History of the Jews of All Ages, by the Author of History in All Ages (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1832 edition. Excerpt: ... APPENDIX. ON THE JEWISH MODE OF RECKONING TIME. The division of Hours was unknown to the more ancient Jews; and the earliest mention of them in the Bible, occurs in the prophecies of Daniel. (Dan. iii. 6--15.--v. 5.) Afterwards, the Jews computed the hours of their day, from six in the morning, until six in the evening; their first hour being seven, their second, eight, &c. The night among the Jews of the Old Testament, was divided into three watches, the length of which probably varied according to the seasons of the year. (Ps. lxiii. 6. xc. 4. Lam. ii. 19. Judges vii. 19. Exod. xiv. 24.) Among the Jews in the time of Christ, the night was divided, according to the custom of the Romans, into four watches--the first, from six o'clock to nine--the second, from nine o'clock totwelve--the third, from twelve to three--and thefourth, from three to six. The Days, among the Jews were computed from evening to evening, according to the ordination of Moses. Thus the Sabbath commenced at six o'clock on our Friday evening, and continued until six o'clock on our Saturday evening. Seven of these days constituted, as with us, their Week. The Hebrew Months were lunar; and consisted alternately of twenty-nine and thirty days. The month originally commenced with the actual appearance of the new moon. After their dispersion, to fix the be ginning of their months and years, they adopted the Metonic Cycle of nineteen years, which they use to this day. In this cycle, there are twelve common years, consisting of twelve months; and seven intercalary years, consisting of thirteen mouths. There were two kinds of Years among the Jews. the civil year, and the ecclesiastical year. The civil year commenced on the fifteenth of our September, upon the supposition that this was...