They have likewise reckoned, which is the middle letter of the Pentateuch, which is the middle clause of each book, and how many times each letter of the alphabet occurs in all the Hebrew Scriptures. The curiosity of some readers may be gratified by this statement.*

Little or no advantage, indeed, can result from these enumerations: for admitting their accuracy as to the contents of any particular copy, which is a case by no means probable, we cannot suppose any other copy to be exactly the same in every letter; and there is reason to believe the auto

* Walton. Proleg. viii. s. 8. For a statement generally the same, but differing in a few numbers, Vid. Wolf. Bib. Heb. vol. ii. p. 475.

graphs had been lost long before any such computations were attempted. But, as a learned writer justly remarks,' How trifling soever this scrupulous 'exactness may appear, yet it suggests to us one observation, that the Jews were religiously 'careful to preserve the literal sense of scripture; ' and consequently, notwithstanding their enmity ' and obstinate aversion to Christianity, they are 'not to be charged with this additional crime of ' having corrupted the Bible.'*

I shall conclude this chapter with a Table of the Sections of the Law and of the Prophets, as read in succession in the synagogues on sabbath-days.† The Jews in different countries have not, in all instances, chosen the same portions of the prophets. In the annexed Table,-where a section of the law is followed by two sections of the prophets, that in the first line is according to the Spanish and Portuguese, and that in the second line according to the German and Polish Jews. In one instance, it will be observed, there is a still greater variety.-The numbers are all inclusive. The chapters and verses are given according to Vander Hooght's Hebrew Bible, with which those in our English Bible do not always correspond. In the Parashioth, as the whole of the Pentateuch is read, I have thought it unnecessary to specify these variations. But when

Chappelow cited by Gill, Dissertation on the Hebrew Language, &c. Pref.

+ Bib. Heb. a Vander Hooght, passim. Raym. Mart. Pug. Fid. p. 97, 98. 133, 134. Bartoloc. Bib. Rab. tom. ii. p. 593–598. 655-664. Hebrew and English Prayer Book, p. 203–209. London, A.M. 5530.

10

ever a difference occurs in the Haphtoroth, the chapter and verse according to our English Bible are given in a note: that every reader may have a correct view of these selections from the prophets. These readings will require to be further noticed when we come to speak of the services of the

synagogue.

HAPHTOROTH,

OR SECTIONS OF THE PROPHETS.

Isaiah xlii. 5-21.

Isai. xlii. 5. to xliii. 10.

Isai. liv. 1-10.

Isai. liv. 1. to lv. 5.

Isai. xl. 27, to xli. 16.

2 Kings iv. 1-23.
2 Kings iv. 1–37.
1 Kings i. 1-31.
Mal. i. 1. to ii. 7.
*Hos. xi. 7. to xii. 12.
Obadiah throughout.
+ Hos. xii. 13. to xiv. 1.
Amos ii. 6. to iii. 8.
1 Kings iii. 15. to iv. 1.
Ezek. xxxvii. 16–28.
1 Kings ii. 1-12.

PARASHIOTH,

OR SECTIONS OF THE LAW.

EXODUS.

HAPHTOROTH,

OR SECTIONS OF THE PROPHETS.

SECT.
XVIII.

XIX.

XX.
XXI.

xxi. 1. to xxiv. 18.
xxv. 1. to xxvii. 19.
xxvii. 20. to xxx.10.
xxx. 11. toxxxiv. 35.

XXII.

XXIII.

Jer. xxxiv. 8-22, & xxxiii.25, 26.
* 1 Kings v. 26. to vi. 13.
Ezek. xliii. 10-27.
1 Kings xviii. 20-39.

1 Kings xviii. 1—39,
xxxv. 1. to xxxviii. 20. 1 Kings vii. 13-26.
1 Kings vii. 40-50.
xxxviii. 21. to xl. 38. 1 Kings vii. 40-50.

1 Kings vii. 51. to viii. 21.

* xiv. 1-9.