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The House of Israel

Scotland's Clans under a chief Druid, faithful successors of Israel's
Parallels with Patriarchal Practice in Israel Levites.
The Scottish clans, like Homer's Achaeans and
"This land you must divide among yourselves, the clans Danaans, were not democratic, but aristocratic. There
of Israel." This is Moffatt's rendering of the relevant was no democratic election of chiefs: the chief him-
passage in the 47th chapter of Ezekiel. It relates easily self appointed his successor. A dying chief would call
to ancient Scottish usage. The family is, and must ever for his successor and bestow his blessing upon him,
be, the Divinely ordained nucleus of human society. It just as Jacob did to his sons. The Celtic Church fol-
is mysteriously exemplified in the Nature of God in lowed the same Israelite custom. At Iona, of the first
the Person of the Father and the son. "Clan" simply eleven abbots, nine were of the same family as Co-
means "children" as being the natural extension of the lumba who was, of course, of royal blood. Columba
family, and consisting of kinsfolk who are united by chose his cousin Baithene, to be his successor.
blood relationship in a common lineage. Community
life is organised under the rule of hereditary chiefs de-
scended from the original founder. Head of the Clan

The Scriptures make it clear that the clan is Divinely A clan chief had his "Ard Chillean an Tighe" (gentle-
ordained. God's people of Israel, whether they approve man of the household), generally consisting of "A Se-
or not, are divided into clans descended from the sons anachaidh" -- the genealogist of the Chief's house; "Am
of Jacob. This ordered development of the family has Bard" -- the bard; "An Clarsair" -- the harper; "Am Fear
never been superseded by God. The destiny of His Is- Sporain" the treasurer; "Am Fear Braitaich" -- the
raelites in the present Latter Days is foretold accord- standard-bearer; "Am Piobaire" -- the piper; "An Gille
ing to their clans. It is difficult for these to be More" -- the sword or armour-bearer; "An Cupair" --
recognized after the millennia of transition; but the the cup-bearer; "An Cleasaiche" -- the jester.
changes which they have undergone through the centu-
ries cannot conceal them from the Omniscient Crea- Tribal bards were still in existence in many clans as
tor. In the Ezekiel prophecy and the Revelation vision, late as the 18th century. The ancient office of Ri-
the clan system is shown as being intact at the end of Seannachie with supreme jurisdiction in genealogy and
the age with the twelve gates of the New Jerusalem preserving the royal pedigree evolved into the present
named after the clans of Israel. Could anything be Lord Lyon King of Arms.
more positive?
The inauguration of a new chief was a richly traditional
In Scotland, at least, this Divinely ordained system has service. It took place at a sacred stone (a true Israelite
continues through the ages and still survives. Al- custom indeed) on which was carved the clan's heraldic
though scattered throughout the world, clan societies emblem. The chief, dressed in white, was led to the
still keep the ancient loyalties and traditions alive. stone and presented to the assembled clan. A religious
Gaelic, the ancient tongue of the Highlander still service was held with an address suited to the occa-
thrives, as the yearly mod testifies. The Hebrew word sion. Then the bard gave an oration, dramatically de-
Moed means an assembly. The ancient Highland scribing in verse the exploits of the chief's ancestors
Games are still popular. and the history of the clan. Then the Seannachie deliv-
ered the insignia, the rod and sword to the new chief
In pre-Christian times, Scotland was inhabited by a and, falling on bended knee, recited the genealogy in
multitude of clans, each with its territory, chief and Gaelic. Then he proclaimed: "The blessing of God on
Druid. The chiefs came under the provincial righ -- the thee." The clansmen shouted: "God bless him!" Then
district king. The Druids -- priests, bards and lawgivers the chief gave an oath to be a loving father to the
-- were an order of hierarchy organised in a college people.

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