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CHAPTER I.

PREFATORY OBSERVATIONS ON THE SEVERAL BOOKS OF SCRIPTURE.

Preliminary Observations on the Divisions occurring in the Bible.

BEFORE we proceed to the more immediate object of this chapter, it seems desirable to offer a few remarks on the several divisions of the Bible which have obtained in the Jewish and Christians churches.

1. The Old Testament resolves itself into two grand divisions -the Canonical and the Apocryphal books: the former were written under the guidance of divine inspiration; are part of the rule of faith and conduct of Christians; and have ever been undisputed as regards their authority: the latter are of no divine authority, and are only useful as historical documents. The books of the Maccabees are of considerable value, as helping to fill up the history of that interval of time which elapsed between the ceasing of prophecy and the advent of the Messiah. It is to be regretted that some of the Apocryphal books contain gross and palpable perversions of truth, and some details of an indelicate nature.*

THE

2. The Jewish church divided the canonical books into three classes, under which form they were generally referred to and quoted. These were denominated THE LAW— PROPHETS and the HAGIOGRAPHA, or Holy writings. THE LAW Contained the five Books of Moses; frequently called the Pentateuch, i. e. the five Books. THE PROPHETS COMprised the whole of the writings now termed prophetical—from Isaiah to Malachi, inclusively-and also the books of Job, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther; these books having been either written or revised by prophets-probably the former. THE HAGIOGRAPHA included the Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the

* Much curious and valuable information relative to the Apocrypha may be found in a recently published phamphlet, entitled "A Plea for the Protestant Canon of Scripture."

Song of Solomon. It is probable that our Saviour alluded to this division of the Old Testament when he said, "All things must be fulfilled which are written in the law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning me" (Luke xxiv. 44.) for the Psalms standing first in this collection of Books gave its name to the division.

3. Since the completion of the canon of the entire Scriptures, the general or principal division adopted is that of the Old and New Testament. The books included under each of these divisions are too familiar to every reader to need repetition here. It must be observed, however, that the order of the Books as placed in our translation is not according to the times in which they were written, or the course of the history to which they relate. The several books stand as unconnected and independent documents. Their chronological and historical arrangement has recently been completed in a very able manner by Mr. Townsend, on the basis of Lightfoot's well known" Chronicle." Of the importance of this classification to a right understanding of the Bible, we have spoken in Part I. A further division of the Scriptures into Legal, Historical, Doctrinal, and Prophetical books has been made, but such a division answers but little purpose, as almost every part of the Sacred writings partakes of these several characters.

of

4. The division into chapter and verse is a modern invention, which it is to be regretted should ever have assumed a higher character than convenient divisions for the reference and quotation, They should be totally disregarded in reading the Bible.

purposes

We now proceed to notice, in order, the several books of the Scriptures, and to furnish such information respecting their authors-dates-titles-scope or design-authenticityand contents, as is requisite for attaining to a proper knowledge of the respective matters treated of in them.

SECTION I.

OF THE PENTATEUCH.

Under this title, as before observed, are comprised the five Books of Moses, who speaks of himself in many places as their appointed author. These books are mentioned in seve

ral parts of Scripture as "the Law," and " the Law of Moses:" they are cited as his indisputable works, and have been received as such by every sect of the Jewish and Christian Churches. Immediately after their composition, these books were deposited in the tabernacle, and thence transferred to the temple, where they were preserved with the most vigilant care. The Pentateuch was read every Sabbath-day in the Synagogues, and again publicly and solemnly every seventh year. The prince was obliged to copy it, and the people were commanded to teach it to their children, and to wear it "as signs on their hands, and frontlets between their eyes." By the special providence of God a sufficient number of these books was always preserved; and the high veneration with which the Jews regarded every letter, called forth numerous guardians to watch over its purity and preserve its integrity.* The Pentateuch furnishes us with a compendious history of the world, from the Creation till the arrival of the Israelites on the verge of Canaana period of above 2515 years, according to the vulgar computation; or 3765 years, according to the chronology of Dr. Hales. It blends revelation and history together, furnishes laws and describes their execution, exhibits prophecies and relates their accomplishment. Some of the principal details of the Pentateuch are confirmed by Pagan tradition, and the earliest uninspired historical records which exist, can only be rendered intelligible by the superior and more consistent histories of Moses.†

The duty of studying these venerable records of antiquity, results from their forming part of the revealed will of God, and from the circumstance that many of the events herein recorded adumbrate others under the Christian dispensation. "All these things happened unto them for ensamples [or types]. and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come," 1 Cor. x. 11.

The Book of Genesis.

This book is so named, from the title borne by it in the LXX. ΒΙΒΛΟΣ ΓΕΝΕΣΕΩΣ- the book of the GENERATION or PRODUCTION of all things. Moses is universally considered to have been its author; and it is believed that he wrote

* The reader will find some interesting information relative to the Masora, and some good remarks on the authenticity of the Pentateuch, in Butler's "Hora Bibliсе -a work of easy access.

After all the vaunting of infidels respecting the high antiquity of the Hindoo Chronology, the fact appears to be, that the records of these people go to confirm the truth of the Mosaic writings! In a work just published, on the Hindoo Astronomy", by Mr. Bentley of Calcutta, it is shewn that according to the Hindoo system of Chronology, the Creation took place in the very year of the Mosaic Deluge!

it after the promulgation of the Law. Its authenticity is attested by the most indisputable evidence, and it is cited as an inspired record thirty-three times in the course of the Scriptures. The history related in this book comprises a period of about 2369 years according to the lowest computation, but according to Dr. Hales, a much larger period. It contains an account of the creation (ch. i. ii.); the primeval state and fall of man (ch. iii.); the history of Adam and his descendants, with the progress of religion and the origin of the arts (ch. iv.); the genealogies, age, and death of the patriarchs, until Noah (ch. v.); the general defection and corruption of mankind, the general deluge, and preservation of Noah and his family in the ark (ch. viii.); the history of Noah and his family subsequent to the time of the deluge (ch. ix.); the re-peopling and division of the earth among the sons of Noah (ch. x.); the building of Babel, the confusion of tongues, and the dispersion of mankind (ch. xi.); the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, ch. xii-l.

The Book of Exodus.

The title of this book, also, is descriptive of the principal event which it records, namely the EXODUS, or departure of the Jews from Egypt. The book of Exodus is universally ascribed to the same pen as the former book, and indeed it is cited as the work of Moses by David, Daniel, and others of the Sacred writers. Rivet has remarked that twenty-five passages are quoted from it by Christ and his Apostles in express words, and nineteen as to the sense. Exodus embraces the history of about 145 years, from A. M. 2369 to A. M. 2514 inclusive from the death of Joseph to the erection of the Tabernacle. It contains an account of the tyranny exercised by Pharaoh over the Israelites, with their wonderful increase (ch. i.); the birth, preservation, education, and exile of Moses (ch. ii.); the divine legation of Moses (ch. iii. iv.); the infliction of the eight first plagues (ch. iv. 29.—x. 21); the institution of the Passover (ch. xii. 1-21.); the two last plagues (ch. x. 21.—xii. 21—31.); the departure of the Israelites (ch. xii. 31-37, 40-42.); their miraculous passage of the Red Sea, &c. (ch. xii. 43.-xv. 22.); their subsequent journeyings in the Wilderness (ch. xv. 23.-xix. 2.); the promulgation of the Law from Sinai, the defection of the Israelites, renewal of the tables, and erection of the Tabernacle, xix. 3.-xl.

It should be remarked, that many events recorded in this book, adumbrate the state of the church in the wilderness of this world, until her arrival at the promised Canaan- the eternal rest. See 1 Cor. x. 1. &c. This idea will help to

point out the consistency of the divine purpose, and the harmony subsisting between the old and new dispensations, with an eye to which the Bible should ever be read. In this book are also presented several types of the Messiah, such as Moses, Deut. xviii. 15; Aaron, Heb. iv. 14-16. v. 4, 5; the paschal lamb, Ex. xii.; John xix. 36; the manna, Ex. xvi. 15.; 1 Cor. x. 3; the rock in Horeb, Éx. xvii. 6.; 1 Cor. x. 4; the mercy-seat, Ex. xxxvii. 6.; Rom. iii. 25.; Heb. iv. 16; the tabernacle, Ex. xl.; John i. 14. Gr. tabernacled.

The Book of Leviticus.

It is

This book is probably so called because it principally details the institution of the sacrifices and services, the charge of which was committed to the Levitical priesthood. cited as the work of Moses, 2 Chr. xxx. 16.; Dan. ix. 13.; and as an inspired writing, Jer. vii. 22, 23.; 2 Cor. vi. 16.; 1 Pet. i. 16. There are no data furnished in the book by which a chronological arrangement of the facts narrated in it can be effected. It contains an account of the laws concerning sacrifices and offerings (ch i-vii.); the institution of the priesthood (ch. viii-x.); of clean and unclean animals, &c. (ch. xi.); the laws concerning purification (ch. xii-xv.); of the great day of atonement (ch. xvi.); the place of offering sacrifices, things prohibited, marriage and various acts of impurity, the sin of consecrating children to Moloch-consulting wizards, &c. (ch. xvii- xx.); laws relative to the conduct and persons of the priests (ch. xxi, xxii.); laws concerning the sacred festivals, vows, things devoted, and tithes, ch. xxiii-xxvii.

The style in which the rites and ceremonies contained in this book are given, and the manner in which their minute particulars are so often repeated, shew that they were expressive of something beyond the mere letter, and were prefigurative of Gospel appointments. The sacrifices and oblations were significant of the atonement of Christ; the requisite qualities of these sacrifices were emblematical of his immaculate character; and the prescribed mode in the form of these offerings, and the mystical rites ordained, were allusive institutions, * calculated to enlighten the apprehensions of the Jews, and to prepare them for the reception of the Gospel. The institution of the high priesthood typified Jesus the great High Priest. The prohibition of meats as unclean, taught the avoidance of what God prohibits; and the various kinds of uncleannesses, with their prescribed expiations, illustrated the necessity and importance of internal purity and

*The reader will do well to peruse with care, Outram's Dissertation on Sacrifices, an able translation of which has been executed by Mr. Allen.