LECTURES

ON

Jewish Antiquities ;

DELIVERED AT HARVARD UNIVERSITY IN CAMBRIDGE,

A. D. 1802 & 1803.

BY DAVID TAPPAN, D. D.

LATE HOLLIS PROFESSOR OF DIVINITY IN THAT SEMINARY.

PUBLISHED

BY W. HILLIARD AND E. LINCOLN, AND FOR SALE AT THE
BOOKSTORE IN CAMBRIDGE AND AT No. 53,

CORNHILL, BOSTON. ↑

1807.

S.C.R.

DS 111

ΤΙ

1807

Cop-l

3421
TAPPAN
Copy!

CONTENTS.

LECTURE I.

ORIGIN and progress of civil government.

government at first parental or patriarchal.

Page.

Political

Illustrations

and proofs from sacred history before and after the flood.

Crime of Ham, for which he was cursed. Why this

curse was denounced, not on Ham himself, but on his

son Canaan. In what respects this curse was fulfilled.

LECTURE II.

Patriarchal government farther illustrated. Sentence of Jacob

on his twelve sons. Special government of the Jews. Its

leading design, the preservation of the true religion among

them, in connexion with their temporal freedom and pros-

perity. Why temporal blessings and evi's were employ-

ed to enforce this constitution. Objections answered.

LECTURE III.

Objection of partiality in Jehovah toward the Jewish nation,

answered. Objection to the Hebrew constitution as a

system of intolerence and war, of conquest or extermina-

tion, answered. System of Hebrew policy contrasted

with that of the antient heathens.

LECTURE IV.

Hebrew constitution adapted to secure the freedom and hap-

piness of its subjects. Hebrew government originally a

free and equal republic. Fundamental laws required,

that the territory should be equally divided; that estates

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20

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should be holden as a freehold from God himself; and

that they should never afterward be alienated, but descend

in perpetual succession. Agrarian law, or year of Jubi-

lee. Military regulations. Population encouraged.

General government for the common safety and happi-

ness.

LECTURE V.

Senatorial branch of the Hebrew government. The man-

ner, in which this body was instituted. The similarity

between this government and that of some of the Euro-

pean and American states. Its executive branch.

riotic administration of Moses and Joshua.

LECTURE VI.

Pat-

The superior excellence and authority of the Hebrew consti-

tution and laws, as an immediate communication from

Jehovah. The manner, in which this communication

was made.
Hebrew theocracy the most ancient system.

The particular design of the Jewish or-

acle, and the happy effects of its establishment.

of government.

LECTURE VII.

The commencement and operation of the Hebrew constitu-

tion. Corrupt and degenerate state of the Jewish peo-

ple after the death of Moses and Joshua. A temporary

state of anarchy. Introduction of judges and kings;

their duties prescribed and their power limited by the ex-

press commands and prohibitions of Jehovah.

LECTURE VIII.

An examination of Jewish Antiquities recommended from

the novelty of the subject, the pleasure it affords, and the

advantages to be derived from it. Religious peculiarities

of the Hebrew nation.

fence against the state.

Idolatry considered a capital of-

Temporal rewards and punish-

ments annexed to the observance or violation of the He-

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74

brew ritual; and the general tendency of God's conduct

toward his ancient people, to the final establishment of

the christian system.

LECTURE IX.

Ceremonies of the Hebrew worship, and the special objects

of their appointment. Their suitableness to the existing

state of the world, and to the Israelites in particular. In-

stitution of the Jewish sabbath, and the extensive benefits

resulting from it.

LECTURE X.

Nature of the Hebrew worship. Sacrifices and offerings.

Their fitness and utility.

LECTURE XI.

Three great annual solemnities of the Hebrew nation. Feast

of the Passover; of Pentecost; of Tabernacles. Bene-

fits resulting from the appointment and observance of

these festivals.

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96

106

119

LECTURE XII.

Importance of God's early and visible manifestations of him-

self to his antient people. The manner in which these

manifestations were made. Nature and use of the taber-

nacle. Particular description of the temple at Jerusalem. 131

LECTURE XIII.

Appointment of ministers of the Hebrew worship. Their

qualifications. Ceremonies, which attended their induc-

tion into office; and the duties connected with it.

LECTURE XIV.

Punishments inflicted on those, who assumed the priestly of-

fice. Description of the priestly garments.

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153