Bcibre I conclude, it may be necessary to give some account of the original Versions of the Sacred Writings, which have been often consulted, and to which occasional references are made in the ensuing ^\'orlv. These are the Samaritan, Chaldaic, Ethiopia, Septitaginf, with those of ylquila, Sjjmmachus, and T/ieudution; the Sj/riac, Vulgate, Arabic, Coptic, Persian, and J n<>-lo- Saj:o7i.
The Samaritan Test must not be reckoned among the Versions. It is precisely the same \\dth the Hebrew, only fuller; having preserved many letters, words, and even whole sentences; sometimes several verses, which are not extant in any Hebrew copy widi which we are acquainted. In all other respects, it is the same as the Hebrew, only written in what is called the Samaritan character, whicli was probably the ancient Hebrew, as that now called the Hebrew character, was probably borrowed iiom the Chaldeans.
1. The Samaritan Version diflers widely from the Samaritan Text; the latter is pure Hebrew, the former, is a literal version of the Hebreo-Samaritan Text, into the Chaldaico-Samaritan' Dialect. JVhen this was done it is impossible to say, but it is allowed to be very ancient, considerably prior to the Christian JEra. The language of this version is composed of pure Hebrew, Syro-Chaidaic, aud Cuthite terms. It is almost needless to observe, that the Samaritan Text and Samaritan Version, extend no farther than the five books of Moses: as the Samaritans received no other parts of the Sacred Writings.
2. The Chaldaic Version or Targums have already been described among the Commentators. Under this head are included the Targum of Onkelos upon the whole laxc; the Jerusalem Targum on select parts of the five books of Moses; the Targum of Jonathan hen Uzziel, also upon" the Pentateuch; the Targum of Jonathan upon the prophets; and the Targum of Rabbi Joseph on the books of Chronicles; but of all these, the Targums oi Onkelos on the law, and Jonathan on the prophets, are the most ancient, the most literal, and the most valuable. See page ii. of this Preface.
3. Tlie Septuagint Translation, of all the Versions of the Sacred AVritings, has ever been deemed of the greatest importance by covipetent ^]udges. I do not, however, design to enter into the controversy concerning this venerable Version: the history of it by Aristaeus, I consider in the main, to be a mere fiible, worthy to be classed Avith the tale of Bel and the Dragon, and the stupid story of Tobit and his Dog. Nor do I believe, with many of the Fathers, that " Seventy or Seventy-hvo Elders, six out of each of the twelve Tribes, were employed in the work: that each of these, translated the whole of the Sacred Books from Hebrew into Greek, while confined in separate cells in the Island of Pharos;" or that they were so particularly inspired by God, that every species of error was prevented, and that the seventy-two copies, when compared together, were found to be precisely the same, verbatim et literatim. My own opinion, on the controversial part of the subject, may be given in a few words. I believe that the five books of Moses, the -most correct and accurate part of tlie whole work, were translated from the Hebrew into Greek, in the time of Ptolemy PMIadclplnis King of Egypt, about 2S5 years before the Christian ^Era: that this v/as done, not by sevenf^-two, but probably hyjive learned and judicious men; and that when completed, it was examined, approved, and allowed as a faithflil Version, by the seventy or seventy-two Elders, who constituted the, Alexandrian Sanhedrbi: and that the other book's of the Old Testament, were done at different times, by different hands, as the necessity of the case demanded, or the Providence of God appointed. It is pretty certain, from the quotations of the Evangelists, the Apostles, and the Primitive Fatliers, that a complete version into Greek, of tlie whole Old Testament, probably called by the name of the Septuagint, was made, and in use before the Christian iEra: but it is likely that some of the books of that ancient version are now lost; and that some others, which now go under the name of the Septuagint, were the production of times posterior to the Incar-.nation.
4. The Greek Versions of Aquila, Sijmmaclms, and Theodotion are frequently referred to. Aquila was first a Heathen, then a Christian, and lastly a Jeit\ He made a translation of the Old Testament into Greek, so very literal, that St. Jerom said, it vras a good Dictionary to give the genuine meaning of the Hebrew words. He finished and pubhshed this work, in the twelfth year of the reign of the Emperor Adrian, A. D. 128.
5. Theodotion was a Christian of the Ebionite sect, and is reported to have begun his translation ©f the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek, merely to serve his own party: but from what remains of his Version, it appears to have been very literal, at least as far as the idioms of the two languages would bear. His translation was made about the year of our Lord 180. All this Work is lost, except his version of the book of the Prophet Daniel, and some Fragments.
6. Symmachus was originally a Samaritan, but became a convert to Christianity, as professed by the Ebionites. In forming his translation, he appears to have aimed at giving the sense, rather than a literal Version of the Sacred Text. His work v/as probably completed about A. D. 200.
These three Versions vv'cre published by Origen, in his famous work entitled Hexaph, of which they formed the third, fonrth, and sixth columns. All the remaining fragments have been carefully collected by Father Montfaucon, and published in a Vv-ork entitled Hexapla Origenis quae supersunt, S^-c. Paris, 1713, 2 vols, folio. Republished by C. F. Bahrdt, Leips. 1769, 2 vols. 8vo.
7. Tlie >'E////oj9?"c Version comprehends only the New Testament, the Psalms, some of the minor Prophets, and a few fragments of other books.. It was probably made in the fourth Century.'-
8. The Co2}tic Version includes only the five Books of Moses, and the New Testament. It is supposed to have been made in the ^^th Century.
9. The Syriac Version is very valuable and of great authoi'ity. It was probably made as early as tlie second Century: and some think that a S^niac version of the Old Testament was in existence long before the Christian a^a.
10. A Latin version, known by the name of the Itai.a, Itxdic or Antehieronymian, is well known among learned men: it exists in the Latin part of the Codex Beza? at Cambridge, and in several other Mss. The Text of the four Gospels in this version, taken from four mss. more than a thousand years old, was published by Blanchini, at Rome, 1749, four vols, folio; and a larger collection by Sahathicr, Rheims, 1743, tbrce vols, folio. This ancient version, is allov.'cd to be of great i'.se in biblical criticism.
1 1. Tlie Vulgate or Latin Version, was formed by Saint Jerow, at the command of Pope Damasus, A.D. 384. Previously to this, there were a great number of Latin Versions made by different hands, some of \\\\ic\\ Jerom complains of, as being extremely corrupt, and scli-contiadictory. These Versions, at present, go under the general name of the old J lata or Antehieroni'mian, already noticed. Jerom appears to have formed his Text in general, out of these; collating the whole with the Hebrew and Greek, from which he professes to have translated several books entire. The New Testament, he is supposed to have taken wholly from the Original Greek: yet tliere arc suflicient evidences, that he often regulated even this Textj by the ancient Latin Versions.
12. The Anglo-Sadon version df the Jour Gospels, is supposed to have been taken from the ancient Ifala, some time in the eighth century; and that of the Pentateuch, Joshua, Judges, and Job, from the Vulgate, by a Monk called iElfric, in the ninth century. The former was printed at Dart in conjunction with the Gothic version, by F. Junius, 1665, 4to. the latter by EdxL'urd Thwaitcs, Orford, 1 698, 8vo. but in this version many verses, and.even whplc chapters, arc left out; and the Book of Job is only a sort of abstract, consisting of about five pages.
13. The Jrabic, is not a very ancient Version; but is of great use, in ascertaining the significa^ tion of several Hebrew words and forms of speech.
14. The Persian, includes only the five Books of Moses, and the four Gospels. The former, was made from the Hebrew Text, by a Jew named Yacoub Toosee: the latter, by a Christian of the Catholic persuasion, Simon Ibn Yusuf Ibn Ibraheeyn al Tuhreesee, about the year of our Lord 1341.
These are the principal Versions which are deemed of authority, in setthng controversies relative to the Text of the Original. There are some others, but of less importance, such as the Slavonic, Gothic, Sahidic, and Armenian; for detailed accounts of which, as also of the preceding, as far as the New Testament is concerned, I beg leave tp refer the Reader to MicJiaelis's Lectures, in the Translation, and with the Notes of the Hev. Dr. Herbert Marsh: and 'for farther information concerning Jewish and Christian Commentators, he is requested to consult Bartoloccius's Billiotheca Rabbinnica, and the BibUotheca Theologica of Father Calmet.
In the preceding list of Commentators, I find I have omitted to insert in its proper place, a work, with which I have been long acquainted, and which, for its piety and erudition I have invariably admired, viz. " A plaine discoverij of the 'whole Revekttion of Saint John: set doxcne in tuo Treatises: The one searching and proving. //^e true interpretation thereof- The other applying the same paraphrastically and historically to the text. Set foorth by John Napeir L. of Mmxkestoun, i/ou?ige7\ Whereunto are annexed certaine Oracles of Sibylla, agreeing with the Revelation and other places of Scripture." Edinburgh, printed by Robert Walde-gravc, printer to the King's Majestic, 1593. Cum privilegio Regali, 8vo.
When the Reader learns that the author of this little work, was the famous Baron of Marchestoun, the inventor of the Logarithms; a discovery which has been of incalculable use in the sciences of astronomy, practical geometry, and navigation, he will be prepared to receive with 'respect what so great a genius has written iipon a book, that above all others in the sacred code, seems to require the head and hand of the soundest divine and mathematician. The work is dedicated " to the right excellent, high and mighty Prince James VI. King of Scottes," afterwards James I. King of England; and in the Epistle Dedicatorie, the author strongly urges him to complete the reformation begun in his own empire, that he might be a ready instrument iu the hand of God in exccuthig judgment on the papal throne, which, he then supposed, to be near the time of its final overthrow. The first treatise is laid down in tliirtij-siv Propositions relating to the seals, trumpets, vials and thunders.
In the third, Jifth and sixth Propositions, he enilcavours to prove, that each trumpet or vial, contains 245 years; that the./r5/ begun A. D. 71. Tlic second A. D. 316. The tJiird A. D. 561. The fourth A,h. SOG. The fjth A. B. 1051. The s?>A'/ A. D. 1296. The s<?t'(?;z/A A. D. 1541. See Propos. vi. And in Propos. x. he shews, that as the last trumpet or \'ial began in 1541, consequently, as it contains 245 years, it should extend to A. D. 1786. " Not that I mean," says the noble writer, " that that age, or yet the world shall continew so long, because it is said, that for the Elect's sake, the time shall be shortened; but I mean, that if the world wer to indure, that seventh age should continew untill the yeare of Christ, 1786." Taking up this subject again, iji Propos. xiv. he endeavours to prove by a great variety of calculations formed on the 1335 days mentioned by Daniel, chap. xii. 11. and the period of the three thundering angels. Rev. chaps, viii. and ix. that, by the former it appears, the day of judgment will take place in A. D. 1700, and by the latter, in 1688, whence it may be confidently expected that this awful day shall take place between these two periods I
We who have lived to A. D. 1810, see the fallacy of these predictive calculations; and with such an example before us, of the miscarriage of the first mathematician in Europe, in his endeavours to solve the prophetical i^eriods marked in this most obscure book, we should proceed in such researches, with humility and caution; nor presume to ascertain the times and the seasons which the Father has reserved in his own power. I may venture to affirm, so very plausible were the reasonings and calculations of Lord Napeir, that scarcel}^ a Protestant in Europe who read his work, but was of the same opinion. And how deplorably has the event fiilsified the predictions of this €mine7}t and pio7(S man! And yet, unawed by his miscarriage. Calculators and Ready Reckoners, in every succeeding age, on less specious pretences, with minor qualifications, and a less vigorous pinion, have endeavoured to soar where Napeir sunk! Their labours, however well intended, only serve to increase the records of the weakness and folly of mankind. ^S'ecre^ things belong to God: those that are revealed, to us and to our children. Writers, who have endeavoured to illustrate different prophecies in the Apocalypse by past events, and those that are wow occurring, are not included in this censure. Some rcspecfcible names in the present day, have rendered considerable services to the cause of Divine Revelation, by the careful and pious attention they have paid to this part of the subject.
P.S. On Gen. ii. 4. 1 luivo liinted that our Saxon ancestors have translntcd the Domiiius of the Vulgate by j3lapoj-,ti, lovep^, or lops. Tliis is not to he understood ot" t!ie tVagments of their translations of the Old and NewTcstamcut whicii have reaehed our times; for in then Domiiins whvn {'onneeted with Deus is often omitted, and the word Dos substituted for both: at otiicr times, tlieyuse bpihren, hotli for nri' Jehovah, and 'Jis adonai: and in the New Testament, spiliten is generally used for xufioj lord, at other times, ]5lapn]-b. It seems to have been applied as a title of respect to men; see Matt. xiii. 27. xxi.:W. Afterwards, it was applied to tlie Supreme Being also; and the title Lord, continues to be given to both indiU'erentlj', to the present day.
liVERY believer in Divine Revelation finds himself amply justified in taking for granted that the Pentatench is the work of Moses. For more than 3000 years, this has been the invariable opinion of those who were best qualified to form a correct judgment on this subject. Tlie Jewish Church from its most remote antiquity, has ascribed the work to no other hand; and the Cliristian Church from its foundation, has attributed it to the Jewish Lawgiver alone. Hie most respectable Heathens have concuiTcd in this testimony, and Jesus Christ and his Apostles have completed the evidence, and have put the question beyond the possibihty of being doubted by those who profess to beheve the di\ane authenticity of the New Testament. As to those, who, in opposition to all these proofs, obstinately persist in their unbelief, they are worthy of Httle regard, as argument is lost on their unprincipled prejudices, and demonstration on their minds, because ever wilfully closed against the Light. When they have proved that Moses is not the author of this Work, the advocates of divine revelation will reconsider the grounds of their faith.
That there are a few things in the Pentateuch which seem to have been added by a later hand, there can be little doubt; among these, some have reckoned, perhaps, without reason, the following passage. Gen. xii. 6. And the Canaanite xicas then in the land. But see the note on this place. Num. xxi. 14. In the hook of the rears of the Lord, was probably a marginal note, which in process of time got into the text: see the note on this passage also. To these may be added the fve first verses of Deuteronomy, chap. i. the ixveljlh of chap. ii. and the eight concluding verses of the last chapter, in wliich we have an account of the death of Moses. These last words could not have been added by Moses himself, but are very probably the work of Ezra, by whom, according to uninterrupted tradition among the Jews, the various books, which constitute the canon of the Old Testament, were collected and arranged, and such expository notes added, as were essential to connect the different parts: but as he acted lander divine inspiration, the additions maybe considered of equal authority with the text. A few other places might be added, but they are of little importance, and are mentioned in the Notes.
The Book of GENESIS, Tevs/rn, has its name from the title it bears in the Sepfuagint, BifiXoi Tevia-eo)? (ch. ii. v. 4.) which signifies the book of tJte Generation, but it is called in Hebrew rru^sia Bereshith, " In the beginning " from its initial word: it is the most ancient history in the world; and from the great variety of its singular details, and most interesting accounts, is as far superior in its value and importance to all others, as it is in its antiquity. This book contains an account of the creation of the world, and its first inhabitants; the original innocence and fail of man j the rise of religion; the invention of arts; the general corruption and degeneracy of mankind; the universal deluge; the repeopling and division of the earth; the origin of nations and kingdoms; and a particular history of the Patriarchs from Adam down to the death of Joseph, including a space, at the lowest computation, of 2369 years.
It may be asked, how a detail so circumstantial and minute, could have been preserved, when there was no mHting of any kind; and when the earth, whose history is here given, had already existed more tlian 2000 years? To this enquiry a very satisfactory answer may be given. There J arc only three ways in which these important records could have been preserved and brought down to the time of Moses: viz. Writing, Tradition, and Divine Revelation. In the antediluvian world, when the life of man was so protracted, there was, comparatively, little need for xcriting of any kind; and perhaps no alphabetical writing then existed. Tradition answered every purpose to which writing in any kind of cliaracters could be subsement; and the necessity of erecting monuments to peqietuatc public events, could scarcely have suggested itself, as during those times there could be little danger apprehended of any important fact becoming obsolete, as its history had to pass through very few hands, and all these friends and relatives in the most proper sense of the terms; for they lived in an insulated state under a patriarchal government.
Thus it was easy for Moses to be satisfied of the truth of all he relates in the book of Genesis, as the accounts came to him through the medium of very few persons. From Adam to Noah, there was but one man necessary to the correct transmission of the history of tliis period of 1656 years. Now this history was, without doubt, perfectly known to Methuselah who lived to see them both. In like manner, Shem connected Noah and Abraham, having lived to j^ converse with both; as Isaac did with AbraJmm and Joseph, from whom these things might be ^ easily conveyed to Moses by Amram, who was contemporary with Joseph. See the Plate, ch. xi. Supposing, then, all the curious facts recorded in the book of Genesis had no other authority than the tradition already referred to, they would stand upon a foundation of credibility superior to any that the most reputable of the ancient Greek and Latin historians can boast. Yet, to preclude all possibility of mistake, the unerring Spirit of God directed Moses in the selection of his facts, and the ascertaining of his dates. Indeed the narrative is so simple; so much like truth; so consistent every where with itself; so correct in its dates; so impartial in its biography; so accurate in its philosophical details; so pure in its m.orality; and so benevolent in its design, as amply to demonstrate that it never could have had an earthly origin. In this case also, Moses constructed every thing according to the pattern which God shewed him in the Mount.
First day's work — Creation of the heavens and the earth, 1, 2. Of the light and its separation from the darkness, S — 5. Second day's work — The creation of the firmament, and the separation of the naters above the firmament, from those beloic it, 6 — 8. Third day's \\ork — The ztalers are separated from the earth and formed into seas, Scc. 9, 10. The earth rendered fruitful, and clothed zcilh trees, herbs, grass, &c. 11 — 13. Fourth clay's work — Creation of the celestial luminaries intended for the measurement of time, the distinction of periods, seasons, Sec. 14. and to illuminate the earth, 15. distinct account of the formation of the sun, moon and stars, 17 — IQ. Fifth day's work — The creation of fish, fouls, and reptiles in general, 20. Of great aquatic unimals, 21. Theif arc blessed so as to make them tery prolific, 21 — 23. Sixth day's work — Wild and tame cattle created, and all kinds of animals which derive their nourishment from the earth, 24, 25. The creation of man in the image and likeness of God, with the dominion given him over the earth and all irferior animals^ 26. Man or Jdam, a general name for human beings, including both male and female, 27. Their peculiar blessing, 28. Vegetables appointed as the food of man and all otlter animals, 29, 30. The judgment zchich Cod passed on his zcorks at the conclusion of his creative acts, 31.
IN tlie " beginning ^ God created the heavens and the earth. And the eartli was witliout form and void;
hara Etohim elk haskamui/im vetk haarets. GOD in the beginning creired the Heavens and the Earth.]