Quite as important is the article Hebrew Religion (Vol. 13, p. 176), by the Rev. Dr. Owen Charles Whitehouse of Christ’s and Cheshunt Colleges, Cambridge. His treatment of the subject is comparative and historical. There is an interesting summary of what is known and may be inferred about pre-Mosaic religion; and it is important to notice that the author does not consider that the plural Elohim used in certain Old Testament passages to mean “God” is to be understood as “a comprehensive expression for the multitude of gods embraced in the One God of Old Testament religion,” but explains the plural as one “of majesty” like the “we” of royalty. Blood-offerings and magic charms against demons and jinns may be assumed as belonging to the early Hebrew religion as to the later Arabian period before Mahomet. Dr. Whitehouse thinks that there is little or no trace of totemism but possibly some of ancestor-worship in the Jews’ religion.
Among the many articles supplementing this general treatment of Hebrew religion the following are possibly the most important:
Circumcision, by Israel Abrahams.
Teraphim, by W. Robertson Smith and G. H. Box, formerly lecturer in theology, Oxford.
Baal, by W. Robertson Smith and Stanley Arthur Cook, editor for Palestine Exploration Fund.
Calf, The Golden, by S. A. Cook.
High Places.
Feasts and Festivals.
Passover, by Dr. Joseph Jacobs of the Jewish Theological Seminary of New York City.
Pentecost, by Dr. O. C. Whitehouse.