.
After this long tour he returned to Alexandria, where he preached with the great
est freedom, ordered and disposed of the affairs of the church, and wisely provided
for a succession by constituting governors and pastors of it. But the restless enem)
of the souls of men would not suffer our apostle to continue in peace and quietness:
for while he was assiduously laboring in the vineyard of his Master, the idolatrous
inhabitants, about the time of Eastei, when > they were celebrating the solemni
ties of Serapis, tumultuously seized him, and, binding his feet with cords, dragged
him through the streets and over the most craggy places to the Bucelus, a Dreci'mct

616 AN ILLUSTRATED
near the sea, leav ng him there in a lonesome prison for that night , but his great and
Deloved Master appeared to him in a vision, comforting and encouraging him under
the ruins of his shattered body.
Early the next morning the tragedy began afresh ; and they dragged him about in
the same cruel and barbarous manner till he expired. But their malice did not end
with his death, for they burnt his mangled body after they had so inhumanly deprived
it of life; but the Christians gathered up his bones and ashes, and decenth interred
them near the place where he used to preach. His remains were afterward, with
great pomp, removed from Alexandria to Venice, where they were religiously honored,
and he was adopted the titular saint and patron of that slate.
He suffered martyrdom on the 25th of April, but the year is not absolutely known ;
the most probable opinion is that it happened about the end of ihe reign of Nero.
His Gospel, the only writing he left behind him, was written at the entreaty and
earnest desire of the converts at Rome, who, not content wilh having heard St. Petei
preach, pressed St. Mark, his disciple, to commit to writing an historical account of
what he had delivered to them, whjch he performed with equal faithfulness and
brevity, and being perused and approved by St. Peter, it was commanded to be pub
licly read in their assemblies. It was frequently styled St. Peter's gospel, not be
cause he dictated it to St. Mark, but because the latter composed it from ihe accounts
St. Peter usually delivered in his discourse to the people. Aud this is probably the
reason of what St. Chrysostom observes, that in his style and manner of expression
he delights to imitate St. Peter, representing a great deal in a few words.
ST. LUKE.
The Evangelist St. Luke was a native of Antioch in Syria, and by profession a
physician ; and it is the general opinion of most ancient historians, that he was also
well acquainted with the art of painting.
After our Lord's ascension into heaven, he spent a great part of his time with St.
Paul, whom he accompanied to various places, and greatly assisted in bringing over
proselytes to the Christian faith. This so endeared him to that apostle, that he seems
delighted with owning him for his fellow-laborer, and in calling him " the beloved
physician," and the " brother whose praise is in the gospel."
St. Luke preached the gospel with great success in a variety of places, independen.
of his assisting St. Paul. He travelled into different parts of Egypt and Greece, in
the latter of which countries the idolatrous priests were so incensed against him
that they put him to death, which they effected by hanging him on the branch
of an olive-tree. The anniversary of his martyrdom is held on the 18th of October,
St. Luke wrote two books for the use of the church ; namely his Gospel, and
the Acts of the Apostles. Both these he dedicated to Theophilus, which many of
the ancients suppose to be a feigned name, denoting a lover of God, a title common
to all sincere Christians. But others think it was a real person, because the title of
" most excellent" is attributed to him ; which was the usual form of address, in those
times, to princes, and other distinguished characters.
His Gospel contains the principal transactions of the life of our blessed Redeemer ;
and in his Acts of the Apostles, which it is probable he wrote at Rome about the
time of Paul's imprisonment, are recorded the most material actions of the principal
apostles, especially St. Paul, whose activity in the cause of Christ made him bear a
very great part in the labors of his Master ; and St. Luke, being his almost constant
attendant, and privy to his most intimate transactions, was consequently capable of
giving a more full and satisfactory account of them than any other of the apostles.
In both these treatises his manner of writing is exact and accurate ; his style noble,
and elegant, sublime and lofty, and yet clear and perspicuous, flowing with an easy
ana natural grace and sweetness, admirably adapted to an historical design. In,
short, as an historian he was faithful in his relations, and elegant in his writings;
as a minister, careful and diligent for the good • of souls ; as a Christian, devout
and pious; and. to crown all the rest, he laid down his life in testimony cf the
gospel he had both preached and published to the world.
ST. BARNABAS.
After our Lord's ascension into heaven, Barnabas continued for a considerable time
with St Paul, being his constant attendant wherever hi went. He travelled with

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 617
uim to a great variety of places in different parts of the world, and was of the
most infinite service in helping him to propagate the gospel of his great Lord
and Master. At length, however, a dispute arose between them while they were
at Antioch, the issue of which was, that Barnabas left Paul at Antioch, and retired
to Cyprus, his native country.
After this separation from St. Paul, the sacred writings give us no account of St
Barnabas ; nor are the ecclesiastical writers agreed among themselves with regard
to the actions of our apostle, after his sailing for Cyprus. This, however, seems
to be certain, that he did not spend the whole remainder of his life in that island,
but visited different parts of the world, preaching the glad tidings of the gospel.
healing the sick, and working other miracles among the Gentiles. After long
and painful travels, attended with different degrees of success in different places,
he returned to Cyprus, his native country, where he suffered martyrdom in the
following manner : certain Jews coming from Syria and Salamis, where Barnabas
was then preaching the gospel, being highly exasperated at his extraordinary suc
cess, fell upon him as he was disputing in the synagogue, dragged him out, and
after the most inhuman tortures, stoned him to death. His kinsman, John Mark,
who was a spectator of this barbarous action, privately interred his body in a
cave; where it remained till the time of the emperor Zeno, in the year of Christ
485, when it was discovered, with St. Matthew's Gospel, in Hebrew, written with
his own hand, lying on his breast.
TIMOTHY.
This great assertor of the cause of Christ was a disciple of St. Paul, and born ai
Lystra in Lyaconia. His father was a Gentile, but his mother was a Jewess. Her
name was Eunice, and that of his grandmother Lois. These particulars are taken
notice of, because St. Paul commends their piety, and the good education which they
had given Timothy.
When St. Paul came to Derbe and Lystra, about the year of Christ 51 or 52, the
brethren gave such an advantageous testimony of the merit and good disposition of
Timothy, that the apostle took him with him, in order to assist him in propagating
the doctrine of his great Lord and Master. Timothy applied himself to labor with
St. Paul in the business of the gospel, and did him very important services, through
the whole course of his preaching. St. Paul calls him not only his dearly beloved
son, but also his brother, the companion of his labors, and a man of God.
This holy disciple accompanied St. Paul to Macedonia, to Philippi, to Thessalonica,
to Berea; and when the apostle went from Berea, he left Timothy and Silas there,
to confirm the converts. When he came to Athens, he sent for Timothy to come
thither to him: and when he was come, and had given him ah account of the
churches of Macedonia, St. Paul sent him back to Thessalonica, whence he after
ward returned with Silas, and came to St. Paul at Corinth. There he continued
with him for some time, and the apostle mentions him with Silas, at the beginning
ofthe two Epistles which he then wrote to the Thessalonians.
Some years after ihis, St. Paul sent Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia ; and
gave Timothy orders to call at Corinth, to refresh the minds of the Corinthians with
regard to the truths which he had inculcated in them. Some time after, writing to
the same Corinthians, he recommends them tn take care of Timothy, and send him
back in peace ; after which Timothy returned to St. Paul into Asia, who there stayed
for him. They went together into Macedonia ; and the apostle puts Timothy's name
with his own before the second Epistle to the Corinthians, which he wrote to them
from Macedonia, about the middle of the year of Christ 57. And he sends his recom
mendations to the Romans in the letter which he wrote from Corinth the same year.
When St. Paul returned from Rome, in 64, he left Timothy at Ephesus to take
care of that church, of which he was the first bishop, as he is recognised by the
council of Chalcedon. St. Paul wrote to him from Macedonia the first of the two
letters which are addressed to him. He recommends him to be more moderate in
his austerities, and to drink a little wine, because of the weakness of his stomach,
and his frequent infirmities. After the apostle came to Rome in the year 65, being
then very near his death, he wrote to him his second letter, which is full of marks of
kindness and tenderness for this his dear disciple; and which is justly looked upon as
the last will of St. Paul. He desires him to come to Rome to him before winter

618 AN ILLUSTRATED
and bring with him several things which he had left at Troas. If Timothy wem to
Rome, as it is probable he did, he must have been an eyewitness of the martyrdom
of Paul, which happened in the year of Christ 68.
After Timothy had visited Paul at Rome, he returned to Ephesus, where he con
tinued to govern the church as its bishop, without the least interruption, for a con
siderable time, till at length he fell a victim to the malice of the pagans, who were
his most inveterate enemies. These heathens made a great feast, in the celebration
of which they carried in procession the images of their idols, being all masked, and
armed with clubs and other offensive weapons. Timothy, seeing the procession, was
so irritated at their idolatry and superstition, that he rushed in among them in order
to stop their proceedings ; upon which they immediately fell upon him, and, with
their clubs, beat him in so unmerciful a manner that he soon expired. They left the
body on the spot where they had murdered him, which was removed thence by
some of his disciples, and decently interred on the top of a mountain at a small
distance from the city. The Greeks commemorate his martyrdom on the 22d of
January, the day on which it is supposed he gave up his life in defence of the doc
trine he had long labored to propagate; and during which time he had brought over
great numbers of people to embrace the truth of the Christian religion.
TITUS.
Titus was a native of Greece, and a Gentile by birth ; but was converted to the
Christian faith by the apostle Paul, who, in consequence of his strict adherence to
the doctrine of Christ, calls him his son. St. Jerome tells us that he was St. Paul's
interpreter; and that, probably, because he might write what Paul dictated, or trans
late into Greek what he had written in Latin.
Soon after the conversion of Titus, the apostle Paul took him wilh him to Jerusa
lem; which was at the time when he went thither about deciding the dispute then
in agitation relative to the converted Gentiles being made subject to the ceremonies
of the Mosaic law. On their arrival there, some of the people were desirous that
Titus should be circumcised; but this was not only refused by Titus, but totally
objected to by Paul.
After this controversy was ended at Jerusalem, Paul sent Titus thence to Cor
inth, in order to adjust some disputes which had taken place in the church of that
city. Titus was received by the people with the greatest marks of respect; and,
from the various discourses he preached on the occasion, was so successful as effec
tually to discharge the business on which he was sent.
After staying some time at Corinth, Titus went thence into Macedonia, in ordei
lo inform Paul of the state of the church in that city. Paul was well pleased
with the account he gave, and the success of his embassy; and intending himself to
go to Corinth, desired Titus to return thither, to make some necessary preparations
previous to his departure for that city. Titus readily undertook the journey, and
immediately set off, carrying with him St. Paul's second epistle to the Corinthians.
Titus was made bishop of the island of Crete, about the sixty-third year after
Christ, when St. Paul was obliged to quit that island, in order to take care of the
other churches. The following year, Paul wrote him to desire, that as soon as he
should have sent Tychicus to him for supplying his place in Crete, he would come to
him to Nicopolis, in Epirus, where the apostle intended to pass his winter.
The subject of this epistle is to represent to Titus what are the qualities that a
bishop should be endued with. As the principal function which Titus was to exer
cise in the isle of Crete was to ordain priests and bishops, it was highly incumbent
on him to make a discreet choice. The apostle also gives him a sketch of the ad
vice and instructions which he was to propound to all sorts of persons : to the aged,
both men and women ; to young people of each sex ; to slaves or servants. He ex
horts him to keep a strict eye over the Cretans ; and to reprove them with severity,
as being a people addicted to lying, wickedness, idleness, and gluttony. And, as
many Jews were in the churches of Crete, he exhorts Titus to oppose their vain tra
ditions and Jewish fables ; and at the same time to show them that the observation
of the law ceremonies is no longer necessary ; that the distinction of meat is abol
ished ; and that everything is pure and clean to those that are so themselves. He
puts him in mind of exhorting the faithful to be obedient to temporal power : to

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 619
avoid disputes, quarrels, and slander ; to apply themselves to honest callings, and
to shun the company of a heretic, after the first and second admonition.
Titus was deputed to preach the gospel in Dalmatia, where he was situated whei?
the apostle wrote his second epistle to Timothy. He afterward returned into Crete,
from which it is said he propagated the gospel into the neighboring islands. He died
at the age of ninety-four, and was buried in Crete. The Greeks keep his festival of
the 25th of August, and the Latins on the 4th of January.
JOHN MARK.
John Mark, cousm to St. Barnabas and a disciple of his, was the son of a Christian
woman named Mary, who had a house in Jerusalem, where the apostles and the
faithful generally used to meet. Here they were at prayers in the night, when St.
Peter, who was delivered out of prison by the angel, came and knocked at the door ;
and in this house the celebrated- church of Sion was said to have been afterward
established. John Mark, whom some very improperly confound with the Evangelist St. Mark,
adhered to St. Paul and St. Barnabas, and followed them in their return to Antioch.
He continued in their company and service lill they came to Perga, in Pamphylia,
out then, seeing that they were undertaking a longer journey, he left them and
returned to Jerusalem. This happened in the year 45 of the common era.
Some years after, that is to say in the year 51, Paul and Barnabas preparing to
return into Asia, in order to visit the churches which they had formed there, the lat
ter was of opinion that John should accompany them in this journey : but Paul would
not consent to it; upon which occasion these two apostles separated. Paul went to
Asia, and Barnabas with John Mark to the isle of Cyprus. What John Mark did
after this journey we do not know, till we find him at Rome in the year 63, perform;-
ing signal services for St. Paul during his imprisonment.
The apostle speaks advantageously of him in his epistle to the Colossians : " Mar
cus, sister's son to Barnabas, saluteth you. If he cometh unto you, receive him."
He makes mention of him again in his epistle to Philemon, written in the year 63, at
which time he was with St. Paul at Rome ; but in the year 65 he was with Timothy
in Asia. And St. Paul, writing to Timothv, desires him to bring Marcus to Rome,
adding that he was useful to him for the ministry of the gospel.
In the Greek and Latin churches, the festival of John Mark is kept on the 27th of
September. Some say that he was bishop of Biblis, in Phoenicia. The Greeks give
him the title of apostle, and say that the sick were cured by his shadow only. It is
very probable that he died at Ephesus, where his tomb was very much celebrated
and resorted to. He is sometimes called simply John, or Mark. The year of his
death we are strangers to, and shall not collect all that is said of him in apocryphal
and uncertain authors.
CLEMENT.
Clement is mentioned by St. Paul in his epistle to the Philippians, where the
apostle says that Clement's name is written in the book of life. The generality of
llie fathers and other interpreters make no question but that this is the same Clement
who succeeded St. Paul, after Linus and Anaclet, in the government of the church
of Rome; and this seems to be intimated when, in the office for St. Clement's day,
that church appoints this part of the Epistle to the Philippians to be read.
We find several things relating to Clement's life in the recognitions and constitu
tions called apostolic ; but as those works are not all looked upon as authentic, though
there may be truths in some of them derived from the tradition of the first ages,
little stress is to be laid upon their testimony. St. Chrysostrom thinks that Clement,
mentioned by St. Paul in his Epistle to the Philippians, was one of the apostle's con
stant fellow-travellers. Irenseus, Origin, Clemens of Alexandria, and others of the
ancients, assert that Clement was a disciple of the apostles ; that he had seen them
and heard their instructions. St. Epiphanius, Jerome, Rufinus, Bede, and some
others, were of opinion, that as the apostles St. Peter and St. Paul could not be con
tinually at Rome, by reason of the frequent journeys which they were obliged ta
make to other places, and it was not proper that the city of Rome should be without

620 AN ILLUSTRATED
a bishop, there was a necessity to supply the want of them by establishing Linus,
Anaclet, and Clement, there. The constitutions inform us that Linus was ordained by
St. Paul ; Tertullian and Epiphanius say that St. Peter ordained Clement. Rufinus
tells us that this apostle chose St. Clement for his successor. But Epiphanius be
lieves, that after he had been made bishop of Rome by St. Peter, he refused to exer
cise his office till, after the death of Linus and Anaclet, he was obliged to take upon
him the care of the church ; and this is the most generally-received opinion. St.
Peter's immediate successor was Linus ; Linus was succeeded by Anaclet, and
Anaclet by Clement, in the year of Christ 91, which was the tenth of the reign of
Domitian. During his government over the church of Rome, that of Corinth was disturbed
by a spirit of division, upon which Clement wrote a letter to the Corinthians, which
is still extant, and was so much esteemed by the ancients that they read it publicly
in many churches, and some have been inclined to range it among the canonical
writings. In what manner Clement conducted himself, and how he escaped the general per
secution under the emperor Domitian, we have not any certain accounts ; but we are
very well assured that he lived to the third year of the emperor Trajan, which is the
hundredth of the Christian era. His festival is set down by Bede, and all the Latin
martyrologists, on the 23d of November, and the Greeks honor him on the 24th and
25th of the same month. Rufinus and Pope Zozimus give him the title of martyr ;
and the Roman church, in its canon, places him among the saints who have sacrificed
their lives in the cause of Christ.
Thus have we given the most ample account ofthe followers of the blessed Jesus,
the persons who spread, and caused to be spread, the light of the gospel over the
whole world, removed the veil of ignorance and superstition drawn over the king
doms of the earth, and taught us the method of attaining eternal happiness in the
courts of the New Jerusalem.
May we all follow their glorious examples ! May we imitate their faith, their
piety, their charity, and their love ! Then shall we " pass through things temporal
in such a manner that we shall finally gain the things eternal," and, through the
merits of an all-perfect Redeemer, be admitted as worthy guests at the marriage
supper of the Lamb.

CHAPTER XIII.
NOTICE OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA.
The sure word of prophecy has unfolded many a desolation which has come upon
the earth ; but while it thus reveals the operation, in some of its bearings, of the
" mystery of iniquity," it forms itself a part of the "mystery of godliness :" and ii
is no less the testimony of Jesus, because it shows, as far as earthly ruins can reveal,
the progress and the issue of the dominion of" other lords" over the hearts of the
children of men. The sins of men have caused, and the cruelty of men has effected,
the dire desolations which the word of God foretold. Signs and tokens of his judg
ments there indeed have been, yet they are never to be found but where iniquity first
prevailed. And though all other warnings were to fail, the sight of his past judg
ments and the sounding of those that are to come, might teach the unrepenting and
unconverted sinner to give heed to the threatenings of his word, and to the terrors of
the Lord, and to try his ways and turn unto God while space for repentance may be
found, ere, as death leaves him, judgment shall find him. And may not the desola
tions wliich God has wrought upon the earth, and that accredit his word, wherein
ife and immortality are brought to light, teach the man whose God is the world, to
cease to account it worthy of his worship and of his love, and to abjure that " covet
ousness which is idolatry," till the idol of mammon in the temple within shall fall, as
fell the image of Dagon before the ark of the Lord in which " the testimony" was
kept? But naming, as millions do, the name of Christ without departing from iniquity,
theie is another warning voice that may come more closely to them all. And ii is

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621

622 AN ILLUSTRATED
not only from the desolate regions where heathens dwelt, wnich show how holy men
of old spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost; but also from the ruins of some
of the cities where churches were formed by apostles, and where ihe religion of
Jesus once existed in its purity, that all may learn to know that God is no respecter
of persons, and that he will by no means clear the guilty. " He that hath an ear lei
him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."
What church could rightfully claim or ever seek a higher title than that which is
given in Scripture to the seven churches of Asia, the angels of which were the seven
stars in the right hand of Him who is the first and the last — of Him that liveth and
was dead, and is alive for evermore, and that hath the keys of hell and of death ; and
which themselves were the seven golden candlesticks in the midst of which he
walked ? And who that hath an ear to hear, may not humbly hear and greatly profit
by what the Spirit said unto them ? (Rev. ii. and iii.)
The Church of Ephesus, after a commendation of their first works, to which they
were commanded to return, were accused of having left their first love, and threat
ened with the removal of their candlestick out of its place, except they should
repent. (Ch. ii. 5.) Ephesus is situated nearly fifty miles south of* Smyrna. It was
the metropolis of Lydia, and a great and opulent city, and (according, to Strabo) the
greatest emporium of Asia Minor. It was chiefly famous for the temple of Diana,
" whom all Asia worshipped," which was adorned with 127 columns of Parian mar-'
ble, each of a single shaft, and sixty feet high, and which formed one of the seven
wonders of the world. The remains of its magnificent theatre, in which it is said
that twenty thousand people could easily have been seated, are yet to be seen. (Acts
xix. 29.) But " a few heaps of stones, and some miserable mud- cottages, occasionally
tenanted by Turks, without one Christian residing there,* are all the remains of
ancient Ephesus." It is, as described by different travellers, a solemn and most for
lorn spot. The epistle to the Ephesians is read throughout the world ; but there is
none in Ephesus to read it now. They left their first love, they returned not to their
first works. Their candlestick has been removed out of its place, and the great city
of Ephesus is no more.
The Church of Smyrna was approved of as " rich," and no judgment was "de
nounced against it. They were warned of a tribulation of ten days (the ten years'
persecution by Diocletian), and were enjoined to be faithful unto death, and they
would receive a crown of life. (Ch. ii. 8-11.) And, unlike to the fate of the more
famous city of Ephesus, Smyrna is still a large city, containing nearly one hundred
thousand inhabitants, with several Greek churches, and an English and other Chris
tian ministers have resided in it. The light has indeed become dim, but the candle
stick has not been wholly removed out of its place.
The Church of Pergamos is commended for holding fast the name of the Lord, and
not denying his faith, during a time of persecution, and in the- midst of a wicked city.
But there were some in it who held doctrines and did deeds which the Lord hated.
Against them he was to fight with the sword of his mouth'; and all were called to
repent. Bui it is not said, as of Ephesus, that their candlestick would be removed
out of its place. (Ch. ii. 12-16.) This city, the capital of Hellespontic Mysia, was
situated on the right bank ofthe river Caicus, nearly sixty-four miles to the north of
Smyrna. Its ancient consideration may be inferred from its possessing a library of
two hundred thousand volumes, which Anthony and Cleopatra transferred to Alex
andria. It is also noted as the birthplace of the physician Galen. It still, in its de
cline, retains some part of its ancient importance ; and, under the name of Bergamo,
contains a population which Mr. Macfarlane estimates at fourteen thousand, of which
there are about three thousand Greeks, three hundred Armenians, and not quite three
hundred Jews ; the rest are Turks. The town consists of small and mean wooden
houses, among which appear the remains of early Christian churches, showing, " like
vast fortresses amid barracks of wood."
In the Church of Thyatira, like that of Pergamos, some tares were soon mingled
with the wheat. He who hath eyes like unto a flame of fire discemeth both. Yet,
happily for the souls of the people, more than for the safety of the city, the general
character of that church, as it then existed, is thus described : " I know thy works,
and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works ; and the last to
be more than the first." (Ch. ii. 19.) But against those, for such there were among
» Arundel's Visit to the Seven Churches of Asia, p. 27

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

623

034 AN ILLUSTRATED
them, who had committed fornication, and eaten things sacrificed unto idols, to whom
the Lord gave space to repent of their fornication, and they repented not, great tribu
lation was denounced; and to every one of them was to be given according to their
works. These, thus warned while on earth in vain, have long since passed, where
all are daily hastening, to the place where no repentance can be found and no work
be done. " But unto the rest in Thyatira (as many as have not known the depths
of Satan) I will put upon you, saith the Lord, none other burden." (Ver. 24.)
There were those in Thyatira who could save a city. It still exists, while greater
cities have fallen. Mr. Hartley, who visited it in 1826, describes it as " embosomed
in cypresses and poplars. The Greeks are said to occupy three hundred houses,
and the Armenians thirty. Each of them has a church."
The Church of Sardis differed from those of Pergamos and Thyatira. They had
not denied the faith, but the Lord had a few things against them, for there were
some evil doers among them, and on those, if they repented not, judgment was to
rest. But in Sardis, great though the city was, and founded though the church had
been bv an apostle, there were only a few names which had not defiled their gar
ments. And to that church the Spirit said, " I know thy works, that thou hast a
a name that thou livest, and art dead." But the Lord is long-suffering, not willing
that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. And the church of
Sardis was thus warned : " Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain,
that are ready to die ; for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remem
ber, therefore, how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast and repent. If
therefore thou shalt not watcB, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not
know what hour I will come upon thee." (Ch. iii. 2, 3.)
Sardis, whose ruins now bear the modified name of Sart, is situated about sixty
miles north-northwest from Ephesus, at She foot of mount Tmolus, and on the river
Pactolus, so renowned for its fabled golden sands. This great and ancient city was
the capital of the kingdom of Lydia, whose monarch, Croesus; when defeated in the
plain before this city of Cyrus, was master of all the nations within the river Halys.
This dominion then passed to the Persians, and Sardis became, the residence of the
satrap to whom the government was committed ; and being at this time one of the
most splendid and opulent cities of the east, was the chosen resort of the Persian
kings when in this part of their empire. It surrendered quietly to Alexander, after
he had defeated the Persians in the battle of the Granicus. Sardis continued a great
city under the Romans, until the terrible earthquake which happened in the time of
Tiberius. It was, however, rebuilt by order of that emperor : but subsequent calami
ties of the same description, with the ravages and spoliations of the Goths, Saracens,
and Turks, have made it an utter desolation, reducing it to little better than a heap
of ruins, in which, nevertheless, some remains of its ancient splendor may be de
tected. "And to the angel of the Church in Philadelphia write, These things saith He
that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that openeth and
no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth : — I know thy works : behold, I
have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it ; for thou hast a little
strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.-— Because thou hast
kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation,
which shall come upon all the world." (Oh. iii. 9, 10.) The promises of the Lord are
as sure as his threatenings. Philadelphia alone long withstood the power of the
Turks, and, in the words of Gibbon, " at length capitulated witb the proudest ofthe
Ottomans. Among the Greek colonies and churches of Asia," he adds, "Philadelphia
is still erect: a column in a scene of ruins." (Oh. 64.) "It is indeed an interesting
circumstance," says Mr. Hartley, " to find Christianity more flourishing here than in
many other parts of the Turkish empire : there is still a numerous Christian popula
tion ; they occupy 300 houses. Divine service is performed every Sunday in five
churches." Nor is it less interesting in these eventful times, and notwithstanding
the general degeneracy of the Greek church, to learn that the present bishop of Phil
adelphia accounts " the Bible the only foundation of aU religious belief;" and that hi
admits that "abuses have entered into the church, which former ages might endure,
but the present must put them down:" — It may well be added, as stated by Mr.
Hartley, " The circumstance that Philadelphia is now called Allah-Shehr, the city of
God, w hen viewed in connexion with the promises made to that church, and especially

HISTORV OF THE BIBLE,

625

Sii.Mil

^^^^sX!| ¦'"'/ ft 7

40

626 AN ILLUSTRATED
wilh that of writing the name of the city of God upon its faithful members, is, to say
.he least, a singular concurrence." From the prevailing iniquities of men many a
sign has been given how terrible are the judgments of God. But from the fidelity of
the church in Philadelphia of old in keeping his word, a name and memorial of his
faithfulness has been left on earth, while the higher glories promised to those that
overcame, shall be ratified in heaven ; and toward them, but not them only, shall the
glorified Redeemer confirm the truth of his blessed words, " Him that overcometh
will I make a pillar in the temple of my God ;" even as assuredly as Philadelphia,
when all else fell around it, " stood erect," our enemies themselves being judges, " a
column in a scene of ruins."
" And unto the angel of the Church of the Laodiceans write, These things saith
the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the beginning of the creation of God ; J
know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot : I would thou wert cold or hot.
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of
my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich and increased with goods, and have need
of nothing ; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and
blind, and naked : I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayesl
be rich ; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy
nakedness do not appear ; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see."
(Rev. iii. 14, &c.) All the other churches were found worthy of some commendation,
and there was some blessing in them all. The church of Ephesus had labored and
not fainted, though she had forsaken her first love ; and the threatened punish
ment, except she repented, was the removal of her candlestick out of its place.
A faithless and wicked few polluted the churches of Pergamos and Thyatira by their
doctrines or by their lives ; but the body was sound, and the churches had a portion
in Christ. Even in Sardis, though it was dead, there was life in a few who had not
defiled their garments; "and they shall walk with me in white, said the Lord, foi
they are worthy."
But in what the Spirit said to the church in Laodicea, there was not one word of
approval ; it was lukewarm without exception, and therefore it was wholly loathed.
The religion of Jesus had become to them as an ordinary matter. They would attend
to it just as they did to other things which they loved as well. The sacrifice of the
Son of God upon the cross was nothing thought of more than a common gift by man.
They were not constrained by the love of Christ more than by other feelings. They
could repeat the words of the first great commandment of the law, and of the second,
that is like unto it ; but they showed no sign that the one or the other was truly a
law to them. There was no Dorcas among them, who, out of pure Christian love,
made clothes for the poor. There was no Philemon, to whom it could be said, " The
church in thy house," and who could look on a servant as " a brother beloved." There
was no servant who looked to the eye of his Father in heaven more than to that
of his master on earth, and to the recompense of eternal reward more than to the hire
ling wages of a day; and who, by showing all good fidelity, sought to adorn the
doctrine of God his Saviour in all things. There was nothing done, as everything
should be, heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. The power of the world lo
come, and of that which now is, hung, as it were, even balanced in their minds; each
had its separate influence and weight, even to a scruple ; and they were kept distinct,
as if there should never be any interference between them, or as if they were to hang
in separate scales.
This was given unto the world, and that unto God, as if these Christian men had
been full of the faith, that the revealed will of the Most High had no title to a su
preme ascendency over them, that all " the deeds done in the body would never be
brought into judgment, and that lukewarmness was requital enough for redeeming
love. Their only dread seemed to be lest they should be righteous overmuch. And
for fear of that, which would have been inconsistent with their character, though not
with their profession, they disregarded the words of one who was wiser than Solo
mon, and who had laid down his life for their sakes: they did not strive to enter in
at the strait gate ; to be perfect was no purpose of theirs ; there was no fight in their
faith, no running in their race, no wrestling in their warfare, no victory in their work.
Yet they could show a goodly form or framework of religion, on which they had
raised many a high hope.
Thev trusted to redemption through Christ, while thev were not redeemed from

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627

'TiP^VflrV

628 AN ILLUSTRATED
sin, nor actuated by the love of God. They used the means of grace, but neglected
the end for which that grace had appeared. They were rich, they thought, and in
creased with goods, and had need of nothing. But they wanted zeal; and all they
had was nothing worth. Whatever they vainly imagined themselves to be, the Spirit
knew them truly, and told them what they were, even wretched, and miserable, and
poor, and blind, and naked. They had done no evil, they thought, but they did little
good. And they neither felt nor lived as if they knew that whatsoever is not of faith
is sin. Their lukewarmness was worse, for it rendered their state more hopeless
than if they had been cold. For sooner would a man in Sardis have felt that the chill
of death was upon him, and have cried out for life, and called to the physician, than
would a man of Laodicea, who could calmly count his even pulse, and think his life
secure, while death was preying on his vitals. The character of lukewarm Christians,
a. self-contradicting name, is the same in every age. Such was the church of the
Laodiceans. But what is that city now, or how is it changed from what it was ?
Laodicea was the metropolis of the Greater Phrygia ; and, as heathen writers
attest, it was an extensive and very celebrated city. Instead of then verging to its
decline, it arose to its greatest eminence only about the beginning of the Christian
era. " It was the mother-church of sixteen bishoprics." Its three theatres, and the
immense circus, which was capable of containing upward of thirty thousand spec
tators, the spacious remains of which (with other ruins buried under ruins) are yet
to be seen, give proof of the greatness of its ancient wealth and population, and indi
cate too strongly, that in that city where Christians were rebuked without exception
for their lukewarmness, there were multitudes who were lovers of pleasure more
than lovers of God. The amphitheatre was built after the Apocalypse was written,
and the warning of the Spirit had been given to the church of the Laodiceans to be
zealous and repent ; but whatever they there may have heard or beheld, their hearts
would neither have been quickened to a renewed zeal for the service and glory of
God, nor turned to a deeper sorrow for sin, and to a repentance not to be repented of.
But the fate of Laodicea, though opposite, has been no less marked than that of Phil
adelphia. There are no sights of grandeur nor scenes of temptation around it now.
Its own tragedy may be briefly told. It was lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot ;
and therefore it was loathsome in the sight of God. It was loved, and rebuked, and
chastened in vain. And it has been blotted from the world. It is now as desolate
as its inhabitants were destitute of the fear and love of God ; and as the church Of
the Laodiceans was devoid of true faith in the Saviour, and zeal in his service. It is,
as described in his Travels by Dr. Smith, " utterly desolated, and without any in
habitant, except wolves, and jackals, and foxes." It can boast of no human inhabit
ant, except occasionally when wandering Turkomans pitch their tents in its spacious
amphitheatre. The " finest sculptured fragments" are to be seen at a considerable
depth, in excavations which have been made among the ruins. (Arundel's Travels,
p. 85.) And Col. Leake observes, " There are few ancient cities more likely than
Laodicea to preserve many curious remains of antiquity beneath the surface of the
soil ; its opulence, and the earthquakes to which it was subject, rendering it probable
that valuable works of art were often there buried beneath the ruins of the public and
private edifices." A fearful significancy is thus given to the terrific denunciation,
" Because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my
mouth." " He that hath ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."
The Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Each church, and each
individual therein, was weighed in the balance of the sanctuary, according to their
wor' s. Each was approved of according to its character, or rebuked and warned ac
cording to its deeds. Was the church itself pure, the diseased members alone were to
be cut off. Was the church itself dead, yet the few names in which there was life,
were all written before God, and not one of those who overcame would be blotted
out ofthe book of life. All the seven churches were severally exhorted by the Spirit
according to their need. The faith delivered to the saints was preached unto them
all ; and all, as Christian churches, possessed the means of salvation. The Son of
man walked in the midst of them, beholding those who were, and those who were
not his.
By the preaching of the gospel, and by the written word, every man in each of the
churches was warned, and every man was taught in all wisdom, that every ma*

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. • 629
might be presented perfect in Christ Jesus. And in what the Spirit said unto each
and all of the churches which he that hath ears to hear was commanded to hear, the
promise of everlasting blessedness, under a variety of the most glorious representa
tions, was given, without exception, restriction, or reservation, to him that over
cometh. The language of love, as well as of remonstrance and rebuke, was urged
even on the lukewarm Laodiceans. And if any Christian fell, it was from his own
resistance and quenching ofthe Spirit; from, his choosing other lords than Jesus to
have dominion over him ; from his lukewarmness, deadness, and virtual denial of the
faith; and from his own wilful rejection of freely-offered and dearly-purchased grace,
sufficient, if sought, and cherished, and zealously used, to have enabled him to over
come and triumph in that warfare against spiritual wickedness to which Christ hath
called his disciples ; and in which, as the finisher of their faith, he is able to make
the Christian more than conqueror.
But if such, as the Spirit described them and knew them to be, were the churches,
and Christians then, what are the churches and what are Christians now ? Or rather,
we would ask of the reader, what is your own hope toward God, and what the work
of your faith ? If, while Christianity was in its prime, and when its divine truths had
scarcely ceased to reach the ears of believers from the lips of apostles, on whose
heads the Spirit had visibly descended, and cloven tongues, like as of fire, had sat; if,
even at thai time, one of the seven churches of Asia had already departed from its
first love; if two others were partially polluted by the errors in doctrine, and evils in
the practice, of some of their members ; if another had only a few names that were
worthy, and yet another none ; and if they who formed the last and worst of these,
thought themselves rich and increased with goods, and that they had need of noth
ing; and knew not that, being lukewarm, they were wretched, and miserable, and
poor, and blind, and naked ; have you an ear to hear or a heart to understand such
knowledge ? and do you, professing yourself a Christian, as they also did, see no
cause or warning here to question and examine yourself, even as the same Spirit
would search and try you, of your works, and charity, and service, and faith, and
patience ?
What is your labor of love, or wherein do you labor at all for his name's sake, b}
whose name you are called ? What trials does your faith patiently endure ? what
temptations does it triumphantly overcome? Is Christ in you the hope of glory, and
is your heart purified through that blessed hope ? To a church we trust you belong ;
but whose is the kingdom within you ? What principles ever actuate you which
Christ and his apostles taught ? Where, in your affections and life, are the fruits of
the Spirit — love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, temper
ance ? Turn the precepts of the gospel into questions, and ask thus what the Spirit
would say unto you, as he said unto the churches.
What the Spirit said unto primitive and apostolic churches, over which " the be
loved disciple" personally presided, may suffice to prove that none who have left
their first love, if ever they have truly felt the love of Jesus — that none who are
guilty of seducing others into sin and uncleanness — that none who have a name that
they live, and are dead — and that none who are lukewarm, are worthy members of
any Christian communion ; and that while such they continue, no Christian commu
nion can be profitable to them. But unto them is " space to repent" given. And to
them the word and Spirit speak in entreaties, encouragements, exhortations, and
warnings, that they may turn from their sins to the Saviour, and that they may live
and not die. But were there one name in Sodom, or a few in Sardis, that are the Lord's,
he knows and names them every one ; and precious in his sight is the death of his
saints. Some, on the other hand, may be sunk into the depths of Satan, though in
outward fellowship with a church, were such to be found, as pure as once was that
of Thyatira. Whatever, therefore, the profession of your faith may be, seek the king
dom of God and his righteousness ; that kingdom which is righteousness and peace
and joy in the Holy Ghost, and that righteousness which is through faith in Christ,
who gave himself for the church, that he might sanctify and cleanse it. And what
ever dangers may then encompass you around, fear not — only believe ; all things are
possible to him that believeth.
It was by keeping the word of the Lord, and not denying his faith, by hearing
what the Spirit said, that the church of Philadelphia held fast what they had, and no

630 AN ILLUSTRATED
man took their crown, though situated directly between the church of Laodicea,
which was lukewarm, and Sardis, which was dead. And dead as Sardis was, the
Lord had a few names in it which had not defiled their garments — Christians, worthy
of the name, who lived, as you yourself should ever live, in the faith of the Lord
Jesus — dead unto sin, and alive unto righteousness ; while all around them, though
naming the name of Jesus, were dead in trespasses and sins. Try your faith by its
fruits; judge yourself that you be not judged; examine yourself whether you be in
the faith; prove your own self; and with the whole counsel of God, as revealed in
the gospel, open to your view, let the rule of your self-scrutiny be what the Spirit
said unto the churches.
Many prophecies remain which are not here noticed. But were any gainsayers
to ask for more obvious facts and some demonstration of the truth of prophecy, which
your own ears might hear and your eyes see, you have only to hear how they
speak evil of the things that they understand not — how they speak great swelling
words of vanity to allure others, promising them liberty while they themselves are
ihe children of corruption ; you have only to look on these scoffers, and mockers, and
false teachers, who have come in the last times ; who walk after their own lusts,
who despise government, who are presumptuous and self-willed, and who foam out
their own shame, to hear and to see the loud and living witnesses of the truth of
God's holy and unerring word. (2 Pet. iii. 3 ; Jude xiii.) Such have been, and such
are, the enemies ofthe Christian faith. Yet it calls them from darkness to light, and
from death to life. Turn ye, turn ye : why, it asks of these boasters of reason, why
will ye die ?
If you have seen any wonderful things out of the law of the Lord, and have looked,
though from afar off, on the judgments of God that have come upon the earth, lay
not aside the thought of these things when you lay down this book. Treat them
not as if they were an idle tale, or as if you yourself were not to be a witness —
and more than a witness — of a far greater judgment, which shall be brought nigh
unto you, and shall be your own.
If, in traversing some ofthe plainest paths ofthe field of prophecy, you have been
led by a way which you knew not of before, let that path lead you to the well of
living waters, which springeth up into everlasting life to every one that thirsts after
it and drinks. Let the words of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ be to you this
wellspring of the Christian life. Let the word of God enlighten your eyes, aud it
will also rejoice your heart. Search the Scriptures, in them there are no lying divi
nations; they testify of Jesus, and in them you will find eternal life. Pray for the
teaching and the aid of that Spirit by whose inspiration they were given. And above
all Christian virtues, that may bear witness of your faith, put on charity, love to God
and love to man, the warp and woof of the Christian's new vesture without a seam;
even that charity, or love, by which faith worketh, which is the fruit of the Spirit,
the end ofthe commandment, the fulfilling ofthe law, the bond of perfectness, and a
better gift and a more excellent way than speaking with tongues, or interpreting, or
prophesying, and without which you would be as nothing, though you understood all
mystery and all knowledge. From the want of this the earth has been covered with
ruins. Let it be yours, and however poor may be your earthly portion, it will be in
finitely more profitable to you than all the kingdoms of the world, and all their glory.
Prophecies shall fall ; tongues shall cease ; knowledge shall vanish away ; the earth
and the works that are therein shall be burned up ; but charity never faileth.
If you have kept the word ofthe Lord, and have not denied his name, hold that
fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. But if heretofore you have been
lukewarm, and destitute of Christian faith, and zeal, and hope, and 'eve, it would be
vain to leave you with any mortal admonition ; hear what the Spirit saitn, and harden
not your heart against the heavenly counsel, and the glorious encouragement given
unto you by that Jesus of whom all the prophets bear witness, and unto whom all
tilings are now committed by the Father. "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried
in the fire, that thou mayst be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayst be clothed,
and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear ; and anoint thine eyes with eye-
salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love I rebuke and chasten; be zealous,
therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock : if any man hear my
voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 631
me. To him that overcometn will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as 1
aiso overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an eat
to bear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."

CHAPTER XIV.
DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM AS FORETOLD BY CHRIST.
The Jews remain to this day not only the guardians of the Old Testament scrip
tures, but living witnesses of the truth of many prophecies, which, in the first ages
of their history, unfolded their fate until the latest generations. Jewish and heathen
historians fully describe the dreadful miseries which they suffered when all their
cities were laid waste, when Jerusalem itself was destroyed in the seventieth year of
the Christian era, and the remnant of their race, after an almost uninterrupted pos
session of Judea by their forefathers for fifteen hundred years, were driven from their
country and scattered throughout the world. A brief detail of the unparalleled
miseries which they then endured may serve to connect their former history with
their subsequent alike unparalleled fate, and to show that the prophecies respecting
the destruction of Jerusalem are as circumstantial and precise, and were as minutely
fulfilled, as those in which their more recent and present history may be read.
The Israelites were chosen to be a peculiar people. The worship of the only liv
ing and true God was maintained among them alone for many ages, while idolatry
aud polytheism (or the worship of many gods) otherwise universally prevailed. But
the Father of the universe is no respecter of persons. A divine law was given to
the descendants of Abraham, and blessings and curses were set before them, to cleave
to their race in every age, according as they would observe and obey the command
ments of the Lord, or refuse to hearken unto his voice, and to do all his command
ments and statutes. Their history, and their continued preservation as a people, is
thus an express record and manifestation of the doings of Providence. To read of
their calamities is to see the judgments of God; and to compare them with the
prophecies is to witness the truth of his word. There were intermingled seasons of
prosperity and triumph, or of oppression and misery, as they enjoyed or forfeited
their promised blessings, throughout the long period that they dwelt in the land of
Canaan. But their punishments were to rise progressively with their sins ; and so
awfully sinful were tne inhabitants of Jerusalem after the time of their merciful visi
tation had passed, and when the dark unbroken era of their miseries began, that
Josephus, their great historian, and the greatest of their generals in their wars with
the Romans, has recorded his opinion that, had they delayed their coming, the city
would have been swallowed up by an earthquake or overflowed by water, or, as it
was worse than Sodom, would have bee.i destroyed by fire from heaven.* The
vial of wrath was not poured out till the measure of their iniquities was full.
Instruments are never wanting for the execution of the purposes of God ; nor,
when needful for the confirmation of his word, is there any want of full testimony
that his declared purposes have been fulfilled. There is nothing similar in history
to the siege and destruction of Jerusalem, and to the miseries which its inhabitants
inflicted and brought upon themselves by their savage barbarity and unyielding obsti
nacy ; nor was there ever any other city or country of whose destruction, devastation,
and misery, there is so clear and authenticated a detail. Josephus, himself a Jew
and an eye-witness of the facts he relates, gives a circumstantial account of the whole
war, which furnishes complete evidence, not only of the truth of what Moses and
the prophets had foretold, but also of all that in clearer vision, and to the perturba
tion and astonishment of his disciples, Christ had explicitly revealed concerning its
'hen approaching fate. Heathen writers also record many of the facts.
The prophecies from the Old Testament and from the New relative to the sieg
and destruction of Jerusalem are so numerous, that the insertion of them at length
wo'ild occupy a greater space than can here be devoted to the consideration of the
» Josephns's History of the Wars of the Jews, book 5, chap. 13, (j 6.

632 AN ILLUSTRATED
subject. The reader may peruse them as they are to be found in the written word
Levit. xxvi. 14, &c. ; Deut. xxviii. 15, &c. ; Isa. xxix. 1, &c. ; Ezek. vi. 7; Jer. xxvi.
18 ; Micah, iii. 12; Matt. xxi. 33, &c. ; xxii. 1-7; xxiv. ; Mark, xiii.; Luke, xx. 9-
19 ; xxi. ; xxiii. 27-31. They require no other exposition of their meaning. Exclu
sive of literal predictions, frequent allusions are interspersed throughout the Gospels
respecting the abolition of the Mosaic dispensation, and the utter snbversion of the
Jewish state.
A nation of fierce countenance, of an unknown tongue, and swift as the eagle
flietli, were to come from a distant land against the Jews — to despoil them of all
their goods— to besiege them in all their gates — to bring down their high and fenced
walls. They were to be left few in number — to be slain before their enemies ; the
pride of their power was to be broken ; their cities to be laid waste, and themselves
to be destroyed — to be brought to nought — to be plucked from off their own land —
to be sold into slavery, and to be so despised that none would buy them. Their high
places were to be rendered desolate — their bones to be scattered about their altars ;
Jerusalem was to be encompassed round about — to be besieged with a mount — to
have forts raised against it — to be ploughed over like a field— to become heaps, and to
come to an end. The sword, the famine, and the pestilence, were to destroy them.
The Jews lived fearless of judgments like these, when they dwelt in peace, and
would not listen to the voice of Jesus. They would have no King but Csesar ; and
they trusted in the power of the Roman empire as the security of their state. But
He whom they rejected showed how God had rejected them, how they were filling
up the measure of their fathers, and how all these judgments that' had been de
nounced of old, and others of which their fathers had not heard, were to be felt by '
many, and to be all witnessed by some who were living then. And the Man of
sorrows, whose face was set as a flint against his own unequalled sufferings, and
who shed not a tear on his own account, was moved to pity, and his heart was melted
into tenderness, on contemplating the great crimes and the coming calamities of the
wicked, impenitent, and devoted city : " when he beheld Jerusalem, he wept over it."
The expiration of thirty-six years from the death of Christ to the destruction o
Jerusalem ; the death, previous to that event, of at least two of the evangelists who
record the prophecies concerning it ; the manner in which the predictions and allusions
respecting the fate of Jerusalem are interwoven throughout the gospel ; the warning
given to the disciples of Christ to escape from the impending calamities, and the an
nunciation of the signs whereby they would know of their approach ; the dread that
was cherished by some of the earliest converts to the Christian faith that the day of
judgment was then at hand, and which had arisen from the prophecies concerning
the destruction of Jerusalem being closely connected with those relative to the second
coming of Christ and the end of the world (all of which things his discipies had
asked him to reveal) ; the unanimous assent of antiquity to the prior publication of
the gospel ; and the continued truth of the prophecy still manifested in Jerusalem
being yet trodden down of the Gentiles, — afford as full a proof as could now be
thought of that the predictions were delivered previous to the event.
No coincidence can be closer in relation to the facts than that which subsists be
tween the predictions of Jesus and the narrative of the Jewish historian. Yet, as
the reader will doubtless perceive, this coincidence is not more clear than that which
subsists between the testimony of modern unbelievers and those prophecies which
refer to the past and present desolation of Judea : wars, rumors of wars, and com
motions ; nations rising against nation, and kingdom against kingdom ; famines, pes
tilences, and earthquakes in divers, places; though the greatest of human evils thai
mortals fear were to be but the " beginning of sorrows" — the heralds of heavier woes.
Many false Christs were to appear, and to deceive many. The disciples of Jesus
were to be persecuted, afflicted, imprisoned, hated of all nations, and brought before
rulers and kings for his name's sake, and many of them were to be put to death.
Iniquity was to abound, and the love of many was to wax cold ; but the gospel of the
kingdom was to be preached in all the world. The abomination of desolation was
to be seen standing in the place where it ought not. Jerusalem was to be compassed
about with armies, a trench was to be cast about it, and they were to be hemmed in
on every side. And there were to be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.
These were to be the signs that the end of Jerusalem was at hand. And there was
to be great distress upon the land, and wrath upon the people ; the tribulation was to

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 633
be such as had never been, and would never be. The Jews were to fall by the edge
of the sword ; a remnant was to be led captive into all nations; of the temple, ano
of Jerusalem itself, one stone was not to be left upon another; and it was to be trod
den down of the Gentiles till the time of the Gentiles should be fulfilled.
The prodigies which preceded the war, as related by Josephus, are these :
A comet, which bore the resemblance of a sword, hung over the city of Jerusa
lem for the space of a whole year.
A short time before the revolt of the Jews, a most remarkable and extraordinaiy
light was seen about the altar of the temple. It happened at the ninth hour of the
night preceding the celebration of the feast of the passover, and continued aboul
half an hour, giving a light equal to that of day. Ignorant persons considered this
unusual and wonderful appearance as a happy omen ; but those of superior judgment
averred that it was a prediction of approaching war; and their opinion was fully
confirmed by the event.
The eastern gate of the interior part of the temple was composed of solid brass,
and was of such an immense weight that it was the labor of twenty men to make
it fast every night. It was secured with iron bolts and bars, which were let down
into a large threshold consisting of an entire stone. About the fifth hour of the
night this gate opened without any human assistance ; immediate notice of which
being given to the officer on duty, he lost no time in endeavoring to restore it to its
former situation; but it was with the utmost difficulty that he accomplished it.
There were likewise some ignorant people who deemed this to be a second good
omen, insinuating that Providence had thereby set open a gate of blessings to the
people ; but persons of superior discernment were of a contrary opinion, and con
cluded that the opening of the gate predicted the success of the enemy, and destruc
tion of the city.
A short time after the celebration of the feast of the passover, before the setting
of the sun, the appearance of chariots and armed men were seen in the air, in vari
ous parts of the country, passing round the city among the clouds.
While the priests were going to perform the duties of their function, according to
custom, in the inner temple, on the feast of Pentecost, they at first heard an indis
tinct murmuring, which was succeeded by a voice, repeating, in the most plain and
earnest manner, these words: "Let us be gone, let us depart hence."
But the most extraordinary circumstance of the whole was this. Some time be
fore the commencement of the war, and while the city appeared to be in the mosl
perfect peace, and abounded in plenty, there came to the feast of tabernacles 3
simple countryman, a son of one Ananias, who, without any previous intimation, ex
claimed as follows : " A voice from the east ; a voice from the west ; a voice from
the four quarters of the world ; a voice to Jerusalem, and a voice to the temple ; a
voice to men and women newly married; and a voice to the nation at large." In
this manner did he continue his exclamations, in various places through all the
streets of the city ; at which some persons of eminence in the city were so offended,
that they ordered him to be apprehended, and severely whipped. This was accord
ingly done, but he bore his sufferings not only without complaint, but without saying
a word in his own defence ; and no sooner was his punishment ended, than he pro
ceeded in his exclamations as before. By this time the magistrates were suspicious
(and indeed not without reason) that what he had said proceeded from the divine
impulse of a superior power, that influenced his words. In consequence of this,
they sent him to the governor of Judea, who directed that he should be whipped with
the greatest severity. This order was so strictly obeyed, that his very bones were seen,
notwithstanding which, he neither wept nor supplicated, but, in a voice of mourning,
between each stroke, exclaimed, " Wo, wo to Jerusalem !" From this very ex
traordinary behavior, the governor was induced to interrogate him with respect , lo
his character, and the places of his birth and residence, and what could prompt hi:.',
to act as he had done. He would not, however, make any answer to either of mese
questions ; upon which the governor found himself under the necessity of dismissing
iiim, as a man out of his senses. From this period to the commencement of the
vvar, he was never known either to visit or speak to any of the citizens, nor was he
leard to say any other words than the melancholy sentence, " Wo, wo to Jerusalem."
Those who daily punished him, received no ill language from him ; nor did trios?
ffho fed him receive his thanks; but what he generally said to every one was, an

634 AN ILLUSTRATED
ominous prediction. It was remarked that on public festivals he was more vocifer
ous than at other times ; and in the manner before mentioned he continued for th«
space of more than three years ; nor did his voice or strength appear to fail him till
his predictions were verified by the siege of Jerusalem. As soon as this event took
place, he went for the last time on the wall of the city, and exclaimed with a more
powerful voice than usual, " Wo, wo to this city, this temple, and this people ;"
and concluded his lamentation by saying, " Wo, wo be to myself." He had no
sooner spoken these words than, in the midst of these predictions, he was destroyed
by a stone thrown from an engine.
Having thus mentioned the very singular prodigies which preceded the destruction
of Jerusalem, as related by Josephus, we shall now proceed to give an account of the
circumstances which occasioned the war, together with its progress, which at length
brought on the final ruin and destruction of the Jewish state. <
The commencement of the war was occasioned, partly by the infamous behavior
of Albinus, the Roman governor of Judea, and partly by the refractoriness of many
of the principal people of Jerusalem. Albinus was a man totally abandoned to every
degree of vice. Avarice, corruption, extortion, oppression, public and private, were
equally familiar to him. He accepted bribes in civil and personal causes, and op
pressed the nation by the weight of arbitrary taxes. If any offender, however atro
cious, convicted of robbery or assault by himself, or any other magistrate, was under
sentence of the law, a friend and a bribe would insure his liberty; and this governor
never found any man guilty who had money to procure his innocence.
At this time there was a strong faction in Jerusalem, who, wishing for a change
of government, the most opulent of them privately compounded with Albinus, in
case any disturbance should happen. There was likewise a set of men who would
not be easy while the state was at peace ; and Albinus engaged these in his interest.
The leaders of these mutineers were each attended by daring fellows of their own
turn of mind ; but the governor was the most abandoned villain of the whole, and
had guards always ready to execute his orders. The event proved that the injured
did not dare to complain ; those who were in any danger of losing part of their prop
erty were glad to compound to save the rest, and the receiver proved the worst of
thieves. In short, there appeared to be no sense of honor remaining ; and a new
slavery seemed to be predicted from the number of tyrants then in power, through
the land of Judea.
Such was the character, and such were the manners, of Albinus, who, in a short
time, was, by order of the emperor Nero, removed from his office, and Gessius Flo-
rus placed in his stead. This, however, was far from being an advantageous change
for the Jews, Florus being so much more abandoned in his principles than the former.
as not to admit even of the least comparison. Albinus was treacherous, but observed
a secrecy in his crimes that had the appearance of modesty ; but Florus was so con
summate in his wickedness, that he boasted of his iniquitous behavior, and declared
himself the general enemy of the nation. His conduct in the province he governed
was more like that of an executioner than a governor ; for he treated all the people
like criminals, and extended his rapine and tyranny beyond all bounds. He was
equally devoid of compassion, and dead to all sense of honor ; cruel to the unfortu
nate, an<l utterly abandoned in cases so enormous that impudence itself would blush
ai the recollection of them. He exceeded all the men of his time in making lies
and impositions pass for truth ; and was equally artful in discovering new modes of
doing mischief. He gave such encouragement to the sons of rapine and plunder, that
he mighl as well have proclaimed that every man was at liberty to seize whatever
he could lay his hands on, provided that he himself obtained a share of the plunder.
His avarice was carried to such an extravagant pitch, that the inhabitants of the
province were reduced to degrees of poverty little short of starving ; and many of
f'lem left the country in absolute want of the necessaries of life.
The daily oppressions of Florus on the people throughout the province of Judea
irritated them to the most violent degree, and being fearful lest they should lay a
complaint against him before the emperor, Florus, to avoid ihe consequences of such
a proceeding, resolved to continue his oppressions till they should enter into open
rebellion, whereby his villauous proceedings would be greatly lessened in the eyes
of his master. This had the desired effect, for the factious parly in Jerusalem, whr
for some time had been inclined to revolt, encouraging the greater part of the people

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 635
of that city to oppose the measures of Florus, an insurrection took place, and a reso
lution was formed to oppose the Romans with all their might.
It happened at this time that King Agrippa was at Jerusalem, and being fearful
of the dreadful consequences that were likely to ensue, he summoned the people to
gether, and strongly exhorted them to desist from any violent proceedings, telling
them that if theydid, it must inevitably prove their destruction. He advised them
to a patient submission to Florus, till another governor should be appointed by the
emperor, who, in all probability, would remove the grievances under which they then
labored. But this, instead of subsiding, only inflamed the passions of the multitude,
who not only made use of the most opprobrious language, but likewise maltreated
the king. In consequence of this, Agrippa left Jerusalem ; previous to which he
despatched messengers to Florus, who was then at Cesarea, informing him of the
manner in which he had been treated, and requesting that he would immediately
send a proper force to repel the insurgents.
No sooner had Agrippa left Jerusalem than the factious Jews rjegan to carry then
design into execution. To this purpose great numbers of them got privately into the
Roman garrison called Massada, where they surprised the soldiers, every one of
whom they put to death, and, in their stead, substituted a guard of their own people.
About this juncture there happened likewise another commotion in the temple of Jeru
salem. A bold and factious young man, named Eleazar (son ofthe then high-priest),
who was at that time a military officer, persuaded a number of his friends among the
priests not to accept of any offering or sacrifice but from the Jews. This circum
stance laid the foundation of a war with the Romans ; for, in consequence of the
request of Eleazar, when the sacrifices of Nero were presented, according to custom,
to be offered up for the success of the people of Rome, they were rejected. So ne w
and extraordinary a proceeding gave great offence to the high-priest and persons of
distinction, who protested against it, and earnestly recommended the continuance of
so reasonable a custom as that of offering prayers for princes and governors. But the
insurgents, relying on the strength of their numbers, were obstinate for obedience to
their orders ; every one who wished for innovation was on their side, and they con
sidered Eleazar, who was a man of courage, and in office, as the head of their party.
In consequence of the great obstinacy of the insurgents, the high-priest, and most
eminent ofthe Pharisees, assembled together in order to deliberate on the most proper
mode of proceeding at so critical a juncture, being apprehensive that if the tumult
was not, by some means or other, suppressed, it must be attended with the most
fatal consequences. Having consulted for some time, they at length resolved to try
what could be done to appease the passions of the multitude; and for this purpose
they assembled the people before the brazen gate, on the inside of the temple toward
the east. Here they represented to them the rashness of the enterprise in which
they had engaged, and which would certainly involve their country in a ruinous war.
. They then adverted to the unreasonable ground of the dispute, and the evident in
justice on which it was founded ; they told them that their ancestors were so far
from refusing or forbidding the oblations of strangers (which they would have deemed
a kind of impiety) that they considered them, in some degree, as a part of their own
worship. They likewise mentioned the presents which had, from time to time, been
made by strangers to the temple, which were still preserved as ornaments in that
sacred place, and in remembrance of those who gave them. They further told them,
that the provoking a war with the Romans would be at least disgaceful, if not ruinous,
to Jerusalem ; that new modes of religion would certainly be adopted, as nothing less
could be expected by the interdiction of every sort of people except Jews, from offer
ing oblations and prayers to God in his holy temple. It was urged that this was
such an inhuman injunction as could not be excused in the case of a private person ;
but that it was utterly unpardonable to extend it to the whole people of Rome, and
eventually even excommunicating the emperor himself. It was asked what would
be the consequence if such contempt should be returned, and those who had re
fused others the liberty of offering their prayers and oblations, should themselves
he denied the privilege of public" worship ? They concluded with telling them
that if they persisted in their obstinacy, the city would be left void of discipline ;
and every ill consequence would certainly happen, unless they repented of all the un
charitable things they had done, and made satisfaction, before the emperor should be
informed of their violent proceedings.

636 AN ILLUSTRATED
But all these circumstances were of none effect; the insurgents, who wished
for war rather than peace, were determined to prosecute their design with the
utmost vigor ; and in this they were further encouraged from the conduct of the
Levites, who quitted the altar, and joined themselves to their party.
The high-priest and people of rank, finding the populace despised all obedience to
law, and that themselves would probably be the first that would be censured by the
Romans, consulted together what means" were the most eligible to take in order to
save themselves and country from destruction. After deliberating for some time on
this head, they at length resolved to send deputies to Florus and Agrippa, represent
ing the conduct ofthe people in its true light, and requesting them to send forces to
Jerusalem, in order to put a speedy end to the rebellion.
The news of the insurrection at Jerusalem was highly agreeable to Florus, whose
disposition led him to inflame rather than to endeavor to suppress the war. This was
evidently evinced by his delay in giving an answer to the deputies, knowing thereby
(hat it would afford the rebels an opportunity of augmenting their forces. On the
contrary, Agrippa consulted only the general welfare, being desirous of doing all in
his power to Save both parties; and by this means to secure Jerusalem in the pos
session of the Jews, and bind the Jews in subjection to the Romans. To effect
Ihis he despatched two thousand auxiliary horse to Jerusalem, under the command
of Darius, a very able and experienced general. On their arrival at the city they
were joined by the rulers and high-priest, together with the rest of the people who
wished for peace. The insurgents had already possessed themselves of the temple
and'lower city ; and therefore the royal troops immediately seized on the upper city,
being resolved, if possible, to reduce the rebels to subjection. It was not long before
a skirmish took place, and the combatants on both sides made use of their bows and
arrows, wilh which they galled each other incessantly. The insurgents made their
attacks in the most desperate manner ; but the royal forces appeared to have a supe
rior knowledge of the military art. The principal operation the latter had in view
was to compel the sacrilegious faction to abandon the temple ; while, on the contrary,
Eleazar and his adherents labored with equal zeal to get the upper town into their
possession. The contest continued without intermission for some days, in all which
time, though there was a great slaughter on both sides, not the least advantage was
obtained by either. At length, however, the insurgents, being resolved to engage in
the most hazardous enterprise, assaulted the king's troops with such violence as to
throw them into the greatest confusion and disorder ; and this advantage they im
proved to such a degree, that, equally overcome by superior numbers and more de
termined resolution, the royal troops were obliged to abandon the upper town, of
which the rebels immediately possessed themselves, and thereby became masters of
the whole city.
Elated with this success, the insurgents immediately repaired to the house of the
high-priest, which they first plundered, and then reduced to ashes. This being done,
they resolved, in the next place, to set fire to the offices of record, and consume both
them and all their contents. As soon as this was known, the persons who had the
care of those places were so terrified, that they immediately abandoned their trust,
each man seeking his own security by flight; on which both offices and records were
reduced to ashes.
The next day after the insurgents had committed these outrages, they made an at
tack on the castle of Antonia, and, after only two days' resistance, made themselves
masters of it, having done which, they burnt the castle, and put all the garrison to
the sword. After this they proceeded to the palace, in which were the troops sent
by Agrippa to suppress the insurrection: they immediately invested the place, and
having divided themselves into four bodies, made an attempt to undermine the walls;
while those within were under the necessity of remaining inactive, as their strength
was insufficient for them to sally forth with any hopes of success. The assailants
continued their operations with great resolution for several days, till at length the be
sieged, finding they must either fall by the sword, or be starved into compliance,
deserted the place, and fled for security to the castles of Hippon, Phasael and Mari
amne. But no sooner had the soldiers quitted the place, than the rebels immediately
broke in, and unmercifully put to death every person they met with; having done
which, they plundered the palace of all its valuable furniture, and concluded tne out
rage bv setting fire to the camp.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 637
While these things were transacting at Jerusalem, a most dreadful massacre took
place in Cesarea, not less than twenty thousand Jews being, at the instigation ot
Florus, put to death by the Romans in one day. This horrid slaughter so irritated
the Jews, that they became universally outrageous, and, dividing themselves into
distinct bodies, dispersed into different parts, with a full resolution of seeking revenge
on their enemies. They first laid waste a great number of villages in Syria, and
then destroyed several principal cities, among which were Philadelphia, Gibonitis,
Garasea, Pella, and Scythopolis. They then proceeded to Sebaste and Askelon, both
of which places surrendered without opposition. Having effectually reduced these
two fortresses, they next proceeded to Gaza, which they totally destroyed ; and, con
tinuing their ravages, laid waste a great number of villages on the frontiers of Syria,
putting to death all the inhabitants wherever they went.
Ou the other hand the Syrians wreaked their vengeance on all the Jews they could
find, not only in country places, but in many principal cities throughout Syria, all of
whom they put to the sword. In short the whole country was in the most deplorable
situation, there being, as it were, two armies in every city ; nor was any safety to be
expected for the one but in the destruction of the other. In the city of Alexandria
no less than fifty thousand Jews were put to death by the Romans ; and the only
places in which the Jews escaped the general carnage were Sidon, Apamia, and An
tioch. Cestius, the governor of Syria, who at this time resided at Antioch, observing
the contempt in which the Jews were held throughout the whole province, resolved
to take advantage of this circumstance, and prosecute the war against them with
the utmost vigor. For this purpose he raised a considerable army, consisting of
the whole twelfth legion which he commanded at Antioch ; two thousand select
men from the other legions, and four divisions of horse, exclusive of the royal aux
iliaries, which consisted of two thousand horse and three thousand foot, all armed
with bows and arrows.
With this formidable army Cestius left Antioch, and proceeded toward Ptole
mais, in his way to which he was joined by a great number of people from dif
ferent parts of the country. The first material place he came to was Zabulon,
otherwise called Andron, the most defensible city of Galilee, and by which Juilea was
divided from Ptolemais. On his arrival at this place he found that it was amply
stored with all kinds of provisions, but not a single person was to be seen in the
town, the inhabitants having, on his approach, fled to the mountains for security.
In consequence of this Cestius gave his soldiers permission to plunder the city ;
which being done, he ordered it to be burnt and levelled with the ground. He then
proceeded to several other places in the neighborhood of Zabulon, all of which he
served in like manner, and then repaired to Ptolemais. On this occasion the Syrians
were so anxious for obtaining of plunder, that they could not be prevailed on to retire
in time; but many of them remained behind, and, on the retreat of Cestius with
the greater part of his forces, the Jews, taking courage, fell on the plunderers, and
nearly two thousand of them were put to the sword.
After staying a short time at Ptolemais, Cestius proceeded to Cesarea, whence
he despatched a division of his army to Joppa, with ordeis that, if they could get
an easy possession of the place, they should take it; but if they found that the
inhabitants made preparations to defend it, they should, in that case, wait till the
arrival of the rest of the army. The Romans, however, no sooner arrived at the
place than they immediately laid siege to it, and, with very little difficulty, even
made themselves masters of it. The inhabitants were so far from being able to
resist the attack, that they had not even an opportunity of making their escape ; so
(hat the whole, both men, women, and children, were put to the sword, the" number
amounting lo not less than eight thousand. The Romans then plundered the city,
and, having reduced it to ashes, they returned to their general at Cesarea. In the
meantime a body of Roman horse made similar destruction in the neighborhood of
Cesarea, where they ravaged he country, killed great numbers of the inhabitants
took possession of their effects, and then burnt their towns to the ground.
From Cesarea Cestius departed with his army to Antipatris, on his arrival at which
place he was informed that a great number of Jews had got into the tower of Aphec,
whither he sent a number of his troops to rout them. The Jews, finding themselves
'oially unable to sustain the shock abandoned the place to the Romans, whu firs

638 AN ILLUSTRATED
stripped it of everything that was valuable, and then set fire toil; having done
which they departed, but not without destroying several villages in its neighborhood,
and putting such of the inhabitants as could not effect their escape to the sword.
Cestius proceeded with his army from Antipatris to Lydda, in which city he found
no more than fifty men, all the rest being gone to Jerusalem, in order to be present
at the celebration of the feast of tabernacles. The remaining fifty Cestius ordered to
be put to death, which being done, he set fire to the town, and then proceeded by the
way of Bethoron, to a place named Gabaoh, about fifty furlongs from Jerusalem,
where he encamped his army.
The Jews, convinced of the great danger they were in, from the appearance of so
formidable an army, laid aside their former scruples with regard to their sacred days,
and applied themselves strictly to their arms. Imagining that their force was now
sufficient to cope with the Romans, they made a desperate sally on the sabbath-day,
regardless of their ancient prejudices, and, with a furious uproar, attacked the enemy.
On the first charge they put the front of the Romans into great disorder, and pene
trated so far into the main body of the army, that had it not been for a detachment
of foot which remained entirely unbroken, and a party of horse that unexpectedly
came to their relief, Cestius and his whole army would have been certainly cut to
pieces. In this encounter four hundred of the Roman cavalry were slain, and one
hundred and fifteen of the infantry ; while of the Jews there fell a very small number.
The main body of the Jews, retreating in good order, went back into the city; and,
in the meantime, the Romans retired toward Bethoron. A strong party of the Jews,
however, under the command of one Gioras, pursued the enemy, several of whom
they killed : they likewise seized a number of carriages, and a quantity of baggage,
which they found in the pursuit, all of which they conveyed safe to Jerusalem.
Cestius and his army remained in the field three days after this action, during
which time a party of the Jews was stationed on the adjacent hills to watch his
movements. On the fourth day Cestius advanced with his whole army, in a regular
manner, to the borders of Jerusalem, where many of the people were so terrified by
the faction, that they were afraid to take any step of consequence : while some of
the principal promoters of the sedition were so alarmed at the conduct and discipline
ofthe Romans on their march, that they retired from the extremities ofthe city, and
took refuge in the temple. Cestius in his way to Jerusalem burnt Cenopolis, and a
place which was denominated the wood-market. Thence he advanced to the upper
town ofthe city, and pitched his camp at a small distance from the palace.
While Cestius was thus situated with his army, Ananus, and several other men
among the Jews, called aloud to the Roman general, offering to open the gates to
him ; but either through diffidence or fear of their fidelity, he was so long in con
sidering whether or not he should accept the offer, that he was at length restrained
from it by the people, who were so irritated at Ananus and his companions, that
they compelled them to retreat from the walls of the city, and retire to their own
houses for protection.
After this the Jews, with a view of defending the walls of the city, repaired to th.e
different turrets, and for five successive days defended them against all the efforts of
tlie E,omans, though they pushed the attack with the utmost impetuosity. On the
sixth day Cestius made an assault on the north side of the temple, with a select
force chosen from his troops and bowmen ; but the Jews discharged such a violent
quantity of shot and stones from the porch and galleries, that the Romans were nol
only repeatedly compelled to retire from the severity of the charge, but, for a time,
obliged to abandon the enterprise.
Being thus repulsed, the Romans, after some time, had recourse to the following
singular invention. Those in front placing their bucklers against the wall of the
city, and covering their heads and shoulders with them, those who stood next closed
Lneir bucklers to the former, till the whole body was covered, and made the appear
ance of a tortoise. The bucklers being thus conjoined were proof against all ihe
darts and arrows of the enemy ; so that the Romans had the opportunity of under
mining the walls without being exposed to danger. The first thing they did was tc
attempt setting fire to the gates of the temple, which circumstance so terrified the
faction, tha they considered themselves as ruined, and many absolutely abandoned
the town; nor were the auiet party less elevated with joy than the rebels were do-
pressed by despair.

HISTORV OF THE BIBLE.

639

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3

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3

Bit, AN ILLUSTKATdlu
Wnile things were in this situation the people demanded that the gates might Ix
opened to Cestius, whom they considered in the light of a friend and preserver.
1 liis was a most favorable opportunity for Cestius, and had he maintained the siege
only a short time longer, the whole town must have submitted. But, not considering
the good disposition of the people in general, or reflecting on the despair into which
the rebels were thrown, as if he had been infatuated, he suddenly drew off his
men, and, contrary to all sense and reason, abandoned the siege, at a time when
his prospects were better than they had been at any former period. The revolters
were so much encouraged at this unexpected circumstance, that they attacked the
rear of Cestius's army, and destroyed great numbers both of his cavalry and infantry.
On the first night after Cestius retreated from the siege, he took up his residence in
a camp which he had fortified at a place named Scopus ; and on the following day
he continued his march, but was closely pursued by the Jews, who annoyed him as
he went, and destroyed a considerable number of his troops. On the whole this was
a very disastrous attack to the Romans, and attended with very little loss on the part
of the Jews.
Cestius having retreated as far as Gabaoh, there encamped with his army, and,
during two days, employed his thoughts in what manner he should direct his future
conduct. On the third day he found that the Jews were so greatly increased in
numbers, that the whole face ofthe country was covered with them; and that should
he continue any longer at Gabaoh, it must be attended with the most fatal conse
quences. He therefore issued orders that the army should be eased of all their
encumbrances, that they might march with the greater expedition ; he likewise di
rected that all the mules, asses, and other beasts of burden, should be killed, except
only as many as were necessary to carry such weapons and machines as miglit
afterward be wanted for their own defence.
In this situation the Roman army proceeded toward Bethoron, Cestius marching
at their head. While they continued in the open country they did not receive
anv interruption from the Jews; but as they advanced into hollow ways and de
files, ,l,e enemy, who closely pursued, charged them in front and rear, and dis
charging repeated volleys of arrows and darts, prodigious numbers of them were
killed. The Romans, however, with great difficulty, got at length to Bethoron,
under cover of the night ; upon which all the passes near that place were secured
by the Jews, in order to prevent the retreat of their adversaries.
Cestius, finding in what a disagreeable manner he was surrounded, and that il
would be impossible to retreat within sight of the enemy, devised a scheme to favor
his escape. Having slationed four hundred of his troops on the tops of the houses,
he ordered that they should act the part of sentinels, calling as loud as they were
able to the watches and guards, as if the array was still in its encampment. While
this plan was going forward Cestius collected his troops, with which he left Betho
ron, and continued to march with them during the whole course of the night. In
the morning, when the Jews found that the place had been deserted by the main
body of the army during the night, they were so enraged, that they immediately at
tacked the four hundred Romans who had acted as sentinels, slew every one of
them, and then instantly marched in pursuit of Cestius ; but his troops having ob
tained a whole night's march on them, aud proceeded with the utmost rapidity
on the following day, it was not possible to overtake them. Such were the hurry
and confusion in which the Romans had fled, that they dropped by the way all
their slings, machines, and other instruments for battery and attack ; which being
seized by the pursuers, they afterward turned them to their own advantage. The
Jews pursued their enemies as far as Antipatris; but finding it in vain to continue the
pursuit, they carefully preserved the engines, stripped the dead, collected all the
booty they could, and then returned toward Jerusalem, singing songs of triumph for s&
important a victory. In this contest there fell, of the Romans and their auxiliaries,
three hundred and eighty cavalry, and not less than four thousand ofthe infantry.
Elated with this distinguished success, the Jews, on their return to Jerusalem, ap
pointed one Joseph, the son of Gorion, a man of great eminence, together with the
high-priest, as governors of the city. They likewise sent commanders into the dif
ferent provinces of Judea and Galilee, in order to secure those places against the powef
of the Bomans. Among others Joseph, or Josephus, the celebrated Jewish historian,
was sent to take upon him the government of Galilee, the principal towns m which

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 641
he immediately ordered to be fortified, and every necessary preparation made for at
tacking the enemy, should they attempt to invade that province.
In the meantime the emperor Nero, having received intelligence ol the defeat of
Cestius in Judea, was thrown into the utmost consternation ; but he dissembled his
fears, by ostentatiously asserting that it was owing to the misconduct of his general,
and not to their own valor, that the Jews were indebted for victory ; for he imagined
tnat it would be derogatory to the sovereign state of the Roman empire, and to his
superiority over other princes, to discover a concern at the common occurrences of
life. During this contention between his fear and his pride, he industriously sought
for a man qualified to assume the important task of chastizing the revolted Jews, pre
serving the east in tranquillity, and the allegiance of several other nations who had
manifested a disposition to free themselves from the power of the Romans. On ma
ture deliberation, Nero at length judged Vespasian to be the only man possessed of
abilities adequate to the important enterprise. Vespasian was then arrived to an ad
vanced age, and from his early years had been engaged in a continued succession of
military exploits. From .these considerations, together with his approved courage
and fidelity, and his having sons for hostages of his loyalty, the emperor determined
to appoint him to the command of his army in Syria.
In consequence of this resolution Vespasian, having received his commission from
Nero, which he accompanied with the strongest professions of friendship and fidelity,
commanded his son Titus to lead the fifth and tenth legions into Alexandria, while
himself departed from Achaia, and, crossing the Hellespont, proceeded by land into
Syria, where he assembled all the Roman forces, and the auxiliaries which the
princes of the adjoining places had gathered together.
In the meantime the Jews, being transported to the most excessive degree of ex
travagance by the conquest they had gained over the Roman army under the com
mand of Cestius, determined to prosecute the war with the utmost vigor. Accord
ingly they formed their best troops into a body, and marched against the ancient city
of Ascalon, with a resolution of attempting the reduction of that place, against the
inhabitants of which they had the most implacable enmity. The Jewish army was
under the command of Nigger of Perea, Silas, a Babylonian, and John, an Essene.
who were men equally celebrated for valor, and skill in the management of war.
Ascalon was surrounded by a wall of surprising strength ; but the whole garrison
consisted only of a troop of cavalry and a company of foot, under the command of an
officer named Anthony. The Jews being impatient to encounter the Romans, marched
with the utmost expedition, intending to attack them by surprise ; but Anthony, get
ting intelligence of their design, stationed his cavalry without the town, in order to
repulse the enemy. The Roman forces were composed of veteran troops, completely
armed, well disciplined, and perfectly obedient to order. The Jews had the superi
ority in point of numbers ; but they were indifferently equipped for, and by no means
expert in, the art of war, and the army consisted entirely of infantry. Anthony's
troops received the first charge with great resolution: his horse broke the first ranks
of the adverse army, which were immediately put to the rout : great numbers were
crushed to death by their own people, and wherever they fled they were pursued bv
the Romans. The Jews exerted their utmost endeavors to rally their iorces , but
this was prevented by the Romans, who pursued the advantage they had gained till
ten thousand of the enemy were slain, among whom were the two generals, John
and Silas. Niger, the surviving general, with the rest of the Jews, most of whom
' were wounded, escaped to a town in, Idumea, named Sabis.
The resolution of the Jews, however, was not abated by the terrible defeat they
had sustained ; but, founding their hopes of success on the recollection of former vic
tories, they were animated to a more violent desire of revenge. They therefore col-
ccted together a much more numerous armv than before, and determined to make a
second attempt against Ascalon, notwithstanding their want of military skill and dis
cipline, the fatal effects of which they had already experienced. But all their hopes
were soon vanished; for being surprised by an ambush which Anthony had stationed
in the way they were to pass, they were entirely routed, without being able to form
themselves into the order of battle. Eight thousand Jews were slain on the spot;
and the rest, with Niger, their general, put to flight. Being closely pursued by the
Romans, Niger sought refuge in a castle belonging to the village of Bezedel. This
castle was supposed to be impregnable; and therefore, as the only effectual means
41

642 AN ILLUSTRATED
»f destroying ootn Niger and the castle, the Romans set fire to it, after which they
departed, triumphing in the idea that the leader of the Jews must inevitably perish
in the flames. Niger, being sensible that this must be the case, if he continued in
his station, threw himself from the top of the castle into a vault of considerable
depth, where, after three days, he was found alive by his friends, who were searching
for his remains, in order to give them interment. This unexpected event transporied
the Jews from a state of despondency into the contrary extreme of joy; and the
preservation of their general, whom they considered as an instrument essentially ne
cessary in the prosecution of the war, they attributed to divine interposition.
During these transactions, Vespasian arrived with his army at Antioch, where King
Agrippa, attended by his troops, was waiting to receive him. Hence he pro
ceeded to Ptolemais, where the inhabitants of Sepphoris, a city in Galilee, had as
sembled on occasion of his expected arrival. These were a well-disposed people,
and being conscious of the great power of the Romans, as well as desirous of making
provision for their own safety, they acknowledged Cestius Gallius as their governor,
previous to the arrival of Vespasian, binding themselves to act in perfect obedience
to his commands, even against their own countrymen, and at the same time declaring
their allegiance to the state of Rome. They received a garrison from Cestius Gal
lius, and solicited Vespasian to grant them a number of cavalry and infantry suffi
cient for their defence, in case they should be attacked by the Jews. Vespasian
readily complied with this request ; for Sepphoris being the most extensive and
strongest city in Galilee, he judged it expedient to keep so important a place in a
proper state of defence.
The number of troops granted by Vespasian to the people of Sepphoris were, a
thousand cavalry and six thousand infantry ; the whole of which were placed under
the command of Placidus, the tribune. After these troops had been drawn up on the
great plain, the foot, for the security of the city, were quartered within the walls,
and the horse were ordered into the camp. The Roman troops made daily excursions
into the neighborhood, where they committed many acts of violence, and greatly
incommoded Joseph (the governor of Galilee) and his friends. Not satisfied with
ravaging the country, they made booty of whatever they could obtain from the towns,
and treated the inhabitants with so much severity that they were under the necessity
of remaining within the walls.
Matters being thus circumstanced, Joseph exerted his utmost efforts to make him
self master of Sepphoris; but he found it so strongly fortified, that it appeared to be
impregnable, and despairing of success, either by stratagem or force, he abandoned
all further thoughts of the enterprise. This so irritated the Romans, that they sub
jected the people to the most terrible calamities of fire and sword, putting those who
attempted resistance to instant death, reducing the rest to slavery, and making booty
of all the property they could find.
In the meantime, Titus repaired to his father Vespasian, at Ptolemais, taking with
him the fifth, tenth, and fifteenth legions, which were reckoned to be the best disci
plined and most courageous of the Roman troops. These were followed by a troop
of horse from Cesarea, with a great number of auxiliaries, both horse and foot, from
other places. The whole army amounted to sixty thousand, exclusive of the train
of baggage, and a great number of domestics, most of whom, having been trained
to the practice of war, were but little inferior to the soldiers in courage and dexterity.
During the time Vespasian was with his son Titus at Ptolemais, he ordered every
necessary measure to he pursued for the proper regulation and supply of his army.
fn the meantime, Placidus made an ex< ursion into, and overran, the whole province
if Judea, where "he took a great number of prisoners, most of whom he put to
death. These were people destitute of courage, but such as possessed a greater
share of intrepidity made a courageous resistance, and secured themselves in the
cities, and other places of strength, which had been fortified by Joseph. Placidus
determined to direct his arms against those places where the Galileans had fled for
sanctuary ; and Jotapata being the strongest hold they possessed, he resolved that
bis first exploit should be to attempt the reduction of that place. The inhabitants
ol Jotapata, however, gaining intelligence of the design of Placidus, and that he was
marching with all expedition against the place, sallied from the town, :»i order to give
him battle. They attacked the Romans by surprise, and as the fate of their wives
children, and country, depended on the issue of the contest, they fought with tbe

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 643
most astonishing bravery, and with such success, that they effectually repulsed the
enemy ; after wnich, Placidus drew off his army.
Vespasian, having resolved to make an excursion into Galilee, issued marching or-
deis to his troops, according to the military discipline of the Romans, and departing
from Ptolemais, encamped his army on the frontiers of Galilee. He m'ght. indeed,
have advanced farther, but his stopping there was designed to strike a terror into the
enemy by the formidable appearance of his army. In this conjecture he was not
deceived, for the news of his approach threw the Jews into the greatest consterna
tion ; and Joseph's followers, who were encamped at some distance from Sepphoris,
deserted their leader, even before the enemy came in sight. Being thus abandoned,
and finding lhat the spirits of the Jews were entirely depressed, that the majority
of his people had already joined the enemy, and that the rest seemed inclined to
follow their example, he retreated to Tiberias, accompanied by a few of his people
whom he could trust, and who still maintained their fidelity.
The first place Vespasian laid siege to after his arrival in Galilee, was the city of
Gadara, which, not having a sufficient number of inhabitants to defend it, he subdued,
with very little difficulty, on the first assault. The natural enmity of the Romans
against the Jews, together with a principle of revenge for their having defeated
Cestius, induced them to put the inhabitants of the town promiscuously to the
sword; and, not satisfied with setting fire to the conquered city, they burnt and ut
terly laid waste the neighboring small towns and villages, and subjected the inhab
itants to slavery.
In the meantime, Joseph (the leader of the Jews in Galilee) left Tiberias, and
retired to the strong city of Jotapata, which gave great encouragement to the Jews
uf that place. Joseph's retreat was soon made known to Vespasian by a deserter,
who advised the besieging of Jotapata, observing that, if Joseph could be taken, the
war must inevitably terminate to the disadvantage of the Jews. Pleased with this
information, and hoping to get into his power the person whom he considered as the
most' formidable of his enemies, Vespasian despatched Placidus and iEbutius (the
latter of whom was one of the most celebrated men of the army f r bravery and
military skill) with a thousand cavalry, commanding them to environ the city with
the greatest expedition, and, if possible, prevent the escape of Joseph.
The next morning Vespasian issued orders for his whole army to march, and, in
the afternoon of the same day, encamped about seven furlongs to the north of the
city. The Romans being greatly fatigued by their march, did not attempt anything
till the next morning, when they began to assault the city, which was defended with
great bravery. Vespasian ordered the bowmen and slingers to compel the Jews to
desert the walls, while himself, with a body of infantry, began an assault from an
eminence convenient for battering the place ; but Joseph, at the head of the Jews,
made so furious an attack on the enemy, that he compelled them to retreat.
The next day the besiegers renewed the assault, and in this action both parties dis
played the most distinguished instances of valor. The Jews were encouraged by the
undaunted firmness and resolution with which, contrary to the most sanguine expec
tations, they had sustained the first assault ; and the shame of having been repulsed'
invigorated the spirits of the Romans. Notwithstanding the great danger and diffi
culty of the enterprise, the latter continued to pursue their attacks with the utmost
vigor, while the Jews, regardless of their great numbers and strength, made frequent
sallies against them with considerable advantage.
The city of Jotapata was situated on a rock, and utterly inaccessible, except on the
north, where a part of it stood on the brow of a mountain. This quarter Joseph"
caused to be strongly fortified, thereby precluding the enemy from taking advantage
of another mountain by which it was overlooked, and which, with the other moun
tains adjoining, so entirely enclosed the place, that it could only be seen at a very
small distance.
After several days' fruitless attempts, Vespasian, finding the place so admirably
situated for defence, and that he had lo contend with an intrepid and determined
enemy, assembled a council of his principal officers, in order to debate on the most
proper means of obtaining a victory. The issue of this deliberation was, that a large
terrace should be raised on that side ofthe city which appeared to be the least capa-
bli of resistance. Accordingly, the whole army was employed in the work, which

644 AN ILLUSTRATED
they pursued with surprising rapidity, and the utmost efforts of the Ji ws to oppose
them proved ineffectual.
In the meantime Joseph ordered the wall. of the city to be raised in proportion to
the advancement of the enemy's works. The Jews at first declined the undertaking
urging the impossibility of pursuing their business, as they should be continually ex
posed to the enemy. To remove these fears, Joseph suggested the following inven
tion, as a defence against fire, stones, and other weapons. He caused large slakes to
. be fixed in the ground, and raw hides of beasts to be stretched upon them, the yield
ing quality of which would prevent any material effect from the lances and stones,
and at the same rime their moisture would damp the fire of the enemy. The Jews,
thinking themselves secure through Joseph's contrivance, continued indefatigably in
dustrious in the work both night and day ; and they soon erected a wall several
cubits high, on which were formed towers and strong embattlements.
Vespasian now relinquished all hopes cf subduing the place by storm ; he therefore
blocked it up, flattering himself with the expectation, that by cutting ofl all commu
nication, the consequent necessities of the people would perform the business of the
sword, or at, least render them incapable of making any advantageous resistance.
There was an abundant supply of corn and all other necessaries in the town, except
ing water, which latter article they only received from the clouds, there being neither
spring nor fountain wilhin the walls of the city. The prospect of a scarcity of water
induced Joseph, who was determined not to abandon himself to despair, to limit each
man to a daily allowance, in consequence of which a universal discontent prevailed
among the people, This circumstance could not be concealed from the Romans, who,
from an adjacent hill, observed the people assembled to receive their respective por
tions, and were otherwise informed of the general discontent which had taken place
on that occasion. Vespasian was in continual expectation of making himself master
of the town ; but Joseph, to convince him that he was not likely to succeed from
their distress for want of water, hit upon the following stratagem: he caused great
numbers of wet cloths to be hung upon the battlements, which were no sooner ob
served by the Romans, than they concluded a scarcity of water could not prevail in
ihe town, as i t that case they would hardly make use of such an article in so profuse
a manner. In consequence of this, Vespasian no longer entertaining hopes that the
enemy would surrender through want of -the necessaries of life, had again recourse
to arms. This proved a circumstance highly agreeable to the Jews, who, being re
duced to the greatest distress, entertained the most terrible apprehensions of falling
miserable sacrifices to famine, to which they infinitely preferred a glorious death in
in the field.
Tn the midst of this distress, Joseph recollected that on the west side of the city
there was a hollow or gutter in a place so little frequented, that it was not likely to
have been observed by the enemy. In consequence of this, he sent messengers to
the Jews without the city, requesting them to cause water and other necessaries to
be conveyed to him through this passage and, as a proper security to the mes
sengers, he ordered them to be covered with hides of beasts, and to go on their hands
and feet, that, in case of being observed by the watch, they might be mistaken for
dogs and other animals.
This scheme had for some time the desired effect, and an intercourse was main
tained between those without the city and those within, to the great satisfaction of
the latter. But at length the Romans discovered the project, which they effectually
destroyed by closely blocking up the passage, and thereby cutting off all communica
tion whatever.
Joseph now perceived that it would be fruitless to attempt a longer defence of the
city, and therefore he joined with several of the principal men in suggesting the
means of escape. The people, suspecting on what subject they were met to delib
erate, repaired in great multitudes to Joseph, earnestly supplicating, that as he was
the only man from whom they could expect relief, he would not desert them in their
then extremity; observing, that while he was secure they could not despair of suc
cess, and declaring that they could not die more honorably than while acting in obe
dience to his commands. They told him that if it should prove their misfortune to
fall into the power of the Romans, he would acquire the immortal fame of having
equally scorned to fly from the enemy, or desert the people under his protection : that
by leaving them he would manifest a conduct similar to that of a man taking upon

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 645
him the command of a ship in temperate weather, and abandoning it in a storm ;
they likewise added, that after losing the only man in whom they could place a con
fidence of success, they could no longer cherish the hope of relieving their country.
Joseph, who was unwilling to have it believed that his intention was engrossed on
the means of providing for his own safety, told them, that if they were compelled1™
surrender, his remaining with them could not possibly operate in their favor ; whereas,
if he obtained his liberty, he might be able to draw an army out of Galilee sufficiently
early to raise the siege ; and that his continuing in the city would be productive of
unfortunate instead of happy consequences, since the expectation of making him a
prisoner would induce the Romans to continue a vigorous prosecution of the siege,
which they might probably decline if he could effect an escape.
But these arguments, instead of reconciling the multitude, rendered them still more
importunate, and with the most bitter lamentations they urgently supplicated that
he would still continue his protection to them. Impressed with tenderness and grat
itude toward the people, Joseph considered that if he remained in the town, they
would attribute his compliance with their request to the influence they had over him,
and that if he persisted in a refusal, they might probably detain him by force; and
therefore resolved to share the common danger, he addressed them as follows : " My
dear friends and faithful countrymen, the period is arrived when we are required to
exert our utmost bravery, since in that alone we can place our hopes of safety. If
we lose our lives our reward will be a large share of honor, and our names will be
endeared to the latest posterity."
This address was received with universal satisfaction by the people, immediately
after which Joseph, at the head of the most courageous of the Jews, assaulted the
enemy's guards, whom he compelled to desert their trenches and retreat to the camp.
Joseph and his army now defended themselves against the power of the Romans
with the most astonishing power and resolution. This they continued to do for the
space of forty days, when a deserter represented to Vespasian the state of the town,
informing him that through the loss of men, and the hard duty which the survivors
were obliged incessantly to perform, the garrison was so reduced that it must neces
sarily surrender to a vigorous attack, and more especially if advantage was to be
taken of a favorable opportunity for making the assault by surprise. He likewise
strongly advised the Roman general to attempt the enterprise before daylight, when
the Jews would not be apprehensive of danger, and the vigilance of the guard abated
by fatigue and an inclination to sleep.
Vespasian, being sensible that the Jews possessed a remarkable fidelity to each
other, which the most excruciating torments could not force them to violate, was un
willing at first to put any confidence in what the deserter had related. He had been
witness to a recent instance of the amazing constancy and resolution of the Jews, in
the case of one of Joseph's people, who being made a prisoner, and interrogated
respecting the state of the city, refused to divulge a single circumstance, and per
sisted in that resolution during the most excessive torments, and while he was under
going the sentence of crucifixion. Considering, however, that the information of the
deserter might possibly be founded in truth, and that no ill consequences were likely
to ensue from his appearing to believe that to be the case, Vespasian ordered the man
to be secured, and every necessary preparation to be made for the attack.
The Roman army began a silent march at an appointed hour of the night, which
had been previously agreed upon according to the plan laid down by the deserter.
On their arrival at the walls of the town, finding the sentinels asleep, they imme
diately despatched them, and without the least molestation entered the city, followed
by a large body of troops under the command of the tribune Placidus. Notwithstand
ing it was open day before the Romans gained possession of the fort and made them
selves masters of the town, the Jewish army was so exhausted and fatigued by inces
sant labor and watching, that they did not entertain the least idea of their danger till
the enemy had actually gained their point ; and even those who were awake were
almost equal strangers to the misfortune, as they could not clearly distinguish objects
oh account of a thick fog which then prevailed, and continued till the whole Roman
army had gained admittance into the city. '
The Romans, recollecting the sufferings they had undergone during the course of
the siege, laid aside every sentiment of humanity and compassion toward the besieged.
They threw many of the Jews from the top of the fort who were instantly killed by

646 AN ILLUSTRATED
the fall, and others, who had courage enough to make resistance, were either pressed
to death by the immense crowds of the enemy, or forced down precipices, and killed
by the ruins which fell from above. Such of the guards as first observed tne city to
be taken fled to a turret on the walls, where they were attacked by the enemy,
against whom, for some time, they made a resolute defence. Being oppressed by
numbers, they offered to capitulate ; but their proposals were rejected and the whole
put to tne sword. Every Jew who was met by the Romans on that day was put to
instant deaDh ; and during some following days they carefully searched for such as
had concealed themselves in private places, all of whom, except women and chil
dren, they destroyed. Having thus obtained a complete victory, Vespasian, after
withdrawing his forces from the town, ordered the fortress to be burnt, which was
accordingly done, and the whole city laid in ruins.
The Romans, induced partly by personal enmity, and partly by an officious zeal to
uigratiate themselves into the favor of their general, assiduously employed themselves
in searching every part of the adjoining country, in order to find out the leader
of the Jews. It was Joseph's fortune to escape through the midst of his enemies,
and to find a deep pit, having a passage leading to a spacious cavern, in which lie
discovered forty distinguished Jews who had there taken sanctuary, and were sup
plied with sufficient necessaries to last them several days. The enemy being in pos
session of the whole adjacent country, Joseph judged it unsafe to venture abroad by
day, and therefore he left his retreat only by night, with a view of discovering if
there remained any probability of effecting an escape ; but finding the enemy exceed
ingly vigilant, he repeatedly returned to the cavern despairing of success. On the
third day he was betrayed by a woman ; in consequence of which, Vespasian
despatched Paulinus and Gallanicus, two tribunes, to the place where he was secreted,
authorizing them to assure Joseph, that, on condition of leaving his_ retreat, he
should meet with a kind and honorable reception. Joseph, conscious that the injuries
ihe Romans had sustained at his hands entitled him to punishment rather than
reward, thought it unsafe to rely on Vespasian's word of honor, and therefore he de
clined the proposal. In consequence of this, Vespasian sent another tribune, named
Nicanor, who had long been intimately acquainted with Joseph, and was in fact his
most sincere friend. Nicanor forcibly expostulated with him on the impropriety of
refusing to comply with Vespasian's request ; he represented to him the generosity
and benevolence of the Romans toward those they conquered: that, so far from Ves
pasian's entertaining an enmity against him, he highly esteemed him as being a man
of singular intrepidity, and possessed of other eminent virtues ; and that the Roman
general must indisputably have favorable views, since he condescended to propose
terms to a man who was already subject to his power. " Can you imagine," said
Nicanor, " that Vespasian would employ a friend in an office of treachery, or that I
would accept from Him so dishonorable a commission ?"
Notwithstanding these remonstrances, Joseph, for some time, declined a compli
ance ; but at length, from the very, forcible arguments and advice of Nicanor, he
agreed to submit. In consequence of this, his companions instantly drew their
swords, and threatened, if he surrendered, to put him to death. Joseph, being appre
hensive that they might carry their designs into execution, was desirous of avoiding
o horrid an intention ; lo effect wliich he addressed them as follows : " Why, my
£ood friends, do you suffer yourselves to be so far transported by the violence of pas
sion as to cherish the idea of separating the soul and body, which are so intimately
united by nature ? To fall by the hand of a victor in a war maintained according to
the laws of arms, is without dispute a glorious fate. I should make no greater diffi
culty of taking away my own life than of requesting a Roman to perform that office ;
but if the Romans are inclined to show mercy to an enemy, will reason justify that
enemy in having no mercy on himself? No death can be more honorable than tha".
of the man who yields his life to the superior power of an adversary that means to
deprive him of the inestimable blessing of liberty. But the Romans wish not our
deaths and all animosity should now cease, for the cause of our contention is at an
end. The man who rejects life when his duty requires him to preserve it, is as pu
sillanimous as he who, in opposition to the dictates of honor, trembles to meet his
fate. Is it not from the fear of death alone that we hesitate to yield to the Romans?
¦Shall we precipitate ourselves into certain destruction for the purpose of avoiding a
threatened danger, which probably may not arrive ? If you conceive that we ought

. HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 647
to die to avoid slavery, I must request you to recollect that we enjoy not liberty in
the miserable situation to which we are now reduced. If you suppose him to be a
brave man who deprives himself of life, I would ask what opinion you would form
of the commander of a vessel who during a calm should sink his ship from an ap
prehension that a tempest might arise? The desire of preserving life is a principle
implanted in the whole animal creation ; and therefore to deprive ourselves of exist
ence is to violate the order of nature, and offer a sacrilegious insult to God. If we
desire to live, may we not indulge that desire, since we have given exemplary proofs
of our courage and virtue? But if we are resolved to die, let us fall by the hands
of our conquerors. We shall have no cause for regret if the Romans prove treach
erous ; but, on the contrary, we shall resign our lives with pleasure, since we shall
enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that the perfidy of the enemy must necessarily
diminish the glory of their victory, and render them infamous to the latest pos
terity." Joseph imagined that these arguments would have induced the Jews to relinquish
the determination of putting an end lo his life ; but in this he found himself mistaken,
for instead of appeasing, his address provoked them to the utmost extravagance of
rage ; they approached him with their swords drawn, upbraided him in the most
severe terms as being of a contemptibly irresolute disposition, and threatened him
with instant death. Thus situated, Joseph addressed his companions in the most
soothing manner, which seldom fails to gain respect from those who have been
accustomed to obey; he called one by his name, took another by the hand, and en
deavored to engage the attention of the rest by arguments and such other means as
he conceived to be best adapted for obtaining the end he had in view. Thus, by a
singular, address in applying to the various humors and dispositions of his com
panions, Joseph averted the danger that threatened him. The rage of the Jews
subsided, their esteem and veneration for their general revived, and they freely gave
him his liberty to act as he should think proper. Being thus relieved from the ex
tremity to which he was reduced by the Romans on one hand, and by his own coun
trymen on the other, Joseph surrendered himself to Nicanor, who immediately con
ducted him to Vespasian.
The desire of seeing Joseph appear before the Roman general caused prodigious
numbers of people to assemble, some of whom rejoiced to see that he was alive, while
others vented menaces and the most bitter execrations against him. Those who were
sufficiently near to observe his person, recollected the many extraordinary incidents
of his life, and reflecting on his then situation, were greatly astonished on the com
parison. Notwithstanding the inveteracy which the Roman general had entertained
against Joseph, they tenderly compassionated him in his captivity ; but Titus was
most particularly affected, for on account of his advanced age, and the unconquerable
dignity of his mind in the most extreme dangers and distresses, he entertained a great
veneration for Joseph, whose former elevated station and great exploits, together
with the humiliating condition to which he was now reduced, he most seriously con
sidered, and then proceeded to make some reflections on the chance of war, and the
mutability of human affairs. Those who heard Titus adopted his sentiments ; and
he greatly contributed toward the preservation of Joseph, by influencing Vespasian in
his favor.
Vespasian intimated his intentions of sending Joseph to Nero, and ordered him to
be kept a close prisoner. In consequence of this Joseph requested to have an audience
with Vespasian, which being granted, he was conducted to the general's apartment,
whence every person was dismissed, except Titus and two of his friends. In the
presence of these Joseph, addressing himself to Vespasian, spoke as follows : " You
see me here, sir, your prisoner, and perhaps you consider me in no other character ;
but believe me, I am no less than a messenger sent by Providence to impart to you
a matter of the highest importance.* Had I not been charged with this commission,
I should have acted consistent with the character of a Jewish general, and have died
rather than have submitted to be made a prisoner. It is unnecessary to send me to
Nero, since Vespasian is so near succeeding to the empire, which, upon his decease,
• While Joseph was witii his companions in the cavem. he had a most remarkable vision, in which weie
communicated to him the success and grandeur which the Romans should experience, and the miseries
which should attend the Jews. It was likewise revealed to him that Vespasian should become emperor,
and that himself should be the inessengeT of that intelligence ; and this it was that made him so strenuous
in requesting iris companions to spare his life.

648 AN ILLUSTRATED
will devolve on his son Titus. Let me be kept a prisoner, and guarded with unre-
mining circumspection ; I only request to remain the prisoner of Vespasian, who, by
the right of conquest, is become the master of my life and liberty, and will, in a short
time, be advanced to the sovereignty of the Roman empire. If it shall hereafter ap
pear that I have made use of any artifice to induce you to repose confidence in an
impostor, you will perform an act of justice in subjecting me to the most severe and
exemplary punishment."
At first Vespasian considered Joseph's address as a mere fiction, contrived for the
purpose of obtaining his favor ; but experiencing certain indications, and finding them
exactly correspond with what Joseph had related, his dpubts gradually subsided, and
he gave full confidence to the prediction. One of the persons who was permitted to
be present at the interview, observed to Joseph, that since he pretended to a knowl
edge of future events, he requested to be informed by what means it happened that
he remained ignorant of the destruction of Jotapata, and of his own captivity. To
which Joseph replied, he had predicted to the inhabitants that the town would be con
quered, and himself made a prisoner by the enemy. In consequence of this reply,
Vespasian ordered a secret inquiry to be made among the Jewish prisoners relative
to the truth of what he had asserted ; this was accordingly done, and the Jews con
firming every particular related by Joseph, the general was induced to judge more
favorably of what he had foretold respecting himself.
Joseph continued to be guarded with the greatest circumspection; but the irksome-
ness of confinement was in a great degree mitigated, by his being allowed every ac
commodation and convenience, together with the particular respect and kindness
which he received from Titus,
After the conquest of Jotapata, and the total destruction of that city, Vespasian
repaired with his army to Cesarea, where he took up his winter quarters ; but that
he might not overburden the inhabitants of that city, he sent the fifth and tenth
legions to Scythopolis.
Early in the ensuing spring Vespasian renewed his operations against the Jews.
He sent his son Titus at the head of a considerable army into one part of Judea,
while himself went into another ; and between them they reduced the most principal
places in that country, the inhabitants of some of which quietly submitted ; but ,
others, after holding out with the utmost resistance in their power, were conquered,
and great numbers put to the sword.
After these conquests Vespasian returned to Cesarea, where he formed the resolu
tion of laying siege to Jerusalem ; but while he was making the necessary prepara
tions for this purpose, he received an account of the death of Nero, after a reign of
thirteen years and eight days. In consequence of this intelligence, Vespasian sus
pended his preparations for the expedition toward Jerusalem. Finding that Galba
was destined to succeed to the empire, he thought it would not be a prudent measure
to take so important a step without express orders for so doing. He therefore de
spatched his son Titus to wait on Galba, at once to congratulate him on the succession
to the empire, and to take his directions how to act in the then emergency of affairs.
King Agrippa (who was at this time in Cesarea) being desirous to embark with Titus
on this interesting occasion, they set sail in the same vessel ; but while they were on
their voyage (which was exceedingly tedious owing to the contrariety of the wind) and
near to Achaia, they received intelligence that Galba was slain, after having governed
only seven months, and that Otho succeeded him, who reigned only three months.
This change in affairs did not prevent Agrippa from prosecuting his journey from
Achaia to Rome ; but Titus sailed thence to Syria, and proceeded with all expedition
to his father at Cesarea.
A short time after the return of Titus to Cesarea, Vespasian received intelligence
that a civil war had broke out in Rome, occasibned by Vitellius, a daring and enter
prising man, who, on the death of Otho, had, with the assistance of a great body of
German soldiers, possessed himself of the sovereignty ofthe "mpire. Vespasian was
a man who had a just opinion of the respect that should b> i iwn to superiors, and
was as well calculated to obey as to command ; but notwi httanding this, he was
greatly chagrined to acknowledge the supreme authority of him who rather seized
the empire as a plunder, than became possessed of it as an honor. In a word, this
astonishing change in the public affairs affected him to such a degree, that he could
no longer entertain any idea of prosecuting foreign wars, when his country at horn*

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE, 649
was distracted by the most disagreeable circumstances. Yet, though his indignation
on the one hand urged him to a speedy revenge, yet on the other he was deterred
from putting his design into execution, by the consideration of the difficulties and
hazards that would attend so long a journey in the midst of winter, beside the prob
ability of many unexpected incidents which might happen before he could arrive in
Italy. While Vespasian was debating this subject in his mind, the officers of his army
(all of whom were thoroughly acquainted with the revolutions which had taken
place in Rome) associated together, and discoursed with the utmost freedom on the
affairs of the state and government. Among other things they exclaimed most vio
lently against the German soldiers, who were the protectors of Vitellius, ridiculing
them as a band of dissolute and effeminate creatures, who would be afraid to face
even the usual tenors of war. "What," said they, " shall people like these dispose
of armies, or rather sell them to the highest bidder ? Is it possible for them to im
agine that we who have undergone all the fatigue attending excessive labor, till we
are grown old in the use of arms, — that we will ever submit to be governed by an
emperor chosen by them, when we have a prince of our own who is much more wor
thy of the government ? Besides, if we omit the present opportunity of testifying
our gratitude for the numerous obligations we owe to the generosity of Vespasian, it
is not very probable that a similar prospect of paying him the proper compliment will
ever again offer. Exclusive of these considerations, the personal merit of Vespasian
hath as much better qualified him for the dignity of emperor, than that of Vitellius,
as our merits have qualified us for the choice, beyond that of those who have elected
him. With regard to Vespasian, there can be no debate or competition ; for the
senate and people of Rome are entirely in his interest; nor would they even listen to
an insinuation of the licentiousness and debauches of Vitellius being put in competi
tion with ihe modest and temperate behavior of Vespasian; for this, in fact, would
be to prefer an abandoned tyrant to an humane prince. After all we have said, let it
be considered what a ridiculous figure we should make, and how egregiously we
should be duped ; we, who of all men living, have the greatest obligations to Vespa
sian, if the senate themselves should elect him emperor, and thus take out of our
hands the merit of so distinguished an action, while we are idly debating on the
method of proceeding in such an exigency."
To this purpose was the conversation of the officers under Vespasian. Their first
meetings were held in a secret manner ; but having publicly declared their sentiments
to the soldiers, all of whom agreed with them m opinion, they resolved to make
choice of Vespasian as emperor, and entreated him to take under his protection an
empire that was shaken to its foundation. Vespasian had for a long time been the
support of the empire ; but he was so far from being ambitious of the dignity of em
peror, that he absolutely declined it, declaring that he chose rather to continue in that
line of life to which he had been accustomed, than accept of the pomp and dignity to
which he was invited. But the more desirous Vespasian was to avoid this compli
ment, the more earnestly did the people press his acceptance of it ; till at length, on
his repeated refusal, they advanced to him with drawn swords, and threatened his
destruction if he any longer refused accepting an honor of which he was so deserving.
Still, however, for a time, he refused ; but at length yielded to an importunity that
was not to be resisted.
The government of the empire was no sooner accepted by Vespasian, than Mucia-
nus and" the other officers joined with the whole body of the army in requesting that
he would immediately march his forces against Vitellius ; but Vespasian thought it
would be most prudent first to bring over to his interest the people of Alexandria, by
means of which he should obtain such advantages as would not only secure himself,
but, in all probability, crown his enterprise with success. Egypt, on account of the
prodigious quantity of corn which it produced, was deemed one of the most important
Branches of the empire : wherefore Vespasian was of opinion, that if he could but pos
sess himself of that country, the people of Rome might be induced rather to expel
Vitellius, than run the risk of starving if they refused so to dp, which would be the
natural consequence if they could not obtain proper assistance from Egypt.
These observations being highly approved of by the officers, Vespasian immedi
ately wrote a letter to Tiberius, the then governor of Alexandria, informing him thai,
t the importunity of his soldieis, he had been prevailed on to take the government

650 AN ILLUSTRATED
into his own hands, and that he thought he could not act more prudently than to re
quest the favor of his advice and assistance in the office of administration. Tiberius
had no sooner read this, letter than, with the utmost freedom and goodwill, he took
an oath of fidelity to Vespasian, and caused the like to be done by all the inhabitants
of the city. This oath was taken with every possible demonstration of joy and
esteem; for they were previously informed ofthe good intentions ofthe new emperor,
and confided in his virtue and honor. , Tiberius made a generous use of the power
intrusted to him for the public welfare, and immediately began to make the necessary
preparations for receiving Vespasian.
Intelligence of Vespasian's being advanced to the dignity of ruling the empire was
propagated with the utmost speed through every part of the eastern country; and
wherever this news arrived, it was so grateful to the people, that the inhabitants of
the several cities kept a holyday on the occasion, and offered up their prayers that
the reign of Vespasian might be long and happy. Several ambassadors from Syria
and other provinces, waited on Vespasian, with congratulatory addresses on his being
appointed to the government of the empire. Among the rest was Mucianus, the
governor of Syria, who gave him the utmost assurance ofthe loyalty and affection of
the people in general, which they had testified by cheerfully taking the oath of
fidelity to his person and authority.
These favorable circumstances struck a deep impression on the mind of Vespasian,
who could not help seriously reflecting that they had less the appearance of being the
work of chance than the immediate effect of a disposing Providence; and he thought
>t appeared that he had not been raised to so distinguished an elevation by the power
of fortune, but by divine interposition. Reflecting on this subject there occurred to
his mind several prophetical hints which had happened in the course of his life, all
'ending to the same end. Among the rest he could not but recur to the circumstance
if Joseph having, while he remained a prisoner, and- during the life of Nero, called
him by the title of emperor. This singular prediction had great influence on the
mind of Vespasian, and the greater, because the party was still a prisoner : wherefore
sending for Mucianus and others of his officers, he spoke to them of the singular
courage and bravery of Joseph, and how gallantly he had behaved himself at the
siege of Jotapata. After this he mentioned several other particulars respecting him,.
and at length adverted to the subject of his predictions : " Those," said he, " I at
first imagined to be nothing more than contrivances for his own preservation ; but the
event has proved that they were actually the result of divine providence ; wherefore,
my friends, it would be an indelible disgrace in me longer to detain, in the abject
condition of a prisoner, the person who first declared to me the news of my advance
ment." Having said this Vespasian instantly sent for Joseph, and, in the presence ot the
company, restored him to his libeity. From this instance of gratitude in Vespasian,
his officers formed the most favorable idea of their own situation, thinking that they,
who were his faithful friends and servants, should experience every indulgence under
so kind a master. During this scene Titus was present, who, in a most submissive
manner, hinted to his father, that the single granting of liberty to Joseph was leaving
the. generosity of his plan incomplete: that his chains ought not only to be taken off,
but broken, for if that was not done the dishonor of his imprisonment would remain
with him, though his person was restored to liberty. Vespasian, coinciding in this
opinion, gave immediate orders that his chains should be cut to pieces ; which cir
cumstance not only gave the most extensive freedom to Joseph, but so raised his rep
utation as a prophet, that every person was disposed to give credit to any of his,
future predictions in as full and ample a manner as they had done to what he had;
already foretold.
A general council was now held to consider the most proper measures to be taken
in the then exigency of affairs, in which it was resolved that Titus should prosecute
the war against the Jews, and that Vespasian should go to Alexandria, and use such
methods as he thought advisable for suppressing the disturbances at Rome, occasioned
by the usurper Vitellius.
On Vespasian's arrival at Alexandria he was received by the people of that city
with the utmost demonstrations of joy ; and measures were instantly concerted for
reducing Vitellius, and quieting the disturbances which then took place at Rome.
For this purpose he despatched a considerable army of cavalry and foot, under the

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE 651
command of Mucianus, through Cappadocia and Phrygia, into Italy, being afraid to
trust his troops by sea during the winter season.
In the meantime Antonius Primus (an excellent soldier who had been banished by-
Nero, but restored by Galba, a friend to Vespasian) marched at the head of the third
legion to give battle to Vitellius, the latter of whom being informed of his intentions,
sent a strong army under the command of Caecinna to oppose him. As soon as Cae-
cinna met Antonius (which was on the confines of Italy), he was struck with terror
at the numbers, order, and discipline of his army. He was totally at a loss how to
act: he did not dare to risk a battle, nor could he think of running away from them;
and therefore he chose rather to be considered as a deserter than a coward. Having
assembled his centurions, tribunes, and all the rest of his officers, he exerted the ut
most power of his oratory in a declaration of the different degrees of merit between
Vespasian and Vitellius. The one he extolled to the highest degree, and depreciated
the character ofthe other.; and all this with a fixed design to prevail on the soldiers
of Vitellius to take part with Vespasian. The speech he made on this occasion was
to this effect: "Vitellius possesses nothing more than the name of an emperor1
whereas the claim of Vespasian is not only founded on the strictest equity, but his
person is stamped with the indubitable marks of the imperial character. Besides,
the troops of Vespasian are so numerous and well-chosen, that it will be in vairi for
us to think of entering into a contest with him. This being ihe case, had we not
better now act the same part, as of our own choice and free will, that we shall other
wise be compelled to do through the force of mere necessity ? While I say this, I
am certain that Vespasian is able to carry his design into execution without our aid
or assistance ; but Vitellius, so far from being able to protect his adherents, is by no
means in a condition to defend himself."
These arguments were urged with so much zeal that Caecinna obtained the point
at which he labored, and prevailed on his troops to go over to Antonius. But on the
following night Caecinna's people, partly repenting of what they had done, and partly
in fear of the consequence, in case Vitellius should prove successful in the contest,
advanced in a rage, with drawn swords, to despatch Csecinna, which they would
have certainly done, had not the tribunes strongly interposed in his favor. Hereupon
they desisted from taking away his life, but insisted that, as a traitor, he should be
immediately sent in chains to Vitellius.
As soon as Antonius was informed of this event, he immediately went with a party
to attack them as deserters. For some time they made a faint resistance, but receded
on the first violent attack, and fled toward Cremona. Antonius interposing with his
cavalry between the fugitives and the town, and entirely surrounding them, destroyed
great numbers on the spot, and, pursuing the rest, put the whole to the sword, ex
cept their general Caecinna, whom he set at liberty, and despatched to Vespasian with
an account of the victory.
After this defeat, Antonius marched with his army toward Rome ; information of
which being made known to Sabinus, the brother of Vespasian, he that same night
assembled the city guards, and possessed himself of the capital. On the following
day great numbers of persons of distinguished rank joined his party, among whom
was Domitian, brother to Titus, and younger son to Vespasian.
Vitellius paid little regard to the proceedings of Antonius, the principal view of
his resentment being directed toward Sabinus, aud the other persons who had joined
with him in the revolt ; and being bv nature of a savage and ferocious disposition,
but particularly so to those of distinguished rank, he despatched a body of his own
troops to attack them. In this enterprise the most singular instances of bravery
were displayed on both sides; but in the end, the troops of '\ itelhus became
victorious. Domitian, and other Romans of the first rank, made their escape ;
but the greater part of the people were destroyed, and the victors, after plunder
ing the temple of Janus, burnt it to the ground. With respect to Sabinus, he was
made prisoner, and conducted to Vitellius, who ordered him immediately to be put
'o death.
The next day Antonius arrived wilh his army, when a desperate battle ensued
between him and the troops of V.tellius. The forces of Antonius being divided,
iney engaged in three different parts of the city at the same time, and the contest
was continued for that day without any material advantage on either side, harly
the next morning Mucianus with his army entered Rome, and joining that ot Auto-

652 AN ILLUSTRATED
mus, the attack was renewed with the utmost vigor, and the troops of Vitelliua
being defeated, were all put to the sword.
Thus was this mighty city taken by her own natural subjects ; and as it was fatal
lo many thousands, so likewise was it to Vitellius himself, whom the soldiers drag-
fed out of his palace, and (without hearkening to any entreaties, binding his hands
ehind him, and throwing a halter about his neck) drew him into the public Forum,
through the main street, called Via Sacra. As he went along, they used the most
opprobrious language, and treated him with the greatest indignity they could pro
ject ; they pelted him with dung and filth, and held the point of a sword under his
chin to prevent his concealing his face. At length they conducted him to the com
mon place of execution, where, with many blows and wounds, they despatched him
in the 56th year of his age, and after a short reign of only eight months. Having
wreaked their vengeance thus, they dragged his body from the spot where they had
killed him, and threw it into the river Tiber ; after which, they not only made his
brother, and only son, but likewise all whom they met with of his party, victims to
their resentment.
As soon as the fury of this carnage was over, he Roman senate assembled, and,
with unanimous consent, not only declared Vespasian emperor, but conferred the title
of Caesar upon his two sons, Titus and Domitian ; nominating the former to be con
sul with his father for the ensuing year, and the latter to be praetor with consular
power. They likewise rewarded Mucianus and Antonius, with several others, for
contributing to this happy revolution; and despatched couriers to Vespasian, at Alex
andria, to tender him their homage and obedience, and to desire his speedy return to
Rome. On this occasion the people made two festivals, one for their deliverance
from the tyranny of Vitellius, and the other for the happy advancement of Vespasian
to the government of the empire. But it is now time to return to Titus.
Before Vespasian left Judea, he, by the advice of his council, committed the man
agement of the war against the Jews to his son Titus, well knowing his extraordi
nary valor and skill for such an undertaking. Himself had reduced most of the
country, except Jerusalem ; but Jerusalem was the capital city, fortified with three
walls on every side, except where it was fenced with deep valleys, having the castle
of Antonia, the temple, the palace of Acra, the towers on Mount Sion, and several
other places almost impregnable ; so that great consultation, and a preparation of
many materials, were required to carry ou such a siege.
The inhabitants of Jerusalem had been for a. long time in the most distressed sit
uation, owing to the several parties and factions which had taken possession of dif
ferent parts of the city, and were not only murdering each other, but, in their rage
and madness, destroyed such a quantity of provisions as might have served the city
for several months.
Jerusalem was involved in these sad circumstances, when Titus, with a powerful
army, and all kinds of warlike engines, approached, and sat down within six or seven
furlongs of the city, a little before the feast of the passover. By these means he shut
up an infinite number of people who had come from all parts to that solemnity,
which, in a short time, occasioned a great consumption of their provisions.
On the first appearance of so formidable an army, the several factions unanimously
agreed to oppose it ; in consequence of which, they sallied out with great resolution
and fury, and putting the Romans to disorder, obliged them to abandon their camp,
and fly to the mountains. But the Jews were at last repulsed, and driven into the
city by Titus, who particularly distinguished himself as a courageous and expert
warrior. When Titus had properly placed his engines (which was not done without great
opposition), he battered the outward walls, and, on the third day of May, making a
breach, entered and took possession of the northern quarter of the city, as far as the
castle of Antonia, and the valley of Kedron. Having done this, he gave the besieged
all possible assurances of pardon and civil treatment if they would but submit: but
they, judging his order to be the effect of cowardice, refused to accept of any terms
or conditions whatever.
On the fifth day after this Titus broke through the second wall, and though the
besieged made several sallies, and drove him out again, yet he recovered the place,
and possessed himself of the lower city.
Though Titus was now thoroughly convinced, in his own mind, that he could oy

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

853

654 AN ILLUSTRATED
force of arms easily make a complete conquest of the city, ye. he was willing, if pos
sible, to effect it without any further loss of blood. He therefore, in the first place,
sent a messenger to the Jews, requesting that they would have so much regard to
their own interest as to surrender a place, of wliich he could, at any time, make him
self master. But this not answering his wishes, he despatched Joseph to them,
thinking that when they were addressed by their own countryman, and in a language
familiar to them, it might probably be attended with success. In conformity to the
directions given by Titus, Joseph first walked through several parts of the city, after
which, stopping on an elevated spot, within the hearing of the enemy, he addressed
them in words to this effect : " Countrymen and friends, it is my earnest request,
that if you have any esteem for your lives and liberties, any veneration for your city,
your temple, and your country, you will, on the present occasion, give a proper testi
mony of your sensibility, and learn, even from strangers and enemies, to have a
proper regard to your own interest. You may have observed, that the Romans en
tertain so great a veneration for sacred things, that ihey make a scruple of seizing
anything that is holy ; and this they do, though they never presumed to have any
share, concern, or interest, in your communion ; whereas you, on the contrary, instead
of protecting the religion in which you were educated, seem conspiring to complete
its destruction. Are you not by this time convinced that, your fortresses being beater
lown, and a great part of your walls left in a defenceless condition, your weakness
is sufficiently exposed, and that it is an absolute impossibility to support yourselves
much longer against so formidable a power as that with which you have to contend ?
It is true, that engaging in the cause of liberty is a glorious task, provided it be un
dertaken before that liberty is likely to be lost or forfeited ; but when the latter is the
case, it is idle to think of attempting to throw it off, and all further endeavors will •
rather tend to produce a disgraceful death, than give the opportunity of preserving a
life of honorable freedom. A state of bondage to a master whom a man of honor
would blush to acknowledge his superior, is indeed a scandalous state ; but submis
sion to a people whose authority is acknowledged by the whole world, is by no means
disgraceful. Conscious of this truth, your ancestors, who were more wise and pow
erful than you are, were induced to pay allegiance to the Romans, which they cer
tainly would not have done had they not been fully convinced that it was the will of
Providence they should submit. But wherefore would you any longer continue a
contest that is, in effect, already decided ? For if your walls were yet perfect, and
the siege actually raised, so long as the Romans resolved not to quit the place, you
must soon be starved into submission. Famine has already made great havoc among
you, and the calamity will daily increase, as there is no guarding against the conse
quence of the severities of hunger. It will therefore well become you to recollect
yourselves, and take advice while it may be serviceable to you. The Romans are of
a liberal disposition, and will be ready to forgive all that is past, if you do not con
tinue to exasperate them till forgiveness would look like weakness. But if you
resist till they storm the city, instead of mercy, you will fatally experience their
resentment from the point of the sword."
These friendly admonitions made not the least impression on the perverse Jews,
who, instead of paying attention to them, treated Joseph with the utmost contempt,
and, had he not been properly guarded, would have put him to death. In conse
quence of this, Titus resolved to proceed with the utmost severity against them.
Accordingly, when any fled from the city (which great numbers were constrained to
do on account of the want of provisions), they were no sooner taken than Titus or
dered them to be scourged and crucified. This, however, he did not do from motives
of cruelty, but with a view of striking terror in the multitude, in hopes that they
would the sooner give up all opposition, and surrender themselves to the superior
force of his arms.
Finding every method ineffectual to bring the Jews to submission, Titus, on the
12th of May, began four mounts for his battering-rams, two near the castle of Anto
nia, where he was in hopes of taking the temple, and two near the monument of
John, the high-priest, where he supposed he miglit, without much difficulty, break
into the upper city. But in two bold sallies, the besieged ruined and destroyed the
mounts, and, having burnt several battering-rams, and other engines, pressed for
ward, and broke into the very camp of the Romans. At length they were repulsed
by Titus, who (in a council of war) resolved to surround the whole city with a wall.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 65£>
or mtrenchment, to hinder the flight of the besieged, and to prevent all relief from
coming into the city, thereby strictly verifying the words of our blessed Redeemer:
" The days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee
and compass thee around, and keep thee in on every side." Luke xix. 43.
This work was executed with such astonishing celerity, that the whole was fin
ished within the space of a few days. But it made no impression on the besieged,
notwithstanding the famine began to rage with the most horrid violence, and such a
mortality ensued, that within the space of three months no less than 115,080 car
casses of the poorer sort were carried to be buried at the public charge, 600,000 were
thrown out at the gates ; and when the number of dead bodies increased to such a
degree that they had no place to bury them, they gathered them together in the
largest houses adjoining, and there shut them up.
All this time the famine increased to such a degree, that wives took the meat out
of their husbands' mouths, children from their parents, and mothers from their
children; old men were driven from their meat as persons of no use, and young men
tortured to confess where their provisions lay ; sinks and holes were continually
raked to find offal for food, and the very soldiers (who were the last that would
want) began to eat girdles, shoes, hay, and other articles ; and, what was worst of
all, and the most shocking to human nature, a woman of quality even boiled her
own child with an intent to eat it. This act appeared so detestable in the eyes of
Titus, that (after having repeatedly offered peace and pardon to the Jews if they
would submit, and as often received a denial) he publicly declared that " he would
bury the abominable crime in the ruins of their country, and not suffer the sun tc
shine upon that city, whose mothers eat their own children, and whose fathers, nc
less culpable, did, by their obstinacy, reduce them to such an extremity."
With this resolution he ordered all thu groves to be cut down within a consider
able distance of the city, and, causing more mounts to be raised, on the first of July
he began to batter the wall of Antonia, and, on the fifth, entered the castle by force,
and pursued the flying Jews even to the temple. Both Titus and Josephus again ex
horted them to surrender, but all to no purpose: they absolutely refused every accom
modation, and even boasted that rather than submit they would glory in enduring
the worst of miseries. Titus, hearing this, in order to make an easy ascent to the,
temple, ordered the fortress of Antonia to be razed to the ground, and having seized
the north and west porticoes, or cloisters of the outward range of the temple, he set
them on fire, as the Jews did other porticoes, to hinder the Romans from making
their approaches.
On the eighth day of August Titus, perceiving that the walls of the inner temple
were too strong for the battering-rams, and that the foundation of the gates could not
be undermined, was obliged to set fire to them, yet still with an intent, if possible, to
save the temple itself; but it so fell out that, on the tenth, a certain soldier, contrary
to the command of the general, cast a flaming firebrand through the golden window
into the chambers and buildings on the north side, which immediately set them on
fire. The utmost endeavors were used to prevent the fatal effects of this proceeding,
but to no purpose. The flames spread throughout the whole fabric, and soon con
sumed the most beautiful structure that ever was erected ; while the Roman soldiers,
pursuing their victory with the most imaginable fury and revenge, cut to pieces every
person they found about the temple, and then set fire to the rest of the buildings.
During this state of general confusion, those who were the chiefs in the sedition,
found means to retire to the upper and strongest part of the city, called Sion, situated
upon a steep rock, where they endeavored to defend themselves to the last. But,
Titus having raised his batteries and made a breach in the wall, they lost all theii
eourage, abandoned the towers, which were their only strength, and in vain sought
to escape by hiding themselves in vaults and privies, whence both John* and Simon
* Tb s John was the son of one Levi, and one of the principal men belonging to the city of Grichala.
When Titus laid siege to that place, John, under pretence of surrendering it, made his escape, and went,
with a party of men to Jerusalem, where, joining with the zealots, and being naturally a crafty man, elo
quent in speech, and ambitious beyond measure, he soon began to assume a sovereign power over the
rest, and became the commander of one faction, as Simon, the son of Gioras did of another. Simon, having
gathered together a great number of robbers and murderers, went into the mountainous parts of the coun
try, reduced all Idumea, and some places in Judea, after which he encamped near Jerusalem, and was at
length l°t in by the citizens to defend them against John, who, at the head of the zealots, did many cruel
«nd tyrannical actions. So that Simon and his army were in the city, while John and his adherents wen
In the temple, fighting and destroying one another, even while the enemy was at the walls-

656' HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.
(two principal ringleaders of their different factions) were dragged out, and the
former condemned to perpetual imprisonment, while the latter was preserved to
grace the victor's triumph.
The Romans, having now gained the walls, and with shouts of joy placed their
colors upon the towers, broke loose all over the city, and ranged up and down the
streets, killing all that fell in their way without distinction, till the passages were
filled up with the carcasses, and the channels of the city ran down with blood, as if it
had been to quench the fire, which was become, as it were, one general conflagra
tion. To this fatal end was the famous city of Jerusalem, after a siege of above five
months, reduced, in the second year of Vespasian's reign, and thirty-eight years after
our Lord's crucifixion. In this siege it was computed that 1,100,000 perished, and
97,000 were taken captives, beside 237,490 (according to Josephus) who fell in the
wars which preceded it.
The greater part of the buildings in the city being consumea by fire, and the
soldiers having neither rapine nor object left for their rage and indignation to work
upon, Titus ordered them to lay the remaining parts of the city and temple level with
the ground : which order was so punctually executed that (except three towers,
which, for their strength and beauty, were left as monuments to posterity of the once
magnificence ofthe city) the whole was laid so flat that, when the Romans left the
place, it looked as if it had never been inhabited.
While these things were transacting at Jerusalem, Vespasian, who entered upon
the government in the fifty-ninth year pf his age, was received at Rome with all
imaginable joy and triumph by the people. They considered him as the only person
whose virtues and excellences could recover the languishing state ofthe empire: nor
were they mistaken, for he began immediately to act in conformity to what they had
expected, by administering justice, and reforming the laws and customs of Rome,
honorably rewarding those who had served him, and pardoning his adversaries with
the most singular clemency.
In the meantime the news ofthe conquest of Jerusalem reached Rome, which oc
casioned the greatest rejoicings in that city, the people universally proclaiming the
praises of Titus, who had shown himself so expert a soldier and commander; and
in consequence of this a triumph was decreed both for him and his father, the
latter having conducted the beginning of the war with no less eclat han the former
had finished it.
When Titus returned to Rome he was received with the universal applause of
the people, and within a few days after both the father and son entered upon their
triumph, which was more solemn and magnificent than had ever before been seen
in Rome. Among other rich and glorious spoils were great quantities of gold
taken out of the temple, and the body of the Jewish law, which were exhibited
to the view of the people. This was the first time that Rome ever saw the fathei
and son triumph togetner ; and as Vespasian built a new temple to Peace, where
in he deposited most of the Jewish spoils, so Titus had a triumphal arch of g real
beauty and magnificence erected to -his honor, whereon were inscribed all his noble
exploits against the Jews, and which, as a lasting monument of the impiety and
perverseness of that nation, remains almost entire to this day.
Such was the end of the once famous city of Jerusalem, and such the end of
the Jewish polity ; from which time those obstinate and perverse people were no
longer a nation, but have ever since been dispersed and despised throughoi t the
whole face of the earth.

BIBLE CHRONOLOGY.

Otjr Bible Chronology is a subject involved in confusion and perplexity
Learned men and antiquarians have been laborious in critical investigations for a
solution of the existing difficulties, but have thus far failed of reaching any
very satisfactory results.
What has contributed to this chronological confusion is the fact that the events
of sacred history, as recorded in the Scriptures of the Old Testament, are not given
in the order of their occurrence. Hence, it becomes a more difficult work to
adjust our Bible Chronology. Another source of existing perplexity is the fact
that the three existing versions of Holy Scripture, viz., the Hebrew, the Samaritan
Pentateuch, and the Greek Septuagint, have each a different chronology, showing
a discrepancy of hundreds of years between the creation of man and the birth of
Christ. The greater discrepancy is between the Hebrew version and the Greek
Septuagint. According to Abp. Usher, who adopts the authority of the Hebrew
Scriptures, the period between the creation of man and the birth of Christ is
4004 years. According to Dr. Hales, who advocates the Septuagint chronology,
this period embraces 5411 years, a difference of 1407 years, as compared with the
computation of Usher.
Various theories have been adopted for the purpose of accounting for the
chronologioal discrepancy between the Hebrew version and the Greek Septuagint.
There are plausible reasons for supposing that the translators of the Septuagint,
being Jews, and living in Egypt, corrupted the chronology of their own Scriptures,
influenced by motives of national vanity, in order to extend the antiquity of their
sacred records, and of their nation, so as to equal, or approximate unto the high
antiquity claimed for the Egyptian chronicles, and the remote date of their
national organization. But this is not the place to discuss the causes of these
chronological discrepancies, nor would such discussion be very satisfactory.
It is admitted that, in respect to the probability of accuracy arising from the
state of the text, the Hebrew has the advantage. That text is, therefore, followed
in the authorized version of our English Bible; and the chronology, as therein
given according to. the learned Usher, is accepted as the most reliable of any
among the conflicting systems which different chronologists, ancient and modern,

658 BIBLE CHRONOLOGY.
have advocated. It is not claimed that in existing circumstances entire accuracy
as to dates is obtained. All that can reasonably be expected is an approximation
to chronological accuracy in the dates which are given.
In the preparation of the following table, the general plan adopted is that
appended by Dr. Dewar, Principal of the University at Aberdeen, to his enlarged
and improved edition of Stackhouse's Biblical works, as edited and published in
Glasgow, 1842. To make it more full and satisfactory, it has been supplemented
by additions selected from original sources, and from a variety of chronological
articles to which the editor has had access. The aid furnished by these articles
is hereby acknowledged. The Table, thus prepared, covers the same period as
that embraced in the History of the Bible, to which it is appended.

CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.

Note. — Such events as are derived from secular history, are given in italics, tc
distinguish them readily from those of Biblical origin, so far as the inspired History
extends.
PERIOD I.
From the Creation to the Deluge, according to Usher, as adopted in the English
version ofthe Bible, 1656 years. B. C. A. M
The creation of our first parents  4004 1
The fall of Adam and promise of a Saviour 
The birth of Cain, Adam's eldest son  4001 3
The birth of Abel, Adam's second son  4000 4
The murder of Abel, and the punishment of Cain  3876 128
The birth of Seth, son of Adam  3874 130
The birth of Enos, son of Seth  3769 235
The birth of Cainan, son of Enos  3679 325
The birth of Mahalaleel, son of Cainan  3609 395
The birth of Israel, son of Mahalaleel  3544 460
The birth of Enoch, son of Israel  3382 622
The birth of Methuselah, son of Enoch  3317 687
The birth of Lamech, son of Methuselah  3130 874
The death of Adam, aged 930 years  3074 930
The translation of Enoch, aged 365 years  3017 987
The death of Seth, aged 912 years  2962 1042
The birth of Noah, son of Lamah  2948 1056
The death of Enos, aged 905 years  2864 1140
The death of Cainan, aged 910 years  2769 1235
The death of Mahalaleel, aged 895 years  2714 1290
The death of Israel, aged 962 years  2582 1422
Noah warned by God of the future deluge, and commanded to build
an ark  2468 1536
The birth of Japheth, eldest son of Noah  2448 1556
The birth of Shem, second son of Noah  2446 1558
The birth of Ham, third son of Noah  2444 1560

600 CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. B. O. A. M
Death of Lamech, father of Noah, aged 777 years  2353 1651
Death of Methuselah, aged 969 years, the oldest man  2348 1656
The same year, Noah, being 600 years old, the flood comes upon the earth, and
he enters the ark.
PERIOD II.
From the Deluge to the calling of Abraham, 426 years and 6 months. B. o. a. M.
Noah with his family, &c, leave the ark  2347 1657
The rainbow a pledge of security 
The birth of Arphaxad, son of Shem  2346 1658
Noah plants a vineyard, &c  .>  2341 1663
The birth of Salah, son of Arphaxad  2311 1693
The birth of Eber or Heber, son of Salah, from whom it was sup
posed the Hebrews derived their name  2281 1723
The birth of Peleg, son of Eber  2247 1757
The building of the tower of Babel, the confusion of languages, and
the dispersion of mankind  2234 1770
Beginning of the Egyptian/dynasties, and the Assyrian monarchy  2233 1771
The birth of Reu, son of Peleg  2217 1787
The birth of Serug, son of Reu  2185 1819
Early astronomical calculations ofthe Babylonians about this time.
The birth of Nahor, son of Serug  ,  2155 1849
The birth of Terah, son of Nahor  2126 1878
The death of Nimrod, founder of Babylon, who is succeeded by Belus 2061 1943
The birth of Haran, son of Terah  2056 1948
Dynasty of the HyTcshos, or Shepherd Kings, in Lower Egypt about
' this time.
The Death of Belus, succeeded by Ninus, as Tsing of A^yfiO'  ¦• ¦ 2035 1969
The death of Noah, aged 950 years  1998 2006
Beginning of the post-diluvian apostacy 
The birth of Abram, son of Terah  1996 2008
The death of Ninu%, succeeded by his wife, Semvramis  1987 2017
The birth of Sarai, afterwards wife of Abram  1986 2018
The death of Semiramis, Queen of Assyria  1945 2059
The call of Abram from Ur of the Chaldeans to Haran in Mesopota
mia, where his father died, aged 205 years  1917 2083
Mesopotamia, called by the Hebrews Padan-Aram, located between
the rivers Tigris and Euphrates, was the first abode of men before
and after the flood.
PERIOD III.
From the calling of Abraham to the Exodus of the Israelites, 430 years. B. C. A. M.
Abraham called the second time to leave Haran and go to Canaan,
being 75 years old  1921 2083
Eighteenth Dynasty of Egyptian Icings, during which the Israelites
lojourncdin Egypt until their exodus under Moses.

CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 661
B. 0. A. M.
Abraham with his wife goes to Egypt  1920 2084
He returns from Egypt to Canaan 
Abraham and Lot separate, the former going to Mamre, the latter to
Sodom  1920 2084
Ohedorlaomer and his allies make war upon the king of Sodom and
take Lot prisoner, but they are pursuedVand defeated by Abraham 1913 2091
Melchisidek receives tithes from him and blesses him 
God makes a covenant with Abraham 
The birth of Ishmael, son of Abraham and Hagar  1910 2094
God renews his covenant with Abram, changing his name to Abra
ham, institutes circumcision, promises Isaac by Sarah his wife... 1897 2107
Abraham entertains angels, is informed by them of the destruction of
Sodom and Gomorrah, intercedes for these cities, their overthrow 
Abraham sojourns in Gerar, where Abimelech, the king, takes Sarah 
to wife, but restores her 
The birth of Isaac in the 100th year of Abraham  1806 2108
Abraham sends away Hagar and her son Ishmael  1892 2. 1 2
He is commanded of God to sacrifice Isaac, his son  1871 2133
Sarah dies at Hebron, aged 127 years  1859 2145
The marriage of Isaac and Rebecca  1856 2148
The birth of Jacob and Esau, Isaac being 60 years old  1836 2168
Death of Abraham, aged 175 years  1818 2186
Kingdom of Argos founded about this time.
Bela the first king of Edom begins to reign  1740 2264
Isaac blesses Jacob, who departs to Padan-aram  1760 2240
Jacob marries Leah, daughter of Jjaban  1753 2251
Esau marries two Canaanitish women  1796 2208
Jacob makes Joseph his favorite, his dreams, is sold as a slave to
Egypt  1728 2276
Joseph cast into prison  1719 2285
The death of Isaac, aged 180 years  1716 2288
Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams, and is made the first ruler under
the king  1715 2289
Commencement of seven years' famine  1708 2296
Jacob sends his sons to Egypt to buy corn  ,  1707 2297
He sends them again with Benjamin, when Joseph makes himself
known to them  1706 2298
Jacob and family go down to Egypt  1706 2298
Jacob having blessed his sons, dies in Egypt, aged 147  1689 2315
The death of Joseph, aged 110 years  1635 2369
Revolution in Egypt, the shepherd Icings expelled, and the Theban
dynasty by successive Icings reigns during the sojourn and bondage
of the Israelites to their exodus under Ramses I., B. C. 1491 ....
The destruction of the male Hebrew children ordered,  1573 2431
Birth of Moses and his adoption by Pharaoh's daughter  1571 2433
About this time Athens is founded by Cecrops  1556 2448
Moses kills an Egyptian and flies to Midian  1531 2473
Amenophis, son of Barneses Miamun, reigns over Egypt  1510 2494

662 CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
God appears to Moses in the burning bush, and sends him to deliver b. o. a. m.
Israel.  1491 2513
Pharaoh refuses to release the Israelites, increases their burdens, is
compelled by the plagues inflicted on his people to let the op
pressed people go  1491 2513
PERIOD IV.
From the Exodus of the Israelites to their entrance into Canaan, 40 years.
b. o. a. m.
The Israelites march from Ramases to the Red Sea  1491 2513
Overthrow of Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea 
Thoir arrival at Sinai, the giving of the law, consecration of Aaron
and his sons to the priesthood 
Moses delays to descend from the mount, and the people make and
worship a golden calf; he shows his displeasure by breaking the
tables of the law, destroying the idol, and putting 3,000 idolators
to death 
Moses is called. again to ascend the mount, and receives from God two
other tables of the law 
The tabernacle completed and erected  1490 2512
The conduct of Miriam and Aaron punished 
From Paran twelve spies are sent to explore the land of Canaan, their
report, the people murmur,. they are doomed to fall in the wil
derness  1491 2513
Rebellion pf Korah and his company, their punishment, many thous
ands of the people perish with the plague on account of their
murmering  1471 2533
The Israelites arrive at Kadesh, the 40th year of their departure from
Egypt  1451 2553
Moses, by God's direction, brings water from a rook 
Death of Aaron at Mount Hor, aged 123 years 
The plague of fiery serpents, the brazen serpent 
The Israelites enter Moab, defeat Sihon and Og  , 
Balaam sent to curse Israel, is constrained to bless them 
The men of Israel, seduced by the women of Moab. and Midian, and
24,000 consequently perish 
The Israelites arrive at the plains of Moab 
Moses, informed of his approaching death, recapitulates the laws, &c,
blesses the tribes, ascends Nebo and dies, aged 120 
Joshua confirmed as his successor, sends spies to Jericho, conducts the
people over Jordan 
Jericho taken, and the inhabitants slain 
About this time Troy was founded by Seamander, and the Olympic
gomes were first celebrated at Elis in Greece.

«
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 663
PERIOD V.
From the entrance of the Israelites into the land of Canaan to the building of
Solomon's Temple, 447 years. B. c. A.M.
Joshua, the successor of Moses, leads the Israelites in the conquest of
Canaan  1451 2553
Disastrous battle at Ai, and its cause 
A division of the land commenced  1445 2559
The tabernacle set up in Shiloh  1444 256C
Joshua assembles all Israel, renews their covenant with God, counsels
them, and dies, aged 110 years  1443 2561
Degeneracy of Israel begins to appear  1419 2585
The war of the Benjamites  1405 2599
Israelites in subjection to the king of Mesopotamia 8 years  1406 2598
Minos, king of Crete, promulgates his laws 
Othniel delivers Israel from the king of Mesopotamia, and governs the
people 40 years  1405 2599
Israel is delivered into the hands of Eglon, king of Moab, whom they
serve 18 years  1342 2662
Isthmian games instituted by the king of Corinth  1326 2678
Ehud slays Eglon, king of Moab, and delivers Israel  1325 2679
The Israelites relapse into idolatry, are delivered into the hand of Jabin
as the punishment  1805 2699
Deborah and Barak deliver Israol  1296 2708
The Assyrian empire founded about this time.
Tyre founded by the Sidonians  1252 2752
Gideon delivers Israel  1245 2759
Tola governs Israel 23 years  1232 2772
Jair succeeds Tola, and governs [srael 22 years  1209 2789
About this time the Lydian king lorn begins.
Semiramis marries Ninus 
Jeptha's exploits and vow  1145 2859
Troy taken by the Greeks about this time.
Sampson's exploits, he pulls down the temple  1136 2887
The ark taken by the Philistines— death of Eli  1141 2863
The Lord reveals himself to Samuel in Shiloh  1145 2859
Samuel anoints Saul as king of Israel  1095 2909
Saul s inauguration in Gilgal 
Saul, for his rash sacrifice, is rejected of God  1093 2911
Samuel is sent to Bethlehem to anoint David  - - - - 1063 2941
David slays Goliath  - 
Death of Samuel, the last of the Judges  - 1060 2944
David marries Abigail, formerly wife of Nobal 
Saul is slain on Mount Gilboa  1056 2948
David anointed king in Hebron 
Abner adheres to the son of Saul, but is defeated in an action with
Joab the general of David  1053 2931
%

664 CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
B. 0. A. M.
David establishes his dominion over all Israel  1048 2956
He takes the fortress of Zion and calls it the City of David  1047 2957
He brings the Ark of the Covenant to Zion  1045 2959
He purposes building a temple, but is directed by Nathan the prophet
to leave it to his successor  1044 2960
David subdues the Philistines and other hostile nations  . 1040 2964
The adultery of David, and death of Uriah  1035 2969
David is reproved for his crime by Nathan  1034 2970
The birth of Solomon  1033 2971
The rebellion of Absalom, David's son  1021 2983
David numbers the people of Israel, and is punished  1017 2987
The birth of Rehoboam, son of Solomon  101 6 2988
The death of David, aged 70, according to Josephus  1015 2989
Solomon succeeds to the throne of Israel  1014 2990
He lays the foundation of the temple  1012 2992
Lacedemonian kingdom commenced about this time.

PERIOD VI.
From building of the Temple to the Babylonish Captivity, 400 years. B. c. A. M.
The dedication of the Temple  .*  1003 3001
The death of Solomon and succession of Rehoboam  975 3029
Revolt of the ten tribes 
Jeroboam, king of Israel, establishes idolatry  974 3030
The priests and pious Israelites join the kingdom of Judah 
Shishak, king of Egypt, invades Judea  971 3033
Rehoboam dies, and is succeeded by Abijah  958 3046
Abijah conquers Jeroboam with great slaughter  957 3047
Asa succeeds Abijah, who reigns 40 years  955 3049
Jeroboam, king of Israel, succeeded by Nadab  954 3050
Nadab is slain by Baasha, who usurps the kingdom  953 3051
Asa conquers Zerah the Ethiopian, who invades Judea  941 3063
Omri, king of Israel makes Samaria his capital  924 3080
Omri dies, and is succeeded by his son Ahab  918 3086
Jehoshaphat succeeds his father Asa, as king of Israel  914 3090
He reforms the religion of his kingdom  912 3092
Elijah predicts a famine, and is fed by ravens  910 3094
Homer and Hesiod live about this time.
Elijah's challenge to the prophets of Baal  906 3098
Ahab, king of Israel, seizes the vineyard of Naboth  899 3105
He is slain at Ramoth Gilead, and succeeded by Ahaziah.  897 3107
Jehoshaphat associates with him his son Jehoram in the government
of Judah  892 3112
Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat, introduces idolatry into Judah  888 3116
He dies of an incurable disease, and is succeeded by Ahaziah  885 3119
Jehu slays Jehoram, and reigns over the kingdom of Israel  884 3120

CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. ' flflfl
B. 0. A. M.
Athaliah murders the royal family, except Joash, and usurps the
throne of Judah 
Jehoida the priest anoints Joash king, and" slays Athalia  878 3126
Carthage is built by Queen Dido  869 3135
The Ninevites repent at the preaching of Jonah  862 3142
Joash orders the repair of the temple  856 3148
Jehu dies, and is succeeded by his son Jehoahaz 
Zechariah, the priest, son of Jehoida, is stoned in the temple by order
of Joash  840 31 64
Joash, king of Judah, is murdered, and succeeded by Amaziah  839 3165
Amaziah, elated by his late victories, wages war with Jehoahash king
of Israel, and is taken prisoner  826 3178
Jehoahash dies, and is succeeded by his son, Jeroboam II  825 3179
Death of Sardanapalus, and fall of the Assyrian empire  820 3184
Amaziah, king of Judah, is slain, and is succeeded by Azariah  810 3194
Jeroboam IL, after a reign of 41 years, dies  784 3220
After tho death of Jeroboam II. an interregnum of 22 years.
Daring his reign lived and prophesied Jonah, Hosea, and Amos.
Zechariah, son of Jeroboam, obtains the kingdom  773 3231
He is killed by Shalium, who is soon killed by Menahem  772 3232
Menahem dies, and is succeeded by his son Pekahiah 
Pul, king of Assyria, invades and subdues Israel  771 3233
Uzziah, for attempting to burn incense, is smitten with leprosy  765 3239
Pekahiah, successor to Menahem, is killed by Pekah  755 3249
Macedoniaemn pire begins about this time.
Isaiah, Hosea, Amos, and Micah, prophesy 
Rome founded about this time.
Ahaz succeeds his father Jotham, 17th year of Pekah  742 3262
Tiglath-Pilezer invades Israel, and carries away captives to Assyria. . 740 3264
Hoshea, having slain Pekah, king of Israel, reigns  730 3274
Tiglath-Pilezer dies, and is succeeded by Shalmanezer, who invades
Israel, and carries captive the ten tribes  721 3283
Shalmanezer dies, and is succeeded by Sennacherib, who invades Judah 715 3289
Hezekiah's sickness and miraculous recovery  713 3291
Sennacherib invades Judah, and is suddenly destroyed  710 3294
His son, Erarhaddan, succeeds to the throne  706 3298
Hezekiah dies, and is succeeded by his son Manasseh  694 3310
Erarhaddan makes himself master of Babylon and re-unites the Assy
rian and Babylpnian empires  677 3327
He takes Manasseh prisoner, and carries him to Babylon  671 3333
Manasseh, on repentance, is restored to his kingdom 
He dies, and is succeeded by Ammon, his son  639 3365
Ammon is murdered, and his son, Josiah, reigns  637 3367
Josiah labors to reform abuses, and restore the true worship ot
God  630 3374
About this time Philip succeeds to the throne of Macedon.
Byzantium is built about this time.
Jeremiah begins to prophesy  624 3380

666 CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. B. C. A. M
Nabopolasser reigns in Babylon 22 years  622 3382
Psammetik I. reigns in Egypt about this time.
He is succeeded by Neko II  609 339E
Josiah is slain in battle against Neko, king of Egypt, and is succeeded 
by Jehoahaz  606 3398
Jehoiakin, in whose reign Habakkuk prophesied, reigns 
Nineveh destroyed by the Medes and Babylonians  612 8392
Nebuchadnezzar takes Jerusalem, and carries Daniel and his compan-
panions into Babylon  602 3402
From this time, according to the common computation, the 70 years'
captivity begins.
Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar's dream, and is consequently pro
moted to a high office in the government  598 3406
Darius, the Mede, is born  600 3404
Darius, the Mede, enters on his reign over the Chaldeans  538 3466
Jechoniab, son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, is carried to Babylon by
Nebuchadnezzar, with many Jews  598 3406
Ezekiel is called to the prophetic office  594 3410
Zedekiah, successor of Jechoniah, forms an alliance with the Egyptian
king, Hophra, and revolts against Nebuchadnezzar  592 8412
Draco, the lawgiver of Athens, lives about this time.
Ezekiel prophesies in Babylon  590 3414
Nebuchadnezzar besieges Jerusalem, takes the city, destroys it with
the Temple, carries Zedekiah to Babylon, and sends the remaining
inhabitants of Judea beyond the Euphrates. Thus ended the king
dom of Judah, 388 years from the secession  586 3418
Obadiah prophesies at this time 
Solon, the lawgiver of Athens, about this time; also Anacharsis, Thales, .
and jEsop flourished.

PERIOD VII.
From the beginning of the Babylonish Captivity to the birth of Christ, 586 years.
B. c. A. M.
Gedaliah is made governor of the people left in Judea, and is murdered 584 3420
Ezekiel prophesies in Chaldea, and foretells the restoration of the cap
tive Jews   587 3417
Tyre besieged by Nebuchadnezzar  586 3418
Nebuchadnezzar erects a golden image, and by a decree requires for it
universal worship  580 3424
Servius Tullus, king of Rome  578 3426
Nebuchadnezzar's dream of trouble, which Daniel interprets as por
tending great calamity  570 3434
His singular insanity and restoration  569 3435
He dies, and is succeeded by his son, Evilmerodach  562 3442
He releases Jehoiachin from- prison  561 3443
He is slain, and succeeded by Neriglissar  560 3444

CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 667
B. C. A. M.
Belshazzar succeeds to the throne of Babylon  555 344S
Daniel's emblematical vision of four monarchies 
Croesus, the ally of Belshazzar, conquered by Cyrus, and taken prisoner 548 3446
Cyrus besieges Belshazzar in Babylon  541 3463
He takes Babylon, slays Belshazzar, and makes Oyaxares, or Darius,
king of Babylon  538 3466
Daniel, envied by the nobles, is cast into the den of lions  637 3467
Cyrus succeeds Darius, as king of the Medo-Persian empire, and ends
the captivity of the Jews in Babylon  536 3468
The remnant of the Jews return to Judea, and begin to restore Jeru
salem and the temple  535 3469
Tarquin, the Proud, succeeds to the Roman throne  534 3470
Cyrus dies, aged 70, and is succeeded by Ahasueres  530 3474
Ahasuerus dies in Syria, and Artaxerxes usurps the Persian throne. . . 522 3482
Artaxerxes is slain, and Darius Hystaspes succeeds to the throne of
Persia  521 3483
Zerubbabel and Joshua encouraged by Haggai and Zechariah, engage
in rebuilding the temple  520 3484
The temple finished and dedicated  516 3488
Darius invades India   506 3498
The Persians wage war against the Greeks  500 3504
The Persians defeated with great loss at Marathon  491 3513
Darius dies, and is succeeded by his son, Xerxes.  487 3517
Xerxes confirms unto the Jews the privileges which had been granted
them by his father. ;  485 3519
Herodotus, the historian, born  484 3520
Consular government established about this time in Rome.
Xerxes, having relinquished his war against the Greeks, is slain, and is
succeeded by Artaxerxes, Longimanus, the Ahasuerus of Esther.. . 464 3540
Artaxerxes (Ahasuerus) being established in the throne of the empire,
makes a great feast, he divorces Vashti, the queen  462 3542
Esther, the Jewish maiden, is made his queen  458 3546
Ezra is made governor of Judea, and begins a reform  456 3548
First decemvirs at Rome  454 3550
Haman's plot for the destruction of the Jews defeated  452 3552
Nehemiah sent as governor of Judea  448 3556
He rebuilds Jerusalem, and reforms existing evils  444 3560
Ezra collects and arranges a correct edition of the Scriptures 
Nehemiah, after an absence at the Persian court, returns to Judea
under his second commission  428 3576
Artaxerxes dies, and is succeeded by his son, Xerxes, who is slain, and
Darius Nothus reigns  424 3580
Malachi, the last of the prophets, prophesies at this time.
Joiada succeeds his father Eliashib, as high priest 
Nehemiah, under his last commission, effects sundry reforms in Judea. 409 3595

668 CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.

THE ERA OF INSPIRED HISTORY ENDS ABOUT THIS TIME, AND
THE OLD TESTAMENT CANON IS FINISHED.
B. 0. A. M.
Darius Nothus dies, and is superceded by Artaxerxes Mnemon  405 3599
Socrates, the Athenian philosopher, is condemned to death for refusing
to honor the gods of Athens  400 3604
Aristotle, the renpwned philosopher born  384 3620
Johanan succeeds to the high priesthood of the Jewish people  373 3631
Alexander IL, king of Macedon, is murdered  370 3634
Johanan assassinates his brother Joshua in the temple, for which crime
the nation is fined by the Persians  366 3638
Alexander the Great born in Macedonia  356 3648
Ochus, king of Persia, invades Egypt, and subjugates the whole
country  350 3654
Philip, king of Macedon, is slain, and his son, Alexander the Great, suc
ceeds to the throne  336 3668
He invades Asia, and obtains a victory over Darius  334 3670
He conquers Asia Minor, and gains a decisive battle with Darius at
Issus  333 3671
He besieges Tyre, visits Jerusalem, conquers Egypt  332 3672
He passes the Euphrates, obtains another victory over Darius, and
destroys the Medo-Persian empire  331 3673
The Greco-Macedonian empire, after a brief existence, is divided, on
the death of Alexander  323 3681
A Jewish colony formed at Alexandria, Egypt  320 3684
Onias succeeds Jaddua in the high priesthood  321 3683
The kingdom of Alexander the Great is divided between four of his
principal generals : Lysimachus, Cassander, Ptolemy, and Seleucus 301 3703
Onias dies, and is succeeded in the priesthood by Simon, the Just. . . 300 3704
Cassander, who reigned over Macedonia and Greece, dies  298 3706
Simon, the Just, dies, and is succeeded by Eleazer, his brother, in the
high priesthood  292 3712
Lysimachus adds to his dominions the kingdom of Macedon  286 8718
Ptolemy Lagus resigns his throne to his son, Ptolemy Philadelphus,
and soon after dies  284 3720
Seleucus, having slain Lysimachus and siezed his dominions, is himself <
slain by Ptolemy Ceraunus  280 3724
Antiochus Soter succeeds his father, Seleucus, to the throne of Syria. 279 3725
The Hebrew Scriptures, by the authority of Ptolemy Philadelphus, are
translated into Greek, and have since been known as the Septij-
asint  277 3727
Antiochus Soter dies, and is succeeded by Antiochus Theos  261 3743
Manasseh, the high-priest, is succeeded by Onias II  250 3754
Ptolemy Philadelphus is succeeded by his son, Ptolemy Euergetes  247 3757
Antiochus recalls his wife, Laodice, whom he had divorced in order to
marry Berenice, but she poisons him and Berenice, and places on
the throne her son, Seleucus Callinicus  246 3758

CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
rtolemy revenges his sister's death by slaying Laodice 
Demetrius, son of Antigonus, succeeds to the Macedonian throne ....
Selenous, taken prisoner by the Parthians, dies, and is succeeded by
his son, Seleucus Oeraunus 
Regulns, the Roman, taken prisoner 
Seloucus Oeraunus is poisoned, and his brother, Antiochus the Great,
becomes his successor 
Ptolemy Philopater succeeds to the throne of Egypt 
The Temple of Janus shut about this time 
Antiochus, having vanquished the forces of Ptolemy, makes himself
master of Phoenecia and Galilee 
Onias II. succeeds his father, Simon II. as high priest 
Ptolemy Philopater, having gained a victory over Antiochus, goes to
Jerusalem, and attempts to enter the Holy of Holies 
He dies, and Ptolemy Epiphanes succeeds to his throne 
Antiochus unites with the king of Macedpn in a plan to divide be
tween them the dominions of Ptolemy 
The Egyptians seek the aid of Rome, and M. Emilius Lepidus is sent
to Egypt as an ambassador 
Hannibal encourages Antiochus to make war against the Romans ....
Simon IL, the high priest dies, and Onias III. succeeds him 
Antiochus marries his daughter Cleopatra, to Ptolemy Epiphanes,
king of Egypt 
His expedition against the Romans is a failure, and he is driven back
by Lucius Scipio, the Roman general 
Antiochus is slain, while attempting to rob a temple, and is succeeded
by Seleucus Philopater 
Ptolemy Epiphanes, being put to death, is succeeded by his young son,
Philometer 
Heliodorus attempts to rob the temple at Jerusalem, but is prevented
by supernatural interposition 
Antiochus, brother of Seleucus Philopater, obtains the kingdom of
Syria by strategy 
Jason, by a bribe, procures the high priesthood, and thus causes the
removal of his brother, Onias III 
Jason is supplanted in his office by Menelaus  172 3832
Antiochus gains a great victory over the forces of Ptolemy, near Pelu
sium, in Egypt  171 3833
He soon makes himself master of Egypt  170 3834
Ptolemy Physcon is made king of Egypt 
Antiochus again invades Egypt, but is comi/elled to return by the Ro
man intervention  168 3836
Enraged by this reverse, he sends Apollonius, one of his generals, to
complete the destruction of Jerusalem 
He commences his persecution of the Jews on account of their religion ;
the temple is desecrated 
Mattathias and his sons take up arms against him 
The kingdom of Macedon is ended by the Roman power 

B. O.

4. M,

243

S761

225

3779

246

3758

223

3781

221

3783

218

8786

217

3787

204

3800

203

3801

201

3803

195

3809

193

3811

190

3814

187

3817

180

3824

176

3828

175

3829

670 CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
B. O. A. 11
The Macoabean brothers suffer martyrdom  ,  167 3837
Judas, son of Mattathias, obtains splendid victories over the armies
of Antiochus Epiphanes  166 3838
He recovers Jerusalem, and restores the ternplo worship  165 3839
Miserable death of Antiochus Epiphanes, and the succession of his son, t
Antiochus Eupator, to the throne  164 3840
Demetrius Soter, son of Seleucus Philopater, escapes from Rome, kills
Antiochus, and seizes on the throne  162 3842
Demetrius Soter sends his general, Nicanor, against the Jews, who,
with his army, was defeated by Judas  161 3843
Judas is slain in battle with Bacchides, and is succeeded by Jonathan,
his brother 
Jonathan is promoted by Balas to the high priesthood  153 3851
The Asmonean dynasty is established in Judea 
Demetrius Soter is slain in battle by Balas, who succeeds him to the
throne of Syria  152 3852
Balas, being slain, is succeeded by Demetrius Nicator  145 8859
Ptolemy Philometer dies, and is succeeded by his brother, Ptolemy
Physcon 
Jonathan, after brilliant successes in war against Demetrius, is treach
erously murderered  ,  144 3860
Simon, his brother, becomes his successor as the leader of the Jews 
He secures a recognition of the independence of Judea, and a guar
antee for the same from Rome  141 3863
Carthage is destroyed by Scipio, the Roman  ( ....
Antiochus Sidetes is made king of Syria, Demetrius being held a pris
oner by the Parthians  140 3864
Simon and two sons are murdered by his son-in-law, Ptolemy, gover
nor in Jericho, and is succeeded by his son, John Hyrcanus  135 3869
Spain becomes a province of Rome  134 3870
Tiberius Gracchus, a Roman tribune 
Hyrcanus, son of Simon Maccabeus, being invested with the office of
high-priest and general-i'n-ehief, establishes his government firmly
in Judea  135 3869
Antiochus Grvphas conquers the usurper Zebina and ascends the
throne  li'3 3881
Ptolemy Physcon dies, leaving the kingdom of Egypt in the hands of
his queen, Cleopatra  117 3887
Aristobulus and Antigonus, sons of Hyrcanus, conquer and devastate
Samaria  109 3895
Aristobulus causes his brother, Antigonus, to be killed, and he takes
possession of the government 
Aristobulus dies, and his brother, Alexander Janneus, succeeds to tho
government of Judea  106 3898
Jugurtha, the Numidian king, defeated in a decisive battle with the
Romans 
Rome distracted by the Social War, so called, which cost the lives of
300,000 men  91 8913

CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 671
B. C A. M.
Commencement of the Mithridatii war  89 3915
Sylla invested with the power of dictator  '<  82 3922
Jannens dies, and is succeeded by his wife, Alexandra, who makes her
son, Hyrcanus, high-priest  79 3925
Hyrcanus is dispossessed of his office by Aristobulus  70 3934
Pompey assumes the oommand of the Roman army, and reduces Syria
to a province  65 3939
Ptolemy Auletes made king of Egypt 
Pompey supports the claims of Hyrcanus against Aristobulus, and
makes Judea tributary  63 3941
The conspiracy of Cataline, and its exposure by Cicero 
The first Roman triumvirate instituted  .-.  59 3945
Ptolemy Auletes dies, and is succeeded by his daughter, Cleopatra, and
his eldest son  51 J953
Pompey conquered at the battle of Pharsalia, by Julius Caesar, and
soon after is murdered  48 3956
Antipater appointed by Caesar governor of Judea  47 3957
Julius Caesar is murdered in the Roman Senate  44 3960
Antipater is poisoned, and succeeded by Herod and Phasael  43 3961
The Parthians gain possession of Jerusalem, and place Antigonus, son
of Aristobulus, on the throne  40 3964
Herod, making interest at Rome, is constituted king of Judea 
Herod takes Jerusalem by siege, and establishes his authority over
Judea, which he retains 34 years  37 3967
Octavius conquers Antony, and reduces Egypt to a Roman province. . 30 3974
He assumes the name of Augustus Csisab, and becomes emperor of
Rome  27 3977
Herod begins to rebuild the temple  17 3987

672 CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.

PERIOD VIII.
From the birth of Christ to the completion of the Canon of the New Testament. B.C
Augustus declared Emperor by the Roman Senate  2'
The Septuagint in general use among the Jews 
Luke ii. 1  Edict of Augustus  {
Herod plunders the tomb of David of a great amount of
treasure  >  f
" i  Birth of John the Baptist  (
" ii  Birth of Jesus Christ, before the common era called Anno
Domini  <
" ii  Presentation in the Temple  <
Matt, ii  Arrival of the Magi  <
" ii  Flight into Egypt  <
Murder of the male infants of Bethlehem by Herod  !
" ii  Death of Herod, Governor of Judea, at Jericho  J
Archelaus succeeds his father in Judea  i
Birth of Seneca, celebrated rhetorician and philosopher, at a. U
Cordova  i
Luke ii  Jesus accompanies Joseph and Mary to Jerusalem  i
About this time arose Judas of Galilee  (
The Roman legions, under Varus, defeated by the Germans.
Varus kills himself.  !
Marcus Ambivius made Procurator of Judea  1(
The Temple at Jerusalem polluted by Samaritans, who en
tered it by night, and strewed there dead men's bones. ... 1'
Death of the Emperor Augustus at Nola  :  1<
Tiberius, emperor  14-3'
Ovid, Roman poet, died in banishment  1'
Valerius Gratus made Procurator cf Judea by Tiberius.. . . II
Livy, the illustrious Roman historian, died at Padua  II
Herod Antipas founds the city of Tiberias  II
Strabo, the celebrated Greek historian, born in Cappadocia. V
Luke iii  John the Baptist begins to preach  2i
Pontius Pilate made Procurator of Judea by Tiberius  2i
" iii  Baptism of Christ  21
Tiberius banishes all who profess the Jewish religion from
Rome  2
John ii  First appearance of Christ in the Temple  2
Luke iii  Imprisonment of John  2
John v  Our Lord's second visit to Jerusalem  2
Matt, iv  Commencement of Christ's public ministry  2
John vi  Second Passover  2
Herod marries Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, in conse
quence of which a war arose between him and King

CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 673
A. D.
Aretas, his wife's father, and Herod was defeated. John
tho Baptist pronounced Herod's marriage unlawful, .was
imprisoned and beheaded in the Castle of Machaerus ... 28
John vl  Third Passover  29
Matt, xvii  Transfiguration of Christ  29
John vii  Feast of Tabernacles  29
" x  Feast of Dedication  29
Matt, xxi  Second cleansing of the Temple  30
John xiii.  Last Supper — Fourth Passover  30
The Crucifixion  30
The Resurrection  30
The Ascension  30
Acts ii  Effusion of the Spirit at Pentecost  30
" iii  Cure of the impotent man  30
Conversion of the five thousand  ,  30
First attempts of the Sanhedrim to suppress Christianity . . 30
" iv  Community of goods  30
Death of Ananias and Sapphira  30
Second attempt to suppress Christianity  33
Advice of Gamaliel  33
Appointment of the Seven  35
Conversion of many Priests  35
Disputation with Stephen  37
Acts vii  Martyrdom of Stephen  37
" viii  Philip preaches in Samaria, and baptizes Simon the Sorcerer 37
" ix  Saul converted while on his way to Damascus  37
Peter and John visit Samaria  37
Death of Tiberius, the Roman emperor ; Caligula succeeds. 37
Baptism of the Ethiopian  37
Josephus, the Jewish historian, born at Jerusalem  37
Pilate recalled by Caligula, and banished  37
Saul retires to Arabia  38
Saul returns to Damascus  38
" ix  Saul visits Jerusalem  40
" ix  Saul sent to Tarsus  40
" ix  Rest of the Churches  39-41
Caligula assassinated  41
Claudius, emperor  41-54
" x  Conversion of Cornelius  41
Herod Agrippa, king of all Palestine  41-44
Acts xi  Disciples at Antioch first called Christians  42
" xi  Famine predicted by Agabus  42
" xi  First mission of Saul and Barnabas to Jerusalem  43
Avlus Plautius, Roman general, invades Britain  43
Claudius goes to Britain with reinforcements  43
" xii  Martyrdom of James, the son of Zebedee  43
Death of Herod Agrippa  43
Judea a distinct Roman province  44

674 CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. A. D.
Acts xi  Epistle of James  44
" xiii.. ._  Paul and Barnabas sent forth  45
Epistle of Peter  48
Paul's return to Antioch  48
Arrival of Peter at Antioch  48
London founded  49
Gal. ii  Second mission of Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem.  50
Acts xv  Council of Apostles? and Elders  .,  ¦.  50
" xv  Paul goes with Silas on his second circuit  61
" xvi  Paul arrives at Troas  51
" xviii  Edict of Claudius against the Jews  :  51
" xvii  Paul at Athens  52
" xviii  Paul at Corinth  52,
Paul brought before Gallio  52
First Epistle to the Thessalonians  52
Second Epistle to the Thessalonians  53
Epistle to the Galatians  53
" xviii  Paul leaves Corinth for Syria  53
" xviii  Paul visits Jerusalem the fourth time after his conversion. 53
" xviii  Paul visits Galatia in his route to Ephesus  53
Claudius poisoned by Agrippina, mother of Nero  54
Nero, emperor  54-68
" xix  Paul arrives at Ephesus  64
Armenia Minor reduced to a Roman province  54
First Epistle to the Corinthians  56
Rotterdam in Holland founded  56
I Tim. i  Paul's visit to Crete  56
Epistle to Titus  56
First Epistle to Timothy  5G
Second Epistle to the Corinthians  57
A cts xx  Paul's second residence at Corinth  57-58
Epistle to the Romans  58
•' xx  Paul sails from Philippi for Syria  58
" xxi  Paul reaches Jerusalem  58
" xxiv  Felix superseded by Festus  60
" xxvii  Paul sails for Rome.  60
James the Just, brother of our Lord, sto -ed  60
Acts xxviii  Paul arrives at Rome  1  61
Epistle to the Ephesians  61
Second Epistle to Timothy  61
Epistle to the Colossians  61
Epistle to Philemon  61
Mark martyred  62
London burnt — 60,000 Britons said to have perished .. . . 62
Epistle to the Philippians  C2
Epistle to the Hebrews   63
Rome burnt by order of Nero  ;  64
Seneca put to death by Nero, who had been his pupil  65

CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 675
A.D.
Acts xxviii .... Second Epistle of Peter.  65
St. Paul beheaded at Rome  67
Vespasian invades Galilee  67
Nero kills himself  68
Galba, Otho, and Vitellius, emperors  68-70
Vespasian, emperor  70-79
Jerusalem destroyed by Titus  70
Titus demolishes the Temple to its foundations  74
Julius Agrieola completes the conquest of Britain and Wales 78-85
Destruction of Herculaneum and Pompeii  79
Pliny the elder killed by an eruption of Vesuvius  79
Vespasian dies, and succeeded by Titus  79
Colosseum of Vespasian completed  80
Titus dies, and succeeded by Domitian  81
John exiled to Patmos  95
Domitian slain, and succeeded by Nerva  96
The Apocalypse  96
Nerva dies, and succeeded by Trajan  98
Death of John about this time  100
Pliny, proconsul of Bythinia, sends to Trajan his famous
account of the Christians. Age of Plutarch  100

SYNCHRONICAL TABLES OF THE KINGS OF
JUDAH AND ISKAEL.

The most difficult part of sacred chronology is the period from tho revolt of
the ten tribes to the destruction of Jerusalem. To harmonize the different reigns
of the kings of Judah and the kings of Israel has been a perplexing task with
ohronplpgists. No man, perhaps, has devoted to this subject more careful and
critical study than Dr. Hales in his Analysis. He speaks of it as the " Gordian
knot " of sacred chronology. He says that the difficulty of harmonizing the reigns
of the kings of Judah and Israel together has principally arisen: 1. From the
discordance of some of the corresppndences in the years pf their respective reigns,
with the direct lengths pf these reigns ; and 2. Frpm not critically determining the
duration of the two interregnums or vacancies in the succession of the latter
kings, so as to make them correspond with the former throughout.
Dr. Hales has attempted, as he thinks, successfully, to adjust and harmonize the
respective reigns of the two kingdoms. Without stating the principles on which
his adjustment is based, it will be sufficient to give the results of his critical labors
in the following tables :

KINGS OF JUDAH.

Length reigns. Ttb.

Begin
ning of
reigns. B. 0.

Rehoboam 

17 3
4125 8 16
40 2911
52 161629
55 2
31
3 mos. 11
3 mos.11

990

Abijah 

973

Jehoshaphat 

970929

Jehoram 

904

Athaliah 

896895

889

Amaziah 

849

820

Uzziah 

809

757
741
725
696
641 .-
639
608
597
586
The Babylonish captivity takes place
under the reign of Nebuchadnezzar.
KINGS OF ISRAEL.
Length of
reigns. Trs.
Begin
ning of
reigns. B.C.
Nadab 
22 2
23 1
11
22 2
12
28 17
16
4122 1
10 2
20 10 9
990968
Ela 
966
943942
Ahaziah 
931909
Jehoram 
907
895
Jehoahaz 
867
850
Jeroboam II 
834
1st Interregnum 
Zechariah and Shalium . .
793
771770760 '
Pekah 
758'738723
Samaria taken 
719
The Ten Tribes carried captive into
Assyria by Shalmaneser.
SYNCHRONIOAL TABLES.

677

There is some difference between the chronological dates of Dr. Hales and
those adopted by some other chronologists. Our common version of tho Bible
reckons the time of the revolt of the Ten Tribes, and the beginning of the reigna
of Rehoboam and Jeroboam, to be 975 years B. 0. The dates adopted by Jahn,
as found in Prof. Stowe's translation, conform to those of the authorized English
version, in which the chronology of Abp. Usher is adopted. Stackhouse's tables
do not differ materially from the same. These discrepancies, to be expected from
the absence of positive Scripture data, are of very little account, since they do not
affect the general results aimed at in chronological calculations.

TABLE
OF MONEY, WEIGHTS, AND MEASURES, MENTIONED IN THE
SCRIPTURES.
1. — Jewish Money, and its Equivalent in American Coin.
Among the most ancient nations uncoined money was first used, the value of
the precious metals being estimated by weight, Gen. xxiii., 16. The first reference
to coined money in the Bible is found in Ezra ii., 69, and Neh. vii., 70-72, in which
passages is noticed a Persian coin of gold, called dram. The earliest reference to
the coining of money by the Jews is found in the first book of Maccabees, xv., 6,
permission having been granted by Antiochus VII., during the pontificate of Simon,
140 years before Christ. See History of the Bible, p. 454. The following denomi
nations of money are specified in the Old Testament, as current in Patriarchal and
ancient Jewish times.

A gerah, one- twentieth of a shekel, Exod. xxx., 13 
A bekah, half shekel, Exod. xxxviii., 26 
A shekel, Levit. xxvii., 3, 25, about 
A maneh, 60 shekels, Ezek. xiv., 12 
A talent, 3.000 shekels, silver, Exod. xxxviii., 25 
• Roman Currency mentioned in the New Testament

0

2*

0

25

0

50

30

00

1,519

20

A mite, copper coin, Mark xii., 42 
A farthing, brass coin, Matt, x., 29 
A penny = denarius, Matt, xxii., 19 
A stater = " piece of money," Matt, xvii., 27 
A pound = mina, one-sixtieth of a talent, Luke xix., 13-20 .

0

0*

0

0|

0

14

0

60

14

00

678

2. — Scripture Measure of Length, reduced to English Measure.

A digit, finger's breadth, Jer. Iii., 21 
A palm, hand breadth, Exod. xxv., 25 
A span, extension from extremity of thumb and little finger
A cubit, from elbow to extremity of middle finger 
A fathom, Acts xxvii., 28 
Ezekiel's reed, Ezek. xl., 5 
Measuring line, Ezek. xl., 3  
Furlong, Greek stadium, Luke xxiv., 13 
Sabbath day's journey, three-quarters of a mile, Acts i., 12.
Eastern mile, Matt, v., 41, 1618 yards 
3. Scripture Measures of Capacity.
LIQUID MEASURE.

Feet. Inches

000
17
10
145606
3,648
4,854

Of 3i
lOf 913*
1111 9
0 0

A log, Levit. xiv., 12, 15 
A cab, 2 Kings vi., 25 
An omer, Exod. xvi., 36 
A hin, Exod. xxix., 40 
An ephah or bath, 1 Kings vii., 26 — batus, Luke xvi., 6 .

Gals. Pints.

8* 6i
2
4

DKY MEASURE.

A cab, 2 Kings, vi., 25 
A seah, Greek saton, Matt, xiii., 33 ; Luke xiii., 21
An ephah, Levit. vi., 11 
A letech, Hosea iii., 2 
A homer, Numb, xi., 32; Ezek. xiv., 11, 14 

Peck. Gal. Pint,

013
16
32

Oi 1
212

In collating the several tables of Jewish money, weights and measures, adopted
by archaeologists and commentators, discrepancies will be found to exist. This may
be expected from the consideration, that exact data are wanting in the Scriptures
in respect to this subject.
In addition to these tables there, is the Scripture table of time. The Jewish
year embraced twelve lunar months, of 30 days each, making the year to consist
of 360 days. But by some adjustment in intercalating the additional days, it was
made essentially a solar year of 365 days. Subsequently to the exodus from Egypt,
the Hebrew year was reckoned as beginning with the time of that event, i. e., the
time of the new moon, nearest the vernal equinox, in the month of Abib,.correspond-
ing to April. Seasons, weeks, and days, were regarded as divisions of time by the
Hebrews. They reckoned their civil day from sunset to sunset, dividing it as fol
lows : — 1. "the dawn;'' 2. "sunrise;" 3. "heat of the day;" 4. "the noon;"
5. "the cool of the day;" 6. "the evening." When the division of the day into
hours was adopted is not known.
Before the captivity, the Jews divided the night into three watches, viz. : the
beginning of the watch, the middle watch, the morning watch. In the New Tes
tament the Roman method was adopted, and the night watches were four, viz. :
" even, midnight, cock-crowing, and morning." They continued respectively : — 1.
from twilight till 9 o'clock ; 2. from 9 till 12 o'clock ; 3. from 12 till 3 o'clock, morn
ing ; 4. from 3 till daybreak. The day was reckoned twelve hours, and the night
twelve.

INDEX

A.
AARON, brother of Moses, 1 37 ; ordered by God to meet Moaee,
141 ; aids Moses in the battle with the Amalekites, 168} makes
a golden calf at the demand of thfl people, 179; constituted
1 high-priest ; lila appointment miraculously approved by fire
from heaven, 182 ; his envy of Moses, and God's rebuke, 189 ;
confirmation in the priesthood by the budding of his rod,
195; death and burial on Mount Hor, 196; supposed tomb
of, 198,
ABANA, a river of Damascus, 360.
ABARIM, mountains of, from which Moses took a view of
Canaan, 306.
ABDON, a judge of Israel, 941.
ABEL, birth of, signification of name ; his sacrifice, and why
preferred to Cain's ; hia murder, 51.
ABEL-MIZRAIM, 134.
ABGARUS, 29.
B1AH, son of Samuel ; degeneracy of, 953.
BIATHAR, son of the hlghrpriast Ahimelech, the only one
of the family that escaped Saul's massacre, 277 ; joins the rebel
Adonijah, 315 ; deposed, 816 ; expelled from Jerusalem, 390.
ABIGAIL, wife of Nabal ; her liberality to David and hia men,
979 ; marries David, 280.
ABIHU, 171.
ABIJAH, son of Jeroboam, 349.
ABIJAH, or ABIJAM, son of Rehoboam, king of Judah ; his
address to Jeroboam and his anny at Monnt Zemarfin, 347 ;
prophecies defent to Israel, 848; surrounded by the enemy
while speaking ; hia great victory ; takes Bethel ; hia death,
970 h. c., 348.
ABIMELECH, king of Gerar, 78; makes a covenant with
Abraham at Beersheba, 81 ; a title like Pharoah, 91 ; re
newed treaty with Isaac, 94.
ABIMELECH, * spurious son of Gideon ; slaya all his
brothers, seventy in number, except Jotham, 234 ; anointed
king; reigned three years in Shechem; expelled by tbe
people; his skull broken by a stone thrown by a woman
at the Biege of Thebez ; commands hia armorbearer to kill
him, 336.
ABINADAB, of Kirjath-jearlm, to whoBe house the ark waa
removed, 959.
ABINADAB, eon of Saul, slain by the Philistines, 284.
ABIRAM, a chief of the tribe of Reuben, his rebellion with
Korah and Dothan, 193; destruction, 194.
AIHSHAI, brother of Joab ; entreats David to alay Saul when
he 1b in his power, 381 ; he alays the giant, and saves David,
313. •
ABISHAG, a concubine of David, 318.*
ABISHUA, high-priest, 946.
ABNER, cousin of Saul, appointed general of the army, 967 ;
espouses the cause of Ishbosheth against David; defeated
by Joab, 985 ; sides with David, 988 ; stabbed by Joab,
289.
ABRAM, call of; his obedience, aud God's promise; removes
to Moreh, Bethel, Egypt, 67; calls his wife his sister;
Divine interposition to avert tne consequences; his return

to Canaan ; separation from Lot, 68 ; recapture of Lot, 70
promise of a son, 71 ; change of name, 72.
ABRAHAM, signification of; visited by three heavenly mes
sengers, 74; informed of the destruction of Sodom an<?
Gomorrah ; hia prayer for the doomed cities, 75 ; removes
to Gerar; his second equivocation concerning his wife
78 ; Talmudicai story of, 79 ; plants a grove for worship, 81 ;
his faith tested by the command to sacrifice Isaac, 82 ; God's
promise renewed, 84 ; eenda hia steward Eliezer to Haran to
procure a wife for Isaac, 65 ; his death and burial, 89.
ABSALOM, avenges his sister Tamar's disgrace ; flees to
TalmnI, his grandfather, 302 ; returns to Jerusalem ; does not
see his father for two years ; plans a rebellion, 303 ; his
chances of success, 804 ; proclaimed king at Hebron, 305 ;
marches to Jerusalem; fulfills Nathan's prophecy by tak
ing publicly hie father's concubines, 306 ; his sepulchre, view
of, 309; description of, 308, 310; defeated by David In the
forest of Ephraim; caught by his hair in an oak and sluiu
by Joab, 308.
ACCO, or PTOLEMAIS, n harbor of Palestine, 830.
ACHAN, his theft, SIS ; discovered by casting lota ; stoned and
burned, 313.
ACHISH, king of Gath, 276.
ACRE, a province and city in Palestine, 67.
ACTS ofthe Apostles, 12.
ADAH, wife of Lamech, 52.
ADAM, hiB name Hebrew, 18; signification of, 47 ; joy at re
ceiving Eve ; quotation from Milton, 48 ; expulsion from
Eden, 50.
ADBECL, eon of Ishmael, 81.
ADELM relation of the Psalms, 33.
ADJEROUD, modern, the Etham of the Bible, account of the
flightof the Israelites, 156 ; view of, 155.
ADNAN, descendant of Iahmael, and one of the progenitors of
the Arabs, 89.
ADONAL 23.
ADONI BEZEK, king of Bezek; hia punishment, and tbe jus
tice of it ; dies at Jerusalem, 218.
ADONI-ZEDEK, a Canaanlte king of Jerusalem when Joshua
entered Canaan; makes war upon the Gideon Itea, and is
defeated by Joshua ; great numbers of his army killed by
hall, 314.
ADONIJAH, son of David; rebellion of; pardoned at the
crowning of Solomon, 315 ; forms another plot ; put to death,
318.
ADRIAN, 28.
ADRAM-MELECH, an idol, 101.
ADULLAM, a cave in which David found shelter in his flight
from Saul, 276.
AGAG, king of the Amalekites, 267; his life spared by Saul
contrary to Divine command, 957.
AGRIPPA, hia treatment of Paul, 587, 588.
AHAB, son and successor of Omri ; came to the throne of Israel,
931 b. c. ; with his wicked wife Jezebel introduces idolatry ;
consecrates a grove to Baal; builds a temple in Sama
ria 351 ; eonqnera Ben Hadad and forms an impious alii
ancewith him, 354; obtains Naboth's vineyard by his deu;h

680

INDEX.

Elijah pronounces his doom, 856, killed by a Syrian
archer ; prophecy fulfilled, 357 ; his seventy sons beheaded,
864.
AHASUERUS. See XERXES.
AHAZ, successor of Jotham on the throne of Judah ; In
troduces Syrian gods, alters and shuts ' up the temple ;
defeated by the King of Syria, 374; dies 725 B. a, 375; dial
of, 381.
AHAZIAH, son and successor of Ahab; consults Baalzebub,
and Is denounced, by Elijah ; his death, 357.
AHAZIAH, son and successor of Jehoram, king of Judah, 369 ;
forms an alliance with Jehoram, king of Israel, 362 ; wounded
in .battle and dies, 363,
AHIJAH, a prophet who foretold the future rule of Jeroboam
over the ten tribes, 336; foretells the death of Jeroboam's son
and his race; his prophecy fulfilled by Baasha, 242,
AHIMAAZ, son of Zadok, the hlgh-prlest, 305.
AHIMELECH, high-priest at Nob, 274.
AHINOAM, of Jezreel, wife of David after Saul had given
Michal to another, 280.
AHITHOPHEL, a counsellor of David who joined Absalom in
hia rebellion, 305 ; his counsel to pursue and kill King David,
806 ; hangs himself, 308.
AHOLIAB, one of the builders of the Tabernacle, 172.
AI, a city near Jericho; the Israelites defeated there, 212;
captured on the second attack ; king of, hung ; Bpoils divided
among the soldiers, 213.
AIN MOUSA, view of, 163; place where the Israelites came up
out of the Red Sea, 164.
AIN ROGEL, 308 ; Adonijah proclaimed king there, 315.
ALEXANDER, son of Philip of Macedon, his military suc
cesses, 4 4, 4'J5 ; conquests in Asia Minor, siege of Tyre, 435 ;
his dret n,426; invades Egypt, founds Alexandria, 428;
pursues I 'arius beyond the Euphrates, acquires possession of
the Persian throne, his plans, excesses, death, 429; his generals
divide his empire, 430, 434. ,
ALEXANDER JANNAEUS, third son of Hyrcanus, succeeds
hia brother, 468 ; Is defeated in battle by Ptolemy Lathyrus,
recovers his ground by the assistance of Cleopatra ; pursues
an Aggressive policy ; meets disasters ; a civil rebellion, 469 ;
finally conquers the Insurgent armies; retireB to Jerusalem;
dies, leaving the government to his queen, 470,
ALEXANDER, eon of AiiBtobulus, attempts to usurp the gov
ernment of Judea, is defeated, 474; mokes another attempt,
and is defeated by the Roman army, 476,
ALEXANDRA, wife of Alexander Jannaeus ; invested with re
gal power ; follows her husband's counsels ; throws herself
luto the hands of the Pharisees, 470 ; her death ; her eldest
son, Hyrcanus, succeeds to the throne, 4T1.
ALFRED, King, his Bible, 33.
ALLON-BACHUTH, an oak under which Deborah was burled,
110.
ALTAR to the unknown God, 56S, 569.
AMALEKITES, battle of the Israelites with, 168; descended
from Ham, 170; inhabited the south part of Canaan, 190;
witiLthe Ammonites, they subdue Israel, 221.
AMASA, cousin of Absalom, his chief captain, 308; appointed
captain under David after ^Absalom's death; killed by Joab,
312.
AMASIS, a king of Egypt ; the Nile opened to foreign mer
chants under him, 113.
AMASIS, king of Egypt, successor of Pharaoh Hophra, 592.
AMAR1AH, high -priest, 367.
AMAZIAH, son and successor of Joash as king of Judah ; his
vlc-wn '-• *he Edomltea; fall* into idolatry, 37 1 ; taken

prisoner at Beth Shemesb by Joash, king of Israel; killed
in a conspiracy, 372.
AMMAH, hill of, 287.
AMMONITES, with the Amalekites, subdue Israel, 291 ¦ lay
siege to Jabesh Gilead ; they demand that the right eyes
of all the people be put out; ovtrthrown with great
slaughter by Saul, 262; Invade Judah, 367^ reduced by
Uzziah, 873.
AMNON, eon of David, dishonors Mb half-sister Tamar, 302.
AMON, Bon of Manasseh, account of and death, 383.
AMORITES, a people inhabiting the mountains of Canaan,
190.
AMOS, book of, 10; a prophet in the time of Uzziah, 874.
AMRAM, boh of Levi, 80; father of Moses ; his faith, accord
ing to Josephus, 137.
AMYTIS, wife of Nebuchadnezzar, 60.
ANAK, men of, giants found in Canaan by the spies, 190.
ANAKIMS, giants of Canaan, slain by Joshua, 215.
ANAMELECH, an idol, 101.
ANDREW, his mission to the East; persecuted byJewa; re
turns to Jerusalem ; thence goes to Thrace, Macedonia, &c;
crucified at Patrea of Achaia, 605.
ANER, a Canaanlte, friend of Abram, 70.
ANIM, son of Mizraim, and king of Tanis In Egypt, called the
Delta, 64.
ANIMALS, kinds to be offered In sacrifice, 180.
ANNA, wife of Tobit, 396.
ANOINTING, for the kingdom, only the sign of a choice to be
afterwards ratified, 269.
ANTHONY, defeats Cassius and Brutus, 478 ; confereon Herod
the rank of tetrarch; enamored of Cleopatra; returns to
Italy ; as one of the triumvirs, assumes the government* of
Syria and Che East, 479.
ANTIGONUS, raised to the throne by aid of the Parthians, 479.
ANTIGONUS, war with Ptolemy; DemetriuB, hfa son, recov
ers his lust dominion ; "Era of the Seleucidae,"431 ; attempts
to subdue the Arabs; conquest of Cyprus; unBiiccersful ex
pedition against Egypt, 432; killed in battle, 433.
ANTIOCH, on the Orontes, metropolis of Syria, 434, 557 ; vis
ited by disciples on a preaching tour; success of ihe Gospel
there; persecutions, 557.
ANTIOCHUS SOTER, son and successor of Seleicus, 436;
nominates as successor his son Antiochus Theos, 437.
ANTIOCHUS IL ascends tbe Eastern throno; v/ur between
him and Ptolemy Philadelphua, 437.
ANTIOCHUS III., surnamed Thb Gheat; brilliant campaign
against Ptolemy Philopater; subsequent reverses 440; re
covers Palestine ; conflict with the Roman power, 443 ; defeat
and death ; events of his reign foreshown by Daniel (xl. 13-19),
444.
ANTIOCHUS IV., brother of Seleucus, seizes the throne oi
Syria, 445 ; invadeB Egypt, 447 ; from Egypt goes to Jerusalem
and destroy* thousands of the people; plunders the tpmple,
447, 448 ; hia fourth invaBlon of Egypt arrested by the Roman
Senate ; sends his forces in command of Apollonius to ravage
Jerusalem, 448 ; his edict in regard to religious worship ,
the temple dedicated^ Jupiter— Daniel'a " abomination of
deBolation," 449 ; defeat and death, 453.
ANTIOCHUS V. occupies the throne of Syria, 453.
ANTIOCHUS VI., TheoB, crowned kingof Syria,462; slain b>
Tryphon, who seized the throne, 463.
ANTIOCHUS VII, brother of Demetrius, assumes the Ulle oi
tbe kingof Syria, 464; attacks and conquers Tryphon j" de
mands made upon Simon, governor of Judea; invades the

INDEX.

681

country, and Ib defeated, 465 ; after ravaging Judea, concludes
a treaty of peace with the Jews ; marches against the Par
thians with temporary success ; subsequent disasters, 466.
ANTIOCHUS ASIATICUS, seizes the Syrian government; is
ejected by the Roman power, 472,
ANTIPATER, rises to power In Judea; eBpouBes the causa tf
Civsar ; Is appointed procurator of Judea ; Ills boo Herod
made governor of Galilee, 477 ; poisoned, 478.
APHEK, a city, 354.
Al'IS, a bull, the god of the EgyptlanB,172; imitated by Jero
boam in hie golden calves, S41.
APOCALYPSE, 10.
APOCRYPHA, 36; books of; never found in the proper He
brew tongue; .never acknowledged by ancient learned men,
37; analysis of; their absurdity and falsehood, 37-43; the
work of HelleniBtic Jews, 43.
APOSTLES, their meeting In the upper room; vacancy of
Judas filled, 540 ; their preaching on the day of PentecoBt, 541 ;
its effects, 542.
APRIAS, king of Egypt, grandson of Necho, 123.
AQUILA, his version of the Old Testament, when made, 28.
ARABIA PETR.-E A. settled by the descendants of Ishmael, 81.
ARABIC. Bible, translation of, 30 • language, a dialect of the
Shernitish, 60.
ARABS, descended from Abraham ; their method of keep
ing genealogy, 89; proud of their descent, 90; Dr. Vincent
upon, 113.
ARADUS, a province of the Phoenicians in league with Solo
mon, 330.
ARAM, fifth son of Shem ; possessed part of Syria, 64.
ARAMEAN, a dialect of the Shernitish language, 60.
ARARAT, mountains of, 56 ; view of, 57.
ARAUNAH, a chief among the Jebusites; David offers sacri
fices at his threshing floor, which is sanctified as the site of
the future temple; differing accounts of the price recon
ciled, 314,
ARAD, a king of Canaan; defeats the Israelites ; is defeated
by them, 198.
ARAXES, the river Gihon, 48.
AREOPAGUS, 570.
ARISTOBULUS, son of Alexander JannaMis, supplants his eldi-r
brother in the throne; defeated in battle with Aretas, his
-brother's ally, 471 ; urges before Pompey li is claims to the
throne; carried captive by Pompey to Rome, 473.
ARISTOBULUS, Bon of Hyrcanus, possesses himBelf of the gov
ernment of Judea ; after a short reign, dies, 468.
ARLOTTUS THUSEUS, Improved the Concordance, 15.
ARK, Noah's, estimate of its capacity, 54.
ARK, ot tbe tabernacle, description of, 176; established at
Shi lod, 215 ; sent for to aid in battle Rgalnst th" Philistines,
captured by them ; deposited in the temple of Dagon at
Azoius, 248 ; sent to Gath and Ek on; aunt back to Israel;
to Bethsliemesh, 250; to Kirjath-jearim ; none but priests to
touch il, 293.
ARMENIAN, translation of the Bible, 31.
ARPHAXAD, third son of Shem ; he founded Chaldea, 62.
ARSACES. son of Darius Nwnhus. ascends the throne; takes
the name cf Artaxerxes Memnnn ; Ii s expedition against
Egypt, 4-,"J; its failure; hia long reign and diath, 423.
ARTAXERXES, death uf ; accession of Xerxes, nis only leg'ti-
mate son ; soon slain ; another son, Ochus, named Darius,
surnamed Nothus, ascends the throne ; his death, 422.
ARTAXERXES LONGIMANUS, son and successor of Xerxes j
stops the I sliding of Jerusalem, 412 ; acknowledges Je

hovah, 414; grants permission to build the walla oi Jerusa
lem, 416 ; reasons for this favor by HaleB, 418.
ARUMAH, a town near Shechem, 236.
ARVA, ur .n of Canaan, founder of the Arvadites, who lived
near Sidon, 64.
ARVADITES, gave name to the island of Arvad, or Arpliad,
mentioned by Ezekiel a.a taking an active part in the com
merce of Tyre; its lofty houseB; itawealth; the most
northern of the Phcaniclans, 64.
ASA, son and successor of Abijah on tho throne of Judah j
a good king, 348 ; overthrows idolatry, and deposes Maachah ;
refits the temple; Invaded by Zerah the Cushiie, with
a vast army, 349; he prays to Jehovah for help, and
defeats Zerah In the battle of Mareshah ; makes new efforts
to root out idolatry ; fortifies Geba and Mizpeh ; hires the
Kingof Syria to Invade the kingdom of Israel; God's dis
pleasure, as denounced by the prophet Hanani; his death,
929 b. c, 350; his body burned, 351.
ASAHEL, brother of Joab, killed in the pursuit of Abner, 285-
ASCANIA.parl of Lesser Phrygia, 61.
ASENATH, wife of Joseph, daughter of Fotipherah, priest of
On, 120.
ASHDOD, a Philistine town, 215, 373.
ASHUR,Bon of Jacob by Zllpah, 99 ; Jacob's dying prophecy
to him, and its fulfilment, 138.
ASHUR, second son of Shem ; founded the Assyrian empire,
62.
ASIA, possessed chiefly by descendants of Japheth, 61,
ASHTAROTH, an idol, 101.
ASHKANAZ, son of Gomer, 61.
ASMONIAN Family, resistance to Ihe king'a edict, 450.
ASSOS, 580.
ASSYRIAN Empire, founded by Ashur, son of Shem, or, as
some say, by Nimrod, 62.
ATAD, threshing-floor of; called Abel -Mizraim, 134.
ATHALIAH, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, married to Jeho
ram, son of Jehoshaphat, 353 ; Ido'atrous, like her mother,
368; destroys all her grandsons except Joash, 369; slain at
the coronation ot Joash, 370.
ATHENS, 5C8.
ATTAKA, Mount; Cape, 156,
AVA, 378.
AZARIAH, one of Daniel's three MendB, afterward called
Abednego, 397.
AZOTUS, a town of tbe Philistines, where wa*> the temple of
Dagos, 248. B.
BAAL, an Idol, 900 ; worship of, 231 ; god of the Sidonians, Mi,
352, note.
BAALBEC, or Baalath, view of. 335 ; built by Solomon, 336,
BAAL-BERITH, an Idol, 101, 234 ; temple of, 236,
BAALIM, plural of Baal, 101.
BAAL-HAZOR place where Absalom killed Amnon at a sheep
shearing feast, 302.
BAAL-PEOR, an idol, 101.
BAAL-ZEPHON, a place near the Gu!f of Suez, 158.
BAASHA, conspire, against and slays Nadab, king of Israel,
and assumes the government; slays others of the house of
Jeroboam ; wars with Asa, king of Judah, and tukeb Ra
mah ; his doom pronounced b? fehu hie death, 966 a. c.
A42.

682

iNDEX.

BABEL, tower of, Its height ; chapel and golden Image ; coat ;
description of its ruins, 60 ; time of Its erection ; by whom
commenced, 61.
BABYLON, extended description of; enlarged by Belus ;
reached the summit of its magnificence, b. c. 570; its mag
nitude; ruin of announced by prophets; Its desolation, CO ;
view of, 59 ; becomes the imperial capital, 386 ; taken by
Cyrus, 402.
BABYLONISH, or seventy years', captivity, 387, 392.
BAHURIM, a village on Mount Olivet, 306.
BALAAM, a magician of Pethor In Mesopotamia ; warned
by God not to curse Israel, 199 ; met by an angel in the way ;
his ass reproves him, 200; pronounces blessing instead
of cursing, and prophecies the greatness of Israel, 900, 202 ;
his plot to seduce Israel to idolatry; b! ain, 203.
BALAK, king of Moab, sends messengers to Balaam to come
and curse Israel, 199.
BANIAS, modern name of Caesarea Philippi, 68.
BARNABAS, sent to Antioch to assist the diaclpies, 657;
accompanies Paul on a preaching mission, 558-562; takes
sides with Peter about circumcision; separates from Paul;
goes to Cyprus with Mark, 564; labors in various places
among the Gentiles; stoned to death, 617.
BARTHOLOMEW, 611, note; goes to India; subsequently
labors In Hierapolis ; goes to Lycaonia ; thence to a city on the
Caspian Sea ; suffers a crnel martyrdom, 612.
BARZILLAI, an aged man friendly to King David, 308; in
vited by David to go and dwell with him in Jerusalem, and
his touching reply, 311.
BARAK, of the tribe of Naphtali, summoned by Deborah fi
lead Israel against King Jabin, 297.
BARUCH, a friend of Jeremiah, 388.
BARUCH, book of, in Apocrypha, 37.
BASHAN, residence of the giant Og, a king of the Amorites,
199.
BASHEMATH, wife of Esau, 94.
BATHSHEBA, wife of Uriah, marrlea David after Uriah's
death, 301 ; her great influence as mother of Solomon, 318.
BEASTS, clean and unclean, 189.
BEELZEBUB, an Idol, 101.
BEER, a town In the tribe of Benjamin, 936.
BEERSHEBA, "well of the oath," where Abraham and
Abimelech made a solemn covenant, 91; description of by
Robinson and Smith, 92 ; the utmost boundary of Canaan on
the south, 126.
BEDEA, valley of, 156 ; plain, camp of the Hebrews, 158.
BEHEADING before hanging, note on, 119.
BEDE'S Bible, 33.
BEIT-IN, modern name of Bethel, 109,
BEL, an idol, 101.
BELA, afterward called Zoar, the city to which Lot escaped,
76.
BELSHAZZAR, son and successor of Evil-Merodach on the
Persian throne, 399 ; profanes the sacred vessels; the hand
writing upon the wall, 400 ; slain, 401.
BELUS, enlarged Babylon, 60.
BEN-AMMI, Lot's son by his daughter; father of the Am
monites, 78.
BEN-ASHER and BEN-NAPHTALI, Massorites, 23.
BEN-HADAD, king of Syria, takes the cities of Naphtali,
342 ; invades the kingdom of Israel ; routed ; renews his in
vasion the next year; again defeated with great slaughter,
354.

BENJAMIN, boh of Jacob by Rachel, 110; goet to Egypt with
his brothers to bny corn ; dines with Joseph, and 1b helped to
five times as much as his brothers, 123 ; quotation from Homer
to illustrate this custom ; tbe silver cup found In bis sack,
124 ; Jacob'B dying prophecy to him, and its fulfilment, 133
tribe of, early moral corruption, 219 ; -slaughter of, In ball U
by the other tribes, 290.
BENJAMIN of-Tudela, finds large numbers of Jews la Med.a
in the twelfth century, 407.
BENAIAH, a Levite, 291 ; assists in the anolnttng of Solomon,
815 ; is made commander-in-chief of the army, 320. ,
BEN ONI, Bon of Rachel, so named by his mother at his birth
afterward named Benjamin by Jacob, 110.
BERACHAH, or Shaveh, valley of, 868.
BERESHETH, 14.
BEROTH A, a city ot Upper Galilee, 216.
BERYTUS, 330.
BESOR, the brook, 282.
BETCHCAR, a Philistine town, 259.
BETHANY, 521.
BETHEL, 67 ; scene of Jacob's dream of the ladder — see Luz ;
Jacob's pillar ; Persian customs explanatory of J acnb'B setting
up the pillar, 97 ; Jacob ordered to remove there ; Robinson's
description of, 109; Samuel administers justice there, 253,
taken from Jeroboam by Abijah, 348.
BETHESDA, pool of, 508, 509.
BETHLEHEM, called Ephrath, the place where Rachel died,
110; taken by the Philistines, 293; note on, 600.
BETHSHAN, a town near tbe Jordan, on the wall of which the
bodies of Saul and his sons were hung by tbe Philistines
284.
BETHSHEMESH, a town in Judah, to which the PhiliBtinessent
the ark, 250 ; Amaziah routed at, 372.
BETHUEL, son of Nahor, and father of Rebecca, 84.
BEZALEKL, <>ne ofthe builders ofthe tabernacle, 172.
BEZA, THEODORE, 34.
BEZEK, 218; Israel, under Saul, assembles In the plain of, 262.
BIBLE, authorship; order of books, 5; their names, signi
fication, contents, 6-13; present division of into chapters,
14; into verses, 16; versions of, ancient, 94 ; Greek versions,
28; Vulgate, 29; Arabic translations of; Persian; Turk
ish, 30 ; Armenian, Georgian, Greek, modern ; Sclavonian,
German, Polish, Bohemlnn, 31 ; Swedish, Danish, Icelandic,
Flemish, Italian, French, 32 ; Indian, English ; chained in Su
Paul's church, 33 ; published by English Catholics at Rheims ;
King James's; Bishop's Bible, 34 ; new translations of, 36,
prophetical hooks of, 13.
BIDKAR, a captain of Jehu, 363.
BILHAH, concuhinary wife of Jacob, 99.
BIRS-NIMROUD, the present name of the Tower of Enbel,
description of by Mr. Rich, 60.
BIR-SUEZ, identified as the Etham ofthe Bible, 66.
BIRTHRIGHT, explanation of, 61.
BLASPHEMY, penalty for, 184.
BOAZ. a rich man of Bethlehem. In whose fields Ru h glean*',
224 ; kinsman of Naomi ; marries Ruth, 226.
BOAZ. name of a pillar in the temple, 326.
BOOBOOSKY'S translation of the Bible Into Turkish, 3w
BONNER, Bishop, causes six Bibles to be chained In St. Paul".
church for the people to read, 33, 34.
BOW, in the clouds, 56.
BREASTPLATE, 178.
BRICKS, without straw, 142.

INDEX.

633

BUKKI,Mgh-prIest,W6. BURNING of the dead, 361.
BURNT offering, description of altar or, 176.
BUZ, son of Nahor, 84.
BYBLUS, 330.
BYTHINIA, 666.

CAB, a measure. 361.
CABUL, opprobrious name given by Hiram lo twenty Inland
cities presented him by Solomon, 339.
CAESAR, passes the Rubicon, B. c 49; makes himself master
of Rome, 476; commits the government of Syria to Sextus
Caesar, 477 ; assassinated at Rome, 478.
CAIN, birth of; signification of name ; his character, guilt, 60 ;
curse, 61.
CAINAN, son of'Enos, 62.
CAIRO, 156.
CALEB, one of the twelve spies, 190: his boldness and faith
promise that he, with Joshua, should enter Canaan, 192.
CALF, golden, an idol, 101; made by Aaron, 172; destroyed by
Moses; how pulverized; Goguet's remarks upon, 173; why
worshipped by the Israelites, 172.
CANA, of Galilee, 504.
CANAAN, fourth son of Ham, oursed by Noah, 58 ; settled In
Canaan, 64.
CANAAN, land of, boundaries, population, government after
ward called Judea, 67.
CANAANITES, Inhabited the banks of the Jordan, 190,
CANDLESTICK, description of, given to Moses, 176.
CAPE of .Moses, of Deliverance, marking the place of crossing
the Red Sea by the Israelites, 164.
CAPHTORIM, son of CaBlublm, 64.
CAPPADOCIANS, 61.
CAPTIVITY, God's Inst resort to punish tbe rebellion and
idolatry of hia people; foretold by Moses and the prophets,
338 ; the Babylonish, or Seventy Years',392 ; commencement
of, 387 ; scene of, 395.
CARCHEMISH, a post of the Assyrians on the Euphrates, 385 ;
taken by Pharaoh Necho, 386.
CARMEL, Mount, near the Mediterranean Sea, 267.
CARMEL, eastern, on the Dead Sea, 267.
CARTS, notice of, 126 ; views of, 127, 260.
CASLUBIM, son of Mizraim, 64.
CASTOR, an Idol, 101.
CELTES, their worship Druidical, and of the Supreme Being, 82.
CENSUS, the, probably originated with Moses, 154 ; taken while
encamped iu the wilderness of Sinai, 184.
CESTIUS, governor of Syria, Bent with a large army against,
the Jews, 637 ; hia repulse and retreat, 637-640.
CHALDEAN, or Kcstorian, tribes, only remains of the ancient
Assyrians, 64.
CHALDEE, language, still used In the synagogue at Frankfort,
28.
CHAPTERS, present division Into, 14.
CHARIOTS, and horses, trade in, 330.
CHARITY of the first Christian converts, 544.
CHARRAN, or Haran, a city of Mesopotamia, where Terah, the
father of Abraham, died, 66; where Eliezer, Abraham's
steward, found a wife for I»s»c, 88.
CHEBAR, river, in Mesopotamia, 395.

CHEDERLAOMER, king of Elam, 70; slain In battle with
Abram, 70.
CHEMOSH, an Idol, 101 ; god of the Ammon i tea, 238.
CHENANIAH, chief of the Levites, under whose direction the
Ark was removed from the house of Obed-edom to Jerusalem
293.
CHERETHrrES, Philistines, a corps of David's body-gnard who
remained faithful during Absalom's rebellion, 305.
CHERITH, brook, near which Elijah hid himself tn a cave, 351
CHESED, eon of Nahor, 84.
CHILION, Bon of Elimelech and Naomi, 222.
CHIMHAM, son of Barzillai, taken by David to Jerusalem, 311
CHIOS, 580.
CHRISTIANITY, its progress alarms the Jewish leaders
efforts to suppress It ; measures of violence proposed ; counse
of Gamaliel, 544.
CHRONICLES, book of, Parallpomena, 8.
CIRCUMCISION, institution of, 72; explanation of, 74; re
newed at Gilgal, 210.
CLEMENS ALEXANDRINUS, his view of the ark of rushes,
137.
CLARK, Dr. Adam, npon King James's Bible, 35.
CLEMENT, mentioned by Paul; Is supposed to have succeeded
the Apostle In the care of the Church at Rome, 619.
CLEOPATRA, daughter of Antiochus the Great; given in
marriage to Ptolemy Epiphanes, 443.
CLEOPATRA, daughter of Ptolemy Physcon; married tc
Alexander, Balas; then to Demetrius; then to AnMochui
VIL, king of Syria, 466 ; eauees her son Seleucus to be pro
claimed king of Syria; slays him; becomes mistress of all
Syria; her son Antiochus VIIL seated upon the throne,
poisoned by this son, 467.
CLEOPATRA, wife of Ptolemy Phyacon; invested with su
premo power ; elects her son Ptolemy Lathyrus king, 467, 468.
CLEOPATRA, daughter of Ptolemy Auletes ; becomen queen
of Egypt, 477 ; controls Anthony by her faacinatlona, 479.
CNIDUS, 538.
COLOSSiE, 594.
CONCORDANCE, when and by whom first made ; Improved,
15.
CONFEDERATION of the Canaanlte kings against Joshua, 214.
COOS, 581.
CORINTH, 51*.
CONFUSION of tongues, 60.
COUNTRIES mentioned in the Bible, map of, 45,
COZBI, a Midianitish princess, 203,
CRASSUS, appointed proconsul of Judea; plunders the tem
ple ; makes war against the Parthians ; is slain, 476,
CUSH, first Bon of Hnm ; settled in Armenia, 64
CUSHAN-RIS HATH AIM, a king of Mesopotamia; makes the
Hetrews tributary to him for eight years, 221.
uUSHI, the mcusengor who bore to David news of hia vic
tory over Absalom, 310.
CUSTOM of sending a piece of a a'aln animal to each tribe tc
arouse them to battle, L Sam. xi 7, 219.
CUTHAH, 378.
CUTHEANS, 34.
CYPRESS, gopher-wood, 53; used for coffins and mummy
cases, 63.
CYRENIUS, executes the edict for enrolment In Judea, 490.
CYRUS, 8 ; came to the throne, 551 n. c,, 401 ; takes Babylon
from NabonadluB ; mentioned tn prophecy by Isaiah, 409 i

684

INDEX.

makes proclamation giving permission to the captive Jews
to return to their own land, 403; gives up the sacred ves
sels of the temple; also directs that the temple be robuilt
twice as large as before, at the royal expense, 408 ; he dies
seven yean after the restoration, 409,

D.
DAGON, an idol, 101 ; god of the Philistines, 244 ; overthrown
and broken by the presence of the ark, 248.
DAMASCUS, NICOLAUS, a heathen writer, mentions Abra
ham, 67.
DAMASCUS, a province and city, 67 ; Syrians of, 295 ; taken
by Tiglath Pileser, 375 ; note on, 650.
DAN, 70; son of Jacob by Bilhah, 99 ; Jacob's dying prophecy
to him and its fulfilment, 132; tribe of, take Laish and carry
away Micah'a idol, 219.
DANCES, of Hebrew women to celebrate the deliverance from
the Egyptians, 162 ; view of, with timbrels., 165.
DANIEL, book of, 10 ; the prophet, carried by Nebuchadnezzar
from Jerusalem to Babylon, 387 ; called Belteshozzar ; ap
pointed ruler over the province, 397 ; j cast into the furnace,
398 ; interprets the writing upon the wall, 400 ; set over the
provinces by Darius ; cast into the lions' den, 401 ; remained
at tho court of Cyrus at the restoration, 408.
DARIUS CODOMANUS, ascends the Persian throne; his 7ast
wealth and dominions ; overcome by Alexander, 424,
DARIUS. SeeCYAXARES.
DARIUS HYSTASPES, came to the Perilan throne, 521 B. 0.,
409; died, 485 b. c, 410.
DATHAN, his rebellion with Korah, 193; destruction, 194.
DAVID, son of Jesse, 268 ; Samuel commanded to anoint him ;
aont for to court, 269 ; dissipates Saul's melancholy by
his music upon tbe harp; desires to fight Goliah; his
faith in God, 270 ; his reply to the haughty Goliah ; elnys
Goliah with a sling; honored and applauded by the
women, 271 ; his friendship for Jonathan ; Saul's open
hostility and attempts to kill him; escapes by being let
down from a window in a basket, 272 ; makes a solemn cove
nant with Jonathan ; eats the shew bread, 274 ; arms himself
with the sword of Goliah ; escapes to the cave of Adullam;
flees to Moab, 276; his victory at Keilah, 277; his noble re
fusal to take advantage of an opportunity to kill Saul in tho
cave of Engedi; swears not to destroy the seed of Saul,
278 ; his refusal to slay Saul when in his power in the wil
derness of Ziph ; carries away the king's Bpear and
water jug, 281 ; hia elegy upon the death of Jonathan ;
his mourning for Saul, 234 ; receives the scepter at Hebron
from the tribe of Judah , 285 ; his punishment of the murder*
crs of Ishboaheth; invited to assume the crown pf tho
whole nation, 291; crowned at Hebron; reducaa the for
tress of Jehus, on Mount Zion, 292 ; builds a palace on Mount
Zion ; obliged again to floe to the cave of Adullam by an
invasion of the Philistines; city of, 293; contemplates
building the temple, 294; reaches the full limit of his con
quests, to the Euphrates ; his splendid victories as de
scribed by Nicolaue and Josephus, 295; his kindness to Mephi
bosheth for Jonathan's sake, 296 ; great victories over the
Ammonites, Syrians, and f ssyrianB, 298; his sin with Bath
sheba, 300; confesses his g lilt, 301 ; his sad departure from
Mount Zion at the rebellion of Absalom, 305; establishes
himself at Mahanaim; victory over Absalom, 308; his grief
far Absalom, 310; is invited back to his kingdom, 311 ; quells
the revolt of Sheba, 312; fights with Izbl-benob, the giant,
313; God's judgment upon him for numbering the people ;
bays the threshing-floor of Araunah, and offere aao-
riflciK for his sin, 314; calls a general assembly to, ratify tho
coronation of Solomon* ma adareeo explaining the suc

cession of tho crown, 815; his strenuous maintenance ofthe
theocratic principlo , exhorts Solomon to build tho temple ;
with his last instructions ; warns him ol Joab and Shimei,
316 ; his death ; burial on Mount Zion, 317.
DAY OF ATONEMENT, feast of, 178.
DAYS OF CREATION, work of each of the, 46.
DEACONS, their appointment; their duties, 546,
DEAD SEA, 70; description of; different names of; chemical
analysis of, 76 ; Mr. Stevene's account of, 78 ; view oi, 77.
DEBORAH, the prophetess, sends for Barak to lead the peoplo
against Jabin, 227 ; her song of triumph, 228, 229 ; Lowth 'a
remarks, 229,
DEBORAH, Rebecca's nurse, 88 ; death and burial at Bethel,
110.
DECALOGUE, giving of; its extent, 171.
DEDAN, son of Raamah, 64,
DEDICATION, feast of, 410.
DELILAH, a woman, loved by Samson, who revealed the
secret of his strength, 244. 4
DELTA, of the Nile, 119.
DEMETRIUS, son of Antigonus, military successes, 431, 439.
DEMETRIUS, don of Seleucus IV. ; sent as a hostage to Rome-,
445; escapes from Rome; iu established on the throne ol
Syria, 455 ; attempts the conquest of Judea ; is commanded
by Romo to desist from persecuting the Jews, 456 ; alienates
his subjects, loses his kingdom and life, 467.
DEUTERONOMY, book of, 6.
DIANA, an idol, 101.
DINAH, daughter of Jacob by Leah, 100; her disgrace t>v
Shechem, 106.
DIODORUS, on the destruction of Nineveh, 62.
DISPERSION of the descendants of Noah, 61.
DIVISION of Bible Into chapters, 15 ; Into versos, 16.
DIVORCE, ease of, among the Arabs, 100.
DODANIM, son of Javan, possessed France, 63.
DOEG, an Edomite, chief of Saul's shepherds, 274.
DOTHAN, scene of Joseph's HI treatment by his brethren ; Dr.
Richardson's and Dr. Clark's account of, 112.
DOVE, aent from the Ark, 50.
DRESS, of the people of Nineveh and of the Jews, explained
by the Nineveh inscriptions, 62,
DRUIDICAL WORSHIP, analogy of, with the Hebrew, 82
Circle, engraving of, 83.
DUMAH, son of Ishmael, 81.

E.
EBAL, Mount, view of, 205 ; Joshua erects an altar there and
reads the law to the people, 213.
EBENEZER, a memorial stone set up by Samuel for his victory
over the Philistine*, 252.
EBER, son of Salah, gave name to the Hebrew nation, 64.
ECBATANA, a city of Media, 396.
ECCLESIASTES, bookof, 9.
ECCLESIASTICUS, bookof, in Apocrypha, 87.
ED, name of the altar built by tho tribes that settled east ox
the Jordan, 216.
EDAD, one of the seventy elders chosen to assist Mosei, and en
dowed with tho same spirit, 189,
EDAR, tower of; opinions of commentators in regard to, 110.

INDEX.

685

EDEN, location of, 48.
EDOM, red pottage ; gave name to the Edomites, the descend
ants of Esau ; a country, 90.
EDOMITES, or Idumeans, descendants of Esau ; In the days
uf David became subject to the Jews; nfterward became
independent; their animosity against tlie descendants of
Jacob; conquered by Hyrcanus; mixed With tae Jews ; tho
Idumean name annihilated, 1)6; defeated In the Valley of
Salt by Abishai, 295; conquer Judah and plunder Jerusa
lem, 369.
EGLON, king of Moab, subdues the Hebrews and establishes
himself at Jericho, 291 ; slain by Ehud, 222.
EGYPT, Lower, opened to the Phoenicians and Greeks, 658 b. a,
113; flight from, of the Hebrews, 152; picture of, 153; its
learning, language, religion ; boundaries and description ; Ido
latry, ruins, tombs, pyramids; its progress In the ar.a and
sciences. 164; trade with, 330.
EGYPTIAN MAGI, 119.
EGYPTIANS, war chariots of, 59 ; trade of, Dr. Vincent's re
marks upon; the Chinese of antiquity; not a commercial
people; their aversion to the Bea, 113; ancient soldiers, view
of, 161 ; females, their ornaments, view of, 161 ; official
dresses, 117; invade the land of Judah nml-r ShiBhak, 346.
EHUD, the deliverer of Israel from Eglon, king of Moab, 1426
b. o. , 22a.
EKRON, a city of PhUlstla, where the ark was Bent, 250.
EL AH, son and successor of Baasha, king of Israel ; assassi
nated by Zimri, ha general, 342.
ELAH, valley of, scene of the victory of David over Goliath, 270.
ELAM, a country, 70.
ELAM, first son of Shem, possessed a part of Persia called
Susiana, 69.
ELATH, a port upon the Red Sea, 330 ; taken by Uzziah, 373 ;
taken f'um Judah. 374,
EL-ALOHE-ISRAEL, name of an altar built by Jacob at
Shechem, 10S.
EL-BETHEL, name of an altar bnilt at Bethel by Jacob, 110.
ELDERS, seventy, Inspired by God to assist Moses, 169.
ELEAZAR, son of Aaron, 194 ; inducted into the priesthood,
196 ; his death, 917.
ELEAZER, son of Amlnadub, had charge of the ark, 252.
ELEAZER, a valiant man of David, 293.
ELEPHANTS, their use >n wnr, 431, 433 ; view of, 433, 441, 442.
ELI, first high-priest in the line of Ithamar, 246 ; lax In re
straining wickedness in his own family, 247 ; dies at the news
ofthe death of his Bons, 248; tbe threatened judgment exe
cuted upon bis house, 277 ; his family finally degraded in the
person of Abiathar, 320.
ELIAB, eldest son of Jesse, supposed by Samuel to be the one
to ho anointed king, 269.
ELI A KIM, made king by Necho; name changed to Jehoiakim,
386.
ELIASHIB, high-priest, 420.
ELIEZAR, bou of Moses by Zipporah, 139; circumcised, 141.
ELIEZER, Abraham's steward ; goes to Haran in Mesopo
tamia to procure a wife for Isaac. 85 ; meets Rebecca at the
we'll. 86 ; jb invited home by Laban ; makes known the object
of his mission ; is successful; gives presents to Rebecca a d
her mother ; his speedy departure with Rebecca ; the meeting
with Isaac, 88.
ELIJAH, the Tishbite, a prophet; boldly opposes Ahab's
idolatrv , announces a i'amlae, 351 ; Gees to Sarepta : raises the
widow's son ; returns and reproves the people for their
Idolatry ; culls down fire upon the sacrifices, which the proph
ets of Baal could not do ; the people slay the prophets of Baal

by his command ; brings rain by prayer, 352 ; fleBo to the wil
derness; goes to Hoteb, and hears God in the still small
voice ; instructed to anoint Elisha as hia successor, Hazaul to
be king of Syria, and Jehu to be king of Israel, 353; pro
nounces the doom of Ahab and Jezebel, 356; denounces death
on King Ahaziah; culls down fire upon companies of men
Bent to take him, 357 ; fulfilment of his prophecy in tbe death
of Jezebel, 363.
ELIM, a camping-place of the Israelites, 166.
ELIMELECH, husband of Ruth, 7; removes to the land of
Moab; dies there, 222.
ELIZABETH, Queen, her knowledge of Hebrew, 34.
ELISHA, son of Shaphat, of Abel-Maholab, In the half tribe
of Manasseh; called by Elijah, 353; consulted by Jehoram
and Jehoshaphat, foretells rain and victory over their ene
mies, 358 ; compared with Elijah ; multiplies the widow's oil ;
promises a son to the Shunemiie woman, 359 ; raises tbe
widow's boo ; heals the poisoned pottage; heals Naaman,
the leper, 860; strikes the Syrian host with blindness; his
prophecy of abundance in Samaria in tbe time of famine,
361 ; death of, in the time of Jonah, king of Iarael, 376.
ELISHAH, son of Javan, possessed the Peloponnesnus, 62.
ELOHIM, 23.
ELON, a Hittlte, father of Bashematb, wife of Esau, 94,
ELON, one of the judges of Isiael, 241.
EMOR, aon of Canaan, founder of the Amorites, who lived in
the mountains of Judea, 64.
ENCAMPMENT of the Israelites; the manner of appointed,
184; diagram, 186; size of, 188.
ENDOR, witch of, 283 ; cuIIb up the spirit of Samuel for Saul,
284.
ENGEDI, a district near the southern extremity of the Dead
Sea; David has the opportunity to kill Saul whilo resting in
a cave therw, 278,
ENGLISH versions of the Bible, 33.
ENOCH, Bon of Cain ; city of, 52.
ENOCH, son of Jared, translated, 59.
ENOS, son of Setb, 53.
EPHESUS, 576, note ; Church of, 622.
EPHOD, description of, 176.
EPHRAIM, son of Joseph by Asenath, 120 ; Mount, 217 ; tribe
of, quarrel with the Gileadites and defeat by Jephthah, 240 ;
forest, where David defeated the rebel army of Absalom, 308.
EPHRAIMITE, Jephthah's test to distinguish, by the pro
nunciation of the word shibboleth, 241.
EPHRATH, afterward called Bethlehem, where Rachel died, 1 10,
EPHRON, a prince of Hebron, of whom Abraham bought the
cave of Machpelah, 84.
EPICUREANS, note, 570.
EPISTLES, chronological succession of, value of, 12.
EPIRUS, 605.
ER, son of Judah, 114.
ESARHADDON, king of Assyria, defeats Manasseh, 382.
ESAU, son of Isaac and Rebecca; signification, 90; sella hie
birthright, 91 ; marries two Canaanite wives, 94.
ESEK, 92.
ESCHOL, valley, grapes of, 190.
ESCHOL, a Canonniie iriend of Abraham, 70.
ESDRAELON, plain of, 228.
ESDRAS, a book of th- Apocrypha, 37.
ESHBAAL, or Ishbosheth, son of Saul, elected to the throne by
all the tribes, except Judah, after the death of Saul, 285.

686

INDEX.

ESSARHADDON, one of the builders of the palaces of Nine
veh, 62.
ESTHER, book of, 8; in Apocrypha, 37 ; promoted to be queen
instead of Vashti by Artaxerxes, 412; she saves her people
from extermination, 416.
ETAM, a strong rock to which Samson retired, 243.
ETHAM, second or third resting place of the Hebrews on their
escape from Egypt ; the modern Adjeroud, 156.
EUPHRATES, 48.
EUROPE, possessed by the descendants of Japheth, 61.
EUSEBIUS, his confirmation of Bible history by quotation from
Manetho, 158 ; his notice of tho tomb of Miriam, 195.
EVE, her name Hebrew, 18; signification; when created, 47;
her fall, 49 ; expelled from Eden, 50,
EVIL-MERODACH, sou and successor of Nebuchadnezzar ;
slain in battle, 399.
EXODUS, book of, 6.
EYES, closing of, at death, ancient, 126.
EZEKIEL, book of, 10 ; prophet, a captive In Mesopotamia, 388.
EZION-GEBER, a port upon the Red Sea, 330.
EZRA, book of, 8, 414 ; hia excommunication of the Samaritans,
25; goes to Jerusalem with power to beautify the house of
Jehovah ; his extensive commission; leadB a company of re
turning captives to Jerusalem, 414 ; completes his reviBal of
tbe sacred books; exchanges the old Hebrew character for the
Cb,>ldean, 419. F.
FAMINE, in Canaan, 91 ; In Egypt and neighboring countrlea,
120; in David's time, 313; Beven years of, in Samaria, 361.
FELIX, appoints the trial of Paul, 585 ; effect of the Apostle's de- ,
tense on him ; detains Paul a prisoner ; deposed, 586.
FESTIVALS, sacred, table of; first fruits of barley harvest, feast'
of, when observed; first fruits of wheal; feast of trumpets;
of the dedication of the second temple; of tabernacles; of
Purlin, 178.
FESTUS, successor to Felix; orders another trial of Paul in
presence of King Agrippa, 587 ; effect of tbe Apostle's address
on tbe king, 588.
FIRMAMENT, 46.
FLOCKS, tended in the East by females, 86.
FLOOD, the, 53.
FOOD, animal, law of, 861.
FRANCE, possessed by Dodanlm, son of Javan, 62.
FRANKINCENSE, description of altar of, 176.
Gr.
GAAL, a boasting coward, 236.
GABINIUS, proconaul of Syria; sends Mark Anthony Into Ju
dea ; modifies the government, 474; undertakes to restore
Ptolemy Auletes to the throne' of Egypt; defeats Alexan
der near Mount Tabor; recalled and succeeded by Crassus,
476.
GAD, a prophet, 276.
GAD a son of Jacob by Zitpah, 99 ; Jacob's dying prophecy of
him and its fulfilment, 183; tribe of, settles east ol the
Jordan, 204.
GALATIA, 566.
GALATIANS, founded by Gomer, 61.
GALILEE, Sea of, 70.
GARDEN of Eden, site of, 48.

GATES, custom of administering justice at, 226.
GATH, a city of Canaan, 215; the ark Bent there by th*
PhillstineB, 240 ; taken, by Uzziah, 373.
GAZA, a principal city of the PhillstineB, 216; description,
now called Rasaa, 234 ; gates carried off by Samson, 243.
GEBA, a town fortified by Asa, 350.
GEDALIAH, made governor of the poor remnant left after
the captivity ; slain by Ishmael, 391.
GEHAZI, servant of Elisha, 359; is punished with leprosv
for asking a gift in the name of the prophet, 360.
GENESIS, book of, 6.
GENEVA, Bible printed there, 34.
GEOLOGY, consistent with the Bible, 45.
GEORGIAN Bible, 31.
GERAR, a city of the PhillstineB ; Isaac's removal thither, 91.
GERIZIM, Mount, view of, 206; temple built upon, 420.
GERMAN Bible, 31.
GERSHOM, Bon of Moses, 189.
GERSHON, eldest son of Levi, 186.
GESHUR, 302.
GESHURITES, tribe of Arabia Petrea, 282.
GETHER, son of Aram, 64.
GETHSEMANE, note, 622.
GEZRITES, tribe of Arabia Petrea, 289.
GIANTS, 53.
GIBEAH, a town of Benjamin; scene of the vile murder ol
the Levite's wife, 219; here the spirit of God came upon
Saul, as predicted by Samuel, 258.
GIBBETHON, a fortress bf tbe Philistines, 342.
GIBEON, a city of the Gibeonites; the resting place ofthe
tabernacle, the altar, and the Shechinah to Solomon's time;
here Solomon offers a great sacrifice, 320.
GIBEONITES, their alliance with Israel byetrategem; made
hewers of wood and drawers of water, 214; d mand that
seven members of Saul's house be slain in revenge for
Saul's cruelly to them, 313.
G1B-YOUSSOUFF, modern namo of the pit into which Joseph
was cast, 112.
GIDEON, of the tribe of ManaBseli; called by the angel of
God to deliver Israel, 230; assembles thirty-two thousand
men In the mountains if Gilboa t give's liberty to sll who are
faint-hearted to go to their homes ; hifl army reduced to
three hundred by the teat of manner uf drinking, 231; his
stratagem aud great slaughter of the" Midianites, 282; his
character, 232,233; desired by the Israelite* to bo king his
noble refusal, 233; ruled Israel forty years, 234.
GIHON, a river, the Araxes, 4K.
GIHON, fountain, where Solomon was anointed king, 315.
GILBOA, battle of, In which Saul and his sons perished, 291.
GILEAD, place where Laban and Jac b made a treaty of
alliance, marked by a heap of stones'; part of the mountain
ous country east of the Sea Of Galilee, 102; district of, 375.
GILGAL, first encampment of Israel aftor entering Canaan';
circumcision renewed, and the Passover celebrated, 210 ;
Samuel administers justice here, 253; Samuel convokes Israel
here for the election of a king, 258.
GOLIAH, a mighty Philistine, slain by David, 270.
GOMER, son of Japheth, founder ofthe Galatians, 61,
GOMORRAH, plain of, chosen by Lot, fib; city of, destruc
tion, 78.
GOPHER WOOD, cypress ; used for coffins and mummy cases
1 53.

INDEX.

687

GOSHEN, part of Egypt inhabited by the Israelites, 128 ;
Its exemption from the plagues, 147.
GOZAN, a river in Medio, 375.
GRAMMATICUS', Moses, translation of Old Testament into
Armenian, 31.
GRECIAN ideas predominant among the Jews In Egypt;
rise ofthe Sadducees; the "new synagogue" and Its ob
jects; the Mishna as the law-book of the Jews; tenets of
the SadduceeB, 439.
GRECIZERS, 28.
GREEK, modern, Bible, 31. H.
HABAKKUK, book of, 10.
HABOR, a province in Media, 375; a river, called also Chebar,
377.
HADAD, revolt of, 336.
HADAD, kingof the Syrians of Damascus, 295,
HADADEZER, king of Zobah ; defeated by David, 295-298.
HADAR,son of Ishmael, 81.
HAGAR, an Egyptian concubine of Abram; her flight; met
by an angel, and returns; has a Bon, 72; driven out with
Ishmnel ; divinely directed to a well of water, 80.
HAGGAI, book of, 10 ; pi ophet ; prophecies of the temple, 409.
HAGIOGRAPHA. 13.
HAL, 67.
HALAH, a province in Media, 375; the ten tribes removed
there by Shalmanezer, 395.
HAM, third son of Noah, 52; his derision of his father, 68;
possessed Africa and part of Asia, 64.
HAMAN, his plot to destroy all the JewBj his rank and
great wealtn, 416.
H A M AH, a country upon the Orontes. 296.
HAMATH, 378 ; land of, 386.
HAMOR, prince of Shechem, 106 ; slain by Simeon and Levi,
108.
HANANIAH, one of Daniel's three friends, afterward called
Shudroch, 397.
HANGING, after beheading, 119.
HANNAH, mother of Samuel, 247.
HANUN, king of Ammon, treats the ambassadors of David
with great indignity, 298.
HAPHTEROTH, 14.
H Alt A, a city of Media, 395.
HARAN, son of Terah, died at Ur, 66.
HARAN, or Charran, a city of Mesopotamia; Terah, father
of Abraham, died there, 66; present Bite unknown, 85; Jacob's
arrival there, 98.
HARKTH, furest, where David found shelter from Saul, 276.
HAVILAH, eastern part of Arabia Petrea, 81.
HAVILAH, sou of Cush, settled on the river Pison, 64.
HAVOTH-JAIR, thirty villages belonging to Jair, a judge
of Israel, 237.
HAZAEL, anointed by Elijah to be king of Syria, 353; takes
and plunders Jerusalem, 371.
HAZEROTH, place where was manifested the jealousy of
Miriam and Aaron against Moses, and God's rebuke, 189.
HAZO, son of Nahor, 84.
HAZOR, a district near lake Merotn, 215,
HEBER, the Kenite, whose wife killed Sisera, 298.

HEBRAIZERS, 98.
HEBREW, origin of the name, significance of names; lan
guage, its antiquity, 18; Hutch Insonlan philosophy of, 20;
present Hebrew character adopted by Ezra from the Chal
dee, 25; knowledge of by females In England, 34; cele
brated schola s, 35; a dialect of the Shernitish, 60 : nation,
originate from Shem, 62; the language unknown to the
Jews who were born in Media ; displaced wholly by the
Chaldee in the time of the Maccabees, 419.
HEBRON, a city of Judea, called previously, Kirjath-Arba;
Sarah died there, 84; David established there as kiug, 285;
view of, 286; description, 988.
HELAM, near the Euphrates, where David fought his great
battle with tbe Syrians and Assyrians, 298.
HELIOPOLIS, a city of Egypt, formerly called On, 120.
HELLENISTS, or HelleniBtlc Jowb, 98.
HEROD, Bon of Antipater, governor of Galilee; wlna the
favor of Cassius ; defeats Antigonus, claimant of the throne
espoused to Mariamne, 478; Bupported by Anthony, 479;
goes to Rome and welcomed by Anthony; made king of
Judea ; his rival, Antigonus, executed ; his pow er established,
480, 481 ; cuts off tbe Asmonean party and members of tho
Sanhedrim; promotes Aristobulus, his wife's brother, to the
high-priesthood, 481 ; jealouB of the popularity of Aristobulus,
he secretly puts him to death ; summoned to nppear before
Anthony, and acquitted; difficulties in hie family, 482;
war with Arabian king; espouses the cause of Octavius, on
tbe defeat of Anthony, 483; is received with houor; puts to
death his wife and her mother; meets Octavius on hiB way
through Syria to Egypt, 484 ; extirpates the Asmonean family ;
establishes games; his cruelties, 485; passion for public im
provements; builds Cffisarea, 486; rebuilds the temple at
Jerusalem, 488 ; alienated from his twO sons by Mariamne;
favors his eldest son, Antipater; causes tlie death of the two
other Bona, 489 ; incurs the enmity of Augustus, 490; recalls
Antipater from Rome, 491 ; taken sick ; orders tbe heads* of
the most eminent families to be put to death as soou as he
is dead ; his wives, 499 ; family of tlie Heruds, 493.
HEROD AGRIPPA, persecutions; sudden death, 558.
HERODOTUS, hiB reasons why the Israelites could not sacri
fice to God in Egypt, 146.
HESHBON, a place taken from Sihon by the Israelites, 199.
HETH, Bon of Canaan, founder of the Hittites; lived near
Hebron, 64.
HEXAPLA, the Bible in six languages, by Origen, 29.
HEZEKIAH, son of Aliaz, king of Judah: his name found
on the ruins of Nineveh, 64; his cnarucfer, acts, 378; sick
ness, prayer and answer, 381 ; pride and puuishinent, death,
382.
HIDDEKEL, the Tigris river, 48.
HIEL, of Bethel, rebuilt Jericho, 212.
HIGH-PKIEST, costume of, engraving, 179; on the day of
atonement, 181 , laws respecting, 182. '
H1LKIAH, high priest, discovers an autograph copy of the
law written by MoaeB, 383.
HIRAM, king of Tyre, "ever a lover of David;" David's
profitable alliance with him, 296; congratulates Solomon
on bis accession} his great assistance to Solomon in build
ing tbe temple, 322.
HIRAM, a skillful artist sent to assist Solomon, by King
Hiram, 322; note on, 325.
HISTORY OF SUSANNA, book of, In Apocrypha, 37.
HITTITES, inhabited the mountains of Canaan, 190.
HOBAH, a small place near Damascus, 70.
« HOLINESS TO THE LORD," carved upon the mitre upon ¦
gold plate, in front, 178.

INDEX

HOLOFERNES, 38.
HOLY OF HOLIES, an apartment of the tabernacle, 176.
HOPHNI, son of Eli, 247 ; slain by the Philistines in bat
tle, 248.
HOR, Mount, near the borders of Edom, a peak of Mount
Seir, 196 ; view of, 197 ; Dr. Macmichael's account of, 198.
HOREB, Mount, in Midian ; God appeared to Moses in the
burning bush, 139; people of Israel supplied with water
from the rock smitten by Moses, 168,
HORMAH, 193.
HORSES AND CHARIOTS, trade in, 330.
HOSEA, book of, 10 ; prophet, in the time of Uzziah, 374.
HOSHEA, successor of Pekah ; made tributary to Shalma
nezer ; sent captive to Nineveh, 337.
HUGO, Cardinal, made the first Concordance, 15,
HUL, son of Aram, possessed Armenia, 64.
HULDAH, prophetess, 384.
HUR, friend of Aaron and Moses, 168.
HUSHAI, an old and faithful friend of David, 306 ; follows
Absalom in order to frustrate hia plans, 306,
HUZ, eon of Nahor, 84.
HYRCANUS, son of Simon, strengthens hia position In Judea;
invades Samaria; subdues the Idumeans, 466; eided by
aided by Rome, 467 ; becomes master of all Palestine ; reigns
thirty years, 468.
HYRCANUS, son of Alexander Jannteus, succeeds to the throne
of Judea; compelled to resign his crown to his brother Aris
tobulus; the deposed brother's cause espoused by Antipater
and King Aretas; AristobuluB, defeated, takes refuge In
the temple-mount, 471 ; these Jewish princes refer', their
respective claims to Pompev ; ordered to plead their own case
beiore him, 473; confirmed as the nominal bead of Judea
and high-priest, 474,

I.

IBZAN, a judge of ierael, 241.
ICHABOD, aon of Phineas, 248.
IDOLS mentioned in Scripture, list of, 101.
IDUMEANS, or EDOMITES, descendants of Esau, 96.
ILLYRICUM, 579.
IMAGES, called goda ; Laban's stolen by Rachel ; buried at
Shechem by JacoD, 101.
INTERMARRIAGE with other nations prohibited, 84.
ISAAC, son of Abraham; signification ofthe name, 79; Ms
equivocation in regard to his wife; his prosperity at Gerar,
91 ; bis removal from Gerur, 92; treaty with Abimelech ; his
love for Esau, 94; his prayer when he blesses Jacob; his
blessing of Esau, 95; death at Mamre; hia burial in the
cave of Machpelah, 111.
ISAIAH, book of, 10 ; prophet, appointed to the prophetic office,
757 b. c, 374 ; foretells the destruction of the Assyrian host,
381 ; his prophecy in regard to Cyrus, 402,
ISHBOSHETH, or Eshbaal, son of Saul ; elected to the throne
after the death of Saul, 285; slain by his own officers, 290.
ISHMAEL, son of Hagar by Abram, 72 ; his character ; promise
respecting him, 74 ; driven out with Hagar, 80; marries an
Egyptian, 81.
ISHMAELITES, with tbe Midianites, called Arabians, con
ductors of Eastern trade. Dr. Vincent upon, 113.
ISRAEL, name given to Jacob by tbe angel, 105 ; name of the
kingdom of the ten tribes, 842.
ISRAELITES, descendants of Jacob, 96: oppressed by the
new king of Egypt, 136; allowed to depart from Egypt,

150; borrow jewels and rich dresses from tho Egyptians,
this borrowing explained ; they leave Egypt ; they take
the bones of Joseph, 152 ; number of the people, con
jectures concerning, 153; their r. ute; the column of cloud
and fire, 154; their murmurings against Moses when pur
sued by Pharaoh, 160; Idolatry with the golden calf, 172;
plot to return to Egypt after the report of the spies, 190;
God's threat that none of them over twenty years of age,
except Caleb and Joshua, should enter the promised land,
192; their rash advance and retreat, 193: punished for
murmuring against Moses and Aaron ; death of fourteen
thousand seven hundred persons, 195; they conquer Og.;
encamp opposite Jericho, 199; their punishment for Ido.
latry of Baal-peor, 203 ; their corruption after the death
of Joshua, 217; repeated' lapscB into idolatry, subject!. m,
and temporary reformation, 217, 218; made tributary to
Cush on-r ish athaim ; delivered by Othniel ; subdued by
Eglon, king of Moab, 221; delivered by Ehud; eighty
years of rest, 222 ; delivered from King Jabin by Deborah
and Barak, 228; Buffer from Incursions of the Midianites
and Amalekites, 230; delivered by Gideon, 232; repent
of Idolatry, 237; war with tlie Philistines nnd defeated,
247, 248; long subjection ; delivered by Samuel, 262; de
mand a king, 253; dismay at the appearance of Goliah,
270; attain to their character as a military people under
David, 295; great pestilence among them, 814; discussion
of the causes of their failure as a people, 894 ; the truth
preserved even in their captivity ; the Divine Intention in
their history not frustrated, 395; their captivity the means
of maintaining and diffusing the knowledge of Jehovah,
404 ; how kept a separate people, 405.
ISSA, Hebrew name for woman, 47.
ISSACHAR, son of Jacob, 100; Jacob's dying prophecy con*
cerning him, and Its fulfilment, 132.
ITALICS, supplementary words printed in, 35.
ITALIAN Band, 554, note.
ITHAMAR, high-priest, 240 ; second son of Aaron, 246.
ITHOBALUS, or ETHBAAL, kingof Tyre, 651.
ITTAI, lender of David's body-guard, 305.
IZBLBENOB, a Philistine giant slain by Abishai, 313.

J.
JAAZER, a large city taken from the Amorites, 199.
JABAL, son of Lamech, 52.
JABBOK, brook, 102.
JABESH, Gilead, the men of, slain and the virgins spared as
wives for the Benjamites, 220.
JABIN, king of Hazor, unites against Joshua ; slain by Joshua,
215.
JABIN IL, his oppression of Israel, 227.
JABNEH, a Philistine town, 373.
JA CHIN, name of a pillar in tbe porch of the temple, 325.
JACOB, birth of, son of Isaac ; signifies the supplanter, 90 ;
obtains the blessing Intended for Esnu, 95; flleB to Laban ; his
journey to Haran; hiB dream of the ladder at Luz; the
Divine promise to him ; hie pillar ; Persian customs explana
tory of, 97 ; his vow ; meets Rachel at tbe well ; serves seven
years for her, 98; deceived, married to Leah, 99 ; hiB device
of the speckled sticks ; jealousy of Laban ; ordered to return
to Canaan ; hia departure, 101 ; his effort to conciliate Esau,
104; his present to Esau; wreatlea with the angel; his
name changed to Israel ; hiB meeting with Esau, 105 ; settles
in Shechem, 106 ; ordered to remove to Bethel ; collects all
the idolB and earrings of his retinue and buries them, 109
builds an altar at Bethel' visits hiB father at Mamre. 110

INDEX.

his grief at Josepu's nrppond death compared to that of
Achillea, 114; sends his sous to Egypt to buy corn, 120; his
grief at parting with Benjamin, 1 29 ; his journey to Egypt;
offers sacrifices at Beersheba; God renews his promises to,
him, 126; Mb meeting with his son Joseph ; settles In Goshen
128; dying Instructions to Joseph; blesBed Ephraim and
Manasseh, 131 ; his death; embalmed, 133 ; funeral and
burial in Machpelah, 134.
J AEL, wife of Heber ; murdered Sisera, 228.
J AHAZ, place where the Israelites defeated Sihon, 199.
J AHAZIEL, a Levite, 367,
JAHN, his estimate of the causes that led to the demand for
a king by the Israelites, 253 ; his survey of the office and
times of ther judges, 258-260 ; his method of disposing of
the great numbers mentioned in the Scriptures, 348, note;
remarks upon the captivity, 405.
JAIR, a Gileadite, judge of Israel, 237.
JAMES, labors among the Jews; persecuted; dies a martyr;
hiB character, 595, 696.
JAMES THE GREAT : ministry ; put to death by Herod, 606.
JAMES, King, his translation of the Bible, 34.
3 ASHOBEAM, a valiant man of David, 293.
JAPHET.or JAPHETH, first son of Noah, 59; bis posterity,
and the countries occupied by them, 61 ; possessed all Europe
and part of Asia, 64.
JARED, Bon of Mahalaleel, 52.
JAVAN, Bon of Japheth, founder of the Greeks, 61.
JEBEL MOUSA, modem name of Mount Horeb, 170.
JEBUSITES, lived in the mountains of Canaan, 190; held
Mount Zion to the time of David, 218.
JECONIAH, son of Jehoiakim, comes to the throne ; taken cap
tive by Nebuchadnezzar, 388.
JEHOAHAZ, Bon and successor of Jehu, 376 ; dies 850 b. c, 376.
JEHOAHAZ, or SHALLUM, Bon of Joalah, taken captive
and carried to Egypt by Necho, 386. *
JEHOIAKIM, son of Josiah; denunciation of, by Jeremiah,
386 ; hia second warning by the prophet ; his end, 388.
JEHOIDA, accession to the high-priest's office, 422.
JEHOIDA, son of Benalan, a Levite, 291 ; high-priest, regent,
and guardian of young King Joash; burled among the kings,
370.
JEHORAM, son of Ahab, successor of Ahaziah on the throne of
Israel ; unites with Jehoshaphat to reduce the Moabites, 357 ;
restores her land to the Sbunemitc woman ; besieges Ramoth
Gilead ; wonnded, 362.
JEHORAM, Bon of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, came to the
throne 904 b. c. ; slays bis six brothers ; idolatry restored ;
Elisha denounces calamities upon him, 368; dies, and is
denied a royal burial, 369,
JEHOSHAPHAT, son of Asa, king of Judah; beginB to reign,
929 b, c; destroys the remains of idolatry; his alliance
with Ahab; his prosperous reign, 366; proclaims a fast at the
invasion of the Ammonites and Moabites; his victory;
immense spoil, 367 ; builds a navy at Ezion-Geber ; his ships
wrecked ; his death, 368,
J EHOSHEB AD, wife of Jehoida, high-priest, daughter of King
Ahaziah, 369.
JEHOVAH, the Jews not suffered to speak the name ; pro
nunciation of lost, 23; Nissi, an altar built by Moses to
commemorate the defeat of the Amalekites, 170.
JEHOVAH-JIREH, 84.
JEHU, his name found among the ruins of Nineveh, 62; sod
of Nimshi; anointed king of Israel, 362; meets Jehoram
In battle and slays him with an arrow, 363; causes seventy
•one of Ahab to be slain ; slays forty-two brothers of Ahaziah,

king of Judah ; completes the destruction of the house of
Ahab ; slays all the priests of Baal In Samaria and destroys
their temple, 364 ; dies 867 b. c, 375.
JEHU, a prophet, son ofHananl; pronounces the doom ;i*
Baasha, king of Israel, 342.
JEPHTHA, a Gileadite, is chosen to lead the people against
the Ammonites; his appeai to the king of the Ammonites;
defeata them with great slaughter ; hiB vow, 238 ; sacrifice ol
his daughter, 239, 240 ; defeat of the Ephraimites, 240 ; judged
Israel six years and died 1247 b.c, 241.
JEROBOAM, plans hia revolt and flees to Shishak, 336 ; chosen
king by the ten tribes, 337 ; makes Shechem bis capital, 340 ;
establishes golden calveB at Dan and Bethel ; draws away
the people from worshipping at JeruBnlem ; builda temples
and altars at Dan and Bethel ; establishes a new priesthood ;
changes the times of the sacred feasts; takes upon himself
the priest's office; judgment denounced by a prophet while
he was offering Incense; miraculous stiffening of his arm,
and rending of the altar, 341 ; defeated In battle, death of his
eon Abijah ; dies 968 b, c, 342.
JEROBOAM II., bou and successor of Joash, king of Israel;
Jonah appears In his reign, 376.
JEROME, ST., author of the Vulgate, 29.
JEREMIAH, book nf, 10 ; prophet In the time of Jehoiakim ;
imprisoned ; his second warning of Jehoiakim, 387 ; denounces
judgments upon Zedekiah, 390; fulfilment of his prophecy
In the destruction of Jerusalem ; forced to go to Egypt, said
to have been put to death there, 391.
JERICHO, a city of the Canaanites, 209 ; miraculously taken
by Joshua ; utterly destroyed ; view of, 211, 212 ; great booty
taken there, 212 ; waters of, healed by Elisha, 358 ; note, 516.
JERUSALEM, the name supposed to have been first given
by David; called City of David, 293; plundered by thi
Philistines, 369; plundered by Joash, king of Israel, 372;
supplied with water by Hezekiah, 380 ; captured by Nebuchad
nezzar, 386 ; completely demolished 586 a. c, 391 ; the returned
captives assemble and build an altar upon the ruins of the
temple, 408; ravaged by Antiochus, 447, 448; destruction of
by the Romans, 631-656 ; prophecies and warnings concerning ;
coincidence between prophecies and historic records, 632;
prodigies preceding destruction of, 633, 634 ; occasion of tbe
war, 634; fanaticism of the Jewish insurgents; forces sent to
suppress the rebellion; the insurgents gain successes, 635, 636 ;
terrible slaughter of the Jews, 637 ; Roman army repulsed,
638 ; its retreat, 640 ; Vespasian sent to assume command,
Titus one of hiB generaU ; the Jews defeated in battle, 641 ;
their spirit not broken, 641, 642; nnder Joseph, their general,
they make a heroic defense; Jotapata taken by strategy,
648, 644, 645 ; Joseph induced to surrender himself to Vespasian,
held a prisoner, favored by Titus, relates a vision, 647, 648 ; the
war under Titus prosecuted with vigor by Titus ; death ol
Nero; civil war in Rome, 648; the Roman commander, Ves
pasian, made emperor by his army; goes to Rome, leaving
Titus in command, 646, 649, 650-652; Titus approaches Jeru
salem with a powerful army, makes a breach In tbe walla,
obtains partial possession of the city, invites a surrender
by the promise of kind treatment, 652; dispatches Joseph,
their old general, with terms of surrender ; his mission
fruitless, 654 ; Titus renews the siege ; famine in tbe city ; an
entrance Into the city effected, 655 ; renewed offers of capitu
lation, which are declined; orders the fortress razed; tries
to save the temple ; fired by1 a soldier ; tbe Jews try to
escape, 655; the Romans murder the inhabitants ; Titusorders
the walls of the city and temple to be leveled to the ground ;
effect of the news In Rome ; return of Titus in triumph, 656.
JESHUA, leader, with Zerubbabel, of the Jews out of cap
tivity, 408; high -priest, he establishes tbe temple service
after the restoration, 410.
JESSE, grandson of Boaz and Ruth, Samuel sent 'by God
to hiB family, 268,

690

INDEX.

JESUS CHRIST birth, 490 ; popular expectation of th* od^cot
of a king, 491 ; prophecies concerning ; time of his appearing,
494 ; divinity, 494, 495 ; death, 495, 496 ; his gospel, his king
dom, 496-498 ; events connected with his birth, 500-503 ;
o wells in Nazareth ; baptism, 503 ; temptation 504 ; ministry
in Galilee, 505-908; goes to Jerusalem to tbe feast; miracles
and teachings there, 509; apostles appointed ; raises a young
man from the dead, preaching tour; power over demons
and diseases, 510-512, Bails over Tiberias to the country of
the Gadarenes, miracles there'; returns to Capernaum ; sends
forth his apostles, 513; visits the coast of Tyre and Sidon;
the sea of Galilee, Magdala, Bethsaida, Cassaren; his transfi
guration; returns to Capernaum, 614; attends the feast of
tabernacles; Pharisees try to apprehend him; the seventy
return and report; parable of the good Samaritan, 515-517;
visits Martha and Mary; instructs his disciples on the
subject of prayer; exposes the hypocrisy ofthe Pharisees;
warning against covetousnesB ; parable ofthe wedding aupper ;
the prodigal son ; the unjust steward, 517, 518 ; the rich man
and Lazarus ; asserts his oneness with the Father ; regard for
little children ; counsels the young ruler ; resurrection of
Lazarus, 519, 520; vlaits Jericho, Bethany, Mount of Olives,
on his way to Jerusalem for the lost time, 521 ; foretells
the destruction of Jerusalem ; prepares to eat the last passover ;
announces his betrayal; institutes the sacramental supper;
goes to Gethsemane, 599; agony; arrest; trial; condemnation;
crucifixion, 524 ; punishment by crucifixion, 525, 526; events
at the crucifixion, the sepulchre, 598; resurrection; appears to
his disciples; instructs them in their work; ascension, 530;
reflections on his character and nature of his religion, 530-536 ;
list of bis rairncles, 537 ; list of his parables, and remarkable
discourses, 538,
JETHRO, prince of Midian; father-in-law of Moses, 139;
visits the camp of the Israelites; advises Moaes to appoint
officers to aid him, 170.
JETURsonof lahmael, 81.
JEWELS, the borrowed, 159.
JEZEBES, wife of Ahab, daughter of Ethbaal.king of Tyre
an idolatrous woman ; maintains a multitude of priests of
Baal; induces Ahab to order the destruction of all the
prophets of Jehovah, 351 ; procures the death of Naboth ; her
doom pronounced by Elijah, 356; slain; devoured by dogs,
363.
JEZREEL, 356.
JIDLAPH, Bon of Nahor, 84.
JOAB, commander of David's army; treacherously slays Ab
ner, 989, brilliant defeat of Absalom, 308; superseded in
command by Amasa, the late rebel captain; kills Amasa as he
did Abner, 319; he follows the rebel Adonijah, 315; flees to
the altar when Adonijah falls, and is there slain, 320.
JOACHIM, regent during Joaiah's minority, 383.
JOASH, son of Ahaziah, king of Judah ; hidden from Athaliah
'.n the temple, 369 ; proclaimed king and crowned by Jehoida,
the high-priest; repairs the temple, 370; sanctions idolatry;
wounded and soon after murdered ; refused a royal burial, 371.
JUASH, son and successor of Jehoahaz; receives his lost pos
sessions from the Syrians, 376.
JOASH, father of Gideon, 231.
j OB, bookof, 9.
JOCHEBED, mother of Moses, 137.
JOCTAN, eon of Eber, tad thirteen children; all settled in
Judeo, 64.
JOEL, book of, 10 ; prophet In time of Uzziah, 374.
JOEL, son of Samuel, degeneracy of, 253.
JOHN, the Evangelist, book of, 10.
JOHN, Baptist, his birth, 489 ¦ ministry, 503, V" tr, by
Herod, 513.

JOHN MARK, goes to Cyprus with Barnabas; with Paul
. to Rome, 619.
JOHN, the beloved disciple, Asia his field of labor; founds
churches ; resides at Ephesus ; banished to Patmos ; writes
the book of Revelation; returns to Asia Minor and takes
charge of the churches; author of the Gospel of John;
character of his writings, 606-610.
JONADAB, son of Rechab, 364.
JONAH, book of, 10 ; prophet, hiB mission to Nineveh, 800 b. c,
376.
JONATHAN, eldest son of Saul, overcomes the Philistine
garrison in Gibeah, 263; his daring exploit and defeat ol
the Philistines, 266 ; la exposed to death, under his father's
order, for eating before evening while in" pursuit of the
enemy, 967; his strong attachment to David; bis compact
of perpetual friendship with David, 272; his wnrniug to
David to flee from his father, 274; his lave, "passing the
love of woman," 277; slain by the Philistines, 284; David's
beautiful elegy on his death, 284, 285.
JONATHAN, son of Abiathar, 805.
JONATHAN, brother of Judas, elected leader of the Mac
cabees, 456; conspiracy against him, 458; offers terms of pence
to the Syrian general; appointed by the King of Syria hiB
general in Judea; removes to Jerusalem; receives an ap
pointment to the high-priesthood, 459; summoned to appear
before Demetrius, king of Syria; received with favor ; seeks
an alliance with the Romans, 469 ; betrayed by Tryphon and
put to death ; his brother Simon elected his successor, 463.
JOPPA, 653, note.
JORDAN, the, 68; view of, 69.
JOSEPH, son of Jacob by Rachel, signification of name, 100;
coat of many colors or pieces; eastern party colored fabric, i,
Mr. Roberts' account of; his brothers' jealousy ; dreams, 111;
sent to Shechem ; thrown into the pit at, Dothan, 112; Bold to
Ishmaelites; sold to Potiphar, 113; story of hia brothers as
to his death, 114; appointed chief manager of his master's
affairs; tempted by Potiphar'a wife; his resistance and no
ble answer, 116; falsely accused and imprisoned, 118; his in
terpretation of dreams, 119; promoted to great dignity;
hia name changed to Zaphnathpaaneah ; marries Asenath;
his wise preparation for famine; his brethren come to buy
corn, 120; hiB assumed severity; nis tender feeling; orders
them to bring Benjamin, 121 ; dines with his brothers; kind
ness to Benjamin, 123 ; his discovery of himself to them ; bis
recognition of God's providence in his history; sends for his
father to come to Egypt, 125; exacts a fifth of tbe produce
of the land for the king, 130; his lying prophecy and address
to each of his soon, 131 ; his injunctions to bis brethren ; death
and embalming, 133; his character, 136; his bones carried
from Egypt by the Israelites, 152; buried In Shechem, 217.
JOSEPH, journeys with Mnry to Bethlehem 490.
JOSIAH, Bon and successor of Amon ; defiles the idolatrous
altars; repairs the temple, 383; causes the Passover to be
celebrated with great solemnity, 384 ; his death on the
battle field, 385 ; lamented by Jeremiah, 386.
JOSHUA, book of; successor of Moses, 7; defeats tbe Ama
lekites, 168; one of the twelve spies, 190; his and Ca
leb's boldness and faith rewarded by the promise of en
tering the promised land, 192 ; succeeds MoseB as leader
of Israel, 208 ; sends spies to Jericho, 209 ; crosses the
Jordan with the whole army ; method of taking Jericho
revealed to him by angel, 210; defeats Adonizedek, and in
the pursuit, prays that the sun and moon may stand still,
and Is answered; hangs the confederate kings; slays Ja
bin, and subdues all the peoples of Canaan ; kills thirty-
one kings together with the Anakims, or giants; divides
tbe land west of Jordan by lot to the tribes; takes his
residence near Shiloh SIS; removes to Shechem, 216, his
death, 217.

INDEX.

691

JOTHAM, son of Gideon, alone escaped Ablmelech's massacre
of his brothers, 234 ; his ironical parable of tbe trees choosing
a king, 236.
JOTHAM, son of Uzziah; administers the government In
stead of his father ; in his reign Rome waa founded ; dies,
741 b. c, 374.
JUBAL, aon of Lamech ; invented the paaltery, 52.
JUDAH, eon of Jacob, signification of name, 99 ; Influences
his brothers to take Joseph from the pit, 113; his marriage
to Shuah, 114; inveigled by hiB daughter-in-law, Tamar,
115; Jacob'B dying prophecy and address to him, and its
fulfilment, 131; tribe of, with Simeon, slay ten thousand
CanaanlteB and Perizzites, 218; does not furnish its full
quota to the army of Saul, 267; ruled separately by David,
seven years in Hebron, 291.
JUDAH, tribe of, and Benjamin, regarded as one under
the name Judah, after the revolt of the ten tribes; re
mains loyal to Rehoboam, the successor of Solomon, a sepa
rate kingdom, 337.
JUDAS MACCABEUS, appointed military leader; Is asso
ciated with Simon as adviser, 450 ; was inaugurated ; in
dependence of the country achieved, 452; succession of
victories, 452, 453; returns to Jerusalem, 453; the war re
newed by Lysias, again defeated; another army defeated;
peace restored, 454 ; is promoted governor of Judea, 455 ;
again attacked by Nicanor, the Syrian general ; is victo
rious; eends an embassy to Rome ; another furious attack
by the Syrian forces; is slain ; his brother Jonathan elected
his ncceascr 4SS
JUDE, or THADDEUS, preaches in Judea and Galilee, then iu
Idumea, Arabia, Mesopotamia, and Edessa; writes the Epis
tle of Jude ; is put to death, 614 615.
J UDEA, land of, called Canaan, 67 ; reduced to a Roman
dependency, 473.
JUDGES, book of, 7; the, from Joshua to Ssui, account of
217-246; extent of their authority, 296; Jain's estimate
of their office and times, 258-260 ; the office not hereditary,
260 ; duration of their rule, 261.
JUDITH, book of, in Apocrypha, S7; translated by St.
Jerome, 38,
JUPITER, an idol, 101. K.
KADESH BARNE A, trie place from which Moses sent twelve
spies into Canaan, 190.
KADESH, death of Miriam, 195.
KAHTAN, same as Joctan, one of the progenitors of the Arabs,
89.
KEDAR, son of Ishmael, SI.
KEDEM AH, son of Ishmael, 81.
KEILAH, David's victory at, 277.
KELAH, in Benjamin, Saul's bones buried there by David, 313.
KEMUEL,son of Nahor, 84.
KENITES, 202.
KETURAH, second wife of Abraham, 89.
KIBROTH-HATAAVAH, where many of the Israelites died
after eating of the quails, 189.
KING, demand for; causes of this demand, as set forth by
Jahn, 253 ; first election of, 1110 b. c, 256.
KINGS, boots of, 8.
KIR-HARASETH, ailty of the Moabites, 3S8.
KIR J ATH-ARBA, afterwards called Hebron ; Sarah died there,
84.
K1RJ ATH-JEARIM, a town to which the ark was carried, 252.

KISH, a Benjamlte, father of Saul, 2S6.
KISHON, river, 228; the prophets of Baal slain at, 352,
KITTIM, son of Javan, possessed Italy, 62.
KOHATH, second son of Levi, 186.
KORAH, great-grandson of Levi, his rebellion ; his destro.
tion, 194. L.
LABAN, son of Bethuel, brother of Rebecca, 88; receive*
Jacob cordially, 98 ; he pursues Jacob, 101 ; warned of
God ; ineffectual search for hia gods ; makes a treaty with
Jacob at Gilead, 102.
LABOROSOARCHOD, son and successor of Belshazzar, 401.
LACHISH, 372.
LATIN translation of the Bible, 29.
LAISH, a town and district near the source of the Jordan ;
conquered by the tribe of Dan, and named Dan, 219.
LAMECH, son of Methuselah, 62.
LAMENTATIONS, book of, 10.
LANGUAGE, divine origin of ; different dialects ; the English
probably to become universal ; confounding of, at Babel, 60.
LAODICEANS, church of, 626-628.
LAW, the, 7; autograph copy of, discovered by Hllklab
383 ; public reading of, by Ezra, 419,
LEAH, daughter of Laban ; first wife of Jacob ; her sons,
99 ; buried in Machpelah, 288.
LEHABIM, son of Mizraim, peopled Lybia, 64.
LEPROSY, law of, 182 ; Miriam's, 189.
LEVI, son of Jacob by Leah; signification of the name, 99;
Jacob's dying address to him and its fulfilment, 131 ; sons
of, not engaged in tbe idolatry of the golden calf; tbey
slay three thousand of the chief idolaters, 173; tribe of,
exempt from military eerv.ee; had charge of the tuber
nacle, 184.
LEVITES, faithful to Judah at the time ofthe revolt, 341,
LEVITICUS, book of, 6.
LIVES of Apostles and fellow-laborers, 604-620.
LONGEVITY.primitive, 79.
LOT, son of Haran, of Ur in Chaldea, 66 ; his capture by
Chederlaomer, 70; entertains the heavenly messengers,
75; led out of the city by the angel, 76; fate of his wife,
wickedness of Mb daughters, 78.
LUD, fourth son of Shem ; founded Lydia, 64.
LUDIM, eon of Mizraim, peopled Lybia, 64.
LUTHER'S Bible, 31.
LUKE, book of, 10; St., 11; travels in Egypt and Greeoe ;
' writes the Gospel of Luke and Acts; suffers martyrdom, 616.
LUZ. See BETHEL.
LYSIAS, commander of the garrison at Jerusalem, 683, 584.
M.
MAACHAH, best beloved wife of Rehoboam; daughter of
Absalom, 347, not*.
MACCABEES, book of, in Apocrypha, 37; name assumed
by JudaB, aon of Mattathias, and military leader, 450.
MACEDONIA, 566, note.
MACHPELAH, -ave at Hebron, burial place of Sarah, 84;
Abraham, 89 ; Isaac, 111 ; Jacob, 134,
MAGI, Egyptian, 119.
MAGOG, sou of Japheth; founder of the Tartars, or Scythi
ans, 61.

692

INDEX.

MAHALALEEL, son of Cainan, 52.
MAHALATH, third wife of Eaau ; daughter of Ishmael, 97.
MAHANAIM, a fortified town east of the Jordan, 102 ; David
established himself hen when he fled from Absalom. 308.
MAHLON, son of Elimelech and Naomi, 223.
MAKKEDAH, a city of the tribe of Judah, 315.
MALACHI, Book ot, 10 ; prophet, 420.
MAMRE, plain of, residence of Abraham, 70.
MAMRE, a Canaanlte, friend of Abraham, 70.
MAN, his creation, 47.
MANASSEH, son of Joseph by Asenath, 130; half tribe of,
settles east of Jordan, 204.
MANASSEH, son of Hezekiah ; wickedness, 38 ; Imprisonment,
and reform; defeated by Esarhaddon; his prayer In prison;
death and burial, 382, 888.
MANDRAKES, opinions concerning, 99.
MANETHO, history of, 158.
MANGER, note, 500.
MANNA, directions for gathering, 166 ; supply of, stopped after
entering Canaan, 210.
MANOAH, a Danite, father of Samson, 341.
MANUSCRIPTS, Hebrew, description, 16; how used, 17.
MAP of countries mentioned la the Bible, 43 ; of the Holy
Land in the time of David, 276 ; of the Holy Land la the
time of Christ, 516; of Jerusalem and the Temple in the
time of Christ, 524.
MARAH In the desert of Shur, where the bitter water was
made sweet, 166.
MARATHON, battle or, 419.
MARESHAH, battle of, in which Asa defeated Zerah, 350.
MARK, book of, 10 ; St., sent to Egypt ; great success In preach
ing; persecuted and cruelly murdered; writes the Gospel
that bears his name, 615, 616.
MARONITES, 29.
MARRIAGE, Eastern customs of, 99; laws of; lo what cases
forbidden ; laws of, for daughters, 204 ; illustrated In the his
tory of Ruth, 226.
MARTYN'S translation of the New Testament Into Persian, 30.
MARTYR, Justin, on the purity of the Bible text, 22,
MASH, sou of Canaan, 64.
MASHECH, son of Japheth, founder of the Cappadociana, 61.
MASSA, son of Ishmael, 8; also name of the place where the
Israelites were supplied with water from the rock, 168.
MASSORAH; iithonhip, 29.
MASSORITES, grammarians ; inventors of the vowel points
and accents, 22.
MATRI, family of the tribe of Benjamin, from which Saul
descended, 253.
MATT AN, hlgb-prtest of Baal, 369; slain, 370.
MATT aN IAH, sod of Josiah, made king of Judea by Nebu
chadnezzar; name changed to Zedekiah, 388.
MATTATHIAS, a priest, refuses to sacrifice to the Idol ; flees
with his sons ; ble party increases, 450.
MATTHEW, book of, 10 ; St., preaches In Judea ; then to tho
Gentiles ; writes tbe Gospel , suffers martyrdom; his charac
ter, 612.
MATTHIAS, his labors extended to foreign countries and to
Ethiopia; his success, 615.
MEDAD, one of the seventy elders selected to assist Moses ;
inspired with the same spirit, 189.
MEDEBA, a town of the Ammonites, 298.

MEDIA, son of Japheth, founder of the Medes, 6L
MEGIDDO, where King Ahaziah died, S63.
MELCHISEDEK, a prince of Canaan, king of Salem, 71.
MELCHI-SHUA, son of Saul, slain by the Philistines, 284,
MELITA, 589, 690, not.
MENAHEM, a Jewish king, his name found among tht ruins o> ,
Nineveh, 62; gains the throne of Israel by slaying Shalium,
376; purchases peace from Pul, the Assyrian king, with a
thousand talents of silver ; first Instance of taxation ; dies
760 b. c, 377.
MEPHIBOSHETH, a lame son of Jonathan, 291 ; Bought out
and honored by David for hia father's sake, 296.
MERAB, daughter of Saul ; five of her sons were slain to
avenge the Gibeonites, 313.
MERAIOTH, high-priest, 246.
MERARI, youngest son of Levi, 186.
MERIBAH, place where tbe people were supplied with water
from tin rock, 168 ; second supply of water, 196.
MERODACH BALADAN, 382.
MEROM, waters of, 215 , now the lake of Houle or Semechonl-
tin , the source of the Jordan, 70.
MESCH1NIANS, or C APP ADOC1ANS, founded by Mashed. ,
61.
MESHA, king of the Moabites, 358.
MESOPOTAMIA, Ur the capital, 66.
MESR, Arab name for Egypt, 164.
MESSIAH, to come from Judah; line of descent, 132.
METHUSELAH, son of Enoch, 52.
MIBSAM, son of Ishmael, 81.
MICAH, book of, one of the lesser prophets, 10.
MICAH, a man of Ephraim ; establishes a household god, and
hires a Levite to be his priest ; his Idol carried off by the
tribe of Dan and set up as their own, 219.
MICAIAH, son of Imlah, a prophet in the time of Ahab ; fore
tells evil to Ahab, 356.
MICHAL, Saul's daughter, wife of David, 97] ; her artifice to
save her husband from her father; given to another man in
marriage, 272 ; restored to David after he becomes king, 289.
MICHMASH, a military post of Saul, 263,
MIDIAN, land of, part of Arabia Petrsea, east of the Red
Sea, 158.
MIDIANITES, Dr. Vincent upon, 113: great slaughter of, by
Gldeou with three hundred men, 232.
MIDWIVES, Egyptian, 137.
MIGDOL, 158.
MILCHAH, daughter of Haran, espoused to her uncle Nahor,
66.
MILCOM, or MOLECH, an Idol, 101.
MILETUS, 581, note.
MILLS, use of, by females, 149,
MILTON, quotation, Adam's joy at receiving Eve, 48.
MIRACLES, of the Old Testament; Moses' rod changed
to a serpent, 140, 143; his hand made leprous and restored
140; his rod changed to a serpent before Pharaoh, and
swallows the rods of the magicians, 143; the water
changed to blood; the frogs, 144; lice, 146; flies, mur
rain, boils, hail, 147; locusts, 148; darkness over all the
land, 149; death of the first-born; opening a passage
across the Red Sea, 160; sweetening the bitter water,
quails, manna, 166; water from the rock, 168; giving
the tables of the law, 171 ; kindling of the fire on the
*ltar, 182; burning of the murmurers at Taberah, 188 j

INDEX.

693

supply of qsaila, Miriam's leprosy, and healing, 189;
destruction of the tea false Bples, 192; destruction of
Korah, 194; plague for murmuring; Aaron's rod budding,
195 ; waters of the Jordan retreat to let the Israelites pass
over, 210 ; Gideon's food consumed by fire from heaven ;
his fleece saturated with dew, and, again, exempted, 230 ;
the cloud at the dedication of the temple, and descent of
fire to consume the offerings, 326 ; stiffening of Jeroboam's
arm, and rending of his altar, 341 ; the unfailing barrel of
meal and cruse of oil for Elijah; fire sent to consume
the sacrifice on Elijah's altar, 352; Elijah calls down fire
to devour the companies sent to arrest him, 857 ; the
widow's oil multiplied by Elisha, 860; raising the Shune-
mlte's son by Elisha; healing of Naaman's leprosy, 360;
the Syrian host smitten with blindness, 961 ; panic of the
Syrian army, 362 ; the writing upon the wall of Belshaz-
zar's palace, 500.
MIRIAM, Bister of Moses, 137; leads the dance in celebra
tion of the deliverance from Pharaoh, 164; engraving,
dance with timbrels, 165; her envy of Moses, and God's
rebuke by leprosy, 189 ; her recovery by prayer of Moses,
190 ; death at KadeBh ; her tomb, notice of, by Eusebius, 195.
MISHAEL, one of Daniel's three friends, called Mesbach, 397,
MISHMA, son of Ishmael, 81.
MITRE, 178.
MITYLENE, 580, note.
MIZPEH, the rendezvous of the tribes to fight against Ben
jamin, 220; the rallying place under Jephthah, 238; also
under Samuel, 252; fortified by Asa, 350.
MIZRAIM, second son of Ham, settled la Egypt, 64 ; tho
first name of Egypt, 67,
MNEVTS, a god of the Egyptians, Imitated by Jeroboam
in Mb golden calves, 341.
MOAB, eon of Lot by his daughter; lather ofthe Moabites,
78 ; plains of, 199 ; view of, 901.
MOABITES overcome, and ten thousand slain by Ehud,
229; David's severity with, 295; revolt of, 357; subdued
by Jehoram, 358 ; Invade Judah, 367.
MOAN, wilderness of, where David took refuge from Saul, 273.
MOLOCH, an Idol, 101.
MONTHS, Hebrew, table of, as corresponding with onrs, 178,
MORDECAI, uncle of Esther, promoted to the place of
Haman, 416.
MOREH, plain of, oak of, 67.
MORIAH, Mount, site of Solomon's temple, 324.
MOSES, books of, 6; birth and concealment, 137; found and
adopted by Pharaoh's daughter; committed to his own
mother as nurse ; educated at court ; signification of name,
flees to Midian, 138; aids tbe daughters of Jethro at
the well; marries Zipporah, 139; God appears to him In
Horeb and appoints him deliverer of his people, 140 ; God
assures him by miracles, and gives him power to perform
them ; met In the way by an angel, 141 ; assembles hia
people in Egypt, and convinces them of his divine com
mission; demands of Pharaoh to let his people go, and
1b refused ; Pharaoh's Increased oppression, 142 ; Moses
performs a miracle before Pharaoh, 143; the river changed
to blood ; the frogs, 144 ; the lice, the flies, 146 ; murrain,
boils, hail, 147; locusts, 148; darkness, 149; death of
the first- born; instructed by God how to keep the Pass
over, 150; his boldness and faith when entrapped by
Pharaoh; he opens a passage across the Red Sea 160'. hie
song of deliverance, 162 ; " fountains uf," 164 : " rock
of," noticed by Prof. Robinson, 168; called up into the
mount, 170, spends forty days and forty nights in the
mount, 172. breaks the tables of stone; his prayers for
the peoplG, 173; prepares two new tables; his long fast,

174; ordered to muster the people, 184; ordered to speak
to the rock at Kadesh to Bupply water; he smites it In
stead; God's dlBpleasure, and judgment pronounced that
he shall not enter the promised land, 196; repeats the
law to the people; his song, 206; consecrates Joshua hia
successor ; his death upon PlBgah ; buried secretly by the
Almighty, 280.
MUSIC, early cultivated, 909 ; Its effect upon Saul, 970.
MYSIA, 666, not*. N.
NAAMAH, daughter of Lamech; supposed to have discovered
the art of spinning and weaving, 69.
NAAMAN, captain of the host of the Syrian king ; sent to King
Jehoram to be healed of leprosy; healed by Elisha, and ac
knowledges Jehovah, 860.
NABAL, of Carmel, his churlish treatment of David, 279; dies
of a broken heart, on hearing of the danger he had been in from
his churlishness, 280,
NABLOUS, modern name of Shechem, 112.
NABONADiCS, viceroy of Darius, 401 ; asserts his Independence,
402.
NABOPOLASSER, founder of the great Chaldas-Baby Ionian
empire, his death, 386.
NABOTH, 354 ; stoned to death on a false accusation of Jezebel
356 ; King Jehoram slain In the field of, as the prophet had
predicted, 363.
NADAB, son and successor of Jeroboam, king of Israel, slain by
Baasha, 342.
NADAB, with Abihu, offers Btrange fire ; are struck dead, 182.
NAHASH, king of the Ammonites, 262.
NAHOR, son of Serug; also son of Terah, 66.
NAHUM, book of, 10; hiB prophecy confirmed, 62.
NAIOTH, a school of the prophets near Raamah, to which
David escaped from the hand of Saul, 272.
NAOMI, wife of Elimelech, 7 ; meaning of, 18 ; removes with
her husband to the land of Moab, 222,
NAPHISH, son of Ishmael, 81.
NAPHTALI, son of Jacob by Bilhah, 99 ; Jacob's dying pro
phecy in regard to him, and its fulfilment, 133.
NAPHTULIM, son of Mizraim and king of Naph, or Memphis,
64.
NATHAN, Rabbi, first divides tbe Bible Into verses, 16.
NATHAN, the prophet; has a message from 0--.i that tbe
temple is to be built by a man of peace ; rebukes David for
his sin against Bathsheba and Uriah,301; Informs David of
the revolt of Adonijah, and of his promise to Solomon; is
appointed by David to anoint Solomon, 315,
NATRON, common in the East, used for pulverizing the
golden calf; Goguel's remarks, 173.
NAUCRATIS, a city of Lower Egypt, assigned to Greek traders,
113.
NAZARETH, 506, note.
NAZARITE, 241.
NEAPOLIS, 566, note.
NEBAJOTH, aon of Ishmael, 81.
NEBO, an Idol, 101.
NEBO, Monnt, same as PlBgah, 206.
NEBUCHADNEZZAR, son and successor of Nabopolasser
defeats the Egyptian king ; captures Jerusalem, 386 ; plunders
the temple; sends all the Jews, except the peasantry, Into
captivity ; makes Mattanlah r7ov«rnor over the remnant 388

694

INDEX.

lays siege to Tyre, 584 b. c. ; Invades Egypt, and subdues the
whole country, 392 ; his dream of the golden image, 397 ;
acknowledges Jehovah ; erects a golden image- that all nre to
worship, 393; becomes like a beast; dies, 399.
NEBUZARADAN, general of Nebuchadnezzar's army, com
pletely depopulates the land of Judea, 391,
NECHO, king of Egypt, first attempts to unite the Mediter
ranean and Red Sea by a canal; under him Africa was cir
cumnavigated, 113.
NEHEMIAH, book of, 8 ; cup-bearer to the Persian king ; ap
pointed governor of Judea, and commissioned to build the
walls of Jerusalem; organizes the temple service, 418; de
clines to receive pay, 419 ; returns to the Persian court ; re
turns to Judea to correct abuses, 420.
NERGAL, an idol, 101.
NESTORI ANS, or Chaldeans, descendants of the ancient Assy
rians, 64.
NIBHAZ, on idol, 101.
NICHOLAUS, of Damascus, confirms the sacred history, 295.
NILE, river, description of, 119 ; view of, 145 ; animals of, 164.
NIMROD, grandson of Ham, commenced the tower of Babel,
established idolatry, 62.
NINEVEH, capital of the Assyrian empire ; lta location ; pro-
phecied against by Nahum, n. c 645 -, Sennacherib slain there ;
destroyed 600 b. c. ; discoveries in its ruins by Mr. Rich, Mr.
Botta, and Mr. Layard ; Its ruins confirmatory of prophecy,
explanatory of the dress, arms, and modes of warfare of the
Jews and Ninevltes ; correspond to the description of Ezekiel ;
many Biblical names found on its ruins ; important reaultB to
Biblical history, 62 ; Jonah's mission to, 800 b. c, 376 ; de
stroyed, 386.
NISROCH, an idol, 101.
NITOCRIS, daughter-in-law of Nebuchadnezzar, 60,
NOAH, son of Lamech, 63; builds the ark, 64 ; leaves it,
sacrifices to God, permitted to eat animal food, 66; first
made wine ; bis Intoxication, 68 ; genealogy of his sons, 61,
NOB, town near Jerusalem, 974,
NOD, land of, dwelling place of Cain, 52.
NUMBERS, great, of armies, &c, mentioned In Scripture ;
method of explaining by Jahn and Hales, 348 ; book of, 6.

O.
OBADIAH, a good man, steward of Ahab, saves a hundred
prophett 352,
OBADIAH, prophet, book of, 10.
OBED, Bon of Boaz and Ruth ; grandfather of David, progenitor
of our Saviour, 226.
OBED, a prophet In the time of Asa, 350 ; warns Pekah, 374,
OBED-EDOM, a Levite, In whose house the ark waa left, 293.
OCHUS, son of Artaxerxee-Memnon ; ascends the Persian
throne, 423 ; his conquests in Egypt ; return to Babylon,
423, 424 ; death by poison, 424.
OCTAVIUS, one of the triumvirs, 479 ; receives Herod with
favor, 480 ; his battle at Actium, 433 ; receives tbe overtures
of Herod, 484 ; receives from the Senate the title and name
of Augustus, with imperial power, 485,
OG, king of Baahan, defeated and slain by the Israelites, 199.
OLD TESTAMENT, history of, 45 ; canon of, closes, 420 b. c,,
420.
OLIVES, Monnt of, 292.
OMRI, proclaimed king of Israel by the army after the death
of Baasha j marches agalnat bis rival, Zimri, 342; his ido

latry ; builds Samaria, and makes It his capital ; dies 931
b. a, 344.
ON, a city of Egypt, afterwards called Heliopolls ; also prince
or priest of, 120.
ONAN, son of Judah, 114.
ONIAS III., successor to the office of high-priest ; prosperous
administration, 444 ; deposed by Intrigue, 445 ; put tc death,
446.
OPHIR, 330.
OPHRAH, residence of Joseph, father of Gideon, 931 ; Gideon
built here an altar, 233.
OREB, a leader of the Midianites, slain by the Ephraimites,
933.
ORIGEN, author of the Hexapla, 99.
ORNAN, the Jebuslte, his threshing-floor the site of the tem
ple, 394.
ORPAH, daughter-in-law of Naomi, 294.
OTHNIEL, one of the judges; delivers Israel ; remains regent
forty years, 921.
OX-GOADS, Maundrell's description of, 229.

P.
PALM-TREE, great value of; branches tokens of victory, 166 ;
view of, 167.
PALMYRA, or Tadmor, built by Solomon, 332.
PARAN, wilderness of, 81 ; David retreats there from Saul, 279.
PARASHIUTH, 14.
PASCHAL LAMB, when killed, 178.
PASSOVER, Moses and Aaron instructed how to keep it, 150
when observed, 178; particulars of, 180; celebrated for the
first time after the restoration, 410.
PATHRUSIM, son of Mizraim, founded the kingdom of
Thebes, 64.
PATMOS, note, 608.
PATREA, note, 605.
PAUL, preacher at Antioch In Pisidia, 559, 560; great success
of his labors; Gentiles rejoiced; Jews enraged; driven from
the city ; goes to Iconium, thence to Lystra and Derbe ; heals a
oripple , popular excitement created by his miracles ; the people
addressed, 560, 561 ; stoned; leaves to visit the disciples in
other places ; returns to Antioch and Syria ; reports the suc
cess of the Gospel ; arrives at Jerusalem, 662 ; attends a gen
eral council; controversy about circumcision; discussed by
Paul, Barnabas, Peter and James ; result of council carried
back to Antioch, 563 ; joined by Silas ; rebukes Peter ; leaves
with Silas, 564; visits many places; visit to Philippi ; conver
sion of Lydia, 666; heals a damsel possessed of a spirit of
divination; a tumult; imprisoned; the doors opened; dis
charged by the magistrate, 667 ; goes to Rome, thence to
Athens, 668 ; preaches before the Areopagus, 570 ; goes to
Corinth and preaches In the Synagogues ; opposed by the
Jews; arraigned before Gallio; missionary circuit among the
churches, 574 ; efforts to correct abuses at Corinth, 576 ; es
capes the peril of a popular tumult at Ephesus, 578, 679 ; re
visits Corinth, and writes his Epistle to the Romans ; goes to
Judea to distribute alms ; visits Philippi and Troas, Mity
lene and MiletuB, 580; farewell address to the pastors and
elders of the church at Ephesus, 681 ; arrives at Tyre, thence
goes to Jerusalem by way of Cesarea, 582 ; defense of him
self at the castle of Antonia, 583 ; avails himself of his free
dom as a Roman citizen ; appears before the Sanhedrim, 584 ;
a vision from God; plot to murder him; rescued by Lysias,
585; arraigned before Felix; his defense before hie accusers
and Felix, 586 ; appeals to Csesar, and Is sent to Rome ; ship
wrecked; lands at Melita, 589; his kind reception; attacked

INDEX;

695

by a viper ; heals the governor's father ; embarks for Rome,
ISO; arrives at Rome a prisoner; addresses the Jews, 692;
preaches to all who come to him with great success ; receives
sontributionB from Philippi, 694 ; writes to the diBcipleB there ;
vends Epistles to other churches, 594, 595 ; obtains his liberty,
travels and preaches in Italy ; his condition during imprison
ment, 596, note ; goes to Spain ; proceeds to Judea, 598 ; re
turns to Rome, thence goes Into Asia; visits Macedonia,
thence to Nicopolis and other places, 599 ; cast into prison In
Rome, 600 ; beheaded, 602 ; personal appearance ; extraordi
nary qualities of character noticed, 603, 604 ; triumphant
death, 604.
rK AH, king of Israel, combines with Rezin, king of Syria,
against Judah, 374-377; carried away great numbers of
captives ; sends back the captives, 874 ; reign and death,
377.
r EKAHIAH, reign and death, 877.
7ELEG, youngest son of Eber, 64.
PtSLETHITES, a corps of David's body-guard, who remained
faithful during Absalom's rebellion, 805.
PELOPONNESUS possessed by Ellahah, son of Javan, 62.
PELUSIUM, 282.
PENIEL, place where Jacob wrestled with the angel, 105 ; the
people of, refuse food to Gideon; its chief men put to death,
233.
FENTATEUCH, books of, 5 ; authorBhlp, 7 ; called The Law, 13 ;
division of, by the Jews, 14 ; Samaritan, 25 ; translated into
Arabic, 30.
PENTECOST, when observed, 178.
PE JR, Mount, idolatry practised npon, 202 ; Baal-psor, an idol,
SP3.
PFRAKIM, the division of the Scriptures Into chapters, 14,
PERFUMING THE GARMENTS, custom, 95.
PERGAMOS, church of, 629.
PERSIAN, translation of the Bible, 30 ; customs In regard to
pillars of stone and vows, 97.
PESUKIM, the division of the Scriptures Into verses, 14.
PETER heals s cripple at the temple ; vindicates from Scrip
ture the claims of Jesus, 542, 543 ; arraigned before the San
hedrim ; his boldness ; discharged, 544 ; sent to Samaria ;
reproof of Simon, the magician, 549, 550 ; visits Joppa ; his
miracle; his vision, goes to Cesarea; interview with Corne
lius ; preaching and success, 554, 556 ; arrested by Herod
Agrippa, 557 ; miraculous deliverance ; goes to the house of
Mary and meets the disciples, 558 ; preaches in Babylon,
575; carries the Gospel into Africa, Sicily and Italy; goes
to Rome, where he meets Paul ; opposed by Simon Magna,
598 ; offends Nero and 1b imprisoned, 599 ; crucified, 600 ;
his character as a disciple, and as an apostle, 602, 603.
PETHOR, a city In Mesopotamia, residence of Balaam, 199,
PETREA, capital of Midian, 138.
PETUCHOTH, 14.
PHARAOH, a name common to the Egyptian kings, 68 ; op-
* presses the Israelites after the death of Joseph, 136; bis
inhuman order for the death of the Hebrew children, 137 ;
refuses to let the people go, 146 ; suffers the plagues, and at
Lost suffers the Israelites to depart, 150; musters six hun
dred war chariots and pursues them; his design in taking
with Mm the sacred animals, 158; his plan of attack, 160;
destruction In the sea, 126; daughter of, given to Solomon In
marriage, 320.
PHARAOH HOPHRA, <or APRIES ; takes Cyprus, Gaza, and
Tyre, 390 ; reduced to vassalage by Nebuchadnezzar, 392.
PHARAOH-NECHO, marches against Carchemish; opposed
by Josiah, 385.
PHAREZ, son of Tamar, by her father-in-law, Judah, 116.

PHARISEES, reeiver influence under Queen Alexandra - their
demands acceded to, 471,
PHAROS, ialand, 27.
PHARPAR, a river of Damascus, 360.
PHASIS, the river Pison, 48.
PHICOL, Abimelech 's general, 81.
PHILADELPHIA, church of, 624, 626.
PHILIP, the deacon ; flight to Samaria; success of his labors,
549 ; instructs the eunuch, 550.
PHILIP, the apostle, labors in Upper AbIo, then in Phrygia ;
demolishes the deity of the idolatrous people ; success of his
preaching, imprisonment, death, 611.
PHILIPPI, note, 566.
PHILISTIM, eon of Caslubim, father of the Philistines, lived
between the borders of Canaan and the Mediterranean,
64.
PHILISTINES, their hostility to Isaac, 92; aubjection of the
Hebrews to them, 941 ; war with Israel, 247 ; they gather an
immense army against Israel and Saul, 264 ; routed by Jona
than, 266 ; invade the territory of Judah, 970 ; invade Judea
and take Bethlehem, 293 ; beaten and brought under tribute
by David, 295 ; they attempt to shake off the yoke, and de
feated in four battles; with the Edomltee they conquer Judah
and conquer Jerusalem, 369.
PHILO, an early Jewish writer ; his story la regard to the
princess who found Moses, 137.
PHINEAS, son of Eli, 247; slain in battle with the Philis
tines, 248.
PHINEAS, son of Eleazer, the hlgh-prtest; kills Zimri and
Cozbi, 203; goes to the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the
half-tribe of Manasseh, 216 ; succeeds Eleazer in the priest
hood, 217.
PHOENICIAN artificers sent to Solomon by Hiram, 322.
PHOENICIANS, extent of their commerce, 330.
PHRYGIA, note, 666.
PHURAH, a follower of Gideon, reconnoitres with Gideon the
Midianitish camp, 231.
PHUTT, third aon of Ham, settled In Lybia, 64.
PI-HA-HntOTH, camping-place of the Hebrews, 158.
PILDASA, Bon of Nahor, 84.
PILLAR of fire, change .of location when tbe Egyptians pur
sued the HebrewB across the Red Sea, 160.
PISGAH, Mount, Balaam blesses Israel there, 202 ; same as
Mount Nebo, 206 ; death of Moses there 208.
PISON river, the Phasis, 48.
POLISH Bibles, 31.
POLLUX, an idol, 101.
POLYGAMY, Introduced by Lamech, 62 ; neither sanctioned
nor forbidden, 281.
POMPEY, comes to Syria b. c 66 ; twelve kings pay him
homage ; claims of Hyrcanus and Aristobulus urged before
him; designs of Aristobulus defeated; marches into Jerusa
lem and received by Hyrcanus and party; the adherents of
Aristobulus withdraw to the temple fortress ; the siege suc
cessfully prosecuted ; Roman rule established In Judea ; vio
lates the sanctity of the temple ; returns in triumph to Rome,
473.
POSTERITY of Adam In the line of Seth, 52.
POTIPHAR, eaptain of the guards to the king of Egypt,
114.
POT1THERAH, father-in-law of Joseph, prince of On, 120.
POUSSIN'S picture of the Deluge, 54.
PRAYER of Manasses, book of, in the Apocrypha, 87.

696

INDEX.

PRIESTS, laWB respecting, 189.
PROPHECIES, dates of, 10 ; Jacob's to Mb sons, 131.
PROPHECY, illustrated In the history of Egypt, 164
PROPHETICAL books of the Bible, list of, 13.
PROPHETS, greater and lesser, 10 ; line of, commences after
the revolt of the ten tribes, 338.
PROVERBS, book of, 9.
PSALMS, book of, 9 ; number of, 14 ; . how composed and
used, 294 ; public tinging of by Hezekiah, 380.
PSALTERY, invented by Jubal, 52.
PSAMMETICUS, opens Lower Egypt to the Phoenicians and
Greeks, 658 b, c, 113.
PTOLEMY EPIPHANES, heir of the throne, 442 ; married to
Cleopatra, daughter of Antiochus the Great ; poisoned ;
leaves three children, 447.
PTOLEMY IIL, EUERGETES, murdered by his son ; the
last good king of Egypt ; prosperity of the Jews under tbe
last three Ptolemies, 439.
PTOLEMY LAGUS takes possession of Palestine; carries a
_ colony of Jews to Egypt, 430 ; war with Antlgonue, subse
quent disasters, 431 ; withdraws to Egypt, 432; makes Alex
andria his capital • shows favor to the Jews, 434.
PTOLEMY LATHYRUS, son of Ptolemy Physcon, comes to the
throne, 468.
PTOLEMY PHILADELPHUS, king of Egypt ; the Septuagint
translated under him,, 278 b. c. ; his war with Antiochue
II. and results; marriage of his daughter, Berenice, with
Antiochus ; his death, 437.
PTOLEMY PHILOMETER invested with the government of
Egypt, 447 ; forms an alliance with his brother, Ptolemy
Physcon ; deposed, and his brother proclaimed king under the
name of Ptolemy Euergetes II., 448.
PTOLEMY PHILOPATER, defeats Antiochus the Great, 440 ;
persecution of Jewish subjects; nis death, 44 i.
PTOLEMY PHYSCON, cruelty and voluptuousness; death,
466, 467.
PUAH, an Egyptian midwife, commanded to strangle the
Hebrew male children; her neglect of the order, and her
excuse, 137.
PUL, an Assyrian monarch, 376.
PURIM, feast of Lots, 416.

Q.

QUAILS, 166; sent to the Israelites; plague la consequence,
'189.
QUARANTANIA, mountain near Jericho, supposed scene of
our Saviour's temptation, 212.

R.

RAAMAH, son of Cush, settled on the river Pison, 64.
RABBAH AMMON, a city of the Ammonites, captured by
Joab, 298, 301 ; description of by Lord Lindsay, 298, 300 ; great
spoils of, 309.
RABBI NATHAN, first divides the Bible into verses, 16.
RABBI SAADIAS GAON, translated the Pentateuch Into
Arabic, 30.
RABSHAKEH, a general of Sennacherib, 381,
RACHEL, daughter of Laban ; second and favorite wife of
Jacob ; her desire for children ; gives to Jacob her hand
maiden, Bilhah, 98 ; takes away her father's images, 101 ;
dies at Ephrath ¦ her sepulchre, 110.

RAHAB, conceals the spies, 209 ; she and her relations spared
by Joshua at the capture of Jericho, 919.
RAMAH, a city where Samuel administered justice, 263 ; thi
residence of Samuel ; Saul anointed there, 266 ; captured by '
Baasha, king of Israel, 342.
RAMESES, a treasure city in the land of Goshen, the point ol
departure ofthe Israelites, 154,
RAMOTH GILEAD, a city beyond Jordan, 356 ; besieged by
Jehoram and Ahaziah, 362.
RAS MOUSA, cape of Moses, 164.
RAWLINSON, on the remains of the Jews and Judaism In .ho
East, 407.
READINGS, varlouB, of the Bible ; how caused ; number of ;
Kori and Cetib, 21 ; Ben Asher ; Ben Naphtali, 23.
REBECCA, daughter of Bethuel of Haran, 86 ; wife of Isaac,
88 ; her stratagem to obtain for Jacob the blessing intended
for Eaau ; remarks upon her conduct, 95 ; buried in Mach
pelah, 288,
REBELLION, of Korah, 193; of Absalom, 304 ; of Sheba, 312;
of Adonijah, 315.
RED SEA, Israelites arrive at, 156; they cross; Egyptians
overwhelmed, 162 ; trade of tbe Jewa upon, 330.
REFORMATION, the, ignorance of the Bible previous to, 33.
REFUGE, cities of, appointed by Moses, 204,
REHOBOAM, succeeds Solomon ; not equal to the crisis ; re
fuses to lighten the burdens of the people ; Judah and Benja
min alone remain true to him, 837 ; warned by the prophet
not to make war upon Jeroboam, 338 ; influence of his mother
in leading him into idolatry ; subdued by Shishak, king ol
Egypt, 346 ; his polygnmy ; dies 973 u. a, 347.
REHOBOTH, a dwelling place of Isaac, 92,
REMORSE of Adam and Eve, quotation from Milten. 50.
REMPHAN, an idol, 101.
REPHAIM, valley of, 293.
REPHIDIM, where water was supplied from tne rock, 168.
RESTORATION, the ; why the ten tribes did not return as
well as J udah , 404 ; numbers that returned, 408,
REU, son of Peleg, 66.
REUBEN, Bon of Jacob by Leah ; signification ofthe name, 99,
hia sin with Bilhah, 110; influences his brothers not to kill
Joseph, 112; Jacob's dying address to him, 131; tribe of
settles on the east of Jordan, 204.
REVELATION, book of, prophetic, 10.
REVOLT, of the Ten Tribes under Jeroboam, 337 ; a justifiable
revolution not a rebellion, 347.
REZIN, king of Syria, 374.
RHAGER, a city of Media, 395.
RHODES, 383, note.
RIBLAH, 386.
RIMMON, an idol, 101.
RIPHAH, son of Gomer, possessed the Riphaan- mouutalds, 61
RIZPAH, a concubine of Saul, 226.
ROBE, the high -priest's, description of, 176.
ROCK OF MOSES, pretended, notice of, by Professor Robinson,
168.
RODS, the twelve ; Aaron's, 195.
ROMAN, power In Asia Minor, 472 ; ltfl aupremacy established
by Pompey over Judea, 473.
ROME, 592, note.
RUSHES, ark of; the papyrus according to Clemens Alexan-
drlnus, 137.
RUTH, book of, 7 ; story of, Mene In Bethlehem of Judah ;

INDEX.

697

daughter-in-law of Naomi, 224 ; affection for her mother, and
her return with her to Bethlehem ; kindly noticed by Boaz,
S24 ; marries Boaz, 226.

S.
SABBATH-BREAKING, stoning for, 198.
SABTECHA, son of Cush, settled on the river Pison, 64.
SACRIFICES, kinds of, burnt offering, peace offering, obla
tion, method of offering, 180.
SALAH, son of Arphaxad, father of Eber," who gave name to
the Hebrew nation, 63.
SALATHIEL, son of Jehoiachin, 403.
SALEM, king of, Melchisedek, 71.
BAMAR, name of a man from whom Omri purchased the site
of Samaria, 844.
SAMARIA, a city and province ; Idolatry of, 24 ; city built by,
24, 344 ; destroyed by ; Dr. Robinson's description of, 344 ;
siege and famine, 361.
SAMARITANS, origin of, 378; oppose the building ofthe
temple ; hatred between them and tbe Jews, 409 ; build a
temple on Mount Gerizim, 420.
SAMOS, 580, note.
SAMOTHRACIA, 566, note.
SAMSON, son of Manoab, 241 ; slays a Hon with no weapon ;
his marriage; his riddle; revenge for the loss of his wife,
24:! ; slays great numbers with a jaw-bone ; carries off the
gates of Gaza, 243 ; betrayed by Delilah, 244 ; destroys the
temple of Dagon and three thousand Philistines ; dies, 1229
b. c, 246.
SAMUEL, books of, 7 ; son of Hannah ; called by God In the
temple, and hears the doom of Eli's house, 947 ; appears as a
prophet ; promises deliverance to Israel If they will put
away their idols ; Invested with the authority of judge at
Mizpeh ; his prayer, answered In the defeat and slaughter
of the Philistines, 252 ; tries to dissuade the people from hav
ing a king, 254 ; his warning to the people at the time of
confirming Saul at Gilgal, 263 ; rebuke of Saul for usurping
the priestly office, 266 ; summoned to Bethlehem to annolnt
a worthier man than Saul, 268; death, 1079 b, c, '979;
spirit of, appears to Saul, 283 ; the spirit pronounces Saul's
doom, 284.
SANBALLAT, 418.
SANCTUARY, described to Moses In the mount, 172.
SANHEDRIM, first historical notice of, 474 ; summons Herod
to its presence, 477.
SAPTAH, son of Cush, settled on tbe river Pison, 64.
SARAH, 72 ; signification of, 74 ; died at Kirjath-Arba, 84.
SARAI, daughter of Haran, married her uncle Abram, 66;
gives Hagar to Abram ; change of name to Sarah, 72.
SARDANAPALUS, one of the builders of the palaces of Nine
veh, 62.
SARDIS, church of, 624.
SAREPTA, a town of Sidon; Elijah dwelt here for a time;
widow of; her son restored to life by Elijah ; her cruse of
oil and her barrel of meal miraculously supplied, 359,
SAUL, son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, visits Samuel
while seeking his father's asses ; is entertained at a feast, and
placed in the seat of honor ; anointed by Samuel, 956 ; elected
king by lot at Gilgal ; his personal appearance, 958 ; sum
mons the people to the help ol Jabesh Gilead against the
AmmoniteB ; his complete victory, 969 ; his authority solemn
ly confirmed at Gilgal, 963; doeB not properly recognize Je
hovah in making war ; usurps the priestly office, 264 ; victo
ries over hia enemies ; appoints Abner general of his army ;

victory over the Amalekites ; spares the life of Agag, con
trary to Divine command, 967 ; rebuked by Samuel and
rejected from being the founder of a royal house, 268 ; bis
melancholy, 269 ; bis jealousy of David, 271 ; attempts to
kill him, 272 ; his anger ugalnst bis own son Jonathan for his
friendship to David, 274 ; slaughter of Ahimelech and eighty-
five priests for entertaining David; his slaughter of the
people of Nob, 277 ; his heart Boftened by David's forbenrante
In sparing his life in the cave of Engedi ; entreats David not
to destroy hia seed when he becomes king; his shame at again
being spared by David when In his power, 281 ; consults the
witch of Endor ; the spirit of Samuel appears to aim, 983 ;
wounded and falls upon his own sword ; his death, 284 ; bis
cruelty to tbe Gibeonites causes a famine la David's time ; his
bones removed by David from Jabesh Gilead to Kelab, 813.
SAUL, of Tarsus, bin cruel persecutions of Christians, 549 ;
journey to Damascus ; arrested by a voice from heaven ; via-
Ited by Ananias ; conversion ; preaches in Damascus ; escape
from his enemies, 652; visits Jerusalem; goes to Tarsus
preaching the Gospel, 653 ; called to Antioch ; success there,
557 ; commissioned, with Barnabas, to preach in other plneea,
558, 559; encounter with Elymaa, the sorcerer; change of
name to Paul,, 559 note.
SCHISM of Jews and Samaritans, the cause of preduclng a
different version ofthe Scriptures; acceunt of in Second
Book of Kings, 2-i.
SCLAVONIAN Ulble, 31.
SCRIPTURES, curious effort to promote their reading In
England, 33.
SCYTHIANS, founded by Magog, 61,
SE AH, a measure, 361.
SEBA, son of CuBh, settled In the southwest of Arabia, 64.
SEIR, Mount, view of, 103 ; description of, 104.
SELEUCIA, on the Tigris, capital of the eastern provinces, 434.
SELEUCUS, one of Alexander's generals, takes possession of
the province of Babylonia; era of the Seleucldre, 431 ; con
solidation of his power la the East, 432 ; victory over Antl-
gonua,433; becomes king of Syria; devotes himself to the im
provement of his kingdom ; his policy toward the Jews ;
builds Antioch on the Orontes and Seleucia on the Tigris, 434 ;
great enlargement of his kingdom ; encourages Jewish emi
gration ; succeeded bv his son, Antiochus Soter, 436.
SELEUCUS CALLINICUS, son of Antiochus IL, set upon the
throne by his mother; defeats his brother; slays Berenice,
slater of Ptolemy IIL, who avenges her death ; hia death, 438,
SELEUCUS IIL, successor of Seleucus Callinicus, poisoned by
his generals, 438, 439.
SELEUCUS IV., Bon of AntiochuB the Great, surnamed Philo
pater, demands of Onias, tbe high-priest, the temple treas
ures ; Bends his son a hostage to Rome ; death, 444, 445.
SEMIRAMIS, Queen, extended Babylon, 60.
SENNACHERIB, 62 ; king of Assyria, attempts the reduction
of Europe, 380 ; his demands upon Hezekiah ; hia host de
stroyed by a " blast;" returns to Nineveh ; is killed by his
Bona, 381.
SEN ONES, their worship Druidical, and of the Supreme Being
testimony of Tacitus, 82,
SEPHARVAIM, 378.
SEPTUAGINT, history of, 26; preceded the publication ofthe
Gospel ; used three hundred years, 28.
SEPULCHRE, of the kings, 378 ; view of, 379.
5ERAPIS, a bull, god of the Egyptians, 172.
SEREK, vale of, 243.
SERPENT, his temptation of Eve, 49 ; brazen, 198 ; final dli
posal of, 380.
SERUG, aon of Reu, 66.

INDEX.

SETH, aon of Adam, line of, 52.
SETHOS, an Egyptian king, 381.
SETHUMOTH, 14.
SEVEN churches of Asia, 620-631.
SEVENTH day, Sabbath, 47.
SEVENTY elders of Israel, inspired by God to assist Moses,
189.
SHALLUM, or MEHOAHAZ, deposed by Necho, 386.
SHALLUM, ascends the throne of Israel ; slain by Menahem,
376.
SHALMANESER, king of Assyria, lays siege to Samaria, 377.
SHAMGAR, defeats the Philistines with ox-goads, 929,
SHAPHAL, father of Elisha, 353.
SHAPHAN, chief scribe, 383.
SHAVEH, valley, or King's dale, or Berachah, or valley of
Jehoshaphat, 368.
SHEBA, a Benjamite, heads a revolt of all the tribes, except
Judah, against David, 312,
SHEBA, son of Raamah, 64.
SHECHEM, son of Hamor, 106 ; violates Dinah ; makes hon
orable proposals of marriage ; circumcised ; slain by Simeon
and Levi, Dinah's brothers, 108,
SHECHEM, modern Nabloua, 112 ; capital of Jeroboam's king
dom, 340.
SHECtUN AH, symbol of the Divine presence, 67.
SHELAH, son of Judah, 114.
SHELOMITH curses the Lord and is stoned, 184.
SHEM, son of Noah, 52 ; his descendants ; father of the Hebrew
naiion, 62 ; possessed a great part of Asia, 64. ,
SHEM. AI AH, a prophet In the time of Rehoboam, 338.
SHEMITISH, the most ancient language, 60.
SHESHACH,an Idol, 101.
SHEV7-BREAD, table of, described, 176 ; view of, 177.
SHIBBOLETH, pronunciation of, a test of an Ephraimite, 241.
SHILOH, a small town where Joshua took up his residence, and
where the tabernacle was Bet up, 215 ; the young women car
ried off by the Benjamites, 220.
SHINAR, plain of, 53.
SHIMEI, a Benjamite, curses David as he is fleeing from Absa
lom, 306; pardoned by David, 311 ; suspected and slain by

SHIPRAH, an Egyptian midwife, commanded by Pharaoh to
strangle the Hebrew male children ; she disobeys the order,
137.
SHISHAK, king of Egypt ; Invades Judah under Rehoboam ;
his immense army takes Jerusalem and plunders tbe sacred
places, 346.
SHITTIM, a place in the land of Moab, 209.
SHOBACH, a general of Haldadezer, 298.
SHUAH, wife of Judah, 114.
SHUNEM, a city where Elisha was entertained ; woman of,
blessed with a son ; the son dies and is raised by Elisha, 359.
SHUR, the western part of Arabia Petnea, 81.
SICHEM, capital of the Samaritans ; location of, 67*
SIDDIM, valley of, 70.
SIDON, son of Canaan, founder of the Sidonians, 64.
SIDON, 380 ; ancient port of, view, 389.
SIGNET rins, 116.
SIHON, king of the Amorites, refuses to allow the Israelites to
pass through hiB country ; defeated, 199.

SILAS Bont to Antioch, 563 ; joins Paul ; goes with him on s
mission to Crete, Cilicia, and other places, 564, 566.
SIMEON, son of Jacob, signification of the name, 99 ; kepi as
a hostage by Joseph ; Jacob's dying address to him, 121,
SIMON, the Just, hia prosperous administration of Jewish
affairs ; completes the Canon of the Old Testament ; succeeded
in the priesthood by his son, Eleazer, 436.
SIMON IL, high-priest, prosperous administration, 444.
SIMON, the Zealot, of the sect of the Zealots, fellow-laborer
with the Apostles, 614.
SIMON, a Maccabee, succeeds Jonathan, sends an embassy
to Rome, puts the country in a state of defense, seeks an
alliance with Demetrius, 463 ; procures a decree from the
Roman Senate la favor of the Jews, 464 ; lakes up his abode
with his son-in-law, Ptolemy, by whom he is assassinated,
466.
SIN, wilderness of, 166.
SINAI, desert of, 154 ; Mount, view of, 169 ; Professor Robin
son's account of, 170,
SISERA, king Jabln's general ; killed by Jael, wife of Heber,
928.
SITNAH, 92.
SMERDIS, 409.
SMYRNA, 608, note ; church of, 622.
SO, or SEBACO, king of Egypt, 377, note.
SODOM, plain of, chosen by Lot for a dwelling place, 68 ; king
of, 71.
SODOM and GOMORRAH, cities of the plain, corruption of,
74 ; destruction foretold, 75 ; destroyed, 76.
SOLOMON, son of David and Bathsheba, 302 ; anointed king
by tbe prophet Nathan, at the fountain of Gihon, 315 ; again
anointed by Zadok ; administers the government while David
still lives, 316 ; cornea to the throne 1030 B. o. ; his extensive
sway and vaat revenues, 317 ; discovers a plot of Adonijah'a
to seize tho throne ; orders him to be put to death, 318 ;
marries the daughter of Pharaoh, 320 ; God manifests himself
to him in a dream ; he asks for wisdom ; prepares to build
the temple ; his alliance with Hiram, 329 ; lays the founda
tion of the temple 1097 b. c, 393 ; his ¦ sublime prayer at the
dedication ; other great works, 826 ; his pools, view of, 327 ;
description of ; his palaces, description of, by Josephus, thei r
extent and magnificence, 328,329 ; his throne of ivory;
vessels of gold, and dresses of Tyrian purple ; sources pf hia
great wealth ; importance of Mb alliance with Hiram, 329 ;
hia extensive inland trade, 330 ; his revenues, 333 ; surrounds
Jerusalem with a new wall j hia wisdom, poetry, and natural
history, 336 ; Idolatry, polygamy, and the gloom of 1ns last
daya, 337.
SONG OF SOLOMON, book of; the Jews not allowed.to read
it till thirty years of age, 9.
SONG OF THE THREE HOLY CHILDREN, book in the
Apocrypha, 37.
SONS OF GOD, as distinguished from the Bona and daughters
of men, 52.
SPANIARDS, founded by Tubal, 61.
SPEAR, used both aa weapon and scepter, 276.
SPDSS, Bent by Moses to Canaan ; their report ; cowardice ol
all but Caleb and Joshua, 190 ; destruction of the ten false
spies, 192 ; Bent by Joshua to Jericho, 209.
SPINNING AND WEAVING, suppoaed to have been discovered
by Naamah, 52.
STEPHEN, hia zeal as a preacher, Mb arrest and defenee,,.hia
martyrdom, 546-549.
STONING, penalty for blasphemy ; custom of laying on of
hands before It, 184 ; for Sabbath breaking, 193.

INDEX.

699

STORY OF BEL AND THE DRAGON, book of, in Apocry
pha, 37.
SUCCOTH-BENOTH, an idol, 101.
SUEZ, as to the journey of the Israelites, 156 ; Gulf of; Blr-
Suei, view of, 157.
SUFSAFEH, a peak of Mount Sinai ; scene of the giving of the
law, 170.
" SUPPLANTER," name applied to Jacob, 90.
SUL A, 412.
SYM.-IACHUS, his Greek version ofthe Old Testament, 28.
SYRACUSE, 592, note.
SYRIAC versions ofthe Bible, 29.
SYRIANS, of Damascus, destroyed by David, 295 ; army of,
Btruck with blindness, 861 ; panic and flight from the siege
of Samaria, 362.

" TABEAL, son of," 374.
TABERAH, the place where fire came down from heaven and
consumed the murmurers against Moses, 188.
TABERNACLE, the, made by Bezaleel land Aholiab ; descrip
tion of, 176 ; setting up, 180 ; established nt Shiloh, 215 ; re
mained at Shiloh till the reign of Saul ; transferred to Nob,
262 ; afterwards removed to Gibeon, 320.
TABLES OF STONE, given to Moses in tbe mount, 1 72 ; broken
by him when he aaw the idolatry of the people, 173 ; new
tables prepared by Moses, 174.
TABOR, Mount, Deborah and Barak aesembie their forces there
ajraiust King Jabin, 227,
TACITUS, bis testimony in regard to the worship of the Deity
in groves, 82.
TADMOR, TAMAR, or PALMYRA, built by Solomon, 332 ;
view of, 331.
TALISMEN, gods, 101.
TALMAI, king of Geshur, grandfather of Absalom, 302.
TALMUD, a sompendium of Jewish doctrine, 28.
TAMAR, daughter of David, dishonored by her half-brother,
Amnon ; she flies to her brother, Absalom, who avenges her
disgrace by slaying Amnon, 302.
TAMAR, wife of Er, afterward married to Onan, 114; plays
the harlot and Inveigles Judah, 115.
TAMMUZ, an idol, 101.
TARGUMS, Chaldee versions of the Scriptures, 26.
TARSHISH, son of Javan, possessed part of Spain, 62.
TARSHISH, location ; trade and ships of, 330.
TARTAR, an Idol, 101.
TARTARS, founded by Magog, 61.
TATNAI, Persian governor of Syria ; by order of Darius he
forwards tbe building ofthe temple, 410.
TEKOAH, woman of, 303 ; wilderness of, 367.
TEMA, Bon of Ishmael, 81.
TEMPLE, Solomon's, commenced 1027 B. C. ; materials for the
work, 323 ; his agreement with Hiram, king of Tyre, 322-324 ;
number of men employed ; Bite and description in full ; its
dedication, 324, 325; plundered by Shishak, 346; treasure of,
spent by Asa, 350 ; thoroughly repaired by Joash, king of
Judah, 370; plundered by Joash, king of Israel, 372; plun
dered by Nebuchadnezzar, 387 ; a second time by Nebuchad
nezzar, 388 ; burnt to the ground, 391; rebuilt by order of
Cyrus, upon the return of the Jews from captivity, 408 ; fin
ished, 410; repaired by Ezra, 414; plundered by Antiochu;

IV., 448 ; dedicated to Jnplter Olympus, 449 ; plundered by
CrnsauB, 476 ; rebuilt by Herod, 7 b. c, 488.
TEN TRIBES, revolt of, 337 ; carried into captivity by Shal
manezer; their location as compared to that of Judah, 395;
their captivity a colonization rather than a slavery, 896-403 ;
why not allowed to return as well as Judah, 404; what be
came of them, 406, 407.
TENTS, description of, 106,'; view of, 107.
TERAH, son of Nahor, father of Abraham ; leaves Ur of the
Chaldees ; dies at Haran, 66.
TERAPH, a household god, set up for worship by Micah, 219.
TERAPHIM, plural of Teraph, household gods, 101.
" TEREBINTHINE VALE," Dr. Clark's notice of, as the
scene of David's victory over Goliah, 270.
TESTAMENT New, books of, historical, doctrinal and pro
phetic ; authorship, 10-13 ; purity of the text, 94.
TESTAMENT Old, authorship, 5 ; books of, historical, 6-8;
moral, 9; prophetic, 9.
TETRAGRAMMATON. the name of Jehovah In Hebrew ;
the JewB not allowed to pronounce it, 23,
TEXT OF THE BIBLE, integrity of, 20 ) various readings, 21 ;
its purity, how preserved, 22,
THEBEZ, a town near Shechem, 236.
THEODOTION, his Greek version of the Old Testament, 28.
THESSALONICA, 668, note.
THIR^ANS, or THRACIANS, 61.
THOMAS, 'preaches In Partbia, then to the Medea, Persians
and neighboring nations; enters Judea; his success ; put to
death, 613.
THOTHMES IIL; picture of Mb tribute bearers, 334.
THRACIANS, or THIR^EANS, founded by Tirae, 61.
THURMUTHIS, said by JoBephusto be the name of Pharoah't
daughter who found Moses in the ark of rushes ; Philo's story
In regard to her, 137.
THYATIRA, 566, note.
THYATIRA, church of, 622.
TIBERIAS, city and lake, view of, 511 ; account of, 512.
TIBNI, elected king of Israel by a part of the- people, in oppo
sition to Omri ; put to death, 344.
TIGLATH PILESER, king of Assyria; invades Syria and
Israel ; slays Resin ; takes Damascus ; carries captive
Reuben, Gad, end the half tribe of Manasseh, 875,
TIGRIS, river, called Hlddekel, 48.
TIMBRELS, dance with, engraving, 165.
TIMNATH, a town of the Philistines, 241.
TIMNATH SERAH, a city in Mount Ephraim, given to
Joshua in acknowledgment of his great services; Joshua's
burial place, 217,
TIMOTHY, diBciple of Paul ; accompanies the Apostle ; Is h
nally left in charge of the Church at Ephesus, where he suf
fered martyrdom, 617, 618.
TIRAS, son of Japhet, founder of the Thraclans, 61.
TIRHAKEH, the Ethiopian; ruled In Upper Egypt, 384; as
sists Hezekiah against Sennacherib ; Wilkinaon'B account, 385.
TIRZAH, In the tribe of Manasseh, a summer residence of
Jeroboam, 340.
TITUS, aent by Paul to Corinth, thence to Macedonia ; takes
oversight of the churches in Crete ; hia death, 61H, 619.
TITUS, a Roman general aent to Judea, 641 ; entruated with
an immense army, 642 ; left to prosecute the war in Judea,
660 ; lays siege to Jerusalem, 652 ; proposes terms of capitu
lation, which are declined, 654 ; prosecutes the siege with
vigor till the city Is taken and destroyed, 654-656.

700

INDEX.

TOB, land of, to which Jephthah retired, 23t.
TOBIAH, an opponent of Nehemiah in building the wallB of
Jerusalem, 418.
TOBIAS, son of Tobit, 397.
TOBIT, book of, in Apocrypha, 37 ; a source of information In
regard to the captured Israelites; account of Tobit, 396.
TOGARMAH, eon of Gomer, possessed Cappadocia and Gala
tia, 62.
TOI, king of Hamah, upon the Orontea ; sends Mb son Joram
with valuable gifts, u to salute and bleas King David," 296.
TOLA, of the tribe of Isaachar ; governed Israel twenty-three
years, 237.
TRACHON1TIS. See Gilead, 102.
TROAS, 666, note.
TROGYLLIUM, 580, note.
TRYPHON, his intrigues to obtain the Syrian crown, 462;
attacked and killed by Antiochus VII., 465.
TUBAL, bou of Japheth, founder ofthe Spaniarda, 61.
TUBAL-CAIN, son of Lamech, celebrated for his strength, and
as the discoverer of the art of forging and polishing metals, 52.
TURKISH TRANSLATIONS OF THE BIBLE, Albertus
Baboosky's ; Seaman's, 30.
TYNDALE*S BIBLE, bought up and bumed by the Bishop
^ of London ; persecutions of thoaewho sold it; Tyndale him
self strangled, 33.
TYRE, advantages of location, 296; extensive commerce, 330;
siege of by Alexander, 425, 426. U.
ULPHILAS, Bishop, his German translation oi the Bible, 31.
UR, of the Chaldees, birth-place of Abram ; dwelling-place of
Terah, its idolatry ; Terah leaves It with Mb family and hiB
grandson, Lot, now called Urhol, Orfah, or Urfah, 66.
URIAH, the Hittite, husband of Bathsheba, 300 ; killed In bat
tle, according to a plan of David, 301.
URIM AND THUMMIM, account of; various conjectures,
208 ; use of, 256.
UTENSILS, aacred, described lo Moses In the mount, 182.
UZ, son of Aram, possessed Damascus, 64.
UZZAH, son of Abinadab, struck dead for putting forth Ms
hand to stay the ark, 293.
UZZI, high-priest, 946.
UZZIAH or AZARIAH, son of Amaziah ; succeeds to tbe king
dom of Judah after an Interregnum of eloven years; built
towers and dug wells in the desert; strengthens Jerusalem,
372 ; smitten with leprosy for assuming the office of high-
priest, 378 ; died 757 ». c, 374.

V.
VARIOUS READINGS OF THE BIBLE; explained; num
ber of; most in the New Testament, 21.
VASHTI, queen of Artaxerxes; deposed for disobeying the
king's order, 419.
VEILS, bridal; eastern customs In regard to; Tertulllan's
testimony, 88 ; worn, though not exclusively, by harlots, 115.
7ER5ES, division of the Bible Into, 16.
VERSIONS, ancient, 24 ; Greek, 27 ; Syriac ; Vulgate, 29 ;
modern foreign, Arabic, 30 ; English, 33.
VESPASIAN, sent from Rome to assume command of the Ro
man army ; hia son Titus commands two legions, 641 ; arrives
with an army at Antioch ; proceeds to Ptolemais, where
Titus joins him, 642 ; orders an expedition Into Galilee ;

ravages the country ; besieges Jotapata ; the battle obstlni
643 ; cutB off all communication with the city ; meets w
terrible resistance for forty daya ; galna possession of 1
place ; the Jews put to the sword, 645, 646 ; urges the cc
mander of the Jewish army, Joseph, to surrender, 647 ;
Bolves to lay siege to Jerusalem ; hears of Nero's death, i
civil war In Rome, 648 ; urged by his officers to take
government, 649 ; aets Joaeph at liberty ; aenda a force
Rome to depoBe the usurper, VitelHuB, 661, 65 2.
VULGATE, the, by St. Jerome, 29 ; the present Vulgate, 30.
W.
WAR, method of proclaiming, by sending a piece of a al
animal to each tribe, 219, 1 Sam. xi. 7 ; uaed by Saul, 262,
WATER, mode of carrying, by females; drawn by females.,
bitter, at Marah, made sweet, 166 ; supplied from the rod
Rephidim, 168 ; supplied from the rock again at Kadesh, :
WEAVING, discovered by Naamah, 52.
WEDGE, of gold, Btolen by Achan, 213.
WELLS, customs at, 85; Isaac's disputes concerning, at
rar; Roberts' account of, 92; cuBtomB concerning, 98.
WICKEDNESS of mankind, 53.
WICKLIFFE'S BIBLE, appeared about 1360 ; written,
printed ; many personB burnt for reading it; specimen, 3!
WINE, first made by Nonh ; Its evil effects upon him, the
drinker, 68.
WISDOM OF SOLOMON, book of, in the Apocrypha,
recommended by the Fathers for its excellence of stj
authorship, 39
WOMAN, the Hebrew name of, 47
WORSHIP, in groves, 81 ; testimony of Tacitus respect!
analogy, Hebrew and Druidical, 82.
X.
XERXES, the AhashueruB of Ezra ; succeeds Darius on
throne ; confirms the grants of bis father to the Jews, 413
XERXES, only legitimate son of ArtaxerxeB, and his succt
to the throne; slain after a reign of forty-five days
brother, 429. Z.
ZADOK, high-prleat, 291 ; assists In the anointing of Soloi
316; recognized as sole Mgh-priest, 316.
ZARAH,Bonof Tamar, by her father-in-law, Judah, 116.
ZEBADIAH, a ruler ofthe tribe of Judah, 367.
ZEBAH and ZALMUNNA, leaders of the Midianites, slal
Gideon's own hand, 239.
ZEBUL, n principal man of Shechem, 936.
ZEBULON, eon of Jacob, by Leah, 100 ; Jacob's dying ad
and prophecy to him, and its fulfilment, 139.
ZECHARIAH, one of the lesser prophets; book of, 10;
the people to the building ofthe temple, 410.
ZECHARIAH, son of Jehoida, Mgh-priest, denounces ,
ments upon Joash for Idolatry, and is stoned, 371.
ZECHARIAH, guardian and instructor of Uzziah, the j
Kingof Judah, 372.
ZECHARIAH, son and successor of Jeroboam IL ; com
the throne of Israel after an interregnum of twent;
years; slain by Shalium In the sixth month of hia reign,
ZEDEKIAH, made king of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar,
renounces bis allegiance ; captured, and hia eyes put
dies tn Babylon, 390.

INDEX

701

ZEEB, a leader of the Midianites, slain by the Ephralmltea,
933.
ZELOPHAD, 906.
ZEMARIM, mount, where Abijah and Jeroboam meet In bat-
tie, 347.
ZEPHANIAH, one of the lesser prophets; book of, 10; hia
prophecy concerning Nineveh confirmed by modern discov
eries, 62,
ZEPHATHAH, valley of, 350.
ZERAH, the Cushite ;' Invades Asa, king of Judah, 349.
ZERAHIAH, high-priest, 246.
ZERUBBABEL, the leader of the Jews out of captivity to
Palestine ; appointed governor of Judea, 408.
ZERUIAH, mother of Joab and Abishai, 990; slater of David,
808.
ZIBA, the faithless steward of Mephisbosheth, 806.
ZIKLAG, ft town of the PhillBtlneB, .given to David by the
King of Gath ; taken and burnt by the Philistines, 282,

ZILLAH, wife of Lamech, 69.
ZILPAH, maid of Leah, gtvsn to wife to Jacob, 99.
ZIMRI, a general of Elah, king of Israel; asaasBinatoa Elah, and
extirpates the family of Baasha ; attacked by his rival Omri,
and perishes in the flames of hia harem, 342.
ZIMRI, a chief of tbe tribe of Simeon, killed for lewdness by
Phineas, 903.
ZION, Mount, part of tbe city of Jerusalem, taken from the
Jebusites by the tribes of Simeon and Judah, but soon loel
again till the time of David, 218 ; taken by David, 292.
ZIPH, wilderness of, where David took refuge from San);
Jonathan meets him here, 277.
ZIPPOR, father of Balak, 202.
ZIPPORAH, daughter of Jethro, wife of Moses, 139.
ZOAR, called also Bela, the city to which Lot escaped, 76.
ZOBAH, a country toward tbe Euphrates, 295,
ZOROASTER, his doctrines and Important reforms traced w
Ms Intercourse with Jewish captives, 395.

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F.S.A., edited by 3£ev. Alvan So7id, 2). 2)., of JVorwich, Conn.,
which is sold only by Subscription.
Agents will not be required to canvass territory previously
occupied, unless they choose, and all Sooks remaining unsold
may be returned at prices originally charged, if in good con
dition; provided they are returned within three months from
the time of shipment.
Any of my Agents, or a Subscriber lo any of my (Publications ,
or any 'Post Master, School Teacher, or Clergyman, who is i?i-
strumental in procuring for me a Successful Agent, and who
sends me a Letter of Introduction to the parties wishing the
Agency, will be entitled to receive for his trouble the sum of Ten
Dollars, and tlie same will be paid on application, if the Agent
has succeeded in selling one hundred copies. Jn this way, a
Clergyman, Agent, or other person, can, with little trouble lo
himself, assist his friends to useful and lucrative employment,
aid in the circulation of a valuable book, and add One Hundred
^Dollars per Annum to his own income.
Ten good Agents can be found in almost any community for
a book of the high character of the History of the Sible. School
' Teachers, Sabbath-school Teachers, and Young Men from the
country, are almost sure to succeed. Persons wishing appoint
ments as Agents, or to obtain further information on the subject,
will apply immediately (naming territory) at the office of the
Subscriber, or address, by mail,
HENRY BILL, Norwich, Conn.
(703)

JUST PUBLISHED,
AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

OF

THE HOLY BIBLE,

BEING A CONNECTED ACCOUNT OF THE REMARKABLE EVENTS AND DISTINGUISHED
CHARACTERS CONTAINED IN THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS, AND IN JEWISH
HISTORY DURING THE FOUR HUNDRED YEARS INTERVENING BETWEEN THE
TIME OF MALACHI AND THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, INCLUDING ALSO THE
LIFE OF CHRIST AND HIS APOSTLES; THE WHOLE EMBRACING A
PERIOD OF FOUR THOUSAND YEARS; WITH NOTES CRITICAL,
TOPOGRAPHICAL, AND EXPLANATORY ; TOGETHER WITH
CHRONOLOGICAL AND OTHER VALUABLE TABLES.
By JOHN KITTO,
Doctor of Divinity and Fellow of the Society of Arts, author of " Cyclopaedia of Biblical
Literature," " History of Palestine," cfc.
Edited by ALVAN BOND, D.D.,
Formerly Professor of Biblical Literature in the Theological Seminary at Bangor, Me.,
and for 20 years Pastor of the Congregational Church, Norwich, Conn.
Complete in one Royal Octavo Volume of over 700 pages, embellished and illustrated
by over 100 full-page engravings and colored maps, with extensive
Chronological and other important Tables.
The Publisher is confident that this work will be regarded by intelligent readers, and es
pecially by the lovers of Sacred Literature, as one of great interest, and value, lt presents, in
a clear and beautiful style, a continuous history of the events embraced in the Saer ed RecorJ ,
describing the manners, customs, and religions that prevailed in the different periods ; narrat
ing tlie numerous conflicts that marked the progress and decline of nations; and furnishing
biographical sketches of the Individuals whose names are inscribed on the rolls of virtue ana
fame. This volume comprises an amount of varied and useful information that cost the
author much labor and research, and which could be obtained from the original sources only
at great expense. It is confidently commended as a book for the family circle, and especially
for those engaged in the work of Christian instruction.
The name of the Kev. Alvan Bond, D.D., by whom the work is edited, and who is well
known as an accurate and accomplished Christian Scholar, is a sufficient guaranty that it is
one of real interest and merit.
The numerous Engravings and Colored Maps that are found in the volume not only add to
its beauty and attractiveness as embellishments, but illustrate, more accurately than words,
the ancient customs and scenes whioh they represent.
This work is approved and commended by all denominations of Christians. The success of
Agents who have commenced to canvass for it, has exceeded the Publisher's most sanguine
expectations, and experienced Agents say they never knew a book to sell so well. Some of
the Agents are selling from twenty to forty copies in a day. Over One Thousand copies have
been sold in Norwich, Conn., where the Editor resides. This great success of Agents has >o
encouraged the Publisher that he has put to press, on the finest paper, over $400,000 worth of
this work, to be immediately followed by other editions.
These large editions require nearly one hundred and fifty tons of paper, and require six
months to print it on live large power-presses.
This great work we design to place beside the Bible in every family in the land.
For an Agency for this book, application should be made immediately, as the territory ia
being rapidly engaged. For further information, apply to tbe publisher, naming townships
preferred in the order of your preference.
HENJRY BILL, Norwich, Conn.
(704)

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
KITTO'S
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

More than (100,000) one hundred thousand orders have been received for this work during
the few months it has been offered to the public, besides hundreds of commen
dations from the clergymen of all denominations of Christians.

From Rev. Leonard Bacon, J> . I* .
Any book in explanation of the Bible from the learned Dr. Kitto must be valuable. The Rev. Dr. Bond, I
cannot doubt, will add to the value of Kitto's " History of the Bible," in the proposed American edition.
New Haven, Aug. 6, 1866. LEONARD BACO
From Kev. Theo. JL. Cuyler, !>.!>,
I so much approve of this " Illustrated History of the Holy Bible " that I wish it might be laid beside the
Blessed Book of which it treats, in thousands of dwellings. THEO. L. CUYLER,
Brooklyn, N. Y., Nov. 16, 1866. Pastor Lafayette Avenue Church.
From Rev. Benjamin Adams.
I have examined the " Illustrated History of the Bible " with great pleasure. In my opinion it is a book well
qualified to do good, especially among tbe young, and those who have not time for more careful mid lengthy study
of the great works on the Bible. Youra, BENJAMIN ADAMS,
Brooklyn, N.Y., Nov. 12, I860. Pastor of Fleet Street M. E. Church.
From Rev. Joel Hawes, 1> .D.
An admirable Family and Sabbath-school book, and a fit companion for a minister's study. Deeply interesting
and instructive in the subject of v Mch it treatB, and abounding in striking pictorial illustrations, it should be in
every household to assist parents in tne study of the Bible, and also to teach tne knowledge of it to their children.
Sabbath-school teachers will find it an excellent help in preparing themselve to meet their c asses in the most
interesting and instructive manner, and all who desire to enrich their minds and hearts with the treasures of God's
Word wlllnnd this volume of inestimable value to them. J. HAWES, Hartford, May 12, 1867.
From Rev. G. H. Gould.
No modern writer has contributed more largely to enrich the Biblical literature of our time, or to clothe with a
fresh and living interest the main personages and incidents in Old- Testament history, than John Kitto. The pres
ent volume, " History of the Bible," bears ali the marks of his wide learning., patient and accurate scholarship, fer
vent piety, and graceful and popular style. The book is amply and finely lllustratedjand edited by a competent
American scholar, Rev. Alvan Bond, D.D., of Norwich. It deserves a wide circulation among all who love and
prize the Bible. G. H. GOULD, Pastor 1st Congregational Church, Hartford, Conn.
From Kev. It. S. Storrs, ».!>.
" The " Illustrated Histoiy ofthe Bible " by Dr. Kitto, edited by Dr. Bond, contains a great amount of valuable
matter in a small compass, and will be found by those who study it very helpful to a clear and large understanding
of tlie scriptural narrative.
Brooklyn, N.Y., Nov. 16, 1866. R. S. STORRS, Jr.
From Rev. John I*. Gulliver, !».».
" Kitto's Illustrated History of the Bible " appears to be a narration of tbe facts recorded in the Scriptures, with
the addition of a brief history of events down to the destruction of Jerusalem, written in a simple and -attractive
style, and free from the minuteness of detail which often renders more recondite works unfit for popular use. It
seems specially adapted to the v. ants of Sabbath Schools and Bible Classes. The names 'of the author and' editor
furnish an ample guaranty of the trustworthiness of the work.
JOHN P. GULLIVER, Pastor of New-England Church, Chicago.
From Rot. S. E>. Phelps, D.».
From what I know of the writings of Dr. Kitto, and from the specimen* of the " History of the Bible " which
I have seen, I am sure it will be a work of grtat interest and value. The editorial labors of the Rev. Dr. Bond,
together with its many excellent and life-like illustrations, cannot fail to largely increase the interest and value of
the work. T cheerfully commend it. „ „ „„„,. „
New Haven, Aug. 6y 1866. 8. D. PHELPS.
From Prof. Fond, and others, of Bangor, Me.
The service which Dr. Kitto rendered to the world by his various writings, explanatory and illustrative of the
Scriptures, it ib difficult to overestimate. There can be no risk in saying that h» " Illustrated History of the
Bible" must be superior to any thing else ofthe kind within the same compass, and the name of the American Ed
itor is a sufficient guaranty that the work will not suffer in passing through his hands. The buok will be a treas
ure in any family. ENOCH POND. j
GEORGE SHEPARD, t Professors
D F. TALCOTT, ( Tbeo. Sem.
J. R HERRICK, >
Rev. A. P. K. SMALL, Rev. J. B. GOULD, Rev. G. W. FIELD, Rev. D. GOODWIN, Rev. S. L. B. CHASE,
Rev. S. P. FAY, Rev. A. BATTLES, Rev. B. A. CHASE.
The very high rank which John Kitto holds as a Biblical student justifies me in most heartily recommending
his » History of the Bible " as a work of complete reliability and ^l^g™*^ ^ Pa9tor Unitarian Church<
.(705)

Kitto, the author, is the best recommendation and the only one needed. It cannot fail to add a charm to
3 Sacred Oracles, and fit it eminently for home-reading. As far as it is known, the work has had

From Rev. Robert Allyn, O.D., of Illinois.
I hare examined with considerable attention " An Illustrated History of the Holy Bible," by Dr. Kitto of
England, published by Henry Bill of Norwich, Conn. It is a work of great research, fully equal to any other
work by the same distinguished author, whose life has been devoted to the study and illustration of Bible
learning and literature. The work contains a Historic and Literary Introduction ; a connected account of the
events recorded in the Bible; a narrative of the events occurring between the writing ofthe Old Testament and
the New, and a Life of Christ and his Apostles. All these things are not only useful but absolutely necessary
for the information of Ministers and Sunday-BChool officers and teachers. Indeed, every intelligent Christian or
reader ofthe Bible ought to possess a copy of this book to.be kept on the shelf with the Word of God. The
work has been carefully edited and reviseaby Dr. Alvan Bond of Norwich, Conn., whose accurate scholarship \nd
extensive learning add a new value to the book. I can very, cordially and conscientiously commend this
History of the Bible to all who desire to know more of the oldest and beat and most original of all books.
. . ROBERT ALLYN,
McKendree College, Lebanon, St Clair Co. HI., July 5, 1867. Fres't McKendree College.
From Rev. T. N. Peloubet.
Mr. Kitto's name is a guaranty that whatever comes from his pen is valuable and interesting and worthy
of all confidence.
From an intimate acquaintance with some of his other works I judge that this "Illustrated History of
the Bible " must be profitable in any family. T. N. Pbloubet.
From Rev* Nelson Clark*
The " History of the Bible," I am acquainted with, and can recommend it as a very interesting book, and
an important aid to the Bible reader. Nelson Claek.
Somerset, Mass., June 29, 1866. From Rev. T. C. Tingley.
From the high and well-known reputation of the author of the book (for which the bearer is agent), I believe
it will be a very valuable and highly instructive and interesting work, very important for family reading, as
well as for the learned student ofthe Bible.
Somerset, Mass., June 20, 1866. T. C. Tingley, Pastor Baptist Church, Somerset, Mass.
From Rev. Edgar F. Clark, of Norwich. ot fail to ac._ _ 
. - and is having
an extensive Bale, far exceeding the most sanguine expectations ofthe publisher.
Edgar F. Clabx, Pastor M. £. Church, Norwich, Conn.
From Rev. Moses Smith.
John Kitto was eminently fitted to illustrate Bible truths. He was an earnest Christian, a laborious mis
sionary in the region of Bible scenes, and a most indefatigable student. I most cheerfully recommend his
" Illustrated History of the Bible," edited by the worthy Dr. Bond, to my people.
Plaiuville, May 12, 1866. Moses Smith, Pastor Congregational Church.
From Rev* Noah Porter, D.D., and others.
Kitto is one of the best writers of our age on the Scriptures. I have no doubt that his " Hlustrated History of
the Bible " is an excellent book, and particularly desirable for Sabbath-school scholars or teachers. Noah Porter.
I cordially subscribe to what has been written above. The book is one of great value for family reading and
study ofthe Holy Scriptures. L. L. Pains.
From what 1 know of Kitto's works I fully believe this will be a very valuable book. I especially recommend
it to Sabbath-school teachers. E. S. Hart.
I consider Kitto's " Illustrated History of the Bible " a work that will be of permanent interest to all who love
to study the Bible. Samuel S. Cowles.
From Rev. Wm. M. Thayer.
To wnoM it mat concern:— I have been familiar with the works of Dr. Kitto, and have several of them
in my library, bo that I feel prepared to Bay that his " History of the Bible " is one of the most valuable works for
the family that can be purchased. For parents and children, Sabbath-school teachers and scholars, its value
cannot be over-estimated. Its introduction into every household would prove a great blessing to them as well as
to the public.
Franklin, Mass., July 18, 1866. Wat. M. Thayer.
From Rev. Gould Anthony.
With my limited examination I should judge the " History of the Bible," for which Mr. Kingsley is the
agent, might be an interesting and profitable book to those who desire a knowledge of God's dealing with man.
North Dartmouth, August 7, 1866. Gould Anthony.
From Rev. J. M. Lord.
I have two or three of Kitto'B workB, which I prize very highly, and I have no doubt the work iB of singular
value ; I feel a freedom to recommend this " History of the Bible."
South Dartmouth, August 8, 1866. J. M. Loed.
From Rev. D. N. Thrall.
Dr. Kitto being widely known as a learned and judicious historian ofthe Scriptures, I can safely recommend
his work upon the Bible to my people, as a valuable aid in their studies of the sacred Word.
GEORGE E. THRALL, Rector ofthe Church ofthe Messiah.
Clinton Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y., Nov. 17, 1866.
From Rev. D. N. Moore.
Dr. Kitto's " History of the Bible " is an excellent work, well stored with useful information on the best of
all subjects, and muBt prove a valuable aid to a proper understanding of the divine Word. It will be found
especially helpful in elucidating the historic portions ofthe Bible, and will well repay a careful perusal.
Brooklyn, N.Y., Nov. 21, 1866. D. MOORE, Pastor Washington Ave. Baptist Church.
From Rev. Edw. Strong, D.D.
The " History ofthe Bible," by so eminent a scholar as Dr. John Kitto, needs no recommendation. If it did,
the fact that Rev. Dr. Bond has edited the American editiont offered to the public by Henry Bill "of Norwich,
Conn., should commend it to the entire confidence of Christian citizens. The work cannot be read, I think,
Without great interest and great profit.
Fittaneld, Mass., Nov. 19, 1866. Ewd. Strong, Pastor So. Coiur. Church.
(706)

From Rev. Samuel Wolcott, D.D. ,
In the Author of this work. Dr. Kitto, who has devoted his life to Biblical investigation and exposition,
and in Dr. Bond, who is widely known as an able, sound, and judicious divine, we have every Becurity that
in its execution it ib all that it claims to be, I am certain that no one can read through this connected and
illustrated " History ot the Bible," carefully compiled, without finding that he has enlarged hiB knowledge of
the contents of the Sacred Volume, and is enabled to bring to the perusal of detached sections of it, a clearer
Insight and intelligence.
Cleveland, Nov. 26, 1866. Samuel Wolcott.
From Rev. Edward Goodrich.
I regard Dr. Kitto's " History of the Bible," as a most instructive and interesting work, for the general reader.
Its Author has attained eminence as a Bible scholar, and has long been a popular writer upon subjects connected
with the sacred volume.
Glastonbury, Conn., Oct. 24, 1866. Edward Goodrich, Pastor of St. James Ch.
From Rev. J. L.. M'Nair.
I have for several years, been acquainted with Dr. Kitto's writings, and am confident that any thing which
comes from his pen, possesses rare merit.
Marbletown, New York. J. L. M'Nair, Pastor Reform Dutch Church.
From Rev. Andrew Pollard, D.D.
The works of Dr. Kitto, illustrative of the Bible, are of high excellence. I most cordially recommend hia
"Illustrated History of the Holy Bible " to all who desire accurate and thorough knowledge ofthe Sacred Word.
It will be a treasure to any family. ANDREW POLLARD. D. D.
Taunton, Jan. 8, 1867. Pastor of Winthrop St. Baptist Church, Taunton, Mass.
From Rev. Lyman White.
I regard Dr. Kitto as an able, correct, and instructive writer upon the Bible, and can fully recommend hi
work (The illustrated History of the Bible) as a valuable contribution to our biblical literature.
LYMAN WHITE, Pastor Congregational Church, Phillipston, Moss.
From Rev. Henry jL. Jones.
The narrative is concise, clear, and attractive, as well as faithful. Here and in the notes we have, in simple
language, the result of the latest and ripest scholarship. A copius Index makes it an excellent book of refer
ence lor the biblical student connected with the Sabbath School.
HENRY L. JONES, Rector Christ Church, Fitchburg, Mass. .
From Rev. Joseph Cr chore.
I cordially recommend the " Bible History," by Dr. Kitto, to all who are interested in the study of the Bible. .
It U one of the most valuable aids to the Christian student, an interesting work for the family, and especially
serviceable to the Sabbath School Teacher. JOSEPH CREHORE,
Pastor Universalis t Church, Fitchburg, Mass..
From. Rev. M. Emory Wright.
"The Illustrated History ofthe Holy Bible" has already been of great service to me in my studies of the-
holy Scriptures. It presents the narrative nortion of the divine wordin a simple and easy, yet highly fas
cinating style, besides interweaving many historical facts and explanations, which throw great light upon the-
meaning of the sacred text. M. EMORY WRIGHT,
June 24, 1867. Pastor 1st Methodist Episcopal Church, Newbury port, Mass..
From Rev. H. G. Hinsdale.
My acquaintance with the "Daily Bible illustration," the "Cyclopaedia of Biblical Literature," and "Histo
ry of Palestine.'Vby Dr. Kitto, lead me to welcome the publication in this country of his " Illustrated History
of tbe Bible," as bringing within the reach of the Christian public an attractive and valuable help in the Btudv
.of the Word of G id. One of its important features is the history of the four centuries intervening between the
close of the Old and the opening ofthe New TeBtament. The name of the American editor affords additional
guaranty of the value of the book. H. G. HINSDALE,
Bridgeport, Conn., April 22, 1867. Pastor Presbyterian Church..
From Rev. Richard Tolman.
m " This is to certify, that I have long been acquainted with Dr. Kitto, aa a writer on biblical subjects, having ¦
eight of his volumes in my library. I regard his volumes as eminently rich in instruction, and well suited to
the common reader. I do therefore most cordially recommend the "Illustrated History of the Bible," believing
that it needs only to be read to be highly esteemed." ' RICHARD TOLMAN,
May 3, 1837. Pastor Congregational Church, Tewksbury, Mass..
From Rev. Samuel H. Tolman.

they love that which illustrates and explains the Bible. SAMUEL H. TOLMAN,
May 11, 1867. Pastor Congregational Church, Wilmington, Mass..
From Rev* J. H. Means.
From my knowledge of Dr. Kitto's writings on biblical subjects, and from the standing of Dr. Bond, the edi
tor of the present work, I have no doubt it will be found a reliable and instructive guide to the contents of the
Scriptures. J. H. MEANS.
Dorchester, Dec, 1866. From Rev. John B. Falkner.
I have examined Dr. Kitto's History of the Bible, edited by Rev. A. Bond, D. D., and find it a most valuables-
work. It is a very desirable book, both for the critical student and for the general reader.
Dr. Kitto is so well known as an exact and profound scholar, an earnest Christian, and an interesting writer,
that any work, coming from his pen, ought to be, and I doubt not will be, warmly welcomed by air classes-
who take the least interest in biblical Btudics. _ . ., J.0E*N B- FALKNER,
Bridgeport, Conn., April 22, 1867. Rector Christ Church, Bridgeport, Conn..
(707)

From Rev. George W. Ryan.
Kitto, as authority in Biblical history, Btands in the estimation of scholars as unrivalled. I take pleasure in
recommending his History of the Bible as a work of merit, —a work ihut should be in every family in the land.
B J Rev. GeoroeW. Ryan, PaetorBaptiBt Church, Gardner, Mass.
From Rev. M. Swich.
I have no hesitation in recommending Dr. Kitto'B" Illustrated History of the Bible."
M. Zwick, Pastor, Reformed Dutch Church.
From Rev. A. S. Cheseborough.
I deem the " Illustrated History of the Bible " a work worthy of purchase and study by Christian people. The
high standing of Dr. Kitto, the author, as a Biblical scholar, and the honored name of Dr. Bond, the editor, are
guaranties of the superior and reliable character of this book.
' Glastenbary, Conn. A. S. Cheseborough.
From Rev. S. G. Buckingham.
The ability of Dr. Kitto in this department of scholarship, and the value of his writings, are well known to all
Biblical students. And such a work as this would be sure to interest and profit any family. Its numerous and
nice illustrations add to its worth. I cheerfully commend it as an interesting and useful work to this community.
Springfield, Mass. S. G. Buckingham,
* B ' Pastor South Congregational Church.
From Rev. H. G. Ludlow, D.D.
The name of Kitto, as the author of a work, well nieh renders it unnecessary for the publisher to annex cer
tificates of its value. This beautiful edition of the " Illustrated Bible History," with its numerous and excellent
plates and notes, cannot fail to have an extensive sale, as it meets the wants of all who are desirous to ascertain the
meaning ofthe " Lively Oracles of God." H. G. Ludlow, D.D.
From Rev. Edward W. Bently,
Few men have done more than Dr. Kitto to advance a knowledge of the Bible. I can therefore most cordially
Tecommend the present work. 1 know Dr. Bond, and know that he is abundantly qualified to do his part well.
* Edward W. Behtly, Pastor, R. P. D. Church.
From Rev. S. Graves, D.D., Norwich, Conn.
I have examined the "Illustrated History of the Holy Bible," and find it an interesting and valuable book,
worthy of the candor and piety of its distinguished author. Dr. Kitto. It is a volume of great value to all Bible
students, and should bo in the hands of every Sunday-school and Bible-class Teacher. The Editor and Publisher
of the American Edition have shown excellent judgment and taste in iheir part of the work.
Norwich, Conn., Oct 22, 1866. S. Git a ves, Pastor of the Central Baptist Church.
From Rev. Z. M. Humphrey, D.D.
I have examined Dr. Kitto's "Illustrated History of the Bible" so far as to Batisfy myself that it is a valuable
work for Biblical students. It will be found especially useful to Sunday-school teachers and Bible-classes.
Z. M. Humphrey, D.D.,
Chicago, Feb. 25, 1867. Pustor 1st Presbyterian Church.
From Rev. W. W. Patton, D.D.
I cheerfully coincide in the judgment expressed above by Rev. Dr. Humphrey. .
W. W. Pattok, D.D., Pastor of 1st Congregational Church, Chicago.
From Rev. R. W. Patterson, D.D.
I fully coincide in the opinion expressed above by Dr. Humphrey and Dr. Patton.
R. W. Pat ibkson, D.D., Pastor of 2d Presbyterian Church, Chicago.
From Rev. Arthur Swazey. D.D.
Icoincide in the opinions above expressed by Drs. Humphrey, Patton, and Patterson.
Arthur Swazev, xj.D., Pastor of 3u Presbyterian Church, Chicago.
From Rev. W. W. Everts, D.D.
The history of a book, as of a man, rises in importance with its greatness. As the Bible has achieved more for
the world than all other books, its history is more important than thut of universal lneruture. Kitto's work has been
prepared with such accuracy and fidelity as to be a proper companion of the Bible iu the public or private library.
* W. W. Everts, D.D.,
Chicago, Feb. 29, 1867. Pastor of 1st Baptist Church.
From Rev. E. J. Goodspeed.
The interest ofthe Bible narratives is really diminished by its being broken up into chapters and verses. Dr.
Kitto, one of the ripest scholars of Europe, has given us here a continuous, harmonized history of events recorded
in the Bible, and thus contributed to the clearer understanding and the more thorough appreciation of God's deal
ings with mankind. I cheerfully commend the work. E. J. Goodspeed, Pastor of 2d Baptist Church, Chicago.
From Prof. David Swing.
I do not believe that any one could have conceived of or produced a work in this field of thought and labor
that would surpass this one of Dr. Kitto in its promise as to interest and usefulness. It makes the disjointed facts
of sacred history into quite a complete Btory, and thus enables the memory to hold the truth, and the heart to love
its study. Prof. David Swing, Pastor of Westminster Church, Chicago.
From Rev. Robert Laird Collier.
From the examination I have been able to give Dr. " Kitto's History of the Bible," I am free to give it my
hearty commendation. The Bible and all its literature centre bo fully in the great purpose of God to save the
world, through Jesus ChriBt, that I hear with gratification ofthe publication of awork by bo eminent an author as
Dr. Kitto, which puts in so brief a space matter of such eternal importance.
Robert Laikd Collier, Pastor of Church of Messiah, Chicago.
(708)

e to make of Kitto's "Illustrated History ofthe Bible " has satisfied me ofthe
iok. The work is simple and clear in its plan, graphic and attractive in its
. information, and imbued with a spirit of catholic and active piety. I take

9
From Rev. Thomas M. Eddy, D.D.
, , Dr. Kitto needs no commendation from me or any one else : his reputation is world wide. The volume here
presented is one of value to the professional biblical studont, while to the general reader, whoBe library is not
stocked with works on interpretation, it is invaluable. I give it my hearty commendation.
Thomas M. Eddy, D.D., Editor Northwestern Christian Advocate.
From Rev. IV. JS... Hyde.
The world-wide reputation of Dr. Kitto and the scholarship of the editor, Rev. Alvan Bond, D.D., are, in my
judgment, an entirely satisfactory guaranty for the value of this book.
Rev. N. A. Hyde, Pastor of Plymouth Church, Indianapolis, Ind.
From Rev. F. C. llolliday, D.D.
The high reputation of Dr. Kitto as a biblical scholar, his familiarity with the entire range of sacred literature,
and the acknowledged learning and ability of Rev, Dr. Bond, the editor, furnish a satisfactory guaranty of the
value of this work. F. c. Hollidat, D.D., Indmnapolis, Ind.
From Elder O. A. Burgess.
Dr. Kitto, one of the most eminent of biblical scholars, both thorough and comprehensive in his literary
researches, author of various valuable and standard religious works, will doubtless connect, in his Illustrated His
tory of the Bible, both history and commentary, in such a manner as to render lt, under the labors of the editor,
Rev. Dr. Bond, one ofthe most convenient, instructive, and useful books of the day.
Elder O. A. Burgess, of Christian Church, IndianapoliB, Ind.
From Rev. H. Dross, H.l>.
I take great pleasure in recommending this work to the families of the parish, and I should be glad if it could
find its place in every household. Rev. H. BROSS,Millburn, 111., Jan. 19, 1S67.
From Rev. W. C. Richards.
The examination I have been able t
great excellence and worth of the book. _
style, copious and trustworthy in its information, and imbued with a spirit of catholic and active piety.
pleasure in commending it to all classes of readers who prize and desire to know the word of God.
W. C. Richards, Pastor Baptist Church, Pittsfleld.
From Rev. «T. J5. Cleveland.
The History of the Bible, by Dr. Kitto, a book of uncommon merit, instructive and exceedingly Interesting,
and which ought to be possessed by every family in the land, is now being circulated in this region. It is an inval
uable Bible illuminator, and richly deserves the liberal patronage it is receiving. Its history of events during the
400 years intervening between the Old-Testament dispensation and the New, is of very great value, and ought to
be read by all persons professing to respect the Bible.
New Hartford, Conn. J. B. Cleveland, Pastor Cong. Church.
From Rev. C. H. A. ISulklcy, and others.
To the Members ofthe Brooklyn Young Men's Christian Association, and others :
Dr. Kitto's Illustrated History of the Bible, edited by Dr. Bond, is unquestionably a work of value, weM
worthy of perusal and study by every one interested in the Scriptures. For teachers of Bible classes and Sabbath
Schools it is of great service. C. H. A. Bulkxey,
Chaplain and Actuary of tbe Brooklyn Young Men's Christian Association. Brooklyn, April 10, 1867.
I most cordially give my influence to the sale of Dr. Kitto's History within recommended.
Wm. G. Leonard, Pastor M. E. Church, Milford, Mass.
J. B. Thornton, Jr., Pastor Cong. Church, Mil lord, Mass.
Dr. Kitto's History of the Bible is a valuable work, and, so far as it goes, gives great aid to the student of the
Holy Scriptures. 1 cheerfully commend it to all interested. G. G. Jones, Pastor of Episcopal Church, Milford, Mass.
L. Cro well, Pastor of M. E. Church, Milford, Mass.
Dr. Kitto's reputation as an author warrants me in saying that his History of the Bible is an invaluable help
to the student of the word of God. E. H. Page, PaBtor Baptist Church, Milford, Mass.
From Rev. Samuel A. Clark.
I have no doubt the History of the Bible, by Dr. Kitto, will prove a valuable addition to the library of every
one who may subscribe for it, and I should be glad to see it extensively circulated.
Samuel A. Clare, Pastor St. John's Church, Elizabeth City, N.J.
From Rev. Geo. De F. Folsom.
The undersigned confidently commends to the members of his parish the work of Dr. Kitto, as being what its
title indicates, a " History ofthe Bible." Geo. De F. Folsom.
Fair Haven, Conn., May 7th, 1867. From Rev. Henry I. Van Dyke.
Dr. Kitto is universally recognized as a writer of profound learning and sincere piety. Few men have suc
ceeded as he haB, in putting the results of Biblical criticism into an attractive and simple form. His " Illustrated
History of the Bible * is an excellent work, well suited to make the word of God more intelligible to readers of all
ages and capacities. It will be a valuable addition to the household treasures of any Christian family.
Henry I. Van Dyke, PaBtor of 1st Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn, N.Y., Apnl30th, 1867.
From Rev. R. H- Loomis.
The undersigned has examined Kitto's Bible History, and fully and most cheerfully recommends the book
to the members oT his church and congregation. Sabbath-school teachers will And it an invaluable aid in the
study of the Bible. R. H. Loomis, Pastor M. E. Church, Fair Haven, Conn.
From Rev. J. D. Ryle.
I heavily concur in the above statement in regard to Kitto's History of the Bible. ni,«w.».
Fall River Mass. **¦ ^* Kyle, Pastor United Presbyterian Church.
(70s;

10
From Rev. A. M. Wylie.
I am in possession of Dr. Kitto's Doily Bible readings, and consider them to be among the most valuable
productions in my library, and from the well known character of the distinguished author wc feel safe in assuring
any one who may purchase a work from the same pen.
Fall River, Mass. A. M. Wylie, Rector of Ascension Church.
From Rev. John Duncan, D.D.
Dr. Kitto's History of the Bible is a work of great value — every student of the sacred volume will here find
an estimable moss of information and illustration. I know of no similar work that eo. tains so many
excellences. Rey. John Duncan, D.D.
Fall River, Mass., May SO, 1867 Pastor 2d Baptist Church.
From Rev. S. W. Bntler.
My hearty concurrence in the above is manifest by my signature. 8. W. Butler,
Pastor Franklin St. Christian Society.
From Rev* E. Thurston. D.D.
I have before recommended Dr. Kitto's History of the Bible to the people of this place, and take pleasure in
repeating that every family and Sabbath-school teacher,' and indeed every student of the BiLle, will und a great
help in this work in hiB study of God's word.
Fall River, Mass., June 1, 1867. E. Thurston, D. D., Pastor 2d Cong. Church.
From Rev. P. B. Haughwort.
I am familiar with Dr. K.'s works, and his great reputation as an author is a sufficient guaranty of the excel
lence of any work that bears his name. P. B. Haughwort,
Pastor 1st Baptist Church, Fall River, Mass,
From Rev. Geo. Bowler.
I heartily concur in the above recommendation. Geo. Bowler,
Fall River, Mass., May 31, 1867. Pastor St Paul's M. E. Church.
From Rev. Chas. W. Buck.
As a compendious arrangement of the Bible narratives, I should think that Kitto's History would be of great
use to the Biblical student. Chas. W. Buck,
Fall River, Mass., June 1, 1867. Pastor Unitarian Church,
From Rev. J. D. King.
I consider " Kitto's History of the Bible " an invaluable aid to consecutive biblical study, especially for
those who have but little time, and have not access to large libraries. Respectfully yours, J. D. Kino,
Fall River, Mass., June 1, 1867. Pastor First M. E. Church.
From Rev. C. S. Brown.
The name of Dr. Kitto, is a sufficient recommendation of his work. C. S. Brown, Presiding Elder M. E. Church.
From the Norwich (Conn,) Bulletin. -*-V
Kitto's Illustrated History ofthe Bible is a work that, even upon the most superficial examination, strongly
Impresses its merits upon the mind of any person who is at all interested in the sacred writings. The plan of the
work is in itself a recommendation. The narrative is enriched by critical and explanatory notes, carefully selected
from the results of long years of severe and intelligent labor. These notes are necessarily brief, but they happily
meet the wants of the general reader, who cannot find the time to wander through a wilderness of commentaries,
and indeed are in many cases sufficient for the more critical student. For the preparation of this part of the work
the eminent author was peculiarly well qualified. He brought to the illustration of the Sacred Scriptures a living
knowledge of Eastern manners, traditions, geography, and natural history, acquired du ring three years of travel
in the Holy Land, and adjacent countries. To the knowledge acquired during these original researches, was
added the fruit of a quarter of a century spent in most careful study. It is said of him that he was in the habit of
going several miles to the British Museum, in the reading-room of v. Men he spent six hours a day consulting rare
and expensive books ; and usually when laboring in his own study he devoted sixteen hours a day to the prepa
ration of his publications. As the result of such research, such experience, and such labors, the contributions
made by Dr. Kitto, to biblical literature, have been of the greatest value — the crown of all being the History of
the Bible now under consideration.
The publisher, Henry Bill, of this city, was fortunate in being able to secure forthe preparation of this edition,
the services of Rev. Alvan Bond, D.D., who brought to his editorship, a ripe and accurate scholarship, and an
enthusiasm for the work, which have not only given the present volume an increased value to the general reader,
but have made it a rare monument to his own Christian culture.
Fron the Norwich (Conn.) Aurora.
Kitto's Illustrated History op the Bible.— It is but a few months since it was announced that a new
American edition of this celeorated work was in the course of preparation, by Rev. Dr. Bond, of this city, aud was
to be introduced to the public by our townsman, Hon. Henry Bill. Yet the orders for it have already reached the
large number of more than fifty thousand, and the demand is still unabated. It is emphatically, and in the best
sense of the term, a popular book, lt will make every family, where it is read, wiser and better. It interferes with
the sectarian prejudices of no man, for it ii not a commentary on doctrinal points, but a plain, clear, and connected
narrative from the point where the Bible commences down to the destruction of Jerusalem. by the Romans,, A. D.
38. Any one, not a professional biblical scholar, will acquire a far more distinct view of sacred history by reading
this book than he will by reading the Bible itself, for the narrative is connected, and divested of all irrelevant
matter If we take any single character of the Bible— David as a striking example — we shall find all the events
of his life grouped and connected with the vividness of a picture. And the manners and customs ofthe people at
each epoch, their laws and religious observances, their great public works, and the political relations of States, are
minutely described, and illustrated, not only according to the Bible narrative, but by all the lights that modern
research and investigation can throw upon them. The work cannot be too strongly recommended to all, who
would become familiar with Bible history, for their owa improvement, or fur the purpose of communicating the
same to others. (710)

11
From Rev. C. P. Osborne and others.
From a brief examination of the Prospectus of Kitto's " Illustrated History of the Bible," and from tho known
reputation of the author und editor, I judge that the book will be found to be a valuable aid in the study of God's
word, and a happy addition to the library of any family who may feel able to purchase it.
Bristol, R.I., May 8, 1866. C. P. Osborne.
We concur in the recommendations given above of Kitto's " Illustrated History of the Bible."
T. Snowden Thomas, John Bloin, J. Livesey, A. F. Spaulding, George Wheeler, Wm. C. Mills, Rector of
St. Mark's Church. From Rev. J. TV. Lane,
I can cordially commend Dr. Kitto's works, I am acquainted with Dr. Bond, the American Editor. I Intend
to take the book myself. J. W. Lane, Pastor Cong. Church, Whately, Mass,
From Rev. E. B. Falrchlld.
I can recommend Dr. Kitto's work, as a valuable auxiliary In the study ofthe Bible, from my knowledge of its
author as a laborious student of the sacred record. E. B. Fairchild, Whately, Mass.
From Rev. Wm. A. Rartlett.
This " Illustrated History of the Holy Bible," so accurate and graphic in its text, and so helpful and pleasing In
its accompanying plates, cannot fail to supply a popular need. We wish it the success which the theme, the dis
tinguished author, and the decided merit displayed in its preparation, demand-
Wm. A. Bartlett, Pastor Elm-place Cong. Church, Brooklyn, N.Y.
From Rev. A. W. EltUeJohn, D.D.
Dr. Kitto's " History of the Bible " is a valuable Compend, and may be read with profit by all who desire to be
improved upon the great subjects of which it treuts. A. N. Littlejohw, D.D., Rector Holy Trinity Church.
Brooklyn, N. Y., Nov. 19, 18C6. From Rev. G. R. Hoimer.
Dr. John Kitto stands high as a Biblical scholar and critic, and I should think this work would be a valuable
aid in the study of the Bible. G. H. Hosmer, Pastor Unitarian Church, Deerfield, Mass.
From Rev. Solomon Clark.
For the past eight years, I have been intimately acquainted with Dr. Kitto's Biblical works. He possessed
advantages seldom enjoyed for preparing such a History of the Bible as is here presented to the public. These
pages will be read by individuals and families wilh growing interest.
Plainfield, Mass. Solomon Clark, Pastor Congregational Church.
From Rev. E. E. CammlnsB.
I have examined with some care Kitto's " History of the Bible Illustrated," and have formed a high opinion
of it, as a help in giving a knowledge of Holy Scripture. The embodied history cannot fail to awaken a deeper
interest in the facts contained in the Bible, while the notes throw additional light on the sacred text ; and the
illustrations give the needed information in regard to the customs and habits of the times in which the Bible was
written. I most cheerfully beBpeak for the work a wide circulation.
Concord, .N.H., Dec. 20, 1866. E. E. Cummings, Pastor Pleasant-street Baptist Church.
From Rev. A. F. V. Bartlett.
I cordially concur in the numerous testimonies to the value ofthe " Illustrated History of the Holy Bible"
by Dr. Kitto, and I trust that it may be widely received among the people of the South Church.
Concord, N.H., Dec. 20, 1866. A. F. V. Bartlett, Pastor South Cong. Church.
From Rev. J. E. Adams.
I value any thing from the pen of Dr. Kitto. His " Cyclopaedia of Biblical Literature," " Daily Bible Illustra
tions," " Pictorial Sunday Books, &c," are rich sources of information on all Bible matters. I refer to them with
almost entire confidence that Ins conclusions are safe. Tliis prepares me to recommend his " History of the
Bible," edited by Dr. Bond, lt must be valuable to any Bible student, and especially to the Sabbath-school Teach
ers. J. E. Adams, Pasior First Cong. Church.
Seorspoit, Me., July 10, 1867. From Rev. Albert Church.
This work is valuable as condensing information on tlie Bible which is thus made available to those to whom
larger works are inaccessible. The reading of it may excite au interest in Biblical Btudies, and lead to a more ex
tensive acquaintance with that greatest and Dest of books. Albert Church,
Searsport, Me., J uly 10, 1867? Pastor M. E. Church.
From Rev. C P. Bartlett.
The name of Kitto is a sufficient recommendation of whatever may come from his pen.^ His "Illustrated
History ofthe Bible " is unquestionably a work of great value, and will prove an erhcient helper in the department
of knowledge to which it helongs. As an aid to Bible-classes, Sunday-school teachers, and scholars, I should
judge it to possess rare merit. " C. P. Bartlett, Pastor First Baptist Church .
Sedgwick, Me., May 3, 1867. From Rev. Alfred E. Ives.
The works of John Kitto, D.D., have attained a wide celebrity, and I take pleasure in commending his " H-
lustrated History of the Bible "to all who prize the Holy Bible. .,„„„„ p y., d .. n ,-n. i.
Castine,JuneS,1867. Alfred E. Ives, Pastor Cong. Church,
From Rev. C. Ij. Palmer.
The want of such a work has long been felt by all students of the Bible. The author, bo well known to the
literary world, is sufficient evidence that it will be an invaluable work ior all lovers of Bible History, and for all
who wont to grow in the knowledge and wisdom of Christ. & ^ PalmeB| Pastor M, E, Churchi Brooksville, Me.
(HI)

12
From Rev. E. D. Towner.
Dr. Kitto's works are among the very best in the whole range of Biblical Literature". Any thing from him
illustrative ofthe great events and glorious characters ot the Old and New Testaments is of sterling value, and
may bu safely trusted; while the praise of Dr. Bond, the accomplished editor of the " ll.ustrated History of the
Bible," " is in all the churches." I cordially commend the work to the reading and religious people of thid place, as
one eminently fitted to interest and improve themselves and families.
E. D. Towner, Pastor of Baptist Church, Hartford, N.Y.
From Rev. Alfred Emerson,
The narrative is concise, clear, and attractive as well as faithful. Here and in the notes we have, in Bimpte
language, the result of the latest and ripest scholarship. The history of the events which occurred between the
closing period of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New, as well as at the destruction of Jerusalem,
essentially add to its value. A copious index makeB it an excellent book of reference for the Biblical students
connected with the Sabbath School. I should be happy to learn that this volume had found a place in every
family among my people. Alfred Emerson,
Fitchburg, Mass., May 14, 1867. Pastor Cong. Church.
From Rev. S. A. Collins.
I most cheerfully recommend the " History of the Bible " by the distinguished Dr. John Kitto, whose attain
ments as a Biblical student are scarcely surpassed. The work will be a valuable aid to the study of God's Holy
Word, and should be in every family. S. A. Collins, Pastor Baptist Church.
Fitchburg, MaBS., May 14, 1867. From Rev. Iff. 31. Longly.
I have made a hasty examination of Dr. Kitto's " History of the Bible," and am exceedingly pleased. It can
not fail to be a valuable auxiliary in the study of the Bible, and will be a treasure to any family .
Fitchburg, Mass., May 15, 1867. M. M. Longly, Pastor Trinitarian Church.
From Rev. W. H. Hatch.
I can cheerfully recommend Dr. Kitto's work as a valuable auxiliary in the study of the Bible, which cannot
but be of great advantage to all who desire a correct and extensive knowledge of the sacred book.
Fitchburg, Mass., May 15, 1867. W. H. Hatch, Pastor Methodist Church.
From Rev. C. H. Webber.
I consider Dr. Kitto's " Bible History" one of the best of his many able productions on Biblical research.
Every Bible student should have it. C. H. Webber, Pastor Main-street Free Baptist Church, Taunton, Mass.
From Rev. Samuel H Smith.
The works of Dr. Kitto are held in very high repute by all Biblical students. They ore distinguished for their
general accuracy and great clearness. His "Bible History " I regard as among the most desirable of his produc
tions. Samuel H. Smith,
East Bridgeport, May 10, 18S7. Pastor M. E. Church.
From Rev. A. McGregor Hopper.
The " History of the Bible," by that distinguished scholar. Dr. Kitto, of London, I regard as a work of great
value, and can therefore most heartily recommend itto the public. A. McGregor Hopper.
Bridgeport, Conn., April 17, 1867. From Rev. W. W. Dow,
The author whose volume is here commended has through many past years laid a foundation broad and deep
for the confidence of Christendom. He has a wide reputation, gained b.v the devoted labor of many years. If
people in general knew more in regard to the Holy Scriptures, they would prize the divine Word more highly.
Such a volume as this which is now offered is needed everywhere.
Brooksville, June 13, 1867. W. W. Dow, Pastor Congregational Church.
From Rev. J. E. Rockwell.
I have been familiar for manv years with the works of Kitto, and have regarded them as among my most valua
ble aids in the study and illustration ofthe Holy Scripture. His " History of the Bible " iB a collection in one volume
of all the treasures of his learning and research. Its illustrations are drawn from the most authentic sources, and
altogether it forms a most valuable work for families and all persons who desire to understand the Scriptures. I
most cheerfully commend it to all who may have the opportunity of possessing themselves of the book.
Brooklyn, N.Y., April ?7» 1867. J. E. Rockwell, Pastor Central Presbyterian Church.
From Rev. S. Bixhy.
Knowing something of Dr. Kitto aa an author, and from an examination of hia " Illustrated HiBtory of the
Bible," I have no hesitancy in recommending it as a work of great value.
Westmoreland, Dec. 10, 1866. S. Bixby, PaBtor Cong. Church.
From Rev. Samuel S. Drake.
This may certify that I am acquainted with the works of Dr. Kitto, an English author, possess them myself,
and consider them invaluable. I am also personally acquainted with Dr. Bond, the editor of this work, having re
ceived instruction from him, and know him to be one of the first Biblical scholars in the country. It is therefore
safe, in my opinion, and of great utEity, to possess Dr. Kitto's literary works.
Deer Isle, Me., May 2, 1867. Samuel S. Drake, Pastor Cong. Church.
From Rev. Nath. Seaver.
I have subscribed for the work herein named, — although the views contained in it are Trinitarian. I think it
valuable. Dr. Kitto is a fine scholar ; and his other works are held in high esteem by all theological scholars. This
book makes readable and interesting what is often obscure in the common version. It also throws light upon the
later political condition of the Jewish nation.
Walpole,Dec. 3, 18G6. Nath. Sea ver, Jun., Pastor Unitarian Church.
(712)

THE HISTORY

OP THK
CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA,
(ISSUED IN THE ENGLISH AND GERMAN LANGUAGES,)
COMPRISING A
Full and Impartial Account of the Origin and Progress of the Rebellion,
of the various Naval and Military Engagements, of the Heroic
Deeds performed by Armies and Individuals, and of
Touching Scenes in the Field, the Camp,
the Hospital, and the Cabin.
By J. S. C. ABBOTT, of New Haven, Conn.,
Author op the " Life op Nai'oleon ;" " ITtstory of the Frrncii Revolution ;" " Monarchies
OF CoNTrNENTAL EuROrE," ETC.
Illustrated with Maps, Diagrams, and numerous Steel Engravings of Battle
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This work, complete in two volumes of over 1,100 large Eoyal Octavo pages, is
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The author of this great work is well known by all literary men, as one of the
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ers and Civilians, both North and South, with the prominent Battle Scenes of Sea
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Trusting the reader will regard this work as one of superior importance and
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Publisher with entire confidence solicits your influence in giving it the widest
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This is the best History of the War yet published, and has had the largest sale
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HENEY BILL, Norwich, Conn,
(713)

A PICTORIAL
jpstfjru of % gjtefo Morfo:
CONTAINING A GENERAL VIEW OP ALL THE VARIOUS NATIONS,
STATES, AND REPUBLICS OF THE
WESTERN CONTINENT;
Comprising the early Discoveries by the Spanish, French, and other Navigators,
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COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES TO THE PRESENT TIME.
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the late War with Mexico, and embracing the brilliant career of Washington,
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With an Appendix, containing important Public Documents, and closing with
extensive and valuable Statistical Tables.

EDITED BY
JOHN LEDYAED DENISON, A.M.,
Autiiob or tnE " Pictorial History or the Wars ;" " Pictorial Naval History ;"
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300 Engravings, some of which are Steel, and many beautifully colored by hand,
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This work was so well received, that already it has been translated into the Ger
man Language, under the title of Illustrated New World (see opposite page), and
about 20,000 copies sold in the German Language in this country alone, and large
orders have been received from Germany, for the work in their language.

W For an Agency, apply to the Publisher,
HENRY BILL, Norwich, Conn.

(7»)

THE

HISTORY OF THE WORLD:

COMPRISING

A GENERAL HISTORY, BOTH ANCIENT AND
MODERN, OF ALL THE PRINCIPAL
NATIONS OF THE GLOBE,
ETC., etc.
Embracing a brief account of the Russian and Italian Wars, and a complete His
tory of the United States to the present time, including the War of the Revolution,
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well as Grant and Sherman, and their compatriots, and a brief History of the
Rebellion to its close, with an Appendix, containing important Public Documents
and valuable Statistical Tables.

By SAMUEL MAUNDEB,,
Author of "The Treasury of Knowledge," "Biographical Treasury," Etc.
Edited by JOHN INDIAN, Esq.,
Late Editor of the " New York Commercial Advertiser,"
And other distinguished American Authors.
Ihe whole embellished with numerous Engravings (beautifully Colored
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ferent Nations, Coronations, Processions,
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In Two large octavo volumes, containing upwards of 1,500 pages, and illustrated
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hi tlje (German language.

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THEIR RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT CONDITION.
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other Navigators, an account of the American Indians,
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TO ITS CLOSE.
With Geographical Descriptions of each State and Territory, an elaborate Appendix,
with important Instructions to Emigrants, Washington's Farewell Address, and
other Public Documents, Statistical Tables, etc., etc.
EDITED BY JOHN L. DENISON, A.M.,
AND
TRANSLATED BY GEORGE DIETZ,
LATE TRANSLATOR FOR THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA.

The whole illustrated with over three hundred Engravings (many of which are
splendidly colored), consisting of Battle Scenes, Views of Cities, Prominent Events,
and Portraits of Distinguished Men, from designs of the most celebrated artists, in
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It is purely American in its character, and aims throughout to induct the immi
grant into all the manners, customs, and institutions peculiar to the United States,
having for its object to Americanize this valuable element of our rapidly increasing
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YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

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