Die Afrikaanse Protestantse Akademie Biblioteek

Spine title: The Cyclopedic handbook to the Bible.

Includes index.

Part I. The Bible as a book -- Chapter I. Introductory
Chapter II. The Old Testament: language, canon, transmission, versions -- External features -- Hebrew: the language of Canaan -- Aramaic admixture -- Cognates: Arabic, Ethiopic -- Importance of cognate languages -- History of the Hebrew -- History of the Old Testament canon: general considerations -- The canon in Christian and pre-Christian times -- Transmission of the text; fidelity in copying -- The pre-Massoretic text -- Versions of the Old Testament: the Targums -- Samaritan Pentateuch -- Septuagint and other Greek versions (Origen's Haxapla) -- Old Latin and Jerome's Vulgate -- Syriac (the Pesitta), Etheopic, Coptic, Gothic, Armedian, &c. -- Preservation of the original text
Chapter III. The New Testament -- General view -- Gradual formation of the canon -- The gospels -- The epistles of Paul -- The remaining books -- Early catalogues -- Language of the New Testament: Hellenistic Greek -- A mixture of dialects -- Manuscripts: Uncial and cursive -- Threefold division of the New Testament -- Enumeration of MSS: Uncial, cursive -- Lectionaries -- Ancient versions: Syriac, Armenian, Coptic -- Old Latin, Vulgate -- Early quotations: Ecclesiastical witnesses -- Editions of the text: Textus Receptus -- Critical editions -- Pleas for the traditional text -- Editions for the general reader
Chapter IV. On the text of the Old and New Testaments -- Twofold method of criticism -- External testimony to the text -- Textual variations: accidental errors -- Intentional changes -- The text not materially affected -- Principles and rules of criticism: external evidence -- Internal evidence -- application of critical canons (to 1 John 5 and other passages)
Chapter V. The credentials and claims of the Bible -- The claims of the Scriptures themselves -- The mission of our Lord, of the apostles, or Paul -- The apostolic writings generally -- Testimony of the New Testament to the Old -- Genuineness involves authenticity -- Evidence classified -- Syllabus -- External evidence: I. Miracle (exploded objections) -- The evangelistic testimony -- Meaning of miracles -- II. Prophecy: its nature and fulfillment -- Internal evidence: morality of the Bible -- Comparison with human ethical systems -- The Character of our Lord -- Of Christians -- The harmonies of Revelation -- Spiritual evidence: experimental -- Summary of the evidence: universally accessible -- Hindrances to its reception
Chapter VI. Inspiration and Revelation -- The Bible as Inspired: The Divine Word -- Method of Inspiration -- Theory of the Reformers -- Divine and Human Elements in Scripture -- Difficulties -- The Bible as Revelation -- Harmony between Natural and Revealed Religion -- Meaning of Revelation -- Written Revelation -- Method of Revelation: its matter Religious Revelation -- its course gradual and progressive -- Relation of Prophecy to Practice -- Unity of Revelation -- manifest in Diversity -- Essential things in Revelation -- Its unsystematic character -- fitting it for every country and age -- Character above System -- Revelation authoritative -- the Seat of Authority in religion
Chapter VII. The Bible as Translated -- Latin Versions -- The German Bible and Versions founded thereon -- French translations -- Versions in other European Languages -- Versions by Missionaries -- The English Bible -- Early Versions -- The Wycliffe Bible -- Tyndale's Version and others -- The Authorized Version -- Proposals for Revision -- The Revised Version -- English Translations compared with the Original -- Different classes of Emendation Illustrated -- Archaic and obsolete words and phrases with list -- Special Features of the English Versions -- the use of italics -- the margin -- summaries of Chapters (in AV) -- Titles of the Psalms (from Heb.) -- Subscriptions to the Epistles -- Chapters, Verses and Paragraphs
Chapter VIII: On the interpretation of Scripture - I
Chapter IX: On the interpretation of Scripture - II. On the use of External helps
Chapter X: On the study of the Scriptures in relation to doctrine and to life

Part II: The books of the Bible:
Chapter XI: Introductory
Chapter XII: The Pentateuch: Its Genuineness, Unity and Authenticity
Chapter XIII: Historical Books: From the entrance into Canaan to the death of Solomon
Chapter XIV: Historical and Prophetical books: From the death of Solomon to the Babylonian Captivity
Chapter XV: Historical and Prophetical books: From the Babylonian captivity to the close of the Old Testament Canon
Chapter XVI: Poetical Books and 'Wisdom-literature'
Chapter XVII: Jewish history from Malachi to John the Baptist
Chapter XVIII: The New Testament: The Gospels
Chapter XIX: The Acts of the Apostles
Chapter XX: The Epistles
Chapter XXI: The Revelation of John
Appendices: I: Chronology of the Bible with contemporary annals; Old Testament History; Interval between the Old and New Testaments; New Testament History
II: Natural history of the Bible: The animal and vegetable kingdoms; Minerals

Chapter VIII. On the Interpretation of Scripture part I -- Importance of the Study -- Mental and spiritual prerequisites -- Rules of Interpretation -- Interpret grammatically -- According to the context -- According to the scope or design of the book -- By comparison of Scripture with Scripture -- Helps from the original Scriptures -- Etymology -- Grammatical peculiarities -- Interpretation of figurative language -- Classification of figures -- Definitions -- Laws of symbolic language -- Allegory, type and parable -- Prophecy and its interpretation -- succession of prophets in Israel -- Nature of the prophetic gift -- History, type, prediction -- Specialties of prophetic language -- Principle of interpreting prophecy -- New Testament applications -- Various interpretations of expositors -- Quotations of the Old Testament in the New -- sources of quotations -- LXX and Hebrew -- Bearings of quotations upon doctrine -- Old Testament foreshadowings of the gospel -- Scripture difficulties: to be expected -- Difficult phrases, passages, allusions -- Apparent discrepancies -- Alleged contradictions to secular history -- Summary of difficulties in the revelation itself, and in doctrine -- How to be settled -- Chapter IX. On the interpretation of Scripture part II. On the use of external helps -- Geography: Bible lands -- Palestine -- Names, boundaries, divisions -- Jerusalem -- The highland region -- The Jordan valley -- Transjordanic country -- Inhabitants of Canaan, earlier and later -- Climate -- Applications of geographical facts -- Modern local names (Arabic) -- History (I) Egypt, the Hyksos -- The Oppression -- The Exodus -- Subsequent relations with Egypt -- Palestine between great empires -- (ii) Moab, relations with Israel -- (III) Phoenicia, relations with Israel -- (IV) Syria and Hamath: petty northern states -- (V) The Hittites, a great forgotten empire -- (VI)Assyria: Kings mentioned in the Old Testament: Tiglath-pileser, Sargon, Sennacherib -- (VII) Babylon: Second Babylonian empire -- Narrative in Daniel -- New Testament and contemporary history -- Historical illustrations of Bible passages -- Light from heathen religions -- Chronology: Old Testament period, in six division s -- Chronological eras of different nations -- New Testament chronology -- Incidental lessons of chronology -- Natural history: the vegetable world -- The animal kingdom -- Manners and customs: Habitations -- Cities and towns -- Dress -- Food -- Taxation and tribute -- Modes of reckoning -- Linear measure -- Measures of capacity -- Weights and coins -- Lessons of the tables -- Reckoning of time: the day -- The year -- The Jewish calendar (table) -- The seasons as a note of time -- Miscellaneous customs -- Chapter X. On the study of the Scriptures in relation to doctrine and to life -- Great purposes of Bible study -- System in doctrine: method of investigation -- Relative importance of truths -- Rules and their application -- The guidance of life: Doctrine and practice -- Moral and positive precepts -- Example a guide of conduct -- Promises and their application -- Conditions of Scripture promises -- Part II. The books of the Bible -- Chapter XI. Recapitulation -- The two parts of Scripture -- Use of the respective Testaments -- Summary of the whole -- True place of the Old Testament -- Classification of the Old Testament books -- Chapter XII. The Pentateuch: its genuineness, unity, and authenticity -- The five books -- Genuineness: difficulties at the outset -- How met -- Moses the author -- Unity: the Mosaic origin -- Critical theories -- The proposed reconstruction criticized -- Authenticity: Truth of the record -- The separate books: Genesis, divisions, and New Testament reference -- Exodus, and New Testament references -- Numbers, and New Testament references -- Deuteronomy: its variations from preceding books, and New Testament references -- Design of the Law: hypothetical and actual methods of revelation -- Theocracy: the sanctuary and priesthood -- Sacrifices: their material, method, varieties, and significance -- Festivals: their threefold significance -- Passover, Pentecost, tabernacles -- Fasts: the Day of Atonement -- The Sabbatic year -- The Jubilee -- Objects of the festivals

Chapter XIII. Historical books: From the entrance into Canaan to the death of Solomon -- Historical books enumerated: their inspiration -- Characteristics of Bible history -- Divisions of the history -- Book of Joshua: his name and career -- Main divisions of the book 00 Fulfillment of the divine purposes -- New Testament references -- Book of Judges: authorship -- Outline -- New Testament references -- Book of Ruth: its design -- Outline and lessons -- New Testament reference -- Books of Samuel: general view -- Book I, chs. 1-8, Eli and Samuel -- Book I, chs. 9-31, designation of Saul as king -- Saul and David -- Book II, David king in Jerusalem -- His thanksgiving and last words -- References in the Psalms and in the New Testament -- Revival of the prophetic spirit in Samuel and David -- Books of Kings: general view -- Comparison with Chronicles -- Theocratic character of the history -- Death of David and accession of Solomon -- Books of Chronicles: general view -- Comparison with Samuel and Kings Books I-II: Outline -- Note on the reigns of David and Solomon -- Chapter XIV. Historical and prophetical books: From the death of Solomon to the Babylonian captivity -- Division of the kingdom -- The northern kingdom: its successive dynasties and history -- Alliance with heathen powers -- Subjugation by Assyria (origin of Samaritans) -- Kingdom of Judah: outlines -- External dangers, specially from Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon -- The captivity -- References to the history in the Psalms, and to Kings and Chronicles in the New Testament -- Prophets of this period -- Chart of the prophets -- Revival of the prophetic spirit -- General lessons of prophecy -- Prophets in two groups -- The Assyrian period -- The book of Jonah: an Israelite prophet -- Outline and spiritual lessons -- The book of Amos: sent from Judah to Israel -- Outline -- New Testament references -- The book of Hosea: a prophet of Israel -- Personal history of Hosea -- Its application -- New Testament references -- Book of Isaiah: his personal history -- The kingdoms of Judah and Israel in his time -- His earlier prophecies -- Later prophecies -- their date and authorship: the "servant of Jehovah" -- the book of Micah: his personality and prophecies -- New Testament quotations -- Book of Nahum: his personal history and prophecies -- New Testament references -- Prophets of the Chaldean period -- Book of Zephaniah -- His prophecies, and New Testament references -- Book of Habakkuk: his times and prophecies -- New Testament references -- Book of Jeremiah: his personal history and prophetic contemporaries -- Arrangement of Jeremiah's discourses -- New Testament quotations and references -- Book of Lamentations -- Book of Ezekiel: his position and history -- His prophecies and new Testament references -- Book of Obadiah: his prophecies

Chapter XV. Historical and prophetical books: From the Babylonian captivity to the close of the Old Testament canon -- The captivity and its duration -- Events in Judea -- Life in Babylonia -- Literature of the period -- Book of Daniel: his personal history, and outline of the book -- Parallels to Daniel in the Apocalypse -- The Restoration, according to the decree of Cyrus -- Book of Ezra: contents -- Connexion with prophecy -- Traditions respecting Ezra -- The "Great Synagogue" -- Book of Nehemiah: authorship and content -- Book of Esther; Jews in foreign lands; an episode in the history; Lessons; The feast at Purim -- Book of Haggai: its period and contents; New Testament reference -- Book of Zechariah: its contents; divisions of the book; Theories; New Testament references -- Book of Malachi; name and ministry of the prophet; contents; New Testament references; contents of the prophetical books in chronological order: table -- Chapter XVI. Poetical books and 'wisdom literature' -- Characteristics of Hebrew poetry; parallelism and its varieties -- Book of Job; its title, subject, age, contents; Comparison with other Old Testament books; references in New Testament -- Book of Psalms; Title arrangement (the five books); authorship and value -- Titles of the Psalms; the historical circumstances; their character and content; the later Psalms -- Classification and approximate chronological arrangement ; New Testament quotations and references -- Wisdom literature of the Old Testament; Solomon and his followers -- Book of Proverbs: contents; Outline; Their application illustrated -- Book of Ecclesiastes: Title, age, authorship and design -- The Song of Songs (canticles); Authorship and canonicity; Personages of the poem; Scenes and dialogue; different interpretations (the shepherd-lover, wedding songs); Allegorical use of the poem -- Chap XVII. Jewish history from Malachi to John the Baptist -- The successive periods -- The Persian rule: its duration and character -- Rise of Samaritan worship -- Persia and Egypt -- Alexander and his successors -- Egyptian rule; the Ptolemies -- Syrian rule; Antiochus Ephiphanes -- The Maccabean uprising; reconsecration of the temple -- The Jews in Egypt -- Palestine under Maccabean rule; the brothers -- Hyrcanus -- Line of Priest-Kings -- Intervention of Rome -- Genealogical table of Priest-Kings; the High Priests -- Supremacy of Rome; Herod the Great -- Governors of Judea; table of the Herodian family -- Moral and religious history; adhesion to Mosaism -- The Septuagint -- Apocryphal books -- Jewish sects; the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes -- Tradition: the Talmud, Massor, Kabbalah -- The scribes -- Synagogues -- The Sanhedrin -- Zealots, Herodians, Proselytes -- The Samaratins: their Pentateuch and worship

Chap. XX. The Epistles -- The purpose of the epistles, and rules for studying them -- Reception of the epistles in the church -- I Thessalonians: Thessalonica -- Paul's labors there -- Contents of the epistle: key words and notable expressions -- II Thessalonians: object of the epistle -- Its contents and special teachings -- I Corinthians: Corinth -- Its position and character -- The church there founded -- Time and place of writing epistle -- Special questions considered -- Place of the epistle in the series -- II Corinthians: occasion of the epistle -- Contents and general lessons -- Key words and peculiar expressions -- Galatians: position and extent of the province -- Occasion and tenor of the epistle -- Contents -- Key words and peculiar expressions -- Romans: Jewish, Gentile, and Christian communities in Rome -- Date of the epistle -- Contents (detailed analysis) -- Key words and expressions -- The prison epistles: 'Ephesians': to whom addressed -- Character and contents of the epistle -- Key words and characteristic expressions -- Colossians: the city of Colossae -- Place and time of writing the epistle (comparison with 'Ephesians') -- Contents -- Key words and phrases -- Philemon: a private letter -- Subject, contents, and characteristics -- Key words and phrases -- Philippians: introduction of the gospel to Europe -- Place and time of writing -- Character of the church at Philippi -- Contents of the epistle -- Key words and phrases -- The three pastoral epistles: their characteristics -- I Timothy: training and character of Timothy -- Date of the epistle -- Its purpose and contents -- Views of the Christian ministry -- Key words and memorable sayings -- Titus: notices of his life -- The gospel in Crete -- Contents of the epistle -- Key words and special phrases -- II Timothy: when and where written -- Its purpose and contents -- Key words and special allusions -- Hebrews: occasion and object of the epistle -- Time and place of writing -- Authorship of the epistle -- Various views -- To whom addressed -- Outline -- Characteristic words and special passages -- The seven catholic epistles -- James: writer of the epistle -- Contents -- Key words and unusual expressions -- I Peter: the writer's history (his alleged residence in Rome) -- Destination, character, and contents of the epistle -- Leading ideas and peculiar expressions -- II Peter: destination and purpose of the epistle -- Question of its authenticity -- Special words and phrases -- Jude: his personality -- Purport, contents, and date of the epistle -- Peculiar expressions and allusions -- I John: character and destination of the epistle -- Errors denounced -- Truths enforced -- Leading words and phrases -- II John: Letter to a Christian lady -- Its main topics and language -- III John: a letter to one Gaius -- Characteristic words (insight into the character of the church at the close of first century) -- Chapter XXI. The revelation of John -- Place and date of writing (the word apocalypse) -- Character of the book -- Contents, in two main divisions -- Sevenfold arrangement -- Various interpretations of the visions -- The 'praeterist, ' 'historical' or 'continuous, ' 'futurist, ' and 'ideal' -- Distinct and certain prophecies -- 'Babylon' and the 'heavenly Jerusalem' -- Peculiar words and phrases in the apocalypse -- Conclusion -- Appendices -- Appendix I: Chronology of the Bible, with contemporary annals -- Old Testament history -- Interval between the Old and New Testaments -- New Testament history

Chap. XVIII. The New Testament: the Gospels -- Meaning of "Gospel"; the four gospels -- The synoptic problem; Sources of the first three gospels; use of Mark and "Logia" by Matthew and Luke; Luke's prologue -- Table of early witnesses to the gospels -- Gospel according to Mark: its author: his personal history; date and integrity of the gospel (last twelve verses); contents and characteristics -- Gospel according to Matthew: Author; Genuineness; Integrity; Date; Contents; Characteristics -- Gospel according to Luke: Author; Genuineness; Integrity; Date; Contents; Characteristics -- Details particular to Luke -- Gospel according to John: his personality; Relationship to Jesus; His place in the apostolic history -- Genuineness of this gospel; External testimony; Internal evidence; Objections and difficulties considered -- Integrity of this gospel; Date; Summary of contents -- Details particular to John (note on works advocating the genuineness and authority of the fourth gospel) -- Tables of parables and miracles recorded in the several gospels -- Appendix II: Natural history of the Bible: the animal and vegetable kingdoms -- Minerals.