Page:Folk-lore of the Holy Land.djvu/153

P. 79. Bâb el Khalìl.—The western Gate of Jerusalem, is called Bâb el Khalìl (the Gate of the Friend, i.e. Abraham), probably because it is that by which any one who is going to Hebron (El Khalìl) would leave the city. But an ornamental Arabic inscription, just inside the sixteenth century gateway, reminding the passer-by that “Ibrahìm was the Friend of Allah,” may have given the name. This gate was at one time called “Bâb mihrab Daûd” (Gate of the oratory of David), because of its proximity to the traditional Tower of David mentioned in the first section of this book. The present Zion Gate now called by the natives “Bâb en Nebi Daûd” (Gate of the prophet David) used then to be known as “The Gate of Zion,” or “of the Jews’ Quarter.”

P. 79. ’Isa ibn Maryam and El Messìh ed-Dejjâl.—The minds of Moslem theologians have been much exercised by the difficult task of reconciling these conflicting traditions with actual topography, especially as another Apocalyptic statement represents the Dejjâl as coming from the East, and being met and slain on his reaching the banks of the Jordan, by ’Isa, who, with his believing followers will leave El-Kuds to withstand him. The Dejjâl, will come either from the ‘Irak or from Khorassan, accompanied by an army of 70,000 Jews, who, having acknowledged him as the Messiah, son of David, hope to be restored to their kingdom under his guidance. From Jerusalem ’Isa will bring with him three stones which he will throw at the fleeing impostor; saying, with the first, “In the Name of the God of Abraham” ; with the second, “In the Name of the God of Isaac”’; and with the third, “In the Name of the God of Jacob.” His aim will be unerring and fatal. The Jews, discomfited, will seek to hide themselves; but their places of concealment will be endued with miraculous power, the very stones behind which they crouch crying out, “There is a Jew behind me.” As the Jordan is east, and Lydda west of