An illustrated history of the Holy Bible ..

Front matter

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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 imperial Rome ; it commences with the creation, and ends with the final glorification, 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 01 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 department 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 eventful 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 subsequent 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 books 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 Kitto suffered an injury which cast a disheartening cloud over his future prospects. He was employed in 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 pavj 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 wa9 occupied at the time of the casualty. He seemed greatly surprised to find himself 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 wa9 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 hd 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 shoemaker, 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 gentleman in Plymouth. Measures were proposed by them in 1828, with a view to procuring for him a situation favorable to the attainment of that knowledge and culture on which he 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 successful 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 prosecution 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 appointment 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 lAissionary 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, and 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 numerous 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 especially to the young, with the prayer and the hope that it may not only contribute 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.

Norwich, Conn., May , 1866. A. B.

NOTE 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 state, 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 original author's name entirely. Not having, however, a literary reputation sufficient to give it character, it 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. HENRY BILL.

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 and Samaritans. The Septuagint. The Septuagint and Vulgate. Modern foreign versions. English versions. The Apocrypha.

HISTORY OF THE

Chapter I

The Creation. The Bible account consistent with Geology. Opinions of distinguished writers. The Firmament. Or<l<\ ->f Creation. Adam. Eve. The Seventh Day.

Site of the Garden of Eden. The Temptation. The FalL Expulsion from Eden. 45

CHAPTER IL

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. Canaan’s curse. 50

Chapter III

The Tower of Babel. Description of Babylon.

Language. Its origin. Different dialects.

Genealogy of Noah's sons. Countries possessed by their descendants. Description of Nineveh. Modern discoveries of its ruins by Botta and Layard. They confirm the prophecies. Important results to Biblical history. The posterity of Shem.

Terah, the father of Abraham. His removal from Ur to Haran, in Mesopotamia.

His death. 58

Chapter IV

The call of Abram. Description of Ur. Abram removes, with Lot and Sarai, to the land of Canaan. Description of Canaan. Famine. Abram’s removal to Egypt. He calls his wife his sister. Abram’s return to Canaan. Friendly separation of Abram and Lot. Lot chooses the plain of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Jordan. Abram settles in the plain of Mamre. He rescues Lot.

Melchisedek. God’s promise to Abram of a numerous posterity. Hagar. Ishmael.

Change of name to Abraham. Promise of a son to Sarah. Circumcision. 66

Chapter V

Sodom 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. WlcRedness of Lot’s daughters. Abraham’s removal to Gerar. His second equivocation in regard to his wife. The Talmudical story of it Primitive longevity and vigor. Birth of Isaac. Hagar and Ishmael banished. Analogy of Hebrew and Druidical worship.

Abraham commanded to sacrifice Isaac.

HJs rescue. Death of Sarah. Her burial

OLD TESTAMENT.

in the cave of Machpelah. Marriage of Isaac and Rebecca. Eastern customs.

Death of Abraham. Account of the Ishmaelites. , 74

CHAPTER VL

Birth of Esau and Jacob. Esau sell* his birthright. 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 Rebecca to obtain the parental benediction for Jacob.

The Edomites. Jacob’s departure to find a wife. His dream. Bethel. He meets Rachel at the well. He marries Leah and Rachel. Leah’s sons. Birth of Joseph.

Jacob’s prosperity. His flight from Laban. Lab; m’s pursuit. Treaty of alliance.

Images. List of idols mentioned in Scripture. Meeting of Esau and Jacob. Tents.

Dinah’s disgrace. The revenge of her brothers. Slaughter of the Shechemiles.

Jacob’s return to Bethel. Birth of Benjamin, and death of Rachel. Jacob visits his father at Mamre. Death of Isaac. 90

Chapter VII

Joseph. His parti-colored coat. Eastern fabrics. Jealousy of Joseph’s brethren. His two dreams. He is sent to Shechem. Description of Dothan. Ishmaelites. Midianites. Caravans. Account of the commerce of Eastern nations. Joseph sold to the Ishmaelites. The plot to deceive his father. Joseph sold to Potiphar. He is made chief manager of his master’s affairs.

His temptation and triumph. His false accusation and imprisonment. His interpretation 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 Egypt. Joseph discovers himself to them.

His father removes to Egypt. Jacob’s dying words. His death. He is buried in the cave 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.

Found, adopted, and educated bv the King’s daughter. He avenges his brethren. He flees to Midian — helps the women at the well — is invited to the house of viii

TABLE OF CONTENTS,

J ethro — marries 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 Ked Sea. The Egyptians overwhelmed. The sons of triumph. Egypt — its learning, language, religion, and idolatry. 136

Chapter IX

Journey of the Israelites. They are miraculously supplied with quails and manna.

The palm-tree. Smiting of the rock. Defeat of the Amalekites. Mount Sinai.

Giving of the Decalogue. Description of the Tabernacle. The golden calf. Punishment of the idolaters. Table of Hebrew months and sacred festivals. The sacrifices explained. Aaron constituted High Priest. 166

Chapter X

them. Again subdued by the Moabites.

Ehud is their deliverer. Eighty years of rest, b. c. 1426. Story of Ruth. War with the Canaanites. The great victory of Deborah and Barak over Sisera. Sisera slain by Tael, the wife of Heber. Song of Deborah. 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

CHAPTER 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. Jephtha defeats the Ammonites. Jephtha’s vow. He judges Israel six years, 1247 b. 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 himself, 1222 b. o. 234

CHAPTER XV.

Census of the people. Plan of the Israelitish encampment. Mode of marching. Murmurings of the people. Jealousy of Aaron and Miriam ^gainst Moses. Miriam punished with leprosy. God pardons and heals her upon the prayer of Moses. Spies are sent to Canaan. The people desire to return to Egypt. Rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. They are swallowed up by a miraculous opening of the earth.

Death of Miriam at Kadesh. Second smiting of the rock for water. Death of Aaron.

Eleazer, his son, succeeds him in the priesthood.

Eli. His neglect of family government Punishment denounced upon him. The Israelites defeated by the Philistines. The Ark taken. Death of Eli. Samuel judges Israel. Israel renounces idolatry. " Great victory over the Philistines. Wickedness of Samuel’s sons. The people demand a king. Jahn’s estimate of the causes that led the nation to this demand. Samuel endeavors to dissuade them. Saul the first king. Chosen by lot 1110 b. c. Jahn's account of the times and the office of the judges. 246

CHAPTER XVI.

Chapter XI

Mount Hor. Murmurings of the people. Punishment by fiery serpents. The brazen serpent. Victories over the Ammonites.

Baliiam is called to curse Israel. He is met in the way by an angel. His ass speaks to him in reproof. Balaam pronounces a blessing instead of a curse. Israel’s idolatry and punishment Successful expedition against the Midianites. Slaughter of five kings. Balaam is slrfin. The Israelites draw near to Canaan. The tribes of Reuben 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. Farewell address of Moses to the tribes. UrimandThummim. Death of Moses. Mount Pisgah.

Chapter XII

The Conquest. Joshua succeeds Moses. Spies sent to Jericho. Rahab conceals them.

Crossing of the Jordan. Joshua is informed in a vision howto take Jericho. The walls of the citv fall down. Description of Jericho. Achan’s theft. Its consequences.

Achan stoned. Capture of Ai. 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 tne bones of Joseph at Sheehem.

Saul’s reign. His victory over the Ammonites at Jabesh Gilead. He conquers the Amalekites. 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, lie is soothed by 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 generous 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.

CHAPTER 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 inauguration of David. He takes possession of Mount Zion. He prepares to build a temple to Jehovah. His victories over Eastern 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. Absalom’s sepulchre. The famine. Revolt of The anointing of Solomon, counsel to Solomon. Death of David. His burial on Mount Zion.

Adonijah.

David’s last

2«4

Chapter XIII

The Hebrews become corrupted by their idolatrous neighbors. Idolatry prevails. They are subdued and become tributary to the king of Mesopotamia. Othniel delivers

CHAPTER XVIII.

Solomon comes to the throne, 1030 b. o. Tlis great wealth and power. Plot of Adonijah to gain the kingdom. Adonijah and Joub tfre put to death. Solomon marries the daughter of Pharaoh. Building of the

TABLE OF CONTENTS,

IX

Temple on Mount Moriah. 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. Revolt of the ten tribes under Jeroboam. Judah and Benjamin adhere to Rehoboam. Jeroboam establishes other places of worship besides Jerusalem, and a new priesthood. Jeroboam’s death, 96S b. 0. He is followed by Nadab, Baasha, Zimri, and Omri. Omri builds Samaria. He dies, 931 b. o. Description of Samaria.

Judah, from b. c.990 to b. o. 929.

Rehoboam soon falls into idolatry. He is conquered, and Jerusalem plundered by Shishak, king of Egypt. Rehoboam dies, 973 b. c. Abijah succeeds him. Asa follows, a pious and prosperous king.

Israel, from b. c. 931 to b. c. 895.

/ hab succeeds Omri. Evil influence of Jezabel. Idolatry becomes prevalent. Elijah 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. Famine. 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

CHAPTER XX.

>udah, from b. c. 929 to b. c. 725.

Je‘ oshaphat begins to reign, 929 b. o. — one of the best of the Hebrew kings. He continues to root out idolatry. One million one hundred and sixty thousand men enrolled to bear arms. Judges are placed in all the principal cities. Jehoshaphat’s admirable charge to them. Death of Jehoshaphat.

Jehoraq comes to the throne, 904 b. c.

His wife was Athaliah, daughter of Jezebel.

Jehoram murders his six brothers. Idolatry again established. Judgu^nts denounced 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.

Joash repairs the temple. His apostacy and murder. Amaziah reigns. Victory over the Edomites. He is killed by conspirators, b. o. 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. c. He is not allowed a place In the sepulchre of the kings. 366

CHAPTER XXI.

Israel, from b. c. 895 to b. o. 719.

Jehu comes to the throne, b. o. 895. The country 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 Shalmaneser, king of Assyria. The principal inhabitants carried away captive.

Judah, from b. c. 725 to b. o. 586.

Hezekiah, a pious prince. Description of the sepulchre of the kings. Hezekiah restores the true worship. The passover revived.

Hezekiah subject, for a time, to Sennacherib, the Assyrian king. Destruction of the Assyrian host by a “blast” from the Lord.

Sickness of Hezekiah. His life prolonged in answer to prayer. His death. Manasseh succeeds, at twelve years of age. He becomes corrupt. Defeated by Esarhaddon, 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. Jehoiakim. Warning by Jeremiah. His imprisonment by Jehoiakim. Jehoiakim subdued by Nebuchadnezzar. Forty thousand of the people sent into captivity.

Zedekiah made king. He revolts. Nebuchadnezzar burns the temple and city, demolishes the walls, carries off all the sacred vessels and treasure. Zedekiah is taken, and carried in fetters to Babylon.

The country depopulated. &75

CHAPTER XXII.

The seventy years’ captivity. Discussion of the causes of the downfall of the Hebrew nation. The divine intention in its establishment not frustrated. Media the scene of the captivity. The captivity a colonization rather than a slavery. Tobit. Daniel and his three friends. Their Chaldean names. Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the image. Daniel’s interpretation. Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges God. Daniel and his friends promoted. They refuse to worship the image. The fiery furnace. Other dreams. Their interpretation and accomplishment. Nebuchadnezzar again honors Jehovah. Ho dies, 561 b. c. 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. Belshazzar’s death, 553 b. o.

Darius takes the kingdom. Daniel exalted.

Jealousy. He is thrown to lions for praying to the Almighty. Ilis deliverance.

Jehovah honored. Death of Darius, 551 b. o. Cyrus succeeds. Defection of Nabonadius. Babylon taken by Cyrus. Prophecy of Isaiah. Cyrus acknowledges the supremacy of Jehovah. He allows the captives to return to the Holy Land. 891i

CHAPTER XXIII.

The Restoration. The honor of Jehovah maintained and extended by the Captivity.

Why was Judah allowed to return, and not Israel? Remarks of Professor Jahn. What became of the Ten Tribes ? Rejnarks of Rabbi Benjamin — of Major Rawlinson. Zerubbabel and Joshua, with fifty thousand of the people, return to Palestine. Daniel remains at the Court of Cyrus. Zerubbabel is appointed Governor of Judea. He receives from Cyrus the sacred vessels of the Temple. Feast of Tabernacles celebrated at Jerusalem. An altar is built on the ruins of the Temple. The people as-' seinble to rebuild the Temple. Death of Cyrus. Darius Hystaspes elected King.

The Temple completed, 516 b. o. The dedication. The temple service re-established.

Battle of Marathon, b. c. 490. Darius dies,

485 b. c. Succeeded by Xerxes, the Ahasuerus of Ezra. Artaxerxes. The rebuilding of Jerusalem stopped. Queen Yashti deposed. Esther promoted. Ezra commissioned to go to Jerusalem and beautify the Temple. The plot of Haman. The Jews saved by Esther. Nehemiah gains permission to rebuild the walls. Jeremiah appointed Governor of Judea. Collection and revisal of the sacred books of the Old Testament. The Chaldee dialect displace*

X

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

the old Hebrew. A temple built on Mount Gorizim. End of the Old Testament Canon. 404

CHAPTER XXIV.

Lnspired History is discontinued from 420 b. c. to His birth. Hebrew history derived from Josephus and others. Artaxerxes succeeded by Xerxes on the Persian throne. Wars of the Persians with the Egyptians. The Jews faithful to the Persians. Destruction of Sidon. Overthrow of Egypt by the Persian King, 350 b. o. Invasion of Persia by Alexander, 334 b. c. Fulfilment of the prophecy of Zechariah. Alexander invades Syria. He is met in his marcli against Jerusalem by a procession of priests. He is shown the prophecy of Daniel. Offers sacrifices. Grants the Jews free enjoyment of their national laws. Exemption from tribute every seventh year. Alexander 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 Philadclphus 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 Philopater. Destruction of the temple by Appolonius, 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.

Beath of Judas Maccabeus. Jonathan succeeds him. His treaty with the Syrian king. Siege of the citadel of Jerusalem.

Jonathan taken and muidered. Simon, his brother, succeeds him as leader of the Maccabees. Simon gains possession of the country. Alliance with the Romans. Cleopatra becomes mistress of Syria. Ponipey enters Syria, 65 b. c. The country becomes a Roman province. The temple taken and complete establishment of the Roman power, b. o. 63. Cicero and Antonius, Roman Coutuls. The Jews obliged to pay large tribute. Hyrcanus appointed High Priest. 15t

CHAPTER XXVI.

Antipater, governor of Judea. The Sanhedrim suppressed. The government changed to an aristocracy. Hyrcanus and the Jewish government restored, b. c. 44, by Julius Ctesar. The temple plundered by Crassus.

Liberty given to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. 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 Jerusalem, b. o. 17. Birth of John the Baptist, b. c. 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. 474

CHAPTER XXVII.

Prophecies concerning Christ, and the Christian religion. The time of His appearance.

The place of His birth. The family from which He was to come. His life and character. His sufferings and death. The nature of His doctrine. The extent of His Kingdom. The value of the Bible. 493