nature in the particular books just named, to which a tropical or symbolical sense is assigned, are very few, even on the ground of those who advocate the symbolical sense. Perhaps we may find reason, in the sequel, to believe them to be much fewer than such interpreters would admit.

One thing in respect to this whole matter seems to be very plain, viz., that if we do, in any case, give to a designation of time an import different from its usual and natural meaning, we must, in order to justify ourselves, be moved by substantial and cogent reasons to interpret in this manner. If no such reasons can be given; if the plain and obvious sense fits both the passage in which a designation of time stands and the general aim of the writer; if facts can be pointed out which will accord with the prediction when literally understood; and if a tropical or symbolical sense would be irrelevant, alien from the usual method of speaking, and in fact even against a usage which is nearly universal; then we cannot in any way be justified in giving to designated periods of time a secondary or tropical sense. We are bound to interpret them in the simple manner in which they are presented to us.

I must solicit the reader to weigh well the sentiments which are comprised in the preceding paragraph. If they are conceded to be correct, (and to me it does not seem that they can be reasonably called in question), then they must have a very important bearing on the interpretation of such parts of Daniel and of the Apocalypse as have relation to periods of time.

It is of some importance, moreover, at this stage of our inquiry, to pass in review before us the general usage of the biblical writers in regard to numbers and designations of time.

In respect to numbers; we may say, that there is a literal and a tropical sense of the words which designate them,

in like manner as there is of a multitude of other words. We should not expect this, perhaps, if we reasoned about such a case in merely an a priori way; but facts make the whole matter very plain.

The literal sense of numbers needs no illustration. Every one spontaneously understands it. The tropical sense is also easily understood, but it requires, in this place, some illustration.

In most, if not all, languages, usage has affixed to certain numbers, (different ones, it may be, in different tongues), a kind of generic idea as to quantity, instead of the specific and definite idea which the number strictly interpreted would convey. For example: Peter asks his divine Master how often he ought to forgive the trespass of a brother; and in order to put the question, whether this should be done to any considerable extent, he throws it into the following form: "Shall I forgive him until seven times?" Matt. 18: 21. The answer is: "Until seventy times seven. Now seven times here is not designed to be literally interpreted, for it expresses merely a considerable number of times. In like manner, seventy times seven is not to be literally interpreted, for here it plainly means an indefinite number of times, or at least very many times, i. e. so many as would equal the number of offences whatever that might be.

"Seven abominations

"The

In the same way a large number of passages of Scripture are to be understood; e. g. "In seven troubles no evil shall touch thee," Job 5: 19. "Wisdom hath hewn out her seven pillars," Prov. 9: 1. are in the heart" [of a dissembler], Prov. 26: 25. light of the sun shall be sevenfold," Is. 30: 26. man falleth seven times, and riseth again," Prov. 24: 16. "Thou shalt go out before thine enemy one way, and flee seven ways," Deut. 28: 7, 25. No sane interpreter would

"A just

ever dream of construing these and the like passages in the Bible in a literal way. He spontaneously connects them with the idea of a considerable, but indefinite quantity. Of course he gives to the number seven, in such a case, a tropical sense.

In like manner the number three is somewhat often employed in the sacred writings; and occasionally the number ten, forty, a hundred, and especially a thousand. This last number is employed where a quantity of time, space, etc., is intended to be designated, which is exceedingly great, or immeasurably large. Thus the Psalmist: "A thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday," Ps. 90: 4. "One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day," 2 Pet. 3: 8.

In cases of this nature, there scarcely ever arises a doubt about the proper interpretation of the words designating number. When the context and the subject discussed show, that it would be no object with the writer to designate a definite and specific number, then the word employed to designate it is taken in a tropical sense; and, in general, cases of this nature are so plain that scarcely any reader misunderstands them. In a word; the subject-matter determines and defines the nature of the affirmation respecting it.

The original reason why some numbers were chosen in preference to others, and what that was in them which led to such a usus loquendi, would be a curious and interesting subject of inquiry. Bähr has cast some light on this, in his Symbolik; but my present design renders it impracticable even to advert to any specific reasons for the selection of this or that number for the tropical use. Enough for my purpose, that the fact of such a usage admits of no reasonable denial, nor even reasonable question.

Nothing needs to be said, at present, respecting the use

of numbers in Scripture, unless it be, that occasionally there is a shade of tropical meaning somewhat different from that which has been already pointed out, and which might perhaps be named symbolical. Thus seven is often said to be the perfect number, i. e. it designates the general idea of completion or perfection. Thus in Is. XI. seven spirits are ascribed to the Messiah, i. e. he is to be furnished with such endowments as will render him a complete and perfect Saviour. In like manner the seven spirits of God, mentioned in Rev. 1: 4, are interpreted by some highly respectable critics. And again, in Rev. 3: 1, the Messiah, it is affirmed, "hath the seven Spirits of God;" which is also interpreted by many in the same manner as in Is. xi. In many other passages, also, the number seven plainly denotes the idea of completion or sufficiency; and when thus employed we may say, that it has a symbolical sense, i. e. it stands as a symbol for something which is not to be scanned by definite quantity, but by the relation which seven may bear to some idea of quality, i. e. completion, perfection. It matters not, for the interpreter, whether seven in its own nature stands related to perfection; enough that usage pre-supposes this and employs language accordingly.

Besides the number seven, we may find not a few cases of the number three which are employed much in the same way, although it may lack something of the fulness and completion which the number seven more naturally desig

nates.

But let the reader beware not to extend the tropical use of numbers to all and any numbers of every class. It would be a great mistake so to interpret the Scriptures. The usages of language confine the tropical meaning to a few leading and specially significant numbers, such as have been already designated. At least such is the usage of the

Scriptures. The consequences of such a fact are of serious import to the interpreter. The probability is, of course, that all numbers, not belonging to that select and limited class, are to be literally interpreted. Indeed, it is a matter of course so to interpret them; and nothing but the most cogent reasons, drawn from the context, can justify any other interpretation. In fact, even those numbers which are often employed in a tropical or symbolical way, are to be thus understoood, only when there is good reason to be found in the context for supposing that the writer meant to employ them in this way. Any other method of interpreting the Scriptures would lead to the most arbitrary and extravagant conclusions.

From the usage which has respect to numbers, we will now proceed to that which has respect to periods of time. Here also is a literal and a tropical usage. The first needs no explanation; the second may be illustrated in a few words.

It is said of Jehovah: "Thy years shall not fail." Here the word years is not confined to periods of 360 or 365 days, but means time indefinite, which is measured, so far as we reckon it, by years. So the word day and days are often employed in a generic sense. Thus: "In the latter day;" "Thy days are numbered;" "The day of the Lord;" and other very frequent expressions of the like meaning. So is it also with the word hour. The sum of all is, that the specific designations of time, viz. day, days, year, years, etc., are often employed in the generic sense of time. In all such cases, synecdoche, i. e. a figure of speech where a part is taken for the whole and vice versa, is to be found; and no figure in rhetoric is more usual than this, in all languages whatever.

Thus it is with the designations of time, when they stand in a simple state, unconnected with numbers which limit