Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

B. C.

avert the impending ruin by timely submission; but, instead of adopting this expedient, he attempted to make his escape by night, and was taken by the enemy, together with his guards and nobles. Nebuchadnezzar glutted his revenge upon the ill-fated prince, by causing his children to be massacred before him, and then ordering his eyes to be put out, that no object might obliterate the impression of that terrific scene; and soon after this calamity he was sent to Babylon, where he died in close confinement. The Jewish capital, after holding out for two years and a half against the most 588. strenuous exertions of the besiegers, and the melancholy effects of a grievous famine, was at length entered by the Chaldeans on the 11th of the fourth month, answering to our 27th of July, in the year of the world 3416. The city was immediately pillaged of all its treasure, the sumptuous edifice erected to the God of Israel reduced to ashes, the fortifications were utterly demolished, and the greater part of the buildings levelled with the ground; while the unhappy Jews were led in triumph to Babylon, except some few of the lower order, who were left to cultivate the land. The prophet Jeremiah, however, procured his liberty, and was permitted to reside with Gedaliah, whom Nebuchadnezzar had left as governor over the

miserable remnant of Judah.

Such was the melancholy catastrophe of the Jewish monarchy, after it had stood three hundred and eighty-eight years from the revolt of the ten tribes; and one hundred and thirtyfour from the excision of the Israelitish commonwealth.

CHAP.

CHAP. II.

THE HISTORY OF THE JEWS, FROM THEIR RETURN FROM THE BABYLONISH CAPTIVITY, TO THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM BY TITUS VESPASIAN.

SECT. II.

From the Return out of Babylon to the Death of

THE

Nehemiah.

Jews, having remained seventy B. C. years in captivity, according to the 536. prediction of Jeremiah, were at length permitted, by the decree of Cyrus, to return their native land, and to rebuild that sacred edifice, which had been ever regarded as the immediate habitation of God, till reiterated crimes provoked his vengeance, and induced him to leave it defenceless to the enemy.

The king's edict was no sooner made public than the chiefs of Judah and Benjamin, together with the priests and Levites, assembled, in order to revisit their beloved country. Their example was imitated by all* those who had a zeal for

*It must be observed that the men of Israel and Judah were blended together, from this time, under the name of Jews, as many persons of the ten tribes took this oppo1tunity of returning to the land of their forefathers,

the

the God of Israel: and even those who preferred a residence in Babylon to the purposed removal, cheerfully furnished their brethren with such articles as were requisite either for their journey, or for the building of the temple and city.

The number of those who returned, under the conduct of Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest, amounted to forty-two thousand three hundred and sixty, beside their servants of both sexes, who were in all seven thousand three hundred and thirty-seven. Mention is also made of two hundred men and women singers, four hundred and thirty-five camels, seven hundred and thirty-six horses, two hundred and fortyfive mules, and six thousand seven hundred asses.

ar

By this account the reader may see how small the number was of those who returned, in comparison to those who chose to continue in Babylon. Even of the priests only four classes re-. turned; but these, immediately after their rival, subdivided themselves in such a manner as to make up the original number of twentyfour. The Levites, singers, and other officers of the temple, took up their abode in or near Jerusalem, that they might wait on the service of their God, by raising his altar, and preparing all things against the first solemnity; while the rest of the people were occupied in planning their future habitations, or in searching for such of their brethren as Nebuchadnezzar had left in the circumjacent country.

On the first day of the month, Tishri, the new. year was proclaimed by the sound of the trumpet; the 10th of the same month was the grand fast of expiation; and the 15th ushered in the feast of tabernacles, which was celebrated with the usual solemnities.

It

It was now unanimously resolved to commence the important task of rebuilding the temple: a voluntary contribution, therefore, was made by each individual according to his ability; timber was procured, and workmen hired, to execute the design with all possible dispatch.

534.

In the second month of the following B. C. year, the foundation was laid with great solemnity in the presence of the governor, the high priest, and all the congregation; while the air resounded with vocal and instrumental music, and the contemplation of God's mercy produced loud and frequent acclamations. These expressions of rapturous delight, however, were by no means general; as many of the priests and Levites, who had seen the sumptuous temple that was destroyed with their unhappy city, could not forbear uttering the most sorrowful lamentations, while they consi dered the inferiority of the present plan.

The Samaritans, whom Esar-Haddon, king of Assyria sent from Cuthath to re-people the country, from which he had carried the ten tribes of Israel, now tendered their assistance towards the completion of the new building. But when the Jews declined their proposal, alleging that it would be a dishonour to their nation to admit strangers to a participation of their work, these pretended friends were suddenly changed into the most implacable enemies, and eagerly embraced every opportunity of vilifying and distressing their new neighbours.

In consequence of their malicious suggestions, the Jews were represented to Cyrus as a rebellious nation, who would soon establish an inde pendent monarchy, and shake off their allegiVOL. II. R

ance

1

ance to his crown, unless forbidden to proceed with their building. The work was accordingly stopped, in a great measure, during the remaining five years of Cyrus's life, and the reign of his successor.

On the decease of Cambyses, and the accession of one of the Magi, these accusations were renewed, and a decree was granted to put a total stop to the work, which had been hitherto slowly carried on, amidst various insults and obstructions: and, when this decree was rendered void by the death of the usurper, the Jews were so effectually discouraged that they did not evince the least desire to resume their enterprise, till a great dearth was sent upon their land as a punishment for their indolence and ingratitude.. The prophet Ilaggai upbraided them upon this account, and assured them that, if they now applied themselves zealously to the work, God would not only bless their exertions, but would also make the glory of the second temple exceed that of the first. These promises had the desired effect, and the people cheerfully devoted their labours to the erection of the sacred fane, under the guidance of Haggai and Zechariah.

The envious Samaritans, emboldened by the success of their former misrepresentations, applied to Tatnai, governor of Syria and Palestine, informing him of the rapid progress which the Jews began to make in their building, and warning him of the evil consequences that would. hereafter result from the increasing strength of that unruly people. The governor immediately repaired to Jerusalem, and demanded by what authority the work was carried on. Zerubbabel and Joshua readily answered, by adverting to

the

« AnteriorContinuar »