A Hi s t or y o f the Jewish People in the Time of
Jesus Christ. By Emil Scharer, D.A. Translated by the Rev. John Macpherson, M.A. Vol. I. (T. and T. Clark, Edinburgh.)—This book, a volume of the "Foreign Theological Library," is the first instal- ment of what promises to be a very valuable work. The title is not exactly descriptive of its subject. "In the Time of Jesus Christ" must be liberally interpreted, for, as a matter of fact, this volume of the first division (which has for its subject the "Political History of Palestine, from B.C. 1/5 to A.D. 135") does not take us further than the birth of Christ. Professor Scherer begins with an introduction, divided into three sections, respec- tively devoted to the "Scope and Literature ;" "Auxiliary Sciences," archreology, epigraphy, &c. ; and " Sources," or authorities. This last section is remarkable for the learning which it displays. The list of works—some of them, it is true, existing only in small fragments—will astonish by its extent most readers. After the introduction comes the "First Period" (B.C. 175-63). It is introduced by a sketch of the history of the Kingdom of the Seleucids, from Antioehus Epipha,nes down to Antiochus Asiaticus, who was dispossessed by Pompey as a pre- liminary to the formal absorption of Syria as a Roman province. After this con es the story of the Maccabees. The rule of the three brothers, Judas, Jonathan, and Simon, of John Hyrcanus, Simon's SOD, of Aristobulus and Alexander Jannaus, his grandson, of Alexandra, widow of Alexander, and of Aristohulus II., are successively given. Then comes the "Second Period," or " Roman- Herodian Age," reaching from the Conquest of Pompey to the Jewish revolt in the days of Hadrian. We do not get further in this than the death of Herod the Great. Altogether, we have hero a work of great research, dealing with an obscure and some- what neglected period of history.
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