that his remains were deposited in the same sepulchre with those of Shem and Arphaxad, which was situated between the river Euphrates and that of Chaboras, in the land of Maur; and it was much resorted to not only by the Jews, but also by the Medes and Persians, who reverenced the tomb of the Prophet with a superstitious devotion.

DANIEL.

DANIEL was a descendant of the Kings of Judah. He is related to have been born at Upper Bethoron, which was in the territory of Ephraim. He was carried away captive to Babylon in the fourth year of

Jehoiakim, A.M. 3398; probably in the eighteenth or twentieth year of his age; and on account of his birth, wisdom, and accomplishments, was selected to stand in the presence of Nebuchadnezzar: so that in him and his companions was fulfilled that prophecy in which Isaiah declared to Hezekiah, that "his issue should be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon." By the signal proofs which he gave of an excellent spirit, and by the many extraordinary qualities which he possessed, Daniel conciliated the favour of the Persian monarchs; he was elevated to high rank, and intrusted with great power. In the vicissitudes of his life, as in

the virtues which he displayed, he has been thought to have resembled Joseph.

Like him he lived amidst

the corruption of a great court; and preserved an unshaken attachment to his religion, in a situation embarrassed with difficulties, and surrounded by temptations.

He publicly professed God's service, in defiance of every danger; and predicted his fearful judgments to the very face of intemperate and powerful tyrants. It may be collected from the pensive cast of his writings, that he was of that melancholy disposition which might be expected to characterize the servants of the true God amidst scenes of idolatry.

He experienced, through his whole life, very signal and miraculous proofs of divine favour; and was looked up to by the Persians, as well as by his own countrymen, as an oracle of inspired wisdom he contributed much to spread a knowledge of God among the Gentile nations.

Daniel appears to have obtained a great age, as he prophesied during the whole period of the captivity. He probably, however, did not long survive his last vision concerning the succession of the kings of Persia, which he beheld in the third year of Cyrus, A. M. 3470, when the prophet must have reached his ninetieth Epiphanius and others af

year.

firm that he died at Babylon, and

they say

that his sepulchre was there

to be seen many ages after, in the royal cave. But it is more probable, according to the common tradition, that he was buried at Susa, or Sushan, where certainly he sometimes resided, and perhaps as governor of Persia; and where he was favoured with some of his last visions.

HOSEA.

HOSEA has been supposed to have been the most ancient of the twelve minor Prophets. He was the son of Beeri, and entered on the prophetic office some time between the years of 3194 and 3219. He continued to pro