Y. W.

Accord

ing to

Towns

end,

1874

but ac

CHAPTER II.

THE LIFE AND COMPANIONS OF JOB.

Sect. 1. History of his character and Job I-II.
trials.

2.

First series of conversation
with his friends; Eliphaz,
Bildad, and Zophar.

3. Second series of conversation
with them.

Third series of conversation;
with Eliphaz and Bildad.

5. Elihu's four speeches to Job.

cord

XXXII-
XXXVII.

B. C.

Accord

ing to Townsend,

2130;

but, ac

cord

ing to

Usher,

1504.

-xxXVIII

XLI.

-XLII.

than its philosophy, simpler than its ritual, more majestic than its creed." J. M. Good, Introd. Dissert. An interesting analysis of Mr. Good's valuable work is given by the editors of the Encyclop. Metrop. in their Biography of Part ii. pp. 101-112.

JOB 55.-" And it came to pass while the feasting days were going about, that Job sent for and sanctified them; he even rose early in the morning and presented burnt offerings, to the number of them all, for Job said: Lest my sons should offend, when they are blessing God in their hearts. Thus did Job all the days." In illustration of which, Zech. xi. 5, and Luke xviii. 11, may be regarded as parallel passages. Sanctius, &c. in Poole's Synopsis.

Verse 11.-Here again the word (barach) retains its one and only proper meaning, "to bless ;" and the clause 'should be read: " if he will not bless thee to thy appearances;" that is, if thou wilt be favourable, he will continue faithful. Parkhurst, Clarke. &c.

JOB II. 9.-" Bless God and die!" a very strong irony: a similar one is cited from Ovid, by Dr. A. Clarke, in his Notes, &c.

JOB 111.-As explanatory of the "Conversation" or Dialogue character of book, similar usages are noticed in the " Arab. Night's Entert." Travels of Niebuhr, Col. Campbell, &c. by the late investigating Editor of Calmet. Fragments, No. 18, pp. 35, 36.

JOB III. 1.-" Opened his mouth," may be illustrated by the Orientals speaking but seldom, never long without emotion and metaphor; and usually with a previous formal introduction. Homer, Hesiod, &c., &c. Enquiry into Life and Writings of Homer, p. 44.

JOB IV. 12-21.-" The description, in Eliphaz' own language, is awful and affecting to the last degree: a Night-piece dressed in all the circumstances of the deepest horror." Hervey's Contemplat. p. 214.

JOB'S FRIENDS.-Eliphaz, in three orations; Bildad, in as many; and Zophar, in two; from common topics argue, that such affliction as his could not come from any but God's hand; and that it is not agreeable with the justice of God to afflict without a cause, or punish without guilt. Eliphaz was probably the oldest, as having taken the lead-was generally mild and modest, though certainly sometimes an erroneous censor. Bildad is at times really abusive, and always equally erroneous with his associate. Zophar appears the most unfeeling and hostile towards Job. Elihu, appearing at the close of the dialogue, evinces superior religious discrimination, speaks in language copious, glowing and sublime; and alone

appears not to have offended God with his expressions:-altogether a most interesting, if not a typical, character. Howel, Calmet, and Clarke.

JOB VII. 1, and XIV. 14.-The word 85 (tzava) should be translated, “warfare," according to Sept. Vulg. Fr. Coverdale, &c., &c. See Dr. A. Clarke's Notes.

JOB XVIII. 14.—This beautiful phrase, as descriptive of death, has no authority in the Hebrew text. So observes Dr. Stock.

JOB XIX. 23-27.-Instructive elucidations of this most important passage may be found in Smith's Script. Test. i. p. 199. Fragments, No. 725. Dr. Clarke, &c. JOB XXVII. 19.-" Not be gathered," as illustrative of this, some very ingenious observations are suggested by Mr. B., late of Carlisle, " View of Intermed. St." p. 353.

JOB. XXXI. 40.-" The words, &c." appear to be an addition of no authority. In the Heb. Coverdale, &c. they are detached. Kennicott, and Clarke.

Verse 38-40.-These verses are considered as transposed, and ought to be inserted after verse 15: according to Heath, Scott, &c. Boothroyd's Heb. Bible. JOB XXXVII. 1.-Mr. Good's reading (aph) wrath, and thus connecting what ought not to be separated, is approved.-Encyclop. Metrop. Part ii. Biog. p. 111.

JOB XL. 1—14.-These verses are out of place, and ought, in due order, to be read after verse 6 of chap. xlii. Heath, Kennicott, Boothroyd, and Clarke.

CONCLUSION.-An apology is due to the Idumean Encyclop.; for these few selections, out of such immense "treasures of wisdom and knowledge"!

GEN. IX. 28, 29.-Noah's death is placed here, as not having occurred till within two years of Abraham's birth. Lightfoot, and Allen.

GEN. XII. 8.-Some render "p" (wayikra beshem) " And he preached concerning the name;" as intimating that he joined instructions to his devotions, Gen. xviii. 19. The idolatrous Canaanites had thus an opportunity of repentance and salvation: -and this Patriarchal Missionary probably visited the main portions of the then inhabited world. How impressive a spectacle was presented to the various nations by this godly emir, this distinguished prince, with his extensive retinue, traversing the earth, not for war and conquest, but for purposes of religion and benevolence! Of such Travels what an ample detail would be published in modern days! but how superlatively interesting are the brevity and simplicity of the Sacred narrative! See Calmet's Dict. Benson's, and Scott's Comment, and Townsend's Arrangement.

GEN. XI. 32. XII. 4.-Between these texts and Acts vii. 4. there is no real contradiction, as Mr. Horne satisfactorily shews. Append. p. 599 to vol. i. of Introduction.

GEN. XIII. 1.-The district called the south, when Abram went down to Egypt, could not be the south when he went up. It must be considered either as a proper name, denoting the desert, which lay between Egypt and Canaan, or we must read (menegbah) from the south. Boothroyd's Bib. Heb.

GEN. XIV. 18. The opinion of the ancient Jews and Samaritans, and general tradition, that Melchisedek was Shem, is most elaborately supported by the Editor of Calmet, Fragm. 660, pp. 345-358, vol. iv.

GEN. XV. 2.-On this difficult passage it has been remarked, that the words * " (yeerash otho) should be added to (ben meshech) to make the sense complete. Boothroyd, Harmer, Geddes, Taylor.

CHAPTER V.

THE FAMILIES OF JACOB AND ESAU.

Sect. 1. Jacob obtains the blessing Gen. XXVII.1—46.

from his father.

The journey of Jacob to Pa-
dan-Aram.

His residence with Laban;

and marriage to Leah and
Rachel.

The departure of Jacob from
Laban.

5. Jacob's meeting with Esau,
and journey to Succoth.
The proceedings and events
at Shalem, or Shechem.
7. Jacob visits Bethel, and goes
to his father at Hebron.
The descendants of Esau, and
their various residences.

8.

Verse 18.-Hence the origin of this phrase ♫ ♫♪(karathberith) so frequently occurring in the Heb. Scriptures. See Homer, Il. ii. verse 124, Virg. Æn. viii. 640. GEN. XVI. 6. It is a common, but ill-founded notion, that the married ladies in the East are slaves to their husbands. They have, on the contrary, in some respects, more privileges than those of Europe. Boothroyd.

GEN. XVIII. 8.-Whether Non (chemah) denotes butter, buttermilk, cream, or whey, is disputed. "We read of cheese in Homer, Euripides, Theocritus, and others; yet they never mention butter, nor hath Aristotle a word about it, though he hath sundry observations about cheese. For butter was not then known among the Greeks." Patrick.

GEN. XIX. For some important discoveries in this part of Sacred Geography, see the late Travels of Burckhardt-noticed in Eccl. Rev. July 1822, p. 41.

Verse 24." The buildings on the borders of this lake were most probably constructed from the materials supplied by the quarries in its immediate neighbourhood: these being impregnated with sulphureous particles, were easily susceptible of ignition, and consequently incapable of resisting the continued influence of lightning." Jolliffe's Lett. from Palest. pp. 122, 123.

GEN. XX. 16.-"A covering, &c." speaking either of the money given to Abraham to buy a veil for covering her face; or of Abraham, that he must be " a covering, &c." that she should look at no other, nor desire to be looked at by any other. Benson's notes, &c.

GEN. XVII. The present arrangement of this chap. is made on the authority of Dr. Horsley; but better illustrated by Mr. Townsend- Arrangement, &c. GEN. XXIII. 6.- ' (nesee Elohim) are properly read, "A mighty prince;" and so should □ ( Elohim) be often adjectively translated.

Verse 20.-Respecting the weighing and value of money, the reader will consult with advantage, Michaelis' Comment. i. pp. 438, 439.

GEN. XXV. 23.-This has been arranged in metrical lines, according to the advice of a" learned friend," by Dr. Boothroyd. Heb. Bib.

GEN. XXIX. 1-8-The true reading is by

(haroïm) shepherds, and not "flocks;" and verse 3. should be read parenthetically; and all is right. Kennicott and Houbigant.

Y. W.

From

2276

Sect. 1.

2.

3.

CHAPTER VI.

JOSEPH AND HIS FAMILY IN EGYPT.

Joseph sold by his brothers Gen. XXXVII. 1—
into Egypt.

The family of Judah.

The false imprisonment of
Joseph.

4. Joseph interprets the dreams
of his fellow prisoners.

The death of Isaac: aged

to

8.

2431.

9.

10. Farewell address of Jacob to

36. XXXIX. 1-6.

-XXXVIII. 6

30.

XXXIX. 7-23.

XL. 1-23.

XXXV. 28, 29.

B. C.

-XLI. 1-45.

From

12.

12. Oppression of the Israelites Exod. 1.

by Pharaoh.

GEN. xxx. 8.—" Hic (naphtulay Elohim) divinis, vehementissimis et gravissimis, quæ divinitus perficiuntur, &c." Robertson's Clav. in Pentat. Verse 14.-Whether the DNT (doodaim) were melons, citrons, fruits, or flowers:-see chap. 27. of Hiller's Hierophyt. Fragments, &c

GEN. XXXI. 19. - On the ♫ (teraphim) (read by the Pers. Astrolabes, for judicial Astrology), information has been given by Pococke, Spencer, Clarke, &c.

GEN. XXXII. 25.-" Most critics consider this as what passed in a dream." Saurin's Dissert. Crit. and Hist. cited in Boothroyd's Bib. Heb.

GEN. XXXIV. 7.-" Which thing, &c." seem to be the additional sentiment of the historian. Scott's Comment. M. Henry, &c.

GEN. XXXV. 16.—As to ♫ (kivrath) whether a furlong or mile: see Arithmetic of the Heb. Script. in Class. Journal. No. Ivi. p. 224.

GEN. XXXVI. 31-43.-These verses have been inserted from 1 Chron. perhaps first marginally to complete the Edom. history, &c. Kennicott, Shuckford. GEN. XLI. 45.-ny by: (tzaphnath paänach) are these Hebrew or Egyptian words? Consult the learned Dimock, Jablonski, Bernard, Geddes, &c.

GEN. XLII. 6.-Was it from Joseph's being on, (kashalit) that the Mo

hamm. govenors of Egypt took the title of Sultan? Dr. A. Clarke.

GEN. XLIV. 18-34.-" This speech is the most simple, and at the same time the most persuasive piece of oratory that ever came from the lips of man!" Dr. Geddes.

GEN. XLVII. 21-26-Thus did Joseph provide for the liberty and independence of the people, while he strengthened the authority of the king, by making him sole proprietor of the lands. Hales. Commended by Justin.

GEN. XLIX. 1-28.-The reader may recollect a new version, in metrical order, of these verses, with notes, in Crit. Bib. vol. i. pp. 226–230.