the words "of God" appear in Italics in the latter case, as well as in the former. Is the alteration here pointed out "far from being an improvement ?”

It would be easy to fill many pages with instances very similar to those which have just been adduced; but I shall content myself with another example of the same kind. In the beginning of the 19th chapter of St Luke's Gospel, we read, according to the Text of 1611, "And Jesus entered, and passed through Jericho." The word "Jesus" is here very properly added, with the design of giving perspicuity to the narrative, at the commencement of a new chapter; and also very properly marked, by its type, as not actually in the Original Greek. When we proceed to the beginning of the 9th chapter of St John's Gospel, we read, "And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which had been blind from his birth;" but here, the word "Jesus," introduced, as before, for the sole purpose of giving perspicuity to the narrative, at the commencement of a new chapter, is printed as if it really belonged to the Sacred Text. In the edition of 1638, as well as in the modern editions, it is printed Jesus. Is it in such alterations as these that, to use once more the language of the Sub-Committee, "a great want of critical taste" has been displayed?

It is interesting to observe how frequently abbreviated forms of speech are found in different languages in relation to the same thing. In Gen. xxiv. 13, 20, (1611) we read, "Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:"..." And she hasted and emptied

her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels." Here we have, first, the complete form of expression "draw water;" then, the abbreviated form in the Original, supplied in English by the word that renders the expression complete, "drew water;" and lastly, the abbreviated form in English "drew." Here also we may observe the effect of the context in deciding the word to be supplied. The word "draw" may be applied to many objects; but when it is used in the continuation of a narrative respecting the drawing of water from a well, the substantive, to be connected with it, is at once incontrovertibly decided.-On referring to the Greek language we find the same abbreviation. In John iv. 7, we read, "There cometh a woman of Samaria, to draw water (avtλñoɑı üdwp);” and afterwards in verse 15, "The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw (avτλeîv)”.......In particular instances, as is manifest from the instances before us, it is of little or no consequence whether the abbreviated forms of the Original be completed in the English, or not; and therefore, so far as such instances are concerned, it cannot be of much importance whether the supplementary words, when it is thought right to give them, are, or are not, marked by Italics. But it is of great moment that whatever is done in this way, should be done in adherence to a principle. Cases will frequently occur in which it is certain that a word is supplied; although people will form very different opinions of its importance. The only security, for having important supplementary words clearly indicated, is to have all words so indicated, when they are supplementary.

Many examples might be adduced of abbreviated forms of speech, which, from their position in the text, or their relation to the context, present no difficulty; but I shall content myself with one instance more. We find (2 Kings ix. 21) this sentence: "And Joram said, "Make ready;" or, according to the Marginal Reading, that is, the Literal Hebrew-" Bind.". This command, taken by itself, is sufficiently indeterminate; and the applications, in the Old Testament, of the word translated "bind," are various. As there is something well worthy of remark in this matter, I will collect a few of those applications.

The word is used with reference to a person bound, whether in prison or not:

"The prison, the place where Joseph was bound." Gen. XL. 3.

"To bind Samson are we come up:

"We are come down to bind thee:"

"And they bound him with two new cords." Judg. xv. 10, 12, 13.

Also, with reference to a sacrifice:

"Bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar." Ps. cxviii. 27.

Also, with reference to a chariot :

"And Joseph made ready (bound) his chariot." Gen. XLVI. 29.

"And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare (in the margin "Tie," or, "Bind") thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not." Kings xviii. 44.

Also, to the equipping of horses for battle:

"Order ye the buckler and shield, and draw near to battle. Harness (bind) the horses; and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with your helmets." Jerem. xLvi. 3, 4.

Also, to the drawing up of men in order of battle:

“Then he said, Who shall order (in the margin, “bind” or "tie") the battle?" 1 Kings xx. 14.

Also, metaphorically, to binding a person by oath or

VOW:

"If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond:"

"If a woman also vow a vow unto the LORD, and bind herself by a bond." Numb. xxx. 2, 3.

When all these significations of the word are taken into account, it might appear as if any meaning attached to Joram's command, to "make ready" or "bind," would be mere conjecture; but on referring to the context, all obscurity is removed in an instant. It immediately follows: "And his chariot was made ready”. "bound"—that is, "bound to the horses." The Translators might have given Joram's command in full, "Make ready the chariot," as in 1 Kings xviii. 44; but they very justly thought the abbreviated expression sufficient, explained as it was by the words immediately following.

In numerous instances, as I have already observed, it is quite impossible to convert a Hebrew or Greek sentence into a corresponding sentence in English, without circumlocution. The phrase would frequently be altogether unintelligible in our own language, more especially to ordinary readers, if presented in the elliptical form of the Original....In some cases, indeed, this elliptical form will not be attended with any great uncertainty, as to the writer's meaning; and yet as different modes of supplying the ellipses, giving different shades of meaning, may be adopted, it seems desirable even

in such cases that the words actually supplied should be pointed out....In other cases, the elliptical form is productive of so much obscurity, that scholars will entertain different opinions as to the mode in which the ellipsis should be supplied. Under such circumstances, nothing surely can be more manifest than that, in translating works of vast concernment to mankind—-works on which their Religious Sentiments depend-whatever is thus added, for the purpose of conveying the full meaning of the Original, as apprehended by the Translator, certainly ought to have some mark by which it may be distinguished from the rest.

I shall now quote a few instances of texts, in none of which can the meaning be expressed in English, without words in addition to those which the Hebrew affords; while in some of them great care must have been requisite, to ascertain and unfold the signification of the Original. Although anxious not to extend this Essay beyond due limits, I shall venture occasionally to subjoin to the cited texts a few illustrative remarks. When the reader's attention is thus directed to the structure of the Hebrew Language, he will be surprised to find how much, that We require to be expressed in words, might be safely left to the imaginations of men, in the eastern regions of the world.

In Gen. xiii. 9, we find Abram addressing Lot, after the strife of their herdmen, literally thus:

"Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if the left hand, then I will take the right; or if the right hand, then I will take the left."

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