The seven-branched candlestick, and other articles used in the Jewish Modes of bowing, doing homage, and worship in the East 31 Putting off the shoes 34 Women grinding at the mill. 39 Mourning for the dead 135 Rock-tomb in the sides of the Valley of Jehoshaphat 140 VII. Cattle Agriculture-Cultivation of the land-Sowing and harvest-Vineyards-Wine and fruits 31 XII. The art of writing-Books, and substances written upon I. The three dispensations-The meaning and origin of VII. The Temple-The holy places-Present state of the site 177 XII. Miscellaneous observances-The use of salt-Circum- VI. The Sabbatical year-The jubilee-The new moons Table of the Jewish moral and political laws VIII. The first, second, third, and fourth Commandments JEWISH NATION. BIBLE MANNERS, CUSTOMS, RITES, AND LAWS. THE SEVEN-BRANCHED CANDLESTICK, AND OTHER ARTICLES USED IN THE JEWISH TEMPLE WORSHIP. INTRODUCTION. THE MANNERS and CUSTOMS of the ancient Jews, and other nations mentioned in the Bible, differed very much from those of Europe and America at the present time. On this account it is not easy for a modern reader to understand some passages of Scripture. Hence many things in the Bible seem very strange to those who do not know the manner in which people in the East lived in former times. Nor do the beauty and importance of many texts appear, unless what is alluded to in them is known. The eastern MANNERS and CUSTOMS of old times may be explained from two sources:-1. From the ancient writers of other nations, who have described the customs of former times. Their works contain many passages which confirm the accounts given in the Bible, and nothing which really contradicts them when carefully examined. Learned men have clearly proved this. Nor should we forget, that a great part of the Old Testament was written many hundred years before any other book now in existence.-2. Much also may be learned from modern travelers, who have visited the places mentioned in the Bible, and other countries of the East. People live there now very much in the same manner as they did in the times about which we read in the Bible, which were from two to six thousand years ago. The books of eastern travelers now are full of such statements; many are given in this volume, but they are only a small part of what might have been stated. Perhaps some travelers have gone too far, and mention as illustrations of the Bible what are not really such. Also the RITES and CEREMONIES of the Jewish religion are too often carelessly passed by, from ignorance as to many of the particulars, which are very interesting when explained by the customs of the ancient Jews, or by the accounts of their own writers who lived about the time of our Saviour. The LAWS and POLITY, or the political institutions of the Jews, contain much that is very important to be known, but which is not noticed by common readers; here, also, a knowledge of the manners and customs is of much use. All these things will be found interesting when inquired into. The design of this volume is to induce the reader so to study his Bible; and all who read it should examine the texts noticed. It would have been easy to refer to a great many other texts, but most who read this book can look at a Concordance, or, if young persons, it is a good exercise to examine for themselves, and thus to be led to search the Scriptures. For this reason, as well as to save space, the texts are seldom given at great length in this volume. If that had been done, the book would have been doubled in size and cost, without any advantage in return; while any plan that prevents the examining of the whole Bible is by no means desirable. |