The Temple dictionary of the Bible;

Front matter

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Preface

Recent years have witnessed great activity in various fields of research, the results of which are of high importance for students of the Bible. The records of antiquity discovered in Egypt and the Euphrates valley, with which Palestine stood in such close relations, have been carefully examined by expert scholars. Much light has thus been cast upon the history of these far-off days, and upon the condition of the world in patriarchal times. The Palestine Exploration Fund and kindred societies have carried forward the work of exploration and excavation in Palestine itself. Adventurous scholars have risked the perils of travel and research in Arabia. Sir W. M. Ramsay has earned the gratitude of Christendom by, practically single-handed, lifting the veil which for centuries had obscured the Asia Minor of apostolic days. A great mass of information has thus become available for the use of Bible Students, bearing upon the Peoples, the social and religious Life, &c, in Palestine and the neighbouring countries, from pre- Israelite times to the days of the apostles.

At the same time the attention of scholars has been concentrated upon the Literature of Scripture, with a view to determine such questions as the Date, Authorship, and Mode of Composition of the various books. Vital interest has been revived in many of the writings, especially in the Old Testament, by a fuller knowledge of their relations to and significance for the age in which their authors lived. The Editors of this Dictionary acknowledge the value of the service rendered to the cause of Sacred Learning all the more willingly because they are unable to accept many of the so-called " results " of Higher Criticism. This applies particularly to the detailed and minute analysis of the different books. Here, indeed, the Critics are hopelessly at variance among themselves. This is not surprising when it is remembered that the " results " so often rest on no more stable ground than questionable assumption and conjecture : these, again, being conditioned by the mental idiosyncrasies of individual Critics. The wise words of the late Mr. W. E. H. Lecky may be quoted as expressing the judgment of an enlightened and impartial mind : —

" Connected with this subject [credibility of statements] is also the question how far it is possible, by merely internal evidence, to decompose an ancient document, resolving it into its separate elements, distinguishing its different dates and different degrees of credibility. The reader is no doubt aware with what rare skill this method of inquiry has been pursued in the present [nineteenth] century, chiefly by great German and Dutch scholars, in dealing with the early Jewish writings. At the same time, without disputing the value of their work, or the importance of many of the results at which they have arrived, I may be pardoned for expressing my belief that this kind of investigation is often pursued with an exaggerated confidence. Plausible conjecture is too frequently mistaken for positive proof. Undue significance is attached to what may be mere casual coincidences, and a minuteness of accuracy is professed in discriminating between different elements in a narrative which cannot be attained by mere internal evidence. In all writings, but especially in the writings of an age when criticism was unknown, there will be repetitions, contradictions, inconsistencies and diversities of style, which do not necessarily indicate different authorship or dates " {Historical and Political Essays, Thoughts on History, p. 8).

Excellent work has been done in the larger Dictionaries of the Bible recently published, in the way of focussing the information now available. These are written, however, from a more advanced Critical point of view than the Editors of this Dictionary are able to adopt. Their size and price, also, put them beyond the reach of many who are keenly alive to the necessity for competent ind trustworthy guidance in their study of the Scriptures. The Editors therefore believe that iere is a place for a Dictionary of the Bible which, leaving aside all that is merely theoretical and speculative, shall present simply and clearly the state of ascertained knowledge on the subjects dealt with, at a price which shall bring the latest results of scholarly investigation within the reach of every earnest student of the Bible.

The Editors have kept steadily in view the needs of the Working Clergyman, the Local Preacher, the Class -Leader, and the Sunday School Teacher; while not forgetting the ordinary Reader of the

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PREFACE

Bible. They have drawn, wherever possible, on their own personal acquaintance with the Lands of the Bible, the Peoples, their Manners and Customs, and the Conditions of their Life. Many articles of special importance have been entrusted to scholars whose distinction in their own subjects commands universal respect. The writers are responsible for the views which they express.

The Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Truro had undertaken to write the article on the English Bible. Unfortunately he was prevented by illness from doing this ; and at very short notice Mr. Maclean Watt of Alloa kindly wrote the article.

The Dictionary deals with Biblical Antiquities, Biography, History, Literature, Manners and Customs, Natural History, Geography, and Topography.

Repetition has been avoided by a careful arrangement of cross-references. Space has also been saved by a system of easily understood contractions, thus making possible a fuller treatment of the more important subjects.

The numerous Illustrations, it is hoped, will prove not only attractive but highly useful. Some, e.g., show at a glance objects of interest, ancient methods of work, &c. ; others enable the reader to realise more vividly the Background and Atmosphere of the Bible History.

The Editors and Publishers are deeply indebted to Dr. Mackinnon of Damascus, Dr. Paterson of Hebron, Dr. R. J. Drummond of Edinburgh, Mrs. Gibson, D.D., LL.D., of Cambridge, and Arthur W. Sutton, Esq., J.P., Bucklebury Place, Woolhampton, Berks, for many photographs used as illustrations ; to Oliphant Smeaton, Esq., M.A., F.S.A., Edinburgh, for valued counsel and assistance, especially in the reading of proofs ; and to John Hutchison, Esq., LL.D., Glasgow, for help with articles in the Apocrypha. They have to thank Messrs. Longmans, Green & Co. for permission to use the following illustrations from Wood's Bible Animals, in addition to those acknowledged in the text, viz. : Fallow deer, p. 198 ; Gerizim, p. 221 ; Glede, p. 226 ; Goat, p. 227 ; Hawk, p. 251 ; Heron, p. 262.

They have also to thank the Palestine Exploration Fund for the following illustrations, besides those acknowledged in the text, viz. : Carmel in Judaea, p. 81 ; Kerak, p. 370; Lydda, Church of St. George, p. 403; Michmash, p. 464.

Edinburgh, December 1909.

N.B. — The initial appearing in the body of an article stands for the subject at the head.

In Scripture references the figures on the line denote the chapters, the small superior figures

the verses : thus Jn. 3.16 stands for John, chap. 3, verse 16. In the titles of books, the small superior figure indicates the edition.

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