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PREFACE

PROBABLY no one has ever completed a piece of work without the most profound misgivings as to its value. When a writer has been engaged for a long time in the details of a book, it is very difficult to put it away from himself and regard it objectively, as though he had had no hand in its production. In the present case certain criticisms are, of course, obvious. The general scheme may be objected to, or if that is considered praiseworthy, the method in which it is worked out may be held to be deserving of censure. Of course, there are serious and reverent students who dislike any process that seems to tamper with the text of Holy Scripture. To such, naturally, the present book will make no appeal.

With much hesitation I have used the title The Literary Man's Bible, because it more exactly explains than any other the purpose I have in view. There is an implied assumption in the title which I do not like. Doubtless it savours somewhat of arrogance to pretend an ability to select some passages rather than others as representative of a higher literary value. But what I should like the reader to understand is that throughout I concern myself with the Old Testament purely as literature, and that a treatment which would be unpardonable so long as the Bible is regarded as a religious manual may possibly be excused if the standpoint throughout is concerned with the character of Hebraic documents, emanating from a race which was admirably fitted to give us

very high examples of literary attainment. I confess that what I should like to do is to give back the Bible to thoughtful men, who, owing to a variety of circumstances, are not able to appreciate, or have ceased to appreciate, its unparalleled value. With great regret I have omitted the Apocrypha, mainly on grounds connected with the length which, if it were included, this volume would assume. With the New Testament also I am not at present concerned. I have used the Authorised Version throughout, because the Revised Version, doubtless more accurate, cannot hope to compete with the older and more familiar version, which was produced at a great flowering time of English letters.

The question of notes has been very troublesome. Something of the nature of explanation is clearly necessary. Yet it would have been absurd in a volume like this to enter largely into disquisitions more appropriate to works belonging to the higher criticism. There must inevitably be something arbitrary in the selection of passages requiring annotation; but a writer can only be guided in these matters by his own instinct and predilections, which very likely may not commend themselves to others. I have thought it better to keep the notes as short as possible; but I am quite aware that their very brevity may lead to obscurity. Brevis esse laboro: Obscurus fio. Perhaps some readers may find even lightness or flippancy in my comments, but I am not personally conscious of so unworthy an attitude.

From a similar desire to be terse and explicit, I have not quoted many authorities, but I think chapter and verse could be given for all my statements. The books I have mainly used are Cornill's Introduction to the Canonical Books of the Old Testament, translated by Mr. G. H. Box; Dr. Driver, -especially on the Book of Genesis and on the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah; Mr. H. A. Redpath on Ezekiel; Dr. Cheyne, and here and there his latest volume,

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Traditions and Beliefs of Ancient Israel; Professor Friedrich Delitzsch, especially Babel and Bible; Karl Marti's The Religion of the Old Testament, translated by the Rev. G. A. Bienemann; the volumes of The Century Bible, published by Messrs. T. C. and E. C. Jack, and The Temple Bible, published by Messrs. Dent. Hastings's Dictionary and the Encyclopædia Biblica afford invaluable help to every student; and Dr. Pusey's Minor Prophets have also here and there been referred to. But this book is not intended to appeal to accomplished biblical students, but rather to the man of literary tastes and sympathies, who desires to know some reasons why he should respect and admire the sacred Books of Israel.

W. L. C.

October, 1907.

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