not rinsed his hands in water he shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean untill the even 12. And the vessel of earth that he toucheth which hath the issue shall be broken and every vessel of wood shall be rinsed in water 13. And when he that hath an issue is cleansed of his issue then he shall number to himself seven days for his cleansing and wash his clothes and bathe his flesh in running water and shall be clean 14. And on the eighth day he shall take to him two turtle-doves or two young pigeons and come before the LORD unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation and give them unto the priest 15. And the priest shall offer them the one for a sin-offering and the other for a burnt-offering and the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD for his issue 16. And if any man's seed of copulation go out from him then he shall wash all his flesh in water and be unclean untill the even 17. And every garment and every skin whereon is the seed of copulation shall be washed with water and be unclean untill the even 18. The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation they shall both bathe themselves in water and be unclean untill the even 19. And if a woman have an issue and her issue in her flesh be blood she shall be put a-part seven days and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean untill the even 20. And every thing that she lieth upon in her separation shall be unclean every thing also that she sitteth upon shall be unclean 21. And whosoever toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean untill the even 22. And whosoever toucheth any thing that she sat upon shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean untill the even 23. And if it be on her bed or on any thing whereon she sitteth when he toucheth it he shall be unclean untill the even 24. And if any man lie with her at all and her flowers be upon him he shall be unclean seven days and all the bed whereon he lieth shall be unclean 25. And if a woman have an issue of her blood many days out of the time of her separation or if it run beyond the time of her separation all the days of the issue of her uncleanness shall be as the days of her separation she shall be unclean 26. Every bed whereon she lieth all the days of her issue shall be unto her as the bed of her separation and whatsoever she sitteth upon shall be unclean as the uncleanness of her separation 27. And whosoever toucheth those things shall be unclean and shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean untill the even 28. But if she be cleansed of her issue then she shall number to her self seven days and after that she shall be clean 29. And on the eighth day she shall take unto her two turtles or two young pigeons and bring them unto the priest to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation 30. And the priest shall offer the one for a sin-offering and the other for a burnt-offering and the priest shall make an atonement for her before the LORD for the issue of her uncleanness 31. Thus shall ye separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness that they die not in their uncleanness when they defile my tabernacle that is among them 32. This is the law of him that hath an issue and of him whose seed goeth from him and is defiled therewith 33. And of her that is sick of her flowers and of him that hath an issue of the man and of the woman and of him that lieth with her which is unclean 2. Running issue Or Running of the reins Flesh This is to be understood in that sense in which the word is taken Gen. 17.13 3. Run or be stopped i. e. Whether it flow or through its consistency stop the passage 4. Thing Hebr. Vessel 5. Whosoever toucheth c. This is an argument that the Man who was legally unclean with his Issue was under a great degree of Uncleanness in that he did not onely defile what he touched but that which was so defiled did also defile him that touched it 12. Vessel of earth Ch. 6.28 13. For his cleansing i. e. For a proof of his being perfectly healed ch 13.4 15. Atonement See ch 14.18 16. Go out from him viz. Against his Will See Deut. 23.10 Vnclean i. e. Legally unclean 19. Put apart Heb. In her separation 24. Lie with her at all That is though he do it ignorantly not knowing her to be in that condition For if he did it knowingly he was liable to be cut off ch 20.18 28. Cleansed i. e. Healed See v. 13. 31. When they defile my Tabernacle By approaching to it in their legal Impurities See ch 16.16 CHAP. XVI The ARGUMENT Of the High-priest's going into the Holy of Holies He must put on the Holy Garments and bring his Sin-offering for himself Of the two Goats for the People one whereof was a Sin-offering for them of the other called the Scape-goat Aaron's Burnt-offering and that of the People The tenth Day of the seventh Month the Day of Expiation appointed to be both a Fast and Sabbath or Day of Rest 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron when they offered before the LORD and died 2. And the LORD said unto Moses Speak unto Aaron thy brother that he come not at all times into the holy place within the veil before the mercy-seat which is upon the ark that he die not for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy-seat 3. Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place with a young bullock for a sin-offering and a ram for a burnt-offering 4. He shall put on the holy linen coat and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh and shall be girded with the linen girdle and with the linen mitre shall he be attired these are holy garments therefore shall he wash his flesh in water and so put them on 5. And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin-offering and one ram for a burnt-offering 6. And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin-offering which is for himself and make an atonement for himself and for his house 7. And he shall take the two goats and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation 8 And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats one lot for the LORD and the other lot for the scape-goat 9. And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD's lot fell and offer him for a sin-offering 10. But the goat on which the lot fell to be the scape-goat shall be presented alive before the LORD to make an
six hundred they shall go hindmost with their standards 32. These are those which were numbred of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers all those that were numbred of the camps throughout their hosts were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty 33. But the Levites were not numbred among the children of Israel as the LORD commanded Moses 34. And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses so they pitched by their standards and so they set forward every one after their families according to the house of their fathers 2. Standard or Banner the setting up of which is a Warlike preparation Ps 20.5 with Jer. 51.27 Ensign These Standards were distinguished by certain marks or signs What those were is not here expressed but the Jewish Writers tell us that the Ensign of Judah was a Lion that of Reuben a Man that of Ephraim an Ox and that of Dan an Eagle Far off Heb. Over-against The distance between the Tabernacle and the Camp of Israel is not here expressed but is probably collected from Josh 3.4 to be about the space of Two thousand Cubits or a Mile which is called a Sabbath-days journey Act. 1.12 vid. Targum in Ruth 1.16 3. On the East-side c. i. e. In the first or principal place as the Greek have it In this Quarter were Moses and Aaron and his Sons placed ch 3.38 14. Reuel Called Deuel ch 1.14 25. Dan He was the Son of an Handmaid but hath his Standard assigned him a Dignity very agreeable to Jacob's Prediction Dan shall judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel Gen. 49.16 33. But the Levites c. Seâ— the Notes on ch 1.47 CHAP. III. The ARGUMENT Of the Sons of Aaron The Charge of the Levites who are taken in lieu of the first-born The Levites are numbred The Number and Charge of the Gershonites Of the Kohathites and of the Merarites The Number of the whole The First-born of the Israelites are numbred and freed by the Levites the overplus are redeemed 1. THese also are the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day that the LORD spake with Moses in mount Sinai 2. And these are the names of the sons of Aaron Nadab the first-born and Abihu Eleazar and Ithamar 3. These are the names of the sons of Aaron the priests which were anointed whom he consecrated to minister in the priest's office 4. And Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD when they offered strange fire before the LORD in the wilderness of Sinai and they had no children and Eleazar and Ithamar ministred in the priest's office in the sight of Aaron their father 5. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 6. Bring the tribe of Levi near and present them before Aaron the priest that they may minister unto him 7. And they shall keep his charge and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation to do the service of the tabernacle 8. And they shall keep all the instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation and the charge of the children of Israel to do the service of the tabernacle 9. And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and to his sons they are wholly given unto him out of the children of Israel 10. And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons and they shall wait on their priest's office and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death 11. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 12. And I behold I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel in stead of all the first-born that openeth the matrice among the children of Israel therefore the Levites shall be mine 13. Because all the first-born are mine for on the day that I smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the first-born in Israel both man and beast mine they shall be I am the LORD 14. And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai saying 15. Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers by their families every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them 16. And Moses numbred them according to the word of the LORD as he was commanded 17. And these were the sons of Levi by their names Gershon and Kohath and Merari 18. And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families Libni and Shimei 19. And the sons of Kohath by their families Amram and Izehar Hebron and Vzziel 20. And the sons of Merari by their families Mabli and Mushi these are the families of the Levites according to the house of their fathers 21. Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites and the family of the Shimites these are the families of the Gershonites 22. Those that were numbred of them according to the number of all the males from a month old and upward even those that were numbred of them were seven thousand and five hundred 23. The families of the Gershonites shall pitch behind the tabernacle westward 24. And the chief of the house of the father of the Gershonites shall be Eliasaph the son of Lael 25. And the charge of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation shall be the tabernacle and the tent the covering thereof and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation 26. And the hangings of the court and the curtain for the door of the court which is by the tabernacle and by the altar round about and the cords of it for all the service thereof 27. And of Kohath was the family of the Amramites and the family of the Izeharites and the family of the Hebronites and the family of the Vzzielites these are the families of the Kohathites 28. In the number of all the males from a month old and upward were eight thousand and six hundred keeping the charge of the sanctuary 29. The families of the sons of Kohath shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle southward 30. And the chief of the house of the father of the families of the Kohathites shall be Elizaphan the son of Vzziel 31. And their charge shall be the ark and the table and the candlestick and the altars and the altars and the vessels of the sanctuary wherewith they minister and the hanging and all the service thereof 32. And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be chief over the chief of the Levites and have the oversight of them that keep the charge of the sanctuary 33. Of Merari was the family of the Mâ—hlites and the family of the Mushites these are the families of Merari 34. And those that were numbred of them according to the number of all the males from a month old and upward were six thousand and two hundred 35. And the chief of the house of the father of the families of Merari was Zuriel the son of Abihail these shall pitch on the side of
one bullock or for one ram or for a lamb or a kid 12. According to the number that ye shall prepare so shall ye do to every one according to their number 13. All that are born of the country shall do these things after this manner in offering an offering made by fire of a sweet savour unto the LORD 14. And if a stranger sojourn with you or whosoever be among you in your generations and will offer an offering made by fire of a sweet savour unto the LORD as ye do so he shall do 15. One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you an ordinance for ever in your generations as ye are so shall the stranger be before the LORD 16. One law and one manner shall be for you and for the stranger that sojourneth with you 17. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 18. Speak unto the children of Israel and say unto them When ye come into the land whither I bring you 19. Then it shall be that when ye eat of the bread of the land ye shall offer up an heave-offering unto the LORD 20. Ye shall offer up a cake of the first of your dough for an heave-offering as ye do the heave-offering of the threshing-floor so shall ye heave it 21. Of the first of your dough ye shall give unto the LORD an heave-offering in your generations 22. And if ye have erred and not observed all these commandments which the LORD hath spoken unto Moses 23. Even all that the LORD hath commanded you by the hand of Moses from the day that the LORD commanded Moses and hence-forward among your generations 24. Then it shall be if ought be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt-offering for a sweet savour unto the LORD with his meat-offering and his drink-offering according to the manner and one kid of the goats for a sin-offering 25. And the priest shall make an atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel and it shall be forgiven them for it is ignorance and they shall bring their offering a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD and their sin-offering before the LORD for their ignorance 26. And it shall be forgiven all the congregation of the children of Israel and the stranger that sojourneth among them seeing all the people were in ignorance 27. And if any soul sin through ignorance then he shall bring a she-goat of the first year for a sin-offering 28. And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly when he sinneth by ignorance before the LORD to make an atonement for him and it shall be forgiven him 29. You shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance both for him that is born amongst the children of Israel and for the stranger that sojourneth among them 30. But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously whether he be born in the land or a stranger the same reproacheth the LORD and that soul shall be cut off from among his people 31. Because he hath despised the word of the LORD and hath broken his commandment that soul shall utterly be cut off his iniquity shall be upon him 32. And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath-day 33. And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron and unto all the congregation 34. And they put him in ward because it was not declared what should be done to him 35. And the LORD said unto Moses The man shall be surely put to death all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp 36. And all the congregation brought him without the camp and stoned him with stones and he died as the LORD commanded Moses 37. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 38. Speak unto the children of Israel and hid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue 39. And it shall be unto you for a fringe that ye may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the LORD and do them and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes after which ye use to go a whoring 40. That ye may remember and do all my commandments and be holy unto your God 41. I am the LORD your God which brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God I am the LORD your God 2. Speak Levit. 23.10 When ye be come c. In these words they are given to understand that God would make good his Promise of giving the Land to their Children ch 14.31 notwithstanding their Diffidence and Murmurings for which they were sentenced to die in the Wilderness ch 14.29 3. An offering by fire This is a general expression of those Offerings which were in whole or part burnt upon the Altar A burnt-offering or a sacrifice These two are the kinds of Offerings by Fire to which the following Precept belongs This Precept which follows concerned the daily Burnt-offering as well as others Exod. 29.40 By Sacrifice here is meant a Peace-offering So the word Sacrifice does sometimes import v. g. Exod. 18.12 Levit. 17.5 8. ch 22.37 Deut. 12.27 And that it does so here is evident from the words which follow where we have mention of a Vow and Free-will-offering which are two of the distinct kinds contained under the general Head of Peace-offerings Levit. 7.16 ch 22.21 In performing Heb. In separating Levit. 22.21 Sweet Savour Exod. 29.18 4. Shall he Levit 2.1 A tenth-deal i. e. The tenth part of an Ephah as the Vulgar Latin and Greek have it here and is expressly said Numb 28.5 This tenth-deal of an Ephah is the same with an Omer See the Note on Exod. 16.36 An Hin This is a Measure of Liquids containing about the quantity of our Gallon 8. Or for a sacrifice See the Note on v. 3. Peace-offerings i. e. The one kind thereof called a Free-will-offering v. 3. 15. One ordinance Exod. 12.49 chap. 9.14 Before the LORD i. e. In matters relating to God's Service which are here spoken of 20. A cake of the first of your dough This Cake was not to be offered upon the Altar but to be given to the Priests to whom all Heave-offerings as well as the First-fruits were due ch 18.8 The giving it to them was giving it to the Lord v. 19 21. As ye do See Levit. 2.14 22. And not observed c. See Levit 4.13 That place speaks of doing that which ought not to be done This of not doing what ought to be done 24. Committed Or admitted For the word does not import this a Sin of Commission and from the Context it appears that a Sin of Omission is here spoken of Without the knowledge
from above He tells how many Cubits the Waters rosâ— above the Mountains and how many days the Waters kept above the Earth and the Effects of the Floud as to living Creatures 8. He relates by what means the Waters asswaged 9. In what month and day the Ark rested and in what place it did so 10. He relates when Noah opened the Window of the Ark and of his sending out the Raven and the Dove 11. He tells the month and the day when the Earth was dried 12. He relates the going out of Noah c. And 13. He tells of the Sacrifice of Noah and 14. Of God's promise not to send such another Deluge chap. 6 7 8. Here are all the marks of a true and complete Historian nor can the Wit of Man make any such Objections as will destroy the credibility of these Relations Moses next relates how God blessed Noah and his Sons forbad the eating of Bloud and Murder Covenanted not thus to destroy the Earth again and appointed the Rain-bow as a sign of this Covenant He tells also how Noah was over-come with Wine of the Curse denounced against Canaan and of the Blessing of Shem and Japhet and the Death of Noah chap. 9. Moses gives account of the Sons of Japheth of Ham where he speaks more particularly of Nimrod and of the Sons of Shem chap. 10. which is a most excellent piece of Antiquity A Relation of the Building of Babel and of the Children of Shem unto Abram Abram comes with his Father to Haran He receives the Promise of the Messias and comes into the Land of Canaan to Sichem Thence he removes to Bethel c. and on occasion of a Famine goes with Sarai to Egypt whom he gave out to be his Sister Pharaoh having taken her restores her to Abram being informed that she was his Wife chap. 11. and 12. Abram returns out of Egypt to Canaan with great Wealth His Kinsman Lot was with him who had also much Substance They part from each other and Lot pitched his Tent toward Sodom God promiseth to Abram the Land of Canaan chap. 13. Lot is taken Prisoner in the Battel between four Kings with five He is rescued by Abram who is blessed by Melchizedek Abram's Answer to the King of Sodom chap. 14. After this Moses relates how Abram was encouraged by God and assured that his Posterity should inherit the Land of Canaan The Birth of Ishmael by Hagar the Change of Abram s Name the Institution of Circumcision the Change of Sarai's Name and the Promise of Isaac and Circumcision of Abraham and Ishmael chap. 15 16 17. Moses goes on to relate Abraham's Hospitable entertaining of three Angels who appeared to Him in the likeness of Men Their Message is related the Birth of Isaac predicted and Sarah's Amazement and Weakness mentioned The Wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrha and Abraham's Intercession for Sodom The Destruction of these Places Lot preserved The incestuous Original of Moab and Ammon chap. 18 19. Abraham sojourns at Gerar The King thereof takes Sarah but being warned of God restores her Isaac is born and circumcised Hagar and Ishmael are dismissed Hagar being in great distress is relieved by God Abimelech makes a Covenant with Abraham chap. 20 21. Abraham is commanded to offer up his Son Isaac He readily obeys God accepts of this Obedience and preserves Isaac Abraham is again blessed Of the Posterity of Nahor chap. 22. After this we have an account of the Age and Death of Sarah Of the Purchase of a Burying place for her Of Abraham's sending his Servant to procure a Wife for Isaac Of the Servant's exemplary diligence and success and of the Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah ch 23 24. Of Abraham's Sons by Keturah Of his Age and Death Of the Posterity of Ishmael and of his Death c. Of the Birth of Jacob and Esau and how Esau sold his Birth-right Of the Journey of Isaac to Gerar c. Of a Covenant between Abimelech and Isaac and of the Marriage of Esau chap. 25 26. Moses proceeds to relate after what manner Jacob obtained the Blessing which Isaac bestowed on him and which he designed for Esau As also the Journey of Jacob to Padan-Aram and several Passages relating thereunto chap. 27 28. Jacob is entertained by Laban and contracts with him for his Service He Marries Leah and afterwards Rachel the Daughters of Laban The Children of Jacob Laban upon Jacob's desire to depart from him makes a new contract with him upon which Jacob useth policy and grows rich upon it chap. 29 30. Jacob leaves Laban privately Laban pursues him and enters into a Covenant with him at Galeed Jacob goes on and sends a Message to Esau whom he much feared He prays to God on this occasion and sends a Present to Esau He wrestles with an Angel and is called Israel Jacob meets Esau and is kindly received by him Jacob comes to Succoth thence toward Shechem in the Land of Canaan he purchaseth some Land there and builds an Altar Dinah is ravished and the Shechemites destroyed chap. 31 32 33 34. Jacob goes to Bethel where he builds an Altar His Name is changed into that of Israel God blesseth him Rachel dies and we have an account also of the Death of Isaac chap. 35. Moses relates an account of Esau of his Wives and Children and also of the Horites chap. 36. We have next a very particular Relation of Joseph one of the younger Sons of Jacob Of his Dreams and the hatred that his Brethren bore towards him Of their conspiring his Death and of his being carried into Egypt chap. 37. Of the Children of Judah another of Jacob's Sons Of the Birth of Pharez and Zarah by Tamar chap. 38. The History of Joseph is continued He is advanced in the House of Potiphar and resisteth the temptation of his Mistress he is however accused falsely and cast into Prison where God prospers him He interprets the Dreams of two of the King of Egypt's Servants who were in Prison with him to whom it hapned as Joseph fore-told The Dreams of Pharaoh King of Egypt are interpreted by Joseph who predicted a great Plenty and great Famine Upon this Joseph is greatly advanced in Egypt Of the Children of Joseph and the beginning of the Famine Ten Sons of Jacob are sent upon the occasion of the Famine to buy Corn in Egypt when Joseph saw them he accused them for Spies They are furnished with Corn and their Money returned into their Sacks They are required to bring with them Benjamin their younger Brother and their Brother Simeon is detained as a Pledge Joseph's Brethren return with Benjamin and are entertained by him They are sent away with Corn but brought back again to Egypt and accused of Theft The pathetical Supplication of Judah upon this occasion Joseph makes himself known to his Brethren minds them of God's Providence sends for his Father and being plentifully provided for they report to their Father that Joseph was
thy brethren which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow 1. HIS two Sons To receive his Father's blessing 2. One told It was told as the Latin and Greek have it Strengthened himself i. e. He put forth his strength and possibly when he had raised himself he supported himself by leaning upon his Staff Heb. 11.21 Bed Ch. 47.31 3. At Luz Which from God's appearing to him he called Bethel ch 28.19 God appeared to Jacob twice in that place at his going from and returning to Canaan ch 28.13 and 35.6 9. This Land Ch. 28.13 ch 35.12 For an everlasting possession Ch. 13.15 This Jacob puts Joseph in mind of both to assure him of his right to the Land of Canaan and also that his Posterity might not be unmindfull of returning thither 5. Are mine They shall be reputed as my immediate Sons and shall be Heads of Tribes and as such inherit as Reuben and Simeon my two eldest Sons Thus Joseph had a double portion 1 Chron. 5.1 the priviledge of the first-born 6. And shall be called c. i. e. They shall not be Heads of Tribes as Ephraim and Manasseh but be reckoned under those Heads and sorted among them 7. Rachel died c. See ch 35.19 This is another Motive to Joseph's Children to be mindfull of the Country where their Mother was buried 8. Who are these He discerns them not through dimness v. 10. 9. I will bless them See ch 27.4 12. His knees i. e. Jacob's See v. 10. 13. Toward Israel's right hand Joseph so placed them that Israel might lay his right hand on Manasseh the eldest The right hand being esteemed a token of the greater honour 1 Kings 2.19 Matt. 25.33 14. Laid it upon Imposition of hands was used in Blessing Compare Matt. 19.13 with Mark 10.16 Guiding his hands wittingly He did it of choice not by chance For Or although as the Hebrew Particle signifies 16. The Angel which redeemed c. i. e. Christ the Angel of the Covenant Mal. 3.1 who led the Israelites and whom they tempted Exod. 14.19 and ch 23.20 and 1 Cor. 10.19 To whom the Title of Redeemer belongs Isa 59.20 Who is called the Angel of God ch 31.11 and the God of Bethel v. 13. Grow into a multitude As Fishes do encrease Numb 26.34 37. Josh 17.17 19. Greater In number Numb 1.33 35. Deut. 33.17 In dignity This is called the Tribe of Joseph Numb 1.32 34. Rev. 7.8 and put for the whole Kingdom of Israel Isa 7.2 20. Israel bless i. e. The Israelites shall use this form of blessing one another saying God make thee c. See Ruth 4.11 12. 22. Which I took out of the hand of the Amorite c. A very probable opinion there is that Jacob bought this part which here he gives to Joseph of Shechem's Father ch 33.19 and that upon Jacob's removal after the Shechemites were destroyed ch 35.1 the Amorite took possession of it whom Jacob upon his return dispossessed by force of Arms and recovered his unquestionable Right That he did so is indeed no-where else mentioned But that is no objection against this sense of the place which is here so fairly intimated We have to this purpose sundry Examples where things are by the by related or fairly intimated to have been said or done before which yet were never mentioned before that time E. g. What is said of Anah ch 36.24 and what God had said to Moses concerning the Moabites Deut. 2.9 Of the Men of Jericho Josh 24.11 And the words of Jesus Acts 20.35 I offer for the farther clearing of this difficult place the following particulars to be considered I. That the Amorites being signal for their Idolatry are spoken of as comprehending the Hivites and other Nations under them Thus we read The iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full Gen. 15.16 Fear not the Gods of the Amorites Judg. 6.10 Thus also Ahab is said to follow Idols as did the Amorites whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel 1 Kings 21.26 compare 2 Kings 21.11 The whole Land was reputed as the Land of the Amorites Amos 2.9 10. II. That though Jacob had purchased a piece of ground near Shechem Gen. 33.19 20. Yet Shechem it self which he here gives Joseph came to him by Conquest expressed here by Sword and Bow Josh 24.12 2 Kings 6.22 and not by Purchase He detested indeed the Violence his Sons used towards the Shechemites and did not care to come into the present possession of the place that way Yet God having promised him that Land which gave him afterwards an undoubted Title to it he gives it to Joseph here having come into the actual possession of it without any sin or fault of his own III. And therefore Jacob might insist considering what hath been said before upon his Title to this place God having given him a promise of it and thereby a good Title to it and having actually come into the possession of it by right of War without any crime of his own and might lay his claim to it and use the plea which Jephtha did Judg. 11.23 24. CHAP. XLIX The ARGUMENT Jacob drawing near the time of his Death calleth for his Sons to come to him He fore-tells many things which should happen to them after his decease He blesseth them and when he spake of Judah he predicted the Coming of the Messiah who was to be born of that Tribe He chargeth them concerning his Burial and dieth 2315. 1689. 1. AND Jacob called unto his sons and said Gather your selves together that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days 2. Gather your selves together and hear ye sons of Jacob and hearken unto Israel your father 3. Reuben thou art my first-born my might and the beginning of my strength the excellency of dignity and the excellency of power 4. Vnstable as water thou shalt not excell because thou wentest up to thy father's bed then defiledst thou it he went up to my couch 5. Simeon and Levi are brethren instruments of cruelty are in their habitations 6. O my soul come not thou into their secret unto their assembly mine honour be not thou united for in their anger they slew a man and in their self-will they digged down a wall 7. Cursed be their anger for it was fierce and their wrath for it was cruel I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel 8. Judah thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies thy father's children shall bow down before thee 9. Judah is a lion's whelp from the prey my son thou art gone up he stooped down he couched as a lion and as an old lion who shall rouse him up 10. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah nor a law-giver from between his feet untill Shiloh come and unto him shall the gathering of the people be 11. Binding his foal
Murrain v. 6. 26. Was there no hail See Notes on v. 4. and 5. and Isa 32.18 19. 28. Mighty thundrings Heb. Voices of God Psal 29.4 5. 29. I will spread abroad my hands I will extend my hands in Prayer says the Chaldee See v. 28. and 1 Tim. 2.8 The Earth Psal 24.1 32. Not grown up Heb. Hidden or dark i. e. They were not so forward as the Barley 35. As the LORD had spoken As the Lord had commanded says the Vulgar referring it to the words immediately going before By Moses Heb. By the hand of Moses CHAP. X. The ARGUMENT Pharaoh is threatned with a most grievous Plague of Locusts Vpon this and his Servants request he inclines to terms But they being refused God sends the Plague of Locusts and removes them at his request After which he refuseth to let the people go After this succeeded the Plague of Darkness Pharaoh is hardned and warneth Moses to come no more into his presence 1. AND the LORD said unto Moses Go in unto Pharaoh for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants that I might shew these my signs before him 2. And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son and of thy sons son what things I have wrought in Egypt and my signs which I have done amongst them that ye may know how that I am the LORD 3. And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh and said unto him Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews How long wilt thou refuse to humble thy self before me Let my people go that they may serve me 4. Else if thou refuse to let my people go behold to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast 5. And they shall cover the face of the earth that one cannot be able to see the earth and they shall eat the residue of that which is escaped which remaineth unto you from the hail and shall eat every tree which groweth for you out of the field 6. And they shall fâ—ll thy houses and the houses of all thy servants and the houses of all the Egyptians which neither thy fathers nor thy father's fathers have seen since the day that they were upon the earth unto this day And he turned himself and went out from Pharaoh 7. And Pharaoh's servants said unto him How long shall this man be a snare unto us Let the men go that they may serve the LORD their God Knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed 8. And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh and he said unto them Go serve the LORD your God but who are they that shall go 9. And Moses said We will go with our young and with our old with our sons and with our daughters with our flocks and with our herds will we go for we must hold a feast unto the LORD 10. And he said unto them Let the LORD be so with you as I will let you go and your little ones look to it for evil is before you 11. Not so go now ye that are men and serve the LORD for that you did desire And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence 12. And the LORD said unto Moses Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts that they may come up upon the land of Egypt and eat every herb of the land even all that the hail hath left 13. And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt and the LORD brought an east-wind upon the land all that day and all that night and when it was morning the east-wind brought the locusts 14. And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt and rested in all the coasts of Egypt very grievous were they before them there were no such locusts as they neither after them shall be such 15. For they covered the face of the whole earth so that the land was darkned and they did eat every herb of the land and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left and there remained not any green thing in the trees or in the herbs of the field through all the land of Egypt 16. Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste and he said I have sinned against the LORD your God and against you 17. Now therefore forgive I pray thee my sin onely this once and intreat the LORD your God that he may take away from me this death onely 18. And he went out from Pharaoh and intreated the LORD 19. And the LORD turned a mighty strong west-wind which took away the locusts and cast them into the Red sea there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt 20. But the LORD hardned Pharaoh's heart so that he would not let the children of Israel go 21. And the LORD said unto Moses Stretch out thine hand toward heaven that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt even darkness which may be felt 22. And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days 23. They saw not one another neither rose any from his place for three days but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings 24. And Pharaoh called unto Moses and said Go ye serve the LORD onely let your flocks and your herds be stayed let your little ones also go with you 25. And Moses said Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt-offerings that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God 26. Our cattel also shall go with us there shall not an hoof be left behind for thereof must we take to serve the LORD our God and we know not with what we must serve the LORD untill we come thither 27. But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart and he would not let them go 28. And Pharaoh said unto him Get thee from me take heed to thy self see my face no more for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die 29. And Moses said Thou hast spoken well I will see thy face again no more 1. FOR c. Or Though Ch. 4.21 2. Mayest tell c. See ch 9.16 Deut. 6.20 22. Psal 78.5 6 7. 4. Locusts Wisd 16.9 5. The face Heb. The eye i. e. the superficies of the Earth The Jewish Writers by the Eye of the Earth understand the Sun and that the multitude of Locusts did intercept the light of the Sun and hinder the Egyptians from seeing the Earth which agrees very well with what follows in this Verse and with vers 15. vid. Abravenel and the Chaldee on the place The residue Ch. 9.32 Every tree Though the Trees were broken by the Hail yet it does not thence follow that they were altogether rendred unfruitfull 6. Have seen Vid. Vers 14. 7. A snare i. e. An occasion of our ruine 8. Who Heb. Who and who c. 10. Let the LORD c. These words seem to be spoken scoffingly q. d. You may assoon expect I should wish you all manner
The Chaldee understands it of the Shecinah or Divine Presence 10. I make Deut. 5.2 A terrible thing Such as speaks the Majesty and Power of God who is terrible in his doing toward the children of men Ps 66.5 12. Take heed Ch. 23.32 Deut. 7.2 13. Images Heb. Statues 14. Jealous Ch. 20.5 15. Go a whoring Idolatry is a spiritual Whoredom Ps 73.27 He that loves and honours the Creature instead of the Creator is guilty of it Jam. 4.4 And thou eat of his sacrifice And so have Communion with an Idol Num. 25.2 Ps 106.28 Ezek. 18.6.22.9 1 Cor. 10.20 Rev. 2.20 16. Their daughters 1 King 11.2 17. No molten They are specially warned against molten Gods they having transgressed so lately in the molten Calf ch 32.4 18. Vnleavened Ch. 23.15 Month Ch. 13.4 19. All Ch. 22.29 Ezek. 44.30 20. Lamb Or Kid. Empty Ch. 23.15 21. Six Ch. 23.12 Deut. 5.12 Luk. 13.14 22. And Ch. 23.16 Years end Heb. Revolution of the year 23. Thrice Ch. 23.14 17. Deut. 16.16 25. Thou c. Ch. 23.18 26. Kid Ch. 23.19 Deut. 14.21 27. Write thou these words Deut. 4.13 i. e. Do thou write them in a Book apart The ten Commandments onely were written in the two Tables and they were written by God v. 1. Deut. 10.2.4 28. And he Ch. 24.18 Deut. 9.9 And he wrote Not Moses but God See v. 27. Commandments Heb. Words 29. Shone Was glorious says the Greek which rendring agrees well with what we read 2 Cor. 3.7 While he talked with him These words express the cause why the Face of Moses did shine viz. from his converse with God 2 Cor. 3.18 30. Were afraid And by this means it is likely Moses came to the knowledge of it 33. He put Or He had put Viz. during the time that he spake with them A veil 2 Cor. 3.13 14. 34. He took the veil off 2 Cor. 3.16 35. With him That is With God as appears from v. 34. CHAP. XXXV The ARGUMENT The People are commanded to rest on the Sabbath-day Free-will Offerings for the Tabernacle to be received Both Men and Women offer Materials Bezaleel and Aholiab chosen for the Work 1. AND Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together and said unto them These are the words which the LORD hath commanded that ye should do them 2. Six days shall work be done but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day a sabbath of rest to the LORD whosoever doth work therein shall be put to death 3. Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath-day 4. And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel saying This is the thing which the LORD commanded saying 5. Take ye from amongst you an offering unto the LORD Whosoever is of a willing heart let him bring it an offering of the LORD gold and silver and brass 6. And blue and purple and scarlet and fine linen and goats hair 7. And rams skins died red and badgers skins and shittim-wood 8. And oyl for the light and spices for anointing oyl and for the sweet incense 9. And onyx-stones and stones to be set for the ephod and for the breast-plate 10. And every wise-hearted among you shall come and make all that the LORD hath commanded 11. The tabernacle his tent and his covering his taches and his boards his bars his pillars and his sockets 12. The ark and the staves thereof with the mercy-seat and the veil of the covering 13. The table and his staves and all his vessels and the shew-bread 14. The candlestick also for the light and his furniture and his lamps with the oyl for the light 15. And the incense-altar and his staves and the anointing oyl and the sweet incense and the hanging for the door at the entring in of the tabernacle 16. The altar of burnt-offering with his brasen grate his staves and all his vessels the laver and his foot 17. The hangings of the court his pillars and their sockets and the hanging for the door of the court 18. The pins of the tabernacle and the pins of the court and their cords 19. The clothes of service to do service in the holy place the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons to minister in the priest's office 20. And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses 21. And they came every one whose heart stirred him up and every one whom his spirit made willing and they brought the LORD's offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation and for all his service and for the holy garments 22. And they came both men and women as many as were willing-hearted and brought bracelets and ear-rings and rings and tablets all jewels of gold and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the LORD 23. And every man with whom was found blue and purple and scarlet and fine linen and goat's hair and red skins of rams and badgers skins brought them 24. Every one that did offer an offering of silver and brass brought the LORD's offering and every man with whom was found shittim-wood for any work of the service brought it 25. And all the women that were wise-hearted did spin with their hands and brought that which they had spun both of blue and of purple and of scarlet and of fine linen 26. And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goat's hair 27. And the rulers brought onyx-stones and stones to be set for the ephod and for the breast-plate 28. And spice and oyl for the light and for the anointing oyl and for the sweet incense 29. The children of Israel brought a willing-offering unto the LORD every man and woman whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses 30. And Moses said unto the children of Israel See the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Vri the son of Hur of the tribe of Judah 31. And he hath filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom in understanding and in knowledge and in all manner of workmanship 32. And to devise curious works to work in gold and in silver and in brass 33. And in the cutting of stones to set them and in carving of wood to make any manner of cunning work 34. And he hath put in his heart that he may teach both he and Aholiab the son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan. 35. Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart to work all manner of work of the engraver and of the cunning workman and of the embroiderer in blue and in purple in scarlet and in fine linen and of the weaver even of them that do any work and of those that devise cunning work 2. Six days Ch. 20.9 Levit. 23.3 Deut. 5.12 Luk. 13.14 An holy day Heb. Holiness Put to
which was given about this time Exod. 19.1 16. At this time also the Holy Ghost descended Act. 2.1 2. A new meat-offering Viz. The first-fruits of Wheat-harvest Exod. 34.22 Hence this Feast is called the day of the first-fruits Numb 28.26 17. With leaven Ch. 2.11 and ch 7.13 21. Ye shall proclaim Or call and assemble the People together See v. 2. 22. When ye reap Ch. 19.9 Neither shalt thou Deut. 24.19 24. Seventh Numb 29.1 This Month the Jews reckoned the first Month with respect to their Sabbatical Years their Jubilees their Planting c. Rosh Hasshanah c. 1. A Sabbath A Festival or Day of rest from servile work v. 25. See the Notes on v. 11. Blowing of Trumpets To give them notice of this beginning of the Year and probably to awaken them to Repentance against the Day of Expiation 27. Also on the tenth Ch. 16.30 Numb 29.7 32. Celebrate Heb. Rest Sabbath See verse 11. and compare Isa 58.3 and verse 13. 34. The fifteenth Numb 29.12 The feast of Tabernacles So called because at that time the Jews dwelt in Booths or Tabernacles or certain moveable Tents Joh. 7.2 It is also called the Feast of in-gathering because it was kept at a time of year when they had gathered in their Harvest Exod. 23.16 Deut. 16.13 The design of this Feast seems to have been that they might remember the benefit which the Cloud afforded them when they went through the Wilderness as the Chaldee Paraphrast intimates on the 43 verse To which may be added That it was appointed that they might remember their Fore-fathers dwelling in Booths in the Wilderness v. 43. At their first coming out of Egypt they came to Succoth Exod. 12.37 which signifies Tabernacles and in Tabernacles they continued in the Wilderness Another End of this Feast seems to be this That they might praise God for the fruits of the past year which they had newly gathered in Deut. 16.13 14 15. 36. On the eighth day Called the great day of the feast Joh. 7.37 Solemn assembly Heb. Day of restraint 37. A sacrifice Whether sin or peace-offering 38. Gifts Such Offerings as were additional to what was precisely commanded and were brought according as Men were able and as God had prospered them Deut. 16.10 17. 39. When ye have c. When your Labour about your Harvest is at an end and you are at leisure The Feast of Pentecost was but one day they being then in their Harvest 40. Boughs Heb. Fruit. Boughs at least of fruitfull Trees or such Trees as were not dead and barren 43. That your generations c. See the Notes on v. 34. 44. Vnto the children of Israel Who where concerned as well as the Priests in these Laws CHAP. XXIV The ARGUMENT Of the Oyl for the Lamps and Shew-bread Of the Blasphemer and the Law concerning Blasphemy Of Murder and Damage The Blasphemer is stoned 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. Command the children of Israel that they bring unto thee pure oyl-olive beaten for the light to cause the lamps to burn continually 3. Without the veil of the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation shall Aaron order it from the evening unto the morning before the LORD continually It shall be a statute for ever in your generations 4. He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the LORD continually 5. And thou shalt take fine flour and bake twelve cakes thereof two tenth-deals shall be in one cake 6. And thou shalt set them in two rows six on a row upon the pure table before the LORD 7. And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row that it may be on the bread for a memorial even an offering made by fire unto the LORD 8. Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant 9. And it shall be Aaron's and his sons and they shall eat it in the holy place for it is most holy unto him of the offerings of the LORD made by fire by a perpetual statute 10. And the son of an Israelitish woman whose father was an Egyptian went out among the children of Israel and this son of the Israelitish woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp 11. And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the Name of the LORD and cursed and they brought him unto Moses and his mother's name was Shelomith the daughter of Dibri of the tribe of Dan 12. And they put him in ward that the mind of the LORD might be shewed them 13. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 14. Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head and let all the congregation stone him 15. And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel saying Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin 16. And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD he shall surely be put to death and all the congregation shall certainly stone him as well the stranger as he that is born in the land when he blasphemeth the Name of the LORD shall be put to death 17. And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death 18. And he that killeth a beast shall make it good beast for beast 19. And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour as he hath done so shall it be done unto him 20. Breach for breach eye for eye tooth for tooth as he hath caused a blemish in a man so shall it be done to him again 21. And he that killeth a beast he shall restore it and he that killeth a man he shall be put to death 22. Ye shall have one manner of law as well for the stranger as for one of your own countrey for I am the LORD your God 23. And Moses spake unto the children of Israel that they should bring forth him that had cursed out of the camp and stone him with stones and the children of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses 1. AND the LORD c. After the Precepts concerning the yearly Feasts he lets them know what is to be done in the Sanctuary Daily and Weekly 2. Command the children of Israel that they bring c. This Precept is given here in pursuance of what God had said unto Moses Exod. 27.20 and it is given to the Children of Israel because they were to be at the charge or cost For these things which follow being a part of the standing and publick service of the Tabernacle were to be provided for at the cost of the whole Congregation And it was accordingly provided that there should be a constant allowance to that purpose these Oblations being in behalf of the whole Congregation Exod. 23.15 and 27.21 and 30.13 16. To cause c. Heb. To cause to ascend 3. Veil of the testimony i. e. The Veil of the Ark of the Testimony Exod. 25.16 which parted the Holy place
Consecrating the Levites and the age and time of their Service Of the Passover and an allowance of a Second Passover and guidance of the Cloud Of the use of the Silver Trumpets Of the removal of the Israelites Of the words which Moses used when the Ark set forward and when it rested Of these things we have an account ch 8 9 10. After this we have a Relation of the burning at Taberah Of the People's loathing of Manna and lusting for Flesh Of the Seventy Elders and of the Quails ch 11. and of the Sedition of Miriam and Aaron ch 12. We have next a Relation of the Spies sent into the Promised Land Of their Instructions Of their Doings and Report of the Land Of the People's murmuring hereupon Of God's just Displeasure and the Effects of it Of the Intercession of Moses and great Folly of the Israelites ch 13 and 14. The fifteenth Chapter lays before us sundry Laws viz. That concerning the Meat-offering as that Offering was an attendant upon a Bloody Sacrifice And the Drink-offering Of the Heave-offering Of the first of the Dough Of Sins of Ignorance and Presumption Of the Profaner of the Sabbath and of the Fringes We have next an Account of the Rebellion of Korah and Dathan and Abiram Of their invading the Priest's Office and their exemplary Punishment The Memory of their Rebellion is perpetuated and the Right of the Priests vindicated by the budding of Aaron's Rod and their honorary Maintenance hereupon particularly related ch 16 17 18. The next Chapter gives account of the Water made of the Ashes of the red Heifer which is followed with a Relation of the death of Miriam the murmuring of the People the smiting the Rock c. and the death of Aaron ch 19.20 And then we have an account of the Israelites Victory over the Canaanites of their murmuring of the fiery Serpents and of that of Brass Of several Journeyings of the Israelites and their Conquest over Sihon and Og ch 21. After this we have a Relation of Balak's sending to Balaam to curse the Israelites Of Balaam's Journey and Balak's Disappointment Several Predictions of Balaam are related and there follows an account of the Israelites committing Whoredom and Idolatry at Shittim and of their Punishment ch 22 23 24 25. Next to this we have an account of the number of the Israelites in order to the dividing the Land among them ch 26. And the Law of Inheritances upon occasion of the suit of the Daughters of Zelophehad ch 27. In the two next Chapters we have a more particular account than was given before of the Stated Holocausts and the Meat and Drink-offerings pertaining thereunto This is followed with a Law concerning Vows ch 30. We have after this an account of the Israelites Conquest over the Midianites and a Law concerning the dividing the Spoil ch 31. Next follows the Request of the Reubenites and Gadites and the success of it and an account of the Journeyings of the Israelites in the Wilderness Of the Borders of the Promised Land and the names of the Men which should divide it Of the Levites Cities and the Cities of Refuge with the Law concerning Murther Of the Inheritance of Daughters and the Marriage of Heiresses in their own Tribe which is followed with an account how the Daughters of Zelophehad were married ch 32 33 34 35 36. By what hath been said any Man will see that this Book is very fitly called NUMBERS For here we have the number of the twelve Tribes taken no less than three times ch 1. ch 2. and ch 26. And the Levites are numbred as often ch 3 4 26. We have also several other things numbred The things that were offered and the Princes who offered those things at the Dedication of the Altar ch 7. The Spoils taken in the War with Midian ch 31. And all the stated Holocausts that were yearly offered up ch 28 29. Not to mention the Number and Names of the Cities of Levites and of Refuge and the particulars of the Israelites Marches or Journeyings in the Wilderness These are the principal Matters contained in this Book which if duly considered will be of great use to us for the better governing our selves as well as for the more clear understanding of the other parts of the Holy Scriptures It is not to be expected I should in this place make Reflections upon all the Particulars which are laid before us in this Book It may suffice that I lay before the Reader some few Particulars and shew how very much they tend to the use of Life and serve to engage us to strict Obedience to the Will of God And for the other I referr the Reader to the following Notes I might here shew the admirable use that is to be made of the Relation of the numbring the People and order of their Camp For here is much of God's special Providence to be observed from those Relations which we pass over in reading the Scriptures with too great Negligence And there are many parts of the Holy Writ which we pass over with little regard that are very instructive to us But I will not insist upon this matter in this place I shall especially consider the following Particulars I. The setting aside the Levites to the service of God their Charge and Service This spake God's great care of his People to appoint an Order of Men to attend upon his Service and to wait on his Sanctuary And it does also instruct those that Minister in Holy Things not onely to consider how they were called to that Holy Office but to consider also how they discharge it The Particulars relating to this Order of Men are very instructive to the People also They were not numbred among the rest having no Inheritance as the other Tribes had They were to attend upon their Office in the service of God and his People It was therefore the People's part to be kind to them and there are in the Law of Moses many Precepts to this purpose They were not onely obliged to pay them their Tithes in which even in some of the worst times they were scrupulously carefull but to assist them upon other occasions that they might attend upon God's Service This teacheth the People to communicate of their Temporal Things very freely to those that watch over their Souls and to honour them greatly for the sake of their Work and their Master II. That Law concerning the removing the Unclean from the Camp chap. 5. This is very instructive to the Governors and Ministers of the Church It is not fit that Profane and Scandalous Sinners should be admitted to partake of the holiest things 'T is very much the duty of those concerned and the Interest of the whole Church that those should be debarred from her Communion who are notoriously scandalous I know very well that that Law made a difference in the Unclean and that there was a difference as to the Camps also and 't will
the tabernacle northward 36. And under the custody and charge of the sons of Merari shall be the boards of the tabernacle and the bars thereof and the pillars thereof and the sockets thereof and all the vessels thereof and all that serveth thereto 37. And the pillars of the court round about and their sockets and their pins and their cords 38. But those that encamp before the tabernacle toward the east even before the tabernacle of the congregation eastward shall be Moses and Aaron and his sons keeping the charge of the sanctuary for the charge of the children of Israel and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death 39. All that were numbred of the Levites which Moses and Aaron numbred at the commandment of the LORD throughout their families all the males from a mouth old and upward were twenty and two thousand 40. And the LORD said unto Moses Number all the first-born of the males of the children of Israel from a month old and upward and take the â—umber of their names 41. And thou shalt take the Levites for me I am the LORD in stead of all the first-born among the children of Israel and the cattel of the Levites in stead of all the firstlings among the cattel of the children of Israel 42. And Moses numbred as the LORD commanded him all the first-born among the children of Israel 43. And all the first-born males by the number of names from a month old and upward of those that were numbred of them were twenty and two thousand two hundred and threescore and thirteen 44. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 45. Take the Levites in stead of all the first-born among the children of Israel and the cattel of the Levites in stead of their cattel and the Levites shall be mine I am the LORD 46. And for those that are to be redeemed of the two hundred and threescore and thirteen of the first-born of the children of Israel which are more then the Levites 47. Thou shalt even take five shekels a piece by the pâ—ll after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them the shekel is twenty gerabs 48. And thou shalt give the money wherewith the odd number of them is to be redeemed unto Aaron and to his sons 49. And Moses took the redemption-money of them that were over and above them that were redeemed by the Levites 50. Of the first-born of the children of Israel took he the money a thousand three hundred and threescore and five shekels after the shekel of the sanctuary 51. And Moses gave the money of them that were redeemed unto Aaron and to his sons according to the word of the LORD as the LORD commanded Moses 1. AND Moses The Posterity of Moses whose Sons were not Priests but Levites 1 Chron. 23.13 14. are numbred among the Kohathites v. 27. 2. The first-born Exod. 6.23 3. Whom be consecrated Heb. Whose hand he filled See Exod. 29.9 4. And Nadab c. Levit. 10.1 ch 26.61 1 Chron. 24.2 In the sight c. Or With as the Greek have it viz. in the life-time of Aaron And thus much the Hebrew imports elsewhere Vid. Gen. 11.28 6. Minister The Work and Office of the Levites was as follows I. To minister to the Priests as appears from this Verse and from 1 Chron. 23.28 II. To serve at the Tabernacle this is expressed by keeping the Charge of the whole Congregation v. 7. And herein they served the People Vid. 2. Chron. 35.3 We have an account in this Chapter of the particular charge of the Gershonites v. 25 26. Of the Kohathites v. 31. Of the Merarites v. 36. And of their Carriages ch 4. and Deut. 10.8 From the Carriages they were excused in after-times when the Temple was built 1 Chron. 23.26 But then they were appointed III. To be Singers 1 Chron. 23.30 and ch 24. IV. And Pâ—rters to the several Gates of the Temple 1 Chron. 26.13 V. They had the charge of the Treasure 1 Chron. 26.20 of the House of God and of the Dedicate things And lastly some of them were made Officers and Judges in Business of the Lord and Service of the King See 1 Chron. 26.29 30. 7. His charge That is Aaron's v. 6. whom they were to obey The Hebrew imports this sense Levit. 18.30 And the charge of the whole congregation They were not onely â—o serve Aaron but the People also 2 Chron. 35.3 out of whom they were taken instead of the First-born v. 12. and whom they served when they attended upon the Sanctuary and discharged the several duties of their place v. 8. The Levites Obligation to Aaron and to the People may be learned from v. 9. 10. Priest's office It was the proper and peculiar Office of the Priests to bless the People in the name of the Lord to offer Incense and to minister at the Altar Numb 18.7 Deut. 21.5 1 Chron. 23.13 Stranger i. e. Who is not of the Family of Aaron See ch 1.51 Put to death See Numb 16. 13. For on the day Exod. 13.2 Levit. 27.26 chap. 8.16 Luk. 2.23 14. Moses Not to Moses and Aaron The Number of the Israelites was to be taken by Aaron as well as Moses ch 1.3 and so was that of the Kohathites ch 4.2 And the Gershonites and Merarites are expressly said to be numbred by Aaron as well as Moses ch 4.41 45. But the Precept to number the Levites here is onely directed to Moses and by him was executed v. 16. whatever assistance or approbation Aaron might give v. 39. And again we find that Moses was onely concerned in numbring the First-born of Israel v. 40 41 42. in which Aaron is not mentioned at all For since the Money with which the First-born of Israel which exceeded the number of the Levites were to be redeemed was to be paid to Aaron and his Sons v. 48. He whose advantage it was that the number of the First-born of Israel should exceed was not authorized to take the number 15. From a month old c. The reason why the Levites were numbred here from a Month old and not as the other Tribes from twenty years old and upward is because they were taken in the stead of the First-born v. 12. and are therefore numbred at that age when the First-born were to be redeemed Numb 18.16 16. Word Heb. Mouth 17. And these c. Gen. 46.11 Exod. 6.16 ch 26.57 1 Chron. 6.1 23. Behind the tabernacle westward The East was reckoned the first place ch 2 3. and the West was consequently behind The Gershonites pitched between the Tabernacle and the Standard of Ephraim ch 2.18 25. The charge c. Compare ch 4.25 29. Southward Between the Sanctuary and the Standard of Reuben ch 2.10 31. Their charge Compare ch 4. v. 5 c. 35. Northward viz. Between the Sanctuary and the Standard of Daâ— ch 2.25 36. Under the custody Heb. The office of the charge Compare chap. 4.31 32. 38. Eastward viz. Between
take up the censers out of the burning and scatter thou the fire yonder for they are hallowed 38. The censers of these sinners against their own souls let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar for they offered them before the LORD therefore they are hallowed and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel 39. And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers wherewith they that were burnt had offered and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar 40. To be a memorial unto the children of Israel that no stranger which is not of the seed of Aaron come near to offer incense before the LORD that he be not as Korah and as his company as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses 41. But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron saying Ye have killed the people of the LORD 42. And it came to pass when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation and behold the cloud covered it and the glory of the LORD appeared 43. And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation 44. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 45. Get you up from among this congregation that I may consume them as in a moment and they fell upon their faces 46. And Moses said unto Aaron Take a censer and put fire therein from off the altar and put on incense and go quickly unto the congregation and make an atonement for them for there is wrath gone out from the LORD the plague is begun 47. And Aaron took as Moses commanded and ran into the midst of the congregation and behold the plague was begun among the people and he put on incense and made an atonement for the people 48. And he stood between the dead and the living and the plague was stayed 49. Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred beside them that died about the matter of Korah 50. And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation and the plague was stayed 1. KOrah Chap. 27.3 Ecclus. 45.18 Jude 11. This Korah was Cousin-German to Moses and Aaron Exod. 6.18 20 21. And thought himself fit to be their Equal Again Elzaphan the Son of Vzziel who was younger Brother to Izhar Exod. 6.18 21 22. was appointed Chief of the House of the Father of the Families of the Kohathites Numb 3.30 which might occasion some discontent to Korah Reuben He was the First-born of Israel but for his Sin was deprived of his Birth-right Gen. 49.3 4. and the Priviledges thereof 1 Chron. 5.1 2. which his Posterity seditiously would usurp They and Korah Confederate together Besides their pretences they had the easier opportunity of associating from their being placed by each other on the South-side of the Camp ch 2. Took men viz. The Two hundred and fifty mentioned v. 2. 2. Princes Exod. 18.25 Numb 1.16 Famous Ch. 26.9 3. Ye take too much upon you Heb. It is much for you i. e. Let it suffice that ye have hitherto exalted your selves See Deut. 3.26 4. He fell upon his face See the Note on ch 14.5 5. Who are his i. e. Who are chosen by him to govern and minister in holy things And will cause c. That is he will some way or other justifie the Vocation of them to their eminent and separate Offices 6. This do This Command Moses gives by God's special direction 7. Before the LORD That is in the Sanctuary where God was more especially present 9. To minister unto them That is to minister in their room and stead 10. The priesthood This was an higher Order above that of the Levites and by God conferred upon Aaron and his Sons 11. Against the LORD They might well be said to gather together against the Lord when they did it against those whom God had appointed 1 Sam. 8.7 Luk. 10.16 12. Moses sent to call Dathan c. He summoned them to come to him by which means they might have been taken off from persisting in their Sedition by his perswasions had they hearkened to him 14. Put out Heb. Bore out 15. Respect not c. Gen. 4.4 19. The glory of the LORD See the Note on ch 14.10 22. They fell See v. 4. One man Korah who was the Principal who seduced others into this Rebellion See v. 1 5 8 16 19. 25. Went unto Dathan c. Who refused to come to him v. 12 14. 26. Touch nothing of theirs Because it is devoted to destruction Josh 7.11 27. Came out and stood This seems to intimate their defiance of Moses and his Power 1 Sam. 17.8 16. 28. All these works viz. The appointing Aaron to be Priest and the Levites to minister and his undertaking the Government and appointing Korah and his Company to take Censers v. 6. 29. The common death Heb. As every man dieth 30. Make a new thing Heb. Create a creature 31. And it came to pass Chap. 27.3 Deut. 11.6 Psal 106.17 32. And all the men i. e. All those who continued with him at this time and were of his Confederacy which no way contradicts what is said ch 26.11 The children of Korah died not 35. A fire from the LORD See Levit 10.1 2. 37. Vnto Eleazar These evil Men attempted to deprive Aaron's Posterity of the Priesthood and therefore Eleazar his Son is commanded to make the Censers into a standing Memorial of their fault and of the Priesthood's being setled in the Family of Aaron Out of the burning Or Out of the place where they who offered Incense were destroyed by Fire v. 35. Yonder i. e. Farther from the Sanctuary Hallowed That is separated from common use having been offered before the Lord v. 38. to the use which God should appoint them to 38. Altar That is the Altar of Burnt-offering and not the Altar of Incense for this was over-laid with pure Gold Exod. 37.26 and these Censers were of Brass v. 39. Besides that the Altar of Incense was in the Holy place out of the view of the People and consequently Plates there placed would not serve as a sign to them 41. On the morrow c. This Sin of theirs is greatly aggravated from their having seen the strange Judgment of God upon the Seditious the day before 42. The glory See v. 19. 45. Fell c. See verse 4. 46. Take a censer c. God by what Aaron did and effected did farther assert his just Title to the Priesthood 47. Put on incense and made c. This Incense represented Prayer and Aaron's offering it in behalf of the People the intercession of Christ on our behalf v. 48. 50. The plague was stayed Upon Aaron's offering Incense a stop is put to the destruction whereas when they who were not called of God as Aaron attempted to offer it the Judgment of God over-took
them CHAP. XVII The ARGUMENT The Priesthood of Aaron and his Sons is confirmed by the Budding of Aaron's Rod. That Rod was to be kept for a Memorial 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. Speak unto the children of Israel and take of every one of them a rod according to the house of their fathers of all their princes according to the house of their fathers twelve rods write thou every man's name upon his rod. 3. And thou shalt write Aaron's name upon the rod of Levi for one rod shall be for the head of the house of their fathers 4. And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony where I will meet with you 5. And it shall come to pass that the man's rod whom I shall choose shall blossom and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel whereby they murmur against you 6. And Moses spake unto the children of Israel and every one of their princes gave him a rod a-piece for each prince one according to their father's houses even twelve rods and the rod of Aaron was among their rods 7. And Moses laid up the rods before the LORD in the tabernacle of witness 8. And it came to pass that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness and behold the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded and brought forth buds and bloomed blossoms and yielded almonds 9. And Moses brought out all the rods from before the LORD unto all the children of Israel and they looked and took every man his rod. 10. And the LORD said unto Moses Bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony to be kept for a token against the rebels and thou shalâ— quite take away their murmurings from me that they die not 11. And Moses did so as the LORD commanded him so did he 12. And the children of Israel spake unto Moses saying Behold we die we perish we all perish 13. Whosoever cometh any thing near unto the tabernacle of the LORD shall die shall we be consumed with dying 2. Twelve rods It is very probable that there were twelve besides the Rod of Aaron for so many Princes there were chap. 1. and chap. 7. and no less seems intimated v. 6. And the Vulgar Latin there expressly affirms it 3. Aaron's name As the Prince or Head of the Tribe of Levi. 4. Before the testimony That is before the Ark which is called the Ark of the Testimony Exod 25.22 because it contained the Tables of the Law called the Testimony Exod. 25.16 And that the Rods were laid in the Holy of Holies is farther evident from this That Moses was Commanded to bring again Aaron's Rod before the Testimony v. 10. which was laid up in the Holy of Holies Heb. 9.4 Where I will meet Exod. 25.22 5. Whom I shall choose viz. To minister to me in the Priesthood 6. A rod a-piece Heb. A rod for one Prince a rod for one Prince 10. Aaron's rod Heb. 9.4 To be kept for a token That is to be reserved or laid up for a token and perpetual Memorial For there were two Signs or Tokens of this matter The Covering of the Altar which was exposed as a sign or token unto the Children of Israel ch 16.38 And the Rod of Aaron a reserved token against the Rebels Rebels Heb. Children of Rebellion 12. We die By this Miracle they are convinced of the danger they were in if they should at any time invade the Office of the Priesthood or press beyond their allowed limits CHAP. XVIII The ARGUMENT The Charge and Office of the Priests and of the Levites The several Portions or Dues to the Priests and to the Levites 1. AND the LORD said unto Aaron Thou and thy sons and thy fathers house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood 2. And thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi the tribe of thy father bring thou with thee that they may be joyned unto thee and minister unto thee but thou and thy sons with thee shall minister before the tabernacle of witness 3. And they shall keep thy charge and the charge of all the tabernacle onely they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary and the altar that neither they nor you also die 4. And they shall be joined unto thee and keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation for all the service of the tabernacle and a stranger shall not come nigh unto you 5. And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary and the charge of the altar that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel 6. And I behold I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel to you they are given as a gift for the LORD to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation 7. Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priests office for every thing of the altar and within the veil and ye shall serve I have given your priests office unto you as a service of gift and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death 8. And the LORD spake unto Aaron Behold I also have given thee the charge of mine heave-offerings of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing and to thy sons by an ordinance for ever 9. This shall be thine of the most holy things reserved from the fire every oblation of theirs every meat-offering of theirs and every sin-offering of theirs and every trespass-offering of theirs which they shall render unto me shall be most holy for thee and for thy sons 10. In the most holy place shalt thou eat it every male shall eat it it shall be holy unto thee 11. And this is thine the heave-offering of their gift with all the wave-offerings of the children of Israel I have given them unto thee and to thy sons and to thy daughters with thee by a statute for ever every one that is clean in thy house shall eat of it 12. All the best of the oyl and all the best of the wine and of the wheat the first-fruits of them which they shall offer unto the LORD them have I given thee 13. And whatsoever is first ripe in the land which they shall bring unto the LORD shall be thine every one that is clean in thine house shall eat of it 14. Every thing devoted in Israel shall be thine 15. Every thing that openeth the matrice in all flesh which they bring unto the LORD whether it be of men or beasts shall be thine nevertheless the first-born of man shalt thou surely redeem and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem 16. And those that are to be redeemed from a month old shalt thou redeem according to thine estimation for the money of five shekels after
mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation 28. And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments and put them upon Eleazar his son and Aaron died there in the top of the mount and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mount 29. And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead they mourned for Aaron thirty days even all the house of Israel 1. IN the first mouth viz. Of the fortieth Year after they came out of Egypt ch 33.38 and when the Generation of Men who were fit for Battel were consumed Deut. 2.14 Miriam She was Sister to Moses and Aaron and a Prophetess also Exod. 15.20 Micah 6.4 2. There was no water The Water which came out of Horeb and had supplied them in the Wilderness 1 Cor. 10.4 now they draw nigh the promised land fails them Exod. 17.6 3. Chode Exod. 17.2 When our brethren ch 11.33 6. Fell upon their faces See Chap. 14. v. 5. 8. The rod i. e. That Rod with which Moses wrought his Miracles in Egypt which is called his Rod v. 11. and it is probable was lodged in the Sanctuary v. 9. For Moses is said v. 9. to have taken it from before the LORD 12. Because ye believed me not c. It may be matter of enquiry wherein consisted the sin of Moses with which Aaron is also charged as consenting to it In answer to which it is to be considered I. That the very Letter of God's command was broken First In that Moses smote the Rock with his Rod and smote it twice v. 11. whereas he had received no such command from God but was commanded to speak to the Rock v. 8. that the People might see how easily God could supply their want of Water Whereas in the Waters of Horeb he was indeed expressly required to smite with the Rod as well as to take it Exod. 17.5 6. For though he were here commanded to take the Rod yet that does not imply that he was to smite with it as appears from the following Instances Exod. 8.5 6. with ch 9.23 and ch 10.13 and ch 14.16 Secondly In speaking to the People which Moses had no Commission to do and not to the Rock which was expressly commanded v. 8 10. II. That this open breach of God's Command was committed in the sight and face of the Assembly v. 8. hence are Moses and Aaron charged for not sanctifying the Lord in the eyes of the children of Israel v. 12. III. Moses was also guilty of some degree of Unbelief and distrust of God's Power and Veracity as appears from v. 12. compared with v. 10. Must we or can we as the Vulgar hath it fetch water c. which seems to intimate a doubting Vid. Gen. 18.13 and too much Anger and Commotion of Mind They provoked his spirit so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips Psal 106.33 And as the degrees of these sins were known to God onely so it is certain upon the whole they were guilty of that which is elsewhere called Trespass and Rebellion Numb 27.14 Deut. 32.51 To sanctifie me c. i. e. By your ready and absolute Obedience to my Command to own my Sovereignty as well as Veracity in the presence of the Children of Israel 13. This is c. Ps 106.32 Meribah That is Strife And he was sanctified in them i. e. In Moses and Aaron by punishing their Disobedience See Levit 10.3 Ezek. 38.16 22 23. 14. Befallen us Heb. Found us 16. An Angel See Exod. 3.2 17. The King 's high way i. e. The Common Road of all Travellers See v. 19. and ch 21.22 21. Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border Though he refused this yet he did not deny them Victuals and Water for Money as they passed by him See Deut. 2.28 29. 22. Kadesh Ch. 33.37 Mount Hor This Mount was upon the Coast of Edom v. 23. Hence the Horims might have their Name to whom the Children of Esau succeeded in Seir Deut. 2.12 And hence Seir was called an Horite Gen. 36.20 24. Word Heb. Mouth 25. Take Aaron c. Ch. 33.38 Deut. 32.50 26. Of his garments viz. Of his Priestly Robes This implied the devesting him of his Office as the putting them upon Eleazar his Son implied the succeeding of Eleazar into his Father's Employment and Dignity Isa 22.20 21. 28. Aaron died there Deut. 10.6 and ch 32.50 This happened in the fortieth year after the Israelites came out of Egypt on the first day of the fifth month when Aaron was an hundred twenty and three years old ch 33.38 39. The Death of Aaron shews the Insufficiency of the Levitical Priesthood Heb. 7.23 24. 29. Thirty days See Deut. 34.8 CHAP. XXI The ARGUMENT The Israelites get a Victory over the Canaanites They murmur and are thereupon destroyed with fiery Serpents They are upon their Repentance healed by a Serpent of Brass They remove to a Place called Oboth and after other Removes they come to Arnon and thence to Beer Some other Removes Sihon and Og are over-come by the Israelites 2552. 1452. 1. AND when king Arad the Canaanite which dwelt in the south heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies then he fought against Israel and took some of them prisoners 2. And Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD and said If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand then I will utterly destroy their cities 3. And the LORD hearkened to the voice of Israel and delivered up the Canaanites and they utterly destroyed them and their cities and he called the name of the place Hormah 4. And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red-sea to compass the land of Edom and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way 5. And the people spake against God and against Moses Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness for there is no bread neither is there any water and our soul lotheth this light bread 6. And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people and much people of Israel died 7. Therefore the people came to Moses and said We have sinned for we have spoken against the LORD and against thee pray unto the LORD that he take away the serpents from us and Moses prayed for the people 8. And the LORD said unto Moses Make thee a fiery serpent and set it upon a pole and it shall come to pass that every one that is bitten when he looketh upon it shall live 9. And Moses made a serpent of brass and put it upon a pole and it came to pass that if a serpent had bitten any man when he beheld the serpent of brass he lived 10. And the children of Israel set forward and pitched in Oboth 11. And they journeyed from Oboth and pitched at Ije-abarim in the wilderness which is before Moab toward the sun-rising 12. From thence they removed and pitched in the valley of Zared 13. From
he did acknowledge the true God with which profession as he joined Enchantments ch 24.1 so he added Sacrifices on the high places of Baal v. 41. with ch 23.2 9. God came c. i. e. God manifested himself to him or the Word of God came to him as the Chaldee What men c. This is to introduce what follows and does not imply that God did not know who they were See Gen. 4.9 10. 11. I shall be able to over-come them Heb. I shall prevail in fighting against them 13. The LORD refuseth c. This is not all which he might and ought to have said to prevent any farther importunity in this matter For God had strictly forbid him to Curse this People and assured him that they were Blessed which Declaration was sufficient to have prevented any farther Message from Moab and to have restrained Balaam from any farther inquiry in this matter 14. Balaam refuseth They ought to have said the Lord refuseth to give him leave v. 13. in order to the preventing of another Message 16. Let nothing Heb. Be not thou letted from c. 18. If Balak would Chap. 24.13 He professes himself restrained by God from which restraint he is willing to get loose as appears from the following words 20. God came See verse 9. 22. God's anger was kindled because he went This may seem strange that God should be angry with him for going when he bid him rise up and go v. 20. For the removing this difficulty it is to be considered I. That God had expressly forbid his going at the first God had said to him Thou shalt not go with them v. 12. II. That God did after this onely permit but not command nor yet approve his going God having declared himself positively v. 12. Balaam ought not to have made farther inquiry yet this he did out of Covetousness upon the arrival of more honourable Messengers v. 15. with 2 Pet. 2.15 III. His going was attended with an evil design The Angel says Thy way is perverse before me v. 32. and he seemed to go with a purpose to Curse Israel which the King of Moab expressly desired and God as expressly had forbidden v. 12. Nevertheless the Lord thy God would not hearken unto Balaam But the Lord thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee because the Lord thy God loved thee Deut. 23.5 23. The Ass saw 2 Pet. 2.16 Jud. 11. Which was more than Balaam or his Servants did God thinking fit to restrain their sight 28. And the LORD opened the mouth c. This God did by his irresistible Power and no Man can think it incredible that believes that there is a God who made the World 29. Balaam said c. Balaam seems not to be astonished at the speaking of the Ass partly this may be imputed to that stupidity and hardness of heart to which we suppose him given up and partly to this That he being a South-sayer and Magician he had been used to very uncouth appearances and to things which to others would have been very astonishing 30. Vpon which thou hast ridden Heb. Who hast ridden upon me Ever since I was thine Or Ever since thou wast c. 31. Fell flat on his face Or Bowed himself 32. To withstand thee Heb. To be an adversary unto thee 34. I have sinned for I knew not c. He He makes no Confession of his Covetousness which was the faulty Principle which set him forward Displease thee Heb. Be evil in thine eyes 36. In the utmost coast See chap. 21.16 39. Kirjath-huzoth Or a City of Streets A place in the extremity of the Country of Moab See the Vulgar Latin 40. Sent to Balaam c. To feast upon the Oxen and Sheep which he had slain 41. The high places of Baal i. e. The high places set a-part for the Worship of their Idol or False God Baal See chap. 25.2 3. Thither Balak brings Balaam as to a place most advantageous for his purpose both as it was a place dedicated to Baal and for its height giving him a prospect of the Camp of Israel CHAP. XXIII The ARGUMENT Balak's Sacrifices The Words of Balaam Balaam is brought by Balak to another place His Parable He Blesseth the Israelites Balak takes him to another place 1. AND Balaam said unto Balak Build me here seven altars and prepare me here seven oxen and seven raâ—s 2. And Balak did as Balaam had spoken and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram 3. And Balaam said unto Balak Stand by thy burnt-offering and I will go peradventure the LORD will come to meet me and whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee And he went to an high place 4. And God met Balaam and he said unto him I have prepared seven altars and I have offered upon every altar a bullock and a ram 5. And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth and said Return unto Balak and thus thou shalt speak 6. And he returned unto him and lo he stood by his burnt-sacrifice he and all the princes of Moab 7. And he took up his parable and said Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram out of the mountains of the east saying Come curse me Jacob and come defie Israel 8. How shall I curse whom God hath not cursed or how shall I defie whom the LORD hath not defied 9. For from the top of the rocks I see him and from the hills I bebold him lo the people shall dwell alone and shall not be reckoned among the nations 10. Who can count the dust of Jacob and the number of the fourth part of Israel Let me die the death of the righteous and let my last end be like his 11. And Balak said unto Balaam What hast thou done unto me I took thee to curse mine enemies and behold thou hast blessed them altogether 12. And he answered and said Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth 13. And Balak said unto him Come I pray thee with me unto another place from whence thou mayest see them thou shalt see but the utmost part of them and shalt not see them all and curse me them from thence 14. And he brought him into the field of Zophim to the top of Pisgah and built seven altars and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar 15. And he said unto Balak Stand here by thy burnt-offering while I meet the LORD yonder 16. And the LORD met Balaâ—â— and put a word in his mouth â—â—d said Go again unto Balak and say thus 17. And when he came to him behold he stood by his burnt-offering and the princes of Moab with him And Balak said unto him What hath the LORD spoken 18. And he took up his parable and said Rise up Balak and hear hearken unto me thou son of Zippor 19. God is not a man that he should lye neither the son of man that he should repent
not practise those Precepts which were annexed to the Land and required a settled condition See v. 9 10. 11. Your choice vows Heb. The choice of your vows Whatever was offered as a Vow was to be select and perfect whereas what was less perfect might serve in a Free-will-offering that being brought upon meer good-will without any preceeding Vow or Obligation Levit 22.20 21 22 23. 12. He hath no part Chap. 10.9 See the Note on ch 10.9 15. Lusteth after Or Desireth The unclean This being but common and ordinary Food which is here spoken of he that was legally unclean was permitted to eat of it which by the Law he might not have done had it been a part of a Peace offering Levit 7.20 As of the roe-buck and as of the hart q. d. As freely as he may eat of any other Flesh which is not forbidden as unclean such was that of the Roe-buck and Hart which were not forbidden by the Law See chap. 14.5 16. Onely Chap. 5.23 17. The tithe of thy corn For the right understanding of these words see the Note on the 6th Verse of this Chapter Firstlings of thy herds c. For the First born strictly so called they belonged to the Priests Numb 18.15 And therefore it hath been supposed with great probability that these Firstlings here spoken of are to be meant of such as after the setting a side the First-born were then by the Owner set a part and dedicated to God For as the Tithe here spoken of is to be understood of the second Tithe so may the Firstling be understood in a like sense 19. Take heed Chap. 14.27 Ecclus 7.51 As long Heb. All thy days 20. When the LORD thy God shall enlarge thy border c. For the fuller understanding the design of the words of this and the two following Verses it is to be remembred That while the Israelites were in the Wilderness they might not eat any Meat at their private Tables but such whereof they had first sacrificed to God at the Tabernacle See Levit. 17.4 and the Note upon that place This Precept was very practicable in the Wilderness where they encamped round about the Tabernacle The case was greatly altered when they came into the Land to which these Precepts were annexed v. 1 8 9 10 14. and so is the Law likewise concerning this matter For then many of them would live at a great distance from the Tabernacle and could not without great difficulty bring the Beasts which they killed for their private Tables to the Sanctuary And for that reason they were dispensed with and are not obliged to bring the Beast which they killed to the Door of the Tabernacle of the Congregation as in the Wilderness Levit. 17.9 But then lest they should surmise that they are likewise dispensed with as to the other part of that Law Levit. 17.10 11 c. forbidding the eating Blood they are strongly warned not to eat it v. 23 24 25. which is the true reason of those words in that place Hence it appears that the design of these words is not onely to let them know that they may lawfully kill and eat Flesh in all their Gates for that they were told before verse 15. But to acquaint them with the reason upon which they were dispensed with as to the bringing the Beast they killed to the Tabernacle which is particularly expressed verse 21. which words may be thus translated from the Hebrew Because the place which the Lord thy God hath chosen to put his name there is too far from thee thou mayest kill of thy herd c. As he hath promised thee Gen. 28.14 chap. 19.8 This promise was conditional See ch 11.22 23 24. 22. Even as the roe-buck See the Note on v. 15. 23. Be sure Heb. Be strong That is be greatly carefull of this matter See Levit 17.10 11 12. 26. Thy holy things Such things as are separated and set a-part for holy uses viz. Sacrifices and Tithes c. See v. 17. 27. And thou shalt eat the flesh viz. Of thy Sacrifices last above-named for this cannot extend to the Burnt-offerings or any other part of the Oblation which was due to the Altar or the Priest 29. Succeedest them Heb. Inheritest or possessest them 30. Take heed to thy self that thou be not snared by following them Heb. after them That is take heed of their sin and fear their punishment 31. Thou shalt not do so c. That is thou shalt not worship thy God as they did Abomination to Heb. Abomination of the. 32. Not add Ch. 4.2 Josh 1.7 Prov. 30.6 Rev. 22.18 CHAP. XIII The ARGUMENT Enticers to Idolatry how near soever are to be stoned to death Idolatrous Cities are not to be spared 1. IF there arise among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams and giveth thee a sign or a wonder 2. And the sign or the wonder come to pass whereof he spake unto thee saying Let us go after other gods which thou hast not known and let us serve them 3. Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams for the LORD your God proveth you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul 4. Ye shall walk after the LORD your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice and ye shall serve him and cleave unto him 5. And that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God which brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you out of the house of bondage to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in so shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee 6. If thy brother the son of thy mother or thy son or thy daughter or the wife of thy bosom or thy friend which is as thine own soul entice thee secretly saying Let us go and serve other gods which thou hast not known thou nor thy fathers 7. Namely of the gods of the people which are round about you nigh unto thee or far off from thee from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth 8. Thou shalt not consent unto him nor hearken unto him neither shall thine eye pity him neither shalt thou spare neither shalt thou conceal him 9. But thou shalt surely kill him thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death and afterwards the hand of all the people 10. And thou shalt stone him with stones that he die because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD thy God which brought thee out of the land of Egypt from the house of bondage 11. And all Israel shall hear and fear and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you 12. If thou shalt hear say in one of thy cities which the
LORD thy God hath given thee to dwell there saying 13. Certain men the children of Belial are gone out from among you and have with-drawn the inhabitants of their city saying Let us go and serve other gods which ye have not known 14. Then shalt thou enquire and make search and ask diligently and behold if it be truth and the thing certain that such abomination is wrought among you 15. Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword destroying it utterly and all that is therein and the cattel thereof with the edge of the sword 16. And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the street thereof and shalt burn with fire the city and all the spoil thereof every whit for the LORD thy God and it shall be an heap for ever it shall not be built again 17. And there shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to thine hand that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger and shew thee mercy and have compassion upon thee and multiply thee as he hath sworn unto thy fathers 18. When thou shalt hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day to do that which is right in the eyes of the LORD thy God 1. GIveth thee a sign That is he foretells some wonderfull thing that shall come to pass which sense is confirmed from the following words 2. And the sign or the wonder c. The meaning is And what he foretold in confirmation of his impious Doctrine saying Let us go after other Gods shall come to pass as he foretold it 3. Proveth you He suffereth the false Prophet to give a sign and by the event to confirm his impious Doctrine to try whether you are sincere and stedfast in your love to him and your Obedience and that this your sincerity may be known to your selves and others 4. Cleave Chap. 10.4 5. Be put to death The reason of which follows in the next words which determine this death to the person seducing to Idolatry Because he hath spoken Heb. revolt against the Lord to turn you away from the LORD The evil Both the evil Thing or impious Doctrine that it spread no farther and the evil Person also See Deut. 21.21 1 Cor. 5.13 6. If thy brother c. Here is an Enumeration of the nearest and dearest Relatives to let them know that they ought to love God above all 9. But thou shalt surely kill him Ch. 17.7 i. e. Thou shalt discover him and bring him to condign punishment which is death in this case by the Sentence of the Magistrate Thine hand shall be first upon him viz. As the witness of his Crime ch 17.7 10. Bondage Heb. Bondmen 11. All Israel Ch. 17.13 13. The children of Belial Or naughty men This expression is often used in Scripture to denote profligate and vile persons who are ungovernable and without the fear of God and Men and such as will not bear the Yoke of good Order and Discipline Are gone out from among you That is are separated from you and refuse Communion with you in your Religious Services See 1 Joh. 2.19 For of a local Separation the words cannot be understood because these vile Men after their Separation are yet in the following words supposed to be in their City withdrawing the Inhabitants and saying Let us go and serve other gods 14. Inquire c. The Magistrate is to take care to examine strictly into the truth of matter of fact and especially of this high nature and importance for Men are not to be put to death without clear evidence of their being guilty of death And is a proof that the killing v. 9. is not to be meant of doing it privately but after sufficient proof and the Sentence of the Magistrate 15. All that is therein For it may well be supposed that those who dissented would withdraw from so vile a City 16. For the LORD thy God Or To the Lord thy God viz. To appease God's just Displeasure and in honour of his offended Justice 17. Cursed Or Devoted CHAP. XIV The ARGUMENT The Israelites may not disfigure themselves in Mourning for the Dead What Beasts Fish and Fowl may and may not be eaten Of their Tithes to be eaten in the place which God should choose and particularly of the Tithe of the Third Year 1. YE are the children of the LORD your God ye shall not cut your selves nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead 2. For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself above all the nations that are upon the earth 3. Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing 4. These are the beasts which ye shall eat the ox the sheep and the goat 5. The hart and the roe-buck and the fallow-deer and the wild goat and the pygarg and the wild ox and the chamois 6. And every beast that parteth the hoof and cleaveth the cleft into two claws and cheweth the cud amongst the beasts that ye shall eat 7. Nevertheless these ye shall not eat of them that chew the cud or of them that divide the cloven hoof as the camel and the hare and the coney for they chew the end but divide not the hoof therefore they are unclean unto you 8. And the swine because it divideth the hoof yet cheweth not the cud it is unclean unto you ye shall not eat of their flesh nor touch their dead carcase 9. These ye shall eat of all that are in the waters all that have fins and scales shall ye eat 10. And whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye may not eat it is unclean unto you 11. Of all clean birds ye shall eat 12. But these are they of which ye shall not eat the eagle and the â—â—sifrage and the ospray 13. And the glede and the kite and the vulture after his kind 14. And every raven after his kind 15. And the owl and the night-hawk and the cuckow and the hawk after his kind 16. The little owl and the great owl and the swan 17. And the pelican and the gier-eagle and the cormorant 18. And the stork and the heron after her kind and the lapwing and the bat 19. And every creeping thing that flieth is unclean unto you they shall not be eaten 20. But of all clean fowls ye may eat 21. Ye shall not eat of any thing that dieth of it self thou shalt give it unto the stranger that is in thy gates that he may eat it or thou mayest sell it unto an alien for thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk 22. Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed that the field bringeth forth year by year 23. And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose
and the Preserver of thy Life And so he is of thy Prosperity which Life sometimes signifies see v. 19. and all the Comforts of Life CHAP. XXXI The ARGUMENT Moses does greatly encourage the Israelites and Joshua their Leader Moses delivers a Copy of the Law to the Priests with a command to read it every seventh Year God foretells the Apostacy of the Israelites and declares his displeasure thereupon He appoints a Song as a witness against them He encourageth Joshua The Law to be put into the Ark. Moses foretells the Apostacy of the Israelites 1. AND Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel 2. And he said unto them I am an hundred and twenty years old this day I can no more go out and come in also the LORD hath said unto me Thou shalt not go over this Jordan 3. The LORD thy God he will go over before thee and he will destroy these nations from before thee and thou shalt possess them and Joshua he shall go over before thee as the LORD hath said 4. And the LORD shall do unto them as he did to Sihon and to Og kings of the Amorites and unto the land of them whom he destroyed 5. And the LORD shall give them up before your face that ye may do unto them according unto all the commandments which I have commanded you 6. Be strong and of a good courage fear not nor be afraid of them for the LORD thy God he it is that doth go with thee he will not fail thee nor forsake thee 7. And Moses called unto Joshua and said unto him in the sight of all Israel Be strong and of a good courage for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them and thou shalt cause them to inherit it 8. And the LORD he it is that doth go before thee he will be with thee he will not fail thee neither forsake thee fear not neither be dismayed 9. And Moses wrote this Law and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD and unto all the elders of Israel 10. And Moses commanded them saying At the end of every seven years in the solemnity of the year of release in the feast of tabernacles 11. When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing 12. Gather the people together men and women and children and thy stranger that is within thy gates that they may hear and that they may learn and fear the LORD your God and observe to do all the words of this law 13. And that their children which have not known any thing may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it 14. And the LORD said unto Moses Behold thy days approach that thou must die call Joshua and present your selves in the tabernacle of the congregation that I may give him a charge And Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation 15. And the LORD appeared in the tabernacle in a pillar of a cloud and the pillar of the cloud stood over the door of the tabernacle 16. And the LORD said unto Moses Behold thou shalt sleep with thy fathers and this people will rise up and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land whither they go to be among them and will forsake me and break my covenant which I have made with them 17. Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day and I will forsake them and I will hide my face from them and they shall be devoured and many evils and troubles shall befall them so that they will say in that day Are not these evils come upon us because our God is not amongst us 18. And I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought in that they are turned unto other gods 19. Now therefore write ye this song for you and teach it the children of Israel put it in their mouths that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel 20. For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers that floweth with milk and honey and they shall have eaten and filled themselves and waxen fat then will they turn unto other gods and serve them and provoke me and break my covenant 21. And it shall come to pass when many evils and troubles are befallen them that this song shall testifie against them as a witness for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed for I know their imagination which they go about even now before I have brought them into the land which I sware 22. Moses therefore wrote this song the same day and taught it the children of Israel 23. And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge and said Be strong and of a good courage for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them and I will be with thee 24. And it came to pass when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book until they were finished 25. That Moses commanded the Levites which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD saying 26. Take this book of the law and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God that it may be there for a witness against thee 27. For I know thy rebellion and thy stiff neck behold while I am yet alive with you this day ye have been rebellious against the LORD and how much more after my death 28. Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes and your officers that I may speak these words in their ears and call heaven and earth to record against them 29. For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt your selves and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you and evil will befall you in the latter days because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands 30. And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song until they were ended 2. I can no more go out and come in See the Note on Numb 27.17 The strength of Moses was at present vigorous chap. 34.7 but he could not think it could last long besides this God had declared that he should not go over Jordan as it follows here 9. This law i. e. The whole body of it Vnto the priests the sons of Levi which bare the ark c. The fairest account of these words and the most unexceptionable is this That there is here an Ellipsis of