and Joseph are in our song treated almost alike; both possess royal power;' both are lords over fraternal tribes; both conquerors living in security after obstinate and difficult, struggles;3 and both are blessed with the bounty of nature and of a fertile soil. These coincidences will appear the more significant if compared with the corresponding parts of the benediction of Moses. While there a fervent supplication is offered up for Judah, that he may be rescued from his powerful and numerous enemies, Joseph is deprived of none of the great benefits bestowed upon him in the song of Jacob, and receives, in addition, an even more emphatic promise of agricultural fertility, and of the growing supremacy of Ephraim. The picture in Genesis leads to the beginning of the divided empire, when both kingdoms were in a certain equilibrium, which principally caused and perpetuated the separation; while the description in Deuteronomy points to later trials and troubles, not unfrequent in the kingdom of Judah, when it was menaced, attacked, and severely oppressed by foreign enemies, and counted among its most dangerous antagonists the kingdom of Ephraim itself. It cannot, however, surprise us, that Judah is, in our poem, more explicitly characterised as the royal tribe; the heroic greatness of David, and the far-famed wisdom of Solomon, had endeared the name of Judah to every Hebrew; their successors were, in the eyes of many, who deplored the division as an inevitable source of misery, feud, and weakness, alone entitled to the right of government; and the ultimate re-union of Judah and Ephraim belonged to the most fervent hopes of the patriots. The lesser degree of prominence given to the royal dignity of Joseph may be further accounted for by the shortness of time which had elapsed since the division: at that period the dynasty of Judah could be considered as old and long-established, was surrounded by the halo of existence during a number of generations, and, in public opinion, easily maintained the moral prevalence over the monarchy of the Ten Tribes, young, unconsolidated, and but loosely connected.

V. ZEBULUN, VER. 13.

All the following tribes, with the only exception of Joseph, are but briefly treated, on account of their subordinate importance and interest. Zebulun, the sixth son of Jacob and Leah, is here introduced before his elder brother, Issachar, because he occupied a political superiority, willingly acknowledged by the latter," and so considerably increasing in the course of time, that, in the blessing of Moses, the benediction conjointly pronounced upon both tribes, seems addressed to Zebulun alone,1o In fact, this tribe was remarkable for the variety of talents it developed, and the diversity of pursuits it cultivated. It was warlike and brave; took part in the national struggles of the Hebrews, generally fighting under the same banner with the men of Naphtali, its northern neighbours;11 and was therefore, in the song of Deborah, adverted to with the glorious praise: “Zebulun is a people delivering up his soul to death in the heights of the field." On the other hand, it extensively engaged in commercial enterprises, venturing on distant sea trade, and greatly enlarging its revenues and connections; 13 the chief articles of their commerce seem to have been the costly purpledyes prepared from the juice of the shell-fish," a source of wealth ascribed to Zebulun by later tradition also; besides which, they may have applied themselves to the manufacture and exportation of glass. Their maritime expeditions compelled them,

further, to study the arts and sciences indispensable for successful navigation; they thus at an early period acquired the reputation of literary accomplishment; and the poet sang of them, "from Zebulun are the men who handle the pen of the scribe."15 However, both their commerce and their science brought them into a connection with the Phoenicians, which, in spite of many advantages, was for a long time not without injurious and deplorable effects upon the religious notions of the Hebrews, who, principally through the medium of Zebulun, seem to have become familiar with the sensual and demoralising rites of Phoenician idolatry.16 Yet the continued attention which many paid to spiritual and religious matters, gradually led them to the perception of truth, and made them so zealous for its diffusion, that they invited heathens to visit the Temple," and thus contributed to impress foreign nations with respect for the Hebrew religion.-The geographical position of Zebulun was peculiarly favourable, and in a great measure gave rise, to the mode of life embraced by that tribe. It occupied parts in the north-eastern districts of Palestine, between Asher and Naphtali in the north, and Issachar in the south,18 extending in the east to the sea of Tiberias,19 and in the west to Mount Carmel and the Mediterranean,20 or to the borders of Phoe nicia, which land is here, as in other instances," represented by Zidon. The author could, therefore, justly say, “Zebulun shall dwell on the coast of seas; indeed he shall dwell on the coast of ships"; and the meaning of the words, “ and his side shall reach to Zidon," will be easily understood. As thus the tribe displayed energetic activity in more than one direction, it enjoyed great and undisturbed prosperity; its population was numerous and increasing;22 and though unable to expel all the Canaanites from the boundaries of its territory,23 it possessed authority enough to give Israel a judge in the person of Elon,24 and at all times maintained its independence as a community.25

VI. ISSACHAR, VERS. 14, 15.

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The men of Issachar seem originally to have been among the most valiant of Israel; if Deborah was not descended from their tribe, she could, at least, in a time of general political indifference, most safely rely upon its ready assistance and cheerful interest; she could designate it "the support" of the leader Barak, not insignificant in numbers; 26 and could call it her own army.27 In its territory the chief battle was fought against Sisera, at Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo.28 Such courage could not fail to secure to the people of Issachar most desirable abodes. Bounded in the north by Zebulun, and partly by Asher, and in the south by Manasseh; extending in the east to the Jordan, opposite the land of Gad,29 and in the west to the maritime tract belonging to Manasseh:30 their country, though mountainous in the eastern and southern districts, was, in the central parts, distinguished by the most blooming and most fertile plains, among which those of Jezreel, Esdraelon, and Megiddo, were famous and almost proverbial for beauty and excellence. The acquisition of so tempting a territory determined the future development of the tribe. The choice pastures invited to the breeding of cattle; so that Issachar could be described as "crouching between the

folds," or "rejoicing in his tents." The whole aim and current of life were now altered. Careless of military fame, the men of Issachar permitted the tribe of Manasseh to possess cities within their limits. Intent upon the accumulation of property, they soon became so solidly strong in their internal relations, that they could be compared with a "bony ass." But they were men of prudence and wise calculation. Having, therefore, gathered abundant wealth, and resolved to enjoy it, they pursued a domestic and foreign policy calculated to realise this end. Their shrewdness not only enabled them safely to keep aloof from all external dangers, and as our blessing observes, peacefully to yield themselves to secure tranquillity, but to win the esteem and deference of the fraternal tribes by useful and valuable councils; they were reputed to possess “a wise insight into the political aspect of the times"; were always prepared to point out the measures “which Israel should adopt"; and as their advice was generally attended with happy results, "all their brethren followed the words of their lips." But the calm and sober view they took of all the relations of life, engendered that easy, though not unrefined, epicureanism, which, in order to gain quiet leisure for reflection, willingly resigns every worldly ambition; and which, disdaining the prizes of the toilsome struggles for honour and distinction as worthless or trifling, does not hesitate to purchase undisturbed enjoyment even with a part of liberty. Reluct ant to shield their own independence, and, after once having tasted the sweets of repose, again to exchange the sword for the ploughshare or the shepherd's staff, the people of Issachar appear to have readily, and perhaps spontaneously, placed themselves under the protection of more warlike and active tribes, as Zebulun, and especially Ephraim, and to have, in return, paid a proportionate tribute, "willingly bending their shoulders," and submitting to the uniform labours of agriculture. This is the picture which our text enables us to draw of Issachar, though the historical traditions are too scanty and fragmentary to allow a development in its individual traits.

It may be asked, whether these verses are intended as a censure? It appears that this question must, in certain respects, be answered in the affirmative. The tribe of Issachar renounced that ancestral fortitude which had steeled it for victory and conquest, and could alone guarantee its safety against the unappeased hatred of surrounding foes; and, destined to be free and independent, and to acknowledge the sovereignty of the God of Israel alone, it degraded itself by bearing a voluntary yoke, and by becoming a tributary servant." However, this dependence cannot have been oppressive or ignominious; it was not the subjection of those who sigh under foreign dominion, or who, as captives of war, are forced to serve their masters with gratuitous labour and exhausting drudgery: for Issachar still enjoyed the happiest tranquillity and the richest blessing; possessed a most enviable territory; and grew in precious property. Hence the rebuke expressed in our passage is gentle and subdued; it is softened by the redeeming quality of peacefulness, averse to strife and dispute, a quality worthy of the highest recommendation in the eyes of the Hebrew, who embraced in the word "peace" nearly the whole sum of moral perfection, and of personal and political felicity; so that if the "bony ass crouching between the folds" forms a contrast to the "wild ass" attacking all and attacked by every one, it is a contrast which, in one respect, at least, redounds to the praise of Issachar.

VII. DAN, VERS. 16-18.

After the tribes descended from the sons of Leah, those formed by the sons of Jacob's maid-servants are introduced, arranged on the whole, according to their age; except that Naphtali, the second by birth, yields precedence to Gad and Asher," a modifica

1 Ver. 14; Deut. xxxiii. 18.

2 Josh. xvii. 11.

1 Chron. xii. 32. 4 xvi. 12. 5 Comp.xxx.3—13; xxxv. 25, 26.

tion, no doubt, suggested by the relative importance of the tribes. But Dan maintains justly the first rank among the four: he deserves it by the political and national interest which, in an eminent degree, attached to the tribe which bears his name. For from it sprung the glorious hero, Samson, who, the true Hercules of his nation, soon became its lasting and cherished favourite, not more by his marvellous feats of strength and daring, than by his humorous eccentricities, peculiarly congenial to the taste of his age, and at all times certain to endear a man of distinction to the multitude, which is rejoiced to see brilliant greatness in some respects brought nearer to its own level. After he had once gained a hold upon the Hebrew mind, it was not likely that tradition should have rested or ceased to propagate his exploits; both gratitude due to his merits and the deep sympathy felt for his melancholy death, by which he once more became a benefactor of his nation, secured to his name a permanent remembrance, and to his deeds an enthusiastic acknowledgment, which, indeed, our blessing also accords to him in apt and forcible language. So entirely had the achievements of Samson eclipsed the anterior history of his tribe, that no allusion is here made to the blameable indifference with which it before, in the time of Deborah, when an extraordinary danger threatened the people, evaded its share of the common obligations, and quietly continued its lucrative pursuits. Nor had it, at a still earlier period, displayed energy enough boldly to conquer an adequate territory: though not deficient in numerical strength,7 it long carried on languid and isolated wars; for some time it suffered itself to be driven by the Amorites into the mountains, whence it was not permitted to descend into the plains; several towns, which lay within the boundaries assigned to it, and which it may have temporarily possessed, fell back to the enemies, who profited by its deplorable want of organisation; while others are found in the occupation of the tribe of Judah,10 by which, not less than by Ephraim, it seems to have been assisted in times of difficulty and distress;" it appears, in fact, to have been among those who but very late acquired lasting abodes; and ultimately, one part of the tribe emigrated to the distant north, where, far from the rest of their kinsmen, by stratagem and violence, they killed or expelled a peaceful and harmless population, cut off from all assistance and alliance. This was the district of Laish, thenceforth called Dan, and forming the extreme northern frontier of the land of Israel.12 But the province which the tribe was intended to occupy, lay between Ephraim in the north,13 and Simeon in the south, while it reached in the west to the Mediterranean, and was in the east bordered by parts of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Judah.1⁄4 This situation, not unfavourable in some respects, brought the Danites into the dangerous vicinity of the Philistines, who vexed them with perpetual attacks, and never ceased to inflict upon them loss and humiliation. Under such circumstances, they could scarcely hope ever to gain a prominent or honoured position in Israel. But they supplied, in a great measure, the deficiency of material power and of valour by craft and cunning, not always free from malice and insidiousness. It was by such means, that the division of Danites who marched to the north, had gained their triumph in Laish; that those remaining in the southern province succeeded in frustrating the invasions of the Philistines; and that even Samson achieved his most memorable deeds. How different is this conduct from the prowess of Judah, the lion, who openly and by majestic strength crushes his numerous enemies, and then quietly and in unapproachable

security enjoys the fruits of his victories! Therefore, the tribe of Dan is, indeed, stated to have maintained its independent jurisdiction, and in spite of weakness and surrounding dangers, to have judged over all Israel during twenty years; but it is, not without a certain blame and contempt, compared with the venomous viper or cerastes, which treacherously lurking in the sand or the trace of the carriage-wheels, not easily noticed on account of its grey colour, and suddenly darting forth, attacks with mortal bite horse and rider; a reptile, held by the ancients to be so formidable that they believed, if it was killed by a man on horseback with a spear, that "the poison would run up the weapon, and kill, not only the rider, but the horse as well." A community, compelled to have recourse for its safety to such wily expedients, must, indeed, find itself in a most dangerous position, far too critical for its limited resources; hence the poet, with admirable skill and singular emphasis, identifying himself with the oppressed and embarrassed tribe, utters in its name, with mingled reliance and resignation, the fervent prayer, "In Thy help I hope, O Lord!" It appears, indeed, that the Danites, from the time of the division of the kingdom, when they joined Ephraim and were disgraced by the image of Apis, placed by Jeroboam in the northern town Dan,' gradually sank into such political insignificance, that they were entirely omitted in later genealogies and descriptions.

VIII. GAD, VER. 19.

The territory of Gad lay in the east of the Jordan, between the provinces of Reuben and the eastern part of Manasseh; it reached, in the north, to the southeastern extremity of the Sea of Galilee, but at some periods passed beyond it into the boundaries of Manasseh; its extent varied no less towards the east, and embraced about half the districts of the Ammonites; it included several cities remarkable in the history of the patriarchs and of the Judges, as Mahanaim, Ramoth, Mizpeh, Succoth, and Peniel; but it was pre-eminently remarkable because it contained the grave of the great general and lawgiver, Moses; a fact which so decidedly invested the province with a character of holiness, that though situated on the east of the river, it was regarded as one of the most honoured parts of the promised land, from which the leaders of the people might legitimately arise. After the Gadites had bravely assisted their brethren in the conquest of Canaan, for which services they earned praise and gratitude, they returned to their own land, and actively engaged in the breeding of cattle, to which the soil, in its principal features resembling that of Reuben, particularly invited, and which gradually resulted in a very considerable acquisition of valuable property. Some circumstances conspired to preserve among them the valour and manly independence of their forefathers. The obstinate attacks to which they were exposed from the neighbouring enemies, compelled them to be always prepared for war and defence. Their principal scourge were the Ammonites, who could not forget the loss of their country, and who temporarily forced them under the yoke of servitude: but the Gadites found means of regaining their liberty by more vigorous exertions, and by a closer alliance with the other Hebrew tribes on the east of the Jordan. They were further constantly annoyed by the ferocious rapacity of Arabic hordes, which invaded and often devastated their territory, but on one occasion suffered well-merited retribution in a fearful and overwhelming defeat.10 Thus the men of Gad well snstained the reputation which they enjoyed of being "men of valour, bearing shield and sword, bending the bow, and skilled in war";" and hence they were, in another national