Part 22 (1/2)

[82:7] Civilizing G.o.ds, who diffuse intelligence and instruct barbarians, are also _Solar Deities_. Among these _Oannes_ takes his place, as the _Sun-G.o.d_, giving knowledge and civilization. (Rev. S.

Baring-Gould: Curious Myths, p. 367.)

[82:8] Goldzhier: Hebrew Mythology, pp. 214, 215.

[82:9] See Inman's Ancient Faiths, vol. i. p. 111.

[82:10] See Chamber's Encyclo., art ”Dagon.”

[83:1] See Smith's Dictionary of the Bible, and Chambers's Encyclo., art. ”Dagon” in both.

[83:2] See Baring-Gould's Curious Myths.

[83:3] See c.o.x: Aryan Mythology, vol. ii. p. 26.

[83:4] Ibid. p. 38.

[83:5] Curious Myths, p. 372.

[83:6] Since writing the above we find that Mr. Bryant, in his ”_a.n.a.lysis of Ancient Mythology_” (vol. ii. p. 291), speaking of the mystical nature of the name _John_, which is the same as _Jonah_, says: ”The prophet who was sent upon an emba.s.sy to the Ninevites, is styled _Ionas_: a t.i.tle probably bestowed upon him as a messenger of the Deity.

The great Patriarch who preached righteousness to the Antediluvians, is styled _Oan_ and _Oannes_, which is _the same as Jonah_.”

[84:1] From Maurice: Hist. Hindostan, vol. i. p. 495.

[84:2] Higgins: Anacalypsis, vol. i. p. 634. See also, Calmet's Fragments, 2d Hundred, p. 78.

[84:3] See the chapter on ”The Trinity,” in part second.

[84:4] See Higgins: Anacalypsis, vol. i. p. 640.

CHAPTER X.

CIRc.u.mCISION.

In the words of the Rev. Dr. Giles:

”The rite of circ.u.mcision must not be pa.s.sed over in any work that concerns the religion and literature of that (the Jewish) people.”[85:1]

The first mention of Circ.u.mcision, in the Bible, occurs in Genesis,[85:2] where G.o.d is said to have commanded the Israelites to perform this rite, and thereby establish a covenant between him and his chosen people:

”This is my _covenant_ (said the Lord), which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; every male child among you shall be circ.u.mcised.”

”We _need not doubt_,” says the Rev. Dr. Giles, ”that a _Divine command_ was given to Abraham that all his posterity should practice the rite of circ.u.mcision.”[85:3]

Such may be the case. If we believe that the Lord of the Universe communes with man, we _need not doubt_ this; yet, we are compelled to admit that nations other than the Hebrews practiced this rite. The origin of it, however, as practiced among other nations, has never been clearly ascertained. It has been maintained by some scholars that this rite drew its origin from considerations of health and cleanliness, which seems very probable, although doubted by many.[85:4] Whatever may have been its origin, it is certain that it was practiced by many of the ancient Eastern nations, who never came in contact with the Hebrews, in early times, and, therefore, could not have learned it from them.

The _Egyptians_ practiced circ.u.mcision at a very early period,[85:5] at least as early as the _fourth_ dynasty--pyramid one--and therefore, long before the time a.s.signed for Joseph's entry into Egypt, from whom some writers have claimed the Egyptians learned it.[86:1]