Part 2
"The whole juvenile forces of our vessel have been invited to dine this afternoon with the officers of _H. M. S. Manchester_, in company with the British and American consuls of Gibraltar, and left an hour ago, under the charge of Captain _Hardstudy_, to comply with the gracious invitation, and I remain to prepare this letter for the morrow's steamer from Valetta to Liverpool. The sun is already sinking in the blue and gold waters of the Mediterranean. A fresh breeze has startled the sleeping waves into lively gambols, and our flag points eagerly westward and homeward. See our party of little travelers just off for the 'Manchester'! How their boats dance up and down over the water! 'Boom!' 'boom!' go the signal guns from the kind old ship! Now hear the thunderous volleys from the batteries on the huge mountain, proclaiming the hour of sunset!"
The letters which follow are from "Alexandria, Egypt, May 28"; from the "Steamer Rameses, River Nile, June 11"; from "Off Joppa, June 16"; from "Jerusalem, July 5"; from "Nablous, 'the City of Samaria,' July 12"; from "Beyrout, Syria, July 23"; and on Monday morning, July 25, our correspondent writes his farewell, as follows:
"Well, friend INDEPENDENT, our travels are ended. We came on board the 'Star of Bethlehem' this morning. The steamer for Liverpool leaves this afternoon, and we shall send our letters ashore to be mailed. By the 30th of September we hope to be with you again. We have seen the earthly Canaan, with its degradation and defilement. Our minds turn toward the better Canaan. With Watts we sing:
"'Look up, our souls, pant toward the eternal hills; Those heavens are fairer than they seem. There pleasures all sincere glide on in crystal rills; There not a dreg of guilt defiles, No grief disturbs the stream That Canaan knows,--no noxious thing, No cursed soil, no tainted spring; No roses grow on thorns, nor honey wears a sting.'"
Such devices as these help to inspire the young with an interest in sacred things. They may not yet be prepared to appreciate the night of prayer on the mountain, the agony of the Lord in Gethsemane, or the rapturous experiences of St. John on Patmos; but they may take delight in the land, its customs, its wonderful histories, read with gratification an account of journeys from Dan to Beersheba, with perils from robbers, and the pranks of native children, the lonely horseback ride from Jerusalem down to Jericho, the encampment by the "Fountain of robbers" north of Jerusalem, the loveliness of Nazareth, the beauty of the Sea of Galilee, and the glories of Lebanon and Hermon. Finding delight in these more human things, they may, incidentally, under the leadership of the divine Providence and Spirit, catch glimpses of his face who, by simile and word and spirit, sanctified the land from north to south and from Bashan to the sea.
J. H. VINCENT.
PREFACE TO THE REVISED EDITION.
DURING the fourteen years since this work was prepared great advancement has been gained in knowledge of the ancient Oriental world. In the light of recent researches it has become necessary to revise the entire book. The work has been done with care, every location has been reinvestigated, and the historical allusions have been compared with the latest and best authorities. In this revision the author has been materially aided by Prof. Robert W. Rogers of Madison, N. J., and Prof. Karl P. Harrington of Chapel Hill, N. C., to both of whom thanks are rendered. It is possible that some errors may yet remain, and if any appear to students who make use of this work, corrections or suggestions with regard to them will be gratefully received.
JESSE L. HURLBUT.
GENERAL INDEX.
PAGE Ancient World, and the Descendants of Noah 23 Apostolic History, Early 112 Bible History, Chart of 13 Conquest of Canaan 50 Empire of David and Solomon 68 Illustrations, List of 11 Index to Descriptive Matter 157 Index to Map of Old Testament World (Map on pp. 18, 19) 156 Index to Map of Palestine (Map on pp. 152, 153) 151 Introduction 3 Isles of Greece and the Seven Churches 132 Jerusalem, Ancient 72 Jerusalem, Environs of 82 Jerusalem, Modern 77 Journeys of the Apostle Paul 116 Journeys of the Patriarchs 33 Kingdom of Saul 64 Lands of the Sojourn and Wandering 41 Life of Christ, The 103 Measures of the Bible, The 148 New Testament Palestine (Kingdom of Herod the Great) 100 Old Testament World, The 17 Oriental Empires, The Great 91 Palestine Among the Twelve Tribes 55 Palestine Before the Conquest 36 Palestine, Lessons in the Geography of 143 Palestine Under the Judges 60 Physical Palestine 28 Roman Empire, The 97 Solomon's Empire, The Division of 86 Tabernacle, The 135 Table of Contents 9 Temple, The 138
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE CHART OF BIBLE HISTORY 13-16
I. GENERAL PERIODS. II. SUBDIVISIONS. III. PERSONS AND RULERS. IV. EVENTS OF BIBLE HISTORY. V. THE HISTORY OF EGYPT. VI. THE KINGDOMS OF THE EAST. VII. THE ORIENTAL EMPIRES. VIII. THE WORLD IN GENERAL.
THE OLD TESTAMENT WORLD 17-22
I. EXTENT. II. SEAS. III. MOUNTAIN RANGES. IV. RIVERS. V. LANDS. I. _Lands of the Mountain System._ 1. Armenia; 2. Media; 3. Persia. II. _Lands of the Plain._ 1. Assyria; 2. Elam; 3. Mesopotamia; 4. Chaldea; 5. Arabia. III. _Lands of the Mediterranean._ 1. Asia Minor; 2. Syria; 3. Phoenicia; 4. Palestine; 5. The Wilderness; 6. Egypt.
ANCIENT WORLD, AND DESCENDANTS OF NOAH 23-27
I. THE JAPHETIC NATIONS. 1. Gomer; 2. Magog; 3. Madai; 4. Javan; 5. Tubal; 6. Meshech; 7. Tiras. II. THE HAMITIC RACES. 1. Cush; 2. Mizraim; 3. Phut; 4. Canaan. III. THE SEMITIC RACES. 1. Elam; 2. Asshur; 3. Arphaxad; 4. Lud; 5. Aram.
PHYSICAL PALESTINE 28-32
I. DIMENSIONS. 1. Canaan; 2. Palestine Proper; 3. The Land of Promise. II. NATURAL DIVISIONS. 1. Maritime Plain; 2. Mountain Region; 3. Jordan Valley; 4. Eastern Table-Land. III. THE WATERS OF PALESTINE. 1. The River Jordan; 2. The Three Lakes; 3. The Brooks. IV. THE MOUNTAINS OF PALESTINE. 1. West of the Jordan; 2. East of the Jordan. V. THE PLAINS OF PALESTINE. 1. Phoenicia; 2. Sharon; 3. Philistia; 4. Esdraelon; 5. Negeb; 6. Jordan; 7. Hauran.
THE JOURNEYS OF THE PATRIARCHS 33-36
I. THE JOURNEYS OF ABRAHAM. 1. Ur to Haran; 2. Haran to Canaan; 3. Visit to Egypt; 4. Removal to Hebron; 5. Pursuit of the Elamites; 6. Settlement at Beersheba; 7. Offering of Isaac; 8. Burial of Sarah. II. THE JOURNEYS OF ISAAC. Homes: 1. Beer-lahai-roi; 2. Gerar; 3. Rehoboth; 4. Beersheba; 5. Hebron. III. THE JOURNEYS OF JACOB. 1. Flight to Haran; 2. Return to Canaan; 3. Residence in Canaan; 4. Descent into Egypt; 5. Burial Procession.
PALESTINE BEFORE THE CONQUEST 36-40
I. THE EARLIEST INHABITANTS. 1. The Rephaim; 2. The Zuzim; 3. The Emim; 4. The Horim; 5. The Avim; 6. The Anakim. II. THE TRIBES OF THE PATRIARCHAL ERA. 1. Zidonians; 2. Canaanites; 3. Philistines; 4. Hittites; 5. Girgashites; 6. Hivites; 7. Perizzites; 8. Jebusites; 9. Amorites. III. THE NATIONS AT THE TIME OF THE CONQUEST. 1. Amorites; 2. Moabites and Ammonites. IV. THE SURROUNDING NATIONS. 1. Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, Arvadites, Hamathites; 2. Ammonites; 3. Amalekites, Kenites, Edomites.
LANDS OF THE SOJOURN AND WANDERING 41-49
I. THE LAND OF EGYPT. 1. Names; 2. Boundaries and Dimensions; 3. Divisions; 4. The Nile; 5. The People; 6. History; 7. Principal Places. II. THE WILDERNESS OF THE WANDERING. 1. Situation; 2. Natural Features; 3. Inhabitants. III. THE LAND OF EDOM. 1. Boundaries; 2. Names; 3. Natural Features; 4. History; 5. Peculiarities. IV. THE WANDERING IN THE WILDERNESS. 1. Rameses to the Red Sea; 2. Red Sea to Mt. Sinai; 3. Mt. Sinai to Kadesh-barnea; 4, 5, 6. Kadesh-barnea to Mt. Hor, Ezion-geber, and Return; 7, 8. Kadesh-barnea to Elath and Jordan; Table of Stations.
THE CONQUEST OF CANAAN 50-54
I. CONQUEST OF EASTERN PALESTINE. 1. Gilead; 2. Bashan; 3. Midian. II. CONQUEST OF WESTERN PALESTINE. 1. Central; 2. Southern; 3. Northern. III. SUPPLEMENTARY CONQUESTS. 1. Judah and Simeon; 2. Caleb and Othniel; 3. Dan.
PALESTINE AMONG THE TWELVE TRIBES 55-59
I. REUBEN. II. GAD. III. MANASSEH--EAST. IV. SIMEON. V. JUDAH. VI. BENJAMIN. VII. DAN. VIII. EPHRAIM. IX. MANASSEH--WEST. X. ISSACHAR. XI. ASHER. XII. ZEBULON. XIII. NAPHTALI. XIV. LEVI.
PALESTINE UNDER THE JUDGES 60-63
I. SUPPLEMENTARY TO THE CONQUEST. 1. Judah and Simeon; 2. Danite Migration; 3. Civil War. II. OPPRESSIONS AND JUDGES. 1. Mesopotamian (south); 2. Moabite (central); 3. Early Philistine (south); 4. Canaanite (north); 5. Midianite (central and north); 6. Ammonite (east); 7. Philistine (south and central). III. BATTLES OF THE PERIOD.
THE KINGDOM OF SAUL 64-67
I. SAUL'S APPOINTMENT AS KING. II. THE WARS OF SAUL. III. SAUL'S PURSUIT OF DAVID. IV. SAUL'S DEATH.
THE EMPIRE OF DAVID AND SOLOMON 68-71
I. DAVID'S REIGN OVER JUDAH. II. THE UNION OF PALESTINE. III. DAVID'S FOREIGN CONQUESTS. IV. THE CALAMITIES OF DAVID'S REIGN. V. THE CLOSE OF DAVID'S REIGN. VI. THE REIGN OF SOLOMON.
ANCIENT JERUSALEM 72-76
I. NAMES. II. LOCATION. III. GEOLOGIC FORMATION. IV. VALLEYS. V. MOUNTAINS. VI. WALLS. VII. HISTORY.
MODERN JERUSALEM 77-81
I. LOCATION. II. WALLS. III. GATES. IV. QUARTERS. V. FOUNTAINS AND POOLS. VI. OUTSIDE THE WALLS.
THE ENVIRONS OF JERUSALEM 82-85
I. NORTHERN ROAD. 1. Mizpeh; 2. Nob; 3. Gibeah; 4. Anathoth; 5. Ramah; 6. Michmash; 7. Ai; 8. Beeroth; 9. Bethel; 10. Rimmon; 11. Ephraim. II. EASTERN ROAD. 1. Bethany; 2. Steep Descent; 3. Jericho. III. SOUTHERN ROAD. 1. Plain of the Rephaim; 2. Rachel's Tomb; 3. Bethlehem; 4. Valley of Elah; 5. Hebron; 6. Jeshimon. IV. SOUTHWESTERN ROAD. "Jerusalem to Gaza." V. WESTERN ROAD. 1. Emmaus; 2. Kirjath-jearim. VI. NORTHWESTERN ROAD. 1. Ramah; 2. Gibeon; 3. Beth-horon.
THE DIVISION OF SOLOMON'S EMPIRE 86-90
I. KINGDOMS: 1. Syria; 2. Israel; 3. Judah; 4. Moab; 5. Edom. II. PERIODS: 1. Period of Division; 2. Syrian Period; 3. Restoration of Israel; 4. Fall of Israel; 5. Fall of Judah. III. BATTLES OF THE PERIOD.
THE GREAT ORIENTAL EMPIRES 91-96, 99
I. THE EARLY CHALDEAN EMPIRE. II. THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE. III. THE BABYLONIAN EMPIRE. IV. THE PERSIAN EMPIRE. THE DIVISION OF ALEXANDER'S EMPIRE, B.C. 250. 1. Persian Supremacy; 2. Macedonian Supremacy; 3. Egyptian Supremacy; 4. Syrian Supremacy; 5. Maccabean Independence; 6. Roman Supremacy.
THE ROMAN EMPIRE 97-99
I. EUROPEAN PROVINCES. II. INSULAR PROVINCES. III. ASIATIC PROVINCES. IV. AFRICAN PROVINCES.
NEW TESTAMENT PALESTINE 100-102
I. THE PROVINCES OF PALESTINE. 1. Judea; 2. Samaria; 3. Galilee; 4. Peræa; 5. Decapolis. II. THE POLITICAL HISTORY OF PALESTINE, B.C. 4-A.D. 70. 1. Kingdom of Herod the Great; 2. Tetrarchy; 3. Kingdom of Herod Agrippa; 4. The Two Provinces.
THE LIFE OF CHRIST 103-111
I. PERIOD OF PREPARATION. 1. Presentation in the Temple; 2. Flight into Egypt; 3. Settlement at Nazareth; 4. Visit to the Temple. II. PERIOD OF INAUGURATION. 1. Baptism; 2. Temptation; 3. Marriage at Cana; 4. First Passover; 5. Return to Galilee. III. PERIOD OF EARLY GALILEAN MINISTRY. 1. Opening of the Ministry; 2. Tour in Eastern Galilee; 3. Second Passover; 4. Sermon on the Mount. IV. PERIOD OF LATER GALILEAN MINISTRY. 1. Tour in Southern Galilee; 2. Gadarene Voyage; 3. Tour in Central Galilee; 4. Retirement to Bethsaida. V. PERIOD OF RETIREMENT. 1. Journey to Phoenicia; 2. Journey to Decapolis; 3. Journey to Cæsarea Philippi; 4. Last Return to Capernaum. VI. PERIOD OF JUDÆAN MINISTRY. 1. Galilee to Jerusalem; 2. Jerusalem to Bethabara. VII. PERIOD OF PERÆAN MINISTRY. 1. Bethabara to Bethany; 2. Retirement to Ephraim; 3. Journey in Peræa; 4. Jericho to Bethany. VIII. PERIOD OF THE PASSION. 1, 2, 3. Bethany to Temple and Return; 4. Bethany to Supper; 5. Supper to Gethsemane; 6. Gethsemane to House of Caiaphas; 7. Caiaphas to Pilate; 8. Pilate to Herod and Return; 9. Pilate to Calvary. IX. PERIOD OF THE RESURRECTION--The Ten Appearances of Christ: 1. At Jerusalem; 2. At Jerusalem; 3. Near Emmaus; 4. At Jerusalem; 5. At Jerusalem; 6. At Jerusalem; 7. Near the Sea of Galilee; 8. On a Mountain in Galilee; 9. At Jerusalem; 10. Near Bethany.
EARLY APOSTOLIC HISTORY 112-115
I. PHILIP'S JOURNEY. II. SAUL'S JOURNEY. III. PETER'S JOURNEY. IV. BARNABAS' JOURNEY. V. BARNABAS AND SAUL'S JOURNEY.
JOURNEYS OF THE APOSTLE PAUL 116-131
I. THE PROVINCES OF ASIA MINOR. 1. On the Black Sea; 2. On the Ægean Sea; 3. On the Mediterranean; 4. In the Interior. II. THE FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY. 1. Antioch in Syria; 2. Seleucia; 3. Island of Cyprus; 4. Salamis; 5. Paphos; 6. Perga; 7. Antioch in Pisidia; 8. Iconium; 9. Lystra; 10. Derbe; 11. Return, and Attalia. III. THE SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY. I. _Asiatic Stations._ 1. Syria; 2. Cilicia; 3. Derbe; 4. Lystra; 5. Phrygia; 6. Galatia; 7. Troas. II. _European Stations._ 1. Philippi; 2. Amphipolis; 3. Apollonia; 4. Thessalonica; 5. Berea; 6. Athens; 7. Corinth; 8. Cenchrea. III. _Stations of the Return Journey._ 1. Ephesus; 2. Cæsarea; 3. Jerusalem; 4. Antioch. IV. THE THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY. I. _Outward Journey._ 1. Antioch; 2. Galatia; 3. Phrygia; 4. Ephesus; 5. Troas; 6. Macedonia; 7. Greece. II. _Return Journey._ 1. Philippi; 2. Troas; 3. Assos; 4. Mitylene; 5. Chios; 6. Samos; 7. Trogyllium; 8. Miletus; 9. Coos; 10. Rhodes; 11. Patara; 12. Tyre; 13. Ptolemais; 14. Cæsarea; 15. Jerusalem. V. THE VOYAGE TO ROME. 1. Jerusalem; 2. Antipatris; 3. Cæsarea; 4. Zidon; 5. Myra; 6. Crete; 7. Melita; 8. Syracuse; 9. Rhegium; 10. Puteoli; 11. Appii Forum; 12. Rome. VI. THE LAST JOURNEYS OF PAUL. 1. Colosse, Ephesus; 2. Macedonia; 3. Crete; 4. Nicopolis; 5. Troas; 6. Ephesus; 7. Rome.
THE ISLES OF GREECE AND THE SEVEN CHURCHES 132-134
I. PATMOS. II. ASIA. III. THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA. 1. Ephesus; 2. Smyrna; 3. Pergamos; 4. Thyatira; 5. Sardis; 6. Philadelphia; 7. Laodicea.
THE TABERNACLE 135-137
I. ORIGIN. II. HISTORY. III. DEPARTMENTS OF THE TABERNACLE. 1. The Court; 2. The Altar; 3. The Laver; 4. The Tent; 5. The Holy Place; 6. The Holy of Holies.
THE TEMPLE 138-142
I. COURT OF THE GENTILES. II. SACRED ENCLOSURE. III. COURT OF THE WOMEN. IV. COURT OF ISRAEL. V. COURT OF THE PRIESTS. VI. THE HOUSE OF GOD.
LESSONS IN THE GEOGRAPHY OF PALESTINE 143-147
I. LINES AND WATERS. II. NAMES AND DISTANCES. III. NATURAL DIVISIONS. 1. Sea-Coast Plain; 2. Mountain Region; 3. Jordan Valley; 4. Eastern Table-Land. IV. MOUNTAINS. V. PLACES. 1. In the Sea-Coast Plain; 2. In the Mountain Region; 3. In the Jordan Valley; 4. In the Eastern Table-Land. VI. PROVINCES. 1. Judæa; 2. Samaria; 3. Galilee; 4. Peræa; 5. Bashan.
THE MEASURES OF THE BIBLE 148-150
I. SMALLER MEASURES OF LENGTH. II. LARGER MEASURES OF LENGTH. III. DRY MEASURES OF CAPACITY. IV. LIQUID MEASURES OF CAPACITY. V. MEASURES OF WEIGHT. VI. MEASURES OF VALUE.
INDEX TO AND MAP OF PALESTINE 151-155
INDEX TO MAP OF OLD TESTAMENT WORLD 156
INDEX TO DESCRIPTIVE MATTER 157, 158
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
MAPS. PAGE Alexander's Empire, Division of 94 Ancient Jerusalem in New Testament Period 72 Ancient World, and Descendants of Noah 24 Assyrian Empire 92 Babylonian Empire and its Surroundings 92 Beth-horon and Vicinity 50 Conquest of Canaan 50 Corinth and Vicinity 123 Damascus and Vicinity 114 Division of Solomon's Empire 86 Early Apostolic History 112 Empire of Chedorlaomer 34 Empire of David and Solomon 68 Environs of Jerusalem 82 Island of Cyprus 119 Isles of Greece and the Seven Churches 132 Isle of Patmos 134 Journeys of the Patriarchs 36 Kadesh-barnea and Vicinity 48 Kingdom of Egypt at its greatest extent under Rameses II 42 Kingdom of Herod the Great 100 Kingdom of Saul 64 Lands of the Sojourn and Wandering 44 Modern Jerusalem 81 Modern Palestine 152, 153 Modern World and Bible Lands facing title Mount Sinai, Vicinity of 44 Natural Features of Jerusalem 75 Nineveh and Vicinity 96 Old Testament World 18, 19 Oriental World in the Time of David 70 Outline Map for Review 26 Outline Maps (Geography of Palestine) 143-146 Palestine among the Tribes 58 Palestine as Promised and Possessed 53 Palestine before the Conquest 36 Palestine during the Ministry of Jesus 102 Palestine under the Judges 60 Palestine under the Maccabees, B.C. 100 96 Paul's First Missionary Journey 116 Paul's Second Missionary Journey 120 Paul's Third Missionary Journey 124 Paul's Voyage to Rome 126 Paul's Last Journeys 130 Period of Preparation. (Life of Christ) 104 Period of Inauguration. " 104 Period of Early Galilean Ministry. " 106 Period of Later Galilean Ministry. " 107 Period of Retirement. " 107 Period of Judæan Ministry. " 108 Period of Peræan Ministry. " 109 Period of the Passion. " 109 Persian Empire 94 Peter's Journey 112 Philip's Journey 112 Physical Palestine 28 Plain of Esdraelon 60 Restoration of Israel, B.C. 800 89 Roman Empire in New Testament Period 98 Saul's Last Battle 64 Saul of Tarsus' and Barnabas' Journeys 112 St. Paul's Bay, Malta, enlarged 128 Syrian Period, B.C. 884-840 88 The Two Provinces, A.D. 44-70 102
ENGRAVINGS.
Ancient Coins 149, 150 Antioch in Syria 117 Arches under Temple Area 147 Areopagus at Athens 121 Assyrian Palace 91 Babylon 95 Bashan, View in the Eastern Table-Land 55 Bethany 150 Bethlehem 105 Bible Measures 148, 149 Birs Nimroud (supposed Tower of Babel) 23 Black Obelisk 93 Brazen Altar 137 Capernaum and the Sea of Galilee 101 Church of the Ascension 54 Church of the Holy Sepulchre 16 Church of Nativity, Bethlehem 71 Colosseum at Rome 97 Damascus 113 David's Tomb 73 Defile between Jerusalem and Jericho 83 Dome of the Rock (Site of the Temple) 139 Egyptian Temple 41 Entry of Pilgrims into Bethlehem xii Garden of Gethsemane 49 Gethsemane 85 Grotto of Jeremiah 99 Hebron 39 Jericho 67 Jericho and the Jordan 37 Jews' Wailing Place at Jerusalem 27 Laodicea from Hierapolis 133 Moabite Stone 88 Modern Jerusalem, Panorama and Description of 78, 79 Mosque El Aska 90 Mount Ararat 20 Mount Tabor 61 Mount Zion 115 Mugheir (supposed to be Ur of the Chaldees) 33 Nazareth 110 Pool of Siloam 103 Râs es Sufsafeh (Mount Sinai) 43 River Jordan 30 Round about Jerusalem 59 Shechem 51 Solomon's Pools 84 Tabernacle 135 Tower of David 69 Table of Shew Bread 136 Via Dolorosa 111
CHARTS.
Bible History 14, 15 Chronological Chart of Kings of Israel and Judah 87 Paul's First Journey, Review 119 Table of Nations, Review 27
COMPARATIVE DIAGRAMS.
Age of the Patriarchs, before and after the Deluge 34 Areas of Asia Minor and Texas, U.S. 118 Area of Egypt 42 Areas of Palestine and New England 29 Area of Palestine at Different Periods 70 Areas of Assyrian, Babylonian and Persian Empires 93 Height of Bible Mountains 17 Height of Mountains in Palestine 32 Population of the Twelve Tribes at Entrance into Canaan 57 Size of the Territory of the Tribes 56 United States and Old Testament World 17
PLANS.
Antioch, Ancient 114 Athens, Ancient 122 Babylon 93 Camp of Israel 47 Ephesus and Vicinity 125 Rome, Ancient 129 Sacred Enclosure (Herod's Temple) 141 Section of Palestine, North to South 31 Section of Palestine, East to West 31 Section Through the Middle of Temple, East to West 140 Solomon's Temple 71 Temple in the Time of Christ (Herod's) 138
[Illustration: ENTRY OF PILGRIMS INTO BETHLEHEM.]
CHART OF BIBLE HISTORY.
THE Geography and the History of the Bible are so closely united that neither subject can be studied to advantage without the other. We therefore present at the opening of our work the Chart of Bible History, upon which the leading events of Bible History and those of the ancient world in general are arranged in parallel columns. The blue lines extending across the page represent the centuries before Christ, each space between them being 100 years. Until recently the common chronology found in all reference Bibles and Biblical works, was that prepared by Archbishop Ussher, who died in 1656, long before the present sources of information from "the monuments" had been discovered. His chronology has not been regarded as trustworthy by scholars for thirty years past; but until recently it has been retained because students of Biblical and Ancient History were not agreed as to the dates which should be given in place of it. But there is now a substantial, though not complete agreement among scholars; and we therefore discard the Ussherian system, and adopt that obtained from the information given in the inscriptions of Assyria, Babylonia, and Egypt, when compared with statements in the Bible.
We begin at the date 2500 B.C. as the events of Bible History earlier than 2500 B.C. cannot be fixed with any certainty. And it must be admitted that none of the dates earlier than 1000 B.C. can be regarded as established.
I. =General Periods.= In the first column we note the five great periods of Bible History. These are the natural divisions of the events contained in the Bible story.
1. The Period of the Early Races, from the Deluge, at a date unknown, to the Call of Abraham, B.C. 2280. Before the Call of Abraham, the history in the book of Genesis is introductory.
2. The Period of the Chosen Family, from the Call of Abraham, B.C. 2280, to the Exodus from Egypt, about 1250 B.C.
3. The Period of the Israelite People, from the Exodus, 1250 B.C., to the Coronation of Saul, about 1050 B.C.
4. The Period of the Israelite Kingdom, from the Coronation of Saul, 1050 B.C., to the Captivity in Babylon, B.C. 587.
5. The Period of the Jewish Province, from the Captivity in Babylon, 587 B.C., to the Destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, A.D. 70.
II. In the second column the larger periods are broken up into =Subdivisions=. 1. In the _Period of the Early Races_ the line of division is made at the Dispersion of the Races, to which no date is assigned. 2. _The Period of the Chosen Family_ is subdivided at the Descent into Egypt by Jacob and his family, about 2060 B.C. 3. _The Period of the Israelitish People_ has three subdivisions. (1.) The Wandering in the Wilderness, from the Exodus, B.C. 1250, to the Entrance into Canaan, B.C. 1210. (2.) The Settlement, extending to the Mesopotamian Oppression, B.C. 1180. (3.) The Rule of the Judges, to the Coronation of Saul, B.C. 1050. 4. _The Period of the Israelitish Kingdom_ naturally divides itself into three sections. (1.) Unity, to the Division of the Kingdom, B.C. 935. (2.) Division, to the Captivity of the Ten Tribes, B.C. 721. (3.) Decay, the stage of the kingdom of Judah alone, from B.C. 721 to 587, the Babylonian Captivity. 5. _The Period of the Jewish Province_ has five subdivisions. (1.) Chaldean Rule, to the Return from Captivity, B.C. 536. (2.) Persian Rule, to the Conquest by Alexander the Great, B.C. 330. (3.) Greek Rule, under the kingdoms of Alexander's successors to the Revolt of Mattathias, B.C. 168. (4.) Jewish Independence, to the Annexation of Judæa to the Roman Empire, A.D. 6. (5.) Roman Rule, to the final Destruction of Jerusalem, A.D. 70.
III. Next, we notice the prominent =Persons and Rulers= in Sacred History. The perpendicular lines opposite the names of the patriarchs indicate the duration of their lives, according to the common chronology. Only the most important of the Judges are named, and with each is given his number in the order of the list. The crowns show the kings, and the years show the period of their reigns. The chronology during the age of the Judges is very uncertain, and the dates are only conjectural.
IV. =The Events of Bible History=, given in the fourth column, are too numerous to be recapitulated. The student should divide them according to the Subdivisions of the Periods, already given.