242 



that the Hebrew Rabbins, expressly included them in the- 

 several corresponding administrations ;"* the Chronicon speak- 

 ing to a particular instance, that of Othniel, Scripture men- 

 tioning another, that of Sampson ;-j' and Eusebius generalizing 

 the principle to the rest; all thus, bearing on the same point, 

 and tending in harmonious consistency to the same object; 

 and shall we then hesitate to affirm and declare, that the au- 

 thenticity 



• Besides, it is the paculiar genius and character of the sacred writers, to use terms, in 

 an (xclustve sense, when the circumstances of the history and narration, evidently demon- 

 strate, that an inchisiz'e meaning is conveyed ; thus, the phrase " the sojourn of the 

 Children of Israel, in the land of Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years," which so 

 frequently occurs, we know, is to be understood very dift<;rently from the idea, whicli 

 the precise import of the terms, would seem to indicate, for it includes the whole period 

 elapsed from the promise to the Exod, and the real " sojourn" of the Israelites was 

 only half the assigned one ; as is evident even from the authority of St. Paul, which has 

 been so much relied on, in the discussion of the period more immediately the subject of 

 this Essay. Vide Epis. to Galat. Genebrard and some Jesuits overlooked the testimony 

 of the Apostle, and contended that the Israelites remained 430 j'ears complete in Egypt, 

 contrary to every chronological authority, and every Scriptural inference. 



•f The question has been asked, why " Scripture should only have mentioned the 

 years of one of the Judges, as contemporaneous to the correspond ng servitude?" but 

 tjie answer is obvious and easy; first, it is false, for as we have seen, it records a similar 

 instance in the case of Jair; secondly, were it even true, the reason can be assigned 

 which clearly gives additional weight to our system — it was, because the ca^e was 

 singular, as instead of including, (like other instances) his years were included in the 

 servitude of the Philistines; because he was born at the commencement of their oppression 

 and because it was intended as a commentary on the prophecy which preceded his 

 birth, "that he should begin to deliver Israel," which, of course, was not completed at 

 his death. Bedford has remarked some singular conformities in the history of Sampson, 

 which, however fimciful, perh.ips deserve to be transcribed. " Idolatry first commenced 



in 



