THE BIBLE-SCHOLAR'S MANUAL: EMBRACING A GENERAL ACCOUNT OF THE BOOKS AND WRITERS OF THE OLD AND HISTORY OF PALESTINE, THE HISTORY FOR BIBLE CLASSES AND GENERAL READING Bradford K. BY REV. B. K. PEIRCE. EDITED BY DANIEL P. KIDDER New-York: PUBLISHED BY CARLTON & PHILLIPS, 200 MULBERRY-STREET. 1853 1853 Chr/l host of the Nether Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1847, by G. LANE & C. B. TIPPETT, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District of New-York. PREFACE. NEXT to the salvation of the soul, the object of sabbath-school instruction is to give the pupil a perfect acquaintance with the Scriptures. In order to secure this, the study of Scripture history, geography, and the customs and manners of eastern nations, becomes very important, and may not only be properly admitted into a course of sabbath-school instruction, but should even be insisted upon. In the succeeding pages, an attempt has been made to give a summary of such geographical, historical, and local references, and such customs and manners, as are most important to be understood before entering upon the critical study of the word of God. Of course one of the principal objects of the work, when used as a text-book, will be lost, unless the lessons are committed, since many of the benefits to be derived from the volume are to be realized when it is laid aside and another used. We esteem it a great misfortune that in many of our schools the custom of committing the lesson is abolished. To impress ineffaceably upon the mind important truths, and, above all, to thoroughly imbue young minds with Bible precepts and promises, the lessons should be carefully prepared and clearly imprinted upon the memory. The blessing of Him whose Spirit inspired the Holy Bible is earnestly asked upon this humble effort to elucidate and explain its heavenly pages! CONTENTS. CHAPTER I.-NAMES AND CHARACTER OF THE BIBLE. Titles of the inspired volume-Sacred Scriptures-Canonical CHAPTER II.-DIVISIONS AND HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. Divisions of the Scriptures, Old and New Testament-Explana- tion of the term Testament-Subdivision of the Old Testament- Law-Prophets - Hagiography-Division into chapters-Para- graph Bible-Collection of the books of the Old Testament- Books of the New Testament-Catalogue of Origen-Transla- Author of Pentateuch-Meaning of term-Book of Genesis- Book of Exodus-Leviticus-Numbers-Deuteronomy-Remarks upon Deuteronomy, in connection with the Epistle to the He- brews-Origin of term Moses-Early life and education-Journey Historical books-Period comprehended-Authorship of these books-Book of Joshua-Book of Judges-Ruth-Two Books of Samuel-Kings, First Book, Second Book-Two Books of Chroni- cles-Author-Design-Book of Ezra-Author-Sketch of Ezra's life-Labor upon the sacred writings-Book of Nehemiah- Sketch of life-Character-Book of Esther-Objections to the in- Names of poetical books-Job-Opinions of this book-Reasons |