xt7bk35m9c2g https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7bk35m9c2g/data/mets.xml Wood, Thomas. 1831  books b92-232-31280838 English M'Elrath & Bangs, : New York : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Creation. Bible and geology.Durbin, John P. (John Price), 1800-1876. Mosaic history of the creation of the world  : illustrated by discoveries and experiments derived from the present enlightened state of science : with reflections, intended to promote vital and practical religion / by Thomas Wood, A.M. ; rev. av. and improved by the Rev. J.P. Durbin. text Mosaic history of the creation of the world  : illustrated by discoveries and experiments derived from the present enlightened state of science : with reflections, intended to promote vital and practical religion / by Thomas Wood, A.M. ; rev. av. and improved by the Rev. J.P. Durbin. 1831 2002 true xt7bk35m9c2g section xt7bk35m9c2g 






THE



MOSAIC                 HISTORY


                     OF TIHE


     CREATION OF THE WORLD;



ILLTUSTRATED BY  DISCOV ERIES AND EXPERIMENTS DERIVED FROM
     THE PRESENT   ENLIGHTENED   STATE  OF SCIENCE; WITH
           REFLECTIONS, INTENDED TO PROMOTE VITAL
                   AND PRACTICAL RELIGION.


                 BY T]HOMAS WOOD, A. M.





                    REV ISED AND IMPROVED

                BY THE REV. J. P. DURBIN, A. M.
            PROFESSOR OF LA:;!GAGE5, AUGUST.A COLLEGE, KENTUCKY.





  Every man has a particular train of thought into which his mind falls, when at lcisore,
from the imrpressions and ideas wliih occasionallv excite it; and if one train of thinking be
more desirable than another, it is surelV that which reuards the phenomena of nature, with a
constant reference to a supreme intelligent author.-Bucor.


      FIRST AMERICAN, FROM THE SECOIND LONDON EDITION.














           NEW-YORIK.---MELRATH & BAENGS.



1831.

 














































  [Edetered, acording to the Act of Congress, July27, in the year 1831, by XI Elrath 4& Bangs,
in the Office of the Clerk of the Southern Di-sttict of Xew- York.]






























   JOIHN T.  LuEST & CO., PRINToS.

 










                         PREFACE
                TO THE SECOND LONDON EDITION.
  As God made man with a, capacity susceptible of knowledge, so
has he furnished him with thte means of acquiring it. The Divine
Being is incomprehensible to all but himself; for a finite- capacity
can never fully grasp an infinite object. Neither can he be percei-ved
at all, only so far as he is pleased to reveal himself. He has given
us a revelation of his nature, perfections, and will; which could
never have been discovered by reasoning and conjecture. He has also
favored us with a revelation of his works, without which the origin,
constitution, and nature of the universe, could never have been ade-
quately known. The origir., duty, and interest of man, are matters
in which we are greatly concerned. How valuable then are the
Sacred Scriptures!
  The heathen world by wisdom knew not God. On theological
subjects, the greatest Philosophers and Poets of whom antiquity
could boast, were puerile in their opinions, and absurd and contradic-
tory in their literary productions. Their progress in many of the
sciences, and the polite arts, was considerable; but in religion they
made none: not because they neglected to investigate the nature of
it, as one observes; for there was not a subject they thought on, nor
discoursed about, more than. the nature and existence of the gods;
neither was it for want of natural abilities, nor of learning  for
persons who formed the brightest constellation of geniuses that ever
illuminated the republic of letters, were devoted to the investigation
of the principles and causes; of things. Moses, the sacred historian,
had access to the Fountain of knowledge, and has revealed the
mystery that lay hid for ages, because he was taught it by the
inspiration of the Almighty.  By the Hebrew   Lawgiver we are
instructed concerning the creation of the World; an illustration of
whose account is attempted in the following pages.
  The attention of the reader is called to that era when the ele.nen-
tary principles of matter were first produced, and the formation of
creatures took place; whent vitality was given to a vast variety of
animals, and mind was infused into Man as the peculiar offspring of
God: when motion was impressed on the universe, and the various
Planets began their orbicular revolutions: when Time commenced and
                         "1istory, not wanted yet,
            Lean'd onl her elbow watching Time, whose course
            Eventful should supply her with a theme."

 






   What a stupendous fabric is Creation! a marvellous display of
omnipotence ! It is infinitely diversified, and magnificently grand.
Ten thousand objects strike the attentive eye, and afford inexpressible
delight to a contemplative mind. The blue ethereal arch is highly
illuminated, and richly adorned with sparkling globes of light-
whose number, distances, magnitudes, motions, and influences, elude
the most diligent research: these millions of suns, the glory of other
worlds, are equally the works of the Creator, and, with rays of daz-
zling splendor, irradiate the peculiar systems to which they belong:
and, while they celebrate his wisdom and power, form a brilliant
canopy over our heads. That golden globe of light, which is the
center of our planetary system, shines forth in his glory, and spreads
abroad the lucid day: he does not only emit his cheering rays to
surrounding orbs, some of which resolve at immense distances, but,
in running his prescribed course, measures out our time, renders our
hours joyful, and without whose reviving beams we should dwell in
perpetual darkness. The pale silver Moon gilds tne shadows of the
evening, and directs the feet of the benighted and lonely traveller in
safety to his abode.
  In the lower walks of Nature, we perceive numerous assemblages
of creatures, which, calling forth the exercise of our understanding,
raise our admiration.  The vapors arise, unite in the aerial regions,
and descend in rain, snow, or hail, according to the different tempe-
rature of the climates; and thus the valleys are watered, the green
carpet is spread under our feet, delightfully adorned with fruitful
trees and variegated flowers. The vast collections of water, called
seas, are stored with innumerable finny inhabitants, both small and
great, which are amply supplied with necessary food. On earth,
there are the wild beasts of the forest, the roaming cattle of the
desert, the domestic animals of the field, the feathered tribes with
their glossy plumage and delightful notes, beside an incredible num-
ber of living creatures that escape the utmost vigilance of the unas-
sisted eye: which are all effects of infinite skill, omnipotent energy,
Divine munificence, and conspire to utter his praise. The sultry
regions are fanned with cooling breezes, which revive the numerous
classes of creatures, and w ithout which they would otherwise faint.
But of all the visible effects of omnific power and uncreated good-
ness, Man has a claim to the first rank, for in his composition are
mysteriously joined both matter and spirit.
  How wonderfully has God displayed his wisdom, power, and good-
ness, in the creation of the Universe ! What are the most labored and
diversified works of Art, when compared with the majestic grandeur



4



PREFACE.

 




                             PREFACE.

and sublimity of those of Nature ! The things on which the fertile
imagination of man has long been employed, when considered in
a detached point of view, gratify our curiosity, raise our admira-
tion, and gain our applause; but when compared with the produc-
tions of the Divine Hand, the.) sink and are deprived of their lustre,
like the sparkling glow-worma iln the copse, when the Sun shines
forth with the refulgence of his meridian splendor.
  Religious instruction is here mixed with philosophical discoveries.
The works of Nature conduct an enligh tened mind to the great
Creator. The celebrated Dr. Watts, with this point in view, says,

                "Part of thy name divinely stands,
                  On all thy crealtires writ,
                  They show the labor of thy hands,
                  Or itopress of thy feeL."
  Mr. Adams, in his Lectures, says, " The two kingdoms of nature
and grace, as two parallel lines, correspond to each other, follow a
like course, but call never be made to touch. An adequate under-
standing of this distinction in all its branches, would be the con-
summation of knowledge." S8tephens, in his Humnan Nature Deli-
neated, says, "The manl who would seek after knowledge in this
world, and happiness in the world of spirits, I would advise to pur-
sue his studies without. any other guides than the Word and the
Works of God."    And Dr. A. Clarke, on John iv, 3, affirmis, that,
"properly understood, earthly smbstances are the types, representa-
tives, and shadows of heavenhy things.'  St. Paul appears to incul-
cate this idea where he says, " Now we see as through a glass, darkl y:
but then face to face."  The word alsiyjyxr , rendered darkly, is pecu-
liarly important, and the right knowledge of which will assist us to
understand his meaning.   Parkhurst gives the following definitizn
of the term and the thing.  ' Anv yjoa from -rviyphas, the perfect pas-
sive of cxi'jrT, to hint, intimate, signify with some degree of obscu-
rity ; an enigma, in which one thing aswrers or stands in corres-
pondence to, or as the rep resentatice of another; which is. in sone
respects, similar to it, occurs L Cor. xiii, 12. Now, in this life, te ,ece
by mneans of a mirror reflecting the images of heavenly and spiritual
things, sE aiwlywaar, in an enigmyatical imanner, invisible things being
represented by visible  spiritual, by natural; eternal, by temporal
bat then, in the eternal world, face to face ; every thing being seen
in itself, and not by means of a representative or similitude."
  The idea thus suggested, induced the author to engage in the o1-
lowing work: he thought that if the Mosaic account of the Creatoion
,were given in detail, each day apart, using the aid afforded by the

 






present enlightened state of science, and directing the reader to look
                   "Through Nature, up to Nature's God."
the work would be instructive, and might tend to cultivate the mind
and amend the heart. And he is happy that he has it in his power
to say, that the plan has obtained not only the general approbation
of orthodox and pious Christians, but the warm encomiums of many
Ministers of the Gospel, both of the Establishment and among the
Dissenters. He has received very flattering Epistolary Communica-
tions from persons of piety, literature, and science.
   The author has availed himself of various sources of information
some of the best works published on different illustrative subjects
have been consulted: and those on Natural History and Chemical
Science were found of considerable service. That part which treats
on the Anatomical structure of Man, the reader will perceive is writ-
ten by a gentleman deeply versed in Physiological science. It is
from the pen of the late Benjamin Gibson, Esq. who filled the impor-
tant situations of Vice-President of the Literary and Philosophical
Society of Mlanchester, and Surgeon to the Infirmary of that towvn:
and who, unexpectedly, and in the most obliging manner, offered to
prepare a Manuscript for this work, which gives it a peculiar excel-
lence it otherwise would not have had.
   The favorable reception which the former large edition has met
with from the public, and the consequent demand there was upon
the author to prepare a new one, produced a considerable excitement
in his mind: anrd, under these circumstances, it was not less his wish,
than it has been his endeavor, to make the second edition more
worthy to meet the public eye, as well as more extensively useful.
The wrhole of the work, with the exception of that part by Mr. Gib-
son, therefore, has been written anew, and such important additions
and arrangements made, as will, lhe trusts, meet the approbation of
his readers. He has received assistance from  a writer of eminence,
whose name, were he at liberty to mention it, would do honor to his
work, and whose corrections have increased its value. The Religious
Improvements he believes to be natural and scriptural, and hopes
they may be read with advantage by all Christians who have received
the truth as it is in Christ. He can say, that he has endeavored to
make the whole work both instructive and useful, so far as his leisure
from arduous ministerial duties would allow him: by directing the
attention of the reader to God, through the medium of his visible
works, and by that means to inculcate true religion and genuine
piety. May the Divine blessing render this additional effort suc-
cessful



6



PREFACE.

 









PREFACE



                   TO THE AMERICAN EDITION.

  THIS work, which is now presented to the public, has not been
reprinted in America heretofore, notwithstanding it passed through
two editions in England, with honorable approbation, in a short space
of time. This first American edition, it is confidently believed, will
be received with approbation; because the work will be found, on
perusal, to answer to its title; and surely no subject can interest the
Christian and intelligent reader maore deeply, than the illustration of
the creation of the world, as recorded by Moses, the servant of God.

  This volume inspires a deeper interest when the reader is promised,
that the illustration of this splendid subject shall be by means of the
discoveries drawn from  the Present enlightened state of science.
Thus the reader will see clearly confirmed this glorious truth:
Religion and Literature are miutual helprnates to the knowledge, love,
and glory of God.

  This important truth has been strangely obscured for several ages;
but is now emerging to light with increased splendor. Nor is it
important to inquire, at this stage of mental improvement throughout
the civilized world, the cause of its obscuration, but rather to rejoice,
that it is now assuming its place as a fundamental principle in sound
philosophy. It is the duty of every benevolent individual to con-
tribute according to his ability, to an inseparable union of sound
literature and vital religion. The one will secure the interests and
success of the other, and both combined, the glory of God.

  Our author, in this respect, has been very happily successful. He
has, generally, illustrated the various parts of the Mosaic Creatior,
with perspicuity and precision, and then applied the whole to the
production and support of vital piety in the heart of the reader. So
that while the astonishing ragnificence, glory, and wisdom   of
creation, fills the contemplative mind with admiration, the heart also
is fired with an ardent and rational devotion.

 





PREFACE TO THE AMERICAN EDITION.



   The character of this volume is, therefore, neither purely scientific,
 nor purely devotional; but both wisely and happily combined, under
 the high and direct sanction of revelation.

   It will be apparent to every person, by a mere glance at the size
of the volume, that it is not intended to contain all the mninutiaz
connected with the Mosaic Creation, but the principal, and most
important facts, so as to make the work suitable to the great mass
of intelligent and thoughtful readers. This object it will be found
to have well accomplished.

  The imiprovemnents, which are mentioned in the title-page, have
been added to the American edition, with design to adapt the work
more nearly to the wants of the American public. They are found
incorporated in the body of the volume, in smalief type, and enclosed
in brackets; which was judged to be the best method.

  These additional papers are written at some length, principally
on topics which have become more prominent since our author
finished his work, and which are now exciting intense interest in
this country. They are, therefore, considered to be real and interesting
improvements to the American edition.

  Finally, the author of these additional papers, would respectfully
commend this American edition of the Mosaic Creation, illustrated
by means of the present enlightened state of science, to the friends of
LITERATURE AND RELIGION COMBINED for the instruction and
salvation of mankind, and for the glory of God.
                                           J. P. DURBIN.



8

 









                      CONTENTS.

                         CHAPTER I.
                ON THE CREATOR OF THE WORLD.
 Distinguished by his name Jehovah-His essence and self-existence
   expressed by the words I AM-His attribute of goodness the glory
   of all his other perfections-Elohim signifying a Trinity of Per-
   sons in a Unity of Essence--The Creation ascribed to one God,
   the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit-The first production of
   matter-The creatures made for the manifesting of God's attri-
   butes, that he might impart happiness to them. . . p. 13-40.

                        CHAPTER II.
                           F1:RST DAY.
                       Section. I.-CHAOS.
 Inquiry into the origin of things natural to man-Character of Mosesi
 as a sacred historian importanlt-Explanation of the term Created
 -Chaotic state of the elementary principles of matter-Influence
 of the Spirit of God upon the chaotic mass-Opinions of the
 ancients-Similitude between the first and second creation-
 Agency of the Holy S:nirit inl the work of regeneration asserted
 and proved. . .  .  .  . .  .  . .  .  . .  .  . p. 41-51.

                       Section. II.-FIRE.
Omnific word-Moving principles in Nature-Criticism on the ori
  ginal word ant aur-Creation of Fire-Its nature-Friction ex-
  citing the action of fire-Fire attracted by bodies-Fire conducted
  -Fire in a state of combination-Fire elastic-Expansive force
  of fire-Subterraneous fires-Earthquakes and volcanic Eruptions
  -Air a storehouse of fire-General and final dissolution of nature,
  by fire-Fire a symbol of the Deity, in his gracious presence, vital
  influence, transforming energy, and destructive operation. p. 51-74.

                     Section [11.-LIGHT.
Motion of luminous and fiery particles the first cause of light-Light
  the most simple body-Velocity of light-Light diffusive-Light
  the medium through which objects become visible Light beauti-
                                2

 





  ful, or its rays of different colors-Light a visible resemblance of
  its Divine Author, in his spirituality, simplicity, purity, energy,
  goodness, manifestation, glory. . . . . . . . .p. 75-89.

                Section IV.-DAY AND NIGHT.
Original terms of Day and Night-Motion the effect of a Divine
  power-Commencement of Time-Utility of Day and Night-
  Religious Improvement of Time-Sin moral Darkness-The Gos-
  pel a Light to dispel it-A Christian the subject of a transition
  from the one state to the other. . . . . . . . p. 89-95.

                     CHAPTER III.
                        SECOND DAY.
                   ON THE ATMOSPHERE.
Composition of Atmospheric Air-Atmosphere divided into three
  regions-Air a fluicd-Its compressibility and elasticity-Weight
  and pressure-Equilibrium-Transparency--Wind-Causes    of
  Wind-Variety of Winds-Velocity of Winds--Destructive
  Winds-Wind under the control of God-Wind a similitude of
  the Holy Spirit's operations. . . . .  . . . p. 95-114.

                      CHAPTER IV.
                        THIRD DAY.
                   Section I.-THE SEA.
Water and Land separated-Formnation of the Sea-Its restric-
  tions-Extent-Depth----Coinposi tion--Saltness---Motion-
  Tides-Four states of water-Circulation-Religious Improve-
  ment.                  .                    p. 114-135.

                  Section II.-THE EARTH.
Surface of the Earth-Mountains-Fertility of Plants-Dissemina-
  tion of seeds-Preservation of Plants-Adaptation to different
  Climates-Number of Vegetables-Succession of Vegetables-
  Remarkable Trees-Sensitive Plants-Kitchen Vegetables-Gar-
  den Flowers-Religious Improvement.   . .  . p. 136-165.

                  Section III.-MINERALS.
Gold-Silver-Platina- Mercury-Copper-Iron-Tin-Lead-
  Nickel-Zinc-Palladium-Bismuth-Antimony-Tellurillm-
  Arsenic--Cobalt-Mang-anese--Tuiinsten--Molybdenum-
  Uranium-Titanium-Chrormium-Columbiurn      or Tan talium
  -Cerium-Oxmium--Rodium-Iridium--Religiolus Improve-
  ment.  . .  . .  . .  . .  . .  . .  . .  . p. 165-183.



10



CONTENTS.

 



CONTENTS.



                     CHALPTER V.
                     FOI:RTII DAY.
                  Sectioin I.-THE SUN.
Signs - Names -Nature--Motions-Form-Magnitude-Distalnce
-Suspension-Idolatrous worship of the Sun-The Sun an e11-
blem of Christ..                          p.. ..   . . . . .   p. 183-198.

                 Section I[.-TnE MOON.
Narmies-Dimensions-Motions-S--easons---Pliases-Harvest Moo n
-Moon's Surface-Aerial Stones-Eclipses-Moon-lighllt-Epi-
thets-Religious Imiprovement. . . . . . .    p. 198-214.

                Section III.-THE SEASONS.
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter-Displaying Divine
  Power, Wisdom, Goodness, Faithfulness-Religious Improve-
  ment. .  . . .  . .  . . .  . .  . . .  . p. 214-223.

        Section IV.-THE PLANETS AND FIXED STARS.
Mercury-Venus-TThe Eartlh-Mars-Ceres-Pallas-Juno--
  Vesta-Jupiter-Sa turn-G eorgium Sidus-Comets-Fixed Stars
  -Religious Jliprovenment... . .   .       p. 223-278.

                     CHAPTER VI.
                       FI[FTHI DAY.
                    Sctionib I.-FISHES.
Of Fishes in -enerI-The Cetaccous kind-Cartilaz-inous-Spinous
-Crustaceous-aiicl Testa ceous-Anirma lcules-Reliftious Ini-
  provement.. . . . . . . .                 p. 279-296.

                 Sc0tion II.-O-N FOWLS.
Number of Species-Superiori-,y anld peculiar construction-Skill it,
  building their Nests-Powe:c andl Season of Propal'at ion-Dex:-
  terity in providing Food-instinct-Mi tration s-InIects-Reli-
  ,ious Imnprovement... . . . . . . . . p. .296-_317.

                    CHAPTER VII.
                       SIXT1I DAY.
         Section I.-ON QUJADRUPEDS AND REPTILES.
Quad ruipeds in geinera]-. lot itin-Ha bits-Ru llria aitioII-Pr op)ort iOi
   -Tastes-Clothinif-WXea1- ons-Prol)ortiona te -Number-Facul-
   ties-Reptiles-Relgious Imp)rov-o lemet. .  . . I o-34.



11

 




12                      CONTENTS.

                     Section II.-MAN.
Body.-Its Creator-Formation-Vitality--Blood-Heart-Arte-
  ries and Veins-Digestion-Respiration-Glands-Absorbents-
  Nervous System-Organs of Sense-Bones-Sinovia-Muscles
  -Tendons-Cellular Membrane-Skin. Soul: Its Immaterial-
  ity-Freedom-Immortality-Moral Image-Adam's dominion
  over the Creatures-Woman-Paradise. . . . p. 344-398.

                    CHAPTER VIII.
                       SEVENTH DAY.
                    ON THE SABBATH.
Sabbath instituted-Blessed and sanctified-Given to Adam as a
General Precept for his Posterity-Renewed before and at the
giving of the Law-A sign between God and his people-Worldly
Business prohibited-Works of Necessity and Mercy excepted-
Advantages resulting from observing it-A Seventh Day regarded
by the Heathens-The Sabbath of universal and perpetual obliga-
tion-The Lord's Day. . . .    . . . . .    p. 399-410.

 







'FRLE



          MOSAIC HISTORY, Sc.



                             CHAPTER I.
                 ON THE CREATOR OF THE WORLD.
i)istinauislied by his natme JEEIOVAH-His esence nnd self-existence cxpicssed Iy the wvoids
  I Am-His attribute of goodness thc gl,,ry of all his other perfectioiis-Elohiim signifying a
  Trinity of lersons in a Unity of Essence-The Crcation ascribced to one God, thc Father, ihc
  Son, and the ILoly Spirit-Tie first prctluction of inatter-The creatures xuadc fur thle mani-
  festing of God's attributes, and that lie nlight imipart lhappiniess to them.
-s  it is  proposed, in    the  fdllowing   pages   to  give  the   Mosaic
account of thc creation     of tie  world, it is   very  natural that the
mnind should come to the meditation              of this interesting subject, by
contemplating the character of the Great Creator, according to his
own revelations.
   It is evident that God made himself gradually known, as the
state and condition ofi mailhind required. In the earlier ages of
the world, Wvbile revelation wLas but dawniing on the human race, lhe
was but little known, in comparison             of the subsequent diffusion of
his glory  and   perfectiotns.  When     lhe, according   to  his promnise,
camc to deliver the children of Israel out of Egypt, lie revealed
himself to themn    by  his namne JE11OVAH.       le had before declared
himself by this namic to Abrahlam, Isaac, aild Jacob; but not as it
ilmlp)orts the performance    of his promises ; in     which   sense, their
posterity afterwards, in the tiriie of Moses, vell uniderstood it.
   Of all the names      which   the Divine Bein, has been pleased to
designate htimself by, that ol JEL-HOVAH       is the greatest.    It comes
firom   a root which imports his eternity, independency, efficacy, and
truth.   In  thle Ilebrew     it is written    with four letters, , yod, n he,
v vau, n     hle, thus   ni' i. e. Jinvii : the points used in that lanA-
guage, make our English            word cousist of seven letters, JeHoval;.
God   himself gives    the  interpretation   of this  name.     "1And   thle
 As the name Jehsovsh, in the Hebrew, consists of four letters, so for the imost part the hamle
of the supreme Being does in all languar-es. Thus among the I'eisians, the lmitime is !'vp ;s among
the Arabians, .Slia; amnong the Assyrian.', .1dad; among the Egyptians, 0cuPlO or octrO  withm
the Grecians, Oeog; tile Lalls, Dcus; the French, Dicut; the Spaniiards, Dios; the Italians,
rdio ; and with the Germans, Get t.
Tile name Jcholva/ is written dlillerenld v. Sanclioniathon writes it Jeto; Diodorins the Sicltlas ,
Macrobius, Cleiimens Alexandrimitis, Jeroit, and (hiiien, haIe  Epiphanitis, Theodoret, and tie
Samaritans, Jbiic or0 .Yvc : we I hi iik  ise JAhoh, Jaro, .Jrsmi, Juted. Lewis Capellus is for Jar,;
Drusius for Jam, Mercer for J/hcr/hi: lltlltilltr f-i Jhrtit. The Nloors call their God J .1a,
,whom0 s,)in  hel.tve to be . -h/seh   'Ihe Linrti probably tok their .,-is or .ee is Patfr from
Jehovah. it is certain that the-i- tour lit 's, may likewise be expressed by  Joke, lake, YJan,
/cer'Js J Lar-c Ita/ &c. Mussulhien ficqttrittly ttse the name, Hu, or liet,, whieth has alniost tile
same signif1icatioll  is ,Ichvah, i, e. llc, cr, is . But the gleat name of Col iGod ii ih, hich thev
prontoutlce ontte, aitd have great cumiili itm ilt. AXmsoiig the Arabiant, and all Mahloineatis the
itiltie .lllah corre-ponds wvithl tile LlohiZa mtld Aldnc;u of thc llcbrcws. aiud tssci that of J/ebova4
tte Calanet's Dictiuinar.

 




THE' MOSAIC HISTORY.



Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed 71fn' YE1oVAH, the
LORD GOD, merciful and gracious, long-suffcring, and abundant
in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving ini-
quity, and transgression, and sin, anti that will by no means clear
the guilty." These different namcs have been considered as so
many attributes of the Divine Nature. Commentators divide
them into eleven, thus:  1. run' JEHOVAH.   2. 58 EL, the
strong or mighty God. 3. =unn RACnuMiAI the merciful Being,
who is full of tenderness and compassion. 4. ;';n CHANUN, the
gracious One: He, whose nature is goodness itself-the loving
God.   5. =o-N -ix EREC APAYIM, long-suffering, the Being
who, because of his goodness and tenderness, is not easily irritated,
but suffers long and is kind. 6. n RAn, the great or mighty
One. 7. non CIIESED, the bountiful Being: He who is exuber-
ant in his beneficence.  8. non EMETH, the Truth, or true One:
He alone who can neither deceive nor be deceived-who is the
Fountain of truth, and from whom all wisdom and knowledge
must be derived. 9. -in ny; NOTSER CHESED the preserver of
bountifulness: He whose beneficence never ends, keeping mercy
for thousands of generations-showing compassion and mercy
while the world endures.  10. ;tni pW9i tip NW; NOSE 12VOf
vapeshl vechataah : He who bears away iniquity and transgres-
sion and sin; properly the REDEEMER, the Pardoner, the Forgiver,
the Being whose prerogative alone it is to forgive sin, and save the
soul. npi x5 (i5) ;np) NAKED lo yinnalkeh, the righteous Judge,
who distributes justice with an impartial hand; with whom no
innocent person can ever be condemned. 11. And tip 1p3 PARED
htvon, &c. He who visits iniquity; he who punishes transgres-
sors, and from whose justice no sinner can escape. The God of
retributive and vindictive justice. These eleven attributes, as they
have been termed, are all included in the name Jehovah; and are
the proper interpretation of it.'
  The Jews had a superstitious respect for this name ; and, after
the Babylonian captivity, discontinued the use of it, which caused
them soon to forget its true pronunciation. They called it the
Tetragrammaton, or four-lettered name of God, which, to the
present day, the Jews will neither write nor pronounce. They
deemed it to be ineffable; and therefore when it occurred in read-
ing the Scriptures, substituted 'rNK Adonai.
  The Jews tell us that the woman's son, mentioned in Lev.
xxxiv, 11, was accused of blasphemy and stoned to death, because
he pronounced the name Jehovah. But I conceive, that he had
spoken contemptuously of God. We read, verse 10, that he and
a man of Israel strove together, and it is probable that the Israelite,
in the heat of contention, would deny his being a member of the
church of GCod, because lie was the son of an Egyptian father
                    I r. A. Clarke onl Exod. xxxiv. 6, 7.



14

 





who was an idolater,; whereuipon, no doubt. the son of thC Israeli-
tish woman spoke scornfully and opprobriously of thc God of
Isracl, despising the privilege of blein  one of his peoplc. This,
I imnagine, was the blasphemy of whichl he was accuscd, and for
which hli was condemned and1 stoned to death ; and not for pro-
nouncing the name of .Jehovat only.
   The Seventy who translated the Old Testament into Greek, at
the desire of Ptolemy Plijiadelphus, King of Egypt, about the
124th Olympiad, were also very sparing in the use of this name
.Jehovah; and therefore did not render it according to the sacred
import of the Hebrew, but changed it into the word Kupsog, Lor2d,
which is of the same signification with Adonai in the Hebrew.
Origen, Jerome, and EusebiuLs, testify, that, in their time, the Jews
left the name Je/hovah written in their copies with Samaritan
characters, instead of the comnmon Clialdee or Hebrew characters.
And those divines, who at the command of King James translated
the Scriptures anew into English, have very rarely used the word
Je/orvah, but rendered it Lord. Yet we may observe, that when,
this word Lord is substituted for Jehorah, it is printed in large
Roman letters. It is to be wished, that the name Jeho/ah had
been preserved in the English translation of the Scriptures, and
especially in those passages whose sense entirely depends on the
meaning of the word.
  After the appointment of M1oses, by Jehovah, to deliver the chil-
dren of Israel from the tyrainny and oppression under which they
groaned, and to conduct them from   Egypt to worship God at
Horeb, lie was anxious to obtain a particular revelation of the
Divine nature and attributes, that he muight be able to regulate,
direct, and superintend- their worship ; and this he deemed neces-
sary on. account of the Israelites having been lonlg conversant
among the Egyptians, who were idolaters and polytheists, arnd
called their gods by a variety of names. Hereupon he said to
God, "Behold, whent I come unto the children of Israel, and sha1l
say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you;
and they shall say unto me, What is his namne  what shall I say
unto them "  Intimating, that it was expedient God should c.ll
himself by an appropriate namne, to distinguislh himself from all the
gods of the heathen. For men did not, at this time, as Dr. Shuck-
ford observes, know the works of creation well enough to demon-
strate from them the attributes of God; nor could they, by specui-
lation, forin proper and just notions of his nature. Though lie
had revealed himself to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, by the na