3. JEWISH MEASURES OF LENGTH.

It is very generally considered that there were at least two sorts of Cubit in use among the Jews-the common Cubit, which is usually regarded as equivalent to 18 inches, and the Sacred Cubit, which is variously estimated at from 21 inches to 3 feet.

Calmet, however, is of opinion that the Cubit of 18 inches was unknown till after the Babylonian Captivity. His estimate of the length of the Cubit usually mentioned in the Bible, makes it equal to somewhat more than 21 inches.

APPENDIX.

II. MOSES AND THE LAW: THE PROMISED LAND.

III. PERIOD OF THE JUDGES.
(A.C. 1434-1095.)

Between the death of Josue (B.c. 1434) and the acces-
sion of Saul (B.c. 1095), an interval of 339 years
elapsed. Within this period occurred the events
narrated in the Books of Judges and of Ruth. But
the precise determination of the various details of
the chronology of this period is a matter of con-
siderable difficulty. The dates here set forth are
to a great extent conjectural.

2590 | 1414 | Punishment of the Benjamites.

2708

Marriage of Boaz and Ruth.

2719 1285 Debbora's Triumph.

1296

Dedication of the Temple.

3029 975

631

Death of Solomon: Accession of Roboam; Revolt of the Ten
Tribes.

[For the Chronology of the Period of the Divided
Monarchy, see Chronological Table of the Kings of
Juda and Israel, p. 636.]

V. PERIOD OF THE CAPTIVITIES OF ISRAEL AND JUDA:

A.M. A.C.

3264 740

3278 726

3281 723 3283 721 3291 713 3294 710

3296 709

3300 704 3328 676

3338 666 3379 625

3394 610

3395 609 3398 606

3400 604 3416 588

3417 587

3466 538

(A.C. 721-536.)

Invasion of Israel by the Assyrians, under Theglathphalasar:
Capture of Samaria: First Captivity of Israel.
Invasion of Israel by the Assyrians, under Salmanasar.
Second Invasion by Salmanasar: Samaria besieged.
Samaria captured by the Assyrians: Destruction of the King-
dom of Israel: Final Captivity of Israel.

Invasion of Juda by the Assyrians, under Sennacherib.
Second Invasion by Sennacherib: his Army miraculously de-
stroyed.

Persecution of the captive Israelites by the Assyrians.
Journey of young Tobias to Rages.

Juda again invaded by the Assyrians: King Manasses brought
captive to Babylon.

Juda again invaded: Victory of Judith. (See Note, p. 335.)
Nineveh captured by the Medes: Downfall of Assyrian Power:
Cyaxares and Nabopolasar.

Expedition of Nechao of Egypt against Nabopolasar: Battle of
Mageddo: King Josias slain.

King Joachaz deposed by Nechao.

Juda invaded by the Babylonians, under Nabuchodonosor :
Capture of Jerusalem: Beginning of Babylonian Captivity
of Juda.

Accession of Nabuchodonosor to the Throne of Babylon.
Juda again invaded by Nabuchodonosor: Destruction of the
Kingdom of Juda.

Destruction of Jerusalem.

Babylon captured by Cyrus: Downfall of the Chaldæan
Empire.

3468 536 Edict of Cyrus terminating the Captivity of Juda.

THE RETURN FROM CAPTIVITY: PERIOD OF PERSIAN SUPREMACY. (A.C. 536-332.)

A.M. A.C.

3469 535

3470 534

3484 520

3488 516

Reign of CYRUS. (B.C. 559-529.)

Foundations of the Second Temple laid by Zorobabel.
The Building interrupted by the Samaritans.

Reign of CAMBYSES. (B.C. 529-522.)

Reign of SMERDIS. (B.c. 522-521.)

Reign of DARIUS HYSTASPES. (B.C. 521-485.)

Edict of Darius authorising the completion of the
Temple: the building resumed.
Dedication of the Second Temple.

Reign of XERXES. (B. C. 485-465.)

[To the reign of this monarch, as the Assuerus of the sacred narrative, are to be referred, in all probability, the incidents narrated in the Book of Esther. See Notes, pp. 392,394.]

APPENDIX.

RETURN FROM CAPTIVITY (CONTINUED.)

Reign of ARTAXERXES LONGIMANUS. (B.C. 465-425.)

633

First Edict of Artaxerxes: Esdras visits Jerusalem. Second Edict of Artaxerxes: Nehemias rebuilds the city walls.

Reigns of the successors of Artaxerxes Longimanus, from B.C. 425, to B.C. 335.

Reign of DARIUS CODOMANNUS (335-331).

PERIOD OF MACEDONIAN, EGYPTIAN AND SYRIAN SUPREMACY. (A.C. 331-167.)

Macedonian Supremacy.

Reign of ALEXANDER THE GREAT. (B.C. 336-323.)

Alexander visits Jerusalem.
Death of Alexander.

DYNASTY OF THE PTOLEMIES IN EGYPT. (B.C. 323-51.)
DYNASTY OF THE SELEUCIDE IN SYRIA. (B.C. 312-65.)
[For twenty-two years after the death of Alexander
the Great, the possession of Palestine was a matter
of dispute between the rulers of Egypt and those
of Syria. During this period, the country was held
alternately by either power-repeatedly changing
hands as the result of their varying fortunes in
the war then waged between them.]
Reign of PTOLEMY I. (Soter) in Egypt. (B.c. 323-283.)
Egyptian Supremacy.

Peace between the Egyptians and Syrians: Palestine
subject to the kings of Egypt.
Reign of PTOLEMY II. (Philadelphus). (B.C. 283-247.)

The Septuagint translation of the Hebrew Scriptures
into Greek.

Reign of PTOLEMY III. (Evergetes I.) (B.c. 247-222.)
Reign of PTOLEMY IV. (Philopator). (B.c. 222-205.)
Reign of PTOLEMY V. (Epiphanes). (B.c. 205-181.)

Jerusalem captured by Antiochus the Great, King
of Syria.

Jerusalem recaptured by the Egyptians.
Final Victory of Antiochus.

Syrian Supremacy.

Reign of ANTIOCHUS THE GREAT, in Syria. (B.C. 223-187.)
Reign of SELEUCUS IV. (B.C. 187-175.)

Sacrilegious Entry of Heliodorus into the Temple.

Reign of ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES. (B.C. 175-164.)
Antiochus begins to persecute the Jews.
Jerusalem devastated, and the Temple profaned.