But before we quit the genealogy of Noah's descendants, it will be necessary to mention some further particulars relative to the posterity of his second son Shem, from whom the Hebrews took their rise, and who will be found the principal objects of the succeeding history.

About two years after the flood, at which time Shem was one hundred years old, he had a son named Arphaxad; after which time he lived five hundred years; so that the whole of his life was exactly six hundred years.

Arphaxad, when thirty-five, had a son named Salah; after which he lived four hundred and three years; in all four hundred and thirty-eight.

Salah, when thirty, had a son named Eber (from whom his descendants were called Hebrews), after which he lived four hundred and three years; in all four hundred and thirty-three.

Eber, when thirty-four, had a son named Peleg, in whose time the earth came to be divided; after which he lived four hundred and thirty years; in all four hundred and sixty-four.

Peleg, when thirty, had a son named Reu, after which he lived two hundred and nine years; in all two hundred and thirty-nine.

Reu, when thirty-two, had a son named Serug; after which he lived two hundred and seven years; in all two hundred and thirty-nine.

Serug, when thirty, had a son named Nahor; after which he lived two hundred years; in all two hundred and thirty.

Nahor, when twenty-nine, had a son named Terah; after which he lived one hundred and nineteen years; in all one hundred and forty-eight.

The

Terah was the father of the first great patriarch after Noah, namely, Abraham. He had likewise two other sons, the one called Nahor, and the other Haran. last of these, who was the eldest of the three, died before his father, at Ur,* in Chaldea, the place of his nativity. He left behind him a son named Lot, and two daughters, the elder of whom, called Milchah, was espoused to her uncle Nahor, and the younger, named Sarai, was married to her uncle Abram.

A universal depravity of human nature now displayed itself in all parts of the world, but more particularly in the city of Ur, where the practice of idolatry was carried to its utmost height. In consequence of this, Terah resolved to leave his abode, that he might no longer be an eye-witness of the iniquity of the people. Having formed this resolution, he quitted Ur, and taking with him his son Abram and his wife, together with his grandson Lot, set out with an intent of visiting the land of Canaan. In his journey he stopped at a place called Haran (or Charran), a city of Mesopotamia, where, being seized with a violent illness, he was compelled to make it the place of his residence. The violence of the disorder prevailing over the power of medicine, nature at length gave way, and Terah died at Haran, in the two hundred and fifth year of his age.

CHAPTER IV.

Ar the close of the preceding chapter, we observed that Terah, the father of Abram, left his native place, in order to go into the land of Canaan. It is here to be observed, that his conduct in this respect certainly arose from divine direction,

UR OF THE CHALDEES.-The birthplace of Abraham has been generally regarded as a town; but such orientalists as have of late years had occasion to express an opinion on the subject, have been rather disposed to regard it as the name of a district. As such, there is little reason to question that it is that which the sacred text indicates, as it comprehends both the towns in which the names mentioned in this part of the history have been sought. Of these, one is the town called by the Syrians Urhoi, and by the Arabians Orfah, or Urfah, which the Moslems firmly believe to be the Ur of the text; and the Jews and Christians of the country acquiesce in this conclusion. This town is situated at the foot of the mountains of Osroene, at the head of the great plain which was formerly so called, and is still a place of some consideration. Cartwright says: "The air of this city is very healthful, and the country fruitful. It is built nearly four-square, the west side standing on the side of a rocky mountain, and the east part trendeth into a spacious valley, replenished with vineyards, orchards, and gardens. The walls are very strong, furnished with great store of artillery, and contain in circuit three English miles; and for the gallantness of its sight it was once reckoned the metropolitical seat of Mesopotamia." This traveller, as well as one who preceded him, Rauwolff heedless of the analogy of name, regards Urfah rather as representing Haran than Ur

the Almighty having thought proper to select this family out of the rest of mankind, by making Abram "Father of the faithful," or worshippers of the true God.

It is evident that God had revealed himself to Abram, previous to his removal from Ur, as appears from the account of the inspired penman: "The Lord had said unto Abram," &c., Gen. xii. 1. He had commanded him to leave the country in which he resided, and to travel into another he should point out to him. He likewise promised to make him father of a mighty people, and in him to bless all the families on the earth.

Abram, fully persuaded, in his own mind, of the truth of the divine promise (though he knew not the difficulties that might attend his removal, nor even the country in which he was to settle), immediately after the decease of his father, prepared himself to go to the land which God should appoint, and, by a strict attention to the divine commands, prove at once his faith and obedience.

Accordingly, taking with him his nephew Lot, his wife Sarai, and the rest of his family, together with all his effects, he set out on his journey, which he prosecuted with all convenient expedition, till he came (by the divine guidance) into the land of Canaan. Desirous of making some survey of the country, he stopped in the plaint of Morch, not far from the city of Sichem, then inhabited by the Canaanites. Here he erected an altar, in order to pay his devotions to God, who was so well pleased with his conduct, that he gave him fresh assurances of his favor and protection, and that, in process of time, the whole land in which he then dwelt should be possessed by his descendants.

After staying some time in the plains of Moreh, Abram removed with his family into the more mountainous part of the country, situated between Bethel and Hai. Here he likewise erected an altar, that he might not be deficient in the discharge of that duty which he was conscious of owing to his great and omnipotent benefactor. From Bethel he proceeded farther to the south; but was interrupted in his progress by a dreadful famine, which raged with great violence throughout the whole country. In consequence of this, he formed the resolution of going to Egypt, that being the only place where relief could be obtained under such calamities.

Being apprized of the natural libertinism of the Egyptians, Abram was exceeding anxious concerning his wife Sarai, fearing lest her extraordinary beauty might provoke their lascivious attention. Though she was at this time in the sixty-sixth year of her age, yet she still retained those personal charms which, in that country,

* In what manner God revealed himself to Abram, the sacred historian has not told us. It was probably by a voice from the Shechinah, or symbol of the Divine presence; for St. Stephen expressly says: "The God of Glory appeared unto him before he dwelt in Charran." Acts vii. 2.

This country fell to the lot of Canaan, the son of Ham, to which he gave his own name.. Canaan was about 200 miles long, and nearly 80 broad, lying along the eastern border of the Mediterranean sea. David and Solomon governed several provinces beyond the limits of Canaan, which enlarged their kingdom, 1 Kings, iv. 21-24. Canaan was bounded on the north by the mountains of Lebanon in Syria, on the east by Arabia Deserta, on the south by the wilderness of Arabia Petrea and Idumea, and on the west by the land of the Philistines and the Mediterranean sea. Besides the name of its first possessor, Canaan has been variously denominated as the Land of the Hebrews, Genesis xl. 15; Palestine, Exodus xv. 14; the Land of Promise, Hebrews xi. 9; the Land of Israel, Judah, Judea, the Holy Land, Zechariah ií. 12. Canaan has been the theatre of the most extraordinary transactions which have ever taken place under the Divine government upon earth. This is the country where the chief patriarchs walked with Godwhere the theocracy of Israel was established-where the prophets received most of their divine inspirations-where the temple of Jehovah was erected under his special direction-where the incarnate Son of God accomplished the work of human redemption-and where the apostles were miraculously endowed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, to fulfil their commission as ambassadors for Christ to invite sinners of all nations into the kingdom of Messiah for the blessings of pardon, purity, and immortality, in the eternal glory of God. Canaan, in the times of David and Solomon, contained a population of about 5,000,000; but now it has only about 1,500,000 inhabitants. Since the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, it has been the scene of strange revolutions, especially during the crusades, profanely called holy wars: it now forms two wretched provinces, ACRE and DAMASCUS, under the miserable government of pachas, subject or tributary to the sultan of Turkey. The population consists of Turks, Syrians, Bedouin Arabs, Copts, Druses of Lebanon, Roman, Armenian, and Greek Christians, and Jews.

The Septuagint and most other versions call it the Oak of Moreh, from a large oak that grew on it; but our translation renders it plain.

This city, after the ruin of Samaria by Salmanesar, was the capital of the Samaritans; and Josephus says it was still so in the time of Alexander the Great. It was situated ten miles from Shiloh, forty from Jerusalem, and fifty-two from Jericho.

It appears from this circumstance, that Egypt had been soon formed into a kingdom after mankind were dispersed by the confusion of languages. Its first name was Mizraim, which signifies straightness; it being closed on the north by the Mediterranean sea, on the west and south by mountains, and on the east by the Red sea, or Indian gulf. Nicolaus Damascus, a heathen author, says, that Abram went out of Chaldea into Canaan, now called Judea, but, in consequence of a great famine raging there, he removed to Egypt, in which were abundance of all kinds of provisions.

It may appear somewhat strange that Sarai should have such personal charms at so advanced an age: but it must be remembered that as in those days they were longer lived than at present, so their charms were proportionably durable.

mignt endanger the life of him who should pass for her husband. After some deliberation, Abram concluded that the safest way would be for her to conceal her marriage; upon which, communicating his fears to Sarai, and she approving of his plan, it was mutually agreed between them, that wherever they took up their residence, instead of his wife, she should pass for his sister.

The apprehensions that Abram had formed were soon verified, after his arrival in Egypt. The distinguished charms of his wife attracted the notice of several principal Egyptians, and she soon became the subject of popular conversation. The king, being informed of her beauty, was excited to gratify his curiosity by the sight of so amiable a stranger. Accordingly, Sarai was, by his order, conducted to court, and placed in the apartments allotted for his concubines. Here she remained several days, during which Abram (her supposed brother) was treated with great civility, and on her account (though the king had not yet seen her) complimented with many valuable presents.

A feeling mind may, in some degree, conceive the distress each party must natu rally be susceptible of on this trying occasion. Sarai was a beautiful woman, in the power of a loose and vicious monarch, and destitute of all protection but from the hands of the Almighty. While her husband, who should be the only guardian of her person, dare not own her as his wife, lest the rage of lust and strength of power should deprive him of his existence.

To relieve them from this distressed situation, the Almighty was pleased to interpose in their behalf: and, in order to deter Pharaoh and his nobles from any dishonorable attempts on Sarai, he suddenly afflicted them with various diseases and bodily infirmities. Not being able to account for this singular circumstance, they at length suspected that it was occasioned by the confinement of Sarai, who, instead of being the sister of Abram, must certainly be his wife. In consequence of these suspicions, the king sent for Abram, and expostulated with him on his misconduct, in having spread a false report, which might have been attended with a breach on his wife's chastity. After saying this he ordered him immediately to quit his kingdom, permitting him to take not only his own effects, but the presents that had been made him in consequence of his supposed sister.

The famine in Canaan, which had occasioned Abram to go into Egypt, was happily ceased; so that his leaving the place was not only in conformity to the king's command, but agreeable to his own inclinations. Abram directed his course the same way he had come, and on his arrival at Bethel, where he had erected an altar, he offered on it a sacrifice of thanks to God for his happy escape from Egypt, and safe return into the land of Canaan.

Abram and his nephew Lot had hitherto lived with great unanimity on the same spot; but their families and possessions being now greatly increased, inconveniences took place. They found themselves particularly distressed for want of provision for their cattle, which, probably, arose partly from the late famine, and partly from the great number of Canaanites, who possessed the most fertile parts of the land. This want of pasture-ground occasioned frequent disputes between the herdsmen of Abram and those of Lot; so that the former, fearing lest the contention which prevailed among the servants might end in a rupture between themselves, resolved, in a friendly manner, to propose a separation from Lot. In doing this, such was his great prudence and condescension, that, though superior in every respect to his nephew, he gave him his choice of settlement in that part of the country he should best approve. "If," says he, "thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or, if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left."

This generous and friendly proposition was readily agreed to by Lot, who, after taking a view of the country, chose the plains near Sodom and Gomorrah, which, being watered by the streams of Jordan, was not only pleasant, but exceedingly fertile.

* What this king's name was, or indeed any of the Egyptian monarchs, can not be ascertained. The name Pharaoh was a title of dignity common to all, in the same manner as that of Cæsar assumed by the Roman Emperors.

+ This river, being the principal stream of Palestine, has acquired a distinction much greater than its geographical importance could have given. It is sometimes called "the river," by way of eminence, being In fact almost the only stream of the country which continues to flow in summer. The river rises about an hour and a quarter's journey (say three or three miles and a quarter) northeast from Banias, the ancient Cæsarea Philippi, in a plain near a hill called Tel-el-kadi. Here there are two springs near each other, one smaller than the other, whose waters very soon unite, forming a rapid river, from twelve to fifteen yards