69 We are told, that the true name of this Hermes was Siphoas. We have here, I think, an instance of the same confusion of elements, as was observed in Osarsiph. For what is Siphoas but Aosiph misplaced? And is not Aosiph the Egyptian name of the Patriarch, who was called or by the Hebrews. The names of those Shepherd kings, who are said to have reigned in Egypt, are transmitted to us by Manethon, Africanus, and Syncellus. But these authors differ greatly, both in respect to the names themselves, and to the years which the 70 kings reigned. The first of them is by Manethon called Salatis; but by Africanus, and Eusebius, the name is rendered Saïtis. hence, I think, we may be assured, that Salatis is a mistake, and transposition for " Al-Saïtis, or Al-Saït; which was not a proper name, but a title of the prince, and related to the country which he governed. Saït was one of the antient names of Upper Egypt; whence the colonies, 71 From 69 Eratosthenes apud Syncellum. Σίφωας, ὁ και Έρμης, υιος! Ho8. p. 124. supposed to have been a king. 70 See Marsham's Chron. sæc. 8. p. 100. 71 ПIgwTos Zaïrns. Euseb. Chron. p. 16. Syncellus. p. 61. I am obliged to differ from what I have said in a former treatise. which went from thence, were called "Saïtæ ; and that region has the name of "3 Said at this day. Saïtis therefore, and Al-Saïtis, signify the Saïte Prince, and are both the same title. The names of the other kings seem to be equally exceptionable. The Shepherds are said to have resided in Egypt five hundred and eleven years. But the total of the reigns of those who are specified, amounts only to two hundred and fifty-nine, if we may credit Manethon and Syncellus; though Africanus makes them two hundred and eighty-four. According to Eusebius, they amounted only to one 75 hundred and three. I take therefore for granted, that the five hundred and eleven years relate to the Israelitish, as well as to the Cuthite Shepherds and that the residence of both people is comprehended in that term: for the accounts of them are certainly blended. And as the one did not succeed to the other immediately, that interval also is taken into the computation. This 72 Αθηναίους αποίκους Σαΐτων. Diodor. 1. 1. p. 24. 73 Leo Africanus. 1. 8. 7+ In the Arabic version, the land of Goshen is rendered Sadir. 75 Regnaverunt Pastores annis centum tribus. Euseb. Chron. Versio. Lat. p. 12. According to the old Chronicle, they reigued two hundred and seventeen years. Syncellus, p. 51. estimate, upon examination, will be found to agree with all the circumstances of history; and will serve for a clue to ascertain other events. The children of Israel were two hundred and fifteen years in Egypt: and Joseph had been there 76 twenty-one years, when he introduced his brethren into that country. These amount together to two hundred and thirty-six years. The years of the former Shepherds, according to Manethon and Syncellus, were two hundred and fifty-nine: which, added to the above, amount to four hundred and ninety-five years. These fall short of five hundred and eleven just sixteen years which I imagine to have been the interval between the departure of the Cuthites, and the arrival of 77 Joseph. But if the numbers of 76 Joseph was carried into Egypt when he was seventeen years old. Genesis. c. 37. v. 2. He was thirty years old when he Gen. c. 41. v. 46. He saw seven years of plenty, and two of famine: so that when he invited his brethren into Egypt, he had resided 21 years complete. 77 The first Shepherds resided Years. 259 Between their departure and the coming of Joseph 16 78 Africanus be true, those added to the years of the Israelitish Shepherds make four hundred and ninety-nine, and leave an interval of twelve years only. According to this computation, the Cuthites left the country after Joseph had been in Egypt some time, and only twelve years before the arrival of his brethren. I should think the former computation the nearest to the truth: though we may either way account for the land of Goshen lying vacant; and for the city Avaris being "9 unoccupied. Joseph therefore tells his brethren, that they must say to Pharaoh, that they were shepherds; because he foresaw, that they would then be entitled to the best of the land of Egypt. This was Goshen, called from the late inhabitants Tabir Cushan; and in aftertimes the Arabian nome. In conformity to this the province is by Bar-Bahlul, the Syriac Lexicographer, rendered Cushatha, as having been the antient Cuthite region. It lay in the region 78 284 The time of the first Shepherds, according to Africanus. 215 The time of the Israelites. 499 This subtracted from 511, leaves only twelve years. By this estimate the first Shepherds left Egypt twelve years before the others arrived. 79 We find that it was converted to pasture ground, and possessed merely by some herdsmen. Genesis. c. 47. v. 6. of Heliopolis, the Zoan of the Scriptures, at the extreme part of Delta; between the mountain of Arabia to the east, and the plain of the pyramids westward. The city Avaris seems to have been rebuilt, and to have been called Cush-Aur, and Cer-Cushaur; the Cercasora of so Mela, and Herodotus. Cer-Cushora signifies the city of the Cushan-Oritæ. 80 The sons of Chus seem to have come into Egypt immediately after their dispersion from Babel. And as their arrival was five hundred and eleven years before the Exodus, this will carry us in computation as far back as to the time of Terah; and to the sixth year before the birth of Abraham. About this time, I imagine, was the confusion of speech, and the dispersion abovementioned. If then we recapitulate the great occurrences of the first ages, as they have been transmitted to us both by sacred and profane historians; we shall find that they happened in the following manner and order. When there was a great increase of mankind, it was thought proper, that they should separate, and retire to their several departments. Their destination was by divine appointment: and there was accordingly a 80 Nilus juxta Cercasorum oppidum triplex esse incipit. Mela. 1. 1. c. 9. p. 51. |