Imatges de pàgina
PDF
EPUB

JAHN'S HEBREW COMMONWEALTH.

JAHN'S History of the Hebrew Commonwealth; translated from the German, by CALVIN E. STOWE, A. M. of the Theological Seminary, Andover. Andover. 8vo. pp. 692. 1828.

We have long thought a good history of the Old Testament one of the greatest desiderata in theological literature. All the works relating to this subject, which, heretofore, have come to our knowledge, appear to us to be essentially defective. Dr. SHUCKFORD'S "Sacred and Profane History of the World Connected," is no doubt, the work of a learned man, and entitled to considerable praise: but it is heavy and disproportioned, manifesting little judgment and less taste; and by no means fitted to throw a strong and satisfactory light on those earlier parts of the sacred history which it is designed to elucidate. It was the intention of this writer to fill up the whole space from the Creation to the time at which Dr. Prideaux commenced his elaborate and useful work. But he followed his predecessor haud passibus aequis, and did not live to execute his plan, even as well as he might have done.

On Dr. PRIDEAUX's work higher commendation may be bestowed. It is an invaluable monument of learned labor; comprehensive in its plan, rich in matter, and minutely instructive, in all cases in which the author had materials for making it so. It would be difficult to mention a work of greater value in these respects. But Dr. Prideaux is a dull writer; he is, in many cases, unnecessarily and unrea

sonably tedious; and in a great measure destitute of the art of beguiling the labor of study by the charms of either spirited narrative, or masterly diction. Hence his work, however solid, can never be a favourite with the mass of youthful readers ;-not even with theological students.

STACKHOUSE'S "History of the Bible" is a learned and instructive work; but complex and ill judged in its structure; abounding in matter which might very well have been spared; and, in some of its positions and defences of truth, so injudicious, that even his sincerity has been sometimes questioned. The truth is, Stackhouse was a bookmaker by profession. No wonder, then, that he often wrote in haste, and took more care to multiply volumes, than to digest their contents in the best manner.

The chasm left between Shuckford and Prideaux, in consequence of the premature decease of the former, has been well filled by several writers since their time, and perhaps by none more satisfactorily than the learned Arthur Bedford, in a part of his "Scripture Chronology." Still the trouble and expense incurred by the student, in being obliged to resort to a third writer, in order to complete his course through the Old Testament, amounts to no small inconvenience, and has long rendered some new and more finished work desirable.

Among the single and complete works on the Old Testament, which former times have produced, the Historia Ecclesiastica Veteris Testamenti, of JOHN FRANCIS BUDDÆUS, in two volumes, quarto, is, in our opinion, by far the best. Judgment, learning, comprehensiveness, and lucid order, characterize it throughout. If it were as rich and finished in profane history, as that of Prideaux, and some others, it would scarcely leave any thing to be desired. But here lies its main defect. To which may be added, that since the time of Buddæus, such large and very rich additions have been made to every department of Biblical knowledge,

that materials for a more satisfactory work are abundant and easily accessible. Besides all this, the work is scarce, and can never be procured with sufficient ease to be made a class-book, in a large institution; and to crown all, it is in a language which even some theological students do not read with entire familiarity.

When we have fancied to our own minds such a work as we should like to see on this subject, we have sketched the character of it thus-Let it be substantially on the plan of Buddæus, with, however, more text, and lesss extended annotations. Let it contain all that his work contains, with a more ample collateral exhibition of profane history. Let it take up, and discuss all the principal difficulties and questions which occur, in reference to every portion of the Old Testament history; giving, in a dense and clear manner, the most valuable opinions, of different writers, on every point; and closing with the author's own, with a suggestion of the principal reasons in its support. Let the Creation; the Paradisiacal State; the fall of man; the Deluge; the rise of Idolatry; the origin of language, and alphabetical writing; the dispersion of mankind; the origin of Sacrifices; the Abrahamic Covenant; the institution of Circumcision; the departure out of Egypt; the Miracles of the Magicians; the passage of the Red Sea, and through the wilderness; the introduction of the Ceremonial economy the Theocracy; and a multitude of other points, which will immediately occur to a student of the Bible, all pass in review, and each receive that brief, condensed, lucid discussion, which its relative importance demands. And to every chapter and section let a distinct reference be subjoined, to the best authors, ancient and modern, who have treated of the several points, respectively, which may come under review.

Such a work would be an interesting present to thousands; but to theological students, it would be a treasure of

inestimable value. What a Gnomon is to a dial, a well executed history on this plan would be in the liberal pursuit of Old Testament studies. At the same time, it cannot be disguised, that it would be extremely difficult of execution. To do it well, would put in requisition the very best talents and erudition in any country, for a number of years. In a comparatively short time, indeed, 'a judicious well informed divine might prepare a work in some measure on the plan proposed, if he would consent to swell it into seven or eight octavo volumes: for there can be no doubt, that, cæteris paribus, the longer the work, the greater the ease with which it might be executed. But to comprise it in two, or at most three volumes of convenient size, beyond which no one ought to think of extending it,—would require a power of arrangement, of digestion, and of comprehension, as uncommon as it is enviable. For our part, such is our impression of the arduousness of the task, that we do not expect very soon to see a work corresponding with the model which we have imagined, and attempted to describe.

From our knowledge of some of the other publications of Jahn, we expected to find in his "History of the Hebrew Commonwealth," what we have found-a learned and valuable work, sustaining his former reputation, and well worthy the attention of general readers, especially of theological students. He has given a succinct, but compact, lucid, and critically arranged history of the Hebrews, from their first rise in Abraham, down to the destruction of Jerusalem. To this Harmony of the various accounts given of persons and events, in the different books of the Old Testament, the author has added a brief account of the various nations connected with them. So that his work is, like that of his English predecessors, but with far more brevity, clearness and taste, an exhibition of "Sacred and Profane History Connected." We know of no single work, in our language,

which goes over this ground in a manner at once so spirited, luminous, orderly and comprehensive. While it certainly may be read with great advantage by all classes of readers; it is peculiarly worthy of the attention of those whose duty it is to make themselves critically acquainted with every part of the contents of the Bible.

But while we bestow this high and unequivocal praise on the volume before us; while we feel indebted to the author for the learned labor which he has devoted to its compilation; and while we feel grateful to Professor Stuart for encouraging its translation, and to Mr. Stowe for the very creditable manner in which he has executed his task, in giving it an English dress: we are still constrained to say, that the work by no means comes up to our ideas of what such a work might be, or ought to be; and that, although we rejoice in its publication, we are far from thinking all need of further effort in the same field, superseded.

Professor Jahn has prefixed to his plan of the "Hebrew Commonwealth," a short statement of the progress of things from the creation to the rise of the Hebrews, as a distinct people. We regret that this statement is so very short. is all comprised in eight pages. A little more time and space might have been profitably bestowed upon this important preliminary to his main subject. It is true, even in these few pages, he manifests much thought and reading; but, surely, such subjects as the creation of the world and of man; the primitive state of man; his fall; the character of the antediluvian period; the deluge; the covenant with Noah; the building of Babel; the confusion of languages; and the dispersion of mankind-might have been expected to engage a larger share of attention and discussion than the learned Professor has thought proper to bestow upon them. For although these several topics do not fall, strictly, within the scope of the "History of the Hebrew Commonwealth;" they are so deeply interesting, so essentially interwoven

« AnteriorContinua »