for understanding them; and they consist, almost wholly, of argumentation and morality.

371. All the didactical and devotional books of the Old Testament, with some hymns and songs, interspersed in the other books, are generally acknowledged to be poetical; though the precise nature and rules of Hebrew metre cannot now be accurately defined.

372. The prophetical parts of the New Testament are certainly in prose; and it has been the general opinion, that the prophetical books of the Old Testament are likewise in prose; but, that these are, for the most part, though not the whole of them, really poetical, seems now to be proved with sufficient evidence, particularly from the conformity of their structure, to that of the confessedly poetical books, in every essential circumstance.

Lowth, Poes. Hebr. prælect. 18, 19. Prel. Diss. p. 2, &c.

Herder's Dialogues on Hebrew Poetry.

373. The true pronunciation of the Hebrew language having been lost for many ages, the precise nature of its poetry cannot now be discovered; but it seems plainly to be characterised by periods of correspondent members, one synonymous with,' amplifying," or contrasted to, another; and similar in their length and structure; all which appears even in a literal version.

3

Lowth, Prel. Diss. p. 11. &c. Herder, ib.

1 Psal, ii. 1.-" Why do the heathen rage,

And the people imagine a vain thing? 3. Let us break their bands asunder,

And cast away their cords from us.

2 Psal. iii. 3.-But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; My glory and the lifter up of my head.

3 Prov. x. 1.-A wise son maketh a glad father;

But a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother."

374. The Hebrew poetry is remarkable for conciseness; the sentences are short, no superfluous words.

375. It is, likewise, highly figurative, and abounds with the noblest and most beautiful metaphors and comparisons, derived from a variety of sources; prosopopeias; bold transitions; abrupt change of persons; and, in general, all the acknowledged ornaments of discourse.

376. In consequence of both these qualities, it is strong, bold, and nervous.

377. It is a great beauty in the Hebrew poetry, and contributes much to perspicuity, that the same set of images are constantly appropriated to the same subjects.

Lowth's Isa. ii. 13.

"Mountains," for states. "Cedars, oaks," potentates, princes. "Towers, fortresses," protectors. "Ships," merchants.

378. The Bible exhibits specimens of almost all kinds of poetry; agreeing in the same general features, but with differences suitable to the peculiar nature of each; didactic, in the Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and many of the Psalms; elegiac, in Jeremiah's Lamentation, and several lesser pieces; pastoral, in Solomon's Song; and lyric, in hymns, as most of the Psalms, and seve

ral interspersed both in the historical and prophetical books; besides Job, the nature of which is disputed.

379. Besides all these, the Bible contains a species of poetry peculiar to itself, the prophetical; which, though perhaps scarcely distinguishable from the others, in respect of its poetry, is, in respect of its subject, prediction, a very peculiar kind of composition; but, most of its peculiarities being such as occasion difficulties, they belong, most properly, to the second part.

380. The structure of the Hebrew poetry sometimes serves for detecting a mistake in our present copies, and for suggesting or confirming the true reading.

Lowth, Prel. Diss. p. 37, 40.

Psal. xxxviii. 19. "Mine enemies lively (On living) they are strong;

And they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied."

Lively is not synonymous with wrongfully-suggests On, without cause. This confirmed from Psal. Ixix. 4. where this word is put parallel to p, here used, but where there seems to be another mistake. Literally it runs, "They are multiplied more than the

hate me without cause;

hairs of my head, that

They are increased that would destroy me, (y) mine enemies wrongfully."

Not parallel-suggests D, "more than my looks." So 7 MSS.

Lowth, ib.

381. The structure of the Hebrew poetry may likewise contribute to the interpretation of Scripture, by indicating in what sense an obscure or ambiguous word ought to be taken in a particular place.

Lowth, ib. p. 37-39.

Isa. xxviii. 14. "Wherefore, hear the word of the Lord, ye scoffers,

Ye who rule (n) this people in Jerusalem."

The word signifies not only to rule, but to speak parables or sententious sayings, which is parallel to scoffers. One of their sayings is instanced in ver. 15.

"We have made a covenant with death,

And with hell are we at agreement.”

So ni must, from the nature of the poetry, signify here, as well as in v. 18.; but it does so nowhere else.

Lowth, ib. Vitringa in loc.

Ver. 18. "Your covenant with death shall be broken,
And your agreement with hell shall not stand."

Either must here signify to break, which it does nowhere else; or, more probably, the true reading is 9. Chald. So Isa. viii. 10.

Lowth, ib. Houbig. in loc.

SECT. II.

Of the Authors of the Books of Scripture.

382. To know who are the authors of the several books of Scripture, is necessary, chiefly for establishing their authority and inspiration; in which light it belongs to another part of our plan; but it is, in some degree, conducive likewise to our understanding them; and it is in this view only, that it claims our present notice.

383. We are abundantly certain concerning the authors of most of the books of Scripture, though we be ignorant of many particulars about them, which it might be desirable or useful to know.

384. Though all the authors of Scripture be inspired, yet, in regard to their manner of writing, they are left to follow each his own genius, turn of thought, and mode of expression; in all which there is great diversity; and attention to this will contribute to our reading their works both with pleasure and with advantage.

385. An author's peculiar character may sometimes contribute to our determining the true reading; for, among various readings, equally supported, that ought to be preferred, which is agreeable to the author's style and manner.

386. But knowledge of the author's history, situation, and manner of conceiving and expressing things, contributes much more to our entering into his full meaning, and is often absolutely necessary for this purpose.

387. An author's situation and circumstances will sometimes account for his choice of matter, for his omitting some topics, and enlarging upon others.

Mark is silent concerning things honourable to Peter, and large on his faults. He was his companion, and wrote from his information.

Lardner's Credibility, Supplem. c. 7. § 5, 8. Jones's
Method of Canon. P. 3.

388. In the historical books of scripture, there is great uniformity of manner; though, even in these, some minute varieties may be discerned, together with considerable differences of style.