vivid colours and with images that are truly pathetic and sublime.' § 8. ON THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ZEPHANIAH. I. Author and date.-II. Scope and analysis of this book. BEFORE CHRIST, 640-609. discharge the duties of his function with unremitting dili gence and fidelity during a course of at least forty-two years reckoned from the thirteenth year of Josiah's reign. In the course of his ministry he met with great difficulties and opposition from his countrymen of all degrees, whose persecution and ill usage sometimes wrought so far upon his mind, as to draw from him expressions, in the bitterness of his soul, which many have thought difficult to reconcile with his reliI. THIS prophet, who was "the son of Cushi, the son of gious principles; but which, when duly weighed, may be Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah" (i. 1.), found to demand our pity rather than censure. He was, in is supposed to have been of the tribe of Simeon; but, though truth, a man of unblemished piety and conscientious integrity: he has mentioned his ancestors for no less than four genera- a warm lover of his country, whose miseries he pathetically tions, nothing certain can be inferred from thence, as to the deplores; and so affectionately attached to his countrymen, family to which he belonged. We learn, however, from his notwithstanding their injurious treatment of him, that he prophecy, that he delivered his predictions in the reign of chose rather to abide with them, and undergo all hardships Josiah; consequently he prophesied about the time that Jere- in their company, than separately to enjoy a state of ease and miah entered on his prophetic office, and in method and sub-plenty, which the favour of the king of Babylon would have ject he greatly resembles him. secured to him. At length, after the destruction of JerusaOn this account Zephaniah has been considered as the ab- lem, having followed the remnant of the Jews into Egypt, breviator of Jeremiah; but it is evident that he prophesied whither they had resolved to retire, though contrary to his before Jeremiah, because the latter (Jer. ii. 5. 20. 22.) seems advice, upon the murder of Gedaliah, whom the Chaldæans to speak of those abuses as partially removed, which the had left governor in Judæa, he there continued warmly to former (Zeph. i. 4, 5. 9.) describes as existing in the most remonstrate against their idolatrous practices, foretelling the flagitious extent. From his account of the disorders prevail- consequences that would inevitably follow. But his freedom ing in Judah, it is probable that he discharged the prophetic and zeal are said to have cost him his life; for there is a office before the eighteenth year of Josiah; that is, before tradition, that the Jews at Tahpanhes were so offended at his this prince had reformed the abuses and corruptions of his faithful remonstrances, that they stoned him to death, which dominions. The style of Zephaniah is poetical, though it is account of the manner of his decease, though not absolutely not characterized by any striking or uncommon beauties. certain, is at least very likely to be true, considering the temper II. In consequence of the idolatry and other iniquities pre- and disposition of the parties concerned. Their wickedness, vailing in the kingdom of Judah, whose inhabitants had dis- however, did not long pass without its reward; for, in a few regarded the denunciations and admonitions of former pro- years after, they were miserably destroyed by the Babylophets, Zephaniah was commissioned to proclaim the enormity nian armies which invaded Egypt, according to the prophet's of their wickedness, and to denounce the imminent desola- prediction. (xliv. 27, 28.)3 Some Jewish writers, however, tion that awaited them; to excite them to repentance, to fore-affirm that he returned to Judæa, while others say that he went tell the destruction of their enemies, and to comfort the pious to Babylon, and died there; and a third class are of opinion Jews with promises of future blessings. that he died in Egypt, far advanced in years, and broken by the calamities which had happened both to himself and his country. This prophet's writings are all in Hebrew, except the eleventh verse of the tenth chapter, which is Chaldee. His predictions concerning the seventy years of the captivity were known to and read by the prophet Daniel. (ix. 1.) His prophecy, which consists of three chapters, may be divided into four sections; viz. SECT. 1. A denunciation against Judah for their idolatry. (i.) SECT. 2. Repentance the only means to avert the divine vengeance. (ii. 1-3.) SECT. 3. Prophecies against the Philistines (ii. 4-7.), Moabites, and Ammonites (8-11.), Ethiopia (12.), and Nineveh. (13-15.) SECT. 4. The captivity of the Jews by the Babylonians foretold (iii. 1-7.), together with their future restoration and the ultimate prosperous state of the church. (8-20.) SECTION III. II. The idolatrous apostasy and other criminal enormities of the people of Judah, and the severe judgments which God was preparing to inflict upon them, though not without a distant prospect of future restoration and deliverance, form the principal subjects of the prophecies of Jeremiah; except the forty-fifth chapter, which relates personally to Baruch, and the six following chapters, which respect the fortunes of some particular heathen nations. It is evident, from various passages of this book, that there were four distinct collections of Jeremiah's prophecies. The first was that mentioned in chap. xxxvi. 2. and made by 'N THE PROPHETS WHO FLOURISHED NEAR to and during the divine command in the fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim. In this collection were contained all the predictions which he had delivered and published, to that time, as well against other nations as against the Jews: the prophecies against end of the book, as being in some measure unconnected with the Gentiles are, in our Bibles, placed by themselves at the those denounced against the Jews; but in the present copies of the Septuagint, they follow immediately after the thirteenth verse of the twenty-fifth chapter. This first collec tion comprised chapters i.-xx. xxv. xxvi. xxxv. xxxvi. xlv. and contained chapters xxvii.-xxxi. inclusive: it was made in the reign of Zedekiah, and, as may be inferred from xxviii 1., after the fourth year of the reign of Zedekiah. 1. THE prophet Jeremiah was of the sacerdotal race, being-li. inclusive. (as he himself records) one of the priests that dwelt at Ana- The second collection is that mentioned in chap. xxx. 2., thoth (i. 1.) in the land of Benjamin, a city appropriated out of that tribe to the use of the priests, the sons of Aaron (Josh. xxi. 18.), and situate, as we learn from Jerome, about three Roman miles north of Jerusalem.2 Some critics have conjectured that his father was the same Hilkiah, the highpriest, who found the book of the law in the temple, in the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah (2 Kings xxii. 8.): but for this opinion there is no better ground than that he bore the same name, which was of frequent occurrence among the Jews; for, if Hilkiah had really been the high-priest, he would doubtless have been distinguished by that title, and would not have been placed on a level with priests of an ordinary and inferior class. Jeremiah appears to have been very young when he was called to the exercise of the prophetical office, from which he modestly endeavoured to excuse himself, by pleading his youth and incapacity; but being overruled by the divine authority, he set himself to 1 Lowth's Lectures, vol. ii. p. 99. 2 Hieronymi Comm. in Jer. cc. i. xi. and xxxi. Eusebii Onomast. voce. The third collection was made soon after the destruction of Jerusalem, as is plainly indicated by the prophet himself in the general preface to his book, where he says that the word of Jehovah came to him "in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign; and came in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, until the completion of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, until the carrying away of Jerusalem into captivity in the fifth month." (i.1-3.) Čonsequently, this third collection included chapters xxi.-xxiv xxxii.-xxxiv. and xxxvii.—xxxix. Dr. Blayney's Translation of Jeremiah, pp. 221, 222. 2d edit. the Hebrew and the Septuagint, in the order of Jeremiah's prophecies; s Carpzov has written an elaborate disquisition on the variations between has in view the destruction of their city and polity by the Chaldeans, and perhaps, by the Romans. (Ivi. 9-12. lvii. lix. 1-15.) The fifty-ninth chapter, he observes, is remarkable for the beauty, strength, and variety of the images with which it abounds, as well as for the elegance of the composition DISCOURSE 12. chiefly predicts the general conversion of the Jews to the Gospel, the coming in of the fulness of the Gentiles, the restoration of the Jews, and the happy state of the Christian church. (lix. 16-21. lx.-lxvi.) In ch. lx. and Ixi. the great increase and flourishing state of the church of God, by the conversion and accession of the heathen nations to it, are "set forth in such ample and exalted terms, as plainly show, that the full completion of the prophecy is reserved for future times. This subject is displayed in the most splendid colours, under a great variety of highly poetical images, designed to give a general idea of the glories of that perfect state of the church, which we are taught to expect in the latter times; when the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in, and the Jews shall be converted and gathered from their dispersions; and the kingdoms of this world shall become the king doms of our Lord and of his Christ." (Bp. Lowth.) The remarkable prophecy in Ixiii. 1-6., which some expositors refer to Judas Maccabæus, the learned prelate applies primarily to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish polity; which in the Gospel is called the "coming of Christ," and the "days of vengeance" (Matt. xvi. 28. Luke xxi. 22.); but he thinks it may ultimately refer to the yet unfulfilled predictions, which intimate a great slaughter of the enemies of God and his people. The two last chapters of this prophecy manifestly relate to the calling of the Gentiles, the establishment of the Christian dispensation, and the reprobation of the apostate Jews, and their destruction executed by the Romans. and the exact construction of the sentences. V. Isaiah has, with singular propriety, been denominated the "evangelical prophet," on account of the number and variety of his prophecies concerning the advent and character, the ministry and preaching, the sufferings and death, and the extensive permanent kingdom of the Messiah. So explicit and determinate are his predictions, as well as so numerous, that he seems to speak rather of things past than of events yet future; and he may rather be called an evangelist, than a prophet. No one, indeed, can be at a loss in applying them to the mission and character of Jesus Christ, and to the events which are cited in his history by the writers of the New Testament. This prophet, says Bishop Lowth, abounds in such transcendent excellencies, that he may be properly said to afford the most perfect model of prophetic poetry. He is at once elegant and sublime, forcible and ornamented; he unites energy with copiousness, and dignity with variety. In his sentiments there is uncommon elevation and majesty; in his imagery, the utmost propriety, elegance, dignity, and diversity; in his language, uncommon beauty and energy; and, notwithstanding the obscurity of his subjects, a surprising degree of clearness and simplicity. To these we may add, that there is such sweetness in the poetical composition of his sentences, whether it proceed from art or genius, that, if the Hebrew poetry at present is possessed of any remains of its native grace and harmony, we shall chiefly find them in the writings of Isaiah; so that the saying of Ezekiel may most justly be applied to this prophet,— "Thou art the confirmed exemplar of measures, Full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty."-Ezek. xxviii. 12. Isaiah also greatly excels in all the graces of method, order, connection, and arrangement: though in asserting this we must not forget the nature of the prophetic impulse, which bears away the mind with irresistible violence, and frequently in rapid transitions from near to remote objects, from human to divine; we must likewise be careful in remarking the limits of particular predictions, since, as they are now extant, they are often improperly connected, without any marks of discrimination; which injudicious arrangement, on some occasions, creates almost insuperable difficulties. Bishop Lowth has selected the thirty-fourth and thirty-fifth chapters of this prophet, as a specimen of the poetic style in which he delivers his predictions, and has illustrated at some length the various beauties which eminently distinguish the simple, regular, and perfect poem contained in those chapters. But the grandest specimen of his poetry is presented in the fourteenth chapter, which is one of the most sublime odes occurring in the Bible, and contains the noblest personifications to be found in the records of poetry. The prophet, after predicting the liberation of the Jews from their severe captivity in Babylon, and their restoration to their own country (verses 1-3.), introduces a chorus of them, expressing their surprise and astonishment at the sudden downfall of Babylon, and the great reverse of fortune that had befallen the tyrant, who, like his predecessors, had oppressed his own, and harassed the neighbouring kingdoms These oppressed kingdoms, or their rulers, are represented under the image of the fir trees and the cedars of Libanus which is frequently used to express any thing in the political or religious world that is supereminently great and majestic. the whole earth shouts for joy; the cedars of Libanus utter a severe taunt over the fallen tyrant, and boast their security now he is no more. (verses 4-8.) This is followed (9.) by one of the boldest and most animated personifications of Hades, or the regions of the dead, that was ever executed in poetry. Hades excites his of monarchs. These illustrious shades arise at once from inhabitants, the shades of princes, and the departed spirits their couches as from their thrones; and advancing to the entrance of the cavern to meet the king of Babylon, they insult and deride him on being reduced to the same low state of impotence and dissolution with themselves. (10, 11.) The Jews now resume the speech (12.): they address the king of Babylon as the morning-star fallen from heaven, as the first in splendour and dignity in the political world fallen from his high state: they introduce him as uttering the most extravagant vaunts of his power and ambitious designs in his former glory; these are strongly contrasted, in the close, with his present low and abject condition. (13-15.) Immediately follows a different scene, and a most happy image, to diversify the same subject, and give it a new turn and additional force. Certain persons are introduced, who light upon the corpse of the king of Babylon, cast out and lying naked upon the bare ground, among the common slain, just after the taking of the city, covered with wounds, and so disfigured, that it is some time before they know him. They accost him with the severest taunts, and bitterly reproach him with his destructive ambition, and his cruel usage of the conquered: which have deservedly brought upon him this ignominious treatment, so different from that which those of his rank usually meet with, and which shall cover his posterity with disgrace. (16-20.) To complete the whole, God is introduced, declaring the fate of Babylon, the utter extirpation of the royal family, and the total desolation of the city; the deliverance of his people, and the destruction of their enemies; confirming the irreversible decree by the awful sanction of his oath. (21-27.) "How forcible," says Bishop Lowth, "is this imagery, how diversified, how sublime! how elevated the diction, the figures, the sentiments!-The Jewish nation, the cedars of Lebanon, the ghosts of departed kings, the Babylonish monarch, the travellers who find his corpse, and last of all JEHOVAH himself, are the characters which support this beautiful lyric drama. One continued action is kept up, or rather a series of interesting actions are connected together in an incomparable whole; this, indeed, is the principal and distinguished excellence of the sublimer ode, and is displayed in its utmost perfection in this poem of Isaiah, which may be considered as one of the most ancient, and certainly one of the most finished, specimens of that species of composition which has been transmitted to us. The personifications here are frequent, yet not confused; bold, yet not improbable: a free, elevated, and truly divine spirit pervades the whole; nor is there any thing wanting in this ode to defeat its claim to the character of perfect beauty and sublimity. If, indeed, may be indulged in the free declaration of my own sentiments on this occasion, I do not know a single instance, in the whole compass of Greek and Roman poetry, which, in every excellence of composition, can be said to equal, or even to approach it."2 1 "The image of the dead," so admirably described by the prophet, Bishop Lowth observes, "is taken from their custom of burying, those at least of the higher rank, in large sepulchral vaults hewn in the rock. Of this kind of sepulchres there are remains at Jerusalen now extant; and Some that are said to be the sepulchres of the kings of Judah. See Maundrell, p. 76. You are to form to yourself an idea of an immense subterrane ous vault, a vast gloomy cavern, all round the sides of which there are cells, guished sort of state suitable to their former rank, each on his own couch, to receive the dead bodies: here the deceased monarchs lie in a distin with his arms beside him, his sword at his head, and the bodies of his chiefs and companions round about him. See Ezek. xxxii. 27. On which place Sir John Chardin's manuscript note is as follows:- En Mingrelie ils dorment tous leurs épées sous leurs têtes, et leurs autres armes à leur côté ; et on les enterre de mesme, leurs armes posées de cette façon." Bp. Lowth's Translation of Isaiah, vol. ii. p. 121. 2 Bishop Lowth's Lectures on Hebrew Poetry, vol. ii. pp. 84-86. vol. i. PP. 294–301. and his Translation of Isaiah, vol. ii. pp. 230-232. Jahn, Introd. ad Vet. Fœd. p. 367. 5. ON THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JOEL. I. Author and date.-II. Occasion and scope.-III. Analysis of the book. IV. Observations on its style. BEFORE CHRIST, 810—660, or later. the Gospel; interspersing promises of safety to the faithful PART III. predicts the general Conversion and Return of the I. § 6. ON THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET MICAH. Author and date.-II. Occasion and scope.-III. Synopsis of its contents.-IV. Prophecies concerning the Messiah.V. Observations on its style. BEFORE CHRIST, 758-699. I. CONCERNING the family, condition, and pursuits of this prophet, there is great diversity of opinion among learned men. Although several persons of the name of Joel are mentioned in the Old Testament, we have no information concerning the prophet himself, except what is contained in the title of his predictions (i. 1.), that he was the son of Pethuel. According to some idle reports collected and preserved by the pseudo-Epiphanius,2 he was of the tribe of Reuben, and was born at Bethhoron, a town situated in the confines of the territories of Judah and Benjamin.3 It is equally uncertain under what sovereign he flourished, or where he died. The celebrated Rabbi Kimchi and others place him in the reign of Joram, and are of opinion that he foretold the seven years' famine which prevailed in that king's reign. (2 Kings viii. 1-3.) The authors of the two celebrated Jewish Chronicles entitled Seder Olam (both great and little), Jarchi, and several other Jewish writers, who are also followed by Drusius, Archbishop Newcome, and other Christian commentators, maintain that he prophesied under Manasseh. Tarnovius, Eckermann, Calmet, and others, place him in the reign of Josiah: but Vitringa, Moldenhawer, Rosenmüller, and the majority of modern commentators, are of opinion (after Abarbanel), that he delivered his predictions during the reign of Uzziah: consequently he was contemporary with Amos and Hosea, if indeed he did not prophesy before Amos. This opinion, which we think more probable than any, is supported by the following arguments:-1. Only Egypt and Edom (ifi. 19.) are enumerated among the enemies of Judah, no mention whatever being made of the Assyrians or Babylonians:-2. Joel (iii. 4-7.) denounces the same judgments, as Amos (i. 9-11.), against the Tyrians, Sidonians, and II. The people of Judah and Israel being very profane and Idumæans (who had invaded the kingdom of Judah, carried impenitent in the days of Isaiah (in consequence of which off its inhabitants, and sold them as slaves to the Gentiles): the Assyrian captivity was then hastening upon Israel, and -3. It appears from Joel ii. 15-17. that at the time he the Babylonian not long after fell upon Judah), the prophet flourished the Jews were in the full enjoyment of their reli- Micah was raised up to second Isaiah, and to confirm his gious worship:-4. More prosperous times are promised to predictions against the Jews and Israelites, whom he inJudæa, together with uncommon plenty (ii. 18, 19.):-vited to repentance both by threatened judgments and by 5. Although Joel foretells the calamity of famine and barren- promised mercies.10 ness of the land, it is evident from Amos (iv. 6, 7.) that the Israelites had not only suffered from the same calamity, but were even then labouring under it. II. From the palmer-worm, locust, canker-worm, caterpillar, &c. being sent upon the land of Judah, and devouring its fruits (the certain forerunners of a grievous famine), the prophet takes occasion to exhort the Jews to repentance, fasting, and prayer, promising them various temporal and spiritual blessings. III. This book consists of three chapters, which may be divided into three discourses or parts; viz. PART I. is an Exhortation, both to the Priests and to the Peo- PART II. An Exhortation to keep a public and solemn Fast From the fertility and prosperity of the land described in these verses, the prophet makes an easy transition to the copious blessings of the Gospel, particularly the effusion of the gifts of the Holy Spirit: with these he connects the destruction of the Jewish nation and polity in consequence of their rejecting 1 See Simonis Onomasticon Vet. Test. p. 517. 2 De Vitis Prophetarum in Epiphanii op. tom. ii. p. 245. 3 Relandi Palestina, p. 633. Typus Doctrinæ Prophet. cap. iv. p. 35. et seq. Introductio in Libros Canonicos Vet. et Nov. Test. pp. 120, 121. The famine predicted by Joel, Jahn refers to that which took place in the time of the Maccabees. See 1 Macc. ix. 23-27. I. MICAH, the third of the minor prophets, according to the arrangement in the Hebrew and all modern copies, as well as in the Septuagint, was a native of Morasthi, a small town in the southern part of the territory of Judah; and, as we learn from the commencement of his predictions, he prophesied in the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of that country; consequently he was contemporary with Isaiah, Joel, Hosea, and Amos. The time, place, and manner of his death are unknown. The genuineness of his prophecies relating to the complete destruction of Jerusalem, and of the temple, is supported by the testimony of Jeremiah. (xxvi. 18, 19.) III. This book contains seven chapters, forming three parts; viz. INTRODUCTION or title, i. 1. PART I. comprises the Prophecies delivered in the Reigns of Jotham King of Judah (with whom Pekah King of Israet was contemporary), in which the Divine Judgments are denounced against both Israel and Judah for their Sins. (i. 2-16.) PART II. contains the Predictions delivered in the Reigns of Ahaz King of Judah (with whom his Son Hezekiah was associated in the Government during the latter Part of his Life), and of Pekah King of Israel, who was also contemporary with him. (ii.-iv. 8.) In this prophetic discourse, Micah foretells the captivity of both nations (ii. 1—5.), and particularly threatens Israel for their enmity to the house of David (6--13.), and Judah for their cruelty to the pious. (iii. 1-7.) He then vindicates his prophetic mission, and denounces to the princes of Israel, that, though they should "build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity," for their sake Zion should be ploughed as a field, and Jerusalem should become heaps. (8--12.) This prophecy had its utmost completion in the final destruction of the city and temple by the Romans. We learn from Jer. xxvi. 18, 19. 24., that this particular prediction was uttered in the time of Hezekiah; and that in the reign of Jehoiakim it was a means of preserving Jeremiah from being delivered into the hands of the people who were desirous of putting him to death. In ch. iv. 1-8. the glorious and peaceful kingdom of Messiah is foretold, together with the establishment of the church. PART III. includes the Prophecies delivered by Micah during the Reign of Hezekiah King of Judah, the first six years of whose Government were contemporary with the greater Part Early in the last century, Mr. Hermann Von der Hardt, whom, from his love of philosophical paradoxes, Bp. Lowth has termed the Hardouin of Germany," attempted to reduce Joel's elegies to iambic verse. He accordingly published the three first elegies at Helmstadt, in 1708; and again, with additions, at the same place, in 1720, in 8vo. Compare 2 Kings xv.-xix. 2 Chron. xxvi.-xxxi. Isa. xxxvi.-xxxviii. 10 Roberts's Clavis Bibliorum, p. 671 of the Reign of Hoshea, the last King of Israel. (iv. 9-13.] v.-vii. In this portion of the book of Micah, the Jews are threatened with the Babylonish captivity (iv. 9, 10.): this event took place almost one hundred and fifty years after Micah's time; and the Chaldæans, who were to be the instruments in effecting it, had not arisen in the prophet's age to any distinction among the nations. The total overthrow of Sennacherib's forces is foretold (11-13.); and the pious king Hezekiah is assured of God's preservation by a new promise of the Messiah, who should descend from him (and the place of whose nativity is particularly indicated), and by a prediction of Sennacherib's murder. (v. 1-15.) The people are then forewarned of the judgments that would befall them for their sins in the reign of Manasseh (vi. 1-16.): the wickedness of whose reign is further described, together with his captivity and return from Babylon, as also the return of the Jews from BabyIon, and from their general dispersion after they shall be converted to the Gospel. (vii.) IV. The book of Micah, who (we have seen) was the contemporary of Isaiah, contains a summary of the prophecies delivered by the latter concerning the Messiah and the final return of the Jews, which are thus translated and arranged by Dr. Hales: CHAP. V. 2. "And art thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, little to be esteemed] Who shall rule my people, the Israel [of God] From days of eternity). III. 3. Therefore he will give them up [for a season] Until the time that she which shall bear Have borne: then shall return The residue of thy brethren [the Jews] IV. 4. And he shall stand and guide them In the strength of THE LORD, In the majesty of THE NAME OF THE LORD HIS GOD. And he shall be their PEACE." Matt. ii. 6. "And thou Bethlehem, territory of Judah, Who shall guide my people, the Israel [of God]." 1. Here the evangelist has removed the ambiguity of the question proposed by the prophet, by supplying the answer in the negative. As in Nathan's prophecy, Shalt thou build me a house 2" (2 Sam. vii. 5.) the parallel passage answers in the negative, "Thou shalt not build me a "house." (1 Chron. xvii. 4.) 2. He has supplied a chasm in the Masorete text, of Nagid, a usual epithet of the MESSIAH (1 Chron. v. 2. Isa. Iv. 4. Dan. ix. 25.), usually rendered 'Hyvos, "leader," by the Septuagint, and retained here by the evangelist, as a necessary distinction of his character, as supreme commander, from "the captains of thousands," styled 'Hyu, judiciously substituted for the thousands themselves in Micah, to mark the analogy more correctly. 5. The blessed virgin of Isaiah's former prophecy (vii. 14.) is evidently alluded to by Micah, and also the return of the remnant of the Jews (Isa. x. 20, 21.), and of the final peace of his kingdom. (Isa. ix. 6, 7.) This prophecy of Micah is, perhaps, the most important single prophecy in the Old Testament, and the most comprehensive, respecting the personal character of the MESSIAH, and his successive manifestation to the world. It crowns the whole chain of prophecies descriptive of the several limitations of the blessed seed of the woman to the line of Shem, to the family of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to the tribe of Judah, and to the royal house of David here terminating in his birth at Bethlehem, "the city of David." It carefully distinguishes his human nativity from his eternal generation; foretells the rejection of the Israelites and Jews for a season; their final out the earth in the Regeneration. It forms, therefore, the restoration, and the universal peace destined to prevail throughbasis of the New Testament, which begins with his human birth at Bethlehem, the miraculous circumstances of which are recorded in the introductions of Matthew's and Luke's Gospels; his eternal generation, as the ORACLE OF WISDOM, in the sublime introduction of John's Gospel: his prophetic character, and second coming, illustrated in the four Gospels and Epistles, ending with a prediction of the speedy approach of the latter in the Apocalypse. (Rev. xxii. 20.)1 V. The style of Micah is, for the most part, forcible, pointed, and concise, sometimes approaching the obscurity of Hosea; in many parts animated and sublime, and in general truly poetical. His tropes are very beautiful, and varied according to the nature of the subject. § 7. ON THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET NAHUM. I. Author and date.-II. Scope and synopsis of its contents.III. Observations on its style. BEFORE CHRIST, 720-698. I. NAHUM, the seventh of the minor prophets, is supposed to have been a native of Elkosh, or Elkosha, a village in Galilee, and situate in the territory that had been apportioned to the tribe of Simeon. There is very great uncertainty concerning the precise time when he lived; some making him contemporary with Jotham, others, with Manasseh, and others, with Josiah. The most probable opinion is that which places him between the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities, about the year 715 before the Christian æra; and, as the design of this prophet their cruel tyranny over the Israelites, and as the captivity is to denounce ruin upon Nineveh and the Assyrians, for of the ten tribes took place in the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel (2 Kings xvii. 6. &c. compared with 2 Kings xviii. 9-11.), it is most likely that Nahum prophesied against the Assyrians for the comfort of the people of God towards the close of Hezekiah's reign, and not long after the subversion of the kingdom of Israel by Shalmaneser. II. The SCOPE of this prophecy is, to denounce the certain and imminent destruction of the Assyrian empire, and particularly the inhabitants of its metropolis Nineveh; who, after a transient repentance in consequence of Jonah's preaching, had relapsed into their former sins, which they even aggravated by their wickedness. With this denunciation, the prophet introduces consolation for his countrymen, whom he encourages to trust in God. sublime description of the justice and power of God tempered His prophecy is one entire poem, which, opening with a destruction of Sennacherib's forces, and the subversion of by long-suffering and goodness (i.1-8.), foretells the the Assyrian empire (9-12.), together with the deliverance of Hezekiah and the death of Sennacherib. (13-15.) The destruction of Nineveh is then predicted, and described with singular minuteness. (ii. iii.) This prophecy, Archbishop Newcome observes, was highly interesting to the Jews, as the Assyrians had often ravaged their country, and had recently destroyed the kingdom of Israel. 3. He has also determined the pastoral nature of the MESSIAH'S "rule" by the verb av, "shall guide as a III. In boldness, ardour, and sublimity, Nahum is superior shepherd," afterwards intimated by Micah,,, exordium of his prophecy, which forms a regular and perfect to all the minor prophets. His language is pure; and the as there rendered by the Septuagint. For He is "the shepherd poem, is not merely magnificent, it is truly majestic. The of Israel" (Gen. xlix. 24. Psal. Ixxx. 1.), "the chief shepherd" (1 Pet. v. 4.), and "the good shepherd" (John x. 14.), who preparation for the destruction of Nineveh, and the descripappointed his apostles to "guide and pasture his sheep." tion of its downfall and desolation, are expressed in the most (John xxi. 16.) 4. The human birth of the MESSIAH is carefully distinguished by Micah from his eternal generation, in the parenthetical clause, which strongly resembles the account of the primeval birth of Wisdom. (Prov. viii. 22-25.) 1 Dr. Hales's Analysis of Chronology, vol. ii. book i. pp. 462, 463. a Lowth's Lectures, vol. ii. p. 98. 3 The best commentary, perhaps, on this prophet, is the ninth of Bishop Newton's Dissertations (vol. i. pp. 141-158.); in which he has ably illus trated the predictions of Nahum and other prophets who foretold the destruction of Nineveh. vivid colours and with images that are truly pathetic and sublime.' § 8. ON THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ZEPHANIAH. I. Author and date.-II. Scope and analysis of this book. BEFORE CHRIST, 640-609. discharge the duties of his function with unremitting dili gence and fidelity during a course of at least forty-two years reckoned from the thirteenth year of Josiah's reign. In the course of his ministry he met with great difficulties and opposition from his countrymen of all degrees, whose persecution and ill usage sometimes wrought so far upon his mind, as to draw from him expressions, in the bitterness of his soul, which many have thought difficult to reconcile with his reliI. THIS prophet, who was "the son of Cushi, the son of gious principles; but which, when duly weighed, may be Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah" (i. 1.), found to demand our pity rather than censure. He was, in is supposed to have been of the tribe of Simeon; but, though truth, a man of unblemished piety and conscientious integrity: he has mentioned his ancestors for no less than four genera- a warm lover of his country, whose miseries he pathetically tions, nothing certain can be inferred from thence, as to the deplores; and so affectionately attached to his countrymen, family to which he belonged. We learn, however, from his notwithstanding their injurious treatment of him, that he prophecy, that he delivered his predictions in the reign of chose rather to abide with them, and undergo all hardships Josiah; consequently he prophesied about the time that Jere- in their company, than separately to enjoy a state of ease and miah entered on his prophetic office, and in method and sub-plenty, which the favour of the king of Babylon would have ject he greatly resembles him. secured to him. At length, after the destruction of Jerusalem, having followed the remnant of the Jews into Egypt, whither they had resolved to retire, though contrary to his advice, upon the murder of Gedaliah, whom the Chaldæans had left governor in Judæa, he there continued warmly to remonstrate against their idolatrous practices, foretelling the consequences that would inevitably follow. But his freedom and zeal are said to have cost him his life; for there is a tradition, that the Jews at Tahpanhes were so offended at his faithful remonstrances, that they stoned him to death, which account of the manner of his decease, though not absolutely certain, is at least very likely to be true, considering the temper II. In consequence of the idolatry and other iniquities pre- and disposition of the parties concerned. Their wickedness, vailing in the kingdom of Judah, whose inhabitants had dis- however, did not long pass without its reward; for, in a few regarded the denunciations and admonitions of former pro- years after, they were miserably destroyed by the Babylophets, Zephaniah was commissioned to proclaim the enormity nian armies which invaded Egypt, according to the prophet's of their wickedness, and to denounce the imminent desola-prediction. (xliv. 27, 28.)3 Some Jewish writers, however, tion that awaited them; to excite them to repentance, to fore-affirm that he returned to Judæa, while others say that he went tell the destruction of their enemies, and to comfort the pious to Babylon, and died there; and a third class are of opinion Jews with promises of future blessings. that he died in Egypt, far advanced in years, and broken by the calamities which had happened both to himself and his country. This prophet's writings are all in Hebrew, except the eleventh verse of the tenth chapter, which is Chaldee. His predictions concerning the seventy years of the captivity were known to and read by the prophet Daniel. (ix. 1.) On this account Zephaniah has been considered as the abbreviator of Jeremiah; but it is evident that he prophesied before Jeremiah, because the latter (Jer. ii. 5. 20. 22.) seems to speak of those abuses as partially removed, which the former (Zeph. i. 4, 5. 9.) describes as existing in the most flagitious extent. From his account of the disorders prevailing in Judah, it is probable that he discharged the prophetic office before the eighteenth year of Josiah; that is, before this prince had reformed the abuses and corruptions of his dominions. The style of Zephaniah is poetical, though it is not characterized by any striking or uncommon beauties. His prophecy, which consists of three chapters, may be divided into four sections; viz. SECT. 1. A denunciation against Judah for their idolatry. (i.) SECT. 2. Repentance the only means to avert the divine vengeance. (ii. 1-3.) SECT. 3. Prophecies against the Philistines (ii. 4-7.), Moabites, and Ammonites (8-11.), Ethiopia (12.), and Nineveh. (13-15.) SECT. 4. The captivity of the Jews by the Babylonians foretold (iii. 1-7.), together with their future restoration and the ultimate prosperous state of the church. (8-20.) SECTION III. II. The idolatrous apostasy and other criminal enormities of the people of Judah, and the severe judgments which God was preparing to inflict upon them, though not without a distant prospect of future restoration and deliverance, form the principal subjects of the prophecies of Jeremiah; except the forty-fifth chapter, which relates personally to Baruch, and the six following chapters, which respect the fortunes of some particular heathen nations.1 It is evident, from various passages of this book, that there were four distinct collections of Jeremiah's prophecies. The first was that mentioned in chap. xxxvi. 2. and made by divine command in the fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim. ›N THE PROPHETS WHO FLOURISHED NEAR TO AND DURING THE In this collection were contained all the predictions which he BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY. 1. ON THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH. had delivered and published, to that time, as well against other nations as against the Jews: the prophecies against I. Author and date.-II. Occasion of his prophecies.-Differ- end of the book, as being in some measure unconnected with the Gentiles are, in our Bibles, placed by themselves at the ent collections of them.-III. Synopsis of their contents. those denounced against the Jews; but in the present copies IV. Prophecies concerning the Messiah.-V. Observations on their style. BEFORE CHRIST, 628-586. of the Septuagint, they follow immediately after the thirteenth verse of the twenty-fifth chapter. This first collec tion comprised chapters i.-xx. xxv. xxvi. xxxv. xxxvi. xlv. 1. THE prophet Jeremiah was of the sacerdotal race, being-li. inclusive. (as he himself records) one of the priests that dwelt at Ana- The second collection is that mentioned in chap. xxx. 2., thoth (i. 1.) in the land of Benjamin, a city appropriated out and contained chapters xxvii.-xxxi. inclusive: it was made of that tribe to the use of the priests, the sons of Aaron (Josh. in the reign of Zedekiah, and, as may be inferred from xxviii xxi. 18.), and situate, as we learn from Jerome, about three 1., after the fourth year of the reign of Zedekiah. Roman miles north of Jerusalem.2 Some critics have conjectured that his father was the same Hilkiah, the highpriest, who found the book of the law in the temple, in the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah (2 Kings xxii. 8.): but for this opinion there is no better ground than that he bore the same name, which was of frequent occurrence among the Jews; for, if Hilkiah had really been the high-priest, he would doubtless have been distinguished by that title, and would not have been placed on a level with priests of an ordinary and inferior class. Jeremiah appears to have been very young when he was called to the exercise of the prophetical office, from which he modestly endeavoured to excuse himself, by pleading his youth and incapacity; but being overruled by the divine authority, he set himself to Lowth's Lectures, vol. ii. p. 99. 2 Hieronymi Comm. in Jer. cc. i. xi. and xxxi. Eusebii Onomast. voce. The third collection was made soon after the destruction of Jerusalem, as is plainly indicated by the prophet himself in the general preface to his book, where he says that the word of Jehovah came to him "in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign; and came in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, until the completion of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, until the carrying away of Jerusalem into captivity in the fifth month." (i. 1-3.) Čonsequently, this third collection included chapters xxi.-xxiv xxxii.-xxxiv. and xxxvii.-xxxix. Dr. Blayney's Translation of Jeremiah, pp. 221, 222. 2d edit. the Hebrew and the Septuagint, in the order of Jeremiah's prophecies; s Carpzov has written an elaborate disquisition on the variations between |