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numbers of generations, as, for example, in Seder Olam.3 St Matthew, therefore, skilfully propounds to the reader a Chrono logy under the garb of a Genealogy, combining both in this summary. The particle olv (therefore} has an inferential, and the article a/4 (the) a relative force, indicating that those identi cal generations are intended, which have been just enumerated
1 Mnemonicum — subsidium," i.e. an} thing resembling a memoriatechnica. -(I. B.)
2 Masora means tradition. The Masoretes continued the labours of the Talmudists, whom they imitated in counting the words and letters of the Old Testament, finding imaginary mysteries in the very letters as well as words of Scripture ; stating, also, such minute particulars as, which was the central word and letter of the whole, etc., etc. They have thus afforded us a guarantee for the accuracy of the Hebrew text, even though we have extant no Hebr. MS. older than the 12th century. The Masoretes flourished from the 6th to the llth century. — ED.
3 u?*y "HD, a chronological work of high reputation amongst the Jews. — (I. B.)
* Definite Article, nominative plural, feminine. — (I. B.)
in the preceding verses. Each clause, moreover, of this verse has the word yiveai (generations), both in the subject and predi cate. In the subject it corresponds with the Hebrew m^Tl,1 as in Genesis xxv. 12, 13 ; but in the predicate it corresponds with the Hebrew "i'n>2 and has a chronological force, as is evident from the addition of the numeral fourteen ; — Cf. Gen. xv. 1 6. In the Greek there is an instance of Antanaclasisf one Greek word performing the part of two Hebrew ones : so that we may paraphrase the verse thus — All those genealogical generations, therefore (never mind the tautology), reduced for the sake of method to fourteen, are actually fourteen chronological genera tions, — from Abraham to David, etc. Such being the case, we perceive a sufficient cause for St Matthew's reducing to such numbers the genealogy, which would have been in itself much plainer without such an enumeration. Well does Chrysostom* say, that St Matthew enumerates generations, times, years, and lays them before the hearer as subjects for further investigation. — See Chrys. Horn. iv. on St Matthew. Let us, however, con*- sider wherein the chronological equality consists. It does not consist in the number Fourteen which is employed in all the three periods for the sake of method ; see Sect. XI. : nor in the years of generations in the Fourteens taken separately ; for in the first Fourteen the generations are, for the most part, much longer than in the second and third : but it consists in the periods them selves. Consider the following scheme : —
1 nnpin f. pi. (from the root iVj) — (1.) generations, families, races. GESE- NIUS.— (I. B.)
2 iVr m. — (1 ) an age, generation of men. GESENIUS. — (I. B.)
3 See Appendix : the same word put twice, but in a twofold sense. — ED.
* JOHN CHRYSOSTOM was one of the most distinguished Fathers of the Ancient Church. To his wonderful eloquence he owed the name of Chry sostom, or the golden-mouthed, by which he is generally known; and his Com mentaries on Scripture are replete with learning, piety, and practical power. He was born at Antioch, A.D. 354, of heathen parents. After studying rhetoric under Libanius, he embraced Christianity, and was ordained a reader in his native city. Having entered on the monastic life, he spent four years in the Desert ; but, returning to Antioch, was ordained deacon in 381, and priest in 386 ; he became Bishop of Constantinople in 397. He died in exile in 407. — (I. B.)