plished in the past. But to do this work, its interpretation must come up to the present and future standard of intelligence, where

it

may be read, and among those who are expected to accept and believe its records.

We hope to do something in the direction here indicated. And with a view to this result, the plan we have adopted is such, we think, as will make the study of the Bible more easy and interesting than the usual plan of other works on Biblical Exposition. Every thing is explained and illustrated by subjects rather than by texts; and in the treatment of a subject we have avoided, as much as possible, all references that may interrupt the reading. The references are, therefore, in general placed at the close of the paragraph to which they belong, or in the margin, to be consulted or not as the reader may choose. So, also, to save the reader trouble, we bring together passages of the same or similar kind, and explain them at the same time, rather than to ask him to turn to some other part of the book and read what we there said, which he will be very apt not to do.

For the convenience of such as desire to study these volumes, we have numbered each paragraph; and some time we expect to publish a book of Questions adapted to this numbering, with a view to their use in Sunday Schools and Bible Classes.

We seek, as we before said, to give reasonable interpretations; but this is not all. We expect some credit for what we do not say, as well as for what we do; for what the book does not contain, as well as for what the book does contain; for we feel quite sure that one half the things that are embraced in the commentaries now in use, could be stricken out, and the value of them would be greatly augmented. We can see no use in employing a multitude of words on matters of no importance, or to point out the various significations of a term, when it does not make the slightest difference whether we adopt one meaning or another.

By leaving out these useless discussions, we hope to find space for those matters that are really important, and of which we get but little information in other works that are offered as guides in a right understanding of the sacred Scriptures.

It will be observed that we do not explain the Scriptures in the order of passages altogether. The present volume embraces all the historical parts of Exodus and Numbers, and the corresponding portions of Deuteronomy. The laws and ceremonies of these books, and of Leviticus, will be treated of in another volume. By this method, we can give the reader a better view of the Scriptures than we could by a perpetual change from the narrative parts to the legal, and from the latter to the former, as we should be obliged to do, if we discussed passages and subjects as they occur.

The success of the volume on Genesis gives the author confidence in regard to the present and future volumes. It is believed that these volumes will supply, to some extent, a great want that is now felt by the religious world. Our obligations are due to editors, clergymen and others, who have received the first volume with so much favor. We hope the present will be deemed equally worthy of their approval. We desire also to express our acknowledgments for favors received at the hands of the officers of the Public Library of Boston, of the Atheneum, and of Harvard, by whom we have been offered every facility that we could desire for consulting books in their respective libraries.

It is our sincere desire that this effort of ours may be blessed of Heaven, to the advancement of Biblical Science, and to the better understanding of the character and government of God. W. E. M.

CHICAGO, OCT. 1, 1860.

GEOGRAPHICAL INDEX.

Abarim, 98; Abel-shittim, 105, 108; Ain, 107; Akrabbim, 107, 382; Almon-diblithaim, 97; Alush, 92; Amalekites, 35; Ammon, 104, 330; Ammonites, 103, 104; Ar, 103; Aram, 105; Argob, 104; Arnon, 98. 99, 102, 103, 108; Aroer, 102; Ashdoth-pisgah, 99, 105; Asmon, 382; Asteroth, 104; Ateroth, 101; Atroth, 102; Avims, 105, 106; Azzah, 106.

Baal-meon, 102; Baal-peor, 102, 103; Baal-zephon, 92; Bamoth, 97; Bashan, 101; Bashan-havoth-jair, 104; Beer, 99; Beezer, 104; Beeroth, 94; Beon, 102; Bene-jaakan, 94: Beth-haran, 102; Beth-jesimoth, 101; Beth-nimrah, 102; Beth-peor, 102.

Canaan, 107: Caphtor, 106; Caphtorim, 106; Chinnereth, 105, 107, 108, 383.

Dead Sea, 99, 105, 384; Dibon, 101: Dibon-gad, 99, 105; Dishabah, 105; Dophkah, 92.

Ebal, 107; Ebronah, 94: Edom, 97, 106, 327; Edomites, 106; Edrei, 101,
103, 105; Elath, 95; Elealeh, 102: Elim, 92, 234; Emims, 106, 329;
Eshcol, 9; Etham, 91: Euphrates, 107, 108; Ezion-gaber, 95.
Gerizim, 107, Geshuri, 104; Gilead, 104; Golan, 104; Goshen, 89;
Great Sea, 383; Gudgoda, 108.

Hamath, 96, 107; Haradah, 93; Hazar-adder, 107, 382; Hazar-Enan, 107; Hashmonah, 94; Hazeroth, 94, 105, 108; Hazerim, 106, 108, 330; Hebron, 96; Hermon, 108, 383; Heshbon, 101, 102; Hittites, 35: Hor, 97, 107, 383; Horeb, 108: Hor-hahidgad, 95, 108; Hori, 108: Horim, 106; Horites, 329.

Tim, 98, 108; Ije-abarim, 98, 108.

Jaazer, 101; Jabbok, 99, 103, 108; Jahaz, 102; Jebusites, 35: Jericho, 107; Jeshimon, 99, 101; Jogbekah, 102 Jordan, 107, 108, 383; Jotbath, 95, 108.

Kadesh, 94, 95, 96, 97, 107, 323; Kedemoth, 105; Kelathah, 93; Kenath, 105; Kibroth-haatavah, 94; Kirjah-huzath, 103; Kirjathaim, 102. Laban, 105: Lebanon, 107; Libnah, 93.

Maachathi, 104; Makelath, 93; Marah, 92; Massah, 91; Mattanah, 99; Medeba, 103; Meribah, 96; Midian, 105, 106: Migdol, 91, 92; Mithcah, 93; Moab, 98, 103, 106; Mosera, 108; Moseroth, 95: Mountains,

108.

Nahaliel, 99: Nebo, 99, 102; Nimrah, 102: Nobah, 105; Nophah, 103. Oboth, 97, 98.

Paran, 94, 105, 108, 283; Peor, 102, 208; Pethor, 108; Pi-hahiroth, 91: Pisgah, 99, 100, 102; Punon, 97.

Rabbath, 104; Rameses, 89, 163; Ramoth, 104; Red Sea, 95, 108, 226: Rehob, 108: Rephidim, 92; Riblah, 107; Rimmon-parez, 93; Rissah, 93; Rithmah, 93: Rivers, 108; River of Egypt, 382.

Salt Sea, 107, 381: Salchah, 115; Seas, 108; Seir, 106, 108, 329; Sephar, 95: Shapher, 95: Sheban, 102; Shenir, 108; Shephan, 107; Shibmah, 102; Shittim, 105, 108; Shur, 108; Sion, 108: Sin, 92, 108; Sinai, 93, 94 108: Sirion, 108; Succoth, 90.

Tahath, 93; Tarah, 93; Tophel, 106.

Wildernesses, 108.

Zalmonah, 96; Zanzummims, 106, 329; Zared, 98, 108; Zedad, 107; Zin, 94, 107, 108, 382; Ziphron, 107: Zoar, 105: Zophim, 99, 107: Zuzims, 329.

INDEX OF SUBJECTS.

AARON, his genealogy, 185; Meeting with Moses, 187; conduct at Si-
nai, 256, 258; his death, 330. AD, (forever,) 53; AMALEK attacks
the Hebrews, 238, 241; AMMON, 325, 343; ANGELS, 49; ANIMALS, 94;
ANTIQUITY of the Pentateuch, 9: APPOINTMENT of judges, 242, 245;
ARCHEOLOGY, 60-75: ARK of the covenant, 292; ARMY, 63, 274; AN-
THROPOMORPHISMS, 262; ARTS, 66: ASHER, family of, 365; ASSES in
Egypt, 17; ATONEMENT, 54; AUTHOR of the Pentateuch, 13.
BAAL-PEOR Worshipped, 355: BALAAM, 343-353: BALAK and BALAAM,
343: BARA, (create,) 48; BATHING in the Nile, 166: BENJAMIN, fami-
ly of, 363; BIRTH of Moses, 165; BLAIN, 147, 195; BLESSING of Mo-
ses, 387; BONES of Joseph, 216; BORROWING of the Egyptians, 176;
BOUNDARY of Canaan, 107, 380; BRAZEN serpent, 54; BREACH of
promise, 309; BRICKMAKING in Egypt, 32, 163, 183: BUlrushes,
167; BURDENS of the Hebrews, 181: BURIAL of Moses, 391.
CALEB, 308: CALF, golden, 255; CENSUS, 356, 367; CHARIOTS in Egypt,
17; WHEELS taken off, 150; CHARGE to Joshua, 386; CHEMOSH, an
idol, 339; CIRCUMCISION, 180; COMPOSITION of the Pentateuch, 21;
CONFLICT with the Canaanites, 312, 334; CONQUEST of Midian, 375;
CONVENT at Sinai, 240: CREDIBILITY of miracles, 121: CRUEL policy
of Pharaoh, 161.

DAN, family of, 365; DARKNESS in Egypt, 200; DATHAN and ABIRAM,
313; DEATH of firstborn, 148, 204; of Aaron, 330; of Moses, 390; DE-
SIGN of miracles, 119; DISCREPANCIES explained, 284, 290, 313, 321,
322, 326, 332, 333, 359, 364, 367; DISEASES, 74; DIVINE Sovereignty,
77; DIVISION of Canaan, 369; DRINK, 73.

EDOM, not molested, 325, 327; ÉLEMENTS, 69; ELOHIM, (God,) 47; EL-
DERS, 175; EPHRAIM, family of, 363; ETHIOPIAN woman, 300; Ex-
POSURE of Moses, 165.

FAMILIES in Egypt, 159; FIRE of the Lord, 294; FIRSTBORN, death of,
204; FLIES, 190; FOOD, 73; FREE agency, 77; FROGS, 190.
GAD, east of Jordan, 376; family of, 361: GENEALOGICAL differences ex-
plained, 280-282; GENEALOGIES kept, 278; GENEALOGY of Aaron, 185;
of Moses, 185; GEOGRAPHY, 88-110; GIANTS, 33, 35; GOLDEN calf,
255, 265; GOVERNMENT, 61; GREAT Sea, 383; GRAPES, 305.
HAIL, 147, 195; HEBREWS leave Egypt, 211; HIEROGLYPHICS, 31; Ho-
BAB, 270, 290, 291; HUMAN agency, 77; HUMAN Nature, 85.
IMPLEMENTS,70; IMPORTANT words, 46-60; INFANTS doomed, 164; IN-
SPIRATION, 21: ISRAELITES in Egypt, 15-320: in the wilderness, 321-
392; ISSACHAR, family of, 359, 362.

JEHOVAH, name of God, 175, 183, 184; JETHRO, 64, 172, 242; Joshua,
his name, 303; sedition of, 300; charge to, 386; JUDAH, family of,
362: JUDGES appointed, 242.

KADESH to Jordan, 96; KNEADING troughs, 207; KOL-YAMIM, (all
days,) 53; KOPHER, (atonement,) 54; KORAH and his company, 154,
313, 315.

LANGUAGE of the Pentateuch, 36; LEPROSY on Miriam, 154; LEVI, fam-
ily of, 368: set apart, 277; LICE, 190; LOCALITIES in Egypt, 88; Lo-
CUSTS, 147, 200; Lor, division of Canaan, by 369.

MAGICIANS, miracles of, 139, 188; MANASSEH, east of Jordan, 376; fam-
ily of, 367; MANNA, 156, 230, 234; MALAK, (angel,) 49; MASORETIC
notes, 42; MEASURES, 71; MEEKNESS of Moses, 16, 43; METALS, 68;
MIDWIVES, 163; MINERALS, 68; MIRACLES, 110-159; MIRIAM, 168; se-
dition of, 300, 301; her death, 331; MIXED multitudes, 206, 257, 294,
295; MOAB, 325, 342; Moses, his birth, 165; sympathy for his peo-
ple, 168: flees to Midian. 165; returns, 170; at the inn, 179; his ge-
nealogy, 185; his sons, 367; his offence, 321; his blessing, 387; his
death, 390; traditions of, 392: MOUNTAINS, 108; MURMURING, 230,
238, 293, 306; MURRAIN, 146, 195.

NAME of Pentateuch, 9; NAMES, modern in place of ancient, 15; joined
with Jehovah, 275; variations of, 109; NAPHTALI, family of, 365; NA-
SA, (forgive,)7; NATURE of miracles, 111; NEPHISH, (soul,) 48;
NILE, rising of, 167; NUMBERING of the people, 273, 367, 356.
OFFENCE of Moses, 321, 323; OLIM, (forever,) 52; ORDER of tribes, 281,
283; ORNAMENTS, 176.

PAGANISM, 64, 65, 76, 244, 239, 344, 354; PASSAGE of Red Sea, 148, 220,
225; PHARAOH, his cruelty, 161; PEOPLE corrupted, 354; PILLAR of
cloud, 155, 216, 217, 224, 252, 284, 286, 301; PLACES in Moab, 100;
PLAGUE, 308: POETRY, 228; POLYTHEISM among the Hebrews, 76;
PRECIOUS stones, 68; l'UNISHMENT, 66; and PARDON, 59.
QUAILS, 153, 230, 297.

RELIGION, 63; REUBEN, family of, 359; REUBEN, east of the Jordan,
376; REWARDS and PUNISHMENTS, 80; RHUA, (spirit,) 48; RIVER turn-
ed to blood, 187; Rock of Horeb, 152; ROD that budded, 154, 318;
ROD turned to a serpent, 187.

SALAH, (forgive,) 57; SEDITION of Miriam, 300; of KORAH, 313; SER-
PENTS, fiery, 335; SEVENTY judges, 62, 296; SHEOL, (grave,) 51;
SHEPHERD kings, 162; SIMEON, family of, 359; SINAI to Paran, 93;
SIHON and OG overcome, 337; SONG of triumph, 227: SPIES, 302, 310;
STYLE of the Pentateuch, 36; POETIC, 38.

TABLES of the law, 255; renewed, 271; TAMID, (forever,) 53; THEOLOG-
ICAL doctrines, 75-88; TRIBES, order of, 281; TRUMPETS, 284, 287;
TRUTH of the Pentateuch, 25.

UNITY of God, 75; UTENSILS, 70.

VARIOUS readings, 42; VEGETABLES, 69; VISIONS, 22, 23, 24, 83, 144,
260, 267, 269, 308; kinds of, 301.

WATERS of Marah, 151, 230; of HOREB, 151, 239; WEAPONS, 70;
WEIGHTS, 71; WELLS of Elim, 230; WINE in Egypt, 17; WOMEN put
to death, 373.

ZEBULUN, family of, 362.