Imagini ale paginilor
PDF
ePub

formity with the authorised translation, whenever it was practicable. The notes are for the most part judiciously selected from the labours of all preceding commentators, and gives a sober but practical and evangelical exposition of the allegory. Two dissertations are prefixed, 1. On the origin of language, particularly figurative and allegorical language, and on Hebrew poetry and music; and, 2. On the nature, design, and authority of Solomon's Song. In pp. 100-109. is given an interesting account of nearly 40 expositors and commentators on this book. See a further account of this work in the Monthly Review, N. S. vol. xlvii. pp. 302-310.

103. Song of Songs, or Sacred Idyls. Translated from the original Hebrew, with Notes critical and explanatory. By John Mason Good. London, 1803. 8vo.

"The present work offers two versions of the original; the one in prose, marked with the divisions of the Bible version; the other in couplet verses, of no inferior construction. Each idyl is illustrated with notes, in which very various learning is displayed, with much taste in the selection of beautiful parallelisms from a great variety of authors. So much elegant learning and successful illustration we have seldom seen within so small a compass as the present volume." (British Critic, O. S. vol. xxvi. pp. 454, 455.) See also Monthly Review, N. S. vol. xlvii. pp. 302-312.

104. Canticles, or Song of Solomon: a new Translation, with Notes and an attempt to interpret the Sacred Allegories contained in that Book. To which is added an Essay on the name and character of the Redeemer. By the Rev. John Fry, A. B. London, 1811. Svo.

105. Canticum Canticorum illustratum ex Hierographia Orientalium, a J. H. Kistemaker. Münster, 1818. 8vo.

106. A Brief Outline of an Examination of the Song of Solomon; in which many beautiful Prophecies, contained in that inspired book of Holy Scripture, are considered and explained, with Remarks critical and expository. By William Davidson. London, 1817. 8vo.

The learned and pious author of this work considers the Canticles as an inspired song wholly referring to the spiritual Solomon, or Christ and his true spiritual church, and particularly to their espousals; and as giving a general prophetic outline of her history from the preaching of John the Baptist, and baptism of our Lord, to the conversion of the Jews, and that of the wild Arabians, and their union with the Christian church. And while her particular, often invisible, progressive state here on earth is mentioned, and her duties are pointed out, her outward state, trials, and persecutions do not pass unnoticed. Mr. Davidson has diligently availed himself of the previous labours of most of the commentators on this poem; and at the end of his volume he has divided it into hemistichs according to Dr. Kennicott's mode of printing the poetical parts of the Old Testament.

107. Canticum Canticorum, præfatione, Versione Latina, et commentario exegetico-critico, instruxit. M. F. Uhlemann. Lipsia, 1821. 8vo.

ISAIAH.

108. Campegii Vitringe Commentarius in Librum Prophetiarum Jesaiæ. Leovardiæ, 1714, and 1720. 2 vols. folio.

In this most elaborate commentary on the "Evangelical Prophet," to which all subsequent expositors have been deeply indebted, the literal sense is carefully investigated; the different interpretations of the prophetic visions are examined; and the interpretation which Vitringa has deduced from them, is confirmed and illustrated by historical documents. Copious prolegomena are prefixed, treating of the prophet's personal history, the argument of his prophecy, its style, time of writing, and canonical authority. The value of the work is further augmented by the geographical and historical notices interspersed throughout, concerning the Babylonians, Philistines, Moabites, Syrians of Damascus, Egyptians, Tyrians, and other Gentile nations; by which not only Isaiah, but also very many other passages of Scripture, are admirably elucidated.

109. Isaiah: a New Translation, with a preliminary Dissertation, and Notes critical, philological, and explanatory. By Robert Lowth, D. D. Bishop of London. 4to. London, 1778. 2 vols. 8vo.

Of this sublime and admirably executed version, a German translation was published by M. Koppe, at Gottingen, 1779-1781, in 4 vols. 8vo. The preliminary dissertation is invaluable for the light it throws on the genius and structure of prophetic poesy. The merits of this work are ably appreciated in the British Critic, O. S. vol. xxix. pp. 144-146., and the integrity of the Hebrew text was asserted against some of the bishop's corrections in a tract that is now of rare occurrence, by Koecher in his indicia Sacri Tertus Hebræi Esaiu adversus Lowthu Criticam, 8vo. Bern, 1786, reprinted at Tubingen in 1790. The rarity of Koecher's book, however, is no great loss to the student; for the late eminently learned orientalist, the professor Henry Albert Schultens (of Leyden) speaking of his book, says: — "It violates the bounds of moderation and decency by the assertion that the text of Isaiah would not gain any thing by Dr. Lowth's conjectures. I am of a very different opinion. When in Oxford and London I tos intimately acquainted with Bishop Lowth, and had an opportunity of knowing his excellent disposition; and am therefore much vexed that Koecherus, from his fiery zeal against innovations, should have been induced to treat him with severity, as if the Bishop had been a rash and petulant critic." Letter of Professor Schultens to the late Dr. Findlay of Glasgow, cited in the Monthly Review, N. S. vol. xv. p. 504 Bishop Lowth's version was attacked by the late Mr. Dodson, in his supplementary notes to his "New Translation of Isaiah," (8vo. London, 1790) with considerable asperity. The bishop was ably vindicated by the Rev. Dr. Sturges, in "Short Remarks on a New Translation of Isaiah" (8vo. London, 1790): to these Mr. Dodson replied in 1791, in a "Letter to the Rev. Dr. Sturges," in which he justifies the freedom with which he had censured Bishop Lowth's mistakes and defects. Mr. D.'s version and notes were framed in support of Unitarian tenets, and were published by the (Unitarian) "Society for promoting the Knowledge of the Scriptures."

110. Esaias ex Recensione Textus Hebræi, ad fidem codd. et verss. Latine, vertit, et Notas subjecit, J. C. Doederlein. Norimberga,

1789. 3d edition, 8vo.

The first edition was published at Altdorf, in 8vo. 1780.

111. The Book of the Prophet Isaiah, in Hebrew and English. The Hebrew Text metrically arranged; the Translation altered from that of Bishop Lowth. By the Right Rev. Joseph Stock, D. D. Bishop of Killala. 1804. 4to.

"The right reverend translator had conceived a wish to see the original language of Isaiah reduced to a metrical arrangement, and to have this accompanied with the Version of Bishop Lowth, reserving to himself the liberty of adding such corrections as later critics, or his own investigations, might supply. These cor rections multiplied to such a degree as to assume almost the form of a new version. There is also a variety of notes critical and explanatory, supplied partly by the translator and partly by others. Many of these are very valuable for their uncom mon depth and acuteness, and tend to elucidate, in a high degree, the subject matter of these prophecies." (British Critic, vol. xxviii. O. S. p. 466.) "Bishop Stock's version is by no means to be considered as an attempt to rival or to supersede that of Dr. Lowth. Both versions exhibit a close, nervous, and manly style. That of Dr. Lowth may by every class of readers be perused with profit. Superadded to this, Dr. Stock invites the Hebrew scholar to investigate and to compare. by the Hebrew and the English meeting the eye in the same page; and may tempt even the careless to know something of that language, in which the oracles of God were originally conveyed." (British Critic, O. S. vol. xxix. p. 146. See also the Monthly Review, N. S. vol. xlix. PP. 253-265.)

112. Lectures on the Prophecies of Isaiah. By Robert Maculloch. London, 1791, and following years. 4 vols. 8vo.

These lectures were delivered in the ordinary course of his pastoral labours by Mr. M., who is a minister in the church of Scotland. "They contain many ingenious elucidations of the text, and many judicious and useful reflections. The author appears to have taken much pains to understand the phraseology of the

Prophet, and to investigate his original design; he marks distinctly the leading divisions of the prophecies, and explains, at the beginning of each division, its peculiar object." (Monthly Review, N. S. vol. xx. p. 226.)

Besides the above learned works on this sublime prophet, Professor Jahn, in his Appendix Hermeneutica Sacræ, Fasciculi i. and ii. (8vo. Vienna, 1813, 1815), has illustrated a variety of passages in Isaiah and other prophetic writers relative to the Messiah. But the cheapest and most compendious popular work on this and the other prophets is Dr. Smith's" Summary view and explanation of the writings of the Prophets," 12mo. Edinburgh and London, 1787. This work is a judicious abstract of all that is valuable in the writings of Bishop Lowth, Archbishop Newcome, Bishop Newton, and Drs. Kennicott and Blayney; it was originally compiled to accompany a Gaelic version of the Prophets, and was subsequently translated into English by the author himself. The writer of this account was informed many years since by one of the original London publishers,1 (and he records it with peculiar satisfaction,) that the late Archbishop (Moore) of Canterbury held this little work in great estimation, and was in the habit of purchasing copies for gratuitous distribution among students and others who could not afford to buy many books. Bishop Newton's "Dissertations on the Prophecies," 8vo. 2 vols. illustrate many of the prophetic parts of the Old and New Testament with equal learning and ability.

113. Critical Disquisitions on the Eighteenth Chapter of Isaiah, in a Letter to Edward King, Esq. F. R. S. A. S. By Samuel [Horsley], Lord Bishop of Rochester, F. R. S. A. S. London, 1801. 4to.

114. N. G. Schroederi Commentarius Philologico-Criticus de Vestitu Mulierum Hebræarum, ad Jesai. III. v. 16-24., quo vocabulorum abstrusiorum tenebras, ad facem dialectorum, discutere conatus est. Lug. Bat. 1745. 4to.

JEREMIAH, AND LAMENTATIONS.

115. A Translation of the Lamentations of Jeremiah, accompanied by short notes, is given in the second tome or part of the works of Mr. Hugh Broughton, pp. 317–323. folio.

116. Hermanni Venemæ Commentarius ad Librum Prophetiarum Jeremiæ. Leovardiæ, 1765. 2 vols. 4to.

117. Jeremiah, and Lamentations: a new translation, with notes critical, philological, and explanatory. By Benjamin Blayney, D. D. Oxford, 1784. 4to. Edinburgh, 1810. 8vo.

This work is executed on the same plan as Bishop Lowth's version of Isaiah; "and, though not with equal success, yet with much credit to the author, both as a translator and a critic. His subject is not of equal eminence with that which was undertaken by the Bishop. It has less variety in the matter, and contains a less fund for curious inquiry and critical illustration. The translation is very exact, and preserves the tone and majesty of sacred writing. The notes are very copious. Many of them are very useful, and some discover much critical knowledge in the Hebrew language, and a good acquaintance with antient history. The various readings are noticed with the most scrupulous exactness: conjectural emendation is sometimes hazarded, but not rashly or injudiciously." (Monthly Review, O. S. vol. lxxi. pp. 162, 163.) Besides a valuable preliminary discourse, there is an appendix, comprising a selection from Archbishop Secker's manuscript notes (now deposited in the archiepiscopal library at Lambeth), relative to the prophecy and lamentations of Jeremiah.

118. J. D. Michaelis Observationes Philologica et Criticæ in Jeremiæ Vaticinia et Threnos, edidit, multisque animadversionibus auxit. Joh. Frid. Schleusner. Gottingen, 1793. 4to.

These observations were collected from the loose papers of that late eminent scholar, J. D. Michaelis, by Professor Schleusner, with many additional remarks by the latter. M. Schleusner in the same year published, at Tubingen, in 4to. Dissertationes Tres, quæ continent Observationes ad Vaticinia Jeremiæ.

VOL. II.

1 The late Mr. Kay, of the firm of Elliott and Kay.
98

119. Jeremias Vates, è Versione Judæorum Alexandrinorum, ac reliquorum Interpretum Græcorum emendatus, notisque illustratus a G. L. Spohn. Vol. I. Lipsia, 1794. Vol. II. Lipsiæ, 1823. 8vo.

A continuation of the first volume of these illustrations of Jeremiah is given in Pott's and Ruperti's Sylloge Commentationum Theologicarum. These are enlarged and completed in the second volume, which was published, after the author's death, by his son, F. A. W. Spohn.

120. Threni Jeremiæ philologice et critice illustrati a Joh. Henr. Pareau. Lugd. Bat. 1793. 8vo.

121. Cura Exegetico-Critica in Jeremiæ Threnos: auctore Fr. Erdmann. Rostochii, 1819. 8vo.

EZEKIEL.

122. Hieronymi Pradi et Jo. Baptista Villalpandi in Ezechielem Explanationes, et Apparatus Urbis ac Templi Hierosolymit. Commentariis illustratus. Romæ, 1596–1604. 3 vols. folio.

This is a work of extreme rarity, and the best commentary on the prophet Ezekiel that ever was written. An extract of Villalpandi's comment on Ezekiel, c. 40, 41, 42. and 46., illustrating the prophetic vision of the temple, is to be found in the first volume of Bishop Walton's edition of the Polyglott Bible. Mr. Lowth made great use of this work in his learned commentary on Ezekiel.

123. Scholæ Propheticæ, ex Prælectionibus Georgii Calixti in Jesaiam, Jeremiam, et Ezechielem, collectæ. Quedlinburgi, 1715. 4to. 124. J. Fr. Starckii Commentarii in Ezechielem. Francofurti ad Moenum, 1731. 4to.

125. Hermanni Venema Lectiones Academicæ ad Ezechielem, edente J. H. Verschuir. Leovardiæ, 1790. 2 vols. 4to.

126. An Attempt towards an Improved Version, a Metrical Arrangement, and an Explanation of the Prophet Ezekiel. By Wm. Newcome, D. D. (Bishop of Waterford, afterwards Archbishop of Armagh). Dublin, 1788. 4to.

This work is executed on the same plan as the version of the minor prophets noticed in p. 781. "The numerous admirers of that valuable production will find not less to commend in the present work. They will observe with pleasure, that the right reverend author not only pursues the path which he had before so wisely chosen, but that, instead of treading only the smoothest and most flowery parts of it, he surmounts with a firm though cautious step, difficulties which the boldest traveller might shun without disgrace. Instead of lavishing most explanation on what is most intelligible, and betraying the pride of erudition where erudition is least necessary, he successfully employs his solid judgment and effectual learning in the elucidation of a writer who has been called the Eschylus of Hebrew Poetry." (Monthly Review, N. S. vol. iv. p. 1.)

DANIEL.

127. Hexapla, or a Sixfold Commentary on Daniel. Willett. Cambridge, 1610. folio.

By Andrew

This " is a work of much information, as it contains the opinions of many authors on each point of difficulty." The same "author has written comments on Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Samuel, Romans, Jude, and some detached parts of books; but in none does he discover more skill and judgment than in the present work." [Dr. Williams's Christian Preacher, p. 431.)

128. A Translation of the Book of Daniel, with a Commentary in English and in Latin, is in the first tome or part of the learned but eccentric Hugh Broughton's Works, pp. 164-337.

129. Martini Geieri Prælectiones Academicæ in Danielem Prophetam. Leipsic, 1702. 4to., best edition.

One of the most valuable of all Geier's expository works.

130. Prodromus Danielicus, sive Novi Conatus Historici, Critici, in celeberrimas difficultates Historia Veteris Testamenti, Monarchiarum Asiæ, &c. ac præcipuè in Danielem Prophetam. Auctore Gerardo Kerkherdere. Lovanii, 1710. 8vo.

131. Observations upon the Prophecies of Daniel, and the Apocalypse of St. John. By Sir Isaac Newton. London, 1733. 4to.

A Latin version of this well-known and elaborate work was published by M. Sudemann, in 4to., at Amsterdam, 1737. All subsequent commentators are largely indebted to the labours of Sir Isaac Newton.

132. Hermanni Venema Dissertationes ad Vaticinia Danielis. Cap. II. VII. et VIII. Leovardiæ, 1745. 4to. — Ejusdem, Commentarius ad Danielis. Cap. XI. 4.-XII. 3. Leovardiæ, 1752. 4to.

133. Daniel an Improved Version attempted: with Notes critical, historical, and explanatory. By Thomas Wintle, B. D. London, 1807. 4to.

A very valuable translation, executed on the same plan as Bishop Lowth's version of Isaiah, and Dr. Blayney's of Jeremiah. In the fourth sermon of his Bampton's Lectures (8vo. Oxford, 1795), Mr. W. has some excellent remarks on the predictions of Haggai, Malachi, and Daniel. See an analysis of this work in the Monthly Review, N. S. vol. x. pp. 245-250.

Numerous disquisitions relative to particular prophecies of Daniel have been published, particularly concerning the seventy weeks: the following are the most worthy of note.

134. An Essay towards an Interpretation of the Prophecies of Daniel, with occasional Remarks upon some of the most celebrated Commentators on them. By Richard Amner. London, 1776. 8vo.

This author adopts the exploded and untenable hypothesis of Grotius (who has been followed by Le Clerc, Prideaux, and others,) that all the prophecies of Daniel terminated in the persecution of the Jews by Antiochus Epiphanes. This work (which is noticed only to put the unwary reader on his guard against it) was reprinted in 1798, with some other tracts, tending to show that certain passages of Scripture, which clearly announce a future resurrection, relate to nothing more than a mere temporal deliverance! An exposure of some of this author's notions may be seen in the British Critic, O. S. vol. xiii. pp. 290–295.

135. Joannis Davidis Michaelis Epistolæ de LXX Hebdomadibus Danielis ad D. Joannem Pringle, Baronetum. London, 1773. 8vo. For an account of these highly curious letters see the Monthly Review, O. S. vol. xlix. pp. 263–267.

136. Adriani Kluit Vaticinium de Messia Duce Primarium, sive Explicatio LXX Hebdomadum Danielis. Mediob. 1744. 8vo.

137. A Dissertation, by way of Inquiry, into the true Import and Application of the Vision related Dan. ix. 20. to the end, usually called Daniel's Prophecy of Seventy Weeks, &c. By Benjamin Blayney, B. D. Oxford, 1775. 4to.

Dr. Blayney controverts some points of Professor Michaelis's opinion, which our limits permit us not to notice. The reader will find an account of this learned tract in the Monthly Review, O. S. vol. lii. pp. 487-491.

138. LXX Hebdomadum, quas Gabriel ad Danielem detulerat, Interpretatio, Paraphrasis, Computatio, cum Vocabulorum Difficiliorum Explicatione, &c. Auctore Johanne Uri. Oxonii, 1788. 8vo.

COMMENTATORS ON ALL OR MOST OF THE MINOR PROPHETS.

139. Victorini Strigelii Argumenta et Scholia in Duodecim Prophetas Minores. Lipsiæ, 1561. 8vo.

140. Joannis Merceri Commentarii Locupletissimi in Prophetas

« ÎnapoiContinuă »