the Lord. For as men judge not for man but for the Lord 2 Chron 19. 6. so are they to judge according to his judgements Ezckiel 44. 24. which if they be not manifest are to be inquired the cause being brought unto God Exod. 18. 19. So Moses did in other hard cases Numb 27. 1. â—5 and 15. 34. Vers. 14. out of the campe or to a place without the campe because the campe of Israel was holy and all uncleane persons were to be put out of it Num. 5. 2. 3. much more the flagitious lay their hands both to signifie the truth of their testimony and that his blood should be on his owne head Wee finde not this rite of imposing hands commanded for any other malefactors and the Hebrewes hold it to bee peculiar unto this sinne All the witnesses and the Iudges every one lay their hands on the blasphemers head and say unto him Thy blood be upon thine head for thou hast occasioned it unto thy selfe And of all that are killed by the Synedrion there is none upon whom they impose hands save the blasphemer onely Levit. 24. 14. Maimony treat of Idolatrie chap. 2. sect 10. Vers. 15. Anyman or Every man Hebr. Man man which Targum Ionathan expoundeth yong man or old man Vpon this particular occasion a generall law is here given for punishing of blasphemers beare his sinne that is the punishment due for his sinne Vers. 16. blasphemeth in Chaldee expresseth in Greeke nameth see vers 11. 〈◊〉 name of Iehovah Hereupon some of the Heb ewes gather that the blasphemer is not to be stoned unlesse he expresse that sacred name IEHOVAH but the wiser of them justly mislike that restraint though themselves doe overmuch restraine it There be some that expound it that he is not guiltie of death save for the name IHVH that is Iehovah but I say that for Adonai â—lsa that is LORD he is to be stoned saith Maimony treat of Idolatrie chap. 2. sect 7. And they are long since come unto this that they hold the name of Iehovah unlawfull to be pronounced in 〈…〉 ading of the scripture or otherwise except in the Sanctuarie when the Priest blessed the people according to the Law in Numb 6. 23. 27. there they say he pronounced the name as it is written with IHVH but out of the Sanctuarie they pronounced it Ad 〈…〉 for they mentioned not the name as it is written but in the Sanctuarie onely And after that Simeon the just was dead the Priests ceased from blessing by the name as it is written IHVH though it were in the Sanctuarie to the end th 〈…〉 man should learne it which was not of good esteeme 〈◊〉 meet for to learne it And our first wife men 〈◊〉 not learne it their disciples or their children 〈◊〉 were meet or honest save once in seven 〈◊〉 Maimony treat of Prayer chapter 14. section 10. By this it appeareth that this custome was taken up of themselves not commanded of God the sanctifying of whose name standeth not in letters and syllables but in faith and obedience Numb 20. 12. and 15. 30. See the annotations on Exod. 6. 3. and Numb 6. blasphemeth the name see verse 11. the Greeke translateth nameth the name 〈◊〉 the Lord meaning with blasphemie and cursing as did this Egyptians sonne Vers. 17. shall smite that is as the Chaldee translateth shall kill See the notes on Gen. 14. 17. soule that is life see Gen. 19. 17. and 37. 21. and for putting murtherers to death see Exod. 21. 22. shall surely be put to death or shall bee put to dye the death and Targum Ionathan explaineth it 〈◊〉 be killed with the sword Vers. 18. the soule of a beast that is the life of it which the Greeke explaineth thus hee that sm 〈…〉 a beast and it dye soule for soule or life for l 〈…〉 that is one living beast for another as oxe for oxe sheepe for sheepe and the like Vers. 19. so shall it be done by the Magistrate according to the rigour of justice except he buy it off with money For unlesse it were mu 〈…〉 which God forbade to bee bought off with any ransome Numb 35. 31. the Hebrewes hold 〈◊〉 blemishes and hurts might be redeemed with money Which seemeth also to be warrantable by the Law in Exod. 21. 18. 19 And for that in some cases it could hardly be done or not at all For if a man had smitten his neighbour on the eye and made him lose halfe or a fourth part of his sight 〈◊〉 if a blinde man had smitten out another mans eye how should the like bee done againe unto him The Hebrew canons say He that hurteth his neighbour is bound to pay unto him five things to weet 〈◊〉 his dammage and for the paine and for his healing 〈◊〉 for his resting from his affaires and for the s 〈…〉 and these five things must all bee recompenced with 〈◊〉 best of his goods How for the dammage If he 〈◊〉 cut off his neghbours hand or his foot they looke on him as if he were a servant to bee sold in the maâ—ket him much he was worth and how much he is worth 〈◊〉 and what is abated of his price hee must pay 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 EYE FOR EYE which wee have b 〈…〉 〈…〉 got to be meant of paying for it with his goods That what is said in the Law Levit. 24. 20. As he hath given a blemish upon a man so shall it be given upon him 〈◊〉 not meant that he should be hurt as his neighbour 〈◊〉 hurt c. Maimony â—om 4. in Chobel chap. 1. sect 1. 2. 3. See also the annotations on Exod. 21. V. 10. Breach for breach Targum Ionathan saith The price of baâ—ach for breach the price of an eye for 〈◊〉 eye c. As there are severall sorts and degrees of hurts and blemishes so were the penalties rated which the Hebrewes lay downe thus Her that cutteth off his neighbours hand or foot or finger 〈◊〉 smiteth out his eye payeth the five things for his dammage for his paine for his healing for his resting and for his shame If he smite him on the hand and it swelleth after it prove well againe he payeth foure things for his paine for his healing for his resting from his worke and for his shame If he smite him on the head and it swelleth he payeth three things for the paine for the healing and for the shame If hee smite him on a place which is not seene as on his backe he payeth two things for the paine and for the healing If the smite him with a cloth that is in his hand or the like thing he payeth one thing for the shame onely So hee that shaveth off the hayre of his neighbours head payeth but for the shame onely for it will grow againe c. Maim in Chobel c. 2. s. 2. 4. upon a man The Hebrew Adam signifieth man and woman Gen. 5. 2. all man-kinde of what sort soever and so this
their service Num. 4. 3. And also because there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 inheritance given them among the sonnes of Israel Num. 26. 62. but the Lord was their inheritance Deut. 10. 8 9. Now to be numbred apart and not with others signified some speciall favour towards such and care over them as Num. 23. 9. Aaron Aaron the elder brother of Moses and 〈◊〉 Levites therefore their names are mentioned here V. 3. he filled that is consecrated or perfected 〈◊〉 the Greeke translateth See the annotations on Exâ—â— 29. 9. and Levit. 8. V. 4. dyed by a fire from the Lord Levit. 10. 1 2. This is mentioned againe in Num. 26. 61. 1 Chron. 24. 1 2. had no sonnes the Hebrewes as Chazkuni upon this place say if they had had sonnes those sonnes had beene before Eleazar and Ithamar for whosoever is fore-most in inheritance is foremost for honour or dignitie in the sight of Aaron or before the face that is whiles Aaron lived as before the face of Tharah Gen. 11. 38. is while Tharah lived before the Moone and Sunne Psal. 72. 5. 17. is whiles they continue to give light The Greeke translateth With Aaron Elsewhere it is said by the hand of Aaron 1 Chron. 24. 19. Of these two there were so many Priests in Davids dayes that he distributed them into 24. courses sixteene of Eleazar and eight of Ithamar 1 Chron. 24. 3. 4. The Hebrew Doctors say Moses divided the Priests into eight wards or courses foure of Eleazar and foure of Ithamar and so they were untill the Prophet Samuels dayes Then Samuel and David the King parted them into 24. courses And over every course or ward there was one chiefe Provost And they went up to Ierusalem to serve by course every weeke And every sabbath day they changed one course went out and the next after them came in c. Maimony tom 3. treat of the Instruments of the Sanctuarie chapt 4. sect 3. Compare 1 Chron. 9. 22. 25. 2 King 11. 5. 7. V. 6. present it or cause it to stand speaking of the tribe In Greeke present them V. 7. his charge Hebr. his custody or obseruation that is that which he commandeth them to obserue See this phrase in Lev. 18. 30. 〈…〉 of all the congregation the Greeke explaineth it of the sonnes of Israel as in v. 8. So 〈◊〉 2 Chron. 35. 3. serve the Lord your God and his people Israel It meaneth also such things as they were charged to keepe but the Levites now were taken in their stead 〈…〉 to serve the service in Greeke to worke or doe the workes of the Tabernacle which in Num. 8. 11. is said to serve the service of the Lord. After in the 8. verse the Greeke translateth according to all the workes of the Tabernacle The Hebrewes write thus The sâ—ed of Levi are all of them separated for the service of the Sanctuarie And it is commanded that the Levites be prepared and readie for the service of the Sanctuarie whether they be willing or not willing as in Num. 18. 23. And the Levite he shall serve the service of the Tent of the congregation And the sonne of Levi which will take upon him all the Levites commandements saving one thing they receive him not in till he take all upon him Maimony treat of the Instruments of the Sanct. chap. 3. sect 1. V. 9. are given are given that is as the Greeke here and Moses himselfe in Num. 18. 6. explaineth it are a gift given oâ— they are wholly given So the Ministers of the Gospell are called gifts Ephes. 4. 8. 11. 〈…〉 unto him for his helpe in the charge and worke of the Sanctuarie they ministring unto him and he and his sonnes ministring before the Tabernacle Num. 18. 2. 6. V. 11. shalt appoint or constitute set in office as Bishops or Overseers The Greeke explaineth it thou shalt constitute over the Tabernacle of Testimonie their Priests office for every thing of the Altar and within the veile Num. 18. 7. the stranger that is whosoeuer is not of Aarons seed as is explained in Num. 16. 40. for no man taketh the honour unto himselfe but he that is called of God as was Aaron Hebr. 5. 4. So Chazkuni here expoundeth stranger to be Israelite or Levite that commeth neere to minister And Maimony in Biath hamikdash chap. 9. sect 1. saith Who is the stranger Whosoever is not of the seed of Aaron the males And after God himselfe forbiddeth the Levites to come night he vessels of the Sanctuarie and the Altar on paine of death Numb 18. 3. put to death by the magistrate or by the hand of God as was Korah for presuming to doe the Priests office Numb 16. V. 12. every first-borne which before the Levites were taken in their stead did minister to the Lord as is noted on Exod. 24. 5. And upon what occasion God tooke the Levites instead of the first-borne is to be seene in Exod. 32. 26. 29. Deut. 33. 9. shall be mine to minister before me as the Chaldee expoundeth it V. 13. I smote in Chaldee I killed see Exod. 12. 29 30. The Lord having slaine all the first-borne of Egypt and spared the Israelites did therefore challenge for his owne and sanctifie to him-selfe all Israels first-borne Exod. 13. 2. but tooke the Levites and their cattle in stead of Israels first-borne men and cattle Num. 3. 45. and gave them as a gift to Aaron to minister unto him Who being in his Priesthood a type of Christ all these rites are in him fulfilled For unto Christ God gave children Hebr. 2. 13. and they are a congregation of first-borne written in heaven Hebr. 12. 23. being of Gods owne will begotten by the word of truth that they should be a kinde of first-fruits of his creatures Iam. 1. 18. to whom he also giveth the first-fruits of his Spirit Rom. 8. 23. These wait on and follow the Lambe Christ being bought from among men and first-fruits unto God and to the Lambe Rev. 14. 4. These were brought for an offering unto the Lord out of all nations and of them the Lord hath taken for Priests and for Levites Esai 66. 20 21. and Christ hath made us Kings and Priests unto God and his Father that we may serve him day and night in his Temple Rev. 1. 6. and 7. 15. V. 15. Muster or Number Hebr. Visit. This was done by Moses and Aaron v. 39. and by the Princes of the congregation Num. 4. 34. though here the commandement is directed unto Moses onely house in Greeke houses old Heb. sonne of a moneth Tho cause why the Levites were numbred from this age was for that they came in place of the first-borne of Israel whose redemption is appointed from a moneth old Num. 18. 15 16. And they were counted after the houses of their fathers not of their mothers for if a woman of Levi were maried to a man of Iudah or any other tribe her sonne was not a Levite The Hebrew canons say
she is defiled for upon testimony 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—he were taken with the manner she was not to drinke but to dye by the Magistrate Levit. 20. 10. Ioâ— 8. 4 5. And whereas hee speaketh here singularly of a witnesse the Hebrews observe that 〈◊〉 there be but one witnesse against her who saith she 〈◊〉 〈…〉 d she is not to drinke Sol. Iarchi on Num. 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unlawfull they say for her husband to com 〈…〉 with her for ever and doth not drinke but is put away without a dowry If two witnesses come together and one say she is defiled another say shee is not dâ—filed or if one say she is defiled and afterward two other come and say she is not defiled then shee drinketh Maim in Sotah c. 1. sect 14. 17. Vers. 14. the spirit of jealousie 〈…〉 sse upon him or passe over him the Greeke saith come upon him that he be affected with a jâ—alous mind as the wind is said to passe over the grasse when it is smitten or blasted with the wind Psal. 103. 15 16. which in Esai 40. 7. is said to blow â—pen it And the spirit of jealousie meaneth a jealous motion or affection of the minde wherewith it is caried as the Scriptures elsewhere speake of the spirit of wisdome the spirit of counsell the spirit of knowledge Esai 11. 2. Eph s. 1. 17. the spirit of fornications Hâ—s 4. 12 the spirit of feare 2. Tim. 1. 7. the spirit of mecknesse Gal. 6. 1. the spirit of 〈…〉 ber Rom. 11. 8. And in 1 Cor. 14. 12. spirits are put for the gifts and motions of the spirit 〈◊〉 or after the Greeke Zealousie a zealous affection which is sometime used in the good part sometime in the evill as Zeale also is sometimes good Ioh. 2. 17. 2. Cor. 7. 11. sometime evill Gal. 5 20. called bitter zeale Iam. 3. 14. So the Hebrewes have one word Kinah for zeale jealousie 〈◊〉 and â—mulation as Phineas was zealous for the Lord Num. 25. 11. Elias was jealous for him 1. King 19. 10. Iosuah â—â—vied for Moses sake Num. 11. 29. And jealousie is an affection hard or cruell as the gravâ— the coâ—les thereof are coâ—les of fire Song 8. 6. it is the rage of a man therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance Prov. 6. 34. This affection is said after the manner of men to be in God himself â—xod 20. 5. Paul was jealous for the Corinthians fearing leâ—t they should be corrupted 2. Cor. 11 2 3. upon him the husband who onely had the power to bring his wife to this triall Wherefore the Hebrewes write that if a man bee out of the countrey or in prison or the like and his wife have an evill report for lightnesse c. the Magistrates are to call her and say unto her bee not in secret with such a man If witnesses afterward come that shee was with him in secret so long as that shee might be defiled the Magistrates are to forbid her her husbands company ever after and rend her bâ—l of dowry And when her husband comes home or out of the prison he gives her a bill of divorce but hee cannot cause her to drinks because himselfe was not jealous of her Maimony in Sotah chap. 1. sect 11. Vers. 15. his wife unto the Priest who was in his office a figure of Christ by whoÌ„ God will judge the secrets of men Rom. 2. 16. the order of this action is said to be this The husband commeth to the Magistrates of his citie where hee dwelleth and saith unto them This my wife I am jealous of her for such a man and she hath been in secret with him and these are witnesses and loe she saith that shee is cleare and is willing to drinke for triall of the thing Then the Magistrates shall heare the words of the witnesses and they appoint two to be with the man to keepe him that he companie not with her before shee have dr 〈…〉 ke for she is unlawfull for him untill shee have drunke And they send him to Ierusalem for they cause not the suspected woman to drinke but in the great councell of seventy Elders in the Sanctuarie When they are come to Ierusalem the great Councell set her among them and they terrifie her and make her sore affraid that she should not drinke c. If she say I am defiled or I will not drinke she is put from her husband without a dowry But if shee stand in her cause that shee is cleare they bring her to the East gate of the Court-yard which is over against the most holy place c. If shee be arrayed in white garments they put upon her blacke or if she hath faire blacke clothes they put upon her clothes that are not faire and take off all ornaments of silver and gold that are on her And they gather a great company of women unto her for all the women there present are bound to see her as it is said in Ezek. 23. 48. That all women may bee taught not to doe after your lewdnesse And every man that will come and see may come and see And shee standeth among them without scarfe or veile onely in her clothes and her coyfe that is on her head as a woman within her house c. and afterward the Priest adjureth her in the language that she knoweth and understandeth Maimony in Sotah chap. 3. sect 1 2. c. of barley it might be of no other graine nor any other quantity than the tenth of an Ephah neither more nor lesse see the annotations on Levit. 2. 1. The Prophet Hoseah in a mystery bought an Adultresse for fifteene peeces of silver and an homer and an halfe of barley Hos. 3. 1 2. The Hebrews here note Meale not floure barley not wheat she hath done the act of a beast and her oblation is the meat of a beast Sol. Iarchi on Num. 5. not put Hebr. nor give frankincense oile figured grace which was wanting in her actions frankincense gave a sweet savour which her workes did not before God therefore both must be wanting as in all meat offrings that were for sinne See the notes on Levit. 5. 11. and 2. 2. The Hebrewes make these two distinct precepts so that he which transgresseth and putteth oile and frankincense is beaten for the oile in particular and for the frankincense in particular Maim in Sotah chap. 3. sect 13. a meat-offring of jealousies Hebr. a Minchah whereof see Levit. 2. 1. in Greeke a sacrifice of jealousie From this word the Hebrews say If a man be jealous of his wife for many men and she hath beene in secret with every one of them he is to bring but one Meat-offring for them all when hee causeth her to drinke for it is said It is A MEAT OFFRING OF IEALOVSIES one Meat-offring for many jealousies Maim in Sotah chap. 4. sect 16. making memoriall or causing iniquity to be remembred And this is the reason why it might
errour of Balaam and the contradiction or rebellion of Kore wherein they perish Iude verse 11. The Chaldee translateth it and will make knowne him that is fit for him and who is holâ— or and the holy one that is him whom hee hath sanctified and separated unto the Priests office So David speaking of this rebellion calleth Aaron the holy one or Saint of Iehovah Psal. 106. 16. and he wore on the golden plate this ingraving Holinesâ—e to Iehovah Exod. 28. 36. for he figured our high Priest Christ who was holy harmlesse undefiled separate from sinners made higher than the heavens Heb. 7. 26. and who glorified not himselfe to be made an high Priest but had the honor given him of his Father Heb. 5. 5 6. and Korahs rebellion against Aaron was a type of mens rebellion against Christ as the Apostles have taught us The Greeke translateth as before plurally saying and the holy ones he hath brought neere unto himselfe cause to come neere or bring neere to wit to minister unto him as the Chaldee interpreteth it And this honor of Priesthood given now unto all Saints who are to offer up spirituall sacrifices acceptable to God by Iesus Christ 1 Pet. 2. 5. is commended by David when he saith Blessed is he whom thou choosest and causest to come neere unto thee that he may dwell in thy courts Ps. 65. 5. Which bringing neere or accesse we all have through Christ by one spirit unto the Father with confidence by the faith of him Ephes. 2. 18. and 3. 12. This latter part of the verse is by the Greeke interpreted thus And these whom hee hath not chosen to himselfe he hath not brought neere unto himselfe Verse 6. censers or fire vessels as the Greeke translateth it fire pans whereof see Exod. 27. 3. called sometime incense-vessels because incense was burnt in them 2 Chron. 26. 19. Ezek. 8. 11. which name the Apostle followeth in the Greeke Hebr. 9. 4. Verse 7. put ye fire Hebr. give ye fire and put incense doth choose or shall choose that is declare by manifest signe that hee chooseth and liketh he shall be holy that is shall be declared to be holy and so to be a Priest unto God Because the burning of incense in the censer was the meanes of atonement and expiation before God as after is shewed by Aarons iâ—ct in verse 46 47 48. and was the peculiar worke of the Priest Levit. 16. 12 13. 2 Chron. 26. 18. wherein they that transgressed were in danger of death as the example of Nadab and Abihu sheweth Lev. 10. and it figured in speciall manner the prayers and mediation of Christ for his Church Psal. 141. 2. Rev. 8. 3. 1 Iohn 2. 1. therefore the triall of the Priesthood is put upon this worke rather than on any other sacrifice and the holinesse whereof Korath boasted verse 3. should either be approved or reproved of God For no man hath right to the honour of Priesthood unlesse it be given him of God Hebr. 5. 4 5. nor can without divine authoritie that is without the commandement and promise of God please him or appease his wrath towards himselfe or others Therefore it is a great prerogative and comfort unto all Saints that they are by Christ made Priests unto God and through him may boldly offer up their prayers and praises unto the Father Revel 1. 6. 1 Pet. 2. 5. Hebr. 13. 15. 1 Iohn 5. 14 16. yee take too much upon you or Let it suffice you that you have thus farre provoked the Lord and now leave off Thus Moses returneth the blame upon themselves which they had unjustly laid upon him in verse 3. So Elias doth upon Achab 1 Kings 18. 17 18. Verse 9. Is it a small thing or Seemeth it too little for you meaning on the contrary that it was a great thing and that they should therewith have beene contented for the Tribe of Levi were in the place of all the first-borne of Israel Num. 3. 41. So here he reproveth their unthankfulnesse to God separated you from the congregation as Israel was separated from all other peoples to be the Lords peculiar Lev. 20. 26. 1 Kings 8. 53. so were the Levites separated from the sonnes of Israel to be the Lords Num. 8. 14. And hereupon the Scripture speaketh of the Levites as distinct from the Israelites 1 Chron. 9. 2. Psal. 135. 19 20. So the Mâ—nisters of Christ are said to be separated unto the Gospell of God Rom. 1. 1. Gal. 1. 15. Acts 13. 2. the service of the Tabernacle the workes belonging to the service of God therein being assistants to the Priests see Num. 8. 11 15 16. and 18. 21. 23. to stand before the congregation standâ—ng is a signe of service and used for it as the Scripture in one place saith which stood before the King Ierem. 52. 112. and in another a servant of the King 2 King 25. 8. Whereupon the standing of the Levites is used for their service in Nehem. 12. 44. and as they were to stand before the Lord to minister unto him Deut. 10. 8. so here it is said to stand before the congregation to minister unto them thus they were servants of God and of his Church as Iosiah said unto them Serve now the Lord your God and his people Israel 2 Chron. 35. 3. See also â—zek 44. 11. Verse 10. the Priesthood in Chaldee the high-Priesthood in Greeke to doe the Priests Office That was in degree above the Levites who were to minister unto the Priests but not to come nigh the Altar as did the Priests Num. 18. 2. 3. For the Levites were appointed unto all manner of service of the Tabernacle of the house of God but Aaron and his sonnes offered on the Altar of Burnt-offering and on the Altar of incense and were for all the worke of the most holy place and to make atonement for Israel 1 Chron. 6. 48 49. And Aaron was separated to wit from the other Levites that he should sanctifie the most holy things hee and his sonnes for ever to burne incense before the Lord to minister unto him and to blesse in his Name for ever 1 Chron. 23. 13. To usurpe affect or seeked this office of Priest-hood without the calling of God was a great sinne against divine order and authoritie severely punished here in Korah and his company in King Vzziah 2 Chron. 26. 19. 21. and others Verse 11. against Iehovah because it was against his ordinance and minister it is said to be against the Lord himselfe So when the people refused Samuels government God said They have not rejected thee but they have rejected me that I should not reigne over them 1 Sam. 87. and Christ said to his ministers He that heareth you heareth me and hee that despiseth you despiseth me and hee that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me Luke 10. 16. Iohn 13.
inheritances by the name of Lets as Come up with me into my lot Iudg. 1. 3. And not lands onely but whatsoever befalleth unto men frō the hand of God is called a lot as This is the portion of them that spoile us and the lot of them that rob us Esay 17. 14. and Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter Act. 8. 21. and That they may receive forgivenesse of sins and a lot that is inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith c. Act. 26. 18. The part of the lot that is of the inheritance of the Saints in light Col. 1. 12. So that in the Greek used by the Apostles Cleros a lot and Cleronomia a division by lot is the common name of an inheritance 1 Pet. 5. 3. Ephes. 1. 14. 18. Vers. 56. According to the lot Hebr. At or Vpon the mouth of the lot as the lot whereon the name of the tribe or of the inheritance is written shall speake This lot being of the Lord figured the diversities of gifts in the Church which the Spirit of God divideth to every man severally 〈◊〉 will 1 Cor. 12. 4. 11. as also the dispensation of his graces concerning our heavenly inheritance which the Election onely obtaineth that the purpose of God according to election might stand not of workes but of him that calleth Rom. 11. 7. and 9. 11. Vers. 57. of the Levites who though they had no inheritance in the land vers 62. yet were they to have 48 cities and their suburbs for their habitation Num. 35. which also fell unto them by lot Ios. 21. 4. c. Vers. 58. Korachites or Korhites of Korah the sonne of Izhar the sonne of Kohath the sonne of Levi Num. 16. 1. Korah himselfe died in the rebellion but his sonnes died not Num. 26. 11. therefore they are reckoned here for a familie in the fourth generation from Levi which is one degree further than the other families And whereas in Exod. 6. 16. c. there are reckoned of Gershon two sonnes Libni and Shimei here the familie of the Libnites is mustered but Shimei left out There Kohath hath foure sonnes Amram and Ishar and Hebron and Vzziel here Vzziel is omitted neither is Ishar named but in his sonnes the Korhites Vers. 59. she bare to Levi by she understand Levies wise or Iochebeds mother Sol. Iarchi expoundeth it his wise bare her in Egypt she bare to Amram that is Iochebed Amrams wife who was also his aunt bare to Amram Exo. 6. 20. Marie Hebr. Mirjam she was a prophetesse see Exod. 15. 20. Num. 12. 1. Vers. 60. unto Aaron was borne Here Moses children Gershon and Eliezer are againe omitted see the notes on Num. 3. 38. Vers. 61. and Abihu died and they had no sonnes Num. 3. 4. See the historie in Levit. 10. Vers. 62. 23 thousand who at the former numbring were but 22 thousand Num. 3. 39. So they increased in the wildernesse a thousand males Vers. 65. dying they shall die i. they shall surely die this was threatned for their rebellion refusing to go into the promised land Nū 14. and the fulfilling of Gods judgment is here shewed and Iosoua in Greeke Iesus the son of Naue these two survived because they faithfully followed the Lord Num. 14. 24. 38. See the Annotations there In that all the rest were dead save these two it sheweth that all the 600 thousand men now mustered which should conquer Canaan were a valiant company betweene 20 and 60 yeares of age none being above 60 but Caleb and Iosua and as they were in body so in minde being trained up these 38 yeares in the study of the Law and ordinances of God and beholding his workes having Moses and Aaron for their leaders and Gods good spirit for their instructer Neh. 9. 20. CHAP. XXVII 1 The daughters of Zelophehad sue for an inheritance 5 Moses bringeth their cause before the Lord who granteth their request 8 The Law of inheritances when a man dieth without a son 12 Moses is bidden goe up and see the land and is told of his death for his trespasse 15 He requesteth of the Lord that a man may be set governour in his place 18 The Lord appointeth Iosua to succeed him 22 And Moses by imposition of hands ordaineth him to his office THen came the daughters of Zelophehad the sonne of Hepher the son of Gilead the son of Machir the son of Manasses of the families of Manasses the son of Ioseph and these are the names of his daughters Machlah Noah Hoglah and Milcah and Tirzah And they stood before Moses and before Eleazar the Priest and before the Princes and all the congregation at the doore of the Tent of the Congregation saying Our father died in the wildernesse and he was not among the Congregation of them that gathered themselves together against Iehovah in the congregation of Korah but in his sinne he died and hee had no sonnes Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family because he hath no sonne Give unto us a possession among the brethren of our father And Moses brought their cause before Iehovah And Iehovah said unto Moses saying The daughters of Zelophehad speake right giving thou shalt give them a possession of an inheritance among the brethren of their father and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to passe unto them And thou shalt speake unto the sonnes of Israel saying If a man die and he have no sonne then ye shall cause his inheritance to passe unto his daughter And if hee have no daughter then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren And if he have no brethren then ye shall give his inheritance unto the brethren of his father And if his father have no brethren then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his familie and he shall inherit it it shal be unto the sonnes of Israel for a statute of judgement as Iehovah commanded Moses And Iehovah said unto Moses Go thou up into this mountaine of Abarim and see the land w ch I have given to the sons of Israel And thou shalt see it and thou also shalt be gathered unto thy peoples as Aaron thy brother was gathered For ye rebelled against my mouth in the wildernesse of Zin in the strife of the congregation to sanctifie me at the water before their eyes that is the water of Meribah of Kadesh in the wildernesse of Zin And Moses spake unto Iehovah saying Let Iehovah the God of the spirits of all flesh set a man over the congregation Which may go out before them and which may go in before them and which may lead them out and which may bring them in that the congregation of Iehovah be not as sheep which have no shepherd And Iehovah said unto Moses Take unto thee Iosua the son of Nun a man in whom is the spirit and lay thine hand upon him And cause
is applyed to the worke of mens hands Iob 31. 7. evill thing Hebr. evill word which the Chaldee explaineth any evill whatsoever For though there were no visible blemish yet other corruption might disable it as if it were sicke Mal. 1. 8. or the hire of an where or price of a dog Deut. 23. 18. or any such like See the notes on Lev. 22. 25. aâ— abomination and so farre off from being accepted at mans hand that God pronounceth a curse on those that sacrificed unto him such corrupt things Mal. 1. 13 14. Hereby God rejecteth all sacrifices save of his son Christ who is the Lumbe without blemish and without spot 1 Pet. 1. 19. who through the eternall Spirit offered himselfe without spot unto God Heb. 9. 14. and the sacrifices which by him and saith in his name are offered to God continually Heb. 13. 15. and 11. 4. 1 Pet. 2. 5 6. Vers. 2. If there be found or When there shall be found any of thy gates or one of thy gates that is 〈…〉 as the Greeke and Chaldee translate it in transgressing or to transgresse his covenant Transgression is a passing over or passing by the way which men should walke in wherefore that which one Evangelist expresseth thus they transgresse the tradition of the Elders Matth. 15. 2. another expoundeth they walke not according to the tradi 〈…〉 Mark 7 5. The like phrase is of transgressing the commandements and the Law Deu. 19 13. Dan. 9. 11. Vers. 3. other gods which the Chaldee calleth Idols of the peoples â—â—ther Hebr. and to the Sunne Besides other fictions of their owne the nations worshipped these creatures also and the Israelites â—ll into the same sin Ezek. 8. 16. 2 King 17. 26. and 21. 3. any of the host or all the host that is the starres spheres constellations c. as Esay 34. 4. Rev. 6. 13. Ier. 8. 2. and 33. 22. But â—â—der this name the Angels also may be implied Psal. 148. 2. for they are heavenly souldiers Luk. 〈◊〉 13 15. and forbidden to be worshipped Coloss. 2. 18. God onely is to be served Matth. 4. 10. and the host of heaven worshippeth him Neh. 9. 6. not commanded religious worship and service may not be performed at the pleasure or precept of men Esay 29. 1. 3. Matth. 15. 9. but as is commanded of God and though all idolatries in the world are not expresly and by name forbidden yet by the generall Law they are condemned Exo. 20. 4 5. and it is enough that God hath not commanded them see Deut. 4. 2. and 12. 32. Vers. 4. and hast inquired or then thou shalt inquire diligently Hebr. inquire well both to finde out the sinne if it be committed and not to punish any man upon uncertaine reports Vers. 5. unto thy gates in Greeke unto the gate but the Chaldee saith to thy citie Of this the Hebrews write they stone not an Idola 〈…〉 but 〈…〉 the gate of the citie wherein he served the Id 〈…〉 and if it be a citie where the most are heathans they stone him at the doore of the Iudgement Hall That in Deut. 17. 5. VNTO THY GATES is meant the gate wherein he served the Idoll and not that wherein sentence of death was decreed against him Maimony in Sanhedrin c. 15. s. 2. stone them This judgement of the particular person was greater than that of a whole citie which were killed with the sword Deut. 13. 15. save that their goods were consumed also this mans goods as the Hebrewes say went to his heires Of the manner of stoning see the annotations on Lev. 24. 23. Vers. 6. At the mouth which the Chaldee translateth the word meaning the testimony of two or three But from hence the Hebrewes gather they must receive no testimony but from the mouth of the witnesses it may not be from a writing of their hand Maimony in treat of Witnesses ch 3. s. 4. See the notes on Deut. 19. 15. he that is to die or he that dieth the Chaldee expoundeth is bee that is guilty or deserveth to be killed of one See this explained in Deut. 19. 15. Vers. 7. and thou shalt put away the evill If this phrase see Deut. 13. 5. the Greeke translateth put ye away or take away from among your selves that wicked person which very words Paul useth in 1 Cor. 5. 13. when he commandeth a wicked man to be cast out of the Church Vers. 8. a matter Hebr. a word too hand or marvellous as being hidden from thy knowledge that thou O Iudge canst not know or determine it The Greeke translateth be impossible the Ghaldee separated from thee It is spoken of things that are hidden and so too hard and unpossible for one either to know or to doe See Gen. 18. 14. Ier. 32. 17 27. Zach. 8. 6. Deut. â—0 11. bloud and bloud Hebr. bloud to bloud which phrase noteth a respect of one thing to another when they are compared By bloud may be understood murder of which the Iudges may be doubtfull and unable to finde out whether it were wilfull which deserved death or unwilling for which exile into the cities of refuge was appointed Num. 35. 16 23 24 c. Bloud and bloud is by some referred to those lawes mentioned in Levit. 15. 19 and Deut. 22. 17. plea or judgement and judgement and judgement cause as in 1 King 3. 16 17. 28. stroke and stroke or plague and â—lague which the Chaldee translateth plague of leprosie and plague of leprosie wherein â—here might be difficulties that the Priests could non easily judge see Levig 13. and 14. chapters But by plague or stroke may also be meant strokes and wounds that one man gave unto another matter 's or words of strikes that is of disagreement among the Iudges thâ— they could not accord in the sentence of judgement because of some doubts difficulties So the Chaldee translateth it words or mat 〈…〉 of division of judgement Iehosaphat explaineth it thus betweene bloud and betweene Law Commandement Statutes Iudgements 2 Chr. 19. 〈◊〉 to implying all difficulties about any part of the Law whatsoever thy gates in the Greek and Childee thyrities then thou Hebr. and thou shalt arise speaking to the Iudge or Iudges which found the causes too hard for them in judgement so it is written of the Iudges the hard matter they brought unto Moses and every small matter they judged themselves Exod. 18. 26. shall chuse to put his name and to dwell there see 〈◊〉 2. 5. This place afterward was Ierusalem as it is said Moreover in Ierusalem did Iehosaphat set of the Levites and of the Priests and of the chiefe of the fathers of Israel for the judgement of the LORD for 〈◊〉 c. 2 Chr. 19. 8 9. 10. And there were seâ— thrones of judgment Ps. 122. 5. Vers. 9. and unto the judge by and is meant or as is opened in vers 〈◊〉 or unto the Iudge by the iudge is understood the high conncell or
Citie but the Greeke translateth it a Country and Stephen in Act. 7. 4. saith the land of the Chaldeans And the Chaldees being idolaters in likelihood consecrated and named this place unto and of the Fire which they had seene to come downe from heaven upon the Fathers sacrifices as is noted on Gen. 4. 4. and whereof they were wont to light lamps for to keepe the fire which thereupon they called Orimasda lights of grace So other heathens after used to honour fire as Qu. Curtius b. 4. saith of Darius that he called upon the sacred and eternall Fire Or it might be a place of sacrificing in Chaldea as God had his Vr that is Fire in Sion and Fornace in Ierusalem Esay 31. 9 So the Ierusalemy paraphrast calleth it here the fiery fornace of the Chaldees Chaldees or Chaldeans called in Hebrew Chasdim and s tunred into l maketh Chaldim the holy Ghost in Greeke whom wee follow calleth it so Chaldees Act. 7. 4. And because they much used Astrology therefore in time it was common for Astrologers to be called Chaldeans as in Dan. 2. 2. 4. 5. Vers. 29. Sarai she was daughter of Abrams father though not of his mother Gen. 20. 12. her name was changed to Sarah as Abram also was named Abraham see Gen. 17. 15. 5. daughter of Haran by this also it appeareth that Haran was eldest of the three brethren And this Milcah or Melcha as the Greeke writeth her was grandmother to Rebecca Isaaks wife Gen. 22. 20. 23. Ischa in Greeke Iescha the Iewes thinke this was Sarai and that she had two names and was said to be daughter of Tharah Gen. 20. 12. as being his grandchild Vers. 31. Tharah tooke Abraham It appeareth by Ios. 24. 2. that these fathers were fallen to idolatry and served other gods in Chaldea or Mesopotamia and there the God of glory appeared to Abram and said Come thou forth from thy land and from thy kinred and come into the land which I will shew thee Act. 7. 2. 3. whereas therefore Tharah here tooke Abram c. it seemeth Abram acquainted his father with this oracle of God and that Tharah repenting consented also to goe out and is for it made as principall in the journey with them that is with Tharah and Abram whom Moses by this word them implyeth to be author under God of this removall towards Canaan agreeable to Stephens narration Act. 7. as is before noted Wherefore also in Gen. 15. 7. and Neh. 9. 7. it is manifested that the calling was specially of Abram And his faith is particularly commended Heb. 11. 8 dwelt or seated there that is dwelt in Charran as Act. 7. 2. where Abram got substance and made soules Gen. 12. 5. and tarried there till his father Thara dyed Act. 7 4. whos 's old age seemeth to be the cause of their staying in that place And this Charran was in the land of Chaldea also and not farre from Vr wherefore God againe called Abram thence Gen. 12. 1. And although there was a nearer way from Vr to Canaan then to goe by Charran as in the maps of those countries may be seene yet because the neerest way was most dangerous and troublesome God led them about by an inhabited and safe way providing so for their infirmities as hee did the like after for Abrams children in Exod. 13. 17. 18. CHAP. XII 1 God calleth Abram to goe into another land 2 promiseth to blesse him and in him all families of the earth 4 Abram departeth with Lot from Charran to Canaan 6 He journeyeth through the Land 7 which is promised him in a vision and there he buildeth Altars 10 Hee is driven by a famine into Aegypt 11 Feare maketh him say his wife to be his sister 14 For her beauty she is taken into King Pharaohs house 17 but the Lord by plagues compelleth him to restore her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ANd Iehovah sayd unto Abram Goe thou from thy land and from thy kinred and from thy fathers house unto the land which I will shew thee And I will make thee a great nation and I will blesse thee and will make thy name great and be thou a blessing And I will blesse them that blesse thee and him that speakeththee-evill I will curse And blessed shall be in thee all families of the earth And Abram went as Iehovah spake unto him and Lot went with him and Abram was seventy yeeres and five yeeres old when hee went-out from Charran And Abram tooke Sarai his wife and Lot his brothers sonne and all their substance that they had gathered the soules which they had made in Charran and they went-out to goe to the land of Canaan and they came to the land of Canaan And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sechem unto the Oke of Moreh and the Canaanite was then in the land And Iehovah appeared unto Abram and said unto thy seed will I give this land and hee builded there an altar to Iehovah who appeared unto him And hee removed thence unto a mountaine East-ward of Beth-el and pitched his tent having Beth-el Sea-ward and Al East-ward and he builded there an altar unto Iehovah and hee called on the name of Iehovah And Abram journyed going and journying toward the South And there was a famine in the land and Abram went-downe to Aegypt to sojourne there for the famine was heavy in the land And it was when he was come-neere to enter into Egypt that hee sayd unto Sarai his wife Behold now I know that thou art a woman of faire countenance And it will be when the Egyptians shall see thee that they will say this is his wife and they will kill me and thee they will save alive Say I pray thee thou art my sister that it may be well with me for thy sake and my soule shall live because of thee And it was when Abram was entred into Egypt that the Egyptians saw the woman that shee was very faire And Pharaohs Princes saw her and they praised her unto Pharaoh and the woman was taken into Pharaohs house And he did good to Abram for her sake and hee had sheepe and oxen and he asses and men servants and women seruants and shee asses and camels And Iehovah plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abrams wife And Pharaoh called Abram and said What is this that thou hast done to me Why didst thou not tell mee that she is thy wife Why saidst thou she is my sister and I might have taken her to me to wife and now behold thy wife take her and goe away And Pharaoh commanded men concerning him and they sent away him and his wife and all that he had Annotations 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 These three letters signifie that here beginnes the third Parashah or Section of the Law which upon Gods first words to Abram is called Lec leca that is Goe thou See before in chap. 6. 9. Vers. 1. sayd
was he when hee interpreted Pharaohs dreame Gen. 41. 46. and nine yeeres after when there had been 7 yeers plenty and two yeeres famine did Iakob with his family goe downe into Egypt Gen. 41. 53. 54. and 45. 6. 11. and at their going-downe thither Pharez the sonne of Iudas whose birth is set downe in the end of this chapter had two sonnes Ezron and Hamul Gen. 46. 8. 12. Seeing then from the selling of Ioseph unto Israels going into Egypt there cannot bee above three and twenty yeeres how is it possible that Iudas should take a wife and have by her three sonnes one after another and Selah the yongest of the three bee mariageable when Iudas begat Pharez of Thamar Gen. 38. 14. 24. and Pharez bee growne up maried and have two sonnes all within so short a space The time therefore here spoken of seemeth to bee soone after Iakobs comming to Sechem Gen. 33. 18. before that historie of Dinah Gen. 34. though Moses for speciall cause relateth it in this place Iudah or Iudas as the Greeke alwaies nameth him Mat. 1. 2. a man an Adullamite that is an heathen man dwelling in Adullam or Odollam as the Greeke calleth it a citie in the land of Canaan which afterward was given for a possession to the Sonnes of this Iudas Ios. 15. 1. 35. The word man here as in the verse following may be omitted for the sense see Gen. 13. 8. or it may be read a man of Adullam as where one Evangelist writeth The men Ninivites Mat. 12. 41. another writeth The men of Niniveh Luk. 11. 32. Vers. 2. Canaanite the Chaldee translateth it a merchant and so the word is sometime used in Scripture Prov. 31. 24. Iob. 41. 6. but the Greeke here calleth him a Chananaean Shua in Greek Saba but in vers 12. Saua tooke her namely to wife as verse 12. Contrary to his dutie for he should not have maried with such Gen. 24. 3. and 27. 46. and 28. 1. Iudas was now in likelihood about 13. or 14. yeeres of age went in that is lay with her see Gen. 6. 4. Vers. 4. Onan in Greeke Aunan Vers. 5. Selah or Shelah in Greeke Selom so after verse 11. c. he was the Greeke saith she was Chezib a towne called also Achzib which likewise fell to the tribe of Iudah Ios. 15. 44. The Greeke calleth it Chazbi The name hath in Hebrew the signification of lying and to it the Prophet alludeth saying the houses of Achzib shall be Achzab a Lye to the Kings of Israel Micah 1. 14. Vers. 6. to Er or for Er when in likelihood he also was about 14. yeeres of age Thamar or Tamar that is by interpretation a palme tree Song 7. 7. Of what kindred she was the scripture speaketh not but shee became the mother to our Lord Christ according to the flesh Mat. 1. 3. Vers. 7. evill in the eyes that is displeasing The letters in Hebrew of this word * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 evill and of his name * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Er are the same the order onely changed the like whereof is before in Noes name and Grace Gen. 6. 8. slew him this was very soone after his mariage in his youth So evill doers shall bee cut off Psal. 37. 9. And this judgement on Iudahs first borne is mentioned sundry times Gen. 46. 12. Num. 26. 19. 1 Chron. 2. 3. And as our Lord Christ was to come of Iudas Hebr. 7. 14. so God would have no wicked man to be his progenitor Vers. 8. marie her the Hebrew word is not meant of usuall solemnization of mariage but peculiar for marying with his brothers widow and doing that dutie of a kinsman whereof there was a law after given of God according to this case Deut. 25. 5. which law as many other God had made knowne before unto the Patriarchs as this scripture manifesteth The Hebrew Doctors say It is commanded by the Law in Deut. 25. 5. 6. that a man shall marie the wife of his brother by the fathers side if they have beene maried or if they have beene betrothed together if he dye without seed Brethren by the mothers side onely are not counted brethren in this case of marying the brothers wife or for matter of inheritance c. Maimony in Misneh tom 2. in Iibbum and Chalitsah chap. 1. S. 1. 7. See the annotations on Deut. 25. seed a childe which may bee counted thy brothers who is deceased that his name be not wiped away out of Israel Deut. 25. 6. Otherwise excepting this case it was unlawfull for a man to have his brothers wife Levit. 18. 16. and 20. 21. Vers. 9. not be his but stand up with his brothers name as his brothers childe though this was onely for the first borne all the rest should have beene counted his owne Deut. 25. 6. So the Chaldee translateth that the seed should not bee called by his name when or if at any time Whensoever spilled or corrupted which the Greeke translateth shed or spilled An unkinde and most unnaturall fact to spill the seed which by Gods blessing should serve for the propagation of man-kinde and in this man for the propagation of the sonne of God according to the flesh in whom all nations of the earth should be blessed Gen. 22. 18. which made the sinne most impious and hastened Onans speedy death from the hand of God Vers. 11. Remaine or sit dwell a widow so sending her home to her fathers house but without permission to mary another man yet not purposing she should have his sonne for whom hee made her stay This was in him very injurious which God soone chastened him for by the death of his wife and giving him over to incest with his daughter in law By the law in Levit. 22. 13. a widow that had no childe might returne to her fathers house and her estate was as in her youth he sayd in his heart as the Greeke explaineth it lest hee dye meaning I will not give her unto Selah to wife lest he dye also vers 14. An unperfect speech wherof see Gen. 3. 22. and an evill surmise that he had of Thamar as if shee had caused his other sonnes death Vers. 12. the daughter of Shuah the Greek translateth and Saua the wife of Iudas dyed was comforted after mourning for his wives death as Gen. 23. 2. and 24. 57. sheepe shearers At such times they used to have feasts 1 Sam. 25. 8. 11. So hee went to make merry after his mourning his friend the Greeke translateth Eira his shepheard reading for Regneh a friend without vowels Rogneh a shepheard and so in verse 20. but the Chaldee translateth friend and it hath the name in Hebrew of feeding-together and so generally of society friendship neighbourhood Timnath or Thamna a citie in the Philistines country which also befell to Iudahs children for a possession Ios. 15. 57. There Sampson tooke a wife Iudg. 14. 1. c. Vers. 14. wrapped
saith the Destroyer let him goe a husband c. here the Chaldee paraphraseth thus had it not beene for the blood of this circumcision my husband must needes have beene killed And it is like that upon this occasion and trouble Zipporah with her children was sent backe againe from hence to her fathers house as appeareth by Exod. 18. 2. 3. Vers. 27. of God that is mount Horeb where the glory of the Lord had beene revealed saith the Chaldee paraphrast See Exod. 3. 1. And now God shewed that mercy to Aaron which after hee rehearsed to Ely one of his posterity 1 Sam. 2. 27. 28. Did not I plainely appeare unto the house of thy father when they were in Egypt c. Vers. 30. Aaron spake as God ordained verse 16. hee that is Moses did as was appointed verse 17. and the signes were those three forementioned vers 3. c. Vers. 31. heard that is hearkened gladly to this joyfull tidings as God foretold Exod. 3. 18. therefore the Greeke translateth it and they rejoyced that the Lord had visited And the Holy Ghost sheweth such force to be in the Hebrew word for when one Prophet saith Ezekias heard or hearkened 2 King 20. 13. another saith Ezekias was glad Esa. 39. 2. visited to wit in mercy the Chaldee saith remembred See Gen. 21. 1. Luk. 1. 68. seene to wit with commiseration as Ex. 3. 7. bended downe the head this was a gesture of humiliation with the face toward the ground as is expressed in 2 Chronicles 20. 18. Exodus 34. 8. bowed themselves or worshipped fell downe prostrate This was another humble gesture used in reverence and thanksgiving as Gen. 24. 26. Exod. 12. 27. 1 Chron. 29. 20. 2 Chron. 29. 30. Nehem. 8. 6. There were also two other gestures of honour kneeling 2 Chron. 6. 13. and bending or bowing of the body 2 Chron. 29. 29. and these three are all mentioned in Psal. 95. 6. They differed one from another the bending of the head was the least and it was the bowing downe of the face onely The bending of the body was when the whole body was bent downeward the face towards the knees Kneeling was upon the knees a gesture commonly knowne Bowing of themselves or worship was with falling downe upon their face on the ground their hands and feet displaied Wherefore that which one Evangelist calleth worshipping Matth. 8. 2. another calleth falling on the face Luk. 5. 12. So the Hebrew cannons also distinguish them saying The bending of the body spoken of in any place is towards the knees the bowing of all the joynts of the backe-bone so that he maketh his body as a bow the bending of the head is with the face or countenance downeward the bowing of ones selfe or worshipping is the displaying of hands and feet till hee bee prostrate with his face on the earth Maimony in Misn. treat of Prayer c. 5. S. 12. 13. Here the Israelites shewed by these gestures their reverence to Gods word and thankfulnesse the Hebrew Doctors as in the Zohar upon this place say that the bending of the head with the face toward the ground was for to escape judgment and the bowing of themselves or worshipping was for to obtaine mercy and that the bending of the head was before the worshipping according to the mysterie of the Sin-offring before the Burnt-offring The order of which sacrifices may be seene in Exod. 29. 14. 18. Lev. 8. 14. 18. and 14. 19. 20. and 15. 15. and 61. 11. 15. 24. CHAP. V. 1 Moses and Aaron doing their message to Pharaoh are resisted and rebuked 5 The Israelites taske increased 14 Their officers beaten 15 Their complaints checked 19 They crie out upon Moses and Aaron 22 Moses complaineth unto God AND afterward Moses and Aaron went in and said unto Pharaoh Thus saith Iehovah the God of Israel Send away my people that they may keepe a feast onto me in the wildernesse And Pharaoh said Who is Iehovah that I should obey his voice to send away Israel I know not Iehovah neither will I send away Israel And they said The God of the Hebrewes hath met with us let us goe wee pray thee three daies journey into the wildernesse and sacrifice unto Iehovah our God left hee fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword And the king of Egypt laid unto them Wherefore doe ye Moses and Aaron cause the people to cease from their workes Get ye to your burthens And Pharaoh said Behold the people of the land now are many and ye make them to rest from their burdens And Pharaoh commanded in that day the taske-masters of the people their officers saying Yee shall not any more give straw to the people to make brickes as heretofore let them goe gather straw for themselves And the tale of the brickes which they did make heretofore you shall lay upon them you shall not diminish ought thereof for they be idle therefore they cry out saying Let us goe and sacrifice to our God Let the work be made heavy upon the men and let them labour therein and let them not regard vaine lying words And the taske-masters of the people went out their officers and said unto the people saying Thus saith Pharaoh I will not give you straw Goe ye take your straw where you can find it yet not ought of your worke shall bee diminished And the people was scattered abroad thorow all the land of Egypt to gather stubble in stead of straw And the taske-masters hasted them saying Fulfill your workes every daies taske in his day as when there was straw And the officers of the sonnes of Israel which Pharaohs taske-masters had set over them were beaten saying Wherefore have yee not fulfilled your appointed taske to make bricke both yesterday and to day as heretofore And the officers of the sonnes of Israel came and cried out unto Pharaoh saying Wherefore doest thou thus to thy servants There is no straw given unto thy servants and they say to us make brickes and behold thy servants are beaten and it is the sinne of thy people And he said ye are idle ye are idle therefore yee say let us goe and sacrifice to Iehovah Now therfore goe worke for straw shall not be given you yet shall ye deliver the tale of brickes And the officers of the sonnes of Israel did see them in evill saying Ye shall not minish ought from your brickes every daies taske in his day And they lighted upon Moses and Aaron standing to meet with them as they came forth from Pharaoh And they said unto them Iehovah looke upon you and judge because you have made our savour to stinke in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of his servants to give a sword into their hand to slay us And Moses returned unto Iehovah and said Lord wherefore hast thou done evill to this people wherefore is it that thou hast sent me For since I came to Pharaoh to speake in thy name
the spiritually Egyptians by whose sinne the third part of the sea became blood and of other waters became wormewood Revel 8. 8. 11. there be the like plagues from the phials or cups of Gods Angels as are here by the rod of Gods messengers their sea rivers and fountaines becomming blood they having shed the blood of Saints and Prophets and God giving them blood to drinke for they are worthy Revel 16. 3. 6. Of this plague the Psalmist also speaketh Psal. 78. 44. and 105. 29. Contrariwise God blesseth his people by turning for them the rockes to rivers and fountaines of waters Psal. 78. 15. 16. and 114. 8. and giving them the water of life to drinke Ioh. 4. 10. 14. Rev. 22. 1. 17. Vers. 21. died so in Antichrists sea every living soule dyeth Revel 16. 3. as by their impietie they had caused the third part of such to dye before Revel 8. 9. Contrariwise in the holy land corrupt waters are healed the creatures in them live and fish are multiplied Ezek. 47. 8. 9. stunke whereas the waters of Egypt served them for drinke Ierm 2. 18. there being no raine in the Countrey Deut. 11. 10. 11. God turning them to stinking blood and killing the fish the plague was the more grievous For fishes were their common food Numb 11. 5. the flesh of many beasts they through superstition would not eate of Exodus 8. 26. so that which the Prophet after threatneth was now upon them The fishers mourned and all they that cast angle into the brookes lamented and they that spread nets upon waters languished Esay 19. 8. Vers. 22. did so as before in verse 11. They could by inchantments increase their owne plagues but not ease themselves see Exodus 8. 7. 8. But where had they water to turne into blood either they found some by digging about the river verse 24. or they had some fetched from another place as Gosen see the notes on v. 18. wexed strongs the Greeke saith was hardened see verse 13. Vers. 23. set not that is regarded not nor cared for this wondrous plague so the setting of the heart signifieth carefull regard Exod. 9. 21. Prov. 22. 17. 2 Sam. 18. 3. CHAP. VIII 1 God threatneth Pharaoh if hee send not Israel away to plague his Realme with frogges 5 Aaron stretcheth out his hand and the second plague frogs come out of the waters over all the land 7 The Magicians doe the like 8 Pharaoh sueth to Moses 12 And Moses by praier removeth the frogs away 15 Pharaohs heart is hardned 16 The third plague dust is turned into lice on man and beast 18 The magicians could not doe so yet Pharaoh is hardned 20 God threatneth the fourth plague swarmes of flies upon the Egyptians 22 exempting Israel in Goshen 24 The land is corrupted with the swarmes 25 Pharaoh inclineth to let the people goe 30 Moses by praier removeth the swarmes away 32 Pharaoh is bardned againe AND Iehovah said unto Moses Goe in unto Pharaoh and say unto him thus saith Iehovah send away my people that they may serve me And if thou refuse to send them away behold I smite all thy border with frogs And the river shall abundantly bring forth frogs and they shall come up and enter into thy house and into thy bedchamber and upon thy bed and into the house of thy servants and upon thy people and into thy ovens and into thy troughs of dough And the frogs shall come up upon thee and upon thy people and upon all thy servants And Iehovah sayd unto Moses Say unto Aaron stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streames over the rivers and over the ponds cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt And the Magicians did so with their inchantments and caused frogges to come up upon the land of Egypt And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron and said Intreat ye Iehovah that he may take the frogs from me and from my people and I will send away the people that they may sacrifice unto Iehovah And Moses said unto Pharaoh Glorie over me when I shall intreat for thee and for thy servants and for thy people to cut off the frogs from thee and from thy houses onely in the river they shall remaine And he said to morrow and he said be it according to thy word that thou maist know that there is none like Iehovah our God And the frogs shall depart from thee and from thy houses and from thy servants and from thy people onely in the river they shall remaine And Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh and Moses cryed unto Iehovah because of the frogs which he had put upon Pharaoh And Iehovah did according to the word of Moses and the frogs dyed out of the houses out of the villages and out of the fields And they gathered them together upon heapes and the land stanke And Pharaoh saw that there was a breathing and he made his heart heavy and hearkened not unto them euen as Iehovah had spoken And Iehovah sayd unto Moses Say unto Aaron stretch out thy rod and smite the dust of the land and it shall be turned to lice in all the land of Egypt And they did so and Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod and smote the dust of the land and there were lice on man and on beast all the dust of the land was lice in all the land of Egypt And the Magicians did so with their inchantments to bring forth lice but they could not and there were lice on man and on beast And the Magicians sayd unto Pharaoh This is the finger of God and Pharaohs heart waxed strong and he hearkned not unto them even as Iehovah had spoken And Iehovah said unto Moses Rise up earely in the morning stand before Pharaoh lo◠〈◊〉 commeth forth to the waters and say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 him thus saith Iehovah Send away my people that they may serve mee Else if thou wilt not send away my people behold I will send a mixed swarme upon thee and upon thy servants and upon thy people and into thy houses and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of the mixed swarme and also the ground where on they art And I will marvellously sever in that day the land of Go 〈…〉 upon which my people standethy that there shall 〈◊〉 mixed 〈◊〉 there to th◠〈◊〉 maist 〈…〉 that I am Iehovah in the 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 And I will put a 〈◊〉 de 〈…〉 people and 〈◊〉 by people 〈…〉 all 〈…〉 be And Iehova◠did 〈…〉 there came a heavie 〈…〉 I the house of Pharaoh and the house of 〈…〉 into all the land of Egypt 〈◊〉 land was corrupted by reason 〈…〉 Pharaoh 〈…〉 and sayd 〈…〉 the land And Moses said 〈…〉 to doe 〈…〉 shall 〈…〉 shall 〈…〉 of the Egypt 〈…〉 〈…〉 not 〈◊〉 us We will goe three dayes
it be of the cleane holy thing or of the uncleane holy thing doing it presumptuously hee is guilty of cutting off Lev. 7. 20. and if he eate ignorantly be must bring the sacrifice appointed in Levit 5. 2. 11. Maimony in Pesulei hamukdashin cha 18. s. 13. of peace-offrings and so by proportion of other sacrifices for the same law is for other holy things of the altar saith Maimony ibidem The flesh of these sacrifices being a figure of the flesh of Christ to bee eaten of the saints by faith this law signified that all unbeleevers hypocrites and wicked ones that professe the Gospell and partake of the signes and seales of grace unworthily doe eate and drinke judgment to themselves 1 Cor. 11. â—7 28. â—9 Vers. 23. fâ—â— of oxe This explaineth and limiteth the law before given in Levit. 3. 17. to the fat of these three kindes of beasts see the annotations there V. 24. of a karkasse to weet that which dieth of it selfe or otherwise after an unlawfull manner To â—ate the flesh of carkasses or of things that were 〈◊〉 was unlawfull Exod. 22. 31. Levit. 17. 15. and 22. 8. Deut. 14. 21. Ezek. 4. 14. and 44. 31. to eat fat of such was a double trespasse Hee that 〈◊〉 the fat of a dead or torn â—east is guilty both for 〈◊〉 the fat for eating the dead or torn beast c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. treat of Forbidden meats c. 7. s. 2. Ver. 25 shall be cut off the Greek translateth shall perish to weet if he doe it with a high hand He that 〈◊〉 so much as an olive of fat presumptuously is in danger to be cut-off if he doe it ignorantly hee is to 〈◊〉 the Sinne-offring appointed Maim treat of For 〈…〉 meats ch 7. s. 1. So for the next case of eating blood vers 27. V. 26. or of beast This also is a limitation wherupon the Iewes hold no prohibition of the blood of fishes locusts creeping things and the like see the notes on Lev. 3. 17. and 17. 10. 14. and Gen. 9. 4. So Sol. larchi here noteth of fowle or of beast to except the blood of fishes locusts c Vers. 29. his oblation in Gr his gift meaning those things which were given out of the Peace-offerings to the Lord and to the Priest Ver. 30. His hands he might not doe it by another person but the Priest put the parts-of the sacrifices into the owners hands and received them of him See the notes on Lev. 3. 5 and 7. 12. fat with the breast of which the fat was the Lords burnt on the altar the breast was the Priests to eate verse 31. wave it The manner of doing this and the signification of it see in Lev. 3. 5. and Exod. 29. 24. It figured the giving of our breast that is of the heart and affections unto Châ—ist in newnesse of life in the fellowship of his afflictions Prov. 23. 26. 1 Chron. 28. 9. Rom. 6. 3. 4. 5. 6. Phil. 3. 10. Ver. 32. Heave-offring in Greek and Chaldee a separation or separated thing because it was separated from the rest of the body heaved up towards heaven and after given to the Lords Priest It signified an acknowledgement that all good things came downe from God and an indeavour that all the wayes of his people should tend upward unto God that so their conversation might be heavenly Iam. 1. 17. Phil. 3. 20. Prov. 15. 24. Verse 34. statute for ever or an eternall ordinance to continue so long as the law of sacrificing should continue that is till Christs comming and after that the equitie of it to remaine still for as they which wayted at the Altar were partakers with the Altar even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospell should live of the gospell 1 Cor. 9 13. 14. Verse 35. the anointing that is the portion or reward of the Anointing meaning of the anointed Priests For that hee speaketh of their portion the words before and after manifest and in verse 36. it is that which Iehovah commanded to give unto them And Anointing is figuratively put for the Priest anointed as Oyle is used for Christ which had the oyle of grace without measure on him Esay 10. 27. So dreames are put for dreamers Ierem. 27. 9. Spirits for spirituall gifts 1 Cor. 14. 12 thanksgivings for companies of thanksgivers Nehem. 12. 31. Circumcision for persons circumcised Rom. 2. 26. and many the like In like manner divination is used for the rewards of divination sent unto Balaam Numbers 22. 7. iniquitie for the punishment or desert of iniquitie Levit. 7. 18. Iob 11. 6. So Chazkum here expoundeth the anointing to bee the reward of their anointing presented or offred them and here in the day meaneth from that day forward for ever as appeareth by vers 36. Vers. 37. fillings of the hand that is as the Greeke explaineth it Perfection or Consecration when the hand was filled with parts of the sacrifices see Exodus 29. 9. c. in the annotations That sacrifice is here reckoned among the rest because it was commanded at mount Sinai Exodus 29. and iâ— after to be shewed in practice Leviticus 8. Vers. 38. in the wildernesse of Sinai named of Sinai the mountaine in Arabia where the Law was given which is Agar gendering to bond age Gal. 4. 24. 25. Before they came thither they offred no sacrifice there God gave them these lawes described from the beginning of Leviticus hitherto as shadowes of good things to come Hebr 10. 〈◊〉 â—ll the Lambe Christ on mount Sion should by the sacrifice of himselfe when he made his soule a Trespasse offring Esay 53. 10. cause the Sacrifice and Oblation to cease Dan. 9. 27. who hath by one offring perfected for ever them that are sanctified Heb. 10. 14. so that now among the Gentiles in every place incense is offred unto the name of God and a pure Meat-offring Mal. 1. 11. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually Hebr. 13. 15. CHAP. VIII 1. Moses consecrateth Aaron and his sonnes to the Priests office 14 Their Sinne-offring 18 Their Burnt-offring 22 The ram of the filling of the hands 31 The place and time of their consecration ANd Iehovah spake unto Moses saying Take Aaron and his sons with him and the garments and the anointing oile and a Bullocke for a Sinne offring and two rammes and a basket of unlevened cakes And gather thou together all the congregation unto the doore of the Tent of the congregation And Moses did as Iehovah commanded him and the congregation was gathered together unto the doore of the Tent of the congregation And Moses said unto the congregation This is the thing which Iehovah commanded to be done And Moses brought-neere Aaron and his sons and washed them with water And he put upon him the Coat and girded him with the girdle and clothed him with the Robe and put the Ephod upon him and girded him with the
So after in verse 20. 22. c. Vers. 19. of Sinai where the Lawes Iudgements and Statutes were given to Israel there also was their order set for encamping about Gods sanctuarie and marching with it towards Canaan And this also is to distinguish it from the second mustering which was in the plaines of Moab when all this generation was dead Numb 26. 3. 63 64. V. 20. by their generations in Greeke according to their kindreds so after in v. 22. 24. c. that went forth or that goeth forth with the host that is was able to goe forth to warre So after Vers. 24. Gad he is set in the third place in Levies roomth who was numbred apart v. 47. because Gad was ioyned with Reuben and Simeon on the South quarter of the host Num. 2. 10 14. All the other tribes are mustred in the order before set downe vers 5. 15. V. 25. and fiftie Gad the handmaids sonne is the onely of all the tribes whose number endeth with fiftie all the other are by thousands and end with hundreds which shewed Gods admirable providence and blessing in multiplying them after such a sort that no odde or broken number was among all the tribes as when Moses blessed Ioseph he mentioned the ten thousands of Ephraim and the thousands of Manasses Deut. 33. 17. whereas in other numbrings we shall finde few but broken numbers as in the first borne of Israel Num. 3. 43. and in those that returned out of Babylon Ezr. 2. 1. 42. Nehem. 7. 6. 45. Here we may behold the number of every tribe beginning at the greatest and so in order to the least thus 1. Iudah 74600. 2. Dan 62700. 3. Simeon 59300. 4. Zabulon 57400. 5. Issachar 54400. 6. Naphtali 53400. 7. Reuben 46500. 8. Gad 45650. 9. Aser 41500. 10. Ephraim 40500. 11. Benjamin 35400. 12. Manasses 32200. Iudah hath the greatest number for he was to bee celebrated of his brethren Gen. 49. 8. he was standard-bearer in the foremost quarter as they camped about the Tabernacle Numb 2. 3. His standard Lion-like Gen. 49. 9. marched in the first place as they journeyed towards the land of promise Nam 10. 13 14. He had halte the first birth-right that of him the chiefe ruler should come and our Lord Christ himselfe concerning the flesh 1 Chron. 5. 2. Heb. 7. 14. Here he hath valiant men of warre moe than double the number of Benjamin or Manasses almost twelve thousand moe than the greatest tribe Dan the handmaids son hath the next number to the most for Rachels sake for Iakobs blessing Gen. 49. 16. and for his place in the campe to bee standard-bearer to the rere-ward which was the greatest quarter next Iudahs Numb 3. 9. 3â— 10. 25. that the formost standard and the hindmost might have the greatest number of warriers And whereas at the first Dan had but one son Gen. 46. 23. and so one family Num. 26. 42. when Benjamin had ten Gen. 46. 21. now God so disposed that Dan should be one of the greatest in number and Benjamin one of the least For God is the Iudge he putteth downe one and setteth up another Psal. 75. 7. The barren hath borne seven and she that had many children is waxed feeble 1 Sam. 2. 5. Simeon the second patriarch is the third in number of warriers at this time but before they came into Canaan his tribe was diminished for their sinne exceedingly but being now 5930â— it was at the latter muster buâ— 22200. men Num. 26. 14. so that Moses blessing the tribes mentioneth not his name at all Deut. 33. Reuben Israels first-borne as he lost his dignitie for defiling his fathers bed Gen. 49. 3 4. so here his increase is none of the greatest but six of his brethren have moe than he Ephraim as he was blessed before his elder brother Manasses Gen. 48. 20. so here he is increased by thousands more â—â—an Manasseh and more than the whole tribe of Benjamin and his blessing continueth above his brother Deut. 33. 17. yet Satan to hinder this had slaine by the Philistimes of Gath the sons of Ephraim whiles they dwelt in Egypt for which their father Ephraim mourned many dayes 1 Chr. 7. 20 21 22. And as they trauelled in the wildernesse his posteritie was diminished eight thousand Numb 26. 37. Benjamin as he was the youngest of all the patriarchs so here his number is one of the least though at the first his children were moe than any of his brethren Gen. 46. 21. Afterwards in Canaan his tribe was almost rooted out Iuag. 20. that he hath not without cause this attribute Benjamin the little Psal. 6 8. 28. Manasses hath the last place in this count that Iakobs prophecie might have effect his younger brother Ephraim shall be greater than he Gen. 48. 19. But God blessed this tribe in their travell thorow the wildernesse that at the next muster they were inreased above twentie thousand moe than at this time whereas Ephraim his brother was not increased at all but diminiâ—â—ed Num. 26. 34. 37. Thus the blessings of God were distributed among the tribes for their number and for their order according as in wisdome he saw meet He increaseth the nations and destroyeth them hee inlargeth the nations and strayteneth them Iob 12. 23. V. 32. of Ioseph he as his blessing was to bee like a fruitfull vine Gen. 49. 22. so of him by his two sonnes here are moe warriers than any tribe had saving Iudah And his two sonnes Ephraim and Manasseh are not families but tribes as if they had beene Iakobs owne according to his adoption of them Gen. 48. 5. Thus Ioseph hath a double portion the first birthright 1 Chron. 5. 1. 2. V. 42. The sonnes of Naphtali Of all the other it is said Of the sonnes and so the Greeke translateth this here Some of the Hebrewes as Baal hatturim upon this place give a reason which appeareth not in Moses that Of Naphtali onely he saith THE SONNES because Naphtalies tribe had moe daughters than sonnes and therefore in Naphtalies blessing Gen. 49. 21. he is resembled to a female an Hinde let loose Therefore also in Numb 26. it is written of them all THE SONNES because the men were dead Num. 26. 64 65. but the women multiplied V. 44. each one was Hebr. one man for the house of his fathers were they which the Greeke explaineth thus one man for one tribe according to the tribe of their fathers houses were they V. 46. six hundred thousand c. a marvellous increase of seventie soules which came into Egypt Gen. 46. 27. that so many thousands of able men besides women and children should in so few yeeres be multiplied even as the starres of heaven Deut. 10. 22. this was the reward of faith Heb. 11. 11 12. Baalam looking upon them with admiratioÌ„ said Who can count the dust of Iakob and the number of the fourth part of Israel Numb 23. 10. And such is the increase
them foure wagons according unto their service for to ease the cariage Num. 7. 5. 8. Vers. 38. foremost or as the Greeke translateth it Eastward see Num. 2. 3. Moses and Aaron The Hebrewes as Baal hatturim vpon this place doe observe that here is a pause or distinction betweene Moses and Aaron to teach that Moses pitched in one place by himselfe and Aaron and his sonnes in another place by themselves Thus Moses a Levite of Kohath was King in Ieshurun Deut. 33. 5. and Aaron his brother Priest as for Moses two sonnes Gershon and Eliezer Exod. 18. 3 4. here is no mention of them neither in Num. 26. neither had they any prerogative but were among the other Kohathites and named of the tribe of Levi that is common Levites 1 Chron. 24. 14. the charge or the custodie the watch of the Sanctuarie the Levites being assistants under them Num. 18. 2 3. Of the watch which was wont to be kept in the Sanctuary see the annotations on Num. 15. 8. the stranger that is any saving Aaron and his sonnes see verse 10. Vers. 39. and Aaron in the Hebrew there are many extraordinary pricks over the name of Aaron for speciall cause R. Sol. Iarchi saith they were to signifie that Aaron himselfe was not among the number of the Levites none of the 22000. here mentioned Observe Aarons dignitie Hee was the elder brother unto Moses the King Exod. 7. 7. Hee was by mariage brother to Naasson Prince of Iudah for hee had to wife Elisabeth his sister Exod. 6. 23. Hee was joyned with Moses in the government of Israel Psal. 77. 20. He had the prerogative to sacrifice for the whole Church 1 Chron. 23. 13. But Christ our King and Priest after the order of Melchisedek farre excelleth him Hâ—b 7. and 8. chap. two and twentie thousand This summe accordeth not with the former particulars for there were of Gershon 7500. of Kohath 8600. of Merari 6200. which make in all 22. thousand and three hundred But Aaron and the Priests as also the first-borne of the Levites were the Lords after a peculiar manner Exod. 13. 2. and therefore deducted from the rest which were all taken in stead of the first-borne of Israel So there were so many thousand Levites as there are Hebrew letters because they were aboue others to apply the studie of Gods Law Deut. 33. 10. which because they did not according to their dutie God so disposed that Iehozadak the Priest in the 22. generation after Aaron was caried captive with the people into Babylon 1 Chron. 6. 3. 15. And here againe Gods providence appeareth that the Levites increase should be by just thousands and the Priests and first-borne of Levi by hundreds without any broken number such as was among the first-borne of Israel vers 43. See the notes on Num. 1. 25. Againe whereas the least of all the other tribes of Israel from twenty yeeres old and upward had 32000. and 200. Num. 1. v. 34 35. and the greatest 54000. and 600. v. 27. here the Levites which were counted from a moneth old and upward were but 22000. so the Lords portion was the least Yea of these 22. thousand there were found but eight thousand five hundred and fourescore that were fit for to doe service in the Sanctuary Num. 4. 47 48. so small was the number of those that served God in his ministerie in comparison with the campes of Israel Vers. 40. Muster or Number moneth old Hebr. sonne of a moneth Vers. 41. for me or unto me as the Chaldee expounds it thou shalt bring neere the Levites before me every first-borne or all the first-borne which being appointed unto the Lords service the Lord taketh the Levites to serve him in their stead This was for the first-borne males of man and beast which the Israelites now had all the first-borne that came after this were to be redeemed or given to the Priest Num. 18. 15. See the notes on verse 12. and 13. Vers. 43. and seventie and three God 's speciall providence appeareth againe in this number of the first-borne that it should be so neere unto the number of the Levites taken in their stead whom God destinated from the womb unto his service and made the summes of them so neere A like worke of God is observed by Moses in Deut. 32. 8. how he had appointed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sonnes of Israel And whereas six hundred thousand men and moe Num. 1. 46. had but 22. thousand and 273. first-borne males in all their families it appeareth that the farre greater number of Israels first-borne were females who by reason of their sex were not fit to serve God in his sanctuary Which figured the small number of Gods elect among the many that are called Mat. 22. 14. Rom. 9. 6 7 8. For the elect are such as doe serve God day and night in his Temple Revel 7. 15. and are Priests unto God Rev. 5. 10. Vers. 45. shall be mine which the Chaldee explaineth shall minister before me Vers. 46. those that are to be redeemed Hebr. And the redeemed or as the Greeke translateth it And the redemptions or ransomes So after in vers 48 49 51. Here the overplus of the first-borne of man is reckoned and the summe of their ransome vers 50. but the overplus of cattle is not reckoned Vers. 47. five shekels a peece Heb. five five shekels which the Greeke translateth five shekels by the head These five shekels the price set here and in Num. 18. 16. was the value set in Lev. 27. 6. from a moneth old to five yeeres old and it was the least of all the valuations so that God burdened the Israelites with the ransomes as little as might be twentie geraâ—s or twentie pence the gerah was a peece of silver that weighed sixteene barley graines so the shekel weighed 320. graines see the notes on Exod. 30. 13. Vers. 48. the money Hebr. the silver so in vers 49 50 51. of the redeemed understand the money of those that are redeemed or as the Greeke translateth the redemptions of those that are moe Vers. 50. Of the first-borne in Hebrew Bâ—chor the First-borne is singular as spoken of one but translated in Greeke plurally as implying all And this seemeth to be taken not of particular persons as of them that were last numbred or any other for so the burden should have lien vnequally upon a few but of the church in generall Or to cut off contention it was done by lot as R. Solomon Iarchi saith he brought 22000. scrolles or papers according to the number of the Levites vers 39. and on every of them was written A son of Levi and 273. papers according to the number of the First-borne Israelites moe than the Levites vers 46. and on every of them was written Five shekels they mingled them and put them in a basket then said he unto them come draw your papers according to your lot Vers. 51.
such a garment as was bound to have the Fringe that he might keepe this commandement and in the time of prayer he is to be warned hereof more especially It is a great shame for wise men that they should pray and not be arraied herewith A man must for ever be warned of this commandement of the Fringe for the Scripture maketh it of great weight and all the commandements every one depend upon it Maim in Zizith ch 3. sect 11 12. But they abused this as other divine ordinaÌ„ces to superstitioÌ„ hypocrisie were reproved by our Saviour for making their Phylacteries broad inlarging the borders or Fringes of their garments Mat. 23. 5. And this their vanitie neglecting the spirituall end appeareth in their writings for unto the thrums or threeds of the garment w ch were three inches they fastned threeds doubled in the midst whose length they say might not be lesse than foure inches but more than so they might be though a cubit or two cu 〈…〉 Maim in Zizith ch 1. s. 6. And for the vertue hereof they say Who so diligently keepeth this Law of Fringes is made worthy and shall see the face of the Majestic of God Baal hatturini on Num. 15. and when a man is cloathed with the Fringe and g 〈…〉 out therewith to the doore of his habitation hee is safe and God rejoyceth and the destroying Angell departeth from thence and the man shall be delivered from all hurt and from all destruction c. R. Menachem on Num. 15. Thus easie it is for men to abuse holy things and to pervert the right use and end of them by their owne inventions See the annotations on Exod. 13. 9. And although they 〈◊〉 so great religion in these Fringes yet as they have lost the spirit and life of this commandement so God hath deprived them of the outward riâ—e that they have not at this day by their owne confession the blew or heaven-coloured ribband The blew Teceleth is not found in our hands at this day because we know not to make the die or colouâ— of it for every blew in wooll is not called Teceleth But the Teceleth or Blew spoken of in the Law it is knowne that it is unpossible to make it at this day and therefore we make the white oâ—ely saith Rambam or Maimony in his exposition on Talmud Bab. in Menachoth ch 4. and that ye seeke not or and ye shall not seeke or search as Num. 14. 36. which word Solomon applieth to his heart searching out things by wisdome Eccles. 1. 13. and 7. 25. The Greeke here translateth it turne aside the Chaldee erre or goe astray your heart in Chaldee the imagination of your heart Here God calleth men from their owne wisdome and inventions to his Law onely for every imagination of the thoughts of mans heart is onely evill every day Gen. 6. 5. And he that trusteth in his owne heart is a foole Prov. 28. 26. your eyes in Chaldee the sight of your eyes So the holy Ghost saith Walke in the wayes of thine heart and in the sight of thine eyes but know thou that for all these things God will bring thee into judgement Eccles. 11. 9. And the Apostle mentioneth the lust of the eyes as that which is not of the Father but of the world 1 Iohn 2. 16. The Hebrewes say The heart and the eyes are the spies of the body and brokers to bring it into transgression the eye feeth and the heart lusteth and the bodie acteth the transgression Sol. Iarchi on Num. 15. The Lord condemning the heart which is the most noble of all the inward parts and the eyes which are the most excellent of all the outward teacheth that the whole man is corrupted thorowout and to be reformed by the Law and Spirit of God For except a man be borne of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdome of God Iohn 3. 5. you goe a whoring in Chaldee you orre or goe astray To goe a whoring after other gods is an usuall phrase for idolatrie Exod. 34. 15. Deut. 31. 16. 1 Chrâ— 5. 25. Iudg. 2. 17. the same is implied here as God saith I am broken with their whorish heart which hath departed from me and with their eyes which goe a whoring after their idols Ezek. 6. 9. but it meaneth also all other sinnes which mens uncleane hearts and impure eyes carry them unto with consent and delight see Lev. 20. 5 6. Psal. 106. 39. Iam. 4. 4. The Hebrewes say If any man be drawne after the thoughts of his heart he will be found a waster of the world because of the slendernesse or shortnesse of his understanding As sometimes he will search after idolatrie and sometimes will thinke peculiarly of the Creator whether there be any or none What is above and what beneath what was before and what shall be after And sometimes of prophesie whether it be truth or no and sometimes of the Law whether it be from heaven or no. And hee knoweth â—â—t what to judge of them till he know the truth concerning his Creator but will be found a revolter unto heresies Concerning this thing is that warning in the Law where it is said And ye shall not seeke after your heart and after your eyes after which ye goe a whoring Num. 15. 39. as if he should say there shall not any one of you be drawne after his owne slender understanding or knowledge as to imagine that his cogitation can attaine to the truth so have our wise men said AFTER YOVR HEART this meaneth heresies and AFTER YOVR EYES this is whoredome And this is an occasion for a man to deprive himselfe of the world or life that is to come Maimony treat of Idolatrie ch 2. sect 3. CHAP. XVI 1 Korah Dathan Abiram and On with 250 Princes rise up against Moses and Aaron about the Priesthood and government of the Church 5 Moses referreth the triall of the cause unto God and reproveth Korahs ambition 12 He sendeth for Dathan and Abiram who reproach him and will not come up 15 He prayeth against them 16 and gathereth Korah and his company with their censers before the Tabernacle 20 The Lord threatneth to consume the rebels and commandeth the people to separate from them 31 The earth swalloweth up Dathan Abiram and all Korahs men and a fire from the Lord devoureth the 250 that burned incense 36 The censers are reserved to cover the altar for a signe unto Israel 41 All the congregation murmure against Moses and Aaron as they that bad killed the Lords people 44 The Lord killeth 14700 of them with a plague 46 Aaron by incense stayeth the plague 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ANd Korah the sonne of Izhar the son of Kohath the sonne of Levi he tooke men and Dathan and Abiram the sonnes of Eliab and On the sonne of Peleth sonnes of Reuben And they rose up before Moses and men of the sonnes of Israel two hundred and fiftie
fourteene thousand and seuen hundred beside them that died about the matter of Korah And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the doore of the Tent of the congregation and the plague was stayed Annotations 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Here beginneth the 38 Lecture of the Law which the Hebrewes call Korah because his rebellion is the principall thing here treated of see Gen. 6. 9. VErse 1. Korah or Korach in Greeke Kore Iude ver 11. Izhar in Greeke Isaar Kohath in Greeke Kaath he tooke to wit men with him so Korah is noted as the principall in the rebellion which the Apostle therefore calleth the gaine-saying of Kore Iude verse 11. and in Num. 27. 3. onely Korahs company is mentioned where speech is of this mutinie The Greeke translateth he spake to signifie that he tooke others by perswading them to his faction The Chaldee understands it of taking that is withdrawing of himselfe saying And Korah separated himselfe Thus Sol. Iarchi also expoundeth it he tooke him-selfe aside to be apart from the congregation and Dathan and Abiram this may be understood that they also tooke men and separated themselves or rather that Kore tooke these men unto him and so to reade it he tooke Dathan and Abiram or he tooke both Dathan and Abiram for the word and in Hebrew may sometime be omitted in our English speech as is shewed on Gen. 8. 6. or be interpreted both as explaining the former words see the annotations on Gen. 36. 24. And thus Chazkuni expoundeth it And Korah tooke it meaneth the taking of men and whom tooke he Dathan and Abiram c. AND before DATHAN is redundant here as often elsewhere Abiram in Greeke Abâ—iron Eliab in Greeke Eliam hee was son to Phallu the sonne of Reuben Num. 26. 7 8 9. Gen. 46. 9. On in Greeke Ann and Aunan Peleth in Greeke Phaleth sonnes of Reuben Dathan Abiram and On were all sonnes that is of the posteritie of Reuben who was the first-borne of Israel but lost his honour by his sinne 1 Chron. 5. 1. which his sonnes by unlawfull meanes seeke to recover And these Reubenites camped next unto Korah and the Kohathites on the Southside of the Tabernacie as is shewed in Num. 2. and so being neighbours in situation associated themselves in evill which Sol. Iarchi observing saith thereupon Woe be to the wicked and woe unto his neighbour Korah being a Levite of the Kohathites which was the chiefe familie of the Levites as is noted on Num. 3. 28. he tooke offence as Iarchi on this place saith and envied at the preferment of Elizaphan the sonne of Vzziel whom Moses had made Prince over the sonnes of Kohath Num. 3. 30. when he was of the youngest brother Vzziell and Korah himselfe was of Izhar elder than he see Num. 3. 27. 30. But by the sequell here it appeareth that the lift up himselfe not onely against Elizaphan but against Moses and Aaron and sought the Priesthood also verse 10. Verse 2. and men that is Korah and men as appeareth by verse 5. 16 17. where these are called Korahs congregation the called of the assembly Senators called to the assemblie and as the Greeke translateth it councell of the governours in Chap. 1. 16. such are named the called of the congregation and in Chap. 26. 9. Dathan and Abiram are named the called of the congregation who strove against Moses c. so these were States-men famous and renowned whereby the conspiracie was the stronger men of name that is of renowne this title is given to the Giants before the Flood Gen. 6. 4. Whereupon Baal hatturim here noteth Men of name for wisedome and for wealth and they condemned themselves as did the generation of the Flood which were of old men of name Verse 3. Ye take too much upon you or Let it suffice you as this phrase is translated in Deut. 3. 26. Hebr. much to you or enough for you which Sol. Iarchi expoundeth thus yee have taken to your selves greatnesse much more than enough So after in verse 7. holy and therefore may approach unto God and offer their sacrifices This they meant as Moses answer sheweth in verse 5. and 10. So the presumption of their owne holinesse brought them to ambition and affectation of the Priesthood an honour which no man should take to himselfe but he that is called of God as was Aaron Hebr. 5. 4. Iehovah is in Chaldee the divine presence or Majestie of the LORD dwelleth among them Verse 4. fell on his face as affected with their words humbling himselfe and in likelihood praying unto God as in verse 22. Chazkuni saith He was abashed and cast downe his face on the ground unto prayer and there it was said unto him of God what he should say unto Korah Like gesture he used at their former murmuring Num. 14. 5. and after in Num. 20. 6. Verse 5. Even in the morning or the morning shall come and Iehovah will make knowne c. Iudgement is deferred till the morrow morning so they had that time to consider of their fact and the morning is usually the time of judgement both by men as In the mornings I will suppresse all the wicked of the land Psal. 101. 8. Iudge judgement in the morning Ier. 21. 12. and by God himselfe as Morning by morning doth he bring his judgement to light Zeph. 3. 5. and my rebuke is in the mornings Psal. 73. 14. So in the morning judgement came upon Sodome Gen. 19. 23 24. and the plagues or Egypt Exod. 7. 15. and 8. 20. and 9. 13. and 10. 1â— and the pestilence on Israel 2 Sam. 24. 15. and so shall evill come upon sinners and they shall not know the morning thereof Esai 47. 11. Boker the morning is derived of Baker he inquired or looked out whereupon the Greeke Interpreters reading without vowels translated it The Lord hath looked out and knowne those that are his but the Chaldee saith in the morning theÌ„ the LORD wil make known c. make knowne him or make knowne those that are his so the Greeke translateth knoweth or hath knowne those that are his which very words Paul from this history applieth to Gods knowledge care and love of his Elect whom he sanctifieth and keepeth from falling away as did certaine heretiks in those dayes 2 Tim. 2. 17 18 19 20. This therefore is a speech of faith whereby Moses testifieth his confidence in God who had separated Aaron unto the Priesthood and himselfe unto the government in Israel and would maintaine their cause and calling against all opposers And because these two offices figured the grace given by Christ unto his Elect whom he hath made Kings and Priests even a kingly Priesthood and an holy Nation Revel 1. 6. and 5. 10. 1 Pet. 2. 9. therefore the Apostle in 2 Tim. 2. fitly citeth these words for the comfort of the Saints faithfull ministers of Christ against revolters even as an other Apostle applieth also against such the way of Kain the
fire were in their hand and they divided themselves into two companies one company went Eastward and another Westward and they searched and went thorow all the court-yard till both companies came to the place where they madâ— the Priests Meat-offering spoken of in Levit. 6. 20. 21. When both sides came thither they said Peace all is peace and they set those that made the Meat-offering to make the same After this order did they every night save the nights of the Sabbath for then they had not fire torches in their hand but searched with the lamps that were lighted there on the evening of the Sabbath Maimony Tom. 3. in Beth habchirah ch 8. no servent wrath any more for transgressing as in former time when servent wrath went out from the Lord Num. 16. 46. See also Num. 8. 19. Vers. 6. I have taken in stead of all the first-born of Israel who otherwise should have ministred unto me see Num 3. 12. and the annotations there a gift for Iehovah or unto Iehovah as the Greeke saith to the Lord the Chaldee before the LORD See Num. 3. 9. 12. and 8. 13 16 19. where they were offered unto the Lord and given unto him and by him given unto Aaron Vers. 7. within the veile not onely the second veile as it is called in Heb. 9. 3. but the first veile within which the Priests went alwayes accomplishing the services Heb. 9. 6. as to burne incense Luk. 1. 9. to trim the lamps Exod. 27. 20 21. to set on the Shew-bread every Sabbath Lev. 24. 8. 9. and the like I have given Hebr. I will givâ— which form of speech noteth a continuance of the gift a service of gift a service freely given you which Sol. Iarchi and Chazkuni explaine thus I have given it unto you by gift that none should say ye are come into it of your selves the stranger any Israelite Levite or whosoever is not of Aarons seed see the notes on Num. 3. 10. Vers. 8. I have given after the office of the Priests and Levites prescribed God here provideth for their maintenance and livelihood which they should have from the people for their service The equitie whereof remaineth perpetuall as the Apostle observeth saying Doe ye not know that they which minister about holy things eat of the things of the Temple and they which wait at the Altar are partakers with the Altar Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospell should live of the Gospell 1 Cor. 9. 13 14. the charge Hebr. the keeping or observation of mine heave-offerings which the Greeke translateth the keeping of my first-fruits in Chaldee the keeping of my separated things They are said to be a charge or keeping because they were carefully to be taken and used holily as gifts from the Lord. Sol. Iarchi explaineth it which thou must keepe in cleannesse or puritie Therefore they are called holy things and were to be eaten some of them in the holy place and by cleane persons onely a sin v. 9 10 11 c. And in the Hebrew Canons it is said It is unlawfull to defile the heave-offering or first-fruits of the land of Israel like as other holy things or to bring it into the estate of uncleannesse but it is to be eaten being cleane and to be burnt if it be uncleane Maimony tom 3. in Trumoth 6. 12. s. 1. of all the holy things or with all the holy things as Chazkuni here explaineth it see the notes on Num. 5. 9. The Greeke translateth of all things sanctified unto me by the sons of Israel for the anointing that is for the office sake whereunto thou art anointed that as thou art consecrated with the holy oile to attend upon mine holy things Lev. 21. 10 12. so thou shalt have mine holy things to keep and live upon Thus anointing is also used in Lev. 7. 35. This is the anointing of Aaron and the anointing of his sons For this cause the nation of the Iewes was cursed with a curse as having robbed God because they kepâ— backe their tithes and offerings which they should have brought into the store-house that there might have beene meat in the house of God for his ministers Mal. 3. 8 9 10. Vers. 9. of the holy of holies Heb. of the holinesse of holinesses that is of the most holy things which the Greeke translateth of the hallowed or sanctified holy things Some oblations in the Sanctuarie are called holy and by the Hebrew Doctors light holy things some holy of holies that is most holy things of which difference see the annotations on Lev. 6. 17. With these he here beginneth which the Priests onely were to eat and that within the Sanctuarie vers 10. then hee proceedeth to the light holy things which the Priests and their families were to eat within the campe and in ages following within the wals of Ierusalem last of all he speaketh of other gifts which were common and might be eaten by any and in any place verse 14. c. from the fire in Chaldee left or remaining from the fire meaning the fire of the Altar where some part of the most holy things were burned to the Lord. every oblation This may be understood â—s the generall and the Meat-offering Sin-offering c. as the particulars thereof or if it be meant of things different it may be referred to those oblations appointed for the Congregation in Levit. 23. 17 20. Thus Iarchi here explaineth it the Peace-offerings of the congregation And there were no Peace-offerings of the Congregation but onely those mentioned in Levit. 23. as is noted on Lev. 4. 14. and 23. 19. But Chazkuni understandeth it of the two loaves in Levit. 23. 17. and of the Shew-bread saying What oblation is this Wee find afterward the Sin-offering to be expressed and after that the Trespasse-offering which were holy of holies If we understand it of the Burnt offering that was not eaten if of the Peace-offerings they were not holy of holies Behold he speaketh not but of the two loaves Levit. 23. and of the Shew-bread Now both these were most holy and for the Priests onely to eat as is shewed on Lev. 23. 20. and 24. 9. Meat-offering the remainder wherof was most holy for the Priests onely to eat in the holy place by the Law in Lev. 6. 16 17. Sin-offering which the Priests were to eat also in the holy place as in Lev. 6. 26. Trespasse-offering which likewise was most holy and for the Priests onely to eat as the Law sheweth in Lev. 7. 16. which they shall render or shall returne shall restore unto me This may be referred to the sacrifice forementioned and by reason of this word reâ—â—â— or restore and for that the Greeke translateth iâ— whatsoever things they shall render to mee it may in speciall be understood of that ram of atonem 〈…〉 which was given for a Trespasse-offering when 〈◊〉 man restored unto the Lord the thing which hee had robbed according
but opposed his owne will as that which the Prophet should have fulfilled unjustly calleth the Israelites his enemies who passed by him in peace repineth against their blessing and blameth the Prophet for pronouncing it Vers. 12. Must I not take heed to speake or Shall I not observe to speake Though Balaams will was bent to curse Israel for Balaks wages yet could he not because God restrained him wherefore hee bare his blame at the King's hand And now to excuse himselfe he signifieth not onely the necessitie laid upon him by the Lord but a pretended care and observance in himselfe to speake his word only thus the hypocrites mocked one with another and hee that sitteth in the heavens laughed the Lord had them both in derision Psal. 2. 4. Vers. 13. see but the utmost part of them or but a part of him and shalt not see him all speaking of Israel as one body The King gathered from Balaams words in vers 9. that by seeing the whole multitude he was dismayed so looking to the secondary cause not to God the principall wherefore though he failed of his purpose at the first he secoÌ„deth it in another place with hope to prevaile as the Syrians being foiled by Israel in the mountaines would fight against them in the plaine hoping there to be stroÌ„ger than they 1 King 20. 20. 23. And when he could not have the whole people cursed he bringeth Balaam to see a part of them as when the Dragon could not hurt the Woman the Church that escaped his persecution with her Eagles wings he being wroth went to make war with the remnant of her seed Rev. 12. 13. 17. and as Amalek who smote the hindmost of Israel even all that were feeble behinde them Deut. 25. 17 18. Vers. 14. field of Zophim that is by interpretation of the Spies or Scout-watches and the Greeke interpreteth it the Scout-watch of the field it seemeth to be a place where they kept the watch of the countrey against enemies as Sol. Iarchi here saith It was an high place where the Spie stood to watch whether any forces came against the citie of Pisgah or of the hill which the Chaldee expoundeth of the high place Such hils and high places idolaters used to sacrifice upon Deut. 12. 2. And Balak thought them luckie to atchieve his purposes but all in vaine as it is written Truly in vaine is salvation hoped for from the hills and from the multitude of mountaines truly in â—ehovah our God is the salvation of Israel Ier. 3. 23. seven altars so prosecuting their wickednesse still under colour of religion see the notes on vers 1. 2. Vers. 15. I will meet yonder to wit with Iehovah and so the Greeke explaineth it I will goe to enquire of God See before in vers 3 4 c. Vers. 18. Rise up Balak to heare the word of God with reverence for at it even Kings were wont to rise up when it was spoken as afterward Eglon King of Moab also did in Iudg. 3. 20. â—eark is unto me that is as the Chaldee explaineth it unto my word Vers. 19. God is not a man c. The Chaldee paraphraseth thus The word of God is not like the speeches of the sonnes of man for the sons of man doe say and lye By lying is meant failing in the performance of that which is spoken as in Habak 2. 3. Psal. 89. 35 36. 2 King 4. 16. that he should repent The like testimony Samuel beareth of God before King Saul The strength of Israel will not lie nor repent for he is not a man that he should repext 1 Sam. 15. 25. Though the Scripture speaketh sometime of God that he repenteth as in Amos 7. 3 6. â—er 18. 8. yet that is spoken of him according to our capacitie because his worke is changed when he himselfe continueth unchangeable for with him is no variablenesse neither shadow of turning Iam. 1. 17. See the notes on Gen. 6. 6. In this speech of Balaam there is a reproofe of Balaks 〈◊〉 who thought by his endeuours to turne Gods affection from Israel and therefore rested not in the word before revealed but strugled against it still as if God were false or variable shall he not confirme it meaning he will doubtlesse confirme and stablish it as the Chaldee expoundeth it hee confirmeth all his words The Greeke translateth shall he speake and shall he not continue that is constantly performe it So to confirme a thing is by the holy Ghost expounded to continue to doe it Gal. 3. 10. from Deut. 27. 26. Vers. 20. I have received to blesse understand received a commandement to blesse See the Annotations on Gen. 24. 33. and I can not reverse it or shall not turne it away which the Chaldee explaineth and I shall not turne my blessing from them The Greeke translateth I shall blesse and shall not reverse Here Balaam preacheth the stablenesse of Gods love unto his people and how all powers and potentates all magicall inchantments and divinations and what things else soever are not able to separate Gods people from his love and blessing in Christ. Vers. 21. He hath not beheld or He that is God be holdeth not iniquitie Here Balaam blesseth Israel the second time pronouncing first their justification in the sight of God even that blessednesse which they have whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sinnes are covered Rom. 4. 7. For not to behold or see iniquitie in sinfull men is as David speaketh to hide his face from their sinnes and to blot out all their iniquities Psal. 51. 11. the contrary whereof is when God setteth mens iniquities before him and to the light of his face Psal. 90. 8. and 109. 14 15. And this is opened by the Prophet when the Lord saith The iniquitie of Israel shall be sought for and there shall be none and the sins of Iudah and they shall not be found for I will pardâ—m them whom I reserve Ier. 50. 20. iniquity this word in Hebrew Aven is of large signification applied to all kinde of sinne which causeth paine sorrow and misery and in particular to idolatry 1 Sam. 15. 22. and Aven is an idoll in Esay 66. 3. and to this the Chaldee here referreth it saying no servers of Idols in the house of Iacob so doth Targum Ionathan likewise and the old Latine version saith There is no Idoll in Iakob meaning among the Israelites the posterity of Iakob But the word being more generall implieth this and all other iniquity originall or actuall all which God in mercy pardoned to his people that it was no more seene of him to be imputed unto them And as iniquity is often used for the punishment of the same so is this word Aven in Psal. 90. 10. Hab. 1. 3. in which meaning the Greeke Interpreters translate it here There shall be no painfulnesse or misery in Iakob perversnesse or molestation a word which signifieth both sinne and affliction for sinne Psal. 94. 20. and
in the Annotations on Gen. 18. 10. and 25. 31. what hath God wrought that is how wonderfull things God hath wrought for them The Greeke translateth it What God shall performe He teacheth that all the valiant acts of Israel should not be done by themselves but by God for them as it is shewed in Psal. 44. 1 2 c. Wherefore it is written Lord thou wilt ordaine peace for us for thou also hast wrought all our workes in us Esay 26. 12. And so the Apostle saith It is God which worketh in you both to will and to doe of his good pleasure Philip. 2. 13. and he which hath begun a good worke in you will performe it untill the day of Iesus Christ Phil. 1. 6. Vers. 24. as a couragious Lion Of these names of Lions see the Annotations on Gen. 49. 9. Of the Lions nature Solomon saith it is strongest among beasts and turneth not away for any Prov. 30. 30. Here the blessing which was specially given to the tribe of Iudah Gen. 49. is applied to all Israel which were in Christ the Lion of the tribe of Iudah Rev. 5. 5. for just men are bold as a Lion Prov. 28. 1. lift up himselfe a signe of stoutnesse courage and Majestie By this and the former rising up is meant the valiant onset which they should make upon their enemies the Canaanites whereof the booke of Iosua is a testimony and under them were figured the spirituall enemies of the salvation of Israel Satan sinne the world c. which the Church of Christ should resist and overcome by faith 1 Pet. 5. 9. and 2. 11. 1 Ioh. 5. 4. untill he cat the prey that is as the Chaldee and Targum Ionathan expound it untill he have killed his enemies Signifying hereby Israels constant fighting of the Lords battels not lying downe or giving themselves rest till they had gotten a full victory This was in part fulfilled in the conquest of Canaan at the end whereof the two tribes and an halfe returned with much riches cattell silver gold c. to divide the spoile of their enemies with their brethren Ios. 22. 3 4 8. And when David having fought the battels of the Lord sang unto his praise I have pursued mine enemies and destroyed them and turned not againe untill I had consumed them 2 Sam. 22. 38. But chiefly it is performed by the grace of God in Christ against the enemies of our soules whereof it is thus prophesâ—ed And the remnant of Iakob shall be among the nations in the middest of many peoples as a renting Lion among the beasts of the forrest as a young Lion among the flockes of sheepe who if he goe thorow both treadeth downe and teareth in pecces and none can deliver Thine hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries and all thine enemies shall be cut off Mic. 5. 8 9. And this spirituall warfare is not like the battels of the world with confused noise and garments rolled in bloud Esay 9. 5. but with the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God Ephes. 6. 17. in much patience in afflictions in necessities in distresses in stripes in imprisonments in tossings to and fro in labours in watchings in fastings by purenesse by knowledge by long-suffering by kindnesse by the holy Ghost by love unfeigned by the word of truth by the power of God by the armour of righteousnesse on the right hand and on the left c. 2 Cor. 6. 4. 7. For even Christ himselfe wheÌ„ he was called the Lion of the tribe of Iuda appeared like a Lamb as it had been slaine Revel 5. 5 6. and his people for his sake are killed all the day long are counted as sâ—â—epe for 〈◊〉 〈…〉 ghter and yet in all these things are more than 〈…〉 qutrours through him that loved them Rom. 8. 36 37. Vers. 25. Neither cursing curse him in Greeke Neither curse mee him with curses neither blessing blesse him that is neither curse Israel at all nor blesse him at all Here Balaks indignation against Balaam and sinne against God is increased rejecting his owne Prophet resisting the word of the Lord now the second time and when hee could doe no evill to Israel he would hinder them from good Vers. 27. per adventure it will be right in the eyes of God that is it will please God as the Chaldee expoundeth it and so the Greeke saith if it may please God This is Balaks third and last attempt against the Church of Christ in another place as Satan tempted Christ himselfe thrice in three severall places which not succeeding he then left him Matth. 4. 1 11. And whereas before the King supposed that Balaams seeing of the whole multitude was the let why hee did not curse them hee now perceiveth God to be the cause and therefore by sacrifices in a place idolatrous he seeketh to obtaine his favour Vers. 28. the top of Peâ—r the name of a mountaine called in Greeke Phogor and in Chaldee the top of the high-place of Peor where the Moabites used to sacrifice unto their idoll called Baal peor Num. 25. 2. 3. 18. and there they had a temple called Beth-peor or the house of Peor Deut. 3. 29. and neare it was a citie called Beth-peor which the Israelites had taken from King Sihon and it was after given for a possession to the Reubenites Ios. 13. 15 20. In this idolatrous mountaine the King hoping to be heard of God maketh supplication with new altars and sacrifices so continuing the abuse of his religion bent against the wil of God and to the destruction of his people CHAP. XXIV 1 Balaam leaving inchantments prophesieth by the Spirit of God the happinesse of Israel 10 Balak in anger dismisseth him 14 but before his departure he prophesieth of the Starre of Iakob and the distruction of some nations ANd Balaam saw that it was good in the eyes of Iehovah to blesse Israel and he went not as at other times to meet with inchantments but he set his face toward the wildernesse And Balaam lifted up his eies and he saw Israel abiding in tents according to their tribes and the Spirit of God was upon him And he tooke up his parable and said Balaam the sonne of Beor assuredly saith and the man whose eye is open assuredly saith Hee assuredly saith which heard the oracles of God which saw the vision of the Almightie falling and having his eyes uncovered How goodly are thy tents O Iakob thy tabernacles O Israel As the valleyes are they spread forth as gardens by the river side as Lign-aloes-trees which Iehovah hath planted as Cedar trees beside the waters He shall poure waters out of his buckets and his seed shall be in many waters and his King shall be higher than Agag and his kingdom shal be exalted God brought him forth out of Aegypt hee hath as the strengths of an Vnicorne he shall â—at up the nations his distressers and shall breake their bones and pierce them thorow with
Korahs as Num. 16. 40. 250 men that offered incense Num. 16. 35. for a signe or for an ensigne a banner the Greeke and Chaldee translate it a signe whereby God signified his anger to be displaied against all that should rebell in like manner In Num. 16. 40. it is called A memoriall unto the sonnes of Israel that no stranger c. come neâ—re to offer incense before Iehovah that he be not as Korah c. Of such things the Apostle saith they were our examples 1 Cor. 10. 6. Vers. 11. died not to wit either by that fire or by the swallowing up of the earth Num. 16. 32. 35. It seemeth they consented not to their fathers rebellion or at least repented at the warning given by Moses Num. 16. 5. c. The sons of Korah were Assir and Elkanah and Abjasaph Exod 6. 24. these and their posteritie lived and kept their office in Israel for their genealogie is reckoned in 1 Chron. 6. 22. 38. and they were appointed by David to be singers in the house of the Lord 1 Chro. 6. 31. 32. and of them came Samuel the Prophet 1 Chron. 6. 33 34. compared with 1 Sam. 1. 20. and Heman who with his off-spring were singers 1 Chron. 6. 33. and 25. 4 5 6. And many Psalmes have in their titles To the sonnes of Korah as Psal. 42. and 44 and 45. and 46. and 47. and 48. and 49. and 84. and 85. and 87. and 88. Vers. 12. Nemuel called also Iemuel in Gen. 46. 10. and Exod. 6. 15. in Greeke here Namovâ—l So in 1 Chron. 4. 24. Iachin in Greeke Achein he is called Iarib in 1 Chron. 4. 24. Vers. 13. Zerah in Greeke Zara so in 1 Chr. 4. 24. elsewhere called Zohar Gen. 46. 10. Exod. 6. 15. Saul the sonne of a Canaanitesse Gen. 46. 10. Vers. 14. These are the families to wit which remained for there was one familie more of Obad Gen. 46. 10 Exod. 6. 15. but that was extinct in the wildernesse and therefore omitted here and in 1 Chron. 4. 24. 〈◊〉 and 200. their number was greatly diminished for at the former muster they were 59 thousand and 300 Num. 1. 23. Among other sinnes that forementioned in Num. 25. 14. seemeth to be a speciall cause hereof And Moses blessing all the other tribes before his death maketh no expresse mention of Simeons in Deut. 33. Vers. 15. Gad though hee was not the next borne to Simeon nor of that mother yet is he 〈…〉 stered in the third place because hee was joyned with Reuben and Simeon in the South quarter as they encamped about the Sanctuarie Num. 2. 10. 14. Zephon in Greeke Saphoâ— he was called also Ziphion in Gen. 46. 16. Vers. 16. Ozâ—i in Greeke Azâ—ni in Gen. 46. 16. he is named Ezboâ— Vers. 17. Arod in Greeke Aroadi and in Gen. 46 16. Arodi Vers. 18. and five hundred so this tribe had fewer now by five thousand one hundred and fiftie men than at the former muster Num. 2. 15. Vers. 19. and Onan died both of them died without issue God did cut them off for their wickednesse in their youth Gen. 38. 7. 10. Vers. 20. Selah in Greeke Selon Vers. 21. of Pharez The sonnes of Iudah were five in all Gen. 38. so noted by the holy Ghost in 1 Chron. 2. 4. they were all to have beene heads of families but two dying childlesse here are taken two of his sonnes sonnes Hâ—zron and Hamul in their stead and these were of Pharez the second brother of the twinnes Gen. 38. 28 29. of whom our Lord Christ came according to the flesh Matth. 1. So Iudah hath five families continued according to the number of his five sonnes Vers. 22. and six thousand at the first muster he had but 74 thousand and six hundred Num. 2. 4. now he is increased nineteene hundred moâ— and as he so all the tribes under his standard were increased also whereas in Reubens they were all diminished For Iudah prevailed above his brethren for the honour of Christ who was to come of his stocke see 1 Chron. 5. 2. Gen. 49. 8. 10. Heb. 7. 14. Vers. 23. Issachar he is numbred next Iudah for he was next him under his standard Num. 2. 5. next him graved on the high Priests brest-plate Exod. 28. borne next of the same mother Leah Gen. 30. 17 18. Of him and his foure families here reckoned see the notes on Gen. 46. 13. Phuvah called also Phuah in 1 Chron. 7. 1. and so here in Greeke Phova Vers. 24. Iashub hee is called Iob in Gen. 46. 13. Vers. 25. 64 thousand hee had before but 54 thousand and foure hundred Num. 2. 6. so that his tribe is increased nine thousand and nine hundred men of warre Vers. 26. Zabulon or Zebulun hee was next brother to Issachar Gen. 30. 19 20. next him on Aarons brest-plate Exod. 28. and next him in marching and camping about the Tabernacle Num. 2. His three families continue here as they were in Gen. 46. 14. Vers. 27. sixtie thousand c. who were before 57 thousand and foure hundred Num. 2. 8. so they are increased three thousand and one hundred men Vers. 28. Ioseph of him came two tribes for hee had the first birth-right a double portion 1 Chron. 5. 2. Gen. 48. 1. 5. Vers. 29. Manasses he though the elder brother was put downe to the second place by Iakobs prophesie Gen. 48. 14. 19 20. and by Gods disposition of the tribes Num. 2. 18. 20. yet here hee is mustered before Ephraim the standard-bearer as his armie was increased in the wildernesse when Ephraims was diminished which after doth appeare Machir he was the sonne of Manasses by his concubine an Aramitesse 1 Chron. 7. 14. Gilead in Greeke Galaad There was also a place called Gilead which the sonnes of this Machir conquered and had it for their possession Num. 32. 39 40. Ios. 17. 1. Vers. 30. Ieezer in Greeke Achiezer in Ios. 17. 2. Abiezer Here not onely the sonnes sonnes as was noted before of Iudah vers 21. but the sonnes sonnes sonnes are made heads of families in the tribe of Manasses the like whereof is not in any other tribe This honour hath Ioseph above his brethren who also whiles he lived saw unto Ephraim sonnes of the third generation also the sonnes of Machir sonne of Manasses were borne upon Iosephs knees Gen. 50. 23. And Manasses here hath eight families when no other tribe hath so many V. 33. Zelophehad or Zelophehad in Greek Sâ—lpaâ—d the names Hebr. the name Machlah in Greeke their names are written Maala Nova Aigla Melcha and Thersa Of these daughters see Num. 27. 1. c. Num. 36 11. Ios. 17. 3. Vers. 34. 52 thousand c. he had before but 32 thousand and 200. Num. 2. 21. so that now hee was increased 20 thousand and five hundred men of warre none of all the other tribes had halfe so much increase Thus Iakobs prophesie is fulfilled Ioseph shall be the sonne of a
is wofull evils their throat is an open grave their tongue they make smooth Condemne thou them as guiltie O God let them fall from their consultations with the multitude of their trespasses drive thou them away for they are turned rebellious against thee And rejoyce shall all that hope for safetie in thee for ever shall they showt and thou shalt cover them and they that love thy name shall be glad in thee For thou Iehovah wilt blesse the just one as with a buckler with fauourable acceptation thou wilt crowne him about Annotations NEchiloth These by the name seeme to be wind instrumeÌ„ts as flutes trumpets cornets c. as Neginoth are stringed instruments Psal. 4. 1. For Chalil is a Pipe Isa. 5. 12. Vers. 2. my meditation in Greeke my cry Vers. 3. Attend or Inâ—line namely thine eare as is expressed Ps. 10. 17. Pro. 2. 2. but often the word eare is omitted as here so Ps. 61. 2. and 66. 19. and 86. 6. and 142. 7 c. will I pray or I doe pray meaning still and usually Vers. 4. at morning or in the morning which hath the name in the originall tongue of inquiring looking and seeking early and is therefore used for every first opportune or fit time both to pray for and to receive blessings Psal. 88. 14. and 92. 3. and 90. 14. and 143. 8. Here also the word at or in is to be supplied as Beith a house 2 Chron. 26. 21. for bebeith in a house 2 King 15. 5. and many the like orderly addresse prepare or settle in order meaning either his person as Iob 33. 5. or his speeches as Iob 32. 14. looke out or espie as he that keepes watch and ward expecting what God will answer as is explained in Hab. 2. 1. This noteth diligence hope and patience So Mic. 7. 7. Vers. 5. a God or a mightie one in Hebrew Ael the name of God denoting his might or puissance which therefore the Greeke sometime translateth Ischuros Mightie Psal. 7. 12. sometime Mighty God Isa. 9. 6. but most commonly God which the holy Ghost alloweth Mat. 27. 46. and 1. 23. delighting wickednesse or that takest pleasure in wickednesse By wickednesse and evill may here be meant also by figure of speech wicked and evill persons See Psal. 36. 12. sojourne or be a guest with thee meaning that an evill man should have no entertainment to be harboured as a guest much lesse to have any abiding or setled habitation with God Here the word with is to be supplied as in the like Hebrew phrase Ps. 94. 20. GeÌ„ 30. 20. So in Ex. 9. 16 that I might shew thee for shew in thee as the Apostle citeth it Rom. 9. 17. the like is in Psal. 42. 5. Vers. 6. Vainglorious fools or mad boasting fools called Holelim of halal to extoll praise glorifie w ch when it is of ones selfe and immoderate is dotage folly and madnesse Hence is the word used for mad or raving with folly Eccles. 2. 2. 12. and 7. 9. and 10. 13. Isa. 44. 25. So after in Psal. 75. 5. and 10â— 9. and 73. 3. The Chaldee calleth them mockers that worke so the holy Ghost translateth it Act. 13. 41. from Hab. 1. 5. The Hebrew word signifying a willing working out perfecting and practising as Psal. 7. 14. painfull iniquitie or sorrowfull sin vaine unlawfulnesse The originall word Aven which hath the signification of paine or sorrow is of large use denoting all sinfull and unjust affections actions or endevours which cause paine or sorrow or be painfully done and is applied in speciall to idolatry joyned with Teraphim or images 1 Sam. 15. 22. And Beth-el that is Gods house is called of the Prophets Beth-aven an Idols house or place of iniquitie Hos. 4. 15. and 10. 5. because Ieroboam had there set up false worship 1 Kings 12. 29. And in Isa. 66. 3. he that blesseth Aven or an Idoll is turned in Greeke a blasphemer Thus Poghnalei-aven be such as worke practise or commit idolatry superstition or other sin and iniquitie whereof comes sorrow griefe miserie and at last confusion however such evill workers doe polish and trim their actions for they shall be rejected that worke unlawfulnesse hoi ergazomenoi ten anomian Mat. 7. 23. or are workers of iniquitie hoi ergatai tes adiktas Luke 13. 27. as this Hebrew phrase is by the Evangelists interpreted The phrase is taken from Iob ch 31. 3. and 34. 8. 22. The Chaldee translateth them that doe falshood Vers. 7. Thou wilt bring to perdition or wilt doe quite away wilt fordoe or make perish man of blouds that is bloudy man or murderer as the Chaldee expoundeth it the man that sheddeth innocent bloud When bloud is used in the plurall number it usually noteth murder or manslaughter and the guilt following it as Gen. 4. 11. the voyce of thy brothers blouds crieth 1 Chr. 22. 8. thou hast shed many blouds so after in Ps. 9. 13. and 106. 38. and 51. 16. Somtime it signifieth naturall uncleannes as we are borne in sin or sin deserving death Ezek. 16. 6. 9. I saw thee polluted in thine owne blouds c. Hereto we may compare the Apostles speech Iohn 1. 13. which are borne not of blouds c. A man of blouds is one that is defiled therewith or given thereto 2 Sam. 16. 7. Psal. 16. 9. and 55. 24. and 59. 3. and 139. 19. See the like phrase opened Psal. 140. 12. and of deceit that is man of deceit as is expressed Psal. 43. 1. meaning the deceitfull man faytor or impostor so noting hereby the secret sinner as by the former speech the open and violent Deceit dole or guile called in Hebrew Mirmah is named of Ramah to heave or cast or shoot with bow And as warpen bowes doe cast and shoot awry and deceive the archer Psal. 78. 57. so impostors or men of guile doe first as it were lift up a man with vaine hope that being disappointed he may have the more heavy overthrow See 1 Chr. 12. 17. Gen. 29. 25. So in another phrase to lift up the soule signifieth to deceive with vaine hope Ier. 37. 9. Vers. 8. mercy or kindnesse benignitie in Chaldee goodnesse See the note on Psal. 136. 1. thy house or edifice named in the Hebrew of building beith in Greeke of dwelling oikos in English of tuition and custodie a house of the Almein huis which is of hu to defend By house here is meant Gods tabernacle called his house 1 Chron. 9. 23. Mark 2. 26. for the temple was not built in Davids dayes will doe worship or bow downe my selfe in signe of honour toward the palace for the worshippers entred not into the Sanctuary it selfe but into the court-yard and at the doore offered their gifts Psal. 116. 19. Lev. 1. 3. Heb. 9. 6. A palace Heical is the name of Kings houses Psal. 45. 9. 16. Prov. 30. 28. attributed to the places where Gods Majestie was said to dwell as the tabernacle 1