The Origin of Freemasonry and Knights Templar ... - Lodge Prudentia

SUPPLEMENTAL ENCYCLOPAEDIAterity seem to have occupied Zidon first, and thence spreadin Syria and Canaan. This country has at different periodsbeen called by various names, either from its inhabitantsor some circumstances connected with its history.(1) ''The land of Canaan," from Canaan, who divideditamong his sons, each of whom became the head of anumerous tribe, and ultimately of a distinct people. Thisdid not at first include any land east of the Jordan (Gen.x.,xi.).(2) "The land of promise," from the promise given toAbraham that his posterity should possess it (Heb. xi. 9;Gen. xii. 7).(3) These being termed Hebrews, the region in whichthey dwelt was called "the land of the Hebrews" (Gen. xl.15).(4) "The land of Israel," from the Israelites, or posterityof Jacob, having settled there. This name comprehendsall that tract of ground, on each side of the Jordan,which God gave for an inheritance to the Hebrews. At alater age this term was often restricted to the territory ofthe ten tribes (Ezek. xxvii. 17).(5) "The land of Judah." This at first comprised onlythe region which was allotted to the tribe of Judah. Afterthe separation of the ten tribes, the land which belongedto Judah and Benjamin, who formed a separate kingdom,was distinguished by the appellation of "the land of Judah,"or Judea, which latter name the whole country retainedduring the existence of the second temple, and under thedominion of the Romans.(6) "Holy Land." This name appears to have beenused by the Hebrews after the Babylonish captivity (Zech.xv. 14).(7) "Palestine" (Ex. xv. 14),a name derived from thePhilistines, who settled on the borders of the Mediterranean.A name subsequently given to the whole country, thoughthe Philistines in fact possessed only a small part of it.By171