THE dlffcient nations of the earth, which have receiV ed'the Old arid' Nc\v 'f ^staalcnts as a Divine • revelation, have not only had them carefully translatodm'to thtii recpedtiXne languages, but have also agreed in the propriety and necessity of illustrating ih-im j3fc'3n''nh',hr ' At" first, the insertion of a word or sentence in the margin, explaining some par'^iculux\^ycrd in tha text, appears to have constituted the Avhole of -the comment. Afterwards, thee^e '(VM-p^min^leVl with the text, but with such marks as served to distinguish them fromtlje wov^s'^liey were intended to illustrate; sometimes the comment was interlined with the texty land, a-i.other, ti-^-nt;? it -Jccupied 'a's^ac^i'?t the bottom of the page. ' ' ' • • ' ^ ■ •. ■ '
Ancient comments written in all these various ways I have often seen; and a Bible now lies before me, written, probably, before the time of Wiclif, where the glosses are all incorporated with the ext, and only distinguished from it by a line underneath; the line evidently added by a later hand. As a matter of curiosity I shall introduce a few specimens.
Comments written in this way have given birth to multitudes of the various readings afforded by ancient manuscripts; for the notes of distinction being omitted or neglected, the gloss was oftei) considered as an integral part of the text, and entered accordingly by succeeding copyists.
This is particularly remarkable in the Vulgate, which abounds with explanatory words and phrases, similar to those in the preceding quotations. In the Septuagint also, traces of this custom are easily discernible, and to this circumstance many of its various readings may be attributed.
In proportion to the distance of time from the period in which the sacred oracles were delivered, the necessity of comments became moi*e apparent; for the political state of the people to whom the Scriptures were originally given, as well as that of the surrounding nations, being in the lapse of time essentially changed, hence was found the necessity oi historical and chronological notes, to illustrate the facts related in the sacred books.
Did the nature of this preface permit, it might be useful to enter into a detailed history of commentators and their works, and show by what gradations they proceeded from simple verbal glosses to those colossal accumulations in which the words of God lie buried in the sayi7igs of men. But this at present is impracticable; a short sketch must therefore suffice.
Perhaps the most ancient comments containing merely verbal glosses were the Chaldee Paraphrases, or Tar gums, particularly those of Onkelos on the Laio, and Jonathan on the Prophets; the former written a short time before the Christian era, the latter about fifty years after the incarnation. These comments are rather glosses on words, than an exposition of tilings; and the former is little more than a verbal translation of the Hebrew text into pure Chaldee.
The Takgum Yerushlemey is written in the manner of the two former, and contains a paraphrase, in very corrupt Chaldee, on select parts of the five books of Moses.
The Tar gum ascribed to Jonathan hen Uzziel embraces the whole of the Pentateuch, but is disgraced with the most ridiculous and incredible fables.
Among the Jews, several eminent commentators appeared at different times, besides the Targum,' ists already mentioned, who endeavoured to illustrate different parts of the Law and the Prophets.— Philo Jud^us may be reckoned among these; his works contain several curious treatises in explication of different parts of the Hebrew Scriptures. He flourished about A. D. 40.
JosEPHus may be fairly ranked among commentators; the first twelve books of his Jewish Anti quities are a regular paraphrase and comment on the political and ecclesiastical history of the Jews as given in the Bible, from the foundation of the world to the time of the Asmoneans or Maccabees. He flourished about A. D. 80.
It is well known that the Mishnah, or oral law of the Jews, is a pretended comment on the five books of Mc6^*«^Tllife AX^asSctJrppilfid-ftpjhlihfiymerable traditions hy Rabbi Judah Hakkadosh, probably aboutjt"$e,fpa^*p/9io''I«*ord:150t.';.' \
The TALnvDs^hpihoiJ€r4i^Q,le]n diiRd-B-abylo7i, are a comment on the Mishnah. The former was compiled about Ar|I>:36^ilhe Jait^ about 200 years after.
Chaldee Targunisj'qr Paraphr^sf g,\ha'ye' been written on all the books of the Old Testament; some parts of the book of.£^ta,**and:(hi hodk of Daniel, excepted; which, being originally written in Chaldee, did not reqMii«e?"or ^•p'Urp'ase of being read during the captivity any farther explanation. When thf jJjDjijtkni Pelyglot jta?I>}rf l(5|pr6f s rfo Targum was found on the two books of Chronicles; but afterjlKae Wrjrfi j^as p;-Jr^^d,.i IJar^U-ii;. t»n.tlltese two books was discovered in the university of Cambridge, and printed at Amsterdam, with a Latin translation, 4to, 1715, by Mr. D. Wilkins. It is attributed to Rabbi Joseph the Blind, who flourished about A. D. 400.
The Masorets were the most extensive Jewish commentators which that nation could ever boast. The system oi punctuation, probably invented by them, is a continual gloss on the Law and Prophets; their vowel points, and prosaic and metrical accents, &c., give every word to which they are affixed a peculiar kind of meaning, which in their simple state multitudes of them can by no means bear. The vowel points alone add whole conjugations to the language. This system is one of the most artificial, particular, and extensive comments ever written on the word of God; for there is not one word in the Bible that is not the subject of a particular gloss through its influence. This school is supposed to have commenced about 450 years before our Lord, and to have extended down to A. D. 1030. Some think it did not commence before the fifth century.
Rabbi Saadias Gaox, about A. D. 930, wrote a commentary upon Daniel, and some other parts of Scripture; and translated in a literal and very faithful manner the whole of the Old Testament into the Arabic language. The Pentateuch of this translation has been printed by Erpenius, Lugd. Bat. 1622, 4to. A MS. copy of Saadias''s translation of the Pentateuch, probably as old as the author, is now in my own library.
Rabbi SoLOMOx Jarchi or Isaaki, who flourished in A. D. 1140, wrote a commentary on the whole Bible, so completely obscure in many places, as to require a very large comment to make it intelligible.
In 1160 Aben Ezra, a justly celebrated Spanish rabbin, flourished; his commentaries on the Bible are deservedly esteemed both by Jews and Gentiles.
Rabbi Moses be7i Maimon, commonly called Maimonides, also ranks high among the Jewish commentators; his work entitled Moreh Nebochim, or Teacher of the Perplexed, is a very excellent illustration of some of the most difficult words and things in the sacred writings. He flourished about A. D. 1160.
Rabbi David Kimchi, a Spanish Jew, wrote a very useful comment on most books of the Old Testament: his comment on tlie Prophet Isaiah is peculiarly excellent. He flourished about A. D. 1220.
Rabbi Jacob Baal Hatturim flourished A. D. 1300, and wrote short notes or observations on the Pentateuch, principally cabalistical.
Rabbi Levi ben Gershom, a Spanish Jew and physician, died A. D. 1370. He was a very voluminous author, and wrote some esteemed comments on different parts of Scripture, especially the five books of Moses.
Rabbi Isaac Abarbanel or Abravanel, a Portuguese Jew, who was born A. D. 1437, and died A. D. 1508, also wrote extensive commentaries on the Scriptures, which are highly esteemed by the Jews.
Rabbinoo Isaiah wrote select notes or observations on the books of Samuel.
Rabbi Moses Mendelssohn, a German Jew, born at Dissau, in 1729, was one of the most learned Jews that has flourished since the days of the prophets; a man to whose vast mental powers was added a very amiable disposition, and truly philanthropic heart. He wrote Nesibut Hashshalom, i. e., the Path of Peace; the five books of Moses, with a commentary, and German translation; Ritual laws of the Jews; the Psalms of David in verse; also, on the being of a God; the Immortality of the Soul, and several philosophical works. He died at Berlin in 1786. See a wrll-wntlen life of this great man bv M. Snynvels: 8vo. Lond. 1825. a 2
For farther information on the subject of Jewish and rabbinical writers, I must refer my readers to the BiBLioTHECA Magna Rabbinica o{ Bartolocci, begun in 1675, and finished in 1693, four vols, folio. In this work the reader will find an ample and satisfactory account of all Jewish writers and their works from the giving of the law, A. M. 2513, B. C. 1491, continued down to A. D. 1681. This work is digested in alphabetical order, and contains an account of upwards of 1,300 Jewish authors and their works, with a confutation of their principal objections and blasphemies against the Christian religion; together with frequent demonstrations that Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah, di-awn, not only from the sacred writings, but from those also of the earlier and most respectable rabbins themselves: each of the volumes is enriched with a great variety of dissertations on many important subjects in Biblical literature. This work, left unfinished by its author, was completed by Imbonati, his disciple, who added a fifth volume, entitled Bihliotheca Latino -Hebraic a, containing an ample alphabetical account of all the Latin authors who have -written either against the Jews or on Jewish affairs. Romae, 1694. These two works are very useful,- and the authors may be deservedly ranked among Biblical critics and commentators. Bartolocci was born at Naples in 1613, and died at Rome, where he Avas Hebrew professor, in 1687.
Most of the Jewish comments being written in the corrupt Chaldee dialect, and in general printed in the rabbinical character, which few, even among scholars, care to read, hence they are comparatively but little known. It must be however allowed that they are of great service in illustrating the rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic law; and of great use to the Christians in their controversies with the Jews.
As some of my readers may wish to know where the chief of these comments may be most easily found, it will give them pleasure to be informed that the Targums or Chaldee paraphrases of Onke- Los and Jonathan; the Targum Yerushlemey; the Masorah; the comments of Radak, i. e. Rabbi David Kimchi; Rashi, i. e. Rabbi Solomon Jarchi; Ralbag, i. e. Rabbi Levi ben Gershom; Rambam, i. e. Rabbi Moses ben Maimon, or Maimonides; Rasiiag, i. e. Rabbi Saadias Gaon; Aben Ezra, with the scanty observations of Rabbi Jacob Baal Hatturim, on the five books of Moses* and those of Rabbi Isaiah on the two books of Samuel, are all printed in the second edition of Bomberg's Great Bible: Venice, 1547, &c., 2 vols, folio; the most useful, the most correct, and the most valuable Hebrew Bible ever published. It may be just necessary to say, that Radak, Rashi, Ralbag, &c., are technical names given to these rabbins from the initials of their proper names, with some interposed vowels, as RaDaK, stands iov ^abbi David Kimchi; RcSAI, for 'Rabbi 'Solomon Jarchi; RaLBaG, for Rabbi Itcvi Ben Gershom; and so of the rest. The Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan are printed also in the three first volumes of the London Polyglot, with a generally correct literal Latin version. The Targum ascribed to Jonathan ben Uzziel, and the Targum Yerushlemey on the Pentateuch, are printed with a literal Latin version, in the fourth volume of the above work. The Mishnah has been printed in a most elegant manner hy Surenhusius: Amsterdam, 1698, 6 vols, folio, with a Latin translation, and an abundance of notes.
Christian commentators, both ancient and modern, are vastly more numerous, more excellent, and better known, than those among the Jews. On this latter account I may be well excused for passing by many which have all their respective excellences, and mentioning only a few out of the vast multitude, which are either more eminent, more easy of access, or better known to myself.
These comments may be divided into four distinct classes: 1. Those of the Primitive Fathers and Doctors of the Church; 3. Those written by Roman Catholics; 3. Those written by Protestants, and, 4. Compilations from both, and collections of Biblical critics.
Tatian, who flourished about A. D. 150, wrote a Harmony of the four Gospels, perhaps the first thing of the kind ever composed: the genuine work is probably lost, as that extant under his name is justly suspected by the learned.
In this class Origen occupies a distinguished place: he was born A. D. 185, and wrote much on the Scriptures: his principal works are unfortunately lost: many of his Homilies still remain, but they are so replete with metaphorical and fanciful interpretations of the sacred text, that there is much reason to believe they have been corrupted since his time. Specimens of his mode of interpreting the Scriptures may be seen in the ensuing comment. See on Exod. ii.
Hyppolitus wrote many things on the Scriptures, most of which are lost: he flourished about A, D. 230.
Chrysostom is well known and justly celebrated for his learning, skill, and eloquence, in his Homilies on the sacred writings, particularly the Psalms. He flourished A. D. 344.
Jerome is also well known: he is author of what is called the Vulgate, a Latin version from the Hebrew and Greek of the whole Old and New Testaments, as also of a very valuable comment on all the Bible. He flourished A. D. 360.
Ephraiji Syrus, who might be rather said to have mourned than to have flourished about A. D. 360, has written some very valuable expositions of particular parts of Scripture, They may be ound in his works, Syr. and Gr.. pubUshed by Asseman, Romee, 1737, <fec., 6 vols, folio. Vol. 1. ( 2) 3
To Augustine, a laborious and voluminous writer, we are indebted for much valuable information on the sacred writings. His expositions of Scripture, however, have been the subjects of many acrimonious controversies in the Christian Church. He has written upon a number of abstruse and difficult points, and in several cases not in a very lucid manner; and hence it is not to be wondered at if many of his commentators have mistaken his meaning. Some strange things drawn from his writings, and several things in his creed, may be attributed to the tincture his mind received from his Manichean sentiments; for it is well known that he had embraced, previously to his conversion to Christianity, the doctrine of the two principles, one wholly evil, and the other wholly good; to whose energy and operation all the good and evil in the world were attributed. These two opposite and conflicting beings he seems, in some cases, unwarily to unite in one God; and hence he and many of his followers appear to have made the ever-blessed God, the fountain of all justice and holiness, the author, not only of all the good that is in the world, (for in this there can be but one opinion,) but of all the evil likewise; having reduced it to a necessity of existence by a predetermining, unchangeable, and eternal decree, by which all the actions of angels and men are appointed and irrevocably established. St. Augustine died A. D. 430.
Gregory the Great, who flourished about A. D. 600, has written commentaries which are greatly esteemed, especially among the Catholics.
Theophylact has written a valuable comment on the Gospels, Acts, and St. Paul's Epistles. He flourished A. D. 700.
Venerable Bede flourished A. A. 780, and wrote comments (or rather collected those of others) on the principal books of the Old and New Testaments, which are still extant.
Rabanus Maurus, who flourished A. D. 800, M^as one of the most voluminous commentators since the days of Origan. Besides his numerous comments published in his works, there is a glossary of his on the whole Bible in MS., in the imperial library at Vienna.
Walafridus Strabus composed a work on the Old and New Testaments, entitled Bihlia Sacra cum Glossa Ordinaria, which is properly a Catena or collection of all comments of the Greek and Latin Fathers prior to his time. Strabus constantly endeavours to show the literal, historical, and moral sense of the inspired writers. The best edition of this valuable work was printed at AntAverp in 1684, 6 vols, folio. The author died in his forty-third year, A. D. 846.
It would be very easy to augment this list of Fathers and Doctors by the addition of many respectable names, but my limits prevent me from entering into any detail. A few scanty additional notices of authors and their works must suffice.
Salonius, bishop of Vienna, who flourished in 440, wrote a very curious piece, entitled a Mystical Explanation of the Proverbs of Solomon, in a dialogue between himself and his brother Veranius: the latter asks questions on every important subject contained in the book, and the former answers and professes to solve all difficulties. He wrote also an Exposition of Ecclesiastes.
PiiiLo, bishop of the Carpathians, wrote on Solomon''s Song.
Justus, bishop of Orgelitanum, or Urgel, wrote a mystical explanation of the same book. He died A. D. 540.
And to ApoNius, a writer of the seventh century, a pretty extensive and mystical exposition of this book is attributed. It is a continued allegory of the marriage between Christ and his Church.
To Aponius and the preceding writers most modern expositors of Solomon's Song stand considerably indebted, for those wlio have never seen these ancient authors have generally borrowed from others who have closely copied their mode of interpretation.
Among the opuscula of Theophilus, bishop of Antioch, is found an allegorical exposition of the/owr Gospels. Theophilus flourished about the middle of the second century.
Victor, presbyter of Antioch, wrote a very extensive comment on St. Mark''s Gospel, in which many very judicious observations may be found.
Theodulus, a presbyter of Cadcsyria, about A. D. 450 wrote a comment on the Epistle to the Romans.
Remigius, bishop of Auxerre, who flourished about the end of the ninth century, wrote a comment on the twelve Minor Prophets.
Sedulius Hyberxicus wrote a Collectanea on all the Epistles of St. Pa%d, in which there are many useful things. When he flourished is uncertain.
Primasius, bishop of Utica, in Africa, and disciple of St. Augustine, wrote also a comment on all St. PanVs Epistles, and one on the book of Revelation. He flourished A. D. 550.
And to Andreas, archbishop of Coesarea, in Cappadocia, we are indebted for a very extensive comment on the Apocalypse, which is highly extolled by Catholic writers, and which contains a sufficient quantum of mystical interpretations.
All these writers, with others of minor note, may be found in the Bibliotheca Veterum Patrum, &c., by Be la Bigne, folio, par. 1024, vol. i. Any person who is fond of ecclesiastical antiquity will find himself gratified even by a superficial reading of the preceding autliors; for they not only give their own sentiments oii the subjects they handle, but also those of accredited writers who have flourished long before their times.
Among the Catholic writers many valuable commentators are to be found; the chief of whom are the following: — Hugo de Sancto Clara, or Hugh de St. Cler, flourished in 1200. He was a Dominican monk and cardinal, and wrote a commentary on the whole Bible, and composed a Concordance, probably the first regular work of the kind, in which he is said to have employed not less than 500 of his brethren to write for him.
Nicholaus de Lyra or Lyranus, Anglice, Nicholas Harper, wrote short comments on the whole Bible, which are allowed to be very judicious, and in Avhich he reprehends many reigning abuses. It is supposed that from these Martin Luther borrowed much of that light which brought about the Reformation. Hence it has been said.
Si Lyra non lyrasset, -•*
Lutherus non saltasset, "If Lyra had not /iar;?ed on profanation, Luther had never planned the reformation."
Lyra flourished in 1300, and was the first of the Christian commentators, since St. Jerome, who brought rabbinical learning to illustrate the sacred writings. His postils may be found in the Glossa Ordinaria of Walafrid Strabus, already mentioned.
John Menochius, who flourished in the sixteenth century, has published short notes on all the Scriptures; they are generally esteemed very judicious and satisfactory.
Isidore Clarius, bishop of Fuhgni in Umbria, in 1550, wrote some learned notes on the Old and New Testaments: he is celebrated for an eloquent speech delivered before the council of Trent in favour of the Vulgate. His learned defence of it contributed no doubt to the canonization of that Version.
John Maldonat wrote notes on particular parts of the Old and New Testaments, at present little read.
Cornelius a Lapide is one of the most laborious and voluminous commentators since the invention of printing. Though he has written nothing either on the Psalms or Job, yet his comment forms no less than 16 vols, folio; it was printed at Venice, 1710. He was a very learned man, but cites as authentic several spurious writings. He died in 1637.
In 1693-4, Father Quesnel, Priest of the Oratory, published in French, at Brussels, Moral Reflections on the New Testament, in 8 vols. 12mo. The author was a man of deep piety; and were it not for the rigid Jansenian predestinarianism which it contains, it would, as a spiritual com,ment, be invaluable. The work was translated into English by the Rev. Richard Russel, and published in 4 vols. 8vo., London, 1719, &c. In this work the reader must not expect any elucidation of the diflSculties, or indeed of the text, of the New Testament; the design of Father Quesnel is to draw spiritual uses from his text, and apply them to moral purposes. His reflections contain many strong reprehensions of reigning abuses in the Church, and especially among the clergy. It was against this book that Pope Clement XI. issued his famous constitution Unigenitus, in which he condemned one hundred and one propositions taken out of the Moral Reflections, as dangerous and damnable heresies. In my notes on the New Testament I have borrowed several excellent reflections from Father QuesneVs work. The author died at Amsterdam, December 2, 1719, aged 86 years.
DoM AuGUSTiN Calmet, a Benedictine, published what he terms Comrnentaire Litteral, on the whole of the Old and New Testaments. It was'first printed at Paris, in 26 vols. 4to., 1707-1717; and afterwards in 9 vols, folio, Paris, Emery, Saugrain, and Martin, 1719-1726. It contains the Latin text of the Vulgate and a French translation, in collateral columns, with the notes at the bottom of each page. It has a vast apparatus of prefaces and dissertations, in which immense learning, good sense, sound judgment, and deep piety, are invariably displayed. Though the Vulgate is his text, yet he notices all its variations from the Hebrev) and Greek originals, and generally builds his criticisms on these. He quotes all the ancient commentators, and most of the modern, whether Catholic or Protestant, and gives them due credit and praise. His illustrations of many difficult texts, referring to idolatrous customs, rites, ceremonies, <fcc., from the Greek and Roman classics, are abundant, appropriate, and successful. His tables, maps, plans, &.C., are very judiciously constructed, and consequently very useful. This is without exception the best comment ever published on the sacred writings, either by Catholics or Protestants, and has left little to be desired for the completion of such a work. It is true its scarcity, voluminousness, high price, and the language in which it is written, must prevent its ever coming into common use in our country; but it will ever form one of the most valuable parts of the private library of every Biblical student and divine. From this judicious and pious commentator I have often borrowed; and his contributions form some of the best parts of my work. It is to be lamented that he trusted so much to his printers, in consequence of which his work abounds with typographical errors, and especially in his learned quotations. In alm.ost every case I have been obliged to refer to the originals themselves. When once written he never revised his sheets, but put them at once into the hands of his printer. This was a source of many mistakes; but foi the following I cannot account. In his notes on Numb. xii. 2, he adds the following clause: Dominus iratus est, Le Seigneur se suit en colere, on which he makes the following stranffe observation: Cela n'est dans I'Hebreu, ni dans les Septante, ni dans le Chaldeen. On which Houbigant remarks: Potuit addere nee in Samaritano codice, nee in ejus interprete, nee in ipso Vulgato, nee in utroque Arahe. It difficile sit divinare unde hcsc verba Aug. Calmet deprompserit: nee miror talia w.ulta excidisse in scriptore qui chartas suas, prima manu seriptas, non prius rctraetabat, quam eas jam mississet ad typographos. The fact is, the words are not in the Bible nor in any of its versions.
In 1753, Father Houbigant, a Priest of the Oratory, published a Hebrew Bible, in 4 vols, folio, with a Latin Version, and several critical notes at the end of each chapter. He was a consummate Hebraician and accurate critic; even his conjectural emendations of the text cast much light on many obscure passages, and not a few of them have been confirmed by the MS. collections of Kennicott and De Rossi. The work is as invaluable in its matter as it is high in price and difficult to be obtained. To this edition the following notes are often under considerable obligation.
Sebastian Munster, first a Cordelier, but afterwards a Protestant, published a Hebrew Bible, with a Latin translation, and short critical notes at the end of each chapter. His Bible has been long neglected, but his notes have been often republished in large collections. He died in 1552.
The Bible in Latin, printed at Zurich, in 1543, and often afterwards in folio, has a vast many scholia or marginal notes, which have been much esteemed (as also the Latin version) by many divines and critics. The compilers of the notes Avere Leo de Juda, Theodore Bibliander, Peter Cholin, Ralph Guatier, and Conrad Pelicayius.
Tremellius, a converted Jew, with Junius or du Jon, published a very literal Latin version of the Hebrew Bible with short critical notes, folio, 1575. It has often been reprinted, and was formerly in high esteem. Father Simon accuses him unjustly of putting in pronouns where none exist in the Hebrew: had he examined more carefully he would have found that Tremellius translates the emphatic article by the jironoun in Latin, and it is well known that it has this power in the Hebrew language. Father Simon's censure is therefore not well founded.
John Piscator published a laborious and learned comment on the Old and New Testaments, in 24 vols. 8vo., Herborn, 1601-1616. Not highly esteemed.
John Drusius was an able commentator; he penetrated the literal sense of Scripture, and in his Animadversions, Hebrew Questions, Explanations of Proverbs, Observations on the Rites and Customs of the Jews, he has cast much light on many parts of the sacred writings. He died at Franeker, in 1616, in the 66th year of his age,
Hugo Grotius, or Hugh le Groot, has written notes on the whole of the Old and New Testaments. His learning was very extensive, his erudition profound, and his moderation on subjects of controversy highly praiseworthy. No man possessed a more extensive and accurate knowledge of the Greek and Latin writers, and no man has more successfully applied them to the illustration of the sacred writings. To give tlie literal and genuine sense of the sacred writings is always the laudable study of this great man; and he has not only illustrated them amply, but he has defended them strenuously, especially in his treatise On the Truth of the Christian Religion, a truly classical performance that has never been answered, and never can be refuted. He has also written a piece, which has been highly esteemed by many. On the Satisfaction of Christ. He died in 1(>45, aged 62 years.
Louis DE DiEu wrote animadversions on the Old and New Testaments, in which are many valuable things. He was a profound scholar in Greek, Hebrew, Chaldee, Persian, and Syriac, as his works sufficiently testify. He died at Leyden, in 1642.
Desidcrius Erasmus is well known, not only as an able editor of the Greek Testament, but also as an excellent commentator upon it. The first edition of this saci'ed Book was published by him in Greek and Latin, folio, 1516; for though the Complutensian edition was printed in 1514, it was not published till 1522. For many years the notes of Erasmus served for the foundation of all the comments that were written on the New Testament, and his Latin version itself was deemed an excellent comment on the text, because of its faithfulness and simplicity. Erasmus was one of the most correct Latin scholars since the Augustan age. He died in 1.536. I need not state that in some cases he appeared so indecisive in his religious creed, that he hag been both claimed and disavowed by Protestants and Catholics.
John Calvin wrote a commentary on all the Prophets and the Evangelists, which has been in high esteem among Protestants, and is allowed to be a very learned and judicious work. The decided and active part which he took in the Reformation is well known. To the doctrine of human merit, indulgences, &.c, he, with Luther, opposed the doctrine of justification by grace through faith, for which they were strenuous and successful advocates. The peculiar doctrines *vhich go under the name of Mr. Calvin, from the manner in which they have been defended by some and opposed by others, have been the cause of much dissension among Protestants, of which the enemies of true religion have often availed themselves. Mr. Calvin is allowed by good judges to have written with great purity both in Latin and French. He died in 1564.
Mr. David Martin, of Utrecht, not only translated the whole of the Old and New Testaments into French, but also wrote short notes on both, which contain much good sense, learning, and piety. Amsterdam, 1707, 2 vols, folio.
Dr. Henry Hammond is celebrated over Europe as a very learned and judicious divine. He wrote an extensive comment on the Psalms, first published in 1659, and on the whole of the New Testament, in 1653. In this latter work he imagines he sees the Gnostics every where pointed at, and he uses them as a universal menstruum to dissolve all the difficulties in the text- He was a man of great learning and critical sagacity, and as a divine ranks high in the Church of England. He died in 1660.
■ Theodore Beza not only published the Greek Testament, but wrote many excellent notes on it. The best edition of this work is that printed at Cambridge, folio, 1642.
Dr. Edward Wells- published a very useful Testament in Greek and English, in several parcels, with notes, from 1709 to 1719, in which, 1. The Greek text is amended according to the best and most ancient readings. 2. The common English translation rendered more agreeable to the original. 3. A paraphrase, explaining the difficult expressions, design of the sacred writers, &.c. 4. Short Annotations. This is a judicious, useful work.
Of merely critical comments on the Greek Testament, the most valuable is that of J. James Wetstein, 2 vols, folio, Amsterdam, 1751-2. Almost every peculiar form of speech in the sacred text he has illustrated by quotations from the Jewish, Greek, and Roman writers. But the indistinctness of his quotations causes much confusion in his notes.
Mr. Hardy published a Greek Testament with a great variety of useful notes, chiefly extracted from Poole's Synopsis. The work is in 2 vols. 8vo., London, 1768, and is a very useful companion to every Biblical student. It has gone through two editions, the first of which is the best; but it must be acknowledged that the Greek text in both is inexcusably incorrect. The Rev. Mr. Valpy has given a new edition of this work, with additional scholia, and a correct Greek text.
Mr. Henry Ainsworth, one of that class of the ancient Puritans called Brownists, made a new translation of the Pentateuch, Psalms, and Canticles, Avhich he illustrated with notes, folio, 1639. He was an excellent Hebrew scholar, and made a very judicious use of his rabbinical learning in his comment, especially on the five books of Moses. To his notes on the Pentateuch I am often under obligation.
The notes of the Assembly of Divines, in 2 vols, folio, 1654, have been long in considerable estimation. They contain many valuable elucidations of the sacred text.
Mr. J. CaryVs exposition of the book of Job, in two immense vols, folio, 1676, another by Albert Schultens, and a third by Chapelowe, on the same book, contain a vast deal of important matter, delivered in general by the two latter in the dullest and most uninteresting form.
Mr. Matthew Poole, a non-conformist divine, has published a commentary on the Scriptures, in 2 vols, folio. The notes, which are mingled with the text, are short, but abound with good sense and sound judgment. He died in Holland, in 1679.
Dr. John Lightfoot was a profound scholar, a sound divine, and a pious man. He brought all his immense learning to bear on the sacred volumes, and diflused light wherever he went. His historical, chronological, and topographical remarks on the Old Testament, and his Talmudical Exercitations on the New, are invaluable. His works were published in two large vols, folio, 1684. He died in 1675. A new edition of these invaluable works, with many additions and corrections, has been published by the Rev. J. R. Pitman, A. M., in 13 vols. 8vo.,, London, 1825.
On the plan of Dr. Lightfoot's Hor^ Hebraicje, or Talmudical Exercitations, a work was undertaken by Christian Schoettgenius with the title Horce. HehraiccE et Talmudicce in universum Novum Testamentum, quibus Horm Jo. Lightfooti in Libris historicis supplentur, Epistolce et Apocalypsis eodem modo illustrantur, (SfC. Dresdae, 1733, 2 vols. 4to. This is a learned and useful work, and supplies and completes the work of Dr. Lightfoot. The Horae Hebraicae of Lightfoot extend no farther than the first Epistle to the Corinthians; the work of Schoettgen passes over the same ground as a Supplement, without touching the things already produced in the English work; and then continues the work on the same plan to the end of the New Testament. It is both scarce and dear.
Mr. Richard Baxter published the New Testament with notes, 8vo., 1695. The notes are interspersed with the text, and are very short, but they contain much sound sense and piety. A good edition of this work was published in the same form by Mr. R. Edwards, London, 1810.
Dr. Simon Patrick, bishop of Ely, began a comment on the Old Testament, which was finished by Dr. Lowth; to which the New Testament, by Dr. Whitby, is generally added to complete the work. Dr. Whitby's work was first published in 1703, and often since, with many emendations. This is a valuable collection, and is comprised in six vols, folio. Patrick and Lowth are always judicious and solid, and Whitby is learned, argumentative, and thoroughly orthodox.
The best comment on the New Testament, taken in all points of view, is certainly that of Whitby. He is said to have embraced Socinianism previously to his death, which took place in 1726.
Mr. Anthony Purver, one of the people called Quakers, translated the whole Bible into English, illustrated with critical notes, which was published at the expense of Dr. J. Fothergill, in 1764, two vols, folio. This work has never been highly valued; and is much less literal and simple than the habits of the man, and those of the rehgious community to which he belonged, might authorize one to expect.
The Rev. William Burkitt, rector of Dedham, in Essex, has written a very useful commentary on the New Testament, which has often been republished. It is both pious and practical, but not distinguished either by depth of learning or judgment. The pious author died in 1703.
The Rev. Matthew Henry, a very eminent dissenting minister, is author of a very extensive commentary on the Old and New Testaments, five vols, folio, and one of the most popular works of the kind ever published. It is always orthodox, generally judicious, and truly pious and practical, and has contributed much to diffuse the knowledge of the Scriptures among the common people, for whose sakes it was chiefly written. A new edition of this work, by the Rev. J. Hughes, of Battersea, and the Rev. G. Burder, of London, corrected from innumerable errors which have been accumulating with every edition, has been lately published.
As I apply the term orthodox to persons who differ considerably in their religious creed on certain points, I judge it necessary once for all to explain my meaning. He who holds the doctrine of the fall of man, and through it the universal corruption of human nature; the Godhead of our blessed Redeemer; the atonement made by his obedience unto death; justification through faith alone in his blood; the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, regenerating and renewing the heart, is generally reputed orthodox, whether in other parts of his creed he be Arminian or Calvinist. Whitby and Henry held and defended all these doctrines in their respective comments, therefore I scruple not to say that both were orthodox. With their opinions in any of their other works I have no concern.
Dr. John Gill, an eminent divine of the Baptist persuasion, is author of a very diffuse commentary on the Old and New Testaments, in nine vols, folio. He was a very learned and good man, but has often lost sight of his better judgment in spiritualizing his text.
Dr. Philip Doddridge's Family Expositor, 4to., 1745, often republished, is (with the exception of his paraphrase) a very judicious work. It has been long highly esteemed, and is worthy of all the credit it has among religious people.
Paraphrases, which mix up men's words with those of God, his Christ, his Holy Spirit, and his apostles, are in my opinion dangerous works. Through such, many of the common people are led into a loose method of quoting the sacred text. I consider the practice, except in very select cases, as highly unbecoming. The republic of letters would suffer no loss if every work of this kind on the Holy Scriptures were abolished. Dr. Whitby, by the insertion of mere words in brackets and in another character, has done all that should be done, and vastly outdone the work of Dr. Doddridge.
To Dr. Z. Pearce, bishop of Rochester, we are indebted for an invaluable commentary and notes on the Four Gospels, the Acts, and the First Epistle to the Corinthians, two vols. 4to., 1777 The deep learning and judgment displayed in these notes are really beyond all praise.
Dr. Campbell's work on the Evangelists is well known, and universally prized. So is also
*Dr. Macknight's translation of the Epistles, with notes. Both these works, especially the former, abound in sound judgment, deep erudition, and a strong vein of correct critical acumen.
Mr. Locke and Dr. Benson are well known in the republic of letters; their respective works on different parts of the New Testament abound with judgment and learning.
The Rev. J. Wesley published a selection of notes on the Old and New Testaments, in four vols. 4to., Bristol, 1765. The notes on the Old Testament are allowed, on all hands, to be meagre and unsatisfactory; this is owing to a circumstance with which few are acquainted. Mr. Pine, the printer, having set up and printed off several sheets in a type much larger than was intended, it was found impossible to get the work within the prescribed limits of four volumes, without retrenching the notes, or cancelling what was already printed. The former measure was unfortunately adopted, and the work fell far short of the expectation of the public. This account I had from the excellent author himself. The notes on the New Testanient, which have gone through several editions, are of a widely different description; though short, they are always judicious, accurate, spiritual, terse, and impressive; and possess the happy and rare property of leading the reader immediately to God and his own heart. A new edition of this work, with considerable additions, has been lately published by the Rev. Joseph Benson, from whose learning, piety, and theological knowledge, much has been reasonably expected. The work has been very useful, and has been widely dispersed.
The late unfortunate Dr. William Dodd published a commentary on the Old and New Testaments, in three vols, folio, London, 1770. Much of it is taken from the comment of Father CaZme?, already described; but he has enriched his work by many valuable notes which he extracted from the inedited papers of Lord Clarendon, Dr. Waterland, and Mr. Locke. He has also borrowed many important notes from Father Houbigant. This work, as giving in general the true sense of the Scriptures, is by far the best comment that has yet appeared in the English language. The late lamented Dr. Gosset, of famous bibliographical memory, told me that he " had furnished Dr. Dodd with the MS. collections of Dr. Waterland and others; Ihat Dr. Dodd was employed by the London booksellers to edit this work; and it was by far the best of these works which might be said to be published by the yard."
A work, entitled An Illustration of the Sacred Writings, was published by Mr. Goadby, at Sherbourne: it contain^ many judicious notes, has gone through several editions, and, while it seems to be orthodox, is written entirely on the Arian hypothesis.
The Rev. Thomas Coke, LL.D. has lately published a commentary on the Old and New Testaments, in six vols. 4to. This is, in the main, a reprint of the work of Dr. Dodd, with several retrenchments, and some additional reflections. Though the major part of the notes, and even the dissertations of Dr. Dodd are here republished; yet all the marginal readings and parallel texts are entirely omitted. The absence of these would be inexcusable in any Bible beyond the size of a duodecimo. Of their importance see pp. 19 and 20 of this preface. Dr. Coke's edition is in general well printed, has some good maps, and has had a very extensive sale. The original work of Dodd was both scarce and dear, and therefore a new edition became necessary; and had the whole of the original work, with the marginal readings, parallel texts, &.C., been preserved, Dr. Coke's publication would have been much more useful. Dr. Coke should have acknowledged whence he collected his materials, but on this point he is totally silent.
The Rev. T. Scott, rector of Aston Sandford, has published a commentary on the Old and New Testaments, in five vols. 4to. The author's aim seems to be, to speak plain truth to plain men; and for this purpose he has interspersed a multitude of practical observations all through the text, which cannot fail, from the spirit of sound piety which they breathe, of being very useful.
The late Dr. Priestley compiled a body of notes on the Old and New Testaments, in 3 vols. 8vo., published at Northumberland in America, 1804. Though the doctor keeps his own creed (Unitarianism) continually in view, especially when considering those texts which other religious people adduce in favour of theirs, yet his work contains many valuable notes and observations, especially on the philosophy, natural history, geography, and chronology of the Scriptures; and to these subjects few men in Europe were better qualified to do justice.
A new translation of Job, and one of the books of Canticles, has been published by Dr. Mason Good, both replete with learned notes of no ordinary merit.
In closing this part of the list, it would be unpardonable to omit a class of eminently learned men, who, by their labours on select parts of the Scriptures, have rendered the highest services both to religion and literature. ^
Samuel Bochart, pastor of the Protestant Church at Caen in Normandy, wrote a very learned and accurate work on the geography of the sacred writings, entitled Phaleg and Canaan, and another on the Natural History of the Bible, entitled Hierozoicon, by both of which, as well as by several valuable dissertations in his works, much light is thrown on many obscure places in the sacred writings. The best collection of his works is supposed to be that by Leusden and Villemandy, three vols, folio. L. Bat. 1712.
Dr. /. James Scheuchzer, professor of medicine and the mathematics in the university of Zurich, is author of a very elaborate work on the Natural History of the Bible, entitled Physica Sacra, which has been printed in Latin, German, and French, and forms a regular comment on all the books of the Bible where any subject of natural history occurs.
The very learned author has availed himself of all the researches of his predecessors on the same subject, and has illustrated his work with 750 engravings of the different subjects in the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms, to which there is any reference in the Scriptures. The German edition was published in 1731, in 1.5 vols, folio, the Latin edition in 1731, and the French in 1732, 8 vols, folio, often bound in 4. The work is as rare as it is useful and elegant.
The late Rev. Mr. Thomas Harmer published a very useful work, entitled " Observations on various Passages of Scripture," in which he has cast much light on many difficult texts that relate to the customs and manners, religious and civil, of the Asiatic nations, by quotations from the works of ancient and modern travellers into different parts of the East, who have described those customs, &.C., as still subsisting. The best edition of this work was published in four vols. 8vo., 1808, with ntiany additions and corrections by the author of the present commentary.
Campegius Vitringa wrote a learned and most excellent comment on the book of the Prophet Isaiah, in 2 vols, folio; the best edition of Avhich was printed in 1724. He died in 1722.
Dr. R. LowTH, bishop of London, is the author of an excellent work, entitled, Isaiah: A New Translation, with a ■preliminary Dissertation, and Notes critical, philological, and explanatory. 4to., Lond. 1779, first edition. The preliminary dissertation contains a fund of rare and judicious criticism. The translation, formed by the assistance of the ancient versions collated with the best MSS. of the Hebrew text, is clear, simple, and yet dignified. The con eluding notes, which show a profound knowledge of Hebrew criticism, are always judicious, and generally useful.
The late Archbishop of Armagh, Dr. Newcome, has published a translation of the minor prophets, with learned notes: it is a good work, but creeps slowly after its great predecessor. He has also published a translation of the New Testament, with notes, not much esteemed.
On the same plan the Rev. Dr. Blayney translated and published the Prophet Jeremiah, with notes, 1784.
John Albert Bengel is author of an edition of the New Testament, with various readings, and such a judicious division of it into paragraphs as has never been equalled, and perhaps never can be excelled. He wrote a very learned comment on the Apocalypse, and short notes on the New Testament, which he entitled Gnomon Novi Testamenti, in quo ex nativa verborum vi, simplicitas profunditas, concinnitas, salubritas sensuum Ccelestium indicatur. In him were united two rare qualifications — the deepest piety and the most extensive learning.
A commentary on the same plan, and with precisely the same title, was published by Phil. David Burkius, on the twelve minor prophets, 4to., Heilbronnae, 1753, which was followed by his Gnomon Psalmorum, 2 vols. 4to., Stutgardiae, 1760. These are in many respects valuable works, written in a pure strain of piety, but rather too much in a technical form. They are seldom to be met Avith in this country, and are generally high priced.
The late pious bishop of Norwich, Dr. Home, published the book of Psalms with notes, which breathe a spirit of the purest and most exalted piety.
Herman Venema is known only to me by a comment on Malachi, some dissertations on sacred subjects, an ecclesiastical history, correct editions of some of Vitringa's Theological Tracts, and a most excellent and extensive Commentary on the Psalms, in 6 vols. 4to., printed Leovardia;, 1762-7. Through its great scarcity the work is little known in Great Britain. What was said by David of Goliah's sword has been said of Venema's commentary on the Book of Psalms, "There is none like it."
Ern. Frid. Car. Rosenmulleri, Ling. Arab, in Acad. Lips. Professoris, (fcc. Scholia in VETUS Testamentum. Edit, secunda emendatior. Lips. 1795-1812, 11 vols. 8vo. Scholia in Novum Testamentum. Edit, quinta auctior et emendatior, 1801-1808, 5 vols. 8vo., Nuremberg. This is a very learned and useful work, but rather too difl^'use for Scholia. In the Scholia on the Old Testament Rosenmiiller has not meddled with the historical books.
Class IV. — Compilations and Collections.
On the fourth Class, containing compilations and critical collectio7is, a few words must suffice. Among the compilations may be ranked what are termed Catence of the Greek and Latin Fathers; these consist of a connected scries of diflercnt writers on the same text. The work of Galafridus, or Walafridus Strabus, already described, is of this kind; it contains a Catena or connected series of the expositions of all the Fathers and Doctors prior to his time. A very valuable Catena on the Octateuch, containing tlie comments of about fifty Greek Fathers, has been published at Leipsig, 1792, in 2 vols, folio; it is all in Greek, and therefore of no use to common readers. The work of Venerable Bede, already noticed, is professedly of the same kind.
Father De la Ilaye, in what was called the Biblia Magna, 1643, 5 vols, folio, and afterwards Biblia Maxima, 1660, 19 vols, folio, besides a vast number of critical Dissertations, Prefaces, &c., inserted the whole notes of Nicholas de Lyra, Menochius, Gagneus, Estius, and the Jesuit Tirin.
Several minor compilations of this nature have been made by needy writers, who, wishing to get a little money, have without scruple or ceremony borrowed from those whose reputation was well established with the public; and by taking a little from one, and a little from another, pretended to give the marrow of all. These pretensions have been rarely justified: it often requires the genius of a voluminous original writer to make a faithful abridgment of his work; but in most of these compilations the love of money is much more evident than the capacity to do justice to the original author, or the ability to instruct and profit mankind. To what a Vast number of these minor compilations has the excellent work of Mr. Matthew Henry given birth! every one of which, while professing to lop off his redundancies, and supply his deficiencies, falls, by a semi-diameter of the immense orb of literature and religion, short of the eminence of the author himself.
The most important collection of Biblical critics ever made was that formed under the direction of Bishop Pearson, John Pearson, Anthony Scattergood, and Francis Gouldman, printed by Cornelius Bee, London, 1660, in 9 vols, folio, under the title of Critici Sacri, intended as a companion for the Polyglot Bible, published by Bishop Walton, in 1657. This great work was republished at Amsterdam, with additions, in 12 vols, folio, in 1698. Two volumes called Thesaurus Dissertationum Elegantiorum, <SfC., were printed as a supplement to this work, at Amsterdam, in 1701-2. Of this supplement it may be said, it is of less consequence and utility than is generally supposed, as the substance of several treatises in it is to be found in the precedino- volumes. The work contains a vast variety of valuable materials for critics, cbronologists, &c.
The principal critics on the Old Testament, contained in the foreign edition of this great collection, which is by far the most complete, are the following: Sebastian Munster, Paul Fagius, Francis Vatablus, Claudius Badwellus, Sebastian Castalio, Isidore Clarius, Lucas Brugensis, Andrew MaSius,.John Drusius, Sextinus Amama, Simeon de Muis, Philip Codurcus, Rodolph Baynus, Francis Forrerius, Edward Lively, David Hceschelius, Hugo Grotius, Christopher Cartwright, Cornelius a Lapide, and John Pricaeus.
Besides the above, who are regular commentators on the Old Testament, there are various important Dissertations and Tracts, on the principal subjects in the law and prophets, by the following critics: Joseph Scaliger, Lewis Capellus, Martin Helvicus, Alberic Gentilis, Moses bar Cepha, Christopher Helvicus, John Buteo, Matthew Hostus, Francis Monceeius, Peter Pithceus, George Rittershusius, Michael Rothardus, Leo Allatius, Gaspar Varrerius, William Schickardus, Augustin Justinianus, Bened. Arias Montanus, Bon. Corn. Bertramus, Peter Cunaeus, Caspar Waser, and Edward Brerewood.
On the New Testament the following commentators are included: Sebastian Munster, Laurentius Valla, James Revius, Desiderius Erasmus, Francis Vatablus, Sebastian Castalio, Isidore Clarius, Andrew Masius, Nicolas Zegerus, Lucas Brugensis, Henry Stephens, John Drusius, Joseph Scaliger, Isaac Casaubon, John Camera, James Capellus, Lewis Capellus, O^Ao Gualtperius, Abraham Schultetus, Hugo Grotius, and John Pricaeus.
Dissertations on the most important subjects in the New Testament inserted here were written by Lewis Capellus, Nicolas Faber, William Klebitius, Marquard Freherus, Archbishop Usher, Matthew Hostus, /. A. Van-der-Linden, Claudius Salmasius under the feigned name o{ Johannes Simplicius, James Gothofridus, Philip Codurcus, Abraham Schultetus, William Ader, John Drusius, Jac. Lopez Stunica, Desider. Ei-asmus, Angelus Caninius, Peter Pithceus, Nicephorus, patriarch of Constantinople, Adriani Isagoge cum notis Dav. Hoeschelii, B. C. Bertram, Anton. Nebrissensis, Nicholas Fuller, Samuel Petit, John Gregory, Christ. Cartwright, John Cloppenburg, and Pet. Dan. Huet. Those marked in italics are not included in the critics on the Old Testament. The Thesaurus Dissertationum Exegeticarum., published as a supplement to this work by Theod. Hasaeus and Conrad Ikenius, in 2 vols, folio, contains upwards of one hundred and fifty additional writers. Such a constellation of learned men can scarcely be equalled in any age or country.
Mr. Matthew Poole, whose English comment has been already noticed, conceiving that the Critici Sacri might be made more useful by being methodized, with immense labour formed the work well known among divines by the title of Synopsis Criticorum, a general view of the critics, viz., those in the nine volumes of the Critici Sacri mentioned above. The printing of this work began in 1669, and was finished in 1674, 5 vols, folio. Here the critics no longer occupy distinct places as they do in the Critici Sacri, but are all consolidated, one general comment being made out of the whole, the names of the writers being referred to by their initials in the margin. To the critics above named Mr. Poole has added several others of equal note, and he refers also to the most important versions, both ancient and modern. The learned author spent ten years in compiling this work. In point of size, the work of Mr. Poole has many advantages over the Critici Sacri; but no man who is acquainted with both works will ever prefer the synopsis to the original.
Perhaps no city in the world can boast of having produced, in so short a period, 'so many important works on the sacred writings as the city of London; works which, for difficulty, utility, critical and typographical correctness, and expense, have never been excelled. These are, 1. The Polyglot, 6 vols, folio; begun in 1653, and finished in 1657. 2. The Critici Sacri, in 9 vols, folio, 1660. 3. CastelVs Heptaglot Lexicon, compiled for the Polyglot Bible, 2 vols folio, 1669. 4. The Synopsis Criticorum., 5 vols, folio; begun in 1669, and finished in 1674. These works, printed in Hebrew, Chaldee, Samaritan, Syriac, Arabic, jEthiopic, Persian, Greek, and Latin, forming 22 vast vols, folio, were begun and finished in this city by the industry and at the expense of a few English divines and noblemen, in the comparatively short compass of about twenty years! To complete its eminence in Biblical literature, and to place itself at the head of all the cities in the universe, London has only to add a new and improved edition of its own Polyglot, with the additional versions which have come to light since the publication of the original work. '
To the above list might be added those who have illustrated the sacred writings by passages drawn from Josephus and the Greek and Roman classics, among which the following are worthy of particular regard: Jo. Tohice Krebsii Observationes in Nov. Testam. e Flav. Josepho, 8vo., Lips. 1754. Geo. Dav. Kypke Observationes in Novi Fcsderis Libros, ex auctoribus, potissimum GrcBcis, ifcc, 2 vols. 8vo., Vratislavise, 1755. Georgii Raphelii Annotationes in Sacram Scripturam, ^^c., Lugd. 1747, 2vols. 8vo. Krebs throws much light on different facts and forms of speech in the New Testament by his quotations from Josephus. Kypke does the same by an appeal to the Greek writers in general. And Raphelius gives historical elucidations of the Old, and philological observations on the New Testament, drawn particularly from Xenophon, Polybius, Arrian, and Herodotus.
To these might be added several excellent names who have rendered considerable services to sacred literature and criticism by their learned labours: Sir Norton KnatchbulV s Observations, Halletfs Critical Notes, Bowyer''s Conjectures, Leigli's Annotations, &-c., &;c.; to whom may be added those who have illustrated innumerable passages, obscure and difficult, in lexicons and dictionaries for the Hebrew Bible and Greek Testament: Buxtorf, Cocceius, Mintert, Pasor, Schoettgenius, Stockius, Krebs, Calfnet, Leusden, Robinson, Michaelis, Edward Leigh, Schulz, Dr. Taylor, Schleusner, and Parkhurst, a particular account of whom would far exceed the limits of this preface; but Schlei-iner, as a lexicographer for the New Testament, is far beyond my praise.
I have already apprized the reader that I did not design to give a history of commentators, but only a short sketch; this I have done, and am fully aware that different readers will form different opinions of its execution; some will think that writers of comparatively little eminence are inserted, while several of acknowledged worth are omitted. This may be very true; but the judicious reader will recollect that it is a sketch and not a complete history that is here presented to his view, and that the important and non-important are terms which different persons will apply in opposite senses, as they may be prejudiced in favour of different writers. I have given my opinion, as every honest man should, with perfect deference to the judgment of others, and shall be offended with no man for differing from me in any of the opinions I have expressed on any of the preceding authors or their works. I could easily swell this list with many foreign critics, but as far as I know them I do not in general like them; besides, they are not within the reach of common readers, though many of them stand, no doubt, deservedly high in the judgment of learned men.
Having said thus much on commentaries in general, it may be necessary to give some account of that now offered to the public, the grounds on which it has been undertaken, and the manner in which it has been compiled.
At an early age I took for my motto Prov. xviii. 1: Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. Being convinced that the Bible was the source whence all the principles of true wisdom, wherever found in the world, had been derived, my desire to comprehend adequately its great design, and to penetrate the meaning of all its parts, led me to separate myself from every pursuit that did not lead, at least indirectly, to the accomplishment of this end; and while seeking and interjneddling with different branches of human knowledge, as my limited means would permit, I put each study under contribution to the object of my pursuit, endeavouring to make every thing subservient to the information of my own mind, that, as far as Divine Provideiire might think proper to employ me, I might be the better qualified to instruct others. At first I read and studied, scarcely committing any thing to paper, having my own edification alone in view, as I could not then hope that any thing I wrote could be of suflicient im])ortance to engage the attention or promote the welfare of the public. But as I proceeded I thought it best to note down the result of my studies, especially as far as they related to the Stptuagint, which about the year 1785 I began to read regularly, in order to acquaint myself more fully with the phraseology of the New Testament, as I found that this truly venerable version was that to which the evangelists and apostles appear to have had constant recourse, and from which in general they make their quotations. The study of this Tersion served more to illuminate and expand my mind than all the theological works I had ever consulted. I had proceeded but a short way in it before I was convinced that the prejudices against it were utterly unfounded, and that it was of incalculable advantage toward a proper understanding of the literal sense of Scripture, and am astonished that the study of it should be so generally neglected. About nine years after this, my health having been greatlv impaired by the severity of my labours, and fearing that I should soon bo obliged to relinciuish my public employment, I formed the purpose of writing short notes on the New Testament, collating the common printed text with all the versions and collections from MSS. to which I could have access. Scarcely had I projected this work when I was convinced that another was previously necessary, viz., a careful perusal of the original text. I began this work, and soon found that it was perfectly possible to read and not understand. Under this conviction I sat down determining to translate the whole before I attempted any comment, that I might have the sacred text the more deeply impressed on my meinory.
I accordingly began my translation, collating the original text with all the ancient and with several of the modern versions, carefully weighing the value of the most important various readings found in those versions, as well as those which I was able to collect from the most authentic copies of the Greek text. A worse slate of health ensuing, I was obliged to remit almost all application to study, and the work was thrown aside for nearly two years. Having returned to it when a state of comparative convalescence took place, I found I had not gone through the whole of my preliminary work. The New Testament I plainly saw was a comment on the Old; and to understand such a comment, I knew it was absolutely necessary to be well acquainted with the original text. I then formed the plan of reading consecutively a portion of the Hebrew Bible daily. Accordingly I began to read the Old Testament, noting down on the different books, chapters, and verses, such things as appeared to me of most importance, intending the work as an outline for one on a more extensive scale, should it please God to spare my life and give me health and leisure to complete it. In this preliminary work I spent a little more than one year and two months, in which time I translated every sentence, Hebrew and Chaldee, in the Old Testament. In such a work it would be absurd to pretend that I had not met with many difficulties. I was attempting to illustrate the most ancient and most learned book in the universe, replete with allusions to arts that are lost, to nations that are extinct, to customs that are no longer observed, and abounding in modes of speech and turns of phraseology which can only be traced out through the medium of the cognate Asiatic languages. On these accounts I was often much perplexed, but I could not proceed till I had done the utmost in my power to make every thing plain. The frequent occurrence of such difficulties led me closely to examine and compare all the original texts, versions, and translations, as they stand in the London Polyglot, with some others not inserted in that work; and from these, especially the Samaritan, Chaldee Targums, Septuagint, and Vulgate, I derived the most assistance, though all the rest contributed their quota in cases of difficulty.
Almost as soon as this work was finished I began my comment on the four gospels, and notwithstanding the preparations already made, and my indefatigable application early and late to the work, I did not reach the end of the fourth Evangelist till eighteen months after its commencement. Previously to this I had purposed to commit what I had already done to the press; but when I had all my arrangements made, a specimen actually set up and printed, and advertisements circulated, a sudden rise in the price of paper, which I fondly hoped \vould not be of long continuance, prevented my proceeding. When this hope vanished, another work on the Scriptures by a friend was extensively announced. As I could not bear the thought of even the most distant appearance of opposition to any man, I gave place, being determined not to attempt to divide the attention of the public mind, nor hinder the general spread of a work which for aught I knew might supersede the necessity of mine. That work has been for some time completed, and the numerous subscribers supplied with their copies. My plan however is untouched; and still finding from the call of many judicious friends, and especially of my brethren in the ministry, who have long been acquainted with my undertaking and its progress,"that the religious public would gladly receive a work on the plan which I had previously announced, I have, after much hesitation, made up my mind; and, in the name of God, with a simple desire to add my mite to the treasury, having recommenced the revisal and improvement of my papers, I now present them to the public. I am glad that Divine Providence has so ordered it that the publication has been hitherto delayed, as the years which have elapsed since my first intention of printing have afforded me a more ample opportunity to reconsider and correct what I had before done, and to make many improvements.
Should I be questioned as to my specific object in bringing this work before the religious world at a time when works of a similar nature abound, I would simply answer, I wish to do a little good also, and contribute my quota to enable men the better to understand the records of their salvation. That I am in hostility to no work of this kind, the preceding pages will prove; and I have deferred my own as long as in prudence I can. My tide is turned; life is fa^t ebbing out; and what I do in this way I must do now, or relinquish the design for ever. This I would most gladly do, but I have been too long and too deeply pledged to the public to permit me to indulge my own feelings in this respect. Others are doing much to elucidate the Scriptures; I wish them all God's speed. I also will show my opinion of these Divine records, and do a little in the same way. I wish to assist my fellow labourers in the vineyard to lead men to Him who is the fountain of all excellence, goodness, truth, and happiness; to magnify his law and make it honourable; to show the wonderful provision made in his Gospel for the recovery and salvation of a sinful world; to prove that God's great design is to make his creatures happy; and that such a salvation as it becomes God to give, and such as man needs to receive, is within the grasp of every human soul.
He who carefully and conscientiously receives the truths of Divine revelation, not merely as a creed, but in reference to his practice, cannot fail of being an ornament to civil and religious society. It is my endeavour therefore to set these truths fairly and fully before the eyes of those who may be inclined to consult my work. I do not say that the principles contained in my creed, and which I certainly have not studied to conceal, are all essentially necessary to every man's salvation; and I should be sorry to unchristianize any person who may think he has Scriptural evidence for a faith in several respects different from mine. I am sure that all sincere Christians are agreed on what are called the essential truths of Divine revelation; and I feel no reluctance to acknoAvledge that men eminent for wisdom, learning, piety, and usefulness, have diflered among themselves and from me in many points which I deem of great importance. While God bears with and does us good, we may readily bear with each other. The hostility of others I pass by. The angry and malevolent are their own tormentors. I remember the old -idage: " Let envy alone, and it will punish itself."
Of the COPY of the sacred text used for this work it may be necessary to say a few words. It is stated in the title that the text " is taken from the most correct copies of the present authorized version." As several use this term who do not know its meaning, for their sakes I shall explain it. A resolution was formed, in consequence of a request made by Dr. Reynolds, head of the nonconforjnist party, to King James I., in the conference held at Hampton Court, 1603, that a new translation, or rather a revision of what was called the Bishops'' Bible, printed in 1568, should be made. Fiftyfour translators, divided into six classes, were appointed for the accomplishment of this important work. Seven of these appear to have died before the work commenced, as only forty-seven are found in Fuller's list. The names of the persons, the places where employed, and the proportion of worlc allotted to each class, and the rules laid down by King James for their direction, I give chiefly from Mr. Fuller's Church History, Book x., p. 44, &c.
Before I insert this account, it may be necessary to state Dr. Reynolds's request in the Hampton Court conference, and King James's answer.
Dr. Reynolds. " May your Majesty be pleased that the Bible be new translated, such as are extant not answering the original?" {Here he gave a few examples.]
Bishop of London. " If every man's humour might be followed, there would be no end of translating."
The King. " I profess I could never yet see a Bible well translated in English; but I think that of all, that of Geneva is the worst. I wish some special pains were taken for a uniform translation, which should be done by the best learned in both universities, then reviewed by the bishops, presented to the privy council, lastly ratified by royal authority, to be read in the whole Church, and no other."
The bishop of London in this, as in every other case, opposed Dr. Reynolds, till he saw that the project pleased the king, and that he appeared determined to have it executed. In consequence of this resolution, the following learned and judicious men were chosen for the execution of the work.
The Pentateuch: the Story from Joshua to the first Book of the Chronicles
Dr. Andrews, Fellow and Master of Pembroke Hall in Cambridge; then Dean of Westminster, afterwards Bishop of Winchester. Dr. Overall, Fellow of Trinity Coll., Master of Kath. Hall, in Cambridge; then Dean of St.
Dr. Clarke, Fellow of Christ Coll. in Cambridge, Preacher in Canterbury. Dr. Laifield, Fellow of Trin. in Cambridge, Parson of St. Clement Danes. Being skilled in architecture, his judgment was much relied on for the fabric of the Tabernacle and Temple. Dr. Leigh, Archdeacon of Middlesex, Parson of All-hallows, Barking. Master Buroley. Mr. King. Mr. Thompson.
From the First of the Chronicles, with the rest of the Story, and the Haqioorapha, VIZ., Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Canticles, Ecclesiastes.
Mr. Richardson, Fellow of Emman., afterwards D. D., Master, first of Peter-house, then of
Trin. College. Mr. Chaderton, afterwards D. D., Fellow first of Christ Coll., then Master of Emmanuel. Mr. Dillingham, Fellow of Christ Coll., beneficed at in Bedfordshire, where he died a single and a wealthy man. Mr. Andrews, afterwards D. D., brother to the Bishop of Winchester, and Master of Jesus Coll. Mr. Harrison, the Rev. Vice-master of Trinity Coll.
Mr. Spalding, Fellow of St. John's in Cambridge, and Hebrew Professor therein. Mr. BiNG, Fellow of Peter-house, in Cambridge, and Hebrew Professor therein.
The four greater Prophets, with the Lamentations, and the twelve lesser Prophets.
Dr. KiLBY, Rector of Lincoln Coll. and Regius Professor.
Master Smith, afterwards D. D., and Bishop of Gloucester. He made the learned and religious
The Prayer of Manasseh, and the rest of the Apocrypha.
Dr. DupoRT, Prebend of Ely, and Master of Jesus Coll.
Dr. Brainthwait, first Fellow of Emmanuel, then Master of Gonvil and Caius Coll. Dr. Radclyffe, one of the Senior Fellows of Trin. Coll.
Master Ward, Emman., afterwards D. D., Master of Sidney Coll. and Margaret Professo Mr. Downs, Fellow of St. John's Coll. and Greek Professor.
Dr. Ravis, Dean of Christ Church, afterwards Bishop of London.
Dr. Abbott, Master of University Coll., afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Epistles of St. Paul, and the Canonical Epistles.
Dr. Barlowe, of Trinity Hall, in Cambridge, Dean of Chester, afterwards Bishop of Linco n.
"Now, for the better ordering of their proceedings, his Majesty recommended the following rules, by them to be most carefully observed.
1. Tho ordinary Bible read in the Church, commonly called the Bishops'* Bible, to be followed, and as little altered as the original will permit.
2. The names of the prophets, and the holy writers, with their other names in the text, to be retained, as near as may be, according as they are vulgarly used.
3. The old ecclesiastical words to be kept, viz., the word Church not to be translated Congre-
4. When any word hath divers significations, that to be kept which hath been most commonly used by the most eminent fathers, being agreeable to the propriety of the place, and the analogy of faith. 6. The division of the chapters to be altered either not at all, or as little as may be, if necessity so require.
6. No marginal notes at all to be affixed, but only for the explanation of the Hebrew or Greek words, which cannot, without some circumlocution, so briefly and fitly be expressed in the text.
7. Such quotations of places to be marginally set down, as shall serve for the fit reference of one scripture to another.
8. Every particular man of each company to take the same chapter, or chapters; and having translated or amended them severally by himself, where he thinks good, all to meet together, confer what they have done, and agree for their part Avhat shall stand.
9. As any one company hath despatched any one book in this manner, they shall send it to the rest, to be considered of seriously and judiciously; for his Majesty is very careful in this point.
10. If any company, upon the review of the book so sent, shall doubt or difler upon any places, to send them word thereof, note the places, and therewithal send their reasons; to which, if they consent not, the difference to be compounded at the general meeting, which is to be of the chief persons of each company, at the end of the work.
11. When any place of special obscurity is doubted of, letters to be directed by authority, to send to any learned in the land, for his judgment in such a place.
12. Letters to be sent from every bishop to the rest of his clergy, admonishing them of this translation in hand; and to move and charge as many as, being skilful in the tongues, have taken pains in that kind, to send his particular observations to the company, either at Westminster, Cambridge, or Oxford.
13. The directors in each company to be the Deans of Westminster and Chester for that place;
and the King's Professors in Hebrew and Greek in each university.
14. These translations to be used, when they agree better with the text than the Bishops' Bible, viz., *^
" Besides the said directions before-mentioned, three or four of the most ancient and grave divines in either of the universities, not employed in translating, to be assigned by the vicechancellor, upon conference with the rest of the heads, to be overseers of the translations, as well Hebrew as Greek, for the better observation of the fourth rule above specified.
"And now after long expectation and great desire," says Mr. Fuller, "came forth the new translation of the Bible (most beautifully printed) by a select and competent number of divines appointed for that purpose; not being too many, lest one should trouble another; and yet many, lest many things might haply escape them. Who neither coveting praise for expedition, nor fearing reproach for slackness, (seeing in a business of moment none deserve blame for convenient slowness,) had expended almost three years in the work, not only examining the channels by the fountai?!, translatiojis with the original, Avhich was absolutely necessary, but also comparing channels with channels, which was abundantly useful in the Spanish, Italian, French, and Dutch (German) languages. These, with Jacob, rolled away the stone from the mouth of the well of life; so that now, even RacheVs weak women may freely come both to drink themselves and water the flocks of their families at the same.