140 THEOLOGY. 



CHAPTER III. 



JUDAISM. 



IN the branch of Judaism, we shall treat briefly of the Religion of 

 the Jews, both ancient and modern. Their religion, compared with 

 the systems of Paganism, is as peculiar, as their history is remarkable : 

 and their preservation, even to this day, as a distinct, though scattered 

 people, is among the most wonderful events which the world has 

 yet witnessed. But a still higher importance attaches to the Jewish 

 religion, considered as typical of the Christian dispensation, and pre- 

 paratory thereto: its priesthood and sacrifices, foreshadowing the 

 Saviour, whom the prophets foretold, and the nation so anxiously 

 expected ; though they received him not, when he came. We shall 

 first treat briefly of Jewish History, as introductory to this religion ; 

 next of the Jewish Scriptures; then of the Doctrines and Ceremo- 

 nies of the Jews ; and lastly of their different Sects and the Rab- 

 binical Writings. 



1. The History of the Jews, is chiefly contained in the Jewish 

 Scriptures; and continued in the writings of Josephus, and other 

 later historians. The Jews are so named from Judah, the fourth son 

 of Jacob; but they were called Hebrews, from Eber, their ancestor, 

 until after the Babylonian Captivity ; when this name was first applied 

 to them. They are descendants of Jacob, the son of Isaac, and 

 grandson of Abraham ; who was descended, through Eber, from 

 Shem, the eldest son of Noah. Abraham, while dwelling in Ur, in 

 Chaldea, was called of God to sojourn in Canaan, which land was 

 promised to him and his posterity. Accordingly he removed to Haran, 

 or Charran, and thence to Canaan, 1921, B. C. ;* and although he 

 visited Egypt, on account of a famine, he returned and died in Canaan, 

 1821 B. C.t Two of Abraham's sons are particularly referred to, in the 

 Scriptures ; Ishmael, from whom sprang the Arabians ; and Isaac, the 

 child of promise; whose sons were Esau, father of the Edomites, 

 and Jacob, also named Israel, the last of the elder patriarchs, so called 

 from Greek words, signifying heads of families. From the twelve 

 sons of Jacob, viz.: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah; Dan, Naphtali ; 

 Gad, Asher; Issachar, Zebulon ; Joseph, and Benjamin; the twelve 

 tribes of Israel, including the whole Jewish nation, are descended. 



The sale of Joseph, by his envious brethren, and his providential 

 elevation to be prime minister of Egypt, led to the migration of Jacob 

 and his other sons into that land, to escape the famine in Canaan, 

 1706 B. C.J In the midst of a corrupt idolatry, they preserved the 

 patriarchal religion in its purity; and their descendants resided in 

 Egypt, in the land of Goshen, till the measure of their oppression by 

 the Egyptian kings was filled; when Moses was raised up to deliver 

 them, and to lead them back to Canaan, the land of promise. They 

 left Egypt in the year 1491, B. C.; and received the Decalogue, 

 or Ten Commandments, at Mount Sinai, in the same year. Forty 



* 2078 B. C., according to Hales. * 1 863 B. C., according to Hales, 



f 1976 B. C., according to Hales. 1648 B. C. } according to Hales. 



