Handbook of Scientific and Literary Bible Difflculties. By Robert Tuck,
B.A. (Elliot Stock.)—This is an able book, a contribution to Biblical criticism of real value. The author is candid and courageous. But he is not rash, rightly thinking that we are not in a position to judge in many of the cases. The "Kings of the Hittites " (II. Kings, vii., 6) is an instance. Even Ewald knew next to nothing about them. But quite recent discoveries have revealed to us the existence of a powerful " Empire of Hittites," which contended with Egypt, at the height of its power, on equal terms. How instructive, then, to read the comment of a great scholar, who less than half-a-century ago, wrote on this passage in II. Kings, that "its unhistorical tone is too manifest to admit of our easy belief in it." It is impossible to review in detail Mr. Tuck's book. In more than five hundred largo and closely printed pages, he deals with between two and three hundred passages from the Old and New Testament. That he clears away all the difficulties which occur in 'them is a claim which he would not make for himself ; indeed, it would contradict his own view of what is possible. But it may be stated unhesitatingly that he throws much light on all the subjects which he handles, and that his book is one which will amply repay study.—Together with this may be mentioned The Old Documents and the New Bible, by J. Paterson Smyth, LL.B.
(Bagster and Son). Mr. Smyth deals specially with the Old Testament Scriptures. His first two chapters are devoted to a consideration of Hebrew writing, Then, after a brief survey of the principles and rules of criticism, he deals with the Old Testa- ment manuscripts. Book ii. is devoted to the consideration of the Samaritan Pentateuch, the Septuagint, Christian versions of the Hebrew into Greek, the Syriac Bible, and the Vulgate. The third book discusses the action of the Old Testament Company of Revisers. The writer's general conclusion may be thus stated : the Revisers did what they could, but " the fact is, we were not ready for an Old Testament revision at all in the present century."
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