INTRODUCTION. THE Bible, which in its original import implies only the book [A], is a word appropriated by way of eminence, to that collection of the Scriptures, which have at different times been composed by persons divinely inspired. It contains the several revelations delivered from God to mankind for their instruction. Those communicated before the birth of Christ, are included under that division of the Bible, which is distinguished by the title of the Old Testament [B], and of that division only it is here meant to treat. The Old Testament comprehends all those sacred books which were written by the descendants of Israel, a people selected by God for important purposes, to "be a Kingdom of Priests, and an Holy Nation [c]." Among this people successive prophets and inspired writers were appointed [A] Bibxíor vel B.Cxía, Liber, from BCλos, an Egyptian reed, the Papyrus, of the rind of which paper was made. Herod. L. V. c. 58. and Heum. de Origin. Nom. Bib. The Bible is by the Jews called Mikra, Lecture: so the Koran means the reading. [B] Testament signifies covenant, agreeably to the import of the Hebrew word Berith. Hieron. in Malach. cap. ii. [c] Exod. xix. 6. xxxiii. 16. Levit. xx. 24, 26. Psalm cxlvii. 19. Rom. iii. 2. ix. 4. B by God to convey such prophecies and instructions as were instrumental to the designs of his providence. As these scriptures were produced, they were admitted into the sacred volume, which by gradual accumulation, at length increased to its present size. These being delivered to the Hebrews, in their own language [D], with every mark that could characterize divine revelations, were received with reverence, as divinely inspired and preserved with the most anxious care, and attention. Such only were accepted, as proceeded from persons unquestionably invested with the prophetic character [E], or evidently authorized by a divine commission, who acted under the sanction of public appointment and miraculous support. The books which contained the precepts of the prophets, contained also the proofs of their inspiration, and the testimonies of their character. By recording contemporary events the writers appealed to well-known evidence of their authority, their impartiality, and their adherence to truth; and every succeeding prophet confirmed the character of his predecessor, by relating the accomplishment of prophecy in the history of his own period, or bore testimony to his pretensions, by repeating and explaining his predictions. To the writings of these inspired persons, other [D] The Hebrew language, if not the first language of man, seems at least to have higher pretensions to antiquity than any other. The books of the Old Testament, are the only writings now extant in pure Hebrew. [E] Joseph. cont. Apion. Lib. I. § 7. Vol. II. p. 1333. Edit. Hudson. productions were afterwards annexed, on account of their valuable contents, and instructive tendency, though their claims to inspiration have been justly rejected. Such only as were undeniably dictated by the Spirit of God, were considered by the Jews as canonical [F], and such only are received by us as affording a rule of faith and doctrine. The contents of the first division of the Bible are therefore distinguished into two classes. The first containing the books of acknowledged inspiration; the second comprising those which are entitled Apocryphal, as being of dubious or suspected character, and authority. The latter will be spoken of in a proper place, since in the present preliminary dissertation, it is purposed to treat of such only as are canonical, and to trace a short sketch of their history in a general outline; a particular account of each individual book being reserved for a separate chapter. Though the books of the Old Testament are not always chronologically arranged according to the order in which they were written, yet the Pentateuch was probably the first of those productions which are contained in the inspired volume. These five books written by the hand of Moses, and consequently free from error, were secured as a sacred deposit in the tabernacle, where the ark of the covenant was placed [G]; and were kept κανων, [F] The word Canon is derived from which may be interpreted, a rule or catalogue. Atban. Vol. X. p. 228. Hieron. Vol. X. P. 41. It here means a rule of doctrine. [o] Deut. xxxi. 26. there, as well during the journey through the wilderness, as for some time after at Jerusalem. To the same sanctuary were consigned, as they were successively produced, all those historical [H], and prophetical books which were written from the time of Joshua, to that of David, including their own works; during which period a series of prophets flourished in regular succession. Solomon having afterwards erected a temple to the honour of God [1], appointed that in future the sacred books should be deposited in this holy receptacle, and enriched the collection by the inspired productions of his own pen. After him a line of illustrious prophets continued to denounce vengeance against the disobedience of the Hebrew nation, and to predict the calamities which that disobedience must inevitably produce. Jonah, Amos, Isaiah, Hosea, Joel, Micah, Nahum, Zephaniah, Jeremiah, Habakkuk, and Obadiah, successively flourished before the destruction of the temple, and contributed by their unerring predictions, to demonstrate the attributes and designs of providence, and to enlarge the volume of inspired wisdom by invaluable additions. About 420 [K] years after its foundation, the [H] The books do not stand in the order in which they were written they were perhaps not arranged at first according to dates, or they might have been accidentally transposed in the manuscript rolls: in different versions, they are differently placed. Dupin. Dissert. Prel. Lib. I. ch. i. sect. 7. [1] The Temple was dedicated about A.M. 3000. [K] Josephus says 470, others 428. Usher 424 years. It was destroyed about 585 years before Christ, Antiq. Lib. X. ch. viii. p. 449, |