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the opinions previously embraced by the prophets； and that the prophets held
diverse and even contrary opinions and prejudices。 （64） （I speak； be it
understood； solely of matters speculative； for in regard to uprightness and
morality the case is widely different。） （65） From thence I shall conclude
that prophecy never rendered the prophets more learned； but left them with
their former opinions； and that we are； therefore； not at all bound to
trust them in matters of intellect。
（66） Everyone has been strangely hasty in affirming that the prophets knew
everything within the scope of human intellect； and； although certain
passages of Scripture plainly affirm that the prophets were in certain
respects ignorant； such persons would rather say that they do not
understand the passages than admit that there was anything which the
prophets did not know； or else they try to wrest the Scriptural words away
from their evident meaning。
（67） If either of these proceedings is allowable we may as well shut our
Bibles； for vainly shall we attempt to prove anything from them if their
plainest passages may be classed among obscure and impenetrable mysteries；
or if we may put any interpretation on them which we fancy。 （68） For
instance； nothing is more clear in the Bible than that Joshua； and perhaps
also the author who wrote his history； thought that the sun revolves round
the earth； and that the earth is fixed； and further that the sun for a
certain period remained still。 （69） Many； who will not admit any movement in
the heavenly bodies； explain away the passage till it seems to mean
something quite different； others； who have learned to philosophize more
correctly； and understand that the earth moves while the sun is still； or at
any rate does not revolve round the earth； try with all their might to wrest
this meaning from Scripture； though plainly nothing of the sort is
intended。 （70） Such quibblers excite my wonder！ （71） Are we； forsooth； bound
to believe that Joshua the Soldier was a learned astronomer？ or that a
miracle could not be revealed to him； or that the light of the sun could not
remain longer than usual above the horizon； without his knowing the cause？
（72） To me both alternatives appear ridiculous； and therefore I would
rather say； that Joshua was ignorant of the true cause of the lengthened
day； and that he and the whole host with him thought that the sun moved
round the earth every day； and that on that particular occasion it stood
still for a time； thus causing the light to remain longer； and I would
say； that they did not conjecture that； from the amount of snow in the air
（see Josh。 x：11）； the refraction may have been greater than usual； or that
there may have been some other cause which we will not now inquire into。
（73） So also the sign of the shadow going back was revealed to Isaiah
according to his understanding； that is； as proceeding from a going
backwards of the sun； for he； too； thought that the sun moves and that the
earth is still； of parhelia he perhaps never even dreamed。 （74） We may
arrive at this conclusion without any； scruple； for the sign could really
have come to pass； and have been predicted by Isaiah to the king； without
the prophet being aware of the real cause。
（75） With regard to the building of the Temple by Solomon； if it was really
dictate by God we must maintain the same doctrine： namely； that all the
measurements were revealed according to the opinions and understanding of
the king； for as we are not bound to believe that Solomon was a
mathematician； we may affirm that he was ignorant of the true ratio between
the circumference and the diameter of a circle； and that； like the
generality of workmen； he thought that it was as three to one。 （76） But if
it is allowable to declare that we do not understand the passage； in good
sooth I know nothing in the Bible that we can understand； for the process of
building is there narrated simply and as a mere matter of history。 （77） If；
again； it is permitted to pretend that the passage has another meaning； and
was written as it is from some reason unknown to us； this is no less than a
complete subversal of the Bible； for every absurd and evil invention of
human perversity could thus； without detriment to Scriptural authority； be
defended and fostered。 （78） Our conclusion is in no wise impious； for though
Solomon； Isaiah； Joshua； &c。 were prophets； they were none the less men； and
as such not exempt from human shortcomings。
（79） According to the understanding of Noah it was revealed to him that God
as about to destroy the whole human race； for Noah thought that beyond the
limits of Palestine the world was not inhabited。
（80） Not only in matters of this kind； but in others more important； the
about the Divine attributes； but held quite ordinary notions about God； and
to these notions their revelations were adapted； as I will
demonstrate by ample Scriptural testimony； from all which one may easily see
that they were praised and commended； not so much for the sublimity and
eminence of their intellect as for their piety and faithfulness。
（81） Adam； the first man to whom God was revealed； did not know that He is
omnipotent and omniscient； for he hid himself from Him； and attempted to
make excuses for his fault before God； as though he had had to do with a
man； therefore to him also was God revealed according to his understanding …
that is； as being unaware of his situation or his sin； for Adam
heard； or seemed to hear； the Lord walling； in the garden； calling him and
asking him where he was； and then； on seeing his shamefacedness； asking him
whether he had eaten of the forbidden fruit。 （82） Adam evidently only knew
the Deity as the Creator of all things。 （83） To Cain also God was revealed；
according to his understanding； as ignorant of human affairs； nor was a
higher conception of the Deity required for repentance of his sin。
（83） To Laban the Lord revealed Himself as the God of Abraham； because Laban
believed that each nation had its own special divinity （see Gen。 xxxi：29）。
（84） Abraham also knew not that God is omnipresent； and has foreknowledge of
all things； for when he heard the sentence against the inhabitants of Sodom；
he prayed that the Lord should not execute it till He had ascertained
whether they all merited such punishment； for he said （see Gen。 xviii：24）；
〃Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city；〃 and in accordance
with this belief God was revealed to him； as Abraham imagined； He spake
thus： 〃I will go down now； and see whether they have done altogether
according to the cry of it which is come unto Me； and； if not； I will know。〃
（85） Further； the Divine testimony concerning Abraham asserts nothing but
that he was obedient； and that he