549. The Chronology posterior to the birth of Christ, is, in general, clearly established; but a very small part of it falls within the compass of the Scripture history.

550. The primary use of chronology, in Scripture criticism, is to shew the order and connexion of the several events recorded in the historical parts of the Bible.

551. But chronology is, likewise, of very great importance for ascertaining the accomplishment of many of the prophecies.

552. Chronology sometimes leads to the discovery and correction of mistakes in numbers and dates, which have crept into particular texts.

SECT. V.

Of Geography.

553. Geography, which gives an account of the situations of places, their several names, the nature of their climate, soil, and the like, is often a mean of throwing light on Scripture.

Well's Hist. Geograph. of the O. and N. T.

554. The geography of Canaan is of great importance, as it was the theatre of almost the whole that is recorded in Scripture; it has therefore, justly been

the object of particular attention; and every particular of it that can be ascertained, illustrates some text or removes some difficulty.

Bethsaida is often mentioned in the Gospels; it is generally

placed near Tiberias, west of the lake of Genezareth. But it lay on its north-east shore, beyond Jordan. John xii. 21. "Bethsaida of Galilee ;" not properly, but Gaulonites often comprehended under it. (Mat. iv. 13, 14, 15. Joseph. Ant. 1. 20. c. 3.) Luke ix. 10. "went aside to Bethsaida," from Herod, into Philip's dominions. Mark vi. 45. "to go to the other side to Bethsaida," not to the other side of the lake; but of a creek or bay.

Macknight, § 60, 61.

555. But, as many other countries are mentioned in Scripture, or are the scenes of events related there, the geography of these likewise, is of considerable use for throwing light upon it.

Well's Geogr.

is often mentioned in Scripture; by many supposed Ethiopia, (Vulg. Genev. Engl.) but this is a wrong supposition. It was Arabia Petræa, or a part of it. Num. xii. 1. “ Moses's wife was a Cushite," but she was from Midian, (Exod. ii. 16. &c.) which was a town in Arabia, (Joseph. Ptolom. Jerom.) either in the territory of Cush, or contiguous to it, (Habak. iii. 7.) It was near to Judea ; therefore, 2 Kings xix. 9. its king might attack the Assyrians besieging Libnah; 2 Chron. xiv. 9. might attack Asa, king of Judah; ch. xxi. 16. it was near the Arabians; Isa. xx. 3, 4, 5, might enter into alliance with Judah. It lay northeast of Egypt; therefore, Isa. xviii. 1. Egypt is properly described as "beyond the rivers of Cush." Ezek. xxix. 10. "from Syene (south) to the borders of Cush," (north-east,) signifies the whole extent of Egypt; ch. xxx. 9. "flying Egyptians might easily go in ships (across the Red Sea) to Cush."

Essay for New Translation, p. 2. c. 1. § 6. Well's Geogr. 0. T. v. 1. c. 3. s. 4. § 4, 5.

556. By preserving the ancient names of places, tribes, or nations, geography assists us in determining the meaning of the proper names employed in Scripture, which are often different from those which are used by other writers.

Wells, O. T. v. 1. c. 1.

Chittim, the countries and islands about the Mediterranean. This is confirmed: "Cetii," a people, and "Cetium," a river in Lesser Asia (Homer. Strabo.) "Cittium," a town in Cyprus, which was called also, "Chethima," and its inhabitants "Chethim," (Joseph.)

Macedonia, anciently called "Macettia," and by the Latins "Cetii."

Newton on Proph. Wells, O. T. v. 1. c. 3. s. 2. § 21, &c. 557. It is, in some cases, absolutely necessary, and in all cases, very useful, for our understanding the Scripture history, to be acquainted with the geography of the places where the scene lies.

558. Geography shews the meaning, the justness, and propriety of expressions, used by the sacred writers, in describing, or speaking of places which they

mention.

John iii. 2, 3. "Nineveh, a great city-exceeding great," greater than Babylon, (Strab. 1. 16.) the greatest of all cities, (Diodor. Sicul. 1. 2.)—“ Of three days' journey," at 20 miles a-day, being 480 furlongs, above 60 miles, in circumference, (Diod. ib.) ch. iv. 11. "More than six score thousand" children. This, by some calculations, makes about 400,000, by others, 600,000 inhabitants. But the city was about 20 miles long, and 12 broad, (Diod. ib.) and stood on four times as much ground as Paris, which is computed at 700,000 or London, computed at 800,000 inhabitants; therefore, there was full room for them." And also much cattle,"

there being in the eastern cities large spaces for gardens and pasture.

Newton on proph. Diss. 9. Wells, ib. c. 5. § 19, &c.

Isa. xxi. 1 Babylon is called "the desert (or plain) of the sea." It was situate in a plain always surrounded by waters; but of old covered with water, and called the ea, till drained by Semiramis, (Herod. 1. 1. c. 184. Abyden. ap. Euseb. Præp. Evan. 1. 9. c. 41.) and became so again after being taken by Cyrus, and still continues; which, probably, is intimated here.

Lowth's Isa. in loc. Newton on Proph.

It had 100 such,

Isa. xlv. 2. Babylon's "gates of brass." besides others within the city. (Abyd. ib. 179, 180, 181.)

Lowth in loc. Newton, ib.

Jer. li. 58. "The broad walls of Babylon."

Herod. ib. c.

They were 87

feet broad, (Herod. ib.) and could contain six chariots abreast, (Diod. Sic. 1. 2.)

Wells, ib. c. 3. § 4.

559. Knowledge of the several particulars which belong to the description of countries, shows the import and force of such sentiments as are expressed in allusion to them.

Job xxviii. 19. "The topaz of Cush." Not Ethiopia, for it produces none; but first discovered in Chitis, an Arabian island, (Pliny) and the name Arabic.

Schultens in loc.

SECT. VI.

Of Natural History.

560. NATURAL HISTORY Comprehends accounts of the qualities of all the kinds of natural bodies; and, in general, all facts which fall not with entire propriety under any of the heads already mentioned; and it contributes, in many instances, to the illustration of Scripture.

561. The Scripture sometimes professedly mentions, or in part describes, particular bodies; and it is only by means of natural history, that the sense of these passages can be truly ascertained.

2 Kings vi. 25. The famine was so great, that the besieged

doves" (רביונים Keri) חרייונים bought at a high price

dung." This would have been a strange food, and there are many fancies about it. But the name is given by the Arabians to a kind of pulse, or peas, which is used still fried, both in Egypt and Palestine, and carried as provisions by the pilgrims to Mecca.

Essay for New Translat. p. 2. c. 1. § 2.

562. Sometimes the Scripture expresses sentiments in allusion to, or by metaphors taken from, some fact in natural history, the knowledge of which only can show the import or propriety of these sentiments.

Job xxxvii. 22. "Out of the north cometh 271, (literally) gold" It is generally taken figuratively, but very differently. Eng. "fair weather." If the word here mean “gold,”