exact sites of the different cities of the "South Country," enumerated in Josh. xv. 21-32, from the copious materials furnished by the Bible itself, the writings of Josephus and the Greek and Roman topographers, the Onomasticon of Eusebius and Jerome, the itineraries of early pilgrims, the chronicles of crusaders, and, last but not least, by the descriptions of modern travellers. In pursuance of this object, I have laid down for my guidance certain canons of identification,' the whole or greater number of which must be satisfied before the desired result is attained. This has never, I believe, been systematically undertaken before, and constitutes the most original feature of the book. Illustrations of Scripture are introduced throughout the entire work on every possible occasion; my great object For the satisfaction of the reader, these canons are here subjoined: (1) The original name should be retained, either in its essential letters, or in its peculiar signification. (2) The specifications of distance from, or relation to, other places, supplied by the Bible, Josephus, Eusebius and Jerome, &c., must be verified. (3) Any characteristic features by which the locality itself was anciently signalized, must be found existing now; due allowance being made for the lapse of ages, and other modifying circumstances. (4) Every condition required by the several passages of Scripture, &c., in which the place is mentioned, must be satisfactorily fulfilled. (5) The actual traces of former habitations on the spot are strongly confirmatory, although not absolutely indispensable, for obvious reasons. 2 Learned travellers have hitherto been contented either with such identifications as forced themselves, so to speak, on their notice in the principal lines of route, or with isolated cases of more than ordinary interest. But surely the success which attended the two journeys of Dr. Robinson, in such instances as Eleutheropolis and Pella, and which has crowned the exertions of others who have followed in his footsteps, may well stimulate to more vigorous and methodical endeavours to complete what the American Professor has so ably begun. being to promote a more intelligent study of the Bible, and an increased appreciation of its wonderful literary resources. The volume is complete in itself; but, in the event of its being successful, I propose to deal with the other portions of the Holy Land in the same manner, so as to present, if life and health be spared, a critical and exhaustive Treatise on the Physical and Historical Geography of Palestine. In the construction of the accompanying Map, I have to acknowledge my obligations to Kiepert, Zimmermann, De Saulcy, Van de Velde, and other labourers in the field of Sacred Geography: but in many instances, extraneous help has failed me altogether, and I have been left to form my own conclusions. The present state of our knowledge, indeed, makes it impossible to attain perfect accuracy, especially with regard to the extreme south of Palestine, some portions of which must still be considered a terra incognita. I venture, notwithstanding, to hope that such an approximation has been effected as will render the Map (what I have intended it to be) a guide to the localities mentioned in this work, as well as an illustration of the various opinions expressed throughout its pages. I have found it convenient to employ the Hebrew term Negeb, partly for the sake of brevity, but chiefly 1 It seemed better, on the whole, that this word, necessarily occurring so frequently, should be spelt Negeb than Negebh or Negev. For thus retaining, as more euphonious and concise, the original sound of the final letter, I have the authority of Ewald, Hurwitz, and the Spanish Jews. because the rendering of our Authorized Version ("South" or "South Country") is an inadequate representation of the full meaning of the original. The root of the word, according to Buxtorf, Parkhurst, and Gesenius, is to be found in the Syriac and Chaldee, and signifies "to be arid;" and as this was the chief characteristic of the south of Palestine, it hence acquired its secondary meaning of "south." While, therefore, in reference to the country generally, we may without much impropriety render the abstract term "Negeb" by "the South," the translation ceases to be accurate when applied in a more restricted sense; as, e. g., "the Negeb of Judah," which does not signify "the South of Judah," for it comprises, besides the south, a considerable portion of the east and west of that tribe-but so much of Judah as was included within the Negeb or Dry Country. I will only add, that if, in these days of doubting and unrest, the little work now diffidently launched on the sea of Public Opinion shall have contributed, however humbly, to a clearer apprehension of the truthfulness and inspiration of the Word of God, I shall feel myself more than repaid for the many and toilsome hours which have been devoted to its production. 1 See Note at p. 14. DONCASTER, April, 1863. E. W. |