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 OF

"Commentaries on the Gospels and The Acts; ' "Our Sixty-Six Sacred

Books;

"People's Dictionary of the Bible; "Handy
Helps for Busy Workers," etc.

PHILADELPHIA:

The American Sunday-School Union,

1816 Chestnut Street.

Copyright, 1910,
by

THE AMERICAN SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION.

07-29-28.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

I. THE ORIENTAL FAMILY...

The Bible-Oriental Color.-Overturned Customs.-The

"Father."-No Courtship.-The Son.-The Father Rules.-

Patriarchal Rule.-Semites and Hebrews.

II. FORMING THE ORIENTAL FAMILY: BETROTHAL.

Love-making Unknown. Girl's Gifts. --Wife-seeking.

Matchmaking. The Contract.-The Dowry.-How Set-

tled. How Paid.-Second Marriage.-Exempt from Duties.

III. MARRIAGE PROCESSIONS.

Parades in Public.-Bridal Costumes.-Bride's Proces-

sion (In Hauran,-In Egypt and India).-Bridegroom's

Procession.-The Midnight Call.-The Shut Door.

IV. MARRIAGE FEASTS...

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...

II

16

24

31

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

Steps and Grades.

Growth.-

VII. ORIENTAL CHILD'S PLAYS AND GAMES..

49

Shy and Actors.-Kinds of Plays.-Toys in the East.-

Ball Games.-Athletic Games.-Children Happy.-Japanese

Children.

VIII. EDUCATION OF ORIENTAL CHILDREN.

Child Culture.-Religious 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.

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52

IX. RELATION OF PARENTS, CHILDREN AND SERVANTS..

Obedience.-Son Seeks Advice.-Slaves in the East.-

Children as Slaves.-Mixed Classes.-Women Secluded.-

Women, Slave Companions.-Retainers.

X. WOMAN AMONG ORIENTALS.

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..

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 INTERCOURSE-SALUTATIONS.

Salutations.-

Salutations Important.-Makes Bonds.-Salaams.-The De-

lays.-The Strict Etiquette.-Returning

Shalom, "Peace."-"Grace" in Salutation.-Symbols and

Gestures.

XIII. SOCIAL INTERCOURSE-HOSPITALITY.

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...

-

Vegetarians. Eating Raw Grain.-Milk.-Butter.-Bread.

-Flour Unbolted. — Kamaj. — Nutrition. — Grain Pits.—

Cooking.-"Mashee."-Locusts.-Wine.-Diet and Meals.

-Wash before Eating.-Why Wash.-Dining Furniture.—

Place of Honor.-Chief Dish.-The Guest.-Desserts.

XV. DRESS AND ORNAMENTS.

Costume Healthful.-Turban and Aba.-Kuftan.-The

Girdle.-String of Coins.-Dress in Africa.-Dress in Syria.

-In Walking.—Signet.-Nose Rings.-Earrings.—Chains

and Mirrors.-Korean Dress.

XVI. DISEASES AND MEDICINE..

Evil 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 Everywhere.