years of age are generally found to constitute half the population of any community, the whole could not fall much short of two millions and a half, and probably exceeded that number. 884. Because it contains a census or numbering of the children of Israel at the beginning of the book (i. and ii.), and also another near the end (xxvi). This name is derived from the Septuagint. any 885. The lofty mountains of Lebanon, the river Jordan, the sea, and the vast deserts which formed its boundaries, rendered it difficult of access to invaders that might attempt to penetrate into the country. It abounded besides in all sorts of fruits, plentiful supplies of corn, and great numbers of olive-trees, from the fruit of which excellent oil was made. 886. It is situated in the north of Palestine, and is about fifteen miles in length from north to south, and six miles in breadth. The river Jordan flows through it. Besides the Sea of Chinnereth it was also afterwards called the Sea of Galilee, and in modern times is known by the name of the lake of Tiberias. The country around the lake is enclosed by mountains, and is described by all travellers as abounding in beautiful scenery. The prospect from the surrounding hills is described by Dr. Clarke, as "a view, which for its grandeur has nothing equal to it in the Holy Land." 887. That of the children of Israel by Moses mentioned in Num. i. 888. Yes; as we find a list of them in the time of David (1 Chr. xxvii. 16—22); and they probably continued till some time after; perhaps to the time of the Babylonian captivity. 889. The word by (Arom) often means only " without the outer garments" or without armour. It probably means in this place "divested of his royal garments." 890. The lepers (Num. v. 2). 891. 1st. That they should not drink either wine or strong drink; 2ndly. That they should let their hair grow; and 3rdly. That they should not touch any dead body (Num. vi. 2—6). 892. He was more corrupt than any king of Judah that had been before him. Among many other enormites, he worshipped the gods of Syria, and erected altars in honour of them, even in Jerusalem, shut up the Temple, and acted with a complete disregard both of the precepts of the Law and the warnings of the prophets (2 Kings, xvi). 893. He means, that his army was so numerous that they caused a scarcity wherever they came. 894. The angel of the Lord went out and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and eighty-five thousand men (2 Kings, xix. 35). 895. Judah was invaded by Pekah king of Israel and Rezin king of Syria, and suffered the most terrible calamities (2 Kings, xvi). 896. He sent messengers to Tiglath Pileser, king of Assyria, professing himself his servant, and sending him the treasures of the house of the Lord and of the king's house as presents (2 Kings, xvi. 7, 8). 897. It should be rendered "judges" as is evident from the context. 898. No; it should be "his owner shall die", that is, by a special judgment from God and not by a judicial sentence. 899. Jeremiah (xxv. 12). 900. To the contest between Alexander the Great, king of Macedon, and Darius, king of Persia; Darius being represented by the ram and Alexander by the he-goat. 901. The killing of a lion. As Samson was travelling with his father and mother, a young lion roared against him, and was slain by Samson by his bodily strength, there being at the time no weapon in his hand (Judg. xiv. 5, 6). 902. No; they were to remain in attendance "to keep the charge," and though they were exempt from the more laborious duties of their profession, they were employed in the easier duties, and probably were engaged in instructing the younger Levites in the duties of their office and the services that would be required of them. 903. About two miles west of the Jordan and twelve miles south of the lake of Tiberias. Its modern name is Bisan, being only a slight modification of the ancient name. It is at present only a small village of about two hundred inhabitants, although formerly it was the largest town in that part of Palestine. 904. They seem to have been arranged in the form of a square, one of the great divisions or "camps" facing the east, another the west, a third the north, and the fourth division towards the south. In the vacant space left in the centre the Tabernacle was pitched, surrounded by the camp of the Levites. The centre of the camp is still the place of honour in the camps of the Eastern nations, and is commonly occupied by the tent of the king or general. Great advantage must have resulted from the arrangement of the tribes under their different divisions and banners, as all confusion was thereby prevented, each of the tribes knowing at what particular part of the camp its situation was. 905. In memory of God's judgment upon the Egyptians by destroying all their first-born, and of his mercy in sparing the first-born of the Israelites. 906. To the Kohathites, that division of the Levites from which the priests were taken (Num. iii. 29-31). 907. The enumeration of the males above twenty years of age was made for the purpose of ascertaining how many were fit to bear arms; but as the tribe of Levi was not liable to military service, the distinction with respect to them was unnecessary. 908. From the word (Nazar) "to separate," because the Nazarites were separated from the rest of the community and dedicated to the Lord. It also means "to abstain." 909, Samson (Judg. xiii. 5). 910. No; that of Samson is the only one mentioned in the Old Testament, unless, as some have supposed, Samuel was another instance. The regulations of Moses seem to regard only a voluntary vow taken by a person of his own accord (Num. vi. 2-8). 911. He was commanded to offer certain specified sacrifices (enumerated Num. vi. 10-12), and the period of his separation was to begin anew. 912. In the cities of the East, great numbers |