eoujin ajiiiBOR Rice ^^ THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES GIFT OF Carl ©ton Shay [GREEN FUND BOOK No. 16] Orientalisms IN Bible Lands GIVING LIGHT FROM CUSTOMS, HABITS, MANNERS, IMAGERY, THOUGHT AND LIFE IN THE EAST FOR BIBLE STUDENTS. BY EDWIN WILBUR RICE, D. D. AUTHOR OK " " Our Sixty-Six Sacred Commentaries on the Gospels and The Acts ; " " " " of the Bible ; Handy Books ; People's Dictionary Helps for Busy Workers," etc. PHILADELPHIA: The American Sunday-School Union, 1816 Chestnut Street. Copyright, 1910,) by The American Sunday-School Union —— <v CONTENTS. • • • • • I. The Oriental Family • • • " ine The Bible—Oriental Color.—Overturned Customs.— "Father."—No Courtship.—The Son.—The Father Rules.— Patriarchal Rule.—Semites and Hebrews. Betrothal i6 II. Forming the Oriental Family: Love-making Unknown. — Girl's Gifts. — Wife-seeking. Matchmaking.—The Contract.—The Dowry.—How Set- tied.—How Paid.—Second Marriage.—Exempt from Duties. III. Marriage Processions • • • • 24 Parades in Public—Bridal Costumes.—Bnde's Proces- sion (In Hauran,—In Egypt and India).—Bridegroom's Procession.—The Midnight Call.—The Shut Door. IV. Marriage Feasts • 3^ Great Feasts.—Its Magnificence.—Its Variety.—Congratula- tions.—Unveiling the Face.—Wedding Garment.—Display of Gifts.—Capturing the Bride.—In Old Babylonia. V. The Household ; • • • 39 Training a Wife. —Primitive Order.—The Social Unit. Childless. —Divorce. VI. Oriental Children 43 Joy Over Children.—The Son-heir.-Family Names.—Why Given?—The Babe.—How Carried.—Child Growth. Steps and Grades. VII. Oriental Child's Plays and Games 49 Shy and Actors.—Kinds of Plavs.—Toys in the East.— Ball Games.—Athletic Games.—Children Happy.—Japanese Children. VIII. Education of Oriental Children 5^ Child Culture.—Relipious Motive.-Oriental Schools.— Trained in Manners.—Oral Teaching.—Hebrew Graded Sys- tem.—Genera IKnowledge.—Teachers.—Subjects of Study.— Value of Training.—Hindu Education.—Purity Taught. g-f r>Q?PO — CONTENTS. IX. Relation of Parents, Children and Servants 59 Obedience.—Son Seeks Advice.—Slaves in the East. Children as Slaves. —Mixed Classes. —^Women Secluded. Women, Slave Companions.—Retainers. X. Woman Among Orientals 63 Woman Degraded.—Examples in Orient.—Hebrew Women. —Moslem Women—Eating with Men.—Queens.—Peasant Women. — Wife Divorce. — Growing Odious. — Divorces One-sided.—^Woman a Drudge.—Women Concealed. XI. Social Intercourse—Neighbors, Kinsmen 70 Social Basis. —Social Visits.—Guests.—No Privacy.—Greet- ings.—Sitting and Conversation.—Topics Tabooed. Refreshments. —Politely Detained.—Going with the Guest. Greeting and Parting. XII. Social Intercoltrse—Salutations 77 Salutations Important.—Makes Bonds.—Salaams.—The De- lays. —The Strict Etiquette.—Returning Salutations. Shalom, "Peace."—"Grace" in Salutation.—Symbols and Gestures. XIII. Social Intercourse—Hospitality 82 Tokens.—A Foe-guest.—Stranger-guest.—Lot and Job. Arab Hospitality.—Presents, Not Pay.—Hospitality Re- warded.—Hospitality Unrewarded.—Public Guest-room. Pay Resented.—Questions.—Treatment of Guests.—Anoint- ing Guests. —Bible Instances.—Proverbs on Hospitality. Lodges.—Khan, Inn. —Menzil.—Fed by Strangers.—Not Eat Alone.—Token of Friendship. XIV. Eating and Meals 94 Vegetarians.—Eating Raw Grain. —Milk.—Butter.—Bread. — F)i->ur Unbolted. — Kamaj. — Nutrition. — Grain Pits. Cooking.—"Mashee."—Locusts.—Wine.—Diet and Meals. —^\Vash before Eating.—Why Wash.—Dining Furniture. Place of Honor.—Chief Dish.—The Guest.—Desserts. XV. Dress and Ornaments 105 Costume Healthful.—Turban and Aba.—Kuftan. —The Girdle.—String of Coins.—Dress in Africa. —Dress in Sv-ria. —In Walking. —Signet. —Nose Rings.—Earrings.—Chains and Mirrors.—Korean Dress. XVI. Diseases and Medicine iii FaiI Spirits. —Leprosy.—Dr. Post on Leprosy.—Leprosy in Palestine. —Demon Possession.—Barber-doctors.—Shepherd- doctors and Dogs.—Feeding Lepers.—The Insane.—Oil and Honey Remedies. —Medicine-man.—Sick Everj'where. —— CONTENTS. 5 PAGE XVII. Mourning and Burials 117 Hysterical Display.—A Syrian Case.—Death Shriek. Lamentations.—Cries and Dirges.—Endangers Life. Burial. —Wrapping the Body.—Spices in Burial. —Em- balming.—Rending the Garment.—At the Tomb. Weeping at Tomb.—Tear Bottles. —Yearly Mourning.— Cutting Forbidden, Wailing.—Good Burial, Comfort. XVIII. Land Tenure 127 Tribal Titles. —Personal Titles. —Buying Land.—Allotted Land.—Climate and Soil. XIX. Oriental Occupations and Professions 131 Tent Life and Herds. —Edenic Picture.—Two Occupations. —Oriental Farmers. —Grain.—The Farms.—Sowing.—Life Work.—The Plow.—Barley Harvest.—Hunger Limit.—Time of Harvests.—A "Barley Cake."—Sowing and Reaping To- gether. — Two Seasons. — Reaping. — Gleaning. — Parched Grain.—Threshing. —Ways of Threshing.—Treading Grain. —Winnowing and Sifting. —Granaries. XX. Fruits and Vines i4S Kinds of Fruits.—Figs.—Eariy Figs.—The Olive.—Old Olive Trees.—Olive and Peace.—Olive Oil.—Proverbs on Olives and Figs.—Oil Press.—Use of Oil, etc.—Grapes.— Pruning. — Vineyards. — Towers and Watchmen. — Dried Grapes.—"Dibs."—How Kept—"Bottles."—Apricots, etc. —Carob Tree.—Mulberry.—The Palm.—Pomegranate.— Sycamore. XXI. Shepherds and Flocks i59 Shepherd Life.—A Poet.—His Loving Care.—Syrian Sheep. —Stray Sheep.—"Rod and Staff."—Sheepfolds.—Flocks.— "Broad-tailed" Sheep.—Fattening Sheep.—Shepherd Dog. —The Wool and Skin.—Black Sheep and Goats.—Goats.— Flocks of Goats.—Wild Goat.—Separating Flocks.—Wealth in Flocks and Herds.—Shearing.—Trumpets.—Shepherd's Peril. —^Watering Flocks. XXII. Cattle and Camels 176 The Ox-herds.—Wealth In.—In Sacrifice.—Stall-fed.— Mule and Ass.—The Horse.—Wheeled Carriages.—War Horse.—The Camel—The " Ship of the Desert." XXIII. Fishing and Hunting 184 S3Tian Monopoly.—Fish Nets.—Drawnet.—Fishing by Night.—Fish Laws.—Modes of Fishing.—Hunting. Snares. —— CONTENTS. XXIV. Traveling in Oriental Lands 191 Caravan.—On Camel Back.—Camel's Habits.—The S\Vift Camel.—Camel Mounting—Going in Crowds.—Roads. On Foot.—Travelers' Supplies.—Children Traveling. Girdle and Staff. —Ships. —By Mules.—Footman Runner. XXV. W.A.RFARE 202 Warrior.—Body Guard.—Oriental Sword.—The Dagger. African Warriors.—Covenant of Peace.—Spoils.—Warrior Customs. XXVI. Mechanical Arts 208 Metal and Wood Workers.—Workshops Rare.—Metal Ves- sels. —Silversmiths. — Carpenter. — Crude Tools. — Oriental Skill. XXVII. Trades 213 Honorable and Humble.—Master Craftsmen.—Sit at Work. —Pay in Advance.—Trades Guilds.—Tent-making. "Bargains."—Basket Makers. XXVIII. Music and Musical Instruments 217 What is Good Music?—Oriental Musical Scale.—Hindu Musical Scale. —Musical Instruments.—Three Kinds. Wind Instruments.—Of Percussion.—Songs.—The Viol. XXIX. Oriental Writing 225 Public Scribes.—Samaritan Law.—Seals. —Traditions How Kept.—Records.—Books.—Letters.—How Written. Reed Pens, etc. XXX. Buying and Selling—Shops, Bazaars 232 Shops.—Bu}-ing. —Bazaars.—Markets.—Credit.—The Cafe. —^Women Shoppers.—Silos.—Shops in Clusters.—Some Odd Customs.—Fairs. XXXI. Oriental Dwellings 239 Cave Dwellers.—Rock Refuge.—Nomads.—Tents.—Family Tent.—Tent Apartments. —Groups of Tents.—Hebrew Tent Life.—Beside Ruins and Groves.—Charm of Tent Life. In the Tent Door. —Tent Furniture. XXXII. Oriental Houses 247 Houses.—Peasants' Houses.—Building Material.—Rooms of House. — The Roof. — The Court. — Entrance. — Gates. Sleeping Rooms.—Beds.—Plan of Egyptian House. —Of Bricks. —Syrian Housetops.—"Upper Room."—IMud Walls. —Staircase. —In India. XXXIII. Khan, Caravansary, Inn, Storehouse 256 Kinds of Inns. —Bare Lodges. —Castle Khan.—Persian Khans.—Syrian Inns. —Bethlehem Inn.—India Rests. Storehouses.—Store Pits. — CONTENTS. PAGE XXXIV. Property, Taxes, Righting Wrongs 262 Personal Rule.—Divine Right.—Head of All.—Not Law, but Custom.—Possessions.—Tenants' Rights.—Rights in Cities. —Inheritance Customs.—Taxes.—An Example of Robbery. —Suffer vs. Suits.—The Victim.—Criminals—Bribes.—Ex- tortions.—Debtors.—Prisons.—The Jailer. XXXV. Religion and Morals 272 All Devout.—Not Pious.—Not Moral.—Profane.—Display in Worship.—Saints and Ploly Men.—Belief in Unseen. Nature Worship.—God's Friend.—A Covenant.—An Ex- pression of Worship.—Religious Membership.—Ecclesiastical Organizations.—Pillars of Worship. XXXVI. Prayers and Vows 279 Use of God's Name.—Personal Names.—God a "Charm." Prayer.—Gestures in Prayer.—Praying in Public.—Prayer by Moonlight.—Custom Universal.—Prayer Beads and Cylinders.—Repetitions.—At Mosque.—Order a Merit. Prayer Places. —Prayer Postures.—Dervishes. —At Prayer. Beggar Dervishes.—Howling Dervishes.—"Dancing" Der- vishes.—Mystics. XXXVII. Offerings and Sacrifices 288 Votive Offerings.—Thanksgiving.—Of Fruits, etc.—In India. —Vicarious.—To Saints.—Sacrifice, Covenant.—Meditation. —Conclusion. Index 293 FOREWORD. The Book through which the one great religion of the world has come to mankind is thoroughly Oriental. Every part of the Bible is saturated with the peculiar traits, modes of thought, customs, manner of speech, and imagery that characterize Eastern life. A knowledge of these is essential to a clear under- standing and right interpretation of the Holy Scriptures. Once it was common to speak of the "unchanging East," as scholars and explorers were wont to do in the last generation. For centuries there was indeed a persistence of the same man- ners and customs, partly due to the physical characteristics of the lands of the East, and partly to the indisposition of the people for change. That day has passed. There is no portion of the globe where such marvelous and radical changes are going on to-day