NOTE CXXXIII.-Page 321. SPENCER, Legibus Hebræorum, lib. ii, c. 20, supposes, with great plausibility, that these inhibitory laws were given in opposition to certain practices of the Zabian idolaters, and quotes Gulielmus Parisiensis, who refers to certain books written expressly on that subject. He also suggests, that these unlawful mixtures of cattle were prohibited, lest they should lead on to incestuous and unlawful acts amongst the Israelites themselves. NOTE CXXXIV.-Page 321. MALMONIDES words are- " Circumcisio, meo judicio, propter lanc rationem instituta est, ut libido Hominum diminuatur, et membrum hoc, quantum fieri potest, ad actum istum debilitetur. NOTE CXXXV.-Page 323. CIRCUMCISION was designed to be a sign, and a seal. (Romans iv, 11.) 1. As a sign, it distinguished the Israelites from all other people as God's peculiar people; it was commemorative of the Divine covenant, and perpetually reminded them of it: it was figurative of that purity of heart, which God promised to bestow on those who truly desired it: and it was initiatory, all who embraced Judaism being subjected to it. 2 As a seal, it was a mark impressed by order of Jehovah, as a token of his covenant with Abraham and his posterity; and the Jews, by submitting to it, acknowledged their obligations to fulfil the conditions of the covenant, whether the rite was personally and voluntarily suffered, or whether it was performed by parental and federal authority in childhood.— See Spencer, De Leg. Heb. vol. i, lib. i, c. 4, sect. 2. Other reasons have also been adduced of a Physical nature for this rite. For, (1.) It has been said to be preventive of certain diseases, peculiarly dangerous in hot climates, particularly the anthrax or carbuncle. (2.) It is asserted to be conducive to population.-See Michaelis's Commentaries on the Laws of Moses, vol. iii, art. 186; Jahn's Biblical Archæo logy, ch. 10, sect. 162, p. 171; Blumenbach's Institutions of Physiology, sect. xxxvi, p. 283, note. London, 1817, 8vo. The question, whether the Jews derived circumcission from the Egyptians, or the Egyptians from the Jews?, is perhaps impossible to be decided. It is, however, certain that Herodotus wrote too long after Moses to prove that the Jews derived it from the Egyptians; though there are some reasons for supposing it in existence before Abraham.-See Spencer, De Leg. Heb. lib. i, c. iv. sect. 4; Michaelis ut supra, article 185; Jahn ut sup. NOTE CXXXVI.-Page 324. "NoN multiplicabit homo coitum, sicut diximus, neque etiam omninò eum tollet, cùm dictum sit; Crescite et multiplicamini. Sic debilitatur quidem istud membrum aliquo modo in circumcisione, sed non prorsus abscinditur, verùm remanet in suâ constitutione naturali, et cavetur ne aliquid addatur. NOTE CXXXVII.-Page 324. MAIMONIDES evidently adopts the prejudices of the Eastern nations relative to the lower orders of society, nearly approaching to the Hindoo abhorrence of inferior castes.-See Ward's View, &c. vol. iii, pt. i, ch. 2. NOTE CXXXVIII.-Puge 325. MAIMONIDES does not appear to have had any knowledge of the descendants of the Zabii existing in his day, or for a thousand years previous; and, therefore, could not derive his views of the Zabii from any works, considered by him as modern, as has been conjectured by some late writers. NOTE CXXXIX-Page 326. In conclusion, we may remark, that the more the Mosaic code of Laws is studied, the more fully shall we be convinced of its Divine origin, and of the wisdom, prudence, and mercy pervading every part of it. The Jews had been in bondage to a cruel and idolatrous nation; their minds were debased, and their habits were sensualized; yet they were to become the depositaries of the Divine Law, and the harbingers of the MESSIAH. Some of the precepts guarded them against idolatrous practices, and inculcated hatred of them; others directed them to the unity, purity, justice, and mercy of JEHOVAH. Some institutions prefigured the blessings of Messiah's reign; others symbolized the necessity of atonement; and others impressed the conviction of personal sinfulness; whilst, as a whole, they induced humility, elevated the mind to God, promoted holiness, and directed to the great REDEEMER: fully justifying the appeal of Moses:-" WHAT NATION IS THERE SO GREAT, THAT HATH STATUTES AND JUDGMENTS SO RIGHTEOUS AS ALL THIS LAW, WHICH I SET BEFORE YOU THIS DAY?" (Deut. iv, 8.) END OF NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS. Adultery, forbidden Abolition, (gradual,) of Slavery in Europe, history of Admonition, or Reproof, punishment of woman suspected of, laws concerning "Egebolium," meaning of the term Agriculture, connected by the Zabii with the worship of the stars, and 375 391 .... 319 312 421 Amulets, or charms, made use of by various nations of Persians, and other nations, were small cylinders Anatomical observations of Maimonides, remarks upon law delivered by 123 123 124 346 409 73 263, 408 "Asherah" and "Asheroth," meaning of these terms 163, 339, 361 "Aswamedha Jug," or Horse-sacrifice of Hindoos Atonement, typified by Jewish Sacrifices Avicenna, Works of, translated by Maimonides BAAL, worship of 135, 359 423 92 16 423 B 46 or Baal Peor, worship of, obscene and filthy 267, 429 114 Baked Bread, why offered Bacchus, feasts of, falsely charged upon the Jews Baliism, a species of idolatrous worship in Ceylon 401 336 274 44 "Bereschith Rabba," Rabbinical Commentaries so called Bestiality, precepts concerning "Beautiful Captive," precepts respecting the Birds, why offered and Birds' Nests, precepts concerning Blessing the People," ceremony of Blood, prohibition of 207 260 332 228, 316 248 274 307 402 76, 281 reasons for 76, 83, 84 |