HISTORICAL CONNECTION. readers to explain their nature, especially as we have referred to them ourselves in some instances. The existing Targums are ten in number, containing paraphrases and expositions of different parts of the Old Testament. The principal of these are-1. The Targum of Onkelos, confined to the five books of Moses, and supposed to have been written by a disciple of the celebrated Hillel, above-mentioned: it is preferred to all the others for the purity of its style, and its adherence to the true meaning of the Text.-2. The Targum of the Pseudo Jonathan, is also on the Pentateuch, but much inferior to the former, of little esteem, and certainly not written by Jonathan Ben Uzziel, as the title imports.-3. The Jerusalem Targum is also confined to the books of Moses-is much inferior in stile, and full of fables.-4. The Targum of Jonathan Ben Uzziel on the Prophets: this is a genuine work, and ranks next to Onkelos, with whom he is reported to have been a fellow student. This work includes both the former and latter prophets. The other Targums are confined to particular books, and are of less note, and lower antiquity. (For a fuller account of these, see Horne's Crit. Introd., 4th edit. vol. 11. pp, 163–170.) There are two other ancient Jewish authors frequently referred to by Christian writers, one of whom has furnished much of this Connecting Essay, namely, Flavius Josephus, who was born about A. D. 37, and early distinguished by his learning and zeal as a Pharisee. He had a command in the Jewish army against the Romans, and was taken prisoner by them; but he had the address so to ingratiate himself with Titus, the Roman general, that he became his friend and protector; under whose patronage he wrote the History of the Jewish War, Jewish Antiquities, &c. which have been well translated into English by Mr. Whiston. Philo-Judæus, a Jew of Alexandria, of an illustrious and sacerdotal family, was sent by his countrymen to plead their cause before Caligula against Appion, about A. D. 40, or soon after, and wrote an account of their mission, and also of the sect of Essens, above mentioned, and became a zealous disciple of Plato, the philosopher. GEOGRAPHICAL INDEX OF THE PRINCIPAL PLACES MENTIONED IN SCRIPTURE. ABARIM, a ridge of mountains between the rivers Arnon and Jordan, including Nebo and Pisgah. See Deut. xxxii. 49, 50; xxxiv. 1; compared with Numb. xxxiii. 47. Abel signifies mourning, and is applied to several places remarkable for great lamentation; as Abel-Misraim, the mourning of the Egyptians; Gen. L. 11. Abilene, the tetrarchy of Lysanias, of which Abila was the capital. Luke iii. 1. Accho, a sea-port of Galilee; when rebuilt by Ptolemy Philadelphus, it was called Ptolemais, and is now called Acre, or St. John d'Acre. Aceldama, the field of blood; a certain field without the south wall of Jerusalem. Compare Matt. xxvii. 7, 10; Acts i. 19. Achaia Proper, was a province running westward along the bay of Corinth; but the term Achaia is often used to include the whole of Greece. Achor, a valley near Jericho. See Josh. vii. 1-26; xv. 7. Adam, a city (or town) near Jericho. Josh. iii. 16. Adamah and Adami, two towns in the tribe of Judah. Josh. xix. 33, 36. Adria, a city of Italy, which gives its name to the Gulf of Venice, or Adriatic Sea. It was formerly given to the whole of the Mediterranean. Acts xxvii. 27. Alexandria, a city of Egypt, built by Alexander the Great, and made the capital of the kingdom under the Ptolemies. Amalekites, the children of Amalek, which dwelt in Arabia Petræa; but freSee quently wandering like the Arabs. Gen. xxxvi. 12, 16; 1 Chron. i. 36; 1 Sam. xv. 5, 7. Ammonites, a people like the preceding, who inhabited, in distinct tribes, probably, the mountaius of Paran and Gilead. See Josh. xiii. 25; Judges xi. 13-23. Amorites, a race of giants who peopled the mountains west of the Dead Sea, and some parts of the east. Numbers xiii. 29; Josh. v. 1. Anathoth, a city of the Priests in the tribe of Benjamin, about three miles north from Jerusalem. 2 Kings ii. 16. Antioch, a city on the banks of the Orontes, the metropolis of Syria, and, ac cording to Josephus, the third city of the Roman empire. See Acts xi. 26. Antioch, in Pisidia. Acts xiii. 14. There were several other cities of this name bot mentioned in Scripture. Antipatris, a city in the road from Jerusalem to Cæsarea, and 17 miles from Joppa, according to Josephus. Acts xxiii. 31. Appii-forum. See Note on Acts xxviii. 15. Ar, Areopolis, or Ariel of Moab, a chief city of the Moabites, on the south of the river Arnon. Numb. xxi. 28. Arabia, an extensive country, reaching from the Euphrates to Egypt, and from the Red Sea to the Persian Gulf. It is usually divided into three parts—1. Arabia Deserta, lying nearly to the east of Judea, and whose inhabitants dwell in tents. 2. Arubia Petræa, or the rocky, including mount Sinai. 3. Arabia Feliz, or the Happy; so called from its fertility: this was the southern part of Arabia. Ararat, the mount on which the ark rested. Gen. viii. 4. Arimathea, a city between Lydda and Joppa, or, as others think, between Joppa and Jerusalem. Luke xxiii. 50. Armenia, a province of Asia, in which are the sources of the Tigris and Euphrates; and, as many think, it included Eden. See Gen. ii. 10, &c. Ashdod, or Azotus, a city of the Philis tines. Josh. xi. 22; xv. 46; I Sam. v. I. Ashtaroth, a city of Moab, where that idol was worshipped, allotted to the half tribe of Manasseh. Deut. i. 4; Josh. ix. 10. Asia, one of the four quarters of the world, as they are usually called; but, in the New Testament, usually confined to Asia Minor, or the Proconsular Asia, comprising Phrygia, Mysia, Caria, and Lydia, in which were planted the seven churches mentioned in the Revelation of St. John. CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE, SHEWING, AT ONE VIEW, The Period in which the SACRED Writers flourished, and the most celebrated of the HEATHEN Poets, Historians, Orators, and Philosophers, contemporary with them; compiled from Dr. Enfield's History of Philosophy, Dr. A. Clarke's “ Bibliographical Dictionary" and " Sacred Literature," &c. &c. It not being possible, at this distance of time, to ascertain the births and dates of these very early writers, we have contented ourselves with marking the dates at which they wrote or flourished. Century Inspired Writers. XV. Moses. XII. XI. Heathen Writers. There is no Pagan writer that can be traced nearly to the age of this Sacred Historian and Legislator. Samuel the Prophet. Orpheus, Musæus, and Linus, are placed by some in David. Solomon. this century, but on very doubtful authority. Hesiod, Poet. Some place him before Homer. Romulus, founder and first King of Rome. Thales, chief of the seven Sages of Greece, and founder Epimenides, of Crete, Philosopher and Poet. Solon, Legislator of Athens, and one of the seven Sappho, Greek female Poet. Auacharsis, Scythian Philosopher. Esop, Phrygian Philosopher, and celebrated Fabulist. Pythagorus, founder of the Pythagorean Philosophy. Heraclitus, a Pythagorean Philosopher, of atheistical principles, and of so melancholy a turn, that he was called" the weeping Philosopher." Democritus, the laughing Philosopher, who made a jest of every thing. Anacreon, a beautiful but licentious Greek Poet. Herodotus, of Halycarnassus, the father of history among the Greeks. Pindar, of Thebes, the prince of lyric poets. Cato, of Utica, Roman patriot and stoic philosopher; Thucydides, Greek historiau of the Peloponesian war. GEOGRAPHICAL INDEX. Decapolis, ten cities and their respective districts, lying in Iturea and Peræa, which united for their mutual security and defence. Mark vii. 31. Derbe, a city of Lycaonia, in Asia Minor. See Acts xiv. 6, 20. Dothan, a town about 12 miles north from Shechem. See Gen. xxxvii. 17. Dura, an extensive plain in the province of Babylon. Dan. iii. 1. Egypt, an ancient kingdom of Africa, called also Mizraim, or the land of Ham, and famous (or rather infamous) for idolatry and oppression. Elam, the ancient Hebrew name of Persia. Emims, a race of giants. Deut. ii. 10, 11. Emmaus, a village about seven miles from Jerusalem. Luke xxiv. 13-35. It is said, that it afterwards grew into the city and colony of Nicopolis. Endor, a city of Manasseh, within the bounds of Issachar, and noted for the witch whom King Saul consulted. 1 Sam. xxviii. 7. En-gedi, a city in the desert of Judea, famous for its palm trees and vineyards. 1 Sam. xxiv. 2; 2 Chron. xx. 2; Sol. Song, i. 14. The term En, which signifies fountain," is prefixed to various other names of places. 66 a Ephesus, a city of Asia Minor, famous for its image and temple of Diana. Acts xix. Ethiopia, 1. An extensive country of Africa, anciently comprehending Abyssinia and Nubia. 2. The country on the east coast of the Red Sea, whence Moses had his wife. Numb. xii. 1. Euphrates, the great river, which formed the eastern limit of the land of Israel, taking its rise in the north of mount Taurus. Ezion-geber, a sea-port of Idumea, where Solomon fitted out his fleets; 1 Kings ix. 26-and near to which was lost the joint fleet of Jehoshaphat and Ahaziah. 2 Chron. xx. 35-37. Fair Havens, a bay of Crete, near Lasea. Acts xxvii. 8. Gadarenes. See Girgasites. Galatia, a province of Asia Minor, so called (as is said) from the Gauls who settled there. Galilee, the northern division of Canaan, containing the tribes of Issachar, Zebulon, &c.; bounded by Lebanon on the north, and Samaria on the south. It was divided into Lower and Upper, the latter being mountainous, and being peopled by various nations, was called Galilee of the Gentiles: but Lower Galilee was far more populous and rich, and here our Lord so much resided, that he was called a Gali lean, both Nazareth and Capernaum being in this district. Gath, an ancient city of the Philistines, whose King afforded to David an asylum. 1 Sam. xxvii. 5, 6. Gaza, another chief city of the Phili tines, the scene of Sampson's chief exploits. Judges xvi. Gehinnom, the valley of Hinnom, without Jerusalem, and probably including Kidron. It was infamous for the idolatrous rites of Moloch, particularly the part called Tophet, where the idol stood. It was coasidered as a type of hell, and from it was formed Gehenna, which is so rendered, Matt. v. 22, 29, 30, &c. &c. Gennesareth (called also Chinnereth), the lake of Galilee, about 20 miles long and 6 broad, surrounded by pleasant towns. See Luke v. 1, &c. Gerar, the royal city of Abimelech. Gen. xx. 2. Gerizim, a mountain near Shechem, on which the Samaritans built their temple. See John iv. 20. Gethsemane, a garden at the foot of mount Olivet, in which were vineyards and wine-presses. Matt. xxvi. 36. Gibeon, a city of Canaan. The Gibeonites deceived Joshua into a league with them, by which means their lives were spared, but they were made slaves for the tabernacle service. Josh. ix. Gilead, mountain of, whence came the celebrated balm of Gilead. Jer. viii. 22 This hill lay east of the sea of Galilee, being part of the chain of mountains which extend southward from Lebanon into Judea, including the Trachonitis. Gilgal, the place where circumcision was renewed in Canaan. Josh. v. 2, 9. Girgasites, the inhabitants of Girgesa, a town on the east of Genesareth, near të Gadara. See Note on Matt. viii. 28. Gomorrha, one of the five cities destroyed by fire from heaven. Gen. xix. 2 Goshen, a city and district in Egypt, where Jacob dwelt. Gen. xlv. 10; xlvi. 34. Grecce, in Hebrew Javan, from a son of Japheth. Gen. x. 2, 4. It is used in Daniel for Macedonia, as well as Greece Proper. Haran, or Charran, in the north-west of Mesopotamia, the city where Terah died. Gen. xi. 27, 32. Hebron, a very ancient city, fermerly called Kirjath-Arba, or the city of Arba, where several of the Patriarchs and their wives were buried. Gen. xiii. 18; xxiii. 2. Hermon, a high mountain in the northern extremity of Israel, its summit always covered with snow. Deut. iii. 9. Hinnom. See Gelinnom. Hor, a mountain on the borders of Hebron, where Aaron died. GEOGRAPHICAL INDEX. Horeb, a part of mount Sinai. Deut. ix. 8, 9. Jabesh Gilead, a city of Gilead, to the east of the Jordan, which was besieged by the Ammonites in the reign of Saul, and relieved by him. 1 Sam. xi. 1-11. In recollection of this, when Saul was slain, and his body affixed to the walls of Bethshan, some of the inhabitants of this town went and took down the body, and gave it honourable interment. 1 Sam. xxxi. 11-13. Iconium, the chief city of Lycaonia. See Acts xiv. 1-6. Idumea, anciently called Edom, included the south of Judea, from the sea of Sodom to the Red sea. In process of time, the Idumeans advanced northward into Judea, nearly as far as Hebron. Under the Maccabees they were conquered, and forced to submit to circumcision. Jebus, the ancient name of Jerusalem, which see. Its inhabitants were then called Jebusites. Jericho, the first city which Joshua took after he had crossed the Jordan. Josh. vi. 1, &c. It was famous for the number of palm trees there growing. See Deut. xxxiv. 3. Jerusalem, the capital of Judea, where Solomon's temple was situated. The city was built on two hills, mounts Sion and Acra, with a deep valley between. The city of David, or the upper city, on Mount Sion; the lower city, on Mount Acra, and the temple occupied part of a third mount, Moriah. The upper and lower towns were separated by a high wall through the valley, and the whole encircled by a strong wall. In Herod's time, the Romans had a castle on the west, called Antonia, which overlooked the courts of the temple, and where they kept a garrison. "Jerusalem" is commonly explained to mean "the City of Peace." The Greeks called it Hierosolyma, or "the Holy Salem." See a ground plan of this city, in a corner of our Map of Israel. Jezreel, a city of Issachar, where Ahab had a palace, and Naboth a vineyard. 1 Kings xxi. 1, &c. Illyricum, a province lying north and north-west of Macedonia, on the east coast of the Adriatic Gulf. Paul visited this country, and sent thither Titus. Rom. xv. 19; 2 Tim. iv. 10. India, is in Scripture only mentioned in Esther i. 1; viii. 9. Joppa, a sea-port in the Mediterranean, south of Cæsarea, and not far from Lydda, where Peter raised Tabitha to life. Acts ix. 36-43. Jordan, the principal river of Judea,whose banks being covered with a forest of reeds and shrubs, afforded shelter to wild beasts, who were, however, driven therefrom when the river overflowed its banks, sometimes to the extent of nearly a mile on each side. Jer. xlix. 19. Italy, a well-known country of Europe, of which Rome is the capital. Iturea, a country east of Jordan, sup posed to derive its name from Jetur, a son of Ishmael. Gen. xxv. 15. It included the kingdom of Bashan. Tiberias gave it to Philip the Tetrarch. Luke iii. 1. Judea, or the land of Israel, has been divided into four parts:-1. The western province, along the borders of the Mediterranean, inhabited by the Philistines. 2. The mountainous district, called the Hill Country. Josh. xxi. 11; Luke i. 39. 3. The wilderness of Judea, along the shore of the Dead Sea. 4. The valley west of Jerusalem. In our Lord's time, Judea extended from the Mediterranean west, to the Dead Sea east; bounded on the north by Samaria, and on the south by Edom, or the Desart. Kadesh, the name of a wilderness, supposed to be the same as the wilderness of Paran, and the Desart of Zin. Also a city, situated on the borders of this wilderness, west of Edom. Numb. xx. 14-16. Kadesh Barnea, a city of Moab, bordering on the south of Judah. Num. xx. 1. Kedar, a region so called in the desart of the Hagarens. Gen. xxv. 18; 1 Chron. i. 29. Kidron (Kedron, or Cedron), the name of a valley, and of a stream flowing through it, between Jerusalem and the mount of Olives. 2 Sam. xv. 23; 2 Kings xxiii. 4; John xviii. 1. Kirjath Arba. See Hebron. Kirjath Jearim, a city of the Gibeonites, which fell to the lot of Judah. It was about nine miles west from Jerusalem, on the road to Lydda. Here the ark remained above 20 years, till David brought it up to Zion. 1 Sam. vii.; 1 Chron. xiii. Kishon, a river, or torrent rather, which taking its rise from the plain of Jezreel, passed on the north of mount Carmel, and discharged its waters into the Mediterranean. Judges iv. 7, 13. Lachish, a city of Judah, rebuilt by Rehoboam; 2 Chron. xi. 9: aud afterwards besieged by Senacherib; 2 Kings xix. 9. It is supposed to have lain about eight miles south of Eleutheropolis. Laish, or Leshem. See Dan. Laodicea, a city of Asia Minor. See on Rev. iii. 14-22. Lebanon, Forest of, a celebrated mountain, or rather two ridges of mountains, called Libanus and Anti-Libanus, run |