H. Steinthal

The Legend of Samson H. Steinthal

WHEN an author can presume that his readers share his views on things in general, and also accept like principles respecting the special sphere to which his subject belongs, it may be fitting to descend from the general to the particular. But when, as is now more frequently the case, no such assumption can be made, the opposite course, from the particular to the general, is preferable for the sake of both the matter and the manner of the investigation itself. I shall therefore adopt it. I shall, therefore, at the outset leave out of the question what view it is possible to hold respecting the growth of the people of Israel, and especially of their monotheism. I shall not proceed on the assumption that any particular view is proved true, but try whether, after the consideration of our subject in its details, any result affecting general questions is reached. I also for the present leave undetermined the value of the Biblical Books as sources of history, the period of the composition of the separate books, and even their relative age i.e. the earlier or later compilation of one with reference to others. For all these are still disputed points ; and I desire not to build upon any unproved assumption, but to see how much can be contributed to the solution of the questions that arise. Even the question, whether, and how far, we are justified in treating the history of Samson in the Bible as legend,1 may be left to be answered only from the result of the following enquiry. If, on comparing these stories with other nations stories, similarities are discovered alongside of much that is dissimilar, nothing shall, in the first in stance, be decided about the cause and significance of such similarities, but new investigation shall be made on the subject.