Christian commentators, both ancient and modern, are vastly more numerous, more excellent, and better known, than those among the Jews. On this latter account I may be well excused for passing by many which have all their respective excellences, and mentioning only a few out of the vast multitude, which are either more eminent, more easy of access, or better known to myself.
These comments may be divided into four distinct classes:
1. Those of the Primitive Fathers and Doctors of the Church;
2. Those written by Roman Catholics;
3. Those written by Protestants, and,
4. Compilations from both, and collections of Biblical critics.
Class I.—Primitive Fathers and Doctors
Tatian, who flourished about A.D. 150, wrote a Harmony of the four Gospels, perhaps the first thing of the kind ever composed: the genuine work is probably lost, as that extant under his name is justly suspected by the learned.
In this class Origen occupies a distinguished place: he was born A.D. 185, and wrote much on the Scriptures: his principal works are unfortunately lost: many of his Homilies still remain, but they are so replete with metaphorical and fanciful interpretations of the sacred text, that there is much reason to believe they have been corrupted since his time. Specimens of his mode of interpreting the Scriptures may be seen in the ensuing comment. See the note on Exodus 2.
Hyppolitus wrote many things on the Scriptures, most of which are lost: he flourished about A.D. 230.
Chrysostom is well known and justly celebrated for his learning, skill, and eloquence, in his Homilies on the sacred writings, particularly the Psalms. He flourished A.D. 344.
Jerome is also well known: he is author of what is called the Vulgate, a Latin version from the Hebrew and Greek of the whole Old and New Testaments, as also of a very valuable comment on all the Bible. He flourished A.D. 360.
Ephraiam Syrus, who might be rather said to have mourned than to have flourished about A.D. 360, has written some very valuable expositions of particular parts of Scripture. They may be found in his works, Syr. and Gr., published by Asseman, Rome, 1737, etc., 6 vols. folio.
To Augustine, a laborious and voluminous writer, we are indebted for much valuable information on the sacred writing. His expositions of Scripture, however, have been the subjects of many acrimonious controversies in the Christian Church. He has written upon a number of abstruse and difficult point, and in several cases not in a very lucid manner; and hence it is not to be wondered at if many of his commentators have mistaken his meaning. Some strange things drawn from his writings, and several things in his creed, may be attributed to the tincture his mind received from his Manichean sentiments; for it is well known that he had embraced, previously to his conversion to Christianity, the doctrine of the two principles, one wholly evil, and the other wholly good; to whose energy and operation all the good and evil in the world were attributed. These two opposite and conflicting beings he seems, in some cases, unwarily to unite in one God; and hence he and many his followers appear to have made the ever-blessed God, the fountain of all justice and holiness, the author, not only of all the good that is in the world, (for in this there can be but one opinion,) but of all the evil likewise; having reduced it to a necessity of existence by a predetermining, changeable, and eternal decree, by which all the actions of angels and men are appointed and irrevocably established. St. Augustine died A.D. 430.
Gregory the Great, who flourished about A.D. 600, has written commentaries which are greatly esteemed, especially among the Catholics.
Theophylact has written a valuable cogent on the Gospels, Acts, and St. Paul's Epistle, He flourished A.D. 700.
Venerable Bede flourished A.D. 780, and wrote comments (or rather collected those of others) on the principal books of the Old and New Testaments, which are still extant.
Rabanus Maurus, who flourished A.D. 800, was one of the most voluminous commentators since the days of Origen. Besides his numerous comments published in his works, there is a glossary of his on the whole Bible in MS., in the imperial library at Vienna.
Walafridus Strabus composed a work on the Old and New Testaments, entitled Biblia Sacra cum Glossa Ordinaria, which is properly a Catena or collection of all comments of the Greek and Latin Fathers prior to his time. Strabus constantly endeavours to show the literal, historical, and moral seine of the inspired writers. The best edition of this valuable work was printed at Antwerp in 1684, 6 vols. Folio. The author died in his forty-third year, A.D. 846.
It would be very easy to augment this list of Fathers and Doctors by the addition of many respectable names, but my limits prevent me from entering into any detail. A few scanty additional notices of authors and their works must suffice.
Salonius, bishop of Vienna, who flourished in 440, wrote a very curious piece, entitled a Mystical Explanation of the Proverbs of Solomon, in a dialogue between himself and his brother Veranius: the latter asks questions on every important subject contained in the book, and the former answers and professes to solve all difficulties. He wrote also an Exposition of Ecclesiastes.
Philo, bishop of the Carpathians, wrote on Solomon's Song.
Justus, bishop of Orgelitanum, or Urgel, wrote a mystical explanation of the same book, died A.D. 540.
And to Aponius, a writer of the seventh century, a pretty extensive and mystical exposition this book is attributed. It is a continued allegory of the marriage between Christ and his Church.
To Aponius and the preceding writers most modern expositors of Solomon's Song stand considerably indebted, for those who have never seen these ancient authors have generally borrowed from others who have closely copied their mode of interpretation.
Among the opuscula of Theophilus, bishop of Antioch is found an allegorical exposition of the four Gospels. Theophilus flourished about the middle of the second century.
Victor, presbyter of Antioch, wrote a very extensive comment on St. Mark's Gospel, in which many very judicious observations may be found.
Theodulus, a presbyter of Coelesyria, about A.D. 450 wrote a comment on the Epistle to the Romans.
Remigus, bishop of Auxerre, who flourished about the end of the ninth century, wrote a comment on the twelve Minor Prophets.
Sedulius Hybernicus wrote a Collectanea on all the Epistles of St. Paul, in which there are many useful things. When he flourished is uncertain.
Primasius, bishop of Utica, in Africa, and disciple of St. Augustine, wrote also a comment on all St. Paul's Epistles, and one on the book of Revelation. He flourished A.D. 550.
And to Andreas, archbishop of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, we are indebted for a very extensive comment on the Apocalypse, which is highly extolled by Catholic writers, and which contains a sufficient quantum of mystical interpretations.
All these writers, with others of minor note, may be found in the Bibliotheca Veterum Patrum, etc, by De la Bigne, folio, par. 1624, vol. i. Any person who is fond of ecclesiastical antiquity will find himself gratified even by a superficial reading of the preceding authors; for they not only give their own sentiments on the subjects they handle, but also those of accredited writers who have flourished long before their times.
Class II.—Catholic Commentators
Among the Catholic writers many valuable commentators are to be found; the chief of whom are the following:—Hugo de Sancto Clara, or Hugh de St. Cler, flourished in 1200. He was a Dominican monk and cardinal, and wrote a commentary on the whole Bible, and composed a Concordance, probably the first regular work of the kind, in which he is said to have employed not less than 500 of his brethren to write for him.
Nicholaus de lyra or Lyranus, Anglice, Nicholas Harper, wrote short comments on the whole Bible, which are allowed to be very judicious, and in which he reprehends many reigning abuses. It is supposed that from these Martin Luther borrowed much of that tight which brought, about the Reformation. Hence it has been said,


Si Lyra non lyrasset
Lutherus non saltasset.
"If Lyra had not harped on profanation,
Luther had never planned the reformation."


Lyra flourished in 1300, and was the first of the Christian commentators, since St. Jerome, who brought rabbinical learning to illustrate the sacred writings. His postils maybe found in the Glossa Ordinaria of Walafrid Strabus, already mentioned.
John Menochius, who flourished in the sixteenth century, has published short notes on all the Scriptures; they are generally esteemed very judicious and satisfactory.
Isidore Clarius, bishop of Fuligni in Umbria, in 1550, wrote some learned notes on the Old and New Testaments: he is celebrated for an eloquent speech delivered before the council of Trent in favour of the Vulgate. His learned defence of it contributed no doubt to the canonization of that Version.
John Maldonat wrote notes on particular parts of the Old and New Testaments, at present little read.
Cornelius a Lapide is one of the most laborious and voluminous commentators since the invention of printing. Though he has written nothing either on the Psalms or Job, yet his comment forms no less than 16 vols. folio; it was printed at Venice, 1710. He was a very learned man, but cites as authentic several spurious writings. He died in 1637.
In 1693-4, Father Quesnel, Priest of the Oratory, published in French, at Brussels, Moral Reflections on the New Testament, in 8 vols. 12 mo. The author was a man of deep piety, and were it not for the rigid Jansenian predestinarianism which it contains, it would, as a spiritual comment, be invaluable. The work was translated into English by the Rev. Richard Russel, and published in 4 vols. 8vo., London, 1719, etc. In this work the reader must not expect any elucidation of the difficulties, or indeed of the text, of the New Testament; the design of Father Quesnel is to draw spiritual uses from his text, and apply them to moral purposes. His reflections contain many strong reprehensions of reigning abuses in the Church, and especially among the clergy. It was against this book that Pope Clement XI. issued his famous constitution Unigenitus, in which he condemned one hundred and one propositions taken out of the Moral Reflections, as dangerous and damnable heresies. In my notes on the New Testament I have borrowed several excellent reflections from Father Quesnel's work. The author died at Amsterdam, December 2, 1719, aged 86 years.
Dom Augustin Calmet, a Benedictine, published what he terms Commentaire Litteral, on the whole of the Old and New Testaments. It was first printed at Paris, in 26 vols. 4to., 1707-1717; and afterwards in 9 vols. folio, Paris, Emery, Saugrain, and Martin, 1719-1726. It contains the Latin text of the Vulgate and a French translation, in collateral columns, with the notes at the bottom of each page. It has a vast apparatus of prefaces and dissertations, in which immense learning, good sense, sound judgment, and deep piety, are invariably displayed. Though the Vulgate is his text, yet he notices all its variations from the Hebrew and Greek originals, and generally builds his criticisms on these. He quotes all the ancient commentators, and most of the modern, whether Catholic or Protestant, and gives them due credit and praise. His illustrations of many difficult texts, referring to idolatrous customs, rites, ceremonies, etc., from the Greek and Roman classics, are abundant, appropriate, and successful His tables, maps, plans, etc., are very judiciously constructed, and consequently very useful. This is without exception the best comment ever published on the sacred writings, either by Catholics or Protestants, and has left little to be desired for the completion of such a work. It is true its scarcity, voluminousness, high price, and the language in which it written must prevent its ever coming into common use ill our country; but it will ever form one of the most valuable parts of the private library of every Biblical student and divine. From this judicious and pious commentator I have often borrowed; and his contributions form some of the best parts of my work. It is to be lamented that he trusted so much to his printers, in consequence of which his work abounds with typographical errors, and especially in his learned quotations. In almost every case I have been obliged to refer to the originals themselves. When once written he never revised his sheets, but put them at once into the hands of his printer. This was a source of many mistakes; but for the following I cannot account. In his notes on Num. 12:2, he adds the following clause: Dominus iratus est, Le Seigneur se suit en colere, on which he makes the following strange observation: Cela n'est dans l'Hebreu, ni dans les Septante, ni dans le Chaldeen. On which Houbigant remarks: Potuit addere nec in Sarmaritano codice, nec in ejus interprete, nec in ipso Vulgato; nec in utroque Arabe. Ut difficile sit divinare unde haec verba Aug. Calmet deprompseril: nec miror talia multa excidisse in scripture qui chartas suas, prima manu scriptas, non prius retractabut, quam cas jam mississet ad typographos. The fact is, the words are not in the Bible nor in any of its versions.
In 1753, Father Houbigant, a Priest of the Oratory, published a Hebrew Bible, in 4 vols. folio, with a Latin Version, and several critical notes at the end of each chapter. He was a consummate Hebraician and accurate critic; even his conjectural emendations of the text cast much light on many obscure passages, and not a few of them have been confirmed by the MS. collections of Kennicott and De Rossi. The work is as invaluable in its matter as it is high in price and difficult to be obtained. To this edition the following notes are often under considerable obligation.
Class III.—Protestant Commentators
Sebastian Munster, first a Cordelier, but afterwards a Protestant, published a Hebrew Bible, with a Latin translation, and short critical notes at the end of each chapter. His Bible has been long neglected, but Iris notes have been often republished in large collections. He died in 1552.
The Bible in Latin, printed at Zurich, in 1543, and often afterwards in folio, has a vast many scholia or marginal notes, which have been much esteemed (as also the Latin version) by many divines and critics. The compilers of the notes were Leo de Juda, Theodore Bibliander, Peter Cholin, Ralph Guatier, and Conrad Pelicanus.
Tremellius, a converted Jew, with Junius or du Jon, published a very literal Latin version of the Hebrew Bible with short critical notes, folio, 1575. It has often been reprinted, and was formerly in high esteem. Father Simon accuses him unjustly of putting in pronouns where none exist in the Hebrew: had he examined more carefully he would have found that Tremellius translates the emphatic article by the pronoun in Latin, and it is well known that it has this power in the Hebrew language. Father Simeon's censure is therefore not well founded.
John Piscator published a laborious and learned comment on the Old and New Testaments, in 24 vols. 8vo., Herborn, 1601-1616. Not highly esteemed.
John Drusius was an able commentator; he penetrated the literal sense of Scripture, and in his Animadversions, Hebrew Questions, Explanations of Proverbs, Observations on the Rites and Customs of the Jews, he has cast much light on many parts of the sacred writings. He died at Franeker, in 1616, in the 66th year of his age.
Hugo Grotius, or Hugh le Groot, has written notes on the whole of the Old and New Testaments. His learning was very extensive, his erudition profound, and his moderation on subjects of controversy highly praiseworthy. No man possessed a more extensive and accurate knowledge of the Greek and Latin writers, and no man has more successfully applied them to the illustration of the sacred writings. To give the literal and genuine sense of the sacred writings is always the laudable study of this great man; and he has not only illustrated them amply, but he has defended them strenuously, especially in his treatise On the Truth of the Christian Religion, a truly classical performance that has never been answered, and never can be refuted.. He has also written a piece, which has been highly esteemed by many, On the Satisfaction of Christ. He died in 1645, aged 62 years.
louis de dieu wrote animadversions of the Old and New Testaments, in which are many valuable things. He was a profound scholar in Greek, Hebrew, Chaldee, Persian, and Syriac, as his works sufficiently testify. He died at Leyden, in 1642.
Desiderius erasmus is well known, not only as an able editor of the Greek Testament, but also as an excellent commentator upon it. The first edition of this sacred book was published by him in Greek and Latin, folio, 1516; for though the Complutensian edition was printed in 1514, it was not published till 1522. For many years the notes of Erasmus served for the foundation of all the comments that were written on the New Testament, and his Latin version itself was deemed an excellent comment on the text, because of its faithfulness and simplicity. Erasmus was one of the most correct Latin scholars since the Augustan age. He died in 1536. I need not state that in some cases he appeared so indecisive in his religious creed, that he has been both claimed and disavowed by Protestants and Catholics.
John Calvin wrote a commentary on all the Prophets and the Evangelists, which has been in high esteem among Protestants, and is allowed to be a very learned and judicious work. The decided and active part which he took in the Reformation is well known. To the doctrine of human merit, indulgences, etc. he, with Luther, opposed the doctrine of justification by grace through faith, for which they were strenuous and successful advocates. The peculiar doctrines which go under the name of Mr. Calvin, from the manner in which they have been defended by some and opposed by others, have been the cause of much dissension among Protestants, of which the enemies of true religion have often availed themselves. Mr. Calvin is allowed by good judges to have written with great purity both in Latin and French. He died in 1564.
Mr. David Martin, of Utrecht, not only translated the whole of the Old and New Testaments into French, but also wrote short notes on both, which contain much good sense, learning, and piety. Amsterdam, 1707, 2 vols. folio.
Dr. Henry hammond is celebrated over Europe as a very learned and judicious divine. He wrote an extensive comment on the Psalms, first published in 1659, and on the whole of the New Testament, in 1653. In this latter work he imagines he sees the Gnostics every where pointed at, he uses them as a universal menstruum to dissolve all the difficulties in the text. He was a man of great learning and critical sagacity, and as a divine ranks high in the Church of England. He died in 1660.
Theodore beza not only published the Greek Testament, but wrote many excellent notes on it. The best edition of this work is that printed at Cambridge, folio, 1642.
Dr. Edward wells published a very useful Testament in Greek and English, in several parcels, with notes, from 1709 to 1719, in which,
1. The Greek text is amended according to the best and most ancient readings.
2. The common English translation rendered more agreeable to the original.
3. A paraphrase, explaining the difficult expressions, design of the sacred writers, etc.
4. Short Annotations. This is a judicious, useful work.
Of merely critical comments on the Greek Testament, the most valuable is that of J. James Wetstein, 2 vols. folio, Amsterdam, 1751-2. Almost every peculiar form of speech in the sacred text he has illustrated by quotations from the Jewish, Greek, and Roman writers. But the indistinctness of his quotations causes much confusion in his notes.
Mr. hardy published a Greek Testament with a great variety of useful notes, chiefly extracted from Poole's Synopsis. The work is in 2 vols. 8vo., London, 1768, and is a very useful companion to every Biblical student. It has gone through two editions, the first of which is the best; but it must be acknowledged that the Greek text in both is inexcusably incorrect. The Rev. Mr. Valpy has given a new edition of this work, with additional scholia, and a correct Greek text.
Mr. Henry Ainsworth, one of that class of the ancient Puritans called Brownists, made a new translation of the Pentateuch, Psalms, and Canticles, which he illustrated with notes, folio, 1639. He was an excellent Hebrew scholar, and made a very judicious use of his rabbinical learning in his comment, especially on the five books of Moses. To his notes on the Pentateuch I am often under obligation.
The notes of the Assembly of Divines, in 2 vols. folio, 1654, have been long in considerable estimation. They contain many valuable elucidations of the sacred text.
Mr. J. Caryl's exposition of the book of Job, in two immense vols. folio, 1676, another by Albert Schultens, and a third by Chapelowe, on the same book, contain a vast deal of important matter, delivered in general by the two latter in the dullest and most uninteresting form.
Mr. Matthew Poole, a non-conformist divine, has published a commentary on the Scriptures, in 2 vols. folio. The notes, which are mingled with the text, are short, but abound with good sense and sound judgment. He died in Holland in 1679.
Dr. John Lightfoot was a profound scholar, a sound divine, and a pious man. He brought all his immense learning to bear on the sacred volumes, and diffused light wherever he went. His historical, chronological, and topographical remarks on the Old Testament, and his TalmudicaI Exercitations on the New, are invaluable. His works were published in two large vols. folio, 1684. He died in 1675. A new edition of these invaluable works, with many additions and corrections, has been published by the Rev. J. R. Pitman, A.·M., in 13 vols. 8vo., London, 1825.
On the plan of Dr. Lightfoot's Horae Hebraicae, or Talmudical Exercitations, a work was undertaken by Christian Schoettgenius with the title Horae Hebraicae et Talmudicae in universum Novum Testamentum, quibus Horae Jo. Lightfooti in Libris historicis supplentur, Epistolae et Apocalypsis eodem modo illustrantur, etc. Dresdae, 1733, 2 vols. 4to. This is a learned and useful work, and supplies and completes the work of Dr. Lightfoot. The Horae Hebraicae of Lightfoot extend no farther than the first Epistle of the Corinthians; the work of Schoettgen passes over the same ground as a Supplement, without touching the things already produced in the English work; and then continues the work on the same plan to the end of the New Testament. It is both scarce and dear.
Mr. Richard Baxter published the New Testament with notes, 8vo., 1695. The notes are interspersed with the text, and are very short, but they contain much sound sense and piety. A good edition of this work was published in the same form by Mr. R. Edwards, London, 1810.
Dr. Simon Patrick, bishop of Ely, began a comment on the Old Testament, which was finished by Dr. Lowth; to which the New Testament, by Dr. Whitby, is generally added to complete the work. Dr. Whitby's work was first published in 1703, and often since, with many emendations. This is a valuable collection, and is comprised in six vols. folio. Patrick and Lowth are always judicious and solid, and Whitby is learned, argumentative, and thoroughly orthodox.
The best comment on the New Testament, taken in all points of view, is certainly that of Whitby. He is said to have embraced Socinianism previously to his death, which took place in 1726.
Mr. Anthony Purver, one of the people called Quakers, translated the whole Bible into English, illustrated with critical notes, which was published at the expense of Dr. J. Fothergill, in 1764, two vols. folio. This work has never been highly valued; and is much less literal and simple than the habits of the man, and those of the religious community to which he belonged, might authorize one to expect.
The Rev. William Burkitt, rector of Dedham, in Essex, has written a very useful commentary on the New Testament, which has often been republished. It is both pious and practical, but not distinguished either by depth of learning or judgment. The pious author died in 1703.
The Rev. Matthew Henry, a very eminent dissenting minister, is author of a very extensive commentary on the Old and New Testaments, five vols. folio, and one of the most popular works of the kind ever published. It is always orthodox, generally judicious, and truly pious and practical, and has contributed much to diffuse the knowledge of the Scriptures among the common people, for whose sakes it was chiefly written. A new edition of this work, by the Rev. J. Hughes, of Battersea, and the Rev. G. Burder, of London, corrected from innumerable errors which have been accumulating with every edition, has been lately published.
As I apply the term orthodox to persons who differ considerably in their religious creed on certain points, I judge it necessary once for all to explain my meaning. He who holds the doctrine of the fall of man, and through it the universal corruption of human nature; the Godhead of our blessed Redeemer; the atonement made by his obedience unto death; justification through faith alone in his blood; the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, regenerating and renewing the heart, is generally reputed orthodox, whether in other parts of his creed he be Arminian or Calvinist. Whitby and Henry held and defended all these doctrines in their respective comments, therefore I scruple not to say that both were orthodox. With their opinions in any of their other works I have no concern.
Dr. John Gill, an eminent divine of the Baptist persuasion, is author of a very diffuse commentary on the Old and New Testaments, in nine vols. folio. He was a very learned and good man, but has often lost sight of his better judgment in spiritualizing his text.
Dr. Philip Doddridge's Family Expositor, 4to., 1745, often republished, is (with the exception of his paraphrase) a very judicious work. It has been long highly esteemed, and is worthy of all the credit it has among religious people.
Paraphrases, which mix up men's words with those of God, his Christ, his Holy Spirit, and his apostles, are in my opinion dangerous works. Through such, many of the common people are led into a loose method of quoting the sacred text. I consider the practice, except in very select cases, as highly unbecoming. The republic of letters would suffer no less if every work of this kind on the Holy Scriptures were abolished. Dr. Whitby, by the insertion of mere words in brackets and in another character, has done all that should be done, and vastly outdone the work of Dr. Doddridge.
To Dr. Z. Pearce, bishop of Rochester, we are indebted for an invaluable commentary and notes on the Four Gospels, the Acts, and the First Epistle to the Corinthians, two vols. 4to., 1777. The deep learning and judgment displayed in these notes are really beyond all praise.
Dr. Campbell's work on the Evangelists is well known, and universally prized. So is also Dr. Macknight's translation of the Epistles, with notes. Both these works, especially the former, abound in sound judgment, deep erudition, and a strong vein of correct critical acumen.
Mr. Locke and Dr. Benson, are well known in the republic of letters; their respective works on different parts of the New Testament abound; with judgment and learning.
The Rev. J. Wesley published a selection of notes on the Old and New Testaments, in four vols. 4to., Bristol, 1765. The notes on the Old Testament are allowed, on all hands, to be meagre and unsatisfactory; this is owing to a circumstance with which few are acquainted. Mr. Pine, the printer, having set up and printed off several sheets in a type much larger than was intended, it was found impossible to get the work within the prescribed limits of four volumes, without retrenching the notes, or cancelling what was already printed. The former measure was unfortunately adopted, and the work fell far short of the expectation of the public. This account I had from the excellent author himself. The notes on the New Testament, which have gone through several editions, are of a widely different description; though short, they are always judicious, accurate, spiritual, terse, and impressive; and possess the happy and rare property of leading the reader immediately to God and his own heart. A new edition of this work, with considerable additions, has been lately published by the Rev. Joseph Benson, from whose learning, piety, and theological knowledge, much has been reasonably expected. The work has been very useful, and has been widely dispersed.
The late unfortunate Dr. William Dodd published a commentary on the Old and New Testaments, in three vols. folio, London, 1770. Much of it is taken from the comment of Father Calmer, already described; but he has enriched his work by many valuable notes which he extracted from the inedited papers of Lord Clarendon, Dr. Waterland, and Mr. Locke. He has also borrowed many important notes from Father Houbigant. This work, as giving in general the true sense of the Scriptures, is by far the best comment that has yet appeared in the English language. The late lamented Dr. Gosset, of famous bibliographical memory, told me that he "had furnished Dr. Dodd with the MS. collections of Dr. Waterland and others; that Dr. Dodd was employed by the London booksellers to edit this work; and it was by far the best of these works which might be said to be published by the yard."
A work, entitled An Illustration of the Sacred Writings, was published by Mr. Goadby, at Sherbourne: it contains many judicious notes, has gone through several editions, and, while it seems to be orthodox, is written entirely on the Arian hypothesis.
The Rev. Thomas Coke, LL.D., has lately published a commentary on the Old and New Testaments, in six vols. 4to. This is, in the main, a reprint of the work of Dr. Dodd, with several retrenchments, and some additional reflections. Though the major part of the notes, and even the dissertations of Dr. Dodd are here republished; yet all the marginal readings and parallel texts are entirely omitted. The absence of these would be inexcusable in any Bible beyond the size of a duodecimo. Of their importance in this preface. Dr. Coke's edition is in general well printed, has some good maps, and has had a very extensive sale. The original work of Dodd was both scarce and dear, and therefore a new edition became necessary; and had the whole of the original work, with the marginal readings, parallel texts, etc., been preserved, Dr. Coke's publication would have been much more useful. Dr. Coke should have acknowledged whence he collected his materials, but on this point he is totally silent.
The Rev. T. Scott, rector of Aston Sandford, has published a commentary on the Old and New. Testaments, in five vols. 4to. The author's aim seems to be, to speak plain truth to plain men; and for this purpose he has interspersed a multitude of practical observations all through the text, which cannot fail, from the spirit of sound piety which they breathe, of being very useful.
The late Dr. Priestley compiled a body of notes on the Old and New Testaments, in 3 vols. 8vo, published at Northumberland in America, 1804. Though the doctor keeps his own creed (Unitarianism) continually in view, especially when considering those texts which other religious people adduce in favours of theirs, yet his work contains many valuable notes and observations, especially on the philosophy, natural history, geography, and chronology of the Scriptures; and to these subjects few men in Europe were better qualified to do justice.
A new translation of Job, and one of the books of Canticles, has been published by Dr. Mason Good, both replete with learned notes of no ordinary merit.
In closing this part of the list, it would be unpardonable to omit a class of eminently learned men, who, by their labours on select parts of the Scriptures, have rendered the highest services both to religion and literature.
Samuel Bochart, pastor of the Protestant Church at Caen in Normandy, wrote a very learned and accurate work on the geography of the sacred writings, entitled Phaleg and Canaan, and another on the Natural History of the Bible, entitled Hierozoicon, by both of which, as well as by several valuable dissertations in his works, much light is thrown on many obscure places in the sacred writings. The best collection of his works is supposed to be that by Leusden and Villemandy, three vols. folio. L. Bat. 1712.
Dr. I. James Scheuchzer, professor of medicine and the mathematics in the university of Zurich, is author of a very elaborate work on the Natural History of the Bible, entitled Physica Sacra, which has been printed in Latin, German, and French, and forms a regular comment on all the books of the Bible where any subject of natural history occurs.
The very learned author has availed himself of all the researches of his predecessors on the same subject, and has illustrated his work with 750 engravings of the different subjects in the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms, to which there is any reference in the Scriptures. The German edition was published in 1731, in 15 vols. folio, the Latin edition in 1731, and the French in 1732, 8 vols. folio, often bound in 4. The work is as rare as it is useful and elegant.
The late Rev. Mr. Thomas Harmer published a very useful work, entitled "Observations on various Passages of Scripture," in which he has cast much light on many difficult texts that relate to the customs and manners, religious and civil, of the Asiatic nations, by quotations from the works of ancient and modern travellers into different parts of the East, who have described those customs, etc., as still subsisting. The best edition of this work was published in four vols. 8vo, 1808, with many additions and corrections by the author of the present commentary.
Campegius Vitringa wrote a learned and most excellent comment on the book of the Prophet Isaiah, in 2 vols. folio; the best edition of which was printed in 1724. He died in 1722.
Dr. R. Lowth, bishop of London, is the author of an excellent work, entitled, Isaiah: A New Translation, with a preliminary Dissertation, and Notes critical, philological, and explanatory. 4to., Lond., 1779, first edition. The preliminary dissertation contains a fund of rare and judicious criticism. The translation, formed by the assistance of the ancient versions collated with the best MSS, of the Hebrew text, is clear, simple, and yet dignified. The concluding notes, which show a profound knowledge of Hebrew criticism, are always judicious and generally useful.
The late Archbishop of Armagh, Dr. Newcome, has published a translation of the minor prophets, with learned notes: it is a good work, but creeps slowly after its great predecessor. He has also published a translation of the New Testament, with notes, not much esteemed.
On the same plan the Rev. Dr. Blayney translated and published the Prophet Jeremiah, with notes, 1784.
John Albert Bengel is author of an edition of the New Testament, with various readings, and such a judicious division of it into paragraphs as has never been equalled, and perhaps never can be excelled. He wrote a very learned comment on the Apocalypse, and short notes on the New Testament, which he entitled Gnomon Novi Testamenti, in quo ex nativa verborum vi, simplicitas profunditas, concinnitas, sa!ubritas sensuum Caelestium indicatur. In him were united two rare qualifications—the deepest piety and the most extensive learning.
A commentary on the same plan, and with precisely the same title, was published by Phil. David Burkius, on the twelve minor prophets, 4to., Heilbronnae 1753, which was followed by his Gnomon Psalmorum, 2 vols. 4to., Stutgardiae, 1760. These are in many respects valuable works, written in a pure strain of piety, but rather too much in a technical form. They are seldom to be met with in this country, and are generally high priced.
The late pious bishop of Norwich, Dr. Horne, published the book of Psalms with notes, which breathe a spirit of the purest and most exalted piety.
Herman Venema is known only to me by a comment on Malachi, some dissertations on sacred subjects, an ecclesiastical history, correct editions of some of Vitringa's Theological Tracts, and a most excellent and extensive Commentary on the Psalms, in 6 vols. 4to, printed Leovardiae, 1762-7. Through its great scarcity the work is little known in Great Britain. What was said by David of Goliath's sword has been said of Venema's commentary on the Book of Psalms, "There is none like it."
Ern. Frid. Car. Rosenmülleri, Ling. Arab. in Acad. Lips. Professoris, etc., Scholia in Vetus Testamentum. Edit. secunda emendatior, Lips. 1795-1812, Il vols. 8vo. Scholia in Novum Testamentum. Edit. quinta auctior et emendatior, 1801-1808, 5 vols. 8vo., Nuremberg. This is a very learned work, but rather too diffuse for Scholia. In the Scholia on the Old Testament Rosenmuller has not meddled with the historical books.
Class IV.—Compilations and Collections
On the Fourth Class, containing compilations and critical collections, a few words must suffice. Among the compilations may be ranked what are termed Catenae of the Greek and Latin Fathers; these consist of a connected series of different writers on the same text. The work of Galafridus, or Walafridus Strabus, already described, is of this kind; it contains a Catena or connected series of the expositions of all the Fathers and Doctors prior to his time. A very valuable Catena on the Octateuch, containing the comments of about fifty Greek Fathers, has been published at Leipsig, 1792, in 2 vols. folio; it is all in Greek, and therefore of no use to common readers. The work of Venerable Bede, already noticed, is professedly of the same kind.
Father De la Haye, in what was called the Biblia Magna, 1643, 5 vols. folio, and afterwards Biblia Maxima, 1660, 19 vols. folio, besides a vast number of critical Dissertations, Prefaces, etc., inserted the whole notes of Nicholas de Lyra, Menochius, Gagneus, Estius, and the Jesuit Tirin.
Several minor compilations of this nature have been made by needy writers, who, wishing to get a little money, have without scruple or ceremony borrowed from those whose reputation was well established with the public; and by taking a little from one, and a little from another, pretended to give the marrow of all. These pretensions have been rarely justified; it often requires the genius of a voluminous original writer to make a faithful abridgment of his work; but in most of these compilations the love of money is much more evident than the capacity to do justice to the original author, or the ability to instruct and profit mankind. To what a vast number of these minor compilations has the excellent work of Mr. Matthew Henry given birth! every one of which, while professing to lop off his redundancies, and supply his deficiencies, falls, by a semi-diameter of the immense orb of literature and religion, short of the eminence of the author himself.
The most important collection of Biblical critics ever made was formed under the direction of Bishop Pearson, John Pearson. Anthony Scattergood, and Francis Gouldman, printed by Cornelius Bee, London, 1660, in 9 vols. folks, under the title of Critici Sacri intended as a companion for the Polyglot Bible, published by Bishop Walton, in 1657. This great work was republished at Amsterdam, with additions, in 12 vols. folio, in 1698. Two volumes called Thesaurus Dissertationum Elegantiorum, etc., were printed as a supplement to this work, at Amsterdam, in 1701-2. Of this supplement it may be said, it is of less consequence and utility than is generally supposed, as the substance of several treatises in it is to be found in the preceding volumes. The work contains a vast variety of valuable materials for critics, chronologists, etc.
The principal critics on the Old Testament, contained in the foreign edition of this great collection, which is by far the most complete, are the following: Sebastian Munster, Paul Fagius, Francis Vatablus, Claudius Badwellus, Sebastian Castalio, Isidore Clarius, Lucas Brugensis, Andrew Masius, John Drusius, Sextinus Amama, Simeon de Muis, Philip Codurcus, Rodolph Baynus, Francis Forrerius, Edward Lively, David Hoeschelius, Hugo Grotius, Christopher Cartwright, Cornelius a Lapide, and John Pricaeus.
Besides the above, who are regular commentators on the Old Testament, there are various important Dissertations and Tracts, on the principal subjects in the law and prophets, by the following critics: Joseph Scaliger, Lewis Capellus, Martin Helvicus, Alberic Gentilis, Moses bar Cepha, Christopher Helvicus, John Buteo, Matthew Hostus, Francis Moncaeius, Peter Pithoeus, George Rittershusius, Michael Rothardus, Leo Allatius, Gaspar Varrerius, William Schickardus, Augustin Justinianus, Bened. Arias Montanus, Bon. Corn. Bertramus, Peter Cunaeus, Caspar Waser, and Edward Brerewood.
On the New Testament the following commentators are included: Sebastian Munster, Laurentius Valla, James Revius, Desiderius Erasmus, Francis Vatablus, Sebastian Castalio, Isidore Clarius, Andrew Masius, Nicolas Zegerus, Lucas Brugensis, Henry Stephens, John Drusius, Joseph Scaliger, Isaac Casaubon, John Camero, James Capellus, Lewis Capellus, Otho Gualtperius, Abraham Schultetus, Hugo Grotius, and John Pricaeus.
Dissertations on the most important subjects in the New Testament inserted here were written by Lewis Capellus, Nicolas Faber, William Klebitius, Marquard Freherus, Archbishop Usher, Matthew Hostus, I. A. Van-der-Linden, Claudius Salmasius under the reigned name of Johannes Simplicius, James Gothofridus, Philip Codurcus, Abraham Schultetus, William Ader, John Drusius, Jac. Lopez Stunica, Desider. Erasmus, Angelus Caninius, Peter Pithoeus, Nicephorus, patriarch of Constantinople, Adriani Isagoge cum notis Dav. Hoeschelii, B.C. Bertram, Anton. Nebrissensis, Nicholas Fuller, Samuel Petit, John Gregory, Christ. Cartwright, John Cloppenburg, and Pet. Dan. Huet. Those marked in italics are not included in the critics on the Old Testament. The Thesaurus Dissertationum Exegeticarum, published as a supplement to this work by Theod. Hasoeus and Conrad Ikenius, in 2 vols. folio, contains upwards of one hundred and fifty additional writers. Such a constellation of learned men can scarcely be equalled in any age or country.
Mr. Matthew Poole, whose English comment has been already noticed, conceiving that the Critici Sacri might be made more useful by being methodized, with immense labour formed the work well known among divines by the title of Synopsis Criticorum, a general view of the critics, viz., those in the nine volumes of the Critici Sacri mentioned above. The printing of this work began in 1669, and was finished in 1674, 5 vols. folio. Here the critics no longer occupy distinct places as they do in the Critici Sacri, but are all consolidated, one general comment being made out of the whole, the names of the writers being referred to by their initials in the margin. To the critics above named Mr. Poole has added several others of equal note, and he refers also to the most important versions, both ancient and modern. The learned author spent ten years in compiling this work. In point of size, the work of Mr. Poole has many advantages over the Critici Sacri; but no man who is acquainted with both works will ever prefer the synopsis to the original.
Perhaps no city in the world can boast of having produced, in so short a period, so many important works on the sacred writings as the city of London; works which, for difficulty, utility, critical and typographical correctness, and expense, have never been excelled. These are,
1. The Polyglot, 6 vols. folio; begun in 1653, and finished in 1657.
2. The Critici Sacri, in 9 vols. folio, 1660.
3. Castell's Heptaglot Lexicon, compiled for the Polyglot Bible, 2 vols. folio, 1669.
4. The Synopsis Criticorum, 5 vols. folio; begun in 1669, and finished in 1674.
These works, printed in Hebrew, Chaldee, Samaritan, Syriac, Arabic, Ethiopian, Persian, Greek, and Latin, forming 22 vast vols. folio, were begun and finished in this city by the industry and at the expense of a few English divines and noblemen, in the comparatively short compass of about twenty years! To complete its eminence in Biblical literature, and to place itself at the head of all the cities in the universe, London has only to add a new and improved edition of its own Polyglot with the additional versions which have come to light since the publication of the original work.
To the above list might be added those who have illustrated the sacred writings by passages drawn from Josephus and the Greek and Roman classics among which the following are worthy of particular regard: Jo. Tobioe kresbii Observationes in Nov. Testam. è Flav. Josepho, 8vo., Lips. 1754. Geo. Dav. kypke Observationes in Novi Foedoris Libros, ex auctoribus, potissimum Groecis, etc., 2 vols. 8vo. Vratislaviae, 1755. Georgii raphelii Annotationes in Sacram Scripturam, etc., Lugd. 1747, 2 vols. 8vo. Krebs throws much light on different facts and forms of speech in the New Testament by his quotations from Josephus. Kypke does the same by an appeal to the Greek writers in general. And Raphelius gives historical elucidations of the Old, and philological observations on the New Testament, drawn particularly from Xenophon, Polybius, Arrian, and Herodotus.
To these might be added several excellent names who have rendered considerable services to sacred literature and criticism by their learned labours: Sir Norton Knatchbull's Observations, Hallett's Critical Notes, Bowyer's Conjectures, Leigh's Annotations, etc., etc.; to whom may be added those who have illustrated innumerable passages, obscure and difficult, in lexicons and dictionaries for the Hebrew Bible and Greek Testament: Buxtorf, Cocceius, Mintert, Pasor, Schoettgenius, Stockius, Krebs, Calmet, Leusden, Robinson, Michaelis, Edward Leign, Schulz, Dr. Taylor, Schleusner, and Parkhurst, a particular account of whom would far exceed the limits of this preface; but Schleusner, as a lexicographer for the New Testament, is far beyond my praise.
I have already apprized the reader that I did not design to give a history of commentators, but only a short sketch; this I have done, and am fully aware that different readers will form different opinions of its execution; some will think that writers of comparatively little eminence are inserted, while several of acknowledged worth are omitted. This may be very true; but the judicious reader will recollect that it is a sketch and not a complete history that is here presented to his view, and that, the important and non-important are terms which different persons will apply in opposite senses, as they may be prejudiced in favour of different writers. I have given my opinion, as every honest man should, with perfect deference to the judgment of others, and shall be offended with no man for differing from me in any of the opinions I have expressed on any of the preceding authors or their works. I could easily swell this list with many foreign critics, but as far as I know them I do not in general like them; besides, they are not within the reach of common readers, though many of them stand, no doubt, deservedly high in the judgment of learned men.
Adam Clarke's Commentary.