Great Pyramid Passages and Chambers, Vol. 2 (1913)
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GREAT PYRAMID
PASSAGES
VOL. II GREAT PYRAMID
PASSAGES
VOLUME II THE
GREAT PYRAMID PASSAGES AND CHAMBERS
IN WHICH IS SHOWN HOW
THE GREAT PYRAMID OF GIZEH
SYMBOLICALLY AND BY MEASUREMENT
CORROBORATES THE
PHILOSOPHY AND PROPHETIC TIMES AND SEASONS
OF
THE DIVINE PLAN OF THE AGES
AS CONTAINED IN THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
BY JOHN EDGAR M.A., B.Sc., M.B., C.M., F.R.F.P.S.G. AND MORTON EDGAR
VOLUME II (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)
GLASGOW BONE & HULLEY, DUNDAS STREET 1913 CONTENTS
THE MEASUREMENTS OF THE GREAT PYRAMID 1
ANGLES OF THE GREAT PYRAMID 11
BIBLE CHRONOLOGY, BIBLE DATES 13
CHRONOLOGICAL PERIODS EXAMINED 16
THE YEAR, ITS BEGINNING AND LENGTH 40
HISTORICAL YEAR SYMBOLISED BY THE PYRAMID INCH 44
SCIENTIFIC PROPORTIONS OF THE GREAT PYRAMID 45
PYRAMID'S METHODS OF RECORDING PERIODS OF TIME 48
SYMBOLISMS OF THE GREAT PYRAMID 49
THE DATES OF JESUS CHRIST'S BIRTH, BAPTISM, AND CRUCIFIXION 53
THE LAW DISPENSATION 64
THE GOSPEL AGE. CALL AND TRIAL OF THE "BODY" OF CHRIST 67
THE LENGTH OF THE GRAND GALLERY GEOMETRICALLY PROVED 71
THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST 74
THE FIFTH DAY AND THE NEW CREATION. NUMBER FIVE IN THE KING'S CHAMBER 80
THE SECOND ADVENT 87
THE JEWISH "DOUBLE." THE RESURRECTION OF THE "BODY" OF CHRIST 91
THE INAUGURATION OF THE NEW COVENANT. THE FIRST RESURRECTION 97
THE "FULNESS," AND THE "TIMES," OF THE GENTILES 111
FURTHER TIME-PARALLELS IN THE JEWISH AND GOSPEL AGES 113
ENTRANCE OF GREAT PYRAMID, AND "BASEMENT-SHEET" OF DESCENDING PASSAGE 125
REST AND RESTITUTION 134
THE DOMINION PARALLELS 146
THE FLOOD, AND CHRIST'S BAPTISM 159
FIRST ADAM'S 1000-YEAR "DAY" 163
ADAM'S FALL FROM PERFECTION 166
THE FIRST ADAM 167
SECOND ADAM'S 1000-YEAR "DAY" 170
THE GENERAL RESURRECTION 173 CONTENTS-Continued.
Section Page
THE OLD WORLD - - - - - 176
THE DATE OF THE GREAT PYRAMID'S ERECTION 179
THE PRESENT EVIL WORLD - - - - 186
END OF THE SECOND DISPENSATION - - - 191
THE SECOND DEATH - - - - - 194
MEASUREMENTS OF LOWER WELL-OPENING, SMALL HORIZONTAL PASSAGE, AND PIT - 198
THE DAWN OF THE REFORMATION - - - - 203
WYCLIFFE - - - - - 211
LUTHER - - - - - 217
THE FRENCH REVOLUTION - - - - 222
THE FOUR EMPIRES PARALLELS - - - 226
MEASUREMENTS OF THE UPPER WELL-MOUTH 233
THE JEWISH NATION'S PERIOD OF SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD - - - - - 237
THE BIRTH OF THE SAVIOUR, AND THE ADVENT OF THE MESSIAH - - - - - 241
PERIOD OF THE WORLD'S HISTORY BEFORE THE JEWISH AGE - - - - - 245
THE OATH-BOUND COVENANT - - - - - 247
THE KINGDOM OF ISRAEL - - - - - 252
RESTORATION OF THE NATION AND KINGDOM OF ISRAEL - - - - - 256
THE SEVEN TIMES OF THE GENTILES - - - 258
THE TEMPLE - - - - - 265
THE JUBILEE - - - - - 269
THE "SEVENTY WEEKS" - - - - - 271
THE "2300 DAYS" - - - - - 274
THE "1335 DAYS" - - - - - 276
THE "1260 DAYS" - - - - - 279
THE "TIME OF THE END" - - - - - 284
THE "1290 DAYS" - - - - - 286
THE TRUE AND COUNTERFEIT "DAYS" OF DANIEL - - - - - 289
THE COMPLETE PERIOD OF THE PLAN OF SALVATION - - - - - 308
THE TWENTIETH YEAR OF ARTAXERXES - 315
APPENDIX - - - - - 328
CONTENTS—Continued.
PRINCIPAL DIAGRAMS
MEASUREMENTS OF THE PASSAGES OF THE GREAT
PYRAMID - - - - NOTE: The price of this 2nd volume, bound in cloth, is 2/- , or 50 cents, and bound in leather gold edges, 3/- , or 75 cents, including postage.
Further copies may be procured by applying to: Morton Edgar, 224 West Regent Street, Glasgow, Scotland.
Volume I gives a full account of the authors' personal operations and investigations at the Great Pyramid, and their observations of the other Pyramids. Much new and valuable information is given in Volume I. It contains numerous quotations from the rare Pyramid works of such writers as Col. Howard Vyse, Prof. C. Piazzi Smyth, Prof. Flinders Petrie, and others. Every part of interest referred to is illustrated by carefully prepared and printed reproductions of photographs, and by numerous diagrams. Many of the photographs are the first of their kind to be published, and 50 of these were taken by flashlight in the interior of the Great Pyramid. Volume I contains 164 illustrations in all. The very full Index at the end of the volume, makes the book valuable for reference on all questions touching the Great Pyramid.
In size, Volume I of Great Pyramid Passages measures ten inches by seven and a half inches, and contains over 330 pages. In order to secure the best possible results from the numerous Plates, a stout quality of the best dull art paper has been chosen.
The Price of Volume I of Great Pyramid Passages, bound in stiff boards covered with good cloth, is 5/6, or $1'35, including postage.
The Price of the paper-bound Edition is 3/-, or 75 cents, including postage. Except for the binding, this paper-bound Edition is the same in every respect as the better bound.
GREAT PYRAMID
VOLUME II.
PASSAGES.
THE MEASUREMENTS OF THE GREAT PYRAMID.
THE measurements which appear in the chart of the Great Pyramid (page 4) are derived mainly from the valuable works of Professors C. Piazzi Smyth, and Flinders Petrie—"Life and Work at the Great Pyramid," and "The Pyramids and Temples of Gizeh."
When we consider the difficulties which measurers have to contend with in the very confined, dark, slippery, and now somewhat dilapidated passage-ways of the Pyramid, we can readily recognise that though these workers may conduct their measuring-operations with every care, their conclusions would necessarily differ to some extent. As Prof. Smyth very properly says, "no two human measures ever agree exactly; all that finite man can hope for is to come within moderately close limits." We find when we compare the lists of these two eminent scientists that there is but little difference between their measures for most of the upper parts of the Pyramid's interior system; and the results of our own measuring-operations, also, closely agree with their figures. We are confident, therefore, that the measurements used in this volume are as near to the truth as we can hope for. They harmonise all the teachings of the Pyramid,
*Carried on in the year 1909—See Vol I. I
MEASUREMENTS OF THE GREAT PYRAMID.
and are corroborated over and over again by the numerous time-features, which are based upon the Bible chronology. They reveal wonderful design throughout the exterior and interior proportions of this truly marvellous building. The measurements are all in British Inches.
The length of the Grand Gallery, from the north wall at the lower end, up the floor-line to the front of the Step at the upper south end, is, according to Prof. Smyth, 1814.8, and according to Prof. Petrie 1815.5 inches, a difference of .7 of an inch. We find that a figure lying between these two yields the proper harmony throughout all the various time-measurements, viz.: 1815.25, or 1815 1⁄4 inches.
The length of the Horizontal Passage leading to the Queen's Chamber, measuring from the north wall of the Grand Gallery southward to the line of the north wall of the Queen's Chamber, is, according to Prof. Smyth, 1519.4 inches with a possible variation of 3 of an inch, while according to Prof. Petrie it is 1523.8, or nearly 41⁄2 inches longer, which difference, as Prof. Petrie says, seems difficult to account for. We therefore measured this passage with special care and got a result which lies between these two, namely, 1522.4 inches. We cannot be far wrong if we accept as the length of the Horizontal Passage the mean number 1521.75, or 1521 3⁄4 inches, thus giving due weight to all three results.
The length of the First Ascending Passage from the "Point of Intersection" up the floor-line to the beginning of the Grand Gallery, is, according to Prof. Smyth, 1544, but according to Prof. Ptrie, 1546.8 inches, a difference of 2.8 inches. Both measurers complained of the great difficulty
The "Point of Intersection" is that point on the floor of the Descending Passage which is intersected by the produced floorline of the First Ascending Passage.
MEASUREMENTS OF THE GREAT PYRAMID.
of doing accurate work in this passage on account of the interception of the Granite Plug, the slipperiness of the floor, and extensive dilapidations of the walls, etc. (See Vol. I, pars. 257, 468). Their measures, therefore, taken under such trying circumstances, may be considered to be close. Here again we find that if we take a figure which lies between these two, namely, 1545 inches, we shall get the desired harmony in the large number of time-measurements indicated by, and in connection with, this passage.
The length of the Descending Passage, from the present outside beginning of the floor, down the floor-line to the "Point of Intersection," was very carefully measured by Professors Smyth and Petrie. According to the former it is 985.9, and to the latter 986.4 inches, a difference of half an inch. Our own measuring gave a result between these two, viz.: 986.3 inches. We therefore adopt as the length of this upper reach of the Descending Passage, 986.25, or 9861/4 inches.
The length of the missing part of the Descending Passage, i.e., the distance from the present outside beginning of the Entrance floor, up to the line of the ancient and now missing casing-stone surface of the building, was computed by Professor Petrie from existing indications to have been 124.2 inches, with a possible variation of .3 of an inch. We therefore adopt as the true ancient length of this missing portion of the Descending Passage floor, 1 2 4 \frac {1}{2} inches. Thus, the total original length of the passage from the surface of the casing, down the inclined floor-line to the "Point of Intersection," we take to have been 1 1 1 0 \frac {3}{4} inches, which measure is not quite one-tenth of an inch more than the total length computed by Prof. Petrie.
The length of the Granite Plug, which is tightly wedged into the lower end of the First Ascending
Passage, is, according to Prof. Smyth, 178.8, and according to Prof. Petrie, 178.5 inches. But with regard to his length of the Granite Plug, Prof. Smyth says in Vol. II of his "Life and Work," page 2,—"It has not yet been proved; and it was so very difficult and roundabout to measure, that I do not attach much value to the numbers." Col. Howard Vyse's length for the Plug is 177 inches. We do not think we shall be far wrong if we take the mean of these figures, or the round number 178 inches, thus giving due weight to all three measurers.
The Granite Plug is composed of three blocks of red granite. There is a space of a few inches between the lowermost and middle blocks (Prof. Petrie says 4 inches). The top end of the uppermost block is much fractured in appearance (See Vol. I, Plate LXIX), and this, of course, suggests the thought that the Plug was originally longer. Prof. Petrie says he saw a bit of granite still cemented to the floor two feet further up the passage. We, also, saw what for some time we took to be a piece of granite at the place indicated; but on later more careful examination it proved to be a lump of coarse red plaster. We saw several similar pieces of plaster adhering to the angles of the floor and walls throughout the length of the passage, and we required to clear some of them away as they hindered careful measuring. We also saw at least one such piece of plaster in the Grand Gallery. This coarse red, or, rather, pink plaster, was very extensively used by the ancient workmen in the core masonry of the building, and some of it can be seen in certain wide joints in the dilapidated portion of the First Ascending Passage.
We believe that the upper end of the Granite Plug is in its original state, and that its rough unfinished appearance has symbolical significance. The upper end of the lowermost block also has a fractured appearance, which is certainly original,
MEASUREMENTS OF THE GREAT PYRAMID.
for the stone is very inaccessible and there is no room for anyone to work at it.
The partial length of the First Ascending Passage from the lower north end of the Granite Plug, up the floor-line to the north wall of the Grand Gallery, we adopt as 14703⁄4 inches. This measure we find by deducting from the total length of the passage the distance from the "Point of Intersection," up to the lower end of the Plug. The latter distance is, according to Prof. Smyth, 74· 1 and according to Prof. Petrie, 74· 2 , while our own measure is 74· 4 inches. The mean of these measures, or 741⁄4 inches, is probably correct; and 741⁄4 deducted from 1545 gives 14703⁄4 inches as the distance from the lower end of the Plug, up the floor-line to the Grand Gallery.
It will have been observed that in nearly every measurement noticed so far the figures we have adopted lie between those of Professors Smyth and Petrie. Prof. Petrie accused Prof. Smyth of making his measures a little too short; and in a later edition of his work the latter agreed that this probably was the case. It would appear, however, that Prof. Petrie erred in the opposite direction of making his own measures a little too long.
The length of the lower reach of the Descending Passage, from the "Point of Intersection" down to the junction of the Small Horizontal Passage leading to the Pit, was not measured by Prof. Smyth; for in his day (1864-5) the passage was blocked up with sand and stones. In 1837 (28 years before Prof. Smyth's visit to the Pyramid) Col Howard Vyse had managed to penetrate down to
The slight differences in the figures given by these two measurers of various other parts of the Pyramid's interior, do not materially affect the conclusions arrived at. It is not necessary to refer to them here; they are given in detail when dealing with the parts in question.
MEASUREMENTS OF THE GREAT PYRAMID.
the Pit. He roughly measured the Descending Passage and Small Horizontal Passage along the roof-lines, but his account is difficult to follow. He evidently did not intend his measures to be more than approximate; they are certainly too vaguely stated to be of much value.*
According to Prof. Petrie the length of this part of the Descending Passage is 3 0 3 2 \frac {1}{2} inches; but Prof. Petrie's measuring-operations in the lower system of the Pyramid were not, on his own confession, carried out with his usual carefulness. His figures, therefore, cannot be depended upon where accuracy is desirable. He writes on page 57 of his work "Pyramids and Temples of Gizeh,"—"For the total length of the entrance passage, down to the subterranean rock-cut part, only a rough measurement by the 140-inch poles was made, owing to the encumbered condition of it. The poles were laid on the rubbish over the floor, and where any great difference of position was required, the ends were plumbed one over the other, and the result is probably only true within two or three inches."
It appears, therefore, that Prof. Petrie and all previous operators did not consider it necessary to be particular in their measurements of the lower system of the Pyramid. We, on the contrary, before our visit to the Pyramid in 1909, had fully recognised the symbolical importance of these subterranean parts, in the great Pyramid's corroborative testimony of the Scriptural Plan of Salva-
*His account, given in Vol. II of "Pyramids of Gizeh," page 110, is as follows: "Length from beginning of roof to the junction at the bottom of the upper passage-63'2". Thence to the forced passage-17'10". From forced passage to the well-215'2". From the well to the horizontal passage-24'8". Total length of inclined passage-320'10". Horizontal passage length-27'.
It is evidently impossible to gather from this the exact length of the lower reach of the passage, from the "Point of Intersection" downward. But it would appear, from the subsequent data supplied by Prof. Petrie, that Col. Howard Vyse's figures give an approximate length of 3026 inches for this part of the Descending Passage.
MEASUREMENTS OF THE GREAT PYRAMID.
tion, and because of this we conducted our own measuring-operations with every care at our command (See account in Vol. I, pars. 285-293).
We measured the length of this passage seven times, from the "Point of Intersection" down to the bottom square end (See Vol. I, Plates XLIX and L), with the following results:—
No. Measurement taken along- Brit. ins.
1 — Roof, west side, with rods, 6 and 3 feet,-3034.5
2 — Roof, west side, with steel tape, - - - 3035.6
3 —Floor, west side, with steel tape, - - 3037.7
5 — Floor, west side, with rods, 3 and 2 feet,-3036.3
6 —Floor, east side, with steel tape, - - 3035.5
Of these measures those by rods (Nos. 1 and 5) are the least trustworthy; for no matter how carefully rods are held, and alternately placed one after the other down the length of the passage, slight errors through slipping are very liable to creep in. Considering the great difficulty of measuring a length of over 250 feet down this very steep, dark and low confined passage-way, the results of the measurements by rods are wonderfully close to the other measures taken by the more accurate steel-tape method.*
According to the above list of measures, the length of the passage on the west side along the roof-line is shorter than along the floor-line; and, again, the length along the floor-line on the east side is shorter than on the west side These apparent differences, while no doubt partly due to small errors in our measurements, are also due to the fact that. the flat lower terminal is not quite at right angles to the incline of the passage. †
MEASUREMENTS OF THE GREAT PYRAMID.
As the mouth of the lower end of the Well-shaft is situated in the west wall of the Descending Passage, and as a large number of time-measurements are connected with this lower opening of the Well, we consider it proper to carry the floor-length of the Descending Passage down the west, rather than down the east, side. We therefore base our figures for the length of the lower reach of the Descending Passage upon our steel-tape measures Nos. 3 and 4, or a mean between these two, namely, 3 0 3 7 1⁄2 inches.
The distance from the north edge of the lower mouth of the Well, down the floor-line on the west side to the bottom of the Descending Passage, is, according to Prof. Petrie, 296 inches. This measure is given by Prof. Petrie in a round number, but we state the distance more particularly to be 2 9 61 / 2 inches. Detailed measurements of the lower, and also of the upper, mouth of the Well, will be given later.
The floor-length of the Small Horizontal Passage leading to the Pit, is, according to Prof. Petrie's round number, 351 inches. We made out the accurate measure to be 3 5 0 \frac {3}{4} inches on the west side, and nearly 352 inches on the east side. This difference between the west and east floor-measurements is due to the fact already mentioned, namely, that the flat terminal of the Descending Passage is not quite square. Just as the floor-length of the Descending Passage is shorter down the east than down the west side, so the floor-length of the Small Horizontal Passage is, conversely, longer on the east than on the west side. As in the case of the
MEASUREMENTS OF THE GREAT PYRAMID.
Descending Passage, so here also we have based our figures for the floor-length of the Small Horizontal Passage on our measurements along the west side, 3503/4 inches.
The roof-length of the Small Horizontal Passage leading to the Pit, Prof. Petrie does not particularly specify. Col. Howard Vyse gave it roughly as 27 feet, i.e., 324 inches. Our own measuring gave the length more exactly as 3 2 5 1⁄4 inches, i.e., the distance from the roof-terminal of the Descending Passage, horizontally to the north wall of the Pit. It must be noted, however, that the floor-length of the Small Horizontal Passage continues into the Pit 5 inches beyond the line of the north wall of that chamber (See Vol. I, par. 302). Further details of the measurements of the Small Horizontal Passage will be noticed when dealing with this part of the Pyramid.
The width of the Pit, from the north wall to the south wall (along the east wall) is, according to Prof. Petrie, 325.9 inches. Our own measurement, by steel tape stretched directly and horizontally across the chamber from the west side of the doorway of the Small Horizontal Passage on the north, to the wall above the roof of the doorway of the little south blind passage, is 3 2 5 1⁄4 inches, which is the measure we adopt as being probably as nearly correct as can be determined; for it must be remembered that the walls of the Pit, although fairly even, are somewhat roughly dressed (See Plates in Vol. I).
The length of the little South Blind Passage is stated by Prof. Petrie to be 646 inches. We found that the further south end of this passage is very rough, so that while our measure for the length of the passage to the deepest part of the rough terminal was 645 inches, it was only 641 inches to the most prominent projection (See the account of
MEASUREMENTS OF THE GREAT PYRAMID.
our measuring operations in this passage in Vol. I. par. 305). The average length of 643 inches is, therefore, a fair statement of the length of this passage. We believe the rough unfinished south termination of this peculiar little blind passage has a symbolical meaning, even as the rough broken floor of the Pit is symbolical. The marvellously accurate work of the ancient builders displayed generally throughout the Pyramid, leads us to conclude that the apparently course workmanship in certain portions is intentional.
The measurements of various other parts of the Pyramid are given throughout the volume.
ANGLES OF THE GREAT PYRAMID.
The angle of rise of the exterior sides of the Great Pyramid was pronounced by Prof. Flinders Petrie, after careful angle-measuring of the large well-preserved casing-stones at the north base of the building (See Vol.I, pars. 84-86, and 223-226 with accompanying photographs), to be 51° 52′ plus or minus 2′. Prof.C.Piazzi Smyth, following the theory first propounded by John Taylor, claimed that the exact angle is 51° 51′ 14· 3′ ′, which angle is contained within the findings of Prof. Petrie, * and was substantially supported by Prof.Smyth's own painstaking measuring.
This angle 51° 51′ 14.3′ ′ is called the π (Pi) angle, giving to the vertical height of the Pyramid the same ratio to its square base, as the radius of a circle bears to its circumference (See Vol.I,par. 18). In conjunction with the building's socket-level base-length (of 9140.181 Brit. ins.), this π angle has endowed the Great Pyramid with many wonderful scientific truths, and has also enabled a number of important time-measurements (corroborative of the Scriptural Chronology) to be indicated with exactness.
None of the other thirty or more measured pyramids throughout Egypt have been erected at this π angle. Commenting upon this fact, Prof. Smyth writes: "If, therefore, the π quantity with its resulting shape is really found built into the Great Pyramid with exactness,it not only discriminates that building at once from all other pyramids of Egypt, whatever their absolute size may be; but proves that such a distinguishing feature for the wise of latter days must have been the result either of some most marvellous accident, or of some deep wisdom and settled determined purpose" ("Our Inheritance," 5th Ed. p.10). We have confidence that the reader will agree with us, after perusing this volume, that there no feature in the Great Pyramid the result of accident.
The ancient angle of the rise of the corner arris lines of the building, i.e., from the corner socketfoundations up the corner angles to the summit top-stone, is 4 1°5 9′1 8 ·7′′. The ancient angle at the summit, sideways, is 7 6°1 7′3 1 ·4′′, and diagonally it is 9 6°1′2 2 ·6′′. These three angles are computed from the π angle of the sides.
The angle of inclination of the Descending and Ascending Passages, as scientifically deduced by Prof. Smyth from the exact geometrical proportions of the building, as well as from his careful personal angular observations in the several passages, is 2 6° 1 8′\ 1 0′′. This, the theoretical correct angle, is approximated more nearly by the Grand Gallery than by the other passages. The mean angle of the Descending Passage as actually observed by Prof. Smyth, is 2 6° 2 6′\ 4 9′′, of the First Ascending Passage 2 6° 6′\ 5′′, and of the Grand Gallery 2 6° 1 7′\ 3 7′′; and these angles are practically confirmed by Prof. Petrie's observations. Prof. Smyth points out that the Grand Gallery, the angle of which is
ANGLES OF THE GREAT PYRAMID.
only half a minute from that required by theory, is the best constructed of all the passage-ways, and in it the builders appear to have more closely attained to the intention of the Architect.*
We share with him in this opinion, not only because the angle of 2 6°1 8′1 0′ ′ agrees with many scientific features in connection with the Pyramid, but on account of the harmony thus produced throughout all the time-measurements contained in this volume; and also because of the Scriptural connection which it establishes between the Great Pyramid in Egypt, and Bethlehem, the place of our Lord's nativity in the Holy Land (See Vol. I, pars. 381-389).
*Referring to the observed angles of the Descending and First Ascending Passages, Prof. Smyth draws attention to the fact that "one of them is more, and the other less, than the theoretical quantity; their mean, or 2 6° 1 6′ 3 0′ ′ , being within 2′ distance therefrom; and looking like a case of probable error of construction on the part of honest workmen, who knew the right theoretical angle, and wished to hit, but had practical difficulty in hitting, it exactly" ("Life and Work," Vol. III, page 37).
BIBLE CHRONOLOGY.
AS the time-measurements in the Great Pyramid are corroborative of the "times and seasons" contained in the Scriptures, it will be necessary to have before us a list of prominent Bible dates for ready reference:
BIBLE DATES.
$
\begin{array}{l l l l l} \mathrm {G o d c r e a t e d A d a m} & - & - & B. C. 4 1 2 8 \\ & \mathrm {h a d a s o n a t} & 1 3 0 & \mathrm {G e n .} 2: 7; 5: 1. \\ \mathrm {S e t h b o r n} & - & - & B. C. \underline {{3 9 9 8}} \\ & \mathrm {h a d a s o n a t} & 1 0 5 & ,, 5: 6. \\ \mathrm {E n o s b o r n} & - & - & B. C. \underline {{3 8 9 3}} \\ & \mathrm {h a d a s o n a t} & 9 0 & ,, 5: 9. \\ \mathrm {C a i n a n b o r n} - & - & - & B. C. \underline {{3 8 0 3}} \\ & \mathrm {h a d a s o n a t} & 7 0 & ,, 5: 1 2. \end{array}
$
BIBLE CHRONOLOGY.
Mahalaleel born - had a son at B.C. 3733 65 Gen. 5:15.
Jared born - had a son at B.C. 3668 162 ,, 5:18.
Enoch born - had a son at B.C. 3506 65 ,, 5:21.
Methuselah born - had a son at B.C. 3441 187 ,, 5:25.
Lamech born - had a son at B.C. 3254 182 ,, 5:28.
Noah born - Age of Noah at Flood B.C. 3072 600 ,, 7:6; 8:13.
Date of FLOOD - Shem had a son after Flood B.C. 2472 2 ,, 11:10.
Arphaxad born - had a son at B.C. 2470 35 ,, 11:12.
Salah born - had a son at B.C. 2435 30 ,, 11:14.
Eber born - had a son at B.C. 2405 34 ,, 11:16.
Peleg born - had a son at B.C. 2371 30 ,, 11:18.
Reu born - had a son at B.C. 2341 32 ,, 11:20.
Serug born - had a son at B.C. 2309 30 ,, 11:22.
Nahor born - had a son at B.C. 2279 29 ,, 11:24.
Terah born - Terah died at B.C. 2250 205 ,, 11:32.
ABRAHAMIC COVENANT Abraham in Canaan B.C. 2045 ,, 12:1-7; [Acts 7:2-7]
When Isaac was born - Isaac had a son at B.C. 2020 ,, 21:5.
Jacob born - Age of Jacob B.C. 1960 130 ,, 47:9.
BIBLE CHRONOLOGY.
When Jacob entered Egypt- B.C. 1830 Jacob was in Egypt 17 Gen.47:28.
Jacob died, beginning of the B.C. 1813 46:3;49:28 JEWISH NATION Deut. 26:5.
Date of Abrahamic Covenant B.C. 2045 Children of Israel sojourned 430 Exod.12:40-43;
EXODUS from Egypt B.C. 1615 Gal.3:17. Wandering in the Wilderness 40 Deut.8:2.
Enter land of CANAAN B.C. 1575 Division of the land 6
Beginning of JUDGES B.C. 1569 Period of Judges 450 Acts 13:20. Josh.14:5-7,
Acts 13:18, 19; Num.
33:3; 9:1; 10:11, 12;
13:1-3, 25, 26; 32:8;
Josh. 14:5-7, 10.
Saul enthroned B.C. 1119 Years of reign 40 13:21.
David enthroned B.C. 1079 Years of reign 40 I Chron.29:27.
Solomon enthroned B.C. 1039 Years of reign 40 2 Chron. 9:30.
Rehoboam enthroned - B.C. 999 Years of reign 17 ,12:13.
Abijah enthroned B.C. 982 Years of reign 3 13:2.
Asa enthroned B.C. 979 Years of reign 41 , 16:13.
Jehoshaphat enthroned- B.C. 938 Years of reign 25 , 20:31.
Jehoram enthroned B.C. 913 Years of reign 8 ,21:20.
Abaziah enthroned B.C. 905 Years of reign 1 22:2.
Athaliah enthroned B.C. 904 Years of reign 6 ,22:12.
Joash enthroned B.C. 898 Years of reign 40 ,24:I.
Amaziah enthroned B.C. 858 Years of reign 29 25:1
<tr><th>Bible Chronology
Uzziah enthroned - Years of reign
B.C.
829<br>52
2 Chron. 26:3.
Jotham enthroned - Years of reign
B.C.
777<br>16
,,
27:1.
Ahaz enthroned - Years of reign
B.C.
761<br>16
,,
28:1.
Hezekiah enthroned - Years of reign
B.C.
745<br>29
,,
29:1.
Manasseh enthroned - Years of reign
B.C.
716<br>55
,,
33:1.
Amon enthroned - Years of reign
B.C.
661<br>2
,,
33:21.
Josiah enthroned - Years of reign
B.C.
659<br>31
,,
34:1.
Jehoiakim enthroned - Years of reign
B.C.
628<br>11
,,
36:5.
Zedekiah enthroned - Years of reign
B.C.
617<br>11
,,
36:11.
Zedekiah dethroned,—beginning of TIMES of the GENTILES DESOLATION OF LAND
B.C.
606<br>70
,,
36:20, 21 Jer. 25:11, 12 (marg.).
EDICT OF CYRUS
B.C.
Jer. 29:10;<br>2 Chron. 36:22, 23.
CHRONOLOGICAL PERIODS EXAMINED.
FROM the foregoing list of Bible Dates (Sec. 3), we find that the chronological chain is composed of nine main periods or links of varying lengths. Each link will stand close investigation, when examined in the light of the Scriptures themselves. It is important that they should be thoroughly tested, for the correct interpretation of the time-prophecies entirely depends upon the true chronology.
The period of 1656 years from the creation of Adam to the flood, does not require much comment, for it is based upon the records of the original Hebrew Scriptures. As has been pointed out by
CHRONOLOGICAL PERIODS EXAMINED.
many eminent chronologists, the addition in the Greek Septuagint version of the Old Testament of exactly 100 years to the ages of most of the patriarchs, is quite evidently a forgery. We could not imagine a reason why the Hebrews in Palestine should desire to shorten their ancient chronological records; but it is easy to see why the Greek Jews in Egypt were induced to lengthen them when translating the original Hebrew into Greek. They desired to make their history appear as ancient as possible in their Greek translation, in order to compare favourably with their Egyptian neighbours; for the Egyptian historians claimed immensely long eras for their past records.
It is well to note that Egyptologists admit that Egyptian historical chronology is a difficult subject, owing chiefly to an insufficiency of facts in connection with the reigns of the kings of the 7th to 11th, and 13th to 17th, dynasties. The original list of kings compiled by the Egyptian priest and historian, Manetho, in the first half of the 3rd century B.C., is lost; and the copies of it which are preserved in the writings of Julius Africanus and Eusebius (both of the 3rd century A.D.) are conflicting. Nor do any of the later excavated tablets and papyri records contain a complete chronological list of kings. For many of the kings of Egypt neither the order of succession, nor length of reign is known, and therefore it is impossible for an accurate chronological history of Egypt to be compiled. Many systems of chronology, of course, have been put forward; but the difficulty of arriving at any reliable conclusion is apparent from the vast diversity of opinion. The date proposed for the beginning of the first dynasty by six principal authorities ranges over a period of 2554 years! or all the way between 5869 B.C. and 3315 B.C. The latter date, 3315 B.C., is the latest deduction; and it is hopeful to observe that as the work of excavation in Egypt progresses, constantly bringing to light
CHRONOLOGICAL PERIODS EXAMINED.
additional data for investigation, a steady reduction in the dates are found necessary, thus bringing them more nearly in accord with Bible testimony. The uncertainty which attends Egyptian chronology, equally applies to that of Assyria and all other ancient countries. We therefore have great confidence in the Hebrew chronology, which gives us a connected history from the time of Adam down to the year 536 B.C. where secular history begins to be reliable.
The period of 427 years from the flood to the date of God's covenant with Abraham, is, like the period already considered, based upon the ancient Hebrew Scriptures. It has been supposed that this period should be reduced 60 years because of the statement in Gen.11: 26, that "Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran." This would give a period of 145 years between the birth of Terah, and the covenant with Abraham; for Abraham was 75 years of age, according to Gen.12:4-7, when he entered Canaan and so secured the promise, and 7 0+7 5=1 4 5 . But those who
contend for the shorter period overlook the clear statement of Stephen (Acts 7:2-5), that it was after Terah, Abraham's father, was dead, that Abraham entered Canaan. According to Gen. 11:32, Terah died at 205 years of age. We must not, therefore understand that the three sons of Terah were all born in the same year, but that the begettal of these sons began when he was 70. Abraham although the youngest was the most important of the three, and is therefore mentioned first.
The period of 430 years from the Abrahamic Covenant, to the Exodus from Egypt and the giving of the Law, is expressly stated by the inspired Apostle in Gal. 3:17 (The words "in Christ" should be omitted,—see R.v.). From this inspired statement of the Apostle Paul, we know that the 430 years' sojourn of the children of Israel, mentioned by Moses in Exod. 12:40, 41, includes the sojourning of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the land of Canaan, which, although promised to them for an inheritance, was still a "strange land"—Acts 7:4,5.
As the Bible dates show a period of 215 years between the Abrahamic Covenant and Jacob's entrance into Egypt, it is evident that the children of Israel's actual residence in Egypt was 215 years (215+215=430) . Most authorities think that a period of 215 years is too short for the great multiplication of the Israelites during their residence in Egypt, forgetting that the Scriptures indicate that this increase was miraculous (See Exod. 1:1-22; Psa. 105:23, 24, 37, 38). Rejecting the inspired testimony of the Apostle Paul in Gal. 3:17, the translators of the Revised Version changed the sense of Exod. 12:40, in order to increase the number of years in Egypt. They made the passage to read: "The sojourning of the children of Israel, which they sojourned in Egypt, was 430 years." In thus altering the text the R.V. translators fell into a peculiar error as is
CHRONOLOGICAL PERIODS EXAMINED.
demonstrated by the accompanying diagram. This diagram shows the genealogy of Moses. Moses was 80 years old at the Exodus (Exod. 7:7). His mother, Jochebed, was the daughter of Levi (Num. 26:59). Levi lived for 137 years (Exod. 6:16), but he cannot have spent more than the last 97 of them in Egypt for he was older than Joseph (Gen. 37:3), and Joseph was 39 when Jacob and his sons entered Egypt (Gen. 41:46-54, compare with Gen. 45:3-11). It follows from these facts that if the period of the Israelites' residence in Egypt was 430 years as the
R. V. translators assume, Jochebed must have been at the very least 253 years old when Moses was born!
Again, Moses' father, Amram, was the son of Kohath, and Kohath was one of those who entered Egypt with Jacob. Kohath lived 133 years, and Amram lived 137 years (Gen. 46:8, 11-; Exod. 6:18, 20). If, now, we were to allow that Kohath was a new born babe when he entered Egypt, and that Amram was born the year his father died, there would still remain a gap of 80 years between the death of Amram and the birth of Moses!
The statement made by Jehovah to Abraham
(Gen. 15:13,15), quoted by Stephen (Acts 7:6,7), that Abraham's seed would be afflicted 400 years, is often taken to mean that the affliction in Egypt was to be 400 years. The Apostle Paul, however, points out that this foretold affliction began when Ishmael "mocked" or "ill-treated" Isaac at the time of the feast when Isaac was weaned (Gal. 4:28-30; Gen. 15:5-12). As the Bible dates show that Isaac was born 405 years before the Exodus, he must have been five years of age when he was weaned. That Isaac was not "weaned from the milk" till he had reached the age of five years seems unaccountable to people of Western countries, but in Palestine this is the common practice even at the present day. The women of Palestine believe that the longer the child is suckled the stronger he will grow, and the weaning never takes place under two years, but frequently in the case of a favourite man-child such as Isaac was, he is kept at the breasts for four or five years, and even longer. The "babes and suckling" of the Bible are old enough to sing, and are ready to be taught knowledge (Matt. 21:15,16; Isa. 28:9; 1 Sam. 1:21-23).
Jehovah's further intimation to Abraham that his seed would come out of bondage in the fourth generation, and that the nation who had held them in bondage would be judged (Gen. 15:14-16; Acts 7:7), was fulfilled when Moses delivered the Israelites after inflicting the ten plagues upon the Egyptians. The four generations began with Jacob when he entered Egypt, Levi and Jochebed being the second and third, and Moses the fourth generation.
The Samaritan and Septuagint versions of the Old Testament render Exod. 12:40 emphatically in support of the inspired Apostle's statement in Gal. 3:17,—"the dwelling of the sons of Israel, and of their fathers, which they dwelt in the land of Canaan, and in the land of Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years."
CHRONOLOGICAL PERIODS EXAMINED.
The period of 46 years from the Exodus to the division of the land among the twelve tribes of Israel, is made up from two periods of 40 and 6 years.
The 40 years from the Exodus until the nation crossed the river Jordan to take possession of the promised land, is exact to a day (Exod.12: 42-51; Deut.29:5; Josh.4:19; 5:10; Num.14:34).
The period following the forty years in the wilderness, during which the Israelites conquered seven nations and then divided the land of Canaan among the tribes (Acts 13:17-19), is proved to be 6-years by the following texts:—
(1) Num. 33:3.
3 And they departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month: on the morrow after the passover the children of Israel went out with an high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians.
(2) Num. 9:1.
AND the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,
(3) Num. 10:11, 12.
11 ¶ And it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from off the tabernacle of the testimony.
(4) Num. I3:I-3.
12 And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran.
AND the LORD spake unto Moses, saying.
2 Send thoumen, that they maysearch the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them.
3 And Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel.
25 And they returned from searching of the land after forty days.
(5) Num. 13:25, 26.
26 And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land.
5 As the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land.
8 Thus did your fathers, when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to see the land.
(6) Num. 32:8.
6 Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadesh-barnea.
(7) Josh. 14:5-7.
7 Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart.
(8) Josh. 14:10.
10 And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.
CHRONOLOGICAL PERIODS EXAMINED.
In the Book of Joshua (14:5-7,10) we read that when Joshua was dividing the land, Caleb came to him and said: "Thou knowest the thing that the Lord said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadesh-barnea"—namely, that he would live to inherit part of the land—"Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of God sent me from Kadesh-barnea to espy out the land ...and now, behold, the Lord hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years...and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old." We are informed in Num. 10:11, 12, that in the 20th day of the 2nd month of the 2nd year (i.e., 1 yr. 1 mo. 20 dys.) after leaving Egypt, the people journeyed from Sinai to the wilderness of Paran; and it was from Kadesh-barnea in Paran that Caleb and the other spies journeyed forth (See Num. 13:1-3, 25, 26; 32:8). It was, therefore, a little over a year after the Exodus that Caleb was sent to spy the land, and 45 years later the land was conquered and divided, altogether a period of 46 years.
The Period of 450 years of the Judges is said by the Apostle Paul to have extended from the time of the division of the land, till Samuel the prophet (Acts 13:19,20). It is generally acknowledged that without this inspired statement in the New Testament the continuity of the Old Testament chronology would be broken. Nor could we know the period of Saul's reign, were it not that the Apostle again supplies this information, enabling us to connect up the chronological chain (Acts 13:21). The Old Testament does, indeed, furnish an indication of the time which elapsed between the Exodus and the period of the kings, but owing to an evident error on the part of a copyist, or a translator from the original Hebrew manuscripts, the matter has been involved in a measure of obscurity. With the aid of the Apostle's figures we know that the total period from the Exodus to the commencement
CREATION OF ADAM 4128 BC
FALL OF ADAM 4126 BC
Flood DRIED UP 2472 BC
ABRAHAMIC COVENANT 2045 BC
DIVISION OF THE LAND 1569 BC
ZEDERIAN DETHRONED 606 BC
B.C. EDICT OF CYRUS 536 BC
A.D. END OF 6000 YEARS FROM THE FALL 1874 AD
1 BIBLE CHRONOLOGY
2 1654 427 430 46 450 513 70 536 1874 1000
2ND PRESENT EVIL WORLD
GAL.1.4.
1ST OLD WORLD 2 Pet. 3.6
PATRIARCHAL AGE
JEWISH AGE
HARVEST→
JOHN.4,35-38
GOSPEL AGE
HARVEST→
MATT.13,36-40
3RD WORLD TO COME 2 Pet. 3.13.
WORLDS AND AGES
END OF ADAMS DAY
KINGDOM OF ISRAEL
OVERTHROWN
TIMES OF THE GENTILES
KINGDOMS OF CHRISTENDOM
OVERTHROWN
are fully explained throughout the volume
millets depend upon the true Bible chronology
3 DOMINION PARALLELS
SEVEN TIMES
GEN.1.26. 1000
LOST BY FIRST ADAM
SENTENCE ON SERPENT
GEN.3.15. 4126 BC
MAN LEFT TO HIMSELF IS UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE RANSOM PSA.48.7. NO ATTEMPT MADE BY GOD TO SELECT THE SEED OF THE WOMAN WHO WOULD BRUISE THE SERPENT'S HEAD. ROM.1.28. ACTS 14.16.
SPECIAL FAVOUR TO ONE PEOPLE ONLY—TO ABRAHAM AND THIS NATURAL SEED. AMOS 3.2. DEUT.7.6.
70 WEEKS.
DAN.9.24. -490
SEVEN TIMES
MORE
LEV. 26.18. LUKE 21.24.
1799 AD.
MICAH 4.8. 1000
539 AD. ANTYPICAL COUNTERFEIT OF ISAAC AND REBECCA JE COPE APOSTATE CHURCH UNITE
GALL TO GENTILES. EPH.2.14. ACTS 15.14.
36 AD.
EDICT OF JUSTINIAN 539 AD.
RETURN OF OUR LORD 1874 AD.
1260 HUSS 1391 MARSIGLIO 1326
1000 TRUE MILLENNIUM
251 AD. CYPRIAN 316 AD. CONSTANTINE 1260
1789 AD. PAPAL MILLENNIUM 1000
1915 1844 1829
1799 AD.
4 ABRAHAMIC COVENANT
5 TRUE AND COUNTERFEIT DAYS OF DANIEL
430 YEARS IN EGYPT P.
Exod:12.40-41.RV
JOCHEBED
LEVI
KOHATH
AMBAN
GEN:46.8-11.
EXOD:6.16-20.
NUM:26.59.
GEN:41.46-54.
GEN:45.6-9.
ACTS:7.20-30.
EXOD:7.7.
DEUT:34.7
JACOB'S DEATH
GEN:49.1-53.
1813 B.C.
29 AD
BIRTH OF JESUS
2 B.C.
36 AD.
JEWISH HARVEST
PERIOD ENDS
69 AD.
1874 AD
MILLERITE MOVEMENT
1881 AD
GOSPEL HARVEST
PERIOD ENDS
1914 AD
JEWISH DOUBLE
PARALLELS
405 B.C.
TEMPLE BUILT
521-17
EDICT OF GOSPEL
EZRA
70TH
WEEK
AVIGNON
WYLLIFE
70TH
WEEK
HUSS
1813 B.C.
TIMES OF THE CENTILES
FLESHLY HOUSE
SPIRITUAL HOUSE
Rev:17.5.
MYSTIC BABYLON
THE GREAT
33624
70 AD
1509-21
1915 A.D.
FOUR EMPIRES
PARALLELS
THE DIVINE PLAN OF THE AGES
CHRONOLOGICAL PERIODS EXAMINED.
of the erection of the Temple in Jerusalem was 580 years. In 1 Kings 6:1 we read in our Bible that the period in question was 480, or 100 years less than the sum of the periods given in the other Scriptures ( 4 0+6+4 5 0+4 0+4 0+4=5 8 0 ).
The ease with which this mistake in I Kings 6:1 crept in, whereby 580 was made to read 480, is very apparent when the Hebrew letter which stands for 4 "ב" is compared with that for 5 "ש". Although in all existing Hebrew manuscripts of the Old Testament (none of which date earlier than the 10th century A.D.) numbers are written out at length, it seems certain that the writers of the originals, and all the ancient copyists, employed the letters of the alphabet to denote numerical values. It is well-known that this method was used by the Greeks, and, indeed, by all ancient Eastern nations. Maccabæan coins prove conclusively that this shorter method of recording numbers was in vogue among the Hebrews after the Babylonian captivity (536 B.C.), and there is no reason to doubt that it was in use from the beginning. Because of the similarity of certain letters in the Hebrew alphabet, copyists have mistaken one for another, in spite of their proverbial care, and thus have in some cases given rise to much misunderstanding. It is wonderful, indeed, that such errors are not more frequent in the Bible; the Lord has so overrulled matters that the errors which have crept in are corrected by the testimony of other Scriptures.
The period of 513 years of the kings of Judah, dating from Samuel the prophet when the 40 years of Saul's "space" began, till the dethronement of Zedekiah the last king, is derived entirely from the Book of Chronicles, the reign of Saul being the only exception (Acts 13:21).
The chronological chain cannot be carried through the line of the kings of the ten tribes, without reference to the line of Judah, for two breaks occur
in the succession of the reigns of Israel's kings. There is a gap of ten years after Jereboam II (2 Kings 14:23; 15:8); and a second gap of ten years after Pekah (2 Kings 15:27; 17:1).
The reigns of the kings of Judah as given in the Book of Kings, agree exactly with those given in Chronicles.
Chronologers (as Ussher) who have attempted to base this period of Bible Chronology upon the synchronisms * found in the Book of Kings, have caused much unnecessary confusion; for it is well known that these synchronisms cannot be reconciled with the reigns of the kings of Judah and Israel, nor even with themselves. † It is now generally agreed that these synchronisms were added to the Book of Kings by a later hand, and are not to be considered as original independent chronological data. The fact that the writer of Chronicles (which is held to be the last written of the books
As an example of the disagreement in synchronistic statements, we read in 2 Kings 15:30 that Hoshea slew Pekah in the 20th year of Jotham, and reigned in his stead. This statement is quite manifestly an interpolation, because Jotham did not reign more than 16 years (2 Chron. 27:1); nor did Hoshea reign instead of Pekah even in the 20th year after the accession of Jotham (which would be the 4th year of Ahaz) as is suggested by Ussher according to the marginal note in many Bibles, for in 2 Kings 17:1 it states that Hoshea began to reign in the 12th year of Ahaz.
The synchronism of 27 years mentioned in 2 Kings 15:1 cannot possibly be true; and many other synchronisms are erroneous.
In 2 Kings 8:16, the words: "Jehoshaphat being then king of Judah" are omitted in a number of Hebrew manuscripts and in many versions (See note in the Variorum Bible). If the synchronistic statements in 2 Kings 8:16 and 3:1 were true (thus making Jehoram of Judah reign only 4 years alone, and therefore shortening the chronological chain by 4 years), then other synchronisms as 1 Kings 16:29; and 22:41, etc., are not true. This shows that many of the synchronisms in the Book of Kings are conflicting, and strengthen the belief that they are interpolated (Contrast diagrams Nos. 1 and 2 on page 28).
ASA OF JUDAH
1 KINGS 15,9-10
JEHOSHAPHAT OF JUDAH
1 KINGS 22,41
JEHORAM OF JUDAH
2 KINGS 8,16
AHAB OF ISRAEL
1 KINGS 16,29
DIAGRAM Nº1.
ASA OF JUDAH
KINGS 15 9 10
JEHOSHAPHAT OF JUDAH
1 KINGS 22 41
JEHORAM OF JUDAH
2 KINGS 8 16
AHAZIAH
OF JUDAH
AHAB OF ISRAEL
KINGS 16 29
DIAGRAM N92.
These two diagrams demonstrate that the "synchronisms" found in the Book of Kings cannot be reconciled with the reigns of the kings of Judah and Israel, nor even with themselves. They nevertheless agree better with Diagram No.2 which allows Jehoram of Judah a reign of 8 years alone (Compare 2 Chron. 21:1-5).
CHRONOLOGICAL PERIODS EXAMINED.
of the Old Testament) ignored the lengths of the reigns of the kings of Israel (the ten tribes which broke away from Judah into idolatry after the death of Solomon), and confines himself entirely to the line of the kings of Judah, should give us confidence that the Lord intends us to continue the chronological chain through the kings of Judah. (See 1 Chron. 3:9-16.)
The period of 70 years desolation of the land of Judea and Jerusalem, from the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple at the dethronement of Zedekiah, till the first year of Cyrus, is easily found by comparing the clear statements of the following Scriptures:—
(I) The prophecy of Moses.
34 Tben shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies' land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths.
35 As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it.
Lev. 26:33-35.
33 And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you : and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste.
(2) The prophecies of Jeremiah.
Jer. 25:11, 12; 29:10.
12 And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.
II And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.
10 For thus saith the LORD. That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.
(3) Daniel's understanding of the prophecies of Moses and Jeremiah.
Dan. 9:2.
2 In the first year of his reign, I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
(4) Historical notice by the writer of Chronicles, of the fulfilment of the prophecies of Moses and Jeremiah.
2 Chron. 36:19, 20.
19 And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof.
20 And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia:
21 To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths; for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbaths, to fulfil threescore and ten years.
As this period of the Old Testament chronology is much misunderstood, and as it is important
CHRONOLOGICAL PERIODS EXAMINED.
to have it firmly established, we have thought it advisable to enter into the details somewhat fully. We suggest that the reader verify for himself the numerous Scriptural references.
It is evident from a consideration of the above texts, that the 70 years of desolation spoken of by Jeremiah was in fulfilment of the prophecy of Moses, that the land might enjoy its sabbaths of rest, because when the people were in the land they would not let it rest. When Zedekiah was taken captive to Babylon in the 4th month of his 11th year (Jer.39:2), it appears that some of the poorest of the people were left in the land (Jer.39:10), over whom Nebuchadnezzar set Gedaliah as governor (2 Kings 25:22). And when the Jews who had escaped to other lands heard that Gedaliah was made governor over this remnant, they returned and joined him (Jer.40:11,12). But we read that in the 7th month Gedaliah and many others were slain (Jer.40:15,16; 41:1-3); and although the Lord promised to protect the very few who yet remained if they would obey him (Jer.42:10-12), they were now so afraid of the Chaldeans that they would not settle in the land, but fled into Egypt (Jer.43:1-7). Thus, toward the end of the 11th year of Zedekiah the land of Judea was desolate (Jer.44:2,6,7,22; 2 Kings 25:25,26). This abject fear of the small number who were left after Gedaliah's death, was foretold by Moses, who said that they would flee out of the land and perish among their enemies (Lev.26:36-39), and that then the land would enjoy her sabbaths while she lay desolate without them (Lev.26:33,34,43), to fulfil, or accomplish, 70 years.
Although the teaching of the Scriptures regarding this period of 70 years desolation is very clear, it has been strangely obscured by Ussher and other chronologists. They have imagined that the 70 years began in the 3rd or 4th year of the reign of Jehoiakim, 19 or 18 years before Zedekiah's dethronement. This, of course, would shorten the
chronological chain previous to A.D. 1, and thus make the six millenniums from the creation of Adam end 19 or 18 years after 1872 A.D. They recognised that the land was not "desolate without an inhabitant" during the remaining 7 or 8 years of Jehoiakim and the 11 years of Zedekiah, and they therefore termed the 70 years as a period of captivity. But the Scriptures are emphatic that no captivity began in the 3rd or 4th year of Jehoiakim, nor, indeed, till after the death of that king.
It was after Jehoiachin (the son of Jehoiakim; also named Jeconiah and Coniah—See 2 Kings 24:8, margin) had reigned three months, that the beginning of the captivity of Judah took place * (2 Kings 24:6-18). The prophet Ezekiel (who was among those carried to Babylon with Jehoiachin), always reckoned the captivity as dating from the time when Jehoiachin was taken captive, 11 years before the final captivity and desolating of Jerusalem and the land (Ezek. 1:2; 33:21; 40:1.—See diagram on page 32). Jeremiah, also, did not recognise any captivity of Judah previous to that of Jehoiachin (See Jer. 27:16-22; and note that this utterance of Jeremiah was during the 4th year of Zedekiah; for the Variorum Bible points out that in verse 1 of this 27th chapter Zedekiah is the king meant, as is shown by comparing verses 3 and 12, and verse 1 of the next chapter—the 28th. The Septuagint omits 27:1 entirely).
It was in the 4th year of Jehoiakim, which was also the 1st year of Nebuchadnezzar (Jer.25:1), that Jeremiah promised the Jews that if they would turn from evil the Lord would do them no hurt; otherwise the king of Babylon would come against them (Jer. 25:1-12;36:1-3). The fear of an invasion had the C19 YEAR
RINGS 25-1, 2, 8-9
REIGN - - - - -
effect of causing the people to proclaim a fast, and endeavour to influence Jehoiakim to repent (Jer. 36:4-10, 16). This fast was held in the 9th month of the 5th year, so that the Lord did them "no hurt" previous to the 6th year of Jehoiakim* (Jer. 36:9). But Jehoiakim cut up and burnt the "roll of the book" which Jeremiah had written against him, and Jeremiah required to write another roll, in which he repeated his prophecy that "the king of Babylon shall certainly come and destroy this land [make it desolate], and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast" (Jer. 36:22-32). Because of this act of contempt in cutting up the roll, the Lord brought Nebuchadnezzar against Jerusalem, and Jehoiakim was bound in chains to be carried to Babylon (2 Chron. 36:2-7). Nebuchadnezzar, however, did not pursue his original intention to take Jehoiakim captive, but made him pay tribute instead, and carried off some of the vessels of the temple, being content with this alone. At the end of three years' subjection Jehoiakim rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 24:1), with the result that the Lord
harried him by sending against him bands from the surrounding countries, the people of which were now under the power of Babylon, until Nebuchadnezzar was free to come in person to besiege Jerusalem (2 Kings 24:1-4,7).
Jehoiakim was not taken captive to Babylon; but after reigning eleven years he died, being probably assassinated by his infuriated subjects when they saw Nebuchadnezzar coming to lay siege against the city; and it seems that he was not accorded an honourable burial, but that his dead body was cast forth out of Jerusalem * (Jer.22:18, 19;36:30). It was therefore upon the head of Jehoiachin (Coniah) that the collective sin of his fathers was visited (Jer.22:24,25;36:30,31). We read that it was at that time (11 years before Zedekiah's dethronement) that Nebuchadnezzar and his servants came and besieged Jerusalem (2 Kings 24:8-11); and Jehoiachin (son of Jehoiakim) evidently thought it hopeless to resist, and surrendered himself with all his princes and all the chief of the land into the hands of the king of Babylon (2 Kings 24:10-17). This, the first deportation of captives to Babylon, took place in the 8th year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 24:12; Jer.24:1-10); and the second and final deportation was at the dethronement of Zedekiah eleven years later, in the 19th year of Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 24:18, 19; 25:1-11). Although a few cities in Judea still remained unsubdued after the first captivity, which were desolated at the final invasion by Babylon (Jer.34:1-22), this final captivity is spoken of as being more a captivity of Jerusalem (Jer.1:3; 32:1-5), from which time, therefore, the 70 years desolation of Jerusalem began (Dan.9:2).
Although the Scriptures do not say when Jehoiakim began to pay tribute, they by the foregoing texts indicate indirectly that it was in his 8th year. The great Jewish historian Josephus corroborates this, saying distinctly that it was in Jehoiakim's 8th year that he became tributary to Babylon, rebelling three years later, i.e., in his 11th and last year (See Ant. X, 6:1-3).
CHRONOLOGICAL PERIODS EXAMINED.
Verses 28-30 of Jer.152 show that the writer understood that the first captivity of Judah was after the death of Jehoiakim, 11 years before the final destruction of Jerusalem. He in this place pre-dates the years of the captivities, calling the 8th year of Nebuchadnezzar, when Jehoiachin was carried to Babylon, the 7th (Compare 2 Kings 24:12), and the 19th year the 18th (Compare Jer. 52:12). The captivity mentioned in the 30th verse of this 52nd chapter of Jeremiah is that of the Jews who fled to Egypt, after Zedekiah was dethroned and the desolation of the land had begun (See Jer. 43:5-11; 44:1-14). Josephus, in Ant. X, 9:7, says that this last act of vengeance against the rebellious Jews took place "on the 5th year after the destruction of Jerusalem, which was the 23rd of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar." This agrees with Jer. 52:30.
The 70 years spoken of by Jeremiah is shown in Jer. 29:1-14* to have begun to count from the time when the remnant (or residue—same word in the Hebrew) in Jerusalem were taken captive by Nebuzar-adan, the captain of Nebuchadnezzar. It was in the 4th month of his 11th year that Zedekiah was taken captive (2 Kings 25:2-7; Jer. 39:2-7), while in the 5th month Nebuzar-adan carried away the remnant to Babylon (2 King 25:8-11; Jer. 39:8, 9). It was this remnant or residue, as well as to all those who, 11 years before, had gone into captivity with Jehoiachin or Coniah (Compare verses 1 and 8 of Jer. 24), that Jeremiah sent the letter, telling them to settle down in Babylon, for the Lord would not visit them till 70 years were accomplished (See Jer. 29:1, 2). The messengers bearing Jeremiah's letter to the captives in Babylon had been employed by him in a similar capacity 7 years before, Elasah and Gemariah evidently having formed part of the
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