The Lost Tribes and the Saxons of the East and of the West, with new Views of Buddhism, and Translations of Rock-Records in India, by George Moore, M.D. (Longman, Green, Longman, and Roberts, London {1861} MDCCCLXI)
Page 143. ‘We are attracted at once to a country of vast importance in the present aspect of the East, and the more interesting to us, as we there find a people who profess to be the Beni-Israel, or descendants of the Ten Tribes, namely, Afghanistan and the adjacent countries.’
Pages 145-146. ‘The prominent reasons for thinking that certain classes of the people of Bokhara and Afghanistan are of Israelitish origin are these: — 1st. Their personal resemblance to the Hebrew family. Thus Dr. Wolff, the Jewish missionary, says: “I was wonderfully struck with the resemblance of the Youssoufszye [tribe of Joseph], and the Khybere, two of their tribes, to the Jews.” Moorcroft also says of the Khyberes, “They are tall, and of singularly Jewish cast of features.” 2nd. They have been named by themselves Beni-Israel, children of Israel, from time immemorial. 3rd. The names of their tribes are Israelitish, especially that of Joseph, which includes Ephraim and Manasseh. In the Book of Revelation the tribe of Joseph stands for Ephraim. (Rev. vii. 6,8.) In Numbers xxxvi.5, Moses speaks of Manasseh as “the tribe of the sons of Joseph;” so that it is clear that both Manasseh and Ephraim were known by the name of the tribe of Joseph. 4th. The Hebrew names of places and persons in Afghanistan are of far greater frequency than can be accounted for through Mahometan association; and, indeed, these names existed before the Afghans became Mahometans. 5th. All accounts agree that they inhabited the mountains of Ghore from a very remote antiquity. It is certain that the princes of Ghore belonged to the Afghan tribe of Sooree, and that their dynasty was allowed to be of very great antiquity even in the eleventh century. “They seem early to have possessed the mountains of Solimaun or Solomon, comprehending all the southern mountains of Afghanistan.” (Elphinstone.) 6th. Afghan is the name given to their nation by others, the name they give their nation is Pushtoon, and Drs. Carey and Marshman assert that the Pushtoon language has more Hebrew roots than any other.’
Pages 147-148. ‘The antiquity of the name of the country Cabul, or Cabool, is then established; and it is also shown that some peculiar people known as “The Tribes,” and “The Noble Tribes,” dwelt there at a very remote period. There is, therefore, good evidence that the present inhabitants of Cabul may be justified in asserting that from the earliest period of history they and their ancestors have occupied Cabul, and that from time immemorial they have been known as “The Tribes.” That is to say, Israelitish tribes, such as they now assume themselves to be. .... According to Sir W. Jones, the best Persian authorities agree with them in their account of their origin; and resident and competent authorities, such as Sir John Malcolm, and the missionary Mr. Chamberlain, after full investigation, assure us that many of the Afghans are undoubtedly of the seed of Abraham.’