122 
Babylonia, while the Aramaeans were ascending the course of the Euphrates, 
and forming settlements on the eastern frontier of Syria.” * 
43. To the same effect Mr. Kenrick writes, “ From the 
history of Egypt we learn that about 2000 B.C. a great 
western migration of Palestinian and Arabian nomad tribes 
took place, in consequence of which all Lower Egypt was sub- 
ject to them for a long succession of years. ”f Movers, B. I., 
chap, viii., thinks there are traces of a conquest of Syria and 
Palestine by Assyria first 2000 years B.C. J 
44. The celebrated scene of the reception by Khnumhotep 
of the 37 Amu (at Beni-hassan) during the reign of Ame- 
nemha II. of the Xllth dynasty, is evidently connected with 
this drift of Semitic races. When Sir H. Rawlinson wrote 
the words above quoted, he would not derogate from the 
supreme and unique import of the divine call and guidance 
of Abram. Among all the sti’angers who passed through the 
borders of the king of Salem; among all the patriarchal 
clans who went down into Egypt, whether pressed by famine 
or led by ambition, there was but one Abram, the father of 
the faithful. 
45. But in surveying the swarming field of history, as we 
see the highway cast up and the stumbling-blocks removed, 
and the bounds of their habitation marked out for the sons 
of men by an unseen hand, we must fairly take into our 
account all that meets our view ; and so we shall enter into 
the noble confession of Joseph, “ So now not you sent me 
hither but God/'’ 
46. In the sacred narrative there is one most suggestive 
link between Palestine and North-eastern Egypt, which may 
perhaps soon be fitted into the chronological chain. It is the 
incidental remark, § u Now Hebron was built seven years 
before Zoan in Egypt that is San, the head-quarters of the 
Ilyksos dynasties. Now as Hebron was built before Abram 
came thither, it seems very probable that the Asiatic invaders 
had already intrenched themselves in Lower Egypt. But 
there is more to say presently on this matter. 
47. When the God of glory appeared to Abram and called 
him to his new destiny, the first migration of Terach and his 
house was about 600 miles in length to Kharran. It is clear 
that Nachor and his family followed them so fax’, for Kharran 
was afterwards called “ the city of Nachor/’ and Nachor 
* Rawl., Her., i. 365 ; see also Anc. Mon., i. 54. t Phoenicia, 141. 
I Kenrick, Pluen., 340, note. § Numbers xiii. 22. 
