Preface [n. pag.]
This volume was written at the suggestion of the late Mr. Thomas Nelson, among whose latest projects the issue of a series of Bible biographies, illustrated from the historical and topographical materials which modern research has supplied, had a prominent place. The field has already been traversed in some degree by the present writer in his “Manual of Bible History in Connection with the General History of the World.” But the limits of that book afforded little opportunity of doing what has been attempted here – to draw full-size portraits of some of the great men of the Bible, and to place them as living characters before the eye of the reader. The author is deeply sensible that while it is possible to throw no little light from modern sources on the Scripture narrative, it will ever retain, in its brevity, simplicity, and graphic power, that incomparable character which in all ages has been felt to be so emphatic an evidence of the divinity of its origin.
W.G.B.
Contents
Introductory. – Note on the proposed reconstruction of Hebrew history ix-xlPart I
Abraham and Isaac
I. Early Life of Abraham 1
II. Abram’s [sic] call and migration to Canaan 23
III. Entrance into Canaan – Shechem and Bethel 38
IV. Abram [sic] in Egypt 55
V. Return to Canaan – Separation from Lot 64
VI. The Rescue of Lot 74
VII. The Divine Covenant 88
VIII. Hagar and Ishmael 98
IX. Renewal of the Covenant and change of names 110
X. Abraham and Sodom 122
XI. Gerar and Beersheba – Birth of Isaac 138
XII. The sacrifice of Isaac 148
XIII. Death and burial of Sarah 155
XIV. The marriage of Isaac 164
XV. Abraham’s death 174
XVI. Early life of Isaac 181
XVII. Isaac’s disposal of the blessing 190
XVIII. Abraham’s other sons 200
Part II
Jacob and Joseph
I. Jacob at Haran 204
II. Jacob at Peniel 219
III. Jacob enterting Canaan – meeting with Esau 227
IV. Joseph’s youth and captivity 237
V. Joseph ruler of Egypt – visits of his brethren 253
VI. Jacob and his sons in the land of Goshen 266
VII. Death of Jacob and of Joseph 275
Part III
Life of Moses
I. Birth and early life 288
II. In the wilderness of Midian 300
III. The duel with Pharaoh 326
IV. The exodus 347
V. First weeks in the wilderness 366
VI. The giving of the law 387
VII. The golden calf 399
VIII. The laws of Moses 412
IX. The journey northward 426
X. The mission of the spies 433
XI. The forty years’ wandering 438
XII. Conquest of the east of Jordan 448
XIII. The farewell words of Moses 457
XIV. Death of Moses 469