“Are you right about (God’s) ‘strong hand,’ etc., page 83? And what connection has _teraphim_ with _threshold_ (p. 109)? Bonomi is no critic. You are very convincing about the passover blood.
“I will write again if any special notes suggest themselves. A number of references in the Old Testament and the New Testament must be open to divers interpretations; _but I habitually act upon your own principles_. Phrases which seem to us simple, are often full of references which archeology alone can explain. _Macte esto._”
ADDITIONAL FROM PROFESSOR DR. FRITZ HOMMEL.
Before this Supplement is finally printed, there comes a second communication from Professor Hommel of Munich, as already promised by him.[722] In this new communication are suggestions and words of appreciation that will be welcomed by many readers, as coming from such a source. Professor Hommel says:
“Only a few days ago I finished reading your highly interesting little book, ‘The Threshold Covenant,’ and I hasten to write to you, that I have read it with ever-increasing interest, and have learned infinitely much from it. Our views regarding the high antiquity and the unity of human culture receive entirely new light through this work; in addition, a large number of old oriental and biblical ways and customs now become intelligible and clear.
“Manifestly correct, and indeed most happy, is your derivation of the threshold cult, and of sacrifice in general, from the first human blood shed on crossing the threshold of woman; also the important explanation of the signs for life, which I have compared: Egyptian, Babylonian, (Compare _vulva_.) Moreover, your explanation of the passover is much more satisfactory than taking _pesakh_ in the sense of ‘to pass by.’
“Permit me now to offer a few remarks, of which you may still be able to avail yourself.
“With the symbol of the red hand may also be compared the hands upon the Sabaean bronze tablets (_Z.D.M.G._, Vol. 19, plate XI., and especially plate VII.), where fourteen hands of seven gods are pictured above the inscription. Furthermore, see Pinches’ Inscribed Babylonian Tablets, belonging to the collection of Sir Henry Peek, Part III., p. 66; a seal cylinder, on which appears a raised hand between the god and the priest.