Assyrian Monuments and the Bible [pp. 389-413]

THE
PRESBYTERIAN QUARTERLY
AND
PRINCETONT REVIEW.
NEW SERIES, No. 11.-JULY, 1874.
ART. I.-ASSYRIAN MONUMENTS AND THE BIBLE.
By WM. HENRY GREEN, D. D., Princeton Theological Seminary.
The Ce'neiform Inscriptions of Western Asia. Vol. I. A selection from the historical inscriptions of Chaldeea, Assyria and Babylonia, prepared for publication
by Major-General Sir H. C. Rawlinson, K. C. B., assisted by Edwin Norris, Sec. R.
As. Society: London, 1861. Vol. II. and III. A selection from the miscellaneous
inscription of Assyria: London, 1866 and 1870. In the third volume George Smith,
of the Department of Antiquities, British Museum, takes the place of Edwin Norris
as assistant editor. Each volume contains seventy atlas-folio plates of original
text.
WHEN Assyria and Egypt were at the height of their power and
contending'for the mastery of the world, the prophet Isaiah
announced, xix. 23, that "the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians." Between these mighty rivals lay the land of Palestine, coveted alike by both as the key to further conquests,
trampled successively by the armies of each, the helpless prey
apparently of either. The kings and people of Israel, hopeless
of maintaining their independence, were only divided with uncertain vacillation upon the question, which of these great
powers they should look to for support and protection against
the other. The inevitable political consequence appeared to be
that the chosen people must be ground to powder between
these formidable foes. But the dauntless faith of their prophets
did not for an instant waver. Jehovah was the omnipotent King.
His people could not be crushed. Egypt and Assyria, now doing
their worst against them and against each other, would yet be
joined together inpeaceful alliance, and combined with Israel
in the service of the true and living God; and the Lord of hosts
would bless them all alike, saying, "Blessed be Egypt my people,
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