vely, as is common almost in every language. We meet in the
Grecian writings with [207][Greek: Hellena straton, Hellada dialekton,
esbesen Hellada phonen]. Also [Greek: nason Sikelan, gunaika mazon, Persen
straton, nauten dromon, Skuthen oimon]. Why may we not suppose, that the
same usage prevailed in Cutha, and in Egypt? And this practice was not
entirely foreign to the Hebrews. We read indeed of Beer-sheba,
Beer-lahoiroi, &c. but we also read of [208] Baalath-Beer, exactly similar
to the instances which I have produced. We meet in the sacred writings with
Beth-El, and Beth-Dagon: but we sometimes find the governing word
postponed, as in Elizabeth, or temple of Eliza. It was a Canaanitish[209]
name, the same as Elisa, Eleusa, Elasa of Greece and other countries. It
was a compound of El-Ees, and related to the God of light, as I have before
shewn. It was made a feminine in aftertimes: and was a name assumed by
women of the country styled Phenicia, as well as by those of Carthage.
Hence Dido has this as a secondary appellation; and mention is made by the
Poet of Dii morientis [210]Elizae, though it was properly the name of a
Deity. It may be said, that these names are foreign to the Hebrews, though
sometimes adopted by them: and I readily grant it; for it is the whole,
that I contend for. All, that I want to have allowed, is, that different
nations in their several tongues had different modes of collocation and
expression: because I think it as unreasonable to determine the usage of
the Egyptians and antient Chaldeans by the method of the Hebrews, as it
would be to reduce the Hebrew to the mode and standard of Egypt. What in
Joshua, c. 19. v. 8. is Baaleth, is, 1 Kings, c. 16. v. 31. Eth-baal: so
that even in the sacred writings we find terms of this sort transposed. But
in respect to foreign names, especially of places, there are numberless
instances similar to those, which I have produced. They occur in all
histories of countries both antient and modern. We read of Pharbeth, and
Phainobeth in Egypt: of Themiskir, and [211]Tigranocerta, which signifies
Tigranes' city, in Cappadocia, and Armenia. Among the eastern nations at
this day the names of the principal places are of this manner of
construction; such as Pharsabad, Jehenabad, Amenabad: such also Indostan,
Pharsistan, Mogulistan, with many others. Hence I hope, if I meet with a
temple or city, called Hanes, or Urania, I may venture to derive it from
An-Eees, or Ur-Ain,