- 149-
(^95) All travelers are agreed on two points: 1. That there could be no difficulty whatever
in distinctly hearing both from Ebal and Gerizim anything that was spoken in the valley.
- That these two mountains afforded sufficient standing-ground for all Israel. We note
these two points in answer to possible objections. Happily in the present instance we
have express and independent testimony to put such cavils out of court. According to
Dr. Thomson (The Land and the Book, 1 p. 203), the valley is about sixty rods wide.
(^96) Comp. Canon Tristram's Land of Israel, p. 153.
(^97) This is the correct rendering.
(^98) Comp. Robinson's Biblical Researches, vol. 2 p. 245.
(^99) Literally, "dotted over."
(^100) In Joshua 9:15, we read indeed: "Joshua... made a league with them, to let them
live."
(^101) The following historical notice in the Mishnah is so interesting, that we give its
translation: "When they went to Gilgal, high places were allowed (for ordinary
worship); the most holy offerings were eaten 'within,' between the veils; the less holy
ones in every place. When they went to Shiloh, the high places were forbidden. There
were not there beams (for the house of God), but a building of stones below (a kind of
foundation) and the curtains (tabernacle) above, and that was (in Scripture-language)
'rest.' Then the most holy offerings were eaten 'within,' between the veils, and the less
holy and the second tithe anywhere within sight (of Shiloh). When they went to Nob
and to Gibeon, high places were allowed. Then the most holy offerings were eaten
'within,' between the veils, and the less holy ones in all the cities of Israel" (Sevachim
xiv. 5, 6, 7).
(^102) As for example in the case of monastic vows.
(^103) From the concluding words of Joshua 9:27, it has been rightly inferred that the Book
of Joshua must date from a period previous to the building of the temple by Solomon.
(^104) From 2 Samuel 21:1, we gather that, in his carnal zeal, Saul had broken the oath of
the princes- with what result appears from the narrative.
(^)