Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by

HENRY BILL,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the District of Connecticut.

Rand, Avery & Frye, Electrotypers and Printers, Boston.

PREFACE.

"B

IBLE History," says Dr. Lange, | which is nowhere found but in the Old Tesdiffers from the general history of tament. True, there are fabulous legends the kingdom of God, in that it delineates and cosmogonies in which may be found a only the foundation of this kingdom by confused intermingling of traditional lore and means of and during the course of revelation. the inventions of the imagination, but they It traces, in historical succession, the narra- are wanting in all the essential elements of tive contained in the Scriptures in all its authentic history. essential features. In the Old Testament it shows us all the elements of the life of faith, and sets before us many a precious example of faith and patience for our imitation; while in the New Testament it exhibits the history of faith and salvation' made perfect,' both in the miracles and triumphs of the Lord, and in the deeds of His apostles. Thus Bible history forms the basis of Church history."

The Bible supplies, either by express statement or obvious implication, facts and principles which constitute genuine history, and go far to give the past all the value which it can possess for the men of these times.

The history of the pre-Christian era embraces, 1. The primeval ages till the deluge, and the re-settlement of Noah and his family in Armenia. 2. The dispersion of the posterity of Noah's three sons till the calling of As a department of useful knowledge, it Abraham. 3. The origin and establishment possesses an intrinsic value and interest, sur- of the Hebrew Theocracy, and its relations to passing whatever can be claimed for any the ancient empires of the world, comprising other history. It covers a long period in the the period from Moses to David- the period age of human society, whose chronicles, in an of the kings from David to the Babylonian authentic form, have been nowhere else pre-exile the period of sacerdotal rule under served. It runs back to the eventful epoch the Maccabean administration, or what is whence the creation of the world, in its present organic state, dates its existence; and furnishes the only reliable record of the origin of man, of his primitive condition, his fall, his subsequent development, and the fortunes of his family.

Biblical history is the source of all we know of the antediluvian period, and subsequent ages of the world down to the time of Herodotus, the father of history. It contains the only truthful account of the ancient and long since vanished civilizations. Herodotus was a contemporary of Ezra and Nehemiah, the last of the Old Testament historians. The antediluvian period, and that intervening between the Noachian deluge and the times of Nehemiah, embrace an era of about three thousand five hundred years, the history of

called the middle period. 4. Primitive Christianity to the close of the first century.

Thus surveyed, it appears that Biblical history covers a period of four thousand years or more from the morning of creation to the establishment of Christianity in all parts of the Roman empire. When considered in respect to the infallible sources whence it is derived, and the long flight of ages which it embraces, it must be regarded as possessing the highest claims to our careful study.

"Viewed merely as a literary production, the Bible," says the able and learned editor of Dr. Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures, "is a marvellous book, and without a rival. All the libraries of theology, philosophy, history, antiquities, poetry, law, and

ix

very

policy would not furnish material enough for trations of scenes in sacred history, which so rich a treasure of the choicest gems of afforded him much pleasure, and induced human genius, wisdom, and experience. It him to read the Scriptures. The course of embraces works of about forty authors, rep- an eventful life is not unfrequently shaped resenting the extremes of society, from the by some single incident in the experience of throne of the king to the boat of the fisher- childhood. In the case of Kitto, it is man; it was written during a long period evident that there was a connection between of sixteen centuries, on the banks of the his interest in the old family Bible, with its Nile, in the desert of Arabia, in the land of pictures, and his subsequent fondness for promise, in Asia Minor, in classical Greece, Biblical studies. and in imperial Rome; it commences with When he was ten years old, he was the creation, and ends with the final glorifi- brought back to the parental home; his cation, after describing all the intervening father, a journeyman mason, required John. stages in the revelation of God and the spir- to assist him. In the mean time, he imitual development of man; it uses all forms proved every leisure day and hour in reading of literary composition; it rises to the high- such books as he could find or borrow. est heights, and descends to the lowest depths While other boys were at play, he was readof humanity; it measures all states and conditions of life; it is acquainted with every grief and every woe; it touches every chord of sympathy; it contains the spiritual biography of every human heart; it is suited to every class of society, and can be read with the same interest and profit by the king and the beggar, by the philosopher and the child; it is as universal as the race, and reaches beyond the limits of time into the boundless regions of eternity."

ing.

In the year 1817, the thirteenth of his age, young Kitto suffered an injury which cast a disheartening cloud over his future prospects. He was employed in carrying slates to the roof of a house which his father was repairing, when, stepping from the ladder to the roof, his foot slipped, and he fell to the pavement below. He was conveyed in a senseless state to his home, and for two weeks there seemed to be but little hope of The Illustrated History of the Bible is his recovery. At the expiration of this one of the important works of Kitto, who time he opened his eyes and consciousness has contributed several other valuable and returned. His first thoughts were directed voluminous works to the cause of Biblical to his books, his mind reverting to the sublearning. For the numerous notes intro-ject with which it was occupied at the time duced, recourse has been had to the most of the casualty. He seemed greatly surreliable authors, and especially to the later prised to find himself weak and helpless. researches in the department of sacred lite

rature.

As some readers may be interested in a brief biographical notice of the distinguished Christian scholar referred to above, the following is here inserted.

As yet he was not aware that, in consequence of the injury he had received, he had become entirely deaf. On inquiring for a book which he was reading just before he fell, he heard no answer. Why do you not speak?" he asked with some impatience. The painful information was given to him, in writing, that he was deaf.

JOHN KITTO was born in Plymouth, England, Dec. 4, 1804. His father was a common laborer, in humble circumstances. Be- The fact of his deafness, depressing as ing addicted to intemperance, he squandered it was, and unfitting him as it did for most his earnings in ale-houses, and his family kinds of business, did not extinguish his was subjected to poverty and mortification. thirst for knowledge. He resorted to a vaHis son, John, was consequently removed riety of resources and expedients for earnto the home of his maternal grandmother, ing small sums of money, which he expended.. where he was tenderly cared for and in- in the purchase of cheap books. But his structed. Very early he manifested a strong scanty earnings were not sufficient for the desire for knowledge, and sought the society purchase of such books as he now craved, of those who would entertain him with sto- and for procuring food and clothing, which ries or loan him books. his parents in their poverty could no longer In his grandmother's library he found a provide for him. Consequently, in the fif family Bible, containing many pictorial illus-teenth year of his age, the poor deaf boy

was sent to the poor-house. This stern, humiliating necessity seemed intolerable to his noble and sensitive spirit. After a while, however, he became resigned to this hard lot, and conducted himself in a manner that won the sympathy and kindness of the overseer. In the latter part of the year 1821, John Kitto was apprenticed to a shoemaker, who proved to be an unreasonable and cruel master. But in these circumstances, trying as they were, and though required to work sixteen or eighteen hours a day, he redeemed time from sleep for the pursuit of knowledge. His was a mind that rose above the pressure of the most depressing adversity.

where he engaged in the department of labor for which he had been set apart. On finding that his work was less favorable to intellectual and spiritual growth than he had expected, he resigned the situation.

As a missionary company was about to be sent to Bagdad, he readily accepted an invitation to join the same. The voyage to that oriental city occupied six months, which time he improved in careful observations on men, customs, and places. While residing in that city, it was visited by the plague, the terrifie ravages of which swept off more than onehalf the inhabitants in two months. Amidst this fearful desolation he remained calm and The promising abilities of this unfortunate active at his post. His connection with this youth were at last brought to the notice of mission continued about three and a half several gentlemen in Plymouth. Measures were proposed by them in 1823, with a view On returning to England, he settled near to procuring for him a situation favorable to London, and engaged in literary pursuits. the attainment of that knowledge and cul- About this time he was married to a very ture on which he was so intent. As the result excellent woman, who aided him in his labors. of these humane efforts, he was removed His first work was a book of travels in the from the work-house to the position of sub- East. Soon he commenced his great work, librarian in the Plymouth Public Library. the "Pictorial Bible," in three volumes. Having triumphed over discouragements and His "Pictorial History of Palestine and the difficulties which would have utterly disheartened a less brave and resolute spirit, he found himself on the upward career of successful literary culture and achievement.

Two grand ideas now impressed and affected his mind, viz.: that he must make himself, and that usefulness should be the ruling purpose in the prosecution of his literary labors and attainments. The eventful history of his life affords abundant evidence that these noble ideas were not theoretical elements, but practical forces, the influence of which was signally manifested in the strength and affluence of a cultivated intellect, and in the widely appreciated usefulness resulting from his manifold and elaborate contributions to the department of Biblical learning. There were other elements of character which contributed to his masterly activity and signal success. These were singleness of aim, thoroughness of execution, rigid system, personal independence, and strong faith in God.

The friends of Kitto advised him to engage in the work of a printing-office, for the purpose of qualifying himself to superintend a mission press. He did so, and in 1827 he received from the Church Missionary Society the appointment of lay missionary. In this capacity he sailed for the Island of Malta,

years.

Holy Land," followed. Then another great work, the "Cyclopædia of Biblical Literature, was published in two very large volumes. Another work was the " Gallery of Scripture Engravings and Landscape," in three volumes. Among his last productions may be mentioned the "Daily Bible Illustrations," in two series of four volumes each, designed for morning and evening reading. Other works, besides numerous contributions to magazines, were among his literary productions. They have, as a whole, greatly enriched the department of Biblical Literature, and been regarded as valuable helps in the explanation and illustration of the Sacred Scriptures. Their acknowledged value has. secured for them a wide circulation among Bible students in England and in our own country.

The religious change in the experience of Dr. Kitto, which occurred at the age of twenty-two, is referred to by him in a manner showing that it was deep and thorough. He speaks of it as the rising of "the dayspring from on high" upon his soul, through the grace of God.

His intense and unremitting application to literary labors impaired his health, so that, when fifty years of age, he was compelled to suspend his labors, and resort to measures

xii

PREFACE TO THE REVISED EDITION,

for recruiting his overtasked constitution. | and irrelevant matter. As an humble conHe visited Germany for this purpose, but tribution to the department of Bible history, without any benefit. He rapidly declined, this work is offered to Christian readers, and and died at Cannstadt, near Stuttgard. especially to the young, with the prayer and His wife, who was with him, has furnished a the hope that it may not only contribute beautiful record of his last days, which shows something towards a popular and attractive that his end was peace. illustration of the Historical Scriptures, but create an increased interest in the sacred book given of God for the edification, enlightenment, and spiritual benefit of all nations and all ages.

It has been the special care of the editor, in preparing this work, to verify references, to review, and, in some instances, revise the marginal notes, and to eliminate doubtful

A. B.

PREFACE TO THE REVISED EDITION.

THE extensive sale of the Illustrated His- the department of Biblical Geography and tory of the Bible (over a hundred thousand Topography. From the fresh materials thus copies) has required the issue of so many supplied, such selections have been made as editions, that the type has become too much will impart to the work a more modern aspect. worn for further use. It has been decided, Appended to the first chapter will be therefore, that the future editions be printed found a supplemental article on the relation of from new and larger type. This arrange-Geology to the Mosaic record of the work ment has afforded opportunity for the editor of creation, prepared by Prof. C. H. HITCHto subject the work to a careful revision. In cock, late of Amherst College. The main the text, but few changes have been judged body of the history has been thoroughly advisable; but many have been introduced compared with the third edition, published among the notes, some of which have been by the author in London. The sources from omitted, others abridged, and many new ones which was compiled the history of the midadded. In selecting the new notes, recourse dle period of the Jewish nation, from has been had to the London edition of Dr. Malachi to the advent of Christ, have been William Smith's "Dictionary of the Bible." reviewed. The improvements in the work Other writers also have been consulted. As will, it is believed, enhance its value, and travellers and scholars have explored the render it still more worthy the favor and patronage it has so extensively received. AUGUST, 1868.

Holy Land since Dr. Kitto wrote, new and valuable information has been acquired in

A. B.

NOTICE BY THE PUBLISHER.

To prevent any misapprehension which may arise from finding in the community an occasional copy of Dr. Kitto's work, it is due to the public to state that an edition was issued by an American publisher, under his own name, some time since.

The literary reputation of this publisher not being generally known, the work failed of attaining the extensive circulation which its intrinsic merits warrant.

The present publisher of this work has restored the author's name; and, as other improvements have been made by the editor, Dr. Bond, it is now offered in a new and much more attractive form.

NORWICH, CONN., August, 1868.

HENRY BILL.