Page "Heinrich Ewald" Paragraph 10

The historical interval that separated these two events is treated as naturally dividing itself into three great periods ,-- those of Moses, David and Ezra.

The periods are externally indicated by the successive names by which the chosen people were called — Hebrews, Israelites, Jews.

The events prior to the exodus are relegated by Ewald to a preliminary chapter of primitive history ; and the events of the apostolic and postapostolic age are treated as a kind of appendix.

The entire construction of the history is based, as has already been said, on a critical examination and chronological arrangement of the available documents.

So far as the results of criticism are still uncertain with regard to the age and authorship of any of these, Ewald? s conclusions must of course be regarded as unsatisfactory.

But his work remains a storehouse of learning and? is increasingly recognized as a work of rare genius.