The Bible hand-book: an introduction to the study of Sacred Scripture

Preface

The following pages are intended as an introduction to the study of Scripture, and are written with the view of being used by all classes of intelligent readers. On a first perusal by younger readers, it is suggested that the sections marked ( a ) in the table of contents, be omitted, together with sunk paragraphs as may be thought too abstruse. The attempt to adapt the work to both young and advanced students, renders such a selection at the outset desirable ; and the whole has been written so as to make the portions read, in the first instance, easily intelligible and complete in themselves. On the other hand, any who wish to consult the book on particular subjects — as on the study of the Greek Testament, or on the proof of particular doctrines — can easily do so by the help of the index.

If any wish to connect the study of these pages with the study of Theological Science generally, he will find the following classification important.

Theology is Exegetical, Historical/ Systematic, and Pastoral : —

Under the head of Exegetical Theology are placed —

Philology, or the study of the languages of Scripture, with their cognate dialects, see ch. i. sees. 2, 4; ch. iv. sec. 5.

Criticism, which aims first to establish a correct text, and secondly, to explain the peculiarities of the style, etc., of the several books, see ch. i. sees. 1, 3, 5, 6; ch. vi. sec. 1, and Introductions to Pent., Gospels, Epistles, etc.

Hermeneutics, or the theory and practice of interpretation, ch. i. sec. 6; ch. iv., and ch. vi.

(iii)

PREFACE.

Under the head of Historical Theology are placed— Archaeology, with its two divisions : Biblical Archaeology, which treats of ancient customs, etc., see. eh. iv. sec. 6, and Ecclesiastical , which treats of the opinions of early Jewish and Christian sects and writers, see ch. iv. sec. 6 ; Part ii. ch. iv. sec. 2 ; ch. vi. sec. 1 ; ch. vii. sec. 1.

History op Doctrine, of which this volume does not treat.

Under the head of Systematic Theology are placed— * 1 Dogmatic Theology, which treats of matters of faith, etc. Practical Theology, which treats of practice.

See chaps, iii., v., vii., and Introduction to Cor., Romans, etc.

Under the head of Pastoral Theology are placed — Homiletics, of which this volume treats but indirectly, see ch. vii.

The Pastoral Care and Ecclesiastical Law, of which nothing is said here.

The Evidence oe Christianity, and the External History of the Church of Christ, are distinct branches of inquiry. Of the first, the following pages treat at some lengthy chap. i. sec. 1 ; chap. ii. sec. 1-4, etc.

To some of the subjects enumerated in this list, this volume is only an introduction intended to guide the advanced reader to larger works; but on most, it will be found sufficiently full to enable earnest-minded inquirers to study and master the evidences, facts, and doctrines of Scripture for themselves. Its aim is to teach men to understand and appreciate The Bible, and, at the same time, to give such information on ancient literature and history as may aid the work of general education among all classes.

Contents

Page.

Preface 3

CHAPTER I. On the Genuineness of Scripture : or the Bible as Inspired

Men wrote it . . . . . . .15

Sec. 1. Genuineness defined and proved, g 6-24.

Sec. 2. a The original languages of Scripture. Hebrew and the

Shemitish languages generally ; Hellenistic or Hebrew

Greek of the New Testament" and LXX, \ 25-41. Sec. 3. a The manuscripts of Scripture, \ 42-64. Sec. 4. a The ancient versions of Scripture, \ 65-74. Sec. 5. a The various readings of Scripture: rules for determining

the text, I 75-112.

Sec. 6. The English version on the whole identical with the

original text, \ 113-134.

Chapter II

On the Authenticity and Authority of Scripture . . 83 Sec. 1. Scripture claims to be regarded as an inspired teacher,

and as the only inspired teacher, \ 135-145.

Sec. 2. Inspiration, §.146-150.

Sec. 4. Scripture evidences, I 167-213.

vi

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER III. Pa m

Peculiarities of the Bible as a Revelation from God . . 1-11 Sec. 1. A revelation of God, of Christ, and of human nature, I 214-218.

Sec. 2. A revelation of spiritual religious truth, \ 219-227. Sec. 3. A gradual and progressive revelation, \ 228-238. Sec. 4. The unity of the Bible, \ 239-245.

Sec. 5. Not a revelation of systematic truth or specific rules, I 246-253.

CHAPTER IV On the Interpretation of Scripture 167

Sec. 1. Of the necessity for care in the study of Scripture, I 254-269.

Sec. 2. Of the spirit in which the Bible should be studied, I 270-273.

Sec. 3. Of rules of interpretation, \ 274-309. Sec. 4. Of the utility and application of rules in interpretation, I 310, 311.

Sec. 5. a Of the application of these rules to the study of the original Scriptures, $ 312-338.

Sec. 6. Of the use of external helps in interpretation ; Jewish and heathen opinions; history, profane and ecclesiastical ; chronology ; natural history ; manners and customs ; geography, historical and physical, \ 339-404.

Sec. 7. Of the application of these rules to the interpretation of allegories, parables, types, and symbols, \ 405-433.

Sec. 8. a Of the interpretation of prophecy, \ 434-454.

CHAPTER V. On the Systematic and Inferential Study of the Scriptures 352

Sec. 1. Of the study of the doctrines of Scripture, \ 455-464. Sec. 2. Of the study of the precepts of Scripture, \ 465-472. Sec. 3. Of the study of the promises of Scripture, $ 473-480. Sec. 4. Of the study of the examples of Scripture, \ 481-487.

CONTENTS.

vii

CHAPTER VI. Page

Principles and Rules illustrated in the Quotations of the New Testament from the Old, and applied to the Solution of Scripture Difficulties .... 378 Sec. l. a Quotations classified and examined with reference to the state of the text, the truths and evidences of Scripture, and principles of interpretation, \ 489-500.

Sec. 2. Scripture difficulties, § 501-523.

CHAPTER VII. On the Inferential and Practical Reading of the Bible . 408

PART It

THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE.

Introductory • 423

CHAPTER I. The Pentateuch and the Book of Job 428

Sec. 1. Genuineness and authenticity of the Pentateuch, \ 7-13.

Sec. 2. The Book of Job, \ 14-17.

Sec. 3. Of Hebrew poetry and the Poetical Books, $ 18.

Sec. 4. The Books of the Pentateuch, arranged and epitomized

with occasional helps, $ 19-24.

Sec. 5. The design of the Law ; summary of its religious institutions, \ 25-31.

Chapter Ii.'

Historical and Poetical Books to the Death oi Solomon . 473 Sec. 1. The Historical Books of Scripture generally, \ 32-35. Sec. 2. Brief Outline of these Historical Books, g 36. Sec, 3. The Books of Joshua, Judges, and Ruth, \ 37-42. Sec. 4. The Books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles, g 43-51 Sec. 5. The Poetical Books— Psalms, Song of Solomon, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes, \ 52-62.

viii

CONTENTS.

Page.

Sec. 6. The whole arranged and epitomized, with occasional helps, I 63-68.

CHAPTER III. Historical Books prom the Death of Solomon to the Close

or the Old Testament Canon . . . . 523

Sec. 1. Brief historical view of this period; the Prophets in connection with history, \ 69-73.

Sec. 2. The nature of Prophecy during this period ; Predictions arranged according to time and according to subjects, I 74-76.

Sec. 3. The Books of Jonah, Joel, Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Micah,

Nahum, § 77-87.

Sec. 4. The Books of Zephaniah, Jeremiah, Habakknk, Daniel,

Ezekiel, and Obadiah. The Captivity, \ 88-94. Sec. 5. The Books of Ezra, Haggai, Zechariah, Esther, Nehemiah^

and Malachi, \ 95-102.

Sec. 6. The whole arranged and epitomized, g 103-106. Sec. 7. Chronology of Scripture and early profane history from

the Deluge to the close of the Canon, \ 107.

CHAPTER IV. Civil and Moral History of the Jews from Malachi to John

the Baptist . 599

Sec. 1. Sketch of the Civil History of the Jews between the two

Testaments g 108-115.

Sec. 2. Sketch of the Moral and Religious History of the Jews between the two Testaments, g 116-128.

CHAPTER V. The Gospels .613 Introductory, \ 129-134

Sec. 1. The Gospels in their mutual relations, § 135, 136.

Sec. 2. The genuineness of the Gospels, \ 137.

Sec. 3. Introduction to Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, \ 138-141.

Sec. 4. The Chronology of the Gospels, \ 142.

Sec. 5. The Gospels Harmonized, \ 143-150.

CONTENTS*

Page.

Sec. 6. Topics to be noticed in reading the Gospels. Lessons to be gathered from a comparison of passageSj § 151-152.

CHAPTER VI. The Book op Acts 636

Sec. 1. The Gospel and the Gentiles, \ 153-161.

Sec. 2. Introduction to the Book of Acts, \ 162, 163.

Sec. 3. Chronology of the Acts and Epistles arranged, \ 164-166.

CHAPTER VII. The Epistles ahd the Book oe Revelation .... 647

Sec. 1. On the study of the Epistles, \ 167-169.

Sec. 2. On the genuineness of the Epistles, \ 170.

Sec. 3. Helps to study of 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Galatians, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Romans, James, Epbesians, Colossians, Philemon, Philippians, Hebrews, 1 Peter, 1 Timothy, Titus, 2 Peter, 2 Timothy, Jude, and precepts given in each, with epitome of Doctrinea, \ 171-195.

Sec. 4. Helps to the study of 1, 2, and 3 John, and to the Book of Revelation, \ 196-204.

THE BIBLE HAND-BOOK.

PART I.

The Sestertius of Vespasian: A. D. 69. Actual Size. It commemorates the conquest of Judsea. The country is represented by the Palm Tree, beneath which is a sitting figure, the " captive daughter of Zion," in an attitude of dejection. The emperor stands by, holding a lance, and with his foot on a helmet. Judiea capta (Judsea taken): S. C. (by decree of the Senate).

INTRODUCTORY.

" I use the Scriptures not as an arsenal to be resorted to only for armg and weapons . . .but as a matchless temple, where I delight to contemplate the beauty, the symmetry, and the magnificence of the structure ; and to increase my awe and excite my devotion to the Deity there preached and adored." — Boyle : On the Style of Scripture, 3d obj. 8.

"Scarcely can we fix our eyes upon a single passage in this wonderful book which has not afforded comfort or instruction to thousands, and been met with tears of penitential sorrow or grateful joy drawn from eyes that will weep no more." — Paysoh : The Bible above all Price.

"This lamp, from off the everlasting throne, Mercy took down, and in the night of time Stood, casting on the dark her gracious bow, And evermore beseeching men with tears And earnest sighs, to hear, believe, and live." — Pollok.

1. Even as a literary composition, the sacred Scriptures form the most remarkable book the world has ever rri

The Bible:

seen. They are of all writings the most ancient. its claims,

THE BIBLE— HOW TO BE STUDIED.

They contain a record of events of the deepest interest. The history of their influence is the history of civilization and happiness. The wisest and best of mankind have borne witness to their power as an instrument of enlightenment and of holiness ; and having been prepared by " men of God who spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, " a to reveal " the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent," b they have on this ground the strongest claims- upon our attentive and reverential regard.

The use of a hand-book of Scripture requires one or two cautions, which both writers and readers need to keep before them.

2. First. We are not to contemplate this glorious fabric of To be stud- Divine truth as spectators only. It is not our busifofthand iness to stand before Scripture and admire it ; but obedience. -j- s tand within, that we may believe and obey it. In the way of inward communion and obedience only shall we see the beauty of its treasures. It yields them to none but the loving and the humble. We must enter and unite ourselves with that which we would know, before we can know it more than in name.

3.. Secondly. Nor must the study of a help to Scripture be ah helps of confounded with the study of Scripture itself. Such

value onlyas J x

they lead to helps may teach us to look at truth so as to see its

the Bible 7 . ,

itself. position and proportions, but it is the entrance of truth alone which gives light. The road we are about to travel may prove attractive and pleasing, but its great atti action is its end. It leads to the "wells of salvation." To suppose that the journey, or the sight of the living water — perhaps, even of the place whence it springs — will quench our thirst, is to betray most mournful self-deceit or the profoundest ignorance. Our aim — " the sabbath and port of our labors" — is to make more clear and impressive the Book oi God, " the god of books, " d as one calls it, the Bible itself. a 2 Pot. i. 21. bj ] 1G xv ii. 3. p s . xiy

cprov. ii. 2-5: John vii. 17. d The Synagogue, No. xiv.

THE BIBLE — ITS TITLES.

4. The names by which this volume is distinguished are not wanting in significance. It is called the Bible, Itsnames or the booh, from the Greek word /3i#Ao?, book, a The Bible - name given originally (like liber in Latin) to the inner bark of the linden, or teil-tree, and afterwards to the bark of the papyrus, the materials of which early books were sometimes made.

It is called the Old and New Testament (that is, covenant or appointment), the term by which God was pleased 01dandNew to indicate the relation or settled arrangement be- Testament, tween himself and his people. The term was first applied to the relation itself, a and afterwards to the books in which the records of the relation are contained.

Among the Jews, the Old Testament was called "The Law, the Prophets, and the Writings." Sometimes the TheLaw writings, or (as the Greek name is) the Hagiographa et^ndSoiy were called, from the first book under the division, Writings, the Psalms."

What books were included in these divisions we gather from ancient Jewish authorities. Josephus reckons two-andtwenty canonical books of the Old Testament, and the whole may be thus divided :—

The five books of Moses [rhifi], Torah. The Law.

The Prophets [b^ps], Nebiim.

The historical division t^a^. Nebiim Rishonim .

namely —

1. Joshua. 6. Daniel.

2. Judges and Ruth, 7. Ezra and Nehemiah.

3. Samuel, 1 and 2. 8. Esther.

4. Kings, 1 and 2. 9. Job.

5. Chronicles, 1 and 2.

*Ex. xxiv. 7: 2 Kings xxiii. 2: 2 Cor. iii. 6-14. in classic

Greek is disposition, or a will ; in Hellenistic Greek, it is often equivalent to crwBmv, a covenant. Gen. xxi. 27-32: xxvi. 28: xxxi. 44,

b Luke xxiv. 44. a (s<+ ^ jjfc

24 THE BIBLE — ITS TITLES.

The Prophets, properly so called, s^rina t^&OnS.. Nebiim Acharonim*.

10. Isaiah., 11. Jeremiah and Lamentations.

12. Ezekiel. 13. The twelve minor Prophets.

And the Hagiographa, tran> Cethnbim, namely — The Psalms, the Proverbs, the Song of Solomon, and Ecclesiastes.

In modern copies the following are also placed among the Hagiographia : — ■

Job, Euth, Lamentations, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah and Chronicles.

And this is the arrangement now in use in the Hebrew Scriptures.

The terms, "the Scripture," 3 "the Scriptures," b and "the word of God," c are also applied in the Bible itself to

Other ' rjr - .

names. the sacred books; as is the expression, "the oracles of God;" d though this last is sometimes used to indicate the place where, under the old dispensation, the will of God was revealed. 6 "The Law" f and "the Prophets" 8 are each employed, and sometimes unitedly h by a common figure of speech, to designate the whole of the Old Testament.

The sacred writings were sometimes called the canon of Canon of Scripture, from a Greek word signifying a straight Scripture. roc | ) anc | hence a rule or law, Gal. vi. 16 : Phil. iii. 16. This term was employed in the early age of Christianity with some indefiniteness, though generally denoting a standard of opinion and practice. From the time of Origen, however, it has been applied to the books which are regarded by Christians as of Divine authority. The Bible, therefore, is the canon that is, the authoritative standard of religion and morality.

5. Of all these titles, the "word of God" is perhaps the most

1 John x. 35 : Jas. iv. 5. b Luke xxiv. 27.

c Luke xi. 28 : Prov. xxx. 5. * Acts vii. 38 : Eom. iii. 2 : Heb. v. 12. e 1 Kings viii. 6 : 2 Chron iv. 20 : Ps. xxviii. 2. 'Mat. v. IS: John x. 34: 1 Cor. xiv. 21.

« Mat. xxvi. 56 : Acts iii. 18-21 : xxviii. 23. * Mat. xi. 13 : xxii. 40,

THE BIBLE — ITS GENUINENESS.

impressive and complete. It is sufficient to justify Theword the faith of the feeblest Christian, and it gathers up of God - all that the most earnest search can unfold. W e may say more at large what this title involves, but more than this we cannot say. It teaches us to regard the Bible as the utterance -of Divine wisdom and love.

The Jewish Shekel. Actual Size— Silver.

The earliest Jewish coined money (B. C. 125). ■ On one side is "Aaron's rod that budded," on the other the "pot of manna." The inscription, in Samaritan characters, is "Shekel of Israel," and "Jerusalem the Holy." The date (the "second year," L e. of Simon) is written over the pot of manna,