125 
Bible Readings. His route probably lay across the Euphrates 
about 1 7 miles south of Bir-edjik at Jerabolus, where the 
lamented George Smith has so lately discovered the true site 
of Carchemish, and through Aleppo, where there are still 
quaint traditions of Abraham, Hamath, Emesa, which is not 
far from the site of the great Kadesh on the Orontes, where 
the arms of Egypt were to meet in stern conflict the chivalry 
of the sons of Kheth, and so to Damascus. 
58. There seems evidence enough to connect Abraham with 
Damascus. Hence his way would lie up the long ascents of 
Bashan to the high mountain-brow, from which he must have 
first beheld the goodly prospect of the land of Canaan 
described so well by Dean Stanley, and since by Dr. Tristram 
and the Rev. A. E. Nor they.* At last, descending the deep 
glen of the Yabbok (Zerka), and probably crossing the 
rushing Jordan at the ford of Damieh, he stood on the pro- 
mised ground. The ascent of the Wady Far’ ah would bring 
him to lovely Shechem. Let us remind ourselves that here 
AbrahauTs first altar was reared in the Holy Land ; here the 
law was proclaimed by Joshua ; hard by (as it would seem) 
John the Baptist received the penitent crowds at AEnon near 
to Salim, and that at Jacob’s well He whose day Abraham 
rejoiced to see first revealed Himself as the Messiah. 
THE CANAANITE. 
59. Here, indeed, was the land, but “ the Canaanite ” was 
beforehand. “ The Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled [were 
settled] then in the land.” The sturdy Amorite held the 
fastnesses ; roving Perizzites were scattered afield ; Sidonians 
and Arvadites colonized the coasts ; the powerful sons of Kheth, 
dreaded even by Egypt, lay in the goodly land, and perhaps 
even then possessed the heights of Lebanon. Beyond the 
Jordan lay savage Rephaim, terrible Emim, uncouth Zamzum- 
mim, degraded Khorites, and Abram still went childless 
among men. 
60. Yet here, said Jehovah, “ unto thy seed I will give the 
land.” Abram believed Jehovah, and it was counted unto 
him for righteousness. 
61. The land is called in the book of Genesis by no other 
name than “ the land of Canaan.” Canaan is a name also 
known in the Egyptian and Assyrian records in the form 
* F. E. F., April, 1872. 
