The origin of the Hebrews, the breed or breeds from which they sprang, the traditions they inherited from prehistoric ancestors, the earliest impressions they received from th civilizations of that already old world, upon which they emerged into history, are still obscure enough to allow of differences of opinion regarding them.
And this is even true, though far less so, of the exact degree of the peoples indebtedness to the various empires with which they afterwards came into contact.
