of dogs obtain a subsistence by prowling about the streets and devouring whatever refuse, carcases, etc., may be thrown away by the inhabitants. They act, in short, as public scavengers; and in some places are very numerous. There are calculated to be above 40,000 of these animals in Constantinople alone.

913. As guardians of the flocks (Job, xxxi. 1).

914. To foxes, probably for their subtlety and cunning (Ezek. xiii. 4).

as

915. The hyena is probably intended, "dzuba," the Arabic name for this animal, bears a strong resemblance to the Hebrew name, and the Septuagint renders the word by "hyena." Some take the word to mean "beast of prey" in general.

916. The banks of the Jordan are in many parts lined with brushwood and thickets; and in these lions were formerly in the habit of taking shelter; but the periodical inundations of the river obliging the lions to leave their retreats, they became dangerous to the inhabitants of the adjoining country. The lion, however, is not found in Palestine at the present day.

917. It is most likely that the mole is intended, as a similar name, "khuld," is given to this animal by the Arabs at the present day.

918. As he was worshipping in the house of

Nisroch his god, two of his sons slew him with the sword (2 Kings, xix. 37).

919. Most probably from the word ̧¬¬ (yarad) "to flow down"; no doubt in allusion to its rapid current.

920. On the Sabbaths (Num. xxviii. 9, 10). 921. On the new moons and festivals, as would appear from 2 Kings, iv. 23.

922. Besides the sacrifices offered on the other new moons, there were added one bullock, a ram, a meat-offering of flour and oil, and wine to be poured out with the burnt offering (Num. xxix. 1—6).

923. At the feast of tabernacles. This is apparent from Num. xxix. 12-39, where the different sacrifices for this occasion are enumerated.

924. Its Hebrew name is by (ngataleph), and the literal signification is "the flier in darkness.” It was so called from its nocturnal habits. This animal is well defined in Deut. xiv. 18, 19. "Moreover the y (ngataleph) and every creeping thing that flieth shall be unclean unto you."

925. One million one hundred and sixty thousand men (2 Chr. xvii. 14, 18). This is nearly the number of the army of the united kingdom of Israel, comprehending the whole territory of Palestine, in the time of David.

926. Because if Joab had slain him within the city, it being a city of refuge, he would have been liable to judicial punishment.

927. Lest the house of the Lord should be polluted with blood.

928. Because he attempted to offer incense in the temple, which it was only lawful for the priests to do (2 Chron. xxvi. 16-20).

929. Doubtless the Romans are here spoken of.

930. The gates of Babylon. This city was taken by Cyrus; and, as we are informed by Herodotus, it had a hundred gates, all of brass. The smaller gates which opened from the river Euphrates into the city were also of brass, as we are informed by the same historian. This prophecy was delivered more than a century before Cyrus was born.

931. To this day the nobles in Persia are distinguished by the scarlet robes which they alone are permitted to wear; and the chiefs may always be recognised at court by their scarlet mantles.

932. By the sound of the silver trumpets (Num. x. 2, 5).

66

933. The word nyan (tabngerah) means a burning."

934. At the time of the first ripe grapes

(Num. xiii. 20). This would be about the month of August.

935. About two years.

936. In the tribe of Benjamin, in a low and hot plain, at no great distance from the Jordan. The country around was formerly very fertile, but at the present time it is little better than a desert, from the negligence and indolence of the inhabitants.

937. Ahab (1 Kings, xvi. 33).

938. Artaxerxes, called the Long-handed by the Greeks. He was the son of Xerxes who invaded Greece, and the fourth Persian king in succession from Cyrus. The word "Ahasuerus” is "Artaxerxes" in the Septuagint throughout the book of Esther; and he is thus called by Josephus.

939. No; the Ahasuerus here mentioned is generally considered to be Xerxes, who invaded Greece, and concerning whom so much is said in the ancient historians. He was the third king of Persia after Cyrus, and was succeeded by Artaxerxes Longimanus (the Ahasuerus of the book of Esther).

940. Eight hundred and fifty persons, namely, four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and four hundred prophets of the groves (1 Kings, xviii).

941. He was ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen (1 Kings, xix. 19).

942. The twelve signs of the Zodiac are no doubt intended.

943. It lay to the south-east of Jerusalem, in a pleasant situation, and was noted for the horrid ceremonies performed in honour of Moloch, when children were made to pass through the fire in honour of this idol.

944. On mount Ebal near Shechem (Deut. xxvii. 4).

945. It was situated north-west of Jerusalem, and is thus described by Dr. Clarke: "We entered the famous Terebinthine Vale, renowned for centuries as the field of the victory obtained by David over the Philistines. Nothing has occurred to alter the face of the country. The very brook, out of which David chose the five smooth stones, has been noticed by many a thirsty traveller journeying from Jaffa to Jerusalem, all of whom must pass it in their way. The ruins of goodly edifices, indeed, attest the veneration entertained by some in latter times for this spot; but even these are now become so insignificant, that they are scarcely discernible, and nothing can be said to interrupt the interest of this memorable scene."

946. The Arnon, on the banks of which Aroer, one of the principal cities of Moab, was situated.

947. No; the meaning is, as Josephus says,