The Mosaic Law

In recent years much has been learned of the civilization, which developed in early times in Mesopotamia. In Babylon, laws appropriate to a vast and wealthy agricultural nation, which was engaged, also, largely in commerce, had been developed many centuries before the authentic history of other peoples begins. This civilization was Semitic. A great light, where formerly but dim reflections had been seen, was thrown upon this jurisprudence by the discovery, in 1901, of the codification of the laws of Babylonia, which was promulgated by King Hammurabi about 2350 B. C. Migration from Babylonia occurred from time to time, and settlements were early made in the countries bordering on the Mediterranean.

The Canaanites of the Bible were descendants of such immigrants. Likewise, perhaps before 1500 B. C., a clan or family (being the Biblical Abraham), left Ur of the Chaldees (situated in the Euphrates valley), and migrated southwesterly. Pursuing a pastoral life, they multiplied and later settled in Egypt, where they became subject to the ruling power. About 1200 B. C., they freed themselves from the Egyptian bondage, and, under the leadership of their great prophet, Moses, led a nomadic life for some years in the deserts of Arabia.