initiation; purifications; first-fruits; tythes; shew-bread; new moon; uncleanness; Urim and Thummim; morning and evening sacrifices; the candle-stick and lamps; the incense; trumpets; blood avenging; cities of refuge; gleanings for the poor, etc. 2 K. iv. 23; Jos. v. 2, 4; 2 K. iv. 42; Neh. x. 37; 1 Sam. xxi. 6; xx. 18, 34; 2 Sam. xi. 4; Ezra ii. 63; 2 Chron. xiii. 11; Jos. xx. 1-9; Ruth ii. 2, 3. The references show that the people had some knowledge of these things and observed them in some form.

SECTION XIV. - DISEASES.

The Israelites were subject to sickness and death, as well as the rest of mankind. If they suffered less, in this regard, it is because their habits were simple; and they had not fallen into those pernicious practices of luxury and dissipation, that bring disease and premature death in their train. But few specific diseases are mentioned in this part of the Bible.

The disease of the Philistines is generally considered the dysentery. Such is the opinion of Josephus. But there are serious objections to this view. The word used to denote this disease signifies a swelling on the fundament, and is thought by some to be the piles. The truth is, that what are called mice, in this history, evidently had something to do with the disease. They are connected in the history; and it is a reasonable inference, that they were connected, some way, as cause and effect. Lichtenstein, a learned writer quoted by Jahn, has given a solution that commends itself to us, by its freedom from the usual difficulties of other theories. He supposes certain animals of the spider kind, but nearly as large as mice, which are very poisonous; and they bite the fundament, when it is exposed to them, thus producing, on that part of the body, large swellings, often resulting in death.

The images, that were sent to propitiate the God of the Hebrews, were precisely such as this theory would

imply. They were images of the animals whose poison had produced the disease, and of the part of the body affected. Such offerings were common with the heathens, when they would seek recovery from disease, or express their gratitude for a recovery already effected. 1 Sam. v. 6; vi. 5.

The disease of king Jehoram is believed to have been an inveterate form of dysentery, which does sometimes bring away decayed portions of the body, like the falling out of the bowels. 2 Chron. xxi. 12-15, 18, 19.

The disease most commonly alluded to in the Bible is the leprosy. Other diseases may have been as frequent; but generally being less severe, they have not found their way into the history of the times. This disease has been too often described, to make it necessary to spend time upon it here. See Vol. II. of this work.

The Pestilence is a disease; but it is not a disease of a specific character; except that it spreads rapidly, and takes away great multitudes, in a short space of time. If the yellow fever should do this, then the yellow fever would be a pestilence. If the cholera should do it, that would be a pestilence, and so on.

The pestilence is usually ascribed by the Hebrews, to God, or to the angel of God. But this is an idiom of the language, and is to be understood with reference to the primary agency, and not the immediate agency which they did not understand. If the facts could be known, it would be found, no doubt, that some infection had been introduced among the people, with no one's direct knowledge perhaps, which caused the pestilence, and the consequent destruction of life.

The evil spirit that came upon Saul, was the same that comes upon every man of his disposition; and particularly, if the nervous system is impaired. It will be seen by all who read the history with attention, that this evil spirit never came to him, except when there was some excitement that aroused his jealousy. Of course he was not well; and all the effect may be attributed to an over

tax of his nervous system, in conjunction with a naturally jealous disposition. Music had a wonderful power over him; as it has over all such temperaments, under like circumstances. 1 Sam. xvi. 14, 15; xviii. 10; xix. 9. The allusions to the blind and the lame require no comment. 2 Sam. iv. 4; v. 6, 8; ix. 3, 13.

SECTION XV. -DEATH AND BURIAL.

The remarks made on this subject, in the first and second volumes, will apply to the age of which we are speaking. Burial places were nearly always caves, except where it is said of persons that they were buried in their own house. Indeed this feature of burial, namely, in one's own house, may be considered new. We do not remember any reference to it, before the age of Joshua.

Burial places among the ancients, were natural caves. The same were used in the time of Joshua, judges and kings. In some instances, caves were made, by cutting out the rock; in others, the natural caves were improved by the hand of man. Palestine was full of these caves; and of course there was no want of places for depositing the bodies of the dead.

Caves are usually in the sides of hills or mountains. Hence, when it is said of Joshua, or of Eleazar, that they were buried in a hill, doubtless there is reference to caves, that were there located. Jos. xxiv. 30, 32.

Samuel was buried in his house at Ramah. Joab was buried in his house in the wilderness. 1 Sam. xxv. 1; 1 K. ii. 34. Burning the body was practiced in some instances. Sometimes persons were buried near a rock or tree or a heap of stones was piled over the place, to mark the spot for future recognition. 1 Sam. xxxi. 13; Jud. vii. 25; 2 Sam. xviii. 17.

Mourning for the dead was sometimes of longer and sometimes of shorter continuance. There appears to have been no uniform practice in this regard. The men of Jabesh mourned for Saul seven days. David and others mourned for Saul and Jonathan till even

ing. They used to wear mourning apparel. Also neglecting to wash the face, trim the beard, or change the garments was a sign of mourning. 1 Sam. xxxi. 13; 2 Sam. i. 12; xiv. 2; xix. 24.

The dead were carried forth to the tomb, on a bier; but not in a coffin; and the bier was followed by the mourners. The people made a great burning for Asa, that is, they burnt his body with great ceremony. As Samson was a public man, the Philistines, through fear of the nation probably, gave up his body, to be taken away and buried. 2 Sam. iii. 31, 32; xxxi. 12; 2 Chron. xvi. 14; Jud. xvi. 31.

CHAPTER V.

GEOGRAPHY OF PALESTINE.

CONTENTS:-Towns and Cities of Reuben; of Gad; of the Half Tribe of Manasseh east of the Jordan; of Ephraim; of Manasseh west of the Jordan; of Benjamin; of Simeon; of Zebulun; of Issachar; of Asher; of Naphtali; of Dan; Cities of the Levites; Localities outside of Palestine.

It is difficult to understand a history, and quite impossible to enjoy the reading of it, unless we possess a tolerable knowledge of the localities to which it refers. In the book of Joshua and subsequent books, the local references are very numerous. And this part of the Scriptures will be read with interest and advantage, or otherwise, according as we come to the reading of it, with or without a good knowledge of the Geography of Palestine.

In

There are some preliminary considerations that should be understood at the beginning of this discussion. the time of Joshua and subsequently, Palestine was comparatively a primitive country; and the state of soci

ety was simple and uncultivated. Improvements were not as rapid then as now. It is necessary, therefore, to take into consideration the following facts:

1. That the towns and cities we read of in this part of the Bible, were very inconsiderable, compared with those that exist at the present day. In population there was not the same difference, as in some other respects. The population, in a given locality, might be equal to that of a large town in modern times; and yet, should the people leave for a new settlement, and carry with them what they could of their most substantial things, that which would be left would not be worth gathering up.

When we read of a city, having twenty or thirty thousand people, we are too apt to think that there was a large amount of public and private property that was permanent. This idea is confirmed by at least two circumstances. One is, that such places are said to have had kings to rule over them. Another, that they had walls, gates, towers, etc. In many instances the walls were made of mud, or of stones rudely thrown together; and the king and his people were subject to some other king, to whom they paid tribute. Some kings ruled over an extensive territory; but not such as we read of in connection with single towns and cities.

Having a wrong idea respecting these ancient towns, it surprises us, that so many of them are no where to be found. At least, we think some relics of former greatness ought to remain. The truth is, there was no former greatness. There were no permanent public buildings, no substantial city walls, nothing that could out-last the generation that occupied that spot of earth.

There were substantial cities and towns in those days. Not like our modern towns, to be sure; but towns, having substantial city walls and public buildings. Most of these, if they do not now remain, with living inhabitants, have left distinct, and some of them most wonderful, traces of their former greatness. But of the great