thence called Servile letters. Now the letters, which most usually serve to this purpose, are contained in this word Heemanti, whence they are called the Heemantic letters. N What has been here laid before the reader will enable him to have a competent understanding of whatever (if I remember aright) is said in the following Treatise, with reference to the Hebrew tongue, and will particularly be of great use in understanding how to trace out the etymology or derivation of names, and thereby the original of nations. For from what has been observed, it is evident, that in the etymology of names from the Hebrew tongue, the letters of the radix are chiefly, if not solely, to be regarded. As to what particularly concerns the first Part of my Geography of the Old Testament, it is requisite only to observe to the reader, that in the account of the situation of the Garden of Eden, I have taken a great deal from the learned Huet, Bishop of Soissons in France, as having, I think, wrote best on that subject. In the account of the original plantations of mankind after the flood, I had received great help from our learned countryman, Mr. Mede, and the learned Frenchman, Monsieur Bochart. As to the description. of Noah's ark, it is taken from the famous mathematician, Bishop Wilkins's tract, inserted by Mr. Pole into his Synopsis Criticorum. As the first part of my Geography of the Old Testament contains the geography of Genesis, so the second Part contains the geo also of the three following books, Joshua, Judges, and Ruth, and consequently completes the geography of the Octateuch. For under this single name are usually comprehended the eight first books of the Old Testament, as the five first books are comprehended under the like name of the Pentateuch. The method, as well as design, of the second Part being in the main the same with that of the first, I need here take notice but of the following particulars. In drawing up the second Part, I judged it proper to take notice therein, solely, or principally, of such places, as conduce to the better understanding of the sacred history. For this reason I have not troubled the reader with such cities, or towns, as are mentioned only in Joshua, in reference to the several tribes they belonged to, but no where else in reference to any historical transaction or occurrence.There being also several other places, which are but once or twice mentioned in the sacred history, and that but barely, so as no light is afforded thereby (or from any other authors) as to their situation, I have likewise judged it better to pass most of them quite over in silence, than to name them only to tell the reader, that no tolerable account could be given of them. For the same reason I have not crowded the map of the Holy Land with multitude of places of no use to be known, but have inserted therein only such as are remarkable in reference to the sacred history. To take off the dryness of bare Geography, I have studiously laid hold of such opportunities as came in my way, to take notice of any curiosity, either natural or artificial. And I have ventured to enlarge upon the Pyramids. as being some of the noblest pieces of human art and labour, either ancient or modern. There remains only to observe, that, in order to adjust the geography of these sacred books, I have, upon consulting the Samaritan or old Hebrew Pentateuch, learnt the true original reading of several texts, particularly of Deut. x. 6, 7. whereby the contrariety of the present reading of the said text (in the common Hebrew and our English Bible) to Numb. xxxiii. 30. is quite taken away, as is shewn pages 280. 284, 285. of this volume; and in like manner, the present corrupt reading of Exod. xii. 40. in the common Hebrew and our English Bible, is corrected from the Samaritan Pentateuch, as it is shewn in the Chronological Account hereto belonging. |