NOACHIDÆ. This is the Name that is given to the Children of Noah, and in general to all Men that are not of the chosen Race of Abraham. The Rabbins1 pretend, that God gave Noah and his Sons certain general Precepts, which contain according to them, the natural Right which is common to all Men indifferently, and the Observation of which alone will be sufficient to save them. After the Law of Moses, the Hebrews would not suffer any Stranger to dwell in their Country, unless he would conform to the Precepts of the Noachidæ. In War they put to Death without Quarter all that were ignorant of them. These Precepts are eight in Number.
I. Precept. de Judiciis. Obedience is due to Judges, Magistrates, and Princes.
II. De cultu extraneo. The Worship of false Gods, Superstition, and Sacrilege are absolutely forbidden.
III. De maledictione nominis sanctissimi. As also cursing the Name of God, Blasphemies, and false Oaths.
IV. De revelatione turpitudinum. Likewise all incestuous and unlawful Conjunctions or Copulations; as Sodomy, Bestiality, Crimes against Nature.
V. De sanguinis effusione. The Effusion of the Blood of all Sorts of Animals, Murder, Wounds, and Mutilations.
VI. De rapina. Theft, Cheats, Lying, &c.
VII. De membro animalis viventis. The Parts of an Animal still alive are not to be eaten, as was practised by some Pagans. Arnob.2 Caprorum reclamantium viscera cruentatis oribus dissipant.
Maimonides says, that the first six of these Precepts were given by Adam, and the seventh was added by Noah. Some Rabbins add to these the following Precepts. The Rabbi Chavina. The Prohibition of drawing out the Blood of a living Animal, in Order to drink it. The Rabbi Chidea. The Prohibition of mutilating Animals. The Rabbi Simeon. The Prohibition of Magick and Sorceries. The Rabbi Eliezer. The Prohibition of coupling together Animals of a different Species, and of grafting Trees. This is what is found in Authors concerning this Matter; but what inclines us much to doubt of their Antiquity, is, that no Mention is made of these Precepts, either in Scripture, or in Onkelos, or in Josephus, or in Philo; and that neither St. Jerome, nor Origen, nor any of the antient Fathers have known any Thing of them.
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