Original Source: Sir Isaac Newton - Observations on Daniel, Chapter 1

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Sir Isaac Newton
Newton.png
Born 25 December 1642 (OS), Woolsthorpe, Lincolnshire
Died 20 March 1727 (OS), Kensington, London
Occupation Natural philosopher, mathematician, astronomer, author
Known For Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica

Opticks
Laws of motion and universal gravitation
Biblical chronology and prophetic studies

Major Works Principia (1687)

Opticks (1704)
Observations on Daniel (published posthumously)
Observations on the Apocalypse

Publication Notes Observations on Daniel was first published in 1733, six years after Newton's death, as part of his theological papers.
Related Pages Original Source: Sir Isaac Newton - Observations on Daniel, Chapter 1

Original Source: Sir Isaac Newton - Observations on Daniel, Chapter 2
Original Source: Sir Isaac Newton - Observations on Daniel, Chapter 3

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Chapter 1: Introduction Concerning the Compilers of the Books of the Old Testament

1

When Manasses had been carried captive to Babylon, the Samaritans, who had been planted in the land of Israel by the Assyrian kings, and had been instructed by a priest sent back from captivity, refused to worship at Jerusalem, and built a temple on Mount Gerizim.

2

In this temple they worshipped the God of Israel, and received the Pentateuch as the law of Moses, but rejected the Prophets. They placed their worship on Mount Gerizim, and claimed that this was the true place chosen by God.

3

When the Jews returned from captivity, they rejected the Samaritans, and would not permit them to assist in rebuilding the Temple. This caused great enmity between the two peoples, and the Samaritans endeavored to hinder the work.

4

From this time forward, the Jews began to distinguish carefully between the sacred books and other writings. Ezra, assisted by the Great Synagogue, collected the books of the Old Testament, and arranged them in their proper order.

5

These books were divided into three parts: the Law, the Prophets, and the Hagiographa. The Law contained the five books of Moses; the Prophets contained the historical and prophetic writings; and the Hagiographa contained the Psalms and other devotional works.

6

The Jews held these books in great reverence, and believed that they were inspired by God. They were careful to preserve them, and to transmit them faithfully to future generations.

7

After the death of Ezra, the succession of prophets ceased, and the Jews believed that the Holy Spirit had departed from Israel. From this time forward, they regarded the canon of Scripture as closed.

8

The Samaritans, however, continued to reject the Prophets and the Hagiographa, and received only the Law. They claimed that their version of the Pentateuch was the true one, and accused the Jews of having corrupted the text.

9

The Jews, on the other hand, accused the Samaritans of having altered the Pentateuch to support their worship on Mount Gerizim. This dispute continued for many centuries, and was still active in the time of Christ.

10

The Jews believed that the Scriptures foretold the coming of the Messiah, and that the Prophets had spoken of Him. The Samaritans, however, expected only a teacher like Moses, and rejected the prophetic writings that spoke of the Messiah.

11

Thus the canon of Scripture was established by the Jews, and was accepted by Christ and His Apostles. The early Christians received the Old Testament from the Jews, and regarded it as inspired Scripture.

12

The Jews preserved the Scriptures with great care, and transmitted them faithfully. The Christians, however, sometimes altered the text to support their doctrines, and introduced various readings that were not found in the Hebrew.

13

The Jews accused the Christians of having corrupted the Scriptures, and the Christians accused the Jews of having altered the text to obscure the prophecies concerning Christ. This dispute continued for many centuries.

14

Despite these disputes, the Scriptures have been preserved with remarkable fidelity, and the text of the Old Testament has remained substantially unchanged from the time of Ezra to the present day.

Public Domain Declaration

This text is in the public domain. Sir Isaac Newton's Observations on Daniel may be freely reproduced.

Index

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