Page:The chronology of ancient nations (IA chronologyofanci00biru).djvu/42
it would not he difficult for him to search for them. As to what the Jews think of the continuance of the rule in the family of Juda, and which they transfer to the leadership of the exiles, we must remark that, if it was correct to extend the word "rule" to a similar leadership by way of analogy, the Magians, the Sabians, and others would partake of this, and neither the other Israelites nor any other nation would be exempt therefrom. Because no class of men, not even the lowest, are without a sort of rule and leadership with relation to others who are still inferior to them.
If we referred the numerical value of the word "concealing" in the Thora to that period from the earliest date which the Israelites assign to their exodus from Egypt till Jesus the son of Mary, this interpretation would rest on a better foundation. For the time from their exodus from Egypt till the accession of Alexander is 1,000 years according to their own view; and Jesus the son of Mary was born Anno Alexandri 304, and God raised him to himself Anno Alexandri 336. So the sum of the years of this complete period is 1,335 as the time during which the law of Moses ben 'Imrân existed, till it was carried to perfection by Jesus the son of Mary.
As to that which they derive from the two passages of Daniel, we can only say that it would be possible to refer them to something different, and to explain them in a different way; and more than that—that neither of their modes of interpretation is correct, except we suppose that the beginning of that number precedes the time when they were pronounced (by Daniel). For if it is to be understood that the beginning of both numbers (1,290 and 1,335) is one and the same time, be it past, present, or future, you cannot reasonably explain why the two passages should have been pronounced at different times. And, not to speak of the difference between the two numbers (1,290 and 1,335) the matter can in no way be correct; because the second passage ("Happy he who hopes to reach 1,335 ") admits, first, that the beginning of the number precedes the time when the passage was pronounced; so that it (the number) may reach its end one year, or more or less, after the supposed time; secondly, that the beginning of that number may be the very identical time when the passage was pronounced; or, thirdly, that it may be after this moment by an indefinite time, which may be smaller or greater. Now, if a chronological statement may be referred to all three spheres of time (past, present, and future), it cannot be referred to any one of them except on the basis of a clear text or an indisputable argument.
The first passage ("Since the time when the sacrifice was abolished, until impurity comes to destruction, it is 1,290") admits likewise of being referred, first, to the first destruction of Jerusalem; and, secondly, to its second destruction, which happened, however, only 385 years after the accession of Alexander.