Ellen White Copied Her Chapter Titles from Edersheim . . . or Was It Vice Versa?

Part Two

If you haven't already done so, you might want to take a look at Part One first. In Part One we compare the chapter titles of Alfred Edersheim and Patriarchs and Prophets with those of Ellen White's earlier books. In this page we compare Edersheim's actual chapter titles with what Walter Rea claimed were his chapter titles.

Further Analysis

We present before you the material that David Conklin brought to our attention. David writes:

It has been noted by students of plagiarism that one can make a work look plagiarized when it is not by carefully using ellipses and discarding all the material that is different. What we want to do is determine whether the critics did a fair analysis, or whether their comparisons actually distorted reality. Accordingly, we have color coded the text so that you, the reader, can easily come to your own conclusion. . . . Another factor the reader should pay attention to is the number of times that the sequence of the chapter titles was rearranged to make them more similar.

Color Key Titles and parts of titles in Edersheim ignored by Rea by either not citing at all or by using an ellipsis. The portion of the part of a title omitted by Rea without the use of an ellipsis. The rest of a title that was omitted by Rea when he cited that title. Words added to Edersheim by Rea that make Edersheim closer to Ellen White than he was.

We present for your consideration the following table. Please note:

1. Since Rea included page numbers but not chapter numbers in his comparison, we have included the chapter numbers in adjoining columns.
2. The fifth column shows Edersheim's actual, unaltered chapter titles.
3. Three portions and two chapters from Patriarchs and Prophets that Rea omitted have been added in brackets.
4. Page numbers of Edersheim's chapters that Rea omitted have been added in brackets.

Since Rea used an ellipsis to shorten "Trial of Abraham's Faith in the Command to Sacrifice Isaac" down to "Trial of Abraham's Faith...", we find it odd that he did not also use an ellipsis in the 13 instances marked in red. We cannot presently explain this inconsistency.

Ch. #	Chapter Titles and Page Numbers as Altered in Walter Rea's The White Lie		Ch. #	Edersheim's Original Chapter & Section Titles, Unaltered and Untampered With, Vol. 1
	Ellen White's Patriarchs and Prophets (1890)	Alfred Edersheim's The Bible History, Old Testament (1876-80)
	[Preface]	[iii]		Preface
	[Introduction]	[v]
	[Contents]			Contents
				Dates of Events Recorded in the Book of Genesis, according to Hales, Ussher, and Keil
1	33 Why was Sin Permitted?	xi Introduction		Introduction
				The World Before the Flood
2	44 The Creation	17 Creation	1	Creation—Man in the Garden of Eden—The Fall
3	52 The Temptation and Fall	17 The Fall	1
4	63 The Plan of Redemption
5	71 Cain and Abel Tested	23 Cain and Abel—The Two Ways	2	Cain and Abel—The Two Ways and the Two Races
6	80 Seth and Enoch	29 Seth and His Descendants	3	Seth and His Descendants—The Race of Cain
		[33]	4	Genealogy of the Believing Race, Through Seth
		[37]	5	The Universal Corruption of Man—Preparation for the Flood
7	90 The Flood	44 The Flood	6	The Flood
				History of the Patriarchs
8	105 After the Flood	51 After the Flood	7	After the Flood—Noah's Sacrifice—Noah's Sin—Noah's Descendants
9	111 The Literal Week
10	117 The Tower of Babel	57 Babel—Confusion of Tongues	8	Genealogy of Nations—Babel—Confusion of Tongues
		[64]	9	The Nations and their Religion—Job
		[68]	10	The Chronology of the Early History of the Bible—Commencement of the History of God's Dealings with Abraham and His Seed
11	125 The Call of Abraham	72 The Calling of Abram	11	The Calling of Abram—His Arrival in Canaan, and Temporary Removal to Egypt
12	132 Abraham in Canaan	72 His Arrival in Canaan	11
		[82]	12	The Separation of Abram and Lot—Abram at Hebron—Sodom Plundered—Lot Rescued—The Meeting with Melchizedek
13	145 The Test of Faith	97 Trial of Abraham's Faith...	14	Birth of Isaac—Ishmael Sent Away—Trial of Abraham's Faith in the Command to Sacrifice Isaac—Death of Sarah—Death of Abraham
14	156 Destruction of Sodom	88 The Destruction of Sodom	13	The Twofold Promise of "a Seed" to Abraham—Ishmael—Jehovah visits Abraham—The Destruction of Sodom—Abraham's Sojourn at Gerar—His Covenant with Abimelech
15	171 The Marriage of Isaac	106 The Marriage of Isaac	15	The Marriage of Isaac—Birth of Esau And Jacob—Esau Sells His Birthright—Isaac at Gerar—Esau's Marriage
16	177 Jacob and Esau	106 Birth of Esau and Jacob	15
17	183 Jacob's Flight and Exile	115 Jacob Is Sent to Laban	16	Isaac's Blessing Obtained by Jacob Deceitfully—Esau's Sorrow—Evil Consequences of Their Error to All the Members of the Patriarchal Family—Jacob Is Sent to Laban—Isaac Renews and Fully Gives Him the Blessing of Abraham
		[121]	17	Jacob's Vision at Bethel—His Arrival at the House of Laban—Jacob's Double Marriage and Servitude—His Flight from Haran—Pursuit of Laban, and Reconciliation with Jacob
18	195 The Night of Wrestling	132 The Night of Wrestling	18	Jacob at Mahanaim—The Night of Wrestling—Reconciliation Between Jacob and Esau—Jacob Settles at Shechem—Jacob Proceeds to Bethel to Pay His Vow—Death of Rachel—Jacob Settles at Hebron
19	204 The Return to Canaan	132 Jacob Settles at Hebron	18
20	213 Joseph in Egypt	142 Joseph's Early Life	19	Joseph's Early Life—He Is Sold by His Brethren into Slavery—Joseph in the House of Potiphar—Joseph in Prison
		[151]	20	Joseph in Prison—The Dream of Pharaoh's Two Officers—The Dream of Pharaoh—Joseph's Exaltation—His Government of Egypt
21	224 Joseph and His Brothers	161 Joseph Recognizes His Brothers	21	The Sons of Jacob Arrive in Egypt to Buy Corn—Joseph Recognizes His Brothers—Imprisonment of Simeon—The Sons of Jacob Come a Second Time, Bringing Benjamin with Them—Joseph Tries His Brethren—He Makes Himself Known to Them—Jacob and His Family Prepare to Descend into Egypt
		[172]	22	Departure of Jacob and His Family into Egypt—Jacob's Interview with Pharaoh—His Last Illness and Command To Be Buried in Canaan—Adoption of Ephraim and Manasseh Among the Sons of Israel
		[180]	23	The Last Blessing of Jacob—Death of Jacob—Death of Joseph

Ch. #	Chapter Titles and Page Numbers as Altered in Walter Rea's The White Lie		Ch. #	Edersheim's Original Chapter & Section Titles, Unaltered and Untampered With, Vol. 2
	Ellen White's Patriarchs and Prophets (1890)	Alfred Edersheim's The Bible History, Old Testament (1876-80)
		[3]		Preface
		[5]		Contents
				The Exodus
		[9]	1	Egypt and Its History during the Stay of the Children of Israel, as Illustrated by the Bible and Ancient Monuments
		[24]	2	The Children of Israel in Egypt—Their Residences, Occupations, Social Arrangements, Constitution, and Religion—"A New King Who Knew Not Joseph"
22	241 Moses	35 The Birth and the Training of Moses	3	The Birth and the Training of Moses, Both in Egypt and in Midian as Preparatory to His Calling
		[44]	4	The Call of Moses—The Vision of the Burning Bush—The Commission to Pharaoh and to Israel—The Three "Signs" and Their Meaning
		[55]	5	Moses Returns into Egypt—The Dismissal of Zipporah—Moses Meets Aaron—Their Reception by the Children of Israel—Remarks on the Hardening of Pharaoh's Heart
23	257 The Plagues of Egypt	63 The Ten "Strokes," or Plagues	6	Moses and Aaron Deliver Their Message to Pharaoh—Increased Oppression of Israel—Discouragement of Moses—Aaron Shows a Sign—General View and Analysis of Each of the Ten "Strokes," or Plagues
24	273 The Passover	78 The Passover and Its Ordinances	7	The Passover and Its Ordinances—The Children of Israel Leave Egypt—Their First Resting-places—The Pillar of Cloud and of Fire—Pursuit of Pharaoh—Passage Through the Red Sea—Destruction of Pharaoh and His Host—The Song "on the Other Side"
25	281 The Exodus	78 The Children of Israel Leave Egypt	7
				The Wanderings in the Wilderness
26	291 From the Red Sea to Sinai	89 The Wilderness of Shur	8	The Wilderness of Shur—The Sinaitic Peninsula—Its Scenery and Vegetation—Its Capabilities of Supporting a Population—The Wells of Moses—Three Days March to Marah—Elim—Road to the Wilderness of Sin—Israel's Murmuring—The Miraculous Provision of the Quails—The Manna
		[98]	9	Rephidim—The Defeat of Amalek and Its Meaning—The Visit of Jethro and Its Symbolical Import
27	303 The Law Given to Israel	105 The "Ten Words," and Their Meaning	10	Israel at the Foot of Mount Sinai—The Preparations for the Covenant—The "Ten Words," and Their Meaning
28	315 Idolatry at Sinai
29	331 Satan's Enmity Against the Law	121 The Sin of the Golden Calf	12	The Pattern Seen on the Mountain—The Tabernacle, the Priesthood, and the Services in Their Arrangement and Typical Meaning—The Sin of the Golden Calf—The Divine Judgment—The Plea of Moses—God's Gracious Forgiveness—The Vision of the Glory of the Lord Vouchsafed to Moses
30	343 The Tabernacle and Its Services	133 The Rearing of the Tabernacle	13	Moses a Second Time on the Mount—On His Return His Face Shineth—The Rearing of the Tabernacle—Its Consecration by the Seen Presence of Jehovah
31	359 The Sin of Nadab and Abihu	137 The Sin of Nadab and Abihu	14	Analysis of the Book of Leviticus—The Sin of Nadab and Abihu—Judgment Upon the Blasphemer
		[143]	15	Analysis of the Book of Numbers—The Numbering of Israel, and That of the Levites—Arrangement of the Camp, and Its Symbolical Import—The March
		[152]	16	The Offerings of the "Princes"—The Setting Apart of the Levites—Second Observance of the Passover
32	363 The Law and the Covenants	114 Civil and Social Ordinances—The "Covenant Made by Sacrifice"	11	Civil and Social Ordinances of Israel As the People of God—Their Religious Ordinances in Their National Aspect—The "Covenant Made by Sacrifice" and the Sacrificial Meal of Acceptance
33	374 From Sinai to Kadesh	156 [March into the Wilderness] [We have no idea why there are brackets in The White Lie around this title.]	17	Departure from Sinai—March into the Wilderness of Paran—At Taberah and Kibroth-hattaavah
34	387 The Twelve Spies	163 The Spies Sent to Canaan	18	Murmuring of Miriam and Aaron—The Spies Sent to Canaan—Their "Evil Report"—Rebellion of the People, and Judgment Pronounced Upon Them—The Defeat of Israel "unto Hormah"
35	395 The Rebellion of Korah	171 The Gainsaying of Korah	19	The Thirty-eight Years in the Wilderness—The Sabbath-breaker—The Gainsaying of Korah and of His Associates—Murmuring of the People; the Plague, and How It Was Stayed—Aaron's Rod Budding, Blossoming, and Bearing Fruit
36	406 In the Wilderness	171 The Years in the Wilderness	19
37	411 The Smitten Rock	184 The Sin of Moses and Aaron	20	The Second Gathering of Israel in Kadesh—The Sin of Moses and Aaron—Embassy to Edom—Death of Aaron—Retreat of Israel from the Borders of Edom—Attack by the Canaanitish King of Arad
38	422 The Journey Around Edom	193 Journey of the Children of Israel in ... the Land of Edom	21	Journey of the Children of Israel in "Compassing" the Land of Edom—The "Fiery Serpents" and the "Brazen Serpent"—Israel Enters the Land of the Amorites—Victories over Sihon and over Og, the Kings of the Amorites and of Bashan—Israel Camps in "the Lowlands of Moab" Close by the Jordan
39	433 The Conquest of Bashan

Ch. #	Chapter Titles and Page Numbers as Altered in Walter Rea's The White Lie		Ch. #	Edersheim's Original Chapter & Section Titles, Unaltered and Untampered With, Vol. 3
	Ellen White's Patriarchs and Prophets (1890)	Alfred Edersheim's The Bible History, Old Testament (1876-80)
		[3]		Preface
		[7]		Contents
		[10]		Chronological Table
				Israel in Canaan Under Joshua and the Judges
40	438 Balaam	11 Character and History of Balaam	1	Israel About to Take Possession of the Land of Promise—Decisive Contest Showing the Real Character of Heathenism—Character and History of Balaam
41	453 Apostasy at the Jordan	23 The End of Balaam	2	The "Prophecies" of Balaam—The End of Balaam—Parallel Between Balaam and Judas
42	462 The Law Repeated	33 The Second Census of Israel	3	The Second Census of Israel—The "Daughters of Zelophehad"—Appointment of Moses' Successor—Sacrificial Ordinances—The War Against Midian—Allocation of Territory East of the Jordan—Levitical and Cities of Refuge
43	469 The Death of Moses	42 Death and Burial of Moses	4	Death and Burial of Moses
		[46]	5	The Charge to Joshua—Despatch of the Two Spies to Jericho—Rahab
44	481 Crossing the Jordan	53 The Miraculous Parting of Jordan	6	The Miraculous Parting of Jordan, and the Passage of the Children of Israel—Gilgal and Its Meaning—The First Passover on the Soil of Palestine
45	487 The Fall of Jericho	58 The Miraculous Fall of Jericho	7	The "Prince of the Host of Jehovah" Appears to Joshua—The Miraculous Fall of Jericho Before the Ark of Jehovah
		[63]	8	Unsuccessful Attack Upon Ai—Achan's Sin, And Judgment—Ai Attacked a Second Time and Taken
46	499 The Blessings and the Curses	73 The Blessing and the Curse on Gerizim and Ebal	9.1	Solemn Dedication of the Land and of Israel on Mounts Ebal and Gerizim—The Deceit of the Gibeonites
47	505 League with the Gibeonites	72 The Deceit of the Gibeonites	9
		[80]	10	The Battle of Gibeon—Conquest of the South of Canaan—The Battle of Merom—Conquest of the North of Canaan—State of the Land at the Close of the Seven Years' War
48	510 The Division of Canaan	87 Final Division of the Land	11	Distribution of the Land—Unconquered Districts—Tribes East of the Jordan—"The Lot"—Tribes West of the Jordan—The Inheritance of Caleb—Dissatisfaction of the Sons of Joseph—The Tabernacle at Shiloh—Final Division of the Land
49	521 The Last Words of Joshua	96 Joshua's Farewell Addresses	12	Return of the Two and a Half Tribes to Their Homes—Building of an Altar by Them—Embassy to Them—Joshua's Farewell Addresses—Death of Joshua—Review of His Life and Work
50	525 Tithes and Offerings
51	530 God's Care for the Poor
52	537 The Annual Feasts	33 Sacrificial Ordinances	3	[We already posted the full title for chapter 3 above. White's title bears no similarity to Edersheim's.]
53	543 The Earlier Judges	105 Summary of the Book of Judges	13	Summary of the Book of Judges—Judah's and Simeon's Campaign—Spiritual and National Decay of Israel—"From Gilgal to Bochim."
		[114]	14	Othniel—Ehud—Shamgar
		[119]	15	The Oppression of Jabin and Sisera—Deborah and Barak—The Battle of Taanach—The Song of Deborah
		[130]	16	Midianitish Oppression—The Calling of Gideon—Judgment Begins at the House of God—The Holy War—The Night-battle of Moreh
		[142]	17	Farther Course of Gideon—The Ephod at Ophrah—Death of Gideon—Conspiracy of Abimelech—The Parable of Jotham—Rule and End of Abimelech
		[152]	18	Successors of Abimelech—Chronology of the Period—Israel's Renewed Apostacy, and Their Humiliation Before Jehovah—Oppression by the Ammonites—Jephthah—His History and Vow—The Successors of Jephthah
54	560 Samson	163 The History of Samson	19	Meaning of the History of Samson—His Annunciation and Early History—The Spirit of Jehovah "Impels Him"—His Deeds of Faith
		[173]	20	The Sin and Fall of Samson—Jehovah Departs from Him—Samson's Repentance, Faith, and Death
		[177]	21	Social and Religious Life in Bethlehem in the Days of the Judges—The Story of Ruth—King David's Ancestors

Ch. #	Chapter Titles and Page Numbers as Altered in Walter Rea's The White Lie		Ch. #	Edersheim's Original Chapter & Section Titles, Unaltered and Untampered With, Vol. 4
	Ellen White's Patriarchs and Prophets (1890)	Alfred Edersheim's The Bible History, Old Testament (1876-80)
		[iii]		Preface
		[x]		Contents of the First Book of Chronicles (to beginning of Chap. XX.), and List of the Parallel Narratives in the two Books of Samuel
		[xi]		Contents
				Israel Under Samuel, Saul, and David
55	569 The Child Samuel	1 Birth of Samuel	1	Purport and Lessons of the Books of Samuel—Eli—Hannah's Prayer and Vow—Birth of Samuel—Dedication of the Child—Hannah's Song
56	575 Eli and His Sons	10 The Sin of Eli's Sons	2	The Sin of Eli's Sons—Eli's Weakness—A Prophet's Message—Samuel's First Vision—His Call to the Prophetic Office
57	581 The Ark Taken by the Philistines	16 Taking of the Ark	3	Expedition Against the Philistines—The Two Battles of Eben-ezer—Death of Eli's Sons, and Taking of the Ark—Death of Eli—Judgment on the Philistine Cities—The Return of the Ark
58	592 The Schools of the Prophets	26 Samuel's Administration	4	Samuel As Prophet—The Gathering at Mizpeh—Battle of Eben-ezer; Its Consequences—Samuel's Administration—The Demand For a King
59	603 The First King of Israel	26 The Demand for a King	4
		[35]	5	The Calling of Saul—Occasion of His Interview with Samuel—Samuel Communes with Saul—Saul Is Anointed King—The Three "Signs"—Their Deeper Significance
		[47]	6	Saul Chosen King at Mizpeh—His Comparative Privacy—Incursion of Nahash—Relief of Jabesh-gilead—Popular Assembly at Gilgal—Address of Samuel
60	616 The Presumption of Saul	56 Saul's Disobedience	7	Saul Marches Against the Philistines—Position of the Two Camps—Jonathan's Feat of Arms—Saul Retreats to Gilgal—Terror Among the People—Saul's Disobedience to the Divine Command, and Rejection of His Kingdom
61	627 Saul Rejected	56 The Rejection of His Kingdom	7
		[64]	8	Camps of Israel and of the Philistines—Jonathan and His Armor-bearer—Panic Among the Philistines, and Flight—Saul's Rash Vow—The "Lot" Cast at Ajalon—Cessation of the War
		[71]	9	The War Against Amalek—Saul's Disobedience, and Its Motives—Samuel Commissioned to Announce Saul's Rejection—Agag Hewn in Pieces
62	637 The Anointing of David	79 The Anointing of David	10	Samuel Mourns For Saul—He Is Directed to the House of Jesse—Anointing of David—Preparation of David for the Royal Office—The "Evil Spirit from the Lord" upon Saul—David Is Sent to Court—War with the Philistines—Combat Between David and Goliath—Friendship of David and Jonathan
63	643 David and Goliath	79 Combat Between David and Goliath	10
64	649 David a Fugitive	94 David's Flight to Samuel	11	Saul's Jealousy, and Attempts upon David's Life—David Marries Michal—Ripening of Saul's Purpose of Murder—David's Flight to Samuel—Saul Among the Prophets—David Finally Leaves the Court of Saul
65	660 The Magnanimity of David	109 David and Jonathan	11.9	[This is a page heading that doesn't even match White's chapter title.]
		[111]	12	David at Nob—Observed by Doeg—Flight to Gath—David Feigns Madness—The Cave of Adullam—Shelter in Moab—Return to the Land of Israel—Jonathan's Last Visit—Persecutions by Saul
		[125]	13	Saul in David's Power at En-gedi—The Story of Nabal—Saul a Second Time in David's Power
66	675 The Death of Saul	147 Death of Saul	15	The Battle on Mount Gilboa—Death of Saul—Rescue of the Bodies by the Men of Jabesh-gilead—David Punishes the False Messenger of Saul's Death—David King at Hebron—Ish-bosheth King at Mahanaim—Battle Between the Forces of Abner and Joab—Abner Deserts the Cause of Ish-bosheth—Murder of Abner—Murder of Ish-bosheth
67	683 Ancient and Modern Sorcery	136 Saul ... the Witch of Endor	14	David's Second Flight to Gath—Residence at Ziklag—Expedition of the Philistines Against Israel—Saul at Jezreel—He Resorts to the Witch at Endor—Apparition and Message of Samuel—David Has to Leave the Army of the Philistines—Capture of Ziklag by the Amalekites—Pursuit and Victory of David
68	690 David at Ziklag	136 Capture of Ziklag by the Amalekites	14
69	697 David Called to the Throne	147 David King at Hebron	15	[Already cited above.]
70	The Reign of David	163 [Should be 162] David ... King over All Israel	16	David Anointed King over All Israel—Taking of Fort Zion—Philistine Defeat—The Ark Brought to Jerusalem—Liturgical Arrangements and Institutions
		[178]	17	David's Purpose of Building the Temple, and Its Postponement—The "Sure Mercies" of David in the Divine Promise—David's Thanksgiving
		[183]	18	Wars of David—Great Ammonite and Syrian Campaign Against Israel—Auxiliaries in Turn Defeated—The Capital of Moab Is Taken—Edom Subdued—Record of David's Officers—His Kindness to Mephibosheth
71	717 David's Sin and Repentance	190 David's Great Sin ... Repentance	19	Siege of Rabbah—David's Great Sin—Death of Uriah—Taking of Rabbah—David's Seeming Prosperity—God's Message Through Nathan—David's Repentance—The Child of Bathsheba Dies—Birth of Solomon
72	[727 The Rebellion of Absalom]
73	[746 The Last Years of David]

Conclusions

We can understand the desire to make matters as simple for readers as possible. Yet it still seems that Rea should have made it plain in his book that he was extremely truncating Edersheim's chapter titles. True, some rare reader might have guessed what was going on by noticing that some chapter titles cited fell on the same pages, but to avoid giving any false impressions, Rea should have stated clearly what he was doing.

Give Us Your Opinion

Was the evidence skewed to make it look like Mrs. White copied from Edersheim?

Rea never said that Ellen White got her chapter titles from Edersheim. Rea didn't alter anything. What you say are Edersheim's authentic chapter titles aren't really. It looks like Rea committed a bit of fraud when he made his comparison in his 1982 book. I don't understand why Rea hasn't corrected this in his book yet. 20 years ought to be long enough.   View Results