It cannot fail to furnish matter of sincere regret, that the study of the PARENT LANGUAGE OF THE UNIVERSE is now so very little attended to. For many years it has been solely confined to Theological Students; and even among these, a Hebrew scholar is rara avis in terra. In the Church of England, a few eminent Hebrew scholars have appeared; and the fruit of their labours and researches in the Old Testament Scriptures we continue to enjoy. In Scotland, this study, farther than a few months while at College, is almost totally neglected among the established clergy; so that any knowledge of the Hebrew language is there almost exclusively confined to dissenters. But, both in England and Scotland, an acquaintance with the language in which the Old Testament Scriptures are recorded, is much less an object of attention than its importance requires.
Nor is it to Theological studies only that the value of the original language applies; it will be found extending its influence, and spreading forth its branches, through every language in Europe, nay probably in the world, were we sufficiently acquainted with them to trace its progress. To demonstrate this fact, and at the same time throw light on the nature and structure of the language itself, are the chief purposes of the following pages, which, it is hoped, will be found useful for these ends.
In this age of research and investigation, language has not been neglected; yet it its not a little surprising, that the learned have so universally agreed to neglect the Hebrew in these researches; on no other subject would we explore the branches, and overlook the root and stem. Language is the medium of communication between the material animal life and the spiritual rational powers in man. It is the link which connects the senses and the understanding. Language, in its greatest latitude, is the universe brought into subsistence by sound; so that by it we can, at pleasure, call every being, form, place, or action in nature into ideal existence, both to ourselves and others. This manner of rousing all the actions of the mind, without the material presence of the objects which supply our ideas, renders mankind capable of a more enlarged and dignified use of this creation than any other being in it enjoys. For, by these means, creation is not only applied immediately to maintain and support the numerous lives it produces, but is made subservient to a degree of life and powers, which its most delicate machinery can have no direct or immediate effect upon.
The knowledge of language becomes thus a very noble and interesting science; for the necessary parts of speech, and manner of composing sentences in all languages, bear such an analogy to the construction and operations of nature, as connects the knowledge of the grammarian and naturalist, and also demonstrates upon what principles our mental powers are supported and act. Thus speech becomes a standing rehearsal of the material system for the behoof of the mind; and hence it follows, that nature is the source from which language originally drew her stores. This view of language is more fully illustrated in the Hebrew than in any other language whatever; and, on that account, the study of it would furnish an inexhaustible fund of information and amusement at the same time.
Language was one of the first blessings communicated by the Almighty to Adam; and the language of which Heaven was the author and teacher, we may rest assured was most perfect and complete. Words, then, were not unmeaning in themselves, as many of them now are, only deriving importance from certain meanings which fancy or whim first dictated; but, in the Hebrew language, it will be found that every word and term took their source from a manifest allusion to some quality or attribute of the object to which it was applied. Nor is the divine origin of this language the only thing which stamps its pre-eminence above all others; but the peculiar superintending care of heaven is most remarkable in preserving it pure and uncorrupted for several thousand years. When the writings of men who lived at a distance of near two thousand years from one another are compared together, the language will be found to have invariably retained its primeval dignity, and to be neither improved nor impaired as to its singular plainess, beauty, and strength. So remarkable is this unity in it, that there is not such thing to be met with as the change of a word, through an old one falling into disuse and a new one being introduced. All the words in it are unalterably preserved, and used from first to last, where the same thing is designed to be expressed without variation of circumstance.
The originality of the Hebrew language being incontrovertible, nothing can be more natural than that all other languages should in some respects be derivatives; or at least, to a certain extent, partake in its influence. To this, the circulation of the Scriptures among the nations greatly contributed, as well as many other concomitant circumstance. The first peopling of the isles of the Gentiles; the sending forth of Abraham's twelve sons into the east country, where they became princes; the early connection which subsisted between the Egyptians and Israelites; these and many similar events must have had a remarkable effect in circulating the Hebrew language through the world. We are told, Acts ii.5. that there were at that time "Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven, dwelling at Jerusalem," -that the language of every nation under heaven should therefore participate of the Jewish cannot be wondered at.
To shew the extent of this influence, to prove the importance of the Hebrew as the parent language of all, and to elucidate the nature of the Hebrew Roots, not only as roots of their own natural offspring, but as sending forth branches wherever the tongue of man conveys his thoughts, was a favourite pursuit of Mr Pirie. Few men were more fitted for such investigation; and had he never lifted his pen on any other subject, the following pages would establish his reputation as a scholar and a christian.
Perth, 1st March 1807.
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