AT a time when the Hebrew Scriptures are undergoing historical' analysis, when what are called traditional' views concerning them are upon their trial, when also the subject of a revised translation of the Bible for general use affords anxiety to many, and when the books of the Apocrypha, kept in the background for very many years, will shortly regain some prominence—a sketch of Old Testament studies may be of help to such Christian readers as shall wish to acquire a general knowledge of these matters, of the literary history of the oracles of God,' and of the claim, if such there be, of other writings to like reverence. If also this embrace hints for the study of the sacred language, it may be of service to not a few who would, like Luther, prize a little knowledge of Hebrew.
Modern enlightenment has to a large extent taken these studies out of the exclusive control of professional theologians on the one hand, and of professional critics on the other; so that the general reader, whatever be his walk in life, need no longer feel that he is altogether dependent upon either.
Specialists there must be, for advance of knowledge, in this as in other departments of research; whilst with the majority of readers, to which class I myself belong, Biblical criticism can only be a πάρεργον, and yet the subject is of importance, because we need to understand, even when we cannot solve, problems which engross the learned world—ecclesiastical theories as they affect the authority of Scripture, and the higher criticism' of which we hear so much.
While the reader must expect to find lack of sympathy on my part not only with much of the current ecclesiastical treatment of the Old Testament, but also with the common neologian idea that the Bible is to be interpreted after the same method as a Greek or Latin classic, let it not be supposed that this will in any wise hinder an endeavor to produce appreciation of sound learning or just sentiment wherever it is to be found. Use then will be freely made by way of quotation of the results of others whenever it is believed they will assist a search for the truth in these questions; and, on the other hand, the reader shall usually be supplied with the words of any writer whose views are combated, or at least with a reference to the Work in which they would be found. A few representative writers of all schools will engage our attention.
While acknowledging my indebtedness to the labors of the late J. N. Darby, whose praise indeed is not of men, I would not lose sight of the great lesson of his life, more engraved upon one's mind than all others, —the example he set of reading the Scriptures without note or comment.' It may be that the following pages will encourage some in an effort so to read the Old Testament, and in the language in which it was written.
I am under happy obligations to friends for their advice in respect of topics for the present sketch.
E. E. W.
OXFORD, March 1883.